RTHK: French quadriplegic's life-support resumed A Paris appeals court on Monday ordered the resumption of life-support for a longtime vegetative Frenchman from whom doctors had only hours earlier begun withdrawing treatment, in a wrenching case that has divided his family and country. The court ordered authorities "to take all measures" to keep alive Vincent Lambert, a 42-year-old quadraplegic with severe brain damage, pending a review by the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Lambert's mother, Viviane, 73, hailed the ruling as "a very big victory" in her struggle to maintain vital medical care for her son. Doctors in France had earlier on Monday halted the nutrition and hydration Lambert receives, in line with the wishes of his wife and other relatives. Other courts this year had backed their assessment that nothing more could be done for Lambert, who has been kept alive for more than a decade, ever since a debilitating car accident in 2008. Medical sources told the FP news agency that Lambert could die within days or a week without the life support treatment he had been getting in the Sebastopol Hospital in the northeastern French city of Reims. The case has re-ignited a contentious debate over France's right-to-die laws, which allow so-called "passive" euthanasia for severely ill or injured patients with no chance of recovery. Lambert's parents, devout Catholics, have repeatedly launched court action to keep him alive, putting them at odds with Lambert's wife and six siblings who believe the most humane course is to let him die. On Monday, his mother exclaimed to AFP: "They were starting to eliminate Vincent! This is a very big victory. They are going to restore nutrition and give him drink. For once I am proud of the courts." But Lambert's nephew Francis, who supported euthanasia for his uncle, said restoring treatment would be "pure sadism by the medical-judicial system". Before the latest court ruling, Pope Francis had weighed in on Monday in favour of keeping Lambert alive. "Let us always safeguard life, God's gift, from its beginning until its natural end. Let us not give in to a throwaway culture," the pontiff said. French President Emmanuel Macron rejected calls by Lambert's parents and others to intervene, saying "the decision to stop treatment was taken after a constant dialogue between his doctors and his wife, who is his legal representative." Lambert's wife Rachel said on Monday that "to see him go, is to see him as a freed man." "Everyone can have their own opinion and convictions... but above all, can we now have our privacy," she told RTL radio. Vincent Sanchez, the doctor treating Lambert who has been the target of the parents' anger, had earlier urged the family to "rally around" Lambert as he faded away "so these moments are as peaceful, intimate as possible." An emotional video of Viviane comforting her son in his room, telling him not to cry as he appears to blink away tears, was later posted on the website of the conservative Valeurs Actuelles magazine. The parents returned later on Monday accompanied by two Benedictine monks who were family friends. A Paris march took place late on Monday towards the Elysee palace to call for Macron to step in. "There is still time to stop this madness," the parents' lawyers said. In 2014, Lambert's doctors, backed by his wife and siblings, decided to stop his nutrition and hydration in line with the law. But the parents, and his half-brother and a sister obtained a court order to block the move on grounds his condition might improve with better treatment, setting off a complex and wrenching legal saga that has lasted half a decade. Early this year, a French court sided with Sanchez's decision to stop the care keeping Lambert alive. The ruling was upheld last month by France's State Council which decides on the validity of laws and legal decisions. The UN committee on disabled rights this month asked France to suspend the decision while it conducts its own investigation, which could take years. The French government has said it will note the committee's deliberations but made clear there was no legal obligation for it to abide by them. On Monday, the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg rejected a request by the parents to halt the decision over the cessation of life-support pending the review by UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The court had already refused a similar request in April and said on Monday there was "no new evidence" that would justify a new hearing. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2019-05-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Elsevier launches Physics Open Amsterdam, May 21, 2019 - Elsevier, the global information analytics business specializing in science and health, is launching a novel broad scope open access journal, covering all areas of physics and related interdisciplinary areas - be that fundamental or applied. The Editorial Board will bring together editors from across Elsevier's existing physics journals to help guarantee high editorial standards. Authors will benefit from an established peer-review system and editorial guidance from over 30 partner journals-all published under the traditional subscription model. This experience combined with an established track record in each of their own areas of research, will ensure authors and editors identify the right pathway for submission. "I believe Elsevier's Physics Open is an excellent response to the pressures of open access publishing," said Stephen McKeever, Professor of nuclear physics at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, US, and Physics Open Editor. "The editors of the journal are from all areas of physics. They are respected in their individual fields and represent interests of their scientific communities to publish peer-reviewed, quality articles within a respected journal. With multiple points of submission, authors will access a novel editorial model with experienced editors, ensuring their paper is published swiftly with a maximum of visibility through the gold open access route. Philippe Terheggen, Managing Director for STM Journals, Elsevier, acknowledges the importance of expanding the publication possibilities for authors with a new journal like this: "Physics Open is part of our active promotion and investment in Open Access and Open Science. We continue our commitment to work closely with our research communities to secure trusted and relevant information, as well as providing the best options to authors. We thank all Physics Open Editors for their contribution to this new journal, and we look forward to welcoming authors to Physics Open." "I am certain that Physics Open will become a journal of recognized quality, meeting the needs of the physics community and, at the same time, fulfilling the requirements of funding agencies and research institutions alike to publish in recognized journals but in an open access format," concluded Prof. McKeever. The journal is open for submissions as of May 21, 2019, more information is available by visiting the Physics Open website at http://www. journals. elsevier. com/ physics-open . ### About open access at Elsevier Elsevier is the fastest growing open access publisher. Researchers have the option to publish open access and make their articles permanently available immediately in almost all of our journals, at a price below the industry average, while delivering above-average quality. The green OA option is also available across all Elsevier journals. We support over 600 research institutions worldwide in building their own open access programs with Digital Commons. We encourage authors to share their work prior to publication on platforms of their choice, including SSRN. Additionally, we make it easier to discover OA content in Scopus, where you can search, browse and set up alerts for over 8 million open access articles. Learn more about how Elsevier supports open access here: http://www. elsevier. com/ about/ open-science/ open-access/ surprising-facts About Elsevier Elsevier is a global information analytics business that helps scientists and clinicians to find new answers, reshape human knowledge, and tackle the most urgent human crises. For 140 years, we have partnered with the research world to curate and verify scientific knowledge. Today, we're committed to bringing that rigor to a new generation of platforms. Elsevier provides digital solutions and tools in the areas of strategic research management, R&D performance, clinical decision support, and professional education; including ScienceDirect, Scopus, SciVal, ClinicalKey and Sherpath. Elsevier publishes over 2,500 digitized journals, including The Lancet and Cell, 39,000 e-book titles and many iconic reference works, including Gray's Anatomy. Elsevier is part of RELX Group, a global provider of information and analytics for professionals and business customers across industries. http://www. elsevier. com Media contact Jonathan Davis, Communications Officer Elsevier +31 20 485 2719 j.davis.1@elsevier.com This story has been published on: 2019-05-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Armed security and police dogs were deployed to the area outside the General Election Emission (KPU) in central Jakarta. Police also rolled out more barbed wire and readied armoured trucks and water cannons to quell any civil unrest. Earlier, Indonesias counter-terrorism rounded up at least 10 people suspected of planning attacks during the upcoming announcement of the results of the Aprils presidential election. Security is tightened outside Indonesias election agency on May 20th when official results of a presidential poll are released this week. (Source: AFP/VNA) The arrests came as tension runs high and security is tightened in the country ahead of the announcement by the KPU scheduled for May 22nd.According to Indonesias national police spokesman Dedi Prasetyo, the suspects belonged to Jemaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), the largest Islamic State-linked group in the country, with local authorities still on the hunt for more members. The suspects claimed that they planned to attack mass gatherings on May 21st, 22nd, or 23rd to create chaos and target as many victims as possible, including police, he said. To safeguard the event, nearly 32,000 police and military personnel are on standby in the capital Jakarta, including troops drafted in from other provinces, Prasetyo said. Indonesia conducted general elections on April 17th to elect the next president and vice president. The race to become the Indonesian president for the 2019-2024 term was a rematch between two familiar candidates who were rivals in the 2014 election, namely incumbent President Joko Widodo and former Army Gen. Prabowo Subianto, a member of the Great Indonesian Movement Party. According to the latest results, with more than 80 percent of the votes counted, incumbent Indonesian President Joko Widodo is temporarily leading the race with 56 percent of the votes. /. By Express News Service VISAKHAPATNAM: Two persons died and five children fell ill after consuming jeelugu kallu (toddy brewed from fishtail palm tree) at Chitrakayaputtu village in Bongaram panchayat of Pedabayalu mandal in the district on Monday. The victims went to a nearby hillock to collect firewood and while returning they reportedly consumed toddy to quench their thirst. Later, all of them developed serious health complications. While B China Bullemma, 55, and V Bhavati, 13, died; Rambabbu, 17, V Nani Babu, 12, B Madhulata, 10, B Vishnu Murthy, 4 and B Chinnababu, 4, are undergoing treatment at the district area hospital in Paderu. According to hospital sources, the condition of four children is stable. As Madhulatas condition turned critical, doctors referred her to King George Hospital (KGH) at Vizag. It may be recalled in February, two youths Kilo Gopal (24) and Kilo Appanna (28) had died and three others were hospitalised after they consumed toddy in an interior village at Lotheru panchayat in Araku mandal. According to Araku police, three others along with the deceased had consumed toddy in the morning and they fell ill by night. In September 2002, 13 tribals of Gaduthuru village and five villages of G Madugula mandal had died after they consumed jeelugu kallu. They had reportedly contracted a mysterious disease after consuming it and died. Consuming fishtail palm toddy is commonplace among tribal villages. Men and women of all ages consume it. While some consume jeelugu kallu for intoxication, some consider it a medicine. Meanwhile, CPI(M) district secretary K Lokandham said as there was no drinking water facility in the area, a woman and six children consumed toddy resulting in two deaths. He urged the district administration to provide drinking water facilities in the agency area. He also said, in Dumbriguda mandal, 40 tribals suffered from diarrhoea due to the consumption of polluted water. Stating there were no proper medical facilities in agency villages, he asked the authorities to provide proper medical care to the tribals. 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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 By Express News Service SHIVAMOGGA (KARNATAKA): The locomotive of Mysuru bound Talaguppa-Bangalore Express caught fire but fortunately nobody was hurt in the mishap at Bhadravati station on Monday night. The train (16228 ) was stopped for over two hours at the station. Chief public relations officer of South Western Railway, E Vijaya, told The New Indian Express that the train arrived at Bhadravati station at 23.27 pm. The loco pilot noticed heavy smoke in the compressor room due to spark and asked for a relief locomotive (alternative arrangement) at 23.35 pm. The relief locomotive was arranged from Shivamogga and the same arrived at Bhadravati at 12.38 am. After detaching the failed locomotive the train started at 1.30 am with the alternative locomotive. The blaze was doused by using four fire extinguishers in the engine and two fire extinguishers in the station by the loco pilot and his assistant. Though the fire brigade was called as a standby, fire was doused before it arrived. Due to the accident, the train was stuck at the station for 2.40 hours. The train which got delayed by over two-and-a-half hours reached Bengaluru at 7.08 am and arrived in Mysuru at 10.29 am, with a delay of 2.44 hours. By Express News Service BENGALURU: Last year in October, former PM HD Deve Gowda and his protege-turned-political rival Siddaramaiah addressed their first joint press conference in Bengaluru after a gap of nearly 12 years. It was seen as a big development in state politics. Talking of their joint fight in the parliamentary polls, both leaders announced their resolve to win over 20 seats and restrict the BJP to single-digit figures. But if Sundays exit polls results are to be believed, the Gowda-Siddaramaiah combination has obviously not worked. The partners face the grim prospect of losing ground even on their home turf. A poor show would dent Siddaramaiahs image even as his followers raise the pitch for his return to power. Questions will also be asked about Gowdas hold over constituencies in the Vokkaliga heartland. Trust deficit among top leaders and the failure to put in place a strategy to bring leaders and workers together were among major reasons for the possible setback. Mysore seems to be slipping away from Congress. The loss in his home district would be a big embarrassment for former CM Siddaramaiah. He fought for keeping the Mysore LS seat and the party had to give up Tumkur to the JDS, a constituency it had won in 2014. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE Winning Mysore would help Siddaramaiah regain control over the district after his defeat last year in Chamundeshwari with a big margin of over 36,000 votes. But, his detractors within the party will try to put him in a spot if he fails to deliver Mysore to the Congress. He will also face tough questions from JDS, as the latter did not get full support from the Congress in Mandya and Hassan both crucial to Gowda and his party. Even in Tumkur, the JDS faced some resistance. Although BJP is their common enemy they failed to unite as they had their own constituencies to protect, said political analyst Prof Harish Ramaswamy. The coalition at the government level worked, but not at the ground level. The party was hoping to repeat its 2018 by-poll performance in the general elections. But seemingly it did not work as top leaders failed to send the right message to their workers who were not in agreement with the decision to fight elections together. While at the top, the alliance goal was to share the power to keep the BJP away, at the ground level, it meant losing ground to its traditional rival. That was evident from chairs being hurled at Congress meetings in Hassan, Congress flags at Sumalathas rallies in Mandya and resistance from JDS leaders to work for Congress in some constituencies. Congress too failed to contain differences within its own party units such as Kolar. In 2018, some 137,000 tonnes of honey were traded among the EU member states, with Hungary alone exporting nearly 20,000 tonnes to other members, amounting to about 14% of total intra-EU exports, according to the EUs statistical agency Eurostat. In terms of intra-EU exports, Hungary was followed by Belgium (19,000 tonnes), Spain (18,000 tonnes), Germany (16,000 tonnes), and Poland (15,000 tonnes). In contrast, in 2018, only 21,000 tonnes of honey were exported by the EU member states to countries outside the EU. These exports were worth EUR 119 million. Hungary exported more than 1,300 tonnes to non-EU countries. In the same year, EU member states imported 208,000 tonnes of natural honey from non-EU member states, worth EUR 452 million. In 2018, 60,000 tonnes of honey were imported to Germany from non-EU member states (29% of total extra-EU imports of honey), making the country the largest EU importer of honey from non-EU countries, ahead of the U.K. (45,000 tonnes), followed by Belgium (22,000 tonnes), Poland (21,000 tonnes), and Spain (17,000 tonnes). Compared to 2013, imports of honey from outside the EU increased in weight by 25%. However, the weight of EU exports of honey to non-member states grew by 40%. The bulk of non-EU imported honey came from China (80,000 tonnes, amounting to 39% of extra-EU imports), followed by Ukraine (41,000 tonnes), Argentina (25,000 tonnes), Mexico (21,000 tonnes), and Chile (8,000 tonnes). FRANCE 24: "Right-wing PM Orban and his Fidesz party have been in power for nine years, but recently they faced unusually fierce waves of protests over new labour laws." "Hungarian bosses could now demand 6-day weeks with overtime pay delayed for up to 3 years in some cases." This opinion does not necessarily represent the views of XpatLoop.com or the publisher. Your opinions are welcome too - for editorial review before possible publication online. Click here to Share Your Story Source: FRANCE 24 Prime Minister Viktor Orban has opened a 265 hectare test track for self-driving vehicles near Zalaegerszeg, in southwest Hungary. Orban said at the event on Monday that in the wake of a series on European crises, preserving the countrys identity, protecting its security and boosting competitiveness were priorities. These things are, in Hungarian minds, interconnected: protecting our identity and borders is of a piece with the European way of life, the European economic model and the protection of the worlds largest single market, Orban said. Regarding the test track which the government has funded with a 45 billion forint (EUR 137.9m) grant, Orban said the future has started, it is called digital economy. The Zalaegerszeg investment is one of the first tickets Hungary has bought into that future, he said. Orban said he expected the Zalaegerszeg centre to grow into a regional hub with maybe a European radius. It is a national interest that the 620 car manufacturing companies active in Hungary think of the country not simply as a production site but as a development hub, an opportunity to gain a competitive edge, he said. MTI Photo: Szigetvary Zsolt 'Relieved' Kansas Teenager Will Graduate from Harvard Days After Graduating from High School Kansas Teen Will Graduate from Harvard Days After High School This past Sunday, 17-year-old Braxton Moral graduated from high school in Ulysses, Kansas. At the end of this month, hes graduating from Harvard, and hopes to start law school. When I was younger, school got a little boring for me, he told CNN. I needed to stimulate my education, stimulate growth. That he certainly did. When he was 11, Braxton started taking classes at Harvards extension school online and, during the last few summers, on campus in Cambridge. Good Morning America reported that hes taken mostly government classes and hopes to enter politics. Im relieved to have a little bit of a head start, Braxton told GMA. I thought it really broadened my horizons. It helped me understand new things and what I want to do [in life]. Braxton Moral, right, and a high school classmate | Sandra J. Milburn/The Hutchinson News via AP Kevin McGrath, an associate professor in South Asian Studies at Harvard University, told GMA the teen is a remarkable and unique young scholar. Intellectually, he is extraordinary, but more than that, it is his discipline and endeavor which has enabled him to begin adult life with such startling success, said McGrath. His mother, Julie Moral, told the New York Times that her sons outstanding intellectual abilities became evident around the age of 2 or 3. At his older siblings volleyball games, the toddler calculated mathematical differences in the scores, the Times reported. Braxton Moral | Sandra J. Milburn/The Hutchinson News via AP One of Braxtons sisters, Brittney Jo Segar, 29, told GMA she first noticed her baby brothers outsized intellect around 18 months. He always said big words and was different, she said. After skipping fourth grade and continuing to blossom intellectually, Braxton also became depressed. The Duke University Talent Identification Program pinpointed his problem. They said he was having existential depression, his mother told the Times. Its where youre like, Whats my purpose? Is there a God? Its something that most people have a midlife crisis. He had it like, in fifth grade. Story continues The Duke program suggested Harvard Extension, reported the Hutchinson News. Through Braxtons Harvard courses, he discovered his passion for politically related studies. Hes also found inspiration from the entrepreneur Elon Musk and ultimate fighter Conor McGregor, the Times reported. Braxton has written a book about his experiences, Harvard in the Heartland, with hopes to attend Columbia Universitys law school to study constitutional law. He told GMA his advice to other kids and teens is to explore what you are interested in as early as possible. His mothers advice? I told him, he can do whatever he wants, Julia Moral told the Times, as long as he changes the world and makes it better. By Johnny Cotton CANNES, France (Reuters) - Cannes regulars the Dardenne brothers said on Tuesday they were driven to explore the sensitive subject of radicalisation in their latest film after a wave of attacks in recent years, including those by Islamist militants. "Young Ahmed" is the latest movie by the Belgian filmmaking duo, Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, who have already won the film festival's top Palme d'Or award twice. It follows an adolescent boy, 13-year-old Ahmed, who is manipulated by an imam at a small mosque and ends up attempting to stab his teacher. Part of the film was shot in a real young offenders institute. "It's in the context of all these attacks which we have witnessed in Europe, in the United States, but also in Sri Lanka, the Middle East," Luc Dardenne told a news conference following the film's premiere. The brothers said they chose to tell the story through the eyes of a young boy, who also has to navigate a sexual awakening and an angsty relationship with his mother, to keep the audience onside, in a tale that also seeks to explore his possible redemption. "The film isn't a courtroom, the film is not an act of accusation. Our mission from the beginning was to see how this young Ahmed could - or couldn't - be brought back towards life," Jean-Pierre Dardenne said. The Cannes Film Festival runs until May 25. (Editing by Sarah White and Alexandra Hudson) By Express News Service KOCHI: Ansar-ul-Khilafah Kerala, the Islamic State (IS) module busted by NIA in Kannur in 2016, had planned poison attack on Israeli tourists at Vattakanal near Kodaikanal. The NIA elaborated the operations planned by the module during the prosecution argument as part of the trial of the case held at the NIA Court here on Tuesday. The NIA team busted the IS module Ansar-ul-Khilafah Kerala while conducting a clandestine meeting at Kanakamala in Kannur in October 2016. Manseed Muhmood, Swalih Mohammed, Rashid Ali, Ramshad N K, Safvan and Jasim N K are currently facing trial in the case. NIA prosecutor Arjun Amabalapatta read out various chats made by the accused using Telegram app before the court. The chat messages were retrieved after seizing the mobile phones and tabs from the accused. The accused persons formed a chat group named Thasveeb for planning attacks on Jewish tourists who arrive at Vattakanal. The chats made in the group from August 28, 2016, to October 1, 2016, were recovered from the mobile phones of two accused persons, the NIA prosecutor submitted before the court. Five members of Thasveeb were selected to plan and execute the attack. The directions for the group members were given by Kozhikode native Shajeer Mangalassery who went to Afghanistan to join IS in 2016. Shajeer was reportedly killed later. According to NIA, Shajeer had directed to conduct the attack using poison spray in the second week of November 2016 when Israeli tourists reach Kodaikanal in large numbers. The Mujahideen Poisons Handbook was recovered by NIA from an accused during the investigation. In a chat, Shajeer directed that the operation should be carried out only by a two-member group. One will drive the vehicle and another will execute the attack. Tools for the operation will be arranged by the state (IS). A person will train them to conduct the attack. After the attack, the IS will take responsibility by announcing it on Amaq- a news outlet linked to IS. The members of the group were directed to conduct a recce in the second week of October. An amount of Rs 18,000 was provided by a member of the module to take a car on rent and buy required dresses on September 27 through a foreign money exchange agency. It was directed that a fake registration certificate and number plate have to be obtained for the car. The group planned to conduct the attack at night when security will be minimal. Shajeer passed on instruction that there will be parties at Vattakanal in which most of the tourists will be high after abusing ganja. It will be easy to identify such parties as they are organised outdoors and there will be bonfires. The executor has to spray the poison at the Jews attending the party. There was also a directive to inflict maximum casualty. Had we not intercepted the module in October 2016, the group would have conducted the attack claiming lives of several foreign tourists. Such an attack would have affected the nation badly, the prosecutor said. (Warning: the following contains minor spoilers about Netflixs Dead to Me.)In Netflixs dark comedy Dead to Me, the superstitious Judy asks her ex-fiance Steve if their recent bad luck was caused by his having stolen a cursed rock on a trip to the Petrified Forest in Arizona. That single mention of the curse led dozens to call the national park, scared for their lives, according to the forests museum curator Matt Smith, a phenomenon he calls the Dead to Me effect.Because Netflix has such a wide reach and its such a great drama, weve had way more people returning [rocks], Smith said of the series, which premiered May 3.The Petrified Forest is marked with multi-colored fossilized wood and rocks from what is thought to be an ancient volcanic eruption, according to the National Parks Service. Before Judy (Linda Cardellini) and Steve (James Marsden) split, they vacationed in Sedona, Arizona, and hiked through the forest, about a two-hour drive away.Also Read: 'Dead to Me': Creator Liz Feldman Tells the Deeply Personal Story That Inspired Netflix's Dark ComedyWhile both Steve and Judy are stripping a car for very spoiler-filled reasons, she remembers a radio show segment that mentioned if you took something from the forest, it can leave you cursed with bad luck. Steve later confesses to taking a rock and asked Judy why she didnt take one, too.But the curse, and the shocking ending to the first season, is less about the rock and more about the people involved, Smith said.Steve isnt cursed by some spooky magic, Smith, who works in the forest regularly, said. Maybe the problem isnt a curse; maybe its a lack of impulse control.The legend of the curse became surfaced in the 1930s, Smith said, when the first letter came to the park from a tourist saying their life was ruined after stealing from the forest. The news of the letter became so popular that more people began taking souvenirs to see if youd feel the wrath of the curse.Also Read: 'Dead to Me' Creator Explains Why We Never See Jen's Dead HusbandBy the internet age, a book with an accompanying website called Bad Luck, Hot Rocks tracked incoming letters (often dubbed Conscious Letters) with photos of rocks that the senders said brought them bad luck. Here are your rocks, nothing but bad trouble, reads one letter on the site, dated November 1980.Today, taking something from the park would be illegal and come with a hefty fine. If youre still on the fence on whether the forest has a supernatural power, Smith has one last piece of evidence to push you towards the side of non-believers:He and his wife Sarah Herve, the acting chief of interpretation of the park, have been married happily for 10 years, even though he has been working with the so-called curse day in and day out.Its been nothing but upward trajectory for both us, he said. Knock on wood.Read original story Dead to Me': Is the Curse of the Petrified Forest Real? At TheWrap (Warning: the following contains minor spoilers about Netflixs Dead to Me.) In Netflixs dark comedy Dead to Me, the superstitious Judy asks her ex-fiance Steve if their recent bad luck was caused by his having stolen a cursed rock on a trip to the Petrified Forest in Arizona. That single mention of the curse led dozens to call the national park, scared for their lives, according to the forests museum curator Matt Smith, a phenomenon he calls the Dead to Me effect. Because Netflix has such a wide reach and its such a great drama, weve had way more people returning [rocks], Smith said of the series, which premiered May 3. The Petrified Forest is marked with multi-colored fossilized wood and rocks from what is thought to be an ancient volcanic eruption, according to the National Parks Service. Before Judy (Linda Cardellini) and Steve (James Marsden) split, they vacationed in Sedona, Arizona, and hiked through the forest, about a two-hour drive away. Also Read: 'Dead to Me': Creator Liz Feldman Tells the Deeply Personal Story That Inspired Netflix's Dark Comedy While both Steve and Judy are stripping a car for very spoiler-filled reasons, she remembers a radio show segment that mentioned if you took something from the forest, it can leave you cursed with bad luck. Steve later confesses to taking a rock and asked Judy why she didnt take one, too. But the curse, and the shocking ending to the first season, is less about the rock and more about the people involved, Smith said. Steve isnt cursed by some spooky magic, Smith, who works in the forest regularly, said. Maybe the problem isnt a curse; maybe its a lack of impulse control. The legend of the curse became surfaced in the 1930s, Smith said, when the first letter came to the park from a tourist saying their life was ruined after stealing from the forest. The news of the letter became so popular that more people began taking souvenirs to see if youd feel the wrath of the curse. Story continues Also Read: 'Dead to Me' Creator Explains Why We Never See Jen's Dead Husband By the internet age, a book with an accompanying website called Bad Luck, Hot Rocks tracked incoming letters (often dubbed Conscious Letters) with photos of rocks that the senders said brought them bad luck. Here are your rocks, nothing but bad trouble, reads one letter on the site, dated November 1980. Today, taking something from the park would be illegal and come with a hefty fine. If youre still on the fence on whether the forest has a supernatural power, Smith has one last piece of evidence to push you towards the side of non-believers: He and his wife Sarah Herve, the acting chief of interpretation of the park, have been married happily for 10 years, even though he has been working with the so-called curse day in and day out. Its been nothing but upward trajectory for both us, he said. Knock on wood. Read original story Dead to Me': Is the Curse of the Petrified Forest Real? At TheWrap Though theyre thousands of miles apart, an Army couple got the surprise of a lifetime at SeaWorld on Monday. Madison Hardy was newly married and feeling lonely. Her Army infantryman husband, Colt, had unexpectedly been deployed to the Middle East in late December. Four weeks later she learned she was pregnant. The 21 year old felt isolated at her new home at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, five hours from her close-knit family in Missouri, and was rarely able to speak to Colt. Madisons mom, Serenity Bendon, 42, has traveled to Fort Campbell to accompany Madison to every pre-natal exam. At her 22-week ultrasound when the sex of the baby was discovered, Madison told the technician she didnt want to know. Her mother was handed the test results. Madison had wanted a sex reveal party to be like the events shed seen on television she just didnt realize what a surprise her mother would create. On Monday, beneath the hot Florida sun, Hardy was on a private, backstage tour at SeaWorld in Orlandos Shamu Stadium. She saw killer whales in a tank up close with her parents and other family members. Serenity had told Madison the trip was to lift her spirits, to get away for awhile. Madison Hardy and her mom Serenity Bendon | SeaWorld A trainer pulled Hardy aside and Skyped in Colt, 21, on an iPad. The trainer said, We are going to find out the gender of your child today with our killer whales. On a giant tank were painted in white the words boy and girl. A female killer whale inside, a mom of seven named Katina, was asked what the sex of the couples child was. The orca floated to the glass side and kissed girl with her nose. I wanted a girl, Madison yelled, smiling. Pink jello, which the whales enjoy as a treat, was thrown in the tank to celebrate. I am still in shock, said Hardy after the reveal. I knew we were coming to SeaWorld but I didnt know my mom was going to do all this. She had me fooled. I thought I was going to get a cake. The moment was made even more special because Colt was included. He hasnt been able to be a part of anything, Hardy said. I am so grateful for what they did to make this possible. (SeaWorld now offers U.S. military veterans and their families free admission through July 15.) Story continues The couple has known each other since sixth grade, growing up in Willow Springs, Missouri. They became best friends, but never dated. It was only after Colt enlisted in the Army that the pair realized how special their bond was. On a trip home, Colt came straight to Madison and told her he never wanted to be apart from her again, grandmother-to-be Bendon says. Colt and Madison Hardy | Serenity Bendon He proposed on July 6 and the couple married a month later on Aug. 4. By September, the pair had moved into their own apartment at Fort Campbell, not expecting Colt to be deployed as quickly as he was on Dec. 27. I knew she was down and struggling with being alone, says Bendon. I said, Lets get her out of here and get her to Orlando. Dogs Smelled Human Decomposition In Truck of Stepdad Accused of Murdering 15-Year-Old Riley Crossman Case: Dogs Smelled Decomposition in Stepdad's Truck Investigators say that cadaver dogs played a crucial role in the arrest of a 41-year-old West Virginia man accused of killing his girlfriends teenage daughter. PEOPLE confirms Andy McCauley of Berkeley Springs did not enter a plea during his arraignment late last week on the murder charge he faces in the death of 15-year-old Riley Crossman. Rileys slain body was found last week on a steep cliff near the top of a mountain. She was first reported missing on May 8. Her parents had insisted Riley would never run away, and according to investigators, McCauley was almost immediately identified as a person of interest. McCauley was arrested Thursday night after Rileys remains were recovered. A criminal complaint obtained by the Journal alleges cadaver dogs were called in as part of the investigation and, after being led into the bed of McCauleys truck, signaled that a dead body had been there recently. RELATED: Missing W. Va. Girl, 15, Is Found Dead as Moms Boyfriend Is Charged: She Was a Sweetheart In addition, McCauleys story allegedly changed a number of times over the course of the investigation, which made police suspicious. Riley Crossman | Riley Crossman/Facebook 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 complaint, the Journal reports, indicates dry wall mud splatter was found in the truck bed the same dry wall mud splatter allegedly found on Rileys body. Andy McCauley It was unclear Tuesday if McCauley had retained an attorney who could comment on his behalf. He remains in police custody. Holli McCumbee, who was Rileys dance teacher, told WDTV the girl was a ray of sunshine. McCumbee continued: She could walk into any room and smile and everybody would just smile. She was that kid. She was one of those kids that was going to go somewhere. She had a very bright future. She could have done whatever she wanted. Police have yet to comment on a motive for the killing. Zoo Miami said in a statement that the African painted dog pup was instantly killed by the equipment failure Zoo Miami is mourning the death of one of their younger residents. On Monday morning, a female African painted dog pup, died at the Florida zoo after an equipment failure, a statement from the zoo reveals. The female pup was part of a five puppy litter born at the zoo on January 23. The statement from the zoo about the animals death, which the facility, posted to Facebook, says that the pup was instantly killed following equipment failure that subsequently led to a door collapsing on the animal. The tragic accident occurred during a routine transfer of the pack, which included the female pup, her four siblings and their parents, according to the zoo. For an as of yet unknown reason, a cable that supported a solid metal guillotine door separated and the door then fell on the animal causing instant death, the zoo said in their statement, adding that guillotine doors are used in many of the zoos holding areas to allow the staff to regulate access between the animals in the holding areas as well as access to and from the exhibit habitat. The doors are operated remotely by animal science personnel using pulleys and cables to lift and lower guillotine doors. In response to this incident, the zoo says there is a thorough investigation underway to find out what caused the equipment failure. This investigation also includes an inspection of all similar equipment throughout the zoo. According to the ICUN Red List, African painted dogs, also known as African wild dogs, are considered endangered with only an estimated 1,409 mature individuals left in the wild. Exonerated Michigan Man Imprisoned 45 Years for Murder He Didn't Commit Will Get $1.5 Million Mich. Man Wrongfully Imprisoned 45 Years to Get $1.5 Million An exonerated Michigan man who spent 45 years in prison for a murder he didnt commit has been awarded $1.5 million in compensation. The compensation, for 73-year-old Richard Phillips, was announced Friday by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel as part of $2.3 total awarded to three wrongfully convicted men. Before they receive the money, state legislators must first approve the payout. Phillips was freed in 2017, thanks to the investigative efforts of several University of Michigan law students working in conjunction with the Wayne County prosecutors office. Phillips, who received a life sentence after his murder conviction in 1971, has served more prison time than any other exonerated inmate in American history. RELATED: After Serving Over 40 Years For Murder He Didnt Commit, Exonerated Michigan Man Selling His Prison Art According to state law, Phillips was entitled to more than $2 million in compensation $50,000 for every year he spent wrongfully imprisoned. Richard Phillips | Carlos Osorio/AP/REX/Shutterstock 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. As Phillips sat in his cell, he used art as an escape. The former auto worker was able to purchase painting supplies with the money he made selling handmade cards to his fellow inmates. When his cellmate would leave each morning, he would pull out his supplies, and paint inspirational scenes based on photographs hed find in newspapers. Earlier this year, he decided to sell some of that art to make ends meet. While incarcerated, Phillips created 400 watercolor paintings, and mailed them to a friend on the outside for safe keeping. Today, his paintings are selling for thousands of dollars. MLive.com reports that Nessel, in a press release, stated, Conceding that no system is perfect, the governments public recognition and overturning of the convictions of these men helps to foster a healing process, and assures Michiganders that the government regardless of fault will take ownership of its errors. Gabi Silver, the attorney who represents Phillips, previously described him as one of the warmest, kindest, most considerate people she had ever met. To suffer what he has suffered, to still be able to find good in people and to still be able to see the beauty in life its remarkable, Silver said. 5 Dead and 10 Injured After 2 Floatplanes Carrying Cruise Ship Passengers Collide in Alaska Floatplanes in Alaska Crash Into Each Other Leaving Five Dead At least five people have tragically died after two floatplanes crashed off the coast of southeastern Alaska on Monday afternoon. The incident took place just after 1 p.m. in the George Inlet area near Ketchikan and involved a small floatplane, carrying 10 guests and a pilot from the cruise ship Royal Princess, Princess Cruises spokeswoman Alivia Owyoung tells PEOPLE. The flight was returning from a Misty Fjords tour. The second plane was occupied by four guests, from the Royal Princess, and a pilot, Owyoung says. The plane was embarking on an independent tour. At this time, the U.S. Coast Guard and local search and rescue teams have confirmed that nine of the guests have been rescued and are currently receiving medical attention with the condition of one guest still unknown, Owyoung says. Owyoung confirms that a pilot is among the five people dead. A total of 16 people were on the two planes. The fate of the one other individual is unclear. We are deeply saddened by to report this news and our thoughts and prayers are with those who lost their lives and the families of those impacted by todays accident, Owyoung said. Princess Cruises is extending its full support to traveling companions of the guests involved. Ketchikan, Alaska | Google Maps RELATED: Teen Falls to Death from Cruise Balcony After Attempting to Climb Into Room Because He Forgot Key It is believed that the planes a de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver (carrying four guests) and a de Havilland Otter DHC-3 (carrying 10 guests) collided in mid-air, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, Anchorage Daily News reported. The assumption is they had a mid-air collision, incident commander Chris John with the Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad told the outlet. RELATED: Florida Man Dies After Falling on Bahamas-Bound Cruise Ship During His Bachelor Party Is it not immediately clear as to what led to the collision. The beaver then crashed on a rocky shoreline, John told the outlet. RELATED: Joel Taylor of Discovery Channels Storm Chasers Dead at Age 38 Story continues The plane landed upside down, submerged in the water, according to the Anchorage Daily News. The weather in the area at the time of the incident was partly sunny with winds at 9 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service. The names of the victims have not yet been released. President Trump has claimed repeatedly that China pays for the tariffs he has imposed on hundreds of billions of dollars of goods the U.S. imports from its overseas adversary. This is not true. American companies and consumers are directly footing the bill for the taxes, which are only getting worse as Trump continues to try to strong-arm China into complying with his demands to renegotiate what he has described as unfair trading practices. Also getting worse are the retaliatory tariffs China continues to place on American imports. The latest escalation came last week, when China raised tariffs on $60 billion in U.S. goods. The hike was made in response to Trumps announcement that he plans to raise taxes on $300 billion in products imported from China. Despite the Trump administrations public optimism, theres been little sign of progress between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in reaching a deal. Trump has preached patience and patriotism, but Americans are suffering. Related stories Trump Took Another Terrifying Step Toward Authoritarianism at His Rally in Pennsylvania Republican Congressman Destroys Arguments That Trump Didn't Obstruct Justice American farmers, especially. Soybean prices fell to their lowest price since 2008 last week following the new tariffs from China the worlds largest soybean buyer. Soybeans are the U.Ss top agricultural export, and the toll on farmers has been so drastic that the Trump administration is reportedly ready to spend up to $20 billion in taxpayer money to bail out the industry. It did so to the tune of $12 billion last fall. The damaging combination of China buying fewer soybeans and U.S. farmers paying higher tariffs has made for a grim forecast, according to farmers Rolling Stone spoke with about this seasons predictions. About two out of every three rows of soybeans grown on our farm would be sold to China, Krista Swanson, a soybean farmer from Oneida, Illinois, told Rolling Stone. Theyre the U.S.s single largest customer. Its hard to replace a single large market with a lot of small markets. Rolling Stone spoke with five farmers including Swanson; Worthington, Minnesota, farmer Bill Gordon, whose family farm is coming up on 100 years in operation; Delaware, Ohio, farmer Bret Davis, who says hes already a month behind his planting schedule because of an unusually wet season; first-generation Illinois farmer Jared Kunkle; and American Soybean Association chairman John Heisdorffer about how theyre handling all the uncertainty, what they think of Trump, and the damage thats already been done. Story continues Rolling Stone: From the American farmers perspective, how has it been watching this trade war develop with China? John Heisdorffer (Keota, IA): Well, this kind of news is not only financially draining when the markets go down but its also emotionally draining, thinking, Oh my gosh, this is going to go along again for how long? I thought we were close to a settlement, but that didnt happen I guess. Bill Gordon (Worthington, MN):Its crazy. You sit there and try to raise a crop and do everything you can. You fight mother nature like we did last year and again this year, and then you come to find out, Oh, hey, by the way, the government got in the way and you dont have a market. They took the market away. Soybean farmers have sunk their own money, blood, sweat and tears for the last 40 years into building the Chinese market up and getting trade partners and building this two-way relationship, then it gets taken away overnight. Bret Davis (Delaware, OH): I understand what the president is trying to do in bringing them to the table, but weve been a year at this and nothings happened. Weve heard from trade representatives that were just a couple weeks away and weve heard that for months now. With adding more tariffs, I feel like its throwing more fuel on the fire. The tariffs havent worked and its completely crushed our market. We went from a year ago being able to sell beans at this time for $10.30 and were at $7.50-$7.60 right now. Its been a complete detriment to the farmer. And to the rural economy, too. Even if a trade deal gets worked out, do you feel this has been damaging to future trade relationships with China? Gordon: Absolutely, we already know it is. Theyve already shifted more of their purchasing power to the South American market. Krista, many farmers like yourself sell to a local merchandiser who then sells to China. Are you worried the market effects are going to trickle down and start impacting you? Krista Swanson (Oneida, IL): If you look at the prices, you would say it already is impacting us, the price that we can sell for. Its a direct factor in our income. China is still buying soybeans [from the U.S.]; thats an important point to make but losing even 20 percent of the market there is a really big deal because theyre such a big customer. The federal government gave farmers a $12 billion aid package last year to make up for the lost sales, and Trump said theres another bailout coming for you this year. Is that short-term relief enough? Heisdorffer: It helps, but in the long term we want our exports. We want an open market where we can sell our products. Thats whats important. Weve worked 35 to 40 years to get these markets and Id hate to see it all go down the drain. Jared Kunkle (Monmouth, Illinois): It was nice to have a year like last year, but at the end of the day we want to produce a commodity and sell it to a market, not for the government to send us a check. Last year, when these tariffs were first introduced, Trump tweeted out that tariffs are the greatest! and has tweeted about imposing tariffs throughout his presidency. Do you think he understands how his trade war is impacting American farmers? Davis: The president, through business, has been used to a lot of negotiations, but hes used to negotiating with private companies and individuals. When you go against a whole country, its a bit of a different ball game. He thought he could strongarm his way into making them realign themselves. Its hurt both countries and hasnt helped anyone. I understand we need this negotiation, but the tariffs arent helping either one of us and its not keeping people at the table to have this conversation. Its the same thing with NAFTA with Mexico and Canada. Markets have dropped when Trump just tweets about imposing more tariffs. How is it knowing your entire livelihood could change the moment Trump sends a tweet? Gordon: Its definitely made it interesting, thats for sure. You never know whats going to happen anymore kind of like the weather. Frustrating is a good word. You start to lose your patience with anybody in government in general. When the market drops 30 cents on a tweet, its frustrating. How have you viewed his approach to trade? Is it affecting your view of his presidency? Davis: We get told, Itll get done in two weeks. Weve heard that so much that were losing the support. Weve sat here quietly as hes stated were supposed to be the ones standing behind him, but you can only do that so long before it hurts your livelihood that youve spent generations putting together and you watch it all go away. Gordon: Its tough, because its not just him. Am I holding him accountable for these tariffs? Yes, absolutely. Im still up in the air [on whether to vote for Trump in 2020]. It depends who the Democrats run against him. Heisdorffer: We understand what the president is trying to do, but we dont think tariffs are the right way of doing it. I just dont agree with the way hes doing it. How have you been coping with having to sit and wait on trade talks? Heisdorffer: Its emotionally draining. This goes beyond us farmers. Were in rural communities, so when we stop buying equipment from our equipment dealers and we use not quite as expensive a seed or dont use as much fertilizer all those things go to the community, so the community suffers also. You keep telling yourself it will get better, and hope. Thats about all you can do. We dont farm all our lifetimes to lay on a beach somewhere. We do this to pass it on to the next generation. The view looks kind of weak right now. We have our corn in, but we dont have our soybeans in because of the weather. This is my 47thcrop Ive put in since I started farming and weve seen our ups and downs, but Im not sure weve had one quite like this. The tariffs have definitely changed things. Does this make you worried about future generations of farmers? Gordon: Absolutely. Its a huge worry for us to try to bridge this financial gap. We lose more money by not planting crops, but were still losing money when we do. You can only do that so many times before youre out of money and you cant farm anymore, so you have to sell the family farm. Were at 100 years next year. Id hate to go to a family reunion in 10 years and say, We lost the farm after 100 years. Were not allowed to farm anymore. Its tough, and it makes it personal. It really is. Sign up for Rolling Stones Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the 88-member nonprofit group that hands out the annual Golden Globes Awards, this month rejected all five applicants for new membership, according to a tally of the May 6 vote obtained by TheWrap. Moreover, two journalists in the group accused fellow members of bullying tactics and an unjustifiable campaign against one applicant, Kjersti Flaa, who has represented Norwegian outlets like TV2 and Dagbladet for 12 years, according to internal HFPA documents. The other rejected applicants all had professional experience that met the HFPA criteria: Raffi Boghosian, a journalist from the United Arab Emirates who worked for Al-Arabiya for eight years; Sabrina Joshi, who has written for the Indian weekly You & I since 2017; Sophia Silva, a four-year veteran of Uruguays El Pais Sabado Show; and Christian Thiele, who has worked for the Swiss magazine TV Star for eight years. This behavior is just outrageous, one HFPA insider told TheWrap, adding that roughly 40 percent of current members are over 65 and at least five are in their 90s. At the same time as this organization is growing, its getting smaller the membership is getting smaller and its becoming an elite where they dont want any new members for some reason. Also Read: HFPA Re-Elects Meher Tatna as President The group admitted just one member out of three applicants last year, and a single new member in 2017. But a spokesperson for the group said that a total of 17 new members had been accepted in the last decade, including four in 2016. The results of this years membership vote came as a surprise, the HFPA said in a statement to TheWrap. The HFPA is committed to updating its admissions process and to bringing in new members for the long-term health of the association. Documents from this years application process suggest bitter dissension has cropped up among members. In a sponsor letter for Flaa obtained by TheWrap, fellow Scandinavian journalist and HFPA member Magnus Sundholm said that he stepped up after her original sponsor, a hard news reporter and former war correspondent, was so pressured by some female members in the organization that he saw no other option but to step down. Story continues He also wrote that one of Flaas sponsors for membership last year was harassed in text messages and called all sorts of nasty things by the same members. Although his letter does not name any of the members he accuses of pressure tactics, he wrote, Our Danish member has yet to come up with an honest explanation for her continuous aggressive campaign against (Flaa). Tina Johnk Christensen, the HFPAs sole Danish member, has not responded to TheWraps request for comment. Also Read: Hollywood Foreign Press Association Donates $500,000 to Nonprofit Group for Refugees In a second sponsor letter for Flaa this year, French-Belgian journalist Frank Rousseau wrote: It is important for me to highlight that Kjersti applied for a membership last year where she experienced an unjustifiable campaign against her as well as fabricated stories, to make people vote against her. Rousseau did not respond to TheWraps request for comment. In his sponsor letter, Sundholm, who has a personal relationship with Flaa, begged members to have enough integrity and stamina to honor whats best for the growth of this organization and not listen to a few females who is [sic] viciously determined to put down other women. He added, What has Kjersti done to trigger this kind of bullying? Flaa ultimately received 35 votes of support, with 45 opposed, according to the vote tally. Flaa and Sundholm both declined to comment, as did Silva and Boghosian. Joshi did not respond to requests for comment. The HFPA had no comment on the machinations behind this years vote beyond its initial statement to update its admissions process. Also Read: Why the HFPA President Wore Red to #WhyWeWearBlack Golden Globes Its unclear why the organization would want to keep a lid on its membership at a time when when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has made a concerted effort to make the Oscar-voting membership younger and more diverse. HFPA members dont earn a share of the reported $21 million annual licensing fee that NBC pays for the Globes broadcast, a chunk of which goes to educational and arts charities. The group handed out $3.25 million in grants last year. But members do get special access to Hollywood talent, particularly in its 400-plus special screenings and talent-studded press conferences. The truth is, you get access to talent and interviews that no one else gets, which is why people want in, the insider said. But it seems like they dont want to let anyone in its become a social club for the older people. AMPAS, which has about 8,000 voting members for the Academy Awards, has made a big push in recent years to bring in newer and younger members (last year, the Academy invited 928 new members, including Dave Chappelle, Mindy Kaling, Amy Schumer, Gina Rodriguez and Kendrick Lamar). HFPA president Meher Tatna, who earns an $81,000 annual salary from the group, has said she also wants to bring in new and younger members. We try every year, Tatna told The Hollywood Reporter last August. They have to be accredited, have really good clippings, have two sponsors bringing them in. And we try to spread it out all over the world. But print media is shrinking and its hard to find people who can make a living at this. All five of this years applicants met the groups basic criteria, which include two support letters from existing HFPA members, four clippings of their work from the last year and proof of membership in the Motion Picture Association of America. The deadline to vote this year was May 6, and the results were announced to members at a meeting on May 8. This isnt the first time membership processes within the HFPA have been called into question. In 2015, TheWrap reported that the organization suspended Russian member Nellee Holmes after she was accused of attempting to extort tickets and a non-compete pledge from an applicant. The organization found that Holmes had demanded that Ukrainian journalist Lena Basse promise in writing not to write stories for a number of outlets, most of them Russian, in exchange for Holmes support for Basses admission. When Holmes insisted that Basse deliver a notarized letter making the same guarantees, Basse instead turned Holmes demands over to the HFPA office, where then-president Theo Kingma initiated disciplinary action against Holmes that barred her from participating in the following years Golden Globes. Read original story Golden Globes Group Rejects All 5 Applicants for New Membership Amid Bullying Accusations (Exclusive) At TheWrap Greg Kinnear joined the cast of Good People, the Amazon comedy pilot from Lee Daniels and Whitney Cummings. Good People stars Lisa Kudrow and Cummings, who will also direct and co-write. Per Amazon, the half-hour comedy follows three generations of women working in the Ombudsmans office of a college and navigating the current cultural climate, the concept of feminism across different generations, and the struggle to reconcile socially constructed ideas with current ethical views regarding complex issues such as sex, race, class and gender. Kinnear will play Dr. Paul Keating, described as the incredibly charismatic and charming philosophy professor at Sacramento University. Hes Indiana Jones meets Joan Didion. He causes problems for Lynn Steele (Kudrow) and Hazel Miller (Cummings) because of his unorthodox methods of teaching and refusal to acquiesce to PC rules. Also Read: Lisa Kudrow Cast in Amazon's Comedy Pilot From Lee Daniels and Whitney Cummings Kudrow will play Lynn Steele, The University Ombudsman, a tired, mercurial force of nature who finds herself being seen as out of touch by millennials, even though she has been a champion of women her entire career. Good People will be executive produced by Kudrow, Cummings and Daniels, who will also direct the pilot and write. Its produced by Amazon Studios and Fox 21 Television Studios. Kinnear recently co-starred opposite Isabelle Hubbert and Marisa Tomei in Ira Sachs Frankie, which premiered this week in Cannes. His upcoming projects include the starring role in his feature directorial debut, Phil, which will be released July 5 on VOD film distributor Quiver, as well as Brian Banks and The Red Sea Diving Resort, coming later this summer. His recent television roles include appearances on House of Cards and Jordan Peeles Twilight Zone. He is repped by WME, Anonymous Content and attorney Rick Genow. Read original story Greg Kinnear Joins Lisa Kudrow in Amazons Lee Daniels-Whitney Cummings Pilot At TheWrap ConsiderThis IndieWires Consider This FYC Brunch on Tuesday gathered a panel of below-the-line panelists to discuss their craft with IndieWires Toolkit Editor Chris OFalt. Among them were Yellowstone composer Brian Tyler, The Other Two composer Brett Leland McLaughlin, Catch-22 costume designer Jenny Eagan, Escape at Dannemora cinematographer Jessica Lee Gagne, and Now Apocalypse cinematographer Sandra Valde-Hansen. Each of these professionals worked on their projects from beginning to end to control the look, sound, and feel of the shows, which range from historical recreations to heightened reality. Below are highlights from the panel, in which each professional shared one of the ways they surmounted the challenges posed to them. Watch OFalts introduction of the panel below: Related stories IndieWire's Consider This FYC Spotlight: Why the Hilarious 'The Other Two' Eschews Politics IndieWire Consider This FYC Brunch: TV Creators Reveal How to Build Creative Trust Catch-22 Vintage Costuming Based on the Joseph Heller novel, the Hulu miniseries from George Clooney and Grant Heslov had to recreate all of the World War II uniforms for the military men and pilots who populate the world. Not only did the costume designer need to outfit a massive ensemble cast, but also provide uniforms for each timeline that is represented in the narrative. Seeking authenticity, Jenny Eagan wanted to get her hands on actual uniforms, but tracking those down became problematic. The majority of them were original uniforms. I was told you could get them in Europe but thats not true, she said. Instead, for the amount of uniforms needed, she ended up back in the U.S. to unearth boxes in a warehouse. Of course, this deadstock, or fresh-seeming vintage uniforms, needed to look as if theyd been worn by pilots, which required an aging process. Theres no way to fake that because the cameras would pick up every detail. We painted every pair of paints, we were throwing dirt on it, said Eagan. Every piece was touched individually. Story continues That Global Yellowstone Sound Created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson, Yellowstone follows a series of conflicts along the shared borders of a large cattle ranch, an Indian reservation, land developers and Yellowstone National Park. The Paramount Network series stars Kevin Costner, Wes Bentley, Kelly Reilly, Luke Grimes, Cole Hauser and Gil Birmingham. Composer Brian Tyler might not have been the most obvious choice for the job judging from some of his biggest gigs: Marvel movies. But scoring for Crazy Rich Asians helped to break through that genre specificity and allowed him to explore a jazz score with more romantic strings, something Ive been yearning to do. For Yellowstone, Tyler didnt want to dip into the usual Western sounds, but instead took a historical approach to summarize the immigrant influence on America. That included soloists from Ireland, more humble instruments fiddles as opposed to a Stradivarius sounds from China, and percussion from Africa. The more back in time we went, the more historical and mythological this show became musically, he said. The Bold Vision of Now Apocalypse The Starz series from Gregg Araki defies the usual descriptions. A group of young people have lots of sex and try to seek fame in Los Angeles, but Ulysses Zane (Avan Jogia) soon finds himself beset by strange and sinister dreams, and he wonders if they are premonitions of the end of the world. Creating this intersection of the realistic with the possibly fantastical or alien wasnt just a specific vision that cinematographer Sandra Valde-Hansen had to capture; she had to do it in an incredibly short amount of time. We shot 10 episodes in 40 days, she said. It was very stylistic these worlds coming together: The Sex and the City of today up against this very mysterious, dark, and Lynchian world. Valde-Hansen hails from a documentary background and credits Araki for giving her a chance to see past genre and to her skill. Because of that, it opened up doors to me and his extremely lush and vibrant style. Now we have the best of both worlds, the naturalistic and stylistic, she said. We want to be able to tell a visual story with the color. Valse-Hansen added that advances in LED technology made the tight timeframe possible. It gave us the ability to move quickly since many of them are battery operated, she said. In particular, hand-held tubes were a godsend. It looked like people were carrying around lightsabers, she said. They were able to fit these on the sids of dollies and in smaller areas to provide light in all situations. The Other Two Comedy Sound Former Saturday Night Live writers Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider are behind Comedy Centrals showbiz satire The Other Two. Cary Dubek (Drew Tarver) is a 28-year-old actor who cant seem to land any decent auditions, while his older sister Brooke (Helene Yorke) is a has-been dancer trying to find her passion. When their teenage brother, who has dubbed himself Chase Dreams (Case Walker), becomes a pop star overnight with his song Marry U at Recess, the whole family gets caught up in his star-making tour. Composer Brett Leland McLaughlin is uniquely qualified to create music for the show because hes helped write songs for and navigate the careers of Selena Gomez and Ariana Grande, in addition to writing for RuPauls Drag Race. This intersection of teen pop and comedy helped in keeping in the forefront of my mind to not make these songs ridiculous, he said. The comedy would come from the lyrics But from the beginning, I wanted to try out to make this character sincere sonically. Not so much a joke, but make it ridiculous. In particular, he the pop dance hit Stink posed a challenge later when Chase Dreams takes it to the VMAs, an event where an artist usually reinvents their song, either by making it a ballad, adding orchestras or other elements. It was really fun to stretch different muscles, said McLaughlin. This is also a scene in which the audience hears Chase sing acoustically without bells and whistles for the first time, and the joke is that hes really, really not good. Its the first time Ive told a recording artist, I need you to sound worse, but not like youre trying to sound worse. Re-Creating the Escape at Dannemora Showtimes seven-episode limited series created and written by Brett Johnson and Michael Tolkin and directed by Ben Stiller is based on the 2015 Clinton Correctional Facility escape. The series stars Benicio del Toro, Patricia Arquette, Paul Dano, Bonnie Hunt, Eric Lange, and David Morse, and details the manhunt that ensues from the escape of two convicted murderers, aided by a married female prison employee. Access to the real-life Dannemora was one of the biggest problems in trying to recreate the setting. Cinematographer Jessica Lee Gagne said that she hadnt even laid eyes on the prison until about eight weeks out from shooting. And even then it took weeks to even go inside. Instead, We were going off research and news footage, Gagne said. And of course when they finally did get inside, Personally I thought the lighting of the cell block cam did inspire the look of [the show.] We were trying to make it look as real as possible. One of the most recognizable parts of Dannemora is the North Yard, which looks like its straight out of Siberia. Gagne had limited time for that but made the most of it. At three weeks out, we got the news that were allowed to shoot one day in the winter and one day in the summer outside in the prison yard, she said. For more of IndieWires FYC brunch, check out Consider This. Launch Gallery: IndieWire Consider This FYC Brunch Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. By Express News Service BHUBANESWAR: With BJP emerging as a clear favourite of all pollsters for forming next Government at the Centre and exit poll conducted by two private TV channels indicating big gains for the saffron party in the Assembly, the party is confident of forming Government in the State. Asserting that the BJP will form Government both at the Centre and in the State, Union Minister Jual Oram said the mood of the voters in the country was in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The party will get over 300 seats in Lok Sabha. The exit poll predictions for State Assembly might prove wrong. We will form the Government in Odisha by winning over 70 MLA seats, said Oram after attending a State-level workshop of party candidates in the city ahead of counting of votes on May 23. The party had a mission to win over 120 Assembly seats. I cant predict the exact number but we will win more than 70 Assembly and 18 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha, he added. Exuding similar confidence, State BJP president Basanta Panda said a strong wind is blowing in favour of Modi across the country and all the exit poll surveys are showing that his party is returning to power at the Centre. Since the voters mood in Odisha is no way different, there is no doubt in BJP forming the Government in the State. If the exit poll surveys by India Today and Today Chanakya will prove accurate, the BJP will be the leading party to form the Government at the Centre. As the slogan Phir Ek baar Modi Sarkar is going to bear the fruits, we will see the change of Government in Odisha and we will get the majority here, he asserted. Claiming that the BJP is rapidly gaining space in the State, Panda said the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress will be squeezed in the coming days. Panda, who presided over a meeting of party candidates and polling booth agents here, said the workshop was organised to educate them about the procedures and their role on the day of the counting of votes. It was the last vital element in the process of electioneering and we wish to ensure absolute perfection, Oram added. The workshop held two days before the counting was attended by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, partys national vice-president Baijayant Panda, national spokesperson Sambit Patra, former chief minister Giridhar Gamang, senior leader BB Harichandan, KV Singh Deo, Pratap Sarangi and State functionaries of the BJP. Moises Payret woke up at 3:30 a.m. to make the drive into Manhattan on Friday from his New Jersey home. Payret, who works in real estate, had been selected to be part of a live studio audience for Fox News morning show Fox & Friends and he wasnt going to be late.I watch [Fox & Friends] whenever I can, he told TheWrap from his seat during a commercial break for the show, noting that he is also a proud subscriber of the 6-month-old Fox Nation streaming service.Payret joined about 50 people that day at Fox News imposing headquarters in midtown Manhattan as an audience member during a live broadcast of the show. While it may not seem like much, its one of the few shows on Fox News today that has been experimenting with live audiences and the new format reflects one of the biggest changes to Fox & Friends since the show began in 1998.Im here because I love Fox News, Brenda Tuttle, another audience member, told TheWrap. I love the interaction with the co-hosts and the guests and I am here with a friend who also loves to watch, so we are enjoying this together.Also Read: Fox News' Brit Hume Claps Back at Trump Over Tweet About Network's Pete Buttigieg Town HallFridays taping of Fox & Friends was just the fourth time the network has brought members of the shows loyal fan base into the channels inner sanctum an in-the-studio expansion of the shows Breakfast With Friends segments, which often take show co-hosts to small-town diners across the country.Over stacks of pancakes, plates of bacon or fake eggs, hosts gamely ask locals what they think of the days news. It doesnt always go quite as planned as when a diner in Riverside, Missouri, openly urged viewers to support higher taxes to fight climate change but its been successful enough that Fox & Friends executive producer Gavin Hadden thought it worth trying the idea closer to home.Our Breakfast With Friends diner series inspired us to begin to host live studio audiences. In traveling to different towns across the U.S. and talking to viewers, we realized the magnitude of excitement for Fox & Friends across America and we wanted to bring that energy to our New York studio, Hadden told TheWrap. We started it about three months ago and its proving to be a great way for our co-hosts to engage with and connect with our loyal audience.Also Read: Fox News Host Mark Levin's New Book Dethrones Howard Stern From Amazon Best-Seller ListNot every Fox News superfan gets an invite into the midtown Manhattan studio. First you must apply online via the Fox & Friends website and provide their name, email, state, phone number, as well as a message to explain why youre interested in coming on set. Terms and conditions apply and will be explained if we contact you, the website says.Of more than 1,000 applicants, a lucky few are then contacted. Phone interviews follow. They wanted to ask me my name, where I am from, basic information about my background, Payret said, recalling the exchange. Fox News declined to provide specifics on both its screening questions and the shows terms and conditions.Once viewers are given the green light, they are met at Fox News with stringent security measures.We went through a metal detector, kind of like a TSA check thing. There was a lot of security, Sergio Velazquez, another Fox & Friends audience member, recalled. The entrance to the Fox & Friends set is on the ground floor, just to the left of the buildings main entrance. The doors leading to the studio were guarded by three security guards.You always use your training, one guard, a former NYPD officer, told TheWrap during a commercial break. I have never had to get physical. There are many tools you could use, like presence and voice. Its never gotten physical.Also Read: Pete Buttigieg Calls Out Fox News Hosts Who 'Uncritically Amplify Hate'Tight security serves as a reminder to any would-be protesters who may have slipped in that Fox News will brook no disturbance during its marquee morning show. While Fox & Friends has long led cable news ratings for the 6-9 a.m. timeslot, routinely trouncing rivals at CNN and MSNBC, its influence in recent years has grown exponentially thanks to President Trump, who is known to be a careful viewer of the program.POTUS frequently tweets out headlines and news items from the show, which can set news cycles churning for days. Hosts such as Brian Kilmeade have been known to look directly into the camera and address Trump personally to drive important points home.On set on Friday, the show proceeded as usual, although hosts occasionally dipped into the crowd for real-time responses to issues and segments. News about a Taco Bell-sponsored hotel in Palm Springs, California, drew a smattering of applause, before a sober interview with author Sean Parnell about the dangers Iran poses on the world stage. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) took selfies with audience members during the break, while co-host Steve Doocy raced out during a commercial for a slice of pizza which he gamely placed under some papers before going back on air.Fox Business hosts Charles Payne and Stuart Varney stopped by as well to offer their full-throated support of the presidents economic policies. A nameless show employee motioned guests to applaud each time Fox & Friends came back from commercials.When the show wrapped, hosts chatted briefly with audience members, who were then sent home with Fox News merchandise, and pizza was brought in for all. Pete Hegseth grabbed a slice for fellow co-host Ainsley Earhardt, but she declined.I cant, the newly single Earhardt said. Its bathing-suit season.Read original story Inside Fox & Friends Live Studio Audience, From TSA-Style Security to a Selfie-Snapping Senator At TheWrap Moises Payret woke up at 3:30 a.m. to make the drive into Manhattan on Friday from his New Jersey home. Payret, who works in real estate, had been selected to be part of a live studio audience for Fox News morning show Fox & Friends and he wasnt going to be late. I watch [Fox & Friends] whenever I can, he told TheWrap from his seat during a commercial break for the show, noting that he is also a proud subscriber of the 6-month-old Fox Nation streaming service. Payret joined about 50 people that day at Fox News imposing headquarters in midtown Manhattan as an audience member during a live broadcast of the show. While it may not seem like much, its one of the few shows on Fox News today that has been experimenting with live audiences and the new format reflects one of the biggest changes to Fox & Friends since the show began in 1998. Im here because I love Fox News, Brenda Tuttle, another audience member, told TheWrap. I love the interaction with the co-hosts and the guests and I am here with a friend who also loves to watch, so we are enjoying this together. Also Read: Fox News' Brit Hume Claps Back at Trump Over Tweet About Network's Pete Buttigieg Town Hall Fridays taping of Fox & Friends was just the fourth time the network has brought members of the shows loyal fan base into the channels inner sanctum an in-the-studio expansion of the shows Breakfast With Friends segments, which often take show co-hosts to small-town diners across the country. Over stacks of pancakes, plates of bacon or fake eggs, hosts gamely ask locals what they think of the days news. It doesnt always go quite as planned as when a diner in Riverside, Missouri, openly urged viewers to support higher taxes to fight climate change but its been successful enough that Fox & Friends executive producer Gavin Hadden thought it worth trying the idea closer to home. Our Breakfast With Friends diner series inspired us to begin to host live studio audiences. In traveling to different towns across the U.S. and talking to viewers, we realized the magnitude of excitement for Fox & Friends across America and we wanted to bring that energy to our New York studio, Hadden told TheWrap. We started it about three months ago and its proving to be a great way for our co-hosts to engage with and connect with our loyal audience. Story continues Also Read: Fox News Host Mark Levin's New Book Dethrones Howard Stern From Amazon Best-Seller List Not every Fox News superfan gets an invite into the midtown Manhattan studio. First you must apply online via the Fox & Friends website and provide their name, email, state, phone number, as well as a message to explain why youre interested in coming on set. Terms and conditions apply and will be explained if we contact you, the website says. Of more than 1,000 applicants, a lucky few are then contacted. Phone interviews follow. They wanted to ask me my name, where I am from, basic information about my background, Payret said, recalling the exchange. Fox News declined to provide specifics on both its screening questions and the shows terms and conditions. Once viewers are given the green light, they are met at Fox News with stringent security measures. We went through a metal detector, kind of like a TSA check thing. There was a lot of security, Sergio Velazquez, another Fox & Friends audience member, recalled. The entrance to the Fox & Friends set is on the ground floor, just to the left of the buildings main entrance. The doors leading to the studio were guarded by three security guards. You always use your training, one guard, a former NYPD officer, told TheWrap during a commercial break. I have never had to get physical. There are many tools you could use, like presence and voice. Its never gotten physical. Also Read: Pete Buttigieg Calls Out Fox News Hosts Who 'Uncritically Amplify Hate' Tight security serves as a reminder to any would-be protesters who may have slipped in that Fox News will brook no disturbance during its marquee morning show. While Fox & Friends has long led cable news ratings for the 6-9 a.m. timeslot, routinely trouncing rivals at CNN and MSNBC, its influence in recent years has grown exponentially thanks to President Trump, who is known to be a careful viewer of the program. POTUS frequently tweets out headlines and news items from the show, which can set news cycles churning for days. Hosts such as Brian Kilmeade have been known to look directly into the camera and address Trump personally to drive important points home. On set on Friday, the show proceeded as usual, although hosts occasionally dipped into the crowd for real-time responses to issues and segments. News about a Taco Bell-sponsored hotel in Palm Springs, California, drew a smattering of applause, before a sober interview with author Sean Parnell about the dangers Iran poses on the world stage. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) took selfies with audience members during the break, while co-host Steve Doocy raced out during a commercial for a slice of pizza which he gamely placed under some papers before going back on air. Fox Business hosts Charles Payne and Stuart Varney stopped by as well to offer their full-throated support of the presidents economic policies. A nameless show employee motioned guests to applaud each time Fox & Friends came back from commercials. When the show wrapped, hosts chatted briefly with audience members, who were then sent home with Fox News merchandise, and pizza was brought in for all. Pete Hegseth grabbed a slice for fellow co-host Ainsley Earhardt, but she declined. I cant, the newly single Earhardt said. Its bathing-suit season. Read original story Inside Fox & Friends Live Studio Audience, From TSA-Style Security to a Selfie-Snapping Senator At TheWrap Former President Jimmy Carter is recovering comfortably after a successful surgery to fix a broken hip he sustained in a fall at his home on Monday morning, a spokeswoman announced later that day. Carter the oldest living American president, at 94 fell while he was heading out from his home in Plains, Georgia, to go turkey hunting, according to his spokeswoman. He was treated at a nearby hospital in Americus and his surgery was successful, the spokeswoman said. Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, his wife of 73 years, is at his side. In announcing his latest health obstacle, Carter could not resist a light-hearted tone. President Carter said his main concern is that turkey season ends this week, and he has not reached his limit, his spokeswoman said. He hopes the State of Georgia will allow him to rollover the unused limit to next year. Carter, a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize decades after he left office, has overcome serious health issues before, including brain and liver cancer in 2015. At the time he said his message was one of hope and acceptance. Hope for the best, accept what comes, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. I think I have been as blessed as any human being in the world, he said. Madrid-based production hub The Mediapro Studio has announced finalized details of an arrangement with Madrids Complutense University (UCM) and the National Film and Television School of London (NFTS) on a new Masters program designed to develop new screenwriting talent. Mediapro general director Juan Ruiz de Gauna, UCM dean of information sciences Jorge Clemente and Irene Ortega, who will fill the role of director for the new program, made the announcement at Madrids Matadero, an early 20th century slaughterhouse now converted into an arts center, where the course will be taught. Related stories Mediapro Buys Canada's Tri-Lite TV, Sets 2019 Roadmap Mediapro at 25: Exporting Talent, Retaining IP Ran Tellem (Homeland, The Paradise), Daniel Burman (Lost Embrace, Edha), Maikol Sanchez Romero (The Intermediate), Fernando Leon de Aranoa (A Perfect Day), Ivan Escobar (Locked Up), Fernando Gonzalez Molina (Palm Trees in the Snow), Diego San Jose (Vota Juan) and Marc Cistare (Victim Number 8), among others, will tutor or lecture in the programs first year. Classes will prepare the students as many as 25 for the realities of the current audiovisual industry, while preparing them for a long-term career. The course will provide students the opportunity to get involved with current Mediapro creators and their already in-production series from around the world. Involvement also comes with a guaranteed internship within The Mediapro Studio. International workshops will be held between participating institutions to facilitate the creation of projects intended for the international market. Backed by the NFTS renowned screenwriting programs, the projects will be conceived as potential international co-productions. Professors from both UCM and NFTS will oversee the workshops. The 35-week course culminates with the awarding of the Masters degree, endorsed by UCMs school of Information Sciences. Mediapro has been an increasingly major player in the domestic and international TV market since its inception 25 years ago. In March the rights broking-services-production company unveiled The Mediapro Studio a massive production house based in Fuencarral, northern Madrid and confirmed 34 series currently in production under the new label. Story continues With the new Masters program, The Mediapro Group hopes to have found a long-term structural answer to the eras greatest challenge: Accessing extraordinary writing talent. We are in a wonderful moment of creation, and we need to ensure the strengthening and consolidated of talent, said Gauna, who was heavily involved in launching a young generation of filmmakers in the90s such as Julio Medem. We need new blood, young or old, but above all people who want to work, who want to develop their talent. Rodriguez added, We are in a moment of global revolution. Everything now is globalized and our clients work in a multi-territorial way. The programs students will have incredible access to see what is happening in the industry around the world. The first year of the program will only be available in Madrid, but plans are already in place to expand the classes to a campus in Barcelona for the 2020-21 academic year. After the presentation, a panel of experts hosted a roundtable titled We Look for Talent, where the importance of the script in the different areas of production was analyzed. The panel included filmmaker Fernando Leon de Aranoa, showrunners Diego San Jose and Ivan Escobar; Luis San Narciso, artistic director of The Mediapro Studio; Javier Mendez, global director of content of the Mediapro Group; Javier Pons, responsible for TV at The Mediapro Studio; Cristina Lopez, director of Las que faltaban, and Jorge Clemente, dean of the Faculty of Information Sciences of the UCM and co-director of the Master. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. EXCLUSIVE: Production is underway in Berlin on Netflix Original mini-series Unorthodox, which will star Shira Haas (The Zookeepers Wife) and be directed by actor-filmmaker Maria Schrader (Deutschland 83). The Yiddish and English-language four-part mini-series, executive produced by Deutschland 83/86 creator Anna Winger, will see Haas star as a young woman who leaves an arranged marriage in New York and sets out on her own to Berlin. The story is inspired by Deborah Feldmans bestselling memoir of a young Jewish womans escape from a religious sect. Also starring are Jeff Wilbusch (Little Drummer Girl) and Amit Rahav (Dig). Related stories 'The Crown' Producer Andy Harries: "The Power Of British Television Has Moved To L.A." Feldmans novel has been adapted for screen by Winger and Alexa Karolinski (Oma & Bella). Eli Rosen of the New Yiddish Repertory Theater in New York is translating. The series is produced by Anna Wingers Studio Airlift, Henning Kamm at REAL FILM Berlin. It marks the first project out of the gate for Wingers recently launched outfit. Haas, who also starred in hit Israeli series Shtisel about the Orthodox community, said of her role, I am beyond excited to take part in this unique and beautifully written TV series about a strong woman trying to find her voice against all odds. Wilbusch commented, Almost 20 years after leaving the community myself, Im playing an ultra-orthodox character here for the first time and speaking my native Yiddish on screen. Unorthodox is a special challenge for me and a chance to confront my past. Im thankful and excited to be part of this beautiful project. Schrader, whose feature Stefan Zweig: Farewell To Europe won the European Film Awards Audience prize in 2017, added, Unorthodox explores female emancipation, identity and sexuality through the prism of a unique young womans experience. Rachel Eggebeen, Director of Netflix International Originals, said of the production, Unorthodox stands for Netflixs approach to touch the hearts of a global audience with a very specific and local story. Its amazing to see how much love for detail and authenticity is going into this unique project. Story continues Netflix, which has had major success with German Original series Dark, is building a substantial slate of German dramas including showrunner-director Christian Ditters thriller Biohackers, The Tribes Of Europa, The Barbarians, Dont Try This At Home and Skylines. Haas is repped by Zohar Yakobson in Israel and Abrams Artists Agency in the U.S., and managed by Echo Lake Entertainment. Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Oprah Winfrey has many titles: talk show host, actor, author, philanthropist, producer, and now, clap back queen. After a critic questioned her charitable efforts on Instagram, Sunday, Winfrey issued a quick response standing by her long history of giving to those in need. It all started after Winfrey, 65, delivered the commencement address for the graduating class at Colorado College on Sunday. Sharing a joyful photo from the day to her page, Oprah explained that she had shook hands with all 571 members of @coloradocolleges Class of 2019 and gave them a copy of The Path Made Clear, her most recent book. Thats when an online troll decided to pounce. Should have paid off their student debt, the Instagram user said in a since-deleted comment captured by popular Instagram page Comments by Celebs. The remark appeared to be a reference to billionaire Robert F. Smith, who had vowed in his commencement speech at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, over the weekend to pay off the student loans for the entire Class of 2019. Winfrey, of course, has a long history of putting her money where her mouth is, especially when it comes to education (like her Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa, for example). Why, over the weekend, she made a $500,000 donation to a popular after-school program at West Side High School in Newark, New Jersey, NBC News reported. So, in response to the commenter, Winfrey said, Already paid 13m in scholarships. Have put over 400 men through Morehouse. RELATED: Oprah Sounds Off on the 2020 Election: Mayor Pete Buttigieg (Buttaboop), Beto ORourke and No, Shes Not Running Coincidentally, Winfrey spoke about giving to others in her commencement speech at Colorado College. Story continues Im here to tell you that you actually do get to transform the world every day by your actions. Small steps lead to big accomplishments, she said. The most important thing is how youre touching other peoples lives. She also spoke out about the importance of perspective. The truth is, you cannot fix everything, she said. But what you can do, here and now, is make a decision, because life is about decisions. And the decision is that you will use your life in service; you will be in service to life. You will speak up. You will show up. You will stand up. You will sit in. You will volunteer. You will vote. You will shout out. You will help. You will lend a hand. You will offer your talent and your kindness however you can, she continued, and you will radically transform whatever moment youre in which leads to bigger moments. Winfrey added, You have no idea what your legacy will be. Oprah Winfrey | Jamie McCarthy/Getty The media mogul has been the commencement speaker at numerous schools throughout her impressive career, including Stanford, Harvard and Howard universities. Speaking to USC graduates last year, Winfrey encouraged students to rise above the chaos of the modern era and always remember there really is a solution. Your job now is to take everything youve learned here to challenge the left, the right, and the center, she said. When you see something, you say something, and you say it with the facts to back it up. The truth has always been and always be our shield against corruption. Put your honor where your mouth is. When you give your word, keep it. Do the work. Get your hands dirty, she added. You build a legacy, not from one thing, but from everything. She also offered a handy list of tips to follow in life: Pay your bills on time, make your bed, put your phone away at the dinner table and get a good mattress your back will thank you. Fatherhood and midlife doldrums are not the usual terrain for director Abel Ferrara, whose dark tales of angry urbanites have coalesced into a striking vision of despair across several decades, but everyone grows up sometime. In the scrappy and often endearing drama Tommaso, Ferrara casts regular muse Willem Dafoe as a fictionalized version of the filmmaker himself, a broken man still picking up the pieces from his prior misdeeds to find some measure of stability. Having found a new life in Italy with a much younger wife and child both played by the real ones in Ferraras life the eponymous Tommaso struggles to reconcile a new beginning with the stumbles of the past. A microbudget Birdman about the travails of a once-successful artist losing his grasp on reality, Tommaso comes across as Ferraras most personal work on many levels. The lo-fi chamber piece is a messy, ruminative self-portrait, elevated by Dafoes extraordinary performance and a striking intimacy that sets the movie apart from much of Ferraras work. Related stories Willem Dafoe's Reaction to 'Aquaman' Shows Abel Ferrera and Robert Eggers Are His Superheroes Abel Ferrara Lives! With Four Movies in 2019, the Madman Returns Triumphant Shot on grimy digital video in the filmmakers real home, Tommaso looks like it was made on a budget of loose change, but it musters an absorbing atmosphere from the outset. Six years sober, Tommaso has fled his filmmaking career in the U.S. and settled into a routine with his wife Nikki (Christina Chiriac) and toddler Deedee (Anna Ferrara). The couple enjoy a supportive relationship that allows Tommaso the luxury of taking Italian classes and tinkering away at a new screenplay, while Nikki tackles most of the necessary parenting duties. But there are already cracks showing in the nature of this relationship balance, as an attempt at late-night sex ends abruptly when the child starts to cry. Tommaso may finally have the family life he could never quite figure out in his drug-added previous chapter, but that family has little use for him. Story continues Unfolding across a short summer period, Tommaso takes place throughout the vacant city streets, as Dafoes lonely character wanders from candid group therapy sessions for addicts to relaxed coffee shops, experimental dance workshops and sometimes into his own mind. Fragmented moments provide a range of insights into Tommasos clumsy attempts to be a better man arguing, and then making awkward peace, with a homeless drunk late at night, or walking home a fellow addict and possibly flirting with her, his good nature seems as though it could disintegrate at any moment. And when it does, Dafoe unleashes a tragic firestorm of pent-up rage, giving himself over to a vivid window into this paradox of a man. The actor has always been a dependable leading man, but in Tommaso, hes the essential weapon that catapults the movie the limited potential of observational vignettes. The term mumblecore was coined years ago to describe a loose range of low-budget American indies with aimless characters and minimal plot, but its a far more accurate description for Tommaso, in which Dafoe transforms a mumbling sad sack into a ticking time bomb. As his frustrations grow, the movies final act reaching a riveting, suspenseful conclusion as it remains unclear just how much hes prone to explode. For all of its empathy toward Tommaso, however, the movie has a tendency to stay too close to his view of the world (which is perhaps inevitable, given the storyteller behind the camera). Ferraras wife Christina has been relegated to a supporting player in this testosterone-infused fantasia, where nude women have a tendency to crop up in every facet of Tommasos life, from theater rehearsal sessions to coffee shop fantasies. As it wanders through Tommasos life, some aspects of his routine take on a redundant quality, though they just as often illustrate how that routine has started to get to him. Of course, it wouldnt be a Ferrara movie without some jagged edges. Tommaso manages to feel rough and risky while somehow sensitive at the same time, like the best of them. Its fascinating to watch the character work to contain his combustible personality, going on at therapy sessions about his quest to become emotionally available and attempting to write a new film that might be too sentimental. Ferraras in a confident space with the storys contained, almost claustrophobic fixation on Tommasos life. The tight quarters of the characters apartment bear a close resemblance to the Tribeca loft where Dafoe wandered in Ferraras apocalyptic 4:44: Last Day on Earth. That movie built to the end of the world, while this one focuses on a man who dreads that his own could collapse at any moment. Throughout the movie, Ferrara injects jarring, violent twists as the character imagines terrible events happening to him and his family. While outwardly embraces stability, Tommaso still lives on the edge. Werner Herzog regular Peter Zeitlinger supplies the grimy cinematographer, which at times feels almost too cheap to register as more than a distraction. But in certain key scenes, it has a warm, intimate quality in tune with the nature of the project. Ferrara has claimed that Tommaso isnt exactly autobiographical, but the parallels are obvious in the characters Buddhist lifestyle, and the rest of the cast (Anna Ferrara maintains an authentic presence, as the child is convincing enough). In one group therapy session, Tommaso recalls a failed attempt to shoot a sequel to La Dolce Vita in Miami, an experience that Ferrara has discussed in numerous interviews. And Tommasos plans for a new production may or may not be Siberia, the bigger-budget Ferrara/Dafoe team-up set for later this year. But in other ways, Tommaso has a fantastical quality that roots it in the fictional realm. The movie consolidates the desperate masculine figures at the center of so many Ferrara stories before it, while pushing that archetype into new terrain. From its bittersweet opening moments to the disturbing homage to Dafoes The Last Temptation of Christ performance at the end, Tommaso is a gripping look at the process of escaping to a better life, only to find that the old one follows along at every turn. Grade: B Tommaso premiered in the Official Selection at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. It is currently seeking distribution. Launch Gallery: 2019 Cannes Film Festival Red Carpet: Taron Egerton, Richard Madden, and More (Photos) Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Television, lately, has had a particular fixation on the closed-ended crime story narrative limited series that follow famous cases, using familiar figures to fulfill our desire for catharsis through justice. That makes When They See Us, Ava DuVernays new limited series about the 1989 Central Park Five incident and its legal repercussions, part of a wave that includes shows as disparate as Dirty John, Escape at Dannemora, and The Act, all of which thrive on the promise of eventual vindication. Yet this show stands apart. When They See Us cant be included in the true-crime genre, in part because DuVernays direction is fueled foremost by mercy, not vengeance. DuVernay (who also co-wrote all four installments) walks us through the stories of poorly-understood men with a careful eye on the grinding wheels of justice but with an understanding, too, that the system is often destined to fail the most vulnerable. Retaining control of a rapidly beating heart (if at times only narrowly), When They See Us immerses viewers in a tale with none of the gaudy fun that true crime often offers. Its an achievement and, given its pride of place on a streaming service despite its difficult subject matter, a worthy use of its directors star power.. Related stories TV Review: Ava DuVernay's 'When They See Us' Jessica Chastain, Ava DuVernay Call Out 'Game of Thrones' for Treatment of Women The story is told, earliest on, with an innocent lyricism whose fleetingness is the point. We briefly meet young teens as they prepare for an evenings casual fun, streaming into a crowd that subsumes them as it rolls toward the park. The spell is broken within 10 minutes, as police ensnare these boys for crimes they hadnt had the capacity to fathom moments before. Frantically attempting to resolve the gruesome rape and assault of a female jogger in the park, the police go after those whom they see, or whom they see as suspects. The melee finds sweet-natured Kevin (Asante Blackk) getting his face bashed by a police helmet marking this series willingness to push past viewer comfort into the meanness of visceral truth. Story continues Soon, a more insidious form of violence bleeds through the story. Linda Fairstein (Felicity Huffman), head of sex crimes in the Manhattan D.A. office, refers to the five boys in custody as animals incessantly, speciously claiming that they were on a rampage. The attitude of desperate declinism among New Yorkers in the late 1980s has been well-documented, including by Joan Didion, who presciently identified that these young men were being used as scapegoats to resolve a narrative wealthy white people had invented. Here, we see that narratives human toll, as Fairstein, her voice animated by the passion only available to those telling themselves a story, entreats her boss (Len Cariou), We are not in control! And we can be. Control of crime requires control of people. And the five boys, here, are placed in a vise, first squeezing them for false confessions and then into the mold Fairsteins narrative demands. The second episode begins with audio of various voices describing the ills of the city, culminating in a tabloid editorial imputing motives of hatred and vengeance to people we know have no such matters on their minds. When They See Us has bold social goals, but its elegantly able to go small, as when the father of one of the teens (Michael K. Williams, a standout in a crowded cast) urges his son (Caleel Harris) to lie in order to give the police what they want, not realizing the goal is punishment above all else. Once in prison, the boys are further constrained; after, they struggle against the marks on their record keeping them from functional lives, and the darknesses etched on their memory. At times as when depicting Fairsteins raucous animus, or Donald Trumps advocacy to have the five boys executed, or the violence that Korey (Moonlights Jharrel Jerome, exceptional) endures in prison the balance here seems precarious, as though the show is so responsive to injustice that its becoming agitprop. The approach is proportional to the offenses suffered, but DuVernay finds other ways through. By grace of storytelling or of humanity, When They See Us perpetually rights itself, giving us glimpses of the incarcerated quintet, now men, glancingly reconnecting to family as in Koreys challenging, ever-evolving relationship with his mother (an award-worthy Niecy Nash) and maintaining belief in their innocence. The Central Park Five were unable to escape their casting in a plot in which they didnt belong. (Their case against the city was settled in 2014, a quarter-century after the night in the park.) And When They See Us corrects the record, even as it is not naive enough to believe redress was possible. At series end, onscreen titles inform us four of the five have left New York. One thinks, first: Who could blame them? And then: Where, apart from in a work so explicitly designed to depict them as people and not just vectors in an ongoing drama of race and justice, could they ever feel safe again? When They See Us. Netflix. May 31. Four episodes (all screened for review). Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. By Sarah White and Phyllis Xu CANNES, France (Reuters) - In Ira Sachs film "Frankie", Isabelle Huppert stars as an ailing French actress who gathers her family together for one last holiday - coming as close to playing herself as she ever has. The film, vying for Cannes' top Palme d'Or prize this week, was written with Huppert in mind, and showcases the actress, who has been recognized at the film festival several times with acting awards, on very understated form. "What I think Ira Sachs was requiring for his actors was a kind of ... great simplicity, to the point that I didn't have the feeling to do a character, to do a role," Huppert told Reuters in an interview. "I just had the feeling to just be myself and say certain things, that is all." That's as far as the parallels go, however. "Frankie" tells the story of a woman and her loved ones trying to come to terms with her impending death, explored over the course of a day as they clash, comfort each other, and question their own lives and relationships on their Portuguese vacation. There are tender moments and also laughs as meddlesome Frankie tries to sort out her son's love life; and more bittersweet ones, including discussions about money and inheritance - inspired, according to Sachs, by his own experience of losing a good friend to cancer. "Being part of (the) last three years of her life, I was struck by how unexpected the experience was for me," Sachs said in an interview. "I think there is an idea that death will be serious, and actually, it is like life, whatever it is. It is made up with a lot of contrasts." Huppert, who has twice won the best actress award at Cannes, including for "The Piano Teacher" in 2001, was praised by critics for her pared-back turn, though some reviewers were less convinced by the film as a whole. "It's exquisite around the edges, but where's the beef?" Variety asked in its write-up, saying the film almost left too much to be read between the lines. (Reporting by Sarah White; Editing by Marie-Louise Gumuchian) Just days before the Big 4 agencies were facing a deadline to respond to the Writers Guild of Americas anti-packaging lawsuit filed last month, the guild amended its initial filing late Monday with a constructive fraud claim that was quickly repudiated by the Association of Talent Agents. This is a desperate attempt by the WGA to keep their utterly meritless legal battle alive, a spokesperson for the ATA told Deadline tonight after the WGA filed to reload legally. Todays action by the WGA is further evidence that Guild leadership had no intent to pursue a negotiated solution with the ATA, instead opting for a long and costly legal process that was completely avoidable. (Read the full statement below.) Related stories 'Walking Dead' Lawsuit: AMC Accuses CAA Of Ripping Off Frank Darabont In Hefty Packaging Deal Coming out of talks that collapsed last month between the WGA and ATA over the lucrative and long-established practice of packaging and the thousands of guild members pink-slipping their agents in short order, the original lawsuit was put on the Los Angeles Superior Court docket on April 17. Speaking for all the defendants at the time that same day, non-defendant the ATA and its executive director Karen Stuart called the original 25-page filing part of the WGAs predetermined path to chaos that never included any intention to negotiate. Tonights addition of the constructive fraud claim by the WGA came in part, Im told, because defendants CAA, WME, UTA and ICM Partners are planning their own Spitfire court moves. Lawyers for all of the Big 4 made it clear in recent days to the guild that they intend to file motions to toss the case based on what they individually and collectively believe are serious flaws. The WGA did not response to a request for comment by Deadline tonight on the new amendment in what is now a three-claim case. Almost an oxymoron of sorts, the California law breach of duty definition of constructive fraud in the WGAs now amended complaint is further cited as the failure of a fiduciary to disclose a material fact to his principal that might affect the fiduciarys motives or the principals decision constitutes constructive fraud, regardless of whether the fiduciary acted with fraudulent intent. Story continues That is a long-ish way of saying the WGA West, the WGA East and fellow plaintiffs like The Deuce EP David Simon believe that WME, CAA, UTA and ICM Partners didnt tell their scribe clients they were on the prowl for a fat payout on specifically packaged projects and that was wrong. The other side sees it another way. The WGAs litigation is a publicity stunt and now they are in strategic retreat, said CAAs counsel Richard Kendall in an additional statement tonight sideswiping the guilds legal position. This amendment will delay, but not avoid, the courts anticipated dismissal of the WGAs case, the Kendall Brill & Kelly partner added. Then, one hopes, the parties will return to the bargaining table, where they belong. As the traditional methods of representation and, lets be honest, the business of show business start to fray, the two sides havent formally sat down in well over a month. The next hearing in the case isnt scheduled until October 21, which doesnt exactly reek of urgency. In that context, here is the full ATA statement: This is a desperate attempt by the WGA to keep their utterly meritless legal battle alive. Todays action by the WGA is further evidence that Guild leadership had no intent to pursue a negotiated solution with the ATA, instead opting for a long and costly legal process that was completely avoidable. It is ironic that the Guild is accusing these agencies of fraud when in reality, it is Guild leadership who have misled their members into believing they are trying to make a deal. Unfortunately, its those members who will be footing this bill with their own membership dues, and who will have to continue without agent representation. Despite the Guilds tactics, we remain committed to a solution for writers and agents. We are still waiting for a formal counteroffer from the Guild, and urge writers to ask their leadership to come back to the table. Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Lets Kaboom! The latest trailer for the upcoming Toy Story 4 is here and with it a whole lot of new adventures, including a mission to save a spork. In the new clip for the forthcoming Disney/Pixar film (due in theaters June 21), Woody welcomes a new toy into the fold after Bonnie literally makes him at kindergarten. When the craft project dubbed Forky (voiced by Tony Hale) struggles to come to terms with his newfound identity as a toy, Woody (Tom Hanks) takes it upon himself to initiate him into the fun world of being a beloved plaything but then they hit the road and mayhem ensues when Forky goes missing. Luckily, Woody and Co. have the help from some old friends (Annie Potts Bo Peep is back!) and new (Jordan Peele and Keegan Michael-Keys mischeveous carnival prizes, Ducky and Bunny) as well as Canadas greatest stunt man Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves) once he gets done posing, that is to see them through their mission. The movie also introduces Christina Hendricks character Gabby Gabby, a villainous pull-string doll from the 1950s. Disney/Pixar Watch the clip above to find out what a plush rush is and check out the movie when it hits theaters June 21. Related content: By Express News Service BHUBANESWAR: Art of Giving, an initiative based on the philosophy that practices giving as an art, was celebrated across the globe recently to mark its 6th annual commemoration day. The celebrations commenced on KISS and KIIT campuses in presence of Art of Giving (AoG) founder Achyuta Samanta. Samanta said KISS and KIIT are the best examples of Art of Giving as these institutions are following this philosophy for the last 27 years. KIIT is giving while KISS is receiving and spreading happiness among thousands of poorest of the poor tribal children. Everybody wants to give something, but they cant get a proper platform and chance. AoG is a platform that gives people a chance to give something to others, Samanta said. AoG was celebrated at one lakh centres in India and 120 countries across the globe including South Africa, Bangladesh, Turkey, Taiwan, Malaysia, Mali, Mongolia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar and Russia. Nearly 10 million people across the world including four million from Odisha and other parts of the country joined the AoG movement by gifting bags containing study and stationery materials for children. The theme of AoG this year is Bag of Happiness, KIIT officials said. The concept behind this movement is Peoples Contribution, Peoples Participation to achieve the motto of Education for All, they said. For the first time, UNESCO and Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP) are collaborating with AoG this year. YouTube makeup mogul Laura Lee is accusing a cosmetics company of ripping her off and now she has slapped them with a federal lawsuit. Laura Lee through her company, Laura Lee Los Angeles is suing MakeupNet Australia and a woman named Kellie Nolan. Lee claims she has been selling makeup under Laura Lee [] Laura Lee YouTube makeup mogul Laura Lee is accusing a cosmetics company of ripping her off and now she has slapped them with a federal lawsuit. Laura Lee through her company, Laura Lee Los Angeles is suing MakeupNet Australia and a woman named Kellie Nolan. Lee claims she has been selling makeup under Laura Lee Los Angeles and Laura Lee, since 2017 and also owns the trademarks. She says the defendants reached out to last year trying to be her exclusive wholesaler for her products in Australia. They reached a deal months later and MakeupNet started selling the line. She claims they placed an order for several of the products but then never paid the invoice. Lee says they even continue to sell her products on their website without permission. Lee claims the company placed an order for several of her products but never paid up on the invoice. She says they continue to sell her products on their site without permission or authorization. Lee wants an injunction against the company from selling her products and also to collect damages from any money theyve made off her name. The post YouTube Star Laura Lee Sues Makeup Company for Brushing Off Their Deal appeared first on The Blast. 17-year-old graduates Harvard 11 days after he graduated high school originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com Kansas teen Braxton Moral is taking home a degree from Harvard just days after he walked the stage to receive his high school diploma. On May 19, Moral graduated Ulysses High School in Ulysses, Kansas. Then on May 30, the 17-year-old received his undergraduate degree from Harvard Extension School. Moral's story captured the nation's attention leading up to Harvard's 368th commencement. "I'm proud of him," dad Carlos Moral told "Good Morning America" today. "Not only is he smart, but he's a kind kid. With this kind of education comes a lot of responsibility and he needs to do something positive with it." Moral had been gradually taking classes at the esteemed college since he was 11 years old. Harvard Extension School allows students without certain prerequisites to enroll in programs so long as they can prove they're able to perform by way of trial classes, testing and administration voting on admission, Moral said. PHOTO: Braxton Moral of Kansas, is pictured on May 30, 2019, with his sister, Brittney Jo Seger. (Brittney Jo Seger) "I'm relieved to have a little bit of a head start," Moral told "GMA" on May 21. "I thought it really broadened my horizons. It helped me understand new things and what I want to do [in life]." Some courses were online and others Moral took during the summer on campus. PHOTO: Braxton Moral's next stop is law school. His first choice is Columbia University, where he hopes to study constitutional law. (Brittney Jo Seger) Moral said his parents were big supporters. "Harvard Extension School allows people to take classes for development, for fun," Moral said, adding that he stuck with the courses and finished an undergrad degree in six years. The first class he ever took at Harvard was a challenging JavaScript programming class. His favorite courses included Chinese language and Ancient Greek Hero, a mythology class. PHOTO: On May 19, Braxton Moral, 17, graduated Ulysses High School in Ulysses, Kansas. And on May 30, the 17-year-old will receive his undergraduate dress from Harvard Extension School. (Courtesy Brittney Jo Seger ) Besides simultaneously earning two degrees, Moral's hobbies include videos games, movies and playing sports. "[My friends] think I'm an absolute loser," Moral joked. "No, but they're supportive and they don't treat me any differently." Story continues PHOTO: Braxton Moral, 17, is seen with his parents Carlos and Julie Moral, from Ulysses, Kansas. (Courtesy Brittney Jo Seger ) Moral's sister, Brittney Jo Seger, said she knew her younger brother would be successful ever since he was in diapers counting exact dollars and cents at drive-thru restaurants for their mother. "He always said big words and was different, but that's when we kind of noticed, when he was about a year to 18 months," Seger, 29, told "GMA." "Myself and the rest of my family are extremely proud of him. He's worked so hard to get to this point." PHOTO: Braxton Moral, 17, of Ulysses, Kansas, is seen with his sisters, Brittney Jo Seger and Brandi Zamarripa, on the day he graduated from Ulysses High School on May 19. (Courtesy Brittney Jo Seger ) Moral graduated from Harvard with an A.L.B -- a Harvard Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree, which is granted by Harvard Extension School -- one of the degree-granting schools within Harvard University. He majored in government with a minor in English. The ALB is distinct from the Harvards BA (Bachelor of Arts) degree granted by Harvard College -- one of the schools that make up Harvard University. PHOTO: Braxton Moral, 17, will receive his undergraduate degree from Harvard Extension School on May 30. (Courtesy Brittney Jo Seger ) Moral's next stop is law school. His first choice is Columbia University, where he hopes to study constitutional law. Kevin McGrath, an associate professor in South Asian Studies at Harvard University, described Moral to "GMA" as "a remarkable and unique young scholar." PHOTO: Ulysses High School senior Braxton Moral sits for a portrait at the school in Ulysses, Kan., in this Dec. 12, 2018 file photo. (Sandra J. Milburn/The Hutchinson News via AP, FILE) "Intellectually, he is extraordinary, but more than that, it is his discipline and endeavor which has enabled him to begin adult life with such startling success," said McGrath, who taught Moral at Harvard. "Braxton, thanks to the terrific support which his family have supported and surrounded him with, has become a fine humanist and we all wish him well at law school and then, in later years, in his future life in American politics." PHOTO: Braxton Moral, 17, received his undergraduate degree from Harvard Extension School on May 30 2019. (Brittney Jo Seger) Moral said he is excited to close this chapter in his life. He offered some advice to aspiring graduates. "Visualize your goals, make sure you know what they are and the steps you need to go through to achieve them," Moral told "GMA" today. Moral has also written a book titled, "Harvard in the Heartland," which can be pre-ordered through Kraken Books, Ltd. ABC News Airline representatives said that the recent surge in omicron COVID-19 cases has grounded flight crews, and as a result, they don't have enough people to fly their scheduled flights. While such a predicament is hard to plan for, travel experts say affected passengers still have options to reach their destination, or in the worst-case scenario, ride out their extended stay with as little hassle as possible. "It's frustrating for travelers but that is not a lot they can do to avoid it," Brett Snyder, the president of the travel planning service Cranky Concierge, told ABC News. Two 10-year-old girls at sleepover fight off naked man who allegedly broke in and assaulted them Two 10-year-old girls at sleepover fight off naked man who allegedly broke in and assaulted them originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Two 10-year-old girls in California were forced to fight off a naked intruder who allegedly broke into the bedroom where they were sleeping and assaulted them. Police in Clovis, California said they received a 911 call after midnight on May 12 alerting them that the suspect had forced his way into the bedroom through a window. The girls awoke to the man touching them inappropriately and fought him off before he left through the window, after which the girls told the adults in the home what happened, according to the Clovis Police Department. Police said they used a California Highway Patrol airplane to help locate the suspect and spoke with several witnesses during their investigation. Timothy Picard, 26, was arrested on May 15 after the investigation and faces charges of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under 14, first degree burglary, and violating his existing probation, according to police. PHOTO: Timothy Jay Picard, 26, of Fresno, Calif. is seen in this undated booking photo. (Clovis Police Department via AP) This type of case is just so rare to see happen, but at the same time, its just amazing to think that theres actually people out there that we have to worry about breaking into the homes and assaulting 10-year-old girls, Clovis Police Chief Matt Basgall said at a news conference Thursday. (MORE: 2 kids frightening 911 call to stop armed intruder) Basgall said Picard had been arrested previously for stalking and burglary, and was on probation for a 2017 stalking arrest. The fact that this guy is on probation for doing something similar kind of makes your blood boil as both a parent and in law enforcement, Basgall said. Its sad to see, and at some point we have to figure out a way to not let people like this out on the streets. #BREAKING : Clovis Police arrested 26year-old Timothy Picard after they say he broke into a home naked , & touched two 10 year old girls. Hes being charged with lewd acts on a child, and attempted lewd acts on a child. Hed been previously arrested for stalking. @ABC30 pic.twitter.com/DSXIGu8mZg Nathalie Granda (@NathalieABC30) May 16, 2019 Picard was familiar with the area where the incident occurred, according to Basgall, but did not know the girls. Story continues Basgall also said officials do not know if Picard was under the influence when he broke into the home because he was arrested three days after it happened. It was not clear whether Picard has retained an attorney. Efforts to reach family members of his or someone who could speak on his behalf were not immediately successful. (MORE: Florida woman says she 'went blank' when fighting off gun-wielding intruders) Police commended the girls, who Basgall said were two friends having a sleepover, for their bravery and quick action in fighting off the attacker. These two little girls are heroes. They did everything right, Basgall said. An alarming number of states have passed highly restrictive abortion laws in the last few weeks. First, on May 7th, Georgia passed a law banning the procedure at about six weeks into pregnancy. Then, on May 15th, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed into law a near-total abortion ban. And on Friday, May 17th, The New York Times reported that Missouri joined the fray by banning abortion after eight weeks. According to The Times, it was the eighth state this year to pass a new abortion law. These laws are a huge cause for concern for pro-choice advocates. So today, May 21st, protesters took to the streets to fight back in #StopTheBans demonstrations around the country. The #StopTheBans protests began at 12 p.m. local time and took place across the country. The ACLU and NARAL Pro-Choice America were two of the sponsors behind these events, and NARAL told USA Today that there were more than 450 marches scheduled for today alone. Politicians including Democratic Senators (and presidential hopefuls) Amy Klobuchar and Cory Booker joined the protests in Washington, D.C. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton even tweeted about the demonstrations. Protesters who gathered in opposition to the abortion bans carried signs that argued for bodily autonomy and pointed out that abortion bans can have deadly consequences. Some made clever pop culture references, while others were deadly serious. Check out some of the most powerful signs from #StopTheBans protests below. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds, AFP/Getty Images That feeling when your outrage cant fit on a sign. #StopTheBans pic.twitter.com/Z3jBW8dPZK ACLU (@ACLU) May 21, 2019 Timothy A. Clary, AFP/Getty Images Timothy A. Clary, AFP/Getty Images With so many states introducing and passing restrictive abortion legislation, its clear that the fight for reproductive rights is far from over. Were glad to see so many people standing up for these rights in the #StopTheBans demonstrations. Even if you missed todays protests, you can still take action by donating to an organization working to preserve abortion rights. Every person who can get pregnant should be able to make their own decisions about their bodies, and well continue to fight until thats the case. A California woman hired a reputable independent contractor from the popular dog walking app Wag! when she got a rather unpleasant notification from her doggy cam. Rosie Brown initially felt confident about leaving her two dogs with Casey Brengle, who boasted 210 five-star reviews, but that confidence was shattered when Brown not only witnessed her sitter sitting naked on her couch, but saw a strange man in her home as well, according to ABC 7. Brown left her dogs, Penny and Daisy, in the woman's care to attend her cousin's wedding in Louisiana three weeks ago. The 26-year-old Wag! walker was to perform four-and-a-half days of house-sitting and long walks for the dogs for an agreed-upon $315. Brown also informed Brengle about the doggy cam. When asked by ABC 7 if she knew there was a security camera inside the home, Brengle answered, "I did." But on the day of Brown's cousin's wedding, she received an alert from the doggy cam. "On the preview on the alert, it showed a man in our house, someone that I wasn't expecting," Brown told the station. "So I opened it up and that's when I saw she was there with a man in our house and they were going straight for our bedroom." The man was Brengle's boyfriend, who was seen at the apartment a number of times, including one incident where the couple went from the master bedroom to the guest bedroom. Brengle insists that the two did not have sex in the client's home. Despite Wag!'s guidelines stating sitters "should not allow any third parties into the home of the Pet Parent," Brengle's parents also visited Browns home. At one point, Brown witnessed Brengle laying naked on her new couch, which Brown had saved for six months to buy. "It got hot," Brengle explained. "As I've said, I don't like wearing clothes." On top of being a poor housesitter, Brengle allegedly only took the dogs out for one to five-minute potty breaks, instead of the customary 30 or 60 minute walks Wag! offers, and cursed at one of the dogs for playing too roughly. Story continues Wag! provided a statement to Yahoo Lifestyle which in part read: We love dogs, and we want those who use Wag! to know that we care about the people and pets on our platform. The reported behavior in this situation is unacceptable and contrary to our Community Guidelines as published on wagwalking.com. We expect everyone on the Wag! platform to conduct themselves professionally. When we learned of the incident, we immediately suspended the pet care provider, an independent contractor, from our platform and began an investigation, which is currently underway. Weve spoken to the pet parent and offered to pay for cleaning services and a locksmith. Weve also agreed to reimburse her for any services provided by this pet care provider. The statement continued, outlining Wag!s screening process, We screen applicants through a background check that includes a Social Security number trace (an identity check), a facial recognition check against all official documents provided, a document check, a national criminal check, a county criminal check, a sex offender check, and a global watch list check. Platform applicants must also pass an online test covering dog safety, equipment, and handling knowledge. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Hillary Clinton tweeted her support for the #StopTheBan protests taking place on Tuesday, May 21, against the new anti-abortion laws. Last week, the state of Alabama passed the strictest abortion ban the country has ever seen. It will make nearly all abortions illegal in the state, including those for victims of rape and incest. The controversial new law also places a minimum 10-year prison sentence on any doctor who performs the procedure at any stage of a womans pregnancy. In response, on Tuesday, May 21, abortion rights protesters have organized rallies that will take place in almost all 50 statesand Hillary Clinton tweeted advice on how we can join the #StopTheBans protests. In the face of extreme abortion bans sweeping the country, we all have to stand up for women's rights. At noon tomorrow, join @PPAct, @NARAL, @OnwardTogether partner @IndivisibleTeam, and other groups to #StopTheBans. Find an event near you: https://t.co/pE5pfz5tiA Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) May 20, 2019 The former Democratic nominee is referring to the 50+ organizationsincluding Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice Americawho are participating in #StopTheBans protests nationwide. undefined Just hours after the law was enacted on Monday, May 15th, Clinton, who has long been a supporter of abortion and reproductive rights in the U.S. and around the world, also called the ban an example of appalling attacks on womens lives and fundamental freedoms. The abortion bans in Alabama, Georgia, Ohio, Kentucky, and Mississippi are appalling attacks on women's lives and fundamental freedoms. Women's rights are human rights. We will not go back. Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) May 15, 2019 In another tweet, she added: None of us should accept a future in which our daughters and granddaughters have fewer rights than we do. Choose a way to help, ask a friend to join you, and lets get to work. None of us should accept a future in which our daughters and granddaughters have fewer rights than we do. Choose a way to help, ask a friend to join you, and let's get to work. Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) May 15, 2019 Though its unclear if shell attend any of the rallies, Clintons tweet and support are important. Her words mean a lot to all the women defending their bodies and fighting the relentless attacks on their reproductive rights. Janece-Flippo/Shutterstock Every Memorial Day, Americans unite to remember and honor those who gave their lives in service of our country. As worthy a cause as that is, the way the states celebrated that idea was not uniform at first. First, you need to understand the history of Memorial Day. The holiday was originally proposed by General John Logan, a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, a group of Union veterans. He wanted a day to honor soldiers who died in the Civil War by covering their graves with flowers. He reportedly chose May 30 because it didnt overlap with the anniversary of any battlesand plenty of flowers would be in bloom by then. Veterans Day also recognizes people who serve in the United States Armed Forces, but the history of Memorial Day and Veterans Day are differenthere's the difference between these two holidays, explained. The first Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, was held on May 30, 1868, at Arlington National Cemetery. A crowd of 5,000 came to decorate the graves of 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers. New York was the first state to declare Memorial Day an official holiday, and by 1890, all northern states followed suit. The South, however, didn't acknowledge it; those states had their own days of commemoration for their dead that started as early as April of 1866, when a group of women in Mississippi decorated the graves of Confederate soldiers. That's why it's difficult to say where the idea for the holiday originated. Many local celebrations in the North and South claim to be the "first" one. It stayed that way until after World War I, when Memorial Day was changed to remember Americans who died fighting in any war. In 1971, the date was changed to the last Monday in May, as per the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. The act also moved federal holidays like Presidents Day to a Monday so workers could enjoy more three-day weekends, but that's not why we celebrate Presidents' Day. Some southern states continue to honor the Confederate dead: January 19 in Texas; April 22 in Alabama and Georgia; April 26 in Florida; April 29 in Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 in Louisiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Now that you know about the history of Memorial Day, do you want more fascinating facts about America? Weve got em, history buffs. Kuniko Yagi is the chef-owner of Pikunico, a karaage fried chicken restaurant in Los Angeles. Born and raised in Japan, she was the executive chef at David Myers brasserie Comme Ca and opened the award-winning Hinoki & the Bird with Myers. In this essay, she reflects on her career in kitchens and how gender dynamics in restaurants are changing . I was a banker in Tokyo after I graduated from college. I married someone from L.A. so we moved there, but the marriage only lasted about a year. My family was really against my marriage so I didnt want to tell them I failed. I couldnt say, I got a divorce and now Im back! I told myself that I had to stay here and make something happen. I started working in restaurants because there was no other job I could get. I didnt speak English, and I couldnt drive, so I biked around Beverly Boulevard until I found a Help Wanted poster in front of a noodle shop. It turned out to be Ubon by Nobu Matsuhisa. I worked there as a waitress for a year, but then the restaurant closed. I realized that being a waitress didnt have career longevity, but cooking can take you anywhere in the world. Even though there were no women in the kitchen at Ubon, I decided to become a chef. One of my regulars told me to look at Zagat to find restaurants, so I biked to Barnes and Noble after my shift and looked for the red book. Then I knocked on the door at the French restaurant Bastide. I interned at Bastide for three months, but they said they couldnt hire me because I didnt go to culinary school. So I biked over to Sona, David Myers French restaurant, and saw one of my regulars from Ubon in a white chefs coat. It was David Myers! The entire time I was serving noodles to him, I had no idea that he was the chef at Sona. I told him I was looking for a job and he said, Maybe we can train you as a back server and you can clear the table and make cappuccinos. But I told him I was looking for a job in the kitchen. He was very hesitant and said, I dont think you understand, its a very tough job in the kitchen, physically and mentally. But I asked him to give me a chance and he let me work as an intern chef for a week. Then I asked him for a job. He said I could start from 7 dollars an hour, and that was the best thing Id heard in a long time. I said, Okay, seven dollars is wonderful. I can survive. Story continues From the moment I started working in the kitchen, I knew that this was the right call for me. Kitchen jobs are all about the skillset you can perform, and if you cook better and work harder than others, your chance will come. I became the chef de cuisine at Sona and, later, chef at David Myers restaurant Hinoki and the Bird. I was really happy there but, after I left, I realized that if you dont own the concept or restaurant you dont have control. I decided my next life goal would be owning a restaurant. I saw my peers opening and closing restaurants, and it looked like they did it so easily. Why was it not happening for me? I thought it would be easy, but it took me five years to find the right business partner. Those five years felt like ten years, and I often felt blocked by being a woman. People would never say it, but I think they felt that women dont have longevity in their careers because they might get pregnant and prioritize family. But a lot of wealthy investors dont hesitate to invest a big chunk of money in men. I saw my peers opening and closing restaurants, and it looked like they did it so easily. Why was it not happening for me? When I finally met David Lee, the founder and president of Kaizen Dining Group, he didnt hesitate to talk to me or to invest in Pikunico. I knew I wanted to cook for as many people as I could, so fast-casual made the most sense. I started brainstorming foods that have comforting, nostalgic, craveable qualities, that people dont necessarily want to cook at home, and I kept coming back to the idea of fried chicken. So many people have experiences and memories tied to fried chickenit was my weekend cheat meal with my grandma in Japanand the restaurant evolved from there. This past March, I went back to Japan to cook fried chicken for my best friends wedding reception. David Myers was filming for the Michelin guide in Tokyo, so we went to the kaiseki restaurant Tsurutokame together. Its an all-female restaurant, and, to be frank, I first thought, This is a different kind of discrimination. Why cant boys apply? But I understood after I ate there. Usually only men work in kaiseki restaurants, and they start very early; they graduate high school and do an internship immediately after. Also the majority of them are sons of high-end restaurant chefs, so they grow up in that environment. Im the daughter of a policemanI never thought to go into that world and say Im a chef. Often when you go to a really high-end kaiseki restaurant in Japan, its silent. People are focused on enjoying the meal and sake and looking at what the chef is slicing. But Tsurutokame was cheerful. Guests were talking, laughing, smiling at the counter. None of the young chefs were intimidated by their environment. I realized you have to have an example like Tsurutokame to evolve where we are in the culinary industry. As an owner, I care about how my kitchen staff is doing. I try to really communicate with my cooks about whats happening in their lives, and I try not to bring any of my problems into the kitchen. I want my kitchen to be an oasis, where you can focus 100 percent on cooking to make other people smile. My kitchen is split between men and women. I think that, because Im the owner, its easier for women to knock on the door. Every time someone knocks, it reminds me of my past. I smile and think, Oh wow, youre like me. Originally Appeared on Bon Appetit When it comes to treating back pain, there are a plethora of options, from visiting a chiropractor to applying ear seeds. One is myofascial release therapy, which isnt as scary as its science-y name suggests. Heres what you need to know about itincluding whether or not it can actually help ease your back woes. What is it, exactly? Myofascial release therapy is an alternative medicine therapy that claims to treat pain by relaxing contracted muscles, improving blood and lymphatic circulation and stimulating the stretch reflex in muscles. Its a therapy thats often used in massages and focuses on pain from myofascial tissuesthe tough membranes that wrap, connect and support your muscles. Myofascial release therapy is used to treat a variety of conditions, including temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), carpal tunnel syndrome and migraines. What happens at a myofascial release appointment? Typically lasting 60 minutes, a myofascial release appointment is super similar to a run-of-the-mill massage. You'll lie on a table while a therapist applies pressure with their fingers, hands or elbows. Unlike a regular massage, practitioners press into muscles instead of kneading or stroking. Still, the experience shouldn't be painful; expect it to feel like a normal massageyou'll feel pressure, but in a good way. Sounds amazing. Does it really work? There havent been a ton of studies conducted on the efficacy of myofascial release therapy, but the research has been promising. One study published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies concluded, The literature regarding the effectiveness of MFR was mixed in both quality and results. Although the quality of the randomized controlled trials studies varied greatly, the result of the studies was encouraging, particularly with the recently published studies. MFR is emerging as a strategy with a solid evidence base and tremendous potential. Similarly, a review of studies at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs found that, Overall, the studies had positive outcomes with myofascial release, but because of the low quality, few conclusions could be drawn. The studies in this review may serve as a good foundation for future randomized controlled trials. Fair enoughbut were keeping our eye on this treatment, thats for sure. Story continues How can I try it? While there are certain back-pain treatments (like balneotherapy) that you can do on your own, myofascial release therapy is best performed by a professional. If youre interested in trying it, find a licensed massage or occupational therapist in your area and ask if they are trained in myofascial release. RELATED: The 3 Best Yoga Poses for Back Pain (and the Ones You Should Avoid) Jose K Joseph By Express News Service TIRUCHY: The RPF intelligence wing has issued a high-level alert to top Southern Railway officials, asking them not to share vital information on defence transportation over phones. According to the top-secret note, this alert has been issued after railway officials in Allahabad received calls from alleged Pakistan Intelligence Operatives (PIOs), who pretended to be Indian Army officials and tried to extract sensitive information on army transportation via railways. PIOs masquerading as officers of Indian Army have, of late, stepped up efforts to extract information about the scheduled movement of army troops on Railway. ...The PIO called up various Railway establishments in Allahabad region recently, reads the intelligence note. Now, the Special Intelligence Branch of RPF is monitoring calls made to its officials and establishments across the country. Following the Pulwama attack, in which 40 CRPF men were killed, various intelligence wings have intensified tracking of military transportation. Sources say top officials have given directions to station staff, supervisors and other officials not to pass on such information to anyone other than authorised personnel. In fact, officials have been directed not to discuss sensitive information even with their family members, sources said. For the spies may even try to reach out to them. Violators will face stiff punishment CHENNAI: The intelligence wing has advised officials to be cautious while sharing information over the phone. The note says any official violating the norms would face stiff punishment as its a matter of national security. The same artistic, creative spirit that drives fashion can also drive food. So perhaps it should be no surprise that a cookbook would come from a fashion designer. To celebrate Phillip Lims first book a collection of recipes titled More Than Our Bellies friends and supporters gathered Friday at Ovid winery, a private Napa Valley winery and home of Nimbus Arts founder Dana Johnson. Lim has supported Nimbus Arts, a local organization dedicated to promoting the arts for children, for years. Related stories Gilberto Calzolari Awarded During Montecarlo Fashion Week What Fashion Statements Mean on the TED Talk Stage Swimwear and Lingerie Companies Up In Arms Over Instagram's New Policy Guests took advantage of the spectacular view for photo opportunities and mingling. The outdoors and interior blend seamlessly under the high ceilings of the open-air structure, a space designed by architect Howard Backen and featured in a 2017 issue of Architectural Digest. Look at this, marveled Jenny Ming, chief executive officer of Charlotte Russe and a friend and fellow winery owner in Sonoma. I just love the ruggedness of the wood, and its presented extremely well. The home was transformed into a resort-style dining establishment, with long tables and a photo wall decked out in green foliage and red flowers. Lim and 3.1 Phillip Lim president and ceo Wen Zhou mixed and mingled with friends, including Ming and her daughter Kameron, as well as close friend and art adviser B.J. Topol; tech executive Mike Dodson and his wife, Jessica; Napa artist Matt Rogers; Trinchero Wines Bob Torres, and Samantha Rudd of Rudd Winery, among others. Celebrity chefs Alice Waters and Thomas Keller were slated to join the celebration as well, though a last-minute change in plans derailed their attendance. The foodie contingency was still well represented, thanks to Michelin-starred chef Pim Techamuanvivit, who prepared a four-course dinner drawing from both Lims recipes and her own. Story continues As the evening got under way, Lim spoke to WWD, reflecting on his unusual culinary project. In regards to the book, a collection of his favorite family dishes, he said, Surprise is everyones first reaction, and thats a good reaction. For me, whos not a chef, cooking for myself and going in to make a traditional cookbook would be pompous. Its really just my recipes as poems, and its a dialogue between myself and Viviane Sassen, he explained. The book was a collaboration with Sassen, a longtime friend and the photographer responsible for some of the brands buzziest fashion campaigns. According to Lim, the cookbook comes from the same place that drives his work in fashion. The message about the campaigns since day one was always Stop and smell the flowers, meaning the journey home, he said. [For instance,] we took Liya Kebede, the supermodel, back home to Ethiopia to celebrate ceremonies with her family. The books photography tells a similar story. The pages are awash in images of ingredients sometimes on the vine, in barrels or against a geographic landscape but not finished dishes. The reason: The focus is on the journey, not the destination. I say in the books forward, Make it your own. Im grateful that you just take this journey, this leap of faith with us, he said. Its really just to celebrate food and what food does, and that actually inspires me in fashion, too. From the beginning, his goal was to create a cool, easy, chic wardrobe, he said. We address the central wardrobe for the global citizen with a creative take on what we do. Hes found a core group of fans and friends in the Napa Valley, which makes the partys location rather apt. Bucolic St. Helena is roughly two hours north of San Francisco. When asked for his take on the Bay Areas fashion scene and 3.1 Phillip Lims place in it, Lim, who grew up in Orange County, admits he doesnt cater specifically to local tastes. These global citizens for me, they exist everywhere, he explained. More and more, San Francisco [has moved] forward as the mecca of technology and thats influencing fashion. So its really interesting to see how this is happening. And even the core group here in Napa, they go into the city, but they live outside of it. They really get the clothes, they really get the collection, he added. Its not catered to San Francisco. But the birds of my tribe, they exist here, too. They also exist further south in Silicon Valley. Its ironic that most of the events that Ive gone to, aside from trunk shows and designer boutiques, have been Phillip Lim events in the Valley, said Jessica Dodson, a wardrobe and style consultant. I think thats more about the personal connection than it is about the affinity for fashion. Indeed, forging a connection between consumer and brand is key. And it takes more than merely slapping on designer fare to be considered fashionable. I was with a client yesterday and we were going through Neiman Marcus, and there was a Marchesa event. All these women were dripping head to toe in designer clothes, Dodson said, leaning in before the first course made its way to the tables. They looked so uncomfortable. I think when you have the personal connection, it really [is required for] style, she added. And apparently, for Lim, that applies to food as well. Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. As wedding season descends upon the South, you may find yourself in the mood to watch a movie about a weddingor at least a movie with a wedding in it so you can remember what to do and not do at the event. However, choosing what wedding movie to watch is a difficult task. Do you want to find inspiration from Monsoon Wedding, test your waterproof mascara by crying over Steel Magnolias, laugh at Father of the Bride or Wedding Crashers, or watch a wedding go awry for a very good reason in The Princess Bride? There are so many movies that feature weddings that it can be hard to choose and everyone seems to have a different favorite. The folks behind formal wear site The Black Tux, who know a thing or two about weddings, decided to sit down and figure out once and for all which are the favorite wedding movies. To make their determination, they pored over the best of lists of wedding movies from sites like IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes, and their own ranking of wedding films to put together a comprehensive list of films. They then looked at Google Trends search data sorting it by state from March 2018 through March 2019. From there they determined which wedding movie was the most searched for in each state over the last 12 months. WATCH: Sally Field and Shirley MacLaine Play Word Association with Steel Magnolias Cast Some of the choices are obvious, like how Alabama cant stop themselves from watching Patrick Dempsey propose to Reese Witherspoon in Sweet Home Alabama and Louisiana likes to laugh and cry and laugh again while re-watching Steel Magnolias. Other choices are less obvious and less obviously marriage movies, too. For example, Texas shows big love for Scarface, which on its surface is not a wedding film, per se, but Al Pacinos drug kingpin Tony Montana does get married to Michelle Pfeiffers character over the course of the film. The most searched-for wedding movie in the U.S. is Love Actually, which was on the top of the list in Vermont, Washington, D.C., and Massachusetts. The most popular wedding film across the South is the 2011 film, Jumping the Broom. If you havent seen it, it stars Paula Patton and Laz Alonso as a happy couple whose families meet for the first time at the wedding and pretty much hate each other on site. Its worth watching just to see Angela Bassetts incredible side eye. Other favorites across the country include Love, Wedding, Marriage and the John Hughes classic, Sixteen Candles. Here are the top films in every Southern state: Alabama, Sweet Home Alabama Arkansas, The Five-Year Engagement Delaware, Coming to America Florida, The Little Mermaid Georgia, Gone With the Wind Kentucky, Goodfellas Louisiana, Steel Magnolias Maryland, Jumping the Broom Missouri, Cake Mississippi, The Best Man North Carolina, Love, Wedding, Marriage Oklahoma, Robin Hood: Men in Tights South Carolina, Jumping the Broom Tennessee, Romeo + Juliet Texas, Scarface Virginia, License to Kill West Virginia, The Wedding Planner Two students in North Carolina are helping their school district pay off $41,000 in cafeteria debt, one cup of lemonade at a time. Hailey, 13, and Hannah Hager, 11, may be young, but with their lemonade stand, theyre demonstrating that they already understand the importance of giving back. Their mom, Erin Hager, tells Yahoo Lifestyle that when the girls first decided to sell lemonade, they wanted to raise money for the hospice center that took care of their grandfather. When Erin found out about the debt impacting their local school district, however, the girls changed their cause. It was Southwood Elementary School, where Hannah is a student, that reached out to Erin at first to explain that they were $3,100 behind on what they owed the federal government in cafeteria charges. At Central Davidson Middle School, where Hailey attends, that cost was $3,500 and district-wide it was $41,000. There are 36 schools in total within the Davidson County Schools district. The number is big and certainly ambitious, but Hailey and Hannah decided that it would be their goal. Two students in North Carolina are helping their school district pay off school lunch debt with a lemonade stand. (Photo: Facebook) Our plan is to go Haileys school, Hannahs school, high school, of course thats where theyre both gonna end up going, and just wherever we can help out next, Erin explains of where the money raised will be going. Everything that theyve done so far, weve donated 100 percent. On Monday, the girls dropped off their first check for $460, and are hoping that the amount that they make each weekend only continues to increase. Erin is hopeful that it will. Theyre just out there flailing and waving at people, trying to get people to stop by, Erin says of the girls efforts to get passersby to donate. Now, with the news coming out and theyve got their own [Facebook] page, its blown up. They have such a huge goal now. The opportunity is endless. Not only are the girls getting the recognition for their efforts, but also the community is pitching in to make their dream a reality. Story continues A local lemonade stand talked about sometime before this weekend donating some lemons and maybe cups, which is phenomenal because Ive kind of actually gotten scared of how were gonna be able to afford to keep doing it, Erin says. Theyve had a couple of friends over who have been able to help, and they really enjoyed doing that. I had a couple of their parents stay over to help carry everything in, which was great. Southwood Elementary School Principal Ashley Lemley tells Yahoo Lifestyle that any effort by the students is greatly appreciated, admitting that its not difficult for a family to fall behind on payments. We do not believe in giving students an alternative lunch; therefore, they are allowed to continue to charge. This can lead to to charges getting quite high, Lemley says. I could not be more proud of Hannah and Hailey for wanting to help others. They are truly amazing students who are going to continue to do great things in our community. They are showing initiative, kindness and empathy toward others. Erin is also tremendously proud of her daughters who have learned from the example that she and her husband, Nick, set for them. I just want to give back, I want to help people, I want to be there, Erin says. I want people to know that theres people who care in the world and that theres so many people and causes that need help. People who cant make it to the lemonade stand in North Carolina can now donate to the cause through a Facebook donation page set up by the Hagers. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Want daily pop culture news delivered to your inbox? Sign up here for Yahoos newsletter. MEXICO CITY (AP) Prosecutors in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca say they are investigating the killing of four women and two men, whose bodies were left on a roadside. The so-far unidentified victims died of gunshot wounds and were were found early Monday along a road near La Venta in the township of Juchitan in Oaxaca's narrow isthmus. The area is home to vast wind farms and is also a passage for Central American migrants crossing Mexico. A day earlier, seven people were killed in a shootout between police and armed men in the northern state of Coahuila. Six of the gunmen were killed near the town of Muzquiz and Gov. Miguel Riquelme told local press Monday that a police officer had died of his wounds. NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) A Cypriot army captain who confessed to killing seven foreign women and girls will remain in police custody for another eight days, a court ruled on Tuesday, as investigators continue to build their case against the man who is believed to be the east Mediterranean island nation's first serial killer. A Nicosia district court judge said a police request to extend the 35 year-old suspect's detention was justified because of the work that investigators need to complete. Police investigator Yiannis Georgadjis told the court that the suspect led police last week to an area outside the capital where additional, unspecified evidence relating to the case was located. Investigators are also examining the three vehicles the suspect is believed to have used in committing the killings. The army officer, whom police haven't identified, confessed in a handwritten note to the killings of three Filipino women and the daughter of one of them, a Romanian mother and daughter and a woman believed to be from Nepal. He faces charges of premeditated murder, kidnapping and the 2017 rape of a foreign woman who was 19 at the time. He denies the rape allegations. The killings have shocked the country of just over a million people and led to the resignation of the justice minister and the firing of the police chief. Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades called police negligent for failing to follow up initial missing persons reports that could have prevented more killings. (Reuters) - The 5-year-old boy thrown off a third-floor balcony at Minnesota's Mall of America by a stranger is no longer in critical condition, said his family, who hopes he will be home by June. More than 28,000 well-wishers from around the globe donated a total amount of more than $1 million to an online fundraiser set up for Landen Hoffman, who was hospitalized after the April 12 attack in the Bloomington mall, a major tourist attraction in the state. "We are so elated to let you know that our son is now alert and conscious and is no longer in critical condition," an attorney for Hoffman's family said on Friday in a statement. "We are now turning our focus to additional surgeries, healing, rehabilitation and eventually a return home, which we hope will happen by June." Emmanuel Aranda, 24, of Minneapolis was charged with attempted premeditated first-degree murder and was being held in lieu of a $2 million bond. Aranda, who has a history of mental issues and arrests on minor charges, is accused of dropping the boy nearly 40 feet (12 meters). According to prosecutors, he admitted the attack, telling investigators he had been visiting the mall for years to try to talk to women, but their rejection "caused him to lash out and be aggressive." Aranda said he initially intended to kill an adult, but chose the boy instead, prosecutors wrote in a criminal complaint. (Reporting by Barbara Goldberg in New York; Editing by Matthew Lewis) SheKnows Jeff Bezos and girlfriend Lauren Sanchez are not slowing down one bit when it comes to showing off that steamy heat between them on their holiday vacation to St. Barts. The couple is continuing to flaunt their PDA for the paparazzi every chance they get. Their latest photos involve everything a billionaire needs for a [] Wellington (AFP) - The man accused of shooting dead 51 Muslim worshippers in the Christchurch mosque attacks was formally charged with terrorism for the first time on Tuesday, New Zealand police said. In addition to the terror charge, Brenton Tarrant also faces 51 charges of murder and 40 of attempted murder over the March 15 attacks that rocked the South Pacific nation. "The charge will allege that a terrorist act was carried out in Christchurch," police said in a statement. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has characterised the mosque killings as "a well-planned terrorist attack" since the day Tarrant, a self-described white supremacist, allegedly carried them out. But until now the charges against him were less expansive, as New Zealand's Terrorism Suppression Act was only introduced in 2002 and is untested in the courts. Police said the decision to lay the terror charge more than two months after the attack was made following consultation with prosecutors and government legal experts. Tarrant, a 28-year-old Australian, is currently in a high-security prison undergoing tests to determine if he is mentally fit to stand trial for the worst massacre in modern New Zealand history. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 14. Police said they had met survivors and victims' families Tuesday to explain the additional charges. "Police are committed to providing all the support necessary for what will be a challenging and emotional court process to come for the victims families and survivors of the attack," they said. Ahead of the shooting, Tarrant posted a rambling manifesto on social media in which he identified himself by name and described himself as a white supremacist out to avenge attacks in Europe perpetrated by Muslims. He live-streamed himself as he opened fire in the packed Al Noor mosque during Friday prayers and then travelled across town to continue the carnage in the suburban Linwood mosque. Ardern's government tightened the country's gun laws in the wake of the attack and has said it will review laws dealing with hate speech. It has also pushed international efforts to ensure social media giants to do more to combat online extremism, including the so-called "Christchurch Call" unveiled by world leaders and top technology firms in Paris last week. Bogota (AFP) - Colombia's army announced it would modify instructions given to troops following an article in the New York Times that claimed a new policy could result in a greater number of civilians being killed in the battle against criminals and militants. The article written by the Times' Andean bureau chief, Nicholas Casey, claimed that the head of Colombia's army had "ordered his troops to double the number of criminals and militants they kill, capture or force to surrender in battle - and possibly accept higher civilian casualties in the process." That brought back uncomfortable memories of a controversial practice used by authorities between 2002 and 2008, under the government of then president Alvaro Uribe, when soldiers killed thousands of civilians and presented them as left-wing rebels in a bid to obtain bonuses or promotions. "We have never demanded a number of dead, we've never done it and we never will. I've never demanded it," army commander General Nicacio Martinez told reporters. "We're demanding effectiveness," he added, before saying there could have been "a misunderstanding" over what that meant by "people not part of the institution." "We want to change the format to generate calm. As it has been misunderstood, it's better to change it," Martinez told the CM& news channel. Casey's report sparked concern from Human Rights Watch whose director for the Americas, Jose Miguel Vivanco said "these practices suggest that the current Army and the Ministry of Defense have learned nothing from one of the darkest chapters in Colombia's history, that of false positives, which puts the civilian population at serious risk." More than 3,000 people are believed to have been killed in that situation, according to Human Rights Watch. So far, 961 military staff have been prosecuted for the offense, official data shows. Story continues President Ivan Duque's government described the Times article, which used anonymous sources, as "full of inconsistencies," but vowed a "zero tolerance" policy towards human rights abuses. Maria Fernanda Cabal, a lawmaker from Duque's Democratic Center party, accused Casey -- who has left Colombia -- of being "paid" by FARC, the left-wing guerrilla group that laid down its arms in 2016 and formed a political party following a historic peace accord that ended a half century of bloody armed conflict. The international press association in Colombia rejected the accusations against Casey, and demanded a "rectification." Colombia, the world's leading producer of cocaine, suffered more than 50 years of bloodshed in fighting by guerrillas, paramilitaries, state agents and drug traffickers, with more than eight million people killed, missing and displaced. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: BJP State president K Laxman exuded confidence that the BJP, contrary to the results of the exit polls, would win more Lok Sabha seats in Telangana. The surveys conducted by various media houses have predicted that the saffron party will bag just one or two seats. Speaking to mediapersons here on Monday, K Laxman said that the BJP would return to power at the national level with a decisive majority. The performance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in delivering a corruption-free rule and the courage and conviction he had displayed in ensuring internal security would help the party score a resounding victory on May 23, he said. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE In Telangana, the BJP is going to rewrite history just the way it is going to do in West Bengal where the dictators are in power. Another outcome of the election would be decimation of the Congress in Telangana, he said. Taking a jibe at Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, the senior leader said the BJPs victory would prove hollow the claims of the TRS chief on the capability of Indian Air Force (IAF). Rao had said that not even a mosquito had died in the surgical strikes that India had conducted on terror camps in Pakistan. The BJP would return to power with absolute majority at the national level since opposition parties without any agenda had joined hands to sully the image of Modi but people had seen though their game, he said. The general elections were a reflection of the outrage of the countrys people against those who, instead of strengthening the hands of Narendra Modi as he set out to avenge Pulwama carnage, began speaking in voices that sounded like music to the ears of Pakistani rulers, Laxman said. By Timothy Gardner WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a 2020 Democratic presidential contender, unveiled a plan on Monday to tackle climate change with a focus on slashing emissions from farming and ranching and conserving nearly a third of U.S. lands. Bennet is distinguishing himself from rivals, such as Governor Jay Inslee of Washington, who are pressing for more aggressive plans to fight global warming, by making land management and agriculture a large part of his climate platform. The senator from Colorado, a state rich in farms and ranches, said his climate plan is the only one to focus on agriculture and conserving land to sequester carbon dioxide while also seeking emissions cuts from power plants, transportation and heavy industry. "We need to scale the efforts of our farmers and ranchers to make them part of the solution," Bennet told reporters in conference call. His plan would boost certainty for farmers to grow and invest in advanced biofuels, convert food waste into energy, and help farmers and ranchers transition to voluntary practices such as reforestation that helps the land store carbon emissions. Bennet would establish a council including seats for labor, farmers and ranchers, scientists, business leaders and greens to develop more details of the plan by day 100 of his presidency. "The most important thing we've got to figure out how to do is to build a broad constituency in America to take on climate change," he said. Bennet is competing in the most crowded Democratic field in the modern political era, with more than 20 candidates vying to challenge Republican President Donald Trump. Democratic rivals including Inslee, former Congressman Beto O'Rourke of Texas, and Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts have unveiled details of their climate plans in recent weeks. Democratic front-runner and former Vice President Joe Biden said last week he will unveil his climate plan very shortly. Bennet's plan also seeks 100% net zero emissions no later than 2050, which he said was in line with scientific consensus on fighting climate change. Inslee's plan sets a goal of achieving 100% zero-emission electricity by 2035. Bennet did not embrace a carbon tax or other strategies to drive down emissions, but said the approach would be figured out early in his presidency. The plan would also create a "climate bank" to drive $10 trillion in private investment in innovation and infrastructure for domestic and international markets. It seeks to create 10 million green technology jobs in 10 years. (Reporting by Timothy Gardner; editing by Jonathan Oatis) The Hague (AFP) - The Netherlands' minister for migration, Mark Harbers, resigned Tuesday after a parliamentary outcry over elided data on crimes committed by asylum-seekers, in a bad blow to the government just ahead of European elections. His departure adds to the struggle faced by centre-right Prime Minister Mark Rutte as he tries to counter a surge in anti-immigration populists who look poised to win big in the elections Thursday. Harbers was caught out over a report featuring statistics on crimes perpetrated by asylum-seekers in the Netherlands that he presented to parliament. In the report, misdemeanours such as shoplifting had their own separate categories but serious crimes such as sexual assault, murder and manslaughter were lumped together under the category "other" with no disaggregation. The revelation of that omission by the newspaper De Telegraaf triggered anger among lawmakers, some of whom questioned whether it was a deliberate attempt to skew reception of the report. Late Tuesday, during a parliamentary debate, Harbers announced he had offered his resignation. He assumed "total responsibility" for not correctly informing the chamber but said it was "not deliberate," Dutch media reported. Rutte responded by saying he "respected" Harbers's decision to step down, but declared on Twitter that it "incredibly regrettable that the cabinet must say goodbye to such a talented and committed liberal". Rutte's governing coalition already suffered a shock two months ago when provincial elections made the Forum for Democracy party -- an anti-immigration populist party that backs a Netherlands exit from the European Union -- the biggest party in the senate. The Forum for Democracy is course to possibly beat Rutte's Liberals in the European elections on Thursday. The Netherlands will be the first EU country -- along with Brexit Britain -- to vote in the polls, which will be held in other European countries over the subsequent three days. If Forum of Democracy does do well, it would be a bellwether of a populist tsunami that could shake the European Union. Through Her Eyes is a weekly show hosted by human rights activist Zainab Salbi that explores contemporary news issues from a female perspective. You can watch the full episode of Through Her Eyes every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on Roku, or at the bottom of this article. As the former president and CEO of Planned Parenthood, Cecile Richards steered the organization through over a decade of controversies and threats to dismantle Roe v. Wade. But Richards says Roe v. Wade hasnt really been in jeopardy until now. I think that in some ways when I was at Planned Parenthood, the threat to Roe seemed a little bit academic, perhaps, Richards said during an interview with the Yahoo News show Through Her Eyes. Now, its real. Richards sees enormous alarm sweeping the U.S., as more states continue to draft restrictive anti-abortion legislation. In the past few weeks, states like Georgia, Ohio and Missouri have passed bans on abortion after a doctor can detect a fetal heartbeat; this can be as early as six weeks before many women know theyre pregnant. Meanwhile, Alabama passed a near-total abortion ban. These new laws are increasing the likelihood that the legality of abortion nationwide will yet again be brought before the conservative-leaning Supreme Court, which could decide to review the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. Many states now are essentially assuming with the confirmation of Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court that it will be a state-by-state decision whether abortion remains safe and legal in the U.S., Richards said. Richards also pointed to another area of womens health where she said politicians should be concentrating more of their attention: the United States abysmal maternal mortality rates. Georgia just happens to be the state with the second-highest rate of maternal mortality in the United States of America, she exclaimed. Maternal mortality is on the rise. Its the highest of any developed nation. That is a health care crisis. So I would like to see Gov. Kemp focus on what is a real health care crisis in this country. Story continues Listen to the full episode on the Through Her Eyes podcast, and listen to past interviews with Queen Latifah, Aly Raisman, and more from season 1. Heavily armed Indonesian troops were on high alert Tuesday amid fears of civil unrest in the capital Jakarta, as the surprise early announcement of official election results handed Joko Widodo another term as leader of the world's third-biggest democracy. The election commission had been due to give the divisive poll's final tally on Wednesday, but results were announced early Tuesday instead. Presidential challenger Prabowo Subianto, a 67-year-old retired general, vowed to take his claims of widespread cheating to court as several thousand supporters rallied in the sprawling capital. Tensions have also spiked since police said last week that they arrested dozens of Islamic State-linked terror suspects who planned to cause chaos by bombing post-election protests. On Friday, the US embassy in Jakarta issued a heightened security alert for Indonesia, the world's biggest Muslim majority nation which has long wrestled with Islamist militancy. Other embassies issued similar warnings. The front of the elections commission office was barricaded with razor wire and protected by scores of security personnel Tuesday, after Subianto warned that mass demonstrations could break out if he lost. The former military man -- who has strong ties to the Suharto dictatorship which collapsed in 1998 -- has unleashed a stream of rhetoric since unofficial results for the April 17 poll put Widodo ahead by a wide margin. On Tuesday, he rejected the official results, but called on supporters to remain calm as he pursued "legal avenues" -- candidates have three days to file a formal complaint at Indonesia's Constitutional Court. Subianto unsuccessfully challenged the 2014 election which he also lost to Widodo. Analysts and election officials discounted his fraud claims. "The scale of abuses and errors in the conduct of the election are clearly very minor overall," said Jakarta-based political analyst Kevin O'Rourke. Story continues On Tuesday, thousands of Subianto supporters marched through the streets and held a peaceful protest outside the election supervisory agency's office -- as police in riot gear looked on. "We have only one request -- that the election is honest and fair," said 35-year-old Dani Firdaus. - 'Please concede' - Chief Security Minister Wiranto warned that security forces would crack down on mass protests. "I'm calling on all parties to have a big heart and be a good sport," he said. "If you lost, please concede." Widodo, 57, got a rock star welcome when he visited a poor Jakarta neighbourhood where he formally declared victory, as cheering residents hung out of windows to hear him speak. "Hopefully he can keep making Indonesia better and more modern," resident Septani, who goes by one name, told AFP. The presidential campaign was punctuated by bitter mudslinging and a slew of fake news online, with much of it aimed at the presidential candidates. The soft-spoken Widodo -- who pointed to his efforts to boost Southeast Asia's biggest economy with a huge infrastructure push -- stood in stark contrast to fiery nationalist Subianto, a strongman who courted Islamic hardliners and promised a boost to military and defence spending. A record 245,000 candidates ran for public office in Indonesia's elections, from the presidency and parliamentary seats to local positions -- the first time all were held on the same day. Widodo and Amin won the country's top jobs with 55.5 percent of the vote against 44.5 percent for Subianto and his wealthy financier partner Sandiaga Uno, the commission said Tuesday. Some 85.6 million votes were cast in favour of Widodo out of about 154 million, it added. Widodo scoring thumping victories in holiday hotspot Bali and heavily populated East Java, while Subianto landed big wins in religiously conservative Aceh and West Java. Nine parties won seats in parliament, led by The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, which Widodo belongs to, and followed by Gerindra and Golkar. CINCINNATI (AP) A 49-year-old man sentenced to death will get a new trial in the 1997 slaying of a Cincinnati convenience store owner. The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday let stand a 2018 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision that agreed with attorneys for Ahmad Fawzi Issa (AH'-mahd FOW'-zee EE'-sah) that statements about his involvement in a murder-for-hire case were hearsay and violated his right to confront witnesses against him. The court threw out his conviction and sentence for allegedly arranging the shooting of Maher Khrais outside his store in 1997. Hamilton County prosecutor's spokeswoman Julie Wilson said a pretrial hearing in the case is scheduled May 30. Issa has been held in state prison since 1998. His attorney, Adele Shank of Columbus, called the high court's decision "right and appropriate." Tehran (AFP) - Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has warned the United States of "painful consequences for everybody" if there is an escalation in tensions with the Islamic republic. Zarif also accused the US of "playing a very, very dangerous game" in an interview with CNN aired on Tuesday. "There will be painful consequences for everybody (if) there is an escalation against Iran, that's for sure," he said. Tensions have risen between Washington and Tehran as the US has deployed a naval carrier group and B-52 bombers to the Gulf over unspecified alleged Iranian "threats". "Having all these military assets in a small waterway is in itself prone to accident particularly when you have people who are interested in accidents. So extreme prudence is required and we believe the US is playing a very, very dangerous game," Zarif said. US President Donald Trump further stoked the fire in a tweet on Sunday that suggested Iran would be destroyed if it attacked US interests. On Monday Trump appeared to play down the immediate threat posed by Iran and said he was ready to talk if Tehran takes the first step. But Zarif said that Iran is "not going to talk to people who have broken their promises." He was referring to Washington's withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal last year and reimposition of sanctions that had been lifted in exchange for Iran scaling back its nuclear programme. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a televised speech Tuesday that whenever Trump's administration threatens Iran, international and domestic pressure means "they regret it in less than two hours". "All those with the responsibility of the world on their shoulders tell the White House that this was a very dangerous thing to say ... (and) the Pentagon's pressure makes the president apologise and say we don't mean to wage war or attack," he added. FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) A man has been charged in the abduction of an 8-year-old girl who was snatched from a street in Fort Worth, Texas, as she walked with her mother. Fort Worth police say the girl was found safe Sunday, about eight hours later, at a hotel in nearby Forest Hill. Police say 51-year-old Michael Webb was arrested on an aggravated kidnapping charge. He is being held without bond. Officer Buddy Calzada says a man grabbed the girl Saturday evening, and sped away with her in a car. Police released surveillance video of the car . Police found Webb and the girl at the hotel after witnesses reported seeing the car there. She was taken to a hospital. Online records don't an attorney representing Webb who can speak on his behalf. By PTI BEIJING: China, which granted a rare permit for US Ambassador Terry Branstad to visit Tibet, on Monday hoped that the American envoy would make an "unbiased judgement" about the conditions in the Himalayan region especially on religion and the Tibetan culture. Branstad was travelling to China's Qinhai province and the bordering Tibet Autonomous Region from May 19 to May 25, making the first trip by an American envoy to the highly restricted area in four years. During his visit, Branstad is due to have meetings with local officials and visit religious and cultural heritage sites. His visit is taking place amid escalating trade war between the world's two largest economies. China's permission to him came after US early this year passed Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2018 warning equal and reciprocal measures if Beijing denied access to American citizens, government officials and journalists to Tibet, the homeland of the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. The new law would impose a visa ban on Chinese officials who deny American citizens, government officials and journalists access to Tibet. Currently, foreign tourists need a special travel permit to visit Tibet in addition to a Chinese visa. Asked why China, which denied permission for US Ambassador to visit Tibet last year decided to do so now, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told the media on Monday that "we welcome Ambassador Branstad's visit so that he can see the major changes which took place in Tibet for past 60 years after the peaceful liberation." READ HERE | Not seeking independence for Tibet, reiterates Dalai Lama Commenting on US embassy's statement that the visit is a chance for the ambassador to engage with local leaders to raise longstanding concerns about restrictions on religious freedom and the preservation of Tibetan culture and language, Lu said China hopes the envoy could make unbiased judgement on the prevailing situation in Tibet. "As for the comments from US embassy, we hope this visit can help them make unbiased judgement that is fact based especially on the religion, culture, heritage and history. We hope he can make his own judgement instead of being misguided by rumours," Lu said. "We welcome all those who has an objective view of China's economic and social development, including Tibet to this region. His request was denied (last year), I don't know what you mean by that. All the diplomatic personnel in China if they have this need to visit the regions in China, they need to apply to relevant authorities first," he said. In March, China issued a white paper defending its polices and highlighting major economic development and improvement of lives of people in the remote Himalayan region since a failed uprising against Beijing's rule 60 years ago. About 150 Tibetans committed self-immolations in different parts of Tibet since 2009 calling for the return of 83-year-old Dalai Lama from his exile and improvement of human rights in the Himalayan region. The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet, crossed the border into India following a failed uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet on March 31, 1959. China says Tibet for centuries has been its territory well before People's Liberation Army (PLA) took control of it in 1950. Philadelphia (AFP) - The crowded 2020 presidential race features six women, three African Americans and a dozen youthful contenders. But Denise Haley is going old school, supporting white male frontrunner Joe Biden as the Democrat best positioned to beat Donald Trump. "He could lead the nation and bring us back together," Haley, who is black, told AFP of the 76-year-old former vice president, reflecting what appears to be a solidifying sentiment amid voters whose support has given Biden a commanding poll lead. Haley, a 60-year-old health care professional, was in the crowd Saturday when Biden came to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to address the biggest, most boisterous rally of his four-week-old White House campaign. Many attendees thrilled at Biden essentially sidestepping discussion of the gruelling primary battle ahead and focusing on the general election face-off with Republican Trump, whom he often attacked with explicit condemnation. "Biden is Trump's biggest rival and has the highest chance of kicking Trump out of office," high-schooler Ankita Kalasabail, who is 16 but will be old enough to vote in 2020, said in explaining her support for a man 60 years her senior. "We need to beat Trump" and Biden has a stronger shot than the 22 other Democratic candidates, said Mickey Kirzecky, a consultant. Biden, a veteran Democrat who spent 36 year in the US Senate, boasts the thickest resume of any candidate seeking to deny Trump a second term. But crucially, said Kirzecky, he has a knack for connecting with all-important blue-collar voters. "I hate to use the word electability, but I think that's part of what comes into play," she added, stressing Biden's more moderate politics and his popularity with working-class Americans -- a constituency that helped Trump win the White House in 2016. "I think he might be a healing candidate," she added. The historically diverse race is cluttered with progressives vying for the votes of Democrats witnessing their party's steady leftward shift. Story continues But Haley, the health professional, said her candidate criteria are based not on skin-color, age, or gender, but capacity to win and to get the job done. "I don't think you have to be a woman or an African-American to do that," she said. "I just think you have to be a strong leader and I think he (Biden) shows those qualities." As for Biden being one of three septuagenarians in the race, along with Trump and Senator Bernie Sanders, Norda Lewis brushed it aside. "I don't think that age matters," said the 36-year-old teacher from the Philadelphia suburbs, describing Biden as "a man for the people" who can appeal to traditional Democrats, independents, and working-class Republicans. - 'We need good again' - John Lester, a graphic designer from Philadelphia, said Biden's age could become a concern, although "he does seem like a healthy guy." What draws him to Biden is the candidate's "broader appeal" and moderate politics, Lester, 61, said. "I support the issues of diversity," but moving too quickly toward a liberal agenda at a time of deep political divisions might backfire, he added. "I like that fact that he's steady and I trust him," added Lester's wife Doreen. "I believe that he's a good guy, and I think we need good again." Biden spent eight years in the White House with president Barack Obama, and his close alliance with the nation's first black commander in chief has earned him strong support from the coveted African-American voting bloc. But Biden's legislative record and past actions, such as his treatment of Anita Hill -- the woman at the center of emblematic sex harassment hearings in the Senate almost three decades ago -- or his support for a crime bill that led to mass incarcerations of black men, have come under scrutiny. His tactile campaign style that has led women to accuse him of making them uncomfortable also bolsters the notion of Biden as a politician slightly behind the national current. "I think that his time has passed," Laura Benedetto, who works for an education non-profit, said Friday at a Virginia campaign event featuring liberal candidate Elizabeth Warren. Biden's campaign pushes back against the argument that he is a political relic, or that he might lack the energy to mount an 18-month campaign. "Vice president Biden is up to the challenge. He wouldn't have gotten into this race if he wasn't," senior advisor Symone Sanders told AFP. "We're up right now," she said of the favorable polls, "but we are running this race as if we're the underdog." MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - One member of Mexico's navy was killed and three were injured on Saturday when they came under fire while patrolling a section of state-run oil firm Pemex's frequently plundered pipelines, the country's naval secretary said. Members of the navy were monitoring part of the Tuxpan-Azcapotzalco pipeline, which runs from the southeastern state of Veracruz to Mexico City, the navy secretary said in a statement, without saying exactly where the attack took place. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has vowed to crack down on the country's rampant fuel theft, which cost Pemex an estimated $3 billion last year alone. "Groups dedicated to fuel theft have increased the level of aggression against the staff of this institution," the navy secretary said. "The navy secretary of Mexico rejects these actions and reaffirms its commitment to act firmly in defense of the peace of Mexico." (Reporting by Miguel Angel Gutierrez and Julia Love; Editing by Daniel Wallis) By David Lawder WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Wednesday he will likely travel to Beijing soon to continue negotiations with Chinese counterparts as the world's two biggest economies try to salvage talks aimed at ending their months-long trade war. Mnuchin did not elaborate on the timing of future negotiations, but told lawmakers at a Senate Appropriation subcommittee hearing that recent discussions with Chinese officials in Washington were constructive. "My expectation is that we will go to Beijing at some point in the near future to continue those discussions," he said. "We're continuing discussions. There's still a lot of work to do." U.S. President Donald Trump has denied that trade talks with China had broken down even as he imposed more tariffs on Chinese imports and both sides prepared for another round of further tariffs, roiling global markets in recent days. But Trump softened his tone somewhat on Tuesday, praising his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping, appealing to Beijing to purchase U.S. farm products and vowing to finalize a deal soon. (Reporting by David Lawder; Writing by Susan Heavey; Editing by Susan Thomas) Ottawa (AFP) - A fugitive on Canada's most wanted list ended up leading police to his doorstep after announcing where he was living in a defiant Facebook message to a television station publicizing his case. Jessie Dean Kowalchuk, 27, was wanted in westernmost British Columbia province for violating his probation related to three separate crimes in 2015. When he spotted his photo on the website of television station CFJC Today in Kamloops, he sent a Facebook message to taunt the news show's producers -- and said he was in the capital of neighboring Alberta province. "News flash morons I'm in Edmonton and not coming back," Kowalchuk wrote, according to the station. Police were notified of his apparent location and arrested him in Edmonton, where he had apparently been living for three years. "We're just really pleased that he sent the message advising where he was living in Alberta and that we were able to extend the warrants to Alberta so that we could bring him back here to face charges," federal police Corporal Jodi Shelkie told public broadcaster CBC. "You've got to face up to your actions at some point and you know it doesn't matter where you go -- sooner or later, the police are going to find you," she said late Tuesday. LISBON (Reuters) - A Portuguese court has found eight police officers guilty of kidnapping and beating up six youths from a predominantly black neighborhood in the outskirts of Lisbon. Only one of the eight officers was sentenced to jail, while the others were given suspended sentences for various crimes, including kidnapping, assault and falsification of documents. Nine other police officers were acquitted. "The behavior of those accused constitutes a serious abuse of authority," Judge Ester Pacheco said, quoted by Portugal's news agency Lusa. The case dates back to 2015 when 17 officers used excessive violence against six black youths from the Cova da Moura neighborhood. At the time the officers were charged with crimes motivated by racism but those charges were later dropped by public prosecutors. The charges were brought after a joint investigation by prosecutors and the Judicial Police that followed complaints by the families of the six youths, who were cleared of charges of resisting arrest and assault. (Reporting by Catarina Demony, editing by Axel Bugge) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates President Donald Trump warned Iran early on Monday not to threaten the United States again or itll face its official end, shortly after a rocket landed near the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad overnight. If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2019 Irans foreign minister quickly responded in kind on Twitter with his own message: #NeverThreatenAnIranian. Trumps tweet comes after he seemingly sought to soften his tone on Iran following days of heightened tension sparked by his administrations sudden deployment of bombers and an aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf over still-unspecified threats. In the time since, officials in the United Arab Emirates allege four oil tankers sustained damage in a sabotage attack. Yemeni rebels allied with Iran launched a drone attack on an oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia. U.S. diplomats relayed a warning that commercial airlines could be misidentified by Iran and attacked, something dismissed by Tehran. All these tensions are the culmination of Trumps decision a year ago to pull America out of Tehrans nuclear deal with world powers. And while both Washington and Tehran say they dont seek war, many worry any miscalculation at this fraught moment could spiral out of control. The tweet from Trump early on Monday came just hours after a Katyusha rocket fell in Baghdads heavily fortified Green Zone near the statue of the Unknown Soldier, less than a mile from the U.S. Embassy, causing no injuries. Iraqi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasoul told The Associated Press that the rocket was believed to have been fired from east Baghdad. The area is home to Iran-backed Shiite militias. Story continues If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran, Trump tweeted. Never threaten the United States again! Trump did not elaborate, nor did the White House. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif posted his own message Monday on Twitter, saying Trump had been goaded into genocidal taunts. Zarif namechecked both Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan as two historical leaders that Persia outlasted. Iranians have stood tall for a millennia while aggressors all gone, he wrote. He ended his tweet with: Try respect it works! Trump campaigned on pulling the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear accord, which saw Iran agree to limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. Since the withdrawal, the U.S. has re-imposed previous sanctions and come up with new ones, as well as warned nations around the world they would be subject to sanctions as well if they import Iranian oil. Iran just announced it would begin backing away from terms of the deal, setting a 60-day deadline for Europe to come up with new terms or it would begin enriching uranium closer to weapons-grade levels. Tehran long has insisted it does not seek nuclear weapons, though the West fears its program could allow it to build atomic bombs. In an interview aired Sunday on the Fox News Channel, Trump called the nuclear deal a horror show. I just dont want them to have nuclear weapons and they cant be threatening us, Trump said. However, the nuclear deal had kept Iran from being able to acquire enough highly enriched uranium for a bomb. U.N. inspectors repeatedly certified that Iran was in compliance with the accord. British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt told journalists in Geneva that Iran should not doubt the U.S. resolve, warning that if American interests are attacked, they will retaliate. We want the situation to de-escalate because this is a part of the world where things can get triggered accidentally, Hunt said. In Saudi Arabia, the kingdoms military intercepted two missiles fired by the Houthi rebels in neighboring Yemen. The missiles were intercepted over the city of Taif and the Red Sea port city of Jiddah, the Saudi-owned satellite channel Al-Arabiya reported. The channel cited witnesses for the information. The Saudi government has yet to acknowledge the missile fire, which other Saudi media also reported. Hundreds of rockets, mortars and ballistic missiles have been fired into the kingdom since a Saudi-led coalition declared war on the Houthis in March 2015 to support Yemens internationally recognized government. However, the Houthis Al-Masirah satellite news channel denied Monday that the rebels had any involvement with this round of rocket fire. Between the two targeted cities is Mecca, home to the cube-shaped Kaaba that Muslims pray toward five times a day. Many religious pilgrims are now in the city amid the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. Meanwhile, the U.S. Navys 5th Fleet on Sunday announced it would begin enhanced security patrols in international waters with members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Already, the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge and others are in the Arabian Sea, waters close to the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a third of all oil traded at sea passes. Photo credit: Corbis - Getty Images From Popular Mechanics Its June 3, 1965 and astronaut Ed White, in orbit over Hawaii, emerges from a space capsule to become the first American to conduct a extravehicular activity, or EVA. Connected with a single tether providing power and communication lines, he maneuvers using an oxygen gun for propulsion, takes in the view, and poses for pictures. I feel like a million dollars, White says . These days EVAs are not done for the photos, they are part of the maintenance and operation of the International Space Station. They are planned to the minute, and astronauts seldom have time for a selfie (or joyriding with jet-guns). Photo credit: Science & Society Picture Library - Getty Images We've been so fortunate that we haven't had a major accident, but statistically, doing an EVA is just as dangerous as launching and reentry, says Garrett Reisman, former NASA astronaut with a nearly 7-hour spacewalk on his resume now a professor at USC . EVAs are hard, dangerous, and time consuming. It makes sense that todays space engineers would want alternatives as they design the next generation of space exploration hardware, but there is a reluctance to leave orbital spacesuits behind. It comes back down to design decisions that you make when you are in the very early stages of designing your space station, Reisman says. How are you going to cope with failures? Are you going to design things for very high reliability, or do you design so that when things break you just replace them? If you're going to do that, do you put those things on the inside or the outside? The easiest way to limit the number of spacewalks is to put things that need maintenance inside a space station. But future space stations will be smaller than the sprawling ISS and that strategy may not be possible. For example, NASAs Lunar Gateway plans are much smaller than the ISS-around 2,000 cubic feet of habitable volume compared to the relatively roomy 13,696 cubic feet. Instead, the Gateway has a sharp focus on automation; the station will only be crewed part of the time but the designers are pledging it will operate on its own-fulltime. That might give exterior-mounted robotic arms the advantage over the gloved hands of a spacewalker. But NASA appears to be planning for some orbital spacewalks, with requirements that the lunar space stations short-range communications and airlock can accommodate astronaut EVAs . Story continues Bill Pratt, Lockheed Martins NextSTEP Habitat Program Manager, says that their proposed Gateway design includes a separate EVA module so you dont have to depressurize the entire Gateway any time you do a spacewalk . But it also seems like the real heavy lifting will be done by machines. Weve designed our proposed Gateway elements so that robotic components, such as the Canadarm and autonomous docking systems, can handle the in-space assembly and operations without requiring EVAs, Pratt says. Photo credit: Handout - Getty Images So in the future, EVAs could become an emergency measure rather than typical maintenance. There will always be some situations that we cant anticipate, Pratt says, a human being is uniquely qualified to address unforeseen challenges and solve problems in real time As a real-world example, Reisman relates his experience during an EVA on STS-132. He and Steve Bowen had to install a new Ku-band antenna on the top of the International Space Station. The assembly went routinely, with Reisman perched on the end of a robotic arm serving as an orbital cherry picker, but when it came time to connect the power and data cables, they didnt fit. We tried really hard to push the thing together. We're yanking on that thing and shoving with all of our might, he says. Inside they could feel the space station shaking because we were pushing so hard. Photo credit: NASA The solution came with the impending sunrise by putting the male connector in the shade with the female connector in the sun. We used thermal expansion, says Reisman. When metal gets hot, it expands, and when it gets cold, it contracts. I waited for a few minutes, and then I took the connector...and I put it in right in place. Apart for our irreplaceable ability to problem solve, theres a much more straightforward solution for making spacewalks safer. We can make a better suit, Reisman says. Today ISS astronauts are stuck with suits for the Space Shuttle program. Back then, EVAs were not a priority, says Pablo De Leon, the director of the University of North Dakotas Space Suit Laboratory. In fact, they were only developed as emergency equipment. The space shuttle is like, basically a delivery cargo, and you don't abandon a truck in the middle of where you are doing something, he says. They just developed the shuttle space suit as a contingency system...in case there was a failure on the electric motors that close the doors, an astronaut was supposed to go outside and crank them closed for reentry. No partner on ISS developed a separate space suit for the station, so the ones available today are basically same suit thats been used for 30 years. We've gotten good at working around it, and we've developed all kind of tools and equipment to compensate for the restrictions that the suit places on you, Reisman says. Photo credit: Final Frontier Design The best hope for a new generation of orbital EVA suits may come from the private space industry, who are designing their own spacecraft, space stations, and equipment. NASA is giving way more freedom to the contractors and to the companies that they ever did in the past, De Leon says. NASA is just kind of leaving the companies to design whatever is best for their projects. That freedom may lead to the long-awaited arrival of new EVA suits. New materials, especially composites and fabrics, can shave weight and extend an astronauts range of movement. The suit can be built to operate at the same pressure as the space station, removing the threat of the bends and the resultant need to acclimatize hours before a spacewalk. If we can make a better suit...then human EVA capability will vastly improve, Reisman says. Never use a robot to do an astronauts job. This article appeared in the June 2019 issue of Popular Mechanics. You can subscribe here. ('You Might Also Like',) Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich., bolstered his call for Donald Trumps impeachment Monday with a new Twitter thread rebutting arguments made by the presidents supporters. A libertarian who was elected to Congress in the tea party wave of 2010, Amash ticked off four main criticisms of his view that special counsel Robert Muellers report showed Trump engaged in impeachable conduct, followed by his own response. People who say there were no underlying crimes and therefore the president could not have intended to illegally obstruct the investigationand therefore cannot be impeachedare resting their argument on several falsehoods: Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 20, 2019 1. They say there were no underlying crimes. In fact, there were many crimes revealed by the investigation, some of which were charged, and some of which were not but are nonetheless described in Muellers report. To date, Muellers investigation has yielded 199 criminal counts and 37 people and entities charged. Seven people have pleaded guilty; five people have been sentenced to prison. 2. They say obstruction of justice requires an underlying crime. In fact, obstruction of justice does not require the prosecution of an underlying crime, and there is a logical reason for that. Prosecutors might not charge a crime precisely *because* obstruction of justice denied them timely access to evidence that could lead to a prosecution. If an underlying crime were required, then prosecutors could charge obstruction of justice only if it were unsuccessful in completely obstructing the investigation. This would make no sense. On Sunday, Trump made the assertion himself that it is impossible to obstruct justice without the existence of an underlying crime. ....he would see that it was nevertheless strong on NO COLLUSION and, ultimately, NO OBSTRUCTION...Anyway, how do you Obstruct when there is no crime and, in fact, the crimes were committed by the other side? Justin is a loser who sadly plays right into our opponents hands! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2019 In part, this is why Attorney General William Barrs verdict on the obstruction question has been front and center for those claiming that Muellers report exonerated the president. Story continues A letter written in early May and signed by more than 400 former federal prosecutors and Justice Department employees, however, concluded that if Trump were not president, he would have been charged with obstruction of justice based on Muellers findings. 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 read. 3. They imply the president should be permitted to use any means to end what he claims to be a frivolous investigation, no matter how unreasonable his claim. In fact, the president could not have known whether every single person Mueller investigated did or did not commit any crimes. Before Mueller presented his findings to Barr, debate raged over whether Trump had the legal authority to fire him and shutter the investigation into his 2016 campaigns ties to Russia. If Trump had immediately acted to kill the investigation, his former campaign aides, national security adviser, campaign chairman and personal lawyer may never have been held accountable for their crimes. Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) 4. They imply high Crimes and Misdemeanors requires charges of a statutory crime or misdemeanor. In fact, high Crimes and Misdemeanors is not defined in the Constitution and does not require corresponding statutory charges. The context implies conduct that violates the public trust and that view is echoed by the Framers of the Constitution and early American scholars. Section 4 of Article II of the U.S. Constitution states: The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors. The presidents Republican supporters assert that a crime must be charged to clear the legal hurdle of high crimes and misdemeanors, but the Constitution does not specifically settle that question. Trump defenders like House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., have discounted Amashs call for impeachment by questioning his party loyalty. He votes more with Nancy Pelosi than he ever votes with me, McCarthy said Sunday on Fox News. It's a question whether hes even in our Republican conference as a whole." A corporate lawyer before being elected to Congress, Amash has earned an 88 percent score from the American Conservative Union and a 100 percent rating from the conservative group FreedomWorks. He has voted with Trump 92 percent of the time. But becoming the first Republican to call for Trumps impeachment has its consequences, and Amash learned Monday that he would face a primary challenge in 2020 from state Rep. Jim Lower. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: By AFP JAKARTA: Thousands of soldiers fanned out across Jakarta on Tuesday as unexpectedly early results in Indonesia's election showed Joko Widodo was re-elected leader of the world's third-biggest democracy. The election commission had been due to announce the final tally of the divisive poll on Wednesday, but the results were revealed early Tuesday with little advance notice amid fears of unrest. Presidential challenger Prabowo Subianto had warned of possible mass uprisings in response to his claims of widespread cheating. Tensions have also spiked high since police said last week that they arrested dozens of Islamic State-linked terror suspects -- including some who planned to cause chaos by detonating bombs at any post-election protests. On Friday, the US embassy in Jakarta issued a heightened security alert for Indonesia, the world's biggest Muslim majority nation. There was a heavy security presence in Jakarta on Tuesday, including in front of the elections commission office, which was barricaded with razor wire and protected by scores of heavily armed troops. Subianto, a 67-year-old retired general, has targeted the commission by accusing it of allowing a string of election violations. The former military man -- who has strong ties to the Suharto dictatorship that collapsed in 1998 -- has kept up a steady string of rhetoric since unofficial results for the April 17 poll put bitter rival Widodo ahead by a wide margin. Subianto lost a 2014 presidential battle with Widodo, which he unsuccessfully challenged in court. It was not immediately clear if he would formally challenge the latest results. However, Azis Subekti, a witness for Subianto's camp, refused to sign the official election results Tuesday, and hinted that the matter was not settled. "We won't surrender in our fight against injustice, fraud and abuse," he was quoted as saying by Indonesia's Detik.com. Analysts and election officials have discounted Subianto's claims that the result was affected by voter fraud and widespread cheating. "The scale of abuses and errors in the conduct of the election are clearly very minor overall," Jakarta-based political analyst Kevin O'Rourke said before Tuesday's official results. "(Subianto) and his camp are harping on minor deficiencies and very micro problems, clearly in an attempt to sway public opinion and delegitimise Widodo. " It was unclear if huge crowds would flood the streets to support Subianto, but there was little sign of Tuesday. "There will be protests from disappointed (Subianto) supporters but I don't think it'll be significant," said Syamsuddin Haris, a political analyst at the Indonesian Sciences Institute. "Authorities have been anticipating this," he added. The presidential campaign was punctuated by bitter mudslinging and a slew of fake news online -- much of it directed at the presidential contenders. The soft-spoken Widodo -- who pointed to his efforts to boost Southeast Asia's biggest economy with a huge infrastructure push -- stood in stark contrast to fiery nationalist Subianto, a strongman who courted Islamic hardliners and promised a boost to military and defence spending. Online, Subianto was pilloried by social media users who poked fun at his repudiation of the unofficial results and for kissing the ground as he declared himself president. Last month, a record 245,000 candidates ran for public office in Indonesia, from the presidency and parliamentary seats to local positions -- the first time all were held on the same day. Widodo and his vice-presidential running mate Ma'ruf Amin won the country's top jobs with 55.5 per cent of the vote against 44.5 per cent for Subianto and his wealthy financier partner Sandiaga Uno, the commission said Tuesday. Some 85.6 million votes were cast in favour of Widodo out of about 154 million in total, it added. Widodo scored thumping victories in holiday hotspot Bali and heavily populated East Java, while Subianto landed big wins in conservative Aceh and West Java. MOSCOW (AP) Russia's top security chief on Tuesday raised alarm about Islamic extremists massing on Afghanistan's northern border. Alexander Bortnikov, chief of the main Russian intelligence agency FSB, said on a visit to Tajikistan that some 5,000 fighters of an Islamic State group affiliate have gathered in areas bordering on former Soviet states in Central Asia, saying that most of them fought alongside IS in Syria. Bortnikov, in comments carried by Russian news agencies, called for tighter border control to prevent a spillover. Russia has a significant presence in Central Asia including several military bases. The IS affiliate in Afghanistan emerged in 2014 and refers to itself as the Khorasan Province, an ancient term for an area that includes parts of Afghanistan, Iran and Central Asia. It has pledged allegiance to the IS group in Iraq and Syria but consists mainly of disgruntled former Taliban and other insurgents from South and Central Asia. Russia has been expressing concern about the IS insurgency spilling over into Central Asia for several years. But some experts say the Kremlin is exaggerating the number of extremists to justify its outreach to the Taliban. In recent years, Russia has emerged as an influential power broker in Afghanistan where it fought a disastrous war in the 1980s. Russian officials have been mediating between feuding factions, and even spoke for lifting international sanctions against the Taliban. The Taliban has waged bitter battles against the followers of the Khorasan Province, most often in eastern Nangarhar province but also in the north of Afghanistan. RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) The editor-in-chief of a Saudi newspaper is urging Palestinians to keep an open mind toward a Mideast plan being devised by President Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner. Faisal Abbas wrote in the Arab News on Wednesday that while the cards have been stacked against the Palestinians, Kushner's plan just may reverse the situation and make peace more possible. The column ran as Palestinians hold protests to mark the 71st anniversary of the "nakba," or "catastrophe," which commemorates their mass displacement during the war that led to Israel's creation. Abbas wrote there's a "strong counter argument that it is time to think outside the box" and added: "The Palestinians should negotiate hard, and then take what they can to secure a nation state for future generations." MADRID (AP) Spanish police say they have arrested 11 people suspected of forming part of a human trafficking ring transporting migrants across the Mediterranean Sea in small boats unfit for the open water. Police said Wednesday that the suspects recruited Moroccan adults and minors seeking to reach Europe. Police said the migrants had to each pay 3,500-6,500 euros ($3,922-$7,284) to be packed into a small dingy "without any safety measures." Once in Spain, police say, the migrants were taken to safe houses run by the trafficking ring where they were forcibly kept until the payment of another 1,000 euros. After paying, they were given clothes, a mobile phone and a bus ticket to another destination in Spain or Europe. Spain has become the biggest entry point for unauthorized migration to Europe. In this April 25, 1999 file photo, shooting victim Austin Eubanks hugs his girlfriend during a community wide memorial service in Littleton, Colo., for the victims of the shooting rampage at Columbine High School the previous week. Eubanks, who survived the 1999 Columbine school shooting and later became an advocate for fighting addiction has died. Routt County Coroner Robert Ryg said Saturday, May 18, 2019, that 37-year-old Eubanks died overnight at his Steamboat Springs home. A Monday autopsy was planned to determine the cause of death. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File) A survivor of a US school shooting has been found dead in his home. Austin Eubanks, a Colorado man who survived the 1999 Columbine school shooting and later became an advocate for fighting addiction, has died aged 37. Routt County Coroner Robert Ryg said that Mr Eubanks sadly died overnight at his Steamboat Springs home. Authorities say that there were no signs of foul play and an autopsy is planned to determine the cause of death. Mr Eubanks was shot in the hand and knee in the Columbine attack that killed 12 classmates and a teacher, including his best friend. Austin Eubanks, who survived the Columbine High School massacre and inspired others to overcome addiction later in life, was found dead at his home in Steamboat Springs overnight, the Routt County Coroner confirmed Saturday afternoon. He was 37 years old. He became addicted to drugs after taking prescription pain medication while recovering from his injuries. Later, he worked at an addiction treatment centre and travelled across the US telling his story to highlight the dangers of addiction. Mr Eubanks family says in a statement that he lost the battle with the very disease he fought so hard to help others face, KMGH-TV reported. The family added: We thank the recovery community for its support. As you can imagine, we are beyond shocked and saddened and request that our privacy is respected at this time. By Helena Soderpalm STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - The Swedish prosecutor heading an investigation into a rape allegation against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange filed a request with a local court on Monday for him to be detained in absentia. If granted, the court order would be the first step in a process to have Assange extradited from Britain, where he is serving a 50-week sentence for skipping bail. Sweden reopened the rape investigation last week. It was begun in 2010 but dropped in 2017 after Assange took refuge in the Ecuadorean embassy in London. Assange, who denies the accusation, was arrested in London last month after spending seven years inside the embassy. "I request the District Court to detain Assange in his absence, on probable cause suspected for rape," Deputy Chief Prosecutor Eva-Marie Persson said in a statement on Monday. She said she would issue a European arrest warrant for Assange to be surrendered to Sweden if the court decided to detain him. Sweden's decision to reopen the rape investigation casts doubt on where Assange may eventually end up, with U.S. authorities already seeking his extradition over conspiracy charges relating to one of the biggest ever leaks of classified information. A lawyer representing Assange in Sweden said he would tell the District Court it could not investigate the prosecutor's request until he had conferred with his client and learned whether or not he wished to oppose a detention order. "Since he is in prison in England, it has so far not been possible even to speak to him by telephone," Per Samuelson told Reuters. Assange, an Australian national, took refuge in the embassy after fighting unsuccessfully through the British courts to avoid extradition to Sweden. The British courts will have to rule on the Swedish and U.S. extradition requests, with interior minister Sajid Javid having the final say on which one takes precedence. "The outcome of this process is impossible to predict," Persson said. Citing information from UK authorities, she said Assange would serve 25 weeks of his UK sentence before he could be released. A British judge has given the U.S. government a deadline of June 12 to outline its case against Assange. (Reporting by Helena Soderpalm and Esha Vaish; editing by John Stonestreet and Niklas Pollard) YENAGOA, Nigeria (Reuters) - Two Royal Dutch Shell oil workers were kidnapped, and their police escorts killed, in Nigeria's restive Delta region, a police spokesman said on Friday. The workers were in Rivers State, returning from an official trip to Bayelsa state, when they were attacked. "The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) regrets to confirm the attack on its staff and government security escort at Rumuji, Rivers State, on the East/West road on Thursday, April 25, 2019 around 16:00 hours," an SPDC spokesman said. "We are supporting the police in their investigation of the incident. We cannot make further comments at this time." A Rivers state police spokesman said that efforts were underway to rescue the workers. (Reporting By Tife Owolabi in Yenagoa; additional reporting and writing by Libby George in London; editing by Chris Reese) Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon (R) meets with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on May 20, 2019. (Xinhua/Zhang Jiye) DUSHANBE, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon and Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday agreed to boost cooperation between the two countries in various fields and further align their development strategies. Rahmon said after meeting with Wang that it has always been the priority of Tajikistan's diplomacy to develop relations with China, and that the two countries, as comprehensive strategic partners, have seen bilateral cooperation flourish in all kinds of fields in recent years. Therefore, it is absolutely possible for Dushanbe and Beijing to strengthen joint efforts in the process of building a community of shared future for mankind, he added. The president said Tajikistan is ready to further align its national development strategy by 2030 with the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, and to promote bilateral pragmatic cooperation in the economic and trade sector, agriculture, science and technology, humanities, infrastructure construction, among others. While extending gratitude to China for assisting Tajikistan's development, Rahmon said his country welcomes more investment from Chinese enterprises in the future. He also expressed readiness for further joint work with China in international and regional affairs, in particular, in the fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism as well as transnational organized crime. Echoing Rahmon's remarks, Wang said China and Tajikistan have formed a "four good" relationship -- good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners, and therefore should be running at the forefront of building a community of shared future for mankind. According to Wang, China will continue to firmly support Tajikistan's domestic and foreign policies as well as its efforts to develop the economy and improve people's livelihood. The Chinese side, in support of Tajikistan's development plans in the four major fields of energy, transportation, food and industrialization, is willing to fully integrate the national development strategies of the two countries and provide assistance for the modernization of Tajikistan, he said. Wang also held talks with Tajikistan's Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin the same day. During the meeting, Muhriddin hailed the results of China-Tajikistan cooperation in the economic and trade sector, agriculture, production capacity and infrastructure construction, adding that he looks forward to implementing more joint projects and enhancing mutual benefit. Muhriddin also expressed the hope of promoting exchanges between the two countries in areas like education and tourism and strengthening multilateral cooperation so as to safeguard regional security. 2 1 [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] By PTI WASHINGTON: Eminent Indian experts in the US believe that the next Indian government to be formed after the declaration of the election results on May 23 faces crucial foreign policy decisions, particularly in the economic realm. "No matter who forms the next government, India faces crucial foreign policy decisions particularly in the economic realm," Alyssa Ayres of the Council on Foreign Relations told PTI. Author of the book "Our time has come: How India is making its place in the world", Ayres, who served in the previous Obama Administration, said although the US-India relationship has made solid strides across governments in defence and security, there are increased tensions on the trade and economic front. "I would also expect to see increased attention in the United States (particularly among members of Congress) to issues of religious freedom in India, especially given the tenor of the elections these past few weeks," Ayres said. In an op-ed titled "Troubles Aplenty: Foreign Policy Challenges for the Next Indian Government", senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Ashley Tellis stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who the exit polls predicted to be reelected, will have to confront serious external challenges both around India's periphery and farther beyond. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE "If India is to realise its great power ambitions in the decades to come, the next government will have to accelerate economic reforms domestically, strengthen India's institutions, preserve its constitutional ethos and protect the nation's internal cohesion, all of which have floundered dangerously in recent years," Tellis wrote. Associate professor of practice and fellow at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies Joshua White asserted that though there are many things the new government can and should do to move beyond its election-induced foreign policy "lethargy" of the previous year, economic reforms are arguably the most vital. A former White House and Pentagon official under the previous Obama Administration, White believes that with the partial exception of Vice-President Mike Pence, the new Indian government will find itself lacking 'through no fault of its own' effective high-profile champions in the Trump administration, and will be forced to engage an American policymaking apparatus dominated by trade hawks, who see the relationship in narrow transactional terms. "While policy experts in Washington have largely assumed that Prime Minister Modi's cautious foreign policy turn has been a product of his election imperatives, there is a growing anxiety that President Trump may have, in more fundamental ways, prompted New Delhi to question the assumptions that undergird deeper US-India alignment," White told PTI. Whoever comes to power will face a multitude of foreign policy challenges that are only growing in number and complexity, noted Anish Goel, a senior fellow at the New America think-tank. READ HERE | Lok Sabha elections 2019 winner gets an economy riddled with problems "First and foremost is the relationship with the United States. Given President Trump's relentless focus on trade issues, the new government will need to figure out how to put the trade relationship on a positive footing, and at the very least prevent any disagreements on trade from overwhelming the other more positive aspects of the strategic partnership," Goel, a former White House official under the Obama and Bush administrations, told PTI. This is complicated by the fact that the relationship will need to be balanced against India's ongoing interactions with Russia and Iran. Both countries represent strategic threats to the United States, yet remain vital trading partners for India, he said. Beyond these global power politics, India will face challenges within its own neighbourhood, Goel said. While tensions with Pakistan are perpetually simmering, they are even more heightened at the moment because the after-effects of the Pulwama-Balakot crisis have not been fully resolved and continue to linger, he added. "As the United States looks for an exit ramp from Afghanistan, India-Pakistan relations will take on even greater importance. In addition, Sri Lanka has flared up as an unexpected regional challenge for India. After nearly a decade of relative peace on the island, the Easter Sunday terrorist bombings highlighted how terrorism can take root in the region," Goel said. "And finally, India must reckon with China," the former White House official said in response to a question. The world's attention may be focused on US-China relations at the moment, but this doesn't mean that India-China issues are not serious and prevalent. "China's increasing assertiveness will continue to cause concern in New Delhi. India has already expressed its displeasure with the Belt Road Initiative, but the reality is that the project is moving forward. The question now becomes what is India going to do in response," Goel said. According to Tellis, at a time when India's external environment has grown more precarious because of the weakening liberal international order, China's continuing ascendancy and assertiveness, and the prevailing capriciousness in Washington, continued stumbles in New Delhi will end up being cumulatively costly and will subvert India's larger ambitions even more consequentially. "Today, when India's claims to exceptionalism will not suffice to either protect its security or to increase its influence, its missteps within will have outsized impact abroad," he warned. Washington (AFP) - President Donald Trump's administration charged Tuesday it was "quite possible" Iran was responsible for the sabotage of Gulf oil interests but said its own robust response had prevented potential attacks on Americans. Top Trump officials appeared to be toning down weeks of fiery warnings to Iran before delivering a classified briefing to the full Congress, where opposition Democrats have accused the administration of hyping intelligence and pushing the United States dangerously close to war. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States has not made "a definitive conclusion" that can be presented publicly over the sabotage of oil tankers off the United Arab Emirates or drone strikes on a crude pipeline in Saudi Arabia. "But given all the regional conflicts that we have seen over the past decade and the shape of these attacks, it seems like it's quite possible that Iran was behind these," Pompeo told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt before heading to Capitol Hill. Yemen's Huthi rebels, who are allied with Iran and are being hit hard by US-backed Saudi air strikes, claimed responsibility last week for a drone strike on a major east-west pipeline in the kingdom, which was forced to shut down temporarily. John Bolton, Trump's hawkish national security advisor, earlier this month warned of "unrelenting force" if Iran strikes US interests as he announced the deployment to the region of an aircraft carrier strike group, followed by nuclear-capable B-52 bombers. - Threats 'put on hold' - Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, who was joined at the briefing by the US military chief, General Joseph Dunford, said the US response had made an impact. "I think our steps were very prudent and we've put on hold the potential for attacks on Americans," Shanahan told reporters. "I'd say we're in a period where the threat remains high and our job is to make sure that there is no miscalculation by the Iranians," he said. Story continues Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned that the United States was "playing a very, very dangerous game" with military deployments, saying that some actors were "interested in accidents" -- a likely allusion to its regional rivals such as Saudi Arabia. "There will be painful consequences for everybody (if) there is an escalation against Iran, that's for sure," he said," Zarif told CNN. Trump last year pulled out of a multinational agreement negotiated under his predecessor Barack Obama under which Tehran drastically scaled back its nuclear work in return for promises of sanctions relief. The administration, which is closely allied with Riyadh, instead vowed "maximum pressure" to weaken Iran's regional influence, including by trying to stop all oil sales by Tehran. Democrats said they were determined to hold the administration to account after the debacle over intelligence before the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Representative Adam Smith said that Pompeo in the briefing gave "a very lengthy political argument" explaining "all the terrible things Iran has done" until the Democratic lawmaker said he cut him off and asked to hear about US policy. "I think there's a risk of miscalculation on both sides. And that remains my biggest concern," Smith, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, told reporters. Representative Eliot Engel, who runs the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he feared the administration was "walking towards war." "I think we should have learned our lesson. War is the last thing you do, not the first thing you put on the table," he told reporters. But Representative Michael McCaul, the top Republican on Engel's committee, said Pompeo made a convincing case that Iran and proxies were behind numerous attacks -- including a rocket that landed Sunday near the evacuated US embassy in Baghdad. Also taking a moderate tone, he described the administration's effort as "a deterrent operation to stop Iran's escalation and aggression in the region." "It was made very clear... there is no intention to go to war," McCaul said. - Opening on prisoners? - Trump stoked the fire on Sunday in a tweet in which he warned: "If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran." But the US president -- who made similar threats against North Korea before meeting leader Kim Jong Un -- downplayed the Iranian threat to US interests a day later and has called for talks. Few expect Iran's leaders to meet Trump -- anti-Americanism is a cardinal tenet of the 1979 Islamic revolution. But Zarif has proposed a swap of prisoners, a step some observers say could offer a path to resume at least low-level dialogue to ease tensions. Pompeo said in the radio interview, without further explanation, that there had been "just a hint" that Iran was moving to release imprisoned US citizens. "Even a small confidence-building measure is a good thing, so it's absolutely the case that were they to release these Americans who are wrongfully held, it would be a good thing," Pompeo said. burs-sct/dw 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. 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. By PTI STOCKHOLM: Swedish prosecutors on Monday issued a formal request to hold Julian Assange, currently imprisoned in Britain, on suspicion of rape -- a first step towards seeking his extradition to Sweden. Swedish deputy director of public prosecutions, Eva-Marie Persson, said in a statement she had filed a request with the Uppsala district court to have Assange detained in his absence on suspicion of rape. Detaining someone in their absence is a standard part of Swedish legal procedure if a suspect is outside the country or cannot be located. The request follows last week's reopening of a 2010 rape investigation, and Persson added that once the court had granted the request, she would then ask British authorities to transfer Assange to Sweden. "If the court decides to detain him, I will issue a European Arrest Warrant concerning surrender to Sweden," Persson said. The Australian whistleblower, who holed himself up in the Ecuadoran embassy in London for seven years to avoid a British extradition order to Sweden, was arrested by British police on April 11 after Ecuador gave him up. A London court sentenced him on May 1 to 50 weeks in jail for breaching the British order. ALSO READ | WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to fight extradition to US The Swedish investigation concerns events which took place in 2010 when a Swedish woman accused Assange of rape, after meeting him at a WikiLeaks conference in Stockholm. Assange has always denied the allegations. Swedish authorities closed the investigation in 2017, when Sweden's then director of public prosecutions Marianne Ny argued that since Assange could not be reached, having taken up residence in the embassy, it was not possible to proceed with the probe. But the investigation was reopened on May 13 following Assange's arrest. The prosecution authority was unable to say when the detention hearing would take place since this would be up to the court to decide, and that a European Arrest Warrant would only be issued after the court had granted the detention request. When contacted by AFP, the Uppsala district court, where the request was filed, said the detention hearing had not yet been scheduled. Assange is already the subject of an extradition request from the United States, where he is wanted for hacking. That request that was only revealed following his arrest in London. Persson said it would be up to British authorities to decide which country's request should take precedence. "In the event of a conflict between a European Arrest Warrant and a request for extradition from the US, UK authorities will decide on the order of priority. The outcome of this process is impossible to predict," Persson said. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close The past weekend was one of the most successful for Israel in the international arena in a long time. The Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv - viewed by hundreds of millions of people - was one of the most impressive productions in the competitions history. Australia reelected one of Israel closest allies, Scott Morrison, for another term as prime minister (despite everyone predicting a defeat for his conservative coalition). And finally, in the most important development of all, the German parliament voted to designate the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement as anti-Semitic. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The decision of lawmakers in the Bundestag, including some from the German far-left Die Linke party, decided a Working Definition of Antisemitism - formulated during 200304 - is the one should be adopted by the state. The non-legally binding definition, which among other things equates some criticism of Israel to anti-Semitism, was adopted by a plenary meeting of the 31 countries in the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance back in 2016. BDS campaign t-shirt (Photo: AFP) The German parliaments motion, however, doesnt simply adopt the definition, but also states that a BDS campaign uses anti-Semitic tactics to fulfill its political goals. For instance, calling for Israeli products to be labeled with "Don't Buy" stickers was reminiscent of the Nazi-era boycott of Jewish businesses, known in German as "Judenboykott", which used slogans such as: "Don't buy from Jews." One of the main problems in the fight against the BDS lies in the deceptive definition of its goal to "pressure Israel into ending the occupation." Although some BDS activist do genuinely believe the organization uses legitimate and non-violent ways to apply pressure on Israel - in order to achieve peace between Palestinians and the State of Israel - the movement's true goal isn't to end the occupation. The BDS opposes the very existence of Israel, and the movements leaders admit that. The fact that the Bundestag had the courage to call the movement by its true name (and for such left-leaning publications like the New York Times and the Guardian to report on it) is excellent news for Israel. But, this is no time to rest on our laurels. The BDS movement - which has many branches and organizations operating in its name in the Western world - continues to gain momentum in the two most important spheres: media and academia. German parliament building Some of the most prominent figures who participate in whitewashing of the movement's true nature are, in fact, Israelis. Before the German vote, some 60 Israeli researchers and professors signed a petition calling on the German political parties not to equate the movements activity with anti-Semitism. Although in this particular instance they failed, the propaganda of this nature has been known to bear fruit. The Bundestag's decision, however, is non-binding and Germany still funds plenty of pro-Palestinian groups that work for (or inspired by) the BDS. In order to inflict a severe blow on the movement, it's important to stop funding the organizations that make it their mission to vilify the State of Israel in the eyes of the world. If the funding continues, the German decision will become a merely symbolic one. 400 members of congress, from both sides of the isle signed a letter to President Donald Trump stating urging he keep US forces in Syria despite his announcement last year that he will pull US troops out after the announced victory over the Islamic State As some of our closest allies in the region are being threatened, American leadership and support are as crucial as ever By PTI BISHKEK: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj with Kyrgyzstan Foreign Minister Chingiz Aidarbekov Sushma Swaraj held a "productive discussion" with her Kyrgyz counterpart Chingiz Aidarbekov ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting during which several pressing issues including the threat of terrorism are expected to be discussed. In her first engagement in Bishkek, Swaraj had a "productive discussion with Aidarbekov on all aspects of bilateral relations, including in political and defence, trade and investment, health, capacity building and people-to-people ties," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. Swaraj, who arrived here in the Kyrgyz capital on Tuesday to attend a two-day meeting of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers, was given a traditional welcome on her arrival here. The External Affairs Ministry in New Delhi said Monday that the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) will exchange views on topical issues of international and regional importance, besides reviewing the preparation for the SCO Summit in Bishkek from June 13-14. Kyrgyzstan: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj meets Kyrgyzstan Foreign Minister Chingiz Aidarbekov. Swaraj is in Bishkek to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) foreign ministers meet. pic.twitter.com/khYoIHc6wX India became a full member of the China-dominated grouping in 2017 and New Delhi's entry has increased the bloc's heft in regional geo-politics, besides giving it a pan-Asian hue. India is also keen on deepening its security-related cooperation with the SCO and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS), which specifically deals with issues relating to security and defence. Swaraj's programme in Bishkek will include a joint call of SCO Foreign Ministers on Kyrgyz President Sooranbay Jeenbekov. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi will also attend the meeting. Last month, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attended the SCO Defence Ministers' conclave in Bishkek. India was an observer at the SCO since 2005 and has generally participated in the ministerial-level meetings of the grouping which focus mainly on security and economic cooperation in the Eurasian region. Along with India, Pakistan was also granted the SCO membership in 2017. The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. In an announcement Tuesday from The Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories Gaza fishermen were told they can now fish freely in the extended area. Israel said Tuesday it has expanded the fishing zone off the Gaza coast from 22km (12 nautical miles) to 28km (15 nautical miles) in order to avoid a humanitarian deterioration of the Strip. The announcement comes just hours after both Israel and Hamas denied reports that they had reached a six-month ceasefire, although the expansion of the fishing zone is the first stage of such a truce. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter "This step is part of our policy to prevent a civilian-humanitarian deterioration of Gaza. The policy distinguishes between terrorists and the general civilian population, said the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), Brig. Gen (res.) Kamil Abu-Rukun. Any deviation from the extended zone will be handled accordingly by the security forces." Fishing zone off the coast of Gaza (Photo: AFP) The security forces completely closed the fishing zone after the latest deadly flare-up between Hamas and Israel. The cross-border fighting saw Palestinian militants fire more than 700 rockets into Israel, killing four Israeli civilians, the first Israeli fatalities from rocket fire since the 50-day war in 2014, known in Israel as Operation Protective Edge. The Israel Defense Forces retaliated with massive airstrikes on Gaza, killing 25 Palestinians, most of whom are believed to be militants. The Defense Ministry announcement comes just three days after the end of the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv, which Gaza militants threatened to disrupt with rocket fire following the latest escalation. Israel's Channel 12 television reported Monday evening that Hamas agreed to stop all border violence, with the weekly March of Return protests being kept away at least 300 meters away from the security fence for at least six months with the possibility for a long-term agreement being signed if the initial truce holds. Violent Gaza border riots on Nakba Day (Photo: Reuters) Israel, meanwhile reportedly agreed to expand the fishing zone and allow the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid to the Hamas-ruled enclave. One Palestinian reporter, however, called the report about the ceasefire fake news, while several Israeli officials, including Yesh Atid MK Haim Jelin and Blue and White MK Yoaz Hendel, said they dont believe the reports to be true. The organizers of the weekly March of Return marches also dismissed the report, saying, "We will continue the marches until the siege is lifted." The new Israeli government is in for a surprise. Considering the fact that there are one or two challenges facing Israel in the international sphere, a full-time foreign minister will have little if any period of grace before having to charge full-speed-ahead, if he or she is to succeed. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter First and foremost, the new minister will have to recuperate all that was stripped away from the ministry, starting with responsibilities and purview, in order to deal with the complex challenges facing the country. Foreign Ministry headquarters in Jerusalem (Photo: Gil Yohanan) Israel is losing its bi-partisan standing in U.S. politics. Europe still refuses to amend the Iranian nuclear deal. Anti-Semitism and the BDS movement are more brazen than ever, all over the world. Israel's relationship with the Jewish Diaspora is disintegrating. Tectonic, geo-political changes are taking place in the Middle East. And it is all part of a complex web of interconnected challenges that make up Israel's foreign relations. Benjamin Netanyahu addressing the U.S. Congress (Photo: AFP) Over a period of years, successive government have ripped away parts of the Foreign Ministry and handed them out to anyone who asked, turning the service into a shadow of its previous self. While other countries understand the need for a strong foreign service that can lead international policy, Israel has operated differently. It is time to change the trajectory. The new minister will have to fight for a budget, which has been cut in recent years. The till is empty; there is no money left for foreign policy nor to train the next generation of diplomats. The good and conscientious employees at the ministry have not been allowed to do their jobs and without young, forward-thinking recruits, there will be no future for diplomacy. A new minister will have to bring the ministry into the 21st century. The foreign service is still using last century tools. New work methods, that include setting and measuring goals and success, must be deployed. Foreign Ministry staff protesting budget cuts in 2018 The ministry must shake up its political department and invest in social and financial diplomacy, which includes aid packages, which in the past, have created opportunities for us in Africa, Asia and South America. This must be done not only to improve our diplomatic standing but to strengthen our economy as well. This is a critical time. Trump's "deal of the century" is about to drop and so far, the political department of the ministry is kept out of all discussions on the subject. A new minister could make the ministry relevant again and a useful tool in policy making, if he or she decides to. And this makes the minister's role an important one as well. Israeli officials at Erez Crossing into Gaza confiscated 200 packages headed for the Strip that contained military-grade equipment including multirotors, tasers, weapons, balaclavas, lasers, air-bag mechanisms, field phones, laser-making lathes, navigation equipment and more. This was the second time this week that such equipment that was ordered online and sent by mail was confiscated at Erez. Last Thursday, 172 packages containing telescopic sights, multirotors, field phones and military-issue shoes were confiscated. The Cannes Film Festival is known for its glamour and glitz with movie starts descending on this French Riviera town for one week in May. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Helping these famous faces stay pristine is Israeli beauty guru Ronit Raphael, whose luxe beauty establishment - located in Hotel Martinez - is a favorite of such stars as Julianne Moore and Elle Fanning, who book their treatments months in advance. Raphael was born in Moshav Pedaya in central Israel in 1966 and opened her first beauty parlour in 1986 when she was just 20 years old. The business turned out to be a dizzying success and in the years to come she opened a chain of beauty salons across Israel. Ronit Raphael In 2005 she opened two beauty treatment centers in Switzerland under the brand name of her company L.RAPHAEL. Raphael, the pioneer of the science of beauty uses the latest technologies and the highest quality ingredients to enable the penetration of the products deep beneath the surface of the skin in order to boost collagen production, which decreases with age but is essential for maintaining younger-looking skin. The Swiss-based business woman took this years 72nd film festival as an opportunity to launch a new product from her five-star beauty brand - the Diamond Powder Mask - which was created in collaboration with the jewellery house, Chopard jewels. Diamond Powder Mask being used in one of the beauty centers Its the perfect mask to prepare your skin and show off your perfect glow on the red carpet, said Raphael. The company also launched a skincare collection enriched with Green encapsulated oxygen Caviar which has dermatological benefits that slows the aging processes. Israeli beauty-guru built an empire "Usually there is one to two years between the launch of a new treatment and its corresponding skincare line. We are so pleased to offer both at the same time so the benefits of this innovative treatment can be enhanced with use of the skincare line at home," said Raphael to the Hollywood Reporter. L.RAPHAEL is the first brand to offer comprehensive services dedicated to beauty under one roof in its spas around the world, including Geneva, Cannes, New York and Jaffa. "New and exciting opportunities": A term you would expect to see in a sales pitch for a real-a-state project and not as the first chapter of the "Deal of the Century", now reduced to an economic workshop in Bahrain, but designed to end one of the most complicated and bloody conflicts in the world. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter What is the Trump administration trying to achieve here? President Donald Trump at the White House (Photo: Reuters) Spoiler alert: it is not a long-lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians. It may have been, initially, but the administration was quick to realized that these two parallel lines, Israel and the Palestinians, were simply not interested in meeting. The "Deal of the Century" has become code for other things, all of which are not all that bad for Israel. Jared Kushner (Photo: AFP) For decades, normalization of relations between Israel and the rest of the Arab world and the economic boom that is expected to follow was to be the result of the resolution of the conflict. Trump has been trying to change around the order of things. He thinks improving economics will bring about an end to hostilities. The Americans hope the Bahrain event will include Arab business leaders, including some from Saudi Arabia, who will join American executives from big companies like from Coca Cola and Amazon. Chances of a successful event are unclear. What is evident though is that no Palestinians business leaders will attend - certainly not any that rely on the Palestinian Authority for their business success. Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah (Photo: Reuters) Even the political part of the deal does not claim to bring about an end to the conflict. The intention is only to set new parameters that are more favorable to Israel. As disappointing as all this might be, it also negates any need for mass Palestinian protest. Demonstrating for Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital or the right of return is one thing, but protesting a workshop in Bahrain, is quite another. The Palestinians themselves have been running their own campaign for over a year, claiming financial desperation. Protesting a move that may send vast amounts of money their way, would be a bit hard to explain, even by Palestinians standards. Mahmoud Abbas is troubled. He travelled to Qatar earlier this week, to thank the Qatari leadership for their contribution to the Palestinian Authority, but also to make sure they stand with him in opposition to the Saudis. The Palestinians seem to be resigned to Israel's warming relations with Arab governments. They are looking ahead to a real, substantive peace agreement, dividing territory, dealing with the questions of Jerusalem and refugees. Jordan, they are sure, will stand by them even if others don't WARSAW, Poland -- A Polish official says that contrary to German claims, no documents or records show his country ever renounced its right to seek World War II reparations from Germany. Berlin insists Poland waived such rights in 1953, while under Moscow's control. But prominent ruling party lawmaker Arkadiusz Mularczyk told The Associated Press Tuesday this wasn't backed up by evidence, and a copy of a 1953 note signed only by Poland's leader of the time is not legally binding. He believes that raising reparations with Berlin would improve bilateral ties, and said Poland has not been adequately compensated for the human and material losses it suffered under Nazi German occupation. Mularczyk heads a team of experts counting the losses, and intends to present it to Germany. Likud MK Miki Zohar on Tuesday presented a proposed amendment to the Immunity Law, which will allow elected officials to be investigated only after approval by both the Knesset House Committee and the entire Knesset plenum. Zohar is seen as an ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The amendment, which is apparently an effort to prevent corruption charges being brought against Netanyahu in three separate investigations, aims to overturn a 2005 amendment that abolished automatic immunity for lawmakers. MK Miki Zohar (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky) Under the 2005 law, elected officials must address the House Committee and then the plenum in order to receive such an exemption from the law. "They decided to indict the prime minister for bribes without him receiving a shekel," Zohar said at a meeting of a special committee to deal with the law. "When I saw this happening, I concluded that there is nothing more justified than the Immunity Law," he said. "This Immunity Law, if and when we manage to pass in the next Knesset - and I will do everything in my power to pass it - will consider each case on its own merits, and every matter will be examined in depth by the Knesset House Committee." Benjamin Netanyahu with his then-cabinet secretary Avichai Mandelblit in 2015 (Photo: Reuters) Zohar also claimed that Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit has been pressured into bringing charges against Netanyahu. "When I saw the pressure on the attorney general, I understood exactly what I was up against. Unfair and unreasonable pressure has been placed on him simply because of one thing that, God forbid, he reveals the truth and decides that no indictment will be brought against a public official. " Former defense minister Moshe Ya'alon, once a member of Netanyahu's cabinet and now a senior MK in the opposition Blue and White Party, vowed to fight the passage of the bill. "Essentially, everyone is now a slave to saving Netanyahu's skin from the specter of justice." Ya'alon told Ynet. "We will fight against personalized legislation, which first and foremost is designed to turn the Knesset into a haven for criminals, led by Netanyahu," he said. "We will fight with the public, we will get people out on the streets as soon as Saturday night at Tel Aviv Museum plaza. I urge people to come (for) he cannot ignore it." Moshe Ya'alon (Photo: Moti Kimchi) Ya'alon also expressed concern that most people would not understand what lay behind the push to change the law, "because above all they are being lied to." He said that on Monday, Blue and White lawmakers read aloud the 57-page list of suspicions against Netanyahu and even many MKs failed to understand what was being recited. Mandelblit, who was once Netanyahu's cabinet secretary, has recommended bribery, fraud and breach of trust charges in Case 4000, in which Netanyahu is suspected of receiving favorable coverage on the Walla! News website in return for regulatory benefits to telecommunications giant Bezeq, which owns the site. The attorney general also called for charges of fraud and breach of trust in both Case 1000, in which Netanyahu and his family are suspected of receiving illicit gifts from wealthy donors, and Case 2000, in which Netanyahu allegedly tried to negotiate favorable coverage in the Yedioth Ahronoth daily (Ynetnews' sister publication) in return for promoting legislation against rival paper Israel Hayom. Thousands of documents purportedly found in abandoned Syrian government offices during the country's civil war reveal the reach of President Bashar Assad's shadowy security agencies that sought to eliminate dissent at all costs, according to a rights report published Tuesday. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The documents obtained by the Washington-based Syria Justice and Accountability Center, show the agencies spied on the populace at large, sought to eliminate dissidents through detention, intimidation or killings and systematically persecuted the Kurdish minority even before the onset the 2011 uprising against Assad. Syrian anti-government protesters carry a banner during a rally in the central city of Homs, Syria The report , titled "Walls Have Ears, An Analysis of Classified Syrian Security Sector Documents" and based on a sample of 5,000 documents, presents some of the most damning evidence of state involvement -- at the highest level -- in the bloody crackdown on protesters, dissidents, and even foreign journalists in Syria. Anti-Syrian regime protesters flash the victory sign as they wear Syrian revolution flags during a demonstration in the Baba Amr area, in Homs province, Syria The documents also offer a rare glimpse into the inner workings of Assad's security agencies and how pervasively they monitored Syrians' everyday lives. Sometimes handwritten, notes contain orders from top commanders to arrest, detain and "do what is necessary" to quell the unrest. One document details how a man informed on his own brother for supporting anti-Assad protests, prompting a security commander to seek permission to lure the brother into a trap. Another document, from the country's top intelligence agency, the National Security Office, identified a French journalist of Lebanese descent as an "instigator of protests" and barred her from entering the country. Building in a prison complex in Syria that was modified to support a crematorium Several of the documents identify protesters by name, labelling many as terrorists without any evidence, while others detail the government's policy of containing and monitoring political activities of the Kurdish minority. "The documents show clearly that orders were very centralized and came from really high-level officials, including from heads of the security agency themselves, and in lots of documents from the National Security Office," said Mohammad Al-Abdallah, the director of the Washington-based group. "This, combined with the nature of the orders -- deployment of military units, surveillance, the use of lethal force, persecutions of the Kurds -- all are proof a systematic state practice, and can be used as evidence to establish both the Syrian state responsibility and the individual criminal responsibility for committing war crimes and crimes against humanity," he added. When protests erupted in March 2011 in Syria -- in part inspired by the wave of uprisings around the region later labelled the Arab Spring -- the government responded with a violent crackdown. Syrian policemen stand in front of a court building that was set on fire by Syrian anti-government protesters, in the southern city of Daraa, Syria The crackdown in turn sparked an armed rebellion against government forces, dividing Syria into government and rebel-held areas. Almost nine years later, more than 400,000 people have been killed, half of the pre-war population of 23 million is either displaced internally or refugees in neighboring countries. Most of the towns and cities lie in ruins. Syria's government, which typically does not comment on security issues nor responds to reports accusing it of human rights violations, justifies its crackdown by describing those who rose up against it as terrorists. Assad charges that the uprising was part of a conspiracy supported by the U.S. and regional foes to oust him from power. President Assad meeting with Russian Dep PM Yuri Borisov in Damascus The documents were collected from the province of Raqqa and the town of Tabqa in eastern Syria in 2013, and from the western province of Idlib in 2015, following the withdrawal of government forces. The Washington-based watchdog and investigators from another independent group, the Commission for International Justice and Accountability extracted over 400,000 government documents and collectively scanned and digitized them. Both groups have already offered assistance to European prosecutors to pursue criminal cases against Syrian officials. over to Israel some 5,000 documents kept by a confidant of Franz Kafka, a trove whose plight could have been plucked from one of the author's surreal stories. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The papers being returned Tuesday include a postcard from Kafka from 1910 and personal documents kept by Max Brod, which experts say provide a window into Europe's literary and cultural scene in the early 20th century. Franz Kafka (Photo: Getty Images) They are among some 40,000 documents, including manuscripts, correspondence, notebooks and other writings that once belonged to Brod, which are being brought together again in Israel's National Library. They had ended up in bank vaults in Switzerland and Tel Aviv, a Tel Aviv apartment and in a storage facility in Wiesbaden, Germany, where police found them tucked among forged Russian avant-garde artworks. "I think he (Kafka) would really be amused," said National Library archivist and humanities collection curator Stefan Litt, who helped identify the papers recovered in Germany. "He couldn't invent by himself a better plot." The documents recovered in Wiesbaden have little to do with Kafka himself, but make the Brod collection complete and shine a light on Brod and his circle, which included Kafka and other writers, Litt said. "This is an important chapter in Max Brod's estate," Litt said. "And it's always good for researchers to have as complete a picture as possible." Kafka, a Bohemian Jew from Prague who lived for a while in Berlin, was close friends with Brod, himself an accomplished writer. Shortly before his untimely death at 40 of tuberculosis in 1924, Kafka bequeathed his writings to Brod, reportedly telling him to burn them all unread. Kafka's friend and publisher, the writer Max Brod Instead, Brod published much of the collection, including the novels "The Trial," The Castle," and "Amerika," helping to posthumously establish Kafka as one of the great authors of the 20th century. He also brought "Kafkaesque" into the English language to describe a situation evoking a bizarre, illogical or nightmarish situation like the ones Kafka wrote about. After the Nazis occupied the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia in 1938, Brod fled to escape persecution with the entire collection to what was then British-ruled Palestine. When Brod died, he left his personal secretary Esther Hoffe in charge of his literary estate and instructed her to transfer the Kafka papers to an academic institution. Instead, she kept the documents for the next four decades and sold some, like the original manuscript of Kafka's "The Trial," which fetched $1.8 million at auction in 1988. She kept some of the items in a bank vault in Tel Aviv, some in Switzerland, and others at her apartment in Tel Aviv. When she died in 2008, the collection went to her two daughters, who fought to keep it but eventually lost a battle in Israel's Supreme Court in 2016. The court sided with the country's National Library, whose lawyers had argued the Kafka papers were "cultural assets" that belonged to the Jewish people. Stolen Kafka and Max Brod documents returned by Germany (Photo: Courtesy of National Library) Both daughters have now died, and the documents stored in Israel have already been transferred to the National Library's care. The documents held in Switzerland should be on their way soon after the National Library won a court case in Zurich last month, which upheld the Israeli verdict and ordered that several safe deposit boxes be opened and their contents shipped to the institution in Jerusalem. But that left the documents in Germany, which had been stolen from Hoffe's apartment about a decade ago. They ended up with an Israeli dealer, who tried in 2013 to sell them to the German Literature Archive in Marbach -- the same institution that bought "The Trial" manuscript at auction in 1988. The German archive instead reported the offer to Israel's National Library, which then got authorities involved, Litt said. The documents resurfaced at the Wiesbaden storage facility of an international forgery ring that produced and sold millions of euros (dollars) worth of forged paintings, which was taken down by German authorities that same year, Litt said. Since then, they have been stored by German authorities as Litt and others sought to confirm their provenance. Those being returned include correspondence between Brod and his wife, and even some of his notebooks from high school, Litt said. "There's no doubt these materials were part of his papers," he said. The manuscript of "The Trial," however, was properly purchased by the German Literature Archive in the 1988 Sotheby's auction, and the National Library has no claim on it, he said. "We're happy it's in safe hands," Litt said. WASHINGTON - Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said on Tuesday that while the threat from Iran in the region remains high, the potential for attacks on Americans had been "put on hold." "I think our steps were very prudent and we've put on hold the potential for attacks on Americans and that is what is extremely important," Shanahan told reporters at the Pentagon. He did not provide further details. "I'd say we're in a period where the threat remains high and our job is to make sure that there is no miscalculation by the Iranians," Shanahan added. DUBAI/LONDON - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani rejected talks with the United States on Tuesday, after President Donald Trump said Iran would call and ask for negotiations "if and when they are ever ready". Tehran and Washington have escalated rhetoric against each other in recent weeks as the United States has tightened sanctions with what it says is the goal of pushing Iran to make concessions beyond the terms of its 2015 nuclear deal. Trump withdrew the United States a year ago from the deal between Iran and global powers, under which Tehran curbed its uranium enrichment capacity, a potential pathway to a nuclear bomb, and won sanctions relief in return. Trump restored U.S. sanctions on Iran last year and extended them this month, ordering all countries to halt imports of Iranian oil or face sanctions of their own. Iran has repeatedly rejected any further negotiations as long as the United States remains outside the nuclear pact. "Today's situation is not suitable for talks and our choice is resistance only," state news agency IRNA quoted Rouhani as saying. Palestinian Authority security forces received ten armored vehicles from the United States four months ago, but the details are only coming to light now. The vehicles entered the West Bank via the Allenby Crossing from Jordan, with Israel's approval. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Avigdor Lieberman authorized the transfer nine months ago at the request of the United States after years of delays. The news comes against a backdrop of a crisis created by the withholding of tax revenues from the PA over its monthly stipends to terror convicts and their families. The PA is refusing to accept any tax withholdings from Israel in protest of Israeli deductions equal to sums paid for committing acts of terror. PA armored vehicles Representatives of West Bank Jewish communities strongly criticized the transfer of the military equipment to PA forces, some of whom have been involved in terror attacks against Israelis, calling it irresponsible, dangerous and risky. "It's amazing how the same people who chanted 'dont give them rifles' at protests against the Oslo Accords are now giving them armor. "I call on those who made this unfortunate decision to regain their composure," said Yossi Dagan, chairman of the Shomron Regional Council. "This is a decision that can draw a high price in blood," he added. Chairman of the Mount Hebron Regional Council Yohai Damari said: "When we said not to give them rifles, we were considered peculiar. When we proclaimed that the Gaza Disengagement will bring about missiles, they called us false prophets. Why do the Palestinians need armor? Who is shooting at them? The cost of this erroneous decision will be paid with the blood of our citizens and soldiers." Security establishment sources rebuffed the criticism, saying the prime minister and former defense minister Lieberman approved the transfer at the request of the Americans more than nine months ago and that they were handed over to the PA four months ago. The PA had repeatedly asked Israel in recent years to allow entry to the light armored vehicles for its security operations, but they were rebuffed, until recently. Due to the dispute, during the last three months, Palestinian security personnel have been receiving only half of their salary. Israel is being criticized for its harsh stance vis-a-vis the Palestinian Authority whose security forces coordinate with Israel to thwart terror attacks compared to the indirect negotiations it conducts with Hamas while allowing the terror group access to tens of millions of dollars from Qatar. Initially, before the facts became clear, it was assumed that Israeli approval of the armored vehicles was meant to soften the resentment within the PA and ensure that security coordination is maintained. The PA receives some NIS 500 million a month in Palestinian tax withholdings from Israel. Three months ago, following the passing of Knesset legislation to withhold the sum paid to families of terror suspects, PA President Mahmoud Abbas said that the Palestinians would refuse to accept any of the money. US Envoy to the Middle East Jason Greenblatt said in response to the PA's stance that "every Palestinian has the right to know that they are losing access to quality medical care because the PA decided that it is more important to support terrorists. The PA budgets for assassinations far more than the $8 million it owed to hospitals in east Jerusalem." Bahrain on Tuesday defended its decision to host a White House-engineered conference to address the Israeli-Palestinian crisis, saying its only objective is to support the "brotherly Palestinian people." Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The Palestinian Authority has rejected the economic conference planned for next month, which is part of the rollout of the White House's long-awaited Israel-Palestinian plan, saying any peace effort that ignores the Palestinian people's aspirations for an independent state is doomed to fail. A senior Palestinian official has likened the White House plan to "financial blackmail." Manama Bahrain (Photo: Reuters) Bahrain's foreign minister, Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, tweeted that his country respects the Palestinian leadership's steadfast position safeguarding Palestinian rights. He said that both the official and popular position of Bahrain "has been and continues to be championing the brotherly Palestinian people in the restoration of their legitimate rights in their land and an independent state with its capital as east Jerusalem, additionally economically supporting the Palestinian people." FM Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa The minister added that "there's no other purpose" in hosting the conference than Bahrain's continued support of the Palestinians. His comments highlight the uneasy balance some Gulf Arab leaders are attempting to strike as their once quiet ties with Israel grow tighter and more public in the face of shared enemy Iran. The region's public, though, remains sensitive to Israeli security policies and Palestinian demands for independence while the Al-Aqsa Mosque-Temple Mount compound in Jerusalem holds religious significance to Muslims around the world. In recent weeks, civil society groups in Bahrain took to Twitter to protest a visit to Manama by an Israeli delegation to a global entrepreneurship summit. Bahrain's lower house of parliament also issued a statement rejecting the visit. Al-Fatah Mosque, Bahrain (: shutterstock) Meanwhile, the Trump administration is working to rally key Arab states, like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and others, to help bankroll economic incentives that could get Palestinians to buy into its Mideast plan. The plan, which has been two years in the making, envisions large-scale investment and infrastructure work in the Palestinian territories. But the central political elements remain mostly unknown. President Donald Trump's senior adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and Jason Greenblatt, envoy of international negotiations, have been leading efforts to write the plan, but so far, there's been no participation from the Palestinians. U.S.-based Rabbi Marc Schneier, who was appointed special adviser by Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, said he knows of no other Gulf leader that has been more preoccupied with establishing relations with Israel and bringing other Gulf states onboard. The tiny island nation of Bahrain is a close U.S. ally and hosts the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet. Rabbi Schneier speaks with Sunni Gulf Arab princes (Photo: Rabbi Marc Schneier) Schneier said King Hamad told him in a 2016 meeting in the palace that "our only hope for a strong, moderate Arab voice in the Gulf is a strong Israel." He noted that the king also sent an interfaith delegation from Bahrain to Jerusalem not long after the Trump administration moved the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in recognition of it as Israel's capital. "It's not a question of Bahrain being a participant. They have led this effort, at least since I've known the king for eight years," Schneier said, adding that it's no wonder that the king "would embrace" the opportunity to host the Mideast meeting. Rabbi Marc Schneier with Gulf prince (Photo: Rabbi Marc Schneier) The conference, running June 25-26 in Bahrain, will not address the most contentious parts of the conflict: borders, the status of Jerusalem, Palestinian refugees and Israel's security. Half of all Americans believe that the United States will go to war with Iran "within the next few years," according to a Reuters/Ipsos public opinion poll released on Tuesday amid increased tensions between the two countries. While Americans are more concerned about Iran as a security threat to the United States now than they were last year, few would be in favor of a pre-emptive attack on the Iranian military. But if Iran attacked U.S. military forces first, four out of five believed the United States should respond militarily in a full or limited way, the May 17-20 poll showed. Historically tense relations between Washington and Tehran worsened in May after U.S. President Donald Trump hardened his anti-Iran stance and restored all sanctions on Iranian oil exports following his decision a year ago to pull the United States out of a 2015 international nuclear accord with Tehran. The United States moved an aircraft carrier and forces to the Gulf region in response to intelligence that Iran may be plotting against U.S. interests, an assertion Iran denies. Nearly half - 49% - of all Americans disapprove of how Republican Trump is handling relations with Iran, the poll found, with 31% saying they strongly disapprove. Overall, 39% approve of Trump's policy. The German government says Chancellor Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron have discussed the situation in Iran in a joint telephone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Merkel's office said in a statement Tuesday that the three leaders "underlined the need to persuade Iran to remain in the nuclear agreement, which they agreed to maintain." WASHINGTON - Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said on Tuesday after briefing lawmakers on the threat from Iran that the United States had deterred possible attacks by deploying forces to the region. "We have deterred attacks based on our reposturing of assets - deterred attacks against American forces. Our biggest focus at this point is to prevent Iranian miscalculation," Shanahan told reporters on Capitol Hill. YORKYork Elementary and Middle School students had less waste from school meals during the last school year, thanks to collaboration between York Public Schools and Lunchtime Solutions, Inc. Lunchtime Solutions, Inc. is a K-12 food service management company, contracted with York Public Schools for food services. Its local employees have been helping teach YES and YMS students the importance reducing waste in a novel way: composting. Scraps of compostable food left over from school food bar and other compost ingredients have been tucked away into two compost tumblers. Lunchtime Solutions, Inc. provided the tumblers. Used coffee grounds were supplied by local coffee shop Captain Redbeards. Over the winter, the compostables are left to break down into usable planting material. The tumblers are stationed on the YES and YMS campuses. The composting project, in its initial year at YPS, is a teaching tool and motivation for students, said Michelle Steckly, kitchen manager and cook at York High School. It gives them a reason not to waste so much. News Washington, DC - From Normandy and Iwo Jima through Operations Desert Storm and Inherent Resolve, our Nations Armed Forces have consistently made us proud by defeating our enemies and defending the freedoms we cherish. Their bravery, love of country, and devotion to duty are unmatched, and we are eternally grateful for the sacrifices they make for all American citizens. On Armed Forces Day, we honor all of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen who make up the finest military in the world. Every day, tens of thousands of American troops risk their lives and sacrifice time with their families and friends to protect our national security and keep us safe. Through their strength and dedication to our country, they protect our freedoms, interests, and way of life at duty stations all around the world. We thank them for their incredible service, and we recognize that our Nation has a sacred obligation to ensure that our Armed Forces remain ready and fully equipped to face any threat. As President, I am committed to empowering Americas warriors with every advantage they need to fulfill their missions. During the last 2 years, our Armed Forces have had one victory after another against ISIS, culminating in March with the liberation of 100 percent of the territory once held by ISIS in Syria and Iraq. We are encouraged by this tremendous success, and it is important that our military remains the strongest in the world. This is one of my Administrations highest priorities, and I have called on the Congress to increase funding for our national defense by $34 billion over last years level. These additional resources are vital to enhancing our capabilities at sea, on the ground, in the air, and in space and guaranteeing that Americas military never falls behind. I also continue to advocate for our service members to receive increased support, which they deserve for bearing the burden of defending our freedoms. Last year, I signed into law the largest pay raise for our troops in 9 years, and, for 2020, I have called on the Congress to provide a 3.1 percent pay raise. This 3.1 percent raise would be the largest pay raise for our troops in 10 years and would further demonstrate our Nations gratitude to the more than 2.1 million active duty and reserve military men and women. Our courageous and vigilant Armed Forces safeguard the blessings of liberty for us and for future generations by selflessly answering the call of duty. Today, and every day, we acknowledge and celebrate all who proudly wear our Nations uniforms and the family members who face unique challenges as they tirelessly support them. NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, continuing the tradition of my predecessors in office, do hereby proclaim the third Saturday of each May as Armed Forces Day. I invite the Governors of the States and Territories and other areas subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to provide for the observance of Armed Forces Day within their jurisdiction each year in an appropriate manner designed to increase public understanding and appreciation of the Armed Forces of the United States. I also invite veterans, civic, and other organizations to join in the observance of Armed Forces Day each year. Finally, I call upon all Americans to display the flag of the United States at their homes and businesses on Armed Forces Day, and I urge citizens to learn more about military service by attending and participating in the local observances of the day. Proclamation 9753 of May 18, 2018, is hereby superseded. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-third. DONALD J. TRUMP News Phoenix, Arizona - Governor Doug Ducey issued a statement honoring the life and memory of Fleming Begaye Sr., a Navajo Code Talker who served in the United States Marine Corps. Mr. Begaye passed away on May 10, 2019 at the age of 97. With the passing of Mr. Begaye, Arizona has lost an American hero, said Governor Ducey. Mr. Begaye joined the over 430 Code Talkers who stepped up to serve our nation in its time of need during World War II. By using their native language, the Code Talkers formed an unbreakable code that was decisive in helping the Allied Forces claim victory. Today, Arizona celebrates the life of Mr. Begaye, and we express our gratitude for his service and sacrifice in defense of freedom. We express our deepest sympathies to Mr. Begayes family, friends and the entire Navajo Nation. News Monroe, Louisiana - Two former corrections officers at the Richwood Correctional Center were sentenced in U.S. District Court in Monroe, Louisiana, for their roles in a conspiracy to cover up the abuse of inmates by officers. The defendants -- Demario Shaffer, 34, of Delhi, Louisiana, and David Parker, 28, of Tallulah, Louisiana, previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to falsify documents with the intent to obstruct and influence the investigation of a matter within federal jurisdiction. According to the defendants plea agreements and admissions in court, Shaffer, Parker, and other officers sprayed a chemical agent directly in the faces and eyes of five inmates while the inmates were handcuffed, compliant, kneeling on the floor, and not posing a physical threat to anyone. Following that abuse, the officers conspired to hide their conduct by submitting false reports. Shaffer, who was a sergeant at the time, was sentenced to serve 15 months in prison, and Parker, a nonsupervisory officer, was sentenced to serve 21 months. Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana David C. Joseph made the announcement. Conspiring to cover up physical assault against an inmate is in blatant violation of federal law and the Department of Justice will hold violators accountable, said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. The Civil Rights Division will continue to enforce the laws that prohibit this type of misconduct. Abuse of prisoners is illegal and tarnishes the reputation of those correctional officers who work hard every day to perform their duties with distinction and professionalism, U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph stated. To maintain the fairness and integrity of the American justice system, my office will hold accountable anyone who violates the civil rights of inmates or conspires to cover up the abuse of inmates under their custody. Two other officers, Roderick Douglas and Christopher Loring have also pleaded guilty and are scheduled for sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty on June 5 and July 3. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Mudrick of the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Western District of Louisiana, and Trial Attorney Anita Channapati of the Civil Rights Division, Criminal Section, prosecuted the case. The Monroe Division of the FBI investigated the case. News Manhattan, New York - A jury returned a guilty verdict against Ali Kourani, a.k.a. Ali Mohamad Kourani, a.k.a. Jacob Lewis, a.k.a. Daniel, on all eight counts in the Indictment, which charged him with terrorism, sanctions and immigration offenses for his illicit work as an operative for Hizballahs external attack-planning component. Kourani is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 27, 2019, by the Honorable Alvin K. Hellerstein, who presided over the eight-day trial. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman for the Southern District of New York, Assistant Director Michael McGarrity of the FBIs Counterterrorism Division and Assistant Director in Charge William F. Sweeney, Jr. of the FBIs New York Field Office made the announcement. While living in the United States, Kourani served as an operative of Hizballah in order to help the foreign terrorist organization prepare for potential future attacks against the United States, said Assistant Attorney General Demers. The evidence at trial showed that Kourani searched for suppliers who could provide weapons for such attacks, identified people who could be recruited or targeted for violence, and gathered information about and conducted surveillance of potential targets within our country. Such covert activities conducted on U.S. soil are a clear threat to our national security and I applaud the agents, analysts, and prosecutors who are responsible for this investigation and prosecution. Ali Kourani was recruited, trained and deployed by Hizballahs Islamic Jihad Organization to plan and execute acts of terrorism in the United States, said U.S. Attorney Berman. Kouranis chilling mission was to help procure weapons and gather intelligence about potential targets in the U.S. for future Hizballah terrorist attacks. Some of the targets Kourani surveilled included JFK Airport and law enforcement facilities in New York City, including the federal building at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan. Today, Kourani has fittingly been convicted for his crimes in a courthouse that stands in the shadow of one of his potential targets. This case shows Hizballahs Islamic Jihad Organization is a threat to the American people and not just to those living abroad, said FBI Assistant Director McGarrity. The IJO enlisted Kourani to help plan an attack on high profile U.S. locations where many people could have been killed or injured. Thanks to the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force his plans were not carried out. As reflected in the criminal Complaint, Indictment, and the evidence presented at trial: Hizballah is a Lebanon-based Shia Islamic organization with political, social, and terrorist components that was founded in the 1980s with support from Iran. Since Hizballahs formation, the organization has been responsible for numerous terrorist attacks that have killed hundreds, including United States citizens and military personnel. In 1997, the U.S. Department of State designated Hizballah a Foreign Terrorist Organization, pursuant to Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and it remains so designated today. In 2010, State Department officials described Hizballah as the most technically capable terrorist group in the world, and a continued security threat to the United States. The Islamic Jihad Organization (IJO), which is also known as the External Security Organization and 910, is a highly compartmentalized component of Hizballah responsible for the planning, preparation, and execution of intelligence, counterintelligence, and terrorist activities on behalf of Hizballah outside of Lebanon. In July 2012, an IJO operative detonated explosives on a bus transporting Israeli tourists in the vicinity of an airport in Burgas, Bulgaria, killing six people and injuring 32 others. Law enforcement authorities have disrupted several other IJO attack-planning operations around the world, including the arrest of an IJO operative surveilling Israeli targets in Cyprus in 2012, the seizure of bomb-making precursor chemicals in Thailand in 2012, including chemicals manufactured by a medical devices company based in Guangzhou, China (Guangzhou Company-1), and a similar seizure of chemicals manufactured by Guangzhou Company-1 in Cyprus in May 2015 in connection with the arrest of another IJO operative. Kourani, who was born in Lebanon, attended Hizballah-sponsored weapons training in Lebanon in 2000 when he was approximately 16 years old. After lawfully entering the United States in 2003, Kourani obtained a Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering in 2009, and a Masters of Business Administration in 2013. Kourani and certain of his relatives were in Lebanon during the summer 2006 conflict between Israel and Hizballah, when a residence belonging to his family was destroyed. At some point by 2008, IJO recruited Kourani to its ranks. In August 2008, Kourani submitted an application for naturalization in the United States in which he falsely claimed, among other things, that he was not affiliated with a terrorist organization. In April 2009, Kourani became a naturalized citizen and was issued a United States passport. Despite claiming in his passport application that he had no travel plans, Kourani traveled to Guangzhou, China the location of Guangzhou Company-1 on May 3, 2009. He later claimed to the FBI that the purpose of the trip was to meet with medical device manufacturers and other businessmen. IJO assigned Kourani an IJO handler, or mentor, responsible for providing him with taskings, debriefings, and arranging training. Kourani sometimes communicated with his handler using coded email communications, including messages sent by the handler that informed Kourani of the need to return to Lebanon. In order to establish contact with his handler when Kourani returned to Lebanon, Kourani called a telephone number associated with a pager (the IJO Pager) and provided a code that he understood was specific to him. After contacting the IJO Pager, the handler would contact Kourani to set up an in-person meeting by calling a phone belonging to one of Kouranis relatives. The IJO also provided Kourani with additional training in tradecraft, weapons, and tactics. In 2011, for example, Kourani attended a weapons training camp in the vicinity of Birkat Jabrur, Lebanon, where he used a rocket propelled grenade launcher, an AK-47 assault rifle, an MP5 submachine gun, a PKS machine gun (a Russian-made belt-fed weapon) and a Glock pistol. Based on other taskings from IJO personnel, which IJO personnel conveyed during periodic in-person meetings when Kourani returned to Lebanon, Kourani conducted operations, which he understood to be aimed at preparing for potential future Hizballah attacks. These covert activities included searching for weapons suppliers in the United States who could provide firearms to support IJO operations; identifying individuals affiliated with the Israeli Defense Force whom the IJO could either recruit or target for violence; gathering information regarding operations and security at airports in the United States and elsewhere, including JFK International Airport in New York; and surveilling U.S. military and law enforcement facilities in New York City, including the federal building at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan. Kourani transmitted some of the products of his surveillance and intelligence-gathering efforts back to IJO personnel in Lebanon using digital storage media. Kourani, 34, of the Bronx, New York, was convicted of providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; conspiracy to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; receiving military-type training from a designated foreign terrorist organization, which carries a sentence of 10 years in prison or a fine; conspiracy to receive military-type training from a designated foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; conspiracy to possess, carry, and use firearms and destructive devices during and in relation to crimes of violence, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison; making and receiving a contribution of funds, goods, and services to and from Hizballah, in violation of IEEPA, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; conspiracy to make and receive a contribution of funds, goods, and services to and from Hizballah, in violation of IEEPA, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and naturalization fraud in connection with an act of international terrorism, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as the defendants sentence will be determined by Judge Hellerstein. Mr. Demers and Mr. Berman praised the outstanding efforts of the FBIs New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which principally consists of agents from the FBI and detectives from the New York City Police Department. This prosecution is being handled by the Offices Terrorism and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emil J. Bove III and Amanda L. Houle are in charge of the case, with assistance from Trial Attorney Bridget Behling of the Counterterrorism Section. News Tucson, Arizona - The FBI and our law enforcement partners are warning the public about a new, concerning twist on virtual kidnapping for ransom scams (VKFR), where criminals are convincing U.S. victims to cross the border into Mexico. Law enforcement agencies have been warning the public of virtual kidnapping schemes for some time. Virtual kidnappings happen when a victim is told, over the phone, that his or her family member has been kidnapped. Then, through deception and threats, criminals coerce victims to pay a ransom. The criminals also threaten harm to the party(s) if they call law enforcement or alert authorities. No one is physically kidnapped in these schemes, but they are often traumatic for everyone involved. On average, the family sends thousands of dollars to the scammers before contacting law enforcement. In this new twist, extortionists are calling rooms at U.S. hotels near the border and telling guests that the hotel is surrounded by armed enforcers. The criminals convince the guests to leave their hotel and drive across the border to a Mexico-based hotel. The extortionist then convinces the victim to video-call them and take a screenshot. The criminals will then send the photo to the victims family, convince them that their loved-one is kidnapped, and coerce them to pay a ransom. Its important to note that the victims are crossing into Mexico on their own, but are doing so under the fear of death. Victims report that the threats feel frighteningly real. In one instance, a victim was convinced to stay in a hotel room for multiple nights. In another instance, the victims co-workers armed themselves inside a hotel room thinking there were armed criminals outside, who were after them. In both cases, which were investigated by the Nogales Police Department, the victims were safely recovered by authorities after they were alerted. Between 2013 and 2015, investigators were tracking virtual kidnapping calls from Mexicoalmost all of these schemes originated from within Mexican prisons. In this latest twist, the criminals may believe that they have more control over the victims once they lure them across the border into Mexico, thinking it could be easier for them to further extort the victims or their families. The FBI believes most virtual kidnappings for ransom remain unreported. We hope to raise awareness about this most recent scheme and equip individuals with the knowledge they need to avoid becoming a victim of this crime. If you get this type of call, whether you think its an extortion scheme or a legitimate kidnapping, contact law enforcement immediately. To avoid becoming a victim, look for these possible indicators: Multiple successive phone calls Calls do not come from the kidnapped victims phone Callers go to great lengths to keep you on the phone Callers prevent you from calling or locating the kidnapped victim Ransom money is only accepted via wire transfer service If you receive a phone call from someone who demands payment of a ransom for a kidnapped victim, the following should be considered: Arizona News Phoenix, Arizona - In a continuation of his ongoing effort to protect consumers from unfair class action settlements, Attorney General Mark Brnovich this week led a bipartisan coalition of twelve state Attorneys General in urging a New Hampshire federal court to reject a proposed class action settlement against Dial Corporation that would send 60% of the settlement cash to attorneys instead of consumers. The $7.4 million settlement stems from a class action alleging that the Dial Corporation made false and deceptive claims about Dial Complete Liquid Hand Soaps effectiveness. The proposed settlement divides the $7.4 million monetary relief unfairly, giving consumers only $2.3 million of the available cash and attorneys $4.4 million. This settlement bases this imbalanced division on Dials promise to stop including the ingredient, triclosan, in its soap. However, this promise is essentially worthless Dial stopped using that ingredient years ago and is legally barred from doing so in the future by an FDA ruling. General Brnovich asks the Court to recognize the settlement as fatally imbalanced and send the parties back to negotiate a proper division of the settlement proceeds, ensuring that class members receive the appropriate percentage of what is already on the table. Protecting consumers in the class action settlement process continues to be our top priority for our office," said Attorney General Mark Brnovich. "We are looking to obtain meaningful relief for consumers, including improved settlement terms that provide consumers with the majority of the available cash. The brief was filed in In Re: Dial Complete Marketing and Sales Litigation, No. 11-md-2263 (D. N.H.) as a friend of the court under the Attorney Generals statutory authority to speak on behalf of Arizona consumers in connection with federal class action settlements. Joining Arizona are Attorneys General from Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Michigan, Missouri, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Texas. Arizona News Phoenix, Arizona - Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced 25-year-old Marco Antonio Alvarado, of El Mirage, was sentenced Friday to 12 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections after being convicted on felony charges of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. Alvarado will serve a consecutive term of lifetime probation upon his release from prison, and will have to register as a sex offender. Alvarado pleaded guilty in April 2019 to the two felony counts involving the possession of child pornography, which he had acquired while file trading over the Canadian chat service Chatzy. A joint investigation conducted by Canadian authorities and special agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) identified Alvarado as having posted to Chatzy links to cloud-based storage aaccounts that contained graphic depictions of child sexual exploitation. Phoenix-based HSI special agents searched Alvarados home on April 7, 2015, and found deleted graphic images of sexual exploitation on a laptop in Alvarados possession. Alvarado told the HSI special agents that he would trade and acquire sexually exploitative images online, and then later delete them. Assistant Attorney General Todd Lawson prosecuted the case. Arizona News Phoenix, Arizona - May is Arizona Foster Care Awareness Month, a month set aside to acknowledge the foster, adoptive and kinship parents, family members, volunteers, mentors, teachers, care providers, advocates and many more who serve Arizonas youth. Since Governor Ducey took office, Arizona has prioritized providing safe, permanent homes for Arizona foster children. The child-welfare program is continuously improving to best serve Arizonas most vulnerable. Here are a few of the successes happening at the Arizona Department of Child Safety: Arizona News Tucson, Arizona - Governor Doug Ducey Friday attended the grand opening of the H.S. Lopez Family Foundation Center of Opportunity in Tucson, Arizona. The facility will offer specialized support and shelter services for homeless men, women and children through a comprehensive collaboration of over 30 agencies, organizations and ministries. "Given the opportunity, everyone can reach their fullest potential, Governor Ducey said at the center's opening. The Center of Opportunity provides individuals in need with the physical, mental and spiritual resources to get back on their feet all under one roof. My thanks to Bert and Czarina Lopez, the H.S. Lopez Family Foundation, everyone involved in this worthwhile project for their compassion and generosity in serving the Tucson community. Everyones story is different, but our hope is the Center will give new beginnings to those in our community who need that extra help, said Humberto Lopez, founder of HSL Properties and the HSLopez Foundation. Things many take for granted like food, shelter, jobs, healthcare and even a helping hand in a time of need, that is what they will find here all in one campus. A chance to rebuild their lives and look toward a brighter future. Arizona News Tucson, Arizona - On May 15, 2019, Stephen Allen Lamont, 61, and Elvia Lorena Lamont, 51, were sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Cindy K. Jorgenson for their involvement in a Medicare fraud scheme. Lamont previously pled guilty to Health Care Fraud and his wife, Elvia Lamont, previously pled guilty to Misprision of a Felony. Lamont received a sentence of 30 months in prison, and Elvia Lamont was sentenced to 13 months in prison. From 2012 to 2015, the Lamonts owned and operated Ascension In Home Medical Care NPs Group, Inc., a home health care business that provided services to the elderly. In his plea agreement, Lamont admitted that he knowingly submitted false claims for services to Medicare. Lamont fraudulently billed for services that were provided by nurses, medical assistants and a phlebotomist as if they had been performed by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner. Lamont also fraudulently billed at the highest complexity level in order to further pad the billings. On some occasions, Lamont forged the signature of a medical doctor or other Medicare - approved provider before the claims were submitted for reimbursement. Elvia Lamont admitted that she knowingly shared in the proceeds from the Medicare fraud scheme and concealed the scheme from authorities. In addition to imprisonment, the Court ordered both defendants to pay $1,054,839 in restitution to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The investigation in this case was conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by the U.S. Attorneys Office in Tucson. Latest News Washington, DC - Vice President Mike Pence spoke by phone Saturday night with Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia Scott Morrison, congratulating him on his Coalitions win in the Australian Federal elections. He reaffirmed the strong bilateral relationship and enduring alliance between the United States and Australia. 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. Pregnant women in northwest Tanzania who do not give birth in health facilities are being fined between GHc 48 and GHc 116, privately-owned newspaper The Citizen reports. Pregnant women giving birth outside health facilities in northwest Tanzania are being fined between $9 (7) and $22 (17), privately-owned newspaper The Citizen reports. READ ALSO: Ghanaian former pro player Pops Mensah-Bonsu trailblazing the frontiers of NBA The paper says the women are forced to pay the fine when they visit medical centres for other services like vaccination for their children in Kibondo district in Tanzanias Kigoma region. Our wives are fined between Sh20,000 ($9) and Sh50,000 ($22) when visiting dispensaries for other services after giving birth at home. This is unacceptable, Nicolaus Sabuni, a resident of Kibondo, is quoted as saying. The Citizen says Kibondo district acting chief medical officer Innocent Sunamie said he had ordered officials to stop fining women or face action. READ ALSO: First female to graduate the University of Ghana paved way for women Star Gist: I started acting because i was told i look like Suzy Williams - Kisa Gbekle| #Yencom READ ALSO: Singapore billionaire Philip Ng Chee Tat says life and materialism without Jesus is empty Have national and human interest issues to discuss? Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition? Your stories and photos are always welcome.Get interactive via our Facebook page. Source: YEN.com.gh National People's Party MLA Tirong Aboh was on Tuesday killed in an attack by NSCN-IM terrorists in Arunachal Pradesh. At least 10 others, including his family, were shot dead in an ambush in Bogapani in Tirap district of the state. The attackers also set ablaze his car. Tirong represented the Khonsa-West seat in Arunachal Pradesh and was contesting the Assembly election in 2019 from the seat too. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma condemned the brutal attack and urged Home Minister Rajnath Singh to take action against the culprits. "The NPP strongly condemns the brutal attack on Shri Tirong Aboh and his family and his security personnels," he tweeted. The NPP is extremely shocked and saddened by the news of the death of its MLA Shri Tirong Aboh (Arunachal Pradesh) and his family. We condemn the brutal attack and urge @rajnathsingh and @PMOIndia to take action against those responsible for such attack. Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) May 21, 2019 "The NPP is extremely shocked and saddened by the news of the death of its MLA Shri Tirong Aboh (Arunachal Pradesh) and his family. We condemn the brutal attack and urge @rajnathsingh and @PMOIndia to take action against those responsible for such attack," he tweeted. Live TV The attack comes weeks after another NPP worker and Tirong's supporter was killed by a suspected NSCN(IM) member at a village in Arunachal Pradesh in March. The suspected member of the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) assaulted Jaley Anna and his friend Kham Nai Abhi, both NPP workers, at Kheti village in Tirap district. Anna died on the spot. Mumbai: Actors Rajkummar Rao and Mouni Roy have wrapped up shooting for their upcoming film "Made in China". Mouni on Monday took to Instagram, where she shared a series of photographs from the film's wrap up party. The two actors can be seen cutting a cake which has "Film wrap Made in China" written on it. The actress captioned the image: "Oh what a trip! 'Made in China'" "Made in China" is being directed by Mikhil Musale and produced by Dinesh Vijan under the banner of Maddock Films. The film will feature Rajkummar as a struggling Gujarati businessman and Mouni as a feisty wife. It will mark the Bollywood debut of Gujarati director Mikhil Musale, whose 2016 thriller-drama "Wrong Side Raju" bagged the National Award for Best Feature Film in Gujarati. The film is slated to release on August 30. Ahmedabad: A special screening of the biopic 'PM Narendra Modi' was held on Tuesday at PVR Acropolis here with Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in attendance. The film, which did the rounds of the courts and poll authorities for a release date, was postponed earlier by the Election Commission in view of the Lok Sabha polls. The Omung Kumar-directed film, in which actor Vivek Oberoi is playing the eponymous role, is now scheduled for a May 24 release. Speaking at the screening, Oberoi exuded confidence that Modi and the NDA would win a second term and asked people to see his film to "celebrate" the poll victory. "I am fortunate to land the role. Our friendship started from Gujarat...People said you are making him (Modi) a hero, I said he is already a hero," Oberoi told reporters. MUMBAI: The Indian Coast Guard has seized a Pakistani fishing vessel carrying drugs worth Rs 600 crores in the international market off Gujarat coast. The Pakistani fishing vessel was carrying about 100 kg of heroin, which was seized in a joint operation by the Coast Guard and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). ''Indian Coast Guard apprehended a Pakistani fishing boat today inside Indian waters off International Maritime Boundary Line. 194 packets of suspected narcotic substances were seized from it. Further investigation underway,'' a statement from the Coast Guard said. Indian Coast Guard apprehended a Pakistani fishing boat today inside Indian waters off International Maritime Boundary Line, 194 packets of suspected narcotic substances seized from it. Further investigation underway. pic.twitter.com/sguQ1QFrxZ ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 Live TV The Pakistani vessel, "Al Madina", and its crew has been detained for questioning, the Coast Guard spokesman said. The Pakistani vessel was seized following a tip-off received on Monday evening, a Coast Guard official said in a statement. Sharing more details, the official said that a tip-off was received on Monday evening about a Pakistani vessel suspected to be engaged in drug trafficking. A similar input was received on the following day from the DRI. After the two intelligence inputs, the ICG deployed two interceptor boats C-437 and C-408 from Gujarat`s Jakhua and Okho coasts, and a Dornier aircraft from the Porbandar coast to augment the search. The ICG Ship 'Arinjay', which was on patrol off Indo-Pak IMBL, was also alerted about the suspicious vessel. In the wee hours of Tuesday, this suspicious vessel crossed the IMBL towards Indian side and started moving towards Jakhua coast. The vessel was kept under surveillance and intercepted at around 9:15 AM, about eight nautical miles inside the Indian waters. The vessel was found to be a Pakistani fishing boat 'Al Madina', registered at Karachi. It was escorted to Jakhua harbour for detailed investigation and rummaging. (With Agency Inputs ) New Delhi: Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Manoj Tiwari has demanded probe into the death of a Delhi Police sub-inspector, who was allegedly assaulted following a quarrel with a suspected criminal in Shahdara's Vivek Vihar area on Sunday. The sub-inspector, identified as Raj Kumar, was apparently filming a video of the criminal on his phone when he was allegedly assaulted, the police said, adding that the victim later succumbed. Condoling the death of Kumar, Tiwari on Monday night tweeted that "society has no place for goondaism and urban naxalism" and a proper enquiry should be conducted. Saddened by the loss of @DelhiPolice Sub Inspector Rajkumar Ji, May God give strength to the family to bear this calamity. Proper enquiry should be conducted and culprits should be punished as Goondaism & Urban Naxalism should have no place in the society. https://t.co/ymHaZVLVfv Chowkidar Manoj Tiwari (@ManojTiwariMP) May 20, 2019 Preliminary post-mortem report revealed that Kumar died due to cardiac arrest. A case has been registered at the Vivek Vihar police station and the accused, who is a history-sheeter has been arrested. The accused has been identified as Kumar's neighbour Vijay alias Bhuri. The duo had fought over a dispute. "Police received information regarding the quarrel at 10.06 pm on Sunday. After reaching the spot, they found out that around 9 pm, a quarrel had taken place between Kumar and Vijay over shooting of a video," Meghna Yadav, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara), said. Live TV "We have seen the CCTV footage and it has been found that no gruesome or continuous assault took place," the DCP added. The sub-inspector had joined the police department in 1990 as head constable and was posted at its communication unit. (With PTI inputs) TIRUMALAI: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman K Sivan on Tuesday said that PSLV-C 46 satellite, which will be launched on Wednesday, will focus on the movements of terrorists in border areas. Sivan added that the satellite will help the security forces wipe out terrorism from the country by helping them spot the hideouts of the terrorists near border areas. "The rocket will take RISAT 2 BR 1 satellite into space. The satellite will focus on terrorists` movements and their hideouts in the borders," ISRO chairman was quoted as saying by ANI. Sivan added that PSLV-C 46 satellite's life span is five years. He added that the Bengaluru-based ISRO is also focused on launching Chandrayan 2 in July next year. Live TV The country's premier space agency is set to launch PSLV-C 46 from Sriharikota in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday. Sivan visited Lord Venkateshwara temple in Tirupati on Tuesday with model of PSLV-C 46 and special 'pooja' was performed by Tirumala temple authorities for success of mission. It may be recalled that few days ago, ISRO had announced RISAT-2B, a radar imaging earth observation satellite, will be launched by PSLV-C46 on May 22. The launch will take place from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, at 5.27 am IST, subject to weather condition. "PSLV-C46 set to launch RISAT-2B from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 0527 Hrs IST on May 22, 2019, subject to weather conditions," ISRO had tweeted. PSLV-C46 is the 48th mission of PSLV. It will launch RISAT-2B from the First Launch Pad (FLP) of SDSC. According to ISRO, PSLV-C46 is the 14th flight of PSLV in 'core-alone' configuration (without the use of solid strap-on motors). This will be the 72nd launch vehicle mission from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota and 36th launch from the First Launchpad. RISAT-2B will be placed into an orbit of 555 km at an inclination of 37 degrees. (with ANI inputs) Pune: A complaint by a customer alleging glass pieces being found in a burger at a Burger King outlet here last week is being investigated, a police official said on Monday. "We have registered a complaint by the customer last Saturday (May 18) against Burger King. We are awaiting medical reports from the hospital before taking further steps," investigating officer Inspector Deepak Lagad, of the Deccan Gymkhana Police Station, told IANS. Complainant, Sajit Pathan, 31, an autorickshaw driver, had gone for lunch with his friends at the outlet at the FC Road last Wednesday. He ordered burgers, fries and soft drinks for all his friends, but when he took a bite of his burger, suddenly choked, complained of pain in his throat and spat out blood. His friends, suspecting something may have stuck in his throat, checked Pathan`s burger and allegedly found some broken glass pieces in it. Live TV They rushed him to a nearby hospital and then to Sahyadri Hospital and paid Rs 15,000 for his immediate treatment, but were advised to return the following day. The next day, they against spent more than double the amount but the doctors assured that the glass pieces would naturally exit his body through excretion. Contacted for a response, a manager at the Burger King outlet, who identified himself as Siddharth, denied any knowledge of the incident, saying that he was on leave at that time. According to Lagad, the victim`s condition is now fine and he is moving around normally, but the investigations would continue in the matter. A first information report invoking various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) based on the victim`s complaint and his medical reports have been registered, he said, adding that police have scanned the CCTV footage when the alleged incident took place, but prima facie, there was no evidence of glass pieces in the burger. The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday refused to set up special bench to hear former Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar's plea seeking an extension of the seven-day period granted by the court to Kumar to approach a court after his protection from arrest was vacated. On Monday, Kumar had approached the apex court seeking an extension of seven days protection from arrest given to him by the apex court. In his petition before the SC, Kumar has cited strike of lawyers in West Bengal as the reason for the extension. Earlier on Friday, the SC had vacated its order granting protection from arrest to former Kolkata police commissioner in the Saradha chit fund scam case. The SC, however, ruled that its February 5 order granting interim protection to Kumar will continue for seven days from Friday. An SC bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi also allowed Kumar to seek bail from a competent court and directed the CBI to follow the law of land in this case. Talking to media, one of Kumar's advocates said that as per the SC order, the CBI cannot arrest Kumar in the next seven days. "We have withdrawn the protection given to Rajeev Kumar vide order dated February 5," the court said while pronouncing the order. Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who was also part of the bench headed by the CJI and Justice Deepak Gupta, had passed the judgment. Pronouncing the operative part of the order, Justice Khanna had said, "We are leaving it to the CBI to act in accordance with law. Our February 5 order will continue for seven days from today to enable Rajeev Kumar to approach the competent court for relief. We have expressed our concern as to what has happened in the matter." The CBI has accused Kumar of tampering with the evidence in Saradha chit fund scam in order to protect politicians. It is interesting to note that the SC had also expressed concern on February 5 over the manner in which the chit fund scam case has been handled. "We would withdraw the protection given to Mr. Rajeev Kumar, former Commissioner of Police, Kolkata, vide our order dated February 5, 2019 restraining the CBI from arresting him and thereby, leave it open to the CBI to act in accordance with the law," a SC bench comprising CJI Gogoi, Justice Deepak Gupta and Justice Sanjiv Khanna had said. BENGALURU: Senior Congress leader Roshan Baig on Tuesday lashed out at his own party for ignoring Muslims and minorities in Karnataka and alleged that portfolios in the state Cabinet were sold. "The portfolios were sold. How can I blame Kumaraswamy for it? He wasn't allowed to function. From day one, Siddaramaiah said 'I'm going to be CM'. You've gone to their doorstep to form the government," he said attacking former CM and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah. He also blamed other party leaders including AICC General Secretary and state in-charge of the party KC Venugopal and Congress state unit chief Dinesh Gundu Rao for the position of the party in Karnataka. "KC Venugopal is a buffoon. I feel sorry for my leader Rahul Gandhi ji. Buffoons like Venugopal, the arrogant attitude of Siddaramaiah and the flop show of Gundu Rao...The result is this," he said. Live TV He claimed that Muslims and minority community members were used by the Congress leadership "and only one seat was given to Muslims in Karnataka, they were ignored. I'm upset with this, we have been used," he said. He also appealed to Muslims to compromise with the situation if NDA returns to power. "Well if NDA is coming back to power, I humbly appeal to Muslim brothers to learn to compromise with the situation," he said adding that if the need arises, they must join NDA as the Congress had given just one ticket to a Muslim leader in Karnataka. "If need be, (Muslims) must join hands. We must not remain loyal to one party. What happened to Muslims in Karnataka? Congress gave just one seat. No seats were given to Christians," he blurted. Baig said that he may decide to quit Congress in the coming days "because we (Muslims) cannot remain in a party with disgrace. We live our lives with grace and dignity. Where we will not get respect, we will not want to remain there. If someone makes us sit with love and affection, we will sit with them." Asked whom would he blame for the present condition of the Muslims in Karnataka, Baig pointed fingers at KPCC President Dinesh Gundu Rao for conducting "flop poll campaign" and also attacked CLP leaders including Siddaramaiah for the same. "I hold Dinesh Gundu Rao responsible for conducting a flop poll campaign. Moreover, CLP leaders who were flying high in the sky should come to terms with ground realities," he added. His remarks come after the exit polls have predicted a big win for the BJP in 28 seats in Karnataka. However, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy had criticised the exit poll results and called the exercise "an effort to create a false impression of a wave in favour of one particular leader and the party". NEW DELHI: A delegation of 21 opposition parties will convene at the Constitution Club in the national capital before heading off to meet Election Commission officials on Tuesday afternoon. The meeting comes amid the exit polls unanimously suggesting another term for the NDA. Live TV Andhra Pradesh chief minister and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar, Ahmed Patel and Ghulam Nabi Azad from Congress, TMC's Derek O'Brien, Satish Chandra Misra of Bahujan Samaj Party, Sitaram Yechury of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), D Raja of the Communist Party of India (CPI) along with representatives of Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal are expected to meet at 1.30 pm at the Constitution Club. The team will then head off to meet the EC officials at 3 pm. Sources suggest that the leaders will raise the issue of tallying paper trail of votes (VVPATs) with electronic voting machine (EVM) figures as per Supreme Court directions. Following the top court's order, the EC will tally the VVPAT slips with five EVMs per assembly segment. However, the opposition has been demanding counter checking VVPAT slips with EVM figures in an entire Assembly constituency in case a discrepancy is found in any polling booth. The delegation will also rake up issues around the poll, added sources. Naidu, as part of his efforts to unite the opposition, has been holding back-to-back meetings with the leaders of several parties. So far, he's met UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, TMC chief and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Loktantrik Janata Dal leader Sharad Yadav, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Pawar and Yechury in the national capital. He also the BSP supremo Mayawati and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow. BJP President Amit Shah is also hosting a dinner for NDA allies in the national capital on Tuesday. Sources indicate the NDA will chalk out their post-election result strategy in the meet. Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) president Nitish Kumar, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, Lok Janshakti Party head Ram Vilas Paswan and many more NDA leaders are likely to be in attendance in this dinner-cum-meet which will be held at New Delhi's 'The Ashok' hotel. The meeting comes amid the exit polls unanimously suggesting another term for the NDA. Exit polls telecast by almost all major new channels have forecast that the BJP-led NDA will cross the majority mark of 272 in the 543-member Lok Sabha. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday spoke to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav to discuss opposition strategy after Lok Sabha election results are announced on 23 May. Speaking over the phone, the two leaders also discussed the political situation prevailing in the country. Briefing about the conversation between the two party chiefs, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh said that the priority of the AAP is to stop the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from coming back to power. "Results will be declared after 2 days. We met to discuss the strategy to be followed after that. The first priority is to stop BJP, pair of Narendra Modi-Amit Shah and communal forces. This was also a courtesy call," he said. While most exit polls have predicted BJP winning majority seats in Uttar Pradesh, Singh said that not BJP but the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party alliance will get over 60 out of the 80 seats in the state. "I feel the gathbandhan will get more than 60 seats in UP. BJP will be wiped off across the country," he said. Live TV He also rubbished the exit polls which have projected over 300 seats for the BJP-led NDA in the Lok Sabha elections asserting that the Opposition will form the next government at the Centre. "Exit polls will prove to be completely false like it had happened before. The opposition will form a strong government at the Centre," he said. Exit poll results for Uttar Pradesh have thrown up confusing numbers with some pollsters showing that SP-BSP-RLD mahagathbandhan is in the lead, while some have predicted that BJP would do better. Earlier on Monday, Akhilesh had met BSP supremo Mayawati at the latter's residence in Lucknow to hold discussions over post-poll scenarios. Sources told Zee Media that during the meeting which lasted for about half an hour, the two leaders talked about the seats which the SP-BSP-RLD alliance is likely to win in the Lok Sabha election. The two leaders are confident of winning at least 55 out of 80 seats at stake in Uttar Pradesh. They also exuded confidence that the country would get a new prime minister after the declaration of results on May 23. NEW DELHI: The Union Council of Ministers met on Tuesday at the BJP headquarters where the ministers thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for leading the BJP to a possible victory in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. The meeting was attended by ministers including those from the NDA constituents. BJP national president Amit Shah, who called the meeting of ministers, congratulated "Team Modi Sarkar" for the "remarkable achievements" in the last five years. Live TV Shah also asked the council of ministers to keep the momentum going for a New India under the leadership of PM Modi. "I congratulate Team Modi Sarkar for their hard work and remarkable achievements in the last 5 years. Let us keep this momentum going for a New India under the leadership of PM @narendramodi," Shah posted on his twitter handle. Meanwhile, the BJP president also said shared pictures of the "Aabhar Milan of Union Council of Ministers" that took place this evening at BJP headquarters in the national capital. Shah also hosted a special dinner for the allies in the National Democratic Alliance. Among the leaders were Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackrey and his son Aditya Thackery, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Akali Dal`s Prakash Singh Badal, AIADMK`s E Palaniswamy and O Pannerselvam, Apna Dal leader Anupriya Patel and Ramdas Athawale. Counting of votes for the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections will take place on May 23. NEW DELHI: Buoyed by the exit polls predicting a clean sweep for the National Democratic Alliance, BJP President Amit Shah is all set to host a dinner for its allies in the national capital on Tuesday. Sources indicate the NDA will chalk out their post-election result strategy in the meet. Live TV Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) president Nitish Kumar, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, Lok Janshakti Party head Ram Vilas Paswan and many more NDA leaders are likely to be in attendance in this dinner-cum-meet which will be held at New Delhi's 'The Ashok' hotel. The meeting comes amid the exit polls unanimously suggesting another term for the NDA. Exit polls telecast by almost all major new channels have forecast that the BJP-led NDA will cross the majority mark of 272 in the 543-member Lok Sabha. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, RSS general secretary Bhaiyaji Joshi and senior BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya held a closed door meeting in Maharashtra's Nagpur on Monday, which lasted for nearly two hours. Elections for 542 seats in the Lok Sabha were held between April 11 and May 19. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 23. Meanwhile, a nervy opposition reached out to one another holding talks for a third front. Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu was one of the most active of all non-NDA political leaders, holding parleys with West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav is also learned to have reached out to Mamata and Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati. Leaders of Congress, SP, BSP and RJD are expected to join the opposition delegation that will meet EC officials at 3 pm on Tuesday. Several exit polls predicted that NDA would cross the 300-seat mark. News24-Chanakya predicted 350 seats, AAJTAK/India Today-Axis 339 to 365, News18-IPSOS 336, Times Now-VMR 306, Republic-Jan ki Baat 315 and India TV-CNX said that the NDA would win 300 seats. These exit polls largely predicted the UPA to be limited to between 100 and 130. NewsX/India News-Poll Strata predicted 242 seats for the alliance and gave a maximum of 165 seats to UPA. Clashes erupted yet again between Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) cadres in Cooch Behar's Sitai area of West Bengal late on Monday night. Three BJP workers suffered bullet injuries during the clash while two others were rushed to the hospital. One of the BJP workers is yet to be traced. A shop belonging to a BJP worker has also been torched in the area. The BJP alleged its TMC handiwork. However, TMC ruled out the allegations. Live TV Following the incident, tension has prevailed in the area. Violence marred all seven rounds of Lok Sabha election in West Bengal. Several clashes erupted between the TMC and BJP workers across the state. In the wake of violence between the two parties in Kolkata, the campaigning in the seventh phase had ended a day ahead of its scheduled time on Election Commission's order in West Bengal. Parts of the city had witnessed widespread violence during BJP president Amit Shah's roadshow. Also, a bust of 19th century Bengali icon Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar was vandalised during the violence. People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday lashed out at the 'dubious' exit polls results which predict that the National Democratic Party (NDA) will form the government at the Centre again. In a hard-hitting tweet, she wrote that the 'dubious' exit polls, followed by manipulating EVMs is 'another Balakot in the making.' The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir also questioned the Election Commission's stance on 'evidence that EVMs were switched' during the poll process. "Worrying that despite solid evidence about EVMs being switched, @ECISVEEP hasn't clarified any of these concerns. A farcical wave backed by dubious exit polls followed by manipulating EVMs is another Balakot in the making," read Mufti's tweet. Worrying that despite solid evidence about EVMs being switched, @ECISVEEP hasnt clarified any of these concerns. A farcical wave backed by dubious exit polls followed by manipulating EVMs is another Balakot in the making. Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) May 21, 2019 Jammu and Kashmir went to polls in five phases between April 11 to May 6. The exit polls have predicted that Mehbooba's PDP won't get any of the six Lok Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir while the BJP is expected to win two in Jammu, the Congress one in Ladakh and the National Conference (NC) all the three seats in Kashmir. NEW DELHI: After a majority of exit polls showed that NDA would return to power for the second time, the opposition parties have lined-up meetings to strategise their plans to discuss the post-poll scenario. On Tuesday, a delegation of 21 opposition parties assembled at the Constitution Club in Delhi before heading off to meet the Election Commission officials. Meanwhile, BJP president Amit Shah is also set to host a dinner for NDA allies in the national capital. Sources say that the NDA will chalk out their post-election result strategy in the meet. Nitish Kumar, Uddhav Thackeray, Ram Vilas Paswan and many more NDA leaders are likely to attend the to do. The seven-phase Lok Sabha election 2019 ended on Sunday, following which the exit polls were announced. Counting of votes will take place on May 23. Live TV Thank you for joining us. Do come back again on Wednesday (May 22) for live updates of Lok Sabha election 2019. Stay with us for the live updates on Lok Sabha election 2019: # Andhra Pradesh CM and TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu meets JD(S) leader HD Deve Gowda in Bengaluru. Andhra Pradesh CM and TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu meets JD(S) leader HD Deve Gowda in Bengaluru. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/mSbz8l0chV ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 # A resolution passed at the NDA meeting terms 20l9 General Election decisive, pledges to make strong, developed and inclusive India By 2022. # The 24 hour EVM Control Room will be made functional from tonight at Nirvachan Sadan to monitor complaints relating to polled EVMs, says EC. # Supporters of BSP-SP-RLD alliance candidate Yakoob Qureshi camp outside an EVM strong room in Meerut. Meerut: Supporters of BSP-SP-RLD alliance candidate Yakoob Qureshi camp outside a EVM strong room. #LokSabhaEelctions2019 pic.twitter.com/WQIIUbvxrU ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 21, 2019 # During NDA ministers meet, the PM likened his Lok Sabha election to a pilgrimage saying ''it stood out from other polls as it was being fought by the people and not the party alone.'' The PM also thanked the ministers for their work, Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar told reporters. # BJP chief Amit Shah expresses confidence of NDA coming back to power during a meeting of the Union Council of Ministers. Shah congratulated the members of the 'Team Modi Sarkar' and said, "Let us keep this momentum going for a New India under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi." I congratulate Team Modi Sarkar for their hard work and remarkable achievements in the last 5 years. Let us keep this momentum going for a New India under the leadership of PM @narendramodi. Sharing pictures of Aabhar Milan of Union Council of Ministers at BJP HQ, New Delhi. pic.twitter.com/X2sgvJjJ5c Chowkidar Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 21, 2019 # Amit Shah receives PM Modi at Ashoka Hotel ahead of NDA dinner # Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar arrive at Ashoka Hotel for NDA leaders dinner being hosted by Amit Shah. Delhi: Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar arrive at Ashoka Hotel for NDA leaders dinner pic.twitter.com/V8eynhA42I ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 # Andhra Pradesh CM and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu scheduled to meet ex-PM HD Deve Gowda and Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy at their residence in Padmanabha Nagar in Bengauluru around 9.30 PM. # Here are some more visuals of the NDA Minister meet in Delhi. Visuals from Union Council of Minsters meeting at BJP office in Delhi. PM Narendra Modi also present pic.twitter.com/5F53KzWpVM ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 # NDA ministers' meeting underway at BJP office in Delhi, PM Modi also present. # First official counting results may be delayed by 3 hours because of VVPAT counting says Karnataka CEO Sanjeev Kumar. ''Earlier, we would get first results by 12 Noon but this time because of VVPAT counting we are expecting the first result at 3 PM, but we have made all the arrangements to complete the counting process of all 28 seats before 7 PM,'' he said. # Barrackpore candidate Arjun Singh can be killed in an encounter, alleges BJP's Kailash Vijayvargiya in a tweet. West Bengal CM has ordered Police Commissioner Sunil Choudhary to arrest Arjun Singh, alleges BJP leader. # Shiv Sena chief Udhav Thackeray to attend NDA meet in Delhi. # In the memorandum, the opposition leaders have also demanded that if any discrepancy is found anywhere during the VVPAT verification, 100% counting of paper slips of VVPATs of all polling stations of that assembly segment should be done. # Leaders of 22 opposition parties submit a memorandum before the EC with a request that the verification of VVPAT slips of randomly identified (05) polling stations should be done prior to the initiation of counting of votes and not after the completion of last round of counting. # Congress leader Rizwan Arshad reacts to Roshan Baig's remarks, says, ''He's an opportunist. If he has guts let him resign and contest from BJP. If Congress is such a bad party which gave him power for the last 10 years and made him MLA for last 4 terms, let him resign and contest from BJP. Let's see what happens in Shivajinagara.'' # The aspersions in clips being used in media merely pertain to the storage or movement of reserve unused EVMs. However, any case of lapse even in the handling of reserve EVMs is thoroughly investigated and disciplinary action taken against the officers responsible, says EC. # The provisions and protocols have been explained to the political parties on multiple occasions including in several of the 93 meetings held with them at the Commission since the announcement of elections: EC # Complaints of alleged movement of EVMs, purportedly to replace polled EVMs in strongrooms, doing rounds in sections of media. Would like to unambiguously clarify that reports are absolutely false. Visuals seen viral on media do not pertain to any EVMs used during the polls: EC # A meeting of Union Council of Ministers is scheduled to be held today at 5 PM at the BJP Office. Delhi: A meeting of Union Council of Ministers to be held today at 5 pm at the BJP Office. pic.twitter.com/ewkjsnmUZV ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 # Former President Pranab Mukherjee issues a statement, says, ''Onus on ensuring institutional integrity in this case (security of EVMs) lies with the Election Commission, they must do so and put all speculations to rest.'' Former President Pranab Mukherjee issues statement, says ' Onus on ensuring institutional integrity in this case(security of EVMs) lies with the Election Commission, they must do so and put all speculations to rest' pic.twitter.com/2xFIhok7pN ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 # KPCC general secretary Venkatrao Y Ghorpade sends notice to Congress MLA Roshan Baig over his statement against AICC general secretary KC Venugopal, KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao and CLP leader Siddaramaiah. He has been asked to reply within one week. # In the meeting of the Election Commission regarding the issue of MCC, it was interalia decided that proceedings of the meeting would be drawn including the views of all the poll body members. Thereafter, formal instructions to this effect would be issued in consonance with extant laws, rules. # The Opposition leaders reach Election Commission office for EVM meet # Shivsena Chief Uddhav Thackeray and Aditya Thackeray are also going to attend NDA meet today. # Deoghar: RJD and Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM) workers stop a truck alleging that EVMs were being transported in boxes. SDO Vishal Sagar says 'All boxes are empty, the EVMs were already sent to Dumka for counting, you can check yourself' Deoghar: RJD and Jharkhand Vikas Morcha(JVM) workers stop a truck alleging that EVMs were being transported in boxes. SDO Vishal Sagar says 'All boxes are empty, the EVMs were already sent to Dumka for counting, you can check yourself' #Jharkhand pic.twitter.com/7VIjOMb8L1 ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 # BJP's stand on art 370 is not new. A party has its own stand but when there is an alliance, all of this is discussed. So there is no problem there: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar # There's no contradiction. We've always maintained Art.370 shouldn't be scrapped, Uniform Civil Code shouldn't be imposed, Ayodhya dispute should be resolved through mutual agreement/court's intervention. We've maintained this since we first forged an alliance with BJP: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar # I feel the gathbandhan will get more than 60 seats in UP. BJP will be wiped off across the country. Exit polls will prove to be completely false, like it had happened before. Opposition will form a strong govt at the centre: Sanjay Singh, AAP after meeting SP chief Akhilesh Yadav: # Sanjay Singh, AAP after meeting SP chief Akhilesh Yadav: Results will be declared after 2 days. We met to discuss the strategy to be followed after that. The first priority is to stop BJP, pair of Narendra Modi-Amit Shah & communal forces. This was also a courtesy call. # The proposed visit of Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy to New Delhi cancelled. # The Election Commission has announced re-polling in one polling station under Kolkata North parliamentary constituency on Wednesday. The re-poll will be held at Sanskrit Collegiate School under the Jorasanko Assembly segment on May 22 between 7 am to 6 pm. # NDA's dinner menu - Around 35 different dishes will be served; Maharashtra's Poranpoli to Gujarat's special thali will be on the menu; Bihar and North-East-special dishes will also be available; Some Delhi-special dishes will also be served. # Andhra Pradesh chief minister and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar, Ahmed Patel and Ghulam Nabi Azad from Congress, TMC's Derek O'Brien, Satish Chandra Misra of Bahujan Samaj Party, Sitaram Yechury of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), D Raja of the Communist Party of India (CPI) along with representatives of Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal are expected to meet at 1.30 pm at the Constitution Club. The team will then head off to meet the EC officials at 3 pm. # Exit polls have forecast that the BJP-led NDA will cross the majority mark of 272 in the Lok Sabha. Lok Sabha election 2014 dawned in India after two successive terms of the United Progressive Alliances government under Dr Manmohan Singh which saw more than half a dozen corruption scandals spill out from closed closets. While Manmohan Singh is widely regarded to have been free from taint, his image of being silent in the face of these scandals and possible inability to having prevented them put Congress firmly on the backfoot after ten years of being in power. Political analysts and economists largely feel that while UPA I had a number of merits to its credit and had been able to put India in a strong position to handle the global economic crisis of 2008, the tenure of UPA II reversed most of the goodwill earned between 2004 and 2009. To brazenly claim that Manmohan Singhs government did nothing right in the years between 2004 and 2009 would possibly be incorrect. The Congress continues to claim that a number of its schemes were re-packaged by the successive government and that UPA II had concentrated on keeping Indias growth trajectory upwards, worked on providing jobs and given impetus to infrastructure projects, among others. And yet, these formed mere pale shadows to the actual silhouette of much more darker and sinister scandals. Scandals under UPA II 2G Spectrum Scam The UPA came under fire when news of the 2G Spectrum Scam broke out. Allegations of massive corruption were made against telecom minister A. Raja who was under the spotlight on charges of under-pinning the rates at which 2G licenses were given to private companies. The basis of issuing licenses was also questioned with suspicions that companies with no prior experience were given these licenses. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) estimated that the corruption scandal caused a presumptive loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore to the government. Raja and Kanimozhi were even jailed, but were eventually acquitted by a special CBI court. CWG scam Suresh Kalmadi became the mascot for corruption as India prepared to host the Commonwealth Games in 2010. Charges against the chairman of the Organising Committee of CWG in Delhi were rampant. The Congress MP from Pune was accused of illegally awarding a contract to Swiss Timing at bloated rates. There were also concerns that infrastructure in Delhi to host the events were often substandard with reports of ceilings collapsing, rickety railings, improper fittings, etc making global headlines. While work was somehow completed before the start of the event, the months leading into the CWG caused India massive embarrassment globally. Kalmadi eventually spent some time in jail once claiming he has dementia, while being investigated. Coal scam It is estimated that the government suffered a loss to the tune of Rs 1.86 lakh crore after CAG revealed that allocation of 194 coal blocks involved a number of irregularities. Chopper scam The UPA government chose to buy a number of VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestland an Italian company in 2012. The plan backfired when it was revealed in Italy that the company may have paid kickbacks to secure contracts around the world. There were allegations in India that the company may have also paid bribes here, putting even the then Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi under the spotlight. Several Congress leaders have also been accused of having received kickbacks. While the deal was eventually put off, reverberations of the chopper scam in 2012 are felt till date with the alleged middleman Christian Michel in custody and under investigation. These and several other scandals like Adarsh Scam, Tatra Truck Scam, Satyam Scam, etc caused massive embarrassment to the UPA and a general wave of anti-Congress sentiment appeared on the political landscape of India, especially with the start of the India Against Corruption movement. India Against Corruption The India Against Corruption (IAC) movement saw a series of anti-corruption protests which were organised in 2011 and 2012. While it was primarily centred in Delhi, similar movements also spread to other parts of the country with noted social reformer Anna Hazare at the helm. IAC sought to rid India of corruption by creating a nation-wide demand for creation of Lokpak which would have the powers to charge government officials facing accusations of corruption. It was a mass movement led by apolitical figures even though some of the members of the core committee eventually formed their own political parties. Called Team Anna, the members of IAC managed to garner mass support through their peaceful protests. The general mood of the country was against corruption of any kind and IAC built upon it. BJPs five years The Bharatiya Janata Party, the lead opposition party, kept the pressure on the UPA throughout its second term in power. Pinning its main attack on the shards of corruption scandals breaking out into public glare, BJP led a solid campaign targeted at hitting the image of Congress. The BJP, however, had internal changes adrift within its own ranks by 2013. Sushma Swaraj had already been named the Leader of Opposition in Parliament after the Lok Sabha election in 2009 and in the subsequent years, the need for a leader besides LK Advani was being felt increasingly. There were also reported differences between the old guard and the new front within BJP - consisting of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. There was a convention in Goa to iron out the differences once Modi had already been named the campaign head for the party in 2013 for Lok Sabha election next year. The main outcome was a stamp of approval for Modi and Shah to take charge of the party's electoral strategy. The eventual battle for power before for the Lok Sabha election was pinned by BJP on Modis leadership and Shahs electoral acumen. Election 2014 Status of states: The Lok Sabha election 2014 was conducted across 35 states and union territories in India. These were: Andhra Pradesh Assam Arunachal Pradesh Bihar Goa Gujarat Haryana Himachal Pradesh Jammu and Kashmir Karnataka Kerala Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra Manipur Meghalaya Mizoram Nagaland Orissa Punjab Rajasthan Sikkim Tamil Nadu Tripura Uttar Pradesh West Bengal Andaman and Nicobar Islands Chandigarh Chhattisgarh Jharkhand Uttarakhand Dadra and Nagar Haveli Daman and Diu National Capital Territory of Delhi Lakshadweep Pondicherry Political parties in the fray: There were six national parties and another 38 state parties which contested the Lok Sabha 2009 election, apart from many other registered (unrecognised) parties. These were: National Parties: Bharatiya Janata Party Bahujan Samaj Party Communist Party of India Communist Party of India (Marxist) Indian National Congress Nationalist Congress Party State Parties: Aam Aadmi Party All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Asom Gana Parishad All India Forward Bloc All India N.R. Congress All India Trinamool Congress AJSU Party Biju Janata Dal Bodoland Peoples Front Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Haryana Janhit Congress (BL) Indian National Lok Dal Indian Union Muslim League Janata Dal (Secular) Janata Dal (United) Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party Jharkhand Mukti Morcha Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) Kerala Congress (M) Lok Jan Shakti Party Maharashtra Navnirman Sena National Peoples Party Naga Peoples Front Pattali Makkal Katchi Peoples Party of Arunachal Rashtriya Janata Dal Rashtriya Lok Dal Revolutionary Socialist Party Shiromani Akali Dal Sikkim Democratic Front Shiv Sena Samajwadi Party Telugu Desam Telangana Rashtra Samiti United Democratic Party Election 2014: The Lok Sabha election in 2014 was a massive turning point in India in ways more than one. The UPA had been at the helm of governance for ten years and its two tenures had left Congress red-faced and looking extremely vulnerable. Anti-incumbency was a massive factor and so were the long list of scams and scandals that had eroded the image of the party and the alliance. Then, there was the BJP which promised to fight a solid and dedicated campaign around Narendra Modi, who was increasingly being seen as someone who could inject a powerful dose of life into the countrys governance. Modi was not a completely unknown player in the national scene and had made news repeatedly as a four-time CM of Gujarat. The battle lines were clearly drawn as Congress propelled Rahul Gandhi to lead its campaign with Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi. Manmohan Singh would announce that he was not a candidate for the post of PM, which led to speculation that Rahul would replace him if the party won. Rahul for Congress and Modi for BJP painted contrasting images, but both leaders began their campaigns in earnest. Lok Sabha election 2014 was held in all 543 parliamentary constituencies in nine phases, between April 7 and May 12. With more than 83 crore eligible voters, the election was the biggest ever anywhere in the world till that period in time. First-time voters between the ages 18 and 21 accounted for 2.7 per cent of all those eligible to vote. The electorate had to choose between 8,251 candidates who were trying their political fortunes the largest number since the Lok Sabha election in 1996. Conducting elections of such ginormous proportions meant humungous challenges for the Election Commission of India (ECI), which once again rose to the occasion. The polling would be conducted in over 9.19 lakh booths across the country and special attention was given to ensuring that most of these were easily accessible especially to the differently-abled, and had facilities like shade, drinking water and required security cover to ensure fair and peaceful polling. Game of Manifestos In its 27-page manifesto, Congress pitched itself as the only choice. It spoke of having handled the global economic crisis well for India under UPAs second term in office, of having worked for empowerment of the marginalised and downtrodden and of having increased food production from 213 million tonnes to 263 million tonnes since 2004, of rural development and of working to eradicate poverty. The Congress manifesto also blasted the NDA government of the past, and squarely trained its guns on the BJP. The BJPs narrow and communal perspective denies equality to all. Theirs is an exclusionary doctrine, the manifesto read. Congress then outlined its vision for India if it came to power once again. Promising to take care of all sections of society, put special focus on womens safety and propel the Indian economy, the party also underlined its commitment towards transparent and accountable governance. The word corruption figured 15 times in the entire manifesto. The BJP manifesto, in contrast, was a near-perfect blend of attack against UPA as well as a solid plan of action for the country in the immediate future. The manifesto attacked UPA on a number of fronts: * Governance of Enactment, not Action * Administration of Entitlement without Delivery * Polity of Promises and nor Performance * Economy of Deficits * Work culture of delays and an asset base of deficiency * Global synonym of Corruption, Scandal and Stagnation Slogans like Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas became the BJPs war cry. The party manifesto assured of a more involved governance, development of all regions including north-east, decentralisation of power, priority to the national interest, promoting Digital India and boost to infrastructure, creating jobs starting a Skill India Mission, stamping out corruption and bringing back black money. The manifesto also made special references to dealing with cross-border terrorism, exploring all possibilities within the constitutional framework to facilitate construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya and housing for all by 2022. Social-media outlets too were used more than ever before to reach out to people. Narendra Modi led the campaign blitzkrieg for the BJP and addressed a total of 437 big rallies and participated in 5827 public events. In all, he travelled 3 lakh kilometres across 25 states in the country. He would eventually opt to contest the election from Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency from where party veteran Murli Manohar Joshi had won in 2009. Modi also contested from Vadodara. In contrast, Rahul opted to once again contest from the Gandhi family bastion of Amethi and he got down to campaigning at a time when Modi had already taken a sizeable lead in reaching out to the people in the country. After hectic and often fierce campaigns, and after nine phases of voting across 36 days, BJP emerged from the dust with one of the biggest mandates ever seen in Indias recent electoral history. The party had managed to cruise past the majority mark on its own and secured 282 seats to become the first non-Congress party in Independent India to single-handedly cross the magic number required to form government. While Modi himself won by a record margin in Varanasi, from where Arvind Kejriwal of AAP had sought to challenge him, the BJP almost swept UP (71 seats), MP (27) and Jharkhand (12), and completely swept Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Delhi. The partys performance in states which had traditionally never favoured it - like West Bengal and Kerala was also heartening. While it won two seats in West Bengal, its voter share saw an upward swing in West Bengal and Kerala. A study by Delhis Centre for the Study of Developing Societies in the immediate aftermath of the result also pointed to a marginal shift of the Muslim vote towards BJP. Even if microscopic, this was quite significant. Most alliance partners under the NDA umbrella too performed commendably, with Shiv Sena winning 18 of the 20 seats it fought the election in Maharashtra. The Lok Janshakti Party won six of seven seats it contested from in Bihar. The Lok Sabha election in Andhra Pradesh was held concurrently with the state assembly election and this was the last time that the state voted as a whole. The elections took place with the common knowledge that the state would be bifurcated into Andhra Pradesh and Telangana immediately after the results. Nonetheless, TDP alliance member of NDA - secured 16 seats. HOW BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY FARED HOW CONGRESS FARED States Seats won States Seats won Andaman & Nicobar Islands 1 Andaman & Nicobar Islands 0 Andhra Pradesh 3 Andhra Pradesh 2 Arunachal Pradesh 1 Arunachal Pradesh 1 Assam 7 Assam 3 Bihar 22 Bihar 2 Chandigarh 1 Chandigarh 0 Chhattisgarh 10 Chhattisgarh 1 Dadra & Nagar Haveli 1 Dadra & Nagar Haveli 0 Daman & Diu 1 Daman & Diu 0 Goa 2 Goa 0 Gujarat 26 Gujarat 0 Haryana 7 Haryana 1 Himachal Pradesh 4 Himachal Pradesh 0 Jammu & Kashmir 3 Jammu & Kashmir 0 Jharkhand 12 Jharkhand 0 Karnataka 17 Karnataka 9 Kerala 0 Kerala 8 Lakshadweep 0 Lakshadweep 0 Madhya Pradesh 27 Madhya Pradesh 2 Maharashtra 23 Maharashtra 2 Manipur 0 Manipur 2 Meghalaya 0 Meghalaya 1 NCT OF Delhi 7 Mizoram 1 Odisha 1 Nagaland 0 Punjab 2 NCT OF Delhi 0 Rajasthan 25 Odisha 0 Sikkim 0 Puducherry 0 Tamil Nadu 1 Punjab 3 Tripura 0 Rajasthan 0 Uttar Pradesh 71 Sikkim 0 Uttarakhand 5 Tamil Nadu 0 West Bengal 2 Tripura 0 Uttar Pradesh 2 Uttarakhand 0 West Bengal 4 TOTAL 282 TOTAL 44 The Congress, in sharp contrast, was absolutely decimated to its worst showing ever. The party managed to win just 44 seats most wins coming from far pockets of the country. It had a humiliating voter share of 19%. In the Hindi belt, the party managed wins in only seven seats a performance even worse than the one in 1977. Such was the margin of its defeat that it was not even able to officially claim itself as the party in Opposition. Its alliance partners under UPA also fared miserably, with the RJD winning just four of the 28 seats it contested in Bihar, NCP finding success in just six of 26 and Rashtriya Lok Dal being bowled out for zero. The Congress-DMK alliance which had failed to attract smaller parties in Tamil Nadu before the election - was also annihilated, with the AIADMK sweeping 37 of 39 seats here after opting to battle the election on its own. The remaining two seats in Tamil Nadu were taken by NDA which had all other state parties in its fold BJP winning one and PMK taking the other. The result of Lok Sabha election 2014 was an absolute knockout punch for Congress and a massive show of resurgence for BJP after being out of power for ten years. It emerged as the biggest political force which now threatened to knock out Indias oldest political party out of the park completely. NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday expressed his ''anguish'' over the killing of NNP MLA Tirong Aboh, his son and nine others in Arunachal Pradesh by suspected NSCN rebels and termed it as an "outrageous attempt" to disturb peace in the Northeast. Singh took to Twitter to condemn the shocking incident. "Shocked and anguished by the killing of MLA Tirong Aboh ji, his family and others in Arunachal Pradesh. It is an outrageous attempt to disturb peace and normalcy in the North East. The perpetrators of this heinous crime will not be spared. My condolences to the bereaved families," the Home Minister said in a tweet. Shocked and anguished by the killing of MLA Tirong Aboh ji, his family & others in Arunachal Pradesh. It is an outrageous attempt to disturb peace and normalcy in the North East. The perpetrators of this heinous crime will not be spared. My condolences to the bereaved families. Chowkidar Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 21, 2019 Live TV Singh's deputy Kiren Rijiju also condemned the incident and demanded strictest possible action against those behind the killing of the Arunachal MLA. In his message, Rijiju said that he was ''shocked and saddened'' by the brutal attack and tragic killing of Aboh, his family members and others. "Strongest possible action will be taken against those responsible for such dastardly attack," Rijiju said in a tweet. I'm shocked and saddened by the brutal attack and tragic killing of MLA Shri Tirong Aboh of Arunachal Pradesh, his family including 11 people. Strongest possible action will be taken against those responsible for such dastardly attack. Chowkidar Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) May 21, 2019 Reacting to the killing of MLA Aboh and his family, former Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister and NPP leader Kumar Waii said, ''I condemn this incident. This kind of incident has never taken place before. An inquiry into the incident is important. A political rival has done this.'' Suspected Naga rebels had on Tuesday gunned down Aboh, a sitting MLA from Khonsa West constituency, and 10 others, including his son and security personnel, in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh. The MLA was seeking re-election from the same constituency on a ticket of the National People's Party (NPP), headed by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma. Aboh was on his way from Assam to his constituency, along with his family members, three police personnel and a poll agent, when suspected NSCN-IM rebels opened fire at their vehicles around 11.30 AM. CRPF officials also confirmed that convoy of Aboh was ambushed by unknown rebels in which total 11 people got killed including the MLA, his son, PSO and others. In view of the shocking killing of the NNP MLA, additional CRPF troops have been rushed to the area. Meanwhile, the Army, Assam Rifles are currently engaged together and have cordoned off the area in search of NSCN-IM rebels. A massive combing and search operation has also been launched for the rebels. (With Agency Inputs) NEW DELHI: With just two days to go for the counting of votes for the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the leaders of BJP-led NDA appear confident of their victory and have started making plans for the future, while a jittery opposition, which is back to blaming EVMs, is busy holding parleys to chalk out a post-poll strategy. Earlier in the day, a delegation of 22 Opposition parties met the Election Commission officials and raised concerns over alleged manipulation of the EVMs used during the polling. The Opposition leaders also submitted a memorandum to the EC and said that they represented "the voice of 70 per cent of the electorate in the country." The Opposition leaders demanded that VVPAT slips at randomly selected five polling booths should be counted first, and if any discrepancy occurs, then VVPAT slips should be tallied for the entire assembly segments. Live TV The delegation also raised concerns over reports about EVMs being "replaced" at various places. "All the VVPATs should be counted at the beginning. If there are any discrepancies, total VVPAT (voter verified paper audit trail) of the entire assembly segment should be counted," Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu told reporters after meeting the EC officials. Naidu, who has been spearheading the opposition's campaign against the EVMs and to stitch a non-BJP front, asked what problem did the Election Commission have in implementing their suggestions. On his turn, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that the suggestions of the Opposition parties were "no brainer" and they were a part of their memorandum submitted to the commission a month ago. "In last one and a half months, we have raised these issues with other opposition parties. There is nothing to disagree. It is a small, simple measure, which is a confidence-building measure. They (EC) have assured us that they will meet tomorrow (Wednesday) and discuss our suggestions," he said. Singhvi added that the ''the EC did not have to change even a rule. It is merely a change of guidelines, the procedures that you count first." Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad informed that the EC was apprised of reports about the replacement of EVMs. "All political parties spoke about how EVMs were found in private vehicles near the strong rooms. Also, we told the officials how votes would go to the BJP when it was actually given to a candidate from the different party," he said. The opposition parties said that they will decide the next course of their action if the EC refused to accept their demands. Nationalist Congress Party`s Praful Patel, DMK`s Kanimozhi, Trinamool Congress` Derek O`Brien, Samajwadi Party`s Ram Gopal Yadav, Bahujan Samaj Party`s Satish Chandra Misra, Rashtriya Janata Dal`s Manoj Jha, Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Sitaram Yechury, Communist Party of India leader D Raja and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal were among those who discussed the EVM issue with the poll panel. The Election Commission, however, said that it would discuss the issue on Wednesday. While the opposition kept holding parleys, the Union Council of Minister of the Narendra Modi government met on Tuesday. It was followed by a dinner hosted by BJP chief Amit Shah for the NDA allies on the successful completion of five years of the Modi government at the Centre. Ahead of the dinner, PM Modi congratulated his Council of Ministers for successfully working as a team for the last five years. PM Modi said that the election was like a ''pilgrimage'' for him. The 2-hour long meeting was attended by all the ministers, who on their part congratulated PM Modi for the development works that the government did in the last five years under his leadership. Later, during the dinner at Delhi's Ashoka Hotel the leaders of NDA passed a resolution which pledged to make a strong, developed and inclusive India by 2022 when India completes 75 years of its independence. The resolution was proposed by BJP ally and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan. During the dinner, the PM expressed concern over the "needless controversy" created by the Opposition over EVMs even as the ruling alliance laid out its agenda for the next five years if it is elected to power again. In his address, PM Modi stressed on the need to change the narrative from caste lines and orient it for the poor. (With Agency Inputs) NEW DELHI: Former President Pranab Mukherjee, who on Monday backed the Election Commission for successfully conducting the 2019 Lok Sabha election, has said that the onus on ensuring institutional integrity lies with the apex poll panel. The former president on Tuesday asked the poll panel to ensure the security of the EVMs. In a statement, the former president expressed concerns over the alleged tampering of voters' verdict and asked the Election Commission do more to address such concerns and put all speculations to rest. Live TV Mukherjee stated that there ''there can be no room for speculation that challenges the very basis of Indian democracy.'' "I am concerned at reports of alleged tampering of voters' verdict. The safety and security of EVMs which are in the custody of ECI is the responsibility of the Commission," Mukherjee said in a statement posted on his Twitter handle. Former President Pranab Mukherjee issues statement, says ' Onus on ensuring institutional integrity in this case(security of EVMs) lies with the Election Commission, they must do so and put all speculations to rest' pic.twitter.com/2xFIhok7pN ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 The former president said that ''people's mandate is sacrosanct and has to be above any iota of reasonable doubt.'' While maintaining that he is a ''firm believer in the country's institutions'', he said that it is his considered opinion that it is the 'workmen' who decide how the institutional 'tools' perform. Remarks from the former President came in the wake of protests in some parts of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday after videos of alleged movement and tampering of EVMs went viral on social media. However, the apex poll panel has categorically dismissed the reports as "frivolous" and "unfounded". Top opposition leaders on Tuesday met the poll panel officials and pressed for their demand of tallying the paper trail of votes (VVPATs) with the EVM figures. Congress said the EC should take immediate and effective steps to address the complaints of movement of EVMs from strongrooms from various parts of the country. (With Agency inputs) NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday told his Council of Ministers that the 2019 Lok Sabha election was like a ''pilgrimage'' for him. The PM made this remark while addressing a meeting of the Union Council of Minister in the national capital, which was followed by a dinner hosted by BJP chief Amit Shah for the NDA allies tonight. Briefing the reporters later, Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, on behalf of the PM, said, ''the PM has seen many elections but this election's campaign did not seem like a campaign. He said it was like a pilgrimage for him." "Terming the completion of the NDA government`s tenure as a successful experiment, PM Modi said the alliance should be further strengthened," Union Minister Tomar added. Live TV Prime Minister Modi earlier met the members of his Council of Ministers and congratulated them for successfully working as a ''team for the last five years.'' The 2-hour long meeting was attended by all the ministers, who on their part congratulated PM Modi for the development works that the government did in the last five years under his leadership. Union Minister of Road Transport and Transport Nitin Gadkari, Human Resources Minister Prakash Javadekar, MoS (PMO) Jitender Singh and Railways Minister Piyush Goyal, BJP President Amit Shah, Textiles Minister Smriti Irani, Labour and Employment Minister Santosh Gangwar, Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Cabinet Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan and Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi are among those present in the meeting. On her turn, Union Minister and SAD leader Harsimrat Kaur said, "We are 110 per cent forming the next government. The opposition is staring at their defeat." Referring to the allegations about problems in EVMs, Kaur said, "When they won the Assembly polls in three states, EVMs were good for them but when the exit polls have shown their defeat, they have started blaming EVMs." Union Minister Giriraj Singh sought an apology from the Opposition leaders for making baseless allegations against PM Modi. "Opposition parties should apologise to the public for their baseless allegations. They have won elections when it was conducted by EVMs in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Delhi," Singh said Predicting more than 300 seats for BJP and 350 plus for the NDA, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan said, "Scared of defeat, the opposition parties indulged in violence and bloodshed. They are not able to digest the defeat.'' Union Minister and LJP president Ram Vilas Paswan also thanked Prime Minister Modi for running a strong government at the Centre for five years. Later, addressing a press conference, Union Minister and BJP leader Rajnath Singh said, ''36 NDA allies were present at the NDA leaders dinner today. 3 NDA allies who were not present today have given their support in writing.'' (With Agency inputs) Congress General Secretary for Uttar Pradesh East Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday appealed to the party workers to not take the results of exit polls seriously and do not believe in rumours. Priyanka said that the exit polls results are showing comfortable victory for BJP and its allies in Lok Sabha poll only to break the morale of Congress workers. She urged the party workers to remain more vigilant and guard the strong rooms where EVMs are stored. The Congress leader also appealed the workers to remain alert at counting centres on Thursday (May 23). Priyanka tried to encourage the party workers by saying that she is confident that their efforts will not go in vain and Congress would perform well in Lok Sabha election. Data released by most exit polls have predicted Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA to not only hit the majority mark of 272 but breach the 300-mark as well. The exit polls which were more conservative also showed a favourable outcome for NDA even if stopping well short of the 300-mark. Now, if a majority of exit polls are to be believed, NDA could roar back to power for a second term. Zee Maha Exit Poll crunched the numbers from different exit polls and concluded that the NDA could cruise its way to wins 303 seats while UPA would halt at 117. Others are likely to finish with a combined tally of 122. Live TV The exit polls which predicted NDA to cross the 300-seat mark were News24-Chanakya (350), AAJTAK/India Today-Axis (339 to 365), News18-IPSOS (336), Times Now-VMR (306), Republic-Jan ki Baat (315) and India TV-CNX (300). These exit polls predicted the Congress-led UPA to remain limited to between 100 and 130. The most conservative of numbers for NDA was given by NewsX/India News-Poll Strata which predicted 242 seats for the alliance. It gave a maximum of 165 seats to UPA. In a related development, Nationalist Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar said on Monday that exit poll predictions should not be taken too seriously. "The common man in the country is upset at what has been shown in exit polls. They are restless after having watched exit polls on various news channels. But there is nothing to worry about. The result on May 23 would be completely different," he said. Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy also criticised the exit poll results and said that it is "an effort to create a false impression of a wave in favour of one particular leader and the party". Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) chief Sharad Yadav also echoed similar feelings, saying the exit polls results are completely false and the result on May 23 will be completely different. New Delhi: The beautiful Nora Fatehi, who became a sensation on the internet after her killer dance moves from the song 'Dilbar' went viral, is a regular social media user. She often posts on Instagram and has over four million followers on the app, leaving fans awe-struck with her glamorous looks. The actress's latest Instagram post will make your jaw drop! She appears on the cover of a Moroccan magazine and looks like sheer royalty in a deep green caftan. Check out her post: The caption is, Im so excited to share with you my first ever Moroccan magazine cover wearing a traditional beautiful caftan @femmesdumaroc_officiel Noriana taking regal boss vibes to another level! Slayyyinggg Thanks to the team for this epic shoot! I feel beautiful wearing moroccan traditional caftan@sajidphotography @abdelkebdani @marcepedrozo @amine_el_hannaoui @zinebtaimouri On the work front, Nora will be seen in 'Bharat' that releases on June 5. The film has Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif in lead roles with ace actors like Sunil Grover, Tabu, Varun Dhawan, Jackie Shroff and Disha Patani playing important roles. Nora is also a part of Varun Dhawan and Shraddha Kapoor starrer 'Street Dancer 3D'. New Delhi: Bollywood actress Sushmita Sen was crowned as Miss Universe in the year 1994, making the nation proud. Today, the actress has clocked 25 years of the Miss Universe title and to make the occasion special, her boyfriend Rohman Shawl took to Instagram and was all hearts (quite literally) for his lady love. Shawl posted a throwback pic of Sushmita and wrote, 25 years of owning the universe Check out the screenshot from his Instagram stories here: Sushmita and Rohman's whirlwind romance took the internet by storm last year when the two made their relationship official. It was the actress's birthday when her beau had put up a romantic post for her, confirming that they are indeed together. Since then, the couple has posted various pictures and videos, giving us major relationship goals each day. Recently, the two went to Golden Temple, Amritsar and Sush shared moments from their journey on Instagram. Along with sharing a video, she had written, Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh Prayed for all of us!!! #goldentemple #amritsar Guru Nanaks 550th Birth Anniversary #sharing #blessings #peace #duggadugga I love you guys!!! Thank you @arushiverma1404 for organising this beautiful Darshan New Delhi: Actor Vivek Oberoi on Tuesday apologised for sharing a meme on Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's personal life after severe criticism on social media and elsewhere, but that cut little ice with a charity organisation that dropped him from a fund-raising event. Oberoi, who received a notice from the National Commission for Women asking for an explanation for sharing the "insulting" and "misogynistic" tweet, also deleted the controversial post. The actor on Monday shared a meme with three panels, one featuring him, another with Salman Khan and a third with Aishwarya's husband Abhishek and daughter Aaradhya. The meme was a take on the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the results of which will be declared on Thursday. "Sometimes what appears to be funny and harmless at first glance to one, may not be so to others. I have spent the last 10 years empowering more than 2000 underprivileged girls. I can't even think of being disrespectful to any woman ever," he tweeted. "Even if one woman is offended by my reply to the meme, it calls for remedial action. Apologies.. Tweet deleted," the actor added. But the Smile Foundation was unimpressed. "In view of the recent development related to Mr Vivek Anand Oberoi's social media posts, Smile Foundation disassociates itself with the celebrity for the fundraising event on Odisha Fani Cyclone relief at DLF Promenade. "We as an organisation stand for women empowerment and his statements are not in line with our belief statement," the organisation said in statement. Social media users, including members of the film fraternity, blasted the actor for sharing something that was "distasteful" and "crass". Oberoi, who is currently promoting a biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was initially adamant that people were unnecessarily politicising the issue. "Someone sent me a creative meme where I was being made fun of. I just wrote, 'Ha ha,' and appreciated the other person. When someone makes fun of you, you should laugh and not take it so seriously. "I even wrote there that there's nothing political about it. It's life and such things happen in life that you are with someone and then you move on in life," he said soon after the controversy broke on Monday. The U-turn came the following day. Praising himself for working towards empowering 2,000 "underprivileged girls" in the last one decade, the actor said he could never thing of "being disrespectful to any woman ever" while issuing an apology. New Delhi: Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi received massive backlash from fans as well as other celebs of the film industry after sharing a controversial meme on exit polls featuring himself, actress Aishwarya Rai, and Salman Khan. Not just this, the National Commission for Women and Maharashtra State Commission for Women had also issued a notice to the actor seeking an explanation for the same. The actor took to Twitter on Tuesday and sought an apology for the same. He deleted the controversial tweet and wrote, Sometimes what appears to be funny and harmless at first glance to one, may not be so to others. I have spent the last 10 years empowering more than 2000 underprivileged girls, I cant even think of being disrespectful to any woman ever. Sometimes what appears to be funny and harmless at first glance to one, may not be so to others. I have spent the last 10 years empowering more than 2000 underprivileged girls, I cant even think of being disrespectful to any woman ever. Vivek Anand Oberoi (@vivekoberoi) May 21, 2019 In another Tweet, the actor wrote, Even if one woman is offended by my reply to the meme, it calls for remedial action. Apologies tweet deleted. Even if one woman is offended by my reply to the meme, it calls for remedial action. Apologies tweet deleted. Vivek Anand Oberoi (@vivekoberoi) May 21, 2019 For the uninitiated, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Salman Khan were rumoured to be in a relationship back in the late 90s. After that, rumour mills were rife that Aish and Oberoi were a couple. It was in April 2007 that the actress tied the nuptial knot with Abhishek Bachchan and the couple has a daughter named Aaradhya today. On the work front, Vivek will be seen in PM Narendra Biopic that is slated to release on May 24. The film is helmed by Omung Kumar and is high on the buzzword ever since it was announced. Mumbai: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan is set to make a guest appearance in veteran actor-theatre personality Vikram Gokhale's upcoming Marathi film, directed and penned by Milind Lele. The 76-year-old actor will be playing himself in the film, titled "AB Ani CD", the makers of the movie said. "Bachchan sir is playing himself in the film. He will be seen as a megastar and the role is about 15-minutes-long," producer Akshay Bardapurkar told PTI. Bardapurkar said it was Gokhale who recommended Bachchan's name for the film. "We narrated the story to Mr Gokhale first and it was him who suggested that Mr Bachchan would be suitable for a role like this (of a star). "He made the call to him and that's when we went and met Bachchan sir and he immediately agreed to be a part of our film," he added. In the film, Bachchan and Gokhale will be seen as childhood friends. "They both start their journey together. Bachchan sir and Ghokale sir are school friends and they meet almost after 70 years for a birthday party," Akshay added. Talking about the film's title, Bardapurkar said, "AB stands for Amitabh Bachchan and CD for Gokhale's character, who is called Chandrakant Deshpande." The upcoming family-comedy drama will release in December this year. Bachchan and Gokhale, 78, have previously featured together in cult films like "Agneepath" and "Khuda Gawah". Bachchan, who started shooting for "AB Ani CD" on Tuesday, is also working on Ranbir Kapoor-Alia Bhatt-starrer "Brahmastra"; "Sairat" fame Nagraj Manjule's Hindi directorial debut "Jhund"; a family comedy titled "Gulabo Sitabo" with Ayushmann Khurrana; and thriller "Chehre" with Emraan Hashmi. New Delhi: As majority of exit polls predicted victory for the BJP-led NDA at the Centre, Twitter recorded nearly 5.6 lakh tweets related to exit polls in 24 hours, the company said on Tuesday. "Twitter saw 560K Tweets talking about the Exit Polls in 24 hours, between 6:30pm on Sunday 19th until 6:30pm on Monday 20th May, across news commentators, opinion makers and Indian citizens," the micro-blogging platform told IANS. Twitter recorded 45.6 million tweets on its platform during a one-month period in the run-up to the polls, registering 1.2 million tweets on the first day of voting. The Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is all set to return to power winning 287 seats in Lok Sabha elections, but the Bharatiya Janata Party may fall short of half-way mark on its own as it is expected to win 236 seats, according to the IANS-CVoter exit poll. The IANS-VOTER prediction is based on a sample size of around 5 lakh across the country. The results of the seven-phase general elections would be declared on May 23. JAKARTA: Incumbent President Joko Widodo won last month`s Indonesian election with 55.5% of votes against 44.5% for his challenger, retired General Prabowo Subianto, the election commission`s official count said early on Tuesday. The official result released by the General Election Commission (KPU) confirms unofficial counts by private pollsters of the April 17 election, giving Widodo a comfortable victory, though it could trigger a legal challenge and potential street protests after Prabowo claimed widespread cheating. Widodo won with over 85 million of the total 154 million votes cast in the world`s third-largest democracy. There was no immediate reaction from him or his campaign team. An election supervisory agency earlier on Monday dismissed claims of systematic cheating because of a lack of evidence and independent observers and analysts have said the poll was free and fair. But a witness for Prabowo`s campaign team and the leading opposition party refused to sign and validate the official results, which were announced more than a day earlier than expected after the KPU worked into the early hours of Tuesday to finish the vote count. "We won`t give up in the face of this injustice, cheating, lies, and these actions against democracy," said Azis Subekti, a witness from Prabowo`s campaign team. It was not immediately clear if Prabowo would mount a legal challenge to the official result. Authorities have tightened security in anticipation of potential civil unrest and have detained dozens of militant Islamists suspected of planning attacks to create mayhem during demonstrations. Police rolled out barbed wire and readied armoured trucks and water cannons around the KPU. They have also prevented people from across Indonesia travelling to Jakarta en masse to join protests. Prabowo has said the situation could trigger "people power"-style protests, while the government and police have urged protesters to keep the peace and vowed action against anyone stirring unrest. National police, who report directly to Widodo, have also held or interrogated at least three leading opposition figures for suspected treason. The streets outside the KPU were quiet immediately after the announcement. Last week, police said they had detained about 30 suspected militants with ties to Jemaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), Indonesia`s largest group linked to Islamic State. The losing party can lodge a legal challenge at the constitutional court. Otherwise, the commission will officially declare the winner by May 28. Prabowo has not yet confirmed if he intends to go to court, but his challenge to his 2014 defeat by Widodo was rejected. Russia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia (C, front) addresses a Security Council meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, May 20, 2019. The Security Council on Monday rejected a Russian request to discuss the enactment of a Ukrainian language law. (Xinhua/Li Muzi) UNITED NATIONS, May 20 (Xinhua) -- The Security Council on Monday rejected a Russian request to discuss the enactment of a Ukrainian language law. In a procedural vote, only five of the 15 members of the council voted in favor of the Russian request. Nine votes are required for the adoption of a contended provisional agenda item of the Security Council. After the announcement of the provisional agenda, Francois Delattre, French ambassador to the United Nations, voiced objection, prompting the procedural vote. The French objection was backed up by Germany, the United States and Poland in their representatives' statements before the vote. France, Germany, the United States, Poland as well as Britain and Belgium voted against the Russian proposal, and four other members abstained, effectively blocking the meeting. In his remarks, the French ambassador said Russia's request for the meeting, which coincides with the inauguration of new Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, "clearly does not intend to contribute to the resolution of the Russia-Ukraine crisis," but to "put the new president of Ukraine in the worst light." In his remarks before the vote, Russia's UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia argued that the new Ukrainian law "violates the spirit and letter of the Minsk Agreement, which the Security Council approved." "We are talking about a violation of decisions by the Security Council," he said. China voiced regret over the Security Council's rejection of the Russian request. "We regret that the meeting was not able to be held as scheduled. We hope that members of the council will respect one another, maintain unity, and effectively fulfill the council's obligation of maintaining international peace and security," said Ma Zhaoxu, China's permanent representative to the United Nations. As a member of the Security Council, Russia requested a meeting and proposed the timing for the meeting. That was in line with the Security Council rules of procedure, said Ma in an explanation of China's Yes vote for the Russian request. China believes that the Security Council should play a constructive role in creating a favorable external environment for the proper settlement of relevant issues, promoting peace, stability and development in Ukraine, and achieving harmonious coexistence among the various ethnic groups in Ukraine and the peaceful coexistence of Ukraine and other countries in the region, said the Chinese ambassador. The Ukrainian language bill was approved by Ukraine's parliament on April 25, and was signed into law by then President Petro Poroshenko on Wednesday. The law institutes Ukrainian as the official language of the country, requiring that it be used in the public sector. 3 1 [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] Officers dont want to disclose files stemming from the investigation of the murder of a U.S. senators daughter. But to avoid doing so, theyll have to have a better excuse than claiming that making any of the records public will jeopardize an ongoing investigation. One of Editor & Publishers 10 That Do It Right 2021 Mr Lau (back row, fourth left) tours the Methodist Rejoice Centre and chats with seniors. Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury James Lau (second right) speaks to students at Rosaryhill Schools Secondary Section. Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury James Lau visited a secondary school and a community care centre in Wan Chai today. Mr Lau visited Rosaryhill School's Secondary Section to find out more about its teaching and learning. He chatted with a group of students, including ethnic minority pupils, and watched their performance. Mr Lau then toured the Methodist Rejoice Centre's facilities and spoke to some seniors there. The centre offers day care and home care services, including cognitive training, rehabilitative therapy, social and recreational activities, and home support and meal services. It also provides professional training and support services to help carers better take care of the elderly. Mr Lau said he was pleased to learn the centre provides various services to enrich and improve elderly life. During a meeting with Wan Chai District Councillors, Mr Lau discussed the impact of the trade conflict between China and the US, and taxation matters in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area with them. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has instructed the Minister of State for Masvingo Ezra Chadzamira to meet business tycoon Billy Rautenbach and resolve a $1.9m tax dispute raging between Rautenbach and Mwenezi Rural District Council (RDC). Rautenbach who is rated as one of Zimbabwes wealthiest businessmen with a fortune estimated at US$568 million is paying 10c only as unit tax per hectare to Mwenezi RDC for the 229 000 hectare multi-million dollar business that he runs at Nuanetsi, one of the biggest ranches in Zimbabwe. Council pegged Rautenbachs unit tax at $1 per hectare and his company, Zimbabwe Bio Energy (ZBE) has ignored that tax obligation since 2009. As a result of the dispute, Rautenbach is paying $22 900 unit tax per year instead of $229 000. Nuanetsi Ranch has over 40 000 cattle, 150 000 crocodiles and Rautenbach operates a big safari with all types of wild animals where tourists from the USA and Europe come to view and hunt game. Chadzamira confirmed to The Mirror that he would be meeting Rautenbach together with officials and councilors from Mwenezi RDC on Thursday (today) and the meeting will take place at the council offices. Efforts to get a comment from Rautenbech were fruitless and questions sent to his office on email were not answered. A 2017 audit directed council to deal with the tax issue. I have instructed Mr Fungai Mbetsa (the Provincial Administrator) to arrange a meeting next week where we will meet Rautenbach and tell him Government position on his operations. I cant tell you what we are going to discuss with him at the moment, said Chadzamira. Mwenezi CEO Abert Chivanga told The Mirror that ZBE had since 2009 been paying 10c unit tax to Mwenezi instead of $1 per hectare and as a result there are arrears of over $1 854 900. He said the company pegged its own unit tax and started paying what it pegged. ZBE should pay Mwenezi RDC $229 000 per year but they have only been paying a paltry $22 900 which they have pegged without the RDCs approval, said Chivanga. Chivanga said the local authority needed that money to balance its books since the funds have been budgeted for. He said he wrote a letter to Rautenbach last week on the issue which he personally handed over. Chadzamira castigated some white owned companies in the area during a Zanu PF rally in Mwenezi in February and criticized the manner in which they were conducting their businesses. In particular he said he was not happy with the way locals were treated. We have some whites who have wildlife conservancies. They are enjoying selling trophies outside and slaughtering the wildlife for butcheries without doing corporate social responsibility programmes. He who does not respect people, has no place in the new dispensation, Chadzamira said then. TWO of the four Boeing 777-200 ER planes bought by the Government from Malaysia are expected in the country within two months, Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Joel Biggie Matiza has said. He was responding to questions by the Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructure Development, who wanted to know what happened to the four passenger planes bought by Government from Malaysia. Two of the planes have already been fully paid for and we are expecting them in the country within two months, said Minister Matiza. We are still in the process of paying for the other two. Issues of foreign currency are hindering the process of paying for the other two in full, but we have already started paying for them. The Herald understands that a payment of US$5 million was made last week, with more payments expected in the near future. Minister Matiza said as the two B777s draw ever so close to being delivered, a training programme for pilots and engineers who will operate the planes has started. The delivery of the two B777s dovetails with Governments plan to revive the national airline. This follows the delivery of an Embraer ERJ 145 aircraft earlier this month. Fairbanks, AK (99707) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. Morning high of 25F with temps falling to near 10. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Cloudy. Snow likely late. Low 8F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 80%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected. Japan's economy unexpectedly grew in the first quarter, giving Prime Minister Shinzo Abe some momentum to go ahead with his plan to raise the country's consumption tax this fall. Gross domestic product for the quarter expanded at an annualized rate of 2.1%, preliminary figures released by the Cabinet Office showed on Monday, much better than the 0.2% contraction forecast by economists in a Reuters poll. The gain was attributed to positive net exports and an increase in government spending, which offset weaker private investment and personal consumption. This follows a 1.6% expansion in the previous quarter and marks Japan's fastest growth rate since the April-June term of 2018. Shortly after the figures were released, Economic Revitalization Minister Toshimitsu Motegi told reporters that "there is no change in the idea of raising [the consumption tax] in October" to 10%, from 8%. Marcel Thieliant, senior Japan economist for Capital Economics, said the economy's "surprising resilience" suggests Abe will follow through with the tax increase. Masamichi Adachi at JPMorgan Securities Japan agreed. "We now see lower probability of the postponement of the scheduled hike in October to less than 30%, from 30-40% we had thought before the release" of the GDP. Yet, a closer look at the figures reveals that a continued economic recovery is far from certain. - Nikkei BEIJING, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Modern international trade relations are based on credibility and the spirit of the contract. However,in the year-long China-U.S. trade negotiations, Washington repeatedly reneged on its promises and played "face changing" tricks, leaving stark stains on its credibility. During Chinese Vice Premier Liu He's visit to Washington last May, Beijing and Washington agreed not to engage in a trade war. Only days later, the Trump administration said it will impose a 25-percent tariff on 50 billion U.S. dollars' worth of Chinese imports which contain industrially significant technology. Soon after the recent setbacks in China-U.S. trade consultations, the Trump administration, in the name of "national security," rolled out measures to hit Chinese tech firms. The White House's executive order will kill many business contracts between Chinese and U.S. firms. The U.S. side is perhaps narcissistic about its "art of deal," yet its tainted records in failing to keep its own words have alarmed the world. As a matter of fact, China is not the first victim of America's acts of bad faith and trade bullyism. Over more than a year, the U.S. side has wielded a "big stick" of protectionism, and coerced many of its trade partners, including South Korea, Canada and Mexico, into re-negotiating their long-existing trade agreements. These bullying behaviors have sent a clear signal: one can arbitrarily tamper with the original contracts regardless of cooperation partners' interests and concerns, as long as it has the power to do so. That is "the logic of gangsters" and "the law of jungle." Such bullying tactic has stirred global opposition, including from Washington's allies in Europe. When Washington decided to impose steel and aluminum tariffs on the European Union (EU) last year, the European Commission rebutted in a tweet, saying that "The EU believes these unilateral U.S. tariffs are unjustified and at odds with World Trade Organization rules. This is protectionism, pure and simple." Also, America's bullying actions have gone far beyond multilateral economic and trade realms. Since the Trump administration took power, Washington has backed away from a string of major international agreements and multilateral bodies, including the Paris climate accord, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the UN Human Rights Council, and the Universal Postal Union. These self-serving moves have disgraced Washington's credibility as a responsible major country, and seriously eroded the foundation for international cooperation. In the aftermath of the World War II, the United States helped establish the existing global trade and finance order. As a result, Washington has benefited enormously from such a system that is based on the U.S. dollar's supremacy. However, Washington is in no way justified to abuse its superpower status. Instead, it needs to fulfill its duties as an equal member of the international community. It is worth noting that the U.S.-led global order may collapse once Washington's credibility goes bankrupt. This dangerous prospect is in no one's interests. A special six-car Mickey Mouse-themed shinkansen bullet train has begun serving southwestern Japan's Kyushu region, with images of the beloved character splashed across its yellow livery and interiors. Kyushu Railway Co. hopes the 800-series train, nicknamed the "JR Kyushu Waku Waku Trip Shinkansen," will entice people to visit the region by bullet train. "Waku waku" means fun and exciting in Japanese. Festooned with various images of the iconic Walt Disney Co. character, the train is scheduled to run between Hakata Station in Fukuoka and Kagoshima-Chuo Station until late November. Mickey Mouse is just the latest popular cartoon or anime character to be used to promote bullet train travel in Japan. Trains decorated with images of Hello Kitty and popular Japanese animation series "Neon Genesis Evangelion" plied Japanese tracks last year. - Kyodo The 72nd World Health Assembly (WHA) kicked off in Geneva on Monday focusing on the theme "Universal Health Coverage: Leaving No-one Behind." As part of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals, UN members have agreed to work toward achieving universal health coverage by 2030. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), universal health coverage means that all individuals and communities have access to the health services they need without suffering financial hardship. This includes the full spectrum of essential, quality health services, from health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care. However, universal health coverage does not mean free coverage for all possible health interventions, regardless of the cost, as no country can provide all services free of charge on a sustainable basis. The WHO has said that the efforts to achieve universal health coverage should focus on promoting primary health care. WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said in an earlier report that many countries are still grappling with what has been described as the unfinished agenda of the UN Millennium Development Goals: addressing the burdens of communicable, maternal, neonatal and childhood diseases, and malnutrition. "Primary health care is where the battle for human health is won and lost," said the director general in his address opening the WHA. "It's through strong primary health care that countries can prevent, detect and treat non-communicable diseases." In this regard, China's decades-long experience in delivering primary health care to its more than one billion population -- which has been highly commended and recommended by the WHO -- could be a huge contribution, especially for several developing countries. Another issue on WHA's agenda is market transparency, particularly the ever-increasing prices of medicines, vaccines and other health-related technologies, which hinder countries' efforts toward universal health coverage. Experts have been demanding more transparent information on the cost of manufacturing medicines to prevent pharma companies from increasing their profits at the expense of patients. WHA delegates are scheduled to adopt a number of resolutions, including a detailed budget for the WHO, after the organization unveiled its structural reform in March. WHO members are expected to deliberate on ways to finance the organization's new divisions and initiatives, such as the WHO academy. According to the director general, the WHA session between May 20 and 28 will send a strong message to the world that health care requires political leadership and partnership. He called on all governments to make concrete commitments and to leave no one behind in the quest for universal health coverage. Iran, on Monday, warned the U.S. against addressing the Islamic Republic of Iran with disrespect and threats of war. This warning ... Iran, on Monday, warned the U.S. against addressing the Islamic Republic of Iran with disrespect and threats of war. This warning comes a day after U.S. President Donald Trump stoked concerns about a potential U.S.-Iran conflict. But in a sign of brewing confrontation a year after Washington quit world powers 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and reimposed sanctions on it, Tehran announced a fourfold increase in its rate of low-grade uranium enrichment, NAN reports. Tensions between Washington and its Sunni Muslim Gulf Arab allies on one side and Tehran and its Shiite Muslim proxies in the region on the other have been flaring for weeks. On Sunday, Trump tweeted: If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the U.S. again! Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Zarif replied on his Twitter account Never Threaten An Iranian. Try respectit works! Zarif, who was educated in the U.S. actually praised Trump for earlier remarks seen as cautioning hawks in his administration, who were encouraging conflict. The President rightly deplores military-industrial complex pushing U.S. #ForeverWars, Zarif wrote on Twitter. But he said Trump had allowed a B-team of aides led by National Security Advisor John Bolton to trash diplomacy. He accused them of milking despotic butchers via massive arms sales, an apparent reference to Irans main regional foe, Saudi Arabia, Washingtons biggest arms buyer. Trump has tightened economic sanctions against Iran, and his administration says it has built up the U.S. military presence in the region. It accuses Iran of posing threats to U.S. troops and interests. Tehran has denied this, describing U.S. moves as psychological warfare and a political game. Britain told Iran on Monday not to underestimate the resolve of the U.S., warning that if American interests were attacked then the Trump administration would retaliate. The foreign minister of Oman, a Gulf Arab state that in the past helped pave the way for negotiations between Iran and the U.S., visited Tehran on Monday. Yousuf bin Abdullah addressed regional and international issues with Zarif, Iranian state news agency IRNA said, without elaborating. Quoting an official at the Natanz enrichment plant, the semi-official Tasnim said Iran was accelerating the rate at which it refines uranium to 3.67 per cent fissile purity, suitable for civilian nuclear power generation. The move came two weeks after Iran, acting after Trump reimposed sanctions aimed at blocking all Iranian oil exports to cripple its economy, declared it would scale back some commitments under the accord it signed with six world powers. Under the 2015 deal, the Islamic Republic was allowed to stockpile a maximum of 300 kg of low-enriched uranium, and ship any excess out of the country for storage or sale. Iran said this month that cap no longer applied in response to the unilateral U.S. withdrawal from the deal. Trump has condemned the accord, signed by his predecessor Barack Obama, as flawed for not being permanent and for not covering Irans ballistic missile programme and role in conflicts around the Middle East. Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, told Tasnim that the UN atomic watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), had been notified about the move to step up the enrichment rate fourfold. It wont be long until we pass the 300-kg limit of low enriched uranium. So its better for the other side to do what its necessary to be done, Kamalvandi said, alluding to steps by other powers to shield Irans economy from U.S. sanctions. He said the acceleration of Irans centrifuge enrichment machines remained within the bounds of the nuclear deal, and Tehran had no intention to exit the accord. It was not clear how far Irans current stock of low-enriched uranium was from the 300-kg limit. Under the deal, Iran may enrich uranium to 3.67 per cent purity far below the 90 per cent of weapons-grade, and also below the 20 per cent level to which Iran refined uranium before the deal. Human Rights lawyer Dr Olisa Agbakoba has filed a Suit at the Federal High Court, Lagos south-west Nigeria to stop allocation of public... Human Rights lawyer Dr Olisa Agbakoba has filed a Suit at the Federal High Court, Lagos south-west Nigeria to stop allocation of public funds to unelected and unaccountable Local Government Councils, running into Trillions of Naira. According to Dr Agbakoba, the basis of the Case is that Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution guarantees a system of democratically elected Government Councils. But Local Government Councils in Nigeria are never elected and are unconstitutional. Therefore allocation of public funds to them is a violation of the Constitution, as there is collusion with State Governments in the use of trillions of Naira of Public Funds. The case raises concern that unelected persons have unimpeded access to huge monthly allocations that are actually funds intended for democratically elected Local Government Councils, as guaranteed by Section 7 of the Constitution. Dr Agbakoba noted that Nigeria operates democratically elected governments at all levels. The current situation where most of the 774 Local Governments are unelected is not only unconstitutional but meant no development at the Local Governments level. Dr Agbakoba also noted that corruption is widespread in Nigeria because unelected persons that are not accountable to the electorate have received trillions of Naira of Public Funds. The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo North senatorial district has vowed to resist alleged attempts by the Edo State government ... The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo North senatorial district has vowed to resist alleged attempts by the Edo State government to tarnish the image of the partys national chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. Leaders of the party in the senatorial district urged the State governor, Godwin Obaseki, to call his media team to order, alleging that they had embarked on campaign of calumny against Oshiomhole, with a view to joining his political opponents across the nation in scandalizing his name. The leaders, after a meeting on Monday, made the call in a communique signed by High Chief Aloye, Chief (Alhaji) Usman Mogaji Charlton and Ahmed Musa Momoh. According to the communique, the meeting passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of the national chairman of the APC, COMRADE Oshiomhole. We gathered to basically react to the publication in the Nation Newspapers, which tends to portray in bad light the party primaries conducted by the Oshiomhole led NWC. We have no doubt that the advert was orchestrated by those in Osadebey Avenue who rose to power and suddenly forgot how they got there. We condemned that publication and urged the State Government to stop playing hide and seek game in its attempt to rubbish the legacies of Oshiomhole which we will surely resist. The leaders also reaffirmed that the National Chairman remains the undisputed leader of APC in Edo North and Edo State respectively. They resolved to always stand by him and stand for him at all times. The leaders warned those attempting to destroy the hard-earned amiable character and reputation of the APC National Chairman to desist from such unwholesome practice. What will happen if a driver shifts to reverse gear and hits the pedal to the floor on a busy street? The answer is obvious a series of scratches, crashes and losses, forming a chain reaction. What if such a case is happening to the global industrial chain, or in the development of the international relations? Now, the US is turning the what if to reality. The wayward decision of the US government on its foreign trade policy is considered ridiculous by the global media. For instance, a European media outlet has warned Washington not to take China as the Wild West. Though the US is claiming again and again that it is a winner in the trade war, the international community just thinks the other way, because the arbitrary acts of Washington are stupid which have ruthlessly given a blow to the US agriculture and hurt the interests of US consumers and enterprises. In addition, the acts also severely damaged the global industrial chain that once greatly benefited the US. By provoking the trade disputes against China, the US has worsened its agriculture performance, which is an issue receiving huge attention. With the fall of price of bulk commodities, the US farmers have seen halved income in the past 6 years. The declining sales of their agricultural products, which were largely exported to China, are also adding insult to injury for them. The net income of US farmers, plunging by 16 percent last year, went back to the same level of that 10 years ago when financial crisis broke out. Now, with the US escalating the trade friction, the US farmers are seeing deteriorating situations. In a letter issued by the American Farm Bureau Federation on May 15, the organization said lost exports were exacerbating the burden of an industry already in hard times, calling for an end to the trade war. The Q2 economic statistics of the US heralded risks. According to the US Department of Commerce, the indexes of US consumption and manufacturing both experienced slide in April because of the current trade tension, global economic slowdown and the fadeaway of the 2017 tax reform. The Board of Governors of The Federal Reserve System also released a set of data, saying that the industrial production of the US fell by 0.5 percent in April from March and that in the first quarter also dropped by 2.1 percent at an annualized rate. However, the US decision makers are turning a blind eye to the severe economic situation, not knowing how profoundly economic globalization has reshaped the world and ignoring the practical significance and far-reaching impacts of the international division of labor. What they are doing is merely moving the manufacturing back to the US in a barbarian way. But will this approach work? An article published by German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung may answer the question. It believes that backwardness wont help, especially in the US. At the beginning of the last century, the US specifically eliminated its traditional industries and placed more importance on service and finance sectors. This move resulted in not only a loss of manufacturing jobs, but also the skills related. To produce the products it used to import from other countries, the US has to regain a giant workforce that is capable of doing so. However, the country is currently bothered by a lack of human resources in many regions. In addition, as international observers said, most of the American consumers are not likely to be willing to pay $2,000 for a made-in-the-US smart phone that they could get at only half of the price before. The US decision makers are always anxious as they want to but not able to make progress. When seeing more and more countries are joining hands for common development through complementary advantages and labor division, they are afraid that the greatness of the US might not be that shining in todays world. They even get mad at the facts that other countries are constantly making remarkable innovations. The US Department of Commerce recently placed Chinese tech giant Huawei and tens of affiliates on its so-called Entity List - a move that bans the telecom company from buying parts and components from American firms without US government approval. In addition, the US government has also adopted a policy of presumption of denial when reviewing applications for such approval. By interfering with the naturally developed global industrial chain by supremacy, the US has adopted the most barbarian method ever in the history of modern international economic and trade relations. It is nothing but ridiculous and hegemonic. America is being ripped off. Were a debtor nation, and we have to tax, we have to tariff, we have to protect this country. Such voices of the US reflect only superficial views, unreason and lack of morality. These voices aroused strong reaction from the international media. A German media outlet said that the international division of labor in todays world has created hundreds of millions of jobs in emerging industrial countries, which not only promoted social development of these countries, but also improved the livelihood of the developed countries by lowering commodity prices. The fact of the US being a debtor has no relation with other countries. International media noted that China, as a major creditor nation of the US, is the most important sponsor of the latter, and the US accusation on China is totally unreasonable. The trade war is not a game. It disrupts global production and supply chain, and then further impedes the development of world economy. Most of the economists polled by Reuters believe that the US is facing increased chances of recession because of its trade friction with China. The poll put the chances of that happening in the next two years at 40%, 5 percentages higher from a month ago. It still lingers in the minds of many how the US recession had encumbered global economy 10 years ago, which makes the world wonder that how far will Washington go on the wrong way with its stick of tariffs nowadays. Cooperation calls for sincerity from both sides, while confrontation needs only unilateral provocation. Its obvious to all that China never fears any threats and is ready to cope with challenges. The US, though acting arbitrarily at present, will finally exhaust its energy one day. The US has overestimated its ability to muscle the Chinese into accepting its will, and underestimated Chinas ability to punch it in places that hurt, said Ryan Hass, expert on China issues from the Brookings Institution. The history is always moving forward and is never reversed by anyone. Those who wish to reverse the trend of history would get only short-term profits, and by doing so, they are also tarnishing their so-called greatness. Economic globalization is an irreversible trend of time, and the world is a community with a shared future in which the interests of countries are closely knitted. Under the guidance of the human civilization development, the international relations will never go back to the barbarian era, and time will prove that. The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has cautioned a certain Southwest political leader and his collaborators in the APC-led F... The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has cautioned a certain Southwest political leader and his collaborators in the APC-led Federal Government to steer clear of Senate President, Bukola Saraki and jettison the new plot to unleash EFCC and other anti-corruption agencies in order to intimidate the man. This was contained in the text of press conference presented to newsmen in Lagos by AYCF National President, Yerima Shettima on Monday. He accused the Lagos-based political leader of the Southwest and some of his cronies in the corridors of power of planning to embarrass Senate President Bukola Saraki using the governments anti-corruption agencies and based on politically-motivated charges. He noted that much as the AYCF supports the war against corruption, we will resist any subtle attempt to hide behind politics to intimidate our sons in positions of authority. Alhaji Yerima also declared that the North had come of age and no one single Nigerian should determine the fate of prominent Northerners in government, because we are not robots. He charged the Southwest political leader and his associates to start whatever change process they want from their base as charity begins at home. He also stated that through the total dominance and manipulation of political and economic power, the Southwest has badly shortchanged the North, making its people irrelevant in the running of government for more than four years. There is no way after cornering all the juicy Federal Government appointments and skewing development projects in favor of the Southwest anyone will dare approach the North with the issue of seeking for Presidency in 2023. That will be totally unacceptable. The group, he said, would use all legitimate avenues for resisting the manipulations of one man whose primary goal in life is the 2023 Presidency and were assuring him that even that is no longer possible and a waste of his resources because the country belongs to all of us. The group also noted that the era of any politician calling the shots in other peoples territory was long gone, adding that were not in a Banana Republic and the world has moved on from the era of political impunity. The AYCF also told the said Southwest political leader to bear in mind that Senate President Saraki is our illustrious son in the North and were proud that he didnt turn his back on the people who voted him into power. Lauretta Onochie, the social media aide to President Buhari, has replied former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on his defamatory claim ... Lauretta Onochie, the social media aide to President Buhari, has replied former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on his defamatory claim and demand of N500M. (Read HERE) Onochie dismissed the letter from Atiku's lawyer, Mike Ozekhome(SAN), describing it as a deliberate ploy to make her lose focus as the legal battle to unseat President Buhari gets intense. Atiku's lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), had in a letter to Onochie on Sunday, demanded five hundred million Naira, (N500m) and a written apology in six national and one international daily, as well as on all social media platforms wherein the said publication was made. However, Onochie has fired back in a statement on Facebook calling Atiku 'a depressed soul in desperate need of his pill but whose aides would not tell him the truth for the sake of their stomachs'. In her words:EVIL SHALL NO LONGER HAVE A VOICE NOR SAY, ANYWHERE IN NIGERIA. Good morning Family and Friends. Lauretta Onochie This is in no way responding to the depressed Alhaji Atiku Abubakar whose aides are constantly cooking up disgrace for him, for the sake of their stomachs, instead of giving him his pills. This is to reassure my PERSONAL PEOPLE who are concerned and have emailed, texted or called to know if Im fine that truly, I had the most hilarious day yesterday and that I am very fine. I continue to laugh at the clowns who do not know what they are walking into. We are entering into the most crucial time at the Election Tribunal where the mandate freely given to our beloved President by Nigerians, is being challenged and Im their nightmare. In their thinking, Lets distract Lauretta Onochie. We cant afford to have her focused on her job. Buhahahahahaha! I cant be distracted. Truly I cant for very simple reasons. I have a great family that thinks the world of me. Publisher of Ovation International Magazine, Dele Momodu, has dropped a big hint that the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Lead... Publisher of Ovation International Magazine, Dele Momodu, has dropped a big hint that the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), could run for presidency in 2023. There have been speculations that Tinubu could throw his hat in the ring in the next elections, although the former Lagos Governor has repeatedly denied such ambitions. However, Momodu tweeted a picture of Tinubu in Saudi Arabia, along with the caption: Nigerias next President in 2023? The race has started Best wishes to one of Nigerias most influential politicians ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU Tinubu, on Monday, met with President Muhammadu Buhari in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, where he appealed to elderly Nigerians to avoid inflammatory statements, that could undermine peaceful co-existence among the nations diverse communities. Speaking after an Iftar dinner meeting with President Buhari, along with Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammadu Saad Abubakar and Emir of Kazaure, Dr. Najib Hussaini Adamu, the APC leader said all citizens should consider the enormity of challenges facing the nation, and support the President. Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo on Tuesday protested against the plan by the Federal Government to shut down the Akan... Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo on Tuesday protested against the plan by the Federal Government to shut down the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu over alleged congestion of shops, describing it as ill-timed. The organisation advised the government to deviate from such plot, as this will block the economic development in Igboland. The Igbo political office holders both in the National and State Houses of Assembly, Governors, and Ministers should come together and help calm down the looming chaos, Ohanaeze Ndigbo stated. A statement by Chidozie Orizu, Special Assistant (Media) to the National Youth Leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Arthur Obiora, advised the government to steer clear of such plans to avoid chaos and crisis. He said, The attention of the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo (Worldwide), has been drawn to the recent publication in the media quoting the Minister of Aviation on a plan to shut down the Enugu International Airport due to congestion of shops. The government should deviate from such plot, as this will block the economic development in Igbo land. The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday approved the rate of 0.2 per cent as the new import levy of Cost, Insurance and Freight (... The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday approved the rate of 0.2 per cent as the new import levy of Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) on goods coming into Nigeria. The Minister of Finance, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, disclosed this while addressing the State House correspondents after the FEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa. She said, however, there were exemptions to the new levy. Council approval a rate of 0.2 per cent as the new import levy of CIF that will be charged on imports coming to Nigeria but with some exceptions. The exceptions include goods originating from outside the territory of member countries that are coming into the country for consumption. It also includes goods that are coming for aid and also it includes goods that are originating from non-member countries but are imported through specific financing agreement that ask for such kind of exemptions. It also exempts goods that have been ordered and are under importation process before the scheme is announced into effect. According to her, the purpose of the new levy is to enable African Union (AU) members pay on a sustainable basis, their subscription to the AU. Ahmed said that Nigeria knowing that what would accrue from the new levy would be more than what was required as subscription to the AU, that the balance would be put in a special account. She said that the special account would be used to finance subscriptions in multilateral organisations such as the World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), the Islamic Development Bank, and institutions like that. The minister said that if there was any excess left from that revenue pool, it would be used to finance the budget. She said the second approval was for the setting up of the Steering Committee to be chaired by the vice president for the design and implementation of a National Single Window. A Nigerian man has revealed how one can get his money back after being scammed by online fraudsters popularly known as Yahoo Yahoo in Ni... 1. You can get your money back from online fraudsters (If you can follow through). CBN has now mandated all banks to open a fraud desk to handle cases. The bank will investigate, prosecute and reverse such dubious transactions even though the scammer has withdrawn the money. the Morris Monye factor (@monye_morris) May 20, 2019 2. Say you use UBA and you paid money into your instagram seller's(scammer) Zenith account, you can simply send a mail to frauddesk@zenithbank.com. Make sure you copy the CBN at cpd@cbn.gov.ng (This puts the banks on their toes). the Morris Monye factor (@monye_morris) May 20, 2019 They can receive customer's STOP-TRANSACTION complaints to block their own account. For more details visit 3. The banks should block such a suspicious account IMMEDIATELY a complaint is received via the fraud desk.They can receive customer's STOP-TRANSACTION complaints to block their own account.For more details visit https://t.co/P0Uoo0oqwG May 20, 2019 A Nigerian man has revealed how one can get his money back after being scammed by online fraudsters popularly known as Yahoo Yahoo in Nigeria.According to the man, banks now have a fraud desk where such complaints are laid as mandated by the Central Bank of Nigeria.Read his post below for step by step process on retrieving money lost to internet fraudsters.According to the Twitter user, they can receive customers STOP-TRANSACTION complaints to block their own account.He also advised that people can visit CBNs website for more details on how the proceed use works.Read his Tweets below... The leadership of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) on Tuesday accused the federal governme... The leadership of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) on Tuesday accused the federal government lead by President Muhammadu Buhari of alleged plot to destroy both the south-east and south-south regions. The group made this known through a statement signed by the Director of Information, Mr. Edeson Samuel in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi State. MASSOB, however, applauded former President Olusegun Obasanjo for revealing the plans of President Buhari to use Boko Haram and ISIS to actualize the agenda of Islamization and fulanization of Nigeria. The statement read, Chief Obasanjo should not be crucified or condemned because he exposed the intended evil President Muhammad Buhari led Federal government is planning to unleash on people of southern and middle belt regions of Nigeria. MASSOB have conferred that the likes of Loretta Onochie and Alhaji Lai Mohammed have mortgaged their consciences for their selfish desires, presenting falsehoods to the citizens because they want to be relevant to the President Buharis administration. MASSOB commends Obasanjo for been courageous and eloquence in revealing this unwanted truth, which the present government doesnt want to hear. It will be recalled that MASSOB have earlier exposed this Islamization agenda of President Muhammad Buhari in pursuit, projection and actualization of the grand command of Othman Dan Fodio which is to islamize/fulanize this geographical entity called Nigeria and destroy the entire southern Nigeria but nobody believed us. MASSOB has gathered many secret plans by the northern political and religious leaders against the southern region through Biafra Intelligence Agency (BIA). In early 1960s, the north through Tafawa Balewa and Ahmadu Bello used Chief Akintola to destabilize the Western region, today they want to use Bola Tinubu to destabilize the political structure of the Southern region. That was the recent meeting of some northern leaders in Saudi Arabia. MASSOB wishes to make it clearer again that there is no difference between Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen, the terrorist herdsmen where sent to go and destroy the South and Middle belt while the Boko Haram will carry their acts of terrorism in the northeast. The National Parents, Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) has decried the spate of suicide in Nigeria, especially among adolescent... The National Parents, Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) has decried the spate of suicide in Nigeria, especially among adolescents, urging parents and guardians to be more vigilant and monitor activities of their children. This follows a student who recently committed suicide for failing to score high grades in the just concluded Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Reacting to the spate of suicide of adolescents, Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo, 2nd Deputy President of NAPTAN, told the newsmen in Lagos that parents must pay more attention to their children to avert suicide tendencies. He said suicidal act was condemnable but the cause should be addressed. Honestly, it is very sad, very disappointing and yes it is very condemnable. But condemning it alone will not bring the solution; we as parents must be alert to stop this menace. Parents must be alert always to identify changes or any suicide tendencies in their children. Children, especially undergraduates, need constant monitoring in order to avert any danger. Nowadays, many of us parents do not have time for our children anymore, we only worry about their upkeep but neglect the social life. When we talk of time, it is divided into two; normal time and quality time and what our children need is quality time, he said. Speaking on the case of the undergraduate who committed suicide, the NAPTAN Deputy President said the incident might not be unconnected with the economic situation in the country. He said the economic situation may lead to suicide, adding that "one cannot rule out depression. It is not right for anybody to commit suicide for whatsoever reason but for a depressed person, they will not think that it is not right. A depressed person only acts on impulse, Ogunbanjo said. Speaking on students committing suicide because they failed JAMB, Ogunbanjo said failure was part of life and there was no success without failure. Parental care is also very important for our children and quality time with them to check their class work, homework and assignment, particularly at the primary and secondary school level. He urged parents to spend quality time with their children and wards to put their children in check. Failure is part of success, failure makes you learn, it makes you know what to do next to succeed. But it is unfortunate that our youths will commit suicide because they failed JAMB examination. Parents have a lot to do, they should stop harassing their children over their performance in examinations. Parents should spend 15 to 30 minutes every day with their children to put them in check, he said. Commenting on the case of the undergraduate who drowned in a swimming pool in Abuja recently, he urged the parents of the victim to pursue the case to a logical conclusion in order to serve as a deterrent to other students who may be contemplating such an evil act. The NAPTAN official described the act as an evil which should he condemned by all. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Tuesday berated the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, fo... The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Tuesday berated the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, for allegedly resorting to hauling insults against the opposition party to curry political relevance. It also alleged that Tinubu was ostensibly attacking the PDP for his selfish pecuniary interests. PDP spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan said this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja. He said by travelling to faraway Mecca, at this Ramadan period, just to meet President Muhammadu Buhari and engage in gossips, invectives and diatribes against the PDP, Asiwaju Tinubu has further demonstrated nothing to offer towards the development of our nation. It is atrocious that at the time other leaders are in the Holy Land offering prayers and supplications for our nation, Asiwaju Tinubu is in Mecca for photo-ops, playing dirty politics and hauling insults at other Nigerians just to curry relevance before President Buhari. The party noted that nothing but sheer hypocrisy would push Asiwaju Tinubu to engage in unholy praises of a failed administration in desperation to avert the purported threats by certain agents of the Buhari Presidency to expose him. This is the same Asiwaju Tinubu, who, in January 2018, at the 15th Annual Daily Trust Dialogue, berated the Buhari administration for its nepotism, incompetence, corrupt oil subsidy regime; blaming it for the high-level poverty in our country and counseled Nigerians to be guided by their conscience in electing leaders in the 2019 general elections. Asiwaju, in criticizing the Buhari administration held rightly that too much political and economic power resides in the hands of too few. This result in a society described by too much of unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, too little food, yet too much poverty, he said. He added that under President Buhari, rather than becoming a joyous nation, Nigeria has become a cruel playground where the fears and concerns of the average person get exploited but their interests never get promoted. The PDP, therefore, lambasted Tinubu for allegedly making allusion to its determination with Nigerians to retrieve Atiku Abubakars stolen Presidential mandate at the court, adding that no amount of blackmail can detract from this resolve. National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has told Nigerians not to be angry with the Peoples Democr... National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has told Nigerians not to be angry with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, but assist them to overcome their colossal defeat. Tinubu, who met with President Muhammadu Buhari in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, enjoined the citizens to consider the enormity of challenges facing the nation and support the president. He also urged Nigerians to rally round Buhari to solve the problems and stabilize the polity. The President worked hard and will continue to do so to ensure peace and stability in the country, which are important for the economy to make progress. These are the key pegs of his agenda. Let us all come together to support him, he said. According to Tinubu, the Peoples Democratic Party is reputed for saucy and distractive statements. He, therefore, urged Nigerians not to be angry with the opposition party, but assist them to overcome their colossal defeat in the Feb. 2019 elections. Dont blame them. They are handicapped by the traumatic feelings of the colossal loss of the election. You should help them to manage the trauma, he added. The APC national leader commended Buhari for the recognition of June 12 as the nations Democracy Day. Tinubu appealed to elderly Nigerians to avoid inflammatory statements that could undermine peaceful co-existence among the nations diverse communities. However, the dinner with the president was also attended by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Saad Abubakar III, and Emir of Kazaure, Dr Najib Hussaini Adamu, The Sultan led prayers for Buharis second term in office and for the nation to overcome current challenges. The Foreign Ministry and a military spokesman called out the United States Navy on Monday for violating China's sovereignty and disturbing peace and security in the South China Sea. On Monday morning, the destroyer USS Preble sailed within 12 nautical miles of China's Huangyan Island without the Chinese government's permission, Senior Colonel Li Huamin, spokesman for the Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army, said on Monday in an online statement. In response, the command mobilized air and maritime forces to identify and warn the U.S. ship in accordance with laws and regulations, Li said. "The situation in the South China Sea is calming thanks to joint efforts by China and ASEAN countries," he said, adding that actions by the U.S. Navy ship put the safety of ships, aircraft and personnel from both countries at risk, and undermined China's sovereignty and security. "This violates the basic principles of international relations, and damages regional peace and stability," Li said, adding that China has undisputable sovereignty over the islands and its surrounding waters in the South China Sea. "We resolutely oppose the provocative actions by the U.S. warship," he said. "Troops in the Southern Theater Command will remain at high-alert and take all necessary actions to safeguard national sovereignty and security, as well as the peace and stability in the region." Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said in a news briefing on Monday that China strongly urges the U.S. side to "immediately cease such provocative actions". Lu said China consistently respects and upholds various nations' freedom of navigation and flight in the region in accordance with international law. "But we resolutely oppose any country using freedom of navigation as an excuse to undermine the sovereignty and security interests of China and other countries in the region," he added. The U.S. has disregarded the joint aspiration of countries in the region to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, Lu said. The constant disturbing of peace in the area "will not win over hearts". China will continue to take all necessary measures to protect its national sovereignty and security, as well as maintain peace and stability in the region, he added. David Umahi, governor of Ebonyi state, has endorsed Femi Gbajabiamila, majority leader of the house of representatives, as speaker of ... David Umahi, governor of Ebonyi state, has endorsed Femi Gbajabiamila, majority leader of the house of representatives, as speaker of the lower legislative chamber in the 9th assembly. Umahi, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker when he received him at government house, Abakaliki, the state capital, on Tuesday. Accompanied by some lawmakers, including Abdulmumin Jibrin, spokesman of his campaign, Gbajabiamila visited Ebonyi to solicit the support of Umahi. The governor urged Gbajabiamila to carry every member along in the 9th assembly irrespective of party affiliation. During the campaign of the 2019 general election, Umahi directed at least 2000 people to welcome President Muhammadu Buhari to the state. He also mobilised crowd for the presidents rally at the Pa Ngele Oruta stadium, Abakaliki. Umahi later told reporters that he took the action because the president deserved to be accorded all necessary courtesy. Now, the crowd you saw there at the stadium, 2,000 of them, were from me because I know they (the APC) have nobody, he had said. But for it not to seem like Ebonyi people dont love Mr. President, I had to make available 2,000 persons to come and cheer the president. That is why if you check the crowd, while they were castigating me unduly, the crowds were not clapping, the people were not happy. But for the respect they have for Mr. President, they could have booed them. I had to do what I did because Im not into extreme politics; Im into politics for development. The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Jamil Sarham, who is also the Land Component Commander of Op... The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Jamil Sarham, who is also the Land Component Commander of Operation Delta Safe, has revealed that Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, decided to declare war against him for rejecting his (Wikes) billions of naira to compromise the February 23 and March 9, 2019 general elections in Rivers. He also described as bizarre and spurious, the allegations by Wike that he was involved in illegal bunkering and leaking the proceedings of the State Security Council meetings to criminals in Rivers state, among others. Maj.-Gen. Sarham, on Tuesday in an online statement by 6 Divisions Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, condemned the unfounded and false allegations against him by Rivers governor, a chieftain of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the video clip released on May 15 by one Simeon Nwakaudu (Wikes Special Assistant on Electronic Media). The GOC said: Wikes resentment against me is based on my choice of professionalism and integrity over the billions of naira offered me by the Rivers State Governor to compromise the 2019 general elections. My refusal to be bought over and the rejection of the hefty offer is the genesis of Wikes hatred and vociferous criticisms of me. Although, the Nigerian Army does not wish to take issues with the Rivers State Governor, yet it is important to strongly state that the allegations are false and figment of Governor Wikes imagination. It is a deliberate effort to tarnish the towering image of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, and the GOC, 6 Division, Nigerian Army. Needless to say that in response to many accusations against the 6 Division, already some responsible good individuals and groups in Nigeria have exposed the antics of Governor Wike against the leadership of the 6 Division and the Nigerian Army. It is imperative to state that the campaign of calumny against Maj.-Gen. Sarham and the Nigerian Armys leadership by Governor Wike did not start today. On 22nd February, 2019, Governor Wike brazenly alleged that there was an attempt to exterminate his life by assassins organised by the GOC, 6 Division. As weighty as the allegation was, we are yet to know any action taken by Mr. Wike that guarantees his safety. Mr. Wike has since failed to use civilised legitimate options to prove his allegations against Maj.-Gen. Sarham. On the mischievous accusation against Maj.-Gen. Sarham of leaking proceedings of State Security Council meetings to criminals in Rivers State, Mr. Wike knows well that Maj.-Gen. Sarham is not a member of the Rivers State Security Council, neither has he ever approached the gates of Rivers State Government House, since his assumption of office as the GOC, 6 Division. Mr. Wike only came face to face with Maj.-Gen. Sarham on the 15th of January, 2019, during the 2019 Armed Forces Remembrance Day parade at Isaac Boro Park, Port Harcourt. The Nigerian Army wishes to challenge Wike to provide the public with any evidence of such meetings, with Maj.-Gen. Sarham in attendance. Wikes allegation against Maj.-Gen. Sarhams selfish involvement in illegal oil bunkering is another reckless, spurious and mischievous accusation. Hence, Headquarters of 6 Division wishes to request the Rivers Governor to take the most civilised way of putting up a petition to the relevant authorities, to make a point. Maj.-Gen. Sarham also assured of the commitment of personnel of 6 Division to the protection of lives and property, as well as the protection of critical national infrastructure in its Area of Responsibility (AOR), for the benefit of the nation. The federal government has asked former President Olusegun Obasanjo to withdraw his recent divisive comments, imputing ethno-religious... The federal government has asked former President Olusegun Obasanjo to withdraw his recent divisive comments, imputing ethno-religious motive to Boko Haram, ISWAP, and as well apologise to Nigerians. In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said , such indiscreet, deeply offensive and patently divisive comments are far below the status of an elder statesman. It is particularly tragic that a man who fought to keep Nigeria one is the same one seeking to exploit the countrys fault lines to divide it in the twilight of his life. The minister said Boko Haram and ISWAP are terrorist organisations pure and simple, adding that they care little about ethnicity or religion when perpetrating their senseless killings and destruction. Since the Boko Haram crisis, which has been simmering under the watch of Obasanjo, boiled over in 2009, the terrorist organisation has killed more Muslims than adherents of any other religion. The terrorist group blown up more mosques than any other houses of worship and is not known to have spared any victim on the basis of their ethnicity. It is therefore absurd to say that Boko Haram and its ISWAP variant have as their goal the Fulanisation and Islamisation of Nigeria, West Africa or Africa, he said. The minister said President Muhammadu Buhari put to rest the mis-characterization of Boko Haram as an Islamic organisation when he said, in his inaugural speech in 2015, that Boko Haram is a mindless, godless group who are as far away from Islam as one can think of. He reiterated that Obasanjos comments were, therefore, as insensitive and mischievous as they are as offensive and divisive in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country like Nigeria It is wondering whether there is no limit to how far the former President will go in throwing poisonous darts at his perceived political enemies. The minister noted that Obasanjos prescriptions for ending the Boko Haram/ISWAP crisis, which include seeking assistance outside the shores of Nigeria, are coming several years late. He said President Buhari had done that and more since assuming office, hence, the phenomenal success he has recorded in tackling the terrorists. Shortly after assuming office in 2015, President Buharis first trips outside the country were to rally the support of Nigerias neighbours Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Niger for the efforts to battle the terrorists. The President also rallied the support of the international community, starting with the G7, and then the US, France and the UN. That explains the massive degrading of Boko Haram, which has since lost its capacity to carry out the kind of spectacular attacks for which it became infamous, and the recovery of every inch of captured Nigerian territory from the terrorists, he said. He also noted that Obasanjos call for wide consultations with various groups as part of the efforts to tackle the Boko Haram crisis has been neutralised by his ill-advised comments which have served more to alienate a large number of Nigerians, who are offended by his tactless and distasteful postulation. Battle for lucrative market heats up as companies create reusable boosters Several Chinese commercial space companies are competing to become the first non-State player to successfully launch a carrier rocket into orbit. The next attempt will be made by Beijing-based startup i-Space, which plans to conduct its first orbital mission next month, a source in the company who asked not to be named said on Sunday. The i-Space SQX-1 rocket is scheduled to blast off at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert in early June. If the mission succeeds, the rocket will carry three small satellites and four experimental equipment into space, he said. It is the largest and most powerful rocket ever built by a private Chinese space company, he said. The SQX-1 has a diameter of 1.4 meters, a length of 21 meters and a liftoff weight of 31 metric tons. Fueled by solid propellant, it is able to transport satellites with a combined weight of 300 kilograms into a low-Earth orbit, or 100 kg of satellites into a sun-synchronous orbit. Meanwhile, i-Space has begun to design the SQX-2, a liquid-propellant type of rocket that will be reusable, the source added. Private companies are eager to seize business opportunities in the nation's burgeoning commercial space launch market. Leading private rocket-makers in Chinai-Space, LandSpace and OneSpacehave been sparing no effort to develop their own carrier rockets. Currently, those are mainly made by State-owned space giants. Carrier rockets are in short supply because of surging demand for launch services from the country's flourishing satellite industry. Executives at these firms are aware that becoming the first private company to launch a carrier rocket into orbit will bring not only honor but also lucrative contracts. Previous attempts at orbital launches by LandSpace and One-Space failed in flight. Wang Yanan, editor-in-chief of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, said that it's only a matter of time before private players accomplish orbital launches, because they are growing stronger in their research and development capabilities. Their existence has diversified the market in China and has proved good for the country's space industry, he added. "The participation of private firms will substantially reduce the launch cost and help boost the commercialization of the entire space industry," said Wu Zhijian, director-general of the China Space Foundation. He said private players with creativity and technology are crucial to achieving the nation's goal of becoming a strong space power. As of the end of last year, a total of 123 private enterprises on the Chinese mainland had registered in the space industry, and 14 of those were focused on rocket development and production, according to a market report published last week by FutureAerospace, a privately owned space consultancy in Beijing. 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. The accusations on China stealing intellectual property were initiated by the U.S. for the purpose of escalating economic and trade frictions and suppressing China in the disguise of justice. Recently, some people in the U.S. have been making such claims as the U.S. was unfairly treated while China gained tremendous perks and advantages, and China steals U.S. intellectual property. Such voices are a continuation of the groundless allegations of the U.S. against China on the so-called infringement upon intellectual property in recent years. In March 2018, the U.S. released the Section 301 investigation, accusing China of hurting the interests of the U.S. regarding intellectual property issues. The claim, though agreed by few, has been talked about endlessly by the U.S. side. Just lately, another U.S. official made a similar claim, saying that Chinas intellectual property theft posed a challenge to trade negotiation. Although the U.S. side has been loud and seemingly have incontestable proof of what they were saying, facts are always facts, and such lies about China as stealing intellectual property can hardly make anyone believe. Some American officials said that China has stolen hundreds of billions of dollars worth of intellectual property from the U.S. But many far-sighted people in the U.S. didnt buy the figure. People are confused about how the figure was calculated. It seems that the figure was not the result of calculation, but the brainchild of some genius who is good at making assumptions and exaggerating things. The saying that repeating a lie a thousand times and it becomes the truth seems to have been a true criterion for some people in the U.S. Such unreliable figure can only be used as a proof by dishonest people. Take the Section 301 investigation for an example, the U.S. played multiple roles in the investigation, such as a party involved in the case, the police, a procurator, a jury, and a judge, willfully judging and criticizing other countrys intellectual property situation. The U.S. made groundless accusations against China based on pure assumption while disregarding justice. If the report is based on imagined or selective data, its a kind of science fiction novel The U.S. side knows the whole trick they are playing clearly. They are just looking for a seemingly righteous guise for their unreasonable attempts. Strengthening intellectual property protection is the most important part of improving property rights protection, which is also the greatest incentive to enhance Chinas economic competitiveness. After several decades of unremitting efforts at intensifying IPR protection in various aspects including perfecting social ideas, legal environment, and law enforcement, China has witnessed remarkable progress in IPR protection, which has been widely recognized by the international community. China has long been taking the initiative to protect the IPR, rather than merely responding to the demand for IPR protection. By establishing a relatively complete and high-standard IPR legal system, and enhancing IPR juridical protection, China is now the country that has heard the most intellectual property cases, especially patent cases. In 2018, China paid $35.8 billion for foreign intellectual property, becoming the fourth largest patent buyer in the world. During the recent legal battle between Apple and Qualcomm, the two companies filed many of their lawsuits on patent licensing in China. Such practice indicated the trust held by American enterprises in Chinas efforts of IPR protection. Justice naturally inhabits mens hearts. Chinas endeavors to protect the IPR have gained more and more recognition from all over the world. The Economist posted an article on its website in February, saying IP protection in China has improved at rocket speed of late. The article pointed out that Chinese firms are not serial intellectual-property thieves, and as they issue more patents, the keener they are to protect the IPs. Even the official reports by the U.S. government issued before 2016 confirmed Chinas achievements in IPR protection. However, in recent years, some people in the U.S. ignored the facts and did a complete turnabout to suppress Chinas development. Such moves are no other than slaps in their faces. Intellectual property should be a bridge for innovation and cooperation among the countries. In the hands of the U.S. it has become a political tool, a weapon to contain other countries, and a veil for bullying the world. During Chinas course of reform and opening up, many foreign enterprises have conducted technological cooperation with China for their own interests. It is totally market-oriented practice from which the foreign companies have achieved rich profits. Though there were some problems in IPR protection, parties involved could always find a way to solve them through legal process. Waving the IPR stick, the U.S. is denying the awareness of IPR and credit, the contract spirit, and the law of the market. Some people in the U.S. adhere to an absurd logic they calculate how much they have in hand and then claim the astronomical figure to be stolen by others. Facts speak louder than words, just as truth always prevails. Anyone rational knows that theres no country in the world that has realized modernization through stealing. If people ask the U.S. such questions as has the U.S. developed itself by stealing and can the U.S. get developed by stealing, some people from the U.S. would be anxious to deny them immediately. Has the U.S. developed itself through stealing? Can the U.S. develop itself through stealing? The answers are probably negative from the mouths of the Americans. In a word, Chinas achievements are the precious fruit of the persistent and painstaking hard work of the Chinese people, and the people who make lies about it will finally come to no good. (Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by Peoples Daily to express its views on foreign policy) Four scientists at PPPL awarded national and international honors Institutions ranging from NASA to the Korean Physical Society have recently bestowed national and international honors on four scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL). The awards recognize a veteran and three early career physicists for their path-setting achievements in fusion and plasma science research. The honorees and their notable contributions: Rajesh Maingi named Fellow of the American Nuclear Society Rajesh Maingi, head of boundary physics and deputy head of the ITER & Tokamak Department at PPPL, has been named a Fellow of the American Nuclear Society (ANS), the highest membership grade of the society. "I am deeply honored to be selected as a Fellow of the American Nuclear Society, in the Fusion Energy Division," said Maingi. "This recognition is for contributions in the advancement of nuclear science and technology, an area that is crucial to the advancement of fusion energy, and one that I have given increasing attention over the past decade." The ANS, an organization of scientists, engineers, and other professionals, is devoted to peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology. With 11,000 members from more than 40 countries, the society sponsors meetings, publishes journals, establishes standards, communicates nuclear science to the public, and bestows honors on luminaries in the field. Maingi conducts experiments on a suite of domestic and international fusion machines in the area of edge plasma physics and serves as the principal investigator of a U.S.-sponsored international collaboration focused on plasma-materials interactions. Recently, he has been studying the behavior of components coated with lithium, the characteristics of surfaces made up of liquid lithium, and the effects of lithium aerosol sprayed directly into the plasmas that fuel fusion reactions. Maingi also studies how injecting various types of impurity powders and granules into a fusion plasma can preserve the plasma's stability. He will be designated a Fellow at the June 9-13 ANS annual meeting in Minneapolis. Maingi earned his doctorate and bachelor's degrees from North Carolina State University. He joined PPPL in 2012 after serving on long-term assignment to the PPPL National Spherical Tokamak Experiment (NSTX) from Oak Ridge National Laboratory. A fellow of the American Physical Society, he has received many awards, including PPPL's Kaul Prize for Excellence in Plasma Physics Research and Technology Development, a PPPL Distinguished Research Fellow award, and two scholarships from the U.S. Department of Energy to study fusion energy. Maingi also has served on many fusion-related panels. His roles have included chairing the 23rd International Conference on Plasma Surface Interactions in Controlled Fusion Devices, and leading the Fusion Energy Sciences Advisory Committee's Transformative Enabling Capabilities panel. Chuanfei Dong receives NASA award for studying atmosphere loss on Mars Chuanfei Dong, an astrophysicist at PPPL and the Princeton University Department of Astrophysical Sciences, has won a 2018 Group Achievement Award from NASA for his work with the MAVEN Mission Science Team on computer modeling data aimed at explaining how Mars has lost most of its atmosphere. The MAVEN is an orbiter that is collecting data about the upper atmosphere of Mars. Dong and the MAVEN Science Team received the award in April at the MAVEN Project Science Group meeting in Maryland. The award is the third that Dong and the team have received from NASA. They received a 2016 Group Achievement Award and a Robert H. Goddard Exceptional Achievement in Science Award in 2016. The MAVEN team is studying how Mars transformed from a climate that was wet and warm with a thicker atmosphere four billion years ago to the current cold and dry planet where the average temperature is 50 degrees Centigrade below freezing. Within the MAVEN team, Dong is primarily responsible for modeling the atmospheric loss from Mars, which has a long-term impact on the Martian atmosphere evolution and climate change over its history. On Earth, the magnetosphere that surrounds the planet prevents most particles from the solar wind from entering the atmosphere. "The solar winds can interact with the magnetosphere for an Earth-like planet," says Dong, "and the magnetosphere can exchange energy with the wind through the upper atmosphere so some of the atmosphere will escape from the planet. If the planet has no magnetosphere, like Mars, the solar wind can directly interact with the upper atmosphere." Dong grew up in Shanghai, China, and graduated from the University of Science and Technology of China in 2009. He received a master's degree in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences from Georgia Tech in 2010 and master's and doctorate degrees from the University of Michigan in space physics and planetary science, together with a dual doctorate in scientific computing, in 2012 and 2015 respectively. As a graduate student he received a Vela Fellowship from Los Alamos National Laboratory, a NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship, and a Richard and Eleanor Towner Award for Distinguished Academic Achievement from the University of Michigan. Dong joined PPPL in 2016 as a postdoctoral fellow supported by NASA's Living With a Star Jack Eddy Postdoctoral Fellowship and was appointed to the staff of PPPL and Princeton University in 2018. He was recently awarded the National Academy of Science New Leaders in Space Science. Min-Gu Yoo wins "Young Scientist in Plasma Physics" award Min-Gu Yoo, a postdoctoral fellow in PPPL's Theory Department, received the Korean Physical Society's "Young Scientist in Plasma Physics" award at the society's conference on April 24 in Daejon, South Korea. Yoo has worked at PPPL for the past year after earning a doctorate in nuclear physics from Seoul National University, from which he graduated with a bachelor's degree in physics and nuclear science. He received the Young Scientist award for his graduate research on the process that converts a neutral gas to a plasma in the doughnut-shaped fusion reactor called a tokamak. Yoo was first author of a paper on the subject published online in Nature Communications last August. "I am very happy. It is my honor to get this award," Yoo said. Yoo's research shows the limitations of previous theories on how a gas becomes ionized. One major theory, the Townsend "avalanche theory," holds that ionization occurs when electrons are accelerated by an electric field, collide with gas molecules and free more electrons, causing an avalanche that allows the gas to become electrically conductive. Yoo found that the theory does not explain results in magnetic fusion experiments done on the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) facility. Yoo and fellow researchers developed an alternative theory that the gas breaks down through a turbulent avalanche that produces a strong electric field between charged particles. Yoo calls the process the "self-generated electric field." Yoo now works with Weixing Wang and other physicists at PPPL on a gyrokinetic tokamak simulation (GTS) code aimed at understanding the physics of the disruption phase of a plasma experiment. Yi-Min Huang honored with Predhiman Kaw Legacy Award Yi-Min Huang, a member of the Princeton Center for Heliospheric Physics based at PPPL and Princeton University, has won the 2019 Predhiman Kaw Legacy Award in Plasma Physics and Fusion Studies. The international award, begun last year by the family of the late Predhiman Kaw, the father of India's nuclear fusion program, honored Huang "for his seminal work on plasmoid reconnection and instability of line-tied magnetic fields." Kaw, who died in 2017 at age 69, was a physicist in the Theory Department of PPPL from 1967 to 1971 before returning to India to lead the country's plasma physics and fusion program. In that capacity he led India's effort to join the international ITER experiment. The annual Kaw Legacy Award, given to scientists between the ages of 45 and 55, comes with an engraved plaque and a cash prize of $5,000. The honor "comes as a surprise and is very deeply humbling," Huang said. "I am grateful to the family of Professor Kaw for acknowledging my work." Huang earned his doctorate in physics from the University of Maryland after receiving a bachelor's of science degree from National Taiwan University, where he held a national scholarship for gifted students in mathematics and natural science. He joined the Center for Heliophysics in 2013 following service as a visiting scientist at PPPL. Prior to PPPL he served as a researcher at the University of New Hampshire and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Huang investigates how a phenomenon called "plasmoid instability" creates bubbles in plasma that can lead to rapid magnetic reconnection -- the process by which magnetic field lines break apart and reconnect violently. His findings, developed primarily in collaboration with Princeton University Professor and head of PPPL's Theory Department Amitava Bhattacharjee and others, have brought about a qualitative change in how people think of fast magnetic reconnection, and have inspired new laboratory experiments and interpretations of satellite data from space. With Professor Ellen Zweibel of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Huang has also made novel contributions to the stability of magnetic fields tied to a boundary, such as the surface of the sun or the wall of a tokamak fusion facility. ### PPPL, on Princeton University's Forrestal Campus in Plainsboro, N.J., is devoted to creating new knowledge about the physics of plasmas -- ultra-hot, charged gases -- and to developing practical solutions for the creation of fusion energy. The Laboratory is managed by the University for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science, which is the largest single supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science. This story has been published on: 2019-05-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Huatuo Health Town settled in Hangzhou to show the development trend of AI+ Internet Medical. (Photo by Long Wei from Peoples Daily Online) Chinas artificial intelligence (AI) industry made rapid strides during the past year, and it is about to enter a period of development and facilitate the transformation and upgrading of Chinas economy, according to a report by the Chinese Institute of New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Strategies. The Chinese government attaches great importance to the development of AI. The Ministry of Industry and information Technology in 2017 issued a three-year action plan for promoting the development of the AI industry. The plan said that by 2020, major breakthroughs would be made in AI technologies. Local Chinese governments have increased financial and educational investment in the AI industry. Beijing raised $2.1 billion in 2018 to build a science and technology park centered on AI research and development (R&D). The park is scheduled to be completed in five years and will house more than 400 ventures. FAW Hongqi 5G unmanned electric minibus debut in Hangzhou Auto AI robot can answer peoples questions at any time. (Photo by Long Wei from Peoples Daily Online) In 2018, China ranked first in the world for financing in the AI industry, with 577 out of the 745 AI enterprises having raised 383 billion yuan ($ 55.4 billion), doubling the previous years investment, according to the report. Most of the important financing events in 2018 occurred to AI unicorn companies. For example, SenseTime raised $1.62 billion and is valued at $6 billion, making it the AI unicorn company with the highest valuation. Megvii Technology, also a unicorn, raised $600 million in 2018 and set a new financing record in the facial recognition sector. The development of the AI sector has also received support from Chinese schools. As of February 28, 2019, China had 94 AI universities and 75 non-university scientific research institutions engaged in AI basic research, technology development and talent cultivation. China has the biggest database in the world. Big data is widely applied in many fields in China, including finance, medical treatment, telecoms and transportation. Chinas AI enterprises are positioned intensively at the application and technology layer, Liu Gang, director of the Nankai Institute of Economics, told the Global Times on Sunday, May 19. Liu is also the chief economist at the Chinese Institute of New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Strategies. AI technology is being gradually applied in daily life in China in the sectors of big data, cloud computing, facial recognition and others. Facial recognition is being used in banks, transport and other self-service situations. Passengers in Jinan, capital of East Chinas Shandong Province, can use facial recognition to unlock entry gates. The technology can also be used to open self-service parcel pickup machines. Photo by Sun Yifan Peoples Daily Online Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robots to provide better a reading experience for its guests, the China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city Library and Archives has attracted attention from readers worldwide, who have hailed the library a successful combination of technology and eco lifestyle. Covering an area of 35,000 square meters and a building area of 67,000 square meters, the library is a key construction project between the governments of China and Singapore, as well as a major livelihood project of the Eco-city. The library can house 1.5 million books and 1 million archives, currently storing 370,000 books and 110,000 archives as well as more than 2,000 seats for readers. Compared to the libraries I have been to, this one has a large collection of books regarding ASEAN countries, which is quite remarkable. Ive found several books that Id like to read here, which are hard to find elsewhere, Malychansy Keutkhuanchai, an editor from Lao News Agency, told Peoples Daily Online. A child eco library has also been established, where kids can play in rooms decorated like tree houses, interact with reading robots, and play educational games. In addition to its vast and comprehensive collection, the library also uses AI to compile a reading list for its visitors. Based on their reading interests, readers can use smart screens to find recommended books, using their mobile phones to scan the book codes for further information. Sorting robots have also been used to help readers find and fetch the books they want, as well as answering reader questions. New technologies are used to provide people with a better reading experience, while the eco-reading environment can encourage the kids to cultivate a good habit of reading, said Imran Muhammad, a journalist from Dawn News TV of Pakistan, adding that the library serves as a good combination of technology and leisure. BEIJING, May 20 (Xinhua) -- A senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official met here on Monday with a group of Tibetan monks who have received a senior academic title of Tibetan Buddhism. You Quan, a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, called on Tibetan Buddhists to firmly safeguard the national unification and ethnic unity, and to promote the inheritance of Tibetan Buddhism. The group of 40 monks received the senior academic title, one of the highest titles for Tibetan Buddhism, after passing an examination. Putin not to congratulate new Ukrainian president on inauguration: Kremlin MOSCOW, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin will not congratulate new Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on his victory, but will be ready to congratulate him if he succeeds in resolving the conflict in the rebel region of Donbas, the Kremlin said Monday. "President Putin will congratulate President Zelensky on his first successes in resolving the internal conflict in south-east Ukraine, as well as on his first successes in normalizing Russian-Ukrainian relations," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. He added that currently Putin has no plans to maintain any contacts with Zelensky. In his inaugural speech on Monday, Zelensky said that his priority task is to put an end to the hostilities in the eastern region of Donbas. He also said that the peace settlement there should begin with the return of the captured Ukrainians, according to the official transcript on Zelensky's presidential website. Zelensky also urged the current Ukrainian government to resign and announced that he is dissolving the parliament. The official inauguration ceremony took place in the Ukrainian parliament, attended by dozens of foreign dignitaries. The 41-year-old Zelensky who gained more than 73 percent of the vote was elected as president of Ukraine on April 21 for a five-year term. UNITED NATIONS, May 20 (Xinhua) -- China on Monday voiced regret over the UN Security Council's rejection of a Russian request to discuss the enactment of a Ukrainian language law. "We regret that the meeting was not able to be held as scheduled. We hope that members of the council will respect one another, maintain unity, and effectively fulfill the council's obligation of maintaining international peace and security," said Ma Zhaoxu, China's permanent representative to the United Nations. The Russian proposal was rejected in a procedural vote, winning only five votes in favor. Nine votes are required for the adoption of a contended provisional agenda item of the 15-member Security Council. As a member of the Security Council, Russia requested a meeting and proposed the timing for the meeting. That was in line with the Security Council rules of procedure, said Ma in an explanation of China's Yes vote for the Russian request. China has always maintained an objective and impartial position on the question of Ukraine, and respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, including that of Ukraine, said Ma. China believes that the parties concerned should stick to the general direction of a political settlement, and actively seek a comprehensive, lasting and balanced solution to the Ukrainian issue. The situation in Ukraine has complex historical and current backgrounds. China supports all parties concerned in resolving their differences as soon as possible, and reaching a final settlement acceptable to all parties through dialogue and negotiation, on the basis of taking into account and accommodating the legitimate concerns of all the different regions and ethnic groups in Ukraine, he said. China believes that the Security Council should play a constructive role in creating a favorable external environment for the proper settlement of relevant issues, promoting peace, stability and development in Ukraine, and achieving harmonious coexistence among the various ethnic groups in Ukraine and the peaceful coexistence of Ukraine and other countries in the region, said the Chinese ambassador. A full house and a standing ovation, the Beijing audiences extended the warmest welcome to one of their dear old friends, the Philadelphia Orchestra, who opened the 12th visit to China with two extraordinary performances on May 17 and 18. Coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the establishment of China-US diplomatic relations, the Philadelphia Orchestras 2019 Tour of China, leading by Music Director Yannick Nezet-Seguin, weighs a special significance to the people of both countries. In celebration of the anniversary, one of the highlights of the tour is the world premiere of two special works, both written by renowned Chinese composer Tan Dun. Fanfare Overture is written in honor of former US Ambassador to China, Nicholas Platt, who was responsible for organizing the orchestras first visit to China in 1973. And the other work, Murals of Dunhuang: The Deer of Nine Colors, is a vocal concerto featuring an ancient Chinese folktale with Chinese soprano Lei Jia, who amazingly takes on 12 different roles in the short piece of distinctive Chinese music with western features. The prestigious Philadelphia Orchestra became the first American orchestra that performed in China, a year after the former US President Richard Nixons historic visit to the country in 1972. When we first came to China in 1973, we learnt a very important lesson about people-to-people exchange, Ryan Fleur, the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Orchestra, said in an interview with Peoples Daily. We didnt only give concerts in Beijing and Shanghai, but we worked locally with musicians, or just citizens on the street. Back in 1973, there wasnt many western music studied in China. The countrys reform and opening up started from 1978 has brought a more diverse world to the general public, who has now become much more enthusiastic to embrace arts from different cultures. We watched our audiences change, said Fleur, In earlier times, they didnt always know how to respond to the music. So they just applied applause. But each time we come back, we feel a deeper and deeper appreciation. The two-way exchange between China and the US is not restricted to concerts in theaters, but there have been various cultural and educational residency activities to build connections with ordinary people, including joint performances with Chinese university students, pop-up concerts in communities, open rehearsals and master classes. Despite the increasingly complex international situation, Fleur sees the present as an opportunity for culture exchange between China and the US to grow even stronger. Politicians change all the time and opinions change all the time, and thats fine. What we are doing is we are communicating music and sharing music with the people of China. Because its about the people of our countries that are the most important, said Fleur. The Philadelphia Orchestra is planning a full-orchestra visit in two years. Musicians from the two countries will have more exchange visits to work side-by-side on both western and Chinese music. It is very important to show not only we play music as an orchestra, but we are human as well. And while we are a United States orchestra, that doesnt define who we are. We are simply human beings making music and communicating with other human beings, said Fleur. Doctoral students from across the country signed contracts with companies and institutions in Chongqing, during the citys talent event held from May 13 to 20. The 56 students were employed by local companies, universities, and scientific research institutions. Altogether, 103 doctoral students were invited to the meeting. During the activity, directors of student career services in 19 universities on the The Double World Class list reached cooperation agreements with Chongqing, in such areas as establishing a collaborative mechanism, setting up a green passage for talents and promoting exchanges and communication between talents. The activity was hosted by the Organization Department of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee and Chongqing Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau and organized by Chongqing Human Resources Market. Residents file lawsuits after storm dumps more than 10 inches on community At least 70 plaintiffs have filed suit over flooding which occurred in Elm Grove Village and surrounding areas. In some cases, the deluge of rain dumped in southeast Montgomery County and northeast Harris County May 7 was worse than Hurricane Harvey in 2017. - Flooded Elm Grove residents hold meeting with attorneys - Within a span of just a few hours, residents in Humble, Kingwood, Huffman and Atascocita in Harris County saw at least 10 inches of rainfall. The National Weather Service maps show Elm Grove in Kingwood receiving 14 inches or more. Spurlock and Associates filed a request for a temporary injunction May 14, asking that measures be taken immediately to prevent another flooding episode. The suit names Figure Four Partners, Inc., PSWA, Inc. and Rebel Contractors, Inc. as defendants. These three entities own and/or operate on land north of Elm Grove and are in process of building a residential development. The land previously was undeveloped. The lawsuit states that Elm Grove has never flooded in the past and that the defendants trenched out certain areas, added box culverts to create drainage and filled in existing creeks and drainage channels. They also, the suit states, completely blocked waterflow from the existing water channels. Additionally, the suit states that as land was cleared, the development was sloped toward the plaintiffs neighborhood such that water would flow directly toward the plaintiffs homes. More than 200 homes in Kingwood flooded, mostly in the Elm Grove neighborhood, but also homes in North and South Woodland Hills and in Sherwood Trails; most for the first time ever, with the Houston Fire Department having to rescue many. Local resident Bob Rehak, who maintains a flooding web site, ReduceFlooding.com, posted a lengthy comment on what he suspects is the cause of the Elm Grove flooding the new development of Figure Four Partners, a subsidiary of Perry Homes. Rehak and others believe the developer did not properly prepare for drainage and altered the naturally existing water runoff. Attorney Kim Spurlock organized a meeting at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church May 11 and the room was overflowing with affected residents. Spurlock led the 90-minute meeting where a standing room-only crowd was told by Spurlock about the temporary injunction and ultimately, that she will file lawsuits on behalf of residents. Figure Four Partners issued a statement denying responsibility: While our hearts go out to the homeowners that recently flooded in the Elm Grove Subdivision, the flooding there this week had absolutely nothing to do with the Figure Four and Perry Homes project nearby. As virtually every media outlet in the region has reported this week, and Harris County Flood Control meteorologist Jeff Lindner confirmed, Tuesdays rainfalls at times matched the intensity of Hurricane Harvey. The Houston Chronicle reported that The rainfall was particularly severe in suburban areas such as Kingwood. Though our project is still in the land-clearing stage, many of the detention ponds are complete providing improved drainage to the area that did not previously exist. Additionally, the drainage study and construction plans for the Figure Four project were completed by LJA Engineering, an experienced and highly respected firm and approved by the County. All City and County permits were obtained and all applicable building codes have been followed. Several questions have been asked about a concrete structure on the project. This structure is the outfall control device and part of the permitted and approved drainage plan. The outfall control device functioned as designed on Tuesday night. Similar to the detention ponds, the outflow control structure improved drainage in the area. Part of Hamblen Road near the San Jacinto River is closed after it was completely washed out, creating a sinkhole at least 10 feet deep, officials said. HPD warned residents to stay away from the area while officials from Houston Public Works assessed the damages. The most recent estimate is that the road will be closed 4 to 6 weeks. Houston City councilmember Dave Martin said both Kingwood and Kingwood Park high schools, along with three middle schools and two elementary schools, took on water. In the days since, the Kingwood community has seen mounds of debris at the end of driveways, reminiscent of the destruction of Hurricane Harvey 20 months ago. Martin arranged for City of Houston Solid Waste pickup within hours of the deluge. In response to the recent storms seen throughout the Houston region, Congressman Dan Crenshaw organized a gift card donation at Second Baptist Church May 11. The severe storms hitting our region have resulted in heavy rainfall, hundreds of homes flooded, hundreds without power, school closures and sinkholes throughout the area, said Crenshaw. While not on the same scale, we cannot help but think of the conditions that accompanied Hurricane Harvey. For years our infrastructure and drainage systems have caused flooding problems. To change this, we must focus on the following priorities: releasing the $4 billion in funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Office of Management and Budget; ensuring the City of Houston provides FEMA with the necessary information to approve the $37 million project to expand the Lake Houston dam gates; and investing in drainage maintenance to better manage the flow of water. Fully recovering from Harvey and improving our infrastructure to better handle the next storm can only happen when city, local and federal officials work together. The people of the Houston region are resilient, but they should not have to endure another storm and the next hurricane season without government taking care of these priorities, Crenshaw said. Controversial high-rise project in Kingwood may die The proposed high-rise development near River Grove Park and Barrington has been indefinitely delayed and may be dead. Bob Rehak, the Parks representative for Kings Forest, who has been active in keeping the community informed about the controversial high-rise project proposed by a development group called Romerica, made the delay announcement at the April Parks meeting. The Army Corps of Engineers pulled and withdrew the permit of Romerica. They [Romerica] could not answer all of the questions that were posed by various groups within the 30-day time frame they had to reply within the statutes, he said. Romerica requested an extension and suspension of the terms of the permit application process, Rehak said, but the Corps denied the request and pulled the application. He noted that Romerica can reapply at some future date when they work out all the details and submit all the information they are supposed to provide. The application was withdrawn without prejudice. This is a huge development because when they reapply, the project will probably be changed significantly and, according to the Corps, it will probably not result in the great number of comments [it received], Rehak said. He pointed out that the Corps received 720 letters of protest and over 200 requesting a public hearing. It is a record number of protests in the Galveston Office of the Army Corps of Engineers. In addition, Rehak said that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality submitted a letter to Romerica March 1 seeking information and Romerica never responded. That also contributed to the decision to pull the permit by the Corps. As a result, if Romerica wants to continue development of the area in question, it will have to essentially start over. It may in fact be dead, at least as far as anything resembling the project as originally proposed. The project got a significant amount of negative attention in the community once plans became known. The project, called Herons Bay, was originally comprised of several tall skyscrapers, office buildings and a marina to be built near River Grove Park. Residents raised numerous objections and packed several community meetings. The project was questioned from nearly every community group. The second item of interest to the Parks Committee was a presentation by two Houston Parks Board representatives about the bond-approved Bayou Greenways Project now underway throughout Houston and how it will be developed along the San Jacinto River. Lisa Kasinowitz and John Brandt provided a PowerPoint presentation of the specific plans to develop the San Jacinto River Greenway Project. It is one of the specific improvement projects within the overall development of greenways and trails throughout Houston. The Bayou Greenway Project is an initiative to recover and create green space by utilizing the land near and along the bayous and waterways of Houston, Kasinowitz said. She explained that the initiative includes 150 miles of greenways and bike trails connecting Houston along its waterways. The San Jacinto River Project is a part of that overall scheme and construction is about to begin in phases with completion expected by the end of 2020. The San Jacinto River is really totally unique from the other bayous we are working on. A lot of times the bayous we work on are engineered bayous as flood-control facilities. They are not really a live river like the San Jacinto, said Brandt, the project manager. Brandt said that the ever-changing aspects of the river shore changes the way the trails and greenways are located, designed and positioned along the river. In the case of the San Jacinto, as a result of its flooding history, much of the work is going to take place on shoreline areas in conjunction with flood recovery and prevention activity. This includes land acquisition and home buyouts currently going on along the rivers north shore. The project will provide a greenway trail from the Edgewater Park area at U.S. Highway 59/69 along the river shoreline, under the Union Pacific Railroad bridge, and then between the river and Hamblen Road, including its undeveloped right of way to the edge of Kingwoods River Grove Park at Woodland Hills Drive. It will be available for public access no later than the end of 2020. It will be open to the general public while River Grove Park will remain a KSA private park for use by Kingwood residents only. The next KSA Parks meeting will be Thursday, June 6, at 7 p.m. at the South Woodland Hills Community Room, 2030 Shadow Rock Drive in Kingwood. The public is invited to attend. Did You Hear the Story About the Norwegian Princess and Her Shaman Boyfriend? By Kayleigh Donaldson | Celebrity | May 21, 2019 | Whenever we at Team Pajiba talk about royalty, were almost exclusively discussing the House of Windsor. Primarily, for our American audiences, when royals are mentioned, their go-to reference point is the Brits, which makes sense for several obvious reasons. Theyre English speaking, ever so posh, have a long history with America, a lot of people are invested in Dianas kids, and now Meghan is here. It makes for good copy, but sometimes it means we overlook all the amazing royal drama going on in the rest of Europe. And boy has Norway knocked it out of the park recently! This story has EVERYTHING: Angels, princesses, Goop endorsed shamans, Instagram, family drama For those who didnt even know that Norway had a monarchy, heres some background knowledge. King Harald V of Norway is the current monarch and has been on the throne since 1991. His wife, Queen Sonja, has been with him since 1968. The pair dated for nine years and their courtship was somewhat controversial given that she was a commoner. They only got to marry because Harald said it was her or nobody, which could have ended the monarchy as a whole. They have two children: The future King, Crown Prince Haakon, and Princess Martha Louise. Haakon married Mette-Marit, a single mother who was involved in the Oslo rave scene and written off by many as inappropriate for the job of consort, but shes since become very popular and the pair have two children. Haakon is the youngest sibling, but as the boy in the family, he is the heir. That law has since changed, meaning that Haakons eldest daughter will possibly one day be Queen. Im pretty sure Norway are delighted this law change didnt happen when it came to Martha Louise. Princess Martha Louise of Norway is fascinating and frankly bonkers. Shes a trained physiotherapist and expert in Norwegian folk tales who chose to give up the title of Her Royal Highness and begin paying taxes so she could start her own business. Said business involves communicating with angels. Yup. In 2007, Martha Louise announced plans for a new alternative therapy centre, Astarte Education, where students could learn to create miracles by harnessing the powers of angels. She later drew further controversy when she started palling around with clairvoyant Lisa Williams, who claims she can communicate with the dead. So, how do you top that? Well, you start dating a guy named Shaman Durek. This month, she revealed on Instagram - really the only way to do something like this - that she had found unconditional love with Durek, real name Durek Verrett. Verrett has shared similarly gushing captions on his account, including one where he claimed that his mother had predicted that he would find great love with a Norwegian woman. The Princess was allegedly his client before things turned romantic, and the pair are now organizing a tour of Norway that promise to take ticket buyers on a self-discovery into wisdoms to reveal to you your divine self-activated and how you can utilize your gift to change the world. A workshop on activating divinity is also available, which will offer tools on how to increase your awareness and guide you back to what is truest about you. Uh huh. He also teaches classes on biohacking, where you will learn the fundamentals to hack your energetic fields, hack your brain space technology, and increase your serotonin and endorphin levels and release dopamine in the brain! Shaman Durek comes with big name endorsements and his Instagram feed is full of photographs of him with big stars, including Goop mother herself, Gwyneth Paltrow. In an interview with him posted on the lifestyle website, Verrett describes his work as a no-nonsense shaman (insert laughter here). According to one piece from 2016, Verrett claimed to have rescued people from cancer, others from coma and many others, although he has since denied that he ever made such claims. The pair gave an interview to Good Morning Norway, where Verrett seemed to do most of the talking and also claimed that as a shaman he can rotate the core and electrons in atoms. Thats literally impossible, by the way, but I really shouldnt have to say that out loud. In this same interview, Martha Louise also rejected talk of relinquishing her title as princess, saying, I am a princess, Im born into it. She has drawn criticism before for the way she uses the title of princess to push her business and legitimize the highly questionable promises she makes, and Im not sure you can get more commercially shameless than shilling a workshop with a romance novel style name like The Princess and the Shaman. And you thought the Windsors had drama. An Appreciation of 'Game of Thrones' | Making Sense of the Confusing Boomer Situation on NBC's 'Good Girls' Kayleigh is a features writer for Pajiba. You can follow her on Twitter or listen to her podcast, The Hollywood Read. Header Image Source: Getty Images. Iranian medical academy writes to UN about 'unjust' U.S. sanctions 05/21/19 Source: Press TV The Academy of Medical Sciences of Iran has written to the UN to complain about the illegal sanctions imposed by the US against the Iranian nation, saying the restrictive measures have adversely affected the medical treatment of Iranian patients. In a letter addressed to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, the Academy's President Alireza Marandi said that he had previously written to the world body in condemnation of the "unjust" US sanctions targeting the Iranian people. "These sanctions as mentioned in previous letters have led to many obstacles in providing all kinds of medicine and equipment needed for the medical treatment of the Iranian population," he wrote in the letter. Marandi, who formerly served as health minister, also expressed dismay that the American bans have blocked the flow of international humanitarian aid to Iran's flood-hit regions. "Unfortunately we are now facing further illegal and inhumane obstructions by The United States in its indiscriminate blocking of international aid to Iranians affected by the recent floods which have devastated large areas throughout the country," he wrote. Iranian officials have blasted the US administration for hampering shipments of relief supplies to the Iranian regions devastated by unprecedented floods caused by heavy spring rains. The medical academy official further criticized international human rights groups for keeping mum on Washington's crimes. "Unfortunately, international human rights organizations have remained consistently silent in the face of these crimes committed by the United States regime," Marandi wrote. Last year, President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled the US out of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, officially named the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and unleashed the "toughest ever" economic sanctions against Tehran. Officially, the measures exempt humanitarian goods, such as medicine and medicinal instruments. But in reality, they have had negative impacts on Iran's health sector and restricted the country's access to medical and health services. Back in March, 66 Iranian scientific medical societies wrote to the UN chief in denunciation of the "inhumane and medieval" American sanctions, which have led to "extensive shortages of life-saving medical supplies and drugs." Last November, Marandi had called on the UN to act against the incessant violation of human rights" by the United States. Related Articles: Iranians are paying for US sanctions with their health Officially, the sanctions exempt humanitarian goods, such as food, medicine and medicinal instruments. But in reality, shortages in essential goods have affected households across the country. Because of sanctions, Iran's health sector is struggling to keep up with soaring prices of medications and medical instruments, doctors tell CNN. -Tamara Qiblawi, Frederik Pleitgen and Claudia Otto, CNN 02/22/19 US economic sanctions restrict Iran's access to medical, health services: IRIMC The Islamic Republic of Iran Medical Council (IRIMC) says illegal economic sanctions imposed by the United States against Tehran have negative impacts on the country's health sector, calling for an immediate and humanitarian solution to the issue. - 11/19/18 International Community Must Establish Mechanisms to Sell Humanitarian Goods to Iran, Iranian Government Must Ensure Affordability With the full reinstatement of US sanctions on Iran on November 5, which will make financial transactions between Iranians and major economies in the world difficult and in many cases impossible, people's access to humanitarian goods such as essential food items, medicine and medical supplies in Iran could be imperiled. The Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) calls on the international community to institute transparent financial mechanisms that will ensure trade in medicines and other essential humanitarian items will continue unimpeded with Iran. - 10/23/18 New US Sanctions Will Make Iranians Sicker Sanctions against Iran are almost as old as I am. I was born in early 1980, and international sanctions against Iran began during the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s as most global and regional powers supported Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in his invasion of the country. My father was injured and exposed to chemical weapons during that war, and as a result suffered from Parkinson's disease later in life. -Fariba Pajooh - 5/16/18 The Ghana Bankers Association has called on the Judicial Service to expedite the adjudication of financial cases. According to the association, slow judicial processes have partly contributed to the High Non-Performing Loans (NPL) in the country. The Ghana Bankers Association said that one of the major factors that led to the challenges in the banking sector, which eventually led to the collapse of some nine banks in the country is the exposure of the banks to clients with high credit risk profile. It argued that some people who went for loans from banks defaulted in paying even though most of such cases were at the court. The Non-Performing Loans, as at December 2018, stood at 18 percent, which is above the international rate of 5 percent. President of the Ghana Bankers Association, Alhassan Andani said the judicial service has a huge role to play in quickly resolving financial disputes in court. We want the court to help us. I think most of it is stuck at the court and the judicial process is slow. Mr. Andani observed that the court do not appreciate the fact that the monies under dispute affect the operations of companies, hence the need to give them special attention to resolve them quickly. He stated that the association has begun processes to form clubs among the banks to monitor the activities of creditors at the same time. So when more than two banks are lending to a particular customer the banks come together to support this client. That way you are able to standardize supervision of the client, he explained. Meanwhile, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) says it would enforce the Credit Reporting provision in order to control the situation. Source: citi Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Have you ever wondered why the short stay visa application form for most European countries looks the same? Have you ever wondered why the required information in filling out the form is uniformed? Have you ever wondered why the requisite documents in applying for a short visit visa to most European countries is practically the same? Have you ever wondered why the visa fee in the Euro currency is the same across for most European countries? Have you ever wondered why the visas issued by different European countries look the same in terms of features? Have you ever wondered how one Embassy discovered you have had a refusal from the other, after getting yourself a new passport? Welcome to Schengen, where a simple agreement as well as a strict implementation regime makes all these possible. The Schengen Agreement, implemented in 1995, is a convention currently binding on 26 European states who have decided not only to eliminate internal border controls, but also define a uniform procedure for the issuance of visa to citizens of non-member states. The convention not only guarantees the operation of a single database for all its members, but also ensures that adequate cooperation between internal and immigration officers is established. Based on this convention, only ONE immigration check takes place, specifically at the very first point of entry, when accessing the Schengen area, irrespective of the number of member states you visit within the number of days the visa has been issued for, and so long as you do not exit the Schengen area within the period of validity of the visa. It is at this initial point of entry that the passport and visa are scanned to access the bio data of the passport holder, and a stamp of entry is issued in the passport. It is also at this point that immigration could deny a valid Schengen visa holder access to the Schengen area, based on several factors. The next time one would be required to submit his or her passport for checks again is at the last point of exit from the Schengen area, where a stamp of exit is issued in the passport. There are of course exceptional cases where, for security or public policy reasons, Schengen Border Codes are issued to member states to re-introduce temporal border controls at internal borders within the Schengen zone. This then means that even after being checked and cleared at the first point of entry from outside the Schengen borders, a member state could re-run a check upon arrival at its internal borders, and could also deny you access to their country. Even though the convention indicates that this exception should be used as a measure of last resort, it is interesting to note that this is a prerogative of the member states, and the European Commission cannot veto any decision taken by member states in this regard. Currently, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Austria and France have temporarily re-introduced internal border controls for varied security and public policy reasons. Because of the no checks after the very first point of entry code of the convention, all member states of the Schengen agreement must adhere to laid-down procedure and requirement for the issuance of a Schengen visa to citizens of non-member states requiring entry visa to access the Schengen area to ensure uniformity in procedure and requirement. This implies that a member state cannot unilaterally enter into an agreement with a non-member state to overrule the entire Schengen visa procedure and requirement. Malta for example therefore, having joined the Schengen convention in 2003, cannot waive visa procedure and requirement for Ghana, without consequent implications to its membership to the Schengen convention. Ghanas Ministry of Foreign Affairs has had to subsequently clarify that the Agreement on the visa waiver which was signed during the state visit applies only to holders of diplomatic and service passports on official assignment to the two countries. And this agreement would be bound by stringent rules and guidelines, even though its feasibility is still unclear in terms of flying with airlines such as Air France, KLM, TAP or even British Airways, considering the fact that there is no direct flight to Malta from Ghana. The operation of a single database set up by the convention is to ensure that personal information and bio data of any person from a non-member state accessing the Schengen area at any point in time, is captured and stored in one system the Schengen Information System (SIS) and accessible to immigration and internal security officers. This is the only way to account for and ensure security within the Schengen area. The only way these details are captured and stored in the SIS is through the visa issuance procedure. A Schengen member state could therefore not decide on its own to allow visa free entry access to citizens of non-member states, without jeopardizing the database system in place for member states, which, consequently, could have adverse effect on cooperation between internal and immigration officers, resulting in security complications. The information box at the end of the visa form provides details of how personal information is processed by authorities in the Schengen area. If you have never bothered to pay attention to the information box in the past, you are strongly advised to do so. And if you are a first time Schengen visa applicant, you must thoroughly read through the information on the processing of personal data, before filling out the visa form. Source: Miriam Edinam Appoh - The author holds an MA in Public Administration and is currently a student of European Studies at Freie Universitat Berlin, Germany 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 Suley Nyonator, a 42 year old man, has been found dead with a rice sack in his hand. Madam Janet Otubeah, a food vendor in Koforidua found the body of the deceased lying beside a motor tricycle at the Galloway traffic light and reported the situation to the police. The Deputy Eastern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Sergeant Francis Gomado, said the body was identified as Suley Nyonator. He said inspection conducted on the body revealed marks of assault on the left elbow and blood oozing from the right ear. Sergeant Gomado again said there were marks on the neck and legs of the body, suspected to have been tied up by the perpetrator of the crime. The Deputy Eastern Regional Police PRO said photographs were taken of the body and it was conveyed to the Eastern Regional Hospital morgue for autopsy and preservation. Sergeant Gomado said one suspect has been arrested and in police custody to assist in investigation. He said a rope, pieces of pvc pipes, sticks and a sack have been retained to serve as evidence. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The 54-year old man who allegedly butchered his wife to death on her way to church at Hodzo in the Ho Municipality on Thursday, is in the grips of the Ho Municipal Police Command. Members of the community, who have been on the lookout for the father of seven, arrested him when he sneaked into his house to pick some personal belongings, and handed him over to the police at Tokokoe. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Anthony Danso, Ho Municipal Police Commander, told the Ghana News Agency that the Police and the community mounted a manhunt for Emmanuel Dorfe, putting all neighboring communities on high alert for his arrest. DSP Danso added that the suspect had been transferred to the Ho Police Command for interrogation and would be processed for court whiles investigations continued. Dorfe on Thursday, May 16, was alleged to have slashed his wife Vivian Dorfe, 44, to death at Hodzo while on her way to church around 1830 hours. The Suspect allegedly laid ambush for Vivian, and fatally slashed the mother of four in the head and neck with a sharp cutlass in the full glare of their 17 year old son. Narrating the incident to reporters, Madam Helena Azameti, mother of the deceased, said for about a decade now, the couple has been having misunderstandings. She said the suspect shirked his responsibilities as a parent, resulting in the deceased reporting him to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU). Madam Azameti said their misunderstanding always resulted in the deceased being assaulted, for which reason she decided to divorce suspect. She said the couple was supposed to make an appearance at DOVVSU on Friday but the suspect claimed he would be arrested should he put in an appearance and asked for a rescheduled date, which the deceased declined. Madam Azameti said the suspect however went to DOVVSU alone on Thursday before allegedly committing the offence in the evening. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto has said the government of President Akufo-Addo is committed to the realisation of its vision of repositioning the Agriculture industry and making it attractive to people in the country as well as foreign investors in order to improve productivity, ensure food security and create jobs for the people. The Minister made the comment at the launch of the Akuapem Gold Agro Processing Ltd avocado plantation, Out- grower program and constructiom of a factory at Apedwa in the Abuakwa North District in the Eastern region under the One District/One Factory initiative. According to the Minister it is in line with the vision of the President that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has rolled out various policies such as the Planting for food and jobs and Planting for export and rural development among other policies. He said over the years the country has relied on cocoa as the main source of foreign exchange earning but government is determined to make the nation earn foreign exchange from non traditional crops like mango, coconut and oil palm among other crops. He commended Akuapem Gold Agro Processing Ltd for its bold initiative to undertake the plantation project and to construct a factory for fruit processing. Mr Albert Wilson Chairman of Akuapem Gold Agro Processing Ltd said the first phase of the company's plantation development involves 2000 acres of high breed avocado. He said 200 acres of avocado are already under cultivation with a target of covering 10 000 acres over the next five years. He said "the construction of the factory has commenced with a processing capacity of 6 to 8 tons per hour." Mr Wilson added that "the Akyem Abuakwa and Akuapem areas were chosen because they provide the most conducive climate for the project." The corporate objectives of the company he said, "fits well into the national matrix" adding that "Akuapem Gold Agro processing Ltd's vision is to develope a mixed portfolio of plantations of targeted crops including non timber forest products using an agro forestry approach in an integrated fashion." According to Mr Wilson the company's plantation and the factory being constructed will create jobs for the youth, reduce poverty in the catchment areas of its operation and offer training for the rural youth in agribusiness. He thanked the President Nana Akufo-Addo, the Ghana EXIM Bank, the Okyehene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panyin and the the National Coordinator of the 1D1F initiative for their immense contribution towards the realisation of the project. The Chief Executive Officer of Ghana EXIM Bank Mr Lawrence Agyinsam described the Akuapem Gold Processing Ltd as "one of the legacy factories of President Nana Akufo-Addo". He said "one of the focus areas of the Ghana EXIM Bank is to support the One District/One Factory initiative to transform Ghana's economy into an export led economy to drive sustainable development." The National Coordinator of the One District/One factory initiative, Mrs Gifty Ohene Konadu said adding value to agricultural raw material production through industrial processing is the surest way of increasing foreign exchange revenue. According to Mrs Gifty Konadu a successful implementation of the Akuapem Gold Processing Ltd plantation and factory will greatly improve the livelihood of the Out-grower farmers in the cultivation of avocado fruits. The Okyehene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panyin who chaired the function commended the President Nana Akufo-Addo for his vision of promoting industrialization in the country to create jobs for the youth. He urged all stakeholders to support Akuapem Gold Agro Processing Ltd to succeed in its operation to create jobs for the people. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video My Favorite Quotes Recent Quotes Portfolio Summary Your most recently viewed tickers will automatically show up here if you type a ticker in the Get Quotes box on the top of the page. Accra was once more inundated by a downpour which lasted a little over two hours yesterday, evoking fears about the usual casualties associated with such moments. By the time the deluge stopped at around 2pm, many parts of the city had been submerged. Circle, Odorna, Alajo, East Legon, the Alliance Francaise, Kaneshie, Mallam Junction, Darkuman Junction and many places were flooded. The traffic situation around Villagio in the general area of the residence of former President Kufuor towards Dzorwulu was unbearable for motorists. The long queue of vehicles snaked its way towards the George Bush Highway away from a flooded drainage system not far away. Most parts of the streets were deserted by pedestrians, the apprehension of flood-related incidents informing the decision by many to stay off the roads. Although there were no casualties, many are counting their losses and dreading the inconvenience associated with clearing their rooms and compounds of mud brought in by the rainwater. The floods jolted maverick politician Hassan Ayariga into the public space after a long lull when pictures of his flooded Haatso residence and his posh cars went virile on social media. His Facebook wall contained his pictures, some of them showing him in Wellington boots amidst his fleet of posh cars with the rainwater above tyre level. When DAILY GUIDE spoke to him, he claimed the water had reached his knee, adding that some Good Samaritans, who heard what had befallen him, rushed to assist him. More Rains The Ghana Meteorological Services Agency (GMA), with its enhanced forecasts, had earlier issued a weather warning but was largely ignored by residents who are not used to such advanced information. An updated forecast suggested that a downpour being experienced offshore and along the coast was expected to intensify and move inland to affect the areas north of the coastline. Residents in low lying parts of the city are being advised to take precautions against possible floods occasioned by more rains in the coming days. So far, Accra has registered about four downpours, two of them causing casualties. The first downpour, which lasted two hours, claimed five lives and some of the bodies were recovered when the rain had subsided. In yet another downpour this season, two soldiers, a husband and wife, drowned when a Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) registered pickup was swept off a bridge at Ashaiman into a river with strong currents. Flooding has become a perennial occurrence during the rainy season, with the casualties associated with it attracting public conversation. The annual desilting of the Odaw drainage, which is the major channel for rainwater from the nations capital as it heads for the Atlantic Ocean, has not done much to obviate the situation. DAILY GUIDE learnt from a source that Lagos, which shares similar weather pattern as Accra, also suffered a destructive aftermath of a downpour yesterday morning. Uprooted trees, the source said, were seen in some parts of the commercial capital of Nigeria, creating inconvenience for motorists in a city notorious for traffic congestions. The memory of the June 3 incident, which claimed 154 lives at the GOIL Filling Station, comes gushing in peoples minds in times like these. 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 Ghana National Gas Company is assuring families of the three kidnapped girls in Takoradi of government's commitment to ensure they reunite with the three missing girls. Giving the assurance during a visit to the home of the three kidnapped girls at Diabene and Kansawrodo in the Essikado Constituency in a bid to commiserate with them, the Head of Corporate Communications at Ghana National Gas Company, Ernest Owusu Bempah assured the families of the utmost concern of Ghana Gas. "I want you to know that as a company, one of our objectives is to build good relationship with residents in and around our area of operations and we are worried about these kidnappings," Mr Owusu Bempah revealed. Mr Owusu Bempah who was in the Company of Senior Manager in charge of Community Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility, Francis Ewoniah and other members of the Atuabo based gas processing company further stated that kidnappings are alien to the Ghanaian community and that President Akufo-Addo is committed to resourcing the security agencies to make sure the girls are found as a matter of urgency. "The entire presidency, our CEO and all well meaning Ghanaians are worried about the situation and it is our utmost prayer that the next time we will come here, will be the day when the girls have returned," he added. The three girls, Priscilla Blessing Bentum, Ruthlove Quayeson and Priscilla Mantsebeah Koranchie were kidnapped between August and December 2018. He urged the families to reject people who politicise the issue. The Senior Manager in charge of Community Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility, Francis Ewoniah on behalf of the Company presented an undisclosed amount of money to the families at their separate homes. The families, obviously taken aback by the kind gesture of Ghana Gas, asked the company to inform the President about the inconsistent nature of information flow from especially the police; expressing worry about the manner the case is being handled. Ghana Gas Commiserates With Families of Kidnapped Girls Ghana Gas Commiserates With Families of Kidnapped Girls Ghana Gas Commiserates With Families of Kidnapped Girls Ghana Gas Commiserates With Families of Kidnapped Girls Ghana Gas Commiserates With Families of Kidnapped Girls Ghana Gas Commiserates With Families of Kidnapped Girls Ghana Gas Commiserates With Families of Kidnapped Girls 0 Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Child Rights International (CRI), a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), has called for a multi-stakeholder approach to locate the three girls who were kidnapped in Takoradi in the Western Region. The NGO, which is committed to the promotion and protection of the rights of children, said the time has come for government to consider the situation as national crisis in order to find the girls and assuage the pain of the families. The organization is appealing to the state to involve other security institutions in other neighbouring countries since the missing girls could be anywhere and not necessary in Ghana, said Bright Appiah, Executive Director of CRI, stated. The media first broke the news about the kidnapped girls in the Takoradi metropolis last year, triggering a search for them by the police. Samuel Udoetuk Wills, a Nigerian, was arrested for allegedly kidnapping the three girls, but the police, who earlier mentioned that they had knowledge about the location of the girls, are yet to update the families and the public on the case. Addressing the media after a visit to the families of the kidnapped girls, Mr. Appiah said, The families want their children to be brought to them. All other things do not matter to them. He said the families are struggling to deal with the situation, adding, During our visit, we gathered that the mothers of the girls are developing various hearing related conditions. This is very bad for their health, and by now the state should have put measures in place to support them at least. We expect that the government would at least provide a clinic psychologist for the affected families, especially the mothers, Mr. Appiah. CRI also raised concern about the poor communication between the police and the families. According to the organization, the families are not happy with the manner in which they receive information from the police since about 90 per cent of the information comes from the media and not the liaison officer assigned to them by the police. The Police Service must also have discussions with families of the missing girls on a regular basis so that they would not feel as if they are being kept in the dark regarding the progress of the investigations, he added. 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 Renowned journalist and host of Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo', Kwami Sefa Kayi has officially written his statement to the Police following the fracas that ensued at the 20th edition of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) 2019. If you may recall, Livingstone Etse Satekla popularly known as Stonebwoy and Charles Nii Armah Mensah, also known as Shatta Wale marred the 2019 VGMA leading to the injury of some of the patrons who had gone to watch the show. Click to read Chairman General, as he is popularly called, gave first-hand information to the police since he was a co-Master of Ceremony (MC) for the show. "If I were to rule on this issue, I will let the two of them sign a bond of good behaviour for three years," Kwami Sefa Kayi, said on Monday. "Aside that", he added, "the police should revoke the license of Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale to hold a gun". Abeiku Aggrey Santana, who was presenting the award to Stonebwoy when the incident occurred is also set to write his statement. Meanwhile, Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale who were arrested on Sunday following the incident have been granted bail and will soon appear in court, according to a statement from the Ghana Police Service. Wacth how the host of Peace FM's morning show Kwami Sefa Kayi gave a vivid description of what actually happened on stage during the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards on Saturday; an event he co-emceed with Berla Mundi of GhOne TV. Source: Rebecca Addo Tetteh/Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Leader and Founder of the All Peoples Congress (APC) Dr. Hassan Ayariga has proposed a spot fine for people who litter around in the communities. He says such act he believes will reduce the perennial flooding in some parts f the country. Speaking on Okay FMs Ade Akye Abia programme, he added he has called the President to discuss this issue with him and he believes that the President will take immediate steps to remedy the situation. Though he blamed some technical challenges to this flooding this system, he maintained that the activities of Ghanaians are a major contributing factor to flooding in some parts of Accra especially. But if people are made to pay for spot fines when they litter around, all choked gutters and drains will cease, he added. Hassan Ayariga has had his house flooded after heavy rains in Accra on Monday. Parked cars at his residence in West Legon are stuck as frantic efforts are being put into draining the floods. The intermittent rains have also resulted in floods in some areas of the countrys capital city. Adabraka, Haatso, Ashongman and Madina are among the areas flooded by Mondays downpour. Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The National Union of Ghana Students on Monday, May 20, 2019 paid a visit to the staff and teachers of Ampeyoo-Kurofrom D/A JHS, the School that got burnt on Thursday, May 16, 2019 in the Atiwma Kwanwoma District, Ashanti Region. The union sympathized with the staff and students of the school. Circumstances that led to the fire outbreak was not made known to the union because there has not been any report from the Ghana Fire Service yet. NUGS commended the schools headmistress, Madame Joyce Osei Manu and staff of Ampabame R/C JHS for the swift action taken to get the students back to the classroom to prepare the final year students for their Basic Education Certificate Examination (B.E.C.E). NUGS also met with the students and admonished them not to be psychologically affected by the unfortunate incident which has caused change in location of their studies and as they were encouraged to take this as an opportunity to make history in their upcoming examination. In order to build their psychology towards their B.E.C.E, NUGS promised the 92 students preparing to sit for the examination a mathematical Set each to aid their preparations and to ensure they succeed in their examination. NUGS again met with the DCE of the district in which the school got burnt, Hon. Nana Okyere-Tawia Antwi to introduce the leadership of the Union and also to admonish his outfit to help speed up in renovating the structure for the benefit of students and teachers. NUGS is committed to fighting for the welfare of Ghanaian students in the capacity as the mother body of students of Ghana. Source: NUGS Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Residents of Dakpema, a suburb of the Tamale metropolis, have demonstrated against the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL). Holding plakcards with for red arm bands hit the streets to register their displeasure over the lack of access to potable water. According to them, since December last year, there has not been water flowing in the area. This according to residents, has forced them to spend huge sums of money in buying water from tankers. The lack of potable water they assert, was also causing the spread of communicable diseases. Some residents who spoke to DGN Online, lamented greatly about the lack of potable water. They indicated that the various communities had to depend on a dam which have finally dried up. Most businesses which depended on water for their day to day activities have had to close down as a result. 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 studied growth of women development across Africa in recent times could be widely attributed to the commitment of some women to identifying and taking up opportunities which add professional value to themselves and their businesses. It is encouraging to note that the major focus for most African women in business has been to explore ventures and opportunities to grow their business regardless of its size. Making women the ideal choice as better managers of businesses. The conscious commitment by women to improve on their businesses through networking and identifying opportunities and strategies have seen an immense turn around in the socio-economic growth of women. These remarks were in response to an invitation to Ghanaian lawyer Mrs. Elsie Apau-Klu as a key guest speaker for these years Women Empowerments Breakfast 2019 with Mrs. Folorunso Alakija in Florida USA. Ahead of the summit, Ghanaian lawyer Mrs. Elsie Apau-Klu described the forum as one of the many opportunities the African woman has to engage each other to network and create solid opportunities to advance their businesses. According to Mrs. Apau-Klu, the major challenge most businesswomen face in Africa is the lack and ability to network strategically and effectively to grow their sector. one of our major challenges in Africa as women is the lack and will to network, identify practical opportunities which has the ability to grow ourselves. The African woman is evolving, and this message should be sent across. There are existing opportunities we can tap into, let us learn to support our own, make use of opportunities, as women we make better managers when we are in charge she added. The 2019 edition of the Women Empowerments Breakfast 2019 with Mrs. Folorunso Alakija will be held in Florida, USA from the 23rd to 26th of June 2019. The forum brings together over 13 speakers across the globe including former president of Malawi, Her Excellency Joyce Banda, former Florida Palm Beach Mayor, Priscilla Taylor among other speakers. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), has commenced what it describes as a transparent exercise to re-allocate stores in the newly-constructed Kejetia market. This followed the completion of the Kejetia market project, started about five years ago, to give the busy business hub in the heart of the city, an expansion and facelift. Mr. Osei Assibey-Antwi, the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), told a stakeholders meeting in Kumasi that priority would be given to former Kejetia terminal traders, who had to relocate to other satellite markets, to pave way for the project. Managers of the facility are bent on ensuring that only those who qualified to be given the stores, are given what is rightly theirs, he emphasized. He said they had throughout the exercise demonstrated transparency, stressing that, under no circumstance would they compromise on their terms of reference in relation to their duties. The meeting, held under the auspices of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), was aimed at briefing traders on the payment modalities of the stores and progress of the allocation exercise. The facility, which forms the first phase of the multi-million dollar Kejetia/Kumasi Central Market Redevelopment Project, consists of 8, 420 leasable commercial spaces. This comprised of 6, 490 lockable stores, 1, 420 counter stores and 60 food courts. Other key facilities include a public transport terminal, prayer room, bank agencies as well as fire and police stations. A post office, creche, fuel and gas storage tanks, waste separation dock and sewage treatment station, are the other facilities in the extremely large structure, touted as an architectural masterpiece. The beautiful edifice is meant to address the perennial fire outbreaks and congestion at the Central Market, viewed by many as the largest open space market in the West African sub-region. Owing to its strategic location, thousands of traders from neighbouring countries, including Burkina Faso, Togo, Cote dIvoire, Mali, Niger and Nigeria throng the Market on daily basis to do business. Mr. Assibey-Antwi announced the completion of the first phase of a verification exercise, which helped to trace the eligible owners of about 30, 000 traders. He warned the traders not to pay monies to any individual with the intent of facilitating the acquisition of the stores. The MCE was emphatic that the mode of payment and related issues were being facilitated by the Fidelity Bank Limited, and that, the Bank had been mandated to pay the premium on behalf of traders, who could not mobilize the amount to pay the initial premium. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Aviation Minister has blamed Amalgamated Design Consultants, for the recent flooding of the newly constructed Kotoka International Airport Terminal 3. Joseph Kofi Adda told Joy Business that they have noticed provisions for drains that have not made enough openings to take the water coming from the air side, into the drain just before the Terminal building. His comments follow videos circulating on social media of the portions of the tarmac and arrival areas of the Terminal, being flooded after over two hours downpour on Monday. In September 2018, the KIA inaugurated its new Terminal 3 to the admiration of Ghanaians and other travellers alike. Videos of the $250 million facility immediately went viral with some Nigerian celebrities saying the T3 is not just a thing of beauty but a potential tourism booster. However, the new T3 undertaken by Turkish company Mapa Construction MNG Holding, has been flooded after heavy downpour since it was inaugurated last year. Speaking to Joy Business Tuesday, the Minister assured that his office is working with the management of the Ghana Airports Company Limited to deal with the situation. The Ghana Airports Company Managing Director with the consultants are meeting to see how to redesign and configure the Terminal. It should be taken care of by Mapa Construction MNG Holding and the consultants have to be responsible for that. Fortunately, we are still within the first liability period so the construction company is responsible for the costs, he said. VIDEO- Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video On May 10, 2019, Breitling introduced a limited-edition model to commemorate its partnership with Ocean Conservancy. The launch, which was held in Bali in cooperation with Ocean Conservancy, was part of a beach cleanup initiative with 100 Breitling guests and hundreds of volunteers from Bali and the surrounding region. The cleanup effort resulted in hundreds of kilograms of trash and plastic being removed from the beach. On hand to support the cleanup were the members of Breitlings Surfers Squad. Kelly Slater and the two Australians Sally Fitzgibbons and Stephanie Gilmore, who contributed their efforts to their first shared mission as part of Breitlings squad. Breitling I always say and I believe that I can speak on behalf of the entire Surfers Squad that beaches are, in effect, our offices , said Kelly Slater, arguably the most successful surfer of all time. What we have seen here and on beaches and in oceans around the world is shocking, and I would like to thank Breitling and Ocean Conservancy for their shared fight against plastic pollution. Everyone can contribute to a cleaner environment for ourselves and for future generations. Breitling CEO Georges Kern emphasized the importance of Breitling supporting Ocean Conservancy to raise global awareness of its missions and conservation initiatives. He said: This cleanup initiative in Bali underscored the power of our partnership with Ocean Conservancy. With the launch of this first great watch, we want to add a meaningful and credible element to our partnership and its global projects. Janis Searles Jones, CEO of Ocean Conservancy, shares Georges Kerns enthusiasm for her foundations partnership with Breitling. We are thrilled that this partnership contributes to our important work to keep plastic and trash out of our oceans, she said. Superocean Heritage Ocean Conservancy Limited Edition Breitling The Superocean Heritage Ocean Conservancy Limited Edition is distinguished by a caseback engraved with the Ocean Conservancy logo and the limited edition 1 OF 1000. The 44-millimeter stainless-steel chronograph, which is powered by a Breitling Caliber 13 mechanical movement, features an ultra-hard scratch - and shock-resistant unidirectional rotating bezel. The luminescent central dot at 12 oclock, a particularly useful feature for divers, as well as the minute and hour hands, are coated with blue Super-LumiNova. This color complements the design of the watch, whose silver-colored dial is enhanced by a blue Superocean inscription. There are also blue accents and a blue central second hand as well as tone-on-tone subdials with blue or nickel-plated accents. Breitling The Superocean Heritage Ocean Conservancy Limited Edition is presented with a pair of NATO straps made of ECONYL yarn, an innovative material repurposed from nylon waste, one source of which is fishing nets from oceans around the world. The straps are extremely durable, and the ECONYL yarn material can be recycled indefinitely. The first satin NATO strap is blue-striped, the second plain blue. The packaging is also made from 100% recycled material. A portion of the sales of the watch will be donated to Ocean Conservancy and its global fight against ocean pollution. GOVERNMENT HAS urged all well-meaning Ghanaians to discourage attempts by any group or political party to bastardize the Electoral Commission (EC). Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, made the call on Monday, May 20, in Accra. His call was in response to recent claims made by former President John Mahama that the 2016 Presidential election was rigged in favor of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP). Mr. Mahama earlier on Monday, May 20, 2019, in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM, observed that the posturing of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC), Jean Mensa, does not indicate that she would be neutral in the 2020 polls. The Presidential candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress says Mrs Mensa has acted in ways that suggest that representatives of the political parties are a disturbance to the elections management body, a situation he said was unfortunate. He says they need to prove us wrong. We have our doubts that they can be neutral and fair The current posture and the way they are conducting things makes us doubt that they will be neutral and fair in 2020. According to him, The EC is not a secret society. It is not somebodys private closet that needs to be shut, and, [we], do not know what is going on there They should open all the process. But the Information Minister says attempts to bastardize the EC should not be encouraged. He says the EC has over the years come under attack from opposition parties but has lived up to the task. According to him, anyone who feel aggrieved by the actions or inactions of the EC must go through court system and not to bastardize the Commission. 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 A memorial mass marking the fifth anniversary of the demise of Paul Victor Obeng has been organised at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Tema Community Two. Former President Jerry John Rawlings, National Democratic Congress (NDC) party chairman, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, and other leading members of the party were among the congregants at the memorial mass last Friday. A former Minister of State, Akwasi Oppong Fosu, in paying tribute to the former leading member of the PNDC and the NDC, said he had a generous heart, was humble and possessed a modest temperament. He said P.V. Obeng was a committed and devoted servant of God who had the ability to embrace diversity and promote inclusiveness. Speaking of the impact Obeng had on his family, friends and colleagues, Oppong Fosu said, Those we love and cherish never die because they live in our hearts. Widow of Mr Obeng, Mrs Rose Obeng thanked all who had in diverse ways assisted the family to overcome the loss of their loved one. She disclosed that a foundation would be established before the end of the year in memory of the legacy of P.V. Obeng. She also said plans were afoot to beautify the Tema Community Two roundabout named after Mr Obeng. The memorial mass was led by Very Reverend Father John Amoah. 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 Delegates of the Bono East New Patriotic Party (NPP) have successfully elected their regional executives at a special delegates congress held at Jema in the Kintampo South District. The highly competitive election saw 33 candidates vying for the eight positions at stake. There was however no contest for the regional chairman and Nasara Coordinator positions since Mr Thomas Adu Appiah and Alhaji Adamu Mohammed who were the respective Chairman and Nasara Coordinator for the erstwhile Brong Ahafo Region constitutionally occupied those two positions. The First Vice chairman race was between four stalwarts of the party but Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed emerged the winner with 110 votes as against his closest contender, Stephen Appiagyei Donkor, who had 67 votes. Nana Sekyere Boateng, a private legal practitioner, won the Second Vice Chairman position with 82 votes, beating three others in the race while David Boakye also polled 117 votes to become the regional secretary. Seidu Mahama garnered 68 votes in the closely contested Assistant Secretary position by beating three others while Musah Suleimana was voted as the regional organiser with Daniel Owiredu beating five others to become the Regional Youth Organiser. While Madam Sophia Danso beat three others with 80 votes to get elected as the Regional Women's Organiser, Madam Martha Baffo Boahemaa got 129 votes to beat her only contender, Amo Berma Suleimana who had 57 votes, to become the regional treasurer of the party. True reflection Speaking after the election, the Bono East Regional Chairman of the party, Mr Thomas Adu Appiah, described the results as a true reflection of the expectation of the rank and file of the party. "The delegates have elected credible, competent and committed members of the party who have served the party at the constituency level over the years", he stated. A Deputy General Secretary of the party, Nana Obiri Boahen, commended the delegates for their comportment during the exercise. He appealed to the losing candidates to consider the exercise as a family affair and support the elected executives to win seats being occupied by the NDC in the region during the 2020 general election. Ahafo Region Meanwhile, delegates of the party in the Ahafo Region elected Mr Francis Osei, popularly called Chairman Jerry, as the Regional Chairman while Mr Gausu Mohammed was elected as the Regional Secretary. Mr David Adu Boateng got the nod to become the Regional Youth Organiser while Madam Adwoa Fosu got elected as the Regional Women's Organiser. 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 Local government workers have been charged to execute their responsibilities devoid of partisan politics since they are not politicians. According to the Bono Regional Minister, Mrs Evelyn Ama Kumi-Richardson it was not right for local government workers to sabotage policies and programmes of the government of the day but rather support it to achieve such policies and programmes. Addressing staff of the Wenchi Municipal Assembly as part of her familiarisation tour of the region, Mrs Kumi-Richardson said as implementors of governments policies and programmes it was important for them to shelve their political affiliation and support the government to execute its ideas, policies and programmes for the development of the country. "Local government workers are not politicians, so I entreat you to execute your responsibilities devoid of partisan politics", she stated. Tree Crop Development Board Responding to an appeal by the Queenmother of the Wenchi Traditional Area, Nana Atoa Sramangyedua, the Deputy Bono Regional Minister, Mr Siaka Stevens who accompanied the minister on her tour restated governments commitment to establish the Tree Crop Development Board to regulate activities of tree crops such as coconut, shea nut, cashew nut and palm nut trees in the country. Even though the government assured Ghanaians, especially cashew growing districts of the establishment of a cashew development board, but the President realised that cash crops such as coconut, shea nut and oil palm needed to be considered and thus put them together under one board he explained. Nana Sramangyedua also expressed concern about the rather low producer price of raw cashew nuts explaining that its price had slumped from GH1,000 per 100 kilogramme in 2018 to GH100 in 2019 and appealed to the government to set a regulatory body to ensure the proper management of the industry. Upgrading She again called on the government to consider transforming the Wenchi Farm Institute into a University of Agriculture to train different field experts in agriculture. According to her, the poor state of the institute called for swift measures to save it from collapsing. Nana Sramangyedua also called on the government to revamp the Wenchi Tomacan Factory, which had been shut down for years, for the processing of raw tomatoes and cashew, explaining that raw tomatoes and cashew nuts were going waste due to the absence of these factories in the area. She said the youth in the area had lost their jobs as a result of the shutdown of the Wenchi Tomacan Factory and appealed to the government to institute measures for the reopening of the factory. Assurance Mr Stevens gave the assurance that when Parliament resumed, it would consider the bill to establish the tree crop development board and encouraged farmers who were into the production of such crops not to lose hope since plans were advanced in the establishment of a board. He explained that the board would help to determine the price of the commodities and the prospective buyers among others. Chieftaincy disputes At Odumase in the Sunyani West District, Mrs Kumi-Richardson addressed chiefs and staff of the Sunyani West District Assembly and called on the Bono Regional House of Chiefs to work hard to solve the nine disputes pending before the house. She said the government was ready to provide logistics and security to help the house address the nine outstanding chieftaincy cases since peace was a requisite to development and pledged the governments support to the various traditional authorities . The minister and her deputy also interacted with the staff of the Sunyani Municipal Assembly and inspected various projects embarked upon by the various Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs). The Queen mother of Odumase Number 1, Nana Abena Boatemaa II appealed to the regional minister to ensure that the Kwatire Polyclinic was upgraded to a district hospital for quality health delivery. She also called on the minister to lobby for the upgrade of the Sunyani West District Assembly to a municipal status to promote development. 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 President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Tuesday, 21st May, 2019, gave assent to Right to Information Act, at a brief event at Jubilee House, the seat of the nations presidency. In his remarks, before giving assent to the Act, President Akufo-Addo expressed his satisfaction that the passing of the Act came into effect during his time as President, and in the time of the 7th Parliament. I want to congratulate the 7th Parliament for its courage, sense of responsibility and commitment to good governance in passing this significant piece of legislation, the President added. The purposes of the Act, as set out in its Preamble, is to provide for the implementation of the constitutional right to information held by any public institution, and to foster a culture of transparency and accountability in public affairs. This, in the view, of President should enhance the quality of governance of our country, and provide a critical tool in the fight against corruption in public life. With Parliament having provided that Act comes into effect in the next financial year, i.e. January 2020, because of the financial consequences in the implementation of the law, the President stated that this is to give the public treasury the opportunity to make the necessary allocations to enable the Act to be effective. I am very happy that this law has finally been passed, and I did make the commitment that, when it was brought to me, I would give my assent to it right away. It was, in fact, brought to me yesterday afternoon, the President said. He continued, But, on second thought, I felt that I should sign it in the plain view of the Ghanaian people, for you to know that this long-winding parliamentary process has finally come to an end. 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 leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the Electoral Commission of unfair tactics in the limited registration exercise which is set to begin June 7. According to the opposition party, they have not concluded discussions at IPAC meetings with the EC on the limited registration exercise, so they are surprised the electoral body has decided to carry out the registration exercise. Speaking on Okay FMs 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu Nketia explained that the Electoral Commission has taken the law into their own hands and are doing things their way. "....i fear some people may take the electoral processes to court to challenge the actions of the Electoral Commission.... "....if Ghanaians do not rise up against the ECs behavior, the country may be thrown into a state of anarchy ahead of the 2020 elections," he added. The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced that it will compromise and conduct the limited voter registration exercise in selected difficult areas in addition to its district offices. The exercise, which is to take place between Friday, June 7 and Thursday, June 27 2019, was initially planned to happen only at the district offices of the Electoral Commission. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) resisted the initial plan going as far as accusing the EC of scheming to disenfranchise voters. The NDC wanted the EC to decentralize the exercise up to the electoral area levels instead of just the 260 districts offices. 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 Minister for Information and Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayerebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has asked the opposition NDC to go to court if they have challenges with the Electoral Commission. He says it will be "better to do that than to publicly denigrate" the Electoral Commission. Speaking on Okay FMs 'Ade Akye Abia', programme, he explained that the Electoral Commission is an independent body recognized by international bodies so publicly declaring that the Commission is biased with no evidence has no basis. He therefore asked Ghanaians to "reject attempts by any group or political party to bastardize the Electoral Commission". He added that he believes the Electoral Commission has no intention to rig the 2020 elections to favour any party especially the ruling government. Former President John Mahama has cast doubts over the Electoral Commissions (EC) ability to conduct neutral general elections in 2020. Ahead of the election, Mr. Mahama said the EC needed to prove doubters wrong. They need to prove us wrong. We have our doubts that they can be neutral and fair . . . the current posture and the way they are conducting things makes us doubt that they will be neutral and fair in 2020. Mr. Mahama also expressed concern over the lack of transparency and consultation from the Commission. The EC is not a secret society. It is not somebodys private closet that needs to be shut and us not know what is going on there . . . they should open all the process., he said. When the EC starts behaving like the representatives of political parties are a nuisance [to the commission] . . . then this affects the trust and confidence the people have in the EC [which is supposed to be] a neutral arbiter, the former President added. Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Tuesday, 21st May, 2019, inspected ongoing dredging works on the Odaw river, and the construction of a Storm Drain at Kaneshie 1st Light, in Accra. Accompanied by the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Hon. Ishmael Ashitey; Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Hon, Cecilia Abena Dapaah; Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Hajia Alima Mahama; and the Mayor for Accra, Mohammed Adjei Sowah, President Akufo-Addos first port of call was the Kwame Nkrumah Circle. The site engineer on site, Mr. Wise Ametefe, told President Akufo-Addo that the dredging works currently ongoing are not limited to the Odaw River only, but to the Korle Lagoon and to the estuary. Upon completion of the project, the site engineer stated that a number of recreational facilities will be constructed on the site of the Odaw River, as part of the Lower Korle Lagoon Redevelopment Project, and urged residents living around the River to desist from throwing refuse into the river, as it has made the process dredging quite difficult. Mr. Wise Ametefe indicated further that dredging works will be done at Caprice, Avenor, and Agbogbloshie, all in Accra, and in the Korle Lagoon as well. The site engineer assured President Akufo-Addo that the dredging of the Odaw River will be completed in 18 days time, to which the President retorted, I will come back in 18 days to check. At Kaneshie 1st Light junction, where an emergency priority storm drain is being constructed, the project manager, Mr. George Asiedu, told the President that the 630-metre-long storm drain will help end the perennial flooding that occurs in Kaneshie and its environs. It is heartwarming to note that, after Mondays heavy downpour, there was no flooding at Kaneshie and its environs, even though the work has not been completed. Indeed, the project should have been completed by 15th April, but it is now set to be completed in June this year, Mr. Asiedu added. Currently, there are some twenty-one (21) dredging and desilting works currently ongoing in Greater Accra. These include works ongoing at South Kaneshie, Sukura-Mampon, Mataheko, Kaneshie Highway, St Marys at Korle Gonno, Calypso Drain at Kpone Katamanso, Awudome, Kwashie Bu, Bale Down Stream, Castle Drain at Klottey Lagoon and Agbogbloshie. The rest are at Avenor (Kofi Krom), North Kaneshie (CMB Flats), Amasaman Market Drain, Dansoman (Ave Maria), Opete Kwei (Pambros), Chemu Channel, Tetegu, SCC Junction, Muss (Ofankor), and Shiabu-Glefe. Additionally, there are 11 storm drains currently under construction at Odawna, Abeka, First Light (Kaneshie), Madina Maye Hot, Gbawe Drain, Awoshie Mangoase, Sukura Mampon, Haatso, Morton International School, Awudome Down Stream, and North Industrial Area. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Philadelphia Police in the United States of America has released a video of how Ghanaian US-based, Nana Opoku popularly known as Junior US was set up and murdered in cold blood. Junior US, 33, was murdered on April 18, 2019, in his apartment by two unknown men all orchestrated by the 3 black females who after the murder drove in the same car with the killers. According to the Philadelphia Police, anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects will be reward with a colossal amount of US$20,000. Below are the descriptions of the suspects by the Philadelphia Police; Two black males, both with medium builds, dark complexions and wearing black, hooded sweatshirts. Female #1: Back female, early-to-mid 20 years-of-age, thin build, dark complexion, long hair, dressed in a white short-sleeved shirt and white pants. Female #2: Black female, early 2 years-of-age, medium build, brown complexion, long hair, black stylized T-shirt, blue jeans. Female #3: Black female, early 20 years-of-age, brown complexion, shoulder-length hair, wearing a light-colored sundress. All of the above suspects fled the scene in a gray Chevrolet Malibu. Watch the video below. 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 two rival dancehall artistes Charles Nii Armah Mensah, also known as Shatta Wale, and Livingston Etse Satekla, whose stage name is Stonebwoy, who were arrested for causing chaos on stage during the 20th edition of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards last Saturday will be put before a court today. They have provisionally been charged with three counts: offensive conduct, acts tending to disturb public peace and unlawful display of firearms in a public place. The two popular musicians were arrested on Sunday and denied bail until Monday evening when they were granted bail. The Greater Accra Regional Police Command said the two would be arraigned in Accra today. Shattas Gun Police sources say Shatta Wale had a gun on him during the scuffle but did not brandish the weapon like Stonebwoy. The police have since retrieved both guns. The source said Stonebwoy, in his caution statement, admitted that the gun was licenced. He was then asked to produce documents to back his point, the source said. Stonebwoys House The police then took Stonebwoy to his residence at Ashaiman, near Tema, to conduct a search. The police are also said to be on the heels of the man who reportedly handed over the gun to Stonebwoy on stage. Shatta Angle Around 11 am yesterday, Shatta Wale was brought to the Regional Police Command in the company of his lawyer to give his statement. He was said to have been detained at the Ministries Police Station after the incident even though others claimed he was held at the Tesano Police Station. Stonebwoy was also believed to have been held at the Dansoman Police Station. Shatta sat quietly as his lawyer moved from one office to another to secure his release at the Regional Police Command yesterday. Meanwhile, another suspect in the matter called Nii Amoo, who was arrested for allegedly discharging pepper spray during the chaos, was still in police custody yesterday. VGMA Violence It was an exhibition of sheer lawlessness on Saturday night when Stonebwoy pulled a gun on stage after Shatta Wale and his entourage charged on him. Stonebwoy, with his army called Bhim Nation, and Shatta Wale with his militants called Shatta Movement or SM for Life, engaged in fisticuffs on open stage during the VGMA ceremony, which was telecast live on TV3 and DSTV to more than 43 countries. Some music-loving fans and other patrons were said to have sustained injuries in the ensuing melee. The Genesis The pandemonium started after Abeiku Santana was called up stage to present an award to the Songwriter of the Year. After introducing himself, Abeiku then notified the audience that he was on stage to rather present the award for Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year, which was won by Stonebwoy. While going on stage to pick his award, Stonebwoy showed gestures to the TV cameras and allegedly to Shatta Wale to literally prove that he had won that category over him for five times. Shatta Wale and his militants then rushed onto the stage when Stonebwoy was about to give his acceptance speech for winning the category. Stonebwoys manager, Blakk Cedi, was seen preventing Shattas crew from getting to Stonebwoy, who then pulled a gun to also protect himself from possible attacks. Shattas Antics Strangely, before Stonebwoy was declared winner of the reggae/dancehall artiste of the year, Shatta had won two awards but in all of those, he sent representatives to pick them for him. It was, therefore, bizarre that Shatta and his militants could move menacingly on stage when he was not the recipient of the award, making the audience believe he was going there to cause trouble. Incompetent Charterhouse Some of his followers are claiming he wanted to go on stage to congratulate his fiercest rival Stonebwoy, but many people are blaming Charterhouse, the organisers of the VGMA, for the incompetent manner in which it handled the entire event. Police Statement The Accra Regional Police Command later released a statement condemning the act. The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Accra Regional Police Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Effia Tenge confirmed the arrests of the two key personalities. Preliminary investigation, however, reveals that the disturbance occurred after Livingston Etse Satekla @ Stonebwoy was declared winner of the Reggae Dancehall Artiste of the Year Award and had mounted the stage to receive his award. Charles Nii Armah Mensah @ Shatta Wale also moved on stage uninvited, provoking a scuffle between them and their supporters, it said. The event organisers and all suspects are cooperating with the police and those found culpable will be arraigned in due time, it added. 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 Judicial sources affirmed on Monday that the Egyptian prosecutor-generals office has issued a decision to release a number of detainees accused of joining a banned group, disrupting public peace and security and spreading false news. The detainees include former diplomat Maasoum Marzouk, economic researcher Raed Salama, academic and geologist Yahya El-Qazzaz and political activist Nermin Hussein. An official security source said that the decision comes in response to pleas by right groups and families of the detainees calling for their release after coordination between security services and the prosecution, which has acquitted the defendants of the charges against them. The source indicated that the detainees will be released within hours. Search Keywords: Short link: Organisers of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA), Charterhouse Productions, have apologised to the patrons and millions of viewers of television and social media in Ghana and all others over the world for the security breach that marred the event in the wee hours of Sunday at the premises of the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC). A statement signed by its Head of Communication, George Quaye, said Charterhouse has taken serious exception to the incident which happened at the award and would ensure that the needed sanctions are applied. The organisation also apologised to the main sponsor of the event, Vodafone, as well as other sponsors and partners such as Media General, YFM, Multichoice and other international representatives from BET International, Afro Zons and MTV Base. Again, it apologised to the Barbara Oteng Gyasi (Minister for Tourism, Arts & Culture), Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey (Minister for Foreign Affairs), George Andah (Deputy Minister for Communications) and other important government officials and diplomats present at the event. The organisers also apologised to the international visitors, which include the CEO of Mobo Awards UK, Kanya King CBE representatives from Sony Music, Mr. Ben Oldfield from The Orchard, Phil Phillips, Alison Hinds and other representatives of the Barbados Ministry of Tourism & Creative Economy, who were present at the event. Vodafone, title sponsor of VGMA, in its statement has also said it would continue to support the music industry despite a scuffle between the two rival artistes. The telecommunication giant added that although the scuffle which ensued on stage is regrettable, it acknowledges that a large number of players in the industry do not subscribe to such conduct. For now, our passion for music and for the industry remains solid. We look forward to an exciting future for the industry, statement said. For now, our passion for music and for the industry remains solid. We look forward to an exciting future for the industry, it further added. Stonebwoy has also apologised for his actions which brought some form of eruption at the show. In his statement, he admitted that he is partly to be blamed for the confrontation with Shatta Wale. He, therefore, expressed regret at the incident which led to a hold-up at Ghana musics biggest night. The Burniton Music Group artiste also tried to defend his actions, as he blamed fellow dancehall artiste Shatta Wale for starting the feud. He explained that he has been a victim of incessant vilification and physical attacks in recent times. All the statements followed the unfortunate brawl which happened at the just-ended VGMA event held at the AICC Dome, which is being condemned by most Ghanaians. The incident occurred after Shatta Wale walked up on stage when Stonebwoy was about giving his acceptance speech for winning reggae/dancehall artiste of the year. 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 Private legal practitioner, Nkrabea Effah Dartey has stated empathically that self-acclaimed dancehall artiste, Shatta Wale has done nothing for mounting last Saturdays Vodafone Ghana Music Awards [VGMA] stage uninvited. He explained that, Shatta Wales intention to have walked to the stage might be 'clear' unless otherwise. I dont want to give much details to help Shattas lawyers to defend him in court. But he did nothing wrong, he said in an interview with NEAT FMs morning show Ghana Montie. The scuffle on the stage last Saturday has been a subject of many conversations in the country as it has been widely reported in local and international media. While Stonebwoy was up the VGMA stage taking his award, Shatta Wale, his rival was seen moving towards the stage with a host of others presumed to be his fans. The security on stage provided cover for Stonebwoy and the few others already up the stage but Stonebwoys Manager allegedly engaged in fisticuffs with a member of the team moving with Shatta Wale. The incident degenerated into pandemonium with an unknown person spraying pepper into the crowd. Stonebwoy also pulled out a gun in the process but there was no sound of a gun fire. Both artistes have been provisionally charged for offensive conduct, an act tending to disturb public peace and unlawful display of firearm in the public place. 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 We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form In this 2009 file photo, sergeant-at-arms Gary Lenz carries the mace and is followed by then-Speaker of the house Bill Barisoff at the opening of a special session of the legislature. Gavin Bryars ' chamber opera Marilyn Forever will receive its UK premiere on Wednesday 22 May 2019 in the Oxford Contemporary Opera Society's inaugural production at the Jacqueline du Pre Music Building, University of Oxford with further performances on 24 & 25 May 2019. The opera will be directed by Zerlina Vulliamy (founder of the Oxford Contemporary Opera Society and a music student at Exeter College), and conducted by Charlotte Corderoy (a music student at Hereford College). Bryars' opera, with a libretto by Marilyn Bowering, was premiered in Canada in 2013. It focuses on the actress's last hours, examinining her relationship to love, death and ambition. Since the premiere there have been productions of the opera in Adelaide, Australia (2015) and by Long Beach Opera, California (205).The Oxford Contemporary Opera Society was founded in 2018 by Zerlina Vulliamy with the objective to perform more contemporary opera in Oxford, as well as encouraging students to have greater interaction with opera.Full details from the venue's website ASU receives the first extraterrestrial mud ball in 50 years On April 23 at 9:09 p.m. local time, residents of Aguas Zarcas, a small town in Costa Rica, saw a large 'fireball' in the sky. The reported fireball was a meteor about the size of a washing machine. As it entered Earth's atmosphere, it broke apart and rained hundreds of meteorites in and around the small Costa Rican town, including a two-pound rock that crashed through the roof of a local house, smashing the dining room table below. While meteorite falls happen around the world on a regular basis, early reports indicated that this meteorite belongs to a special group called 'carbonaceous chondrites' that are rich in organic compounds and full of water. "Many carbonaceous chondrites are mud balls that are between 80 and 95% clay," says Laurence Garvie, who is a research professor in the School of Earth and Space Exploration and a curator for ASU's Center for Meteorite Studies. "Clays are important because water is an integral part of their structure." From these early reports, the race was on to collect samples and bring them back to labs around the world for scientific analysis. "These had to be collected quickly and before they got rained on," explains Garvie. "Because they are mostly clay, as soon as these types of meteorites get wet, they fall apart." Fortunately, meteorite collectors had five rain-free days in the region to collect samples from the fall. About 55 pounds of meteorites (collectively the size of a large beach ball) have been recovered so far. As of last week, ASU has acquired several meteorite samples from the Aguas Zarcas fall, which were donated by meteorite collector Michael Farmer. Farmer traveled to Costa Rica immediately after the meteorite fall to purchase and collect the meteorites from residents of Aguas Zarcas. A private donor has also provided funds for ASU to purchase additional meteorite samples from this fall. ASU leads the classification of the Aguas Zarcas meteorite fall Once Garvie had the donated samples, he rushed back to the lab on ASU's Tempe Campus to run the analyses needed to determine the classification of the meteorites. He is now leading an international classification effort. "I was in the lab by five a.m. the next morning after picking up the samples to get them ready for the initial analyses" said Garvie. "Classification of new meteorites can be like a race with other institutions, and I needed ASU to be first so that we'll have the recognition of being the collection that holds and curates the type specimen material." ASU's Center for Meteorite Studies has a specialized curatorial facility for meteorites, one that rivals many other international facilities. In particular, ASU has nitrogen cabinets for storage of particularly air-sensitive meteorites where the nitrogen atmosphere preserves the meteorites and stops their degradation. "If you left this carbonaceous chondrite in the air, it would lose some of its extraterrestrial affinities," explains Garvie. "These meteorites have to be curated in a way that they can be used for current and future research, and we have that ability here at ASU." For the meteorite classification process, Garvie is working with Karen Ziegler from the Institute of Meteoritics at the University of New Mexico. In her lab, Ziegler analyzed the samples for their oxygen isotopes, which helps determine what characteristics this meteorite shares with other carbonaceous chondrites. Garvie is also working with ASU School of Molecular Sciences' professor emerita Sandra Pizzarello, an organic chemist known for her work with carbonaceous chondrite meteorites. Pizzarello's analysis is helping to determine the organic inventory of the sample, which may provide insights into whether these types of meteorites provided the ingredients for the origins of life on Earth. Ultimately, the meteorites will be approved, classified, and named by the Meteoritical Society's nomenclature committee, an international team of 12 scientists who approve all new classified meteorites. This approval is the first and most important step of an in-depth scientific analysis. Nature has said, "here you are!" Because of their water-rich composition, carbonaceous chondrites can provide insights into how we may be able to extract water from asteroids in space as a resource beyond Earth. "Having this meteorite in our lab gives us the ability, with further analysis, to ultimately develop technologies to extract water from asteroids in space," says Garvie. Garvie and his team, as well as scientists around the world, will be analyzing these meteorites, for years to come, for new insights about water extraction from meteorites as well as insights into the origins of the solar system and the organic process. "Nature has said 'here you are' and now we have to be smart enough to tease apart the individual components and understand what they are telling us," says Garvie. Carbonaceous chondrites The Costa Rican meteorite comes from an asteroid that was an early planet (planetesimal) that had water and organic materials. "It formed in an environment free of life, then was preserved in the cold and vacuum of space for 4.56 billion years, and then dropped in Costa Rica last week," explains Garvie. By happenstance, the last carbonaceous chondrites meteorite fall of this significance happened 50 years ago in 1969, and was curated by another ASU professor and founding director of ASU's Center for Meteorite Studies Carleton Moore, who is now an ASU emeritus Regents' Professor. The meteorite fell to Earth near Murchison, Australia in 1969 and is one of the most studied meteorites in the world. "Carbonaceous chondrites are relatively rare among meteorites, but are some of the most sought-after by researchers because they contain the best-preserved clues to the origin of the solar system," says Center director, Meenakshi Wadhwa. "This new meteorite represents one of the most scientifically significant additions to our wonderful collection in recent years." The other ASU connection with this recent Costa Rican meteorite fall is that the samples closely resemble what scientists are discovering on the OSIRIS-REx mission to the asteroid Bennu, on which ASU has the Phil Christensen-designed Thermal Emissions Spectrometer (OTES). This instrument is making mineral and temperature maps of the asteroid Bennu, which is thought to be composed of a remnant carbonaceous chondrite planetesimal. Sample on display and open to the public at ASU Samples from this meteorite fall, and many others, are on display for the public on the ASU Tempe Campus in the Center for Meteorite Studies collection on the second floor of the Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building IV. ### ASU's Center for Meteorite Studies is home to the world's largest university-based meteorite collection, with over 40,000 individual specimens representing more the 2,100 distinct meteorite falls and finds. The collection is actively used for geological, planetary, and space science research at ASU and throughout the world. About Arizona State University Arizona State University has developed a new model for the American Research University, creating an institution that is committed to access, excellence and impact. ASU measures itself by those it includes, not by those it excludes. As the prototype for a New American University, ASU pursues research that contributes to the public good, and ASU assumes major responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of the communities that surround it. This story has been published on: 2019-05-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. The Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit has condemned the firing of two ballistic missiles towards Mecca on Monday by Houthi militants. In statements on Tuesday, Mohamed Afifi, Aboul Gheits spokesman, said the head of the Arab League decried such terrorist acts, saying they do not only constitute a serious threat to Saudi Arabias security and stability, but also to the whole region's security, as these acts violate the sanctity of the holy places. Aboul Gheit pledged full solidarity with Saudi Arabia in the face of any attempt to undermine its stability, his spokesman said. He expressed the Arab League's support for any measures taken by the Saudi authorities to confront any threats to national interests and security. He also rejected any attempt to widen the circle of armed conflicts which Yemen has suffered from over the past years, the spokesman said. Search Keywords: Short link: If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Trial of ex-penitentiary official charged with bribery to be held in prison hospital flickr.com / sugree 13:50 21/05/2019 ST. PETERSBURG, May 21 (RAPSI, Mikhail Telekhov) Trial of ex-deputy director of the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) Nikolay Barinov charged with taking about 110 million rubles (about $2 million) in bribes during a detention center construction will be held in a prison hospital because of his poor health, his attorney Vladimir Azyazov has told RAPSI. Previously, the defendants detention was extended for 6 months, he added. The case will be heard under a special procedure without examining evidence because the defendant has signed a plea deal and has cooperated with investigators. According to investigators, between May 2007 and December 2012, Barinov acting as the FSIN deputy director and supervisor of building a detention facility in St. Petersburg, regularly received bribes from top managers of firms engaged in the construction. In particular, he promised two businessmen, Ruslan Khamkhokov and Viktor Kudrin, to assist in the execution of necessary documents on rendered services for the money reward in the amount of not less than 12% of each funds transfer of funds allocated for the work performance to the companies accounts. The construction companies heads transferred the money through ex-deputy chief of the FSIN St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region directorate Sergey Moiseyenko. Allegedly, Barinov received around 110 million rubles in total. Khamkhokov and Kudrin, who stand charged with corruption and economic crimes, as well as Moiseyenko charged with bribery and murder organization, have been earlier put in detention. Moscow court extends detention of three alleged accomplices of ex-minister Abyzov RAPSI, Oleg Sivozhelezov 18:12 21/05/2019 MOSCOW, May 21 (RAPSI) The Basmanny District Court of Moscow on Tuesday extended detention of three alleged accomplices of ex-Russian Minister for Open Government affairs Mikhail Abyzov, who stands charged with 4-billion-ruble ($62 million) embezzlement and organizing a gang, for two months, the courts spokesperson Yunona Tsareva told RAPSI. President of the Novosibirsk Regional Sambo Federation Nikolay Stepanov, board chairman of the First Construction Fund Alexander Pelipasov and Sergey Ilichev will be held in detention until July 25. According to investigators, between April 2011 and November 2014, Abyzov, the owner of several offshore companies, organized and headed a criminal group. The defendant along with his accomplices allegedly embezzled 4 billion rubles from Novosibirsk Regions Siberian Energy Company and Regional Electrical Services generation and transmission corporations and transferred the money abroad. A criminal case was opened against Abyzov on March 25. The former minister was arrested the next day. On April 3, Moscows court detained Abyzov until May 25. The defendants motion for release on a 1-billion-ruble bail ($15.5 million) was dismissed. He pleads not guilty. Also, on March 26, the court considered investigators motions to detain other alleged members of the criminal group including president of the Novosibirsk Regional Sambo Federation Nikolay Stepanov, board chairman of the First Construction Fund Alexander Pelipasov, deputy CEO of Ru-Com company Maxim Rusakov and finance director of REMIS firm Galina Fraidenberg. Ilichev, who had absconded investigators, was arrested later. A new banking bill that will be referred to the parliament soon sets new regulations for forming boards of banks working in the Egyptian market in order to promote governance in line with international standards, a source from the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) said. In statements to MENA, the source said the new draft law did not set certain number of terms for banks' officials, including the heads of the banks and board members. The regulations will be applicable to governmental and private banks. The source added that adhering to governance in banks will have a positive impact on the banking system. Earlier this week, a CBE source said the 240-article blueprint will be referred to the parliament before the end of May after the cabinet's approval. The cabinet's economic committee reviewed last week the final version of the bill in the presence of CBE governor alongside the ministers of investment, immigration, manpower, planning, planning and administrative reform, tourism, finance, trade and the public business sector. CBE Governor Tarek Amer has said earlier that drafting a new banking law falls within the framework of legislative reforms introduced by the government to cope with fast-paced global financial developments. The proposed law is meant to support the basis of the legal framework on which the central bank governance should rest, i.e. independence, accountability and transparency, Amer said, noting that it regulates cooperation among the central bank, government and authorities tasked with monitoring the financial sector. The banking draft law ensures the adoption of best global practices and laws imposed by respective supervision authorities across the world, as well as making a leap in Egypt's banking activities and subsequently realizing financial inclusion, the CBE source said. The main objectives of the law are topped by protecting the banking system during times of crisis, keeping pace with global developments, along with upgrading governance of the CBE and other banks operating in Egypt, the source noted. Redressing the cash-strapped banks alongside regulating supervision over payment services and financial technologies are among the main targets of the draft law, the source stated. While attaching special importance to major global technological developments at the economic level, the articles of the draft law outlined legal frameworks for regulating the trade of digital currencies in the country. Also, it set rules for fair competition, monopoly prevention and protection of the rights of customers in the banking sector. The source went on to say that the draft law is based on recommendations by world bankers and experts, as well as proposals submitted to the CBE by other banks and bodies concerned in this regard. Search Keywords: Short link: Russias Justice Ministry seeks to oblige unincorporated NGOs to provide actual data RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 12:39 21/05/2019 MOSCOW, May 21 (RAPSI) Russias Justice Ministry has developed a bill obliging unincorporated non-governmental associations to provide the Ministry with updated information as its notification on the launch of the development of amendments to the Federal Law Concerning Social Associations published on a website offering for public discussion draft legislation reads. The bill has been drafted in order to obtain and systemize up-to-date information on unincorporated non-governmental associations needed to protect the rights of citizens and legal persons and make their activities transparent, the document reads. The Ministry reminds that at present the law on social associations non-governmental organizations have an option to obtain the rights pertaining to legal persons via registration, or operate without registration waiving these rights. At the same time, the law prescribes that the activities of such unincorporated associations should be made public and free access should be granted to their constituent documents and policy papers. Actual and systemized data on unincorporated social associations, the Ministry notes, are needed to comply with the provisions of the law and to draft statements prohibiting the activities of such associations; these factors were behind the Ministrys drive to develop the bill. Egyptian security forces eleminated two terrorist cells simultaneously, killing 16 terrorist elements in shootouts, in Arish in North Sinai, according to an interior ministry statement released on Tuesday. The National Security Agency had detected two sites where terrorists were planning to carry out a series of attacks against vital facilities and prominent figures in different areas of Arish, the statement said. Police seized eight automatic rifles, birdshot guns, explosive devices, and an explosive belt, according to the statement. The ministry said legal procedures were immediately taken and the high state security prosecution has opened an investigation. Search Keywords: Short link: A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. *Year in, year out, the media continue to highlight the same sad story of Malaysian badminton. And for 2021, it is no different.* The above was the first... 2 days ago Former President Pranab Mukherjee (file photo) Former President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday expressed concern over reports of alleged tampering of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and said the onus of ensuring institutional integrity lay with the Election Commission of India (ECI). "They must do so and put all speculations to rest," he said in a statement. Mukherjee said the safety and security of the EVMs, which are in ECI custody at present, was the Commission's responsibility and there was no room for speculations that challenge the very basis of our democracy. "People's mandate is sacrosanct and has to be above any iota of reasonable doubt. I'm a firm believer in our institutions and my considered opinion is that it is the 'workmen' who decide how institutional 'tools' perform," his statement added. Rockville, MD -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/21/2019 -- Animal probiotics is widely accepted today, and the rapidly advancing technology related to molecular biology and gene sequencing is aiding researchers dig deep to explore novel probiotic applications for animals, such as in consumer-packaged health products and in feed for companion pets. Over time, livestock and cattle farmers have increased the adoption of animal probiotics for commercial animal feed for poultry and cattle to change the gastrointestinal flora, which continues to trigger the sales of animal probiotics, impacting the Animal Probiotics Market in a positive way. Furthermore, the growing awareness among hobbyists, cattle farmers, and pet owners, about the advantages of animal probiotics for animals' health continue to create fresh opportunities for manufacturers of animal probiotics. Request TOC of this Report- https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=T&rep_id=1067 According to Food and Agriculture Organization, probiotics showcase much better results in improving the growth rate in boilers than AGP (avilamycin) and other substitutes for AGP, such as phytochemicals. Moreover, animal probiotics has the potential to be used as substitute to antibiotic feed additives generally used to manage the enteric pathogen load in poultry, as they restrict intestinal colonization and spread of other enteric pathogens. Although prohibited in many areas, such as the EU, the sub-therapeutic use of antibiotics in animal feed is still common in the swine industry to prevent diarrhea and enhance performance, thus, the adoption of animal probiotics over AGPs to address antibiotic resistance issue could play an important role in pig production. The myriad applications of animal probiotics in wide arenas, continue to drive players in animal probiotics market to explore, grow sales, and move ahead of the competition. Probiotics are live microbial feed supplements that have beneficial effects on the host by improving the intestinal microbial balance. The usage of probiotics in animals is increasing owing to increasing commercial animal production operations that alter gastrointestinal flora, which helps improve animal health and animal productivity. Some of the major outcomes of animal probiotics include improvement in the growth of the animal, reduction in the mortality rate and improved efficiency in feed conversation. The application of animal probiotics provides an alternative strategy to the traditional practice of using therapeutic antibiotics. Animal probiotics help prevent diseases as well as enhance the growth of animals. Probiotics have been recently recognised by the World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization as products that confer health benefits to the host when administered in adequate amounts. Animal probiotics should be non-pathogenic, non-toxic and capable of benefiting the overall health of host animals. Animal probiotics promote metabolic processes of digestion and nutrient utilization, owing to which the productive performance of most animal species that consume probiotics is improved. To know more about the Animal Probiotics Market Visit the link- https://www.factmr.com/report/1067/animal-probiotics-market Increase in world population and rapid economic growth is boosting the demand for livestock products, which is putting pressure on the livestock sector to produce more with limited resources. This is driving the animal probiotics market. Animal probiotics are increasingly popular as an effective alternative to the antibiotics. The animal probiotics market is projected to grow in the forecast period owing to an increase in the demand for quality animal products. In addition, the market is also expected to grow owing to an increase in awareness among consumers about prevention in healthcare and nutrition. Increasing research and development for the development of new and effective animal probiotic products for companion as well as livestock animals by the biotechnology industry and other manufacturers is creating growth opportunities for the animal probiotics market in the near future. However, rising cost and unavailability of raw material is restraining the growth of the animal probiotics market globally. Animal Probiotics Market: Overview The global market for animal probiotics is increasing at a significant rate owing to the increasing usage of probiotics for the improvement of animal health as well as increased utilization of nutrients from the feed. Increasing community or regulatory pressure to reduce the usage of antibiotics in commercial animal production is driving the animal probiotics market. Increase in the need for natural animal feed additives for all types of animals as well as aquaculture production is boosting the animal probiotics market. Among all animal types, farm animals contribute the largest revenue share in the animal probiotics market as they are a major source of disposable income in developing and under-developed regions. Animal Probiotics Market: Regional Outlook Geographically, the global animal probiotics market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan and the Middle East & Africa (MEA). Asia Pacific is expected to be the dominant market in the global animal probiotics market owing to the presence of a large number of consumers in this region. Increasing disposable income and increased middle class population are among factors driving the Asia Pacific animal probiotics market. Europe is expected to have a second-largest share in the global animal probiotics market throughout the forecast period due to a ban on the usage of antibiotics that promote the growth of animals, which has boosted the demand for animal probiotics. Middle East and Africa accounts for significant growth owing to the increased demand for meat and meat-related products. North America accounts for moderate growth owing increasing concerns of owners regarding their animals as well as increasing awareness about healthcare. Request Brochure of this Report- https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=B&rep_id=1067 About FactMR FactMR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market insights reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports. Contact Us FactMR 11140 Rockville Pike Suite 400 Rockville, MD 20852 United States Email: sales@factmr.com Web: https://www.factmr.com/ Read Industry News at - https://www.industrynewsanalysis.com/ Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/21/2019 -- In the recent times, the global artificial intelligence chipsets market has reported a considerable upswing in its size and valuation, thanks to the continual advancements in technology. With the advent of smart devices and the high demand for latest technology, the global market is likely to remain registering a high rise over the next few years. The global artificial intelligence chipsets market is significantly driven by the augmenting need for artificial intelligence due to increasing volume of large and complex dataset. The rising uptake of artificial intelligence for improving consumer services and decreasing operational costs, increasing number of AI applications, and the enhancing power of computing and reducing cost of hardware are also supporting the global artificial intelligence market. However, the dearth of skilled workforce and the absence of standards and protocols may hamper the global market from growing smoothly in the near future. Obtain Brochure For Latest Technology Advancements @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/artificial-intelligence-chipsets-market.html The increasing focus of companies on developing human-aware artificial intelligence systems and bringing artificial intelligence to edge devices may also restrict the growth of this market over the forthcoming years. Apart from this, the low return on investments and limited structured training data are also projected to act as impeding factors for the market's growth in the years to come. Global Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Market: Regional Outlook In terms of the geography, the worldwide artificial intelligence chipsets market registers its presence mainly across North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East and Africa. The U.S. and Canada have surfaced as the key regional markets in North America. Latin America is led by Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina. China, Japan, and India acquired the leading position in Asia Pacific market for artificial intelligence chipsets and the Middle East and Africa market is dominated by GCC, North Africa, and Southern Africa. The U.K., France, and Germany are considered as the key domestic markets in Europe. Global Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Market: Competitive Analysis The global artificial intelligence chipsets market is highly competitive, thanks to the presence of a large pool of participants. Google, Samsung Electronics, Microsoft, Micron Technology, Qualcomm Technologies, Intel, Amazon Web Services (AWS), IBM, Nvidia, and Xilinx are some of the leading vendors of artificial intelligence chipsets across the world. Huawei Technologies, Mythic, Adapteva, Koniku, Mellanox Technologies, AMD, General Vision, Fujitsu, Wave Computing, Tenstorrent, and Graphcore are some other prominent players in this market. Obtain Report Details @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=44757 Highlights of the report: A complete backdrop analysis, which includes an assessment of the parent market Important changes in market dynamics Market segmentation up to the second or third level Historical, current, and projected size of the market from the standpoint of both value and volume Reporting and evaluation of recent industry developments Market shares and strategies of key players Emerging niche segments and regional markets An objective assessment of the trajectory of the market Recommendations to companies for strengthening their foothold in the market Egyptian and French naval forces carried out on Tuesday a maritime training exercise in the Mediterranean Sea, the Egyptian Armed Forces said in a statement. The drill saw the participation of French frigate SURCOUF and units from the Egyptian navy. The training comes within the framework of the Egyptian Armed Forces' efforts to bolster military relations with different countries. The training included maritime activities on how to apply sailing formations, counter hostile targets and repel non-traditional threats, as well as carrying out inspection of vessels. Search Keywords: Short link: Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/21/2019 -- Brown testliner is a 2 ply paper, which is manufactured using the chemical pulp and waste paper. It is used to make the outer layer of corrugated sheets. Owing to the properties such as recyclability, lightweight, and economic cost brown testliner has gained traction in the past few years. Brown testliner has gained significance in the packaging market owing to the wide applications that corrugated boxes have in a variety of end-use industries. Furthermore, the need for a sturdy and cost-efficient packaging solution in e-commerce shipping and transit has led to the expansion of the brown testliner market. Brown testliner provide a smooth and clean surface, which allows easy printability this makes brown testliner desirable for end-use manufacturers. They can put branding and product information on the surface of the liner; this also aids in enhancing the visual appeal of the packaged product. Direct printing on the testliner helps in reducing the expense of printing and overall packaging, which is expected to be a driving factor for the global brown testliner market. Global Brown Testliner Market: Key Players Some of the key players operating in the global brown testliner market are Smurfit Kappa Group Plc, Ranheim Paper & Board, PG Paper Company Ltd., Europac Ltd, Stora Enso Oyj, DS Smith Group plc, APV Germany GmbH, Siam Kraft Industry Co., Ltd. many local and unorganized players are expected to contribute to the global brown testliner market during the forecast period. Global Brown Testliner Market: Dynamics Brown testliner is used for manufacturing of corrugated sheets, trays, and boxes. With the increased application of corrugated boxes in a variety of end-use industries, the demand for brown testliner is expected to propel during the forecast period. Among this, the growing retail sector, more specifically, the e-commerce industry is a significant end-use industry for brown testliner globally and is expected to fuel the growth of brown testliner. Another key driver for brown testliner is their high printability coupled with their recyclability. Manufacturers prefer to use brown testliner as they are significantly cheaper than kraftliner and thus help in reducing manufacturing cost. The Detailed analysis and statistical data are given in Tabular format, Charts, and Graphs in this research report. Get PDF Sample of this study @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=56775 Despite the positive outlook, the growth of the brown testliner market might be affected adversely owing to the presence of substitutes. White testliner can be used as a replacement for brown testliner in the applications where visual appeal is a priority such as in retail display packaging which appears directly in front of the consumer. Also, white testliner ensures superior printability as compared to the conventional brown testliner. This might hamper the growth of the global brown testliner market during the forecast period. Global Brown Testliner Market: Segmentation The global brown testliner market has been segmented on the basis of substrate range, applications, and end uses On the basis of substrate range, the global brown testliner market has been segmented as follows- Up to 100 GSM 100-200 GSM 200-300 GSM Above 300 GSM On the basis of applications, the global brown testliner market has been segmented as follows- Corrugated Sheets Corrugated Trays Corrugated Boxes On the basis of end uses, the global brown testliner market has been segmented as follows- Food & Beverages Retail & E-commerce Electrical & Electronics Consumer Durables Agriculture and Allied Industries Shipping & Logistics Request Report TOC, Figures, and Tables @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=56775 Global Brown Testliner Market: Regional Outlook Geographically, the global brown testliner market has been segmented as- North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Middle East and Africa and Japan. Manufacturers in the developed countries of Europe such as Italy are cutting down prices for brown testliner. This can be attributed to the weakening demand for brown testliner as a result of good availability of other grades and basis weights. India and China in the Asia Pacific region is expected to exhibit lucrative opportunities for the growth of the brown testliner market. In the North America region, the demand for recycled brown testliner is expected to increase owing to the increasing concerns about the environment. Rockville, MD -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/28/2019 -- Realizing high stiffness and light weight in automotive headliners has become the new normal among auto component manufacturers, which has emphasized studying arrangement in thickness direction and GF content. Increasing expansivity of automotive headliner is a key agenda behind these efforts. Recently developed ultra-light material (UL grade) has enabled realization of high elastic slope, while illustrating excellent dimensional stability and moldability. Such developments have further aligned well with weight reduction focus in automotive headliner. Get Free Exclusive Sample Copy of This Report @ https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=502 Demand for automotive headliner rides the coattails of automobile manufacturers' focus on improving the marketplace competitiveness, by equipping vehicles with full range of safety devices and convenience. Rising emphasis on reducing environmental footprint has resulted in weight reduction of auto components, and headliner is no exception. Headliner substrate materials have witnessed continuous evolution over the years, for catering transforming demands of the automotive industry with regard to structural requirements, design flexibility, acoustics properties, and aesthetics. Novel composite materials have been developed for headliner using long chopped glass fiber and polypropylene, which have been formulated for meeting application needs in automotive interiors. These new composites offer reduced environmental impacts, and better end-of-life recyclability compared to polyurethane substrates. Such new developments and automotive lightweighting trends will continue to impact development and demand for headliner in the upcoming years. A composite material which is generally stick to inside area of roof of yachts or automobiles is called as headliners. Headlines are generally made of fabric with foam or nonwoven backing. The multilevel composite material used in headliners carried various functions together such as stiffness, look, sound reduction and feel, which is required in cars. Headliners are typically adjusted with the head impact counter measures. They can also assimilate extra lighting film made of LED behind the fabric. To provide soft and comfortable touch and a similar appearance, headliners are mostly made of tricot knit fabric. Due to heat and humidity, headliners can fail from the roof. This failure was common in cars which was produced in 1970s. Headliner- Drivers The use of nonwoven headliners has increased in last few years as they are very easy to handle during the process of assembling. Safety and good performance are two factors which are required while making a car or any other automotive vehicle and headliner provides these features. With the help of headliner automobile makers can make lightweight vehicles. Headliners give comfort and also offers cutting-edge insulation, resistance to water, fire, and fuel retardancy in case of extreme abrasion and temperature. Headliners can be lined, printed and coated, heat formed and are tailor-made in their operations. Owing to the various benefits that are attached to headliners and due to their skillfulness, headliners are widely used in construction and designing of various other transportation and vehicles such as spacecraft, aeroplanes, boats, satellites and trains. In short, headliners are responsible in making the vehicles attractive, sustainable, safer, cost-effective, and attractive. All these benefits which are associated with the use of headliners are fuelling the growth of headliners market. Request TOC of the Report @ https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=T&rep_id=502 Headliner- Restraints The replacement process of headliner is very lengthy which includes, removal of present headliner, removal of fabric of old headliner, fitting of headliner repair kit and then application of adhesive and reinstallation. The headliner kit is expensive. The bigger the size of the vehicle, the cost of the headliner kit increases. Regardless of the precise mode of production, an automotive headliner produced from slabstock foam suffers from the disadvantage of requiring many productions steps and resulting the in the production of relatively large amounts of scrap foam which can be difficult to discard. These are the few factors which are hampering the growth of headliner market across the globe. Headliner- Regional Outlook Asia Pacific leads the headliner market in the years to come. As there is increasing demand from China for SUVs and other premium vehicles, Asia Pacific regions is likely to develop at a very rapid rate during the projected period. In Latin America region, the sales of automotive is moderate due to slow pace of growth in Latin American countries like Mexico and Brazil. However in US the demand for SUV and premium cars is continue to grow and it will contribute to higher revenue share in the headliner market. Headliner- Key Players Adient, Lear Corporation, Heartland Automotive, IAC Group, Dienetics, Motus, Futuris Automotive, Group Antolin and Daehan Solution Alabama are some of the top manufacturers of headliners across the globe. You can Buy This Report from Here @ https://www.factmr.com/checkout/502/S This analytical research study imparts an all-inclusive assessment on the market, while propounding historical intelligence, actionable insights, and industry-validated & statistically-upheld market forecast. Verified and suitable set of assumptions and methodology has been leveraged for developing this comprehensive study. Information and analysis on key market segments incorporated in the report has been delivered in weighted chapters. A thorough analysis has been offered by the report on Market Dynamics Market Size Market Segments Demand & Supply Trends Current Issues and Challenges Companies and Competitor Landscape Value Chain Technology Regional Segments Analyzed Include North America (U.S., Canada) Latin America (Mexico. Brazil) Western Europe (Germany, Italy, France, U.K, Spain) Eastern Europe (Poland, Russia) Asia Pacific (China, India, ASEAN, Australia & New Zealand) Japan Middle East and Africa (GCC, S. Africa, N. Africa) Compilation of authentic and first-hand intelligence, insights offered in the report are based on quantitative and qualitative assessment by leading industry experts, and inputs from opinion leaders & industry participants around the value chain. Growth determinants, macroeconomic indicators, and parent market trends have been scrutinized and delivered, coupled with the market attractiveness for each market segment encompassed. Qualitative impact of growth influencers on the market segments across regions has also been mapped by the report. Highlights from the Report Elaborated scenario of the parent market Transformations in the market dynamics Detailed segmentation of the target market Historical, current and forecast market size based on value and volume Latest industry developments and trends Competition landscape Strategies adopted by the market players and product developments made Potential and niche segments, along with their regional analysis Unbiased analysis on performance of the market Up-to-date and must-have intelligence for the market players to enhance and sustain their competitiveness Read Comprehensive Overview of Report @ https://www.factmr.com/report/502/headliner-market About Fact.MR Fact.MR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports. Contact Us FactMR 11140 Rockville Pike Suite 400 Rockville, MD 20852 United States Email: sales@factmr.com Web: www.factmr.com/ Northbrook, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/21/2019 -- According to a new market research report "Citizen Services AI Market by Application (Traffic and Transportation Management, Healthcare, Public Safety, Utilities, and General Services), Technology (ML, NLP, Image Processing, and Face Recognition), and Region - Global Forecast to 2024" published by MarketsandMarkets, the Citizen Services AI Market expected to grow from USD 1.5 billion in 2019 to USD 9.7 billion by 2024, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 46.3% during the forecast period. Increased automation and agility, the need for delivering enhanced citizen experience, and increased cost savings are major growth factors for the Citizen Services AI Market. Browse in-depth TOC on "Citizen Services AI Market" 30- Tables 30- Figures 91- Pages View detailed Table of Content here @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/citizen-services-ai-market-147682438.html Growth of traffic and transportation management applications to be driven by increasing real time data from traffic signaling stations AI has beneficial applications in different areas of government, including traffic management with data collected in real time from traffic signaling stations, Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras, and other sources enabling traffic flow. Traffic management bureau can manage traffic congestions with the help of tools that use algorithms and ML techniques, in which the system analyzes large amounts of data to detect statistical patterns and develop models that can be used to make accurate predictions. Increased security capabilities result in rising popularity of face recognition technology The technology has been implemented across industries for various purposes. Face recognition solutions are being deployed to track attendance; control access to restricted areas; monitor and survey systems; identify crime suspects; detect emotions; understand customer behaviors; build strong security systems; and for gender analysis, age analysis, and identification and verification at airports, cafes, restaurants, hotels, and stadiums. North America to dominate the global Citizen Services AI Market in 2019 AI technologies such as facial recognition, automated surveillance, and mass data collection have led to their growing adoption for citizen services, eventually catering to the growing need to help citizens and offer enhanced services accordingly. As the benefits of adopting citizen services AI services are becoming more evident, more government agencies are expected to implement citizen services AI services. The US and Canada are the top countries contributing to the growth of Citizen Services AI Market in North America. The report also studies various growth strategies, such as mergers and acquisitions, partnerships and collaborations, and developments, adopted by the major players to expand their presence in the global Citizen Services AI Market. Major vendors in the global Citizen Services AI Market include AWS (US), Microsoft (US), Accenture (US), Alibaba (China), IBM (US), NVIDIA (US), Intel (US), Tencent (China), Pegasystems (US), Baidu (China), and ADDO AI (Singapore). About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledgestore" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Shelly Singh MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA : 1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/21/2019 -- Quantitative evaluations are given for the major market segments, historically and for a five-year horizon. The global scope of the Clove Bud Essential Oil market is identified within four major geographical regions with information on regional economics, needs, experience, and proposed projects. This report studies the CLOVE BUD ESSENTIAL OIL market size (value and volume) by players, regions, product types and end industries, history data 2013-2018 and forecast data 2019-2025; This report also studies the global market competition landscape, market drivers and trends, opportunities and challenges, risks and entry barriers, sales channels, distributors and Porter's Five Forces Analysis. Get Free PDF Sample Copy of CLOVE BUD ESSENTIAL OIL Market at https://www.marketgrowthinsight.com/sample/33075 The Top key vendors in CLOVE BUD ESSENTIAL OIL Market include are AOS Products, Plant Therapy, Van Aroma, Mountain Rose Herbs, Kanta Enterprises, Vigon International, Rocky Mountain Oils, Jiangxi Baicao Pharmaceutical The study explores in details about the recent trend fast gaining momentum in the Clove Bud Essential Oil industry due to factors including but not limited to growing customer preference and a sudden rise in their spending capacity. Aspects attributed to the gross margin, profit, supply chain management and product value and their considerable impact on the development of the Clove Bud Essential Oil market during the forecast period, 2019 - 2025 is carefully scrutinized during the research. A high focus is maintained on factors such as demand and supply, production capacity, supply chain management, distribution channel, product application and performance across different countries. The report not only offers hard to find facts about the trends and innovation driving the current and future of CLOVE BUD ESSENTIAL OIL business, but also provides insights into competitive development such as acquisition and mergers, joint ventures, product launches and technology advancements. Buy Clove Bud Essential Oil Market Report @ https://www.marketgrowthinsight.com/checkout/33075 A quick look at the industry trends and opportunities On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, and market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into - Absolute - Blends - Others On the basis of the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate for each application, including - Pharmaceutical - Personal Care - Cosmetic - Others Region wise performance of the CLOVE BUD ESSENTIAL OIL industry This report studies the global CLOVE BUD ESSENTIAL OIL market status and forecast, categorizes the global CLOVE BUD ESSENTIAL OIL market size (value & volume) by key players, type, application, and region. This report focuses on the top players in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia India and Other regions (Middle East & Africa, Central & South America). Estimating the potential size of the Clove Bud Essential Oil industry: Industry experts conducting the study further estimate the potential of the Clove Bud Essential Oil industry. Such information is important for firms looking to launch an innovative service or product on the market. Industry experts have measured the total volume of the given market. Researchers have calculated the industry in terms of sales by the competitors and end-user customers. Data on the entire size of the Clove Bud Essential Oil market for a particular product or a service for the forecast period, 2019 to 2025 covered in the report makes it valuable. This information reveals the upper limit of the Clove Bud Essential Oil industry for a specific product or service. Exploring growth rate over a period: Business owners looking to scale up their business can refer this report that contains data regarding the rise in sales within a given consumer base for the forecast period, 2019 to 2025. Product owners can use this information along with the driving factors such as demographics and revenue generated from other products discussed in the report to get a better analysis of their products and services. Besides, the research analysts have compared the market growth rate with the product sales to enable business owners to determine the success or failure of a specific product or service. The research provides answers to the following key questions: - - What is the size of occupied by the prominent leaders for the forecast period, 2019 to 2025? What will be the share and the growth rate of the CLOVE BUD ESSENTIAL OIL market during the forecast period? - What are the future prospects for the CLOVE BUD ESSENTIAL OIL industry in the coming years? - Which trends are likely to contribute to the development rate of the industry during the forecast period, 2019 to 2025? - What are the future prospects of the CLOVE BUD ESSENTIAL OIL industry for the forecast period, 2019 to 2025? - Which countries are expected to grow at the fastest rate? - Which factors have attributed to an increased sale worldwide? - What is the present status of competitive development? Browse Full RD with TOC of This Report @ https://www.marketgrowthinsight.com/33075/clove-bud-essential-oil-market More related reports: Clove Leaf Essential Oil Market Insights - Global Trends, Opportunities, Analysis and Forecast by 2025 https://www.marketgrowthinsight.com/33074/clove-leaf-essential-oil-market About Market Growth Insight Market Growth Insight is a one stop solution for market research reports in various business categories. We are serving 100+ clients with 10000+ diverse industry reports and our reports are developed to simplify strategic decision making, on the basis of comprehensive and in-depth significant information, established through wide ranging analysis and latest industry trends. We are striving to provide the best customer friendly services and appropriate business information to accomplish your ideas. Contact 502, Sai Radhe, Kennedy Road, Behind Hotel Sheraton Grand, Near Pune Station, Pune 411 001, Maharashtra, India Contact No- + 91 8956 049 020 Sales@marketgrowthinsight.com Website- https://www.marketgrowthinsight.com Follow Us:- LinkedIn | Twitter | Google+ | Facebook Northbrook, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/21/2019 -- According to the new market research report "Distribution Automation Market by Component (Field Device (Smart Meters, Voltage Regulators, Smart Sensors), Software & Services, Communication Technology (Wired, Wireless)), Type of Utility (Public, Private), and Region - Global Forecast to 2023", published by MarketsandMarkets, the distribution automation market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.29% from 2018 to 2023, to reach a projected market size of USD 16.81 billion by 2023. Distribution automation is a solution, which includes monitoring, protecting, controlling, and maintaining the distribution network. Distribution automation is mainly divided into two areas including distribution substation & feeder automation and customer-end automation. Increasing renewable power generation and upgrade of ageing distribution infrastructure are the key factors contributing to the growth of the distribution automation market. Increasing distributed energy generation in developing countries such as India can create opportunities for the distribution automation market. Field Device: The largest segment, by component, during the forecast period The field device segment is expected to hold the major share of the distribution automation market during the forecast period. Growing investments in refurbishing the ageing infrastructure and government initiatives to promote the use of energy-efficient power generation resources are the major factors driving the distribution automation market in the European region. The European market players, such as ABB, Schneider Electric, and Eaton are involved in the manufacturing of field devices. These factors have resulted in the highest market share of the field device segment in the distribution automation market. Browse and in-depth TOC on "Distribution Automation Market" 68 - Tables 29 - Figures 134 - Pages Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=65029172 The public utility segment accounts for the largest share of the distribution automation market, by type of utility, during the forecast period The public utility segment is expected to be the largest market for distribution automation, by type of utility, from 2018 to 2023. The factors driving the market for distribution automation in the public utility include significant efforts made by the government to extend the services of public utilities. The grants offered by the government will help in modernizing the grid, which in turn will boost the market for distribution automation. Asia Pacific: The fastest-growing market for distribution automation In this report, the distribution automation market has been analyzed on the basis of five regions, namely, Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, South America, and the Middle East & Africa. The distribution automation market in Asia Pacific is driven by countries such as China, India, Japan, and Australia. Rapid industrialization in India, China, and Australia is expected to drive the implementation of distribution automation systems. These countries are increasing renewable power generation to meet their growing energy demand. According to the Renewable Energy Policy Network (REN21), China accounted for 45% of the total global investment for renewable power generation in 2017. Increasing investments in renewable power would drive the market for distribution automation in Asia Pacific. Make an Inquiry @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=65029172 To enable an in-depth understanding of the competitive landscape, the report includes the profiles of some of the key players in the distribution automation market. These include Siemens (Germany), ABB (Switzerland), GE (US), Schneider Electric (France), and Eaton (Ireland). The leading players are trying to expand in developing economies and are adopting various strategies to increase their market shares. 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) -- 05/21/2019 -- The report "Feed Preservatives Market by Type (Feed Acidifiers, Mold Inhibitors, Feed Antioxidants, Anticaking Agents), Livestock (Cattle, Poultry, Swine, Aquaculture), Feed Type (Compound Feed, Feed Premix, Feed Meal, Silage), and Region - Global Forecast to 2022", The feed preservatives market is projected to reach USD 3.57 Billion by 2022, at a CAGR of 9.2% from 2016 to 2022. With the growing awareness about customized formulations and feed management practices to reduce production costs and improve livestock health, the meat processors and livestock farmers have been investing on nutrient-rich and high quality feed products. Browse 77 market data tables and 63 figures spread through 165 pages and in-depth TOC on "Feed Preservatives Market - Global Forecast to 2022" Download PDF Brochure "Feed acidifiers dominated the feed preservatives market, by type, in 2015" Feed acidifiers have become an integral part of compound feed significantly after the EU ban on antibiotics in 2006. Acidifiers have been gaining strong growth due to its demand among monogastric species such as poultry and swine. The European region was the largest market for feed acidifiers in 2015 due to the strict regulatory restrictions on antibiotics and the increasing popularity for feed acidifiers as a suitable alternative. "The application of feed preservatives is projected to gain strong growth in the feed premix industry" Feed premixes is projected to be the fastest-growing segment, on the basis of feed type, from 2016 to 2022, due to the increased need to sustain the quality of premix ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, and amino acids which are easily perishable and can deteriorate in the presence of light, heat, or air. The growing demand for feed premixes to maintain livestock health in turn would boost the usage of feed preservatives by manufacturers to maintain the premix quality. Request for Customization to get the global Food Preservatives Market forecasts to 2025 "Europe accounted for the largest share in the global market in 2015" The European region has been a dominant user of feed preservatives due to the highly regulated environment for feed production, especially in the Western European region. The feed preservatives market has been supported by the increasing focus of the European authorities on food safety concerns and livestock health. The efforts to improve feed conversion efficiency without any loss in nutrient quality has also been a strong factor for feed preservatives to be utilized as an essential feed additive. This report includes a study of marketing and development strategies, along with the product portfolio of key service providers. It includes the profiles of leading companies such as Alltech, Inc. (U.S.), Biomin Holding GmbH (Austria), Kemin Industries, Inc. (U.S.), Nutreco N.V. (The Netherlands), Perstorp Holding AB (Sweden), Cargill, Incorporated (U.S.), Novus International, Inc. (U.S.), BASF SE (Germany), Impextraco NV (Belgium), and E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (U.S.). About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledgestore" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Shelly Singh MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA : 1-888-600-6441 sales@marketsandmarkets.com Portland, OR -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/21/2019 -- The market for bakery processing equipment is on the rise as the consumers across the globe are giving more preference to packaged and nutritional bakery products for their breakfast choices. Consumers have become more health conscious and they demand healthy products with low fat, low cholesterol, low sugar, new flavors. These factors are influencing the market for bakery products. Also, the demand for frozen bakery products have increased as the consumers need ready to make products due to their busy lifestyle and increase in income. Request Sample At: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-toc-and-sample/1562 Most of the bakery processing equipment manufacturer are based in countries such as U.S., Germany, Japan, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Australia. These companies focus on technological advancements, new launches and develop technologically advanced bakery processing equipment, thereby driving the market for bakery processing equipment. The drivers for this market include increasing disposable income, busy lifestyle, technological advancements, increasing demand for frozen baked products. Bakery Processing Equipment vary in terms of features, sizes, and specifications depending upon the type of bakery item it will be used for. Increasing adoption of bakery processing equipment for breakfast and snacks purposes also drives the market for bakery processing equipment. On the basis of type, the bakery processing equipment market is segmented into mixers, dividers, sheeters & molders, ovens & proofers, spraying machines, and others. The sheeters & molders bakery processing equipment segment was the largest segment in 2015 in terms of value and is expected to grow at highest rate during the forecast period as compared other bakery processing equipment. Based on end use, it is categorized into bread, cakes & pastries, biscuits and cookies and others applications. Send Me Enquire on@ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/1562 Based on geography, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. Asia-Pacific is the largest market in terms of both volume and value in the year 2015 due to growing disposable income and increasing population in this region. Regional markets are further split into key countries in this study. The key strategies adopted by companies to expand are expansions, acquisition, product launches, and collaborations. Key players of this market are Heat and Control, Inc., Buhler Holding AG (Switzerland), GEA Group AG (Germany), Baker Perkins Ltd. (U.K.), Ali Group S.p.A., Anko Food Machine Co., Ltd., and Markel Food Group. KEY BENEFITS - Analysis of the emerging portfolio of the bakery processing equipment market on the basis of various segments are elaborated. - Segmental analysis was also done to find out the largest revenue-generating segment. - Study of various factors that drive and restrain the growth of the market is likely to help market players to understand the dynamics of the changing competition. - Study of analysis of the captivating strategies adopted by the market players are conducted, which are expected to assist the stakeholders to take actionable decisions. - Analysis of the current market scenario, future estimations, and projected revenue of the market from 2014 to 2022 is also provided. - The report provides various opportunities for the expansion of the market to help the stakeholders to understand the future prospects on various industrial applications due to excess availability of materials. Rockville, MD -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/21/2019 -- FactMR has actively circulated a new research study titled "Global Bergamot Oil Market Likely to Inflict Positive Growth Trend during 2017-2022 | Key Players are Bontoux S.A.S., Citrus Oleo, Symrise AG, etc." to its broad online database. This assessment works to discourse the major trends, opportunities and drivers motivating the bergamot oil market during the period from 2017-2022. The insights structured for presenting the target market are procured from both primary research and secondary research, and are utilized for validation that is valuable to investors, manufacturers and new entrants. Request for a Free 100 Page Sample Report Here - https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=87 The bergamot oil market place continues to be dominated by a few exporters as the main growing areas are concentrated in three countries Italy (Calabria), Ivory Coast, and Brazil. Due to the nature of the product, bulk of bergamot is exported from these three countries to manufacturers all over the globe. The bottlenecks in access to raw material continue to pose challenges for bergamot oil manufacturers where pricing is dictated by a handful of players. Bergamot oil is being actively explored by the supplement industry recently. Multiple phenolic compounds found in bergamot oil deliver anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering properties. The latter property is explored in nutraceuticals for developing cardio-protective supplements. A number of bergamot formulations in the form of supplements are available in the bergamot oil market or are in pipeline of clinical approvals. Use of bergamot oil as a perfume ingredient in the fragrance industry is highly valued since older times. Along with the fragrance, the bergamot oil has disinfectant properties and the combination of these properties are explored in the fragrance industry to manufacture fragrance oils that are used in the production of perfumes, deodorants, aromatherapy oils, air fresheners, cosmetics, skin care products and scented candles. Approximately 4000 single fragrance ingredients including bergamot oil used in the fragrance industry are monitored through nation-specific regulations. Recent changes in the EU cosmetic legislation and future uncertainty of bergamot oil's categorization under safe natural fragrance ingredients is expected to present challenges to the bergamot oil market in Europe. If excluded from the cosmetics category, the bergamot oil market in Europe like is likely to witness an upward growth during the assessment period. Browse Full Report on Bergamot Oil Market with TOC - https://www.factmr.com/report/87/bergamot-oil-market Bergamot oil have been thoroughly investigated by the scientific community for their health benefits. Some of the active ingredients of the bergamot oil are studied to deliver anti-microbial, sedative and anxiolytic properties that are used for the treatment of upper respiratory tract disorders, depressive disorder and hyperhidrosis among others. The pharmaceutical industry also utilizes bergamot oil to absorb the unpleasant smells of medicinal products in addition to its health benefits. In addition, bergamot oil has been added to various country's official pharmacopoeias, thereby propelling the growth of the bergamot oil market. Use of essential oil in therapeutics is strictly monitored by NAHA and New Direction of Aromatics does not recommend ingestion of essential oil as therapeutic. Further, although bergamot oil is enlisted in the EU legislation of cosmetics, strict monitoring and frequent update of the safe natural fragrant ingredient list continue to pose challenges of compliance to manufacturers. On the other hand, compliance with regulatory standards can increase product transparency and help manufacturers to improve their brand image in the bergamot oil market. A dashboard view of the key stakeholders in the bergamot oil market is provided in the competitive landscape section. An exhaustive information regarding bergamot oil key producers, SMEs and suppliers is provided in the company profiles section. key companies profiled in the bergamot oil market report include Fischer S/A - Com. Ind. e Agricultura (Citrosuco Paulista SA), Citromax Flavors, Inc. (Citromax S.A.C.I.), Citrus and Allied Essences Ltd., Bontoux S.A.S., Lionel Hitchen Essential Oils Ltd., Citrus Oleo, Symrise AG, Young Living Essential Oils LC, Mountain Rose Herbs, Inc., and do Terra International. Have Any Question? Ask Our Industry Experts - https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=AE&rep_id=87 About FactMR FactMR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports. Contact Us FactMR 11140 Rockville Pike Suite 400, Rockville, MD 20852 United States Email: sales@factmr.com Web: https://www.factmr.com/ Los Angeles, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/21/2019 -- Global Grease Lubrication System Market: Segmentation The chapters of segmentation allow the readers to understand the aspects of the market such as its products, available technologies, and applications of the same. These chapters are written in a manner to describe their development over the years and the course they are likely to take in the coming years. The research report also provides insightful information about the emerging trends that are likely to define progress of these segments in the coming years. Request a Sample of this report at: https://www.qyresearch.com/sample-form/form/1011494/global-grease-lubrication-system-market Global Grease Lubrication System Market: Regional Segmentation For a deeper understanding, the research report includes geographical segmentation of the global Grease Lubrication System market. It provides an evaluation of the volatility of the political scenarios and amends likely to be made to the regulatory structures. This assessment gives an accurate analysis of the regional-wise growth of the global Grease Lubrication System market. The Middle East and Africa (GCC Countries and Egypt) North America (the United States, Mexico, and Canada) South America (Brazil etc.) Europe (Turkey, Germany, Russia UK, Italy, France, etc.) Asia-Pacific (Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Japan, Philippines, Korea, Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Australia) Global Grease Lubrication System Market: Research Methodology The research methodologies used by the analysts play an integral role in the way the publication has been collated. Analysts have used primary and secondary research methodologies to create a comprehensive analysis. For an accurate and precise analysis of the global Grease Lubrication System market, analysts have bottom-up and top-down approaches. Global Grease Lubrication System Market: Competitive Rivalry The research report includes an analysis of the competitive landscape present in the global Grease Lubrication System market. It includes an assessment of the existing and upcoming trends that players can invest in. Furthermore, it also includes an evaluation of the financial outlooks of the players and explains the nature of the competition. Key Players Mentioned in the Global Grease Lubrication System Market Research Report: Lincoln Industrial SKF Graco Timken BEKA Andantex Cenlub Systems Bijur delimon Groeneveld Group Lubecore Luberite Industries Oil-Rite Pricol Ask our Expert if You Have a Query at: enquiry@qyresearch.com Strategic Points Covered in TOC: Chapter 1: Introduction, market driving force product scope, market risk, market overview, and market opportunities of the global Grease Lubrication System market Chapter 2: Evaluating the leading manufacturers of the global Grease Lubrication System market which consists of its revenue, sales, and price of the products Chapter 3: Displaying the competitive nature among key manufacturers, with market share, revenue, and sales Chapter 4: Presenting global Grease Lubrication System market by regions, market share and with revenue and sales for the projected period Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9: To evaluate the market by segments, by countries and by manufacturers with revenue share and sales by key countries in these various regions Maharashtra, India -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/21/2019 -- Viation Bearing Market The Viation Bearing market Report provide in-depth analysis and the best research of the various market. This new report on the Global Viation Bearing is committed fulfilling the requirements of the clients by giving them thorough insights into the market. An exclusive data offered in this report is collected by research and industry experts. The Global Viation Bearing Market report covers scope and product overview to define the key terms and offers detailed information about market dynamics to the readers. This is followed by the regional outlook and segmental analysis. To get holistic SAMPLE of the report, please click: https://www.reportsmonitor.com/request_sample/475354 The Major Players Covered in this Report: Carbone Lorraine , Helwig , Miraj Corporation , Seginus Inc , SKF , Schaeffler , NSK , NTN , JTEKT, & More. Product Type Coverage Roller Bearing Ball Bearings Spherical Plain Bearings Others Application Coverage Helicopter Starter Generators Aircraft AC Generators Aircraft and Rotorcraft Components Others Global Viation Bearing Market: Regional Segmentation For further clarification, analysts have also segmented the market on the basis of geography. This type of segmentation allows the readers to understand the volatile political scenario in varying geographies and their impact on the global Viation Bearing market. On the basis of geography, the global market for Viation Bearing has been segmented into: 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) Grab Your Report at an Impressive Discount ! Please click Here@ https://www.reportsmonitor.com/check_discount/475354 Reasons to buy: 1. To gain insightful analyses of the market and have comprehensive understanding of the global Viation Bearing market and its commercial landscape. Assess the Viation Bearing production processes, major issues, and solutions to mitigate the development risk. 2. To understand the most affecting driving and restraining forces in the Viation Bearing market and its impact in the global market. Learn about the market strategies that are being adopted by leading respective organizations. 3. To understand the future outlook and prospects for Viation Bearing market. The report gives highly importance to following aspects of Global Viation Bearing Market: Dominant company/manufacturers profiles including business data, product description, and market share. Market analysis for past, recent years as well as forecast up to 2024. Qualitative and quantitative segment-wise evaluation of Viation Bearing market. Global market share, sales volume, and CAGR of Viation Bearing market. In-depth study of the market in terms of applications, types, and regions. Market driving factors, contemporary trends, investment opportunities, limitations, strength, challenges of the Viation Bearing market. Insightful counsels which helps investors, organisations, and novices to plan their business stratagem and making critical business decisions. Some of the key questions answered in this report: Detailed Overview of Viation Bearing market will help deliver clients and businesses making strategies. Influencing factors that thriving demand and latest trend running in the market. What is the market concentration? Is it fragmented or highly concentrated? What trends, challenges and barriers will impact the development and sizing of Global Viation Bearing market? SWOT Analysis of each defined key players along with its profile and Porter's five forces tool mechanism to compliment the same. What growth momentum or acceleration market carries during the forecast period? Which region may tap highest market share in coming era? Which application/end-user category or Product Type may seek incremental growth prospects? What focused approach and constraints are holding the Viation Bearing market tight? For More Details On this Report: https://www.reportsmonitor.com/report/475354/Viation-Bearing-Market 2019-2024 Viation Bearing market report explains detailed information about market growth trend, analysis of upstream raw materials, downstream demand, and existing market dynamics is carried out. In the end, the report makes some important proposals for a new project of Viation Bearing market before evaluating its possibility. About Reports Monitor Reports Monitor is a market research and consulting company that provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries including Healthcare, Technology, Chemicals, Materials, and Energy. With an intrinsic understanding of many business environments, Reports Monitor provides strategic objective insights. Water supplies to the 2.5 million residents of Tripoli were restored two days after they were cut off by gunmen, officials said on Tuesday, allowing the besieged capital to escape shortages that could have caused a humanitarian crisis. The United Nations had condemned the closure as possible war crime. Libyas internationally recognised government had accused forces loyal to the commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Khalifa Haftar, which have been trying to capture Tripoli, of being behind the blockage. LNA denied they were responsible for cutting off the water. A commander in Libyan National Army said they had sent reinforcements to secure the pipe. "The crisis of halting water supplies has ended and flows have started," the Great Man-Made River company, a pipe network supplying ground water from the Sahara, said in a statement. On Saturday, an armed group had stormed a pumping station some 400 km south of Tripoli, forcing employees to turn off the pipes, the company said, without giving more details. Supplies to city residents were not immediately halted because the water system holds two days of capacity. The U.N.-backed government of Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj had blamed a group that also cut the water supplies in 2017, saying its commander, Khalifa Ehnaish, belonged to LNA. The LNA, based in the east of the country, has launched an assault to capture the capital, saying it aimed to rid the country of what it described as terrorist groups. Fighting in the battle for Tripoli has killed at least 510 people, forced 75,000 out of their homes, trapped thousands of migrants in detention centres and flattened some suburbs, according to the United Nations. *This story was edited by Ahram Online Search Keywords: Short link: Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/21/2019 -- Hospital Capacity Management Solutions Market: Overview Hospitals are the perfect place of treating severe disease and form the best place as compared to the alternative medical care facilities. Hospitals extensively use medical and technological innovations to deliver effective medical treatments, while reducing the patient's in hospital time spending. However, patients can face inadequacies and delays at hospitals. Patients spend days and sometimes months in critical care and recovery rooms awaiting beds. Surgeries and procedures are often rescheduled and cancelled. Inpatients are placed in inappropriate beds and relocated multiple times. The number of nurses and other hospital staff are lesser than required; therefore, they are burdened with more work. View Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/hospital-capacity-management-solutions-market.html Hospital Capacity Management Solutions Market: Key Trends Rising demand of better health care facilities, and technical development in hospital capacity management are key factors driving the global hospital capacity management solutions market. Increase in investment by health care IT corporations, rise in government initiatives to enhance patient care, increase in demand for integrated health care systems, rise in the number of hospitals, and increase in focus on patient-centric care delivery have improved several features in medical practices. This, in turn, boosts the global hospital capacity management solutions market. Increase in number of mergers and acquisitions and rise in acceptance of portable health IT are some major trends fueling the global hospital capacity management solutions market. However, lack of trained health care IT professionals, increase in complexity with the lack of consistent data and data privacy concerns are likely to restrain the global hospital capacity management solutions market during the forecast period. Hospital Capacity Management Solutions Market: Segmentation The global hospital capacity management solutions market can be segmented based on solution and region. In terms of solution, the market can be divided into asset management solutions, patient flow management solutions, workflow management solutions, bed management solutions, and quality patient care solutions. The asset management solutions segment can be categorized into bifurcated into laboratory equipment management solutions and radiology utilization management solutions. Request a Brochure of the Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=65846 Hospital Capacity Management Solutions Market: Regional Analysis Based on region, the global hospital capacity management solutions market can be segregated into North America (the U.S. and Canada), Europe (the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific, (China, Japan, India, Australia & New Zealand, and Rest of Asia Pacific) Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, and Rest of Latin America), and Middle East & Africa (South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Rest of Middle East & Africa). Europe and North America account for large share of the global hospital capacity management solutions market due to factors such as increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and rising demand to treat diseases at an early stage. Moreover, increasing government focus to provide better health care facilities and rise in adoption of hospital capacity management solutions in Europe and North America propel the usage of hospital capacity management solutions in the region. Countries such as the U.S. the U.K., Canada, Germany, Italy, France, and Spain create immense opportunities for the players operating in hospital capacity management solution market. The market in Asia Pacific is projected to expand at a rapid pace during the forecast period. Expansion of the market in the region is attributed to factors such as increase in disposable income of population, rise in government investments to provide better health care facilities, and surge in adoption of technologically advanced products in the region. Request TOC @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=65846 Hospital Capacity Management Solutions Market: Competitive Landscape Key players in global hospital capacity management solutions market include TeleTracking Technologies, Inc., GE healthcare, Alcidion Corporation, Central Logic, Cerner Corporation, STERIS plc. McKesson Corporation, Change Healthcare, NextGen Healthcare, Inc., and Infosys Limited. About Transparency Market Research Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge. Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMR's syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement. Contact Us Transparency Market Research 90 State Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Cherry Hill, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/21/2019 -- Hutchinson Plumbing Heating Cooling Energy Services, a go-to company for plumbing services in Haddonfield, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and the Delaware Valley area for seven decades, is actively booking local customers in need of plumbing repairs and maintenance in preparation for the changing season. Due to its years of valuable experience in the plumbing industry, the Hutchinson team of expert plumbers guarantees customer satisfaction by being prompt, professional, and attentive to their customers' needs. Hutchinson's plumbing professionals are the authorities in every kitchen and bathroom, and they can perform a wide range of plumbing services. From water heater installations, faucet repairs, and toilet replacements, to drain cleanings and sump pump repairs and replacements - if there is a plumbing need, this company is the one to contact every time. Hutchinson prides itself on the reliable service and exceptional commitment of its plumbing contractors who work tirelessly to perform superlative repairs, replacements, and inspections for their customers every day. Home plumbing, especially in the historic Haddonfield area, needs special attention and professional service, which is why Hutchinson's helpful and dedicated customer representatives are at the ready to address any issue immediately. The company's team of expert plumbers is dedicated to the stability and preservation of any residence's plumbing systems; therefore, their response time is necessarily exceptional. The ideal choice for plumbers in and around Haddonfield, New Jersey, no matter what the plumbing issue may be this season, is Hutchinson. The company encourages those who may need assistance with any plumbing maintenance, repair, or replacement to visit the Hutchinson website or call the company number at any time for high-quality, 24-hour customer service. About Hutchinson Plumbing Heating Cooling Energy Services Hutchinson Plumbing Heating Cooling Energy Services is a family-run business dedicated to providing total home solutions to their South Jersey and Delaware Valley neighbors. Based in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, they have been in business for over six and a half decades. Hutchinson is a full-service company offering heating, cooling, and plumbing products and services. Additionally, Hutchinson is accredited by the Department of Energy, ranked first in the nation by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for exceptional performance and won the EPA Century Award. Hutchinson has also gained an A+ accreditation rating from BBB. For more information about Hutchinson visit https://www.hutchbiz.com/. Selbyville, DE -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/21/2019 -- The modular data center market is expected to grow from USD 1076.37 Million in 2017 to USD 3088.19 Million by 2022, at a high Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 23% during the forecast period. Data center operators face an increasing need for a scale-out data center architecture, which enables the scaling of critical data center components as and when the demand increases. The modular data center provides prefabricated modules that easily address the customer?s capacity needs with a quick deployment time. It also helps in cutting down the cost of in-house infrastructure. Modular data center solutions, including all-in-one as well as individual functional modules can be added to the existing data center infrastructure, which enables a massively scalable architecture. These solutions are expected to fuel the growth of the modular data center market, as organizations are increasingly adopting them to cater to the increasing data center traffic. A modular data center system is a portable method of deploying data center capacity. A modular data center can be placed anywhere data capacity is needed.,Modular data center systems consist of purpose-engineered modules and components to offer scalable data center capacity with multiple power and cooling options. Modules can be shipped to be added, integrated or retrofitted into an existing data center or combined into a system of modules. Modular data centers typically consist of standardized components.,Modular data centers are often marketed as converged infrastructure, promoting economies of scale and efficient energy usage, including considerations regarding the external environment. Request a sample Report of Modular Data Centers Market at: https://www.marketstudyreport.com/request-a-sample/1629847?utm_source=Releasewire&utm_medium=VS The Modular Data Centers market stands tall as one of the most proactive industry verticals, as claimed by a new research report. This research study forecasts this space to accrue substantial proceeds by the end of the projected period, aided by a plethora of driving forces that will fuel the industry trends over the forecast duration. A gist of these driving factors, in tandem with myriad other dynamics pertaining to the Modular Data Centers market, such as the risks that are prevalent across this industry as well as the growth opportunities existing in Modular Data Centers market, have also been outlined in the report. Technology advancements and growing consumer awareness are catapulting prefabricated MDCS from a niche IT concept to a mainstream strategy in diverse industries ranging from financial services, Telecom, IT services, government, manufacturing, and telecommunications. Prefab MDCS are especially suitable for telecom, collocation and international Internet companies that need solutions that can be quickly implemented and expanded on demand. Similarly, Internet companies are showing high affinity for the cost-effective and low risk capacity expansion facilitated by prefab MDCS. An increasing number of mobile network operators and Internet service providers with captive datacenter infrastructure are expected to adopt Prefabricated MDCS. While enclosed and containerized Prefab MDCS have cornered the bigger share of the market, prefab building structures are rapidly gaining traction. The global Modular Data Centers market is valued at xx million USD in 2018 and is expected to reach xx million USD by the end of 2024, growing at a CAGR of xx% between 2019 and 2024. The Asia-Pacific will occupy for more market share in following years, especially in China, also fast growing India and Southeast Asia regions. North America, especially The United States, will still play an important role which cannot be ignored. Any changes from United States might affect the development trend of Modular Data Centers. Europe also play important roles in global market, with market size of xx million USD in 2019 and will be xx million USD in 2024, with a CAGR of xx%. Ask for Discount on Modular Data Centers Market Report at: https://www.marketstudyreport.com/check-for-discount/1629847?utm_source=Releasewire&utm_medium=VS The report supplies substantial data regarding the market share that every one of these companies currently garner across this business, in tandem with the market share that they are expected to procure by the end of the forecast period. Also, the report elaborates on details pertaining to the products manufactured by each of these firms, that would help new entrants and prominent stakeholders work on their competition and strategy portfolios. Not to mention, their decision-making process is liable to get easier on account of the fact that the Modular Data Centers market report also enumerates a gist of the product price trends and the profit margins of each firm in the industry. Questions that the Modular Data Centers market report answers with respect to the regional terrain of the business space: The regional spectrum, as per the report, is segregated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America & Middle East and Africa. Which among these zones is most likely to accrue the maximum market share by the end of the forecast duration? How much is the sales estimates of each firm in question? Also, how strong do the revenue statistics stand pertaining to the current market scenario? What exactly is the remuneration that each geography holds at present? How much revenue will every region including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America & Middle East and Africa account for, by the end of the projected timeframe? How much is the growth rate which each geography is estimated to depict over the estimated timeline? Important takeaways from the study: The Modular Data Centers market report plays host to a plethora of deliverables that may prove highly beneficial. Say for example, the report underlines the information pertaining to market competition trends highly essential data subject to competitor intelligence and the ongoing market trends that would enable shareholders to stay competitive and make the most of the growth opportunities prevailing in the Modular Data Centers market. Another vital takeaway from the report can be credited to the market concentration rate that would aid investors to speculate on the current sales dominance and the plausible trends of the future. Further deliverables provided in the report include details regarding the sales channels deployed by prominent vendors in order to retail their stance in the industry. Some of these include direct and indirect marketing. What questions does the report answer with respect to the segmentation of the Modular Data Centers market? Which among 380V/50Hz, 480V/60Hz and Others the various product types, is likely to procure the largest share in the Modular Data Centers market? What is the market share held by each product type? How much is the sales estimates as well as projected valuation of every product segment in the industry by the end of the projected timeframe? Which of the various application spanning Finance, Government and Defense, Telecom, Education and Others may emerge to be a highly profitable vertical in the Modular Data Centers market? How much share does each application account for in the Modular Data Centers market? How much is the remuneration which every application is likely to register by the end of the projected duration? Further in the Modular Data Centers Market research reports, following points are included along with in-depth study of each point: Production Analysis Production of the Modular Data Centers is analyzed with respect to different regions, types and applications. Here, price analysis of various Modular Data Centers Market key players is also covered. Sales and Revenue Analysis Both, sales and revenue are studied for the different regions of the Modular Data Centers Market. Another major aspect, price, which plays important part in the revenue generation, is also assessed in this section for the various regions. Supply and Consumption In continuation with sales, this section studies supply and consumption for the Modular Data Centers Market. This part also sheds light on the gap between supple and consumption. Import and export figures are also given in this part. Competitors In this section, various Modular Data Centers industry leading players are studied with respect to their company profile, product portfolio, capacity, price, cost and revenue. Other analyses Apart from the aforementioned information, trade and distribution analysis for the Modular Data Centers Market, contact information of major manufacturers, suppliers and key consumers is also given. Also, SWOT analysis for new projects and feasibility analysis for new investment are included. For More Details On this Report: https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/global-modular-data-centers-market-2019-by-company-regions-type-and-application-forecast-to-2024 Some of the Major Highlights of TOC covers: 3 Global Modular Data Centers Market Competition, by Players 3.1 Global Modular Data Centers Revenue and Share by Players (2014-2019) 3.2 Market Concentration Rate 3.2.1 Top 5 Modular Data Centers Players Market Share 3.2.2 Top 10 Modular Data Centers Players Market Share 3.3 Market Competition Trend 4 Global Modular Data Centers Market Size by Regions 4.1 Global Modular Data Centers Revenue and Market Share by Regions 4.2 North America Modular Data Centers Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 4.3 Europe Modular Data Centers Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 4.4 Asia-Pacific Modular Data Centers Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 4.5 South America Modular Data Centers Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 4.6 Middle East and Africa Modular Data Centers Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 5 North America Modular Data Centers Revenue by Countries 5.1 North America Modular Data Centers Revenue by Countries (2014-2019) 5.2 USA Modular Data Centers Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 5.3 Canada Modular Data Centers Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 5.4 Mexico Modular Data Centers Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 6 Europe Modular Data Centers Revenue by Countries 6.1 Europe Modular Data Centers Revenue by Countries (2014-2019) 6.2 Germany Modular Data Centers Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 6.3 UK Modular Data Centers Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 6.4 France Modular Data Centers Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 6.5 Russia Modular Data Centers Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 6.6 Italy Modular Data Centers Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 7 Asia-Pacific Modular Data Centers Revenue by Countries 7.1 Asia-Pacific Modular Data Centers Revenue by Countries (2014-2019) 7.2 China Modular Data Centers Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 7.3 Japan Modular Data Centers Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 7.4 Korea Modular Data Centers Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 7.5 India Modular Data Centers Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 7.6 Southeast Asia Modular Data Centers Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 8 South America Modular Data Centers Revenue by Countries 8.1 South America Modular Data Centers Revenue by Countries (2014-2019) 8.2 Brazil Modular Data Centers Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 8.3 Argentina Modular Data Centers Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 8.4 Colombia Modular Data Centers Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 9 Middle East and Africa Revenue Modular Data Centers by Countries 9.1 Middle East and Africa Modular Data Centers Revenue by Countries (2014-2019) 9.2 Saudi Arabia Modular Data Centers Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 9.3 UAE Modular Data Centers Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 9.4 Egypt Modular Data Centers Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 9.5 Nigeria Modular Data Centers Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 9.6 South Africa Modular Data Centers Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 10 Global Modular Data Centers Market Segment by Type 10.1 Global Modular Data Centers Revenue and Market Share by Type (2014-2019) 10.2 Global Modular Data Centers Market Forecast by Type (2019-2024) 10.3 380V/50Hz Revenue Growth Rate (2014-2024) 10.4 480V/60Hz Revenue Growth Rate (2014-2024) 10.5 Others Revenue Growth Rate (2014-2024) Read More Reports On: https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/78-growth-for-Rail-Wheel-Sensors-Market-Size-to-reach-180-million-USD-by-2024-2019-05-17 Contact Us: Corporate Sales, Market Study Report LLC Phone: 1-302-273-0910 Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150 Email: sales@marketstudyreport.com Pune, Maharashtra -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/21/2019 -- Radiation therapy is evolving with new technologies and techniques. Most of these new methods are focused on maximizing the dose to the tumor site and protecting the surrounding tissue. Image guided radiation therapy offers dose distribution accuracy along with real-time treatment effect. CT-guided radiation treatment is one such image-guided radiation therapy system. However, this requires repeated exposure to X-rays, and has a relatively poor contrast in soft tissue. An MRI-guided radiation therapy system overcomes the drawbacks of a CT-based radiation system, as it gives better contrast images in soft tissue, and does not require radiation. These MRI-guided radiation therapy systems are suitable for a number of targeted cancer treatment procedures. Some of the areas studied include the brain, head & neck, breasts, reproductive systems, rectum, liver, and lungs. ViewRay was the first to enter the MRI-guided radiation therapy system market, with MRIdian. One of the emerging applications of MRI-guided radiation therapy is stereotactic body radiation therapy that offers more precise targeted treatment at higher dosages and in fewer fractions. The company also plans to launch a linac version the MRIdian soon. The first preclinical system has been installed in the Siteman Cancer Center at the Barnes-Jewish Hospital and the Washington University in St. Louis. Philips, and Elekta has entered the market through collaborative efforts. The two companies (Philips & Elekta) have been working together since 2012, by gathering eight leading institutions for the development and testing of an MRI-guided radiation therapy systems. The MRI-guided radiation therapy system developed by the two companies is a Linac based MRI-guided radiation therapy system. A number of investments are also driving the growth of the MRI-guided radiation therapy system market. For instance, Henry Ford spent US$ 10 million for advanced MRI-guided radiation therapy system programs in Grosse Point Farms. The MRIdian Linac is the first Linac-based MRI-guided radiation therapy system installed in the world. These MRI-guided radiation systems are said to offer precision medicine with real-time view of the target. Request Free Sample Report@ https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=2572 MRI-guided Radiation Therapy System Market: Drivers and Restraints Growing incidences of cancer is one of the major driving factors for the growth of the MRI-guided radiation therapy system market. Additionally, other factors such as increasing awareness towards cancer and its treatment options, as well as the advancements in technology also drive the growth of the MRI-guided radiation therapy system market. However, due to the high cost of an MRI-guided radiation therapy system, the growth of the MRI-guided radiation therapy system market may be hindered during the forecast period. MRI-guided Radiation Therapy System Market: Segmentation Tentatively, the global MRI-guided radiation therapy system market can be segmented on the basis of product type, end user, and geography. Based on product type, the global MRI-guided radiation therapy system market is segmented as: Traditional MRI-guided Radiation Therapy Systems Linac-based MRI-guided Radiation Therapy Systems Based on end user, the global MRI-guided radiation therapy system market is segmented as: Hospitals Specialty Hospitals Cancer Research Institutes MRI-guided Radiation Therapy System Market: Overview The global MRI-guided radiation therapy system market is expected to witness moderate growth over the forecast period. There are very few products in the market for MRI-guided radiation therapy systems. However, the competition seems to slowly growing with the introduction of new MRI-guided radiation therapy systems, as well as a number of them being under development with more advanced technologies. MRI-guided Radiation Therapy System Market: Regional Outlook Geographically, the global MRI-guided radiation therapy system market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan, and the Middle East and Africa (MEA). North America is expected to be a dominant region in the global MRI-guided radiation therapy system market, owing to various technological advancements, high awareness of the general public, and ever-increasing healthcare spending, and substantial reimbursement facilities. The MRI-guided radiation therapy system market in Asia Pacific excluding Japan is expected to grow at a significant CAGR, due to increased R&D spending and advancements in technology. Request/View TOC@ https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=T&rep_id=2572 MRI-guided Radiation Therapy System Market: Key Players The global MRI-guided radiation therapy system market is highly fragmented. Examples of some of the key players operating in the global MRI-guided radiation therapy system market are ViewRay Inc, Elekta, and Philips Healthcare. The report is a compilation of first-hand information, qualitative and quantitative assessment by industry analysts, and inputs from industry experts and industry participants across the value chain. The report provides in-depth analysis of parent market trends, macro-economic indicators, and governing factors, along with market attractiveness as per segment. The report also maps the qualitative impact of various market factors on market segments and geographies. The report covers exhaustive analysis on: Market Segments Market Dynamics Market Size Supply & Demand Current Trends/Issues/Challenges Competition & Companies Involved Technology Value Chain Regional analysis includes North America (U.S., Canada) Latin America (Mexico, Brazil) Western Europe (Germany, Italy, U.K, Spain, France, Nordic Countries, BENELUX) Eastern Europe (Russia, Poland, Rest Of Eastern Europe) Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (China, India, Australia & New Zealand) Japan Middle East and Africa (GCC, S. Africa, Rest of MEA) Report Highlights: Detailed overview of parent market Changing market dynamics in the industry In-depth market segmentation Historical, current, and projected market size in terms of volume and value Recent industry trends and developments Competitive landscape Strategies of key players and products offered Potential and niche segments, geographical regions exhibiting promising growth A neutral perspective on market performance Must-have information for market players to sustain and enhance their market footprint Report Analysis@ https://www.factmr.com/report/2572/mri-guided-radiation-therapy-system-market About Fact.MR Fact.MR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports. Contact Us Rohit Bhisey Fact.MR 11140 Rockville Pike Suite 400 Rockville, MD 20852 United States Email: sales@factmr.com Web: https://www.factmr.com/ Blog: https://factmrblog.com/ Sellbyville, DE -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/21/2019 -- Global Market Insights recently introduced new report on global Pocket Door 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 Pocket Door industry considering all the major industry trends, market dynamics and competitive scenario. The demand for more space has overtly led to the necessity of freeing up the floor space occupied typically with doors, further strengthening the demand for pocket doors. In addition, surging renovation and refurbishment of old monuments and residential buildings is also poised to increase the demand for these components, propelling pocket door market size over the years ahead. Request for a sample copy of this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2752 The proposed future prospects for pocket doors market are expected to generate a plethora of opportunities for construction magnates. As these companies continue to invest further in the refurbishment of age-old buildings and the development of innovative residential as well as commercial buildings, pocket door market is likely to gain exceptional returns in the years ahead. As per estimates, pocket door industry size is expected to be pegged at over USD 10 billion by the end of 2024. Despite the pocket door being popularized since more than a century now, pocket doors market, as an independent business space in itself, has made its way in the construction industry only since the last few years. Presently, driven by the architectural benefits provided by these products, in conjunction with the adoption of space optimization and novel construction designs, pocket door industry has been gaining exceptional traction. Having recognized the potential these components have in modern construction, startups and established companies alike have been attempting to penetrate pocket doors market. With global construction industry growing at a commanding pace, pocket door market boasts of a superior opportunity to depict considerable expansion in the forthcoming years, driven by heavy investments in space-saving construction and infrastructural development projects across the globe. Lately, many of the construction companies are signing long-term deals with suppliers for ensuring continuous product supply. Recently in 2017, Bellway Homes apartments in London, outlined a plan to develop two luxury design thirteen-story residential apartments incorporating the popular Eclisse pocket doors. Make an Inquiry for Purchasing this Report @ https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2752 Pocket doors are becoming more popular across the globe pertaining to their architectural benefits, over time, these doors are bound to witness a few common mobility issues like roller failures. In addition, these doors are not smoke and fire-rated, and could easily allow smoke to pass over. Considering this fact, most of the key players in pocket door market are looking forward to bringing forth a spate of innovations in product development that can overcome these restraints. The shifting focus of product manufacturers toward the development of sealed pocket doors for achieving fire protection benefits will have a positive influence on pocket door industry trends. In order to develop fire-rated pocket doors, product manufacturers are also planning to use glass or aluminum material owing to its non-corrosiveness and thermal insulation characteristics. The ample availability of these materials will fuel the future advancements in pocket door market. The Pocket Door 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 Pocket Door market based on product, technology, end user and region. Browse Report Summery @ https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/pocket-door-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) -- 05/20/2019 -- According to a new market report published by Transparency Market Research titled "Reinsurance Market Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast, 2018 2026," the global reinsurance market was valued at US$ 241.14 Bn in 2017 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.7% from 2018 to 2026, reaching a value of US$ 364.59 Bn by the end of the forecast period. According to the report, North America was a significant contributor to the reinsurance market in terms of revenue in 2017. The prominent market share of the region is due to the favorable regulatory environment and growth in property catastrophe protection in the reinsurance market across the region, especially in the U.S. and Canada. Favorable regulatory environment and growth in property catastrophe protection driving the global reinsurance market The global reinsurance market is currently driven by a favorable regulatory environment. Growing focus on sustainable growth has led to the relaxation in government rules globally. For instance, in September 2018, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) approved revised reinsurance regulations in India. The core purpose behind revamping the regulations is that the maximum reinsurance business is held inside the nation and preference would be given to Indian domiciled entities. In 2016, the new SSN (Superintendence of Insurance) authorities removed the regulations which set minimum limits of insurers in projects involving small and medium enterprise. The new regulation now defines only maximum limits. Current regulatory variations are pushing the market to have fewer number of highly capitalized insurance companies. There are a large number of local players that need more capital to play in niche markets. Subsequently, demand for financial reinsurance is expected to increase in the coming years. Furthermore, increasing activity of foreign reinsurers in the global reinsurance market is contributing significantly to the growth of the market. Thus, increasing regulatory oversight initiatives is expected to enhance reinsurance penetration, as they are expected to promote self-assurance in the insurance industry. Therefore, a favorable regulatory environment is expected to have a long term impact on the reinsurance market. Growing number of such favorable regulations by several government entities are expected to boost the reinsurance market in the coming years. Request a Sample https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=55410 Demand for property catastrophe protection is expected to contribute significantly to insurance renewals, provisioning any material reinsured loss. Furthermore, industries such as aviation, marine, automotive, healthcare, and agriculture are expected to show huge growth due to the high insurance penetration combined with the need to guard high value assets. Moreover, occurrence of natural calamities is encouraging individuals to avail reinsurance. Lack of disposable income is one of the major factors limiting the market growth. However, rising economic activities across the globe is expected to enhance investment in the insurance sector in the near future. The impact of this restraint is expected to remain low in the coming years. Reinsurance Market: Scope of the Report Based on distribution channel, the global reinsurance market has been segmented into direct writing and broker. The broker segment is expected to expand at a higher CAGR, thus becoming the leading revenue generating segment by 2026. This is primarily because of increase in number of brokers, especially across North America and Europe. Based on end-user, the global reinsurance market has been segmented into life & health reinsurance companies and non-life/property & casualty reinsurance companies. Furthermore, based on region, the global reinsurance market has been segmented into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, South America, and Middle East & Africa. Global Reinsurance Market: Competitive Dynamics Key players operating in the global reinsurance market include Barents Re Reinsurance, Inc., Berkshire Hathaway Inc., BMS Group Ltd., China Reinsurance (Group) Corporation, Everest Re Group, Ltd., Hannover Re, IRB-Brasil Resseguros S.A., Lloyd's, Munich Re, Odyssey Reinsurance, PartnerRe, Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated, SCOR SE, and Swiss RE Group. Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/21/2019 -- Reverse logistics is the process of moving goods from final destination and receiving returned products/ materials for proper disposal. Reverse logistics comprises of activities, which includes remanufacturing, redesigning, and refurbishing. Moreover, it also includes the process of returning merchandise/product due to damage, salvage, restock, and seasonal & excess inventory. Reverse logistics is associated with the reuse of products/merchandise. It includes the process of planning, implementing, and controlling the cost-effective, efficient flow of raw materials, inventory, final goods, or reducing the energy and pollution from transportation. Reverse logistics strategy is gaining friction point in the supply chain management owing to the rise in mobile and online commerce. Reverse logistics play an important role in the retail and consumer electronics in order to let retailers deal with returns and process them efficiently. Retailers seek ways to offer hassle free multichannel returns to minimize fraud and abuse, as the process of moving goods from customers' location to return centers, face number of challenges. The reverse logistics market is anticipated to expand at a considerable pace due to the introduction of blockchain technology in logistics industry. Advantages of blockchain technology includes increase in security, reduction in occurrences of fraud, data flow automation to improve efficiency and speed, increase in traceability/track ability, and reduction in paperwork and thus, reverse logistics is making the process and system efficient and economical through blockchain technology. Rise in consumer demand for goods/products from various industries, such as automotive, medical devices, consumer electronics goods & products, packaging machines, and construction equipment, the manufacturing industries has gained prominence internationally and is subsequently rising the demand for reverse logistics. Growth of manufacturing industries and rapid industrialization in developing countries in South America and Asia Pacific are anticipate to drive the reverse logistics market during the forecast period. Additionally, surge in awareness, which the reverse logistics flows do not merely move the waste, but also goods that have an outstanding value that the company has and will progressively have in the near future to recover. Get Brochure To Know About The Industry And Its Future@ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=50850 The global reverse logistics market can be segmented based on end-use industry and region. In terms of end-use industry, the reverse logistics market can be categorized into packaging, consumer electronic, pharmaceutical, retail, and automotive. Based on region, the global reverse logistics market can be divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America. Asia Pacific is anticipated to dominate the global reverse logistics market, followed by North America and Europe. Asia Pacific is expected to account for a major share of the reverse logistics market owing to reverse supply chain for spare parts and manufacturing industry and increase in the number of manufacturing companies in China, India, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea among others. Moreover, the reverse logistics market in Asia Pacific is projected to expand at a rapid pace due to the evolution of electric and battery driven cars/ vehicles and increase in demand for reverse logistics in the automotive industry. Sellbyville, DE -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/21/2019 -- Global Market Insights recently introduced new report on global Steel Rebar 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 Steel Rebar industry considering all the major industry trends, market dynamics and competitive scenario. The year 2017 witnessed China manufacturing around 832 million tons of steel. Currently the country is looking forward to encouraging biggies to develop more electric furnaces in order to process scrap, which is likely to have a considerable impact on China steel rebar market trends. The APAC region has been depicting an increase in industry size, despite rising product prices. It has been observed that driven by the growing steel product requirement from the industrial, automotive, and construction sectors, Japan market has been consistently generating a substantial valuation. As per statistics, in 2016, APAC accounted for 65% of the overall industry share. Escalating investments in urban development projects mainly across India and China will also boost product demand over the years ahead. Request for a sample copy of this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2081 It has been observed that the increasing deployment of regulatory programs related to smart cities and industrialization will generate lucrative opportunities for giants in steel rebar market for future. Smart cities have emerged as one of the visionary projects for several regional governments for a high quality and sustainable life comprising mobility, infrastructure, resource availability, technology, connectivity, and environment. In fact, developing firms are giving preference for steel structures for drainage, sewage, and transmission to ensure less maintenance and zero wastage. Moreover, the intensive use of steel in city planning, building materials, and advanced architecture is likely to play a key role in the approval of project design. Undeniably, the surging deployment of steel and the rise in the construction of myriad steel-based structures in long-term projects are likely to boost overall industry outlook. According to Global Market Insights, Inc., steel rebar market will generate revenue of more than USD 170 billion by the end of 2024. Considering the rising prices of steel rebars across several countries including Kuwait, Egypt, and China, most of the players in steel rebar industry have been working toward improving their production facilities to produce quality steel rebars at a competitive price. The Malaysia based company, Leader Steel Holdings Bhd, for example, made it to the headlines for having announced its decision to commence the manufacturing of cost-effective reinforced bars for the local market. The increasing involvement of companies toward product innovation and advancements will thus fuel the market share. For the record, in 2016, steel rebars market held a revenue of USD 120 billion. Make an Inquiry for Purchasing this Report @ https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2081 The surging implementation of smart city programs across several countries will also have a remarkable impact on steel rebar industry growth, as regional governments have been making heavy investments in the construction of buildings, road, and highways. Taking into account growing demand for steel rebar, many fabrication companies have been working toward constructing new production facilities. For instance, the U.S. based steel manufacturer, PennFab, recently commenced the production of rebar cages for highway signs, signal bridges, and catenary poles. Many other companies apart from PennFab have been striving to establish production plants in the U.S. to gain a competitive edge over their rivals in the regional market. Recently, Nucor Corp announced an investment of USD 250 million in Missouri to build a rebar micro mill, that will start churning out rebars by 2019. Nucor's investment validates that the increasing investments in new production plants across U.S. is likely to stimulate North America steel rebar market share over the years ahead. In addition to plant expansion, major behemoths in steel rebar industry have also been adopting the standard growth tactic of M&As to consolidate their positions. Merely a few days back for example, Gerdau and Optimus Steel LLC signed an agreement regarding the sale of Gerdau's wire rod mill and two other downstream applications. Optimus plans to pay around USD 92.5 million for this acquisition, post which its product portfolio and production capacity are likely to witness an ascent. The Steel Rebar 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 Steel Rebar market based on product, technology, end user and region. Browse Report Summery @ https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/steel-rebar-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) -- 05/21/2019 -- According to the report, the global surgical navigation systems market was valued at US$ 783 Mn in 2018. It is projected to expand at a CAGR of 8.5% from 2019 to 2027. Increasing demand for minimally invasive surgeries coupled with the augmenting awareness among people pertaining to the advantages offered by surgical navigation systems is driving the market significantly. Innovation and technological advancements, such as electromagnetic technology, are anticipated to boost the global market during the forecast period. North America and Europe are expected to dominate the global surgical navigation systems market from 2019 to 2027. This is attributed to a rise in the demand for minimally invasive surgery/devices for neurosurgery & orthopedic surgery, favorable medical reimbursement policies, and rapid increase in the geriatric population. Asia Pacific is likely to account for a significant share of the global market share by 2027. This is due to a large patient base with orthopedic problems in highly populated countries, such as India and China, large geriatric population in Japan, and rise in adoption of technologically advanced products in Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea. Rise in adoption of technologically advanced products by key manufacturers, such as Stryker, and Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc, is likely to propel the global surgical navigation systems market. The market in Asia Pacific is expected to expand at a notable CAGR of 8.5% from 2019 to 2027. Report Summary: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/surgical-navigation-systems-market.html High prevalence of orthopedic, neurological & ENT disorders to propel market Incidences of trauma are rising globally and therefore, the number of cases of surgeries is rising rapidly. Furthermore, increasing geriatric population worldwide is fuelling the demand for orthopedic replacements, primarily hip replacement, shoulder replacement, and knee replacement surgeries. Expansion of the market is primarily driven by rising adoption of minimally invasive surgical procedures, increasing number of partnerships, agreements, and collaborations among market players, rising incidence of orthopedic and neurological disorders, and high prevalence of ENT disorders. Moreover, government funding for research and development activities for surgical navigation systems is also driving the market. However, high cost and product recalls are estimated to hamper the market during the forecast period. Orthopedic to be highly attractive segment The report offers detailed segmentation of the global surgical navigation systems market based on application, technology, and end-user. In terms of application, the orthopedic segment is estimated to account for a leading share of the global market during the forecast period. Factors attributed to the higher share of the segment include a rise in the demand for minimal invasive orthopedic procedures to fix hip, knee, and spine injury. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, more than 600,000 knee replacement are performed each year in the U.S. The orthopedic segment is expected to expand at an exponential growth rate, owing to the rising geriatric population and subsequent increase in incidences of hip, knee, and shoulder fractures. Moreover, high success rates with surgical navigation system and favorable medical reimbursement policies in developed countries for surgical procedures are propelling the orthopedic segment. Furthermore, development and launch of new technologically advanced surgical navigation systems required for people suffering from chronic neurological disorders are projected to drive the neurosurgery segment during the forecast period. Additionally, a rise in the demand and adoption of ENT surgical navigation systems is expected to propel the ENT segment during the forecast period. Request for the Sample Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=2646 Hospitals segment to dominate market Based on end-user, the hospitals segment is projected to account for a dominant share of the global surgical navigation systems market from 2019 to 2027. The segment is anticipated to expand at a high CAGR from 2019 to 2027. Ambulatory surgical centers is expected to be the second-leading segment, in terms of market share, during the forecast period. High share held by the hospitals segment is attributed to an increase in the number of surgical procedures for the treatment of all types of orthopedic, neurological, and ENT disorders and favorable reimbursement policies for medical devices in most developed and developing countries. The hospitals segment is likely to expand at a rapid pace during the forecast period. Availability and high rate of adoption of over-the-counter surgical navigation systems and non-invasive treatment devices for the effective management of disorders are key factors driving the hospitals segment. Asia Pacific to offer high incremental opportunity In terms of revenue, North America is projected to maintain its dominance of the global surgical navigation systems market from 2019 to 2027. This is attributed to the early adoption of technologies, large patient pool, and easy availability & lucrative medical reimbursement policies in the U.S. and Canada. Furthermore, increasing advancements in healthcare infrastructure and the presence of a well-defined regulatory framework are attributed to the dominant share held by North America in the global surgical navigation systems market. Europe is anticipated to be the second-largest and a highly attractive market for surgical navigation system, globally. The market in the region is expected to expand at an exponential CAGR during the forecast period, due to the high prevalence and increase in incidence of disorders, surge in adoption of technologically advanced products, large base of medical devices companies, and large number of products in the pipeline for the navigation in the surgery of disorders. The market in the U.K. is likely to expand at a notable CAGR during the forecast period. The country is expected to gain share of the market in Europe from 2019 to 2027. Moreover, high incidence of orthopedic disorders due to aging population is projected to propel the market in the country during the forecast period. The market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to expand at a rapid pace, owing to the large population in countries such as India and China, large geriatric population in Japan, and improving health care facilities in the region. Awareness among consumers about the advantages of surgical navigation systems for successful surgeries is rising. Increase in disposable income is prompting people to raise their healthcare expenditure, which is also predicted to boost the surgical navigation systems market in Asia Pacific Obtain the Report PDF Brochure: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=2646 Focused R&D activities to develop innovative product technologies: Key trend among leading players The report also provides profiles of leading players operating in the global surgical navigation systems market. Stryker, Medtronic plc, B. Braun Melsungen AG, GE Healthcare (General Electric Company), Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. and Siemens Healthineers (Siemens AG) are major players operating in the market, offering products with proprietary technologies. Other prominent players in the global surgical navigation systems market include Brainlab AG, Fiagon AG, and Amplitude Surgical. About Transparency Market Research Transparency Market Research is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. Our experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports. New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/21/2019 -- A new market assessment report on the Titanium dioxide market provides a comprehensive overview of the Titanium dioxide industry for the forecast period 2019 - 2030. The analytical study is proposed to provide immense clarity on the market size, share and growth rate across different regions. The profound knowledge and extensive examination of the trends from the yesteryear and future aims at offering the stakeholders, product owners, and marketing personnel a competitive edge over others operating in the Titanium dioxide market for the forecast period, 2019 - 2030. Read sample PDF of report @ https://www.marketindustryreports.com/pdf/59 Market Industry Reports (MIR) has published a new report titled "Titanium Dioxide Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast, 20192030." According to the report, the global titanium dioxide market was valued at over US$ 14.0 Bn in 2018 and is anticipated to grow at a healthy CAGR during the forecast period of 2019-2030. Prominent Players in the Market Kronos Worldwide, Inc., The Chemours Company, Tronox Limited, and Huntsman Corp., are the dominant players operating in this market. Evonik Industries, Cristal and E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company are some of the other prominent players operating in the market. Partnerships and mergers and acquisitions are the two key strategies adopted by the players present in this market. Escalating Demand for Lightweight Vehicles The Titanium dioxide market is driven by a growing demand for lightweight vehicles. Owing to stringent norms related to automotive emission control across the globe, increasing concerns regarding fuel efficiency and reduction in carbon footprint, manufacturers are focusing on reducing the weight of the vehicle. Titanium dioxide is used for coating polycarbonate structures that are used in the manufacturing of automobiles. It provides stability, scratch resistance, and durability to the product. The globally flourishing automotive industry is expected to favorably impact the demand for titanium dioxide in the coming years. It is widely known that Titanium dioxide or titania has a broad range of applications due to its unique properties like its anti-corrosive properties, high stability, and its high refractive index. It finds its application in printing inks, chemical fibers packaging, rubber, construction, and water tanks; it is also used in coating and painting applications. The broadening usage of titanium dioxide as a material in solar photovoltaic (PV) is giving manufacturers operating in this market a new opportunity. Inquiry before buying @ https://www.marketindustryreports.com/inquiry/59 Asia Pacific region dominated the market While considering key terms such as value and volume, The Asia Pacific region is clearly dominating the market and is likely to stay in lead in the years to come. The growing investments in the infrastructure development sector and the increasing construction activities are the major factors that are driving the market in the Asia Pacific region. The European and North American regions are likely to witness huge growth over the forecast period due to factors such as the increasing infrastructural activities in the US and the growing demand for PV installations is another factor supporting the market growth in the Northern American region. The European market is likely to display a growth due to the growth in the automotive sector in France and Germany and the increasing demand from the cosmetic industry. Growing Demand from the Cosmetics Industry Surging demand for cosmetics products is another factor driving market growth. The cosmetic market is witnessing growth owing to the rise in the purchasing power of the consumers, and increasing awareness regarding self-grooming. Titanium dioxide is used as a pigment and thickener in face creams. Moreover, owing to its UV absorption characteristics it is also used in sunscreen products. With the growing cosmetic industry, the demand for titanium dioxide is also expected to rise concomitantly. The report provides answers to the following key points - What are the market trends influencing the progress of the Titanium dioxide industry worldwide? - What are the driving forces in the Titanium dioxide market for the forecast period 2019 - 2030? - What are the major challenges and threats restricting the progress of the industry? - What is the estimated growth rate and market share and size of the Titanium dioxide market for the forecast period 2019 - 2030? - Who are the prominent market players and how have they gained a competitive edge over other competitors? - What opportunities does the market hold for prominent market players? Read the full report on Titanium dioxide market @ https://www.marketindustryreports.com/checkout/59 About Market Industry Reports Market Industry Reports is a global leader in market measurement & advisory services, Market Industry Reports are at the forefront of innovation to address the worldwide industry trends and opportunities. We identified the caliber of market dynamics & hence we excel in the areas of innovation and optimization, integrity, curiosity, customer and brand experience, and strategic business intelligence through our research. We continue to pioneer state-of-the-art approach in research & analysis that makes the complex world simpler to stay ahead of the curve. By nurturing the perception of genius and optimized market intelligence we bring proficient contingency to our clients in the evolving world of technologies, megatrends and industry convergence. We empower and inspire Vanguards to fuel and shape their businesses to build and grow world-class consumer products. Contact Us- 502, Sai Radhe, Kennedy Road, Behind Hotel Sheraton Grand, Near Pune Station, Pune 411 001 Email: sales@marketindustryreports.com Phone: + 91 9673535933 Website: https://www.marketindustryreports.com/ Follow Us- LinkedIn| Twitter| Facebook The Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen said a civilian facility in Saudi Arabias province of Najran was targeted on Monday with a drone carrying explosives. It did not mention casualties. On Monday, the Houthis rebels denied earlier Saudi media reports that it had fired a ballistic missile toward Mecca, Islams holiest site, at a time of heightened tensions between Tehran and Gulf Arab states, and Washington. The group's Al Masirah TV said Houthis targeted an arms depot at Najran airport in Saudi Arabia which caused a fire to break out in the facility, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are leading a military coalition since 2015 to try to restore the internationally recognised government ousted from power in Sanaa by the Houthis in late 2014. *This story was edited by Ahram Online Search Keywords: Short link: Salvatierra, Spain -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/21/2019 -- In Tunnels & Trolls, a group of adventures arrive in the village of Axpe in North of Khazan, where they must adventure through a storyline that includes encounters with missing persons, damned villagers, and costly secrets. Tunnels & Trolls, branded a simpler alternative to hit title Dungeons & Dragons, offers hours of fun for experienced role-players or newcomers alike to the graphic novel or role-playing scene. Featuring unique characters, such as Idil, a wizard elf; Hordvald, a warrior dwarf; Luna, a wizard human; and Koll, a rogue centaur, the Tunnels & Trolls story is well developed and is full of twists and turns that keep readers and role-players engaged in a captivating adventure. The graphic novel will be available in digital and print versions, each featuring approximately 240 full-color pages and a120-page comic. With four solo mini-adventures, monsters, kindred, magical items, and more, the graphic novel will have everything needed to so readers and role-players alike can participate in all the adventures. Support for this project will be used to fund development of the graphic novel and its solo adventures, as well as associated productions costs for creation and design of the novel's content. The Kickstarter campaign is located on the web at: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/863831334/tunnels-and-trolls-cartoon-adventure Supporters around the world can back this project by making generous pledges and donations. Supporters can make pledges ranging from 3 to 40 or more, and each pledge comes with a series of rewards that digital issues, the full comic, and more. Moreover, some associated rewards are being offered with worldwide availability starting in July 2019. More information is available on the Kickstarter campaign page, but be sure to act fast as some rewards are limited. About HIRUKOA HIRUKOA is a creative publishing company based in Salvatierra, Spain. Dedicated to the promotion of all types of roleplaying, fantasy novels, comics, and strategy or card games, Tunnels & Trolls is their latest work in the cartoon adventure, graphic novel, and role-playing scene. Contact Contact Person: Javier Barroso Gil Company: Hirukoa de 3 SLU City: Salvatierra State: Alava Country: Spain Web: www.hirukoa.net Email: javimaster@gmail.com Website: www.kickstarter.com/projects/863831334/tunnels-and-trolls-cartoon-adventure Valley Cottage, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/21/2019 -- Being a component installed at the external opening of an oil or gas drilling well, the wellhead system plays a vital function by providing a structural pressure enclosing interface for drilling and production equipment. The wellhead system is also used for delivering exact suspension point and proper pressure sealing for the total casing used in the operationfrom the bottom of the well to the surface control equipment. Demand for Wellhead System to Stay Coherent as the Industry Seeks Advanced Technologies The emergence of clean technology is expected to bring new innovations in the conventional wellhead system. The shift towards implementing an environmentally safe approach in oil and gas recovery is likely to positively influence the wellhead system market. In line with this, Western Economic Diversification Canada awarded $1.1 million to Intelligent Wellhead systems for clean technology innovation that would enhance safety and environmental measures in the recovery of oil and gas. Various technological developments are expected to boost the demand for wellhead system market as evolving technologies such as monitoring systems and pressure control systems enhance the functionalities of the wellhead system. For example, ADNOC received a three-year contract for providing in-country wellhead system and services that reflect greater efficiency, by Weir Oil & Gas Pressure Control Dubai. Download Sample Copy @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-4656 Key Regions Showcase Burgeoning Demand for Wellhead Systems The wellhead system market is analyzed with respect to the key regions which include Eastern Europe, North America, Western Europe, Latin America, Japan, Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. Amongst the key regions, the European, North American, and Middle East and Africa regions are expected to project increasing demand for the wellhead system as there is major production of oil and gas along with enormous exploration of the same. Moreover, the numerous petrochemical industries located in these prominent regions are expected to contribute to the growing demand of the wellhead system. Major players in the market are supplying wellhead system equipment to these regions owing the increasing requirements. Forum Energy Technologies, another market player registered increase in sale of the well site production equipment in the United States, which highlights the potential for wellhead system market in North America. Moreover, key nations in the Asia Pacific region including China and India are seen utilizing wellhead system on a large scale in the petrochemical industry which has been on a key factor that fosters the production of oil and gas. Aker Solutions, a prominently recognized wellhead system market player, is currently bidding for contracts valuing NOK 45 billion, two-third of which are in the subsea areas, where the company is looking forward to receive projects from major economies such as Brazil, Australia, Asia Pacific, Africa, and the UK. Prominent Players Aiming to Gain Larger Share of the Wellhead System Market The prominent wellhead system market players are seen initiating crucial strategies to gain a competitive edge over the other participants in the market. The wellhead system market are seen implementing expansion strategies to extend their business in the key regions. The key players in the wellhead system market include Stream-Flo Industries Ltd., Wellhead Systems, Inc., Oil States International, Inc., National Oilwell Varco, GE Grid Solutions, Baker Hughes Inc., FMC Technologies, Nabors Industries Ltd., Shanghai Wellhead Equipment Manufacture Co. Ltd., Cameron-Schlumberger Ltd., Forum Energy Technologies, and Aker Solutions. Aker Solutions, in its third quarter, entered into an agreement with Equinor for on-going as well as future projects. Aker Solutions also backed two framework agreements for a tenure of five years each which revolves around their aim to potentially deliver subsea production systems unmanned wellhead platforms. Forum Energy Technologies, another wellhead system provider has illustrated a significant growth in revenue along with the acquisition of Houston Global Heat Transfer. These developments highlight the growth attained by players in the wellhead system market. Baker Hughes Inc's Oilfield equipment segment registered significant achievements in the UK North Sea, with a contract awarded by Nexen Petroleum, according to which the company is expected to provide subsea production systems including wellhead system, horizontal subsea trees, and subsea and topside control systems. Key Segments in the Wellhead System Market to Evaluate the Market Extensively The wellhead system market can be segmented on the basis of two essential factors namely well location and components. On the basis of well location, the wellhead system market is subsea, land and surface locations offshore (jackup or platform) According to the components, the wellhead system market is fragmented into segments such as choke, flanges, master valve, hangers, and others. Download Segment-wise Analysis @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-4656 Sellbyville, DE -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/21/2019 -- U.S. thermoplastic polyolefins market generated revenue over USD 700 million in 2015. Rising application scope in packaging and medical industry will drive regional demand. Europe will surpass USD 1 billion revenue by 2023, with UK and Germany being the key contributors. Rising product substitute over conventional elastomers and thermoplastics in automotive and medical industry will enhance the industry demand. Asia Pacific thermoplastic polyolefins market size in automotive application will surpass USD 900 million by 2023. China and Japan will be the major contributors of this revenue. Increasing rubber consumption in automotive and construction industry will support industry growth. Sample copy of this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/507 As reported in the latest study by Global Market Insights, Inc. (TPO) Thermoplastic Polyolefins Market size will surpass USD 4 billion by 2023. Rising application scope in automotive, construction and medical industry will drive the thermoplastic polyolefins market growth. Technological innovations in automobile component production led to increasing uses due to its light weight properties. Emerging trend to replace PVC due to rising ecological concerns will fuel the market growth. Excellent abrasion resistance, high strength, light weight, low costs, resistance to UV radiation and oxidation are the substantial properties encouraging usage in various applications. Construction application will witness CAGR over 5% up to 2023. Rising applications in commercial and residential roofing coupled with rapid urbanization and rising disposable income will trigger the thermoplastic polyolefins demand in this application. Weather resistance and flexibility at low temperatures are the beneficial properties driving industry growth. Browse Complete Summary of this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/thermoplastic-polyolefins-tpo-market-report Rapid industrialization and expansion in automotive industries particularly in China, Germany, India and Brazil will enhance the product penetration. Automobile applications is estimated to observe gains over 6% up to 2023. Technological advancement in reducing automobile weight, improving fuel efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions will support the product demand. Increasing innovations in CAFE influenced automobile manufacturers to develop advanced methods for vehicle weight reduction. These innovations will create new avenues in the thermoplastic polyolefins applications. Mitsubishi Chemicals, a Japan based company introduced olefin thermoplastic under brand ZELAS. The product will have applications in automotive interiors and exterior parts, medical as well as construction industry. Raw material availability including ethylene and propylene is mainly affected by crude oil index. Fluctuating crude oil index influence the product price trends, which may hamper the industry growth. Global thermoplastic polyolefins market share is moderately competitive. The key industry participants include Lyondell Basell, Dow Chemicals, Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas Inc, DuPont, RTP, SABIC, INOES, and Saudi Aramco. Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/507 Forward integration and presence across large part of the value chain to extend geographical coverage are the major strategies adopted by these companies. Other industry participants include AGC Chemicals Americas Inc, Arkema S.A., Avon automotive, BASF group, Covestro AG, PolyOne Corporation, Solvay Specialty polymers Inc, GAF and Spartech. New experiments, performed in vitro on bacterial cultures and in vivo in rats, show that coffee regardless of caffeine content inhibits gut microbiota and stimulates intestinal smooth muscle contractility. Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world, said lead author Dr. Xuan-Zheng Shi from the University of Texas Medical Branch and colleagues. Consumption of coffee is inversely associated with the risk of constipation. We hypothesized that the benefit may be related to the effects of coffee on gut microbiota and smooth muscle contractility, two key contributors to normal motility. We investigated the in vitro and in vivo effects of coffee on gut microbiota and smooth muscle contractility of the small intestine and colon in rats. The scientists examined changes to bacteria when fecal matter was exposed to coffee in a Petri dish, and by studying the composition of feces after rats ingested differing concentrations of coffee over three days. They also documented changes to smooth muscles in the intestine and colon, and the response of those muscles when exposed directly to coffee. They found that growth of bacteria and other microbes in fecal matter in a Petri dish was suppressed with a solution of 1.5% coffee, and growth of microbes was even lower with a 3% solution of coffee. Decaffeinated coffee had a similar effect on the microbiome. After the rats were fed coffee for three days, the overall bacteria counts in their feces were decreased. More research is needed to determine whether these changes favor Firmicutes, considered good bacteria, or enterobacteria, which are regarded as negative, the researchers noted. Muscles in the lower intestines and colons of the rats showed increased ability to contract after a period of coffee ingestion, and coffee stimulated contractions of the small intestine and colon when muscle tissues were exposed to coffee directly in the lab. When rats were treated with coffee for three days, the ability of the muscles in the small intestine to contract appeared to increase, Dr. Shi said. Interestingly, these effects are caffeine-independent, because caffeine-free coffee had similar effects as regular coffee. The results support the need for additional clinical research to determine whether coffee drinking might be an effective treatment for post-operative constipation, or ileus, in which the intestines quit working after abdominal surgery, the study authors said. They presented their results May 19 at the Digestive Disease Week 2019 in San Diego, CA. _____ Shrilakshmi Hegde et al. 2019. In Vivo and in Vitro Effects of Coffee on Gut Microbiota and Smooth Muscle Contractility in Rats. Gastroenterology 156 (6): supplement 1, S-587; doi: 10.1016/S0016-5085(19)38364-7 Libyan desert glass is a natural glass found in western Egypt that formed 29 million years ago, however its origin is disputed: the two main formation hypotheses include melting by meteorite impact or melting by a large atmospheric airburst. A new study by a duo of researchers from Australia and Austria supports the hypothesis that Libyan desert glass was created by a meteorite impact. Curtin Universitys Dr. Aaron Cavosie and his colleague, Professor Christian Koeberl from Austrias Natural History Museum and the University of Vienna, examined tiny grains of the mineral zircon in samples of Libyan desert glass. Zircons in the glass preserved evidence of the former presence of a high-pressure mineral named reidite, which only forms during a meteorite impact, Dr. Cavosie said. It has been a topic of ongoing debate as to whether the glass formed during meteorite impact, or during an airburst, which happens when so-called near-Earth objects explode and deposit energy in the Earths atmosphere. Both meteorite impacts and airbursts can cause melting, however, only meteorite impacts create shock waves that form high-pressure minerals, so finding evidence of former reidite confirms it was created as the result of a meteorite impact. The idea that the glass may have formed during a large atmospheric airburst gained popularity after an airburst over Chelyabinsk in 2013, which caused extensive property damage and injury to humans but did not cause surface materials to melt. Previous models suggested that Libyan desert glass represented a large, 100-Mt class airburst, but our results show this is not the case, Dr. Cavosie said. Meteorite impacts are catastrophic events, but they are not common. Airbursts happen more frequently, but we now know not to expect a Libyan desert glass-forming event in the near future, which is cause for some comfort. The findings were published in the journal Geology. _____ Aaron J. Cavosie & Christian Koeberl. Overestimation of threat from 100 Mt-class airbursts? High-pressure evidence from zircon in Libyan Desert Glass. Geology, published online May 2, 2019; doi: 10.1130/G45974.1 After flying past the dwarf planet Pluto in 2015, NASAs New Horizons spacecraft shifted course to Ultima Thule (also known as 2014 MU69), a much smaller body about 22 miles (36 km) in length. Ultima Thule is part of the Kuiper Belt, a torus-shaped ensemble of objects in the outer Solar System beyond the orbit of Neptune. The New Horizons team has just published the first peer-reviewed scientific results from the flyby, and they reveal some fascinating things about Ultima Thule: it consists of two lobes that appear to have merged at low speed, producing a contact binary; this type of Kuiper Belt object is mostly undisturbed since its formation roughly 4.5 billion years ago and so will preserve clues about that process; no evidence for Ultima Thules satellites, rings or other dust structures, a gas coma, or solar wind interactions was detected. New Horizons conducted a flyby of Pluto and its system of moons on 14 July 2015. The spacecraft then continued farther into the Kuiper Belt, adjusting its trajectory to fly close to Ultima Thule. Ultima Thule is located about 1 billion miles (1.6 billion km) farther from the Sun than Pluto was at the time of the New Horizons flyby. Its orbit indicates that it is a cold classical Kuiper Belt object, thought to be the least dynamically evolved population in the Solar System. New Horizons completed its Ultima Thule flyby on January 1, 2019, with a closest approach distance of 2,200 miles (3,538 km) less than one-third of its closest distance to Pluto. During the high-speed flyby, made at 9 miles/s (14.4 km/s), the probe collected about 50 Gigabits of high-resolution imaging, compositional spectroscopy, temperature measurements, and other data on this Kuiper Belt object. Their analysis indicates that Ultima Thule has a flattened bi-lobate shape, probably formed by the gentle collision of two smaller objects. Ultima Thule consists of a large, strangely flat lobe (nicknamed Ultima) connected to a smaller, somewhat rounder lobe (nicknamed Thule), at a juncture nicknamed the neck, said New Horizons principal investigator Dr. Alan Stern and colleagues. How the two lobes got their unusual shape is an unanticipated mystery that likely relates to how they formed billions of years ago. The lobes likely once orbited each other, like many so-called binary worlds in the Kuiper Belt, until some process brought them together in what scientists have shown to be a gentle merger. For that to happen, much of the binarys orbital momentum must have dissipated for the objects to come together, but scientists dont yet know whether that was due to aerodynamic forces from gas in the ancient Solar Nebula, or if Ultima and Thule ejected other lobes that formed with them to dissipate energy and shrink their orbit. The alignment of the axes of Ultima and Thule indicates that before the merger the two lobes must have become tidally locked, meaning that the same sides always faced each other as they orbited around the same point. Were looking into the well-preserved remnants of the ancient past, Dr. Stern said. There is no doubt that the discoveries made about Ultima Thule are going to advance theories of the formation of the Solar System. The largest depression on Ultima Thule is a 5-mile (8 km) wide feature, nicknamed Maryland crater, which likely formed from an impact. Some smaller pits on the object, however, may have been created by material falling into underground spaces, or due to exotic ices going from a solid to a gas (called sublimation) and leaving pits in its place. In color and composition, Ultima Thule resembles many other objects found in its area of the Kuiper Belt. Its very red redder even than much larger, 1,500-mile (2,400-km) wide Pluto, and is in fact the reddest outer Solar System object ever visited by spacecraft. Its reddish hue is believed to be caused by modification of the organic materials on its surface New Horizons scientists found evidence for methanol, water ice, and organic molecules on Ultima Thules surface a mixture very different from most icy objects explored previously by spacecraft. The insights gained in this study are based on only about 10% of the total data collected during the flyby, the researchers said. The full data transmission from the spacecraft to Earth is expected to be complete in 2020. The results appear in the journal Science. _____ S.A. Stern et al. 2019. Initial results from the New Horizons exploration of 2014 MU69, a small Kuiper Belt object. Science 364 (6441): eaaw9771; doi: 10.1126/science.aaw9771 Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis have stepped up missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia this week in a resurgence of tactics that had largely subsided since late last year amid United Nations-led peace efforts. The latest hostilities coincide with rising tensions between Iran and Gulf Arab states allied to the United States and come just as a sensitive, U.N.-sponsored peace deal is being carried out in Yemen's main port of Hodeidah, a lifeline for millions. The Houthis, who claimed responsibility for last week's armed drone strikes on oil assets in Saudi Arabia, said on Tuesday that one of their drones hit an arms depot at the kingdom's Najran aiport near the Yemeni border, causing a fire. The Saudi-led military coalition said a civilian facility in Najran province was targeted with an explosive-laden drone. It said on Monday that Saudi defence forces intercepted Houthi ballistic missiles fired towards Mecca, Islam's holiest site. The Houthis denied doing so. On Sunday, the Houthis said they would attack 300 vital military targets in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Saudi Arabia and the UAE head a coalition that intervened in Yemen in 2015 to try to restore the internationally recognised government ousted from power in the capital Sanaa by the Houthis in late 2014. The movement has during the war repeatedly targeted Saudi cities and vital installations - mostly in border areas, but on several occasions the capital Riyadh as well. The Houthis pledged last November to stop attacks on Saudi Arabia and the UAE at the request of the United Nations. While attacks on Saudi border areas continued, the Houthis had avoided targeting major cities or infrastructure. There have been no reports of attacks on the capital since last June. The coalition has in return conducted multiple air strikes on the Houthi-held Yemeni capital Sanaa which it says target military facilities and aim to neutralise the group's ability to fire missiles and drones. Riyadh and Abu Dhabi accuse Iran of arming the Houthis, a charge denied by the group and Tehran. Search Keywords: Short link: Austria's far-right interior minister, Herbert Kickl, has said his under-fire Freedom Party (FPO) would support a vote of no confidence in the conservative chancellor, Sebastian Kurz. A small opposition party has said it will propose such a vote and Kickl, whom Kurz is seeking to have sacked, told Tuesday's edition of the mass-circulation newspaper Oesterreich that if this happened, the FPO would back it. Kurz has already called time on the ruling coalition and called an election for September after a video sting brought down longtime FPO leader and vice chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache at the weekend. But his government is limping along for now, in effect in a caretaker role. To lose a vote of no confidence might dent the image of the youthful chancellor, who has sought to capitalise on a crisis as it boosts his People's Party's poll ratings. "It would be almost naive for Kurz to assume that we, the FPO, have no distrust of him following his distrust in us," Oesterreich quoted Kickl as saying. "Whenever the extraordinary session happens, those who give trust receive trust and those who give distrust get distrust." The FPO has said it will vacate its ministerial posts if Kickl, a mastermind of its rise to power and author of a hardline immigration policy, is forced out. However, new FPO leader Norbert Hofer has been more guarded than Kickl on support for a no-confidence vote. Strache was filmed in the apparent sting operation offering to fix state contracts for a woman posing as a Russian oligarch's niece. A poll published on Monday had support for the FPO declining by 5 points to 18% while Kurz's conservatives rose 4 points to 38%. Search Keywords: Short link: Environmental activists on Tuesday demonstrated outside the Royal Dutch Shell's annual general shareholder meeting, calling for the end of the use of fossil fuel. Around 15 activists dressed in red jumpsuits gathered outside the energy giant's meeting in the seaside town of Scheveningen near The Hague. They held banners that read "shut down fossil power". Search Keywords: Short link: The Kremlin on Tuesday warned Ukraine's new President Volodymyr Zelensky against asking Washington for more sanctions against Russia, suggesting it would not help his efforts to end the war in the east. Zelensky was sworn in as Ukraine's president on Monday and said his top priority was ending the conflict with Russia-backed insurgents in the east, which has claimed some 13,000 lives since 2014. In a meeting with US officials on Monday, Zelensky called on Washington to support Ukraine and introduce more sanctions against Moscow. "This is the rhetoric that will not help Ukraine to sort out the problem of the southeast," said Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, referring to the separatist conflict in the ex-Soviet country's industrial east. Zelensky had told a US delegation headed by US Secretary of Energy Rick Perry and US Senator Ron Johnson that Washington should keep "increasing sanctions" against Moscow. "We will not be able to overcome Russian aggression in Donbass and Crimea alone," Zelensky was quoted as saying by his office in reference to the eastern region and Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014. Peskov said Ukraine should stick to the Western-brokered peace treaty if it wanted to settle the conflict. "The US cannot fulfil a list (of requirements) of the Minsk agreements. Russia cannot fulfil them either," he said. "It is Kiev which can and must fulfil them." The Minsk accords inked in the Belarusian capital Minsk in 2015 are largely moribund and have failed to settle the conflict despite numerous ceasefire agreements. The Kremlin has refused to congratulate Zelensky on his landslide election victory last month or the inauguration. After Zelensky won the election, Putin ordered an easing of procedures for millions of Ukrainians to gain Russian passports, a move that caused uproar in Kiev. Search Keywords: Short link: Press Release May 21, 2019 Opposition won't give up despite electoral loss - De Lima Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has vowed that the united opposition would not waver on its firm resolve to stand up and fight the second phase of the Duterte administration's authoritarianism despite the results of the recent midterm elections. De Lima, a human rights and social justice champion, said that while the united opposition leaders may have suffered a huge loss in the recently-concluded midterm elections, it is never an option for them to give up on what they are fighting for. "Yes, it is another setback. Yes, this is no ordinary loss. But with loss comes the opportunity to learn. And we won't learn anything if we let ourselves wallow in disappointment or give in to hopelessness," she said in her Dispatch from Crame No. 519. "This loss was hard. Painful. But we should not give up. Because this fight is perhaps the most important fight of our entire history as a nation. We are fighting for our future, our children's future. We are fighting for our soul as a nation," she added. De Lima earlier described Duterte administration's second phase as "terrible and frightening" due to its plan for Charter change, a bloodier war on drugs, and the total capitulation of the country to China. She also added that she dreads an unmitigated and unchecked corruption and abuse of power in the Duterte administration, and more repression of the opposition, critics, and pro-democracy forces and human rights defenders. The former justice secretary admitted that there is no one to blame for Otso Diretso's electoral defeat as she maintained that now is not the time to give up and easily surrender the future of the younger generations to oppressors. "We live to fight another day. A long tough fight it is. But we will not give up," she emphasized. De Lima also clarified she is not disappointed at the candidates of Otso Diretso for their electoral defeat, maintaining that it was the loss of the Filipinos who missed to choose leaders who offered to serve the Filipino people's interests with no reservations. "They may have won no seats, but that is not their loss. It is our loss. We had a chance to elect brave, competent, independent-minded and compassionate people, who understood and were committed to the true meaning of 'public service', but we, as a nation, turned their offer down," she said. "There will be no playing the blame game. There will, nevertheless, be a lot of reflection, a heightened resolve and, above all, the opening up of avenues of communications," she added. De Lima rooted for opposition candidates Sen. Bam Aquino, Rep. Gary Alejano, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, civic leader Sam Gutoc, former solicitor general Florin Hilbay, election lawyer Romy Macalintal, former senator Mar Roxas and ex-Rep. Erin Tanada. De Lima, a former election lawyer before she entered government service, has since maintained that the fight for truth, justice and good governance does not end after the 2019 midterm polls. RFM Radio Ecoutez le meilleur de la radio SUD FM Ecoutez le meilleur de la radio JayLazarin/iStock(NEW YORK) -- A woman of Korean descent is suing Bloomingdale's and LOreal USA, alleging discrimination and false imprisonment. Hye Sun Kang, who goes by Jennifer, was a sales associate at the LOreal counter at Bloomingdales flagship store in New York City. Without any warning, her lawsuit said, she was detained by store security and accused of conspiring with and aiding a Chinese client in using fraudulent credit cards and forced to sign a written statement that she had violated company policy. Upon exiting the room, she was immediately confronted by the New York Police Department who arrested, charged and processed her, and she spent the night in a prison holding cell, the lawsuit said. Bloomingdales, in court papers, has denied the allegations. According to the lawsuit, Kang, who had no prior criminal history, spent 12 hours at Rikers Island before the district attorney ultimately dropped all charges. Kang was fired from her job and has what her attorneys called an unjustified arrest on her record. Kang said she feels that she was singled out and targeted because of her Asian descent. Her co-workers, who also sold products to the same Chinese client, were not questioned, arrested or fired, the lawsuit said. She is seeking damages against both LOreal and Bloomingdale's. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. The euro is "under threat as never before" not just because of the risks of a trade war between China and the United States but also the emergence of far-right leaders in Europe who would be happy to see its end, France's finance minister said Tuesday. "Our single currency is above all under threat politically now because many European leaders do not hide their desire to see the euro disappear," Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told reporters in Paris. Key far-right leaders in Europe including French National Rally (RN) chief Marine Le Pen and Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini have in the past spoken up in favour of pulling out of the euro. Both figures have tempered their rhetoric in recent months, though without ever emerging as champions of the single European currency. Le Maire took particular aim at Salvini, saying that while the Italian populist leader may not have abolishing the euro in his election programme, he was no friend of the single currency. "He said 'the euro will die a good death'. That is not what we call a very powerful support for our shared currency," he said. "Mr Salvini is supported by Ms Le Pen and by other radical conservatives in Europe and so they are making a choice that at least has the merit of clarity, which is the disappearance of the euro and the return to national currencies," he said. His comments came days ahead of tightly contested European Parliament elections where the far right is expected to perform strongly. The race is particularly tight in France, where Le Pen's party is expected to challenge the ruling faction of President Emmanuel Macron for the biggest share of the popular vote. Le Maire added that the euro was also under threat from the "risk of an economic crisis that we see dawning with the trade wars between the United States and China." Tensions are ratcheting higher between Washington and Beijing as the adminstration of US Donald Trump takes a hard line against the rising economic power of China, taking particular aim at the tech giant Huawei. Another threat is the "risk of the overvaluation of assets and the return of a financial crisis," he added. Search Keywords: Short link: China's internet major Baidu, an internet service provider to at least 67% of China's population reported its earnings for the first quarter ending March 31 2019. The company hailed as the Google of China reported a "solid growth" in this quarter. The company reported its online marketing revenues at RMB17.7 billion ($2.63 billion), increasing 3% year over year. This was mainly attributed to strength in education, retail, and business services, while healthcare, online games services, and financial services sectors were reported as "less vibrant". Other revenues were RMB 6.5 billion ($963 million), increasing 73% year over year, which was mainly due to the robust growth in iQIYI membership services, cloud and other businesses. In 2018, Global DU businesses and Du Xiaoman (financial services) were divested, which together generated approximately RMB 1.1 billion in revenues in Q1 2018. Its Chairman and CEO Robin Li was quoted as saying, Baidus mobile foundation continues to strengthen with search-powered AI, and our new AI businesses are making strong progress. In March, Baidus mobile reach expanded to 1.1 billion monthly active devices, while DuerOS voice assistant installed base reached 275 million devices and generated 2.37 billion monthly voice queries. Looking ahead, we are quite excited about the opportunities to significantly improve content and service discovery through in-app search and increase customer ROI with our entrance into CRM, to deepen our offering to our marketing customers," he said. "We are leveraging Baidu AI to provide enterprise solutions to businesses and local governments, which significantly expands our total addressable market, Li added. Baidu Q1 results were solid, with revenues reaching RMB 24.1 billion, up 15% year over year, or 21% year over year, excluding revenue from divested business, and margins were dampened by our successful CCTV New Year Eve Gala marketing campaign, which accelerated the traffic of Baidu family of apps and highlighted better in-app search user experience. Herman Yu, CFO of Baidu was quoted as saying in filing data. Among other key highlights, China's Google reported an uptick in spending on research and development. The company spent RMB 4.2 billion ($621 million) on R&D activities. This 26% y-o-y increase has been attributed to an increase in personnel. But, markets are Unhappy: Post the results announcement, markets have not taken too kindly. Net loss attributed to shareholders in this quarter has been reported at $49 million. This is the first quarter loss in as many as fourteen years. The stock slipped on May 17, a day after the results announcement. While sales have risen, EPS has dropped by approximately 75 percent in the first quarter. Baidu attributed the loss in GAAP earnings loss to iQiyi, a business model similar with that of Netflix. Post the announcement Robin Li reportedly shared a letter to investors explaining a "grim situation" and asked them to "invest in return for growth" Forecast: In its filing data to exchange houses, Baidu was reported as saying that it expected revenues in second quarter to be between RMB 25.1 billion ($3.74 billion) and RMB 26.6 billion ($3.96 billion), representing -3% to 2% increase year on year, or a 1% to 6% increase year over year, excluding revenues from announced divestitures. Herman, Baidu's CFO also said, Despite government policies to improve the market condition for SMEs, we anticipate online marketing in the near term to face a challenging environment. We will take this opportunity to improve our monetization capabilities and review our businesses for operational efficiency, while recognizing the importance to invest for sustainable long-term growth. The company speaking about Apollo, its driver-less concept cars said that it had started testing the fleet in the Hunan province. Open Platform, embraced by a developer community of 15,000, has been adopted for many innovative auto pilot scenarios, including street cleaning, goods delivery and shuttle services. The company did not give an exact answer of how many miles the Apollo project had covered during tests, but said that it amassed ten times test miles as that of the next industry player in China. Ambassador of Egypt to Serbia Amr Aljowaily has been granted the Development of Friendly Relations award by Serbias Centre for International Public Policy, marking the first time the Centre has presented this shield to any of the accredited ambassadors in Serbia. Aljowaily was presented the award by the president of the centre Aleksandar Klaric. Ambassador Aljowaily delivered a public lecture titled The Role of Egypt in International Relations in the Context of the Challenges of the 21st Century on 19 May at the University of Belgrade. The lecture was organised by the Center for International Public Policy and was attended by graduate students from different disciplines. Aljowaily reviewed the most important changes in international relations over the past two decades, including the dynamics of interaction of the major powers, the ramifications of the ICT revolution, as well as the globalisation of terrorist networks, their impact on the stability of countries, and their promotion of sub-national identities in the Middle East. Aljowaily said that Egypts regional and international policies are based on various points that include promoting counterterrorism policy from a holistic perspective, adopting comprehensive approaches to the peaceful settlement of international disputes which includes peacekeeping and sustainable peace-building and harnessing the capabilities of multilateral organisations globally and regionally. The ambassador also stressed Egypts keenness to pursue balanced relations with all major countries. Klaric expressed his appreciation for participating in the World Youth Forum in Sharm El-Sheikh last November, noting that there is great interest among young Serbs to participate in this years edition. Professor Zoran Krstic, head of the Masters programme at Belgrade University, expressed his hope to see student exchange programmes between Egypt and Serbia, which would bring the two peoples closer. Search Keywords: Short link: Paris: The Eiffel Tower in Paris had to be evacuated on Monday after a man tried to scale it. Police and other emergency workers including firefighters in the French capital were immediately scrambled to the 900 feet structure, which has just celebrated its 130th anniversary. The man could be seen dangling just below the third and highest level of the structure. It was not immediately clear how the trespasser managed to get past the towers stringent security system. Called the Backstage programme, the training is an initiative by Studio Emad El-Din, working in cooperation with Tawasol foundation Studio Emad El-Din, working with Tawasol Foundation, has announced the launch of the Backstage Programme, an activity aiming to provide thorough theatrical production training to the young inhabitants of Ezbet Khairallah, an underprivileged neighborhood in Cairo. The Backstage Programme is one of the numerous theatrical production trainings and workshops offered by Studio Emad El-Din, including 2BContinued lab and festival, which has allowed many backstage theatre trainees in professionally establishing themselves in the industry. Working with Tawasol Foundation, an NGO established at Ezbet Khairallah in 2008, Studio Emad El-Din has reached out to the many young people from underprivileged communities to prepare the next generation of theatre professionals. According to a press release by Studo Emad El-Din, the concept of the Backstage Programme was created by Ahmed El-Attar and was developed and designed by Nevine El-Ibiary, the director of workshop and residency programme, co-founder of Studio Emad El-Din and director of 2B Continued Festival. "El-Ibiary had the vision of providing high level professional training in the technical side of theatre light design, set design, and stage management to underprivileged neighborhoods so that they would be able to professionally work in theatre. Part of the programme's plan is to enlarge its working areas to 20 other underprivileged areas with the same cohorts," the press release reads. Ezbet Khairallah is one of the largest and most densely populated informal communities in Egypt, covering an area of 2 square kilometers (480 feddans). Its residents lack access to primary services such as water, a sewage system, and electricity. The young trainees are well-integrated during their second phase of training through participating in the Downtown Contemporary Arts Festival (D-CAF) thanks to their motivation and being "very attentive, interested, and eager to learn," said El-Ibiary. For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture Search Keywords: Short link: As part of his efforts to unite the opposition, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party leader N Chandrababu Naidu held a meeting with his West Bengal counterpart, Mamata Banerjee, at her Kolkata residence on forming a non-Bharatiya Janata Party government at the Centre in case of a hung verdict. New Delhi : Two days ahead of the Lok Sabha poll results, top opposition leaders will meet in the national capital on Tuesday to discuss the political situation and possibilities of a non-National Democratic Alliance combine to stake claim for government formation. Naidu had a 45-minute meeting with Banerjee on the future strategies of the "Mahagathbandhan" (Grand Alliance), during which he also discussed the possibilities of forming a non-BJP government, including regional parties, with the support of the Congress. "It was decided at the meeting that a detailed discussion will be held with other players of the Mahagathbandhan in the event of a hung verdict after the poll results are declared on May 23," a source said. The decision on Banerjee going to New Delhi would also be taken after May 23, the source added. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also telephoned Banerjee during the day and discussed the strategy of the "Mahagathbandhan", sources said. Naidu has been moving around across the country and has held several rounds of discussions with top opposition leaders in a bid to unite them and form an alliance to stake claim to form the next government in case the NDA falls short of the majority mark. The TDP chief met Banerjee again on Monday evening to discuss the political scenario in the wake of the exit poll predictions. On Sunday, Naidu met United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi separately in New Delhi, besides Nationalist Congress Party supremo Sharad Pawar. The TDP leader has already met other top opposition leaders such as Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow, Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal, Left leaders and Sharad Yadav in Delhi. Meanwhile, Akhilesh and Mayawati also held a meeting and discussed their strategy going forward. However, in view of the exit polls, most of which have predicted a majority for the BJP-led NDA, the opposition has turned a bit cautious and decided not to hold any formal meetings. Top Congress leaders also held a meeting under the guidance of Sonia Gandhi on Saturday, where the current political situation was discussed. Sources said the opposition strategy was to procure letters of support from various parties and in case of a hung verdict, to present the same before the president to stake claim to form the government. They added that the opposition did not want to leave anything to chance and did not wish to waste any time in staking claim for government formation and thus, was putting its house in order. Notwithstanding the exit poll predictions, the opposition is going ahead with its strategy as most parties have trashed the forecast and claimed that the NDA would not get a majority in the Lok Sabha. Opposition leaders are citing previous examples when exit polls were proved wrong, as also elsewhere in the world like the surprise result in Australia. Opposition leaders will also meet the Election Commission and raise the issue of tallying the paper trail of votes with the electronic voting machine figures as directed by the Supreme Court. The opposition parties are demanding tallying of VVPAT slips with EVM figures in an entire assembly constituency in case a discrepancy is found in any polling booth. The court has asked the EC to tally the VVPAT slips with the EVM figures of five polling stations in each assembly constituency across the country, which may delay the results. According to sources, leaders of opposition parties such as the Congress, TDP, Left parties, BSP, NCP and TMC will informally meet on Tuesday to discuss the way forward in case the NDA fails to get to the majority mark. Ahmed Patel and Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Congress, Sharad Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party, TDP's Naidu, Satish Chandra Misra of the BSP, Sitaram Yechury of the Communist Party of India-Marxist, D Raja of the Communist Party of India and Derek O'Brien of the TMC are expected to take part in Tuesday's meeting among others. 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Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3feeb02870)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3feeae6320)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3feeb02870)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3feeae6320)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3feea38d78)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3feeae6320)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3feeae6320)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fee080a28)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3feea1a310)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3feea1a310)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28:
29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:951 /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. 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John Kasich was determined to take advantage of the offer to extend coverage to millions of uninsured Ohioans. Just as determined to pass on the option were many of Ohios legislators in the General Assembly, who warned that the expansion would add millions of dollars to Ohios hard-pressed budget once the federal governments three-year grace period ended in 2015. Realizing that the legislature would never approve any bill he might propose for Medicaid expansion, Kasich used a rare executive power in Ohio that permitted him to bypass the General Assembly. He turned to the states Controlling Board, a seven-member panel of six legislators and one of his own appointees that oversees state spending on Medicaid and certain other expenditures. Kasich was able to pressure the board to approve by a 52 vote the expansion of Medicaid for the next three years, making Ohio one of 37 states to adopt the Obamacare option. Ohios government, like the federal government, includes separation of powers and checks and balances designed to keep any single branch of government executive, legislative, or judicial from gaining too much power and threatening our freedoms as citizens. The Ohio General Assembly (the legislative branch) makes the laws and controls state taxation and spending. The Governor (the executive branch) administers and enforces the laws. The Ohio Supreme Court (the judicial branch) is the final authority in the state on interpreting the laws and how they should work. But each branch also has certain powers to constrain or bypass the power of the other branches. Ohios checks and balances differ from those at the federal level and, law experts say, avoid many of the pitfalls at the federal level, including government shutdowns. A few examples: Ohios governor has a line item veto that allows the office to delete parts of the budget passed by the legislature that the governor doesnt agree with. The President does not have that power over Congress. Ohios governor can cut funding to specific state programs if needed to balance the state budget, which by law cant run a deficit. The federal government can and does run a budget deficit because it has the power to borrow money or print additional money to fill the gap. Ohios General Assembly comprised of both a Senate and House of Representatives, the same as the U.S. Congress can override the governors veto of a law or new spending measure with a three-fifths majority vote. Thats fewer votes than the two-thirds majority required of Congress to overturn a presidential veto at the federal level. Unlike the U.S. Congress, Ohio lawmakers have the power to decide if a state agency is exceeding the bounds of its authority and can restrict its actions. The Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR), consisting of members from both the Ohio Senate and House, can curtail the powers of executive agencies without the approval of the governor. Ohios executive positions Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer and Auditor are elected directly by voters. At the federal level, those are cabinet-level positions appointed by the President with approval by the Senate. Unlike the U.S. Congress, the Ohio legislature must adhere to a single subject law for passing bills. The law is meant to prevent last-minute riders and pork barrel insertions that have nothing to do with the original intent of the bill but are sought by special interest groups and lobbyists. The Ohio Supreme Court has the power to determine whether a bill meets the single subject requirement. Because of the governors line-item veto, Ohio can avoid the kind of government shutdowns that occur at the federal level. Under the U.S. Constitution, the President and Congress must agree on the entire budget before it can become law. The most recent federal shutdown in 20182019 lasted 35 days because President Trump and Congress disagreed over funding of a border wall with Mexico. In Ohio, however, the governor has more power in negotiating spending measures with lawmakers because of the line item veto, sometimes called the governors blue pencil. If the governor strikes an item from the budget, the remainder of the spending measures can still be funded. Congress tried in 1996 to give the President a similar line-item veto but the U.S. Supreme Court struck it down as unconstitutional. The governor (of Ohio) doesnt have to swallow a lot of things he cant stand just to avoid a government shutdown, says A. Christopher Bryant, a professor of constitutional law at the University of Cincinnati Law School. Last month, Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio lawmakers disagreed on how much the states gas tax should be raised in order to pay for repairing and maintaining Ohios crumbling roads and bridges. DeWine asked legislators for an 18 cents-per-gallon tax increase. Legislators said that was too much for consumers to bear. Ohio lawmakers argued for days over the right rate before approving a 10.5 cents-per-gallon increase on motor fuel and 19 cents-per-gallon increase on diesel. On April 2, lawmakers sent the two-year transportation budget to DeWine with a 7027 vote in the Ohio House of Representatives and a 2210 vote in the Ohio Senate. The increase was less than the bare minimum DeWine had sought but it was clear the legislature had the votes to override his line-item veto. He signed the bill. We faced a crisis. We had to fix the crisis. We are fixing the crisis today by the action taken by the Senate and the House, DeWine announced before signing the bill. The compromise will bring in $865 million more each year in gas tax money $524 million for state projects and $381 million for local governments projects. Other compromises have not been so simple between the executive and legislative branches in Ohio. Ohio lawmakers have tried twice in two years to pass a Heartbeat Bill that would criminalize abortions once a heartbeat can be detected in a fetus. Former Gov. John Kasich twice vetoed that measure, arguing that the law would be declared unconstitutional after saddling the state with a costly court battle In December of last year, Republican lawmakers in Ohio came up a single vote shy of reversing the governors veto and imposing one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country. Ohio Senators voted 1913 to override Kasichs veto, but needed 20 votes for a three-fifths majority. The bill would have prohibited the procedure at the first detectable heartbeat, as early as six weeks into pregnancy. The direct election of Ohios top executives including the Ohio Attorney General and Ohio Auditor gives them more independence to oppose the governors policies or investigate wrongdoing in the governors office, says Peter M. Shane, a professor of law at Ohio State Universitys Moritz College of Law. Since the governor didnt appoint them, they will have their own set of priorities and their own set of political ambitions, he says. Thats obviously different from the federal level where [top executives] are appointed by the President. Shane believes that, overall, Ohios checks and balances are working better than those at the federal level, in part because Ohio citizens demand more efficiency from state government than federal. The public, he explains, has much less tolerance for political grandstanding and much greater insistence on problem solving at the state level. TAKE THE 90 SECOND QUIZ NOW. Support for Ohio Civics Essential is provided by a strategic grant from the Ohio State Bar Foundation to improve civics knowledge of Ohio adults. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the Ohio State Bar Foundation. Last week we celebrated the launch of Song of Style in the beautiful city of Lisbon, Portugal! Many of the girls had never been, but each immediately fell in love with its charm. Theres something magical about Lisbon; the people are welcoming, the food is fresh and healthy, and every corner of the city youll see amazing architecture and the most beautifully painted buildings. It will forever hold a special place in my heart, and I cant wait for the first chance to go back! Where To Stay We stayed at the Verride Palacio Santa Catarina hotel. Its located in the heart of the city so there were a ton of great restaurants and shops within walking distance. Its also worth mentioning that their rooftop restaurant has the second highest view in Lisbon so its a great place to catch a glimpse of the entire city or if youre not hungry you can even enjoy it from their infinity pool! We got this photo of Lily in the Elsa Midi Dress on the rooftop. Where To Eat You cant not love the food in Lisbon. Because its a coastal city, the seafood is always fresh! The dishes served were not complicated, just simple with quality ingredients. When it comes to looking for a restaurant, we definitely recommend walking around and finding the ones that are filled with locals. The best meals we had were from authentic local spots. Farm Food Ink Cafe This was a hole in the wall spot next to our hotel. They serve traditional Israeli dishes and fresh juices (this is where Aimee got her celery juice). They made some of the best falafels Ive had! And I have to mention how nice the owner is. The place is cash only but we only had cards, so he kindly let us eat first and told us we could come back later to pay which wasnt much because the prices are so affordable! Address: Rua Marechal Saldanha 10, Lisbon 1200-260 Portugal On our beach day around Cascais, we stopped at Reserva Da Villa for lunch. The ceviche and the Reservas octopus were the must-haves. It also had a nice selection of wine for the wine lover. Try the Vinho Verde, a famous Portuguese wine, you will not regret it. Address: R. Fernandes Thomas 1, 2750-342 Cascais, Portugal Varina Da Madragoa was recommended by a local for having the best deep-fried codfish. There are grilled, salted cod options too but they are known for their pataniscas. The portions are way bigger than we expected so I suggest you dont over order like we did! The interior of the restaurant is quaint and traditional. I loved the vibe here! Address: R. Madres 34, 1200-861 Lisboa, Portugal What To Do If you happen to have a free day in Lisbon on a Tuesday or Saturday, check out Feira da Ladra market. At this flea market, youll find antique goods from books and textiles to homewares. For a beach day, you have to visit Cascais. Its about a 30 minute drive from Lisbon. There are castles, museums, cute shops and good restaurants all in one city. Its a fun one-day getaway! Aimee and Lily wore the Blair Blazer Top as coverups. Where To Go The following are 3 famous historical attractions that we went to. I wont go into details as there in a ton of information about them online. Ill just say they are all worth visiting, especially if youre into history and architecture. US delays Huawei ban for 90 days Washington, May 21 (AFP) May 21, 2019 US officials have issued a 90-day reprieve on their ban on dealing with Chinese tech giant Huawei, saying breathing space was needed to avoid huge disruption. A Commerce Department filing said the delay does not change the ban imposed by President Donald Trump on national security grounds, an action with major implications for US and Chinese technology firms. Instead, it grants a temporary license that will allow Huawei to continue doing business with American firms. "The Temporary General License grants operators time to make other arrangements and (gives) the Department space to determine the appropriate long term measures for Americans and foreign telecommunications providers that currently rely on Huawei equipment for critical services," said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. "In short, this license will allow operations to continue for existing Huawei mobile phone users and rural broadband networks." The Huawei confrontation has been building for years, as the world's largest company has raced to a huge advantage over rivals in next-generation 5G mobile technology. US intelligence believes Huawei is backed by the Chinese military and that its equipment could provide Beijing's spooks with a backdoor into the communications networks of rival countries. For that reason, Washington has pushed its closest allies to reject Huawei technology, a significant challenge given the few alternatives for 5G. Last week, President Donald Trump declared a "national emergency" empowering him to blacklist companies seen as "an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States" -- a move analysts said was clearly aimed at Huawei. At the same time, the US Commerce Department announced the effective ban on US companies selling or transferring US technology to Huawei. It is the implementation of this ban that was delayed Monday by 90 days. But the Huawei fight is over more than just US national security. Washington sees Huawei's rise as emblematic of China's drive to wrest global technological and economic leadership from the United States. Saudi media accuses Yemen rebels of missile fire at Mecca Riyadh, May 21 (AFP) May 21, 2019 Saudi-owned media accused Yemeni rebels Tuesday of targeting Islam's holiest city Mecca after Riyadh and its allies said they had intercepted two missiles over the kingdom. The exiled Yemeni government, which is based in Saudi Arabia, echoed the claim but the Huthi rebels denied any such attack. Coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Maliki said two missiles were shot down between Jeddah and Taiz districts of Mecca province on Monday but did not elaborate on the suspected target or who fired them. However both satellite news network Al-Arabiya and pan-Arab newspaper Asharq al-Awsat said the missiles were fired by Yemen's Huthi Shiites rebels at Mecca. They said it was the third such launch by the Huthis targeting the holy city since the Saudi-led coalition intervened in the war in Yemen in March 2015. The Huthis denied any such missile fire, adding that they would have claimed responsibility if they had been behind a launch. "We wouldn't be embarrassed to claim any operation to defend our people and land," a rebel spokesman said in a tweet. The exiled Yemeni government's information minister, Muammar al-Iryani, said: "The Huthi militias targeted Mecca," adding that the "terrorist crime" was carried out "on orders from Iran," Saudi Arabia's arch rival. The claim comes against a backdrop of rising regional tensions between Iran and Gulf Arab countries allied with the United States. Saudi Arabia is to host twin summits in Mecca next week of the Arab League and of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, which has been divided by a boycott of Qatar by Saudi Arabia and its allies. US response has 'put on hold' the threat from Iran: Pentagon chief Washington, May 21 (AFP) May 21, 2019 Pentagon chief Patrick Shanahan said Tuesday that the United States had "put on hold" the Iranian threat to its interests, following a spike in tensions that has seen the US dispatch bomber aircraft to the Gulf. "I think our steps were very prudent and we've put on hold the potential for attacks on Americans," the acting defense secretary said, as he prepared to brief lawmakers on the regional tensions. "I'd say we're in a period where the threat remains high and our job is to make sure that there is no miscalculation by the Iranians," Shanahan added. His comments come amid a war of words between Washington and Tehran as both sides accuse the other of dangerously ratcheting up tensions. The Pentagon accelerated the deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group to the Gulf and dispatched B-52 bombers to the region May 7 after US intelligence reported Iranian "threats" to US and allied forces. The nature of threat has remained vague, although it reportedly included sightings of missiles being loaded on Iranian dhows in the Gulf. Several tankers in the Gulf, including two Saudis, were reportedly sabotaged as well. Members of Congress, including some Republicans, have expressed skepticism about the intelligence, however, as well as worries about the potential for miscalculation. "I really want to underscore the credibility of the intelligence," Shanahan said, adding that he would be giving lawmakers a more detailed briefing about it. Asked later what he meant by putting the threat "on hold," Shanahan told reporters, "There haven't been any attacks on Americans. I would consider that a hold." "That doesn't mean that the threats that we've previously identified have gone away," he said. "Our prudent response, I think, has given the Iranians time to recalculate. I think our response was a measure of our will and our resolve that we will protect our people and our interests in the region." US stance on Iran 'deterrence, not about war': Pentagon chief Washington, May 21 (AFP) May 21, 2019 The US defense chief said President Donald Trump's administration was seeking to deter Iran but not start a war, after he briefed members of Congress. "This is about deterrence, not about war. We are not about going to war," Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan told reporters after exiting the closed-door meeting with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Shanahan credited robust US moves in recent weeks, which included the deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group, with thwarting Iranian threats. "We have deterred attacks based on reposturing of assets, deterred attacks against American forces," Shanahan said. "Our biggest focus at this point is to prevent Iranian miscalculation. We do not want the situation to escalate," he said. Pompeo said that he and Shanahan placed Iranian actions within the context of "40 years of terrorist activity," since the 1979 Islamic revolution replaced the pro-Western shah with a staunchly anti-US clerical regime. The briefing did not satisfy many of the Democrats, who say that the heightened tensions are the results of President Donald Trump administration's aggressive stance and shunning of diplomacy. "I worry very much that, intentionally or unintentionally, we can create a situation in which a war will take place," Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent running for the Democratic presidential nomination, told reporters. Saying that the Iraq and Vietnam wars were based on lies by previous administrations, Sanders said: "I believe that a war with Iran would be an absolute disaster, far worse than the war with Iraq." 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 SHaheed El-Hafeed, May 19, 2019 (SPS) -The Sahrawi people will celebrate Monday the 46th anniversary of the outbreak of the Sahrawi armed struggle, in a context marked by the numerous victories snatched by the Sahrawi people, who are still fighting for their right to self-determination. May 20, 1973 remains a historic event for the Sahrawis who had decided that day, under the leadership of the Polisario Front, the only and legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people, to take arms to wrest their independence from the colonization. On this historical day, a group of Sahrawi fighters decided to attack the Spanish post of El Khanga. This operation announced the outbreak of the armed struggle in Western Sahara. This people exist and will survive the betrayal of colonialism, the assaults of reactionary regimes and their manoeuvres," said late El Ouali Mustafa Sayed, first secretary general of the Polisario Front, who martyred on June 9, 1976. 062/SPS/APS Spain, May 21, 2019 (SPS) - The State Coordinator of Associations in Solidarity with the Sahara People (CEAS-Sahara) denounced on Monday the "expulsion" and "lack of protection" of five Spanish lawyers and two Norwegian observers who were going to a trial of a journalist from Western Sahara. In a statement they indicate that the five lawyers were accredited by the General Council of the Spanish Bar and the Norwegians belong to the Rafto Foundation to witness, as international observers, that trial against the journalist of Equipe Media Nazha el Khalidi, which, finally, has postponed until June 24. They say that, after being detained yesterday for hours in the transit area of the airport of El Aaiun, they were expelled in a plane to Casablanca, where they have been embarked this afternoon on another flight to Gran Canaria. They denounce the "silence" of the Spanish Government before the facts, which they interpret as "complicity" in the face of the "systematic violation of the most basic rights" of individuals and peoples. They claim that Western Sahara is a non-autonomous territory pending decolonization by Spain and "illegally occupied" by Morocco. They condemn that the Government has not contacted the expelled lawyers to be interested in their state and defend their rights as Spanish citizens.SPS 125/090/TRA Oviedo (Asturias), May 21, 2019, (SPS) - In the framework of the activities organized by the University of Oviedo, Asturias, the Aula Magna of the historic building hosted the round table: "Western Sahara: Current situation and perspectives" . The Vice Chancellor of University Extension and International Projection, Francisco Jose Borge Lopez, presented the ceremony welcoming the Saharawi delegation, headed by the Minister of Education, Bucharaya Bayun, and renewing the full commitment of the University of Oviedo to the fight for self-determination of the Saharawi people. The Saharawi representative in the province of Asturias, Yahia Edjil, took advantage of his intervention to remember the commemoration of the 46th anniversary of the founding of the Frente POLISARIO and began the fight against colonialism and foreign occupation. Javier Gonzalez Vega, Professor of Public International Law at the University of Oviedo, highlighted the achievements of the Frente POLISARIO and the consolidation of the Saharawi resistance. For Gonzalo Vega, the European Union is currently showing serious contradictions and becoming involved in clear violations of international law. Finally, the Minister of Education and member of the National Secretariat of the Frente POLISARIO, Bucharaya Bayun, explained the current situation and the lines of work being carried out by the Frente POLISARIO to arrive at a final and just solution. For Bayun, the Sahrawis will never understand the lack of involvement of Spain and the repeated obstacles of France to the peace process. "The bad decolonization makes Spain continue to be responsible for the suffering of the Saharawi people," said the Saharawi official. The day is part of the activities carried out by the Saharawi delegation in Asturias, the Asturian Association of Friends of the Saharawi People and the Asturian Agency of Cooperation to raise awareness among civil society about one of the oldest conflicts in Africa. SPS 125/090/TRA Ultimately, politics and public humiliation, particularly in this manner by a bigger neighbour, does not play out well within an establishment. by Vijaya Laxmi Tripura Courtesy: The Blitz After the Easter Sunday jihadist attacks in Sri Lanka, which killed more than 250 people, making it one of the most successful pro-ISIS attacks anywhere in the world, information was leaked out to the Indian press that New Delhi shared intelligence with Colombo of an impending attack of similar nature. An article by Kabir Taneja, published by the Observer Research Foundation has claimed, by ignoring the intelligence feed-back, Sri Lankan authorities actually had done a favor to ISIS. Here is the article: The Easter weekend terror strikes, targeting hotels and churches across the island of Sri Lanka brought forth what many had feared for a while, a large scale pro-ISIS attack in the South Asian region. While the 2016 Holey Artisan Bakery act of terrorism in Bangladesh announced the arrival of the ISIS ideology in the region, the Sri Lanka attacks cemented a whole different ballgame, that of do-it-yourself terror. The internets convergence with terrorism is a new theatre of war, and in the aftermath of the Easter attacks, both New Delhi and Colombo failed to engage with each other in order to manage the situation. The failures were not only of policing and intelligence, but also of managing narratives. After the attacks, which killed more than 250 people, making it one of the most successful pro-ISIS attacks anywhere, information was leaked out to the Indian press that New Delhi shared intelligence with Colombo of an impending attack of similar nature. In fact, certain reports also suggested that three intelligence inputs warning Sri Lankan authorities of a possible terror attack, the last one delivered mere hours before the suicide bombers struck. Ultimately, while it is commendable that India shared intelligence with its neighbour, what ultimately reports of the intelligence leaks did was to undermine an already struggling, internationally embarrassed and fractured political class in Colombo. Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, along with President Maithripala Sirisena, has gone on record to say that they were not told about the intelligence that India shared, puncturing holes in both the Lankan security and political establishments. Ultimately, politics and public humiliation, particularly in this manner by a bigger neighbour, does not play out well within an establishment. The pushback was coming as Colombos police and military establishments tried to protect their own ecosystems against overnight changes by the government. The reaction from Sri Lanka was at some level expected, as their own political and bureaucratic cliques looked to save face, and perhaps react against Indian leaks showing them in bad light. The countrys army chief, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanyake, in an interview to the BBC said that the Sri Lankan attackers had visited Kashmir and Kerala in India for some sort of training, or to make more links with other outfits. The claims made by Senanyake were offered to the press without any basis or proof, and created a flurry of activity in India, particularly in Kerala. The Kashmir curve ball thrown in by the army chief in all possibility was just to counter Indias leaks, and propping up his own offices and institutions. The support of this hypothesis lies in the reportage that followed after he gave the interview. Reports in Sri Lankan media suggested that intelligence agencies were still doubtful whether the chief of the National Thawheed Jamat (NTJ), the small group behind the attacks, Zahran Hashim, had actually died in the bombings himself or not. This made Senanyakes claims of travels by Hashim and others to Kerala, and specifically Kashmir, questionable considering they were still trying to figure out whether the NTJ chief was even alive or not. The police chief of Jammu & Kashmir, Dilbag Singh, said that no records exist of any of the attackers visiting Kashmir. To counter a group such as ISIS, and its influence often distributed using the online world, today is more about countering narratives rather than trying to destroy it by bullets. ISIS caliphate is no more, and today it runs its affairs as a traditional insurgency instead of the proto-state it had setup that operated between 2014 and 2018. Despite the loss of geography, ISIS has continuously put weight behind smaller groups that support it around the world. ISIS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, in his first video appearance this month since 2014, accepted the allegiance of groups operating under the ISIS banner in places such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Afghanistan, officially expanding his organisational footprint. How to fight ISIS, and how to approach the issue of weaponisation of the internet is still a much discussed topic. Policies of counter-terrorism (CT) and countering violent extremism (CVE) are still playing catch up to the evolutionary changes ISIS has orchestrated on how modern-terror groups operate. Researchers Alastair G Reed and Haroro J Ingram have highlighted in a new research published by Europol that a critical juncture of narratives that CT and CVE policy makers need to apply within themselves, before advocating policies to governments and others alike, highlighting the need of active counter-messaging to tackle these new threats rather than the traditional defensive approaches. In the case of the Sri Lanka attacks, the counter-narrative designs were neither defensive nor active, but largely self-defeating for both Colombo and New Delhis interests. The largely defensive measures (of CT and CVE) are reflective of (as well as contributed to) a culture of do no harm in the departments responsible for these efforts. While a philosophy of do no harm is understandable, we argue that the golden rule of CT-CVE messaging should be to do violent extremists no favours because it contributes to a more assertive, less defensive, and competitively-oriented posture, Reed and Ingram highlight. Both India and Sri Lanka ended up doing favours to ISIS, and the NTJ by not showing joint, and strengthened regional resolve to combat the same. It is imperative for South Asian countries to understand and recognise the ways in which ISIS has changed the very modus operandi of Islamist terrorism. Adaptation of counter-narratives at the forefront of CT and CVE is an approach that needs to be institutionalized in the regions security thinking. Smile Telecoms SMILE TELECOMS APPOINTS NEW GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 21-May-2019 / 15:45 GMT/BST SMILE TELECOMS APPOINTS NEW GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER - Ahmad Farroukh, Smile Group Executive Director Operations, appointed as Group CEO - Irene Charnley, founder of Smile, appointed as Deputy Chairman PORT LOUIS, Mauritius: Smile Telecoms, a Pan-African telecommunications group with operations in Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, today announces the appointments of Mr. Ahmad Farroukh as Group Chief Executive Officer and Ms. Irene Charnley as Deputy Chairman, respectively, effective 1 June 2019. Ahmad Farroukh, who currently serves as Smile's Group Executive Director Operations, is a seasoned and experienced telecoms executive with a distinguished record of commercial and operational success. Mr. Farroukh's vast experience extends to executive management positions at Investcom Holdings and the MTN Group (where he served as CEO of MTN Nigeria, MTN South Africa and Group Chief Operating Executive, responsible for 19 countries) and immediately prior to joining Smile, as CEO of Mobily, Saudi Arabia's second largest telecommunications operator. Given the extent of the opportunity and the significance to Smile, Ahmad will spend the majority of his executive time in Nigeria. Hailed as one of Africa's most successful business leaders, Smile Telecoms founder and shareholder, Irene Charnley has led the Company's innovation and pioneering of Africa's first 4G LTE network infrastructure, using low band spectrum in 800MHz band. thereby revolutionizing the way people in Africa accessed high speed internet. After 12 years at the helm, Ms. Charnley will now serve as Deputy Chairman for the Company and will fulfil a strategic role. Commenting on the announcement, Mohammed H. Sharbatly, Smile's Co-Chairman and Group CEO of Smile's majority shareholder, Al Nahla Group of KSA, said "The Africa telecoms market is as dynamic as it is challenging, and Ahmad is suited to lead Smile's next exciting phase of growth, as we have transitioned from a spectrum rich upstart to the fastest, most reliable data gigabyte factory in Sub-Sahara Africa. We are equally delighted that Irene will continue to serve the company she founded as Deputy Chair, and we look forward to her ongoing strategic direction and guidance." "The next phase for Smile will focus on delivering excellent operational returns, achieving profitability and creating value for all stakeholders, and I believe that Ahmed is best suited to lead the Company forward in this regard", added Irene Charnley. "Africa is experiencing explosive data growth, and I am honoured to have the opportunity to lead the operations of one of the continent's best 4G LTE networks at this exciting time. It has also been a revelation after over 20 years in the industry to witness the power and versatility of Smile's proprietary technology applications platform, which was developed in-house and provides a huge competitive and cost advantage," concluded Ahmad Farroukh. About Smile Telecoms Holdings Ltd Smile, founded in 2007, is a Mauritius-based Pan-African telecommunications group with operations in Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Africa. The company has one of the largest sub-1 GHz 4G LTE commercial networks in Africa, operating in the "future proof' low band, 800 MHz band and mid band. Smile was the first to launch VoLTE on its network and has continued with its innovation, having introduced SmileVoice, which is a free mobile app that enables customers with any Android or Apple iPhone device (including those which are not VoLTE-enabled) to make SuperClear voice calls over Smile's 4G LTE network. Smile was also the first to introduce an Unlimited offering, which enables SuperFast data and SuperClear voice, all on one bundle. 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. The monks will be back for this years Thai Festival. Photo submitted. THE countdown is under way to this years Warwick Thai Festival. The popular event will be on Saturday and Sunday, 1st and 2nd June at Warwick Racecourse. Warwick Rotary Club is the driving force behind the event and Magic of Thailand has returned to stage it. From 10am to 6pm on both days, the racecourse will host Buddhist monks, sword fighters, dancers and musicians. More than 20 food stalls will line the racecourse, together with crafts, spices, fabrics, massage and face painting. Buddhist Monks will start the festival off with their ceremonies, and the traditional reception of gifts from the traders. On stage throughout the day will be a presentation of Thai culture, with dancing, lady boys, sword fighting, music, local boxers Muang Thai and cookery demonstrations. There will also be a childrens dancing and talent show, as well as a play area. A spokesman said: Warwick has a number of excellent Thai restaurants in town and has built up a rapport with the local Thai community. In 2004 after the tsunami hit Banda Aceh in Thailand the Rotary club asked how they could help, and a festival to celebrate Thai food and culture was born. Over the last 15 years the club has raised thousands to help re-build, support orphans and other overseas causes. Singha Beer, I-Asia, Thailand Tourist Authority, Warwick Castle, Costco and Kia cars are sponsoring the event, with profits going to charitable causes. Tickets are available on-line at www.warwick.the jockeyclub.co.uk Adults over 15 4, or on the gate 5. Children under 15 go free. There is free parking available at the racecourse. MCA NashvilleFor someone whos officially retired from touring, George Strait continues to work plenty these days. In fact, demand to see the Country Music Hall of Famer in Kansas City, Missouri next year is so great, hes adding another show. The second concert at Sprint Center will be Sunday, January 26, following his previously-announced Saturday set. Tickets for the new date go on sale Friday, May 31. Still to come this year for King George: stops in Columbus, Ohio; Foxborough, Massachusetts; and Fort Worth, Texas; along with his continuing series of shows at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Fans are sure to hear his latest hit, Every Little Honky Tonk Bar, which is currently in countrys top twenty. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Taylor City Treasurer Ed Bourassa resigned May 20, after signing a settlement agreement with the city. In a letter addressed to the residents (of) Taylor, Bourassa said he accepted a $45,000 offer to settle his dispute with the city. Rather than continue fighting with the council and mayor, I decided that it would be in my best interest to resolve my legal dispute, Bourassa wrote. All I ever wanted was fair treatment, and the settlement I reached with the city achieves that goal. Some of you may think I settled cheap and some of you may think I didnt deserve anything. All I can say is that the settlement was fair, and I wanted to move on so that all the stress associated with this fight could be eliminated and (I) could focus full time on improving my health. The settlement concludes a saga that began in December, when the Taylor City Council voted to halt Bourassas pay. At the time, he had been working from home for months after suffering an injury following hip surgery in February 2018. City officials argued that he had been neglecting his duty as an elected official, a charge Bourassa denied. Following the Dec. 18 vote to stop his pay, Bourassa filed a federal lawsuit against the city, alleging that the termination of his pay violated his rights as a person with a disability, breached his contract with the city and deprived him of his right to property and due process. One Court documents also alleged that the defendants Taylor Mayor Rick Sollars and the five City Council members who voted in favor of curbing Bourassas pay had political motives. In his letter of resignation, Bourassa concluded with a warning to Taylor residents. There is a pervasive aroma of arrogance and egomania permeating city government, he wrote. I am victim of this hubris. Some of our leaders are not trustworthy, and we all need to keep a careful eye on them to make sure they act professionally, morally and legally. I saw this from inside City Hall and what you cant see isnt pretty. On Feb. 22, city officials sent an affidavit to Bourassa, outlining their concerns about his fulfilling the duties of his office and inviting him to the council meeting to address the situation. Bourassa attended the March 5 meeting, but did not answer questions himself, instead letting his attorney, Michael Pitt, do the talking. Pitt made the case that the council didnt have the power to dock the pay of his client an elected official citing Michigan statute 168.327. The statute states that only the governor and citizens have the power to remove an elected official from office. This council decided on its own, without any due process, to withdraw (my clients) salary, Pitt told the council. For the record, Mr. Bourassa has continued to perform his duties as treasurer, and he will continue to do so until he is removed or resigns. The city of Taylor maintained that, despite the fact that a City Council resolution resolved to remove the treasurer from the municipal payroll system, no determination had been made about a vacancy in the elected office. Longtime Lincoln Park City Attorney Ed Zelenak, a friend of Bourassa, called the move completely befuddling, saying it violated state law. Municipal corporations arent like business corporations, he said. You cant take the same type of actions against individuals, particularly when one is an elected official. Ive never seen what I would just call institutional arrogance or ignorance of what the standard of law is today. Even if (the city is) right, they did it in the wrong way. According to Taylor spokesman Karl Ziomek, the council must appoint a replacement per the city charter. The Perspective Atlanta, Georgia May 21, 2019 The countdown is on for June 7, 2019, and with the recent meeting of the minds, while expressing security concerns among other arguments, the governments position on the looming, planned Peaceful March to present public grievances to President Weah and the ruling body- the Administration IS NOT BLOCKING THE DEMONSTRATION. Its a win for all, with a serious caveat - The eyes are now on the Public to allay the genuine security concerns of the President, by proving that Liberia has come of age, settling her differences through Peaceful Means. It should not, and must not be a countdown to Doomsday, as concerns flow to border towns about impending catastrophes, spooking residents to move family members across to neighboring countries. The war-weary citizens do not deserve to live in this kind of life-altering fear. This shouldnt be, if both sides work within the law. There should be no clashes between the Government and the Public. A PEACEFUL MARCH is emphasized by the organizers, so it is on them to conduct orderly participation by all. It is incumbent on Government to work with the organizers to hammer out modalities to bring about a secured execution of the demonstration. Also incumbent on the Government is to listen to the grievances. The People are simply exercising their rights to peaceful assemblage, as allowed by the Constitution. We have found ourselves at this juncture before. Suffering People just want to be heard, hoping, perhaps, that Government would focus on their plight, from the marked day forward. It is safe to say that a poll would reveal that a lot of those voicing out grievances now, voted for this administration. They are crying out for what they are feeling and living in real time. The Public is not up in arms in trying to get their messages across. They should not be tossed aside now, and their only avenue to speak out must not be blocked. That would be a mistake; it would only compound their plight. This is time for the Administration to take a deep breath, check itself for the brief time at the helm, and be honest to the People. It is a good time to reflect and chart a modified or New Course, if necessary. No one said it was going to be easy to turn Liberias economic conditions around in a short period of time. No one expected that. However, theres a right way to move towards alleviating the suffering, and there is a wrong way. Clearly, the People see how corruption is blocking development; it is only natural that they letting it known, and demanding it is stopped. There is always time, and there are many ways to turn things around. The Weah Government can take a bold step to move in the direction of the People. What the People want, and pray for, is a successful Government. A PEACEFUL MARCH is not a bad thing; ITS A GOOD THING. In the humblest terms, it is an advice from the Masses to Government. Lets assess the grievances: Poor living conditions - This can be met with Liberia's own GREEN NEW DEAL - massive FARMING and RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAMS. With the promised ROAD NETWORKS creating the necessary infrastructure, the economy would benefit greatly employment, and much more, entrepreneurs, could sprout out. Exporting can be enhanced by the availability of power/energy in rural Liberia to aid in mechanized farming and food processing and packaging. What a boost to the economy that would be! Not to mention, Liberia would creep to the ever too important food security for the country. The second grievance is Corruption - We all know this has been, and still is a public enemy. What corruption does to the Masses is stymie their progress, since funds that could otherwise engender development programs are been siphoned from everywhere. This can be met with emphasis on accounting at every Government entity, and audit findings must be followed up prosecutions and firings made where must, to say the least. For Gods sake, people in high government positions are paid, right before the very eyes of the poor Masses, ridiculously lopsided salaries. One would think they would be grateful to the People, and do their jobs well. But, no, they also take all the crumbs, too, but still come up with no development programs. Thats what the People are crying about; thats what the People want to talk about. The System is not working, and the People are just saying. They have to be heard. The System Can Be Fixed! Bold Steps are needed! Lets not fight; lets do it! ALL HAIL LIBERIA, HAIL! The Perspective Atlanta, Georgia May 21, 2019 Editor's Note: In the middle of these remarks, Chief Justice Francis S. Korkpor, Sr. stopped Cllr. Gongloe from delivering the remarks. Is this not an unprecedented display of intolerance coupled with arrogance? His Excellency, President of the Republic of Liberia and other members of the Executive Branch Your Honors, Chief Justice, Associate Justices of the Honorable Supreme Court of the Republic of Liberia, and Judges of subordinate courts Honorable Speaker and members of the National Legislature The Doyen and members of the Diplomatic Corps The Coordinator of the United Nations and other representatives of the United Nations The Vice President and Members of the Liberian National Bar Association The President and Members of the Trial Judges Association The President and Members of the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia Representatives of International Non-governmental organizations Prelates Representatives of Civil Society Organizations Members of the Press Clerical and Ministerial staff of the Judiciary Other distinguished ladies and gentlemen Cllr. Tiawan S. Gongloe The Official position of the Liberian National Bar Association has been and still is that the removal of Justice Kabineh M. Janeh was unconstitutional. The LNBA maintains that the bill of impeachment was a product of the violation of a court order, that the impeachment was done without a procedure prescribed by the Legislature as required by article 43 of the Constitution and that by the removal of Justice Janeh for performing his legal duty, the Senate violated article 73 of the Constitution. The removal of a justice for performing a legal duty creates a precedent that has the potential of making other judges, especially of subordinate courts to be afraid to freely perform their legal duties when it comes to cases in which the interest of government or of powerful persons or entities are involved, thereby defeating the purpose for which courts exist in our system of government. Given this position of the LNBA, our presence here today is not an approval of the reason for which we were cited, for the Constitution does not require such. We are here because the failure of a lawyer to appear and perform any service required by the Court is contemptuous. Personally, I should be in a joyous mood and celebrating for the elevation of Justice Kaba, as my former student during his undergraduate studies at the University of Liberia in the 1980s. But, I cannot because another former student of mine, Justice Janeh was removed unconstitutionally. Officially, as president of the LNBA, I cannot celebrate because to do so will be contrary to the official position of the LNBA. The removal of associate justices in Liberia has always been controversial as they have been controlled by the politics of the day and not the controlling law of the day. In 1915, Associate Justice McCant Stewart was removed for political reasons. Given that the removal of Justice Janeh was devoid of any legal reason, it can be concluded that his removal was for political reasons. This is not good for our country. Both and the House of Representatives and the Senate have the rights to impeach and remove a justice, respectively. However, such a process must be in keeping with the law. In the United States, our reference jurisdiction, only one justice of the 112 justices that have been appointed since 1790 has been impeached, but none has been removed from the bench. In 1804 Associate Justice Samuel Chase was impeached by the House of Representatives, but the Senate in 1805 acquitted him. Hence he was not removed. This information is contained in an articleentitled, Has a U.S. Supreme Court justice ever been impeached? authored by Elizabeth Nix, and published by website https://www.history.com/. Associate Justice Chase served on the court until his death in 1811. This means that as old as the United States is, it has not removed any associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. The LNBA cautions members of the Bench to stand up in defense of the rights of each other against any illegal action from the Executive or the Legislature, for it goes without saying that the violation of the rights one person is the beginning of the violation of the rights of all. You can rest assured of the support of the LNBA in any such stance on the part of the Court. On this note, I leave you with the poem entitled First they Came written by a German Lutheran Pastor, Martin Niemoller in 1946, after World War II: First, they came for the Communists And I did not speak out Because I was not a Communist Then they came for the Socialists And I did not speak out Because I was not a Socialist Then they came for the trade unionists And I did not speak out Because I was not a trade unionist Then they came for the Jews And I did not speak out Because I was not a Jew Then they came for me And there was no one left To speak out for me A word to the wise is sufficient. I thank you By Wang Zhen According to media source, representatives of the Venezuelan government and the opposition traveled to Oslo, the Norwegian capital, for talks. As soon as the news was released, it attracted global attention as it would bring a glimmer of hope for the imminent crisis in the South American country. It was not the first time that the Venezuelan government and the opposition held talks, but this time, it seemed different. First, this negotiation was a result of stalemate between the two parties after long-term fierce wrestling. The Nicolas Maduro administrations ability to control the situation was improved after the failure of the April 30 coup. Nonetheless, the Venezuelan government is facing great challenges and an increasingly deteriorating political culture. Under such circumstances, it must find a solution to stabilize the situation and consolidate its foundation, while seeking reconciliation through negotiations is an option. Over the past four months since Juan Guaido declared himself as the interim president of Venezuela, he has made a multitude of attempts to win power by relying on support from the U.S., but all were in vain. The final offensives he launched have also been proven useless. Facts have repeatedly proved that no one would win if this situation continued. Both parties need to sit down at the negotiating table without further wasting resources, for the sake of national economy and the livelihood of the people. Second, this negotiation accorded with the will of the people. Cries of discontent have risen among Venezuelan people after years of political turbulence. Such discontent not only targets at the Maduro administration, but also increasingly towards the opposition and its leader Guaido. Given the continued US maximum pressure and threatening to use armed forces to intervene in the Venezuelan crisis, Guaido acted on the U.S. influence in the struggle for power, which undermined the national pride of the Venezuelan people and incurred grievances. At present, the overwhelming majority of the Venezuelan people called for peace over chaos. In the long run, this reflects an inevitable trend among the public. In this circumstance, both Maduro administration and the opposition try to play a lead role in peace talks. The Maduro administration already took the initiative as it has long called for reconciliation, and the opposition must take some actions in this regard to avoid passivity. Third, this negotiation was partly attributed to the efforts of the international community. The pro-justice force of the international community including China has played a significant role in preventing the escalation of the Venezuelan crisis by opposing intervention and promoting peace through various channels and methods, which is an indispensable international factor that made the Oslo negotiation possible. Some media organizations noted in their reports that the negotiation happened to take place after U.S. Secretary of State Michael Richard Pompeo visited Russia, and the coincidence of opportunity was intriguing. Russia and the U.S. have taken opposite stances on the Venezuelan crisis, criticizing each other. Both have once taken some major actions. However, during the talks with Russias foreign minister, Pompeo said that the U.S. also opposes external intervention and advocates that the Venezuelan crisis should be settled by the Venezuelan people themselves, which seemed to have found common ground between Russia and the U.S. It was surprising that Pompeo would say so, nevertheless his words is worth pondering. Reading between the lines, perhaps Pompeo was merely trying to make pre-endorsement for the Oslo talks. Considering the long-standing Venezuelan crisis, deeply-rooted contradictions between the government and the opposition and complicated international situation, there seems to be no easy solution to the problem. It would be hard for both parties to reach consensus at the talks, even harder to sign an agreement on the governance of Venezuela, or to put such an agreement into practice. Nevertheless, a talk remains better than no talks. The negotiation would at least relieve the tension, making it possible for the people to breathe a sigh of relief and focus on improvement of their living standards, and for the national divergence to be mended or at least not to expand any further. As the first step to peace, if the negotiation can stabilize the current situation, restore order on the streets and make ordinary people to live a normal life, it would be good news for the Venezuelan people. The international community and the Venezuelan people should work together to drive and urge parties involved in the talks to take into account the whole picture and spare no effort to strive for the interests of Venezuela and its people. Perhaps there will be twists and turns and even struggles in the process of negotiation, but everything will go well as long as it sticks to a positive direction. (The author is a senior researcher at the China Foundation for International Studies and former Chinese Ambassador to Venezuela.) Disclaimer: This article is originally published on Global Times, and is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information, ideas or opinions appearing in this article do not reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn. Montreal, CA (H4T1V6) Today Cloudy with snow showers this evening and steady snow likely after midnight. Some mixed winter precipitation possible. Low -8C. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 90%. Snow accumulating 1 to 3 inches.. Tonight Cloudy with snow showers this evening and steady snow likely after midnight. Some mixed winter precipitation possible. Low -10C. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 90%. Snow accumulating 1 to 3 inches. PIGGS PEAK Nearly eight years later, Musa Ngubeni, a former student leader and PUDEMO member, has been found guilty of possession of explosives. Ngubeni had been charged under the Explosives Act 4 of 1961. He was found guilty by Piggs Peak Principal Magistrate Joe Gumedze, who was sitting at the Manzini Magistrates Court on May 14, 2019. Ngubeni was arrested in April 2011 alongside Maxwell Dlamini but was later released on bail in February 2012. Yesterday, he again appeared before Gumedze represented by his lawyer at Piggs Peak Magistrates Court. Several representatives from the proscribed Peoples Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) were present in court, including the political partys President, Mlungisi Makhanya. Others who were present also included Mphandlana Shongwe, as well as Basil Thwala, who was also previously arrested during a protest and sent to jail without an option of a fine. Ngubenis lawyer, who was identified as Sibandze, mitigated on behalf of his client while Crown counsel Thabo Dlamini also made submissions. Dlamini submitted that Ngubeni should be given the maximum sentence of 15 years which will serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders. Offences He submitted that one Thandaza Silolo, who had been charged under the suppression of Terrorism Act, had submitted a statement that Ngubeni, with another, had travelled with him in a vehicle at the time he committed the offences. Dlamini submitted that though Ngubeni was not directly linked to Silolos bombings, he may have been a mastermind. Ngubenis lawyer, however, submitted that the veracity of the statement by Silolo was not verified. Sibandze said this did not mean that Ngubeni was part of the activities which were committed by Silolo. He also said there was no proof that Ngubeni intended to use the explosives though he was found guilty of having them in his possession. It was not even physical possession, said Sibandze. He further submitted that Ngubeni was a father of a seven-year-old child. He said Ngubeni had also completed his law degree and that he was pursuing further studies in criminal law. The magistrate then stated that he needed more clarity on the law before he could pass sentence in the matter. He advised that he would still need more time with the Crown counsel as well as Ngubenis lawyer. The matter was adjourned for today at 8:30am at the Manzini Magistrates Court. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, meets with military officers and experts at the Army Infantry College of the People's Liberation Army in east China's Jiangxi Province. Xi inspected the Army Infantry College of the People's Liberation Army in east China's Jiangxi Province Tuesday. (Xinhua/Li Gang) NANCHANG, May 21 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping underlined the importance of better education of military personnel for building strong armed forces, when inspecting the Army Infantry College of the People's Liberation Army in east China's Jiangxi Province Tuesday. Military education should meet the requirements of combat, the needs of the armed forces and the demands of future missions, said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission. He told military academies and schools to have a strong political underpinning, clarify their direction, advance reforms and improve education quality. Arriving at the Army Infantry College on Tuesday morning, Xi came to the training ground to observe cadets tackle military obstacle courses. Leaving the training ground, Xi visited an institute dedicated to the research on revolutionary history and stressed the passing on of revolutionary traditions. When briefed about the work of the college, Xi stressed the need to follow the right political direction and strengthen Party leadership and Party building. He asked the college to train the cadets for combat and focus on how to win when called on. Xi stressed the need to accelerate innovation in school management and operation, strengthen integration and upgrading of the faculty, and introduce high quality educational resources from outside. He called for imposing strict discipline, as well as curbing the practices of formalities for formalities' sake and bureaucratism. MBABANE There are new sheriffs in the Matsa- pha town. Following the dismissal of the former Matsapha Town Council councillors by the Minister of Hous- ing and Urban Development, Prince Simelane, he has since announced a new interim council. The council will be chaired by Alice Russo, who is a former Mayor of Matsapha. The minister, through a press statement, stated that in exercise of powers conferred by Section 110 of the Urban Government Act of 1969, he was issuing a notice whereby he an- nounced the eight-member Board. The new councillors according to the minister would be in office from April 18, 2019 and for a period not exceeding the life of the current term of councillors. This means that they will be in office until 2022. A majority of the new councillors all have experience in the governing of towns and another is a chairper- son of the Matsapha Ratepayers Association. The ministers an- nouncement comes about a month after he dismissed the former Matsa- pha councillors. During an interview yesterday, the new chairperson (Russo) said she was privileged and honoured to have been appointed into the council. She said she hoped that she and the new members would be able to work together for the betterment of the town. We will pull the reins together and deliver a Matsapha which will be appreciated by the people and the country as a whole, she said. Another member of the council, Steven Motsa, said although he had not formally received the informa- tion, he was honoured to be part of the team which would restore the image of the town. He said even though he was not sure of the new councillors mandate, it was impor- tant that the countrys economy be revived and that Matsapha was a key player in this regard. We hope that a majority of the eight new compa- nies which were announced by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade will set up shop in Matsa- pha, said Motsa. He said although he would hear from the minister and chairperson on their mandate, their priority would be service delivery for the residents of Matsapha. Also appointed into the council was Under Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Nkululeko Dlamini. Another councillor is Zwakele Dlamini, who is the Regional Sec- retary in the Shiselweni Region, under the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development. The minister also filled vacancies in other town councils which in- clude Piggs Peak, Malkerns and Ezulwini. NHLANGANO His appearance at the Ngwane Teachers College after serving as Cabinet minister came as a surprise to many. But to some of his former colleagues at the college, Dumisani Ndlangamandla had already hinted he would be returning to his former job as a lecturer, when his term in politics came to an end. As new students, we didnt know he used to work here. But I must say that we were delighted to see a person who was a cabinet minister not long ago teaching at the college. He is just like any other lecturer around, explained a student at the college, when asked about Ndlangamandlas presence. For five years, starting around September 2013, Ndlangamandla was the countrys Minister of Information, Communication and Technology. When his term elapsed as Cabinet minister, Ndlangamandla lost his seat in Parliament after he decided not campaign for another term in politics. However, he had hinted that he was eyeing his previous job as a lecturer at Ngwane College. In fact, Ndlangamandla had said he was not nervous about returning to his pre- vious job at the college, because he had even applied for a five-year leave of absence from his former employer, the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) prior to joining politics. So, when he came back knocking at the college doors towards the end of last year, Principal Dr Amos Mahlalela welcomed him back in the fold, handing him his old lecturer job. Since leaving the limelight of political office, Ndlangamandla has been teaching History and Geography at the tertiary institution. This was also confirmed by the Principal Dr Mahlalela during an interview with this publication. Yes, he returned to his job immediately after his term in Cabinet came to an end. He has been working normally just like any lec- turer here, and I havent heard any complaints about him or from him regarding his new position, explained Dr Mahlalela. When asked about Ndlangamandlas re- lationship with other staff members at the college, Dr Mahlalela said the college has its own administrative hierarchy which Ndlangamandla is also expected to adhere to while still part of the institution. The college principal expressed his confidence that Nd- langamandla woulddo a great job while still with the institution. Relevance His previous political position is of no rel- evance here. He abides by the rules and takes instructions from his superiors just like any of his workmates. He has been doing his job very well ever since he came back to be with us. The former Cabinet minister also confirmed during an interview yesterday that he had returned to his previous job. He did not want to dwell much on the subject though. Whatever we can say about the issue is of no significance really. What is important is that I am back with the college, he said briefly. Ndlangamandla joined politics in 2013 when he won a parliamentary seat for Ngudzeni Constituency. He was then ap- pointed Cabinet minister under the leadership of former Prime Minister, the late Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini SITEKI If you recently purchased an Okapi knife, sanitary pads and Kiwi shoe polish from shops in Siteki, please re-check the authenticity of the brand. The goods you bought may be counterfeit. This is because a joint operation by the police Fraud Department and officials from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade found that Eswatini was now a dumpsite for fake products. The joint operation, which, according to sources will be extended to other towns, busted five local shops that were selling counterfeit goods. Some of the shops are located right within Siteki town centre while others are in the outskirts of the town. Implicated All the implicated shops are owned by businessmen of Asian origin. The names of the shops are known to this publication but they will not be revealed for now since investigations in the matter are still ongoing, and the shop owners have not been formally charged. Some of the counterfeit goods that were discovered in the shops included: Gold Star yeast, diapers, Okapi pocket knives, Kiwi shoe polish and Always maxi sanitary pads. Officials from the Commerce department have since removed the counterfeit goods from the shelves. Furthermore, the shop owners were reportedly warned not to re-stock the counterfeit goods, pending the conclusion of investigations. The total value of all the removed goods believed to be counterfeit could not be immediately ascertained. Yesterday morning, police made an application in court to impound the counterfeit goods, pending the conclusion of investigations. In separate applications/affidavits filed before Lubombo Principal Magistrate Dumisani Magagula, investigating officers informed the court that they conducted a search in the shops after obtaining a search warrant on April 23, this year. In his affidavit, one of the investigating officers, Detective Sergeant Steven Mlambo, informed court that they searched the premises of the shops on suspicion that there is a contravention of Section 3(2) (a) of The Merchandise Act 24 of 1937. For purposes of further investigation to determine the source of the counterfeit products, I humbly request the honourable court to detain the said exhibits which were seized on the strength of the search warrant, in terms of Section 52(3) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act No: 67/1938, submitted sergeant Mlambo. A similar application was made by Detective constable Dumsani Mkhonta against one of the shops. During the search, 11 Okapi pocket knives, which were sold by the respondent, (were) found to have been counterfeit in contravention of the Merchandise Act 24 of 1937 and were seized into police custody, submitted detective Mkhonta. In the applications filed by police investigators, the names of the five shop owners were mentioned but they have been deliberately withheld since no formal charges have been preferred against them. Submissions After perusing the affidavits and listening to verbal submissions by the applicants, the magistrate ordered that all the counterfeit goods be kept in police custody pending the conclusion of investigations. This reporter visited some of the shops that are allegedly selling counterfeit goods and everything seemed normal. There were no empty shelves and, according to some staff members, other items were shifted to the shelves which had been left vacant, following the seizure of the fake goods by the police. Dr Vusi Magagula, the Director of Health Services in the Ministry of Health, did not answer his mobile phone when called yesterday evening. In May last year, this publication reported that fake sanitary pads had hit the market, including shops in Eswatini. It was reported that The Citizen news, a South African publication, had reported that police in that country had cracked down on the syndicate that was manufacturing the illegal sanitary towels. Yemen\s Houthi rebels said Tuesday they launched a bomb-laden drone into Saudi Arabia, targeting an airport with a military base an attack acknowledged by the kingdom as Mideast tensions remain high between Iran and the United States. It was not clear if there were any injuries or what the extent of damage was. The attack on the Saudi city of Najran came as Iran announced it has quadrupled its uranium-enrichment production capacity amid tensions with the U.S., underscored by an exchange of threats and taunts Monday on Twitter between President Donald Trump and Iran\s foreign minister. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, meanwhile, was quoted by the state IRNA news agency as telling a group of clerics that he is seeking expanded, wartime executive powers to better deal with an "economic war" triggered by the Trump administration\s pullout from the nuclear deal and escalating U.S. sanctions. Iranian nuclear officials made a point to stress that the uranium would be enriched only to the 3.67% limit set under the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, making it usable for a power plant but far below what\s needed for an atomic weapon. But by increasing production, Iran soon will exceed the stockpile limitations set by the accord. Tehran has set a July 7 deadline for Europe to set new terms for the deal, or it will enrich closer to weapons-grade levels in a Middle East already on edge. The U.S. has deployed bombers and an aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf over still-unspecified threats from Iran. In the drone attack, the Houthis\ Al-Masirah satellite news channel said early Tuesday they targeted the airport in Najran with a Qasef-2K drone, striking an "arms depot." Najran, 840 kilometers (525 miles) southwest of Riyadh, lies on the Saudi-Yemen border and has repeatedly been targeted by the Iran-allied Houthis. A statement earlier on the state-run Saudi Press Agency quoted Saudi-led coalition spokesman Col. Turki al-Maliki as saying the Houthis "had tried to target" a civilian site in Najran, without elaborating. Al-Maliki warned there would be a "strong deterrent" to such attacks and described the Houthis as the "terrorist militias of Iran." Similar Houthi attacks in the past have sparked rounds of Saudi-led airstrikes on Yemen, which have been widely criticized internationally for killing civilians. Civilian airports throughout the Middle East often host military bases. The New York Times last year reported that American intelligence analysts were based in Najran, assisting the Saudis and a U.S. Army Green Berets deployment on the border. The Pentagon and the U.S. military\s Central Command did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Last week, the Houthis launched a coordinated drone attack on a Saudi oil pipeline amid heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S. Earlier this month, officials in the United Arab Emirates alleged that four oil tankers were sabotaged and U.S. diplomats relayed a warning that commercial airlines could be misidentified by Iran and attacked, something dismissed by Tehran. Iran\s enrichment announcement came after journalists visiting the country\s underground enrichment facility in Natanz were given a statement by an unidentified nuclear scientist who wore a surgical cap and a mask. His outfit wasn\t explained, although Israel is suspected of targeting Iranian nuclear scientists. Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, was quoted by IRNA as confirming the capacity had been quadrupled. He said Iran took this step because the U.S. had ended a program allowing it to exchange enriched uranium with Russia for unprocessed yellowcake uranium, as well as ending the sale of heavy water to Oman. Heavy water helps cool reactors producing plutonium that can be used in nuclear weapons. Kamalvandi said Iran had informed the International Atomic Energy Agency of the development. The Vienna-based U.N. nuclear watchdog did not respond to a request for comment. Tehran long has insisted it does not seek nuclear weapons, though the West fears its program could allow it to build them. Before Iran\s announcement, Trump tweeted: "If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again!" Trump\s remarks reflect what has been a strategy of alternating tough talk with more conciliatory statements he says is aimed at keeping Iran guessing at the administration\s intentions. He also has said he hopes Iran calls him and engages in negotiations. He described his approach in a speech Friday, saying, "It\s probably a good thing because they\re saying, \Man, I don\t know where these people are coming from,\ right?" But while Trump\s approach of flattery and threats has become a hallmark of his foreign policy, the risks have only grown in dealing with Iran, where mistrust between Tehran and Washington stretches four decades. While both sides say they don\t seek war, many worry any miscalculation could spiral out of control. IRNA, the state news agency, did not elaborate on the wartime powers that Rouhani is seeking but quoted the Iranian president as citing the 1980s war with Iraq, when a wartime supreme council was able to bypass other branches to make decisions regarding the economy and the war. "Today, we need such powers," Rouhani said, adding that country "is united that we should resist the U.S. and the sanctions." Shortly after Trump\s latest tweets, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif responded by tweeting that Trump had been "goaded" into "genocidal taunts." Zarif referenced both Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan as two historical leaders that Persia outlasted. "Iranians have stood tall for a millennia while aggressors all gone," he wrote. "Try respect it works!" Zarif also used the hashtag #NeverThreatenAnIranian, a reference to a comment he made during intense negotiations for the 2015 nuclear accord. ___ SOURCE: Associated Press 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). Ukrainian TV star Volodymyr Zelensky was sworn in as the country's new president on Monday, promised to stop the war in the country's east against Russian-backed separatists and immediately disbanded parliament, which he has branded as a group only interested in self-enrichment. Even before he disbanded the Supreme Rada, which had been one of his campaign promises, the 41-year-old Zelensky had upended the traditions of Ukrainian politics. He ditched the idea of a traditional motorcade to his inauguration, walking to the parliament through a park packed with people. Flanked by four bodyguards, he was giving high-fives to some spectators and even stopped to take a selfie with one of them. Before he made the announcement, Zelensky asked the Supreme Rada to adopt a bill against illegal enrichment and support his motions to fire the country's defense minister, the head of the Ukrainian Security Service and the Prosecutor General. All of them are allies of former President Petro Poroshenko, who lost the presidential election in a landslide to the comedian with no previous political experience. The UAE has signed several strategic agreements with the African nation of Mali on economic, trade, defence, cultural fields and funding projects, in bid to boost cooperation between the two countries. The economic, trade and technical agreements were sealed by Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, while an MoU in the military co-operation was inked by Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bowardi, Minister of State for Defence Affairs, reported state news agency Wam. Dr Boubou Cisse, Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance of Mali, signed the MoUs and agreements on behalf of his country in the presence of HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, it stated. Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, signed a MoU in the cultural cooperation, while Hussain Jasem Al Nowais, Chairman of Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, signed a MoU of operational framework for the agreement to fund small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Mali. The operational framework of the project financing agreement is expected to create more than 4,300 projects over the next four years besides generating about 10,000 job opportunities for the youth, said the report. It will provide a financial and technical framework to support government efforts aimed at promoting and empowering entrepreneurship and SMEs in Mali, it added. Caresse a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa is set to open Turkeys first Buddha Bar Beach this June as the luxurious resort moves into its fourth summer season. The legendary Buddha Bar Beach will open its doors onto the glistening Aegean Sea at the Luxury Collection property, providing a chic hot spot for the discerning jet setter to sample signature cocktails whilst listening to chilled beats on the sand. Located on one of Bodrums most idyllic marina, welcoming yachts and boats to a white sand beach and a glistering blue horizon, Caresse Resort & Spa is the perfect setting for Buddha Bar Beachs 10th international location. The partnership with the five-star destination will mark the brands debut on the shores of Turkey. The day-to-night experience will combine colourful bohemian beach-chic designs and natural elements such as wood, water and stones reminiscent of the original beach bars of the 1980s, Ibiza and Goa creating the most Instagram-worthy beach hang out. The Buddha Bar Beach is more than a restaurant and bar with its international chefs, guests will be able to enjoy an all-encompassing experience for the senses whilst immersing themselves in the phenomenal natural surroundings. Famous for its Inventive cocktails and sumptuous Asian Fusion menu, Buddha Bar Beach Bodrum will be no exception; offering the vibrant atmosphere and famous Buddha Bar soundtrack a subtle avant-garde mix of lounge and house music combined with local beats, creating the perfect backdrop for an exceptional experience. - TradeArabia News Service United Nations, May 21 (UNI) A violent attack against the United Nation's Integrated Stabilisation Mission for Mali (MINUSMA) that left one peacekeeper dead on Saturday, drew strong condemnation from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Mr Guterres is deeply saddened at the death of a Nigerian peacekeeper who succumbed to his wounds following the armed attack by unidentified assailants in Timbuktu, said his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, in a statement issued that evening. The UN chief expressed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and the Government of Nigeria and wished a speedy recovery to another Nigerian peacekeeper who was wounded in the same attack. Thousands of Resident doctors "mass detained" by Delhi Police 27 Dec 2021 | 11:50 PM New Delhi, Dec 27 (UNI) Over 2,000 resident doctors were detained by Delhi Police on Monday evening while the agitating medicos marched to the resident of Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. see more.. Vikram Misri, ex-envoy to Beijing, appointed Deputy NSA 27 Dec 2021 | 11:20 PM New Delhi, Dec 27 (UNI) Vikram Misri, former Ambassador to China, was on Monday appointed as the new Deputy National Security Advisor in the National Security Council Secretariat. see more.. EC, Health Ministry officials hold meeting over upcoming polls 27 Dec 2021 | 10:33 PM New Delhi, Dec 27 (UNI) Election Commission officials held a meeting with officials of the Health Ministry on Monday on the assembly polls in five states, amid rising concerns over spread of Omicron. see more.. Shah chairs meeting on drugs control, resolves to make 'drugs free India' 27 Dec 2021 | 10:15 PM New Delhi, Dec 27 (UNI) Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday chaired the third meeting of the Apex Level Committee of Narco Coordination Center (NCORD) and took a series of decisions to curb drugs in the country, including scanning of containers at all ports. see more.. S Korea to spend over USD 540mn on nuclear safety research 28 Dec 2021 | 2:04 AM Moscow, Dec 27 (UNI/Sputnik) South Korea has announced it will allocate $541 million to research and engineering to make the country's nuclear reactors safer by 2029, the South Korean media reported on Monday. see more.. Iran's FM says 8th round of Vienna talks to focus on 'new joint document' 28 Dec 2021 | 2:03 AM Tehran, Dec 27 (UNI/Xinhua) Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said that the eighth round of Vienna nuclear talks between Iran and the remaining parties to the 2015 nuclear deal will begin on Monday and focus on a "new and joint document." "Today we have a joint and acceptable document on the table of negotiators in Vienna," Amir Abdollahian told reporters in Tehran on the sidelines of a conference about the history of Iran's foreign relations on Monday. see more.. Hundreds of Afghans stuck at Islam Qala Port hoping to get into Iran - Reports 28 Dec 2021 | 1:49 AM Kabul, Dec 27 (UNI/Sputnik) Hundreds of Afghans seeking entry to Iran are struck at Islam Qala port awaiting permission from the Iranian authorities to cross the border, closed due to the spread of the Omicron coronavirus strain, Afghanistan's TV channel TOLOnews reported on Monday. see more.. At least 2 Taliban injured after roadside mine exploded in Kabul - Eyewitness 28 Dec 2021 | 1:02 AM Kabul, Dec 27 (UNI/Sputnik) At least two militants of the Taliban movement (under UN sanctions for terrorist activities) were injured on Monday after their vehicle ran over a roadside bomb in Kabul, an eyewitness told Sputnik. see more.. (May 21, 2019) UTSA recently established an Office of Postdoctoral Affairs to provide professional development services and networking opportunities for the universitys postdoctoral fellows. The office will be jointly administered by the divisions of Academic Affairs and Research, Economic Development, and Knowledge Enterprise; it will be housed in the Graduate School under the leadership of Vice Provost and Dean Ambika Mathur. Postdoctoral fellows, commonly referred to as postdocs, are engaged in mentored research or scholarly training at a host institution within five years of completing their doctorate degree. UTSA has more than 100 postdoctoral fellows in various disciplines across the university. Postdoctoral research is integral to a universitys research mission, and this office will foster experiences to promote a robust research training environment and community for UTSAs postdocs, said Kimberly Andrews Espy, provost and vice president for academic affairs. Postdoctoral fellows play a vital role in advancing UTSAs goal to reach status as a Research Intensive University and become a nationally-recognized multicultural discovery enterprise, added Bernard Arulanandam, interim vice president for research, economic development, and knowledge enterprise. The Office of Research Support is pleased to partner with the Graduate School to provide more comprehensive support and an enhanced campus experience for UTSAs postdocs. The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs will provide professional development activities such as workshops and seminars on grant/fellowship preparation, manuscript writing, CV and resume preparation, job interviewing skills, and more. Mathur says having a centralized hub for postdoctoral activities will provide a structure for developing future programming and ideally will lead to an increase in publications and grants for UTSA postdocs. Through this office, we will provide programming to augment their research training with professional skill development to help our trainees pursue their chosen careers, whether in academia or in industry, Mathur said. Additionally, our programming will be available to postdocs at our partner research institutions, such as UT Health San Antonio and Southwest Research Institute, thereby engaging the broader postdoctoral community in San Antonio and fostering more opportunities for collaborations. Seoul on Monday announced a plan to speed up US$8 million worth of humanitarian aid for North Korea through an international agency and called for a reopening of the inter-Korean Kaesong Industrial Complex. Unification Ministry spokesman Lee Sang-min told reporters the government has allowed South Korean manufacturers to visit the industrial park in the North Korean border town recently to "protect their property." "We need to reopen the complex because it is an important tool for the development of inter-Korean relations and peace on the Korean Peninsula," he added. The industrial park cannot be reopened under current sanctions, but the government here seems determined to dangle the prospect before North Korea as an incentive to give up its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Asked if Seoul has been exchanging opinions with North Korea about the manufacturers' trip to Kaesong, Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul said yes. During the May 28 talk, Jenny Hsieh will address instances where she believes that scientists and clinicians may be intervening beyond their scope. (May 21, 2019) -- Jenny Hsieh, the Semmes Foundation Chair in Cell Biology at UTSA and director of the UTSA Brain Health Consortium, will speak on Tuesday, May 28 about Gene Editing, Precision Medicine and The Ethics of Designer Babies as a part of the UTSA 50th Anniversary Scholars Speakers Series. As a key faculty member for a top-notch research university, Hsieh has helped lead the gene editing discussion. She defines gene editing as the ability to make base pair changes in DNA with exquisite precision. Gene editing is allowing scientists to know the function of each and every gene and its paving the way for individualized patient carepersonalized medicine, she said. But it is also forming questions around preventing disease at the embryonic level and whether we might be doing more harm than good. Hsieh will address instances where she believes that scientists and clinicians may be intervening beyond their scope. We are navigating ethical questions, debates and dilemmas around disease eradication that 50 years ago would have been purely hypothetical. At times, it feels that scientific advancement moves faster than conversations around moral codes, and it is important to define what we feel is acceptable as a society. >> Learn more about UTSAS Brain Health Consortium. Hsiehs hope is that the community will engage in this conversation for the sake of scientific advancement. She believes the talk will appeal to San Antonio citizens, clinicians, researchers, parents and students. This is a great way to open conversations in our own backyard about the ethical issues surrounding gene editing and personalized medicine, Hsieh said. This topic is very timely. The scientific community is deciding best practices for gene therapy, and I hope the general population has the opportunity to learn, decide and voice their thoughts as well. The UTSA researcher sees this months event as a starting point to begin discussions on embryonic gene therapy, and hopes to see these discussions become richer with voices from various backgrounds, beliefs and experiences. Doors to the event will open at 6 p.m. at the South Texas Research Facility, 8403 Floyd Curl Dr.; the talk begins at 6:30. More information is available on UTSAs Scholars Speakers Series website. To celebrate 50 years as San Antonios urban serving university and to thank San Antonio for its support and commitment to higher education, UTSA is presenting its 50th Anniversary Scholars Speaker Series throughout 2019, featuring experts on a broad range of contemporary issues that impact society today. Each event is free and open to the public. 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. "Pushed from their homeland by a patriarchal regime that survives through the imposition of tyranny, poverty and oppression, North Korean women and girls are passed through the hands of traffickers, brokers and criminal organizations," the report says. Korea Future Initiative, a U.K.-registered nonprofit organization, investigated sexual abuse against North Korean women and girls in China and found that they are often subject to prostitution, cybersex trafficking and forced marriage. Chinese Triads trafficking North Korean girls and women are forcing girls as young as nine to perform cybersex to a paying global audience, a British NGO claimed in a report Monday. It adds that a "complex and interconnected network of criminality" makes an estimated US$105 million a year from "the sale of female North Korean bodies." KFI attempts to rescue North Korean refugees in danger and issuing reports on human rights violations. It said the report was compiled after long-term contacts with victims who are still living in China or have fled to South Korea. It claims that some 60 percent of female North Korean defectors in China are trafficked and about a half of them are sold into prostitution, more than 30 percent are forced to marry Chinese men, and 15 percent work for online brothels. Yoon Hee-soon, the report's author, said that prostitution has overtaken forced marriage as a "primary pathway" into the sex trade, while cybersex trafficking is a "small, rudimentary but expanding component." Meanwhile, the North Korean regime has ordered citizens to prepare "combat backpacks" for an emergency, Radio Free Asia on Monday quoted a source in North Pyongan Province as saying. It urged them to prepare three days' supply of food, shoes, gloves, a flashlight, and a facial mask. Countries adopting a new high-tech approach to aging care From:ChinaDaily | 2019-05-21 09:23 Hong Kong is one of many cities making efforts to resolve the complex issue of social care in aging societies. Statistics released by Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications show that 35.57 million people or 28.1 percent of the country's population was age 65 and older in 2018, with more than 2.19 million age 90 and older. The World Health Organization defines an "aged society" as one where 14 percent of the population is age 65 and older, while a "superaged society" is one in which more than 21 percent of the population is in the same age bracket. Japan, the world's most "superaged" country and also the most rapidly aging society, has spent many years looking for solutions. During a business trip to Tokyo last month, Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, took special note of a visit to the Shintomi Special Nursing Home for the Elderly. Lam wanted to learn more about technological devices and the help they provide for caregivers, and how they improve quality of life for seniors. About 5,000 nursing care homes across Japan are assessing where and how robots will fit with senior care. Shintomi adopted such devices in late 2017, and they are now widely used at the home and other nursing facilities to help caregivers and frontline staff members lift, move and monitor seniors. Homegrown robots also play a role as companions for seniors at Shintomi. They include Paro, a robotic baby harp seal equipped with a small degree of artificial intelligence that is capable of responding when spoken to and when stroked. In April 2000, Japan inaugurated a long-term care insurance system to lift some of the burden on seniors. They pay just 10 percent of the cost for insured services, including rental of 13 kinds of assistive device, such as wheelchairs, electric beds, walking sticks and mobility aids. FranceBed, the first company to introduce healthcare bed rentals to Japan in the 1980s, now offers rental and sales of support equipment and at-home healthcare aids. It is working with the Hong Kong government and a number of nongovernmental organizations in the city. In reply to questions from China Daily, an email from France-Bed said the company plans to establish more tech rental plans for Hong Kong residents. Singapore, a country with issues similar to Hong Kong in terms of its economic, social and cultural environments, has set out a smart country blueprint to meet the challenges of the "silver tsunami". A 10-year master plan to improve Singapore's information-communication infrastructure was laid out in 2015. Under its healthcare and biomedical science program, Singapore proposes building an integrated health information system through a concerted effort by the island state's eight public hospitals. The hospitals run trials of innovative, productive devices or systems to assess their usefulness in managing the medical, administrative, financial and legal aspects of operating public hospitals. E-medical records, filmless X-rays, an online hospital pharmacy and an e-service portal for health and fitness training are also part of the plan. As of June last year, some 547,900 people age 65 and older were living in the country, accounting for 9.7 percent of the population, according to the Singapore Department of Statistics. It is estimated that the number will almost double to around 900,000 by 2030, meaning about a quarter of the population will potentially be in need of care. Noting Hong Kong's rapidly aging population, Lou Wei-qun, director of the Sau Po Centre on Ageing at the University of Hong Kong, said the city lags behind its Asian counterparts in terms of senior care. She said Hong Kong lacks a clear blueprint to become a smart city built on gerontech - technology designed to assist comfortable aging - and suggested the government should work with stakeholders to map out a detailed plan. Lou also proposed the establishment of a big data center focused on the senior care industry, particularly gerontech, to boost the sector's development. She also called for a change of mindset which would see seniors regarded as assets, rather than a burden on society. In April and May 2019, the Regional Intelligence Liaison Office for the Commonwealth of Independent States (RILO CIS) welcomed its National Contact Points (NCP) from Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan Customs for a five-day training course at the RILO office in Moscow. The main objective of the course was to demonstrate to new NCPs the use of the main WCO enforcement tools, namely the Customs Enforcement Network (CEN) application and the Customs Enforcement Network Communication (CENcomm) platform. The participants of the course were trained to enter seizure data into the CEN correctly and to download data for analytical purposes in order to identify trends with regards to specific types of goods, as well as employed routes and means of illicit trafficking of these goods. In addition, participants of the course developed their skills through practical exercises with regards to the use of the RILO CIS CENcomm Platform which enables sharing of law enforcement information safely and confidentially. At the conclusion of the course participants expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to attend these types of workshops, which contribute to the improvement of the work done by NCPs. Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 20, 2019 | PADUCAH By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 20, 2019 | 09:49 PM | PADUCAH City Commissioner and mayoral candidate Richard Abraham has clarified an ordinance he introduced at last Tuesday's meeting - at city hall and before the voters. At the May 14 meeting, Abraham and Mayor Brandi Harless both introduced amendments chapter 58 of the Paducah Code of Ordinances, which deals with discrimination. In January 2018, after vigorous debate, the ordinance was changed to include age, gender identity and sexual orientation as protected classes of people. At that time, Abraham offered an amendment to protect those with deeply held religious beliefs, but the amendment failed. The added language was passed by an identical vote margin. The May 14 commission meeting included the first reading of the ordinances from Abraham and Harless, but in reviewing documents included in that meeting, Abraham realized his amendment was not his final version as discussed. Since he felt both ordinances needed to be heard and reviewed side-by-side, a special called meeting will be held Tuesday at 5:30 pm to table the incorrect version and introduce the proper one. This would ensure that the Harless and Abraham amendments will both be discussed and receive a vote at the May 28 meeting. In a statement released to West Kentucky Star on Monday, Abraham sought to explain his amendment and how it differs from the one offered by Mayor Harless. Here is that statement in its entirety: Because of the questions I have been receiving, regarding the upcoming proposal of an amendment to our Human Rights Ordinance, this statement is to explain the proposed amendment, originally brought last year, and my concerns with the mayors substitute amendment. Both will come for a vote on May 28, 2019 First let me quantify that I do not wish for any to be treated badly or discriminated against. We are all Gods Creation. 1 Timothy 2:4 May 21st, will be the first reading of the full amendment I am bringing for proposed adoption. May 21st is a called meeting to accomplish this purpose, so that both amendments, the one I am bringing and the mayors substitute amendment will both be eligible for vote on May 28. This is the wording of the amendment I am bringing. A private business owner, individual, or non-profit shall not be forced to violate his or her sincerely held religious beliefs. The ordinance that was read on Tuesday did NOT contain the proper final wording. Since the final form, did not get a first reading, last Tuesday, a first reading still needed to occur (giving it the same integrity as the ordinance). There were two groups not included in what was read on Tuesday (the 14th). That omission completely change the groups protected, making the concept broader. The amendment, which the mayor brought, for the first time on last Tuesday, reads as follows: The State Legislation prohibits government from burdening a persons freedom of religion, unless the government proves by clear and convincing evidence that it has a compelling governmental interest in infringing the specific act or refusal to act, and has used the least restrictive means to further that interest. In my opinion, the statement, even though it exists now on the state level, is full of ambiguous terms and references that can be twisted to fit whomever is dominant in the government, at the time. It leaves too much power and interpretation in the hands of the government. In many citizens opinions, it is not the governments job to decide whether a sincerely held religious belief is sincere enough for the government to honor those beliefs when laid alongside the governments needs. (Sounds almost like imminent domain wording, to me). This issue should be between individuals (as are the court cases that have been brought for Justice, in this Faith matter) and not about an individual who has different religious beliefs from the government, as the Mayors proposal stresses. The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America , Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The Mayor stated that she was assured that all citizens were protected from governmental overreach, regarding this issue, by the amendment she is proposing and there was no need for my amendment, since the state had one in existence already. And that is what the Mayor wants to adopt to our local ordinance. Let us step to the side, a moment here, and remember that in regards to the original repeal and replace LGBTQ addition, there seemed to be a greater need to bypass these very words, last year, that already indeed existed within our state government. The Mayor stressed that it was important at that time for a new local wording to be added to the replacing ordinance to protect a special group. The protection of individuals provided by the United States Constitution and The Constitution of KY were not enough. Make no mistake, the way our new ordinance read (last year) was different from the state and it did add local wording because at the time of its passing, we were in the process of restructuring our Human Rights Division (at the city) because of some previous improper activity. We had decided to refer any complaints of discrimination to Louisville Human Rights (the state level) to handle. However, because of the new wording of one of the protected groups (locally) put into our replacing ordinance we Had to keep our local Human Rights open just to handle any LGBTQ complaints because the state does not recognize them as a group in need of extra protection (above the citizen protection available to us all). So yes, new local wording was added. But now I am told that my new local wording is not proper or needed. Interesting. I suggest I would have probably never considered bringing this amendment wording if there were not new local wording added that might potentially challenge local sincerely held religious beliefs. I was then told that the wording I am bringing is subject to too much interpretation and was controversial. I disagree. It is a clear and simple statement and is not subject, in my opinion, to as much interpretation as the one the Mayor is bringing for consideration. A private business owner, individual, or non-profit shall not be forced to violate his or her sincerely held religious beliefs, offers an individual, private business owner, or non profit, grounds to defend themselves in a court of law if necessary, rather than be drug to a court of law by being accused of violating someone elses rights. I am willing to fight for that wording. There was a reference, in the quotes the Mayor read, on Tuesday last, stating that we should not enact something that would go against an advancing government interest. I state that the Advancing Government Interest should be the interest of the people, who the government is under, not over. Remember? By the people, for the people. Mayor Harless finished with, If our goal, in the city commission, is to truly protect our citizens, I cant think of a better way to do it than through this amendment. While we agree that all of our citizens need to be protected, I believe, with all my heart, that my proposed amendment is all that is needed to address these concerns. "A private business owner, individual, or non-profit shall not be forced to violate his or her sincerely held religious beliefs." 1 Chronicles 19:13 Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in his sight." Commissioner Richard Abraham Already hints about strong storms on New Years Day By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 20, 2019 | 04:23 PM | PADUCAH Rotary District 6710 covers 55 clubs in Kentucky. The Paducah club was also recognized as a Governors Club of Distinction, based on its scores in the categories of Club Administration, Avenues of Service, Membership, and Rotary Foundation. Two other awards were presented to the Rotary Club of Paducah during the conference. The club was awarded Best World Rotary Day Event for its project of reading to numerous classrooms throughout Paducah and McCracken County. The clubs work supporting the planetarium at Land Between the Lakes received an Honorable Mention in the Best Community Service Project category. I was completely humbled and amazed when they called our name at the District Conference in Louisville, said Club President Dee Dee Whittaker. Its a tremendous honor to be part of a club that means so much to the community and that truly represents the Rotary motto Service Above Self. The Rotary Club of Paducah was established in 1915 and meets every Wednesday at noon at the Carson Center in Paducah. The Paducah club is part of a Rotary global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change. For more information about the club, visit PaducahRotary.org. The Rotary Club of Paducah was named Best in District at the Rotary District 6710 conference May 17-18 in Louisville. Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 20, 2019 | PADUCAH By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 20, 2019 | 02:58 PM | PADUCAH A public meeting about the proposed Paducah stormwater infrastructure fee will be Tuesday, May 21 from 3 until 5 p.m. at the Julian Carroll Convention Center located at 415 Park Street. The meeting is an open house format, however, there will be a brief presentation about the Comprehensive Stormwater Master Plan development at 3 p.m. including details surrounding the process leading to the recommended fee. At the meeting, property owners will be able to meet with the team members who will use computers to show how the proposed Stormwater Infrastructure Fee would impact them. Owners of businesses, non-profit organizations, apartment complexes, and other commercial properties are encouraged to attend to learn more about the fee calculation. Paducahs proposed fee is $6.13 per month per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU). An ERU is based on the impervious surface on a parcel such as rooftops, driveways, and patios. Using a sample of 50 residential parcels in Paducah, the average amount of impervious area per residential parcel is 3500 square feet. It is proposed that each residential parcel pay the same amount, one ERU ($6.13 per month). However, the calculations are more complex for non-residential parcels. Non-residential parcels such as commercial entities would pay a monthly fee equal to the total amount of impervious area on the property divided by 3500 and then multiplied by the proposed fee of $6.13 per month. City Engineer & Public Works Director Rick Murphy says, This public meeting is geared more for our city businesses. Business owners will be given the opportunity to provide their business address, and the project team then will demonstrate exactly how the stormwater infrastructure fee will be calculated for their property. We will be able to trace the outline of impervious area on a property and show the fee calculations. The proposed Stormwater Infrastructure Fee would be a dedicated funding source for the City of Paducah to solve drainage problems, to repair, maintain, and enhance existing storm infrastructure, to provide flood protection, and to comply with federal regulatory requirements associated with water quality. The fee could generate $2.7 million annually. Please note that this is a recommended fee. The City of Paducah has a contract with Strand Associates, Inc. who is being assisted by Paducah-based Bacon Farmer Workman Engineering & Testing, Inc. to complete the Comprehensive Stormwater Master Plan for Paducah. 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. By The Associated Press By The Associated Press May. 21, 2019 | 08:54 AM | LOUISVILLE Voters in Kentucky are casting ballots in a primary that will deliver an initial verdict on the job performance of Gov. Matt Bevin. The ally of President Donald Trump faces state Rep. Robert Goforth and two other challengers in Tuesday's GOP primary. Democrats are choosing between three leading gubernatorial candidates on a ballot that also includes contested primaries for attorney general and other statewide offices. Bevin's standing with conservatives is being tested after a turbulent term. Among other things, he has lashed out at teachers who used sick days to attend protest rallies. The leading Democrats running for governor are Attorney General Andy Beshear, ex-state auditor Adam Edelen and longtime state Rep. Rocky Adkins. Beshear is the son of Kentucky's last Democratic governor. Dim sum, boiled shrimp, roast goose, bite-sized wontons, and steamed spareribs with pickled plums are all staples of Cantonese cuisine, or Guangdong cuisine, which has long dazzled world food lovers with its delicious freshness. Steaming, stir-frying, boiling, charcoal grilling, and braising, Cantonese cuisine, one of the four major Chinese cuisines, has been using a variety of seemingly simple methods to keep the natural flavors of the ingredients for hundreds of years. The culinary style is now glowing with new vitality as south China's Guangdong Province is making efforts to promote Cantonese cuisine training as a way to boost employment and fight poverty. THE ROAD TO FORTUNE Lei Kalin, 46, had been working outside his hometown for nearly 20 years. But he decided to return to his hometown of Wangtong Village in the city of Xinyi when he heard about the Cantonese cuisine chef training class last year. He soon mastered the skills of cooking more than 100 Cantonese dishes and 10 local specialties after a one-month course. With the confidence gained from his newfound cooking skills and some of his savings, he bought a share in a local restaurant. The Cantonese dishes made by Lei soon attracted customers to the restaurant, bringing in an annual profit of more than 700,000 yuan (about 101,300 U.S. dollars). This year, Lei has sent the apprentice chefs at the restaurant to take the training course too. Local farmers and laid-off workers are actively participating in the training, said Li Ge, head of the city's human resources and social security bureau. "Those who are registered as living below the poverty line also receive subsidies for food, housing and transportation," Li said. "After the training, qualified students will receive certificates with which they will be able to find jobs with a salary of 4,000 to 5,000 yuan per month, 1,000 to 2,000 yuan higher than what they earned in the past." So far, 147 vocational schools have opened Cantonese cuisine courses in the province, with 56,000 current students. The course has been taken around 15,000 times over the past year. With start-up subsidies and loans, some have also opened restaurants and started businesses of their own and found a way towards fortune. THE POWER OF COOKING Shunde District in the city of Foshan, which is well-known for good food and chefs, is one of the most popular places for Cantonese cuisine. A total of 103 young trainees from three national poverty-stricken counties in southwest China's Sichuan Province -- Meigu, Leibo and Jinyang -- came to Shunde this year, taking a huge step to shake off poverty and change their lives. In a white uniform and a tall chef's hat, Mahai Yangzi gets excited when talking about her chef dream, though it took her more than 30 hours by bus to get here. "In my hometown, there aren't many female chefs because people think we are too weak to lift iron pots. But I want to learn how to cook and become a chef, to give my family a better life," the 25-year-old woman said. Mahai and her classmates will receive free systematic cooking lessons for two months at the Shunde Culinary Institute and will have access to restaurant internships organized by the institute. After the training, they can choose to work in Shunde or return to their hometown, according to Gan Muyi, a senior official with the institute. "Taught by masters in Shunde, the students will not only learn how to cook traditional Cantonese dishes such as stir-fried milk and stuffed mud carp but also innovate techniques combining Cantonese cuisine with Sichuan flavor, which is spicy, helping them become more competitive when going back to Sichuan," Gan said. Guangdong started the Cantonese cuisine training program in 2018. This year, the province will invest more than 20.8 billion yuan to help unemployed people find jobs, with priority given to the cooking program, according to a meeting on the province's human resources and social security. Besides Sichuan, Guangdong also recently signed cooperation agreements with Tibet, Guangxi Zhuang, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous regions, and Guizhou, Yunnan provinces to train more Cantonese cuisine chefs as part of the pairing-off arrangement for poverty relief. "Programs like this drive big change," said Yang Hongshan, deputy head of the provincial human resources and social security department. "In the exquisite Cantonese dishes, we can also taste the sweet benefits of poverty alleviation." (Source: Xinhua) Police looking for missing Jordan Davies ask have you seen a turquoise Suzuki? This article is old - Published: Tuesday, May 21st, 2019 Police are asking for the public to look out for a turquoise Suzuki as they try to locate a missing woman. Jordan Nicole Davies has been missing since Friday evening and is thought to be driving a turquoise Suzuki registration SJ58 NZA. Jordan is missing from Wrexham town, however is known to associate in the Chirk area as well. Any information or sightings are asked to be called in to police the 101 number quoting reference 25260 Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-20 20:23:36|Editor: ZX Video Player Close JAKARTA, May 20 (Xinhua) -- An Indonesian court in West Nusa Tenggara province on Monday sentenced a Frenchman to death for smuggling a huge amount of drug into the country. The verdict came as the country's authorities are fighting against rampant drug abuse in Indonesia. Felix Dorfin, 35, was nabbed in September as he was bringing 3 kg of ecstacy and amphetamines in a suitcase in Lombok airport of the province next to Bali Island, where many foreign nationals were frequently arrested in drug cases, according to the court. "The court convicted defendant Felix Dorfin death sentence," presiding judge Isnurul Syamsul Arif said in a court session. The decision was beyond prosecutor's demand of 20-year jail term to the defendant. Still, the judge argued that the defendant's act potentially impacted youngsters and disrupted the country's national security. Indonesia has declared a war against drug abuses as the country is in narcotic emergency due to rampant drug abuse among the people. Dozens of drug offenders, including foreigners, had faced firing squad for spreading narcotics in Indonesia before. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 00:37:13|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close Ma Xiaowei (C), head of China's National Health Commission, speaks at a side-event of the 72nd World Health Assembly (WHA) entitled "From primary health care to universal health coverage and sustainable development goals" in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 20, 2019. On the first day of the 72nd World Health Assembly (WHA) here on Monday, China's delegates shared the experiences in primary health care, stressing the importance of "political commitment" and a "people-centered approach" to safeguarding people's right to health. (Xinhua/Xu Jinquan) GENEVA, May 20 (Xinhua) -- On the first day of the 72nd World Health Assembly (WHA) here on Monday, China's delegates shared their experiences in primary health care, stressing the importance of "political commitment" and a "people-centered approach" to safeguarding people's right to health. Addressing a side-event of the WHA on Monday, Ma Xiaowei, head of China's National Health Commission, outlined his country's experiences in putting people's health as a strategic priority and integrating health into all policy-making processes. The side-event, entitled "From primary health care to universal health coverage and sustainable development goals", was jointly sponsored by China and several other countries. According to Ma, from the early 1950s to the late 1970s, China gradually introduced a three-tiered prevention and health care network in the rural areas, and developed the rural cooperative medical scheme, thus paving the way for rural health undertakings in the country. Since China's reforms and opening up in 1978, he said, the country has continued to strengthen its primary health care services, build a "safety net" for residents who seek medical care, improve the quality and efficiency of primary health care services, and ensure that the general public have access to basic health care. As for China's experiences in achieving its goals in this field, the health official said China has been striving to heed the changing conditions and adhere to the principle that government-led, rights-centered public institutions should play the leading role. "China persists in focusing on the grassroots level and gives play to grassroots institutions in health management and common disease diagnosis and treatment," he added. What's more, he said, China has made great efforts to meet the people's multilevel and diversified health needs and always put people's satisfaction at the heart of its efforts. "China is willing to continue to strengthen cooperation and exchanges with all parties and make positive contributions to the global goal of universal health coverage and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and thus to make more contributions to the building of a community of shared human destiny," he noted. Representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Kazakhstan, Ethiopia, Russia and other countries also shared their experiences and views at the side-event, which was attended by more than 200 people from various countries and international organizations. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 01:52:59|Editor: yan Video Player Close KIEV, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman announced on Monday that he would submit his resignation this week, local media reported. "I decided to resign immediately after the next government meeting on Wednesday," Groysman was quoted as saying by Interfax-Ukraine news agency. Groysman said that he will focus on the preparation for the parliamentary elections after leaving the post of the prime minister. Earlier in the day, new Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took the office, urging the current Ukrainian government to resign. Zelensky also announced that he is dissolving the parliament. The snap parliamentary elections will be held in two months, according to a statement on the presidential website. However, the official decree on the dissolution of the parliament has not yet been unveiled. The Ukrainian Constitution stipulates that the resignation of the prime minister results in the resignation of the entire cabinet. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 02:38:19|Editor: yan Video Player Close TIRANA, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Albanian police arrested two luggage handlers, employed at Tirana International Airport suspected of stealing money from a passenger's luggage, the police said in a statement on Monday. According to the General State Police statement, the arrest of the two airport staff, aged 22 and 24, was made by Tirana Airport Border Police. The two are suspected of having stolen an amount of around 4,800 euros (around 5,360 U.S. dollars) from the luggage of a citizen travelling to Slovenia. Police also informed that two other persons are under prosecution suspected of cooperating in other cases of property theft. "Tirana Airport Border Police in cooperation with Tirana Prosecution Office is working on the full legal documentation of this criminal activity in the field of property theft and to detect other denounced cases," the statement read. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 04:04:22|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close Giant panda Yuan Yuan is seen at the Schoenbrunn Zoo in Vienna, Austria, on May 20, 2019. Giant panda Yuan Yuan was officially handed over to the zoo in a grand ceremony on Monday morning. Yuan Yuan is a 19-year-old male who has been in Vienna since mid-April and quarantined for a month before visitors could take a look at him. (Xinhua/Guo Chen) VIENNA, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Among the many enthusiastic fans snapping shots from behind the thick glass window of the panda house in the Schonbrunn Zoo Monday afternoon, an old lady seemed rather different. She just sat there quietly, watching the panda with a tender, loving smile, for a long time. Her name is Bertha. She and her husband drove 60 kilometres to see the new panda, and it is the second time that they came to visit the panda house this year. "I love this one, he is very handsome," she said. The said panda is called Yuan Yuan, a 19-year-old male who has been in Vienna since mid-April and quarantined for a month before visitors could take a look at him. The zoo hopes that he would build a family with the 18-year-old female Yang Yang, who has been living here since 2003 but without a companion as her previous partner, Long Hui, died of cancer in 2016. Yuan Yuan was officially handed over to the zoo in a grand ceremony held in the Kaiserpavillon on Monday morning. Speaking at the event, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen said the Chinese-born pandas have "a certain diplomatic mission" to fulfil as he regarded them a "symbol of friendship" between the two countries. "We really appreciate it, Yuan Yuan is in good hands here." The Austrians adore pandas, said Van der Bellen. There are two million visitors to the zoo every year, and many of them are fascinated by this rare and magnificent animal. "Kids adore them -- not just kids, all Austrians do -- they would wait in queues just to have a look at the pandas. But they are not tall enough to have a better view. So they would come again," said the president. In April last year, Van der Bellen and Chancellor Sebastian Kurz asked for a new partner for Yang Yang during their state visit to China. In December 2016, the president also visited the zoo to personally say goodbye to the panda twins before they left for China. He was very pleased that the Austrian panda success story could now continue. "I am very happy about the panda addition in Schonbrunn. I hope Yuan Yuan will feel comfortable with us." Minister of Economy Margaret Schrambock was also very pleased with the arrival of Yuan Yuan. "China not only connects us with strong trade relations, but also our common love for giant pandas," she said at the ceremony. "The unexpected death of our panda male Long Hui in December 2016 was very sad, so we are all the happier that we now get a new panda male with Yuan Yuan." "The high quality of panda care is known far beyond our borders and is ensured by the excellent work of the zookeepers of the Schonbrunn zoo. I am convinced that Yuan Yuan will feel at home with us and become a magnet for many visitors from near and far," she added. In addition to the studbook number, birth place and time, the documents handed over to the minister also include the personalities of the male panda: gentle and clever. He had settled in well since his arrival and gained some weight, according to Zoo Director Dagmar Schratter. The pair already eyed each other up through a glass. "He was very interested, but it will take a while until they can get together," said the minister. Since 2003, the Schonbrunn Zoo has been one of the few zoos in the world where giant pandas live. The endangered bears are the symbol of species protection par excellence. In Schonbrunn there have already been four offsprings, always the natural way. In 2016, there were even twins. "With Yang Yang and Long Hui, our Chinese colleagues had chosen a very harmonious couple back then. We are very grateful that once again, with such care, a male has been chosen that fits genetically and in terms of age perfectly with Yang Yang and also has breeding experience," said Schratter. "I saw the cubs a few years ago. They were so huggable," said Bertha. "I hope the new pair will be successful in building a family in Vienna." Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 04:09:27|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of Dutch entrepreneurs were exploring the economic and trade opportunities in southwest China's Sichuan Province at a seminar sponsored by the Chinese province and the Dutch Foreign Ministry here on Monday. Peng Qinghua, secretary of the Sichuan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, presented the charm, potential, openness and vitality of his province and invited entrepreneurs to boost cooperation, particularly in agriculture, innovative industry, services, economic and trade, science and eduction. "With a size 10 times that of yours, a population five times that of yours, Sichuan only has a GDP two-thirds of that of the Netherlands. But our economy has been growing at a pace of around 8 percent for years and we are the gateway to a market of 400 million people in Western China," Peng told the audience. "The developing Sichuan has a huge potential. For the developed Netherlands, it represents a huge potential for cooperation," he said. The presence of a large number of entrepreneurs at the seminar reflects the fantastic relationship between China and the Netherlands which has seen many highlights over the past years, said Andre Driessen, Director for International Enterprise from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "What is true for the bilateral in general, also holds for the ties between the Netherlands and Sichuan Province. The links are strong, diverse and growing," he said. "Last week the government of the Netherlands presented a document outlining our view on the relationship with China ... This document states that the Netherlands is fully committed to working together with China on trade and investment, and seeking opportunities wherever these are available," he added. Sixty-nine Dutch companies are present in Sichuan province. Major Dutch companies like Shell, Unilever, Signify/Philips Lighting, DSM, Azko-Nobel and KLM, have all chosen Sichuan as a home for their activities in Western China. In transportation and logistics, a direct flight connecting Amsterdam and Chengdu, capital of the Sichuan province, has been in service for over 10 years. A railway connection between Tilburg and Chengdu was also launched in 2016. The Dutch Province of Limburg and Sichuan celebrate the 5-year anniversary of their official friendship relationship this summer. Limburg's capital city Maastricht and Chengdu have been sister cities since 2012. "Even by Chinese standards, Western China has developed very rapidly in the last decade," said Theo Bovens, Governor of Limburg. "Sichuan is also strategically located and vitally important in the Belt and Road Initiative, and only last month Sichuan received a delegation from our Ministry of Infrastructure, in which we also participated, to discuss and develop further business cooperation." "We have a network of strong government ties on both provincial and municipal level that we can use to support partners in developing cooperation projects," he added. "We will continue to do so. We are constantly exploring new areas of cooperation." For Zhang Guosheng, economic counselor of the Chinese Embassy in the Netherlands, the China-Netherlands relations enjoy a sound momentum of growth as evidenced by close high-level interactions and deepening practical cooperation in all fields. "I hope that Dutch companies will seize the opportunities provided by the new reform and opening-up and industrial transformation and upgrading in China, further promoting the fruitful economic and trade cooperation between our two countries," he said. At the seminar, representatives of Sichuan and Dutch companies signed 15 agreements covering cultural and educational cooperation, training, logistics, smart sports, horticultural trade, etc. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 04:44:45|Editor: yan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, May 20 (Xinhua) -- The Security Council on Monday rejected a Russian request to discuss the enactment of a Ukrainian language law. In a procedural vote, only five of the 15 members of the council voted in favor of the Russian request. Nine votes are required for the adoption of a contended provisional agenda of the Security Council. After the announcement of the provisional agenda, French ambassador to the United Nations, Francois Delattre, voiced objection, prompting the procedural vote. The French objection was backed up by Germany, the United States and Poland in their representatives' statements before the vote. France, Germany, the United States, Poland as well as Britain and Belgium voted against the Russian proposal, and four other members abstained, effectively blocking the meeting. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 05:15:04|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close PRAGUE, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Bank of Communications (BoCom), one of China's largest commercial banks, launched a branch here on Monday as it plans to step up its support to Chinese investment in Europe. The Prague branch is BoCom's 23rd overseas banking institution and the first one in Central and Eastern Europe from BoCom Group. The services provided by the Prague Branch will include account services, corporate financing services, international settlement and trade financing services, and treasury services. Ren Deqi, President of BoCom, said at the opening ceremony that in recent years, Sino-Czech cooperation has achieved fruitful achievements in the areas such as trade, finance and tourism. The BoCom is willing to make active contribution to the further deepening of economic and trade development between the two countries. Financial cooperation is an important part of bilateral cooperation, said Zhang Jianmin, the Chinese Ambassador to the Czech Republic at the opening ceremony, adding that the establishment of the BoCom in Prague is the latest achievement in the bilateral cooperation in the financial sector. So far, three Chinese banks, including the Bank of China, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, and the BoCom have successively established their branches in the Czech Republic. Tomas Nidetzky, deputy governor of the Czech National Bank, welcomed the arrival of the BoCom Prague branch at the opening ceremony. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 05:20:06|Editor: yan Video Player Close RABAT, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Morocco's coast guards rescued 169 illegal immigrants from Sub-Saharan African countries in the Mediterranean, the Moroccan army said Monday. The immigrants were on board several makeshift inflatable boats which ran into trouble in the Mediterranean Sea, the army noted. They were brought safely to the ports of the northern cities of Nador and Ksar-Sghir. According to the Moroccan Ministry of Interior, 88,761 immigrants were prevented from leaving Morocco in 2018. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 06:00:25|Editor: yan Video Player Close WASHINGTON, May 20 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. federal judge on Monday upheld a congressional subpoena seeking President Donald Trump's financial records from an accounting firm. The ruling issued by U.S. District Court Judge Amit Mehta means that Mazars USA must comply with the House Oversight and Reform Committee's subpoena for eight years of Trump's financial records. The president is expected to appeal the ruling. Elijah Cummings, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, issued the subpoena to Mazars last month as part of the panel's investigation into whether Trump committed financial crimes before he took office. Trump filed a suit to block the subpoena in response, arguing that it amounted to an abuse of congressional authority. Democrats are stepping up their oversight of the White House. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 06:15:34|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close People receive food boxes from Chinese companies in Cairo, Egypt, on May 20, 2019. Chinese companies operating in Egypt delivered on Monday hundreds of food boxes to the poor and held a charity banquet in the capital Cairo, sharing the joy of the Egyptians during the holy fasting month of Ramadan. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo) by Ahmed Shafiq, Li Binian CAIRO, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese companies operating in Egypt delivered on Monday hundreds of food boxes to the poor and held a charity banquet in the capital Cairo, sharing the joy of the Egyptians during the holy fasting month of Ramadan. "I have been to this banquet for three years now ... I also received a food box that can help me feed my five children for at least two weeks," Ibtissam Abdullah, a 45-year-old widow, told Xinhua as she waited for her turn to receive the food box. The woman, who has been working as a housekeeper for six years since her husband passed away, said it is a generous gesture of the Chinese companies in Egypt which sympathize with the sufferings of poor Egyptians. "In addition to a good meal, they also provide us with food boxes that contain cooking oil bottles, rice, sugar and tea," she said happily. The event was organized by the Chinese Embassy in Egypt and the Chinese-Egyptian Chamber of Commerce in Egypt in cooperation with the local nongovernmental organizations. Bian Shiyuan, chairman of the Chinese-Egyptian Chamber of Commerce, said this was the fifth event his organization has held in cooperation with the Egyptian Society For Integrated Development in Cairo, a non-profit organization specialized in fighting poverty. "The event will last 15 days and each day, we prepare 300 meals for Egyptian people. Our member companies have also donated 1,790 gift boxes worth 600,000 Egyptian pounds (35,253 U.S. dollars). Each box includes oil, spaghetti and other food. We also plan to hold this event in Giza, Fayum, Beni Suef and Aswan," he said. Bian pointed out that member companies of the chamber are now more and more involved in this event. "These years, we have seen a gradual increase in the number of participating companies and the quantity of donation," he said, adding this shows the Chinese companies not only participate in the economic and social development of Egypt, but also actively fulfill their social responsibilities and integrate into the local communities. "From the past experience, this event has been warmly welcomed by the local people," Bian noted. Egypt was the first Arab and African country that established official ties with the People's Republic of China, and the two countries recently elevated their relations to the level of comprehensive strategic partnership. "We love China and its people ... We have similar cultures and values," Fawzi Abul-Azim, a retired civil servant, told Xinhua during the event. "The Chinese companies help those who are really in need. They do not have to do this, but their human values make them help us," he said. The food box came on time as his retirement salary is barely enough to feed his family, the father of four girls added. Such charitable activities show Chinese business owners have become an authentic part of the Egyptian social fabric, Abul-Azim noted. For Muslims, Ramadan, a celebratory religious occasion during which they abstain from eating, drinking and sexual activities from dawn to dusk, serves to consolidate social unity. "I'm so thankful to the Chinese people who really help us willingly ... China worked hard to eradicate poverty back home. They are doing their best to fight poverty all over the world now," Abul-Azim said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 06:20:36|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close Representatives from China and the European Union shake hands after signing agreements on civil aviation cooperation in Brussels, Belgium, on May 20, 2019. China and the European Commission on Monday signed two milestone agreements on civil aviation, marking an important step to implement the consensuses reached by leaders from both sides during the China-EU Summit held last month. (Xinhua/European Union) BRUSSELS, May 20 (Xinhua) -- China and the European Commission on Monday signed two milestone agreements on civil aviation, marking an important step to implement the consensuses reached by leaders from both sides during the China-EU Summit held last month. The two agreements are Agreement on Civil Aviation Safety between China and the European Union (EU) and Agreement between China and the EU on Certain Aspects of Air Services. Hailing the two aviation agreements as "a first big step", European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said: "In an increasingly unsettled world, Europe's partnership with China is more important than ever before." "The EU firmly believes that nations working together makes the world a stronger, safer and more prosperous place for all," Juncker said in a statement. The two agreements "will create jobs, boost growth and bring our continents and peoples closer together. Today's agreements show the potential of our partnership (with China) and we should continue on this path of cooperation," he said. Feng Zhenglin, head of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), said the two agreements will further promote cooperation between China and Europe in civil aviation fields while enriching the content of China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership. "Signing of the first agreement and its airworthiness certification annex is a response to the call for aviation industry development in both China and Europe, and is conducive to the two-way exchanges of civil aviation products developed and manufactured by both sides," Feng said ahead of the signing ceremony. "The signing of the second one will remove the contradiction between the bilateral air services agreements signed by China and EU member states and EU law, and will provide legal certainty for the operation of air carriers from both sides," said Feng. "The two agreements will for sure bring China-EU civil aviation cooperation to a new stage and a new high," he added. "The two agreements ... are highly professional and reflect the broadness and depth of the two sides' cooperation. Both China and the EU stand for multilateralism and want to build an open world. Strengthening cooperation in the field of civil aviation is a strong example of walking the talk," Ambassador Zhang Ming, head of the Chinese Mission to the EU who also attended the ceremony, said in a statement. The main objective of the first agreement is to support worldwide trade in aircraft and related products, the EU said in the statement. "This agreement will remove the unnecessary duplication of evaluation and certification activities for aeronautical products by the civil aviation authorities, and therefore reduce costs for the aviation sector. The agreement will also promote cooperation between the EU and China towards a high level of civil aviation safety and environmental compatibility," it said. The second agreement marks China's recognition of the principle of EU designation, whereby all EU airlines will be able to fly to China from any EU member state with a bilateral air services agreement with China under which unused traffic rights are available, read the statement. Up until now, only airlines owned and controlled by a given member state or its nationals could fly between that member state and China. The conclusion of a horizontal agreement will thereby bring bilateral air services agreements between China and EU member states into conformity with EU law -- a renewed legal certainty which will be beneficial to airlines on both sides, it said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 06:40:44|Editor: yan Video Player Close DUBLIN, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Europe's largest budget airline Ryanair announced on Monday that its profit for the fiscal year 2019 (FY2019) went down by 29 percent mainly due to declining fares and rising costs. In a online statement, the carrier said that during the period extending from March 31, 2018 to March 31, 2019 the after-tax profit of the headquarter company, which does not include Lauda, an Austrian low-cost airline acquired by Ryanair in 2018, stood at 1.02 billion euros (1.14 billion U.S. dollars) compared with the 1.45-billion-euro profit it made in the previous fiscal year. The sharp drop in the company's profit was mainly due to a decline in fares and rising fuel and labor costs, said the press release. In FY2019, Ryanair saw a 6-percent drop in its fares, which had offset the 7-percent increase in its traffic growth, it said, adding that the 19-percent increase in its ancillary growth was also set off by higher fuel prices and staff costs. Ryanair handled a total of 139.1 million passengers in FY2019, nearly nine million people more than the 130.3 million passengers it handled in the previous fiscal year, said the press release, adding that the number of passengers handled by Ryanair in the period totaled 142 million if Lauda is included. According to the press release, during FY2019 Ryanair's oil bill increased by 440 million euros while its ex-fuel unit costs rose by 5 percent due to 200-million-euro higher staff costs, which included a 20-percent increase of pilot pay. The repeated ATC (Air Traffic Control) staff shortage disruptions also cost the company an extra 50 million euros in FY2019, it said. Nevertheless, the company claimed in the press release that "Our airport costs are 35 percent lower than our nearest competitor". "Ryanair has the lowest unit costs of an EU airline, and the cost gap with EU (European Union) competitors continues to widen," it said. Headquartered in Ireland, Ryanair provides short-haul services mainly in Europe and North Africa. At the end of FY2019 the airline boasted a fleet of 455 Boeing 737 planes and 19 A320 aircraft, according to the statement. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 06:45:46|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close Russia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia (C, front) addresses a Security Council meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, May 20, 2019. The Security Council on Monday rejected a Russian request to discuss the enactment of a Ukrainian language law. (Xinhua/Li Muzi) UNITED NATIONS, May 20 (Xinhua) -- The Security Council on Monday rejected a Russian request to discuss the enactment of a Ukrainian language law. In a procedural vote, only five of the 15 members of the council voted in favor of the Russian request. Nine votes are required for the adoption of a contended provisional agenda item of the Security Council. After the announcement of the provisional agenda, Francois Delattre, French ambassador to the United Nations, voiced objection, prompting the procedural vote. The French objection was backed up by Germany, the United States and Poland in their representatives' statements before the vote. France, Germany, the United States, Poland as well as Britain and Belgium voted against the Russian proposal, and four other members abstained, effectively blocking the meeting. In his remarks, the French ambassador said Russia's request for the meeting, which coincides with the inauguration of new Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, "clearly does not intend to contribute to the resolution of the Russia-Ukraine crisis," but to "put the new president of Ukraine in the worst light." In his remarks before the vote, Russia's UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia argued that the new Ukrainian law "violates the spirit and letter of the Minsk Agreement, which the Security Council approved." "We are talking about a violation of decisions by the Security Council," he said. China voiced regret over the Security Council's rejection of the Russian request. "We regret that the meeting was not able to be held as scheduled. We hope that members of the council will respect one another, maintain unity, and effectively fulfill the council's obligation of maintaining international peace and security," said Ma Zhaoxu, China's permanent representative to the United Nations. As a member of the Security Council, Russia requested a meeting and proposed the timing for the meeting. That was in line with the Security Council rules of procedure, said Ma in an explanation of China's Yes vote for the Russian request. China believes that the Security Council should play a constructive role in creating a favorable external environment for the proper settlement of relevant issues, promoting peace, stability and development in Ukraine, and achieving harmonious coexistence among the various ethnic groups in Ukraine and the peaceful coexistence of Ukraine and other countries in the region, said the Chinese ambassador. The Ukrainian language bill was approved by Ukraine's parliament on April 25, and was signed into law by then President Petro Poroshenko on Wednesday. The law institutes Ukrainian as the official language of the country, requiring that it be used in the public sector. Russian permanent representative to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia (C, front), addresses after the Security Council failed to hold a meeting on the enactment of a Ukrainian language law, at the UN headquarters in New York, May 20, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Muzi) UNITED NATIONS, May 20 (Xinhua) -- The Security Council on Monday rejected a Russian request to discuss the enactment of a Ukrainian language law. In a procedural vote, only five of the 15 members of the council voted in favor of the Russian request. Nine votes are required for the adoption of a contended provisional agenda item of the Security Council. After the announcement of the provisional agenda, Francois Delattre, French ambassador to the United Nations, voiced objection, prompting the procedural vote. The French objection was backed up by Germany, the United States and Poland in their representatives' statements before the vote. France, Germany, the United States, Poland as well as Britain and Belgium voted against the Russian proposal, and four other members abstained, effectively blocking the meeting. In his remarks, the French ambassador said Russia's request for the meeting, which coincides with the inauguration of new Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, "clearly does not intend to contribute to the resolution of the Russia-Ukraine crisis," but to "put the new president of Ukraine in the worst light." In his remarks before the vote, Russia's UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia argued that the new Ukrainian law "violates the spirit and letter of the Minsk Agreement, which the Security Council approved." "We are talking about a violation of decisions by the Security Council," he said. China voiced regret over the Security Council's rejection of the Russian request. "We regret that the meeting was not able to be held as scheduled. We hope that members of the council will respect one another, maintain unity, and effectively fulfill the council's obligation of maintaining international peace and security," said Ma Zhaoxu, China's permanent representative to the United Nations. As a member of the Security Council, Russia requested a meeting and proposed the timing for the meeting. That was in line with the Security Council rules of procedure, said Ma in an explanation of China's Yes vote for the Russian request. China believes that the Security Council should play a constructive role in creating a favorable external environment for the proper settlement of relevant issues, promoting peace, stability and development in Ukraine, and achieving harmonious coexistence among the various ethnic groups in Ukraine and the peaceful coexistence of Ukraine and other countries in the region, said the Chinese ambassador. The Ukrainian language bill was approved by Ukraine's parliament on April 25, and was signed into law by then President Petro Poroshenko on Wednesday. The law institutes Ukrainian as the official language of the country, requiring that it be used in the public sector. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 07:10:58|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close CAIRO, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Cairo University of Egypt on Monday hailed cooperation with Chinese universities in various fields. Earlier in the day, Cairo University Council approved a memorandum of understanding with the Shanghai International Studies University (SISU). "The memo with the SISU focuses on high education, exchange of faculty members, information, training as well as teaching the Chinese Language," Media Advisor of the Cairo University, Fathy Abbas, told Xinhua. Abbas stressed that his university is keen to cooperate with more Chinese universities, stressing that Mohammed Othman, president of the university, traveled to China twice for this purpose. "These memorandums will consolidate cooperation between universities in both countries," he said, adding that the memorandum will be followed by comprehensive agreements. Since the upgrading of relations between China and Egypt to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2014, cultural and scientific exchange between both countries has been at its peak. Both countries also hope to boost friendly ties through the Belt and Road Initiative, which has promoted deeper understanding between them. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 07:21:01|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon (R) meets with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on May 20, 2019. (Xinhua/Zhang Jiye) DUSHANBE, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon and Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday agreed to boost cooperation between the two countries in various fields and further align their development strategies. Rahmon said after meeting with Wang that it has always been the priority of Tajikistan's diplomacy to develop relations with China, and that the two countries, as comprehensive strategic partners, have seen bilateral cooperation flourish in all kinds of fields in recent years. Therefore, it is absolutely possible for Dushanbe and Beijing to strengthen joint efforts in the process of building a community of shared future for mankind, he added. The president said Tajikistan is ready to further align its national development strategy by 2030 with the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, and to promote bilateral pragmatic cooperation in the economic and trade sector, agriculture, science and technology, humanities, infrastructure construction, among others. While extending gratitude to China for assisting Tajikistan's development, Rahmon said his country welcomes more investment from Chinese enterprises in the future. He also expressed readiness for further joint work with China in international and regional affairs, in particular, in the fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism as well as transnational organized crime. Echoing Rahmon's remarks, Wang said China and Tajikistan have formed a "four good" relationship -- good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners, and therefore should be running at the forefront of building a community of shared future for mankind. According to Wang, China will continue to firmly support Tajikistan's domestic and foreign policies as well as its efforts to develop the economy and improve people's livelihood. The Chinese side, in support of Tajikistan's development plans in the four major fields of energy, transportation, food and industrialization, is willing to fully integrate the national development strategies of the two countries and provide assistance for the modernization of Tajikistan, he said. Wang also held talks with Tajikistan's Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin the same day. During the meeting, Muhriddin hailed the results of China-Tajikistan cooperation in the economic and trade sector, agriculture, production capacity and infrastructure construction, adding that he looks forward to implementing more joint projects and enhancing mutual benefit. Muhriddin also expressed the hope of promoting exchanges between the two countries in areas like education and tourism and strengthening multilateral cooperation so as to safeguard regional security. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 07:36:04|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close A displaced child is seen at a school where dozens of families seek refuge after fleeing their homes, in Tripoli, Libya, on May 20, 2019. Libya has been suffering escalating violence and political instability since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. (Xinhua/Amru Salahuddien) Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 07:31:04|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close CHICAGO, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Lori Lightfoot took office as Chicago mayor Monday, becoming the first black woman and the first openly gay person to hold the office in the U.S. city's history. Lightfoot, who was inaugurated at Chicago's Wintrust Arena with her wife and daughter at her side, addressed the city's violence problem in her inaugural speech. "People cannot - and should not - live in neighborhoods that resemble a war zone," she said, "Enough of the shootings. Enough of the guns. Enough of the violence." Lightfoot said she has "no higher calling" than restoring safety and peace in Chicago's neighborhoods. According to data collected by Chicago Tribune, Chicago police report there were 561 homicides in the city last year -- 100 fewer than in 2017, but still more than the total number of homicides in New York and Los Angeles combined. Lightfoot vowed to develop a new proactive strategy to fight crime in neighborhoods hit hardest by gun violence. She said the new office of public safety would be led by a deputy mayor charged with coordinating a unified violence prevention strategy that brings in not only police but also city government, schools, non-profits, businesses, and the faith community. "We will also continue the hard but essential work of forging partnerships between police officers and the community premised on mutual respect, accountability and a recognition that the destinies of police and community are inextricably intertwined," she said in prepared remarks Monday. "One simply cannot succeed without the other." Born in 1962, Lightfoot had been president of the Chicago Police Board before announcing candidacy for mayor of Chicago in the 2019 elections on May 10, 2018. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 07:56:13|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close DUSHANBE, May 20 (Xinhua) -- The comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Tajikistan has reached a new level and the two countries should make more efforts in building a community of shared future for mankind, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Monday. He made the remarks at a press conference following his talks with Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon. Wang said that China and Tajikistan, as comprehensive strategic partners, have formed a "four good" relationship -- good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners, thanks to the guidance of the two heads of state and the joint building of "Belt and Road." In the next stage, Beijing and Dushanbe should fully implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, consolidate political mutual trust and mutual support, defend their common interests and strengthen the collaboration of their development strategies, he said. During their talks, Rahmon and Wang stressed the importance of strengthening joint efforts in the process of building a community of shared future for mankind. China is committed to building a community of shared development and security with Tajikistan, and thus moving toward the ultimate goal of a community of shared future for mankind, Wang told journalists. In particular, China will help promote the industrialization of Tajikistan and work with the latter in combating terrorism, separatism and extremism as well as transnational organized crime, he added. According to Wang, the two sides reached a consensus on promoting the development of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA). In light of the rise of unilateralism and protectionism, China and Tajikistan will support the SCO to play a more active role in maintaining regional security and stability as well as promoting common development and prosperity, Wang said. The two sides also underlined the significance of a shared, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security promoted by the CICA. China firmly supports Tajikistan in holding the fifth summit of the CICA in June and promoting further development of cooperation within the framework of the mechanism, Wang said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 09:56:38|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close Members of the Ancient and Honourable Hyack Anvil Battery prepare to fire salutes at Queen's Park Stadium in New Westminster, Canada, May 20, 2019. Anvil salute is an annual tradition in the city of New Westminster, where members of the Ancient and Honourable Hyack Anvil Battery use anvils and gunpowder to fire 21 shots to celebrate the Victoria Day in Canada. (Xinhua/Liang Sen) Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 09:47:01|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close TRIPOLI, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations (UN) Humanitarian Coordinator for Libya condemned a strike cutting off water supply to western and central Libya in a statement released Monday by the UN Support Mission in Libya. "The UN Humanitarian Coordinator, Maria Ribeiro, condemns in the strongest terms this act that aims to deprive hundreds of thousands of already embattled Libyans of safe drinking water," said the statement. "Such attacks against civilian infrastructure that are essential for the survival of the civilian population may be considered war crimes," the UN official said. Ribeiro also reminded all Libyan parties of "their obligations under International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law to ensure the safety of all civilians and civilian infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and public utilities, especially water and electricity." "Continuous attacks on the water system further jeopardise levels of health and hygiene among the civilian population, particularly those most vulnerable, including children, and cause further hardship and possible displacement," the statement said. Gunmen stormed a water supply station in al-Shwayrif town, some 400 km south of the capital Tripoli, and forced workers to shut down the supply to western and central Libya, the UN-backed government's Interior Ministry said. The ministry accused the rival east-based army of the cutting of the supply, saying that the gunmen are "affiliated to the army" which has been fighting with the government over control of Tripoli since early April. Libya has been suffering escalating violence and political instability ever since the fall of late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 09:52:06|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close KHARTOUM, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Sudan's ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) and an alliance of opposition forces on Tuesday vowed to work together to reach an "urgent agreement" as their negotiation continues. The TMC and the Freedom and Change Alliance centers still differ on the representation of the military and the civilians in the transitional sovereignty council as well as the chairmanship of the new ruling body, the two sides said in a joint statement. The TMC, which is tasked with running the country following the ouster of former President Omar al-Bashir, and the opposition have recently agreed on the powers of the sovereignty council, the council of ministers and the legislative council. They also agreed that the duration of the transitional period would be three years, with the first six months to be allotted for achieving peace all over Sudan and the legislative council is to comprise 300 members, 67 percent of whom are from the Freedom and Change Alliance. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 10:57:46|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi (R) bestows the Order of the Republic, First Class, on outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Song Aiguo in Cairo, Egypt, on May 20, 2019. At the honoring ceremony, Song, who ends his nine-year tenure in Egypt, said that the honoring does not go for him only, but also for the Chinese government and people, reflecting the outstanding progress of the relations between China and Egypt. (Xinhua/MENA) CAIRO, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi bestowed on Monday the Order of the Republic, First Class, on outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Song Aiguo in acknowledgement of his efforts and role in boosting bilateral relations. At the honoring ceremony, Song, who ends his nine-year tenure in Egypt, said that the honoring does not go for him only, but also for the Chinese government and people, reflecting the outstanding progress of the relations between China and Egypt. Also on Monday, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli told the outgoing Chinese envoy that Egypt is looking forward to upholding the growing momentum of Egyptian-Chinese relations in a way that contributes to realizing prosperity for both peoples. Since the upgrading of relations between China and Egypt to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2014, the two countries have boosted cooperation in various fields, with some 1,080 Chinese companies presently operating in Egypt, according to official Egyptian figures. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 12:23:34|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close HAVANA, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Cuba and Vietnam agreed to strengthen bilateral ties by signing a joint plan of political consultations for the 2020-2022 period on Monday. The document was signed by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez and visiting Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, with the goal of "strengthening political dialogue on issues of bilateral and multilateral interest." Both countries constantly exchange experiences on building socialist societies according to their own characteristics and internal dynamics said Rodriguez said before the signing. "We will commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2020 and the economic, commercial and investment links are going very well and have a promising future," said Rodriguez. "I believe the new generations have the responsibility to continue cultivating these ties and further strengthen them," Pham said. To boost "fraternal and historic bonds" between the two countries, Pham arrived in the Caribbean nation on Sunday for a three-day official visit and is expected to meet other Cuban officials including President Miguel Diaz-Canel. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 12:23:36|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close WELLINGTON, May 21 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand government announced on Tuesday extra funding for road ambulance services to relieve financial pressure onto the service providers so that they can provide life-saving care to New Zealanders. Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Health Minister Dr. David Clark announced the pre-budget funding plan of up to 40 million New Zealand dollars on Tuesday. Speaking to media this morning, ambulance service provider St John chief executive Peter Bradley welcomed the news that the government commitment would be looking into its overall funding model. There is a growing demand for ambulance services in New Zealand, including in rural areas. Ambulances now respond to over 550,000 emergency 111 calls a year, with more than 440,000 calls resulting in an ambulance being dispatched. Currently the government funding makes up approximately 72 percent of the operating costs of ambulances in New Zealand. The remainder is funded largely through part charges and donations and the services will continue to rely on community generosity for these. "That's why the government is investing 21 million dollars into our ambulance services over the next two years. This one-off funding will relieve immediate pressures and provide certainty for service providers such as St John and Wellington Free to secure the long-term sustainability of their services," Winston Peters said Health Minister David Clark said the two-year package came on top of a 17.2 million dollars increase in operational funding (over four years) as part of Budget 2019. (1 New Zealand dollar equals 0.65 U.S. dollar) Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 12:33:39|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close RIO DE JANEIRO, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro said Monday that there will be no money to pay for civil workers' salaries by 2024 if the social security system reform is not approved now. According to the president, the country is without money and "cannot advance much for lack of resources." "Brazil cannot continue to carry this burden. If we do not make the reform, by 2022, 2023, 2024 at most, there will not be any money to pay federal workers," he said. The government proposed a social security reform bill earlier this year, but the proposal is deeply controversial and the government is facing significant resistance. As a constitutional amendment, the bill requires a majority of two thirds in both the House and Senate to pass. Critics worry that far from combating privilege, the bill places heavy burden over poorer workers. Under the proposed regulations, Brazilians will have to work for a minimum of 40 years to retire with a full pension. The reform also sets a minimum age of retirement of 65 for men and 62 for women. In some Brazilian states, life expectancy is not much higher than 65, which means that some workers might not live long enough to enjoy retirement. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 12:43:42|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close NANNING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were killed and 87 others injured as of 9 a.m. Tuesday after the roof of a night bar collapsed Monday in the city of Baise, southern China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The injured are in stable condition, according to the regional emergency management department. A total of 23 people have been summoned by local police for investigation and seven have been detained on suspicion of causing a major safety accident. Local police and fire departments sent around 260 people to aid in search and rescue after the collapse occurred. Both the national and regional health commissions sent medical expert teams to guide treatment of the injured on site. The bar, with an area of 700 square meters, is located on the top floor of a three-story steel-framed building. Investigation and clean up efforts are still underway. An overhaul on the safety of public areas and the building industry has been launched in Guangxi to avoid similar accidents. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 12:43:45|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close MEXICO CITY, May 20 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) on Monday presented its proposal for a comprehensive regional development plan in a bid to seek a solution to migration. The plan aims to boost investment in southern Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, open integration programs and safeguard the rights of undocumented migrants. During the joint presentation of the plan by the Mexican government and ECLAC, Alicia Barcena, executive secretary of the ECLAC, said that the project seeks fairer and more egalitarian societies, with more employment opportunities, which in turn reduces migration in a comprehensive way. "The lack of employment, the lack of economic opportunities in their place of origin, is one of the main causes of migration," Barcena said. She presented the four programmatic pillars agreed upon by the four countries: economic development, social well-being, environmental sustainability and risk management, and the comprehensive management of the migratory cycle with human security. The senior UN official added that infrastructure such as the interconnection of power transmission lines and pipelines need to be built between southern Mexico and northern Central America. For his part, Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard highlighted that it is a plan compiled by the four countries together with ECLAC. He explained that the project will now be presented to the international community, including the United States, Canada, the European Union, as well as other friendly nations that have expressed their interest in participating. Ebrard said that the proposal "is a roadmap that tells us what we have to do to change the social and economic reality" of the region. The Mexican government has estimated that around 10 billion U.S. dollars a year are required to run the program, so the support of the international community is sought, especially from the United States and Canada. Every year, thousands of Mexicans and Central Americans seek to enter the United States as they flee poverty and violence in their respective home countries. Visitors view exhibits during a photo exhibition on giant panda in an art gallery in Tokyo, Japan, May 20, 2019. (Xinhua/Liang Saiyu) TOKYO, May 20 (Xinhua) -- "This might be the only color photo of a giant panda," said Chinese photographer Zhou Mengqi, pointing to a photo of a fluffy cub spitting out its pink tongue. Zhou launched a photo exhibition on giant panda Monday in an art gallery in downtown Tokyo, the first of its kind by a Chinese photographer in Japan. The exhibition, with 46 photos, was titled "Giant panda and its hometown." It mainly displays the image of giant pandas, their habitat and living environment. Photo taken on May 20, 2019 shows the title "Giant panda and its hometown" of a photo exhibition on giant panda in an art gallery in Tokyo, Japan. (Xinhua/Liang Saiyu) Zhou, 65, spent the past 27 years taking photos for pandas in their habitats in China's Sichuan and Shaanxi provinces. "The giant panda is not only the national treasure of China, but also the natural heritage cherished by human beings all over the world. It has been loved by people all over the world," he said. "This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Westerner discovery of giant panda. I hope more Japanese people can understand the cuteness of this animal. I also expect that giant panda can further enhance the friendship between China and Japan," he added. Shohiro Sakagawa, a Japanese visitor who came for the exhibition, was impressed by the photos. He said: "It is difficult to see photos of so many giant panda cubs in Japan. My favorite one is a group of newly born ones. The way the panda babies sleep is very cute." Photo taken by Zhou Mengqi shows newly born giant panda cubs. (Xinhua/Liang Saiyu) Feng Ge, director of the Japan Giant Panda Conservation Association, believes that the exhibition will help Japanese panda-lovers better understand the living conditions of giant pandas in China. It is also possible to improve relationships of the two peoples through the exhibition, he said. Currently, there are 10 giant pandas living in Japan. Among them, the giant panda named "Xiang Xiang" of the Ueno Zoo is a national celebrity. Feng noted that since the birth of "Xiang Xiang" in 2017, the number of applicants to join the Japan Giant Panda Conservation Association has soared. Many Japanese people are eager to see giant pandas in Sichuan, China. "The giant panda represents peace and calm, that is why it touches people across the world," Feng said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 12:58:50|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close CARACAS, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced his proposal on Monday to move up legislative elections and called for dialogue with the opposition. "We are going to measure ourselves electorally," Maduro said, adding that the only winner would be the people. The president made his remarks during a demonstration to mark the first anniversary of his re-election. During his speech, Maduro said that he believes in peace and dialogue, describing the peace talks between the government and the opposition in Norway as "positive" and expressing his confidence that they would soon reach an agreement. "I am going to commit myself, with effort and with dedication, so that Venezuela sooner or later has a peace agreement," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 13:33:55|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, May 21 (Xinhua) -- About nine Taliban militants were killed following a special operation in Afghanistan's southern province of Kandahar on Monday, a local source said Tuesday. "The operation was launched by the Special Operations Forces in Karee locality of Shah Wali Kot district. As a result nine militants were killed and an amount of weapons were also seized," the source told Xinhua anonymously. He noted that the security forces also destroyed two militants' vehicles and 15 motorcycles following the raid. Security situation has been improving in Kandahar, the former stronghold of Taliban, over the last months, as security forces have conducted search and cordon operations across the province. But the militants attack government interests in the province from time to time. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 13:44:01|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close KABUL, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Four Islamic State (IS) militants have been killed in eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar, the government said on Tuesday. "The National Directorate of Security (NDS) personnel launched an operation in Chaparhar district, Nangarhar province, killing four Daesh (IS group) fighters," Presidential Information Coordination Center (Tawhid Center) said in a statement. The statement did not disclose the exact time of the operation conducted by the NDS, the primary intelligence agency of the country. Mountainous Nangarhar province, 120 km east of Kabul, has been the scene of clashes between security forces and IS militants from time to time. The clashes have forced thousands of villagers to flee to safer places. The IS group, which emerged in Nangarhar in early 2015, has yet to make comments on the report. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 13:44:03|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close WASHINGTON, May 20 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Department of Commerce on Monday issued a 90-day temporary license loosening restrictions on business deals with Chinese tech giant Huawei. The Temporary General License, effective from May 20 through Aug. 19, allows "specific, limited engagement in transactions involving the export, reexport, and transfer of items" to Huawei, the department said in a statement. The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the department put Huawei and its affiliates on an "Entity List" on May 16, which would restrict the sale or transfer of U.S. technologies to Huawei. "The Temporary General License grants operators time to make other arrangements and the Department space to determine the appropriate long term measures for Americans and foreign telecommunications providers that currently rely on Huawei equipment for critical services," Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross was quoted as saying in the statement. The license, due to be published Wednesday and available online now, also allows engagement with Huawei and its affiliates for the development of 5G standards as part of a duly recognized international standards body. The department will evaluate whether to extend the license beyond 90 days, according to the statement. The temporary easing came amid concerns that Huawei's customers in the United States, especially those in rural areas, will suffer without access to Huawei's services. The Chinese company said in a statement last week that the U.S. export control decision is in no one's interest and will do significant economic harm to the American companies with which Huawei does business. Also, restricting Huawei from doing business in the United States will "only serve to limit the U.S. to inferior yet more expensive alternatives, leaving the U.S. lagging behind in 5G deployment, and eventually harming the interests of U.S. companies and consumers," said Huawei. German media reported recently that years of scrutiny by Britain, Germany and the European Union (EU) has found no obvious "backdoors" in Huawei products, while security loopholes are often spotted in products made by Cisco of the United States. On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said, "the conclusions of Europe's scrutiny have proven Huawei innocent, and showed the U.S. suppression against other countries' enterprises with state power is unjustified." Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 13:59:15|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close SHENZHEN, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Huawei is a commercial company, and the use of its products is a choice for consumers based on their likes and should not be linked to politics, said Ren Zhengfei, founder and president of Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. on Tuesday. Ren made the remarks after the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the U.S. Department of Commerce put Huawei and its affiliates on an "Entity List," which would restrict the sale or transfer of U.S. technologies to the company. The ban has triggered opposition from markets worldwide. Huawei maintains mass production capacities for specific key components, including chips, and the U.S. ban will not result in negative business growth, Ren told reporters. The telecommunications giant projected slower but positive growth this year. Huawei posted a 39 percent year-on-year revenue growth in the first quarter of the year. The growth has slowed slightly in the second quarter, but the slowing will not hurt the company, Ren said. "Huawei had made preparations for the extreme situations even before the Chinese Lunar New Year," he said. He noted, however, that it would not reject the U.S. supply chain, citing Huawei's announced purchase of 50 million chips from Qualcomm in 2018. "As long as the U.S. government allows U.S. companies to export the components, Huawei will continue to buy while sticking to its own research and development," he said. Ren said he appreciated the support of a large number of U.S. components suppliers over the years, and they are also lobbying for the easing of U.S. government-imposed restrictions. He said Huawei is also in talks with companies like Google for potential remedy solutions, he said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 13:59:17|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close QUITO, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Officials of the Ecuadorian Attorney General's Office are carrying out a court proceeding to seize WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's possessions left at the Ecuadorian embassy in Britain. The proceeding was carried out with the support of the investigative police and belongings that "could serve as evidence of the possible commission of crimes" would be seized, Ecuador's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility said Monday in a statement. The judicial officials "will not conduct a specialized investigation in situ with respect to the possessions seized, which will be sent to Ecuador to be analyzed later," the statement said. "The action taken by the Attorney General's office goes in accordance with the Ecuadorian law and was authorized by a judge with jurisdiction," the statement said. This was in response to the request for international mutual legal assistance in criminal matters made by the U.S. Department of Justice, in line with the Inter-American Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters. "If the analysis made by the Prosecutor's Office concludes that some of the seized possessions must be given to the petitioners of mutual legal assistance (United States), then we will do so following the required regulations and legal procedures," the ministry said. The belongings that are not seized by the Prosecutor's Office will be made available to Assange's legal representatives. On May 14, Ecuadorian Foreign Affairs Minister Jose Valencia promised that his country will act with "total adherence to the law" in the process of delivery to the United States of documents and possessions that Assange left at the Ecuadorian embassy. Ecuador withdrew the diplomatic asylum granted to Assange on April 11. On May 1, Assange was sentenced to 50 weeks in prison in London for violating his bail by taking refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in June 2012. Assange took refuge in the embassy to evade a European arrest warrant issued by Sweden over accusations of alleged sex crimes. Washington demanded his extradition over charges of conspiracy after the release of classified military and diplomatic documents by WikiLeaks in 2010. The accusations could lead to a prison term of up to five years. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 14:14:37|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close SYDNEY, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Australia's average life expectancy is under pressure from rising obesity rates, a study by the University of Melbourne has showed. After increasing rapidly for 20 years, the growth rate of Australian's life expectancy has fallen behind most other high-income countries. "There are several major barriers to marked increases, including the notably higher mortality of more recent birth cohorts and the comparative failure of efforts to reduce levels of overweight and obesity," University of Melbourne researcher and co-author Tim Adair said. Between 1981 and 2003, the difference in life expectancy between males in Australia and other high-income countries increased from +0.7 years to +2.3 years, while for females the difference in life expectancy increased from +0.9 years to +1.3 years. However by 2015 that growth had slowed for both sexes compared to most other high-income countries. For males it was +2.3 years, and for females +1.1 years. "Life expectancy in Australia is among the highest in the world, a testament to boldly progressive public health interventions over several decades," Adair said. Adair said that unless new strategies for reducing mortality associated with specific behaviors are developed and deployed effectively, the country's high global life expectancy rating is unlikely to persist. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 14:24:47|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close TASHKENT, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese embassy in Uzbekistan presented more than 8,000 books to Uzbek educational institutions on Monday to assist in Chinese language courses. The books covering mainly on Chinese language learning as well as the history and culture of China were given as a gift in a ceremony before a Chinese language competition. These books will help young Uzbeks who are studying the Chinese language learn more about China, and promote mutual understanding between the two peoples, Chinese ambassador Jiang Yan said. The Chinese embassy will further contribute to improving the educational level of Uzbek youth and expanding their range of vision, she said. These books will help students learn Chinese language and assist teachers and professors in improving their teaching methods, Sabohat Khoshimova, dean of the faculty of Sinology at the Tashkent State Institute of Oriental Studies, said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 14:24:49|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close WELLINGTON, May 21 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand police filed terrorism charges against Christchurch gunman Brenton Tarrant on Tuesday. New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush said a charge of engaging in a terrorist act under section 6A of the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002 has been filed. The charge will allege that a terrorist act was carried out in Christchurch on March 15. The decision came after consultation between the police, the Crown Law office and the Christchurch Crown Solicitors office, the police said. An additional murder charge and two additional attempted murder charges have also been filed. Fifty-one charges of murder, 40 of attempted murder and one charge under the Terrorism Suppression Act have now been filed against Tarrant, Bush confirmed. New Zealand police on Tuesday afternoon met with survivors and victims' families of the Christchurch attack to inform them of the new charges filed against the gunman and update them on the ongoing investigation and the court process to come. About 200 people attended the meeting in Christchurch. "New Zealand police are committed to providing all the support necessary for what will be a challenging and emotional court process to come for the victims' families and survivors of the attack," said Bush. On March 15, the alleged gunman attacked two Christchurch mosques and killed 51 people. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 14:29:51|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close United Nations chief economist Elliott Harris (R) speaks during an interview with Xinhua at the UN headquarters in New York, May 17, 2019. The U.S.-China trade row augurs ill for global trade and economy and benefits nobody, said Elliott Harris. (Xinhua/Ma Jianguo) by Xinhua writer Lin Yuan UNITED NATIONS, May 20 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-China trade row augurs ill for global trade and economy and benefits nobody, said UN chief economist Elliott Harris. "The impact is not limited to the two parties themselves, but it affects the entire global trade, and it will inevitably affect overall global economic performance," Harris told Xinhua in a recent interview. The economist, also UN assistant secretary-general for economic development, described the trade tensions between the world's two largest economies as "a disadvantage to all countries to participate in global trade," noting that many have already found they are being affected. "Everybody realizes that these trade disputes are potentially very damaging to everybody and there's no one who would benefit from them," he said. "Neither side would benefit from continuing the trade disputes." "This is a very dangerous situation for us because it deepens some of the risks that the global economy is already facing," he said, adding that the UN sustainable development goals will thus be much more difficult to achieve. Recently, the International Monetary Fund, the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development and the World Bank all lowered their global growth forecast for 2019. The downward revision, said Harris, was because of the slow pace of progress in U.S.-China trade negotiations. With the United Nations scheduled to release its newest World Economic Situation and Prospects report on Tuesday, Harris said the influence of high trade tensions will be reflected in the analysis as well. "It is to be expected that the global outlook will suffer a little bit from that," he said. The UN chief economist noted that trade, through the global value chains, has been "a way in which different countries at different levels of development can participate with each other in the process of growth and development." Thus, anything that undermines the multilateral trading system, an open and non-discriminatory system, will have a negative impact on the ability of all countries to pursue healthy trade relations, he added. In the latest flare-up of U.S.-China trade tensions, Washington increased additional tariffs on 200 billion U.S. dollars' worth of Chinese imports from 10 percent to 25 percent earlier this month, and has threatened to raise tariffs on more Chinese imports. In response, China has announced that it will raise additional tariffs on a range of U.S. imports from June 1, and "will fight to the end." Amid widespread worries about global economic uncertainties incurred by recent tariff hikes, China has reiterated that escalating trade tensions "serve no one's interests" and will "tie down the world economy as well." Beijing has also repeatedly called on the United States, which started the row in violation of multilateral trading rules, to get back on the right track as soon as possible and meet China halfway in achieving a mutually beneficial and win-win agreement on the basis of mutual respect. Calling for ending the disputes as quickly as possible, Harris said he does not think a full-scale trade war between the United States and China is inevitable. "I don't think any dispute is inevitable. I think all disputes can be resolved," he said. Noting that the world has a multilateral trading system with institutions designed for all to benefit from, Harris urged all parties to "underscore these institutions, to support these institutions, to strengthen them, and to use them to discuss the issues that have obviously caused problems between individual partners." Mutually respectful trade allows all partners, regardless of their sizes, to be benefited, he said. "That is the whole principle behind our system. And I think that principle still holds." Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 14:44:59|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close WELLINGTON, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Experts from the Pike River Recovery Agency re-entered the Pike River mine drift in New Zealand on Tuesday more than eight years after 29 men were killed in the Coal Mine disaster. In the presence of families, experts from Te Kahui Whakamana Rua Tekau ma Iwa-Pike River Recovery Agency completed breaching the 30-meter seal and successfully re-entered the mine drift. Previously scheduled for May 3, the milestone had been delayed following a false oxygen reading from a failed sampling tube. "The tragedy that took these men's lives was the consequence of corporate and regulatory failure. Fulfilling the promise to do everything possible to safely re-enter is an act of justice for families who have waited for far too long," Minister Responsible for Pike River Re-entry Andrew Little said. Little promised to find answers for the disaster, "There is still much to do. We must find out what happened at Pike River. However long that takes, the recovery project will be done professionally." On Nov. 19, 2010, the Pike River mine in South Island, New Zealand experienced a massive explosion, trapping 29 workers underground. A second explosion took place five days later, leaving no hope of rescuing the trapped workers out. The coal mine was then sealed and the 2.3 km drift tunnel was sealed for 30 meters from the portal entrance since November 2016, with double airlock doors behind a wall of about 800 mm of concrete. Families of the trapped miners have been pushing the New Zealand government to re-enter the mine for years. Tuesday's re-entry is regarded as mile-stone success in the recovery project and is believed to be an emotional moment for the families of the 29 miners. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 14:45:01|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close HAVANA, May 20 (Xinhua)-- Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on Monday met separately with Raul Castro, the first secretary of Cuba's Communist Party, and Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, as part of his official visit to the Caribbean nation. Pham and Castro "discussed the historical and excellent relations between the peoples, parties and governments of both countries," said a government release broadcasted on the night news of Cuba's official television station. They also discussed "their respective experiences in the construction of socialism," according to the report. At Pham's meeting with Diaz-Canel, both sides expressed the willingness to boost their trade, economic and cooperation ties and address "international issues of common interest." During the day, Pham also met with Esteban Lazo, president of the People's Power National Assembly, Cuba's unicameral parliament, expressing Hanoi's interest to strengthen economic and commercial links with Havana. Pham's agenda in Cuba also included talks with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, during which both sides reaffirmed the historical links of brotherhood and trust between both countries, which established diplomatic relations in 1960. Shortly after their talks, the two officials signed an inter-foreign- ministries policy consultation plan for the period 2020-2022. Pham will conclude his trip to Cuba on Tuesday. 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| 2019-05-21 14:55:05|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close SYDNEY, May 21 (Xinhua) -- A lucky Western Australian prospector has uncovered a giant gold nugget estimated to be worth up to 65,000 U.S. dollars. Local media outlet, the West Australian, reported on Monday that the man was searching with a metal detector around Kalgoorlie's remote salt flat region when his device began to beep. After some digging, he uncovered the nugget from the earth, weighing a hefty 1.4 kgs. "It's good to see people out there and finding nuggets like this," local gold merchant, Matt Cook said. "They're harder to find but they're still out there." Cook said that nuggets of this size only turn up once every few years and were mostly discovered by larger operations using heavy machinery rather than metal detectors. A large number of people continue to scour Australia's remote regions, many of which were once active goldfields, in search of a lucky find. "It's so busy - I can't remember a year like it," Cook said. "And gold prices are high at the moment - it's like a gold rush." Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 14:55:09|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close AUCKLAND, New Zealand, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) culture was promoted in New Zealand in a sideline event during the Tripartite 2019 meetings this week. Taking Tripartite 2019 as an opportunity, Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Holdings Limited (GPHL) set up a partnership with the Confucius Institute in Auckland to establish a Shennong Caotang TCM Culture Communication Centre, which is the first of its kind outside China. The company also signed an agreement with the University of Auckland to set up the Wang Lao Ji Auspicious Culture Ambassador Scholarship to fund students for their internships in Guangzhou. This move was witnessed by officials and representatives from Guangzhou and Auckland municipalities, the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand, the Chinese Consulate General in Auckland, the University of Auckland, the Confucius Institute and GPHL. An exhibition of traditional Chinese medicine culture was held at the same time in the University of Auckland, attracting a large number of audience, with many expecting to gain a deeper understanding of the traditional Chinese culture. Speaking at the Tripartite meetings in Auckland on Monday, Li Chuyuan, party secretary and chairman of Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Holdings Limited, shared his thoughts on traditional Chinese medicine and health. "Many countries in the world are now troubled by the escalating medical costs, and traditional Chinese medicine provides a cost-effective solution to this global problem. In order to help more people take advantage of the health benefits of TCM, we now plan to make full use of the advanced technologies and the prevailing marketing approaches to produce the most needed healthcare products to the general public. By doing so, we will actively advance the modernization, internationalization, popularization and massification of TCM," said Li. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 15:00:15|Editor: ZX Video Player Close Chinese passenger cars arrive and stop at Havana, Cuba, May 20, 2019. Intense and blue, like the bright Cuban sky, are the Chinese passenger cars that will soon be put into operation as part of an ambitious and costly program to modernize Cuba's railroad system. The island has just received the first 56 cars, from a batch of 240 which it acquired with a Chinese credit, payable in 15 years, and will arrive in Havana at a rate of 80 each year from 2019 to 2021. This is the first time in 44 years that Cuba has received new railroad cars. Before it, the island's railroad system had been operated with second-hand cars for decades. Now, with the help of the China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC), the CRRC Tangshan Co., Ltd. specifically manufactured the brand-new cars for the Caribbean nation. (Xinhua/Joaquin Hernandez) By Raul Menchaca HAVANA, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Intense and blue, like the bright Cuban sky, are the Chinese passenger cars that will soon be put into operation as part of an ambitious and costly program to modernize Cuba's railroad system. The island has just received the first 56 cars, from a batch of 240 which it acquired with a Chinese credit, payable in 15 years, and will arrive in Havana at a rate of 80 each year from 2019 to 2021. This is the first time in 44 years that Cuba has received new railroad cars. Before it, the island's railroad system had been operated with second-hand cars for decades. Now, with the help of the China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC), the CRRC Tangshan Co., Ltd. specifically manufactured the brand-new cars for the Caribbean nation. "There is a great rehabilitation program for the entire railway industry in general, and in particular these passenger cars that we have contracted with China respond to our government's policy of providing a quality service to the population," Vice President of Cuba's Council of Ministers Ricardo Cabrisas told Xinhua. This is "a program that represents one of the governmental priorities," Cabrisas said, who seemed satisfied after touring three of the comfortable cars and trying one of the reclining and rotating seats. On his part, the CMC Vice President Mr. Zhao Jun said that for several years they have been working with the island's Ministry of Transport to support the update of the country's railway system. "We are willing to help Cuba to modernize that system and improve the level of transportation in the country," Zhao said. With those first 56 cars, and other 24 to be received in two weeks, the Union of Railways of Cuba (UFC) expects to form four trains of 12 cars each, almost twice the number of the current ones with only seven cars. Each car has 72 capacities, which will give room for 720 passengers in a railway formation about 325 meters long, something that is rarely seen on the island. "These are cars that can be considered as a tailor-made suit," said UFC Director General Eduardo Hernandez who said that the design and manufacturing process was carried out by Chinese and Cuban engineers. "They are cars with benefits that meet the international standards of passenger transportation and are also designed for Cuba, that is, with the standards that the Cuban railway needs," the director said. Hernandez stressed that they are working to make sure that the cars will be in service by this summer,as most of the passengers on the island are ferried in summer, the holiday season. Before being put into service, the trains will receive an exhaustive review and then take some tests of crossing without cargo so as to check the technical and operational conditions on the Cuban railroads. According technicians' calculation, the use of these trains will help reduce the traveling time by between two and three hours. The new trains will reach the cities of Guantanamo, on the eastern tip of the island, and Santiago de Cuba, some 860 kilometers east of Havana, and will allow the reuse of a 730-kilometer line abandoned since 2006 between Havana and Holguin, also in the east. "Without a doubt it is going to be a technological change and also in the quality of the service in the Cuban railways," Hernandez said with confidence. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 15:15:26|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close HELSINKI, May 20 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. measures against Chinese telecom giant Huawei are "rough" against "innocent users," Finnish observers have said. Petteri Jarvinen, an IT expert and writer, noted that Washington's hostile attitude towards Huawei has been known for a long time. Yet "such a concrete action that hits innocent users is a surprising and rough measure," Jarvinen said Monday on Finland's national radio. Mikko Hypponen, research director of Finnish security provider FSecure, noted that so far Huawei as a brand has not suffered in the Finnish market. The fact that four out of 10 phones sold in Finland are Huawei supports this assumption, he told business daily Kauppalehti. Jukka Manner, a professor of information network technology at Aalto University, said the restrictions ordered by the U.S. government might be beneficial to Huawei in the long term. "Huawei will have to install an app store of its own in the new cell phones," and major application providers are then likely to distribute their apps in Huawei's app store, Manner told newspaper Helsingin Sanomat. Citing alleged national security threats, the United States on May 16 put Huawei and its affiliates on a so-called "entity list" that faces restrictions regarding the sale or transfer of U.S. technologies. Huawei said in a statement that the U.S. export control decision is in no one's interest and will do significant economic harm to the American companies with which Huawei does business. Also, restricting Huawei from doing business in the United States will "only serve to limit the U.S. to inferior yet more expensive alternatives, leaving the U.S. lagging behind in 5G deployment, and eventually harming the interests of U.S. companies and consumers," said Huawei. In response to Google's announcement to suspend some of its business cooperation with Huawei, Huawei said on Monday that it has the ability to continue to develop and apply the Android ecosystem. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 15:15:32|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close SEOUL, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Top diplomats of South Korea and Japan will meet in Paris on the sidelines of a ministerial meeting of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) amid the row over Japan's wartime forced labor during its 1910-45 colonization of the Korean Peninsula, Seoul's foreign ministry said Tuesday. South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha will attend the OECD ministerial meeting in Paris for two days through Thursday, according to the Seoul ministry. During the visit, Kang will have a one-on-one meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono Thursday as well as the foreign ministers of Peru and France. The Kang-Kono meeting would come after Japan said Monday that it was seeking the creation of a panel, comprising members from a third country, to address the issue of compensation for the South Korean victims who were forced by the Imperial Japan into hard labor without pay during the World War II. Relations between Seoul and Tokyo have soured since Japan protested late last year against the South Korean top court's ruling that Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp. should pay compensation for the forced labor victims. The South Korean top court passed a similar judgement, ordering Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. to compensate two groups of South Korean victims over wartime forced labor. Additional South Korean victims sued other Japanese firms, including Nachi-Fujikoshi Corp. and Mitsubishi Materials Corp., claiming that they or their family members were adversely affected by the wartime forced labor. Japan was seeking the arbitration based on the 1965 accord, signed by Seoul and Tokyo to normalize the diplomatic relations. The pact included a stipulation on a dispute settlement procedure. Japan claimed that the reparation issue was settled through the 1965 agreement, but South Korea said the accord did not refer to individuals' rights to compensation. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 16:00:54|Editor: zh Video Player Close Feng Zhenglin (L), head of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and Violeta Bulc (R), the EU commissioner for transport, sign agreements on civil aviation cooperation in Brussels, Belgium, May 20, 2019. (Xinhua/Council of the EU) by Xinhua writers Zhang Yirong, Zhai Wei, Ren Liying BRUSSELS, May 21 (Xinhua) -- China and the European Union (EU) on Monday signed two agreements on civil aviation cooperation in Brussels. The milestone deal meets a longtime aspiration of both sides to expand practical cooperation in this sector. European Commission (EC) President Jean-Claude Juncker said the agreements, "a first big step," "will create jobs, boost growth and bring our continents and peoples closer together." The move, which came amid uncertainties worldwide furthered by U.S. unilateralism and trade protectionism, reaffirms the EU commitment to safeguarding openness, free trade and multilateralism while enriching the content of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership. "In an increasingly unsettled world, Europe's partnership with China is more important than ever before," Juncker noted. LANDMARK DEAL The deal is the first of its kind ever reached in the 20 years of cooperation in the civil aviation sector between China and Europe. The bilateral agreement on civil aviation safety provides a legal framework for expanding cooperation in multiple aspects such as environmental compatibility, and the design and manufacturing of aeronautical products. It will help promote policy coordination and technological and people-to-people exchanges. As a result of many rounds of consultations since August 2013, it is also expected to facilitate the trade of aircraft and related products. Among the measures is removing unnecessary procedural duplications in the evaluation and certification of aeronautical products to reduce cost. "We believe the newly-signed accord will help establish more efficient, streamlined and standardized aircraft certification procedures and we look forward to the promulgation and implementation of the detailed regulations," said George Xu, CEO of Airbus China. Moreover, the agreement serves as part of the joint efforts by China and the EU towards a higher level of civil aviation safety, especially after the crashes and the recent exposure of safety hazards of the U.S. Boeing 737 airliners. "Today's agreements will boost the EU's trade in aircraft and related products, and ensure the highest levels of air safety," commented Violeta Bulc, the EU commissioner for transport. Under the agreement on certain aspects of air services signed Monday, all EU airlines are allowed to fly to China from any EU member state with a bilateral air services agreement with China. "Cooperation, openness and adherence to the promise made by high-level leadership of both sides are delivered by the agreements," said Ambassador Zhang Ming, head of the Chinese mission to the EU. The two agreements were signed in line with the consensus reached at the 21st China-EU leaders' meeting in April. They are believed to be able to tap into the potential of growth in the aviation sector of both sides. The European aviation industry supports 5.1 million jobs and contributes 2.4 percent of the European gross domestic product, while China envisions a growing market of civil aviation as well as an emerging industry of aeronautical products, according to the five-year EU-China Aviation Partnership Project, which was initiated in 2015 by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). "The (Monday) agreements conform to the development needs of aeronautical industries in China and the EU ... and provide a legal basis for airlines operation of both sides," CAAC chief Feng Zhenglin told Xinhua. The deal "will benefit all the industrial players in both China and Europe," said Xu of Airbus China. ENRICHING CHINA-EU PARTNERSHIP China and the EU established a bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership in 2003. "Today's agreements show the potential of our partnership and we should continue on this path of cooperation," said Juncker. The newly signed agreements, which came against the backdrop of the escalated U.S.-China trade tensions, highlights the EU efforts against protectionism, unilateralism and isolationism. The move also represents the latest progress China makes in its further opening-up and reform, in addition to its promotion of win-win cooperation, free trade and multilateralism globally. "In an increasingly unsettled world, Europe's partnership with China is more important than ever before. The EU firmly believes that nations working together makes the world a stronger, safer and more prosperous place for all," said Juncker. Chinese ambassador Zhang said, "The first China-EU agreements on civil aviation turn mutual high-level exchanges results into practice." "I believe China and the EU will continue to work together to encounter international uncertainties with stable cooperation," he added. Before signing the deal on civil aviation cooperation, the two sides decided in April to conclude a comprehensive bilateral investment agreement in 2020. "We are mutually interested in better connecting Europe and Asia and making it easier to move goods, services and people between Europe and China. That applies to aviation, too," said Bulc. The expanding civil aviation cooperation will also work to forge closer ties between China and EU member states. Czech President Milos Zeman recently told Xinhua he considers his country's civil aviation cooperation with China "most satisfying." There are currently four direct air routes linking the capital Prague to Chinese cities, with up to more than 20 flights a week. In the opinion of Shi Zhiwei, a senior marketing and sales officer of China's Hainan Airlines, the direct flights between Berlin and Beijing the company launched in 2008 "witnessed and greatly promoted the cultural exchanges" between China and Germany. (Xinhua reporters Ying Qiang in Paris, Yang Xiaohong in Prague and Zhu Sheng in Berlin contributed to the story.) (Video reporters: Yu Yue, Zhai Wei, Zhang Yirong, Ren Liyin, Liang Xizhi, Han Qian; Video editor: Yin Le) Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 16:36:19|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Washington's long-standing addiction to bullyism has become a grave threat to global stability and peace. The United States has shown ultra enthusiasm in brandishing the tariff stick against its main trade partners, including the European Union(EU), Japan, Canada, Mexico and China. The intention of such actions is plain and simple: it is determined to crush anyone it sees a threat to its global dominance. And that is exactly what it has been doing since it became a superpower in the aftermath of World War II. To do that, Washington has used all kinds of weapons, including military intervention, economic sanctions and lies. And as Washington jostles for self-interests and global supremacy, many around the world have fallen victim. Before invading Iraq in March 2003, then U.S. administration lied to the international community that then-President Saddam Hussein was aiding and abetting terrorists, and possessed large stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction inside Iraq. The war led by the United States without a UN mandate threw Iraq into turmoil and the war-torn nation has never recovered till this day. America's allies have also been on the long list of Washington's victims. In 1985, the United States signed the Plaza Accord with France, former West Germany, Japan and Britain. Many of the world's mainstream economists believe that the accord has helped turn off Japan's strong economic growth in the 1980s, and bring the country into a protracted period of deflation and low growth known as the Lost Decade. Right at the moment, Washington is locked in a trade battle with its European allies. It imposed steel and aluminum tariffs on the EU last year, and is threatening to levy heavy duties on cars imported from Europe. Due to its hubris, Washington discards the spirit of free trade and widely recognized international treaties willfully. Since the 1980s, it has twice pulled out of the United Nations' culture and education body UNESCO, and in 2001 unilaterally withdrew from Kyoto Protocol, an international pact on combating climate change. Wielding the "America First" doctrine, the current U.S. administration is abandoning even more of America's international commitments, including withdrawing from the Paris Agreement on climate change and pulling out of the Iranian nuclear deal. In an opinion piece, chief economics commentator at the Financial Times Martin Wolf wrote that the U.S. government believes in "transactions over alliances, bilateralism over multilateralism, unpredictability over consistency, power over rules and interests over ideals." The very essence of the post-war world order is to promote multilateral cooperation and economic globalization. Sadly, Washington's obsession with hegemony is sowing seeds for confrontation in many parts of the world, and is killing the global system it helped establish and from which it has benefitted so much over the decades. To promote its key national interests, the United States needs to cure itself its addition to bullyism and shoulder its due responsibilities as a major power for the common interests of the world. Being a bully may get temporary advantages, but is bound to bring long-term harm to itself. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 16:41:24|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close by Keren Setton JERUSALEM, May 21 (Xinhua) -- After decades of conflict and countless attempts at making peace between Israelis and Palestinians, the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation is trying to promote a different way of thought. Through science and innovation, its chairman, Chemi Peres, son of the late Israeli leader Shimon Peres, is hoping to spread peace. Inaugurated over a year ago, the renovated center offers a look into the past, present and future with the hopes of inspiring youth and world leaders to recognize the power of technology in bringing peace. Located in Jaffa, an Israeli port city, visitors get a glimpse of the future by sitting in a time capsule and solving the problems humanity is expected to face in the coming decades. When visiting the past, they see major historical landmarks together with Israeli innovations throughout the years. The exhibition of the present times showcases 45 different Israeli start-ups in different fields. It is dotted with archeological findings from the area showing ancient innovations. "We believe that through innovation we can create a new tomorrow for the people of the region and thus achieve peace because the condition to achieve peace is that you have a shared tomorrow. If you have a shared tomorrow and you have something to look forward to then you can settle down and discuss the atrocities of yesterday," Chemi Peres told Xinhua in an exclusive interview. The center aims to attract 200,000 visitors a year and thus spread its message. The tour of the new visitor's center can be done in four languages, one of them Chinese. "We are blessed with the collaboration with China," Peres said, "It is a relationship I have been involved in for many many years." It may be considered out of fashion amongst many in the area, but for Chemi Peres the only direction to look at is forward, with great optimism. His father, Shimon Peres, was one of Israel's founding fathers. He founded the peace center in 1996. In the coming weeks, a new American peace plan is expected to be revealed. According to media reports, the U.S. administration led by President Donald Trump will first unveil the part of the plan which deals with financial issues. It is believed the focus of the whole plan will be based on an "economy first" approach - financial incentives for the Palestinians in return for concessions in their territorial demands. Palestinians have already said they will not accept the plan. The Palestinians, who want territories which Israel currently controls, are steadfast in their approach that the thorny political matters need to be settled first. "I think that on the Palestinian side there is skepticism or worryism that what we call economic peace will be installed instead of a political concession. For me that is a risk they have to take because we have to drive the wagon forward. We have to create jobs and opportunities and income and fight poverty and give opportunities and jobs for the young generation," Peres said. The Palestinians are not the only ones skeptical of Trump's plans. The international community has been slow to adopt the "economy first" model when it comes to the decades-old conflict. It has been years since the sides have met at the negotiating table. Peres says the center is not promoting any specific solution - but rather a way to look forward first and settle the troubled past later. "It will reduce all the tensions and atrocities and allow us to settle down and get to a political solution at the end of the day," Peres told Xinhua. In a time and a region where pessimism about peace prevails, the Peres Center stands in an attempt to change hearts and minds through pockets, wallets, science and innovation. Peres remains an optimist throughout, with straightforward logic. "I believe that there will be peace at the end of the day. People will live in peace just because wars do not make sense anymore. The reason for war which is greatness and power are making way to brain," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 16:46:30|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close RIYADH, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia announced on Tuesday that the Houthi militia has attempted to "target a civilian site in Najran with a bomb-laden drone," Saudi Press Agency reported. The site in the southwest of Saudi Arabia is used by civilians, said Turki Al-Maliki, spokesperson of the Saudi-led coalition involved in a war in Yemen, in a statement. He said that the militia continues to harm the regional and international security through targeting civilian sites, along with civilians of all nationalities. Al Arabiya TV reported on Monday that Saudi air defense forces shot down two ballistic missiles that were heading toward Jeddah and Makkah. He warned of strong deterrent action to stop Houthis from committing further violations to international law. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 16:56:43|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close BAGHDAD, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi security forces killed 11 Islamic State (IS) militants in an operation in Iraq's central province of Salahudin, the Iraqi military said on Tuesday. A joint force from the Iraqi army, provincial police and paramilitary Hashd Shaabi units conducted an operation to clear a desert area in Salahudin province from IS militants, the media office of the Iraqi Joint Operations Command said in a statement. During the operation, the troops discovered 13 IS hideouts and two car-bomb-making sites, as well as killing 11 IS militants and destroying two booby-trapped vehicles, the statement said. The troops also found 16 explosive belts and six containers filled with explosives, in addition to other supplies and equipment, the statement added. The security situation in Iraq was dramatically improved after Iraqi security forces fully defeated the extremist IS militants across the country in late 2017. IS remnants, however, have since melted in urban areas or resorted to deserts and rugged areas as safe havens, carrying out frequent guerilla attacks against security forces and civilians. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 17:47:16|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close CAIRO, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The Arab League (AL) Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit condemned on Tuesday the Houthis bids for attacking Islam's holiest city Mecca with two ballistic missiles, the AL said in statement. "Such terrorists actions constitute dangerous threat not only for the security and stability of the kingdom, but also for the regional security in general," Aboul Gheit said. He pointed out those attacks are violation for the sacredness of the holy places in the holy month of Ramadan. The AL expressed its solidarity with Saudi in combating any threats against its security and stability, and stressed its rejection for expanding the circle of militant conflict that caused sufferings for the Yemeni people in the past few years. Saudi-owned media accused Yemeni rebels on Monday of targeting Mecca with two ballistic missiles, report that has been denied by the Iran-allied Houthi rebels. The Saudi-led coalition has been intervening in the civil war in Yemen since 2015 to fight the Houthi rebels who seized Yemen's northern provinces, including the capital Sanaa. Houthis have been targeting Saudi border cities since the beginning of the war in Yemen. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 18:02:21|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close GABORONE, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Botswana decided to implement measures to cushion the country from a looming drought, after President Mokgweetsi Masisi declared the year 2018-2019 a drought year, authority said Monday. Masisi was informed about the situation by a report on the drought and household food supply assessment and analysis. Boipolelo Khumomatlhare, head of the country's Rural Development Ministry, said the relief measures will start from July 1 this year to June 30, 2020. The measures include restocking the strategic grain reserve, increasing current livestock drought subsidy for feeds, vaccines and drugs, and expanding the coverage of the subsidy. Khumomatlhare said the finance ministry also plans to pay 85 percent of seasonal loans that farmers obtained from various financial institutions. In addition, the government intends to continue providing direct feeding in health facilities and to introduce a special "food basket" to children in certain districts. The southern African country is experiencing the drought after the 2018-2019 rainy season was characterized by uneven distribution of rains, heat waves and dry spells, leading to smaller planted areas and crop failures. Last year, Botswanan authority warned that hundreds of thousands of livestock and people were left vulnerable to the impacts of climate change-induced drought that hit the country between 2014 and 2017. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 18:43:03|Editor: zh Video Player Close VIENNA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- An emerging rift in the Austrian coalition government due to a secret video scandal was further deepened after a minister was asked to resign by Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz on Monday. The secretly-filmed video footage, captured in Spain before Austria's last parliamentary elections in 2017, shows Heinz-Christian Strache, the vice-chancellor and leader of the right-wing populist Freedom Party, had appeared to offer government contracts in exchange for political support to people who are supposedly representatives of a Russian oligarch, local media reported. After the footage came to light on Friday, Strache resigned from both posts, while Kurz, also leader of coalition partner the conservative People's Party, took further actions to restructure the coalition government. Kurz said Saturday that he would hold talks with several Freedom Party leaders to determine the next steps. After his talks with Interior Minister and Freedom Party stalwart Herbert Kickl, Kurz later said that he had asked President Alexander Van der Bellen for Kickl's dismissal. In retaliation to the chancellor's actions, some Freedom Party ministers have given up their posts, including ministers of transport, defence, labour and social affairs, and foreign affairs. After Strache's resignation, Kurz announced a snap election for a new government, tentatively scheduled for September, adding that a team of experts and officials would replace the ex-ministers to maintain the official normal operation. Transport Minister and former presidential candidate Norbert Hofer said he was "infinitely sad" over the break-up of the coalition, and that he will most likely lead the Freedom Party into the upcoming election. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 18:48:09|Editor: zh Video Player Close CHANGSHA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- An air route linking central China's Changsha city with Nairobi, Kenya, will open on June 12, local authorities said Tuesday. Operated by China Southern Airlines with an Airbus 330, the outbound flight is scheduled to depart Changsha, capital of Hunan Province, every Wednesday and Sunday at 12:50 a.m. and arrive in Nairobi at 7:30 a.m. local time. The return flight will take off at 12:50 p.m. and land in Changsha at 6:05 a.m. next day. Trade volume between Hunan and Africa reached 2.8 billion U.S. dollars last year. Hunan investors have injected nearly one billion U.S. dollars into more than 120 enterprises in Africa, according to the provincial finance and commerce department. The first China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo will be held in Changsha between June 27 and 29. The opening of the new air route is expected to facilitate economic and trade cooperation between the two sides. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 18:53:11|Editor: ZX Video Player Close NAIROBI, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan police said Tuesday they are holding 22 Eritreans who were rescued on Monday evening while being smuggled through Nairobi. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the suspects who were heading to South Africa from Moyale border town in northern Kenya were being ferried along the Thika superhighway in Nairobi. "Twenty two victims of human trafficking-all Eritreans were today (Monday) rescued by DCI detectives as they were being ferried along Thika Road. All the suspects in lawful custody," said the police. The detectives said the four Kenyans behind the smuggling syndicate were arrested and three vehicles in which they were travelling in were seized. The police said 17 of the victims aged between 15 years and 38 years are females. The Kenyan authorities blamed the vastness of the northern region for the runaway influx of foreigners into Kenya through Moyale on Kenya-Ethiopia borders and the porous border with Somalia. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 18:58:15|Editor: ZX Video Player Close GHAZNI, Afghanistan, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Up to 42 militants have been confirmed dead as government forces launched fresh operations against Taliban hideouts in parts of the eastern Ghazni province on Monday, provincial government spokesman Aref Nuri said Tuesday. The air-backed operations, according to the official, launched in the troubled Andar and Dayak districts on Monday evening which ended on Tuesday morning, left 42 insurgents dead and wounded several others. A Taliban group commander Mullah Fateh and six foreign nationals are among those killed during the operations, the official said, without identifying the nationalities of the alleged foreign fighters. Taliban militants are yet to make comment on the report. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 18:58:19|Editor: ZX Video Player Close TOKYO, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior coalition ally Komeito on Tuesday submitted a draft resolution to parliament admonishing lawmaker Hodaka Maruyama for a controversial remark he made about Japan using war to regain control over islands central to a territorial spat with Russia. The submitted draft calls on Maruyama, who has been expelled from the Japan Innovation Party, yet has refused to give up his seat as a lawmaker in parliament's lower chamber despite six opposition parties submitting a joint motion calling for him to resign, to reflect on his remarks. The resolution, the first to be submitted to parliament to admonish a lawmaker who is not facing criminal charges, does not, however, insist that he resign, although does state that his remarks "cannot be tolerated as they go against pacifism and severely undermine national interests." The controversy surrounding 35-year-old Maruyama, stemmed from him joining a group of former residents of Kunashiri Island off Hokkaido from May 10 through 13 under a Japan-Russia visa-free exchange program. According to the head of the group of former residents, Maruyama asked him while drunk, "Do you think there is any alternative to war to recover the islands?" The head of the group dismissed the remark, and Maruyama subsequently retracted the comments amid stern condemnation from Russia and calls from opposition parties for him to step down as his remarks ran contrary to Japan's pacifist Constitution. A Japan Innovation Party committee in Osaka unanimously decided to expel Maruyama, with the committee saying that Maruyama's remarks had led to public mistrust. Japan's top government spokesperson, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, slammed Maruyama's remarks as being "extremely regrettable," adding that Tokyo remained committed to resolving the territorial dispute with Moscow through diplomatic means. The islands at the center of the dispute between Tokyo and Moscow are known as the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kurils in Russia. The decades-old territorial spat has prevented the two countries from signing a post-World War II peace treaty and hindered diplomatic and trade relations between the two countries. Both parties have, however, provisionally agreed to discuss furthering joint economic activities on the islands and Abe has made it one of his priorities as leader to continue to strive to resolve the territorial issue and sign a peace treaty. Despite the widespread condemnation, however, Maruyama, elected three times from a constituency in Osaka Prefecture, has refused to resign as a lower house lawmaker. "I will definitely not resign even if the motion is passed," Maruyama told a press briefing on the matter Monday, with reference to the opposition parties' resolution urging him to do so. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 18:58:20|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close NICOSIA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Cyprus faces significant credit challenges related to its still sizable non-performing exposures in the banking sector, high levels of private and public sector debt, external imbalances, and the small size of its service-driven economy, which exposes Cyprus to adverse changes in external demand, according to a report published on Tuesday. DBRS rating agency said in a follow-up report after a recent sovereign rating announcement on Cyprus that its ratings on Cyprus, which were left unchanged at BBB (low) and the Short-Term Foreign and Local Currency - Issuer Ratings at R-2 (middle) with all ratings at stable, could come under upward pressure from sustained healthy economic growth and sound fiscal position. These, the report said, would contribute to the downward trajectory in the public debt ratio. DBRS said that further progress in substantially reducing banks' NPEs and private sector debt, and the strengthening of the banking sector would be positive for the ratings. But it cautioned that the ratings could come under downward pressure in a period of significantly weak growth, combined with large fiscal imbalances. A reversal of the downward trajectory in NPEs could also be negative, it said. "Cyprus is an attractive business services center, shipping center, and tourist destination. The tourism sector is diversifying into new products and markets, making it more resilient," DBRS added. It also said that the expected exploitation of off-shore gas reserves expected to begin around 2025, represents another potential source of growth in the longer term but the small size of its service-driven economy exposes Cyprus to adverse changes in external demand. Finance Minister Harris Georgiades said he was satisfied with the DBRS report as it confirmed Cyprus at an investment grade, adding that this does not lead him into complacency, as the effort for a stable economy must continue. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 19:08:32|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close TOKYO, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday issued orders to better improve road safety conditions for preschool-aged children in the wake of a number of high-profile fatal traffic accidents recently. Abe instructed his relevant ministers, including Mitsuhiro Miyakoshi, minister in charge of traffic safety, to compile plans to better protect the lives of children when they are commuting on foot to school. "In order to protect the lives of children who will be responsible for the next generation, I'd like you to swiftly compile measures ensuring safety of routes that groups of children take on a daily basis," Abe said. His instructions were made to the heads of education and welfare ministries and police officials, with the Japanese leader also calling for technology to be incorporated into vehicles to enhance their safety, especially those being driven by the elderly, such as automatic braking. Earlier this month, in the western city of Otsu in Shiga Prefecture, two two-year olds were killed and 14 others were injured when a vehicle collided with another and fatally plowed into the toddlers who were waiting with their carers and other preschoolers at a crossroads for the signal to change green. In April, a three-year old girl and her mother were killed when an 87-year-old driver rammed into pedestrians and cyclists on two sidewalks in Tokyo's bustling Ikebukuro district. Eight other people were also injured in the travesty. Accidents caused by senior citizens have seen an uptick recently, with drivers aged 75 or older, including those who had not taken a cognition test, causing 418 fatal accidents in 2017 alone, of which 41 percent were vehicle collisions and 19 percent involved collisions between vehicles and pedestrians. According to the data from Japan's National Police Agency (NPA), 194 people died in accidents caused by drivers suspected of having dementia or impaired cognition, and cases where drivers mistook the accelerator for the brake pedal before causing a fatal accident were almost eight times higher among the elderly during the reporting period. As well as revising the laws regarding cognitive tests for elderly drivers, the government here said this month that it is planning to reduce the number of people with dementia by setting quantifiable targets to lower the ratio of patients in their 70s, over a six-year period until 2025. The government has estimated that the number of dementia sufferers will increase to between 7 million to 8 million people, or 6 percent to 7 percent of the total population, by 2030. The rising number of dementia patients correlates with the rise in traffic accidents caused by the elderly, the NPA has said. "Heartbreaking accidents have continuously occurred although measures have been taken," the Japanese premiere said Tuesday, with reference to stricter cognitive tests for senior citizens who wish to continue driving. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 19:08:36|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close PHNOM PENH, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has imported up to 1,500 pigs from Thailand a day, as a ban on pig imports from Vietnam is still in place due to African swine fever outbreak, an animal health chief has said. "Currently, we don't import pigs from Vietnam because we worry that they will carry the disease to other provinces (of Cambodia), so we take pigs from Thailand, where there is no outbreak of the disease," said Tan Phannara, director general of the General Directorate of Animal Health and Production, on Monday. "We need to import between 1,000 and 1,500 pigs (a day)," he said, adding that a kilogram of live pig costs 11,000 riel (2.75 U.S. dollars). According to the official, between 4,000 and 5,000 pigs are consumed every day in Cambodia. Cambodia ordered a ban on the imports of pigs from Vietnam since March, and in early April, the country reported its first outbreak of African swine fever in backyard pigs in Ratanakkiri province's O'Yadav and O'Chum districts that border Vietnam. However, the virus has not spread to other areas. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 19:13:42|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close KABUL, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Four civilians including two women and a child were killed as a roadside bomb struck their car in Nijrab district of Afghanistan's eastern Kapisa province on Monday, provincial police spokesman Abdul Shaeq Shurash said Tuesday. According to the official, the roadside bomb was planted by the Taliban insurgents to target security personnel but the lethal device struck a civilian car killing the four members of a family on the spot. Taliban militants have not commented on the report. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 19:13:45|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close DHAKA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh Tuesday approved a 2.03 trillion taka (24 billion U.S. dollars) annual development program (ADP) in the next fiscal year 2019-20, beginning in July, with transport, power, physical infrastructure and education sectors getting the biggest chunk of money. Bangladesh's new ADP was approved at a meeting of the country's National Economic Council with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair on Tuesday. Out of the total amount, around 35 percent of the fund will be mobilized from external resources and the rest from internal resources, Planning Minister MA Mannan told journalists after the meeting. The ADP fund allocation for the upcoming year is 21.39 percent more than the revised one of the outgoing 2018-19 fiscal year (July 2018-June 2019), which was at 1.73 trillion taka (20.4 billion U.S. dollars), he said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 19:23:48|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close NICOSIA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Former President of Cyprus Demetris Christofias has been hospitalized and is in "critical but stable condition," a Ministry of Health official told state radio here on Tuesday. A ministry statement had earlier said that Christofias was taken to Nicosia General Hospital on Saturday and has been in the intensive care unit since Monday night "because of a considerable respiratory aggravation." The ministry said that a specialist was brought in from Israel and a medical council would be convened. President Nicos Anastasiades visited Christofias in hospital on Monday night and later said that the former president is "going through difficult hours." Christofias, former secretary general of the left-wing AKEL party, was president from 2008 to 2013. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 19:38:56|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close KAMPALA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Deep in rural central Uganda, a group of eight students gather around their teacher to learn the Chinese language as they prepare for a future where China plays a critical role in world socio-economic affairs. These students at Everest College in Luwero district are the new breed of youths in rural Uganda learning the Chinese language and cultures. As the world commemorates World Culture Day on Tuesday, Namisi Moses Apollo, the students' Chinese language teacher told Xinhua in a recent interview that the passion the Chinese have for their culture is a reminder to Africans to always cherish what they have. "The way the Chinese cherish their culture is a reminder to us Africans that we need to love our cultures. Cultures are what define a society," Namisi said. He said, based on his experience as a former student in China and his interaction with the Chinese community in Uganda, the Asian country cherishes cultural diversity. Oswald Ndoleriire, the co-director of the Confucius Institute at Makerere University told Xinhua in a recent interview that African cultures have over the years withstood demonization attempts especially by the continent's former Western colonial powers. Ndoleriire argued that unlike the West, China is not playing a domineering dictating what Africa should do or not. "The Chinese are coming because first of all they feel like they have something to offer, they are a group of disciplined people," he said. "It is up to Africans to work with them to take up the challenge, the competition to learn from them," he added. Peace Regis Mutuuzo, Uganda's minister of state for culture in a statement on Tuesday said a society must preserve its culture because it is culture that defines its identity. The minister said Uganda has enacted several laws to ensure the preservation of the cultures of the 65 indigenous communities in the country. She said the country has several cultural institutions that are helping to pass on diverse cultures to the youths. She cited Buganda Kingdom's Ekisaakate kya Nnabagereka, where the young people are brought together to learn about Buganda's norms, values and practices that are helpful to their lives. Other kingdoms in the country have similar camps where positive cultural values are passed on to the youths. At the national level, the minister said government has rehabilitated the Uganda Cultural Center, to support artistic and theater works. She said at the regional level, Uganda continues to support and participate in the different cultural festivals like the East African Arts and Culture Festival which takes place in the Tanzanian port city of Dar es Salaam. She said the ministry has also proposed to the government to establish a Kiswahili Council to strengthen the learning, use and promotion of Kiswahili language in Uganda. Kiswahili is largely spoken in other parts of east Africa. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 20:04:20|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close ROME, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Opinion polls predict the nationalist, anti-migrant League party will have a strong showing when voters go to the polls to elect new members of the European Parliament this weekend. How will that impact the ruling coalition where the League is the junior member? Few analysts are predicting the government will collapse, though the consensus is that several key government posts will change hands, ultimately reducing the power of the populist Five-Star Movement, the League's coalition partner. "Ultimately, I think the League wants to have its own government, without sharing power with the Five-Star Movement," author and political analyst Simone Zello told Xinhua. "But they won't have enough support to do that now. But I do think they'll come out of the vote stronger than when they went in." According to Maria Rossi from the polling firm Opinioni, the League is expected to emerge from the European Parliament vote with 28 to 33 percent of the ballots cast. The Five-Star Movement and the center-left Democratic Party, currently the main opposition party, are both predicted to finish with around 20 percent of the vote in a race for second place. "Support for the League has dropped a little in recent weeks but it is still the strongest party in Italy," Rossi said in an interview. If those numbers hold, what will be the likely impact? Zello said he thinks the League will make a play for one or both of the two most high-profile minister posts currently held by non-partisan figures: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, currently led by Enzo Moavero Milanesi, or the Ministry of Economy and Finance, currently headed by Giovanni Tria. "Taking either of these posts would be a victory for the League," Zello said. "Of course, there could be resistance to that from the European Commission, but we mustn't forget the composition of the European Commission will change as well." Francesca Curi, a jurisprudence professor at the University of Bologna, said she thought a stronger League could force Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Danillo Toninelli out. Toninelli is a member of the Five-Star Movement whose portfolio includes overseeing the country's ports -- a role that has already been usurped by Minister of the Interior Matteo Salvini, head of the League, who has closed ports to migrant arrivals. "Toninelli has given an important part of his role to Salvini," Curi told Xinhua. "I think we could see that formalized after the vote." If the League performs as strongly as forecast, it will be a dramatic change from the last round of elections for European Parliament five years ago. In that vote, the League -- then called the Northern League -- won 6 percent of the vote, good for five of Italy's 73 seats in the European legislative body. Earning 30 percent of the vote this weekend would give the League around 24 of Italy's 76 seats, making the party one of the largest single blocs in the European Parliament. "After the vote, I think we could see a more emboldened League looking to flex its muscles not only in Italy but on a European level," Zello said. "That could also mean Italy would send a League figure to Brussels to take a seat on the European Commission." Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 20:09:24|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close HARARE, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) on Tuesday disowned an earlier statement which said fuel prices had not increased following the removal of a fuel import subsidy. ZERA communications officer Gladman Njanji said people should ignore the earlier statement which said the prices had not been increased, adding that the statement was the work of social media. In the second notice addressed to fuel service stations, ZERA confirmed fuel price increases with effect from Tuesday. The maximum pump price for diesel is now 4.89 RTGS per liter, up from 3.22 RTGS dollars per liter, while that of petrol is now 4.97 RTGS dollars, up from 3.36 RTGS dollars per liter. However, an earlier statement purported to have been issued by Mazambani and which had been quoted by a cross section of the local media warned fuel dealers to stick to the old prices. With the subsidy, the 1:1 exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the RTGS dollar was being used to import fuel into the country. Oil companies had remained using the subsidized exchange rate after the RBZ introduced the interbank foreign exchange market in February as it discarded the 1:1 exchange rate which was no longer sustainable as parallel market rates peaked. In a statement on Monday, RBZ governor John Mangudya said all oil companies would from Tuesday start to use the interbank exchange rate to import fuel. "There shall be only one foreign exchange rate to be used in the market for the importation of all goods and services. This means that the 1:1 exchange rate that was being used by oil marketing companies for the procurement of fuel will be discontinued with immediate effect," RBZ governor John Mangudya said. He said the new position was necessary to promote the efficient use of foreign exchange and minimize and guard against incidences of arbitrage within the economy. Mangudya said as previously announced, the RBZ was proceeding to make a drawdown of 500 million U.S. dollars from an offshore line of credit to supplement the country's foreign exchange receipts and support the interbank foreign exchange market. "The facility will be disbursed into the economy through the interbank foreign exchange framework at the prevailing interbank foreign exchange rate on a willing-seller willing-buyer basis," Mangudya said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 20:19:31|Editor: ZX Video Player Close BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs on Tuesday urged local authorities to step up efforts to prevent and control the crop-eating pest, fall armyworm. Fall armyworm was first detected in China in January 2019 and has spread across China's southern and southwestern areas, affecting 92,267 hectares of farmland in 14 provincial-level regions including Yunnan, Guangxi, Guizhou and Henan. After invading the African continent in 2016, the pest then spread to India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and six other Asian nations in 2018. The pest has wreaked havoc in many countries, leading to a 20-30 percent reduction in corn and sugarcane output in parts of Africa and Asia. Some areas even saw complete crop failures. The ministry urged local authorities to strengthen monitoring and early warning of the pest and provide scientific guidance on pest control. Agricultural departments at all levels should intensify their promotion of information on fall armyworm and training of agricultural technicians and farmers for controlling the pest, the ministry said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 20:19:34|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close A voter casts her ballot at a polling station in Blantyre, Malawi, May 21, 2019. Malawians across the country on Tuesday queued up to cast ballots that will determine which party is to rule the country in the next five years. (Xinhua/Peng Lijun) MALAWI, Blantyre, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Malawians across the country on Tuesday queued up to cast ballots that will determine which party is to rule the country in the next five years. The estimated 6.8 million voters headed to the polls to elect a president, Members of Parliament and local government councilors. According to figures, incumbent President Peter Mutharika, 78, is being challenged by six other candidates, among them his vice-president Saulos Chilima of the United Transformation Movement (UTM) and Lazarus Chakwera of the main opposition, Malawi Congress Party. Mutharika, who was elected for his first term in 2014, is seeking his second and last term in office and his hope is in rural votes where he has promised to turn around the agriculture sector. The elections are being held under the new Political Parties Act of 2018 in over 5,000 polling centers across the country. Analysts and locals have indicated that it is mainly a two-man race between Mutharika and his vice, while Chakwera is believed to stand a chance to cause an upset. While the pre-election period has generally been peaceful except for a few pockets of violence, some stakeholders have complained of attempts to rig the polls especially by the government party. Patricia Kaliati secretary-general of the opposition UTM told local media, The Nation on Sunday that the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has not handled most of the complaints the party lodged, including allegations of some parties buying voter cards. "We have lodged several complaints regarding some malpractices, chiefs campaigning for the ruling party," she is quoted as saying. In a statement released to the local media, Malawi Electoral Support Network chairperson said the rigging claims by some parties have the potential to affect the credibility of the elections. But the electoral body has assured of holding a credible and transparent elections and that it is ready to hold the elections. Justice Jane Ansah, chairperson of the electoral body assured that it was ready to hold transparent and credible elections and that all was set for the polls. She told journalists during a press briefing on Monday that the distribution of both electoral materials and personnel to conduct the elections have been concluded and that the electoral body expects the voters to turn up in large numbers and exercise their democratic rights to choose a government of their choice. She further assured that the electoral body has done everything possible to ensure that it delivers a free and transparency electoral process and dispelled reports of attempts to rig the elections, saying the reports were baseless and without facts. The claims, she said, were only meant to discourage voters from exercising their rights to vote. She further said elections results will be announced within eight days and that the electoral body would be pressurized but would ensure that it does a good job and announces credible results. "MEC will not be in a hurry to announce results in order to do a thorough job," she said. At the Tax Office Polling Station in Blantyre, one of the biggest polling stations in the city, queues formed as early as 05:00 hours as voters turned up early to cast their votes. "I am happy that I have voted. I came here as early as 04:00 a.m. I have been waiting for this time because voting gives us an opportunity to choose a government of our choice," Nelson Bunyani, a voter at the polling station who was among the early voters told Xinhua. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 20:19:40|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close TEHRAN, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani ruled out the possibility of negotiations with the United States under current circumstances, Tasnim news agency reported on Tuesday. Despite favoring diplomacy over disputed issues, he is currently opposed to any negotiations with the United States, said Rouhani. "Today's circumstances are not suitable for negotiations at all, as our conditions today are those of resistance and fortitude," Rouhani was quoted as saying. He urged for unity and consistency among the Iranians to overcome the economic challenges imposed by Washington. Last week, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also ruled out any talks with the U.S. government over the disputed issues. U.S. President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the Iranian international nuclear deal in May last year and reimposed energy and financial sanctions against the Islamic republic. Washington seeks to seal a new nuclear deal with Iran, to further curb Iran's nuclear program, stop Iran's ballistic missile development and halt the country's push for influence in the region. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 20:34:48|Editor: ZX Video Player Close Ren Zhengfei, founder and president of Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., speaks during an interview in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, May 21, 2019. In response to a 90-day temporary license issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce loosening restrictions on business deals with Huawei, Ren said what is most important for Huawei to do is to do its own thing well. (Xinhua/Bai Yu) SHENZHEN, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Huawei is a commercial company, and the use of its products is a choice for consumers based on their likes and should not be linked to politics, said Ren Zhengfei, founder and president of Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. on Tuesday. The U.S. Department of Commerce on Monday issued a 90-day temporary license loosening restrictions on business deals with the Chinese telecommunications giant. The Bureau of Industry and Security of the U.S. Department of Commerce last week put Huawei and its affiliates on an "Entity List," which restricts the sale or transfer of U.S. technologies to the company. The ban has triggered opposition from markets worldwide. Huawei is lodging a lawsuit against the U.S. government over the previous sanctions and restrictions, Ren told reporters at Huawei's headquarters in Shenzhen. NO NEGATIVE GROWTH In response to the temporary license, Ren said what is most important for Huawei to do is to do its own thing well. "We cannot control what the U.S. government will do." Huawei maintains mass production capacities for specific key components, including chips, and the U.S. ban will not result in negative business growth, Ren said. Huawei posted 39 percent year-on-year revenue growth in the first quarter of the year. Entering the second quarter, the growth has slowed to 25 percent in April alone. The slowing will not hurt the company as it projected slower but positive growth this year, Ren said. WELL PREPARED Ren said Huawei had recently received widespread global support. Huawei never wants to "walk alone" in the global markets, but has made good preparations for any extreme circumstances, he said. "Huawei had made preparations for extreme situations even before the Chinese Lunar New Year," he said. He noted, however, that it would not reject the U.S. supply chain, citing Huawei's announced purchase of 50 million chips from Qualcomm in 2018. "As long as the U.S. government allows U.S. companies to export the components, Huawei will continue to buy while sticking to its own research and development," he said. Ren said he appreciated the support of a large number of U.S. components suppliers over the years, and they were also lobbying for the easing of U.S. government-imposed restrictions. He said Huawei was also in talks with companies like Google for potential remedy solutions, he said. NO IMPACT ON 5G The U.S. restrictions will have an impact on Huawei's low-end products, but will definitely not affect the high-end products, particularly in the 5G sector, Ren said. He added that rivals would not catch up with Huawei's 5G technology in two to three years. Huawei should not be restricted just because of its leading technology position, Ren. "Our work is to benefit the whole of humankind," he said, adding that Huawei's 5G equipment would greatly reduce the cost of global telecom networks construction. R&D SPENDING Huawei has always respected the intellectual property rights and that U.S. technology has the depth and breadth that Huawei can still learn from, Ren said. Huawei has established dozens of research and development centers around the world and is still keen on taking part in global scientific research, he said. Even a setback to the company finances would not affect its spending on the research and development, he said. The firm has thousands of experts in basic research and nearly 70,000 senior engineers. In response to U.S. questioning over Huawei's governance structure, Ren said Huawei's ownership structure is transparent and in line with Chinese laws. More than 80,000 employees recently participated in an election of employee shareholder representatives, he added. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 20:44:59|Editor: ZX Video Player Close Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with a delegation of the Hong Kong Federation of Fujian Associations in Beijing, capital of China, May 21, 2019. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei) BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Vice Premier Han Zheng on Tuesday met with a delegation of the Hong Kong Federation of Fujian Associations, in Beijing. Han, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, spoke highly of the federation's contribution in promoting exchanges and cooperation between Hong Kong and the mainland and the safeguarding prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. Han called on members of the federation to unite with people from all walks of life in Hong Kong, firmly safeguard China's sovereignty, security and development interests, and promote the cause of "one country, two systems." The central government fully supports the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government in amending the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance, Han said. The central government believes that the HKSAR government's efforts and the public's rational discussions will help dispel doubts and build consensus in Hong Kong, the vice premier added. The federation is a non-profit organization formed by more than 100 Hong Kong-based Fujian communities in 1997. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 20:50:05|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close ULAN BATOR, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The Mongolian government will start to provide monthly allowances to all children aged 0-18 from June 1, the government's press office said Tuesday in a statement. Mongolian Prime Minister Ukhnaa Khurelsukh "has ordered relevant officials to provide an allowance of 20,000 Mongolian tugriks (over 7.5 U.S. dollars) per month to all children aged up to 18 ... starting from June 1," the statement said. According to the country's National Statistics Office, around 33 percent of Mongolia's total 3.2 million population are children aged 0-18. For now, only children from low- and middle-income families across the country receive such a benefit under the Child Money Program, which was launched in 2005. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 20:55:09|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close MOSCOW, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin will be happy to meet his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Japan, but no clear response has been received yet from the U.S. side, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said here on Tuesday. "Certainly if such a meeting is initiated, our president has already said that he will be happy to hold such a meeting. And, obviously, Europe's energy security issues may be discussed at the meeting," the RIA Novosti news agency quoted Peskov as telling reporters at a briefing. But he added that no specific steps have been taken to arrange such a meeting between the two presidents. "We do not yet have information on whether anything at all will be discussed between Putin and Trump at the G20 in Japan," said the spokesman. Earlier, local reports said that Putin had indicated that Russia was ready to conduct dialogue with the United States at the G20 summit in Japan next month. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 21:20:34|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- China is returning to the center of the world stage, not only as the second largest economy but also as a leading power in science and technology. It should not be viewed as a threat, since the country has never been reluctant to share opportunities in its pursuit of a new development path driven by innovation. The United States, however, which escalated its trade frictions with China recently by raising tariffs on imported Chinese goods again, chose to turn a blind eye to the facts. One of the excuses for its new irrational move originates from nonsensical worries over China's growing technological strength. China's high-tech industries, such as electronic devices manufacturing and information technology are among the main targets of the tariff hikes. The U.S. Department of Commerce recently put Huawei and its affiliates on the "Entity List" of the department's Bureau of Industry and Security, restricting the sale or transfer of American technology to Huawei. America has also kept lobbying its Western partners to boycott China's 5G technology, citing security concerns. All the accusations and moves were made without proper regard to the great benefits China has brought to the world with its technological achievements. Advanced technology and products from China have gone abroad and played a key role in promoting sustainable development and improving people's livelihood in the developing countries. The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has provided more than 1.8 billion yuan (about 268 million U.S. dollars) for construction of science and technology projects in association with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) since 2013, benefiting many Asian and African countries. China's research on disaster prevention and mitigation is used in the railway construction in Pakistan; China's meteorology research helps provide more precise weather forecasts for fishers in Sri Lanka; China's new rice breeding technology and the "Green Super Rice" varieties have helped many Asian and African countries to reduce hanger and increase income. Even in fields where China is keeping pace with the world's top level or taking the lead, the country has always valued exchanges and cooperation with its international counterparts, rather than shutting its doors to other countries for fear of technology outflow. The country's eye-catching space exploration programs in recent years may serve as a vivid example. The Chang'e-4 probe, the first human spacecraft that landed on the far side of the moon in January, carried four payloads developed by the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany and Saudi Arabia, and China shared the first batch of scientific data with these partners in April. China will also open the Chang'e-6 mission for international payloads and invite scientists around the world to explore asteroid and comets together. Even when being shut out of the International Space Station, which is led by the United States and operated by a 15-nation partnership, China never hesitates to open its planned space station for international cooperation. Last year, 42 cooperation proposals from 27 countries about doing science experiments on China's projected space station have been received and departments concerned are working on a plan to implement them. China has also actively participated in the international science projects through contributing its wisdom and strength to the world's forefront of science and technology. China supports building the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), an international project to build the world's largest radio telescope. It also plays a significant role in ITER, the world's largest nuclear fusion experiment, and works with other countries to tackle challenges in this regard. A new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation is reshaping the global innovation landscape. China has always adopted an open and inclusive attitude toward technological cooperation, and has won trust and respect from international partners. The United States won't benefit from impeding the pace of China's technological advancement. Instead, it shall be rewarded with many a new opportunity through exchanges and cooperation with China if it changes its cold-war mindset. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 21:20:37|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite casts her vote in Vilnius, Lithuania, May 21, 2019. Advance voting in the Lithuanian presidential runoff and the European Parliament election began on Monday and will run through Friday. (Xinhua/Alfredas Pliadis) VILNIUS, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Lithuanians are "lucky" as the two candidates competing in the country's presidential runoff are "worthy of being there," outgoing President Dalia Grybauskaite said on Tuesday. The first round of the presidential election took place on May 12 pitting economist Gitanas Nauseda against former Finance Minister Ingrida Simonyte. Since none of them secured more than 50 percent of the votes, a runoff is scheduled for May 26, coinciding with the European Parliament elections. "People will be able to choose the candidate they like," Grybauskaite said after casting her ballot in early voting here. According to Grybauskaite, the Lithuanian people expect stability, peace and welfare from the new leader. "The new president will have to take over a big responsibility," she said. Grybauskaite did not reveal which candidate she supported. Once the new president is elected, Grybauskaite will leave office after finishing her second term. She noted that serving as a Lithuanian president has been a "huge challenge." "I had to learn every day as the situation was always changing," Grybauskaite was quoted as saying by local media. Ingrida Simonyte received 31.31 percent of the votes in the first round. Nauseda was second with 30.94 percent. Advance voting in the Lithuanian presidential runoff and the European Parliament election began on Monday and will run through Friday. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 21:30:45|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Malawian President Peter Mutharika walks at a polling station in Thyolo district, Malawi, May 21, 2019. Mutharika on Tuesday expressed happiness with the peaceful way the elections process has so far gone. (Xinhua/Peng Lijun) LILONGWE, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Malawian President Peter Mutharika on Tuesday expressed happiness with the peaceful way the elections process has so far gone. Mutharika, who arrived around 10:00 a.m. to cast his vote at Goliath Polling Station in Thyolo district, about 45 km south of Blantyre, said reports received from different parts of the country indicate that the process has been peaceful. Mutharika, who was accompanied by his wife to cast his vote, hoped that the situation will remain peaceful. He further encouraged voters to exercise their rights to vote for candidates of their choice and turn up at different polling stations, adding that no one should be intimidated or stopped from voting. Mutharika, 78, is seeking his second term in office but he faces stiff competition from Saulos Chilima of the United Transformation Movement and Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party. Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) said on Tuesday that the voting process has so far progressed well with no disturbances. Justice Jane Ansah, chairperson of MEC, said most of the 5,002 polling stations around the country opened within the stipulated time of 06:00 a.m. except for a few and that those that opened late will be given some extra time to compensate for lost time. The MEC said elections results will be announced within eight days and that the electoral body would not be pressurized to announce the results as it wants to ensure a thorough job. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 21:51:02|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close PARIS, May 21 (Xinhua) -- France on Tuesday reiterated commitment to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, but said it would not accept ultimatums after Iran announced it was resuming uranium enrichment beyond levels allowed in the accord, according to the country's Foreign Ministry's spokesperson. "We reject any ultimatum and will assess Iran's compliance with its nuclear commitments and implementation of JCPOA (The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ) ..." said spokesperson Agnes von der Muhll. "We strongly urge Iran to continue to implement all of its obligations under JCPOA, as it has done so far, and to refrain from any action that would violate its commitments," she added. At a daily e-press briefing, von der Muhll noted that Paris, with its European partners, remained committed to preserving and fully implementing the Iran nuclear deal. The agreement was inked by Iran with Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States in 2015, under which Tehran curbed its uranium enrichment capacity to win sanctions relief in return. U.S. President Donald Trump pulled the country out of the deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran. In response to Washington's move, Tehran, in early May, said it would no longer respect levels of enriched uranium agreed in the nuclear deal. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 21:56:05|Editor: ZX Video Player Close JUBA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan vowed on Tuesday to strengthen cooperation on infrastructural development with China to speed up transformation of the country following five years of turmoil. Rebecca Joshua Okwaci, minister of roads and bridges, said China has provided strong support for South Sudan's peace and stability, including the country's national development, adding that Chinese engineers are currently helping the ministry to build the capacity of staff and construction personnel. "With the advancement of South Sudan's peace process, South Sudan and China will strengthen cooperation in infrastructure construction and personnel training," Okwaci said in Juba. Okwaci, meeting Chinese ambassador to South Sudan, Hua Ning, said her government will further improve the business environment and continue to provide safety to Chinese constructors across the country. Infrastructure cooperation will speed up reconstruction and enhance resilience of local communities to shocks, the minister said. Hua, for his part, said infrastructure construction is an important foundation that will spur South Sudan's future development, and that the road and bridge construction is a manifestation bilateral cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. "China will work with South Sudan to deepen the friendly cooperation in the field of infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable development, so as to benefit the South Sudanese people," Hua said. In March, South Sudan reached an agreement with Chinese firm Shandong Hi-Speed Group Co., Ltd to embark on the construction of major highways linking the capital Juba to remote parts of the country. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 22:01:14|Editor: ZX Video Player Close VIENTIANE, May 21 (Xinhua) -- A project was launched in the Lao capital Vientiane on Tuesday for upgrading the Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce's information system with China's aid. In the coming 20 months, Chinese engineering and IT companies will upgrade the computer room of the ministry, install a remote video conference system, develop an electronic file system and conduct information technology training for the Lao technicians. After completion, the project will provide the Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce with convenient, fast and easy-to-manage public services, promote information sharing between the central and local governments of Laos, and enhance the independent development capability in handling information and data of the Lao side. Counselor of the Economic and Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy in Laos Wang Qihui and Laos' Deputy Industry and Commerce Minister Somchith Inthamith attended the ceremony and cut the ribbon for the launching of the project. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 22:06:16|Editor: yan Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, meets with military officers and experts at the Army Infantry College of the People's Liberation Army in east China's Jiangxi Province. Xi inspected the Army Infantry College of the People's Liberation Army in east China's Jiangxi Province Tuesday. (Xinhua/Li Gang) NANCHANG, May 21 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping underlined the importance of better education of military personnel for building strong armed forces, when inspecting the Army Infantry College of the People's Liberation Army in east China's Jiangxi Province Tuesday. Military education should meet the requirements of combat, the needs of the armed forces and the demands of future missions, said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission. He told military academies and schools to have a strong political underpinning, clarify their orientation, advance reforms and improve education quality. Fedorovekb/iStock(PHILADELPHIA) -- A man has been arrested for allegedly gunning down a transgender activist in Philadelphia, though police say the killing is not being investigated as a hate crime. Michelle Washington, 40, was shot in the head and torso on Sunday morning and pronounced dead at a hospital, according to the Philadelphia police. The fact that Washington was transgender was not a factor in the crime, Philadelphia police homicide Capt. Jason Smith said at a news conference on Tuesday. He added, "She did not deserve to die in this manner." Troy Bailey, 28, was arrested Monday night for murder and gun-related charges, police said. It's believed Bailey knew the victim, Smith said. Bailey gave a statement to police, admitting to shooting Washington, Smith said. "The truth as to why Mr. Bailey murdered Ms. Washington may never be fully known," Smith said. "According to Mr. Bailey, it was over a dispute that the two had pertaining to the sale of a firearm from Mr. Bailey to Ms. Washington." "We don't necessarily believe that's the case," Smith added. Bailey had gone to police on his own, saying he was a witness to the murder, Smith said. Police later zeroed in on him as a suspect. Washington was "a brilliant and outgoing member of Philadelphia's transgender community, known for her advocacy and mentorship," Amber Hikes, executive director of Philadelphia's Office of LGBT Affairs, told ABC Philadelphia station WPVI-TV. "She will be profoundly missed." Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 22:11:24|Editor: ZX Video Player Close SHIJIAZHUANG, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Over 70 percent of a total of 521 families have signed agreements with the government to transfer their land for the building of a new city in the Xiongan New Area. The Rongcheng County government issued a statement last week to announce the start of the relocation program in Xiongan, about 100 kilometers southwest of Beijing. The 521 families, who are among the first batch to be resettled, need to vacate from 157 hectares of land in the Hexi and Gongzhuang villages in Rongcheng. The land is expected to become a residential compound of the new city in the future. Xiao Jinzhu, a 65-year-old resident of Hexi village, received over 730,000 yuan (107,000 U.S. dollars) for his family of five in compensation, which includes a monetary settlement for his houses, crops and homestead. Like Xiao, most of the residents have opted to come back and live in the new apartments when they are built. They also receive subsidies to rent houses and pay for heating during the transition period. The Xiongan management committee has rolled out detailed policies to meet the diverse demands of the residents and safeguard their long-term interest. Companies and small business owners are entitled to subsidies for relocation and suspension of operations, it said. "We uphold the principles of fairness and transparency in the process to ensure harmony in the relocation," said Song Haibin, director of the committee of the Hexi Village. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 22:26:43|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close LAGOS, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian government on Tuesday described former President Olusegun Obasanjo's comments imputing ethno-religious motive to Boko Haram as deeply offensive and patently divisive, saying such indiscreet comments are far below the status of an elder statesman. Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, in a statement made available to Xinhua said it was particularly tragic that a man who fought to keep Nigeria one is the same one seeking to exploit the country's fault lines to divide it in the twilight of his life. He said Boko Haram and ISWAP are terrorist organizations pure and simple, adding that they care little about ethnicity or religion when perpetrating their senseless killings and destruction. "Since the Boko Haram crisis, which has been simmering under the watch of Obasanjo, boiled over in 2009, the terrorist organization has killed more Muslims than adherents of any other religion, blown up more mosques than any other houses of worship and is not known to have spared any victim on the basis of their ethnicity," the minister said. "It is therefore absurd to say that Boko Haram and its ISWAP variant have as their goal the 'Fulanisation and Islamisation' of Nigeria, West Africa or Africa," Mohammed added. He said President Buhari put to rest the mis-characterization of Boko Haram as an Islamic organization when he said, in his inaugural speech in 2015, that ''Boko Haram is a mindless, godless group who are as far away from Islam as one can think of''. The minister said Obasanjo's comments are therefore as insensitive and mischievous as they are as offensive and divisive in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country like Nigeria. He said Obasanjo's prescriptions for ending the Boko Haram/ISWAP crisis, which include seeking assistance outside the shores of Nigeria, are coming several years late, as President Buhari has done that and more since assuming office, hence the phenomenal success he has recorded in tackling the terrorists. "Shortly after assuming office in 2015, President Buhari's first trips outside the country were to rally the support of Nigeria's neighbours - Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Niger - for the efforts to battle the terrorists. The President also rallied the support of the international community, starting with the G7, and then the US, France and the UN," he added. "That explains the massive degrading of Boko Haram, which has since lost its capacity to carry out the kind of spectacular attacks for which it became infamous, and the recovery of every inch of captured Nigerian territory from the terrorists," Mohammed said. The minister called on the former President not to allow personal animosity to override his love for a united Nigeria, saying it will not be out of place if he withdraws his unfortunate statement and apologizes to Nigerians. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 22:26:44|Editor: zh Video Player Close LAGOS, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian government has been advised to utilize the currency swap agreement with China to strengthen Naira, its local currency. Aminu Gwadabe, president of the Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria, made the call in Lagos, Nigeria's economic hub on Tuesday. The businessman advised the apex bank to deepen currency swap pact with China and diversify commodity exports to the U.S. in order to diversify foreign exchange earnings for the country. Nigeria should focus on diversifying its foreign exchange earnings through the promotion of Diaspora remittances for economic buffer and foreign reserves accretion, he added. In April 2018, China's central bank inked a currency swap agreement with its counterpart in Nigeria. A total of 15 billion yuan (about 2.17 billion U.S. dollars) for 720 billion Nigerian naira, or vice versa, will be swapped in three years. The deal can be extended by mutual consent, which made Nigeria the third country in Africa, after South Africa and Egypt, to sign such a deal with China. Nigeria is also the first African country to accept Chinese renminbi (RMB) in its foreign reserve. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 22:26:46|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close AMMAN, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Jordan on Tuesday voiced its support for the UN efforts on the Syrian crisis in a way that preserves Syria's unity and territorial integrity, the state-run Petra news agency reported. The remarks were made by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi at a meeting with United Nations Special Envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen in Amman Tuesday, where the two sides discussed efforts to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis. Any solution should ensure restoring the stability and security to Syria and create the necessary environment that allows for the voluntary return of the Syrian refugees to their home as soon as possible as Jordan is home to 1.3 million Syrian refugees, Safadi said. The minister said Jordan was keen on enhancing the fruitful partnership with the UN to work together to attain peace and stability in the Middle East. Pedersen commended cooperation with Jordan with regard to resolving the Syrian crisis, saying the UN highly values Jordan's humanitarian role towards the Syrian refugees. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 22:36:56|Editor: yan Video Player Close MANILA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- A passenger jeepney careened off a road and fell into a ravine in the northern Philippines on Tuesday, killing six people and injuring 18 others, police said. Police said the crash took place around 3:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday in a village in Albay province, some 400 km southeast of Manila. At least 30 passengers were aboard the car when the accident occurred. Initial investigation showed the vehicle suffered a brake failure, causing the driver to lose control while the jeepney was negotiating a curve. The driver fled after the crash, police said, adding the injured passengers were taken to a local hospital. The elongated, flatbed passenger jeepneys are the most popular mode of public transport in the Philippines. These iconic vehicles have been plying the Philippine streets for decades. Many accidents in the country are blamed on these poorly maintained vehicles. There is an ongoing government effort to modernize the jeepneys and remove the rickety and old jeepneys from the streets for good. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 22:42:01|Editor: yan Video Player Close BEIRUT, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Moscow's Head of Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vladimir Platonov invited Lebanese businessmen on Tuesday to invest in Russia, the National News Agency reported. "We call upon Lebanese businessmen to give Russia suggestions aimed at activating trade and tourism between the two countries," Platonov said during a regional forum for Russian universities' graduates. The forum, which took place in Beirut, aims at boosting ties between Lebanon and Russia in all areas. Platonov said that there are plenty of sectors in which Lebanese businessmen can invest and Russia has opened the door for the Lebanese to enter its markets. Meanwhile, Lebanese Education Minister Akram Chehayeb emphasized the important role played by Russian universities to secure the education of a big number of Lebanese people in engineering, medicine and other fields. In the past couple of months, Lebanon has witnessed several visits by Russian delegations aimed at boosting relations between the two countries in different areas including oil and gas in addition to Russia's assistance in securing a safe return of Syrian refugees to their homeland. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 22:47:10|Editor: yan Video Player Close BUCHAREST, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission (EC) needs to stimulate the regenerative, circular economy and to promote sustainable agricultural policies, European Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella told a press conference here on Tuesday. "The EC will soon adopt new guidelines on integrating ecosystem and green infrastructure services into decision-making," the commissioner said at the end of the two-day informal meeting of Environment Ministers of the European Union (EU). "Europe's attitude towards biodiversity demonstrates that a large majority of the population is concerned about the loss of biodiversity and recognizes the links between it and climate change," Vella said. According to him, the meeting has discussed two pressing themes in the field of the environment, namely biodiversity and water quality, and revealed a number of positive aspects, showing that the EU, working together, can make effective progress. As far as water quality is concerned, the EC official stressed the problem of the presence of plastics in drinking water and referred to the plastic strategy, with the emblematic initiative banning the use of disposable plastics and the reduction of plastic waste from all sources. In his turn, Romania's Water and Forests Minister Ioan Denes said that joint efforts are needed at European level to combat the pollution of seas and oceans with river-borne plastics and microplastics or non-plastics, and better cooperation between manufacturers, recyclers, traders, consumers and decision-makers is very important. The minister stressed that an important element of the fight against water pollution is the public awareness, adding that the competent authorities and those in charge of water management must coordinate in order to identify new solutions and measures. On Monday, the first working session of the informal meeting included debates on climate change, when participants discussed the measures to be taken at European and national level to boost the transformation of the life style and to create the necessary framework for the transition to a climate-neutral society. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 22:47:22|Editor: yan Video Player Close MOSCOW, May 21 (Xinhua) -- U.S. fighters have escorted four Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers while the latter were performing regular flights in the airspace over the neutral waters of the Arctic and the Pacific, the Russian Defense Ministry said Tuesday. At certain stages of the route, the Russian aircraft were escorted by F-22 fighter jets of the U.S. Air Force, it said in a statement. The duration of the flight over the Chukchi, Bering and Okhotsk seas, as well as along the northern coast of the Aleutian Islands and the western coast of Alaska, exceeded 12 hours, it said. Russian long-range military aircraft regularly fly over the neutral waters of the Arctic, the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans, the ministry said. All flights are carried out in strict accordance with the international rules for the use of airspace, without violating the borders of other states, it added. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 22:57:30|Editor: yan Video Player Close MANAMA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Bahraini Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa on Tuesday affirmed the kingdom's support for the "brotherly" Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate rights on their lands. "Bahrain at the official and popular levels supports the Palestinians' right to an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital," said Khalifa in a statement published by the foreign ministry. He said Bahrain will continue supporting the Palestinian economy both at bilateral level and international forums. He explained that the kingdom's hosting of the "Peace for Prosperity" workshop is part of its efforts to empower the Palestinian people through developing their abilities and enhancing their resources. "The hosting of the workshop serves no other purpose," he added. The Palestinian leadership had criticized the economic conference in Bahrain, scheduled to take place next month. "We were not consulted by any party on the announced meeting to take place in Manama, Bahrain," Saeb Erekat, secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), said in a statement. "We have not mandated any party to negotiate on our behalf," Erekat emphasized. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 23:02:33|Editor: yan Video Player Close ADEN, Yemen, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's pro-government forces engaged in intense fighting with the Houthi rebels in the country's southern province of al-Dhalea on Tuesday, causing casualties from both sides, a military official told Xinhua. The Houthis dispatched large reinforcements in an attempt to reclaim military sites captured by the government forces in previous battles in Qataba district located in the northwestern part of al-Dhalea, the official said on condition of anonymity. "Houthis brought large tribal reinforcements from other provinces and apparently insisted on recapturing Qataba district despite the heavy aerial bombardment against their sites," he said. The source added that the pro-government Yemeni forces clashed with the new Houthi reinforcements and triggered intense confrontations that continued for several hours around Qataba. He said that warplanes of the Saudi-led coalition carried out airstrikes and targeted the Houthi reinforcements near Qataba, killing and injuring an unknown number of rebels. A pro-government army commander said that around six army soldiers and 10 Houthi fighters were killed in pre-dawn attacks near Qataba. Elsewhere in the province, scores of Houthi rebels launched an attack and advanced into government-controlled sites in Al Azariq district in the west of al-Dhalea. After hours of fighting, the Houthis managed to seize a number of sites from the government forces that withdrew back to other areas in Al Azariq, local military sources said. On Friday, the government forces, different military units of the local security and army forces launched a large-scale pre-dawn attack against the Houthis in Qataba. The government forces succeeded in seizing full control over Qataba and the surrounding areas following the military campaign that left scores of rebels killed or injured, a government statement said. Both warring sides continued to mobilize large numbers of fighters to the frontlines in al-Dhalea amid non-stop armed confrontations taking place since weeks ago in the government-controlled province. Last week, the UN Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths tweeted that he is deeply concerned about the ongoing escalation of conflict in al-Dhalea, and urged all parties to exercise utmost restraint. The UN envoy said that any military escalation risks a setback in the progress towards peace in Yemen. The areas in the north and west of al-Dhalea have been witnessing continuous fighting between government forces and Houthi fighters for four years. Yemen has been plagued by a civil war since late 2014 after Houthi rebels revolted and forced the internationally-recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi into exile. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 23:12:46|Editor: yan Video Player Close KUNMING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- China's Internet giant Tencent said Tuesday that the total number of its servers had exceeded 1 million, the first Chinese company to do so. Qiu Yuepeng, vice president of Tencent, made the announcement at the Tencent Global Digital Ecosystem Summit held in Kunming, capital city of southwest China's Yunnan Province. According to Qiu, Tencent is now one of the world's top five companies with more than 1 million servers. Tencent has also recently become China's first company with peak bandwidth reaching 100 trillion bytes. Qiu, also president of Tencent Cloud, said running infrastructure of a large scale was the first challenge faced by cloud service providers like Tencent before they could offer high-speed, stable and secure services. Tencent is a heavyweight in China's cloud computing sector. Tencent Cloud has 3,147 patent applications and 1,105 patent grants on cloud computing, both ranking top in China, according to Qiu. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 23:33:13|Editor: yan Video Player Close WASHINGTON, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese drone maker DJI on Tuesday denied U.S. accusations that Chinese-made drones are hacking sensitive flight data of their customers. This came after the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued a warning that Chinese-made drones contain components that collect operation and customer data for intelligence use. CISA has released an industry alert on "the inherent risks associated with using UAS (unmanned aircraft system) technology manufactured in China," a spokesman for CISA told Xinhua in a statement on Tuesday. A DJI spokesman told Xinhua on Tuesday that the company gives all customers full and complete control over how their data is collected, stored and transmitted. "For government and critical infrastructure customers that require additional assurances, we provide drones that do not transfer data to DJI or via the internet, and our customers can enable all the precautions the Department of Homeland Security recommends," a DJI statement said. The Chinese drone manufacturer holds more than 70 percent of the worldwide civil drone market share, according to Skylogic Research, a drone analyst company. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 23:33:14|Editor: yan Video Player Close BERLIN, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Germans use 2.8 billion disposable cups for hot drinks a year, according to a study conducted by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) and published on Tuesday. The government is now taking steps to fight plastics pollution. The cups along with the lids often end up in the environment after a short time because they are "carelessly thrown away or fall out of overflowing rubbish bins," said the UBA. According to the study, 60 percent of disposable cups used in Germany in 2016 were plastic-coated paper cups, and the remaining 40 percent were pure plastic cups. Germans also used around 1.3 billion disposable plastic lids. "Every disposable cup that is used is one too many. Disposable cups waste resources and pollute our environment. Returnable cups are the right way forward," said UBA President Maria Krautzberger. In German cities, plastic-coated paper cups alone accounted for around 15 percent of the volume of existing trash cans, filling the equivalent of 8 million 50-liter city trash cans every year, according to UBA. The agency suggests a "dual strategy" of voluntary as well as regulatory measures to reduce the use of disposable beverage cups "by 50 percent within two to three years" in Germany. If no ambitious agreement was reached with German industry, however, the agency said "regulatory measures are considered necessary." On Tuesday, the German Minister for the Environment, Svenja Schulze, presented plans to ban disposable polystyrene cups and introduced measures to strengthen returnable cup systems in Germany. Schulze aims to implement the European Union (EU) ban on single-use plastics, which will come into force in 2021, ahead of schedule in Germany. "I will continue my discussions with the retail trade on this issue," noted Schulze. In addition, she is planning to make it easier for manufacturers to contribute to the disposal costs of their products if they littered parks, paths or beaches in Germany. "Disposable cups are a growing environmental problem, especially in cities," Schulze stressed. The use of resources is considerable as "disposable cups are only used for 15 minutes, but must always be made from fresh fiber paper," added Schulze. Environmental Action Germany (DUH) called for a "nationwide deposit system for returnable cups," in which large coffee shop chains would participate. The DUH proposed a levy of at least 20 euro cents on disposable cups and 10 euro cents on disposable lids in Germany, and called for a mandatory reduction target of 70 percent by 2022. "We need ambitious legislation that is much more effective than voluntary agreements with business could ever be," said Barbara Metz, deputy federal managing director at Environmental Action Germany. "So far, voluntary commitments have not solved any environmental problems in a sustainable way," Metz said. On Tuesday, the EU formally adopted legislation to ban several disposable plastic products from 2021 onwards, including plastic plates and cutlery, as well as plastic straws and cotton swabs. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 23:38:20|Editor: yan Video Player Close PARIS, May 21 (Xinhua) -- A French woman, whose husband was killed when an Ethiopian Airlines flight crashed in March, has sued Boeing, alleging that the accident involving the 737 MAX 8 could have been avoided if the aircraft's defective system had been handled since 2018 crash, local media reported on Tuesday. Nadege Dubois Seek, the widow of Jonathan Seek, a businessman, filed a lawsuit against the U.S. aircraft maker, saying that the fatal accident would not have been occurred if Boeing had responded to all concerns over unsafe design conditions. "We are lost in the face of misunderstanding, of many questions. How such a thing could have been happened. How to let occur a drama that could be avoided? How can we remain deaf to all these worries that had been raised and problems which are known?" the mother of three kids was quoted by BFMTV news channel as saying. A Boeing 737 MAX 8 plane of Ethiopian Airlines crashed shortly after taking off from Addis Ababa on March 10, killing all 157 people on board. The crash was the second such accident in five months and which involved the Boeing 737 MAX model. In October 2018, Lion Air airline plane crashed in Indonesia. 189 passengers were reported dead in the fatal crash. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 23:38:25|Editor: yan Video Player Close LUSAKA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in Zambia on Tuesday asked a court to grant the government an order to appoint a provisional liquidator for Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), a unit of India's Vedanta Resources. In an application filed on Tuesday in a high court in Lusaka, the country's capital, the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM), an entity that holds shares in all mines on behalf of the government, said it was applying for an ex parte order appointing a provisional liquidator. The mining firm has come under attack for failure to run the Zambia operations, resulting in problems such as failure to pay suppliers and contractors. Last week, President Edgar Lungu said the government has had enough of the Indian investors and would seek disengagement, adding that the investor has taken the country for a ride for a long time. On Monday, Presidential Spokesperson Amos Chanda confirmed that the government will strip the mining firm of its mining license and bring a new investor following a number of breaches of the terms of the license. The spokesperson said a number of investors are ready to take over the operations of the mine. The government has asked the police to station officers in all the mine's operations to avoid stripping of assets. Eugene Chungu, the mining firm's manager for corporate affairs, said the firm wants to continue engaging the government in a constructive and transparent manner. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 23:43:29|Editor: yan Video Player Close DAR ES SALAAM, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian President John Magufuli on Tuesday ordered all government senior officials to use services provided by TTCL, a state-owned telecom company. "I am giving you 30 days from today to start using telecom services provided by TTCL," Magufuli orders the senior civil servants, including ministers and permanent secretaries, at an event broadcast live by state-owned Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation. Magufuli said the directive to use TTCL services was aimed at boosting the telecom's financial earnings. The president wondered why the senior civil servants were not getting connected to the state-owned telecom firm since he made the directive last year. He made the remarks shortly after TTCL handed over to him a cheque for the firm's dividend to the government amounting to 2.1 billion Tanzanian shillings (about 0.9 million U.S. dollars). Tanzania has a handful of private-owned mobile phone operators, including Airtel, Vodacom, Tigo, Halotel and Zantel. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 23:48:33|Editor: yan Video Player Close LONDON, May 21 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Tuesday that the Withdrawal Agreement Bill will include a vote on whether to hold another referendum. "I recognize the genuine and sincere strength of feeling across the House on this important issue," she said, calling it the "last chance" to get Brexit done. She also promised measures on the temporary customs relations, environment and workers' rights to attract the support of Labor MPs. "I knew delivering Brexit was not going to be simple or straightforward," she said, adding that delivering Brexit has proved "even harder" than she anticipated. The Withdrawal Agreement Bill, which will implement the content of the deal with European Union, will be put to a Parliament vote in early June. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-21 23:53:42|Editor: yan Video Player Close TOKYO, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The number of foreign visitors to Japan in April increased to over 2.9 million, making it a record high for any month, the Japan Tourism Agency said Tuesday. The agency's data shows that the number of foreign tourists in April increased by 0.9 percent from the same period last year to 2,926,700. The main reason behind the increase is that European, American and Australian tourists have taken advantage of the Easter holiday that began in April this year, the agency explained. At the same time, the promotion of cherry blossoms by the tourism industry also contributed to the growth. From January to April, the total number of foreign tourists reached 10.89 million, an increase of 4.4 percent over the same period last year. By country and region, the number of tourists from the Chinese mainland was the highest, at 2,895,400, an increase of 10.2 percent, helped by the ease of visa restrictions in January. The number of visitors from Vietnam and Thailand has increased significantly, by 30.3 percent and 19.4 percent respectively. However, the number of South Korean tourists fell by 4.4 percent to 2,647,400. The Japanese government has set a target of attracting 40 million foreign tourists each year by 2020, when Japan hosts the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-22 00:03:52|Editor: yan Video Player Close TEHRAN, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Iran traded 2,544 tons of non-oil commodities worth 11.43 million U.S. dollars with Mongolia in the last Iranian calendar year ending on March 20, 2019, Eghtesad Online news website reported on Tuesday. The figures registered a decline of 18.14 percent and 23.16 percent in weight and value respectively compared with the previous year, the report said. Iran's exports to Mongolia stood at 442 tons worth 253,000 dollars. Iran mainly exported floorings, raisins, pineapple juice and chocolate to Mongolia during the 12-month period. Mongolia exported 2,102 tons of goods worth 11.18 million dollars to Iran. Mongolia's main exports to Iran included lamb and mutton. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-22 00:08:59|Editor: yan Video Player Close BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Foreign investment remains optimistic about the Chinese market despite continuous U.S. threats to raise tariffs on Chinese goods, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang said Tuesday. The remarks came as Lu responded to a question about U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that tariffs on Chinese goods were causing companies to move production out of China to other countries. Since the start of China-U.S. trade friction more than a year ago, the United States has repeatedly released information within the country out of political need, sometimes ignoring whether the information was consistent with facts, Lu told a press briefing. "The United States' violation of trade rules has brought disturbances to international markets, including China and the United States. But in the end, any enterprise will make policy choice about its investment direction based on its strategic assessment of the economic outlook," Lu said. "As a matter of fact, even though the United States has been threatening to raise tariffs on Chinese products for more than a year, foreign investors' enthusiasm to invest in China remains high, and they are still optimistic about the Chinese market," Lu added. Lu introduced recent increases in investment in China by Exxon Mobil, Tesla, BASF, BMW and other world-renowned enterprises. He cited the FY2018 Survey on the International Operations of Japanese Firms, a survey conducted by the Japan External Trade Organization. According to the results, Japanese firms remain optimistic about the Chinese market. "China ranks first in terms of Japanese enterprises' exports, investment and overseas e-commerce strategies," he said. Cooperation agreements worth more than 64 billion U.S. dollars were signed during the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in Beijing recently, Lu said. "All these show that against the backdrop of uncertainties and instabilities in the world economy, foreign enterprises have expressed their attitude and firm confidence in the Chinese economy through concrete actions." "China, as always, welcomes foreign enterprises to invest in China and engage in mutually beneficial cooperation," Lu said. "We will continue to provide a more stable, fair, transparent and predictable business environment for foreign investors." Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-22 00:14:06|Editor: yan Video Player Close KIGALI, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Fifty people have been killed and 41 others injured in mining accidents this year in Rwanda, an official said on Tuesday. Jeannot Ruhunga, secretary general of the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), said the victims were engaged in illegal mining activities, and that an awareness campaign has been launched to educate citizens about human activities that affect the environment. AT an event in Rutsiro district, western Rwanda, Ruhunga urged people to stay away from activities that harm the environment, including illegal mining, felling of trees, charcoal burning, and encroachment on gazetted wetlands, which he said constitute criminal offenses. The event is part of the RIB's awareness campaigns to forge public partnership to prevent crimes. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-22 00:14:08|Editor: yan Video Player Close ANKARA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Turkish consumers' confidence in the economy declined in May, Turkish Statistical Institute announced on Tuesday. Data released by the institution showed that consumer confidence index was 55.3 this month, down over eight points compared with the previous month. Among all sub-indices, general economic situation expectation index decreased by 14.9 percent, and financial situation expectation decreased by 10.1 percent, which resulted in the decline of consumer confidence. In April, the consumer confidence index rose 6.9 percent to 63.5, reaching the highest point as of this year. The index, which is calculated through measurement of consumer tendencies, indicates an optimistic outlook when the index is above 100, but shows a pessimistic outlook when it is below 100. In 2018, the index hovered between 72.7 and 57.6, with the highest in July and the lowest in October. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-22 00:14:10|Editor: yan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The Security Council on Tuesday strongly condemned the looting of the West Darfur Headquarters of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). During the forceful intrusion into the UNAMID camp in El Geneina on May 14, UN property and contingent-owned equipment were looted, premises vandalized and the lives of UN staff and personnel put at grave risk, said the Security Council in a press statement. The members of the Security Council stressed that attacks against UN premises and personnel are reprehensible and unacceptable, said the statement. They called on the Sudanese authorities to take immediate steps to ensure the safety of all UNAMID sites in Darfur, to swiftly investigate these incidents, and to bring all perpetrators of these acts to justice, it said. The council members reiterated their full support to UNAMID and the full implementation of its mandate, which was approved by the Security Council in July 2007. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-22 00:34:23|Editor: yan Video Player Close TRIPOLI, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Libya's state-owned National Oil Corporation (NOC) on Tuesday expressed concern about the lawlessness in the country as a result of armed conflict. "National Oil Corporation (NOC) is increasingly concerned about the state of lawlessness in Libya stemming from the ongoing conflict, and its impact on oil sector operations," NOC said in a statement. "Hostilities continue to hamper NOC operations and its ability to serve the Libyan people. Key infrastructure is being damaged and security eroded, allowing criminal elements to prosper," said NOC chairman Mustafa Sanalla. He added an immediate cease-fire is needed. The east-based Libyan army, led by Khalifa Haftar, has been leading a military campaign since early April to take over the capital Tripoli from the UN-backed government. According to the World Health Organization, the fighting so far has killed 510 people and injured 2,467 others. Libya has been struggling to undergo a transitional period amid chaos since the fall of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-22 00:34:26|Editor: yan Video Player Close LONDON, May 21 (Xinhua) -- A new bill that will make it illegal for bosses in Britain to fire moms-to-be and new moms was presented Tuesday to the British Parliament. Politician Maria Miller, chair of the parliamentary Women and Equalities Committee, put forward the new bill in the House of Commons. She said her committee warned almost three years ago of the significant discrimination and poor treatment faced by over 54,000 pregnant women and mothers at work each year in Britain, describing their plight as a scandal. With half a million pregnant women in British workplaces, it meant over one in 10 facing issues and threats to their jobs. Research carried out by the government's Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) revealed that pregnant women and mothers in Britain now face more discrimination at work than they did a decade ago. Around 11 percent of women reported being either dismissed, made compulsorily redundant when others in their workplace were not, or treated so poorly they felt they had to leave their jobs. The Pregnancy and Maternity (Redundancy Protection) Bill 2019 seeks to prohibit redundancy during pregnancy and maternity leave and for six months after the end of the pregnancy or leave, except in specified circumstances. Politicians first demanded urgent action in 2016, calling for women to have protections similar to those in Germany after a "shocking" increase in workplace pregnancy discrimination over the past decade. Earlier this month Miller criticized the lack of progress made by the government. Miller said: "Family life and the economy will both suffer unless workplace practices are brought into the 21st century. Providing effective protection against redundancy for pregnant women would be a really good start." She said neither new parents nor the economy can afford to wait any longer for pregnant women and new moms to be confident of proper protection from redundancy which has been in place in Germany for many years. "That is why I have introduced this 10-minute Rule Bill with cross-party support," she said. A Russian TU-95 bomber lands at a military airbase in Engels, some 900 km south of Moscow, Russia, in this Aug. 7, 2008 file photo. (Xinhua/REUTERS) WASHINGTON, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Several Russian bombers and fighters were intercepted by U.S. F-22 fighter jets off the coast of Alaska on Monday, said the U.S. military on Tuesday. Two of the Russian Tu-95 bombers were intercepted by two F-22s, and a second group of two Tu-95 bombers with two Su-35 fighters were intercepted later by two more F-22s, said the North American Aerospace Defense Command in a statement on Twitter. The interception occurred at the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) and the Russian warplanes remained in international airspace, the statement added. In September, two Russian bombers were intercepted by two U.S. F-22 fighter jets near Alaska. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-22 00:39:32|Editor: yan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, May 21 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called for efforts to address the root causes of displacement in Africa. "The best way to protect refugees and displaced people is to prevent them from having to leave their homes. That means tackling root causes: poverty, conflict, discrimination and exclusion of all kinds," Guterres told the African Dialogue Series held at UN Headquarters in New York. He asked to follow the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union's Agenda 2063 as roadmaps. "Both agendas are aligned around a people-centered and planet-sensitive transformation. Eradicating poverty is their overriding priority." The United Nations is working to mainstream these agendas into national development plans and to operationalize the newly adopted Global Compact for Migration to help countries reap the benefits of migration while securing the rights of migrants, he said. "However, we must redouble our efforts if we are to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063. On the current trajectory, we will only be halfway toward achieving the SDGs by 2030." He stressed the importance of financing. The United Nations will continue to support African countries in their efforts to mobilize domestic resources, and to urge the international community to curb illicit financial flows and end money laundering. All countries, particularly developed ones, must fulfill the commitments made in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, an action plan on financing for development, he said. The African Union has chosen "Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons: Towards Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement in Africa" as its theme for 2019 and for this year's Dialogue Series at the United Nations. African countries have a long record of keeping their borders, doors and hearts open to refugees and internally displaced people -- an example not followed by everyone in the world, said Guterres. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-22 00:44:36|Editor: yan Video Player Close VIENNA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Austrian Interior Minister Herbert Kickl was dismissed from office by President Alexander Van der Bellen on Tuesday as part of the ongoing crisis following a corruption scandal. The controversy began on Friday night, when German media released secret video footage of Austrian right-wing Freedom Party leader and Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache offering government contracts to supposed representatives of a Russian oligarch in exchange for political aid. Strache resigned from office at the weekend, although Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, leader of the conservative People's Party in the coalition government, wished to hold talks with other ministers, including Strache's party colleague Kickl, to determine how to proceed with the coalition. These talks were subsequently held, but did not appear to go well, with the chancellor saying that the Freedom Party officials failed to show the required "sensibility" in dealing with the accusations facing Strache, and did not appear to understand the extent of the scandal. He also told journalists that he had asked the president to dismiss Kickl from office. Van der Bellen made the dismissal official on Tuesday, making it the first time a minister has been dismissed from government in Austria's post-World War II Second Republic era. In addition, the president accepted Strache's formal resignation. Three other Freedom Party ministers, who said they would resign if Kickl were to be removed from office, also saw their resignations accepted. Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl, an independent occupying one of the Freedom Party portfolios, decided to remain in her role, citing her independence and a sense of obligation to maintain the course. Kurz later reaffirmed that the portfolios of the departing ministers would be filled by experts who are either current or former high-ranking officials until the upcoming snap election tentatively scheduled for September. He said what Austria requires now is stability and the proper functioning of the state. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-22 00:44:39|Editor: yan Video Player Close RABAT, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Spain remained Morocco's top trade partner during the first quarter of 2019 with goods worth nearly 4 billion euros (4.4 billion U.S. dollars), local media reported on Tuesday. Morocco's exports to Spain increased by nearly 8 percent to 1.84 billion euros, while its imports decreased by 1.28 percent to 2.09 billion euros, the Moroccan financial daily L'Economiste quoted the EU statistics office as saying. In 2018, Spain was Morocco's top trade partner for the seventh year in a row. Between January and March, 41.1 percent of Morocco's exports to EU countries went to Spain, 29.3 percent to France and 6.1 percent to Italy, the same source said. During the same period, Spain's exports took up 33.5 percent of Morocco's imports from EU countries, followed by France and Germany, the source added. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-22 00:54:44|Editor: yan Video Player Close BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese frigate Xiangtan returned to a military port in Zhoushan, east China's Zhejiang Province, Tuesday after finishing an international exercise. The exercise lasted from late April to May, and was part of the ASEAN Defence Minister's Meeting-Plus. Frigate Xiangtan conducted exercises including rescuing ships hijacked by pirates, maritime communications and helicopter landing with participating vessels from other counties. The frigate also attended opening and closing ceremonies for the exercise and an opening day in Singapore. It took 26 days for the frigate to complete the voyage of over 5,600 nautical miles. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-22 00:59:46|Editor: yan Video Player Close TEHRAN, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Iran will never bow to the pressures exerted by the United States, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday. It was the illusion of the "enemies" to think that they will shatter Iran's steadfastness in development, Rouhani made the remarks in Iran's northwestern West Azerbaijan province. However, Iran "prospers" and the country develops in the hard time of sanction pressures, he said in a live broadcast from state TV. "This is a very decisive response to the White House ... and to those who think that they can make Iran surrender under their pressures," Press TV quoted him as saying. Iran has been under unprecedented sanction pressure by the United States following U.S. President Donald Trump's withdrawal from Iran's nuclear deal in May last year. Besides, rising tension between Tehran and Washington has put the rivals on the brink of military clashes. Washington seeks to seal a new nuclear deal with Iran, to further curb Iran's nuclear program, stop Iran's ballistic missile development and brake Iran's push for influence in the region. Iran has vowed to withstand the pressures and resist the U.S. "bullying policies." Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-22 00:59:48|Editor: yan Video Player Close VALCAMONICA, Italy, May 21 (Xinhua) -- With millions of cubic meters of timber still on the ground, and summer approaching, authorities and environmentalists in northern Italy were engaged in a race against time. Over six months have past since a storm called "Vaia" hit four northern regions with unusually warm winds exceeding 150 km per hour and strong rainfalls. It was Oct. 29, and the event resulted in an unprecedented damage to forests in northeast Trentino, Friuli, and Veneto, and northwest Lombardy regions, which provide two thirds of all Italian timber. No single event of extreme weather had ever caused such extensive destruction to Italian forests, and the reaction it triggered appeared, in its own way, unprecedented as well. PUBLIC, PRIVATE JOIN FORCES In the aftermath of the disaster, the Italian branch of the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) -- a non-profit organization for the sustainable management of global forests -- launched a "fair supply chain" to try to mitigate the environmental and socio-economic impact. Sirocco winds knocked down some 20 million trees -- over 8.5 million cubic meters of wood -- equal to the amount of wood harvested in 5 to 7 years of average silviculture, according to the Italian Ministry of Agriculture. The affected areas stretched over 42,500 hectares of woods overall, and the regional governments estimated damages for 50 million euros (55.8 million U.S. dollars) in Lombardy, 93 million in Veneto, 250-300 million in Trentino, and 615 million in Friuli Venezia Giulia. With the fair supply chain project, the PEFC urged public forestry consortia and mountain communities, and private firms to take action by collecting and purchasing as much timber as possible from the damaged forests at fair prices. For all those willing to join the project, the timber would be made traceable through the specific logo "Filiera Solidale" (Fair Supply Chain) guaranteed by PEFC-Italy. Up to mid-May, at least 17 private firms, 12 civil society organizations, and 20 public entities joined the project, yet promoters kept pushing ahead. "Over six months after Vaia, we still have almost 5 million cubic meters of wood to collect," PEFC-Italy secretary general Antonio Brunori told Xinhua. "We have to move fast, because knocked-down timber will start being attacked by insects in the summer months, with a further risk that diseases may further spread to healthy trees," he explained. Adding to the risk of parasites and fungus, timber lying on the ground would anyway become useless for the industry within two years, according to the forest sciences researcher. The campaign also aimed at developing a stronger national supply chain by boosting local resources, which made sense since Italy was one of the world's largest furniture manufactures, but imported 80 percent of timber, according to industrial furniture association Federlegno-Arredo. A third goal was to further boost the certification of sustainably managed forests, which today amounted to 9.8 percent of Italy's 10.9 million hectares of forests, according to the 2018 PEFC report. Overall, environmentalists hoped this approach would boost Italian forests' resilience to climate change. CHALLENGING TASK In the woods of Lombardy's Valcamonica -- a valley in central Alps hosting prehistoric rock drawings listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Site -- local consortium's workers had a challenging task. It was their job to clean the forest from all trees knocked down by Vaia storm, trunk after trunk. Using a funicular-like rope, they cautiously reached each tree stock, secured it, and lifted it down to the nearest road, where timbers would be piled up, and remains processed by wood waste grinders. In this valley alone, the storm ravaged over 1,000 ha of forest, knocking down some 300,000 cubic meters of wood, according to the local Mountain Community. Local authorities received a first tranche of 1.96 million euros out of total 7 million emergency funds so far allocated by the Lombardy region. "Up to now, we have spent 30 percent of regional funds, with cleaning and collection activities ongoing in 18 work sites, and we have reclaimed some 50,000 ha of woods," Gian Battista Sangalli, Valcamonica Mountain Community's forest service manager, told Xinhua. Their deadline was set in July, the official added, not least for the thousands of tourists expected in summer, who would make collection activities more difficult and risky. Much would remain to be done, however, since the official explained the first 1.96 million funds covered "20 percent of the overall costs of cleaning out the 1,000 ha of damaged woods." ADDED VALUE Among the 17 private firms that first answered the PEFC's fair supply-chain call was Marlegno, a family-owned company in Bergamo province operating in the sustainable building field and specializing in prefabricated wooden premises. "Being part of the fair supply chain is not going to provide an immediate economic return, yet it will strengthen our positioning on the market," chief executive officer Angelo Luigi Marchetti told Xinhua. The company posted a turnover of 13 million euros in 2018, and would benefit from the development of a larger, sustainable use of local timber. "We focused on sustainable production, and every element helping clients understand our profile and see that we are coherent with our mission is a strong added value for us," the CEO explained. CHINESE BUYERS Finally, in the aftermath of the Vaia storm, a surprising request for timber came also from China, an event that operators and experts described as exceptional. "Foreign buyers of Italian timber usually come from Austria, Slovenia, and sometimes Germany... it had never happened before to have Chinese buyers on the Italian market," Brunori said. "We had a confirmation during the first public timber auctions after the storm, and especially in Trentino and Veneto regions." The expert explained the first action prices were at 12-14 euros per cubic meter -- from an average 50-60 euros in normal times in those areas -- but soon clients bid for more than double. When the PEFC-Italy asked the reasons, intermediaries said they had Chinese customers ready to spend those figures, because they had transport means already available for shipping. Brunori said this novelty was quite welcome. "After an initial surprise, it proved positive, because the Chinese buyers' interest helped support market prices, thus avoiding excessive downward speculation," he stressed. "Besides, it has also showed domestic operators the timber from storm-affected areas is still valuable and, if they will not move timely, it will take other path, including the road to China." Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-22 01:04:50|Editor: yan Video Player Close NAIROBI, May 21 (Xinhua) -- China and Kenya have deepened mutual political trust and expanded cooperation over the years, pushing their relations to the level of a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Wu Peng said on Tuesday. Wu said increased cooperation has seen China's non-financial direct investment in Kenya record double-fold increase to about 520 million U.S. dollars in 2018. "Now we have over 400 Chinese companies in Kenya, creating thousands of jobs for local community," Wu said. "Both sides enjoy frequent exchanges in education, science and culture. The China-Africa Joint Research Center and China-Kenya Joint Laboratory for Crop Molecular Biology have been operating smoothly in Kenya," Wu said during the sixth press club meeting in Nairobi. Since 2015, he said, China has provided over 67,000 training opportunities for Kenyans. "Currently, over 2,400 Kenyan students are studying in China. In 2018, over 81,000 Chinese tourists traveled to Kenya for leisure and adventure," he said. Wu observed that China's funding to Kenya and other developing countries is aimed at development. "China always attaches high importance to debt sustainability. Before making decisions, Chinese companies and banks, even the third party, go through rigorous feasibility studies, evaluation, and review of a country's credit rating,"said Wu, who used the occasion to discuss some hot topics about the China-Kenya partnership. Huge infrastructural projects like the standard gauge railway (SGR) may take long to yield returns, but they are solid and valid assets, whose value will grow in time, he stressed. The SGR, according to Wu, is a flagship project that showcases the fast speed and high quality of China-Kenya cooperation. The building of Mombasa-Nairobi SGR has driven the Kenya's economic growth by 1.5 percent and created 46,000 jobs for local residents. He said the train shortened the Nairobi-Mombasa trip from over 10 hours to five hours. Since its launch in May 2017, with an average booking rate of 99 percent, over 2.77 million passengers have traveled by the SGR, and around 4.2 million tonnes of goods have been transported, said Wu. In the first full year of operation, SGR earned nearly 10.33 billion Kenyan shillings (about 103 million dollars, which is very close to the operation cost of 120 million dollars a year, he said, adding that for an infrastructural project of SGR's magnitude, it is not easy to achieve near break-even in one year. China and Kenya are currently discussing the construction of the Mombasa Special Economic Zone and the Naivasha Industrial Park, said the ambassador. "With the development of the industrial chain from railway transportation, port economy to industrial parks, we have every reason to believe that SGR will benefit Kenya's efforts towards industrialization, and strongly boost Kenya's GDP growth significantly." He noted that China does not pursue a policy of trade surplus with Kenya, adding it is paying great attention to Kenya's desire to expand exports. "We understand how important agricultural exports are to Kenya. Consequently, we have been working hard to expand China's imports for Kenya's agricultural produce," said Wu. Last year, China and Kenya signed an agreement on export of stevia to China. An agreement on the export of frozen avocados was also signed, which makes Kenya the first African country to export avocados to China, he added. He said the two countries are working to seal the deal on export of fresh avocados, as well as working on other horticultural products. Christopher Chika, head of Asia and Australasia affairs at Kenya's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Kenya will continue to engage with China as long as the relationship is beneficial. "Our relationship is based on mutual respect and equality. China plays a great role in stabilizing Africa and we shall work with the Chinese nationally, regionally and internationally," Chika said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-22 01:14:58|Editor: yan Video Player Close CHANGSHA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Japanese scientist Yoshiaki Kobayashi visits the city of Zixing, in central China's Hunan Province, at least twice a year. Kobayashi is the principal water resources specialist of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and also the team leader of an ADB-loan project to help revive and protect Zixing's Dongjiang Lake. Dongjiang has been serving as a water reservation reservoir since it was built in 1986. As one of the biggest artificial lakes in the middle and southern area of China, maintaining healthy environmental services in Dongjiang is vital to the sustainable development in the Xiang River basin of Hunan, one of the principal tributaries of China's Yangtze River. "Heavy agricultural activities and growing urbanization in the lake basin posed greater risks of water pollution, causing the water quality of Dongjinag to severely deteriorate since the 1990s," he said. In the past, garbage was everywhere in the village, scattered on roads and piled up on unused land, according to local resident Ou Sulan. For years, Hunan has spent billions of yuan setting up protection zones in the lake basin area to revive its lost splendor. To speed up the protection work, the local government applied for an ADB loan in 2013 to introduce an integrated approach to address constraints in lake environmental protection. ADB allowed a project loan of 130 million U.S. dollars in 2015 to bolster lake protection. The project was supported with another 130 million U.S. dollars from the local government and is expected to be completed by 2020. "This project will support a government initiative to create an ecological corridor along the Yangtze River by improving watershed management, water pollution control and prevention and ecological rehabilitation," said ADB senior water resources specialist Zhou Yaozhou. The city of Zixing set up specialized project management offices in relevant government sectors to guarantee a smooth implementation of the project. "Members of the project are from different agencies but they are working together like one family, with a high sense of purpose and responsibility," Kobayashi said. With years of joint efforts, the water quality of Dongjiang is now rated as drinkable at Grade I. In lakeside villages, garbage bins are now provided to every household, with sorting bins placed in garbage accumulation areas, which is "totally opposite to the previous state," said villager Ou Sulan. "We are proud to see our homeland get better." Green development also drives economic growth. Thanks to the beautiful scenery and improved environment of Dongjiang Lake, tourism develops prosperously in the city of Zixing, with tourist arrivals and tourism revenue seeing an increase of more than 30 percent each year. Zixing received more than 14.1 million tourists from home and abroad in 2018, notching up tourism revenue to over 8.7 billion yuan. "Nowadays, high-quality rural hotels have opened around the lake, not only contributing to the sale and export of local specialties and agricultural products, but also the generation of job opportunities for the locals," Kobayashi said. The project also provides training courses to locals in areas such as ecological farming and vocational training, with each session lasting for about seven days, helping them be more competitive in the job market and promoting sustainable development around the lake. After several sessions of vocational training courses, Ou Sulan was recruited as a waitress in a rural hotel. "I barely had any income before, but now I can earn about 20,000 yuan a year, which allows me to take good care of my family," she said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-22 01:30:04|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close by Marwa Yahya CAIRO, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) is very important for Chinese companies in Africa, particularly in Egypt, an Egyptian economic expert said in an interview on Tuesday. "Certainly, Chinese companies, especially those located in the Suez Canal's economic zone, will benefit from the AfCFTA that will be enforced in few days," Waleed Gab-Allah, professor of financial and economic jurisdictions at Cairo University, told Xinhua. The agreement is a basic tool for attracting more Chinese investment into Egypt, he added. Gab-Allah said that China's industrial developer Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area (TEDA) is currently developing a total area of 7.23 square km in Egypt's Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) in Ain Sokhna district of Suez province east of the capital Cairo. The professor described TEDA as a good example for the Chinese mega projects that could market its products to African countries via the AfCFTA. TEDA attracted many enterprises to the SCZone, including China's fiberglass giant manufacturer Jushi, which helped Egypt become one of the largest fiberglass producers and exporters in the world over the past years. He forecasted a 50-percent increase in the Chinese exports to the African countries when the agreement comes into force. "The African free trade agreement will encourage more Chinese companies to work and invest in Egypt's economic zone to benefit from the Suez Canal passage to Africa with reduced tariffs," he said. Gab-Allah added that the new Egyptian investment law will improve the investment climate in the country. In a statement on Tuesday, Egyptian Trade and Industry Ministry said that it will elevate the relations among the member states to the level of comprehensive strategic partnership and will put Africa on the global economy map. "The agreement will contribute to the development of the intra-Africa trade movements, increasing the industrial growth rates and achieving technological development," the statement added. The agreement will also contribute to the development of the infrastructure, the movement of people and the transfer of technical expertise, energy, IT and communication which are important for the sustainable development in Africa, Gab-Allah said. During the meeting with a delegation from the African Union Commission on Monday, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli said that President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi gave priority to the AfCFTA agreement under Egypt's current chairmanship of the African Union. The prime minister stressed that Egypt's capabilities, including logistic and infrastructure, enable it to be the seat of the head office of the agreement. He added that Egypt was one of the first countries that signed the agreement which is due to take effect within days after 22 countries have ratified it so far. The agreement seeks to eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers to the member countries' trade in goods and services with the aim of reducing prices and achieving sustainable development on the continent, Madbouli said. For their part, members of the delegation praised Sisi's support for the African Union and issues of cooperation and development on the continent. Gab-Allah, also a member of the Egyptian Association for the Political Economy, emphasized that enhancing the trade exchange among the African countries will bring its fruits for the Chinese long-term projects in Africa. The agreement that includes 55 countries under the umbrella of the African Union aims at cancelling the tariffs and establishing a common African market by 2022, Gab-Allah said. He expected Egypt to face harsh competition in winning the host of the executive headquarters of the AfCFTA. Egypt's large economy volume and regional strength will help the north African country to exercise a great role in activating the agreement, Gab-Allah added. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks during a large gathering on the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution at Azadi Square in Tehran, Iran, on Feb. 11, 2019. (Xinhua/Ahmad Halabisaz) TEHRAN, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Iran will never bow to the pressures exerted by the United States, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday. It was the illusion of the "enemies" to think that they will shatter Iran's steadfastness in development, Rouhani made the remarks in Iran's northwestern West Azerbaijan province. However, Iran "prospers" and the country develops in the hard time of sanction pressures, he said in a live broadcast from state TV. "This is a very decisive response to the White House ... and to those who think that they can make Iran surrender under their pressures," Press TV quoted him as saying. Iran has been under unprecedented sanction pressure by the United States following U.S. President Donald Trump's withdrawal from Iran's nuclear deal in May last year. Besides, rising tension between Tehran and Washington has put the rivals on the brink of military clashes. Washington seeks to seal a new nuclear deal with Iran, to further curb Iran's nuclear program, stop Iran's ballistic missile development and brake Iran's push for influence in the region. Iran has vowed to withstand the pressures and resist the U.S. "bullying policies." Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-22 03:40:50|Editor: yan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, May 21 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called for the proper handling of sanctions against Libya. "We have always believed that sanctions are not an end, but rather a means. They should always serve the purposes of a political solution to the problems at hand," Ma Zhaoxu, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, told the Security Council. While the sanctions on Libya should continue to be enforced, attention must be paid to avoiding their negative impact on the civilian population and on third countries, Ma noted. "The sanctions should not jeopardize the overall interests of Libya as a nation and should not undermine the normal life and humanitarian needs of Libyans," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-22 05:16:35|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert (Front), the UN secretary-general's special representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq, briefs a Security Council meeting on the situation in Iraq, at the UN headquarters in New York, on May 21, 2019. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert on Tuesday highlighted the importance of continued and wide-based international support to ensure that Iraq leaves its violent past behind. (Xinhua/Li Muzi) UNITED NATIONS, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations' top envoy for Iraq on Tuesday highlighted the importance of continued and wide-based international support to ensure that Iraq leaves its violent past behind. The support is to ensure that Iraq does not slip back into the turmoil from which it so recently emerged, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the UN secretary-general's special representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq, told the Security Council in a briefing. According to Hennis-Plasschaert, Baghdad is opening up, but the security situation will continue to require close monitoring throughout the country. "Attacks continue, as seen with recent blasts and suicide bombings. Also very relevant: the ISIL threat is still out there." Another dominant security concern is the issue of armed actors operating outside state control, engaged in illegal or criminal activities and exerting economic and social influence throughout the country, she said. The activities of these actors undermine state authority, they affect vulnerable communities, they weaken the national economy and they also prevent the peaceful return of displaced persons, Hennis-Plasschaert added. It will therefore prove crucial to hold to account all armed actors involved in criminal enterprise or illegal activity, she said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-22 05:41:53|Editor: yan Video Player Close CAIRO, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian and French naval forces carried out on Tuesday a maritime training exercise in the Mediterranean Sea, the Egyptian Armed Forces said in a statement. The drill saw the participation of French frigate SURCOUF and units from the Egyptian navy. The training was conducted within the framework of the Egyptian Armed Forces' efforts to bolster military relations with different countries, according to the statement. The drill included maritime activities such as how to apply sailing formations, counter hostile targets and repel non-traditional threats, as well as carrying out inspection of vessels. Egypt regularly holds military exercises with Arab, African and Western countries to boost military collaboration and exchange expertise. The military ties between Egypt and France have been growing in the past years. In October 2015, Egypt and France signed a contract worth 1 billion U.S. dollars on the purchase of two French Mistral warships, which were delivered to Egypt in June and September 2016. Egypt has so far received 11 French-made Rafale fighter jets out of total 24, under a 2015 contract worth more than 6 billion dollars. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-22 05:41:55|Editor: yan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Tuesday unanimously adopted a resolution to extend the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq, or UNAMI, until May 31, 2020. The 15-nation UN council called on the international community to remain strongly committed to providing support to Iraq for its humanitarian, stabilization, reconstruction, and development efforts. The resolution decides that the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and UNAMI, at the request of the Government of Iraq, shall prioritize the provision of advice, support, and assistance to the government and people of Iraq on advancing inclusive, political dialogue and national and community-level reconciliation. According to the text, UNAMI shall further advise, support, and assist the government of Iraq and the Independent High Electoral Commission on the development of processes for holding elections and referenda. UNAMI is a political mission established in 2003 by the Security Council at the request of the government of Iraq. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-22 05:41:57|Editor: yan Video Player Close NEW YORK, May 21 (Xinhua) -- A food festival celebrating the culinary culture in New York City's Lower Manhattan returned on Tuesday, providing a wide variety of cuisines from local restaurants for thousands of foodies. Co-organized by Chinese conglomerate Fosun International Ltd. and the Alliance for Downtown New York, the 18th Dine Around Downtown lunchtime festival brought together nearly 40 established and new restaurants of the city at the landmark 28 Liberty Plaza, with plates served in a price range of three to seven U.S. dollars each. The event was complemented by live Jazz music, and participants were encouraged to post photos of their plates on Instagram for a chance to win a two-night stay at a local hotel and dinner for two at a local restaurant. "We are excited to bring the community together to experience Lower Manhattan's finest culinary offerings," said Bo Wei, chief executive representative of Fosun Group in the United States and vice president of Fosun Hive Holdings. The festival also continues with Get Low, a summer-long promotion which offers dining discounts of one participating restaurant per week. "Dine Around offers the best opportunity to taste dishes from dozens of restaurants all in one place and Get Low makes it easier to further explore the local restaurant scene with weekly deals all summer long," said Downtown Alliance President Jessica Lappin. Dine Around Downtown has been bringing leading restaurateurs of Lower Manhattan together since 1995. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-22 05:41:59|Editor: yan Video Player Close DAMASCUS, May 21 (Xinhua) -- At least six civilians were wounded on Tuesday by renewed mortar shells fired by the rebels on residential areas in the northern city of Aleppo, state news agency SANA reported. The mortar fire targeted several residential areas in Aleppo in the afternoon, causing injuries and property losses, said the report. The wounded were rushed to the city's hospitals to get medical treatment. In response, the army fired on the rebels' positions in the countryside of Aleppo, said the report. SANA accused the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front of repeatedly targeting Aleppo with mortar shells. This comes as the Syrian Army and the rebels of the Nusra Front are fighting in the countryside of Hama province in central Syria. The army on Tuesday foiled a renewed attack by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the umbrella group of the Nusra Front, in the northern countryside of Hama. Adjacent areas in the countryside of Hama, the countryside of Idlib as well as areas in the countryside of Latakia province and Aleppo are considered as the last rebel strongholds in Syria. Late last month, the army went on an offensive to dislodge the rebels from northern Hama countryside after the HTS violated the de-escalation zones' deal brokered by Turkey and Russia in September 2018. The Syrian Army said its targeting of the rebels comes as a result of the rebels' breaches of the deal, supposed to see the withdrawal of the al-Qaida-linked groups from the designated zone, which didn't take place. On the contrary, the HTS and likeminded groups dislodged less radical rebel groups from Idlib and took over the entire province. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-22 06:02:04|Editor: yan Video Player Close ANKARA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Over 1,500 Syrians who fled their country's civil war to Turkey are returning home temporarily to celebrate a major Muslim holiday, local media reported Tuesday. The Syrians have crossed the border gate in the southeastern province of Kilis between May 18 and 20 for upcoming Eid al-Fitr holiday, said Hurriyet Daily News. Syrian families were reportedly queuing in long lines at the Oncupinar border gate between the two countries. Local Public Health Center provides Syrian children aged under 15 with vaccines before their leaving, the report said. Muslims celebrate the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan with Eid al-Fitr. Turkey hosts a large number of Syrian refugees since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011. According to Turkey's Directorate General of Migration Management, there are more than 3.6 million Syrians in Turkey in 2018. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-22 06:22:13|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Yemen's Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik (C) holds a meeting with UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock (4th L) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 21, 2019 to discuss the mechanism for delivering humanitarian aid in Yemen. Yemen's government on Tuesday praised the "courage and responsibility" of the World Food Program (WFP), which warned that aid distribution could be suspended in the Houthi-controlled areas due to lack of cooperation from the rebel group. (Xinhua) ADEN, Yemen, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's government on Tuesday praised the "courage and responsibility" of the World Food Program (WFP), which warned that aid distribution could be suspended in the Houthi-controlled areas due to lack of cooperation from the rebel group. The WFP said in a statement on Monday that "humanitarian workers in Yemen are being denied access to the hungry, aid convoys have been blocked and local authorities have interfered with food distribution." "Our greatest challenge does not come from the guns that are yet to fall silent in this conflict," the WFP said. "Instead, it is the obstructive and uncooperative role of some of the Houthi leaders in areas under their control." The country's capital Sanaa and most of Yemen's densely populated northern provinces are controlled by the Iranian-backed Houthi group. Commenting on the WFP's report on Houthis' diversion of humanitarian aid, Yemen's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that "it showed the courage and responsibility of the officials running the WFP in Yemen." But the ministry criticized the "the silence of some humanitarian organizations in Yemen about the Houthis' unjustified practices on diverting humanitarian aid, arresting and threating aid workers." The ministry called upon "the international community to take resolute measures to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches all those affected without any hindrance from the Houthis." In Saudi Arabia's capital of Riyadh, Yemen's Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik held a meeting with UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock to discuss the mechanisms for delivering humanitarian aid in Yemen, the state-run Saba news agency reported. The two talked about forming "joint coordination mechanisms for delivering humanitarian assistance to those people in need for help, especially in the areas located under the control of Houthis." Last week, Lowcock said in a briefing to the UN Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Yemen that 10 million Yemenis are still reliant on emergency food assistance to survive, warning that "the spectre of famine still looms." He added that a resurgent cholera outbreak has affected already 300,000 people this year -- compared to a total of 370,000 cases in the whole year of 2018. Regarding current challenges, Lowcock said that violence still rages in many areas. Yemen has been locked in a civil war since the Shiite Houthi rebels overran much of the country militarily and seized all northern provinces, including Sanaa, in 2014. Saudi Arabia is leading 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| 2019-05-22 07:02:22|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, May 21 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres wants unity of the Security Council on the issue of Libya, his spokesman said Tuesday. Asked at a regular press briefing what the secretary-general thinks the Security Council needs to do now, Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman, said: "I think as in many cases of conflict, the most important thing that we can get from the Security Council, at minimum, is unity -- unity in message to all parties to do whatever they can to stop the conflict and to think of the civilians." Asked whether the Security Council should demand a cease-fire, he said it is up to the council to decide. The Security Council has so far failed to come up with any "product" -- either a resolution or statement -- after the sudden flare-up of the situation. Efforts to adopt a resolution in mid-April demanding a cease-fire were unsuccessful. The self-proclaimed Libyan National Army led by Gen. Khalifa Haftar launched an offensive in early April on Tripoli, the seat of the internationally recognized government of Libya. In a briefing to the Security Council, the top UN envoy for Libya warned that the Arab country is on the verge of civil war that could lead to permanent division. "Libya is on the verge of descending into a civil war, which could lead to the permanent division of the country. The damage already done will take years to mend, and that's only if the war is ended now," said Ghassan Salame, the UN secretary-general's special representative for Libya. "This is the report whose delivery I have spent the nearly last two years trying to avoid. Forty-eight days into the attack on Tripoli by Gen. Haftar's forces, there has already been too much death and destruction." Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-22 07:02:24|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close Ma Zhaoxu (C, Front), China's permanent representative to the United Nations, addresses a Security Council meeting on the situation in Libya, at the UN headquarters in New York, on May 21, 2019. Ma Zhaoxu on Tuesday called for the proper handling of sanctions against Libya. (Xinhua/Ma Jianguo) UNITED NATIONS, May 21 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called for adherence to a political solution in Libya. "There is a need to stick to a political solution. China has always believed that the Libyan issue must be settled through political means," Ma Zhaoxu, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, told the Security Council. "We hope that parties to the conflict in Libya will put the interests of the country and the people first, respond to the calls of the international community for a cease-fire as soon as possible, ease the tensions and return to the path of settlement through peaceful dialogue and consultation." He added that the safety and security of civilians must be protected and the humanitarian situation in the country must be improved. Ma asked for synergy of international efforts. The international community should respect Libya's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. Countries with influence should push for the resolution of differences among the parties, help build trust and provide constructive assistance to the parties in achieving a cease-fire and returning to political dialogue, said the Chinese ambassador. He also stressed the need for coordination. China supports the promotion of the political settlement process in Libya under the leadership of the United Nations, and the good offices of the UN secretary-general and his special representative for Libya, he said. China also supports the active role of regional organizations such as the African Union, and hopes that the mechanisms will fully leverage their advantages and enhance coordination and cooperation. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-22 07:07:26|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close WASHINGTON, May 21 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump will visit Ireland during his Europe trip in early June, announced the White House on Tuesday. The president and first lady Melania Trump have accepted the invitation of Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar to visit Ireland, and Trump will hold talks with Varadkar on June 5, said the White House in a statement. Trump is expected to pay a state visit to Britain on June 3-5, and then travel to France to observe the D-Day anniversary in Normandy on June 6 and meet French President Emmanuel Macron. On June 6, 1944, allied troops launched a surprise military operation, known as the D-Day Normandy Landings, in which more than 2 million soldiers landed in Normandy, northern France. The massive operation began to regain German-occupied western Europe and contributed to the victory of the allied forces in World War II. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-22 07:17:29|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close Photo taken on May 21, 2019 shows the United Nations Security Council holding a meeting on the situation in Libya, at the UN headquarters in New York. The top UN envoy for Libya warned on Tuesday that the Arab country is on the verge of civil war that could lead to permanent division. (Xinhua/Li Muzi) UNITED NATIONS, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The top UN envoy for Libya warned on Tuesday that the Arab country is on the verge of civil war that could lead to permanent division. "Libya is on the verge of descending into a civil war, which could lead to the permanent division of the country. The damage already done will take years to mend, and that's only if the war is ended now," Ghassan Salame, the UN secretary-general's special representative for Libya, told the Security Council in a briefing. "This is the report whose delivery I have spent the nearly last two years trying to avoid. Forty-eight days into the attack on Tripoli by Gen. Haftar's forces, there has already been too much death and destruction," he said, referring to the new offensive on the Libyan capital launched on April 4 by the self-proclaimed Libyan National Army led by Gen. Khalifa Haftar. The consequences and the risks of the conflict are already painfully clear, especially for the Libyan people: over 460 dead, 29 of them civilians; over 2,400 injured, the majority of them civilians; over 75,000 people forced from their homes, all of them civilians. Over half of the displaced are women and children, said Salame. Humanitarian actors estimate that over 100,000 men, women and children remain trapped in immediate front-line areas, with over 400,000 more in areas directly impacted by the clashes, he said. While the conditions for migrants and refugees in Libya were already dire prior to the conflict, these conditions have now gone from bad to worse, he said, adding nearly 3,400 refugees and migrants are trapped in detention centers exposed to, or in close proximity to the fighting. The UN humanitarian agencies have been working around the clock to transfer the most vulnerable from the conflict-affected areas to safer locations, he said. He noted that the offensive on Tripoli came on the eve of the holding of a national conference in the Libyan city of Ghadames, a key event in Libya's political process. "To see those who had enthusiastically accepted our invitation to Ghadames suddenly take up arms against each other to attack the capital, or to defend it, has thrown me into the deepest level of sadness for the opportunity lost and for a hope killed exactly 10 days before its realization," said Salame. The attack on Tripoli also imperiled the potential of the talks held on Feb. 27 in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, between Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj and Gen. Haftar, the sixth of its kind between them, he said. At those talks, there had been the real opportunity to replace the Government of National Accord in Tripoli, dissolve the parallel government in Beida and create an inclusive, unified national government, which would have shepherded the country through the election process to the end of the transitional period. The understandings reached in Abu Dhabi had also placed the military under civilian control, a key demand of the vast majority of Libyans and many in the international community, he said. The attack on Tripoli imperils the security of Libya's immediate neighbors and the wider Mediterranean region, he warned. The security vacuum created by the withdrawal of many of Gen. Haftar's troops from the south of the country, coupled with the focus of the western forces on the defense of the capital, is already being exploited by the Islamic State and al-Qaida terrorist groups, he said. Since April 4, there have been four separate IS attacks in the south of Libya, leaving 17 people killed, more than 10 others wounded and eight kidnapped, said the UN envoy. "Libyan forces that had in the past courageously defended their country against these terrorist groups are now busy fighting each other." In addition to the innocent Libyans being ruthlessly subjected to the increasing terror of the IS, there will be a spillover of this violence to Libya's immediate neighbors, he warned. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-22 07:22:31|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close WASHINGTON, May 21 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced Barbara Barrett as his pick for the next Secretary of the Air Force. "I am pleased to announce my nomination of Barbara Barrett of Arizona, and former Chairman of the Aerospace Corporation, to be the next Secretary of the Air Force." Trump tweeted. If confirmed by the Senate, Barrett will replace Heather Wilson, who is expected to step down at the end of this month and will become the next president of the University of Texas at El Paso in September. Wilson said in a tweet after Trump's announcement that Barrett was a "Wonderful choice by the President!" Barrett has a longstanding interest in aerospace issues, sitting on the boards of the Rand and Aerospace corporations where she also served with former Air Force Secretary Michael Donley, and acting as a former member of the Pentagon's Defense Business Board, according to a report from the Air Force Times. She is an instrument-rated pilot and also the first civilian woman to land in an F/A-18 Hornet on an aircraft carrier, said the report. In 2009, she trained at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, and Kazakhstan, and was then certified for space travel. Cele mai importante avantaje ale jucariilor pufoase pentru copii Copiii din prezent au acces la jucarii de toate formele si de toate dimensiunile. Unele jucarii sunt dragalase si foarte moi, in timp ce altele sunt de inalta tehnologie, dar stiai ca jucariile moi sunt de obicei preferate de copii mai mult decat cele complexe? Pentru copii, [citeste mai departe] Stiri pe aceeasi tema - Nu avem nimic de a face cu AUR care e un partid extremist. AUR e treaba lor sa isi defineasca directia in care sa mearga. Pana acum am vazut ca si-au asumat minciuni legate de pandemie si au murit oameni din cauza acestor minciuni propagate formal de AUR. AUR trebuie sa dea explicatii romanilor pentru - Fostul premier Ludovic Orban a declarat ca i s-a cerut de catre mai multe persoane, inclusiv de catre presedintele Klaus Iohannis, schimbarea din functia a lui Raed Arafat, lucru pe care nu l-a luat niciodata in calcul. Orban a explicat ca a refuzat sa faca acest lucru, deoarece sistemul de situatii - The National Liberal Party (PNL) takes it upon itself to open talks with the parliamentary political forces, except for the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), in order to quickly create a majority and a government, interim Prime Minister and PNL Chairman Florin Citu said on Wednesday. - Ludovic Orban, fostul presedinte al PNL si al Camerei Deputatilor, sustine ca Romania ar putea sa piarda banii din PNRR, daca nu se formeaza rapid o coalitie de guvernare. Voi sustine sprijinea coalitiei daca se gaseste o formula. Categoric se ajunge la alegeri anticipate daca la a doua propunre - Head of Romania's Emergency Management Department (DSU) Raed Arafat announced on Friday that there are talks with Hungary for the transfer of severely ill COVID-19 patients. "It is already known that there are talks with Hungary. A mechanism is being set up making it possible for us to use facilities - Motiunea de cenzura anti-Citu a trecut prin votul, umar la umar, PSD-USD-AUR. Se vorbeste despre recordul celor 281 de voturi care au trecut motiunea. Dar recordul este unul inca mai ciudat: pentru prima data s-a dus la implinire o motiune impotriva unui singur om politic, Florin Citu, iar in locul - Vom face aceasta plangere, citand chiar din ce a spus fostul presedinte PNL, ca prim-ministrul Florin Citu da o ordonanta de urgenta cand au sedinta de guvern ca sa-i plateasca pe cei care l-au votat. Pai atunci cum sa nu faci plangere cu citat din Ludovic Orban. Nu poti sa imparti tara in primarii - Former PNL (National Liberal Party) chairman Ludovic Orban said on Monday that he did not believe there would be liberal MPs to vote on the censure motion initiated by PSD. "I do not think that there will be PNL parliamentarians who will vote for the motion. (...) The political crisis is caused Beit Kadishin Open source Restoration and construction of the memorial complex (Beit Kadishin) are planned to be completed within five years. Co-president of the Association of Jewish Organizations and Communities of Ukraine (Vaad) says that they are planning to build a three-level pavilion on the back side of the building in order to place a museum exhibition there. LB.ua writes about Beit Kadishin restoration stages. During the construction of Beit Kadishin, technologies unique for that time were used: for the first time in Europe, an architect Max Morgenstern designed a huge reinforced concrete dome. In Beit Kadishin were held farewell to the deceased according to the religious Jewish ritual. The important part of the decor is memorial prayers on the walls, as well as a monumental memorial plaque with the names of philanthropists, who donated funds for the construction of the building. Beit Kadishin Open source During the restoration, the historic building will be fully preserved, and we are planning to build a three-level pavilion on the back side of the building in order to place a museum exhibition there. Vaad of Ukraine is directly related to the reconstruction because in 2015 the city authorities of Chernivtsi for 49 years handed over the Beit Kadishin building to our organization. In 2017, the German government allocated 100 000 euros for the exterior repair of Beit Kadishin. The facade was repaired and the dome was restored for the money. In general, the repair of the building and the creation of a memorial center will cost about one million euros, although earlier we assumed that 800 thousand would suffice. So far, it has not been possible to accumulate such a sum, comments Andrey Adamovskiy. He adds that an internal restoration of the building is planned for this summer. Beit Kadishin Open source Co-president of the Vaad of Ukraine Josef Zisels says that the exhibition will reveal painful questions related not only to the Holocaust but also to the pre-war period. In particular, we are talking about the occupation of Northern Bukovyna by the Soviet Union in 1940, about collaboration and complicity in a crime. The exposition of the future museum will include photographs, preserved documents and authentic objects of that period, says Josef Zisels. We are planning to complete the restoration and construction of the memorial complex within five years. Adamovskiy is sure: Beit Kadishin is our memory. It must be preserved for future generations. Together we will succeed. Read the original article here. 'Racing to upgrade its military, China has been turning to Ukraine. And Ukraine with its economy scrambled by hostilities with Russia has been willing to accept Chinas embrace', - The Washington Post Chinese investors and Ukraine's leading aerospace engines enterprise Motor Sich are up to something that foresees bringing China's military technologies and, perhaps, their possible implementation to Ukraine. 'Motor Sich, dubbed the Czar of Engines in the Chinese media, has what Beijing wants: It can supply warplane engines and the know-how to one day possibly make a Chinese-built version. The Chinese, in turn, have what Motor Sich wants: reliable buyers. The company lost its biggest market supplying engines for military helicopters and other aircraft in Russia after war broke out in eastern Ukraine in 2014. Now it sells mainly to China', The Washington Post wrote. Given the ongoing crisis in Ukraine-Russia economic ties, the Ukrainian company has been seeking to diversify foreign partners. It looks like China might be a good option. What we care about right now is the following: Is America ready to buy our goods? No. Period, said Gennadiy Chyzhykov, president of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. China does buy our goods. China is on pace to surpass Russia by next year as Ukraines biggest single-country trading partner. In 2018, Ukraine traded $9.8 billion in goods with China a 51 percent increase over two years and more than double the $4 billion in trade with the United States', reads the article. According to the lawyer of Stanislav Shevchuk, the claimant asks the court to reinstate him in the post of the judge and head of the Constitutional Court Stanislav Shevchuk, the Head of Constitutional Court of Ukraine Constitutional Court of Ukraine Ex-Head of the Constitutional Court Stanislav Shevchuk appealed the decision of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine on his dismissal as Ukrainian News reported citing his lawyer Andry Fedur. Today Stanislav V. Shevchuk filed a complaint against the decision of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine, he stated. According to the lawyer, the claimant asks the court to reinstate him in the post of the judge and head of the Constitutional Court. Fedur thinks that the case is extremely simple: There are no political aspects in the case. The lawyer noted that the lawsuit was filed on May 21 not to disrupt the inauguration of the newly elected Volodymyr Zelenksy as it took place on May 20. According to him, the lawsuit states about the absence of any disciplinary misconducts committed by Shevchuk. On May 14, the Constitutional Court of Ukraine dismissed Stanislav Shevchuk from the office of the Head of this authority. 12 judges, the necessary minumum to pass, voted for such decision after the Court expressed a motion of no confidence. The colleagues blamed him for making the court's work too political, the source said. Later Natalya Shaptala was elected as the new Head of the Constitutional Court. The oil will be next transported to the EU; Feneslitke section in Hungary confirmed it is ready to receive the cargo Open source Ukrtransnafta, the Ukrainian gas and oil pipeline operator confirmed that the intake of the Russian oil at Mozyr station in Belarus resumed. The company reported that Tuesday. Feneslitke station in Hungary confirmed it is ready to receive the cargo. As of 10.38 a.m. May 21, the raw oil transit to Hungary has been restored. Another attempt was made to re-boot the transit, but it failed due to technical reasons. Recently, Belarus suspended transit of Russian oil to Ukraine due to the absence of reservoirs of dirty oil on the territory of the country, as the press office of Belneftekhim concern reported. Transit pumping towards Ukraine is irregular and for now they are suspended as there are no reservoirs on the Ukrainian territory for pumping of dirty oil in the pipeline, the company informs. According to the new schedule of pumping, its restoration is scheduled on the night on May 19 to May 20, the message reads. Oil transit toward Poland is not carried out. 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. Russia has detained and arrested 225 Ukrainians in the first quarter of 2019 Open source Around 5,100 Ukrainians are being kept in Russian prisons, as Ukraines Foreign Ministry responded to the request of the Ukrainian News. As of March 31, 2019 4,877 convicted Ukrainians are serving their sentences on the territory of the Russia Federation, the establishment reports. Besides, Russia has detained and arrested 225 Ukrainians in the first quarter of 2019. All the prisoners are receiving consuls assistance. As it was reported, Ukraine demanded Russia to immediately release 113 Ukrainians who were illegally convicted and are kept in annexed Crimea. The members of the UN Security Council blocked Russias proposal to discuss the language law adopted in Ukraine recently UN Security Council denied Russia discussion the Ukrainian language law, as it became known from the UN Youtube-channel, where the session was broadcasted. The members of the UN Security Council blocked Russias proposal to discuss the language law adopted in Ukraine recently. On May 18, Russias representation to the UN appealed to the Chairman of the Security Council asking to call the session because Verkhovna Rada adopted the language law. As it was reported earlier, on April 25, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the draft law #5670-d on the provision of the functioning of the Ukrainian language as the state one in the second reading and in general. The status of Ukraine's state language will be endorsed over the course of the next ten years when the government implements the respective program. Related video: Andriy Bohdan expects more efficient work from the representative compared to his predecessors Ukrainian sailor behind bars in Russia Hromadske Andriy Bohdan, the Head of the Administration of the President said that it is necessary to find the Ukrainian representative to deal with the issues of political prisoners release. He said that on air of The Pulse talk show on the 112 Ukraine TV channel. At that, Bohdan noted that he expects more efficient work from the representative compared to his predecessors. We will look for this representative, Ive already told the characteristics. I am hoping he will be more effective than his predecessors. I have a big hope, Andriy Bohdan said. As we repoted earlier, Andriy Bohdan was appointed the Head of the Administration of President of Ukraine today. Earlier, Serghiy Shefir and Ivan Bakanov were listed among the most probable candidates for the Head of the Administration of the President. As is it known, Serhiy Shefir is already appointed the first assistant of the President. Volodymyr Zelensky has also appointed Serhiy Trofimov the First Deputy of the Head of the Administration of the President of Ukraine. Ruslan Khomchak was also appointed the Chief of General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces. The candidacy of Oleksandr Danyliuk is considered for the appointment as the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine. The new head of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine Andriy Bohdan said this on air of 112 Ukraine TV channel during the main political talk show The Pulse. Bohdan believes that Oleksandr Danilyuk is a specialist who is able to carry out a number of necessary reforms in defense and weapons procurement. "We believe that the Defense Ministry is working and the corresponding bill already exists in Ukraine today. The Defense Council should be headed by non-professional military, there should be managers who enjoy trust from Western partners, with the level of knowledge about the logistic support for the army and knowledge on the implementation of the highest quality technical and armed support of our army,"Andriy Bohdan said. As it was reported earlier, Andriy Bohdan chairs Administration of President of Ukraine, according to the first appointments by the new president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky signed the decree on the dismissal of Verkhovna Rada and appointed the election on July 21 as the decree#303/2019 reported. The Cabinet of Ministers is ordered to provide the financing of the elections. The decree comes into force from the moment it is published. Earlier, after the consultations with President Zelensky Oleg Lyashko, the header of Radical Party of Ukraine, said that snap elections to the Parliament of Ukraine might be held on July 21. Later, Zelenskys Advisor on legal issues Andriy Bogdan confirmed that snap elections to Ukraines Parliament might be held on July 21. Zelensky dismissed Ukrainian Parliament at his inauguration and announced early elections after he took an oath of allegiance to the Ukrainian people. Volodymyr Zelensky assumed the office and became the sixth president of Ukraine. The solemn ceremony of inauguration took place in Kyiv on Monday, May 20. The new head of the state greeted the audience that welcomed him at Mariinsky Park in the downtown Kyiv. Zelensky passed the improvised corridor in the park, shaking hands and making selfies with his supporters. The head of the state made the oath the traditional way, with his right hand on Peresopnytsia Gospels and the Constitution of Ukraine. In his bold speech, the new leader announced he would dismiss the Ukrainian Parliament. He also urged the Ukrainian Government to resign if they could not act effectively anymore. Related video: The representative of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine to the Verkhovna Rada Vadym Denysenko newsone.ua The representative of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine to the Verkhovna Rada Vadym Denysenko resigned, as he reported on Facebook. He wrote the application on May 20. Denysenko connects his decision with the resignation of Ukraines Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman. Letter of resignation of the representative of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine to the Verkhovna Rada Vadym Denysenko facebook Vadym Denysenko Ukraines PM Groysman wrote a letter of resignation, which is dated May 20. On May 20, he said he would resign on Wednesday, May 22. Groysman headed Ukraines Government since April 14, 2016. Volodymyr Zelensky assumed the office and became the sixth president of Ukraine. The solemn ceremony of inauguration took place in Kyiv on Monday, May 20. The new head of the state greeted the audience that welcomed him at Mariinsky Park in the downtown Kyiv. Zelensky passed the improvised corridor in the park, shaking hands and making selfies with his supporters. The head of the state made the oath the traditional way, with his right hand on Peresopnytsia Gospels and the Constitution of Ukraine. In his bold speech, the new leader announced he would dismiss the Ukrainian Parliament. He also urged the Ukrainian Government to resign if they could not act effectively anymore. Related video: It should be up to civil society to assess various agreements that concern the military conflict with Russia Andriy Bohdan Open source The Ukrainian authority considers an option to make the peace agreements with Russia a matter of the national referendum. Head of Presidential Administration of Ukraine Andriy Bohdan made the respective statement during his speech at The Pulse evening show. 'In his speeches, Volodymyr Zelensky himself declared that we consider making some agreements the matter of the referendum. It's not only about the politicians talking, but also about the people. We consider making the issue of reaching the peace agreements with Russia a matter of the all-nation referendum, so that the people of Ukraine would decide that, too - not just the MPs' votes and the President making the decision', Bohdan said. The head of Zelensky's administration said it should be up to civil society to assess various agreements that concern the military conflict with Russia. Bohdan claimed that there's a need to search for a compromise in Donbas-related matters. However, he stressed that 'there will be no trading territories or people'. The mission will work for two weeks. It will assess the implementation of the current cooperation program with Ukraine Open source The Mission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) launched in Ukraine, as Ukrainian News reported. As it was reported, the mission will assess the implementation of the current cooperation program with Ukraine under the stand-by system and hold consultations under article No. 4 of IMF statute. Earlier IMF Spokesperson Gerry Rice stated that the Fund maintains communication with the then President-elect of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and the IMF mission would come to Ukraine soon. As we reported former President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko had a phone conversation with Christine Lagarde, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, during which she expressed the concern concerning the courts decisions on the nationalization of the PrivatBank. In December 2018, the IMF Directors Board approved the 14-months-long of cooperation with Ukraine within the stand-by program. The overall sum of loans makes 3.9 billion U.S. dollars, which makes 139 percent of the quote of Ukraine in the Fund. Representative of Ukraine at Trilateral Contact Group Yevhen Marchuk was dismissed on May 20 Trilateral Contact Group meets in Minsk Open source The session of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) on Donbas Conflict, which should take place on May 2, was postponed for June 5 as Foreign Ministry of Belarus reported on Twitter. According to OSCE Special Representative in Ukraine and TCG Ambassador Sajdik, according to the achieved mutual understanding of the partakers, the session of the TCG and its working groups is postponed for June 5, 2019, the message said. Earlier the meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group was planned for May 22. As we reported that First Vice Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Iryna Gerashchenko filed a report about her dismissal from the posts of the presidential commissioner on a peaceful settlement and Ukraines representative in the humanitarian subgroup in Minsk. On May 20, then President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko dismissed Yevhen Marchuk from the duties to present Ukraine at the Trilateral Contact Group on the peaceful settlement of Donbas Conflict. Yevhen Marchuk headed the Ukrainian representative office at the end of November 2018. He replaced Leonid Kuchma on this position. Before, he held the post of Deputy Head of the main department of the National Police in Kyiv Vitaliy Stryzhak, the Head of the National Police in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol National Police Police colonel Vitaliy Stryzhak headed the main department of the National Police in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol. Earlier, he held the post of Deputy Head of the main department of the National Police in Kyiv, as the press office of the establishment reported. With the decree of the Chairman of National Police, as agreed with the Internal Minister, Vitaliy Stryzhak is appointed as the Head of the main department of the National Police of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol, the message reads. National Police Vitaliy Stryzhak, the Head of the National Police in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol National Police Vitaliy Stryzhak, the Head of the National Police in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol National Police Vitaliy Stryzhak, the Head of the National Police in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol As it was reported, Stryzhak is experienced in the criminal block and in countering organized crime. Deputy Head of the National Police of Ukraine Igor Klymenko, who presented Stryzhak, stressed that Crimeas police officers have a huge responsibility, in particular when it comes to preventing the proliferation of the members of illegal armed formations which act in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The main aim of Crimean police is to help the citizens who live in Crimea, protect their rights, bring order to the demarcation line with the temporarily occupied territory, Klymenko noted. The Presidents decree on dismissal of the Verkhovna Rada might be signed soon. Supposedly, snap elections to Ukraines Parliament will be held on July 21, as Zelenskys Advisor on legal issues Andriy Bogdan confirmed. 112 Ukraine broadcasted the briefing. Speaking of the decree (on the dismissal of the Verkhovna Rada, - ed.) itself, it will be signed soon. We expect its publication soon. We regard the most suitable date for the elections July 21, 2019. Today, consultations with Central Election Commission are being conducted. Maybe, we will decide to appeal to the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Parubiy to summon the early session tomorrow and decide on amendments to the law on elections of MPs, Bogdan said. He added: In our opinion, consultations were effective. Almost all the leaders of the factions agreed on a possibility of the dismissal. There were disputes about constitutionality, legitimacy, possibility to appeal such decree, but if there is a decree, all the factions confirmed their desire to take part in the elections. We consider this a very important step towards the restoration of the Parliament and bringing new progressive people who want and have a possibility to work for Ukraine and for its future. Earlier, after the consultations with President Zelensky Oleg Lyashko, the header of Radical Party of Ukraine, said that snap elections to the Parliament of Ukraine might be held on July 21. Zelensky dismissed Ukrainian Parliament at his inauguration and announced early elections after he took an oath of allegiance to the Ukrainian people. Ukraines State Bureau of Investigation Open source State Bureau of Investigation launched a probe under the application of Andriy Portnov, who accuses the fifth President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko of state treason, as the press office of the establishment reported. The investigators of the central department of State Bureau of Investigation included information about alleged commission of crimes provided by the Criminal Code of Ukraine (actions designed to change or overthrow the constitutional order by force, state treason and abuse of power or authority) by officials, who hold particularly responsible positions in the government bodies, the message reads. It was specified that it was about the events of November 25, 2018 when two armored boats and tugboat were captured by Russian border guards in Azov Sea. As it was reported, Andriy Portnov reported on Facebook that he filed an application with accusations against Petro Poroshenko. On the next day, State Bureau of Investigation approved the application. As it was reported, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea will announce the decision on the case of three ships of the Ukrainian Navy and 24 sailors approximately on May 25. In November 2018, the coast guard ships of the Russian Navy attacked the ships of the Ukrainian Navy, which have been carrying out a scheduled transition from Odesa port to Mariupol port in the Sea of Azov. Ukrainian ships were rejected passage via the Kerch Strait, Russian coast guards opened aimed fire on them. All 24 sailors on board were captured and delivered to Moscow 21 of them were delivered to Lefortovo remand center, the rest came to the hospital of Matrosskaya Tishina prison. Inter-Ministerial Commission on International Trade made a decision to impose anti-dumping duties toward import of cement clinkers and Portland cement from Russia, Belarus and Moldova to Ukraine as Economic Development and Trade Ministry of Ukraine reported. The ministry noted that the commission established the presence of damping import from these countries during 2015-2018. Besides, the shares of import of cement clinkers and Portland cement from Russia, Belarus and Moldova in the total volume of the importance of these goods to Ukraine were growing constantly during the whole period of research and it shows the intention of the further increase of the volume of damping import from these countries. Accordingly, the Inter-Ministerial Commission on International Trade made a decision on the implementation of the anti-dumping duty in the volume of 114,95% for goods from Russia; 57,03% for the goods from Belarus and 94,46% for the goods from Moldova, the message said. According to the commission, the duties will be taken for five years. Earlier the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine imposed new sanctions against Russia. New items were added to the list of banned Russian goods. Duties on all Russian goods were imposed. As Ukraines PM Volodymyr Groysman noted, the list was expanded with those goods which are also produced in Ukraine or there is a possibility to replace them. The United States can soon prepare a bill that provides for a restriction on North Stream 2 A worker at the landing site of Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, operated by Gazprom PJSC, in Lubmin, Germany Bloomberg The United States plan to sanction companies helping construct the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline being laid from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea. This was reported by Bloomberg agency with the reference to the U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry who said this on Tuesday in Ukrainian capital Kyiv. The opposition to Nord Stream 2 is still very much alive in the U.S. I expect over the course of the not-too-distant future that the U.S. Senate as well as the U.S. House send a bill to the president of the U.S. that will have some very, very onerous restrictions on companies that continue to do business with the Nord Stream 2 development. So stay tuned, Perry said. That comes a day after the Gazprom PJSC-controlled company said that none of its contractors had pulled out because of the threat of U.S. sanctions. The U.S. argues that Nord Stream 2 increases Europes reliance on natural gas from Russia, which already provides more than a third of the regions fuel, while at the same time threatening supplies to Ukraine, a key transit nation. The controversial link is backed by Germany and is still scheduled to start by the end of the year, though it faces delays from permitting issues in Denmark. The implementation of Nord Stream 2 is not subject to political sentiment and Gazprom, as well as financial partners Uniper SE, Engie SA, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, OMV AG and BASF SEs Wintershall, are fully committed to the project, Nord Stream 2 AG said. As it was reported earlier, the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel stated that the European Commission would not be able to block the construction of Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. Ukraine is adamantly opposed to the construction by calling it politically motivated and suggesting the EU to create a consortium with the involvement of European companies to manage the existing more efficient transportation route through Ukraine. A number of EU countries have expressed their disagreement with the Nord Stream 2 project in particular Poland and Lithuania. The legal basis for the dissolution is that the coalition does not exist since 2016 Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine Presidential Administration press office President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky called the reason for his decision to dissolve the Verkhovna Rada due to the low level of public confidence as the presidential press service reported after meeting of Zelensky, leadership of the parliament and factions. The main argument for dissolving the Verkhovna Rada is an extremely low trust of Ukrainian citizens in this institution - 4%. This is an assessment of the work of the parliament and the most important argument for terminating its powers. As guarantor of the Constitution, I am obliged to guarantee the rights of Ukrainian citizens. The legal basis for dissolution - since 2016 there has been no coalition, Zelensky said. The press service noted that the date of the snap elections to the parliament was discussed during the meeting. It will depend on the date of the President issuing a decree dissolving parliament, the message said. Moreover, the parties raised the issue of the release of Ukrainians from Russian captivity. Volodymyr Zelensky proposed to hold a separate conversation on the given issue with representatives of the team of the previous head of state, the presidential administration said. According to Article 90 of Ukraines Constitution, the president can early terminate the authority of the Verkhovna Rada if: - the coalition of the parliamentarian factions is not formed during one month; - the personal membership of the government is not formed during 60 days after the resignation of the Cabinet of the Ministers; - the plenary sessions do not start during one scheduled session for 30 days. The decision about early termination of the authority of the Verkhovna Rada is made by the president after the consultation with the head of the Rada, his deputies and chairmen of the factions. The authority of the parliament cannot be terminated early during last six months of Radas authority term. According to Article 77 of Ukraines Constitution, in the case of the dissolution of the parliament, the snap elections are appointed by the president during 60 days since the publishing of the decision on the termination of the authority. On May 20, President Volodymyr Zelenksy stated he dissolves the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine but the order is not issued yet. It was expected that the order on the dissolution will be the first document signed by the president but he signed the order on the possession of the rights of the Commander-in-Chief. The leaders of the parliamentary factions came to Zelensky for the consultation and two possible dates, July 21 and July 28, are defined for the holding of the snap parliamentary elections. Oleg Lyashko, the Leader of the Radical Party supposes that the elections may take place on July 21, Iryna Gerashchenko supposes, they may occur on July 28. It is expected that the law on the dissolution of the Rada will be signed by Zelensky on May 22. Related video: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky offered the leaders of the faction to replace majority electoral system and reduce the vote threshold as 112 Ukraine reported citing Vitaly Khomutynnyk, the Co-Chairman of parliamentary faction Vidrodzhennia. The president offered to amend the law on the elections of the MPs and to make a few amendments, make a short draft law with a few amendments. The first amendment is the cancelation of the majority system. The second amendment is to reduce the vote threshold up to 3%. The third amendment was also discussed; it was offered by the factions; it is the specification of the norms on the mandatory terms of reference, Khomutynnyk said. Khomutynnyk also noted that it is most likely that the elections will be appointed for July 21: According to the president of Ukraine, such order can be issued tomorrow and the elections will be appointed on July 21. On May 20, President Volodymyr Zelenksy stated he dissolves the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine but the order is not issued yet. It was expected that the order on the dissolution will be the first document signed by the president but he signed the order on the possession of the rights of the Commander-in-Chief. The leaders of the parliamentary factions came to Zelensky for the consultation and two possible dates, July 21 and July 28, are defined for the holding of the snap parliamentary elections. Oleg Lyashko, the Leader of the Radical Party supposes that the elections may take place on July 21, Iryna Gerashchenko supposes, they may occur on July 28. It is expected that the law on the dissolution of the Rada will be signed by Zelensky on May 22. Zelenskys Advisor on legal issues Andriy Bohdan 24tv.ua First staff appointments of the newly elected President Volodymyr Zelensky might appear in the evening on May 21, as Andriy Bogdan, Zelenskys Adviser on legal issues, said at the briefing broadcasted by 112 Ukraine. Speaking about a possible appointment of the Head of Presidents Administration, Bogdan said that such decision was not made. Maybe, first staff appointments will appear tonight, he specified. Volodymyr Zelensky believes that a person from close entourage, a person he trusts should hold this post (the Head of Presidents Administration, - ed.). But I cant say what decision he will make, he stated. Earlier, Andriy Bogdan claimed Zelenskys intention to sign the decree on dissolution of Verkhovna Rada soon. Volodymyr Zelensky assumed the office and became the sixth president of Ukraine. The solemn ceremony of inauguration took place in Kyiv on Monday, May 20. The new head of the state greeted the audience that welcomed him at Mariinsky Park in the downtown Kyiv. Zelensky passed the improvised corridor in the park, shaking hands and making selfies with his supporters. The head of the state made the oath the traditional way, with his right hand on Peresopnytsia Gospels and the Constitution of Ukraine. In his bold speech, the new leader announced he would dismiss the Ukrainian Parliament. He also urged the Ukrainian Government to resign if they could not act effectively anymore. Related video: Copyright & Permissions Unless otherwise noted all written material on this blog is copyrighted by the blog owner. All rights are reserved except as stated below. I generally have no problem with someone quoting Ad Orientem unless it's for commercial purposes or something that's copyrighted other than by me (in either which case kindly ask first). In all cases please be polite and include attribution and a link. Remember good netiquette. A conscientious effort is made to respect the rights of others when quoting or displaying their work on this blog. As a general rule only excerpts are posted with a link to the original source. Common sense exceptions may include instances where it is believed in good faith that the content falls within the public domain or where the quoted content is so brief that excerpting is not practical. . . , , , "" . , , - . ... Update: Soma Detect announced a $2 million seed round on August 12th with investments from New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF), the Western New York Impact Investment Fund (WNYIIF), and New York Ventures. For dairy cows, mastitis is not a matter of if, but when. One-third of all dairy cows are estimated to have mastitis, according to research from Louisiana State University Ag Center, costing producers roughly $200 per cow each year. About 70% of that dollar figure reflects the milk that dairy farmers have to pour down the drain until the cows condition is resolved in addition to costly veterinary treatment. Cavallo Ventures, the venture capital arm of agricultural products retailer Wilbur Ellis, has made an undisclosed investment in SomaDetect, an in-line sensor startup that measures critical aspects of dairy quality like fat, protein, and, most importantly for mastitis detection, somatic cell counts. Builders.vc also participated in the round. From an investment perspective, we were really impressed with the application of the technology, which we believe is highly differentiated. There are several others that claim to detect mastitis but in our opinion, SomaDetect is the most accurate by far, Amar Singh, director of Cavallo Ventures, told AFN. SomaDetects technology lies in a sensor that attaches to the side of an iPad or tablet device that is attached to the milking hose. Light emits from the sensor into the hose causing particles to scatter in certain directions. A portion of the light may be absorbed or reflected altering the intensity of the scattered beam. Particles of different sizes, in various concentrations, will have unique scattering patterns that can be observed. Based on the scatter pattern, the sensor can determine the somatic cell count in the milk, which is a direct indicator of whether the cow has mastitis or may soon develop clinical signs of the condition. SomaDetect uses computer vision and deep neural networks to build algorithms that can predict the presence and concentrations of major compounds in raw milk. Current methods of mastitis detection leave a lot to be desired. A qualified dairy technician visits the farm once a month to obtain samples that are then sent to a lab. By the time the results arrive a week later, its often too late or the cow has already started exhibiting obvious signs of infection. Compare this to SomaDetect, which can count cells from each cow twice a day during milking and provide that information to the farmer in real time, Singh explains. Real-time data is the key because the cell count rarely spikes abruptly from 100,000 to 500,000 overnight. It increases gradually and if you can monitor the cows continuously then you can flag a cow that is inching closer to the infection threshold and alert the farmer that he or she needs to take action soon. Cavallo Ventures has been rather active lately, recently backing Seattle-based insect farm Beta Hatch, beef cattle precision ag platform developer Performance Livestock Analytics, imagery analytics platform creator Taranis, and animal-free collagen maker Geltor. The recently launched fund isnt just looking for good investments, it wants to partner with startups to distribute new products to its customers. It can be difficult to identify investors that truly understand the opportunity that exists in the dairy market. Dairy is a half-trillion-dollar global commodity but something that most folks do not think about, even as theyre enjoying their lattes, cheese platters, and ice cream cones, Bethany Deshpande, CEO of SomaDetect, wrote to AFN. This investment helps SomaDetect as we transition from collecting tens of thousands to millions of data points from cows across North America. This will impact our ability to build algorithms that matter, and to eventually scale this business. And while Singh and Deshpande see many other opportunities to apply this rapid response technology in other capacities on dairy farms including things like breeding and milk quality, earning farmers trust is a bigger priority for now. Our thesis is that SomaDetect will have an opportunity to expand in the market as they win the trust of their customers by doing one or two things exceptionally well. Then, they can go back and say what do you think of this new tool, or what would you think about this type of solution. You have to win farmers trust first by doing simple things right and there is plenty of evidence that SomaDetect is doing this, says Singh. Mastitis Technologies Abound Given the prevalence of mastitis and its cost to farmers, a number of startups are creating solutions to tackle the problem more quickly and accurately. And while some startups may see the crowded landscape as a drawback, dairy farmers need all the help they can get these days as milk prices continue to scrape the bottom of the barrel. More startups offering similar technologies will help drive affordability, which is a key barrier to adoption facing many dairy farmers that already struggle to make ends meet. The dairy market is immensely important to us. We think there is a lot of value in the market and that it will rebound. We want to be selling not only animal feed but solutions, technology, and value-added services, Mike Wilbur, president and CEO of Cavallo Ventures, told AFN. One of the things that sold us on making an investment in SomaDetect is their success in light of how tough market conditions are right now due to low commodity prices. The growth of SomaDetect despite this is just that much more impressive. Deshpande understands that forking over the monthly subscription cost for SomaDetect is a big ask for many farmers but finds hope in farmers seemingly universal understanding of the technologys potential benefits. We appreciate all of our early adopters. For dairy farmers joining us as partners in data collection, it is wonderful to see them stepping forward, being patient with us as we collect the data resources that we need, and willing to provide feedback to help us build the best product possible, she explains. Of course, innovation in agtech comes from farms and also from leading industry players. Wilbur-Ellis is stepping up as an innovation partner alongside SomaDetect. Wilbur-Ellis understands how feed rationing and selection are influenced based on production, health, and the milk of individual cows. SomaDetect is incredibly excited to be working with Wilbur-Ellis and their farmers to maximize profitability and sustainability. Here are a few other startups aiming to tackles mastitis in different ways. Acumen Detection has developed a rapid on-farm system for detecting mastitis in three hours. Dutch startup MastiLine develops and manufactures sensors and an automated monitoring system to detect the early signs of mastitis. The startups sensors enable dairy farmers to detect mastitis at a subclinical level before visible signs of the disease manifest. It does so by detecting somatic cell counts, which indicate whether mastitis is present. Mastiline is backed by Dutch investment and development agency NOM, Dutch loan financiers Doefonds Fryslan, and early-stage impact investment firm SHIFT Invest. Another Dutch startup and AgFunder portfolio company Connecterras Intelligent Dairy Farmers Assistant Ida is an artificial intelligence-powered service that uses data collected from dairy cows that are then processed and analyzed by Ida to detect health issues such as mastitis or lameness at least 24 hours before they are critical. EIO Diagnosticss FirstLook Mastitis system uses a multispectral sensor installed at the entrance of the milking parlor to capture an image of the udder as the animal enters. Data from those images are processed through machine learning to identify early indicators of infection. When it comes to treatment, EpiBiome ,which was acquired by Locus Biosciences, offered bacteriophages therapy, a macromolecular bacterial virus with a bullish disposition that seeks out and destroys specific strains of bacteria, including the cells that cause mastitis in cows. PLEASE NOTE! Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate! All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited! (One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!) KLAUS JOHANN GROBE Swiss group Klaus Johann Grobe have been at it since 2012, and as they prepare to release their third album "Du Bist So Symmetrisch" (and third on Trouble In Mind), the group continues to defy description & blur the lines between electronic pop, dance music, synthesis & kosmische. "Du Bist So Symmetrisch" follows the inevitable path laid out by their previous album (the Basel Prize-winning "Spagat der Liebe"), incorporating the slinky, jazz-fusion-laced grooves populating late night clubs and braiding them together with the band's own blend of mutant electro-funk. Driven by an organic, metronomic beat aligned with synth, chant-like vocals, and a monstrous funky bass, the music aims towards a certain kind of hypnosis, particularly as the sleeping pill echo-heavy vocals cycle over the locked grooves the pair throw down. "Du Bist..." begins with the cascading arpeggio of a synth, edging into view, before lurching into the placid dancefloor groove of the first single "Discogedanken". While the band invariably feels more at home in the club, Klaus Johann Grobe certainly aim towards the more dance-orientated arena of German music (see "Der Konig" or "Von Gestern"), aligning the metro pulse of Klaus Dinger and Kraftwerk's later techno work to more biological factors - like moss growing on the mainframe. The band has toured extensively since 2014, highlights being supporting tours with Unknown Mortal Orchestra, The Growlers and Temples, and they have toured and played festivals in the U.S.A., U.K., Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, France and Spain. "Du Bist So Symmetrisch" will be released worldwide by Trouble in Mind Records on October 26th, 2018 on Digital, CD, and LP. VINYL WILLIAMS The rare history of harmonious pop music imbued in Vinyl Williams's Opal LP is finally coming to the conscious surface in the warped form of a celestial hyper-coaster, combining sunshine pop, afrobeat, and progressive rock into a dense emanation of sonic optics. The California native has attuned his sound palette to the cosmic quintessence - opalescent tones that harmonize chaos, synchronizing a global family of celestial harmonies into a macrocosmic epicenter. Out of such came 10 tracks of incessantly lush pop songs that can be used to intangibly dress your dream palace. It was recorded almost exclusively by Lionel Williams at Non Plus Ultra (all ages venue / studio in LA he's involved in) with the exception of Gal Lazer (ex-drummer of Yonatan Gat) playing hand drums on Aphelion, and Ian Gibbs (Williams's long time musical partner) overdubbing guitar & synth on several tracks. Through the process of recording individual tracks onto a VHS camcorder, as well as using handheld cassette devices, the fluttery lo-fi guitar & synth sounds became architecturalized by hi-fi drum sounds, keeping the warbly rollercoaster somehow on track. Williams also creates his own immersive realms in the form of 360 videos, downloadable explorable worlds, and interactive web art. These ineffable environments impress upon transcendental incorporeal states of being, termed noumena. Two elements - anima (Jung's term for femininity embedded in masculinity) & pneuma (the octave above air) give rise to these vast lands of sublimity. Before meeting Iasos (founder of New Age music) in 2013, Williams already had an out-of-body experience where he visited this syncretic haven. During their conversation, Iasos revealed a similar experience that had occurred where an ineffable intelligence "Vesta" sent endless hours of higher dimensional footage into his mind in an instant. The process hence has been a process of discovering how these visual architectural & sonic atmospheric forms can be concentrated in a pop structure. The main ambition of the group is to transmute qualitative opposites into an equilibrium of light & sound, that ultimately has a beneficial affect. In 2016 Vinyl Williams released "Brunei" - a fantastical critique of the country's incorporation of Sharia Law from the perspective of an inter-dimensional being. During the time the album was being recorded Williams' father had been hired by the sultan of Brunei to perform with Dean Martin's son Ricci Martin. The performance was supposed to include a realistic hologram of Dean, where Ricci & Dean were to switch off melodies with each other. This drove Ricci to the point of a breakdown, which unfortunately ended in his death via alcohol overdose around the time the album was released. The original inspiration behind the album was when Williams had seen currency from Brunei, which at the time was rainbow & prismatically translucent. This sparked the mystery in discovering the country's lavishness as well as socioreligious detriments. These themes of religious dissonance originate from Williams' upbringing in the state of Utah. Although he's a Los Angeles native, he had moved to Utah in 1998 at the age of 8. The culture shock he had experienced living in a small LDS town sculpted his practice into an impressionistic utopia of religious harmony. Vinyl Williams' live group consists of Lionel Williams (vocals / keys / guitar) Ian Gibbs (guitar / vocals) James Lake (drummer) & Billy Winger (bassist). Williams' & Ian Gibbs additional play drums & bass in Morgan Delt. Other associated acts include MT. OSSA & HOTT MT through their LA-based art group & performance space Non Plus Ultra. Active since 2007, the group have toured extensively with Toro y Moi, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Mount Kimbie, This Will Destroy You, Temples, among others. TICKETS ARE ONLY $5 Lance Cpl. Benjamin McDonald/U.S. Marine Corps(NEW BERN, N.C.) -- A Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier jet crashed in Craven County, North Carolina, on Monday evening. The pilot ejected and was said to be unharmed, according to a Defense Department official. The incident was under investigation. Emergency crews were called to the crash about 6:15 p.m., Craven County Emergency Services Director Stanley Kite told ABC News affiliate WCTI-TV. He added that a fire from the crash was extinguished. The pilot was taken to CarolinaEast Medical Center in New Bern, North Carolina, for evaluation, according to the Marine Corps statement. There were no reports of civilian casualties or property damage. The plane was from the 2nd Marine Air Wing, which is based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina. Personnel from the air wing and the Havelock County Sheriff's Department initially responded to the scene, according to a statement from the Marine Corps. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Luka Banda/iStock(WASHINGTON) -- Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee are pushing back on terms offered by Justice Department officials for special counsel Robert Mueller's testimony, objecting to a proposal for him to give a public opening statement before answering questions behind closed doors, according to multiple sources familiar with the negotiations. The ongoing back-and-forth over the special counsel's highly anticipated appearance to discuss the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and any efforts to obstruct the probe continues as Democrats battle with the administration over access to documents and witness testimony. A Justice Department official said Mueller's team is "directly negotiating with the Hill." While House Democrats aren't ruling out having closed-door testimony for portions of the report, they want to have Mueller answer at least some questions in a public setting. The committee has been in discussions with Mueller's team within the Justice Department over the past month. Sources have said that Mueller is seeking guidance from DOJ's Office of Legal Counsel ahead of any planned testimony to advise on what he can and cannot say. A Justice Department spokeswoman declined to comment about the negotiations. While Democrats had initially hoped that Mueller would testify by May 15, the ongoing discussions mean that the special counsel will not appear on Capitol Hill before next month. Attorney General William Barr has said he has no objections to Mueller testifying, even though President Donald Trump has said publicly in a tweet that "Bob Mueller should not testify." One complicating factor in the negotiations, according to people familiar with the talks, is Mueller's unwillingness to enter the political fray over his findings. The Justice Department has also not complied with the committee's subpoena for the unredacted version of the Mueller report and underlying evidence. The White House has asserted executive privilege over the full report, which has raised new questions about Mueller's testimony and prompted Democrats to prepare to hold Attorney General Bill Barr in contempt of Congress. President Trump has deferred to Barr but tweeted earlier this month "Bob Mueller should not testify. No redos for the Dems!" Barr has said he has no objections to Mueller testifying before Congress, most recently in a Wall Street Journal interview. In addition to the House Judiciary Committee, the House Intelligence Committee is also in talks with some officials at the Justice Department about Mueller appearing before the panel, which is also locked in a battle over access to the full Mueller report and underlying intelligence gathered in the probe. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Labor has vowed to initiate "a better national discussion" about Australias increasingly complicated relationship with its largest trading partner, China, if it wins Saturdays federal election. And Foreign Minister Marise Payne has touted the Coalitions record ahead of the poll, saying the government has "set out what is the most comprehensive and progressive foreign policy agenda in a generation". Labor's foreign affairs spokeswoman, Penny Wong, says Australia needs a more sophisticated conversation about China. Dominic Lorrimer Despite rising trade tensions between Washington and Beijing, foreign policy has featured little in this election campaign. But Labor's foreign affairs spokeswoman, Penny Wong, said Labor would "provide the leadership needed to define and navigate the new phase of the relationship with China". "I think its important for us to have ... a better national understanding and a better national discussion about both the complexity and the consequential nature of our relationship with China," she said. "I think at times the discussion has been overly simplistic and I think it is important for us to have a much more sophisticated discussion within the country." She said this would need "better alignment, co-ordination and enhanced capability" in the government but also more involvement from "business, industry and the broader public". Foreign Minister Marise Payne says a new National Foundation for Australia-China Relations will help boost relations with China. Mark Schiefelbein Experts say the next government will face some of the most pressing foreign policy and national security challenges in generations as the profound extent of the shake-up of global power becomes clear. "Its about as challenging and uncertain an international environment as any Australian government has faced really since the Cold War and arguably even going back to the Second World War," said Peter Varghese, a former head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and now Chancellor of the University of Queensland. Allan Gyngell, a former head of intelligence agency the Office of National Assessments and now an honorary professor at the Australian National University, said the "international order that Australias been extremely comfortable in for 70 years has ended". "Something new is coming but its not yet clear what it is," he said. "Australia has to be extremely engaged and alert and attentive to an international system, which is changing around us." Senator Payne said the government had deepened relationships with South-East Asian nations and put in place a "step-up" in engagement with Pacific nations. She acknowledged the international landscape was "extremely dynamic". "The challenge for Australia is to weather that by strengthening and deepening its alliances and strategic partnerships," she said. She said the government had already established the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations to improve ties. Outgoing Defence Minister Christopher Pyne said the "standout challenge" for Australia would be "managing the great power competition between the United States and China". Labor's defence spokesman, Richard Marles, signalled the oppositions attention to the strategic consequences of regional changes by saying a Labor government would review how Australian military forces are arrayed around the continent. "We see a more assertive China. I say that without any judgement," he said. "China is doing what great powers do. Theyre seeking to shape the world around them. Weve got a new American administration. And thankfully there is ... an appreciation that the Pacific matters, so that plays a part in our defence posture as well." La reforma busca recuperar la confianza de la gente en la politica. Archivar el proyecto sobre inmunidad es ir en la direccion contraria. No podemos dejar las cosas como estan. Cambiemos esta historia.#LaReformaNoSeArchiva A group of diverse but like-minded individuals, the members of ARC have come together in their common desire to fight hatred, bigotry, intolerance and violence because of the harm these antisocial behaviors cause to our society. In that effort, we will not use or sanction the use of illegal actions (such as violence or intimidation) in pursuit of our desired aims and if we learn of anyone who does use these unethical methods we will report those individuals to the authorities. Instead, we will use the guarantees found in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that ensure freedom of legal speech and expression. I don't know how many young women come to this blog or how many are parents of teenage or young adult women, but here are some safety tips from Kelsey's Army: T I P S 1. Trust your instincts - If something feels wrong then something probably is wrong.2. Know your surroundings - know who and what is around you.3. Always have a plan for where you would go and what you would do if a situation arises.4. Be willing to make a scene in order to be noticed.5. Let someone know where you are going and when you will be back.Remember the acronym TIPS:ake Chargenform others of your whereaboutsrepare for any situationurvival Mentality (role play situations so you will respond should they happen)For more information, go to Kelsey's Army YEREVAN, MAY 21, ARMENPRESS. Indonesias President Joko Widodo has been re-elected to office, official results from the polls showed. According to local media reports Widodo secured 85,607,362 votes, or 55.50 percent, while rival pair Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga Uno pocketed 68,650,239 votes, or 44.50 percent. Widodo has been President of Indonesia since 2014. Several opposition parties have brought forward allegations of electoral fraud. Once the election commission finalizes the results Wednesday, Prabowo's camp has three days to file a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court contesting the outcome. In 2014, Prabowo was again running for office, and again accused the election commission of fraud after losing. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MAY 21, ARMENPRESS. Britains Prince Charles agreed to meet with US President Donald Trump during his state visit to the United Kingdom in early June, CNN reported. Trump and Charles, heir to the UK throne, are expected to meet for afternoon tea at Clarence House, the official residence of the Prince and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. The most likely date for the Trump-Charles encounter is June 3, the first day of the US President's visit. According to tradition, a state banquet, hosted by Queen Elizabeth, will take place on the first evening. YEREVAN, MAY 21, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Zohrab Mnatsakanyan will participate in the Foreign Ministerial Council Meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) that will take place in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. In a few hours the minister will depart for Bishkek to participate in the CSTO Foreign Ministerial Council Session, where issues of the councils agenda will be discussed, including issues which relate to the appointment of a Secretary General and all the steps in the event of an early termination of a Secretary Generals duties that are aimed at filling this legal gap, foreign ministry spokesperson Anna Naghdalyan said at a press briefing today. The position of CSTO Secretary General remains vacant after Armenian general Yuri Khachaturov was dismissed in November, 2018. Khachaturov was recalled by Armenia for criminal proceedings regarding the 2008 post-election unrest in Yerevan, when the general was serving in the Armenian military. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MAY 21, ARMENPRESS. Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi will visit Armenia May 25-26. The upcoming visit was announced earlier without specifying timeframes. Chinas Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yis visit to Armenia will take place May 25-26, Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Anna Naghdalyan told a press briefing today. She said during the visit Armenia and China will sign two international agreements, as well as another treaty. Naghdalyan did not elaborate. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MAY 21, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attaches importance to the constant communication of scientific and expert community with the government. On May 21 the PM participated in a scientific conference Main guidelines of Economic Revolution in Armenia in the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia. I am very happy that such a scientific conference has been organized with such a serious approach. For us its very important that the scientific, expert community of Armenia feels involved in the processes which are taking place in the country today. The government should not be isolated and must be in constant touch with the scientific and expert community. I am convinced that valuable thoughts, ideas will emerge during this discussion which will be implemented and will have a long-lasting meaning, he said. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MAY 21, ARMENPRESS. Significant infrastructural developments for electric cars will take place in Armenia in 2020, and as a result the number of charging stations will grow. The Electric Mobility in Armenia Program within the Global Environmental Fund 7 is currently under discussion. It provisions both the creation of electric vehicle charging stations and the opportunity of acquiring the cars, Lusine Avetisyan, Director of the Department for Monitoring of Environmental Strategic Programs under the Minister of Nature Protection told ARMENPRESS. Currently, there are 9 electric vehicle charging stations in Armenia, 4 of which in Yerevan, however these stations are designed only for Tesla cars. The new project envisages creating universal stations. Avetisyan said theyve already received proposals on building charging stations from different manufacturers. The electric vehicle infrastructural development initiative is no coincidence. The Government of Armenia has put forward an objective to promote electric vehicles in the country. One of the steps aimed at this is granting privileges. Currently, in addition to exemption from emission taxes, people in Armenia will have the chance to be exempt from VAT upon selling or importing electric vehicles. The bill has been approved at first hearing in parliament, pending finalization. According to data provided by police, only 15 people drive electric vehicles in Armenia as of now. Avetisyan said the GEF project provisions acquisition of electric vehicles for the government fleet. The 700,000 Euro worth project will be directed for the acquisition of 12 electric vehicles and 3 charging stations, according to preliminary agreements. Under the terms, the co-funding will be carried out by 1:7 ratio, for every dollar coming from the GEF the country must provide an additional 7 dollars in co-funding, however it doesnt necessary have to be state funds, these can be private sector investments, she said, noting that the investments can comprise renewable energy projects, re-charging projects or other initiatives. The Yerevan City Hall, in turn, seeks to have a more environmentally friendly city. Mayor Hayk Marutyans spokesperson Hakob Karapetyan reminded that the mayor once noted that Yerevan must transform into a city for pedestrians from a city of cars. It is in this very context that the electric transportation development takes place. As you know, a new public transportation network of Yerevan is under development. We plan to refuse from diesel engines. There will be [compressed] gas engines, but in addition nearly 10% of the fleet will be electric transport. It will happen in the form of re-equipping or supplementing the current trolleybus fleet or new electric buses, Karapetyan said. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MAY 21, ARMENPRESS. More than 100 leading political and military figures, scientists and analysts, businessmen and entrepreneurs have officially confirmed their participation in the famous French Summit of Minds which will take place in Armenia for the first time. The Armenian Summit of Minds will take place in Dilijan town from June 7 to 9. An agreement on holding the event in Armenia was reached in September 2018 when Armenian President Armen Sarkissian was taking part in the annual Summit of Minds as a keynote speaker. Among the event participants are former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, former US National Security Advisor James Jones, Special Representative of the Russian President for International Cultural Cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoy, James Zhan, Director of Investment and Enterprise at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Director of the Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London Professor Lord Ara Darzi, Massimo Inguscio, President of the National Research Council of Italy, Siemens director Jan-Marc Lischka, THALES Vice President, regional director Paul Remi, former chief of staff of the Russian presidential administration Alexander Voloshin, President of the Crans Montana Forum Pierre-Emmanuel Quirin, and President and CEO of the US National Defense University Foundation William Parker and etc. Armenia is the first country to host the event outside Chamonix. The event organizers say holding this event in Armenia will contribute to raising the countrys international ranking. The Summit is a unique opportunity to present Armenias potential, develop new cooperation directions and establish business ties. One of the main features of the event is the cultural part, including visits to Armenias historical-cultural sites to introduce the Summit participants on the history and culture of Armenia and its people. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MAY 21, ARMENPRESS. The Parliament of Armenia will hold an extraordinary session on May 22 by the initiative of Bright Armenia party, the partys spokesperson Aren Petunc said on Facebook. As earlier reported, the Bright Armenia party has initiated to hold an extraordinary session of Parliament to discuss the events of the past day. 18 lawmakers from the Prosperous Armenia party joined the initiative, he said. Based on the agreement reached with the ruling My Step faction, the session will take place on May 22, at 11:00. On May 20 the Bright Armenia faction made a decision in its session to convene an extraordinary session of Parliament, and for that purpose it has launched a petition. The faction proposes to discuss the current situation in Armenia during the session which was created due to the blockings of courthouses by the citizens based on the PMs call, as well as the PMs statement on the possibility and prospect of making judicial reforms. The faction has called on the MPs of the ruling My Step and opposition Prosperous Armenia factions to join the initiative. On May 19 Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan called on citizens to block the courthouses across the country starting from May 20 early morning. Thereafter, he explained the meaning and purpose of his call in a live broadcast. Later the PM urged the citizens to unblock the courthouses starting from 13:30. UPDATED: My Step faction head Lilit Makunts says the Bright Armenia faction doesnt have even the preliminary agreement of the My Step faction to hold an extraordinary session with the formulations which were proposed. I have told this to Mr. Gorgisyan yesterday and just a few minutes ago also to Mr. Marukyan. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MAY 21, ARMENPRESS. On May 16 the Embassy of Armenia to the US hosted a reception in recognition of Dr. Levon Avdoyan, longtime Armenia and Georgia Area specialist at the African and Middle Eastern Division of the Library of Congress, upon his retirement, following a distinguished career spanning over 4 decades at the Library, the Armenian MFA told Armenpress. The event was co-organized by the Society for Armenian Studies a scholarly organization, founded in 1974 and dedicated to the development of Armenian studies as an academic discipline and the promotion of the study of Armenian culture and society. The event was attended by distinguished scholars, representing various U.S. and international institutions, including Dr. Mary-Jane Deeb, former longtime Chief of the African and Middle Eastern Division at the Library of Congress, former U.S. Ambassadors to Armenia Michael Lemmon and John Evans, diplomats from the Embassy of Georgia, representatives of Armenian-American organizations and members of the Armenian community. During the event Dr. Levon Avdoyan received the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award from Dr. Bedross Der Matossian, President of the Society for Armenian Studies. In his remarks Ambassador Varuzhan Nersesyan acknowledged Dr. Avdoyans contribution to the field of Armenian studies and his innumerous scholarly accomplishments and thanked him for his longtime service in his important position. The Ambassador especially highlighted Dr. Avdoyans efforts in putting together a number of crucial projects throughout his career, including the 2012 exhibition on the 500th anniversary of the first Armenian printed book, the Vardanants Day Lectures on various topics of Armenian studies, support during the 2018 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, and the extensive social media program to popularize the Armenian collection of the Library. YEREVAN, MAY 21, ARMENPRESS. The Republic of Armenia is always committed to true humanitarian actions, however these humanitarian actions shouldnt lead to impunity of grave crimes, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Anna Naghdalyan said at a news briefing on May 21, addressing the Azerbaijani principle of all for all regarding exchange of captives. And especially in those cases when we are witnessing violations of international humanitarian law in human rights. The murder of a minor is a grave crime in any society, therefore the all for all principle shouldnt be the way out which justifies the impunity and violations of humanitarian law in human rights, she said. The foreign ministry spokesperson also condemned the glorification of people who committed such grave crimes. Impunity of hate crimes itself leads to new crimes and violations of international laws. The glorification of those who committed these crimes is a serious occurrence in itself, and we have witnessed how a convicted murderer has been glorified after being extradited only for having murdered an Armenian, she said, referring to the horror murder of an Armenian soldier during a 2014 NATO training program in Hungary. The perpetrator, Azerbaijani soldier Ramil Safarov, who was also attending the program, breached into Armenian Gurgen Margaryans room at night and axed him to death while the latter was asleep. Our goal is to prevent such developments in the region, Naghdalyan added. In November of 2018, Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan responded to Azerbaijans proposal on exchange of captives, noting that the Azerbaijani prisoners in Armenia arent ordinary citizens, they are convicted murderers who have killed peaceful civilians. Two Azerbaijanis were arrested in 2014 in the territory of Artsakh. The two, Shahbaz Guliyev and Dilham Askerov, kidnapped and murdered an underage boy in Artsakh on July 4. Few days later they killed a middle aged Yerevan man and wounded a woman in what authorities said was a hate crime. Both are imprisoned in Artsakh. Another Azerbaijani, Elnur Huseynzade, is also serving a prison term in Artsakh. Huseynzade, a soldier of the Azerbaijani military, was arrested in 2017 near the village of Talish in what authorities said was a sabotage attempt. Three Armenian nationals are currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan, and all three are civilians who due to unknown circumstances crossed the border and were captured and treated as military saboteurs. One of them, Karen Ghazaryan, is a mentally ill villager who crossed the border accidentally. However, Azerbaijan organized a show trial and sentenced the three to many years behind bars. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MAY 21, ARMENPRESS. Armenias Ambassador to Estonia Tigran Mkrtchyan (residence in Vilnius) on May 20 met with Director of Political Department for Eastern Europe and Central Asia of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Priit Turk, on the sidelines of his working visit in Tallinn, the Armenian foreign ministry told Armenpress. During the meeting Ambassador Mkrtchyan introduced the preparation works of the World Congress on Information Technology 2019 which will take place in Armenia in October and expressed hope that the leading Estonian companies will actively take part in the event. In this context the sides discussed the possibility of holding an Armenian-Estonian joint digital event on the sidelines of the upcoming event. At the meeting the sides touched upon a number of issues relating to holding political consultations between the two foreign ministries, organizing high-level mutual visits and the Armenia-EU agenda. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MAY 21, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan has violated the OSCE commitment by holding large-scale military drills without informing in advance, Armenian foreign ministry spokeswoman Anna Naghdalyan said during todays press briefing. Holding large-scale military exercises without notifying in advance is a violation of the OCSE commitment by Azerbaijan and doesnt contribute to the formation of peace and trust environment in the region. Of course, this issue will be raised by Armenias Permanent Representation to the OSCE. Such manifestations of military force do not contribute to the implementation of Azerbaijans commitment on creating favorable environment for peace, Naghdalyan said. According to the 2011 Vienna Documents Chapter 5, point 40.1.1, military activity will be subject to notification whenever it involves at any time during the activity at least 9,000 troops, including support troops, or at least 250 battle tanks, or - at least 500 ACVs, or at least 250 self-propelled and towed artillery pieces, mortars and multiple rocket-launchers (100 mm calibre and above). Azerbaijan is hold large-scale military drills from May 20 to 24. Horizon Weekly reports the five-day military drills involve up to 10,000 military personnel, 150 tanks and other armored vehicles, about 200 missiles and artillery systems, multiple launch rocket systems and mortars, and 35 jets and helicopters. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MAY 21, ARMENPRESS. The European Union has today issued a report on developments in Armenia and EU-Armenia relations between June 2018 and early May 2019, the EU Delegation to Armenia told Armenpress. The report comes ahead of the EU-Armenia Partnership Council on 13 June. It finds that Armenia has stepped up its efforts to reinforce and enhance its partnership with the EU, and that Armenia consistently acknowledged the significant role the EU can play in the smooth implementation of the country's reform agenda. However, the reform process remains at an early stage. The government's roadmap for the implementation of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement will be an important instrument in advancing reform plans. The European Union has been and will continue be the biggest supporter of the Armenian government's ambitious reform plan, which is consolidating democracy, the rule of law and promoting human rights in the country, said the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini. Armenia is an important partner for the European Union, and together we are focused on implementing our wide-reaching bilateral agreement, as well as delivering concrete results within the Eastern Partnership. We always keep firmly in mind that our aim is bringing tangible benefits to our citizens. The EU and Armenia are strong partners and we stand ready to support concrete reforms, including in the area of justice and education, which are key for the people, said the Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn. "The swift implementation of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement offers new economic opportunities for all Armenian citizens." After the political changes in Armenia last year, early parliamentary elections were held in December 2018. The EU was the largest single contributor to the elections, providing technical equipment and supporting actions in favor of democracy and civic participation. According to the International Elections Observation Mission, the elections respected fundamental freedoms and enjoyed broad public trust. In addition, the Government highlighted the need for independence, accountability and efficiency of the judiciary. In September 2018, the EU and Armenia launched the EU-Armenia Strategic Policy Dialogue in the Justice Sector. The EU stands ready to support reform in this crucial field. Total EU-Armenia trade increased by 15% over the past year reaching a total value of 1.1 billion. Armenia benefits from the EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences plus (GSP+), which is a special incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance. More than 96% of EU imports eligible for GSP+ preferences from Armenia entered the EU with zero duties in 2017. The extension of the core Trans European Transport Network (TEN-T) to Armenia was finalized in November 2018. The Indicative TEN-T Investment Action Plan was published in January 2019 and also includes road safety as one of its priorities. An EU-Armenia Education Policy Dialogue was inaugurated in March 2019 to support the reform in the education sector. Thanks to the support of the Erasmus+ capacity building projects, Armenian universities have been able to upgrade their administrative and organizational structures and modernize study courses. More than 2,700 students and university professors have benefited from EUArmenia academic exchanges and mobility projects through Erasmus+ since 2015. At the end of 2018, a new EU4Innovation' program worth 23 million was launched aimed at matching the skills of university graduates with the requirements of the labor market. The program will create a EU4Innovation Centre for universities and an EU Convergence Centre to bring together universities and private sector, complemented by an incubator for technology start-ups. The EU is the biggest provider of financial support and a key reform partner in Armenia. The EU stands ready to continue engaging in Armenia and provide support through political dialogue, financial and technical assistance, to support the Armenian government ambitious reforms for the benefit of the citizens of Armenia and EU-Armenia cooperation. YEREVAN, 21 MAY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 21 May, USD exchange rate down by 0.43 drams to 479.60 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 0.82 drams to 534.80 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate stood at 7.44 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 3.19 drams to 608.80 drams. The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals. Gold price down by 78.62 drams to 19688.38 drams. Silver price down by 1.20 drams to 222.27 drams. Platinum price down by 180.99 drams to 12520.63 drams. YEREVAN, MAY 21, ARMENPRESS. The decision of the court suspending the proceeding of the criminal case according to Article 6 point 10.1 of the criminal code is a legal act that, in fact, gives no solution to the case, ARMENPRESS reports Advisor to the Prosecutor General of Armenia Gor Abrahamyan wrote on his Facebook page. Despite the fact that according to point 1 of Article 427 of the criminal code the legal act that gives no solution enters into force immediately, according to point 3 of Article 376.1 the decisions of the court of 1st instance to suspend the proceeding of cases can be appealed, he wrote, adding that the appeal against the decision of the court of 1st instance is fully legitimate. The Prosecutor's Office of Armenia has examined the mentioned judicial act and at present prepares the complaint to submit to the Court of Appeal against it, he wrote. The court made a decision on May 20 on the stay of proceeding of the case of 2nd President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan, former Vice Prime Minister Armen Gevorgyan, former Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan, and former Secretary General of the CSTO Yuri Khachaturov and sending it to the Constitutional Court. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan YEREVAN, MAY 21, ARMENPRESS. The EU assesses the May 20 announcment of Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan about the judical system of the country as a firm committmenet for carrying out reforms, Head of the EU delegation in Armenia, Ambassador Piotr Switalski told the reporters. ''We have not had the opportunity to discuss the issue in detail with the Government or the Justice Ministry of Armenia or other people. Anyway, as an announcement as a political act, I think what the PM said is very understandable for us'', Switalski said, adding that it's very clear and firm commitment to carry out reforms in the justice system. ''Today the Justice Minister talked about vetting, presenting the example of Albania. As you may know, the EU closely cooperted with the government of Albania, developing the so-called Albanian model and today this vetting model is supported by the EU. This is something the Armenian side could take into account'', ARMENPRESS reports Switalski as saying. The EU Ambassador emphasized that the EU believes the reforms in the justice sphere of Armenia ore of vital importance for the future. ''I can say that deep and comprehensive reforms in the justice sphere are of significant importance for your future for a number of reasons, but the first reason is that the Armenian people do not trust the courts. Last year the EU financially supported the independent researches, that documented that extremely many Armenians do not trust the courts'', Switalski said, underlining the necessity of reforms to restore public trust. Piotr Switalski also emphasized that the reforms should be carried out in line with the Constitution and respecting Armenia's international obligations. Piotr Switalski added that he can once again officially present the following position, ''We are ready to support Armenia in implementing deep and comprehensive reforms in justice sphere by providing technical or consultative support and quite large financial support. We intensively support the obligations assumed by the Prime Minister to carry out reforms in justice sphere. This is an extremely serious commitment. We never enforce anything, but the Government of Armenia should know that it can rely on our support during the implementation of those reforms based on the mentioned principles''. To the question why Armenian people do not trust the courts, the Head of the EU delegation said, ''The two main reasons are the following corruption and the political dependence of courts. This is the official position of the EU''. Edited and trasnlated by Tigran Sirekanyan And Gangai has written: Doug shares my passion for the protection of nature and all its providence, however his wealth of experience in outback eco-tourism surpasses anyone I have met. "Specifically this involves pursuing Gangai's passion for eco-enterprise for the people of PNG. I know Gangai's family and people from over 40 years ago. Doug wrote on his Linked In page, Since 2009 I have worked in a volunteer capacity with Gangai Kokona together with his associates in Port Moresby and his extremely efficient teams in the villages. What I did not fully appreciate was how Doug and Annette had remained committed to that part of Papua New Guinea right up until his death. Much of Dougs writing was about the Northern (Oro) Province and the experiences of he and his wife Annette there in the 1970s. Doug died in Springwood in south-east Queensland on 8 May, his last article for the blog being published just last month. NOOSA I have been deeply saddened to learn of the death of Doug Robbins, a former patrol officer and, in recent years, a prolific contributor to PNG Attitude. Doug Robbins - wherever he was, in Papua New Guinea, in his home town of Springwood or in PNG Attitude, a great contributor We engaged his services as a business volunteer to enhance our vision for communities in the Tufi District of the Northern Province to benefit economically from its natural beauty through tourism. With Doug's support the local villagers are well into marketing the pristine natural beauty of Tufi - a paradise in the Pacific. As a mark of our respect to Doug, I republish here a few short extracts from his recent writing and express the deep condolences of PNG Attitude and all our readers to Dougs wife Annette and the family. April 2018 In 1972, after two years as the government patrol officer in the Wanigela-Tufi area, I was transferred to Kokoda with my wife Annette and our baby. In that year, our little Papuan outpost welcomed back, with their families, 40 survivors of the 39th Battalion, raised for service in Papua, for the 30th anniversary of the Kokoda Trail Campaign. It was obvious that these brave men still suffered physically and mentally from the Kokoda battle. One man had recurring skin rashes while another, who had been cared for by a nurse since the war, wandered off up the track looking for his mate. Bert Kienzle, who during the war organised the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel carriers, killed a beast and we all had an enjoyable barbeque with our visitors, billeted for three days on the station and at the Kienzles. In rural Papua, Pidgin wasnt common. Randolph my loyal interpreter during our days at Wanigela-Musa died not long before Annette and I revisited New Guinea in 2009. He had been one of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels medical orderly, carrier and labourer. No poppies grow along the Kokoda Track. For burial services the Padre would pick a lantana-like flower, native to the jungle, from beside the path as a symbol of remembrance for the life given in service of our country - Australia. To this day, veterans of the 39th Militia, the only battalion to have the Kokoda Trail battle honour, lay a sprig of lantana alongside a red poppy in memory of their comrades fallen on the battlefields of Papua New Guinea or claimed by age. February 2019 Doug Robbins at Ako with confiscated shotgun. Note the fighting sticks and club leaning against the verandah Annette and I had been married for just two years when we went to Papua New Guinea in 1969. During my induction course at Kwikila with 38 other patrol officers before we were assigned to unknown postings, Annette waited at home in Brisbane, arriving in PNG at the completion of our five weeks training and we flew to Popondetta five days after our second wedding anniversary. Probably because I was the newest recruit at Popondetta, in the first few months I was given two burials to administer. The first was still on the hospital operating table and I wondered if the relatives would blame the death on the white doctor and his knife. Thankfully the deceaseds wantoks were nowhere to be seen and, with help from a native orderly, I lifted the body into the plywood coffin which Public Works had made and organised the kalabus [prisoners] to dig a grave. March 2019 It had taken me 30 hours hard walking and backtracking over four days to get from Safia to Pongani. Now the flight back along the same route was over in 30 minutes. It had been my first patrol to Safia in the Middle Musa of Northern District: inland from lowland villages and over the Didana Range skirting the 100 square miles of Agaiambo Swamp between the mountains and Dyke Acland Bay. Id been constantly recording features along the bush tracks, including detours (thus the backtracking), to establish a route for a bulldozer to clear a road from Pongani to the Musa Gorge. The result was a detailed 17-sheet strip map based on my walking speed of about six kilometres an hour, which Id calculated along the 610 metres of Tufi airstrip. The days were a trial and so were the nights. At Pongani, I dined alone on tinned irish stew on what was our wedding anniversary before sharing a bush hut with the Afore malaria control team who left on their hissing pressure lamp all night. I shared my evening at Kinjaki with the mice and at Korala I fell through the floor of the bush latrine and, having cleaned up, listened to the people wailing long into the night for a departed loved one. I flew out of Safia to spend the night at Popondetta with only what I was wearing plus a fiercely itching bright red rash. And finally, I made a long and stormy trip back home to Tufi on Ubuna, arriving after midnight. February 2019 My first patrol out of Tufi was a familiarisation of the coastal villages, travelling with Kevin Bourke on Aizara chartered by the government, the Ubuna being out of commission since my arrival. In Collingwood Bay south of Tufi, so we could pick out the reefs which were all but invisible from a distance, Annette and I sat on top of the wheelhouse wearing polaroid sunglasses which clearly showed the reefs as a darker colour. We went as far as Kewansasap, then back to the north coast from Tufi around to Sebaga, and returned by canoe. At Sebaga, my Field Officers Journal records that Mr Bourke found a good anchorage in the mouth of the Foru River with a very pleasant view upstream to Mt Victory and Mt Trafalgar and the other way across Dyke Acland Bay to the Hydrographers Range. Annette and I stayed on shore in the village rest-house and Kevin and his offsider Guy Potts invited us to dinner on board. As night came, so too did the mosquitoes. To escape them, we decided to move to the centre of the river. Guy was attending to the anchor and Kevin asked me to push clear from the mangroves before he started the engine. While pushing on a mangrove tree, the gap unexpectedly widened as the boat swung into the current and I was left clinging onto the tree with deep crocodile-infested water all around and the boat disappearing into the darkness. I was rescued from the tree but ultimately not from District Commissioner David Marsh who criticised my later Patrol Report as being a lengthy narrative approximating a travelogue rather than a report. At the moment the world is facing turbulent times. The old economic paradigms are proving ineffective and climate change is posing a serious existential threat. When the war has passed and if they have proved victorious that same nation will then become much more progressive as a result of its optimism. This is essentially what happened in the 1960s in the west. In the past, when war has been imminent, we have seen nations withdraw into themselves and follow leaders who are by nature nationalistic and conservative. The first is to fall back into an innate sense of conservatism and the second is to bury its head in the sand and consign its fate to the gods. TUMBY BAY - When a society feels threatened it tends to withdraw into itself and usually does one of two things. Phil Fitzpatrick - "Trying to convince wary Australian voters to accept progressive change at this time proved disastrous for the Labor Party" As the Labor Party in Australia has just learned such times are not conducive to social change. Trying to convince wary Australian voters to accept progressive change at this time has proved disastrous for them. At the moment the only time that Australians might contemplate a change in government would be if the incumbents proved particularly inept and/or corrupt. If the media is any sort of guide Australians are preoccupied with their personal wealth, their cars, their houses and their stomachs. Anything that threatens those things they will react against. If you take these analogies to Papua New Guinea the impact seems to be entirely different. The incumbent government has proved not only to be disastrously inept but one of the most corrupt in the world. Yet there is no reaction. Papua New Guineans seem to have wholeheartedly adopted the second of the options noted above and buried their heads firmly in the sand in the hope of some kind of miracle which will probably never come. To be fair they have a government that defies description in normal political terms. It is neither conservative nor progressive nor anywhere in between. It is a nothing government. There is nothing that defines it politically. It has no policies. Instead it has spending targets. Its only features are incompetence, greed and corruption. It is simply a wholly bad government. It is a disaster government. If it was a government in Australia most of its members would be locked up in gaol. Instead those members are now busily switching alliances and lining up to keep the gravy train going. For those few progressive members in the euphemistically labelled opposition this development must be soul destroying. Unlike their Australian counterparts the voters of Papua New Guinea cannot retreat into conservatism because such a thing does not exist. The sandpit is their only option. This lack of political choice is what characterises the difference between Australia and Papua New Guinea. For Papua New Guineans there is no fallback position. There is neither a conservative nor a progressive party they can turn to for help. This is probably one of the saddest political realities any nation can endure because it only leads to hopelessness. Americas Favorite Beer Is Not American, Says Study And Americans Favorite Beer Is Despite having a proud and well-established culture of brewing some of the world's best beer, the United States of America, according to a recent study, we prefer our cold ones to be from another country. RELATED: What Your Favorite Beer Says About You A recent YouGov study of various mixed various popularity scores of different beers in each state actually suggests some depressing results for domestic drafts. Most of Americans favorite brew? The popular Dutch brew Heineken. Possibly the most famous for its hop-heavy taste and bitterness, Heineken led in Americas favorite beers, with Guinness in hot pursuit. With Heineken being a Dutch product and Guinness bearing Irish roots, it looks like Americans truly are traitors when it comes to the beer we keep in the fridge on the regular. Approximately 47 percent of beer drinkers in the good old U.S.A. gave both the green bottle and the black can superior ratings, placing them well ahead of the pack. And, it wasnt just #1 and #2 where domestic brews lost out. Things only get worse for fans of domestic beer from that point forward. The bronze medal, according to the study, goes to Corona, a pale yellow product of Mexico. It's not until we step off the winner's podium that things turn red, white, and blue with New England brand Samuel Adams coming in at fourth place, and macro brew Budweiser coming in at a still-respectable fifth. Also, much like political divides, there are apparently deep regional divides when it comes to determining beers of choice, according to YouGov writer Linley Sanders. Hold the growl(er)s if theres disagreement over the top brewscertain U.S. divisions like the West South Central, Mountain region, and Middle Atlantic score a handful of beers within percentage points of each other, providing close competition for the areas top pour, Sanders said. In the Mountain region, for instance, Corona is essentially tied with MillerCoors Blue Moon, which got its start in Golden, Colorado. In the West South Central, Guinness is closely trailed by Corona and Budweiser. In the Middle Atlantic, Heinekens favorability is rivaled by east coast competitor Samuel Adams. If Heineken, Guinness, Corona, Samuel Adams, and Budweiser are the best five beers in the United States, you might wonder which ones ended up at the bottom of the barrel. RELATED: Healthy Beer Drinking Radeberger, a German beer, is nearly universally panned, accruing only a 9 percent positive rating. Likewise for Dogfish Head out of Delaware at an unimpressive 17 percent favorability rating. Finally, grocery store and discount outlet favorite Milwaukee's Best also struggled to make the cut, with only about one-fifth or 20 percent of respondents giving it the thumbs up. Sure, you might save a few pennies with a case of the best, but, according to the study at least, you probably wont enjoy it very much. Regardless of your brand preference, one thing remains clear, Americans love our beer. With barbecue season around the corner, perhaps it's time to reach for a cold domestic beer for a change. You Might Also Dig: The campaign for this week's European election has raised the spectre of a surge in extreme nationalist and populist views, and no community is more concerned than the continent's Jews. Recent years have seen an increase in anti-Semitic speech and violence in many parts of the continent, with once taboo language sometimes creeping into mainstream politics. Before World War II and the Holocaust, Europe counted more than nine million Jews. Today the community numbers fewer than two million, and its leaders fear more departures. European Jews are urging their neighbours to vote for unity and to reject extremism when they go to the polls in European Parliament elections set for Thursday through Sunday. "We know... maybe better than anyone, what Europe was built on, after the Holocaust, after the horrors of the war," Ariella Woitchik, director of European affairs at the European Jewish Congress (EJC), told AFP. "And we don't consider that peace is a given thing." Woitchik spoke in Brussels, the EU capital and a city where soldiers and police still mount guard outside synagogues and kosher shops five years after a murderous gun attack on the Jewish Museum. The threat is not imagined or exaggerated, according to the European Union's Agency of Fundamental Rights, which recently conducted a wide-ranging survey in 12 member states. "Findings from the 2018 survey show that hundreds of respondents personally experienced an anti-Semitic physical attack in the 12 months preceding the survey," the report said. "More than one in four of all respondents experienced anti-Semitic harassment at least once during that period." In January, EU Justice Commissioner Vera Jourova spoke out against anti-Semitism, warning: "When Jews have left Europe in the past, it has never been a good sign of the state of Europe." But Jews are once again considering leaving Europe, as many did before and after World War II. - 'Hitler's posthumous victory' - "The numbers have gone down in the past 20 years. There used to be two million Jews, it went down to 1.6 million," Pinchas Goldschmidt, Chief Rabbi of Moscow and president of Conference of European Rabbis, told AFP. "A lot of people left. We had a whole wave of terror in France, Belgium, Denmark and in other places. So we see these elections as extremely important, giving a message to the Jews of Europe that you're still welcome in Europe." Modern European parties, even those on the far right, rarely openly espouse anti-Semitic views, but the recent election campaign has had worrying undercurrents for the community. In Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orban's party has made a target of Jewish financier and philanthropist George Soros, accusing him of secretly plotting with Brussels to swamp Europe with immigrants. "It wasn't overt, but there were some tropes used," Goldschmidt said. This week Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki of Poland sparked outrage by declaring that if Warsaw paid reparations for Jewish property stolen during the Holocaust it would be Hitler's "posthumous victory". This came after a far-right candidate in the Polish city of Kielce interrupted a televised debate to try to place a kippa on a ruling party candidate's head, declaring: "They kneel before the Jews." For Goldschmidt, the excesses of the campaign reflect a broader trend of spreading hatred that has even seen German extremists marching with neo-Nazi symbols. "We have the Brown Shirts marching in Germany. Anti-Semitism has again been invoked as part of the mainstream... politicians are not afraid to use it when they need it," the rabbi said. - 'Emergency feeling' - "World War II is turning into a memory and people are forgetting what it was like to live without a European Union, without all those values that are so important for a continent that was at constant war for hundreds of years." Jewish community leaders accept that many mainstream politicians have, in some cases belatedly, begun to realise the scale of the problem, even if they have struggled to confront it. Groups like the EJC have been successful in some cases in convincing EU and member state agencies to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of anti-Semitism. But the tone of the debate in Europe has raised concerns, and community leaders have urged all to vote against the extremes. "It's definitely linked," Woitchik argues. "Whether it comes from the left or the right, both extremes are extremely negative... It spreads hatred, whether it is online or... through very violent physical attacks. "So all this creates a feeling of anxiety among the Jewish community. Now we have even talked about an emergency feeling because if things don't get better, people are even contemplating leaving Europe," she said. "The message that we are trying to spread now? is to call on people to vote and to vote for a pro-European party." EU Justice Commissioner Vera Jourova is shown here in February speaking out against anti-Semitism, warning: "When Jews have left Europe in the past, it has never been a good sign of the state of Europe" Last week Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki of Poland sparked outrage by declaring that if Warsaw paid reparations for Jewish property stolen during the Holocaust it would hand Hitler a "posthumous victory" President Donald Trump's administration on Tuesday appeared set on easing weeks of escalating tensions with Iran, assuring worried lawmakers it does not seek war and crediting robust US military moves with deterring the clerical regime. After a month of fiery warnings to Iran, top Trump officials delivered a classified briefing to the full US Congress where Democrats have accused the administration of hyping intelligence and pushing the United States dangerously close to war. "This is about deterrence, not about war. We are not about going to war," Patrick Shanahan, the acting defense secretary, told reporters after exiting the closed-door briefing he gave with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Shanahan cast the US deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group and nuclear-capable B-52 bombers as reactive actions -- and said they sent a strong signal. "We have deterred attacks based on reposturing of assets -- deterred attacks against American forces," Shanahan said. "Our biggest focus at this point is to prevent Iranian miscalculation. We do not want the situation to escalate," he said. Pompeo and Shanahan are believed to have shared intelligence that blamed Tehran -- enemy number one for Trump -- for security incidents involving US-allied Arabs. Pompeo, in an interview earlier Tuesday, said it was "quite possible" Iran was behind sabotage of oil tankers off the United Arab Emirates as well as drone strikes on a crude pipeline in Saudi Arabia, although he stopped short of giving a definitive conclusion. Yemen's Huthi rebels, who are allied with Iran and are being hit hard by US-backed Saudi air strikes, claimed responsibility last week for a drone strike on a major east-west pipeline in the kingdom, which was forced to shut down temporarily. Representative Michael McCaul, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the administration made a convincing case that Iran and its proxies were behind numerous attacks -- including a rocket that landed Sunday near the US embassy in Baghdad, which has been evacuated. But McCaul also cast the US response as deterrence, telling reporters: "It was made very clear... there is no intention to go to war." - 'Very dangerous game' - Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned that the United States was "playing a very, very dangerous game" with military deployments, saying that some actors were "interested in accidents" -- a likely allusion to its regional rivals such as Saudi Arabia. "There will be painful consequences for everybody (if) there is an escalation against Iran, that's for sure," he said," Zarif told CNN. Trump last year pulled out of a multinational agreement negotiated under his predecessor Barack Obama under which Tehran drastically scaled back its nuclear work in return for promises of sanctions relief. The administration, which is closely allied with Riyadh, instead vowed "maximum pressure" to weaken Iran's regional influence, including by trying to stop all oil sales by Tehran. Democrats, while criticizing Iran, said its actions were predicted responses to Trump's actions and vowed to hold the White House to account after the debacle over the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent leftist who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, said that both the Iraq and Vietnam wars were based on lies. "I worry very much that, intentionally or unintentionally, we can create a situation in which a war will take place," Sanders told reporters. "I believe that a war with Iran would be an absolute disaster, far worse than the war with Iraq," Sanders said. Representative Adam Smith, a Democrat who leads the House Armed Services Committee, said that Pompeo in the briefing gave "a very lengthy political argument" explaining "all the terrible things Iran has done" until the Democratic lawmaker said he cut him off and asked to hear about US policy. "I think there's a risk of miscalculation on both sides. And that remains my biggest concern," Smith said. - Opening on prisoners? - Numerous Republicans have been clamoring for a tough stance on Iran that includes military options. Senator Lindsey Graham, a longtime hawk who is close to Trump, called the classified briefing a "game-changer." "The appeasement strategy against Iran is over," he declared after the briefing. But Trump has sent mixed signals, on Sunday warning by tweet that the United States could obliterate Iran while also calling for talks. He similarly threatened North Korea before his historic meetings with its leader Kim Jong Un, although few expect Iran's leadership -- for whom anti-Americanism is a cardinal tenet of the 1979 Islamic revolution -- to meet Trump. But Zarif has proposed a swap of prisoners, a step some observers say could offer a path to resume at least low-level dialogue to ease tensions. Pompeo, in a radio interview with conservative host Hugh Hewitt, said without further explanation that there had been "just a hint" that Iran was moving to release imprisoned US citizens. "Even a small confidence-building measure is a good thing, so it's absolutely the case that were they to release these Americans who are wrongfully held, it would be a good thing," Pompeo said. burs-sct/dw Acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan (left) and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo give a statement after a closed-door briefing on Iran to lawmakers Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi arrives for a closed-door briefing on Iran at the US Capitol US Senator Bernie Sanders speaks to the media following a closed-door briefing on Iran at the US Capitol Factfile on Iran's military strength, based on data analysis by the International Institute for Strategic Studies and Stockholm International Peace Research Institute Iranian demonstrators rally around an effigy of US President Donald Trump The European Union's border agency Frontex said it had launched Tuesday in Albania its first-ever joint operation outside the bloc's territory. The announcement came just days before EU elections with the bloc's migration policy under attack from populist candidates such as Italian vice premier Matteo Salvini and French far-right National Rally top candidate Jordan Bardella. Bardella recently said that Frontex, tasked with protecting bloc's external borders, acted as a "receptionist for migrants". Shrugging off such criticism, EU migration commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos labelled the operation launched in Tirana a "real game changer and a truly historical step bringing this region closer to the EU by working together ... on shared challenges such as better managing migration and protecting our common borders". Albania, which hopes to open EU membership talks in June, will through the scheme receive help with border control and tackling cross-border crime. The Balkan country's Prime Minister Edi Rama hailed a "very important step in relations between Albania and the EU" and said it was "strengthening cooperation in the security field". Starting Wednesday, Frontex teams will be deployed at the Greek border alongside Albanian border guards. The European Commission has initialled similar deals with Bosnia, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, which should come into force soon. Those countries and Albania lie on the so-called Balkans route used by thousands of EU-bound migrants. Hundreds of thousands used the route in 2015 and 2016, fleeing war and poverty across Africa and the Middle East -- but it was effectively closed in March 2016. Strengthened cooperation will "contribute to the better management of irregular migration, further enhance security at the EU's external borders and strengthen the agency's ability to act in the EU's immediate neighbourhood, while bringing that neighbourhood closer to the EU," a Commission statement said. The EU decided considerably to strengthen Frontex after the huge 2015 influx sparked chaos. By 2027, the agency expects to deploy 10,000 border and coast guards to help countries cope with migrants. The EU border agency Frontex (members pictured March 2019) announced its first joint operation outside the bloc's territory, just days before EU elections with the bloc's migration policy under attack The baby gorily cut from his mothers womb in a twisted baby stealing plot has featured in heartwarming photos with his grieving father. Photos of the intubated infant, named Yadiel, showed him being nursed by his adoring father Yovavi Lopez in hospital almost a month from the day of his forced birth. The tiny baby featured a full head of dark hair and appeared to open his eyes slightly in one photo taken inside a hospital room. A naming card revealed the childs name, Yovanny Jardiel, which was believed to have been miswritten and since changed to Yadiel. Yovavi Lopez was photographed gazing adoringly at his infant son. Source: Facebook/Cecilia Garcia Marlen Ochoa-Lopez, 19, was nine months pregnant when she was lured to the Chicago home where Clarisa Figueroa, 46, and her daughter, Desiree, lived. Figueroa plotted for months to acquire a newborn before she and her daughter strangled Ms Ochoa-Lopez and cut her baby from her womb. The child was rushed to hospital in a critical condition, with Figueroa establishing a GoFundMe page to raise funds for the baby as part of her elaborate plan. Young mum strangled before baby was cut out When Ms Ochoa-Lopez arrived at Figueroas house on April 23, Desiree showed her a photo album of her late brother to distract her as her mother started strangling her with a cord, prosecutor Jim Murphy said. Marlen Ochoa-Lopez was lured to the Chicago property several times. Source: Facebook/Cecilia Garcia Clarisa Figueroa allegedly set up a GoFundMe page for the baby which was cut from Ochoa-Lopez's stomach. Source: AP The daughter then pried Ms Ochoa-Lopez's fingers from the cord "one by one" while her mother continued to strangle the teen for another five minutes, Murphy said. Once Ochoa-Lopez showed no signs of life, Figueroa cut her open with a butcher's knife, removed the placenta and the baby, then put the baby in a bucket with the umbilical cord still attached, Mr Murphy said, reading from court documents. According to her family, Ms Ochoa-Lopez had planned to meet with a woman she had been messaging on Facebook who offered to give her a stroller and other baby goods. Desiree Figueroa, who is charged in the death of 19-year-old expectant mother Marlen Ochoa-Lopez. Source: AP ABC 7 reported that on the same day multiple residents near where Ms Ochoa-Lopezs body was discovered claimed they saw an older woman distressed, holding a newborn baby wrapped in a towel and screaming that she had just given birth to a baby that wasnt breathing. Story continues Chicago fire officials confirmed firefighters responded to an address for a baby in distress, the baby was rushed to a nearby hospital and remains in critical condition. A family spokesperson said a DNA test confirmed the baby was the child of Ms Ochoa-Lopez. 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. People in Ebola-hit eastern DR Congo are struggling to come to terms with high-security burials that are part of a hard-pressed strategy to roll back the disease. Anyone who dies of the highly infectious haemorrhagic fever has to be buried in carefully-controlled conditions designed to minimise the risk of infection from body fluids. But that means ceremonies are carried out in sanitised conditions, with relatives and friends kept at a distance -- for many, a traumatic break with traditions that demand the body of a loved-one be seen or touched. "We're astonished she's being buried like this," said Denise Kahambu as she watched the specially-prepared burial in Butembo of her 50-year-old cousin, Marie-Rose. "They said she died of Ebola," she said sceptically. First declared last August, the epidemic has now claimed nearly 1,200 lives -- 200 of them in May alone. The outbreak is the second deadliest on record, after an epidemic that killed more than 11,300 people in West Africa in 2014-16. The burial in Butembo followed strict precautions. A pick-up truck delivered the coffin to the burial site, where a grave had been prepared, as the family stood by at a distance. Gloved Red Cross workers handled the burial, which took place in silence and without a religious ceremony. A family member or loved one was allowed only to place a cross on the tomb, once they too had donned protective gloves. Half a dozen police officers escorted the convoy and remained on guard throughout. On Friday, two burial teams from the treatment centres were attacked by stone-throwing crowds at Butembo and Bunia, a little further north in Ituri province, according to the health ministry. One burial worker was injured. - Culture shock - "The custom is that the body of the deceased first returns to the home. And once people have mourned, they have the chance to touch the body for the last time," said Seros Muyisa Kamathe, a guide and interpreter in Beni and Butembo. "Before going to the cemetery, you open the coffin so people can take one last look at the deceased." And normally it would be the family and neighbours who would take responsibility for digging the grave -- and deciding where if should be. Ebola experts say denial and resistance were familiar obstacles in the 2014-16 epidemic in the West African states of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The World Health Organization (WHO) has a 12-step protocol for dealing with burials so that handling of the remains is kept to a minimum, but it also emphasises the importance of respect and mourning. "The burial process is very sensitive for the family and the community and can be the source of trouble or even open conflict," it acknowledges. No burial should begin until family agreement has been obtained, and workers should engage with the community "for prayers to dissipate tensions and provide respectful time," it says. - Armed escorts - The burial process is part of the notoriously time-consuming and labour-intensive task of combatting Ebola. And in this troubled region, the challenge has been further complicated by bloody deadly attacks on Ebola treatment centres by local militias. Suspicion, political infighting in the capital Kinshasa and militia violence provide a fertile breeding ground for the virus. Sometimes local people cover the graves overnight as a sign of their opposition, the ministry said. In Butembo, health workers need an armed escort when they go looking for cases of Ebola in some neighbourhoods, an AFP photographer noted during one outing Saturday evening. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, at the opening of the organisation's annual assembly on Monday, described the outbreak as "one of the most complex health emergencies any of us have ever faced." "Unless we unite to end this outbreak we run the risk it will become more widespread and more expansive and more aggressive," he said. "We are not just fighting a virus," Tedros insisted. "We're fighting insecurity. We're fighting violence. We're fighting misinformation... and we're fighting the politicisation of an outbreak." On the plus side, health officials are keen to emphasise some important gains. More than 118,000 have been vaccinated against the virus, and no cases have been recorded in neighbouring Rwanda and Uganda. Health workers dig the graves and bury the victims of Ebola in a bid to prevent the disease from spreading Gloved health workers conduct the burials and keep the loved ones at a safe distance Police and soldiers have to patrol funeral and hospitals because of the risk of attacks The strict safety precautions surrounding Ebola funerals may be necessary but many local people are dismayed. They are used to more intimate, traditional mourning rituals Soldiers have to escort health workers when they visit parts of Butembo, such is local suspicion over their efforts to fight Ebola Factfile on Ebola Heavily armed Indonesian troops were on high alert Tuesday amid fears of civil unrest in the capital Jakarta, as the surprise early announcement of official election results handed Joko Widodo another term as leader of the world's third-biggest democracy. The election commission had been due to give the divisive poll's final tally on Wednesday, but results were announced early Tuesday instead. Presidential challenger Prabowo Subianto, a 67-year-old retired general, vowed to take his claims of widespread cheating to court as several thousand supporters rallied in the sprawling capital. Tensions have also spiked since police said last week that they arrested dozens of Islamic State-linked terror suspects who planned to cause chaos by bombing post-election protests. On Friday, the US embassy in Jakarta issued a heightened security alert for Indonesia, the world's biggest Muslim majority nation which has long wrestled with Islamist militancy. Other embassies issued similar warnings. The front of the elections commission office was barricaded with razor wire and protected by scores of security personnel Tuesday, after Subianto warned that mass demonstrations could break out if he lost. The former military man -- who has strong ties to the Suharto dictatorship which collapsed in 1998 -- has unleashed a stream of rhetoric since unofficial results for the April 17 poll put Widodo ahead by a wide margin. On Tuesday, he rejected the official results, but called on supporters to remain calm as he pursued "legal avenues" -- candidates have three days to file a formal complaint at Indonesia's Constitutional Court. Subianto unsuccessfully challenged the 2014 election which he also lost to Widodo. Analysts and election officials discounted his fraud claims. "The scale of abuses and errors in the conduct of the election are clearly very minor overall," said Jakarta-based political analyst Kevin O'Rourke. On Tuesday, thousands of Subianto supporters marched through the streets and held a peaceful protest outside the election supervisory agency's office -- as police in riot gear looked on. "We have only one request -- that the election is honest and fair," said 35-year-old Dani Firdaus. - 'Please concede' - Chief Security Minister Wiranto warned that security forces would crack down on mass protests. "I'm calling on all parties to have a big heart and be a good sport," he said. "If you lost, please concede." Widodo, 57, got a rock star welcome when he visited a poor Jakarta neighbourhood where he formally declared victory, as cheering residents hung out of windows to hear him speak. "Hopefully he can keep making Indonesia better and more modern," resident Septani, who goes by one name, told AFP. The presidential campaign was punctuated by bitter mudslinging and a slew of fake news online, with much of it aimed at the presidential candidates. The soft-spoken Widodo -- who pointed to his efforts to boost Southeast Asia's biggest economy with a huge infrastructure push -- stood in stark contrast to fiery nationalist Subianto, a strongman who courted Islamic hardliners and promised a boost to military and defence spending. A record 245,000 candidates ran for public office in Indonesia's elections, from the presidency and parliamentary seats to local positions -- the first time all were held on the same day. Widodo and Amin won the country's top jobs with 55.5 percent of the vote against 44.5 percent for Subianto and his wealthy financier partner Sandiaga Uno, the commission said Tuesday. Some 85.6 million votes were cast in favour of Widodo out of about 154 million, it added. Widodo scoring thumping victories in holiday hotspot Bali and heavily populated East Java, while Subianto landed big wins in religiously conservative Aceh and West Java. Nine parties won seats in parliament, led by The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, which Widodo belongs to, and followed by Gerindra and Golkar. Indonesia's Joko Widodo has won a second term as president, election authorities have announced Graphic on Indonesia's president Joko Widodo who has won a second term as president There was a heavy security presence in Jakarta, including in front of the elections commission office Tensions have spiked high since police said they arrested dozens of Islamic State-linked terror suspects -- including some who planned to cause chaos by detonating bombs at any post-election protests Former Catalan vice-president Oriol Junqueras has been in jail for more than 18 months but on Tuesday he will be temporarily released, and sworn in as a Spanish lawmaker. The head of Catalan separatist party ERC is one of five Catalan leaders on trial for their roles in an October 2017 Catalonian secession bid who were elected deputies in Spain's April 28 general election. Four won seats in the lower house of parliament and one was elected to the Senate. "They want to silence and marginalise us, and the ballot box has given our voice back. We defeated repression through the power of voting," Junqueras, 50, told AFP in a written interview from prison. He is the main protagonist in the trial that opened in February at Spain's Supreme Court in Madrid of 12 Catalan leaders accused of rebellion and other charges in connection with a banned independence referendum held on October 1, 2017 that was followed by a short-lived declaration of independence. Junqueras, a lifelong supporter of independence, could face 25 years in prison if convicted. "The fact that we are political prisoners in detention is a great anomaly. For what reason? for having staged a referendum. This is our crime, setting up ballot boxes and voting," he said. Junqueras seems as determined as when he was jailed in November 2017 after choosing to remain in Spain rather than flee abroad following the failed declaration of independence. "It is obvious that we will not renounce independence or the right to self-determination," he said. - Backing for Sanchez? - His ERC party won 15 seats in Spain's 350-seat lower house of parliament in last month's general election, ahead of the Junts per Catalunya party (JxCAT) of Carles Puigdemont who led the regional Catalan government during the independence bid. The JxCAT won seven seats, giving Catalan separatist parties a total of 22 seats in the assembly. Acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialists won the most seats in the election but fell short of an absolute majority. To be sworn in again as prime minister, he is likely to rely on some parties abstaining from voting. Spain's new parliament will likely vote at the beginning of July on who will become prime minister but Junqueras warned his ERC would not back the Socialists during the investiture vote. "We will not offer our votes to Sanchez. The separatist victory obliges him to sit at the negotiating table but he continues to look elsewhere. He is afraid of dialogue and if there is no dialogue, there is nothing to discuss regarding an investiture," Junqueras said. "We have always said that we will not set any red lines for dialogue. That is the starting point," he added. The ERC has said it is open to dialogue but insists on holding an independence referendum in Catalonia, which Sanchez steadfastly refuses. Junqueras is the lead candidate in this weekend's European Parliament election for a European regionalist party that defends the right to self-determination, the European Free Alliance. "I presented myself as a candidate most of all because it is a way to condemn the repression and democratic regression of the Spanish state," said Junqueras, who was already an MEP between 2009 and 2012. "I am convinced that the European Parliament will not leave anybody out and I will be able to exercise my mandate as a European member of parliament. Europe can't look away when democracy is at stake," he added. Catalonia's former vice-president and elected member of parliament Oriol Junqueras, a lifelong supporter of independence, could face 25 years in prison if convicted on rebellion and other charges A protester puts a portrait of Catalonia's jailed vice president Oriol Junqueras next to portraits of other jailed and self-exiled members of Catalonia's ousted government Demonstrators hold portraits of jailed Catalan separatist Oriol Junqueras and wave Catalan pro-independence Estelada flags during a protest against the trial of former Catalan separatist leaders in Barcelona Jihadists launched a counterattack against regime forces Tuesday on the edges of their bastion in northwestern Syria, leaving dead 26 pro-government fighters and 18 jihadists, a monitor said. The jihadist-dominated Idlib region is nominally protected by a buffer zone deal, but the regime and its Russian ally have escalated their bombardment of it in recent weeks, seizing several towns on its southern flank. Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, controls a large part of Idlib province as well as adjacent slivers of Aleppo, Hama and Latakia provinces. Jihadists on Tuesday launched a counterattack against pro-government positions to the south of the enclave, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The fighting in the town of Kafr Nabuda in the north of Hama province killed 26 pro-government fighters, as well as 18 jihadists, the Britain-based monitoring group said. One of the jihadists who died was a suicide bomber who killed five of the 26 soldiers in an attack. The regime's forces took control of the town on May 8, according to the Observatory. Regime planes also pounded the northern Hama countryside, while Russian aircraft carried out strikes on the south of Idlib province and the west of Aleppo province, it said. State news agency SANA said "terrorist groups" -- a catch-all term for opposition armed groups -- had fired missiles on the west of regime-held Aleppo city, wounding six civilians. Russia and rebel ally Turkey inked a buffer zone deal in September to protect the Idlib region of some three million people, amid fears of a massive regime offensive. But regime fire has increased again since HTS took control in January. The Observatory says 180 civilians have been killed in the flare-up since April 30, and the United Nations has said tens of thousands have fled their homes. Syria's war has killed more than 370,000 people and displaced millions inside Syria and abroad since starting in March 2011 with a crackdown on anti-government protests. Syrian rebels gather in a field in the northern countryside of Hama province on May 21, 2019, during clashes with regime forces Quentin Tarantino stormed into Cannes Tuesday with "Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood", which critics at the world's biggest film festival hailed as his best movie in years. They heaped praise on the dark Tinseltown fairytale set in the Los Angeles of 1969 starring Leonardo DiCaprio as a television Western star on the slide and Brad Pitt as his stunt double. Twenty-five years after the American director won Cannes' top Palme d'Or prize for "Pulp Fiction", he got some of his best reviews since "Jackie Brown" in 1997. Critic Peter Howell of the Toronto Star said that Tarantino wanted "to tell us a story about Hollywood life at the time of the Manson family slayings... and man, does he ever, going from awestruck to WTF". "Brad Pitt the standout, his coolest role yet," he added in a tweet. The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw was equally euphoric, calling the film a "brilliant exploitation black-comedy" which "finds a pulp-fictionally redemptive take on the Manson nightmare: shocking, gripping, dazzlingly shot in the celluloid-primary colours of sky blue and sunset gold." Deadline declared that it was the "film Tarantino was born to make... gloriously, wickedly indulgent, compelling and hilarious." - Calls for a sequel already - The online film magazine even called for a sequel. "The world is a more colourful place in Tarantino's twilight zone. Round two, please." Critics clapped at the end having laughed throughout, but there were none of the standing ovations at the press preview that sometimes greet films at Cannes. And not everyone was won over by Tarantino's genius. Tim Grierson of the industry journal Screen tweeted that "like a lot of recent Tarantino, this is baggy, self-indulgent, fascinatingly its own thing and ambitiously conceived." Yet even he conceded that "it's accomplished, sometimes dazzlingly so" even if "it ends up being as hit-or-miss as his last few". There was much more emotion at the black-tie gala screening, with Tarantino doing John Travolta's two-fingered dance move swipe from "Pulp Fiction" to acknowledge the prolonged standing ovation given by the VIP audience. British actress Tilda Swinton, one of the stars of "The Dead Don't Die", the satirical zombie movie that opened the festival, wiped away tears as she shook the director's hand to congratulate him. Earlier, as he walked the red carpet for the premiere, Tarantino compared his film to Alfonso Cuaron's Oscar-winning "Roma", saying it is "a memory piece, the way 'Roma' was a memory piece... In 1969, Los Angeles was like that." - 'Love letter to LA' - The director admitted that "Cannes changed my life" after he brought his first feature "Reservoir Dogs" there in 1992. "I came here a small independent filmmaker and I left here known by all the critics... and made myself a name as an international filmmaker. And then two years later, my life changed all over again" when he won the Palme d'Or with "Pulp Fiction". DiCaprio, 44, told reporters that the film is "a throwback to the type of Hollywood epics we don't get to see any more. "It's all from the mind of the great Quentin Tarantino, who's not only one of the best writers but one of the best directors on Earth. "It's about Hollywood and we play outsiders trying to make our way in a changing world in 1969 as the world passes by," he said. Co-star and architecture buff Pitt, who is 55 but looks far younger on screen, described the movie as "a love letter to Hollywood and to LA... a city I love." Just before the movie was screened, festival director Thierry Fremaux appealed to critics not to give away the plot. - No-spoilers plea - Tarantino made a similar plea Monday, writing a letter that was posted on the movie's Twitter account begging journalists not to let details slip that might spoil the film for his fans. "I love cinema. You love cinema. It's the journey of discovering a story for the first time," he wrote. "The cast and crew have worked so hard to create something original, and I only ask that everyone avoids revealing anything that would prevent later audiences from experiencing the film in the same way." Its stars, including Australian Margot Robbie who plays tragic actress Sharon Tate murdered by Manson cult members, waved to screaming fans as they left the premiere. DiCaprio was accompanied by his girlfriend, Argentinian actress Camila Morrone, 21, one of the big discoveries of this year's festival for her stand-out performance in the US indie film, "Mickey and the Bear". Audiences will have to wait until July to make their minds about "Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood", when it will be released in the US. Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time In Hollywood", starring Brad Pitt and Leonardo di Caprio, took Cannes by storm with critics hailing it as his best film in years Tarantino's newest work is a dark Tinseltown fairytale set in Los Angeles in 1969 in which DiCaprio plays a washed out TV star The film is set at the time of the Manson family slayings with Australian actress Margot Robbie playing Sharon Tate Twenty-five years ago, Tarantino won Cannes' top Palme d'Or prize with "Pulp Fiction" A car seat may be the safest place for your baby while driving, but taken out of its proper environment the carriers can become extremely deadly, a study has warned. Nine out of 10 infant car-seat deaths happened outside the car when the seat was being used as a makeshift crib, according to the report by the US National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention. While it may be tempting to leave your child fast asleep and carry the car seat inside the house, experts are warning it is not worth the risk. The studys author, Dr Jeffrey Colvin, said the deaths fell under the umbrella of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). We found that the most of the infant deaths in car seats happened in the child's home, Dr Colvin said. Parents are being urged to transfer their sleeping babies into a bassinet or cot instead. A new study has warned of the dangers of leaving a sleeping baby in car seats when you take them out of the vehicle. Source: US National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention The study found over a 10-year period nearly 12,000 babies in the US died in sleep-related deaths. Of that number, three per cent died in sitting devices including car seats, prams and swings. A warning on Australian consumer advocacy group Choice said babies should never be left sleeping unsupervised. Babies must never be left asleep in a car seat unsupervised, and never for lengthy periods, the website reads. They (baby car seats) are not designed for this. Babies have suffocated from lack of airflow due to not being in a flat position. Mums warning after baby almost dies in capsule A Victorian mum almost lost her own newborn son after she carried his capsule from the car inside her home. Kate Gardiner, from Geelong, told Yahoo News Australia she noticed her sons face turning red just seconds after getting inside the house. It was like he was trying to scream but he couldnt, she said, detailing how her son then started foaming form the mouth and shaking. Kate Gardiner, from Geelong, said she noticed her sons face turning red just seconds after getting inside the house with the child in the baby seat. Source: Supplied/Kate Gardiner After unbuckling the baby, she ran out to the street in desperate search of help and was assisted by a doctor who lived across the street. I seriously thought he was going to die, it was awful, Ms Gardiner said. Story continues Her four-week-old son was taken to hospital in an ambulance and was thankfully okay, but the mum said she was never aware of the dangers of car safety seats. I thought they were designed to take out when they were asleep, but I didnt know anything, she said. Theres definitely not enough information out there about them. Im so lucky that I was there to help him and I was there when it happened. 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. A mother and her daughter have been identified as the two people whose bodies were found at the bottom of a NSW cliff. Police said the 33-year-old woman and two-year-old girl died on Tuesday afternoon after going over the edge of cliff at tourist spot Robertson Lookout in Mount Keira near Wollongong, in the Illawarra region, on Tuesday. A spokesperson from NSW Police confirmed to Yahoo News Australia the relationship and ages of the pair. The bodies of the mother and daughter had been retrieved from the bottom of the cliff, the spokesperson said. Police said the 33-year-old woman and two-year-old girl died on Tuesday afternoon after going over the edge of cliff at tourist spot Robertson Lookout in Mount Keira. Source: 9News Earlier on Tuesday, NSW Police said emergency services were called to the spot shortly after 1.50pm following reports of a concern for welfare. The bodies of the young mum and her daughter were subsequently found deceased beneath the lookout. Its steep, its hectic, weve got police coming in from the low side, police trekking down from the high side and the consideration of the helicopter, Superintendent Chris Craner said of terrain where the recovery mission was taking place, according to News Corp. Its a treacherous, dangerous area we need to get to respectfully to get these people out. A woman and a child were found dead at the scene near Wollongong. Source: Nine News Devastated family members of the mother and daughter arrived at the site of the tragic incident, and emergency services were doing their best to comfort and console them, News Corp and Nine News reported. Its going to be absolutely devastating for the community who dont know these people and hear this and what its about, Commander Superintendent Craner said. NSW Police told Yahoo News Australia that while the police operation was completed the area remained a crime scene and closed to the public. Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can get help through Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. 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. Onondaga County Legislator Peggy Chase knows the election is more than a year away, but she thinks Francis Conole can do what three Democrats before him did not: Defeat Republican U.S. Rep. John Katko in the 24th Congressional District race. Chase, who chairs the 5th Ward Democratic Committee in Syracuse, endorsed Conole, D-Syracuse, for Congress. It's the first public endorsement for any Democratic candidate in the 2020 campaign. Conole is one of three Democrats seeking the party's nomination to challenge Katko, R-Camillus, next year. The other Democrats are Dana Balter, who lost to Katko in 2018, and Roger Misso. Chase is impressed with Conole, a U.S. Navy veteran who most recently served as a policy adviser to ex-Defense Secretary James Mattis. After finishing his appointment at the Pentagon, he returned to central New York. He launched his congressional campaign in April. "He has good Democratic values, which of course I'm all in for," Chase said Monday. "He is intelligent. He is reasonable." She also likes Conole's central New York roots. His family has been in the region for four generations. His grandmother was a Syracuse teacher. His grandfather, Patrick Corbett, is the only Democrat ever elected Onondaga County sheriff. Conole's parents live in Skaneateles. His father worked as a health care administrator. His mother wrote for the Post-Standard in Syracuse. "I've known his family for a lot of years and I know how committed they are to making things as well as they can in central New York," Chase said. Conole welcomed Chase's support. "Legislator Peggy Chase has dedicated her life to serving the people of Onondaga County as a nurse, community leader and public servant, and I'm honored to earn her endorsement," he said in a statement. "I look forward to working with her to support the people of central New York." Chase supported Balter, D-Syracuse, during the 2018 campaign. Before the primary last year, she was one of several elected officials who endorsed Balter over Juanita Perez Williams for the Democratic nomination. At the time, Balter was the designated Democratic candidate in the 24th district race. Chase said she was "being a good Democrat" when she backed Balter and tried to help her during the campaign. "I can't do that again," she said. Chase acknowledged that Katko is a tough opponent. He won the congressional races in 2014 and 2016 by at least 20 points. In 2018, a year that was bad for the GOP across the country, he won by five points in a district where Democrats have the voter enrollment advantage. Katko intends to seek re-election in 2020. He raised more than $284,000 in the first quarter of 2019. Chase believes Conole is the best Democrat in the field. She highlighted his experience and issue positions, including his pledge to refuse donations from corporate political action committees. Balter and Misso, like Conole, pledged to not accept corporate PAC money. The 2020 primary election is 13 months away and the general election is in more than 17 months. But Chase likes that Conole has been active early in the campaign. She praised him for visiting communities, including Auburn, throughout the district. "I think that he would be a good force for bringing us together," she said. Online producer Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding. Love 0 Funny 1 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. GUANGDONG, ChinaLexuan, a sex toy manufacturer based in mainland China, is looking to work with more companies in the U.S. The Lexuan factory produces everything from sex toys for men and women to items for couples. We have 20 years of experience in producing sex toys, a company rep said. With a well known factory in mainland China our customers are all over the world [in the] USA, Japan, Europe and the Middle East and Asia. We have produced tens of thousands of sex toys, with rich production experience and excellent production technology, the rep added. The company also can do OEM work. For more information, visit SexToysGlobal.com. Grand Canyon Conservancy is proud to announce the publication of its latest bookGrand Canyon National Park 100 Views, by Scott Thybony. In celebration of this legacy centennial, the work of 32 of Grand Canyons most talented photographers is paired with essays by Canyon veteran Thybony. 100 breathtaking photographs capture the deep and abiding appeal of Grand Canyon, described eloquently by Thybony as the pure geometry of earth and sky. After President Theodore Roosevelt toured Grand Canyon in the spring of 1903, he described it as beautiful and terrible and unearthly. Today, the more than six million people who visit Grand Canyon National Park each yearsome for the first time, some for the hundredthwould no doubt agree with him. They stand awestruck on its rims, hike its trails, run its river. What they see depends on where they are, but the views are never boring, and never the same. One of the seven wonders of the natural world, Grand Canyon, Arizona, is an enigma that resists definition, and the challenge it presents has drawn artists, writers, and photographers to it year after year. Grand Canyon National Park 100 Views is available now at Grand Canyon Conservancy Park Stores, https://shop.grandcanyon.org, Amazon, and soon at your local independent bookstores and gift shops. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Scott Thybony has traveled throughout North America on assignments for major magazines, including National Geographic, Smithsonian, and Outside. His best-selling books cover Grand Canyon and the wider Colorado Plateau. He once herded sheep for a Navajo medicine man, who gave him a hogan to call home and more fry bread than he could eat. As a river guide, he won the coveted Colorado River Jerry-Rigging Award for xing a broken motor mount with beer cans and driftwood. His commentaries are heard regularly on Arizona Public Radio. ABOUT GRAND CANYON CONSERVANCY Grand Canyon Conservancy is the official nonprofit partner of Grand Canyon National Park, raising private funds, operating retail shops within the park, and providing premier guided educational programs about the natural and cultural history of the region. Our supporters fund projects including trails and historic building preservation, educational programs for the public, and the protection of wildlife and their natural habitat. Grand Canyon Conservancy inspires people to protect and enhance Grand Canyon National Park for present and future generations. For more information, visit grandcanyon.org. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 It doesnt happen often, but when I agree with President Donald Trump I acknowledge it: Last week a reporter shouted a question at the president: Are we going to war with Iran? The president replied, I hope not. So should we all. But to hope is to relinquish agency and power over the course of events, implying that others have as much or more control than we do. Who actually has the power to spark a disastrous war with Iran? The Trump administrations approach to Iran feels dangerously confrontational, as well as improvisational and haphazard. Clearly, many of the administrations actions are belligerent: the abrogation of the Iran nuclear deal, the designation of the Revolutionary Guards Corps as a terrorist organization, the termination of waivers for countries that trade with Iran and the movement of an aircraft carrier into the region. But none of this means that war is inevitable. Despite these aggressive actions, the president appears to be hesitating. He says, as he often does, Well see what happens. But this is a disconcerting relinquishment of power to others. Could the mullahs who control Iran or the Revolutionary Guards start the war? Easily. An attack on an American vessel or American troops would make war nearly inevitable. The mullahs, however, may be fanatical, but theyre not irrational, and such an attack would not serve their interests as well as do negotiations with the Europeans. A war could easily be sparked, as well, by an attack from one of the 30 or so Shia militias in the area that have varying degrees of affiliation with Iran. Or more likely, perhaps, a simple miscalculation could start the war. In short, peace hangs by a thinner thread than usual in the Middle East, and the Trump administration is granting other factions significant control over what happens next. Why is war with Iran such a bad idea? I depend on the insights of experts academics, diplomats and journalists such as Vali Nasr, Sandra Mackey and Kenneth Pollack to help explain why we should not fight Iran. Apart from Israel, politics in the Middle East is driven by two balancing factions: One is Persian and Shiite (Iran); the other is Arab and Sunni (Saudi Arabia). We probably should not take sides, at all, but to the extent that we have, we have chosen the wrong side. Iran could be a natural ally; Saudi Arabia has a lot to answer for. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia dates only to 1932, and its always been a family-run monarchy. Iranians, on the other hand, trace their origins back two millennia, to the great Persian empires of Cyrus and Xerxes. Iranians pride in their history cannot be discounted in negotiations or in the contemplation of war. Further, Iran has democratic tendencies unheard of in Saudi Arabia. Inclinations toward democracy date to the Iranian revolution of 1906, which replaced a dynasty with a constitution and parliament. Unfortunately Iranian democracy was thwarted by the oil-hungry West, first by the British in 1921 and then by the United States in 1953. For most of the 20th century Iran was ruled by a tyrannical shah supported by the U.S. as a bulwark against communism. His autocratic, corrupt, repressive regime made the 1979 revolution almost inevitable. But despite the oppressive theocracy imposed by the mullahs, Iran has a young population that is inclined toward moderation, openness and modernity. Yes, Iranians are involved in disruptive activities in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and elsewhere, but they are playing hardball on their home field in a game that we hardly understand. Irans history implies that it will respond better to respectful diplomacy than to threats and intimidation. Yet here we are, on the brink of war, and others are fully capable of tipping us into the abyss. In fact, however, neither Trump nor the mullahs nor the Shia militias should be able to control whether we go to war. That power resides in Article I of the Constitution, which reserves for congress the responsibility To Declare War. Democrats and Republicans must insist on this prerogative. John M. Crisp is an op-ed columnist for Tribune News Service. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Greencore has named Peter Haden as chief operating officer following the disposal of its US operation. The company, which today (21 May) announced its half-year results, is appointing him to the executive board with immediate effect. Haden, who joined Greencore in 2015 as chief development officer, will be responsible for running the day-to day-business in his new role. The move comes less than a year after Haden was named chief executive officer of Greencores UK division because group CEO Patrick Coveney was to split his time between the UK and the US. But just three months later, Greencore announced it was selling the US operation and would focus on the UK market. Greencore said Hadens move to the COO and board roles reflected the groups single, integrated leadership structure and his sustained contribution to the operational and strategic agenda of the group. "Peter has made an outstanding contribution to Greencore in a number of senior roles since joining us in 2015, and his promotion to the Board is well deserved, said Greencore chairman Gary Kennedy. His strategic mind-set and operational expertise will be invaluable as Greencore looks to drive performance and pursue the range of compelling growth opportunities that we see in the UK convenience food market." Before joining Greencore, Haden was a brand manager with Procter & Gamble before becoming a partner at McKinsey & Co. April 28, 1971 May 15, 2019 Steve Tomlinson, 48, of Beatrice passed away on May 15, 2019. We lost a beloved son, brother, husband and father. He was a gentle soul with a kind heart. He never knew a stranger and was always at the ready to help. Steve enjoyed cooking, reading and had a passion for music. He created his own DJ music company and enjoyed his time as a lead trumpet for the Railmen Drum Corp. He graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney and was a member of the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity. He met his wife, Eve Stanosheck in college where they began their life together. Steve and Eve have two precious children, Jude (13) and Maeve (8). Steve was a devoted son to Don and EJ Tomlinson of Brighton, Colorado and a fun loving brother to Debbie (Tomlinson) Jones of Aurora, Colorado. He was also a wonderful son-in-law to Jim and Linda Stanosheck of Odell, Nebraska. Steve had a career in logistics and distribution. Although Steve's life with us ended too soon, we will all remember him with joy, laughter, tears and great fondness. A celebration of his life will be scheduled at a later date. Condolences online at Roperandsons.com. Tom Campbell Our legislature has been in session since January 30th and at last count 17 bills had been approved by both houses of the legislature and sent to Governor Coopers desk for approval or veto. Traditionally that pace quickens following the Easter break.This session has been quieter than some recent ones for two reasons, most notably because legislators had already passed most all their bucket list agenda. More practically, leadership no longer has veto-proof majorities in either chamber and Governor Cooper has repeatedly demonstrated he doesnt mind using his big red veto stamp.There are some contentious items already. For instance, it is unlikely Cooper will approve the requirement that all sheriffs must adhere to the 287(g) requirements to detain those whom ICE wants held. And the governor wasted no time in vetoing the just-passed born alive abortion bill.Hopefully these controversies can be kept to a minimum, as there are many serious items needing resolution. The courts have dictated that Congressional districts and some legislative districts be redrawn before the 2020 election. Judges allowed the old districts to stand in 2018 because there wasnt enough time to draw new boundaries before the election, but theres plenty of time to do so before next years votes. If lawmakers drag their feet, the judges themselves might draw the maps, something lawmakers dont want. After so many redistricting court cases there is hope our state might finally establish an independent redistricting commission to draw new congressional and legislative maps in 2021, as will be required after results of the 2020 census are made known.The recent absentee ballot scandal dictates an honest evaluation of changes needed to restore trust in our elections. Voter ID requirements need to be clarified if they are to be implemented in 2020. There are issues regarding the State Health Plan, association health plans, Medicaid managed care and Medicaid expansion to address. As always, a plethora of education topics are under consideration, especially a renewed emphasis on reading, a serious examination about restoring confidence in the governance of our state universities and whether to undertake major school construction by asking voters to approve a bond referendum or by implementing pay-as-you-go financing. Add to that list teacher and state employee pay increases, further hurricane relief, prison reforms, economic development restructuring and environmental issues. Theres much to be done.We will know more about how long this session will last when the legislature rolls out its biennial budget next month. Lawmakers have been working on the spending plan behind closed doors for some weeks and hope to pass it in time for the new fiscal year that begins July 1, but a gubernatorial veto could force the session to drag out into the summer. Look for how many sweeteners lawmakers put in the budget to encourage Cooper to sign it, along with how many special provisions they slip into the document that might discourage approval.With the candidate filing period due to open in December and Primaries early next March, all politicians will want to wrap up this session in early July and rest a bit before campaigns begin in earnest. We will know soon enough whether that is likely. The number of licensed professions has grown in the U.S. has grown exponentially since the 1950s.Today, about one in four jobs requires some sort of license. In North Carolina, more than 180 jobs - from EMTs to hair stylists to interior decorators - require licensure.This can be a challenge for people, licensed in other states, to make a seamless professional move to North Carolina.Consider Craig Smith, a licensed funeral director from Vermont.On June 6, 2008, that state issued Smith a funeral director license. A few months later Smith applied to the N.C. Board of Funeral Services for a reciprocal license, but the board denied his application. Smith, it turned out, failed to disclose a prior criminal conviction, and he would have to wait a year before applying again. Smith tried again to apply for a reciprocal license in 2011. The board determined he was now of good moral standing, yet it again rejected his application.This time the problem was Vermont's standards for licensing a funeral director. One of the requirements to get a reciprocal funeral director license is that another state's standards be "substantially similar" to North Carolina. The board determined Vermont's standards didn't quite get there.Smith requested a hearing, but the board didn't budge. He tried again in 2015 to apply for a reciprocal license, but once again the board denied his application.Vermont had issued Smith a license without requiring proof of graduation from an accredited mortuary school, a passing score from the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards, or proof of successful completion of courses in sociology, pathology, funeral directing, and business law.On Sept. 18, the N.C. Court of Appeals upheld a decision rejecting Smith's request for a reciprocal license. Smith petitioned the court to overturn the board's ruling on technical grounds, but the court ultimately sided with the NCBFS.Smith is still trying to get his funeral director's license. He's taken some exams and courses necessary toward meeting the funeral board's standards for licensure. But he has yet to complete the requirements.Smith toldNumerous studies have shown occupational licensing is a barrier to work, and one study even suggests the practice can deter people from moving to another state.The Institute for Justice, a nonprofit law firm focused on litigating to enhance economic and educational freedom, released a report ranking states on their occupational licensing laws. North Carolina ranked as the 17th most broadly and onerously licensed state, and 41st when ranked by the most burdensome licensing laws, the second edition of the report says.IJ reported.IJ argues such reciprocity agreements can further cement unnecessary licensing requirements, as states raise the bar on their own requirements to meet reciprocity rules in other states.IJ simply recommends that states "recognize" out-of-state licenses and certificates.IJ said.Arizona in April became the first state to officially recognize all out-of-state occupational licenses. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican, signed a bill allowing people with an out-of-state license to start working in Arizona without taking more exams or going back to school.Ducey told Reason North Carolina has taken some smaller steps to ease the way for some out-of-state licensed workers. On April 4, the State Board of Education voted to allow out-of-state teachers to get licensed in North Carolina if they have already passed a licensing test in their home states. The state education board also looked into streamlining licensing reciprocity for school psychologists.This can be a tricky balance, one state representative said.Rep. Kelly Alexander, D-Mecklenburg, himself a licensed funeral director, said the state should look at how reciprocal licensing is handled.Alexander toldSometimes determining whether licensing standards in another state are substantially similar to our's can be subjective. It makes sense, he said, that out-of-state licensed workers at least be required to demonstrate they understand North Carolina's laws relating to their occupations.Alexander said. Gentry Lassiter at his distillery in Knightdale. (CJ Photo by Kari Travis) Gentry Lassiter and his wife, Rebecca, run a small distillery on the main street in Knightdale.Lassiter Distilling Co. is the epitome of a small business, which the couple built just a few years ago.The Lassiters procure molasses, yeast, and other ingredients needed to make and bottle their award-winning line of rums.They order and stock the shelves with merchandise, they do the books, and they promote their products. They distill, age, and infuse their rum in - at least by modern distillery standards - a tiny room just off the lobby.They sweep the floors.The Lassiters are trying to make it in an industry world dominated by giants. In a state that, historically, hasn't been a friend to liquor and to the North Carolina entrepreneurs working hard to make those spirits from scratch.But things are starting to change, albeit incrementally, yet steadily. Lawmakers have realized the economic - even cultural - benefits from the growth of beer and wine, which prospered after the legislature began to ease restrictions on things such as sales and alcohol content.Beer and wine have helped to revitalize small towns, with vibrancy emerging from dormancy.Spirits can do that, too, if, craft distillers say, only lawmakers would allow it.Rep. Chuck McGrady, R-Henderson, knows it all too well. In this and past legislative sessions he's introduced a parade of bills to modernize an archaic, and at times draconian, state system of controlling liquor.He and his like-minded colleagues sensed the momentum, and they seized it. House Bill 536 , ABC Omnibus Regulatory Reform, seems well on its way to clearing an important legislative test.The N.C. House Alcoholic Beverage Control committee spent about an hour Tuesday, April 30, reviewing House Bill 536, ABC Omnibus Regulatory Reform - section by section - before sending it on to Finance.The bill would, for example, allow liquor tasting at ABC stores, allow online sales on a reciprocal basis, and allow distillers to sell an unlimited number of bottles from their distilleries.Lawmakers opened Tuesday's meeting by clearing House Bill 99, which would establish state Alcohol Law Enforcement as a separate division in the Department of Public Safety. ALE now falls under the auspices the the state ABC. That bill heads to Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House.ABC committee members, almost in unison, found all sections of H.B. 536 favorable.Rep. Pat Hurley, R-Randolph, a staunch prohibitionist, made repeated efforts to amend provisions that would ease burdens for N.C. craft distillers.Hurley proposed five amendments, and all but one failed. Her lone successful amendment involved assigning responsibility - should something go awry - during tastings hosted by N.C. ABC stores. Her amendment passed, yet the issue remains unclear, according to the way the bill is worded.Hurley was a lone voice of dissent, and she seemed to know it.Still, Gentry Lassiter watched nervously.McGrady, the bill's primary sponsor, more than once pointed out the House N.C. ABC committee has already cleared a similar bill, House Bill 91, which would implement several recommendations from a report on modernizing state alcohol sales by the Program Evaluation Division.Much like classes in college economics, Lassiter sees H.B. 536 from a micro perspective, as well as the macro.he said, referring to the macro.The state, Lassiter says, has come to appreciate that distilleries such as his generate revenue. And they could, if allowed by law, generate much more. He says new breweries, wineries, and, potentially, distilleries, are indicators for impending growth.Tastings in ABC stores, for instance, would put North Carolina on par with neighbors Virginia and South Carolina, plus it would give distillers an opening to introduce their spirits.Gentry Lassiter says.Lawmakers such as Hurley won't be swayed.Hurley on Tuesday tried to remove a provision to serve alcohol on the state ferry from Hatteras to Ocracoke. Alcohol would not, according to the bill as filed, be served on the return trip, however.Hurley said.She also tried to strike provisions that would allow distilleries to sell alcohol to people who don't tour the facilities, and a provision allowing distilleries to sell directly to consumers.Only a handful of states would allow it, McGrady says, citing the reciprocity provision.he asked.Hurley cited a newspaper story focused on reports of a spike in alcohol-related deaths, as well as a CDC study, she said, that centered on a rising problem regarding binge drinking.Lassiter doesn't discount her concerns. But he has a different take.he said.Lassiter says.Hurley, not surprisingly, spoke up against proposed Sunday sales, which, ABC lobbyist Jon Carr said, would just alter the days in which people choose buy spirits.he said.A more restrictive provision, in fact, is found in H.B. 91, McGrady said, rendering Hurley's amendment over Sunday sales inconsistent with an already-approved measure.Rep. John Bell, R-Wayne, said he sees little reason state lawmakers should continue treating spirits differently than they treat beer and wine, which are allowed business to prosper throughout the state.he said of the state's craft distillers, as well as brewers and vintners.Leanne Powell of Southern Grace Distilleries in Mount Pleasant east of Charlotte is a fan of ABC reform, but she - like many N.C. craft distillers - would stop short of privatizing the ABC system, which is part of another proposal from McGrady.said Powell, who on Tuesday released a straight-bourbon version of Conviction whiskey.she said. The public relies on journalists to learn about and share academic research. Public knowledge can be undermined, however, when academics try to influence what research journalists cover or limit the "acceptable debate" about an issue.This influence can be achieved through "citation cartels," where sympathetic researchers cite and reference one another and ignore or dismiss the high-quality research of others that reach different conclusions. Citation cartels belittle research they disagree with, rather than refute it.Citation cartels can advance researchers' careers substantially: Cartel members receive more media exposure and get more academic citations. Universities consider citation numbers as evidence of research productivity and influence, which affects hiring and promotion decisions.A prime example of this process is media coverage of standardized testing.I have long complained that education journalism tends to be slanted against standardized testing in books criticizing " testing culture " and American meritocracy , and in PBS documentaries Journalist Anya Kamenetz recently published a book that thoroughly covered the opinions and evidence against standardized testing, speaking with dozens of experts and advocates. Yet, she spoke with not a single expert who could have provided counter-evidence or references. Not one.She could have found counterpoints in the Education Writers Association's SourceSearch database, which gives journalists a directory of experts to interview. I have also published source lists for the "other side" of the standardized testing issue in books and online In fairness, it is true that the public relations personnel at private test development firms often hedge their language with journalists for fear of alienating critics who could be their customers. Most testing companies also impose gag orders on their staff. And, naturally, many of the most knowledgeable testing advocates work inside testing firms. But, journalists on other beats often consult "unnamed sources" inside organizations for information. I have never witnessed it in stories on educational testing research and policy.The results of the journalist's one-sided sourcing are one-sided policy recommendations and a one-sided understanding of the issue by the public.Perhaps the author was biased on the issue, but I discern from her network of contacts that she was instead stuck inside a bubble. She talked to certain prominent experts who steered her to other sources within their respective cartels. To get the other side of the story would have required going outside the usual networks and approaching non-favored experts that would take more time to discover.The time constraints faced by journalists mean they can't do their own review of the relevant research; it can take years to really know a research literature. So, journalists must rely on experts in the field. When recommending other sources, strategic scholars will identify someone within the cartel, regardless of their expertise in the topic. When recommending other research, they will mention only that conducted within their cartel.The consequence of journalistic reliance on citation cartels is obvious-a misinformed public. When journalists repeat a dismissive review, they further the interest of the cartel, not the public.Another example of cartel activity is when the journalist Matt Barnum recently argued for the elimination of high school graduation examinations. Ever since the federal government harmonized graduation rate statistics in 2010, high schools have increased their graduation rates, sometimes by lowering standards . One might surmise that high school "exit exams" could check that degradation. According to education research citation cartels, however, high school exit exams only hurt low-achieving students-they fail the exam and then drop out of school, drastically lowering their earning potential-and provide no countervailing benefits Barnum's preferred sources can say exit exams only hurt low-achieving students because they ignore or dismiss most contrary evidence. The research they dismiss shows that exit exams can improve academic achievement overall-students learn more. Other research they ignore shows that unqualified high school graduates tend to drop out of college, often after accumulating substantial student loan debt. Still other research reveals a stark difference in international test performance between countries with high school exit exams and those without. The public needs to know the consequences of removing exit exams, which requires journalists to consider all the relevant research.When cartels don't ignore other research, they attack it with a dismissive review. An academic literature review summarizes previous research conducted on a particular topic. With a dismissive literature review, a researcher assures the public that either no research exists on the topic, or what research exists is so poorly done that it is not worth citing. Dismissive reviews can be useful, but often, and perhaps usually, they are not.Dismissive reviews may be the quickest route to claim expertise for someone who lacks genuine expertise. It says,Dismissive reviews may also help an academic obtain research grants because funders are more likely to fund new projects where they perceive a need.Typically, prominent dismissive reviewers, whose claim to fame is their allegedly superior research skill, provide no evidence or analysis whatsoever for their research literature claims. I've cataloged hundreds of instances . Some common phrases simply dismiss previous work (e.g., "paucity of research" or) and others denigrate it (e.g.,or).Literature reviews can be trustworthy; meta-analysts, those researchers who specialize in research literature summaries, typically provide thorough descriptions of where and how they look for source material. Meta-analyst claims are easily verified because another researcher can retrace their steps, but dismissive reviews from cartels are accepted on faith. Meta-analysts expand society's knowledge by citing all the relevant research even when they disagree with it. That approach encourages debate. Scholars in citation cartels, however, reference strategically, thus boosting their own professional profiles and those of their friends and colleagues.Perhaps some journalists simply refuse to believe that their sources can be anything but sincere and independent. But journalists, as the focus of much cartel behavior, could do much to deter them.First, they could refrain from printing dismissive reviews. Journalists do not know if and when a dismissive review is true, and they do not have the time to check entire research literature to verify them. Second, they could investigate citation cartel operations. Lastly, they could expand the sources they talk to beyond their comfortable bubbles. Journalists need to contact a better variety of experts and academics to get the full picture that the public deserves.Foundation and government research funders could help break up the cartels, too. They could demand that applicants for grant funds back up their dismissive review claims in the same manner a meta-analyst would, by specifying the details of their literature search. And they could deny further funding to applicants who previously submitted false dismissive reviews. Finally, if foundations were to make their grant applications public, other researchers could see the research literature review claims made by applicants, and rebut the erroneous ones.Academic integrity and public knowledge can be threatened by ideological cartels on the left and the right. Education journalists need to hold themselves to a high standard to fight off cartel influence, and funders need to avoid funding them. In that way, truth is the final arbiter of "acceptable debate," and the public can make informed decisions about American education. Have Sheriff Offices in North Carolina, possibly even Beaufort County's Sheriff Office, become too political in the discharging of their sworn constitutional duties? No, the sheriff is a constitutional officer. Yes, the Sheriff Office, on strong occasion, often reverts back to political patronage in the dispensation of their sworn constitutional duties. Attila Nemecz Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator Beaufort County Community College 5337 U.S. Highway 264 East Washington, N.C. 27889 Ph : 252-940-6387 : 252-940-6387 Cell : 252-940-8672 : 252-940-8672 attila.nemecz@beaufortccc.edu The Beaufort County Community College Foundation is proud to announce the following Darragh Foundation Scholarship recipients. Established in 1998 by Richard and Mildred Darragh, the Darragh family focuses on the impact of education in the communities it serves. The Darragh Foundation's mission isScholarships from the foundation are awarded to continuing education students seeking their high school equivalency diploma and students working towards an industry-recognized credential returning to the workforce. Scholarships are awarded biannually and students must show academic promise and demonstrate need. The BCCC Foundation has awarded over $150,000 in scholarships during the 2018-2019 academic year. Scholarship applications for the fall semester are due on June 27. Registration is open for summer and fall classes, including through the Division of Continuing Education., 18, is a welding student. He is the son of Leticia Padilla of Washington and a mother of one. The Pantego resident attended Northside High School. Alonzo plans to continue his education., 18, is a nurse aide student. She is the daughter of Treva Keys of Washington and a mother of one. The Washington resident attended the Beaufort County Ed Tech Center. Blackledge plans to become a nurse., 47, is an income maintenance worker student. She is the daughter of Romain and Milbert Jr. Whitley of Pantego, wife of Gary Blount and a mother of six. The Belhaven resident attended John A. Wilkinson High School. Blount plans to get a job at the Beaufort County Department of Social Services., 49, is an income maintenance worker student. She is the daughter of Retha Sykes of Washington. The Washington resident attended Mattamuskeet High School and holds an Associate in Applied Science in Human Services Technology. Burns currently works at Bojangles as a cashier and plans to pursue a bachelor's degree., 34, is a nurse aide student. She is the wife of Melvin Roulhac, daughter of Raymond Payne of Atlanta and Evelyn Jennette of Pantego and a mother of six. The Washington resident attended Northside High School. Roulhac holds certifications in Phlebotomy and Medical Technology., 20, is the daughter of Tina and Rob Jordan. Wallace is part of the income maintenance worker program, and she attended Washington High School. She currently works as a sales associate at Sheetz. She plans to work at Beaufort County Department of Social Services.The following students received the BCCC Foundation Board of Directors Scholarship. Established in 2015, this scholarship is awarded to Continuing Education students seeking an industry-recognized credential. Students must demonstrate financial need and meet qualifying guidelines., 41, is the daughter of Olga Reyes, and a mother of four. She is training to become an income maintenance worker II. The Washington resident attended Trenton High School and currently works at Care-O-World as a bilingual office assistant. She plans to get an associate's degree in Human Services Technology., 18, is a Washington resident who is part of the emergency medical technician program. Vega-Gomez attended Beaufort County Early College High School and plans to pursue medicine.For more information, contact Jen Seay at jennifer.seay@beaufortccc.edu or 252-940-6218. A longtime correction officer was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly sexually abusing several female inmates at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, a notorious federal jail located just two blocks from City Hall. According to the criminal complaint, Colin Akparanta, 42, sexually abused at least four inmates between 2012 and 2018. In some cases, he allegedly smuggled hygiene products, makeup and food to his victims, with the explicit condition that they continue to have sex with him. Prosecutors also claim that Akparanta, a New Jersey native, told at least one victim "not to tell anyone because no one would believe her." The abuse allegedly occurred at numerous locations throughout the facility, including while inmates were locked in solitary confinement. As alleged, Colin Akparanta was a predator in uniform, exploiting his position to sexually abuse multiple inmates over a several-year period," Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said in a statement. "No inmate in a Bureau of Prisons facility should fear sexual abuse at the hands of a correctional officer, and thankfully, Akparanta will have no more victims." Akparanta, who worked at the facility since 2004, faces a slew of charges, including four counts of sexual abuse of a ward. That charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. Inmates at the Metropolitan Correctional Center have long reported decrepit, vermin-infested conditions at the federal jail, as well as routine abuse faced at the hands of guards. Since 2004, at least three correction officers have been found guilty of sexually assaulting inmates at MCC. One was sentenced to seven years behind bars in 2016 for raping a woman detained at the facility, who later told the court, "Even in my dreams, I am suffering flashbacks where Im repeatedly raped." Last April, a guard was arrested for taking bribes to smuggle food, alcohol and cellphones into the facility. The jail primarily holds people who have not yet been convicted of crimes. It's one of two federal pretrial facilities in New York City. The other is the Metropolitan Detention Center in Sunset Park, where inmates went without heat and electricity for a week as temperatures plunged below freezing this past winter. In 2017, three correction officers at that facility were charged with raping and sexually abusing several female inmates. This is a technique of the GOP, to take dry humor + sarcasm literally and fact check it. Like the world ending in 12 years thing, youd have to have the social intelligence of a sea sponge to think its literal. But the GOP is basically Dwight from The Office so who knows. https://t.co/pmkwrdeAnq Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 12, 2019 .@AOC on millennials and social media: "Were, like, the world is going to end in 12 years if we dont address climate change" pic.twitter.com/HjhbVyfFN4 Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) January 22, 2019 Climate change is here + weve got a deadline: 12 years left to cut emissions in half. A #GreenNewDeal is our plan for a world and a future worth fighting for. How did we get here? What is at stake? And where are we going? Please watch & share widely pic.twitter.com/IMCtS86VXG Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) April 17, 2019 On Sunday, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) said that she was joking around when she claimed the world was going to end in 12 years if we do not take serious action against Climate Change, a declaration she's been widely criticized over.Ocasio-Cortez: GOP Led By Mad King Wants To 'Dismantle Our Democracy Into A Creepy Theological Order'The 29-year-old socialist mocked the Republican Party for taking her claim about the end of the world seriously, which she suggested was a combination ofwrote AOC in a tweet published on Mother's Day.For context, Ocasio-Cortez first spouted the hyperbolic claim in January at a Martin Luther King forum in New York City, as The Daily Wire previously reported . She said it without laughing, earned a round of applause from the progressive audience, and then emphasized the point by calling the fight against Climate Change "our World War II."Complicating Ocasio-Cortez's recent suggestion that the world-ending claim was a mere joke, the elected Democrat has repeated the claim time and again and even collaborated with The Intercept to create a video centered around the charge.she captioned a tweet promoting the video, last month.The video, titledshowcases a future where AOC's widely-panned and uber-expensive Green New Deal has inspired action to save the planet. In the video, the Democrat - you guessed it - again says that we have aThe Daily Wire reported:The congresswoman then warns that we havebeforeshe narrates.Moreover, as reported by The Washington Free Beacon, Ocasio-Cortez doubled-down on her 12-year declaration during an Instagram live-stream when a viewer mocked her over the claim.Ocasio-Cortez, visibly annoyed, told her viewers.the Beacon noted. Betty Bauer Clause, age 83, went to be with the Lord and her husband Roy on Saturday May 18, 2019. She and her twin brother, Benny were born on April 26, 1936 in Elgin, North Dakota, to Edward and Anna Friesz. They were adopted by Ida and Herbert Bauer after Anna died giving birth. Bettys childhood was helping the family on the farm near Elgin, North Dakota. They had hard times due to sparse crops and very little work. With livestock and grain prices being low the payout was minimal. After years of struggling, the Bauer family moved to Sidney. Betty was about 15 years old at this time. Betty graduated from Sidney High School. While attending Sidney High School Betty also worked at a diner after school to help the family out. She continued working at the diner after graduation. Betty decided that it was time to make a change and see the world. Her and a friend moved to Seattle where Betty went to work at a bank. After a few years she found herself in Billings working at a bank. This is where she met the love of her life, Roy Clause, and they were married on Dec. 17, 1960. She was a devoted and loving mother to her three children: Jock (Kathy), Shawn (Valerija) and Leon (Michelle). Montana Cancer Coalition and Montana American Indian Womens Health Coalition member Alma McCormick of Hardin was presented with the 2019 Bette Bohlinger Leadership Award on Tuesday, May 7, at the Montana Cancer Coalition Statewide Meeting held at the Delta Hotels Helena Colonial in Helena. Alma McCormick, executive director of Messengers for Health, was recognized nationally for her work to promote health equity and social justice through the Messengers for Health program. According to a press release from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, MFH utilizes a strong network of Crow women who others turn to for advice and support. Recently, McCormick has engaged Crow men to do outreach to other Crow men to increase colorectal cancer screening, quit using commercial tobacco, and get screened for lung cancer, if appropriate. We want someone whos been in business to assist us with hiring, he said. Most of the money raised by the levy will go toward replacing textbooks. Suggestions for science, geometry and world history that were rolled out to trustees offered a window into how that process will work. The district has been behind for years on updating textbooks, both for their content and condition. Monday's suggestions have been in the works for years. Subject area committees finished their work on selections in fall 2018. The committees were made up of nine teachers. The groups narrowed textbook suggestions to a few models, then more teachers weighed in on the final decision. The actual brick-books will only be purchased as classroom copies, and a digital subscription will be bought for each student. This group will be bought using about $500,000 in tuition money from Lockwood, which pays money to School District 2 to educate its high-schoolers that it doesn't offer classes for while it builds its new high school. A parent and student accused a teacher of bringing a convicted violent offender into the classroom and raised other safety concerns at Mondays school board meeting. Parent Erica Hayashida didnt name the school or teacher, but said the alleged incidents show terrible decision making skills. School District 2 superintendent Greg Upham said the district is investigating the complaint, and that a convicted felon was in contact with students. However, he said that district administrators and a school resource officer didn't feel that contact was "dangerous or threatful." Poly Drive Elementary Parent Teacher Association president Mendy Nelson effectively identified the school in question, saying the situation has divided parents. Im not saying that what has been said today is incorrect, but I believe that the proper way to handle this is through an investigation, she said. Hayashidas son said a visitor was in his classroom several times, sometimes bringing snacks. Hayashida said that the person was a felony violent offender. She said that school officials continually told her that the person was on school property only twice. Kevin Martin, president of Peace Action, the nation's largest peace and nuclear disarmament organization, will stop in Billings for two public appearances on May 29, as part of a tour arranged by the Helena Service for Peace and Justice. In Billings, Martin will speak to the Democratic Study Club breakfast meeting at the McCormick Cafe, 2419 Montana Ave., at 7 a.m. Later, Martin will lead a community conversation at First Church, at 310 N. 27th St., at 6 p.m. The topic is In a Time of Endless U.S. Wars: A Conversation on Peace, Disarmament, Militarism and Citizen Activism. The public is invited to both events. Martins writing has appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post, The Nation, Los Angeles Times, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Village Voice, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, The Progressive, Counterpunch, Z magazine and many other publications. He has appeared on CNN, National Public Radio, Fox News, MSNBC, BBC-TV and radio, and many other outlets. Martin has traveled abroad representing Peace Action and the U.S. peace movement on delegations and at conferences in Russia, Japan, China, Mexico and Britain. If a rape is reported to police within five days of it happening, investigators try to get the victim to the hospital for treatment by someone The MTA is moving forward with a plan to offer free full-fare MetroCards to students in K-12 who live more than a half mile from school. Under the current policy, students who live within a certain radius are eligible for half-fare MetroCards that can only be used on city buses. The proposal will replace those half-fare cards with full-fare ones that can also be used on subways. The agency, which has pinned a loss of $225 million a year on fare evasion, also admits the current rigmarole in which kids with half-fare MetroCards are expected to cough up $1.35 in change for buses results in students mostly not paying anything on buses. It also results in what the agency calls bad optics like when kids head to gym class off site and evade the fare. The plan, which the full board is expected to approve on Wednesday, would cost $200,000 a year and provide three free rides a day for students. But Chair of the Finance Committee Larry Schwartz and self-admitted person who doesnt know how express buses work, also admitted Monday he doesnt know how student MetroCards workthough he is very sure fare evasion is the reason the MTA is in such dire financial healthwanted to be reassured these three free rides a day wont result in a fare evasion act 2 scenario. Are we able to track if student passes are being used at two o'clock in the morning, midnight, Saturday and Sundays were going to be able to track this stuff so if theres abuse going on thats costing the MTA money we can identify it in real time and try to do something to rectify it? Schwartz asked. Chief customer officer Sarah Meyer said theyre mostly programmed to only be active Monday-Friday, and sometimes on the weekends, if students have weekend classes, but the three rides could be used by anyone. "The changes in an investment that the MTA is making top help make students' commutes to school easier," Meyer said. Schwartz been on the board since 2015, and chair of finance since 2016, and held an emergency board meeting this month after a series of embarrassing articles about excessive overtime costs at the Long Island Railroad. He seemed caught off guard by the amount of overtime the MTA approved for large MTA projects, like East Side Access, and the Subway Action Plan, which accounted for much of the costs. Gothamist caught up with a number of students just as school let out on the Upper West Side, to ask how they felt about the possible change in policy. One seventh grader at Booker T. Washington Middle School told Gothamist its her responsibility to remember to bring coins to pay the remainder of the fare, and she usually forgets. Sometimes I have to get on the bus without paying, because, like, its hard to carry coins, the middle schooler said. I usually use [buses] 3 times a day, so I dont have enough coins for all of that. Its annoying. Most students said something similar: they occasionally remember to carry emergency coins with them to pay the remainder of their fare, but often they forget, and theyre rarely asked for it by bus drivers. One bus driver told WNYC, If I had to say a percentage that they dont put [coins] in, Id probably say like 90 percent of the time. He shrugged. What am I gonna do, put a student off the bus? Most students were glad to hear that the MTA board is planning to swap out their half-fare cards for full-fare ones, not because theyll save the coins (most said they havent been paying anyway) but because itll allow them to take the subway. Assembly Member Harvey Epstein represents the east side of Manhattan, from the United Nations down to the Williamsburg Bridge. He says a group of teenage constituents brought the issue of half-priced student MetroCards to his attention last year. "The more I dug into the problem, the more I realized this is a social and economic justice issue for so many New Yorkers," said Epstein. He said he hopes this change in policy will allow students to take the subway without the need to jump a turnstile. His office estimates it will impact about 130,000 New York City students if it goes into effect in September. The MTA expects to launch its new fare payment system OMNY by October 2020, in which riders can use a smartphone, tap card or a credit card, and students will be able to activate their three free rides a day with this system as well. Additional reporting by Shumita Basu. Stephen Nessen is the transportation reporter for WNYC. You can follow him on Twitter @s_nessen. Shumita Basu is a host, producer and reporter in the newsroom. You can follow her on Twitter @shubasu. 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... Things look much better as this fire season approaches, Bullock's budget director Tom Livers said Monday. At the start of the fiscal year, which is July 1, the fund will have about $38 million, with about $20.5 million coming from the state's general fund and another $15 million from a deal the administration reached with the private operator of a prison in Shelby to renew its contact. The governor also has access to $16 million in emergency funds over the biennium on top of the fire fund. Livers said the budget staff is figuring for about $6 million of that to go toward flooding costs this spring. Patrick Holmes, Bullock's policy adviser for natural resources, said Bullock will receive his annual fire briefing June 7, but as of now the "outlook is a normal fire season or below average," though Holmes noted there's still a decent amount of time before the season hits and things can change. A typical fire season costs somewhere around $22 million. While the council includes more than 20 members, Germann says they are experienced working in forest collaboratives and DNRC will hire a facilitator to oversee meetings. The council is expected to meet six to eight times over the coming year and will hold public meetings and take public comment on the action plan. Reporter Tom Kuglin can be reached at 447-4076 @IR_TomKuglin Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A 22-year-old man was sentenced to the Department of Corrections Monday for raping a woman who was six months pregnant. Tyrelle Thomas Peterson was sentenced to 15 years with the Department of Corrections, with 10 years suspended, and was designated a low-risk sex offender. The department took Peterson into custody Monday and will next assess him. It can place him in any setting from prison to community supervision. Life was never supposed to be this hard for me, said the victim, in a statement read by Deputy Yellowstone County Attorney Molly Rose Fehringer. The one thing I have done is make the best of the days I can get out of bed. The woman suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder due to the rape. She said she hadnt been able to forgive Peterson, who she said attempted to strangle her during the rape. Im trying every day, but I still cant understand why, she said. The victim declined to attend Monday's hearing. Two of Peterson's family members attended. GREAT FALLS Prosecutors say a carnival worker accused of sexually assaulting women and a girl at the Montana State Fair in 2018 was arrested after he groped an off-duty police detective who had training as a special victims unit officer. The Great Falls Tribune reports opening arguments were made Monday in the trial of Roberto Salaman-Garcia, who is charged with four counts of sexual assault. Great Falls Detective Katie Cunningham told Cascade County prosecutors that Salaman-Garcia groped her between the legs while he was checking the seat belt on a ride in July 2018. The Associated Press does not normally name alleged victims of sexual assault, but the detective wanted her name made public to encourage possible victims to report sex crimes. FARGO, N.D. Mary Tiedeman, of Walker, Minnesota, is a longtime dog lover, but after her pet died a few years back, she didnt get another one. It would be too tough, she said, because of the amount of time she spends driving back and forth for breast cancer treatment at Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo. Now, Tiedeman can get a canine fix as part of the healing process. Bailey, a 12-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and participant in a new pet therapy program, stopped in to see Tiedeman on Wednesday, May 15, as she received her chemotherapy infusion. I miss my dog, so this is like really good therapy for me. It brings back those little memories, she said, with Bailey on her lap and a therapist massaging her feet. Bailey and two other dogs are tasked with spreading light and love to patients like Tiedeman. Norman, a Yorkshire Terrier, and Zoe, a Shih Tzu, round out the team. Baileys owner, Sara Tungseth, said she believes her dog has an innate ability to calm and heal. I mean, we put the vest on, and she knows shes going to work, Tungseth said. Of particular concern to NWS Billings is Big Horn County and other portions of southeast Montana where 2 to 3 inches of rain fell last week. The Little Bighorn River is one waterway that looks likely to run above flood stage, Borsum said. "We're concerned as we he head into the week that some of the more important roads could see water impinging on them," Borsum said, of the flood potential near the Little Bighorn River. Below average temperatures in the area will likely stave off flooding in the Yellowstone River by limiting snow melt. Billings typically sees temperatures in the 70s this time of year. Daily highs Tuesday through Thursday are expected to hit 45, 45 and 49 with lows of 39, 38, 39. "Fortunately we're not seeing thunderstorms and snow melt at the same time, because those create the more dynamic situations," Borsum said. Because flooding impacts are rainfall-dependent and have some variability, Borsum encouraged people to monitor weather updates throughout the week to see if flood impacts are expected in their areas. People in flood watch areas are also encouraged to monitor road condition information for potential travel impacts. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 3 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. Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Wade Palmer will return to Montana Wednesday, more than two months since the shooting spree outside Missoula that left him critically wounded, but alive. Palmer's doctors at the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake have determined the trooper is prepared for the next phase of his treatment back in Montana, the state Department of Justice said in a press release on Tuesday. "We are absolutely thrilled that Wade is coming home," MHP Col. Tom Butler said in the release. "From the very beginning, he has received the best possible medical care and I know it saved his life." Palmer is scheduled to be flown into Northstar Jet at approximately 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, with a motorcade waiting to escort him to his home. The public is invited to view the procession as it moves along Broadway Street from Reserve to McCormick streets. His return to the Treasure State marks the beginning of Palmer's outpatient therapy. Last Sunday (Mother's Day), there was news article in The Gazette from the Associated Press about the growing tensions between Iran and the U.S. and its allies. Our navy and air force are now deployed in the Persian Gulf region. I love journalists, but not unlike the flawed logic of the current administration that stirred the glowing embers of Irans nuclear programs and consequential sanctions, a thought-free journalist felt compelled to mention the name, rank, location, hometown and photo of the operations specialist doing their job on a carrier. Newsflash: There are terrorists in the Mideast and whackos in the U.S. This stupid act blew my military police-trained mind. Safety and security of our overseas deployed military personnel, and their families back home should be our number one top priority. Our current administration as well as much of the rest of the right-wing autocracies in this neurotic world need to get a better grip on reality and sensibility. The Cold War aint over, folks, and never will be over until all the worlds nuclear weapons are neutered. Lynn Leroy Arney Absarokee Editor's note: The photo and caption printed in the May 12 Gazette were provided by the U.S. Navy for publication in newspapers. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 1 Sad 1 Angry 5 This is going to be short and to the point. I just had a real aha moment and must share. Having recently read that 25% of the population are d Nothing short of a miracle will stop Washington from going to war with Iran at this point. We'll probably be in it before September. Lots of smart people, including Ron Paul, Pat Buchanan and Tulsi Gabbard, have seen it coming for quite a while. I'll add my voice to theirs in opposing it. We don't need to do it and, with the national debt at nearly $23 trillion, we can't afford it. This won't be a war that serves American interests. It will be a war that serves what the Israeli right perceives to be that nation's interests, and it will also mean even bigger profits for the companies in the U.S. military/industrial complex. The idiots who think they're "patriots" by supporting any war Washington gets us into will soon be coming out in force. Richard Miller Thermopolis, Wyo. Love 18 Funny 4 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 The Erie County Republican Party Chairman, 38-year-old Nick Langworthy, has deposed the New York State Party Chairman, Ed Cox, after the GOP saw a decline in power that resulted in loss of the majority in the State Senate last fall. In his campaign to win over party leaders across New York, Langworthy reportedly promised to bring in a new generation of county leaders as well as recruit more female and younger candidates. Its time for a change, former gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino told Gothamist/WNYC. Like Paladino, a financial backer, and Rep. Chris Collins (R-27), a political mentor, Langworthy has been an enthusiastic backer of President Donald Trump. He served on Trumps transition team. At the time, he was caught exaggerating the president-elects local success at the ballot box. "Donald Trump performed better than any presidential nominee [in Erie County] since Gerald Ford," Langworthy said, a claim The Buffalo News debunked. President Trump is much more popular than people think," Langworthy added. This is going to be a pocketbook election, and the economy is on fire." Cox has been a Trump defender, too, and he said he plans to formally join the presidents reelection campaign. But he remained neutral in the 2016 primary in New York and in 2014 opposed a Trump challenge to Governor Andrew Cuomo. Paladino predicted Langworthy would recruit more Trump-like candidates to run for office, particularly people who spoke more to working class residents. Nick is a supporter of the working man, and the working man is the future of the party, he said. Moderates warn that Paladinos scorched-earth, Tea-Party politics could backfire, rather than reverse the partys fortunes. It could be a big branding problem going forward, one Republican campaign consultant told Gothamist/WNYC. If were doubling down on Trump and Paladino in 2020thats just bananas. The new GOP chair says his aim is to mount a serious challenge to Democrats for the governors race in 2022. My mission and goal is to get us to the point where a Republican occupies the second floor of the state Capitol, said Langworthy, referring to the floor that houses the executive chamber in the state Capitol. Rich Azzopardi, a spokesperson for Governor Andrew Cuomo, responded, My goal is also to be taller and a short stop for the Mets." Nothing in politics is permanent, but there may be little any party leader can do about the decline of the GOP in New York, according to Prof. Gerald Benjamin, a SUNY-New Paltz political scientist. I think were looking at the Massachusetts-ification of New York, said Benjamin, a self-described GOP apostate who for a dozen years was the highest office-holder in rural Ulster County. Things are looking pretty grim for Republicans. If Democrats retain their grip on Albany in 2020, he said, theyll control the once-a-decade redistricting process and undo the GOP-gerrymandered legislative map that kept the waning party relevant, even as Republican voters disappeared. You might get someone at some point, especially if theyre independently wealthy, such as Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker or former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, he said, but that wouldnt be a resurgence of the GOP. That would be the exploitation of the weakness of the GOP by an individual to capture it for his purposes. The departure of Cox marks the end of an era. The son-in-law of former President Richard Nixon, Cox has been a fixture in national GOP politics since the mid 1960s, when he began dating his future wife, Tricia Nixon. In 2009, he took over the state party, pledging to bring the GOP back to the political relevance that gave it two three-term governors, Nelson Rockefeller and George Pataki, and a four-term U.S. senator, Jacob Javits. Instead, Cox presided over the continuing decline of registered Republicans in New York, as rural areas shrunk and urban centers grew. And last year, with a deeply unpopular President Trump in the White House, the GOP lost three congressional seats and eight in the state senate, forfeiting its last lever of power in Albany. Additional reporting from Karen DeWitt. Fred Mogul is the Albany and politics reporter for WNYC. You can follow him on Twitter @fredmogul. Not long after the Sacred Stone Camp took root near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, Ronya Hoblit asked the Bismarck-Mandan Unitarian Universalist Church if anyone would be interested in donating items to help the camp. Hoblit, a lay leader of the church and an Oglala Lakota enrolled at Pine Ridge, S.D., wasnt sure whether people would be willing to aid the spirit camp dedicated to stopping and raising awareness of the Dakota Access Pipeline. That was before the issue became national news, and before the camp swelled to thousands of people. But the response was quick and supportive. Church members involved in the effort have since lost track of how many trips theyve made to the original camp, as well as the larger Oceti Sakowin camp. It took on a life of its own, Hoblit said. Its in that spirit of community and listening to each other that our congregation had the opportunity to put our actions where our hearts are, said Minister Karen Van Fossan. Ronyas leadership in our congregation on this is crucial. The church, 818 E. Divide Ave., has become a collection place for donations to the camps -- not only from the Bismarck-Mandan community, but also from Unitarian Universalist churches throughout the country. Congregants will take another caravan of donations to the camps on Sunday following the first in a series of worship services with the theme Water Is Life. Van Fossan said the series will continue with one service per month through May -- but she expects it to resonate far longer. Its meaningful enough, and I think it speaks to an important spiritual reality that it will probably inform how we understand who we are and what we do far into the future, she said. The first service, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Sunday, will include some of the young people who ran from Cannon Ball to Omaha, Neb., to deliver a petition asking the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a complete environmental impact statement before issuing an easement for the pipeline to cross the rivers upstream from the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. Hoblit said she was surprised at the enthusiastic reaction one of the runners gave when asked to speak at the church. The girl was excited that the congregation wanted to hear their perspectives. I didnt fully expect that enthusiasm, Hoblit said. A lunch is planned after the service, followed by a caravan to take donations and signed banners to the camps. Van Fossan said the Unitarian Universalist tradition draws on indigenous practices and religions as a source of faith. Many members of the church also feel strongly about the environmental implications of the pipeline and protecting water. But no matter the faith tradition or the reason for going to the camp, Van Fossan and Hoblit said all church members left there stronger in their faith and beliefs than before they arrived. Theres a real sense of being healed and receiving more than we could give, Van Fossan said. Hoblit is not a member at Standing Rock, but she does have a deep connection with the community after spending 13 years working at Sitting Bull College. She is heartened not only by the way the camps have become a gathering of historical significance for Native Americans, but also in how people across the world are being inspired to speak up for their own causes after watching what is happening in North Dakota. Hoblit also knows what she wants more than anything. I want clean water for my granddaughter and her descendants that I will never meet, she said. Reach Jenny Schlecht at 701-595-0425 or jenny.schlecht@bismarcktribune.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Emergency dispatchers in Bismarck are now able to walk and talk at the same time, as the result of a treadmill desk recently installed at the Central Dakota Communications Center. Eighteen communications specialists at CenCom, which is in charge of routing 911 calls for the Bismarck and Mandan Police Departments and the Burleigh County Sheriff's Department, have used the treadmill workstation since it was installed in October. With good walking shoes, Brendan Hanken, who's been at CenCom for three years, uses the treadmill at a safe speed no more than 2 mph. He watches the six computer monitors in front of him and occasionally might stop to take a call. CenCom has 28 employees who work a combination of eight-, 10- and 12-hour shifts to provide public safety communications services 24/7/365. They are typically confined to a traditional desk and chair. The treadmill helps combat adverse health effects and improve employee wellness, said Katie Johnke, nutrition services coordinator at Bismarck-Burleigh Health. Within Bismarck, CenCom is the only department with a treadmill, Johnke said, which Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health received through a grant from the North Dakota Comprehensive Cancer Control and Chronic Disease Programs. The grant was to pilot a treadmill workstation for use by communications specialists while carrying out their duties. Each communication specialist who uses the treadmill wears a FitBit activity tracker to monitor daily step counts and treadmill usage. Beginning in October, CenCom and Bismark-Burleigh started tracking employees' steps using a tracking sheet. Data has already been submitted to the state Health Department; however, the communications specialists continue to wear their FitBits and monitor their steps. Mike Dannenfelzer, director of CenCom, said the treadmill workstation was so successful that he hopes to get another one for employees to use, though he notes space in the building is limited. (Reach Blair Emerson at 701-250-8251 or Blair.Emerson@bismarcktribune.com) Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The excruciating pain started in his rib. Over the years, it spread to his sternum. Then his hips. Now, the pain has returned in his back and it wont go away. His journey for relief has led him to Seattle, where he will undergo an experimental treatment that might safe his life. Matt Jahner was a junior at Dickinson High School when he was diagnosed in 2008 with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He was treated at Mayo Clinic, where he underwent chemotherapy and went into in remission. But in 2013, the disease came back. His doctors said his best bet for survival was a bone marrow or stem cell transplant. He didn't find any matches in the bone marrow registry, but found two matches in an umbilical cord database. Because of his size -- 6 feet, 1 inch and roughly 180 pounds -- Matt needed both of the umbilical cord transplants. He underwent surgery in May 2013, and it appeared he was healed right away. We thought, awesome, hes cured, said Matts sister, Erin Jahner, 27. Matt and his family were told that if he could survive two years after the transplant, hed be considered cured. Matt was three months shy of two years when he relapsed in March. The cancer had returned: Tests showed 80 percent leukemia in his bone marrow. His doctors at Mayo Clinic said they could no longer treat him, and he and his family were told they should look for treatment elsewhere. Erin, a nurse at CHI St. Alexius Health, went digging for other options for her little brother after his first relapse. She scoured the Internet, joined online support groups and spoke with physicians at the hospital in which she works. She spent all hours of the day on the phone and emailing. Her medical knowledge and connections she made with people in online support groups led her to an alternative cancer treatment: immunotherapy, an experimental treatment that involves using a patient's own immune system to kill cancer cells. She contacted Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, which was doing one of these clinical trials. It was reserved for patients who have failed other standard treatment options, and her brother had been found ineligible for it about two years prior. Erin and a representative from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society contacted the facility to try to get Matt into the trial. We pushed," she said. "I had Matts records sent there in a day. I had our insurance information sent there in an hour. I called and called and called." Finally, he got in. The family drove 20 hours to Seattle for his initial appointment on March 28. After blood tests, biopsies and spinal taps, they determined he was a candidate for the trial. Matt and his mom, Kathy Long, moved into an apartment in Seattle three weeks ago. In Seattle, the family learned more about immunotherapy, including its success rate and side effects. I didnt know there was a treatment out there with such positive outcomes," Matt said. Theyre saying it could be an alternative treatment from chemo. Dr. Cameron Turtle, a physician at Fred Hutchinson, said the trial has been going on for two and a half years, and they've dealt with more than 100 patients. Basically, he said, the treatment involves removing some of the patient's T-cells, which are part of the immune system; engineering them in a lab to recognize and kill cancer cells; and then reinjecting them into the patient. "Weve seen a lot of success, Turtle said, though he couldn't point to any figures because the information is under embargo. Patients in the trial are required to stay in Seattle for two months and then are monitored for a year, he said. Because these are very new trials, we have to keep an eye on them to make sure there are no long-term issues," Turtle said. Last week, Matt started chemotherapy to make room for the T-cells. Today, the cells will be put back into his body, where they will travel through his bloodstream and into his bone marrow to attack cancer cells. The goal is to have the cells remain in his body for life so if the leukemia starts to come back, they kill it right away. Its kind of all a blur. Im still kind of in shock (that the cancers back again)," said Matt, 24, who lives in Bismarck. I dont know if Ive accepted the fact yet. Yeah, theres a chance it might work, but, yet again, theres a chance theres not much they can do," he said. Matt was supposed to graduate from Bismarck State College in May with two degrees: in petroleum engineering and process plant technology. He's a banker at Dakota Community Bank and said he might explore a career in finance or human resources. Matt became a Make-A-Wish recipient after he was diagnosed with cancer. He was awarded a trip to Alaska to go deep-sea fishing. He's been volunteering with the nonprofit ever since. I knew how much (Make-A-Wish) helped me when I was going through it," he said. Erin flew to Seattle on Monday and says she'll stay with her brother for about a week to monitor his condition. Any adverse reactions to the treatment and hell be right back in the hospital, she said. Matt said he's mostly afraid of the "unknowns" of the new trial and its potential long-term effects. Were scared; were very scared," Erin said. "But without this, we dont have any other options at this point." The family has set up a GoFundMe page (www.gofundme.com/matthewjahner) and CaringBridge site (www.caringbridge.org/visit/matthewjahner) to help cover Seattle expenses, medical bills, flights and specialized care. There are also two medical accounts set up at Gate City Bank and Dakota Community Bank under "Matthew Jahner Medical Fund." (Reach Blair Emerson at 701-250-8251 or Blair.Emerson@bismarcktribune.com) Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A former law enforcement officer who a prosecutor said "preyed" on a boy and had sex with him has been sentenced to three years in prison. Richard Allen Anderson, of Turtle Lake, was charged last year with corruption or solicitation of minors, luring minors by computer, sexual assault and indecent exposure. In January, Allen pleaded guilty to all counts except the indecent exposure charge, which McLean County State's Attorney Ladd Erickson said was dismissed. Last year, the McLean County Sheriff's Department contacted the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation to assist in a sexual assault investigation involving a 15-year-old boy. The boy told law enforcement he met Anderson during a traffic stop. Anderson was previously a deputy for the McLean County Sheriff's Department. The boy said Anderson befriended him, and that Anderson sexually assaulted him in the fall of 2017. "This was a very predatory act on a young boy," Erickson said Tuesday at Anderson's sentencing hearing. Erickson said the boy is "cognitively slower." "I believe the defendant preyed on that, took advantage of that, for his sexual needs," Erickson said. Erickson asked that Anderson be sentenced to a total of three years in prison, three years of supervised probation and require that Anderson register as a sex offender. The boy's stepfather also said at the hearing that the boy "was at the bottom on his class in academia." He also said the boy and his mother have moved three times since Anderson's arrest, and he expressed concerns about Anderson re-offending. Paul Merkens, Anderson's court-appointed attorney, told South Central District Judge John Grinsteiner that Anderson "has no criminal history." "He's unlikely to commit another crime based on history," Merkens said, later adding that Anderson "essentially admitted to everything that's happened here." Anderson gave emotional testimony on Tuesday, stating that he was "not in the right state of mind" when he had an inappropriate relationship with the boy. "I take 100% responsibility for my actions and I am sorry," Anderson said, adding that he's committed to completing treatment. Prior to sentencing Anderson, Grinsteiner said he heard about Anderson and his mental health issues, but not the victim of the crime. "Part of what was asked of this court was to hold Mr. Anderson, because he's former law enforcement and a veteran, in a different regard, and the court does that. In fact, I expect him to act in a different regard," Grinsteiner said, referring to officers being held to a higher standard. Grinsteiner upheld the state's recommendation, which he called "more than fair," adding that he considered a higher sentence. Anderson was taken into custody after the hearing. (Reach Blair Emerson at 701-250-8251 or Blair.Emerson@bismarcktribune.com) Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 2 Sad 1 Angry 17 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. North Dakota's Supreme Court has ruled on a case disputing corporations as victims under Marsy's Law, but attorneys say the opinion doesn't address the constitutional amendment's victim definition. Police and prosecutors have grappled with ambiguity in interpreting who is a victim by the measure's language after voters in 2016 embedded the victim rights initiative in North Dakota's Constitution. The case before the high court involved a Bismarck man who was convicted of assault for breaking a man's jaw. Javonne Hunt disputed a judge's order he pay $27,500 to an insurance company for the injured man's medical costs. Hunt had agreed to pay about $3,200 for the injured man's out-of-pocket medical expenses. Public defender Yancy Cottrill argued in April that Marsy's Law limits victims to human beings and corporations shouldn't receive restitution under the constitutional provision, which he also said conflicts with and overrides statutory language. Justices on Thursday affirmed the order for Hunt to pay the restitution to Blue Cross Blue Shield, seeing no conflict in Hunt's dispute. But the court didn't wade into the victim definition of Marsy's Law. "It is unnecessary to determine whether the definition of a victim under (Marsy's Law) is limited to individuals," Justice Jon Jensen wrote in the opinion. Aaron Birst, executive director of the North Dakota State's Attorneys' Association, said the opinion is a narrow one that doesn't change much. "This opinion pretty much allows the status quo from what's happening in the prosecutor world," Birst said. "And of course there's going to be plenty more litigation and finding out the bounds of Marsy's Law to come, too." North Dakota prosecutors have differed across counties in their interpretations of the victim language in Marsy's Law, creating uncertainty which has led to withholding some traditionally public information, such as details in criminal affidavits. Cottrill did not return two phone messages Monday seeking comment. Burleigh County prosecutor Tessa Vaagen said the opinion addressed restitution in the facts of Hunt's case rather than interpreting victim language of Marsy's Law. But she pointed to a section of the opinion as to why the justices declined to address the victim definition: "We have previously recognized that 'it is a cardinal rule of decision making to avoid constitutional confrontations where there are appropriate alternative grounds to resolve the case before us,'" Jensen wrote. Additionally, Justice Lisa Fair McEvers concurred on separate reasons, noting future potential conflicts over victim restitution as likely to be resolved by recent legislation. Rep. Scott Louser, R-Minot, brought the bill McEvers referenced, which he said addressed "cleanup" of restitution language and no-contact orders imposed upon incarcerated persons. State lawmakers in their 2017-18 interim studied the effects of Marsy's Law but reached no recommendations for legislation, citing the measure's placement in the state Constitution which may only be amended by another vote. At least three other state Supreme Court opinions have cited Marsy's Law, all regarding restitution. Reach Jack Dura at 701-250-8225 or jack.dura@bismarcktribune.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Fewer pregnant women and new moms in North Dakota are utilizing the federally funded nutrition program known as Women, Infants and Children, or WIC. The program, which has been in the state since 1975, offers nutrition assistance to low-and middle-income pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants and children younger than 5 years of age. In the past five years, WIC offices across the state have seen participation rates slowly decline, which could be attributed to low birth rates and higher incomes. A flight of younger families from rural areas and into cities with larger populations also has impacted participation numbers. New mother Jamie Mclain and her 7-month-old son Liam visit the Bismarck WIC office once a month for nutrition assistance. Mclain said her parents told her about the program, which she started using at the end of her pregnancy and has continued to use after the birth of her son. It has really helped out a lot, said Mclain, who works at HIT Inc. in Mandan, a disability service. Mclain breastfed Liam until he was 3 months old. Once she returned to work, she started feeding him formula. The WIC program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is similar to food stamps. It helps pregnant women and new moms buy WIC-eligible food, such as milk, cheese, eggs, and whole grains. It also can be used to purchase baby formula, fruits, veggies and baby food. To qualify for WIC, annual household income must fall at or below 185 percent of the poverty line. Working families Colleen Pearce, WIC program director for the North Dakota Department of Health, said the program is for low- and middle-income families, a vast majority of whom have jobs and are working. According to the programs participant survey in 2015, 76 percent of WIC participants were working families. Its a great supplement for working families, Pearce said. WIC provides families with nutritious foods as a way to combat diseases and other nutritional issues, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. The program also offers nutrition education, refers clients to other health and social services and also provides breastfeeding support. The Bismarck WIC office supplies new mothers with breast pumps. Low birth rates Last year, 21,690 women, infants and children used WIC, down from 24,356 in 2010. Why over time have the WIC numbers been decreasing? Pearce said. Well, in fact, our births have not been all that high. In 2010, there were a little over 9,000 births in the state, Pearce said. In 2011, it was about 9,200, and finally, in 2012, it increased to 10,000. Its a fairly low birth rate for (2010 to 2012), she said. We didnt see much of a bump up in the number of births in our state until the beginning of 2013 and going into 2014. The number of births in 2014 was about 11,300. The numbers finally increased as a result of the oil boom and a more desirable economy, Pearce said. Clearly, that could be the driver for WIC, she said. The national WIC participation numbers have been dropping, too, Pearce said. Plentiful work During the oil boom, a number of people entered the state seeking jobs and other opportunities. In North Dakota, were kind of the anomaly, Pearce said. Those people could be finding jobs that put them at an income level higher than allowed under WIC, Pearce said. People who utilize the WIC program are younger families who are having children and who may fall into the lower- to middle-income range, Pearce said. In recent years, younger families have migrated from more rural areas and into the larger population centers, including Bismarck, Minot and Fargo. The rural areas seem to be losing that younger population, Pearce said. Those numbers really have continued to drop. Thats probably the most dramatic shift weve seen over the years. Its not surprising, she said. WIC offices in Dickinson and Williston have witnessed many families leave more rural areas, but also report a recent uptick in participation due to the decline of oil prices. Barb Truchan, director of the Dickinson WIC office, which serves seven counties in the southwestern part of the state, said many more families are enrolling in WIC. This could be due to a number of oil field layoffs, 30 or 40 at a time, she said. So theyre coming back to WIC, Truchan said. Liz Bustad, director of the WIC office in Williston, said shes also seeing numbers increasing because of the downturn in oil industry in northwest North Dakota. In the past year, participation has increased 19 percent, she said. Were getting a lot of calls, Bustad said. When people get laid off ... its really hard to make ends meet. WIC offices in Bismarck and Fargo also have reported increases in recent months. Many younger families may be moving out of rural areas of the state and into cities with larger populations, such as Bismarck and Fargo. We have not really seen a decrease in our numbers, said Kim Vance, director of the Fargo Cass Public Health WIC Program. Vance said the office has been keeping busy in the past five months, averaging about 2,900 WIC clients each month. Our numbers are staying up, said Vance, adding that she has had more of a challenge in keeping enough appointments and scheduling availability for clients, many of whom have work or school. Both Bismarck and Fargo WIC offices also have seen an influx in clients from other states and countries. Shannon Spotts, director of the Bismarck and Mandan WIC offices, said shes seen more pregnant women and new moms coming in from Puerto Rico and Mexico. The Bismarck location recently had to request more WIC pamphlets and educational brochures in Spanish, Spotts said. WIC offices also have an interpreter line that staff members can call. We call the language line a lot, said Brandy Zacher, an employee at the WIC office in Bismarck. Ive met people from all over just in the last few years. Why over time have the WIC numbers been decreasing? Well, in fact, our births have not been all that high. Colleen Pearce, WIC program director for the North Dakota Department of Health (Reach Blair Emerson at 701-250-8251 or Blair.Emerson@bismarcktribune.com) Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Retired neurosurgeon and former Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson will be in Fargo next weekend to deliver a keynote address and rally the North Dakota GOP faithful. Carson, 64, was confirmed Friday morning as the first of two keynote speakers to be announced for the state GOP convention, scheduled for April 1-3 at Scheels Arena in Fargo. Carson will be speaking at 10:10 a.m. April 3 during the convention; the main keynote speaker for April 2 will be announced early next week. Im really excited that well have Dr. Carson here, North Dakota Republican Party Chairman Kelly Armstrong said. Hes a good man whos really helped (with) the national debate. Carson, a Detroit native, is a retired brain surgeon. Hes best known for conducting the first successful operation to separate conjoined twins at the back of the head. He entered the crowded GOP presidential nomination race in spring 2015 and, at one point, led in Iowa polling. Questions over his foreign policy abilities and experience chipped away at his standing. Carson finished fourth in Iowa and, after a string of poor finishes in primaries and caucuses, he suspended his campaign March 4. He received a total of eight delegates to the national convention while in the race; 1,237 are needed to secure the nomination. Armstrong said Carson is a strong conservative and North Dakota convention attendees should be glad to hear from him. Its good for North Dakota that the national campaigns are interested in us, Armstrong said. Carson received a bachelors degree in psychology at Yale University. Later, he earned his medical degree at the University of Michigan Medical School and completed his residency at John Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. In 1984, Carson became director of pediatric neurosurgery at John Hopkins, where he worked until his retirement in 2013. He later joined the Fox News Channel as a commentator. Hes also the author of multiple books. (Reach Nick Smith at 701-250-8255 or 701-223-8482 or at nick.smith@bismarcktribune.com.) 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. North Dakotas first rail inspector hired as part of a pilot program to supplement federal inspectors in the state has been certified and is in the field with the authority to operate independently. Karl Carson, who was hired last summer by the North Dakota Public Service Commission, was certified Monday by the Federal Railroad Administration. PSC Chairwoman Julie Fedorchak praised the certification Wednesday at the beginning of the three-member commissions regularly scheduled meeting in the state Capitol. This is kind of exciting. Hes out there now working independently, Fedorchak said. Prior to his hire by the PSC, Carson worked with BNSF Railway, joining the railway in the early 1990s and serving in management positions since 2004. Lawmakers approved $523,345 from the rail safety fund for the pilot program. Of this, $253,345 was for the salary of one inspector and $200,000 for a temporary employee. The remaining $70,000 is for operating costs. The pilot program is to last through the 2017-19 biennium. The program is to supplement the work of three FRA inspectors assigned to North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana. Karl will focus on North Dakota only, Fedorchak said. Fedorchak said, since Carsons hire, hes worked with FRA on inspections in dozens of communities across the state, finding 411 defective conditions and 13 violations. Defective conditions are typically minor issues that could cause wear and tear on the tracks and develop into more serious problems. Violations are more serious issues that could prompt fines. Carson has also walked the entire length of railroad tracks going through the communities of Max, Steele, Underwood and Beulah, Fedorchak said. That program is off to a good start. Were finding some good results, Fedorchak said. We are finding a lot of ways to improve. Fedorchak said the other employee for the program was hired in December. She said she didnt have a concrete timetable as to when that individual will also be certified by the FRA. Reach Nick Smith at 701-250-8255 or 701-223-8482 or at nick.smith@bismarcktribune.com 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. A prominent, former North Dakota lawmaker has been named public policy director for Ducks Unlimited for North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana. Towner-area rancher Ryan Taylor joined Ducks Unlimited Tuesday. "To me, good public policy helps us find our common interest and discover the underlying merit of working together toward something better. Its not easy, but the challenge of it all led me to this spot," Taylor said in a statement. From 2003 to 2012, he represented a largely rural district between Minot and Minnewaukan in the North Dakota Senate, where he was minority leader in the 2011 session. Taylor was also the 2012 Democratic-NPL nominee for governor, bested by Republican incumbent Jack Dalrymple, who did not seek reelection in 2016. Ryan brings a unique combination of experience in policy, agriculture and leadership that will help build partnerships to maintain and improve our quality of life. His proven abilities to work across the aisles will serve all of us well in his new leadership role, Ducks Unlimited Great Plains Operations Director Steve Adair said. Reach Jack Dura at 701-250-8225 or jack.dura@bismarcktribune.com. Love 2 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 owners of Lonesome Dove have filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Mandan over a mural city officials ordered removed. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District of North Dakota on Monday. The suit seeks a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to allow Lonesome Dove to keep artwork on the bar's front wind block. The business at 3929 Memorial Highway received a citation in October from Mandan's code enforcement office for placing the unpermitted mural depicting a Western scene and the name of the bar. The bar owners, Brian Berube and August Kersten, previously said they didn't apply for a permit because they weren't aware of the requirements. The Mandan Architectural Review Commission later denied their application, because city guidelines state "no mural may be placed on the front of the building" and "no mural shall convey a commercial message." The City Commission voted 4-1 on March 19 to order the mural be removed. Berube and Kersten then started to work with the Institute for Justice, which describes itself as a national law firm for liberty that litigates to limit the size and scope of government power. Erica Smith, an attorney with the Institute for Justice, said she sent two letters to the city, one on March 29 that said that the city's enforcement against Lonesome Dove is "unconstitutional," and asked that the city allow the mural to remain. Smith said she sent a second letter a couple weeks ago, asking for an extension on the deadline to remove the mural while Mandan Planning and Zoning continues to review possible changes to the city's mural ordinance. The city denied the request, and instead told them they had to remove it by Thursday or they could be fined up to $1,000, according to Smith. "We gave the city ample opportunity to stop trampling on our clients' free speech rights and they refused," Smith said. Berube said he doesn't plan to remove the mural by Thursday, despite the threat of fines and fees. "I don't believe in what they're doing to not only myself, but anybody else in Mandan," he said. "It's asinine." Smith said she learned about Lonesome Dove's struggle to keep its mural in a newspaper article, and said her firm has repeatedly taken cases involving "abuse" of sign codes and mural regulations. "Unfortunately, sign codes are something that municipalities tend to abuse, and we see it over and over again. So we're hoping this lawsuit will stop Mandan and also serve as an educational tool to other cities," she said. Smith was also involved in a 2017 case regarding a 9-foot Mario outside a video game store in north Florida. The city eventually backed down and allowed the owner to keep the inflatable. Though the lawsuit doesn't involve any other Mandan business owners with murals, Smith said it also aims to protect them. This includes Many Visions Apparel at 1000 Second Ave N.W., which was ordered to remove a mural from its storefront in February. "What we have here is just local businesses trying to use murals to beautify their buildings and attract customers. It's adding to the city, not taking away from it," she said. The lawsuit is seeking "nominal damages" of a dollar, which Smith said is symbolic in constitutional law. Nominal damages are issued when a wrongdoing occurs, but there wasn't actual financial loss. The lawsuit does seek attorneys' fees. City attorney Malcolm Brown said the city will file "an appropriate response" to the lawsuit, and did not respond to a request for further comment. (Reach Blair Emerson at 701-250-8251 or Blair.Emerson@bismarcktribune.com) Love 16 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. spent three weeks looking at the issues facing marijuana legalization in the tri-state area for a series called Reefer, Managed. Heres the first of three stories cataloguing some of their findings for Gothamist. As New Yorks legislature struggles to reach a consensus on how to legalize recreational marijuana, some lawmakers are also seeking to expand the states existing medical marijuana program, which is one of the most restrictive in the country. Senator Diane Savino and Assemblyman Richard Gottfried are co-sponsoring a new bill that would allow companies currently registered to grow and distribute medical cannabis products to increase the number of their dispensaries. So we need to double the number of dispensaries minimally. We need to add more registered organizations, Senator Savino recently said on the FAQ NYC podcast. We need to eliminate conditions as a requirement and leave that up to doctors and patients. We need to lift the restriction on smoking. A more relaxed medical marijuana system in New York might make the path to full legalization easier. But in states like California, which went from a lenient medical market to a highly taxed and regulated system in 2018, sales of illicit marijuana are vastly undercutting legal weed, and the revenue state lawmakers were expecting to rake in. According to GreenEdge, a company that tracks cannabis sales, California sold $2.51 billion of legal, recreational weed in 2018, half a billion dollars less than the prior year when only medical cannabis was available. California had a very loosely regulated medical-only market, by far the biggest in the country, $3 billion, and then on January 1st it went to completely regulated and licensed, said Tom Adams, managing director and principal analyst at the cannabis data firm BDS Analytics. The industry is laboring under the enormous tax and regulatory load that is causing price to be higher than they are on the illicit market. Californias taxes include a 15 percent levy on purchases, a cultivation tax of $9.25 per dry-weight ounce of cannabis flowers, and $2.75 per dry-weight ounce of cannabis leaves, and localities can charge their own tax. Medical cannabis products are exempt from some sales and use taxes with a valid Medical Marijuana Identification card. People are coming into stores very excited about edibles and concentrates, and they notice right away the prices are much higher than they are from their illicit dealers, said Adams. Governor Andrew Cuomos proposal to fully legalize marijuana is similar to the California model, and would levy three taxes at various points in the supply chain: a 20 percent state tax on cannabis when its sold from wholesaler to retailer, a cultivation tax of $1 per dry weight gram of cannabis flowers and $0.25 per dry weight gram of cannabis trim, and 2 percent would go to the county where the dispensary is located. According to BDS Analytics, the tri-state region could create a combined market for legal cannabis exceeding $5 billion by 2022, making it second only to California, the current world leader in marijuana. But this assumes that legal marijuana in New York would be able to compete with the illicit market. Elzora Cleveland and other activists with Mothers for Marijuana Justice lobbied Albany to legalize marijuana earlier this month (Fred Mogul / Gothamist / WNYC) New Yorks current medical marijuana system is a bit of a misnomer because neither doctors nor certified practitioners actually prescribe marijuana. Instead, they certify patients who then typically work with a dispensary to decide what the best treatment is for them. The existing law only permits qualified patients to have a 30-day supply of non-smokable cannabis-infused products such as tinctures. In addition, no insurance company covers marijuana either, its a cash only business, and you cant use your credit cardall of this has federal oversight, according to Dr. Chinazo Cunningham, a physician and professor of medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Health System, who is on the governors advisory board for legal cannabis. Its sort of created this shadow market. This current shadow market would only stand to get bigger. Under Governor Andrew Cuomos Cannabis Regulation and Taxation Act, the current medical marijuana dispensaries would be grandfathered in to recreational legalization and would continue to provide medicinal cannabis services. The startup costs of medical marijuana dispensaries in New York are hefty. Companies pay $210,000 for the licensing registration. Once approved, they have 6 months to build out their facilities. Due to the currently imposed vertical structure, dispensaries have to grow all their weed, sell it, and do everything in between. As a result, some of the medical marijuana dispensaries in New York State are the biggest lobbyists in the marijuana industry nationwide. According to campaign finance documents, six of the 10 companies that currently sell medical marijuana in New York State gave $155,510 to Governor Cuomos campaign between January 2017 and November 2018. Cuomos proposal, by giving a leg up to existing medical cannabis companies, were talking about industry giants like Acreage Holdings, Curaleaf, MedMen, these are companies that would get the mover and shaker advantage in New York, said Alyson Martin, co-founder of the digital publication Cannabis Wire. Theres basically a mad dash by some larger companies to acquire as strong of a foothold as possible as states legalize and theyre spending hundreds of millions of dollars to do so, said Martin. Last year, the California-based MedMen opened a store and obtained a license on Manhattans Fifth Avenue for $26.5 million thats not including the price of the lease. MedMen CEO Andrew Modlin personally donated $25,000 to Governor Cuomo, giving an additional $65,000 through the MedMen Opportunity Fund. Despite the support for legalization, time is running out for both Cuomos proposal and the bill to loosen restrictions on medical cannabis in New York, as the state legislative session ends in June. We want medical marijuana to get to genuinely sick people, not use the system as a backdoor for commercialization because advocates dont have the votes for legalization, Dr. Kevin Sabet, an opponent of legalization and the president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana said. This tactic on the part of Big Marijuanas backers in the legislature is further proof, this is about industry profits, not helping people. One of the newest recipients of a Bush Fellowship plans to open an art center for youth on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation. Tami Jollie-Trottier anticipates opening the facility this summer in the Jollie Mall, a building owned by her parents in Belcourt. Its going to be focused on the youth and looking at enhancing cultural identity, she said. The Bush Foundation selected Jollie-Trottier this year as one of 24 fellows from North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota. Each fellow receives up to $100,000 over two years to pursue activities that promote leadership. Since her daughter was born five years ago, Jollie-Trottier has focused on writing and painting as a way of healing from a traumatic experience during childbirth. I needed to get these images out on paper because they were coming in picture form into my head, she said. She began with oil and pastels, then took a beading workshop. Beading is very time consuming, and its a very good form of healing, she said. It wasnt allowing me to get my images out fast enough, so I turned to painting. Her preferred materials are acrylic and water color. Jollie-Trottier is a psychologist, but she said she is not an art therapist. Nevertheless, she aims to share the healing she has experienced by encouraging youth to try art. She plans to bring in elders to work with youth so the two generations can learn from each other. An enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Jollie-Trottier said her pictures contain meanings and can teach the viewer about her culture. She anticipates providing art supplies with her fellowship money and inviting artists to lead classes on techniques such as basket making. She also hopes to start a poetry night for youth. Jollie-Trottier recently left her job as a hospital psychologist to start a private practice. She will work there part time in the same building as the art center. When she is at the art center, she said she will have an open door policy so youth can stop in to work or watch her paint. She said she plans to partner with the local Boys and Girls Club, church groups, tribal arts organization and schools to host events. Upon hearing news that she was selected as a fellow, she said she began to cry tears of happiness and hugged her daughter. She had already left her job at the hospital, hoping for the fellowship as she started on her private practice. This was a huge leap of faith for me, she said. Reach Amy R. Sisk at 701-250-8267 or amy.sisk@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. WASHINGTON As they exited their plane in Washington, veterans from North Dakota and Minnesota were greeted by a throng of well-wishers who applauded, held welcome signs and reached out to shake their hands. The people who lined the walkway in the gate area were not family or friends; they were simply fellow Americans with a message to deliver. Welcome to Washington or Thank you for your service, many of them said as the vets passed by. A group of young band students from a local school brightened the festive mood with patriotic music when members of the Veterans Honor Flight of North Dakota and Minnesota arrived. Several vets said later they were surprised and touched by the reception. It was pretty nice, said Jack Gaddie, 91, of East Grand Forks, who served in the U.S. Army at the end of World War II and the start of the Korean War. To be welcomed by people with Welcome Vets of North Dakota and Minnesota signs and applause, it was quite a reception. It brought tears to my eyes, Gaddie said. You dont realize until you see something like that that people do care. Gaddie was among the 85 veterans from North Dakota and Minnesota to participate in the latest Veterans Honor Flight, a nonprofit effort that takes veterans to see historic and military sites in Washington, D.C. The group took off Sunday morning from Fargo and returned Monday evening. While in Washington, they visited numerous sites and participated in a dinner and reception. And they all seemed touched by the reception they received at the airport. Jim Riley, of Grand Forks, who served in the U.S. Air Force for nearly 21 years, was among those who were moved by the scene. When we were greeted at the airport," he said, "I almost cried. It wouldnt be the last time in this two-day tour of war memorials and historic landmarks that emotions would rise, as veterans thoughts turned to personal memories of military service. And at the end of the trip Monday evening, it happened again: Hundreds gathered at Fargos Hector Airport to welcome the vets back with an honor guard, cheering, applause and more patriotic music. Each spring and fall, the Veterans Honor Flight of North Dakota and Minnesota takes veterans, at no cost to them, to Washington. Top priority is given to World War II and Korean War veterans, as well as any veterans with a terminal diagnosis. The vets on this flight represented all branches of the U.S. military Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard each with his or her own story, but all knit together by a common thread: the desire to serve their country. Most of the veterans served in the Korean War or during Korean War Era, 16 served in World War II and seven served in Vietnam. There was one woman in the group. The group was accompanied by another 80 family escorts and a team of volunteer medical and support staff members who pushed wheelchairs and tended to equipment such as oxygen tanks all to allow aging vets to see their memorials. They visited landmarks including the National Archives; the World War II, Korean, Vietnam and Iwo Jima memorials; the Lincoln Monument; and the President Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. The group witnessed the Changing of the Guard Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, an event that was quite moving, said Dean Trost, of McVille, who made the trip with his son, Michael Trost. Their convoy of four buses wove easily through the citys congested traffic with the aid of a police escort, lights flashing and sirens blaring. Youre going to see the traffic part like the Red Sea, Dave Brunsvold, event organizer, told the group on the first day of touring. And it did. Vehicles moved to the streets outer edges and stopped. At several points along the way, pedestrians stood and waved and applauded as the Honor Flight buses passed by. It was another heartfelt surprise for the vets inside. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 GRAND FORKS -- University of North Dakota President Mark Kennedy has at least eight and a half days of paid time off scheduled in May and early June before he departs for his new position as president of the University of Colorado. Total savings to North Dakota taxpayers? At least $11,932. Kennedys last day at UND is June 15, ending a three-year tenure at the local campus. On July 1, he will begin his new role in Colorado, overseeing four campuses in the University of Colorado system. Meanwhile, UND will continue its rotating in-charge schedule while Kennedy takes time away from campus in his final weeks in Grand Forks. The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education is searching for a new leader at UND, likely in the form of an interim president. An announcement on the interim president is expected by June 1. Kennedy, like all state employees, is allowed to take his unused paid time off in a lump payment upon his final day of employment. Each hour Kennedy takes off saves taxpayers more than $175 in his final payout. Kennedy earns $365,000 annually. Divided by 2,080 hours the total hours in a year of a salaried, full-time position it comes to $175.48 per hour, or $1,403.84 per eight-hour day. That means Kennedys planned vacation time in late May and early June 8.5 days so far, according to UND will drain his total PTO payout by $11,932.64. Kennedy still has a PTO balance of 86.64 hours to be paid out in a sum of $15,204 when he concludes his employment at UND. Further vacation time between now and June 15 will continue to decrease that payout. According to Meloney Linder, UNDs vice president for marketing and communications, Kennedy also has tentatively scheduled PTO for June 10-11. Linder said June 6-7 has been reserved for the transitioning/onboarding of the interim president, which may determine whether Kennedy uses more of his PTO in June, she said. Kennedy does not get paid for unused sick leave. While Kennedy is away from campus, the university will continue its traditional practice of tasking vice presidents with in-charge status in the presidents absence. UND Communications Director David Dodds on Monday, May 20, shared a schedule showing a rotation of mostly Provost Tom DiLorenzo and Vice President of Finance and Operations Jed Shivers. There is an in-charge master list that is prepared all the time, based on the vice presidents schedules. It puts one of the vice presidents in charge to run the campus (in the presidents absence), Dodds said Monday. Today, Jed Shivers is in charge. That changes (Tuesday) and Wednesday, when Tom DiLorenzo is in charge. It goes back and forth based on the schedules of the vice presidents. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 4 A group seeking to legalize recreational marijuana in North Dakota through the ballot box withdrew a petition submitted to state election officials Tuesday and plans to rewrite the proposal, the sponsoring committee's chairman said. John Bailey, of Courtenay, called it a "group decision" to redraft the proposed constitutional amendment, but he declined to specify what changes were in store. Secretary of State Al Jaeger said just before noon Tuesday that the petition had been withdrawn hours after it was submitted Monday. "There were a few things that needed to be changed on it," Bailey said. The original petition would allow North Dakotans to grow marijuana on private property for personal use as well as consume or possess the drug "in any form." It calls for lawmakers to establish a system for regulating marijuana and allows voters to petition for public sales in their communities. Organizers would need 26,904 signatures to ask voters to amend the constitution. Meanwhile, another group is still planning to launch a campaign for a statutory ballot measure, said David Owen, who led an unsuccessful legalization effort last year. He's planning to start collecting signatures soon after an early July kickoff event. Last year's Measure 3 was criticized as being too wide-open, and nearly 60% of voters rejected it. Owen said their next measure would include more regulations over marijuana, and he emphasized that they were separate from Bailey's group. "They're trying to redo Measure 3 basically," he said. "I don't think the population of North Dakota has changed to the point that we can relitigate (it)." Bailey argued their measure is structured differently than Measure 3 and said embedding the language in the constitution would protect it from legislative meddling. He didn't see it as a competing measure to the one Owen's group is drafting. "We all have a right to support what we feel is correct," he said. Owen also raised concerns that some members of the other sponsoring committee appeared to have serious criminal records beyond drug paraphernalia or possession charges, which he said could bolster legalization opponents' stereotypes that marijuana users are "deviants and undesirables." Bailey said they didn't check committee members' backgrounds. He said people with criminal records would be welcomed back once they resubmit a petition. "I'm not going to subject anybody to their past if they don't want to be," Bailey said. Love 3 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 WATFORD CITY Brent Sanford could feel stressed out about a lot of things, starting with the fact that he is an election day away from likely becoming the lieutenant governor of North Dakota. Two months ago, he was just a 44-year-old Watford City businessman, mayor of the town, a husband and a dad. Now, without a lick of legislative experience other than testifying endlessly on behalf of the oil patch communities, he could be presiding over the state Senate during the 2017 legislative session and partnering with a new governor for the next four years. His phone is ringing off the hook. Everyone wants to schedule time with him at this annual meeting or that statewide conference or this committee hearing. Hes also half of a dynamic campaign with surprise Republican gubernatorial primary winner Doug Burgum that starts now and wont stop until the election bell rings Nov. 8. Even all that isnt stressful for this self-admitted adrenaline junkie. S&S Motors, the car dealership he owns at a busy corner in a busy oil town, was literally being torn apart last week in a transition to a new location and new operational format. The power blinked on and off in the building, and staff was at loose ends as men came in to disassemble the furniture and carry it out the front door. This, now this is stress, Sanford said, holding down a showroom couch because the lights, his computer, the whole works was blacked out in his office. Sanford's business will be split with the service shop operating under a new name as S&S Motors and co-lease the current building with the town post office. The business move comes at a time when Sanfords facing the possibility that everything else in his life could change, too. He and his wife, Sandra, have three children ages 15, 8 and 5, and, if elected, hell be separated from them while they finish the upcoming school year in Watford City. The plan is that theyll join him then. I just really thought my kids would graduate from high school here like I did. Its hard on me to think of that growth in the school without my kids we came home for that, Sanford said. They came home a dozen years ago when, as Sanford related in a town documentary, he realized he and his family had the appearance of everything. I woke up one morning (in Denver) and realized we had nice cars, social opportunities and a nice home, but I felt completely alone in a city of 3 million, he said for that documentary. They decided to leave their jobs he was financial officer at Transwest Trucks, a dealership and manufacturing operation with 400 employees cash in and come home to family. The couple had no a clue that the modestly robust Watford City of 2004 where they staked their future would within six years become the epicenter of one of the biggest shale oil plays in the world and he, as a new mayor, would play a key role in how it all played out. Strong reputation He gained a reputation for standing up for western North Dakota, for equitable funding to get services, roads and schools in place for the thousands of new residents piling into the communities. Vawnita Best, a McKenzie County commissioner whos related through marriage, said it was a surprise, but not a surprise when Sanford told family about his decision to join the Burgum ticket. Who would be more qualified after what the states been through here in western North Dakota? We need a vision for strong rural communities, and this is the east and the west converging in the Capitol, she said. There hasnt been much mixing of east and west at that level in modern times. Former Gov. Art Link, of Alexander, held office from 1973 to 1981, and Orville Hagen, also of Watford City, was lieutenant governor from 1961 to 1963. Otherwise, the office has been fairly dominated by candidates from east of the Missouri River. So, there was the opportunity to bring the west to Bismarck and then there was Sandra Sanford, who wasnt having any of her husbands self-doubts. She didnt want me to take the easy way out and say no. She told me a door is opening, Sanford said. Sandra Sanford backed off her respiratory therapist career to raise the kids, but still keeps an active community profile in such things as heading a local human trafficking task force. She describes the two of them as true blue North Dakotans to the core. When the invitation to join the Burgum ticket came in, she said they dealt with it like they do all important decisions. We are Christians, and we dont move without prayer. As a family, we are at absolute peace with this. Were comfortable with failing, and we knew he wasnt going to lose even if they lose, she said. On the other hand, she says, We are not presumptuous. We will stay here until November and keep the kids in school through 2017. She was with the kids at vacation Bible school the night the primary returns came in, so her husband was alone at home with his computer and phone, somewhat dazed as the returns started coming in, county after county in their column. It fell on me like a ton of bricks, Brent Sanford said of that moment, when he saw there was no turning back. Sandra Sanford said she has complete faith in her husbands ability to do the job and sees him as a deeply intelligent man whose objectivity helps him redefine and restructure everything he touches. They've known each other since childhood, but didn't date until college while she was in the respiratory therapy program at North Dakota State University and he was earning a bachelor's degree in accounting at rival University of North Dakota, eventually becoming a certified public accountant. They graduated in 1994. Im his biggest cheerleader and his biggest critic. We debate and talk, and theres depth to our conversation. We have the skin, the head and the heart for this, said Sandra Sanford, adding she is ready to live out her husband's political destiny, whatever that is. "We've been married for 22 years, and I've always embraced the changes that have taken place in our life," she said. "If he's elected, my focus will be on our family and what happens will reveal itself." Another transition Brent Sanford also is thinking about the possible transition from Watford City government after 10 years. Who will be mayor if he leaves office? Should he resign so it could be filled in November, by election, or wait? The current council is young, three are new and three are half-way through a term, so theres just six years experience among all of them. None of them is putting their hand up in the air, he said. If he leaves the post, itll be with satisfaction of a job done as well as he could in the biggest transition the city has ever seen. The city has $150 million in debt for projects that benefit the general populace, not private developers, and most of it backed by oil production revenue and sales tax, not general property tax, Sanford said. If we had gotten into all that infrastructure for developments, we could easily have another $150 million in debt, but weve only done the streets around public buildings and we made a choice to do that, he said. Were at a point with water and wastewater systems, weve solved it for the population thats foreseeable here. He remains focused for his community, which he believes is still ripe for opportunity as oil companies start looking at filling their ranks with permanent geologists when oil drilling starts up. The primary campaign gave him the opportunity to get up close and personal with the whole state, and out there he found vibrant cities and towns that have potential and need leadership. He said he hopes the business acumen and focus on technology that he and Burgum would bring to the table in a relationship where Burgum functions as a chief executive officer and he as a chief operating officer will set the stage for making a genuine difference across all levels of population and geography. With technology, the future really knows no bounds. Our millennials are moving home; they get where they want to be and then they look for a job. We need to make sure the community is what it wants to be, he said. At the same time as he looks ahead, he looks back at the dozen years that have been rich in family dinners and gatherings, watching the kids play with cousins and strengthening the ties that bind. Sanford said he put off telling his mom about his decision to go with Burgum, but like any mom with a finely tuned sixth sense, she knew something was up. She took a deep breath and said she was so proud, but she wished I didnt have to move away from here, he said. (Reach Lauren Donovan at 701-220-5511 or lauren@westriv.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. RALEIGH Charlie Miller remembers his time in Vietnam as a series of stories that spill like water from a full glass of memories flowing from a well of deepest experience. Some want only to forget what happened in war. But thats not Miller. What he cant remember, he can see again in the hundreds of Kodak color slides he shot during his time there, still loaded on carousels and viewed from time to time when his kids or someone asks to watch them with him. That officer in the photo he knows; that soldier, a name he can still recall; that hill in the jungle, one he walked with rifle and radio pack. Miller, 70, lives in Raleigh, a fading town where few people live and where, in a blink, the gravel streets fade into the beautiful countryside of sere grasses climbing the sides of old butte formations. He had a bar in Raleigh for many years, where the regulars heard his war stories many times, indulging this garrulous man who loves to talk and still has the manner of a courtly barkeep. Miller grew up south of Raleigh, graduated from St. Gertrudes High School then took a two-year business accounting course at North Dakota State School of Science at Wahpeton. School all done in that summer of 66, he and a pal took the trip of a youthful lifetime, driving a black and silver 59 Ford from home clear out to Oregon. We knew we would be drafted and, sure enough, while we were out there, my dad called and said, `Lyndon Baines Johnson sends his greetings and wants you in the U.S. Army, he said. He was just another young boy and another life changed forever, though he was one who always had hankered to be a soldier. He returned home and on his last day of freedom, he went to a local wedding dance for a young couple he knew. She (Marlene) got married and I got drunk, and the next morning I went to Carson, where the recruits were loaded on buses to Bismarck and then Fargo, he said. Marlene, who got married the night before his departure, eventually became a widowed single mom and Miller would one day marry her, raising her kids and theirs, but that comes later in the story, after Vietnam. Miller was one of 86,000 young men drafted in the same month, when the war was really building up, along with the protests back home. He joined the 1st Armored Division and trained at Fort Hood, where he learned about the 106 Recoilless Rifles, with shells a foot long, bigger than tank shells. It was a huge cannon if you will, said Miller, who got his orders for Vietnam in September 1967. He and 4,000 others in the division were stuffed into the USS Upshur, a U.S. Navy transport ship, with guys stacked seven high in the bunks, seasickness trickling down to the poor guy on the bottom bunk. Millers destination: Halfway around the world to a hot, malaria-ridden combat zone, landing in Da Nang to set up at the Hill 69 base camp as a member of the Americal Division, 198 Light Infantry Brigade Company E. He was a specialist 4th class. Turned out, his storytelling voice was a good, clear one, and he was assigned to be the radio man for his company, communicating during their search-and-destroy missions. If we were getting hit, I wanted that radio in my hand, he said. He remembers when one of the company, a soldier named Lopez, was injured and fallen up against a rice paddy embankment. The sergeant major he was a huge man was on the helicopter, standing out on the skids. He reached down and picked up Lopez by his web gear and away he goes and they made it out over the trees, he says, his mind replaying the chop-chop-chop and how the vegetation bent below the whirling blades. Lopez, he did die anyway. Just as clear is the Tet Offensive, in late January 1968, launched by thousands of North Vietnamese and Viet Cong rebels against cities in South Vietnam. We were out there on a hill, it was midnight, and the whole coastline was lit up as far as we could see, illuminating the South China Sea. I remember thinking, `You want to play war, come on,'" he said. He was one who had the mental constitution for war, but thats not to say it was easy. I tried hard and did what I could do over there. After all that, I came home and got back on the tractor and thought, `Why didnt we win the war? Why didnt I get shot? In less than three years, his younger brother Pius Miller would meet that fate, killed by hostile fire in April 1971, with just a month left on his Vietnam tour. Pius had the most beautiful girl in the world waiting for him, said Miller, who carried on and made a life, close to his roots, always. Besides owning the Raleigh Bar down the street, since resold and renamed, he and his wife were resident employees at the Prairie Learning Center, a correction-centered school setting for boys in the old St. Gertrude school. He remains active in the Flasher American Legion Post No. 69, for many years sargeant at arms, proud to conduct military honors and flag ceremonies for veteran burials at 10 area cemeteries. It wasnt until the Berlin Wall dividing East from West Germany came down in 1989 that Miller says he felt some peace with this countrys and his effort in Vietnam, the events unrelated in time, but the wall at least symbolizing an end to a communist regime. I said to myself that was all that was ever resolved out of that heartache, said Miller, who adds he is proud of his service and said Vietnam helped him learn who he was and what he was made of. Before then, I wasnt sure." (Reach Lauren Donovan at 701-220-5511 or lauren@westriv.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. Over the weekend, Theresa Mays cross-party Brexit negotiations collapsed, but their worst ideas live on. At 4 p.m. London time, Prime Minister May unveiled the terms of what she calls a bold effort to pass her Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB). She condensed her new Brexit deal into 10 points: Our New Brexit Deal makes a 10-point offer to everyone in Parliament who wants to deliver the result of the referendum: The government will seek to conclude alternative arrangements to replace the backstop by December 2020, so that it never needs to be used; A commitment that, should the backstop come into force, the government will ensure that Great Britain will stay aligned with Northern Ireland; The negotiating objectives and final treaties for our future relationship with the EU will have to be approved by MPs; A new workers rights bill that guarantees workers rights will be no less favorable than in the EU; There will be no change in the level of environmental protection when we leave the EU; The UK will seek as close to frictionless trade in goods with the EU as possible while outside the single market and ending free movement; We will keep up to date with EU rules for goods and agri-food products that are relevant to checks at border protecting the thousands of jobs that depend on just-in-time supply chains; The government will bring forward a customs compromise for MPs to decide on to break the deadlock; There will be a vote for MPs on whether the deal should be subject to a referendum; and There will be a legal duty to secure changes to the political declaration to reflect this new deal. All of these commitments will be guaranteed in law so they will endure at least for this parliament. May declared, If MPs vote against the second reading of this bill, they are voting to stop Brexit. The biggest news is that May dropped her opposition to the possibility of a second referendum, which its supporters dub a Peoples Vote. There is no majority in Parliament for a second referendum, and May has not promised a free vote. That has led Liberal Democrats to maintain their opposition. The bill attempts to appeal to Labour Party members while foreclosing the possibility of a no-deal Brexit, favored by many members of her own Conservative Party. But Labour MPs, who favor a permanent customs union, reject Mays compromise offer of a vote on a temporary customs union. The WAB still maintains the possibility that the entire UK will remain subject to EU rule from Brussels in perpetuity, if both sides can find no solution to the Irish border. The requirement that MPs approve all future negotiating objectives in advance has been described as May essentially trying to let Parliament tie her successors hands by Mail on Sunday deputy political editor Harry Cole. Roughly two-thirds of current MPs voted Remain. Theres nothing new or bold about this bad buffet of non-Brexit options, said former Conservative Party leader Ian Duncan Smith. Most of the bold, new proposals had been offered before Jeremy Corbyn wrote the cross-party talks had gone as far as they can on Friday. He cited the governments weakness and instability, as well as the possibility of importing chlorinated chicken from the U.S. A significant change is Mays attempt to woo Labour MPs by promising to keep up to date with EU rules and that workers rights will be no less favorable than in the EU. Beneath this laden language is the reality that the Conservative government agreed to trade all the potential benefits of Brexit: the ability to control its own regulatory environment to create a better and more dynamic economy. It cannot eliminate regulations and create a more attractive business environment, to Brussels and Corbyns delight. Nor can it choose a similar level of regulation comprised of different rules that better fit its unique domestic situation. The UK leaving its historic role as a brake on EU centralization, just as Emmanuel Macron promises an ambitious agenda and Guy Verhofstadt dream of a new European empire, assures the red tape will multiply exponentially. British subjects become rule-takers, unable to enjoy either the benefits of full membership or the independence to chart their own economic course. This was always going to be the UKs fate, under Mays plan, until the contentious issue of the Irish backstop gets settled. (Brussels and Belfast both understand that the matter is settled.) Mays genius came in selling the arrangement to Labour MPs as a way of locking in economic regimentation. Her plan shipwrecked because from Corbyns vantage point on the far-Left, the EUs statism looks like neoliberalism. Corbyn demanded a promise that UK labor legislation is more exacting than EU regulations. In her speech, May vowed to assure that UK workers rights are always as good as, or better than, EU rules. But the fourth point says that labor regulations will be no less favorable than the EU. It is unclear which language will be codified; Mayhas not promised to make the WABs full text available before the Whitsun recess. Parliament will vote on the bill during the week of June 3, causing the vote to coincide with President Donald Trumps state visit for the 75th anniversary of D-Day. Short term, Corbyn wants the WAB to explicitly state the UK can hold to more stringent labor and welfare standards than the EU. Long term, he wants to move the UK further Left than the EU will allow and for Mays government to collapse. Backing out of the cross-party talks moves him closer to both ends. Brexiteers including Jacob Rees-Mogg have signaled they will oppose the deal, both because of previous broken promises and the unspoken reality that the party will soon have a new leader. May agreed during her latest meeting with the 1922 Committee that she will set a timetable for stepping down as prime minister after the vote, win or lose. They hope for a more forthright advocate of Brexit to seize all the opportunities for growth, independence, and innovation it offers, including its ratification of the principle of subsidiarity. (Hence, the importance of binding her sucessors hands.) At least 11 MPs who supported the bill during the third meaningful vote have changed their minds. One such Tory now predicts the bill will fail by 150 votes. At this point, the bill looks poised to fail by historic margins exceeded only by itself. The June vote looks like Mays D-Day. Theresa May has tried every conceivable method of making this pottage palatable, short of improving its ingredients. She and the UK could have fared better by trusting the wisdom of UK voters, the capacity of the free market, and the promise of independence instead of deceptive negotiators abroad and faux bipartisanship at home. (Photo credit: Kuhlmann/MSC.CC-BY-3.0-DE.) After eight seasons, fans of the series that became a pop culture icon could see the long-awaited final episode on Sunday and finally find out who sat on the Iron Throne. Below are some of my observations about the last episode of Game of Thrones and what one can learn from the final unfolding of the series. 1) Is Daenerys a neoconservative? She was, for many, the heroine of the story until the last episode. Many saw her as an example of how to face the worst of adversities and ultimately triumph. The mother of the Dragons freed entire peoples from oppression and promised to govern justly. Throughout the series, she was pragmatic and realistic, determined to take back the throne that had been stolen from her family. To accomplish her goal, she surrounded herself with able allies and counselors and forgave many of those who had failed her. However, in the penultimate episode all that has changed. Daenerys killed one of the best political minds of all Westeros and beyond Lord Varys, a.k.a. the Spider and, in an act of revenge, decided to reduce Kings Land and the 1 million inhabitants of it to ashes, even after the city had surrendered itself. Till then, she had been able to balance common sense, good intentions, and unmerciful demeanor qualities necessary for a good government but she had never gone mad in that way. Finally, in the last episode, she explained her reasons. The goal, in fact, was not only to conquer the Iron Throne but to bring peace and freedom to the whole world. Crushing everyone who dared to stand in her way, Daenerys would reduce the old order to ashes and recreate a perfect world. Driven by madness, the mother of the dragoons turned herself into a kind of Max Boot wearing a blonde wig and riding a dragon while destroying Kings Land for a greater good. 2) Is aristocracy the best form of government? As was shown in the last episode, to prevent the cycle of tragedies from repeating itself, the lords of Westeros decided that there would no longer be an absolute and hereditary monarch. On the contrary, the protector of the Kingdom would be elected by an assembly of lords and would govern until his death, when a new king would be elected. Tyrion who proposed this solution said he spent weeks meditating on the problem of good government. Finally, he came to the same conclusion that Aristotle and medieval political theorists had reached: Aristocracy is the superior form of government and perhaps the best regime to prevent power to corrupt absolutely. 3) Politics is always the same thing, right? Proving that politics is always the same regardless of dragoons, and sorceresses; one of the last scenes of the last episode showed a debate among the members of the Small Council the cabinet that serves the king. No matter how insignificant the topic in debate is, people will always be taken by personal vanities and desire for more power. At such times, the figure of the statesman Tyrion Lannister becomes fundamental and ensures that good governments goals will never be out of sight. 4) Wasnt the Night King a revolutionary? The Czech anti-communist writer Milan Kundera famously defined The struggle of man against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting. There are no better words to explain why the army of the dead created by the Night King to bring the long night defined by Bran Stark as the erasure of the collective memory of mankind should be fought as the struggle of the human species against its own extinction. Memory is what turns man special and, ultimately, free; rather than a selvage animal enslaved by its instincts. 5) And is Bran Stark a conservative? Bran Stark, a.k.a. the three-eyed crow, represented the collective memory that the Night King aimed to destroy. As he himself said, he is someone who lives in the past or, in other words, contemplates the problems of the present through the wisdom accumulated by the ancients. In the end, he was chosen to be king not because he did not care for power, but because he knew the deleterious effects power has on the human soul. The best person to govern is the one who understands and distrusts power, not the hallucinated idealist. Homepage picture: youtube screenshot The first episode of the 22nd season of the children's animated show Arthur, titled "Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone," premiered last week but Alabama Public Television has refused to air it. Why? Because third grade teacher Mr. Ratburn's special someone is a chocolate maker named Patrick and the two are seen walking down the aisle. In 2005, Arthur spin-off show Postcards from Buster showed a lesbian couple which infuriated then-Department of Education Secretary Margaret Spellings.) From CNN: The storyline about Mr. Ratburn's marriage conveys a positive message, (programming director Mike McKenzie) said. But while many parents will find it appropriate, many others will disagree, he said "either because their children are too young, or because of their beliefs." "Our broadcast would take away the choice of parents who feel it is inappropriate," McKenzie told CNN in a statement. PBS Kids programs are designed to reflect the diversity of communities across the nation," PBS Kids' Maria Vera Whelan told CNN. "We believe it is important to represent the wide array of adults in the lives of children who look to PBS Kids every day." Nearly two weeks after the city of Baltimore's internal networks were compromised by the Samsam ransomware worm (previously), the city is still weeks away from recovering services that's weeks during which the city is unable to process utility payments or municipal fines, register house sales, or perform other basic functions of city governance. 911 and emergency services are OK, because after they were hit by a ransomware attack last year, they were hardened against future attacks. The city did not allocate funds to improve its security, or improve its training, or take out cyberattack insurance, despite a recommendation from the city's information security manager. Baltimore's city government has been wracked by a string of corruption scandals, including the abrupt resignation of Mayor Catherine Pugh this month, as well as the precipitous departure of four CIOs over the past five years in a string of firings and forced resignations. The ransomware crooks who seized control over Baltimore's servers asked for $70,000 to restore them. Baltimore will spend far, far more than that on recovering its servers the hard way, in part because it was so vulnerable to begin with, thanks to the city officials' decision not to appropriate funds to improve its resiliency and security. Until the ransomware attack, the city's email was almost entirely internally hosted, running on Windows Server 2012 in the city's data center. Only the city's Law Department had moved over to a cloud-based mail platform. Now, the city's email gateway has moved to a Microsoft-hosted mail service, but it's not clear whether all email will be migrated to the cloudor if it's even possible. While Mayor Young said the city had data backups, it's not clear how widely backups were implemented. And Johnson would not say whether there was a disaster-recovery plan in place to deal with a ransomware attack. Some of Baltimore's systems are hosted elsewhere, including the city's primary website, which is hosted on Amazon Web Services and operated by a contractor. But the city almost lost that website last week, and not because of ransomware: the contract for operating the site had expired, and the city was delinquent in its payments. Baltimore ransomware nightmare could last weeks more, with big consequences [Sean Gallagher/Ars Technica] A new class action lawsuit is alleging a widespread contamination of Starbucks locations across New York City, after the coffee chain allegedly exposed customers to an industrial pesticide known as Dichlorvos in an effort to hide unsanitary conditions. Commonly known as DDVP, the pesticide is a neurotoxic agent intended for industrial agriculture, and poses a threat to humans even in short term durations. While the EPA has previously proposed banning the product for home uses, it remains available to consumers in the form of test strips, often used to fumigate bed bugs. Environmental groups consider it "one of the nastiest pesticides still on the market," and the Center for Disease Control has explicitly warned against its use in enclosed spaces, particularly in proximity to food. Exposure to the chemical has been known to cause convulsions, muscle tremors, nausea, anxiety, diarrhea, paralysis, and in some cases death. Despite the repeated warnings from their own employees and exterminators about the known health risks, Starbucks has continued to spray harmful levels of odorless DDVP vapor in many of their locations, according to the lawsuit. Photos taken at several locations in Manhattan show the "No-Pest Strips"the labels of which caution against indoor useinches away from exposed bagels, next to food preparation equipment, and piled up on air vents. The suit also allegesin stomach-churning visual detailthat Starbucks turned to the pesticide strips to combat "disgusting conditions" at some stores, which allowed flies, cockroaches, maggots, silverfish and other pests to multiply just out of sight of customers. The following photographs were taken by Paul D'Auria, a former Pest Control Technician who serviced Starbucks' locations in Manhattan: Maggots and fruit fly eggs behind the coffee bar and under a sink at a Manhattan Starbucks (Courtesy of Wigdor Law Firm) "Dangerous mold and growths inimical to the safety of human beings," per the suit (Courtesy of Wigdor Law Firm) "New Yorkers deserve to know what they are putting in their bodies and we call upon Starbucks to explain, as we allege in the complaint, its failure to take appropriate care for its customers' well-being," Douglas H. Wigdor, who filed the complaint in New York State Supreme Court on Tuesday, said in a statement. The attorney also called on the company to explain why Starbucks management allegedly ignored written and verbal instructions from staff members and exterminators (including D'Auria) to stop using the pesticide. A spokesperson for Starbucks, Katie Rodihan, told Gothamist that Starbucks had "directed local leadership to remove theses devices from all stores" immediately after learning that the pest strips were being "misused." She added that an independent expert had been consulted, and subsequently "confirmed the pest strips did not put anyone at a health risk." Rodihan refused to disclose the name of the outside expert, and whether they had visited stores in New York City. She also declined to say when Starbucks became aware of the issue and at what point the strips were removed. Starbucks allegedly increased the risk of toxic exposure "exponentially" by piling as many as half a dozen test strips in a single spot (Courtesy of Wigdor Law Firm) According to the suit, two exterminators provided written warnings to Starbucks management about the toxic pesticide on sixteen occasions over a two year period beginning in 2016. The complaint alleges that the company's Regional Quality Assurance Manager admitted in October 2017 that "Starbucks personnel had failed to internalize 'the importance of breaking this habit' and instead continued to misuse DDVP in Manhattan-area stores with impunity." Last month, the Starbucks located on North 7th Street in Williamsburg was shuttered by the city health department, which found a slew of violations including the presence of vermin in the facility's food areas. The location was also docked during an April 30th inspection for surfaces that were "not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred." The company's spokesperson said the pesticide issue was unrelated to any contamination at the Williamsburg Starbucks. lt's unclear whether the location will reopen. An increase in armed muggings have caused a spike in sales of dummy smartphones that on first glance look real. (You can buy one from Amazon for around $20.) Apparently they were first sold as display items to electronic stores wanting to protect their real inventory from smash-and-grabs. From the Associated Press: Axel says he sells three or four dummy phones a week out of his stall in a downtown electronics marketplace, next door to a colonial college building that dates to 1767. Axel, who asked his full name not be used for fear police would accuse him of selling fake merchandise, said all of his customers know they are buying fakes. "It's useful for robberies, the large number of muggings happening in Mexico City," said Axel. "They say 'hand over your cellphone, give me everything', and people know now they have to hand over the phone quick, in a matter of seconds, so they hand over these phones and often the thieves don't realize it." But Axel admits the victim would be in trouble if a thief caught them handing over a "dummy" phone. "Obviously there are problems, because if the criminals search it or find out there is going to be a problem." Because of that, some try a different strategy, spending a little more to buy a cheap but real second phone. Here's an interesting example of how journalists sometimes use a version of the facts to support faleshoods. Check out the following, posted by Daily Mail reporter David Martosko, quoting a teenager on Trump's use of the racist "Pocahontas" slur. At the Elizabeth Warren rally I asked a 17-year-old supporter who will vote next year to comment on Trump's "Pocahontas" nickname for the senator. This is a verbatim transcript of her answer. "I think that it's really hypocritical because not only is he making fun of someone for like, something that she didn't really like, say, um, but I do feel like he says so many like, racial slurs against like, and she just like presents themselves to be like, so like negative towards like minorities and stuff like that, that the fact that he is mocking her and calling her Pocahontas when he does nothing for Native American rights is really freaking dumb. What Martosko wanted to establish here was that the teenand perhaps by implication young Warren supporters in generalis confused and foolish. He did this by including all the ums and ahs of speech, filler terms such as "like", and extraneous commas. Most people saw this "verbatim" text for what it was, and Martosko was thoroughly ratioed by readers. But what, like, is going here? The fact is that most of us talk just as the teen did, when challenged to speak extemporaneously. This can be true of even polished and well-prepared speakers. Listen to politicans and pundits on cable news panels, with an ear for the fillers, and you might be surprised. Pro public speakers are well-trained enough to avoid terms like "y'know", "well" and the dreaded "like", but the basic ums and ahs are difficult to skip, especially when things get heated. We don't usually notice it (or at least we don't usually judge speakers for it) because our brains correctly interpret it as meaningless filler and disregard it. Moreover, in print, reporters usually remove speech disfluency when they quote subjects. In fact, it is generally considered unethical and unprofessional for editors not to remove the ums and ahs and filler terms, though there's a usually a hard line against changing words or paraphrasing within quotes. Here's Terry Gross, the NPR host, explaining her interview policy: "With the exception of the occasional John Updike, no one speaks readable, perfectly grammatical sentences. So we've edited the answers my questions elicited for clarity and concision, while sticking as closely as possible to each interviewee's actual speaking style." The 2015 edition of The New York Times Manual of Style and Usage is similarly clear: The writer should, of course, omit extraneous syllables like "um" and may judiciously delete false starts. If any further omission is necessary, close the quotation, insert new attribution and begin another quotation. (The Times does adjust spelling, punctuation, capitalization and abbreviations within a quotation for consistent style.) In every case, writer and editor must both be satisfied that theintent of the speaker has bee npreserved. The Associated Press Stylebook is rather vague: it says not to "alter" quotes to correct word usage or grammar, but has nothing to say on filler talk specifically. If a quotation is flawed because of grammar or lack of clarity, the writer must be able to paraphrase in a way that is completely true to the original quote. If a quote's meaning is too murky to be paraphrased accurately, it should not be used. In practice, though, the AP removes it. This is a fact easy to demonstrate by comparing its quotes of Olympic-class filler-talkers Barack Obama and Donald Trump to the transcripts. The New Yorker's Katy Waldman recently covered a story that shows how in practice, reporters tend to directly clean up grammar in quotes. The topical controversy was over a Dominican-born sportsman whose fluid but ungrammatical English is hard to render in text without reading like a questionable effort at characterization. Every outlet quoted him slightly differently. On Deadspin, Tom Ley suggested that [Carlos] Gomez "has a right to be annoyed" that a reporter "went off and made him look dumb by not extending him a courtesy that most people quoted by reporters get": that of subtly tweaked sentences. It's common practice in journalism for writers quoting sources to remove filler wordslike, ah, umand correct tiny grammatical violations. (Slate's policy is to handle such issues on a case-by-case basis, but many writers at the magazine I spoke to told me they make such elisions and alterations all the time.) Waldman adds: "the role of journalists is to deliver information as clearly and truthfully as possible. To include a grammatical error in a news story is to hint that such error is somehow significant, rather than something most of us do when we are asked to extemporize aloud." When transcribed, filler speech a listener would subconsciously ignore turns into text the reader cannot. So here is how a reporter might usually render what the Warren-supporting teen said, removing both the ums and ahs and not bothing to include the abortive sentence in the middle: I think that it's really hypocritical, because not only is he making fun of someone for something that she didn't really say, but I do feel like he says so many racial slurs, " said the teen. " The fact that he is mocking her and calling her Pocahontas when he does nothing for Native American rights is really freaking dumb." This serves the reader better than the intentionally confusing "verbatim" transcript. It gives an accurate, fair representation of what the teen belives and what a listener would have understood to them say had they heard them talking in person. Here it is with a stricter adherence to the (obviously unenforced) AP Stylebook rules suggesting mutterances be kept while allowing "murky" parts to be removed: "I think that it's really hypocritical, because not only is he making fun of someone for, like, something that she didn't really, like, say, but I do feel like he says so many, like, racial slurs. The fact that he is mocking her and calling her Pocahontas when he does nothing for Native American rights is really freaking dumb." An unfair quoting of filler, I think, but still much fairer than the Daily Mail reporter's rendering of the quote. The same courtesy should should be extended to MAGA teens tooand anyone else who might blather a bit. It's a 2d projection of a rhombic hexecontahedron, first generated by Mathematica's namesake programming language back in the 1980s, when it was as damned close to magic as anything in computer science. Spikey is one of my favorite logos. They went through many variations with many products, inspired by renaissance drawings and a vast selection of other influences, on their way to the one you see here, which was originally devised for Wolfram Alpha. Founder Stephen Wolfram: And that's when I noticed an email from June 2009, from an artist in Brazil named Yolanda Cipriano. She said she'd seen an article about Wolfram|Alpha in a Brazilian news magazineand had noticed the Spikeyand wanted to point me to her website. It was now more than nine years later, but I followed the link anyway, and was amazed to find this: Yolanda Cipriano's websitewith rhombic hexecontahedra, there called "giramundos" I read more of her email: "Here in Brazil this object is called 'Giramundo' or 'Flor Mandacaru' (Mandacaru Flower) and it is an artistic ornament made with [tissue paper]". What?! There was a Spikey tradition in Brazil, and all these years we'd never heard about it? I soon found other pictures on the web. Only a few of the Spikeys were made with paper; most were fabricbut there were lots of them The Story of Spikey [blog.stephenwolfram.com] The founder of a Silicon Valley bio-testing startup stands accused of misleading investors, cutting scientific corners in the quest for growth, and even romancing a fellow executive. Theranos? Nope. uBiome, the fecal analysis specialists. And the FBI is at the door: On the heels of an FBI raid of its offices in San Francisco, the buzzy health startup uBiome is under investigation. The company, which has raised $105 million and achieved a $600 million valuation, is reportedly being investigated for issues related to how it billed customers for its tests, which were geared toward highlighting the role the microbiome plays in human health. uBiome portrayed its tests as free to patients and said insurance companies would foot the bill. In reality, customers were sometimes saddled with thousands of dollars of bills when their insurance declined to pay. Interviews that Business Insider previously conducted with several former uBiome employees suggested that the company may have cut corners on its science as well. Separately, The Wall Street Journal reported this week that uBiome was using stock photos to illustrate customer testimonials on its website. The company removed the testimonials from its site after questions from The Journal, the newspaper said. North American Aerospace Defense Command [norad.mil] said on Tuesday, May 21 that it intercepted Russian bombers and fighters entering Alaskan air space on Monday, May 20. The photographs in this post were distributed today by NORAD, and both images are identified as "PETERSON AFB, Colorado NORAD intercepts Russian bombers and fighters entering Air Defense Identification Zone." American F-22 stealth jets intercepted four Russian bombers and two Russian Su-35 fighter jets off the Alaskan coast on Monday, according to the NORAD statement. The Russian nuclear capable long-range bombers crossed from international air space into the U.S. controlled Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), which extends to about 200 miles off the western coast of Alaska. From the NORAD announcement, at norad.mil: Two pairs of F-22s and an E-3 Airborne Early Warning and Control System from North American Aerospace Defense Command positively identified and intercepted a total of four Tupolev Tu-95 bombers and two Su-35 fighters entering the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on May 20. Specifically, two of the Russian bombers were intercepted by two F-22s, and a second group of bombers with Su-35 fighters was intercepted later by two additional F-22s, while the E-3 provided overall surveillance. The Russian bombers and fighters remained in international airspace and at no time did the aircraft enter United States or Canadian sovereign airspace. "NORAD's top priority is defending Canada and the United States. Our ability to deter and defeat threats to our citizens, vital infrastructure, and national institutions starts with successfully detecting, tracking, and positively identifying aircraft of interest approaching U.S. and Canadian airspace," said General Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy, the NORAD Commander. "NORAD is on alert 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year." NORAD employs a layered defense network of radars, satellites, and fighter aircraft to identify aircraft and determine the appropriate response. The identification and monitoring of aircraft entering a U.S. or Canadian ADIZ demonstrates how NORAD executes its aerospace warning and aerospace control missions for the United States and Canada. Operation NOBLE EAGLE is the name given to the military response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and applies to all air sovereignty and air defense missions in North America. NORAD is a binational command focused on the defense of both the U.S. and Canada and draws on forces from both countries. Source: NORAD intercepts Russian bombers and fighters entering Air Defense Identification Zone And read more from CNN's Ryan Browne. Moses Kotane, the South African Communist Party and African National Congress stalwart, passed away in Russia on this day. Kotane was born in Pella in Maphusumaneng Section, Transvaal (now North West) to a devout Christian family of Botswana origins. He received little formal schooling prior to entering the workforce. In 1922 at the age of 17, Kotane began working in Krugersdorp, where he worked in various jobs including as a photographer's assistant, domestic servant, miner and bakery worker. Briefly.co.za remembers him with five interesting facts on the anniversary of his death. PAY ATTENTION: Click See First under the Following tab to see Briefly.co.za News on your News Feed! 1. Joining the SACP In 1931 Kotane became active member of the South African Communist Party before it was banned in 1951. PAY ATTENTION: Do you want to know what's trending on Briefly.co.za? Join our WhatsApp group today. Remembering Moses Kotane: 5 facts on the anniversary of his death Source: UGC 2. Becoming a member of the ANC In 1946, he took African National Congress membership and became National Executive Committee member of the party. Like other prominent political leaders of the time, Kotane was harassed by the apartheid government agencies and repressive legislation. He was banned under the Suppression of Communism Act of 1951. 3. Sneaking to the Bandung Conference In 1955, Kotane and I.M. Cachalia snuck out of the country without proper documentation to attend the famous Bandung Conference, which was held in Indonesia. They were sent by the ANC as observers. READ ALSO: Woman praises men for keeping laptop safe after forgetting it at mall 4. Life in exile In 1963, he left the country for Tanzania. In exile, Kotane worked tirelessly for the ANC. 5. Illness Kotane suffered a stroke in 1968. Following the stroke, he went for treatment in the Soviet Union, where he died in hospital. Enjoyed reading our story? Download BRIEFLY's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major South African news! Source: Briefly News Featured Post Watch now 'Understory: Tongass Forest Documentary' Destruction of Alaskan Coastal Rain Forest "There was a time when the less greedy you are, and the more you can give, the wealthier you are," said Marina Anderson, Haida, tr... Archive Search This Blog Donate to Censored News Please donate to Censored News for travel and equipment for our live coverage. Thank you, Brenda. About Censored News Censored News is published by Brenda Norrell. Since 2006, Censored News has received more than 20 million pageviews. As a collective of writers, photographers and broadcasters, we publish news of Indigenous Peoples and human rights. Contact publisher Brenda Norrell: brendanorrell@gmail.com From the publisher Censored News is published by Brenda Norrell, a journalist in Indian country for 39 years. Norrell created Censored News after she was censored and terminated as a staff reporter at Indian Country Today in 2006. She began as a reporter at Navajo Times during the 18 years that she lived on the Navajo Nation. She was a stringer for AP and USA Today and later traveled with the Zapatistas through Mexico. She has been blacklisted by all the mainstream media for 14 years. Contact brendanorrell@gmail.com Translate News / National by Staff reporter PRESIDENT Mnangagwa said yesterday that Government will, going forward, stop exports of raw minerals in pursuit of increased value addition and beneficiation.Addressing thousands of people who gathered to witness the commissioning of the $62 million Unki Mines smelting plant in Shurugwi, President Mnangagwa said mining companies should work towards increased value addition and beneficiation so that in future no minerals are exported raw.President Mnangagwa described the commissioning of the Unki Mines smelting plant as a milestone achievement not only for the Anglo American subsidiary but for the nation as a whole."I am happy that with regards to platinum we have taken the required steps. With regards to diamonds we still export 90 percent of our diamonds unprocessed. This should stop as we go forward. We must value-add our diamonds. The same goes for all the other minerals like chrome," said President Mnangagwa.He said the country was exporting raw chrome and Government wants those mining chrome to also work on value addition and beneficiation so that the country realises more from its minerals resources.In the context of the drive towards a middle-income status by 2030, Mnangagwa said the new investment by Unki was expected to go a long way in transforming the country's mining industry in line with Government objectives as espoused in the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP), a short term economic blueprint.He said the state-of-the-art smelter will further accelerate local beneficiation and value addition of platinum group of metals, which will help increase foreign currency inflows through exports of processed high value mineral products."Investments such as this go a long way in facilitating the modernisation and industrialisation agenda as our country progresses towards becoming a middle-income economy by 2030. I therefore heartily congratulate Anglo American Limited for this achievement," said President Mnangwa.Zimbabwe is home to a huge mineral resource base besides PGMs, which include gold, diamonds, chrome, lithium, diamonds, coal bed methane gas, among others.President Mnangagwa urged companies to take advantage of Zimbabwe's vast investment opportunities as a result of its abundant natural resources that include minerals.He said the mining sector should count on his Government's continued support to accelerate construction of more smelting and refinery plants in the country. Given adequate support, he said, Zimbabwe has the capacity to supply the world with some of the world's most sought after metals for various industrial purposes.President Mnangagwa reminded the gathering how last week, during an international chromium indaba in Victoria Falls, he had opportunity to interface with the high-level delegates from the entire globe and enticed them to tap into the potential Zimbabwe has. He said potential investors should leverage on the fact that Zimbabwe is one of the countries with largest mineral deposits in the world."Our problem is not what we have but to try to find out what we don't have. I commend Anglo American Limited through Unki Mines for their investment in this PGM smelting plant. This demonstrates their continued confidence in our country's investment climate," said Mnangagwa."I exhort other companies in other sectors of the economy to emulate this achievement by Anglo American."President Mnangwagwa said the new administration was determined to increase Zimbabwe's visibility on the global economy and ensuring the country was among the leading producers of platinum in the world."The commissioning of this plant will enhance our efforts to beneficiate and value add our minerals. In addition, the impact of this plant will go beyond mineral extraction and processing, extending to many other sectors such as transport, equipment manufacturing, geological services, educational research, among others," he said."I am confident that this plant will increase your production and set your firm on a new growth trajectory. We look forward to you breaking new grounds in our quest to fully exploit this mineral resource. My Government remains ready to support all your operations."President Mnangagwa commended corporate social responsibility programmes undertaken by Unki Mine, which has built a modern primary school for its employees' children and built houses for workers among other projects."I am proud to have a school of this standard. I have not visited the houses but I am seeing them. What is needed further is to ensure the residents of these houses receive clean water and electricity," said the President amid applause.He urged residents to keep their environment clean and reminded them that the first Friday of every month is National Cleaning Day.President Mnangagwa also said he was impressed by the fact that the modern production infrastructure at Unki was built and is being maintained by local experts and challenged training institutions to train more to meet the qualified personnel needs of the economy."Nothing comes for free. All the good we want should come from our own hard work," he said.Earlier President Mnangagwa toured the mega smelting facility. He was accompanied by Cabinet ministers Winston Chitando (mines), Owen Ncube (state security), Larry Mavima (Midlands Provincial Affairs), South African Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mphakama Mbete, Deputy Chief Secretary to President and Cabinet, George Charamba, Anglo American executives, senior Government officials and traditional leaders. News / National by Staff reporter Long-serving Zanu-PF member Didymus Mutasa, who was expelled from the party at the height of factionalism and readmitted in October last year after spending two years in the wilderness is retracing his political footsteps.Mutasa was fired on same day as Norton legislator Mr Temba Mliswa, allegedly for undermining the party leadership, then under former president Robert Mugabe in 2015.Like the biblical story of the "prodigal son," Zanu-PF readmitted Mutasa together with former chairperson of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association Jabulani Sibanda and Chenjerai Kangausaru.After spending some years in the cold, Mutasa was appointed advisor at the Chitepo School of Ideology.The veteran politician hailed the revolutionary party for establishing the Chitepo School of Ideology (CSI) which he said is an essential institution for mentoring party member, especially the youths on party's principles."The school serves as a useful instrument in mentoring party members, especially the youths on what needs to be done," he said."The youth should not be used to harass and intimidate their seniors to serve other people's personal agendas."The school, he said, would help to shape the minds of party members in defending the party and Zimbabwe's territorial integrity."Party members should not spend most of their time on trivial issues since it creates factionalism," Mutasa said.He also believed strongly that ideology was critical in moulding the cadre that would represent the party in Parliament."Focus should be put on how to move the country forward. How do we select members who represent the party in Parliament?"Those who want to stand as National Assembly members in the coming elections should be elected on merit after considering their background and political history."The veteran politician still maintained that he never left Zanu-PF, but he had personal issues with Mr Mugabe, who later incited the youth to chide at him at party gatherings."I feel happy to be back in the party," he said."It feels good to be back to the revolutionary party. Its my home.""I have no qualms in rejoining the party as an ordinary member since it was the party rule to do so."Born in 1935 in Rusape, he was the sixth child of a devout Christian couple.Mutasa was a student of Fircroft College of Adult Education in Birmingham, United Kingdom, where he attended the Access to Higher Education Course.He studied at Birmingham University on a British Council scholarship. Mutasa was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Social Science (DSocSc) by the University of Birmingham in 1990Before the country attained its independence from Britain, he was chairman of the Cold Comfort Farm society, a non-racial co-operative community near Salisbury (as it then was).This was located on a farm formerly belonging to Lord Acton. It was promoted by Guy Clutton-Brock and others.After independence, Mutasa was Zimbabwe's first Speaker of Parliament from 1980 to 1990.He has served as the Member of Parliament for Makoni North and as a member of the ZANU-PF Politburo and as the party's secretary for administration.In April 1998, Mutasa, defending former president Robert Mugabe, said that if Mugabe were pressed to step down, then the entire Cabinet and Politburo should step down along with him, because, in Mutasa's view, if Mugabe had truly "stayed for too long and misgoverned," then those who had governed with him, "including those who are calling on Mugabe to step down," must have done so as well.In 2002, he controversially said that it would be a good thing if the population were halved: "We would be better off with only six million people, with our own people who supported the liberation struggle. We don't want all these extra people."He was appointed as Minister of Special Affairs in the President's Office in charge of the Anti-Corruption and Anti-Monopolies Programme on 9 February 2004, he was then appointed as State Security Minister in mid-April 2005, following the March 2005 parliamentary election, later Minister of State for National Security, Lands, Land Reform and Resettlement in the President's Office.In the March 2008 parliamentary election, Mutasa was nominated by ZANU-PF as its candidate for the House of Assembly seat from Headlands constituency in Manicaland.He won the seat with 7 257 votes against 4 235 for Fambirayi Tsimba of the Movement for Democratic Change, according to official results.Mutasa was identified with a faction in ZANU-PF that wanted Vice-President Joice Mujuru to become President Mugabe's successor.In late 2014, the Mujuru faction was accused of plotting against Mugabe, and in that context Mutasa failed to win re-election to the ZANU-PF Central Committee in November 2014.At the funeral of former Cabinet Minister and Zanu-PF politburo member Nathan Shamuyarira, Mugabe lamented that his nationalist party had been invaded by bugs from within, which needed to be rid of.While addressing a youth meeting in Mutare Mutasa coined the term "Gamatox" in reference to remarks that Mugabe had made earlier."You were talking about the issue of weevils here. Way back we used to treat weevils by spraying gamatox (pesticide) and they would all die. Our weevils, if you know about them, which we are castigating now, please apply gamatox on them," said Mutasa.During the "Meet the People" rallies held in various parts of the countries, then first lady Grace Mugabe popularised the slogan: "pasi ne gamatox" (down with Gamatox).This raised the stakes against Mutasa and Joice Mujuru.Mutasa was arguably Joice Mujuru's biggest ally in her political aspirations.At a rally held at Zanu-PF Headquarters in Harare in November 2014, Mutasa addressed the people amid calls and slogans against him.The people insisted that he should recite the slogan "pasi negamatox" but he openly refused.Former president Mugabe, however, came to his rescue when he told the audience that Mutasa was only intending to land the post of the national chairman and not the presidency.He was dismissed from his ministerial post on 8 December 2014, at the same time that Mujuru and others allied with her lost their posts in the government and party.In 2017, his two top-of-the-range vehicles and household property were attached over legal fees he owed lawyers who represented him.Mutasa is upbeat about the future of his party."We need to respect those who sacrificed their lives to liberate the country," he said. "We must work collectively as a party towards building the nation. We must unite and strengthen our party structures to ensure ZANU -PF continues to dominate the politics of our country."I'm happy to back to my party. I will always try my best to do everything I can to bring unity and a common vision in the party." Hong Kong: Edward Yau visits London Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Edward Yau visited London to explore opportunities for further co-operation in trade and creative industries between Hong Kong and the UK. Mr Yau met the UKs Secretary of State for International Trade Dr Liam Fox and Minister of State for Asia & the Pacific at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office Mark Field to discuss global and bilateral trade issues. Noting economic relations, trade and investment between Hong Kong and the UK have gone from strength to strength, Mr Yau expressed the hope that both sides can continue enhancing trade and economic co-operation. Mr Yau also visited two UK-based international think tanks. He first met Chatham House Director Robin Niblett to discuss global economic developments and how UK enterprises can tap into the Mainland market through the Mainland & Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement. Mr Yau then called on Legatum Institute Chief Executive Officer Philippa Stroud. He was delighted to learn that Hong Kong had topped the Global Index of Economic Openness 2019 recently released by the institute. The commerce chief said it underlined the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Governments steadfast commitment in upholding free market principles. During a lunch with the Committee of the Hong Kong Association, Mr Yau shared his insights with local business leaders on the latest trade and economic situation in Hong Kong, and the opportunities available for Hong Kong in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Belt & Road Initiative. Speaking at a seminar on creative industries and design jointly organised by the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office, London and Invest Hong Kong, Mr Yau talked about Hong Kongs efforts in spurring the development of creative industries. He emphasised the opportunities Hong Kong offers to UK businesses in exploring the Mainland and Asian markets, as well as the eagerness of Hong Kongs creative industries to embark on more collaborations with their UK counterparts. Before the seminar, Mr Yau met the UKs Minister of State for Digital & the Creative Industries Margot James to exchange views on how to drive closer collaboration between the two places in creative industries. This story has been published on: 2019-05-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. On Wednesday, Ricardo Canelo will be the first in his family to graduate from college when he receives his New York University diploma at Yankee Stadium. But NYU only issues graduating students three complimentary tickets, so hell have to choose between his father, mother, aunt, girlfriend, and two brothers. Or, he could turn to the black market, where seniors are selling tickets on Facebook for hundreds of dollars. For students like Canelo, it is difficult to muster up that kind of money. The highest asking price he has seen is $250. Right now, Im offering the equivalent of my cable bill, maybe even that plus utilities combined, he told Gothamist. The university, where tuition costs $53,000/year, does have a lottery system that deals single extra lottery tickets to winners, but the nature of a lottery means that there is no guarantee that a student will be able to obtain a ticket. Canelos fraternity brother gave him one of his tickets, but he still hopes to obtain two more so that his whole family can make it to his ceremony. Nia Mirza is looking for two to four tickets, and says the best deal she has found would cost her $300 ($75 each for four tickets). Members of her family would be flying in from Pakistan to celebrate her graduation, yet not all of them will be able to attend the commencement. It is so sad to say no to these people, Mirza said. It is also very embarrassing. Screenshot of one NYU student "auctioning" off an extra graduation ticket. One NYU student, who asked that we not publish her name because she doesnt want to get in trouble with the school, paid $200 for two tickets because she could not wait for the lottery. I actually just got a lottery one, but it was so last minute that I needed two tickets beforehand to make sure my grandparents werent flying out for nothing, she said. There have been more than 100 posts requesting tickets to buy or sell (including one from the author of this article) in the NYU Class of 2019 Facebook group. The number of transactions that have successfully gone through is more difficult to determine. I can get a few hundred from selling mine, the choice between selling and giving away is pretty easy, one ticket scalper who asked that we not publish their name, told us. A hundred bucks can go a long way for expenses. The universitys website states that NYU strictly prohibits the direct or indirect sale of All-University Commencement tickets, also enumerates potential consequences, like including without limitation the delayed issuance of a degree or diploma. When we are told of specific instances, we contact the students directly, Regina S. Drew, the director of the Office of University Events, wrote in an email. The students are then told that they are at risk of losing their tickets. We urge any student who hears about students selling commencement tickets via email at commencement@nyu.edu, she said. Drew said that NYU disciplined students for scalping tickets last year, but declined to elaborate. One of the barriers stopping NYU from distributing more tickets is the fact that Yankee Stadium has a seating capacity of a little over 47,000 people; there are around 18,000 students who are expected to graduate. Drew added that the sheer scale of the event makes it virtually impossible for us to confirm who does or does not have a genuine personal need for tickets. Last year, there were only about 31,000 people in attendance, despite the school distributing all available tickets. However, NYU students are allowed to give extra tickets away. Graduating cinema studies student Lorraine Schmucker plans to give her wristbands to someone who needs them. I think making people bid for graduation tickets is disgusting, she said. I could understand selling them if NYU charged us for the tickets and people wanted to make their money back, but since we got the tickets for free I dont know why people cant just help each other out and give it to someone who needs it. News / National by Staff reporter A POLICE officer allegedly kidnapped and brutally assaulted a 16-year-old boy who was suspected to have stolen a mobile cell phone at his uncle's car wash premises to force him to admit he had taken the gadget.Constable Munashe Shumba (30), who was the investigating officer in the case, allegedly went to the minor's home with two of his co-accused persons, a Bulawayo City Council security guard Millister Shumba (43) and the owner of the phone Manfred Nhemachena (43).The trio appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Ms Tancy Dube facing a charge of assault and they all pleaded not guilty.They were remanded out of custody on free bail to Monday for continuation of trial.Constable Shumba told the court that the three did not kidnap the boy but instead went to his home to take him to the police station for questioning and he tried to escape."He got out of the house and after telling him that we were taking him to the police station. He tried to escape and I ran after him while Shumba and Nhemachena followed us in a car."I finally caught him after he fell in an awkward way and then I discovered he had badly injured himself," he said.The prosecutor, Mr Tapiwa Solani said on April 24 at around midnight, the trio went to the minor's home intending to take him to Western Commonage Police Station."Instead they drove the minor to a bushy area. Constable Shumba, who was driving, stopped the car and got out. The trio dragged the minor out of the car and forced him to take off his pants."They questioned the minor on the whereabouts of the phone but he told them he knew nothing. After a few questions, they assaulted the minor forcing him to admit that he had stolen the phone," he said.Mr Solani said the minor finally admitted that he had stolen the phone and gave it to his uncle to sell it. While driving to the minor's uncle, the trio was told that there was no phone and they assaulted the minor again.After brutally assaulting the minor, they took him back to his home at around 1:30AM.During testimony, the minor told the court that the trio took him to a bushy area and assaulted him, forcing him to admit that he had stolen Nhemachena's phone and given it to his uncle."After they had severely assaulted me, I admitted to the allegations and later told them I was lying as they were heading to my uncle's house to confront him about the phone."They assaulted me again and later threatened that if I ever told anyone about the matter they would deal with me. We later agreed that I would gather information on the whereabouts of the phone and then give them the information within three days," he said.The trio allegedly dumped the minor at the gate to his home.He was taken to the hospital and a medical report showed that he had sustained injuries on the left leg, ribs and swollen testicles.A police report was made. News / National by Staff reporter A POLICE officer died on the spot while another passenger was injured in a car accident along Airport road in Bulawayo's Romney Park suburb yesterday.The police officer, Brian Mpandla (29), who was stationed at Sauerstown Police Station, was driving a Nissan March towards the Central Business District when his car hit a tree.The police officer died on the spot while a passenger, Clement Machema, of North End suburb sustained some injuries.The other passenger escaped unharmed.National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident and said investigations are underway."I can confirm that we are investigating a case whereby one of our police officers in Bulawayo died on the spot during a car accident. Investigations are still underway and we will give more details in due course," he said.Sources said Mpandla lost control of his car and it hit a tree."He lost control of the motor vehicle, hit and uprooted a tree and he died on the spot due to the injuries while one of the passengers sustained injuries," said the source.The source said Machema, who was injured, is admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital and is in a stable condition.The source said a passenger who escaped unharmed was seen running away from the accident scene."He was seen running away from the scene towards a bush which is on the eastern side of Airport Road soon after the accident. Police tried to search for him but could not find anyone. Maybe he was in shock," said the source. News / National by Staff reporter CHIEF Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni of Ntabazinduna is trying to rile the Matabeleland region against Government by claiming that he is fighting for the preservation of the sacred Ntabazinduna mountains when, in fact, he is fighting in the corner of white farmers in Umguza, Matabeleland North, it has emerged.The farm wrangle involves two white farmers, a Mr Davies and a Mr Crossy, who do not want beneficiaries of the land reform programme to be settled in the area.This comes as there are reports that a "solidarity" rally is set to be held in support of the chief who is seen trying to fashion himself as an anti-Government marquee, which may be critical in upsetting efforts of unity.According to sources at the Umguza District Administrator's office, Mr Davies is said to have approached Chief Ndiweni and asked for assistance in blocking change of ownership which the chief has unsuccessfully tried to do over the past year.He has even tried petitioning the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement.When Chief Ndiweni realised that neither the courts nor Department of Lands could assist him, he then railed against the country and called for sanctions against Zimbabwe as well as a host of other attention-seeking gimmicks.The drama king is seen as looking for sympathisers to protect the white farmers, hence he is claiming victimisation."The long time occupant Davies is being evicted from the farm following a determination by the courts in Bulawayo. The eviction is not being done by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement."The engagement process should also be in light of the fact that his invoking the narrative of Ntabazinduna may result in certain groups coalescing around him in the belief that they are fighting for cultural preservation."This could result in the region coming to his support and confronting the Government," said the source.Already there are rumours of a solidarity march with three unnamed organisations allegedly said to be coming to support him.The chief is reportedly insisting that the courts are part of the Government and Government should do something to intervene.Chief Ndiweni, with the aid of known anti-Government activists, on Wednesday stage-managed an attack on himself by people he claimed to be Zanu-PF youths in Bulawayo.The chief, who claimed his assailants sought to confiscate his Government-issued vehicle, was pictured pouring petrol all over the car and threatening to burn it if anyone got in it. News / National by Staff reporter ZANU-PF is set to hold district elections today in preparation for provincial elections tomorrow as part of the party's restructuring exercise in Bulawayo.The co-ordinator of the restructuring exercise in the city, Retired Colonel George Nare, said it was all systems go, with names of the winning provincial candidates expected by end of day tomorrow.He said Politburo member Munyaradzi Machacha, who is also the principal of the Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology, yesterday took party members through the election process and explained the criteria being used to elect provincial leaders during a meeting held at Davies Hall."Everything is on course and we're expecting the elections to be peaceful and fair looking at how the whole process has been so far. Machacha, on behalf of VP (Kembo) Mohadi, explained the election process to the party leadership from Bulawayo, Midlands, Matabeleland North and South during a meeting at Davies Hall."We also held an inter-district meeting as part of the preparations for the elections to be held at the weekend. All candidates are aware of the process and the criteria being used for the elections and they have submitted their CVs to the party," said Rtd Col Nare.He said after the provincial elections, a debriefing meeting will be held on Monday with the new provincial executive."During this meeting, we'll explain and discuss the party's road map and the strategies to be used to keep the party's structures strong and be ready for the next general elections."I want to thank the party's membership in Bulawayo for being receptive as we went through the restructuring of their province peacefully. When we started the exercise, the response was poor but with time more and more people came and it has been quite an engaging and peaceful process," said Rtd Col Nare.He said tomorrow's district elections for Area 1 will be held at Davies Hall, while members from Area 2 will vote at the Magwegwe sub office.For Area 3 voting will be conducted at Mpopoma Park while Area 4 members will vote at Bullet Shopping Centre and Area 5 at Nketa Hall.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 the two provinces 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 VP Mohadi is in charge of Bulawayo. News / National by Staff reporter THE Zanu-PF Youth League in Matabeleland North has appealed to the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, July Moyo, to dethrone Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni of Ntabazinduna.In a statement, the Youth League's provincial chairman, Tamuka Nyoni, urged Chief Ndiweni to behave like a chief for him to be accorded the respect associated with the position.He said Chief Ndiweni is not fit to be a leader."The so-called Chief Ndiweni must behave like a chief if he wants to be respected and recognised as a chief."What kind of a chief is he who calls for sanctions against his own people? We are worried about a chief who is always in courts for misbehaving and is busy denouncing the same Government of President Mnangagwa that gave him the car he is driving. We call upon the Minister of Local Government to revisit Chief Ndiweni's installation as he is not the rightful candidate for that position," said Nyoni.He said the Youth League would not tolerate anyone who mischievously denounces Government and the party's First Secretary, President Mnangagwa."Since he is opposing the Government that gave him the vehicle, we as the youths are there to defend the party which formed the current Government that is being criticised by Chief Ndiweni. We can't tolerate anyone who attacks the First Secretary of the party and Head of State and Government," added Nyoni.He accused Chief Ndiweni of acting like a politician and threatened that the party's youths will start treating him like one.Nyoni said Chief Ndiweni had exposed himself to be furthering the opposition MDC Alliance agenda, as the opposition party's youths are reported to be planning a demonstration in his defence.Chief Ndiweni last week addressed a Press conference in Bulawayo and called for tougher sanctions against Zimbabwe as he is apparently angered by the Government's decision to resettle an indigenous farmer at a property in Ntabazinduna previously occupied by a white family. He sensationally appealed to the international community to escalate sanctions on President Mnangagwa's Government, claiming it has failed to pursue democracy.It is understood that before addressing the Press Club, Chief Ndiweni wrote to a number of foreign embassies calling for further sanctions to be imposed on Zimbabwe.He has also set up a parallel organisation to the Chiefs Council under the banner of College of Amakhosi where he is reportedly seeking to rope in some traditional leaders from Matabeleland and the Midlands provinces. News / National by Staff reporter ABOUT 200 members of the Johanne Marange Apostolic Church, who had illegally settled themselves at a farm in Chivhu, were on Thursday left homeless after their homes were set ablaze during an eviction by the Sheriff of the High Court.The villagers had illegally occupied the 600-hectare Moreson Farm owned by the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ).The evicted villagers, including children, spent the night in the open at a dumpsite, some 2km from Chivhu town.They admitted that they had no offer letters for the land and were in defiance of a High Court order issued to them in 2016.According to documents in NewsDay Weekender's possession, IDBZ was allocated the farm by the Lands ministry in 2010."Please, note that the land in question is for institutional agricultural use by the IDBZ and shall remain State land. The said land may be required for resettlement purpose in future should need arise," part of the letter read.Chairman of the affected families, Misheck Chuma said the eviction came at a time they were engaging the government to formalise their settlement."We wanted to get legal land ownership, hence, we have been liaising with the district administrator who is the head of the district lands committee to avoid eviction. However, nothing materialised until our houses were burnt," he said.Chikomba district development co-ordinator Michael Mariga said he had not yet been formally informed about the evictions.When NewsDay Weekender visited the Chivhu farm on Thursday morning, breastfeeding and pregnant mothers were boiling dry maize for breakfast while pondering their next move.Getrude Tivapedze (42) an evictee, said shortage of food and water was a major challenge since they were dumped in the middle of nowhere with no water source and ablution facilities."I do not have enough food for my family. When I saw the police and the other officers coming to evict us, I ran away in fear so I didn't take any food and enough clothing for my children," she said.Another evictee, Plaxedes Magwede (29) said she was hoping that all the farmers would be given time to harvest their crops and move their properties to safe places before their homes were set on fire.Ward 9 councillor Christopher Muchenje said it was disheartening that children and women have been exposed to harsh winter weather. News / National by Staff reporter A KAROI magistrate and clerk of court have appeared at the Chinhoyi Magistrate Court for allegedly accepting a $20 bribe in order to rule in favour of the defendant in a maintenance case.Amanda Muridzo (31), who is employed as Karoi magistrate and Shelter Kachirika, a clerk at the same court, are both facing charges of bribery as defined in section 170(1)(b)(ii) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act chapter 9.23.Acting Chinhoyi regional magistrate Mr Felix Mawadze granted the duo $50 bail and ordered them not to interfere with State witnesses.Prosecutor Mrs Kessia Teveraishe told the court that last year in August, Sinafi Chidoko, who is David Mazowi's ex-wife, filed maintenance papers at the Karoi Magistrate Court. She was claiming $250 for the upkeep of her two minor children.The court heard that Mazowi and Chidoko appeared before Muridzo and Mazowi was ordered to pay $50 as maintenance every month.Further, the court heard that Chidoko later applied for an upward variation to $100. It was this application that was then compromised due to the bribe."Muridzo and Kachirika, in connivance with Mazowi who is still at large, hatched a plan to influence the outcome of the variation. Mazowi transferred $20 from his ecocash account into Kachirika's ecocash account," the court heard."Muridzo presided over the maintenance hearing and granted an upward variation of $20 against $50, as was requested by the applicant, after she had been influenced by the bribe".The matter came to light when Chidoko received a tip-off from an anonymous caller who told her how the maintenance case had been handled News / National by Staff reporter Treasury has given the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) the nod to begin recruiting staffers of the Constitutional Court next month, while the selection of judges will begin thereafter as efforts to decouple it from the Supreme Court gathers momentum.Currently, a single panel of judges has been superintending over both the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court.Although Section 183 of the Constitution prohibits the appointment of judicial officers in more than one court, a seven-year transitional clause through part 18(2) of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution was put in place to enable Supreme Court judges to serve in the Constitutional Court, which was borne out of the 2013 Constitution.However, the clause lapses on May 22 next year.JSC secretary Mr Walter Chikwana told The Sunday Mail that the separation of the two courts has already begun.But the recruitment of judges will only commence once the JSC gets the greenlight from Government."We have already been given authority by Treasury to recruit staff for the Constitutional Court, and we will be starting in June because the staff we have at the moment is Supreme Court staff. We have started on that process already so that when the two courts separate, we are going to have staff for both," said Mr Chikwana."The Supreme Court will be located on its own and the Constitutional Court on its own. The judges are going to separate; we will have seven judges of the Constitutional Court and the other judges of the Supreme Court," he said.Efforts to equip both courts, he added, are underway, including designing of Constitutional Court judges' robes.Once the Constitutional Court has been duly constituted, the staff and secretariat of the Supreme Court will move back to the Supreme Court building.The new judges will also be recruited in line with the country's supreme law."In terms of Section 180 of the Constitution, whenever there is a vacancy, the JSC is required to declare it and advertise it and conduct public interviews. After they are done, the names are submitted to His Excellency (President Emmerson Mnangagwa) and he makes the necessary appointments," explained Mr Chikwana.In essence, Section 166 of the Constitution stipulates that a total of seven judges including the Chief Justice (Luke Malaba) and Deputy Chief Justice (Elizabeth Gwaunza) shall sit in the Constitutional Court.The Chief Justice may also appoint an acting judge if the services are required.Qualifying judges to this superior court should necessarily be more than 40-years-old and have the relevant experience.In fact, Section 177 of the Constitution stipulates that a candidate should have "been a judge of a court with unlimited jurisdiction in civil or criminal matters in the country in which the common law is Roman-Dutch or English, and English is an officially recognised language".They should also have practiced law for at least 12 years in Zimbabwe or any country in which the common law is Roman-Dutch law.Advocate Tinomudaishe Chinyoka said current efforts to separate the two courts are in line with international best practice."The separation allows for the Constitutional Court to specialise. It means when people are dissatisfied with the judgement of the Supreme Court and they appeal (to the Constitutional Court), we won't have a situation where we will find the same judges there."Our Constitution is fairly new and as such, lawyers are constantly testing its provisions and for that reason our Constitutional Court is going to be very busy in the next few years and this will enable efficiency," he said. News / National by Staff reporter A 14-YEAR-OLD girl from Tsholotsho is lucky to be alive after she was savagely attacked with an axe in the stomach and left with intestines protruding by one of her boyfriends in a suspected love triangle.The incident happened at Akhona Business Centre in Tsholotsho on Independence Day and the suspect appeared in court last week and was remanded in custody to Tuesday. Ntuthuko Sibanda (22) appeared before Tsholotsho magistrate Mr Victor Mpofu facing a charge of attempted murder. Sibanda is said to have fought with three other men over the juvenile where he later turned his anger on the girl, axing her in the stomach leaving her intestines protruding. The girl was rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo for treatment.The State's case as presented by the prosecutor, Mr Farirai Chakamanga was that on 18 April at Akhona Business Centre in Magumandwini, Sibanda axed the juvenile with an axe in the stomach in a fight over her with Lawrence Gumede, Langton Moyo and Mthokozisi Dube.Sibanda is also facing an attempted murder charge in a separate incident where he and his co-accused Mduduzi Ncube (24) attacked Sifiso Ncube with stones, knobkerries and an axe over the girl. The two appeared before the same Tsholotsho magistrate Mr Mpofu charged with attempted murder. They were remanded in custody to Tuesday for sentencing.Prosecuting, Mr Chakamanga said Sibanda and Ncube quarrelled with Sifiso Ncube over the girl before they indiscriminately attacked him with stones, axes and knobkerries. Sifiso sustained serious injuries on the head. He was rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital where he later died as a result of the injuries sustained during the attack.Meanwhile, in another incident Loveson Nkomo (29) from Tsholotsho was arraigned before Mr Mpofu for attempted murder after he assaulted Mporosima Mhlanga for wearing a political party t-shirt. He will reappear in court on Tuesday this week.Prosecuting, Mr Billiard Mukuwa told the court that Nkomo verbally attacked Mhlanga at Osiyabalandela Business Centre after he saw him wearing a political party T-shirt. The political party was not specified in the court papers.It was the State's case that Nkomo later rained a flurry of fists on Mhlanga before he assaulted him with an iron bar and booted feet on the ribs. Mhlanga sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Mpilo Hospital where he is admitted. News / National by Staff reporter MDC-Alliance president Mr Nelson Chamisa on Sunday threatened unlawful change of power in the country, suggesting that President Mnangagwa would not see off his constitutional five-year mandate. The opposition party has threatened to roll out violent and unlawful protests after its forthcoming elective congress, amid indications that groundwork for the violent disturbances has been laid including trainings conducted in and outside the country involving civil society actors.Mr Chamisa's plan is understood to be predicated on making the country ungovernable so as to force a negotiation for the creation of the so-called transitional authority.Ironically, Mr Chamisa has refused to take part in the ongoing national dialogue involving political parties that contested last year's elections.Addressing his supporters at Tshovani Stadium, Mr Chamisa said he will lead his supporters in not abiding by the Constitutional Court ruling which declared President Mnangagwa the duly-elected winner of the July 31 polls of last year."When we finish our congress, we are pushing for a five-point plan; number one let's kill and deal with the issue of illegitimacy. You (President Mnangagwa) were not voted by the people, but rather selected by the Constitutional Court and us we were voted by the people," he said."We must bind the Constitutional Court decision, legality and legitimacy so that we see that people are respected and we go and undertake dialogue on that."Mr Chamisa said after removing President Mnangagwa, they would want to formulate a transitional mechanism that would rule the country."We have a deadlock of someone who was selected by the Constitutional Court and someone who was elected by the people. How do we negotiate a transitional authority which will resolve pressing issues? (President) Mnangagwa does not want that, but he will come. I told President Ramaphosa (Cyril, of South Africa) and President (Mogweetsi) Masisi (Botswana) that Mnangagwa must come to the negotiation table kicking and screaming," he said."We will then undertake a transitional mechanism then we put in place reforms. We don't want to go into another election without agreeing on reforms. Doing the same thing over and over again is the definition of insanity. We don't want elections which are rigged and this transitional mechanism will solve that." Mr Chamisa said they want to push for the disbanding of Zanu-PF by the imposition of illegal sanctions that push Zimbabweans to rise against their Government."They are saying sanctions are behind the economic meltdown, yes, sanctions and Zanu-PF must go. They work hand-in-hand, when there is a Zanu-PF Government there will be sanctions," he said."We have said we don't want sanctions on our country, but sanctions can only go when we remove Zanu-PF for which Zanu-pf invited sanctions. I told those in America that yes we want to see normalisation of relations, but mark us, judge us on our reform agenda."He said they will notify President Mnangagwa as of when they will start undertaking their protests."We will not be silenced, we know they are saying Chamisa wants to demonstrate, when our demonstration time comes we will not do it in hiding. We will tell Mnangagwa and we will give him a list of our demands. Will you join me if we say let's go for demonstrations," quizzed Mr Chamisa to party members. Mayor Bill de Blasio has ordered a review of predatory practices in the New York City taxi business, following a scathing report in the New York Times detailing how powerful industry leaders inflated medallion prices and exploited drivers as local officials willfully ignored warning signs about the collapsing market. "The review will set down strict new rules that prevent broker practices that hurt drivers," the mayor said in a statement on Monday. "It's unacceptable to prey on hardworking New Yorkers trying to support their families and we'll do all that we can to put an end to it." After reaching a high of $1 million in 2014, the price of a medallion has plummeted in recent years, with the city's largely immigrant drivers facing the brunt of the consequences. Close to 1,000 medallion owners have filed for bankruptcy, and at least eight professional drivers have taken their own lives in the last 18 months. Brother of missing cabbie Kenny Chow makes emotional plea for info. His cab last seen E86st street #CarlShurz park on 5/11. @NYPDDetectives . Police cameras here pic.twitter.com/6R2fSwFGp6 Juliet Papa (@winsjuliet) May 22, 2018 But while that collapse has been widely blamed on the arrival of rideshare companies, a two-part Times investigation traces much of the devastation to lax oversight and reckless lending practices of shady brokers and big banks, which apparently saw an opening to take advantage of immigrant drivers. In some cases, drivers making $30,000 a year said they were duped into signing contracts with hidden fees that left them on the hook for millions. Those contracts were fueled by practices "strikingly similar to those behind the housing market crash," according to the paper, and created a system that one analyst likened to "modern-day indentured servitude," In response to the reporting, de Blasio has announced a multi-agency investigation to be overseen by the Taxi and Limousine Commission, the Department of Finance and Department of Consumer Affairs over the next 45 days. New York Attorney General Letitia James will also probe the "disturbing reports" to see if lenders engaged in illegal activity. Beyond the egregious lending activity, the Times expose suggests that federal, state, and city officials worsened the crisis, then essentially abandoned financially ruined drivers. Under Mayors Bloomberg and Mayor de Blasio, the city made more than $855 million through selling taxi medallions and collecting taxes on private sales. Even as concerns about the medallion bubble swirled, the Taxi and Limousine Commission, a city agency ostensibly in charge of regulating the industry, declared the investment "better than the stock market." Someone asks how many of the assembled cab drivers have financial hardship. Everyone raises their hands. You should be asking how many of us are close to suicide says one driver de Blasio doesnt control the subway (@FelipeDLH) May 22, 2018 While that regulatory neglect has roots in the early 1990s, the ruinous policies were continued by de Blasio, according to the Times. A close ally of the taxi industry, the current mayor and presidential candidate continued the practice of placing "political allies inside the Taxi and Limousine Commission and [directing] it to sell medallions to help them balance budgets and fund priorities." According to Politico, four of the mayor's ten major bundlers in his 2013 campaign had ties to the taxi industry. When the medallion market crashed, de Blasio opted not to fund a bailout. On Monday, Council Member Ritchie Torres alleged that his own efforts to probe the industry were stymied by the de Blasio-controlled agency. "The T.L.C. hasn't just been asleep at the wheel, they have been actively stonewalling," he said. NYC TLC Commissioner Meera Joshi is chased away from a @NYTWA-organized vigil for Uber driver Fausto Luna. Joshi said she came here to pay respect to Lunas life, attendees blame TLC inaction for the hardships of drivers. pic.twitter.com/c9GZAAk15G Vincent Barone (@vinbarone) October 7, 2018 Meera Joshi, the de Blasio-appointed leader of the T.L.C. who stepped down earlier this year, essentially admitted as much, telling the Times: There were lots of players, and lots of people just watched it happen. So the T.L.C. watched it happen. The lenders watched it happen. The borrowers watched it happen as their investment went up, and it wasnt until it started falling apart that people started taking action and pointing fingers." On Monday, the Taxi Workers Alliance, a group that represents drivers, praised New York officials for finally paying attention to the crisis. But they also wondered what took so long, and whether the city would actually take steps to help drivers impacted by decades of failed policy. "We've been sounding the alarm on the crisis of suicides, foreclosures, and bankruptcies among our city's professional drivers for years," said NYTWA Executive Director Bhairavi Desai in a statement. "It shouldn't have taken nine suicides and thousands of families destroyed for people to listen, but we are determined to end this crisis." News / National by Staff reporter Former war veterans' leader Jabulani Sibanda, recently re-admitted into Zanu-PF following his expulsion in 2014, is keeping his cards close to his chest after dropping out of the Zanu-PF Bulawayo province's chairmanship race at the last minute.Sibanda who had been tipped to take over the provincial chair, pulled out of the race after fellow liberation war fighters of the 1970s bush war persuaded him to step aside and pave way for Cephas Ncube - another war veteranSibanda resurfaced in Bulawayo with campaign posters gunning for the Chairmanship of the Province.Sibanda was fired from ZANU-PF after accusing Grace Mugabe of usurping the powers of the President.He was accused of working with former Vice President Joice Mujuru to remove President Mugabe.Meanwhile, Zanu-PF says it has nullified all but three elections for provincial leaders for the province, with officials overseeing the process saying they were not happy with the calibre of people voted into certain positions.Some of the positions set to be put to contest again include secretary for administration, secretary for finance, secretary for legal affairs and secretary for health.Sibanda was a clear favourite to win the chairmanship, but he faced opposition from some officials in the province who said he was not in their structures.Cephas Ncube, who chairs the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association in Bulawayo province, was declared the new provincial chairman on Sunday and his win stands, said George Nare from the party's commissariat.Nare maintained that Sibanda had not been disqualified but "he was persuaded by fellow war veterans not to contest and allow Ncube, who is chairman of the war veterans in Bulawayo province, to do so which he won resoundingly."Ncube saw off the challenge of Isaac Dakamela, Abednico Nyathi and Cornelius Nyathi to land the position, although the results were not shared with journalists.Rejoice Ndlovu was elected as leader of the Women's League in the province, beating Sihle Thebe, Materina Mutunha, Maidei Mpala and Margret Ndlovu-Malinga.Garikayi Zonde will lead the Zanu-PF Youth League in the province after prevailing over Mthunzi Mabhena, Honest Moyo, Nomaqhawe Makonese, Gwinyai Mucheke and Gacia Ndlovu.All other election results were, however, set aside, Nare said because the people being elected either had criminal records, lacked qualifications to lead specialised portfolios or were considered to lack capacity to hold office."As the provincial executive council elections progressed, we discovered that the people who were being elected didn't have the requisite qualifications and experience to occupy the posts. They're not able to mobilise more people to join the party and lack the capacity to manage affairs of the province," Nare said."We therefore, as the restructuring team, Central Committee members and Politburo members decided that it would be unwise to proceed with the elections with unsuitable people being elected to occupy powerful and sensitive posts at provincial level."Nare appeared to express disappointment with how Zanu-PF supporters were voting, saying the "electorate was not measuring up to the party's expectations.""We've given ourselves another week to put our house in order to come up with a new way to pick suitable candidates for the different posts. We had advised party members to avoid electing people with criminal records but surprisingly those people were being elected but it's totally unacceptable. Dubious characters known for extorting money from people in the name of the party and putting it into disrepute were being nominated. It would be irresponsible of us to allow such to happen in the party."For the legal portfolio, the party says it will only consider nominees with law degrees; for health the party wants doctors or nurses and those running for other portfolios like administration and finance must demonstrate academic competence, Nare said. News / National by Carmel Rickard Read judgment When Judge Charles Hungwe from Zimbabwe arrived in Lesotho earlier this year to start work on a series of controversial trials, he was given a warm reception in the local media. But since then the accused in some of the cases over which he was due to preside proved rather less than welcoming. In fact, 16 accused initially due to stand trial before him, led by Lesotho's former defence minister, Tseliso Mokhosi, have brought an application for his appointment - and the appointment of all other foreign judges who might hear the pending cases - to be declared unconstitutional.Zimbabwe's Judge Charles Hungwe is one of several foreign judges who applied to hear controversial criminal cases involving high-ranking figures from among Lesotho's politicians, army and police.Bringing in judges from other jurisdictions is not an unusual step for Lesotho but this time the response from the accused has been sharply critical. Headed by the former minister of defence, Tseliso Mokhosi, 16 of the accused have objected to the appointment of Judge Hungwe. So much so that they brought an urgent application for their prosecution to be put on hold while they asked that the high court declare as unconstitutional both his appointment and the appointment of any other foreign judges who might be invited to preside in their cases.The claim of unconstitutionality is based on their view that the Judicial Service Commission, when it appointed Judge Hungwe, did not act independently. Instead, they say, the commission was "subject to the control and direction of the executive arm of government in violation of the constitution".As a result, they now fear that the foreign judges "will not be impartial and give them a fair trial".Speaking for all 16 applicants, Mokhosi says they are opposed to the appointments as they believe the government wanted to achieve "specific outcomes" via the foreign judges, namely the conviction of the 16 "at all costs and the harshest possible sentences", including possibly the death penalty.Mokhosi is clearly correct in that harsh sentences could at least be considered if they are convicted, since the charge sheets include counts of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, aiding and abetting murder, aggravated assault, damage to property and theft. But in his view the alleged involvement of the executive means a guilty finding is intended and was all but assured.In his affidavit, Mokhosi adds that while they have nothing against the individual judges, the way in which they had been appointed led to the conclusion "that they were appointed specifically for a particular result".The 16 attached affidavits by the country's Chief Justice, Nthomeng Majara (currently suspended by the government), and the Prime Minister, Tom Thabane, among others, in support of their claims. But these affidavits were not made in relation to Mokhosi's case: rather, they were filed in relation to a completely different matter. This point turned out to be crucial in the attempt to have Judge Hungwe barred from presiding over Mokhosi's trial. Judges Nomngcongo, Molete and Mokhesi who heard the application, agreed that the affidavits were of little use in the matter since they were filed in relation to an unrelated case and the links, if any, to the application by Mokhosi and his co-accused, were not established by the 16.The attorney general, who is a member of the JSC, opposed Mokhosi's application. He explained that after the political disturbances in August 2014, a commission of inquiry recommended that members Lesotho's defence force, implicated in certain human rights atrocities, should stand trial and should be prosecuted "using best international standards". As a result, more than 40 defence force members were to be prosecuted in eight cases, including those to be heard by Judge Hungwe.The attorney general said that the local judiciary could not manage the additional load. Also, in view of "political volatility", there was a widespread view that local judges might not be seen as independent or impartial in dealing with the people implicated in the cases.This led the government to approach the Southern African Development Community (SADC) with a request to help with funding for judges to be seconded to Lesotho to hear the cases. Before SADC was approached, however, government consulted the Chief Justice about bringing in foreign judges and she endorsed the plan, subject to the JSC approving the individual judges proposed. SADC then accepted the proposal and the recruitment process began. The JSC considered the names of interested judges from other SADC countries, and eventually some were recommended to King Letsie III for appointment, including Judge Hungwe.The AG argued that these facts clearly showed that the executive arm of Lesotho did not "interfere" with the independence of the judiciary on this matter, but rather merely triggered the recruitment process which was then left to the JSC to manage.In considering the case made out by Mokhosi and the other applicants, the court strongly disapproved of their strategy including the slurs against Judge Hungwe and other foreign judges yet to be appointed. The court says Mokhosi's "virulence" then "spills over" to involve the deputy registrar whom Mokhosi describes as a political activist sympathizing with the ruling party."These unfortunate broadsides against judges, Justice Hungwe and the deputy registrar, are deplorable. It is regrettable that such a scandalous and vexatious matter was allowed to find its way into an affidavit," said the court, with the judges further criticizing Mokhosi for making "scurrilous allegations".The court ruled that when the government approached its development partners and SADC about funding for the cases it was acting constitutionally and was enabling the courts to deal effectively with the pending trials.The court was urged to award costs at a punitive scale but it declined to do so, dismissing the application with no order as to costs.What does this mean? At the very least, and leaving aside the possibility of an appeal, it could mean that the long-awaited, politically sensitive trials might now actually begin. For the sake of the country and the rule of law it is important that they should go ahead. The impression has been created for some time that police and members of the defence force enjoy impunity in Lesotho, and these trials are critically important if confidence in the security forces is to be restored.* "A matter of justice", Legalbrief News / National by Staff reporter The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has effected fuel price adjustments from this Tuesday in light of the new measures taken by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) on fuel procurement based on the interbank rate.In a statement, ZERA announced that diesel and petrol will now cost RTGS$4.89 and RTGS$4.97 respectively, with the prices applicable for the period 21 May to 26 May 2019.The prices are based on the US$1:RTGS$4.6125 exchange rate.ZERA Acting CEO, Edington Mazambazani said operators may sell petroleum products at prices below the cap depending on their trading advantages.RBZ Governor, Dr John Mangudya yesterday announced that procurement of fuel by oil marketing companies will with immediate effect be done through the interbank foreign exchange market in order to promote the efficient use of hard cash and avoid hoarding of the commodity. News / National by Mandla Ndlovu A sensitive video of a small house being thoroughly bashed by the main wife and her friends has resurfaced online.The video shows the main wife and her friends being up the girl and accusing her of dating a married man.The wife then asks for a knife to cut the dreadlocks of the girl but the knife is blunt. Eventually she gets a sharp object which she uses to cut the locks of the girl.Social media users have condemned the act and called upon Zimbabweans to circulate the video until the women are arrested.Cases of wives assaulting their husbands' mistresses have been on the increase in the past months.Women rights activists have called for women to introspect on how best they can solve these issues without being violent to each other.Watch the video below: News / National by Staff reporter Government has reduced duty on diesel and petrol to cushion consumers from the effects of the latest round of fuel price increases, an official in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development has said.The decision to reduce by half, the duty on fuel, comes in the wake of fuel price increases announced by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) yesterday.According to ZERA's reviewed prices, the maximum pump price for petrol is now RTGS$4,97 per litre, up from $3,36 per litre while that of diesel is now $4,89, up from $3,22 per litre.ZERA hiked fuel prices following the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe's (RBZ)'s decision to stop providing Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) with foreign currency at a 1:1 exchange rate.In a statement released on Monday, the RBZ said with effective from May 21, 2019 all fuel dealers will now have to "procure foreign currency for fuel through the interbank foreign exchange market to mitigate against arbitrage in the economy."Said the RBZ: "The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (the Bank) is pleased to advise the public that with effect from 21 May 2019, the procurement of fuel by the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) shall be done though the interbank foreign exchange market."The new arrangement effectively means the discontinuation of the 1:1 exchange rate that OMCs used before in procuring fuel.The decision was also undertaken "to promote the efficient use of foreign exchange and to minimise and guard against incidences of arbitrage within the economy."On average, prices yesterday went up by 51,86 percent for diesel and 47,9 percent for petrol.But the increase could have been much more had Government not intervened through a 50 percent reduction in duty on fuel. Without the reduction, diesel's price would have increased to $5,79 per litre while that of petrol would have increased to $6,12 per litre."The Government has reduced the duty on petrol and diesel. As you might be aware, the duties were $2,30 for petrol and $2,05 for diesel. The duty is now reduced to 90 cents for diesel and $1,15 for petrol," Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance George Guvamatanga said in a video released on social media by the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services."This has been done in order to make sure that we cushion the public from increases in the price of fuel," he said.Speaking to The Herald yesterday, Mr Guvamatanga said the duty on fuel, though reduced, will be used to subsidise public transport fares through Zupco, the public transporter.The subsidy will see Zupco reduce its fares by half from $1 to 50 cents for distance below 20 kilometres and from $1,50 to 75 cents from distances between 20 and 30 kilometres. The next 10 kilometres will cost $1 in bus fare from the previous $2.The reduction, Mr Guvamatanga said, was necessitated by the need to cushion the travelling public that have been exposed to unfair pricing by the private transporters."We also wanted to put money back in the pockets of people and this will be done through savings on transport costs," he said.Mr Guvamatanga allayed fears that the Zupco subsidies are not sustainable saying the move was well calculated and will not burden the country's purse."We know exactly how much this is going to cost us, we have done some mathematics, and we have factored in this subsidy," he quipped."A subsidy if its quantified, budgeted for and targeted, it's a good subsidy. Safety nets by their nature are subsidies because you want to protect the more vulnerable members of the society," said Mr Guvamatanga.At least 15 cents (5 cents from diesel and 10 cents from petrol) in fuel levies per litre will go towards subsidising the public transport system, he said.Government has announced plans to revive Zupco and will import thousands of conversional buses to be distributed among the company's operating divisions. Opinion / Columnist Mkhululi Zulu is the Zapu Presidential Spokesperson. There are press reports that the South African Ambassador to Zimbabwe,Mr. Mbete,said that Mnangagwa must have an External Credible Dialogue Facilitator.Elsewhere, a senior ANC member Fikile Mbalula is reported to have highlighted reasons why many Zimbabweans are in South Africa. The report says Mbalula mentioned tribalism by ZanuPF; their denial of real democracy and freedom of association to the people of Zimbabwe; and violence against the opposition. Mbalula also pointed out that the Junta regime side-lined the private sector in the economic development of the country, adopting a Bambazonke' approach by its rapacious government officials. He further spoke about human rights violations and the absence of the rule of law.Soon after the January protests, Zapu called for an all-inclusive dialogue that would culminate in the setting up of a Transitional Governing Authority. Zapu issued the statement by its leadership after widely consulting with various Civic Societies country wide. As usual, this was totally ignored by ZanuPF, and Mnangagwa handpicked political parties that endorsed his much contested election victory which was only given to him by a High Court Judge.Some of the parties that had initially attended the meeting chickened out, mentioning various tendencies that have nothing to do with the seriousness of the prevailing socio-economic and political situation. To everyone who has been following events in the country: these ZanuPF engineered and destined dialogues will result in nothing other than the perpetuation of Zanuism under the pretext of ''development''. ZanuPF has had an opportunity to develop this country for 4 decades but the opposite of development - that is destruction - has systematically happened. Imagining development as a result of dialogues with the friendly political groups is just hallucinating.Before the observation on dialogue by the South African Ambassador, Zanu PF had literally insulted the intelligence of the Zimbabwean people by claiming that they were repealing the fascist P.O.S.A when they were just using synonyms of the existing words of POSAin its''new '' bill. They convinced themselves that the world would believe their transparent lies.And just before the dialogue, ZanuPF youth, chanting their party slogans, attacked the Ndebele Traditional Chief Ndiweni, making all sorts of accusations. His crime was to have simply said something against ZanuPF. The Herald, their mouth piece, was quick to farther castigate the chief, alleging that he had stage managed the attack.The South African diplomat told them the wisest truth. Truth breaks no genuine friendship. Zimbabweans have been praying for truism to dawn, especially to SADC and South Africa in particular. The blind support of tyranny under the totally now distorted ''liberation struggle solidarity or comradeship'' has condemned thousands of Zimbabweans to this very painful predicament. Lindiwe Zulu tried during the Zimbabwean Government of National Unity, but the Jacob Zuma led leadership cautioned her and foolishly sided with the tyrant Robert Mugabe who just rejected what SADC had recommended. Mugabe had even insulted Lindiwe about her womanhood. All that was ignored by the South African Government and the ANC. We certainly hope that the Ambassador and Fikile Mbalula will not face the same wrath from their leadership.As Zapu we have experienced the pains of fighting against and defeating colonialism only to face the worst atrocities from our very own compatriots. We have also watched and listened painfully to history being deliberately twisted to suit alliances of luxury. Our people in the region expect the former liberation movements to give to them the genuine freedom that they sacrificed for, and to guarantee it for generations to come. This cannot be done when a government of a liberation movement becomes more atrocious to its own citizens than the colonizers forcing them to the streets of neighbouring countries.Fikile Mbalula's words must lead to some very frank dialogue with the Junta in Zimbabwe. The ZanuPF leaders must make hay while the sun shines. It is not yet too late to go into an objective retrospect. There are many younger politicians in the region who vehemently share word for word what Fikile Mbalula said.Zapu maintains that there has to be an honest willingness by the Mnangagwa regime to engage with everyone, not just to meet with those who agree with them at State House. Having dialogues that render the opposition irrelevant will not result in any convincing development. It is being interpreted as neutralising the opposition through a cup of tea at State House. (Bloomberg) -- Sign up for Next China, a weekly email on where the nation stands now and where it's going next. Millions of Huawei smartphone owners around the world are suddenly interested in the trade war between China and the U.S. A recent ban by U.S. President Donald Trump means many U.S. companies cant work with the Chinese technology giant. On Monday, there was a 90-day reprieve. But after that, Huawei phones wont get the same access to Google software updates as most other major handsets that use the U.S. companys Android operating system. Huawei phones arent that popular in the U.S., but they are widely used almost everywhere else. For millions, the devices are cheap-but-quality alternatives to the $1,000 phones Americas hardware champion Apple Inc. peddles. Inside China, Huawei devices wont be affected. But nearly half of these handsets are sold outside that country, according to Counterpoint Research. "Im very worried. Im the owner of a P30 Pro which I bought a month ago," Ania K from Poland wrote on Twitter. "I dont know if I will have any updates any more. Many people are very worried about that too." A Google spokesman said the company will continue to provide software updates and security patches to existing Huawei models for the next 90 days. "While we are complying with all US govt requirements, services like Google Play & security from Google Play Protect will keep functioning on your existing Huawei device," Googles Android unit wrote on Twitter. All Huawei phones developed and certified by Google before May 16 will still get access to Googles Play app store and other pre-loaded apps and services from the internet giant. Updates from Google will continue because these are transactions between Google and end users, not Google and Huawei. However, Google wont be allowed to work with Huawei on software bugs and other technical fixes for Googles version of Android going forward. Instead, the Chinese company will have to do this on its own, using the open-source version of Android. Story continues For new Huawei phones beyond May 16, there will be no Google support because that would require a new transaction between Google and the Chinese company. Huawei Technologies Co.s marketing team was enacting a full-court press on social media on Tuesday, assuring customers their phones would continue to be safe and usable. "Huawei will continue to provide security updates and after sales services to all existing Huawei and Honor smartphone and tablet products covering those which have been sold or still in stock globally," the company wrote on Twitter to fans in Nigeria. Some Huawei customers asked on social media if they could return their handsets. Others said they would stick with the company and encouraged it to keep fighting what they saw as an attack on a foreign company by President Trump. You can do it, Huawei. You didnt come all the way to the top to get beaten for nothing, Boon Leo, a Huawei user from Malaysia wrote on the companys Facebook page. Huawei is working on its own mobile operation system and will consider rivals to Googles Android. "Not letting go of your phones so you better come up with your own softwares and OS.... Asap," wrote another user from Kenya on Twitter. --With assistance from Mark Bergen. To contact the reporter on this story: Gerrit De Vynck in New York at gdevynck@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Jillian Ward at jward56@bloomberg.net, Alistair Barr For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. Arnold Schwarzenegger has spoken out after being attacked at an event in South Africa. In a clip that emerged on Saturday, the actor and former California governor can be seen at the Arnold Classic Africa event in Johannesburg when someone runs up behind him and kicks him in the back. The two-footed blow caused the Austria-born star to stumble forward into a crowd of people. In the footage, a man is heard repeatedly screaming: "Help me, I need a Lamborghini." Shortly after the incident, Schwarzenegger re-takes his seat at the side of the court, seemingly unfazed by the attack. Tweeting after the footage emerged, he said "Do me a favour: Instead of sharing the video of the guy who wants to be famous, watch some of our @ArnoldSports athletes like this young hero proving that fitness is for everyone who deserve to be famous. They're on my Snapchat." He then shared a muted video of the incident and added: "And if you have to share the video (I get it), pick a blurry one without whatever he was yelling so he doesn't get the spotlight. "By the way... block or charge?" A statement from the event organisers said he was "sadly and unexpectedly attacked by a crazed fan" after they had "breached security". It added: "Sandton Convention Centre security responded swiftly by apprehending the offender and handing him over to police." Wayne Price, an organiser of the event, said: "Arnold was in great spirits and very generous with fans and athletes alike. "Mr Schwarzenegger is fine and still in good spirits. He still carried on with the activities as planned and is fully taking this in his stride. "He even joked that some people got more excited than others." The competition organisers confirmed Schwarzenegger would not be pressing charges and sees the event as "an unfortunate incident by a mischievous fan". He later tweeted: "Update: A lot of you have asked, but I'm not pressing charges. I hope this was a wake-up call, and he gets his life on the right track. But I'm moving on and I'd rather focus on the thousands of great athletes I met at @ArnoldSports Africa." Our latest installment of Quick Bites brings us to the UWS for tacos and a tiny backyard. THE VIBE Since moving to Harlem from Mexico City about 15 years ago, Victor Martinez has done just about every front-of-the-house restaurant job you can think of, from dishwasher to runner to server to manager. But the dream has always been to open his own place, and with The Calaveras on the Upper West Side, Martinez has now done exactly that. Partnering with his best friend from Mexico, chef Francisco Flores, and his wife Nicole Soto, Martinez and crew bring a lot of light and life to their semi-subterranean space near the north end of Columbus Avenue. And while the immediate neighborhood has changed considerably since I lived up the block in the early 1990s, there's still a vital, old-timers sidewalk social scene around these parts. Soak it in while you're here; this is what large swaths of UWS used to feel like. From the street all you see of The Calaveras is a tiny bar and a table or two, but it's unclear if these are actually used for anything other than folding napkins. A hidden stairway at the back of the street-level space takes you to where the real action is, a dining room downstairs that seats about 65 at tables, an ample bar, and a charming little backyard patio. The decor is all sombreros and skulls (the namesake calaveras), the service cheerful and fast, and the music jumps from uptempo Mexican guitar classics to contemporary college indie stuff and back again. It's easy to imagine the place packed with Columbia kids. THE BITES The Calaveras menu plays it pretty safe, but there's enough variety among these greatest hits to keep you coming back. A pair of vegetable-based dishes made me especially happy, including a lovely Roasted Corn Soup, thick with avocado chunks and almond slivers, a bit of serrano salsa complementing the natural sweetness with some heat. The Quesadilla de Huitlacoche also showed excellent balance, the thick tortilla shell fried to a pleasant chewiness and stuffed with mushrooms, gooey Chihuahua cheese, and a vibrant tomatillo mix. If you enjoy downing a bowl of melted cheese to start your meal (and if you don't, I'm sorry to hear that), you can order the Queso Fundido with confidence: the Calaveras version is deeply satisfying, particularly when brightened by the kitchen's excellent salsas. More first-rate sauce awaits you with another Mexican-menu stalwart, Echilades de Mole, which is rich and lively enough to elevate the mostly mediocre chicken inside. Like that somewhat forlorn bird, the pig within the Al Pastor tacos disappointed with its dryness, but again, the guajillo sauce brings some sweet heat, and the pineapple adds enough overall juiciness to salvage the dish. Nothing could save the Pescado tacos, however, which were straight-up bitter in every bite. Given that most people will gravitate to the reasonably-priced taco section of the menu (and that chef Flores and crew are obviously skilled cooks), they should probably try to fix both of these dishes immediately. For dessert, the Calavares Flan is an entirely acceptable entry into the canon. THE VERDICT With its lively, comfortable room and mostly first-rate food (pending adjustments), Calaveras has a chance to become a new neighborhood favorite, both for longtime residents and the more transient Columbia community. Let's hope they pull it off. The Calaveras is located at 949 Columbus Avenue, between 107th and 106th Streets, and is open Sunday through Thursday from noon to midnight, and on Friday and Saturday until 2 a.m. (646-484-6533; thecalaverasnyc.com) Grain farmers in Ontario are hoping a new computer program that will forecast the best time to apply a fungicide will give them ammunition to protect their corn and wheat crops from a mould that devastated 600,000 acres of corn last year. The disease is called deoxynivalenol (DON) and it can result in entire crops to be rejected at grain elevators. "Anything that helps is a positive thing," said Marcus Haerle, chair of the Grain Farmers of Ontario. Research funded by Canada and Ontario is currently under way to develop the computer tool. The program will analyze weather data to predict when the corn or wheat is going to flower, which is the optimum time to spray the crop. "That's looking at weather patterns, moisture of the air, if there's more precipitation at certain times of the year and we have to identify when the onset of that DON is actually going to happen," said Haerle. Stoney Point area grain farmer Leo Guilbeault said if it works well, the computer forecasting tool will be better than the guessing game the farmers play now. "It depends on how well the plant is growing relative to the weather, what the weather patterns are for the few days and weeks, following the application. And all that has to tie in together," said Guilbeault. "You can plug in your planting date and the program will follow the weather patterns and kind of give you a ballpark figure of when's the optimum time to apply fungicide." "We are pleased to have the support of the federal and provincial governments on this program," said Barry Senft, CEO of the Grain Farmers of Ontario. The DON infestation last year caused millions of dollars in damage to crops across Ontario including Essex County. Haerle said the losses are still being tallied and they won't know the total damage until later this year. That's because some of the corn has yet to be sold. However, the computer program won't be ready until the end of next year, so the farmers are keeping their fingers crossed this season and next season won't be as wet as last year. Story continues "We continue to work closely with representatives of Ontario's corn sector, processors and other industry partners, to develop immediate and long-term solutions to help farmers affected by DON," writes Julian Neal, communications advisor to Ontario agriculture minister Ernie Hardeman in an email. "We are also supporting the Grain Farmers of Ontario with up to $550,000, through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, to conduct research on storage, testing and evaluating corn hybrids for disease resistance." Meanwhile, Guilbeault adds the grain farmers in Essex County might not have to worry about a corn crop this year if the wet weather continues. Planting has been delayed two weeks. If they can't get into the fields by June 1, they'll have to switch over to planting soy beans which can wait until the third week in June. Guilbeault said they need five to seven days of warm, dry, windy weather to dry out the fields. "There's still water laying in some fields from the last rain we had," said Guilbeault. Police in Oregon are searching for a young mother and her son who have not been seen or heard from since last week. Karissa Alyn Fretwell, 25, and 3-year-old William Billy Fretwell were reported missing by family on May 17, according to a Salem Police Department press release obtained by PEOPLE. Her family told police the pair had been missing since May 13. Two months before their disappearance, a neighbor recalled some troubling activity at the pairs apartment. We heard a man and woman arguing incredibly loud, Robert Allen told local station KOIN. The man was swearing a lot and there was a kid crying in the background, and the woman was yelling at him to get out of her apartment. 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. Salem Police Department The backdoor of Allens apartment faces Fretwells backdoor. He told KOIN when a woman claiming to be Fretwells sister asked him if he had seen Fretwell, he offered to keep an eye on her apartment. I have noticed that the television screen, its been on the same screen for about a week, so obviously theres no one in the apartment, Allen said, KOIN reports. Karissa Fretwell/Facebook Megan Harper, a friend of Fretwells, told the Salem Statesman Journal the last time she spoke to Fretwell was on May 11 when she had asked her about installing a security camera system. Harper said she sometimes babysat Billy because Fretwell was studying education at Western Oregon University while also working as a security guard at night. I feel ill with worry about William, Harper told the Journal. Last night, I held my daughters hand so tightly while she slept and I couldnt sleep because my mind was going over all the possibilities of what could be happening to him. Salem Police Department Police describe Fretwell as a white female, 5 feet 9 inches tall weighing approximately 135 pounds. She has blue eyes and naturally blond hair that she dyes red. Billy is a white male, approximately 3 feet tall, weighing approximately 30 pounds. He has blond hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information about the case should call the Salem Police Tips Hotline at (503) 588-8477 and leave a message for Detective Jake Burke, or call the Salem Police Department non-emergency number at (503) 588-6123. An extinct species of wolf, which was inspiration for a creature on "Game of Thrones," had little in common with today's gray wolves, research found. Republicans on the states budget-writing committee approved a 2% annual wage increase for most state employees Tuesday, plus a 14% boost to the minimum wage for state prison employees. The committee also set aside millions to fund compensation for prison employees working overtime as the states correctional institutions struggle with vacancy rates. Under the state worker pay increase Republicans approved, state employees would get a 2% pay bump on Jan. 1, 2020, and another one a year later. The measure they adopted does not go as far as Evers proposal, which would have provided about $8 million more to boost pay for some positions to keep it on par with those in the private sector. The University of Wisconsin System, which employs about 39,000 people statewide, proposed a 3% raise in each of the next two years. System president Ray Cross said in a Tuesday tweet: Todays vote will help us attract and retain talent to build a better Wisconsin. The Republican plan also gutted a provision Democratic Gov. Tony Evers put forward to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour for employees of state agencies outside of the System, state Legislature and Courts. The proposal to boost the Department of Corrections minimum wage, which Republicans passed 11-4, goes further than that of Evers by increasing pay for entry-level corrections employees by $2.35 per hour, from $16.65 to about $19 per hour by 2021. Evers had proposed increasing the Corrections minimum wage to $18.22 per hour. The wage hikes for correctional officers amount to a $37 million increase over current levels, more than the $24 million the governor had proposed. GOP members of the Joint Committee on Finance, Reps. John Nygren of Marinette, Shannon Zimmerman of River Falls and Mark Born of Beaver Dam, said the package includes wage increases for more senior correctional officers by an amount similar to that of entry-level employees to achieve fairness. Their plan would provide one-time service awards of $250 to correctional officers after 10 years served; $500 after 15 years served; $750 after 20 years served; and $1,000 after 25 years served and every 5 years thereafter. OT pay addressed Separate from those increases are those approved for overtime compensation for correctional officers. Republicans on the committee voted 11-4 for about $122 million over the two-year budget cycle to pay for prison worker overtime costs, about $7 million less than the governor proposed. Part of the reduction in overtime is due to the pay raises for correctional officers, which have the potential to reduce the need for overtime in the coming years. Republicans say the increase in funding will help address increasing position vacancies at many of the states prisons and underscore the value of correctional officers. The plan to boost funding comes as many of the prison systems security officer positions go unfilled. In April, 739 of the states 4,651 correctional officer and correctional sergeant positions were vacant, representing a 16% vacancy rate. Vacancy rates have contributed to low employee morale at some prisons. The Evers administration has attempted to address the problem through a patchwork of $5 per hour temporary pay increases at select prisons. Republicans have criticized those temporary increases, arguing they could prompt corrections officers to leave their current positions for higher paying ones at other institutions, creating a new vacancy problem. Taylor lashes out Democrats on the committee, such as Rep. Chris Taylor, D-Madison, slammed members of the GOP for creating the vacancy crisis. Republicans previously instituted similar temporary pay increases, but by a lesser amount. We continue to hear this hypocrisy of going after this governor for doing targeted hourly add-ons to our maximum security prisons when you all did this but you did it ineffectively, Taylor said. Republicans in their plan would bar employees receiving the $5 per hour temporary pay bump from receiving a $2.65 per hour raise until the second year of the budget cycle. The Joint Finance Committee did not take up a proposal from Evers to provide $15 million to build 3 barracks-style units to house prisoners. They could reconsider the motion when they take up the state capital budget for large building projects. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 With lawmakers nearing a planned budget vote on school funding, Senate Republicans are discussing increasing state aid to school districts by $200 per pupil in each of the next two years, their leader said Tuesday. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, told the Wisconsin State Journal on Tuesday districts would get $200 per pupil in 2019-20, then an additional $200 more per pupil in 2020-21. That approach would mirror the centerpiece of the school-funding increase in the most recent state budget that former Gov. Scott Walker signed in 2017, which translated to about a half-billion increase in state aid to districts. It contrasts with Democratic Gov. Tony Evers proposal for the next budget. Evers wants to pump $611 million into general school aids through a revised state funding formula that would guarantee a basic level of funding for each student, but provide additional funding for low-income students. The per-pupil funding stream gives districts a flat amount per student, not accounting for a districts property-tax base. Assembly Republicans plan to announce their position on school funding Wednesday, a spokeswoman for Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said. GOP legislative leaders are set to meet Wednesday with Evers, and the Legislatures budget-writing Joint Finance Committee is set to take up school funding in its Thursday session. The 16-member committee typically builds the budget and sends it to the full Assembly and Senate for final passage. Fitzgerald spokesman Alec Zimmerman said the official Senate Republican position wont be finalized before Senate Republicans discuss it in closed caucus. Theyre set to meet Wednesday to discuss school funding and other topics, he said. Assembly Republicans held their own closed-door budget meeting Tuesday afternoon. Fitzgeralds office did not respond to inquiries about whether Senate Republicans are discussing other major school-funding increases, such as for special education. Also Tuesday, Fitzgerald continued his critique of what he described as a lack of communication by Evers office with legislative leaders, saying Evers has done a poorer job on that front than previous Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle, who served from 2003 to 2011. Under Doyle, Fitzgerald said legislative leaders worked closely with then-Department of Administration Secretary Marc Marotta. Fitzgerald said Marotta attended Joint Finance Committee budget sessions and was deeply engaged in legislative budget proceedings. But he said so far in this budget, no one has played a comparable role in the Evers administration. That dialogue was happening (under Doyle) and it just doesnt feel like its happening at all right now, Fitzgerald said. Vos, R-Rochester, has said he expects to meet with the governor directly to hold budget talks. Evers office did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday. Evers school-funding plan, which calls for a total $1.4 billion state-aid infusion to K-12 districts, also gives $606 million over two years to districts to help them bridge the gap between services theyre required to give students with special needs and the money they get to do it. GOP lawmakers previously signaled they would not support a school-funding increase as large as Evers proposed, or as large of a special education increase as he proposed. Sen. Tom Tiffany, R-Hazelhurst, a Joint Finance member, told the State Journal last week he views the funding increase given to schools in the most recent budget as a template for a similar increase in this budget. Another finance committee member, Sen. Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, questioned whether GOP lawmakers would be able to match the increase given two years ago. The 2017-19 budget, covering the two-year cycle ending June 30, gave school districts a $639 million funding boost. Its centerpiece was a $505 million increase in per-pupil aid to districts of $200 per pupil in 2017-18, then an additional $204 per pupil beyond that in 2018-19. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A question in recent weeks leading up to last Saturdays Federal election related to veterans and considering the succour for those loved ones who died in service and those who returned with a whole different perspective. Way back in 2012 - I wrote of this in Christian Today - "Is there a 'true value' or a 'relative value' of our servicemen and women" it was rated as one of the Best of 2012 in Christian Today Australia, this was written: "The nation can never 'wear the shoes' of those who have witnessed battle at first hand. Moreover, military awards are inevitably relative and political. Many who should have received such acknowledgement never did. Perhaps no one saw what actually happened. Often an officer was celebrated for what his men achieved, at great risk and cost to themselves. They were the ones in mortal danger. "What the public see is a military man in formal dress being presented an award by a civilian, quite possibly the Governor General who is constituently the head of Australia's military. The soothing words convey very little, if anything, of the battle experience. But, this is the way it must be. Civilians are a deadly menace on the front line. Battle is the role of the military. There is a demarcation line. The civilian population rarely gets a true picture, the gut wrenching sense of abandonment is beyond words. "The military person puts their life on the line and for the many who don't really care. This sadly, will always be the story. Military history also spells out the high respect for military chaplains gained over a century of warfare (Australians had Padres in the Boar War). Sacrifice is front and centre in Christian thought." Like all things, there comes a time when the nation's policy will change, and new direction given and this includes military conflict. In some situations, and we can name them through the last century, such as various military ventures that failed to meet their 'optimal results', that the better part of valour was to get out. Australia recognised this for Iraq and the Americans now only have limited numbers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Ecclesiastes is very clear, that in this life, there is a time to everything. There will be a time to conclude this conflict, there will be a time to withdraw. Photo - Gallipoli Plaque Is it put down to experience, yet again In the film 'A Bridge Too Far' the final scene has the top military commanders discussing what went wrong. The Allies had lost the battle for Arnhem Bridge and thus providing a highway into Nazi Germany across the Rhine River in late 1944. They were stopped in their tracks. Many soldiers had lost their lives in this futile battle. One commander blamed the fog, another the drop zones being so far from the target, another the communications wireless sets failing, another this, another that. But not one of them, not even one, fell on their swords taking personal responsibility for the lives lost and the poor planning that led directly to the loss of the battle. The loved ones at home received a telegram followed by a letter that their son or father or husband had fallen for King and Country. What of those Australian soldiers who were killed in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflict, lost campaigns, situations that were deemed un-winable in the format in which they were placed? War is a dirty business, atrocities are part and parcel of any war. Iraq and Afghanistan has been no different. Planning a half war is designed to failure. Jesus spoke of this. The theology of a Just War has a long history, and no one is in dispute that the War against Nazi Germany was a Just War. The concentration and death camps bought to book any dissenters. The Mali situation is a classic situation where the French military hadnt "not gone in" with an attitude of a half war. The horror of the jihadi is a warning to us all. Even a cursory glance of a society gone mad when the Jihadists take over reveals what needs to be done to rid us of such evil. Its by no means "any half measure". Perhaps those who send our military into half wars might be reminded of Proverbs 2 verse 3: "Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding." Photo - 1999, Dr Mark Tronson preaching at ANZAC Cove to 3 bus loads, 200 people. Contributor 2016, #TruthAboutWhoYouAre, YMI, https://ymi.today/2016/01/truthaboutwhoyouare/, accessed 16 April 2019. C.S. Lewis once said, The first business of a story is to be a good story(A-Z Quotes). He is speaking as a believer but also as a creative. With Christians in the creative sphere, particularly in writing and music, I have found there to be two main types of artist. One that writes what I will call very Christian content and another that creates more subtle works hinting at their Christian or moral origins - creatives like LeCrae, C.S. Lewis, Melody Carlson, Veronica Roth and Switchfoot. These people, particularly the first two, I have looked up to and found much inspiration from. As a writer of fiction, my dream has always been for my books to be on the shelves of public libraries, not just tobe read among Christians. LeCrae breaking the mould In 2009, LeCrae made the conscious decision not only to make the Christian references in his music more subtle, but to move his life from Memphis across to Atlanta, Georgia, the nerve centre of the southern rap scene. One of his primary objectives was to make meaningful connections and friendships with other musicians in the city, with the gospel in mind. LeCrae was widely criticised by the Christian community for these changes and accused of compromising, particularly in his lyrics. In an address to a group of college students at a southern university, he explained that his aim was to reach as many people with a message of love and the gospel as possible, and he personally felt limited to a small audience bymaintaining explicitly Christian lyrics. Since making this move, he has made connections with major rap artists and his sphere of influence has grown exponentially. Prioritising quality content The world does not need more Christian literature. What it needs is more Christians writing good literature. - CS Lewis(A-Z Quotes) The same holds true for any creative endeavour. While there is nothing wrong with explicitly Christian content, I think that at least when it comes to creative fields, the work has to be good in and of itself - even to a non-believers eyes and ears. LeCrae might just embody exactly what C.S. Lewis meant when he said, We neednt all write patently moral or theological work. Indeed, work whose Christianity is latent may do quite as much good and may reach some whom the more obvious religious work would scare away(A-Z Quotes). Reaching the unreached The point is that explicitly labelled Christian content will rarely be viewed by an unbeliever - the very people Christ tells us to reach. While there is nothing wrong with sermons and theological blogs and articles - heaven knows we need good, strong theology - I have written a novel manuscript and dream of a wider audience than just Christians. While I love Christians, the local church, and believe in encouraging one another, my heart burns for the lost. So dare I leave the comfortable 99 and go after the one? My heart burns for the one, it weeps for them. And so does Jesus. We are all called to different things and, as Christians, everything we do should be to the glory of God, whether writing stories, baking cakes or fixing cars (or broken legs). So I will not be submitting my novel to Christian publishing houses later this year. For the young girl whos just gotten pregnant and considering an abortion. For the yearning teenage boy whose father will never say hes proud of him. For the woman who lies down exhausted from hearing her husband speak of her worthlessness. For the 25 year old whos just become addicted to drugs because they cant face their grief. For the person who has run away from home in the night. For the woman whos wondering if anyone would notice if she just never showed up to work one day. For the older man who regrets his life choices and wonders if there is any redemption for a man such as him. I want to give these precious souls the chance to read words that might just give them hope. That might answer their question with, Yes! You too can be redeemed. All hope is not lost. Knowing what youre called to While my fiction writing is currently a little more subtle, I do have a blog that is very overtly Christian. Recently God asked me if I would be willing to continue writing this blog if my audience never grew? It was a test of my humility - quite challenging. Im okay if my audience never becomes huge, but if my book does get published, I would like to include a link to my blog so that if people look me up they can find a very overtly Christ-centred message. In conclusion, I believe that there is a place for both kinds of creative - that both glorify God. You need to listen to what hes saying about the kind of specific thing he wants you to do. Which kind of creative are you? Lil van Wyngaard is a staff writer for a Melbourne based stationery company. She also blogs on the side and has her first book in the drafting stages (planning to submit for publication later this year). Lil is an extrovert and loves entertaining at her home with her husband Jacques, yet can often be found reading or at the gym. She is an SEO copywriter, educated at Deakin University and also has a passion for all types of dance. Lil worships at New Gen City Church and is involved in youth and young adult ministry with her husband. CHI Health Schuyler held a celebration on Thursday, May 16, marking the first-year anniversary of its reopened maternity center. The celebration was held to mark the return of maternity services to Schuyler after a seven-year absence, while also bringing together the 39 babies delivered during the past year in the center. This was really to honor the mothers and babies, said Connie Peters, president of CHI Health Schuyler. We were coming up on a year of service, and it was a great time to bring them back, have some fun and help spread the word about maternity services being back for our people and our community. Maternity services left Schuyler in 2011, which resulted in many families having to travel further than they wanted to in order to deliver their children. Most went to Columbus for birthing procedures, which for many families was difficult since some only have one vehicle. If their significant other is out working, transportation is a huge issue, Peters said. You have to take a whole day off work for a health care visit and some people didnt get their prenatal health care or preventative health care that they needed. It was a five-month-long process to bring back maternity and prenatal services to Schuyler. Experts from CHI Health were brought in to update procedures and protocol, and Dr. John Jackson III was brought back to help spearhead the initiative. Jackson said he loves working in Schuyler and couldnt wait to return to his old duties. Schuyler has really nice, nice people, Jackson said. Its a very nice place to raise a family and to live. Jackson has delivered each of the 39 babies born at the maternity center. He said that every birth in the hospital creates a connection that goes through every member of the community. A baby is a universal bond with all the people of the world, Jackson said. In our community, we have people from Somalia, Mexico, Guatemala, people of Czech and German descent, and there is that bond with every single baby and mother. The connections also stretch through faith, as well. CHI Health is a faith-based medical institution, with the core tenet of the hospital being to live the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. One of Jacksons more memorable births was when he, a Christian, a Catholic nurse and an Islam-practicing mother praying together in what Jackson thought was a beautiful scene. You could just feel the spirit of God was in our room, Jackson said. It was an incredibly touching moment for everybody there. The main expert brought in to assist the return of maternity services to the hospital was Dr. Rachelle Heser, a specialist with CHI Health based in Omaha. Heser said she was happy to see the project doing so well after just one year. Its been pretty exciting to see the success, the number of babies that have been able to come through here and be delivered, Heser said. Its neat to see the nurses growing, learning and being excited about it, and we continue to provide education for nurses that maybe didnt have it before. In an era where many small-town hospitals are cutting back or eliminating maternity and prenatal services, the return of those services to Schuyler is key in setting apart the town from others that are similar. A lot of small hospitals dont offer this service anymore, Peters said. We saw the need in our community and its a great service because we have a lot of young families in our community. Its a disservice for them to have to drive to other communities to have babies and we deliver care from birth to death. Thats what family practice is all about. Zach Roth is a reporter for the Schuyler Sun. Reach him via email at zach.roth@lee.net Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The state's mainline budget bill endured another filibuster Tuesday, primarily from rural senators, but the Legislature succeeded in getting that and its other spending bills past the finish line and to Gov. Pete Ricketts for his consideration. Although all seven of the budget bills passed, only one (LB296), which contained salaries for constitutional officers, got through with no negative votes. Twelve senators voted no on the $9.3 billion, two-year mainline budget bill (LB294). Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard moved to pull the main spending bill off final reading and return it to a second round of debate. If that had succeeded, he would have attempted to amend the bill to take $7.3 million from the University of Nebraska for salary and utility increases and allocate that money to increase funding for long-term health care provider rates for nursing homes. "We have discussed that issue several times on the floor of the Legislature, about taking care of the least, the last and the lost and those that most need help," he said. "This would be an opportunity for us to do that." It would bring those providers closer to how they should be reimbursed, he said. The dollar shortage as he has been told is $30 to $40 daily for each nursing home resident. The $7.3 million would go a long way toward keeping nursing homes open, he said. Those getting raises at the university are teachers and professors who can stand to not get portions of the $7.3 million, he said. "Those people in the nursing home facilities do not have an option," he said. Appropriations Committee Chairman John Stinner said he shared Erdman's concern about nursing homes, but all Medicaid providers needed to be treated about the same, as were those higher education institutions. "So this idea that we pull from one because we don't like that category, and we push it to another, I'm sorry. That is not a fair and balanced approached," Stinner said. Lincoln Sen. Kate Bolz, a member of the Appropriations Committee, said half of the state's doctors and health professionals are trained by the university. While provider rates should be improved, she said, the state also needs to pay attention to investments in its higher education institutions. The university generates $4.5 billion in total annual economic impact, and for every $1 invested by the Legislature, the university returns $7. The university has not received an increase in appropriations for operations, exclusive of salaries, since 2006-07, and since that time the consumer price index has increased 17.2%, or 1.6% annually, she said. Erdman has been arguing the Appropriations Committee, of which he is a member, does not set priorities and that state spending is too high, and getting higher every year. As passed, the university would get $16 million each year of the two-year budget for salary increases and $941,800 each year for increases in utility costs. NU President Hank Bounds said in a statement the university was grateful for the commitment a strong majority of the Legislature has shown to Nebraskas young people, particularly the system's 52,000 students, and the long-term economic and workforce growth of the state. Overall, state spending will increase by an average of 2.9% per year. Senators voted to stop debate before Erdman's amendment could be introduced. The budget passed on a 35-12 vote, with an emergency clause attached. That means it will become effective immediately after Ricketts signs it or the Legislature overrides any vetoes he may make. Senators also took some opportunity to talk about needed property tax reductions. Sen. Curt Friesen of Henderson said he was not happy the Legislature didn't prioritize property tax cuts the way it should have. Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon voted no on the budget bills because over the weekend he got into some tough conversations with constituents on how the Legislature was putting off doing something about property tax cuts, especially for farmers. "It isn't just my district," he said. "Winter storms have not been kind to them. The flooding, the low livestock prices and the loss of livestock have put them in a position where you're going to see unprecedented losses this year. And it appears to them we just don't care." The Legislature is going to go home early, and, obviously, if senators cared more they would have stuck this session out, he said. The budget sends an additional $51 million a year to the state's property tax credit fund, which is used to reduce the amount owed on property tax bills. Reach the writer at 402-473-7228 or jyoung@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSLegislature. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The long and winding road to a high school diploma is a unique journey for everyone involved. For some, the formative high school years are a breeze they are able to achieve success with minimal hurdles and obstacles hampering their strides. For others, reaching the finish line and receiving that slip of paper is a defining life moment. There were stories on both ends of the spectrum for the approximately 260 Columbus High School graduates who started new chapters in their lives on Sunday afternoon surrounded by friends and family in the schools main gymnasium. Addressing the hundreds in attendance, soon-to-be graduate Trey Irving spoke about the ups and downs that led him to that particular moment in his life. Its a moment he didnt believe was possible until about a year ago. Irving acknowledged that school wasnt something that came easily to him, or more or less, he just didnt really care all the way up to his junior year. He was expelled from school as a freshman, landing him at the alternative school in Fremont and behind on school credits. Eventually, though, he was able to rejoin the Columbus Public Schools District and decided it was time to buckle down. I was pretty much done with my junior year still working on freshman credits, Irving said while addressing those in attendance. Now its my senior year, and Ive had to work so hard to make it to where I am. Ive come a long ways, and Im really glad with the progress Ive made. Irving and several others shared their thoughts and words of advice with their graduating peers. Other speakers included Class President Jayden Boesch, Britney Stephanie de Leon, Vasco Citta and Elizabeth Blaser. One student who didnt address those gathered at commencement, but who was undoubtedly listening with keen ears, was Christopher Riveros Rodriguez. The 17-year-old graduate faced his own adversity to make it to Sunday with his classmates and friends. One psychology course nearly kept him from walking across the stage with his peers. But, he was able to resolve the issue in enough time to ensure he could graduate. Honestly, it feels pretty amazing, Riveros Rodriguez said prior to commencement. Its been really a struggle, but its all well done, I made it to graduation and Im walking. Which is really a big honor, just for me to walk. Riveros Rodriguez moved to Columbus from Florida in 2015 and slowly got integrated in the CPS system. He said that it took some time, but that he eventually started to enjoy the Columbus experience. That experience, he said, was the vertical climb that led him to the summit of the mountain that Sunday represented. Joining Riveros Rodriguez at the peak was classmate Anna Maurer. Maurer didnt ever have the concern of not graduating, but during her last year she did undergo some stress trying to wrestle down a good grade in calculus. I didnt really struggle, but some of the classes I took were really hard, Maurer said. So, I really do have a feeling of accomplishment just getting here. Maurer noted that it was a bit of a surreal experience being there on her own graduation day. The time just sped by. It doesnt seem real, I still feel like a freshman sometimes or a sophomore or junior, she said. It doesnt feel like I should be the one walking. But she was walking. And so was Riveros Rodriguez and Irving and all of their peers. Watching Riveros Rodriguez was his mother, father and four sisters. Having his family present to see him make it was perhaps the best part of his day. He was especially happy that his younger siblings were in attendance. Im just trying to shape their future and give them a good standpoint of what they should try to do when they get older, he said. 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 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. How a group of local Girl Scouts got a lesson business from Women in the Field at the Boston Region Kat Lee was an impressionable 12-year-old when she and her Girl Scout troop took a field trip to Nissans Southern California design studio. One of the moms worked for them, so that was our way in, she says. We saw clay models of vehicles. I remember that vividly. I also remember the day we went to a tofu factory and they talked about efficiency and quality checks. You never know how moments like that can shape your future. In some roundabout way, Lee believes they did. Shes now more than 10 years into her career with Toyota, currently serving as a market representation manager in the Boston Region. Going forward, Lee is committed to paying it forward. She and several of her fellow female team members who call the Mansfield, Massachusetts, facility their work home are doing just that in partnership with the Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England. Inspired to Do Their Part The seeds for this community outreach were planted in May, when 10 members of the Boston Regions Women in the Field group including Lee attended an Automotive News-hosted Leading Women Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. It was a very inspiring experience, says Lee. When we got back, we agreed that we needed to do our part to encourage more women to get into our business. After all, Toyota is a great company. We love working here. Lee soon learned that Toyota Financial Services had a relationship with the Girl Scouts on the national level. That led to the realization that six of the 10 women had been Girl Scouts in their youth. A phone call to the Girl Scouts closest chapter, in Rhode Island, soon followed. Thats when we learned that they offer business-related merit badges, says Lee. So we asked their corporate sponsorship representative if there was something Toyota could do to help. The Auto Industry 101 The reply: offer to deliver the training for the groups business plan merit badge. Lee says the Girl Scouts define the criteria for earning the badge but give corporate partners some latitude in how to implement it. So, the Boston Region women formed small teams to tackle the task of adapting the badges requirements to an automotive environment. In the end, they came up with a two-hour program that challenges the girls to: Dissect a corporate mission statement and understand its importance. Tour the office, ending in the technician training area. Explore select Toyota vehicles parked in the shop, guided by a scavenger hunt for product features. Discuss the role and importance of setting sales goals. View a series of videos that offer a glimpse of the broad scope of Toyotas activities, such as its support of the Mothers of Invention, its operations at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, and its investments in R&D and mobility. Compete in the Game of Life, where the girls draw cards that describe different customers such as family size, household budget and favorite color then challenge them to identify which vehicle best fits each customers needs. Create their own business plan to promote the sales of Girl Scout cookies, under the watchful eye of a Toyota team member. Since launching the program in October, the Boston Region has hosted three groups totaling more than 70 Girl Scout cadettes (ages 11-13). One of the great things about this is that while the Women in the Field group developed the program, team members throughout the office have helped us implement it, says Lee. Everything happens after hours and is completely voluntary. Were so grateful for their contributions. It really means a lot to us. And my pitch to (General Manager) George Brenner and (Assistant General Manager) Jason Keller was one of the easiest Ive ever made. They just kept saying, Yeah, you can do it. Please pursue it. Expanding the Reach Emboldened by their early success, Lee says the Women in the Field members have started to look for ways to package the program so that other Regions and perhaps even Toyota dealers could replicate it. And she said theyll likely develop a similar program for the Girl Scouts marketing merit badge. For more news on Toyota's commitment to Girl Scouts of the USA, click here. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram Miami, May 20, 2019 The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Colombian lawmakers to cease their harassment of New York Times Andes Bureau Chief Nicholas Casey and local press freedom organization, Foundation for Press Freedom (FLIP), and to ensure that journalists can report safely in the country. On May 18, Senator Maria Fernanda Cabal, of the Democratic Center party, posted a tweet along with a photo of Casey, accusing the journalist of being on tour with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) paramilitary guerrilla group and of being paid to write against the Colombian army. The tweet included the hashtag #CaseyEsFakeNews. Cabals tweet was followed by additional tweets by Democratic Center politicians, including Juan David Velez, that accused the journalist of associating with FARC and writing columns full of slander. When FLIP tweeted in support of Casey, Alvaro Uribe, former Colombian president and now a senator, responded by tagging the foundation in a tweet that claimed that the organization was defending the bias of journalists' and was ultimately going to result in the protection of narco terrorism and defamation against the Armed Forces of Colombia. The online harassment followed the May 18 publication of an article in which Casey reported that the head of Colombias army had recently ordered troops to double the number of criminals and militants they kill. Lawmakers have the right to question any piece of reporting, but dangerous and irresponsible comments like those made against Nicholas Casey have the potential to endanger his security and discourage reporting on sensitive issues in Colombia, said CPJ Program Director Carlos Martinez de la Serna, in New York. In a dangerous environment such as the one faced by the press in Colombia, it is of the utmost importance that journalists and press freedom organizations like the Foundation for Press Freedom (FLIP) not be attacked by lawmakers simply for doing their jobs. In its May 19 tweet in support of Casey, FLIP said that the lawmakers had made unfair accusations that could be understood as instigation or support for aggressions against the press. Casey told Colombian newspaper El Tiempo yesterday that he has left the country following the false accusations published by lawmakers on Twitter. The journalist added that such accusations are serious due to the lack of security and safety in Colombia for journalists. Senator Cabals tweet has been retweeted more than 3,000 times, and dozens of tweets with the #CaseyEsFakeNews hashtag have been posted since May 18, according to CPJs review of posts on the social media network. The New York Times directed CPJ to its response to Cabal on Twitter in which the paper said that it does not take sides in political conflict in any part of the world, and that it reports impartially. A translation of the tweet added, In Colombia we have written very tough the stories about the FARC, rebel groups and other criminal organizations. In this case, we simply reported what the documents written by the army say, as well as information coming from the same Colombian officers. In response to a request for comment, Senator Velez directed CPJ to a statement on his website that read, in part, As a congressman, and a citizen, I have continuously defended the Colombian Institutions and Armed Forces. In spite of the constant slanderous columns from some who, shielded by the press, misinform and seek to obtain profit, with personal or political interests, even engaging in institutional destabilizing. CPJ emailed Senators Cabal and Uribe for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Former President Uribe is currently engaged in a lawsuit against a journalist in the United States, as CPJ has reported. [Editors Note: The ninth paragraph has been updated with a comment from the New York Times.] Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram New York, May 21, 2019Venezuelan authorities should immediately release Jesus Medina, who they have arbitrarily imprisoned because of his reporting for nearly nine months, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Human Rights Watch said today. On May 23, 2019, Medina is scheduled to be taken before a judge for his preliminary hearing, which has been postponed eight times. Agents from the National Bolivarian Intelligence Agency (SEBIN) detained Medina, who worked as a photojournalist for several outlets, on August 29, 2018. He was part of a team of journalists working on an investigative project at a Caracas hospital, said the National Union of Press Workers. He is being held in the Ramo Verde military prison. (The only other journalist currently detained in Venezuela is under house arrest, according to CPJ research. Venezuelan authorities should immediately drop the absurd charges against Jesus Medina and stop finding pretexts to prolong his pretrial detention, said CPJ Central and South America Coordinator Natalie Southwick. Jailing reporters and criminalizing journalism will not put an end to the profound crisis in Venezuela, nor hide it from the world. On August 31, Medina was charged with crimes including inciting hate, illegal enrichment, and criminal association, said a lawyer from local human rights organization Penal Forum who is on his defense team. The lawyer said that the criminal file does not include any legal or factual analysis to substantiate the charges. Under Venezuelas vaguely worded anti-hate law, the crime of inciting hate is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. The law was passed in November 2017 by the pro-Maduro Constituent Assembly, which was created to take over legislative powers from the opposition-controlled National Assembly. Under Venezuelan law, Medinas preliminary hearingin which prosecutors offer justification for the formal chargesshould have taken place within 45 days. It has been delayed eight times, most recently on May 2. On six occasions, the delay was because the court had not issued the order for Medina to be transferred from prison to court on time, and the hearing could not take place in his absence, said another of Medinas lawyers from Penal Forum. In the two other instances, the court had not requested the case file from an appeals chamber where it was sitting, which also prevented the hearing from taking place. Medina was previously detained by Venezuelan authorities in October 2017 while reporting at a prison in northern Venezuela with two international journalists, according to news reports. He was reported missing the following month. He was found on a highway outside Caracas two days later, and said his abductors tortured him and threatened him with death, according to reports. The Venezuelan free speech organization Espacio Publico reported that between January and April this year, 37 journalists, four photojournalists, and 10 other media workers including cameramen, technicians, and drivers were detained. This is nearly double from the same period in 2018. Recent cases include the detention of the Venezuelan journalist and human rights activist Luis Carlos Diaz in March, the detention and deportation of a U.S. freelancer, Cody Weddle, a week earlier, and an incident in February, when a reporting team from Univision headed by Jorge Ramos was detained for several hours inside the Miraflores presidential palace and then expelled from the country. Jesus Medinas detention is consistent with a pattern of arbitrary arrests and harassment of opponents, critics, and those who dare expose the truth about what is happening in Venezuela, said Jose Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch. Leaders from the Americas and Europe who are concerned about the lack of judicial independence and rule of law in Venezuela should support our call for his immediate release. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram First were the politically motivated state charges that funding provided to the news website Rappler by a U.S. philanthropic foundation represented a violation of constitutional provisions barring foreign control or ownership of Philippine media. Then came government allegations in April that journalists from independent media groups, including Rappler, the independent media organization VERA Files, and the non-profit Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, were involved in a conspiracy to discredit and oust President Rodrigo Dutertes elected government. All four outlets issued statements denying the allegation. Now, a pro-government media campaign claims that the same independent news outlets and the Philippine press freedom group Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility are in the pay of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), a potential criminal offense under local law. The campaign claims that the CIA uses the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) to channel funds. CPJ documented last month how the conspiracy allegations have been advanced through a series of op-eds by the pro-government Manila Times, a century-old English-language newspaper currently owned by businessman Dante Ang, who serves as a public relations adviser to Duterte. Editors and directors of the targeted news and advocacy groups say they fear the op-edsand their circulation on social mediacould be used by the government to justify a clampdown on foreign-funded media in the name of security. All four outlets receive substantial grants from the NED. Funded largely by Congress, NED was founded in the early 1980s as a way for the U.S. to openly promote democracy worldwide by providing annual grants to non-governmental groups, according to its website. Melinda Quintos de Jesus, executive director of Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, said she believes that the pro-government attacks on foreign funding could lead to state charges where the judiciary is asked to rule on what defines foreign ownership of media. This could be dangerous for all targeted organizations, as charges could be manufactured, cases filed, arrest orders made and legislation passed to ban our activities. [This government] can apply a legal fig leaf to anything it wants to do, Quintos de Jesus told CPJ by email. Ang first published the Oust Duterte plot allegations in his paper on April 22, replete with a diagram identifying independent journalists by name. The information was provided by Duterte based on intelligence information sharing, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said during a press conference on the same day. [Editors note: Sheila Coronel, who is included in the Manila Times diagram, is a senior adviser and former board member for CPJ.] Manila Times columnists, including ex-government spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao, have since doubled down with insinuations that funding provided to the media and advocacy groups from NED is actually channeled from the CIA to destabilize Dutertes government. We are a sovereign nation. Why do we allow a foreign power to fund media entities dedicated to painting the duly elected president black, in the hope that the masses, or the military, would be roused to topple him? Tiglao wrote in a May 1 op-ed. He claimed that the NEDs funding violated a constitutional ban on foreign participation in local media. Manila Times columnist Yen Makabenta, in an April 30 op-ed, called for the enactment of a foreign agents registration law to tame in a hurry the intrusive criticism and interference in national affairs by these foreign-funded [media] organizations, whose activities are subversive by design. Makabenta continued, Indeed, if they are working for a group like the CIA, they could be working to change the government. CPJ has chronicled how governments, including in Russia and China, have passed laws that require bloggers, journalists and civil society members to register as foreign agents in moves that threaten to obstruct the free flow of information, including over social media. Makabentas op-ed suggested the Philippines should implement similar legislation. The U.S. government has denied the CIA is involved in any destabilization plot against Duterte. The U.S. ambassador responded to the claims by saying, There is absolutely no effort by the CIA to undermine the Philippines leadership, according to reports. The allegations adhere closely to the Duterte governments complaints and claims against critical local media. At an October 12, 2017 press conference, Duterte claimed that Rappler was funded by the CIA via NED: a claim the news organization vehemently denied. In the same comments, Duterte announcedusing foul languagehis intent to drive the CIA out of the Philippines. He repeated the accusation that Rappler was involved with the CIA, during a February 22, 2018 press conference, Reuters reported at the time. His government has since piled up lawsuits against Rappler, including a charge over foreign funding it received through depositary receipts from the U.S.-based philanthropic investment firm, Omidyar Network, that threaten to jail its executives and revoke its operating license. Rappler executive editor and founder Maria Ressa received CPJs 2018 Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award, in acknowledgement of her bravery in reporting in the face of official harassment. Ellen Tordesillas, president of VERA Files, an organization founded by local journalists, told CPJ that the Manila Times op-eds are lies being propagated by persons allied with President Duterte to discredit independent journalism. After their tale of an Oust Duterte plot by media groups fizzled out, they are now trying to poison the publics mind by demonizing foreign funding, saying such grants are illegal, Tordesillas said. Foreign grants are not illegal[They] allow independent media like VERA Files to empower the people with information that is important in their decision-making, as well as strengthen their capability to fight disinformation. VERA Files and Rappler are fact-checking partners for Facebook in the Philippines. The Manila Times did not respond to CPJs email requesting comment. These moves are insidious and dangerous, said Ressa. As technology has proven, a lie told a million times becomes the truth, she said, referring to the foreign funding claims. More so when its a concerted campaign from social media, government co-opted media, and from the podium power [of the presidential palace]. Its clear there will be consequences if journalists keep asking hard questions, she said. A veteran journalist with one of the targeted groups told CPJ that she fears the campaign will give the government justification to legislate against foreign funding for local media and eventually shut down their operations. Given the [Duterte administrations] capture of the judiciary, said the journalist, requesting anonymity due to fear of reprisals, there is nothing this government cant do. Philippine media is already under heavy fire. A coalition of local media groups reported on May 3, World Press Freedom Day, that at least 128 attacks and threats have been committed against journalists and media members since Duterte rose to power in 2016, with almost half attributed to state agents. Much of that harassment occurs online, where pro-government users often threaten journalists who report critically on Duterte and his policies, including his drug war, in which thousands have been killed. A CPJ fact-finding mission to Manila in mid-April found the online harassment of journalists is highly organized and vicious. [Reporting from Bangkok] HARRISBURG A commission tapped by Gov. Tom Wolf to study how to ensure an accurate census in Pennsylvania is making a funding request of $1 per person to aid the outreach, or close to $13 million. Wolf's office said he supports Monday's request by the 2020 Complete Count Committee. A number of states are undertaking a similar analysis and, in some cases, devoting money to the cause. The government takes a headcount every 10 years. An undercount could have consequences, since seats in Congress and billions in federal dollars for such things as transportation projects and education are allocated according to population. Wolf's office says Pennsylvania would lose almost $2,100 a year for each person who isn't counted. The Legislature has the final say on whether to approve the money. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Theres a new Pennsylvania license plate option for women veterans and those wishing to honor them. The Honoring Our Women Veterans registration plate became available Feb. 21 thanks to the work of Carlisle resident Cindy Good. The plates cost $35 of which $15 will be paid to the Veterans Trust Fund and will be used for programs and resources that assist women veterans. Good worked for eight years to make the plates a reality. Q. What inspired you to request the special plates honoring women veterans? A. Shortly after retiring from the Pennsylvania Air National Guard (193rd Special Operations Wing), I was traveling and saw an out-of-state plate that said Woman Veteran on the bottom. I thought it was an awesome way to honor women veterans and remind people that women are veterans too. Q. How did the process start? A. This mission began in 2010 with a call to PennDOT to find out how to obtain a woman veteran license plate for Pennsylvania. Thats when I learned it wasnt a simple process. Pennsylvanias Military and Special Fund plates have to go through the legislative process, which means they require approval by the House, the Senate and the governor. At that point, I contacted Pennsylvania VFW Headquarters staff asking for help. They responded by sending out an email to all Pennsylvania legislators requesting their support for the creation of a woman veteran license plate. Rep. Karen Boback stepped up to sponsor the House Bill to create Pennsylvanias woman veteran plate. In 2011, she introduced legislation (HB1869) to create a woman veteran license plate in Pennsylvania. She continued to re-introduce the bill in 2013, 2015 and 2017. Q. I understand it took several years to happen. What were some of the hurdles you encountered? A. This mission lasted eight years. If someone would have told me it would take eight years to gain approval of a woman veteran license plate I would not have believed them. After all, everyone I spoke to about it thought it was a good idea. However, I learned that the legislative process is a long one with many steps along the way. Most of the hurdles or frustrations I came across involved the steps in the process. In my opinion, there were two main hurdles along the way. The highest hurdle was the many steps involved in the legislative process required for authorizing the Honoring Our Women Veterans license plate. The first step in the process was to gain approval from the House Transportation Committee. That seemed to be the sticking point because the bill failed to be brought up for consideration by the chair during the legislative sessions in 2011, 2013 and 2015. I always believed that the bill would have been approved if it had been passed out of committee to the House for a vote. When it finally came to the House for a vote in March 2017, it passed with a vote of 196-0 and was sent to the Senate Transportation for consideration. The second hurdle in the process was my own fault. It took me way too long to figure out that one person alone is not enough to make things happen. No matter how passionate you are about something you need a team of supporters who raise their voices to their legislators over and over again. I learned that you need to demonstrate a whole lot of support for something before it will have a chance at passing. So in early 2018 when the bill had not been acted on by the Senate Transportation Committee, I began using Facebook to ask friends to contact their senators asking for support. I attended woman veteran retreats getting signatures on petitions. A statewide action alert requesting support for the bill was sent out by the Carlisle AAUW. I made lots of calls to the senator who was chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. I believe this uptick of support made the difference because after a year of no action, the bill finally moved out of the committee and was sent to the Senate. The Senate approved the bill authorizing the Honoring Our Women Veterans license plate on Oct. 17 (with one remaining day left in the 2017 legislative session) and it was signed by the governor on Oct. 24, 2018. Q. What kept you pursuing the plates for so long? A. Honestly, it was a quote I saw years ago at the Women In Military Service of America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. The quote, written by Clara Barton in 1911, goes like this: From the storm lashed decks of the Mayflower to the present hour; woman has stood like a rock for the welfare and the glory of the history of the country, and one might well add unwritten, unrewarded, and almost unrecognized. I know women have made a lot of progress since 1911 but sometimes I think Clara Barton would still be disappointed. I cant tell you how many times people see the retired Air Force sticker or the chief master sergeant emblem on my car and ask me if my husband was in the Air Force or is he a chief. I always believed that the simple act of authorizing the Honoring Our Women Veterans plate would go a long way towards recognizing the role that women have played in the military. It would be a step towards reminding people that women also answer the call to sacrifice for and serve our country. This plate is a win-win. Not only does this plate bring recognition to the over 60,000 women veterans in Pennsylvania, $15 from the cost of every plate will go to the Veterans Trust Fund to be used for programs and services for women veterans. Q. What was it like to finally hold one of the plates in your hands? A. It felt so good. It was unbelievable because for a long time it seemed like it would never happen. I thought of the women WWII veterans who signed my first petition back in 2013 and was hoping they were still alive to see that we finally have our own plate. I kept thinking of the phrase she persisted because the supporters of this mission (including Rep. Karen Boback, AAUW, Pennslvania VFW Headquarters, sister veterans, friends and family) never gave up. Together, we made this license plate a reality. Email Tammie at tgitt@cumberlink.com. Follow her on Twitter @TammieGitt. Love 1 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. Each legislative session thousands of bills and amendments are introduced in the Pennsylvania Legislature. Only a fraction become law, and an even smaller portion receive wide media coverage. These bills impact the lives of people living in Pennsylvania every day. Each week The Sentinel will highlight one bill that has not received widespread attention. About the bill Do you owe decades-old income taxes to the state of Pennsylvania? If so, you might still be liable. State Rep. Frank Ryan, R-Lebanon, said constituents have received notices from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue that they owe taxes from as long ago as 20 years, plus assessed penalties. This is not only a burden on taxpayers, but I believe irresponsible and inefficient governance, Ryan wrote in a co-sponsorship memo. His bill, House Bill 17, would limit the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue to 10 years after assessment for collection of personal income taxes and corporate net income taxes, with certain exceptions that mostly involve cases of fraud. There is no statute of limitations for personal income tax, Ryan wrote. The proposal would put Pennsylvania in line with the federal baseline limit of 10 years for the Internal Revenue Service to collect income taxes. There are circumstances that give the IRS additional time, including bankruptcy filings, negotiations for an installment agreement and collection due process hearings, according to the American Bar Association. The IRS is also limited in most cases to three years for performing tax audits. Other states statutes of limitations range from three to 20 years, and some other states also do not have any statute of limitations. Daniel Walmer covers public safety for The Sentinel. You can reach him by email at dwalmer@cumberlink.com or by phone at 717-218-0021. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Primary and special elections in Pennsylvania on Tuesday will decide nominees or officeholders for several high-profile offices, including mayor of the nations sixth largest city and one of the states 18 members of the U.S. House. On Tuesday, the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. to registered Democrats and Republicans. In addition to the local and county races, registered voters will also be able to vote on the Superior Court of Pennsylvania race, which has two open seats. Parts of Cumberland County will also vote in a special election on who will fill the seat for the 33rd Senatorial District, previously held by Rich Alloway. The candidates are Sarah Hammond of York County and Doug Mastriano of Franklin County. Areas of Cumberland County that fall into this district are Shippensburg Borough, Shippensburg Township and Southampton Township. Because Pennsylvania has a closed primary, only voters registered as Democratic or Republican can vote in the party primaries. If there is a referendum, however, all voters can vote on that question. While there are no statewide referendum questions, Shiremanstown Borough residents will be able to vote on the ballot question, Do you favor the issuance of licenses to conduct small games of chance in the Borough of Shiremanstown? Voters who appear at a polling place for the first time will need to show proper identification, but there is no identification requirement for voters who have previously voted at the polling place. The statewide balloting features primary elections for Philadelphia mayor and two statewide appellate court seats. It also features special elections to fill three open seats in the Legislature and one in Congress. Every registered voter, regardless of affiliation, may vote in a special election, such as the one for Congress in Pennsylvanias 12th District. Otherwise, Pennsylvanias primary elections are closed, which means only registered Republicans may vote in Republican primaries and likewise for Democrats. The last day to register to vote or change party affiliation before Tuesdays election was April 22. Key information in Cumberland County Polling places open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Tuesday. To report suspicious activity at polling location, call the Department of States Bureau of Elections at 1-877-868-3772. To report difficulty or intimidation at the polls, contact the Cumberland County district attorneys office at 717-240-6210. Check cumberlink.com after 8 p.m. Tuesday night for updated election results. For those people preparing before the polls open Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Department of State reminds residents they can find voting information online at votesPA.com. In addition to verifying registration status, residents can also find contact information for each county election office and file a complaint if they encounter any difficulty or questionable situation at the polling place. Area residents vie for county, municipal government and school board seats in primary Here is a look at the candidates who will appear on the primary ballots for the Democratic and Republican parties in Cumberland County on May State mayoral races In Philadelphia, Democrat Jim Kenney is running for reelection as mayor of the nations sixth largest city. He has had an eventful first term, from antagonizing President Donald Trump over Philadelphias sanctuary city status to carrying through on his top first-term priority, a tax on soda and other sweetened beverages. He is opposed in the Democratic primary by Alan Butkovitz, the former city controller, and state Sen. Anthony Williams. Republican Billy Ciancaglini is running unopposed in the GOP primary. In Allentown, five candidates four Democrats and one Republican are running to finish the final two years in the term of former Mayor Ed Pawlowski, who was forced to resign last year after being convicted on federal charges that he traded city contracts for campaign cash. Primary Preview 2019: Cumberland County and judicial races Here is a look at the contested Cumberland County and judicial races in Tuesday's primary. Superior Court There are two open spots on the state Superior Court, Pennsylvanias midlevel appellate court, which handles civil and criminal appeals from county courts. Running for those spots are three candidates from each party. The Democrats are Philadelphia Judge Daniel McCaffery and lawyers Amanda Green-Hawkins, of Pittsburgh, and Beth Tarasi, of suburban Pittsburgh. The Republicans are Cumberland County Judge Christylee Peck, Chester County prosecutor Megan King and Rebecca Warren, the former Montour County district attorney. 12th Congressional District Republican Fred Keller and Democrat Marc Friedenberg are vying to fill the remaining term of Republican Tom Marino, who resigned in January, just three weeks into his fifth congressional term. Keller, a fifth-term state representative, beat 13 other candidates seeking the GOP nomination in the heavily Republican district. Friedenberg, a lawyer and Penn State information technology instructor, was the only Democrat to seek his partys nomination. The current term ends in January 2021. The 12th District covers all or parts of 15 counties, including Kellers home in Snyder County and Friedenbergs home in Centre County. Friedenberg also ran last year, losing Novembers election to Marino by 32 percentage points. Legislative elections There are three special elections to fill open seats in the Legislature, one in the House and two in the Senate. All three seats were last held by Republicans, and the special elections wont affect Republican control in either chamber. For the 11th House District in Butler County, Democrat Sam Doctor and Republican Marci Mustello are running. For the 33rd Senate District in southern Pennsylvania, Democrat Sarah Hammond and Republican Doug Mastriano are running. For the 41st Senate District in western Pennsylvania, Democrat Susan Boser and Republican Joe Pittman are running. Email Naomi Creason at ncreason@cumberlink.com or follow her on Twitter @SentinelCreason Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 PITTSBURGH A county judge ordered Pittsburgh on Friday not to enforce firearms restrictions inspired by the deadly synagogue shooting in the city until lawsuits filed by gun owners are resolved, a decision reached after all parties agreed to the stay. Attorney Eric Tirschwell of gun-control advocacy organization Everytown Law, who is representing the city for free, said the stay was "consistent with the city's goal all along, which is to put this in front of the court, let the courts decide whether these ordinances are permissible under Pennsylvania law," the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. Attorney Joshua Prince, who represents Firearms Owners Against Crime and the Allegheny County Sportsmen's League, said he wanted the public to know that there would be no enforcement of the ordinances until a court rules on them. "Of course depending on what that decision is, there is the possibility to ask the appellate courts to continue any stays, pending resolution by them," he said. The gun restrictions were approved in April after a mass shooting at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life Synagogue that killed 11 worshippers. Gun rights advocates are suing to get the laws overturned, noting Pennsylvania law forbids municipalities from regulating the ownership or possession of firearms and ammunition. Courts have thrown out previous municipal attempts at regulation. The legislation restricts military-style assault weapons like the AR-15 rifle authorities say was used in the synagogue attack. It also bans most uses of armor-piercing ammunition and high-capacity magazines, and allows the temporary seizure of guns from people who are determined to be a danger to themselves or others. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The World Bee Day is celebrated every year on May 20. It marks the birthday anniversary of beekeeping pioneer Anton Jansa. The theme for World Bee Day 2019 was Save the Bees. About World Bee Day Law enforcement officers from St. Francois County teamed up this morning for the annual Torch Run for Special Olympics. Officers from Farmington Police Department, Desloge Police Department, St. Francois County Sheriffs Department, Farmington Correctional Center, Eastern Reception Diagnostic and Correctional Center, Probation and Parole, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol have signed up to run in the event this year. The Torch Run is an annual run that takes law enforcement officers from the southern end of the county to the northern end of the county as a show of solidarity and support for Special Olympics Missouri. Desloge Police Chief James Bullock is in charge of organizing the run and said that as of Tuesday morning, 54 law enforcement officers have signed up to run in the event. The run began at 6 a.m. at the Madison/St. Francois County line on U.S. 67. Farmington Police Department starts the run at the Madison County line location and then other officers gather at the St. Francois County Jail and join with Farmington in the run at the U.S. 67 and Columbia Street interchange (at approximately 7 a.m.) Runners continue along the right shoulder of U.S. 67 to the Jefferson County line, ending before noon. Bullock noted that a group of special needs children from North County School District would be joining the group near the Kingdom Hall of Jehovahs Witnesses church on the outer road in Desloge. The youth will run with officers just a short distance to the Desloge exit. Bullock said that he wishes to thank the Missouri Department of Transportation as they provide an escort for the runners. MoDOT typically follows the group with a flashing arrow sign signally drivers to merge into the left-hand lane, said Bullock. In addition, Bullock said that St. Francois County Sheriffs Department deputies provide a front-end escort for the group of runners. Bullock said he would like to ask drivers to be patient with runners as they are out for a good cause. We know this is a slight inconvenience, said Bullock, but it is only once a year and it is for an excellent cause. Bullock said that he has been involved with Special Olympics since 1995 and said that law enforcement has sort of adopted the organization. Law enforcement contributes hundreds of thousands of dollars to the organization annually, said Bullock. Special Olympics Missouri Development Manager Crystal Schuster said that law enforcement Torch Runs across the state raise about $2 million annually. The Missouri Special Olympics operates on an approximate $7.5 million budget per year. This means that law enforcement contributes almost an average of 26% of the organizations operating budget. Matt McFarland is a reporter for the Daily Journal. He can be reached at 573-518-3616, or at mmcfarland@dailyjournalonline.com. 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. The 2019 legislative session has reached its final week, and my fellow senators and I have worked hard to pass numerous pieces of important legislation. On Monday afternoon, we debated Senate Bill 68. This workforce development bill includes Senate Bill 16, the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant. I was proud to sponsor this legislation and promote workforce development in our state, which was one of the governors priorities for this session. I engaged in several meetings on SB 16 to discuss the values of the bill, and I was happy to play a role in getting this important piece of legislation across the finish line. The debate on SB 68 turned into a 27 hour filibuster to delay a vote on the legislation. Language was added to the bill that would allow the state of Missouri to award tax credits to motor vehicle manufacturing companies, specifically General Motors (GM). Earlier this month, GM announced a plan to possibly invest in Missouri and expand its current operations in Wentzville. Filibusters are generally seen as a negative aspect of state government, and it is easy to understand this response. It appears to halt the legislative proceedings with little result. However, there are certainly positive aspects of a filibuster. The purpose of a filibuster is to delay a vote on a bill. Usually, a filibuster allows a senator to voice their concerns regarding a piece of legislation, highlight important details of the bill and make sure their colleagues fully understand every aspect of the bill. Many times compromises are made during a filibuster. Last year, I was involved in a filibuster on a bill concerning utilities and rate mechanisms, so I understand their importance. While the Senate ultimately passed SB 68 on Tuesday afternoon, it was important for my colleagues to have the opportunity to voice their concerns with the legislation. This week, my colleagues and I debated House Bill 126, commonly referred to as the Right to Life of the Unborn Child Act. House Bill 126 sets new limitations on abortions, specifies that the General Assembly intends to protect the right to life of all humans, born and unborn, and declares that Missouri is a sanctuary of life that protects all women and their unborn children. This legislation bans all abortions after eight weeks, except in the case of a medical emergency. House Bill 126 received approval from the Missouri Senate early Thursday morning, and the House passed the bill on Friday, May 17. It will now go to the governors desk for his consideration. I always appreciate hearing your opinions and concerns regarding your state government. Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at (573) 751-4008. You may write me at Gary Romine, Missouri Senate, State Capitol, Jefferson City, MO 65101; or email me at gary.romine@senate.mo.gov. For more information, please visit my official Senate webpage at www.senate.mo.gov/romine. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Peace Officers Memorial Day is held annually in the United States on May 15 in honor of federal, state and local officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. In accordance with Missouri State Statute 9.120, all flags at State and government offices were flown at half-staff, statewide on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 from sunrise to sunset. The idea of a Peace Officers Memorial Day came into effect on October 1, 1961, when Congress asked the president to designate May 15 to honor law enforcement officers. President John F Kennedy signed the bill into law on October 1, 1962. Each year, the president of the United States proclaims May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week of each year during which such May 15 occurs as Police Week. According to the Legal Information Institute, the president is requested to issue a proclamation to: designate May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day; to direct government officials to display the United States flag at half-staff on all government buildings. I would like to take this opportunity to say a personal thank you to those families who have lost a family member in the line of duty and to also thank all Police Officers and staff for the service they perform for our communities. This week ends the final week of my first Legislative Session. As a Freshman Legislator, I learned things move very slowly, by design, with many checks and balances to make sure all bills and resolutions are vetted extensively and all points of view are heard. The writers of the Missouri Constitution followed the inspired model created by the framers of the United States Constitution by making sure there is appropriate due diligence via the give and take of ideas and opinions which are voted on and then ultimately become the laws of the state. I also learned that you, the citizens of the 116th District, are truly engaged in the political process of our district and our great state. I continually have visits and receive many letters for from you letting me know your views on the important issues of the day. Thank you! They really do help me as I weigh the issues and try to represent your interests to the best of my ability. My goal in serving in the Missouri House was to listen to the citizens of the 116th District and then represent your positions on the issues facing us today. By doing this, together, we are making a difference that will last for many generations to come. I chose to be a part of this process but I am only one of 163 Representatives that represent their people who elected them here. Because of the dynamics of the various Representatives who are representing their constituents, bills that I think are important and that would benefit our district, do not necessarily mean that enough Representatives feel as I do. We listen to each other, we debate with each other and in the end, we take a vote knowing that we are voting for the constituents who have placed their trust in us to do what is best for our district. At this time, there have been over 1,300 bills that have been filed just this year alone. 33 Bills have been truly agreed to and finally passed and 3 bills have been signed into law by the Governor. As the session comes to a close, I will be sending out an end of session report listing all bills that have been passed. As the clock hit 6 p.m. on Friday, May 17, members of the Missouri House and Senate reached the conclusion of a highly productive 2019 legislative session that saw a number of important policy reforms cross the finish line. After months of work, legislators were able to pass 94 bills and send them to the governors desk. The bills that received final passage include a number of priorities outlined by House leadership, as well as issues supported by the governor. One bill approved by House and Senate members would create economic incentives meant to create and retain jobs, and implement a workforce development program to train Missourians to fill jobs in areas of high need. The legislature also approved the Missouri Stands for the Unborn Act, which is one of the strongest pro-life bills in the nation. Additionally, lawmakers gave final approval to bills that will protect some of the states most vulnerable citizens, make substantive reforms to Missouris criminal justice system, encourage agricultural development and ensure food security, and improve the states legal climate. The legislatures efforts during the 2019 session also include passage of a fiscally responsible state spending plan. The $29.7 billion budget provides a record level of funding for K-12 education and fully funds the school foundation formula for the third year in a row. The spending plan also provides funding boosts for state scholarship programs and for the states institutions of higher learning. Additionally, the budget funds repairs for the states deteriorating transportation infrastructure. Protecting the Most Vulnerable Missouri Stands for the Unborn Act - HB 126 is a bill that is one of the strongest pieces of pro-life legislation in the country. Referred to as the Missouri Stands for the Unborn Act, the bill would prohibit physicians from performing an abortion at 8 weeks gestational age or later. Because similar provisions have been struck down in other states, the bill contains additional clauses to protect the lives of the unborn. Should the 8 week ban not stand, the bill has a tiered approach that would then enact bans at 14 weeks, 18 weeks, or 20 weeks. The legislation also states it is the intent of the state of Missouri to prohibit all abortions in the state under any circumstances. The comprehensive ban on abortion would go into effect if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, or if changes are made at the federal level to empower states to further regulate abortion. The only exception to the abortion ban would be in the case of a medical emergency. Additionally, the bill contains provisions that would expand the existing tax credit for pro-life pregnancy resource centers and require referrals for out-of-state abortions to include the same informed consent materials that are required for an abortion performed in Missouri. Fighting Sex Trafficking - HB 397 is meant to protect underage victims of sex trafficking from prosecution. The change ensures young people who are forced into prostitution arent further traumatized by facing criminal charges. Current law in Missouri makes it an affirmative defense for a minor charged with prostitution to have been acting under coercion at the time of the crime. House Bill 397 removes the coercion requirement and make it an affirmative defense that the defendant was under the age of 18. Haileys Law Another provision in HB 397 is meant to better protect children by improving the states Amber Alert system. The bill is known as Haileys Law in honor of Hailey Owens, who was abducted and murdered at the age of 10 while walking home from a friends house. The legislation requires the Amber Alert System to be tied into the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES), which is the computer system that allows all law enforcement in Missouri to communicate. The benefit is that once an officer enters information about a missing child into MULES, it would at the same time be available to the Amber Alert system. Nathans Law Another provision in HB 397 makes unlicensed day care facilities safer for Missouri children. Known as Nathans Law, the provision is named in honor of Nathan Blech, who died in in 2007 after suffocating at an unlicensed day care. It was later determined the day care operator was watching more children than recommended. Nathans Law addresses the problem by limiting the total number of children allowed at an unlicensed day care to six. This includes a maximum of three children under age two. Children who live in the caregiver's home and who are eligible for enrollment in a public kindergarten, elementary, or high school shall are not included in the total. Child Fatality Review Panels - HB 397 is also designed to help save the lives of young people by allowing child fatality review panels to share vital information. Under current law, the information obtained when the panels review the deaths of children is kept confidential. Under HB 397, the director of the Department of Social Services will have the discretion to release certain information so that it can be studied to identify trends or areas where prevention efforts can be focused, and to look for ways to change state policies to better protect children. Simons Law - HB 397 and HB 138 prevents do-not-resuscitate orders from being issued for Missouri children without a parent being aware. Commonly referred to as Simons Law, the legislation would prohibit a health care facility, nursing home, physician, nurse, or medical staff from putting such an order in a childs file without a parents permission. That permission may be written, or given orally in the presence of at least two witnesses. Reforming Missouris Criminal Justice System Sentencing Reform - HB 192 gives judges greater discretion when sentencing non-violent offenders. The bill is meant to both help non-violent offenders get a second chance, and to slow the growth of Missouris prison population. The bill would allow judges to issue sentences below Missouris current minimum sentencing requirements except in crimes that involved the use, attempted use, or threat of physical force, or certain non-consensual sex crimes against a minor. Preventing Debtors Prison - HB 192 keeps judges from putting people back in jail for failing to pay for the cost of previous stays in jail. The bill would keep a persons failure to pay for their own jail housing from resulting in more jail time that would result in additional housing costs. Instead, counties could use civil means to collect such costs, or a judge could waive those costs. The bill will prevent a warrant from being used solely because of the failure to pay costs. Expungement Expansion SB 1 expands the law passed in 2016 highlighting a list of crimes that can be expunged from a persons record. The law went into effect in 2018 and allows individuals to seek expungements for many nonviolent felony and misdemeanor crimes. This years legislation adds stealing, credit card fraud, possession of a forging instrument and property damage in excess of $750 to the list of offenses that are eligible for expungement. The bill is meant to give nonviolent offenders a second chance and an opportunity to obtain employment and affordable housing. Protecting Missouris Agriculture Industry Creating Consistent Farm Regulations - SB 391 will provide consistency in the way farm operations across the state are regulated. The bill addresses a problem in current state law that has resulted in inconsistent regulations placed on farms throughout the state by county commissions and health boards. The bill will not block county ordinances or restrict local control and is designed to create a uniform agriculture policy that will encourage agricultural development, protect jobs, and ensure food security. It will ensure regulations on concentrated animal feeding operations are consistent and not more stringent than state laws. Joint Committee on Agriculture SB 391 also establishes the Joint Committee on Agriculture. The committee will study the economic impact of Missouris agriculture industry, as well as efforts to improve environmental stewardship while improving the economic sustainability of Missouri agriculture. The committee will also look at incentives to encourage best practices to scientifically address Missouris carbon footprint. Improving Missouris Legal Climate Joinder and Venue Reform - SB 7 is meant to improve Missouris legal climate and bring fairness to courtrooms in the state. The legislation comes in response to Missouris existing laws on joinder and venue that have made the state a premier destination for out-of-state litigants to file their lawsuits. The changes approved by the legislature reflect a ruling made in February by the Missouri Supreme Court. The states highest court found that a St. Louis City Circuit Court Judge incorrectly allowed a suit by a St. Louis County plaintiff against a New Jersey-based company to move forward in his court. The legislation will reduce cost and increase access for Missouri residents to the court system by reducing the number of cases filed in Missouri courts by plaintiffs with no connection to the state. Rebuilding and Repairing Missouris Infrastructure Bonding Plan for Bridge Repair SCR 14 supports the issuance of $301 million in bonds by the Highway and Transportation Commission to pay for construction and repair of bridges on the state highway system. The plan will allow Missouri to begin meeting infrastructure needs across the entire state without raising taxes. When fully implemented, the infrastructure plan will allow Missouri to fix 250 bridges identified by local entities as most in need of critical repair or replacement. I am now back in the district and looking forward to attending community events and visiting with everyone. Please know that I am available to meet with you if you should have any issues or concerns relating to state matters. Give my office a call at 573-751-3455 to schedule a meeting. It has been an honor to serve as your State Representative. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Thank you for reading! To read this article and more, subscribe now for as little as $1.99. 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 Odisha: Did an excellent job handling cyclone Fanis fallout, with Centre and state working in tandem May 21,2019 | Source: The times of India Not every crisis can be forestalled. Episodic throes of chaos are inherent in the nature of life. With close to 300 cyclones between 1800 and 2019 categorised as extremely severe to severe to moderate, including cyclone Fani, having battered Odisha, these cognitive nuggets are firmly entrenched in our collective wisdom. Having said that, we are not and should not become passive inheritors of events. History is witness that great economic and cultural overhauls have been triggered due to tragic events marking significant strides towards the greater well-being of the human race. Like Joseph Kennedy said, The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word crisis, one brush stroke stands for danger, the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger but recognise the opportunity. The Odia people have been dauntless in the face of danger, most recently exemplified during and in the aftermath of cyclone Fani that made landfall on May 3 packing winds with a sustained speed of 175-185 kmph, peaking at 205 kmph, which was only a few notches shy of being classified as a Category 5 hurricane the deadliest that can hit the planet. To put matters in perspective, this was comparable to the 1999 Odisha super cyclone with wind speeds of 250 kmph, the worst cyclone of the 20th century, which experts say had the energy of 1,600 atomic bombs. The resilience of our people in the face of crisis has been recognised globally. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Odisha for an aerial survey on May 6 and praised the people on seeing what they had withstood. The way people of Odisha, the fishermen, complied with every instruction of the government is praiseworthy. They have done a great job, acts worth congratulating, because of which very few lives were lost, he said. Over the past week and a half since the deadly cyclone, as I shuttled from the Cabinet secretary and PMO in New Delhi to some of the hardest hit villages along Odishas coast, I noticed an unimpeachable resolve in peoples eyes to reclaim their land, their lives. On my way to Balukhand, a wildlife haven ravaged by the cyclone, I stopped by the tehsildars office in Nimapara. Even in this grim situation, I saw a sprightly young man, recently appointed to the office, assisting people with enviable enthusiasm and empathy where most would struggle merely to keep their head above the water. However, resilience should not become an alibi for complacency. There are two modes of intervention relief and development with the repertoire of crisis management focussing on relief work that is guided by a sense of immediacy. Experts opine climate change will bring high intensity storms as a regular feature rather than a decadal one. This implies that the importance of the second mode of intervention building disaster resilient soft and hard infrastructure cannot be emphasised enough. The Centre and the state are working in tandem to face emergency needs head on. Petroleum products, supply chain resumption and restoration work began almost immediately with dispensing of fuel restarting within 24 hours of Fani. Life saving interventions should be reimagined to include livelihoods protection as part of the disaster management programme. Cyclone resilient housing is the call of the hour. All households living in kutcha and semi-pucca houses should be replaced with RCC ones. Electricity infrastructure suffers the most in cyclones therefore, creating a disaster resilient power system to withstand wind velocity of 300 kmph is crucial. Immediate livelihoods loss of farmers needs to be addressed. The state government ought to provide crop loans by persuading banks. The state in consultation with the ministry of agriculture may also replace all damaged coconut, areca nut, banana plantations, betel vines by providing quality saplings and appropriate technical guidance and subsidised credit through banks. Additionally, we have to draw up a protection and mitigation plan for wildlife, like for the devastated Balukhand sanctuary. For a disaster prone state like Odisha, it is imperative to operate on a moral belief that building community resilience is a shared responsibility, one that also hinges on individual enterprise. Otherwise, rebuilding work will be a soulless and unsustainable process. Civilisational progress has always been people driven when the community demands organic change and strives to become the best version of itself. This crisis can be made into such a turning point. 2019 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd Odisha: Fishermen vulnerable due to frequent cyclonic events by Satyasundar Barik May 21,2019 | Source: The Hindu Its been 15 days since Cyclone Fani swept through coastal Odisha but Erra Babu, 51, is not sure if he would be able to venture into the Bay of Bengal any time soon. At Penthakata, the fishermens settlement where the expert seafaring fisherman lives, boats still lay upside down while fishing nets remain buried under mounds of sand marks of the devastation left behind by one of the strongest summer cyclones to hit Odisha. This is probably one of the longest periods I have sat idle and kept watching the sea, says Mr. Babu. He is likely to wait for a few more days as the boats can be repaired only when power is restored. The wait is painful, says Mr. Babu, who finds it difficult to feed his five-member family as his savings and loans are getting exhausted with every passing day. Uppal Raju, a fellow fishermen, says, As the frequency of extreme weather events has gone up in the past few decades, the number of fishing days has gradually come down, impacting our livelihood. There were times when we used to spend 180 days fishing in the deep seas in a year. Now, the number of fishing days barely crosses 100, says Mr. Babu. Packing furious winds, heavy rains and a huge tidal surge, Cyclone Fani razed many houses in Penthakata to ground on May 3. There are about 2,000 fishing boats in Penthakata and on any given day 5,000 fishermen would be deep inside the sea. In one stroke, Fani rendered them jobless for a considerable period of time. At Satapada on the banks of Chilika, Asias largest brackish water lake, Pramod Behera, who doubles up as a fisherman and a boat operator, is busy searching for pieces of timber that were once part of his boat. Fani left no place as safe. Neither my boat nor my fishing nets were spared, even though I had shifted them to places I thought was safe, says Mr. Behera. The fishing community has been severely affected; the loss is estimated at Rs.6.95 crore. The figure, however, does not reflect the real loss, given the employment the sector generates. Cyclones and other atmospheric events have caused a rise in unemployment in the fishermen community over the years. The idle time begins from time of issuance of advisories till the event takes place. Extreme weathers are triggering migration from fisher villages, apart from alienation from fishing, a traditional livelihood option. Its geographical location and physical environment make Odisha Coastal Zone vulnerable to frequent cyclonic disturbances. The coastline of Odisha is only about 17% of Indias east coast, but it has been affected by nearly 35% of all cyclonic and severe cyclonic storms that have crossed the east coast and by associated storm surges that have often inundated large tracts of coastal districts, according to a State government report. The land and sea interaction is very high in Odisha, for which weather events are taking place so frequently. Land masses of Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts are slightly inside sea and get hit by atmospheric systems which are generated either from Andaman and Nicobar or from the southern side, said S. C. Sahu, former Director of IMD, Odisha. Dr. Sahu said during extreme weather conditions, bulletins are issued four times a day for fishermen. If the advisory is termed dangerous for fishermen, the trawler owners association does not issue any permit for trawler for fishing, he said. When a low pressure area brews over Bay of Bengal, it is the fishing community which gets worried about life, property and livelihood first. The State witness two cyclone seasons - one during pre-monsoon period (April, May and June up to onset of monsoon) and another post monsoon (October and December) prevail over the Odisha. The east coast of India is one of the six most cyclone-prone areas in the world. In the past 100 years, the Indian subcontinent experienced 1,019 cyclonic disturbances, of which 890 were along the east coast and 129 were along the western coast and 260 cyclonic disturbances made their landfall along the Odisha coast, the State government report said. Out of the 260 disturbances there were 180 depressions (69%), 57 storms (22%) and 23 severe storms (9%). In comparison to all the coastal states of India, the Odisha coast has the highest vulnerability in terms of landfall. With 29% of the total disturbances affecting Odisha coast the vulnerability of the Odisha Coastal Zone is relatively high in comparison to other states like West Bengal (14%), Andhra Pradesh (13%) and Tamil Nadu (7%). By taking together the figures of the storms and severe storms, the Odisha Coastal Zone is twice more vulnerable in comparison to the other eastern states. The revisit or recurrence time of a severe storm to the Odisha coast is around four years; for West Bengal coast it is 5 years. As far as cyclones are concerned, the revisit time for the Odisha coast is nearly two years which is much shorter than that of the other states indicating that Odisha is the most frequently cyclone affected coastal State in the country, said Bishnupada Sethi, Managing Director, Odisha State Disaster Management Authority. On an average, about five to six tropical cyclones form in the Bay of Bengal every year, of which two to three are within the mild to severe range. During the period from 1993-2018, the State has experienced eight years of cyclone including super cyclone of 1999. 2019, THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. Andhra Pradesh: Cyclone Fani: fisherfolk from E.G. help counterparts in Puri May 21,2019 | Source: The Hindu Fisherfolk from Uppada Kothapalli and Konapapapeta near Kakinada have extended helping hand to their Telugu-speaking counterparts from Puri in Odisha when the latter were on the verge of devastation during the aftermath of cyclone Fani. Besides taking active part in the relief and rehabilitation activities, these fishermen have also distributed rice and groceries that they had collected from the fishing hamlets around their villages to the cyclone victims. It was a major cyclone and the poor families were worst affected by it. They have to build their lives from the scratch as the houses were fully damaged and the infrastructure like roads and electricity poles lost their shape, recalls Ummidi John, former Sarpanch of Uppada, who headed a relief team to Pentakota in Puri municipality, where about 4,300 families lost everything in the natures fury. On his return from a relief camp at Balipanda in Puri where rehabilitation has been provided to about 1,200 families, Bade Vijay of Konapapapeta observes that most of the fishermen from Puri are migrants from the coastal fishing hamlets of Andhra Pradesh. While fisherfolk from Uppada had collected 15 tonnes of rice, their counterparts from Konapapapeta collected another 10 tonnes and taken it to Puri. In all, a 20-member team from the two villages went to the cyclone-affected areas and distributed the help to the needy. Besides coordinating the effort, the Reliance Foundation has also extended its support to the victims in the form of distributing non-food items. With the help of our teams in Odisha, we have provided necessary guidance and assistance to them in completing the task, explains Chittibabu Nagulapalli, State coordinator of the Reliance Foundation. 2019, THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. Sri Lanka: Five Sri Lankan fishermen arrested for fishing in Pakistani waters May 21,2019 | Source: News First Five Sri Lankan fishermen were arrested by Pakistani security forces. They had set sail from the Mirissa fisheries harbour on the 26th of last month. Assistant Director of the Fisheries Department Padmapriya Tissera said that they were arrested for breaching the maritime boundary and fishing in Pakistani waters. 2019 MTV Channel (Pvt) Ltd Pakistan: Fish farming: A lucrative business to alleviate poverty, unemployment May 21,2019 | Source: Pakistan Today Pakistan is among one of the major developing countries in the world confronted with a major challenge of rapid increase in population, which has put almost all socio-economic sectors including health, education, economy and food services under enormous pressure in recent years. The 6th National Population and Housing Censes 2017 results have revealed massive increase in Pakistans population growth with record 207.744 million people against 132.35 million in 1998, making it the sixth populous country of the world. Experts feared possible threat of food scarcity in people especially malnutrition in children and breast feeding mothers in near future if this issue was not addressed on war footing basis in Pakistan. Taking cognizance of the potential food threat, KP Govt. has taken a lead role by launching scores of schemes and projects to contribute in national efforts in fulfillment of meat demands of the ever-growing population. Blessed with an abundance of cold and warm water resources, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the most suitable province for lucrative fish farming venture especially in the newly merged tribal districts with its better climate conditions for conservation, management and breeding programs of the aquatic resource. Having 6,100 kilometers long rivers and streams, 6,400 hectares of natural lakes and 54,600 hectares of dams and reservoirs, KP has around 1,130 acres area under fish farms and hatcheries where breeding of different types of fish species such as Trout, Silver, Grass, Rahu, Mari and crap is underway on scientific lines. Following construction of 38 new carp and 56 trout fish farms and hatcheries during last five years of PTI Govt, the fish production has exceeded 3200 tons per annum to cover food requirements of 30.5 million people in the province, a spokesman of KP Fisheries Department told APP. In addition to provision of 834,800 fish stocking of fry and finger lings (small fish) to farmers during the first 100 days of incumbent KP government, the Fisheries Department has succeeded in replenishment of 40,000 fish seeds from government hatcheries in public water bodies.As many as 17 model fish farms have been set in different districts mostly in Hazara and Malakand divisions. Trout villages in Malakand and Hazara divisions would be setup due to their better climate conditions and abundance of water resources for trout and endangered masher fish. Mah Sher, which as national specie of Pakistan, has endangered due to water pollution, habitat loss and illegal fishing in rivers Swat, Punjkora, Indus, Siran and Kunhar and governments initiative for establishment of masher hatchery at Thana Malakand for its artificially breeding program has helped increased its population, the spokesman said. Government will setup a model hatchery in Swabi from where fish seeds stock would be provided to people beside helping fish replenishment and stocking in Tarbela and Khanpur dams. Under agriculture policy 2018-25, the department focused on building capacity of agriculture, livestock and fish farmers to explore new market avenues for trade enhancement and fetching better market prices. To fully tap fish farmings potential of the newly merged districts, the government has proposed six mega projects worth Rs 4600 million under 10 years uplift plan of erstwhile FATA, a senior official of Directorate of Fisheries of newly Merged Areas of erstwhile FATA told APP. Under the plan, government would establish and strengthen fisheries setup in merged tribal districts with an estimated cost of Rs 1000 million, and establish cold and warm water fish seeds production and training centers besides hatcheries with an estimated cost of Rs 2000 million. Existing fish farms and hatcheries would be rehabilitated with an estimated cost of Rs 100 million besides construction of 500 trout and carp farms in all tribal districts for promotion of fishing productivity and imparting training to farmers. The government will launch a mega scheme for development of cold chain and fish storage centers through public private partnership with an estimated cost of Rs 500 million for sustainable conservation of the aquatic resource. Similarly, six mega projects have been proposed for ADP-2019-20 including strengthening of fisheries department in erstwhile FATA costing Rs 50 million, development of trout fisheries costing Rs 20 million and completion of remaining work of farm fisheries in Khyber district costing Rs 25 million and Bannu costing Rs 25 million. The government will rehabilitate and improve fisheries facilities in tribal districts with an estimated cost of Rs 20 million besides establishment of training center in Mohmand district with estimated allocation of Rs 20 million. Likewise, government has expedited work on three ongoing ADP 2018-19 projects including strengthening of fisheries department costing Rs 237.305 million, completion of remaining work on strengthening fisheries sector in Khyber tribal district costing Rs 30 million and former Frontier Region Bannu costing Rs 14.708 million. When asked about three new projects in ADP 2018-19, he said PC-I of development of trout fishing farming in tribal districts costing Rs 40 million has been completed whereas PC-I for repair and rehabilitation of fish farming facilities costing Rs 50 million and establishment of hatchery and training center at Mohmand tribal district costing Rs 60 million is in final stage of completion. A total of Rs 102 million would be spent including Rs 71.421 million for three ongoing and Rs 30.579 million in ADP 2018-19 against which Rs 40.851 million were released with total expenditure of Rs 18.777 million till April 2019, the official said. The spokesman said climate of Tirah valley at Khyber district near Pak-Afghan border is very ideal for trout farming and efforts were underway for acquiring of land for establishment of state-of the art trout hatchery. Fishing stocking in tribal districts dams would be made from where fish nurseries would be supplied to farmers on affordable prices. Priorities will be given on increasing fish production through replenishment of fish resources in natural water bodies with quality breeds, aquatic research and conservation programme disease control, genetic, nutrition and co-operative fishing during next three years in the province. Focus would be made on improvement of coordination and liaison with academia for fisheries research and development, introduction of new and fast growing varieties of fish species and introduction of cage fish culture. He said an inclusive plan has been evolved for determination of fish biodiversity, establishment fish markets linkages and research wing in Fisheries Department KP. The official urged farmers and unemployed people to take full advantage of the facilities and incentives provided by the government and assured technical support in establishment of hatcheries and model fish farms to alleviate poverty and unemployment especially in erstwhile FATA. Its spring, and in Americas state capitals legislatures are winding up their business and, too often, bringing out the padlocks. All 50 states give the public the right to see government records and documents, but many legislatures are weighing changes in their open-records laws. These changes rarely end up making our government more transparent. Instead, lawmakers often try to conceal public records from the people who own them that is, you and me. Public records laws exist to allow us to see into the decision-making of our government. When bureaucrats make efforts to obscure our view into their actions, it serves only to undermine government officials accountability. It also diminishes the publics understanding of, and faith in, democracy. Now secret In Massachusetts, lawmakers are making it harder for the public to see elected officials financial disclosure statements. In California, the Legislature has been considering the shuttering of records that could reveal misconduct or conflicts of interest in publicly funded research. Last year, Washington state lawmakers rushed through a bill that allowed them to hide lawmakers calendars and email exchanges with lobbyists. Only after public outrage erupted over the move did the governor veto the measure. Most efforts to hide public records arent as brazen. Here in Oregon, our once-robust disclosure law, passed in 1973, is now pockmarked with more than 500 exemptions, many chiseled by bureaucrats wishing to avoid scrutiny or lobbyists seeking to protect their clients. Oregon officials can conceal investigative evidence of wrongdoing by medical professionals not just doctors but also dentists, veterinarians and undertakers. Basic information about birth, marriage and deaths is locked away. The pest-extermination industry won a special exemption to keep secret information about bedbug infestations. Oregons once-solid disclosure has become so flimsy that it once allowed state officials to declare it was a confidential trade secret to reveal the location of lightning strikes. The right to know The fight over public access to government documents has often involved the mundane grist of government, such as studies and budgets and memos and emails. This tension over whats called the right to know debates back to the countrys founding. A popular government, as James Madison wrote to a friend, without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy; or perhaps both. I spent 30-plus years as a journalist and editor, focusing on investigative reporting on the state and federal levels. Ive filed hundreds of requests for documents and now teach journalism students to do the same. And I believe the best way to protect these laws of transparency is to put them to use and show the public why they matter. In 1966, Congress passed the Freedom of Information Act, the first law that required all federal agencies to make documents public when asked. But in some ways, state public-access laws that were passed as post-Watergate, good-government reforms have a greater role in our everyday lives. What the Defense Department has in its files may be of national import, but it can be just as powerful for a community to find out what the local zoning board behind closed doors is planning for a citys neighborhoods. Using your rights Journalists do perhaps more than anyone to advertise the power of these laws. A study looking at more than 30 years of news stories found that almost all investigative reporting relies on government documents, and nearly half of investigative reporters make a point of telling readers these disclosure laws played a role in prying records out of governments grip. Researchers, advocacy groups and businesses are among the most common users of these laws, but anyone can write out a request and hand it to a government agency. (In a pinch, I once scrawled a request on the back of a reporters notebook. It worked.) Today, in most states, public officials must work under a deadline to respond to the request. And thats when things can get difficult, because officials have three big ways to block your access to the publics records. One is fees. State laws allow government to make you pay for the records, although many have provisions to reduce or waive these costs. In most cases, government can charge only for the actual cost of retrieving, reviewing and copying documents. But those costs can still be high enough to thwart inquiry. The third way is through more exemptions. Some debates are not easy. The Florida Legislature recently passed a bill that would prevent disclosure of photos, audio or video recordings of mass shootings, such as the 2018 shooting that killed 17 students and staff members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Supporters say that this exemption could prevent further trauma. But others argue hiding these images makes these tragedies sterile and makes them more likely to occur. The availability of these kinds of images later helped news organizations hold police and school officials accountable for failing to do more to stop the Parkland shooter. The South Florida Sun Sentinel won a Pulitzer this year for its reporting that held those officials accountable. Records belong to you In recent years, a rise of public-records watchdogs, such as Muckrock, has made filing public records requests easier while shining a light on government efforts to close off records. The Student Press Law Center offers a public records letter generator. Journalists are writing about government efforts to hide documents a move that properly puts the heat on government officials and increases their own transparency by showing readers how journalists go about doing their jobs. News outlets in Atlanta banded together to expose the mayors secret effort to defy the Georgia public records law. The stories led to a criminal charge against the mayors press secretary for improperly withholding records embarrassing to her boss. Public records are public because they belong to you you and other taxpayers paid to create them and, of course, you paid for all the work they record and represent, Kevin Riley, editor of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, said during the unfolding scandal. So no one should be looking for ways to keep them secret from you. Brent Walth is an assistant professor of journalism and communication at the University of Oregon. He is a member of the Oregon Sunshine Committee, a 15-person panel created by the Oregon Legislature to review exemptions to the states public records law. This article originally appeared at The Conversation, a website that publishes analysis and insights from academics around the world. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 We're willing to bet that among the folks who have been closely following recent events at Portland State University are members of the committee charged with selecting the next president of Oregon State University. The drama at PSU serves as a reminder of how high the stakes are when the time comes to find a new university president and what can go wrong when a selection doesn't pan out. It also should serve as a reminder to members of the committee that they should work hard to include a very public component as part of the OSU search and to make the search process itself as transparent as possible. If you haven't been paying attention to the recent events at PSU, here's a summary: The university's president, Rahmat Shoureshi, recently resigned under pressure from the PSU Board of Trustees. He had been president of the university for just 21 months. Most of the trustees wanted Shoureshi gone after repeated complaints about his management practices and his treatment of employees. The trustees agreed to give Shoureshi a settlement package valued at more than $855,000. The amount includes another year of his base salary, two years of health insurance and $35,000 to cover his legal fees. At about the same time that the trustees were working out the details of the settlement deal, they voted to raise tuition at the school more than 11 percent. As it turns out, the boards that govern Oregon's public colleges and universities can't unilaterally increase tuition by that amount: Tuition increases above 5 percent need approval from the state's Higher Education Coordinating Commission. Ben Cannon, the head of the commission, last week expressed his unhappiness at the severance package and told The Oregonian that the settlement "will weigh heavily on the commissioners if Portland State sticks with its proposal." It's not an idle threat: In the past, the commission has vetoed tuition increases sought by Oregon universities. (This partially explains why OSU's board has taken pains to keep its tuition increases below 5 percent.) Now, the reasons why some of Oregon's public universities believe they need double-digit tuition increases go well beyond a severance settlement to a former president, and as the Legislature grapples with higher education funding, there will be other opportunities to examine those reasons. But suffice it to say that it doesn't look good to offer a six-figure severance deal to an administrator at the same time that you're increasing your tuition rates by 11 percent. And we're suspecting that some of PSU's trustees are having a bad case of buyer's remorse about hiring Shoureshi in the first place. Which highlights, again, the importance of these presidential searches arguably the most important function these university governing bodies perform. This is the first presidential search that the OSU Board of Trustees has overseen, and it has the luxury of time: President Ed Ray has announced his plans to retire on June 30, 2020. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Nigerian Stock Exchange has confirmed that MTN has been cleared to list its local operations from today (May 16th) as an introductory offering. The listing will see MTN Nigeria valued at around $5 billion. Over 20.3 million shares will be made available, each priced at NGN90 ($0.25). Existing shareholders will be able to trade on the NSE as their shares will be listed automatically. MTN agreed to list in Nigeria in 2016 as part of a conciliatory settlement with the countrys regulator. The operator group had incurred a colossal fine over failing to register subscriber details; it eventually managed to reduce the total penalty to around $1 billion. Further clashes with the government of Nigeria delayed the listing and even cast doubt over whether it would happen at all. After being accused of illegally repatriating earnings, MTN was able to settle this dispute in January, but it still faces a bill for $2 billion in unpaid taxes. MTN Nigeria CEO Ferdi Moolman described the introductory offer as just the beginning in a statement, going on to say that MTN was aiming for an IPO to provide more Nigerians greater access to the MTN opportunity. Millicom has closed its acquisition of Telefonicas Nicaraguan operations. In February, Millicom struck a $1.7 billion deal to purchase three of Telefonicas Central American businesses and fold them into its Tigo operation in the region. Millicom is also set to acquire Telefonicas Panama and Costa Rica operations, although these acquisitions are still under review by the respective regulators. At the time of signing, Millicom noted that it expected regulatory approval to be granted for all markets by H2. Movistar Nicaragua is the countrys market leader, and its 4 million customers will be added to Millicoms local Tigo unit. This significant mobile presence will be aligned with Millicoms strong cable footprint in the country, allowing for greater fixed-mobile convergence. The combined units 4G coverage will extend to 51% of the countrys population. Telefonicas decision to sell three Central American units to Millicom came amid speculation that it could sell up entirely in the region. This is supported by another deal struck this year selling two Movistar units in El Salvador and Guatemala - to America Movil. Millicom is looking to shore up its dominance in Central America, spreading across different markets and adding more services to its offering as part of its mission to build digital highways and connect more users and communities throughout the region. Does someone in the White House really think sending Trump to do more of his hate rallies in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio will reverse his Rust Belt slide ? Won't his unique, divisive and super-polarizing presence further accelerate the slide? Somehow what Peter Baker at thedubbed the Four Letter Presidency isn't wearing well outside of the deepest of deep red areas. Midwest swing districts that helped him beat Hillary in 2016 seem repulsed by his filthy mouth. Unlike his predecessors, Trump seems to revel in being "the profanity presidency, full of four-letter denunciations of his enemies and earthy dismissals of allegations lodged against him. At rallies and in interviews, on Twitter and in formal speeches, he relishes the bad-boy language of a shock jock, just one more way of gleefully provoking the political establishment bothered by his norm-shattering ways. In a single speech on Friday alone, he managed to throw out a 'hell,' an 'ass' and a couple of 'bullshits' for good measure. In the course of just one rally in Panama City Beach, Fla., earlier this month, he tossed out 10 'hells,' three 'damns' and a 'crap.' The audiences did not seem to mind. They cheered and whooped and applauded." He's coarsened the national dialogue. It's what people meant about him being unfit to serve as a role model for their children. While traditionalists may deem it unpresidential and a poor example for children, Martha Joynt Kumar, a longtime scholar of presidential communication, said gritty language was part of the show put on by Mr. Trump, the onetime reality television entertainer, for his fans. He knows they like him to use words that lie over the edge of the traditional boundary of presidential decorum, she said. His controversial word choices are an aspect of his role as the disrupter he promised his constituents he would be. But critics say the vulgarity comes at a cost. No one has debased the civil discourse in this country more than President Trump, and the president really does set the tone in the country, said Representative Adam B. Schiff, Democrat of California. We see it reflected in our offices by the hateful, belligerent, obscene and violent calls that we get now that we didnt used to get. Mr. Schiff has experienced it personally when Mr. Trump turned his name into a profanity last fall by nicknaming him little Adam Schitt. Mr. Schiff said, The last time that happened, the person who did that had their mouth washed out with soap by his mother. An unscientific survey seems to suggest that if anything, Mr. Trump is growing more comfortable with crudeness. He used the word bullshit in public just once in his first two years in office, according to the Factba.se database that tracks his speeches, but on four occasions in the last three months. He has either coarsened the public discourse or reflected it, or perhaps both, depending on your view of him, but he is not alone. Society in recent years has embraced what used to be considered profanity. Even the New York Times, the so-called Gray Lady with all the news thats fit to print, found it fit to print the B.S. word just 14 times in the many years before Mr. Trumps inauguration, according to a Nexis search, but has used it 26 times since-- not all in stories covering the president. ...Never has any president pushed the boundaries of language as far as Mr. Trump. He had a foul mouth long before politics, of course, but he seemed to try, however fitfully, to clean it up for a while when he set his sights on the White House. Still, he could not resist at times. At one rally during his 2016 campaign, he quoted a supporter calling a Republican rival, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, a pussy. Once taking office, he tried, at least, to keep it private, but he was uninhibited when the cameras were not on. After the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, was appointed, he told aides, Im fucked. Speaking with lawmakers, he called African nations shithole countries. Yet Mr. Trump feigned shock in January when the newly elected Representative Rashida Tlaib of Michigan said she and her fellow House Democrats were going to impeach the motherfucker. The president told reporters that she dishonored herself by using language like that in front of her son and whoever else was there. ...Any restraint Mr. Trump may have sought to exhibit early in his term seems to have eroded in recent months. In a January interview with The Times, he boasted that he had beat the shit out of Republican rivals in 2016. A month later, he told the Conservative Political Action Conference that his enemies were trying to take him out with bullshit, a word he then took up with vigor. A few weeks later, he told a rally in Grand Rapids, Mich., that Democrats were peddling it. In April, he used it to describe some statements in the special counsel report. By the time the president took the stage before the National Association of Realtors in Washington on Friday, he was in a feisty mood. He recalled that a consultant tried to make work for himself by identifying environmental concerns on a property Mr. Trump wanted to develop. I fired his ass so fast, the president recalled. Active Shooter by Nancy Ohanian He told the Realtors that he used to refuse to pay brokers their traditional 6 percent commission and instead gave them just 1 percent. I was famous for that, he said. When they booed, he quickly retreated. Dont worry. Nobody accepted it. But I tried like hell. Then he went after one of his favorite targets-- journalists-- claiming that recent reports of infighting within his national security team were made up. There is no source, he said. The person doesnt exist. The persons not alive. Its bullshit, O.K.? Its bullshit. And with that, the television networks had to hit their bleeper again. The House Republicans' clod-like Minority Leader, Kevin McCarthy, went running to Fox yesterday to complain to Maria Bartiromo about Justin Amash. "Those who know Justin Amash," whined McCarthy, "this is exactly what he wants. He wants to have attention. Now, you have got to understand Justin Amash. He's been in Congress quite some time. I think he's only ever asked one question in all the committees that he's been in. He votes more with Nancy Pelosi than he ever votes with me. It's a question whether he's even in our Republican Conference as a whole. What he wants is attention in this process. He's not a criminal attorney. He's never met Mueller. He's never met Barr. And now he's coming forward with this? 'Cause this is what he wants. He wants a Sunday show to put his name forward with a question. It's really disturbing, 'cause, when you watch on the floor, you could have a bill with 400 votes all supporting it. There will always be one opposed, and that will be Justin Amash... [I]t's very disturbing. This is exactly what you would expect from Justin. He never supported the president. And I think he's just looking for attention." Seeking to discredit Amash, McCarthy lied that he had trouble winning his last election. That's juts not true. First of all, despite GOP establishment prompts, there was no primary opponent. In the general election, Amash took 169,107 votes (54.4%) to Democrat Cathy Albro's 134,185 (43.2%). Amash beat the last 3 Republican presidential candidates in the district. McCain lost with 48.6%. Romney got 53.1% and Trump got 51.6%, well below Amash's share. In any case, Amash certainly inspired more voters to come out than McCarthy did in his own race: You know who's probably lovin' this? Putin. Really, this kind of discord is exactly what he paid for in his efforts to get Trump elected. Last week Jim Sciutto, CNNs chief national security correspondent, adapted his book,, for an article he penned for Russia Has Americans Weaknesses All Figured Out . "What are Americans supposed to think," he asks, "when their leaders contradict one another on the most basic question of national security-- who is the enemy? This is happening every day on the floors of the House and the Senate, in committee hearing rooms, on television news programs, and in President Donald Trumps Twitter feed. Is Russia the enemy, or was the investigation of Russias interference in the 2016 election just a slow-motion attack on the president and his supporters? Are Russian fake-news troll farms stirring up resentment among the American electorate, or are mainstream-media outlets just making things up?" U.S. military commanders, national-security officials, and intelligence analysts have a definitive answer: Russia is an enemy. It is taking aggressive action right now, from cyberspace to outer space, and all around the world, against the United States and its allies. But the public has been slow to catch on, polls suggest, and Trump has given Americans little reason to believe that their president recognizes Russias recent actions as a threat. All the uncertainty is part of Vladimir Putins plan. Americas confusion is both a product and a principal goal of a qualitatively new kind of warfare that the Kremlin is waging-- a campaign that systematically targets a democratic but politically divided society whose economy, media environment, and voting systems all depend on vulnerable electronic technologies. The essence of this strategy is to attack U.S. interests just below the threshold that would prompt a military response and then, over time, to stretch that threshold further and further. The purpose of this shadow war is simple: to create what Russian General Valery Gerasimov has called a permanent front through the entire territory of the enemy state. In a 2013 article bearing the innocuous title The Value of Science Is in the Foresight, Gerasimov, one of Russias top military leaders, spelled out his governments intentions. In the twenty-first century, we have seen a tendency toward blurring the lines between the states of war and peace, he wrote. Wars are no longer declared and, having begun, proceed according to an unfamiliar template. Today Russia is applying this unfamiliar template on multiple battlefields at once. During the Cold War, Moscow had few levers by which to manipulate American public opinion or meddle in American political campaigns. But the rise of social media created opportunities for troll farms, and poorly secured email systems offered a bonanza for hackers. According to the January 2017 assessment of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Russia interfered in 2016 to denigrate Hillary Clinton and harm her electability with a clear preference for President-elect Donald Trump. It tried to interfere in the 2018 campaign, and all evidence suggests it will do the same in 2020. Meanwhile, Russias military preparations continue. In outer space, Russia has deployed weapons designed to damage or destroy U.S. satellites, the basis for a host of systems that undergird American military and economic superiority in the world. Under the waves, Russia has deployed two new classes of attack and ballistic-missile submarines that are harder to track and therefore more capable of expanding the nuclear threat right to Americas shores. And on land, Russia has invaded and occupied territory in sovereign nations, including Ukraine and Georgia, and attempted a coup in Montenegro, threatening treaties and the rule of law that have helped keep the peace in Europe for decades. In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea in violation of a peace agreement it had signed with Ukraine, the United States, and Europe. Months later, it then occupied large swaths of eastern Ukraine. In both cases, Moscow sent in special forces posing as something other than soldiers of the Russian Federation. The little green men who turned up in unmarked uniforms were supposedly helping ethnic Russians who feared for their safety in what was then part of a sovereign Ukraine, and what is still recognized as such by the United States and the West today. In retrospect, those events should not have come as a surprise. In his article the year before, Gerasimov was remarkably specific in describing the exact tactics Russia would soon employ. The open use of forces-- often under the guise of peacekeeping and crisis regulation-- is resorted to only at a certain stage, primarily for the achievement of final success in the conflict, he wrote. Yet for years after the end of the Cold War, leaders in the United States and other Western nations were willfully blind to Russias hostility. They fell victim to mirroring, imagining that the Russians-- and the Chinese, for that matter-- wanted what the U.S. wanted: for them to be drawn into the rules-based international order. But leaders of both Russia and China view that system as skewed toward the interests of the West. Perhaps not coincidentally, China is pursuing a strategy nearly identical to Russias, and with similar success-- from stealing U.S. trade and government secrets to manufacturing territory in the disputed South China Sea to deploying offensive weapons in space. Only now, as these events unfold, are decision makers in the American public and private sectors abandoning misconceptions about the kind of relationship they might have with Moscow and Beijing. It took a long time to sink in, former Defense Secretary Ashton Carter told me in an interview for my new book. Yet even when the United States and the West have recognized Russian aggression, the penalties have proved wanting. Following Russias interference in the 2016 presidential election, the U.S. named and shamed the Kremlin a full month before Election Day, and later imposed a series of sanctions on Russian individuals and entities. But Russian election meddling has continued. What happened in the intervening months and years that allowed Russia to get away with one act of aggression and then lay the groundwork for another, even bolder one? By the simplest measure-- did Russia then stop or soften its attacks?-- the U.S. response has failed. This cycle of Russian aggression, followed by an ineffective U.S. retaliation, followed by more Russian aggression, is the shadow war in action. The Wests handling of Russian aggression in Europe has been similarly futile. Today, despite U.S. sanctions and public condemnation, Crimea is effectively a part of Russia, and parts of eastern Ukraine remain very much under Russian control. In eastern Ukraine now, Russia may be laying the groundwork to assert more formal authority, offering passports to ethnic Russians-- a step it also took before its 2008 invasion of Georgia. Americas NATO allies in eastern Europe, including the Baltic states, fear they may now be next. Belatedly, the United States is adjusting its strategy and defenses to meet these new threats. Aboard submarines and surveillance aircraft, in National Security Agency operations centers, and on bases that make up the growing Air Force Space Command, Ive met many of the Americans who are now on the front lines of the shadow war, doing all they can to shore up their countrys defenses. However, U.S. intelligence officials, military commanders, and lawmakers all agree that an effective response requires firm leadership from the very top. Despite their own failures, officials from the Barack Obama and George W. Bush administrations argue that they at least directly confronted Russia over its boldest acts of aggression. Writing in the Washington Post in August, on the tenth anniversary of Russias invasion of Georgia, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice noted that the Bush administration had returned Georgian troops from Iraq to help protect Tbilisi, their countrys capital. She wrote that she had personally warned Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov against forcing out Mikheil Saakashvili, Georgias democratically elected president. Officials in Obamas administration say he twice warned Putin personally against further election interference, first in a face-to-face conversation at the G20 summit in China in September 2016 and then eight days before the election over a hotline originally designed to help prevent nuclear war. President Trump has shown far less appetite to confront Russia. He has in fact repeatedly questioned whether Russia is an enemy at all. By accounts from within his own administration, Trumps reluctance to confront the Russia threat is driven in part by his perception that acknowledging the 2016 interference would diminish his victory. Special Counsel Robert Mueller may have absolved Trump of an explicit conspiracy with Russia. But Trumps continued reluctance to identify and address the Russia threat may be just as damaging to the U.S. and just as helpful to Russia-- and the possibility that political intrigue will leave America paralyzed suits the architects of Russias shadow war just fine. Real estate giant Vinhomes JSC has appointed experienced senior Vingroup executive Pham Thieu Hoa as its new general director. The board of Vinhomes JSC (stock code: VHM), the residential property arm of Vingroup, Vietnam's biggest private conglomerate, has issued a resolution dismissing Luu Thi Anh Xuan and appointing Hoa in her place as general director of the company. No reason was given for this change in leadership. Xuan had held the position of general director for 3 months. Hoa, born in 1963, has held many executive positions in the Bitexco Group, Royal City JSC., which manages Royal City, a major urban complex in Hanoi; Vincom, Vingroups retail arm; as well as parent firm Vingroup. He has been deputy general director of Vinhomes JSC since 2011, and is a board member of a number of companies under Vingroup. Since the beginning of this year, Vinhomes had made many changes to its senior personnel. Late February saw Pham Nhat Vuong, the founder of Vingroup, step down as Vinhomes chairman. He was replaced by Nguyen Dieu Linh, who has been vice chairwoman of Vingroup since 2011. Luu Thi Anh Xuan was also appointed as general director in the same move. She had previously held many senior leadership positions in the banking and finance sector, having worked for Deutsche Banks HCMC branch, Citibank and Techcombank. In the first quarter, Vinhomes recorded consolidated net revenues of VND5.85 trillion ($251.2 million) and net profit of VND2.69 trillion ($116 million). Its VHM stock has the second highest market capitalization on the HOSE, Vietnams main stock exchange. 90 percent of suspected money laundering in Vietnam done through banks There is a high risk of money laundering happening via the real estate sector and unofficial remittance channels Photo by VnExpress/Anh Tu Banking, real estate and unofficial remittances are top channels for money laundering in Vietnam, a new report says. The anti-money laundering department under the State Bank of Vietnam says that 90 percent of suspected money laundering transactions are related to the banking sector. This could be linked to embezzlement by high-profile people, gambling and tax evasion, it says. "Criminals often use bank accounts of different people to receive illegal money and to conceal the origins of illegal incomes." Money launderers often ask family members to acquire and transfer properties for making their black money white. These transactions can involve cash or direct banking transfers without going through real exchange trading floors, creating more challenges for authorities in tracking illegal money, the report adds. There is also a high risk of money laundering happening via the real estate sector and unofficial remittance channels, it says. Unofficial remittance, which bypasses all official channels to transfer money to and from Vietnam, is a popular method, because there is no need to state the purpose of transfer and the procedure is simple. . All these factors mean that Vietnam has a high vulnerability to money laundering, the report emphasizes. Other avenues that carry an average to low risk of money laundering in Vietnam are stocks, casinos and accounting, the report adds. In the 2010-2017 period, the anti-money laundering department received almost 7,300 reports on suspicious transactions. Almost half of them were transferred to authorities for investigation. The Hoa Binh - Moc Chau expressway will connect with the existing Hoa Lac (Hanoi) - Hoa Binh expressway. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy The government has approved the construction of an expressway between the northern province of Hoa Binh and tourism hotspot Moc Chau. The highway, to cost VND22 trillion ($941 million), will allow direct travel from Hanoi to Moc Chau in northern Son La Province. Construction by a public-private partnership (PPP) is set to begin this year and finish by 2024. The investors will bring in VND17 trillion ($727 million) and collect toll for 26 years. The government will contribute the remaining VND5 trillion ($214 million) in the form of land in the two provinces. The 85-kilometer expressway will have four lanes and two emergency lanes will be added later. It will link up with the Hoa Lac Hoa Binh expressway connecting the capital with Hoa Binh, which opened to traffic last October, halving travelling time to one hour. Food safety and air pollution are issues that concern urban Vietnamese the most, a recent survey has found. The survey, done by market research firm Indochina Research, interviewed more than 300 people aged 18 to 60 in the country's biggest cities Hanoi and Saigon, about what they thought were the most pressing social concerns. A very high 86 percent identified food safety, while 77 percent said air pollution. Other issues of concern to comprise the top five were water pollution, sexual harassment and healthcare. While Saigon residents cared more about healthcare and education access, gender discrimination, unfair competition and racism, Hanoians worried about air pollution. Women in particular paid much more attention to food safety, healthcare access and sexual harassment than men, according to the survey released late last month. People from lower-income backgrounds cared more about healthcare, clean water and access to education access, while higher-incomers paid more attention to sexual harassment and corruption. The survey findings suggested that low-income people tend to care more about issues that directly affect their daily lives, rather than political or global issues. Food poisoning is not an uncommon occurrence in Vietnam, with local media reporting several cases of people being sent to the hospital over the issue. Last year, 55 children aged 7 to 12 had to be hospitalized after a church service in Saigon where they were served bread rolls and chicken floss. Hanoi also reported a similar incident last year when 188 nursery kids were hospitalized with food poisoning symptoms after partaking of a buffet with sausages, beef, rice and vegetables. 586 cases of food poisoning, leading to three deaths, were recorded in the country in the first four months of this year, according to the General Statistics Office. Last year, Vietnam recorded over 68,000 facilities violating food safety standards, it was revealed at a government meeting on food safety. Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam blamed it on food processing practices. Meanwhile, Hanoi was ranked the second most polluted city in Southeast Asia in a World Air Quality Report prepared by Switzerland-based air quality monitor IQ AirVisual. Saigon was ranked 15th in the report that was released in March. It said there was a strong correlation between industry, transportation and air pollution in urban areas. Hanoi in particular, which has 7.7 million people, has more than five million motorbikes and 550,000 cars. However, Vo Tuan Nhan, deputy minister of Natural Resources and Environment, rejected the reports findings, saying it was based on incomplete data as the report did not cover all cities of 11 Southeast Asian countries. People wear full-body clothing to combat the sweltering heat on a street in Ha Tinh Province. Photo by VnExpress/Duc Hung A Ha Tinh resident died of heat stroke on Sunday afternoon as a severe heat wave swept through several Vietnamese localities. Vo Ta Tan, 50, collapsed in a field of the central province while harvesting peanuts with his wife. He later went into a deep coma, and was rushed to the hospital with no pulse, dry skin and a body temperature of 41 degrees Celsius. Ha Tinh Province recorded the nation's highest ever temperature last month as the mercury hit 43.4 degrees Celsius. "The patient died before reaching the hospital. Examination suggests that he died of a heat stroke. We tried to resuscitate him [...] to no avail," said Nguyen Ngoc Trai, head of the Emergency Department at the Loc Ha District General Hospital. Trai also cautioned people to refrain from going out between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. during hot days to prevent heat strokes. Full-body clothing and masks should be worn if one has to go out, he added. Many places across Vietnam are experiencing a summer hotter than normal. Big cities like Hanoi and Saigon have been hit with extremely high levels of UV rays and sweltering temperatures. The heat wave was the result of a developing low-pressure area from the west, according to the National Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Center. Weather experts have warned that Vietnam should brace for more heat waves set to sweep through the country this summer. A study published in the journal Climatic Change last September said that Southeast Asian nations like the Philippines and Vietnam would be most affected by heat-related mortality, along with countries in Southern Europe and South America. A night market in Kaohsiung City, one of the most famous night markets in Taiwan. Photo by Shutterstock/Richie Chan Police in the northern Quang Ninh Province are investigating seven people in a human trafficking case involving illegal work in Taiwan. Dang Tuan Tu, 28, and five other unnamed people are being investigated for illegal detention and extortion. Nguyen Van Hao, 27, is being investigated for human trafficking. Police said Saturday that Tu initially introduced 10 unnamed people to Hao after the latter said he could help people go to Taiwan and work there illegally. The group of 12 went to China early last month through a border checkpoint in the northern province of Lang Son using passports and travel passes. After entering China, the 10 people gave Hao between VND40 million ($1,700) to VND100 million ($4,270) each for being taken to Taiwan. But as the people boarded a ship to Taiwan, Hao escaped with the money, forcing the group to return to Vietnam. Tu later discovered that Hao was residing in Quang Ninh, and hired people to make Hao return the money. Hao returned VND200 million ($8,540), before contacting the police on May 3 and making a confession. Dang Tuan Tu (L) and Nguyen Van Hao at a police station in Quang Ninh Province. Photo by VnExpress In recent years, Taiwan also emerged as a promising destination for Vietnamese workers looking for jobs overseas. Vietnam sent 65,000 workers to Taiwan last year, accounting for nearly half of all workers sent overseas. But Taiwan is also a common destination for Vietnamese hoping to work or stay in the territory illegally. Last year, 152 Vietnamese went missing in Taiwan, making local and international headlines. Many were discovered afterwards, trying to stay in Taiwan to work illegally. The incident prompted Taiwan to temporarily suspend a certain visa program for Vietnamese tour groups for about two months, before resuming the program in March under stricter regulations. Police inspect more than 400 used cell phones that a South Korean man tried to smuggle into Vietnam on Monday. Photo by Vietnam News Agency A South Korean visitor was detained on Monday at HCMCs Tan Son Nhat Airport with more than 400 used cell phones. The 35-year-old man, whose name has not been disclosed, was stopped at the airport after customs officials found 418 used cell phones worth VND3 billion ($128,180) in his luggage. Among the phones were brands popular in Vietnam, like iPhones and Samsung, media reports said. The man failed to declare the phones he was carrying in his luggage, customs officials said. Police are investigating the incident. Earlier this year, another South Korean man was arrested at the same airport smuggling 200 used cell phones into the country. In 2017, a Ho Chi Minh City court sentenced two South Korean men to three years in jail each for smuggling 96 used cell phones to Vietnam. Vietnamese regulations require mobile phone importers to register for quality inspections with the Department of Telecommunications. Importers who fail to do so will be fined and ordered to re-export their goods. However, passengers arriving in Vietnam are allowed to freely carry a second mobile phone with them if it is for personal use. The second phone is still subject to duty if its value exceeds VND10 million ($430). Two endangered king cobras to be released back to the wild in Vietnam Wildlife experts are considering returning a pair of king cobras to Cam Mountain in An Giang Province well away from human habitation. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has instructed local authorities to identify a suitable place to release a pair of king cobras a local company recently captured and is holding captive. The plan is to release the snakes back to Cam (Forbidden) Mountain, really far away from human habitation, where no tourist visits and where there are unspoiled habitats suitable for them to live, Tran Anh Thu, vice chairman of the southern An Giang Province, said. He said the province has asked experts from the Wildlife Rescue Center to survey the area and find the most suitable spot at the top of the mountain. The pair would receive care prior to being released to ensure they survive in the wild, he said. The snakes were reportedly discovered two months ago by a group of workers while clearing land for a solar power project at the foot of Cam Mountain. They captured the snakes, which they claimed were 6-7 meters (19-23 feet) long and weighed 30 kilograms (66 pounds), and kept them in a tourist area on Tuc Dup Hill. The king cobra is the world's longest venomous snake, with the largest known individual measuring nearly six meters, and is endemic to forests from India through Southeast Asia. It is currently threatened by habitat destruction and has been listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 2010. In Vietnam, the king cobra is classified as an animal with a high extinction risk and the law bans their exploitation for commercial purposes. Cam is one of seven mountains in An Giang, and at 705 meters is the tallest in the Mekong Delta. According to locals, the mountain was in the past home to a wide range of wild animals such as deer, tigers, leopards, and king cobras. Vietnam's agriculture officials have warned of further spread of African swine fever in the country if proper prevention and quarantine are not applied. Photo by Reuters/File Vietnamese has culled 1.5 million pigs, or 5 percent of its population, that were infected with African swine fever. The incurable pig disease is raging across the country, spreading to 34 out of the countrys 64 cities and provinces, including the capital Hanoi. "The situation has grown extremely complicated," Nguyen Xuan Cuong, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said. Never in history has the world faced such a "dangerous disease," he said. Vietnam began to prepare for the outbreak since it appeared in China last August but has still been unable to keep the viral disease under control after it started spreading in the country in February, he said. Without proper prevention and quarantine, the disease, will continue spreading possibly all over Vietnam, he warned. African swine fever virus is shed in blood, saliva, tears, nasal secretions, urine, faeces, and secretions from the animal's genital tract. Pigs can therefore become infected by contact with many different infected sources, mainly infected pigs, pork, and other pig-derived products like swill and fomites like bedding, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Cuong said there is no guarantee the disease would not return to places where it has been eradicated, besides which the disease has been detected not only in household livestock but also on large farms. Speaking during a field trip to inspect quarantine activities in Hanois Dong Anh District on Sunday, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc cited FAOs warning to Vietnam that it observes the situation closely to decide if and when there is a need to establish a high institutional level of alert, apply a zoning approach to prevent the diseases spread and develop standard operating procedures for swine depopulation and carcass disposal. He warned all cities and provinces where the disease has not been reported yet to be prepared. At a government meeting last week, agriculture ministry officials said African swine fever could lead to "catastrophic consequences," damaging the economy in general and threatening the pig farming sector, a major segment of the nations livestock industry. Suspecting that outbreak control is inefficient in many areas where it has been detected, Minister Cuong had said the armed forces should be deployed to supervise anti-epidemic measures, but the government has yet to respond to the proposal. After it hit Vietnam in February, African swine fever quickly spread across the northern and central regions. It went south in early May, infecting two farms in Dong Nai Province, home to the nations largest pig herd and a major source of pork supply to neighboring Ho Chi Minh City, and then spread to the Mekong Delta. Vietnam has the worlds seventh biggest pig herd and is the sixth largest pork producer, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Some 70 percent of meat products in Vietnam are from pigs, with over 10,000 farms and 2.5 million households raising the animal for food. There is no cure for African swine fever though humans are not affected by it. Twenty countries and territories have reported outbreaks since 2017 and over 2.5 million pigs have been put down, according to the World Organization for Animal Health. Vietnam is the third country in Asia to be hit after China and Mongolia. Many trials regarding bribery and mismanagement of state assets are scheduled to be held in Vietnam this year. Graphics by Pixabay/mohamed_hassan Intensifying its corruption crackdown, Vietnam will take several former officials to the court from now until year end. The Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption said on Tuesday that by year end, relevant agencies need to finish investigating 28 cases, prosecute 24 cases, bring 29 cases to trial, hear the appealing court of seven cases, aside from verifying 36 other cases. Among them are eight cases that are treated as "massive" in which many former high-ranking officials are involved. One of them deals with economic mismanagement and negligence causing serious consequences at Vietnam Social Security, in which its former general director Le Bach Hong, who is also former Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, was arrested last November. The second case is about mismanagement of public land and state assets causing losses at Hai Thanh Company, which operates under the umbrella of the Vietnams Navy. The third case involves charges of bribery and mismanagement of public investment causing serious consequences at Vietnams third largest telecom firm MobiFone. The state-run MobiFone's acquisition of pay TV AVG in 2016 was found to have violated regulations, causing an estimated loss of about VND7 trillion ($307 million) to the state budget. Former former ministers of Information and Communications Nguyen Bac Son and Truong Minh Tuan were arrested in February and have been accused of receiving bribes in the case while Pham Nhat Vu, AVG chairman, was accused of giving bribes. Other trials will concern violations on investment at PetroVietnam Biofuels Joint Stock Company (PVB), violations of banking regulations at Phuong Nam Bank, violations in management of state assets at Vietnam's largest brewer Sabeco (Saigon Beer Alcohol Beverage Corporation). There will be two trials over mismanagement of public lands and state asset in the central city of Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, whose many top former officials have been arrested the past year. At a meeting with top officials on Tuesday last week, Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong called for fiercer fighting against corruption, a campaign he has spearheaded since 2017. "We have to continue the fight against corruption and negativity with the spirit of determination and perseverance, we have to raise the spirit of solidarity and unity at all levels and branches," Trong said at the meeting which was joined by top government and party officials. Over the past three years, the sweeping corruption crackdown has ensnared scores of high-profile officials, especially in the energy and banking sectors. The raids came a day after a bomb blast injured 17 people including tourists near Egypt's famed Giza pyramids. Photo by AFP/Sayed Hasan Twelve suspected jihadists were killed Monday in police raids near Cairo, a day after a bomb blast injured 17 people including tourists near the Giza pyramids. Security forces "carried out a raid against an apartment in the 6th of October district used for making explosive devices... These forces were shot at and responded, which left seven dead among the group," which has ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, the ministry said in a statement. In another such raid in Cairo's Al-Shorouk neighbourhood against the militant Hasm group, an armed affiliate of the Muslim Brotherhood, the ministry said five suspected jihadists were killed in an exchange of fire. Weapons and ammunition were seized in the two apartments, the interior ministry said. "As part of the ministry's efforts to tackle the Muslim Brotherhood terrorist organisation, information reached national security services" of attacks being prepared by Hasm, the ministry said. The statement did not directly link the raids to Sunday's attack in which a roadside bomb hit a tourist bus near the famed Giza pyramids. There was no claim of responsibility. It came months after three Vietnamese holidaymakers and their Egyptian guide were killed when a roadside bomb hit their bus near the pyramids in December. Egyptian authorities led a crackdown on Muslim Brotherhood members after the military overthrew Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013. The Hasm group emerged in 2016 and has in the past claimed responsibility for several attacks. An attendant walks past EU and China flags ahead of the EU-China High-level Economic Dialogue at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China, June 25, 2018. Photo by Reuters/Jason Lee Cases of European firms forced to transfer technology in China are increasing despite Beijing saying the problem does not exist. A European business lobby added that its outlook on the country's regulatory environment is "bleak." China's trading partners have long complained that their companies are often compelled to hand over prized technology in exchange for access to the world's second-largest economy. Demands by the United States that China address the problem are central to the two countries' ongoing trade war, which has seen both sides pile tariffs on billions of dollars of each other's goods. The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China said on Monday that results from its annual survey showed 20 percent of members reported being compelled to transfer technology for market access, up from 10 percent two years ago. Nearly a quarter of those who reported such transfers said the practice was currently ongoing, while another 39 percent said the transfers had occurred less than two years ago. "Unfortunately, our members have reported that compelled technology transfers not only persist, but that they happen at double the rate of two years ago," European Chamber Vice President Charlotte Roule said at a news briefing on the survey. "It might be due to a number of reasons... Either way, it is unacceptable that this practice continues in a market as mature and innovative as China," Roule said. In certain "cutting edge" industries the incidence of reported transfers was higher, such as 30 percent in chemicals and petroleum, 28 percent in medical devices, and 27 percent in pharmaceuticals, she added. China's top Communist Party newspaper, the People's Daily, said on Saturday that Washington's complaints on the issue were "fabricated from thin air." Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a daily news briefing that the government did not have any policy forcing foreign enterprises to give up technology, and that if any company came forward with facts proving otherwise China would be able to "resolve" it in a cooperative manner. "But we very much oppose fabrications under any situation in which a factual basis cannot be provided," Lu said. Nonetheless, companies have long feared retribution for speaking up about abuses by government administrators or state-backed local partners, particularly without true recourse in China's Communist Party-controlled courts. Amid the escalating U.S.-China trade war, Beijing has put pressure on the EU to stand with it against U.S. President Donald Trump's trade policies, though the world's largest trade bloc has largely rebuffed those efforts. The EU has also become increasingly frustrated by what it sees as the slow pace of economic opening in China, even after years of granting China almost unfettered access to EU markets for trade and investment. However, European officials say publicly that they do not support the use of tariffs as a solution. Trump earlier this month raised tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese imports to 25 percent from 10 percent, and has said the duties are causing companies to move production out of China to Vietnam and other countries in Asia. The majority of European firms in the chamber's survey said that their business strategies were not changed by the trade war, though it was completed by 585 respondents in January and February, well before the United States' latest tariff increase. At the time, 6 percent of respondents said they were moving or had moved production out of China as a result of the tariffs, and 4 percent said they were considering or had already decreased investment in China. Forty-nine percent of the respondents affected by U.S. tariffs said their companies had covered the cost themselves and kept prices the same. The chamber added that members had a "bleak outlook" on China's regulatory environment, with 72 percent of members saying they expected obstacles to increase or stay the same in the coming five years, even as the Chinese government has vowed continued reform and opening. Seventeen Ministers from Africas largest energy producing nations, including countries such as Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and Tunisia among others will meet in Cape Town, South Africa at Africa Oil Week (AOW)), taking place from November 4-8, 2019 to broker new partnerships for their energy sectors. Eng. Irene Muloni, Ugandas Minister of Energy and Mineral Development is among the ministers listed and is expected to address delegates on opportunities available in the countrys energy sector. Last year Uganda hosted a roadshow in Cape Town at AOW to showcase the countrys proven oil and gas reserves which constitutes close to 12 percent of world oil production. This year she will be expanding on this theme with an update on the countrys most recent petroleum exploration project. Government has revised the amount of crude oil so far discovered to six billion barrels, down from 6.5 billion barrels. Of the six billion barrels, the amount recoverable has also been put at 1.4 billion barrels, down from the initial range of between 1.7 and 1.9 billion barrels. Ugandas first oil production is expected in the year 2022. Stories Continues after ad Meanwhile, the ministers will be using AOW Summit as a platform to discuss national strategies, sovereign competitiveness, issue licences and finalise tenders. With pressure growing on Sovereigns to develop attractive operating environments, the ministers will be detailing their hydrocarbon strategies to an audience of over 1500 senior executives from the entire upstream value chain, including National Oil Companies (NOCs) and International Oil Companies (IOCs), independent operators, the Geoscience community, Service Companies and engineering, procurement and construction companies (EPC) s and the investment community. Other ministers expected to attend are; Slim Feriani, Minister of Energy for Tunisia, who will be joining the government speaker line-up for the first time in AOWs history. Though Tunisia is well known for oil production, Feriani recently announced that the nation is planning to double its gas production this year from 35,000 barrels of oil equivalent to 65,000 when the southern Nawara gas field comes onstream in June. He will be providing more details on the status of Tunisias oil and gas resources at AOW 2019. Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima, Minister of Mines, Industry & Energy for Equatorial Guinea. Famous for its offshore crude oil fields, Equatorial Guinea produces roughly 13.5 million tonnes of crude oil per year, with 149 million tonnes recoverable oil reserves. Catch this session at AOW to learn more about the countrys attractive policy and regulatory environment for the energy sector. Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Nigeria. Nigeria is Africas largest oil producer and exporter; however it also has large gas reserves up for development, attracting interest from local operators such as Seplat and Oando who are sponsoring Africa Oil Week in 2019. Dont miss updates from the minister on Nigerias most exciting exploration projects and policy developments. Alongside those already mentioned, ministers from South Africa, Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Djibouti, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Gambia, Mali, Zambia, Rwanda and Chad will also be speaking at the event. Appalachian Power will take part in a pilot program that could play a major role in bringing high-speed broadband to underserved parts of rural Virginia. Gov. Ralph Northam signed legislation in Independence on Wednesday that will allow the company to seek authorization for the pilot program in Grayson County and delivery of new generation high-speed broadband technology for its residents and businesses. Appalachian Power will use excess cable space on its fiber optic communications lines to provide the so-called "middle mile" of internet service. Communications firm GigaBeam will provide "last-mile" connectivity to potential customers in the county. Northam signed the legislation in a ceremony at the historic Independence courthouse with broadband champion Del. Israel O'Quinn, who carried the enabling bill through the 2019 General Assembly. Appalachian Power President and Chief Operating Officer Chris Beam attended the signing. "In 2018, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation directing us to investigate the feasibility of using fiber running from our facilities as a solution to broadband shortage issues in rural Virginia," Beam said. "We took the directive seriously with a cross-specialty team that completed the study late last year." "Now, with Del. O'Quinn's 2019 legislation and working with the Governor, we have a real opportunity to solve a problem that has been holding back rural Virginia's economic development for too long," Beam added. "Grayson County is an ideal location for this pilot." Appalachian Power will make an application in July with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) seeking approval for the project. Appalachian proposes to run new or provide unused existing fiber on its poles and rights-of-way to locations in the pilot area where GigaBeam will connect and provide the broadband service to homes and businesses. Appalachian uses fiber to provide two-way communications between its many facilities around the Commonwealth. This solution also allows the company to upgrade its grid to include new technologies that will assist with reliability, outage response, and improved customer interface. Following approval by the SCC, fiber installation will begin in the area. Appalachian Power has 1 million customers in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee (as AEP Appalachian Power). It is a unit of American Electric Power, one of the largest electric companies in the United States. AEP is focused on building a smarter energy infrastructure and delivering new technologies and custom energy solutions to customers. AEP's more than 18,000 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 4,340 megawatts of renewable energy. Contact John Shepelwich jeshepelwich@aep.com WiSolar has proudly announced that it has established a gateway office in Bronkhorstspruit, South Africa. The company is known nationwide for offering affordable and environment-friendly rooftop solar for variable loads in South Africa. South Africa receives plenty of sunlight around the year and the company is making the most and best of this natural energy resource by converting it into useful electric power. WiSolar is primarily an end-to-end, customer oriented alternative energy company that is centered on the marketing, trading, supply, and distribution of solar energy systems in South Africa. "Our upgradeable solar electricity packages make all the difference. We shall begin franchising in South Africa Q4 2019," said Tonye Irims, the Executive Director at WiSolar while introducing the company in a recent news interview. "We love to show our clients various options regarding solar electricity, and our clients are residential as well as commercial and industrial entities," he added. In addition, the solar energy solutions offered by WiSolar are designed by some of the most skilled and experienced scientists and engineers. The company uses cutting-edge technologies and a forward-thinking approach to revolutionize storage and extend lifetime system usage over time. Moreover, the company also enables its clients to monitor their power generation and usage through a cutting-edge WiFi mobile and tablet app. With dire issues threatening the planet in the form of global warming and climate change, cleaner energy is the only hope for the preservation and survival of planet Earth in this energy demanding age. WiSolar's packages are durable and easily upgradable for future expansions. Meanwhile, the company is also getting great reviews, testimonials, and feedback from its growing number of customers. WiSolar is an end-to-end, customer-oriented alternative energy company that is centered on the manufacture, marketing, trading, supply and distribution of solar energy systems in the South African and Nigerian markets. Your neighbourhood solar electricity company. ELKO Leaders of two Nevada-based federal agencies held a round table discussion addressing changes and challenges in the Elko area, including a shortage of workers. Joseph Amato, Nevada district director of the Small Business Administration, and Phil Cowee, state director of USDA Rural Development, listened to local concerns May 16 at the Elko County Library. Elko Area Chamber CEO Billie Crapo said there is a lack of qualified and good employees in the community. Great Basin College marketing and management instructor George Kleeb asked if substance abuse is a factor within the employee pool. A discussion ensued about the fact that there is a substance abuse problem here. The lack of mental health services and probation officers also contributes to the problem, participants said. There are two probation officers that cover all of Elko County, said Shirley Alen Kellerman with Nevada State Bank. You take into account that our jails are overflowing with women and men and you have two probation officers that have to cover Jackpot, Wendover, Wells, Elko and Carlin. How can two probation officers do that? How can you have all of these people meeting with them on a regular basis? They get lost in the system. Kleeb asked the visiting officials if these problems are typical of other communities they have visited on their recent tour and if they could provide any programs or grants to help with the issues. This being our second year of doing this tour, a lot issues that are facing the small communities of Northern Nevada are not dissimilar by any stretch of the imagination, said Amato. What we are trying to determine is where either of our agencies can be helpful. When it comes to training development access to capital, thats our sweet spot. Amato said last year he realized he needed more ground troops in his agency. He recently brought Beth Hill on board. She travels to meet with people and banks. Cowee said he has heard the same concerns wherever they have gone. Kleeb said, What people are talking to me about is workforce development, the lack of employees, and wages. He gave an example about a business that owns a group of rentals in Elko and was having trouble hiring an accounting technician. One of the things they were talking about is that they offer $10 an hour and no one even applied, Kleeb said. In Elko wages are higher. Kleeb also said that internet connectivity is a related concern that impacts his online teaching. People who live in Spring Creek dont have reliable internet, so taking an online class is difficult, he said. I recently purchased a car and I was approved for the loan but they told me to come back in an hour because our Internet is down and we cant print your documents. This impacts economic development in our community. Other concerns that were discussed included the upcoming merger between Newmont and Barrick gold companys, the lack of flights in and out of Elko, housing and the cost of medical care. We are also having some issues that the Nevada health Center is working on and doing a good job, but that is the physicians that accept Medicare and Medicaid, Crapo said. According to Crapo, this is a problem for retirees. Cowee mentioned difficulties that other rural areas are having. I am glad we started in Hawthorne because it would be kind of depressing to end there,he said. Their only full service restaurant is now closed. On the other end of town there are more closed businesses. One of the unique things you have in Elko County is that you did not suffer the recession as bad as other parts of Nevada did. Other communities stopped building in 2008 and 2009 and they were scared to build until a couple of years ago. I know you guys have a lack of housing, as well, but it is far worse on the western side of the state. Cowee mentioned that as a federal agency they can help facilitate a dialogue between the state and federal sides so that projects get accomplished. He said that while the region needs to focus on its recreational resources it also has to be careful so that they are not overused. When I was 13 I was fortunate enough to get a mountain goat tag in the Ruby Mountains, Cowee said. Thats when there was no real points system so it was a one in 538 chance of drawing the tag and I actually drew one. According to Cowee, it would not be good if the region was overrun with too much recreational use. As far as the [mining] merger, that is going to be an interesting topic, Cowee. You guys seem to have a long life on a lot of your mines. 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. ELKO The downtown area is likely to see some more changes, thanks to the Elko Redevelopment Agency and a couple of local business owners. The RDA will meet May 21 to discuss the possibility of approving two applicants for the Storefront Improvement Program. Catherine Wines, owner of the Taber Building at 421 Railroad St., has applied for a matching grant of $7,445.64. Susan and John Wright, who own JM Capriola Co. at 500 Commercial St., have applied for $16,997.50, also a matching grant. In 2008, the City of Elko created a redevelopment district with a plan to beautify downtown. The consultants told the city when we created the redevelopment area that if we had a two or three percent continued growth in our tax revenue we would be a very successful redevelopment area, said city planner Cathy Laughlin. At a recent city council meeting, Laughlin pointed out that the tax increment revenue was at $1.8 million. If approved for a grant, Wines hopes to start work on removing part of the metal facade from the Taber Building. The building was built in 1919 by a guy named Errol James Taber, said Wines. He was a local attorney. He then became a district judge. He was a big part of the community. He was then put on the Nevada Supreme Court and he was still on the court when he died. According to Wines, Taber was the judge who presided over the trial of the last stage robbery that took place near Jarbidge. The trial was significant because a bloody handprint was used as forensic evidence. One of the main reasons Wines wants to begin the project now is that the building is 100 years old. She intends to bring the building back to its original stateliness, a project that might take a couple of stages. I think [the front] is all stone or masonry and I will probably leave it natural, she said. Wines thinks the metal overlay on the lower half was first applied sometime in the 1950s. She eventually hopes to remove the upper metal and restore the original bay windows. Wines bought the building in 2015. It houses R6STUDIO, Wines architectural business, the Elko County Art Club Gallery, Elko Barbershop and a number of small offices upstairs. Wines has been involved with two other downtown business restoration projects, The Cowboy Gear Museum and Patray Assetts, both located on Commercial Street. Capriola signs We are going to put in new signage, said Susan Wright, co-owner of JM Capriola Co. Capriolas is the oldest western store in the state of Nevada, and what is more fitting than to implement the Nevada legacy of neon? The new signage will actually be LED made to resemble the original neon. According to Wright, this is much more economical but still has the same look. The Wrights submitted bids from three contractors for their grant application. If their grant is approved they plan to use Nevada Advertising, a local business. The design process is in the works and will incorporate the history of the company. Our front design is going to incorporate our name along with the legacy of the Garcia bit and spur, Wright said. Its also going to incorporate some retro Larry Butte artwork. The building was decorated with Larry Butte artwork painted on wood that has since been removed to preserve it. He drew decades of artwork for the store, Wright said. The Wrights applied for a grant through the same program two years ago to replace the front windows that had not been redone since the 1950s or 60s, according to Wright. The stipulations of the program allow for reapplication after a certain length of time. We think this will brighten, support and update the look of downtown, Wright said. Love 1 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. ELKO Eight 4-H members from Elko County made a trip to Nevadas capital in April to talk to Nevada lawmakers and to learn more about the states government in a longtime tradition of 4-H Capital Days. Capital Days is an educational program for youth 13 to 18 years old (high school students) to learn about governmental procedures while visiting Nevadas capital city. 4-H members started the day with an early morning breakfast joining state lawmakers and University of Nevada Cooperative Extension faculty and staff. Youth were able to discuss issues of concern on local and state levels. After breakfast, the group headed to the Nevada State Legislative building to talk to more members of the Legislature and to sit in on committee meetings. They also had the honor of sitting on the Assembly floor and in the balcony of the Senate. 4-H members toured the Legislative Building and the old Capitol, learning about Nevadas history. One of the highlights for the youth was meeting 4-H members from other parts of the state. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CARSON CITY Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford is warning Nevadans to be wary of a door-to-door medical billing scam targeting Nevadans at their homes. The Office of the Nevada Attorney General has received reports of individuals visiting residents at their homes and offering DNA tests to help the resident find out whether he or she is at risk for cancer or other diseases. Additionally, the scammer may request the persons insurance card, drivers license or other personal information. It appears that the purpose of the visit is to steal the residents insurance and personal information, potentially in order to receive reimbursement for services or devices that are not medically necessary. In particular, the scammers may be targeting Medicaid and Medicare recipients. The person may even claim to be affiliated with a local Medicaid insurer. Nevadans who have questions about a medical service should rely on the advice of their primary care professional, said AG Ford. Take care to protect your valuable health insurance information from people who plan to use it for unscrupulous reasons. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have set forth guidelines as to when Medicare will allow and pay for genetic evaluation of cancer by FDA-approved tests. Consult the CMS website for the requirements. As with all suspicious door-to-door solicitors, avoid sharing your personal information, including copies of insurance cards and identification documents. The Office of the Nevada Attorney General offers the following tips to avoid falling victim to door-to-door scams: Be wary of high-pressure sales tactics, or someone telling you that you will miss out if you dont sign up immediately. Always do your research. Ask your primary care physician if a DNA test is right for you. If someone is selling a good or service, ask for certification and references to find out how the equipment or service worked for others. Be suspicious if an individual is using scare tactics to encourage you to sign up. Nevadans who may have provided their Medicaid or health insurance information to a suspicious person or company should file a complaint with the Office of the Nevada Attorney General here. Nevadans who have shared their Medicare information should file a complaint with the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General here. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Spanish exclave city of Ceuta in North Africa is unlike the cities in the Spanish peninsula. In Ceuta, many locals say hello to each other with the Arabic greeting Salaam Alaikum, and the Islamic holiday Eid al-Adha is a public holiday. There is a Hindu temple, a synagogue, and every Easter, the Christ of Medinaceli is carried in a procession from a Catholic church in El Principe, the poorest and most Muslim neighborhood in the city. For the 85,000 people who live in the city, the mix of cultures is both a source of tension and a great achievement. It is also an issue that wins votes. Ceuta has the second-highest unemployment rate among young people between 15 and 24 in Europe Gabriel, a retired military member with a thin mustache and a blue tracksuit, says he will vote for the far-right group Vox at the upcoming local election of May 26. I have always voted for the PP [Popular Party], but I am going to vote for Vox to see if they change things a bit, he says. Voxs promise to build a wall along the Moroccan border and its defense of the Mediterranean, European and Western way of life has won great support in Ceuta. Gabriels opinions reflect this shift to the right. I dont pay my taxes for undocumented migrants, Im not in favor of building a wall, Im in favor of every one staying in their own land, in this neighborhood, there is no problem with drugs because very few Muslims live here, wherever you go, you find 2,000 black people and an unthinkable number are coming, he says, pointing at the Moroccan border. Gabriel lives in one of the neighborhoods where Vox received the highest amount of votes at the April 28 general election. But it also has a different side. As Gabriel criticizes migrants, Moroccan women dressed in hijabs who are employed irregularly to work in homes for 350 a month line up silently to buy groceries for their employers. We do not want any more migrants here Mother Jamila Mohamed I have never employed a Moroccan. I have not needed to and I dont like them, says Gabriel, adjusting his hat. The outcome of the May 26 election is difficult to predict, but there are two certainties: Vox will enter the local council, where more than one-third of the seats are held by Muslim politicians, and the Popular Party (PP) will lose the absolute majority it has enjoyed for 18 years. The local assembly is currently divided between the PP with 13 seats, the Socialist Party (PSOE) with four, Caballas Coalition with four, Movement for Dignity and Citizenship (MDyC) with three, and the center-right party Ciudadanos (Citizens) with one seat. But this could change dramatically in the upcoming vote. Vox received one of its best results in Ceuta at the April 28 election, beating the PP and Ciudadanos to become the most-voted political party on the right, despite the fact more than 40% of the population in Ceuta is Muslim. Opponents warn the success of Vox is an attack on social harmony in the exclave city. As well as the divide between nationalities and religions, there is the divide between the employed and unemployed. After the Spanish North African exclave city of Melillia, Ceuta has the highest rate of unemployment among young people between 15 and 24 in Europe's regions. Three out of every five young people do not have a job, according to the European Unions statistic agency Eurostat. And their prospects of finding one are not good. Nearly half of Ceutas GDP depends on the public sector and beyond the irregular cross-border trade, state subsidies and seven online gambling businesses, there is no local economic model. The cheapest home in Ceuta is a one-bedroom, ground-floor flat for 500 a month, according to Idealista I would like to return to Ceuta for my family, but it would have to be temporary. I did not study a degree in order to struggle there, says Cristobal Guzman, who studied physiotherapy at the University of Seville and returned home to hand in a blank vote at the general election. How to develop an economy in a city where the population is growing faster than the national average in an area measuring 21 square kilometers remains one of the most important issues of the May 26 election. The high rate of unemployment, which affects three in 10 people in Ceuta, is part of the reason why there is tension with the Muslim community, says political scientist Adolfo Hernandez. I have the sickness of unemployment in my house, says Jamila Mohamed, a 53-year-old mother of five unemployed children. No one does anything for us. The PP just look after their own. Divide between rich and poor A great chasm divides Ceutas upper class, who live in the center of the city and enjoy bonuses and tax cuts, and Jamila, who says she does not have enough money to buy ingredients for the the soup she eats to break the fast during Ramadan. While the main avenue of Ceuta boasts 18 street lamps worth 60,000, the locals of El Principe complain about 24-hour power shortages. The economic precariousness fuels anti-immigration sentiment, and not only among supporters of Vox. Why would they call me to clean, to take the dog out for a walk, or do the ironing for 10 if a migrant comes and charges 3? asks Jamila Mohamed. We do not want any more migrants here. Nearly 30,000 people cross the border that separates Morocco from Ceuta every day. I saw that the border was going to be a problem, admits Ceuta Mayor Juan Jesus Vivas, of the PP. We need a secure and fluid border, and we are all to blame for this. We should have done it earlier. While the increased migratory pressure has been linked to greater insecurity, there is no official data that proves this relationship. Five people from Ceuta however, have been reported for beating up adolescent migrants with steel bars. Jonathan Seco, 33, lives in the home of his in-laws because he cannot afford the cost of rent. Joaquin Sanchez Adding to the tension is the rising cost of housing. On the property website Idealista, the cheapest home in Ceuta is a one-bedroom, ground-floor apartment for 500 a month. The housing shortage is pushing prices up in a city that has no room to grow. Jonathan Seco, 33, pushes a baby stroller with the youngest of his five children outside the house of his in-laws. He is living with them because his salary as a waiter and his wifes salary do not cover the cost of rent. I know voting is important but I feel very resentful. This city has never given me anything. Ive been waiting 18 years for a subsidized home, he says, adding that immigration is part of the problem. I have had to squat, because they give a home to people who arent from here before those who are. With all these factors in play, the local election in Ceuta is shaping up to provide its first surprises in nearly three decades. English version by Melissa Kitson. Jailed Catalan separatists complete the paperwork to be sworn in as deputies. J.J. Guillen (EFE) When Spains new Congress of Deputies convenes on Tuesday following the general election of April 28, its first key decision will likely be to suspend four Catalan lawmakers who are currently in preventive prison and on trial for the failed secession attempt of 2017, according to legal and parliamentary sources. Parliamentary regulations and criminal legislation establish such a measure for deputies who are caught up in court proceedings, until a verdict is handed down. What happens to the four seats that will presumably be left vacant is a key issue for the formation of a new government Besides the newly elected deputies Oriol Junqueras, Josep Rull, Jordi Turull, and Jordi Sanchez, the senator-elect Raul Romeva is also being tried at the Supreme Court for rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds in connection with the illegal breakaway bid. All five were members of Carles Puigdemonts Cabinet when the latter organized an unauthorized independence referendum in October 2017, followed by a unilateral independence declaration passed by the Catalan parliament. All five were briefly transferred from jail to parliament on Monday to fill out the paperwork necessary to be sworn in on Tuesday, when all new deputies and senators will be asked to swear allegiance to the Spanish Constitution. Seats reserved for Together for Catalonia's deputies-elect. JUNTS (Europa Press) Spains lower and upper houses are convening at 10am for their inaugural sessions following a snap election that was won by the Socialist Party (PSOE), although acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez fell short of a majority and now needs support from other parties to get himself back into La Moncloa, the seat of government. In a move widely seen as an overture to Barcelona, Sanchez has nominated two Catalans to be the speakers of both Congress and the Senate. However, his first choice for Senate speaker, Miquel Iceta, was voted down by separatist parties inside the Catalan parliament last week in an unprecedented move that suggests skepticism about the acting PMs offer of renewed negotiations to resolve the territorial crisis. The suspension of the jailed Catalan deputies on trial will not be automatic. Instead, the lower houses legal counsel will first need to issue a report based on the Supreme Courts guidelines. A few hours after the new legislators are sworn in, the speakers committee will meet, presided by newly appointed speaker Meritxell Batet of the PSOE. Parliamentary sources said they expect this governing body of Congress to start dealing with the suspension procedure straight away. Vox is calling the presence of the five deputies a failure of democracy and of the rule of law What happens to the four seats that will presumably be left vacant is a key issue for the formation of a new government. If the four Catalan deputies are suspended but refuse to hand over their position to a fellow party member, the number of voting deputies will go down from 350 to 346, making it easier for Sanchez, who has 123 seats, to reach the overall majority he will need at the investiture vote. But Socialist sources were skeptical that the Catalan Republican Left (ERC) and Together for Catalonia (JxC) parties would make such a move. Parliamentary sources also admitted that there is a sense of unhappiness about the fact that the Supreme Court passed on the final decision on suspension to Congress, rather than making that call itself. Opposition angry Meanwhile, opposition parties are upset about the fact that secessionist politicians are being allowed to become members of Spanish parliament at all. The Popular Party (PP) said it constitutes an offense. Now more than ever, it is necessary to defend our Constitution, democracy and freedoms, said PP leader Pablo Casado. We believe that individuals who face criminal proceedings, who tried to stage a coup and liquidate national sovereignty, cannot sit in parliament and earn a public salary, added Ciudadanos (Citizens) chief Albert Rivera. And the far-right Vox, which will enter Congress for the first time with 24 lawmakers, called the separatist deputies presence a failure of democracy and of the rule of law. Vox deputy-elect Macarena Olona blamed other parties for allowing five criminals to try to break up the state from within the institutions. English version by Susana Urra. The Spanish anti-austerity party Podemos has questioned donations made by Inditex founder Amancio Ortega to Spains public healthcare system. The business mogul who, with a fortune of 56 billion, according to Forbes magazine, is Spains richest man promised in 2017 to donate 320 million through the Amancio Ortega Foundation so that public hospitals across Spain could buy new equipment to diagnose and treat cancer patients. Forty percent of high-tech equipment in public hospitals in Madrid is more than 10 years old But the Podemos candidate for Sundays Madrid regional elections, Isa Serra, argued that the public health system should not accept the donation in an interview last week with the radio network Cadena SER. In a message on Twitter, she explained her position: The public healthcare system cannot accept donations from Amancio Ortega. It should be funded with taxes. The same ones Inditex avoids and evades. 600 million in three years. There is no proof that Inditex, the parent company of fashion labels such as Zara, Bershka and Oysho, avoids paying taxes using legal means common to transnational corporations such as Facebook and Google. But in 2016, The Greens-European Free Alliance group presented the European Union with a report accusing the company of using its subsidiaries in the Netherlands, Ireland and Switzerland to avoid paying 585 million in taxes between 2011 and 2014. Inditex rejected the findings and maintained that the study was seriously wrong. Mr Amancio Ortega, Isa Serra is right. A dignified democracy does not accept handouts from millionaires to equip the health system, it makes them pay the taxes they owe and respect the rights of their workers. The question over whether the public health system should accept donations from Spains wealthiest man has since become a hot topic in the regional election campaign for Madrid. At a debate on Monday, organized by EL PAIS and Cadena SER between candidates for Madrid premier, Ciudadanos (Citizens) candidate Ignacio Aguado said refusing donations only benefits the ego and the sectarianism of those who propose it, while Serra insisted the public healthcare system cannot depend on the charity or mood of billionaires. The public healthcare system cannot accept donations from Amancio Ortega Podemos candidate for Madrid, Isa Serra At an earlier event on Monday to launch Aguados campaign, the leader of Ciudadanos (Citizens), Albert Rivera, said Serra should look in the eyes of a cancer patient and tell them that your ideological sectarianism does not allow you to accept these donations. Serra, who has been supported by Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias, argued that the other problem with donations is that they are finalistic. In other words, they do not come from an expert analysis that studies where the resources should be distributed. This leads to inequalities and first- and second-class patients and illnesses, she wrote on Twitter. In an article on the Spanish online newspaper El Espanol, Ciudadanos deputy Francisco de la Torre, who is a tax inspector by trade, replied that it is the health department that decides where the money goes, arguing: You spend less money on buying hospital equipment that is given to you honestly, you dont need to study a masters degree to know this. The PP candidate for Madrid, Isabel Diaz Ayuso, has called on Serra to apologize for her statements on Ortegas donations. Podemos candidate for Madrid Isa Serra at the debate on Monday. Europa Press During the debate on Monday, Serra was also criticized for her lack of professional experience. According to the tax return Serra filed in 2015 when she was a regional deputy in Madrid, she never had a paid job before entering politics. Acting Finance Minister Maria Jesus Montero, from the Socialist Party (PSOE), meanwhile argued that a fair tax system is not incompatible with business donations to services that are for all citizens. The government added that it is planning on raising minimum taxes for large corporations to 15%. Amancio Ortega Foundation Since 2015, the Amancio Ortega Foundation has been supporting a program to help provide public hospitals with new equipment to treat and diagnose cancer. When the 320-million donation was announced in 2017, it was warmly welcomed by patients and the healthcare sector. Public hospitals in Madrid, for instance, urgently need new new equipment. According to an investigation by EL PAIS last March, 40% of high-tech equipment is more than 10 years old. English version by Melissa Kitson. The travel guide Lonely Planet has named Madrid as the second-best place to visit in Europe for 2019. Travel experts from the famous guidebook awarded the Spanish capital for its efforts to make the city more environmentally and pedestrian friendly. According to Lonely Planet, the emphasis on sustainable living has led to wide-scale pedestrianization, bicycle lanes and rental schemes, widened footpaths, and new emissions controls transforming the city. The emphasis on sustainable living has led to wide-scale pedestrianization, bicycle lanes and rental schemes Lonely Planet Thanks to the pioneering program Madrid Central, which restricts traffic in the city center, emissions of polluting gases in the center of Madrid have fallen by as much as 38%, according to a study by the Technical University of Madrid. As part of the program, 472 hectares of the city center were made off-limits to traffic, and ongoing reforms are set to increase space for pedestrians by nearly 22,000 square meters. Madrid City Hall has also created new bicycle lanes and increased the number of electric bicycles available for public hire. But it was not just Madrids sustainability efforts that were celebrated, the Spanish capital also scored points for its vibrant nightlife. According to Lonely Planet, Madrids nightlife was among Europes best and keeps improving. The guide gave a special mention to Calle de Ponzano, a popular tapas and cocktail spot in the Chamberi neighborhood, arguing it was one of the continent's coolest nighttime streets. Indeed the street has become so popular it now has its own hashtag: #ponzaning. The Lonely Planet top 10 places to visit in Europe 2019 1. High Tatras, Slovakia 2. Madrid, Spain 3. The Arctic Coast Way, Iceland 4. Herzegovina, Bosnia and Herzegovina 5. Bari, Italy 6. Shetland, Scotland 7. Lyon, France 8. Liechtenstein 9. Vevey, Switzerland 10. Istria, Croatia Madrids Prado Museum also got a nod, with the guidebook praising the array of special exhibitions programed for 2019 in celebration of the art museums bicentenary. This year, the museum has planned temporary exhibitions on artists such as Diego Velazquez, Rembrandt and Francisco Goya, as well as special music performances, film cycles and displays of lesser-known paintings. Madrid was ranked behind only High Tatras in Slovakia, which won the top position for its mountains and waterfalls. Last year, the magazine Time Out named Embajadores in Madrid as the coolest neighborhood in the world. The area, located just to the south of the central Puerta del Sol, took the prize thanks to its bustling cultural life, its multicultural nature (focused in Lavapies), the murals on its walls, and the effervescence of squares such as Tirso de Molina. In January 2019, Madrid was the third most-visited destination in Spain, receiving more than 500,000 visitors in the month. Oriol Junqueras is sworn in as a deputy today in Congress. Ballesteros (EFE) The inaugural session of Spanish Congress on Tuesday gave a good indication of what to expect during the new political term inside a house that is more fragmented than ever following the snap election of April 28. At a tense gathering that lasted slightly under five hours, four Catalan lawmakers who were allowed out of preventive prison to take oath used atypical formulas to swear allegiance to the Constitution they are on trial for allegedly breaking. Each one of us is part of the people, but we are not the people Congress speaker Meritxell Batet Their words were nearly drowned out by shouts from other newly elected deputies, particularly those from the far-right Vox party, which has entered parliament for the first time on a promise to defend Spanish unity. Other opposition leaders said the separatists claims about political persecution were an insult to Spanish democracy, and accused the new speaker of the house, Meritxell Batet, of excessive leniency. Oldest deputy-elect becomes a hit on social media Sin titulo The new session of Congress got underway today under the guidance of three deputies-elect: Agustin Javier Zamarron of the Socialist Party (PSOE), Marta Rosique of the Catalan Republican Left (ERC) and Lucia Munoz of left-wing Unidas Podemos. The trio made up the so-called Mesa de Edad, literally the Age Committee, which is composed of the oldest deputy-elect, who acts as president, and the two youngest, who are there as secretaries. The Mesa de Edad is charged with declaring the session of Congress open, before reading a Royal Decree and the list of deputies who will be taking a seat in the lower house of parliament. Of the three, Zamarron caused something of a stir on social media on Tuesday. He had run with the PSOE in Burgos at the last three general elections, but missed out on a seat in 2015 and 2016. Against all forecasts, he was lucky third time around, becoming, at 73, the oldest deputy of Congress. A retired doctor, his expressions during the opening of Congress today were peppered with medical terms. We are prone to a thrombosis in the pit, he said into the microphones today, as the deputies filing through the chamber found that their path was blocked by groups of other parliamentarians. Honorable deputies, please improve the flow, was another of his comments. With his long white beard and glasses, Zamarrons likeness to Spanish writer Ramon Maria del Valle-Inclan did not go unnoticed by users of social media. In fact, the surname Valle-Inclan was actually a trending topic on Twitter earlier in the day. The whole event was presided by a 73-year-old deputy named Agustin Javier Zamarron who became a trending topic on Twitter because of his uncanny resemblance to Ramon del Valle-Inclan, an early 20th-century writer famous for his fiercely satirical depictions of Spanish society (see sidebar). New speaker Meritxell Batet, a deputy for Barcelona with the Catalan branch of the Socialist Party (PSC), was elected the new speaker of the lower house with 175 votes in favor from her own group, from the leftist Unidas Podemos, and from the smaller regional groups Compromis, Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), Canaries Coalition and the Regionalist Party of Cantabria. The main opposition Popular Party (PP), the center-right Ciudadanos (Citizens) and the Catalan separatist parties did not support the nomination. This configuration of forces could become a common sight at future votes inside a house where the Socialists and their allied parties are one seat shy of an overall majority. In her acceptance speech, Batet urged lawmakers to work toward building broad consensus. She said that no single party can claim to represent Spain: Each one of us is part of the people, but we are not the people. We need to talk One of the most unusual scenes of the day was the handshake and brief exchange of words between acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Oriol Junqueras, the leader of the Catalan Republican Left (ERC), who is on trial for rebellion over the failed secession attempt of 2017. Junqueras and four other separatist leaders were allowed out of jail to attend the inaugural session of parliament, although they will likely be suspended until the Supreme Court reaches a verdict. When he first entered the chamber, Junqueras walked right by Sanchezs seat and both men shook hands. Later, around mid-morning, Junqueras approached the acting PM, who asked: How are you doing? To which the ERC leader replied: We need to talk. The head of the Popular Party (PP), Pablo Casado, questioned Sanchez over this exchange and demanded transparency about the relationship between the Socialist leader and the Catalan separatists. Before winning the snap election, Sanchez had been accused by the opposition of making concessions to pro-independence parties in exchange for their political support. Atypical oaths The 24 deputies for Vox arrived early and took up the seats right behind the acting PM, even though this area is traditionally occupied by members of the Socialist group. Vox leader Santiago Abascal was the first deputy to pledge allegiance to the Spanish Constitution, and he did so with a: For Spain, I do swear. But there was a wide variety of oaths. The most controversial formula was the one used by Catalan separatists, who introduced claims about being political prisoners and compelled by law to swear allegiance. Some swore to the Catalan republic rather than Spain, although their statements were barely audible amid the table-banging and shouts of fuera, fuera (out, out). Members of the anti-austerity Podemos took their oath for democracy and social rights, while deputies for United Left promised to uphold democracy and a republic. There was one time when the entire chamber broke out in laughter: when Juan Lopez de Uralde, leader of the green group Equo, took his oath for democracy, for social rights, and for the entire planet. The din moved the new speaker to admonish the deputies: What should be on display here today is not scenes of shouting and disrespect, but a display of refined intelligence, brilliant rhetoric and political defense. The former debases our representatives and offends the people they represent. English version by Susana Urra. The mission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has arrived in Kyiv for assessment of the implementation of the current Stand-By Arrangement in Ukraine and consultations on Article IV of the IMF Agreement. "The IMF experts began work in Ukraine," the IMF Resident Representative Office in Ukraine told Interfax-Ukraine. Earlier, IMF Resident Representative in Ukraine Goesta Ljungman said that the IMF mission planned to work in Ukraine for two weeks. Among the main issues of concern, he noted the adoption of the new wording of the law on liability for illegal enrichment after the abolition of the previous one by the Constitutional Court in February of this year. Belarus, Russia agree on mechanism to resume oil transit via Druzhba pipeline, but there are technical issues Belneftekhim Belarus and Russia have fully agreed on the procedure of the implementation of a road map to resume transit of quality Russian oil to European countries, but "nuances of a technical nature" still remain, Belneftekhim concern head Andrei Rybakov said following talks dealing with oil issues in Moscow on Monday. "There are no pending issues, which would not allow us to move forward on this road map. There are nuances of a technical nature," the BelTA news agency cited Rybakov as saying. Member of the VIII calling of the Verkhovna Rada, Bloc of Petro Poroshenko faction lawmaker, owner of the PrJSC Pharmaceutical firm Darnitsa Glib Zagoriy will not be running for parliament again and wants to return into the business. He told about his decision in a Facebook post , commenting on the new President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskiys decision to dissolve the current Ukrainian parliament. In summer Ukraine will get the new parliament. I think many lawmakers of the current calling will enter the new composition - but not me. I am leaving the big politics to return into the big business, he wrote. Glib Zagoriy added that he considers his work in the Veterans Affairs Parliamentary Committee as successful. Ive completed my legislative mission: from the 47 bills Ive submitted to the parliament, 20 turned into legislative acts. From the 65 amendments Ive suggested, 55 were adopted by the parliament, he said. Zgoriy specified that among those legislative acts there were laws improving the social protection level to the all categories of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) participants, including volunteers, volunteer fighters and also members of the fallen ATO soldiers. In addition, those legislative acts were aimed at social rehabilitation of the veterans, in particular the support of the entrepreneurship of the veterans and stimulation of the ATO participants employment. Also, the lawmaker said that the Zagoriys Family Fund will continue to aid the rehabilitation of the ATO warriors in terms of its charity programs related to that problem. From now Glib Zagoriy plans to concentrate on business activity, in particular, to integrate Darnitsa in the global pharmaceutical market. As of now, it is one of the most effective companies of Ukraine. In future Darnitsa will become an international company, the owner of the firm wrote. As reported on Monday, May 20, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced his decision to dissolve the VIII calling of the Verkhovna Rada. Glib Zagoriy entered the Ukrainian parliament as a lawmaker of the Bloc of Petro Poroshenko party list back in 2014. PrJSC Pharmaceutical firm Darnitsa was founded in 1930. It is the industrys leader in Ukraine on the medical agents production volume basis. Companys portfolio includes more than 250 names of the medical agents. In 2018 Darnitsa increased net profit by 31.3 percent to UAH 449.134 million. In September 2018 Dmytro Shymkiv, who previously was a deputy head of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine, joined PRJSC Pharmaceutical Firm Darnitsa as the chairman of the executive board council of Darnitsas ruling company. Zelensky hopes for further strategic partnership between Ukraine and Latvia Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted Riga's contribution to reforms of Ukraine's defense industry at a meeting with Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis, who attended Zelensky's inauguration on May 20. Zelensky said at the meeting that "Latvia was and remains a reliable partner and friend for Ukraine," according to a report published on the Ukrainian presidential website on Monday. Zelensky also underscored Latvia's efforts to support Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Ukraine's priorities related to foreign policy and further reforms remain unchanged, he said. The Ukrainian president expressed hope that Latvia will continue to support Ukraine within the European Union and NATO. Zelensky also noted Latvia's efforts to help Ukraine reform its defense industry. He assured Riga that the protection of foreign investors will stay high on his agenda. Restoration and construction of the memorial complex (Beit Kadishin) is planned to be completed within five years. Co-president of the Association of Jewish Organizations and Communities of Ukraine (Vaad) says that they are planning to build a three-level pavilion on the back side of the building in order to place a museum exhibition there. LB.ua writes about Beit Kadishin restoration stages. During the construction of Beit Kadishin, technologies unique for that time were used: for the first time in Europe, an architect Max Morgenstern designed a huge reinforced concrete dome. In Beit Kadishin were held farewell to the deceased according to the religious Jewish ritual. The important part of the decor are memorial prayers on the walls, as well as a monumental memorial plaque with the names of philanthropists, who donated funds for the construction of the building. During restoration the historical building will be fully preserved, and we are planning to build a three-level pavilion on the back side of the building in order to place a museum exhibition there. Vaad of Ukraine is directly related to the reconstruction, because in 2015 the city authorities of Chernivtsi for 49 years handed over the Beit Kadishin building to our organization. In 2017, the German government allocated 100 000 euros for the exterior repair of Beit Kadishin. For the money the facade was repaired and the dome was restored. In general, the repair of the building and the creation of a memorial center will cost about one million euros, although earlier we assumed that 800 thousand would suffice. So far, it has not been possible to accumulate such a sum, comments Andrey Adamovskiy. He adds that an internal restoration of the building is planned for this summer. Co-president of the Vaad of Ukraine Josef Zisels says that the exhibition will reveal painful questions related not only to the Holocaust, but also to the pre-war period. In particular, we are talking about the occupation of Northern Bukovina by the Soviet Union in 1940, about collaboration and complicity in a crime. The exposition of the future museum will include photographs, preserved documents and authentic objects of that period, says Josef Zisels. We are planning to complete the restoration and construction of the memorial complex within five years. Adamovskiy is sure: Beit Kadishin is our memory. It must be preserved for future generations. Together we will succeed. Ukroboronprom links U.S. Venezuela sanctions against Russia with new opportunities for Ukraine in South American arms market The introduction of new U.S. sanctions against Russia in connection with its meddling in the conflict in Venezuela has compelled South American countries to seek alternatives for Russian arms producers, opening up new opportunities for strengthening Ukraine's position in the Latin American regional arms market, the Ukroboronprom state concern has said. "Ukraine has a unique chance to strengthen its position on the arms and military equipment market of Latin America. The introduction of sanctions by the United States against Russia for meddling in the conflict in Venezuela is forcing countries of the region to look for an alternative to Russian producers. The sanctions have complicated payment for Russian defense products and services," Ukroboronprom Head Pavlo Bukin said, commenting on Ukroboronprom's participation in the seventh International Conference of Technology for the Defense and Prevention of Disasters 2019 (SIDEF Peru 2019) in Lima, Peru, Ukroboronprom's press service said, citing Bukin's comments. Bukin said Kyiv is offering Lima military-technical cooperation, firstly in the aviation, tank armor and artillery spheres: the Ukrainian side is ready to ensure the complex modernization of Peru's An-32 transport planes and Mi helicopters, artillery systems and other weapons. "Ukraine's weapons, repair services and modernization are maximally adapted to the needs of countries in the region," Bukin said. Columbia, Brazil, and Mexico are among potential clients of Ukraine in Latin America, he said. "They are traditionally oriented towards military gear produced by enterprises in the former USSR," he said. Ukraine's defense production capabilities at SITDEF 2019, which was held in Lima on May 16 through May 19, was presented by Ukrinmash, part of the Ukroboronprom concern. The Ukrainian delegation was represented by state-run SpetsTechnoExport, Spetsoboronmash, Malyshev Plant, open joint-stock company Kyiv Radar Plant, Civil Aviation Plant 410 and scientific & production enterprise SPAITECH LLC. The organizer of SITDEF, which is one of the largest specialized sites in the Latin American region, is Peru's Defense Ministry. Automobile and armored vehicles, artillery equipment, aviation and avionics systems, air defense systems, communications equipment, engineering and sanitary equipment, demining equipment, as well as means of preventing and counteracting natural disasters were shown at the exhibition. Peru is considered to be one of the promising partners of Ukraine in the sphere of military-technical cooperation in South America, considering, among other things, the presence of a solid arsenal of weapons and military equipment of the Soviet type in the armament of the Ground Forces and the Air Force of the Latin American state. As reported, Kyiv is developing plans to expand military-technical cooperation with South America countries, including Chile. In 2017, Ukroboronprom opened its representative office in Brazil. Kyiv's business court under a request of former co-owner of PrivatBank Ihor Kolomoisky has obliged the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) to provide information about the refinancing of the financial institution for the period from 2000 through 2017, the press service of the NBU told Interfax-Ukraine on Tuesday. "On 20 May, Kyiv's business court, when considering case No. 910/5172/19, at the request of the claimant Kolomoisky, demanded documents from the National Bank for the period from 2000 to 2017 on refinancing loans issued to PrivatBank, and scheduled the next session to be 10:00 May 30," the press service said. As reported, Kyiv's district administrative court on April 18, 2019 recognized the nationalization of the bank as illegal based on a law suit filed by Kolomoisky. Kyiv's Pechersky district court on April 20, 2019 decided to terminate the agreement on the contract of personal bail of businessman Ihor Kolomoisky on PrivatBank's refinancing loans received prior to its nationalization. According to the NBU, Kolomoisky assumed personal obligations to pay off the bank's debt to the NBU, which as of April 2019 stood at UAH 9.2 billion. Ukraine's government, at the recommendation of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) and former shareholders of PrivatBank, the largest of whom at that time were Ihor Kolomoisky and Hennadiy Boholiubov, on December 18, 2016 decided to nationalize PrivatBank, the largest Ukrainian financial institution at the time. The ex-owners of the bank consider the nationalization, as a result of which they had completely lost their shares, to be illegal, whereas PrivatBank and the state demand additional compensation from them for damage. At present, the parties are engaged in litigation both in Ukraine and in foreign jurisdictions. On Wednesday, May 22, at 10.00, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency will host a press conference by Deputy Director of Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) Anton Grushetsky on the subject: "Confessional Structure and Creation of Orthodox Church of Ukraine: Poll Results" based on the results of a public opinion poll conducted by KIIS across Ukraine from May 12 to May 18, 2019, to study the confessional structure of the population of Ukraine, as well as opinions and views on the creation of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and granting of the tomos to the church (8/5a Reitarska Street). Registration of journalists with editorial IDs on the spot. Speaking at the forum, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam said that with over 1.4 billion people and a high demand for agricultural products, China is an important market for Vietnam. Vietnamese agricultural products and Vietnamese enterprises need to make good use of this large market. At this forum, the two sides shared information on agricultural investment and the potential of developing agricultural trade between Vietnam and China. In the context that Vietnam's agricultural exports to China have decreased in the first four months of this year, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is cooperating with Vietnam Trade Office in China to create forums to connect businesses of the two countries in order to promote Vietnamese agricultural exports to the Chinese market in a stable manner. In the coming time, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will ask the Chinese side to accelerate the process of opening markets for Vietnamese fruits through commercial channels, including durian, passion fruit, avocado, grapefruit, and coconut. As part of the delegations visit to Lao from May 19-21, the session saw the sides discussing matters of shared interest. They agreed to continue cooperation and experience exchange on works related to their respective overseas citizens. They said they will create favourable conditions for the groups to stabilise their life in contribution to the nations socio-economic development and special relations. Attending the session, Lao Deputy Foreign Minister Khamphau Onthavan praised Vietnamese expatriates active contributions to Laos national construction and development. Highlighting recent progress of the Vietnam Laos ties, she requested the two committees strengthen their collaboration, helping the two countries special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation to continue growing fruitfully. The official stated the Lao Party and State will create the best conditions possible for Vietnamese expatriates to live and integrate into the local society. Agreeing with his Lao counterparts viewpoints, Cuong recommended the two committees continue effectively implementing signed agreements and boost joint works in building specific cooperation plans that facilitate the overseas groups stable life. He also took the occasion to thank the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other agencies for supporting the Vietnamese expat community in Lao. Earlier, the delegation paid a courtesy call to Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, who asserted that the Vietnamese in Laos have always promoted their role as an important bridge for the special Vietnam-Laos ties. It also held a working session with the General Vietnamese Association in Laos and visited the Vietnamese Embassy. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Long, who is studying at Lao Cai High School No.1 in the northwestern province of Lao Cai, won the prize for his project Feeding Robot Using Image Processing Technology for Parkinson Patients. This was the only prize won by the Vietnamese team at this years event among the 10 projects submitted by students from six cities and provinces. Last year, Vietnam claimed one third prize and one consolation prize. Vietnamese students have engaged in the contest since 2012 and have won prizes at every event since then. Intel ISEF, a programme of Society for Science & the Public, is the worlds largest international pre-college science competition. This years contest attracted 1,842 students with 1,431 projects from 80 countries and territories. A special arts performance entitled "The Most Beautiful Name - Ho Chi Minh" was held at Nguyen Hue Walking Street in Ho Chi Minh City on May 19. The event gathered artists and performers, who brought songs and dances to the stage, praising the Party and Uncle Ho as well as the beauty of Vietnams land and people. On the same day, the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos organised an incense offering to the late leader. Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Ba Hung expressed his respect and gratitude for President Ho Chi Minh and recalled great contributions made by the late President tonational independence and freedom, and the happiness of the people. Also on May 19, 38 paintings of Uncle Ho and lotus were on display at the Vietnamese Cultural Space in Hanoi as part of a series of activities to celebrate the 129th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh (May 19), and the 50th anniversary of implementing his testament. Around 60 posters, the majority of which are original prints, are also on display at the Hanoi-based Ho Chi Minh Museum. A new publication named Portrait of President Ho Chi Minh Perspective from Posters (1969 - 2011),consisting of paintings and articles by various artists and art historians, was also introduced in the event. May 21 (Reuters) - Half of all Americans believe that the United States will go to war with Iran "within the next few years," according to a Reuters/Ipsos public opinion poll released on Tuesday amid increased tensions between the two countries. While Americans are more concerned about Iran as a security threat to the United States now than they were last year, few would be in favor of a pre-emptive attack on the Iranian military. But if Iran attacked U.S. military forces first, four out of five believed the United States should respond militarily in a full or limited way, the May 17-20 poll showed. The United States moved an aircraft carrier and forces to the Gulf region in response to intelligence that Iran may be plotting against U.S. interests, an assertion Iran denies. Nearly half - 49% - of all Americans disapprove of how Republican Trump is handling relations with Iran, the poll found, with 31% saying they strongly disapprove. Overall, 39% approve of Trump's policy. The survey showed that 51% of adults felt that the United States and Iran would go to war within the next few years, up 8 percentage points from a similar poll published last June. In this year's poll, Democrats and Republicans were both more likely to see Iran as a threat and to say war was likely. Iran was characterized by 53% of adults in the United States as either a "serious" or "imminent" threat, up 6 percentage points from a similar poll from last July. In comparison, 58% of Americans characterized North Korea as a threat and 51% characterized Russia as a threat. Despite their concerns, 60% of Americans said the United States should not conduct a pre-emptive attack on the Iranian military, while 12% advocate for striking first. If Iran attacked, however, 79% said that the U.S. military should retaliate: 40% favored a limited response with airstrikes, while 39% favored a full invasion. Both the United States and Iran have said they do not want war, although there have been bellicose statements from both. Despite Trump's decision to withdraw, the poll showed 61% of Americans still supported the 2015 deal between Iran and world powers to curb Iran's potential pathway to a nuclear bomb in return for sanctions relief. Republicans also favored the accord negotiated by the Democratic administration of President Barack Obama, with a little more than half saying they supported it. Gulf allies and U.S. government officials have said they believe Iran-backed groups are responsible for a series of attacks on shipping and pipelines in the Gulf in the last week. Trump has said he would like to negotiate with the Islamic Republic's leaders. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani rejected talks on Tuesday and has said "economic war" is being waged against Iran. The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted online in English throughout the United States. It gathered responses from 1,007 adults, including 377 Democrats and 313 Republicans, and has a credibility interval, a measure of precision, of 4 percentage points. Mohammad Hadi Razavi the son-in-law of Irans labor minister, Mohammad Shariatmadari has been charged with embezzlement and disruption of the economy after receiving 2.11 trillion rials (around $51m) in loans from banks, which he has failed to pay back. Tehrans deputy prosecutor Rasoul Qahremani accused Hadi Razavi along with 30 other suspects during the second hearing into alleged corruption at the Sarmayeh Bank, Monday May 20, at a special court in Tehran. Citing the Central Bank of Irans report on the case, Qahremani alleged that Razavi had received 1,07 trillion rials ($25.5m) loan from Sarmayeh, and another 1.04 trillion rials ($24.m) loan from other banks. In the initial hearing, Qahremani had alleged that Hadi Razavi had bribed Sarmayeh Bank managers, from 2012 to 2015, to borrow $25.5m with no collateral. Mohammad Hadi Razavi spent the loans for traveling overseas, boozing at lush parties, buying luxury cars and real estate, Qahremani told the court. The prosecutor claimed that Razavi deposited a part of the loans in front-companies registered under the names of homeless individuals. One of the companies, Golgoon Tejarat Jahan, is owned by a young orphan, and Razavi borrowed three trillion rials ($23.7m) under its name. Although the owner of the company was promised to receive 50 million rials ($1,200) in return, Razavi never fulfilled his promise," the prosecutor told the court. But the case of Razavis embezzlements havs another twist, and that goes back to Sarmayeh Bank as the main repository of Iran Teachers Reserve Fund and a complex corruption case, which revolves around raiding the fund by corrupt bank officials and well-connected regime insiders. Several trials concerning the Sarmayeh Bank have been held in Iran. Earlier this year, Parviz Kazemi labor minister from 2005 to 2006 in hardline president Mahmoud Ahmadinejads cabinet, was sentenced to 20 years, and 24 lashes. Sarmayeh Bank managers Ali Bakhshayesh, and Mohammad Reza Tavassoli have also been convicted. Sarmayeh banks principal shareholder is Irans Teachers Reserve Fund. The current legal suit was filed when an irregularity amounting to 150 trillion rials (about $3.6bn) was discovered at the fund. The fund has 800,000 members, all employed by the education ministry or retirees, who receive annual interest based on their monthly deposits. The prosecutor claims 150 trillion rials (roughly $3.6bn) of the fund's assets went missing as a result of fraud committed by the defendants. Mohammad Emami, the producer of the popular TV series, Shahrzad, is also implicated in the case. There are currently at least 10 economic-corruption trials under way in the special courts in Tehran, including cases involving financial institutions and petrochemical companies Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21 By Sara Israfilbayova Trend: To date, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has invested in 23 projects in Azerbaijan worth $3.7 billion, Azerbaijani Finance Minister Samir Sharifov said at a regional public debt management forum, Trend reports. The Minister noted that Azerbaijan highly appreciates the cooperation with ADB. "I am confident that this forum will be a new stage of cooperation between the bank and Azerbaijan," he said. Sharifov added that Azerbaijan carries out reforms in various fields and the management of public debt is part of the reforms carried out in the country. The reforms carried out in this area have already begun to bring results. "We managed to reduce the governments debt in foreign currency in the share of GDP by 17 percent. Today, Azerbaijans nominated debt in foreign currency makes up only one fifth of the country's total income," the Minister said. We are already seeing the fruits of the reforms. The macroeconomic environment has stabilized, the economy has returned to the growth trajectory, and the non-oil sector is developing, he noted. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21 By Matanat Nasibova - Trend: At the beginning of this year, the strategy of regulating Azerbaijans public debt allowed reducing the debt in foreign currency from 24 percent to 19 percent of the countrys foreign exchange reserves, Azerbaijani Finance Minister Samir Sharifov told reporters in Baku May 21, Trend reports. He noted that this indicator in the first quarter of this year is slightly different from the figures for the beginning of the year. One of the important tasks of state policy is to improve public debt management, he said. In this regard, Azerbaijan plans to develop mechanisms to improve public debt management. We plan to reduce public debt in foreign currency and replace it with national currency debt. He noted that such a scheme will make it possible in many ways to increase the sustainability of the regulation of public debt. Azerbaijans direct and guaranteed external debt amounted to $8.927 billion as of January 1, 2019, while in 2018, it decreased by 5 percent. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21 Trend: President of Azerbaijan Airlines, Jahangir Asgarov met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Egypt to Azerbaijan, Adel Ibrahim Ahmed Ibrahim in Baku. During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on issues related to further cooperation in civil aviation between Azerbaijan and Egypt. Jahangir Asgarov emphasized an increase in passenger traffic at the international airports of the country. In the first four months of 2019, Azerbaijans airports served almost 1.5 million passengers. He said that active work is underway to attract new foreign airlines and open new flights. Negotiations are being held on the opening of Baku-Cairo-Baku charter flight starting from June 8, which is planned to be carried out every Saturday on Embraer-190 aircraft. Negotiations are also underway with Kazakhstans SCAT Airlines, which received the fifth freedom of the air from Azerbaijan. The Airline is expected to carry out weekly flights on Nur-Sultan Baku Sharm El Sheikh route starting from July 18. The flights will be operated on Thursdays on Boeing 757 aircraft. According to Adel Ibrahim Ahmed Ibrahim, the negotiations held in Baku will serve as an impetus for further expansion of cooperation between the two countries. The opening of new flights will serve as an additional incentive for the development of tourism and business relations between the two countries, the Ambassador said. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21 By Kheyraddin Nasirzade - Trend: Until the end of the year, assets of Azerbaijans Pasha Bank are expected to increase by 7-10 percent, and the loan portfolio by 30 percent, Taleh Kazimov, chairman of the banks board, said at a press conference on the results of 2018, Trend reports. By the end of the year, the banks loan portfolio will be about 1.7 billion manats, and by 2020 - 2 billion manats, he said. In accordance with the consolidated report of the bank, total assets of the bank as of December 31, 2018 amounted to 5.2 billion manats, including assets of subsidiary banks in Georgia and Turkey, of which the share of assets of Pasha Bank Azerbaijan amounted to 4.7 billion manats, he added. Kazimov noted that the banks own assets have already reached 4.9 billion manats. This is while chief financial administrator and the banks board member Bahruz Nagiyev said that by the end of the year, the bank plans to increase the value of assets to 5 billion manats. The main part of the banks liabilities is related to legal entities whose accounts are opened in manats, he noted. Pasha Bank OJSC was established in June 2007 and operates on the basis of license No. 250 dated November 28, 2007, issued by the Central Bank of Azerbaijan. Pasha Bank OJSC is a part of Pasha Holding, which is an investment company. Pasha Group also includes Kapital Bank, where the holding owns 99.75 percent of the shares. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @1nasirzade Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21 Trend: Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops 20 times, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said on May 21, Trend reports. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the inauguration of Sabunchu Railway Station Complex, and viewed the work done on the newly built Baku passenger-Sabunchu railway line. The head of state first met with local residents and talked to them. The Sabunchu resident Arazkhanim Mardanova welcomed and thanked President Ilham Aliyev for attention and care on behalf of the residents. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said: - Thank you very much, thank you! I am also very glad that this beautiful station is being commissioned today. It is a beautiful building. Its construction once again demonstrates that the problems of every settlement are in the spotlight. We are trying to work on the improvement and creation in all our settlements, to create new opportunities for our citizens. New cars produced by one of the leading companies in the world have been purchased, and it will now be very comfortable to travel by train. Along the railway, the Bakikhanov and Keshla stations have also been reconstructed. The station pleases the eye. I am glad that we are celebrating such a wonderful event together today. This shows again that a lot of attention is being paid to city transport. Buses have now been purchased another 300 buses will be purchased this year. The construction of the underground is underway, new cars are being purchased, roads are being laid, railway stations are being built. In other words, our transport infrastructure is being comprehensively updated. How are you doing? Residents: Thank you very much! President Ilham Aliyev: What are the pending issues? What issues still remain outstanding? Resident Akbar Huseynov: Such a beautiful station has been built in an ordinary settlement. That is great. I am a resident of this settlement, I have lived here for about 70 years. We could not even think that such a magnificent building would once be built here. We were delighted to watch every opening ceremony on TV. Today I take part in an opening ceremony myself and see it with my own eyes. I am very happy. Of course, all this is the work you are doing to improve the well-being of our people. Thank you! President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you. Every day there is an opening ceremony of some facility, some social and infrastructure site in our country in Baku, in the districts and in the suburban settlements of Baku practically everywhere. Currently, road construction has gained momentum. In Sabunchu district too, work is also underway related to the repair of roads. So we are trying to do our best for our people to live even better, to improve their well-being and prosperity. Therefore, steps will continue to be taken in this direction. Raising pensions, salaries and benefits is one of the issues on the agenda. Such beautiful buildings will serve our citizens. Resident Akbar Huseynov: Of course, all this is thanks to you. The launch of the railway will significantly reduce the load on buses. President Ilham Aliyev: Of course, it will also be beneficial in terms of saving time. Residents: Thank you very much! President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you. Then President Ilham Aliyev went to a nearby grocery store and had a chat with customers and shop assistants. Karabakh war disabled Mazahir Orujov: Welcome, Mr President! We are proud of you! May Allah bless you! Martyrs mother Sayyara Nazarova: You are welcome, Mr President! President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you, how are you? Sayyara Nazarova: Thank you very much, may Allah bless you and our state. You are a wonderful person. We have a wonderful state, there is calm everywhere, everyone cares about us. Thank you very much! Mazahir Orujov: Mr President, we, the Karabakh fighters, are proud of you. May Allah protect you and our state! President Ilham Aliyev: How is the business? Sayyara Nazarova: Very good, praise be to Allah. President Ilham Aliyev: What percentage of products is local? Shop assistant: About 90 percent. Residents: Thank you very much, Mr President. We are proud of you. May Allah bless you. President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you very much! President Ilham Aliyev then cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the railway station. Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways Closed Joint Stock Company Javid Gurbanov informed the head of state of the work done under the project. President Ilham Aliyev viewed conditions created at Sabunchu railway station. President Ilham Aliyev then arrived at Baku Railway Station by train to familiarize himself with the work done on Baku passenger-Sabunchu railway line. The head of state then arrived at Bakikhanov and Keshla stations by a passenger train and viewed conditions created here. President Ilham Aliyev completed his tour at Baku Railway Station. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21 Trend: The delegation led by Chief of the Department of the Main Department of Combat Training and Military Education of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense, Major General Anvar Efendiyev took part in another international conference of the Army International Games 2019 held in Moscow, Trend reports referring to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. The conditions and rules of the competitions were discussed during the event. The delegation also reviewed the venues of the competitions. The Azerbaijani servicemen are expected to participate in competitions entitled "Sea Cup", "Tank Biathlon", "Masters of Artillery Fire", "Sniper Frontier", "Military Medical Relay Race" and "Field Kitchen" within the international military competitions. "Army International Games - 2019" will be held on August 3-17, 2019. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21 Trend: Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov and Foreign Minister of Paraguay Luis Alberto Castiglioni exchanged congratulatory letters on the occasion of 15th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Trend reports referring to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan. In his letter, Elmar Mammadyarov congratulated his counterpart Luis Alberto Castiglioni on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Paraguay. Elmar Mammadyarov noted that over the past years, the two countries have successfully laid a solid foundation for mutually beneficial cooperation across many areas, including political dialogue, trade connections and cultural exchanges. It was also stressed out that Azerbaijan and Paraguay are jointly committed to the strengthening of peace and security based on the norms and principles of international law. In this regards, Minister Elmar Mammadyarov expressed his appreciation for Paraguays valuable support concerning the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno Karabakh conflict within the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan cemented with the UNSC resolutions 822, 853, 874, 884 of 1993. Mammadyarov underlined that the recent decision of the Government of Azerbaijan to appoint a Honorary Council to Paraguay reflects strong will to give an impetus to bilateral dialogue between the two nations and expressed his confidence that both sides will continue to take joint efforts, on the basis of shared interests and common values, towards the achievement of multifaceted cooperation for the benefit of the two nations. In his letter, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay Luis Alberto Castiglioni delivered his warmest greetings to Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Paraguay. He expressed his loyalty to the dynamic activity that would contribute to the development of bilateral relations within the framework of mutual understanding and cooperation between the two Governments. He also wished the good relations between two countries to be sustainable. Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Paraguay were established on April 20, 2004. Details added (first version published at 12:20) Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received President of the Academy of Sciences of the Russian Federation Alexander Sergeyev, Trend reports referring to the press service of the head of state. President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Alexander Sergeyev thanked for the reception, noting that the meeting with the Azerbaijani President is of vital importance to him and in general to the Russian Academy of Sciences. Pointing out joint fruitful cooperation between the two countries academies of sciences in previous years, Alexander Sergeyev emphasized that scientific relations were later cut, and underlined the necessity of restoring these ties. He noted that this is the key purpose of his visit to Azerbaijan. President Ilham Aliyev said that traditional ties, which previously existed in the field of science, provide a solid foundation for the development of cooperation at the present time and in the years to come. Pointing to the achievements of the Russian science in recent years, the head of state hailed good potential for future scientific cooperation between the two countries. President Ilham Aliyev said that the successful development of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Russia in political, economic and other spheres paves the way for the expansion of ties and implementation of joint projects in the field of science. The head of state expressed his confidence that Alexander Sergeyevs visit to Azerbaijan will contribute to the development of scientific cooperation between the two countries, fostering specific steps in this area. They also exchanged views on cooperation prospects. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: New partnership agreement between Azerbaijan and the European Union (EU) will deepen bilateral relations, Swedish Foreign Ministry told Trend. Currently a new EU-Azerbaijan agreement is being negotiated, which will deepen the relations between EU Member States and Azerbaijan. The Eastern Partnership is also an important instrument for the relations, said the ministry. Further, talking about bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Sweden, the ministry said that in 2018, exports from Sweden to Azerbaijan increased by 25 percent and imports by 24 percent, confirming a positive trend for bilateral trade. Sweden upgraded its presence in Azerbaijan by opening an embassy in 2014. This provides new opportunities for increasing the bilateral relations between the two countries. Azerbaijan is also represented by an embassy in Sweden. Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Margot Wallstrom visited Azerbaijan in February 2016 and the following year Azerbaijani Minister for Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov visited Sweden. For the moment there are no plans for high level bilateral visits. On the 14th of May however, Ministers Wallstrom and Mammadyarov both participated at the 10th anniversary of the Eastern Partnership High Level Conference where they discussed the future of the partnership, said the foreign ministry. The European Council adopted a mandate for the European Commission and the high representative for foreign affairs and security policy to negotiate, on behalf of the EU and its member states, a comprehensive agreement with Azerbaijan in November 2016. The new agreement should replace the 1996 partnership and cooperation agreement and should better take account of the shared objectives and challenges the EU and Azerbaijan face today. The agreement 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 procedures with the EUs most important international trade norms and standards, which should lead to the improvement of Azerbaijani goods access to the EU markets. 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. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21 By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend: Paris will host meetings of the Bureau and the Standing Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) May 23-24, Trend reports. Samad Seyidov, head of the Azerbaijani parliamentary committee on international relations and interparliamentary ties, head of the permanent delegation of Azerbaijan to PACE, will take part in these meetings. The meetings participants will discuss issues related to the creation of a new political group in PACE, the election of a new secretary general in the Council of Europe, the results of presidential elections held in Ukraine and Northern Macedonia, the upcoming presidential election in Kazakhstan, and discussions will be held to observe the parliamentary elections that will be held in Ukraine. Seyidov will deliver speech at the meetings. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21 Trend: First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva and Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva have visited Kurdakhani settlement of Sabunchu district, Baku, Trend reports referring to the Azerbaijani presidential press-service. Mehriban Aliyeva and Leyla Aliyeva visited the secondary school #113 named after Huseynbala Aghaverdiyev. They were informed that 6,000 people live in Kurdakahni settlement and there is only one school here. Mehriban Aliyeva and Leyla Aliyeva viewed classrooms and met with the teaching staff and pupils. The school consists of two blocks. The first block was built in 1971. Repair work was carried out here in 2006. The school enrolls 2320 pupils who are taught by 100 teachers. Mehriban Aliyeva was informed that the second block of the school was built in 2008. The first vice-president instructed that repair and reconstruction work should be carried out in the school. Mehriban Aliyeva and Leyla Aliyeva then visited resident of Kurdakhani settlement Telman Aliyev`s family. Telman Aliyev and his family met with Azerbaijan`s first vice-president when they were at a sanctuary in Mardakan, and invited Mehriban Aliyeva to a tea table at their home. The family members thanked Azerbaijan`s first vice-president for her attention to the development of Kurdakhani settlement. Mehriban Aliyeva was presented with a gift on behalf of Telman Aliyev`s family. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21 Trend: Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has received Luis Antonio Dimate Cardenas, the newly appointed Ambassador of Colombia to Azerbaijan, Trend reports with reference to Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry. At the meeting, the sides expressed satisfaction with the current status of relations and stressed the importance of the student-teacher exchange in order to increase the people-to-people contacts. Ambassador Luis Antonio Dimate Cardenas noted that Colombia is keen on development of cooperation with Azerbaijan in all fields and mentioned that he would spare no efforts on further enhancement of bilateral relations during his diplomatic mission. Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov wished to Ambassador Luis Antonio Dimate Cardenas every success in his diplomatic activities. During the meeting Ambassador Luis Antonio Dimate Cardenas presented a copy of his credentials to Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21 Trend: A new print edition of the AZERNEWS online newspaper was released on May 21. The new edition includes articles: Buta Airways launches direct flights to Astrakhan; Cryptocurrencies attract increased interest; National weapons demonstrated at MILEX-2019; National video art works presented in Georgia 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 21 By Aysham Rustamova Trend: Committee on Economic Policy, Industry and Entrepreneurship of the Azerbaijani Parliament proposed amendments to the law "On regulation of inspections conducted in the field of entrepreneurship and protection of the interests of entrepreneurs." The corresponding bill was included in the agenda of the Committee meeting on May 21, Trend reports. The bill, which came to the Parliament on the proposal of President Ilham Aliyev, provides for the elimination of restrictions on the conduct of inspections of a number of facilities, namely of those with the potential of danger, in the field of radiation safety control and safe mining operation control. Under the current legislation, inspections conducted in the field of entrepreneurship in the country are suspended until January 1, 2021. However, according to the new amendment, in order to preserve the life and health of people and ensure the safety and protection of the economic interests of the state, the conduct of inspections is permitted in some cases. The bill was recommended for the plenary session of the Azerbaijani Parliament. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21 Trend: In January-April 2019, Azerbaijan imported 290,7 tons of medicines worth $10,8 million from Georgia, Trend reports with reference to the report of the National Statistics Office of Georgia . In the same period of 2018, 678 tons of medicines at the price of $10,25 million were imported from Georgia to Azerbaijan. In the four months of 2019, Georgia exported medicines in the amount of $72,79 million, which comprises 6,4 percent of total exports from the country. Exports to Azerbaijan accounted for 14,83 percent of the total amount. In January-April 2019, Azerbaijan increased imports of goods from Georgia by five percent compared to the same period last year, from $120,36 million to over $126,33 million. The majority of Georgian exports to Azerbaijan are cars, medicines, nitrogen fertilizers and tobacco products. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21 Trend: In January-April 2019 Azerbaijan exported more than 113,000 tons of cement to Georgia, while in the same period of 2018 exports amounted to 92,000 tons, Trend reports via National Statistical Office of Georgia. According to the report, the export value of the products supplied exceeded $6.4 million. In 2018, this figure was $4.7 million. Export of building materials from Azerbaijan to Georgia increases annually. For comparison, in January-April 2017, Azerbaijan exported 49,800 tons of cement to Georgia for $2.3 million. During the reporting period, Azerbaijan exported products worth $235.80 million to Georgia, which is 2.6 percent more than in January-April 2018. According to the report, Georgias trade with Azerbaijan in the first four months of 2019 amounted to $362,14 million, while in the same period last year it was $ 363,3 million. The share of commodity turnover between Azerbaijan and Georgia is 9.4 percent in the total volume of foreign trade operations of this country. Thus, Azerbaijan ranked third in the list of Georgias main trading partners. The majority of Georgian imports from Azerbaijan are gas, electricity, oil, cement and other products. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: Turkmenistan and Hungary will sign ink two agreements in civil aviation and road transportation, Minister of Foreign Affairs and foreign trade of Hungary Peter Szijjarto said in an exclusive interview with Trend. We are currently working on drafts of two agreements in the field of civil aviation and road transportation, which will be stimulating the connectivity of two countries, he said. Szijjarto noted that the two sides will continue negotiation of the issue of water management. The Hungarian technologies in this field are recognized as cutting edge and proved themselves on the internationally level. We know that water supply takes an important place in the policy of Turkmen state. We will continue supporting efficient activity of your country in this direction, including in terms of improvement of irrigation systems and management of water resources, said the minister. Szijjarto pointed out that Hungary considers Central Asia, and especially Turkmenistan as a very important country of the region from the viewpoint of the European security. At the meeting with the Turkmen leader, we have also discussed the cooperation in the field of energy. We are looking forward that gas resources of Turkmenistan will feed the common energy flow of Central Europe. We have also discussed economic cooperation, one of the forms of which, is manufacturing of pharmaceutical products, where Hungarian state-owned pharmaceutical companies are working productively and one of the largest firms in the European market, he added. The minister said the sides also considered the issues of regional policy. We respect a lot the role of Turkmenistan in strengthening of regional stability and security. We welcome the activities of Turkmenistan regarding the fighting terrorism and extremist ideologies. Contribution of Turkmenistan to stabilization of the situation in Afghanistan deserves special recognition. We have considered them at Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, where we had fruitful and effective dialogue. For example, we discussed in details such regional initiatives, like Council of Turkic-speaking countries, where Hungary is observer. The One belt, one road initiative, where Hungary is an integrated partner, he said. Szijjarto noted that of course, the possibilities of enhancing bilateral economic cooperation were in the focus of attention. Hungary established credit line in amount of 46 million US dollars in one of the Hungarian banks to finance direct commercial ties and projects, he added. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21 By Elnur Baghishov Trend: Iran has lifted the ban on the export of onions upon the instruction of Reza Rahmani, Iranian Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade, Trend reports referring to the Young Journalists Club (YJC). Considering the problems with selling onions faced by the farmers in Irans southwestern Khuzestan Province, the Ministry of Agriculture Jihad of Iran confirmed that there is surplus production of onions in the country. Taking this into account, Reza Rahmani gave an instruction on delivery of onions to the Iranian Customs. The ban on onion exports is to be canceled starting from the next day. In order to regulate the domestic market in Iran, a ban was placed on the export of onions on April 4 by the order of the Iranian Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21 By Fakhri Vakilov- Trend: Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan became the main consumers of fruit and vegetables from Uzbekistan in 2019, Trend reports with reference to State Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan. During four months of 2019, 140,000 tons of fruit and vegetables for $64.1 million were exported to Kazakhstan (share of 22.8 percent in total exports) and 19,700 tons for $73.3 million (26.1 percent) to Kyrgyzstan. Since the beginning of the year, almost half of fruit and vegetables produced in Uzbekistan in the amount of $137.4 million have been exported to neighboring countries. Russia closes the top three importers, with 58,600 tons of imported products worth $29.7 million. According to official statistics, since the beginning of the year, five largest consumers of Uzbek fruit and vegetables also included Ukraine and Turkey with a specific weight of 7.5 percent and 5.4 percent in monetary terms. Ukraine imported 39,800 tons of fruit and vegetables in the amount of $21 million, and Turkey imported 44,500 tons for $15.2 million. The State Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan reported that the volume of exports of fruit and vegetables in January-April 2019 amounted to more than 440,500 tons and reached $ 281.3 million (a growth rate of 80.7 percent in terms of value). More than 367,300 tons of vegetables were exported (physical volume increase by 156.2 percent) in the amount of $177.6 million, and 73,200 tons of fruit and berries were exported (physical volume increase by 28.7 percent) in the amount of $103.7 million. The growth rates in terms of value reached 173.7 and 194.1 percent respectively, compared to the same period last year --- Follow the author on Twitter:@vakilovfaxri Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, May 21 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Turkmenistan and Hungary plan to hold a regular meeting of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation and a joint business forum at the end of this year, Trend reports with reference to the Turkmen Foreign Ministry. This issue was raised during a meeting in Ashgabat by Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov with his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto. An exchange of views took place on a number of important directions for the development of bilateral ties in the political, trade, economic and cultural fields, the report said. On May 20, the Hungarian foreign minister was received by Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The opportunities for improving bilateral economic partnership were in the center of discussion. In one of its banks, Hungary has allocated a credit line of $46 million to finance direct commercial relations and projects, Szijjarto told reporters. He said that the issues of economic cooperation with Turkmenistan are under consideration, one of the forms of which may be the manufacture of pharmaceutical products, as state-owned pharmaceutical companies, which are among the biggest in the European market, operate productively in Hungary. As for transport, drafts of two agreements in the field of civil aviation and road transport are being worked out, he noted. The Hungarian foreign minister also drew attention to the fact that his country is ready to support effective activities in improving irrigation systems and water resources management. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1992. Hungary is interested in increasing imports of products of the chemical industry, oil and gas processing from Turkmenistan. In June 2016, the two countries signed an intergovernmental convention on the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of tax evasion with respect to taxes on income and capital. Tehran, Iran, May 21 Trend: Iran tries to re-capture its spot on the Iraqi market, by compensating the drop of its exports volume to this country, said the Chairman of Iran-Iraq Chamber of Commerce Yahya Al-Ishaq. "Although the exports volume to Iraq has dropped in April, Iran's exports to Iraq increased by 33 percent last Iranian year (started March 21, 2018)," he said, Trend reports via ILNA. "Iran will try to compensate the fall in the upcoming months, he said. "There were different reasons for drop in exports including flood in boarder areas, Iraq's decision to increase tariffs on some goods and transportation problems, Al-Ishaq noted. Responding to whether the US pressures effected the fall of exports to Iraq he said that although most of these pressures are on oil and banking system, it should be noted that there are various interpretations, however it is nothing new, as Iran has been under pressure before. Referring to government foreign exchange policy he said that one of the most important issues in Iranian economy is return foreign currency earned through exports. "The Central Bank of Iran has approved the process of returning revenues during the current Iranian year (started March 21, 2019)." Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21 By Kheyraddin Nasirzade Trend: The Azerbaijani government allocated 670,000 manats to pay compensations on problem loans to individuals in Pasha Bank, chief financial administrator, as well as member of the board of the bank Bahruz Naghiyev said. Naghiyev made the remarks in Baku at the conference dedicated to the results of the banks activity in 2018, Trend reports on May 21. The amount of compensations is not so high because being a corporate bank, Pasha Bank more focuses on rendering services to small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) compared to other banks, he added. The bank has not issued many loans to the individuals. Commenting on such a low volume of problem loans, Naghiyev said that this was stipulated by the successful work of the banks loan management department as the banks strategy is aimed at issuing loans in foreign currency to those whose income is registered in the same currency. The process of paying compensation on problem loans to individuals started in Azerbaijan on April 22, 2019. The payments are made through branches of banks and Azerpost postal operator. As expected, 602,347 people will receive compensation. The compensation is planned to be fully paid till late May 2019. Earlier, President Aliyev signed a decree on additional measures in connection with solving the issue of the individuals problem loans. The decree envisages the payment of compensation to citizens whose loan burden increased as a result of the devaluation of the manat in February and December 2015. According to the decree, opportunities are created for restructuring both US dollar loans and manat loans with a delay of more than 360 days on concessional terms. If the amount of compensation exceeds 500 manats, these funds are transferred to the account of the individual; otherwise, the payment is made via money transfer. The corresponding plastic cards to be received by individuals are issued free of charge for a period of one year. Banks and postal operator are not entitled to charge fees for issuing or conducting operations with these cards or for making money transfers. (1.7 AZN = 1 USD on May 21) --- Follow the author on Twitter: @1nasirzade Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21 Trend: Two employees of Kapital Bank, which founded the training company named VENDRA LTD signed a partnership contract in AML/CFT field with the international organization ACAMS. According to this partnership, VENDRA will provide CAMS preparation trainings in region. This partnership is also the first that is going to conduct training on Compliance field in CIS region. "Vendra" is the company that is founded by employees of Legal, Compliance Department of Kapital Bank Mrs Almaz Musayeva, and Mrs Leyla Salimazade. ACAMS is the largest international membership organization dedicated to enhancing the knowledge and expertise of financial crime detection and prevention professionals, from a wide range of industries, in both the public and private sectors. There are the world's advanced financial institutions, control bodies, low enforcement agencies and industry representatives among members or the organization. ACAMS operates in number of areas: improvement and enhancement international standards on money laundering and financing of terrorism, increase experience, expertise and international knowledge in relevant field of employees of private and public institutions', creation of network, where experiences and information can be shared in AML/CFT field. Kapital Bank, having the biggest branch network in Azerbaijan, is at the service of customers with 99 branches and 13 departments. For more detailed information about the Banks products and services, please refer to www.kapitalbank.az website, 196 Call Centre or the Banks various social network pages. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21 By Kheyraddin Nasirzade Trend: The Azerbaijani Compulsory Insurance Bureau lifted restrictions on the AzerInsurance State Insurance Commercial Companys access to its information system on May 21, 2019, Trend reports referring to the bureau. According to the decision of the Financial Market Supervisory Authority of Azerbaijan (FIMSA), AzerInsurance has been allowed to enter the information system of the Compulsory Insurance Bureau. The Compulsory Insurance Bureau of Azerbaijan on May 17, 2019 restricted access of AzerInsurance State Insurance Commercial Company to its information system. The bureau noted that the restriction of AzerInsurance's access to the information system is related to the restriction of the license for rendering the services on compulsory third party liability insurance of vehicles by FIMSA due to AzerInsurance's violation of the laws "On Insurance Activities" and "On Compulsory Insurance" while concluding the contracts. AzerInsurance has been operating in Azerbaijan since 1991. In January-March 2019, the company's fees amounted to 31.7 million manats, payments - 2.95 million manats. (1.7 AZN = 1 USD on May 21) --- Follow the author on Twitter: @1nasirzade Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21 Trend: The third meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and North Ireland will be held in London on May 22, Trend reports referring to Azerbaijan's Energy Ministry. Issues on the current state of economic and trade relations between the two countries, the work carried out after the second meeting, as well as prospects for expanding cooperation will be discussed. During the meeting, the Azerbaijani-British Energy Forum will be held. Azerbaijan's Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov will deliver a speech and make as a presentation on the development of the oil and gas sector, renewable energy and energy reforms. arviz Shahbazov is the co-chairman of the Intergovernmental Commission on the part of Azerbaijan, while the UK's State Minister for Trade Policy George Hollingbery co-chairs the Commission on the part of the UK. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, May 21 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: The construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline is swiftly underway, Trend reports referring to the appeal of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to the participants of the international gas congress opened today in Awaza. "The implementation of the largest pipeline construction project will have a positive impact on strengthening the economies of all states in the region," the head of state said. Turkmenistan currently exports natural fuel to China and Russia. The scale of the ongoing work on the phased development of the Galkynysh gas field was also noted in the message. Excellent conditions have been formed in the country for attracting investments in this area, and a favorable investment climate has been created, Berdimuhamedov stressed. "Strengthening cooperation with foreign countries in the oil and gas industry, Turkmenistan takes the most active part in resolving these issues, and so will it remain in the future," the statement reads. Turkmenistan with its natural gas reserves holds one of the leading places in the world and ranks second in the CIS after Russia. Galkynysh gas field is one of the biggest fields in the world. The construction of the Turkmen section of TAPI, with an annual capacity of 33 billion cubic meters of gas, was launched on December 13, 2015, while the construction of the Afghan section commenced in February 2018. Pakistan plans to start the work on its pipeline section this year. The total length of the pipeline, with a capacity of 33 billion cubic meters of gas per year will be 1,840 kilometers. The length of the Turkmen section will be 205 kilometers. The energy bridge will then pass through the Afghan cities of Herat and Kandahar (816 kilometers), through the cities of Quetta and Multan across Pakistani territory (819 kilometers), and reach the settlement of Fazilka in India. Muhammetmyrat Amanow, CEO of TAPI Pipeline Company Ltd., said in December 2018 during a roundtable meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan that "the gas pipeline will be brought to the Pakistani border within two years, and in the next 6-8 months, the gas route will stretch to the territory of India. Amanov also said the cost of the Turkmen gas, which will be supplied to Pakistan, is significantly lower compared to the price of liquefied gas imported by Islamabad. The leader of TAPI Pipeline Company Ltd is Turkmengas, which has the controlling stake and acts as the main financier and project manager. The consortium also includes the Afghan Gas Corporation, Pakistans Inter State Gas Systems (Private) Limited and Indian GAIL. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) and Ionian-Adriatic Pipeline (IAP) are strategic projects that can ensure diversification of transportation routes and gas supply security for Croatia, Trend reports with reference to the draft energy development strategy of Croatia until 2030, published by the countrys Ministry of Environment and Energy. The document says that strengthening the links of all network systems with the environment, strengthening regional cooperation and participation in regional projects are important factors for ensuring the security of energy supply. Diversification of supply routes, as well as energy suppliers, is key to improving security of supply. It is also necessary to diversify and increase the capacity of gas storages. Serious gas supply disruptions can cause serious damage to the economies of EU countries, including Croatia, said the ministry. Further, the ministry said that since the forecasted volumes of natural gas consumption will remain at the same level or increase in the upcoming period, and domestic production will fall, it is necessary to invest in new gas supply projects in order to maintain the existing level of supply security. The discovery of new hydrocarbon reserves and the increase in their production from domestic sources is one of the ways to improve the reliability of supply. Accordingly, it is necessary to ensure the inflow of investments in the exploration and development of new sources of hydrocarbons, the document says. TAP project, worth 4.5 billion euros, is one of the priority energy projects for the European Union (EU). The project envisages transportation of gas from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz Stage 2 to the EU countries. Connecting with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Greek-Turkish border, TAP will cross Northern Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea before coming ashore in Southern Italy to connect to the Italian natural gas network. The project is currently in its construction phase, which started in 2016. Once built, TAP will offer a direct and cost-effective transportation route opening up the vital Southern Gas Corridor, a 3,500-kilometer long gas value chain stretching from the Caspian Sea to Europe. TAP shareholders include BP (20 percent), SOCAR (20 percent), Snam S.p.A. (20 percent), Fluxys (19 percent), Enagas (16 percent) and Axpo (5 percent). IAP is a proposed natural gas pipeline in Southeastern Europe that will stretch from Albania through Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, to Split in Croatia. It will be connected with the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP). The capacity of the pipeline will amount to five billion cubic meters of gas per year. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21 By Elnur Baghishov - Trend: Exports of quality fuel from Iran to Afghanistan continue, Spokesperson for National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company Jafar Porfarjodi said, Trend reports via ILNA. He added that Irans gasoline and diesel fuel exports to Afghanistan didnt stop. Afghanistan prevented exports of low-quality and non-standard fuel from Irans private sector, he said. In Afghanistan, some dealers were turning hydrocarbons to gasoline and selling them, he noted. However, it has nothing to do with the supply of fuel by the National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company to Afghanistan. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, May 21 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: The reports on the work conducted by the participants of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project and its financing were delivered at the international gas congress in Turkmenistans Avaza, the national tourist zone at the Caspian Sea, Trend reports referring to the event organizer - Turkmenistans Turkmengas state concern. This project is being implemented on the basis of intergovernmental agreements concluded among Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. First, a session entitled "TAPI - pipeline of peace and stability" was held. Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of TAPI Pipeline Company Limited Mukhammetmyrat Amanov, Chairman of the Board of the State Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs of Turkmenistan Rahimberdy Jepbarov delivered reports. Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce of Afghanistan, Senior Adviser to the president of Afghanistan Ajmal Ahmadi, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Petroleum Nadeem Babar, as well as representatives of the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), Allen & Overy LLP, Credit Suisse, Bilfinger Tebodin Middle East Ltd. also delivered speeches. The construction of the Turkmen segment of TAPI, with an annual capacity of 33 billion cubic meters of gas, was launched on December 13, 2015. The leader of TAPI Pipeline Company Ltd is Turkmengas, which has a controlling stake and acts as the main financier and project manager. The consortium also includes the Afghan Gas Corporation, Pakistans Inter State Gas Systems (Private) Limited and Indias GAIL Limited. Oil futures were flat on Tuesday as the prospect of U.S.-Iran tensions disrupting supply was offset by concerns that a drawn-out trade war between Washington and Beijing would weigh on crude demand, Trend reports citing Reuters. Brent crude futures, the international benchmark for oil prices, shed 1 cent to $71.96 a barrel by 1:08 p.m. EDT (1708 GMT) U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were down 13 cents to $62.97 a barrel, ahead of the front month contract for June delivery going off the board on Tuesday. The July contract was trading at $63.08 a barrel. The situation with China is as bearish as the Iran situation is bullish. Thats why I think we continue to be here in a stalemate, said John Kilduff, a partner at Again Capital LLC in New York. On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Iran with great force if it attacked U.S. interests in the Middle East. Washington suspects that militia with ties to Iran organized a rocket attack in Iraqs capital Baghdad. On Tuesday, Iran said it would resist U.S. pressure, declining further talks under current circumstances. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21 By Aysham Rustamova Trend: A new agricultural insurance mechanism will be launched in Azerbaijan till late 2020, Firdovsi Agashirinov, head of the Insurance Supervision Department of the Financial Market Supervisory Authority of Azerbaijan (FIMSA), told Trend. "Turkeys and Spains agricultural insurance mechanisms were chosen as samples for the development of the bill on agricultural insurance," he said. "The task of creating an agricultural insurance mechanism has been set before both FIMSA and the Ministry of Agriculture," Agashirinov said. "A working group has been created to review the international practice. The advanced models of agricultural insurance of Spain, Turkey, the US, Canada and Israel have been considered." "However, the attention was also paid to the negative moments in these mechanisms, so that we act flawlessly in the future taking into account the mistakes," he said. "The draft law on agricultural insurance has been prepared on the basis of these models, taking into account Azerbaijans peculiarities." In his words, after the law enters into force, agricultural insurance will be used on the basis of a mechanism of cooperation between the state and the private sector and will be implemented through a joint insurance system. The agrarian insurance will be managed via an e-information system. He continued by saying, "A group of experts specializing in agricultural insurance will be set up. Today, insurance companies render agricultural insurance services individually, and reinsurance companies are not interested in providing them. After the new mechanism is applied, insurance services will be rendered on a vast scale, rather than individually, which will be interesting and attractive for reinsurance companies." Agashirinov stressed that in accordance with the new law, each direction of the agricultural sector, be it animal husbandry or crop production, will be regulated according to its rules. "There will be separate acts and rules for each sector," he added. "There will be methodologies and rules for risk assessment and damage management. The experts will work according to these regulations. The representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economy and FIMSA work together on these issues." "To attract independent experts, FIMSA is negotiating with the Azerbaijan State Agrarian University," Agashirinov said. "The work is underway to create an independent expert institute for agricultural insurance." "The law also envisages the subsidization of insurance premiums, one part of which be paid by the farmer and the other by the state," he added. "This also implies guarantees for reinsurance on the accumulated funds." "The state guarantees will be a step higher than reinsurance," Agashirinov added. "This is a new mechanism. Thus, the problem of ensuring the protection of farmers from risks will be solved. At the same time, the burden of the state will decrease and the sustainability of agricultural production will be ensured." He noted, "There will be conditions for the growth of financial opportunities, the level of urbanization will decrease, and food security will be enhanced. All these advantages will be possible after implementation of the new agricultural insurance system." Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21 By Matanat Nasibova - Trend: The mechanism for solving the issue of problem loans has been fully developed in Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani Finance Minister Samir Sharifov told reporters in Baku May 21, Trend reports. The work envisaged in a presidential decree by President Ilham Aliyev, continues, said the minister. It is expected that by the end of this month, we will fully ensure fulfillment of commitments and tasks regarding problem loans, mainly those in foreign currency, he noted. We have already made a tranche, and, respectively, a certain amount of funds has already entered bank accounts. All this work will be completed until May 28. The minister noted that the ministry receives an order for payments from the Financial Market Supervisory Authority of Azerbaijan (FIMSA), after which the funds enter bank accounts. He said that the FIMSA also works with banks. The value and the number of loans is being clarified, on the basis of which the relevant work will start and the payments will be made, no problems are expected, he noted. Earlier, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on additional measures in connection with solving the issue of the individuals problem loans. The decree envisages the payment of compensation to citizens whose loan burden increased as a result of the devaluation of the manat in February and December 2015. The decree applies to credit loans in foreign currency worth up to $10,000. The decree also creates opportunities for restructuring on concessional terms of both US dollar and manat loans with a delay of more than 360 days. As part of the decree, banks will receive soft loans with a state guarantee worth up to 682 million manats for restructuring foreign currency credit loans worth up to $10,000, or 17,000 manats. (1.7 AZN = 1 USD on May 21) Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, May 21 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: A meeting with Natia Natsvlishvili, Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Turkmenistan, was held at the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan (UIET), Trend reports referring to UIET. The meeting participants named interaction on the development of services in the Awaza tourist zone as well as on the introduction of digital technologies as promising areas of cooperation. They also discussed opportunities for expanding cooperation for implementation of UNDP projects, and the smart-city project in particular, according to the source. International cooperation and the development of partnerships of UIET with leading international organizations and banking structures and business communities of different countries were among the topics of particular interest. In the beginning of this year, Turkmenistan started the implementation of the Digital Economy Development Concept, which is designed for the period up to 2025. The project consists of a roadmap for technological transformation in all industries and their state management, the formation of a knowledge economy based on the country's resource and production potential. The concept is aimed at the growth of business and investment activity, the introduction of advanced methods of state management, and the creation of new workplaces. Turkmenistan is promoting development in areas of telemedicine, online education, distance learning and e-government tools in the country. Digitization of economic, industrial, and managerial processes will allow creating "smart cities. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, May 21 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: The OSCEs regional seminar entitled "Towards regional economic interconnectedness - national trade and transport facilitation mechanisms" is taking place in Ashgabat, Trend reports referring to the Turkmen Foreign Ministry. Representatives of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are invited to the event along with international experts. The aim of the seminar is to discuss matters of trade facilitation, transport and transit management through the harmonization of customs mechanisms, the digitalization and state partnership, the report says. Ashgabat was involved in a number of large projects implemented in the transport industry. As such, the completion of the construction of the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway, as well as the establishment of combined road, rail and sea transport between the CIS states and Central Asia, opened up wide opportunities for Turkmenistan and neighboring countries. The commissioning of a diversified modern seaport in Turkmenbashi has made it possible to increase the volume of transit traffic by several times and improve export opportunities. The commissioning of the North-South railway and the Kerki-Ymamnazar-Aqina railroad (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan) created more favorable conditions for the transportation of goods from the shores of southern China to the markets of the Persian Gulf. The construction of the Turkmenbashi-Faryab and Ashgabat-Dashoguz highways is underway. The aviation industry is developing. A modern airport has been built in the city of Turkmenbashi. The construction of a new international airport in Turkmenabat and a runway at the airport of Dashoguz have been completed. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, May 21 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: A two-day international gas congress opened on May 21 in Awaza, Turkmenistan, Trend reports referring to Turkmengas State Concern, which has organized the event with the participation of the UKs Gaffney, Cline and Associates. During the congress, developments of the gas market in Turkmenistan and the latest gas and chemical projects will be reviewed, and the worlds leading oil and gas companies will make presentations. Much attention will be paid to the gas pipeline project Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI), the report said. As expected, managers of foreign companies and representatives of the Turkmen fuel and energy sector will also discuss topical issues of joint business on the sidelines of the forum. Representatives of leading oil and gas companies, major international organizations and financial institutions including, among others, Hyundai Engineering, Kawasaki, Shell, Petronas, Gaffney, Cline and Associates, NAPECO, Vitol, CNPC, Dragon Oil, ENI, and Buried Hill participate in the congress. Turkmenistan with its natural gas reserves holds one of the leading places in the world and ranks second in the CIS after Russia. Galkynysh gas field is one of the biggest fields in the world. In accordance with the program of development of the oil and gas industry of Turkmenistan, natural gas production is planned to reach 250 billion cubic meters per year by 2030, and oil production to reach 110 million tons. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, May 21 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Ambassador of Turkmenistan in Malaysia Muhammetniyaz Mashalov presented the letter of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan to the Secretary General of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Lim Jock Hoi on his appointment as the representative of the country to this organization, Trend reports referring to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. After submitting the letter, the Ambassador and the Secretary General held a bilateral meeting, during which Secretary General Lim Jock Hoi proposed to organize joint events with the aim of widening friendly relations between Turkmenistan and ASEAN. Speaking about further development of relations between Turkmenistan and ASEAN, the parties noted the determination to expand overall cooperation and preparedness to realize joint work for its implementation. At the end of the meeting, the Turkmen Ambassador invited the ASEAN Secretary General to participate in the First Caspian Economic Forum to be held in Turkmenistan's Awaz on August 12, 2019. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21 By Elnur Baghishov Trend: The Iranian people do not bow to violence, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said. President Rouhani made the remarks during the video conference dedicated to a number of projects launched in Irans north-western West Azerbaijan province. The difficult situation may occur as a result of the US pressure, Rouhani added, Trend reports referring to Iranian news TV channel (IRINN). He added that the commissioning of big projects is a tough response to those who think that the Iranian people will bow to the US pressure. The Iranian president said that since the 11th government launched its activity, the dams have been put into operation, of which 40 dams - in the city and 10 dams - in provinces. President Rouhani attended the ceremony of putting the Karam Abad dam into operation in Poldasht county of Irans north-western West Azerbaijan province. The Iranian president reviewed the process of launching a number of projects via the video conference. About 14 trillion rials (about $333 million) have been spent on the construction of the dams, the foundation of which was laid in 2016. The US has imposed sanctions on Iran in November 2018. Chinas Huawei believes Europe will not follow the United States in blacklisting the company because it has been a partner of European telecoms firms for many years, a top Huawei executive told an Italian newspaper, reports Trend citing to Reuters The U.S. government has imposed heavy restrictions on Huawei, accusing the worlds largest telecommunications equipment maker of being vulnerable to involvement in activities contrary to national security or foreign policy interests. Huawei denies this, saying Washington has produced no evidence to back up its claims and that independent testing of its equipment shows no vulnerability to potential Chinese espionage. Huawei Vice-President Catherine Chen told newspaper Corriere della Sera in an interview published on Tuesday that the company had been working in Europe for 10 to 20 years, collaborating closely with telecoms firms on developing 5G networks. We dont think it can happen in Europe, Chen said when asked if she was worried that European nations would bow to U.S. pressure to impose similar restrictions. I believe they will take their own decisions independently, she said. In a separate interview in Italian financial daily Il Sole 24 Ore, Huaweis Italy chief, Luigi De Vecchis, said Europe would set back its own efforts to develop 5G networks and to digitize its economies if it were to blacklist Huawei. Amazon, the worlds biggest online retailer, is close to winning a seven-year battle with eight Latin American countries over the .amazon internet domain, reports Trend citing to Reuters Amazon Inc has been seeking rights to the domain name since 2012. But Amazon basin countries Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana and Suriname have argued that it refers to their geographic region and should not be the monopoly of one company. The global Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), which oversees internet addresses, said on Monday it had decided to proceed with the designation requested by Amazon Inc pending a 30-day period of public comment after the eight nations bordering the worlds largest rainforest and the company failed to reach an agreement. Brazil lamented the ICANN decision and said it should have opted for shared governance of the domain, the countrys foreign ministry said in a statement. ICANN had extended until last month a deadline for the parties to reach a deal. ICANN placed the companys .amazon request on a Will not proceed footing in 2013, but an independent review process sought by the company faulted that decision and ICANN then told the Amazon basin nations they had to reach an agreement with the company. French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said a decision by France regarding 5G would be based on security and performance of networks, and Le Maire added that France would not designate any specific operator as not being welcome, reports Trend citing to Reuters Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron said it was not the aim of France to block Huawei, nor to launch any form of technological war, a day after the U.S. government moved to blacklist the Chinese telecoms giant. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, May 21 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Hungary very much hopes that the gas resources of Turkmenistan will be directed to the general energy flow of Central Europe, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told reporters in Ashgabat, Trend reports. The minister was received by the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The sides discussed cooperation in the energy sector. Hungary regards Central Asia and, in particular, Turkmenistan, as a very important partner in the region in terms of European security, Szijjarto said. Negotiations on the delivery of Turkmen gas to Europe have been ongoing since 2011. The project of laying a 300-kilometer gas pipeline under the Caspian sea to the shores of Azerbaijan, as noted earlier by the parties concerned, is optimal for the delivery of Turkmen resources to the European market. Further, the Turkmen fuel can get to Turkey, which borders European countries. Turkmenistan has repeatedly declared its readiness to supply Europe with an annual volume of up to 40 billion cubic meters of gas. Official Ashgabat recently reported that the EU expressed its readiness to help attract investment for the implementation of this project. In 2015, the East-West domestic gas pipeline was commissioned, connecting the gas-rich eastern regions of Turkmenistan to Caspian coast on the west of the country. In addition, oil and gas resources are being developed in the Turkmen part of the Caspian Sea at an accelerated pace. With the participation of foreign investors, four offshore and three onshore projects are implemented in the country. Incumbent President Joko Widodo has won last months Indonesian election with 55.5% of votes against 44.5% for his challenger, retired General Prabowo Subianto, the election commissions official count said early on Tuesday, Trend reports citing The Guardian. The official result released by the General Election Commission (KPU) confirmed unofficial counts by private pollsters, giving Widodo a comfortable victory. It could could trigger a legal challenge and potential street protests after Prabowo claimed widespread cheating. Widodo won more than 85 million of the total 154 million votes cast in the worlds third-largest democracy on 17 April. There was no immediate reaction from him or his campaign team. An election supervisory agency earlier on Monday dismissed claims of systematic cheating because of a lack of evidence and independent observers and analysts have said the poll was free and fair. But a witness for Prabowos campaign team and the leading opposition party refused to sign and validate the official results, which were announced more than a day earlier than expected after the KPU worked into the early hours of Tuesday to finish the vote count. We wont give up in the face of this injustice, cheating, lies, and these actions against democracy, said Azis Subekti, a witness from Prabowos campaign team. It was not immediately clear if Prabowo would mount a legal challenge to the official result. Authorities have tightened security in anticipation of potential civil unrest and have detained dozens of militant Islamists suspected of planning attacks to create mayhem during demonstrations. Police rolled out barbed wire and readied armoured trucks and water cannons around the KPU. They have also prevented people from across Indonesia travelling to Jakarta en masse to join protests. Prabowo has said the situation could trigger people power protests, while the government and police have urged protesters to keep the peace and vowed action against anyone stirring unrest. National police, who report directly to Widodo, have also held or interrogated at least three leading opposition figures for suspected treason. The streets outside the KPU were quiet immediately after the announcement. Last week, police said they had detained about 30 suspected militants with ties to Jemaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), Indonesias largest group linked to Islamic State. The losing party can lodge a legal challenge at the constitutional court. Otherwise, the commission will officially declare the winner by 28 May. Prabowo has not yet confirmed if he intends to go to court. Prabowo challenged the result after losing to Widodo at the last election in 2014, but his challenge was rejected. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: All Georgian companies registered in Turkey in January-April 2019 operate in the production sphere, a spokesperson of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) told Trend. According to TOBB, three companies with Georgian capital were registered in Turkey in January-April 2019, which is five companies less compared to the same period of 2018. It was noted that the total capital of Georgian companies registered in Turkey for the specified of 2019 amounted to 205,000 Turkish liras, while for the specified period of the last year the figure stood at 692,000 Turkish liras. In January-April 2019, one Georgian company was registered in Antalya Province with a total capital of 100,000 liras, one in Istanbul with a total capital of 5,000 liras, and another in Artvin Province with a total capital of 100,000 liras. ($1=6.0509 TL on May 21) Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: The Romanian Coast Guard opened fire at a Turkish fishing vessel on the Black Sea, Trend reports with reference to Turkish media. As a result of the shelling, three members of the crew of the Turkish vessel were injured. After the entire crew of eight people was detained by the Romanian Coast Guard, the fishing vessel sank. At the moment, no further information was provided. Donald Trump said on Tuesday he will nominate Barbara Barrett, a former chair of the Aerospace Corporation, to be secretary of the Air Force, Trend reports citing Sputnik. "I am pleased to announce my nomination of Barbara Barrett of Arizona, and former Chairman of the Aerospace Corporation, to be the next Secretary of the Air Force. She will be an outstanding Secretary!" Barrett, 68, of Paradise Valley, is a certified jet pilot and is the first civilian female pilot to land an F-18 fighter on an aircraft carrier. She is close to Sen. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., a retired Air Force combat pilot. According to media reports, Barrett would be responsible for the 685,000 active-duty Guard, Reserve and civilian forces. Women were not allowed to fly fighters or bombers in the late 1980s, when Barrett, who had her pilots license, served as a civilian advisor to the Secretary of Defense, the Azcentral media outlet reported. A US Navy admiral reportedly asked her if she would try to land an F/A-18 Hornet on an aircraft carrier. A fascinating paper in Science Advances today looks at the way that a small platyrrhine monkey species conveys information about predators in its vocal communication system: Titi monkeys combine alarm calls to create probabilistic meaning. The titi monkeys have two kinds of alarm calls, which they can combine together in complex sequences. The research by Melissa Berthet and coworkers shows that the sequences carry information about not only the type of predator but also the location of the predator. Unlike human sentences, which are comprised of words that have distinct meanings, these titi monkey call sequences are probabilistic, that is, it is not the precise order or number of calls, but their quantity in combination that predict to a feature of the environment. A couple of paragraphs from the discussion of the paper are enlightening: Human and nonhuman animals (hereafter referred to as animals) live in environments where most stimuli appear in a continuous form, but perception is often categorical (9). For example, although rainbows consist of continuously changing wavelengths, they are perceived by humans as color bands. Similar effects are found in communication systems, including human speech. Acoustically, the human vocal tract can gradually alter the second formant of the syllable from the sound b (as in beer) to d (as in deer) and then to g (as in gear), although they are perceived in sharply categorical ways by listeners (10). Another example comes from the American Sign Language, where the hand configuration gradually differs between the words please (the thumb and all the fingers are selected) and sorry (only the thumb is selected) but is perceived categorically by deaf signers (11). Linguists have focused quite extensively on the categorical encoding of human language. In looking for precursors or analogues of human communication in other animal communication systems, linguists and animal behaviorists have often paid attention to such categorical systems for example, the alarm calls of vervet monkeys, which seem to form clear categories relating to predator types. Yet maybe there is more to be seen in the simple call systems of non-human primates than correspondences between calls and features of the environment: Although the notion of categorical meaning is intuitively compelling, it is not necessarily the default mode of animal perception. Categorical perception has been a major theoretical pillar in animal communication research, particularly because of its intuitive link to linguistic theory. For example, Macedonia and Evans [(16), p. 179] presupposed that external events are processed in categorical terms (all eliciting stimuli must belong to a common category). Although this approach has been fruitful and productive, it has also generated enigmas suggesting that the underlying theory may have to be revised. For example, in a seminal paper, Cheney and Seyfarth (17) were puzzled by the fact that animals appeared to have very few categorical semantic labels, mostly limited to predator classes and a few social events. One possibility is that graded meanings are the default way of animal communication [e.g., (18)], although this hypothesis has been much ignored and considered as less interesting than categorical perception (16). Our study suggests that explaining animal communication on categorical terms alone may be too restrictive and anthropocentric and may explain the struggle to extract meaning from some animal communication systems. I think this is cool. It suggests that natural language learning systems, which include strongly probabilistic features, might make some headway with animal communication systems. The United States is giving Turkey until the end of the first week of June to pull out of its agreement with Russia to purchase the S-400 air defence system or else it may face severe consequences including sanctions, Trend reports citing Sputnik. If Turkey does not pull out of its agreement with Russia and does not purchase the US-made Patriot missile defence system by the end of the first week of June it will face negative consequences, NBC News reported on Tuesday, citing multiple sources familiar with the situation. The consequences include removing Turkey from the F-35 jet program, forfeiting 100 promised F-35 jets originally planned for the country, imposing sanctions on Turkey all of which may potentially hurt Ankaras standing with NATO, the report said. In December 2017, Moscow and Ankara signed a loan agreement for the delivery of S-400 air defence systems to Turkey. The United States has threatened Turkey with sanctions earlier for its planned acquisition of S-400s and repeatedly said it may delay or cancel the process of selling the F-35 aircraft to Ankara. Turkey is one of the seven states who participate in the F-35 program. Turkey has said that the purchase of defensive weapons is its sovereign affair and has ruled out the possibility of abandoning its plans to complete the purchase. Russia and Turkey signed a $2.5 billion loan agreement for the shipment of a total of four batteries of S-400 systems in December 2017. The first delivery is set for July 2019 and will proceed as scheduled, according to Turkish officials. KYODO NEWS - May 21, 2019 - 00:09 | All, Japan Japan and the United States plan to hold ministerial-level trade talks later this month, with tariffs on agricultural and industrial products expected to top the agenda, government sources said Monday. The talks will likely be held before Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Tokyo set for May 27. Before economic revitalization minister Toshimitsu Motegi and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer sit at the negotiating table, the two countries will hold working-level talks on Tuesday afternoon in Washington, according to the sources. As Trump pushes what he calls fair and reciprocal trade, Japan and the United States launched negotiations in April. Since then, Motegi and Lighthizer have met twice. (U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer (far L) and Japanese economic revitalization minister Toshimitsu Motegi) Still, differences remain in the negotiations, and Abe and Trump, who is scheduled to arrive in Tokyo on Saturday as a state guest for a four-day visit, will not likely be able to strike a trade deal. Under such circumstances, the two leaders are unlikely to issue a joint statement following their discussions, according to the sources. To coordinate various polices ahead of Trump's visit to Japan, the first since November 2017, Foreign Minister Taro Kono spoke to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo by phone on Monday night, according to Japan's Foreign Ministry. The phone conversation lasted about 20 minutes, the ministry said, without providing further details. KYODO NEWS - May 22, 2019 - 07:10 | All, World North Korean Ambassador to the United Nations Kim Song on Tuesday lambasted the seizure of one of its cargo ships by the United States as an act borne of "hostile" policy toward the reclusive country. "We are condemning in strongest terms this act of dispossessing of our cargo ship because this instance is only product of extreme hostile policy of the United States against DPRK," he told reporters at U.N. headquarters. DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea's official name. In carrying out the ship's seizure on the basis of unilateral sanctions and domestic law, the United States "violated principles recognized universally worldwide" against the exercise of national jurisdiction abroad, the envoy said. North Korea also rejects the U.N. Security Council's sanctions measures the vessel was allegedly involved in violating. (Kim Song) "The United States should deliberate and think over the consequences its outrageous acts might have on the future development," he added. "Also, the United States must return our cargo ship without delay." Stopping short of an ultimatum or direct statement on future bilateral negotiations, Kim said that "everything depends on the United States" and his country will "carefully watch" Washington's next moves. The remarks came after a North Korean foreign ministry spokesman on May 14 condemned the seizure of the Wise Honest, saying the action is "an outright denial of the underlying spirit" of the deal reached by U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at their summit in Singapore on June 12 last year. Related coverage: N. Korea missile launches aimed at challenging U.S. nuclear demands U.S. believes N. Korea fired ballistic missile on Sat.: sources Japan protests to N. Korea over firing of ballistic missiles Kim Song sent a letter three days later to U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres protesting the seizure, requesting that Guterres take "urgent measures as a way of contributing to the stability of the Korean peninsula and proving the impartiality of the U.N." The U.S. Justice Department said earlier this month that Washington had for the first time seized a North Korean cargo ship for exporting coal in violation of U.N. and U.S. sanctions. It says the ship was used to illicitly ship coal from North Korea to foreign purchasers and deliver heavy machinery to the country, helping expand Pyongyang's capabilities and continuing the cycle of sanctions evasion. The vessel -- a 17,061-ton, single-hull bulk carrier, one of North Korea's largest -- was detained by Indonesia's maritime authorities in April 2018 and is currently in the custody of the United States, according to the department and a U.S. official. The spat over the ship threatens to further heighten tensions between the two nations, especially at a time when U.S.-North Korea denuclearization negotiations remain stalled and Pyongyang has recently tested short-range missiles. At their first summit, Trump and Kim Jong Un pledged to forge new relations between the two countries, with the United States agreeing to provide security guarantees to North Korea in return for the "complete denuclearization" of the Korean Peninsula. A second summit, which took place in February in Hanoi, ended without agreement as Washington held firm to its demands for denuclearization and Pyongyang insisted on greater sanctions relief. KYODO NEWS - May 21, 2019 - 05:34 | All, World, Japan Former U.S. defense secretaries Chuck Hagel and Ashton Carter, and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn will be among the 142 foreigners recognized in this year's spring awards for making notable contributions to relations between Japan and their countries, the government said Tuesday. The list of recipients for the annual decorations was announced a month later than usual to allow for Emperor Naruhito's ascension to the throne early this month. The 142 foreign recipients come from 61 countries and regions. Hagel, 72, and Carter, 64, who served in U.S. President Barack Obama's administration, and Hailemariam, 53, will receive the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun. (From L) former U.S. defense secretaries Chuck Hage and Ashton B. Carter, and former Ethiopean Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn) Of 4,225 Japanese recipients of decorations, 401 are women and 1,984 are from the private sector, both the highest numbers since the honors system was reformed in 2003. Itsuro Terada, 71, a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, will be bestowed with the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers which is the highest decoration to be given at the ceremony. Jazz trumpeter Terumasa Hino, 76, will receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette. Former financial services minister Shizuka Kamei, 82, and the chairman of the Nippon Foundation, Yohei Sasakawa, 80, are among those who will receive the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun. The award ceremony will be held at the Imperial Palace on Thursday, with the emperor and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in attendance. KYODO NEWS - May 21, 2019 - 23:15 | World, All, Japan Japan's youngest professional Go player, 10-year-old Sumire Nakamura, debuted in an international match in Beijing on Tuesday, with her game being closely watched in China. Nakamura, who officially entered the lowest professional rank of "shodan" in April, competed with 27-year-old Wang Chenxing, a Chinese fifth-degree Go player who has been a champion in a global match of the traditional board game. Nakamura was beaten by Wang. She has drawn a lot of attention in China as a Japanese "new star," said a female office worker in her 30s in Beijing. Nakamura's game was broadcast live over the internet. China is one of the world's greatest Go nations, along with South Korea. The Tokyo-born girl started playing the board game at the age of 3 and has been active in the Go world. She took part in Japan's national tournament for boys and girls when she was in the second grade. After honing her skills in South Korea in recent years, she is now back in Japan attending elementary school in Osaka. Nakamura has pledged to make efforts to become a Go player who can "fight in the world." Her 46-year-old father Shinya Nakamura is also a ninth-degree professional Go player. KYODO NEWS - May 21, 2019 - 21:40 | All, Japan Nearly 350 of the first group of foreigners applying for Japanese resident status under the country's new visa system to work in the food service industry passed a qualification exam, an implementing body said Tuesday. The Organization for Technical Skill Assessment of Foreign Workers in Food Industry said 347, or 75.4 percent, of 460 examinees cleared the language and skills tests held in Tokyo and Osaka last month. (Japanse language and skills tests held in April.) The successful candidates are expected to start working possibly from July, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries which oversees the food service industry. The food service sector, which includes restaurants and catering, is among 14 sectors designated by the government for foreigners to work with a resident status called Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 which grants a stay for up to five years. Japan introduced the new visa status on April 1 to cope with a chronic labor shortage due to the country's rapidly graying population and declining birthrate, marking a major policy shift from its traditionally strict immigration rules. Over the next five years, the government expects up to about 345,000 foreigners to acquire the No. 1 status to work in the 14 labor-hungry sectors such as accommodation, nursing care, construction and farming. Of the 347 successful applicants, 203 were Vietnamese, 37 Chinese and 30 Nepalese, the organization said. The second exams for food service jobs are scheduled for late next month in seven cities across Japan accepting up to 2,000 applicants. The government expects up to 53,000 foreigners with the new resident status to work in food service industry in the next five years. Around 140,000 foreigners have already been engaged in food service work in Japan, according to the ministry. Proficient workers in the construction and shipbuilding fields can further extend their stay by earning the No. 2 status, which allows holders to bring in family members and has no limit on the number of times they can renew their visa. Islamabad: Pakistan, on Monday announced career diplomat Mueenul Haq as its new High Commissioner to India. In a televised statement, ," Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said, "New Delhi, India, is very important...After the consultation, I have decided to appoint Mueenul Haq, the current ambassador in France, who will be sent to (New) Delhi, and I hope that he (Haq) will deliver. Inzamam-ul-Haq reveals why Wahab Riaz was picked in World Cup 2019 team Haq's appointment comes after Sohail Mehmood left the High Commission to take over as Pakistan's foreign secretary, news agencies reported citing Pakistani media. Haq was Pakistans Ambassador to France and served as chief of the protocol before his appointment in Paris. Besides India, Pakistan also announced appointments of High Commissioners to China, Japan and Brussels. Pak FM took to Twitter and wrote, "After consulting the Prime Minister, I am happy to announce the following appointments. I wish the newly appointed officers good luck and hope they represent Pakistan with utmost dignity and effectiveness. Plan a trip this naturally beautiful place that just makes you feel in heaven As per the report of ANI, Naghmana Hashmi will replace Masood Khalid, the current envoy of China while additional secretary Imtiaz Ahmad will take over as Ambassador to Japan while the current additional secretary in Europe Zaheer Janjua will take over the Pakistani mission in Brussels. On Monday, Congress leader Priyanka Vadra appealed to the party workers to not take the results of exit polls seriously and do not believe in rumours. She said that results of the exit polls are showing comfortable victory for Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) and its allies in Lok Sabha election only to break the morale of Congress workers. also read: Pakistan appoints Mueenul Haq as new High Commissioner to India Priyanka urged the party workers to remain more vigilant and guard the strong rooms where EVMs are stored. The Congress leader also appealed the workers to remain alert at counting. She tried to encourage the party workers by saying that she is confident that their efforts will not go in vain and Congress would perform well in Lok Sabha election. Every exit poll results have predicted BJP-led NDA to not only hit the majority mark of 272 but breach the 300-mark as well. The exit polls which were more conservative also showed a favourable outcome for NDA even if stopping well short of the 300-mark. Others are likely to finish with a combined tally of 122. The exit polls which predicted NDA to cross the 300-seat mark were News24-Chanakya (350), AAJTAK/India Today-Axis (339 to 365), News18-IPSOS (336), Times Now-VMR (306), Republic-Jan ki Baat (315) and India TV-CNX (300). also read: Amit Shah to host dinner for NDA leaders on May 21 " " 5 Bits of Intel From the Final 'Rogue One' Trailer Video and screengrab from "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" Trailer #2 on YouTube In the early hours of the morning, "Good Morning America" was given the opportunity to premiere the final trailer from the upcoming film "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story." It tells the tale of the band of Rebels who risk everything to steal the plans to the first, dreaded Death Star and beam them to Princess Leia so that she might race through space as custodian of the stolen plans that would restore freedom to the galaxy. There are many details that might go by unnoticed, so we're here to break down some of the most fascinating and interesting parts for you. Advertisement 1. Flashbacks The first thing the trailer offers is a glimpse of Jyn Erso (played by Felicity Jones), but not as we'll know her for the majority of the film. We see her first as a young girl in flashback. Her father, Galen (played by Mads Mikkelsen) tells her that all he does is to protect her. 2. Darth Vader At the beginning of "Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope," Darth Vader mentioned that Princess Leia was his only link to finding the Rebels, the secret plans and their secret base. That means, naturally, that he would have tangled with the team that stole the plans in the first place. " " James Earl Jones is back for Vader, but in voice only. Video and screengrab from "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" Trailer #2 on YouTube In this film, James Earl Jones is coming back to offer Vader's voice, but bodily he's being played by actor Spencer Wilding. Wilding has been seen in things like "Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Game of Thrones." In a bizarre bit of coincidence, both Dave Prowse, who originally gave Vader his corporeal presence, and Spencer Wilding have played the Minotaur on "Doctor Who." 3. K-2SO K-2SO (or Kay-Tuesso) is a stolen Imperial droid that's been reprogrammed to help the Rebels in their espionage missions. He's played by Alan Tudyk of "Firefly" fame, who gives the character a dry sense of humor. In the trailer, he's seen interpreting Imperial codes so our Rebels can infiltrate their objective. " " In the final trailer for "Rogue One" we get a better look at K-2SO. Credit: Video and screengrab from "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" Trailer #2 on YouTube Tudyk spent his time on set in stilts, approximating the height of the massive droid. The droid itself would be added later in post-production, a wholly computer-generated creation. When Tudyk mentioned that he didn't have to wear a droid costume to Anthony Daniels, the actor inside C-3PO's suit, Daniels called him an expletive. 4. The Fallen Jedi One of the most striking images in the trailer might go unnoticed by many. In the sands on the planet Jedha, we see the decaying ruins of a statue of a Jedi Knight. " " The fallen Jedi Knight statue pictured in the second "Rogue One" trailer Video and screengrab from "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" Trailer #2 on YouTube Jedha is seen a few times in the trailer and has been described as a place where believers in the Force from around the galaxy come for pilgrimage. It is under Imperial occupation and draws parallels to other occupied religious sites in our own world. 5. Saw Gerrera Forest Whitaker appears in this trailer, delivering the last line about saving the Rebellion. He's playing a character named Saw Gerrera, a battle-worn veteran who has been fighting oppression since the Clone Wars. " " Saw Gerrera Video and screengrab from "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" Trailer #2 on YouTube In fact, his character debuted in 2012 in the animated series "The Clone Wars," created by George Lucas himself. How he survived the decades between the Clone War and the Galactic Civil War is a question very much on the minds of "Star Wars" fans. Can't wait to see the whole thing? Neither can we. "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" comes out in theaters on Dec. 16, 2016. NOW THAT'S COOL Before he ever dreamed of getting the job to direct "Rogue One," director Gareth Edwards was such a big "Star Wars" fan that he spent his 30th birthday in Tunisia on a pilgrimage to the original shooting locations of Tatooine in the first "Star Wars" film. " " Acclaimed children's author Roald Dahl, pictured here in 1971, lived a double life as a British intelligence officer. Ronald Dumont/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/GettyImages "And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you, because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely of places." Roald Dahl penned these words for "The Minpins," the final of 34 children's books he wrote between 1943 and his death in 1990. But unlike in this excerpt, there was nothing fictional about Dahl's search for secrets. During World War II, the soon-to-be-beloved author of books including "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Danny, the Champion of the World" and "The Witches" served as a fighter pilot and an officer in the British Royal Air Force. Following that, he assumed lifestyle reminiscent of superspy James Bond, joining a secret organization based in the United States known as the British Security Coordination. Advertisement That spy network's primary goals were to offset Nazi propaganda while protecting the interests of the United Kingdom. So, while Dahl dreamed up imaginative children's stories, he also lived as a secret intelligence officer under the cover of working a public relations job at the British embassy in Washington, D.C. By all reports, he was both very good and very bad at it. Dahl was especially talented at being a ladies' man, a skill that came in handy when convincing both politicians and heiresses alike to part with closely guarded secrets. One biography described his romantic skill with particularly colorful language, following reports that Dahl reportedly had affairs with, among others, Millicent Rogers, heiress to the Standard Oil fortune, and Clare Boothe Luce, an influential congresswoman who later became an ambassador and foreign affairs advisor to presidents Nixon and Ford. But as good as he was at the "sleeping" part, Dahl came up short at keeping secrets. According to his daughter Lucy, Dahl was a prolific gossip. "Dad never could keep his mouth shut," she's quoted saying in Donald Sturrock's 2010 biography "Storyteller: The Life of Roald Dahl." Despite his penchant for spilling the beans, Dahl did manage to come across some interesting intelligence at cocktail parties or perhaps it was thanks to his bedside manner. As early as 1944, he'd uncovered early U.S. talk of landing a man on the moon. He also reportedly believed rumors that Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Norwegian crown princess Martha were having an illicit affair (a claim most historians discount), passing that information along with other intelligence directly to Winston Churchill. Despite his Bond-style role in world affairs, Dahl will probably always be best remembered as one of the greatest children's storytellers of all time. Many of his children's books have been turned into movies, including "The BFG," the tale of a friendly giant who befriends a young girl, then races against time to protect her from danger. It's just the sort of story Dahl could truly appreciate. " " Roald Dahl was married to American actress Patricia Neal, pictured here with their three children, from 1953 to 1983. Keystone/Getty Images Now That's Cool In a piece of real life intersecting with fiction, Roald Dahl wrote the screenplay for the 1967 James Bond thriller "You Only Live Twice." 12500 N.E. Tenth Place Bellevue, WA 98005 JPFO.org 800-869-1884 info@jpfo.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 21, 2019 Contact: Floyd Neeland In a world this dangerous, anything else invites trouble, victimhood With lethal assaults on the Poway and Tree of Life synagogues as a backdrop, and blatant incidents of violent anti-Semitism reported regularly, Dov Marhoffer, a Holocaust survivor on the Advisory Board of Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership, is advising Jews to arm themselves, in a new video. He believes calls to disarm Jews or other innocent people are disgraceful. Training, he says, is essential. In the short cinema-verite video, released worldwide today, Mr. Marhoffer laments how children are being used to corrupt the desperate Jewish call to arms, Never Again!, which became symbolic after WWII. These children, led by kids from a victimized Florida high school are being manipulated by adults pushing familiar so-called "gun-control" themes. They mislead people into believing that psychotic slaughter of school children can be affected by disarming (or "subarming") the general public. Making innocent people helpless does not make dangerous people harmless. Taking guns that people already own is infringement, banned by the U.S. Constitution--and a terrible policy choice. Mr. Marhoffer speaks from traumatic personal experience. Fortunately, many Orthodox Jewish congregations, recognizing the threat is real, immediate and omnipresent, are quietly gearing up armed countermeasures, a move JPFO and Mr. Marhoffer encourage. Watch Dov Marhoffer: ##### About 1979. Edith Hunter Sims (1908-1996). According to my genealogy software we are 1/2 first cousins, twice removed. At the time we met, in the 1970s Edith a nd her first cousin Eric "Joe" Hunter were the only living grandchildren of our ancestor Jason Henderson Hunter (abt 1817 - abt 1885), who was mine and my generation of Hunter first cousins great great grandfather. For a few years she and her Joe came to the Hunter Reunions in Marietta and the bigger Hunter Reunion in Blairsville. Then she brought her two sons. One son was a big game hunter and owned a chain of saloons across the Southern United States. I think he told me his restaurants were decorated with his hunting trophies, such as deer heads, elk heads, and whatever. The other son was one of the founders and vice president of Holiday Inn. He lived in Memphis, and later retired and moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas, and bought his own bank. One time Edith and her two sons were here the day before the Reunion and they wanted me to drive them around in their plush rented car and visit my uncles. At one uncle's house, who lived in an average income house, after we had a cordial visit, back in the car, the son who owned the bank reach for his beer, found it was warm, he lowered the window and toss the can onto my uncle's front lawn. That said a lot of how he probably felt about us. A few years later Edith had a stroke and was blinded. When I was with Anna on a business trip to Memphis I drove to Jonesboro, Arkansas, and looked up her grave. She is in a big plot with the rest of her family and parents. I looked for Jason's grave in the same huge graveyard but could not find it. WASHINGTON -- People who see themselves as being in a higher social class may tend to have an exaggerated belief that they are more adept than their equally capable lower-class counterparts, and that overconfidence can often be misinterpreted by others as greater competence in important situations, such as job interviews, according to research published by the American Psychological Association. "Advantages beget advantages. Those who are born in upper-class echelons are likely to remain in the upper class, and high-earning entrepreneurs disproportionately originate from highly educated, well-to-do families," said Peter Belmi, PhD, of the University of Virginia and lead author of the study. "Our research suggests that social class shapes the attitudes that people hold about their abilities and that, in turn, has important implications for how class hierarchies perpetuate from one generation to the next." The study was published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Belmi and his colleagues conducted a series of four investigations looking at the connection between social class and overconfidence and how that might affect others' perceptions of a person's competence. The largest involved more than 150,000 small business owners in Mexico who were applying for loans. To measure social class, the researchers obtained information about these applicants' income, education level and perceived standing in society as part of the application process. Applicants were also required to complete a psychological assessment that would be used to assess their credit worthiness. Part of that included a flashcard game, a cognitive test where participants are shown an image that goes away after they press a key and is replaced by a second image. They then have to determine whether the second image matches the first. After completing 20 trials, applicants were asked to indicate how they performed in comparison with others on a scale of 1 to 100. When the researchers compared the actual scores with applicants' predictions, they found that people with more education, more income and a higher perceived social class had an exaggerated belief that they would perform better than others, compared with their lower-class counterparts. Another two investigations involving more than 1,400 online participants found a similar association between social class and overconfidence. In one, the researchers gave participants a trivia test. Those from a higher social class thought that they did better than others; however, when the researchers examined actual performance, it was not the case. For the final investigation, the researchers recruited 236 undergraduate students, had each answer a 15-item trivia quiz and asked them to predict how they fared compared with others. They also asked them to rate their social class and for their families' income and their mothers' and fathers' education levels. A week later, the students were brought back to the lab for a videotaped mock hiring interview. More than 900 judges, recruited online, each watched one of the videos and rated their impression of the applicant's competence. Once again, the researchers found students from a higher social class tended to be more overconfident, but they also discovered that this overconfidence was misinterpreted by the judges who watched their videos as greater competence. "Individuals with relatively high social class were more overconfident, which in turn was associated with being perceived as more competent and ultimately more hirable, even though, on average, they were no better at the trivia test than their lower-class counterparts," said Belmi. The overconfidence effect may be partially due to differences in values between the middle and working classes, according to Belmi. "In the middle class, people are socialized to differentiate themselves from others, to express what they think and feel and to confidently express their ideas and opinions, even when they lack accurate knowledge. By contrast, working-class people are socialized to embrace the values of humility, authenticity and knowing your place in the hierarchy," he said. "These findings challenge the widely held belief that everybody thinks they are better than the average. Our results suggest that this type of thinking might be more prevalent among the middle and upper classes." The findings join a growing body of research on why class-based hierarchies continue to persist generation after generation, according to Belmi. "Our results suggest that finding solutions to mitigate class inequalities may require a focus on subtle and seemingly harmless human tendencies," he said. "Although people may be well meaning, these inequalities will continue to perpetuate if people do not correct for their natural human tendency to conflate impressions of confidence with evidence of ability." ### Article: "The Social Advantage of Miscalibrated Individuals: The Relationship Between Social Class and Overconfidence and Its Implications for Class-Based Inequity," by Peter Belmi, PhD, University of Virginia; Margaret Neale, PhD, Stanford University; and David Reiff, BA, and Rosemary Ulfe, BA, LenddoEFL. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, published online May 20, 2019. Full text of the article is available online at https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/psp-pspi0000187.pdf Contact: Peter Belmi can be reached via email at BelmiP@darden.virginia.edu or by phone at (434) 924-7489 The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. APA's membership includes nearly 118,400 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people's lives. Retirees looking for the perfect place to get some rest and relaxation by the ocean should look at these beach towns in America. Florida had six of the best beach retirement destinations in the U.S., according to a recent U.S. News analysis that examined the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the nation for people to retire. The Fort Myers metro area is a popular destination for retirees because of the mild winter weather and low cost of living. Residents can spend their time on the water or walking the beach while paying about $1,000 per month for rent. For those who want to buy a house, the median price in the area runs $200,200. Daytona Beach, Melbourne, and Sarasota, Fla., are also beach towns that are affordable and have access to health care services. Jacksonville, which has 22 miles of white sand beaches, is another popular option with the median monthly rent price for apartments landing at $921, the survey said. For those looking for more of a city vibe, Miami is the place to be. Retirees can ride public transportation for free and can access quality health care, U.S. News & World reported. Residents can check out South Beach for some nightlife or escape to quieter areas of the city. Boston, Mass., was also named one of the best beach areas to retire. The city is home to the fourth best hospital in the nation and the public transportation system gives retirees the option to visit a nearby beach whenever they want. Portland, Maine, meantime, is a good option for retirees who want to experience all four seasons. Rent runs a medium of $783 per month. For some southern hospitality," retirees should head to Charleston, South Carolina. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX BUSINESS APP On the West Coast, San Diego, Calif., made the list for its abundance of beaches and nice weather during the four seasons although rent could run pretty steep compared to other towns. Heres the complete list of the best U.S. beach towns to retire to: Story continues Fort Myers, Florida Sarasota, Florida Daytona Beach, Florida San Diego Portland, Maine Miami Charleston, South Carolina Related Articles By Tim Hepher TOULOUSE, France (Reuters) - Airbus hinted on Tuesday at a price battle and imminent aircraft revamp to counter a possible new Boeing mid-sized jet, promising a "left hook, right hook" from two of its established models. U.S. planemaker Boeing is studying whether to launch a 220-270-seat jet wedged between traditional twin-aisle models like the Airbus A330 or its own 787, and the industry's bread-and-butter single-aisle models like the A320/321 and Boeing 737. Airbus aims to defend that space with its own A330neo at the top end and the best-selling A321neo at the bottom - two models boasting new engines on older airframes. "Those programs are both so mature that it gives Airbus pricing flexibility to address this middle-of-the-market segment," sales chief Christian Scherer said. He promised what he described as a "left-hook, right-hook approach" to that part of the market, using the two Airbus jets, as airlines replace Boeing 757 and some larger 767 aircraft. Boeing says its possible mid-market aircraft would be significantly more efficient than either Airbus model, but it is under pressure from airlines to develop it at the right price. Boeing continues to promote the project behind the scenes, while toning down public discussions as it focuses on resolving the crisis over its grounded 737 MAX, airline sources say. Airbus is meanwhile weighing plans to boost the A321 with a long-range version called A321XLR to pre-empt the Boeing jet. Chief Executive Guillaume Faury hinted confirmation could come at next month's Paris Airshow, saying the A321LR was the world's longest-range single-aisle jet plane "for the moment". The two giants are playing reverse roles at the top end of the $150 billion annual jet market, where Boeing's upcoming 406-seat 777X - a derivative of its 777 mini-jumbo with new engines - is up against the newer and slightly smaller A350-1000. Scherer mocked the 777X as a "re-engined Hummer" hobbled by excess weight compared with the carbon A350. Boeing, which recently won a deal to sell the 777X to British Airways after a gap in sales, maintains it is the most efficient plane per seat. Weight is one factor among several determining performance. Boeing has outsold the A350-1000 almost two to one with its 777X, but its order book is heavily dependent on Gulf carriers whose expansion plans look increasingly fragile, analysts say. MARKET REASSURANCE New operations chief Michael Schoellhorn said Airbus had launched studies on squeezing more efficiencies out of its core European factories and on whether it needed to buy capabilities currently left with its suppliers. Airbus is talking to Canada's Bombardier about a Belfast, Northern Ireland, wings plant that is up for sale. The plant makes wings for the 110-130-seat A220 jet program that Bombardier sold to Airbus last year. Airbus announced plans to bump up the range of the jet to stimulate more sales. As it ramps up production, Airbus also played down concerns from airlines that the aviation industry is reaching the top of its business cycle after a near decade-long expansion. "The market remains quite positive" and less dependent on economic cycles than before, Scherer said. Airbus officials nonetheless voiced concerns over the impact of renewed trade tensions on demand. [MKTS/GLOB] Airbus and Boeing have had a weak start to the year and last week global airlines body IATA said it expected to cut 2019 industry profit forecasts. Both companies have posted more cancellations than new business in the first four months of the year, with Boeing worst affected as it wrestles with the grounding of its 737 MAX. On Monday, Reuters reported Airbus had lost a bid to oust Boeing as sole provider of wide-body jets to Air New Zealand. But in a surprise European breakthrough, China Airlines this month forged a deal paving the way for the Taiwan carrier to switch its single-aisle fleet to Airbus from the Boeing 737 MAX. The deal to replace older 737s took years to complete and was originally drafted before the 737 MAX crisis. (Reporting by Tim Hepher; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta, Mark Potter and Alexander Smith) LAKE FOREST, Ill., May 20, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Akorn, Inc. (AKRX), a leading specialty generic pharmaceutical company, today announced that management will present at the 2019 RBC Capital Markets Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 2:05 p.m. EDT in New York, NY. A live webcast of the presentation can be accessed on the investor page of Akorn's website at http://investors.akorn.com. A replay of the webcast will also be available for 90 days on Akorn's website following the conference. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements The webcast may include forward-looking statements about, among other things, the Companys business plans and initiatives, the Companys commitments to the FDA and remediation efforts, disruptions during the Standstill Period, the Companys anticipated future operating and financial performance, business plans and prospects, product pipeline, including filings, approvals and launches, capital allocation, debt refinancing, and potential dispositions, that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risk factors include, but are not limited to: (i) the effect of the Delaware courts recent decision against the Company on the Companys ability to retain and hire key personnel, its ability to maintain relationships with its customers, suppliers and others with whom it does business, or its operating results and business generally, (ii) the risk that ongoing or future litigation related to the courts decision may result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and/or liability, (iii) the outcome of the investigation conducted by the Company with the assistance of outside consultants, into alleged breaches of FDA data integrity requirements relating to product development at the Company and any actions taken by the Company, third parties or the FDA as a result of such investigations, (iv) the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of product development efforts, including FDA and other regulatory agency approvals and actions, if any, (v) the timing and success of product launches, (vi) difficulties or delays in manufacturing, (vii) the Companys increased indebtedness and compliance with certain covenants and other obligations under the Standstill Agreement, which create material uncertainties and risks to its growth and business outlook, (viii) the Companys obligation under the Standstill Agreement to enter into a Comprehensive Amendment that is satisfactory in form and substance to the Lenders, (ix) the Companys obligation under the Standstill Agreement to pay certain fees and expenses and increased interest margin, (x) such other risks and uncertainties outlined in the risk factors detailed in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, of the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 (as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 1, 2019), to be detailed in Part II, Item 1A, Risk Factors, of the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2019 (filed with the SEC on May 7, 2019) and other risk factors identified from time to time in the Companys subsequent reports on Form 8-K and in other Company filings with the SEC. Readers should carefully review these risk factors, and should not place undue reliance on the Companys forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on information, plans and estimates at the date of this report. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, future events or other changes. The forward-looking statements in the webcast speak only as of the original date of the webcast. Akorn assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in the webcast as the result of new information or future events or developments. About Akorn Akorn, Inc. is a specialty generic pharmaceutical company engaged in the development, manufacture and marketing of multisource and branded pharmaceuticals. Akorn has manufacturing facilities located in Decatur, Illinois; Somerset, New Jersey; Amityville, New York; Hettlingen, Switzerland and Paonta Sahib, India that manufacture ophthalmic, injectable and specialty sterile and non-sterile pharmaceuticals. Additional information is available on Akorns website at www.akorn.com. Investors/Media: (847) 279-6162 Investor.relations@akorn.com Prahlad Rijal is a business reporter at The Kathmandu Post, focusing on the energy sector. Before joining the Post, Rijal was an online reporter at The Himalayan Times. EL SEGUNDO, Calif., May 20, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Beyond Meat, Inc. (BYND) (Beyond Meat or the Company), a leader in plant-based meat, today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Teri L. Witteman as General Counsel and Secretary, effective today. Reporting to Beyond Meats President and CEO Ethan Brown, Ms. Witteman will be a member of the executive team, responsible for Beyond Meats global legal affairs and compliance functions. Teris extensive legal, SEC compliance, corporate governance and operational experience in the foodservice industry make her a wonderful fit for this position, said Ethan Brown, President and CEO, Beyond Meat. Her expertise is a great match for Beyond Meats growth agenda, as we focus on building our brand nationally and globally, while expanding our public-company leadership team. Ms. Witteman comes to Beyond Meat with more than 20 years of private, public and corporate legal experience. Most recently, Ms. Witteman was a partner in private practice with Musick, Peeler & Garrett LLP in Los Angeles specializing in the areas of SEC compliance, corporate governance, and mergers and acquisitions. Ms. Witteman brings significant knowledge of the foodservice industry, having served as outside counsel and C-suite/board advisor to public and private foodservice companies, including as Secretary of Farmer Bros. Co. (FARM), a national coffee roaster, wholesaler and distributor of coffee, tea and culinary products, from 2012 to 2018. Ms. Witteman began her career with Latham & Watkins LLP in Los Angeles, where she focused on corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions. Ms. Witteman received her Juris Doctor, Order of the Coif, from UCLA School of Law, and her B.A. in Economics, with honors and distinction, from the University of California, Berkeley. She is a member of the State Bar of California. About Beyond Meat Beyond Meat is one of the fastest growing food companies in the United States, offering a portfolio of revolutionary plant-based meats. Founded in 2009, Beyond Meat has a mission of building meat directly from plants, an innovation that enables consumers to experience the taste, texture and other sensory attributes of popular animal-based meat products while enjoying the nutritional and environmental benefits of eating its plant-based meat products. Beyond Meats brand commitment, Eat What You Love, represents a strong belief that by eating its portfolio of plant-based meats, consumers can enjoy more, not less, of their favorite meals, and by doing so, help address concerns related to human health, climate change, resource conservation and animal welfare. Beyond Meats portfolio of fresh and frozen plant-based proteins are sold at more than 30,000 retail and food service outlets worldwide. Visit www.BeyondMeat.com and follow @BeyondMeat, #BeyondBurger and #GoBeyond on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Story continues Contact: Media: Allison Aronoff 858-735-7344 aaronoff@beyondmeat.com Investors: Katie Turner 646-277-1228 Katie.turner@icrinc.com (Bloomberg) -- Bitcoin held most of Mondays 13% surge as traders took in stride another delay by U.S. regulators to approve a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund. The most-liquid cryptocurrency was little changed at $8,000 as of 2:12 p.m. Tuesday in New York. The token traded in its narrowest range in more than two weeks, while the Bloomberg Galaxy Crypto Index edged up by 2%. Speculation that Cboe Global Markets Inc.s proposal may win a green light had filtered through crypto internet sites in previous days as Bitcoin rallied to within 2.5% of its one-year intraday high of $8,594. The digital asset has more than doubled during 2019. A lot of questions are still out there that the staff has. I tell everyone Dont hold your breath, said SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce on the sidelines of a conference in New York on Tuesday. If I had my way, we would have already had one and maybe we would have had more. The SEC on Monday asked for additional comments on Cboes plan to list an ETF from VanEck Associates Corp. and SolidX Partners Inc. The delay does not indicate that the Commission has reached any conclusions with respect to any of the issues involved, the regulator said. The approval of an ETF would obviously be a huge thing for the crypto community, said Daire Ferguson, chief executive officer of Irish online currency platform AvaTrade Ltd. There is optimism in the market due to the recent bull run, and that optimism seems to spill over the SEC delays and negate any negative views of hopeful investors. The general feeling is that progress is made every day, little by little. Cryptocurrencies have been a hot potato for regulators partly because of their anonymous ownership and consumer complaints of scams. In the U.K., some 1,500 reports of supposed fraud were tallied last year by the Financial Conduct Authority and Action Fraud, the national reporting center for fraud and cybercrime. The Washington-based SEC pointedly asked respondents to comment on issues central to avoiding price manipulation and fraud, such as their views on how the ETFs price will be determined. Promoters plan to use a proprietary, non-public methodology that uses the privately reported bid/ask spreads of an unidentified set of U.S.-based market-makers in the OTC marketplace, the SEC said. Story continues We continue the hard work towards better-regulated, safer and more liquid digital assets markets, Gabor Gurbacs, VanEcks director of digital strategy, tweeted after the SEC announcement. Bitcoin is too big to ignore. The SEC set a 35-day period for additional comments on changing securities rules to allow VanEck SolidX Bitcoin Trust to trade. Investors should keep doing what theyre doing and not put too much weight in whether the SEC approves something or doesnt approve something, said Peirce. Because these processes can take a very long time. (Adds Peirce comments in fourth and last paragraphs.) --With assistance from Vildana Hajric. To contact the reporter on this story: Todd White in Madrid at twhite2@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Samuel Potter at spotter33@bloomberg.net, Cecile Gutscher, Dave Liedtka For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. Over the past few weeks, Bank of America BAC has been announcing closure of its financial centers. Recently, the bank informed the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency that it plans to shutter branches in Washington, Henderson, Highlands and Marion. Nonetheless, ATM service will likely be retained in these areas. Apart from these, four branches in the rural areas of North Carolina will be closed as well. Notably, all the employees of these financial centers are being offered jobs elsewhere within the bank. Per the BofA spokeswoman Jennifer Darwin, the primary reason for shutting down branch network is shift in how our clients are banking. Increased use of mobiles and online banking for doing basic banking transactions is lowering the financial viability of keeping branches. Darwin wrote in an email, Our decision here is really based on the need to balance customer preference and opportunities for growing our business. Some of the other states where BofA intends to close financial centers are Kansas, Illinois and Arizona. Almost all these branches will close in July-August. Also, BofA is undertaking initiatives to introduce digital banking options, including its AI financial advisor Erica which had nearly 6.3 million users as of Mar 31, 2019. The companys digital payments service Zelle is also making its presence felt with roughly 5.4 million users as on the same date. Further, BofA is planning to expand to new cities, open nearly 500 new financial centers and redesign 2,500 centers with technology upgrades by 2021. The company is opening fully automated branches that will feature ATMs and video conferencing facility. Further, it has announced plans to add 2,200 more ATMs to its network. All these efforts will support cross-selling opportunities, with an aim to further strengthen the companys Consumer Banking segment. Shares of BofA have rallied 15.3% so far this year, outperforming the industrys rise of 11.6% Story continues Currently, BofA carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Other Banks Shutting Down Branches Last month, U.S. Bancorp USB announced its plan to close nearly 10-15% of branch network over the next two years. The key reason for this is to align its branch network to the changing customer needs. Additionally, JPMorgan JPM and Citigroup C are undertaking similar actions based on financial viability and changing clients banking preferences toward online and mobile banking. 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 >> 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 Bank of America Corporation (BAC) : Free Stock Analysis Report JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) : Free Stock Analysis Report Citigroup Inc. (C) : Free Stock Analysis Report U.S. Bancorp (USB) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Amended public procurement regulation may lead to summary termination of contracts A large number of contracts of the ongoing development projects run the risk of being terminated following the governments recent amendment to the public procurement regulations stating that no contract may be extended beyond half of the original period. FILE PHOTO: Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor Haruhiko Kuroda attends the Paris Europlace International Financial Forum in Tokyo, Japan, November 19, 2018. REUTERS/Toru Hanai By Leika Kihara TOKYO (Reuters) - Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda on Tuesday warned that escalating U.S.-China trade tensions could hurt business sentiment and inflict widespread damage on the economy. Worries that the United States and China were digging in for a longer, costlier trade war weighed on markets, adding to headaches for policymakers in Tokyo fretting about the impact on Japan's export-reliant economy. "If trade tensions persist, they would have a widespread impact on global and Japanese economies via business sentiment and market developments," Kuroda told parliament. "We hope the United States and China engage in constructive discussions," he said. Other Japanese policymakers also voiced concern over damage from the trade war but maintained their view Japan's economy was on a solid footing, signalling that Tokyo plans to proceed with a scheduled sales tax hike in October. "We're seeing some manufacturers delaying capital expenditure plans," Finance Minister Taro Aso told parliament on Tuesday. "But corporate profits are high and the fundamentals supporting domestic demand remain solid." Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said the government is already planning to take sufficient steps to mitigate the pain from the tax hike. "We'll do our utmost to respond to concerns over the impact" the tax hike could have on the economy, Suga told a briefing on Tuesday, suggesting that Tokyo will go ahead with it and deal with any damage to growth through additional spending. CALLS TO POSTPONE Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has repeatedly said he would proceed with the twice-delayed tax increase to 10% from 8% in October. But some lawmakers have called for a postponement on concern it could tip Japan into recession. Data on Monday showed Japan's economic growth unexpectedly accelerated in January-March, though weakness in consumption and capital expenditure kept alive market speculation Abe could delay the tax hike. Former BOJ Deputy Governor Kikuo Iwata, among architects of the premier's "Abenomics" stimulus programmes, said the gross domestic product (GDP) data looked "pretty bad." "Raising the sales tax when Japan has yet to pull out of deflation could cause recession," Iwata told academics and lawmakers who met on Tuesday to discuss the potential impact of the tax increase. Story continues Markets are focusing on the government's monthly economic report for May, scheduled for release on Friday. Sources have told Reuters the government is considering revising down its economic assessment. The key is whether the report will drop its view the economy is recovering, which some analysts say would be a sign the government sees growth as too weak to weather the hit from the higher levy. A senior official of the Cabinet Office, which compiles the report, gave no hints on the assessment but said there were some weaknesses in exports and output. "The impact of China's (slowdown) is being felt among manufacturers," Tomoko Hayashi, deputy director-general, told parliament. "But we don't see domestic demand as under threat of a downturn." (Additional reporting by Yoshifumi Takemoto; Editing by Richard Borsuk) By Collin Eaton HOUSTON, May 20 (Reuters) - A unit of asset management firm Carlyle Group LP this week will appeal to the Trump administration to guarantee a two-year approval of its South Texas crude export project, officials said. Carlyle-backed Lone Star Ports LLC is vying to open the first new U.S. crude export facility that can fully load supertankers, which will require dredging a South Texas ship channel deep enough to allow fully loaded supertankers to maneuver at its planned terminal. The company plans to file paperwork with the administration's Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (FPISC) to join a list of infrastructure projects that U.S. officials hope to ease through federal, state and local reviews. Carlyle has not yet made a final investment decision on a $400 million project to dredge a portion of the Corpus Christi, Texas, ship channel to a depth of 75 feet to accommodate supertankers that carry up to 2 million barrels of crude. In March, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which issues permits for dredging projects, recommended a full environmental impact statement (EIS) for Carlyle's project. An EIS typically can add two years, if not more, to the timeline of a project, officials said. Carlyle had sought to complete a shorter review, called an environmental assessment, which can take as little as a few months. The dredging project is more likely to move forward once it is added to the FPISC's list of high-priority ventures, said Jeremiah "Jerry" Ashcroft, chief executive officer of Lone Star Ports, which will operate the planned terminal on a harbor island near Corpus Christi. "To have clarity on timing is extremely helpful for us," particularly because outside investors are typically leery of projects subject to environmental reviews that could add years to a regulatory approval process, Ashcroft said. Carlyle is in discussions with three companies to sell a 25% stake in the export project for a total of $625 million, according to a source familiar with the matter. Carlyle is also in talks to jointly operate a crude oil pipeline from Houston to Corpus Christi, the source said. A deal with one of the three companies could happen as early as Friday, according to the source. U.S. oil exports rose to a near-record of about 3.4 million barrels a day (bpd) last week, according to the U.S. Energy Department. Carlyle's Lone Star has spent $250 million on its planned $800 million terminal, expected to begin operations in October 2020, exporting 1.4 million barrels per day. (Reporting by Collin Eaton in Houston; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe) If the BJP emerges victorious Not since Indira Gandhi would India see such a concentration of power in the hands of a single individual. (Bloomberg) -- China could retaliate against the U.S. after President Donald Trump blacklisted Huawei Technologies Co., the Chinese ambassador to the European Union said. Trump upped the ante in his trade dispute with China last week, announcing moves to curb Huaweis business that are starting to have ramifications for other companies around the world. "This is wrong behavior, so there will be a necessary response," Zhang Ming, Chinas envoy to the EU, said in an interview in Brussels on Monday. "Chinese companies legitimate rights and interests are being undermined, so the Chinese government will not sit idly by." Trump on Friday signed an order that could restrict Huawei and fellow Chinese telecommunications company ZTE Corp. from selling their equipment in the U.S. The Trump administration, which says Chinese companies are obliged to aid Beijing in espionage, also put Huawei on a blacklist that could forbid it from doing business with American companies. On Monday, the Commerce Department granted a 90-day reprieve for certain U.S. broadband companies and wireless customers using Huawei equipment. The temporary license covers continued operation of existing networks and equipment as well as support to existing handsets and other limited actions, according to a notice published in the Federal Register Monday. Zhang called the Trump administrations moves to blacklist Huawei "politically motivated" and an "abuse of export-control measures." "The U.S. government is trying to bring down Huawei through administrative means," he said. Wrong Path He added that China would "make the best possible effort to defend the legitimate right and interests of Chinese companies" and urged Washington "not to go further down the wrong path, to avoid further disturbances to China-U.S. relations." At a regular news briefing in Beijing, Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang earlier Monday said to "wait and see" with regards to what countermeasures the Chinese government and enterprises could take in response to the U.S. measures against Huawei. Story continues Chinas state media kept up its recent belligerent tone Tuesday. Repeated misjudgment by the U.S. could produce grave consequences, according to a commentary published in the Peoples Daily. Attempts to impede the historical process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will be like "a mantis trying to stop a car with its arms," it said. Washingtons actions come as the U.S. seeks to pressure China into agreeing to a wide-ranging trade deal. After Trump this month escalated a trade war with China through tariff increases on $200 billion of Chinese goods and a plan to impose levies on all further U.S. imports from the country, Zhang accused Washington of undermining more than a year of talks on an agreement. The United States has been repeatedly creating troubles to the consultation, undermining the positive momentum formed in the process of hard and tough negotiations and seeking illegitimate gains through bullying and blackmail, Zhang said. He said China would refuse to back down in the face of such tactics while keeping the door open to dialog, citing Chinese unity with Europe and other parts of the world in defending the global trade system and asserting the U.S. is isolated as a result of its unilateralism and protectionism. China has unwavering resolve to defend its legitimate right and interests, Zhang said. If the U.S. wants to fight, we will accompany to the end and we will also fight earnestly. In other words, the ball is in the U.S. court. With anti-U.S. sentiment in China growing to the point that a privately produced Chinese trade-war fight song has gone viral in Beijing, he stressed unity and resolve in the country. He also emphasized the longevity of Chinese civilization. We have been holding on for 5,000 years, Zhang said. Why not another 5,000 years? (Updates with Peoples Daily commentary in eighth paragraph.) --With assistance from Dandan Li. To contact the reporters on this story: Natalia Drozdiak in Brussels at ndrozdiak1@bloomberg.net;Jonathan Stearns in Brussels at jstearns2@bloomberg.net;Nikos Chrysoloras in Brussels at nchrysoloras@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Giles Turner at gturner35@bloomberg.net, Brendan Murray, Sarah McGregor For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. Arjun Poudel is a health reporter for The Kathmandu Post. Before joining the Post, he worked for Sagarmatha Television, Naya Patrika, Republica and The Himalayan Times. LOS ANGELES, May 20, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Schall Law Firm , a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit against Mobile TeleSystems PJSC (Mobile TeleSystems or the Company) (NYSE: MBT ) for violations of 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors who purchased the Company's shares between March 19, 2014 and March 7, 2019, inclusive (the ''Class Period''), are encouraged to contact the firm before May 20, 2019. If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate . We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall, or Sherin Mahdavian, of the Schall Law Firm, 1880 Century Park East, Suite 404, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 424-303-1964, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com , or by email at brian@schallfirm.com . The class, in this case, has not yet been certified, and until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member. According to the Complaint, the Company made false and misleading statements to the market. Mobile TeleSystems and a subsidiary engaged in a scheme to pay $420 million in bribes to officials in Uzbekistan. The Company disclosed in 2014 that it was the target of an investigation by the SEC and DOJ for its operations in Uzbekistan, and knew or should have known it would be subject to fines based on its business practices there. The Company was eventually forced to pay approximately $850 million in criminal penalties related to the bribery scheme. Based on these facts, the Companys public statements were false and materially misleading. When the market learned the truth about Mobile TeleSystems, investors suffered damages. Join the case to recover your losses. The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation. Story continues This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics. CONTACT: The Schall Law Firm Brian Schall, Esq., Sherin Mahdavian, Esq., www.schallfirm.com Office: 310-301-3335 Cell: 424-303-1964 info@schallfirm.com SOURCE: The Schall Law Firm As the situation between the United States and Iran intensifies, Rep. Steve Watkins, R-Kan., said he supports President Trump's tough stance against the regime. "The Iranian Regime employs terrorism as its main tool of statecraft. We're used to that, they've sponsored terrorism to the tune of $1 billion a year." Watkins said on FOX Business' Bulls & Bears on Monday. "What they're not used to is a President that pushes back insted of giving them pallets of cash." However, while Rep. Watkins agrees with the President's hardball approach to the conflict with Iran, he hopes diplomacy can be the main tool used to deescalate the tension. "We do need to lower the temperature. To do so, we have postured well. We floated the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group into the region. Now to deescalate, the ball is in their court. We want peace and we're hoping they do too," Watkins said. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX BUSINESS APP Recent reports have suggested the heightened tensions between Iran and the United States could be result of a miscommunication between the two nations, however as both nations have continued to meet each other with resistance deepening the divide between the two countries. Related Articles (Adds statement from America Movil) By Nelson Renteria SAN SALVADOR, May 21 (Reuters) - El Salvador's competition authority has rejected Mexican telecoms firm America Movil's bid to acquire a local unit of Telefonica, but the company controlled by the family of billionaire Carlos Slim vowed to try again. In January, Spain's Telefonica reached a deal to sell operations in Guatemala and El Salvador to America Movil. The Spanish company said the Salvadoran part of the deal had an enterprise value of 277 million euros ($309 million). In a statement on Tuesday, the Superintendence of Competition (SC) said the bid by America Movil, which is controlled by the Slim family, was "inadmissible" and that the company had been informed of the decision dated April 29. The competition authority said America Movil had on May 15 signaled that it would exercise its right soon to begin a new attempt to win approval for the Telefonica purchase. Once America Movil takes that step, the SC would analyze the case put forward, the statement added. America Movil said in a statement that it would move swiftly to win approval for the deal. "Although America Movil does not share the conclusions of the (competition authority), it will soon submit a new request based on the observations made," the company said. ($1 = 0.8966 euro) (Reporting by Nelson Renteria; additional reporting by Julia Love; editing by Dave Graham and Phil Berlowitz) FILE PHOTO: An oil refinery located on a branch of the Druzhba oil pipeline, which moves crude through the pipeline westwards to Europe, is seen near Mozyr, some 300 km (186 miles) southeast of Minsk, September 11, 2013. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko/File Photo By Dmitry Zhdannikov, Olga Yagova and Gleb Gorodyankin LONDON (Reuters) - Hopes for a speedy resumption of oil exports from Russia to Poland and Germany along the Druzhba pipeline route are fading after plans to remove dirty oil from the pipeline had a major setback last week, three trading sources said. Russia halted oil flows along the pipeline to Eastern Europe and Germany in April because of contaminated crude, leaving refiners in Europe scrambling to find supplies. Under the restart plan, Total was due to take the lion's share of the dirty oil into its Leuna refinery in Germany to dilute and process it there, sources said. The plan, not previously reported, would allow the pipeline to restart clean oil shipments after its biggest ever outage, now in its fourth week. But last week the Leuna refinery had a major outage and had to stop many units after an equipment failure which sources said was possibly related to refining the dirty oil. The outage, which sources said could last for at least another week, has derailed the dirty oil evacuation plan. Some 8-9 million barrels of contaminated oil - worth $560-$630 million (441.3-496.5 million) in normal circumstances - are still sitting in the pipeline. "The plan has collapsed. Someone needs to come up with plan "B"," said an industry source who is involved in discussions about dirty oil evacuation. "At the moment, there is no plan B. It is a deadlock". Total declined to comment. Russia's pipeline monopoly Transneft and top Russian oil suppliers along Druzhba, Rosneft and Surgut, did not respond to a request for comment. The Druzhba pipeline, built in Soviet times, can pump 1 million barrels per day or 1 percent of global output. The contaminated oil crisis has become the biggest ever supply outage for Russia, the world's No.2 oil exporter. The country has had only one other significant disruption when Moscow suspended shipments in 2007 for three days over a pricing dispute with Belarus. Story continues DEADLOCK The current crisis has escalated since Belarus told oil refiners and pipeline operators in Europe nearly four weeks ago that the crude heading down the 5,500 km (3,400 mile) Druzhba was heavily contaminated with organic chloride, which is used to clean oil wells and accelerate the flow of crude. Flows via Druzhba were halted, sending crude to a six-month high above $75 a barrel and tarnishing Russia's reputation as an exporter at a time of rising competition with the United States and Middle East. Organic chloride should be removed before oil enters the supply chain as it can damage refining equipment. The dirty oil needs to be removed from the pipeline and stored so it can be diluted with clean oil. Besides Leuna, Druzhba's northern spur supplies Germany's refinery Schwedt, which is co-owned by Rosneft, ENI and Shell. It also ships oil to PKN Orlen and Grupa Lotos refineries in Poland. "Schwedt will take a much more cautious approach in taking dirty oil after the Leuna outage," a second trading source said. A third trading source said Schwedt was not taking dirty oil. Rosneft, ENI and Shell declined to comment. PKN Orlen and Grupa Lotos also declined to comment on options for evacuating the dirty oil. PKN's chief executive said on Monday Poland would not be able to get clean oil from Russia until refineries agree how to divide tainted crude still in the system. Russia has repeatedly promised to restart clean oil flows towards Belarus, Poland and Germany "within days". But it has yet to happen and even when it happens it will not mean the crisis is over, traders said. "All this news about clean oil flows resumption is meaningless. Dirty oil is still blocking the pipelines," said the first industry source. Russian officials will meet with European pipeline firms and oil buyers later this week to discuss the impasse. A fourth industry source familiar with discussions said one of the suggestions for dirty oil evacuation was to reverse the pipeline and pump oil from Poland, Germany and Belarus back to Russia for storage and dilution. But the oil has already changed hands multiple times and the Russian government has collected taxes and customs duties after the oil crossed the border. All those payments would need to be reversed in a unprecedented move for the Russian government and the oil industry, the fourth source said. (Graphic - Map of the Russian oil pipeline, https://tmsnrt.rs/2DytnnM) (Additional reporting by Olesya Astakhova, Alexander Ershov, Maxim Nazarov, Katya Golubkova, Felix Bate, Anna Koper; Writing by Dmitry Zhdannikov; Editing by Jane Merriman) As a financial advisor shortage looms, college programs look to help fill the talent gap About 40% of financial advisors plan to retire within the next 10 years. Because more certified financial planners are over 70 than under 30, replacing those professionals will be a challenge for the industry. New college programs are cropping up to help the industry fill those seats. For new graduates, that means an abundance of jobs. When Julie Penwell graduates from Central Washington University this spring, she plans to pursue the career she has been dreaming about since she was 15-years-old that of a personal financial planner. Penwell decided to pursue the profession after a high school financial planning class gave her what she describes as "base level financial literacy" and an insatiable desire to learn more. Now, she is studying for the exam to become a certified financial planner, while working two jobs and serving as the president of her school's Personal Financial Planning Club. "You get to work with people and help them meet their goals," Penwell said. "Just the idea of getting to make a difference in someone's life, that's what drives my motivation for it." Penwell, 21, will be one of the first graduates from the new personal financial planning program at Central Washington University, located in Ellensburg, Washington. The program's debut comes as the financial services industry at large faces a shortage of new financial planners coming into the field. About 40% of financial advisors plan to retire within the next 10 years, according to Cerulli Associates, a provider of data and research on the financial services industry. That leaves the industry scrambling to find fresh talent to fill those seats. "We are really on the edge of a succession cliff," said Marina Shtyrkov, wealth management research analyst at Cerulli Associates. "In the next decade, advisor head count is going to begin declining pretty rapidly." That trend is happening alongside big industry shifts, including the move toward automated financial advice. Big names behind some of those platforms including Betterment and Vanguard are promising human financial planners at the other end of their phone lines. Story continues "In some ways, perhaps counterintuitively, technology is making the human advisor even more valuable," said Kevin Keller, CEO of the CFP Board, which provides the CFP certification and sets ethics standards for the industry. There are 311,305 financial advisors in the U.S. wealth management industry, according to Cerulli. One in 4 of U.S. financial advisors a total of 83,106 currently hold the CFP certification. There are currently more CFPs over the age of 70 than under the age of 30, according to the CFP Board. New education efforts hope to help fill that talent shortage. "It's creating an awesome opportunity for the schools that do have this program and the students who select it," said Luke Dean, associate professor of personal finance planning at Utah Valley University. The university, located in Orem, Utah, currently boasts about 300 declared personal finance planning majors on its campus of roughly 40,000 students. The number of such declared majors could be as high as about 500, Dean said, including those students who are away on two-year overseas missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (About 62.1% of Utahns are LDS members, or Mormons, according to U.S. Census data.) Because industry demand is so high, many students have more than one job offer upon graduation, according to Dean. Over last Thanksgiving break, Dean said, he spoke with three different female students who all shared the same problem: They each had three job offers and didn't know which one to take. "I kind of had to laugh at them and say, 'Your life is so terrible. You have three amazing job offers at three amazing firms,'" Dean said. Female students are highly sought after, in part due to a shortage of women professionals in the industry, Dean said. But all graduating students usually find a fit, he said. "We get more job offers than we have students," Dean said. And while that's great for the students, the industry is still behind. "We're trending in the right direction, but we need to trend that way a lot faster," Dean said. Other schools are getting that message and adding financial planning programs of their own. The idea for Central Washington University's program came after the dean of its College of Business spoke with an alumnus in the CFP profession, who lamented that there were a lack of college programs. That was in 2015, and by fall 2018 the school had hired Steele Campbell, a personal financial planning Ph.D. student at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, to help grow the program. Today, Central Washington University has 18 students graduating from the program in June, and expects around 50 majors in the fall. The program is special to Steele for two reasons. As a Washington native, he had to leave the state to pursue his financial planning education. Now, that is no longer necessary in order to find a CFP-registered program, he said. Plus, he can also promise every student that they can get a job in what they are studying, which gives him a "great deal of joy." "I would love to take as many students as we can get into the program without sacrificing the quality," Steele said. More from FA Playbook: Are financial advisors prepared for cyber attacks? Advisors see first decrease in base pay in years What advisors are telling clients about Trump's trade-war tweets At the University of Arizona, the school's new financial planning program is just wrapping up its first academic year. The school had hoped for up to 20 students declare it as a major. They currently have about 40, according to Rick Rosen, program director of the financial planning program at the University of Arizona. That includes some seniors who have rearranged their entire majors, Rosen said. The Tucson-based school, with about 45,000 total students, offers ample exposure to Wall Street firms with offices in Phoenix, such as Charles Schwab, Vanguard and TIAA, Rosen said. "It was a program that every one of us felt we needed," he added. "It's an industry that is rapidly growing." That goes particularly as baby boomers in or near retirement prepare to hand their wealth over to younger generations. "There clearly was a shortage in qualified people to assist in that endeavor," Rosen said. As the industry works to fill seats that are being vacated by older advisors, it is turning to different sources for new talent. That also includes accelerated certificate programs, where students take about six classes and then take the CFP exam. For advisors who do not have a college financial planning program in their area, that can mean turning to other ways to fill positions. That is what Eric M. Freckman, managing partner at Guillaume & Freckman in Palatine, Illinois, did. Freckman, an alumnus of Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, contacted professors at his alma mater to let them know he was hiring. That is how he connected with Kory M. Orellana, 22, who joined the firm as a financial planning analyst 10 months ago. Orellana was a finance major at Taylor. Now, he is studying for the CFP exam while getting one-on-one guidance from the firm's small team. "We don't have a formal training program," Freckman said, of the firm's approach. "Just hang out with me all day and we'll get there together." That training has offered fast exposure to what it is like to be a financial advisor. "They really invest a lot in me and want me to grow and learn," Orellana said. The learning curve over the last 10 months has been dramatic, he said, but he feels like he is just scratching the surface of what he wants to learn. The most satisfaction comes from helping clients, Orellana said, who may not have otherwise known what to do with their money. "It accomplishes a greater good in helping give people practical advice." More From CNBC TORONTO, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fintech Select Ltd. (Fintech Select or the Company) (FTEC.V) is pleased to announce that it has signed a five years definitive Joint Venture Agreement (the JV Agreement) with Raseed (Raseed), a Libyan company, and a provider of innovative financial payment solutions in Libya. Raseed is a well-established leader in financial payment services, serving government, local banks, and telecom companies and aims to help modernize the countrys financial services and telecom sectors by bringing such up to international standards. With the ability to leverage Fintech Selects wide spectrum of payment capabilities, including prepaid card, e-wallet services along with bill, mobile, online and international payments, Raseed will be able to offer a full suite of fintech solutions to its local customers. We believe that there is tremendous opportunity in the Libyan market including unprecedented growth prospects for Fintech Select through its partnership with Raseed. With this partnership we are able to open up new revenue opportunities. stated Mohammad Abuleil, President and CEO of Fintech Select. Dr. Omar Shuran, CEO of Raseed, added Raseed is very excited to be partnering with Fintech Select to provide innovative financial payment technology solutions to our strategic customers in Libya, and we look forward to monetizing various opportunities in the pipeline with Fintech Select. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Mohammad Abuleil, President & CEO or Shelley Alliet @ - Investor@fintechselect.com About Fintech Select Ltd. Fintech Select is a provider of robust and disruptive Pre-Paid Card programs and mobile banking solutions. Fintech Select has enabled these core assets which operate through separate divisions to work together harmoniously to create a new and ubiquitous environment for consumers and businesses alike. Fintech select also operates an international call centre that provides fulfillment and customer service support to customers across all three platforms mentioned. Our mission is to provide customers with choice, convenience and cost-effective ways to facilitate traditional and crypto financial transactions. Story continues Follow us on: https://www.facebook.com/FintechSelect https://twitter.com/fintech_select https://www.instagram.com/fintechselect https://www.linkedin.com/company/fintechselect/ 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. CHICAGO, May 20, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Midwest Bank today announced it is expanding its footprint in Milwaukee by opening a Commercial Banking office to better serve clients across Wisconsin. In January 2019, First Midwest established a wealth presence through its acquisition of Northern Oak Wealth Management, a registered investment adviser with approximately $800 million of assets under management. We have been looking to further expand our footprint in Milwaukee for some time given the markets proximity to Chicago and the growth between these two metropolitan areas, said Michael L. Scudder, Chairman and CEO of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Our new Commercial Banking office enhances our commercial and wealth capabilities in Milwaukee and provides clients in this market with one-on-one access to our bankers, as well a broader range of commercial real estate, private banking and wealth management solutions. First Midwests Commercial Banking office is comprised of teams focused on middle market and commercial real estate. Daniel Brandt recently joined First Midwest to lead its commercial real estate team. Prior to joining First Midwest, he was a Senior Vice President and Relationship Manager in the Commercial Real Estate division at Old National Bank. Regina Levchets, Vice President, also joins the Milwaukee commercial real estate team from Old National Bank. She has more than 12 years of real estate, business development and relationship management experience. Daniel and Regina join Mark Bruss, Senior Vice President and Commercial Banking Officer, who was hired in 2018 to enhance and grow First Midwests corporate and institutional banking capabilities in the middle market. As we looked to expand our commercial capabilities in Milwaukee, it was important for us to add local, established bankers who know the market, said Mike Jamieson, Executive Vice President and Director of Commercial Banking. Daniel and Regina have more than a decade of commercial real estate experience and impressive track records in servicing Milwaukee-based clients. We are excited to welcome them to First Midwest. Story continues About First Midwest First Midwest (FMBI) is a relationship-focused financial institution and one of the largest independent publicly traded bank holding companies based on assets headquartered in Chicago and the Midwest, with approximately $17 billion of assets and $12 billion of assets under management. First Midwests principal subsidiary, First Midwest Bank, and other affiliates provide a full range of commercial, treasury management, equipment leasing, consumer, wealth management, trust and private banking products and services through locations in metropolitan Chicago, northwest Indiana, southeast Wisconsin, central and western Illinois, and eastern Iowa. Visit First Midwest at www.firstmidwest.com. CONTACT: Maurissa Kanter SVP, Director of Corporate Communications (708) 831-7345 maurissa.kanter@firstmidwest.com Mishras resignation throws the future of the governmental think tank into disarray Insiders believe Chaitanya Mishras discomfort with governmental bureaucracy was the primary reason behind his departure Ford Motor Co to cut 10% of white-collar jobs as part of global restructuring By Ben Klayman DETROIT (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co said on Monday it will eliminate about 10% of its global salaried workforce, cutting about 7,000 jobs by the end of August as part of its larger restructuring in a move that will save the No. 2 automaker $600 million annually. Ford Chief Executive Officer Jim Hackett said in an email to employees that the cuts include both voluntary buyouts and layoffs, and a spokesman added it freezes open positions as well. About 2,300 of the affected people are employed in the United States, the spokesman said. "To succeed in our competitive industry, and position Ford to win in a fast-changing future, we must reduce bureaucracy, empower managers, speed decision making, focus on the most valuable work and cut costs," Hackett said in the email. Ford has been restructuring its operations globally to improve profitability and speed product development, making or announcing cuts in Europe, South America and Russia. The automaker also has signed a deal with Germany's Volkswagen AG to join forces on commercial vans and pickup trucks. The companies are also negotiating a broader alliance for electric and self-driving vehicle development. U.S. President Donald Trump has pushed boosting auto sector employment, harshly criticizing automakers, especially General Motors Co for cutting jobs, but has focused primarily on blue-collar cuts at factories rather than white-collar reductions. The White House did not immediately comment on Monday about Ford's salaried cuts. Restructuring work continues in Europe, China, South America and the International Markets Group and the Dearborn, Michigan-based company expects to complete the process in those markets by the end of August, said Hackett, who has described 2019 as a year of transition for the company. Within the cuts, Hackett said it will eliminate close to 20% of upper-level managers, a move intended to reduce bureaucracy and speed up decision making. Before the redesign of its operations, Ford had up to 14 organizational layers, but that will be cut to nine by year-end, Hackett said. Notification to North American employees will begin on Tuesday and the majority will be completed by May 24, he said. The Ford family are the controlling shareholders. Hackett said it would give those affected by the job cuts a few days to wrap up and say goodbye, emphasizing Ford's position as a family company. That stood in contrast to how GM handled layoffs earlier this year where employees were asked to leave immediately. (Reporting by Ben Klayman, additional reportuing by David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by Susan Thomas and Grant McCool) Huawei said Sunday it was ready to roll out 5G infrastructure across Southeast Asia. Hundreds of millions of smartphone users will be affected by Google's decision to sever its Android operating system ties with Chinese handset maker Huawei. The decision, in the midst of a US trade war with China, means that Huawei users will start losing access to Google's proprietary services such as Gmail and Maps, and be shut out of future upgrades to Android on their phones. The move by the California internet giant on the software front was compounded by news that US chipmakers have stopped supplying Huawei, hitting the hardware of its phones. - Many customers affected - Huawei sold nearly 203 million phones last year, up from 150 million in 2017, according to data tracking firm Gartner, overtaking Apple to threaten Samsung atop the global charts. For the first quarter of 2019, before its recent run-in with President Donald Trump's administration, Huawei sold 59 million handhelds, IDC calculated. Those users risk losing access to important upgrades to Android released by Google in future, although for now Huawei said it would continue to provide security updates. The Chinese company will only be able to access software patches and distribute them from Android's open source project, not proprietary information retained by Google, meaning that apps on Huawei phones could become unusable. - No easy fix for Huawei - To get around the Google ban, Huawei would ultimately have to build its own operating system, as Apple has for its iPhones. That cannot be done in a hurry. Microsoft offers a salutary example. Between 2010 and 2017, the US company tried to entice users to buy phones built on its own Windows mobile operating system. But the phones never took off and the company pulled the plug on the OS. Huawei does have a big advantage over Microsoft, given the bigger scale of its mobile market penetration. Software developers might feel compelled to offer a Huawei-specific version of their apps. Or the Chinese manufacturer could start a new branch of the Android family based on the open source version available now. Story continues But that will all take time. - Risks for Google too - The widespread mobile usage of Maps, Gmail and Google's other services has helped the US company build a market-leading position with Android alongside its crushing dominance in desktop browsing. But in cutting off Huawei, Google risks being deprived of the revenue-generating data of all those phone owners around the world. And other Chinese smartphone makers, such as Xiaomi, Oppo and OnePlus, will be watching closely. Should Huawei build its own system, it's conceivable that those companies might join it, in a bid to end their own vulnerability to future actions by the US government or companies. By Guy Faulconbridge and Ron Bousso LONDON (Reuters) - Greenpeace activists blocked the entrance to BP's London headquarters on Monday, demanding one of the world's biggest energy companies ends all new oil and gas exploration or goes out of business. Greenpeace activists arrived at the building in St James' Square in central London at 0200 GMT and encased themselves in specially designed containers to block all of the main entrances. A team of activists abseiled from the top of the building and placed huge letters over the windows reading 'CLIMATE EMERGENCY'. "BP is fuelling a climate emergency that threatens millions of lives and the future of the living world," said Paul Morozzo, a Greenpeace activist. "The science is clear - we must stop searching for new oil and gas if we want a liveable planet. BP must clean up or clear out," Morozzo said. BP said that impeding safe entry and exit from the building was dangerous and "clearly a matter for the police to resolve as swiftly as possible." "We welcome discussion, debate, even peaceful protest on the important matter of how we must all work together to address the climate challenge," the BP statement added. London's Met Police later said four people had been arrested for aggravated tresspass and that police remained on the scene. BP is due to hold its annual general meeting (AGM) of shareholders on Tuesday in the Scottish oil city of Aberdeen. Greenpeace said it would keep the London HQ closed for at least a week. "At their AGM tomorrow BP's [CEO] Bob Dudley has a choice - he can immediately end oil exploration and start switching to 100% renewables or wind down the company," Morozzo said. BP this year backed a resolution being put to investors on Tuesday for it to be more transparent about its emissions, link executive pay to reducing emissions from BP's operations and show how future investments meet the 2015 Paris climate agreement to limit global warming. But as BP's 2018 carbon emissions rose to their highest in six years, the London-based major is being lobbied by activists and an increasing number of shareholders to ensure its operations are in line with goals set by the 2015 Paris climate deal to curb global warming. Environmental activists led by British climate group Extinction Rebellion last month scaled scaffolding at the London headquarter of rival Royal Dutch Shell, painting slogans in red while activists glued themselves to the building doors. Story continues Shell has agreed to the industry's most ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. BP, which employs 73,000 people, produces 3.8 million barrels of oil equivalent per day - more than OPEC members such as United Arab Emirates or Kuwait. BP has said it aims to keep emissions from its operations flat in the decade until 2025, despite strong growth in its business which has been rebuilding after facing $67 billion in fines and clean-up costs following the disastrous 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill. (Editing by Michael Holden, Keith Weir and David Evans) Nearly one in three adults (32%) say they are more anxious than they were last year, according to a recent report by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). Only a quarter (24%) report being less anxious than last year these are similar to changes in anxiety reported over the last two years. The poll results reinforce the fact that basic needs, such as personal safety or finances, have a large impact on a persons mental well-being, says APA President Altha Stewart, M.D. We urge anyone who is struggling with anxiety, regardless of the reason, to seek treatment. But getting to the root cause of distress can be more difficult to diagnose when its not a physical problem -- emotional and mental health issues are oftentimes left undetected and untreated for too long. Approximately 40 million American adults about 18% of the population struggle with anxiety, and nearly 7% of the population has reported at least one depressive episode in a given year, as reported by the National Institute of Mental Health. Feeling ashamed often goes hand in hand with any mental or emotional struggle, particularly in a professional setting. The pressure to work and perform at 100% can be paralyzing during a depressive phase, coupled with the fear of losing employment. In an ideal world, you should be able to disclose a mental health issue without being discriminated against, but the reality is we dont live in that perfect world, says Darcy Gruttardo, director at the Center of Workplace Mental Health. About half of workers in the APA survey expressed concerns about discussing mental health issues at work; a third worried about consequences if they seek help. For those thinking about talking about it at work, Gruttardo recommends talking to your primary care doctor first to get any symptoms under control, before approaching human resources or an employee assistance program (EAP). Is the organization ill? Workers should also recognize that the organization they work for could be dysfunctional: The more disturbing the workplace, the more vulnerabilities and personal foibles will emerge, says Dr. Lynn Friedman, a clinical psychologist and executive career counselor based in Washington, D.C. Story continues Just like physical ailments, mental health can worsen from working long hours, lack of sleep, stress, overwhelming workloads, and toxic work environments.One way to support people to be healthy is to look at areas of dysfunction in the workplace and address them in a direct and straightforward way, says Friedman. Managers have a big role to play in raising awareness, getting rid of the stigma, and treating this like any other issue, says Gruttardo. While more companies today are creating holistic wellness programs to cultivate a culture of openness, less than a third of those who struggle with mental health get the treatment they need. Costs for care can be prohibitive as health insurance plans are less comprehensive particularly when it comes to mental and behavioral issues. Most people polled by the APA said they would help guide a troubled co-worker to mental health resources. Three out of four workers said they would recognize signs of anxiety or depression. But one in four workers say they would not know where to guide their co-worker for mental health help. These results show both encouraging and concerning aspects of mental health in the workplace, says Stewart. The extent to which people are willing to reach out and help colleagues is encouraging. However, the continued hesitancy among many to talk about mental health concerns in the workplace is troubling and illustrates the ongoing stigma against mental illness. We have work to do to get to the point where people are as comfortable talking about mental health concerns as they are about physical health concerns. 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: This is Americas only public school dedicated to homeless youth Holly Robinson Peete shares what you need to know when you have an autistic child More than half of Millennials in their 30s still banking on Mom and Dad Employers say this is the most annoying characteristic of new grads No more bad management The role of effective governance cannot be overstated for achieving sustained economic growth (Bloomberg) -- Huawei Technologies Co. said its working on its own operating system for its mobile handsets and will consider rivals to Googles Android, after the U.S. blacklisted the company, threatening its partnerships with chip, component and software suppliers. The Chinese telecom equipment giant said Tuesday it was in talks with the Alphabet Inc. unit about how to proceed after Google confirmed it would cut access to some of Huaweis operating system features for the companys new devices in response to the announcement. Should Googles system no longer be available, "then the alternative option will naturally come out -- either from Huawei or someone else," Abraham Liu, Huaweis representative to the European Union institutions, said at an event in Brussels on Tuesday. Liu said Huawei had been working on its own operating system but that he didnt have the details about when this would be ready. Huawei would do everything in its power to mitigate the impact of the U.S. decisions, Liu said. The Trump administration late last week signed an order that could restrict Huawei -- which it says is obliged to support Beijing spying -- from selling equipment in the U.S. Washington also put Huawei on a blacklist, threatening its supply of American components from semiconductors to the Google apps that run on its smartphones. "Obviously there is a challenge here," said Liu. "I hope that very soon that the leaders from my consumer business group will be able to share with you our new strategy based on the new situation." Android continues to power Huaweis smartphones globally, and the Chinese company depends on Googles most popular apps to win mobile phone shoppers. Huawei phones outside China have used a version of Android that comes with a package of Google services, including search, Maps, YouTube and -- crucially -- the Play store for downloading a range of apps. There are few major alternatives to Android, the dominant operating system for smartphones. Blackberry shut down its OS in 2016, Microsoft Corp. has all but ended support for its Windows Phone system, and Samsung Electronics Co.s Tizen is used for the companys smartwatches. Story continues The U.S. Department of Commerce on Monday granted a 90-day relief for certain U.S. broadband companies and wireless customers using Huawei equipment. For Huawei phone users, the temporary reprieve means Google will be able to provide key Android security updates during the 90-day time frame, but future Huawei phones will still lack Googles apps. "For existing models already in market -- there is no major impact," Liu said of Huawei devices running on Googles Android. "For the future one, both teams are still working together to figure out what to do." Bloomberg reported late Monday that Huawei has been pitching app makers and European carriers in a bid to develop and spread its own mobile app store in Europe. The companys proprietary app store would have been an important feature of Huaweis own operating system, which it said last year it had started to build. That faces uncertainty now that U.S. companies may be restricted from contributing to it. Huawei is said to have stockpiled enough chips and other vital components to keep its business running for at least three months. Its been preparing for such an eventuality since at least the middle of 2018, hoarding components while designing its own chips, people familiar with the matter said. Liu said Tuesday that while there might be "some minor impact of some components or parts, I can assure that the leading, advanced solutions has been safeguarded by our own back-up plan." To contact the reporter on this story: Natalia Drozdiak in Brussels at ndrozdiak1@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Giles Turner at gturner35@bloomberg.net, Nate Lanxon For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg Opinion) -- Many view the U.S. action against Huawei Technologies Co. as just another twist in President Donald Trump's broader trade war. That may be naive. It's also the world's best hope of avoiding a more damaging conflict. Optimists expect Trump to let Huawei off the hook eventually after using the company as a bargaining chip to squeeze trade concessions from Beijing, in the same way that he did with the smaller Chinese electronics maker ZTE Corp. last year. Its unlikely to play out that way, though. the U.S. administrations twin decisions last week to halt the use of Huawei equipment and block the sale of components to the Chinese company are a major escalation beyond trade-war posturing. The Commerce Departments decision to offer temporary relief for some U.S. customers using Huawei equipment is only a minor easing. There are key differences with ZTE. For one thing, Huawei hasnt been directly accused of any wrongdoing. It was a year ago this week that Trump tweeted he was intervening in the ZTE case. Recall that the Chinese company was slapped with a ban on buying American parts not because of security concerns or the trade war, but because it violated sanctions against Iran and then reneged on a deal with U.S. authorities. There was a clear legal premise to punish ZTE, one that doesnt exist for Huawei. The Chinese government and Huaweis management appreciate the difference between the two cases. This has hardened attitudes in Beijing, which wont change its path. Knowing that the U.S. president is willing to hold one of its most important companies hostage, Chinas government and companies have accepted that they must achieve technological independence. To see whats at stake, consider that China is the worlds largest market for smartphones, almost all of which use U.S. chips. Its also home to brands that collectively account for at least two-thirds of global handset shipments. Imagine a scenario in which 65% of the worlds phones dont have a single U.S. component. Story continues Right now, if youre the head of a U.S. company with factories in China that supply to Huawei, you should be worried. Huaweis first move would be to rush around to all those American-owned facilities to extract any products being made for the Chinese company before its cut off by the U.S. ban. Thats going to leave factory lines empty and Chinese workers out of jobs. If Huawei picks up the slack itself, or hands work over to local suppliers, new jobs will be created for local workers. The same cant be said for Americans employed in China or back home. Its likely to be a similar story for products supplied to Huawei from the U.S., where there wont be any replacement jobs opening up. Whether or not Trump reopens the spigot on U.S. components, the thousands of jobs created to supply those products will remain in jeopardy. The impact on employment is one reason to hope its not too late to backtrack. A major factor in the decision to spare ZTE was jobs, according to Trump himself: Chinese jobs, at that. A threat to U.S. jobs should be considered even more important. Theres also the possibility that a dive in the U.S. stock market could cause the White House to reconsider. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index plunged 4 percent on Monday, partly on the Huawei ban, driving losses in broader U.S. stock indexes. The suspicion remains, though, that the die is already cast: Its too late to expect that a tech Cold War can be avoided, that jobs wont be lost, and that the digital Iron Curtain Trump drew last week can be lifted. We can only pray that this is one time the naive view proves correct. To contact the author of this story: Tim Culpan at tculpan1@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: Matthew Brooker at mbrooker1@bloomberg.net This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Tim Culpan is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering technology. He previously covered technology for Bloomberg News. For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com/opinion 2019 Bloomberg L.P. The iShares MSCI India ETF (INDA) has rocketed higher today, with the exchange-traded fund (ETF) pacing for its best session since March 2016. Specifically, INDA shares were last seen 4.5% higher at $35.22, as exit polls suggest a win for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Votes will be counted on Thursday, May 23, after a seven-week election. Against this backdrop, INDA is seeing unusual options activity this morning. The ETF took a hit earlier this month amid concerns about global trade, and briefly breached its 200-day moving average. This trendline acted as a formidable ceiling for INDA shares from late 2018 into early March. However, the fund is now back above this trendline, and has trimmed its month-to-date loss to under 1%. INDA etf chart may 20 At last check, INDA has seen more than 7,700 put options change hands -- nine times the average intraday volume, and more than triple the ETF's average daily put activity. For comparison, just under 1,900 INDA calls have traded so far today, in line with the norm. Digging deeper, most of the action has transpired at the June 34 put, which assumed front-month status after last Friday's close. More than 4,400 contracts have crossed the tape at this strike today, though most traded closer to the bid price, pointing to seller-driven volume. For those selling to open the June 34 put, they expect INDA shares to remain north of $34 through the close on Friday, June 21, when the options expire. Today's appetite for near-term puts is less unusual when looking at the Indian ETF's open interest configuration, though. Specifically, its Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 9.86 indicates that put open interest outnumbers call open interest by a margin of nearly 10-to-1, when looking at options that expire within the next three months. This ratio is in the 90th percentile of its annual range, suggesting short-term traders have rarely been more put-biased in the past year. Binod Ghimire covers parliamentary affairs and human rights for The Kathmandu Post. Since joining the Post in 2010, he has reported primarily on social issues, focusing on education and transitional justice. (Bloomberg) -- Sign up for Next China, a weekly email on where the nation stands now and where it's going next. Ping An Insurance (Group) Co. employed about 1.4 million people to peddle policies last year. Yet its Jack Mas newest online disruptor that is stealing the show - with 50 workers and visions of serving 300 million customers. Mas Ant Financial conglomerate launched healthcare-coverage product Xiang Hu Bao in October and already has about 65 million clients. They pay small monthly fees that are pooled to help cover treatment costs for members stricken by diseases such as cancer, Alzheimers and even Ebola. No insurance company would service a customer base of this size, Yin Ming, a vice president for Ant Financial who oversees Xiang Hu Bao, said in an interview. They wouldnt attempt it. Call it crowdfunding for health care - an emerging industry in China that itself is becoming crowded. Ant Financial is one of at least 50 companies, including ride hailing giant Didi Chuxing and a startup backed by Tencent Holdings Ltd., upending the conventional health-insurance business by creating what essentially are online collectives. Its a unique business model that probably only can be pulled off in China. The countrys leapfrog into the smartphone age means more than 700 million people can sign up, make monthly payments and even upload medical documents and bills with just a few clicks. The pervasive use of apps in China also means people are more accustomed to giving internet juggernauts - with their emporiums of gaming, shopping and banking services -- access to the most private aspects of their lives. The companies generate revenue by keeping a percentage of every payout. Typically, thats 8%. Technology-enabled insurance, which includes everything from policies sold online to wearable device-linked insurance coverage, could generate premiums of $174 billion by 2020, according to a report by research consultant Oliver Wyman on what it calls Insuretech. Story continues In China, an underdeveloped insurance market enjoying double-digit growth, the disruptions triggered by Insuretech are causing an insurance industry revolution, the report said. Chinas conventional insurance industry is a fledgling one. The country only started rebuilding the sector in the 1970s, initially through state insurer Peoples Insurance Co. (Group) of China Ltd., according to a report by Swiss Re. Thanks to rising incomes and a growing awareness of health care, China is set to become the worlds largest insurance market by the mid 2030s, Swiss Re estimates. Yang Jinzhu, who owns a beauty spa in Chengdu, needed just four taps on her smartphone to join Xiang Hu Bao. Its not too expensive and it was so easy to sign up, so I thought: Why not? said Yang, 40, who also spends about 1,000 yuan a month on commercial insurance. She then persuaded eight other people - including family members -- to do the same. What gives the upstarts an advantage is their relatively low dependence on human beings. State-backed insurers such as China Life Insurance Co. and PICC rely heavily on employees to sell policies, examine claims and disburse payments. By comparison, Ant Financial only has about 50 people working on Xiang Hu Bao, which means mutual protection. In addition to its ubiquitous payments app, Ant Financials artificial-intelligence software is getting better at recognizing claims and medical records after going through tens of millions of receipts. It can also automatically verify chops from more than 10,000 hospitals in China. When we realized that we might service hundreds of thousands, if not millions of users, we knew it couldnt all be done manually, and we needed to rely on technology, Yin said. Ant Financial envisions having 300 million members within two years - the equivalent of one in every five people in China. The demand for health care should be strong as the population ages, the rates of critical illnesses soar and people earning higher incomes seek better quality treatments. The immediate impact for traditional insurers is that they could lose the mass-market segment, so pricing could be under pressure, said Steven Lam, a Hong Kong-based analyst with Bloomberg Intelligence. Its a very intriguing model. So far, Xiang Hu Bao has reimbursed at least 49 critically ill members, it said. By comparison, Tencent-backed Waterdrop Inc. has paid out more than 470 million yuan ($68 million) to about 3,500 members via its membership program Waterdrop Mutual. Most of its 70 million-plus users never bought commercial insurance before, said Shen Peng, the founder and chief executive officer. The Beijing-based startup launched in 2016 with backing from funds including Sinovation Ventures and IDG Capital. Its seeking new financing at a valuation of more than $1 billion, with plans to automate reimbursements and develop blockchain technology, Shen said. It employs about 2,000 people. Members must be at least 28 days old and no older than 65 years. Beneficiaries cant have a history of critical illness and cant make claims during their first 180 days of membership, and they receive payouts adjusted according to age and ailment. Unlike Xiang Hu Bao, which requires no payment upfront to join, Waterdrop Mutual wants users to have at least 1 yuan in deposit. That motivates users to read the fine print, Shen said. We ask for a token upfront free because it helps us maintain our service, he said, adding that Waterdrop deposits the money in a commercial bank. While Waterdrop predates Xiang Hu Bao, Mas effort is gaining momentum. Ant Financial is best known for the PayPal-like Alipay service that underpins Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.s shopping sites. In recent years, its been redesigning financial products from money market funds to consumer credit. Yet the rollout of Xiang Hu Bao didnt go smoothly. The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission said in November that Ant Financial, Waterdrop and rivals couldnt label their services as insurance products. So Ant Financial tweaked the name to use a different Chinese character and rebranded Xiang Hu Bao as a membership-based supplement to conventional health insurance. The basic idea is that as more people join, the less they will pay. Members older than 29 days and younger than 40 are entitled to payouts of 300,000 yuan, while people 40 to 59 can receive 100,000 yuan, Ant said. Every member pays no more than 0.1 yuan - or 1 U.S. cent - toward another persons claim. Payments are deducted from users Alipay accounts. People with a history of critical illnesses arent eligible to join, and claims wont be paid within the first 90 days of membership. When a dispute arises, a jury of hundreds of thousands of preapproved users votes on whether to pay out compensation. This month, Ant Financial rolled out a plan for people 60 to 70 to cover them against cancer. These membership-based health care plans are far from perfect. They could be exposed to adverse selection, where healthier policyholders quit and less healthy members remain in the group, said Kelvin Chu, a Hong Kong-based analyst for UBS Group AG. A lack of options for pricing and payouts is another limitation, he said. But for now, Ant has won over people like Yang. Every little bit helps when you have critical illness, she said. Even if theres some risk, spending a few yuan right now doesnt seem like a big issue. (Updates with Swiss Res estimate in the 10th paragraph.) To contact Bloomberg News staff for this story: Lulu Yilun Chen in Hong Kong at ychen447@bloomberg.net;John Liu in Beijing at jliu42@bloomberg.net;Edwin Chan in Hong Kong at echan273@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Peter Elstrom at pelstrom@bloomberg.net, Michael Tighe, Edwin Chan For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. Malta is known for being the Blockchain Island. This year, the country hosts the AI & Blockchain Summit bringing together industry leaders, investors, delegates and exhibitors to discuss the very latest in technology. More importantly, this year will see the Maltese Government introduce a fourth bill by giving D.A.O its own legal personality. This year, the focus is on moving beyond the hype. Theyll be a number of conferences, workshops and events to take part in. This two day event will cover blockchain regulation, how AI can be used for payments, banking and finance, and even how blockchain can be applied to the transport and logistics sector. Were really excited to be at the event. Weve got some great Malta is known for being the Blockchain Island. This year, the country hosts the AI & Blockchain Summit bringing together industry leaders, investors, delegates and exhibitors to discuss the very latest in technology. More importantly, this year will see the Maltese Government introduce a fourth bill by giving D.A.O its own legal personality. This year, the focus is on moving beyond the hype. Theyll be a number of conferences, workshops and events to take part in. This two day event will cover blockchain regulation, how AI can be used for payments, banking and finance, and even how blockchain can be applied to the transport and logistics sector. Were really excited to be at the event. Weve got some great interviews lined up and well be doing some reporting live from the event. If youre not heading over to Malta, dont worry. Just keep an eye on this space and well keep you updated! If youre attending the summit, be sure to come and say hello to us. Well be running a great competition for you to get involved with. Stop by our stand, say hi to the team and subscribe to our monthly newsletter. You could be in with a chance of winning a Trezor wallet and some exclusive Coin Rivet merchandise! Will you be attending the summit? Tweet us and introduce yourself! The post Join Coin Rivet at the Malta AI & Blockchain Summit appeared first on Coin Rivet. FILE- This Aug. 1, 2018 file photo, shows a 3D-printed gun called the Liberator at Defense Distributed, an online organization for weapons development, in Austin, Texas. New York's Democrat-controlled state Legislature has approved a measure that would ban the manufacture, sale and possession of 3D-printed guns and other undetectable firearms. The Assembly passed the bill Monday, May 20, 2019, five days after the legislation was approved by the Senate. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File) ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- Making, selling, transporting or possessing 3D-printed guns and other undetectable firearms would be banned in New York under legislation approved by the Democrat-controlled state Legislature. The Assembly passed the bill Monday, five days after the legislation was approved by the Senate. The measure would ban all firearms whose components can't be detected by security screening technology such as X-rays and metal detectors typically used at airports. The bill now goes to Gov. Andrew Cuomo for approval or veto. The third-term Democrat has successfully pushed for tighter gun control laws in New York in recent years. "We obviously support efforts to further strengthen the strongest gun safety laws in the nation, which were advanced by Governor Cuomo, but we need to review the language of this amended bill to make sure it accomplishes its stated goal," Cuomo senior advisory Richard Azzopardi said in a statement Tuesday. "This bill demonstrates our commitment to keeping our kids and communities safe through thoughtful and comprehensive legislation," Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, a Bronx Democrat, said after Monday's passage. Other states have banned 3D guns also known as "ghost guns" or are considering doing so. Earlier this month, Washington state approved new laws that tighten regulations on firearms, including a ban on undetectable guns. The bill signed into law May 7 by Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee essentially prohibits printing complete plastic guns on 3D printers, unless metal parts are included. Proposals to ban undetectable firearms have also been introduced this year in Rhode Island and Maryland. The 3D gun legislation is one of several gun-control measures approved by lawmakers in Albany this year. They include a measure that allows authorities or family members to seek a court order that would prohibit a person deemed dangerous to themselves or others from possessing a firearm. Known as the "red flag" bill, the measure was signed into law by Cuomo in February. The Legislature also approved a bill that would make it illegal to sell or manufacture bump stocks, devises that can increase the rate of fire of semi-automatic weapons. Such a device was used by the gunman who opened fire from a Las Vegas hotel room in 2017, killing 58 people at a country music concert and wounding hundreds of others. The bump stock ban bill has yet to be sent to Cuomo, who supports the legislation is expected to sign it into law. The federal government's ban on bump stocks took effect in March. Strive Life is a dispensary model and subsidiary brand of Item 9 Labs Corp, a publicly traded U.S. cannabis company headquartered in Arizona. GRAND FORKS, N.D., May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Item 9 Labs Corp. (INLB) (Item 9 Labs or the Company), a leader in comfortable cannabis health solutions for the modern consumer, today announced that medical marijuana dispensary Strive Life Grand Forks, a partner following the Companys Strive Life business model and brand, will officially open on Wednesday, May 22nd, at 1809 13th Avenue North, in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The operation will offer a diverse inventory of patient-focused products and will be open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. 7 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. 6 p.m. Strive Life Grand Forks implements medical marijuana dispensary best practices from across the United States and globally. The dispensary model offered by Item 9 Labs features thoughtfully designed environments for an elevated patient experience. Strive Life will offer a diverse inventory of quality products and quality medical cannabis solutions. We received a warm welcome from the Grand Forks community at our soft opening and now we are ready to serve North Dakota patients, stated Sara Gullickson, CEO of Item 9 Labs. The invite-only family and friends event on May 17th offered a preview of the high-end retail space before product was introduced. Local government officials and community advocates were also in attendance. My passion is people. I believe the most satisfying moments in life come when I can help others and lend a hand when its needed most. As trusted providers we look forward to advancing the wellness of patients, commented Strive Life Grand Forks co-owner Jonathan OKeefe. In November 2018, Strive Life Grand Forks received a permit to move forward with the medical marijuana program to obtain a dispensary registration certificate. The operation has a supply agreement with Pure Dakota, LLC, one of two licensed manufacturers of usable medical cannabis in North Dakota. Story continues In addition to the Strive Life brand, Item 9 Labs is operating as licensed dispensaries, cultivation, and manufacturing facilities in multiple U.S. markets. For information visit StriveGrandForks.com. About Item 9 Labs Corp.: Item 9 Labs Corp. (INLB) creates comfortable cannabis health solutions for the modern consumer. The Company is bringing best of industry practices to markets from coast to coast through cultivation and production, distinctive retail environments, licensing services, and diverse product suites catering to different medical cannabis demographics. Item 9 Labs Corp. is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, with medical cannabis operations in multiple U.S. markets. Item 9 Labs Corp.s asset portfolio includes Dispensary Permits, Dispensary Templates, and Strive Life. These assets provide services specific to different stakeholder groups. Dispensary Permits is the Companys consulting firm specializing in strategic license application and compliance. Dispensary Templates, a subdivision of the firm, is a technology platform with an extensive digital library of licensing and business planning resources. Strive Life is a turnkey dispensary model for the retail sector, elevating the patient experience with consistent and superior service, high-end design, and precision-tested products. It is currently being implemented in Arizona and North Dakota. In addition, Item 9 Labs Corp. is advancing the industry with its dynamic product suites. The Company has created complementary brands Item 9 Labs and Strive Wellness to channel consumer diversity. Propriety delivery platforms include the Apollo Vape and Pod system, as well as a pioneering intra-nasal device. The Company has received multiple accolades for its medical-grade flower and concentrates. Item 9 Labs Corp. will be managing cultivation, processing, distribution, and dispensary operations in up to ten U.S. markets by the end of 2019. Current facilities include distribution and processing operations Strive Wellness of Ohio and Strive Wellness of Nevada, as well as dispensary Strive Life North Dakota. For more information, visit Item 9 Labs Corp. at www.Item9labscorp.com . Forward-Looking Statement: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, risks and effects of legal and administrative proceedings and governmental regulation, especially in a foreign country, future financial and operational results, competition, general economic conditions, proposed transactions that are not legally binding obligations of the company and the ability to manage and continue growth. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those indicated. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make in this news release include the introduction of new technology, market conditions and those set forth in reports or documents we file from time to time with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to revise or update such statements to reflect current events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Media Contact: Neko Catanzaro Proven Media Neko@provenmediaservices.com (401) 484-4980 Investor Contact: Jeffrey Rassas Item 9 Labs Corp. Jeffrey@item9labs.com (602) 463-4246 A man puts on a delivery bag with the logo of Uber Eats in Mexico City A man puts on a delivery bag with the logo of Uber Eats in Mexico City, Mexico May 20, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso By Julia Love MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico on Monday detailed plans to withhold tax from drivers for ride-hailing and food delivery firms such as Uber Technologies Inc and Rappi, but China's Didi said it would not take part in the arrangement, sparking friction within the industry. Mexico's government has vowed not to create new taxes. But it is looking for other ways to increase income, arguing that public revenues have been low relative to other nations in the region. The monthly value-added tax (VAT) withholding rate will be 8% and the income tax rate will range from 3% to 9% once the measures are implemented on June 1, Uber said. "With this new scheme, Uber will be able to calculate, withhold and pay directly to the Mexican tax authorities the amount of income tax and VAT that its drivers and delivery drivers owe every month," Uber said in a statement. In theory, the program will not change drivers' employment status, a key issue for Uber since Mexican law allows for retention of taxes without an employment relationship. So far, drivers have had to declare their own taxes in Mexico. Uber has mostly successfully beaten back attempts around the world to make it treat drivers as employees, arguing that its main business is a platform that brings riders and drivers together. Other than Uber, companies that have agreed to the new tax program include Cabify, Bolt, Beat, Cornershop, Rappi, SinDelantal and Uber Eats, the Finance Ministry said. Didi had been expected to participate in the program but withdrew late last week, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. The Chinese firm said in a statement that it would not join the voluntary program but would analyse participating in the future once it understood the implications for its drivers. Didi said it was in "full compliance" with current regulations in Mexico. News that Didi was opting out drew criticism, with Cabify suggesting it could distort the market. Story continues "If this voluntary program is to achieve its goal, all the actors need to collaborate," said Ramon Escobar, Cabify's director in Mexico. "If some company is not participating, it could have a significant impact." The Mexican finance ministry said the program, which had been anticipated, "does not represent new or additional taxes, its objective is to simplify compliance with tax obligations." Earlier on Monday, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said he was planning to end a practice of debt forgiveness for large companies that he called "white collar theft" and estimated had cost the treasury $20 billion in the past 12 years. (Writing by Anthony Esposito; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel, Rosalba O'Brien and Dan Grebler) Shakya is the founder CEO of beed, an international management consulting and advisory firm. He is the author of Unleashing Nepal and Unleashing The Vajra. Rise in concerns for safety and hygiene, increase in number of end users, and introduction of disposable gloves to developing countries are expected to propel the growth of the Middle East disposable gloves market. Portland, OR, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allied Market Research recently published a report, titled, Middle East Disposable Gloves Market by Type (Natural Rubber gloves, Nitrile Gloves, Vinyl Gloves, Neoprene, Polyethylene and Others), Form (Powder and Non-powder), and Application (Medical and Non-medical): Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20182025. According to the report, the Middle East disposable gloves market was pegged at $355.9 million in 2017 and is expected to garner $615.1 million by 2025, registering a CAGR of 7.04% from 2018 to 2025. Request Report Sample at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/5260 Increase in concerns for safety and hygiene, rise in a number of end users, and rapid technological advancements have boosted the growth of the Middle East disposable gloves market. However, high price competition and toxic reaction to certain gloves hamper market growth. On the contrary, the introduction of disposable gloves to the developing countries is expected to create lucrative opportunities in the near future. The Middle East disposable gloves market is segmented on the basis of type, form, application, and region. Based on type, the market is divided into natural rubber gloves, nitrile gloves, vinyl gloves, neoprene, polyethylene, and others. The natural rubber gloves segment dominated the market, contributing nearly two-fifths of the market. However, the polyethylene segment is estimated to manifest the fastest CAGR of 9.3% during the forecast period. On the basis of form, the market is categorized into powder and non-powder. The powdered segment held the largest share in 2017, contributing nearly two-thirds of the total market. However, the non-powdered segment is projected to register the fastest CAGR of 10.9% during the study period. Story continues Based on application, the market is divided into medical and non-medical. The non-medical segment is expected to portray the fastest CAGR of 8% through 2025. However, the medical segment held its lions share in 2017, accounting nearly two-thirds of the total market. The market is analyzed across various regions such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, and rest of the Middle East. The market across Saudi Arabia was the largest in 2017, contributing around one-fifth of the total share. It is also expected to register the fastest CAGR of 12.1% during the forecast period. Do Purchase Enquiry at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/5260 The key market players analyzed in the Middle East disposable glove market include Supermax Corporation Berhad, Top Glove Corporation Berhad, Rubberex Corp. M Bhd, Semperit AG Holding, Hartalega Holdings Berhad, Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd., Cardinal Health, Inc., Dynarex Corporation, Ansell Limited, and B. Braun Melsungen AG. 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 Toll Free (USA/Canada): +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 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com (Bloomberg) -- Tesla Inc. sustained another blow by Wall Street analysts as Morgan Stanley slashed its worse-case scenario for the share price to just $10 over concern the company has saturated the electric-car market. Demand is at the heart of the problem, analysts led by Adam Jonas said in a note. Tesla has grown too big relative to near-term demand, putting great strain on the fundamentals. Jonas lowered his bear case for Tesla shares from a previous estimate of $97 to take into account the risk that the company misses its current sales forecast for China by about half. He maintained his $230 price target. Tesla plunged as much as 4.5% to $196.04 at the open of regular trading Tuesday in New York. A selloff sparked by slowing deliveries and a chaotic shift in retailing strategy early this year has accelerated this month, with several analysts sounding alarms about petering demand. After handing over just 63,000 cars in the first quarter, Tesla expects to deliver as many as 100,000 cars in the second and four times that for the year. Hitting the full-year target is going to be a Herculean task, Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives wrote in a report Sunday, calling the issues plaguing the company a code red situation. Even Ben Kallo, a longtime Tesla bull at Robert W. Baird & Co. who maintains the equivalent of a buy rating on the stock, wrote Tuesday that it may take several weeks or months for the negative narrative surrounding the carmaker to shift. He cut his price target to $340 from $400, telling clients that credibility questions, messaging/communication and significant noise around TSLA have kept incremental buyers out of the market. Tesla has plummeted about 40% since the start of the year and on Monday breached the $200 level for the first time since December 2016. Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk last week called for a hardcore review of all the companys expenses to manage cash burn. For Tesla to breathe life back into demand, it will have to aggressively expand into China, offer lower-priced sport utility vehicles and supply mobility fleets, according to Morgan Stanleys Jonas. Trade tensions between the U.S. and China and new competitors put this strategy at risk, he said. Story continues We give Tesla credit for tapping into the worlds largest EV market for a number of years in China, Jonas said. We strongly suspect a host of national champions to emerge. Tesla isnt alone in battling weaker global markets, including China. Germanys central bank warned the nations auto industry -- one of the key pillars of Europes largest economy -- is facing more trouble as Chinas slowdown deepens. The slump, combined with U.S.-China trade tensions, comes just as incumbent carmakers are spending heavily to develop electric cars. --With assistance from Lisa Pham. To contact the reporters on this story: Oliver Sachgau in Munich at osachgau@bloomberg.net;Tom Lavell in Frankfurt at tlavell@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Anthony Palazzo at apalazzo@bloomberg.net, ;Craig Trudell at ctrudell1@bloomberg.net, Elisabeth Behrmann, Chester Dawson For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. Nucor Corporation NUE will make a capital investment at its bar mill in Darlington, SC. The move will add vacuum degassing to its engineered bar capabilities. Also, addition of the capability will allow the mill to make engineered bar products as per some of the most stringent quality specifications in the industry. The company expects the vacuum degassing system to start operations in late 2020. Per the company, the strategic investment is complementary to current bar mills that mainly produce engineered bar products in Norfolk, NE, Memphis, TN, and Wallingford, CT. It is likely to position the company to better serve customers in the Southeastern United States. The investment will also support the increasing demand in the region for high-quality automotive and other specialty steel applications. Notably, Nucor Steel South Carolina is the first steel mill built by the company. It produces steel by melting recycled scrap in an electric arc furnace (EAF), thus initiating a revolutionary process. At present, roughly 70% of the steel made in the United States is produced using EAFs. Shares of Nucor have lost 19.2% in the past year compared with the industrys 38.1% plunge. The companys adjusted earnings per share were $1.55 in the first quarter of 2019, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.50. Net sales rose roughly 9.5% year over year to $6,096.6 million, which topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6,034.1 million. Nucor expects second-quarter 2019 earnings to be in line with first-quarter figure, barring the gain on the sale of the equity method investment. The company expects weak margins for plate and sheet mill products to be offset by improving margins for bar and structural mill products. Profitability in the steel products unit is expected to improve considerably in the second quarter compared with the first quarter. Improved weather conditions and typical seasonal patterns are likely to benefit nonresidential construction markets. Performance of raw materials unit is expected to decline sequentially in the second quarter due to margin compression in the DRI businesses. Zacks Rank & Key Picks Nucor currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the basic materials space are Materion Corporation MTRN, Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. FSUGY and AngloGold Ashanti Limited AU, all currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Materion has an expected earnings growth rate of 23.1% for 2019. The companys shares have gained 11.5% in the past year. Fortescue Metals has an expected earnings growth rate of 101.5% for the current year. The companys shares have surged 76.3% in a years time. AngloGold has an expected earnings growth rate of 86.8% for 2019. Its shares have rallied 39.8% in a years time. 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 >> 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 AngloGold Ashanti Limited (AU) : Free Stock Analysis Report Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. (FSUGY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Materion Corporation (MTRN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Nucor Corporation (NUE) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. The One Job in Banking That Needs More Men (Bloomberg) -- Finance is a male-dominated realm. But theres one corner where women are everywhere: the virtual world of digital assistants. Bank of America Corp. customers can ask for Erica. In Paris, millennials with their savings at Hello bank! reach out to HelloiZ (pronounced Eloise). HSBC Holdings Plc has Amy standing by with advice. In Sweden, SEBs Aida is waiting to help. Meanwhile, on the trading floor of AllianceBernstein Holding LP, it's Abbie who assists the bond traders with their deals. For an industry where men outnumber women at least three to one in the upper echelons, the propensity to give virtual assistants female names, personas and in some cases, voices, is coming under greater scrutiny for perpetuating sexist stereotypes. Many executives interviewed by Bloomberg defended their use of female-gendered bots by citing research that shows both men and women prefer female voices to male ones. But this doesnt exempt companies from the responsibility to proactively combat prevailing norms, according to Heather Andrew, chief executive officer at Neuro-Insight U.K., a London-based firm that conducts research into how men and women respond to different voices. There is an opportunity for those that are forward-thinking to do something about the stereotypes, Andrew said. Brands and companies should be thinking about the tone of voice much more than they are. Neuro-Insight research shows that while people do tend to prefer the feminine voice, they also recall more information when its delivered by a male voice. According to Andrew, both findings correspond to oversimplified stereotypes of women as comforters and men as authorities. Using bots with feminine personas is hardly isolated to banks. Just look at Siri, Cortana and Alexa, the digital assistants for Apple Inc., Microsoft Corp. and Amazon.com Inc., respectively. Googles digital assistant doesn't have a defined gender, although its default voice is feminine. These companies have cited the same research showing people prefer female voices; more recently theyve introduced the ability for users to switch to a male voice. So far, most banks arent doing that. Story continues There are exceptions, like Commonwealth Bank of Australias payments tablet Albert. But by and large, as banks rolled out bots in the past few years, theyve opted for feminine ones. Done poorly, we repeat the sins or the biasesthe risks of the past Thats not necessarily surprising for an industry where gender imbalance has long been entrenched. Aside from the management bias toward men, there are two women for every man in support staff roles at banks, according to consulting firm Mercer. Banking officials interviewed said they didn't really consider the gender politics of their bots explicitly and chose female personas for branding reasons or because, during market research, customers responded better to female names and voices. The idea for the name and persona of Abbie, Alliance Bernsteins bond-trading digital assistant, came through an informal discussion over the internal group messaging app, according to Gavin Romm, a money manager for high-yield debt. There were two main requirements for the name: it had to be easily identifiable for natural language-processing algorithms, a machine-learning software that can understand text; and it had to reflect AllianceBernsteins brand. We all refer to AllianceBerstein as AB, Romm said by email. This led our chat conversation down the path of names that start with the letters AbAbigail, AbernathyAbby. We needed something less common, and Abbie was born. Bank of America also chose Erica because its team liked the play on America, according to Christian Kitchell, an executive in charge of AI Solutions. They also did focus-group testing of the persona and voice of the assistant. Everything we do tends to be data-driven, Kitchell said. We got very, very clear signals from our customers that the voice we have gone with was their favorite. Speaking at a tech conference in New York last week, his colleague Cathy Bessant, Bank of Americas chief operations and technology officer, said digital assistants probably tend to be women because were super smart. But algorithms are only as sensitive as the humans that program them, she added in an interview with Bloomberg Television. A firm could, for instance, use AI to quickly hire a large number of candidates using past policiesbut if it wanted to create a more diverse workforce, the algorithms would need to be retooled. Done well, they should leverage the best of what human behavior and human judgment is. Done poorly, we repeat the sins or the biasesthe risks of the past, she said, adding the lender was studying the responsible use of AI with Harvard University. Just because customers participating in focus groups might be conditioned to react a certain way to a certain voice doesn't mean companies necessarily need to play into those prejudices, according to Andrew at Neuro-Insight. Done poorly, we repeat the sins or the biasesthe risks of the past Vive la difference seems to be the attitude at French bank BNP Paribas toward the gender politics of its digital assistants. It opted for two different personas: the male persona Telmi for its BNP banking clients who are older and more traditional; and the female persona called HelloiZ for Hello bank!, its digital-banking sibling that appeals more to younger clients. We are maybe naive, but for us it was not a debate, Ariel Steinmann, head of digital marketing for BNP and Hello bank!, referring to gender politics. What is important for us is the customer experience. This generational divide suggests stereotypes are changing. A closer look at the Neuro-Insight research revealed that it was primarily older men who took in far more information if it was coming from male voices. Younger people in the study, by contrast, seemed to have more equal recall between genders. I think we will eventually see an end to the default that a virtual assistant should have a female name, said Jeremy Pounder, the director of marketing firm Mindshare, which did the research with Neuro-Insight. We might see a trend toward gender-neutral names and personas. To contact the authors of this story: Jeremy Kahn in London at jkahn21@bloomberg.netLananh Nguyen in New York at lnguyen35@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: James Hertling at jhertling@bloomberg.net, Daliah Merzaban For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. 100 km track of Khulalu-Salli Salla road section opens for vehicles One hundred kilometres of the Khulalu-Salli Salla road section along the Karnali corridor is now open for vehicles. The completed road section runs from Jite in Kalikot district to Kuwadikhola, a border point in Humla. Chinas financial regulators announced today China Construction Bank will take over business operations of Inner Mongolia-based Baoshang Bank, Reuters writes.The post Chinese regulators announce takeover of Baoshang Bank, cite credit risks appeared first on The Block. The Shenzhen Fintech Research Institute established by the Peoples Bank of China is looking to fill a few blockchain-related positions, Cointelegraph writes. The company is looking to fill almost 30 positions, three of them blockchain-related: a blockchain R&D engineer, a blockchain architect and a senior technical expert. The fintech research institute is organised by the central banks Digital Currency Research Institute, the Shenzhen Local Financial Supervision Bureau and the Futian District People's Government. The institution is working on fintech and cryptocurrency-related projects. All of these roles require deep knowledge of blockchain technology and experience. Both blockchain architect and senior technical expert will need to have at least three to five years of experience and at least an undergraduate degree. The positions all offer a chance of participating in the research and development of national-level provincial and ministerial-level large-scale projects, socialized compensation. Reflects on PDCs Strong Operational and Financial Performance, and Kimmeridges Deeply Conflicted Efforts to Replace Directors on the PDC Board with Less Qualified Candidates Urges Shareholders to Vote "FOR" All Three of Companys Nominees on the WHITE Proxy Card DENVER, May 20, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PDC Energy, Inc. (PDC or the Company) (PDCE) today mailed a letter to shareholders from President and Chief Executive Officer, Bart Brookman, in connection with the Companys 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (2019 Annual Meeting), scheduled for May 29, 2019. PDC shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 1, 2019 will be entitled to vote at the 2019 Annual Meeting. The full text of the letter is below: Dear PDC Shareholders, As the PDC Energy 2019 Annual Shareholder meeting is fast approaching, I feel it is an appropriate time to reflect on the shareholder activism facing our organization. As stockholders in PDC, you have an important decision to make one that will impact the future of this organization, and the value of your investment. I write to you today regarding this choice, both as a fellow shareholder and as a 14-year executive at this Company who is deeply invested in its long term success. The last few years have been turbulent for our industry and PDC has been buffeted by challenges that have directly impacted the performance of your investment, including extreme commodity price volatility, unpredictable third party midstream constraints, and an uncertain Colorado political climate. Despite these challenges, the Company has quickly adapted to change and repeatedly prevailed, reflecting our resilient strategy, dedicated people, and best-in-class operations. PDCs Board and management team have taken decisive actions to capitalize on our premium assets while positioning the Company for long-term success, all the while regularly soliciting the feedback of our shareholders and responding in concrete ways. We are currently executing a business plan that differentiates PDC from its peers and reflects a focus on financial discipline, free cash flow generation and profitable growth. As demonstrated by our recently authorized share repurchase program, the Company is well positioned to return capital to shareholders in both the near- and long-term. PDCs momentum and strong operating results underscore the value and potential of our portfolio, as well as our focus on technical excellence. The Boards commitment to this core strategy stands strong. At the same time, we have been unwavering in our dedication to responsible and sustainable development. This includes a focus on operating safely and being a responsible member of the communities in which we operate. Respect for the environment and the safety of our employees and communities remains central to PDCs core values. It is in this light I share with you my deep concerns regarding Kimmeridge Energys efforts to elect three individuals to PDCs Board, in opposition to the Companys slate of directors. I have personally known and observed the Kimmeridge leadership for several years. Their constantly changing ideas and criticisms reflect a fundamental lack of understanding of how to run a public E&P company for long-term success. Kimmeridge also erroneously criticized PDCs operating performance and used misleading information in its materials to shareholders. I can assure you that our leadership team and Board have significant operational and technical expertise that has, and will continue to, improve capital efficiency and drive shareholder returns. Further, Kimmeridge has employed extreme tactics and a polarizing interpersonal approach, which would be destructive throughout the organization. PDC has established an effective and cohesive organization built on technical excellence, hard work, loyalty and dedication, and I believe Kimmeridges presence and ideas would severely jeopardize this working environment, the Company as a whole and, most importantly, the value of your investment. Many of Kimmeridges proposals would destroy economic value over time, negatively impact PDC employees, impair our safety programs and threaten the longstanding rapport we have established with regulatory bodies, communities and landowners. Kimmeridges short-sighted ideas would be a dramatic step in the wrong direction and would be dangerous for PDC and the communities in which we live and work. Lastly, Kimmeridges board candidates have no significant public board experience, no depth of knowledge in large-scale operational matters, and no familiarity with the Colorado regulatory environment. I also believe that Ben Dell, Kimmeridges leader, is primarily focused on pushing PDC to engage in mergers with our competitors, including transactions in which he would be a financial participant. I believe that this, together with possible other economic interests he holds, present serious conflicts of interest. Leading independent proxy advisory firm Glass Lewis agrees that Kimmeridges nominees are not compelling for a company of PDCs scope and scale, and further expressed their concern with Kimmeridges, objectively aggressive recommendations that often fade into more broadly phrased suggestions. In stark contrast, I have seen first-hand the considerable experience and thoughtful business approach the PDC Board has taken in governing this Company. Each PDC director is unafraid to make the serious and sometimes difficult decisions necessary to implement our strategy. We have also taken a critical eye to our Board composition. Over the past five years, we have undertaken an aggressive refreshment program, adding four new directors with unique skill sets and backgrounds to ensure that the PDC Board has the diversity of experience necessary to guide an E&P company through the challenges facing our industry. The continued leadership of our Board is critical to the Companys ongoing success. For these reasons, I strongly encourage you to protect the value of your investment, and vote the WHITE proxy card FOR all three of your Boards highly qualified nominees today. It is an honor to serve as PDCs President and CEO and as a member of your Board. I feel fortunate to have met and interacted with so many of you, and I thank you for your investment and continued support. I look forward to our ongoing communications and assure you that my commitment to continue making PDC exceptional remains undaunted. Bart Brookman, President and Chief Executive Officer Story continues Mr. Brookmans letter to shareholders can be found at www.votewhiteforPDC.com/letters . Additional materials regarding the Boards recommendation for the 2019 Annual Meeting can be found at https://votewhiteforpdc.com . EVERY SHAREHOLDERS VOTE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, NO MATTER HOW MANY SHARES ARE OWNED. Shareholders who have questions or require any assistance voting their shares should contact PDC Energys proxy solicitor: MacKenzie Partners, Inc. Stockholders may call toll-free: (800) 322-2885 Banks and Brokers may call collect: (212) 929-5500 About PDC Energy, Inc. PDC Energy, Inc. is a domestic independent exploration and production company that acquires, explores and develops properties for the production of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs, with operations in the Wattenberg Field in Colorado and the Delaware Basin in Reeves and Culberson Counties, Texas. PDCs operations are focused in the horizontal Niobrara and Codell plays in the Wattenberg Field and in the Wolfcamp zones in the Delaware Basin. NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 ("Securities Act"), Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act") and the United States ("U.S.") Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding our business, strategy, the 2019 Annual Meeting, and potential nominees for the board of directors. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in and incorporated by reference into this report are "forward-looking statements." Words such as expect, anticipate, intend, plan, believe, seek, estimate and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements herein. Although forward-looking statements contained in this press release reflect our good faith judgment, such statements can only be based on facts and factors currently known to us. Forward-looking statements are always subject to risks and uncertainties, and become subject to greater levels of risk and uncertainty as they address matters further into the future. Because such statements relate to events or conditions further in the future, they are subject to increased levels of uncertainty. Further, we urge you to carefully review and consider the cautionary statements and disclosures, specifically those under the heading "Risk Factors," made in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on February 28, 2019, and other filings with the SEC for further information on risks and uncertainties that could affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, which are incorporated by this reference as though fully set forth herein. We caution you not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance occurring after the date of this press release or currently unknown facts or conditions or the occurrence of unanticipated events. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PDC has filed a definitive proxy statement and WHITE proxy card with the SEC in connection with its solicitation of proxies for the 2019 Annual Meeting. PDC SHAREHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT (AND ANY AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ACCOMPANYING WHITE PROXY CARD AS THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Shareholders may obtain the proxy statement, any amendments or supplements to the proxy statement and other documents as and when filed by PDC with the SEC without charge from the SECs website at www.sec.gov. Investors and shareholders can also obtain, without charge, a copy of the definitive proxy statement and other relevant filed documents from PDCs website at http://investor.pdce.com/sec-filings. CERTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING PARTICIPANTS PDC, its directors and certain of its executive officers may be deemed to be participants in connection with the solicitation of proxies from PDCs shareholders in connection with the matters to be considered at the 2019 Annual Meeting. Information regarding the identity of potential participants, and their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is set forth in the proxy statement and other materials to be filed with the SEC. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above. Contacts: Investors Michael Edwards Senior Director Investor Relations 303-860-5820 michael.edwards@pdce.com Media Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher Andy Brimmer / Andrew Siegel 212-355-4449 Lietuvos Energija, UAB, (hereinafter the Company) identification code 301844044, registered office placed at Zveju str. 14, Vilnius, Republic of Lithuania. The total nominal value of issued bonds 600 000 000 EUR; ISIN codes XS1646530565; XS1853999313. Company confirmed the terms and conditions for the reorganisation of UAB Lietuvos energijos tiekimas and Energijos tiekimas UAB. This decision was supported by the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania acting as the manager of the Companys shares. In accordance with the terms and conditions for the reorganisation, Energijos tiekimas UAB which ceases to exist without the liquidation procedure, will be connected to UAB Lietuvos energijos tiekimas that continues to operate. As previously announced, the consolidation of trade and supply activities of the companies of Lietuvos Energija group will create a better medium for the development and creation of higher quality services and solutions, and for the provision thereof to the customers in a faster and simple manner. Arturas Ketlerius, Head of Public Relations, mob. +370 620 76076, email. arturas.ketlerius@le.lt DSM Global to roll out Grove hydrogen cars next year DSM Global Company said it would be rolling out Grove brand hydrogen-powered cars in Nepal. The company signed an agreement with Grove Hydrogen Automotive Company, China on April 19 to import hydrogen cars for the first time in Nepal. It plans to receive deliveries next year. St. Albert, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - May 21, 2019) - Samoth Oilfield Inc. (TSXV: SCD) ("Samoth" or the "Corporation") today, announces that it has entered into an agreement to dispose of its entire portfolio of natural gas wells and related assets to a private arm's length purchaser (the "Purchaser"). Pursuant to the terms of the purchase and sale agreement the Corporation has agreed to sell the assets to Purchaser in consideration for a nominal purchase price and the assumption by Purchaser of abandonment and reclamation obligations and other environmental liabilities relating to the properties. The Corporation has also agreed to a purchase price adjustment in favour of the Purchaser in the amount of $365,100 in order to fund the deposit with the Alberta Energy Regulator ("AER") that the parties anticipate will be required to obtain approval for the transfer of the properties to the Purchaser. The transaction is subject to approval of shareholders of the Corporation which will be sought at the annual and special meeting of shareholders to be held on June 10, 2019 (the "Meeting"). The completion of the transaction is also conditional upon of the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange and the AER transfer approval. Further information regarding the transaction will be contained in an information circular that the Corporation will file and mail to shareholders of the Corporation in connection with the Meeting. For further information, please contact: Samoth Oilfield Inc. Leonard D. Jaroszuk President and CEO Phone:(780) 418-4400 E-Mail: jaroszuk@gmail.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. Forward Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "will", "expects", "believe", "plans", "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements or information. In particular, this press release contains forward looking statements and information concerning the sale of the Corporation's natural gas properties. The Corporation cautions that there are no assurances or guarantees that the transaction will be completed. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, the risks associated with the oil and gas industry in general such as operational risks in development, exploration and production; delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to reserves, resources, production, costs and expenses; commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations; marketing and transportation; environmental risks; competition; incorrect assessment of the value of acquisitions; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions; ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources; changes in legislation, including but not limited to tax laws, royalties and environmental regulations, actual production from the acquired assets may be greater or less than estimates; failure to obtain the necessary regulatory approval, stock exchange and other regulatory approvals on the timelines planned. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Corporation undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, unless so required by applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44943 Self-Driving Trucks Will Carry Mail in U.S. for the First Time (Bloomberg) -- The United States Postal Service is going to put mail on self-driving trucks. Starting on Tuesday morning, letters and packages moving between Phoenix and Dallas will travel on customized Peterbilt trucks run by TuSimple, an autonomous startup based in San Diego. There will be five round trips between the two cites, with the first haul leaving from Phoenix this morning. Its the first time that the Postal Service has contracted with an autonomous provider for long-haul service. This pilot is just one of many ways the Postal Service is innovating and investing in its future, the USPS said in a press release that cited the possibility of using a future class of vehicles to improve service, reduce emissions and save money. After the initial trial, which is expected to last about two weeks, the Postal Service will assess whether to continue working with TuSimple. Two years ago, the USPS Office of Inspector General outlined a step-by-step approach for the adoption of autonomous vehicles, and then earlier this year put out a request for ideas on using autonomous technology in its delivery fleet. While self-driving mail trucks are still yearsif not decadesaway, autonomous long-haul trucking might be realistic much sooner. The Postal Service spends more than $4 billion per year on highway trucking services through outside contractors. Those costs have been rising due to a national shortage of drivers. Self-driving trucks could save hundreds of millions by eliminating human drivers and the hours-of-service rules that keep them from driving round the clock. For now, however, TuSimple will have a safety driver behind the wheel for the 1,000-mile trip between Phoenix and Dallas, as well as an engineer in the passenger seat monitoring the autonomous systems. In the future, the startup aims to provide depot-to-depot service without drivers. When the vehicle can operate truly driverless, it will be much more efficient, said Chuck Price, chief product officer at TuSimple. We think we complete a coast-to-coast run in two days, where today it takes five. Story continues TuSimple has raised $178 million in funding since its founding in 2015. For its most recent round in February, the company was valued at $1 billion. Its trucks have been carrying cargo for customers in Arizona since last year. Price said that drivers who encounter a TuSimple truck on the interstate between Phoenix and Dallas probably wont notice: Its polite. It uses turn signals. It merges properly. It does all of the things that a professional driver is trained to do. And TuSimple, he added, would rather that nobody knows about the robot driver. We are actually trying to minimize marking, Price said, because we find that people tend to either get distracted in amazement or distracted in the devious way and try to mess with us. To contact the author of this story: Ira Boudway in New York at iboudway@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: Aaron Rutkoff at arutkoff@bloomberg.net For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. Expands Companys Sustainable Paperboard and Core Converting Operations HARTSVILLE, S.C., May 20, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sonoco (SON), one of the most sustainable, diversified global packaging companies, today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Corenso Holdings America, Inc. from a company owned by investment funds advised by Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC and management for approximately $110 million in cash. Corenso Holdings America (CHA) is a leading U.S. manufacturer of uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) and high-performance cores used in the paper, packaging films, tape, and specialty industries. The transaction is subject to normal regulatory review and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2019. Corenso Holdings America produced net sales of approximately $75 million in 2018 and operates a 108,000-ton per year uncoated recycled paperboard mill in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., as well as two core converting facilities in Wisconsin Rapids and Richmond, Va., which combined employ approximately 175 associates. According to Rob Tiede, Sonoco president and chief executive officer, The acquisition of Corenso Holdings America creates a long-term opportunity for Sonoco as CHA operates a best-in-class uncoated recycled paperboard mill that is capable of producing a wide variety of coreboard grades, in addition to providing attractive core converting assets and long-term partnerships with customers. Tiede added, Along with its attractive assets and customer mix, 100 percent of Corenso Holdings America products are made from recycled raw materials, which further enhances Sonocos sustainability commitment to increase by weight the amount we recycle or cause to be recycled up to 85 percent relative to the volume of products we put into the global marketplace by 2025. The acquisition of Corenso Holdings America will be modestly accretive to Sonocos earnings in 2019 and there are no expected planned changes in operating leadership and customer relationships. When the transaction is completed, CHAs financial results will be reported within Sonocos Paper/Industrial Converted Products segment. Story continues About Sonoco Founded in 1899, Sonoco (SON) is a global provider of a variety of consumer packaging, industrial products, protective packaging, and displays and packaging supply chain services. With annualized net sales of approximately $5.4 billion, the Company has 23,000 employees working in approximately 300 operations in 36 countries, serving some of the worlds best known brands in some 85 nations. Sonoco is committed to creating sustainable products, services and programs for our customers, employees and communities that support our corporate purpose of Better Packaging. Better Life. The Company ranked first in the Packaging sector on Fortunes Worlds Most Admired Companies for 2019 as well as Barrons 100 Most Sustainable Companies. For more information, visit www.sonoco.com . About Madison Dearborn Partners Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC (MDP), based in Chicago, is a leading private equity investment firm in the United States. Since MDPs formation in 1992, the firm has raised seven funds with aggregate capital of approximately $23 billion and has completed over 140 investments. MDP is currently investing out of its most recent fund, $4.4 billion MDCP Fund VII, in businesses across a broad spectrum of industries, including basic industries; business and government software and services; financial and transaction services; health care; and telecom, media and technology services. For more information, please visit www.mdcp.com. PDF available: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/fee48fbe-be52-44d8-8aaa-b7e6cfa07bde Contact: Roger Schrum +843-339-6018 roger.schrum@sonoco.com Finance company wins Rs1 million under monthly lucky draw scheme of Kantipur Ko Karodpati Shuvakarya Saving and Credit Pvt has won a cash prize of Rs 1 million under a monthly lucky draw scheme of the third iteration of Kantipur Ko Karodpati. SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean automakers saw their shares rise on Monday on optimism they would be exempt from import tariffs on vehicles the United States deems a threat to national security, after the U.S. president said a revised trade deal could address concerns. Hyundai Motor Co and affiliate Kia Motors Corp shares were both up nearly 3% in morning trade. U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday declared some imported vehicles and vehicle parts posed a national security threat. But he delayed a decision for as long as six months on whether to impose import tariffs to allow for more time for trade talks with the European Union and Japan. He also said a U.S.-South Korea bilateral trade deal, revised last year and in which Seoul made auto sector concessions, "could help to address the threatened impairment of national security". "We hope that Korea would not make the list of countries subject to tariffs, but it is premature to make a prediction," South Korea's finance minister, Hong Nam-ki, told reporters after a government meeting on Monday. "The government will not lay back and will continue all-out efforts to persuade the United States not to put Korea on the list," Hong said. Japan's Toyota Motor Corp, which said in March it would invest $13 billion (10 billion pounds) in U.S. operations through 2021, called the U.S. declaration "a major set-back for American consumers, workers and the auto industry" and said it sent the message "our investments are not welcomed". Toyota and Honda Motor Co Ltd shares were traded nearly flat on Monday. Nissan Motor Co Ltd saw its shares fall 1.6%. Nissan exports roughly 31% of Japan-made cars to the United States compared with 22% at Toyota, Moody's estimated last year. Honda has the lowest ratio among the three, Moody's said. (Reporting by Hyunjoo Jin; Additional reporting by Joori Roh; Editing by Christopher Cushing) Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon has been accused of interfering in Europe's parliamentary elections taking place this week. Trump's former advisor is in Paris as Europeans head to the polls. His presence there comes after several years of courting the region's populist, nationalist and far-right politicians in a bid to forge alliances among the EU's euroskeptics. Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon has been accused of interfering in Europe's parliamentary elections taking place this week. Trump's former advisor is in Paris as Europeans head to the polls. His presence there comes after several years of courting the region's populist, nationalist and far-right politicians in a bid to forge alliances among the EU's euroskeptics. One of the leaders he has backed is Marine Le Pen, head of France's far-right National Rally party (formerly known as the National Front) that will be going head-to-head with French President Emmanuel Macron's La Republique En Marche party. Predicting a win for Le Pen and her party, Bannon told Le Parisien newspaper Friday that there would be an "earthquake" on the day of the vote . The newspaper also reported Sunday that its reporter had seen "two executives" of Le Pen's party, that it named, emerge from Bannon's hotel suite in Paris . The executives said Le Pen was not aware of their meeting with Bannon. But on Monday, Bannon denied he is playing any role in Le Pen's campaign and said he was in France merely "as an observer." Speaking to French broadcasters BFM TV , he insisted "Marine Le Pen does not need my help to win." Le Pen also denied Bannon had any role in her campaign and said she did not even know he was in Paris for business. "It has nothing to do with the campaign. It is you, the media that are dragging him into the campaign," Le Pen also told FranceInfo on Monday, Reuters reported. Story continues Bannon's presence in Paris has nonetheless caused alarm among Macron's party and the government. Marlene Schiappa, France's minister of state for gender equality, said that other parties are "not playing fair when you see that Steve Bannon is in France now helping Marine Le Pen I think it's a huge question and we need to ask about it," she told CNBC's Joumanna Bercetche in Paris. "I think Steve Bannon is making interference in this election because he's coming in France, in Paris to do what, we don't know, but Steve Bannon said to the journalist that his goal is to destroy Europe." Meanwhile, Macron's campaign chief, Stephane Sejourne, tweeted that Bannon's presence in France "is an attack on the sovereignty of the election" and was a "strategy by nationalists" that made him want to vomit. Separately, Nathalie Loiseau, a candidate in the European election for Macron's En Marche party, is widely reported as saying: "Steve Bannon does not even hide his desire to interfere in our polls." Persona non grata Bannon is something of a persona non grata among Europe's liberal establishment as he has tried to foment support for right-wing parties in the region with his Brussels-based organization called The Movement. Founding the group in 2017, Bannon said he wanted to create a populist right-wing "supergroup" that could win as much as a third of the 751 seats up for grabs in the EU Parliament. The Movement aimed to unite parties across Europe ranging from Lega in Italy and Hungary's Fidesz (whose leader, Prime Minister Viktor Orban welcomed Bannon's group) to the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and Austria's Freedom Party to contest the European elections. But the impact of The Movement may have stalled with some European countries operating outright bans (or at least caps) on foreign organizations contributing to political parties It has also been met with mixed signals from some far-right parties too. Election nerves The elections (which take place on different days in Europe, starting on May 23) see EU member states elect lawmakers to the European Parliament. The parliament contains alliances of European parties, the main groups being the European People's Party (EPP) alliance, which groups together conservative and center-right parties, and its rival socialist alliance called the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D). There are other alliances too that group together European green parties or liberal centrists. The vote is being closely watched in France as it's seen as a litmus test of the popularity (or lack thereof) of Macron. The last presidential election in France in 2017 saw a run-off vote between Macron and Le Pen and although Macron won the vote by a decisive margin, his popularity has waned to a dramatic low since then. His reforms have proved unpopular and have prompted widespread protests in France . More worryingly for Macron and Europe's liberal establishment, polls suggest Macron and Le Pen are neck-and-neck in an EU election in which populists are expected to perform well throughout Europe. More From CNBC The recently announced Justice, Equity and Opportunity Initiative aims to centralize criminal justice reform efforts, and the criminal defense attorneys at Wolfe & Stec are optimistic about its mission. Chicago, Illinois, May 20, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With the announcement of the Justice, Equity and Opportunity Initiative, Illinois is poised to make dramatic changes that help the lives of many state residents who have been convicted of non-violent crimes. Attorneys at Illinois criminal defense law firm Wolfe & Stec believe the efforts are much-needed. The publics attitudes about non-violent offenders have evolved significantly over the years, but our justice system hasnt kept the pace, said Marc Wolfe. Many lawmakers are ready to make reform happen, and the formation of this office is a sign that we are finally heading in the right direction. Many polls have shown that Americans want to reduce mass incarceration in the United States, and a majority of people polled believe that non-violent offenders with a low-risk of committing another crime should face less prison time. One poll suggested that more than 90 percent of Illinois voters favor reducing prison time for individuals convicted of low-risk, non-violent offenses in Illinois prisons. The Justice, Equity and Opportunity Initiative plans to tackle several issues that concern reform advocates, including marijuana legalization, reducing recidivism rates, smarter sentencing protocols and pushing for economic development in poorer communities. Though these reforms have long been pushed by reform advocates, the Justice, Equity and Opportunity Initiative plans to connect groups with similar goals to bolster support and create a dialogue over needed reforms. Theres broad support for many aspects of criminal justice reform, said Natalie Stec. Support crosses party lines and appeals to several groups that believe we have a flawed justice system. Centralizing reform efforts is essential if we want to make significant changes. Story continues The criminal defense attorneys at Wolfe & Stec said that the longer Illinois lawmakers wait to address our criminal justice systems shortcomings, the more people will be placed into a system that presents unjust setbacks in life. Recidivism rates in Illinois tell the story of how our system is failing our residents, Stec said. People that we should rehabilitate are instead punished, and they face nearly insurmountable challenges when they attempt to re-enter society. We need reform, and we need it soon. Natalie Stec Wolfe & Stec LTD 6303050222 wolfestec@gmail.com ICYMI: Here are our top stories from Tuesday, May 21 We bring you the big stories from The Post on May 21, 2019. (Bloomberg) -- T-Mobile US Inc. suffered a significant setback in its bid for regulatory approval of its takeover of Sprint Corp. after failing to win over the U.S. Justice Department with a remedy package, putting pressure on the companies to offer more concessions. The wireless carriers could try to sell additional assets to resolve the departments concerns that the deal would harm competition. The question is whether theres anything the companies can propose, like selling airwaves or another business unit, that will sway the departments antitrust boss, Makan Delrahim. I dont see how any concessions short of somehow helping to set up a new fourth competitor could make this deal palatable to DOJ, said Gigi Sohn, an opponent of the merger and a former aide to a Democratic chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. T-Mobile and Sprint cleared a key hurdle Monday when Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai said he would recommend approval of the $26.5 billion merger after the companies offered a package of concessions, including spinning off Sprints pre-paid brand, Boost, to win regulators blessing. The Justice Department, however, remains unsatisfied and is concerned the remedies dont go far enough to resolve concerns that the combination of the No. 3 and No. 4 wireless carriers would hurt competition, according to a person familiar with the matter. Delrahim, the head of Justices antitrust division, is leaning against the merger, said the person, who asked not to be named because the review is confidential. The antitrust division may be worried that the companies promises to speed deployment of the next-generation of wireless technology known as 5G doesnt outweigh harm to consumers from combining two national carriers, said Amanda Wait, an antitrust lawyer at Norton Rose Fulbright in Washington. Proving those kinds of consumer benefits is a really uphill battle, she said. You can see the DOJ and the FCC going different ways on this because they have different standards of review. Story continues Whether the companies can offer concessions that will satisfy the Justice Department depends on the nature of the antitrust divisions concerns, said Blair Levin, an analyst with New Street Research and a former FCC chief of staff. If the divisions concerns are limited to competition in the market for pre-paid phone plans, where wireless customers pay as they go rather than taking out subscriptions, that problem is fixable, Levin said. But if the Justice Department is concerned about a deal that would leave just three national players, that presents a bigger challenge. It is tough to thread the needle of a condition that the government would see as solving the problem and T-Mobile wouldnt see as too expensive, Levin said. After a roller coaster day with news that whipsawed shares of both companies, investors ultimately cheered the news of Pais approval. Sprint shares soared 19% to $7.34 while T-Mobile rose 3.9% to $78.29. The spread between T-Mobiles offer price for Sprint and Sprints share price -- an indication of the deals risk -- also dropped sharply, showing investors are more optimistic it will close. Opposition to the deal by the Justice Department would mark a rare break with the FCC. The two agencies work side by side on merger reviews and typically emerge on the same page about whether to approve deals. With Pais support, the deals fate rests with Delrahim. While the FCC considers whether a merger is in the public interest, the Justice Departments considers a different standard: whether a deal hurts competition and would raise prices for consumers. If the Justice Department decides to challenge the merger, the government would have to persuade a federal judge to block it. The FCC approval makes that task more difficult, since the companies would be able to show the regulator determined the deal is in the public interest, said Andrew Jay Schwartzman at Georgetown Universitys Institute for Public Representation. More than a dozen states attorneys general are also investigating the proposed merger and have raised concerns about harm to consumers. The states have signaled they may sue to block the deal even if the Justice Department clears it. Delrahim shocked many antitrust experts when he sued in 2017 to block AT&T Inc.s planned takeover of Time Warner Inc. That deal was expected to win antitrust approval because it combined companies in different parts of a supply chain rather than uniting direct competitors. While those deals are typically approved with conditions on how companies operate, Delrahim broke from the past and demanded asset sales and later sued the companies to block the deal. He lost on appeal. Makan Delrahim has proven to be unpredictable, so we dont assume anything regarding his ultimate decision, said Paul Gallant, a Washington-based analyst with Cowen & Co. Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh said Monday on the sidelines of a conference in Washington that he had to learn more about the details of T-Mobile and Sprints proposed fixes but said he is skeptical they would address his objections to the consolidation the deal would entail. Its hard to say that our concerns could be alleviated by that kind of tinkering," Frosh said. It means that consumers are going to suffer in terms of price, in terms of quality, in terms of opportunities. To contact the reporters on this story: David McLaughlin in Washington at dmclaughlin9@bloomberg.net;Todd Shields in Washington at tshields3@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Sara Forden at sforden@bloomberg.net, John Harney For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. FILE PHOTO: An oil refinery located on a branch of the Druzhba oil pipeline, which moves crude through the pipeline westwards to Europe, is seen near Mozyr, some 300 km (186 miles) southeast of Minsk, September 11, 2013. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko/File Photo By Elena Fabrichnaya, Andrey Ostroukh and Gleb Gorodyankin MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia suffered a $1 billion shortfall in export revenues in the first two weeks of May after the discovery of contaminated oil disrupted pipeline flows to Europe, a Reuters calculation showed. The final cost of the contamination may be several times higher, economists said, but it seems unlikely at this stage to dent the country's already fragile growth prospects or rock the rouble. Crude export flows have been disrupted since April, when high levels of organic chloride were found in oil pumped via Russia's Druzhba pipeline, which serves Germany and some eastern European states. There has been no official Russian estimate of the cost impact. In mid-May, Energy Minister Alexander Novak put the overall damage caused by dirty oil at below $100 million, but it was not clear exactly what he was referring to. Reuters based its $1 billion estimate on export figures from sources familiar with energy ministry data and average monthly oil exports via Druzhba from last year, adjusted for changes in global oil prices. Sources said that, compared to average April levels, Russia's pipeline system cut oil intake by 6% between May 1 and May 16. Russia should be able to compensate for shortfalls by selling the tainted oil at a discount and getting more petrodollars from other oil exports thanks to recently increased crude prices, analysts said. LIMITED MARKET IMPACT It was not immediately clear how long it will take for Russian westbound oil supplies to reach to pre-crisis levels, but the operator of the Belarusian section of the Druzhba pipeline has said a full recovery including clean-up operations could take six months to complete. The impact on Russia would be negligible if the situation is resolved soon, research firm Capital Economics said. "(But) the contamination has also further tainted the reputation of Russia's oil sector and, if problems become more persistent, European demand could eventually shift towards other sources," it said. Story continues In theory, if Russia were to cut oil output and exports by 1 million bpd over the course of a year, that would reduce gross domestic product growth by 0.8 percentage points, it added. Economic growth is a sensitive issue. President Vladimir Putin has ordered the government to bring the Russian economy into the world's top five by 2024. But activity slowed in early 2019 to bring the economy to the brink of recession. Dmitry Dolgin, chief economist at ING Bank in Moscow, said this year's overall export revenue shortfall because of poor quality oil could hit around $5 billion. But that should not be critical given a current account surplus of more than $100 billion. Assuming a figure of $1 billion, the current impact would be negligible for the currency market and for banks in Russia, given the size of their foreign currency reserves, said a financial market source close to the central bank. Another source close to the government said the market impact would be close to zero. The central bank and the finance ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment on Monday. (Additional reporting by Gleb Gorodyankin and Olga Yagova; Writing by Andrey Ostroukh; editing by John Stonestreet) File Photo: The Jaguar logo is pictured at a Jaguar Land Rover showroom in Mumbai February 13, 2013. REUTERS/Vivek Prakash By Ismail Shakil and Chris Thomas MUMBAI/BENGALURU (Reuters) - Tata Motors Ltd gave an uninspiring outlook for its luxury brand Jaguar Land Rover and forecast weak demand in the Indian automaker's home market, sending its shares 6% lower on Tuesday. Mumbai-based Tata Motors, which reported quarterly earnings results after markets closed on Monday, has been struggling with its JLR arm for months due to a slump in China sales, while also dealing with a weak industry. Three months ago, Tata Motors announced plans to revamp JLR, after reporting the biggest loss of about $4 billion in Indian corporate history due to an impairment at JLR. "It would be tough for JLR to come out of the negative free cash flow trajectory so easily in the near term, despite cutting planned capex," analysts at Ambit Insights said in a report. They said the company's forecast of negative free cash flow seemed to show "lack of conviction in terms of volume growth." Tata Motors said it expects JLR to eventually return to profitability after a loss in April-June, helped by cost cuts and a recovery in Chinese demand but cash flow for JLR would be negative till fiscal 2021. Finance chief P.B. Balaji told reporters he expected Chinese sales of its sleek Jaguar saloons and Land Rover sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) to return to growth "a quarter from now" but many analysts were not convinced of a quick turnaround. "Our recent channel checks with dealers in China indicated that progress on (the) ground has been slow with dealers still incurring losses on JLR sales and relatively low traction in retails despite a recovery in the overall market," Jefferies analyst Arya Sen said in a report. Tata Motors, India's biggest automaker by revenue, earned 11.17 billion rupees in net profit in January-March, beating the 3.38 billion rupees average estimate of 10 analysts, according to data from Refinitiv IBES. The reported profit nearly halved from a year earlier. Revenue at JLR, which brings in most of Tata Motor's revenue, fell 5% to 651.46 billion rupees ($9.34 billion). Tata Motor's shares shed 6% on the Mumbai exchange, underperforming in a flat Mumbai market. The company gave a subdued near-term outlook. Story continues "In India we expect to see next 3-6 months of tepid demand ... the near term performance is likely to be definitely impacted due to continued slowdown in the market," Balaji said. Sales of private cars have been hit by growing use of app-based cab services such as those from Ola and Uber Technologies Inc, tighter credit and a slowing economy. Last month, Tata Motor's rival Maruti Suzuki India Ltd reported a 5% decline in quarterly net profit and forecast weak growth. ($1 = 69.7325 Indian rupees) (Reporting by Aditi Shah, Ismail Shakil in MUMBAI and Chris Thomas in BENGALURU, Writing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee; Editing by Mark Potter and Anshuman Daga) (Bloomberg) -- Prowler.io, an artificial intelligence company based in Cambridge, England, has been valued at $100 million following a funding round involving a group of investors that includes Chinese technology giant Tencent Holdings Ltd. and Pearson Plc. The company uses AI to help businesses make decisions about everything from rebalancing financial portfolios to managing supply chains and logistics, it said in a statement on Monday. Prowler said its receiving $24 million in new funding and that Tencent led the investment round with participation from Pearson and others including Amadeus Capital Partners, Atlantic Bridge, Cambridge Innovation Capital, Mandatum Life, Passion Capital, RB Capital and Singapore Innovate. The AI company said it will use the money to launch products and move into new industry areas, including education. It described some of the participants in the current funding round as strategic investors, declining to specify which of the firms it viewed in this way. Pearson is an education company, and Mandatum Life, a Finnish asset manager and insurance firm, has used Prowlers software previously. Ling Ge, Tencents chief European representative, said in a statement that the Chinese company is looking forward to Prowler.io applying its AI decision platform to a broadening range of customers, potentially including some of Tencents affiliate companies. Ge said that Prowlers focus on data-efficient learning methods and human-machine teaming set it apart from other AI companies. The companys AI decision-making platform, which it calls VUKU, has been used by other Nordic asset managers to do risk modeling and portfolio optimization and also by Barcelona-based delivery startup Paack to plan optimal routes for its drivers. Unlike many AI companies that use supervised machine-learning techniques that rely on vast amounts of data, Prowlers software uses unsupervised methods based on a field of mathematics that deals with probabilities and doesnt require massive data sets. Its decision-making software also relies on reinforcement learning - in which software learns from experience rather than data - as well as game theory. Story continues This investment is a huge sign of confidence in our efforts, Vishal Chatrath, Prowlers co-founder and chief executive officer, said in the statement. Chatrath and one of the companys other three co-founders, Dongho Kim, Prowlers chief technology officer, are veterans of VocalIQ, a Cambridge speech technology company that Apple Inc. acquired in 2015 just 13 months after its founding and whose technology Apple is believed to have used to enhance its Siri digital assistant. Founded in 2016, Prowler has 110 employees. It had previously raised $15 million in venture capital. To contact the reporter on this story: Jeremy Kahn in London at jkahn21@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Giles Turner at gturner35@bloomberg.net, James Amott, Brian Wingfield For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 21, 2019) - - Tethyan Resources plc (TSX-V: TETH) ("Tethyan" or the "Company") today announces the initiation of the redomiciling of the Company to Canada, subject to shareholder and regulatory approval. Redomiciling will be effected through the change of the corporate structure of Tethyan and its subsidiaries (the "Tethyan Group" or "Group") by establishing Tethyan Resource Corp. ("New Tethyan"), a new Canadian-incorporated parent company, at the head of the Group (the "Redomicile"). Application has been made to the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V") to list the New Tethyan shares for trading on the TSX-V. The Redomicile will not result in any material changes to the board, management, day-to-day conduct of the business of the Group or its strategy. Details of the Redomicile and the required shareholder meetings to approve it will be conveyed to shareholders in an information circular and release of further announcements, as appropriate. New Corporate Structure Reasons for the Redomicile The management of Tethyan, which is currently domiciled in England and Wales, identified the Canadian capital markets as having numerous publicly-listed mineral exploration companies and investors that are familiar with mining and mineral exploration, providing access to capital. In September 2017, Tethyan's shares commenced trading on the TSX-V and, subsequently, the Company delisted its shares from the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange. Canada's robust capital markets service the mining sector domestically and abroad, and have significant technical expertise, which supports the efficient operation of public mineral exploration companies such as the Tethyan Group. When investors purchase existing shares of a company incorporated in the UK, a tax (or stamp duty) of 0.5% is payable to HM Revenue and Customs Stamp Office, regardless of where the shares were purchased. The UK stamp duty tax is unfamiliar to many investors that purchase shares of UK-domiciled public companies which are listed on the TSX-V and, as a result, this creates an unexpected transaction cost to purchase shares. This stamp duty tax obligation places Tethyan at a disadvantage compared to non-UK-domiciled public exploration companies when attracting investors to purchase existing shares of the Company. Tethyan's board of directors and management reviewed the UK stamp duty tax obligations, sought external advice and have concluded that it was in the best interest of shareholders as a whole and the Group to redomicile to British Columbia, Canada. Jerrold Annett, Chief Executive Officer of Tethyan, said: "The proposed redomiciling is consistent with our expanding international shareholder base, and better positions us to realize our strategic goals. We recently completed a successful financing led by a North American institution, and are well capitalized for our 2019 exploration program. We have also simplified our capital structure by acquiring and cancelling the legacy non-voting deferred shares that were no longer serving a purpose for the Company." Story continues Key Features of the Redomicile New Tethyan, a company incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada, will become the new parent company for the Group. It is intended that this new corporate structure will be implemented by way of a scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the UK Companies Act 2006 (the "Scheme"). The Scheme will be conditional on a number of matters, including shareholder approvals, by the requisite majorities, at a meeting proposed to be convened by the Business and Property Courts of England and Wales and a separate general meeting of Tethyan followed by an application to be made to the Business and Property Courts of England and Wales ("the "Court") for a Court order to sanction the Scheme (the "Approvals"). If the Approvals are obtained, the Scheme will be sanctioned by the Court and will be effective when the Court order is delivered to the UK Registrar of Companies. If the conditions are satisfied and the Scheme is approved and implemented, shareholders of Tethyan will become shareholders of New Tethyan and, at the Scheme record time, will receive one New Tethyan share for each share of Tethyan transferred under the Scheme. The Scheme becoming effective is subject to the approval of the TSX-V. Tethyan has applied to the TSX-V to list the New Tethyan shares for trading on the TSX-V. As soon as practical following the Approvals being passed, New Tethyan will give notice to the TSX-V to set the TSX-V record date, which is the date for delisting of the Tethyan shares, and the distribution and listing of the New Tethyan shares, and will be no less than seven trading days following such notice being given. The Scheme will become effective on, or as soon as reasonably practicable after, the TSX-V record date is set. It is expected that trading in Tethyan shares will continue until a date to be determined, after which, the listing of the New Tethyan shares will become effective. There may be an interim period after court approval and prior to listing of the New Tethyan shares when Tethyan shares may trade as due bills. Tethyan will disclose detailed information, including in relation to the settlement of the New Tethyan shares, as well as the exact dates impacting the Redomicile in an upcoming information circular and news releases, as appropriate. As a result of the Scheme, New Tethyan will become a reporting issuer in British Columbia and Alberta. If the Scheme has not become effective by July 31, 2019 (or such later date as Tethyan and New Tethyan may agree and the Court may allow), it will lapse, in which event there will not be a new parent company of Tethyan, and Tethyan shareholders will remain shareholders of Tethyan. Outstanding stock options in Tethyan will be exchanged for stock options in New Tethyan, exercisable into New Tethyan shares on the same terms as the Tethyan stock options. New Tethyan will adopt a stock option plan that is identical to the Tethyan 2017 Stock Option Plan. Outstanding warrants of Tethyan will continue to be valid, and on due exercise in accordance with their terms, warrantholders will be entitled to receive New Tethyan shares. Deferred Shares As part of the change of structure, Tethyan has cancelled its deferred shares. In accordance with the rights set out in Tethyan's articles of association, 368,716,729 A deferred shares of 0.9 pence each in the share capital of Tethyan and 89,193,163 B deferred shares of 0.5 pence each in the share capital of Tethyan (together, the "Deferred Shares") were transferred at no cost to Tethyan. Following the transfer of the Deferred Shares to Tethyan, they were immediately cancelled and as such there are no longer any Deferred Shares in issue. About Tethyan Tethyan Resources plc, a member of the Augusta Group of Companies, is a precious and base metals mineral exploration company incorporated in England & Wales and listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. Tethyan is focused on the Tethyan Metallogenic Belt in Eastern Europe, mainly Serbia, where it is acquiring and exploring a portfolio of quality precious and base metals projects with known mineralization and compelling drill targets. Tethyan emphasizes responsible engagement with local communities and stakeholders, and is committed to the proactive implementation of Good International Industry Practice (GIIP) and sustainable health, safety and environmental management. More information can be found on Tethyan's website: www.tethyan-resources.com. Contact Tethyan Resources plc +44 1534 881 885 Jerrold Annett, Chief Executive Officer +1 416 366 5678 Ext. 207 | jerrold@tethyan-resources.com Jacqueline Allison, Vice President, Investor Relations and Strategic Analysis +1 416 366 5678 Ext. 205 | jacqueline@tethyan-resources.com TSX Venture Exchange Disclaimer Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as such term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This announcement may contain certain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results of operations, financial condition, prospects and the development of the sector in which Tethyan operates to differ materially from the impression created by these forward-looking statements. Tethyan does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Do not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this announcement. Corporate Logo To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44911 Theresa May has set out her last-ditch plan to rescue her Brexit deal, telling MPs they have one final chance to deliver a smooth exit from the EU. Caving to pressure from Labour and Tory Remainers, the Prime Minister confirmed plans to let MPs decide whether to hold a second referendum - but only on the condition they vote for her Withdrawal Agreement Bill. She said MPs will vote in parliament on whether to hold a second referendum, despite her belief that the 2016 vote should continue to be honoured. She said: "The Government will include in the Withdrawal Agreement Bill at introduction a requirement to vote on whether to hold a second referendum and this must take place before the Withdrawal Agreement can be ratified. If MPs vote against the second reading of this bill they are voting to stop Brexit. In a speech which signalled just how desperate she has become, Mrs May pleaded for political collaboration, noting that 30 MPs voted differently her previous deal would have been successful. She said: This is a huge opportunity for the United Kingdom. Out of the EU. Out of ever-closer union. Free to do things differently. "And right now, it is slipping away from us. We risk losing a great opportunity." Theresa May delivers her speech in London on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) The reaction Despite her appeal, some Conservative MPs took to Twitter to voice their disgust - one doing so before the speech was even over. MP Simon Clarke tweeted: "So if we pass the Withdrawal Agreement Bill at 2nd reading, we allow a Remain Parliament to insist upon a 2nd referendum and a Customs Union? This is *outrageous*. And Conservative MEP David Bannerman tweeted: "On PM speech this illusory attempt to keep as close as possible to 'frictionless trade' - now by law - has been the problem all along. "Led to Chequers to Customs FA. Just go to SuperCanada FTA! Now a vote on 2nd Ref! This is a total sellout by May & she must go immediately." And former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith MP said there was nothing new in Mrs May's latest deal. Story continues Read more from Yahoo News UK: Video shows man knocked out in London station brawl Police launch manhunt after girl raped in woodland Man takes police to court over facial recognition technology He said: "I can't see that we've taken back control over anything. "The backstop is still there, it's a customs union in all but name and it puts Brussels firmly in control of our destiny. "There's nothing new or bold about this bad buffet of non-Brexit options. "At a time when people are deserting the main parties this is the PM's response, to do all she can to defy the result of the referendum. "Today the Government has moved from take back control to give back control." Conservative MP and Brexiteer Charlie Elphicke condemned the deal as a "dog's breakfast" that he could not support, despite voting for Mrs May's deal last time. He said: "This is even more of a dog's breakfast than the last deal, it is not Brexit and I won't be supporting it. And Jacob Rees-Mogg described the new bill as worse than before The Prime Ministers latest proposals are worse than before and would leave us bound deeply in to the EU. It is time to leave on WTO terms. Jacob Rees-Mogg (@Jacob_Rees_Mogg) May 21, 2019 Scotlands ire The criticism wasnt limited to her own party. Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: "The PM is asking MPs to vote for a Bill that takes us out of the EU - in Scotland's case against our will - out of the single market and possibly out of the Customs Union. And with no actual commitment to putting the deal to a second referendum. @theSNP will not do that. 1/ The PM is asking MPs to vote for a Bill that takes us out of the EU - in Scotlands case against our will - out of the single market and possibly out of the Customs Union. And with no actual commitment to put the deal to a second referendum. @theSNP will not do that. Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) May 21, 2019 She continued: "In PM's own words, 'if MPs vote against the Bill, they will be voting to stop Brexit.' That is what @theSNP will do because Scotland did not vote for Brexit. #StopBrexit." Mrs May said her new Brexit deal had "listened to Unionist concerns" about the backstop. "So the new Brexit deal goes further," she said. "It will commit that should the backstop come into force the Government will commit to ensure that Great Britain will stay aligned with Northern Ireland. "We will prohibit the proposal that a future government could split Northern Ireland off from the UK's customs territory." Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said his party would not support a "repackaged version of the same old deal". He said: "The Prime Minister's proposal tonight seems to be largely a rehash of the Government's position in the cross-party talks that failed to reach a compromise last week. PMs new deal is putting lipstick on a pig - rehash of old deal with a few concessions attached. Using bait of possible #PeoplesVote to get flawed deal over line wont work. Democracy shouldnt come with strings attached. PV needs to be guaranteed now, not left to chance Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) May 21, 2019 While Green Party leader Caroline Lucas said it was like putting lipstick on a pig. Lots of us have been very clear that the PMs deal can pass on the condition that the people get to decide through a referendum. Thats not what the PM is promising Im afraid. Will look at the detail first, but on that basis its unlikely Ill vote for the Bill at Second Reading Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) May 21, 2019 Mays last stand? Asked if she would resign if the Withdrawal Agreement Bill was defeated, Mrs May said: "That was last week's news. "And I set out with the chairman of the 22 (1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers) what would be happening." HORSHAM, Pa., May 20, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Toll Brothers, Inc., (TOL) (www.tollbrothers.com), the nations leading builder of luxury homes, today announced its expansion into the Atlanta, Georgia market through the acquisition of Sharp Residential, one of the largest private home building companies in Atlanta. The purchase price was paid in cash. Sharp Residential was founded in 1991 by Tom Sharp and has delivered over 5,000 homes in the Atlanta market since inception. The Company focuses primarily on the areas northern suburbs with homes ranging from first-time to luxury at price points from the $300,000s to the $900,000s. At the date of acquisition, the Company had approximately $65 million in backlog consisting of 125 homes with an average price of $520,000. Including the existing backlog, Toll Brothers acquired approximately 900 lots owned and controlled in the Atlanta MSA. The acquisition will increase Toll Brothers selling community count by approximately 10 communities as of the closing date. Douglas C. Yearley, Jr., Toll Brothers chairman and chief executive officer, stated: Atlanta was the largest U.S. housing market where we did not operate. We believe joining with Sharp Residential is the ideal way for us to enter and grow quickly in this robust market. As one of Atlantas premier homebuilders, the diversity of their product lines will enable us to offer a broad range of communities to the upscale market. We are confident that their experienced management team, great land positions, reputation for fine quality homes, and long-established local relationships will be a formula for our success in the Atlanta market. Given the size, depth and demographics of this market, we are very excited with the opportunities ahead. Tom Sharp, founder and president of Sharp Residential, stated: Based on our nearly thirty years building homes and serving customers in the Atlanta market, we see significant opportunity for continued growth as we join the Toll Brothers family. We are confident that our knowledge of and reputation in the market, combined with Toll Brothers great brand and resources, will enable us, together, to grow and succeed in the Atlanta market. We look forward to an exciting future as a member of the Toll Brothers team. Story continues Zelman Partners LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor to Sharp Residential. Toll Brothers, Inc., A FORTUNE 500 Company, is the nation's leading builder of luxury homes. The Company began business over fifty years ago in 1967 and became a public company in 1986. Its common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TOL. The Company serves move-up, empty-nester, active-adult, and second-home buyers, as well as urban and suburban renters. It operates in 22 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington, as well as in the District of Columbia. Toll Brothers builds an array of luxury residential single-family detached, attached home, master planned resort-style golf, and urban low-, mid-, and high-rise communities, principally on land it develops and improves. The Company acquires and develops rental apartment and commercial properties through Toll Brothers Apartment Living, Toll Brothers Campus Living, and the affiliated Toll Brothers Realty Trust, and develops urban low-, mid-, and high-rise for-sale condominiums through Toll Brothers City Living. The Company operates its own architectural, engineering, mortgage, title, land development and land sale, golf course development and management, and landscape subsidiaries. Toll Brothers also operates its own security company, TBI Smart Home Solutions, which also provides homeowners with home automation and technology options. The Company also operates its own lumber distribution, house component assembly, and manufacturing operations. Through its Gibraltar Real Estate Capital joint venture, the Company provides builders and developers with land banking, non-recourse debt and equity capital. In 2019, Toll Brothers was named Worlds Most Admired Home Building Company in Fortune magazines survey of the Worlds Most Admired Companies, the fifth year in a row it has been so honored. Toll Brothers proudly supports the communities in which it builds; among other philanthropic pursuits, the Company sponsors the Toll Brothers Metropolitan Opera International Radio Network, bringing opera to neighborhoods throughout the world. For more information, visit www.tollbrothers.com . Toll Brothers discloses information about its business and financial performance and other matters, and provides links to its securities filings, notices of investor events, and earnings and other news releases, on the Investor Relations section of its website ( investors.tollbrothers.com ). Forward-Looking Statements This release contains or may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. One can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate to matters of a strictly historical or factual nature and generally discuss or relate to future events. These statements contain words such as anticipate, estimate, expect, project, intend, plan, believe, may, can, could, might, should and other words or phrases of similar meaning. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, information related to market conditions; demand for our homes; anticipated operating results; home deliveries; financial resources and condition; changes in revenues; changes in profitability; changes in margins; changes in accounting treatment; cost of revenues; selling, general and administrative expenses; interest expense; inventory write-downs; home warranty and construction defect claims; unrecognized tax benefits; anticipated tax refunds; sales paces and prices; effects of home buyer cancellations; growth and expansion; joint ventures in which we are involved; anticipated results from our investments in unconsolidated entities; the ability to acquire land and pursue real estate opportunities; the ability to gain approvals and open new communities; the ability to sell homes and properties; the ability to deliver homes from backlog; the ability to secure materials and subcontractors; the ability to produce the liquidity and capital necessary to expand and take advantage of opportunities; and legal proceedings, investigations and claims. Any or all of the forward-looking statements included in our reports or public statements made by us are not guarantees of future performance and may turn out to be inaccurate. This can occur as a result of incorrect assumptions or as a consequence of known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Many factors mentioned in our reports or public statements made by us, such as market conditions, government regulation, and the competitive environment, as well as the factors listed below, will be important in determining our future performance. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from those that might be anticipated from our forward-looking statements. The factors that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements include, among others: demand fluctuations in the housing industry; adverse changes in economic conditions in markets where we conduct our operations and where prospective purchasers of our homes live; increases in cancellations of existing agreements of sale; the competitive environment in which we operate; changes in interest rates or our credit ratings; the availability of capital; uncertainties in the capital and securities markets; the ability of customers to obtain financing for the purchase of homes; the availability and cost of land for future growth; the ability of the participants in various joint ventures to honor their commitments; effects of governmental legislation and regulation; effects of increased taxes or governmental fees; weather conditions; the availability and cost of labor and building and construction materials; the cost of raw materials; the outcome of various product liability claims, litigation and warranty claims; the effect of the loss of key management personnel; changes in tax laws and their interpretation; construction delays; and the seasonal nature of our business. For a more detailed discussion of these factors, see the risk factors in the information under the captions Risk Factors and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and subsequent filings with the SEC. From time to time, forward-looking statements also are included in our periodic reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, in press releases, in presentations, on our website and in other materials released to the public. This discussion is provided as permitted by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and all of our forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referenced in this section. CONTACT: Frederick N. Cooper (215) 938-8312 fcooper@tollbrothers.com Manang sees unseasonal snowfall The episode underscores the effects climate change is inflicting on the people living in the mountains By David Shepardson WASHINGTON, May 21 (Reuters) - The U.S. Homeland Security Department is considering tapping more than $230 million from the Transportation Security Administration to fund border operations if Congress fails to approve additional funding, a person briefed on the matter said. NBC News reported the plan earlier, citing documents of a contingency plan to fund $1.1 billion in border efforts. The U.S. House Appropriations Committee said Tuesday it had not received any notification from DHS that it plans to shift existing funds. NBC News said TSA could shift $50 million that had been set aside to buy advanced airport screening equipment and $64 million from a workers' compensation fund for injured TSA employees. The White House on May 1 asked Congress for $4.5 billion in emergency funds to address the rising number of people crossing the southwestern border with Mexico. DHS spokesman Tyler Houlton said Tuesday in a statement the agency "is considering all options to address the humanitarian and security crisis at our southern border. We will continue to work with our workforce to find dynamic solutions and funding to address this very serious problem." Houlton said the agency was exploring "fiscal mechanisms that will ensure the safety and welfare of both our workforce and the migrant population, which is also reflected in the supplemental request submitted to Congress." Last week, TSA confirmed it planned to redirect staff to the U.S. southern border to assist with immigration duties and migrant flows. A TSA spokesman said the agency was looking for volunteers to support efforts at the border with Mexico, where the government has said it is grappling with record numbers of people. TSA staff will include 175 law enforcement officials, including air marshals, and as many as 400 security staff drawn from six unnamed U.S. cities but will not include airport screeners, CNN reported last week, citing two additional unnamed sources. Officers have apprehended nearly 99,000 people crossing the border with Mexico in April, the highest figure since 2007, the U.S. government reported earlier this month. More than two-thirds of those were children or people traveling as families. Earlier this month, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said it was deploying an additional 186 CBP officers to assist Border Patrol agents at sectors on the southwest border, after earlier shifting more than 300 officers from airports, northern border checkpoints and other locations. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Bernadette Baum) (Bloomberg) -- Sign up for Next China, a weekly email on where the nation stands now and where it's going next. The Trump administration held off on blacklisting Huawei Technologies Co. out of concern the move could disrupt trade negotiations with China and only took action after the last round of talks hit an impasse, according to people familiar with the matter. Plans to target the Chinese telecommunications equipment maker over security concerns had been on the table for months and included possibly subjecting Huawei to economic sanctions, according to the people, who asked not to be identified discussing internal deliberations. But the decision to curtail the Shenzhen-based companys access to American suppliers unfolded quickly once trade talks broke down, setting off a scramble to implement the measures, the people said. The Commerce Department action last week requires American suppliers of Huawei, a crown jewel of Chinese manufacturing, to seek U.S. government permission to do business with the company. The decision touched off a massive disruption in technology supply chains, hitting some of the biggest component-makers as Intel Corp., Qualcomm Inc. and Broadcom Inc. told their employees they wont provide products to Huawei until further notice. Timing of the U.S. action raised questions about whether President Donald Trump is punishing the company in part to gain a negotiating edge with Beijing in a deepening clash over trade. Talks between Beijing and Washington deadlocked this month as Trump accused China of backing out of a deal that was taking shape with U.S. officials, saying China reneged on an agreement to enshrine a wide range of reforms in law. New Levies Trump increased levies on $200 billion in Chinese imports to 25% from 10%, prompting retaliation from Beijing. The U.S. has said its prepared to hit China with new tariffs even as Trump said hell meet his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, at next months G-20 summit, an encounter that could prove pivotal. China is also threatening additional retaliation against the U.S. over the blacklisting of Huawei. Story continues On Monday, the U.S. Commerce Department granted 90 days of relief for certain U.S. broadband companies using Huawei equipment. Small phone carriers, the main U.S. customers for Huawei, had worried the ban could keep them from performing even routine activities like ordering replacement parts or patching software. Before trade negotiations hit a wall, some administration officials were reluctant to act against Huawei because Trump had reversed similar measures imposed last year against ZTE Corp. another Chinese telecommunications equipment maker that has been scrutinized over security. The concern was that Trump might reverse a Huawei order as a favor to Xi or trade it away for soybean purchases by China, the people said. ZTE almost collapsed after the U.S. Commerce Department banned it for three months in 2018 from buying American technology. Trump undid the sanctions at Xis request and directed his commerce secretary to negotiate a settlement with the company. Officials Concerns Even now that Huawei is on the Commerce list, some national security officials remain concerned that the president could scrap the order for the sake of the broader trade negotiations. The White House responded to requests for comment on Monday night by referring to a briefing last week on Trumps executive order restricting access of foreign companies from U.S. suppliers. But Huawei has been preparing for the U.S. move since at least the middle of 2018, hoarding components while designing its own chips, according to people familiar with the matter, and is said to have stockpiled enough supplies to keep its business running for at least another three months. Its executives believe their company has become a bargaining chip in the U.S.-China trade war, and that theyll be able to resume purchases from American suppliers if a deal is reached, the people said. The Trump administration has consistently denied any link between its actions against Chinese telecom companies and trade talks with Beijing. But the president himself has linked the two repeatedly. Trump said in a December interview with Reuters that he would intervene in U.S. efforts to extradite Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou if doing so would help him reach a trade deal. To contact the reporters on this story: Jenny Leonard in Washington at jleonard67@bloomberg.net;Nick Wadhams in Washington at nwadhams@bloomberg.net;Margaret Talev in Washington at mtalev@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Michael Shepard at mshepard7@bloomberg.net, Alex Wayne, Justin Blum For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. (Adds details from rally and campaign, background) By Steve Holland and Roberta Rampton WASHINGTON/MONTOURSVILLE, Pa., May 20 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump, facing a potentially difficult path to winning a second term in November 2020, on Monday told supporters in Pennsylvania that his trade war had strengthened the battleground state's steel industry and jobs. Although Trump does not launch his re-election bid officially until next month, his appearance at a raucous rally in an airport hangar in northeastern Pennsylvania, using Air Force One as a backdrop, had the hallmarks of a campaign event. He took aim at Democratic front-runner and former Vice President Joe Biden. "Sleepy Joe said that he's running to 'save the world.' ... He's going to save every country but ours," Trump said. The president previewed the arguments he will make to voters in the 2020 election, crediting his trade stance with helping the U.S. economy. "When you have the best employment numbers in history, when you have the best unemployment numbers in history, when you have the best economy probably that we've ever had, I don't know - how the hell do you lose this election, right?," he said. Trump has waged a high-stakes trade dispute with China, and tariffs imposed by both countries on a range of goods have raised fears of a global economic slowdown. Trump last year also imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum. He claims that the move saved and created jobs at U.S. mills as well as spurred investment such as by U.S. Steel in Pennsylvania. Many economists say that those benefits are outweighed by higher costs to U.S. companies and consumers. Trump was stumping for a special House of Representatives election in Pennsylvania, one of three "Rust Belt" states he won in 2016 with votes from white, blue-collar voters who had previously voted Democratic. His campaign sees the state as key to keeping control of the White House, along with Michigan and Wisconsin. A Quinnipiac University poll last week showed the president trailing the main Democratic contenders in Pennsylvania in particular. Story continues "I'll be seeing a lot of you over the next year," Trump said. "Gotta win this state." 'TROUBLESOME' TRIO OF STATES Trump has already been raising money for his re-election and holding political rallies for many months. But he plans an official rollout for his campaign in mid-June, the four-year anniversary of when he rode the escalator at Trump Tower down to a crowd of supporters and announced his candidacy. He is likely to hold a rally in Florida, possibly on June 15, to mark the occasion, sources said. The Trump campaign declined to comment. Trump , who considers Florida to be something of a second home, won the state in 2016. But as is the case for Trump in many battleground states, his victory is not assured there in 2020, and he will likely face a fight to win it again. The Trump campaign has privately expressed concern about the trio of upper Midwest swing states that provided his 2016 margin of victory, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. A source close to the campaign called Trump's position in those states "troublesome." "They're awakening to the fact that they've got a problem. They have a solid base among Republicans but a lot of independent voters that gave them the margin in these states are not doing well," the source said. 'SLEEPY JOE' Since Trump took over as president in early 2017, the United States has had low unemployment and strong growth. Typically, presidents with an economy this vibrant would be strong bets for re-election. But Trump's polarizing presidency has given hope to a host of Democratic contenders that he can be denied a second term. Biden has sounded a unifying theme to try to rally Americans behind his candidacy. In second place in the Democratic polls is democratic socialist Bernie Sanders. Biden has put his campaign headquarters in Philadelphia and has held two rallies in the state during the past month. Trump has dubbed Biden "Sleepy Joe" to try to undermine him, in much the same way as he gave Republican contender Jeb Bush the nickname "low-energy Jeb" in 2016. (Reporting By Steve Holland and Roberta Rampton; Additional reporting by Makini Brice and Eric Beech; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) Two incident of Indian nationals trying to rescue criminals arrested by Nepal Police has pointed serious lapses in border securit Two different groups from India over the week tried to rescue two criminals arrested by Nepal Police in Rupandehi and Banke districts by crossing into the Nepali territory, resulting in violent scuffles. A woman looks at her phone as she walks past a Huawei shop in Beijing A woman looks at her phone as she walks past a Huawei shop in Beijing, China May 16, 2019. REUTERS/Thomas Peter/Files By Brenda Goh and Karen Freifeld SHANGHAI/NEW YORK (Reuters) - The United States has temporarily eased trade restrictions on China's Huawei to minimize disruption for its customers, a move the founder of the world's largest telecoms equipment maker said meant little because it was already prepared for U.S. action. The U.S. Commerce Department blocked Huawei Technologies Co Ltd from buying U.S. goods last week, a major escalation in the trade war between the world's two top economies, saying the firm was involved in activities contrary to national security. The two countries increased import tariffs on each other's goods over the past two weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump said China had reneged on earlier commitments made during months of negotiations. On Monday, the Commerce Department granted Huawei a license to buy U.S. goods until Aug. 19 to maintain existing telecoms networks and provide software updates to Huawei smartphones, a move intended to give telecom operators that rely on Huawei time to make other arrangements. Shares of U.S. suppliers to Huawei including Qualcomm Inc, Intel Corp and Lumentum Holdings Inc rose, with the Philadelphia Chip Index up 2.1%. Radio frequency chipmaker Qorvo was the latest U.S. supplier after mobile parts maker Lumentum to halt shipments to Huawei. It is unclear what the U.S. government extension permits, but if it allows Huawei to keep purchasing components, the company will likely order more to build inventory, said Mark Kelleher, an analyst at D.A. Davidson. Huawei is still prohibited from buying American-made hardware and software to make new products without further, hard-to-obtain licenses. Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei on Tuesday told Chinese state media that the reprieve bore little meaning for the company as it had been making preparations for such a scenario. "The U.S. government's actions at the moment underestimate our capabilities," Ren said in an interview with CCTV, according to a transcript published by the Chinese state broadcaster. Story continues The temporary license suggests changes to Huawei's supply chain may have immediate, far-reaching and unintended consequences for its customers. The Commerce Department said it will evaluate whether to extend the license period beyond 90 days. CURRENCY FIRMS China's yuan firmed versus the dollar on Tuesday as news of the reprieve eased some worries that trade tensions would be further inflamed and inflict deeper losses on the currency. Beijing has struck an increasingly defiant tone as the trade war has escalated, saying it will take measures to safeguard the interests of its companies, but has not said whether or how it may retaliate over the U.S. action against Huawei. President Xi Jinping's Monday visit to a rare-earth company in southern China sparked speculation that the sector could be the next front in the trade war, driving up shares in Chinese rare-earth related firms on Tuesday. China produced 80% of rare-earths, a group of 17 chemical elements used in electronics, imported by the United States in 2017. "Given the Huawei decision, I feel they (China) have no choice but to retaliate, for face sake," Cliff Tan, head of East Asian research at MUFG Bank in Hong Kong, told the Reuters Global Markets Forum on Tuesday. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang, at a media briefing, rebuffed Trump's claim that his tariffs were causing companies to move production away from China, saying foreign investors remain enthusiastic about the country. GOOGLE SUSPENSION Huawei is on the receiving end of a U.S. government accusation that it engaged in bank fraud to obtain embargoed U.S. goods and services in Iran and move money via the international banking system. Huawei has pleaded not guilty. The trade blacklist has added to its woes, following which Alphabet Inc's Google suspended some business with Huawei, Reuters reported on Sunday citing a person familiar with the matter, raising worries about the Chinese firm's smartphones that run on Google's Android operating system. Monday's temporary license is likely to allow companies such as Google to continue providing service and support, including software updates or patches, to Huawei smartphones that were available to the public on or before May 16. "Keeping phones up to date and secure is in everyone's best interests and this temporary license allows us to continue to provide software updates and security patches to existing models for the next 90 days," a Google spokesperson told CNBC in an email on Tuesday. The license also allows Huawei to engage in the development of standards for fifth-generation (5G) telecom networks. APPLE PRAISE Ren put up a brave front on Tuesday, reiterating claims that the restrictions will not hurt Huawei's prospects and that no other company will be able to catch up with Huawei in 5G technology in the next two to three years. China was nevertheless still "far behind" the United States in technology, he said. Chip experts have called out Huawei on its claims that it could ensure a steady supply chain without U.S. help, saying the technology it buys from American companies would be "hard to replace." Nearly 16% of Huawei's spending on components in 2018 went to U.S. firms including Qualcomm, Intel and Micron Technology, analysts said. Ren said Huawei was at odds with the U.S. government, not U.S. firms, and in a comment that trended on Chinese social media, he praised Apple Inc's iPhones, saying he gifted the American firm's devices to family members. "Apple has a good business ecosystem. ... We cannot think narrow-mindedly that loving Huawei equals loving its phones." U.S. firms could lose up to $56.3 billion in export sales over five years from stringent export controls on technologies involving Huawei or otherwise, the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation said in a report. Missed opportunities threatened as many as 74,000 jobs, the foundation said. (Reporting by Karen Freifeld in New York, David Shepardson in Washington and Brenda Goh in Shanghai; Additional reporting by Diane Bartz in Washington, Angela Moon, Ryan Woo, Cate Cadell and Lusha Zhang in Beijing, Supantha Mukherjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Christopher Cushing, Sayantani Ghosh, Himani Sarkar and Arun Koyyur) U.S. Gives Limited Relief for Consumers, Carriers Using Huawei (Bloomberg) -- The Commerce Department on Monday granted a 90-day relief for certain U.S. broadband companies and wireless customers using Huawei Technologies Co. equipment. The temporary license covers continued operation of existing networks and equipment as well as support to existing handsets and other limited actions, according to a notice published in the Federal Register Monday. This license will allow operations to continue for existing Huawei mobile phone users and rural broadband networks, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said in an emailed statement on Monday. The Trump Administration blacklisted Huawei on Friday, jeopardizing its supply of American components from semiconductors to the Google apps that run on its smartphones. For Huawei phone users, the temporary reprieve means Google will be able to provide key Android security updates during the 90-day time frame, but future Huawei phones will still lack Googles apps. Ross said last week on Bloomberg Television that the administration had a plan in place to deal with rural providers that use the Chinese companys equipment in existing 4G networks. The move comes after the Trump administration placed the Chinese telecoms giant on an export blacklist that requires American companies to apply for a special license to sell products to the worlds largest networking gear maker. The impact of the Trump administrations threats to choke Huawei reverberated across the global supply chain on Monday, hitting some of the biggest component-makers. Small carriers, the main U.S. users of Huawei gear, had worried the ban could keep them from even routine practices such as ordering replacement parts or exchanging information in order to update software. The equipment is typically cheap and reliable, winning fans among rural providers. The largest U.S. carriers dont use Huawei gear, which government officials say could be used for espionage -- an allegation the company denies. Story continues The temporary license is effective for three months, until Aug. 19. Kevin Wolf, former head of the Commerce Departments export controls section, said the temporary relief is not an indication that the Trump administration was backing off its ban on the company. It is a limited authorization to prevent Internet and telecom systems from crashing. It is not a general relief from the impact of the listing, he said. Such a temporary license has been granted only once before, for Huawei rival ZTE Corp., last year, Wolf added. (Updates with Google impact in fourth paragraph.) --With assistance from Todd Shields and Mark Bergen. To contact the reporter on this story: Jenny Leonard in Washington at jleonard67@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Brendan Murray at brmurray@bloomberg.net, Margaret Collins, Sarah McGregor For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. Americas escalating trade dispute with China has been weighing on sentiments across markets. On May 10, Washington raised tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods from 10% to 25%, while Beijing retaliated by imposing higher duties on a revised list of 5,140 U.S. goods worth $60 billion. Among others, China raised the tariff on imported liquefied natural gas (or LNG) to 25% from the prior level of 10%. The deteriorating Sino-U.S. relationship in the form of several rounds of new tariffs (or tax on imports) is feared to be a major headwind for the massive U.S. LNG export projects as China is the second biggest importer of the fuel behind Japan. Lets look at the potential implications for LNG exports in light of the bitter and protracted trade dispute between two worlds largest economies. We also examine how this escalation of the tariff war will impact the future U.S. LNG projects and the billions of dollars poured into these plants, as well as the effects on Cheniere Energy, Inc. LNG the U.S.s only listed LNG export pure play. U.S. Companies Look to Take Advantage of Cheap Domestic Natural Gas Driven by shale extraction, natural gas output in the United States have climbed to record levels. The EIA forecasts that U.S. will produce 90.7 billion cubic feet a day (Bcf/d) of dry natural gas this year, up from the 2018 average of 83.4 Bcf/d - a record high for the second consecutive year. The agency also projected that domestic gas output would rise to an all-time high of 92 Bcf/d in 2020. Soaring volumes are weighing on the outlook for prices. Meanwhile, companies like Cheniere Energy foresees the fundamentals of LNG to be favorable in the long run, considering the secular shift to the cleaner burning fuel for power generation worldwide and in the Asia-Pacific region in particular. With domestic prices remaining constrained on the back of abundant supplies, the company sees a big opportunity in selling U.S. natural gas production at higher prices overseas. Story continues China: Major Driver of LNG Demand Growth Per the Anglo-Dutch energy giant Royal Dutch Shell plcs RDS.A 2019 LNG Outlook, LNG demand reached 319 million tons last year up by 27 million tons from 2017 and significantly higher than the 100 million traded in the year 2000. The 300+ million tons of LNG trade in 2018 was enough to power about 643 million homes. Global LNG demand is likely to continue growing for the next few years and is projected to rise to around 384 million tons per annum by 2020. Supplies from Chevron-led CVX Gorgon and Wheatstone mega-projects in Australia are already being absorbed by the strong demand through long-term contracts of up to 20 years. While the increasing demand for gas in the European power sector will be a key factor in the near-term LNG supply rise, the consumption boost is primarily set to come from Asian importers like China, India, South Korea and Pakistan as part of efforts to switch from coal and heating oil for environmental reasons. Japan remains the world's largest buyer of LNG but China leapfrogged South Korea to take the second place in 2017. As the nation transitions from coal to natural gas, Chinas imports of LNG rose 40% in 2018 to 16 million tons. Investors should also note that China's crackdown on pollution has created a long-term positive trend for LNG demand growth with the country required to buy roughly 40% of its overall consumption in the face of domestic production shortage. Meanwhile, the comeback of nuclear power in Japan is cutting into the demand for gas-fired power generation and, by extension, LNG demand. Cheniere: The First Company to Export LNG from the United States While there are a number of North American LNG export projects lined up for Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) nod, Cheniere Energys terminals in Louisiana and Texas, Dominion Energy Inc.s D Cove Point export plant in Maryland and Sempra Energy's SRE Cameron LNG in Hackberry are the only ones operating currently. Being the first company to receive FERC approval to export LNG from its 2.6 billion cubic feet per day Sabine Pass terminal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, Cheniere Energy certainly enjoys a distinct competitive advantage. Its true that Cheniere Energy is not entirely dependent on a single country, with the company boasting of a diversified customer base having shipped LNG cargoes to 32 different nations and regions worldwide. Still, it must be admitted that China is a leader in global LNG import growth and the country is a major area of thrust for Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) Cheniere Energy, which already has two long-term supply agreements signed in the country. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Conclusion According to consultant Rystad Energy, LNG demand from China is expected to reach 95 million tons in 2025, turning the country into the world's biggest importer. On the other hand, going by the existing sanctioned projects, U.S. volumes of LNG exports is set to rise almost four-folds by the same timeframe to 84 million tons per annum. But with China targeting LNG from United States for import levies as part of its tit-for-tat tariff measure, there is a risk that U.S. exports would become uncompetitive. Moreover, the LNG projects aiming for final investment decision including Cheniere Energy's Sabine Pass Train 6 and Tellurian Inc.'s TELL Driftwood LNG might be adversely affected as these capital-intensive developments must secure long-term contracts to ensure multi-billion-dollar financing. As it is, LNG prices are on a downward spiral on estimated supply growth, mostly from the United States. The Chinese buyers are also on the lookout for purchasing natural gas from non-U.S. LNG suppliers, which could jeopardize the likes of Cheniere Energy's revenues, since it enjoys a dominant position in the U.S. LNG export market. Cheniere Energy will reportedly supply about $18 billion of natural gas chilled to liquid form as part of a long-term contract with Chinas state-owned Sinopec SNP. However, the agreement will be formally signed only after the trade tensions are resolved. Therefore, a potential lengthy U.S.-China trade war could be a big letdown for the American LNG exporters and certainly pose risk for the future projects. 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 >> 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 Dominion Energy Inc. (D) : Free Stock Analysis Report Sempra Energy (SRE) : Free Stock Analysis Report China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (SNP) : Free Stock Analysis Report Chevron Corporation (CVX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDS.A) : Free Stock Analysis Report Cheniere Energy, Inc. (LNG) : Free Stock Analysis Report Magellan Petroleum Corporation (TELL) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. LONDON, May 21 (Reuters) - Angolan state oil company Sonangol has finalised its allocations of July-loading crude to term buyers, traders said on Tuesday, while the number of unsold Nigerian June cargoes was dwindling. ANGOLA * Two cargoes of June-loading crude are left to sell, a trader said. * Sonangol has allocated all of its July-loading cargoes to term buyers and still has a cargo of Mostarda available, a trader said, which is being offered. * Dalia: Sonangol sold a cargo of this grade in a tender, due to high demand, a trader said. * There has yet to be a spot trade of July-loading crude. NIGERIA * Around 15 June-loading cargoes of Nigerian crude were still available, lower than Monday's estimate of around 20. * Nigeria's Trans Forcados pipeline remains closed but no force majeure has been declared, a Shell spokeswoman said on Tuesday after a fire broke out on Sunday. * Forcados cargo loadings are experiencing delays, a trader said, although it was unclear how long. TENDERS * India's HPCL issued a buy tender for west African crude loading July 1-10. The tender closes on Wednesday. * Uruguay's ANCAP issued a buy tender for a 1 million barrel cargo for July 28 to Aug. 1 delivery closing on Wednesday. * Indonesia's Pertamina issued a buy tender for crude loading in July. The tender also closes on Wednesday and remains valid until May 27. (Reporting by Alex Lawler, editing by Alexander Smith) )) United Nations urges Nepal to change its rape and sexual violence law Human rights activists say they are cautiously optimistic because of Nepals lax attitude to international communitys pleas in the past. College and High School Students Earn National Awards For Community Service Impact CINCINNATI(BUSINESS WIRE)lt;a href=https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryDaytoEPIC?src=hash target=_blankgt;#EveryDaytoEPIClt;/agt;Students across the country are being recognized by the United Nations Association USA and InnerView Technologies in the 2018-19 National Community Service Awards for students and schools at both the high school and undergraduate level. This three tier award program celebrates a wide range of activities driving impact from first time actions like volunteering at a food pantry, tutoring, working with seniors and veterans to leadership roles in fundraising, organizing and speaking at events. Through positive experiences, peer leadership, community engagement and access to ways to get involved, we can help more individuals get introduced to service opportunities aligned with their passions and experience a personal connection with the UN Global Goals, says Anna Mahalak, Youth Engagement Manager of United Nations Association USA. We believe this program uniquely connects an entire ecosystem of change makers including volunteers, service leaders, development programs, nonprofits, schools and committed businesses to elevate and expand the social impact of volunteer efforts and connection to the UN Global Goals. The power of students applying their talents and energy to community service is tremendous. Through this program, thousands of students have invested more than 410,000 community service hours this school year. Volunteer experiences drive impact to critical community needs, as well as demonstrate character traits, develop skills in human agility, and deliver local progress to global challenges says Kristine Sturgeon, CEO of InnerView Technologies. A key artifact students gain through this program is the development of a digital service resume for use in job and college applications to demonstrate personal commitment, 21st century skills, and key areas of interest. Story continues For the 2018-19 School Year, students from 188 schools have earned personal recognition for local and global impact. Schools are listed below by state, each student award earner is listed with the primary area of impact at https://innerview.org/award/members. Alabama Auburn University Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education University of Alabama Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education University of South Alabama Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Jacksonville High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being The Donoho School Primary impact: Global Goal 16 Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions Arizona Campo Verde High School Primary impact: Global Goal 16 Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions Empire High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Highland High School Primary impact: Global Goal 17 Partnerships for the Goals Higley High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Maricopa High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Phoenix Country Day School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being California California Polytechnic State University Primary impact: Global Goal 5 Gender Equality California State University Fullerton Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being University of Southern California Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being California School of the Arts San Gabriel Valley Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy Primary impact: Global Goal 5 Gender Equality KIPP King Collegiate High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Monte Vista High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Notre Dame High School Primary impact: Global Goal 10 Reduced Inequalities Colorado Cherry Creek High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Mullen High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Connecticut Canterbury School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Daniel Hand High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Hopkins School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Newtown High School Primary impact: Global Goal 16 Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions The Academy of Information Technology and Engineering Primary impact: Global Goal 1 No Poverty The Loomis Chaffee School Primary impact: Global Goal 11 Sustainable Cities & Communities The Williams School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being William H Hall High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Delaware University of Delaware Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Appoquinimink High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Padua Academy Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being The Charter School of Wilmington Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Thomas McKean High School Primary impact: Global Goal 17 Partnerships for the Goals Ursuline Academy Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Florida Florida Atlantic University Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education University of West Florida Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Coral Gables Senior High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Indian River Charter High School Primary impact: Global Goal 14 Life Below Water William T. Dwyer High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Georgia Denmark High School Primary impact: Global Goal 2 Zero Hunger Georgia Connections Academy Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Northview High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education The Galloway School Primary impact: Global Goal 15 Life on Land Hawaii Homeschool Hawaii Primary impact: Global Goal 6 Clean Water & Sanitation Illinois Illinois State University Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being University of Illinois Urbana Champaign Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Bloom High School Primary impact: Global Goal 1 No Poverty Buffalo Grove High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Hoffman Estates High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Huntley High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education J Sterling Morton East High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education James B Conant High School Primary impact: Global Goal 11 Sustainable Cities & Communities John Hersey High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Morton West High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Stevenson High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Vernon Hills High School Primary impact: Global Goal 9 -Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure Indiana University High School of Indiana Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Kentucky Bellarmine University Primary impact: Global Goal 1 No Poverty Lindsey Wilson College Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Northern Kentucky University Primary impact: Global Goal 16 Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions University of Kentucky Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Beechwood High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Covington Latin School Primary impact: Global Goal 2 Zero Hunger Randall K Cooper High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Louisiana Caddo Parish Magnet High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being St Louis Catholic High School Primary impact: Global Goal 11 Sustainable Cities & Communities Maryland Montgomery College Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Arundel High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Poolesville High School Primary impact: Global Goal 13 Climate Action Massachusetts Northeastern University Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Seekonk High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Michigan Eastern Michigan University Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Michigan State University Primary impact: Global Goal 17 Partnerships for the Goals University of Michigan Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Wayne State University Primary impact: Global Goal 2 Zero Hunger Airport High School Primary impact: Global Goal 17 Partnerships for the Goals Berkley High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Bishop Foley Catholic High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Byron Center High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Chelsea High School Primary impact: Global Goal 2 Zero Hunger Detroit Catholic Central High School Primary impact: Global Goal 1 No Poverty Fulton High School Primary impact: Global Goal 16 Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions Gabriel Richard Catholic High School Primary impact: Global Goal 17 Partnerships for the Goals Greenhills School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education International Academy of Macomb Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Lapeer High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Leland Public School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Lowell High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education NorthPointe Christian High School Primary impact: Global Goal 2 Zero Hunger Northville High School Primary impact: Global Goal 1 No Poverty Pioneer High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Saline High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Shrine Catholic High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Minnesota Bemidji High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Eagan High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Forest Lake High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Northfield High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Stillwater Area High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Wayzata High School Primary impact: Global Goal 17 Partnerships for the Goals Mississippi University of Mississippi Primary impact: Global Goal 16 Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions Olive Branch High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being St. Joseph Catholic School Primary impact: Global Goal 1 No Poverty Rockwood Summit High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Nebraska Millard North High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being New Jersey The College of New Jersey Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Chatham High School Primary impact: Global Goal 2 Zero Hunger Mainland Regional High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Peddie School Primary impact: Global Goal 16 Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions New York Fordham University Primary impact: Global Goal 13 Climate Action EF Academy Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Queens High School for the Sciences at York College Primary impact: Global Goal 1 No Poverty Riverdale Country School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Trinity School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Windsor Central High School Primary impact: Global Goal 2 Zero Hunger North Carolina University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Primary impact: Global Goal 2 Zero Hunger Northwest Guilford High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education South Mecklenburg High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Ohio Cleveland State University Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Miami University Primary impact: Global Goal 1 No Poverty The Ohio State University Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being University of Cincinnati Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Wright State University Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Anderson High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Badin High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Beavercreek High School Primary impact: Global Goal 17 Partnerships for the Goals Carroll High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Chardon High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Cincinnati Country Day School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Clermont Northeastern High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Elder High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Franklin High School Primary impact: Global Goal 8 Decent Work & Economic Growth Gilbert A Dater High School Primary impact: Global Goal 8 Decent Work & Economic Growth Indian Hill High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Kings High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Lakota East High School Primary impact: Global Goal 9 -Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure Lebanon High School Primary impact: Global Goal 2 Zero Hunger Little Miami High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Loveland High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Mercy McAuley High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Milford High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Roger Bacon High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Seton High School Primary impact: Global Goal 17 Partnerships for the Goals The Miami Valley Upper School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being The Summit Country Day School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Turpin High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Walnut Hills High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Wyoming High School Primary impact: Global Goal 11 Sustainable Cities & Communities Oklahoma Cascia Hall Preparatory School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Crossings Christian Upper School Primary impact: Global Goal 16 Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions Harding Charter Preparatory High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Little Axe High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Oregon McNary High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Pennsylvania Harcum College Primary impact: Global Goal 17 Partnerships for the Goals South Carolina Voorhees College Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Academic Magnet High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Greenville Technical Charter High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Greer Middle College Charter High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Nation Ford High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Powdersville High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education University of South Dakota Primary impact: Global Goal 1 No Poverty Tennessee Franklin Road Academy Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Texas Central Texas College Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Texas A&M University Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Booker T Washington High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Carnegie Vanguard High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Flower Mound High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Lamar High School Primary impact: Global Goal 2 Zero Hunger McNeil High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education St Dominic Savio Catholic High School Primary impact: Global Goal 1 No Poverty Westwood High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Vermont University of Vermont Primary impact: Global Goal 2 Zero Hunger Virginia James Madison University Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Broad Run High School Primary impact: Global Goal 2 Zero Hunger Langley High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Wakefield High School Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Washington Union High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Washington D.C. George Washington University Primary impact: Global Goal 3 Good Health & Well-Being Howard University Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Wisconsin Arrowhead High School Primary impact: Global Goal 15 Life on Land Muskego High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education New Berlin Eisenhower High School Primary impact: Global Goal 15 Life on Land Waunakee High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education West De Pere High School Primary impact: Global Goal 4 Quality Education Wilson Jr High School Primary impact: Global Goal 1 No Poverty About United Nations Association USA The United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) is a membership organization dedicated to inform, inspire, and mobilize the American people to support the ideals and vital work of the United Nations. For 70 years UNA-USA has worked to accomplish its mission through its national network of Chapters, youth engagement, advocacy efforts, education programs, and public events. UNA-USA is a program of the United Nations Foundation. UNA-USA and its sister organization the Better World Campaign represent the single largest network of advocates and supporters of the United Nations in the world. Learn more at www.UNAUSA.org. About InnerView Technologies InnerView is the leading youth social responsibility platform to help students, groups, and schools highlight community service impact, passion for causes, and connect local effort to the UN Global Goals. All college and high school aged students are welcome to join thousands of 14 to 24 year olds who have developed dynamic visual service resumes through my.InnerView.org. InnerView Technologies is a social impact organization working with students, groups, schools, nonprofits, and committed & compassionate institutions. Learn more at InnerView.org. Contacts Sarah Hopkins UNA USA 202-496-6384 SHopkins@unfoundation.org Jen Mozen InnerView Technologies 312-342-4492 Jen@InnerView.org For Immediate Release Chicago, IL May 21, 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: SB One Bancorp SBBX, Camden National Corp. CAC, Middlesex Water Co. MSEX, The Joint Corp. JYNT and NexPoint Residential Trust Inc. NXRT. Here are highlights from Mondays Analyst Blog: 5 Top U.S.-Focused Stocks to Buy as Trade Negotiations Stall The year-old trade conflict between the United States and China, which looked like being close to resolution in the first four months of this year, has been deteriorating again since the first week of this month. According to CNBC, the U.S.-China trade negotiations appear to have been stalled as it remains unclear what the two sides will discuss. Consequently, trade-sensitive stocks, especially the ones that have large exposure to China or other international markets, lost a good chunk of value. At this juncture, it will be prudent to invest in domestic business-focused stocks with a favorable Zacks Rank. Trade War Resurfaces Wall Street faced extreme volatility following President Donald Trumps tweet on May 5, in which he expressed his displeasure about the progress of U.S.-China trade negotiations and threatened to hike tariffs on Chinese goods. On May 10, the U.S. government hiked existing tariff rates to 25% from 10% on $200 billion of Chinese exports. In 2018, the Trump administration imposed 25% tariff on $50 billion of Chinese goods. Moreover, President Trump threatened to levy 25% tariff on another $325 billion of Chinese goods. China had imposed $110 billion tariffs on U.S. exports in 2018. Following the hike of U.S. tariff, the Chinese authority imposed 25% tariff on an additional $60 billion U.S. goods effective Jun 1, 2019. Trump Declares National Emergency in Telecom Story continues On May 15, President Donald Trump issued an executive order declaring a national emergency, preventing U.S. corporates from using information and communications technology equipment from sources as this poses an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States. Following the order, the Department of Commerce added Chinese telecom behemoth Huawei Technologies and its affiliates to the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) Entity List. Another Chinese telecom giant ZTE may also face the same fate. The latest move by the U.S. government further jeopardized the lingering trade-related disputes between the two countries. Global Economic Slowdown Concerns Markets are uncertain about when the U.S.-China trade tension will be resolved or if at all they will be. President Trump added to the prevailing ambiguity on May 13, when he said that people will come to know whether a trade deal is at all possible in the next three to four weeks. If no progress is made at all and a full- fledged trade war rages, then in addition to these two countries, the global economy will also see a slowdown. On Apr 9, the IMF reduced global economic growth forecast for 2019 to 3.3% compared with 3.5% projected in January and 3.7% forecast in October. The IMF cited trade-related conflict as the primary reason for lowering global economic growth rate. Why Domestic Stocks? Investors are concerned that intensifying trade conflict will hurt sales of U.S. multinational companies as their products will be vulnerable in the international markets. Domestic business oriented companies are mostly immune to any external shocks since the United States is the lone market for their products. This will help them to outperform the broader market defying extreme volatility. Our Top Picks At this stage, investment in domestic business-focused stocks with strong growth potential will be lucrative. We have been able to narrow down our search to five stocks, which have moved higher in the past month and still have upside left. All five stocks currently sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. SB One Bancorpprovides commercial banking and related financial services to individual, business and government customers in the United States. The company has expected earnings growth of 36% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 9.9% over the past 30 days. The stock has gained 2.7% in the past month. Camden National Corp.provides commercial and consumer banking products and services to consumer, institutional, municipal, non-profit and commercial customers in the United States. The company has expected earnings growth of 10.6% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 5.6% over the past 30 days. The stock has gained 4.8% in the past month. Middlesex Water Co.owns and operates regulated water utility and wastewater systems in the United States. The company has expected earnings growth of 10.7% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 5.9% over the past 30 days. The stock has gained 13% in the past month. The Joint Corp.develops, owns, operates, supports and manages chiropractic clinics in the United States. The company has expected earnings growth of 475% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 9.5% over the past30 days. The stock has gained 3.5% in a months time. NexPoint Residential Trust Inc.is focused on acquiring, owning and operating well-located middle-income multifamily properties in the United States. The company has expected earnings growth of 11.7% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 1% over the past 30 days. The stock has gained 13.8% in the past month. The Could Be the Fastest Way to Grow Wealth in 2019 Research indicates one sector is poised to deliver a crop of the best-performing stocks you'll find anywhere in the market. Breaking news in this space frequently creates quick double- and triple-digit profit opportunities. These companies are changing the world and owning their stocks could transform your portfolio in 2019 and beyond. Recent trades from this sector have generated +98%, +119% and +164% gains in as little as 1 month. Click here to see these breakthrough stocks now >> 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 Middlesex Water Company (MSEX) : Free Stock Analysis Report SB ONE BANCORP (SBBX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Camden National Corporation (CAC) : Free Stock Analysis Report The Joint Corp. (JYNT) : Free Stock Analysis Report NexPoint Residential Trust, Inc. (NXRT) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research PLATTSMOUTH Two Plattsmouth teenagers were hospitalized following a three-vehicle crash on Nebraska Highway 66 on Friday. According to Cass County Sheriff William Brueggemann, deputies from his department, along with other agencies, responded to the accident at the the intersection of Hwy. 66 and Chasemore Drive shortly after 2:30 p.m. According to Brueggemann, a Pontiac Grand Prix, driven by a Plattsmouth 15-year-old, was driving west on Hwy. 66 and struck a Chevrolet Cavalier, driven by a Plattsmouth 17-year-old, who was also traveling west. The impact caused the Cavalier to strike a Chevrolet Malibu that was waiting to turn south onto Chasemore. The Grand Prix came to rest in the westbound lane of the highway, while the Cavalier and Malibu came to rest in the northbound lane of Chasemore, according to Brueggemann. All three cars were badly damaged. The drivers of the Cavalier and Grand Prix were transported to Omahas University of Nebraska Medical Center by Plattsmouth rescue for their injuries. The Malibus 77-year-old driver from Plattsmouth was checked by Murray Rescue and released. The department did not release names of any of the three people involved in the accident. Plattsmouth police also responded to the call, according to Brueggemann. The investigation is ongoing. 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. A Cedar Bluffs man was cited for shoplifting at a store on E. 23rd Avenue on Friday. According to the Fremont Police Department, 33-year-old Neil R. Connick was cited on suspicion of theft by shoplifting after being accused of taking speaker components, tools and food from a business in the 3000 block of E. 23rd Avenue. It wasnt Christmas, but Brooke Ronhovde brought gifts to Washington Elementary School. On Monday morning, the former Fremonter now a teacher in Lincoln came with plastic baskets full of art supplies for students at the local school. Decorated paper hearts and letters came from children at Clinton Elementary School in Lincoln, where Ronhovde is an English Language Learners (ELL) teacher for students in kindergarten, second and fifth grades. A variety of art supplies came from students and staff at Wysong Elementary in Lincoln. Almost 400 items were donated. All items were given in the hopes of helping Fremont students whose families were deeply affected by mid-March flooding. We were really sad about the flooding that happened in Fremont and how it impacted your school so closely and that a lot of you had to go through some pretty hard things with that, Ronhovde said. We wanted to do something to make you guys smile. We hope you guys have a great end-of-the year and, hopefully, this will help you start your summer off well, too. Washington Elementary School Principal Diane Stevens was touched by the generosity of Clinton and Wysong elementary schools. They went way above and beyond for us and its made lots of kids happy, for sure, and its made the staff and teachers feel cared for, Stevens said. Its been a hard spring here, Stevens noted. I dont think people always understand how challenging it has been for the staff. Half of our students were displaced by the flood and almost all the other half had family and friends living with them. Its been challenging for teachers to balance focusing on learning and teaching with the emotions that the kids are bringing to school and their need to express that so this is nice. Ronhovde, assisted by her fiance Nathan Kyes, also a former Fremonter, dropped off supplies at each classroom. Wide-eyed children listened attentively as Ronhovde told how students in Lincoln made cards and collected supplies for kids in the Fremont school. Each classroom got a wooden sign cut in the shape of the state. The signs, many of which said: Nebraska Strong, were painted by Lincoln students, who signed their names on the back. Younger schoolchildren each received at least one paper heart or cutout of the state of Nebraska decorated by Lincoln children in the same grades. Were going to send those home with you to remind you that people are thinking about you and want you to feel happy, Ronhovde told children in Dan Morans kindergarten class. Older children each got postcards or letters written by Lincoln students in grades 2, 3 and 4. Pre-kindergarten children received paper butterflies made with clothespins. Each classroom got a plastic basket with art supplies geared to that grade level. Supplies included crayons, markers, chalk, PlayDoh, clay, coloring books and paint. Teachers could decide how to use the supplies to help give the students some good end-of-the-schoolyear fun. In addition, every classroom got a couple larger items such as magic or bracelet-making kits or small towers that held lots of markers. Teachers responded with warm enthusiasm. This is incredible, Moran said. Thank you so much. Fourth-grade teacher Shanna Karlin grew teary-eyed during the presentation. Are you OK, Miss Karlin? one student asked. Im just very grateful, Karlin said, also expressing her thanks. About 320 students attend Washington Elementary School on South Broad Street. Ronhovde said Clinton and Wysong schools each have about 500 students. Ronhovde was in town visiting family during spring break when flood waters covered highways in and out of the city, making them impassable. She was among area residents who got a plane ride out of Fremont to the Millard airport. From there, she caught a ride to Lincoln so she could be ready for Monday morning classes. Ronhovde told the Tribune in March that leaving was hard since so much had to be done in Fremont after the flooding, but believed it would be good to be back with her ELL students. Most of these students dont speak English as their first language and teachers, like Ronhovde, are a voice for them. When Ronhovde returned to Lincoln, she told students about Fremont-area flooding and showed them photographs. A lot of our students have experienced something like that before some kind of trauma thats caused them to have to move, Ronhovde said. A lot of our kids, whove come here from other countries, have had to flee from dangerous things and leave their homes really quickly and so they kind of know what that feels like. So immediately, Ronhovdes students wanted to know how they could help. Staff at Clinton donated a carload of cleaning items, such as gloves, masks and trash bags. She gave those items to her parents, Mike and Edie, who took it to the local distribution center for Fremont-area residents affected by the flooding. In April, a teacher reached out to Ronhovde about Student Serve Week, a time when kids at Clinton and Wysong schools partner for a project to help others. This years theme was Hearts Through the Arts. Lincoln teachers wanted to help flood-impacted students in Fremont. They knew Ronhovde was from Fremont and is familiar with Washington school. Ronhovde was still in college when she worked on projects with Washington students. Her parents have taught summer school here. We felt so horrible for the families, Ronhovde said of those involved with the project. We felt like the kids needed something to help them feel like kids and to help them get a break from having to deal with this really heavy stuff. Kyes snapped photos during the distribution. Seeing their happiness and excitement to use those things and to get to take home something created for them, it felt rewarding to me, Ronhovde said. I know our students and staff will be really excited to see those pictures and see the work they did helped kids feel happy and excited. Love 2 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. Two of Nintendos free-to-play mobile games will no longer be playable in Belgium at the end of August, a shutdown that comes as a result of the countrys strict policy regarding loot boxes. Both Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp and Fire Emblem Heroes are set to go offline in Belgium in a few months' time. Additionally, Nintendo has said in a statement spotted (and translated) by Eurogamer that it wont release games with similar monetization models in Belgium in the future. Both free-to-play games feature loot boxes as a monetization mechanic, though Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp only added the option last month. Regulators in Belgium ruled that loot boxes qualify as games of chance last year and are therefore illegal under the countrys gambling laws. Translations of the statements shared to Nintendo of Belgiums Twitter account and website say that the certain unclear situation in Belgium regarding certain in-game revenue models is responsible for its decision to end service for both games and that both will go offline on August 27. In the year since Belgium made its ruling about loot box legality, several developers and publishers have changed how their games monetize in the two countries, with some like Square Enix and now Nintendo opting to fully shut down mobile games in the country to stay on the right side of the law. The alleged kidnapping, rape, and murder of a 10-year-old girl in the Pakistani capital has prompted protests and online outrage. Hundreds of mourners, including family members and activists, protested on a busy Islamabad square before burying the victim on May 21. Police in the city say they are investigating the case and have already made some arrests. Nabi Gul says his daughter Farishta disappeared after going out to play near their house in Islamabad on the evening of May 15. The victims elder brother Fahim Nabi told Radio Mashaal that police initially refused to register their complaint about her disappearance and only lodged it on May 19 after the family approached politicians, lawyers, and journalists. He says his sisters mutilated body was found late on May 20. We demand justice. Arent we humans and citizens of this country? he said. Gul says the government must track down the culprits. Farishtas killing is part of the ongoing atrocities in this country, and the state is responsible for bringing the perpetrators to justice, he said. Activists and politicians have called for a judicial probe into the case as #JusticeForFarishta remained a top Twitter trend in Pakistan. Nisar Mohmand, a politician from the northwestern district of Mohmand, says that like millions of fellow Pashtuns in Pakistan, the victims family had been forced to flee their home region for the relative safety of Islamabad a few years ago. This is a major atrocity, and we demand justice, he told Radio Mashaal. We want to ask the state that we endured displacement for this country, but now our mutilated bodies are being handed over to us in this manner and even hospitals are reluctant to carry out autopsies of our victims. Mohmand was referring to an apparent delay in Farishtas postmortem in a government hospital in Islamabad late on May 20. The delay also prompted a protest by activists late on May 20. Members of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), a civil rights movement demanding security and rights for Pakistans Pashtun minority, staged a sit-in in front of Islamabads Polyclinic hospital to demand doctors conduct a swift autopsy. PTM leaders and activists are demanding that a judicial commission look into the incident and the government suspend and investigate the staff of the Shahzad Town police station, which is responsible for overlooking the Islamabad neighborhood where Farishta was kidnapped. If the authority of the state is so weak in its capital -- if we cant find any justice in Islamabad -- just imagine what is happening in the far-flung corners of this country, PTM lawmaker Mohsin Dawar told protesters. But the police in Islamabad say they have made some headway with the case, which is now being investigated by a senior official. God willing the perpetrators will not be spared, Islamabad Police wrote on Twitter. We have arrested some suspects and have registered the case. The autopsy has been carried out. The police said they have suspended the officer in charge of Shahzad Towns police station. We have launched an inquiry against him, the police said, without naming the official. Pakistani media reports suggest the countrys interior minister, Ijaz Shah, has asked Islamabad police to brief him on the case. According to Sahil, a nongovernmental organization advocating child rights, every year thousands of children are sexually assaulted across Pakistan. But the group says most perpetrators escape the law due to social and legal complications. After his appeal was rejected, an accused pedophile and killer of eight children was executed in October in Pakistan. Mohammad Imran was arrested, tried, and ultimately hanged after the rape and murder of 6-year-old Zainab Ansari in Kasur, a city in the eastern province of Punjab, prompted a global outcry in January 2018. A procedural misstep on the part of three Cripple Creek-Victor School District RE-1 board members protesting a recall movement led a hearing officer to order a recall election for Timothy Braun, Dennis Jones and Tonya Martin. But Braun and Jones disagree with the finding and filed a motion in the Fourth Judicial District Courthouse in Cripple Creek on Monday, appealing the decision. They are calling for a stay on the recall process until a judge rules on their request. We think they erred, Jones said. Our hope is the judge will hear our case and we either have another protest hearing or be allowed to present our protest at district court. We really dont know whats going to happen. Meanwhile, a mail-in recall election is set for July 16, said Stephanie Kees, chief deputy clerk for the Teller County Clerk and Recorders Office. Ballots are set to be mailed June 25-28 to 3,289 active, registered voters living in the school districts boundaries, Kees said. Voters would decide whether to retain the board members or oust them and replace them with others. Former district employee Patty Waddle started the recall petition drive in January, accusing Braun, board president, Jones, treasurer, and Tonya Martin, secretary, of multiple violations of Colorado state statutes, school board policies and resolutions, Sunshine laws and the Colorado Open Records Act. The targeted board members have contested the drive from the beginning, saying the allegations the recall petitioners circulated are incorrect. The language on the petition is false, so people are going to be making a decision on false statements, and we dont think thats right, Jones said. To provide impartiality to the process, Teller County Clerk and Recorder and Designated Election Official Krystal Brown asked the countys attorney, Paul Hurcomb, to act as the hearing officer at the protest hearing, Kees said. The board members sought to prove the claims against them are not true, but they never had a chance to present their side. Braun, Jones and Martin did not submit their protests under oath meaning in front of a notary as state statute requires, the hearing officer ruled. That was news to the board members, Jones said. We turned it in and werent told it had to have an acknowledgment, Jones said. The clerk accepted it, and we thought everything was in order. At the hearing, the officer administered the oath, and made it sound like the protest was going forward, Jones said. At the end, he said its not going to happen because you guys didnt follow state statute. The hearing officer ordered the designated election official to set the date for the recall election, Kees said. Jones said he and Braun disagree with the hearing officers interpretation, as there is no clear definition of whether the oath was to be in the form of notarization or if the clerk should have administered the oath when presented. Should the election happen, ballots will contain a 200-word paragraph in favor of recalling each board member. A 300-word rebuttal from each board member also will be included. Jones said those are due Thursday, and the board members have prepared them. As it stands now, anyone wishing to become a successor must obtain 25 signatures from valid voters and return them to the Clerk and Recorders Office by June 7, to be included on the ballot as a potential replacement. Voters supporting the recall of each board member also could write in names on the ballot. As of Monday, Kees said one person had requested a successor petition but had not yet turned it in for approval. The outcome of an election would be determined by more yes votes than no votes, she said. The base cost of a recall election is an estimated $8,500, Kees said, but would be more because of the protests filed. The school district must pay for the costs. The board members appeal could crunch an already tight deadline for a recall election. We have the print vendor on standby, the ballot programmer on standby, Kees said. Voters would be able to return ballots by mail or in person in a 24-hour drop box outside the courthouse in Cripple Creek. A voters service center is set to open June 24 in the courthouse, if the timeline holds. Kees asks that voters wait until they receive their ballots in the mail before seeking assistance. Full-day kindergarten went from pipe dream to the law of Colorado on Tuesday as Gov. Jared Polis delivered on one of his main campaign promises. House Bill 1262 ensures theres money to cover each child eligible for the preschool program. Some parts of the state have not been able to afford kindergarten in the past, and about 1 in 5 Colorado kids attend half-day kindergarten. In some cases, parents have had to pay up to $400 a month for their child to attend full-day kindergarten. The governors office expects the $175 million infusion from next years budget to add support for more than 5,000 more preschoolers. The program goes into effect with the new school year. Polis initially asked the Legislature for $227 million. In a Tuesday ceremony at Stedman Elementary School in Denver, he also signed House Bill 1055, to put up another $25 million to help school districts cover furniture, equipment and other startup costs. We are so excited that now every child in Colorado will have access to free, full-day kindergarten, Polis said in a statement. No longer will a family have to choose between paying for kindergarten or making rent. This will save families thousands of dollars each year and open the door for others who could not afford it. This big step forward for Colorado children has been many years in the making. A broad, bipartisan coalition has worked tirelessly to see this vision become reality. Republican Rep. Jim Wilson of Salida, a main sponsor of the bipartisan bill this year, had tried and failed to fund kindergarten the last two sessions, where it was voted down in the House by the Democratic majority. His hope became reality with the support of Polis and the bills co-sponsors, Democratic Sens. Jeff Bridges of Greenwood Village and Rhonda Fields of Aurora, with Rep. Barbara McLachlan, a Democrat from Durango. Every kid in Colorado deserves a fair shot at success no matter where they come from, Bridges said in a statement. The differences kids show up with in 1st grade stay with them the rest of their educational careers. Fully funded full-day kindergarten gives every kid across the state a strong start. It helps level the playing field, and ensures all our kids have the opportunity to earn a good life. Fields said the bill will help students and working families. And the signing of this bill is just another way that shows how we delivered for Colorado families this session, Fields stated. This critical investment ensures that every kid in Colorado will get the strong start they deserve. Contact Joey Bunch at joey.bunch@coloradopolitics.com or follow him on Twitter @joeybunch. A protester holds a poster with the social media hashtag "#refugeesWelcome," during a demonstration against President Donald Trump's revised travel ban, Monday, May 15, 2017, outside a federal courthouse in Seattle. A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments Monday in Seattle over Hawaii's lawsuit challenging the travel ban, which would suspend the nation's refugee program and temporarily bar new visas for citizens of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) On April 24 more than two dozen women of all ages, North Iowa and Minnesota, attended the Women Caring for the Land meeting, which focused on the stewardship of the land through the use of cover crops and minimum tillage systems. The day-long womens program, sponsored by Women, Food and Agriculture Network (WFAN), Prairie Rivers of Iowa, and the local USDA offices, was held at the Titonka State Bank, Forest City. Up to fifty percent of all farmland in Iowa is either owned or co-owned by women, said Carol Schutte, Coordinator for WFAN. What is different about these meetings is during the morning sessions there are only women involved. Often women feel intimidated when they go where there is a large number of men to address ag-related issues. In some cases women who own land have recently been widowed and dont know where to turn. So we give them a safe place to ask questions about agriculture and a safe place for them to express their values and emotions about their land. With having all women in the meetings they can share their feelings. They can share things close to their heart if they want to, said Dr. Jean C Eells of the E Resource Group. The big thing is they can ask questions in a comfortable setting. Some women will ask questions in any setting, but other women won't." Eells said the safe environment has even helped some women share their grief of losing a husband. The focus of the morning was improving soil health, water quality and how that translates into profitability in a farming operation. After a luncheon, the group boarded a bus and toured some of the conservation practices they had discussed during the morning sessions. At the Jerry Ouverson Farm located east of Forest City, the group dug up soil samples to see how the conservation practices had helped improved soil health. Ouverson also displayed his strip-till machine and answered questions. I grew up on a farm and my dad is getting older. I am now working with my dad so he can transfer knowledge to me, said Sherry Johnson of St. Paul, Minnesota. Not being involved with farming for many years I need a lot of knowledge, more than I have today. I want to learn more so as time goes by the land can stay in the family. This meeting has been a God-send. I was becoming concerned about where do I go, and who will help me. I have been astounded by their knowledge and their graciousness in sharing it. Sara Innes lives north of Fertile said, I came with a friend today. I got a lot of useful information. We use cover crops after the corn is harvested. One thing that I learned was about the various types of cover crops. This meeting far exceeded my expectations, said LaVonne Welch of Mason City, who co-owns agricultural land with her sisters. We have already approached one of our tenants about these practices. This will be the first year he will be implementing them. This made me more aware of what is available and what we have to do to have sustainable agriculture. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Former Forest City resident and World War II veteran 1st Lt. Kermit Bjorlie celebrated his 100th birthday. Bjorlie currently lives in the Zumbrota Nursing Home in Zumbrota, Minnesota. During his birthday celebration, he received a signed photograph of Air Force Ones crew from U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Jon Safstrom of the Minnesota Air National Guard. Bjorlie lived in Forest City with his wife and three children while working in the Soil Conservation Service before moving to Zumbrota. The war Bjorlie was born on a farm in Pekin, North Dakota on April 3, 1919, graduating from North Dakota State University with a degree in agricultural engineering. While attending college, Bjorlie was involved in the ROTC program and, after graduating, enlisted in the Army Air Corps (what is now the Air Force) February 1943. He served from 1943 to 1946. After receiving flight training in several states, including Michigan, Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico, Bjorlie was sent to New Guinea and from there was sent on to the Porac Strip in the Philippines. It was there he joined the 310th Fighter Squadron, 58th Fighter Group. It was during his time there Bjorlie said he had his first experience in combat, flying over jungles and getting acquainted with what we had to put up with moving down. His daughter, Carol ONeill, said he flew the P-47 Thunderbolt with combat missions, giving support to U.S. forces fighting the Japanese in the Cagyen Valley hills. Bjorlie was then based on the Bolo Strip in Okinawa, flying five- to six-hour missions over southern Japan and looking for targets of opportunity. After Okinawa was Irumagawa Air Base northwest of Tokyo for the occupation, where he flew the P-51 Mustang. I wasnt a part of any major battles, but we had battles all the time, Bjorlie said. Bjorlie said he preferred flying the P-47 because it was larger, stronger and safer than the P-51. He has photographs of him in his P-47 hanging on the walls of his room. Bjorlie recalled a time when he was flying a mission, shortly after dropping a bomb on an enemy destroyer. While he was flying back to join his squadron, he got too close to a Japanese anti-aircraft gun, which fired and hit him. It hit the bottom of the plane, I could feel it, the bottom had been hit, Bjorlie said. First thing I knew was I wanted to be flying to the water so I could be picked up by the Navy. "Next thing I knew there was shrapnel coming up through the wing of the plane and I needed to get to the water right away. Bjorlie said he dove for the water and luckily, because the P-47 had self-sealing gas tanks, he wasnt leaking any gas. He continued flying down to join his squadron, taking a chance they could get back to the base. We succeeded, he said. We got there without any problemI never did see the airplane again. I think it was taken into the repair depot because it had too much damage. Bjorlie said that was the closest call he had while flying. Back home After the war, Bjorlie, in August 1947, he married Ruth Lewis, whom he had met at a USO dance at the Waco Army Airfield in Texas during his training. Bjorlie first had a county extension job in Mahnomen County, Minnesota, and then became the director of Soil Conservation Service in Thompson, living on Forest Drive in Forest City. Later, the company moved from Thompson to Forest City. It was in Forest City where the Bjorlies built their home and had their three children. He and Mom really enjoyed their time in Forest City, ONeill said. Thats where our kids were born and thats where our friends and a lot of people our age, more youngsters the same age, so you get quite a good family, and its just hard to leave, Bjorlie said. The Bjorlies were also members of Immanuel Church in Forest City. They talk about their time there more than anything, ONeill said. The Bjorlie family moved to Zumbrota, Minnesota, in 1966 because there was a better paying job there. Its just like anything else, Bjorlie said. An opportunity to get more money, more grants you move. I think the friendships we developed in Forest City and in Winnebago Countyand the all the people, you just cant put it away because it stays with you, he said. 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. 1. Yes. The economy is strong and unemployment low. Thats a good basis for a solid year. 2. Yes. Health experts are getting a handle on COVID. 2022 should be a better year. 3. No. If any large-scale COV ID-related shutdowns take place, it will hit the nation hard. 4. No. Inflation is still too much of a wild card. It could really cause a drag on the economy. 5. Unsure. There are too many variables at play to predict with any degree of certainty. Vote View Results After the roof at Mohawk Square partially collapsed over the weekend, as thunderstorms moved through the North Iowa area and deposited more than an inch of rain, tenants of the building in downtown Mason City are moving quickly to find alternate options. Outside the building at 22 N. Georgia Ave., orange and white A-frame construction barricades were set out in front of two of the buildings entrances. Paper notices were taped on each access door to let patrons know that Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health, Mason City Housing Authority, Elderbridge Agency on Aging, Iowa Legal Aid, Child Specialty Health Clinic, Department of Correctional Services and Avalon Center were temporarily closed. Since that time the various have been looking for other spaces and attempting to keep in touch with the clients and residents in general. Here's a rundown of where the various entities are: Department of Correctional Services The department has temporarily located to the Beje Clark Residential Center at 818 15th Street SW. Clients needing to contact parole or probation officers are asked to call their office number as usual. Those who are new or those who are needing to report have been told to visit the aforementioned residential center. Department of Public Health According to Public Health Information Officer Kara Ruge: The department has emergency preparedness plans in place for events such as the closure and the plan is coming through for them. Ruge said that department officials are currently working to find alternate locales to use and they have a team out looking for prospects. On its Facebook page this morning: The department informed folks that nurses and home care aides would continue to provide services to patients. Other services are steadily becoming available again and those with appointments are advised to call 641-421-9300. Elderbridge Agency on Aging Because of the damage sustained to the building, the Elderbridge Agency on Aging is transferring its offices to 3 4th Street NE (across from Fareway). Those who need assistance from Elderbridge, which works to empower older adults, caregivers and individuals with disabilities to pursue independent healthy lives, have been asked to call 800-243-0678. Juvenile Court Services Per an official notice appended to one of the glass doors at Mohawk Square: Juvenile Court Services has temporarily moved to the basement of the Cerro Gordo County Courthouse at 220 N. Washington Ave. Iowa Legal Aid While calls to Iowa Legal Aid were not immediately returned, the group did confirm on its website that the Mason City office has a new temporary location in Westbrook Center at 520 S. Pierce Ave. The Legal Aid offices are open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mason City Housing Authority According to Cathy Burtness, executive director of the Mason City Housing Authority, the municipal agency is looking at temporary and permanent replacements. Burtness said that, as they wait for the structural engineer's report, the group has no access to its files or computers but that phone calls are being transferred to workers' cellphones. While they wait for a location announcement, the Mason City Housing Authority is setting up appointments throughout the day. Other agencies Child Specialty Health Clinic, Avalon Center and the Department of Human Services have not yet responded to messages about their future plans. Continue to monitor the Globe Gazette website as this story develops. 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. For five years, Sydney (Hein) Hartogh showed pigs, before getting into cattle. In 2006, Hartogh bought a Red Angus heifer in western Nebraska, starting her on a journey of raising cattle. We then kept our breeding heifers and bought more cows, said Syndeys dad, Mike Hein. We enjoyed the cattle and it kind of grew from that point. In 2010, Mike and his wife, Ann, moved back to the Osage area, from western Nebraska. The Heins' farms land in the Little Cedar and New Haven areas. Sydney and her husband, Ben, are all part of the Hein Cattle Company, which produces some prize-winning Purebred Red Angus breeding stock. Mike said much of the success of the herd is due to an extensive AI breeding program. We have a pretty extensive AI program, he said. We also do embryo transplants and use our black cows as carriers. We use some high-dollar bull semen, mostly from Canadian b bulls. While many herdsmen calf in the spring, the Heins first calving starts around Labor Day and runs for about 45 days. The second calving begins around Christmas and ends in mid-February. We calf in the fall so we can take our 15-month-old bulls to winter and spring cattle shows in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and to the Black Hills as well as the Beef Expo in Iowa, Mike said. We also take eight to ten head to show at the Iowa State Fair. Each member of the family provides their personal skills toward the success of the herd. Mike breaks most of the show cattle to lead. Sydney does the clipping and fitting of the show cattle and then she usually does the showing. Being a mechanic, Ben keeps everything running on the farm. Ann keeps the breeding stocks records, which is a major task when dealing with purebred breeding stock. She keeps bloodlines recorded for the herd, along with other vital information. We have a scale under our working chute. When we wean, we weight every calf. Ann enters all that data online, Mike said. We also provide all that information to all our bull customers. I have to record every calfs birth weight, their 205-day adjusted weaning weight, the breeding stocks yearling weight and also the ultrasound information, Ann said. Each year, the cattle being sold for breeding stock are run into a chute and an ultrasound is done on them to determine the size of the ribeye area, back fat, while measuring the marbling in the ribeye, which is important to herdsmen who are investing in the Heins breeding stock. The Heins breeding program and on-going evaluation of their cattle has paid dividends. Sydney showed the Division Champion Bull in the State Show two years ago. We then went to the National Show in Louisville and that bull also won our division there, Mike said. We usually have a couple of champions at the Iowa State Fair. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The American Legion turned 100 years old this year as a national organization, and Merrill Johnson, 87, of Meroa, has been a member for two-thirds of those years. Johnson joined Legion Post #278 of Osage 66 years ago after returning home from serving in the Marines during the Korean War. His two older brothers, Marvin and Norbert, also were in the Armed Forces and were already Legion members. Merrill said Marvin was the one who "made sure I joined the Legion as soon as I got out of the service." When Merrill came home in 1953, "my friends were all gone," he said, noting some of them were still serving in the military. He said he joined the Legion so he could meet other veterans and make friends. Johnson still enjoys spending time with those friends and participating in Osage post activities, including the annual Memorial Day observances. He is currently the oldest of the 12 post members serving on the memorial squad that fires the 21-gun salute at funerals for veterans. Legion members have to be asked to join the memorial squad. "I feel that's an honor to be able to do this for the people that have served," Johnson said. He said he's no longer strong enough to fire a rifle, so he is one of the squad members holding the colors while the others fire. Johnson, a 1949 graduate of Osage High School, was drafted into the military in 1951. "We didn't have a choice of what branch we were going into," he said. At that time the Marines had a personnel shortage, so that's where Johnson was assigned. After boot camp in San Diego, half of the Marines in Johnson's group were sent to Korea, while the others went to the East Coast. Johnson was assigned as a clerk/typist at the Marine Air Wing at Cherry Point, North Carolina. Keeping logs for the pilots was one of his duties. He also had to go past the area where the airplanes were to pick up the mail each day. "It was so noisy," said Johnson, who now wears hearing aids. "That's what affected my hearing." He said he also was around heavy machinery later on during civilian life, "but it all started from the noisy airplanes." Johnson's group was on board the USS Bennington for three months in 1953. The Navy aircraft carrier had been taken out of commission after World War II, but was recommissioned in 1952. Johnson was on board on April 27, 1953, when a boiler explosion killed 11 Navy service members and injured seven others. "They couldn't get out," he said. "They were scalded." At the time the ship was on a shakedown cruise off the southeastern part of Cuba. Johnson said he was in the on-board PX picking out a present for his mom for Mother's Day when the explosion took place in the level below him. He was not injured. He said he didn't know any of those who died or were injured because they were all in the Navy. Johnson got married one year after getting home. He said his wife, Muriel, worked a 4 p.m. to midnight shift as a hospital nurse while he was self-employed as a "jack of all trades." For many years Merrill couldn't attend Legion meetings because he had to be home with the children while Muriel worked. He became more active after all four of the kids had graduated from high school. Johnson started the Kwik Serve restaurant in Osage in 1980. He ran the place until 1996, when new owners took over. The restaurant is still in business today. Johnson has been the sexton at the Rock Creek Cemetery in Meroa since 1959. On the Friday before memorial day, Merrill and Muriel decorate the veterans' graves at the cemetery with poppies. "We enjoy doing that," Merrill said. His brother Marvin used to decorate the grave with poppies. Merrill and Muriel took over after Marvin died in 1992. Merrill's younger brother, Dean, who lives next door to him, is also a veteran. The Osage Legion post used to run the Bingo games at the Mitchell County Fair. "It was a lot of work," Johnson said. Then there were the weekly suppers hosted by the post. Members took turns being in charge of these meals, and that person had to find volunteers, according to Johnson. He said once when he was in charge of a prime rib and baked potato supper, he scrubbed the potatoes, wrapped them in foil and put them in the oven. Unfortunately, he forgot to turn on the oven, "and we didn't discover that until it was time to serve," he said. Johnson had to cook the potatoes in the microwave to get them done. "Everyone is entitled to one mistake," he said. Johnson enjoys the camaraderie of being in the Legion. "We are all friends," he said. 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. CHARLES CITY | The Floyd County supervisors took action this week requiring both applicants for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and the property owners to appear at public hearings. The action come on the heels of a resolution they passed two weeks ago asking the governor and Legislature to make changes to improve the state's master matrix system. Tuesday's resolution requires both applicants for CAFOs and owners to appear at county hearings after being notified by certified letter of the date and time of the hearings. If either or both fail to appear, a second letter would be sent with a new hearing date and time. If either or both failed to appear at the second hearing, the permit would be denied. The board is also considering a resolution regarding protection of wellheads and groundwater monitoring wells on the sites of proposed CAFOs but no formal action has been taken on that. In its Feb. 14 resolution asking for the state to improve the master matrix, supervisors said CAFOs have been built at a much higher rate than the state anticipated when it created the matrix in 2002. Supervisor Mark Kuhn said 22.4 million hogs produced in Iowa in 2016 is projected to be 30 million by 2020. He said the hogs produce roughly 10 times more fecal waste than humans and that hog waste in Iowa contributes to two-thirds of the fecal waste in the United States. Kuhn said if the waste is applied properly to farm fields, it is good for the economy and good for farmers using it as a nutrient. But if it is applied improperly, said Kuhn, it can leach into groundwater supplies. After a public hearing, when the resolution was proposed by Kuhn, it died for lack of a second. After some discussion and the resolution came up for a vote again, Kuhn favored the concept but objected to some of what was included in the second version. It was approved by a 2-1 vote. The resolution points out the matrix "has failed to adequately differentiate between the geography, water sources and other critical considerations throughout the different regions in the state." It further states the matrix fails "to properly take into consideration information within the knowledge of local sources, highlighting the failings of the master matrix to protect the air, water, health, quality of life and economic interests of the citizens." Floyd officials join Allamakee and Winneshiek county in formally calling for changes in the state matrix. Webster and Pocahontas county leaders last year wrote letters to legislators and the DNR, calling for a moratorium on factory farms and changes to the matrix. Johnson County officials have asked for more local control. The Mitchell County Board of Supervisors in February approved establishing a formal committee to review master matrix applications. The board, which said it would begin participating in scoring hog confinement applications, had previously approved applications as presented. Earlier this week, the Franklin County Board of Supervisors approved an application for a permit for an addition to an existing CAFO because the application met all the requirements of the state matrix. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 MASON CITY | Iowa has been feeding the world for years and now has the chance to energize it, Gov. Kim Reynolds told a Mason City crowd Friday. Reynolds, who succeeded Terry Branstad as governor on Wednesday, addressed about 70 Republican Party faithful at a hangar in the Mason City Municipal Airport. She identified four goals for her administration: Creating a better business environment. Developing an innovative energy policy. Educating Iowa youth to prepare them to compete in a global economy. Developing training programs to make sure Iowa will have a workforce ready to meet the needs of global economy. "I won't stop until every Iowan has an opportunity to succeed," she said. Acting Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg, whom Reynolds appointed to the position Thursday, was also introduced. He spoke briefly, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to serve. Reynolds said Gregg will be a full partner in her administration just as she was as lieutenant governor for the past six years for former Gov. Terry Branstad, who was recently confirmed as U.S. ambassador to China. Reynolds was Clarke County treasurer for 14 years and was in the State Senate when Branstad pegged her as his running mate. She greeted many Republican friends Friday and at least one Democrat, former Cerro Gordo County Treasurer Mike Grandon, who was in the audience and received a hug from the new governor. Reynolds and Grandon have known each other since the days when they were both county treasurers. Grandon retired in 2010 after 36 years in office. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Theres no doubt Gary and Sharon Lindgren are passionate about Mason City. And for decades, theyve shared their love for the community by volunteering. It is a great place to live, a great place to raise your kids, Gary said. Were fortunate in Mason City. The Lindgrens and their dedication are being recognized at the 81st annual North Iowa Band Festival, which takes place over Memorial Day weekend in downtown Mason City with the theme Forward, March. The couple has been named the grand marshals for this years festival. The award, given annually by the North Iowa Band Festival Committee, recognizes people of local or national prominence whove made a significant contribution to the development, history or success of the festival. It was a total surprise, Sharon said. We are honored but very surprised. The Lindgrens will be in the parade at 10 a.m. Saturday. The couple has been involved in the band festival since the 1980s, when their children, Brian and Julie, were in the Mason City High School Band, and they worked in the local business community downtown. Sharon has been a festival royalty judge and chaperone and has handled details related to concessions, while Gary has volunteered in a variety of capacities with the festival from directing the floats and marching bands at the beginning of the parade to lining up convertibles for the honorees. Gary, a longtime member of the River City Kiwanis Club, has also served food at the clubs concession booth during the band festival for years. We just love the community so much, Sharon said. Its nice to be in the community. The Lindgrens, whove been married for more than 50 years, arrived in Mason City in the 1970s to work at Damons department store, where Gary was the manager and president of the corporation. After Damons closed in 1990, Gary became an account executive for Piper Jaffray and later a business development director for RSM McGladrey. From 2000-2008, he was a senior national account manager for the government division at TeamQuest Corp. He served as market president of Community National Bank from 2008-2013. Sharon owned and operated Home Gallery and Gifts, a home decor business in Mason City, from 1989-2001. She worked at the Mason City Chamber as membership services director from 2004-2010. She was a founder of the Downtown Association, now known as Mason Street Mason City. From 2013-2015, the Lindgrens were contracted membership directors for the Mason City Chamber. Collectively, theyve been involved in various community organizations, boards and committees as well as Trinity Lutheran Church. Theres always so much to do, Sharon said. Gary and I have to check our calendar all the time ... As long as we can keep doing it, were going to do it. The Lindgrens are grateful for the individuals, businesses and organizations that make the North Iowa Band Festival successful year after year. They believe this years band festival theme, Forward, March, is fitting for Mason City and its next decade, especially with the vision for the citys downtown said. Mason City is fortunate to have all that and so is North Iowa, Gary said. For more information about the North Iowa Band Festival, visit www.nibandfest.com. Photos: North Iowa Band Festival Royalty 2019 Reach Reporter Ashley Stewart at 641-421-0533. Follow her on Twitter at GGastewart. 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. Re: The use of lie detectors is based on the assumption that lying produce [ #permalink 86 Kudos 53 Bookmarks Expert Reply The use of lie detectors is based on the assumption that lying produces emotional reactions in an individual that, in turn, create unconscious physiological responses. (A) that, in turn, create unconscious physiological responses (B) that creates unconscious physiological responses in turn (C) creating, in turn, unconscious physiological responses (D) to create, in turn, physiological responses that are unconscious (E) who creates unconscious physiological responses in turn The easiest place to start is probably with the create/creates split. What "create(s)...responses"? The emotional reaction. (Strictly speaking the subject of the verb "create" is the pronoun "that." More on this issue later.) Since "emotional reactions" is plural, we want a plural verb, "create." That eliminates B and E. "Creating" in C is a present participle, and "to create" in D is an infinitive, so neither of these is either singular or plural. Next we might consider which form of the verb "create" is appropriate, the verb "create," the present participle "creating," or the infinitive "to create." A verb-form split usually signals either an idiom problem or a problem with parallelism, but not in this case. Rather, neither C nor D captures the original meaning. Answer C: A present participle (-ing word) immediately preceded by a noun (no comma separating them) attributes action to that noun. So C means that "an individual" creates responses. Answer D: Here, "to create" suggests that the goal of producing emotional reactions is to create physiological responses. That leaves A, the correct answer. Addendum 1. I began by asking "What creates responses?" This common-sense question is usually adequate to match a verb to its subject. Sometimes you'll have a couple of reasonable answers, and you'll have to look more closely at the grammar. The verbs in relative clauses--noun-modifying clauses that start with "that" or one of the "wh-" words, "which," "who/m," "when," "where"--actually modify the relative pronouns that precede them, but those relative pronouns are themselves singular or plural depending on the nouns to which they refer. The long and short of it is that you're probably better off with the common-sense question than with the subtle grammatical question here. Addendum 2. With few exceptions, relative clauses modify the nouns or noun phrases they touch. In this question, "that...create...responses" touches the noun "individual," but it also touches the noun phrase "emotional reactions in an individual," that is, the noun "reactions" plus the adjective "emotional" plus the prepositional phrase "in an individual." That whole phrase, or if you prefer the noun at its heart, is modified by the relative clause. Frankly, I think that it's a little clumsy here, and I might have had a bit of trouble had I started with the modifier issue. The Brexit Impossibility Triangle As the United Kingdom's chaotic quest to leave the European Union drags on, the country's leaders need to accept that the primary objectives of Brexit are, and always have been, mutually incompatible. Sadly, their refusal to acknowledge this is indicative of the kind of leadership that led to the current impasse. Emily Jones , Calum Miller OXFORD With the European Unions latest extension of the United Kingdoms membership in the bloc, onlookers around the world are right to wonder why the Brexit process has proved so intractable. The short answer is that the UKs government and parliament are trying to achieve three incompatible goals: preserving the countrys territorial integrity, preventing the return of a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and enabling the UK to strike its own trade deals. The British are finally confronting the fact that only two of these objectives can be met at any one time. This implies that there are three basic scenarios for moving ahead with Brexit. The first scenario centers on a free-trade union, which would grant Britain autonomy over trade policy and territorial integrity in exchange for the return of a hard border in Ireland. Trade-policy autonomy requires that the UK leave both the EU customs union and the single market. In either case, customs and regulatory checks would have to be established at the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Though some have suggested that new technologies could obviate the need for physical border checkpoints, no such technologies exist. Hence, a major risk in this scenario is that the return of a hard border would jeopardize the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which ended decades of violence in Northern Ireland. The second scenario would offer an answer to the Irish question. The UK could enjoy trade-policy autonomy without a hard border in Ireland by sacrificing territorial integrity. This would involve keeping Northern Ireland in the EU customs union and single market while establishing a border in the Irish Sea that is, between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. The problem with this arrangement is that different parts of the UK would have different trade rules and regulations. Not only would Unionists in Northern Ireland object to being separated from the rest of the UK again, raising the risk of renewed conflict but Scotland would probably demand its own closer relationship with the EU. And if the Scots decided to pursue another independence referendum, the entire UK could be at risk. Under the third scenario, the UK could avoid the Irish question and preserve its territorial integrity, but would have to abandon the vision of Global Britain by remaining in both the customs union and single market. Under this scenario, there would be no meaningful autonomy over trade policy. This is the essence of the Common Market 2.0 proposal that has been put before the House of Commons. Following Norway, the UK could opt out of the Common Agricultural Policy and the Common Fisheries Policy, thereby reducing its EU budget contributions. But it would still have to permit significant migration from the EU a key red line of the Leave camp. Likewise, Britain would still fall under the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice, albeit indirectly. Moreover, even a simple customs union with the EU the option that has so far come closest to commanding a parliamentary majority doesnt resolve the Brexit trilemma. While it would grant the UK control over immigration, it would require new regulatory checks between Britain and the EU. It also means that Britain would be locked out of the single market in services, which constituted around 40% of British exports to the EU in 2017, accounting for a surplus of 28 billion ($36 billion). The Brexit impossibility triangle makes clear why UK Prime Minister Theresa Mays withdrawal deal has been rejected by the House of Commons multiple times. As an exit treaty, it leaves open the details of the UKs future relations with the European Union, but it does include a legally binding commitment (the backstop) to prevent the return of a hard border in Ireland. In the terms of the Brexit trilemma, Mays deal rules out the first scenario of a free-trade union, but leaves the inevitable choice between trade-policy autonomy and territorial integrity for the next stage of the Brexit negotiations. It is this ambiguity that worries many MPs. For their part, hardline Brexiteers are determined to secure autonomy over trade policy, which means they would accept a border through the Irish Sea. But then Scotland would demand its own special arrangement vis-a-vis the EU, putting the UK on track for a major constitutional shakeup, and possibly dissolution. Avoiding this scenario means sacrificing autonomy over trade policy for the sake of the Good Friday Agreement and territorial integrity. But this would upset hardline Brexiteers and could split the Conservative Party, a risk Theresa May has been unwilling to take. British leaders need to acknowledge that all Brexit scenarios involve tradeoffs, and the country urgently needs to hold a national debate to rank the electorates preferences. The choice is between one of the three Brexit scenarios and suspending the Brexit process altogether. Without a mature and frank discussion, the UK will continue to bear the costs of interminable uncertainty and indecisiveness. But, of course, a proper debate requires effective leadership that highlights the choices and creates space for compromise. If the wounds of Brexit are ever to heal, voters will have to move past transactional, tribal politics and embrace leaders who are willing to reach out to the other side and speak honestly about policy tradeoffs. Only by working together will the UK arrive at an outcome that all can respect and live with. Emily Jones is Associate Professor in Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford. Calum Miller is Associate Dean and Chief Operating Officer at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford. The Global Consequences of a Sino-American Cold War What started as a trade war between the United States and China is quickly escalating into a death match for global economic, technological, and military dominance. If the two countries' leaders cannot manage the defining relationship of the twenty-first century responsibly, the entire world will bear the costs of their failure. Nouriel Roubini NEW YORK A few years ago, as part of a Western delegation to China, I met President Xi Jinping in Beijings Great Hall of the People. When addressing us, Xi argued that Chinas rise would be peaceful, and that other countries namely, the United States need not worry about the Thucydides Trap, so named for the Greek historian who chronicled how Spartas fear of a rising Athens made war between the two inevitable. In his 2017 book Destined for War: Can America and China Escape Thucydidess Trap?, Harvard Universitys Graham Allison examines 16 earlier rivalries between an emerging and an established power, and finds that 12 of them led to war. No doubt, Xi wanted us to focus on the remaining four. Despite the mutual awareness of the Thucydides Trap and the recognition that history is not deterministic China and the US seem to be falling into it anyway. Though a hot war between the worlds two major powers still seems far-fetched, a cold war is becoming more likely. The US blames China for the current tensions. Since joining the World Trade Organization in 2001, China has reaped the benefits of the global trading and investment system, while failing to meet its obligations and free riding on its rules. According to the US, China has gained an unfair advantage through intellectual-property theft, forced technology transfers, subsidies for domestic firms, and other instruments of state capitalism. At the same time, its government is becoming increasingly authoritarian, transforming China into an Orwellian surveillance state. For their part, the Chinese suspect that the USs real goal is to prevent them from rising any further or projecting legitimate power and influence abroad. In their view, it is only reasonable that the worlds second-largest economy (by GDP) would seek to expand its presence on the world stage. And leaders would argue that their regime has improved the material welfare of 1.4 billion Chinese far more than the Wests gridlocked political systems ever could. Regardless of which side has the stronger argument, the escalation of economic, trade, technological, and geopolitical tensions may have been inevitable. What started as a trade war now threatens to escalate into a permanent state of mutual animosity. This is reflected in the Trump administrations National Security Strategy, which deems China a strategic competitor that should be contained on all fronts. Accordingly, the US is sharply restricting Chinese foreign direct investment in sensitive sectors, and pursuing other actions to ensure Western dominance in strategic industries such as artificial intelligence and 5G. It is pressuring partners and allies not to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinas massive program to build infrastructure projects across the Eurasian landmass. And it is increasing US Navy patrols in the East and South China Seas, where China has grown more aggressive in asserting its dubious territorial claims. The global consequences of a Sino-American cold war would be even more severe than those of the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union. Whereas the Soviet Union was a declining power with a failing economic model, China will soon become the worlds largest economy, and will continue to grow from there. Moreover, the US and the Soviet Union traded very little with each other, whereas China is fully integrated in the global trading and investment system, and deeply intertwined with the US, in particular. A full-scale cold war thus could trigger a new stage of de-globalization, or at least a division of the global economy into two incompatible economic blocs. In either scenario, trade in goods, services, capital, labor, technology, and data would be severely restricted, and the digital realm would become a splinternet, wherein Western and Chinese nodes would not connect to one another. Now that the US has imposed sanctions on ZTE and Huawei, China will be scrambling to ensure that its tech giants can source essential inputs domestically, or at least from friendly trade partners that are not dependent on the US. In this balkanized world, China and the US will both expect all other countries to pick a side, while most governments will try to thread the needle of maintaining good economic ties with both. After all, many US allies now do more business (in terms of trade and investment) with China than they do with America. Yet in a future economy where China and the US separately control access to crucial technologies such as AI and 5G, the middle ground will most likely become uninhabitable. Everyone will have to choose, and the world may well enter a long process of de-globalization. Whatever happens, the Sino-American relationship will be the key geopolitical issue of this century. Some degree of rivalry is inevitable. But, ideally, both sides would manage it constructively, allowing for cooperation on some issues and healthy competition on others. In effect, China and the US would create a new international order, based on the recognition that the (inevitably) rising new power should be granted a role in shaping global rules and institutions. If the relationship is mismanaged with the US trying to derail Chinas development and contain its rise, and China aggressively projecting its power in Asia and around the world a full-scale cold war will ensue, and a hot one (or a series of proxy wars) cannot be ruled out. In the twenty-first century, the Thucydides Trap would swallow not just the US and China, but the entire world. Nouriel Roubini, a professor at NYUs Stern School of Business and CEO of Roubini Macro Associates, was Senior Economist for International Affairs in the White House's Council of Economic Advisers during the Clinton Administration. He has worked for the International Monetary Fund, the US Federal Reserve, and the World Bank. They said it couldnt be done. A Liberian refugee who escaped a civil war could never be elected to office. And certainly couldnt do it in Montana. They do not know Montana. They do not know America, where if you dream and if you work hard, anything is possible. I may not look or sound like the regular politician, but Im a hard worker and I get things done. Ive lived my life in service of the Montana that gave me a chance and gave my family refuge. Ive served Montana as an Army and Navy reservist. Ive served Montana working for the VA hospital at Fort Harrison. Ive served Montanas children as a teacher and working with underprivileged and at-risk youth. Its been some time since that snowy February day, in 1994, when my sense of purpose was restored as I landed in Montana. But every day since then has been a renewed reminder for me of why we live in the best state in the greatest country on Earth. See, I didnt grow up here, but in more ways than I can count, Montana, you raised me. You taught me the value of working hard and the unwavering importance of reaching out to my community. And most importantly, you gave my family an amazing life. Now Im running to once again serve on behalf of all Montanans in the United States Senate. And Im asking Montanans to join me, with one collective voice, to demand better of Washington, D.C. If you elect me, I will be your public servant, not just a politician. I promise to fight for Montanans: for our friends and neighbors, hardworking families, students, entrepreneurs, farmers, ranchers, the LGBTQ community, hunters and fishermen and women, and finally I will fight for our service members and our veterans. And I promise to stand up for our Montana values: protecting access to health care, access to our public lands, preserving our clean air and clean water, keeping dark money out of our elections, ensuring our right to privacy and making sure veterans have the care they need overseas and when they come home. Now I recognize that our challenges may be vast, and the road to our most desirable visions may not always be clear, but we owe it ourselves and future generations to provide more ladders of opportunity for more Montanans. Written in our Constitution is a commitment to the promise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These promises dont belong to any one party. They belong to us Montanans, Americans. Im asking Montanans to join me in a movement to remind this great country about that forgotten promise, to believe that no matter how divided we become, that under one Big Sky, we still can reach for the promise getting farther away each day. Together we are one people, our voices roar louder than ever, and weve got some work to do. Look for me on the campaign trail. I promise you, I wont be hard to find. Helena Mayor Wilmot Collins is running as a Democrat for U.S. Senate in Montana. He is military veteran and refugee from Liberia who fled from civil war and arrived in Helena in 1994. Love 1 Funny 17 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 0 While forecasters are calling for a wet Memorial Day Weekend for central and southwest Montana, most public campgrounds will be open. DECATUR Two men were arrested early Sunday after officers responded to reports of a weapon being brought to a party on North Water Street. A sworn police affidavit said members of the department's Community Action Team were monitoring the party in the 800 block of North Water Street about 1:55 a.m. when several people ran from the area yelling that someone had a gun. Officers were directed to the intersection of Water and East Green Street, where they found the two men sitting inside of a parked vehicle, the affidavit said. The 23-year-old driver and his 26-year-old passenger were seen reaching toward the vehicle's floorboard area and were instructed by officers to put their hands up. After both men ignored their commands, the affidavit said, officers opened the driver's door and physically took the driver out of the vehicle after he continued to ignore them. During a search of the vehicle, officers found a loaded Smith & Wesson handgun with a defaced serial number on the passenger side floorboard, the affidavit said. Police also found a clear plastic baggie with 15 individually wrapped baggies of field tested-positive cocaine in the vehicle's center console, the affidavit said. The passenger told police during an interview that he knew the driver had a gun after seeing him with it, the affidavit said. The driver told police that he didn't show the officers his hands because he was trying to find the key to the vehicle in an attempt to flee. He said this was because he wasn't supposed to be driving, the affidavit said, and that he didn't own anything in the vehicle and didn't know what was in it. Both men face preliminary charges of armed violence, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a weapon by a felon, manufacturing/delivering 1-15 grams of cocaine and possession of a firearm with defaced serial number. The driver faces an additional charge of aggravated resisting a police officer. Both men were held in the Macon County Jail on Monday in lieu of $75,000 bond. Preliminary charges are subject to review by the state's attorney's office. 2019 mug shots from the Herald & Review Contact Jaylyn Cook at (217) 421-7980. Follow him on Twitter: @jaylyn_HR 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. FORSYTH A 21-year-old woman is accused of stealing $2,001 in lottery tickets from a Forsyth gas station where she worked, police said. A sworn affidavit said a Macon County sheriff's deputy arrived at the Circle K gas station at 1315 Koester Drive in Forsyth on a theft complaint on Friday. A store supervisor said a cash register was short multiple days that week and on Wednesday, $647 in scratch-off lottery tickets were stolen. Police said the supervisor examined surveillance video and saw an employee taking multiple lottery tickets at a time and scratching off the barcodes while standing at the checkout counter. The supervisor said a surveillance video shows the employee scanning 11 non-winning tickets and seven winning tickets through a lottery machine and getting a total of $300. Police said the employee was the only person on duty at the time and there were no customers in the store. The sworn affidavit said surveillance video from the days prior showed the employee scanning tickets on Monday for $907 and Tuesday for $447. The woman told police she began stealing the tickets earlier this month. The woman's bail is set at $2,000, and she is scheduled to appear in court on June 18. 2019 mug shots from the Herald & Review Contact Analisa Trofimuk at (217) 421-7985. Follow her on Twitter: @AnalisaTro Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SHELBYVILLE When building a sand castle, it's important you have enough water. We thought wet sand would work better, but it doesn't, said Kara Chambers, a first-grader at Main Street School in Shelbyville. We're making a really big sand castle with a village (around it) and when we get back to school, we get ice cream. For the past few weeks, the children in the school have been learning about water safety and about the resources available nearby for family fun, like Lake Shelbyville and the beach that's only a few blocks from their school. Several of the children had never visited that beach, said Kendra Brewer, one of the teachers. During the past three weeks, the kids have been learning about beach and water safety through different activities, Brewer said. We started having lessons in PE class and today we got to come out and visit the beach. The students all had little buckets and made several trips into the lake to refill them. They've been really good about not going out too far, Brewer said. One activity was a relay race, in which the kids had to put on a life jacket properly, then race to the water and come back. The key part of this race was getting the life jacket on properly, and the Army Corps of Engineers gave a presentation about the importance of choosing the right size life jacket and securing it. Life jacket stations are available around the beach area for visitors who need to borrow one, with several sizes to ensure a proper fit. There were also sunscreen stations that taught students the importance of proper protection from the sun. Second-graders got a taste of geocaching, in which you use GPS to search for hidden items; and third grade learned about camping and hiking which, naturally, included roasting marshmallows. The hope is that taking the kids to the recreation area that's only minutes from many of their homes would encourage them and their families to visit the lake as a family, Brewer said. Outdoor time and family activities are not only healthy physically, but a great way to grow closer to loved ones, she said. The Army Corps of Engineers has been helping the school with the lessons, and rangers were on hand to give water safety demonstrations and oversee activities Friday. They also served as the judges for the sand castle competition, said Erica Nabers, park ranger. Main Street Principal Ryan Scott said the idea came from a training session for school staff with Ed Lacheta of the Shelby County Mental Health Center. We've noticed a lot more mental health things in kids, Scott said. Suicide to depression to emotional breakdowns. He talked to us and gave us information about what he's seeing in Shelby County in adults and kids and shared some brain research with us. As recently as 20 years ago, the average family spent about four hours a day together, Scott said. Today, it's closer to 90 minutes, and much of that time is spent on chores or in front of screens, instead of talking to each other, he said. Main Street's physical education teacher, Greg Harkin, approached Scott with the idea to use the nearby lake and beach as a way to encourage families to seek that interaction again. You don't know what you don't know, Scott said. You would assume most of our kids would have been to the lake, but only a third had ever been there. We have a lot of grandparents raising kids and single moms. The hope was, Scott said, that by getting kids excited about the lake and outdoor activities, they would inspire their families. Those times outdoors make great memories and when you sit around a campfire with your family, that creates that family unit bond, Scott said. That connectedness is really important in kids developing a sense of who they are. Contact Valerie Wells at (217) 421-7982. Follow her on Twitter: @modgirlreporter Love 0 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. DECATUR Dana Morse said she gets emotional when her grandfathers speak about their time in the service. I always cry, she said. There was another occasion to be sentimental for Morse on Monday, when Korean War-era veterans Curly Howard and Maurice Dean Dixson were honored during a Pinning Ceremony Monday at the VFW Hall Post 99 in Decatur. The two were the highlight of the event that also saw other relatives who had served John Dixson, who served during the Vietnam War era and Samuel Dixson, an Iraqi War veteran asked to speak and accept a flag pin. I appreciate all the elder veterans around me, because seeing the combination of the military now was nothing like what they had when they went, said Samuel Dixson, who is the grandson of Maurice Dixson. The event was organized by Connie Young, volunteer coordinator with Harbor Lights Hospice, which began conducting the pinning ceremonies last year in its 17-county region. Ceremonies can be held in homes and assisted living facilities with a few family members attending or with several people in larger venues, such as the Decatur V.F.W. Hall. Young said her mission with the pinning ceremonies is encourage other veterans in volunteering for similar events and to make sure that all veterans are recognized for their service. Although Harbor Lights is a hospice medical care agency, not all pinned veterans are hospice patients. We feel it is very important to honor those veterans and to make sure that they are acknowledged before they pass away, Young said. The ceremony consisted of the Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer and speeches by Young and Megan Irby, veteran and physician liaison for Harbor Lights. The volunteers also served lunch to the family, friends and veterans in attendance. Before a man or woman enters the military, he or she must recite an oath dedicating themselves to their county. During the pinning portion of the ceremony, Irby read the oath to the veterans again. That is your first introduction to the service, said Seth Morse, himself a veteran who wanted to recognize his wife's grandfathers for their military service. I would have figured the wording would have changed over the years, but apparently not. Maurice Dixson, 88, said he had not received any type of acknowledgement for his service in the past. The only pin he has been able to wear is his infantry badge. Ive done it all, he said during the ceremony. But recognition is always fun. His daughter, Cathy Howard, was at the ceremony to honor her father. We look to him highly, she said. We are very proud of him. This story has been updated with corrected information. Contact Donnette Beckett at (217) 421-6983. Follow her on Twitter: @donnettebHR 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. SPRINGFIELD An Illinois House committee on Monday advanced a proposed state constitutional amendment to allow for a graduated-rate income tax, the cornerstone of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's plan to stabilize the state's chronically shaky finances. The proposed amendment was passed by the Senate on May 1 on a 40-19 straight party-line vote, exceeding the required three-fifths majority. Before going to voters for final approval on the November 2020 ballot, the amendment must pass by the same margin in the House, where Democrats hold 74 seats. With Republicans unified in opposition, they'll need all but three of their members to vote in favor of the amendment, which would do away with a constitutionally mandated flat tax. Democratic Reps. Jonathan Carroll of Northbrook and Sam Yingling of Grayslake, who represent affluent suburban districts, have already said publicly that they aren't ready to vote in favor of the graduated tax plan. Unless they can be persuaded, House Democrats can only afford one other defection. Carroll cast a yes vote in Monday's House Revenue and Finance Committee hearing to send the plan to the House floor but said he still has "strong reservations." "I believe this is way too important of an issue for us not to bring to the floor, so you're going to have an aye vote from me now," Carroll said. "But that does not necessarily mean you'll get my support on the floor." The committee voted 9-6 to send the bill to the floor. The committee did not take up a bill that would set rates for the graduated tax, which taxes higher incomes at higher rates. Nor did it consider other measures the Senate passed in an effort to make the proposal more palatable. In addition to the proposed amendment, the Senate passed two separate bills that would only take effect if voters approve the constitutional change: one setting up a possible freeze on school district property taxes and one eliminating the estate tax at the state level. The Senate also set up rates that differed slightly from those initially put forth by Pritzker. Opponents to a graduated tax testified on Monday that it would place a financial burden on employers that could force some to move out of state. House Republican leader Jim Durkin questioned the administration's reasoning for pushing for a vote in advance of the General Assembly's May 31 adjournment, when the deadline for getting a measure on the November 2020 ballot falls 180 days before that election. "I think you're asking for a lot in a very short amount of time," Durkin said. Lawmakers aren't required to pass legislation setting new graduated tax rates before voters consider an amendment, but Pritzker and other supporters have said it's important for the public to know what the rates would be before casting their ballots. Opponents are already arguing that approving the constitutional change would be handing a blank check to Pritzker and the Democrats who control the legislature. House Democrats are still negotiating with the governor's office over the rate structure and potential property tax relief, a key issue for some holdouts. "They want to use that leverage to extract as much property tax relief as they can," Rep. Robert Martwick, a Chicago Democrat who's sponsoring the proposed constitutional amendment, said before Monday's hearing. "When you've got a rate structure that's going to get you enough to close the structural deficit and a little more, then you have to figure out where it fits into the list of priorities." Asked during Monday's committee meeting how a rate proposal in the House will differ from proposals from Pritzker's administration and the Senate, Martwick said he expects it will be "substantially similar to what we've seen." While Senate Democrats stuck to Pritzker's broad outline of raising taxes only on those making more than $250,000 a year, their plan would raise the top rate to 7.99%, compared with the governor's proposed 7.95%. The current rate is 4.95% for all taxpayers. It also would lower the income threshold at which the top rate kicks in for single filers to $750,000. Pritzker's plan called for the top rate to hit single and joint filers earning more than $1 million. A key piece of the Senate package would freeze school district property tax rates if the state meets its education funding obligations. That includes increasing state funding for elementary and secondary schools by $350 million each year and fully funding bus service, special education and other line items, something lawmakers haven't accomplished in years. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A student-faculty collaborative research project has won a regional award for excellence from the Midwestern chapter of Psi Chi The International Honor Society in Psychology. Graduating Hope seniors Tiffany Bell of Bartlett, Illinois, and Marny Ehmann of Sun Valley, California, received the award during the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association (MPA) held in Chicago, Illinois, on Thursday-Saturday, April 11-13. They were honored for the abstract of their presentation The Influence of Implicit-Explicit Mate Preference Discrepancies on Relationship Outcomes, which highlighted research that they conducted with Dr. Carrie Bredow, associate professor of psychology. Hope students have won the highly competitive awards during 17 of the past 20 years, with multiple awards in nine of those years. Only about 20 entries are honored each year from among more than 250 submissions. Bredows research examines how discrepancies between what people say that they want in a romantic partner and what they unconsciously desire in a romantic partner relate to whether or not a romantic relationship is successful. The team recruited 200 partnered individuals for the study, and asked them to indicate the importance they placed on traits related to attractiveness/vitality, status/resources and warmth/trustworthiness; had them rate their partner on the same traits; tested their implicit standards for the three dimensions; and evaluated their relationships. They then checked in after three months, six months, a year and two years to determine whether greater correspondence between peoples implicit and explicit standards was related to more positive relationship outcomes. With the data collection recently completed, Bredows team continues to work on the primary analysis. Bell and Ehmann were among several students and professors who participated in the conference. Hope students made 15 research presentations during the event regarding research that they had collected collaboratively with members of the faculty, with Hope professors leading or co-leading another three sessions. Hope College 2019 Psi Chi/MPA Conference Presentations Note: Faculty members, who either mentored the research or made conference presentations themselves, are listed in parentheses. Thursday, April 11 8:00-8:45 Psi Chi Poster Session I Developmental & Social Acoustic Parameters of Child Speech, Abby Meder, Elizabeth Woodford, Darby Baird (Dr. Sonja Trent-Brown) Evidence for Equality? Guatemalan Adolescents Views on Gender, Amy Beasley (Dr. Katelyn Poelker) Biopsychosocial Correlates of Sleep Hygiene in Preschoolers, Rebecca Messnick, Lauren Evert, Cameron Everse, Micah Manthei, Abby Rakus (Dr. Sonja Trent Brown, Dr. Andrew Gall) 8:30-10:20, Symposium Religious De-Identification: Distinguishing Religious Dones from Religious Nones (Dr. Daryl Van Tongeren) 9:30-10:15 Psi Chi Symposium Getting in: Applying to Graduate Programs (Dr. Lindsey Root Luna, Dr. Scott VanderStoep) 9:40-10:25 Psi Chi Poster Session III Cognitive & Other Child Speaker Identification: Accuracy, Reaction Time, and Engagement with Children, Darby Baird, Abby Meder, Elizabeth Woodford (Dr. Sonja Trent-Brown) Exploring the Effects of Contextual Influences on Cognitive Processing through the Use of Silent Centers, Elizabeth Woodford, Abby Meder (Dr. Sonja Trent-Brown) 10:30-11:15 Psi Chi Poster Session IV Biological & Social Thinking Outside the Brick: The Effect of Collective Intellectual Humility on Group Creativity, Caitlyn Heidenga, Michala Ringquist (Dr. Benjamin Meagher) Exploring the Predictive Validity of Implicit and Explicit Mate Criteria over Two Years, Marny Ehmann (Carrie Bredow) 11:20-12:05 Psi Chi Poster Session V Clinical & Health The Relationship Between Resilience Resources and Stress, Victoria Gardner, Caitlyn Heidenga, Samantha Stall, Michala Ringquist (Dr. Alyssa Cheadle) The Associations of Positive and Negative Affect and Religiousness and Spirituality, Nicholai Shaw (Dr. Alyssa Cheadle) 12:10-12:55 Psi Chi Poster Session VI Cognitive & Positive Resilience and Health in College Students, Lauren Thorne, Allison Darnell, Yuankun Gu (Dr. Alyssa Cheadle) 12:30-1:50 Psi Chi Symposium: Data Blitz Session I The Impact of Parent Awareness on Preschoolers Sleep, Lauren Evert, Cameron Everse, Rebecca Messnick, Micah Manthei, Abby Rakus (Dr. Andrew Gall, Dr. Sonja Trent-Brown) Friday, April 12 8:30-9:15 Psi Chi Poster Session VII Social & Other Should I Stay or Should I Go: Exploring Moderators of the Link Between Implicit or Explicit Preference-Partner Match and Relational Outcomes, Brianne Crouse, Amy Beasley (Dr. Carrie Bredow) The Influence of Implicit-Explicit Mate Preference Discrepancies on Relationship Outcomes, Tiffany Bell, Marny Ehmann (Dr. Carrie Bredow) 10:30-12:20 Clinical and Developmental Poster Session I Social Support Predicts Positive Psychosocial Variables in Pregnant Women, Trevor Sooy, Anna Langholz, Allie Thiel (Dr. Alyssa Cheadle) U.S. Adolescents Views of the Ideal Person, Trevor Sooy, Ashley Stegenga (Dr. Katelyn Poelker) 2:00-2:50 Psi Chi Symposium Taking the Road More Traveled: Using Your Psychology Degree in the Workforce (Dr. Scott VanderStoep) Psi Chi The International Honor Society in Psychology recognizes and promotes excellence in the science and application of psychology. Founded in 1929, the society has more than 1,130 chapters at colleges and universities across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Ireland, New Zealand, Egypt, Guatemala, and Russia. The honor societys chapters are grouped within six regions: Eastern, Midwestern, Rocky Mountain, Southeastern, Southwestern and Western. The Midwestern Region includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Ontario, Canada. Hopes chapter was chartered in 1965. Dr. Lindsey Root Luna, associate professor of psychology, who advises the colleges chapter, is vice president of the Midwestern Region, with responsibilities that include planning the Psi Chi programming during the MPA convention. Remarks: This was the number one song on the US R&B chart this year, 2021. It went to #1 in the US on both the R&B and pop charts and made the top 20 on po... 1 day ago 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 By Ritah Kemigisa Civil society organizations have slammed members of parliament for heavily burdening Ugandans by making them pay for their social media taxes and bundles. Last week parliament awarded a multi-million contract to MTN Uganda to supply the 458 MPS with monthly data bundles of shs 30,000 and OTT of shs 6000. Speaking to KFM, the Uganda Debt Network Programs manager Imelda Namagga says the move is a waste of public resources. She adds that the decision should be withdrawn because MPs are among the highly paid and as such can afford paying for themselves. However, in a dramatic twist of events, the Speaker of parliament Rebecca Kadaga has distanced herself saying she was not only opposed to it but was not aware of the said deal U.S. President Donald Trump has been open about his motivations for pressure on Iran. He wants to bring Iran back to the negotiating table so the issues that were not addressed in the nuclear deal can be dealt with. Iranian officials however have refused to negotiate with Trump. And the Supreme Leader reiterated this stance last week. Tensions between the United States and Iran reached a new height after the Trump administration deployed military reinforcements to the Middle East. Many were saying that a war is imminent. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said last week that there will be no war, but also said that there would be no negotiations. He described negotiations with the United States as poison. Yet not all officials are in agreement with this statement about negotiations because, less than 24 hours later, officials from both factions of the regime mentioned the possibility. In Tadbir & Omid, a publication with links to the hardliners, Esmael Kosari said that the question of negotiations is something that will continue to be offered by the United States. He said that if the United States is willing to engage in a series of measures to prove to us their actions are sincere and flawless then the regime could be persuaded to reconsider. A publication close to the Rouhani faction, Iranian Diplomacy also said that diplomacy must be given a chance and that more moderate officials should be used to balance the Trump administrations tough stance on Iran. A key aide to the Supreme Leader and a former minister of foreign affairs Kamal Kharrazi indicated during an interview with the French Express that there may be a possibility of hardliners entering into negotiations with the United States if there is a positive approach. And a former foreign affairs official Hermidas Bavand said in the Arman daily that Iran must be prepared for concessions, suggesting that prisoners are freed to neutralize Washingtons human rights excuse. He said that the regime would then be in a position to bring up the subject of unconditional negotiations. The Iranian regime is more split than ever and the internal disputes and incongruities are now impossible to hide. However, the pressure from outside the country may soon be the least of the regimes worries as the domestic pressure is maintained by the people of Iran. The main opposition to the Iranian regime, the Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI / MEK), is working with the Resistance Units inside the country to make sure that the peoples wishes are heard. One way or another, the regimes existence will soon draw to a close. It seems to be just a few short days or weeks ago that the United States was warning any country which would pay heed that it was best to avoid using equipment from Chinese telecommunications vendors because they would follow orders given by the Beijing government. Well, bless me, that seems to be the case in the US too, judging from the way companies like Google and Qualcomm are falling over themselves to follow the orders issued by the Federal Government about banning Huawei from buying American products. So, pray, wherein lies the difference? Or is this just the latest instalment of that attribute that begins with an "h" coming to us straight from Washington? In fact, in the case of the US it seems to be much worse because companies that are not based in the US are also nervously examining their wares in order to ensure that they conform with the latest diktats from Uncle Sam. Domestic US laws are imposed on other countries because might is apparently right; Washington controls the default currency for world trade and also the three biggest credit card companies Visa, Mastercard and American Express. So others, no matter what their defence, have to bow to a country that claims it sticks to democratic practices. And all this is passed off as being necessary due to national security! Pull the other one, please. The US appears to have blinked first in the tug-of-war with China, trying its hardest to extract a trade deal that will enable the orange-haired man in the White House to trumpet to his base that he has kept his promise to them and got the best deal possible with the country he keeps calling "Jina". One must bear in mind that Donald Trump, the individual referred to earlier, believes that when tariffs are levied by the US, they are paid by "Jina". This is the man who is dictating the mood in stock markets around the world. American exceptionalism, for sure. At the back of the minds of many world figures there lurks a horror scenario, one which the American journalist Seymour Hersh once referred to as the Samson Option. (He wrote a book about Israel's nuclear weapons with this title). And that ends with one side pulling the other down, and crushing everything to dust. Theoretically, that is a possibility given that China holds more than a trillion dollars of US bonds. Unloading even a small fraction of that would make the global financial crisis look like a Sunday picnic. One must hope that when Trump encounters his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, at the G20 summit at the end of June, they manage to sort this issue out. Else, what could eventuate is too horrible to even contemplate. By Damali Mukhaye. The chairperson of the inter party organization for democracy Norbert Mao has blasted the opposition forum for democratic change for always taking the money from the IPOD finders but snubs the meetings. Opening the second IPOD summit in Entebbe, Map says that the all the five parties in the Summit are receiving 1 billion from the Netherlands institute for multi party democracy including the FDC which has not turned up again. He says that the party officials have consistently been stubborn and keep boycotting the summits yet they are benefiting from the fundings, asserting that this is not good for the country. He says that FDC should change their mind set of thinking that sitting with president Museveni would water down their image and start attending the summits. FDC did not attend the summit because they feel that the issues they have solved have not been implemented hence they can not attend the meeting. Related Stories.. IPod summit chairman threatens to call off meeting FDC makes a U-turn on IPOD attendance I have received several phone calls lately about aquatic vegetation problems in ponds. Many of these pond owners have experienced increasing amounts of filamentous algae in their ponds. If you havent taken a close look at your pond lately, now is the time to begin monitoring it closely. Remember aquatic plant management is a balancing act, maintaining some vegetation for fish population health while limiting excessive growth. Aquatic plants have an important role in your pond. They produce the majority of dissolved oxygen for use by fish, serve as escape cover for young fish and provide food for some aquatic animals. Generally speaking, a pond supporting a population of fish should have aquatic plants within 20 to 40 percent of the ponds water column. If vegetation becomes excessive, there are several management options which include mechanical, biological and chemical control. Mechanical control involves the physical removal of the plants. Small populations of emergent plants such as cattail and arrowhead can be removed through pulling by hand or digging in the spring. Submerged rooted vegetation can be raked out of small areas, such as swimming areas or near boat docks. The use of triploid grass carp is an example of biological aquatic plant control. Triploid grass carp eat submerged vegetation, but will not eat emergent plants, such as cattail, and they will not eat algae. Therefore, the use of triploid grass carp is not a cure-all and a fisheries biologist should be contacted to determine whether this technique is suited for your situation. Chemical control is probably the most common approach used to manage aquatic vegetation. It is very important to correctly identify the problem plant, so the correct herbicide can be used. Chemical recommendations and application methods vary depending on the type of aquatic plant, uses of the ponds water, and the condition of the water. Therefore, its best to contact a district fisheries biologist with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for your specific situation and correct plant identification. You can download an aquatic plant management publication and find your IDNR fisheries biologist at their fisheries website www.ifishillinois,org. Remember to read and follow label directions when using aquatic herbicides. The instructions are there to help protect you, the environment and to insure that the product works as it was designed. For example, a common mistake is not dissolving copper sulfate in the water column. If crystalline formulations are not dissolved during application, the crystals sink to the bottom of the pond and become ineffective. Copper sulfate is also very corrosive, so follow the safety recommendations when using this product. Aquatic plant management takes careful thought and planning, if you have questions about pond management, you can contact me at the University of Illinois Extension Unit office in Arthur at 217-543-3755. For more information on University of Illinois Extension programming in Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Moultrie and Shelby counties, visit our website at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/ccdms/index.html or call us at 217-345-7034. The University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact the extension office at 217-345-7034. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 100 years ago, May 21, 1969 MATTOON - Alderman Gwinn, at last night's Mattoon City Council meeting, whose reputation is now fully established as the one and only speechmaker on the council, rose in defense of the town cow and, if you please, the town pig, when someone was so indiscreet as to present a motion that a certain family near the Illinois Central Railroad tracks at 19th Street and Marion Avenue, was maintaining eight pigs, much to the expense of health conditions thereabout. Alderman Gwinn said it was a "burning shame" that running these war-time "institutions" from the city was even dreamed of, especially when milk, meat and butter prices are so high. "There were some 1,500 hogs maintained in the city last year," said the alderman, "and they did their bit toward helping feed the 4 million boys Uncle Sam had in Europe."... CHARLESTON -- Mrs. Nancy Lamb, aged 57 years, of Charleston dropped dead from heart failure Saturday afternoon as a direct result of fright by a visit of the Charleston Fire Department to her home on Second Street. The fire department was called to quench a blaze caused by burning trash near the barn. Mrs. Lamb saw the firemen and then walked into her home where she fell dead... MATTOON -- This year's graduating class is to be one of the largest ever turned out by Mattoon High School. There are 50 young men and young women who are to receive their coveted diplomas on May 29 ceremonies. Graduation exercises are to take place at the Methodist Episcopal Church. The class includes 18 young men and 32 young women. 50 years ago, 1969 CHARLESTON -- A drive was launched today to raise $8,000 to finance the construction of a 3,800-square foot Coles County 4-H Center on the county fairgrounds. Terry Atchison, assistant extension adviser in agriculture, said the 4-H center would serve as a meeting place and for various 4-H shows. He said it is to contain restroom and shower facilities. The fund drive will continue through June. Patsy Luedke, county home economics adviser, said there are 747 4-H members in Coles County... MATTOON -- A record high 109 people are patients at Mattoon Memorial Hospital, William A. Hurlburt, administrator, said today. All available rooms are occupied and six patients are in beds set up in the halls, he pointed out. Hurlburt termed today's patient population "not only a record high, but unusual for this time of year." He said no single type of ailment is responsible for the high patient load. The hospital's average daily patient population for the year was 89 percent of capacity... CHAMPAIGN -- A record $487,000 in monthly Social Security benefits are being paid to Coles County residents, according to Charles H. Thompson, manager of the Champaign district office. By the end of this month, one of every eight Americans will be receiving monthly checks. Although retired workers comprise the largest number of beneficiaries, almost one-fourth of those receiving benefits are under the age of 60. In Coles County, 2,315 people under age 60 are receiving benefits. 25 years ago, 1994 MATTOON -- Some day in the not-too-distant future it will be possible to walk or jog from Charleston to Mattoon or ride a bicycle from Mattoon to Charleston without traveling on hazardous highways. Ideally, when completed, the proposed 15.8-mile recreation trail will link the communities of Charleston and Mattoon with a non-motorized, multi-modal transportation path. The path will extend from Lytle Park in Mattoon to three miles east of Charleston, ending near Springhaven Campground at Illinois Route 16. The trail will be constructed along the abandoned Big Four/New York Central/Norfolk and Western rail line CHARLESTON Six foreign exchange students attending Charleston High School soon will be saying goodbye. The six exchange visitors are Hiroko Gigi Ogihara from Japan, Yumiko Iwasa of Japan, Julia Bettinger of Germany, Gina Hoffstadt of Germany, Axel Sehrt of Germany and Nathan Pene of New Zealand CHARLESTON Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who died Thursday of cancer, was an elegant woman who first focused national attention on the role of the first lady, local Democrats said. Hal Nordin, a member of the economics faculty at Eastern Illinois University, said Mrs. Onassis was an integral part of her husband, President John F. Kennedys career. Mrs. Onassis, 64, the widow of President Kennedy and Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, died Thursday night from complications of lymph cancer that spread to her brain and liver. 100 years ago, May 22, 1919 CHARLESTON -- Judge Marshall of the Coles County Circuit Court today ruled against Mrs. Josephine Kilgore, who was awarded $3,600 from the Central Illinois Public Service Co. by the State Industrial Board in the death of her husband from the 1917 tornado. This case is of more than passing interest for the reason that so far as court or counsel could discover, no cyclone case has ever been passed upon by any of the states of the union. George Kilgore, the husband of Mrs. Kilgore, was killed at the time of the cyclone May 26, 1917, when employed at the CIPS plant in Charleston. Watching the approaching storm, Kilgore directed one of the employees to close the doors and windows of the plant. He also went inside and closed the door. About a half hour later, he was discovered in a standing position with bricks from the wall which had been blown down by the storm completely surrounding him. His head was cut and bruised by the falling bricks and a by a steam pipe. He also was badly scalded by escaping steam... MATTOON -- The gift of the 1919 graduating class of Mattoon High School to the school will be a moving picture machine, this gift having been decided upon by the members of the class. The machine will cost $290 and will use non-inflammable film. The gift is usually purchased by the graduates with proceeds from the class play, which is given the night before the graduation exercises... WASHINGTON -- Following their 304-89 vote victory in the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday, suffragists today moved their camp to the Senate, whence they hope to obtain in a few weeks the favorable vote submitting the national suffrage amendment to the states for ratification. Two votes in the Senate last session showed the suffragists are gaining. Last October, there were two votes lacking. A second vote, in February, showed one vote lacking. 50 years ago, 1969 MATTOON -- First Lt. Keith R. Wise, son of Harry E. Wise of Mattoon, is a space systems operations officer assigned to the 20th Surveillance Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., involved in the Apollo 10 mission. The aerospace defense command unit employs the first electronic sensor specifically designed for tracking objects in space. The unit's super radar provides NASA with vital information to assure safe maneuvering during flight. Wise, a 1960 graduate of Mattoon High School, received his bachelor's degree in 1964 from Eastern Illinois University. He entered the Air Force in 1967... SULLIVAN -- Ron Ely, the muscular actor who starred as "Tarzan" on television for two years, has been signed by producer Guy S. Little Jr. to play the role of Capt. Fisby in "Teahouse of the August Moon at the Little Theatre in Sullivan for one week opening July 1. Ely is the 15th actor to play Tarzan and the first to play the famous role on TV. The blue-eyed, 6-4, 210-pound Texan refused a stunt double for his TV series and insisted on doing all the action himself, including fights with animals. Other stars committed to shows in Sullivan this season include Durwood Kirby, Katharine Houghton, Rosemary Prinz, Bill Hayes, Peter Palmer and Eileen Fulton. 25 years ago, 1994 Sunday. No paper. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Today's Highlight in History: On May 21, 1932, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean as she landed in Northern Ireland, about 15 hours after leaving Newfoundland. On May 21: In 1542, Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto died while searching for gold along the Mississippi River. In 1863, the Seventh-day Adventist Church was officially organized. In 1868, Ulysses S. Grant was nominated for president by the Republican national convention in Chicago. In 1881, Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross. In 1924, in a case that drew much notoriety, 14-year-old Bobby Franks was murdered in a "thrill killing" carried out by University of Chicago students Nathan Leopold Jr. and Richard Loeb (Bobby's cousin). In 1927, Charles A. Lindbergh landed his Spirit of St. Louis monoplane near Paris, completing the first solo airplane flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 33 1/2 hours. In 1941, a German U-boat sank the American merchant steamship SS Robin Moor in the South Atlantic after the ship's passengers and crew were allowed to board lifeboats. In 1945, actors Humphrey Bogart, 45, and Lauren Bacall, 20, were married at Malabar Farm in Lucas, Ohio (it was his fourth marriage, her first, and would last until Bogart's death in 1957). In 1972, Michelangelo's Pieta, on display at the Vatican, was damaged by a hammer-wielding man who shouted he was Jesus Christ. In 1979, former San Francisco City Supervisor Dan White was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the slayings of Mayor George Moscone and openly gay Supervisor Harvey Milk; outrage over the verdict sparked rioting. (White was sentenced to seven years and eight months in prison; he ended up serving five years and committed suicide in 1985.) In 1991, former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated during national elections by a suicide bomber. In 1998, a teen gunman opened fire inside Thurston High School in Springfield, Oregon, killing two students, a day after he killed his parents. (The shooter was sentenced to nearly 112 years in prison.) In the wake of deadly protests, Indonesian President Suharto stepped down after 32 years in power. In 2009, a day after the Senate voted to keep the Guantanamo prison camp open, President Barack Obama made his case for closing the facility, denouncing what he called "fear-mongering" by political opponents; Obama made his case moments before former Vice President Dick Cheney delivered his own address defending the Bush administration's creation of the camp. A 66-year-old woman with terminal cancer became the first person to die under Washington state's new assisted suicide law. In 2014, with outrage mounting over veterans' health care, President Barack Obama declared that misconduct alleged at VA hospitals would not be tolerated. China signed a $400 billion gas deal with Russia, binding Moscow more closely to Beijing amid international sanctions for Russian actions in Ukraine. Wendell Scott became the first African-American driver to be elected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. In 2018, a divided Supreme Court ruled that businesses can prohibit their workers from banding together in disputes over pay and conditions in the workplace, finding that individual employees can be forced to use arbitration, not the courts, to air complaints about wages and overtime. Gina Haspel was sworn in as CIA director. Netflix announced a multi-year deal with Barack and Michelle Obama; there were no details announced on what shows they would make. The U.S. Postal Service announced that it would soon issue its first scratch-and-sniff stamps, featuring illustrations of ice pops. Thought for Today: "Originality does not consist in saying what no one has ever said before, but in saying exactly what you think yourself." James Stephens, Irish poet and novelist (1882-1950) Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 MATTOON -- Lake Land College instructor Marcy Satterwhite, Urbana, recently received the 2019 Teacher of the Year Award from the Eastern Illinois Business Education Association during the organizations spring meeting held on campus. EIBEA represents and promotes business education throughout the Eastern Illinois area. The main objective of EIBEA is to plan, develop and sustain programs for business education professionals and students through meetings, discussions and conferences. Cindy Phipps, business instructor/program coordinator accounting, said in her nomination, Marcy is always striving to stay current in her area, graphic design, as well as business education in general. She is very supportive of high school business education, recognizing how important getting a head start in high school is to the future of business education. Satterwhite, business instructor/program coordinator/desktop publishing/graphic design instructor, has devoted more than 20 years to EIBEA and has held the position of EIBEA president since 2013. Her commitment to business education is clear as she continuously contributes to opportunities for meetings and meaningful professional development activities for business educators in the eastern Illinois area. Prior to serving as EIBEA president, Satterwhite served as EIBEA vice president and as an EIBEA representative to the Illinois Business Education Association (IBEA) board for several years. For more information about the Lake Land College Business Division, visit lakelandcollege.edu/academic-divisions/business-division. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Editor's note: This story has been updated. MATTOON -- The city is seeking to help Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois move its Mattoon office to a new, larger location on the east end of town where the company would add at least 48 new jobs. During a special meeting tonight, the City Council voted to apply for a $1.2 million state Community Development Block Grant to help fund water/sewer line and street work for the development of this facility in the Coles Centre business park at the southwest corner of Illinois Route 16 and Lerna Road. The Coles County Regional Planning & Development Commission is helping the city apply for this grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. Grant application documents on file with the commission show that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois plans to move its Mattoon office from 1100 Broadway Ave. to the new location. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois spokeswoman Colleen Miller said after Tuesday's meeting that the company is committed to expanding access to quality, cost-effective health care to as many communities as possible in Illinois. "Weve been proud to call Mattoon home to one of our service centers since 1990. We are now partnering with a local developer to modernize our presence in the community. We expect to open an updated service center in mid-2020. The decision to further invest in Mattoon demonstrates our commitment to supporting and empowering our local communities," Miller. Commission Executive Director Kelly Lockhart said prior to the meeting that to qualify for such as Community Development Block Grant, the participating business needs to pledge to create at least one new job for approximately every $25,000 in grant funding. He said this would result in at least 48 new jobs as part of the proposed grant application. "With the current local economy, this project will have a major positive impact on the community, creating several jobs," Lockhart said during the meeting. Lockhart said the grant funding will be used to perform street construction and a water main extension, plus sanitary sewer, sidewalks, lighting, and traffic control improvements. He said the grant will also pay for a portion of the engineering and the grant administration. "Private funding, totaling more than 4 million dollars, will be used to construct a new building at the Coles Centre development," Lockhart said. Blue Cross Blue Shield's current office is located in a former supermarket building about three blocks east of downtown, where this office has been in operation for more than 30 years. Company officials could not be reached for comment on Tuesday. Local officials have estimated recently that the Blue Cross Blue Shield office employs well more than 100 workers. City Administrator Kyle Gill said Tuesday morning that the grant is related to the construction of a "call center" building where Coles Centre Parkway curves southeast to Lincolnland Home Medical Equipment. Gill said he is limited in what he can say about this prospective project, but estimated that this center would initially have 300 employees with the possibility of adding 100 later. Agracel, Inc. of Effingham, which provides economic development services, owns the land where the construction project would take place. Agracel President Dean Bingham said Tuesday afternoon that he also is limited in what he can say about this prospective project, but noted that plans call for the construction of a two-story, 50,000-square-foot building that could accommodate more than 250 employees. "It will be a very attractive building. We are trying to develop a great project out there," Bingham said. He added that Agracel is fielding inquires from a couple of other possible projects that are looking at Coles Centre. Gill said the city also will apply for a $1 million grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation to help fund the planned infrastructure work. He said the new section of roadway would curve southwest around the "call center" and connect with Coles Centre Parkway southeast of the center. Once the grant applications are submitted, Gill said the city hopes to get an answer from state officials within two to six months. If one or both grants are not awarded, he said the city will work with the project developer on other infrastructure funding options. Gill said some grant funding may be available from the city's Interstate 57 tax increment financing district, which includes Coles Centre. He said Lincolnland Home Medical Equipment is the only building that has been constructed in this business park so far. "We have had minimal development out there. We are hoping this (project) might spur some development," Gill said. Contact Rob Stroud at (217) 238-6861. Follow him on Twitter: @TheRobStroud Love 5 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. Billionaire investor Robert F. Smith's commitment to pay off the student loan debt for graduates of the historically black Morehouse College covers millions of dollars, the school said. "When you have to service debt, the choices about what you can go do in the world are constrained," Morehouse President David A. Thomas said Sunday. "(Smith's gift) gives them the liberty to follow their dreams, their passions." Thomas told CNN on Monday that the exact amount of student loan debt to be covered was still being calculated. Smith's gesture, which Thomas called "a liberation gift," will enable graduates to have more capital to do things like start businesses and support their families. Studies show disparities in the amount of student debt African-American borrowers amass compared to their white counterparts. Here are some reasons why Smith's pledge matters: Millions of Americans struggle with student debt According to recent Federal Reserve data, Americans owe $1.5 trillion in student loans. Outstanding student loan debt exceeds auto loan debt ($1.1 trillion) and credit card debt ($977 billion). The issue of a free college has emerged as a key topic on the 2020 campaign trail. Several candidates have expressed support for making sure students can graduate without debt. One candidate, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, has proposed eliminating debt for tens of millions of Americans and making all public colleges tuition-free in an ambitious stance. Morehouse graduate Jonathan Epps, 22, said he has $35,000 in student debt. Elijah Nesly Dormeus, who is the first of nine kids to graduate college, said he had $90,000 in debt. "It'll sink in as the years go on. I know that for a fact," Epps said. African-American students usually take on more debt African-American students are more likely than their peers to take out federal student loans regardless of whether they attend public or private institutions or community colleges, according the Center for American Progress. The Center's analysis in 2017 of data from the National Center for Education Statistics shows more than 80% of black students took out loans for their undergraduate education within 12 years of entering school in the 2003-2004 school year at public and private institutions compared with more than 60% of white and Latino students. At community colleges, more than 60% of African-American students took out federal loans and less than 50% of white or Latino students did within that time, the report said. Black borrowers have higher rates of default Nearly half of African-American students defaulted on a federal student loan within 12 years of entering college, according to the Center for American Progress report. Black students owed more than 100% of what they originally borrowed within that time, the report said "On behalf of the eight generations of my family who have been in this country, we're going to put a little fuel in your bus," the 56-year-old Smith, the founder of the investment firm Vista Equity Partners, told the students of the school in Atlanta. This story has been updated to reflect that the total amount Smith will pay is still being determined. 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 This month we will dive into two relatively new developments in the world of Scotch whisky: NAS, or Non-Age-Statement whisky, and limited editions. Since the worldwide explosion of single malt whisky that started with Glenfiddich promoting single malt in the U.S. in the 1960s, age statements have been ubiquitous in relation to scotch. The older, the better. But two things happened decades apart that brought on NAS. The same economic problems that affected the U.S. and the world in the 1970s with the gasoline shortage also affected our thirst for scotch. Between 1983 and 1984, 20 distilleries closed their doors forever. Others scaled back production. The market recovered after a few years, and life went on. But in the early 2000s, the market in whats called BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) exploded. Even though people in those countries drank mostly younger, blended whisky, there was not sufficient stock to keep up with demand. Prices rose. And rose. And rose again. The market was still wanting. So distilleries got creative, and they used younger stocks to fill the demand. Knowing that a 5-year-old age statement wouldnt sell, they removed it. Purists railed against this idea. Im firmly in the camp that the whisky speaks for itself. If its good, I dont care if it has an age statement or not. Sen. Steve Lathrop, also of Omaha, said it was rare for senators to try and pull their bill from committee during his previous two terms in the Legislature. "This is going to be water going over the dam and you are going to be sorry you voted for a pull motion because you are going to have a lot of them next year," the Judiciary Committee chairman said. The motion to pull a bill out of committee was intended for senators who had their bills blocked by a committee chairman, not for committee chairmen stymied by a lack of support for their own bill, said Sen. Matt Williams of Gothenburg, the chairman of the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee. Groene disputed Williams' reading, however, saying the pull motion existed to keep party politics from blocking a committee's proceedings. Lincoln Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks lauded Groene's work on LB147, but described the bill as "not ready for prime time," and proposed a legislative study of the issue. While he has supported previous student restraint bills, Lincoln Sen. Adam Morfeld said LB147 included language that could potentially confuse teachers into thinking they had legal immunity when using physical restraint when they did not. Boosalis was congratulating Gaylor Baird on her appointment. "That's the most important commission in the city," Boosalis told her, wishing her luck. Monday, Lincoln's second female mayor, Coleen Seng, watched Gaylor Baird take her oath of office. The 83-year-old felt as proud then as she did the day she put Gaylor Baird's campaign sign in her yard, she said after the ceremony. "She's really good at pulling people together and working out their differences," said Seng, who served as mayor from 2003-2007. "I have watched her from when she was on the planning commission and have watched her on City Council. She operates just superb." Seng plans to convene a lunch with Beutler, Wesely and Gaylor Baird to share insight from their times in office, she said. But she knows she'll tease Gaylor Baird soon like Boosalis teased her, asking how long the new mayor takes to clear off her desk. In recognizing both Seng and Gaylor Baird, Raybould said, "I know you will follow in her footsteps and blaze a trail to follow you." By Moses Kyeyune Business in the Budget Committee of Parliament has stalled with MPs covered in disagreements, as to whether directly absorb an addendum of one trillion, without having it scrutinized by sectorial committees. The stand-off comes two days to the Thursday deadline when the committee was expected to present the budget to Parliament for final appropriation. According to national budget timelines, the committee was supposed to have tabled the revised estimates on May 15, but due to unexpected mishaps, the deputy speaker Jacob Oulanyah, extended the deadline to Thursday 23, 2019. Parliament is by law under the Public Finance Management Act, 2015 mandated to debate and pass the budget by May 30. With a new stand-off arising from fresh budgetary requests in a corrigendum, the Committee remains stranded, since it will have to go through yet another process of scrutiny by sectoral committees. The budget as presented to Parliament was shs 39.5 trillion, but with a corrigendum, it is expected to rise to shs 40.5 trillion, the highest in President Musevenis 34 year rule. The addendum is also yet to be officially presented to MPs save for a copy submitted to the Office Clerk. One of the items included is a shs 105b request for a digital stamp and e-system for the Uganda Revenue Authority. A section of MPs argued that it would be wrong for the Committee to process a corrigenda that is yet to be tabled, yet still, it has not gone through the responsible committee on Finance. Nebraskans need to wake up to attempts to deprive women of their reproductive rights, she said. Gov. Pete Ricketts has said he supported the bills passed in Alabama and Georgia, and pro-life Nebraskans would continue to look for pro-life legislation to pass here in the state. "Nebraskans don't need any more assaults on basic human rights," Council said. "We must be louder than those who would try to silence us. We must be stronger than those who attempt to deny us of our reproductive rights." Pansing Brooks, of Lincoln, told the group she is tired of being saved from herself and being told what is right for her. "My faith tells me to protect the immigrants, the prisoners, the poor, the widows, the sick people," she said. But Medicaid expansion, prison reform, juvenile justice and earned income tax legislation meet all sorts of barriers, she said. Chambers gave a rousing speech, throwing credit to the people at the rally who were just not sitting back waiting for somebody else to do something. MEAD Authorities have identified a woman who was killed Monday in a collision between a cement truck and her car in Saunders County. Johanna Benting, 48, of Fremont was killed in the crash, which occurred just before 7 a.m. Monday on Nebraska 92, about 2 miles west of Mead. Authorities say Benting's westbound car crossed into oncoming traffic and hit the truck. The truck driver, William E. Schliefert, 79, of Wahoo was taken to a hospital. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 4 Angry 2 It doesn't happen often, but, when I agree with President Donald Trump, I acknowledge it. Last week a reporter shouted a question at the president: "Are we going to war with Iran?" The president replied, "I hope not." So should we all. But to hope is to relinquish agency and power over the course of events, implying that others have as much or more control than we do. Who actually has the power to spark a disastrous war with Iran? The Trump administration's approach to Iran feels dangerously confrontational, as well as improvisational and haphazard. Clearly, many of the administration's actions are belligerent: the abrogation of the Iran nuclear deal, the designation of the Revolutionary Guards Corps as a terrorist organization, the termination of waivers for countries that trade with Iran and the movement of an aircraft carrier into the region. But none of this means that war is inevitable. Despite these aggressive actions, the president appears to be hesitating. He says, as he often does, "We'll see what happens." But this is a disconcerting relinquishment of power to others. PLEASANT PRAIRIE A 19-year-old man shot outside a Pleasant Prairie restaurant Monday is dead, and police were still searching for suspects as of Tuesday night. Police identified the victim Tuesday afternoon as Khaled M. Alchaar from Pleasant Prairie. The shooting occurred in the parking lot of Cheddars Scratch Kitchen, which is at 10366 77th St. and fronts Highway 50, at 8:45 p.m., according to Randy Myles, Pleasant Prairie assistant police chief. Myles said Alchaar was found with a gunshot wound in the parking lot and taken to nearby Froedtert Souths St. Catherines Medical Center, where he later died. An autopsy was conducted Tuesday. Alchaar lived in an apartment complex about a half-mile from the restaurant, Police said. Police swarm area Dixie Lee Nelson of Kenosha said she was working as a server at the restaurant Monday night when she heard a commotion outside she said she thought she heard a shot and screaming and soon after saw police lights outside. The police had the whole area surrounded, and I dont mean just the restaurant, the whole area, she said. It couldnt have been more than minutes before the entire area was surrounded. She said it appeared an ambulance was held at the back of the restaurant until police cleared the area outside. According to police scanner traffic at the time of the shooting, the shooter may have fled into woods or bushes near the restaurant. From everything I gathered, it was considered an active shooter situation because they had no idea where the shooter fled to, Nelson said. Nelson said police some in regular uniforms with guns drawn, some in tactical gear with rifles came into the restaurant to search. They had everyone standing up against the wall with their hands against the wall and all patrons sitting with their hands above their heads, she said. They went car-by-car with dogs. They ran every plate in the parking lot. She said people inside were frightened. I had three tables at the time. Two people were crying; one was praying, she said, adding that the restaurant was on lockdown for hours as police searched the area. Myles said police believe the shooting Monday was not random. This appears to be isolated incident. There is no danger to the public, Myles said. I would say there is no indication that this was a random act. What precipitated it were still working on. Alchaar was active on social media selling used cars through an online marketplace. Police are asking anyone with information about the case to contact the Pleasant Prairie Police Department at 262-694-7353 or Kenosha Area Crime Stoppers at 800-807-8477. Calls to Crime Stoppers that lead to arrest earn up to a $1,000 reward and can be made anonymously. Journal Times reporter Alyssa Mauk Contributed to this report. 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. RACINE A Caledonia woman accused of providing a fatal dose of drugs to a man, and pawning her ex-boyfriends mothers jewelry, will spend three years in prison. On Monday, Racine County Circuit Court Judge Mark Nielsen sentenced Jana Mehevic, 31, to three years in prison and one year extended supervision for manufacturing/delivering cocaine the charge attributed to the drugs dealt to 33-year-old Ryan Spencer of Racine, who died on Feb. 18, 2018 from an overdose. Mehevic, 31, initially faced a first-degree reckless homicide for the death of Spencer. An autopsy found that Spencer died of an acute mixed drug intoxication of cocaine and fentanyl. Mehevics homicide charge was dismissed. She was instead charged with two counts of manufacturing/delivering cocaine, possession of narcotic drugs, theft of property worth more than $10,000, and driving a vehicle without consent. Aside from the cocaine sentence, the remainder of the sentences, which are shorter than three years, will be served concurrently, meaning Mehevic will serve a total of three years in prison, minus credit for any time served. Cellphone records obtained by police show that Spencer exchanged text messages with Mehevic about purchasing drugs in Milwaukee with 37-year-old Matthew J. Halkowitz. Halkowitz also faced a homicide charge for Spencers death, but as part of a plea deal, that charge was dismissed. Halkowitz, who is already serving time in prison on a different drug charge, was sentenced on Friday to an additional three years behind bars for his role in Spencers death. Mehevic also reportedly stole and pawned Halkowitzs mothers jewelry, worth from $30,000 to $40,000, and drove her car to the pawn shop. Another incident involved Mehevic selling blank gift cards for cash. After Nielsen handed down the sentence, Mehevic began to sob as she was taken into custody, mouthing I love you as she turned to friends and family in the back of the courtroom to say goodbye. The assignment of responsibility in this context is difficult. You are all adults and know better, Nielsen said. Families speak Kylie Christensen, the mother of Spencers son, and Spencers mother, Rebecca Madsen, asked the judge to impose a prison sentence for Mehevic. Christensen said Mehevics criminal record shows she had not learned from her prior convictions. Mehevic was convicted of resisting/obstructing an officer in 2014, felony forgery in 2010, misdemeanor hit-and-run in 2010 and a felony count keeping a drug house in 2010. I feel probation is like giving you a get out of jail free card, Madsen said. I feel prison is the best place for you. A letter written by Lisa Mehevic, Janas mother, was read by another family member. The letter said that Jana had been working hard on her sobriety, seeking mental health and drug treatment, and attending weekly meetings, such as Narcotics Anonymous. She respectfully requested probation. A friend Mehevic met while receiving treatment also spoke, calling and Mehevic fun, creative, caring, generous and hardworking. Weeping during much of the hearing, Mehevic addressed the court, and apologized to Spencers family and her own, saying the ripple effect is great. All that I can say is that I am deeply sorry, and I carry around a lot of shame and pain because I lost a friend to the same addiction that I fought, and Im here still and hes not, Mehevic said. Probation vs. prison Racine County Assistant District Attorney Micha Schwab called Mehevic a master manipulator, and said that Mehevics prior criminal record shows the need for prison time. She also called Mehevic a threat to the community, noting that Mehevic was released from supervision six months before Spencers death. I dont think there is anybody who would disagree in this room that the common theme in Janas behavior is her drug addiction, Schwab said. Ms. Mehevic, it was clear, would stop at nothing to do drugs. Mehevics attorney, Laura Walker, said that Mehevic, Halkowitz and Spencer were all drug addicts, working together to get high. This drug is so insidious that people are willing to stick a needle in their arm knowing it could kill them, yet they still take it, Walker said. Walker said Mehevics criminal record spoke to someone facing addiction. She deeply regrets that her friend and he was a friend was killed, Walker said. Walker asked for probation for Mehevic, saying that she has demonstrated that she can be success while on bond. But Nielsen said he felt that prison time is necessary and wished Mehevic luck. You have a bright future ahead of you, Nielsen said. All that I can say is that I am deeply sorry, and I carry around a lot of shame and pain because I lost a friend to the same addiction that I fought, and Im here still and hes not. Jana Mehevic Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 3 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. By Ritah Kemigisa. Police has beefed up security for pilgrims travelling on foot to Namungongo Martyrs along all major highways ahead of the June 3rd celebrations. Addressing journalists today at the police headquarters in Naguru, the police spokesperson Fred Enanga said they have mapped out a number of security strategies to ensure they receive maximum security along the way. He has also asked team leaders of the pilgrims to ensure they carry warm clothes, avoid moving at night and identify places they will sleep and work with police in for their own safety. Enanga has meanwhile cautioned them to be more vigilant while in Kampala due to traffic jam and congestion and to guard against criminals. CALEDONIA Parents of students at Gifford Elementary School who found a way to avoid the schools sometimes chaotic pick-up and drop-off system by parking in a nearby subdivision have been advised to stop. Some Gifford School parents had been parking in the Gifford Woods subdivision located to the west of the school to drop off and pick up their children. Their kids would walk to the school, 8332 Northwestern Ave., on a sidewalk that connects the subdivision to the school grounds. But the Gifford Woods Homeowners Association recently informed the Village of Caledonia that the sidewalk is the property of the HOA and should only be used by Gifford Woods residents. Last week, parents received a letter from Gifford Principal Bill Ticha stating: I am respectfully asking that if you do not live in Gifford Woods, please use the pick-up and drop-off system we have in place (north side of our building.) According to the letter, the Gifford Woods HOA contacted Ticha last fall about parents who dont live there who were dropping off and picking up their children in the subdivision. At that time, Caledonia Police said they would not take any action because the parents were legally parking on a public road. But recently, the HOAs lawyer contacted Caledonia, informing the village that the sidewalk is private property that can only be used by subdivision residents, and Caledonia Police said the HOA is correct. This particular sidewalk is owned by the Gifford Woods subdivision, said Caledonia Police Captain Brian Wall. Wall said the sidewalk was built by the HOA on private property for Gifford students who live in the subdivision, so they dont have to walk along Highway K to get to and from school, Wall said. The village does not maintain the sidewalk, insure it or plow it. Because it looks like a normal sidewalk, Wall said, the Police Department has informed the HOA that it needs to install signs to let people know the sidewalk is not for public use. Wall said the Police Department is working to educate people about the use of the sidewalk, and said officers do not plan to issue citations. Wall said he spoke to Ticha about the situation last week, before the letters were sent home to parents. Love 1 Funny 11 Wow 4 Sad 4 Angry 7 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 local health care provider has taken sides in the issue of accepting Medicaid funding. Scenic Bluffs Community Health Centers is calling on elected officials to accept $324 million in federal Medicaid funds that are available to Wisconsin through the Affordable Care Act. Our number one priority is to expand access to coverage and care, said Mari Freiberg, CEO at Scenic Bluffs. Freiberg said Medicaid expansion would allow more people with income limitations to access oral health, behavioral health and substance abuse services. Because dental insurance is not available in marketplace plans, she said there are 82,000 additional people who could access dental services with Medicaid expansion. Additionally, Frieberg estimated that 40,000 people in Wisconsin who are currently uninsured would have access to medical coverage. Locally, that translates into 2,410 people covered and $80 million into the three primary counties Monroe, Vernon and La Crosse served by Scenic Bluffs. What we see is that folks often need to overcome health-related barriers to be able to get back into the workforce," Freiberg said. In 2018, Scenic Bluffs served 7,027 patients, 68 percent of whom have incomes below 150 percent of the federal poverty level. The Cashton-based center provides medical, dental, chiropractic, behavioral health and substance abuse services in Western Wisconsin. Freiberg said Medicaid expansion also allows funding for programs that would be particularly beneficial for Scenic Bluffs patients, such as extending coverage for post-partum women for a year, making investments in dental care, building a dental therapy program and addressing health-impacting factors such as housing. Medicaid expansion is a source of contention between Democrats and Republicans in Madison. Republicans contend accepting Medicaid would push thousands off private insurance and make health care more expensive for those already covered. Love 1 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. EAU CLAIRE, Wis. An Onalaska man who owns Mexican restaurants in Onalaska and Eau Claire is accused of sexually assaulting a female employee at his Eau Claire establishment after closing hours. The 20-year-old employee told police the owner had given her a margarita before the assault and she started to feel really drunk, really fast. Filiberto Manny Rivera, 53, was charged Monday in Eau Claire County Court with a felony count of third-degree sexual assault. A $5,000 signature bond was set for Rivera, who returns to court July 1. As conditions of bond, Rivera cannot drink alcohol, enter taverns or have contact with the woman. According to the criminal complaint: The woman told Eau Claire police the sexual assault occurred about 10 p.m. May 4 at Mannys Cocina, 4207 Oakwood Hills Parkway. Rivera also owns the location in Onalaska by the same name. The woman said she was scheduled to close that night and was alone with Rivera when two other employees left after having post-shift drinks. The woman said Rivera had been offering her alcohol and propositioning her for post-shift drinks for a few weeks. She said Rivera never talked to her when she worked at Mannys last year and thought it odd he started talking to her more often now. The woman said she doesnt drink often because of her age and agreed to stay and have one drink with Rivera that night to get it over with. The woman didnt see Rivera make the margarita but drank it quickly because she wanted to leave right away. Rivera started to ask her a lot of sex-related questions, which made her feel uncomfortable. After drinking the margarita, the woman could feel her vision get blurry. She could feel herself talking louder and slurring her speech. At one point, Rivera pushed the woman up onto the bar, poured alcohol into her belly button and drank it. He did this three or four times. The woman said she was frozen in the moment and let it happen. She said she was scared and did not give Rivera consent to drink alcohol off of her body. Rivera then partially disrobed the woman and twice engaged in various forms of sexual contact. The woman said she told Rivera to stop and pushed his hands away several times, but he wouldnt listen. Rivera encouraged the woman to have sex with him, but she kept telling him no and pushed him off her. Rivera finally stopped and the woman got up and put her clothes back on. Before she left the restaurant, Rivera told the woman she has a nice body and continued to proposition her for sex. The woman said she felt intoxicated and sick as she drove home. She said she threw up all night. In an interview with police, Rivera admitting serving the woman a margarita on May 4 but denied having sexual contact with her or drinking alcohol off her body. Rivera admitted he asked the woman if she ever had sex with an older man. If convicted, Rivera could be sentenced to up to five years in prison. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 With lawmakers nearing a planned budget vote on school funding, Senate Republicans are discussing increasing state aid to school districts by $200 per pupil in each of the next two years, their leader said Tuesday. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, told the Wisconsin State Journal on Tuesday districts would get $200 per pupil in 2019-20, then an additional $200 more per pupil in 2020-21. That approach would mirror the centerpiece of the school-funding increase in the most recent state budget that former Gov. Scott Walker signed in 2017, which translated to about a half-billion increase in state aid to districts. It contrasts with Democratic Gov. Tony Evers proposal for the next budget. Evers wants to pump $611 million into general school aids through a revised state funding formula that would guarantee a basic level of funding for each student, but provide additional funding for low-income students. The per-pupil funding stream gives districts a flat amount per student, not accounting for a districts property-tax base. Assembly Republicans plan to announce their position on school funding Wednesday, a spokeswoman for Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said. GOP legislative leaders are set to meet Wednesday with Evers, and the Legislatures budget-writing Joint Finance Committee is set to take up school funding in its Thursday session. The 16-member committee typically builds the budget and sends it to the full Assembly and Senate for final passage. Fitzgerald spokesman Alec Zimmerman said the official Senate Republican position wont be finalized before Senate Republicans discuss it in closed caucus. Theyre set to meet Wednesday to discuss school funding and other topics, he said. Assembly Republicans held their own closed-door budget meeting Tuesday afternoon. Fitzgeralds office did not respond to inquiries about whether Senate Republicans are discussing other major school-funding increases, such as for special education. Also Tuesday, Fitzgerald continued his critique of what he described as a lack of communication by Evers office with legislative leaders, saying Evers has done a poorer job on that front than previous Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle, who served from 2003 to 2011. Under Doyle, Fitzgerald said legislative leaders worked closely with then-Department of Administration Secretary Marc Marotta. Fitzgerald said Marotta attended Joint Finance Committee budget sessions and was deeply engaged in legislative budget proceedings. But he said so far in this budget, no one has played a comparable role in the Evers administration. That dialogue was happening (under Doyle) and it just doesnt feel like its happening at all right now, Fitzgerald said. Vos, R-Rochester, has said he expects to meet with the governor directly to hold budget talks. Evers office did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday. Evers school-funding plan, which calls for a total $1.4 billion state-aid infusion to K-12 districts, also gives $606 million over two years to districts to help them bridge the gap between services theyre required to give students with special needs and the money they get to do it. GOP lawmakers previously signaled they would not support a school-funding increase as large as Evers proposed, or as large of a special education increase as he proposed. Sen. Tom Tiffany, R-Hazelhurst, a Joint Finance member, told the State Journal last week he views the funding increase given to schools in the most recent budget as a template for a similar increase in this budget. Another finance committee member, Sen. Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, questioned whether GOP lawmakers would be able to match the increase given two years ago. The 2017-19 budget, covering the two-year cycle ending June 30, gave school districts a $639 million funding boost. Its centerpiece was a $505 million increase in per-pupil aid to districts of $200 per pupil in 2017-18, then an additional $204 per pupil beyond that in 2018-19. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan is wading into the battle among congressional Democrats on whether to move toward impeaching President Donald Trump, saying Trump's recent defiance of Congress must trigger an impeachment inquiry. Pocan, D-Black Earth, previously sought to downplay the possibility of impeaching Trump. After the release of U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report last month, Pocan said Congress first needed to obtain more information about whether Trump obstructed justice in the probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election. But in a statement issued Tuesday, Pocan said Trump's unwillingness to comply with congressional subpoenas and other attempts at oversight have changed his view. "Regrettably, the Presidents most recent actions and continued disrespect for the Constitution are forcing us down the road to impeachment," Pocan said in the statement. Pocan's shift on the issue is notable because he consistently has said impeachment should not be a first resort in providing congressional oversight of the White House. While acknowledging all options were available, Pocan previously said Congress could opt for investigative hearings instead of immediately resorting to impeachment. Now, Pocan's new stance puts him at odds with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who reportedly is rejecting calls by some Democratic lawmakers to move ahead with impeachment. Trump has vowed to stonewall all subpoenas by Democrats who control the House. He has fought congressional attempts to obtain the full Mueller report, his personal financial records, and testimony from his former White House counsel, Donald McGahn. "Stonewalling Congress on witnesses and the unredacted Mueller report only enhances the Presidents appearance of guilt, and as a result, he has pushed Congress to a point where we must start an impeachment inquiry," Pocan said. The House Judiciary Committee recently held Trump's U.S. Attorney General, William Barr, in contempt of Congress for failing to turn over an unredacted version of Muellers report. It examined whether the Trump presidential campaign participated in Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections, and whether Trump obstructed justice in efforts to investigate it. Pocan, who represents the Madison area, becomes the second member of Wisconsin's congressional delegation to float removing the president from office. U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee, early in the president's term began calling for Congress to come together to consider impeachment proceedings. Love 3 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Theater student Chasten Buttigieg grew accustomed to being in the spotlight as a regular performer in plays at UW-Eau Claire. But the audience size has increased exponentially for his latest role. Chasten, the husband of Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, is hoping to break ground by becoming the nations inaugural first gentleman. Indeed, the August 2014 graduate of UW-Eau Claire and his spouse, the mayor of South Bend, Ind., were pictured on the cover of the May 13 issue of Time magazine under the headline First Family. Chasten, whose last name was Glezman when he studied theater and global studies at UW-Eau Claire, has been no shrinking violet in the early days of the campaign. He has amassed 323,000 followers on Twitter, generated significant media coverage in his own right and been a fixture alongside Mayor Pete on the campaign trail. Chastens humor and openness have been his defining features since the national spotlight found him and Mayor Pete earlier this year, a Washington Post profile said recently. It has made him a force on Twitter ... and a not-so-secret public-relations weapon for his husband. Business Insider declared last month: The 29-year-old junior high school teachers wit, intimate social media musings, and polished speeches have prompted glowing media coverage and declarations that hes winning the 2020 spouse primary. Chasten uses his social media accounts to share photos of the couples dogs, talk Game of Thrones and poke fun at the campaign lifestyle and even his husband, such as in this tweet last week, tfw (that face when) you buy a pint of ice cream for date night but the husband only brings you one scoop in a bowl, over a photo of an appalled actress. None of this comes as any surprise to his former adviser and play director Jennifer Chapman, associate professor of theatre arts and theatre program coordinator at UW-Eau Claire. I would say that his humor and the lightness that he expresses in such short little blips on Twitter are just him, Chapman said. That is the exact same person that I know. Thats not a performance or some highly cultivated image that emerged from a petri dish. The Washington Post even mused that sometimes it seems like (Chasten) is having more fun than anyone else on the campaign trail before quoting him acknowledging the pressure that goes along with his latest role Theres so much more on the line than, Man, I dont want to forget a line and mess up the show. Its like, Oh, I dont want to say the wrong thing and ruin my husbands political career, Chasten told the Post. Sharing their stories Chapman is particularly impressed with the Buttigiegs willingness to be open and honest about their personal lives, knowing that some people wont like or accept them. I think they are very brave, she said. They are ordinary people who have really offered themselves to the American people. Their courage goes beyond the presidential run, which could be daunting enough, Chapman said. Whats unique about Pete and Chasten is that they are using this campaign as an opportunity to make their own identities visible and tell their own personal stories so America gets to see two young gay men who have overcome obstacles, she said. Chasten told the Washington Post about being bullied and called homophobic slurs while attending a high school in Traverse City, Mich., with zero students who openly identified as LGBTQ. In a speech last month at a Human Rights Campaign annual banquet in Houston, Chasten shared his poignant coming-out story. Though he reported having a great relationship with his parents now, Chasten told the crowd how he didnt feel welcome at home after working up the courage to tell his parents he was gay at age 18. Eventually, I thought to myself, I cant be here anymore, so I moved out without a plan, Chasten said, detailing how he was scared and homeless, living between his car and friends couches. True to his personality, however, Chasten also laced the presentation with campaign humor. Never underestimate what can happen when you agree to go on a date with a cute guy from South Bend, Ind., Chasten quipped. Truthfully, being Petes husband has already been the adventure of a lifetime. I now live in a world where people take photos of me in the deodorant aisle at the grocery store. After pointing out how much progress gay Americans have made in the past decade achieving marriage equality and ending the militarys dont ask, dont tell policy regarding homosexuality Chasten pointed out that safety of LGBT Americans remains an issue and that protections vary from state to state. That problem could be solved, he said, if Congress passes the Equality Act, a bill seeking to amend the Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. We need someone in the White House who will sign the Equality Act into law, and, luckily, I know a guy, Chasten said, eliciting laughs from the crowd. People person Back in college, Chasten starred in several plays, including Anatomy of Gray and Fuddy Meers, both of which Chapman directed. In addition to being funny and talented, Chasten was good at rallying people and including everybody in the room, Chapman said. She also recalled that Chasten had a particular interest in theater education and joined her on a tour of elementary schools and at an American Alliance for Theater in Education national conference. Chasten went on to work for theater education organizations in Milwaukee and Washington, D.C., and earn a masters degree at DePaul University. He taught humanities and drama at a Montessori middle school in Indiana before taking a leave of absence to join Pete on the campaign trail, according to a profile in the Indianapolis Star. Chasten and Pete met on the dating app Hinge in 2015. They got married in June 2018 at the Cathedral of Saint James Episcopal Church in South Bend. Chapman met Pete for the first time while attending the wedding and said he, too, seemed the same in person as he appears on the news. Chapman said she believes Chastens public presence is terrific publicity for UW-Eau Claire because her friend and former student is displaying, for the world to see, the leadership, interpersonal and problem-solving skills the university seeks to impart to its liberal arts students. Election challenge Though Time called Pete, 37, the first openly gay person to make a serious bid for the presidency and the early breakout star of the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, the November 2020 election is still 18 months away an eternity in politics. And some question whether Americans are ready to send a gay couple to the White House. Chapman, for one, maintained the question is problematic and said choosing a president should be about the persons vision for the future rather than his or her sexual orientation. U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, agreed, saying, If a candidate is qualified and can do a good job, then why not, whether its a woman or someone who is gay. Kind said Pete is an intriguing candidate because hes young, forward-looking, a military veteran and a mayor in a red state with a record of getting people to work together to get things done. Thats a style that could appeal to voters at a time of constant polarization, Kind said. Research shows that a candidates homosexuality might not be near the hurdle it once was, especially with younger voters, said Peter Hart-Brinson, an associate professor of sociology at UW-Eau Claire and the author of a recent book that explores the nations shift in thinking about gay marriage. In his book, The Gay Marriage Generation: How the LGBTQ Movement Transformed American Culture, Hart-Brinson shares his historical analysis of gay marriage as well as stories gleaned from nearly 100 interviews with two generations of Americans about their views of gay marriage. His conclusion: Young people generally understand homosexuality as part of someones identity, much like their race, while older Americans tend to think of it as a lifestyle choice, much like gambling. He classifies the younger generation as those reaching adulthood in the early 1990s or later. Those generational attitudes cut across race, religion and even political beliefs, Hart-Brinson said, noting that polls now show about 70 percent of Americans support gay marriage. For most Americans, because they see homosexuality as being like race, they really wouldnt see a vote for Pete Buttigieg as much different than a vote for Barack Obama, elected the nations first African-American president in 2008, said Hart-Brinson, who just learned last week about Chastens UW-Eau Claire connection. In a crowded Democratic field, whats going to matter will be how much a candidate can excite the voters, he said. It wont have to do with his sexuality, but with what he says and how that resonates. If Hart-Brinson is right, then its possible Chasten could complete the improbable journey, in barely over a decade, from being homeless to living in the White House. As Chasten said in his Human Rights Campaign speech, I could be the first man in history to pick out the White House china. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The young, naked napalm girl who is the subject of one of the Vietnam Wars most iconic photos will speak in Madison next month with the man who photographed her in 1972. Kim Phuc, 56, will speak at the Pyle Center, 702 Langdon St., on June 8 at 5:30 p.m. The photographer, Nick Ut, will also be there to speak about his Pulitzer-prize photo. Phuc, who now lives in Toronto, was photographed at age 9 fleeing a napalm bombing that left her severely burned. Ut, who retired in 2017 after a 51-year career with The Associated Press, shot the photo on June 8, 1972. He was 20. I want to let people know how beautiful (the) world can be if people can learn to live with love and hope and forgiveness, Phuc said in an interview with the Wisconsin State Journal. The challenge for everyone is if the little girl in the picture can do that, everyone can. Every day we have opportunity to be better friends, better people. We can make a difference. The event to be held 47 years to the day after Ut took Phucs photo marks her first time speaking in Wisconsin, according to the Childrens Library International. The nonprofit organization, a main sponsor of the Celebration of Peace and Mindfulness event, raises money to build libraries across the world. The event is free to the public, though donations are accepted. Proceeds go toward the construction of a childrens library in Phucs former village. The two often try to celebrate the June 8 anniversary together and have become close friends over the years. Ut, now 68, traveled to Canada just a few weeks ago to visit her, he said in an interview. Phuc will sign copies of her 2017 book, Fire Road: The Napalm Girls Journey through the Horrors of War to Faith, Forgiveness and Peace, that will be available for purchase. The book describes how a South Vietnamese plane roared over her village, dropping napalm from above. Phuc ripped off her burning clothes and ran down a highway, straight into Uts shot. With nearly a third of her body burned, Phuc lost consciousness and Ut drove her to a hospital. Staff there told Ut she was too far gone to help, but he demanded she be treated. He saved my life, she said. Phuc returned home to Trang Bang, her small Vietnamese village, after 14 months in the hospital undergoing excruciating skin grafts and surgeries. Her father handed her a clipping of the photo from a Vietnamese newspaper. I was really embarrassed, Phuc remembered of the first time she saw her photo. I wished that picture (was) not taken in that moment. Its ugly and I am naked and crying. It took years, not until she held her own child in her arms, that she said she recognized the power of her photo and how it can be used to protect children from suffering. An Associated Press account of the decision to publish says that the image was unprecedented for the news wire because of the agencys policy against nudity. Uts colleagues determined the photos news value overrode their policy and it was widely distributed. Ut said he knew he had something special when he took the photo. UW-Madison history professor Alfred McCoy, who specializes in Southeast Asia, said Napalm Girl, as the photo has come to be known, is one of the most important of the millions taken by photographers during the Vietnam War. For 30 years, U.S. military forces used in combat white phosphorus and napalm, a gasoline thickened with additives that sticks to the skin as it burns. But within little more than a decade of Uts photo, the United Nations banned the use of incendiary weapons, a timeline McCoy called amazing hyperspeed for an international convention. Why did people look at that photo and feel horror? he said. Anyone who looks at that photo can look at it and feel our own skin being burned. Its one of those things that really validates the power of photojournalism as a force for change. The accidental meeting of those two, the power it had, not just in their lives, but in all of ours its extraordinary. The U.S. was one of the last to ratify the ban, on Jan. 21, 2009, about 26 years after the international community had already ratified the treaty, McCoy said. Phucs talk has a local tie-in. Anti-war protests began when hundreds of UW-Madison students staged a sit-in protesting job recruiting on campus by Dow Chemical, which manufactured napalm for the Vietnam War. Childrens Library International plans to host other events with Phuc across Wisconsin in the coming months, volunteer Glenn Diedrich said. UW-Madisons Center for Southeast Asian Studies is also a main sponsor. Madison Public Library, a co-sponsor, will host a book discussion on Phucs Fire Road on June 1 at 2 p.m. at its Sequoya library on 4340 Tokay Blvd. The Pyle Center and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction are also co-sponsors. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Madison's progressive congressman, Mark Pocan, has decided he supports starting the process to impeach President Donald Trump. Considering that Pocan represents one of the safest and most liberal districts in Congress, where Trump is incredibly unpopular, it's hardly a bold move. Events Promoters- Abby Musinguzi trading as ABTEX Productions, and BAJJO Events and Marketing Agency Limited have resorted to sue the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General of Government, over the failed music shows of Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. Through Lukwago and Company Advocates, they are challenging a decision by the IGP made on 19th/April/2019 which was indefinitely stopping the applicants from organizing Kyarenga Extra Concerts at One Love Beach Busabala, Lira, Gulu, and Arua. They are also challenging the manner in which they were arrested on 22nd/April/2019 the day on which the Kyarenga Extra Concerts were to premier at Busabala Beach, which deprived them of their personal liberties and amounted to violation of their right to carry on trade and business as enshrined in Articles 20, 23 and 40 of the Constitution. ABTEX and BAJJO argue that IGPs decision is illegal, unreasonable and an abuse of his(IGP) powers, since it was made in total violation of the applicants right to a fair hearing which is guaranteed under Articles 28, 42 and 44 of the Constitution. They now want the High court in Kampala to quash IGPs decision, and order him to provide security at their Concerts. Related Stories.. Events promoters demand Govt communication on fate of Bobis concerts 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 A federal jury has decided that five LAPD officers are not liable for the death of a man who tried to swallow a large bindle of heroin during a strip search, rejecting his family's claim that the police used excessive force while trying to stop him, and failed to render aid that could have saved his life. One officer allegedly tased Alex Aguilar five times in the 2016 incident - something the chief of police at the time concluded was "objectively unreasonable." "There was no evidence to substantiate Aguilar was violent prior to the activation of the Taser" and "no evidence he was an immediate threat to the officers", then Chief Charlie Beck said in a report to the Police Commission. The five-member panel that oversees the LAPD ruled that use of the Taser violated department policy. But the jury, which delivered its verdict on May 5 (nearly three years later), never heard these findings. Judge Consuelo Marshall granted the city's motion that any reference to the conclusions of the former chief and commission be excluded from the trial. She ruled that those conclusions might sway to the jury to give too much weight to their views, and decide that the officer was liable for Aguilar's death. Consuelo said their conclusions would be "more prejudicial than probative." The family's attorney says he plans to appeal the verdict based on this and other issues. THE ARREST It was around 6:10 p.m. when two officers spotted Aguilar driving in Wilmington, a community next to the L.A. harbor, marked by the smokestacks of nearby oil refineries. One officer knew Aguilar, 42, and was aware he didn't have a driver's license or own a car, according to summaries of the incident by the chief, the department's inspector general, and the district attorney, which were all largely based on the work of the LAPD's Force Investigation Division. The car was owned by Aguilar's passenger, but the LAPD had previously tagged both of them as members of the Westside Wilmas gang. Under a city gang injunction, they were prohibited from associating in public. It's worth noting that a federal judge last year ruled such injunctions were unconstitutional because they imposed onerous sanctions on gang members without first giving them a chance to defend themselves. Aguilar was well known to one of the officers who spotted him -- Officer Enrique Lopez described Aguilar that night as his usual self - "talkative, messing around with me, joking with me..the only way I knew Alex." Lopez and his partner called two gang officers, who arrested Aguilar and took him to the LAPD's Harbor Patrol Station. Officers Mathew Medina and Sergio Melero began a strip search because they suspected Aguilar was on drugs and that he could have more on him. THE STRIP SEARCH The Harbor Patrol Station's strip search area is a cramped 49-square-feet with three walls for privacy. When Aguilar was searched, according to reports of the incident, he and the officers were were sometimes only inches apart. As additional officers arrived during the struggle, the room was too small for them to enter. The officers said it was during the strip search that they found a white substance wrapped in clear plastic, tucked into Aguilar's navel. After that, according the inspector general's summary, Aguilar turned to face the back wall and reached into the back of his underwear, pulled out a white object, and "quickly raised his hand and pushed the object into his mouth." That object was a bindle containing 26 grams of heroin. Aguilar was trying to shove something similar, in size, to a roll of quarters down his throat. The officers - who both had about seven years on the job at the time - said they struggled to stop him from swallowing the drugs, grabbing his arms and pushing his chin toward his chest. At that point, according to officers' accounts, Aguilar dropped to his knees. "He was repeatedly putting his fingers down his throat to try shove this bindle further down because he didn't want the police to recover it," said Senior Assistant City Attorney Cory Brente, who argued the case on behalf of the officers. WAS AGUILAR A THREAT TO OTHERS? When the incident was reviewed by department brass, Charlie Beck was still the chief. Beck retired last Summer. In Beck's analysis, presented 9 months after the incident, Aguilar was not a threat to the officers or anyone else during the struggle that took place while officers attempted to strip search him. And in a deposition, Officer Medina answered in the affirmative when asked if Aguilar was "merely resisting" his and the other officers' efforts to stop him from swallowing the heroin. At trial, the city countered Beck's assessment, turning to a retired LAPD sergeant who now testifies as a use-of-force expert - mostly on behalf of cities and officers facing civil suits. Jim Katapodis said Aguilar's "assaultive and combative" resistance justified use of the Taser. With Aguilar on his knees, Medina drew his X26P Axon Taser from its holster. That's the same model an APM Reports investigation found failed to subdue a suspect as often as 55 percent of the time when used by officers in some of the nation's largest police forces. At Melero's urging, Medina pushed the Taser into Aguilar's back in "drive stun" mode, according to the inspector general. Aguilar stood up and tried to grab it. Medina then stepped back and fired electrodes into his navel area. Aguilar pulled them out and threw them back. Medina them switched back to stun mode and pushed the Taser into his shoulder. During the next 34 seconds, Medina tased Aguilar five times. Melero added three punches to his face. Aguilar fell to the ground, unconscious. The entire use of force incident that began with the discovery of the heroin lasted about 54 seconds. SUSPECT IS SILENT The normally verbal Aguilar remained silent, according to reports on the incident. Absent were the screams of pain you normally hear after the crackle of a Taser. The coroner later determined that his throat was blocked by the bindle he'd tried to swallow. He was unable to make noise. His family's attorney has claimed that's further evidence that his flailing arms were a distress signal. "He made a mistake," said his older sister Veronica Aguilar. He lived with her and their parents in Wilmington and picked up occasional work as a laborer. His son Alex Junior, 25, and daughter Preslie, 12, lived with their grandmother around the corner, she said. Veronica didn't suspect police of brutality until she peered into the casket at the funeral home and saw the bruises on his face. "It gets me upset," she said. "They did that to him." It's clear Aguilar never should have tried to swallow the bindle of heroin. But did the tasing that the chief found to be unreasonable make things worse? Could officers have provided better first aid? The electrical current from a Taser in "drive stun" mode has been found to cause people to breath more quickly, while their throats to contract, said Doctor Martin Chenevert, who specializes in emergency medicine and often testifies for plaintiffs. That "would tend to draw the bindle in Mr. Aguilar's mouth into his airway, thereby creating a medical emergency." But the bindle, which measured 2.75 x 1.25 x 1 inches, was too large to have travelled deep into Aguilar's trachea - even after the tasing, he stated. His conclusion: "A simple finger sweep to the back of the throat, moving from side to side, would have removed the obstruction." At this point in the conflict, post-Tasering, Harbor area Sergeant Andrew Hudlett was on scene. One officer asked if he should use his fingers to remove the bindle. Hudlett said no, ordering the four officers now surrounding Aguilar to keep their fingers out of his mouth - even though LAPD trains officers to perform this technique. In a deposition, Hudlett stated he didn't remember who first told him, but over the years, it became a mantra. "If it was a suspect, we were not to put our finger in their mouth, for fear we might get our fingers bitten off," the sergeant said. "Or we may even dislodge - push the object obstructing the throat further down." Even if they're unconscious, Hudlett was asked? "Anytime," he said. Chenevert countered that bites by unconscious people only happen when the person is still exhibiting muscular contractions, which Aguilar was not. And he said officers would have been unable to push the bindle further down his throat because of its size. In the doctor's opinion, the officers could have saved Aguilar's life with a finger sweep. Brente, the city attorney who defended the officers, argued that the bindle was too far down Aguilar's trachea to be retrieved. He noted that the coroner was forced to surgically removed it. The family's attorney, Ron Kaye, said Brente was misrepresenting the facts. He said the coroner found rigor mortis so extensive that it had locked Aguilar's jaw shut. That would have forced officers to crack open the jaw to get to the bindle. The procedure would have disfigured Aguilar's face and ruined the family's plan for an open casket. Instead, the coroner decided to make an incision under the chin to reach the bindle. AGUILAR'S LAST MOMENTS After Aguilar lost consciousness and Hudlett ordered no finger sweep, officers started CPR and called for paramedics, who arrived six minutes later. It was 7:30 p.m. -- 80 minutes after Lopez first spotted Aguilar driving in Wilmington. Despite showing "no signs of life," according to emergency medicine doctor Chenevert, paramedics attempted for nearly half an hour to revive him. They pronounced him dead at 7:59 p.m. The family lawsuit accused the officers of using excessive force on a man who engaged in the fairly common practice of trying to swallow his drugs to keep them out of the hands of police. The lawsuit also argued that LAPD officers were ill-trained on Tasers - with Lopez saying that in 16 years on the force he received two Taser trainings - one during his first six months in the academy, and a second when he and fellow officers practiced shooting at paper targets. Medina said in a deposition nearly 20 months after the incident that he had yet to receive Taser training ordered by the chief. During the trial, three years after Aguilar's death, he testified that he'd yet to receive any in-custody training. The officers "felt relief" after the verdict was reached in their favor, according to city attorney Brente. "It's taxing on officers to face civil lawsuits," he said. "They are being attacked for simply doing their job." Aguilar's sister said her brother had outgrown his gang years and that she never saw him hanging out on the street or doing drugs, in the time before his death. She called him a good father who attended parent-teacher conferences at schools, helped his kids with homework, and "played dolls" with his daughter. "They're making him sound so bad," she told KPCC after the verdict. "He was not bad." You can read the LAPD report below: 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 Migrant families who are being released pending asylum hearings are being dropped off at Inland Empire bus stations with no bus tickets, and sometimes no money. Immigrant advocates said last week that they observed roughly 60 adults and children dropped off at the Greyhound bus station in San Bernardino, often with no resources. The Border Patrol confirmed that agents from its El Centro sector have been dropping off migrants at the station since last Wednesday. So what's going on? First, some background. This comes as more asylum-seeking families with children from Central America have arrived at the U.S.-Mexico border. According to Border Patrol data, more than 58,000 families were apprehended at the southwest border in April, compared with 23,000 families in October. A STRAINED SYSTEM Officials say the increase in asylum seekers is straining their detention capacity at border entry points. Asylum seekers are typically turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, but because families with children can't legally be detained for more than 20 days, tens of thousands of families have been released with orders to appear in immigration court. In an emailed statement Monday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials cited "capacity limitations" at Border Patrol stations and the limited capacity of ICE to accept family units as the reason why CBP began releasing "non-criminal, processed family units" on March 19. To date, CBP officials said, the agency has released 40,000 family unit members with orders to appear in immigration court; ICE has released approximately 180,000 family unit members since Dec. 21. According to the statement, CBP began transporting migrant families from facilities at various points along the border starting May 10 "to leverage available capacity for processing and holding." Some families have been flown from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas to San Diego; others were transferred from the Border Patrol's Yuma sector to El Centro, according to the agency. Officials said they do seek other arrangements before resorting to the practice of taking families to bus stations. "Whenever possible" the releases are coordinated with non-governmental organizations that can assist the families, the agency said. But not always: "As NGOs have reached their capacities, CBP has released family units at transportation hubs during daylight hours when the weather does not endanger those released," according to the emailed statement. A MOVE AWAY FROM THE BORDER For months now, migrants have been dropped off at bus stations in border states. But local immigrant advocates said this is the first time they've observed it happening this close to the Los Angeles area. That's how we got here. So far, it seems the migrant families are only being released inland: El Centro border agents said they are releasing people in their area of operations, which includes Indio, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County. But local immigrant advocates said they are concerned about the state of the families they've encountered after they were dropped off. Some of the adults and kids left in San Bernardino last week appeared sick, said Jorge-Mario Cabrera, a spokesman for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles. Some families were taken in by volunteers or local shelters, he said, while others continued on to other destinations by bus. One group, the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice, said via email that they'd assisted 32 families on Thursday and that "some of these families didn't even have access to a shower or clean clothes for over 10 days." Border Patrol officials said in a statement Friday that people in their custody are fed and given medical screenings. The agency said family units are being released at bus stations so that they can reach their final destination as they wait to appear in immigration court. Meanwhile, El Centro's neighboring San Diego Border Patrol sector is not directly releasing people at this time, the agency said, but is turning them over to ICE. 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 Is it over? This massive 2015 gas leak near Porter Ranch we keep writing about? You might think so -- after all, it's been more than three years since a gas well ruptured at the Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Storage Facility near Porter Ranch, putting more than 100,000 metric tons of methane and other chemicals into the air. As of last week, we now know the official root cause of the gas well blowout -- corroded metal walls of a gas well hundreds of feet underground. (Watch this video or read the report.) And the civil complaints brought by Los Angeles city and county and the state of California have been settled, with Southern California Gas Company promising to pay millions of dollars and perform environmental remediation. Also resolved was the criminal case brought by the L.A. County District Attorney -- SoCal Gas pleaded no contest and paid millions more in penalties. So, you might well think that most of the big questions around that environmental disaster have been answered. You would be wrong. NEARLY 400 LAWSUITS ARE STILL PENDING More than 48,000 plaintiffs have filed about 400 lawsuits against SoCal Gas seeking compensation for alleged physical and financial damage. One of them is Dan Mehterian, who retired from Los Angeles City Fire Department as an engineer after 33 years of service. He's one of 65 firefighters or firefighter family members who sued SoCal Gas alleging that the gas made them sick, and that the company misled them and the public about the hazard. He and a number of the attorneys who represent the thousands of plaintiffs suing SoCal Gas gathered on Monday near the gates of the Aliso Canyon gas field on Sesnon Boulevard in Porter Ranch. They were there to respond to the root cause report's new details and to remind the public that many open questions about the gas well blowout still lack answers. FIREFIGHTERS WORKED IN THE MIDST OF THE GASSED COMMUNITY Mehterian worked at Fire Station 28, in the heart of the Porter Ranch and Northridge neighborhoods overrun with the stinky smell of natural gas, which flowed from the ruptured well from late October 2015 through mid-February 2016. The firefighters worked shifts of 24 hours on, 24 hours off, but some would work multiple days in a row to fill in staffing gaps. So they lived and breathed the odor and whatever chemicals were coming out of the well in addition to the 99 percent that was methane. "We had a lot of people coming to the station asking us what the health risks were," Mehterian said. "And we couldn't figure that out and we couldn't get any information." So the firefighters of Station 28 pressured their managers to get them some facts, and officials of L.A. County and SoCal Gas came to speak to them. "We asked the question, 'What is in the natural gas? Is there anything hazardous?' They continued to repeat, 'No, there's nothing in there, it's just natural gas, everything is fine,'" Mehterian said. "And at that point a lot of us were getting sick. Equilibrium problems, headaches, nosebleeds." Some of the firefighters got physical exams from their doctors, and bloodwork, he said. "They found our blood chemistry was way off, and they couldn't understand why," until they told the doctors they were working in Porter Ranch amid the gas leak fumes and chemical exposure. "As I explained to them, they would just nod their head, and say, 'Yeah, this makes sense.'" MYSTERY: WHAT WAS IN THE GAS? One element of the firefighters' complaint is that they don't know what, exactly, they were exposed to and hence, the physical risks they face from living and working for so long amid the gas. Even after Friday's release of the independent investigation into the root causes of the gas leak, the composition of the gas remains a mystery, said attorney Patricia Oliver, who represents the firefighters. "From the beginning, the most important question the residents of Porter Ranch have asked is what was in the gas that came down the mountains into their homes," Oliver said. "When my clients ask me, 'What was in the gas?' I don't know." SoCal Gas has long insisted that natural gas is mostly methane and that the bad smell came from a chemical odorant called mercaptans that is added as a safety measure to make the gas detectable. The gas the company injects into the depleted oil field, which acts as an underground reservoir, has been shipped in from out of state on big pipelines. It's been cleaned several times and its components are mostly methane with a small amount of other chemicals. But the depleted oil field also holds the native gas that has existed for eons below the surface of the earth. That gas remained even after wells had removed much of the oil, and had not been stripped of harmful or cancer-causing chemicals. "You're going to have massively higher levels of benzene," she said. She said a bill by Sen. Henry Stern, SB 463, would require SoCal Gas to provide a complete list of the chemicals that go into gas wells, and provide the chemical composition of the gas and any impurities. "We need to peel this onion back and understand what was in the gas once and for all so that I can answer my client's questions," Oliver said. 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30 (3) Jun 29 (4) Jun 28 (4) Jun 27 (3) Jun 26 (3) Jun 25 (4) Jun 24 (5) Jun 23 (5) Jun 22 (5) Jun 21 (3) Jun 20 (4) Jun 19 (3) Jun 18 (3) Jun 17 (4) Jun 16 (4) Jun 15 (4) Jun 14 (4) Jun 13 (4) Jun 12 (6) Jun 11 (3) Jun 10 (4) Jun 09 (3) Jun 08 (5) Jun 07 (3) Jun 06 (3) Jun 05 (5) Jun 04 (5) Jun 03 (3) Jun 02 (5) Jun 01 (6) May 31 (3) May 30 (5) May 29 (3) May 28 (4) May 27 (5) May 26 (7) May 25 (4) May 24 (4) May 23 (4) May 22 (6) May 21 (4) May 20 (3) May 19 (5) May 18 (4) May 17 (4) May 16 (5) May 15 (4) May 14 (4) May 13 (5) May 12 (4) May 11 (5) May 10 (6) May 09 (7) May 08 (3) May 07 (6) May 06 (4) May 05 (6) May 04 (6) May 03 (4) May 02 (4) May 01 (4) Apr 30 (4) Apr 29 (3) Apr 28 (4) Apr 27 (4) Apr 26 (3) Apr 25 (6) Apr 24 (4) Apr 23 (5) Apr 22 (5) Apr 21 (7) Apr 20 (6) Apr 19 (5) Apr 18 (5) Apr 17 (6) Apr 16 (4) Apr 15 (6) Apr 14 (5) Apr 13 (5) Apr 12 (5) Apr 11 (4) Apr 10 (6) Apr 09 (7) Apr 08 (7) Apr 07 (4) Apr 06 (7) Apr 05 (6) Apr 04 (5) Apr 03 (6) Apr 02 (5) Apr 01 (6) Mar 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12 (3) Oct 11 (2) Oct 10 (2) Oct 09 (4) Oct 08 (4) Oct 07 (4) Oct 06 (3) Oct 05 (4) Oct 04 (5) Oct 03 (3) Oct 02 (6) Oct 01 (6) Sep 30 (5) Sep 29 (3) Sep 28 (3) Sep 27 (7) Sep 26 (4) Sep 25 (3) Sep 24 (5) Sep 23 (8) Sep 22 (3) Sep 21 (3) Sep 20 (6) Sep 19 (3) Sep 18 (3) Sep 17 (5) Sep 16 (7) Sep 15 (3) Sep 14 (4) Sep 13 (3) Sep 12 (5) Sep 11 (5) Sep 10 (5) Sep 09 (7) Sep 08 (5) Sep 07 (2) Sep 06 (7) Sep 05 (4) Sep 04 (4) Sep 03 (2) Sep 02 (2) Sep 01 (2) Aug 31 (3) Aug 30 (3) Aug 29 (3) Aug 28 (3) Aug 27 (3) Aug 26 (4) Aug 25 (3) Aug 24 (3) Aug 23 (3) Aug 22 (4) Aug 21 (4) Aug 20 (4) Aug 19 (4) Aug 18 (3) Aug 17 (2) Aug 16 (2) Aug 15 (5) Aug 14 (3) Aug 13 (5) Aug 12 (10) Aug 11 (5) Aug 10 (4) Aug 09 (5) Aug 08 (3) Aug 07 (4) Aug 06 (6) Aug 05 (5) Aug 04 (5) Aug 03 (3) Aug 02 (5) Aug 01 (7) Jul 31 (5) Jul 30 (5) Jul 29 (4) Jul 28 (3) Jul 27 (3) Jul 26 (5) Jul 25 (4) Jul 24 (5) Jul 23 (5) Jul 22 (7) Jul 21 (5) Jul 20 (4) Jul 19 (5) Jul 18 (6) Jul 17 (5) Jul 16 (5) Jul 15 (6) Jul 14 (4) 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(3) Aug 14 (3) Aug 13 (3) Aug 12 (3) Aug 11 (4) Aug 10 (5) Aug 09 (3) Aug 08 (3) Aug 07 (4) Aug 06 (5) Aug 05 (4) Aug 04 (3) Aug 03 (3) Aug 02 (3) Aug 01 (3) Jul 31 (3) Jul 30 (4) Jul 29 (3) Jul 28 (5) Jul 27 (3) Jul 26 (3) Jul 25 (3) Jul 24 (4) Jul 23 (4) Jul 22 (3) Jul 21 (4) Jul 20 (3) Jul 19 (3) Jul 18 (4) Jul 17 (4) Jul 16 (4) Jul 15 (3) Jul 14 (3) Jul 13 (4) Jul 12 (5) Jul 11 (4) Jul 10 (4) Jul 09 (3) Jul 08 (3) Jul 07 (3) Jul 06 (5) Jul 05 (3) Jul 04 (3) Jul 03 (4) Jul 02 (3) Jul 01 (6) Jun 30 (4) Jun 29 (4) Jun 28 (3) Jun 27 (4) Jun 26 (4) Jun 25 (5) Jun 24 (4) Jun 23 (3) Jun 22 (5) Jun 21 (5) Jun 20 (4) Jun 19 (4) Jun 18 (5) Jun 17 (4) Jun 16 (5) Jun 15 (5) Jun 14 (3) Jun 13 (3) Jun 12 (3) Jun 11 (3) Jun 10 (5) Jun 09 (3) Jun 08 (4) Jun 07 (4) Jun 06 (5) Jun 05 (4) Jun 04 (3) Jun 03 (4) Jun 02 (5) Jun 01 (3) May 31 (4) May 30 (3) May 29 (3) May 28 (3) May 27 (3) May 26 (4) May 25 (4) May 24 (4) May 23 (4) May 22 (3) May 21 (3) May 20 (4) May 19 (3) May 18 (3) May 17 (4) May 16 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(2) Aug 15 (1) Aug 14 (1) Aug 12 (1) Aug 09 (1) Aug 08 (1) Aug 07 (1) Aug 05 (1) Aug 04 (1) Jul 31 (1) Jul 30 (3) Jul 29 (5) Jul 28 (2) Jul 27 (3) Jul 26 (3) Jul 25 (3) Jul 24 (3) Jul 23 (3) Jul 22 (3) Jul 21 (4) Jul 20 (4) Jul 19 (3) Jul 18 (4) Jul 17 (6) Jul 16 (5) Jul 15 (3) Jul 14 (4) Jul 13 (4) Jul 12 (4) Jul 11 (3) Jul 10 (4) Jul 09 (3) Jul 08 (4) Jul 07 (3) Jul 06 (5) Jul 05 (4) Jul 04 (4) Jul 03 (4) Jul 02 (5) Jul 01 (3) Jun 30 (4) Jun 29 (6) Jun 28 (4) Jun 27 (4) Jun 26 (4) Jun 25 (4) Jun 24 (4) Jun 23 (4) Jun 22 (6) Jun 21 (3) Jun 20 (3) Jun 19 (6) Jun 18 (5) Jun 17 (5) Jun 16 (5) Jun 15 (4) Jun 14 (4) Jun 13 (5) Jun 12 (4) Jun 11 (3) Jun 10 (4) Jun 09 (3) Jun 08 (3) Jun 07 (4) Jun 06 (3) Jun 05 (4) Jun 04 (5) Jun 03 (5) Jun 02 (4) Jun 01 (5) May 31 (4) May 30 (4) May 29 (4) May 28 (5) May 27 (5) May 26 (5) May 25 (4) May 24 (5) May 23 (4) May 22 (4) May 21 (3) May 20 (6) May 19 (4) May 18 (4) May 17 (4) May 16 (5) May 15 (3) May 14 (3) May 13 (4) May 12 (3) May 11 (3) May 10 (3) May 09 (3) May 08 (3) May 07 (3) May 06 (3) May 05 (3) May 04 (3) May 03 (3) May 02 (3) May 01 (4) Apr 30 (4) Apr 29 (6) Apr 28 (3) Apr 27 (3) Apr 26 (3) Apr 25 (4) Apr 24 (4) Apr 23 (3) Apr 22 (3) Apr 21 (4) Apr 20 (3) Apr 19 (3) Apr 18 (3) Apr 17 (6) Apr 16 (3) Apr 15 (4) Apr 14 (3) Apr 13 (6) Apr 12 (4) Apr 11 (4) Apr 10 (5) Apr 09 (7) Apr 08 (3) Apr 07 (4) Apr 06 (4) Apr 05 (4) Apr 04 (6) Apr 03 (4) Apr 02 (4) Apr 01 (3) Mar 31 (4) Mar 30 (5) Mar 29 (5) Mar 28 (6) Mar 27 (5) Mar 26 (5) Mar 25 (3) Mar 24 (4) Mar 23 (3) Mar 22 (3) Mar 21 (5) Mar 20 (3) Mar 19 (5) Mar 18 (4) Mar 17 (5) Mar 16 (5) Mar 15 (3) Mar 14 (6) Mar 13 (4) Mar 12 (4) Mar 11 (5) Mar 10 (4) Mar 09 (7) Mar 08 (5) Mar 07 (5) Mar 06 (6) Mar 05 (4) Mar 04 (4) Mar 03 (4) Mar 02 (6) Mar 01 (4) Feb 28 (4) Feb 27 (4) Feb 26 (5) Feb 25 (4) Feb 24 (5) Feb 23 (5) Feb 22 (6) Feb 21 (6) Feb 20 (3) Feb 19 (6) Feb 18 (7) Feb 17 (4) Feb 16 (5) Feb 15 (7) Feb 14 (5) Feb 13 (5) Feb 12 (6) Feb 11 (8) Feb 10 (4) Feb 09 (6) Feb 08 (4) Feb 07 (3) Feb 06 (6) Feb 05 (3) Feb 04 (6) Feb 03 (4) Feb 02 (3) Feb 01 (4) Jan 31 (5) Jan 30 (4) Jan 29 (6) Jan 28 (3) Jan 27 (6) Jan 26 (6) Jan 25 (4) Jan 24 (5) Jan 23 (5) Jan 22 (5) Jan 21 (5) Jan 20 (5) Jan 19 (5) Jan 18 (4) Jan 17 (6) Jan 16 (4) Jan 15 (3) Jan 14 (5) Jan 13 (3) Jan 12 (4) Jan 11 (5) Jan 10 (3) Jan 09 (6) Jan 08 (5) Jan 07 (4) Jan 06 (5) Jan 05 (6) Jan 04 (4) Jan 03 (3) Jan 02 (2) Jan 01 (4) Dec 31 (3) Dec 30 (3) Dec 29 (5) Dec 28 (3) Dec 27 (3) Dec 26 (4) Dec 25 (4) Dec 24 (3) Dec 23 (4) Dec 22 (5) Dec 21 (3) Dec 20 (4) Dec 19 (4) Dec 18 (7) Dec 17 (5) Dec 16 (5) Dec 15 (5) Dec 14 (5) Dec 13 (3) Dec 12 (3) Dec 11 (6) Dec 10 (4) Dec 09 (3) Dec 08 (5) Dec 07 (4) Dec 06 (3) Dec 05 (4) Dec 04 (5) Dec 03 (5) Dec 02 (3) Dec 01 (6) Nov 30 (5) Nov 29 (3) Nov 28 (4) Nov 27 (4) Nov 26 (3) Nov 25 (5) Nov 24 (3) Nov 23 (4) Nov 22 (4) Nov 21 (4) Nov 20 (5) Nov 19 (5) Nov 18 (4) Nov 17 (5) Nov 16 (3) Nov 15 (4) Nov 14 (4) Nov 13 (4) Nov 12 (4) Nov 11 (3) Nov 10 (4) Nov 09 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(1) Jul 03 (1) Jul 01 (1) Jun 28 (1) Jun 24 (2) Jun 20 (1) Jun 19 (1) Jun 18 (1) Jun 15 (1) Jun 14 (2) Jun 11 (1) Jun 09 (3) Jun 08 (1) Jun 07 (1) Jun 06 (1) Jun 04 (2) Jun 03 (1) Jun 02 (2) Jun 01 (1) May 31 (3) May 30 (1) May 29 (1) May 28 (2) May 26 (1) May 25 (1) May 18 (1) May 17 (1) May 15 (1) May 09 (1) May 07 (2) May 02 (1) May 01 (1) Apr 30 (1) Apr 27 (1) Apr 26 (2) Apr 23 (1) Apr 22 (1) Apr 19 (1) Apr 18 (1) Apr 12 (1) Apr 11 (1) Apr 09 (1) Apr 07 (1) Apr 05 (1) Apr 01 (1) Mar 30 (1) Mar 27 (1) Mar 25 (1) Mar 22 (2) Mar 19 (1) Mar 18 (1) Mar 16 (1) Mar 15 (2) Mar 13 (1) Mar 12 (1) Mar 11 (1) Mar 10 (1) By Moses Kyeyune. The newly revived national carrier is expected to register its first profit in 2029, Cornwell Muleya, Uganda Airlines Chief Technical Officer has said. Muleya has been appearing before the Budget Committee of Parliament chaired by Ntenjeru North MP Amos Lugoloobi to defend budget proposals for the airline. He says that the national career will require some time to build confidence from passengers and suppliers, even after recapitalisation. The team composed of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Transport Mr Wasswa Bageya, as well as Moses Sanon the Head of Monitoring and Evaluation, Budget Compliance at National Planning Authority were appearing to defend Shs575 Billion required by the airline. Muleya says, if the funds are availed, the national carrier will be to operate and smoothly break even in seven years, and then register a profit after 10 years after which it will be able to run stably. Related Stories. The 1st batch of Uganda Airlines jets touch down L.A. City Council President Herb Wesson To Declare May 21 John Singleton Day in Los Angeles, Honoring Legendary Filmmakers Life and Legacy LOS ANGELES Los Angeles City Council President Herb J. Wesson Jr. will declare May 21, 2019 John Singleton Day in Los Angeles on Tuesday, commemorating the life and legacy of the legendary filmmaker John Singleton who passed away on April 28. The announcement will take place at a celebration of Singletons life at Bovard Auditorium at the University of Southern California on Tuesday where Singleton studied film and graduated from the universitys School of Cinematic Arts in 1990. There is not enough that can be said about John Singleton and the profound impact he made in his 51 years of life, said Wesson. In a time and in an industry where all the odds were stacked against him, John overcame and became the best at his craft. And more than maybe anyone, he opened peoples eyes to a reality and an experience of South Los Angeles that had been overlooked by society. Now in Los Angeles this day is a time to celebrate John and his legacy. Its far sooner than we should have to, but there is so much to celebrate. John Daniel Singleton was born January 6, 1968, and grew up in South Central Los Angeles with a love of cinema that showed itself early on. Singleton went on to become one of the most lauded graduates of the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Within months of graduating, he returned to South Central to shoot his debut feature, Boyz N the Hood, which earned special honors at its debut at Cannes. Singleton went on to become the youngest director and first African-American writer-director nominated for the Academy Award. Two decades later, the film was placed in the Library of Congress, a marker of its cultural and historical significance. ADVERTISEMENT Singletons work spanned genres and showcased his curiosity and creativity: the remake of Shaft, paying homage to his mentor, Gordon Parks; his historical adaptation of Rosewood and action film 2 Fast 2 Furious; to his return to films highlighting the life of men and the crisis in American masculinity like Baby Boy and Four Brothers. He also lent his talents to television on shows such as Billions, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, Empire, and Snowfall, which he co-created and executive produced. Singleton loved nothing more than giving opportunities to new talent and his films came to be known for career-making roles for notable artist such as Tupac Shakur, Regina King, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Terrence Howard, Ice Cube, Tyrese and Taraji P. Henson. Besides his long list of contributions to the arts, John was a loving and supporting father, son, brother and friend who believed in higher education, black culture, old school music and the power of film. Tuesday, May 21, 2019 The Washington Post and The Independent contain an interesting story about southward migration across the U.S.-Mexico border: "President Trump regularly assails the flow of migrants crossing the Mexican border into the United States. Less noticed has been the surge of people heading in the opposite direction. Mexicos statistics institute estimated this month that the U.S.-born population in this country has reached 799,000 a roughly fourfold increase since 1990. And that is probably an undercount. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City estimates the real number at 1.5 million or more." The migrant flow contains both U.S. citizens and returned Mexican nationals. The U.S. citizens include workers in the digital economy who can work wherever they choose, retirees, and U.S.-born kids who want to reunite with Mexican families. The returning Mexicans include individuals who want to reunite with families and deported migrants. As the article reports, "If the thousands of Mexicans moving home are taken into account, the flow of migrants from the United States to Mexico is probably larger than the flow of Mexicans to the United States." The U.S. population in Mexico is still much smaller than the Mexican immigrant population north of the border, but the American migration and settlement is impacting Mexican communities. It is altering the character of schools, injecting money into the Mexican economy, and leading to renovation of homes in historic centers. Some municipalities celebrate American holdiays like Thanksgiving and political leaders make speeches in English and Spanish. In other words, the cities welcome American immigrants. As one mayor said, "Despite the fact that Donald Trump insults my country every day, here we receive the entire international community, beginning with Americans, with open arms and hearts, Villareal said. Mexican authorities say that many of the Americans are probably undocumented typically, theyve overstayed their six-month visas -- but the government does not pressure the Americans to have documents in order and typically assesses a small fine. - MHC https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/immigration/2019/05/reverse-migration-americans-heading-south-across-us-mexico-border.html Tuesday, May 21, 2019 Kathleen Maloney previews a bar discipline matter set for argument today before the Ohio Supreme Court. Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association v. Matthew J. King, Case no. 2018-1762 Cuyahoga County In June 2016, Cleveland attorney Matthew J. King was convicted of two counts of money laundering and one count of attempted money laundering. The trial court sentenced King to 44 months in prison for the felonies, and he was released in August 2018 after serving part of his sentence. The Ohio Board of Professional Conduct suspended King from practicing law on an interim basis following his convictions. The board now suggests an indefinite suspension for King with no credit for the time on the interim suspension. The Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association objects to the proposed sanction, arguing for Kings disbarment. Early in his legal career, King worked as an assistant law director and prosecutor for the city of Lakewood and as an assistant Cuyahoga County prosecutor. Attorney Agrees to Set Up Fake Business for Drug Money In 2014, King had a conversation with a law-enforcement confidential informant, who indicated he was a drug dealer connected to a Mexican cartel. In recorded discussions, King talked about forming a corporation and opening a bank account for the informant to launder money obtained from drug deals and first depositing the money through his client trust account (IOLTA). The lawyer accepted $20,000 from the man. However, King never filed the paperwork for the corporation, and didnt deposit any of the mans money into his IOLTA account. During the next several weeks, whenever the informant asked, King gave him cash. The lawyer also gave the informant a check from his personal account for $2,000 as a way to show the informant that a bank account was being used to launder the money. The informant absconded with all of the money. King subsequently offered to help the FBI recover the money. In October 2015, the attorney was indicted for money laundering and found guilty. Board Considers Mitigating Factors At his disciplinary hearing, King argued the governments case was flawed because he only held the cash and gave the informant a personal check. He noted he is considering a habeas corpus petition to try to overturn his convictions. King also described his struggle with drinking, his fathers death, a difficult divorce, and his estrangement from a daughter during the time that he engaged in the money-laundering scheme. A common pleas judge, who is Kings Alcoholic Anonymous sponsor, testified for King. While the panel that handled the hearing noted Kings dishonest and selfish motive, it also acknowledged his prison sentence, completion of an alcohol and drug rehabilitation program in prison, cooperation during the disciplinary process, and evidence of his legal abilities and good character. Although the bar association advocates for disbarment, the board concluded that the sanction isnt necessary to protect the public. The board recommends to the Ohio Supreme Court an indefinite suspension for King with no credit for the time he has spent on the interim suspension. Along with the standard requirements for reinstatement to the practice of law, King must show proof of his continued sobriety, under the boards recommendation. Bar Association Argues for Disbarment Based on Crimes The bar association objects to the boards suggested sanction. The bar association points to a few cases from 1993 in which the Ohio Supreme Court permanently disbarred lawyers in circumstances similar to Kings. The bar association also maintains that Kings testimony reveals that he hasnt acknowledged the seriousness of his conduct. Nor has he offered evidence that his illegal actions were caused by his alcoholism or stemmed from his personal family troubles, the bar association argues. Although the board stated in its report that it appreciates Kings efforts to change his life since his crimes, the bar association contends that those steps arent enough to warrant his return to practicing law. Attorney Stresses He Didnt Pursue Illegal Plans Noting that he never formed a corporation for the informant nor took any of the other steps they had discussed, King maintains that he didnt intend to commit money laundering and notes the assistance he provided to the FBI when arrested. He argues that he never followed through with any of the plans for setting up a shell corporation, unlike the lawyers in the 1993 cases cited by the bar association. The bar association ignores not only his actions to take responsibility and better his life, but also the boards finding that he accepted that his conduct was immoral and unethical, King states. Pointing out that the Supreme Court can exercise independent judgment when considering all relevant factors in disciplinary cases, he asks for a sanction less severe than disbarment. I am live blogging the argument. According to the Relator, the attorney got his (failed) idea from Breaking Bad and Rush Limbaugh. The court through several members seems to challenge the appropriateness of permanent disbarment. Counsel got into trouble by seeming to suggest that white collar crime is less sanctionable than drug-related crimes. Counsel for the Respondent argued for providing him an opportunity to get his license back. Questions focused on issues of credit for time served for interim suspension and an acknowledgment that he cannot be reinstated while on criminal probation. Prediction: Less than disbarment. (Mike Frisch) https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/legal_profession/2019/05/the-informant-ran-off-with-the-cash.html Tuesday, May 21, 2019 The North Carolina Court of Appeals upheld the inherent authority of a trial court to impose a disability suspension. The attorney had two matters scheduled in the same courthouse. One involved responding to a summary judgment motion; the other was a custody dispute. One of the judges suspected he was impaired. The two judges discussed the matter and decided that the summary judgment matter had priority. The summary judgment judge continued the matter over the attorney's denial that he was impaired. Once in chambers, [i]t became readily apparent to [Judge Shirley] that [Respondent] was impaired because his pupils were dilated, his speech was slurred, and he did not have a rational thought process. When asked by Judge Shirley if he was on any medication or other mind-altering substances, Respondent admitted he took antidepressants, as he suffered from an anxiety disorder and depression, but adamantly denied he was impaired. Based on Respondents condition, Judge Shirley informed Respondent that he believed Respondent was impaired and unable to represent his client, and that he intended to continue the hearing to the following week. The custody judge Upon leaving Judge Shirleys chambers, Respondent returned to Judge Dunstons courtroom. Judge Dunston informed Respondent that she would not allow him to proceed with the custody hearing and asked Respondent if he would submit to an examination by a drug recognition expert (DRE). Respondent initially agreed to the DRE examination. However, when the DRE arrived, Respondent stated he was embarrassed and wanted to leave, and refused to submit to the DRE examination. Thereafter, Respondent left. The rescheduled summary judgment hearing did not allay the judge's concerns Once in chambers, Judge Shirley expressed his concerns regarding Respondents behavior on 29 March 2018, which he believed amounted to contempt of court. Judge Shirley also informed Respondent that he believed Respondent was impaired on 6 April 2018 as well. Based on these concerns, Judge Shirley presented Respondent with a draft Motion to Show Cause for Contempt and told Respondent he would not file this Motion if Respondent would voluntarily seek evaluation and treatment through the Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP). As a further condition, Judge Shirley required Respondent sign a release allowing the LAP to report Respondents compliance status to Judge Shirley. Thereafter, Respondent agreed to Judge Shirleys request and signed the release (LAP Agreement). But At 4:37 a.m. on 2 May 2018, Respondent sent an email to Kellie Myers revoking the LAP Agreement and declaring it null and void, contending he was initially coerced into signing the LAP Agreement. Respondent also sent an email to the Eastern Clinical Coordinator of the LAP revoking the LAP Agreement. Practice pointer : Do not send a consequential email at 4:37 a.m. The same principle would apply to tweets. As a result a contempt hearing was held On 1 June 2018, a hearing on the Show Cause Order came on before Wake County Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Paul C. Ridgeway (Judge Ridgeway). Respondent attended this hearing and represented himself pro se. At the end of the day, Judge Ridgeway adjourned the hearing and notified Respondent that the hearing would resume on 6 June 2018. However, Respondent failed to appear on 6 June 2018 when the hearing resumed. At the conclusion of the 6 June 2018 hearing, Judge Ridgeway took the matter under advisement, and on 8 June 2018, Judge Ridgeway entered the Disability Order transferring Respondent to disability inactive status. Thus this appeal. The court here rejected his attacks on the fact-finding. In particular, it concluded that he had voluntarily signed the LAP agreement. As to subject matter jurisdiction Although we have found no case addressing the trial courts authority with regard to placing attorneys on disability inactive status, a trial courts inherent authority to regulate attorneys before it must also include the authority to place an attorney on disability inactive status under appropriate circumstances. Just as our trial courts have the inherent authority to impose sanctions upon attorneys appearing before them, there is no question that a superior court, as part of its inherent power to manage its affairs, to see that justice is done, and to see that the administration of justice is accomplished as expeditiously as possible, has the authority to transfer an attorney to disability inactive status. Conclusion Respondent essentially argues these Conclusions are not supported by the Findings because (1) the Findings are not supported by competent evidence and (2) Respondent had provided a medical opinion to the Deputy Counsel for the State Bar, who had been appointed to prosecute this matter, on 5 June 2018 that Respondent was competent to practice law. With regard to the 5 June 2018 medical opinion, Respondent failed to appear at the 6 June 2018 hearing and did not present any evidence of this medical opinion throughout the two hearings. Because this 5 June 2018 medical opinion was not admitted, the trial court did not err by failing to consider this opinion. As for Respondents remaining argument, we have already determined the Findings were supported by competent evidence, and we hold these Findings support the trial courts Conclusions. Specifically, the Record shows all six of the States witnesses testified to believing Respondent was impaired on two separate occasions, 29 March 2018 and 6 April 2018. Both Judges Dunston and Shirley testified they believed it was in Respondents best interest, and the interest of the proper administration of justice, that he should be placed on disability inactive status until he has been evaluated and treated for his impaired condition. Therefore, we hold the trial courts Conclusions of Law are supported by the Findings of Fact and the trial court did not abuse its discretion by placing Respondent on disability inactive status. This decision reflects a significant recognition of a trial court's inherent authority to impose a statewide prohibition on an attorney's practice. North Carolina lawyers be forewarned. The Bar's procedures for a disability suspension are linked here. j) No suspension of an attorney's license shall be allowed without notice and a hearing unless (1) the State Bar files a petition with supporting affidavits, as provided in Rule .0606(a)-(c) above. (2) the State Bar's petition and supporting affidavits demonstrate by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence that immediate and irreparable harm, injury, loss, or damage will result to the public, to the lawyer who is the subject of the petition, or to the administration of justice before notice can be given and a hearing had on the petition. (3) the State Bar's petition specifically seeks the temporary emergency relief of suspending ex parte the attorney's license for up to 10 days or until notice be given and a hearing held, whichever is shorter, and the State Bar's petition requests the court to endorse an emergency order entered hereunder with the hour and date of its entry. (4) the State Bar's petition requests that the emergency suspension order expire by its own terms 10 days from the date of entry, unless, prior to the expiration of the initial 10-day period, the court agrees to extend the order for an additional 10-day period for good cause shown or the respondent attorney agrees to an extension of the suspension period. I have no doubt that many jurisdictions (such as the District of Columbia) would not grant such power to a trial court. (Mike Frisch) https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/legal_profession/2019/05/the-north-carolina-court-of-appeals-the-attorney-had-two-matters-scheduled-in-the-same-courthouse-one-involved-responding-t.html The founder of Chinese technology company Huawei said the United States restriction on sales will have little effect on the company. He added that Huawei is discussing emergency relief from Google for possible loss of services for its smartphone business. Ren Zhengfei told Chinese state broadcaster CGTV, The U.S. governments actions at the moment underestimate our capabilities. He said Huawei has supply backups if it cannot buy American parts. Last week, the U.S. ordered the ban, and said Huawei was a security risk. American officials claimed Huawei would give information it collects to the Chinese government. Huawei has denied the accusation. Huawei is the worlds second-largest maker of smartphones behind Koreas Samsung. It has developed its own chips for some smartphones and other products. But it depends on Googles Android operating system and American suppliers for more advanced parts for its products. Loss of Google services Google said it would continue to support existing Huawei smartphones but that future devices would not have some apps and services, including maps, Gmail and search. Ren admitted that the loss of Googles services will be very big. He added, We are discussing emergency relief measures. On Monday, U.S. officials gave Huawei a permit to buy U.S. goods until August 19. The move is meant to give American businesses that use Huawei products some more time to make other plans. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman accused the United States of misusing state power to hurt foreign companies and interfere with the marketplace. In 2012, Huaweis U.S. sales collapsed after a congressional panel told businesses to avoid its products and those from another Chinese company, ZTE. However, Huaweis sales around the world rose quickly. Its smartphone shipments rose 50 percent compared to a year earlier in the first three months of 2019. At the same time, shipments from both Samsung and third-ranked Apple have fallen. The U.S. order could hurt Huaweis business by limiting access to parts and services everywhere -- not just in the U.S. market. The U.S. has also tried to urge its allies to avoid Huawei as a supplier of fifth-generation (5G) technology. Australia and Taiwan have set limits on Huawei technology, but Germany, France and Britain still do business with the company. I'm Ashley Thompson. Hai Do adapted this story for Learning English based on Associated Press and Reuters news reports. Ashley Thompson was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story capability - n. the ability to do something access - n. permission or right to enter, get, or make use of something Every day, millions of students receive meals at schools across the United States. The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted program that operates in public and non-profit private schools. It provides meals to around 30 million children nationwide. About 20 million of the students meet requirements for a free lunch, or light meal, during the school day. About two million others qualify for a reduced price. They pay 40 cents a day for lunch. The nearly eight million remaining students are charged the full price for their meals. But some of their parents may struggle to pay these costs. Over the years, U.S. schools have tried different methods to collect unpaid lunch money. But not all of these methods are popular. What happened in Rhode Island? Rhode Island school officials learned recently that denying children a hot meal led to strong criticism on social media. Some parents had not paid lunch money for their children. So the school district had planned to serve the children cold sandwiches. But after receiving hundreds of comments on Facebook and angry telephone calls, the school district last week canceled the plan. Catherine Bonang is with Warwick Public Schools, the district receiving the criticism. She told The Associated Press that the bad reaction to the sandwich plan was global. Such plans are not new, but they are increasingly facing public criticism. If a child is seen eating a cold meal, for example, it becomes clear who owes money, and this can cause feelings of guilt or shame. The movement against lunch shaming is gaining popularity around the country. In the past, Warwick students who owed lunch money were served cheese sandwiches that are not on the normal menu. School district officials wanted to make this less noticeable by changing to a kind of sandwich that is offered to everyone, Bonang explained. But criticism pushed officials to say all students would get the choice of a hot meal. A policy of not letting older students with unpaid fees take part in school trips, dances or other activities was also recently stopped, the district said. How common is the shaming? It is difficult to know how common lunch shaming is among the nations thousands of schools. But in 2011, most school districts had unpaid meal fees. That information comes from a study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which supervises the federal school lunch program. Among those districts, schools often served alternative meals, such as sandwiches. Districts also reported taking other actions to collect money, such as not giving students their class marks. Are there rules against shaming? New Mexico passed a law against such actions in 2017. Several other states have followed its example. They include California, Iowa and Oregon. Their laws generally do not permit actions like making students do work around the school. Yet serving alternative meals is not always banned. Supporters of the law say students should never go hungry at school or be shamed with food. Last month, U.S. lawmakers proposed anti-lunch shaming bills to help protect children with unpaid fees. The USDA does not support actions that identify such students, but gives school districts permission to set their own policies. Are the meals a form of shaming? A child can feel shame even if other children do not know why they are getting a cold sandwich, said Jennifer Ramo. She is with an organization called New Mexico Appleseed. It works on improving the lives of poor people. After forgetting to pay lunch money for one week, one parent said her young son was given a sunflower butter sandwich last year. The mother said her heart broke when she picked him up at school and he asked why she had not paid. She was also charged $2.50 for the sandwich, the same price as for a hot meal. The woman lives in Cranston, Rhode Island, not far from Warwick. Cranstons school district said it no longer serves alternative meals. Who is affected? Reasons for unpaid fees can also be different. Some families may struggle to pay basic living costs, even if they do not qualify for free or reduced-price lunches. Others may feel shame in applying for such meals or not realize they qualify. The School Nutrition Association represents lunch room operators and suppliers. It says providing free lunches for all students would end questions about charges for meal money. Are unpaid fees a big problem? The USDA report from a few years ago said lost money from unpaid meals represented a small part of a school food programs total spending. But situations are different. The School Nutrition Association says unpaid meal fees are a common issue. It said debt is increasing in places that started anti-lunch shaming policies. The debt is at about $90,000 in Cranston, Rhode Island. In January, officials there started using a debt collector. Michael Crudale is with Cranston Public Schools. He says simply getting a letter from a collection agency can sometimes get families to pay. He said parents credit rating scores are not affected, but that letters are sent every 30 days until the school year ends. At that point, Crudale said the district decides to pay the cost and the debt is canceled. I'm Jill Robbins. And I'm Alice Bryant. Candice Choi wrote this story for the Associated Press. Alice Bryant adapted her report for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. How do you feel about schools serving different (or the same) foods to students with unpaid meal fees? Write to us in the Comments Section. Quiz - 'Lunch Shaming' Faces Criticism Around U.S. Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story qualify v. to have the right to do, have, or be a part of something (school) district n. an area or region containing the schools that a school board is in charge of sandwich n. two pieces of bread with something between them global adj. relating to the whole world menu n. a list of the foods that may be ordered at a restaurant fee n. an amount of money that must be paid alternative adj. offering or expressing a choice sunflower butter n. a food paste made from sunflower seeds apply v. to ask formally for something, usually in writing Vacationers visit Mexican coastal towns like Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum in search of sun, white sands and clear blue waters. But, recently, they have also experienced something unexpected: sargassum. Sargassum is a kind of sea plant called seaweed. It smells bad and is generally unattractive. Now, this seaweed is invading an area of Mexicos Caribbean coast called the Riviera Maya. It is amassing along beaches and turning the beautiful waters brown. Experts warn that this may be the new normal. Half of Mexicos tourism profits come from the Riviera Maya. Very little sargassum reached it before 2014. But experts say a possible combination of climate change, pollution from fertilizers and changes in ocean currents has caused the problem to worsen. The government of Quintana Roo, a state in Mexico, says the sargassum invasion is one of the biggest issues that climate change has caused for the world. It said solving the problem will require a joint effort by many countries. When comparing March 2018 to March 2019, tourist arrivals at the Cancun airport were up 3.3 percent. But, people fear the sargassum issue will harm the tourism trade. When sargassum dies, it leaves a terrible egg-like smell. And, as the dead seaweed drops to the ocean floor, it can kill the coral the Caribbean is known for. Too much of the seaweed on beaches can also harm the reproductive process of sea turtles. Jef A. Gardner travels often to Playa del Carmen from Knoxville, Tennessee. He told the Associated Press he thinks the sargassum problem is a disaster that will badly hurt tourism and the local economy. This year, the sargassum along parts of Mexicos coast appears worse than it was last year. And the increased growth is not just a problem for Mexico. It affects almost all countries along the Caribbean Sea on some level. The U.S. Gulf coast also was hit with an overload of sargassum in 2014. The seaweed invaded beaches of Floridas eastern coast in 2018. The east coast of Florida is getting hit again this year. The seaweed is coming from Atlantic Ocean waters past the mouth of the Amazon River. Chuanmin Hu is a professor of oceanography at South Florida Universitys College of Marine Science. He says the sargassum seems to be the result of increased nutrient flows from rivers and ocean water upwelling. Upwelling is the process of cold seawater filled with nutrients rising up from the deep. Ocean currents then carry the seaweed to the Caribbean Sea, where it can grow further. Hu says this process is unlikely to soon stop. He says more research is needed before definitely linking it all to human activity. But, he pointed to evidence of increased use of fertilizer and increased deforestation as possible causes, at least for the Amazon. For now, business owners of Mexicos beach resorts are trying to find solutions. What you have to do is stop it before it even reaches the beaches, said Adrian Lopez, the president of Quintana Roos employers federation. But, as Lopez notes, trying to collect sargassum on water could harm some sea life, such as coral that live in shallow waters close to the coast. Removal of sargassum after it hits beaches is also risky. It could harm the sea turtle eggs or young, for example. And masses of it usually return by the end of each day anyway, Lopez explains. Other ideas for solutions are appearing, such as using it as an additive to make bricks. But its usefulness as a fertilizer or animal feed is limited by the chemicals it contains, like salt, iodine and arsenic. In Quintana Roo, tourism industry workers make up almost all of the local population. Some are concerned about a federal government plan to establish a train line between coastal areas and Mayan ruins. They say the government is ignoring the seaweed problem. With Sargassum, there is No Mayan Train, reads a sign launched by local businesses. Im Susan Shand. And Im Alice Bryant. Mark Stevenson wrote this story for The Associated Press. Alice Bryant adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story tourism n. the activity of traveling to a place for pleasure fertilizer n. a substance (such as manure or a special chemical) that is added to soil to help the growth of plants coral n. an invertebrate sea animal that forms reefs brick n. a small, hard block of baked materials that is used to build structures and sometimes to make streets or paths ruins n. the remaining pieces of something that was destroyed, especially from ancient civilizations The World Health Organization on Tuesday said tens of thousands of people are believed to be infected with dengue fever on La Reunion. The island a French territory is a popular vacation destination in the Indian Ocean. Dengue is a set of viruses found in tropical and sub-tropical parts of the world. Humans get dengue from being bitten by mosquitos infected with the virus. Health officials on the island told the WHO of the disease outbreak in March 2018. About 50,000 probable cases of the disease were reported between 2018 and April of this year. That includes 22,000 so far in 2019, the health agency said in a statement. The WHO described the rise of confirmed and probable cases reported last year as unprecedented. There is no treatment. But with early discovery and good medical care, fewer than one percent of people infected die from the disease. The WHO said 14 people have died in the Reunion outbreak since 2018. The territory has a population of 866,500. Around the world, the number of dengue cases dropped from 2017 to 2018. But there has been a huge increase in 2019, especially in Vietnam, Australia, Cambodia, China, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore. More about dengue About one in four people infected with dengue will get sick. Of those who do get sick, the symptoms can be mild to severe. Severe dengue can be deadly and often requires hospitalization. Only a small percentage of people get severe dengue. Mild dengue can be mistaken for other sicknesses, such as influenza. Symptoms often begin four to seven days after being bitten and commonly last two days to one week. They can include high fever, severe headaches, fatigue, vomiting, and, in severe cases, bleeding. The first dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia, was approved in 2015 for use in Mexico, Brazil and the Philippines. Several other countries followed in 2016. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Dengvaxia in 2019. The WHO says the vaccine should not be given to people who have not had an earlier dengue infection. The World Health Organization notes that dengue fever is now common in over 100 countries. Forty percent of the worlds population lives in an area at risk for dengue. Im Caty Weaver. Tom Miles wrote this report for Reuters news agency. Alice Bryant adapted it for Learning English with additional information from WHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ashley Thompson was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story destination n. a place to which a person is going or something is being sent tropical adj. of or relating to the part of the world that is near the equator where the weather is very warm mosquito n. a small flying insect that bites the skin of people and animals and sucks their blood unprecedented adj. not done or experienced before symptom n. a change in the body or mind which indicates that a disease is present mild adj. not harsh or severe vomiting gerund. the act of food or liquid that is in your stomach coming out through your mouth because you are sick (verb: vomit) Mid-Willamette Valley residents woke up to a winter wonderland the day after Christmas as a storm dumped three inches or more of snow on the area. scholarship, news and new ideas in legal history 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. Outgoing Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson has warned that nearly all recovery work at Offutt will stop July 1 if emergency funds arent approved. Base officials also said the request doesnt include the cost of outfitting the replacement buildings with furnishings and electronics. That figure hasnt yet been calculated but is likely to top $300 million perhaps bringing the total cost of rebuilding Offutt close to $1 billion. The 55th Wings fleet of 29 RC-135 reconnaissance jets fly daily above or near political trouble spots from deployed locations in Europe, Japan and the Middle East. The planes monitor radio, radar and other electronic signals, and theyre in high demand in every theater where they operate, Bacon said. The three destroyed simulators are not designed for training of flight crew (a cockpit simulator in a separate building wasnt damaged in the flood) but rather for back-of-the-plane skills and functions. Offutt military leaders said the ruined simulators enable signal-monitoring crews to practice their work on the ground, and allow maintenance crews to practice repairing the highly sensitive electronics gear. The simulators were too big to be moved. Speaking of college, if you are sending your daughter to a university in the state public or private we want you to know about our efforts to change the federal Title IX regulations meant to protect her from sexual assault or discrimination. We fell just short in our effort to gut those Obama-era regulations this year, but rest assured, well be back at it next year. Keep in mind, the university folks, and various womens advocacy groups, will tell your daughter that our efforts would have made it less likely that she would report a sexual assault during her time in school. And this is likely true. But think about the other side of this. Too many of the sons of your wealthier neighbors are facing the unintended consequences of such protections. Some of them had to switch universities just because they are no longer allowed to, as conservative commentator Stephen Moore put it, do stupid things and chase skirts. Can you imagine the horror of having to face your friends at the country club and have to tell them Young Tanner ended up transferring to Vatterott College from Washington University? Weve got those boys backs and want you to know well be fighting for them again next legislative session. The 24 fishing boats can be valued at a maximum of 50 Million USD. In addition to the fishing boats that have never been put into operation and are rusting away in Maputo harbour, Mozambique received 6 small fibreglass fast patrol boats. The hulls of these craft will burst into flames when hit by a high velocity bullet, sinking their powerful engines, crew and single gun within minutes. At 36 m length with a crew of only 4, they are unsuited to operate outside immediate shorelines. Their combined commercial value is a maximum of 100 million USD. In return for 2 billion Euro, Mozambique was supplied with 21 long liner tuna and 3 trawler (bait) fishing boats, each 23.5 metres short. None of these boats were suited to operate in the oceans of the so-called Mozambique channel, nor is long liner tuna fishing still allowed, meaning catch obtained by these fishing boats could not be sold. Chang (63) was Mozambiques Minister of Finance of Mozambique from 2005 until 2015. He notoriously instructed Swiss bankers Credit Suisse in an official government letter to pay out a 2 billion Euro loan not to the Mozambique Central Bank but into the bank account of commercial broker in Abu Dhabi. Nobody expects a thief to be a truthful person. Yet the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Pretoria in the Magistrates Court on 8 April 2019 gullibly accepted and stated to the Court that the parliamentary immunity for extradition detainee Manuel Chang had been lifted in Mozambique. They relied on a written assurance to that effect from the Head of the Mozambique prosecuting authority. The assurance is deliberately misleading and therefore false. Former Mozambican finance minister, Manuel Chang, in court in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, earlier this year. Chang appeared in court following a US extradition request in connection with an alleged dollar 2 billion fraud scheme. File picture: Phill Magakoe/AP Because private investors subscribed to sovereign bonds for Mozambique to be able to raise a 2 billion Euro loan of which about 1.8 billion cannot be accounted for, prosecutors in the USA undertook extensive investigations. They decided to criminally prosecute the principal conmen for fraud, theft and money laundering. Former Minister of Finance Chang figures prominently amongst them and was detained in South Africa end of December 2018 on the basis of a US extradition request. After years of inactivity, the Mozambique prosecuting authority all of a sudden and very conveniently opened an investigation into Changs conduct (without formerly charging him) and requested his extradition to Mozambique for questioning, arguing that this request should take priority over the earlier extradition request by the USA. In order to convince the South African Magistrates Court that the Mozambican extradition request was as valid as the American one, Mozambique issued an assurance that the Mozambique Parliament had authorised the detention of Manuel Chang, a Member of Parliament of the ruling Frelimo party. Although it is true that the Standing Committee of Parliament in Mozambique took a resolution to authorized the detention of Member of Parliament Chang, it did so only with explicit reference to Art 13 (1) of the Act Governing Members of Parliament, Act No 32 of 2014. The meaning of the reference to Art 13 (1) of the Act is that the immunity of Chang was not lifted. This would have had to be done by a parliamentary consent in terms of Art 17 of the same Act. As the lifting of the parliamentary immunity is a prerequisite for prosecution, it is clear that Chang may be temporarily detained for questioning, but may not be prosecuted, unless his immunity might be lifted at a later stage. In addition, for a successful prosecution, the Mozambique Act requires a further specific parliamentary consent, for Chang to stand trial, as is separately required by Art 13 (2) of the Act. Evidently, the Mozambican authorities relied on the fact that the NPA in Pretoria would not check the text of the Act, and would not be alerted by the fact that the Mozambican assurance so specifically referred to a particular clause in a Portuguese language statute. Hence, if by decision of the South African Minister of Justice, as required in the Extradition Act, Chang should in the near future be extradited to Mozambique, he may be detained on arrival for a short while, subject to the normal rules of criminal procedure, but his prosecution and possible trial barred because he continues to enjoy parliamentary immunity. As it stands, the extradition request by Mozambique is a scam and should not have been ruled a valid extradition request. Clearly, South Africa has no interest in acquiring a reputation for lending a helping hand to conmen and ruthlessly corrupt politicians. Mozambique is ranked 7th last on the UNDP development index. According to the WHO, Mozambique is abandoning 60% of its children under five to stunting, as a consequence of protein deprivation and severe malnutrition. The stolen 2 billion Euro could have given each of the affected 1.5 million children an amount of 1000 Euro, or five times the average annual GPD per capita available to a Mozambican. That is the real dimension of what the political agents of international economic crime will do in Africa, and do to its children. Our Minister of International Relations and eager candidate for the position of Deputy President, Sisulo stated in February that it would be the easiest thing for everybody if Chang would be sent to Mozambique. She evidently had not seen the Twitter post at that time by Herman J (Henk) Cohen, former US Undersecretary of State for Africa: The theft of two billion by official of the Mozambique regime under former President Guebuza is probably the largest act of corruption in Africa since 1960. Frelimo is in a state of disgrace. * Dr. Andre Thomashausen is a German Attorney and Professor Emeritus of International Law (Unisa). In https://www.iol.co.za/news/opinion/the-mozambique-debt-heist-and-its-conmen-23607640?fbclid=IwAR2S33eBQ36fSvo-XJtDEXNLmiaRczJbcmLnckkB_aydekpJu5LLaKQ0L2Q The Madison School Board selected Gloria Reyes as its new president Monday night, and several others were chosen for board officer roles during the groups monthly meeting at East High School. Reyes, the former deputy mayor, was first elected to Seat 1 in 2018. She fills a leadership position previously held by Mary Burke, who decided not to run again for president. Reyes was the only member nominated and thus approved unanimously. The School Board president is often tasked with chairing the monthly meetings and setting meeting agendas. Kate Toews, who was elected to Seat 6 in 2017, will serve as the boards vice president. Toews won the leadership position over Nicki Vander Meulen, who was also nominated for the post. Vander Meulen was voted on by members to stay on for another year as the School Board clerk, while Cris Carusi, Seat 3, was chosen as the boards treasurer. The new board officers will lead during a year where a number of key decisions will be made, including hiring an interim and permanent superintendent. During a special meeting held before the regular Monday night meeting, board members approved a timeline that would lead to an interim superintendent hire at its monthly June meeting. That timeline includes outreach to several groups, including the Black Educators Network and Madison Teachers Inc. Board members are also expected to visit at least one school to gather and document input from staff and students. Imaad Said, the outgoing School Board student representative, emphasized that the board should gather input from a broad and diverse swath of students. The board expects to narrow its list of candidates down to its top choices next week before reaching out to finalists in early June. The board would then interview candidates before voting to select an interim at the end of June. The interim superintendent would start at the end of August when current Superintendent Jennifer Cheatham steps down to take a faculty position at Harvard Universitys School of Education. The interim hire could serve for up to one year while the board searches for a permanent superintendent. The board has previously expressed an interest in hiring someone internally who would keep the districts administration team largely intact. The School Board also voted 6-0 to approve a three-year renewal of the college preparation program AVID/TOPS, which is run through a partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County. The program, which is available to students at the four comprehensive high schools and a handful of middle schools, provides mentoring and college preparation for students of color, as well as low-income students and those who would be the first in their family to go to college. Please register or log in to keep reading. No credit card required! Stay logged in to skip the surveys. On a recent Friday afternoon, about 20 employees of a commercial insurance leads company were busy working in a small, consolidated area on the sixth floor of a building on the former site of the Oscar Mayer plant on Madison's north side. Rows of empty cubicles fill the office space while the rest of the floor includes unused offices and remnants of the propertys former use as a manufacturing plant. While some may see the expanse of vacant space as the end of the Oscar Mayer era, AssuredLeads CEO Travis Batiza sees future possibilities with the 34,000-square-foot floor. Batiza has plans to expand the company to a couple hundred employees by 2021. We are beyond humbled to be part of history there, Batiza said. I can see both sides where its bittersweet the change being great, but for many people, sort of sad. The company, which generates and sells commercial insurance leads to agents and carriers, prioritized the opportunity for growth when relocating from offices in downtown Madison's Gateway Mall, 600 Williamson St., to the Oscar Mayer space in August 2018. Batiza highlighted the access to parking and benefits of the central location at 910 Mayer Ave. for recruiting, including proximity to highways and the airport. Before relocating to Wisconsin, AssuredLeads was based in Columbus, Ohio. The company began in January 2016 and was officially incorporated a year later. Three months later, AssuredLeads moved to Madison. Batiza said he is focused on keeping the capital in the Midwest and countering the trend of companies relocating to the coasts for expansion opportunities. We are trying to reverse that trend. Plant our roots, Batiza said. AssuredLeads is not the only company operating in the Oscar Mayer office building, where the connection to the meat processing facility remains strong. A portrait of a hot dog well-dressed with condiments hangs in the front lobby. Total Administrative Services Corp., a company that administers benefits programs to businesses, moved into the second floor of the building in June 2018. Once in a generation As tenants settle in where Oscar Mayer used to make hot dogs and deli meats, Madison is thinking broadly about the future of the critical swath of land on the citys north side. The 72-acre property is located at a key position not only for the north side but for the city and region. It sits in a primary gateway between the Dane County Regional Airport and downtown Madison, and presents a unique development opportunity for the transportation corridor. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, city planner Bill Fruhling said. We didn't want to jump into the planning process that drew the box too tightly too quickly. Since production at the plant ceased, Reich Brothers Holdings purchased the property and is jointly developing the site with Rabin Worldwide into a project called OM Station, which is envisioned to be a mix of commercial and industrial spaces. The developer began a more than $18 million infrastructure improvement project on the property in July 2018. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. provided a $500,000 grant to support redevelopment. Work to reconfigure gas and electric infrastructure is expected to be completed by July, according to WEDC, with the entire six-phase project expected to be completed in 2025. Fruhling said the city is poised to begin its special area plan, which is a detailed look at the former Oscar Mayer property and the area surrounding it. The special area plan is the second step of a two-phase planning process that began with a strategic assessment. The special area plan will address issues such as land uses, building height patterns, urban design characteristics and potential redevelopment at the site that is generally bounded by Sherman Avenue to the west, Packers Avenue to the east and Aberg Avenue to the north. Part of the property could be used for a Metro Transit satellite storage facility, which is necessary to improve bus service on the citys periphery and implement bus rapid transit in Madison. While employment will be a focus at OM Station, Fruhling said the area will need complementary uses. Were trying to come up with places that nestle within the neighborhood, Fruhling said. Share your opinion on this topic by sending a letter to the editor to tctvoice@madison.com. Include your full name, hometown and phone number. Your name and town will be published. The phone number is for verification purposes only. Please keep your letter to 250 words or less. The Monroe Street area doesn't have a ramen restaurant or a sushi place. So, Zhiqiang "Zack" Li, who runs Nam's Noodle, is about to change that. Li, 29, plans to open Sequoia at 1843 Monroe St., in the former home of the Irish pub, Brocach on Monroe. "Anyone who wants to have a nice bowl of ramen or even Asian food, sushi, you have to go to either State Street area or Park Street area, which is kind of far away," Li said. "Monroe Street is a very nice neighborhood, a family-friendly area, I think. And we want to be able to be a part of the community and we want people to know us as a restaurant that's very family friendly, community friendly." He chose the name Sequoia because the interior has a redwood bar and lots of wood, and Li intends to use more. He said he also likes the name because of the two years he spent in California, on and off. He lived in Arcadia, in Los Angeles County. Li said he loves how the word sounds and how it looks when it's written. "I think it's just very clean, beautiful and natural, and that fits into our mission," he said. Truth-in-sentencing laws passed in the 1990s, Tate said, have in effect created two sets of qualifications that separate some prisoners. We have two systems that are working between the new laws and the older laws of parole that dont necessarily work well together and often is something thats a disservice to those under the previous law that was supposed to work for them, Tate said. Theres some 3,000 or so individuals in the criminal justice system in the Department of Corrections right now that are still governed under that old law that governed the parole commission. Tate said our society should allow for people to have second chances. Either we believe people are redeemable or we dont, Tate said. If were a society that believes people are redeemable then we have to create mechanisms that allow them to be redeemed and return to our society. Tate added that individuals who have served, in some cases, several decades in prison, should be able to show that they are not the same person they were when the crime was committed. TWIN FALLS Turn Key Medical Inc. of Meridian has donated a state-of-the-industry 2012 RadPro mobile x-ray machine to the College of Southern Idaho Radiologic Technology Program. The new machine, with a value of $16,980, will replace the Radiologic Technology Programs old 1979 GE machine. Since the inception of the CSI Radiologic Technology Program in 2002, Turn-Key Medical Inc. has been a key industry training partner. The company, founded more than 30 years ago by Chairman of the Board James F. Rowell, has grown its customer base to include major hospitals and clinics throughout Idaho and surrounding states along with several other college-based rad tech programs. Jake Kerley and Stacey Mitchell, both executives at Turn Key Medical Inc., serve on the CSI Radiologic Technology Program Advisory Committee. Because of this donation of modern equipment, the College of Southern Idaho will be able to help more students enroll in this field. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 TWIN FALLS South Central Community Action Partnership recently received $25,000 from the Wells Fargo Foundation for its Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing programs that target low-income individuals and families with children. Through this program, families are introduced to budgeting, debt reduction/financial management, education and employment opportunities to assist families in becoming economically stable and self-sufficient. One of the programs objectives is to secure a permanent housing status which may include subsidy-free property leasing or home ownership. JEROME A report of a runaway girl escalated into a full-scale Amber Alert on May 20 after police believed a 17-year-old Jerome teen was abducted by her ex-boyfriend. After a brief police chase and a five-hour search late Monday, Sandra Rios-Chavez, 17, was found unharmed early May 21 near Surprise, Arizona. Shed been missing for more than 24 hours and was with kidnapping suspect Miguel Rodriguez-Perez, 18, of Jerome, police said. Police believe she was taken Sunday evening from the Wendys restaurant parking lot where she worked on South Lincoln Avenue in Jerome. It is unknown if Rios-Chavez was coerced or taken forcefully, but police are treating this as a kidnapping because Rodriguez-Perez is an adult and Rios-Chavez a juvenile, Jerome Police Chief Dan Hall said. We dont know to what extent she was cooperative in going with him, he said. Even if she went willingly, its still illegal for him to take her across state lines. Rodriguez-Perez was being interviewed and held on a warrant of custodial interference. He was booked into the Maricopa County Fourth Avenue Jail later Tuesday morning. He will probably be there for some time, Hall said. Police initially filed the missing person case as a runaway juvenile on Sunday evening. But on Monday, a school resource officer at Rios-Chavez high school got involved, as well as a police detective, Hall said. The pair began interviewing and looking for video at the Wendys restaurant and determined the teen was likely with Rodriguez-Perez. Because of a previous relationship, Rodriguez-Perez history of domestic violence and another violation of a no-contact order, the Jerome Police Department decided to get the FBI involved. An Amber Alert was issued Monday afternoon. The Associated Press reported that Rodriguez-Perez had threatened and assaulted Rios-Chavez in the past. Police believed Rodriguez-Perez was headed to Arizona, where he has relatives. The Arizona Department of Transportation tweeted Monday that his phone was pinged in Kingman and he has contacts in Mexico. Police, meanwhile, were receiving reports of vehicles similar to the suspects. The vehicle was spotted in Nevada, Hall said. Police in Surprise found the suspect vehicle Monday evening and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the department said in a press release Tuesday. The driver led police on a chase and abandoned the vehicle about 5 minutes later. Several agencies were called in and a perimeter was established preceding a search that lasted nearly five hours. Agencies used K-9 teams, helicopters and numerous police officers and found the pair about 12:50 a.m. Rios-Chavez appeared to be unharmed and the suspect was taken into custody without incident. Rodriguez-Perez could face federal charges as well as charges in Arizona because of the pursuit, Hall said. This is still an active case being investigated by the FBI and the Jerome Police Department. As of late Tuesday morning, Rios-Chavez had not yet been returned home but was in the custody of the Department of Child Safety, Surprise police said. The Amber Alert has been canceled. Assisting the Surprise Police Department were the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Arizona Department of Corrections, Phoenix Police Department, Wickenburg Police Department, Peoria Police Department, Goodyear Police Department and the FBI. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 2 Its Election Day in many Magic Valley counties. Heres everything you need to know to vote. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. To find your polling place, contact your county clerks office or visit apps.idahovotes.gov/YourPollingPlace. Bring an ID or be prepared to sign an affidavit confirming your identity Watch Magicvalley.com for the latest election updates after the polls close. Twin Falls Fire Department bond Twin Falls residents will vote on a bond to pay for new facilities for the Twin Falls Fire Department. The total cost is estimated to be $35.4 million and the Twin Falls City Council estimated it would cost residents $74.36 per $100,000 of taxable value. Bond issues in Idaho require a super majority, meaning two-thirds of voters must approve the measure for it to pass. Editors note: Due to a typing error, a story in Sundays Times-News inadvertently said the bond is for $35.4 billion. The bond is for $35.4 million. Hagerman School District Levy Voters will decide whether to renew a supplemental levy that asks for $200,000 a year. Property owners with a home valued at $250,000 with a homeowner exemption can expect to pay approximately $13.13 per month for the levy. Thats up from $11.88 per month in 2017. Minidoka County School District general obligation bond Minidoka County School District patrons will be voting on a $21 million general obligation bond. Voters turned down the same bond request in March. The measure requires a super majority or 66.67% approval to pass. The requested bond will increase property taxes $25 per year on a home assessed at $100,000 with a homeowners exemption. Burley Public Library two-year operating override levy Burley residents and Minidoka County residents living in North Burley will vote on a renewal of a temporary two-year operating override levy with a 3% increase for the Burley Public Library. The $277,280 levy will be assessed for each year in 2019 and 2020. The levy was implemented in 2007 and will allow the library to continue the services it currently provides. The measure requires a simple majority to pass. The yearly tax cost of the levy for a home valued at $100,000 without a homeowners exemption will be $42.89. Twin Falls Highway District Commissioner, Sub-district 2 Gene Kafader Art Baily Commissioner, Sub-district 3 Brian Davis Ron Pierce Murtaugh Joint Highway District (Twin Falls and Cassia counties) Commissioner, Sub-district 3 Rocky T. Matthews Clayton Howard Jerome Highway District Commissioner, zone 1 Mike Praegitzer Larry Covey Hillsdale Highway District (Jerome County) Commissioner zone 3 Vance Lehmann Robert Vern Heath Bliss Highway District (Gooding County) Commissioner, Sub-district 3 Jacob Patterson Joe Kelso Richfield Highway District (Lincoln County) Commissioner, Sub-district 3 (write-in ballot) Brandon Hughes Travis Brownlee Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 2 Sad 0 Angry 0 TWIN FALLS A man accidentally shot himself in the leg Monday night outside a sporting goods store but escaped critical injuries, police say. Cpl. Steven Gassert of the Twin Falls Police Department said the man, in his 20s and believed to be from southern Idaho, was transported to St. Lukes Magic Valley Medical Center after calling 911 at about 8:30 p.m. to report the incident in the parking lot of Sportsmans Warehouse in Twin Falls. He will be OK, Gassert said of the victim, who the police department was not identifying on Monday. Police determined that the firearm discharge was accidental, and it may have occurred as the victim was loading the gun inside his car. Gasset didnt immediately know what type of gun it was. Gassert stressed the importance of handling firearms with caution. Always treat a gun as if it is loaded, he said. Love 0 Funny 12 Wow 3 Sad 2 Angry 2 According to a dispatcher at the Southern Idaho Regional Communications Center, the crash happened at about 5:30 p.m. in a southbound lane of travel. One of the lanes was still open. No injuries were reported. Imagine walking into your doctors or dentists office for an appointment and being refused service because theres something about you the receptionist just doesnt like. All the receptionist has to do is cite a religious objection, and her rights trump yours. Earlier this month, President Donald Trump announced a 440-page plan to protect health care workers who oppose certain medical procedures on religious or moral grounds. Medical facilities that dont comply with the protections could be denied federal funds. The rules make lots of room for discrimination against the LGBT community. Anyone in the service line, from receptionists, lab workers, nurses to doctors, can opt out. The result could be a denial of service to those seeking access to reproductive health care, sexual-reassignment surgery or other procedures all at the whim of health practitioners personal beliefs. This not a new idea. Civil rights legislation allowing health care workers to avoid some kinds of service based on religious belief has been around since the 1970s. But the scope of the administrations plan is a worrying step backward. After denying a patient care, a health care worker would not be obligated even to suggest alternatives for treatment. Cutting off access so broadly is dangerous and comes with broader consequences that could revive the so-called religious exception from the 1950s and 60s, when people were allowed to discriminate if they didnt want to serve mixed-race couples. In Texas, the state legislature has weighed a bill that would allow any state-licensed professional, from doctors to plumbers and electricians, to deny service to individuals based on religion. The bills sponsors tout it as promoting religious freedom, but the clear purpose is to permit denial of service to LGBT Texans. Nearly 1,000 businesses have objected, saying the legislation would likely put Texas on a boycott target list. A top leader of VisitDallas, a promotional organization, said the negative impact on tourism alone would be around $100 million. Individuals, especially in rural areas, would be helpless if denied service because of a nurse or physicians personal objection. Alternative service providers arent always close by and often are scarce. Even in less dire circumstances, the discrimination allowed in this legislation would promote a segregation of services that runs directly contrary to civil rights reforms achieved over the past six decades. But Texas is just following the leader in the White House. Theres little doubt that Trumps plan will face a court challenge, as would the one in Texas if it became law. If Texas doesnt want to undergo the nightmarish boycott experience of North Carolina when, in 2017, it placed restrictions on transgender peoples access to public restrooms, legislators will kill this bill quickly. Its bad for business, bad for tourism and marks a startling regression to a long bygone era of legally sanctioned bigotry. Love 3 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 (HealthDay)U.S. health care organizations lost nearly $454 million due to clinical drug diversion in 2018, according to the 2019 Drug Diversion Digest, released by Protenus Inc. The health care compliance analytics firm Protenus analyzed 324 diversion incidents reported in online news stories in 2018. Drug diversion was defined as "the transfer of a controlled substance from a lawful to an unlawful channel of distribution or use." Incidents varied by stage of resolution and included U.S. health care workers who had been discovered, reported, arrested, charged, or sentenced for diversion incidents. Key insights were gleaned retrospectively from the aggregated dataset. The analysis showed that more than one-third of reported incidents took place in a hospital or medical center setting. Specifically, 45 percent of publicly reported incidents occurred within practice and pharmacy settings. Just under one-third of reported diversion incidents (29 percent) involved physician practices, while long-term care facilities accounted for 18 percent of incidents. Doctors accounted for 37 percent of publicly disclosed diversion incidents (compared with 26 percent in 2017), while nurses were responsible for 30 percent (compared with 41 percent in 2017). Per capita, West Virginia had the most public diversion events. Based on 87 incidents, organizations lost 47.2 million pills or dosages to diversion incidents, with an average monetary amount loss to the organization of $16.2 million worth of prescription drugs (based on 29 incidents). "With this information, health care organizations can better protect members of their workforce who might be vulnerable to drug abuse and keep patients safe from potential harms associated with diversion," the authors write. Explore further Inpatient volume greater driver of ambulance diversion Copyright 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Nature is becoming a form of medicine in west Michigan. Under a new initiative, Park Rx America, doctors are prescribing visits to local parks along with more traditional medicine to boost patient health. The pilot program is a partnership between Park Rx America, the Ottawa County Parks, the City of Holland, Holland Charter Township, Park Township, Laketown Township and the Outdoor Discovery Center . The initiative is led by Dr. Beth Peter of Lakewood Family Medicine in Holland. "The PHO (Holland Physician Hospital Organization) is always searching for resources we can give our physicians to help them motivate their patients to make important habit changes so they are healthier, feel better, and are less stressed," Peter in said a news release. "Park Rx America is one we're really excited about." Jessica VanGinhoven, Ottawa County Parks communications specialist, said about 80 parks in and around Holland have been registered under Park Rx America. VanGinhoven said practitioners have a database they use to find parks that fit the patients needs. "They can filter them by walkways and bathrooms," VanGinhoven said. "We hope it expands." Anyone can visit Park Rx America's website to view the parks. According to its website, the nonprofit organization incorporated more than 8,000 parks in 34 states for practitioners. Physicians can register through the website to prescribe parks to their patients. "As a city and region, we know parks are a critical element to contributing to the high quality of life our area offers, this is a neat program where those same parks can also contribute to our residents' health," Holland City Manager Keith Van Beek said in an email. Discussion of nature as a healer continues to be a major topic with a 2019 study conducted by University of Michigan researchers MaryCarol Hunter, Brenda Gillespie and Sophie Yu-Pu Chen. The study, released in April, suggested that at least 20 minutes of physical activity outside or interacting with nature can reduce health issues such as stress, heart disease, blood pressure, and weight. The study also suggested that an additional 10 minutesa total of 30 minutesresults in an even more dramatic decrease in stress. Hunter told the Free Press in April that the study was developed for health care practitioners to utilize when giving patients a "nature-pill prescription." "For a while, people have been trying to put a number on how much nature is needed," Hunter said. "Health care professionals have different answers." Hunter suggested people even start with five minutes outside and "see where it takes you." Explore further Living near green space may make for a healthier you 2019 Detroit Free Press Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. University of Houston professor of counseling psychology Consuelo Arbona provides much-needed information about work and mental health characteristics of women firefighters who make up an under-studied population. Credit: University of Houston In the heavily male-dominated firefighting profession, females seem to take on a majority of stress. Consuelo Arbona, UH professor of counseling psychology reports in the journal Occupational Medicine that one-fifth of female firefighters in a large, urban fire department experience post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and are at higher risk of contemplating suicide than their male colleagues. Until now, little has been known regarding the mental health of female firefighters. Arbona's study is unusual because her team separately evaluated data from women and men in the same fire department and examined their responses against each other. "Because women are such a small number of the population in each fire station, they have been somewhat overlooked when they are included in larger studies and their unique issues are lost," said Arbona. "This study begins to explore work and mental health characteristics of women firefighters who make up a population that needs better understanding." One issue that seems to impact female firefighters in a more profound way than their male counterparts is the need for second jobs to make ends meet. "Women who had second jobs tended to show higher levels of stress, possibly due to having children at home. The findings indicate that this is a good area for psychologists working with the women to explore for effective intervention," said Arbona. Arbona and her team of graduate students culled through data collected from 2,639 firefighters. Of those, only 75 respondents were women and approximately 20% of them scored positively for PTSD and 30% reported lifetime suicidal ideation. Women with PTSD symptoms were more likely to be in their mid-career years than in their first 10 years on the job. It is no secret that duty-related exposure to emotionally charged and hazardous situations with the potential threat of serious injury, disfigurement or death elevates firefighters' risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and suicidal ideation. In other words, the symptoms don't come on suddenly. "Our work provides empirical evidence that mental health variables like depression, general stress and having seen a mental health professional were positively associated with PTSD and suicidal ideation for both gender groups," said Arbona. Arbona hopes the study opens the avenue for discussion about screening and intervention efforts with focus on mental health risk correlates of PTSD and suicide ideation. In 2017 in the United States, 103 firefighters committed suicide, whereas 93 firefighters died in the line of duty, but that might only represent about 40% of the suicide deaths according to a Ruderman Family Foundation study, which indicates firefighter suicides are underreported. Explore further Biomarker reveals PTSD sufferers at risk of suicide More information: N Noor et al, PTSD symptoms and suicidal ideation in US female firefighters, Occupational Medicine (2019). N Noor et al, PTSD symptoms and suicidal ideation in US female firefighters,(2019). DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqz057 Credit: CC0 Public Domain Free-standing emergency departments (EDs) in Texas' largest cities have not alleviated emergency room congestion or improved patient wait times in nearby hospitals, according to a new paper by experts at Rice University. That finding contradicts arguments made by proponents of free-standing EDs, who have claimed the proliferation of stand-alone emergency rooms would speed care in overcrowded hospitals, said the authors. But unlike in Texas' biggest cities, the research indicates that free-standing emergency rooms can indeed reduce wait times in smaller communities. The researchers reached their conclusion by studying data from the American Hospital Association annual survey, the American Community Survey and free-standing ED licensing data from the Texas Department of State Health Services from 2010 to 2016. The paper entitled "Freestanding emergency departments in Texas do not alleviate congestion in hospital-based emergency departments" was co-authored by Yingying Xu, a Ph.D. student in Rice's Department of Economics, and Vivian Ho, the James A. Baker III Institute Chair in Health Economics and director of the Center for Health and Biosciences at Rice's Baker Institute for Public Policy. It is published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine. "We looked at how entry of more free-standing EDs in local markets influenced the flow of patients in nearby hospital EDs," said Ho, who is also a professor of economics at Rice and a professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. "Overall, entry of nearby free-standing EDs did not affect the number of visits to hospital EDs, emergency room wait time, length of visit for discharged patients or the rate of patients who left without being seen in hospital EDs." However, in areas outside of the four major metropolitan areas in Texas (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Austin), the authors found that if a hospital opened satellite free-standing EDs in the community, wait times in the hospital's ED and length of stay in the ED both fell. "Overall, the results suggest that free-standing EDs in general don't function as a perfect substitute for hospital EDs," Xu said. "Instead, our results imply that free-standing EDs are increasing utilization of emergency care. They appear to locate in major metropolitan areas where there will be patients who are seeking emergency room care, but they don't alleviate the burden of overcrowded hospital EDs. "Whether this additional care is beneficial to patients has not been shown," Xu said. "But other studies have shown that visits to free-standing EDs are often associated with surprise medical bills for patients, and they have also contributed to higher emergency care spending in Texas." Ho said a recent move by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to lower reimbursement rates for free-standing EDs within six miles of a hospital ED is sensible. Explore further Patients with cancer seen in the emergency department have better outcomes at original hospital More information: Yingying Xu et al, Freestanding emergency departments in Texas do not alleviate congestion in hospital-based emergency departments, The American Journal of Emergency Medicine (2019). Journal information: American Journal of Emergency Medicine Yingying Xu et al, Freestanding emergency departments in Texas do not alleviate congestion in hospital-based emergency departments,(2019). DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2019.05.020 Credit: CC0 Public Domain A celiac disease expert from the University of Western Australia is calling for greater transparency in the testing of gluten free foods. It comes after reports that some gluten free products contain traces of gluten, potentially dangerous to sufferers of celiac disease. UWA Professor Geoff Forbes said recent studies detected gluten in 14 per cent of imported gluten free foods, nine per cent of gluten free marketed restaurant foods and 2.7 per cent of commonly purchased gluten free foods, including foods manufactured in dedicated gluten free factories. "These findings are a big concern and a reminder of the difficulties faced by celiac disease patients," he said. In his article reflecting on the recent reports, and published in the Medical Journal of Australia, Professor Forbes said the governance of gluten free food code compliance was unsatisfactory. "There are several government agencies with responsibilities for food safety. Despite this, the testing of gluten free foods for food code compliance in the food industry is without federal or state government oversight, and there is no reporting of test results," he said. Professor Forbes said the cumulative effect of tiny traces of gluten in different foods could cause major health consequences for celiac disease patients. "Inadvertent gluten exposure may occur by cross-contamination from known gluten-containing foods, or from foods considered free of gluten by listed ingredient but not labeled gluten free," he said. "The very least patients should expect is negligible additional contamination from gluten-free labelled products. The testing of gluten free labeled foods to check the levels of gluten is critical." Professor Forbes said a solution to the problem would be to mandate the regular publication of laboratory test results as a simple measure to assure consumers with celiac disease. "This would also be a positive initiative for local gluten free food exporters, wishing to take an international advantage of the tighter Australian gluten-free standard." Explore further Study measures gluten in gluten-free labeled restaurant food More information: Geoffrey M Forbes. Gluten in "glutenfree" manufactured foods in Australia: a crosssectional study, Medical Journal of Australia (2019). Journal information: Medical Journal of Australia Geoffrey M Forbes. Gluten in "glutenfree" manufactured foods in Australia: a crosssectional study,(2019). DOI: 10.5694/mja2.50148 Credit: CC0 Public Domain Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) look at large populations to find genes that contribute to common, multi-gene traits like height or obesity. These comprehensive investigations frequently turn up large numbers of tiny genetic variations that show up more often in people who are tall, obese, etc. But this association doesn't mean the variant actually helps cause the trait; it could just be going along for the ride. So which genes should scientists prioritize for further investigation? Numerous computational algorithms are available to help distill GWAS results, each using different criteria and assumptions. But it's been hard to know which one to pick. Most methods used to evaluate such algorithms can bias investigators toward genes that are already well-characterized, steering them away from opportunities to discover something truly new. Other methods require access to independent reference data that aren't always readily available. "We have different prioritization algorithms, but we don't actually know how to decide which one is best," says Rebecca Fine, a PhD candidate at Harvard Medical School who has been working on this problem. "We didn't want to have to rely on a previous 'gold standard' or bring in anything other than the original GWAS data." Fine and Joel Hirschhorn, MD, PhD, chief of endocrinology at Boston Children's Hospital, have developed what they believe is an effective, unbiased method called Benchmarker, described in the American Journal of Human Genetics earlier this month. Borrowing from machine learning Borrowing the machine-learning concept of "cross-validation," Benchmarker enables investigators to use the GWAS data itself as its own control. The idea is to take the GWAS dataset and single out one chromosome. The algorithm being benchmarked then uses the data from the remaining 21 chromosomes (all but X and Y) to make predictions about what genes on the single chromosome are most likely to contribute to the trait being investigated. As this process is repeated for each chromosome in turn, the genes that the algorithm has flagged are pooled. The algorithm is then validated by comparing this group of prioritized genes with the original GWAS results. "You train the algorithm on the GWAS with one chromosome withheld, then go back to that chromosome and ask whether those genes were actually associated with a strong p-value in the original GWAS results," explains Fine. "While these p-values don't represent the exact 'right answers,' they do tell you roughly where some true genetic associations are. The end product is an evaluation of how each algorithm performed." Benchmarking Benchmarker Putting this approach through its paces for 20 separate traits, Fine, Hirschhorn and colleagues conclude that combining multiple strategies often gives the best results. They also found evidence that certain algorithms perform best when looking for genes for certain traits. "We expect that many more algorithms will be developed to answer the key next question after GWAS: which genes and variants are causally related to human traits and diseases," says Hirschhorn. "The Benchmarker approach can be a great help as an unbiased way to figure out which algorithms to use to answer this question." Explore further New computational method predicts genes likely to be causal in disease More information: Rebecca S. Fine et al, Benchmarker: An Unbiased, Association-Data-Driven Strategy to Evaluate Gene Prioritization Algorithms, The American Journal of Human Genetics (2019). Journal information: American Journal of Human Genetics Rebecca S. Fine et al, Benchmarker: An Unbiased, Association-Data-Driven Strategy to Evaluate Gene Prioritization Algorithms,(2019). DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2019.03.027 Health workers dig the graves and bury the victims of Ebola in a bid to prevent the disease from spreading People in Ebola-hit eastern DR Congo are struggling to come to terms with high-security burials that are part of a hard-pressed strategy to roll back the disease. Anyone who dies of the highly infectious haemorrhagic fever has to be buried in carefully-controlled conditions designed to minimise the risk of infection from body fluids. But that means ceremonies are carried out in sanitised conditions, with relatives and friends kept at a distancefor many, a traumatic break with traditions that demand the body of a loved-one be seen or touched. "We're astonished she's being buried like this," said Denise Kahambu as she watched the specially-prepared burial in Butembo of her 50-year-old cousin, Marie-Rose. "They said she died of Ebola," she said sceptically. First declared last August, the epidemic has now claimed nearly 1,200 lives200 of them in May alone. The outbreak is the second deadliest on record, after an epidemic that killed more than 11,300 people in West Africa in 2014-16. The burial in Butembo followed strict precautions. A pick-up truck delivered the coffin to the burial site, where a grave had been prepared, as the family stood by at a distance. Gloved Red Cross workers handled the burial, which took place in silence and without a religious ceremony. Gloved health workers conduct the burials and keep the loved ones at a safe distance A family member or loved one was allowed only to place a cross on the tomb, once they too had donned protective gloves. Half a dozen police officers escorted the convoy and remained on guard throughout. On Friday, two burial teams from the treatment centres were attacked by stone-throwing crowds at Butembo and Bunia, a little further north in Ituri province, according to the health ministry. One burial worker was injured. Police and soldiers have to patrol funeral and hospitals because of the risk of attacks Culture shock "The custom is that the body of the deceased first returns to the home. And once people have mourned, they have the chance to touch the body for the last time," said Seros Muyisa Kamathe, a guide and interpreter in Beni and Butembo. "Before going to the cemetery, you open the coffin so people can take one last look at the deceased." And normally it would be the family and neighbours who would take responsibility for digging the graveand deciding where if should be. The strict safety precautions surrounding Ebola funerals may be necessary but many local people are dismayed. They are used to more intimate, traditional mourning rituals Ebola experts say denial and resistance were familiar obstacles in the 2014-16 epidemic in the West African states of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The World Health Organization (WHO) has a 12-step protocol for dealing with burials so that handling of the remains is kept to a minimum, but it also emphasises the importance of respect and mourning. "The burial process is very sensitive for the family and the community and can be the source of trouble or even open conflict," it acknowledges. No burial should begin until family agreement has been obtained, and workers should engage with the community "for prayers to dissipate tensions and provide respectful time," it says. Factfile on Ebola Armed escorts The burial process is part of the notoriously time-consuming and labour-intensive task of combatting Ebola. And in this troubled region, the challenge has been further complicated by bloody deadly attacks on Ebola treatment centres by local militias. Suspicion, political infighting in the capital Kinshasa and militia violence provide a fertile breeding ground for the virus. Soldiers have to escort health workers when they visit parts of Butembo, such is local suspicion over their efforts to fight Ebola Sometimes local people cover the graves overnight as a sign of their opposition, the ministry said. In Butembo, health workers need an armed escort when they go looking for cases of Ebola in some neighbourhoods, an AFP photographer noted during one outing Saturday evening. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, at the opening of the organisation's annual assembly on Monday, described the outbreak as "one of the most complex health emergencies any of us have ever faced." "Unless we unite to end this outbreak we run the risk it will become more widespread and more expansive and more aggressive," he said. "We are not just fighting a virus," Tedros insisted. "We're fighting insecurity. We're fighting violence. We're fighting misinformation... and we're fighting the politicisation of an outbreak." On the plus side, health officials are keen to emphasise some important gains. More than 118,000 have been vaccinated against the virus, and no cases have been recorded in neighbouring Rwanda and Uganda. 2019 AFP McMaster researcher Ali Ashkar examines cultures used to verify the effectiveness of stored vaccines. Credit: JD Howell, McMaster University Researchers at McMaster University have invented a stable, affordable way to store fragile vaccines for weeks at a time at temperatures up to 40C, opening the way for life-saving anti-viral vaccines to reach remote and impoverished regions of the world. The new method combines the active ingredients in existing vaccines with a sugary gel, where they remain viable for eight weeks or more, even at elevated temperatures. The method creates light, durable, and compact doses that would be ideal for shipping Ebola vaccine, for example, to affected regions of Africa, the researchers say. The process adds only marginal cost to preparing a vaccine and eliminates almost all the cost of transporting itwhich can account for 80 per cent of the total cost of inoculation. Combining the vaccines and the sugarspullulan and trehaloseis almost as simple as stirring cream and sugar into coffee, the researchers say. The storage technology was created by chemical engineers at McMaster, who had already demonstrated its effectiveness in other applications, such as an edible coating that can prolong the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. To apply the technology to vaccines, the engineers collaborated with health sciences colleagues across campus who specialize in virology and immunology. Their work is published today in the journal Scientific Reports. "This, to us, is the ultimate application of this technology," said the paper's lead author Vincent Leung, an assistant professor of Chemical Engineering. "To imagine that something we worked on in the lab could one day be used to save people's lives is very exciting." The invention is significant because it can replace the cumbersome "cold chainconstant storage at temperatures between 2C and 8Cwhich is currently necessary to keep anti-viral vaccines viable. Maintaining the cold chain is a significant barrier to inoculating people in remote or poor regions of the world, where the infrastructure to refrigerate and transport vaccines smoothly may not be available. "You can spend all kinds of money developing a vaccine, but if it is deactivated by high temperature an hour before you can give it to someone, it doesn't matter," says co-author Ali Ashkar, a professor of Pathology and Molecular Medicine specializing in immunology. This close-up shows cultures used to verify the effectiveness of a new vaccine storage method created by researchers at McMaster University. Credit: JD Howell, McMaster University The cold-chain challenge is so great, the researchers say, that in some regions, vaccines must be transported by camels bearing solar-powered mini-refrigerators. There are some populations that never receive vaccines. "If you can't get vaccines to the places where people need them, there's no point in having them," says co-author Matthew Miller, an assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences whose laboratory specializes viral pathogens. Not being able to get vaccines to isolated areas makes it impossible to eradicate deadly viruses. Unchecked, such viruses can devastate local populations and reach exposed pockets in more populated countries where religious, cultural or other concerns have diminished the proportion of vaccinated individuals. Such a scenario has recently been playing out in in a measles outbreak in the US northwest and Vancouver, BC. The new vaccine-storage method suspends the active components of a vaccine in a tiny one-dose container filled with a sugar-gel combination that dries to seal in the vaccine. Later, clinicians reconstitute the vaccine with water and administer it to patients as they ordinarily would. "Often, complex problems have simple solutions. It just takes the right team," says Miller. "The best research comes from merging fields, when you do something with someone else that you couldn't do alone." The researchers have proven the method to be viable using two sample vaccinesinfluenza virus and herpes simplex virus - to inoculate and test mice by exposing them to the viruses because the immune response of mice is similar to that of humans. The materials in the storage medium are already approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, simplifying the path to commercialization. "All the pieces are ready to go," says co-author Carlos Filipe, chair of Chemical Engineering at McMaster. "It's actually quite simple compared to the technology required to create a vaccine itself." The researchers are working with a commercial partner to get the technology to market. Explore further Team develops a universal vaccine platform that's cheaper and shelf stable (HealthDay) For all of those men who view a mustache as a largely ornamental addition to their masculine appearance, a new study reveals it can also guard against lip cancer. "Mustaches seem to protect the lip the same way that hair protects the scalp," explained study author Dr. Daniel Aires. He is director of dermatology with the University of Kansas Health System. "While this makes intuitive sense, it had not been tested before." To do just that, Aires and his team examined 200 male patients who had already been diagnosed with a precancerous condition known as actinic keratosis on the head or face. "Actinic keratosis is a scaly spot on the skin that can develop into a dangerous cancer called squamous cell carcinoma," Aires explained. "Since lip skin is so thin, lip actinic keratoses can invade and become deadly faster than actinic keratoses elsewhere on the skin." Roughly 3 million Americans are diagnosed with actinic keratosis each year, he noted, accounting for one of every seven dermatology visits. But, "likely many more go undiagnosed and untreated, since studies estimate that more than 10% of adults have actinic keratosis," he added. Nearly 60 of the men in the study had a long history of sporting substantial "sheltering" mustaches, meaning mustaches that are at least 9 millimeters thick (about a third of an inch). In the end, Aires and his colleagues determined that years of mustache-wearing ultimately translated into a 16 times lower risk for developing actinic keratosis on their lower lip, compared with their mustache-free peers. The finding held up even after accounting for other risk factors, such as family history of skin cancer, a personal history of sunburns, a smoking habit, and/or age. The American Academy of Dermatology points out that once someone develops this cancer, their lifetime risk for recurrence goes up. And experts warn that, if left untreated, actinic keratosis can lead to squamous cell carcinoma. This type of cancer often affects the outer layer of skin, around the lips, ears, bald scalp and shoulders. It can also affect the moist lining of the inner mouth, nose and throat. From there it can spread. According the U.S. National Institutes of Health, actinic keratosis is the seventh most common cancer in the world with 50,000 cases in the United States each year, and often strikes men in their 50s and 60s. So should smooth-lipped men trash their razors in favor of a hairier aesthetic? "The patients in our study had mustaches since their teens or early 20s, so we don't know if a later-life 'stache will be as protective," said Aires. "However, studies have shown that using sunscreen in later life can reduce actinic keratosis, so the same logic could apply to later-life mustaches. It may help, and it almost certainly won't hurt," he added. "Of course, this assumes your significant other is OK with it," Aires noted. The findings will be published in the June issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. All of this "makes sense," said Dr. Steven Wang, director of dermatologic surgery and dermatology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, in New Jersey. "Obviously, there are a lot of variables, including the baseline skin type of the individual, how thick and big the mustache is, your genetic make-up and your family history of skin cancer," Wang said. "But, interestingly, I have previously looked at how good hair is in terms of protecting the scalp," said Wang, who is also chair of the Skin Cancer Foundation's photobiology committee. "And it turns out when someone has a lot of hair, it's a perfect shield. It actually works very well. So when it comes to covering lip, this isn't too much of a surprise." Explore further Immunotherapy of precancerous skin lesions may prevent squamous cell carcinoma Copyright 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Scanning electromicrograph of an HIV-infected T cell. Credit: NIAID Delivery of antiretroviral HIV treatment via community-based clubs can reduce retention of patients in care, according to a new research study published in the open-access journal PLOS Medicine by Colleen Hanrahan of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland and colleagues. Despite advances in preventing and treating HIV infection, around a million people die from AIDS-related illnesses each year. To improve provision of very effective antiretroviral therapy to patients and thereby delay or prevent progression to disease, researchers are investigating methods of "Differentiated Service Delivery" (DSD) that make treatments available in ways that are more accessible to patients and can reduce issues such as stigma. A key question is how best to retain patients in care, ensuring consistent therapy and monitoring. Hanrahan and colleagues did a randomized trial in Johannesburg, South Africa to compare retention of HIV patients in community-based adherence clubs with similar clinic-based clubs. The study involved clubs of 25-30 patients meeting in a community venue every other month for counselling, medication pick-up and screening for tuberculosis, as compared with those meeting in a clinic-based venue. Although community-based clubs are intended to be more convenient to patients and reduce pressure on clinics, as judged by the trial's primary endpoint 52% of patients were lost from community-based care over 2 years, as compared with 43% lost from clinic-based care (adjusted HR 1.38, 95% CI 1.01-1.87, p=0.032). Missing a club session was the most common reason for loss from care. As part of the study, patients lost to care were returned to standard clinic-based care, and health outcomes were similar in the two groups. In an accompanying Perspective article discussing the research, Elvin Geng and Charles Holmes note that "DSD models are no panacea for complex issues in global health systems, but do represent a strategic pillar of the HIV response likely to grow in impact over time." Explore further Novel healthcare program for former prisoners reduces recidivism More information: Hanrahan CF, Schwartz SR, Mudavanhu M, West NS, Mutunga L, Keyser V, et al. (2019) The impact of community- versus clinic-based adherence clubs on loss from care and viral suppression for antiretroviral therapy patients: Findings from a pragmatic randomized controlled trial in South Africa. PLoS Med 16(5): e1002808. Hanrahan CF, Schwartz SR, Mudavanhu M, West NS, Mutunga L, Keyser V, et al. (2019) The impact of community- versus clinic-based adherence clubs on loss from care and viral suppression for antiretroviral therapy patients: Findings from a pragmatic randomized controlled trial in South Africa.16(5): e1002808. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002808 Geng EH, Holmes CB (2019) Research to improve differentiated HIV service delivery interventions: Learning to learn as we do. PLoS Med 16(5): e1002809. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002809 Journal information: PLoS Medicine Credit: CC0 Public Domain A global study shows people born very preterm or with very low birthweight have a high risk of lung disease and are not reaching their full airway capacity by early adulthood. The research found those born before 32 weeks of pregnancy or with a birthweight of less than 1501g are four times more likely to have airflow in worrying clinical ranges in early adulthood than those born on time. The international study, published in the latest edition of The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, was led by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute, the Royal Woman's Hospital and the University of Melbourne, with collaborators from Norway, Finland, the UK, and The Netherlands. The research sourced data from 11 studies involving 935 participants who were born very preterm or with very low birthweight and 722 who were born at full term. All were aged between 16 and 33. Lead researcher Professor Lex Doyle said many people born very preterm or with very low birthweight will develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which blocks airflow and nmakes it difficult to breathe. Prof Doyle said the likelihood was even higher if they had bronchopulmonary dysplasiaa form of lung injury that affects newborn babiesor were exposed to tobacco smoke or other pollutants. "The reductions in their airflow capacity in adolescence and early adulthood were substantial and a significantly higher proportion had expiratory flow rates (exhaling speed) in concerning clinical ranges compared with those born on time," he said. Prof Doyle said babies born very preterm or with very low birthweight often required help with breathing problems after birth, such as assisted ventilation or oxygen treatment, and many would develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia. "They go onto have reduced airflow through childhood compared with children born on time or of normal birthweight," he said. However, it wasn't clear until now whether they were reaching the expected peak of lung growth in their early 20s. "As they are now surviving in large numbers with modern obstetric and neonatal care, it's important to study their breathing ability in adulthood." Prof Doyle said general practitioners or specialist physicians should be aware that their adult patients born very preterm or with very low birthweight, particularly those who had bronchopulmonary dysplasia, were more likely to present with respiratory problems than those born at term. "Physicians should obtain a perinatal history, including gestational age at birth, birthweight, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia, when assessing adults with airway disease," he said. Explore further Specific identification of chronic lung disease in premature babies More information: Lex W Doyle et al. Expiratory airflow in late adolescence and early adulthood in individuals born very preterm or with very low birthweight compared with controls born at term or with normal birthweight: a meta-analysis of individual participant data, The Lancet Respiratory Medicine (2019). Journal information: Lancet Respiratory Medicine Lex W Doyle et al. Expiratory airflow in late adolescence and early adulthood in individuals born very preterm or with very low birthweight compared with controls born at term or with normal birthweight: a meta-analysis of individual participant data,(2019). DOI: 10.1016/S2213-2600(18)30530-7 A potentially fatal buildup of abnormal proteins in the heart and other organs is being delayed in its diagnosis and undertreateddespite new drugs that can combat it, a new study suggests. Although the condition, known as transthyretin amyloidosis, is still perceived as rare, advances in imaging techniques have led to greater awareness. Increasingly, it's being recognized as a cause of heart failure in older adults, with autopsy studies showing these proteins in the hearts of 25% of the elderly. A study published May 21 in the American Heart Association journal Circulation looked at data from 1,034 patients who had different types of amyloidosis in the United Kingdom between 2001 and 2017. Amyloidosis happens when abnormal proteins join and attach to organs, tissues, nerves and other places in the body, disrupting normal function. Researchers found both hereditary and acquired amyloidosis are associated with a "markedly poor quality of life at the time of diagnosis" and many patients cycle in and out of the hospital before the disease is ever detected. The typical patient visited a hospital an average of 17 times in the three years leading up to a diagnosis. The study also found that patients with a gene variant of the diseasemostly those of Afro-Caribbean ethnicitytypically have worse heart and kidney symptoms when they're diagnosed and a poorer chance of survival. Dr. Julian D. Gilmore, the study's lead author, said the results underscore the need for medical professionals to get better at detecting and treating amyloidosis. "Our aim is to slow or stop the progression of this potentially fatal condition. But without specific treatment, patients invariably get worse," said Gilmore, a professor at the National Amyloidosis Centre at University College London. "Nobody really knows what the prevalence of this disease is, but the referrals we are getting are increasing pretty dramatically year after year. There's no sign of that slowing down." Dr. Mathew Maurer, a cardiologist who was not involved in the research, called it an important study that could convince doctors to consider the disease with the gravity it deserves. "The first issue is that it's no longer rareit's common." In 2017, Maurer was lead author of a report in Circulation that concluded the condition "is often misdiagnosed and the delayed diagnosis has significant consequences for patients." That report surveyed more than 500 patients with the disease and found the average time from initial symptoms to diagnosis was two years. That lag time could shrink in the future. In the past, amyloidosis could only be diagnosed by a heart biopsy, but it can now be more easily detected with bone scans and a cardiac MRI, Maurer said. "We have to leverage these imaging techniques early and avoid new amyloid from getting into the heart so we can meaningfully change outcomes for patients. And to do that, we have to get doctors to start thinking about this every day," said Maurer, director of the Cardiac Amyloidosis Program at New York Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center. Both Maurer and Gilmore said they were encouraged by two new drugs that seem to be successful in battling amyloidosis: tafamidis (Vyndaqel), which was approved in May by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and AG10, which is currently being tested in clinical trials. Gilmore said he'd like to see a future study that compares tafamidis with AG10, as well as a study that examines which drug might be best combined with other drugs. Explore further Renal infarction is associated with acute kidney injury in patients with cardiac amyloidosis American Heart Association News covers heart and brain health. Not all views expressed in this story reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. If you have questions or comments about this story, please email editor@heart.org. Many of the dogs researchers examined in Mexicali were infested with ticks. Some of the dogs carried thousands of ticks. Credit: Janet Foley/UC Davis In Mexicali, Mexico, an uncontrolled epidemic of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, one of the deadliest tickborne diseases in the Americas, has affected more than 1,000 people since 2008. A binational team of researchers led by the University of California, Davis, has conducted the first comprehensive study to examine risk factors for the disease in Mexicali. Researchers examined dogs, ticks, and surveyed households in 200 neighborhoods. Half of the neighborhoods in the study had diagnosed human cases of the disease. They discovered that, even though citywide only one in 1,000 ticks was infected, there were neighborhoods at very high risk, where almost one in 10 ticks were infected. "If you live in one of these high-risk neighborhoods and you get five brown dog tick bites, that means you have a pretty good chance of being exposed to Rocky Mountain spotted fever," said lead author Janet Foley, with the Department of Medicine and Epidemiology at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Rocky Mountain spotted fever is spread by the brown dog tick, which feeds on dogs and people, and thrives in hot, arid climates. Previous studies have shown that poverty, numerous stray dogs and brown dog ticks increased the risk of getting Rocky Mountain spotted fever. In Mexicali, risks were higher along the edges of poorer neighborhoods or outside of the city in rural areas. Half of the 284 dogs the researchers examined were infested with ticks. Some dogs carried thousands of ticks. "Almost three-quarters of the dogs we tested had been infected with the agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever at some point in their life," said Foley. "That's astronomical." A deadly disease People with Rocky Mountain spotted fever typically develop symptoms one to two weeks after being bitten by an infected tick. They can develop fever, nausea, headache and muscle pain. As the bacteria infect blood vessel linings, blood begins to pool under the skin, resulting in a rash that can look like red splotches or spots. The longer people wait before seeing a doctor and starting treatment with antibiotics, the greater chance they may die. The study, published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, also gauged people's knowledge about Rocky Mountain spotted fever. It found 80 percent of residents had heard of the disease, but fewer than half used pesticides to prevent bites. Ticks could spread north with climate change Foley said a Rocky Mountain spotted fever epidemic on the scale of that in Mexicali is not as likely in the United States as long as dog ticks are well managed. But as temperatures warm with climate change, there are concerns that the particular human-feeding brown dog tick strain will continue to move north, resulting in more human cases. Some studies have suggested the hotter it gets, the more active and aggressive the ticks become. Explore further New study unravels mystery of why deadly tick disease appears to be surging, yet fatalities have not More information: Janet Foley et al, Unbiased Assessment of Abundance of Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato Ticks, Canine Exposure to Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia, and Risk Factors in Mexicali, Mexico, The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (2019). Journal information: American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Janet Foley et al, Unbiased Assessment of Abundance of Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato Ticks, Canine Exposure to Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia, and Risk Factors in Mexicali, Mexico,(2019). DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.18-0878 Credit: CC0 Public Domain Endometriosis is a disease that affects 10 to 15 percent of all reproductive-aged women. Although no cure has been found, researchers seek to determine why some women develop endometriosis and in order to develop effective treatments. Researchers from Tartu have completed a study toward explaining the causes of endometriosis. Endometriosis is a disorder in which tissue that lines the inside of the uterus, the endometrium, grows and develops lesions outside the uterine cavity. Inflammation causes chronic pelvic pain, painful intercourse and pain with urination and bowel movements, and often causes infertility. According to researcher Merli Saare, nobody actually knows how many women suffer from the disease, because it is not easy to diagnose. So far, there is no method for identifying endometriosis from a blood sample. "Today, the disease is mainly diagnosed surgically. In general, patients have to undergo a laparoscopic procedure in which lesions are surgically removed from the abdominal cavity. Small pieces of this tissue are taken for histological analysis that helps to confirm the diagnosis," explained Saare. Surgical removal of lesions relieves symptoms, but does not cure the disease, which tends to recur. In addition to the fact that there is no effective treatment for endometriosis, researchers still do not know exactly which factors support the development of the disease or why some women have it and others do not. The causes of endometriosis are studied by analysing the uterine mucosa and the tissue that grows in the abdominal cavity. Like any other endometrium-related diseases, menstrual cycle factors have to be considered while studying endometriosis. Women usually inform doctors of the day of their menstrual cycle when they go to surgery. However, this may not be accurate enough for determining the exact phase of the menstrual cycle, as Saare and her colleagues report in their research paper, published in the journal Biology of Reproduction. Their study, which is based on the analysis of endometrium samples taken from about 80 women, confirm that the day of the menstrual cycle reported by the women themselves and the molecular profile of their endometrium were often incompatible. Therefore, molecular tools are needed for more accurate classification of samples. By analysing RNA from the endometrium, researchers can assign exact dates to tissue samples and improve the quality of future research. "Our study helps to precisely determine the phase of the biopsy samples taken from the endometrium. This way, we can avoid examining the endometrium in different phases of the cycle," said Saare. She is convinced that a breakthrough in establishing the causes of endometriosis is only a question of time, considering the modern technological potential. "All small steps and discoveries take us closer. If our studies become more precise and we are able to eliminate side factors, it is much easier to find causal changes of the disease." In their study, the researchers used an advanced molecular tool called beREADY, which provides clinics with information to select the most appropriate day for embryo implantation. Research has shown that the test can also be beneficial in the molecular studies of the endometrium. Explore further Study finds a link between lowered levels of HDAC3 and infertility in endometriosis patients More information: Merli Saare et al, A molecular tool for menstrual cycle phase dating of endometrial samples in endometriosis transcriptome studies, Biology of Reproduction (2019). Journal information: Biology of Reproduction Merli Saare et al, A molecular tool for menstrual cycle phase dating of endometrial samples in endometriosis transcriptome studies,(2019). DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz072 Provided by Estonian Research Council Dr. Xin-Yun Lu in the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University laboratory. Credit: Phil Jones, Senior Photographer, Augusta University Scientists want to know whether our aging fat cells are important to the onset and progression of Alzheimer's. They have evidence that as we age, our fat becomes less efficient at producing a hormone that helps support the growth and survival of neurons and helps regulate their activity. The result can be neurons in areas of the brain important to learning and memory become dysfunctional, degenerate and we develop Alzheimer's. "What happens to neurons, that is really what we are interested in," says Dr. Xin-Yun Lu, molecular behavioral neuroscientist at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University and Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Translational Neuroscience. Lu is principal investigator on a $3.5 million grant from the National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health that is helping further explore the possibility that improving the function of our older fat may just help our brains. The hormone is adiponectin, which is made by fat cells, circulates in our blood and enters our brain. Inside fat cells, its production is regulated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, or PPAR-, a transcription factor that's essential for early stage fat cells to become mature, fully functioning ones. "We know when you have Alzheimer's your adiponectin is low, now we want to make sure this is actually a cause," Lu says. Both adiponectin and PPAR- have been implicated in Alzheimer's and delivering adiponectin to the brain has been shown to improve cognition in a mouse model of Alzheimer's. PPAR- agonists, which increase adiponectin levels, already are used to lower cholesterol and blood glucose levels and have been tried in Alzheimer's as well. However, investigators studying the agonists' potential in Alzheimer's have reported difficulty with the drugs reaching the brain, and that the high doses needed to compensate for that result in side effects like edema, heart failure, liver abnormalities and weight gain. These findings have some calling for more selective PPAR- therapies. Lu has evidence that for Alzheimer's that could mean targeting PPAR-2, the version of PPAR- primarily made by fat cells. The other, PPAR-1, is the target of current PPAR- agonists, says Lu, and can be made by a variety of cells in other organs, such as the heart and kidney, which could account for the undesirable side effects. In the search for a better solution, the grant is enabling Lu and her team to further explore the relationship between adiponectin made by fat cells and the cognitive decline that comes with aging. They also are looking at the receptors for adiponectin on neurons in centers of learning and memory in the brain to explore their distinct function, what happens to them with the onset and progression of Alzheimer's and the vulnerability of the neurons with the receptors to degeneration. Lu's team thinks the benefit of PPAR- agonists in Alzheimer's results from activating the PPAR- in fat cells, which increases adiponectin production, so they are using mice missing PPAR- in adult fat cells to look at its effects on cognition, metabolic function, the overall health of neurons and the hallmark neuropathological lesions in a mouse model of Alzheimer's. It was obesity researchers who made the connection between fat cells, PPAR- and adiponectin, notes Lu. Interestingly, in obesity fat cells become less efficient at making adiponectin, which is anti-inflammatory and can help regulate neuronal activity, including turning activity of some neurons up and others down. One theory is that fat cells instead start making inflammation-promoting signals called cytokines and inflammation hinders adiponectin production so neurons suffer. The same thing essentially happens with age, which is Lu's focus, and when Alzheimer's tends to occur. Fat stores begin to shift from beneficial subcutaneous fat to unhealthy fat that piles up on our bellies and around the organs inside our abdominal cavity producing a hotbed of inflammation and a lot less adiponectin. It's not really about how much fat you have but what kind of fat cells you have and what hormones those fat cells can make, Lu says, that may affect your risk of Alzheimer's. "Your fat cells were making beneficial adipokines like adiponectin, which decrease inflammation, and now are making more proinflammatory cytokines," she says. This shifting toward unhealthy fat is a natural one that occurs regardless of your body weight, she notes. In the brain, adiponectin has two distinct receptors on neurons, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2. Lu's lab has found that activating adiponectin receptor 1 and disrupting adiponectin receptor 2 increases the excitability of neurons in the hippocampus while disrupting receptor 1 and activating receptor 2 decreases it. Excessive excitability is common in early stages of Alzheimer's and leaves neurons vulnerable to degeneration. And Lu thinks Alzheimer's also manipulates this pathway to alter and ultimately decrease neuron function in the brain's cerebral cortex and hippocampus, centers of learning and memory, that are heavily hit by Alzheimer's, the most common dementia. They have shown that before they die, neurons become hyperactive and generally don't function well. In fact, patients as well as animal models of Alzheimer's can experience seizures, a sign of excessive excitability. "When you have Alzheimer's, you have neurons die in the cortex and the hippocampus," Lu says. In fact, the brain generally shrinks in size. Why some neurons die and others don't is what Lu and her team are trying to better understand. Now they are working to better understand the functions of the apparently distinctive receptors, particularly on the neurons that produce glutamate, a brain chemical that helps excite cells and known to be critical to cognition. They suspect the receptors' clearly opposite effects on cell excitability could mean they also have a different, and possibly opposite as well, effect on Alzheimer's development. So they are looking at what deleting and activating the receptors does to those neurons and what that does to contribute to or alleviate age- and Alzheimer's-related changes to the brain and our ability to think and remember. They also are studying what happens to the receptors themselves in different age mice. Adiponectin has a protective, or neurotrophic, effect on neurons helping enable their survival, growth, repair and even regrowth. They can help neurons and their connections stay nimble, or plastic, so our brains function better, and we can continue to properly respond to our environment and maintain other brain basics like making memories. Genetic variations in PPAR- and adiponectin as well as low blood levels of adiponectin already are associated with an increased Alzheimer's risk. In fact, low adiponectin levels in the cerebrospinal fluid in the brain have been associated with increased production of the hallmark plaque and shrinking of the hippocampus associated with Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. First symptoms may appear after age 60 and the number of people with it doubles every five years beyond age 65, according to the CDC. It's known that metabolic disorders, like obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, increase Alzheimer's risk. In fact, Alzheimer's is sometimes referred to as type 3 diabetes, which is thought to result from resistance to insulin in the brain. Lu also studies adiponectin in depression and has shown how chronic stress can decrease fat's production of PPAR- and adiponectin. Explore further Researchers discover why men are more likely to develop liver cancer Credit: St George's, University of London The health of labour migrants, who form the largest migrant group globally, is critically overlooked in the countries where they are employed, according to a new study of the last ten years of data and research. Labour migrants may work in hazardous and exploitative environments where they might be at considerable risk of injury and ill health, say the authors. The study, led by a team of researchers at the Institute of Infection and Immunity at St George's, University of London, and done as part of the UCL-Lancet Commission on Migration and Health, was a systematic review and meta analysis that pooled data from studies reporting on the health outcomes of over 12,000 labour migrants originating from 25 low- and middle- income countries, who were largely engaged in mainly un-skilled manual labour. They found that psychiatric and physical problems were relatively common across multiple employment sectors, alongside workplace accidents and injuries. In the meta-analyses, 47% had at least one occupational health problem including musculoskeletal pain and skin conditions. Other data showed that 22% reported accidents and injuries at work including falls, fractures and dislocations, eye injuries, and cuts. The review included data on labour migrants in the following sectors: Agriculture; Domestic, retail and service; Construction and trade; and manufacturing and processing. In the agricultural sector, musculoskeletal pain was the most common morbidity with prevalence estimates varying from 5% to 48%. Workers also reported dermatological infections including fungal infections or infectious skin diseases, as well as depression. Among domestic, retail, and service workers the evidence showed that mental health illnesses were prevalent, including symptoms of stress, social isolation and depression. Among migrant construction and trade workers, the most common morbidities were body aches, joint pains, and depression, whilst injuries were also prevalent. Among workers in the manufacturing and processing sector, musculoskeletal pain (including lower back pain and upper limb disorders) and work-related stress were common morbidities Dr. Sally Hargreaves of St George's, University of London led the study, which is published in The Lancet Global Health. She said: "There are 150 million labour migrants globally, the largest circulating migrant group, who may experience significant occupational health issues and injuries in un-skilled low paid employment. However, they are largely ignored by policymakers and governments in the countries where they work and more needs to be done to meet the care needs of this critical working population." She added: "For many migrant groups in Europeincluding asylums seekers, refugees, and undocumented migrantstheir health status is poor, which requires urgent attention, including removing restrictions on access and entitlement to health services. We are calling on governments to provide universal and equitable access to health services to all migrant populations, regardless of age, gender, or legal status." More information: Sally Hargreaves et al. Occupational health outcomes among international migrant workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis, The Lancet Global Health (2019). Sally Hargreaves et al. Occupational health outcomes among international migrant workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis,(2019). DOI: 10.1016/S2214-109X(19)30204-9 Credit: CC0 Public Domain Many patients with chronic illnesses such as AIDS, cancer and autoimmune diseases suffer from an additional disease called cachexia. The complex, still poorly understood syndrome, with uncontrollable weight loss and shrinkage of both fat reserves and muscle tissue, is thought to contribute to premature death. Researchers at CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences have described the molecular mechanisms of cachexia during viral infection and identify a surprising role for immune cells. Cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome that occurs in patients suffering from chronic infections such as HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. In addition, 50 percent to 80 percent of cancer patients are affected by cachexia. Due to reduced food intake and altered metabolism, patients lose body weight and become physically weak. Their fat reserves and skeletal muscle mass are progressively depleted, which cannot be reversed by nutritional supplementation. Cachexia severely impacts the patient's quality of life and worsens the outcome of ongoing therapies. Despite urgent clinical need, the standards of diagnosis and care for cachectic patients remain insufficient and effective treatment options are elusive so far. In recent years, studies using experimental models of cancer-associated cachexia greatly improved the understanding of how inflammation triggers cachexia and the associated metabolic alterations. These studies showed that secreted inflammatory factors can induce weight loss through either direct or indirect mechanisms that affect appetite and alter fat and muscle metabolism. The role of infectious diseases in developing cachexia lags, and researchers do not understood whether the same or different mechanisms of cachexia occur during infection and cancer. The research group of Andreas Bergthaler, Principal Investigator at CeMM, together with collaboration partners from the University of Graz, the Medical University of Vienna as well as international collaboration partners from Germany, Switzerland and the U.S. elucidated a novel mechanism whereby chronic viral infection leads to cachexia. These results are published in Nature Immunology and describe the organism-wide pathophysiological changes associated with cachexia during chronic viral infection. By using well-controlled animal infection models, the researchers identified the key molecular players that lead to cachexia. Viral infection resulted in a reduction of body weight. This weight loss could only partially be explained by decreased food intake, and was not prevented by nutritional supplementation. The researchers demonstrated that the viral infection led to a severe reorganization of the architecture of the fat tissue, which coincided with the activation of lipolysis, a molecular cascade of processes that the body uses to hydrolyze its fat depots. Yet none of the inflammatory mediators known to induce cachexia in cancer seemed to play an important role during infection. "This came as quite a surprise to us," says first-author of the study, Ph.D. student Hatoon Baazim. The researchers continued to study other potential mechanisms and realized that CD8 T cells were triggering cachexia. CD8 T cells are important immune system cells, which are able to recognize and kill virus-infected cells or cancer cells. In this study, the researchers showed that in order to trigger cachexia, the CD8 T cells required additional signals from the antiviral cytokine type I interferons, and needed to recognize the virus. This study elucidates the inflammatory drivers of infection-associated cachexia and offers a valuable model for future investigations into the mechanisms of infection-associated cachexia. This will allow for new molecular insights into how infectious pathogens including HIV, mycobacterium tuberculosis or parasites cause cachexia. Co-author Dr. Andreas Bergthaler says, "We are convinced that future studies that compare cachexia in the context of both infection and cancer, ideally through the integration of experimental models and clinical patient data, are going to provide much needed advancements for our understanding of this still very mysterious disease." Such new insights from basic research may lead to innovative therapeutic strategies for cachexia and associated life-threatening chronic diseases. Explore further Loss of muscle and weight associated with disability after stroke More information: CD8+ T cells induce cachexia during chronic viral infection, Nature Immunology (2019). www.nature.com/articles/s41590-019-0397-y Journal information: Nature Immunology CD8+ T cells induce cachexia during chronic viral infection,(2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41590-019-0397-y Provided by CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences Illustration of obstruction of ventilation. Credit: Habib Mhenni / public domain A study of more than 19,000 people has found that women with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than men with the condition, according to research published in the European Respiratory Journal. OSA, where the airways close completely or partially many times during sleep, reduces the levels of oxygen in the blood, and common symptoms include snoring, disrupted sleep and feeling excessively tired. The new study suggests that people who experience more closures of the airways during sleep and whose blood oxygen saturation levels drop below 90% more frequently are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than people without OSA. The study also found that cancer was more prevalent among women with OSA than men, even after factors such as age, body mass index (BMI), smoking status and alcohol consumption were taken into account, suggesting women with OSA may be at greater risk of being diagnosed with cancer than men with OSA. The study was led by Athanasia Pataka, who is Assistant Professor of Respiratory Medicine at Aristotle University and works at the George Papanikolaou General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Greece. She explained: "Recent studies have shown that low blood oxygen levels during the night and disrupted sleep, which are both common in OSA, may play an important role in the biology of different types of cancers. But this area of research is very new, and the effects of gender on the link between OSA and cancer have not been studied in detail before." The researchers analysed data from 19,556 people included in the European Sleep Apnoea Database (ESADA), an international multi-centre study that includes patients with OSA, to explore the link between OSA severity, low blood oxygen levels and cancer development. The participants included 5,789 women and 13,767 men in total, who were also assessed for their age, BMI, smoking status and level of alcohol use, as these factors can impact the risk of developing cancer. To assess OSA severity and the link with developing cancer, the researchers looked at how many times the participants experienced partial or complete airways closure per hour of sleep, and how many times during the night their blood oxygen levels dropped below 90%. The data showed that among the ESADA participants, 388 people (2%) had been diagnosed with a serious cancer; this included 160 women and 228 men, which is 2.8% of all women and 1.7% of all men in the ESADA group. Those who were diagnosed with cancer were likely to be over 50 years of age and less overweight, and the most common type of cancer among women was breast cancer, while prostate cancer was the most prevalent among men. When the researchers analysed the data again according to the participants' sex, they found that the odds of cancer diagnosis were higher in women with severe OSA and who had more severely lowered blood oxygen levels during sleep compared with women without OSA. But this trend was not the same when comparing men with OSA versus men without OSA, even after the research team accounted for the other variables that could impact the risk of developing cancer, such as BMI, age, smoking status and alcohol use, which suggests that women with OSA are more likely to develop cancer than men with OSA. Professor Pataka explained their results: "Our study of more than 19,000 people shows that severity of OSA is linked to a cancer diagnosis. This link was especially strong in the women that we analysed, and less so in the men, and suggests that severe OSA could be an indicator for cancer in women, though more research is needed to confirm these findings. "Our study did not explicitly explore the causes of different cancers, but cancer may differ between men and women because of factors such as how hormones affect tumour growth; how the different types of cancer that were more prevalent in men and women are affected by low blood oxygen levels; or how gender specific exposure to cigarette smoking may play a role." Professor Pataka added: "The classic symptoms of OSA such as sleepiness, snoring and stopping breathing during the night time are reported more frequently in men, but other lesser known symptoms like fatigue, insomnia, depression and morning headaches are more common in women, therefore clinicians should be more careful when evaluating their female patients for possible OSA." The researchers note that their analysis did not account for other factors that may affect cancer risk, such as participants' physical activity, marital status, education level and occupation, which potentially limits the study. They also stressed that their results cannot show that OSA causes the increased risk of cancer, only that there is an association between the two, and say that further research is needed to understand how OSA symptoms and treatment may affect cancer. Professor Anita Simonds is a Consultant in Respiratory and Sleep Medicine at Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, UK and Vice President of the European Respiratory Society, and was not involved in the research. She said: "This study adds to the growing evidence on the possible link between the effects of OSA such as low blood oxygen levels and the risk of developing cancer, and provides new data on potential gender differences. "In this study the overall cancer prevalence was low at just 2%, therefore OSA patients should not be alarmed by this research. Clinicians should continue to be vigilant when assessing patients with possible OSA, especially among women who may present with less common symptoms. Both female and male OSA patients should be advised to adhere to therapy and follow a healthy lifestyle to manage their condition most effectively, including by being physically active, achieving ideal body weight, limiting alcohol use and not smoking." The research team plan to conduct a follow-up study to evaluate the number of cancer diagnoses and cancer deaths in the ESADA population with OSA, and to look at specific cancers in more detail and how OSA treatment may affect outcomes. Explore further Persistent hot flashes may lead to increased risk of breast cancer More information: Athanasia Pataka et al, Cancer prevalence is increased in females with sleep apnoea data from the ESADA, European Respiratory Journal (2019). Journal information: European Respiratory Journal Athanasia Pataka et al, Cancer prevalence is increased in females with sleep apnoea data from the ESADA,(2019). DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00091-2019 Credit: CC0 Public Domain Roughly half of American workers say they are comfortable talking about their mental health in the workplace and more than one-third are worried about job consequences if they seek mental health care, according to a new poll released here today by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). While most workers with benefits know how to access mental health services (70 percent) and are at least somewhat comfortable accessing services (62 percent) through their employer if needed, more than one-quarter of workers are uncertain about how to access mental health care through their employer. Mental health stigma is still a major challenge in the workplace. Just over half of workers say they are at least somewhat comfortable discussing mental health openly with coworkers and supervisors; however, only about one in five are completely comfortable. Younger workers are much more likely to feel they can discuss their mental healthmillennials are almost twice as likely as baby boomers to be comfortable (62 percent vs. 32 percent). A significant portion of workers, more than one in three, are concerned about retaliation or being fired if they seek mental health care. Looking at age and gender, younger men are more likely to be concerned than older men or women of any age about retaliation. Most workers say they would recognize signs of distress in co-workers and would reach out to help. About three in four workers say they would recognize signs of anxiety, depression or other mental illness among co-workers and a majority say they would reach out to a co-worker showing signs of mental illness. Younger women, 18-49, are more likely (82 percent) and older men less likely (66 percent) to recognize signs in co-workers. Most people say they would help guide a troubled co-worker to mental health resources. However, about one in four workers say they would not know where to guide their co-worker for mental health help. "These results show both encouraging and concerning aspects of mental health in the workplace," said APA President, Altha Stewart, M.D. "The extent to which people are willing to reach out and help colleagues is encouraging. However, the continued hesitancy among many to talk about mental health concerns in the workplace is troubling. We have work to do to get to the point where people are as comfortable talking about mental health concerns as they are about physical health concerns," she said. The vast majority of workers say their employers offer some type of mental health resources, such as an employee assistance program, mental health days, wellness programs or onsite mental health services. More than 60 percent of workers feel their employers are providing sufficient mental health coverage. About a quarter (27 percent) say their employer does not offer sufficient coverage and 13 percent are unsure. Employers are increasingly addressing stigma against mental illness, as seen in case studies developed by the APA Foundation's Center for Workplace Mental Health that highlight innovative employer practices. The Center provides employers with tools, turn-key programs and information needed to promote the mental health and well-being of employees and their families. These findings are from an APA-sponsored poll conducted online using ORC International's CARAVAN Omnibus Survey. The surveys were collected from a nationally representative sample of 1,005 adults during the period April 4-7, 2019 and from similar polls of about 1,000 adults in March 2018 and April 2017. The margin of error is +/-3.1 percentage points. Explore further Americans increasingly open about mental health More information: * An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a free confidential voluntary workplace service offered by employers. An EAP helps employees deal with a variety of concerns such as work-life stressors, issues affecting mental and emotional well-being, family issues, financial concerns, relationship problems or legal concerns. @doug_hanks It's not official yet, but a fourth Miami-Dade commissioner is sending word he plans to run for county mayor in 2020. Jean Monestime, a former commission chairman who took office in 2014 as the first Haitian-American member of the 13-seat board, has privately told fellow commissioners he is running. Publicly, he sounds like a candidate-in-waiting. "I'm speaking to leaders in the community right now. I'm reaching out to different advisers and counselors and elders in the community. ...as I'm trying to formulate a plan to get in there," Monestime said of the 2020 race during a Tuesday interview. "I think I should be able to do that formally within the next 30 days." The Democrat joins three fellow commissioners on the list of 2020 contenders. Only one, Daniella Levine Cava, has actually filed candidacy papers. The other two, Esteban "Steve" Bovo and Xavier Suarez, are raising money for a potential 2020 race to succeed term-limited Carlos Gimenez, but have not filed papers or made an announcement. Bovo and fellow commissioner Joe Martinez both said Tuesday that Monestime told them he was running for mayor in 2020. While county offices are non-partisan, Florida's Democratic Party tried to recruit Monestime to challenge Gimenez, a Republican, in 2016. Monestime considered it but ultimately passed on the race. While in place for the mayor since the 1990s, term-limit rules in 2020 will force their first retirements for county commissioners, including Bovo and Suarez. Monestime and Levine Cava's final four-year terms do not expire until 2022. Michael-in-Norfolk disclaims any and all responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, completeness, legality, reliability, operability, or availability of information or material displayed on this site and does not claim credit for any images or articles featured on this site, unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to it's respectful owners. Information on this site may contain errors or inaccuracies, and Michael-in-Norfolk does not make warranty as to the correctness or reliability of the site's content. If you own rights to any of the images or articles, and do not wish them to appear on this site, please contact Michael-in-Norfolk via e-mail and they will be promptly removed. Michael-in-Norfolk contains links to other Internet sites. These links are provided solely as a convenience and are not endorsements of any products or services in such sites, and no information or content in such site has been endorsed or approved by this blog. Healthy rivers mean healthy fish. That was the take-home concept for a class of seventh-graders from Washington Middle School who visited Bancroft Pond to learn about river health and ecology on Monday. Students pulled on waders and splashed through chilly water during their trip, which marked the beginning of Fish Week, when the Watershed Education Network and WestSlope Chapter Trout Unlimited partner to teach students hands-on lessons about the fish and organisms living in Missoulas watershed. The students used nets to collect samples from the river, which they dumped into white plastic tubs where they could easily identify macroinvertebrates, or small organisms without backbones. Theres a redworm, seventh-grader Ricky Hartman said. Kade Vestman, another student, pointed to a scud, which looks something like a shrimp and a crawfish combined. Students used a chart to identify the different insects and macroinvertebrates, which serve as an indicator of river health as well as a food source for fish. Deb Fassnacht, the executive director of the Watershed Education Network, said the group works with teachers to expand on ecology lessons that students are learning this time of the year. The field trip focuses primarily on the food web of macroinvertebrates and why theyre important. In our streams and rivers, macroinvertebrates feed our fish and scrape algae and shred leaves, Fassnacht said. Theyre a really big, important base of a food web that supports healthy fish and then healthy birds. Fassnacht said the group typically visits the river where they can observe more fish, but they opted for Bancroft Pond due to current flooding conditions. Students also learned about the importance of macroinvertebrates in other areas such as fly fishing. Jeff Lukas, a WestSlope Chapter Trout Unlimited member and fly fishing guide, as well as a Watershed Education Network board member, who taught students the basics of fly fishing using a fail-safe method. Lukas helped students connect fly fishing to their lesson on macroinvertebrates, which people who fly fish try to imitate. Each student got to practice casting a fly sans a hook. Instead, they tied a piece of yarn to the end of the line to imitate the flies that trout eat. Its about the same weight and resistance as a fly would be if you were casting, Lukas said of his method which he called controlled chaos. The more enthusiastic they get, the wilder it is, Lukas said, adding that they would have "hooks everywhere" if they opted for the more traditional method. 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. With 131 confirmed cases of whooping cough in Missoula County, the public health department is scrambling to provide staff to cover the outbreak. As of Tuesday, Missoula is leading Montana in the number of whooping cough cases also known as pertussis with almost half of the 265 cases reported to the state epidemiologists office as of Friday. Ellen Leahy, director of the Missoula City-County Health Department, said theyve hired 10 nurses to help chase down people who may have been in contact with the confirmed cases, and on Tuesday she asked the county commissioners for the ability to pay four nurse managers for their overtime work. Leahy estimated that at this point those four have accumulated about 65 overtime hours, which usually would be taken as comp time but cant be due to the additional work. I dont know when they will be done working extra hours, because they need to catch up on all the things theyre not doing now, Leahy said. We have done this before, but not for this long and this amount of staff. The four nurse managers will not be paid time-and-a-half, since theyre supervisors, Leahy said. Instead, it will be straight time, as would any comp time for them. All of the additional funding is coming out of the public health emergency preparedness fund and cash reserves in the health department. At this time last year, in 2018 we only had 21 cases in Montana, said Stacey Anderson, a state epidemiologist. Were seeing elevated numbers in Gallatin, Park, Lake and Lewis and Clark counties. The 10 nurses hired by the health department are a mix of part-time and full-time temporary positions, who are working with schools to track down students and staff who may have been exposed to pertussis. For each confirmed case, those nurses go back 21 days looking for people who may have been within 3 feet of the ill person for one hour or longer. The disease is spread when an infected person coughs and sneezes, and others breathe in the airborne bacteria. The nurses notify individuals of the potential contact, and offer instructions for any action thats needed, typically through three standard form letters from the Missoula City-County Health Department. One notifies a parent or guardian that the youth has been identified as a close contact to a confirmed case of pertussis, and requests that the child be monitored for symptoms. Those children can return to school. The second letter is bright pink, and advises the parent or guardian that the child must stay home until they are seen by a health care provider and get a release to return to school. If the adult and doctor choose not to test and treat for pertussis, the child must be monitored for symptoms for 21 days after the most recent exposure. The third letter informs parents or guardians that a child may need antibiotics to prevent getting and spreading the disease. Information is faxed to the health care providers, but children can continue to go to school if they are asymptomatic. Leahy isnt sure how long the outbreak will last. They consider it ended 42 days after the last reported case; the incubation period is 21 days, and to ensure the outbreak is finished, protocol calls for waiting for two incubation periods just to be certain. Pertussis begins with cold-like symptoms including a runny nose, a mild, occasional cough, sneezing and a low-grade fever. Later symptoms include a persistent cough severe enough to cause exhaustion, vomiting or a whooping sound as patients try to catch their breaths. Some infants with pertussis dont cough; instead, it causes them to stop breathing and turn blue. Those at high risk include infants, people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems. We want to keep this on folks radar; if you have symptoms, please go visit your health care provider and be assessed, Anderson said. In many of the cases we are seeing this year, especially in Missoula, the average age is 13 to 17 years old. Thats due in part to a change in vaccines to one with fewer side effects but is being found to be less effective in preventing pertussis over time. Anderson said health officials also are getting better at diagnosing pertussis, which might explain some of the spikes in cases in certain locations. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Everyone from senior citizens to high school seniors in Missoula was urged to get involved in the fight to protect women's reproductive rights at a Stop the Bans: Day of Action" rally Tuesday afternoon. About 150 people gathered at the Missoula County Courthouse at noon to join rallies across the country to protest what they called an all-out assault on abortion access. The rallies came after eight states passed bills this year to restrict abortions as part of an effort to overturn the constitutional right established 46 years ago in the historic lawsuit Roe v. Wade. The Supreme Court is the battleground. All the bans across the country have only one thing they want to overturn Roe v. Wade, said Nancy Keenan, a past president of NARAL Pro-Choice America. Make the personal political, and political means you act on your personal beliefs. You register to vote. Get your friends registered. We need to fight it here. Sara MacCalman said she joined the rally because the abortion restrictions have nothing to do with babies. Its all about the power and control of the patriarchy, MacCalman said. Its a funny thing. Im of the age when I remember what it was like when we were in high school and someone was pregnant. It was panic time. I realize a lot of women my daughters age have no memory of that and dont know how bad it can be. All those people who are so eager to take control, if they really cared they would be handing out condoms. Carrying signs that read I am a woman, not a womb, Women Deserve the Same Rights as Guns and Laws Off My Uterus, about 30 Hellgate High School students marched across the Higgins Street Bridge to attend the rally. Marly Scolatti, a Hellgate senior, said for many young girls, these are scary times, which is why both male and female students attended the rally. Its scary to feel you have no power. But when you see us all out there we feel a little less alone, Scolatti said. Alabama is the first state to place an outright ban on abortion. Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, and Missouri passed heartbeat bills that prohibit abortions after six to eight weeks of pregnancy, while Arkansas and Utah limit the procedure to the middle of the second trimester. All of the measures are expected to face lengthy court battles in order to become test cases for Roe v. Wade, especially in light of the conservative Supreme Court majority. The 1973 Roe decision says abortion is legal until a fetus is viable outside of the womb, which can be between 24 and 28 weeks. More than 400 events were held nationwide to protest the recent wave of anti-abortion laws, using the #StopTheBan hashtag. Organizers of Missoulas rally included the Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana, Missoula Rises and the Susan Wicklund Fund. The groups note that while Montanans right to privacy is embedded in the state constitution, attempts to limit abortions were made during recent legislative sessions. Three bills limiting abortions that were introduced in the 2019 legislature were vetoed by Gov. Steve Bullock; he also rejected two abortion bills in 2017 and three in 2015. Four-time legislator Kim Dudik, a Democrat from Missoula who is running for attorney general, called the legislation government overreach. Freedom and the right to privacy are not dirty words. We have the right to privacy in our constitution, Dudik said. Its easy to call this a war on women because they get pregnant. But it is a war of our government against peoples rights. Were seeing laws that dont protect the right of the people. These are ideological laws that push the agenda, but its not what the majority want. We dont want the government in our bedrooms or health care providers offices. We dont need the government telling us what to do. Karen Wickersham, the chair of the Missoula County Democrats, urged those in the crowd to register to vote, get their friends registered, and to either volunteer during elections or run for office themselves, noting that the age of eligibility is 18. Stacie Anderson, a City Council member who also sits on the board of Planned Parenthood Missoula, plans to bring a citizen-led resolution to the council that affirms a womans fundamental right to privacy in health care decisions. The measure also states that the council will fully oppose laws that include governmental interference in pregnancies. The citizen-led resolution is designed to specifically put members of our City Council on the record with yes, they support a womans right to choose, or no, they dont, Anderson said. Theres no more squirming out of it. Its an up or down vote, so voters can make informed judgments. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 5 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 MISSOULA Joan Margaret Horan Waters, 82, passed away on Thursday, May 16, 2019, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula of natural causes. She was born on Oct. 6, 1936, in Los Angeles, California, to Charles and Peggy Horan. She spent her childhood in southern California and attended the University of California, Los Angeles. She loved to travel and visited many countries in Europe with her parents and extended family, and was especially fond of visiting Ireland, where her mother was born. In her twenties, she traveled to Rome and took a job with Catholic Relief Services near the Vatican. She married James P. Waters, Jr. on Feb. 25, 1967, in Los Angeles. They lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for a short time until moving to the Washington D.C. suburbs, where they lived for almost twenty years. They had three children, Cathleen, Christopher and Maggie. They moved to the Missoula area in 1988, and enjoyed the mountains, wildlife and natural beauty of Montana. They were married for fifty years, until Jims death in 2017. Joan was active in Missoula Catholic schools and the Catholic community, having fond support of St. Joseph's and Loyola, where her two youngest attended. She was involved in St. Francis Xavier as an usher for many years, as well as a knitting and quilting group. She enjoyed knitting blankets and baby items to support the pregnancy resource center in Missoula. She devoted her life to caring for others, her parents, in-laws, children, husband, and community. Survivors include her daughter, Cathleen; son, Christopher (Nico); daughter, Maggie (John); and one grandson, Christian. Funeral Mass will take place on Wednesday, May 22, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Francis Xavier with burial immediately following at Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery. The Missoulian is tracking Miss Montana to Normandy. The six-person crew heading across the United States in the Museum of Mountain Flying's DC-3/C-47 is made up of pilots Jeff Whitesell, Eric Komberec, Bryan Douglass, Nico Van Pronay and mechanics/EMTs Randy and Crystal Schonemann. (All times Mountain and approximate.) Sunday, May 19: Missoula to Wichita, Kansas. Refueled in Miles City. Monday (at 5 p.m.): West of Baltimore, Maryland, en route to Oxford, Connecticut. Left Wichita shortly before 8 a.m. Landed in Rogers, Arkansas, at 9:30 a.m. Landed at Tri-Cities Airport in northeastern Tennessee at 2:30 p.m. Departed an hour later for the final 3-hour leg to Oxford. NOTES With Komberec in the captain's seat and Van Pronay on his left Sunday, Miss Montana flew over the Eastern Montana Fairgrounds, where the final afternoon of the annual Miles City Bucking Horse Sale was getting underway. The first of four planned stops at Phillips 66 FBOs (fixed-base operator facilities) on the cross-country flight was circumvented due to stormy weather around Rapid City, South Dakota. Yingling Aviation in Wichita; Bever Lake Aviation in Rogers, Arkansas, and the Tri-Cities of Tennessee are also Phillips FBOs. Douglass had his first stint in the right seat from Wichita to Rogers. The route was diverted slightly to circle Bartlesville, Oklahoma, birthplace of the Phillips Petroleum Co. SOCIAL MEDIA POST Yingling Aviation in Wichita: "This morning Yingling had the honor of hosting Miss Montana to Normandy. We fueled her with Phillips 66 Aviation Avgas and sent her on her way to Normandy to commemorate the 75th D-Day Anniversary. Blue Skies to Miss Montana and her crew from their new friends at Yingling Aviation!" LINKS You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 3 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 The University of Montana Foundation is crowdfunding for $10,000 in a campaign to replace items for a preschool being cleaned of asbestos contamination. The ASUM Child Care Preschool, run by the Associated Students of the University of Montana, abruptly moved children out of the McGill Hall facility after the detection of high levels of asbestos on surfaces, including on items children touch. UM also subsequently relocated the Craighead Child Care Facility off of the main campus to clean it for asbestos as well. ASUM Child Care Preschool director Vicki Olson said Monday the preschool is operating out of the College of Education and counts this summer 66 children from newborns to 5-year-olds. She said UM is in the process of cleaning the child care facility in McGill, and she anticipates moving all of the children into that space in July on a permanent basis. In late January, UM removed children from the McGill preschool, and the university bought some new supplies for the day care center, such as tables and shelves. But Olson said some items need replacement. "They're not things that you can sustain for very long in a child care program," Olson said. "So basically, we need tables. I think our chairs are good. (We need) shelves built to last. "We'll need to buy a lot more educational toys because we've lost all of that as well." The UM Foundation website, https://crowdfunding.supportum.org/campaigns/provide-replacement-items-for-um-child-care-preschool, notes the campaign had raised $665 to date out of the $10,000 goal with 27 days left in the effort. "Thank you for providing developmentally appropriate learning environments for the children in ASUM Child Care Preschool," said the website. UM has paid $300,000 in cleanup costs to date for McGill Hall including for abatement and consulting, according to the finance office. Additionally, UM paid all day care parents who requested reimbursement for children's personal items that needed to be replaced; seven parents filed reimbursement requests, and UM paid them all for a total of $898, according to UM. UM representatives earlier agreed that asbestos found in the McGill preschool appeared to have come from the air system as the result of a "long term" degradation. Olson said workers have torn out the air system and need to install another one, and the preschool in McGill has been stripped and cleared. "Now they have to put in new flooring. They have to redo the walls," Olson said. She said the McGill preschool space has adequate capacity to accommodate its previous students in addition to the ones who had attended the Craighead site. She said the plan is to split spaces in half in order to run two classes and also have a separate room for infants. Asbestos is unsafe when it is airborne, and exposure to asbestos fibers can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma and other lung diseases. The latency period for developing the illnesses can be as little as 10 years or as long as 40 years. Please sign up on Missoulian.com to subscribe to Under the M, the weekly email about the University of Montana and higher education news in Montana. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 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 state program that would have offered professional workers grants and tax breaks to settle in rural Montana didnt pass muster at the state Legislature this year. However, the bills sponsor, Rep. Joel Krautter, says hell take another run at the idea dubbed the Catch and Keep Act in 2021. And, as Montana leaders and lawmakers look at ways to help rural communities draw in skilled workers, it isnt the only incentive program in play. Lawmakers, for example, did fund a program geared toward addressing rural teacher shortages by offering educators help to pay off student loans when they take jobs in small districts. In health care, the Montana University System has had a loan repayment program for rural Montana doctors since the early 1990s. The recruiting challenge for small-town employers is that they often cant compete with the wages and benefits offered in cities. Rural positions can also be a tough sell for 20-something college graduates where the obvious career path leads to urban areas with a more vibrant nightlife and more job options. The key, said former Lt. Gov. Angela McLean, is figuring out how to get young professionals to take that bite at the apple to encourage them to try out rural living so they can experience the community intimacy that makes it special. Small-town Montana has opportunities and it has I think a great deal of magnificence about it, said McLean, now the chair of the states Rural Educator Recruitment and Retention Task Force. The opportunities are certainly there, but they may be different than they would be in a big district. Quality Educator Loan Assistance Program Montanas Quality Educator Loan Assistance Program aims to tackle one of the hurdles between young teachers and small-town jobs student debt that can make it harder to resist higher urban salaries even if for teachers interested in working in rural areas. Before it was defunded by the 2017 Legislature, the program had 170 participants and provided about $492,300 in annual assistance, according to the state Office of Public Instruction. This years renewal bill, House Bill 211, restored $500,000 in annual funding and tweaked the programs structure. Gov. Steve Bullock signed it into law May 7. As the quality educator program sits now, licensed teachers at schools with recruiting struggles are eligible for state-funded loan repayment aid for three years after their first year teaching $3,000 after their first year, $4,000 after their second and $5,000 after their third. School districts also have the option of drawing on their own budgets to offer $5,000 of assistance for a fourth year. Rep. Llew Jones, R-Conrad, who sponsored the renewal bill, said the intent is to not only draw teachers to rural areas but to encourage them to stick around for three or four years. Young people who stay in a small town that long, he said, generally grow roots strong enough to keep them there long term. Its getting that initial step, he said. Theres plenty to do in a rural area, but it requires more relationships. Catch and keep shot down at Legislature Krautter, a first-term Republican from Sidney, describes the catch and keep bills intent in similar terms. The difference, he said, is that Montanas rural areas are hurting for professional skills beyond just teaching and medicine. Lawyers and accountants, for example, provide services necessary for anyone who wants to start or grow a business. If would-be entrepreneurs in Sidney have to drive four hours to Billings to get that help in person, he said, that becomes a major drag on the towns ability to support new businesses. As introduced this session, the catch and keep bill, House Bill 405, would have let county commissions designate high-priority professions for local recruiting efforts, which would let degree-holding workers in those fields qualify for grants and property tax credits. I was trying to build in flexibility, knowing that each county, each community, might have different professional needs, Krautter said. Catch and keep grants would have come to as much as $15,000 for participants with recent graduate degrees who committed to living and working in a participating community for five years. Recent graduates with four-year or vocational degrees would have been eligible for smaller grants and grantees would also have been eligible for as much as $10,000 in property tax credits over five years. The catch and keep bill was killed last month by the Senate Finance and Claims Committee, where lawmakers worried about some implementation details and its projected cost, roughly a half-million dollars per year. Its a good idea, but its not ready for its time, said Sen. Al Olszewski, R-Kalispell before the committees vote. Focus for the future Krautter said he was pleased with how much support there was for the catch and keep idea, which did pass the House with bipartisan support before its demise in the Senate committee. He said he plans to fine-tune the legislation and bring it back for a second attempt in the 2021 session. Until then, McLean said she thinks it makes sense for the states rural recruiting efforts to focus in large part on helping pull talent into public education, since schools are both major employers and social hubs in much of rural Montana. The core of the community is the school, she said. If we can create stability for K-12 schools, we can go a long way toward creating stability as a whole. This story is published by Montana Free Press as part of the Long Streets Project. This work is supported in part by a grant from the Greater Montana Foundation, which encourages communication on issues, trends, and values of importance to Montanans. Reach Lead Reporter Eric Dietrich at eric@longstreetsmt.com. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 They said it couldnt be done. A Liberian refugee who escaped a civil war could never be elected to office. And certainly couldnt do it in Montana. They do not know Montana. They do not know America. Where if you dream, and if you work hard, anything is possible. I may not look or sound like the regular politician, but Im a hard worker and I get things done. Ive lived my life in service of the Montana that gave me a chance and gave my family refuge. Ive served Montana as an Army and Navy reservist. Ive served Montana working for the VA hospital at Fort Harrison. Ive served Montanas children as a teacher and working with underprivileged and at-risk youth. Its been some time since that snowy February day, in 1994, when my sense of purpose was restored as I landed in Montana. But every day since then has been a renewed reminder for me of why we live in the best state in the greatest country on earth. See, I didnt grow up here, but in more ways than I can count, Montana, you raised me. You taught me the value of working hard and the unwavering importance of reaching out to my community. And most importantly, you gave my family an amazing life. Now Im running to once again serve on behalf of all Montanans in the United States Senate. And Im asking Montanans to join me, with one collective voice, to demand better of Washington, D.C. If you elect me, I will be your public servant, not just a politician. I promise to fight for Montanans: for our friends and neighbors, hard-working families, students, entrepreneurs, farmers, ranchers, the LGBTQ community, hunters and fishermen and women, and finally I will fight for our servicemembers and our veterans. And I promise to stand up for our Montana values: protecting access to health care, access to our public lands, preserving our clean air and clean water, keeping dark money out of our elections, ensuring our right to privacy, and making sure veterans have the care they need overseas and when they come home. Now I recognize that our challenges may be vast, and the road to our most desirable visions may not always be clear, but we owe it ourselves and future generations to provide more ladders of opportunity for more Montanans. Written in our constitution is a commitment to the promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These promises dont belong to any one party. They belong to us: Montanans, Americans. Im asking Montanans to join me in a movement to remind this great country about that forgotten promise, to believe that no matter how divided we become, that under one Big Sky, we still can reach for the promise getting farther away each day. Together we are one people, our voices roar louder than ever, and weve got some work to do. Look for me on the campaign trail; I promise you, I wont be hard to find. Wilmot Collins made history in 2017 by defeating a four-term incumbent to become the first African American mayor in Montana. He is a military veteran and refugee from Liberia who fled from civil war and arrived in Helena in 1994. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 4 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 We may be past the point of keeping a civilized world or, in the lifetimes of the young, even an inhabitable one. As Bill McKibben said in a recent interview with The New Yorker, The consensus, at least for the moment, is that weve got a narrow and closing window, but that if we move with everything we have . Everything we have? Whats involved in moving with everything we have? A recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) analysis found that even halting the heat short of 1.5 degrees C above the fossil fuel era would necessitate "rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes. A recent Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences article on a "Hothouse Earth" pointed to risk of heat rising by 5 degrees C, and need for, among other things, behavioral changes and transformed social values. In her invited speech to the European Parliament, the uncannily sophisticated teen Greta Thunberg said, Everyone and everything must change, added that we only waste time when arguing about what has to change first, and stressed again that everyone and everything must change. The stakes are high, and change isnt easy. Failure could take the world into heat at 4 degrees C above pre-industrial times, possibly as soon as 2050-2070. At that point, climate scientist Kevin Anderson thinks it could kill all but half a billion people. That puts many a teen and toddler at risk of being swept along in a human die-off greater than any in our history. We should worry, says teen climate expert Greta Thunberg. We should panic. And by panic I dont mean running around screaming. I mean stepping out of our comfort zone. The rub is that if we somehow cant step out of our comfort zones to reduce the risk of runaway heat, hundreds of millions of todays teens will be forced out in their lifetimes, only to be followed by hundreds of millions of todays toddlers. Writing for The Age, one of Australias leading newspapers, journalist Caitlin Fitzsimmons tells her readers, Lets not pretend that children and teenagers cant understand whats going on. She reports that 86% of Australias surveyed teens view climate change as a threat to their safety, with 73 per cent saying it affects the world a lot now and 84 per cent saying it will affect the world a lot in the future. Teens and toddlers have evidence from decades of science on their side. Writing for the distinguished journal Science, 3,000 scientists flatly stated that, Without bold and focused action, their future is in critical danger. Adding further endorsement, 23,000 scientists expressed support of the kids by establishing Scientists for Future (S4F). The kids also have the law on their side, at least in terms of reporting that risk to their future actually does exist. While many understand the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as a barrier to human well-being, it actually requires disclosure of how government action affects the human environment. Runaway heat is a major threat to the human environment. We live in a strange world, Greta Thunberg quietly told a packed hall of German celebrities who had given her their Goldene Kamera Award for climate activism. Where all the united science tells us that we are about 11 years away from setting off an irreversible chain reaction way beyond human control that will probably be the end of our civilization as we know it." We live in a strange world, she continued a little later, But that is the world my generation has been handed. Its the only world weve got. Lance Olsen follows climate and related issues. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 2 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 " " The entire student body at Rocketship SI Se Puede charter elementary school dances during 'launch,' the all-school morning program, in San Jose, California in 2014. See school lunch pictures. Melanie Stetson Freeman/The Christian Science Monitor via Getty Images The U.S. spends a lot on public education, but how much is "a lot"? How much of the federal and state budgets go to education? And with the fairly dismal reading and math scores and graduation rates, do Americans get their money's worth? The problem with education, like pretty much everything else in life, is that schools don't just run themselves. They require administrators, teachers, students, equipment and facilities, all of which cost money and lots of it. Taxpayer dollars are a major source of school funding, but few know exactly where and how Americans' hard-earned cash is shelled out, and it can be difficult to decipher the system unless you know where to look. Without the tools, staff and facilities necessary to achieve academic progress, children are far less likely to thrive on a long-term basis, with 31 percent of high-school dropouts likely to wind up living in poverty [source: Do Something]. Advertisement Public education in the U.S. was long ago laid out by the government as largely the responsibility of individual states. As such, there's a pretty big disconnect between how each entity operates and funds systems and individual schools. Each state has their own specific "formula" to follow, but they all allow for the same expenses, including [source: Ohio Department of Education]: instructional costs (salaries for teachers, aides, as well as materials and technology used within the classroom) administration salaries (principals, vice principals, boards of education) staff support (training and continued education) student support outside the educational environment (guidance counseling, field trips, and psychological testing) building support (maintenance, lawn care and utility bills) It's hard, if not nearly impossible to pigeonhole averages on where and how these dollars are allocated, since each state handles education with significant difference. However, salary costs do tend to take up the lion's share of the pot, with 84 percent going to personnel salaries (for teachers and administrators) [source: Huffington Post]. Check out this basic overview to learn more about about school funding sources and how they impact the system, and children in the U.S. " " Federal tax credits and deductions won't help ease the cost of private school. RimDream/iStock/Thinkstock There might be a lot of benefits to sending your child to private school, but when you write that hefty tuition check every year, you could find yourself wondering whether those payments are tax deductible. Unfortunately, when it comes to your U.S. federal taxes, the short answer is no. If your child attends a K-12 private school, there is no federal tax deduction or credit you qualify for that will help pay for tuition not even school uniforms. However, once your child graduates and attends a college you're paying for, you'll start qualifying for certain education deductions. Until then, there's not much in the way of tax relief to ease your costs. Advertisement That doesn't mean you're out of luck if you need help paying for private school. Certain states Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Virginia offer state tax credits to fund organizations that distribute private school tuition in the form of scholarships [source: National Conference of State Legislatures]. Corporations and individuals can also send a percentage of the state taxes they owe to these organizations as an alternative to school voucher programs. Generally, the organizations are set up to pay for low-income kids whose household income is below a certain threshold to attend private schools. Although there are no outright tax credits for private school tuition, there is one way the IRS makes it easier to pay tuition. Parents or guardians can establish a Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA) to help save for future education expenses without incurring taxes. A Coverdell ESA is a trust or custodial account set up exclusively for paying the designated beneficiary's education expenses. They're similar to a Roth IRA in that the money is invested into mutual funds, stocks and bonds, and both allow annual, tax-free contributions. While you're limited to investing $2,000 a year, it's tax-free, as are your withdrawals, given you follow certain guidelines. Deposits must be cash only and can be made up until the beneficiary is 18. The money can be used until the child reaches age 30 (after that, taxes and penalties will be applied) [source: Finaid.org]. If you're interested on setting up an account for a particular child, you don't even need to be able to claim the child as a dependent. That means grandparents, uncles and aunts can still contribute to a child's education. You can even fund an existing Coverdell ESA, provided you don't exceed the annual $2,000 limit. Advertisement Originally Published: Nov 26, 2014 Last Thursday night, 21 Butte seniors were honored at the 10th annual Mariahs Challenge Scholarship Ceremony for staying dedicated to preventing underage drinking all through high school. And for Leo McCarthy, founder of Mariahs Challenge and father of Mariah McCarthy, this 10-year milestone of the scholarship program proves to him that Butte can change. The tombstone of Mariah is my and my familys constitution to always be there for the youth and to encourage them to take the challenge, McCarthy said. And the success of the challenge is a testament to Buttes ability to change. On October 28, 2007, Mariah Daye McCarthy, 14, was hit and killed by a car driven by a 20-year-old man while she was walking with her two friends to her house for a sleepover around midnight on a Sunday. The man, Wade Petersen, was under the influence of alcohol when he hit the three teens. Mariahs friends lived through their injuries, but Mariah died as a result of hers in a Missoula hospital. Less than a year later, McCarthy started the Mariah Daye McCarthy Scholarship Foundation, better known as Mariahs Challenge, with a three-fold mission: to educate teens about the dangers of drinking; to educate parents about the dangers and signs of teen alcohol abuse; and to foster a cultural change in Butte, a town with a long history of alcohol use and abuse. Regardless of how emotional and hard it is for us to do this, the Butte youth is worth it, McCarthy said. Its always been about the youth and turning a really bad and ugly into a beautiful good. Teens that accept Mariahs Challenge as a high school student to remain drug and alcohol free can apply for the $1,000 Mariahs Challenge Scholarship the spring of their senior year. The challenge explicitly states: If you are under 21, do not drink and never get into a car with somebody who has been drinking. McCarthy then interviews each applicant and chooses who will receive the scholarship award based on a seniors adherence to the challenge, as well as their character and community commitments. A lot of them indicated that they understand what the current atmosphere is and that they chose not to fall into it they were resilient for themselves, which was really impressive, McCarthy said of this years awardees. At last Thursdays scholarship ceremony in the Montana Tech Auditorium, the Class of 2019 Mariahs Challenge Scholarship recipients were honored and celebrated for this resiliency, McCarthy said. Local, state and national leaders like Bob Bennie, co-founder of Mariahs Challenge and Mariahs uncle, Gov. Steve Bullock and Sen. Jon Tester spoke to the 21 seniors via video, and both McCarthy and keynote speaker Rob ONeill spoke to the awardees in person. McCarthy said he wanted ONeill to speak at the ceremony because of his continued interest in Mariahs Challenge and the resiliency hes shown throughout his life. ONeill was also the primary financial sponsor of the 2019 ceremony. During ONeills speech, he talked about his experience serving in the U.S. Navy, specifically with SEAL Team Six, and the story behind the death of Osama Bin Laden. Through sharing his experiences, ONeill said he hoped to encourage the award recipients in the room to maintain a positive attitude, block out any negativity and to keep moving forward, no matter what. It doesnt matter what you look like or where youre from, you can do anything you want with a positive attitude, ONeill said to the audience, standing behind a podium on the Tech stage above a banner that read Have you accepted Mariahs Challenge? McCarthy took the stage after ONeill spoke. He echoed ONeills sentiments of maintaining positivity and resilience, but also spoke about how much the seniors success in completing Mariahs Challenge has impacted him as her father. You are Leos heroes! If someone gives you crap, give them my cell number. You make Butte better! McCarthy said to the 21 seniors. For me, when the shadows of grief get long and suffocating, I look to my family, my friends and I think of a quote I used in Mariahs eulogy Faith is believing when it is beyond the power of reasoning. Mariahs Challenge is the embodiment of that quote. You to me are the living example of that quote. The 2019 Mariahs Challenge Scholarship Recipients were: Madison Hash, McKenzie Norton, Hallie Blakeley, Allyson Cleverly, Jaden Cleveland, Justise Birkenbuel, Kerra Luebeck, Alexander Cross, Charles Renouard, Kendall Storer, Kama Muccie, Clayton Heggem, Connor Heggem, Margaret LaFave, Joslyn Klapan, McKenzie Faulkner, Clint Connors, Brittney Tierney, William Cunneen, Seth Gardner, and Bella Sorini. Love 7 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 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. Despite overwhelming written public comment against the proposed $150 million solar project north of Dillon, the potential 1,306-acre solar farm got through its first hurdle Monday morning when the state Land Board voted unanimously, 5-0, to approve the lease. Idaho-based Clenera LLC, sought a lease with the Department of Natural Resource and Conservation for 1,306 acres. The project is expected to generate $19 million in taxes over 35 years to Beaverhead County and $1.29 million to the state trust. The initial 15 years would create $480,000 a year in lease payments to the state trust. That money would likely go to Pine Hills Correctional Facility, which houses both adult and juvenile males and has an annual budget of $9.3 million. If it becomes a reality, the solar project, which would generate 120 Megawatts of power, would become the largest in the state. Jared McKee, Cleneras director of business development, said his company is pleased the project got the first green light from the Land Board. The next step in the process is for the state to begin looking at the environmental impacts of the project. Clenera has additional steps on its end, including reaching a contractual agreement with NorthWestern Energy, exploring any permit requirements and securing a power purchasing agreement. McKee declined to say who that agreement would be with. There were a few who spoke during public comment in opposition to the project. The opposition to the solar farm appears to be largely from local residents who are worried about the two families who hold grazing leases on the land. There has also been some opposition because 1,306 acres of solar panels along the interstate could present an eyesore, to passersby and because of the recreational loss of the land. If the solar farm goes in, no hunting will be allowed on the 1,306 acres. The DNRC reported it has received 85 written comments to the project. Of those, three were general inquiries, eight were for the project, seven were against and 67 were form letters opposed to the solar farm. McKee said his company welcomes feedback from the community. Both Jim Hagenbarth and Romeo Marchesseau, the two current lessees of the land, said Monday they were disappointed in the decision. Marchesseau declined to say any more but Hagenbarth said he is asking that the DNRC give preference to the original lessees if the solar project packs up and heads home at some point. Hagenbarth also said he hopes the state legislature will change the laws so that a lessee can be compensated for losing an unexpired lease. The grazing leases brought in $2,430 in revenue through grazing leases in fiscal year 2018, according to the DNRC. Hagenbarth previously said he will lose about $4,000 a year if he can no longer lease for cattle grazing on that land. Hagenbarths great-grandfather began ranching in that area about ten miles north of Dillon in the 1870s, before Montana became a state. Gov. Steve Bullock, a Democrat, who presided over the meeting, called Hagenbarth "one of the best stewards of our lands in the state for conservation." Bullock said Hagenbarth has "invested the time and energy on the land." "But we do have a duty to maximize the value of the trusts," Bullock said. He called the fact that the Hagenbarths have been on the land since the 1870s "one of the more challenging pieces of this." Hagenbarth told The Montana Standard Monday that he believes in working landscapes and he is not a NIMBY, (Not In My Backyard). We understand sometimes land owners have to make sacrifices for the benefit of society, he said of the fact that if the proposal goes through, he will live next door to the solar farm. Mike McGinley, Beaverhead County Commissioner, attended the Land Board meeting to report the commissions formal approval of the lease. He told the Standard that the tax base from such a $150 million project would be unreal. He said it will cause residents taxes in Beaverhead County to go down. Republican Elsie Arntzen, superintendent of public instruction, asked during the meeting if Clenera would be subsidized. McKee said there is a federal 30 percent tax credit the company would take advantage of, but it is not a subsidy. Republican Cory Stapleton, secretary of state, asked why this big and why here? McKee said the larger the size of the solar project, the lower the price you deliver to a utility. He said Clenera had also been looking for transmission infrastructure with limited transmission upgrades. Attorney General Tim Fox, a Republican, said that the board has to pursue projects that will generate the maximum long-term income to the trust. The state trust land, which the DNRC and the state Land Board oversees, provides money to the schools and other endowed institutions. Its a constraining responsibility, Fox said. But this will be thoroughly vetted. 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. Not his pad A landlord called police Monday afternoon after he found two men squatting in one of his apartments near Rocker. One man left before officers arrived but Rubin Cactus Runsabove, 31, of Butte, was still inside. He was arrested for misdemeanor criminal trespass and was still in jail late Tuesday morning with bond set at $185. Busted at Butte High A 15-year-old girl at Butte High School was called to the front office Monday morning after a school resource officer smelled alcohol on her breath. A breath test confirmed it was alcohol, and she was cited for minor in possession. Her parents were called to take her home, and she will have to appear in juvenile court later. Acting up Police say Amanda Jeaux Rodriguez, 30, of Butte, became unruly in the emergency room of St. James HealtHcare Monday night, threatened a nurse and had to be restrained by a security officer. She also had a small baggie with a controlled narcotic medication. She was arrested for felony possession of dangerous drugs and misdemeanor simple assault and was still behind bars Tuesday morning with no bail set. Shouldn't be driving Joseph Allen Anderson, 24, of Butte, was pulled over for having no brake lights late Monday morning and was arrested for driving while suspended and having no proof of insurance. He also had three outstanding warrants from other counties. He was released several hours later after posting $6,435 bond. Love 0 Funny 5 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 3 The Lincoln County Sheriff asked residents south of Troy to lock their homes and stay inside after issuing a "Code Red" alert Tuesday shortly before noon after reports of a man believed to be armed and dangerous. The sheriff's office issued the alert to residents near Lake Creek Road and School House Lake road areas on Highway 56. "He may be armed and dangerous," the post reads. "Lock your residences and vehicles and stay in your home." As the afternoon came to a close without an arrest, Troy School District canceled its regular bus routes for the day, as well as a number of planned after-school events, including an art show and concerts at both the elementary and high schools. Troy Superintendent Jacob Francom said the school had gone into a "soft lockdown" around noon on Tuesday after the alert from local law enforcement. The designation means students can move around within the facilities, but faculty had to "buzz in" anyone who wanted to move in or out of the building. Parents were required to pick their children up at school; by about 4:45 Tuesday afternoon, Francom said the last student had just left campus. "Our biggest concern was we couldn't take kids home on bus to the area that was affected," he said. "It worked really well, the police officers were super-supportive and staff handled everything calmly and clearly." Francom said administrators would be in contact later on Tuesday night to determine whether they would hold class on Wednesday if no arrest had been made yet, or if there was still a perceived threat in the area. "We're still waiting for what's going to happen tomorrow," he said. "There's no point of risking the safety of anyone." In a Facebook post, the sheriff's office described the suspect as a 20- to 30-year-old man with facial hair, about 6 feet tall, wearing a plaid shirt and blue jeans. The sheriff's office was not immediately available for comment. The Western News in Libby reported the suspect was the subject of a high-speed chase Tuesday morning but had lost authorities near Troy, per Lincoln County Sheriff Darren Short. The sheriff told The Western News the man, driving a stolen pickup, "blew right through" a resident's fence near Lake Creek Road, left the vehicle and continued on foot. Two Bear Air helicopter was unable to assist authorities in searching for the man, the newspaper reported. This story will be updated. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Louis Brandeis imagined that states could serve as laboratories of democracy. At the moment, they are serving as a bunch of mad scientists. The late Supreme Court justice envisioned states trying "novel social and economic experiments." But he could not have anticipated just how novel the thinking would be of Alabama state Sen. Clyde Chambliss (R), author of the state's toughest-in-the-nation law, which bans virtually all abortions, even in cases of rape and incest. "I'm not trained medically so I don't know the proper medical terminology and timelines," the legislator-scientist said during this week's debate on his bill. "But from what I've read, what I've been told, there's some period of time before you can know a woman is pregnant. ... It takes some time for all those chromosomes and all that." Chambliss then argued that, under his law, women would be free to get abortions during this period of time so long as they don't yet know they are pregnant. So a victim of incest could get an abortion? "Yes, until she knows she's pregnant," he reasoned, as journalist Abbey Crain recounted. The genius behind the abortion law elaborated: "She has to do something to know whether she's pregnant or not. It takes time for all the chromosomes to come together." The poor fellow seems to have confused chromosomes, the genetic material that combines during fertilization, with the hormones detected in pregnancy tests. So, once an egg is fertilized, no more abortions? Chambliss floundered: "I'm at the limits of my medical knowledge, but until those chromosomes you were talking about combine from male and female that's my understanding." Contradicting himself, he also said that throwing away eggs that were fertilized in vitro wouldn't land you in jail because "it's not in a woman. She's not pregnant." He similarly was confused about how a doctor, who under the law would face imprisonment for assisting with an abortion, would discern between the identical symptoms of a woman miscarrying (which would still be legal) and one having a medication-induced abortion. "The burden of proof would be on the prosecution," he said thus opening the pregnancies that end in miscarriages to law-enforcement probes. When one woman in the chamber questioned his familiarity with female reproduction, Chambliss replied: "I don't know if I'm smart enough to be pregnant." The better question is whether he's smart enough to be writing laws. Thus did Chambliss join the vanguard of clueless male legislators telling women what to do with their bodies. In Ohio, the author of a bill banning insurance coverage for non-life-threatening abortions included an exception for a fictitious procedure in which a doctor implants the fetus from an ectopic pregnancy in the uterus. The bill also appears inadvertently to ban coverage of IUDs and possibly birth control pills. And Georgia, in its bill banning abortion after six weeks, designated "unborn children as natural persons" with "full legal recognition" thus inviting questions about whether it's legal for fetuses in the uteri of female inmates to be imprisoned without charges, whether women who have abortions could theoretically be charged with murder and whether, if a tax deduction is claimed for the unborn child, it would be repaid after miscarriages. And: If fetuses are full persons, could we at least start teaching them biology? After Justice Brett Kavanaugh provided the Supreme Court with a likely decisive vote to repeal Roe v. Wade, abortion opponents in Legislatures Georgia, Alabama, Missouri, Louisiana, Ohio, Mississippi, Kentucky, North Dakota, Iowa and elsewhere have joined a pell-mell rush to come up with restrictive laws to serve as test cases. They say science has improved since Roe, but clearly the scientific knowledge of those writing the laws has not. The new abortion bans are commonly dubbed "heartbeat" bills because pulsing cells can be detected as early as six weeks but embryos don't have hearts at that point. Women may be near or past the six-week abortion window before they know they're pregnant. And though lawmakers may not intend to ban birth control or to jail women who have abortions, those possibilities are far more realistic than Trump's claim that Democrats like to "execute" swaddled newborns. No wonder House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who claims Democrats favor "infanticide," had difficulty with a question last week about whether Republicans would now be identified with the new laws. McCarthy opposes the Alabama bill, saying the state took an "extreme" position. So extreme that it departed not just from legal convention but from medical science. Dana Milbank is a columnist for The Washington Post. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 As I visit each of Montanas 56 counties every Congress, I have the privilege of meeting with Montanans from all walks of life. Most importantly, I get to listen to veterans, small-business owners, seniors, farmers, ranchers and even newly sworn-in U.S. citizens. And no matter where I am in Montana, they are proud to be Americans. Perhaps none more so than newly sworn-in citizens. When Ive asked folks whether or not we should know how many citizens and non-citizens live in our country, its been an easy yes. When they learn we dont ask such a basic question on the U.S. census form today, folks are surprised. Thats why I introduced a bill to include the citizenship question on the census because Montanans want to know. Despite what some would like you to think, the citizenship question for Montana isnt a Republican or a Democrat question its a common-sense question. The fact is, this isnt a new phenomenon nor a radical proposal. The citizenship question has been included on our census in many years past. But most importantly, for Montana, the question could lead to a major win. In the 1990 census, Montana lost its second seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. We had the same population, but with half the votes we once had in Congress. States with faster-growing populations, like California, gained a greater say in Washington, D.C. According to independent academic studies and even the Democrat-appointed member of Montanas Redistricting Commission, Joe Lamson, adding the question are you a U.S. Citizen back on the census could make the difference in Montana regaining a congressional seat from California, and even more federal funding for our state. That means Montanans would have an additional seat at the table. It means more support for veterans services, more federal grants for meth prevention and treatment facilities and more resources to help curb the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women. Its no wonder states like California and New York fear the citizenship question they cant stand the thought of losing their money and power in Washington, D.C., to a rural state like Montana. If there is an opportunity to regain our representation we once had, Montanans should set aside partisan labels and put Montana first. Montanans want more transparency on who is living in our country, Montanans want fairer representation and Montanans want our government to serve Montanans, not criminal illegal immigrants. Republican Steve Daines represents Montana in the U.S. Senate. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 4 In a place where a majority of the housing stock was built before the 1940s, new homes in Butte are a bit of a commodity. Although a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Crow elk hunter Clayvin Herrera appears to be a win for the Montana tribe by affirming its 1868 treaty rights, his attorneys arent taking a victory lap yet. We are gratified that the Supreme Court held that the treaty hunting right guaranteed to the Crow Tribe and Mr. Herrera was not abrogated by Wyomings admission to the Union or the creation of the Bighorn National Forest, Steven Small, an attorney with the Billings law firm Holland and Hart, wrote in an email. The law firms attorney Kyle Ann Gray represented Herrera when, as a tribal game warden in 2014, he was cited for illegally killing a bull elk in Wyomings Bighorn National Forest. Herrera is being advised by his attorneys to remain silent. Thats because the high court remanded the case back to Sheridan County District Court to work out two issues. So what the ruling may mean for Wyomings elk, elk hunters and other tribes with treaty rights in the state is still open to interpretation, argument or settlement negotiations. Necessity One issue that Wyoming could address is why the state thinks conservation regulations are necessary to regulate Crow tribal hunting in the state. The state would have to demonstrate that there is a conservation necessity to preserve the species, in this case elk, said Monte Mills, a University of Montana law professor who filed a brief arguing in favor of Herreras case. Other lawsuits in the Northwest have dealt with limiting tribal take of salmon citing conservation necessity, Mills said. Its really been limited what the states can do, he added. The tribes cant pursue the last steelhead into the net. Thats a high bar for the state to meet. Occupied The other issue the state of Wyoming can address is the definition of what areas of the Bighorn National Forest, where Herrera killed the contested bull elk, are considered occupied and therefore not open to Crow hunts under their Fort Laramie treaty rights. The state had argued that the entire forest was occupied. The U.S. Supreme Court disagreed but wrote in its 5-4 opinion, On remand, the State may argue that the specific site where Herrera hunted elk was used in such a way that it was occupied within the meaning of the 1868 Treaty. In other areas of the country the tribes and state have cooperatively worked out how those treaty rights can be exercised, Mills said. So defining where Crow hunters could pursue game might be negotiated between the sovereign tribe and the state. Hunting Dwayne Meadows, executive director of the Wyoming Wildlife Federation, said his group is reserving judgement on how the high courts ruling might affect the states elk populations or elk hunters. At this point its hard to be concerned because there are so many steps yet to go, he said, and it could take years more in court. Were going to have to wait and see how its defined, Meadows said. Wyoming Attorney General Bridget Hill said she would not comment on pending litigation. But Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon issued a statement that said in part, "Until these remaining issues are resolved, the State of Wyoming will continue to regulate the take of game animals in the Bighorn National Forest to ensure equal hunting opportunities for all. "With the remand, my administration will stand up for a system that preserves the decades of conservation work that has built a strong wildlife population in the Bighorns, and we will work to find solutions for all those who hunt." Other tribes The U.S. Supreme Court decision is not likely to apply to other tribes in the state, such as the Shoshone-Bannock, according to one legal scholar. Todays opinion is best thought about as the resolution of a narrow dispute over treaty language between the Supreme Court (in 1896 and 1999), the Tenth Circuit (in 1995), and the Wyoming Supreme Court (this case, in 2017), Matthew Fletcher, professor of Law and director of the Indigenous Law and Policy Center at Michigan State University, wrote in an email. Since the treaty language at issue is limited to only a few tribes, it is unlikely to have much precedential value elsewhere. ACLU But the American Civil Liberties Union, which filed a brief in favor of Herrera, sees the courts decision as a win for Indian Country on a broader scale and the second one for tribes and treaty rights from this Supreme Court. The other ruling in March favored the Yakama Nation of Indians in a dispute with Washington state over fuel taxes and referenced the tribes 1855 treaty. Its hard not to count this as a win, said Lillian Alvernaz, Indigenous Justice Legal Fellow with the ACLU of Montana. The arguments seemed pretty clear, but its always scary when the Supreme Court considers Indian law. On a practical level, this means that members of the Crow Tribe can continue to hunt on unoccupied lands like the Bighorn National Forest to provide sustenance for their families and children, Alvernaz said in a statement. This is especially important for the well-being and health of the tribe because access to healthy food on the reservation is limited. More broadly, through this decision, the Supreme Court held the federal government accountable to its treaty obligations and affirmed tribal sovereignty, she added. Throughout the history of colonization, tribes have upheld their end of treaties while the federal government has consistently fallen short of its obligations. Were hopeful that this ruling marks a new day, one where the federal government lives up to its treaty obligations and recommits to the important principles of tribal sovereignty and self-determination of tribes in the United States. At Crow While some Wyoming hunters may be imagining the worst following the ruling, on the Crow Reservation professor Timothy McCleary of Little Big Horn College said social media was blowing up with celebration of the high court's decision. "It's pretty exciting," he said. "I wasn't particularly surprised." McCleary was one of the signatories to a friend of court brief filed in Herrera's case before the Supreme Court. He said a previous court ruling that found in favor of Wyoming over the Crow Tribe had left some tribal members feeling wronged. Now the issue will be how Wyoming handles the issue of conservation and occupation, he said. "Wyoming can't take away the hunting right, it's there," he said. "We're all human beings, it's just a matter of figuring out how to work together." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 ARCHIVED - Algerian migrants detained after landing in Cabo de Palos Seven people including a baby avoided interception at sea as they crossed the Mediterranean The vast majority of the increasing number of African migrants making their way across the Mediterranean to Spanish and EU territory do so where the voyage is shortest and head for the coastline of Andalucia, but inevitably there are some who make the crossing a little further east, and on Monday seven of them succeeded in reaching land at the beach of Cala Dentoles in the regional park of Calblanque, close to Cabo de Palos. The motor launch on which they were travelling was first spotted 23 miles from the coast, but could not be intercepted due to its speed of 23 knots, and instead the seven people on board (including an 8-month-old baby) were intercepted on land. All are Algerian nationals, and after being apprehended they were first attended to by Cruz Roja staff before the baby and her mother were taken to the Hospital Santa Lucia in Cartagena and the others were taken into custody by the Policia Nacional, Image: the area where the migrants landed For more local news, events and other information go to the Cabo de Palos section of Murcia Today. Follow Murcia Today on Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest news, events and information in the Region of Murcia and the rest of Spain: https://www.facebook.com/MurciaToday/. Elly Lloyd, owner of Elly's Tea and Coffee, 101 W. Mississippi Drive, said "I thought we did a fine job this time," of the city's flood preparedness and response. Elly's moved to Mississippi Drive from 2nd Street earlier this year. Lloyd said business had been slow because of the move and limited parking downtown, but the cafe had an "off-the-chart day" recently. After experiencing the flooding, Brad Bark suggested the city use of muscle walls for future flooding events. The walls are large plastic containers that are filled with water and only require one sandbag placed every five feet. Bark said he built the wall mid-flooding at his building on 2nd Street, but had he put it up sooner, he wouldn't have had to sandbag. "The less sand we have to clean up the better," Brackett said. Another business owner the group met with has had trouble recovering from flooding. Brad Kisner, owner of Avenue Subs, 113 Iowa Ave., said water is still an issue after the weekend rain. He said it was difficult for him to reach someone from the city to get sandbags before river flooding. He said he called shortly after business hours and no one was available. An after-hours help line was suggested. WILTON Affordable housing, broadband connectivity and ice cream focused the crowd at Wilton Candy Kitchen Monday as Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill for the Empower Rural Iowa Initiative. Reynolds said the the ice cream parlor, a family-owned business, "embodies the small-town character we are famous for and is the perfect example of why we should do everything we can to preserve, grow and strengthen our small-town way of life." House File 772 calls for $5 million for broadband and another $25 million for workforce housing tax credits. About 100 people, including lawmakers and members of the Iowa Rural Development Council, attended the bill signing at the parlor. The House and Senate unanimously passed the bill last month. Reynolds asked for $20 million over two years for broadband expansion. "Connected communities are fundamental to all aspects of growth and prosperity and essential to keep our young people and attract others to rural Iowa," Reynolds said. WAPELLO Financial difficulties could force a two-county drainage district south of Muscatine to curtail its operations, potentially increasing the flooding danger to portions of the city of Muscatine, GPC, Beyer, thousands of agricultural acres and hundreds of residences. Assistant Louisa County Auditor Selena Gerst interrupted the Louisa County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday to break the news, explaining Muscatine County officials were asking Louisa County to release around $29,000 in drainage seepage funds to relieve some of the financial pressure on Muscatine-Louisa Drainage District #13. Muscatine County is the controlling county for the drainage district, which reportedly includes about 30,000 acres from Muscatine down to Michael Creek in Louisa County, an area locally known as the Muscatine Island. A pumping plant is located about 12 miles south of Muscatine, and its operations over the past several months of high water is apparently part of the cause for the financial problems. According to Gerst, the district recently received a $40,000 utility bill from Eastern Iowa REC and has also been forced to cover around 130 hours of overtime for a part-time employee, along with the wages for a full-time worker. The SA Post Office (SAPO) expects ecommerce and financial services to become a big portion of its revenue by 2030, with its internal predictions suggesting that only 20% of its revenue will come from its postage services by this date. This is according to SAPO CEO Mark Barnes, who was speaking to Ron Derby on radio station Power 98.7. SAPO plans to launch its new ecommerce platform next month, and Barnes hopes they can become a leading ecommerce player through its implementation. Were going to be focusing on the export of South African-made goods on our platform, said Barnes. Its the Post Offices vested interest to have a platform that promotes exports, because the way the postal revenue works is the originator of the postal event gets most of the revenue, Barnes explained. He said the exporter usually gets about 80% of the terminal dues and given that SAPO imports much more than it exports through its current ecommerce system, the process isnt particularly profitable. Barnes added that he recently visited Istanbul, Turkey to discuss Ecom Africa, which he hopes will become one of the worlds leading ecommerce players. Ecom Africa is an African ecommerce platform which could rival Alibaba and Amazon if you look at the combined people growth in the entire African continent and some other parts of Europe, which are talking to us as a partner. Due to SAPOs access to all South African addresses, Barnes also believes in the potential for virtuous data mining capacity within the Post Office. Financial services Barnes further highlighted that while SAPO already has a large financial services portfolio, it sees potential in offering more benefits to South Africans particularly in the area of loans. It has reconciled its financial services in relation to the Banks Act and the Companies Act, and once Postbank has finalised the structure of the holding company and acquired its lending licence, these loan services can become widely available. All successful Post Offices in the world have a significant proportion of their income coming from financial services, said Barnes. 30% of SAPOs revenue currently comes from its financial services institution, Postbank, but this is still less than many global leaders. According to Barnes, 60% of China Posts revenue comes from financial services, while a high proportion of the UK Royal Postal Services revenue is thanks to its financial products. The proposed new loan services will offer assistance to South Africans with a predictable income stream, without requiring them to list assets as a collateral measure. Instead, this credit model will require people to use a SAPO transactional account so that the Post Office can monitor their behaviour. As long as theyre using the loaned money towards their predictable income stream, said Barnes, Postbank can continue to loan money to these people. Listen to the full radio interview here. McDonalds is looking to hire nearly 4,000 restaurant employees throughout the Bay Area, including at Napa locations, and more than 19,800 people across California, said a news release. On Tuesday, May 21 from 9 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m., job seekers are encouraged to come into more than 200 participating Bay Area restaurants in cities including Napa. Applicants will be able to submit applications for available crew member and manager positions, and in many cases be interviewed on the spot, said the news release. St. Helena American Legion Post 199 and its Auxiliary selected Juliana Cortez and George Conwell to represent St. Helena High School at the Legions upcoming Girls State and Boys State conferences, respectively. Jonathan Gamble and Ivy Shaw were selected as alternates. From left are Gamble, Conwell, Shaw and Cortez. The students were chosen for their academic standing, leadership, character and interest in community and government. Girls State will be June 24-30 at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont. Boys State will be June 22-29 at California State University-Sacramento. As of Friday, the Napa County Election Division had processed 204 ballots in St. Helenas Measure F election, of which 45 were collected from the ballot drop box outside the St. Helena Public Library on Thursday, May 16. Registrar of Voters John Tuteur reported that his office has five ballots which have signature issues. His staff is working on getting those voters to provide the needed information. Tuteurs office also received 299 ballots in the mail on Friday which were being processing (signature verification, etc.). Regular registration for the June 4 special election closed Monday, but under Californias conditional voter registration law, eligible citizens can register to vote in person at the Elections Divisions central office in Napa through 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 4. Eligible citizens can also register at the vote center at the Napa Valley College Upper Valley Campus, 1088 College Ave. in St. Helena, from 8:30 to 4:30 Saturday, June 1, and Sunday, June 2; from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, June 3; and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day Tuesday, June 4. Initial, unofficial results will be released at 8:01 p.m. on Election Day June 4 and posted to the Election Divisions website at the same time. There will be a second unofficial count on Monday, June 10, which will also be posted to the website. The final certified count should be on Thursday, June 13, after all ballot return deadlines have expired. The final count will also be posted to the website. Tuteurs staff is working with Professor Philip Stark of UC Berkeley Statistics to perform a risk limiting audit on the counted ballots. Tuteur said he hopes the risk limiting audit will allow his office to meet its target date to certify the election on June 13. All phases of ballot verification, counting of ballots and the risk limit audit preparation and execution are open to the public at 1127 First St., Suite E, in Napa during regular working hours. The St. Helena City Council will discuss the future of the Adams Street property at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 28, at Vintage Hall. The council will discuss and give direction on a potential Request For Qualifications/Request For Proposals related to the possible development of the city-owned property next to the library. Tuesday, May 14 0702 A heavy-duty truck with a trailer and tractor were blocking Silverado Trail near Madrone Knoll. Police helped with traffic control. 1039 Report of a double-trailer big rig sticking out four feet into Spring Street and blocking traffic. 1139 Non-injury fender-bender on Main Street. 1718 Police took a report on suspected child abuse. 1734 Report of a man using a leaf blower after hours on Spring Street. Wednesday, May 15 1206 The stoplights were askew at Main/Madrona. 1531 Report of an unknown utility line down on the ground on Charter Oak Avenue. 1544 Non-injury accident at Main/Saint Andrews. 1629 A man asked for advice on how to handle a dispute with his girlfriend. 1646 A window was shattered on Crane Avenue. 1950 Report of an electrical hazard on Spring Mountain Road. Thursday, May 16 0757 Minor-injury head-on accident at Silverado/Zinfandel. 1907 A bag of trash broke open on Spring Mountain Road, spreading trash all over the place. 2211 Police arrested a 31-year-old St. Helena man on suspicion of domestic violence. Friday, May 17 0621 Medical aid on Pope Street. 0818 Report of a white Ford Escape passing over double yellows on Pope Street. 0922 A possible drunk driver almost swerved into other cars and bikes near Crane Park. 0949 Report of a suspicious man and woman trying the door handles of parked cars as they walked toward the park on Mitchell Drive. 1340 Medical aid on Pinot Way. 1403 St. Helena police assisted the sheriffs office with a vehicle pursuit that started on Petrified Forest Road and ended with a foot pursuit on Spring Mountain Road. 1450 Someone was gathering petitions on Safeway property. They were asked to leave due to store policy, but they had refused. 1519 Report of a possible drunk driver weaving and almost hitting a parked car near Main/Madrona. 1617 A woman said someone had opened multiple credit cards in her husbands name. 1721 Report of a loud tour bus idling for 30 minutes on Adams Street. 1919 A vehicle was damaged in an apparent hit-and-run sometime since Thursday night. Its drivers-side mirror was gone. 1951 Report of someone power-washing their house near Pope/Starr. Saturday, May 18 0254 Report of a reckless driver swerving near Deer Park/Main. 0825 Report of a silver sedan parked in the middle of Spring Mountain Road near Dean York Lane. 0918 Non-injury accident on Main Street. 1128 Report of a possible drunk driver swerving near Main/Sulphur Springs. 1349 Police assisted with a solo vehicle into a ditch on Deer Park Road. 1719 Report of very loud bass music coming from Main Street. 1728 The wind had blown open a gate at a construction site on Vineyard Avenue. Police were asked to secure the gate with a rope. 1932 A Vallejo man was concerned about his wife, whod gone to St. Helena and should have been home by now. She got home soon. 2126 A person reported almost getting hit by speeding cars on Main Street at Charter Oak Avenue. 2227 A caller on Saint James Drive called about strong bass vibrations coming from somewhere on Main Street. Police told the caller that a business had filed a noise permit. 2252 Police received a second call about loud bass sounds. Sunday, May 19 0154 Report of a loud beeping sound on Vineyard Avenue. 0710 Report of a loose phone line hanging from a pole on Oak Avenue. 1103 Police were notified of a child custody issue. 1125 One of the stoplights at Main/Pope was facing the wrong direction. Monday, May 20 1023 The owner of a Sylvaner Avenue home asked police to check on his house after noticing that yard lights and other equipment had been tampered with. 1518 A white bus was blocking the entrance to an Adams Street property. 1523 There was a dog inside a car on Hunt Avenue, but it appeared to be fine. 1633 Report of a reckless driver tailgating and almost causing a collision on Silverado Trail near Skellenger Lane. 1649 The rear window of a car was smashed Saturday night during an event on Main Street. 1747 Report of a man and woman shouting and screaming on Edwards Street. Police checked the area. 1813 Report of three juveniles screaming, possibly under the bridge near Allison/Pope. 1844 A woman found feces spread on both of the clothing donation bins at RLS Middle School. She called the company phone number listed on the bins and was told they would send someone out. 1847 There was a loose dog on Spring Mountain Road. Tuesday, May 21 0142 Report of a car alarm going off on College Avenue. 0221 There was another report of a car alarm going off on College Avenue. The caller said it goes off every day. 0517 A silver sedan ran off the road and partially in a ditch near Main/Sulphur Springs. The California Highway Patrol's air unit helped rescue a motorist whose vehicle plunged 150 yards down a cliff next to Monticello Road Tuesday morning. Napa resident Karla Hernandez-Zambrano, 20, suffered major, unspecified injuries after veering off the road in her 2007 Saturn, according to a CHP news release. She was taken to Queen of the Valley Medical Center. The crash happened at 9 a.m. on a cloudy morning on Monticello Road/Highway 121 near Wooden Valley Road. It's unclear why Hernandez-Zambrano drove off the cliff, but she was wearing her seat belt. She does not have a license, according to CHP. A bicyclist saw the vehicle go over the cliff and summoned authorities, the CHP said in a release. Had there been no witness, the victim might have gone undiscovered under the thick forest canopy, the CHP said. A CHP flight officer/paramedic was lowered on a hoist from a hovering helicopter to provide advanced life support to Hernandez-Zambrano, the CHP said. After a lengthy extrication from the vehicle, the patient was flown to Queen of the Valley Medical Center where she was reported in stable condition, the CHP said. Cal Fire/Napa County Fire Department and AMR ambulance also responded to the incident, which closed Monticello Road for three hours. 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. Jacob Hutchins, 39, who had been convicted of the murder of a fellow Napa teenager in 1998, was granted parole after a May 16 hearing before the Board of Parole at Chuckawalla State Prison, Napa District Attorney Allison Haley announced. Hutchins was convicted of the murder of Michael Arreguin, 18, and sentenced to 42 years to life in prison. Hutchins, in the company of fellow gang members, shot Arreguin in the face from a vehicle, the district attorney said in a news release. Hutchins was convicted at a jury trial of second-degree murder, shooting from a vehicle, and firearm and gang enhancements. In 2018, Gov. Jerry Brown commuted Hutchins sentence to 20 years to life, stating, Mr. Hutchins committed a very serious crime, but he has distinguished himself by his exemplary conduct and rehabilitation in prison. Deputy District Attorney Lance Hafenstein argued against the release of Hutchins based upon the cruelty and callousness of the murder and his gang associations, according to the DA's office. The Parole Board found Hutchins suitable for parole and that he was not an unreasonable risk of danger to society if released from prison, noting his young age and diminished culpability when he committed his crime. The decision will be reviewed by the Board of Parole Hearings and can be reviewed by the governor. Hutchins qualified for Youth Offender parole, instituted to reduce prison overcrowding for those who were under age 23 at the time their offense. The Parole Board is required to give great weight to the diminished culpability of juveniles as compared to adults, the hallmark features of youth, and any subsequent growth and increased maturity of the inmate in determining suitability, the DA said. The family of Michael Arreguin left a Napa courtroom over 20 years ago believing that the man responsible for their loved ones death would not be eligible for parole for 42 years," Haley said. "Now, they suffer from both the lifelong loss of Michael and a profound betrayal by a system that simply did not honor its word. 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. OAKLAND Newsom launched the Homeless & Supportive Housing Advisory Task Force during an event at Oaklands Henry Robinson Center, while surrounded by members of the citys growing homeless community. The new initiative, which will be chaired by Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg and Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, marks the governors latest commitment to address the chronic housing instability plaguing the state. No Californian can say homelessness is someone elses problem it affects us all, Newsom wrote in a news release. Homelessness is a matter of statewide concern, but solutions will come from the local level. Mayors, county supervisors, and city councils around the state are working hard to reduce homelessness and its underlying causes. Well be watching these local and regional solutions closely, to lend a hand and help them scale. The new group will guide the creation of joint regional plans to address homelessness, and will deliver at least one annual report to the governor. The task force will meet throughout the year, traveling around the state to observe cities and counties best practices, and collecting input from governments and community members on possible solutions. Newsom said he will announce additional task force members, as well as future meeting dates and locations, in the coming weeks. There are 8,022 homeless residents living in Alameda County up 43 percent from 2017, according to new data from the countys biennial point-in-time count, released last week. There are 9,706 in Santa Clara County up 31 percent from 2017. Newsom previously promised to spend $1 billion to fight homelessness in California. His revised budget, proposed earlier this month, includes $650 million directed to local governments for homelessness emergency aid, $150 million to address the shortage of mental health professionals, $40 million for rapid rehousing for students and $20 million in legal assistance for eviction prevention. The Napa County Planning Commission has advice for people wanting to win approval for wineries but worried about being stuck in a morass of controversy look at the case of the Matthiasson winery. Commissioners on Wednesday unanimously approved the Matthiasson winery along Dry Creek Road north of the city of Napa. Some of the same people who have opposed other wineries in recent years turned out in support. Several commissioners called Matthiasson an example worth emulating. I really hope the example is something that gets some publicity, so other applicants can look at this process and say, That looks less painful than a lot of other ones that weve heard about, Planning Commissioner Anne Cottrell said. She and other commissioners praised the way Steve Matthiasson and his wife, Jill Klein Matthiasson, worked with their neighbors, starting the outreach even before they bought the property two years ago. Its not just something thats nice to do anymore, its critical, commission chairperson Joelle Gallagher said. Commissioner Andrew Mazotti said the Matthiassons could have asked for more wine production, but didnt. They based their application on what is best for the site, rather than on what is best for them. That resonated with me, Mazotti said. Matthiasson winery is located on 5.75 acres at 3171 Dry Creek Road about a mile north of Alston Park. It was originally approved with different owners in 1986 as Phoenix Vineyards under a small winery exemption for 5,000 gallons annually. The Planning Commission approved a use permit allowing wine production of 18,000 gallons annually, winery remodeling to provide a tasting room, construction of a wine cave and 6,375 visitors annually, including four marketing events with 30 guests each and one event with 50 guests. Residents who last year opposed the proposed expansion of nearby Anthem winery praised the Matthiassons. Patricia Damery said Steve Matthiasson talked with neighbors about such things as wine production and visitation levels. He cut it down from what he wanted, Damery said. And he did that on his own. Bernadette Brooks said the Matthiassons worked to make the winery fit in with the rural area. Rather than build some grandiose winery on this small plot, they are taking whats there and modernizing it, she said. Steve Matthiasson started consulting work for vineyard practices in Napa County in 2002. The family bought and leased its first vineyards in 2006. Were part of the community, Steve Matthiasson said after the meeting. We deeply understand the community response to winery development and how people can be impacted. We get it. We live in Napa. He talked about working with neighbors on how many gallons the winery would produce. We found a number we thought was reasonable, meeting in the middle, he said. All of this made for a no-drama Planning Commission meeting. I hope this has got the attention of other applicants out there, Gallagher 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. Rep. Mike Thompson announced the start of his 2019 Summer Reading Challenge for students through eighth grade in Californias Fifth Congressional District, which includes all of Napa County. Each year, Thompsons Summer Reading Challenge encourages local students to read throughout the summer months. Reading lists are developed by the Association for Library Service to Children and are broken down by grade so all recommendations are age-appropriate. That list can be found at https://bit.ly/2V78tlI. Thompson will recognize all students who participate at an event at the end of the summer. Students, parents, and teachers are encouraged to sign up by going to https://bit.ly/2H6k9zZ 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. SACRAMENTO Legislation from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would allow Napa County to negotiate with the state Department of General Services to buy the 850-acre Skyline Wilderness Park was approved by the full Senate Monday afternoon. Senate Bill 20 would ensure the prime land with popular hiking trails and views of the Bay Area remains a public open space forever. We must preserve this land for the public and place it under local control so it remains parkland in perpetuity, Dodd said. This is such an important community asset, both from a recreational and environmental perspective. Napa County has sought the land for many years. It currently holds a lease on the property under an agreement with the state that will expire in 2030. The property in the Napa Valley foothills includes 25 miles of trails and a pond, Lake Marie. A portion of it is adjacent to Napa State Hospital. The bill is co-authored by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, D-Winters, whose district includes parts of Napa County. It heads next to the Assembly. 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. BOSTON A Napa Valley vintner and a New York lawyer have admitted to participating in the college admissions bribery scheme. Agustin Huneeus Jr. and Gordon Caplan pleaded guilty Tuesday in Boston federal court. Huneeus family owns vineyards in the Napa Valley and in Oregon. Authorities say he agreed to pay $300,000 to rig his daughters SAT score and have her designated as a water polo recruit to the University of Southern California. Caplan was co-chairman of the prominent law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher. The Greenwich, Connecticut, resident was charged with paying $75,000 to get someone to correct the answers on his daughters ACT exam after she took it. They are among 14 parents who have agreed to plead guilty. Actress Felicity Huffman pleaded guilty last week. The Assam Government issues an order around this time of the year regarding certain directives over fishing, but in reality the picture painted is totally opposite. It has become a customary practice of the Directorate of Fisheries banning fishing during the breeding season. This year also, the Fisheries Department has issued guidelines to the district fishery development officers particularly in the districts of Barpeta, Cachar, Hailakandi, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Sonitpur, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Nagaon, Morigaon, Kamrup, Nalbari, Bongaigaon, Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, Udalguri, Chirang, Dhubri, Goalpara, Darrang, Baksa, Kokrajhar and Karimganj. As per the directives under the Assam Fishery Rules, 1953, there are prohibitions over use of Borjal/Mahajal or Fasijal or any type of nets with meshes less than seven cm/14 cm during breeding season. Moreover, there is prohibition on catching of brood fish of certain species in any fishery. There is also prohibition of catching and killing by any method, of fish for any purpose including consumption and selling of undersized fish of certain species during this period. These are aimed at ensuing natural breeding, propagation and growth of fish in all fisheries and natural water bodies. However, all these remain in papers and rampant fishing goes on in every nook and corners of the State every year. The images tell it all. Local markets and make-shift shops mushrooming across the State openly sell fishes with eggs during breeding season across the State under the very nose of the administration. But on the contrary, the neighbouring country of Bangladesh has come up with strict measures to ensure breeding of fish. Bangladesh has banned fishing off its coast for 65 days from May 20 till July 23 to try and boost depleted fish stocks. During this period all types of fishing vessels would be covered by the ban and coast guards have been specifically directed to enforce it along Bay of Bengal. Bangladesh is known for its fish exports, especially the king of all fishes the majestic Hilsa. There were times when the famed Hilsa of river Padma after its breeding season in the Bay of Bengal even came downstream to Assam particularly to Morigaon and Mangaldai. But over the years due to reckless fishing, the production of Hilsa in Bangladesh has depleted in enormous proportion. There were short-term bans on commercial fishing in the past in the nieghbouring country, but this is the first time that all fishing boats, including local fishermen, have been banned for a lengthy period. It is about time that the Assam Government too come up with stringent measures to ensure that ban on fishing during breeding season is implemented in reality to save various local species of fishes in the State. The Naga Hoho and the Naga Students Federation (NSF) on Tuesday called for immediate cessation of military action against the Nagas in Myanmar. The Tatmadaw (Myanmar army) launched flush out operation against the NSCN (Khaplang) in Myanmar on May 16. In a release issued by its communication cell, the Naga Hoho said it was highly perturbed and shocked by the news of indiscriminate and unprovoked military operations being carried out in the Naga areas of Myanmar by the military junta. It is further alarming to note that the ongoing operations are being conducted in coordination with Indian security forces, the Naga Hoho said. Condemning the attack on NSCN (K) in the Konyak region of the eastern Naga area in Myanmar, the Naga Hoho urged the joint military forces of both India and Myanmar for immediate cessation of the ongoing military action against the Nagas. It said while attempts are on in both Myanmar and India for an honourable settlement of the Indo-Naga political problem for the Nagas, the governments of the two countries have time and again exhibited actions not befitting their official policy and assurances. The Naga Hoho sought to remind the Myanmar government that the Nagas in the Naga self-administered zone have been allegedly subjected to untold suffering due to the discriminatory policies of the state recently. The Myanmar government, at the behest of the military, has imposed unwarranted and arbitrary sanctions, fund cuts and disruption of essential supplies, it alleged. It said the situation snowballed into a humanitarian crisis in 2016 when scores of children died due to outbreak of measles. In March 2019, 10 Naga leaders were arrested by the military junta inspite of the fact that they were on a mission to lay the groundwork for a peace process between the Nagas and the Myanmar government, it allaged. The Naga Hoho said the 10 Naga leaders are languishing in jail since then. It condemned such arbitrary and treacherous act of the Myanmar government against the Nagas. It also cautioned that such unbridled and indiscriminate military action has the potential to result in a widespread Naga uprising, a conflagration which should and must be avoided. It further urged the United Nations and the Democratic Front of Myanmar to join hands in condemning this inhumane arm conflicts and also called for a saner voice so that peace could be brokered with sensible dialogue and love for humanity. The NSF said this kind of military offensive by the Tatmadaw was in total violation and a mockery to the 2012 ceasefire agreement between the Myanmar government and the Nagas. Such war kind of situation only renders the innocent villagers and public at the receiving end and they are made to bear the brunt of the standoff, the NSF in a release issued by its president Kesosul Christopher Ltu and general secretary Imtiyapang Imsong said. The federation also questioned the role of the Indian armed forces in the Tatmadaws operation in the so-called international boundary between India and Myanmar. It called upon the Tatmadaw and the NSCN (K) to immediately stop military confrontation and solve the matter amicably through dialogue in the interest of the people. The federation also appealed to the international community to condemn such act of war. 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Ex-President Kocharyan on international communitys disproportionate reactions: Does Armenia want that not to happen? Robert Kocharyan: If West-Russia relations escalate further, this may cause harm to Armenia Cavusoglu says Armenia-Turkish's representatives 1st meeting to be held in Moscow Armenia 2nd President: These authorities will throw Karabakh issue into Russias 'pockets' Magnitude 5.2 earthquake hits Iran Armenia ex-President Kocharyan on reopening railway link: We will have only 45 km via Meghri for transit Armenia 2nd President: These authorities serve foreign interests on Artsakh issue Ex-President Kocharyan to incumbent Armenia authorities: You have fulfilled all preconditions of Turkey Ibrahim Kalin: Armenia-Turkey process will destroy arguments of Armenian diaspora in US Zas assesses situation on border of Armenia and Azerbaijan Armenia 2nd President on Meghri option: Azerbaijan president refused to sign at last moment in Key West Kocharyan: Armenia has washed its hands of Karabakh Armenia 2nd President: We continue losing propaganda war to country where power is hereditary Copper is getting cheaper UN Secretary General Guterres urges to prepare for a new pandemic Opposition MP: Armenia authorities attempting to create internal political crisis in Artsakh Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: We lost control not only over those 40-45 km but over ten times larger areas 59 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia At least 13 people killed in Bolivia floods Armenia 2nd President Kocharyans year-end press conference World oil prices fluctuate Armenia premier: Discussions that followed my interview on Karabakh peace process revealed some falsifications Armenia ex-President Kocharyan to hold year-end press conference today starting at 11am Russian peacekeepers ensure entry of about a thousand vehicles into Nagorno-Karabakh Researchers report aurora borealis at equator Armenia PM Pashinyan will rule for another 10 years if opposition does nothing, says political scientist Peskov labels topic of NATO's security guarantees as 'a matter of life and death' for Russia Armenian political party: Artsakh can never be a part of Azerbaijan, no govt can subordinate will of people Armenia PM responds to criticism from Karabakh officials in regard to his statements Armenia and Karabakh Ombudspersons issue statement on Nikol Pashinyan's statements Karabakh President responds to Armenia PM Nikol Pashinyan Taliban advise US to not interfere in Afghanistan's domestic affairs Karabakh Parliament Speaker: We are in a sad situation, sirs Armenia opposition MP: Nikol stole from Karabakh-Armenians their small homeland, did he steal their dignity too? 2 more persons die of coronavirus in Karabakh Armenia opposition MP on Pashinyan's recent statements on Artsakh and Karabakh legislature's upcoming session Turkish drone strikes Kurds' Kobani in Syria - mass media Karabakh Parliament to convene special session for adoption of statement 102 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Stoltenberg wishes to convene session of NATO-Russia Council on Jan. 12 - mass media 2 earthquakes hit coasts of Kamchatka Peninsula in one hour Armenian President congratulates Justin Trudeau Macron calls launch of the James Webb telescope a historic event Iran closes land border with neighboring countries due to omicron strain Ariane successfully launches with latest James Webb telescope Turkey and Azerbaijan Foreign Ministers discuss situation in South Caucasus Pashinyan congratulates Trudeau on his anniversary Flight to Yerevan cancelled due to plane engine fire Yerevan ex-mayor Marutyan submits letter of resignation from his city council seat Artsakh Prosecutor's Office: Chartar village resident killed by long-range shot by Azerbaijan 4 dead after Sri Lanka policeman opens fire on fellow officers Newly appointed Yerevan mayor takes oath of office At least 16 people die after boat full of migrants capsizes off Greece coast of Amirabdollahian: Iran Azerbaijan charted roadmap to further enhance ties Christmas Eve does not pass without incident for Biden 118 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia New mayor of Yerevan to swear in today Huge ichthyosaur fossil reveals new theories about evolution speed Rare walking fish spotted off Tasmania coast for first time in 22 years Rice-sized microchip placed under skin can become Covid vaccination passport Thailand authorities seize $30M of crystal methamphetamine hidden in boxing punch bags Newspaper: No contract signed with any lobbying organization since Makunts appointment as ambassador to US Newspaper: Armenia ex-President Kocharyan to also hold press conference Newspaper: Armenia authorities instruct but investigative body can no longer continue 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 YEREVAN. Eighteen MPs from the opposition Prosperous Armenia faction at the National Assembly (NA) also have joined the signature campaign which the NA opposition Bright Armenia faction has launched in order to convene a special session of parliament. Prosperous Armenia Party spokesperson Aren Petunc told this to Armenian News-NEWS.am. He added that, according to the agreement reached with the NA ruling majority My Step faction, the special session will kick off Wednesday at 11am. The Bright Armenia faction on Monday proposed to convene a special parliamentary session and debate on the current situation in Armenia as a result of the blockage of the countrys court buildings by the peopleand on the basis of a statement issued by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyanand the latters statement on the chances of and prospects for implementing judiciary reforms. By the directive of Nikol Pashinyan, people blocked the entrances and exits of all the courts in Armenia on Monday morning. In the afternoon, the PM held a consultation at the government, and in connection with the present-day situation in the judicial system of Armenia, and said the time has come to carry out a surgical intervention in this system. Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos urged the EU not to allow the tyranny of Turkey in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Cyprus amid Ankaras plans to conduct exploration using the Fatih drilling ship sent there, said the Greek President at a meeting held on Monday evening with the EUs main negotiator for Brexit, Michel Barnier. Pavlopoulos thanked Barnier for his position on the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus and, in particular, on the issue of the EEZ of Cyprus. In turn, Barnier, referring to his visit to Cyprus and the meetings held there on Monday, said that he agreed with Cyprus regarding the arbitrariness of Turkey in the Cyprus EEZ Ankara, challenging the boundaries of the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus, sent its Fatih drilling vessel to the Cyprus EEZ on May 4. Turkey claims that the drilling will last for four months, and threatens to send a second drilling ship to this area. The Greek Foreign Ministry demanded Ankara to withdraw Fatih from the waters of Cyprus and stressed that it maintains constant communication and coordination with the Republic of Cyprus, its EU partners and allies regarding follow-up actions. Large natural gas deposits have been found on the shelf and in the Cyprus EEZ. In 2011, the American company Noble Energy discovered, the Aphrodite deposit, whose reserves are estimated at about 140 billion cubic meters. Foreign leaders want US presidential elections next year to be won by the country's former vice president, Democrat Joseph Biden, the US President Donald Trump said. "He announced hes running for president and he said its because foreign leaders called him up and begged him to do it," Trump said. "Absolutely. Foreign countries liked it much better. Thats what they want. They want Biden so that China can continue to make 500 billion a year and more, ripping off the Untied States, The Hill reported quoting Trump. During the speech, Trump also jokingly suggested to spend five terms as the US president. The start of the US election campaign is scheduled for February 2020. On February 3, in Iowa, a meeting of party activists will be held, at which they will elect delegates, first to the local party conferences of the Democratic Party, then to the state conference and the national congress. On February 11, in the state of New Hampshire, the first primary elections in the country will take place, which differ from election meetings in that they elect delegates to the national convention on July 13-16, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where the name Trump's rival in the fight for the presidency. Another difference in the meetings of party activists from the primary elections is that the former are organized by the local branches of the parties, and the latter by the election commissions of the individual states. Republicans will hold their election congress from August 24 to August 27, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The 59th US presidential election will be held November 3, 2020. The Public Council of Armenia held today a special session to discuss the current state of the judiciary in Armenia. The members of the Council touched upon Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyans call to close the entrances to and exits from all courts of Armenia and expressed different opinions, yet many expressed their concerns about this, stating that this working style doesnt derive from the principles of building a legal state and solving problems exclusively within the scope of law. President of the Public Council Vazgen Manukyan expressed his opinion on Pashinyans call and the events that followed and particularly said the following: This situation can be very dangerous for our country. In all countries, the judiciary serves the law and must be independent from the legislative and executive branches of power and must only be guided by law. Yes, the state of the judiciary in Armenia is troubling, and of course, there is a need for reforms. In this sense, the Supreme Judicial Council has wide powers, and those problems can be solved without vetting or transitional justice. The President of the Public Council also expressed his opinion on transitional justice, stating that there are no appropriate preconditions for that in Armenia and that it will have a greater negative impact on Armenias international reputation. Summing up the discussion, the Public Council decided to closely follow the process of judicial reforms that the Government and the National Assembly of Armenia have undertaken and use the platform of the Public Council to organize discussions with experts and professionals and express positions and make recommendations to the government following those discussions. Armenian Justice Minister Artak Zeynalyan told reporters on Tuesday he is not familiar with the content of the complaint against the courts decision to suspend the case against the second President Robert Kocharyan and others and refer the case to the Constitutional Court. Zeynalyan is not going to express an opinion also on the Prime Ministers call to block the courts. Here it is necessary to separate legal and political processes. It was a political process, and I will not rush to the assessment. The time will come, and I will give an assessment, he said. Asked to comment on the vetting against Pashinyans claim against judges, the Minister stated that there are a large number of problems in the judicial system that need to be resolved as soon as possible. Vetting is not used for the first time. At the moment, it is used in Albania at the call of European structures. This right received a positive opinion from the Venice Commission. There are three criteria for vetting. It will be carried out impartially, without concentrating on someone, Zeynalyan noted. Asked to comment whether it was not possible to ensure the transparent activities of judges with the help of existing tools, the Minister said that "there was a need, and orders and disciplinary proceedings would be combined with the vetting". The minister dispelled the fear that the vetting could become an instrument for dismissing unsuitable judges: This is not directed against the judges appointed by the previous authorities, and we will do everything to dispel doubts in the law. Earlier, the current Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said as a measure to ensure the fair work of the judges. Upon a court decision, the proceedings of the case over second President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan, former Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Armen Gevorgyan, former Minister of Defense of Armenia Seyran Ohanyan and ex-CSTO chief Yuri Khachaturov have been suspended and forwarded to the Constitutional Court. According to the attorney, the court most likely addressed the Constitutional Court on the ground of establishing the constitutionality of Article 301.1 of the Criminal Court (overthrow of constitutional order) charged against Kocharyan and the others. The court can render such a decision before preparing the case for a trial. President of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan met with deputies of the My Step faction of the National Assembly of Armenia on Monday evening. Speaking after the meeting, the Artsakh president said they had touched upon almost all the issues. The President of Artsakh also stated that the deputies questions were frank and honest and that he tried to answer those questions frankly as well. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Armenia on May 25-26, Armenian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Anna Naghdalyan told reporters on Tuesday. According to her, two international deals and one non-international deal are expected to be signed during the visit. Co-rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) for the monitoring of Armenia said political stakeholders must refrain from actions and statements that could be perceived as exerting pressure on the judiciary. Their statement came after Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan's call to block courts. However, they recognised that the reaction of the public to this court decision underscored the still low level of public trust in the judiciary. The monitors said judicial reforms remain a priority and welcomed Pashinyan's stated desire for far-reaching reform of the judicial system. Arsenal midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan will not take part in the Europa League final against Chelsea, which will be held on May 29 in Baku, Arsenal said in a statement. We have thoroughly explored all the options for Micki to be part of the squad but after discussing this with Micki and his family we have collectively agreed he will not be in our travelling party. We have written to Uefa expressing our deep concerns about this situation. Micki has been a key player in our run to the final so this is a big loss for us from a team perspective, the statement reads. On May 21, in the presence of Head of the State Revenue Committee of Armenia Davit Ananyan and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Italy to Armenia, Deputy Director of the Italian Revenue Agency Paolo Barbantini and Deputy Head of the State Revenue Committee of Armenia Mikayel Pashayan signed a Memorandum of Mutual Understanding on providing technical assistance to the State Revenue Committee within the scope of the Tax Inspectors Without Borders Program, reports the Department of Information and Public Relations of the State Revenue Committee of Armenia. Head of the State Revenue Committee Davit Ananyan attached importance to the cooperation between the two countries and stated that active partnership with tax services of leading countries is one of the key directions of the Committees strategy. Barbantini said the Italian Revenue Agency will be transferring Italys experience in 3 main sectors, including transfer pricing, aggressive tax planning and criminal investigation. Practical support is the best path to build the capacities of tax services. I believe modern tax service must be able to fight against tax evasion, but also help taxpayers who are willing to fulfill their tax obligations. Consequently, it is important to show a balanced approach to all taxpayers, Barbantini highlighted. Italy is highly developed in the sphere of disclosure of economic crimes. Consequently, we expect close and ongoing cooperation with the Italian partners who, in their turn, have expressed the desire to become familiar with the experience of the State Revenue Committee of Armenia in regard to the electronic governance system, Deputy Head of the State Revenue Committee Mikayel Pashayan stated. Working discussions with the relevant subdivisions of the State Revenue Committee and interested departments (based on sector-specific peculiarities) will be launched on May 22. The Prosecutor Generals Office of Armenia has examined the decision on suspending the case of Robert Kocharyan and other ex-officials and forwarding it to the Constitutional Court and is currently preparing to appeal to the Court of Appeals of Armenia. This is what Advisor to the Prosecutor General of Armenia Gor Abrahamyan wrote on his Facebook page. To clarify, I would like to inform that, within the meaning of point 10.1 of Article 6 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Armenia, the courts decision on suspending the criminal case proceedings is a judicial act that doesnt resolve the case on the merits. Despite the fact that, according to the Code, the judicial act of the first instance court not resolving the case on the merits shall enter into force from the moment of suspension, according to the Code, the decisions of the first instance courts on suspending case proceedings shall be subject to appeal through the procedure of appeal. Within this meaning, filing an appeal against a judicial act rendered by the Yerevan first instance court of general jurisdiction in regard to suspension of the criminal case proceedings in relation to the events that took place on March 1-2, 2008 separated and forwarded to the court and on appealing to the Constitutional Court, is lawful. The Prosecutor Generals Office of Armenia has examined the specified judicial act and is currently preparing to file an appeal against the judicial act to the Court of Appeals of Armenia, the post reads. On May 20, upon the decision of Judge of Yerevan court of general jurisdiction Davit Grigoryan, the proceedings of the case over second President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan, former Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Armen Gevorgyan, former Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan and former Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization Yuri Khachaturov were suspended and forwarded to the Constitutional Court. The European Union parliamentary elections this week give new urgency to finding an answer to the question of what is driving populist success in modern politics. Is there a distinct set of issues that explains the rise of populist parties and figures? What outside forces are exacerbating the trends we see in European politics, where populist parties have tripled their vote share in the last decade? The bifurcated nature of populism (rising from both the right and left extremes of the political spectrum) makes it seem even more difficult to point to one factor that is driving this uptick in the popularity of populist political agendas. For example, the economic situation in Germany is entirely different from that of Greece, but both countries have seen a substantial rise in the political success of populist parties. Another issue often cited as a contributing factor to the rise in populist parties -- immigration -- also varies wildly among European countries. France has a large immigrant population, while Hungary and Poland have relatively smaller foreign-born populations despite the xenophobic fear-mongering that populist parties in those countries rely on to bolster their political success. Despite some good research that drew parallels between unemployment and support for populist parties a few years ago, that connection does not seem to have borne out. The EU reported in February that EU-wide unemployment was at a mere 6.5%, the lowest it has ever been reported since they started to release monthly data back in 2000. Interestingly enough, when we compare the most recent years' worth of Gallup polling data across the European Union (2010-2018), neither economic data nor institutional trust tracks with populism. Rather, it is the decline in perceived press freedom. Gallup data show that the percentage of the population that says their media have enough freedom drops as populism rises or takes a stronger hold. Looking at the charts below, we can see that the perspectives on media freedom in key countries such as the United Kingdom, Spain, Poland, Greece, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Hungary have changed dramatically. This connection between the poll data on a diminishing free press and the rise of populism also tracks with the observations of NGOs such as Reporters Without Borders and Freedom House, both of which have shown that there is substantial reduction in press freedom in many of the European countries seeing a surge in populist party success at the ballot. Europe, as a whole, has seen a marked decrease in press freedom, which is part of a worrying global trend. The dynamics, however, go deeper than this crucial balance between press freedom and populism. Three factors deepen the concern observers have over how the change in press freedom is fueling populist success: a surge in media consolidation, the spread of unprofessional social media as the primary news source for most voters, and the deliberate actions of outside state and non-state actors that are attempting to direct public opinion in support of their own agendas. While media consolidation is often driven by economic competition, the consolidation of media in Europe for political purposes has taken on a troubling dimension. Many European political leaders and parties have followed in the footsteps of Silvio Berlusconi and his ilk by consolidating and controlling the major media houses in their countries. The trend toward major media sources being controlled by the same figures that they are supposed to be covering has cast a chill on objective reporting. Further exacerbating this muzzling of the free and professional press are the changes in habits and technology -- the rise of "Facebook news" means that in many cases the majority of voters get their news from social media, and few of them bother to check on the veracity of that news. Political propagandists across the spectrum have seized on this change in news consumption to produce their own narratives, such as we saw just last month in the various Whatsapp-driven misinformation campaigns around the Spanish election. Perhaps most troubling is the bad actors who have seized on these changes to manipulate the direction of the European political discourse. Russia has been waging a deliberate and consistent campaign to destabilize European politics and provides active support to populist parties such as the AfD in Germany. A weakened and divided EU (and NATO) are less apt to respond to Russian escapades in Ukraine or the Caucuses, and instability also opens windows for Russia to sidestep attempted sanctions. Russia is not alone in manipulating voter sentiment -- China is active as well, as are terrorist organizations and groups espousing hate and xenophobia. Why is this relevant across the Atlantic? First, the trends we see in Europe are echoed in our own society -- press freedom is down, reliance on social media for the news is up at the expense of printed media, and yes -- foreign agencies are attempting to impact our election process. Additionally, as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of D-Day next month, American society must take notice that many of the same trends (economic nationalism, press-repressive regimes and increasing populism) that preceded the last major war in Europe are once again present. As the head of a consulting firm that advises American business clients on the political risk of overseas investments, these trends are worrisome. Populist parties are renowned for scapegoating foreign companies and "outside influence" when facing domestic political pressure. We've seen this manifest dramatically in Turkey, Hungary and in Russia with the arrest of Michael Calvey earlier this year. What we see in Europe's parliamentary elections this month could be what awaits the U.S. in the next year as we approach our presidential election. Perhaps we can breathe a small sigh of relief that the Gallup figures on perceived press freedom in the U.S. are essentially unchanged over the last decade, but the increased social media use and outside manipulation of voter sentiment are similar to what we see in Europe. Despite the polling data, expert opinion on press freedom is adjudged to have continued a multi-year decline in the United States. The European parliament elections will be a global litmus test to see whether populism's march will continue unabated, or whether voters (and governments) are able to fight off manipulation and misinformation. Kirk Samson is the head of Samson Atlantic -- a political risk consultancy -- and a staff member at Northwestern University. Proposals to reform the way in which Americans get healthcare have been a part of the political environment for decades, going back as far as the Theodore Roosevelt administration. Presidents as different as Harry Truman, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama all tried to introduce major healthcare reforms, with only the latter making significant progress. This year, many of the 23 Democratic presidential candidates are following the lead of Sen. Bernie Sanders in proposing a government-run healthcare system, and most of the others are pushing for some other type of major healthcare reform. Just as strongly, Republicans are attempting to dismantle the 2010 Affordable Care Act and promise a healthcare reform plan of their own. Healthcare is clearly a complex and often mysterious part of most Americans' lives, and public opinion on the issue reflects this underlying messiness and complexity. Americans have mixed views about almost all aspects of the healthcare system and clearly have not yet come to a firm collective judgment on suggested reforms. Americans' Reactions to Healthcare Reform Proposals The data show no clear consensus on the part of the American public about instituting a fully government-run healthcare system. Survey questions have asked about the issue using a variety of different ways to explain the system, and the results reflect a public whose opinions defy easy categorization. Gallup has for many years asked Americans to choose between "a government-run healthcare system" or "a system based mostly on private health insurance." In our latest update, 40% chose the government-run system, and 54% the private one. A recent Quinnipiac poll found Americans were lukewarm when asked about the idea of "removing the current healthcare system and replacing it with a single-payer system, in which the federal government would expand Medicare to cover the medical expenses of every American citizen." About as many were opposed as in favor. In contrast, the Kaiser Family Foundation's April healthcare tracking poll asked respondents about "a national health plan, sometimes called Medicare for All, in which all Americans would get their insurance from a single government plan" and found essentially the opposite of Gallup's "government-run healthcare system" results -- 56% favor the Medicare for All plan in the Kaiser poll, compared with 38% opposed. (But Kaiser's research has also found a significant diminution in support when respondents were reminded of certain consequences of a Medicare for All plan, including the possible need to eliminate private insurance companies.) Other poll questions that don't mention the elimination of the current system or give a private system as an explicit alternative also find majority support for a government health plan. A recent Monmouth University poll found 58% favoring a "universal healthcare system in America." A CNN poll in January and early February found 54% support for the idea that the "government should provide a national health insurance program for all Americans, even if this would require higher taxes." An online poll conducted for RealClear Opinion Research showed 65% support for "Medicare for All, which is a system where all Americans, not just older ones, get health insurance through the government's Medicare system." And a Reuters/Ipsos poll in 2018 showed that "a policy of Medicare for All" received 70% support. What these results tell me is that Americans have a basic willingness to consider the idea of an expansive government-run health system -- particularly if it is seen as an extension of the existing Medicare program. But that support appears to be contingent on addressing underlying concerns about the implications of a new system for existing private healthcare coverage. Americans Generally Satisfied With Personal Healthcare Proponents pushing for a new healthcare system assume that the current system is fraught with problems and that it is untenable in the long run. But we don't find support for that assumption in the existing public opinion data when Americans are asked about their personal healthcare. Most importantly, Americans tend to be satisfied with their current healthcare, suggesting no real personal crisis that might nudge the public to demand healthcare reform. Eight in 10 Americans rate the quality of their healthcare as excellent or good, and 69% are satisfied with their healthcare coverage. A majority even say they are satisfied with the total costs they pay for healthcare (although two-thirds say those costs have gone up over the past year). There is, however, a segment of Americans for whom costs are powerfully important; 29% say they have put off medical treatment because of costs, including 19% who say the postponed condition was a serious one. A quarter of Americans say they are very worried about not being able to pay normal healthcare costs, and 30% say they are very worried about not being able to pay medical costs of a serious illness or accident. Additionally, Americans report higher levels of concern when asked to project to certain problematic health-related situations in the future. Between 42% and 46% say they have major concerns as they look ahead over the next few years about being denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition, going without healthcare coverage for them or a member of their family, or not having enough money to pay for medical or healthcare. And a larger 61% of Americans say that having higher premiums or having to pay a higher portion of their medical expenses is a major concern over the next few years. Plus, a Gallup survey conducted with West Health recently showed significant concern among Americans about the possibility of healthcare causing bankruptcy in their future. Overall, then, it appears that most Americans' personal healthcare situations are not dire, but many Americans appear to have latent or bubbling-under concerns about healthcare in the future. And, even though we can talk in terms of majority satisfaction with personal healthcare, it's important to remain aware that healthcare costs and access appear to be real, immediate problems for a substantial minority of Americans. Views of the Healthcare Situation Nationally Less Positive When asked to project to the national healthcare system, Americans -- no doubt in large part reflecting what they read and see in the news media -- have higher concerns than they do about their own personal healthcare situations. This is not uncommon; Americans typically are less positive when asked to assess a national situation than a local one. Some 55% of Americans say they worry a great deal about the availability and affordability of healthcare -- making healthcare the top concern among a list of 15 big-picture problems in a recent Gallup update. Plus, a separate Gallup survey shows that less than a third of Americans are satisfied with the availability of affordable healthcare, putting it fourth from the bottom in a list of 22 areas tested in a January survey. Only 34% of Americans rate "healthcare coverage in this country" as excellent or good, and just 20% say they are satisfied with the "total cost of healthcare in this country." Not surprisingly, when asked to name the most urgent healthcare problem facing the nation, cost and access are the two most frequently mentioned problems. But again, the picture is mixed. A majority of Americans (55%) rate the quality of healthcare in this country as excellent or good. Only a small 7% of Americans mention healthcare as the most important problem facing the nation, well behind the much higher percentages who named health issues as the top problem in the mid-1990s, in 2010 and in 2017. And, given a set of four choices, just 15% of Americans say that healthcare is in a state of crisis in this country, while the majority of 55% say it has "major problems" (most of the rest say it has minor problems; very few say it has no problems at all). As I run through these numbers, I come away with a portrait of an American public perceiving that some of the U.S. healthcare system's dimensions are working much better than others. But, again, there is little sense that Americans, at this point, see the nation's healthcare system as untenable or on the verge of collapse. Bottom Line: The Future Viability of Healthcare Reform Americans do not dismiss the idea of major healthcare reform out of hand. Simple descriptions of a new system that would extend Medicare to all Americans play well with the public. At the same time, reminders that this new system would eliminate private insurance plans make the idea much less palatable. Proponents of healthcare reform can argue from two positions. One is personal -- the idea that the country needs a new healthcare system because the current processes are unwieldy and costly, and that health costs have the potential to cause Americans financial disaster and/or leave them without healthcare coverage. This positioning plays best when the emphasis is on the future; arguing that Americans' current healthcare quality and coverage are deficient would appear to have a lower probability of success. The second positioning is based on charity toward others -- the idea that a significant percentage of Americans currently are in a precarious situation in regard to healthcare, and that decency demands a reformed system that remedies this situation for the underserved and the unfortunate. Bernie Sanders has emphasized this second approach in his continuing efforts to convince Americans they need a government-run healthcare system, urging that the U.S. join "every other major country on Earth and guaranteeing healthcare to all people as a right, not a privilege, through a Medicare for All, single-payer program." Supporting this approach are the findings that Americans appear to recognize problems with the national system, and tend to agree that the government should ensure that all Americans have the chance to get healthcare (separate from a government-run system). Underlying these public attitudes is a list of concerns not adequately encapsulated in survey research to date, and that will continue to be emphasized by opponents of a government-run system. These issues include the negative image of the government in the eyes of the public, suggesting trepidation about giving the government control over a huge part of the economy; decisions on who will pay the costs of a government-run system; a possible loss of individuals' ability to choose their doctors; increasing waiting time for appointments, particularly with specialists; the termination of employment of millions who work for the private healthcare bureaucracy; reduced compensation for doctors and hospitals with the concomitant possibility of a lowered quality of service; and a possible reduction in the level of healthcare competition and innovation. The United Nations' goal of ending AIDS around the world by 2030 is undeniably ambitious, but within tantalizing reach. Thanks to medications that suppress the once-fatal human immunodeficiency virus and prevent its transmission, new infections have dropped by nearly 50 percent over the past two decades. Yet in 2017, Miami held the dubious distinction of being No. 1 in the nation for new HIV cases, with a rate nearly four times the national average. Why is not a big mystery to behavioral and social scientists at the University of Miami, who were recently awarded a four-year $3.32 million grant by the National Institute of Mental Health to establish a developmental AIDS Research Center to promote research aimed at curbing the local epidemic. As Steven Safren, principal investigator on the grant and director of the new Center for HIV and Research in Mental Health, or CHARM, notes, controlling Greater Miamis HIV/AIDS epidemic will not happen without addressing the mental and minority health disparities that help perpetuate the disease todaydisparities that most affect the poor and marginalized, and the racial, sexual, gender, and ethnic minorities who live in view of the areas gleaming new condos and sun-splashed beaches. HIV is different today than it was when it first started, largely among gay men, said Safren, a professor of psychology who also heads CHARMs administrative core. Although men who have sex with men still comprise the majority of individuals living with HIV, it is now largely a disease of big-city poor and intertwined with behavioral health issues, like depression, problematic substance abuse, traumatic stress, stigmas, discriminationall the things that make it very hard for a lot of people to access treatment, to stay in treatment, and to get the best benefit from treatment. Under ideal circumstances, every person infected with HIV would be promptly diagnosed and immediately start taking the antiretroviral therapy (ART) that would reduce their viral load to an undetectable level. That would not only keep them healthy, but would eliminate their risk of passing on the disease, either through sexual contact or sharing used needles, that has killed more than 34 million people around the world since the first U.S. cases were diagnosed in 1981. But adhering to a daily drug regimen often isnt a priority or even possible for people living with HIV who worry about their next meal or a place to sleep, who have no way to get to the lone pharmacy that provides free medications, who battle unrelenting depression or struggle with substance use, who are traumatized by violence or sexual abuse, or who are cast aside because they are gay, transgender, dark-skinned, or from another culture and speak another language. When effective medication was discovered for HIV, the assumption was, OK, people are going to get it and take it, and were going to be done, said Sannisha Dale, assistant professor of psychology and CHARMs scientific director for community engagement. But there was no attention being paid to the mental and psychosocial factors that would impact people gaining access to treatment, getting their meds, and staying on them. And we scientists didnt do a very good job of engaging with the community experts on the ground. Though administered through the College of Arts and Sciences, CHARM is a cross-campus collaboration, encompassing faculty from multiple schools and complementing the Miller School of Medicines Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), which the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases first funded as a developmental center in 2007. Transitioning to a full-fledged center in 2012, the CFAR has been refunded through 2022, and focuses primarily on biomedical research aimed at ending HIV/AIDS. Safren, who joined UM in 2015 after founding and leading the behavioral and social sciences core at Harvard Universitys CFAR, and his CHARM co-directors, the Miller Schools Daniel Feaster, professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences, and Deborah Jones Weiss, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, hope CHARM will follow suit. By creating a research infrastructure that will not only help curb Miamis epidemic but be applicable to other under-resourced settings coping with uncontrolled epidemics, they believe CHARM will earn full-fledged center status after its four-year developmental period. Although CHARM is the NIMHs seventh AIDS Research Center, it is the first in the South, the U.S. region hardest hit by HIV/AIDS. Like Miami, the South has many pockets that lack sufficient resources or face significant barriers to fight the epidemic with the existing tools that could, in theory, eliminate AIDS by 2030. Thats the goal the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS adopted in 2014, and that President Donald Trump embraced in his last State of the Union address. As it stands today, Miami in particular, and South Florida in general, will not meet even the U.N.s interim goal for 2020. Known as the 90-90-90 goal, it calls for 90 percent of all people living with HIV to know their status; 90 percent of those who know their status to be on ART; and 90 percent of those on ART to have suppressed viral loads, making their disease noncommunicable. As of 2017, of the 87 percent of the people living with HIV (noted as PLHIV in the chart below) in Miami-Dade County who knew their diagnosis, only 64 percent of them were on treatment, and only 58 percent of them were virally suppressed. Yet, as Safren noted, the Miami-Dade County Health Department has far fewer resources dedicated specifically to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment than health departments in cities like Boston, New York, and San Francisco, which have seen significant reductions in their rates of new HIV infections. The lack of such resources are among the structural barriers that, by working with state and community partners, CHARM investigators hope to resolve. Theyre also gearing up to support and catalyze the high-impact research needed to develop prevention and care programs for the most challenging and vulnerable populations. In addition to the administrative core, which will be the hub for community engagement activities that are central to the centers mission, CHARM has three other cores: a developmental core, and two unique research cores. The Developmental Core, which will award funding for pilot studies to early-career investigators, is designed to support and mentor UMs growing cadre of behavioral health-related HIV/AIDS researchers. Led by Adam Carrico, associate professor of public health sciences and psychology who has conducted significant research on people living with HIV and substance use disorders, and the Department of Medicines Allan Rodriguez and Maria Alcaide, the core aims to award at least two grants a year to UM investigators engaging in research with community collaborations. The Methods Core, led by Feaster, who has more than 30 years experience as a biobehaviorial statistician, and the Department of Public Health Sciences Raymond Balise, will help researchers design, implement, and analyze their studies. Led by Jones Weiss and the School of Nursing and Health Studies Victoria Mitrani, the Mental Health Disparities Core will train researchers to pursue the kind of culturally competent, theory-driven approaches, tools, and interventions that address the mental health disparities among the diverse populations living with or at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS in South Florida. The fact is one size does not fit all, said Jones Weiss, who has been conducting AIDS-related research around the world for more than three decades. We have to be sensitive, knowledgeable, and respectful of racial and ethnic perspectives. Otherwise we will not connect to the people we want to help. But if were successful, we can put ourselves out of this job and that would be a true success. For information on CHARM, contact Paco Castellon, director of research support, at pcastellon@med.miami.edu or 305-243-0987. 1770 Chestnut Place. | Photos: Zumper Curious just how far your dollar goes in LoDo? According to Walk Score, this Denver neighborhood is very walkable, is a "biker's paradise" and boasts excellent transit options. Data from rental site Zumper shows that the median rent for a one bedroom in Union Station is currently hovering around $2,195. So, what might you expect to find if you're on a budget of $1,700/month? 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. 1920 17th St. Here's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom located at 1920 17th St. It's listed for $1,660/month for its 569 square feet of space. In the unit, there are hardwood floors, a dishwasher, in-unit laundry, a balcony and a walk-in closet. Building amenities include a business center, a fitness center, a swimming pool, garage parking and on-site management. Pet lovers are in luck: cats and dogs are allowed. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. (Take a gander at the complete listing here.) 1650 Wewatta St. Next, here's a 495-square-foot studio at 1650 Wewatta St. that's going for $1,640/month. In the unit, you'll get hardwood floors, a dishwasher, a balcony and a walk-in closet. The building features outdoor space, a swimming pool, a fitness center and a roof deck. When it comes to pets, both meows and barks are welcome. There isn't a leasing fee associated with this rental. (Take a look at the full listing here.) 1770 Chestnut Place Lastly, check out this 423-square-foot studio that's located at 1770 Chestnut Place. It's listed for $1,635/month. In the furnished unit, you'll have hardwood floors, a dishwasher, in-unit laundry and a balcony. The building boasts outdoor space, secured entry, a fitness center and a swimming pool. Luckily for pet owners, both dogs and cats are permitted. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. (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. (Adds details, context, pix) By Toby Sterling THE HAGUE, May 21 (Reuters) - A group of environmental activists tried to disrupt Royal Dutch Shell's annual shareholder meeting on Tuesday, calling for this year's gathering to be the company's last. Around 20 activists from Dutch environmental action group Code Rood (Code Red) dressed in red jumpsuits held up banners with the slogan "shut down fossil power" and jeered at passing shareholders as they stood outside the energy giant's meeting in the seaside town of Scheveningen near The Hague. Inside the venue a spokeswoman for Code Red, Talissa Soto, addressed the board, saying Shell's business cannot be reconciled with global warming and the only solution is for its business model "to become history." "We will tax you, regulate you, split you up... today you are witnessing the last-ever Shell AGM," she said. Shell CEO Ben van Beurden told the meeting that the company wanted to do the right thing, but the energy industry could not work alone. "Our company wants to be on the right side of history and we are doing everything that is needed, but we cannot do it alone and as a matter of fact even the entire energy industry cannot do it on its own," he said. "If we cannot do it together with customers, regulators, policymakers, its just not going to happen. That's why I think we have to all try to step up, rather than accusing, polarizing and using very unhelpful stances." The Anglo-Dutch company had drawn rare praise from investors and environmental activists in December when it set out plans to introduce industry-leading targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and link them to executive pay. But the activists on Tuesday said Shell invests too heavily in the extraction of fossil fuels, the use of which is blamed for carbon emissions that cause climate change. "Of the billions that Shell invests, more than 95% continues to go to the extraction of oil and gas," while shareholders "opted for short-term profit at the expense of people and the climate," Code Red said in a statement. It vowed to "escalate our actions by proactively targeting sites of decision and power of the fossil fuel industry." A number of protesters also tried to disrupt rival BP's annual shareholder meeting on Tuesday in Aberdeen, Scotland, shouting "this is a crime scene." (Reporting by Piroschka van de Wou and Toby Sterling; Writing by Anthony Deutsch; editing by Susan Fenton) (Adds detail) ATHENS, May 21 (Reuters) - Vandals on Tuesday hurled red paint at Greece's parliament, one of the most heavily guarded buildings in central Athens, before dispersing into nearby streets. The attack, days before a European Parliament election, lasted just a few minutes. A self-styled anarchist group claimed responsibility. There were several red stains on the facade of the parliament facing onto Syntagma Square, while the perpetrators, who were on foot, let off two smoke bombs, police officials said. Such attacks are common in Athens although rare against parliament. Earlier this month, attackers threw black paint at the walls encircling the U.S. ambassador's residence in Athens. That was claimed by the same anarchist group, protesting against the withholding of prison leave from a man convicted of being the hitman for Greece's deadliest guerrilla group, November 17. (Reporting by Renee Maltezou, Angeliki Kountantou and Michele Kambas; Editing by Alison Williams and Peter Graff) * Unrest comes ahead of AGM on Thursday * Achleitner's term expires in 2022 * Deutsche Bank declines to comment for bank or Achleitner (Adds details, background) FRANKFURT, May 21 (Reuters) - Some major investors in Deutsche Bank are demanding a succession plan for Chairman Paul Achleitner, two people with knowledge of the matter said on Tuesday, amid discontent with the bank's turnaround. Achleitner, whose term expires in 2022, is coming under pressure just days ahead of the bank's annual general meeting. The investors are calling for him to step down before the end of his term. A spokesman for Deutsche Bank declined to comment for the bank and on behalf of Achleitner. Achleitner's record of installing board members and overseeing the bank has been checkered, said one of the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The time has come for him to take responsibility, the person said. Deutsche Bank shares hit a record low on Monday and are down 36 percent since investors gathered for last year's meeting. Regulatory lapses and low profitability have weighed on the lender over the past year. Bloomberg reported earlier on Tuesday that there was increasing investor discontent with Achleitner. (Reporting by Tom Sims Editing by Michelle Martin) * PM to make fourth attempt to get deal through parliament * Offers sweeteners to Labour opposition, EU supporters * Corbyn says he cannot back the bill * Conservative Brexiteers unimpressed (Adds opposition to deal from former ministers Johnson and Raab) By William James and Elizabeth Piper LONDON, May 21 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Theresa May set out a "new deal" on Tuesday for Britain's departure from the European Union, offering sweeteners to parliament including the chance to vote on whether to hold a second referendum to try to break the impasse over Brexit. Three years after Britain voted to leave the EU and almost two months after the planned departure date, May is mounting a last effort to try to get the deeply divided parliament's backing for a divorce deal and leave office with some kind of legacy. The odds do not look good. May offered what she called "significant further changes" but many lawmakers, hardened in their positions, have already decided not to vote next month for the Withdrawal Agreement Bill, legislation that implements the terms of Britain's departure. Speaking at the headquarters of PricewaterhouseCoopers, May appealed to lawmakers to get behind her deal, offering the prospect of a possible second referendum on the agreement and closer trading arrangements with the EU as incentives. "I say with conviction to every MP or every party: I have compromised, now I ask you to compromise," she said. "We have been given a clear instruction by the people we are supposed to represent, so help me find a way to honor that instruction, move our country and our politics and build the better future that all of us want to see." By offering the possibility of holding a second vote on her deal and a compromise on customs arrangements, May hopes to win over opposition Labour lawmakers, whose votes she needs to overcome resistance in her own Conservative Party. But Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said his party could not vote for the Withdrawal Bill, describing May's new offer as "largely a rehash of the government's position" in talks with the opposition that broke down last week. Story continues The prime minister has also infuriated Brexit-supporting lawmakers, who have described a customs union with the EU as no Brexit at all. Several leading Conservative eurosceptics such as former Brexit minister David Davis and Jacob Rees-Mogg said they would not vote for the bill in early June. Former foreign minister Boris Johnson and ex Brexit minister Dominic Raab, who are the top two favorite choices among Conservative members to replace May according to an opinion poll published last week, also said they would oppose the deal. And Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party, which props up May's government, said the "fatal flaws" of her original deal remained. They fear the divorce deal could see Northern Ireland split from the rest of the United Kingdom. 'GIMMICK' May's movement towards what many describe as the "Remain" lawmakers, who want to stay in the EU, is a shift for a prime minister who has long said she is against a second referendum and staying in a customs union with the bloc. She may be counting on the fact that parliament - which would have to back any new referendum - has so far opposed any second public vote and also that a "temporary" customs union might just be weak enough for some in her party to accept. But it signals how her earlier strategy, to keep Brexit supporters on board, has failed and the last-ditch attempt to get Labour lawmakers - if not their leader - behind her is simply too little, too late, some say. "It's a gimmick from a desperate PM who has run out of road, refuses to compromise and for three years has sidelined parliament and the country," Labour lawmaker Seema Malhotra told Reuters. Brexit-supporting Conservatives were equally unconvinced. David Jones, a former minister, described the speech as "unacceptable" and predicted that the move just before Thursday's elections to the European Parliament would only buoy support for veteran eurosceptic Nigel Farage's Brexit Party. "I believe more Conservatives will vote against it," he told Reuters. "Regrettably, it will probably also boost the Brexit Party vote on Thursday." May wants to get her withdrawal deal, agreed with the EU last November, through parliament so she can leave office as promised having at least finalized the first part of Britain's departure and prevented a "no deal" Brexit. The deal has been rejected three times by parliament but many businesses fear that the abrupt departure of an exit with no deal agreed would cause an economic shock. Finance minister Philip Hammond rammed the point home in parliament on Tuesday, saying a no-deal Brexit would leave Britain poorer. He was expected to send the same message to business leaders in a speech later in the day. "The 2016 Leave campaign was clear that we would leave with a deal," he was set to say, according to advance extracts. "So to advocate for 'no deal' is to hijack the result of the referendum, and in doing so, knowingly to inflict damage on our economy and our living standards. Because all the preparation in the world will not avoid the consequences of no deal." (Additional reporting by Costas Pitas and Kylie Maclellan Editing by Stephen Addison, Gareth Jones and Frances Kerry) (Adds details on delegation) OTTAWA, May 21 (Reuters) - Canada has sent a parliamentary delegation to China to press for the release of two Canadian citizens formally arrested for espionage last week, Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Tuesday. Businessman Michael Spavor, who worked with North Korea, and former diplomat Michael Kovrig were picked up separately in December, shortly after Canada arrested Huawei Technologies Co Ltd Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, who faces extradition to the United States. Canada has condemned the detentions as "arbitrary," while China has repeatedly demanded Meng be released. Freeland, in an interview with CBC radio, said she sought "repeatedly" to speak with her Chinese counterpart, but to no avail. Instead, Liberal lawmaker Robert Oliphant is now leading a Canadian delegation in China to push for release of the two men. She did not say who else was on the mission. "That is really important for the Chinese to be hearing directly from us," she said. Oliphant "has raised Canada's strong concerns regarding the arbitrary detention" of the two men, Freeland's spokesman Adam Austen said. The May 20-25 visit is being conducted by the Canada-China Legislative Association, a group created so Canadian and Chinese lawmakers could exchange views. The group is due to visit Shanghai, Nanjing, Hong Kong and Macao, its Web site says. Canadian diplomats have made recent consular visits to both men, though they have not provided details to the public for privacy reasons. Now that the men have been formally arrested, they could soon face trial. While Canada says China has made no specific link between the detentions of the two men and Meng's arrest, experts and former diplomats say they have no doubt it is using their cases to pressure Canada. Meng, 47, is the daughter of Huawei Technologies Co Ltd's billionaire founder, Ren Zhengfei. She was arrested at Vancouver's airport in December on a U.S. warrant and is fighting extradition on charges that she conspired to defraud global banks about Huawei's relationship with a company operating in Iran. Meng was released from jail in December on C$10 million ($7.5 million) bail and must wear an electronic ankle bracelet and pay for security guards. She has been living in a Vancouver home that was valued at C$5 million in 2018. Both she and the company have denied the U.S. charges. (Reporting by Steve Scherer; Editing by David Gregorio and Bill Berkrot) (Adds quotes, background) BEIJING, May 21 (Reuters) - Foreign investors remained enthusiastic about China, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday, following U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that his tariffs are causing companies to move production away from the world's second largest economy. Trump said in an interview aired on Sunday that his tariffs on Chinese goods are causing companies to move manufacturing out of China to Vietnam and other Asian countries, and added that any agreement to end a trade war with China cannot be a "50-50" deal. No further trade talks between top Chinese and U.S. trade negotiators have been scheduled since the last round ended on May 10 - the same day Trump raised the tariff rate on $200 billion worth of Chinese products to 25% from 10%. Trump took the step after China sought major changes to a deal that U.S. officials said had been largely agreed. Since then, China has struck a sterner tone in its rhetoric, suggesting that a resumption of talks aimed at ending the 10-month trade war was unlikely to happen soon. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang, responding to a question on Trump's claim at a daily news briefing, said foreign investors were "still bullish" on China. "Even though over the past year or more the United States has continued to menace Chinese products with additional tariffs, everyone can see that the enthusiasm for foreign investors in China remains high," Lu said. Lu listed companies, including Tesla, BASF and BMW, as all having recently increased their investment in China. He added that China would continue to improve business and investment conditions for foreign companies. But foreign firms have grown weary of what they say are China's piecemeal economic reforms. Long considered a cornerstone of an otherwise fraught bilateral relationship, the U.S. business community in China in recent years has advocated a harder line on what it sees as discriminatory Chinese trade policies. Story continues The American Chamber of Commerce in China said in February that a majority of its members reported in an annual survey that they favored the United States retaining tariffs on Chinese goods while Washington and Beijing try to hammer out a deal to end the trade war. At the time, which was well before the latest tariff hikes, the chamber said that 19% of its member companies were adjusting supply chains or seeking to source components and assembly outside of China as a result of tariffs, while 28% were delaying or canceling investment decisions in China. China's other trade partners also complain about unfair treatment. The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China said on Monday that compelled transfers of technology to Chinese firms in exchange for market access are increasing for European companies despite Beijing saying the problem does not exist. Resolving that issue in an enforceable manner is a core U.S. demand in trade negotiations. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Writing by Michael Martina; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore) * Climate takes center stage at oil giants' AGMs * GRAPHIC: BP's emissions rose in 2018 https://tmsnrt.rs/2W0zkEf * Shell's stricter climate policy get some praise (Adds details, sector comparison, shareholder comments) By Ron Bousso ABERDEEN, Scotland, May 21 (Reuters) - Activists disrupted BP's annual shareholder meeting on Tuesday shouting "this is a crime scene" in the latest climate protest against the oil and gas group, while rival Royal Dutch Shell got some rare praise from investors on its emissions policies. Both oil giants have been working with shareholders in recent years to try to define a path towards meeting the goals of the 2015 Paris climate agreement to limit global warming. U.S. rivals Exxon Mobil and Chevron are also under pressure from investors, but have so far not committed to any targets. Two women protesters inside BP's annual general meeting (AGM) in Aberdeen, Scotland, were carried out by security staff, while others turned on an alarm during BP Chief Executive Bob Dudley's speech as activists complained the UK-based group was not doing enough to battle global warming. The action came a day after Greenpeace protesters blockaded the entrance to BP's London headquarters, demanding it end all new oil and gas exploration. BP agreed in February with a group of shareholders known as Climate Action 100+ on a resolution to increase transparency around carbon emissions, set targets to reduce emissions from its operations and link them to executive pay. That resolution won overwhelming shareholder support at the AGM. But after BP's overall carbon emissions rose in 2018 to their highest in six years, shareholders also pushed it to do more and follow Shell by imposing stricter emissions limits. Outside the AGM, several dozen people held placards reading "BP climate criminals" and "climate emergency." Around 20 environmental activists also gathered outside Shell's AGM in The Hague. Story continues BP Chairman Helge Lund said the company would transition towards cleaner energy, while remaining an attractive investment proposition. "The world needs more energy but it needs energy that is cleaner, better and kinder to the planet," Lund said. Meanwhile, Shell was commended by some of its shareholders for setting sector-leading climate policies last year. They include reducing so-called Scope 3 emissions from fuels sold to customers around the world in addition to emissions from the company's own operations. Adam Matthews, director of ethics and engagement for the Church of England Pensions Board who has represented shareholders in climate talks with Shell, said the group's strategy was an example to other energy companies. "(I) suggest that a joint message is sent from this AGM to others within the (oil and gas) sector and to investors that have yet to embrace an approach that addresses the vast majority of the impact on society and the climate by the setting of targets covering scope 3 emissions," Matthews said. While BP shareholders also praised BP for supporting the climate resolutions, some want it lay out stricter targets to include Scope 3 emissions, which are several times larger than emissions from BP's own operations. "We need to be much more ambitious, not less, in how we tackle the biggest contributor to the emissions our company makes," Tracy Rembert, director of Catholic Responsible Investing (CBIS), told the AGM. Lund said BP could not set targets for emissions that were not under its control. Dudley has repeatedly opposed setting Scope 3 reduction targets for that reason. The founder of shareholder activist group Follow This, Mark van Baal, told the AGM that setting targets without including Scope 3 emissions was like saying "we smoke less but sell more cigarettes." However, a resolution filed by Follow This won just 8.35% of votes at the meeting, while the one backed by the board won 99.14% support. "There was fantastic support for the resolution and this is just the beginning," said Victoria Barron of Newton Investment Management, who helped with the drafting of the Climate Action 100+ resolution. BP has said it aims to keep emissions from its operations flat in the decade to 2025 and invests about $500 million a year on low carbon energy and technologies such as wind and solar. (Adds Boeing not responding to requests for comment) By Emilie Dewarde PARIS, May 21 (Reuters) - A French woman whose husband died in the crash of a Boeing 737 MAX airliner in Ethiopia has filed a U.S. lawsuit against the planemaker, seeking at least $276 million in damages. The crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 in March killed all 157 passengers and crew aboard and followed the death in October of 189 people on a Lion Air 737 MAX which plunged into the ocean off Indonesia in similar circumstances. Dozens of families have sued Boeing over the Lion Air crash, and several lawsuits have been lodged over the Ethiopian crash near the capital Addis Ababa, which led airlines around the world to ground the Boeing 737 MAX. The lawsuit on behalf of Nadege Dubois-Seex, whose husband Jonathan Seex was a Swedish and Kenyan citizen and chief executive of the Tamarind Group of Companies, was filed in a U.S. District Court in Chicago, her lawyer said on Tuesday. The complaint, which was filed on Monday, alleges Boeing failed to inform pilots properly about the risks posed by software meant to prevent the 737 MAX from stalling which repeatedly lowered the plane's nose due to a faulty sensor data. U.S. attorney Nomaan Husain told a Paris news conference his client was seeking a minimum of $276 million in damages. "We have learned that Boeing relied on a single sensor that had been previously flagged in over 200 incident reports submitted to the FAA (U.S. Federal Aviation Administration)," Husain said in a statement. Two Boeing spokeswomen in Europe did not reply to messages seeking comment, while a Boeing spokesman in the United States did not respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit. "Our family has lost its shining knight and the world has lost a brilliant entrepreneur," Dubois-Seex, a French citizen, said in a statement. Boeing said last week it had completed an update to the 737 MAX's MCAS software and was in the process of submitting a plan for related pilot training to the FAA. It is unclear when the 737 MAX aircraft will receive FAA approval to return to service. Safety regulators in other countries have said they plan to independently assess Boeing's fixes before giving their approval. (Reporting by Emilie Dewarde; Editing by Richard Lough, Jason Neely and Alexander Smith) * General election votes to be counted on Thursday * Exit polls predict massive win for Modi's alliance * Congress says confident "combined efforts will bear fruit" (Recasts with Modi meeting alliance leaders) By Krishna N. Das NEW DELHI, May 21 (Reuters) - Political allies swathed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a victory garland on Tuesday, seeking to project confidence he would win a second straight term in a general election, but the opposition Congress party dismissed predictions it would lose. Exit polls have predicted a clear win for Modi in the election that ended on Sunday, but such polls in India have proved misleading before, and counting of votes cast in the seven-phase contest will take place on Thursday. The result is expected later that day. The ruling coalition, led by Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is projected to win between 339 and 365 seats in the 545-member lower house of parliament with a Congress-led opposition alliance getting only 77 to 108, an exit poll from India Today Axis showed. Modi met leaders from his ruling alliance, receiving garlands and shawls from them in a show of optimism. Flanked by BJP president Amit Shah, Modi met cabinet ministers, party colleagues and dozens of the leaders from regional blocs that are part of the alliance. Seated before a sign reading "Welcome and Thanksgiving Meeting" at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, Modi was also given a meters-long, outsized garland. But Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the younger sister of party president Rahul Gandhi, urged party workers to ignore vote surveys, not lose heart, and to remain vigilant at vote-count centers. "Don't let rumors and exit polls discourage you. This is being spread to break your determination," she said in an audio message late on Monday. "This has further raised the need for you to remain alert. Please keep vigil outside strongrooms and counting centers. We are confident that our combined efforts will bear fruit," she said, referring to centers where electronic voting machines are kept. Story continues The Election Commission said it had received some complaints about attempts to tamper with voting machines in strongrooms, but they were not true. "All such reports and allegations are absolutely false, and factually incorrect," it said in a statement. The two Gandhis are members of the latest generation of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty to aspire to govern India. The staggered general election, billed as the world's biggest democratic exercise with some 900 million eligible voters, began on April 11. FOCUS ON FAMILY Confident of victory, the BJP said the Congress party must think about whether the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty still enjoys the support of the people. The family has dominated politics since the British colonial rulers left in 1947, with three prime ministers. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, a senior BJP member who would likely retain his role in a new Modi cabinet, said Congress could no longer rely on the family to win votes. "Leaders are judged on merit and not on caste or family names," Jaitley said in a Facebook post. "The prime ministers style of rising above caste and concentrating on performance related issues received far more acceptability with the electorate." Some Congress officials say it is wrong to blame the Gandhi family every time the party fares badly and point to three wins in state assembly elections last year under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. (Reporting by Krishna N. Das and Devjyot Ghoshal, Editing by Sanjeev Miglani, William Maclean) (Adds context) BAGHDAD, May 21 (Reuters) - Iraq will send delegations to Washington and Tehran to help "halt tension" amid fears of a confrontation between the United States and Iran in the Middle East, Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said on Tuesday. He said there were no Iraqi groups that wanted to push towards a war, two days after a rocket fired in Baghdad landed close to the U.S. Embassy, the latest in a series of regional attacks the United States believes may have been inspired by Iran. No one has claimed responsibility for the rocket fired into the heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses government buildings and diplomatic missions, on Sunday. U.S. government sources said Washington strongly suspects Shi'ite militias with ties to Tehran were behind the rocket attack. Iran has rejected allegations of involvement in attacks. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday Iran would be met with "great force" if it attacked U.S. interests in the Middle East. (Reporting by John Davison, Ahmed Rasheed, Raya Jalabi; Editing by Janet Lawrence) * Spain inaugurates most diverse parliament to date * Lawmakers take seats amid cheers, jeers and applause * Far right takes photo-op position behind acting PM (Adds tensions in parliament) By Belen Carreno and Ingrid Melander MADRID, May 21 (Reuters) - Jailed Catalan separatists, far-right lawmakers, a record number of women and the biggest Socialist group in years held a rowdy opening session on Tuesday of a parliament that reflected Spain's divisions and diversity like no other in recent memory. Acting prime minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialists boosted their representation in the April 28 election after a tense campaign, but have yet to put together a working majority and say it may not happen until July. The lower house or Congress erupted in cheers, jeers, desk slapping and defiant declarations in local languages as each of its 350 members was sworn in. The combative atmosphere was one of many firsts for a parliament that illustrates the fragmentation of Spain's politics and the demise of decades-old domination by the Socialists to the left and the conservative People's Party to the right. Much of the tension focused on the four jailed Catalan lawmakers. They are the first to make their way to Spain's parliament from jail, as they undergo trial over a banned independence referendum. One other jailed Catalan leader was elected to the upper house, the Senate. As each stood to be sworn in, their words were drowned out by far-right nationalist lawmakers from the newcomer Vox party and a few from the center-right Ciudadanos banging on their desks, while fellow separatists gave them a standing ovation. "DEMOCRACY HUMILIATED" Accusations of lack of respect for parliament and voters flew on all sides after the ceremony, with right-wing parties particularly angry at the presence of the jailed separatists. "Spanish democracy was humiliated," said Pablo Casado, leader of the conservative People's Party. Story continues Some pro-independence Catalan lawmakers could be heard pledging to follow through on the results of the banned referendum, which backed independence, prompting more jeers from right-wingers. Vox lawmaker Ivan Espinosa de los Monteros said they were "enemies of Spain" and called their presence a "joke" while Gabriel Rufian, from the separatist ERC party, said the presence of police monitoring the four men was a breach of rights, and that other groups had behaved liked "fascists." The Supreme Court had ruled that the jailed separatists could collect their papers and attend Tuesday's opening sessions before returning to prison. The newly elected chair of the chamber, Meritxell Batet, concluded the swearing-in ceremony by saying all should respect the diversity of the chamber. "We all represent the people but none of us on their own represents everybody," she said. The 24 Vox lawmakers are the first far-right bloc to sit in parliament since Francisco Franco's dictatorship ended in the late 1970s, although one single far-right legislator sat from 1979-1982. WOMEN LEAD THE WAY Newcomer Vox gained 10% of the vote last month and counts among its legislators two retired generals who have signed a manifesto honoring Franco's memory. In the chamber, the bloc sat right behind the acting Socialist government bench, having arrived early to claim the high-profile seats, and behind them sat one of the jailed Catalan members of parliament, Oriol Junqueras. Spain's lower house is now Europe's most gender-equal legislature, with 47.1% women. Nine of those represent Vox, which strongly opposes existing equality laws, saying they discriminate against men. To the left of the Socialists are another relative upstart party in the anti-austerity Podemos ("We Can"), which hopes to strike a coalition deal with Sanchez, who has been non-committal. Podemos's ponytailed young leader, Pablo Iglesias, said the jeers in parliament demonstrated "a lack of manners." Parliament now needs to decide if the jailed Catalans' rights as lawmakers should be suspended. They and seven other Catalan leaders are charged with rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds, which they all deny. The trial is expected to last several more months. Sanchez proposed two Catalan Socialists as parliamentary speakers, a nod to the prominent role that the politically volatile region is likely to play during his mandate. Batet got 175 votes in a first round on Tuesday, one short of an absolute majority, but was then elected to lead the lower house in a second round by simple majority. Her equivalent candidate for the upper house, Manuel Cruz, was also elected. (Reporting by Belen Carreno, Paul Day, Sabela Ojea, Elena Rodriguez; Writing by Ingrid Melander; Editing by Kevin Liffey) (Adds picture slug) TOKYO, May 21 (Reuters) - Japan's automakers' lobby said on Tuesday it was dismayed by President Donald Trump's declaration that some imported vehicles and parts posed a threat to U.S. national security, as the industry braces for a possible rise in U.S. tariffs. Trump made the unprecedented designation of foreign vehicles on Friday but delayed for up to six months a decision on whether to impose tariffs to allow for more time for trade talks with Japan and the European Union. "We are dismayed to hear a message suggesting that our long-time contributions of investment and employment in the United States are not welcomed," said Akio Toyoda, chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association. "As chairman, I am deeply saddened by this decision," Toyoda, president of Toyota Motor Corp, said in a statement. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs of up to 25% on imported cars made by foreign automakers, a move which automakers have argued would ramp up car prices, curb the global competitiveness of U.S.-made vehicles and limit investment in the country, the world's No. 2 auto market. The United States is a vital market for Toyota, Nissan Motor Co, Honda Motor Co and other Japanese car makers. Autos and components are among the Asian country's biggest export products. Most of Japan's major automakers operate plants in the United States. At least half of the cars and trucks sold in the country by Japan's top three carmakers are made in the United States. Major automakers have announced a slew of investments in the United States since Trump took office in January 2017 and put pressure on the industry to create more U.S. jobs. For its part, Toyota has pledged to invest almost $13 billion in the United States between 2017 and 2021 to boost manufacturing capacity and jobs. This includes $1.6 billion for a vehicle assembly plant in Alabama jointly run with Mazda Motor Corp. (Reporting by Naomi Tajitsu; editing by Darren Schuettler) * Traders offer Urals with high organic chloride content * Around 700,000 tonnes of contaminated crude heading to China * Cargoes mainly offered to Chinese teapot refineries * Hard to set prices without trade precedent (Adds buyer of Vitol's cargo, Unipec buys oil for Sinopec refineries) By Florence Tan and Olga Yagova SINGAPORE/MOSCOW, May 21 (Reuters) - Trading companies Vitol and Unipec are sending around 700,000 tonnes (5.1 million barrels) of contaminated Russian oil to Asia in an attempt to place the barrels rejected by buyers in Europe, according to trading sources and ship tracking data. A key Russian pipeline to Europe, Druzhba, and a major port Ust-Luga have been contaminated with organic chloride, which can damage refining equipment. As a result, Russia was forced to reduce exports in the country's worst ever supply disruption. Vitol has sold its cargo to Chinese independent refiner Bora Group while Unipec is moving the oil to refineries in China owned by its parent company China Petroleum and Chemical Corp (Sinopec), the sources said. "We took the oil after evaluating that our refineries are able to process the crude," one of the sources told Reuters, adding that the price was also attractive given that Middle East crude grades are trading at multi-year highs on tight supply. The vessels heading to China include the 130,000-tonne Suezmax tanker, Sonangol Rangel, that loaded oil from Denmark's Skaw ship-to-ship transfer area on May 15. The ship, chartered by Vitol, is expected to reach the port of Yingkou in northeastern China, on June 26, according to Refinitiv data. The very large crude carrier (VLCC) New Comfort, provisionally chartered by China's Unipec, is currently loading in Skaw to sail to eastern China's port of Ningbo. Unipec has also chartered the VLCC Amyntas to load contaminated Urals from smaller ships near the port of Southwold in Britain on May 22 for delivery to China, according to traders and Refinitiv data. Each VLCC is capable of carrying 270,000 tonnes of Urals crude. Story continues Sinopec, Vitol and Bora declined to comment. Traders who handle oil sales to Chinese teapots said they have been shown cargoes of Urals crude that contain organic chloride ranging from 30-50 parts per million (ppm) to 200 ppm with sellers asking for price quotes. Buyers are treading cautiously because the contaminated Urals crude needs to be stored in tanks and diluted multiple times with clean oil to reduce the organic chloride content in order not to damage refining equipment. "The final price is to be set. More quality tests are needed. Then it is possible to figure out the price, the way it can be refined and if it can be refined at all," a trader with a Chinese major told Reuters. Organic chloride in crude oil can cause corrosion and destroy refining units. "I was shown barrels with 200 ppm and I said: "No, thanks," a Singapore-based trader said. "The logistics is very challenging and only big refiners can manage," he said, adding that a cargo with 200-ppm of organic chloride will need 20 cargoes of the same volume to be diluted to a normal level of 10 ppm. For traders, estimating the value for the oil is the hardest part as there has been no trade precedent. "Nobody knows where these barrels should trade. It's a discount to ICE Brent for cargoes landing in China for sure but how much of a discount, nobody knows," a second trader said. European traders said contaminated cargoes have been offered at a discount of $10-20 per barrel but very few buyers showed interest. Clean Russian Urals crude from the Baltic is currently trading at $74 per barrel. "We don't want to touch it. Refiners were previously hurt due to chloride issues, so they should be more cautious," a European buyer said. Volumes that are currently heading to Asia represent around half of the 1.5 million tonnes, or 11 million barrels, of contaminated Urals that had been exported from the Baltic port of Ust Luga in recent weeks. Because European buyers refused to buy the volumes, they ended up mostly with trading houses. Another 9 million barrels are estimated to be stuck in the Druzhba pipelines between Belarus and Germany. (Reporting by Florence Tan and Olga Yagova; additional reporting by Dmitry Zhdannikov and Gleb Gorodyankin; editing by Susan Fenton and Christian Schmollinger) (Recasts first paragraph, adds Ocasio-Cortez comments) By Sarah N. Lynch and Jan Wolfe WASHINGTON, May 21 (Reuters) - A U.S. House committee chairman on Tuesday subpoenaed two more former White House aides, including Hope Hicks, just hours after former White House Counsel Donald McGahn was a no-show for testimony before the panel at President Donald Trump's request. As tensions rose between the Republican president and the Democrats who control the House of Representatives, lawmakers also negotiated for future testimony by Special Counsel Robert Mueller on his Russia investigation and debated whether to launch high-stakes impeachment proceedings against Trump. The showdown between Trump and the Democrats intensified after McGahn, heeding Trump's instructions, ignored a subpoena from the Democratic-led House Judiciary Committee and did not show up to testify before the panel. Undeterred in a growing conflict with Trump over congressional powers to oversee his administration, committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler announced he had issued fresh subpoenas to Hicks, the former White House communications director, and to Annie Donaldson, McGahn's former chief of staff. The subpoenas seek testimony and documents in connection with the committee's probe of whether the president obstructed Mueller's inquiry into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election and contacts between Trump's campaign team and Moscow. Despite McGahn's absence, the committee held a hearing lasting about a half-hour that featured an empty chair at the witness table. Nadler said at the hearing, "Let me be clear: this committee will hear Mr. McGahn's testimony, even if we have to go to court to secure it." In Mueller's investigative report, McGahn was a key witness regarding possible obstruction of justice by Trump. Career prosecutors not involved in the case have said the report contained strong evidence that Trump committed a crime when he pressured McGahn to fire Mueller and later urged him to lie about it. Story continues Attorney General William Barr, the top U.S. law enforcement official and a Trump appointee, on May 2 snubbed the same committee, which later voted to hold him in contempt of Congress for not handing over a full, unredacted Mueller report. At the hearing skipped by Barr, an empty chair also figured prominently and a Democratic committee member placed a ceramic chicken on the table in front of it for the cameras. The ceramic chicken did not make a repeat appearance on Tuesday. After the hearing that McGahn skipped, several Democrats said the Judiciary Committee was negotiating with Mueller about his possible testimony. A redacted version of Mueller's report was released by Barr last month. "We are working with his team on that right now. I can't tell you for sure if he's going to come," said Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, a Democratic committee member. Republicans derided Tuesday's session as a political stunt. "This is becoming a regular event. It's called the circus of Judiciary," said the panel's top Republican, Doug Collins. Trump, seeking re-election in 2020, is refusing to cooperate with many congressional probes into his administration, his family and his business interests. FORMER MODEL In the early days of Trump's presidency, few aides had more frequent access to him than Hicks, a former model and public relations consultant hired by Trump into the White House from his daughter Ivanka Trump's staff. She rose to communications director, but resigned from the White House in March 2018. Any impeachment effort would begin in the House, led by the Judiciary Committee, before action in the Republican-led Senate on whether to remove Trump from office. No U.S. president has ever been removed from office through impeachment, a process spelled out in the Constitution. House Oversight Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings, who is locked in another legal battle with Trump over access to his financial records, told reporters Democrats are "moving more and more" toward using impeachment as an option in the showdown with Trump. Taking it a step further, Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told reporters: "It's time for us to, at the very least, open an impeachment inquiry." Other Democrats remained cautious, saying a federal judge's decision against Trump on Monday in a subpoena case shows a step-by-step approach in the courts can bring results. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington blocked a lawsuit by Trump that attempted to quash a subpoena sent by Cummings to Trump's long-time accounting firm Mazars LLP seeking the president's financial records. Trump has appealed the case. Democrats have debated for months whether to initiate the impeachment process, with some lawmakers clamoring for it. But senior leaders including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have counseled caution for fear of a voter backlash that could benefit Trump. It was not immediately clear when Democrats might pursue a contempt citation against McGahn. The rules require 48-hour notice, but many House members will be flying out of town on Thursday for the Memorial Day holiday, a logistical challenge that means any contempt vote would be unlikely before June. The redacted, 448-page Mueller report, 22 months in the making, showed how Moscow interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election in Trump's favor and detailed Trump's attempts to impede Mueller's probe. The report found there was insufficient evidence to conclude that a criminal conspiracy between Moscow and the Trump campaign had taken place. It made no recommendation on whether Trump obstructed justice, leaving that question up to Congress. (Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu, Susan Heavey, Susan Cornwell, David Morgan; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh and Will Dunham) (Adds details, background) By Stephanie Nebehay GENEVA, May 21 (Reuters) - Venezuelans fleeing political and economic crisis at home deserve protection as refugees, the United Nations said on Tuesday, urging other states not to deport them. Some 3.7 million people have left Venezuela, including 3 million since 2015 as the economy has imploded causing widespread shortages and hunger, and anti-government street protests have brought waves of violence and deaths. Venezuelans continue to leave at the rate of 3,000 to 5,000 a day, the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR said, giving updated guidance on how to handle the exodus. "UNHCR ... now considers that the majority of those fleeing the country are in need of international refugee protection," agency spokeswoman Liz Throssell told a news briefing. "It is incredibly important given the situation in Venezuela that there aren't deportations, expulsions or forced returns." UNHCR noted that there had been some deportations from Caribbean islands, including by Trinidad and Tobago last year. Only 460,000 Venezuelans had sought formal asylum as of the end of 2018, mainly in Peru, the United States, Brazil and Spain, while others have legal stay arrangements in countries including Colombia, Chile and Ecuador, it said. The U.N. children's agency said that deteriorating conditions inside Venezuela had left vulnerable children with limited access to health, education, protection and nutrition services. The agency has provided nearly 190,000 children with access to nutrition programs but cannot do all it wants to in Venezuela, UNICEF spokesman Christophe Boulierac said. Dozens of nations around the world now recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president, saying President Nicolas Maduro rigged a 2018 election and is behaving like a dictator. But Guaido has been unable to remove Maduro, who still has the backing of the top military brass. (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; Editing by John Stonestreet and Andrew Cawthorne) (Adds no response from White House to request for comment background) WASHINGTON, May 21 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday Mexico was "doing virtually nothing to stop illegal immigrants from coming to our southern border" and that he would soon give a response. "Mexicos attitude is that people from other countries, including Mexico, should have the right to flow into the U.S. & that U.S. taxpayers should be responsible for the tremendous costs associated w/this illegal migration. Mexico is wrong and I will soon be giving a response!" Trump said on Twitter. Trump, who is pushing ahead with building a wall along parts of the U.S.-Mexico border after failing to make Mexico pay for a barrier as he had promised during his 2016 election campaign, did not elaborate on his planned response. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trumps tweet, and whether he was referring to a request from Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador for an agreement on development aid with the United States and other nations to address the flood of Central American migrants. Lopez Obrador said on Monday that Trump had made a commitment for U.S. investment in Central America and Mexico and had shown interest in his ideas, but that the next step was to sign an agreement. Trump last month threatened to put tariffs on cars coming from Mexico into the United States if Mexico did not help Washington deal with the immigration and drug situation along the border. The U.S. government has said border officers apprehended nearly 99,000 people crossing the southern border into the country in April, the highest figure since 2007, as Trump administration officials decry what they call a humanitarian and security crisis. (Reporting by Roberta Rampton and Tim Ahmann; Writing by Mohammad Zargham; Editing by David Alexander and Tom Brown) (Adds comment from Pentagon spokesman) By David Brunnstrom and Idrees Ali WASHINGTON, May 21 (Reuters) - The United States sees signs the Syrian government may be using chemical weapons, including an alleged chlorine attack on Sunday in northwest Syria, the State Department said on Tuesday, warning that Washington and its allies would respond "quickly and appropriately" if this were proven. "Unfortunately, we continue to see signs that the Assad regime may be renewing its use of chemical weapons, including an alleged chlorine attack in northwest Syria on the morning of May 19," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement. "We are still gathering information on this incident, but we repeat our warning that if the Assad regime uses chemical weapons, the United States and our allies will respond quickly and appropriately," she said. Ortagus said the alleged attack was part of a violent campaign by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces violating a ceasefire that has protected several million civilians in the greater Idlib area. "The regimes attacks against the communities of northwest Syria must end," the statement said. "The United States reiterates its warning, first issued by President Trump in September 2018, that an attack against the Idlib de-escalation zone would be a reckless escalation that threatens to destabilize the region." The Trump administration has twice bombed Syria over Assad's alleged use of chemical weapons, in April 2017 and April 2018. In September, a senior U.S. official said there was evidence showing chemical weapons were being prepared by Syrian government forces in Idlib, the last major rebel stronghold in the country. "The Assad regime must not repeat the use of chemical weapons in Syria," Commander Sean Robertson, a Pentagon spokesman, said in a statement. "There should be no doubt as to our determination to act strongly and swiftly should the Assad regime use these weapons again in the future," he said. Story continues The State Department statement accused Russia and Assad's forces of "a continuing disinformation campaign ... to create the false narrative that others are to blame for chemical weapons attacks." "The facts, however, are clear," the statement said. "The Assad regime itself has conducted almost all verified chemical weapons attacks that have taken place in Syria a conclusion the United Nations has reached over and over again." A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the Syrian government had a history of resorting to chemical weapons when fighting intensified. The official, however, was not aware of any confirmation of what substance was allegedly used, if at all, and said the U.S. government was still gathering information. There was no immediate comment from the Syrian government on the U.S. statement. In March, Syrian state media cited a hospital in government-held Hama as saying 21 people suffered choking symptoms from poison gas after rebels shelled a village. In January, U.S. national security adviser John Bolton warned the Syrian government against using chemical weapons again. There is absolutely no change in the U.S. position against the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime and absolutely no change in our position that any use of chemical weapons would be met by a very strong response, as we've done twice before," Bolton said at the time. (Reporting by Eric Beech, David Brunnstrom and Idrees Ali; editing by Jonathan Oatis) (Adds California lawsuit) By Jonathan Stempel NEW YORK, May 21 (Reuters) - Two dozen U.S. states and municipalities sued the Trump administration on Tuesday to stop it from enforcing a rule that would make it easier for doctors and nurses to avoid performing abortions on religious or moral grounds. A lawsuit led by New York Attorney General Letitia James said the expanded "conscience" protections could undermine the ability of states and cities to provide effective healthcare without jeopardizing billions of dollars a year in federal aid. It also said the rule would upset legislative efforts to accommodate workers' beliefs while ensuring that hospitals, other businesses and staff treat patients effectively. Sterilizations and assisted suicide are other procedures that might be impeded, according to a complaint filed by New York and 22 other states and municipalities in federal court in Manhattan. California filed a similar lawsuit in San Francisco. "The federal government is giving health care providers free license to openly discriminate and refuse care to patients," James said in a statement. The rule is scheduled to take effect on July 22. It will be enforced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Roger Severino, director of HHS' Office for Civil Rights, said in a statement: "The rule gives life and enforcement tools to conscience protection laws that have been on the books for decades. HHS finalized the conscience rule after more than a year of careful consideration and after analyzing over 242,000 public comments. We will defend the rule vigorously." President Donald Trump, a Republican, has made expanding religious liberty a priority, and the proposed rule drew support from anti-abortion activists. Critics, including some civil rights medical groups, have said the rule could deprive some patients, including gay and transgender people, of needed healthcare because they might be deemed less worthy of treatment. Story continues The Manhattan lawsuit said the rule could even prevent hospitals from asking applicants for nursing jobs whether they opposed giving measles vaccinations, even during an outbreak. So far in 2019, the worst U.S. measles outbreak in a quarter century has sickened 880 people, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Monday. The plaintiffs in Tuesday's lawsuits are led by Democrats or often lean Democratic. They also include New York City, Chicago and Washington, D.C.; the states of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin; and Cook County, Illinois. Hundreds of lawsuits by Democratic-leaning states and municipalities have targeted White House policies under Trump. The cases are New York et al v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 19-04676; and California v. Azar et al, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 19-02769. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; editing by Jonathan Oatis) (Changes headline) WASHINGTON, May 21 (Reuters) - U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer will meet with officials from the European Union and Japan in Paris on Thursday regarding joint efforts to address the non market-oriented policies and practices of other countries, his office said. The meeting, which is expected to focus largely on Chinese subsidies, will take place on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting of the 36-member Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris on Wednesday and Thursday. Lighthizer will also hold several bilateral meetings with key trading partners, and attend an informal ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization, his office said in a statement. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Lisa Shumaker) * Conservative chancellor ousts far-right FPO minister * FPO pulls out its cabinet members in response * Conservative/far-right coalition already moribund * Election most likely to be held in September * No-confidence vote might end transitional gov't sooner * Kurz to propose technocrats to fill ministerial jobs * President to address nation at 1745 GMT (Adds detail, background, president's evening address) By Francois Murphy VIENNA, May 21 (Reuters) - The far-right Freedom Party (FPO) quit Austria's coalition government on Tuesday after the president sided with Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and sacked the hardline FPO interior minister, paving the way for a caretaker government. Kurz's own fate remained uncertain, however, as the FPO has threatened to respond by backing a no-confidence motion in parliament. Losing that would hurt the 32-year-old as he seeks to emerge statesmanlike from the scandal-tainted collapse of his government. A snap election is expected to be held in September. Kurz set about filling the vacant FPO ministers' posts with technocrats, but it remained to be seen if that would be enough to satisfy opposition lawmakers. The leader of the Social Democrats, the second biggest party in parliament, said if technocrats were brought in, it should be for all cabinet posts. "All those I have spoken to emphasize that they want to ensure Austria's stability in the coming transitional period, and the unanimity on this point is a start," President Alexander Van der Bellen, who has been holding talks with all parties in parliament, told a joint news conference with Kurz. Kurz, whose center-right People's Party (OVP) is the largest in parliament, said he would propose civil servants to fill the posts by Tuesday evening at the latest. Van der Bellen is due to address the nation at 7:45 p.m. (1745 GMT). The president approved Kurz's request to dismiss Interior Minister Herbert Kickl as what started as a scandal that felled the government turned into a power struggle between the 32-year-old chancellor and his coalition partners of the past 17 months. Story continues Video footage of FPO leader Heinz-Christian Strache apparently offering to fix state contracts and explaining how to circumvent party financing rules was published over the weekend, forcing him to resign and prompting Kurz to end their alliance. Kurz has pledged a full investigation into any crimes or wrongdoing arising from the footage, which was filmed in 2017. He argued that Kickl could not stay on as interior minister because he was FPO chairman at the time, which includes responsibility for party finances, and should not therefore oversee the investigation by security services. WILL THEY, WON'T THEY? Kickl said Kurz was only interested in regaining control of a ministry at the heart of Austria's security apparatus, and suggested his party would back a no-confidence motion. "It would be almost naive for Kurz to assume that we, the FPO, have no distrust of him following his distrust in us," Kickl told tabloid Oesterreich before Van der Bellen spoke. New FPO leader Norbert Hofer later said, however, that the party had not yet decided. Lawmaker Peter Pilz said he would put forward a motion of no confidence in Kurz at a special session of parliament on Monday, the day after Austrians vote in a European Parliament election. "I am quite certain that it will succeed and that I will manage to ensure that Kurz will no longer be chancellor on Tuesday," Pilz, an environmentalist who founded his own small rival party to the Greens, told Reuters. The Social Democrats' leader, Pamela Rendi-Wagner, said her party did not rule out bringing its own no-confidence motion. "I am concerned about Sebastian Kurz's approach at the moment. He did not seriously try to secure a parliamentary majority for his proposal," she said in a statement after Kurz and Van der Bellen spoke. "I remain of the view that a government composed solely of experts is the most reliable solution in this difficult situation." (Additional reporting by Alexandra Schwarz-Goerlich in Vienna, Michael Shields in Zurich and Michelle Martin in Berlin; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Gareth Jones) * At least 3 major investors want Achleitner to step down early * Achleitner's term expires in 2022 * Unrest comes ahead of AGM on Thursday * Deutsche Bank declines to comment for bank or Achleitner (Adds investor comment, shares, background) By Tom Sims FRANKFURT, May 21 (Reuters) - At least three major investors in Deutsche Bank want Chairman Paul Achleitner to step down early amid discontent with the bank's turnaround, two people with knowledge of the matter said on Tuesday. Achleitner, whose term expires in 2022, is due to face investors at the bank's annual general meeting on Thursday. A spokesman for Deutsche Bank declined to comment, both on behalf of the bank and Achleitner. The sources did not want to identify the three investors, and while they do not have the power to push through management change on their own, their calls are a sign of the pressures facing Germany's biggest bank after years of failed turnarounds. In recent years, Deutsche Bank has been plagued by failed regulatory tests, ratings downgrades, big fines and management reshuffles. It posted its first profit in four years in 2018. Achleitner's record of installing executives and overseeing the lender has been checkered, said one of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Deutsche Bank shares hit record lows on Monday and Tuesday, but were trading 0.4% higher by mid-afternoon in Frankfurt. They are down 36% since investors last year's shareholder meeting. The bank was already facing a potential rocky ride at this year's gathering after two advisory groups to shareholders - Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and Glass Lewis - urged them to issue a vote of no confidence in management. One small but vocal investor last month added to the meeting's agenda a vote to oust Achleitner because the bank "remains trapped in an unbroken downward spiral." In response, the supervisory board last month said it had full confidence in Achleitner. Last year, a similar effort to force out the chairman garnered just 9.05% of the vote. Story continues Achleitner, an Austrian financier who previously sat on the board of German insurer Allianz and headed Goldman Sachs in Germany, became Deutsche's chairman in 2012. Achleitner's supporters argue he took decisive action last year when he ousted John Cryan as chief executive officer and installed Christian Sewing in his place. Union Investment, a fund manager that holds shares in Deutsche Bank, will vote in favor of management on Thursday, a portfolio manager told Germany's Handelsblatt. ISS said in its report earlier this month that Achleitner had failed to turn around the bank and its finances and reputation had arguably further deteriorated from a year ago. But the advisory firm recommended investors should vote to keep Achleitner without a clear alternative to succeed him. (Reporting by Tom Sims; Editing by Michelle Martin and Mark Potter) Washington (AFP) - Global sea levels could rise by two metres (6.5 feet) and displace tens of millions of people by the end of the century, according to new projections that double the UN's benchmark estimates. The vast ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica contain enough frozen water to lift the world's oceans dozens of metres. The expansion of water as oceans warm also contributes to sea level rise. But predicting the rates at which they will melt as the planet heats is notoriously tricky. The United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said its 2013 Fifth Assessment Report that under current emissions trajectories -- a "business-as-usual" scenario known as RCP8.5 -- would likely rise by up to one metre by 2100. That prediction has since been viewed as conservative, as the levels of planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise year on year, and satellites showing accelerated rates of melt-off from massive ice sheets atop Antarctica and Greenland. A group of the world's leading ice scientists this week released a expert judgement on the situation, drawing on their own experience and observations. While there was still a significant margin of error, they found it "plausible" that under the business-as-usual emissions scenario, sea-level rises could exceed two metres by 2100. The authors said the area of land lost to the ocean could be equivalent to that of France, Germany, Spain and Britain combined and would displace more than 180 million people. "A sea-level rise of this magnitude would clearly have profound consequences for humanity," they said. - 'The true risks' - The Paris climate deal, struck between nations in 2015, aims to limit global temperature rises to well below two degrees Celsius (3.6 Farenheit), and encourages countries to work towards a 1.5C cap. In October the IPCC released a landmark climate report that called for a drastic and immediate drawdown in coal, oil and gas consumption in order to arrest the rapid rise in the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Story continues That report, however, did not include revised estimates of sea level rise. Earth has already heated 1C since pre-industrial times, contributing roughly 3mm to sea levels each year. The authors of the new study, released Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, argue that the IPCC's sea-level rise prediction was too constrained by focusing on what was "likely" to happen. At wider probabilities -- 5-95 percent likelihood -- they found that under 2C of warming seas could rise 36-126 cm by 2100. In world that has warmed by 5C -- unlikely but certainly not impossible given projected fossil fuel demand in the coming decades -- they calculated a five percent risk of sea levels surpassing two metres higher, topping out at 238 cm. Willy Aspinall, from the University of Bristol's School of Earth Sciences, said he hoped the study could provide policymakers with a more accurate worst-case scenario "crucial for robust decision making." "Limiting attention to the 'likely' range, as was the case in the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report, may be misleading and will likely lead to a poor evaluation of the true risks," he added. Scunthorpe's steel plant. Photo: Press Association British Steel is battling for survival amid fears it may be on the brink of collapse, which could threaten up to 25,000 jobs at Scunthorpes steel plant and its suppliers. The second largest steelmaker in the UK announced last Thursday that it had enough cash to continue to operate despite orders tumbling, after securing the backing of lenders and shareholders. But sources have told Sky News and Reuters that the firm, its lenders and the government are preparing to put the firm into administration unless another deal to keep it afloat can be struck this afternoon. The fears have already sparked fresh calls from unions and the opposition Labour party for the government to step in to support a major manufacturing industry. The collapse of the firm could spell disaster for Scunthorpe and its steel workers, with more than 4,000 employed at the giant plant itself and up to 20,000 more jobs reportedly dependent on it in the supply chain. READ MORE: Huawei set to unveil UK tech hub just as security fears grow The industry has been battling many headwinds, from Chinese competition and Trumps tariffs on EU steel to high energy bills and sterlings plunging value. One source told Reuters the loss-making firm, bought from Tata by Greybull Capital in 2016, would not be able to survive without a 30m ($38.1m) emergency loan from the UK government. Reuters also reports that customers fears of further tariffs are damaging orders at British Steel. Unions also warned earlier this year that the governments plan to cut global import tariffs on steel to zero would destroy jobs in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The UK government had already announced a 120m loan to British Steel earlier this month, in an uncharacteristic move by the ruling Conservatives to prop up an ailing firm. And a minister had signed a pledge to promote the use of UK steel in British construction projects only yesterday, in a move that may come to be seen as too little, too late. Story continues READ MORE: Pound edges off five-month lows as May dusts off battered Brexit deal Calls are growing for the government to save an historic national industry. Photo: Press Association "Yesterday the government, alongside trade unions and employers, signed a UK Steel Charter at Westminster," said Ross Murdoch, national officer at the GMB union. "They must now put their money where their mouth is. GMB calls on the government and Greybull to redouble efforts to save this proud steelworks and the highly skilled jobs." Gill Furniss, Labours steel spokeswoman, also backed calls for the government to step in. She said: "The UK steel industry is critical to our manufacturing base and is strategically important to UK industry. "Administration would be devastating for the thousands of workers and their families who rely on this key industry in a part of the country which has not had enough support and investment from government over decades. British Steel was bought by investment firm Greybull Capital for 1 in 2016 from Tata, and they renamed the company after the historic British state company of the same name. Settling debt on your own doesn't always work. Here's when to call in the big guns. Diamond-shaped road sign with the word debt against backdrop of grey sky Image source: Getty Images. Many of us wind up deep in debt for one reason or another. In some cases, it's because we're too liberal with our credit cards. Other times, it's due to circumstances we can't control, like emergency home repairs or medical bills. If you're grappling with loads of debt to the point where you can't see yourself paying it off, your best bet may be to enlist the help of a debt settlement attorney. Of course, the primary downside of going this route is the cost involved. Debt settlement lawyers can command a small fortune for their services, whether they work on contingency (meaning they take a cut of the debt savings they negotiate for you) or charge a specific hourly or per-case rate. The plus side of hiring a debt settlement lawyer, however, is getting an expert in your corner who can fend off creditors and potentially succeed in wiping out some of your outstanding obligations. Now let's be clear: You don't need an attorney to negotiate with creditors. You can try to work out arrangements yourself. Whether you'll succeed is another story. If you're looking for outside help in dealing with your debt, you can also enlist the help of a debt settlement company, which might charge less than a lawyer would. The benefit of using an attorney, however, is having someone who not only is experienced in debt settlement, but may know how to help you minimize your legal risks. With all of that in mind, here are a few scenarios in which hiring a debt settlement lawyer could make sense. 1. Your debt is substantial If you owe a manageable amount of money, it often pays to go straight to your creditors and try negotiating either a settlement or a repayment plan. For example, if you owe a creditor $2,000 and offer up a $1,000 payment to settle that debt, that creditor might agree to such an arrangement, as it won't be losing a huge amount of money. Story continues But if you're sitting on $20,000 in debt, that's a different story, and you may want to hire a lawyer to talk that number down. 2. Your wages are at risk of being garnished In some cases, your creditors can come after your earnings if your debt goes unpaid for too long. For example, if you owe the IRS back taxes, or if you're delinquent on your student loans, you could be at risk of having your wages garnished, compounding your financial troubles. If that's the situation you're facing, then it might pay to hire an attorney to step in. 3. You're actually being sued by a creditor Just as consumers have legal protections, so do creditors who are owed money, which means that in some cases, your creditors may have the right to initiate a lawsuit against you. At that point, bringing an attorney on board often makes sense, especially if there's a chance a serious judgement will be issued against you. 4. You're thinking of filing for bankruptcy If your debt has escalated to the point where you're thinking of filing for bankruptcy, then it's a good idea to see if a debt settlement lawyer can help you avoid that fate. While filing for bankruptcy might seem like an easy solution to an otherwise daunting problem, it's no picnic. Not only is it expensive, but it can stay on your record for seven years in the case of a Chapter 13 filing, or 10 years in the case of Chapter 7. And when you have a bankruptcy filing on your record, borrowing can be prohibitively expensive, if not downright impossible. A debt settlement attorney might help you avoid that fate, thereby keeping your credit record reasonably intact. There are certainly pros and cons to hiring a debt settlement lawyer. If you're really not sure whether you need one, see if any local attorneys offer free consultations (many do), sit down with a few, and hear what they have to say. It's a worthwhile step to take if it brings you closer to working your way out of the hole you've landed in. The Motley Fool owns and recommends MasterCard and Visa, and recommends American Express. Were firm believers in the Golden Rule. If we wouldnt recommend an offer to a close family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Ascent either. Our number one goal is helping people find the best offers to improve their finances. That is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team. Photo: Alice Donovan Rouse/Unsplash Looking for something to do this week? From a protest for nature to the Food Waste Fair, here are some solid options to help you get off the couch and out into the world. 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. Nature Protest: Speak for the Trees From the event description: New Yorkers: come speak for the trees (and other green wild things) at City Hall. The United Nations is calling for a global biodiversity agreement in 2020, akin to the Paris climate accord. We're asking New York City Council to 1) pass a resolution in support of this U.N. biodiversity summit & 2) act on local nature conservation issues in NYC. When: Wednesday, May 22, 10-11 a.m. Where: City Hall Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets CLAGS Celebration of Community From the event description: Please join the Center for LGBTQ Studies, CLAGS, in a Celebration of Community. Our inaugural event will honor community member Jay Toole for her dedication and contributions. This event will also serve as a way for us to continue strengthening the ties within the LGBTQ community. When: Wednesday, May 22, 6-9 p.m. Where: Macaulay Honors College, 35 W. 67th St. Admission: Free-$50 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Allison Williams and Logan Browning From the event description: Head to BUILD Studio to watch a live interview with the stars of film "The Perfection." When troubled musical prodigy Charlotte (Allison Williams) seeks out Elizabeth (Logan Browning), the new star pupil of her former school, the encounter sends both musicians down a sinister path with shocking consequences. When: Thursday, May 23, 3-3:30 p.m. Where: BUILD Studio, 692 Broadway Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets NYC Food Waste Fair From the event description: This event is part of the Food Waste Fair, an interactive event connecting the NYC hospitality industry with the resources and knowledge they need to get to #zerofoodwaste. From soup kitchen cooks to Michelin star chefs, New Yorks most creative culinary leaders compete at the Zero Food Waste Challenge to fight food waste. All guests will sample all the dishes and sip signature cocktails featuring an upcycled ingredient. When: Thursday, May 23, 6-9 p.m. Where: Brooklyn Navy Yard, 141 Flushing Ave., Building 77 Admission: $75 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. BGR Hawkeye season 1 is now available on Disney Plus in its entirety, after the streamer dropped the finale last week. Weve already talked about the puzzling Hawkeye post-credits scene, and how it seems to exacerbate an Avengers problem that Marvel needs to explore soon. And we told you what the shows big plot hole shows The post Hawkeye just set up a big Avenger story, and you missed it appeared first on BGR. There has been a recent uptick in legislative attempts to restrict abortion access in America, a medical practice which many consider a human right. Exemplified by increasing numbers of so-called 'heartbeat bills' and Alabamas all-out ban designed to challenge Roe v Wade, there has been a turn in state initiatives towards restricting abortion access to protect life. In the wake of abortion rights being challenged by Republicans in America, The Independent has compiled a list detailing up to what point in a pregnancy selective abortion is available in all 50 US states and Washington DC. Despite these initiatives to restrict pregnancy termination, abortion currently remains legal in all 50 states until the point in pregnancy detailed below: Alabama: 20 weeks Current law: Allows for abortion up to 20 weeks in all cases, allows beyond 20 weeks for rape, incest, or health of the mother. Proposed changes: Governor Kay Ivey has signed the Human Life Protection Act aiming to criminalise abortion provision as a class A felony. The act fails to provide exceptions for rape and incest. Lawmakers hope it will end up in the Supreme Court. The HLPA has not criminalised abortion provision yet, it is slated to become enforceable law in six months. Until then, Alabamas three abortion clinics will remain active. Alaska: No gestational limits on abortion Arizona: Viability (A term used in United States constitutional law since Roe v Wade, referring to the potential of the foetus to survive outside the uterus after birth, natural or induced, when supported by up-to-date medicine) Current law: Allows for abortion up to the second trimester, without exceptions for rape or incest, but with exceptions for the physical health of the pregnant person. Selective abortion beyond the first trimester is a criminal act. Abortion seekers must attend a mandatory counselling session 24 hours before they are permitted to get an abortion. Proposed changes: State Representative Walter Blackman, in response to the Alabama abortion ban, suggested changing abortion policy in increments. Blackman suggested a mandatory 48 hour waiting period and parental notification for minors, and noted hed consider exceptions for rape and incest in a ban. Story continues Arkansas: 20 weeks California: Viability Colorado: No gestational limits on abortion Connecticut: Viability Delaware: Viability Current law: Selective abortion until viability, post-viability abortion in cases of foetal abnormalities and the health of the pregnant person. Parental notice mandatory if the abortion seeker is under 16 with no exceptions for rape, incest, or child abuse. Proposed changes: Republican state lawmakers have presented two bills, one banning abortions after 20 weeks, and another bill where physicians would be required to offer an abortion seeker the opportunity to see their ultrasound and hear a fetal heartbeat. These bills have yet to make it to a floor vote in the Democrat controlled house. Washington, DC: No gestational limits on abortion Florida: 24 weeks Current law: Selective abortion until 24 weeks, abortion available in the third trimester with two physicians noting in writing that carrying or delivering the foetus will bring the pregnant person serious physical harm or risk their life. State mandated information must be provided to abortion seekers, 24 hour waiting period between information sessions and abortion provision. Parental notice to those under 18. Proposed changes: Republican state lawmakers introduced a foetal heartbeat bill in February but the bill failed. Representative Mike Hill plans to reintroduce the bill after removing exceptions for rape and incest Georgia: 20 weeks (until July 10, 2019, then 6 weeks) Current law: Selective abortion up to 20 weeks, abortion after 20 weeks is a criminal act except for if performed for the health or life of the pregnant person. No exceptions are made in the case of rape or incest. There is a 24 hour waiting period between mandatory counseling and abortion provision, and a parent must be notified if the abortion seeker is under 18, with no exceptions for rape or incest. Proposed changes: Governor Brian Kemp, an anti-choice Republican, signed a heartbeat bill (six week abortion ban) into law, slated to take effect on July 10th, 2019. The ACLU has filed a lawsuit to block the law from being enforced. Hawaii: Viability Idaho: 20 weeks Illinois: Viability Current law: Selective abortion until viability, post-viability abortion to preserve the pregnant persons health or life. For minors, parents must be notified of their childs abortion 48 hours before the procedure, with exceptions for incest and abuse. Proposed changes: The Reproductive Health Act is heading to the state legislature to protect abortion choice. Heartbeat bill legislation is also headed to the capitol to be debated. Indiana: 20 weeks. Current law: Selective abortion until 20 weeks, post-viability abortion for the health and life of the pregnant person with two physicians attending. Mandated counseling 18 hours before abortion provision. For minors, a parent must offer written consent before abortion provision. Proposed changes: In January of 2019, Indiana banned dilation and evacuation abortion provision, a common method for second trimester abortions. No other proposed changes at this time. Iowa: 20 weeks Current law: Selective abortion until 20 weeks, post-viability abortion for the health and life of the pregnant person, no exceptions for rape or incest. Prior to the procedure, must be offered to view an ultrasound or hear a heartbeat. Parental notification for minors seeking abortion. Proposed changes: In spring of 2018, lawmakers passed a heartbeat bill, but the law was blocked permanently as it was unconstitutional. It is currently making its way through the courts. Kansas: 20 weeks Kentucky: 20 weeks Current law: Selective abortion until 20 weeks or viability, post-viability abortion for the health and life of the pregnant person. Mandated counselling 24 hours before abortion provision. Written consent from one parent if the abortion seeker is a minor. Proposed changes: No proposed changes yet, but Governor Matt Bevin supports anti-abortion legislation. Louisiana: 20 weeks Current law: Selective abortion until 20 weeks or viability, post-viability abortion for the health and life of the pregnant person with two physicians in attendance. No exceptions for rape or incest. Mandated counselling 24 hours before abortion provision. Written consent from one parent if the abortion seeker is a minor. Proposed changes: There are two tentative laws restricting abortion: one which bans abortion in near entirety if Roe v Wade is overturned, and another that bans abortion at 15 weeks without reasonable exceptions that will go into effect if Mississippis similar ban is deemed constitutional. A 6 week heartbeat bill is heading to the Democratic governor who has vowed to sign the measure. Maine: Viability Maryland: Viability Massachusetts: 24 weeks Michigan: Viability Current Law: Selective abortion until viability, post-viability exceptions for the life and health of the pregnant person. Mandated counseling 24 hours before abortion provision. Consent from one parent if the abortion seeker is a minor. Proposed changes: In May of 2019, Michigan state lawmakers introduced a bill to ban dilation and evacuation abortion provision, a common method for second trimester abortions. No other proposed changes at this time. Minnesota: Viability Mississippi: 20 weeks Current Law: Selective abortion until 20 weeks, post-20 week abortion for the life or health of the pregnant person with exceptions for rape or incest. Dilation and evacuation abortions, a common and safe method of second trimester abortion provision, are banned. Mandated counseling 24 hours before abortion provision. Consent in writing from both parents if the abortion seeker is a minor prior to abortion provision. Proposed changes: Mississippi governor Phil Bryant signed a six-week abortion bill into law in March with exceptions for the health and life of the pregnant person but none for rape or incest. Missouri: Viability Current Law: Selective abortion until viability, post-viability abortion for the health and life of the pregnant person with a second physician attending. Mandated counseling 72 hours before abortion provision. Consent from one parent if the abortion seeker is a minor. Proposed changes: Republican-lead state house and senate passed an 8-week abortion ban, which has yet to be signed into law, but Governor Mike Parson has indicated his support for the measure. Montana: Viability Nebraska: 20 weeks Nevada: 24 weeks New Hampshire: No gestational limits on abortion New Jersey: No gestational limits on abortion New Mexico: No gestational limits on abortion New York: 24 weeks North Carolina: 20 weeks North Dakota: 20 weeks Ohio: 20 weeks Current law: Selective abortion until 20 weeks, post-20 week abortion for the life or health of the pregnant person if two physicians write that abortion is necessary. Dilation and evacuation abortions, a common and safe method of second trimester abortion provision, are banned. Mandated counselling 24 hours before abortion provision. Consent from one parent if the abortion seeker is a minor. Proposed changes: In April of 2019, Ohio governor Mike DeWine signed a foetal heartbeat bill limiting selective abortion to five weeks, or one week after a missed menstrual cycle, at which point many women do not realise they are pregnant. There are no exceptions for rape or incest. Oklahoma: 20 weeks Oregon: No gestational limits on abortion Pennsylvania: 24 weeks Rhode Island: 24 weeks South Carolina: 20 weeks Current law: Selective abortion until 24 weeks, post-24 week abortion for the life or health of the pregnant person if two physicians certify in writing that abortion is necessary. Mandated counselling 24 hours before abortion provision. Consent from one parent if the abortion seeker is a minor. Proposed changes: A foetal heartbeat bill passed in the state house, but may not make it to the state senate until 2020. South Dakota: 20 weeks Tennessee: Viability Texas: 20 weeks Utah: Viability Vermont: No gestational limits on abortion Virginia: 27 weeks Washington: Viability West Virginia: 20 weeks Current law: Selective abortion until 20 weeks, post-20 week abortion for the life or health of the pregnant person. Dilation and evacuation abortions, a common and safe method of second trimester abortion provision, are banned. Mandated counselling 24 hours before abortion provision. Notice of one parent if the abortion seeker is a minor. Proposed changes: A heartbeat bill was introduced in February with exceptions for rape and incest, but has yet to be voted on. Wisconsin: 20 weeks Wyoming: Viability When Ravi Ragbir, executive director of the New Sanctuary Coalition of New York City, heard of the Trump administrations plans to send hundreds of migrants who crossed the Mexican border to northern or Coastal Border facilities, he thought that his city could likely receive planes full of migrants as well. After all, weeks ago, President Trump confirmed he might force officials to transport migrants who arrive at the border to so-called sanctuary cities, jurisdictions like New York City that don't fully comply with federal immigration officials. But on Sunday, the president denied reports that migrants would be flown to Florida and coastal states. The administration's contradictory statements on immigration have left advocates who work with recent arrivals confused about where migrants will end up. Nonetheless, some said this week they would continue to prepare for the possibility of mass arrivals of immigrants, as the number of families crossing the border and seeking asylum keeps rising and breaking records. They say they are not going to send them, but it doesnt matter because we still have to be ready and we have to expect that they will send them to our cities, because the president believes thats a way to be confrontational toward cities that are welcoming to immigrants," said Ragbir. U.S. Border Patrol had over 16,000 people in custody as of Friday, many in overcrowded facilities, according to a statement by U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner John Sanders. He said the agency had made 500,000 apprehensions so far this year, and may need to take additional action for the welfare of those in our custody and the health and safety of everyone, including our law enforcement personnel and support staff at our processing facilities. He said for months, CBP has been transporting hundreds of families by bus and aircraft from the U.S. Border Patrol's overcrowded facilities to less crowded stations along the Southwest border. Story continues This is the latest contingency weve exercised in response to the ongoing humanitarian and border security crisis, which has overwhelmed the entire immigration system,'' Sanders said in the statement. The Trump administration had plans to release hundreds of asylum-seeking migrants stopped along the southern border in two counties in Florida, according to local officials there who had been briefed on the plans. The plan was criticized by local leaders and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis last week. Then on Sunday, Kevin McAleenan, acting Homeland Security chief, said the federal government would not send immigrants who cross the southern border to Florida. He said the plan "wasn't going to be an effective use of government resources." Lending help The transferring of migrants who have recently crossed the southwest border to New Jersey and New York isn't anything new, but sending hundreds to the region at one time would be unprecedented Ravi Ragbir, center, a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago Yanet Candelario, the founder of The Mami Chelo Foundation, Inc., a New York organization that helps immigrants, said in the past year she has assisted migrants who came from Central America before being transferred weeks later by U.S. Immigration and Customers Enforcement or ICE to the Bergen County jail in Hackensack and other facilities in the area. "We had a lot of kids arrested at the border, and then they are sent anywhere,'' she said. "That happens all the time, ICE has the power of moving you anywhere they want." Rosa Santana, the program coordinator for First Friends of New Jersey and New York, said for years her organization has been visiting immigrant detainees at local facilities, including many recent border crossers. She said many have been held for months in New Jersey and New York while they await the conclusion of their immigration cases. When Santana heard of the possibility of hundreds of migrants being moved, she said she wasn't worried. Plans are in place if migrants are sent in large numbers to New York and New Jersey, which have high immigrant populations. A majority of the country's unauthorized immigrant population live in six states California, Texas, Florida, New York, New Jersey and Illinois according to 2016 estimates from the Pew Research Center. "We have not heard of anyone coming this way.... but if we have a massive number of people who come, we do have some organizations and congregations that are willing to help and take them in,'' Santana said. She said the numbers of asylum seekers who have been transported to New Jersey and New York after crossing the border has been slowly growing. News: Southern border crossings by asylum-seeking migrants kept rising in April, set new record Opinion: I toured an immigration detention center. The prison-like atmosphere was mind-numbing. Ragbir, of the Sanctuary Coalition, said he has mobilized volunteers and notified houses of worship that are willing to help that migrants could arrive at any time, with very little notice. He said they also are looking at how migrants who arrive in New York could receive medical assistance if necessary. "People have to be open to stepping up and opening up their homes and businesses to help in this moment of crisis,'' he said. Theodore Fetter, head of the Immigration Task Force of Unitarian Universalist Faith Action NJ, the public advocacy arm of the church, which has 21 congregations in the state, said they are willing to help new arrivals. He said they would support them by collecting food, helping them communicate with their families, and meeting whatever needs might arise, including housing. "There is no question that if the administration was planning to send immigrants to New Jersey, that many Unitarian Universalists will try their very best to help those people who are temporarily or permanently sent to New Jersey,'' he said. This article originally appeared on North Jersey Record: Advocates in NJ, NY ready to help migrants, despite Trump denying coastal facility plan Johannesburg (AFP) - South Africa said Tuesday it would send home former Mozambique finance minister Manuel Chang, who has been held since December on a US arrest warrant, to face corruption charges. "I have decided that the accused, Mr Manuel Chang, will be extradited to stand trial for his alleged offences in Mozambique," South African Justice Minister Michael Masutha said in a statement. "I am satisfied that the interest of justice will be best served by acceding to the request by the Republic of Mozambique," Masutha said. Chang, 63, was arrested at Johannesburg airport in December at the request of US authorities over alleged involvement in fraudulent loans to Mozambique state firms worth $2 billion (1.76 billion euros). Mozambique has accused Chang of receiving $17 million in kickbacks in a scam which creamed off hundreds of millions. In the US, Chang faces charges of conspiracy to commit electronic fraud, financial security violations and money laundering, and could be jailed for up to 45 years if found guilty. The South African minister said he had noted that the US submitted its extradition request weeks before Mozambique's one. After weighing the relevant facts and taking into account the criteria contained in both the extradition treaties between the US and South Africa, and the southern African SADC regional bloc agreement on extradition, he said he had decided to send Chang back home. US Assistant Secretary of State Tibor Nagy in March said he expected Pretoria to honour an extradition accord it signed in 1999. - 'Seriousness of alleged offence' - South African Foreign Minister Lindiwe Sisulu had indicated in February however that Chang would be handed to Maputo because it would be "the easiest thing for everybody". In reaching his decision, Masutha said he had taken into consideration that the alleged offence was committed whilst Chang was a cabinet minister in Mozambique and also his preference to face trial in his native country. Story continues The minister said he also took into account the "seriousness of the alleged offence" and the "onerous debt for Mozambique as a result of the alleged fraud". In Mozambique, Chang stands accused of abuse of position and function, violation of budget law, fraud, embezzlement, receiving bribes, money laundering and criminal association. The charges against Chang relate to loans taken out by the government in Maputo when he was head of treasury between 2005 and 2015. An independent audit found that a quarter of the loan amount was illicitly diverted. The US alleges at least $200 million of the loans was spent on bribes and kick-backs. Mozambique has arrested several other suspects linked to the scandal, including the son of ex-president Armando Guebuza, and senior intelligence officials. In January, three former Credit Suisse workers were arrested in London and charged with helping to create $2 billion in maritime projects as a front. LONDON, May 21 (Reuters) - Sustainable investment specialist Generation Investment Management, co-founded by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, has raised $1 billion for its latest private equity fund, it said on Tuesday. The third and largest of its similar funds, Generation IM Sustainable Solutions Fund III will look to invest between $50 million and $150 million each in companies helping the health of the planet or individuals, or those driving financial inclusion. We believe that we are at the early stages of a technology-led sustainability revolution, which has the scale of the industrial revolution, and the pace of the digital revolution," Gore said in a statement. Demand to invest in a sustainable manner is growing, particularly in Europe, even if the definition of what this means can vary - something regulators in Europe are looking to address. For Generation, target companies would provide "goods and services consistent with a low-carbon, prosperous, equitable, healthy and safe society." Of the money raised, $93 million came from wealth management clients of Swiss investment bank UBS, which said in a separate statement its clients were increasingly looking to invest more money into such funds. Established in 2004 and headquartered in London, Generation IM manages around $22 billion in assets and is focused on sustainable investments across both public and private markets. (Reporting by Simon Jessop; Editing by Mark Potter) Irelands low-cost airline Ryanair to enter Georgia soon By Gvantsa Gabekhadze Giorgi Chogovadze, director of the United Airports of Georgia, says that the agreement with low-cost Irish airline Ryanair will be signed in the coming months.He says that the talks concern the flights from Kutaisi as well as from Tbilisi International Airport, both in the eastern and western Georgia.The negotiations regarding the issue started in 2016 when former Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said that Ryanair could be the next airline to enter Georgia, offering affordable flights to Ireland and the rest of Europe.Ryanairs Chief Commercial Officer David O'Brien met with Georgias Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and Minister of Economy Dimitri Kumsishvili at that time and spoke of his interest in launching flights from Kutaisi International Airport in western Georgia.Ryanair was founded in 1984 and started operating in 1985.Currently, its fleet includes Boeing 737-700 and Boeing 737-800 airplanes. Last year the company provided services to more than 90 million travelers.The airline has 72 bases and is operating in 191 airports worldwide. Alabamas public television network has banned an episode of the PBS cartoon series Arthur that features a same-sex marriage. The episode, entitled Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone, shows the wedding of Arthurs third-grade teacher Mr. Ratburn a cartoon rat to his partner, a chocolatier named Patrick. It aired nationwide on May 13 as the series 22nd season premiere, prompting widespread online praise from supporters of LGBTQ rights. But Alabama Public Television (APT) decided to show a re-run instead, after being notified about the episode by PBS, local news site AL.com reports. [Although] we strongly encourage parents to watch television with their children and talk about what they have learned afterwards parents trust that their children can watch APT without their supervision, Mike Mckenzie, director of programming at APT said in a statement to AL. We also know that children who are younger than the target audience for Arthur also watch the program. APT has no plans to show the episode in future, Mckenzie added. Alabama is one of the most conservative states in the U.S., 44% of people identifying as conservative second only to Mississippi , according to a 2018 Gallup poll. This is not the first time APT has banned a cartoon featuring LGBTQ characters. In 2005 the network pulled an episode of the Arthur spinoff Postcards From Buster which included a lesbian couple. Moscow (AFP) - A close ally of Russia's top opposition leader Alexei Navalny was detained Tuesday over last year's opposition rally and faces up to 30 days in jail, he and associates said. Leonid Volkov was detained by police when he was travelling to work in a taxi, Navalny's spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh told AFP. "They detained him with the words 'we've been waiting for you for a long time,'" Navalny said on Twitter. Volkov himself said he had been held for taking part in a rally against a controversial pension reform last year. The 38-year-old faces up to 30 days in jail. On September 9, 2018 thousands of people protested across Russia against a reform raising the state pension age. Hundreds were detained. Vyacheslav Gimadi, a lawyer with Navalny's Anti-Corruption Fund said on Echo of Moscow radio that Volkov could not have organised the protests because he was not in Russia at the time. Last year, Navalny himself served two stints of 30 and 20 days in jail for violating protest laws. As soon as he was released from jail after serving the 30-day sentence last September, he was detained again. Navalny has organised some of the biggest protests against Russian leader Vladimir Putin in recent years. His anti-corruption rhetoric is hugely popular among younger people who follow his online channels and blogs. The Yale-educated lawyer has faced a string of criminal charges since he became the leading opposition figure in Russia, campaigning against Putin's rule at mass demonstrations in 2011 and 2012. San Francisco (AFP) - E-commerce giant Amazon was on its way to running its own online neighborhood Monday after the internet's address keeper granted the ".amazon" domain to the company. After waiting in vain for years for the US online retail colossus and an alliance of South American countries to resolve their battle over the right to web addresses ending with ".amazon," the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) this month sided with the Seattle-based company. In 2012, Amazon applied for ".amazon" and two internationalized versions of the name. Brazil and several other countries put the US company on notice that they were opposed to the idea. "Due to its inseparable semantic relation to the Amazon forest, that domain should not be, in any way, the monopoly of a company," the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs argued on its website. "On the contrary, it is imperative that the States concerned be able to participate in the management and use of the name in order to defend and promote the natural, cultural and symbolic heritage of the Amazon region, as well as foster the regional economy and the digital inclusion of the populations living there." ICANN said it balanced concerns of all involved and stalled the company's application for the domain in hopes the internet firm and member states of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization would work out a solution. "ACTO and the Amazon corporation have been unable to come to a mutually acceptable solution or agree on an extension of time for continued discussions," ICANN said. "In light of this, the board is now moving forward with the next steps laid out... and is directing ICANN org to continue processing the .AMAZON applications toward delegation." There will be a public comment period as per procedures established for granting new domain names. The Brazilian Foreign Ministry said it feared the ICANN decision did not sufficiently take into account the interests of the South American governments involved and undermined the rights of sovereign states. RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) Amnesty International published an open letter Tuesday criticizing the policies of President Jair Bolsonaro, saying they will lead to more homicides and deny some Brazilians their human rights. The group said Bolsonaro's "anti-human rights" rhetoric throughout his career is now "being translated into concrete measures and actions that threaten and violate the human rights of all people in Brazil." The letter outlined measures like Bolsonaro's moves to ease gun laws, a tougher new drug policy and what it said are attempts "to interfere unduly in the work of civil society organizations." It also said Bolsonaro, who took office Jan. 1, is infringing on the rights of Brazil's indigenous people and communities of the descendants of enslaved people. Amnesty's Brazil executive director, Jurema Werneck, noted that when Bolsonaro was elected, the organization warned of the risk that the far-right politician represented to human rights. "We are beginning to see that our concerns were justified," she said. Erika Guevara-Rosas, the Amnesty International Americas director, said Bolsonaro's actions are a part of a worrying trend in the region. "It is an extremely delicate time in the Americas," she said, citing Central Americans in need of protection in the United States and leaders accused of promoting violence and persecuting opponents in Venezuela and Nicaragua. Bolsonaro's ministry of women, family and human rights responded to Amnesty International, saying they wanted to promote dialogue with the NGO to show that the their statements weren't true. "There was no evidence that any of the accusations are based on data or concrete events," the statement read. Also on Tuesday, governors from 13 of Brazil's 26 states published a letter protesting the decree that Bolsonaro signed to loosen gun laws. The decree increases annual ammunition purchase limits and gives the right to carry a gun in public without permission for people ranging from the federal police to professions like truckers, elected politicians and journalists. "We do not think the measures outlined in the decree will help make our states safer, quite the opposite, these measures will have a negative impact on violence," the governors wrote. * Elections in the east will test Merkel's coalition * Politicians anxious to address easterners' concerns * Many still feel bitter 30 years after Berlin Wall fell By Thomas Escritt DRESDEN, Germany, May 21 (Reuters) - Thirty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Bodo Ramelow, premier of the eastern state of Thuringia, thinks it might be time for a new national anthem for a reunited Germany. The proposal is radical, but with most of the former East Germany voting in regional elections this year that will test Chancellor Angela Merkel's fractious coalition, the eastern Germans' feelings are uppermost in many politicians' minds. "Many East Germans don't sing it," said Ramelow, a Westerner who forged a political career in the East but faces a tough re-election fight in October. "I would like to have a truly common anthem. Something completely new that everyone can identify with and say: 'That's mine.'" With Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt also electing new parliaments in September and October, three of the five states that make up the former East Germany - excluding the capital Berlin - are holding votes, or two thirds of its population. Together, their governments control 12 of the 69 seats in the federal upper house, meaning a possible drubbing for Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU) and their Social Democrat (SPD) coalition partners could greatly complicate legislation. Many were jubilant when, deprived of Soviet backing, the German Democratic Republic (GDR) collapsed after four decades, uniting a few short months later with its western neighbor. But the manner of that unification, the years of depopulation and job losses that followed, as well as the subsequent erasure from history of a state in which 16 million people lived at its peak, have left a bitter taste for many. Few took Ramelow's proposal seriously. A spokesman for Merkel, herself an easterner, said she found Germany's present anthem "beautiful in both text and melody." But Ramelow is not the only senior politician to fret at some East Germans' alienation. Story continues At a recent meeting of her party's eastern delegates, SPD minister Katarina Barley said the almost unthinkable, reflecting that West Germany should perhaps have abandoned its cherished post-war constitution in 1990 in favor of a fresh document for a reunited Germany. Alienation has consequences. Some analysts link it to the strength in the east of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has a chance of seizing the mayoralty in Dresden, Germany's 12th largest city, in coming local elections. Decades after reunification, the region remains poorer, making nationwide problems like spiraling housing costs even more severe than in the wealthier West. But while the SPD advocates slowing rent increases and the CDU suggests law and order measures, the Left party with its promise to end "market radicalism" and the AfD pledging to ban headscarves and tackle immigration are fighting on more existential ground. For British academic James Hawes, the east - the part of Germany that lay beyond the borders of the Roman Empire 2,000 years ago - has always been different, its inhabitants more insecure because more exposed to invasion from the east. "East Germany isn't different because it was conquered by the Russians," he said. "It was conquered by the Russians because it has always been different." A POLICE STATE WHERE PEOPLE FELL IN LOVE But others see explanations in the much more recent past. When West Germany swallowed up a decrepit East, it was seen as a crowning western triumph in the Cold War: the Communist police state that imprisoned dissidents and shot escapees was assimilated to its successful, democratic neighbor. But two thirds of people in the east, including many born after it ended, have a positive picture of the GDR, according to historian Joerg Ganzenmueller. "There are two memories living in parallel," says Ganzenmueller. "In public memory they stress the dictatorship. And then you have what people themselves remember from that time." A host of indicators - from voting patterns to media consumption and workplace behavior - show a region that preserves many of the marks of the GDR. More men still take paternity leave in the East than the West, and more women are in senior management - a legacy of the one-party state's decades-long push to bring women into the workforce when that was a rarity in the west. "East Germany is remembered in the west as an unjust state, for the people shot trying to cross the Berlin Wall were shot at the Berlin Wall, controlled by the Stasi secret police," said Stefan Kobus, editor of SuperIllu, a weekly magazine that sells well in the east but is all but unknown in the west. It was all these things, but "it was also a place where people fell in love, a people where people lived, where people had happy holidays," he said, adding that denial of this breeds resentment. In Dresden, a baroque jewel whose outer districts have become home to disaffected supporters of the far right, hundreds, aged from their 20s to their 80s, have paid 20 euros to see the east's stars perform at a SuperIllu event. NO APOLOGIES FOR BEING HAPPY "I'm fed up with having to apologize for the East," said aging rocker Dirk Michaelis, whose ballad "When I Went On" made him a superstar in East Germany. "There were some happy times there," he adds. The audience claps. Gregor Gysi, a witty, smooth-talking lawyer who, despite being a party member, made his name defending the regime's dissident opponents in court, is the evening's main draw. He led the Communist Party through its transformation into Ramelow's democratic Left party, becoming the face of the East in the reunited Germany's media in the 1990s. He argues that the "Ossis" - easterners - have something unique to contribute. "We have an advantage over the Wessis: we have experienced both systems," he tells the audience, to cheers and applause. But memories of the GDR are far from uncritical. When Kevin Kuehnert, leader of the SPD's youth wing, caused consternation by suggesting BMW be renationalised, some of the harshest criticism came from the east. The idea played well in his trendy West Berlin milieu, but East Germany, whose slow, stinking "Trabi" car made its auto industry the butt of a thousand jokes, had other memories of nationalization, said Eberhard Brecht, a former SPD mayor of the eastern town of Quedlinburg. "Nationalization - that's what we had in the East, and it led to collapse," said Brecht. "The people floating ideas like that have no experience of East Germany." (Additional reporting by Paul Carrel Editing by Giles Elgood) Archaeologists in Egypt have discovered the ruins of an ancient fortress dating to the 26th Dynasty, the last dynasty in which native Egyptians ruled before the Persians conquered the country in 525 B.C., according to the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities. Researchers uncovered parts of the mud-brick stronghold including the northeastern and southeastern towers at the Tell El-Kedwa site in North Sinai. Previously, in 2008, archaeologists had excavated the military citadel's eastern wall, but the fortress is so large, it took until now to unearth more of its remains. Apparently, the spot was a prime location for a fortress. Archaeologists found the ruins of a younger military outpost that was built on top of this one's remains, the archaeologists said. [Photos: Mummies Discovered in Tombs in Ancient Egyptian City] The original fortress "is considered one of the oldest fortresses to be discovered" in the country, Moustafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt, told the Egyptian news outlet Ahram Online. An eye of Horus found at the site. Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities The walls of the older fortress are incredibly thick, measuring nearly 23 feet (7 meters) in width, the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities reported in a statement. It also has four towers. In contrast, newer fortresses built in the following centuries were even more protected, with walls that are 36 feet (11 m) wide and include a total of 16 towers. Curiously, the old citadel also has chambers full of sand, broken pottery and debris, which might have helped to support its heavy walls, Nadia Khadr, head of the Central Department of Lower Egypt Antiquities, said in the statement. These chambers may have also served as rainwater drains, which was characteristic of the 26th Dynasty. In addition, the archaeologists revealed the presence of an ancient entrance to the fortress, in the form of a side gate on the northeastern side of the wall, Hisham Hussein, director general of North Sinai Antiquities, said in the statement. Just to the right of this entrance are the remains of the room that may have been occupied by guards who monitored the gate, Hussein said. Story continues The excavation also uncovered an almost 280-foot-long (85 m) wall on the fortress's southern side and the remains of houses within the western part of the fortress. One of these houses had an amulet with the name of King Psamtik I, who kicked out the Assyrians from Egypt and reunited the country when he founded the 26th Dynasty. He died in 610 B.C. Based on this amulet, "initial studies suggest that the fortress most probably dates back to the first half of the 26th Dynasty, specifically the era of King Psamtik I," Hussein told Ahram Online. Whoever held the fort faced a formidable enemy, as the walls showed evidence of a severe attack, the archaeologists noted. Originally published on Live Science. Luanda (AFP) - The exhumed body of Angolan rebel chief Jonas Savimbi, who was killed in 2002, will be reburied in his hometown next month, authorities said after DNA tests confirmed the identity of the remains. The charismatic warlord, who fought Angola's socialist government in a 27-year civil war, was killed in a battle against the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) forces on February 22, 2002. His death paved the way for a peace deal that brought an end to one of Africa's longest and bloodiest conflicts, which erupted after independence from Portugal in 1975. He was buried the day after he died in Angola's eastern Moxico province. Six weeks after his death, his Unita movement signed a peace treaty with the MPLA government. DNA tests, conducted by laboratories in South Africa, Argentina, Portugal and Angola, confirmed that the body was Savimbi's. "All tests agree," Minister of State Pedro Sebastiao told reporters on Monday. The rebel leader will be re-buried in his hometown Lopitanga on June 1. "It is a relief to know that it is his body, and that we will bring him back where he wanted to be buried," one of his sons, Alleluia Sakaita-Savimbi, told AFP. Unita has campaigned for Savimbi to be given a dignified funeral, and President Joao Lourenco last year set up a commission to exhume and rebury his remains. Lourenco came to power in 2017 as head of the MPLA party, succeeding Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who ruled for 38 years. Luanda (AFP) - Angolan President Joao Lourenco has cancelled a $1.3-billion real estate tender that had been awarded to his predecessor's daughter Isabel dos Santos, the presidency said Tuesday. In a decree, it said the contract had been cancelled "after establishing overcharging" and denounced a "violation of moral principles". In January 2016 former president Jose Eduardo dos Santos approved a tender awarded to several companies -- including Urbinveste, in which his daughter Isabel is the main shareholder. The tender was for the construction of a new suburb in the capital Luanda. Isabel, the former president's oldest daughter and believed to be the richest woman in Africa, said on Twitter on Monday that the allegations of "over-invoicing are unfounded". "There is a will by new Angolan executive to demonstrate, even without any facts and without proof, that those who worked at the time of the previous executive were dishonest," she tweeted. In a statement, Urbinveste described the cancellation of the contract without proof "of overcharging" as "incomprehensible ... and incoherent", saying it had followed public procurement procedures. Relations between Dos Santos's family and Lourenco have soured since the former handed over power in 2017, after 38 years in office. The new president has embarked on a large-scale clean up of government and state-owned companies, targeting the ex-leaders relatives. Within three months of taking control of Angola, Lourenco sacked Isabel as head of the state-run oil company and set about dismantling the empire built by Dos Santos. Last year Dos Santos' son was fired from his position as head of the sovereign wealth fund. Most of the dos Santos family are now abroad. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is ramping up pressure on her fellow Democrats to begin impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump, saying that she and her colleagues have a duty to hold the president accountable. "We have to move forward on impeachment," Ms Ocasio-Cortez said on Tuesday during an interview with CNN. She continued, paying respect to speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who has so far pushed back on impeachment calls. I trust the speaker's taking a measured approach to ensure that were moving everyone forward," Ms Ocasio-Cortez said. Being a speaker is hard, and holding this party together is a difficult task, she added, but I think we have to move forward. In a separate tweet, Ms Ocasio-Cortez also shot back at arguments that impeachment would be a politically fraught effort with less than two years to go until a presidential election. Not impeaching, she said, is political, too. It is just as politicized a manoeuvre to not impeach in the face of overwhelming evidence as it is to impeach without cause, Ms Ocasio-Cortez wrote. She continued: Congress swore an oath to uphold the Constitution. That includes impeachment. We have a duty to preserve our institutions + uphold the rule of the law. The statement came in response to a fellow Democrats call for impeachment in light of former White House counsel Don McGahns decision to refuse a congressional subpoena on Tuesday to testify before the House related to the Mueller report on Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Mr McGahn is frequently cited in that report saying that Mr Trump attempted to derail the investigation, which has led Democrats to claim the president obstructed justice. Stonewalling Congress on witnesses and the unredacted Mueller report only enhances the Presidents appearance of guilt, and as a result, he has pushed Congress to a point where we must start an impeachment inquiry, that Democrat, Mark Pocan, wrote on Twitter. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) In Yemen, the high-pitched whine of drones has been a part of life for over 15 years, ever since the first U.S. drone strike here targeting al-Qaida in 2002. But now, Iran-backed Houthi rebels increasingly deploy drones in Yemen's brutal civil war. Neighboring Saudi Arabia, which has been battling the rebels since 2015, said drones attacked an oil pipeline, targeting two pumping stations west of its capital, Riyadh, on Tuesday. The Houthis claimed a coordinated drone attack, underscoring how the Arab world's poorest country has become one of the world's top battlefields for drones. Both the rebels and the Saudi-led coalition fighting them, as well as the U.S., continue to use them for surveillance and attacks. While the U.S. uses American-made drones and the coalition has turned to Chinese suppliers, the manufacturer of the Houthis' drones in both the air and the sea has been a contentious question. Here are some key details about the rebels' drones: THE IRAN LINK A 2018 report by a United Nations panel of experts on Yemen looked particularly at the Houthis' Qatef-1 drone. The report said that although the rebel media announced the Houthis had manufactured the drone, "in reality they are assembled from components supplied by an outside source and shipped into Yemen." The Qatef, or "Striker," it added, "is virtually identical in design, dimensions and capability to that of the Ababil-T, manufactured by the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries." The Ababil-T can deliver up to a 45-kilogram (100-pound) warhead up to 150 kilometers (95 miles) away. A research group called Conflict Armament Research, with the permission of the United Arab Emirates' elite Presidential Guard, also examined seized drones used by the Houthis and their allies to crash into Patriot missile batteries in Saudi Arabia. The research group similarly said those drones share "near-identical design and construction characteristics" of Iranian drones. Story continues ___ THE DRONE BOAT Saudi-led coalition forces last year also showed journalists a Houthi "drone boat," filled with explosives that had failed to detonate. The officials also shared black-and-white images they said came from the "drone boat." They said the pictures and associated data from the boat's computer showed Iranians building components for its guidance system in eastern Tehran, with a hat in the background of one picture bearing the symbol of Iran's hard-line paramilitary Revolutionary Guard forces. They said those involved in building the components probably believed it would be destroyed in the blast, so they didn't wipe the computer's hard drive For its part, Iran repeatedly has denied supplying the Houthis with drone or ballistic missile technology. However, Iran would have an interest in seeing Saudi Arabia, its archrival in the region, tied down in a bloody, protracted conflict with no clear end in sight. ___ Follow Jon Gambrell on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jongambrellap . Estonia and Georgia: The long-running history of support By Inga Kakulia On May 16, Presidents of Georgia and Estonia held a meeting followed by a joint press briefing. The two leaders shared their opinions and answered some of the questions from the journalists. The two sides again highlighted the special relationship and understanding that these two countries have had for a long time.Majority of European Union Members have always supported Georgias aspirations towards the EU accession, but Estonia has always stood out as one of Georgias closest allies.The Estonian nation has expressed its support not only with words of encouragement but with actions as well.We will never forget to mention the issue of the evil line among our partners, allies, and the people who are not so friendly to us, said the president of Estonia, Kersti Kaljulaid during the briefing.Perhaps partly because of the shared past and the similar foreign policy challenges, these two countries have managed to build a successful and beneficial bilateral relationship. Estonia had to undergo similar reforms and had to fight for its safety and integrity and with the same power as Georgia. But as was highlighted in the speech of the President of Estonia, Kersti Kaljulaid, Estonia had more time to implement to evolve and undergo the necessary reforms.During her speech, Kaljulaid also mentioned that Estonia had more favorable circumstances compared to Georgia. Mrs. Kaljulaid mentioned the 'evil line' separating Abkhazia and Samachablo from Georgia. But being a country that has undergone the Soviet rule and has experience living next to the unpredictable neighbor results in a better understanding between the two countries.Estonia and Georgia cooperate closely in multiple fields, including different cultural exchange programs as well as trade, and development. The two countries cooperate in the field of defense, including military education. Estonia finances the study of Georgian representatives at the Baltic Defense College of Tartu. The Estonian side supports high-level defense course. Being one of the leading countries in cybersecurity in the EU and NATO, Estonia helps to raise Georgias cybersecurity capabilities by organizing training and consultations. Georgian and Estonian militaries participate in joint military exercises.Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs annually grants scholarships for the students from Georgia for studies at the Technical University of Tallinn, Universities of Tartu and Tallinn. A number of Georgian students at the Estonian Universities are increasing every year.The joint briefing highlighted a similar approach to international events in the two countries. It was evident during the joint press conference that two leaders had very similar perceptions on the situation of Georgia in the global context.The conference mentioned that even with Estonias full support, Georgia can only be accepted in the EU if the value systems of Georgia meet as closely as possible. As said many times before, all the undergoing reforms designed to align Georgian legislation to the European Union one, should not be only focused on membership of the European Union. These reforms, first and foremost help Georgia to develop in the right direction and create a more orderly environment.Georgia has been one of the priority countries of Estonian Development Cooperation since 2006. Central areas of Estonian-Georgian development are socio-economic development strategy, the EU-Georgia Association Agreement and the Association Agenda, namely strengthening of democratic state structures and systems, improving the quality of education, support for entrepreneurship, as well as human rights, gender equality, ICT, environment protection, etc.Estonia and Georgia have related histories. Both countries are small in size, regarding territory as well as population, which has further strengthened the understanding of our mutual challenges and aspirations.Estonia has been prepared to share its reform experiences through development cooperation projects. Georgia has been and will remain the recipient of the largest portion of Estonias bilateral aid and one of the development cooperation priority countries, along with Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, and Afghanistan. Many development cooperation projects have been carried out or are currently developingsome worthy of highlight are the training of Georgian police officers, state officials, young diplomats and college students, the reform of vocational education, and projects improving the administrative capabilities of the state.The close cooperation with Estonia is a tremendous and necessary support Georgia needs on its way to becoming a fully European state. However, this type of partnership also considers recognizing the areas where improvement is desirable. When sharing her recommendations, the President of Estonia mentioned the Venice Commission recommendations as well as the importance of holding transparent elections. But overall, the meeting maintained an approving undertone and served as a reassurance of strength of Georgian-Estonian relationship. Elijah Dormeus was sitting Sunday among the throngs of graduating students at Morehouse College in Atlanta, trying to focus on the commencement speaker, but mostly basking in the glow of finishing four years of college. Then the speaker, billionaire Robert Smith, told the graduates he and his family will be taking care of their student loans. Just like that, Dormeus' $100,000 in student loans vanished. Dormeus dropped his head into his hands, cried briefly, then jumped up and whooped and yelled with the others. "It was surreal," said Dormeus, 22, a business administration major. "I was so ecstatic. I just jumped up and started yelling, 'Yes, Robert! Speak!'" "My family is going to create a grant to eliminate your student loans!" -Robert F. Smith told the graduating Class of 2019 @RFS_Vista #MorehouseGrad2019 pic.twitter.com/etG8JhVA46 Morehouse College (@Morehouse) May 19, 2019 Smith's stunning, unplanned announcement Sunday that he would be paying off the student loans of all the nearly 400 graduating Morehouse students ripped through the nation, lighting up social media and creating a legion of grateful parents and alumni. "We're going to put a little fuel in your bus," Smith told the students before telling them his family would make a grant to pay off their loans. Director Spike Lee, a Morehouse graduate, posted a video to Instagram thanking Smith. "Robert Smith, the wealthiest African American in the United States of America: Thank you, thank you, thank you," Lee said, before singing a few bars of the college hymn, "Dear Old Morehouse." Story continues Graduates react after hearing billionaire technology investor and philanthropist Robert F. Smith say he will provide grants to wipe out the student debt of the entire 2019 graduating class at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Sunday, May 19, 2019. (Steve Schaefer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) ORG XMIT: GAATJ901 Morehouse College President David A. Thomas said he hopes Smith's grant, estimated at up to $40 million, spurs other wealthy donors to support historically black colleges and universities, known as HBCUs, such as Morehouse. "If we look at how many HBCUs, for example, are struggling, I think you could make a case that our community, those of us with means, have not prioritized supporting them because many of them should not be struggling the way that they're struggling, Thomas told SiriusXM Host Joe Madison. After Smith's announcement, the students in the crowd cheered, hugged and launched into a chant of "MVP! MVP!" Perhaps few in the crowd were as stunned and happy as Dormeus. One of nine children from Harlem, New York, Dormeus said he was raised by a single mother after his father died when he was seven years old. They struggled to make ends meet but never felt like they were missing anything, he said. "We never knew we were lacking," he said. "Our mom always told us, 'You can do anything you put your mind to.'" Getting into Morehouse was great but also a financial struggle, Dormeus said. Each year, he took out loans to get him through the semester, got small grants and scholarships where he could, and took on a job in the sales department of AT&T. By graduation, he had amassed $100,000 in loans. He said he planned to keep working full-time at AT&T and dedicate a chunk of his salary to paying off his loans. Now, he hopes to save money and help pay college costs for his younger brother, Jeremiah, a junior in high school in New York who also hopes to attend Morehouse. His long-term dream: Build a financial foundation that helps people in his community get out of debt and into college. "I want to pay it back in ways we havent yet seen," Dormeus said. "Robert Smith has done that. Hes set the tone." After the commencement ceremony, Dormeus filed out with the other students and headed back to his dorm. There, he sat and let the tears roll again. The gospel song, God Has Smiled On Me, played endlessly in his head, as if caught in a loop. God has smiled on me He has set me free, oh God has smiled on me He's been good to me, oh. "I was struggling for four years straight," Dormeous said. "Now look at it. God has smiled on me." Follow Jervis on Twitter: @MrRJervis. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: One Morehouse College student's $100,000 in debt, vanished. 'God has smiled on me,' he says after billionaire Robert F. Smith's speech With Tesla's(TSLA) stock sinking to around $200 this week, Craig Irwin, an analyst at Roth Capital Partners, told CNBC on Tuesday that the electric car company could have sold to Apple(AAPL) six years ago for a significantly higher price per share. "Around 2013, there was a serious bid from Apple at around $240 a share," Irwin said in an interview on "Squawk Box." "This is something we did multiple checks on. I have complete confidence that this is accurate. Apple bid for Tesla. I don't know if it got to a formal paperwork stage, but I know from multiple different sources that this was very credible." Apple and Tesla did not respond to requests for comment. Tesla is down more than 38% in 2019, to a share price of $197.76 at the start of trading Tuesday. The stock has plunged 46% from its high in August, when CEO Elon Musk said he had "funding secured" to take the company private at $420 a share. Knowing there was a "very credible" bid on the table in 2013 keeps Irwin from being more bearish on the stock today. "If Apple had interest then, they would probably have interest now at the right price," he said. Irwin said that Apple's car project continues to develop in secret, and that the company is building large "dry rooms" in California to do something related to automotive batteries. According to Irwin, those rooms are designed to handle the environmental containment required for the production of lithium-ion batteries. "My checks are Apple is building several dry rooms, including a couple that are much larger than what you would need for watch or consumer product battery development," Irwin wrote in a follow-up email. Irwin is not the first to suggest that Apple and Tesla have held discussions. The San Francisco Chronicle reported in 2014 that Musk met with Apple's head of mergers and acquisitions and most likely CEO Tim Cook as well. Story continues If the two companies were to combine, it would be by far Apple's largest acquisition ever and one of the biggest in the history of the technology industry. Tesla's current market cap is about $36 billion. The most Apple has ever paid is $3 billion for Beats Electronics in 2014. For a deal to take place Apple would face the question of what to do with the outspoken Musk and his tendency to gain attention for many of the wrong reasons, whether it's tweeting out material nonpublic information or smoking weed on a podcast. "Regarding the acquisition: my understanding is Apple wanted Elon Musk to step away, and that was a deal killer," Irwin said in the email. Correction: In August, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said he had "funding secured" to take the company private at $420 a share. An earlier version mischaracterized his statement. WATCH: Elon Musk seen smoking weed on podcast Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube. TBILISI, May 21 (Reuters) - Parliamentarians from the Council of Europe, the continent's chief human rights watchdog, warned Armenia on Tuesday to refrain from pressuring its judiciary. The statement came after hundreds of protesters briefly blocked access to the ex-Soviet nation's courts on Monday heeding a call from Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. "Political stakeholders must refrain from actions and statements that could be perceived as exerting pressure on the judiciary," Yuliya Lovochkina and Andrej Sircelj, co-rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) for the monitoring of Armenia, said in a statement. "The independence of the judiciary is a pre-requisite for the rule of law," added the organization, which can only make recommendations to other bodies. Pashinyan, who came to power in a peaceful revolution last year after protests against corruption and cronyism, had called for the demonstrations on Sunday after a court ordered ex-president Robert Kocharyan freed on bail from pre-trial detention. Kocharyan, who was president from 1998 to 2008, has been charged with acting unlawfully by introducing a state of emergency in March 2008, following a disputed election. At least ten people were killed in clashes between police and protesters. "The time has come to carry out a surgical intervention in the judicial system," Pashinyan said in a televised address on Sunday, urging the vetting of all judges. PACE said it recognized the public reaction to Kocharyan's freeing on bail showed the low trust in the judiciary. "Judicial reforms remain a priority and we welcome Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's stated desire for far-reaching reform of the judicial system," the co-rapporteurs said. (Reporting by Margarita Antidze; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne) By Saumya Joseph (Reuters) - Array BioPharma Inc's cocktail of three therapies helped patients with a type of colorectal cancer live longer than those on standard treatment, according to interim results of a late-stage study on Tuesday. The combination therapy, comprising Array's Braftovi and Mektovi and Eli Lilly and Co's Erbitux, helped half the patients enrolled in the study survive nine months. This was in comparison to the standard regimen of Erbitux and chemotherapy irinotecan, which showed a median overall survival of 5.4 months in patients. Array's combination also helped reduce the risk of death from colorectal cancer by 48% compared to the standard of care in patients, with a gene mutation known as BRAF V600E, whose cancer had progressed after one or two other therapies. The mutation occurs in up to 15% of metastatic colorectal cancer patients, and there are no FDA-approved treatments for the condition, according to the company. Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and women, and about 145,600 new cases of colon or rectal cancer are expected in the United States in 2019, according to the American Cancer Society. The company said it is testing the combination as a potential first-line treatment for colorectal cancer patients with the BRAF V600E mutation in a separate study. "We've seen that in earlier lines of patients there appears to be more tumor shrinkage ... the goal ultimately is to treat patients as early as possible," Chief Executive Officer Ron Squarer told Reuters. In the latest study, Array also tested a double-combination version of the therapy, which helped reduce the risk of death by 40%, with a median overall survival rate of 8.4 months. Both combinations were generally well tolerated with no unexpected toxicities. The company said it expects to submit the data for marketing approval in the second half of 2019. Array's Braftovi and Mektovi received FDA approval last year for treating a deadly form of skin cancer. (Reporting by Saumya Sibi Joseph in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli) Ashley Roberts poses for photographers upon arrival at the Brit Awards in London, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP) Ashley Roberts has defended reality TV insisting her experience of it has only been a positive one. The former Pussycat Doll - who has just announced her West End debut in The Waitress - was the runner-up in Im A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2012, where she was subjected to sharing a bed with rats and eating camel penis. She also finished second in Strictly Come Dancing last year, where she met her dancer boyfriend Giovanni Pernice. Reality TV has come under fire - with the government launching an inquiry into the duty of care producers have to participants - following the death of a guest on The Jeremy Kyle Show and Love Island contestants Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon. Read more: 'Strictly Come Dancing' star Ashley Roberts explains why she won't be hit by the show's 'curse' Roberts told Yahoo: The jungle really just changed my life. Especially being over her in the UK, I felt like I go scooped up by the Brits. It was challenging, absolutely it was challenging, but I felt like Jane of the Jungle after that. And Strictly is so amazing, you get to learn a skill and getting to learn all those different styles of dance. And having Pasha [Kovalev, her dance partner] by my side, who was such a solid rock for me. I feel really blessed. Ive gotten to do some amazing shows and have friendships that will last forever from them. So my experience has been good. It was through Strictly that Roberts met her boyfriend, professional dancer Pernice, 28, who she thinks is even more excited about her new West End role than her. Roberts will join the cast of hit stage musical The Waitress, playing kookie side kick Dawn at the Adelphi Theatre in London in June. Read more: Ashley Roberts talks 'mental and emotional strain' of reaching Strictly final She said: Giovanni is a huge musical theatre fan so I think he might be even more excited than I am. Hes so supportive. Hes definitely going to be there on opening night. Its nice to be able to share the love of performance with someone. Story continues Roberts admitted she was feeling a little nervous about acting in a musical for the first time. She said: I nervous but excited. Ive never down West End before, this is going to be my little debut and Im really excited about it. Pussycat Dolls perform at the 2006 American Music Awards in Los Angeles, on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2006. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) A pop concert is a different energy, when youre doing the song and people are jumping up and down or dancing. I think Strictly really is what lit the fire inside me to want to get out there and perform. Getting to the stories and the characters that we did each week, I thought Id really like to do a theatre show, which Id never felt before. Roberts is the highest scoring Strictly contestant ever, despite being runner-up, but she insisted The Waitress will be something completely new for her. She said: Theres not that much dancing. I think thats also what Im excited about. There is dancing, but also a lot of character and music and singing. So I can take people for a little journey that they havent been down with me before. Backed by solo home runs from Jake Marisnick and Tyler White, Brad Peacock produced his third consecutive strong outing as the Houston Astros opened a season-long 10-game homestand with a 3-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Monday. After surrendering a season-worst seven earned runs in an 8-2 loss at Minnesota on May 2, Peacock (5-2) has allowed one earned run over his last three starts and 17 innings, good for an 0.53 ERA. Peacock has produced 24 strikeouts against just five walks during that stretch, including nine strikeouts over five innings against the White Sox. Peacock allowed just two hits and did not issue a walk. Peacock retired the first eight batters he faced and recorded seven of his strikeouts between the second and fourth innings. When he ran into trouble during a 30-pitch fifth inning, Peacock rallied with a strikeout of Chicago center fielder Leury Garcia to strand a pair of runners on base. Peacock threw 91 pitches, 59 for strikes. He threw 29 two-seam and four-seam fastballs each. The White Sox, who began a stretch of seven games against the top two teams in the American League, finished 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and dropped to 1-10 in their last 11 games against the Astros. Following this four-game series, the White Sox will visit the Minnesota Twins, who are in first place in the AL Central. Houston has won 14 of 16 games. Right-hander Ryan Burr (1-1) served as the designated opener for the White Sox and allowed one unearned run on one hit and one walk with one strikeout over two innings. In the first inning, right fielder Charlie Tilson misplayed a Michael Brantley single into an error that allowed Alex Bregman to advance to third base. Carlos Correa followed with a sacrifice fly to center that scored Bregman. Marisnick greeted left-hander Jace Fry with his fifth home run leading off the third inning, a 422-foot shot to left on the first pitch. An inning later White added his first homer this season, a 418-foot blast to left center off right-hander Jose Ruiz. The Astros have hit 40 homers while homering in 17 consecutive games, the third-longest streak in club history. Four Houston relievers completed the shutout. Ryan Pressly extended his major league record of consecutive scoreless appearances to 40. Roberto Osuna notched his 12th save. --Field Level Media Brutal droughts, floods and wildfires were expected to make the environment a pivotal issue in Australia's election, instead victory for the climate change-sceptic Liberal party could have global implications. Australia's Liberal-National coalition secured victory late on Saturday night despite polls suggesting an opposition Labor Party win. In coal-rich Queensland, voters swung hard to the government fearing a Labor government would curb mining projects and cost them jobs. Concerns that Labor would block the creation of the massive Indian-backed Adani coal mine helped voters abandon the party in their droves. The northeastern district of Herbert had been the most marginal seat at the last election, with only a 0.02 percent difference between the main parties. This time the Liberals took 58 percent of the vote. That result -- and others like it -- could have ramifications far beyond Australia. - 'Emissions superpower' - In the emissions stakes, Australia is a minnow compared to the bellowing economies of China or the United States. But its role as the world's largest coal exporter gives the country outsized influence in the climate stakes. Experts say the coalition government's election victory makes it much more likely that the Adani project will go ahead. Eventually, they say, billions more tonnes of coal will be available to export and burn in places like India. "It is probable that they will push for the final approvals to go through as quickly as possible," Samantha Hepburn, an energy and resources law expert at Deakin University, told AFP. The Labor-led Queensland state government -- which also has a say -- is likely to come under enormous pressure to approve the project despite concerns about the environment. "Adani is the thin edge of the wedge," said Hepburn. The wider area around Adani -- known as the Galilee Basin -- is believed to have enough coal to produce up to 600 million tonnes a year, she said. Story continues "Approving Adani will provide a strong precedent for the development of further mines in the area." - Debate continues - However, conservatives weren't successful across the board. While Saturday's election was a win for those who want the jobs and wealth that mining brings, the victory was not decisive. Early on election night, former prime minister -- and climate change-denial poster boy -- Tony Abbott stood before supporters and strained to be gracious in defeat. After 25 years representing Sydney's affluent northern beaches, eco-minded voters had decisively booted him from office, electing Zali Steggall -- an Olympic skier who campaigned on climate change -- instead. The polarising 61-year-old failed spectacularly to read the public mood in his backyard, but he may have nailed the broader national trend. "Where climate change is a moral issue, we Liberals do it tough," Abbott said, lamenting his own fate. "Where climate change is an economic issue, as the result tonight shows, we do very, very well." - Issues within coalition - Several climate-friendly candidates secured a place in parliament or gained ground on climate-sceptic ruling Liberals. Not all were in affluent urban areas. In one district nestled amid the Australian Alps and the Murray River, an independent ran and won on an environmentalist platform. Within his own party, Prime Minister Scott Morrison will now have to navigate between climate deniers emboldened by victory and moderates who are feeling the electoral heat for the government's hardline policies. "These are issues that are difficult internally for the coalition," Marija Taflaga, a political scientist at the Australian National University, wrote in a recent commentary that highlighted additional outside pressures. "He will need to address climate policy because business wants a price signal for carbon emissions." Farmers -- who are worst hit by floods, droughts and fires -- are also starting to demand action to curb the effects of climate change. With influential climate hardliner Abbott out of the way, Morrison may have a little more room for manoeuver. But the former prime minister's exhortation to voters to choose between "jobs or climate" looks set to dominate Australia's politics well into the future. The number of Australians making online queries about migrating to New Zealand has surged after conservative Prime Minister Scott Morrison's shock election win, official data showed Tuesday. Morrison's Liberal-National coalition defeated the opposition Labor party on Saturday night to secure a third term in office, despite every public poll during the campaign predicting a Labor win. While Aussies are normally quick to joke about their Kiwi neighbours, the prospect of three years under conservative Morrison appears to have many contemplating a dash across the sea to New Zealand. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) said the number of Australians visiting its website for prospective migrants increased 12-fold to 8,522 the day after the election, up from 715 the previous Sunday. The number who took the next step and submitted details to register interest in migrating soared from 20 to 512 over the same period. "It is important to note that these are purely registrations of interest in coming to New Zealand and does not necessarily translate to the number of people actually moving," INZ manager Greg Forsythe said in a statement. Australians do not need a visa to migrate to New Zealand, making it difficult to gauge how serious the interest is. INZ's websites experienced similar spikes in 2016 after the Brexit vote and Donald Trump's election. However, migration applications from Britain and the United States declined slightly in the following two years. Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway said he was not surprised at the latest rush of interest from Australia. "New Zealand is a wonderful destination full of possibilities," he told reporters. "I'm not at all surprised. If Australians are looking at us, that's great." It comes after a survey found earlier this month that the most trusted politician among Australians was not one of their own but New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, by a considerable margin. BERLIN (AP) Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz is set to face a no-confidence vote in parliament next week after his governing coalition collapsed over a corruption scandal that Austria's president warned risks harming the country's image abroad. Speaker Wolfgang Sobotka, a member of Kurz's conservative People's Party, set a special session of the legislature for Monday. Opposition parties wanted it held this week, but Sobotka said he wants to "give space to the EU election campaign," the Austria Press Agency reported Tuesday. Austria elects European Parliament lawmakers Sunday. The opposition Now party has drawn up a no-confidence motion seeking to oust Kurz before an early national election expected in September. Kurz called for that election after far-right Freedom Party leader Heinz-Christian Strache, who was his vice chancellor, resigned Saturday. Strache was shown on video appearing to offer favors to a purported Russian investor during a meeting two years ago on the Spanish island of Ibiza. Kurz's party holds only 61 of the 183 seats in parliament. It isn't yet clear whether the second- and third-biggest parties, the center-left Social Democrats and the Freedom Party, will vote to remove him depriving the 32-year-old of the advantage of going into the national election as the incumbent. That would leave President Alexander Van der Bellen to name an interim chancellor. While Kurz remains in office Van der Bellen has asked him to propose interim ministers to replace the Freedom Party politicians who have left the government including the interior, defense and labor ministers. The president said Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl, who was nominated by the Freedom Party but isn't a party member, has agreed to stay on. Van der Bellen, a liberal whose position puts him above the cut-and-thrust of politics, said the interim ministers will have to be "impeccable experts." "Let us not forget that there has been a massive betrayal of trust as a result of this disturbing image of immorality from Ibiza," he said after meeting Kurz. Story continues Later, in a public television address, Van der Bellen appealed to voters not to turn away from politics in disgust at the "disturbing images" they had seen in the video. "The damage these pictures will cause can't yet be judged," he said, adding that he wanted to apologize to voters for the impression they might have of politicians after seeing Strache apparently willing to trade favors for support. But he added: "We aren't like that. Austria isn't like that." Van der Bellen warned that the bad impression left by the video might deter investors and tourists from coming to Austria, at a cost of tens of thousands of jobs. Addressing Austria's political parties, he said: "Please don't think what advantage you can get for your party in the short term now. Think about what you can do for Austria." Strache has said he was set up through illegal surveillance, but conceded his behavior was "stupid, irresponsible and a mistake." On Tuesday, he sounded a combative note. "We will find the people behind the criminally produced video and the dirty campaigning and I will prove my innocence!" Strache wrote in a Facebook post. ___ Frank Jordans contributed to this report. Vienna (AFP) - Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz was facing the prospect of a no-confidence vote in parliament as he grappled Tuesday with the fallout from the "Ibiza-gate" scandal that toppled his coalition with the far right. Austria's government was rocked last week after German media published a hidden-camera video showing then far-right Freedom Party (FPOe) leader Heinz-Christian Strache appearing to offer public contracts to a fake Russian backer in return for election campaign help. The explosive video, filmed in a luxury villa on the Spanish island of Ibiza in July 2017, led to Strache's resignation as vice-chancellor on Saturday and to Kurz ending the 18-month-old coalition, which many on Europe's right had touted as a model. Kurz announced a push for snap elections, expected in September, hoping to escape damage from the affair by asking Austrians to strengthen the hand of his centre-right People's Party (OeVP). But Kurz may hit his first stumbling block as early as next week, with a special sitting of parliament called for Monday to discuss a no-confidence motion supported by the environmentalist Jetzt party. For the motion to succeed it would need the backing of both the FPOe and the main opposition Social Democrats (SPOe), and it is not yet clear whether they will do so. - Cabinet shake-up - The latest twists come a day after FPOe ministers quit the government en masse after Kurz sacked controversial interior minister Herbert Kickl, a leading far-right party member. Experts are already set to fill the cabinet posts vacated by the FPOe, with Kurz telling reporters on Tuesday that he would suggest names for the positions by the end of the day. Speaking alongside Kurz, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen added that Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl had expressed a willingness to stay. While not a FPOe member, she was nominated by the party and had been expected to follow its other ministers out of office. Story continues Meanwhile, outgoing European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker Tuesday weighed in on the scandal condemning Strache's behaviour. "The idea that you would offer up your country on a silver platter for others to help themselves doesn't correspond to my basic idea of patriotism," Juncker told reporters. He said this week's elections for the European Parliament would be an opportunity for voters "to turn their backs on the threat from the right". - Far-right victim? - On Tuesday, Strache, who has admitted that his behaviour was "stupid" and "irresponsible", posted a statement on Facebook vowing to prove his innocence and "unmask those behind this illegally made video". Senior FPOe politicians, including new leader Norbert Hofer, have chimed in presenting the party as a victim of a power-grab by Kurz. The first opinion poll published after the scandal broke however offers some encouragement for Kurz, with his OeVP up four points to 38 percent and the FPOe falling back by five points to 18 percent. When he took office, the 32-year-old Kurz was widely hailed on the European right as someone who could successfully tap into surging anti-immigration sentiment while projecting a polished demeanour. While he said on Saturday that the constant string of FPOe-related scandals over the course of his government had been "hard to swallow", critics counter that he had had ample warning. "There were plenty of clues as to the sort of dubious, chaotic characters he was going into coalition with, and where that would lead," commented the left-leaning Der Standard daily on Tuesday. By Francois Murphy VIENNA (Reuters) - The far-right Freedom Party (FPO) quit Austria's coalition government on Tuesday after the president sided with Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and sacked the hardline FPO interior minister, paving the way for a caretaker government. Kurz's own fate remained uncertain, however, as the FPO has threatened to respond by backing a no-confidence motion in parliament. Losing that would hurt the 32-year-old as he seeks to emerge statesmanlike from the scandal-tainted collapse of his government. A snap election is expected to be held in September. Kurz set about filling the vacant FPO ministers' posts with technocrats, but it remained to be seen if that would be enough to satisfy opposition lawmakers. The leader of the Social Democrats, the second biggest party in parliament, said if technocrats were brought in, it should be for all cabinet posts. "All those I have spoken to emphasise that they want to ensure Austria's stability in the coming transitional period, and the unanimity on this point is a start," President Alexander Van der Bellen, who has been holding talks with all parties in parliament, told a joint news conference with Kurz. Kurz, whose centre-right People's Party (OVP) is the largest in parliament, said he would propose civil servants to fill the posts by Tuesday evening at the latest. Van der Bellen is due to address the nation at 7:45 p.m. (1745 GMT). The president approved Kurz's request to dismiss Interior Minister Herbert Kickl as what started as a scandal that felled the government turned into a power struggle between the 32-year-old chancellor and his coalition partners of the past 17 months. Video footage of FPO leader Heinz-Christian Strache apparently offering to fix state contracts and explaining how to circumvent party financing rules was published over the weekend, forcing him to resign and prompting Kurz to end their alliance. Kurz has pledged a full investigation into any crimes or wrongdoing arising from the footage, which was filmed in 2017. Story continues He argued that Kickl could not stay on as interior minister because he was FPO chairman at the time, which includes responsibility for party finances, and should not therefore oversee the investigation by security services. WILL THEY, WON'T THEY? Kickl said Kurz was only interested in regaining control of a ministry at the heart of Austria's security apparatus, and suggested his party would back a no-confidence motion. "It would be almost naive for Kurz to assume that we, the FPO, have no distrust of him following his distrust in us," Kickl told tabloid Oesterreich before Van der Bellen spoke. New FPO leader Norbert Hofer later said, however, that the party had not yet decided. Lawmaker Peter Pilz said he would put forward a motion of no confidence in Kurz at a special session of parliament on Monday, the day after Austrians vote in a European Parliament election. "I am quite certain that it will succeed and that I will manage to ensure that Kurz will no longer be chancellor on Tuesday," Pilz, an environmentalist who founded his own small rival party to the Greens, told Reuters. The Social Democrats' leader, Pamela Rendi-Wagner, said her party did not rule out bringing its own no-confidence motion. "I am concerned about Sebastian Kurz's approach at the moment. He did not seriously try to secure a parliamentary majority for his proposal," she said in a statement after Kurz and Van der Bellen spoke. "I remain of the view that a government composed solely of experts is the most reliable solution in this difficult situation." (Additional reporting by Alexandra Schwarz-Goerlich in Vienna, Michael Shields in Zurich and Michelle Martin in Berlin; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Gareth Jones) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Bahrain on Tuesday defended its decision to host a White House-engineered conference to address the Israeli-Palestinian crisis, saying its only objective is to support the "brotherly Palestinian people." The Palestinian Authority has rejected the economic conference planned for next month, which is part of the rollout of the White House's long-awaited Israel-Palestinian plan, saying any peace effort that ignores the Palestinian people's aspirations for an independent state is doomed to fail. A senior Palestinian official has likened the White House plan to "financial blackmail ". Bahrain's foreign minister, Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, tweeted that his country respects the Palestinian leadership's steadfast position safeguarding Palestinian rights. He said that both the official and popular position of Bahrain "has been and continues to be championing the brotherly Palestinian people in the restoration of their legitimate rights in their land and an independent state with its capital as east Jerusalem, additionally economically supporting the Palestinian people." The minister added that "there's no other purpose" in hosting the conference than Bahrain's continued support of the Palestinians. His comments highlight the uneasy balance some Gulf Arab leaders are attempting to strike as their once quiet ties with Israel grow tighter and more public in the face of shared enemy Iran. The region's public, though, remains sensitive to the Israeli occupation and Palestinian demands for independence while the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in east Jerusalem holds religious significance to Muslims around the world. In recent weeks, civil society groups in Bahrain took to Twitter to protest a visit to Manama by an Israeli delegation to a global entrepreneurship summit. Bahrain's lower house of parliament also issued a statement rejecting the visit. Story continues Meanwhile, the Trump administration is working to rally key Arab states, like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and others, to help bankroll economic incentives that could get Palestinians to buy into its Mideast plan. The plan, which has been two years in the making, envisions large-scale investment and infrastructure work in the Palestinian territories. But the central political elements remain mostly unknown. President Donald Trump's senior adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and Jason Greenblatt, envoy of international negotiations, have been leading efforts to write the plan, but so far, there's been no participation from the Palestinians. U.S.-based Rabbi Marc Schneier, who was appointed special adviser by Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, said he knows of no other Gulf leader that has been more preoccupied with establishing relations with Israel and bringing other Gulf states onboard. The tiny island nation of Bahrain is a close U.S. ally and hosts the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet. Schneier said King Hamad told him in a 2016 meeting in the palace that "our only hope for a strong, moderate Arab voice in the Gulf is a strong Israel." He noted that the king also sent an interfaith delegation from Bahrain to Jerusalem not long after the Trump administration moved the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in recognition of it as Israel's capital. "It's not a question of Bahrain being a participant. They have led this effort, at least since I've known the king for eight years," Schneier said, adding that it's no wonder that the king "would embrace" the opportunity to host the Mideast meeting. Kristin Smith Diwan, a scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, said Gulf societies appear to be much less comfortable than their governments with the warming relations that are taking place with Israel before a political settlement with the Palestinians is reached. She said when the Bahraini foreign minister expresses the country's traditional support for a Palestinian state while hosting this conference, people understand the political significance lies more in the latter. "It is a big change from when Gulf states publicly competed in their support for the Palestinian cause," Diwan said. The conference, running June 25-26 in Bahrain, will not address the most contentious parts of the conflict: borders, the status of Jerusalem, Palestinian refugees and Israel's security. On Saturday, May 18, Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz declared the end of his coalition government. Kurzs Austrian Peoples Party (OVP) had formed a tenuous alliance with the Freedom Party of Austria (FPO) after legislative elections in October 2017. But following the release on Friday of a video of Heinz-Christian Strache, leader of the FPO, a remarkably calm Kurz proclaimed, Enough is enough, citing multiple instances of misconduct on the part of his FPO colleagues over the years. In the video, which was filmed in 2017, Strache discusses the potential to provide business prospects in Austria for his host, who claimed to be the niece of a Russian oligarch, in exchange for her support in the upcoming election, including the possibility (suggested by the woman and agreed to by Strache) that she might purchase the Austrian tabloid Kronen Zeitung in order to provide favorable coverage of the OVP. There is no indication that anything came of these discussions after the one meeting recorded in the video. Strache, while maintaining that he had done nothing illegal, apologized for his conduct and resigned, both as vice chancellor and as leader of the OVP, within a day of the videos appearance. Multiple FPO officials followed suit as Kurz called for a snap election in hopes of forming a new government. That the two-year-old video first surfaced last week, in the lead-up to European Parliament elections slated for May 26, suggests a carefully timed strike against both Straches FPO and the Kurz-led coalition. Of 18 Austrian seats in the European Parliament, the OVP currently holds five, the FPO four. Historically Euroskeptic, the FPO has shifted in recent years, especially since the formation of the coalition in 2017, toward reluctant support of the European Union; fiercely nationalist, it has been at the forefront of a growing movement in the EU against mass immigration. The OVP has been typically supportive of EU membership but staunchly opposed to recent EU policies and practices that have encouraged mass immigration. Given the importance of the immigration debate in current EU proceedings, a shift in power toward any of Austrias more pro-immigration parties could prove significant. Story continues Domestically, Kurz has succeeded on the key issues of immigration and EU membership. On both issues, the influence of the center-right OVP has tempered the far-right FPO. Both in these two areas and across the board, the result has been (with a few glaring exceptions, the endorsement of a federal basic income being a particularly disappointing example) a platform thats at least palatable, and often downright impressive, to American conservatives: including, among other things, border-control measures that are strict without neglecting genuine humanitarian need, major reforms of tax codes and entitlement programs, and relaxation of restrictive labor policies such as the ten-hour maximum workday. That being said, Kurzs misgivings about association with the FPO are understandable. The partys roots it was founded in 1956 by a former SS officer should raise some eyebrows right off the bat. But the OVPs own immediate predecessor, the Fatherland Front, is generally considered fascist as well though, to its credit, it was always firmly opposed to Nazism. It is an unfortunate reality that the histories of many Continental political bodies are tinged with fascist associations from the last century. This history, however, does not define the parties of today, and there is precious little evidence that the modern FPO might rightly be called a fascist party, or even that its historical roots are particularly relevant to its present life. More plausible and more concerning than the ideological accusations against the organization are the very real charges (and confessions) of corruption and bigotry among its individual members. In one egregious incident, Christian Schilcher, a minor FPO politician the vice mayor of Braunau am Inn, incidentally Hitlers hometown published a poem equating migrants with rats. Chancellor Kurz even cited this particular episode in the announcement of his recent decision. What the chancellor seems to have forgotten, however, is that Schilcher was pushed to resign and swiftly condemned by FPO leadership, including the now-excommunicated Strache. He was not the rule but an exception to it, and an exception quickly dispensed with. To define the FPO by Schilcher and the few people like him would be no different from defining the Democratic party by Robert Byrd, or the Republican party by Steve King, or either party by David Duke (depending on the day). Like any movement, it has some deplorable members, though they dont quite constitute half and theyre not really in a basket. Is the FPO, left to its own devices, too extreme? Almost certainly. But is it an unhinged mob of neo-Nazis with no rightful place in government? Not quite. On the contrary, the FPO, under Kurzs moderating influence, proved a valuable, if imperfect, conservative agent in Austrian and European government. Kurz has decided that this association is no longer an acceptable price to pay for his remarkable success in coalition governance. This decision should be acknowledged and admired for its undoubtedly good intention, and perhaps even as evidence of good character, but good intentions and good character do not always equal good politics. If the choice is between Sebastian Kurzs honor and Austrias perhaps even Europes future, then its not really much of a choice at all. Just what result might Kurz be hoping for from the election he has requested? The most obvious possibility is a new coalition with the center-left Social Democrats, who currently hold 52 seats in the National Council (out of 183 total) to the OVPs 61. What might a coalition platform between the Social Democrats and the OVP look like, though? In all likelihood: mostly just like the Social Democrats platform, with a few minor changes for appearances sake. Kurz has even admitted that his partys economic agenda would not be feasible in a coalition government with the Social Democrats. Having ruled out any possibility of continued cooperation with the only other right-wing party in the National Council, Kurz has very little leverage to negotiate any deal; he even faces a no-confidence vote slated for Monday, May 27, demanded by both his opponents on the left and by former FPO allies. The other parties currently holding seats in the National Council (the Greens, with ten, and NEOS, or the New Austria and Liberal Forum, with 7) are both too far to the left and too inconsequential to form a governing coalition. Kurzs only other chance, then and its a terribly slim one is for the OVP to win a strict majority in the legislature, thereby eliminating the need for coalition. But the jump from 61 to 92 seats would have been a near-impossibility even before this most recent shake-up. Now, the OVP will consider itself lucky if it just manages to avoid massive losses. The FPO, on the other hand, finds itself at its highest point of influence in decades. It has seen steady rises every cycle since winning just 18 seats in the 2002 elections, culminating in a 51-seat victory this last election just one less than the Social Democrats. Especially now that the immensely popular Norbert Hofer, who very nearly became president in 2016, has replaced Strache as party leader, the FPO could very well prove a formidable force going forward. This could be bad news for Kurz, given how forcefully he has just condemned them, and how forcefully they have responded. If Hofers FPO and Kurzs OVP can mend fences, they may very well grow into one of the most effective movements on the right to govern in Europe in recent memory. Their model could in turn serve as a template for conservatives across the EU to win elections and effectively govern afterward. Kurzs only other choice is to accept near-certain defeat and watch his country be governed by a new coalition of any of the parties to his left, a coalition almost certain to undo the significant accomplishments of the last two years. There is only one path forward for a conservative Austria, and Kurz was already on it before Saturdays announcement. It may not be a pretty one, but its better than any of the alternatives. More from National Review * Factory safety oversight to be handed over to new entity * Union leaders fear new deal may compromise worker safety * Bangladesh among top exporters of apparel sold in West By Ruma Paul and Serajul Quadir DHAKA, May 21 (Reuters) - The end of an international arrangement aimed at ensuring the wellbeing of Bangladeshi garment workers is likely to undermine safety by making factory owners responsible for maintaining standards, trade union leaders said on Tuesday. The Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh was set up by European fashion brands to improve factory safety in Bangladesh after as garment factory complex collapsed in 2013 killing more than 1,100 people. Staff inspect factories to check on safety in the world's second largest exporter of readymade garments. The five-year pact was originally due to expire in May 2018 but a longer transition period was agreed. Attempts by the Accord's members to extend its authority to operate were challenged in court by some factory owners, while the government set up its own body to take over its work. On Sunday, a court approved a plan to transfer the factory oversight team that works under the pact, which is known as the Accord, and its duties to a group led by the top garment manufacturer's association. But leaders of seven garment workers' unions say they were not consulted on the arrangement, which they said could give too much power to the factory owners, who union leaders fear lack the incentive to invest in safety. "This deal is sure to compromise the safety and security of garment workers given there will be no independent decision-making by the Accord," said Babul Akter, president of the Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation. "This was framed without any discussion with labor unions." Unions will decide this week on what action they might take to protest against the arrangement, Akter said. 'NO LAPSES' Low wages have helped Bangladesh build the worlds second-largest garment industry, behind China, with some 4,000 factories employing about 4 million workers. Story continues Bangladesh is among the world's largest exporters of apparel sold by Western companies like H&M, Adidas and Walmart, but the industry has been plagued by fires and boiler explosions that have killed hundreds in recent years. Any new worry over safety standards could prompt some brands to cut ties with Bangladeshi suppliers. The Accord was formed by European fashion brands along with a global union federation - IndustriALL. It can sanction a company if it fails safety checks by imposing export restrictions. Akter said the end of the independently operating Accord would be a major drawback. Government officials say the Accord is no longer needed as a national regulatory body, the Remediation Coordination Cell (RCC), is able to do the job. But the Accord says the RCC is not yet to the task. "Our assessment is that currently the RCC isn't yet ready to take over all of the functions and work of the Accord," said Joris Oldenziel, a spokesman for the Accord. The government said it will work toward ensuring factory safety even after the Accord exits. "There will be no lapses ... this is a question of existence," said Mohammad Mofizul Islam, a commerce ministry official. The Accord, signed by brands like H&M, Benetton and others, has been credited with improving factory safety in Bangladesh through inspections and funding for improvements. "We have a feeling that it may not be possible for others to repeat what the Accord has achieved in Bangladesh," said Rani Khan, general secretary of another trade union, the Mukto Garment Sramik Federation. (Additional reporting by Sai Sachin Ravikumar Editing by Euan Rocha, Robert Birsel) Lagos (AFP) - Tens of thousands of women have been freed from Nigeria's brutal Boko Haram fighters, but providing a safe future for them is critical to winning the war, analysts warned Tuesday. "Their hardship is a humanitarian concern - but also could fuel the conflict," the International Crisis Group (ICG) said in a new report. Boko Haram's decade-long uprising to establish a hardline Islamic state in Nigeria's northeast has spilt into neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon. A regional military coalition is battling the Islamist group. But success cannot depend on the armed forces alone, the ICG warned. They called on the government to "look beyond the military campaign", in a report released on Tuesday, entitled "Returning from the Land of Jihad: The Fate of Women Associated with Boko Haram." Those who have escaped the group are often now living among the same communities badly hit by violence, ICG said. Many women fleeing the jihadists are shunned by society and find it hard to marry -- leaving them vulnerable to assault, the report read. "The successful reintegration of former Boko Haram women can send a powerful signal to their fighter husbands, some of whom are eyeing the possibility of their own surrender," the ICG said. "Conversely, their mistreatment could not only dissuade men from demobilising but also prompt women to return to the insurgents' ranks." - 'Litmus test' - That applies to both those who were forcibly made to fight because they were abducted, and those who were recruited willingly, but have since broken away from the group and surrendered. ICG said how the women were treated provided a "litmus test" for those still fighting. "If returnee women report fair treatment, they may convince disillusioned insurgents to leave Boko Haram's ranks," ICG said. They called for greater funding to support programmes for the women, as well as ensuring that aid is distributed equally, to avoid building up resentment towards the ex-fighters from those who suffered from Boko Haram attacks. Story continues "Increasing support for people displaced by the conflict, and more generally for the north east's development, can help repair the frayed relations between state and society... that have fuelled the insurgency," the report said. Boko Haram have abducted huge numbers of women and children -- including the kidnapping of 276 girls from a school in Chibok in 2014 that grabbed media attention -- but they are not the only ones holding women and children. Earlier in May a pro-government militia force fighting Boko Haram released 894 children, including 106 girls. Fighting continues. Chinese ambassador Wu Peng has allayed fears that key Kenyan assets could be seized should Kenya default on its loans. Wu Peng, who arrived in Nairobi six weeks ago, maintained that Kenya is a sovereign state. He called for common sense, noting that assets in a country are protected by international law. The envoy was speaking to the Daily Nation at the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi. He also insisted that the Standard Gauge Railway is viable, adding that China has full confidence in Kenyas ability to make profits from SGR. Below are some excerpts from the interview: There were expectations that the Presidents China visit would secure funding for the Naivasha-Kisumu phase of the railway. It didnt happen and the government later said the issue was not on the agenda. At what stage was that funding dropped from the agenda? I really dont know where those expectations came from. Funding for Naivasha-Kisumu SGR was not on the agenda. The Kenya government is focused on operations of Mombasa-Nairobi SGR. This is a smart and responsible move from your government. SGR was from inception planned to extend across the Uganda border and maybe even to serve Rwanda and DR Congo. Might terminating at Naivasha kill the project vision and make it less viable? China supports Kenyan efforts to improve infrastructure connectivity. This is of vital importance to economic development. In the annex of joint communique of the leaders roundtable from the recent Belt and Road Forum, Northern Corridor in Africa linking Mombasa to countries of the Great Lakes region and Trans-Africa highway is included. However, Rome was not built in a day. I believe SGR will not stop in Naivasha. Does that mean you will eventually fund extension to Kisumu and beyond? Of course, China fully respects Kenyas opinion and decision on when to start Naivasha-Kisumu line. We believe SGR is economically viable. Note that in first year of operations, Mombasa-Nairobi SGR has earned Sh10.33 billion, which is close to the operating cost of Sh12 billion. Its never easy for a railway project to achieve nearly break-even in a year. Kenyan and Chinese operators deserve credit for that achievement. China has full confidence in Kenyas ability to make profits from SGR. Kenyans have been concerned that the deals with China on SGR financing have not been made public. Would secrecy clauses raise suspicion that there is something to hide? Would China object to the documents being made public? Let me declare this: There is no secret between the Chinese and Kenyan governments. Any loan agreements between China and Kenya are in line with international practice. None of Kenyan national assets has been mortgaged for the SGR loan and neither would any national asset be seized or controlled by China, even in a situation of default. There have been fears that in the event of Kenya defaulting on the loans, key assets like Kenya Ports Authority and Kenya Railways Corporation could be seized. These assumptions are groundless and I dont think Kenya will default. Sometimes I think we should have common sense. Kenya is a sovereign state. Any asset in your country is protected by international law and should be respected by other countries. These are unnecessary worries. Read the full interview HERE It really is something: The 2020 Democratic presidential primary already has grown so zany that Bernie Sanders has proposed . . . a reduction in federal support for public education. Strange days, indeed. Some background: Charter schools are a class of public schools operated with some degree of independence from the school bureaucracy and, in some cases, from the public-sector unions. They are the product of a Clinton-era compromise between conservatives pressing for genuine school choice (including vouchers to support families of modest means who, like the Clintons and the Obamas, prefer private schools for their children but who cannot afford the tuition at Sidwell Friends) and progressives who for political and ideological reasons defend the monopolistic character of the public school systems, no matter how deeply or comprehensively those schools are failing their students, particularly the poor and the nonwhite. The public-sector unions have soured on that compromise, and so have the most left-leaning Democrats. And so Senator Sanders, the Brooklyn socialist who represents Vermont in the Senate and who currently is seeking the presidential nomination of a party to which he does not belong, has proposed to eliminate federal funding for charter schools operated by for-profit enterprises (about 15 percent of charters) and to prohibit federal funding for all new charter schools, including nonprofits, indefinitely. Here, Senator Sanders is displaying his comradeship with another Brooklyn socialist, New York mayor Bill de Blasio, who also is seeking the Democratic nomination and who also has made every effort to gut certain public schools that are very popular in low-income minority communities. We can appreciate the allure for these ascendant socialists: The public schools are, after all, one of the few critical enterprises in American life in which the state does in fact own the means of production. Those familiar with the history of this kind of system will not be surprised to learn that it works relatively well for the politically connected and works barely at all for the least powerful. Story continues Which is to say, the charter-school issue exposes a rift in the Democratic coalition. Black urban Democrats such as former Newark mayor Cory Booker have in the past been energetic advocates of charter schools, but the Democratic party increasingly is the party of relatively affluent white suburbanites who can afford to turn up their noses at school reform because their communities are better served by their public schools. Rich white progressives in the suburbs have the luxury of privileging ideology over reality, since few if any of their children will ever set foot in a public school in Philadelphia or Milwaukee. It is to these voters that Senator Sanderss proposal cynically framed as a civil-rights issue is in fact addressed. Charter schools have a mixed record which is to be expected. Some of them perform very well for students in low-income areas and those with particular needs not well-served by the conventional schools to which they have access; some of them perform poorly; a few of them have been managed with active corruption. Which is to say, they have many things in common with the conventional public schools. Charter schools are not the answer to every educational problem, nor the solution for every family or community. They work well for some students and families and that is enough. This is one of the reasons for keeping control of education local: because conditions and outcome vary from community to community, and a one-size-fits-all, remote-control policy from Washington cannot account for the genuine diversity of American life. The idea that there is a single model of education that will serve all students, families, and communities is pure nonsense, a product of the society-as-factory mentality that dominates the thinking of old-school socialists such as Senator Sanders. And whats the future of a few poor kids in dying cities when theres ideological fanaticism to be serviced and a primary to be won? The reality is that almost every family in these United States with access to excellent K12 schools is paying tuition. Some of them write big checks to Phillips Exeter; others have the expense rolled into their mortgages, paying a very high price for free public schools. But many families do not have the means to enjoy the choices available to the Clintons, the Obamas, the Pelosis, the Feinsteins or the Sanders family, for that matter: Mrs. Sanders attended private schools. Charter schools are one way to open up the monopolies and provide some alternatives to those desperate for them. Senator Sanders is proposing to foreclose those opportunities, and is doing so for reasons that are as indefensible as they are transparent. More from National Review Bitfinex and Tether have asked a judge to dismiss the New York Attorney Generals (NYAG) case against the controversial cryptocurrency firms, claiming they have no customers in the state. In new court filings Tuesday, lawyers for the two companies, which have overlapping owners and managers, also asked Judge Joel M. Cohen of the New York Supreme Court to stay the NYAGs onerous request for documents from Bitfinex and Tether while he considers the motion. The firms have nothing to do with New York investors the businesses do not allow New Yorkers on their platforms and do not advertise or otherwise do business here, attorneys Jason Weinstein and David I. Miller wrote. Further, the attorney general has not identified, even in a general sense, any victim in New York (or, it should be noted, anywhere else), and the office is using a New York law, the Martin Act, that governs securities and commodities, of which Tethers product, the stablecoin USDT, is neither, the lawyers argued. Hence, the companies respectfully request that the entire proceeding be dismissed for lack of personal and subject matter jurisdiction. In a separate affidavit, Stuart Hoegner, general counsel for both Bitfinex and Tether, wrote that both companies prohibit any U.S. residents, including New Yorkers, from transacting on their platforms, and that only verified Tether customers are allowed to redeem USDT for dollars, not just anyone who buys the stablecoin on the secondary market. Backed by bitcoin? Separately, in a hearing last week, Miller let it slip that Tether had previously invested a portion of its reserves in bitcoin. At some point before the NYAG obtained its preliminary injunction against the companies, Tether actually did invest in instruments beyond cash and cash equivalents, including bitcoin, they bought bitcoin, Miller told the court, according to a transcript of the May 16 hearing published Tuesday by crypto publication The Block. He later said it was a small amount. Story continues It was a notable admission since until recently Tether has maintained that USDT was backed 1-for-1 with U.S. dollars. Even Judge Cohen sounded surprised. Tether sounded to me like sort of the calm in the storm of cryptocurrency trading, he told Miller, according to the transcript. And so if tether is backed by bitcoin, how is that consistent? Late last month, the NYAG secured the preliminary injunction freezing Tethers assets and asking for documents about a $625 million loan and a $900 million line of credit it offered to Bitfinex. The crypto exchange needed the funds to continue processing customer withdrawals after losing access to some $850 million that is said to be held by Crypto Capital, a payment processor that is also in the cross-hairs of investigators. New York Supreme Court image via Nikhilesh De for CoinDesk This interview has been edited and condensed. Hyperledger, an open source project, was created in 2016 by the Linux Foundation in order to support the development of blockchain-based distributed ledgers. All the members of Hyperledger including such major actors as Intel, Accenture, JPMorgan Chase, Hitachi, Fujitsu, Alibaba Cloud, Citigroup, Deutsche Telekom and many others find their interest in blockchain technology and discuss it with Marta Piekarska, who is in charge of the projects ecosystem. We met Marta at the Anon Blockchain Summit in Vienna and talked about computer science, conservative vs. progressive sectors of economy, Hyperledgers community and her favorite books. Kristina Lucrezia Corner: Can you please tell us how the whole Hyperledger adventure started? Marta Piekarska: The Linux Foundation was created 20 years ago to bring enterprises and the open-source community together to work on frameworks, tools and technologies to support certain fields. What started off with Core Linux, today has over 70 projects in every major industry. Hyperledger started three years ago to bring enterprises and the open-source community to work together on blockchain tools and frameworks. Every piece of code, every piece of work that ever happens under the Linux Foundation has to be on the Apache license. Hyperledger started three years ago with 30 founding companies, some of them the biggest in the industry: IBM, Accenture, JPMorgan Chase, Hitachi, Fujitsu and Intel, of course. And then, there are much smaller startups, like IntellectEU, that was a founding member of Hyperledger, and some big but not very well-known companies, like Digital Assets, like DTCC which now has its name, but back in the time before blockchain, it was one of the most important institutions in the U.S., but nobody knew about that. And shortly after the Linux Foundation started Hyperledger, Brian Behlendorf was hired as the executive director of Hyperledger, and three or four months after he came to me and said: Would you like to join us at the Linux Foundation focusing on Hyperledger? Story continues The way that Linux Foundation is structured is that some projects have core employees, and we are focused 100% on Hyperledger. And then, our PR, marketing team and events team are shared across all the Linux Foundation projects and focused more or less intensely, depending on how many events or how much marketing we need. Hyperledgers ecosystem KLC: What about your position Director of Ecosystems? What is your role? MP: It was a nice creation, although nobody knows what it means, which might be a problem. So, I define my role as member success, because Hyperledger is a nonprofit, and we are member-based. So, our life, our existence is sustained by membership fees. And these members are enterprises. We dont have individual memberships, but enterprises that want to benefit from the PR, marketing support, networking, promotion, and all that. Because the technologies are 100% open source, you dont have to ask permission to join special interest groups, you dont have to ask for the permission to download the code. But there is a lot that can be done in the blockchain space to support your development of products, solutions, etc. Thats basically what we at Hyperledger do, and my focus is on working with our members to define what it means to be a successful Hyperledger member, why did they join this gentlemens club, if you will. KLC: That is some very gender-focused language. MP: It is, but its very British. Until today, you have some gentlemens clubs only, like a Soho house. Thats more gender-specific. I work very closely with our now-over-280 members to understand why they apply blockchain technology, and how they apply it. My computer science background is very useful because I understand their technology at its core like, I understand why they are going blockchain. And then, I can abstract that and talk about more high-level goals and objectives. The role of gender stereotypes KLC: How is it to be a woman in the blockchain gentlemans club? MP: My background is in humanities. I never actually planned to study computer science, I never thought of technology before I applied randomly to a technical university. I lost a bet, basically. The bet was that I had to apply to a technical university and if I got in, I had to at least start studying. So, I did that, I randomly chose electrical and computer engineering because it sounded fancy. I started, and after two months I knew this was exactly what I wanted to do in my life. I want to code I loved coding. It was a very rough ride for me, firstly because anything that you start learning compared to the other people that have been doing that for the last million years of their life, is harder. In high school, I was a top student, always the best in class. I went to university and I hardly made it through the first semester, I hardly passed all of my exams. Then, it got slowly better and better, obviously. But also, the way I have been treated by my professors was pretty awful. My favorite story was two or three weeks in, when one of my professors said to me: Oh, I guess computers dont like you, but dont worry, computers in general dont like women. Great. Ive also had comments like Maybe ballet school will be better for you than the computer science school. Initially, it was 80 of us that started and five women. After the first semester, there were twenty of us and two ladies me and another one. The thing I dont like about this industry in general is that it is always about your gender, when you are a woman I guess, a person of color as well, or different sexualities. Its not always about if youre smart or youre not smart, its just always about your gender. Ive found the hacker community extremely welcoming, and Ive never had problems with being open about being bisexual or being a woman, and all of my hacker friends all have quirks in one way or another. The more traditional, strict industry and computer science is very much about, youve got this scholarship because youre a woman, or you didnt get this scholarship because youre a woman. On the other hand, I think that blockchain is really democratizing a lot of things; it is democratizing the startup world. Now startups can compete with the biggest. [...] And the same with that women now can be entrepreneurs, and dont care about what guys are thinking. People of color can be entrepreneurs and dont care about what others are thinking. I think this is pretty incredible and a very powerful area, and Ive never really felt in any way discriminated. Obviously, we still struggle to get good technical females talking on stage. It seems like if there are good technical females, they tend to stick in the coding room and code. But that will happen. There was this 60 minutes its a show in the U.S., and they did a study on computer science and kids. And it turns out that after secondary school, there is a massive drop. So, until secondary school girls are very eager, and I see that one of my stepdaughters, shes 13, she was always really good at sciences, and it took so much courage to say Im gonna go my A-levels in triple science. For a year, we had to work on it and say, its okay, its fine, you can be good in science, but she just felt embarrassed. KLC: The same could be found in the first season of Genius, a series by National Geographic, about Einstein. His first wife, a brilliant scientist, had to struggle through all her life to be a woman in the academic sphere. And it just became harder when she married Einstein and bore his child. MP: Historically, weve been in a society where women are supposed to be supporting the man who comes home and brings food. And there are different ways of doing that. So, in Japanese culture, the man is the one earning money and working hard, and woman will take all the money and give him just pocket money. In European culture, its much more that man drives it all and woman is there to cook. We say its stereotypes, but they are not really stereotypes. New technologies and academia Marta Piekarska is also running academic programs, being responsible within Hyperledger to connect innovative business with academia. MP: This is something that we are just building out. How can we connect academics with the enterprises, because we have all the enterprises in the world, but academics still dont know they can reach out to us and say, I want to do a research on X, do you have a partner I can be doing it with? So, we are trying to bridge that gap. KLC: What is your solution, your first steps to connect with academia? MP: Well, we have an internship program that just started. So, we are trying to do real academic internships. We had 10 places, now we grew into 15, because it is just so popular. The Linux Foundation or Hyperledger pays for these internships, but we ask our community to submit topics and be members. Its those different enterprises someone in that enterprise has that little thing that they want to do. We are also trying to build mentoring programs for the community to learn how to work with open source, to open a new project. Thats just starting. Some other ideas are: We have some proposed research, we have universities on the Hyperledger.org mailing list, where we hope to engage academics more closely. Basically, you know, its giving a shout-out to the people who are doing interesting research like the Cambridge Centre for Alternate Financing is doing really good work, and they are an associate member of Hyperledger. For universities, governments and nonprofits, we have an associate membership, which is free of charge and if universities are engaged with us, we are happy to accept them as associate members. We have the Blockchain at Berkeley lab, we have Penn University, we have MIT, Stanford, Peking University. Challenges while working in the blockchain space KLC: It seems really exciting. You combine in your everyday job that communication, humanities skills and, at the same time, technical knowledge. What are the main challenges within the objectives you are trying to reach? MP: Well, scalability is an issue, because you want to keep that individual approach and engagement but with the more people you get, there are only so many hours in the day. In terms of the general blockchain space, I think the biggest challenge today is a lack of objective experts. All the experts today or many of the experts have learned a certain thing. Like, theyve learned only about Hyperledger, or only about ether, or only about Corda, and they will spend a lot of energy explaining to you that you should not be using anything but X. And when you ask them why, the honest answer is because I dont know W and Z. So, thats why Im so hopeful with the academic programs and teaching programs. As we go through the batch of students that have learned about all of those elements, because theyve been university-educated rather than online-educated, (although I have nothing against online courses, but in order to be online-educated you have to take five courses, right? If you go to university, you still have to take five courses, but you have to do them for the credit). I think that with that, we will get better at having people who will say: Okay, this makes sense for X, and this makes sense for Y, and lets use the technologies appropriately. So, the lack of objective experts is a thing. Collaboration, in general. We are changing the way the people are thinking about interactions with their customers, with their competitors as well and need to start feeling comfortable sharing information with their competitors. I think, its changing. Its funny because I want to say its a slow change, but then again, weve only been the blockchain enterprise for, like, four years. Discussing industries: Who are the most conservative actors in the space? MP: I think, out of all the sectors, the financial industry is the most conservative one, although it was the one that has been in the most rush to adopt blockchain. Fintech was the one that jumped on blockchain immediately like, the first one. But actually moving from we are doing a bunch of PoC [proof-of-concept] to lets embrace this into production that is extremely hard. Its also, I think, the difference between how easy it is to do a PoC in a certain domain and how it scales up to production. Ill give you an example. Its hard to build a successful deployment of a supply chain, because if you want to do a PoC, you can do a supply chain between you sourcing your Panna Cotta from your home to me, selling it at my restaurant, and thats two nodes, and maybe you source your cream from somewhere and I sell it, right? So its easy to make a PoC, and well say it runs well and well track the quality of Panna Cotta over the supply chain. However, if you think How do I scale that actually to the mass production of Panna Cotta, you have to sign up all of the sugar, cream, cows, and whatever else through the transportation of the Panna Cotta packaging as well, all of the health certification for England, where Ill be selling it. So, the number of parties that are highly competitive and might not want to join that market, that supply chain, is very high. And if you think of Brexit, now you also have to add customs to it, and border control, and whatever else. A hell. So, building out a successful supply chain production is much harder than a PoC, which you could do that over a hackathon. If you think of an identity system, its the opposite. You have a very hard way of navigating how to identify the elements that should be put in a blockchain-based identity, what should go on a blockchain, what should go off blockchain, what is sensitive information, what is private information you have all those meta-questions that you have to answer, even when you are building a PoC. But then, if you do a good PoC, scaling it up to production is easier you are just adding more participants. This is where we could say there are more traditional versus less traditional industries, or more conservative versus less conservative. I think that supply chain is one that is really embracing the production, but it took them awhile to get there because they were figuring out their steps. Health care is extremely embracing blockchain. You have payments on a blockchain throughout health care, you have medical health record management, you have prescriptions on a blockchain. All of that is really going forward. The financial industry, its really hard to build a good, scalable reconciliation because there are a lot of competitors that are not necessarily incentivized to move to a new system. KLC: What about the energy sector? MP: The energy sector is catching up. So, we had a PoC very early on. It was done in China, it is from Blockchain Energy Labs, and it is tracking CO2 emission through a blockchain. There are companies like BitLumens that looks at deploying systems that combine energy use, giving to the grid sustainable energy consumption with micro-crediting so, proving that you can buy access to a solar panel that is on your house, which basically works as a sustainable energy source. You can buy, on a regular basis, access to that for hours or for days. And based on that, you build out a credit score that is trustworthy, and you can get microloans. So, there are some interesting projects around energy. Also, of course, one of the big things in energy the next big thing, I think will be a merge of IoT [Internet of Things] and the management of those independent devices, because blockchain there is very important. You get to track the security of those machines, big power grids and so on. Books on blockchain KLC: Okay, my last question: Can you recommend your favorite book? Something that inspired you about your work. MP: Thats a good question. Ill tell you three of my favorite books. The first is a Richard Faulkner book. That one inspired me because it is all about adventure, and so Ive always lived by that. The other book that I really love is The World According to Garp by John Irving. Its just beautifully surreal, very smart about life, very much about doing what you want, but going with what feels right rather than what should be right about the societal norms. And third book is East of Eden, which again is about empowerment and the fact that you can do things. The most important words are you can rather than you have to. So, these are the three books that inspire me in life in general. In terms of blockchain work, there are not many books out there yet. I am currently reading a book that is called How Open Source Ate the World. It is a very good book about open source and working with open source, which I admire. In terms of courses or learning blockchain, I quite value our Hyperledger Blockchain course, which we have free of charge online on edX. There are two types of it, there is a high-level one, and there is one that gets you into coding. I think this is a really good gateway to blockchain technologies in general. Related Articles: Numerous Democratic lawmakers warned that the President Trumps tax cut package, which placed a $10,000 limit on state and local tax (SALT) deductions, would create economic havoc in high-tax states such as New York, New Jersey and California. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo was perhaps the most visible blue state critic of the new SALT provision, claiming that it amounts an economic civil war that helps red states at the expense of blue states. The sharp reduction in the SALT deduction would drive taxpayers from the state, Cuomo said, damaging local communities while lowering state tax revenues by billions of dollars. Shortly before meeting with the president this past February to discuss his concerns, Cuomo announced that the state of New York had observed a $2.3 billion shortfall in estimated payments in December 2018 and January 2019 a shortfall he blamed squarely on Trump and the Republicans in Washington. But the governor may have spoken too soon. More recent data shows that New York tax revenues actually rose this year, coming in $3.7 billion higher in April compared to the year before. Bloombergs Martin Braun said that the increase in revenue was driven in part by timing shifts in tax payments related to the new rules, as well as a booming stock market and the continuation of a decade-long economic expansion. As some critics pointed out last year, many states are benefiting from the GOP tax overhaul because it broadened the tax base by eliminating some exemptions and limiting deductions. As a result, states have more income to tax. New Jersey, California and Illinois all saw tax windfalls this year, Braun said, despite dire warnings in those blue states about the effects of the SALT deduction limit. Although state tax revenues seem to be doing just fine in the wake of the SALT new rules, there is one place that may be feeling some pain: pricey blue state neighborhoods. New York City has become a buyers market for real estate while the Hamptons is in a rut, and Braun said that home prices fell more than 7% last year in Westchester County, an affluent suburb. High-income citizens in blue states dont, however, appear to be headed for the hills or, more precisely, tax-free states such as Florida in any great numbers. While the real estate firm Redfin says that 13% of people looking for homes in New York and California report they are now considering lower-tax options, migration rates havent changed and are now below their pre-recession levels, Braun said. Taxes have less impact on where people choose to live than you might think, said Moodys analyst Marcia Van Wagner, coming in behind more mundane concerns such as the weather. Like what you're reading? Sign up for our free newsletter. Kinshasa (AFP) - The body of the opposition figurehead father of DR Congo's new president is to be repatriated to his home country two years after he died in Belgium, family members said on Tuesday. Etienne Tshisekedi, whose son Felix was this year sworn in as leader in the country's first peaceful transition of power in decades, is to be returned to DR Congo for burial next week. He died in Brussels aged 84 in February 2017 but his body stayed in the Belgian capital due to political tensions with the regime of ex-president Joseph Kabila. "The body of Etienne Tshisekedi arrives May 30 and the funeral will happen at Martyrs stadium," his brother, Archbishop Gerard Mulumba, told AFP. He said the burial was expected to take place on June 1. Relatives told AFP that Etienne Tshisekedi's body would be repatriated the day before. "It's been more than two years since we did everything we could (to repatriate the body)," said Mulumba. "Now that things are going better, we are obviously relieved," he said. A veteran political campaigner, Etienne Tshisekedi spent decades in opposition but never reached the top job. A critic of former dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, he co-founded the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) in 1982 after a stint in prison. In 1997, after Mobutu was ousted in a rebellion led by Kabila's father, Laurent, Tshisekedi quickly became an opponent of the new regime -- a stance that continued after Laurent's assassination in 2001 and his son's rise to power. Beaten in 2011 elections tainted by massive irregularities, Tshisekedi refused to recognise Kabila's legitimacy to the very last. Almost two years after his death, on January 24, his son Felix Tshisekedi was sworn in as president after elections that saw Kabila quit following 18 years in power. The election however was marred by widespread allegations of rigging and the country's politics remain overshadowed by Kabila, who amassed extensive clout during his time in charge. On Monday Tshisekedi named government veteran Sylvestre Ilunga Ilunkamba as the next prime minister. Boeing officials, shortly after the first fatal crash of its 737 Max jet, played down the likelihood that a bird strike could impair the planes sensor equipment. Now investigators are exploring whether such a situation led to a second deadly accident just five months later. Related: Boeing completes software update on 737 Max planes According to the Wall Street Journal, US aviation authorities believe a bird collision may have set off the sequence of events that led to the downing of an Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max in March, in which 157 people died. American Airlines pilots called a meeting with Boeing last November after a Lion Air Max crashed in Indonesia, killing all 189 passengers and crew. The Journal reviewed a recording of the meeting in which Mike Sinnett, Boeings vice-president of product strategy, raised and dismissed the possibility that a bird strike could trigger a second crash by affecting the Maxs controversial sensor system. Sinnett told the pilots he was absolutely confident that heightened pilot awareness following the Lion Air disaster had further reduced the chances of another accident. Ethiopian Airlines has been facing criticism of its pilots conduct in the wake of the crash. At a House hearing into the accidents last week, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) administrator, Daniel Elwell, said pilot error contributed to the crash. In both crashes, the Maxs anti-stall system, called the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (Mcas), appears to have forced the planes noses down shortly after takeoff, leaving the pilots struggling unsuccessfully to right the jets before they crashed. The Mcas system may have been reacting to faulty information from sensors that could have been damaged by a bird strike. Ethiopian Airlines has rejected accusations that its pilots contributed to the crash. Officials have said Boeing failed to provide cockpit alerts that would have warned the pilots about sensor errors. Last week, the airline said its pilots followed procedures set out by the FAA and Boeing but none of the expected warnings appeared in the cockpit, which deprived the pilots of necessary and timely information. Nine countries and the US justice department are currently investigating the crashes. The government has secured a Ksh.10.7 billion loan from World Bank to boost water projects in Coastal counties. DP William Ruto on Tuesday inked the deal for the project Counties Participation Agreements at his residence in Karen. The project will benefit Coastal counties of Mombasa, Kilifi, Taita Taveta and Kwale. Mombasa County will receive the lions share(Ksh.3 billion) followed by Kilifi County(Ksh.2.7 billion). Taita Taveta and Kwale Counties will each get Ksh.2.5 billion. Speaking during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Dr Ruto said the national government will repay the money. Of the Ksh.10.7B that will be disbursed under this program, Ksh.7.3B will be in form of loan and Ksh.3.3B will be in form of a grant to these counties, said Ruto. Adding, Even when we talk of grant, it is a grant to the counties but the national government will pay for these resources to the world bank. DP Ruto further stated that every single cent of the amount must be accounted for. It is our expectation that every cent must be spent only for the purposes for which it has been earmarked. We will be careful to look out for value for money, said Ruto. It is our expectation that the Kenyan people who will repay this money will get value for every shilling that will be spent, he added. Governors Granton Samboja (Taita Taveta), Salim Mvurya (Kwale), Amason Kingi (Kilifi) were present during the signing of the agreement. Mombasa Governor Joho is said to have been away attending another meeting. The men of the Eighth Air Force craved fresh eggs for breakfast, a rare treat at their base in England during World War II. When they were served, though, the men blanched. Fresh eggs were set aside for those going on especially dangerous missions. You wanted fresh eggs, but you didnt want fresh eggs. The new documentary The Cold Blue is thick with such details, surprising and strange and funny but above all horrifying. The level of everyday heroism on offer almost surpasses our capacity to absorb it. The variety of ways by which men could get killed was vast. What men were expected to do was merely to throw themselves in a storm of lethal fire, go to bed, rise, and repeat. Even the genesis of The Cold Blue is hard to reconcile with todays sensibilities. In 1943, William Wyler was already among the most distinguished Hollywood directors, having made Wuthering Heights and Mrs. Miniver. (He would go on to make The Best Years of Our Lives, Roman Holiday, and Ben-Hur and remains the only person to direct three films to win the Best Picture Oscar.) Wyler, a Jew from Alsace-Lorraine who came to America in 1921, volunteered to join the Army in 1942, spending three years as a major and joining bombing missions over Europe to film the 45-minute documentary The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress. Wylers extraordinary footage was damaged under difficult conditions, but a team led by director Erik Nelson pored over 15 hours of celluloid Wyler and his team of three cinematographers shot. Nelson assembled The Cold Blue by combining restored footage shot by Wyler with new scenes and voiceover narration from veterans of those B-17 missions. The resulting document of courage is playing a single night in theaters (May 23) ahead of an HBO debut on June 6, the 75th anniversary of D-Day. Wylers cinematographer Harold Tannenbaum was among those killed during the unspeakably harrowing bombing runs, and Wyler himself suffered hearing loss in one hear while filming. Men from B-17 crews speak in Nelsons film of watching planes flying in such close formation that occasionally two would collide, each of them crashing. Pilots had to remind their ten-man crews not to waste too much time gawping at crashing planes; there was work to do. Story continues Unlike the British, who ordinarily flew at night, American bombers were told to carry out their runs in broad daylight, over heavily defended targets. Their planes were not pressurized or heated. On a warm day, it would be 28 below. Sometimes it got 60 below, recalls one veteran. One mans hands froze to a plexiglass window and his fingers had to be amputated. Frostbite could set in within ten minutes. With its focus on everyday experience and its eye for powerful detail, The Cold Blue is a kind of spiritual sequel to Peter Jacksons magnificent World War I documentary They Shall Not Grow Old. Wylers footage, shot in saturated colors that give it a hyper-real quality, exhibits a pointillist fascination with the minute, its images and sounds explained by the voiceovers. We learn why the bombs made whistling sounds and how the soldiers decorated their planes. One illustration is captioned, In Hitlers face over a cartoon of an attacking skunk. Wyler takes us inside briefing rooms where bombing targets were identified in childishly simple maps. During the meetings, priests would make their rounds, offering to hear confession and give communion to Catholics. Over the course of the war, more men 28,000 lost their lives in the Eighth Air Force than in the entire Marine Corps. The odds of surviving 25 combat missions were less than one in four. The Cold Blue also recalls another recent filmmaking effort, George Clooneys feeble adaptation of Catch-22 as a miniseries for Hulu. Though Catch-22 is based on a novel that is in turn informed by the experiences of author Joseph Heller, who flew dozens of missions in a B-25, it feels false and strained, particularly when Clooney is onscreen mugging for laughs as though hes doing a CBS sitcom. The Cold Blue doesnt shout its ironies. Its mordant twists occur organically: We learn that if you managed to bail out of your plane and hit the silks for salvation, when you hit the ground, you might be murdered by a gang of German farmers with pitchforks. In 1944, in an effort to hasten the end of the war, the Army Air Forces ended their precision-bombing policy and moved on to pattern bombing, greatly increasing the suffering of noncombatants. The Cold Blue pauses to consider that 300,000 German civilians were killed by bombers, and 7.5 million rendered homeless. That never crossed my mind, about a human being, being down there, recalls one vet. None of Catch-22s characters are so devastatingly blase. The history of war movies alternates between patriotic fervor on the one hand and disillusionment on the other. Wyler himself embodied both moods. His last film before he joined the Army was the unabashed propaganda piece Mrs. Miniver; his first film after the war was The Best Years of Our Lives, which probed the alienation of returning vets. In between, his experience on B-17s taught him to see war with both eyes open. Vividly following up on his work, The Cold Blue is an important new volume in the library of World War II films. More from National Review Eric Michels who was found dead at his home in south West London after meeting Gerard Matovu for sex vid the Grindr app. A Bond actor was killed by an overdose of the chemsex drug GHB after hooking up with a fraudster on Grindr, a court heard. Eric Michels, 54, who had an uncredited role in Skyfall, was allegedly murdered by Gerald Matovu, 25 at his home in Bolton Road, Chessington, in August last year. Matovu used a syringe to administer a fatal dose of GHB then made off with Mr Michels' bank card and other belongings, the Old Bailey heard. Mr Michels was one of 12 men targeted by Matovu and his lover Brandon Dunbar, 23, over a 19-month period, it was claimed. Opening their trial, Jonathan Rees QC said: "The prosecution say that the defendants, often working together, took advantage of hook-ups, dates, arranged with other gay men through apps, such as Grindr, to steal their property and take photographs of their bank cards and other identification documents for the purposes of fraud. A general view of the Central Criminal Court in the Old Bailey, London. The court heard how father-of-three Mr Michels was amicably divorced in 2010 after his wife Diane found out he had been involved with another man. Since coming out as gay, the victim, who worked on the leadership team of a large energy company, had a number of relationships but jurors heard recently he began to use Grindr. On August 16, he visited Ku Bar and G-A-Y Bar in Soho before making contact with Matovu via Grindr, jurors were told. Mr Michels invited him to his home for sex, the court heard. It is claimed the defendant drugged Mr Michels and photographed his bank cards, driver's licence and other personal information while he was dead or unconscious. Mr Michels' body was discovered by his concerned family the following day in bed under a duvet. Mr Michels had an uncredited role in Skyfall. An empty 3ml syringe without a needle attached was found on the floor beside the bed. DNA from the victim and defendant was identified on it as well as traces of GHB, the court heard. Mr Rees said: "It is the prosecution case that Mr Matovu killed Mr Michels by administering GHB to him. "We do not say that he intended to kill him, rather he intended to cause him really serious bodily harm by rendering him deeply, and dangerously, unconscious so he could steal property from him." Story continues Mr Rees said Matovu denied murder but accepted going home with him to have consensual sex. Read more from Yahoo News UK: Video shows man knocked out in London station brawl Police launch manhunt after girl raped in woodland Man takes police to court over facial recognition technology He denied administering GHB to Mr Michels, claiming he took it of his own free will. Of the 12 alleged victims, nine met both defendants while three only had contact with Matovu, the court was told. Matovu, from Southwark, and Dunbar, of Forest Gate, deny a string of charges. Matovu denies murder, six counts of administering a poison or noxious substance to endanger life, one count of assault by penetration and one count of causing actual bodily harm. He is further charged with five counts of possession of articles for use in fraud, seven counts of theft and possession of a controlled drug of class C. Dunbar has pleaded not guilty to five counts of administering a poison with intent to endanger life, one count of assault by penetration and one count of ABH. He is further charged with seven counts of theft, five counts of possession of articles for use in fraud, two counts of fraud and one count of unlawfully retaining a wrongful credit. ---Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK--- Boston-based chemical company 908 Devices has secured $17 million in Series E funding, according to company database Crunchbase, topping the citys recent funding headlines. The cash infusion was announced April 29 and financed by Northpond Ventures. According to its Crunchbase profile, "908 Devices is bringing the powerful capabilities of Mass Spectrometry out of the confines of centralized facilities and mobile laboratories. We make battery-operated, handheld, chemical detection tools, rugged enough to exceed military standards and trusted enough for immediate action in the field. For biologists and chemists in need of answers, we make personal analyzers, small and simple enough for every workspace." The seven-year-old company has raised five previous funding rounds, including a $20 million Series D round in 2017. The round brings total funding raised by Boston companies in manufacturing over the past month to $18 million, an increase of $18 million from the month before. The local manufacturing industry has seen 12 funding rounds over the past year, securing a total of $52 million in venture funding. In other local funding news, translation service company 3Play Media announced a private equity funding round on May 14, financed by Riverside Partners. According to Crunchbase, "3Play Media provides a more technologically advanced and cost-effective captioning, audio description, and subtitling solution. We work with more than 2,000 customers across media and entertainment, enterprise and educational institutions. Our methods allow us to reduce the cost and simplify the process, while maintaining premium quality levels." Founded in 2007, the company has raised two previous rounds, including a $511,601 round in 2011. This story was created automatically using local investment data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. BRASILIA, May 21 (Reuters) - Brazil's government could make some changes to an executive gun decree signed by far-right President Jair Bolsonaro as a result of some of the criticisms it faced, the president's spokesman said on Tuesday, without giving more details. Earlier in May, Bolsonaro signed a decree to ease restrictions on gun imports and increase the amount of ammunition a person can buy. Shortly afterwards, federal prosecutors sued the government, seeking an injunction against the bill, arguing it "endangered the public safety of all Brazilians." (Reporting by Ricardo Brito Editing by James Dalgleish) Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - Shares in Brazilian arms maker Taurus soared Tuesday after the company said it had received 2,000 orders for a high-powered assault weapon now available to the public under President Jair Bolsonaro's relaxed gun laws. Far-right Bolsonaro's controversial decree this month, which is being challenged in the Supreme Court and Congress, makes millions of Brazilians eligible to carry loaded weapons in public. Taurus shares rose 7.60 percent to 3.68 reais on the Sao Paulo stock exchange, which itself closed 2.76 percent higher, after the company told Globo TV that it had a "waiting list" of 2,000 people for the T4 assault weapon. The T4, designed for police and military use, could be commercialized after Bolsonaro's decree raised the maximum firepower allowed for the public, Taurus said. Bolsonaro, a former army captain, has defended the decree as honoring the result of a 2005 referendum in which nearly 64 percent of Brazilians rejected a law that included, among other things, a total ban on the sale of firearms. But experts warn the loosening of restrictions will fuel gun violence in a country which already has one of the highest homicide rates in the world. Brazil recorded 64,000 murders in 2017 -- a rate of almost 31 per 100,000 inhabitants, or three times higher than the level the United Nations classifies as endemic violence. Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - Brazil's National Museum director headed to Europe Tuesday for a two-week fundraising trip to help finance the rebuilding of the institution devastated by fire last year. Alexander Kellner told AFP he would visit Germany and France in search of support after failing to get the much-needed aid in Brazil. "Our objective is to show our reconstruction efforts and explain how institutions from other countries can contribute," Kellner said before boarding a plane in Rio de Janeiro. "This tragedy transcends our borders. It is not just Brazil which suffered. The fire affected collections from other countries." Beyond funds needed for the reconstruction of Latin America's main natural history museum, the institution needs money to safeguard artefacts rescued from the ashes of the gutted building. Kellner told reporters earlier this month that the museum required one million reais (about $250,000) "to be able to breathe." After the blaze, the education ministry released the equivalent of $2.5 million for emergency works to preserve the building's facade. But other public funds have not yet been disbursed. Kellner said Tuesday the museum was still waiting for a "clear signal from the (Jair) Bolsonaro government about the reconstruction of the National Museum." Kellner plans to meet with representatives of the German and French governments and museums, and visit the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris to "see how the reconstruction is organized and show solidarity." Brazil's National Museum had received the equivalent of $280,000 in donations, Kellner told AFP previously -- a fraction of the more than one billion dollars pledged for the Notre-Dame. The total cost of restoring the National Museum will reportedly be around 100 million reais. London (AFP) - With no previous political experience, Jessica Simor and James Wells are both candidates in the upcoming European elections for rival parties born out of the divisive Brexit debate that is shaking up politics in Britain. Just two months ago, 46-year-old Wells was a civil servant working on trade data at the Office for National Statistics. Now, he is standing in elections that were never planned because Britain was meant to be already out of the EU. "It has happened very suddenly," Wells told AFP. The catalyst for him was his participation in a protest march from northern England to London organised by the pro-Brexit campaign group Leave Means Leave. The marchers reached London on March 29 -- the day on which Britain was meant to have left the European Union but did not because of a deadlock in parliament. "I met some amazing people on the march that really inspired me and it was then that I kind of realised I wanted to do more than just protest, send letters to my MP and shout at the TV every night," he said. Wells was chosen as a candidate just a couple of weeks after writing in to the Brexit Party and then resigned as he would not have been able to stand otherwise. "It has been all a bit of a whirlwind," he said. A father of two children aged 6 and 9, Wells said he had taken "a big gamble" by presenting himself. Even if elected, he may only sit for a few weeks in the European Parliament before Britain leaves the bloc. If he loses, he will be looking for another job. - 'People are fed up' - On the other side of the political spectrum, Simor, a 51-year-old lawyer, is standing for Change UK. Like the Brexit Party, Change UK is a newcomer on the political scene and was only created a few months ago. The two new parties now each claim around 100,000 members. Simor said the party was doing well in London, which voted nearly 60 percent in favour of staying in the European Union in the 2016 referendum. Story continues "There is massive desire for Remain in London... People are very positive, they want to stop this," she said. She added that "our objective in this campaign is not to persuade people but to get people to vote". Simor had originally sought to fight Brexit in court, working on a case to prevent the government launching Brexit talks without first consulting parliament. "Then these elections happened and it seem to me an opportunity for more voice within that argument," she said. Simor, who has two children aged 14 and 17, began leafleting outside London Underground stations and attending political meetings in pubs. "I thought it would be really quite boring but it is really fun and really interesting," she said. They may not be recommending the same remedy but Simor and Wells agree on the diagnosis. "People are fed up with their MPs and the two-party political system and people want change," Wells said. Simor said: "The Conservative Party and the Labour Party need to fall into pieces. We need a new system". The two parties are far from equal in the polls, however. The Brexit Party is currently expected to win around 30 percent of the vote, while Change UK is on just 5 percent. Britain could use its Brexit dividend as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take major steps in the fight against climate change, a report published today by environmental group Rewilding Britain claims. Reallocating 1.9 billion of the 3 billion that is currently spent on the Common Agricultural Policy to supporting the re-establishment of native woodland could take up to 47 million tonnes of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. This is equivalent to more than a tenth of the countrys current greenhouse gas emissions - and also almost exactly the amount of emissions created by the agricultural sector (46.5 million tonnes in 2016). Rewilding is the restoration of a regions original ecosystems and the reinstatement of natural processes, and is seen by many as a cost-effective reaction to climate change. The report states that if Britain was to restore some of the 80% of peatlands that have disappeared in recent years it could see stop the release of 3.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide - equivalent to the emissions of 660,000 households. Rewilding Britain proposes that farmers be paid through subsidies to return land to its previous ecosystem, before it was developed into agricultural land. Different ecosystems would attract varying rates of subsidy: woodland and peatlands being the most valuable to restore, respectively at 512 and 300 per hectare. Rebecca Wrigley, the chief executive of Rewilding Britain, said that farmers will certainly not be worse off under the proposals. t is about diversifying and providing alternatives. No one is going to be required to do anything on their land that they do not choose to do. She claimed the move would also bring back flora and fauna. The beauty of rewilding is that it could also benefit biodiversity. People have forgotten what native habitats [such as forests] really look like, and how abundant they once were. London (AFP) - After British Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday offered MPs a series of sweeteners to vote for her deal to leave the EU, where is the process headed? Much will depend on the result of a crucial vote by MPs in the first week of June on a draft law to implement the Brexit deal which MPs have already rejected three times. Here are some of the possible scenarios: - Brexit with a deal on July 31 - The government has said it wants parliament to approve the legislation required to implement Brexit before parliament goes into summer recess on July 20. The date of the first vote on the bill has not been set but will be in the week starting June 3. As part of that legislation, the government is promising MPs a vote on whether or not to hold a second referendum. If MPs approve the law but then vote against holding a second referendum, Brexit would happen at the end of that month under the rules agreed at an EU summit last month. - Another delay to Brexit - EU leaders have set the deadline for Brexit on October 31 but have given indications they could accept a further postponement on top of two previous delays. Brexit was originally supposed to happen on March 29 of this year following a negotiation period after Britain voted by 52 percent in favour of leaving the EU in 2016. If parliament rejects May's deal for a fourth time, the government may seek yet another delay. That could allow time for a change of leadership in Britain, a second referendum or a general election or a rethink of whether to go ahead with Brexit at all. Whether or not EU leaders are open to the idea of a delay could become clear during a Brexit discussion during an EU summit in Brussels on June 20-21. - No-deal Brexit on October 31 - If there is no further delay, Britain would have to leave the European Union on October 31 with no overall agreement. This is the scenario advocated by Nigel Farage's Brexit Party and by hardline "Brexiteers" within May's own Conservatives. Story continues But finance minister Philip Hammond is firmly opposed and has warned of his concern over the "significant" short and long-term effects of a no-deal Brexit. Economists say a no-deal Brexit could generate economic shockwaves on both sides of the Channel, causing severe delays at border points and added costs for business. - Stop Brexit - Britain has the unilateral right to stop Brexit at any moment by revoking Article 50 -- the formal procedure for member states that want to leave the EU. Three years after Britain voted to quit the EU, stopping Brexit is seen as a political impossibility. MPs have already rejected a second referendum in non-binding votes earlier this year. But, in theory, if MPs do vote in favour of a second referendum on the issue and if the result of that poll is to stay in the EU, Britain would remain. By Emma Batha LONDON, May 21 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Pregnant women and new mothers would be protected from redundancy until six months after returning to work, under proposed legislation presented to Britain's parliament on Tuesday. "It's a scandal that in 2019 so many women should be fearful of losing their jobs simply because they are pregnant," lawmaker Maria Miller told parliament as she presented the bill. Tens of thousands of pregnant women and new mothers are pushed out of work every year through dismissals, redundancies, discrimination or poor treatment, according to a study by the country's equality watchdog. "Family life and the economy will both suffer unless workplace practices are brought into the 21st century," Miller said in a statement. The proposed legislation would protect women from the moment they inform their employer of their pregnancy until six months after the end of their maternity leave. Miller, chairwoman of parliament's Women and Equalities Committee, said employers too often ignored or circumvented existing protections covering pregnancy and maternity leave. The proposed legislation would afford women similar protections to those in Germany, she said. The rate of redundancy for pregnant women and new mothers is double the rate for all women in the workforce, according to the Equality and Human Rights Commission. It estimates that maternity-related discrimination costs women between 47 million and 113 million pounds ($144 million) each year. "Maternity leave is a time for bonding with a new baby, it's a time for recovery ... It is no time to be going for a job interview," Miller told parliament. She said strengthening job protections would also help close Britain's gender pay gap. The impact of having children is often said to be a cause of lower pay in Britain where men earned nearly 18 percent more than women last year. Rosalind Bragg, director of the charity Maternity Action, welcomed the bill, saying her organization was often contacted by women who had lost their jobs during or after pregnancy. "Although it is illegal to select a woman for redundancy because she is pregnant or on maternity leave, this is exactly what happens to them," she added. ($1 = 0.7863 pounds) (Reporting by Emma Batha @emmabatha; Editing by Claire Cozens. 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) A 19-year-old student at Bishop Gatimu Ngandu Girls High School in Nyeri County on Sunday took her own life. The form two student identified as Joan Mumbi reportedly hanged herself in her dormitory in the morning. Her body was found dangling from the roof at around 1 pm with a bed sheet around her neck. Mathira West Deputy County Commissioner Charles Monari said the student left behind suicide notes. Monari said the deceased, who was a mother of one, blamed her parents who are separated. Further, the girl indicated that she took her life due to pressure from her father to perform better in her studies. In the suicide notes found inside her desk in class, the girl said she had requested to be transferred to another school. The student was living with her father while her child, whom she conceived while in Class Six, was living with her mother. Reports indicate that she committed suicide while the rest of the students were attending morning preps and Sunday Service. Her body was taken to Karatina Hospital mortuary as investigations into the incident continue. The notes are with the police for analysis. The matter is under investigation. We are yet to conclude on whether it was suicide and if there were any underlying issues, Mr Monari said. But the girls father dismissed the suicide theory, demanding thorough investigations into the incident. The Nairobi-based businessman said that his daughters friends told him that she had been severely punished by a teacher for failing in class. He further said he was informed that the school was planning to suspend her on Monday over undisclosed disciplinary issues. By Guy Faulconbridge and Maytaal Angel LONDON (Reuters) - British Steel, the country's second largest steel producer, is on the brink of collapse unless the government agrees to provide an emergency 30 million pound ($38 million) loan, two sources close to the situation said. British Steel said negotiations had not concluded and it continues to work with all parties to secure the future of the business. It also reassured employees that their salaries will be paid in full for May. Owned by investment firm Greybull Capital, British Steel employs around 5,000 people, mostly in Scunthorpe, in the north of England, while 20,000 more depend on its supply chain. Greybull, which specialises in trying to turn around distressed businesses, paid former owners Tata Steel a nominal one pound in 2016 for the loss-making company which they renamed British Steel. British Steel had asked the government for a 75 million pound loan but has since reduced its demand to 30 million pounds after Greybull agreed to put up more money, according one of the sources, who is close to the negotiations. Greybull was also the owner of Monarch, an airline that went bust https://www.reuters.com/article/us-monarch-airlines-licence/monarch-airlines-goes-bust-spoiling-holiday-plans-for-many-britons-idUSKCN1C70FQ in October 2017. If the British Steel loan is not approved by Tuesday afternoon, administrators EY could be appointed as early as Wednesday, the source said. Greybull declined to comment. Andrew Stephenson, a junior business minister, told parliament the government was in discussions with the company and will "leave no stone unturned in its support for the industry". He added the government has been in contact with former British Steel owner Tata Steel. BREXIT BASHES STEEL SECTOR The second source said British Steel lost the backing of one of its four big lenders earlier on Tuesday, while some of the others had already exited. "The (company's) cash was not big enough to sustain even one bank pulling the plug," he said. Story continues The possible collapse of British Steel comes after Germany's Thyssenkrupp and India's Tata Steel ditched a plan this month to merge their European steel assets to create the EU's second largest steelmaker after ArcelorMittal. The collapsed merger leaves the wider EU steel sector fragmented and vulnerable to economic downturns. It also calls into question the fate of Britain's largest steelworks in Port Talbot, Wales, owned by Tata Steel. Stephenson said he held talks with Tata Steel this week about issues relating to Port Talbot, and that the India-based steelmaker had painted a positive picture of the site. EU steel company shares are currently trading at their lowest in nearly three years, driven down by poor demand, especially in autos, and cheap imports that can no longer reach the United States due to trade tariffs. Making steel profitably is particularly difficult in Britain, where steelmakers pay some of the highest green taxes and energy costs in the world and are saddled with high labour costs and business rates. They also face uncertainties surrounding Britain's planned exit from the European Union. After making a profit in 2017, British Steel cut around 400 jobs last year, blaming factors such as the weak pound. Earlier this month, it appeared to have secured the backing of lenders and shareholders to continue operating after the uncertainty around Brexit hammered its order book. "The whole manufacturing sector is crying out for certainty over Brexit, unable to plan the trading relationship it will have with its biggest market. We can only state again the need to avoid a no-deal scenario at all costs," said industry group UK Steel. British Steel secured a government loan of around 120 million pounds ($154 million) this month to enable it to comply with the European Union's Emissions Trading System (ETS) rules. In the event of a hard Brexit, Britain would leave the ETS so the government has not issued any free permits for 2019 to help companies comply with the scheme. British Steel had banked on using 2019 permits to cover its scheme commitments for 2018. GREYBULL'S CHEQUERED HISTORY "The collapse of British Steel would be devastating for thousands of jobs in Scunthorpe, as well as in the wider supply chain," opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said on Twitter. "The government must act to secure the long term future of the steelworks -- protecting people's livelihoods and the community." The second source said the British government was reluctant to hand over more cash, because Greybull could end up with the funds if the business fails. "Greybull could walk out with millions because they secured all their loans against the assets. At the holding level, Greybull are the only creditor. The government wants Greybull out before putting money into the business," he said. "Its going to be difficult to survive this afternoon." The UK government has a chequered history with Greybull, after the collapse of airline Monarch in 2017 forced it to repatriate more than 100,000 stranded tourists at a cost of about 60 million pounds. The Mayfair-based firm also provided backing for the buyout of British high street electronics chain Comet before its collapse in 2012. Unions demanded the government give British Steel the loan. "They must now put their money where their mouth is," said Ross Murdoch, national officer for the GMB union for steelworkers. Earlier this month, British Steel won approval from a French court to buy the Ascoval steel mill in northern France, pledging to invest 47.5 million euros and guarantee the jobs of the 270 workers employed at the site. (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge and Maytaal Angel; Additional reporting by Susanna Twidale; Editing by Keith Weir and Catherine Evans) What criticisms of Muslims can be censured, sanctioned, or prosecuted? What kind of statements will we deem Islamophobic? The debate is starting to happen in the United Kingdom, and it will surely happen soon in American universities, corporations, and perhaps our legislatures. We ought to start thinking it through. In the United Kingdom, the All Party Parliamentary Group of Muslims proposed a working definition of Islamophobia that runs this way: Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness. This definition has been rapidly adopted by smaller parties in the U.K., such as the Liberal Democrats, but rejected by the Tories and the government of Theresa May. Its also been criticized by Martin Hewitt, chairman of the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), who says such a definition, if it spread, could hamper anti-terror investigations. Would such a definition, if adopted, apply to any of the following statements? They seek to enslave the bodies of women. [H]e prefers theocracy to democracy. He preaches a message of enduring hatred and personifies the kind of politics that is inimical to everything the Labour party stands for. I genuinely believe that [Islam] is not, to put it at its mildest, a force for good in the world. As you may suspect already, Im quoting criticisms of other religious groups. The first is from an argument about the Christian understanding of abortion driving restrictive legislation in Alabama. The second is from an old Guardian column on the Ulster Presbyterian firebrand Ian Paisley. The third is adapted from Stephen Frys opening statement in a debate on whether the Catholic Church was a force for good in the world that preceded his account of Catholic history, in which the emphasis was on rape, violence, and conquest. For now Americans have some assurance that the First Amendment protects their right to free speech. But social sanction matters. Story continues A decade ago, a professor of biology, PZ Myers, encouraged the theft of the Catholic Eucharist so he could demonstrate himself desecrating it on his blog. It caused a small controversy on the blogosphere, but nowhere else. Prominent columnists did not intone solemnly about Americas history of deadly anti-Catholic riots. Myers did not lose his job. No one even thought to challenge it. But when an extremely obscure pastor wanted to stage a Koran burning, he commanded the attention of a nation and got a phone call from Defense Secretary Robert Gates. Under the proposed definition of Islamophobia would you have to censure someone who suggested that phone call, based on fears of a replay of deadly riots by Muslims after a papal speech, reflected poorly on the Islamic faith? Of course there is something almost perverse about the debate. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of British Muslims joined Islamic State. Why does it occur to people to decrease the ability of British citizens to talk about this religion? The phenomenon of British ISIS was so serious, the Syrian government is considering banning Britons from traveling to certain parts of their country, given that past support for a theocratic Sunni movement. Would this law from a Shia government also qualify as a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness? You see the problem. The proposed definition gives relatively few clues about how it would be applied. As it stands it could easily be applied to Muslims themselves who are offering critiques of other Muslims. It could make it impossible to argue that certain tenets or interpretative traditions within Islam are more likely to predispose their adherents to political extremism or violence. It seems designed to punish people who pay less attention to the mannerly forms of political debate among the most educated sector of society, and who simply offer a plainspoken opinion on Muslims and Islam, with the same freedom and pungency of expression they might express themselves about Irish Catholics, Scottish Presbyterians, or American Evangelicals. This is, of course, the problem, when you think that a little extra management of free speech is all thats needed to reverse or remediate every perceived inequality of esteem in society. There is a real problem that rules around Islamophobia do seek to address, though they do so in a maddeningly tedious way. Millions of Muslims have moved into Western nations in recent decades, and they in many cases poorly integrated into their societies. In some cases this is because they are exposed to unjust suspicion and prejudice. In others because we simply dont know how to do so. Secularists tend to think of their rules for the separation of religion and statecraft as universally valid and applicable. But, in fact, all the extant law, intuitions, and understandings in the West about secularism are inherited from social and political conflicts with the Western Churches. The state saw the Church as a rival form of political organization. Secularists and liberals in society saw the Church as a vehicle for blessing majoritarian prejudice, bullying, and tyranny. But Muslims are a minority, and their concept of the ummah the community of Muslim believers is not really a great analogue to the Christian Churches. And just as Islamic concepts are not always analogous to Christian ones, so too the history of racial discrimination in the West may not be a good template for building taboos around the discussion of one of the worlds largest religions. More from National Review The Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy took a cheap shot at Mayor Pete Buttigieg this week. When asked by radio host Hugh Hewitt about his thoughts on Thomas Jefferson, the contender for the Democratic presidential nomination did not say he wanted to remove the memorial to our third president from Washington, D.C. As far as he was concerned, Jefferson was a great but conflicted man. He didnt think his party should have its annual dinners named after Jefferson or Andrew Jackson but he was pretty clear about not wishing the former written out of the history books. Nevertheless, a number of folks on the right proceeded, as Hewitt put it, to take Buttigiegs comments out of context in claiming that he was ready to demolish the Jefferson Memorial. Their spurious attacks allowed Buttigieg, who subsequently got a boost from a town-hall broadcast on Fox News, to emerge from the kerfuffle posing as the victim of right-wing haters, while at the same time buttressing his efforts to position himself as a moderate in the Democratic race. This mini-controversy has less to do with the future of statues than it does with how to define moderation in 2019 America. And from that perspective, it ought to cast doubt on the ability of a supposedly moderate candidate such as Buttigieg or Joe Biden to stand up to the partys base should he win the nomination or the presidency. The former vice presidents current impressive lead in the race for the nomination is largely based on the impression that he is a credible alternative to the angry radicalism of the partys left-wing base. Anything that allows Buttigieg to encroach on that territory should help him stay in the first rank of a crowded Democratic field that tilts hard to the left. Yet the difficulty in handicapping the Democratic competition is that the distinctions between left-wingers and moderates are difficult to discern. Some of those searching for a genuine centrist to oppose President Donald Trump next year are desperate to seize on any Democrat who appears to have even meekly stood up to the Left. Those engaging in this exercise, such as New York Times columnist Brett Stephens, are longing for a Democrat to have a Sister Souljah moment like the one that helped brand Bill Clinton as a moderate in 1992, and they have yet to see it happen. Story continues To the contrary, there is abundant evidence that so-called moderates such as Biden and Buttigieg are far more likely to conform to the demands of the Democratic base than to oppose them. By any reasonable standard, Buttigieg is a hard-core liberal on the issues. He supports a form of Medicare-for-all, an eventual phase-out of private health insurance, and a vast expansion of other entitlements. He backs the Green New Deal, the Paris Climate Accord, and other aggressive methods to combat climate change. He favors stricter gun control and expanded student-loan forgiveness. And he opposes Trumps immigration policies. Like all of his rivals for the nomination, he has shown willingness to bend the knee to a racial huckster such as Al Sharpton and to attempt to curry the favor of extremist left-wing cable talkers such as Rachel Maddow even as he blasts their opposite numbers on Fox. But in 2019, Buttigieg is apparently what passes for a moderate Democratic presidential candidate, and hed very much like you to think as much, and to regard his refusal to wish Jefferson erased from American history as proof. Theres no denying that a great many Americans are as apt to think of Jefferson as being a slaveholder who fathered children with one of his female slaves as they are to associate him with the Declaration of Independence. And thats not counting those who now think only of Jefferson as Alexander Hamiltons foil, thanks to Lin-Manuel Mirandas hit musical. Respect for American history doesnt compel us to endorse everything or even most of what important figures of the past did. But it does obligate us to judge them in context. Buttigiegs answer to Hewitt is nuanced but it still places him too close to the iconoclasts for comfort. You can still regard slavery as a stain on American history without feeling the need to virtue-signal at Jeffersons expense. Thats not just because Jeffersons contributions to humanity remain worthy of honor despite his deep flaws. Its also because once you step down that path, it is a slippery slope toward exactly the kind of revisionism that Buttigieg says he wont engage in. While declaring his unwillingness to erase Jefferson from history is commendable, Buttigiegs apparent desire to erase the third president from the present should trouble anyone who wishes to think of him as a moderate capable of standing up to left-wing radicals. The distance between renaming a dinner and toppling a statue is not as great as you might think. Were he interested in the kind of Sister Souljah moment that Never Trumpers such as Stephens long for, Buttigieg could have simply shut down any suggestion that anything named after Jefferson should be renamed or destroyed. He didnt do that, and neither will any other Democrat interested in holding onto the partys base. Expecting them to do so when the stakes are even higher would be very foolish indeed. More from National Review If you want to buy Bitcoin in Brazil, theres a wide range of options available. Both local and international exchanges enable Brazilian users to buy Bitcoin. The five largest Brazilian crypto exchanges have a daily transaction volume of over R$8.3 million (almost US$2.2 million). More and more Brazilians are turning to Bitcoin. Last month, the most powerful economy in Latin America registered a record Bitcoin trading volume of 100,000 BTC in 24 hours. Heres how you can buy Bitcoin in Brazil as a possible way to protect your savings. Where to buy Bitcoin in Brazil Local exchanges If youre familiar with the local language, you can try to use some local cryptocurrency exchanges to buy Bitcoin in Brazil. Some of the most trusted Brazil-based platforms for buying and selling cryptocurrencies are Foxbit, FlowBTC, and BitCambio. All three require identity verification before trading, so dont expect anonymity online. Foxbit Foxbit enables users to buy Bitcoin with bank transfers without any deposit fees. The exchange is known for having some of the best prices in the market for BTC. One of the main advantages when using Foxbit is the fast deposits and withdrawals, which usually take about one minute to confirm. Users can start with as little as R$100 (almost $25) and can also receive signup bonuses. Besides Bitcoin, other popular cryptocurrencies you can buy here are Ether, Litecoin, and TrueUSD. FlowBTC FlowBTC is a Brazilian cryptocurrency exchange where you can buy Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies via bank transfers. Transactions are fast, but fees are quite high starting at 0.35%. However, the platform is easy to use and users benefit from 24/7 support. The exchange also provides its users with free cryptocurrency wallets. However, they may not be the safest choice for storing your digital coins. BitCambio BitCambio enables users to buy Bitcoin in Brazil by making a deposit online via bank transfer. The platform is a trusted partner of four major Brazilian banks, which allows it to provide inter-bank transfers at reasonable prices. Story continues The exchange has an initial limit and fees that vary with the trading volume. Users are classified as Level 1, 2, and 3, each with different privileges depending on their transaction history and trading volume. International cryptocurrency exchanges If youre looking for an international provider, many global cryptocurrency exchanges operate in Brazil. The most popular and trusted are LocalBitcoins and Bitex. LocalBitcoins LocalBitcoins is probably the most popular peer-to-peer cryptocurrency exchange available. In this case, transactions happen directly between users, so theyre usually private, fast, and easy. Thanks to P2P platforms like LocalBitcoins, users can buy Bitcoin in Brazil with cash deposits and also through in-person trades where personal information isnt always necessary. The downside? Prices can be higher than on third-party exchanges, and youre more likely to run into scams and fraud attempts. Bitex Bitex is a blockchain-based platform providing exchange and broker services in several countries in Latin America. Youll find users from Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Peru, Chile, and Uruguay. The advantage of using Bitex comes from its flexibility with multiple payment methods, including AstroPay. The exchange enables users to make payments using various methods for relatively low fees. Bitcoin in Brazil: Rules and tax policy Buying Bitcoin in Brazil is like many other places in the world. You need to register for an account with a cryptocurrency exchange and, in most cases, go through a process for identity verification. Its also wise to enable two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of protection to your digital assets. Also, as cryptocurrency exchange platforms arent the ideal place to store your Bitcoin, you should buy a cryptocurrency wallet. This way, you can safely deposit your funds without having to worry about cyber attacks and fraud. You should also know that Brazilian cryptocurrency exchanges are compelled to report all operations monthly for tax purposes. The Department of Federal Revenue of Brazil (RFB) will receive all the details of your transactions. This includes the transferred amounts and the identity of the customers. Residents are also required to report all transactions carried out through foreign exchanges when the trading volume is higher than R$10,000 ($2,700) per month. The takeaway Brazilian cryptocurrency adopters have seen the market skyrocket. More young people, in fact, prefer to buy cryptocurrencies than invest through the Sao Paulo stock exchange. If youre willing to buy Bitcoin in Brazil, you can do it through plenty of cryptocurrency exchange platforms using a multitude of different payment methods. All you have to do is create an account, buy a wallet and, of course, pay your taxes on time. The post How to buy Bitcoin in Brazil appeared first on Coin Rivet. California Democrats are squaring off this week over how many of the states illegal immigrants should be eligible for publicly funded health care. California governor Gavin Newsom presented a budget proposal this week that calls for $98 million in new spending to make all low-income illegal immigrants ages 19 to 26 eligible for the Medi-Cal program. Meanwhile, Democrats in the state assembly have introduced a bill that would cover all illegal immigrants over the age of 19 at a cost of $3.4 billion. A third bill, introduced by Democrats in the state senate, would cover illegal immigrants ages 19-26 as well as those over 65 and over. Proponents of a more expansive public option for illegal immigrants have argued that Sacramento can accommodate the larger price tag due to the states projected $21.5 billion budget surplus for the year. They work in our hotels, they work picking the fruit and vegetables, they work as landscapers, they work in hospitals, said state senator Maria Elena Durazo, a Los Angeles Democrat who authored the more expansive senate bill. I dont think they should be treated differently from other Californians. Newsom, however, has argued that expanding the eligible pool to immigrants over 25 would introduce new costs that might overwhelm the system in the event of an economic slowdown. 3.4 billion reasons why its a challenge, Newsom said at a Monday press conference, referring to the estimated cost of covering all illegal immigrants in the state. Medi-Cal already covers all residents under 18 and all pregnant women regardless of legal status. Since the state legislature is comprised of 75 precent Democrats, there is no significant opposition to its further expansion, the only disagreement is over the scale of that expansion. More from National Review SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) Gov. Gavin Newsom called growing homelessness in California a national disgrace as he announced Tuesday that he is launching a task force to find solutions amid a housing crisis in the most populous state. The Democratic governor said the state has lacked a strategy to curb homelessness but argued that answers will come from the local level. He said the group will work with cities and counties to develop regional plans for addressing the issue. Newsom made the announcement in Oakland, where county officials said the number of homeless people rose 43 percent over the last two years. Recent data from other counties has shown large increases, too. "These are jaw-dropping numbers," Newsom told reporters at the Henry Robinson Multi-Service Center, which provides transitional housing for people facing homelessness. Newsom has proposed spending about $1 billion in the state budget on programs to tackle homelessness, including providing $650 million to local governments for emergency shelters and other services. He also wants to spend money on programs for homeless college students and legal protections for people facing evictions. Meanwhile, major housing legislation has faltered in the Legislature in recent weeks. A measure to expand rent control stalled, and the chairman of a key Senate committee held back a closely watched proposal that would have waived zoning rules in some neighborhoods to allow for more housing, such as around public transportation. Supporters argue that such measures are key to preventing homelessness and creating more housing. Newsom told reporters that he is talking with Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins and legislative leadership about the development measure. But he did not take a position on whether it should get a vote on the Senate floor. During his campaign last year, Newsom proposed creating a cabinet-level secretary of homelessness, a post he has yet to fill. Story continues Newsom tapped Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg and Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas to chair the new Homeless and Supportive Housing Task Force. The governor's office said he will appoint other members later. The group will meet around the state to see best practices and gather input to propose solutions, Newsom's office said. The task force will issue at least one report a year to the governor. Republican Assemblyman Devon Mathis questioned the need for a new task force, arguing Newsom's administration is not doing enough to address the state's high cost of living. "Every month, families sit around the kitchen table and have to figure out how to make ends meet. Are we bringing down their cost of electricity?" He said. "Are we bringing down their costs in rent?" Prime Minister Justin Trudeau vowed Tuesday to keep the pressure on Beijing as a Canadian parliamentary delegation in China sought the release of two Canadians held as spies. "China is making stronger moves than it has before to try to get its own way on the world stage and Western countries and democracies around the world are pointing out (that) this is not something we need to continue to allow," Trudeau told reporters. Former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor were detained after the arrest December 1 of a top Huawei executive, Meng Wanzhou, in Vancouver on a US warrant. China has said it suspects Kovrig, who works for the International Crisis Group think tank, of espionage and alleged that Spavor had provided him with intelligence. Trudeau told reporters Spavor "had been detained for political reasons." "This is something that we remain concerned about (and) ... that countries around the world are concerned about," he said. Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said earlier that her parliamentary secretary Rob Oliphant and a delegation of lawmakers has gone to China to push for the two Canadians' freedom. They arrived Monday in Shanghai and were expected to remain in China until Saturday. It was not immediately known who they were meeting with. "Rob has been raising the case of the detained Canadians. That is really important for the Chinese to be hearing directly from us," Freeland told public broadcaster CBC. "It's a terrible situation and we are very clear that these two men are arbitrarily detained." Freeland said she had sought a meeting with her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, to no avail. The detentions have thrown relations between Ottawa and Beijing into crisis. Two other Canadians convicted of drug trafficking have been sentenced to death, while Beijing also blocked Canadian shipments of canola and pork worth billions of dollars. In response, Ottawa has rallied a dozen countries to its side, including Britain, France, Germany and the United States, as well as the EU, NATO and the G7. OTTAWA, May 21 (Reuters) - Canada has sent a parliamentary delegation to China to press for the release of two Canadian citizens formally arrested for espionage last week, Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Tuesday. Businessman Michael Spavor, who worked with North Korea, and former diplomat Michael Kovrig were picked up separately in December, shortly after Canada arrested Huawei Technologies Co Ltd Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, who faces extradition to the United States. Canada has condemned the detentions as "arbitrary," while China has repeatedly demanded Meng be released. Freeland, speaking in an interview with CBC radio, said she sought "repeatedly" to speak with her Chinese counterpart, but to no avail. Instead, Liberal lawmaker Robert Oliphant is now leading a Canadian delegation in China to push for release of the two men. She did not say who else was on the mission or give further details. "That is really important for the Chinese to be hearing directly from us," she said. "It's a terrible situation and we are very clear that these two men are arbitrarily detained." Canadian diplomats have made recent consular visits to both men, though they have not provided details to the public for privacy reasons. Now that the men have been formally arrested, they could soon face trial. While Canada says China has made no specific link between the detentions of the two men and Meng's arrest, experts and former diplomats say they have no doubt it is using their cases to pressure Canada. Meng, 47, is the daughter of Huawei Technologies Co Ltd's billionaire founder, Ren Zhengfei. She was arrested at Vancouver's airport in December on a U.S. warrant and is fighting extradition on charges that she conspired to defraud global banks about Huawei's relationship with a company operating in Iran. Meng was released from jail in December on C$10 million ($7.5 million) bail and must wear an electronic ankle bracelet and pay for security guards. She has been living in a Vancouver home that was valued at C$5 million in 2018. Both she and the company have denied the U.S. charges. (Reporting by Steve Scherer; Editing by David Gregorio) Ailing Kibra MP Ken Okoth was all smiles Sunday following a visit by Nairobi women representative Esther Passaris in France. In photos shared on social media by Ms Passaris, the 41-year-old Kibera lawmaker was accompanied by his wife Monica. The trio posed for the pictures at the Eiffel Tower, with Mr Okoth looking healthier as he battles colorectal cancer. Thank you Mheshimiwa for making time for my visit today. I know you cant wait to return and get back in the saddle. We are all praying and rooting for you, Passaris tweeted. Kenyans on Twitter sent an outpouring of well-wishes and messages of encouragement for the cancer warrior. The pictures also gave Kenyans a rare glimpse of Ken Okoths wife Monica, whom they only knew is foreign. Monica, who is also seen smiling for the camera in the pictures, has been taking care of her husband as he undergoes treatment abroad. Montreal (AFP) - Canadian authorities on Tuesday raided a zoo, arrested its owner, and seized more than 100 animals including lions, zebras, kangaroos and bears -- after finding two dead tigers on the property. Norman Trahan, owner of the Saint-Edouard Zoo in Saint-Edouard-de-Maskinonge, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) northeast of Montreal, faces charges of animal cruelty and neglect. If convicted he faces up to five years in prison and a lifetime ban on owning animals. The local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), which has policing powers in the province, and a team of veterinarians spent the morning cataloguing and checking on the health of each of the animals. "Given the magnitude and the complexity of the endeavour, the operation will take place over a number of weeks and will be conducted in partnership with Humane Society International, an organization specialized in mass animal rescue operations," Sophie Gaillard, who is in charge of the operation, told a press conference. "To our knowledge, this is the first time in Canada that a zoo owner has been charged with criminal animal cruelty," she said. The seized exotic and wild animals will be moved to sanctuaries and specialized care facilities elsewhere in North America. In a statement, the SPCA said it started investigating the zoo after receiving a tip about mistreatment of the animals from a visitor in August 2018. Animal protection officers began documenting "significant problems" with the animals' health and living conditions, and initially seized two alpacas in very poor condition while also finding the remains of four other animals, including the tigers, on the property. Jordan Adlard Rogers has inherited one of west Cornwall's grandest estate homes (Picture: SWNS) A care worker has inherited one of Britain's finest country estates after a DNA test proved he was the illegitimate son of the aristocratic owner who died there. Jordan Adlard Rogers, 31, says he had spent several years trying to prove Charles Rogers was his real father. He made several requests for a test which were turned down while his father was still alive. After Charles was found dead in his car on the estate in August last year at the age of 62 a test was finally carried out - and confirmed they were related. And with Charles mother and brother also having passed away, Jordan was left as heir to the grand estate. He has now moved into the lavish 1,536-acre National Trust Penrose Estate and said he is immersing himself in his new way of life and his newfound family's history. Jordan Adlard Rogers in front of portraits of members of the Rogers family (Picture: SWNS) The Rogers family have lived on the site between Helston and Porthleven in Cornwall for generations, gifting it to the National Trust in 1974 in exchange for a 1,000-year lease to continue living there. Jordan, who has now left his job as a community support worker to live off the proceeds of the estate, said he can't believe how much his life has changed since the DNA test came back positive. He said he had suspicions that Charles could have been his dad since the age of eight. He said: He offered to do a DNA test when I was younger but it didnt happen and then when I was 18, I knocked on his door and asked if I could have the test and he told me to do it through the solicitors. I was 18 so had other priorities at the time. I wrote more letters in my twenties but never got a reply, then three years ago I got in contact with power of attorney Philip Care. Read more MPs could be sent on anger management courses for bad behaviour Nigel Farage pelted with milkshake during Brexit Party campaigning Petition supports doctor who asked Muslim woman to remove her veil "Philip said Charles didnt want to do the test so I wrote one final letter with a DNA test kit enclosed and that was when Philip rang and told me Charles was dead. Story continues Jordan said he had to deal with some obstructive family members but he was finally able to get the test completed and Charles was confirmed as his father. He added: Im now starting to get my feet under the table here. People say Im lucky but I would trade anything to be able to go back and for Charles to know I was his son. Maybe then he might have taken a different path. I dont need to work any more so want to set up a charity and help the Porthleven and Helston communities. Jordan Adlard Rogers at his newly inherited stately home (Picture: SWNS) Ive been at the point of worrying about the next bill and have had a tough start in life but now Im here I want to help people. "Im not going to forget where Ive come from. An inquest last week heard how Charles had struggled with drug abuse for many years and died of an overdose in his car outside his Grade-II listed farmhouse on the historic estate. The inquest, held in Truro, heard how there were no suspicious circumstances and that Charles had overdosed on a prescription drug. He was reportedly malnourished, neglected personal hygiene and rarely changed his clothes in the months leading up to his death. Instead of living in his lavish home, Charles was sleeping in his car. The coroner was told the life tenant of the estate receives an income from a trust, and Charles was given a substantial cash allowance ranging from 300 to 1,000 a week. Jordan, who bears a striking resemblance to his father, said he decided to speak out to give a fuller picture of his father's life before he died. The stately home in Cornwall (Picture: SWNS) He said: I havent been here long and dont know all the ins and outs but have been able to piece some of the puzzle together. Charles never actually lived in the estate. He lived in one of the estates farmhouses as his mum lived here so he never got the chance to inherit it. They died two weeks apart. Itd got to the point when he gave up on himself and was living in his car instead of his house as it was such a mess. Jordan, who recently had a son with his partner Katie, said he has learned of a number of factors that he believes resulted in his fathers descent into drug addiction. There was always a pressure of him trying to match expectation, he added. His brother was an RAF pilot and his dad a lieutenant commander in the Royal Navy so he had big shoes to fill. He was under huge pressure taking it on, but he was different and a free spirit. Charles served in the Army in Northern Ireland and I think this affected him greatly along with the death of his brother Nigel from cancer who he was very close to. ---Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK--- El dirigente del Partido Brexit britanico, Nigel Farage, es alcanzado por un vaso de batido de leche durante un acto de campana para las elecciones al Parlamento Europeo, en Newcastle, Inglaterra, 20 de mayo de 2019. (Tom Wilkinson/PA via AP) A charity worker has been dismissed after saying she wished it was acid not milkshake thrown over Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage. Ruth Townsley, head of measurement and policy at Bristol-based charity Happy City, took to Twitter to air her views after 32-year-old Paul Crowther threw a milkshake over Mr Farage during a walkabout in Newcastle. But Ms Townsley sparked outrage after posting a message that appeared to advocate acid attacks and applauded Crowther, who will appear in court on assault charges following the incident. She said: Bravo to Paul Crowther, good on you mate. A tweet from charity boss Ruth Townsley appeared to call for Mr Farage to be pelted with acid after a milkshake attack in Newcastle. Great that milkshakes have become a thing when it comes to the racists in our midst. Id prefer acid but milkshakes will do for now I guess. Ms Townsleys account has since been removed from Twitter and on tuesday Happy City UK issued a statement confirming she had been dismissed from her role. The charity said: Happy City is aware that one of their employees poster a tweet yesterday from their personal account about the Nigel Farage protest. Paul Crowther speaks to police after Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage was hit with a milkshake during a campaign rally in Newcastle, England, Monday May 20, 2019. (Tom Wilkinson/PA via AP) We do not in any way agree with the contents of that tweet which contradicted all of our strongly held values. We believe all politicians have a right to have their voices heard, and condemn violence of any sort at any level of society. We are full investigating this incident internally in accordance with out procedures. A further statement added: Ruth Townsley no longer works for Happy City. Following the incident Mr Farage said he did not know what was being thrown at him, and called for a message to be sent that "people can't behave like this". Asked if he would change the way he campaigns, he added: "I hope not but I am concerned about the sheer level of hatred coming from those who think they're better than me. Read more from Yahoo News UK: Video shows man knocked out in London station brawl Police launch manhunt after girl raped in woodland Man takes police to court over facial recognition technology "I just think we've reached a point where normal campaigning is becoming very difficult, and that in a democratic society cannot be a good thing." Story continues He said what happened to him was "part of something bigger that's going on". "Civilised democracy only works if you've got the loser's consent - you know, you lose the election, you don't like it, but you accept it because that's the system. "Ever since 24 June 2016 we've had senior members of the British establishment - including two former prime ministers - literally refusing to accept the result, saying that those that voted Brexit didn't know what they were voting for - they're thick, they're stupid, they're lazy, they're racist, they're working class, they're fat, they're horrible. "And that gives people on the other side of the argument a sense of moral superiority. And if you think you're better than everybody else that then leads, I'm afraid, to a breakdown, not just in democracy, but in the civilisation that goes with it. "And I think we're in a very bad place with this." ---Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK--- Fin's Sushi and Grill. | Photo: Marceline V./Yelp Spending time in Kenmore? Get to know this Boston neighborhood by browsing its most popular local businesses, from an oyster bar to a Persian restaurant. Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top places to visit in Kenmore, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of neighborhood businesses. Read on for the results. 1. Fin's Sushi and Grill Photo: helen h./Yelp Topping the list is sushi bar and Japanese spot Fin's Sushi and Grill. Located at 636 Beacon St. (between Commonwealth and Brookline avenues), it's the highest-rated business in the neighborhood, boasting four stars out of 354 reviews on Yelp. Menu options include sushi and tempura appetizers, chicken dumplings and soups. Entrees feature crispy duck breast, Chilean sea bass, miso salmon and pan-seared sea scallops. 2. Thaitation Photo: rosie q./Yelp Next up is Thai spot Thaitation, situated at 129 Jersey St. (between Park Drive and Queensberry Street). With four stars out of 302 reviews on Yelp, it's proven to be a local favorite. Traditional Thai dishes are on the menu, including variety of curries, noodle soups, appetizers and salads. Among the house specialties is a dish of shrimp and sliced chicken with pineapple chunks, peppers, water chestnuts, onions and scallions in a spicy sweet-and-sour sauce. 3. Island Creek Oyster Bar Photo: Jie L./Yelp Bar Island Creek Oyster Bar, which offers seafood and more, is another top choice. Yelpers give the business, located at 500 Commonwealth Ave., 4.5 stars out of 2,591 reviews. Island Creek, which also has an oyster bar in Burlington, has a raw bar with a lineup of locally sourced oysters. The dinner menu features Maine lobster, steamed littleneck clams, caviar, salmon and other fish, as well as steak and chicken. 4. Gyro City Photo: christine b./Yelp Gyro City, a Greek and Mediterranean spot, is another much-loved neighborhood go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 305 Yelp reviews. Head over to 88 Peterborough St. (between Kilmarnock and Jersey streets) to see for yourself. Story continues Gyros include traditional pork, chicken, veggie and hummus. The menu also includes falafel, lamb, pork or chicken souvlaki, a Greek pork and beef burger and a mixed-grill plate. 5. Eastern Standard Kitchen & Drinks Photo: liana l./Yelp Finally, there's Eastern Standard Kitchen & Drinks, a local favorite with four stars out of 1,812 reviews. Stop by 528 Commonwealth Ave. to hit up the lounge and New American and breakfast and brunch spot next time you're in the neighborhood. In addition to breakfast and brunch fare, the menu offers a wide range of options, including daily specials such as veal scallopini, seared cod loin, brisket and spatzle, braised rabbit and prime rib. Specialty cocktails are also served. 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. By Luoyan Liu and John Ruwitch SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Shares in rare earth-related companies soared on Tuesday, led by jumps in Chinese producers a day after Chinese President Xi Jinping visited a rare earth firm in southern China, sparking speculation the sector could be the next front in the Sino-U.S. trade war. Xi on Monday visit JL MAG Rare-Earth Co Ltd in Jiangxi province, state media reported. The MVIS Global Rare Earth/Strategic Minerals Index, which tracks the shares of 20 producers from 10 countries, including China, Australia and Canada, jumped 6.4% in its biggest one-day gain since October 2011. China accounted for 80% of the rare earths, a group of 17 chemical elements used in high-technology consumer electronics and military equipment, imported by the U.S. from 2014 to 2017. So far, China's rare earths exports have been spared from recent tariffs by the United States, which has decided not to impose import duties on those and some other critical minerals from China as part of the trade war. Beijing, however, has raised tariffs on imports of U.S. rare earth metal ores from 10 percent to 25 percent from June 1, making it less economical to process the material in China. Analysts said that Xi's visit might indicate China is considering using rare earths as a weapon in the trade war, which provided support for the shares of the Chinese firms. "No question it's saber rattling," said Ryan Castilloux, managing director of Adamas Intelligence, a consultancy that tracks the rare earths market. "I think China would be reluctant to cut off supplies to anyone just yet, but the optics are designed to send a clear message we know your vulnerabilities." Shares in JL MAG Rare-Earth Co Ltd surged the maximum limit of 10% on Monday following Xi's visit, and rose another 10% on Tuesday. Shares in Innuovo Technology Co Ltd, a rare-earth permanent magnetic materials and products maker, also soared 10% to their highest since October 2017. The firm's shares have gained 54.7% so far in May. Story continues Yantai Zhenghai Magnetic Material, Chengdu Galaxy Magnets Co Ltd and Jiangmen Kanhoo Industry Co Ltd rose by as much as 9%. In Hong Kong, China Rare Earth Holdings Ltd soared more than 80%. The gains were not exclusive to China-based producers. Canada's Largo Resources Ltd, Lithium Americas and Cobalt 27 Capital Corp all surged by double-digit margins. Brazil's Cia de Ferro Ligas da Bahia, known as Ferbasa, rose 7.5% in its biggest gain in six months. Asked if China would consider limiting rare earth exports to retaliate against the United States, China's foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Monday that Xi's visit was normal and there was no need for over-interpretation. Limiting rare earth exports to the United States would have an impact as U.S. consumption relies on China, said brokerage Pacific Securities. However, RBC Capital Markets warned a Chinese ban could backfire by prompting the start-up of rare earths production from other countries, breaking China's hold on the market. "Should China hike prices for the U.S. or shut it out completely, it would simply speed up that process, leading to rapid development of alternative supplies," it said. "Brazil, Vietnam, Russia, India and Australia currently stand out as key beneficiaries by having the worlds largest reserves and production." (Additional reporting by Tom Daly; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Nick Zieminski) BEIJING (Reuters) - Foreign investors remained enthusiastic about China, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday, following U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that his tariffs are causing companies to move production away from the world's second largest economy. Trump said in an interview aired on Sunday that his tariffs on Chinese goods are causing companies to move manufacturing out of China to Vietnam and other Asian countries, and added that any agreement to end a trade war with China cannot be a "50-50" deal. No further trade talks between top Chinese and U.S. trade negotiators have been scheduled since the last round ended on May 10 - the same day Trump raised the tariff rate on $200 billion worth of Chinese products to 25% from 10%. Trump took the step after China sought major changes to a deal that U.S. officials said had been largely agreed. Since then, China has struck a sterner tone in its rhetoric, suggesting that a resumption of talks aimed at ending the 10-month trade war was unlikely to happen soon. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang, responding to a question on Trump's claim at a daily news briefing, said foreign investors were "still bullish" on China. "Even though over the past year or more the United States has continued to menace Chinese products with additional tariffs, everyone can see that the enthusiasm for foreign investors in China remains high," Lu said. Lu listed companies, including Tesla, BASF and BMW, as all having recently increased their investment in China. He added that China would continue to improve business and investment conditions for foreign companies. But foreign firms have grown weary of what they say are China's piecemeal economic reforms. Long considered a cornerstone of an otherwise fraught bilateral relationship, the U.S. business community in China in recent years has advocated a harder line on what it sees as discriminatory Chinese trade policies. Story continues The American Chamber of Commerce in China said in February that a majority of its members reported in an annual survey that they favored the United States retaining tariffs on Chinese goods while Washington and Beijing try to hammer out a deal to end the trade war. At the time, which was well before the latest tariff hikes, the chamber said that 19% of its member companies were adjusting supply chains or seeking to source components and assembly outside of China as a result of tariffs, while 28% were delaying or cancelling investment decisions in China. China's other trade partners also complain about unfair treatment. The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China said on Monday that compelled transfers of technology to Chinese firms in exchange for market access are increasing for European companies despite Beijing saying the problem does not exist. Resolving that issue in an enforceable manner is a core U.S. demand in trade negotiations. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Writing by Michael Martina; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore) At least 3 government officials from Somalia were on Monday night denied entry into Kenya at JKIA, for lack of proper documentation. The three were part of a government delegation scheduled to attend the launch of an European Union sponsored programme in Nairobi. They were reportedly carrying diplomatic passports, which would exempt them from Kenyan Visas, but they were denied entry anyway. The three were junior Minister of Water and Energy Osman Libah and legislators Ilyas Ali Hassan and Zamzam Dahir. Reportedly, Kenyan officials at the airport told them that they should have obtained visas at the Kenyan embassy in Mogadishu. Some of their colleagues had already been allowed in however. The Kenyan authorities at the airport informed these guys that such plan has changed, and now everyone has to obtain visa from Kenyas Mission in Mogadishu, a senior Somali official in the delegation told Nation. According to them, no prior communication on these changes had been made. In a matter of months, the ICJ is set to determine a case by Somalia concerning the maritime border it shares with Kenya. It is believed this dispute may be behind Kenyas latest move, coming just months after we briefly expelled the Somali ambassador. Just last week, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority directed that all planes from Somalia must stop over at Wajir for security checks, amidst protest from Mogadishu. Soldiers carry out military training in Taicang City, Jiangsu, China. Photo: Getty A bombastic song that glorifies the trade war between the United States and China is going viral on social media. Opening with a chorus of men singing "Trade war! Trade war! Not afraid of the outrageous challenge! Not afraid of the outrageous challenge! A trade war is happening over the Pacific Ocean!" The song catchily titled Trade War is set to the tune of an anti-Japanese song from the 1960s film Tunnel War, in which a Chinese town defends itself from invasion. The 2019 version includes the line if the perpetrator wants to fight we will beat him out of his wits. According to Bloomberg, the song has over 100,000 views on the messaging app WeChat and was produced privately by lyricist and producer Zhao Liangtian. Liantian told Bloomberg: "Since the trade war broke out, I felt the urge to do something." In 2017, the US launched an investigation into Chinese trade practices, before imposing billions of dollars worth of sanctions on its products last year. READ MORE: Huawei set to unveil huge UK tech hub just as security fears grow Los Angeles is brimming with design delights and happenings. For all the goings-on around town and news you need to know, AD PROs weekly news roundup is here to keep you filled in. City of Tomorrow Symposium on May 23 in DTLA The A+D Museum and the Container Yard at 800 East 4th Street in DTLA will host the City of Tomorrow Symposium, sponsored by the Ford Motor Group, on Thursday, May 23. Speakers and panelists will focus on issues of urban mobility from a variety of industries and fields related to community-oriented planning, design, and leadership. Advanced registration is required, though admission is free. Ron Radziner Joins Mojave Desert Land Trust Board Architect Ron Radziner of Marmol Radziner has joined the Mojave Desert Land Trust board of directors. In addition to having owned a family home in the high desert for many years, Radziner's firm is known for its extensive work on projects in the region, such as the restoration of Richard Neutra's Kaufmann House in Palm Springs, as well as forays into prefab home construction in the desert. Sportsmen's Lodge Development Plans by Gensler and Olin Studio Announced Midwood Investment & Development revealed renderings for a new development at the sprawling, historic Sportsmen's Lodge property in Studio City called The Shops at Sportsmen's Lodge, to be designed by Gensler and Olin Studio. Construction starts this summer on the complex located next to the Sportsmen's Lodge Hotel on Ventura Boulevard that will house anchor tenants Erewhon and Equinox. Ototo, Designed by Weekends, Opens in Echo Park Ototo sake bar officially opens this week next to owners Charles Namba and Courtney Kaplans popular sibling Japanese restaurant, Tsubaki, in Echo Park. David Rager and Cheri Messerli of Weekends, the multidisciplinary creative studio behind Botanica restaurant and marketplace in Silver Lake as well as multiple Paris culinary hotspots, created the intimate space that features shou sugi ban elements, custom Donald Juddinspired seating, and Japanese textiles. Story continues Design Workshop L.A. Office Promotes Planner Jason Ficht International urban design and landscape architecture firm Design Workshop has announced recent staff promotions in its seven U.S. offices. The changes affect planner Jason Ficht, AICP CUD, who will become an associate in Los Angeles. Extents Lecture About Installation with Materials and Applications Extents design collaborative founders Mclain Clutter and Cyrus Penarroyo will speak on Tuesday, June 11, about their work and the "Lossy/Lossless" installation, currently on view in an Echo Park Sunset Boulevard storefront curated by Materials and Applications. Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest By Ron Bousso ABERDEEN, Scotland (Reuters) - Activists disrupted BP's annual shareholder meeting on Tuesday shouting "this is a crime scene" in the latest climate protest against the oil and gas group, while rival Royal Dutch Shell got some rare praise from investors on its emissions policies. Both oil giants have been working with shareholders in recent years to try to define a path towards meeting the goals of the 2015 Paris climate agreement to limit global warming. U.S. rivals Exxon Mobil and Chevron are also under pressure from investors, but have so far not committed to any targets. Two women protesters inside BP's annual general meeting (AGM) in Aberdeen, Scotland, were carried out by security staff, while others turned on an alarm during BP Chief Executive Bob Dudley's speech as activists complained the UK-based group was not doing enough to battle global warming. The action came a day after Greenpeace protesters blockaded the entrance to BP's London headquarters, demanding it end all new oil and gas exploration. BP agreed in February with a group of shareholders known as Climate Action 100+ on a resolution to increase transparency around carbon emissions, set targets to reduce emissions from its operations and link them to executive pay. That resolution won overwhelming shareholder support at the AGM. But after BP's overall carbon emissions rose in 2018 to their highest in six years, shareholders also pushed it to do more and follow Shell by imposing stricter emissions limits. Outside the AGM, several dozen people held placards reading "BP climate criminals" and "climate emergency." Around 20 environmental activists also gathered outside Shell's AGM in The Hague. BP Chairman Helge Lund said the company would transition towards cleaner energy, while remaining an attractive investment proposition. "The world needs more energy but it needs energy that is cleaner, better and kinder to the planet," Lund said. Story continues Meanwhile, Shell was commended by some of its shareholders for setting sector-leading climate policies last year. They include reducing so-called Scope 3 emissions from fuels sold to customers around the world in addition to emissions from the company's own operations. Adam Matthews, director of ethics and engagement for the Church of England Pensions Board who has represented shareholders in climate talks with Shell, said the group's strategy was an example to other energy companies. "(I) suggest that a joint message is sent from this AGM to others within the (oil and gas) sector and to investors that have yet to embrace an approach that addresses the vast majority of the impact on society and the climate by the setting of targets covering scope 3 emissions," Matthews said. While BP shareholders also praised BP for supporting the climate resolutions, some want it lay out stricter targets to include Scope 3 emissions, which are several times larger than emissions from BP's own operations. "We need to be much more ambitious, not less, in how we tackle the biggest contributor to the emissions our company makes," Tracy Rembert, director of Catholic Responsible Investing (CBIS), told the AGM. Lund said BP could not set targets for emissions that were not under its control. Dudley has repeatedly opposed setting Scope 3 reduction targets for that reason. The founder of shareholder activist group Follow This, Mark van Baal, told the AGM that setting targets without including Scope 3 emissions was like saying "we smoke less but sell more cigarettes". However, a resolution filed by Follow This won just 8.35% of votes at the meeting, while the one backed by the board won 99.14% support. "There was fantastic support for the resolution and this is just the beginning," said Victoria Barron of Newton Investment Management, who helped with the drafting of the Climate Action 100+ resolution. BP has said it aims to keep emissions from its operations flat in the decade to 2025 and invests about $500 million a year on low carbon energy and technologies such as wind and solar. Istanbul (AFP) - CNN's Turkish channel was criticised Tuesday after it cut short an interview with the opposition candidate for Istanbul mayor as he began to talk about the municipality's "extravagant" Social media users lashed out at CNN Turk after it stopped Monday night's interview with Ekrem Imamoglu of the Republican People's Party (CHP) half an hour ahead of schedule. One Twitter user @muratagirel suggested CNN Turk change the programme's name from "Unbiased Zone" to "Biased Zone". However, CNN Turk denied the criticism, saying that Imamoglu was given more airtime than ruling party candidate Binali Yildirim who joined the programme on May 13. Yildirim spoke for 1 hour 18 minutes 40 seconds in the programme on May 13 while the progamme joined by Imamoglu lasted for 1 hour 25 minutes, CNN Turk said on Twitter. Imamoglu was dramatically stripped of his victory in March's vote after the country's top election body annulled the results over claims of "irregularities" and ordered a new election for June 23. He is rarely given time on Turkish screens, whereas President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered almost daily televised speeches ahead of the March vote on behalf of ruling party candidate Binali Yildirim, a former prime minister. Imamoglu was interrupted by the CNN Turk anchor as he began to talk about the lavish spending in Istanbul municipality which he said he discovered during his brief 18-day stint as mayor. He held up placards depicting alleged waste, such as high numbers of unnecessary official cars, and said his campaign would focus on turning this information into savings. This prompted the anchorman, Ahmet Hakan, first to interrupt him for a commercial break and then to end the programme entirely when Imamoglu insisted on talking about the finances. Imamoglu countered that the interview was supposed to last 30 minutes more, but was told time was up. Many social media users reacted with anger, such as one person on Twitter who wrote: "Ahmet Hakan you are a very bad journalist... are you aware that the time is up for you and those like you?" Story continues The Istanbul Municipality responded late Monday, denying Imamoglu's allegations about the official cars and said the claims amounted to "intentional distortion" to manipulate public opinion. Turkey is ranked 157th in the world for press freedom by Reporters Without Borders, which says the government has increasingly seized control of media outlets and is the world's biggest jailer of professional journalists. CNN Turk has been mocked in the past for toeing the government line, particularly during the "Gezi Park" protests in 2013, when it ran a documentary about penguins instead of covering the demonstrations. It is a joint venture of CNN's parent company, Turner Broadcasting System International, and Turkey's privately owned Dogan Media Group. Dogan was sold last year to Demiroren Group, which has close ties to Erdogan. Thirty-four years after it debuted and then disappeared New Coke is back. The often-maligned soda goes on sale online Thursday as part of a tie-in with the Netflix show Stranger Things, Coca-Cola announced Tuesday. The third season of the show set in the 1980s launches on July 4 and will take place in 1985. That year, Coca-Cola angered soda drinkers with the launch of a new version of its flagship drink. New Coke quickly became an example of misgauging consumer demand and remains a punchline three and a half decades later. The 12-ounce cans of New Coke, made from the same recipe that sparked the 1985 revolt, will go on sale at 5 p.m. ET at cokestore.com. They'll be part of a bundle when shoppers buy at least two limited-edition "Stranger Things" Coca-Cola or Coke Zero Sugar eight-ounce glass bottles. Our 'most' + your inbox: Get USA TODAY's Most Social newsletter every afternoon and see what you should be reading Forget downsizing: More baby boomers stay in their homes as they reach retirement Going out of business: Ascena Retail Group closing all of its nearly 650 Dressbarn stores Free cans of New Coke will also be available for a limited time via an upside-down "Stranger Things"-inspired vending machine in select cities, starting Thursday in New York. And people who buy a ticket or gift at the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta on certain days during the week of June 3 will have a chance to get New Coke cans as a gift, while supplies last. When Netflix told us Season 3 was going to be set in the summer of 1985 with the tagline that one summer could change everything that rang so true for us," said Oana Vlad, director of Coca-Cola Trademark, Coca-Cola North America. "The summer of 1985 did in fact change everything for us with the introduction of New Coke, which was also arguably one of the biggest pop culture moments of that year." She explained that once Coca-Cola realized how large a role the beverage would play in the show, the company decided to revive the soda. Story continues New Coke, the Edsel of the soda world, was available for 79 days in 1985, and the Atlanta soda giant is now predicting the new batch will be gone even faster. Coca-Cola has had more than a dozen cameos in the first two seasons of "Stranger Things," including the notable scene where Eleven crushes the Coke can with her mind. The beverage giant is playing this tie-in just right, says New York City-based branding consultant Allen Adamson. The challenge today for any brand is to break through and to create some energy and some buzz and to try to get a little sizzle in the marketplace, he said. This is a way to do it behind a product that tasted great, but (didnt) have the authenticity front. Its a different time and a different place. Theres no downside to Coca-Cola reminding people of its giant misstep, because consumers can still get regular Coke whenever they want, Allen says. Plus, it lets people who are curious or nostalgic about New Coke taste it, he says. Follow USA TODAY reporter Zlati Meyer on Twitter: @ZlatiMeyer This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New Coke is back after 34 years. Thank 'Stranger Things' season 3 DENVER (AP) Colorado officials said Tuesday that they had no plans to stop energy companies from drilling for oil and gas while regulators overhaul state rules to make health, safety and the environment their top priority. Dan Gibbs, chief of the state Department of Natural Resources, said lawmakers did not want a moratorium on drilling permits while regulators rewrite the rules under a new law that shifted the state's focus from production to protection. "It was never the intent of the Legislature that we pause our work," Gibbs told the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, which will implement the new law. The commission is part of Gibbs' department. Some environmentalists and community activists have demanded the commission stop issuing permits until the new rules are complete. They argue that drilling makes climate change worse, pollutes Colorado's air and water, and puts nearby residents at risk from fires and explosions. Industry executives and workers argued against a moratorium. Janet Rost, whose company helps secure mineral rights, said she is a single mother and a cancer survivor who depends on the industry for her livelihood. "Please don't pass a moratorium," she told the commissioners. Tuesday's meeting was the first time the oil and gas commission met since Democratic Gov. Jared Polis signed the law mandating sweeping changes in regulations. In addition to the new focus on protecting the public and the environment, the law gives local governments some authority over the location of wells. The changes are Colorado's latest attempt to balance its booming oil and gas industry with a burgeoning population. The state's crude oil production has quadrupled since 2010, and it now ranks sixth in the nation in both oil and natural gas output, according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency. But the state's most productive oil and gas field the Wattenberg field north and east of Denver borders on some fast-growing communities, raising fears about the dangers of pollution and accidents. Story continues The new law changed the makeup of the seven-member commission to dilute industry influence, reducing the number of commissioners with oil and gas experience from three to one while adding experts in wildlife and public health. Polis announced the new members Friday, a few days before their first meeting. Only two commissioners are holdovers: Howard Boigon, who is an oil and gas attorney, and Erin Overturf, who works for the environmental group Western Resource Advocates. Four other members applied for reappointment but were passed over, commission spokesman Chris Arend said. Polis' spokeswoman, Shelby Weiman, did not directly answer a question about why the four were not chosen but said the new commission has the expertise and geographic and political diversity needed to implement the new law. She said Polis appreciates the service of the former commissioners. Commission staff members have already begun rewriting rules and have held preliminary meetings and released some proposals. But the commissioners themselves are still reorganizing, and work on rewriting substantive drilling rules isn't expected to begin until later this year. Once all the rules are rewritten, the commission will be replaced by a smaller version that includes five appointed, full-time commissioners and the heads of two state departments, natural resources and public health. The commission now consists of seven appointed, part-time members and the two department heads. ___ Follow Dan Elliott at http://twitter.com/DanElliottAP . (John Kemp is a Reuters market analyst. The views expressed are his own) * Chartbook: https://tmsnrt.rs/2EmlB0t By John Kemp LONDON, May 21 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia is in no rush to increase oil production and exports, fearing that additional supply would risk a renewed build up of stockpiles and push prices lower. Our preference is to maintain production management to keep inventories on their way declining gradually, softly, but certainly towards normal levels, the kingdoms oil minister said on Monday. Saudi policymakers are trying to balance the diplomatic imperative of maintaining good relations with the White House while keeping export revenues at an adequate level to support their own budget. The kingdoms relationship with Washington has become more important than ever as Riyadh pursues domestic economic reforms while confronting its external enemy Iran. Senior policymakers have reached an understanding with the White House to ensure the oil market remains well supplied in exchange for political and military protection and tough sanctions on Iran. However, from a financial perspective, the kingdom has no incentive to further increase production and exports unless prices rise, signaling the market is short of physical crude. EXPORT EARNINGS OPEC output agreements are specified in terms of domestic production but what matters for global supply and prices is the level of exports. Oil supplies have fallen since last year mostly as a result of unplanned interruptions in Venezuelan and Iranian shipments, rather than planned reductions from Saudi Arabia and other countries in the OPEC+ group. Saudi Arabia's crude exports during the first quarter were down by less than 1% compared with the same period in 2018, and just 2.5% below the average since the start of 2011, according to official data submitted to the Joint Organisations Data Initiative (JODI)(https://tmsnrt.rs/2EmlB0t). However, export earnings were down approximately 7% from a year earlier, mostly because of very weak January and February average Brent crude prices, the international marker. Story continues Revenues were running at roughly $480 million per day by March, essentially the same as a year earlier but down from a recent high of more than $600 million in October and still only a little over half what they were before oil prices slumped in 2014. From a revenue-maximization perspective, it only makes sense to increase exports if there is a clear supply gap in the market to limit the impact on oil prices. UNCERTAIN OUTLOOK For the time being, Saudi policymakers and crude marketers cannot be certain there will be a supply shortfall in the second half of the year. U.S. sanctions on Iran and Venezuela, Russian pipeline problems and the threat of another interruption to Libyas exports have all tightened the market. And it is set to tighten even further as U.S. refineries ramp up crude processing to meet increased demand during the summer driving season and in preparation for new IMO fuel rules from January. But global economic growth is decelerating and freight movements are falling, which could herald a slowdown in oil consumption growth later in the year. With futures prices in the biggest backwardation since 2014 and spot prices still well below last years highs, traders appear to expect any supply tightness to be relatively short-lived. Saudi oil exports will stay under 7 million barrels per day in June, a Gulf source familiar with the kingdoms plans told Reuters earlier this month. Beyond that, it might take a chance on boosting exports by 100,000-300,000 barrels per day once the current OPEC+ supply agreement ends, but any larger increase would risk over-supplying the market again, cutting rather than increasing revenues. The kingdoms primary objective now is to convince its OPEC+ allies, specifically Russia, not to increase exports either. In the meantime, the diplomatic challenge is to keep the White House onside even if spot prices rise. Related columns: - Funds sell oil as economic fears trump supply threats (Reuters, May 20) - Brent spreads point to tightest market since 2014 (Reuters, May 16) - Oil prices trapped by grim news from emerging markets (Reuters, May 15) - Global economy is close to stalling as trade falls (Reuters, April 26) (Editing by Kirsten Donovan) Brussels (AFP) - The campaign for this week's European election has raised the spectre of a surge in extreme nationalist and populist views, and no community is more concerned than the continent's Jews. Recent years have seen an increase in anti-Semitic speech and violence in many parts of the continent, with once taboo language sometimes creeping into mainstream politics. Before World War II and the Holocaust, Europe counted more than nine million Jews. Today the community numbers fewer than two million, and its leaders fear more departures. European Jews are urging their neighbours to vote for unity and to reject extremism when they go to the polls in European Parliament elections set for Thursday through Sunday. "We know... maybe better than anyone, what Europe was built on, after the Holocaust, after the horrors of the war," Ariella Woitchik, director of European affairs at the European Jewish Congress (EJC), told AFP. "And we don't consider that peace is a given thing." Woitchik spoke in Brussels, the EU capital and a city where soldiers and police still mount guard outside synagogues and kosher shops five years after a murderous gun attack on the Jewish Museum. The threat is not imagined or exaggerated, according to the European Union's Agency of Fundamental Rights, which recently conducted a wide-ranging survey in 12 member states. "Findings from the 2018 survey show that hundreds of respondents personally experienced an anti-Semitic physical attack in the 12 months preceding the survey," the report said. "More than one in four of all respondents experienced anti-Semitic harassment at least once during that period." In January, EU Justice Commissioner Vera Jourova spoke out against anti-Semitism, warning: "When Jews have left Europe in the past, it has never been a good sign of the state of Europe." But Jews are once again considering leaving Europe, as many did before and after World War II. Story continues - 'Hitler's posthumous victory' - "The numbers have gone down in the past 20 years. There used to be two million Jews, it went down to 1.6 million," Pinchas Goldschmidt, Chief Rabbi of Moscow and president of Conference of European Rabbis, told AFP. "A lot of people left. We had a whole wave of terror in France, Belgium, Denmark and in other places. So we see these elections as extremely important, giving a message to the Jews of Europe that you're still welcome in Europe." Modern European parties, even those on the far right, rarely openly espouse anti-Semitic views, but the recent election campaign has had worrying undercurrents for the community. In Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orban's party has made a target of Jewish financier and philanthropist George Soros, accusing him of secretly plotting with Brussels to swamp Europe with immigrants. "It wasn't overt, but there were some tropes used," Goldschmidt said. This week Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki of Poland sparked outrage by declaring that if Warsaw paid reparations for Jewish property stolen during the Holocaust it would be Hitler's "posthumous victory". This came after a far-right candidate in the Polish city of Kielce interrupted a televised debate to try to place a kippa on a ruling party candidate's head, declaring: "They kneel before the Jews." For Goldschmidt, the excesses of the campaign reflect a broader trend of spreading hatred that has even seen German extremists marching with neo-Nazi symbols. "We have the Brown Shirts marching in Germany. Anti-Semitism has again been invoked as part of the mainstream... politicians are not afraid to use it when they need it," the rabbi said. - 'Emergency feeling' - "World War II is turning into a memory and people are forgetting what it was like to live without a European Union, without all those values that are so important for a continent that was at constant war for hundreds of years." Jewish community leaders accept that many mainstream politicians have, in some cases belatedly, begun to realise the scale of the problem, even if they have struggled to confront it. Groups like the EJC have been successful in some cases in convincing EU and member state agencies to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of anti-Semitism. But the tone of the debate in Europe has raised concerns, and community leaders have urged all to vote against the extremes. "It's definitely linked," Woitchik argues. "Whether it comes from the left or the right, both extremes are extremely negative... It spreads hatred, whether it is online or... through very violent physical attacks. "So all this creates a feeling of anxiety among the Jewish community. Now we have even talked about an emergency feeling because if things don't get better, people are even contemplating leaving Europe," she said. "The message that we are trying to spread now is to call on people to vote and to vote for a pro-European party." The lid is starting to crack (Getty) The detonation of the first hydrogen bombs marked a new, chilling era of the Cold War nuclear arms race but the relics of the era might endanger mankind again. This week UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres told a crowd in Fiji that rising seas could endanger a kind of coffin built to contain radioactive materials from Americas hydrogen bombs. The concrete lid was built on Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands to contain radioactive material from American nuclear tests in the 1950s. Speaking in Fiji, he said that the dome is dangerously vulnerable, and that a strong storm could release the debris inside. Read more from Yahoo News UK: Video shows man knocked out in London station brawl Police launch manhunt after girl raped in woodland Man takes police to court over facial recognition technology Mr Guterres said, Ive just been with the President of the Marshall Islands (Hilda Heine), who is very worried because there is a risk of leaking of radioactive materials that are contained in a kind of coffin in the area. America conducted 57 nuclear tests in the South Pacific (Getty) From 1946 to 1958, America conducted 67 nuclear tests in the South Pacific. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres travelled to three South Pacific island nations to see the effects of climate change firsthand. Guterres said the Pacific needs stronger international support because climate change is taking place faster than efforts to address it. His trip came ahead of the Climate Action Summit that he plans to convene in September in New York. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK By Krishna N. Das NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Political allies swathed Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a victory garland on Tuesday, seeking to project confidence he would win a second straight term in a general election, but the opposition Congress party dismissed predictions it would lose. Exit polls have predicted a clear win for Modi in the election that ended on Sunday, but such polls in India have proved misleading before, and counting of votes cast in the seven-phase contest will take place on Thursday. The result is expected later that day. The ruling coalition, led by Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is projected to win between 339 and 365 seats in the 545-member Lok Sabha with a Congress-led opposition alliance getting only 77 to 108, an exit poll from India Today Axis showed. Modi met leaders from his ruling alliance, receiving garlands and shawls from them in a show of optimism. Flanked by BJP president Amit Shah, Modi met cabinet ministers, party colleagues and dozens of the leaders from regional blocs that are part of the alliance. Seated before a sign reading "Welcome and Thanksgiving Meeting" at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, Modi was also given a meters-long, outsized garland. But Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the younger sister of party president Rahul Gandhi, urged party workers to ignore vote surveys, not lose heart, and to remain vigilant at vote-count centres. "Don't let rumours and exit polls discourage you. This is being spread to break your determination," she said in an audio message late on Monday. "This has further raised the need for you to remain alert. Please keep vigil outside strongrooms and counting centres. We are confident that our combined efforts will bear fruit," she said, referring to centres where electronic voting machines are kept. The Election Commission said it had received some complaints about attempts to tamper with voting machines in strongrooms, but they were not true. Story continues "All such reports and allegations are absolutely false, and factually incorrect," it said in a statement. The two Gandhis are members of the latest generation of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty to aspire to govern India. The staggered general election, billed as the world's biggest democratic exercise with some 900 million eligible voters, began on April 11. FOCUS ON FAMILY Confident of victory, the BJP said the Congress party must think about whether the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty still enjoys the support of the people. The family has dominated politics since the British colonial rulers left in 1947, with three prime ministers. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, a senior BJP member who would likely retain his role in a new Modi cabinet, said Congress could no longer rely on the family to win votes. "Leaders are judged on merit and not on caste or family names," Jaitley said in a Facebook post. "The prime ministers style of rising above caste and concentrating on performance related issues received far more acceptability with the electorate." Some Congress officials say it is wrong to blame the Gandhi family every time the party fares badly and point to three wins in state assembly elections last year under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. (Reporting by Krishna N. Das and Devjyot Ghoshal, Editing by Sanjeev Miglani, William Maclean) Photo: Serena M./Yelp Seafood fans, take heed: there's a new spot in town to get your fix. Located at 110 Stewart St., in Pike Place Market, the new addition is called Conversation. This new business is meant to foster human connection and conversation through food. On the menu, expect to see items like oysters, scallops and trout. The menu also includes brunch options like poached eggs and crab, and fried quail and waffle crisps. According to Eater Seattle, the menu items were inspired by a combination of chef Derek Simcik's international travels, his French culinary training and his familys Southern roots. The fresh arrival has already attracted fans thus far, with a five-star rating out of four reviews on Yelp. Sarah M., reviewed the new spot on May 13, saying, "Being gluten- and egg-free is usually difficult for me at brunch, however, the staff was very accommodating and I was able to order a side of the breakfast potatoes, fruit and slab bacon. OMG the bacon. We would go back just for this, it just melted in your mouth." Yelper Susan D. added, Great drinks, food and service. We enjoyed the creative drink menu and many of the shared plates the sauces were outstanding! We will definitely return on our next visit to Seattle. Interested? Stop by to welcome the new business to the neighborhood. Conversation is open from 7 a.m.10 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m.10 p.m. on weekends. Better dentistry does exist Not all dentists in San Francisco provide you with the same experience, which is why we make your life easier by rewarding you with a $50 gift card for visiting one of the top rated dentists in your area on Opencare. Don't believe us? Opencare is also proud to offer a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so if your new dentist doesn't live up to the hype, we'll also reimburse you up to $100 to cover your appointment costs! Click here to book an appointment and claim your $50 reward 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. CNBC's Jim Cramer on Tuesday said that Morgan Stanley(MS) cutting its worst-case forecast on Tesla(TSLA) from $97 per share to just $10 appears to be a gimmick. Setting a price target of $10 on a $200 stock "really is insane," the "Mad Money" host said. "How about $8? How about $12? Ten basically says, 'I want to get talked about. Let's talk about me.'" Morgan Stanley, in a research note Tuesday co-authored by Adam Jonas, said the bear call was based on demand concerns and exposure in China. The analysts left their Tesla base target at $230 per share and their best case at $391. Tesla's market cap is currently at $36.4 billion. "Our revised bear case assumes Tesla misses our current Chinese volume forecast by roughly half," Jonas and his colleagues wrote, citing "the highly volatile trade situation in the region." "If he had done $47 would we have talked about him? No, but 10. Ten is right in your face," Cramer said on "Squawk on the Street." "I question this piece of research." A spokeswoman for Morgan Stanley declined to comment on Cramer's criticism. Shares of Tesla were hitting 2-year lows Tuesday, below $200 at the worst levels of the session, for a market capitalization, or stock market value, of about $36 billion. However, that was a far cry from its all-time low of under $15 in July 2010, less than a month after it went public at $17. On the flip side, the stock hit an all-time high of nearly $390 per share in September 2017. In a year with the S&P 500(.SPX) up about 14%, Tesla has declined nearly 40% in 2019. But it's been tough to bet against Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The stock is up nearly 1,100% since its IPO. * 75th anniversary of D-Day to be commemorated next month * Operation was the largest seaborne invasion in history * Only a handful of veterans from the fighting still alive By Richard Lough SWORD BEACH, France, May 21 (Reuters) - Leon Gautier landed on Sword Beach in a hail of enemy fire on June 6, 1944, one of the first wave of French commandos to storm the Normandy beachfront defended by Hitler's troops. Seventy-five years on, he still grapples with the memories. Today, 96-year-old Gautier, his wit quick and memory sharp, lives just a few hundred meters (yards) from a German bunker he and comrades among the special forces of French Captain Philippe Kieffer were tasked with securing before pushing inland. For the former marine commando, commemorations in June marking the 75th anniversary since more than 150,000 allied troops invaded France to drive out Nazi Germany forces will be a time to reflect on fallen friends and foes alike. "War is a misery. Not all that long ago, and perhaps you find this silly, but I would think 'perhaps I killed a young lad, perhaps I orphaned children, perhaps I widowed a woman or made a mother cry'," Gautier said wistfully. "I didn't want that, I'm not a bad man. You kill a man who's done nothing to you, that's war and you do it for your country." Gautier was 17 when Hitler's forces occupied France. Too young to join the army, he enrolled in the navy and was aboard one of the last French warships to sail for Britain to join the Free French Forces of General Charles de Gaulle as the Germans swept across the northern half of France in 1940. Four years later, he was one of 177 elite French commandos who would take part in the Normandy landings. On the night of June 5-6, Gautier slept as his landing craft pitched and rolled across the English Channel before holding off the French coast as allied bombers and warships rained bombs and shells on the German coastal defenses. Story continues FEW VETERANS ALIVE The French troops were first to wade chest-deep onto the beach. "Your honor," Gautier recalled British Colonel Robert Dawson telling the French green berets, letting them lead. "We went in only a few seconds ahead. It was a symbolic gesture." Carrying his Tommy gun, two loaded chargers strapped around his chest, Gautier ran up the beach as bullets fizzed overhead, knowing he would narrow the gunners' sweep the closer to the concrete bunker he got. "By the end of the day I didn't have many bullets left," Gautier said, reluctant to delve deeper into the memory of witnessing countless young lives ended prematurely. Gautier will be among a dwindling number of British, American, Canadian and French veterans, the youngest among them now in their nineties, expected to mark the anniversary on Normandy's windswept beaches and manicured war memorials. World War Two-era Dakota troop carriers will fly over the Channel, hundreds of parachutists will re-enact the air-drops that launched the beach landings, and the Royal British Legion will ferry some 300 British veterans to France's shores. U.S. President Donald Trump is due to visit the American war cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, which overlooks Omaha Beach, where more than 2,400 U.S. troops were killed on D-Day. On a breezy afternoon last week, the U.S. Stars and Stripes fluttered above the cemetery's 9,380 marble crosses, while visitors pondered the passing of the landings from living memory into the world's collective history. "I don't know if the memory will fade a whole lot. We still talk about past revolutions and war," said Don Robertson from Arizona. "It just takes a different perspective because you lose the immediate contact." (Reporting by Richard Lough Editing by Luke Baker and Edmund Blair) By Richard Lough SWORD BEACH, France (Reuters) - Leon Gautier landed on Sword Beach in a hail of enemy fire on June 6, 1944, one of the first wave of French commandos to storm the Normandy beachfront defended by Hitler's troops. Seventy-five years on, he still grapples with the memories. Today, 96-year-old Gautier, his wit quick and memory sharp, lives just a few hundred metres (yards) from a German bunker he and comrades among the special forces of French Captain Philippe Kieffer were tasked with securing before pushing inland. For the former marine commando, commemorations in June marking the 75th anniversary since more than 150,000 allied troops invaded France to drive out Nazi Germany forces will be a time to reflect on fallen friends and foes alike. "War is a misery. Not all that long ago, and perhaps you find this silly, but I would think 'perhaps I killed a young lad, perhaps I orphaned children, perhaps I widowed a woman or made a mother cry'," Gautier said wistfully. "I didn't want that, I'm not a bad man. You kill a man who's done nothing to you, that's war and you do it for your country." Gautier was 17 when Hitler's forces occupied France. Too young to join the army, he enrolled in the navy and was aboard one of the last French warships to sail for Britain to join the Free French Forces of General Charles de Gaulle as the Germans swept across the northern half of France in 1940. Four years later, he was one of 177 elite French commandos who would take part in the Normandy landings. On the night of June 5-6, Gautier slept as his landing craft pitched and rolled across the English Channel before holding off the French coast as allied bombers and warships rained bombs and shells on the German coastal defences. FEW VETERANS ALIVE The French troops were first to wade chest-deep onto the beach. "Your honour," Gautier recalled British Colonel Robert Dawson telling the French green berets, letting them lead. "We went in only a few seconds ahead. It was a symbolic gesture." Story continues Carrying his Tommy gun, two loaded chargers strapped around his chest, Gautier ran up the beach as bullets fizzed overhead, knowing he would narrow the gunners' sweep the closer to the concrete bunker he got. "By the end of the day I didn't have many bullets left," Gautier said, reluctant to delve deeper into the memory of witnessing countless young lives ended prematurely. Gautier will be among a dwindling number of British, American, Canadian and French veterans, the youngest among them now in their nineties, expected to mark the anniversary on Normandy's windswept beaches and manicured war memorials. World War Two-era Dakota troop carriers will fly over the Channel, hundreds of parachutists will re-enact the air-drops that launched the beach landings, and the Royal British Legion will ferry some 300 British veterans to France's shores. U.S. President Donald Trump is due to visit the American war cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, which overlooks Omaha Beach, where more than 2,400 U.S. troops were killed on D-Day. On a breezy afternoon last week, the U.S. Stars and Stripes fluttered above the cemetery's 9,380 marble crosses, while visitors pondered the passing of the landings from living memory into the world's collective history. "I don't know if the memory will fade a whole lot. We still talk about past revolutions and war," said Don Robertson from Arizona. "It just takes a different perspective because you lose the immediate contact." (Reporting by Richard Lough; Editing by Luke Baker and Edmund Blair) Montgomery (United States) (AFP) - It's been a particularly tough week for Margaux Hartline, a volunteer who holds a large umbrella over women going into an Alabama abortion clinic so their faces are unidentifiable to religious activists. Last week, the southeastern US state passed the strictest anti-abortion law in the country, and Hartline says there's been a jump in "harassment" from anti-abortion activists who shout from across the street at women going into the clinic. "They're ramping everything up, and we're very worried that more people are going to show up," said Hartline, 25. Wearing a rainbow-colored vest, Hartline works from the porch of the "Power House," the headquarters of a local reproductive rights group that escorts women into Reproductive Health Services, the clinic right next door which is one of only three in the state. Abortion is among the most divisive political issues in the US, and the doorsteps of abortion clinics nationwide have become the sites of daily standoffs between pro- and anti-abortion rights activists. On the one side are activists who stake out clinics and attempt to convince women not to have abortions with tactics that reproductive rights advocates say are aggressive and involve harassment or shaming. "If they find any kind of identifying information, if you have a school sticker on the back of your car or something, they will do whatever they can to identify you and they'll call your school, your church, your family, your job, anything. They're actively trying to ruin these people's lives," Hartline said. On the other side are people like Hartline, who waits for women to park in front of the clinic before approaching them with a big blue umbrella that she holds over their heads, shielding their faces as anti-abortion activists shout "Don't kill your baby!" "It's disgusting. It really is. They want to shame these patients as much as possible," Hartline said. Story continues - 'The baby is innocent' - But to 61-year-old Susan Decker-Bunce, among the crowd of activists who shouts at women entering the clinic, what happens inside is murder. "If you see the ultrasound, if you see the heartbeat, you know it's life," she told AFP. "If you see that it looks like a baby, it's not a clump of cells. You can see the head, the arms, the legs, the tiny little toes." The new Alabama law, HB314, virtually outlaws terminations of pregnancy, threatening doctors with between 10 and 99 years in prison for abortions and offering no exceptions for cases of incest and rape. Set to go into effect in November, the law is likely to be blocked in state courts by lawsuits from human rights groups. But for anti-abortion activists, who refer to themselves as "pro-life," it's all part of the plan to trigger a legal battle over the procedure in the US Supreme Court that could overturn the landmark 1973 ruling that made abortion legal in the United States. Decker-Bunce defended the law. "It's not the baby's fault, it was the father that did the raping," she said. "The baby is innocent." The two groups are barely on speaking terms. "They don't want to hear anything because they're so blinded by fake medical facts," said Candace O'Brien, vice-president of healthcare access with Yellowhammer Fund, which provides financial help to women who need an abortion. "They say that there's 10 fingers, 10 toes, right now, like if you're three weeks along," she said. "That's medically inaccurate, because that's not how fetal development even happens." Recently, the Greek Ministry of Defence told in an official statement that the Hellenic Navy had received its first modernised P-3B Orion maritime patrol aircraft from Lockheed Martin. Recently, the Greek Ministry of Defence told in an official statement that the Hellenic Navy had received its first modernised P-3B Orion maritime patrol aircraft from Lockheed Martin. The P-3B Orion maritime patrol aircraft made by Lockheed Martin (Picture Source: Lockheed Martin) The Lockheed P-3 Orion is a four-engine turboprop anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft developed for the United States Navy and introduced in the 1960s. Lockheed based it on the L-188 Electra commercial airliner. Over the years, the aircraft has seen numerous design developments, most notably in its electronics packages. Numerous navies and air forces around the world continue to use the P-3 Orion, primarily for maritime patrol, reconnaissance, anti-surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare. The modernization of the aircraft will satisfy the Navys needs at least until 2040 in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean regions Defense Minister Evangelos Apostolakis said. US Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt, who was also present at the event, said that Greece and the US have discussed the opportunities that exist to find low-cost solutions to sustain and enhance Greek military capability. The Greek defence industry is uniquely positioned to provide material solutions for the countrys national security requirements while at the same time leveraging Greeces geopolitical relationships and location to once again become a major regional player, he added. By Johnny Cotton CANNES, France, May 21 (Reuters) - Cannes regulars the Dardenne brothers said on Tuesday they were driven to explore the sensitive subject of radicalisation in their latest film after a wave of attacks in recent years, including those by Islamist militants. "Young Ahmed" is the latest movie by the Belgian filmmaking duo, Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, who have already won the film festival's top Palme d'Or award twice. It follows an adolescent boy, 13-year-old Ahmed, who is manipulated by an imam at a small mosque and ends up attempting to stab his teacher. Part of the film was shot in a real young offenders institute. "It's in the context of all these attacks which we have witnessed in Europe, in the United States, but also in Sri Lanka, the Middle East," Luc Dardenne told a news conference following the film's premiere. The brothers said they chose to tell the story through the eyes of a young boy, who also has to navigate a sexual awakening and an angsty relationship with his mother, to keep the audience onside, in a tale that also seeks to explore his possible redemption. "The film isn't a courtroom, the film is not an act of accusation. Our mission from the beginning was to see how this young Ahmed could - or couldn't - be brought back towards life," Jean-Pierre Dardenne said. The Cannes Film Festival runs until May 25. (Editing by Sarah White and Alexandra Hudson) On May 21, 1832, a group of delegates supporting President Andrew Jackson met in Baltimore to conduct the first official convention of the Democratic Party, setting some trends that lasted more than a century. Prior to the elections of 1824 and 1828, political caucuses in Congress usually picked presidential nominees. That practice fell into disfavor as regional candidates sought the presidency outside of the caucus system. After the bitter contest between Jackson and the former President, John Quincy Adams, in 1828, their supporters started meeting in national conventions to organize for the next presidential election. The first organized convention was held by the now-forgotten Anti-Masonic Party in 1831, held in Baltimore. This briefly-existing third party was slowly destroyed after the murder of William Morgana bricklayer who was apparently planning to publish secrets of the Freemasonsled to anti-Masonic sentiment, but it transformed and grew into an anti-Jackson movement. About 110 delegates from 13 states attended the 1831 convention in Baltimore. The convention nominated a presidential candidate (William Wirt) and established a platform two convention firsts. Next, another anti-Jackson party, the National Republicans, had their own national meeting in December 1831. Led by Henry Clay, Daniel Webster and former President John Quincy Adams, the party endorsed tariffs and a national bank, and it clearly detested President Jackson. Its convention attracted 155 delegates from 18 states, and was also held in Baltimore in the location of a large saloon. Clay was picked as the partys presidential nominee while he remained in Washington, D.C. as a newly appointed U.S. Senator. Jacksons presidential supporters rallied with their own national meeting the following May. The pro-Jackson supporters decided on an official name for their group: the Democratic Party. The Democratic convention was different in several ways. It had detailed organization rules for conducting ballots. It used electoral votes to decide on the ballots from each state delegation (a practice that remained until 1940). It also had the chair of each state delegation announce its nominees names. The 1832 Democratic convention nominated Jackson to run for a second term, but chose New Yorks Martin Van Buren as its candidate for Vice President, instead of the incumbent John C. Calhoun. In the general election, Jackson easily defeated Clay and Wirt, and their two parties faded away, with the remnants becoming the Whig Party. Washington (AFP) - Democratic Party talk of impeachment intensified Tuesday after Donald Trump's former lawyer Don McGahn refused to testify about obstruction allegations against the US president. House Democratic leaders held off fresh pressure from rank-and-file legislators to launch an effort to remove the president, after the White House again stymied their probe into Trump's actions in the Russia meddling investigation. But McGahn's refusal to abide by a subpoena from the House Judiciary Committee stoked the furor among Democrats, with more demanding the party resolve to put the president on trial. "Stonewalling Congress on witnesses and the unredacted Mueller report only enhances the President's appearance of guilt, and as a result, he has pushed Congress to a point where we must start an impeachment inquiry," said Representative Mark Pocan, one of the leaders of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. "We need to do our job & vote on impeachment," tweeted Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has so far fended off pressure to pursue that option, scheduled a party meeting Wednesday to discuss the issue. "I don't think we're there at this point in time," House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Pelosi's deputy, said Tuesday. Hoyer said they would continue on the current path of investigating Trump, which has included seeking testimony and documents that so far the Trump administration has refused to hand over. "And if it leads to a conclusion that we need to proceed further through other avenues, including impeachment, so be it," he said. - White House 'stonewalling' - McGahn's refusal to appear before the Judiciary Committee was the most recent in a growing list of ways the White House has frustrated investigations by the Democrat-controlled House. Trump's Justice Department has refused to turn over to Congress the unexpurgated version of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's final report on his Russia meddling and obstruction investigation, along with supporting documentary evidence. Story continues Arrangements for Mueller himself to testify have been stalled on his insisting that much of his testimony take place in private. And the White House appealed Tuesday against a federal court order for Trump's accountants to turn over years of his financial records to another House committee. McGahn was subpoenaed to testify on evidence he provided to Mueller on Trump's efforts to stifle that investigation, evidence which Mueller indicated was strong enough to support criminal obstruction charges. Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler said each of the incidents that McGahn described to Mueller "constitutes a crime," and that McGahn must testify. "Our subpoenas are not optional," Nadler said in opening the hearing with the witness chair empty. "Let me be clear: this committee will hear Mr McGahn's testimony, even if we have to go to court to secure it." Nadler accused Trump of "stonewalling" but the White House maintains that Mueller's sprawling probe cleared the president, meaning there was no need for more digging. The White House also says that people on Trump's staff cannot legally be compelled to testify. Nadler underscored his disagreement and determination to force testimony Tuesday afternoon when his committee subpoenaed former Trump aide Hope Hicks and former McGahn chief of staff Annie Donaldson to testify. There was no immediate indication of whether the White House, as with McGahn, would try to prevent them from appearing before the panel. - Shadow of 2020 - But Democrats remain divided on how to move ahead. With an election 18 months away, Democratic leaders have so far stuck to the position that determined investigations of Trump will serve a better purpose than a politically fraught impeachment effort. The Washington Post reported that late Monday Nadler, whose committee would handle any impeachment action, told Pelosi that he favored opening an impeachment inquiry, the first step in the process. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, a member of Nadler's committee, told reporters that she will formally introduce a "resolution of investigation" for impeachment "in the next 48 hours." But Hoyer argued that his fellow Democrats were not yet ready. "I don't think there is any Democrat who probably wouldn't in their gut say, he's done some things that probably justify impeachment," said Hoyer. "Having said that... I think the majority of Democrats continue to believe that we need to continue to pursue the avenue that we've been on." Washington (AFP) - The Democrat-controlled House Judiciary Committee issued subpoenas Tuesday for former White House aides Hope Hicks and Annie Donaldson to testify in the panel's obstruction investigation of President Donald Trump. The subpoenas were announced hours after Trump's former lawyer and Donaldson's ex-boss Donald McGahn refused to testify to the committee under orders from the White House, raising the stakes in a power showdown between the two parties and two branches of government. Like McGahn, both Hicks and Donaldson were important witnesses for Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia meddling and obstruction investigation, their names appearing scores of times in his final report, which outlines potentially criminal obstruction acts by the president. It was not immediately clear if the White House would also try to prevent them from testifying before the Judiciary Committee. Hicks was a close aide to Trump during the 2016 election campaign and then became White House communications director until she stepped down in March 2018. In both positions she had an inside view into actions by Trump and top associates, and spoke to the Mueller investigation on issues of both possible collusion with Russia and obstruction. Donaldson was chief of staff for McGahn's White House Counsel office for nearly all of 2017, during which she took copious notes on meetings, conversations and actions that were addressed in the Mueller investigation. McGahn's testimony to Mueller on Trump's attempts to interfere with the Russia investigation supported the strongest allegations by Mueller of potentially obstructive behavior. Mueller's report makes clear that Donaldson corroborated much of McGahn's testimony. Mueller ultimately declined to render a judgement on whether Trump obstructed justice, leaving it up to Congress to investigate further and take action to impeach Trump if warranted. Generally speaking the aim of active stock picking is to find companies that provide returns that are superior to the market average. Buying under-rated businesses is one path to excess returns. To wit, the Derwent London share price has climbed 24% in five years, easily topping the market return of 2.0% (ignoring dividends). However, more recent returns haven't been as impressive as that, with the stock returning just 10% in the last year, including dividends. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! View our latest analysis for Derwent London While markets are a powerful pricing mechanism, share prices reflect investor sentiment, not just underlying business performance. One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS). Derwent London's earnings per share are down 15% per year, despite strong share price performance over five years. Since the EPS are down strongly, it seems highly unlikely market participants are looking at EPS to value the company. The falling EPS doesn't correlate with the climbing share price, so it's worth taking a look at other metrics. We doubt the modest 2.0% dividend yield is attracting many buyers to the stock. On the other hand, Derwent London's revenue is growing nicely, at a compound rate of 6.0% over the last five years. It's quite possible that management are prioritizing revenue growth over EPS growth at the moment. Depicted in the graphic below, you'll see revenue and earnings over time. If you want more detail, you can click on the chart itself. LSE:DLN Income Statement, May 21st 2019 Balance sheet strength is crucual. It might be well worthwhile taking a look at our free report on how its financial position has changed over time. What About Dividends? When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. We note that for Derwent London the TSR over the last 5 years was 41%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. Story continues A Different Perspective It's nice to see that Derwent London shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 10% over the last year. And that does include the dividend. That gain is better than the annual TSR over five years, which is 7.1%. Therefore it seems like sentiment around the company has been positive lately. Someone with an optimistic perspective could view the recent improvement in TSR as indicating that the business itself is getting better with time. If you would like to research Derwent London in more detail then you might want to take a look at whether insiders have been buying or selling shares in the company. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on GB 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. Deutsche Banks DB DWS continues to grab interest of Amundi, a France-based asset manager, per a Reuters article. However, Amundi plans to strike a deal only if it is successful in attaining control over DWS. The deal seems unlikely as Deutsche Bank plans to retain its control over the asset management unit, evident from failed merger talks with UBS Group UBS that had shown similar interests. On the other hand, Amundi sees itself as a consolidator but is not interested in playing the part of a junior partner in any deal, the article said. Deutsche Bank cannot afford losing control over its asset management business, which has been generating stable revenues so far. Further, the urgency to make a deal lost steam when merger discussions with Commerzbank CRZBY ended. Notably, at the time the German lender planned to use proceed from this sale to finance the merger. Another company interested to make a deal with Deutsche Banks DWS is the Germanys largest insurer, Allianz SE AZSEY, which seeks to merge its investment unit with DWS. With 706 billion in assets under management as of Mar 31, 2019, Deutsche Bank has been making efforts to improve performance of its asset management unit. In the first quarter, the unit experienced inflows of about 3 billion due to its strategic alliances with Nippon Life, Zurich, DVAG and Generali. Also, CEO Christian Sewing has been more focused on bolstering retail banking and asset management segments in order to offset impact from volatile investment banking business. These restructuring moves might be a last resort for Deutsche Bank to check stock price from falling further and improve financial performance. Also, the banks impressive cost-saving strategy is expected to lend support. Shares of the company has lost 21.3% in the past six months compared with 1.7% decline of the industry it belongs to. Deutsche Bank currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Story continues 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 >> 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 UBS Group AG (UBS) : Free Stock Analysis Report Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft (DB) : Free Stock Analysis Report Commerzbank AG (CRZBY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Allianz SE (AZSEY) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Photo credit: Lindsay T. From Prevention In 2005, when Lindsay T. was 17 years old, she was diagnosed with stage 1 ovarian cancer. Now 29, Lindsay lives in Dallas and works as an art director for a rug manufacturer. My symptoms started at the end of my junior year of high school, right after I turned 17. As a competitive cheerleader, I was very active and worked out every day. Around March 2005, I noticed my stomach was distended, like I had just eaten a really big meal. My arms got really skinny, too, which my doctor later explained was my body protecting the tumor by moving all the water weight in my body to my stomach. Although I also probably had abnormal bleeding and cramping, I didnt realize it because I had only started my period at 15 and wasnt regular yet. Over the course of six weeks, I went to the doctor three times. My symptoms kept getting worse, but doctors couldnt figure out what was causing them. At first they thought I had a bowel obstruction and put me on milk of magnesia (terrible!). Finally, they gave me a blood test and found a tumor marker. The next day, I had a CAT scan and they found a grapefruit-sized tumor on my left ovary. At that point, my stomach was so distended that I looked like I was six months pregnant. My doctors didnt know yet whether it was cancer, but they wanted to remove it immediately. Getting my ovary removed In May 2005, two to three days after my doctor found the tumor, I had surgery. They removed the tumor, my left ovary, and my left fallopian tube, but they didnt touch my right side or my uterus. Once they removed the tumor, they tested it and confirmed it was cancer. When I woke up from surgery, my doctor told me it was malignant germ-cell cancer, but luckily it was stage 1. I also found out then that the night before surgery, the tumor had started to metastasize and burst. I didnt feel it happen, but it meant that there were still cancer cells floating around in my body and that Id need chemo even though theyd removed all of the tumor. I remember being very calm, which is strange because Im usually very emotional. Throughout all of it, I dont think I even cried-I was in survival mode. I stayed in the hospital for two weeks. We told all my friends and family, and people visited almost every day and brought me gifts. I felt very supported. Story continues Surviving chemotherapy I was terrified to go through chemotherapy. It started when I was in the hospital and lasted all of summer break, from about May to August. Fortunately, I only lost my hair, not my eyebrows or eyelashes, and I didnt get very sick. But I hated that I was treated differently. I felt very self-conscious. Because I was 17 and didnt have hair, people stared. Random strangers, usually adults, came up to me at department stores and asked questions, like what happened or what cancer I had. They were just curious, but I was already very shy and it made me feel insecure. I told them I had ovarian cancer and was going through chemo. Over time, it got to the point where I had a script. But there was an upside: Before all this happened, I was very shy and introverted. Going through cancer and chemo made me realize that I should put myself out there and be more social. I started going out more, being a normal 17-year-old. Spending time with friends was how I coped. By the time I went back to high school for senior year, I was done with chemotherapy. I live in a tight-knit community where word travels fast, so almost everyone knew what I was going through. Still, a few people at school were shocked when I came back without hair. My classmates and teachers didnt treat me differently, though. They just made me feel like regular kid, which is what I wanted. A random accident In September 2005, right after I finished chemo, both my mom and I took the BRCA test. [Note: The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes help control cell division, growth and DNA repair; mutations can increase the risk of being diagnosed with breast and ovarian cancers, especially early on in life. If one parent has a mutated BRCA gene, you have a 50 percent chance of inheriting it.] The test came up negative. I also dont have a family history of ovarian or breast cancer (5 to 10 percent of breast and ovarian cancers are hereditary, according to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center). My doctor told me one of my germ cells just randomly went rogue and started reproducing like crazy. I wasn't in remission until I had normal CAT scans and ultrasounds for a full year. My life after cancer For that year after my surgery, I had follow-up appointments every three months to get blood work, physical exams, sonograms, and CAT scans. They were really long appointments. The CAT scans were the worst since I had to drink a barium solution, which tastes like old toothpaste, an hour beforehand. I hated that stuff! One time when I was going through chemo, I had to get a CAT scan. I was so nauseous that I threw up everywhere. It was embarrassing, even if they did understand. These days, I only go once a year for a regular well-woman exam, where I also get a sonogram, but thats it. As a preventative measure, my doctor put me on birth control saying it could reduce the risk of recurrence, but he didn't recommend other drugs or surgery. Since having cancer, my doctors also have me keep a journal where I write down if I have abnormal cramping or periods. My ob-gyn and I go over it together at every appointment. Im actually almost too aware of the signs of ovarian cancer, so I go in for any weird symptom. Last year, I saw my doctor about five times. There hasnt been any sign of recurrence, but I did have an ovarian cyst removed about a year ago. Doctors dont think there was any relation to cancer, but its something theyre keeping an eye on with sonograms about every six months. Having kids About four years ago, I met my boyfriend, Kelly. On our second date, he told me his mom was going through breast cancer and just got the all-clear. That was when I told him about my experience with ovarian cancer. It was a bonding moment-it immediately brought us closer. This past June, we got engaged, and were getting married in March. Kelly and I have talked about having kids. It is a concern it will be harder to get pregnant because Im down an ovary, and because of the chemo and the surgery to remove the cyst. After talking with my current ob-gyn, I visited a fertility clinic this June so I could be aware of my options even though were a couple years away from having kids. The clinic recommended freezing my eggs immediately and going through IVF. Afterwards I was upset, so I went back to my ob-gyn. She explained that people get pregnant in every way, and it doesnt have to be through IVF-it just depends on my body and cycle. She left it up to me to decide, but she did say sooner is better. So Im still thinking about it. IVF is so expensive; wed really have to save up and plan for it. Were trying to buy a house now, too, so its a lot to figure out all at once. So how did ovarian cancer change me? If anything, going through ovarian cancer helped me to become more social and to listen to my body. I dont try to push myself like used to-I know my limits and make sure to take the time to relax, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly. I believe if youre healthy and active, you can catch it earlier because youre more in tune with your body and the signs that somethings wrong. According to the American Cancer Society, ovarian cancer is the fifth-leading cause of cancer deaths in women: In 2017 about 22,440 women in the U.S. will receive a new diagnosis, and around 14,080 will die from the disease. About half of cases occur in women age 63 and older, with less than 2 percent of women diagnosed before the age of 20, according to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance Fund. The five-year survival rate is 46.2 percent, with survival odds increasing the earlier the cancer is diagnosed-though only about 15 percent of women catch ovarian cancer in its earliest stages. Overall about 70 percent of patients with ovarian cancer will have a recurrence; that number drops to 10 percent among women who are diagnosed in stage 1. Thats why its important to know your risk and recognize the symptoms of ovarian cancer, which include bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, feeling full quickly, always feeling like you have to pee, constipation, abdominal swelling with weight loss, menstrual changes, and pain during sex. Since many of these are caused by other conditions, symptoms should be persistent, a marked change from normal, and occur at least 12 times per month. To find out your risk of ovarian cancer or volunteer, visit BrightPink.org. ('You Might Also Like',) The Department of Defense said Tuesday that potential threats from Iran have been put on hold thanks to precautionary measures taken by the U.S. We have put on hold the potential for attacks on Americans, Acting Secretary of Defense Pat Shanahan said at the Pentagon. The U.S. deployed four B-52 bombers, Patriot air-defense missiles, and the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier-strike group to the Persian Gulf earlier this month amid fears that Iran was transporting short-range ballistic missiles in the region. Shanahan cited indications of a credible threat by Iranian regime forces in justifying the move. The State Department last week ordered all non-critical government employees to leave Iraq, saying the tensions with neighboring Iran could endanger Americans in the area. Additionally, a rocket was fired Sunday night which landed less than a mile from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. No one claimed responsibility for the attack, and no casualties occurred. There havent been any attacks on Americans, Shanahan confirmed. That doesnt mean that the threats that weve previously identified have gone away. Our prudent response, I think, has given the Iranians time to recalculate. I think our response was a measure of our will and our resolve that we will protect our people and our interests in the region. I just hope Iran is listening, Shanahan added, vowing that any attack by Iran on U.S. assets will be met obviously with great force. More from National Review BAIC Motor Corporation Limited (HKG:1958), which is in the auto business, and is based in China, saw significant share price movement during recent months on the SEHK, rising to highs of HK$6.42 and falling to the lows of HK$4.5. 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 BAIC Motor's current trading price of HK$4.5 reflective of the actual value of the mid-cap? Or is it currently undervalued, providing us with the opportunity to buy? Lets take a look at BAIC Motors outlook and value based on the most recent financial data to see if there are any catalysts for a price change. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! See our latest analysis for BAIC Motor What is BAIC Motor worth? The stock seems fairly valued at the moment according to my relative valuation model. Ive used the price-to-earnings ratio in this instance because theres not enough visibility to forecast its cash flows. The stocks ratio of 8.04x is currently trading slightly below its industry peers ratio of 9.27x, which means if you buy BAIC Motor today, youd be paying a fair price for it. And if you believe that BAIC Motor should be trading at this level in the long run, then theres not much of an upside to gain from mispricing. Although, there may be an opportunity to buy in the future. This is because BAIC Motors beta (a measure of share price volatility) is high, meaning its price movements will be exaggerated relative to the rest of the market. If the market is bearish, the companys shares will likely fall by more than the rest of the market, providing a prime buying opportunity. What kind of growth will BAIC Motor generate? SEHK:1958 Past and Future Earnings, May 21st 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. BAIC Motors earnings over the next few years are expected to increase by 55%, 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? It seems like the market has already priced in 1958s positive outlook, with shares trading around its fair value. However, there are also other important factors which we havent considered today, such as the track record of its management team. Have these factors changed since the last time you looked at 1958? Will you have enough confidence to invest in the company should the price drop below its fair value? Are you a potential investor? If youve been keeping tabs on 1958, now may not be the most advantageous time to buy, given it is trading around its fair value. However, the optimistic forecast is encouraging for 1958, which means its worth diving deeper into other factors such as the strength of its balance sheet, in order to take advantage of the next price drop. Price is just the tip of the iceberg. Dig deeper into what truly matters the fundamentals before you make a decision on BAIC Motor. You can find everything you need to know about BAIC Motor in the latest infographic research report. If you are no longer interested in BAIC Motor, 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. This article is written for those who want to get better at using price to earnings ratios (P/E ratios). To keep it practical, we'll show how Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated's (NYSE:RGA) P/E ratio could help you assess the value on offer. Reinsurance Group of America has a P/E ratio of 12.19, based on the last twelve months. That is equivalent to an earnings yield of about 8.2%. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! View our latest analysis for Reinsurance Group of America How Do I Calculate A Price To Earnings Ratio? The formula for price to earnings is: Price to Earnings Ratio = Price per Share Earnings per Share (EPS) Or for Reinsurance Group of America: P/E of 12.19 = $151.41 $12.42 (Based on the trailing twelve months to March 2019.) Is A High Price-to-Earnings Ratio Good? A higher P/E ratio implies that investors pay a higher price for the earning power of the business. All else being equal, it's better to pay a low price -- but as Warren Buffett said, 'It's far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price.' How Growth Rates Impact P/E Ratios Probably the most important factor in determining what P/E a company trades on is the earnings growth. When earnings grow, the 'E' increases, over time. And in that case, the P/E ratio itself will drop rather quickly. A lower P/E should indicate the stock is cheap relative to others -- and that may attract buyers. Reinsurance Group of America's earnings per share fell by 55% in the last twelve months. But EPS is up 19% over the last 5 years. How Does Reinsurance Group of America's P/E Ratio Compare To Its Peers? One good way to get a quick read on what market participants expect of a company is to look at its P/E ratio. We can see in the image below that the average P/E (16.9) for companies in the insurance industry is higher than Reinsurance Group of America's P/E. Story continues NYSE:RGA Price Estimation Relative to Market, May 21st 2019 This suggests that market participants think Reinsurance Group of America will underperform other companies in its industry. While current expectations are low, the stock could be undervalued if the situation is better than the market assumes. It is arguably worth checking if insiders are buying shares, because that might imply they believe the stock is undervalued. A Limitation: P/E Ratios Ignore Debt and Cash In The Bank One drawback of using a P/E ratio is that it considers market capitalization, but not the balance sheet. So it won't reflect the advantage of cash, or disadvantage of debt. In theory, a company can lower its future P/E ratio by using cash or debt to invest in growth. Such expenditure might be good or bad, in the long term, but the point here is that the balance sheet is not reflected by this ratio. How Does Reinsurance Group of America's Debt Impact Its P/E Ratio? Net debt totals 13% of Reinsurance Group of America's market cap. That's enough debt to impact the P/E ratio a little; so keep it in mind if you're comparing it to companies without debt. The Bottom Line On Reinsurance Group of America's P/E Ratio Reinsurance Group of America trades on a P/E ratio of 12.2, which is below the US market average of 17.7. The debt levels are not a major concern, but the lack of EPS growth is likely weighing on sentiment. Investors have an opportunity when market expectations about a stock are wrong. If it is underestimating a company, investors can make money by buying and holding the shares until the market corrects itself. So this free visual report on analyst forecasts could hold the key to an excellent investment decision. Of course you might be able to find a better stock than Reinsurance Group of America. So you may wish to see this free collection of other companies that have grown earnings strongly. 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. Like a puppy chasing its tail, some new investors often chase 'the next big thing', even if that means buying 'story stocks' without revenue, let alone profit. But as Warren Buffett has mused, 'If you've been playing poker for half an hour and you still don't know who the patsy is, you're the patsy.' When they buy such story stocks, investors are all too often the patsy. If, on the other hand, you like companies that have revenue, and even earn profits, then you may well be interested in Zensar Technologies (NSE:ZENSARTECH). While that doesn't make the shares worth buying at any price, you can't deny that successful capitalism requires profit, eventually. Conversely, a loss-making company is yet to prove itself with profit, and eventually the sweet milk of external capital may run sour. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! See our latest analysis for Zensar Technologies Zensar Technologies's Improving Profits Even with very modest growth rates, a company will usually do well if it improves earnings per share (EPS) year after year. So EPS growth can certainly encourage an investor to take note of a stock. Like a wedge-tailed eagle on the wind, Zensar Technologies's EPS soared from 10.75 to 13.93, in just one year. That's a commendable gain of 30%. Careful consideration of revenue growth and earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) margins can help inform a view on the sustainability of the recent profit growth. While we note Zensar Technologies's EBIT margins were flat over the last year, revenue grew by a solid 28% to 40b. That's a real positive. You can take a look at the company's revenue and earnings growth trend, in the chart below. Click on the chart to see the exact numbers. NSEI:ZENSARTECH Income Statement, May 21st 2019 Fortunately, we've got access to analyst forecasts of Zensar Technologies's future profits. You can do your own forecasts without looking, or you can take a peek at what the professionals are predicting. Story continues Are Zensar Technologies Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders? I always like to check up on CEO compensation, because I think that reasonable pay levels, around or below the median, can be a sign that shareholder interests are well considered. For companies with market capitalizations between 28b and 112b, like Zensar Technologies, the median CEO pay is around 25m. The Zensar Technologies CEO received total compensation of only 1.4m in the year to March 2018. You could consider this pay as somewhat symbolic, which suggests the CEO does not need a lot of compensation to stay motivated. While the level of CEO compensation isn't a huge factor in my view of the company, modest remuneration is a positive, because it suggests that the board keeps shareholder interests in mind. I'd also argue reasonable pay levels attest to good decision making more generally. Is Zensar Technologies Worth Keeping An Eye On? For growth investors like me, Zensar Technologies's raw rate of earnings growth is a beacon in the night. With swiftly growing earnings, it probably has its best days ahead, and the modest CEO pay suggests the company is careful with cash. So I'd argue this is the kind of stock worth watching, even if it isn't great value today. Now, you could try to make up your mind on Zensar Technologies by focusing on just these factors, or you could also consider how its price-to-earnings ratio compares to other companies in its industry. Although Zensar Technologies certainly looks good to me, I would like it more if insiders were buying up shares. If you like to see insider buying, too, then this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying, could be exactly what you're looking for. Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction 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 petsitter boasted 210 five-star reviews. [Photo: ABC News] Words: Hope Schreiber A woman from hired a reputable independent contractor from Wag!, a dog walking app which is popular in the US, when she got a rather unpleasant notification from her doggy cam. Rosie Brown, who is from California in the US, initially felt confident about leaving her two dogs with Casey Brengle, who boasted 210 five-star reviews. That confidence was shattered when Brown not only witnessed her dog-sitter sitting naked on her couch, but saw a strange man in her home as well, according to ABC 7. Brown left her dogs, Penny and Daisy, in the woman's care to attend her cousin's wedding in Louisiana three weeks ago. READ MORE: Man kicked off flight for vodka joke The 26-year-old Wag! walker was to perform four-and-a-half days of house-sitting and long walks for the dogs for an agreed-upon $315 (248). Brown also informed Brengle about the doggy cam. When asked by ABC 7 if she knew there was a security camera inside the home, Brengle answered, "I did." But on the day of Brown's cousin's wedding, she received an alert from the doggy cam. "On the preview on the alert, it showed a man in our house, someone that I wasn't expecting," Brown told the station. READ MORE: Mum spends 19,000 to look like Meghan Markle "So I opened it up and that's when I saw she was there with a man in our house and they were going straight for our bedroom." The man was Brengle's boyfriend, who was seen at the apartment a number of times, including one incident where the couple went from the master bedroom to the guest bedroom. Brengle insists that the two did not have sex in the client's home. Despite Wag!'s guidelines stating sitters "should not allow any third parties into the home of the Pet Parent," Brengle's parents also visited Browns home. Doggie cam footage showed a strange man entering the house. [Photo: ABC News] At one point, Brown witnessed Brengle laying naked on her new couch, which Brown had saved for six months to buy. "It got hot," Brengle explained. "As I've said, I don't like wearing clothes." READ MORE: Woman dies week after finding out she has cancer Story continues On top of being a poor housesitter, Brengle allegedly only took the dogs out for one to five-minute potty breaks, instead of the customary 30 or 60 minute walks Wag! offers, and cursed at one of the dogs for playing too roughly. Wag! did not immediately respond to Yahoo Lifestyle's requests for comment; however, they did release a statement to ABC7, which read in part, "The reported behavior in this situation is unacceptable and contrary to our Community Guidelines... We expect everyone on the Wag! platform to conduct themselves professionally." Wag! has offered to pay for both cleaning services and a locksmith. Alex Wong/Getty Don McGahn does not have testify before Congress, according to a memo released Monday from the Department of Justice. And according to his lawyer, he wont be. [T]he President has unambiguously directed my client not to comply with the Committees subpoena for testimony, McGahns lawyer, William Burck, wrote in a letter to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) telling him McGahn would not comply with the chairmans order that he testify on Tuesday. In the event an accommodation is agreed between the Committee and the White House, Mr. McGahn will of course comply with that accommodation. McGahns appearance before lawmakers had already seemed improbable, given that the White House had directed him to refuse to turn over documents related to the Mueller probe. But his formal refusal to testify adds even more fuel to an already bitter political and legal fight between the parties over the boundaries of executive privilege and presidential power. Those battles took shape in various legal memorandum on Mondaymemorandum that could functionally reshape the relationship between two branches of government and will undoubtedly be tested in the courts. The Justice Department memo, released by the department's Office of Legal Counsel and addressed to White House Counsel Pat Cipollone, argued that Congress inherently does not have the power to make the former White House Counsel talk to them about his work for President Donald Trump. The memo also said the president had the power to order McGahn not to testify and that Congress did not have the power to punish himcriminally or civillyfor following such an order. The immunity of the Presidents immediate advisers from compelled congressional testimony on matters related to their official responsibilities has long been recognized and arises from the fundamental workings of the separation of powers, reads the memo, signed by OLC chief Steven Engel, a Trump appointee. Those principles apply to the former White House Counsel. Accordingly, Mr. McGahn is not legally required to appear and testify about matters related to his official duties as Counsel to the President. Story continues Trump Lawyer Don McGahns Exit Tees Up a Clash With Mueller Citing the DOJ memo, Cipollone sent a separate directive to McGahn from Trump, telling him that he was not to testify to Congress about his time in the White House. Because of this constitutional immunity, and in order to protect the prerogatives of the Office of the Presidency, the President directs Mr. McGahn not to appear at the Committee's scheduled hearing on Tuesday, May 21, 2019, Cipollone wrote in the letter, which The Daily Beast obtained. This long-standing principle is firmly rooted in the Constitution's separation of powers and protects the core functions of the Presidency, and we are adhering to this well-established precedent in order to ensure that future Presidents can effectively execute the responsibilities of the Office of the Presidency. McGahns decision to skip Tuesdays testimony and the OLC memo providing the legal foundation for him to do so is the latest chapter in the administrations strategy of fighting virtually all elements of Democratic oversight following the issuance of the redacted version of the Special Counsel report on Russias electoral interference. But it is, perhaps, the most far-reaching part of that strategy to date. The OLC memo argues that presidential advisors like McGahn would have to refuse to answer many questions from members of Congress because of executive privilegethe presidents right to keep his communications with his advisors about his duties from becoming public. It also lays out an argument Trump allies have been making ever since the inception of the Mueller probe: that letting White House aides testify to Mueller was not an automatic waiver of executive privilege, since that testimony stayed under the executive branchs control. The argument is controversial, to say the least. Hours after the memo was released, President Trump himself defended telling McGahn to stay mum. Well as I understand it, theyre doing that for the office of the presidency, for future presidents, he said of the OLC memos objective. I think its a very important precedent. And the attorneys say that theyre not doing that for me. Theyre doing it for the office of the president. So were talking about the future. McGahn was the White Houses top lawyer for the first two years of the Trump administration, advising the president on how to navigate Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation. He sat for more than 30 hours of interviews with the Mueller teamwith the blessing of other White House lawyerslaying out in detail conversations where Trump asked him to interfere in the Mueller probe. Mueller ultimately chose not to decide whether or not to charge the president with obstruction of justice, but outside observers who argue he should have brought the charge point to McGahns statements as evidence that Trump may have broken the law. According to the Mueller report, McGahn said that the president twice pushed him to have the special counsel fired, and also urged him to deny contemporaneous reports that he had asked him to do so. McGahn told Mueller he refused all those requests. The report also says that shortly after then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself from overseeing the Russia probe, Trump asked McGahn to talk to Sessions about revisiting the decision. When McGahn said he wouldnt do that, the president screamed at him, per ex-White House advisor Steve Bannons testimony to Mueller. McGahn is the reports most-cited witness, by The New York Times count157 times. After the report came out, the White House still turned to McGahn for reputational clean-up. According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump asked McGahn to publicly say he didnt think the president obstructed justice. And Trump has publicly criticized his former confidant. I was NOT going to fire Bob Mueller, and did not fire Bob Mueller, he tweeted the day after the Journal story broke. In fact, he was allowed to finish his Report with unprecedented help from the Trump Administration. Actually, lawyer Don McGahn had a much better chance of being fired than Mueller. Never a big fan! This story has been updated with additional reporting. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Democrats faced another brazen attempt by Donald Trump to stonewall their investigations on Tuesday, this time with former White House counsel Donald McGahn defying a subpoena to appear before Congress on orders from the White House. The House judiciary committee held a brief hearing on Tuesday morning in McGahns absence, with an empty chair where he was supposed to sit. Trump blocked McGahn from testifying before Congress about the special counsels report on Russian election interference, prompting sharp criticism and fresh threats of impeachment. The committee chairman, Jerry Nadler, said the House would hold the president accountable one way or the other and the committee was ready to hold McGahn in contempt. The committee will hear McGahns testimony, even if we have to go to court, Nadler said. McGahns move leaves the Democrats without yet another witness and a fuelled growing debate within the party about how to respond. The House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, backed by Nadler, is taking a step-by-step approach to the confrontations with Trump. Democrats were encouraged by an early success on that route, as a federal judge ruled against Trump on Monday in a financial records dispute with Congress. The ranking Republican on the House judiciary committee, representative Doug Collins, said Democrats were trying desperately to make something out of nothing. In a legal opinion released on Monday, the justice department said lawmakers on Capitol Hill could not compel McGahn, who was subpoenaed by the House judiciary committee, to answer their questions under oath. The Department of Justice has provided a legal opinion stating that, based on long-standing, bipartisan, and constitutional precedent, the former counsel to the president cannot be forced to give such testimony, and Mr McGahn has been directed to act accordingly, the White House press secretary, Sarah Sanders, said in a statement. This action has been taken in order to ensure that future presidents can effectively execute the responsibilities of the office of the presidency. Story continues McGahn is a central figure in special counsel Robert Muellers report, often standing in the way of Trumps efforts to obstruct justice. According to investigators, McGahn threatened to resign when the president ordered him to have Mueller fired. McGahn was also dispatched by Trump to convince the former attorney general Jeff Sessions not to recuse himself from overseeing the Russia investigation. (Sessions did not heed the presidents demands.) Related: Trump stops ex-White House counsel Don McGahn testifying to Congress Some members of the judiciary panel feel Pelosi should be more aggressive and launch impeachment hearings that would make it easier to get information from the administration. Such hearings would give Democrats more standing in court and could stop short of a vote to remove the president. The issue was raised in a meeting among top Democrats on Monday evening, where some members confronted Pelosi about opening up the impeachment hearings, according to three people familiar with the private conversation who requested anonymity to discuss it. The Maryland congressman Jamie Raskin made the case that launching an impeachment inquiry would consolidate the Trump investigations as Democrats try to keep focus on their other work, according to the people. Pelosi resisted, noting that several committees were doing investigations already and they had been successful in one court case. But the members, several of whom have spoken publicly about the need to be more aggressive with Trump, are increasingly impatient with the careful approach. Other Democrats in the meeting siding with Raskin included David Cicilline of Rhode Island, Ted Lieu of California and the freshman Colorado representative Joe Neguse. Just before the start of the meeting, Cicilline tweeted: If Don McGahn does not testify tomorrow, it will be time to begin an impeachment inquiry of @realDonaldTrump. In the hours after the discussion, Pelosi and Nadler met privately. Shortly after emerging from that meeting, Nadler said its possible when asked about impeachment hearings. But he noted that Democrats had won a court victory without having to take that step. The presidents continuing lawless conduct is making it harder and harder to rule out impeachment or any other enforcement action, Nadler said. McGahns refusal to testify is the latest of several moves to block Democratic investigations by Trump, who has said his administration will fight all of the subpoenas. The judiciary committee voted to hold the attorney general, William Barr, in contempt earlier this month after he declined to provide an unredacted version of the Mueller report. And the House intelligence committee is expected to take a vote on a separate enforcement action against the justice department this week after Barr declined a similar request from that panel. McGahns lawyer, William Burck, said in a letter to Nadler that McGahn was conscious of the duties he, as an attorney, owes to his former client and would decline to appear. Still, Burck encouraged the committee to negotiate a compromise with the White House, saying that his client again finds himself facing contradictory instructions from two co-equal branches of government. WASHINGTON The White House's former top lawyer, Don McGahn, defied a congressional subpoena and skipped a hearing Tuesday where lawmakers had planned to press him on President Donald Trump's efforts to thwart the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election. McGahn's refusal to comply with a House Judiciary Committee subpoena came at the direction of the White House and after a legal opinion from the Justice Department on Monday said that he could not be forced to appear before the panel. The committee's chairman, Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., bristled at McGahn's absence. This conduct is not remotely acceptable, he said Tuesday, facing an empty witness chair. Our subpoenas are not optional. McGahn's move marked the latest in a series of clashes between Trump and lawmakers seeking to investigate him. The committee already found Attorney General William Barr in contempt for refusing to provide Congress with a complete version of special counsel Robert Mueller's report about the Russia inquiry. And Nadler said Tuesday that he intended to pursue McGahn's testimony "even if we have to go to court to secure it." McGahn provided prosecutors with hours of testimony about Trump's efforts to stymie Mueller's investigation, and Democrats who lead the committee wanted to press him to detail those episodes in public. But the department said Monday that McGahn need not appear to answer those questions. In a 15-page letter, the head of the department's Office of Legal Counsel, Steven Engel, told White House Counsel Pat Cipollone that McGahn and other advisers to the president cannot be compelled to testify. "We provide the same answer the Department of Justice has repeatedly provided for nearly five decades: Congress may not constitutionally compel the president's senior advisers to testify about their official duties," Engel wrote. "Those principles apply to the former White House Counsel. Accordingly, Mr. McGahn is not legally required to appear and testify about matters related to his official duties as counsel to the president. Story continues Republicans on the committee questioned the need to force McGahn to testify, rather than negotiating with the administration. Everything else has become a race to get a headline, said the panel's top Republican, Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia. Dont undercut congressional oversight because you cant wait. After about 20 minutes of statements from Nadler and Collins, the committee voted 21-14 to adjourn with no testimony from McGahn and no announcement of how it would try to secure his appearance in the future. Nadler has said previously that McGahn could be held in contempt. This is disgraceful, Rep. Steve Chabot, R-Ohio, said in voting against adjournment. Trump said Monday that the administration was blocking McGahn's testimony to protect the presidency rather than for his personal benefit. "They're doing that for the office of the presidency," Trump said. "It's a very important precedent. They're not doing that for me." A key portion of the Mueller report described how Trump tried to remove Mueller, as described by McGahn. Since the report was released, Trump has denied that he tried to fire Mueller. Lawmakers are eager to question McGahn about the discrepancy. Nadler has warned McGahn's lawyer that the committee would have no choice but to find McGahn in contempt if he fails to testify and provide a log of unreleased documents. But Cipollone earlier said in a letter to McGahn's lawyer, William Burck, that McGahn was working on the presidents behalf during the investigation so that the documents remain legally protected from disclosure under longstanding constitutional principles. Trump has asserted executive privilege over the redacted portions of Muellers report and millions of pages of underlying evidence about Russian interference in the 2016 election, as a precaution while Justice Department officials review which documents should remain secret permanently. The probe ended with Mueller finding no conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia, and deciding not to pursue charges of obstruction of justice. Trump allowed McGahn to meet with investigators for 30 hours during the course of the nearly two-year inquiry. Trump now contends that any documents McGahn could provide the committee are White House property and should remain secret. Trump has also said he will fight all House subpoenas as presidential harassment rather than legitimate congressional oversight. Engel wrote that the executive branch has asserted for 75 years that senior presidential advisers may decline to testify before Congress, and formal immunity has been formally asserted for nearly 50 years. A U.S. District Court ruled in 2008 that presidential advisers werent entitled to absolute immunity, but the White House and Congress settled the case before an appeals decision was reached. The Mueller report, based in part on testimony from McGahn and other senior Trump aides, said Trump called McGahn at home June 17, 2017, and told him Mueller had conflicts and should be removed. McGahn didnt carry out the direction, however, deciding that he would resign rather than trigger what he regarded as a potential Saturday Night Massacre, a reference to former President Richard Nixon firing prosecutors during the Watergate investigation. Trump later met with McGahn in the Oval Office and pressured him again, but McGahn refused. McGahn later told Trump's chief of staff that the president had asked him to "do crazy s---," according to the report. Nadler said McGahn began speaking about a year ago to Mueller's investigators, describing the instances in which Trump directed him to have Mueller fired and how the president ordered him to lie about it. In contrast, he said, Trump refused to be interviewed. More on President Donald Trump's legal battles with Congress: 'Slow-motion constitutional car crash': Trump, Congress battle over investigations with no end in sight President Donald Trump tees up the strangest test yet of executive privilege Federal judge refuses to block House subpoena for Trump's financial records This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Don McGahn, former White House counsel, defies House subpoena and skips hearing on Russia probe Most Americans are not aware how morally and intellectually destructive American colleges and, increasingly, high schools and even elementary schools have become. So, they spend tens of thousands of after-tax dollars to send their sons and daughters to college. But today, to send your child to college is to play Russian roulette with their values. There is a good chance your child will return from college alienated from you, from America, from Western civilization and from whatever expression of any Bible-based religion in which you raised your child. If you think this is in any way an exaggeration, here is some of what has happened on campuses in recent months: Harvard University fired law professor Ron Sullivan from his position as faculty dean of Winthrop House, a student residential hall, because he was one of Harvey Weinsteins lawyers. (He has since resigned from the Weinstein legal team.) Some female Harvard students said they felt unsafe with Sullivan as a faculty dean. Alan Dershowitz, a professor emeritus at Harvard Law, said the decision may be the worst violation of academic freedom during my 55-year association with Harvard. Laurence Tribe, also a professor at Harvard Law, said he could not recall a worse blunder in his 50 years as a professor there. Also at Harvard, all-black graduation exercises were initiated. And like most other colleges, Harvard has long allowed an all-black student dorm to exist on campus. If nothing else, this provides additional proof of the vast difference between liberalism and leftism. That is why liberals such as Dershowitz, Tribe, and numerous liberal writers have condemned Harvards cowardly capitulation to a few female students. Unfortunately for America, however, most liberals will not confront the fact that they have far more to fear from the Left than from the Right. Conservatives are not the enemy of liberalism; the Left is. In Minnesota, some students at South St. Paul Secondary petitioned the administration to allow students to wear sashes stoles with ethnic and LGBT colors during graduation to celebrate their identities. As one student said in leftist English, Im able to repurpose what was once an obstacle into a source of energy and pride. Story continues As reported in the Minneapolis Star Tribune: If theyre not allowed to don the sashes, some students have talked about wearing them anyway, said Naomi Gedey, a Black Pride Organization leader. Gedey added that many immigrant students also hope to wear flags of their nations of origin. Other Minnesota schools already allow students to don so-called identity adornments. Those who still believe that one of the primary purposes of American public (and most private) schools is to Americanize students should know this is no longer the case. On the contrary, most American high schools now celebrate every identity except American identity (which the Left brands a euphemism for white supremacy). Meanwhile, at its commencement next month, the City University of New York will award an honorary doctorate of humane letters to Al Sharpton. Among the many nonhumane activities Sharpton has been involved in was the infamous Tawana Brawley hoax, in which he fabricated a charge that four white men had raped a young black woman named Tawana Brawley. Sharpton also runs a phony civil-rights organization called the National Action Network, which has collected many millions of dollars from corporations in what essentially amounts to an extortion racket that enables those corporations to buy racial peace. And Sharpton helped stoke the Jew-hatred that sparked black anti-Jewish rioting in 1991. In a book published in 2006, Edward S. Shapiro, a Brandeis University historian, described the riot as the most serious anti-Semitic incident in American history. In Pennsylvania, the Sabold Elementary School in Springfield announced that its principal would no longer say God bless America after the Pledge of Allegiance. The school district released a statement two weeks ago stating that the principal saying God bless America violated the law. And of course, college students across the country are increasingly taught, often from their first day at college, that being male and female is a choice, not a biological fact. Other than Hillsdale and a handful of other private and religious colleges, the American university has become nothing more than a left-wing seminary. Buyer beware. 2019 Creators.com More from National Review AMSTERDAM, May 21 (Reuters) - Dutch police have arrested a 47-year-old Syrian suspected of being a commander for the Nusra Front, formerly al Qaeda's wing in Syria, prosecutors said on Tuesday. The man, identified by his nom-de-guerre Abu Khuder, is accused of committing war crimes and terrorist crimes in Syria, where he allegedly commanded a battalion known as Ghurabaa Mohassan, or Strangers of Mohassan. Dutch war crimes prosecutors said the suspect had been in the Netherlands since 2014, where he was granted a temporary asylum permit. A criminal investigation against him was started based on witness testimonies provided by German police. In a coordinated action with German police, six residences of other suspected members of the Ghuraba'a Mohassan battalion in Germany were also searched on Tuesday, the prosecutors said. Abu Khuder will appear before a judge in The Hague on Friday. Under Dutch law, genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity committed on foreign soil can be prosecuted under universal jurisdiction if a suspect resides in the Netherlands. The latest incarnation of the Nusra Front, which was part of al Qaeda until 2016, is Tahrir al-Sham. An amalgamation of Islamist groups dominated by the former Nusra, it is currently the most powerful armed group in Syria's northwest. (Reporting by Stephanie van den Berg, editing by Bart Meijer, Editing by William Maclean) Cairo (AFP) - The family of a Palestinian former intelligence agent, who have claimed that he was tortured by Turkish authorities, said Tuesday that Egyptian prosecutors had approved their request for an autopsy. The body of 55-year-old Zaki Mubarak was transferred last week from Turkey to Cairo after Ankara said last month he had committed suicide in prison. Turkey had charged him with spying for the United Arab Emirates. After seeing his body on its arrival in Egypt, his family said it had been badly mutilated. "His tongue was removed and we saw marks of torture on the corpse," said Abs Mubarak, his cousin, who is in Cairo. He accused Turkish authorities of carrying out an "extra-judicial killing". Mubarak, from the Gaza Strip, had fled the enclave in 2007 after Islamist movement Hamas seized control there. He was arrested in Turkey last month, along with another alleged spy, and later formally charged with espionage, according to Turkish state news agency Anadolu. Turkish media have speculated he was allied to Mohammed Dahlan, a UAE-based former supporter and now rival of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas. His family have denied he had any relationship with Dahlan's movement. Ankara has been investigating claims the two detainees were linked to the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist whose killing in the country's Istanbul consulate last year sparked a diplomatic crisis. His family deny the allegations. Turkey's justice ministry has rejected claims Mubarak was tortured. Mubarak's cousin said the autopsy was due to be finalised by the end of Tuesday before the body would be returned to the blockaded Gaza Strip later this week. Cairo (AFP) - Egypt's electricity minister announced a further price rise Tuesday, the latest in a series of austerity measures aimed at getting the country's economy back on track. The latest price hike, which is due to come into effect in July, is tied to a $12 billion bailout loan from the International Monetary Fund that Cairo secured in 2016. "The overall increases do not exceed 14.9 percent," Electricity Minister Mohamed Shaker said at a press conference. Electricity prices were raised by an average of 26 percent last July and by 40 percent in July 2017. The economy of the Arab world's most populous country has been hit by political instability and security threats since the 2011 uprising that ousted leader Hosni Mubarak. Egypt enforced a tough reform programme to fix the economy shortly after general-turned-president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi took office in 2014. Living costs have soared, both due to subsidy cuts on essentials such as fuel and on the back of Egypt in 2016 devaluing its currency. Unemployment has decreased slightly, but wages remain woefully low. Earlier this month, the IMF praised Cairo for "achieving macroeconomic stabilisation" and said it was on track to disburse the final $2 billion of the bailout loan. CAIRO (Reuters) - Egyptian security forces have killed 16 suspected militants in North Sinai and found a stash of weapons and explosives in their hideouts, the Interior Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. The statement said they were plotting "terrorist attacks against important facilities and figures in different places in Arish", which is the capital of governorate. The ministry said the suspects were killed in "armed confrontations", but did not elaborate on their identity or whether there had been casualties among the security forces. It did not say when the clashes happened. Egypt has long been fighting Islamist militants, who have waged an insurgency that has killed hundreds of soldiers, police and residents, in the northern part of the Sinai Peninsula. Human rights organizations accuse Egypt of carrying out extrajudicial executions and of trying civilians in military courts as part of the crackdown. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi says strong security measures are needed to stabilize Egypt after the turmoil that followed the countrys 2011 uprising. (Reporting by Haitham Ahmed; Writing by Amina Ismail; Editing by Alison Williams) Paris (AFP) - A man, believed to be Russian, who sparked a mass evacuation of the Eiffel Tower by scaling the iconic Paris landmark has been admitted to a psychiatric unit, legal sources said Tuesday. The man caused chaos Monday and the closure of the monument to tourists by spending six hours clinging to the outer metal framework of the Eiffel Tower. His identity has not been disclosed. He was questioned by police on Tuesday and has now been admitted to the psychiatric hospital of the police, legal sources told AFP. An investigation has been opened for unauthorised entry into a cultural monument, a judicial source said. "It is a Russian man who has suicidal tendencies," said a source close to the case, asking not to be named. Firemen who had rappelled down from the tower's third-floor observation deck to near the black-clad climber managed to persuade him to come down. Some 2,500 people who had come to visit the Eiffel Tower had to be evacuated Monday but it reopened as normal on Tuesday. In this article: Elizabeth Hurley wore a white Versace suit at Cannes. [Photo: Getty] Elizabeth Hurley looked as on point as ever at the Rocketman premiere in London last night. Taking a break from running her swimwear empire to support her close friend, Sir Elton John, Hurley looked chic in a fitted white suit by Versace. The actress-turned-businesswoman has a longstanding relationship with the Italian label. After all it was one of Versaces designs that Liz was wearing when she first made national headlines in a safety pin dress at the 1994 premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral with then-boyfriend Hugh Grant. he recently recreated the Versace look for a Harpers Bazaar cover. Elizabeth Hurley and Patrick Cox at the 'Rocketman' premiere. [Photo: Getty] Hurley, who posed for photos at the event with British-Canadian fashion designer Patrick Cox, has been close to Elton for years. Hes godfather to Lizs 18-year-old son Damian and shes a patron for the Elton John Foundation. Elsewhere at the star-studded Rocketman premiere, supermodel Claudia Schiffer wore a multi-coloured gown by Zuhair Murad. Claudia Schiffer at the 'Rocketman' premiere. [Photo: Getty] Richard Madden at the 'Rocketman' premiere. [Photo: Getty] Sir Elton John and David Furnish, known for their sartorial prowess, arrived wearing statement suits. Elton opted for a navy number while husband David donned a printed two-piece. Richard Madden at the 'Rocketman' premiere. [Photo: Getty] Richard Madden, star of Bodyguard, cut a suave figure in a black tuxedo suit. By Daniel Trotta May 20 (Reuters) - The National Rifle Association was more deeply involved than previously disclosed in the formation of a movement that encouraged county sheriffs not to enforce some gun-control laws, a U.S. gun-control advocacy group said on Monday, based on public records it obtained. Under the so-called Second Amendment sanctuary movement, county sheriffs in at least four states have vowed to refuse to enforce laws that they consider to be infringements on the U.S. constitutional right to keep and bear arms. The movement has been widespread in New Mexico, Oregon, Washington and Illinois, where elected sheriffs and county commissioners have taken particular exception to "red flag" laws designed to take guns away from people legally deemed to be a threat to themselves or others. The Brady group focused its public records search on New Mexico, where earlier this year 25 of the state's 33 counties passed resolutions to support sheriffs who refuse to enforce firearms laws they consider unconstitutional. The NRA on Monday denied playing any role in the sanctuary movement, saying it only communicated with New Mexico sheriffs about defeating state gun-control legislation by drafting editorials, analyzes and fact sheets that were shared among the sheriffs. Critics have questioned the legality of the sanctuary movement, saying sheriffs should enforce laws set by the legislature and leave it to courts to interpret them. Promoting or blocking legislation is what the NRA does. Advocating that law-enforcement officers defy the law would invite more scrutiny from its opponents. Brady said it received 1,600 documents under New Mexico's public records act, including 24 email correspondences between the NRA and Tony Mace, the Cibola County sheriff and chairman of the New Mexico Sheriffs Association (NMSA), a group that both promoted the sanctuary resolutions and lobbied against gun-control bills in the state legislature. Story continues "The documents Brady acquired reveal that the NRA was actively involved in the NMSA's efforts in drafting the (sanctuary) Declaration; recruiting sheriffs to lobby state and political politicians to oppose the GVP (gun-violence prevention) bills and to adopt so-called Second Amendment Sanctuary Resolutions; and encouraging sheriffs to not enforce state laws," Brady said. The Brady report comes at a time when the NRA has been under increasing public scrutiny. It is under investigation by New York state authorities about its finances and just emerged from a bruising power struggle in which NRA President Oliver North stepped down after threatening to reveal allegations that NRA leaders engaged in financial improprieties. OPENLY COORDINATED Brady provided Reuters a sampling of the emails which showed three conversations between the NRA and the New Mexico Sheriffs Association about how to defeat gun-control legislation. The emails provided did not explicitly tie the NRA to the sanctuary movement. Mace on Monday denied any NRA involvement in promoting the sanctuary movement but said he openly coordinated with the NRA in fighting gun-control legislation. It is a fine distinction. The sheriffs association was fighting against the laws with the NRA's help. At the same time, the sheriffs were vowing not to enforce the laws. "We have always said that they need to enforce the laws that are on the books," NRA spokeswoman Jennifer Baker said, calling the Brady report "misinformation" and a distraction. When the sanctuary movement was spreading through counties in New Mexico in February and March, Mace sought to distance himself from the NRA in interviews with Reuters at the time, denying that he was strategizing or coordinating with the NRA. "We're not part of the NRA," Mace said at the time. "They do what they do and we're doing what we do." But he did allow that sheriffs consulted with NRA lobbyists and received NRA advice on legislation. "There was nothing secret about what was going on," Mace said on Monday. "You could see us talking with the NRA lobbyists in the balconies and you'd see us talking with them in the hallways. I'm not trying to distance myself from the NRA." The sanctuary movement spread in New Mexico while the legislature debated a slate of gun-control bills, including a red-flag law. In the end, two bills passed, one expanding background checks and another protecting victims of domestic violence. They take effect July 1. (Reporting by Daniel Trotta; editing by Bill Tarrant and Rosalba O'Brien) London (AFP) - British Prime Minister Theresa May vowed Tuesday to give lawmakers a vote on holding a second Brexit referendum as part of her final effort to salvage her hated EU divorce deal. The embattled British leader dangled a package of sweeteners that she hopes can resolve the Brexit crisis three years after the country first voted to end more than four decades of membership in the European project. Success on the fourth attempt in parliament would help May reclaim her legacy as the leader who kept her promise to safely steer a bitterly divided nation through its most profound strategic shift in generations. May has already said she will leave office shortly after the measures she outlined Tuesday are put up for a vote early next month -- no matter the outcome. The most eye-catching is a promise to give lawmakers a chance to set a confirmatory referendum on whatever version of Brexit they end up approving in the weeks or months to come. "I recognise the genuine and sincere strength of feeling across the house on this important issue," May said in a nationally televised address delivered from the offices of a major accounting firm in London. "The government will therefore include in the Withdrawal Agreement Bill at introduction a requirement to vote on whether to hold a second referendum," she said. "This must take place before the Withdrawal Agreement can be ratified." The measure is a key demand of the main opposition Labour Party. But it is also bitterly opposed by Brexit-supporting Conservatives whose votes May also needs if she is to get her deal passed. The British pound rose sharply in response to May's announcement. Many businesses oppose Brexit and hope that the two sides can preserve much closer ties. - 'Last chance' - May said her proposals were this parliament's "last chance" to end a political deadlock that has already delayed Brexit past its original March deadline and caused huge public anger. Story continues She called them "a new Brexit deal" that Britain must now rally behind. The government is aiming for the law to be approved by the time that parliament's summer recess begins on July 20, which would allow Britain to leave the EU at the end of that month -- as long as MPs reject a second referendum. Otherwise the process could be delayed until October 31 -- the deadline set by the EU -- or even later if EU leaders grant Britain another postponement. "The majority of MPs say they want to deliver the result of the referendum. So I think we need to help them find a way. And I believe there is now one last chance to do that," May said. May set out 10 incentives in all that will be included in a new Brexit bill that is expected to come up for a vote in the week starting June 3. The measures would give parliament a chance to approve a temporary customs union with the other 27 nations. They also commit the government to preserve the rights of European workers and maintain EU environmental standards. These are all major Labour demands. But they threaten to only reinforce the resistance within Brexit-backing ranks of her own Conservative Party. Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson, the favourite to replace May in a leadership contest, said on Twitter that he would not support the new incarnation of the deal, having voted for it the last time it was put to parliament. "The Bill is directly against our manifesto - and I will not vote for it. We can and must do better - and deliver what the people voted for," he said, rejecting the idea of any customs union or second referendum. May warned EU sceptics within her party ranks that a rejection of her final throw of the dice threatened to doom Brexit for good. This compromise solution "is practical," May said. "It is responsible. It is deliverable. And right now, it is slipping away from us." - 'Harder than anticipated' - The last vote on the Brexit deal in March was the closest. She lost that by 58 votes in the 650-seat House of Commons. But most analysts and UK newspapers still give May little-to-no chance of winning on this occasion. The vote also comes with the race to succeed her as party leader in full swing. British media estimate that a third of her cabinet members have either openly declared their ambitions to become prime minister or are preparing their campaigns. Her speech was billed by some as her possible swansong -- and May conceded that her time in office has not been smooth. "I knew that delivering Brexit was not going to be simple or straightforward," May said. "It has proved even harder than I anticipated." The Canadian actress might just reprise her role as Sharon Cartel, a character she had last played in 2016's "Captain America: Civil War." If negotiations go well, she could be once again play opposite Daniel Bruhl, who was also in the 2016 Marvel Universe blockbuster. Sharon Carter is back in the Marvel Universe. According to US sources, actress Emily VanCamp could once again don her superhero suit, three years after playing the role in 2016's "Captain America: Civil War." The Canadian actress would thus be reunited with Daniel Bruhl, who played Zemo, her character's antagonist, in the 2016 film. The pair will be directed by Kari Skogland, who directed a number of Hulu's acclaimed "The Handmaid's Tale" series, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The "Falcon and Winter Soldier" series would tell the story of the two characters, as played respectively by Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan, who last appeared together in "Avengers: Endgame" as Captain America (played by Chris Evans) surrendered the shield to the Falcon, therefore conferring his title to him. Of the two actors, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige told The Hollywood Reporter: "They have great chemistry. You will see much more of that chemistry and learn much more about both of them." The "Falcon and Winter Soldier" series is one of many series being developed by the Marvel studios for the upcoming Disney+ streaming platform, alongside "WandaVision" with Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany coming back to their roles. A "Hawkeye" series with Jeremy Renner is also in the works, as well as a Loki vehicle, starring Tom Hiddleston. Disney's platform is set to launch on November 12, but no release dates have been announced for the different series yet. There are lots of ways to adjudicate the present political divide over the collusion hoax. One method might be to see whether those targeted by Robert Mueller had ever begun accusing each other of collusion to save their own skins. That did not happen. Even the perjurer Michael Cohen, who accused Trump of all sorts of improper business practices in an effort to negotiate a lighter sentence, never claimed that the president had colluded with the Russians the Holy Grail search of the Mueller all-stars. Yet John Brennan, James Clapper, James Comey, and Andrew McCabe are suddenly alleging that someone other than themselves is the guilty instigator in seeding the dossier into a presidential intelligence report, is the guilty party that deceived a FISA court, and is the guilty culprit who was leaking to the media. So apparently the new climate is now no longer There was no crime committed but rather He did it, not me. Yet another calibration might be who exactly is deleting documents and who is not. So far Robert Mueller has not accused Donald Trump or his subordinates of deleting Trumps emails. Indeed, Trumps campaign and administration reportedly turned over 1.4 million documents to Special Counsel Mueller. Again, no one has claimed that they have been destroyed. What a contrast with Trumps various antagonists. Take Nellie Ohr, who worked on the Steele dossier, in part because she was well connected in Washington her husband, Bruce Ohr, was the fourth-ranking official in the Obama Justice Department. In one email of a recent trove released to the public, thanks to a suit filed by Judicial Watch, Nellie Ohr announced to her husband and others that she was deleting emails from her husbands government email account. How many emails belonging to the government given that Bruce Ohr apparently used the account on government time and with a government computer did she delete? And why exactly did she wipe out government correspondence? Story continues Maybe it is because both Nellie and Bruce were funneling unverified accusations of collusion directly to the DOJ and FBI in hopes of seeding the damaging rumors before the 2016 election, and thus enhancing their own tag-team efforts as both producers and disseminators of dirt. Thanks also to Nellie, Bruce was able to deliver her memory stick of data directly to FBI grandees to ensure that his wifes contributions to the unverified research about nonexistent Trump-Russian collusion was planted in the top echelons of the bureau. And Bruce Ohr also briefed high-ranking officials of both the DOJ and FBI on the dossier during late July and August 2016 not too long before rumors mysteriously began appearing in the media based on unnamed FBI sources that candidate Trump was a veritable traitor who had for years colluded with the Russians and was compromised and subject to blackmail. Note as well that Bruce Ohr admitted to staying in close communication with Christopher Steele even after the FBI had officially severed its relationship with the supposed untrustworthy ex-spy. Why then believe that Bruce Ohr was worried about the veracity of the very dossier he helped spread and whose author he continued to cultivate, even after the FBI had had enough of the duplicitous Steele? We know that both Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, FBI members of Robert Muellers dream team, were fired (reassigned) from the special counsels army, for their improper or perhaps embarrassing behavior. The two paramours had sent each other thousands of secret text messages, which were uncovered by the inspector general, who was apparently concerned that the communications revealed their bias against the target of their investigation, Donald Trump, as well as gratuitous slurs about his supporters. In addition, the Strzok-Page trove brought to light possible illegal activity and hints of an ongoing insurance policy conspiracy to destroy candidate Trump either before the 2016 election or, if he were to be elected, during his transition, or to hide their own previous felonious conduct. When Mueller became aware of the corruption within his team, he quite cleverly staggered the firings of both and did not initially tell the media why the two were let go in the first place. But now we are getting a somewhat fuller accounting that a staffer assigned to Muellers own team apparently erased a sizable quantity of additional text messages from Strzoks government phone in apparent fear that a subpoena or suit would lead to their release. So nearly a month after Strzok was taken off the Mueller probe, all his messages on his additional FBI-issued iPhone were simply deleted by an unnamed individual who worked for Muellers special-counsel team. The anonymous bureaucrat reassured federal investigators that she determined that the phone did not contain records that needed to be retained. And she had noted as well that there were no substantive texts, notes or reminders. So Robert Muellers staffer decided that messages from its own fired investigator, Strzok (already exposed from other text messages as an anti-Trump partisan and near-conspirator), were so irrelevant that she just deleted them. So there was no need for the inspector general to read the texts, and, after all, the government needed that cleansed cellphone to be reassigned to someone else? Remember that about the same thing happened with the second half of that communications link. Just two weeks after Lisa Page left Muellers dream team, her government-issued cellphone likewise was mysteriously wiped clean, even though it was apparently never reissued to another FBI employee. Earlier, the inspector general had retrieved nearly 20,000 Strzok-Page additional texts that had been lost due to a purported mechanical error. The inspector general never referenced that additional trove in his initial report. In sum, people either on Robert Muellers own team or sympathetic to his efforts chose to destroy evidence that might well in theory have given additional proof that two of his teams investigators were not just Trump-haters but were actively seeking to destroy Trumps candidacy. Again, if there was no wrongdoing, why in such a politically charged climate delete messages? Answer: We are asked to believe that while Mueller was spending $34 million in an effort to incriminate or indict Trump, certain Mueller team members were so cost-conscious about saving government funds that they had to delete data to recycle a single FBI iPhone. There is not much need to review Hillary Clintons now well-known massive destruction of more than 33,000 subpoenaed emails found on her illegal private server, which she used while secretary of State. We now know that at least 100 emails of those that she did hand over contained classified information, along with other additional confidential and secret communications. In other words, if Clinton supposedly gave the FBI all her government business emails and yet overlooked that about 100 of them contained classified information, what are we to think was in those that she destroyed on the ground that their contents, in her own opinion, were strictly private? Why not let the FBI make that determination? Knowingly trafficking in classified government information on an unsecure device is a felony. Yet Clinton produced evidence that she had done just that, as well as arbitrarily deciding that thousands of her supposedly private mails had nothing to do with government business but mostly pertained to her daughters wedding, food, and yoga. Therefore, she simply destroyed them and assumed the government could worry about it. Or rather, Team Clinton employed the cyber tool bleach bit to ensure that the messages would be permanently unrecoverable by government investigators. Remember, key to Clintons eventual exoneration was James Comeys decision to accept Peter Strzoks suggested edit in the description of Clintons behavior: Her mishandling of classified communication should be described as merely extremely careless, he advised, rather than grossly negligent since the latter term might well constitute a felony. How can one be merely careless in nuking more than 30,000 emails or in deliberately setting up a private server to hide all record of her communications while secretary of State? In sum, what might we have known from these now deleted thousands of communications among federal officials? We do not know. We can infer only that these officials did not wish us to know whatever it is that we might have known. And they were so confident in their ability to ignore the law or to be exempt from it that they acted successfully to ensure that we did not know. In other words, the custodians of justice at the FBI, the Department of Justice, and the State Department, and their staff or family, destroyed evidence in a manner that would have likely sent any ordinary American to prison had he done the same thing. The media role in all this is surreal. Each day that journalists cling to the Brennan, Clapper, Clinton, Comey, McCabe, and Steele narrative is a day they must ignore that their supposed heroes are no longer denying unlawful behavior but rather accusing one another of it. And they must also forget that many of their resistance icons were not producing relevant data but instead doing their best to destroy it. More from National Review Its a surgical cut made during childbirth that doctors have been officially warned for more than a decade does more harm to women than good. Mothers who receive episiotomies an incision at the vaginal opening to create more room as a babys head appears are more likely to suffer severe complications than if they had been allowed to tear naturally. Thats why national guidelines since 2006 have called for limiting the procedure to emergencies, such as when a babys shoulders get stuck. Although there is no national consensus on how frequently the procedure should be used, a leading hospital safety group recommends that the cuts should occur in no more than 5% of vaginal deliveries. But a USA TODAY analysis of hospital billing data finds dozens of hospitals in eight states with episiotomy rates of 20% or higher, some of them nearly double that. More: Secret data shows hospital episiotomy rates At the 553 hospitals analyzed, nearly 240,000 women were cut over four years. Those with the highest rates of episiotomies included major medical centers in big cities, mid-sized hospitals in metropolitan suburbs and small facilities in rural communities. Washington had the lowest statewide rate: Just 3.8% during the time period studied. In New York and Nevada, statewide rates were more than 11%. Experts blamed high rates on outdated medical practices and a desire to speed up the time it takes to deliver babies. Where hospitals have educated doctors and tracked their use of episiotomy, rates have dropped dramatically. I cannot imagine what on earth is going on with a hospital that has a 20-30% episiotomy rate, said Dr. Steven Clark, a professor at Baylor College of Medicine, who has published research on methods for reducing episiotomy rates. Theres not an excuse for a rate anywhere close to that. At NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, a 535-bed teaching hospital in Flushing, New York, nearly 40% of women who delivered vaginally from 2014 to 2017 and whose babies didnt have the shoulder complication received episiotomies. The hospitals rate was the highest among hospitals studied by USA TODAY almost eight times the recommended rate. Story continues Other outliers included Thomas Memorial Hospital in South Charleston, West Virginia which has six labor and delivery rooms across the river from the state capital at nearly 37%, and Hialeah Hospital near Miami at 36%. At Dallas Regional Medical Center, which touts its womens center as having the newest medical equipment, the episiotomy rate was 31%. At Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, one of Las Vegas biggest birthing centers, it was about 22%. While individual doctors decide whether to make the cuts, Cindy Pearson, executive director of the National Womens Health Network, said hospitals have had more than a decade to get doctors to reduce their use of episiotomies. Every person who goes into a hospital for any procedure has the right to expect the hospital will not put them at unnecessary risk, Pearson said. These hospitals that still have outrageously high rates, theyre to blame. More: 3 tips for pregnant women to help them avoid unnecessary episiotomies More: Read USA TODAY's Deadly Deliveries series here Of 30 hospitals contacted by USA TODAY, only three agreed to be interviewed about why their rates have been so high. Some, like NewYork-Presbyterian Queens issued vague statements. NewYork-Presbyterian is deeply committed to reducing obstetric maternal mortality and morbidity, their written response said. Hialeah Hospitals operator, Tenet Healthcare, said only: "There are many factors that might influence a practitioners decision to perform an episiotomy during a delivery. We are committed to delivering safe, high-quality, patient-centered care. " Other hospitals sent emails saying their rates were now lower, but declined to share numbers; or they blamed their patients' health for their frequency of episiotomy use. Loading... Thomas Memorial Hospital, in a statement, pointed to the poor health of the West Virginia mothers it serves, their lack of prenatal care and the states opioid epidemic. The hospital didnt respond to questions about how opioid addiction or prenatal care increase the need for episiotomies. Experts said such explanations make no sense. What you often find in these high episiotomy hospitals are cultures of excuse, Clark said. Doctors and hospitals want to believe they are doing the right thing, he said, and they excuse their performance by believing that their patients are somehow different than the patients of those who perform better. The hospitals USA TODAY examined were in Florida, Nevada, New York, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Washington and West Virginia. While USA TODAY sought patient billing data from all states, many declined to release it, sought to charge exorbitant fees or imposed restrictions that rendered it useless. In March, USA TODAY revealed rates of severe childbirth complications at nearly 1,000 hospitals in 13 states. The work identified 120 hospitals where women giving birth were more than twice as likely to have had blood transfusions, hysterectomies, heart attacks, strokes and other indicators of deliveries that could turn deadly. MORE: Read USA TODAY's Deadly Delivery series here USA TODAYs new analysis of episiotomies is yet another example of how childbirth care at hospitals varies dramatically and how data kept secret could inform womens healthcare decisions. Episiotomy should have been solved a long time ago, Pearson said. I believe if there were consumer-led efforts to have mandates for full disclosure by hospitals of a variety of outcomes, and also frequency of procedures you wouldnt have these outliers because it would have come to light so much earlier. Women are injured severely The injuries women suffer from episiotomy complications can last years and there is little scientific evidence of its benefits. Thats why the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has issued bulletins to doctors since 2006 calling for the procedure to be used sparingly. While noting that doctors have used episiotomies to expedite delivery in cases where a babys heart rate signals trouble, when a babys shoulders get stuck or when the mother appears likely to suffer a laceration during delivery, the organization warned these uses were based more on opinion and belief than on science. Current data and clinical opinion suggest that there are insufficient objective evidence-based criteria to recommend episiotomy, and especially routine use of episiotomy, and that clinical judgment remains the best guide for use of this procedure, the 2006 bulletin said. Some episiotomy injuries are physical deep and painful lacerations that tear so far they require surgical repair. Wounds become infected or break down and heal slowly. Sex can become painful. Studies indicate that women who receive episiotomies are at four times the risk of suffering severe lacerations into their anal sphincter than women whose doctors don't cut them during a vaginal delivery. The injuries also can be psychological, affecting womens views of their bodies and decisions about whether to have more children. Emilee Strezinski still finds it difficult to talk about the delivery of her first child in 2011, when she was 21. As she labored for hours at a hospital in rural Ohio, her baby wasnt coming out. You could hear the scissors, Strezinski said, recalling the moment the doctor began cutting. Since it had gotten toward the end of my pain medication, that last cut, I believe it was number five ... thats when I felt it and I remember screaming. The doctor never discussed with Strezinski or her husband the risks or benefits of her undergoing the procedure, they would later allege as part of legal action. Strezinski suffered a severe tear into her anus from the episiotomy and then still ended up needing an emergency C-section to deliver her daughter. Find episiotomy rates at more than 500 U.S. hospitals How often are women enduring episiotomies during childbirth? USA TODAY calculated episiotomy rates at hospitals in eight states where we obtained data along with other kinds of serious childbirth complications in 13 states. Used by hospitals, insurers and researchers, this kind of information about maternal care often is kept secret from patients. Until now. Search our database: hospitalrates.usatoday.com Search hospitals To heal from the episiotomy she drove twice a week to a specialist in a larger town 40 miles away. I ended up having to do physical therapy, which was odd and very uncomfortable for a young girl. It was degrading, she said. It affected my sex life, my personal life, just a lot of stuff I wouldnt have thought could have happened. Strezinski sued both the doctor and hospital; in court records they denied wrongdoing. The case was resolved, court records show, but details of the settlement are confidential. Why change is so hard Episiotomies date back 300 years in medical literature. Beginning in the 1920s, doctors were taught episiotomies should be routine, to protect women from a wide range of childbirth harms. 3 tips to help pregnant women avoid an unnecessary episiotomy during childbirth It was thought that a surgical cut would be more precise, easier to repair and cause less injury than a natural tear; doctors believed that episiotomies would protect a womans pelvic floor muscles, which support her bladder, uterus and rectum and possibly reduce risks of incontinence later in life. Our studies over the years have disproven that, said Dr. Barbara Levy, vice president for health policy at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Change has happened slowly, Levy said, because many doctors were trained to make the cuts. Its so difficult to get people who grew up with a certain mindset to change that mindset, she said. In some emergency circumstances where a baby needs to be delivered quickly, Levy said an episiotomy can be a lifesaving procedure that is less risky than a Cesarean section delivery, which is a major surgery. I think what has to happen is a shared decision-making conversation between the woman and her delivering healthcare professional, Levy said. There are women who would choose a Cesarean birth over perineal laceration and episiotomy. Ideally, that conversation should occur before the emergency arises, she added. Dr. Sara Cichowski, an assistant OB/GYN professor at the University of New Mexico who reviewed the latest studies to help write the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists most recent guidelines, said women often have little chance to make an informed choice. It will be cut quickly while someone is pushing, she said. I dont think many mothers in that situation would say: Wait a second, whats going on? Once in the delivery room, if the situation isnt really urgent, Cichowski said studies have found that the use of warm compresses can reduce how much a woman tears during birth. She said women might also ask whether there is anything they can do to push more effectively. Allison Snyder, who had to have surgical repairs to address her incontinence, said there was no time to ask questions during her 2013 episiotomy. It happened so fast, Snyder said. She remembers her surprised husband saying to the midwife who handled her hospital delivery: What did you just do? Snyder, who was 27 at the time, said she ended up with a laceration into her rectum that wasnt fully repaired after the delivery. I could feel air moving from my rectum to my vagina, she said. Even as her symptoms worsened, she said no one was taking me seriously. At the urging of a friend, she says she demanded additional testing. Only then was the hole discovered. Snyder said it hadnt occurred to her to ask about episiotomies during prenatal appointments. Its such an outdated practice, I didnt think I needed to bring it up, said Snyder, a pharmacist in North Carolina. She advises other pregnant women: Go in prepared with questions you want answered, even the gross stuff, the uncomfortable stuff. Thats their job to talk to you. Hospitals move the needle A decade after the first national practice bulletins warned doctors about episiotomies, more than 35% of women delivering vaginally at Richmond University Medical Center in Staten Island, New York, still received them during 2014-2017. I think not every physician modernizes their practice equally, said Dr. Michael Moretti, chairman of the hospitals OB/GYN department. Not all physicians in the country read the literature as religiously as we would like. U.S. doctors are given wide latitude to practice medicine according to their clinical judgments. Even the national bulletins give doctors leeway. Help us report this story We want to hear from you if you faced life or death complications or felt you didnt receive adequate care during your pregnancy and childbirth. Tell your story By coupling education with a spotlight on individual doctors performances, however, the Staten Island hospital has led to dramatic change. We instituted a peer review process of reviewing all physicians episiotomy rates on a monthly basis, discussing them openly in a monthly conference, Moretti said. This kind of peer pressure was particularly valuable in changing physician behavior. During 2018, the hospitals rate had dropped to 19%, he said, and it fell even lower during the first few months of this year. Studies going back decades have found that people will change their behavior when they know their actions are being watched. Called the Hawthorne effect, it can be a powerful influence in stopping unnecessary episiotomies, according to a 2017 study by Dr. Steven Clark and other researchers at Texas Childrens Hospital Pavilion for Women in Houston. This large, urban medical center reduced its episiotomy rate from 9% in 2012 to below 5% in 2017 through education and sharing data monthly. What we found was the value of feedback, Clark said. Excuses disappear, he said, when data is broken down by doctor, allowing them to see how they compare to colleagues caring for the same kinds of patients in the same hospital. Hospitals across the state of Washington also rely on education and shared data. In addition to the states low 3.8% rate during 2014-2017, many of the states major birthing centers had rates of 2% to 3%. SUBSCRIBE: Support local journalism This is something weve worked on really hard and the rate is lower even than what you saw, said Cassie Sauer, president of the Washington State Hospital Association. In late 2018, she said, the statewide episiotomy rate fell to 2.2%. Since 2012 when the statewide rate was about 7% and some hospitals had rates up to 40% the association has emphasized episiotomy prevention during education events and by collecting and sharing data across all delivery hospitals. Providers really respond well to data, especially if they trust the data, said Dr. Dale Reisner, who has helped lead those efforts as medical director for OB/GYN quality and safety for Swedish Health Services. Reports are distributed to hospitals showing how they measure up. And the episiotomy rates for individual hospitals are public on the associations Washington Hospital Quality website. Data routinely kept secret Studies based on data that keeps hospital names confidential indicate episiotomy rates have been dropping nationally. In 1979 the procedure was performed in nearly two-thirds of deliveries. By 2000, use had dropped to one-third and, in 2012, about 12% of mothers across the country were cut. But nationwide rates obscure whats happening at individual hospitals. And its difficult for women to find out whether their hospital or doctor is practicing outdated medicine. There is no national requirement that hospitals publicly disclose their episiotomy rates or other measures related to maternal safety. And there is no publicly available national data on doctors' episiotomy rates. The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requires hospitals to disclose their rates of a wide range of medical complications on its Hospital Compare website. But for childbirth, the government website includes only how often babies are delivered early by choice, which can lead to complications from prematurity. The agency requires no public reporting on childbirth safety measures, such as how often women experience severe complications, receive prompt treatment for emergencies, or have C-sections or episiotomies. MORE IN THIS SERIES The federal agency is working to identify potential further actions to better measure and reduce severe maternal morbidity, including maternal mortality, as well as to reduce disparities by race and geography, the agency said in a statement to USA TODAY. It did not explain what those actions might be or provide any timeline. Citing USA TODAYs ongoing investigation, both Democrat and Republican leadership of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce sent a letter to the federal agency last month seeking a briefing on potential reporting requirements and coverage improvements to reduce what it called the nations high rate of maternal deaths and injuries. The Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit founded by major employers and others who pay for healthcare, has set 5% as the target episiotomy rate based on the rarity of sound reasons for its use, along with the nonprofits own observation that many hospitals have safely achieved rates of less than 3%, said Dr. Elliott Main, chairman of the Leapfrog panel and national expert on childbirth safety. Since 2012, Leapfrog annually asks hospitals about a variety of safety and quality issues, including their episiotomy rates information it posts on its website. Only about 1,300 of the nations approximately 2,400 hospitals that provide maternity services disclosed data on their episiotomy rates. Many of the hospitals with the highest episiotomy rates in USA TODAYs analysis are among those that declined to respond to Leapfrog. Contributing: Christopher Schnaars This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Episiotomies are painful, risky and not routinely recommended. Dozens of hospitals are doing too many. Brussels (AFP) - Two days before voting begins in European parliamentary elections, national leaders are scrambling to mobilise their supporters to resist a populist challenge. European governments fear a good showing for eurosceptics in the vote, which begins on Thursday and runs to Sunday, will disrupt Brussels decision-making. Opinion polls predict a significant advance for nationalist and populist forces opposed to closer European Union integration and threatening mainstream reform efforts. French President Emmanuel Macron called the vote the most important European parliamentary election since the first in 1979 and warned the EU faces "an existential threat". Turnout has fallen in each EU vote since 1979, and mainstream leaders hope Britain's Brexit spectacle and a scandal for the Austrian far-right will mobilise voters. - 'Stand as one' - The outgoing president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, urged an audience at a trade union convention in Vienna "to fight where it is worth fighting". "And it is worth making it clear for the next decades -- also in the coming European elections -- that trade unionists, social democrats and Christian democrats, others should stand there like one man when it comes to pushing back the danger from the extreme right," he said. British voters -- along with the Dutch -- will vote first on Thursday, with those in the 26 other member states following suit over the next three days. In Britain, Nigel Farage's anti-EU Brexit Party is expected to top the polls, and eurosceptic populists are riding high in Italy and breaking through elsewhere. The eurosceptics have not had it all their own way, though. In Austria, far-right Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache was entrapped on hidden-camera footage offering to sell influence to a supposed representative of a Russian oligarch. - 'Filling their pockets' - Strache resigned, but the scandal has undermined the attempt by Austria's conservative Chancellor Sebastian Kurz to draw the extreme right into a coalition government. Story continues "What happens there certainly has not only a national, but a pan-European meaning," Germany's minister for European affairs Michael Roth said in Brussels. "It becomes clear that the strategy has failed to contain, to immobilise, to disenchant nationalists and populists through governmental responsibility," he said. Roth said far-right figures have "also filled their pockets" in other EU countries and accused them of paying "lip service" to democracy and the rule of law. Accusations from the centre will not deter the populists, who hope to mirror the national success of Italian vice premier Matteo Salvini and Hungary's Viktor Orban. "Everything has changed," French far-right leader Marine Le Pen told AFP, ahead of a vote in which she hopes to beat Macron's new Renaissance movement into second place. "Before we were on our own on the European scene... But in the space of a few months, a whole range of political forces have risen up in spectacular fashion." The run-up to the vote has seen political tensions mount. In Germany, the far-right AfD party cancelled its election night party in Berlin, citing alleged "threats from left-wing terrorists". And in Britain on Monday, Farage had to abandon a walkabout in the city of Newcastle after a protester doused him with milkshake. Opinion polls at the start of the campaign pointed to around 173 members being elected to the 751-member Strasbourg assembly from far-right populist, eurosceptic or nationalist groups. Meanwhile, the main centre-right and centre-left groupings that have dominated pan-European politics in recent years look set to lose ground. According to opinion polls, the top two groups could lose 30 seats each, meaning they will not be able to form a majority and may have to reach out to liberals and Greens. The liberal ALDE hopes for an infusion of new blood from Macron's Renaissance and from the Spanish party Ciudanos. For Brussels insiders, the big night will not be Sunday when the first results of the parliamentary race emerge, but two days later when the national leaders meet for dinner. dc-burs/lc/wdb (For a live blog on European stocks, type LIVE/ in an Eikon news window) May 21 (Reuters) - European shares edged higher on Tuesday after the United States temporarily eased restrictions on China's Huawei, easing trade tensions and lifting tariff-sensitive tech and auto stocks, while the banking sector also gained. The pan-European STOXX 600 index was up 0.4% by 0745 GMT, with the trade-sensitive DAX outperforming after the U.S. Commerce Department said it would allow Huawei Technologies to purchase American-made goods. The news came as a major relief to markets and lifted European chipmakers, which had tumbled after reports suggested they may pause shipments to the Chinese telecoms tech giant. The tech sector rose over 1% after losing almost 3% on Monday. Auto stocks were around 0.4 percent higher, with Daimler giving an additional boost after German newspaper Handelsblatt reported the company was looking to cut administration costs by 20%. The banking index, which closed at a more-than three-month low in the previous session, climbed 0.7% As earnings season nears its end, fewer companies are reporting. Italy's biggest phone group Telecom Italia led gainers on the STOXX 600 after posting first-quarter earnings in-line with expectations and confirming its guidance for the next three years. Swiss hearing aid maker Sonova reported an increase in full-year sales, sending its shares up 4%. Norsk Hydro rose 5.4% after Brazil gave the go ahead for the company's Alunorte alumina plant to reopen. Struggling Spanish retailer DIA jumped 5% after reaching an eleventh-hour agreement to secure financing, staving off the imminent risk of having to start insolvency proceedings. Defensive stocks - including real estate, utilities and telecoms - underperformed. But investors remained cautious as the sudden about-turn in China-U.S. talks over the last two weeks shattered confidence in a speedy truce to the trade war that has roiled financial markets for a year. European equities have outperformed Wall Street since the tariff war re-intensified on May 9, with the STOXX 600 rising 0.4% but the U.S. benchmark S&P 500 index losing almost 1% during the same period. (Reporting by Agamoni Ghosh and Amy Caren Daniel; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) By Norihiko Shirouzu BEIJING (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp last month announced two deals in China that were small in size but large in strategic planning. The automaker said it would establish a green-tech research institute with Tsinghua University and provide state-owned BAIC Group's Foton unit with fuel-cell technology for buses. But before it could feel comfortable unveiling those plans, Toyota put in months of work to pledge fresh investment - in the United States. The technology transfers represent gestures of goodwill to Beijing by the Japanese automaker, which wants to "step on the accelerator in China" as CEO Akio Toyoda told an internal management group, according to minutes of meetings on March 19 and April 23 viewed by Reuters. Announcing U.S. investment first was a strategy Toyoda felt the company needed to pursue to avoid U.S. President Donald Trump's wrath, the minutes showed - providing a rare window into how it has sought to tread carefully as the United States and China battle for investment, jobs and influence in the global economy. "For Toyota to operate globally, we need to strike a fine balance between China and the United States," the March 19 minutes quoted Toyoda as saying. "It's imperative to avoid making enemies." According to the April 23 minutes, the Japanese automaker is making what one unnamed senior executive described as a "significant move to steer its focus to China" a market where it is far behind industry leaders Volkswagen AG and General Motors Co. Toyota declined to comment on its internal meetings. Its pivot to China - one that many other global automakers are also making - has been made easier by a thaw in ties between China and Japan but complicated by Trump's trade policies. That includes the trade war between Washington and Beijing as well as threats from Trump to impose tariffs of up to 25% on imported cars made by foreign automakers. On Friday, Trump declared that some imported vehicles and parts pose a national security threat, although he delayed a decision for as long as six months on whether to impose tariffs. Story continues In response, Toyota issued one of its strongest messages on potential tariffs to date, calling the designation "a major set-back for American consumers, workers and the auto industry" and saying it sent the message "our investments are not welcomed." LOVE FOR AMERICA Toyota has been at pains to show its commitment to the United States, and in the March 19 minutes Toyoda explained a fresh investment of $749 million in U.S. manufacturing capacity and jobs as "an essential" step before it could speed up efforts to expand in China. Announcing the new investment on March 14, Toyota stressed the sum helped bump up a five-year investment pledge made in 2017 to almost $13 billion from $10 billion. The day following the announcement, Toyoda also spoke before the Economic Club of Washington, declaring: "I love America". "I just don't understand why we are called a national security threat and it pains my heart," Toyoda said in answer to a question after his speech. "One thing I would promise, no matter what direction the discussion takes us is that Toyota will not leave America." Though many other automakers, including U.S. automakers, have announced investments in the United States since Trump came to power in 2017, the near $13 billion pledged by Toyota is the biggest amount by far. Toyota would have pressed ahead with fresh U.S. investment even without its China plans, but there was much internal planning around how the announcements should be timed, company sources with knowledge of the matter said. The sources, who were not authorised to speak to media, declined to be identified. In a further sign of Toyota's careful approach to relations with Washington, board member Ikuro Sugawara was dispatched in April to meet with U.S. Ambassador William Hagerty at the U.S. embassy in Tokyo to give him the heads up that the two China deals would be announced. "I didn't think we needed to do that but the Ambassador commended our effort more than I had expected," the April 23 minutes quoted Sugawara, a former vice minister for trade, as saying. The U.S. embassy in Tokyo declined to comment on the specifics of the meeting, saying only it was in regular contact with Toyota and many other Japanese firms about their plans to continue investing in the United States. QUIET PIVOT TO CHINA For many automakers, the U.S. auto market is a key profit centre that generates industry-wide sales of about 17 million vehicles annually. But China has rapidly grown in importance - with 28 million vehicles sold in 2018 - and is drawing new investment from global automakers eager to keep up with its heavy promotion of electric cars. Toyota commands 14% of the U.S. market, but in China it had just 5.3% share last year and the 1.49 million vehicles it sold were less than half the volume sold by VW and GM. It is aiming to lift sales 10% every year over the next five or six years - roughly equivalent to 3 million cars annually by the mid-2020s, according to a source at a Toyota parts supplier, who declined to be identified as he did not work for the automaker. Asked about Toyota's China ambitions, a company spokesman said China was an important market and the automaker was looking at strengthening its base there so that it could propel the business forward. China has sometimes been a difficult market for Japanese companies due to historical reasons, with sales in 2012 taking a battering in the wake of diplomatic spats over disputed islets known as Diaoyu in China and Senkaku in Japan. But company sources say Toyota's pivot has gained steam on the back of an official visit to Japan in May last year by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, during which Toyoda accompanied Li on a tour of Toyota's facilities on the northern island of Hokkaido. Since then, Toyota has embarked on an expansion of its manufacturing muscle in China, with plans to add annual production capacity of 120,000 vehicles each at its Tianjin plant and at its Guangzhou plant. It is also expanding distribution networks and is sharing technology to promote goodwill among Chinese leaders, Toyota sources have said. "We have full backing of the Chinese government, but we shouldn't take it for granted and must continue to make efforts consistently," the April 23 minutes quoted Toyoda as saying. In contrast to the automaker's efforts in the United States, Toyota is content to keep a relatively low profile with regards to its plans in China. Neither the Tianjin nor the Guangzhou plans were formally announced by Toyota. Investment amounts have also not been disclosed. Last month a news conference for international media at the Shanghai auto show was cancelled - a move that one company source said was the result of a warning by Toyoda to be circumspect when dealing with the media on the topics of tariff hikes or U.S. import quotas. (Reporting by Norihiko Shirouzu in Beijing; Additional reporting by Tim Kelly in Tokyo; Editing by Edwina Gibbs) By Aftab Ahmed NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's Punjab National Bank is looking to merge with two or three government owned banks that could include Oriental Bank Of Commerce, Andhra Bank and Allahabad Bank, two sources familiar with the situation told Reuters, as New Delhi tries to cut the number of state-owned lenders. This could be the one of the first decisions to be taken by the new government after election results to be announced on May 23. Exit polls showed that the alliance led by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi could win with a big majority. Banking sector reform is unfinished business from the last five year term of Modi's government as banks struggle under a huge debt pile than of more than 9 trillion Indian rupees ($130 billion), or nearly 5% of the nation's gross domestic output. The proposal to merge PNB with 2-3 other banks would be put before the cabinet for its nod, according to a government source. Currently, there are 20 state-run banks following mergers of small banks with State Bank of India and Bank of Baroda, and with IDBI Bank taken over by state-run Life Insurance Corporation. PNB could start the process of taking control of the banks in the next three months, according to the sources, who declined to be named, as they are not authorised to speak to the media. PNB shares fell as much as 4% after Reuters reported the news. Its shares ended down 2.55% at 86.10 rupees on India's National Stock Exchange on Tuesday. Allahabad Bank fell 2.6% to close at 45.15 rupees a share, while Oriental Bank of Commerce ended down nearly 1% at 95.20 rupees per share. PNB declined to comment, while the other banks did not immediately reply to an email from Reuters seeking further information. India's finance ministry also declined to comment on the story. GOVERNMENT EFFORT To revive the banking sector the government of India has injected about $36 billion of tax payers money in the last five years and also initiated an asset quality review of banks by the central bank. Story continues According to another official, the government is considering injecting another $7 billion into state-run banks to help them offer cheaper loans to their customers. The Modi government introduced new bankruptcy resolution rules in 2016 to help with faster resolution of bad loans, but litigation has tied down some big restructuring deals. Only about 5% of the stressed assets of banks have so far been dealt with through the bankruptcy process. (Reporting by Aftab Ahmed; Editing by Martin Howell and Tom Hogue) By Gayatri Suroyo and Ed Davies JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo comfortably won last month's presidential poll, an official count showed, but the refusal of his opponent Prabowo Subianto to concede defeat has triggered the prospect of both a legal challenge and street protests. The General Election Commission (KPU) confirmed counts issued by private pollsters that showed incumbent Widodo won the April 17 election by 11 percentage points. Independent observers and analysts have said the poll was free and fair, but Prabowo and his campaign team have alleged "massive cheating and irregularities" during the vote and vote-counting. WHAT LEGAL OPTIONS DO CANDIDATES HAVE? A campaign official for the opposition said Prabowo would challenge the election result in the Constitutional Court, which has to be within 72 hours of the KPU announcement. If the court finds enough evidence to take the case, it must make a ruling within 14 days after all documents are provided by the plaintiff. The decision cannot be appealed. The KPU's timeline to resolve the dispute is between May 23 and June 15. It will declare a final election result, or a dismissal, within three days of the court ruling. "The court could decide to reject or grant the applicant's request, in full or in parts," said court spokesman Fajar Laksono. "There is a chance that the court could order the KPU to hold a recount or a re-polling ... but again, it depends on evidence presented during trial," he said, adding that the winner must be sworn in by October. Indonesia's election supervisory panel (Bawaslu) has dismissed two official complaints of election cheating on the grounds of insufficient evidence. Prabowo also launched a legal challenge to his 2014 defeat by Widodo, which was rejected, and there were doubts that he would pursue this tack again. He recently told foreign correspondents "we cannot hope to find real justice there". Story continues WHAT ARE THE PROSPECTS OF STREET PROTESTS? The retired general has said the situation could trigger "people power"-style protests, while the government and police have vowed action against anyone stirring up unrest. Even if a legal path is followed, there is a risk that Prabowo's supporters could still launch protests, paralysing parts of the capital. On Tuesday, Prabowo urged his supporters to maintain public order and peace during demonstrations. WHAT ARE THE LONGER-TERM POLITICAL RISKS? Analysts have said the double-digit margin of Widodo's victory meant the opposition does not appear to have a strong case to claim the election was rigged. Still they noted risks that Islamist supporters of the challenger, including the hardline Alumni 212 movement, could cause considerable disruption. Islamist groups, many of which support Prabowo, have in the past been able to mobilize hundreds of thousands of supporters. From late 2016, they organised a series of protests against then-Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, the first ethnic-Chinese Christian to hold the job, who was subsequently jailed for insulting the Koran. In a bid to take the sting out of protests, chief security minister Wiranto has ordered police and military to prevent people from travelling to Jakarta en masse. Indonesia's biggest Islamic group, Nahdlatul Ulama, has also urged people to avoid rallies, saying its mosques would not accommodate protesters from outside the capital, except for prayers, media said. But with police questioning at least three opposition figures for suspected treason and Widodo already facing accusations of turning authoritarian, a too-heavy-handed approach could also backfire. Achmad Sukarsono, a political analyst at Control Risks, said given how Widodo mostly won in provinces with more diverse religious populations, he would need to placate some of Prabowo's Muslim supporters "to reunite the nation and heal the wounds from the most divisive election in Indonesia's democratic history". This could include conceding to "soft demands from the Islamic community, such as an equitable economy that is more congruent with sharia principles", he said in a recent note. (Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor and Nick Macfie) June 19 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump says China pays the tariffs he has imposed on $250 billion of Chinese exports to the United States. But that is not how tariffs work. China's government and companies in China do not pay tariffs directly. Tariffs are a tax on imports. They are paid by U.S.-registered firms to U.S. customs for the goods they import into the United States. Importers often pass the costs of tariffs on to customers - manufacturers and consumers in the United States - by raising their prices. U.S. business executives and economists say U.S. consumers foot much of the bill through rising prices. White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow has acknowledged that "both sides will suffer on this," contradicting the president. The tariff bill is set to rise further. Trump this month directed U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to launch the process of imposing tariffs on the remaining $300 billion of goods from China. That includes products ranging from cellphones to baby pacifiers. That would mean almost all imports from China would be subject to a 25 percent import tax. U.S. COMPANIES SEE RISING CONSUMER PRICES A growing number of U.S. companies has warned about the negative impact of the tariffs on U.S. consumers. Nike Inc and 172 other footwear companies have urged Trump to remove footwear from a list of imports facing a proposed extra 25% tariff, warning the move could cost consumers an additional $7 billion a year. Walmart Inc, the world's largest retailer, and department store chain Macy's Inc have warned that prices for shoppers will rise due to higher tariffs on goods from China. WHAT THE 'TARIFF MAN' SAYS Trump, who has called himself the "Tariff Man," has often repeated that China pays for U.S. tariffs on its goods. "We have billions of dollars coming into our Treasury billions from China. We never had 10 cents coming into our Treasury; now we have billions coming in," he said on Jan. 24. Story continues On May 5, he tweeted: "For 10 months, China has been paying Tariffs to the USA." As well as imposing tariffs on Chinese goods, Trump has also imposed a tax on global steel and aluminum imports and shipments of washing machines and solar panels. HOW TARIFFS REALLY WORK U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) collects the tax on imports. The agency typically requires importers to pay duties within 10 days of their shipments clearing customs. Through May 1, Washington has assessed $23.7 billion in tariffs since early 2018, according to data from the CBP. Total tariff revenue - including levies that pre-dated Trump - shot up by 89% in the first half of the current fiscal year starting Oct. 1, to a total of $34.7 billion, according to U.S. Treasury data. Every item imported into the United States legally has a customs code. Importers are expected to check the tariffs and other taxes and duties due on the goods they bring in, calculate what they owe, and pay it. U.S. Customs reviews payments and sends importers a fresh bill if it detects underpayment. Importers also have to post payment guarantees, or import bonds, with customs. The costs of these bonds have risen with tariffs, an additional burden on U.S.-based firms importing goods from China. DO CHINESE SUPPLIERS BEAR THE COSTS OF U.S. TARIFFS? Chinese suppliers do shoulder some of the cost of U.S. tariffs in indirect ways. Exporters sometimes, for instance, are forced to offer U.S. importers a discount to help defray the costs of higher U.S. duties. Chinese companies might also lose business if U.S. importers find another tariff-free source of the same goods outside China. And outside of tariffs, the Trump administration's decision to add China's Huawei, the world's largest telecoms equipment maker, to a trade blacklist, has hit that company hard. But U.S.-based importers are managing the higher tax burden in a number of ways that hurt U.S. companies and customers more than China. Such strategies include accepting lower profit margins; cutting costs - including wages and jobs for U.S. workers; deferring any potential wage hikes, as well as passing on tariff costs through higher prices for U.S. consumers or companies. Most importers use a mix of such tactics to spread the higher costs among suppliers and consumers or buyers. HIGHER PRICES FOR TRACTORS, WASHING MACHINES Higher duties on imports of metals and Chinese products, for example, increased Caterpillar's production costs by more than $100 million last year. In response, the heavy-duty equipment maker increased prices for its products. Tractor manufacturer Deere & Co estimates a $100 million increase in its raw materials costs this year because of Trump's tariffs on Chinese imports. Deere has cut costs and increased prices to protect its profits. A Congressional Research Service report in February found that the tariffs boosted washing machine prices by as much as 12%, compared to January 2018, before tariffs took effect. Steel and aluminum tariffs increased the price of steel products by nearly 9% last year, pushing up costs for steel users by $5.6 billion, according to a study by the Peterson Institute for International Economics. U.S. companies and consumers paid $3 billion a month in additional taxes because of tariffs on Chinese goods and on aluminum and steel from around the globe, according to a study by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Princeton University, and Columbia University. Companies shouldered an additional $1.4 billion in costs related to lost efficiency in 2018, the study found. WHAT DO COMPANIES IN CHINA PAY? China has retaliated against U.S. tariffs by imposing its own tariffs on imports from the United States. Most importers in China are Chinese. So in the same way the U.S. government collects import taxes on Chinese goods from U.S. importers, the Chinese government takes in taxes on U.S. goods from Chinese importers. As with tariffs in the United States, Chinese firms can seek to pass on the costs to U.S. exporters. Some U.S. interests have lost business, such as U.S. soy farmers. Chinese buyers have cut billions of dollars of soybean purchases from the United States because China's tariffs have made U.S. supplies more expensive than beans from competitors such as Brazil. (Reporting by Rajesh Kumar Singh and Andrea Shalal, Editing by Simon Webb, Brian Thevenot and Susan Thomas) Crescent Hill Craft House. | Photo: Suzanne B./Yelp Spending time in Crescent Hill? Get to know this Louisville neighborhood by browsing its most popular local businesses, from a hot chicken spot to a craft house. Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top places to visit in Crescent Hill, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of neighborhood businesses. Read on for the results. 1. Joella's Hot Chicken St. Matthews Photo: Bob S./Yelp Topping the list is Southern spot Joella's Hot Chicken St. Matthews, which offers chicken wings and more. Located at 3400 Frankfort Ave., it's the highest-rated business in the neighborhood, boasting four stars out of 421 reviews on Yelp. 2. Crescent Hill Craft House Photo: Mark C./Yelp Next up is New American gastropub and cocktail bar Crescent Hill Craft House, situated at 2636 Frankfort Ave. With four stars out of 264 reviews on Yelp, it's proven to be a local favorite. 3. Frankfort Avenue Beer Depot Photo: john h./Yelp The bar Frankfort Avenue Beer Depot, which offers barbecue and more, is another top choice. Yelpers give the business, located at 3204 Frankfort Ave., four stars out of 245 reviews. 4. Porcini Porcini, an Italian spot, is another neighborhood go-to, with four stars out of 114 Yelp reviews. Head over to 2730 Frankfort Ave. to see for yourself. 5. The Wine Rack Photo: the wine rack/Yelp Finally, check out The Wine Rack, which has earned 4.5 stars out of 33 reviews on Yelp. You can find the spot to score wine, beer, spirits and more at 2632 Frankfort Ave. 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. Here are some stories to start your day. Abortion rights activists will take to the streets Tuesday as they call for lawmakers to "stop the bans." California is considering proposals that would make the state the first in the U.S. to give health care to adult immigrants living in the country illegally. And "Sesame Street" is introducing a new character. By Francesco Guarascio BRUSSELS, May 21 (Reuters) - The EU commission has carefully avoided some controversial decisions in the run-up to this week's European elections, in what could be seen as a way of avoiding interfering in the votes but which has also drawn criticism for inaction. Europeans who go to the polls on May 23-26 to elect members of the European Parliament will likely do it without knowing what the EU executive has decided over long-standing cases of alleged abuses of EU funds by Eastern European leaders, over Western countries' compliance with fiscal rules and a crucial reform of bank rescue rules. EU officials say they are assessing the cases, but it takes time to reach a definitive decision. "While I understand that the commission wants to avoid anything controversial right before the elections, this is not good public policy making," German center-right EU lawmaker Markus Ferber said. ORBAN ON HOLD The commission has been pondering for months over the possible recovery of EU funds after an investigation by the European Anti-Fraud Office last year found serious irregularities and a conflict of interest in projects to modernize street lamps in Hungarian towns. The projects, which the European Union co-funded with Hungary, were run from 2011 to 2015 by a company that Prime Minister Viktor Orban's son-in-law Istvan Tiborcz was on the board of from 2009 to 2014. He sold his stake in the firm in 2015, company records showed. Hungarian police closed their inquiry in November, saying they had uncovered no crime. Neither Orban nor Tiborcz has commented. Orban's Fidesz party is suspended from the center-right grouping in the EU parliament over concerns Hungary has violated EU principles on the rule of law. If it quits the group altogether, it could strengthen eurosceptics with whom it has flirted for years. CZECH PM The commission has refrained for months from deciding whether the billionaire Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis had a conflict of interest over EU funds worth millions of euros received by companies linked to him. Babis has denied any wrongdoing. Story continues The commission's legal services concluded in January that Babis, who also leads the Czech liberal ANO 2011 party, had a conflict of interest, but the political endorsement to that legal analysis is pending, an EU official said. If wrongdoing is found, funds to the companies involved could be suspended. ROME, PARIS BUDGETS The regular mid-May assessment of euro zone countries' budgetary plans has this year been postponed to the first week of June, when the commission is expected to decide over the possible opening of a legal battle against Italy over its expanding debt. The commission could also urge France to lower its deficit which is forecast to exceed EU limits next year - a sensitive move that the Commission has postponed to after the EU election in which President Emmanuel Macron is vying with far-right leader Marine Le Pen for France's top spot. BANK RESCUES Another highly anticipated decision concerns the possible appeal to an EU court's ruling that in March overturned Brussels' decision to block the bailout of Italy's Tercas bank. The ruling could facilitate future bailouts, but its application is dependent on the commission's possible appeal against the verdict. Antitrust Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, who is also the top candidate for the European liberal party at the elections, is taking her time to decide on the case, which in Italy is closely watched by eurosceptic politicians who have campaigned for years against EU bank rescue rules. The deadline for an appeal has just expired but Vestager is using an extension of 10 days before making her decision public - that would be just after the EU vote. (Reporting by Francesco Guarascio @fraguarascio; Additional reporting by Marton Dunai in Budapest; Editing by Alison Williams) (Reuters) - Major automakers have announced a slew of investments in the United States since President Donald Trump took office in January 2017 and exerted pressure on the industry to create more U.S. jobs. China is also attracting much investment, with companies keen to increase their share of the world's largest car market and keep up with the country's push towards electric vehicles. Following are summaries of investments and restructuring efforts made by major automakers in the United States and China since 2017. Some did not respond to requests for information or only provided details for one country. For a separate story on how Toyota is seeking to tread carefully as the United States and China battle for investment, jobs and influence in the global economy, please click on UNITED STATES TOYOTA Toyota Motor Corp has pledged to invest almost $13 billion in the United States between 2017 and 2021 to boost manufacturing capacity and jobs. This includes $1.6 billion for a vehicle assembly plant in Alabama jointly run with Mazda Motor Corp and $238 million in manufacturing capacity in Kentucky to assemble 112,000 gasoline-electric hybrid models a year. Toyota's Kentucky plant has also gained $1.3 billion in investment to boost its competitiveness. FIAT CHRYSLER AUTOMOBILES FCA in January 2017 said it would invest $1 billion in truck and SUV manufacturing facilities in Michigan and Ohio, creating 2,000 U.S. jobs. It described the plan as a move to solidify the United States as its global manufacturing hub for Jeep products. In February this year, it announced additional investment of $4.5 billion in production facilities in Michigan, to produce more SUVs and trucks and create nearly 6,500 jobs. GENERAL MOTORS General Motors Co in November 2018 announced a sweeping restructuring programme that aims to cut production of slow-selling models and slash its North American workforce so resources can be shifted to electric and autonomous vehicles. GM put four U.S. factories and one Canadian plant on notice for potential closure. It noted in late April that it has invested $4.3 billion in U.S. manufacturing operations since 2017. Story continues FORD Ford Motor Co in 2017 said it would invest $2.95 billion in manufacturing facilities in Kentucky and Michigan. Those plans included $900 million for its Kentucky truck plant to secure 1,000 hourly jobs and produce the redesigned Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs. This year, Ford said it will invest an additional $1.2 billion in manufacturing facilities in Michigan and Illinois to expand production capacity and add new jobs. HYUNDAI In 2017, Hyundai Motor Group, which includes Hyundai Motor Co, Kia Motors Corp and parts suppliers, said it planned to lift U.S. investment by 50% over five years to $3.1 billion. An executive said at that time the group was considering a new U.S. factory to build high-margin, high-demand models such as a U.S.-specific sport utility vehicle and a Genesis premium vehicle. VOLKSWAGEN AG In January this year, Volkswagen AG said it planned to invest $800 million to build what it called a new generation of electric vehicles at its Chattanooga plant in Tennessee. The first electric car from the plant is slated to roll off the production line in 2022. HONDA Honda Motor Co said in 2017 it would invest a combined $352 million in manufacturing facilities located in Alabama and Ohio that would support production of the redesigned Accord car and create jobs. It also said it would spend $124 million on an advanced wind tunnel facility in Ohio. CHINA TOYOTA Although not formally announced, the Japanese automaker has confirmed information from sources that is investing in capacity in Tianjin and Guangzhou to produce 240,000 more vehicles annually. The size of the investment is not known. FIAT CHRYSLER AUTOMOBILES The company's China unit did not respond to a Reuters request for information. GENERAL MOTORS No major additional investment in China manufacturing capacity since the Detroit automaker announced it had earmarked $12 billion to expand production between 2014 and 2017. FORD Ford said in 2017 it would invest in its joint-venture manufacturing facilities in China to support production of five vehicles, including a Lincoln premium SUV and the company's first global all-electric small SUV. The investment amount was not disclosed. In 2018, Ford said it would invest in joint-venture manufacturing facilities in Chongqing to produce vehicles including the redesigned Escort and Focus models. It also said it would be investing to assemble the redesigned Explorer SUV but did not disclose where it will be made. This year the U.S. automaker announced plans to produce three Lincoln models in China by 2021, instead of bringing in those models from North America. HYUNDAI Hit by a downturn in sales, Hyundai said in April it was suspending production at one of its five plants in China. Kia is also looking at suspending production at a China plant, a source familiar with the matter has said. VOLKSWAGEN GROUP Volkswagen Group in 2018 opened three factories in Qingdao, Foshan and Tianjin to produce more SUVs and electric cars as well as other vehicles. The German group, which produces and sells vehicles in China through its Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda brands, also broke ground for its electric-car factory in Shanghai, which will start e-car production in 2020. Through 2022, Volkswagen Group and its joint-venture partners will invest around 15 billion euros in e-mobility, autonomous driving and other areas. This includes R&D spending on new technologies. In June 2017, it announced a 50-50 joint venture with Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co, its third partnership with a Chinese automaker, to design, produce and market electric cars. HONDA Honda's joint venture with Dongfeng Motor Group in December 2016 announced it would build a 3 billion yuan ($435 million) assembly plant in Wuhan capable of producing 120,000 vehicles a year. The plant opened in April this year. ($1 = 6.9063 Chinese yuan) (Reporting by Norihiko Shirouzu in Beijing; Additional reporting by Hyunjoo Jin in Seoul; Editing by Edwina Gibbs) Chinese investment in Australia has fallen to its lowest level in five years, new research shows, sparking calls for the newly re-elected conservative government to improve its rocky relationship with Beijing. After hitting a peak of Aus$15.8 billion (US$10.4 billion) in 2016, Chinese firms invested Aus$4.8 billion in the country last year, the Australian National University said Monday. Researchers said the amount of cash piled into Australia had been "broadly in line" with China's global activities, except for last year when it fell 50 percent from Aus$9.6 billion in 2017. The data will fuel concerns that strained political ties between Beijing and Canberra are hurting the economic relationship. "Chinese investment flows offshore have fallen generally in the past year but they have fallen more in Australia," report co-author Peter Drysdale told The Australian newspaper. "It shows there is a problem as the investment relationship is more affected by the political situation. "It is a serious warning sign that we have to do more to get the relationship back on track. Quite a lot of work has to be done to improve the relationship." Canberra in recent years has curbed Chinese involvement in key infrastructure projects as leaders grow increasingly concerned about Beijing's influence in the country. The study follows reports earlier this year that Australian coal was being blocked or experiencing delays at Chinese ports. Both governments have denied those reports. China is Australia's biggest trading partner and coal is the resource-rich country's most valuable export. Bloomberg News reported in April that Beijing will maintain the slowdown on imports until it assesses the outcome of the election on Saturday. Overall, China is Australia's ninth largest foreign investor, or 1.8 percent of the total, according to Australia's foreign affairs department. By Nicky Milne KINYASINI, Tanzania, May 21 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - A s a single mother, Salama Husein Haja was low in the pecking order in her village in Tanzania and struggling to eke out a living for her family as a farmer. But now she hopes to gain status and a stable income after being trained as a community solar engineer for a project bringing light to scores of rural villages where no homes are connected to electricity on the islands of Zanzibar. Grandmothers and single mothers - many of whom have never learned to read or write - are among those being trained under the program which they say could transform lives in their poor fishing and farming communities. "We struggle a lot to get lighting," said Haja, 36, a vegetable farmer and mother of three children from a village on Unguja, the largest and most populated island in the Zanzibar archipelago. "When you don't have electricity, you can't do many things like teaching children. It forces you to use a lamp. The smoke is harmful, the eyes and the chest are affected. "When the electricity is there, it's better." Life is challenging for women in Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania made up of numerous islands where half the population lives below the poverty line. Women are almost twice as likely as men to have no education, and are less likely to own a land or have access to a bank account, according to a Tanzania-wide government survey in 2016. Many poorer and rural families also lack access to electricity, compounding the challenges they face. The island region's entire energy grid depends on an underground cable connecting it to the mainland which was damaged in 2009, plunging it into darkness for three months. Furthermore, only about half of houses in Zanzibar are connected to mains power, with many of the remainder forced to rely on polluting fuel lamps for light. ROLE MODELS "We only use a lamp inside," said Aisha Ali Khatib, a mother of nine, training as a solar engineer alongside Haja at the Barefoot College in Kinyasini village on Unguja. Story continues "The lamp uses paraffin ... Buying one spoon of paraffin is 200 shillings ($0.09) but I can go for two days without making 200 shillings." Solar power offers solutions to connect rural villages with little prospect of getting mains power and increase resilience and sustainability. Millions of people across sub-Saharan Africa are getting access to electricity through off-grid renewables, the International Energy Agency said last year, which forecasted strong demand to boost growth in the sector up to 2022. The solar training scheme offered by Barefoot College, a social enterprise that began in India and is now working in East Africa, also focuses specifically on training women. The project was designed to address the fact that women are much less able to leave their villages due to poverty and family links while also empowering women in Tanzania's male-dominated society by offering them decently paid work. Communities in participating villages are asked to nominate two women aged between 35 and 55 to leave their families and travel to the college to train as engineers. Many of those chosen lack formal education, but they are recognized as people who can command authority and who are deeply embedded in the life of their villages. "When you educate a woman, you educate a whole community," said Fatima Juma Haji, a solar engineer trainer at Barefoot college in Zanzibar. "When you educate a man, he will not stay in the village, he will go away but when you educate a woman, she goes back to her village and helps improve." Women on the project spend five months living and training at the college, after which they return to their villages and set up solar lighting systems for their family and neighbors. Households pay a few dollars a month for power a cheaper option than buying paraffin or electricity from the grid. Some of the money is used to pay the engineers a salary in return for maintaining the village's equipment and funds raised can also be plowed back into community projects. Women on the scheme said they had benefitted by gaining a stable income stream, and a new sense of independence and respect within their villages. "We have been given a better life because after we leave here, we will be engineers and will go back to teach others," said Haja. "When I go back I will have status. I will be knowledgeable and I will be proud." ($1 = 2,300.0000 Tanzanian shillings) (Writing by Sonia Elks @soniaelks; Editing by Belinda Goldsmith 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) By Sarah Shearman LONDON, May 21 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - The head of a restaurant in southwest England set up by Jamie Oliver to train unemployed young people as chefs vowed on Tuesday to "keep the light burning" after the celebrity chef's restaurant chain went into administration. Fifteen Cornwall is a social enterprise - a business that seeks to do good - and operates under a franchise, meaning it is not part of the chain now in administration. Its chief executive Matthew Thomson described the closure of a number of restaurants with the loss of 1,000 jobs as a "tragedy" and said it was a "very, very challenging time" for the industry. "Jamie is still doing some fantastic work and it is a real tragedy to hear about his restaurants today. We are committed to his vision still operating the same model he gave us, 13 years ago," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone. The venture was set up in 2006, four years after Oliver founded his first restaurant, Fifteen London, with a high-profile TV documentary charting the highs and lows of the endeavor. Fifteen London reinvested its profits in its training scheme, which helped 500 hundred apprentices, several of whom went on to become Michelin-starred chefs. The model of hiring and training disadvantaged people typically excluded from the workforce has been replicated by many other social enterprises since, solving a range of problems from homelessness to hunger. With people eating out less in Britain, increased competition and a squeeze on margins due to wage increases, Thomson said the past two years have been "very hard" for the business, which has trained about 130 chefs. Two other Fifteen restaurants were launched in Amsterdam and Melbourne, but both have since closed. Thomson said he hoped to keep the brand going in Cornwall. The combined turnover of Fifteen Cornwall and the Cornwall Food Foundation which owns it was 3.7 million in 2018, with the profits going towards training and community food projects, he said. Story continues "We have no reason to drop the brand and are utterly committed and if we end up being the only Jamie Oliver restaurant in Britain we'll be incredibly proud of that," he said. "We hope there is a way through these dark days we'll do anything we can to keep the light burning." Oliver said he was "deeply saddened by this outcome" which has left about 1,000 people without jobs. Administrators KPMG did not disclose how many of those were at Fifteen London. A spokeswoman for Jamie Oliver's business group declined to give further details. (Reporting by Sarah Shearman @Shearmans, Editing by Claire Cozens. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's and LGBT+ rights, human trafficking and slavery, property rights, social innovation, resilience and climate change. Visit http://news.trust.org to see more stories) Los Angeles (AFP) - A 16-year-old boy died Monday at a Border Patrol station in Texas, becoming the fifth child from Guatemala to die since December after being apprehended by US border patrol agents. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said the teen, who was detained in south Texas's Rio Grande Valley on May 13 after crossing the border, was found unresponsive at the agency's Weslaco Station during a welfare check. Authorities said the cause of death was unknown but local news reports said the boy had reported Sunday that he was not feeling well and he was seen by a nurse who determined he had the flu. He was prescribed the medicine Tamiflu and moved to the Weslaco facility to avoid other detainees getting sick. Agents last check on him about an hour before he was found dead. "The men and women of US Customs and Border Protection are saddened by the tragic loss of this young man and our condolences are with his family," CBP acting commissioner John Sanders said in a statement. "CBP is committed to the health, safety and humane treatment of those in our custody." The agency said the teen, identified as Carlos Gregorio Hernandez Vasquez, was due to be moved to a facility for youth run by the Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement. Under federal law, unaccompanied minors must be moved to an HHS facility within 72 hours of being detained. It was unclear why Vasquez had not been moved to such a facility within the required time period. The boy is the fifth child to have died in recent months after making the long journey from Guatemala to the US and being detained by border agents. The Border Patrol agency has come under intense scrutiny in recent months over its treatment of children apprehended at the border. Last week a two-year-old boy from Guatemala died at a hospital in Texas after he and his mother were detained by border patrol. In April, a 16-year-old boy from Guatemala died after staff at an HHS facility noticed he was sick and transferred him to a hospital. Story continues Rights groups denounced the latest death and demanded accountability. "It is appalling that children continue to die on US Border Patrol's watch," the American Civil Liberties Union said in a statement. "Keeping children in custody goes against our American values. "We've demanded that the Trump administration change its inhumane detention practices to prevent tragic deaths from happening." Amnesty International asked "how many deaths it will take for the administration to ensure the safety and security of children." "It is dangerous and cruel to detain people, particularly children, in crowded and unsanitary conditions for seeking protection," it added. Border enforcement officials earlier this year said the country's immigration system had reached a "breaking point" of illegal border crossings that have overwhelmed the system, especially in the Rio Grande Valley. We're one week into the 72th Edition of the Cannes Festival (which opened on May 14), and we've already witnessed a series of red carpet, private parties, fitting, photo shoots, and walks down the Croisette. Hollywood actresses, muses and models from all over the world have treated us to their Cannes escapades on social media, regaling us with their behind-the-scenes perspective on the famous fortnight. Have a look at some of the most memorable fashion moments from the first week, as seen through the lens of Instagram. Deepika Padukone's Massive Dress On Instagram, model-actress Deepika Padukone shared the journey of a Cannes red carpet dress, from its delivery in a garment bag to the hotel, to being worn on the Grand Staircase. And this isn't just any dress: the massive Giambattista Valli Haute Couture design, made up of several layers of tulle, allows us to appreciate the work that goes into walking through a hotel lobby and a few paces down the street -- let alone sitting in a car -- in such a dress. Eva Longoria's Regimented Schedule While the public only gets to see the glamour of the Grand Staircase and attendant parties, the Cannes Festival also requires monumental planning. The stars have to put in their time before hitting the red carpet. From the delivery of the dress, to the fitting, and then hair and makeup, each guest has to comply with a tight schedule to get to la Croisette on time, as demonstrated by Eva Longoria in a video posted to social networks, showing a number of assistants fussing over her hair while she sneaks in a snack. Barbara Meier's Glamour-Chic Hair Dessange Paris, the official hairdressing partner of the Cannes Festival's, handles the hairdressing needs of a large number of the personalities that parade on the Palais des festivals red carpet every night. In a video posted on its Instagram, Dessange shows off an A-to-Z guide to top model Barbara Meier's hairdo for the opening ceremony of the Festival's 72th edition. A series of meticulous steps ensure that her hair holds up through the evening. Story continues Isabeli Fontana goes full tourist While the climbing of the Croisette's Grand Staircase is a mandatory part of the stars' stay in Cannes, they are still just like the rest of us when visiting the French Riviera: tourists! Just ask Brazilian top model Isabeli Fontana, who took the time to meander through the city's streets, picking up postcards as souvenirs. The federal government has asked former president Olusegun Obasanjo to withdraw his recent comments which imputed ethno-religious motive to Boko Haram, ISWAP, terrorism in the country, as well as apologise to Nigerians. It was reported that Obasanjo on Saturday decried the high level of insecurity in Nigeria, stating that the Federal Government alone cannot tackle the menace. He regretted that both Boko Haram and herdsmen acts of violence were not treated as they should at the beginning. According to him, They have both incubated and developed beyond what Nigeria can handle alone. They are now combined and internationalized with ISIS in control. It is no longer an issue of lack of education and lack of employment for our youths in Nigeria which it began as, it is now West African fulanization, African Islamization and global organized crimes of human trafficking, money laundering, drug trafficking, gun trafficking, illegal mining and regime change. But reacting in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, averred that such indiscreet, deeply offensive and patently divisive comments are far below the status of an elder statesman. He added that, It is particularly tragic that a man who fought to keep Nigeria one is the same one seeking to exploit the countrys fault lines to divide it in the twilight of his life. The minister stated that Boko Haram and ISWAP are terrorist organisations pure and simple, adding that they care little about ethnicity or religion when perpetrating their senseless killings and destruction. Since the Boko Haram crisis, which has been simmering under the watch of Obasanjo, boiled over in 2009, the terrorist organisation has killed more Muslims than adherents of any other religion. The terrorist group has blown up more mosques than any other houses of worship and is not known to have spared any victim on the basis of their ethnicity. It is therefore absurd to say that Boko Haram and its ISWAP variant have as their goal the Fulanisation and Islamisation of Nigeria, West Africa or Africa, he said. Mohammed pointed out that President Muhammadu Buhari put to rest the mis-characterization of Boko Haram as an Islamic organisation when he said, in his inaugural speech in 2015, that Boko Haram is a mindless, godless group who are as far away from Islam as one can think of. He reiterated that Obasanjos comments were therefore, as insensitive and mischievous as they are as offensive and divisive in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country like Nigeria. It is wondering whether there is no limit to how far the former President will go in throwing poisonous darts at his perceived political enemies. The minister noted that Obasanjos prescriptions for ending the Boko Haram/ISWAP crisis, which include seeking assistance outside the shores of Nigeria, are coming several years late. He said President Buhari had done that and more since assuming office, hence, the phenomenal success he has recorded in tackling the terrorists. Shortly after assuming office in 2015, President Buharis first trips outside the country were to rally the support of Nigerias neighbours Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Niger for the efforts to battle the terrorists. The President also rallied the support of the international community, starting with the G7, and then the US, France and the UN. That explains the massive degrading of Boko Haram, which has since lost its capacity to carry out the kind of spectacular attacks for which it became infamous, and the recovery of every inch of captured Nigerian territory from the terrorists,he said. The Minister also noted that Obasanjos call for wide consultations with various groups as part of the efforts to tackle the Boko Haram crisis has been neutralised by his ill-advised comments which have served more to alienate a large number of Nigerians, who are offended by his tactless and distasteful postulation. He called on the former president, whom he said took bullets for Nigerias unity, not to allow personal animosity to override his love for a united Nigeria. ATMEH, Syria, May 21 (Reuters) - Ali al-Ahmed and his family fled on foot through the fields when the bombs began raining down on their house in northwestern Syria, escaping a major offensive by the Syrian army and its Russian allies. "In the early hours of the morning, the artillery stopped. Then the warplanes and helicopters came out," Ahmed, a 25-year-old farmer, said, recalling his last hours in the village of Habeet which he fled with his family of five dozen. Scattered during their frantic escape from the village, the family are now reunited in a makeshift shelter in an olive grove near the border with Turkey. They are among some of the 180,000 people uprooted by the military escalation. It marks the biggest upsurge in violence since last summer between President Bashar al-Assad and his insurgent enemies in Idlib province and a belt of territory around it. At least dozens of people have been killed; the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says unconfirmed reports indicate more than 170 civilians have lost their lives. The night before Ali's family left the village, they hid indoors or in basements. They feared moving around the village even to check whether other inhabitants were still alive. Shelling hit his small truck, which they had planned to escape in. "The warplane was flying overhead," he said. "So we stood there watching the truck burn." Then they set off through the fields: some of the relatives ran on foot. Others hopped into cars with their neighbors. A few stayed behind. "For three days, we didn't know anything about each other," Ali said. One of his neighbors managed to run away only to be hit when he reached the main highway, where his wife and children were killed. Air strikes have hit 18 health facilities and violence has destroyed at least 16 schools, the United Nations says. The territory is largely controlled by Tahrir al-Sham, a jihadist group representing the latest incarnation of the Nusra Front, formerly al Qaeda's Syrian wing. The Syrian government says it is responding to attacks by al Qaeda-linked jihadists. Story continues A few days after fleeing, Ali reunited with his four sisters and brothers, as well as some of their children who were lost. With help from neighbors and strangers, they gathered at a friend's house in north Idlib. The family ended up in an olive grove in the border town of Atmeh two weeks ago. "Our entire lives today are under these two trees," said Ali, who comes from the Hama countryside and had already been uprooted twice before during the eight-year war. They go out every day in search of farming work to make ends meet. At night, they try sending the children or women to sleep in other people's tents, said Ali's sister, Um Mohamad. The rest sleep out in the open. Neighbors told them al-Habeet was now almost deserted, houses had collapsed, and rubble had blocked the roads. "We didn't expect to come out alive," she said. (Reporting by Khalil Ashawi Writing by Ellen Francis Editing by Tom Perry and Mark Heinrich) Former 'Bachelor' star to be sentenced Chris Soules, who gained fame when he starred in the 2015 season of ABC's "The Bachelor," is scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday on a charge stemming from a deadly Iowa car crash. Soules, 36, was originally charged with a felony for leaving the scene of a deadly accident following an April 2017 nighttime collision that killed Kenny Mosher, 66, of Aurora, who was driving a farm tractor. He later avoided a trial by pleading guilty last year to the reduced charge of leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, an aggravated misdemeanor. Italian airport strike may cause headaches for travelers Aviation workers in Italy will stage a 24-hour strike on Tuesday, a move that has caused more than 300 upcoming flights to be canceled. Milan and Rome airports are expected to have the most flight cancellations, reports the Independent and The Sun. Alitalia, Italy's national airline, said in a news release that it will operate as scheduled during peak times between 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Italian time. The UKs largest budget airline, easyJet, has also canceled 30 flights Tuesday due to the strike. Former White House counsel Don McGahn to skip House Judiciary hearing The House Judiciary Committee had summoned Don McGahn, the White Houses former top lawyer, to testify before Congress on Tuesday about President Donald Trump's efforts to thwart the special counsel investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election. But the White House instructed McGahn not to testify and a lawyer for McGahn said he would follow the presidents directive and skip the hearing. It leaves the Democrats without a witness and a growing debate within the party about how to respond. The White House's instruction came after the Justice Department told White House lawyers that McGahn could not be forced to testify even after lawmakers issued a subpoena. It is the latest in a series of clashes between Trump and lawmakers seeking to investigate him. Story continues Alice Marie Johnson, inmate freed with help of Kim Kardashian West, to release book Alice Marie Johnson, an inmate whose life sentence was commuted thanks in part to the efforts of Kim Kardashian West, is set to release her book After Life: My Journey From Incarceration to Freedom on Tuesday. Kardashian West contributed a foreword to what Harper is calling an "honest, faith-driven memoir" and a "deep look into the systemic issue of mass incarceration." Johnson, a 63-year-old great-grandmother, served more than two decades of a life sentence without parole for non-violent offenses before President Donald Trump commuted her sentence last year. Kardashian West personally lobbied him in the Oval Office. Oculus Quest VR headset launches but will it go mainstream? Oculus Quest, a Facebook-owned virtual reality headset, has more than a punchers chance to help the consumer VR market get up off the canvas. The $399 self-contained VR headset is available starting Tuesday. Stephanie Llamas, head of VR/AR for Nielsens SuperData market research firm projects Quest, will be the best-selling VR headset this year, with still relatively-modest shipments of more than 1 million units worldwide. Despite mind-blowing technology, widespread consumer acceptance has proved to be anything but a reality for VR in the home. Some people have never warmed up to the idea of wearing headsets, which may make them feel uncomfortable, claustrophobic, even sick. Prefer to listen? Check out the 5 things podcast below and subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts: This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Former 'Bachelor' star sentenced, Don McGahn summoned before Congress: 5 things to know Tuesday PARIS (AP) A last-ditch appeal to the United Nations forced French doctors to resume life support Tuesday for a man who has been in a vegetative state for years and whose case has drawn attention across Europe. Vincent Lambert was critically injured in a 2008 car accident, and his parents and wife disagree on whether to keep him alive artificially. After years of legal battles, a team of doctors decided last year to stop giving him food and liquids and allow him to be sedated until death. Doctors stopped feeding him on Monday. But his parents appealed to the U.N. Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, arguing the 42-year-old should be treated as disabled. And in a surprise twist just hours after his feedings were halted, a Paris court ordered a freeze on previous rulings while the U.N. committee considers the case. That process could take years. Doctors resumed feedings Tuesday, the parents' lawyer told French media at the hospital in Reims east of Paris. The parents want Lambert transferred to facility for the disabled instead. The Lambert case has provoked national soul-searching over how to deal with terminally ill patients, and has drawn attention around Europe. It was central to the debate leading up to France's 2016 law on terminally ill patients. The law allows doctors to stop life-sustaining treatments, including artificial hydration and nutrition, and to keep them sedated until death. It stops short, however, of legalizing euthanasia or assisted suicide. The European Court of Human Rights and France's top administrative body had upheld the doctors' earlier decision to stop Lambert's life support, with the court finding the move did not violate Lambert's rights. Commenting on the case Tuesday, two top Vatican officials issued a joint statement saying that the provision of food and water to the sick was an "inescapable duty." "Suspending such care represents a form of abandonment, based on a pitiless judgment about the quality of life and an expression of a throwaway culture that selects the most fragile and defenseless people, without recognizing their individual, immense value," said Cardinal Kevin Farrell, in charge of Catholic laity, and the Vatican's top bioethics official, Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia. ___ Nicole Winfield in Rome contributed. Florida and Florida State extended their Sunshine Showdown rivalry through the 2022 season. The schools announced Tuesday that the Gators and Seminoles will continue their traditional Thanksgiving weekend slot. They will meet in Gainesville on Nov. 30, 2019 and Nov. 27, 2021, and in Tallahassee on Nov. 28, 2020 and Nov. 26, 2022. Florida holds a 35-26-2 lead in the all-time series that began in 1958. Florida State has won seven of the last nine, however, including four in a row at Florida. The Gators won the most recent meeting, a 41-14 decision in Tallahassee on Nov. 24, 2018. --Field Level Media New York (AFP) - "Game of Thrones" fans have been dissecting the series finale -- and complaining about it -- for two days now, but they may get another shot at elation, or disappointment. Author George R.R. Martin has suggested the ending could be very different from the one seen worldwide when he finally publishes the final two books in the saga. HBO showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss were forced to come up with their own climax to the blood-spattered tale of noble families vying for the Iron Throne when Martin stalled on his publishing. Though they had some guidance from Martin's advice, fans revolted over the eighth and final season of the Emmy-winning series, with nearly 1.4 million signing a petition asking for a do-over as of Tuesday. Fans have been waiting for the next book, "The Winds of Winter," for years. Martin says he's still writing it. After that, the final book will be called "A Dream of Spring." "I'm writing. Winter is coming, I told you, long ago and so it is. THE WINDS OF WINTER is very late, I know, I know, but it will be done," the 70-year-old Martin wrote in a blog post published late Monday. "I won't say when, I've tried that before, only to burn you all and jinx myself ... but I will finish it, and then will come A DREAM OF SPRING," he said. "How will it all end? I hear people asking. The same ending as the show? Different? Well ... yes. And no. And yes. And no. And yes. And no. And yes." Martin went on to say while Benioff and Weiss had a limited number of hours to wrap up the series, he will likely write "3,000 manuscript pages" for the final two books. "Book or show, which will be the 'real' ending? It's a silly question. How many children did Scarlett OHara have?" Martin wrote, referring to the difference between the book and film of "Gone with the Wind." "How about this? I'll write it. You read it. Then everyone can make up their own mind, and argue about it on the internet." In his blog post, Martin said he is working with HBO on the development of five new series, "some having nothing whatsoever to do with the world of Westeros." He also mentioned two shows in the works with streaming service Hulu and one for the History Channel. "Game of Thrones" fans have been dissecting the series finale -- and complaining about it -- for two days now, but they may get another shot at elation, or disappointment. Author George R.R. Martin has suggested the ending could be very different from the one seen worldwide when he finally publishes the final two books in the saga. HBO showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss were forced to come up with their own climax to the blood-spattered tale of noble families vying for the Iron Throne when Martin stalled on his publishing. Though they had some guidance from Martin's advice, fans revolted over the eighth and final season of the Emmy-winning series, with nearly 1.4 million signing a petition asking for a do-over as of Tuesday. Fans have been waiting for the next book, "The Winds of Winter," for years. Martin says he's still writing it. After that, the final book will be called "A Dream of Spring." "I'm writing. Winter is coming, I told you, long ago... and so it is. THE WINDS OF WINTER is very late, I know, I know, but it will be done," the 70-year-old Martin wrote in a blog post published late Monday. "I won't say when, I've tried that before, only to burn you all and jinx myself ... but I will finish it, and then will come A DREAM OF SPRING," he said. "How will it all end? I hear people asking. The same ending as the show? Different? Well ... yes. And no. And yes. And no. And yes. And no. And yes." Martin went on to say while Benioff and Weiss had a limited number of hours to wrap up the series, he will likely write "3,000 manuscript pages" for the final two books. "Book or show, which will be the 'real' ending? It's a silly question. How many children did Scarlett O'Hara have?" Martin wrote, referring to the difference between the book and film of "Gone with the Wind." "How about this? I'll write it. You read it. Then everyone can make up their own mind, and argue about it on the internet." In his blog post, Martin said he is working with HBO on the development of five new series, "some having nothing whatsoever to do with the world of Westeros." He also mentioned two shows in the works with streaming service Hulu and one for the History Channel. ALA Preps Libraries for the 2020 Census According to the U.S. Census Bureau, since 1790, the U.S. has conducted a decennial census counting the population in order to ascertain how Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers (Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution ). At the time of the first census, the U.S. population numbered 3,929,214 across 13 states, three districts (Maine, Kentucky, and Vermont), and one territory (Tennessee). It occurred more than a year after the inauguration of President Washington and shortly before the second session of the first Congress ended. Congress assigned responsibility for the 1790 census to the marshals of the U.S. judicial districts under an act which, with minor modifications and extensions, governed census taking through 1840. The law required that every household be visited, that completed census schedules be posted in two of the most public places within [each jurisdiction], there to remain for the inspection of all concerned and that the aggregate amount of each description of persons for every district be transmitted to the president. U.S. marshals were tasked with asking only six questions relating to the numbers of the following: Free White males of 16 years and upward (to assess the countrys industrial and military potential) Free White males under 16 years Free White females All other free persons Slaves The U.S. population now hovers around 327.2 million. Census data is still collected every 10 years, but it is primarily done via mail. If a mailed form is not returned, then a census worker will visit the property to attempt a count. Counting the homeless presents a unique challenge, so census workers investigate numbers of individuals at shelters or living on the streets. Rural communities also present a problem and are often visited by census workers to obtain a count. Libraries Role in the Census Today, collecting an accurate census is even more important than it was in the nations early years. The numbers are used to not only to determine representation in Congress and draw the districts for federal, state, and local offices, but also to ascertain the apportionment of the Electoral College. Even more so, the census remains critical for the allocation of billions of dollars of federal funding to both states and localities, including the important grants to states under the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). For the first time in the history of the census, starting in March 2020, the Census Bureau will urge users to submit answers online. Each household will receive a unique code to access the census online as well as the printed form. If a household does not have internet access, there are two alternative approaches: the printed form and the local library, where public terminals are available for internet access. In the past, libraries have served as key contact points for individuals seeking help with filling out the printed form. Now they may also need to provide terminals where users may access the online questionnaire. ALA is already preparing for the questions and potential for heavy usage of local libraries public terminals. As noted by Larra Clark, deputy director of policy for the ALA Office for Information Technology Policy (OITP) and the Public Library Association (PLA), ALA members and staff are developing resources and education to support the library field, coordinating directly with the Census Bureau and other stakeholders to raise awareness of library roles and needs, and advancing policymaking that will support libraries we serve in achieving a fair, accurate, and inclusive count in 2020. A Census Guide for Libraries On May 15, 2019, ALA released its Libraries Guide to the 2020 Census, described as a new resource to prepare libraries for the decennial count of every person living in the United States. A collaboration with The Center on Poverty and Inequality at Georgetown Law and ALAs 2020 Census Library Outreach and Education Task Force, the guide includes the following: basic information about the census process; highlights of new components in the 2020 Census, such as the online response option; frequently asked questions; a timeline of key Census dates; contact information and links to additional resources. The guide addresses ways libraries can support the collection of accurate and thorough census data and how as community hubs, they are uniquely positioned to help their constituencies work through the census process. Basic steps outlined in the initial section represent and explain critical benchmarks in the census process and provide the timelines for each deliverable. The steps include updating the address list, soliciting responses, and following up. Questions that will be asked in the census are also described in the guide, particularly if the question has changed significantly since the last census. For instance, for the first time in census history, individuals may use the form to indicate a same-sex relationship with a member of their household. A proposedbut controversialquestion requested for the 2020 Census by the Secretary of Commerce would ask whether or not an individual is a citizen. The Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling in June 2019 on whether this question should be included in the census. Throughout the guide, tips and other factoids are listed. For example: Young children (ages 05) are considered hard-to-count. In particular, young Black and Hispanic children were overlooked at roughly twice the rate as young, non-Hispanic White children in the 2010 Census. The online 2020 Census questionnaire will be available in 13 languages (Arabic, Chinese [Simplified], English, French, Haitian Creole, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese). 99% of hard-to-count census tracts have a public library located within five miles. This is just the beginning. Libraries will remain front and center throughout the entire census collection process. For additional information on the census and to subscribe to the census newsletter, see ALAs 2020 Census webpage. Berlin (AFP) - German police on Tuesday will hand over to Israel thousands of stolen papers and manuscripts belonging to Max Brod, the friend and literary executor of Czech writer Franz Kafka. Brod, who died in Tel Aviv in 1968, is primarily responsible for Kafka's success as one of the 20th century's most influential writers, having published many of his works after the writer's death in 1924. Prague-born Brod had fled from Adolf Hitler's Nazi regime to Tel Aviv in 1939, carrying Kafka's estate in his suitcase, even though the writer of "The Trial" had insisted his works be destroyed after his death. A ceremony in Berlin at the residence of Israeli Ambassador Jeremy Issacharoff on Tuesday will see German police hand thousands of Brod's personal papers over to the National Library of Israel. It will end a decade-long struggle to retrieve the missing Brod papers which, according to Israel's National Library, were stolen 10 years ago in Tel Aviv. The documents, letters and memoirs re-emerged in 2013, when two Israelis approached the German Literary Archives in Marbach, and private collectors, with a huge collection of unpublished documents belonging to Brod. The significance of the papers, including a postcard from Kafka sent to Brod in 1910, quickly emerged and they were confiscated after an attempted sale. "The authorities were notified and it became clear that the some 5,000 pages of documents were part of Brod's private archive and had been stolen," the Israeli embassy in Berlin said in a statement. - 'Cultural who's who' - Last January, a court in Wiesbaden ruled that the papers should be handed back to Israel's national library. "The correspondence found in the archive is extensive and impressive," said Dr Stefan Litt, the library's archivist and humanities collection curator. "It can be characterised as a type of 'who's who' of the European cultural world in the first four decades of the twentieth century." Story continues The manuscripts, including unpublished passages from Brod's diary and early correspondence with his wife, could provide further insight into the life of Kafka, whose best known works also include "The Castle". When Brod died in 1968, he left his personal papers and Kafka's manuscripts to his secretary Esther Hoffe. After her death in 2007, aged 101, the papers went to her daughter Eva, from whom part of the collection was stolen. Over time, the collection was split into three locations: an Israeli bank vault, a Swiss bank safe in Zurich and Eva Hoffe's flat in Tel Aviv. According to reports, she lived with nearly a dozen cats with the priceless collection of papers partly stored in a switched off refrigerator. Some 35 boxes of the Kafka/Bord archive were removed from her flat when she died in 2018. The return of the papers on Tuesday will be the latest milestone in the Max Brod Archive saga. Courts in Israel, Germany and Switzerland have determined the archive should be safeguarded at Jerusalem's National Library where, in accordance with Brod's wishes, it can be preserved and made available to the public. Berlin (AFP) - German police on Tuesday handed over to Israel thousands of stolen papers and manuscripts belonging to Max Brod, the friend and literary executor of Czech writer Franz Kafka. Brod, who died in Tel Aviv in 1968, played a crucial role in Kafka's success as one of the 20th century's key literary figures, having published many of his works after the writer's death in 1924. Prague-born Brod had fled Adolf Hitler's Nazi regime for Tel Aviv in 1939, carrying Kafka's estate in his suitcase, even though the German-speaking Jewish writer of "The Trial" and "The Metamorphosis" had insisted his works be destroyed after his death. "It is possible that Kafka's works would have remained hidden from the world without his efforts," said Israeli Ambassador Jeremy Issacharoff during the handover ceremony at his Berlin residence. German police handed three suitcases with thousands of Brod's personal papers over to the National Library of Israel in what Issacharoff described as "an act of historical justice". It ended a decade-long struggle to retrieve the missing Brod papers which the Library says were stolen 10 years ago in Tel Aviv. The documents, letters and memoirs re-emerged in 2013, when two Israelis approached the German Literary Archives in Marbach, and private collectors, with a huge collection of unpublished documents belonging to Brod. During an investigation, officers found the "yellowed documents stored in old suitcases between all sorts of junk," said Peter Henzler of Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office. The significance of the papers, including a postcard from Kafka sent to Brod in 1910, quickly emerged and they were confiscated. "The authorities were notified and it became clear that the some 5,000 pages of documents were part of Brod's private archive and had been stolen," said the Israeli embassy in a statement. - 'Cultural who's who' - Story continues Last January, a court in Wiesbaden ruled that the papers should be handed back to Israel's National Library. "The correspondence found in the archive is extensive and impressive," said Stefan Litt, the library's archivist and curator of its humanities collection. "It can be characterised as a type of 'who's who' of the European cultural world in the first four decades of the 20th century." The manuscripts, including unpublished passages from Brod's diary and early correspondence with his wife, could provide further insight into the life of Kafka, whose best known works also include "The Castle". When Brod died in 1968, he left his personal papers and Kafka's manuscripts to his secretary Esther Hoffe. After her death in 2007, aged 101, the papers went to her daughter Eva, from whom part of the collection was stolen. Over time, the collection was split into three locations: an Israeli bank vault, a Swiss bank in Zurich and Eva Hoffe's flat in Tel Aviv. According to reports, she lived with nearly a dozen cats with the priceless collection of papers partly stored in a switched off refrigerator. Some 35 boxes of the Kafka/Bord archive were removed from her flat when she died in 2018. The return of the papers on Tuesday was the latest milestone in the Max Brod Archive saga, while some of Kafka's papers could also soon be heading to Israel. In a separate case, rare manuscripts and drawings by Kafka are to be released from a Swiss bank following a ruling last April. "The court in Zurich has acknowledged that the contents of these private safes must be handed over to our institution," Litt added in Berlin. "It may still take some time. It is a complicated matter." By David Stanway SHANGHAI (Reuters) - A prominent Chinese environmental group has called on chemicals multinationals to stop "cutting corners" by outsourcing business to Chinese suppliers that violate safety regulations after an investigation into a deadly explosion at a factory in March. In a new study, the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs (IPE) said it had identified global chemical producers among indirect buyers of products made at the Jiangsu Tianjiayi chemical plant, at Yancheng on China's eastern coast. The IPE is a non-governmental organisation which has a close relationship with China's environment ministry. The factory was shut for good after the March 21 blast. China's cabinet has set up a special team to investigate the incident and at least 26 people have already been detained. IPE's investigation named German conglomerate Merck among indirect buyers of Tianjiayi products, while Swiss chemicals firm Lonza previously confirmed Tianjiayi was one of its major suppliers. Asked to comment on the IPE report, Merck called Tianjiayi a "tier two supplier" and said it was still assessing the situation. China's massive chemical sector plays a vital role in the supply of basic products widely used across the world, many of which are hazardous. Tianjiayi was a major manufacturer of products like 1,3-dinitrobenzene, used to make explosives, and M-phenylenediamine, a key polymer component. But IPE said international firms had created a "powerful engine for continued irresponsible operations around the country" and they must ensure they buy only from factories that meet safety standards. Officials told Reuters that oversight failures were partly caused by the inability of regulators to keep up with the chemical sector's rapid growth, with demand soaring at home and overseas. 'LOOPHOLE' Ma Jun, IPE's director, said China's economic slowdown had encouraged local authorities to allow non-compliant firms like Tianjiayi to resume operations, but improving enforcement wasn't the only issue. Data and information exist to allow multinational firms to make informed decisions about suppliers rather than focusing only on costs. Story continues "We all recognise the real problem is not about someone being immoral, and more a dynamic that basically rewards those who cut corners," Ma told Reuters. "Those who have gained the most from globalised outsourcing practices are basically taking advantage of a loophole instead of joining efforts to solve the problem," he added. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment did not respond immediately to a faxed request for comment on the IPE report. Also named in the IPE report as buyers of Tianjiayi goods were U.S. chemical conglomerate DuPont, Switzerland's Clariant and Germany's BASF. The report said BASF and Clariant sourced Tianjiayi chemicals via China's Hifi Chemical Co., which has confirmed it was one of Tianjiayi's major customers. A Hifi sales official told Reuters that BASF and Clariant were among its clients. Clariant said it was still investigating but Tianjiayi was not a "direct supplier". BASF said, "After an initial internal audit, we did not find Tianjiayi Chemical as the supplier to BASF in China." DuPont didn't immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment, but IPE wrote in its report that it had been told by DuPont that the firm had "no business relationship" with Tianjiayi. After the March accident, the Chenjiagang industrial park where Tianjiayi was located was found to be rife with violations and shut down. Jiangsu is now planning a wider crackdown to eliminate hundreds of small-scale chemical producers. "Among the 400 chemical factories in this chemical industrial park and two others in adjacent regions, more than 300 had records of violations in our database," said Ma. IPE tracks corporate environmental violations nationwide in a database followed closely by the environment ministry. "If the brands continue only wanting to buy from the cheapest, then they become part of the problem," he added. (Reporting by David Stanway; Additional reporting by Shanghai newsroom; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell) Global sea levels could rise by almost 6ft by 2100 twice as much as had previously been predicted threatening major cities and displacing hundreds of millions of people, a study published Monday warned. The upper limit for sea level rise by 2100 has previously been estimated between 1.7 and 3.2ft. the range given in the fifth assessment report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the leading international body for the assessment of climate change, in 2013. But many scientists believe that was a conservative estimate. The rate of glacier melt in Greenland and Antartica is accelerating, and the authors of the report say current prediction models dont account for significant uncertainties in how melting ice sheets could affect sea level rise. To get a better understanding, an international group of researchers compiled a structured expert judgement study, using expert understanding of what is happening to glaciers to predict a broader range of possibilities than those considered in the IPCC report. The researchers estimate that, if emissions of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide continue to grow unchecked, causing global temperatures to increase by about 5C over pre-industrial levels, sea levels in 2100 would be 1.6 to 5.8ft higher than they are today. There is around a 5% chance we would hit the upper end of that range, the study said. In the worst-case scenario, 691,120 square miles of land around seven times the size of the United Kingdom could be swallowed up by the sea. Large parts of low-lying countries like Bangladesh would become uninhabitable, while critical areas for food production would be lost. Major cities, including New York and London, would also be threatened. Such land loss would cause the displacement of around 187 million people. To put this into perspective, the Syrian refugee crisis resulted in about a million refugees coming into Europe, the studys lead author, Professor Jonathan Bamber of the University of Bristol, told the BBC. That is about 200 times smaller than the number of people who would be displaced in a 2m sea-level rise. There is still time to prevent the more extreme scenarios of sea level rise, the study stressed. If we manage to limit global temperature increase below 2C, in line with the Paris Agreement, the researchers estimate a sea level rise of 0.8 2.7 ft by 2100. Google has changed its advertising policy after facing scrutiny for providing tens of thousands of dollars in free advertising to an anti-abortion group that runs misleading ads designed to deter women from terminating their pregnancies. Google announced this week that starting in June, advertisers running ads using keywords related to getting an abortion will first have to distinguish themselves as an organization that either provides abortions or does not provide abortions, according to the new policy update. Related: Irish anti-abortion campaigners dodge Google's ad ban The policy change comes after the Guardian revealed the Obria Group ran ads suggesting it provides abortion services at its medical clinics, but actually sought to deter abortion-minded women from terminating their pregnancies. Obria runs a network of clinics known as crisis pregnancy centers across the US that provide some prenatal treatment, such as pregnancy tests, ultrasounds and counseling, but also seek to deter women from seeking abortions and do not offer referrals for alternative treatment. Obria was awarded a $120,000 Google advertising grant in 2015, according to a public filing. In 2011, it received nearly $32,000. The report led to pressure from lawmakers in Washington, who denounced the intentional misinformation campaigns of organizations such as the Obria Group. Carolyn Maloney, a senior Democratic congresswoman from New York, said in a letter sent to Googles chief executive, Sundar Pichai, that she was appalled by the report in the Guardian that Google awarded $150,000 in free advertising to the Obria Group, which Maloney said had a history of falsely advertising medical services to women. Google should in no way be subsidizing any misinformation campaigns, especially campaigns designed to deceive women about their own reproductive care options, Maloney said in her letter to Pichai. Your continued support of Obria Groups intentional misinformation campaigns denies women access to truthful information about their medical choices, she added. Story continues The letter was jointly signed with Suzanne Bonamici, a Democratic congresswoman from Oregon. Google had already come under pressure in the past for running advertisements that appear to violate its own policies against misrepresentation in advertising, yet the company continued to publish ads for clinics that seem to offer abortion services but are actually opposed to terminations and try to dissuade women from seeking them out. Pro-choice groups have welcomed the policy change. Fake womens health centers have a well-documented history of using lies and deception to push medically inaccurate information and prevent women from accessing essential healthcare, said Adrienne Kimmell, vice president of NARAL Pro-Choice America. People turn to the internet for information at vulnerable moments in their lives, and its important that women are able to trust Google for access to accurate and safe information, not deceptive websites and advertisements that hide their true ideology and agenda. According to the new Google policy, advertisers must get certified by submitting an application that requires basic information about the organization. Depending on how youre certified, Google will automatically generate one of the following in-ad disclosures for your abortion product or service ads: Provides abortions or Does not provide abortions, the new policy reads. The disclosures will show on all search ad formats. This added transparency will help ensure that users have the necessary information to decide which abortion-related ads are most relevant to them. Adrian Horton contributed to this report WASHINGTON (AP) Top House Republican Kevin McCarthy says Rep. Justin Amash, the lone Republican to call for President Donald Trump's impeachment, is an outlier. But neither he nor the most conservative House members are punishing the Michigan Republican. And Amash isn't backing down. Amash told The Associated Press Tuesday that "their pressure doesn't have influence" on him, adding, "I really am not concerned about what Kevin McCarthy thinks about it." McCarthy told the AP that Amash has long voted in conflict with Republicans, including on Trump's failed attempt to declare a national emergency to build his border wall. Amash, a libertarian, is a founding member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus and remains a member of the group. The caucus voted to condemn his comments on impeachment, but did not oust him. Tokyo Grill. | Photo: Tiffany J./Yelp Spending time in Berclair-Highland Heights? Get to know this Memphis neighborhood by browsing its most popular local eateries, from a snow cone stand to a submarine sandwich shop. Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top places to visit in Berclair-Highland Heights, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of neighborhood businesses. Read on for the results. 1. Jerry's Sno Cones Photo: chas j./Yelp Topping the list is Jerry's Sno Cones, a spot to score ice cream, frozen yogurt and shaved snow, as well as burgers, funnel cakes and more. Located at 1657 Wells Station Road, this throw-back snow cone stand is the highest-rated business in the neighborhood, boasting 4.5 stars out of 269 reviews on Yelp. 2. Tokyo Grill Photo: andy c./Yelp Next up is sushi bar and Japanese spot Tokyo Grill, situated at 4514 Summer Ave., Suite 4. With 4.5 stars out of 77 reviews on Yelp, it's proven to be a local favorite. Tokyo Grill is open for lunch and dinner daily. 3. Highland Super Submarine Sandwich Shop Photo: cameron Y./Yelp Sandwich spot Highland Super Submarine Sandwich Shop is another top choice. Yelpers give the business, located at 3316 Summer Ave., 4.5 stars out of 76 reviews. This spot has built its reputation on foot-long subs made on tasty, fresh bread. 4. Arepas Deliciosas Photo: molly p./Yelp Arepas Deliciosas, a Colombian spot, is another much-loved neighborhood go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 43 Yelp reviews. This spot serves up Latin American classics, like arepas and empanadas. Head over to 3698 Summer Ave. to see for yourself. 5. La Guadalupana Photo: payton K./Yelp Check out La Guadalupana, which has earned four stars out of 131 reviews on Yelp. You can find the Mexican spot which serves up authentic favorites like pozole and tortas, as well as beer and breakfast at 4818 Summer Ave. 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. By Chris Kahn (Reuters) - Half of all Americans believe that the United States will go to war with Iran "within the next few years," according to a Reuters/Ipsos public opinion poll released on Tuesday amid increased tensions between the two countries. While Americans are more concerned about Iran as a security threat to the United States now than they were last year, few would be in favour of a pre-emptive attack on the Iranian military. But if Iran attacked U.S. military forces first, four out of five believed the United States should respond militarily in a full or limited way, the May 17-20 poll showed. Historically tense relations between Washington and Tehran worsened in May after U.S. President Donald Trump hardened his anti-Iran stance and restored all sanctions on Iranian oil exports following his decision a year ago to pull the United States out of a 2015 international nuclear accord with Tehran. The United States moved an aircraft carrier and forces to the Gulf region in response to intelligence that Iran may be plotting against U.S. interests, an assertion Iran denies. Nearly half - 49% - of all Americans disapprove of how Republican Trump is handling relations with Iran, the poll found, with 31% saying they strongly disapprove. Overall, 39% approve of Trump's policy. The survey showed that 51% of adults felt that the United States and Iran would go to war within the next few years, up 8 percentage points from a similar poll published last June. In this year's poll, Democrats and Republicans were both more likely to see Iran as a threat and to say war was likely. Iran was characterized by 53% of adults in the United States as either a "serious" or "imminent" threat, up 6 percentage points from a similar poll from last July. In comparison, 58% of Americans characterized North Korea as a threat and 51% characterized Russia as a threat. Despite their concerns, 60% of Americans said the United States should not conduct a pre-emptive attack on the Iranian military, while 12% advocate for striking first. Story continues If Iran attacked, however, 79% said that the U.S. military should retaliate: 40% favoured a limited response with airstrikes, while 39% favoured a full invasion. Both the United States and Iran have said they do not want war, although there have been bellicose statements from both. Despite Trump's decision to withdraw, the poll showed 61% of Americans still supported the 2015 deal between Iran and world powers to curb Iran's potential pathway to a nuclear bomb in return for sanctions relief. Republicans also favoured the accord negotiated by the Democratic administration of President Barack Obama, with a little more than half saying they supported it. Gulf allies and U.S. government officials have said they believe Iran-backed groups are responsible for a series of attacks on shipping and pipelines in the Gulf in the last week. Trump has said he would like to negotiate with the Islamic Republic's leaders. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani rejected talks on Tuesday and has said "economic war" is being waged against Iran. The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted online in English throughout the United States. It gathered responses from 1,007 adults, including 377 Democrats and 313 Republicans, and has a credibility interval, a measure of precision, of 4 percentage points. To see a copy of the full poll results and methodology, click here: https://tmsnrt.rs/2WUpjFT (Reporting by Chris Kahn; Editing by Mary Milliken and Grant McCool) This article is written for those who want to get better at using price to earnings ratios (P/E ratios). We'll show how you can use Gujarat Industries Power Company Limited's (NSE:GIPCL) P/E ratio to inform your assessment of the investment opportunity. Looking at earnings over the last twelve months, Gujarat Industries Power has a P/E ratio of 4.5. That is equivalent to an earnings yield of about 22%. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! See our latest analysis for Gujarat Industries Power How Do I Calculate Gujarat Industries Power's Price To Earnings Ratio? The formula for price to earnings is: Price to Earnings Ratio = Price per Share Earnings per Share (EPS) Or for Gujarat Industries Power: P/E of 4.5 = 75.7 16.84 (Based on the year to March 2019.) Is A High P/E Ratio Good? A higher P/E ratio means that buyers have to pay a higher price for each 1 the company has earned over the last year. That isn't necessarily good or bad, but a high P/E implies relatively high expectations of what a company can achieve in the future. How Growth Rates Impact P/E Ratios Earnings growth rates have a big influence on P/E ratios. That's because companies that grow earnings per share quickly will rapidly increase the 'E' in the equation. Therefore, even if you pay a high multiple of earnings now, that multiple will become lower in the future. Then, a lower P/E should attract more buyers, pushing the share price up. Gujarat Industries Power's earnings made like a rocket, taking off 53% last year. Having said that, the average EPS growth over the last three years wasn't so good, coming in at 11%. How Does Gujarat Industries Power's P/E Ratio Compare To Its Peers? We can get an indication of market expectations by looking at the P/E ratio. If you look at the image below, you can see Gujarat Industries Power has a lower P/E than the average (9.1) in the renewable energy industry classification. Story continues NSEI:GIPCL Price Estimation Relative to Market, May 21st 2019 This suggests that market participants think Gujarat Industries Power will underperform other companies in its industry. While current expectations are low, the stock could be undervalued if the situation is better than the market assumes. It is arguably worth checking if insiders are buying shares, because that might imply they believe the stock is undervalued. Don't Forget: The P/E Does Not Account For Debt or Bank Deposits One drawback of using a P/E ratio is that it considers market capitalization, but not the balance sheet. So it won't reflect the advantage of cash, or disadvantage of debt. Theoretically, a business can improve its earnings (and produce a lower P/E in the future) by investing in growth. That means taking on debt (or spending its cash). While growth expenditure doesn't always pay off, the point is that it is a good option to have; but one that the P/E ratio ignores. Is Debt Impacting Gujarat Industries Power's P/E? Gujarat Industries Power has net debt worth 14% of its market capitalization. That's enough debt to impact the P/E ratio a little; so keep it in mind if you're comparing it to companies without debt. The Bottom Line On Gujarat Industries Power's P/E Ratio Gujarat Industries Power has a P/E of 4.5. That's below the average in the IN market, which is 15.1. The company hasn't stretched its balance sheet, and earnings growth was good last year. If it continues to grow, then the current low P/E may prove to be unjustified. Investors should be looking to buy stocks that the market is wrong about. If it is underestimating a company, investors can make money by buying and holding the shares until the market corrects itself. So this free report on the analyst consensus forecasts could help you make a master move on this stock. But note: Gujarat Industries Power may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with strong recent earnings growth (and a P/E ratio below 20). 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 Fourth Estate. | Photo: David K./Yelp There's a little something for everyone coming up on the events calendar this week. From a free film screening to a panel discussion on the impact of fuel cells, here are some solid options to help you get out and about in the days ahead. 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. iStand 2019 International Parents Conference and Embassy Walk From the event description: The 2019 International Parents Conference and Embassy Walk harnesses the power of love and collective action to empower parents of children who are internationally abducted or wrongfully retained. Parents engage with each other, members of Congress, federal agency officials, diplomats, NGOs and other key stakeholders to prevent and end international parental child abduction and to bring children home. iStand Parent Network is coordinating with each attendee to schedule meetings with key House and Senate offices in advance. When: Wednesday, May 22, 8 a.m. Where: U.S. Institute of Peace, 2301 Constitution Ave. NW Admission: $50 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Kevin Kwan Film Screening From the event description: The Library of Congress will host Kevin Kwan, international best-selling author of the "Crazy Rich Asian" trilogy, in conversation with Roswell Encina, the librarys chief communication officer, for an evening with the author. Join us for an entertaining conversation about the authors life from Singapore to New York and how the first book became the inspiration for the major motion picture. A screening of "Crazy Rich Asians" will precede the conversation, with a book signing to follow. When: Wednesday, May 22, 4-6 p.m. Where: Coolidge Auditorium, Ground Floor, Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St., SE Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets How Fuel Cells Could Impact Vehicles, Buildings and Utilities Story continues From the event description: Hosted by Carnegie Mellon University's Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation, this policy briefing will provide guidance to policymakers who make decisions related to energy, transportation and buildings. Breakfast will be available. CMU researchers will provide a detailed assessment of the current and expected future costs and performance of automotive proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) and stationary solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). A panel discussion will follow. When: Thursday, May 23, 8-9:30 a.m. Where: Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2044, 45 Independence Ave. SW Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Pok Pok Noodles Dinner at The Fourth Estate Restaurant From the event description: James Beard Award-winning chef Andy Ricker, whose Pok Pok Thai restaurants in Portland and New York have drawn critical acclaim, will launch his new Thai cookbook at this event. The dinner will feature dishes from Ricker's "Pok Pok Noodles" cookbook, which offers a guide to making iconic Thai dishes at home along with stunning location photos and the stories behind the food. Dinner will be served family-style, in the Thai fashion, at 7 p.m. Tickets include a copy of Pok Pok Noodles. During the dinner, Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian will host a discussion with Ricker about his restaurants, his travel and his devotion to Thai food and culture. When: Thursday, May 23, 6:30-9 p.m. Where: The Fourth Estate restaurant at The National Press Club, 529 14th St. NW, Floor 13 Admission: $95 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Shocking Minerals: From Meteorite Impacts to Exoplanets From the event description: In shock-wave experiments, high-powered lasers or guns are used to send a supersonic pressure wave through a sample. This type of dynamic compression can generate immense pressure and allows for the study of impact phenomena in real time. These experiments have wide applications for Earth and planetary science, ranging from understanding the effects of meteorite impacts to studying the structure of planetary interiors. Dynamic experiments are short-lived, generally having a duration of tens of billionths of a second. This requires the development of ultrafast experiments. With Dr. Sally June Tracy, staff scientist, Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution for Science. When: Thursday, May 23, 6:30-7:45 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. Where: Greenewalt Auditorium, 5251 Broad Branch Road NW Admission: Free; $10 suggested donation Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Better dentistry does exist Not all dentists in San Francisco provide you with the same experience, which is why we make your life easier by rewarding you with a $50 gift card for visiting one of the top rated dentists in your area on Opencare. Don't believe us? Opencare is also proud to offer a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so if your new dentist doesn't live up to the hype, we'll also reimburse you up to $100 to cover your appointment costs! Click here to book an appointment and claim your $50 reward 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. BENGHAZI, Libya (AP) After years of assassinations, bombings and militia firefights, Libya's eastern city of Benghazi finally feels safe again but security has come at a heavy cost. Uniformed police are out at major intersections, cafes and restaurants stay open late into the night, and local groups hold art exhibitions and festivals. But the city center lies in ruins, thousands remain displaced, and forces loyal to commander Khalifa Hifter, who now controls eastern Libya, have cracked down on dissent. Benghazi offers a glimpse of what may befall the capital, Tripoli, where Hifter's forces launched an offensive last month against rival militias loosely allied with a weak, U.N.-recognized government. Its fate could also harden the resolve of Hifter's opponents who view him as an aspiring dictator and further imperil U.N. efforts to peacefully reunite the country. Hifter's forces have met stiff resistance on the outskirts of Tripoli, and experts say that despite considerable international support, he is unlikely to succeed in defeating his rivals in the west or unifying the country. They point out that even in the east, his forces rely on local militias as well as ultraconservative Islamists known as Salafists. Benghazi was the epicenter of the Arab Spring uprising in 2011 that toppled and killed long-ruling dictator Moammar Gadhafi. But in the years after his ouster, the city and much of the country came to be ruled by a patchwork of armed groups: local and tribal militias, nationalist and mainstream Islamist groups, as well as al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. Extremists attacked the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi on September 11, 2012, killing U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans. Hifter served as a senior officer under Gadhafi but defected in the 1980s during the ruinous war with Chad, in which he and hundreds of soldiers were captured in an ambush. He later spent more than two decades in the suburbs of Washington, where he is widely believed to have worked with the CIA, before returning to join the uprising in 2011. He eventually built up forces known as the Libyan National Army. Story continues In February 2014, he declared the start of an operation to root out the militias and unify the country. Four months later, when it appeared they would lose influence in a disputed election, Islamist and other factions in Tripoli launched an attack on their rivals, eventually splitting the country into rival authorities in the east and west, each beholden to an array of militias. ___ "BACK TO NORMAL" Hifter's prominence rose as his forces battled extremists and other rival factions across eastern Libya, and the parliament there eventually recognized him as the head of its armed forces, giving him the rank of field marshal. He also gained the support of Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, as well as France and Russia , all of which came to see him as a key ally against extremists and are widely believed to have provided weapons and other support despite a U.N. arms embargo. His opponents in western Libya are believed to have gotten aid from Qatar and Turkey. Today his forces are firmly in control of the country's east, and the near-daily assassinations, abductions and shootings that once terrified Benghazi's residents are a thing of the past. Billboards and posters showing Hifter in full military regalia line the streets with so many placed along the airport road that many jokingly refer to the display as Hifter's Instagram page. "In 2019 we have recorded no terrorist attacks or assassinations in Benghazi, which was a daily event back before the LNA took control over the city," said Maj. Tarek Alkarraz, spokesman for the Interior Ministry in the east. He added that the city of Derna, which was under IS control, was similar. "Now life is back to normal and it's safe and secure." Streets are cleaner, garbage is being collected and the electricity cuts out far less often than it did at the height of the fighting. Outside the devastated city center, modern shopping malls have sprung up, as well as upscale seafood and Turkish restaurants. Local ride-booking services are modeled on Uber and Careem. "The only thing that matters is safety, which we are enjoying, thank God," said Wanees Amgadah, a retired teacher. "The whole east, and God willing even the west, will be safe with the help of God, thanks to our soldiers." ___ INSPIRED BY EGYPT'S EL-SISSI Hifter has modeled his rule on that of President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, his close ally in neighboring Egypt, who led the overthrow of an elected but divisive Islamist president in 2013. Both have declared war on terrorism applying the term not only to extremist groups but more moderate Islamists. El-Sissi has launched an unprecedented crackdown on dissent, jailing thousands of people and heavily restricting independent media and civil society. "The LNA primarily emphasize stability and deem the Muslim Brotherhood and their allies and associates as a security threat," said Claudia Gazzini, a Libya expert at the International Crisis Group. "This is a very vague term and this brand could be slapped on anyone who opposes the LNA." A human rights activist in Benghazi, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, said the security forces are more aggressive than at any point since Gadhafi's time, restricting the movement of activists and NGO workers, and regularly bringing them in for interrogation. In a report issued last month, the Tripoli-based Libyan Center for Freedom of the Press documented 29 attacks on reporters by Hifter's forces over the past year and a half, more than any other armed group. Hifter's forces "prohibit all the media and journalists who are not loyal to it, and thus totally curtail all civilian state aspects in eastern Libya," it said. The report said more than 80 journalists have fled the country since 2014. Across Libya, it said, "journalists now face one of three options: to work under threat, or observe silence and not talk about the threats they face, or abandon their profession." Hifter's supporters insist the LNA is not seeking to rule the country, but to rebuild the state and create the conditions for elected government. "Our goal is not to rule or to establish a military government," Abdulhadi Lahweej, the foreign minister in the eastern government, told The Associated Press earlier this month. "We want a civil state based on institutions and human rights. We want a government that the Libyan people choose and we will approve of whatever the people choose." Egypt has also held elections under el-Sissi, but they resulted in a parliament packed with his supporters, which earlier this year approved constitutional changes allowing him to potentially remain in office until 2030. El-Sissi was re-elected last year in a vote in which all potentially serious competitors were either arrested or pressured into withdrawing from the race. After years of unrest, many Libyans may prefer that kind of stability. "Is it possible to achieve democracy in the presence of two and a half million weapons?" asks Ahmed Almahdawi, an independent political analyst based in Benghazi. "I don't think so." Younis Fanoush, a Benghazi lawmaker who recently helped launch an independent political party backing the LNA, said the only hope of establishing a civil state is to first defeat the militias. He says the armed groups "chose to destroy any hope for establishing a democratic state and drafting a constitution. Now the only way is forward, and this war is a must to remove these cancerous entities from the capital." ___ Krauss reported from Cairo. Butembo (DR Congo) (AFP) - People in Ebola-hit eastern DR Congo are struggling to come to terms with high-security burials that are part of a hard-pressed strategy to roll back the disease. Anyone who dies of the highly infectious haemorrhagic fever has to be buried in carefully-controlled conditions designed to minimise the risk of infection from body fluids. But that means ceremonies are carried out in sanitised conditions, with relatives and friends kept at a distance -- for many, a traumatic break with traditions that demand the body of a loved-one be seen or touched. "We're astonished she's being buried like this," said Denise Kahambu as she watched the specially-prepared burial in Butembo of her 50-year-old cousin, Marie-Rose. "They said she died of Ebola," she said sceptically. First declared last August, the epidemic has now claimed nearly 1,200 lives -- 200 of them in May alone. The outbreak is the second deadliest on record, after an epidemic that killed more than 11,300 people in West Africa in 2014-16. The burial in Butembo followed strict precautions. A pick-up truck delivered the coffin to the burial site, where a grave had been prepared, as the family stood by at a distance. Gloved Red Cross workers handled the burial, which took place in silence and without a religious ceremony. A family member or loved one was allowed only to place a cross on the tomb, once they too had donned protective gloves. Half a dozen police officers escorted the convoy and remained on guard throughout. On Friday, two burial teams from the treatment centres were attacked by stone-throwing crowds at Butembo and Bunia, a little further north in Ituri province, according to the health ministry. One burial worker was injured. - Culture shock - "The custom is that the body of the deceased first returns to the home. And once people have mourned, they have the chance to touch the body for the last time," said Seros Muyisa Kamathe, a guide and interpreter in Beni and Butembo. Story continues "Before going to the cemetery, you open the coffin so people can take one last look at the deceased." And normally it would be the family and neighbours who would take responsibility for digging the grave -- and deciding where if should be. Ebola experts say denial and resistance were familiar obstacles in the 2014-16 epidemic in the West African states of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The World Health Organization (WHO) has a 12-step protocol for dealing with burials so that handling of the remains is kept to a minimum, but it also emphasises the importance of respect and mourning. "The burial process is very sensitive for the family and the community and can be the source of trouble or even open conflict," it acknowledges. No burial should begin until family agreement has been obtained, and workers should engage with the community "for prayers to dissipate tensions and provide respectful time," it says. - Armed escorts - The burial process is part of the notoriously time-consuming and labour-intensive task of combatting Ebola. And in this troubled region, the challenge has been further complicated by bloody deadly attacks on Ebola treatment centres by local militias. Suspicion, political infighting in the capital Kinshasa and militia violence provide a fertile breeding ground for the virus. Sometimes local people cover the graves overnight as a sign of their opposition, the ministry said. In Butembo, health workers need an armed escort when they go looking for cases of Ebola in some neighbourhoods, an AFP photographer noted during one outing Saturday evening. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, at the opening of the organisation's annual assembly on Monday, described the outbreak as "one of the most complex health emergencies any of us have ever faced." "Unless we unite to end this outbreak we run the risk it will become more widespread and more expansive and more aggressive," he said. "We are not just fighting a virus," Tedros insisted. "We're fighting insecurity. We're fighting violence. We're fighting misinformation... and we're fighting the politicisation of an outbreak." On the plus side, health officials are keen to emphasise some important gains. More than 118,000 have been vaccinated against the virus, and no cases have been recorded in neighbouring Rwanda and Uganda. By Michel Rose AMIENS, France (Reuters) - In Emmanuel Macron's hometown of Amiens, it's hard to find enthusiasm for either the French president or the European Union, less than a week before European parliament elections. Blue-collar workers on its outskirts are tempted by protest votes, while a disillusioned, conservative middle-class in its pretty center is contemplating other right-leaning candidates or not even voting at all, spelling bad news for the president in his battle against the far-right. "We've been abandoned," Antonio Abrunhosa, 49, a former welder, told Reuters on the deserted parking lot of the former Whirlpool tumble-dryer factory. It was at the plant in the 2017 presidential election campaign that Macron tried to convince workers angered about the plant's relocation to Poland that far-right leader Marine Le Pen's protectionist, Eurosceptic views were misguided. Two years on, only a fraction of the former workers have been taken on by the plant's new owner, and resentment at both the European Union and Macron is building. Abrunhosa, a unionist who was born in Portugal, says the European project was a good thing, but that competition with low-paid eastern European workers was killing what's left of France's industrial heritage. "That's what Europe has become. Even the dumbest of idiots can understand it's better to hire in Poland than here. It's going haywire," said Abrunhosa, whose job application was declined by the new buyer because he was "too qualified". With five days to go before French voters elect their representatives for the 751-seat European parliament, the election is becoming both a referendum on Macron's first two years in power and a vote of confidence in the EU. A fervent Europhile, Macron is hoping to convince the French he can reform the EU into a bloc that better protects its workers, its borders and the environment, though he has had to dilute his ambition on matters such as euro zone reform. SHATTERED HOPE But even in the pretty city center of his hometown, where concerns abound over closing factories on the outskirts and public sector job cuts, the argument is falling flat. Many middle-class voters feel Macron did not live up to his promise of re-energising the economy and cleaning up politics. The 'yellow vest' crisis, which started as a revolt against high fuel prices and turned into a broader challenge to his presidency, has dented his appeal among center-right voters who hoped he would mark a clear break from years of stagnation. "We had hope in Macron, like a lot of people here. He was young, dynamic and he wasn't a career politician," said Frederic Dupont, a 41-year-old government worker who identifies as right-wing. "With the yellow vests, his whole program was derailed, he's more reacting than acting now," he said, adding that he and his wife Marie-Christine would not bother voting this time. A few steps from the chocolatier owned by Brigitte Macron's family, a couple of pensioners said they were still hesitating whether to vote for Macron or another candidate. "We don't know yet - we'll decide at the last minute," said Bernard Lemaire. Whether these conservative voters, in mid-size cities such as Amiens, Reims or Angers targeted by Macron to expand his centrist base, turn out to vote, abstain, or opt for another candidate, will be pivotal to the vote's outcome, analysts say. Few of these will vote for Le Pen's National Rally party, which can count on a strong core of working-class voters but is struggling to make inroads with wealthier ones. But the candidate for the traditional center-right party, Francois-Xavier Bellamy of The Republicans, is proving tougher competition than expected for Macron's Republic On the Move. The candidate Macron picked as his campaign flagbearer, European affairs minister Nathalie Loiseau, whose conservative background was meant to attract the center-right, also made a series of gaffes that have weighed in the polls. "This issue will decide who comes first. With a strong showing by the Republicans, the Republic On the Move cannot possibly come first," Bernard Sananes of the Elabe pollster said. HIGH STAKES Although mid-term disillusion with government and protest votes are normal in France, the stakes are now high for Macron. If he comes second to Le Pen's party, as polls suggest, it will hurt his ambitions both at home and on the European stage. In France, second place could pressure Macron to reverse his reform agenda, already derailed by the yellow vest crisis. But it could also cost the French president influence over policymaking affecting some 427 million people and credibility with other EU leaders, just as they negotiate the next top jobs in Brussels, including the European Commission president. Seeking to drum up support, Macron has not downplayed what is at stake, a gamble that may prove risky. "I'm not of those who think it's no problem if the National Rally is once again the big winner of these elections," he told reporters in Biarritz last week. "The more the French rally behind the candidates of the presidential majority, the more they strengthen France's ability to influence Europe." (Reporting by Michel Rose; editing by Richard Lough, William Maclean) By James Pomfret HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong's leader said on Tuesday that her administration was determined to push through an extradition bill that could see individuals sent back to mainland China for trial, despite mounting opposition locally and internationally. The proposed legislation has stoked mass protests in the former British colony, which was promised a high degree of autonomy under a "one country, two systems" formula when it returned to Chinese rule in 1997. On Monday, the government said it would bypass legislative procedure to expedite the passage of amendments to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance, which the U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, last week described as threatening the rule of law in Hong Kong. Opponents had disrupted a succession of legislative sessions meant to scrutinize the bill, with brawls breaking out in the legislative council. "Valuable time for deliberation has been lost," Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam told reporters. "The most serious issue is that we couldn't see a way forward, how to break this deadlock other than to force me to scrap this bill, but this is unrealistic," she told reporters. She said the bill would now be sent directly to the full legislature on June 12 for a second reading, to try to pass it before the legislature's summer recess. If the bill is passed, Hong Kong would allow, for the first time, ad hoc extradition requests to countries with no existing extradition treaties, including places like Taiwan, and crucially, mainland China. Taiwan has said the bill would extend China's reach into Hong Kong, putting at risk any Taiwanese who pass through the city. Criticism has also poured in from the business, legal, media and diplomatic communities in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong government insists the extradition law has safeguards to protect human rights, including the need for all extradition requests to be approved by a local court. During the past week, Beijing has hardened its stance, with senior officials saying the law was urgently needed, though Lam said the initial push for the law had come from her government. A deputy commissioner of China's Foreign Commissioner's office in Hong Kong, Song Ru'an, told a gathering of journalists that "the loophole is becoming increasingly conspicuous", and that Beijing "resolutely supports" the bill. He said China wouldn't seek to prosecute anyone on account of "race, religion, nationality or political opinions", adding that it was "highly deplorable" that foreign governments or "external forces" had weighed in on this matter. More large protests are expected, including on June 4, when the city hosts an annual candlelight vigil for victims of a bloody crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in and around Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989. Lam Cheuk-ting, an opposition Democratic Party lawmaker, criticized the government's move to fast-track the "evil law". Lawmakers may still be able to propose amendments to the bill, but critics say the government can choose not to adopt them, given backing from a pro-Beijing majority in the legislature. Pro-democracy media magnate Jimmy Lai, who runs Hong Kong's tabloid Apple Daily newspaper, said in a talk at the Hong Kong Foreign Correspondents' Club that the law's implications were grave. "In one swoop it finishes Hong Kong. It's a massacre of our freedom, of our legal system, of the free press. Everything," Lai said. (Reporting by James Pomfret; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore and Tom Hogue) Members of the House Freedom Caucus voted Monday evening to condemn one of the groups co-founders, Representative Justin Amash (R., Mich.) in response to his impeachment stand against President Trump. Representative Jim Jordan, the ranking Republican on the Oversight Committee and former chairman of the Freedom Caucus, told Politico that the group easily passed the 80 percent threshold for the adoption of a formal position. It was every single person who totally disagrees with what he says, Jordan said after the meeting, which Amash did not attend. Amash broke ranks Saturday, becoming the first Republican to say publicly that the obstructive behavior attributed to Trump by special counsel Robert Mueller was impeachable. Here are my principal conclusions: 1. Attorney General Barr has deliberately misrepresented Muellers report. 2. President Trump has engaged in impeachable conduct. 3. Partisanship has eroded our system of checks and balances. 4. Few members of Congress have read the report. Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 18, 2019 In addition to the backlash he received from the Freedom Caucus, Amashs impeachment stand prompted an immediate primary challenge from Michigan state representative Jim Lower, who told the Detroit Free Press on Monday that he planned to announce his bid in July, but felt compelled to speed up his timeline in the wake of Amashs statements. A number of top Republicans, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, have also condemned Amashs lack of party loyalty. McCarthy noted Amashs penchant for voting against the Republican party line and suggested he may no longer belong in the GOP caucus during a Sunday Fox News appearance. He did tell Politico, however, that Amash could retain his committee assignments. President Trump similarly accused Amash of seeking to exploit the controversy surrounding the Mueller report for his own political gain. Story continues .he would see that it was nevertheless strong on NO COLLUSION and, ultimately, NO OBSTRUCTIONAnyway, how do you Obstruct when there is no crime and, in fact, the crimes were committed by the other side? Justin is a loser who sadly plays right into our opponents hands! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2019 Amash, a libertarian-leaning conservative who has proven willing to split with his party on issue like Trumps national emergency declaration, remains steadfast in his position despite the criticism. People who say there were no underlying crimes and therefore the president could not have intended to illegally obstruct the investigationand therefore cannot be impeachedare resting their argument on several falsehoods, he told Politico. More from National Review Houston-based consumer company Innowatts has secured $18 million in Series B funding, according to company database Crunchbase, topping the citys recent funding headlines. The cash infusion was announced May 14 and led by Energy Impact Partners. According to its Crunchbase profile, "Innowatts is a leading provider of AMI-enabled predictive analytics and AI-based solutions for utilities, energy retailers and smart energy communities. To date, the Innowatts eUtility technology platform has enabled over 18 million energy consumers and their energy providers with access to lower energy costs and a more reliable and personalized energy experience. Innowatts is backed by Shell Technology Ventures, Iberdrola and Energy and Environment Investment (Japan)." The six-year-old company also raised a $6 million Series A round in 2017. The round brings total funding raised by Houston companies in energy over the past 90 days to $318 million. The local energy industry has produced 20 funding rounds over the past year, securing a total of $1.5 billion in venture funding. In other local funding news, artificial intelligence company OAG Analytics announced a corporate round on April 23, financed by Rice Investment Group. According to Crunchbase, "OAG Analytics uses AI and Machine Learning to help subsurface professionals design more profitable oil and gas wells by correlating subsurface and well data with production to optimize well locations, completion designs and operating decisions. Putting the power of analytic tools in the hands of engineers, geophysicists and decision makers through easily accessed SaaS software." Founded in 2013, the company has raised two previous rounds, including a convertible note round in 2017. This story was created automatically using local investment data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. (Reuters) - China's Huawei believes Europe will not follow the United States in blacklisting the company because it has been a partner of European telecoms firms for many years, a top Huawei executive told an Italian newspaper. The U.S. government has imposed heavy restrictions on Huawei, accusing the world's largest telecommunications equipment maker of being vulnerable to involvement in activities contrary to national security or foreign policy interests. Huawei denies this, saying Washington has produced no evidence to back up its claims and that independent testing of its equipment shows no vulnerability to potential Chinese espionage. Huawei Vice-President Catherine Chen told newspaper Corriere della Sera in an interview published on Tuesday that the company had been working in Europe for 10 to 20 years, collaborating closely with telecoms firms on developing 5G networks. "We don't think it can happen in Europe," Chen said when asked if she was worried that European nations would bow to U.S. pressure to impose similar restrictions. "I believe they will take their own decisions independently," she said. In a separate interview in Italian financial daily Il Sole 24 Ore, Huawei's Italy chief, Luigi De Vecchis, said Europe would set back its own efforts to develop 5G networks and to digitize its economies if it were to blacklist Huawei. (Reporting by Mark Bendeich; editing by Jason Neely) Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei on Tuesday shrugged off US attempts to block his company's global ambitions, saying the United States underestimates the telecom giant's strength. Ren spoke to Chinese media days after President Donald Trump issued orders aimed at thwarting Huawei's business in the United States, the latest salvo in a months-long effort to stop the company's charge to the top of the leaderboard in next-generation 5G technology. "The current practice of US politicians underestimates our strength," Ren said, according to transcripts from state-run media. "Huawei's 5G will absolutely not be affected. In terms of 5G technologies, others won't be able to catch up with Huawei in two or three years," he said. Last week, Trump declared a "national emergency" empowering him to blacklist companies seen as "an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States" -- a move analysts said was clearly aimed at Huawei. At the same time, the US Commerce Department announced an effective ban on American companies selling or transferring US technology to Huawei. - 'Can't be isolated' - US internet giant Google, whose Android mobile operating system powers most of the world's smartphones, said this week it was beginning to cut ties with Huawei in light of the ban. The move could have dramatic implications for Huawei smartphone users, as the telecoms giant will no longer have access to Google's proprietary services -- which include the Gmail and Google Maps apps -- a source close to the matter told AFP. But the Commerce Department on Monday issued a 90-day reprieve on the ban on the transfer of technology by allowing temporary licences. "The US 90-day temporary licence does not have much impact on us, we are ready," Ren said. Huawei has sought to ease customers' concerns over the Google announcement. Ren said Huawei and Google are discussing how to respond to the ban, calling the US firm a "highly responsible company". Story continues A company spokesman in Australia said the US actions "will not impact consumers" with a Huawei tablet or smartphone in the country, or those planning to buy a device in the future. As for Huawei's access to key components, Ren said half of chips used in the company's equipment come from the United States and the other half it makes itself. "We cannot be isolated from the world," Ren said. "We can also make the same chips as the US chips, but it doesn't mean we won't buy them," he said. He denied reports that German chipmaker Infineon has halted shipments to Huawei. But analysts say the ban threatens the company's very survival as it heavily relies on US components. "If the ban continues, Huawei will be damaged for sure, particularly in smartphones but also in the datacenter and networking markets," said Patrick Moorhead of Moor Insights & Strategy. - Ask Trump, not me - The Huawei confrontation has been building for years, as the company has raced to a huge advantage over rivals in next-generation 5G mobile technology. US intelligence believes Huawei is backed by the Chinese military and that its equipment could provide Beijing's intelligence services with a backdoor into the communications networks of rival countries. For that reason, Washington has pushed its closest allies to reject Huawei technology, a significant challenge given the few alternatives for 5G. While Australia has also banned Huawei from its 5G plans, the US has struggled to sway some countries, with Britain having reportedly approved a limited role for the Chinese company to help build a 5G network in the country. Canada has been dragged into the battle. Its arrest of Ren's daughter, Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, in December on a US extradition bid linked to Iran sanctions violations was followed by the arrest in China of two Canadians, including a former diplomat. "We sacrificed ourselves and families because we have a goal. In order to stand on the world's summit, for this goal, there will be conflicts with the US sooner or later," Ren said. The battle over Huawei has added to tensions in a trade war that has escalated between the world's top two economies, with both sides exchanging steep increases in tariffs as negotiations have faltered. China's envoy to the European Union, Zhang Ming, called the move against Huawei "wrong behaviour", adding "there will be a necessary response". Asked how long Huawei may face difficult times, Ren said: "You may need to ask Trump about this question, not me." BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Chinese telecoms equipment maker Huawei on Tuesday said it was a victim of bullying by the U.S. administration. "Huawei is becoming the victim of the bullying by the U.S. administration. This is not just an attack against Huawei. It is an attack on the liberal, rules-based order. This is dangerous," Abraham Liu, Huawei's representative to the EU institutions, told reporters. (Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Alissa de Carbonnel) A CGI of Huawei's planned research facility in Sawston, near Cambridge. Photo: Huawei The timing could probably not be worse for Huawei as it prepares to unveil its blueprint for a major new UK tech research hub. The Chinese firm has been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. US spying fears have pressured the British government to reconsider its role in the 5G network, and Google to restrict its new phones' access to their Android operating system. Documents seen by Yahoo Finance UK show the firm is set to publish detailed construction plans within a fortnight for a huge new UK facility, researching and developing new chip technology that it hopes could drive up internet speeds worldwide. A historic former paper mill site by Sawston village, just south of Cambridge, could even ultimately become Huawei's flagship hub for all its UK-based research into next-generation internet and telecoms in years to come. READ MORE: The real fallout from Googles Huawei Android restriction The transformation will see 45,000 sq m of floorspace built on an area of unused shrubland by the derelict factories of the 550-acre Spicers Site, which Huawei bought for 37.5m last year. The new facility, which includes a small-scale manufacturing centre to build prototype chips, is expected to create up to 400 jobs. But the firm will first have to win consent from local planning officials and councillors and consult residents at a time of heightened controversy over possible links to the Chinese government. Its own timetable shows it is due to formally apply for permission to build the site in late May 2019. The company itself appears to be committed to the UK, where it has 1,400 staff, recently promised 3bn of investment and procurement by 2022 and has partnerships with 10 universities including Cambridge. Huawei hopes to expand near Cambridge. Photo: Richard B. Levine / Press Association The proposed facility also shows its attraction to Cambridge, which has been dubbed Silicon Fen because of the boom in technology firms clustered around the city in the Fens region. Huawei would be looking to benefit from proximity to more than 5,000 'knowledge-intensive' firms based within 20 miles of Cambridge, including IT, telecoms, high-tech manufacturing, life sciences and healthcare companies. Story continues Such companies have a combined turnover of 15.5bn, employ more than 60,000 staff and include the UK's biggest tech firm ARM Holdings, according to the Cambridge Cluster website. Huawei is thought to be keen to close to the chip design company, which was bought by Japan's SoftBank in 2016. The new Huawei facility would become the company's third in Cambridge, expanding on the team of around 100 research and development (R&D) staff it already has nearby after buying the British 'internet of things' firm Neul in 2014. Neul Ltd has since formally become Huawei Technologies Research & Technologies (UK) Ltd, and this arm of the Chinese firm is now leading plans for the Sawston facility. READ MORE: Pound inches off five-month lows as May dusts off battered Brexit deal Around 100 more R&D staff work on 5G and ultra-fast connections at another site in Martlesham, near Ipswich. Huawei said earlier this year it was still committed to our facilities and employees in Martlesham at this time. The company expects construction to take up to 18 months. It can only begin when South Cambridgeshire's district council makes its final decision, which the company expects by the summer. But Huawei will only get the green light if its construction and design get through the many rules, checks and hurdles involved in the British planning system. Residents typically raise concerns with such large developments about how far local roads, schools, other facilities and the natural environment will cope. But the FT suggests firm representatives have told locals to effectively name their price for support. A local engineer has already warned of potential challenges with drainage if construction goes ahead on the site in the Fens, a flat, low-lying region once entirely swamped by water. Huawei will be hoping such issues can be easily overcome, or else they may regret not choosing sunny Silicon Valley over the aptly named Silicon Fen. The United States is delaying some restrictions on U.S. technology sales to Chinese tech powerhouse Huawei in what it calls an effort to ease the blow on Huawei smartphone owners and smaller U.S. telecoms providers that rely on its networking equipment. The Trump administration insists the sanctions are unrelated to its escalating trade war with China, and many analysts see it as aimed at pressuring U.S. allies in Europe to accede to Washington's entreaties to exclude Huawei equipment from their next-generation wireless networks, known as 5G. The U.S. government on Monday amended last week's order restricting all technology sales to Huawei, the world's biggest maker of mobile network gear and the No. 2 smartphone brand. It granted a temporary, 90-day exemption, but only for existing hardware and software. It also said that grace period could be renewed. Shares in tech companies rose Tuesday after some news organizations erroneously reported that the amended order amounted to a blanket reprieve for Huawei. "It's just housekeeping. It's not a capitulation. It's a very pragmatic solution to avoid unintended consequences to third parties," said Kevin Wolf, who oversaw a related case involving China's No. 2 telecoms supplier ZTE as assistant secretary of commerce for export administration under President Barack Obama. The U.S. claims Huawei is a cybersecurity risk and has targeted it against the backdrop of a wider battle with China over economic and technological pre-eminence that has included tariffs on billions worth of trade and limits on business. U.S. officials say Huawei is legally beholden to China's repressive rulers but have provided no evidence that it has intentionally allowed its equipment to be used for espionage. Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei sought to put a brave face on the situation, saying Tuesday that the company has "supply backups" if it loses access to American components. Huawei Technologies Ltd. relies on Google's Android operating system and U.S. components suppliers for its smartphones. Story continues "I should say this impact will be very big, but Google is an extremely good company," Ren Zhengfei told Chinese reporters. "We are discussing emergency relief measures," he added, without giving details. Industry analysts say Huawei might struggle to compete if it cannot line up replacements for Google services that run afoul of the U.S. curbs. Google says its basic services still will work on existing Huawei smartphones. However, the company would be barred from transferring hardware or software directly to Huawei. That would affect maps or other services that require the American company's support. In Brussels, a senior Huawei European representative lashed out at the U.S. sanctions. "This is dangerous. Now it is happening to Huawei. Tomorrow it can happen to any other international company," Abraham Liu, Huawei chief representative to the European Union's institutions, told reporters. China's government repeated its promise to defend Chinese companies abroad but gave no details of what Beijing might do. The 90-day grace period announced Monday by Washington exempts from U.S. licensing requirements any technology needed to maintain and support existing networking equipment and smartphones. It also authorizes U.S. providers to alert Huawei to security vulnerabilities and engage the Chinese company in research on standards for next-generation 5G wireless networks. "This license will allow operations to continue for existing Huawei mobile phone users and rural broadband networks," Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said in a statement. But still in place are requirements that government licenses be obtained for any sales to Huawei unrelated to existing equipment. The Commerce Department said the grace period would allow rural U.S. telecom operators that depend on Huawei equipment for "critical services" time to make other arrangements. Companies that supply software such as Google for Huawei's Android smartphones can continue to provide updates. Britain's cybersecurity agency issued guidance saying the temporary reprieve means "people should be able to update their handsets as normal." In a report, the global risk assessment firm Eurasia Group said that if the sanction process helps persuade European network carriers to also shun Huawei equipment, a full ban on purchases of U.S. technology products and services could be avoided. The move to delay the restrictions on Huawei may follow a familiar script with the Trump administration, which in its attempt to change the U.S.'s trade relations with major economies like China and Europe has often announced restrictions or tariffs only to delay their implementation. That increases pressure on the other side but also gives them an incentive to negotiate. It hasn't always worked. The U.S. has announced new tariffs on European and Chinese goods several times, only to see them retaliate with tariffs on U.S. goods. That has raised the stakes in the trade wars, hurting global commerce and economic growth. As China looks to respond to President Donald Trump's move against Huawei, Apple makes a prominent potential target for retaliation. Apple is Huawei's main American rival in smartphones and its iPhones are assembled in China. The country is also Apple's No. 2 market after the United States. Attacking Apple might be politically awkward for Chinese leaders who have accused Washington of mistreating Huawei. Business groups say Chinese officials are trying to reassure American companies they are welcome despite the tariffs war. But regulators have an array of tools including tax and safety inspections that can hamper a company with no official acknowledgement it is targeted. Huawei's U.S. sales collapsed in 2012 after a congressional panel told phone carriers to avoid the company and its smaller Chinese competitor, ZTE Corp., as security threats. Despite that, Huawei's sales elsewhere have grown rapidly. The company reported earlier its global sales rose 19.5% last year over 2017 to 721.2 billion ($105.2 billion). Huawei smartphone shipments rose 50 percent over a year earlier in the first three months of 2019 to 59.1 million, while the global industry's total fell 6.6%, according to IDC. Shipments by Samsung and No. 3 Apple declined. ___ McDonald reported from Beijing and Bajak from Boston. AP researcher Shanshan Wang in Beijing and AP writers Lorne Cook in Brussels contributed to this story. 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. By Josh Smith SEOUL, May 21 (Reuters) - An international trade fair in North Korea this week may be the largest such event on record, analysts said on Tuesday, with hundreds of Chinese and other foreign vendors taking part despite sanctions pressure. The 22nd Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair opened on Monday with a ceremony hosted by top economic officials, North Korean state news agency KCNA reported. More than 450 companies from North Korea, China, Russia, Pakistan, Poland and "other countries and regions" showcased a range of products at the fair, KCNA said. That number would make it the largest trade fair hosted by North Korea, according to an analysis of state media announcements from 2007 to 2019 conducted by NK News, a website that tracks North Korean issues. Last year, 260 companies reportedly participated in the spring fair, for example. Among those taking part this year were at least 216 Chinese companies, NK News said in an analysis. "The numbers tie into a lot of what we've seen recently demonstrating real Chinese interest in pushing ahead with business opportunities in North Korea, even though technically not much can go ahead under the current sanctions regime," said Oliver Hotham, managing editor of NK News. North Korean officials opened the event by saying it was a chance to expedite trade, economic cooperation, and science and technology exchanges with the participating countries, state media reported. Companies exploring doing business in North Korea walk a fine line. Sanctions imposed over North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile programs would prohibit all joint ventures and most business with North Korea, analysts said, while some foreign business operations have previously said they were only preparing the ground for when sanctions are lifted. HANDBAGS AND HEATERS KCNA said among the products on show were "metal, electronics, machinery, building materials, transport, public health, light industry and food and consumer goods." Story continues Photographs of the event published by both state media and international participants on social media showed vendors offering health supplements, flat screen televisions, handbags, air conditioners and heaters, clothes, kitchen appliances, and North Korean-brand SUVs, among other products. "A wide range of sectors, and domestic products from North Korea as well as imports," said British ambassador to North Korea, Colin Crooks, in a post on Twitter. "Most of the foreign exhibitors were from China." Photos posted on Facebook by the Russian embassy in Pyongyang showed its ambassador, Alexander Matsegora, posing at a booth showcasing Russian pharmaceuticals. Since last year, leader Kim Jong Un has embarked on a diplomatic campaign to try to get the sanctions lifted and allow him to jumpstart the economy. Under Kim, North Korea has seen a rise in private markets and growing consumerism, but it faces tight political and economic control. Kim's second summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in February ended in an impasse, with Washington saying Kim had not offered to give up enough of his nuclear program to warrant an easing of sanctions. Since then, North Korea has expressed growing frustration, with negotiations stalled and tensions rising. In a front-page commentary on Monday, North Korea's ruling party newspaper said sanctions were designed to create economic hardship and warned North Koreans not to depend on the restrictions being lifted. State media and international aid organizations say that recent droughts and small harvests could lead to a serious shortage of food for many North Koreans this year. (Reporting by Josh Smith Editing by Robert Birsel) Torokszentmiklos (Hungary) (AFP) - A Hungarian far-right politician denounced "gypsy terrorists" Tuesday during a demonstration in a provincial town that sparked fears among the country's ethnic-Roma minority of renewed racially-motivated violence. The event in Torokszentmiklos, 130 kilometres (80 miles) east of Budapest, was organised by Our Homeland Movement (OHM), a far-right party formed last year. Riot police later separated the demonstrators from several hundred local Roma during the event which ended without any clashes reported. OHM leader Laszlo Toroczkai told several hundred supporters, including members of vigilante groups, that the event was a "demonstration for order" and against "gypsy crime". Toroczkai said Hungarians must be defended from "gypsy terrorists" and blasted other political parties for their "political correctness" as well as the authorities. "We are here because the state failed to protect us," said Toroczkai. Toroczkai, 41, was formerly a vice-president of the nationalist Jobbik party but left to form OHM after last year's parliamentary elections when Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz party won by a landslide and Jobbik's vote declined. - Provocation - Mayor of a small town close to Hungary's southern border with Serbia where Orban erected a razorwire fence in 2015 to keep out migrants, Toroczkai accused Jobbik of abandoning its radical policies. Between 2006 and 2009 Jobbik, whose then leader set up a militia group called the Magyar Garda, enjoyed a surge in popularity that helped it enter both the European and Hungarian parliaments. The Magyar Garda held intimidating marches in Roma neighbourhoods around Hungary until it was banned in 2009. "We have been afraid for days before Torockai's demonstration of what might happen," a member of the ethnic-Roma community in Torokszentmiklos told AFP without giving her name. Story continues Last week Toroczkai, who is linked to several vigilante groups in Hungary, announced the formation of a new uniformed militia called the "National Legion" that he said would teach self-defence and basic military skills. Toroczkai said the group wanted to continue the "idealism" of the Magyar Garda. He has previously called for the banning of mosques in his town and said criminals should be sent to prison in Siberia. OHM had planned to march through the town but police banned the parade. The National Legion has been called the "new face of Hungarian fascism" by the Budapest-based European Roma Rights Centre non-governmental organisation. Many in the ethnic-Roma community fear the return of militias to Hungarian streets and hark back to a wave of brutal, racially-motivated attacks a decade ago. Six Roma including a five-year-old child were killed by neo-Nazis around Hungary between 2008 and 2009. Often blamed for petty crime, the Roma, Hungary's largest ethnic minority, face widespread discrimination, poverty and exclusion from mainstream society. "OHM has replaced Jobbik on the far-right, and is following the same strategy that Jobbik applied to gain national popularity," Bulcsu Hunyadi, an analyst with the Political Capital think-tank, told AFP. OHM is taking part in the European Parliament election May 26 but is not expected to win any of Hungary's 21 allocated seats. "Their aim is provocation, and getting publicity through these events, OHM deliberately timed this stunt on the Roma issue for the last phase of the election campaign," said Hunyadi. By Kanupriya Kapoor JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesian police fired tear gas on Wednesday to disperse protesters in central Jakarta following a rally held after official results showed President Joko Widodo had been comfortably re-elected, a Reuters witness said. The General Election Commission (KPU) confirmed unofficial counts by private pollsters in the April 17 election, which gave Widodo a 55.5% share of votes against 44.5% for his opponent Prabowo Subianto. Widodo won more than 85 million votes of a total of 154 million cast in the world's third-largest democracy, but Prabowo told reporters he believed there had been widespread cheating and about 1,000 supporters gathered in Jakarta. The rally ended peacefully but later Indonesian police fired tear gas as some protesters hurled fireworks and other objects at officers in riot gear in a main street in the capital, TV footage showed. Prabowo, a retired general, pledged he would "continue to make legal efforts in line with the constitution to defend the mandate of the people". Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, the legal director of Prabowo's campaign team, confirmed it planned to contest the result in the Constitutional Court. On Monday, an election supervisory agency dismissed claims of systematic cheating, citing a lack of evidence. Independent observers have said the poll was free and fair. Flanked by riot police, Prabowo's supporters had earlier gathered mainly at the election supervisory agency (Bawaslu) in the heart of the city's commercial and government district. There was also a small rally at the KPU in support of the election commission. Chief Security Minister Wiranto told a briefing there had been plans for "massive demonstrations to storm the KPU, Bawaslu, parliament and the state palace". He threatened severe punishment for criminal activity and vowed to maintain security, while denying authorities were being draconian. The KPU announced official results more than a day earlier than expected after working into the early hours of Tuesday, a move that meant the announcement came before planned protests. A relaxed looking President Widodo pledged on Tuesday to be a leader for all Indonesians. "We are grateful and proud that amid our differences, we have been mature in keeping the peace," he said on a visit to a poor neighborhood of the capital. Ben Bland, director of the Southeast Asia Project at Lowy Institute, said the election showed how identity and religious politics appeared to be increasingly "embedded in the political discourse in Indonesia". "The challenge for Jokowi is to try and find a way to defuse tensions," said Bland, using the president's nickname. TIGHT SECURITYFinancial markets were mixed, with stocks up nearly 1% and the rupiah off 0.1%. Andry Taneli, a portfolio manager at Ciptadana Asset Management, said stocks had responded positively to the official result. "On the other hand there is concern of Prabowo not accepting the result, but we can see everywhere the police and army are ready to ensure security," Taneli said. Prabowo had warned the cheating claims could trigger "people power"-style protests, though ahead of the result he had urged supporters in a video to be "peaceful in our struggle". Authorities have tightened security in the capital in a bid to choke off any civil unrest and detained dozens of militant Islamists suspected of planning attacks. Police said they had held or interrogated at least three leading opposition figures for suspected treason. Police have rolled out extra barbed wire and readied armored trucks and water cannon around the KPU. Some schools in Jakarta have also shut this week and offices allowed staff to work from home. The losing candidate can lodge a challenge in the constitutional court within three days, otherwise the election panel will officially declare the winner. Prabowo's challenge to his 2014 defeat by Widodo was rejected. (Additional reporting by Maikel Jefriando, Gayatri Suroyo, and Fransiska Nangoy; Writing by Ed Davies; Editing by Clarence Fernandez, Nick Macfie and Jonathan Oatis) If you want to know who really controls Man Industries (India) Limited (NSE:MANINDS), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. Institutions will often hold stock in bigger companies, and we expect to see insiders owning a noticeable percentage of the smaller ones. I generally like to see some degree of insider ownership, even if only a little. As Nassim Nicholas Taleb said, 'Dont tell me what you think, tell me what you have in your portfolio.' Man Industries (India) is a smaller company with a market capitalization of 3.3b, so it may still be flying under the radar of many institutional investors. Taking a look at our data on the ownership groups (below), it's seems that institutional investors have bought into the company. We can zoom in on the different ownership groups, to learn more about MANINDS. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! Check out our latest analysis for Man Industries (India) NSEI:MANINDS Ownership Summary, May 21st 2019 What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Man Industries (India)? Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index. As you can see, institutional investors own 9.3% of Man Industries (India). This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see Man Industries (India)'s historic earnings and revenue, below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story. NSEI:MANINDS Income Statement, May 21st 2019 Hedge funds don't have many shares in Man Industries (India). While there is some analyst coverage, the company is probably not widely covered. So it could gain more attention, down the track. Story continues Insider Ownership Of Man Industries (India) The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it. Most consider insider ownership a positive because it can indicate the board is well aligned with other shareholders. However, on some occasions too much power is concentrated within this group. Our information suggests that insiders maintain a significant holding in Man Industries (India) Limited. It has a market capitalization of just 3.3b, and insiders have 1.4b worth of shares in their own names. I would say this shows alignment with shareholders, but it is worth noting that the company is still quite small; some insiders may have founded the business. You can click here to see if those insiders have been buying or selling. General Public Ownership With a 37% ownership, the general public have some degree of sway over MANINDS. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies. Private Company Ownership Our data indicates that Private Companies hold 6.9%, of the company's shares. It's hard to draw any conclusions from this fact alone, so its worth looking into who owns those private companies. Sometimes insiders or other related parties have an interest in shares in a public company through a separate private company. Public Company Ownership It appears to us that public companies own 4.0% of MANINDS. We can't be certain, but this is quite possible this is a strategic stake. The businesses may be similar, or work together. Next Steps: It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand Man Industries (India) better, we need to consider many other factors. Many find it useful to take an in depth look at how a company has performed in the past. You can access this detailed graph of past earnings, revenue and cash flow . If you would prefer discover what analysts are predicting in terms of future growth, do not miss this free report on analyst forecasts. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. 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 Stephen Nellis May 20 (Reuters) - InterDigital Wireless Inc said on Monday that it can license its 5G network technology to Huawei Technologies Co Ltd despite the threat of a U.S. ban on selling chips and software to the Chinese telecommunications firm, and patent attorneys said Qualcomm Inc likely also can do so. InterDigital and Qualcomm are the two major American holders of patents for wireless networking technology, including the 5G networks rolling out this year in China. Last week, President Donald Trump issued an executive order restricting the ability of U.S. firms to sell technology to Huawei, though officials on Monday eased some of those restrictions for 90 days. InterDigital, which generates revenue by developing wireless technologies and then licensing out the patents, said it believes it can continue its efforts to strike a 5G deal with Huawei because export control laws do not cover patents, which are public records and therefore not confidential technology. "The addition of Huawei to the Entity List does not prevent InterDigital from entering into a patent license agreement with Huawei, because our patents cover technologies that are publicly available and therefore outside the scope of U.S. export control laws," InterDigital spokesman Patrick Van de Wille told Reuters in a statement. Qualcomm did not respond to a request for comment. But trade attorneys said the situation is likely the same for the San Diego-based company. Qualcomm also sells chips to Huawei, but only for Huawei's lower-priced handset. It generates most of its profits from patent licenses. "If youre giving Huawei rights to your patents, all that means in effect is that youre not going to sue them," said Erick Robinson, a partner with Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig who formerly worked as a patent attorney for Qualcomm in China. "You're not passing on any information whatsoever." Huawei, the world's third-largest smartphone provider and also a major provider of telecommunications gear, is a big customer for both InterDigital and Qualcomm. The Chinese tech firm accounted for 14% of InterDigital's $533 million in revenue in 2017, the most recent year for which figures are available. Both American companies are in the middle of license disputes with Huawei over 5G technology. Huawei sued InterDigital in China in January, alleging the Wilmington, Delaware-based company was seeking to charge too much for its patents, a claim InterDigital disputes. Qualcomm has had a patent deal with Huawei since 2014, but Huawei stopped paying in 2017. Qualcomm expects to get $450 million in "good faith" payments this year as the two sides negotiate. (Reporting by Stephen Nellis; Editing by Greg Mitchell and Leslie Adler) Despite stringent restrictions to supply component and software to Chinese telecom equipment manufacturer Huawei, InterDigital, Inc. IDCC expects to continue licensing 5G networking technology for seamless rollout of superfast 5G networks across the communist nation. Qualcomm Incorporated QCOM is also expected to remain unaffected by the ban, and is likely to continue licensing its patented technology to Huawei without any restrain. Last week, the U.S. President signed a long-awaited executive order to declare national emergency. Although the order was company and country agnostic, it effectively barred U.S. firms from either buying or selling any telecom equipment to firms like Huawei that are deemed to pose national security risks, virtually crippling its operations. The directive invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which bestowed the President with the authority to regulate commerce in view of the national emergency that threatened the country. The U.S. Commerce Department immediately added Huawei along with 70 of its affiliates to the Entity List a list of entities that are ineligible to receive any item without the government approval. This mandated U.S. suppliers to apply for licenses to provide components to the Chinese firm. These licenses are likely to be subjected to strict U.S. export control regulations, and companies will need to justify that the transfer of such items will not jeopardize national security, making their obtainment extremely difficult. Although the administration has eased some of the restrictions for 90 days, several U.S. firms fear that their normal business operations would get hampered by strict government control. On its part, InterDigital generates significant revenues by developing wireless technologies and subsequently licensing the patents of such technologies to third parties. The company expects to face no threat from licensing its patented technology to Huawei, as export control laws do not cover patents as they are widely available in public domain and are not confidential technology secrets. Notably, Huawei is one of the biggest customers of InterDigital, accounting for 14% of total revenues in 2017. Trade attorneys have also corroborated that Qualcomm is likely to face no objection from government authorities while licensing its patented technology to Huawei in the future. The chip manufacturer had a patent deal with the Chinese firm since 2014, but Huawei reportedly stopped paying the licensing fees from 2017. With recent trade restrictions and resultant tariff war, Qualcomm expects to amicably solve the issues related to payment dues and maintain its business relationship with Huawei. Both InterDigital and Qualcomm carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Better-ranked stocks in the industry include Harris Corporation HRS and Juniper Networks, Inc. JNPR, both carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank(Strong Buy)stocks here. Harris has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 8%. It beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average being 3%. Juniper has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 6.2%. It surpassed earnings estimates thrice in the trailing four quarters, the average positive surprise being 15.4%. 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 >> 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 Juniper Networks, Inc. (JNPR) : Free Stock Analysis Report InterDigital, Inc. (IDCC) : Free Stock Analysis Report Harris Corporation (HRS) : Free Stock Analysis Report QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research The acting US defence secretary has claimed that the alleged threat from Iran has receded as the result of an American show of force in the Middle East. Weve put on hold the potential for attacks on Americans, Patrick Shanahan told reporters before briefing Congress on the situation in the Persian Gulf and the military deployments that the US said were a response to a danger of imminent attack. The arrival of an aircraft carrier and its accompanying ships was recently accelerated, and B-52 bombers were sent to Qatar. Tensions increased with mysterious sabotage attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf, and drone strikes on Saudi oil installations, claimed by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Nerves in the region were put even more on edge on Sunday by Donald Trumps tweeted threat that any conflict with the US would mean the official end of Iran. The remarks from Shanahan appeared to be a sign that tensions were easing. Related: To defuse this crisis the US must start talking to Iran | Peter Westmacott Asked what he meant by saying that the threat was on hold, the acting defence secretary said: There havent been any attacks on Americans. I would consider that a hold. That doesnt mean that the threats that weve previously identified have gone away, Shanahan added. Our prudent response, I think, has given the Iranians time to recalculate. I think our response was a measure of our will and our resolve that we will protect our people and our interests in the region. The Trump administration did not make public the intelligence it claimed showed an imminent Iranian threat to the US in the Middle East. An investigation is under way into the sabotage attacks on four oil tankers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates last week. The UK and Norway are helping the US with the inquiry, which was expected to report on Monday, but has been delayed for reasons that have not made clear. One of the tankers attacked was Norwegian-flagged. The secretary of state, spoke on Tuesday with the countrys foreign minister, Ine Sreide, about the incident. Story continues A European diplomat said: We are very careful not to make attribution for recent attacks unless we are certain. Officials briefing the media have also claimed that overhead photography showed missiles being loaded on to dhows on the Iranian coast, and chatter about potential attacks on US facilities and personnel in Iraq. The state department withdrew non-essential staff from its embassy in Baghdad and consulate in Erbil. It was unclear what Irans aim was supposed to be in loading missiles on to dhows. Experts said that it would be very difficult to fire a missile from a small boat and if the intelligence reports were true, it was more likely they were being shipped to the Houthi movement in Yemen, or moved for safekeeping. Later reports suggested that the Iranian military deployments and discussion of targets could have been contingency measures for a possible response in the event of a US attack on Iran, seen as increasingly likely in recent months with the apparent ascendancy of John Bolton, the ultra-hawk national security adviser, in foreign policymaking. The secretary of state, Mike Pompeo and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, General Joseph Dunford, were expected to brief the House and Senate on Iran on Tuesday afternoon. Bolton was not on the list of speakers. My take is that the Iranians saw an attack coming and they prepared to strike back and that caused alarm in the White House and particularly with the president, said Trita Parsi, founder of the National Iranian American Council, who now teaches at Georgetown University. The line sold to Trump by Bolton and Bibi Netanyahu and Mohammed bin Salman is he could strike Iran, show US dominance, and not risk anything. Iran showed it was preparing to strike back. Trump is smart enough to know that a war would be devastating, and not just for his political interests. Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, argued that the current defusing of tensions showed that the US response had worked. The entire point behind Americas military repositioning in the region was to dampen the prospects of escalation, Taleblu said. And while it may have worked for now, Washington will need to make sure its message of resolve is similarly interpreted in the future. The Iranians have a habit of continually testing for weaknesses and deficiencies. DUBAI/LONDON (Reuters) - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani rejected talks with the United States on Tuesday, after President Donald Trump said Iran would call and ask for negotiations "if and when they are ever ready". Tehran and Washington have escalated rhetoric against each other in recent weeks as the United States has tightened sanctions with what it says is the goal of pushing Iran to make concessions beyond the terms of its 2015 nuclear deal. Trump withdrew the United States a year ago from the deal between Iran and global powers, under which Tehran curbed its uranium enrichment capacity, a potential pathway to a nuclear bomb, and won sanctions relief in return. Trump restored U.S. sanctions on Iran last year and extended them this month, ordering all countries to halt imports of Iranian oil or face sanctions of their own. Iran has repeatedly rejected any further negotiations as long as the United States remains outside the nuclear pact. "Today's situation is not suitable for talks and our choice is resistance only," state news agency IRNA quoted Rouhani as saying. Trump said on Monday that Iran would be met with "great force" if it attempted anything against U.S. interests in the Middle East. He said reports Washington was trying to set up talks were false, but "Iran will call us if and when they are ever ready". Critics have accused Trump of sending mixed signals. Last week three U.S. officials told Reuters that Trump had told his top advisers he does not want war with Iran. Iran has portrayed the hot and cold rhetoric as evidence Trump is being goaded into war against his better judgment by hardline aides such as National Security Adviser John Bolton. "Right after threatening Iran, they were forced to say they do not seek a war," Rouhani said in televised remarks on Tuesday. "Iranians will never bow to a bully." ECONOMIC WAR Rouhani won two landslide elections in Iran on promises to ease its international isolation. But Trump's decision to abandon the 2015 nuclear deal has helped ensure that Iranians have felt little or no economic benefit from Rouhani's policies. The rial currency lost about 60 percent of its value in 2018 under the threat of the revived U.S. sanctions, boosting inflation and provoking sporadic demonstrations. Iran has cracked down on businessmen it accuses of profiteering. Rouhani said the country faced "economic war", and the government needed more powers to control the economy. Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said courts had sentenced 10 businessmen to up to 20 years in jail on charges including "economic sabotage", the semi-official news agency Fars reported on Tuesday. Iran executed at least three businessmen for economic crimes last year. Washington's European allies say they share U.S. concerns about Iran's behavior, but disagree with Trump's decision to pull out of the nuclear deal, arguing that it undermines Rouhani's pragmatic faction and boosts Iran's hardliners. They have sought to ensure Iran still benefits from the nuclear deal by finding ways for foreign companies to do business there. But in practice this has so far failed, with companies cancelling investments for fear of U.S. punishment. Iran said this month it could resume uranium enrichment beyond levels allowed in the nuclear deal if European countries do not find ways to ease financial pressure within 60 days. French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire said the Iranian threats were not helpful: "I do not think that Europe will get drawn into this idea of an ultimatum," Le Maire told reporters. Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said on Tuesday Iraq would send delegations to both Washington and Tehran to help ease the tension between them. Iraq is one of the few countries with close relations with both the United States and Iran, which each have helped it fight against Islamic State militants. Washington abruptly pulled non-essential staff from its embassy in Baghdad last week, citing a threat from Iran-backed militias in Iraq. (Reporting by Dubai newsroom, Ali Abdelaty in Cairo and Bozorgmehr Sharafedin In London; Editing by Sandra Maler and Peter Graff) Baghdad (AFP) - Scarred by two decades of conflict, Iraq finds itself caught in the middle of a US-Iranian tug-of-war, fearing it could pay the price of any confrontation between its two main allies. Analysts say third parties may seek to exploit the latest spike in tensions between Tehran and Washington to spark a showdown that serves their own interests. Iraq "pays a disproportionate tax on Iranian-American tensions and (has) an unenviable front-line position in any future conflict between the two," said Fanar Haddad, an Iraq expert at the National University of Singapore. During the three-year battle to oust the Islamic State group from Iraqi cities, powerful Iran-backed Shiite militias on the ground effectively fought on the same side as US-led coalition warplanes in the skies. But since Iraq declared victory over the jihadists in December 2017, relations between Washington and Tehran have deteriorated sharply. In May last year, US President Donald Trump pulled out of a landmark 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and later re-instated tough sanctions. This April, Washington dubbed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a "foreign terrorist organisation", prompting Iran to designate US troops across the region as "terrorists". Tensions escalated this month, with Washington deploying a carrier group and B-52 bombers to the Gulf over alleged, unspecified Iranian "threats". The Trump administration last week ordered non-essential diplomatic staff out of Iraq, alleging Iran-backed armed groups posed an "imminent" threat. On Sunday, a rocket was fired into the "Green Zone" of Baghdad that houses government offices and embassies, including the US mission. There has been no claim of responsibility. For Iraqi political analyst Essam al-Fili, the rocket attack was a sign some sides want to pull Tehran and Washington into a confrontation in Shiite-majority Iraq. "There are those who want to fight Iran with other people's weapons, and those who want to fight the US with other people's weapons," he said. Story continues But he added that Iran has "so far favoured restraint in Iraq, a country which is vulnerable on the security front". Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi has echoed those fears, saying Tuesday that Iraq would "very soon send delegations to Tehran and Washington to push for calm". He warned that Iraq "does not have the option of distancing itself" from US-Iranian tensions, and stressed the need to "avoid giving other parties the space to inflame the situation". - 'Settling old scores' - Several groups in the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary coalition that battled IS denied any link to the rocket attack, with Assaib Ahl al-Haq chief Qais al-Khazali pointing a finger at "Israeli interests". Analyst Karim Bitar stressed that "the stakes are so high that Iranian proxies cannot act without an explicit green light" from Iran's Revolutionary Guard force. Tehran and Washington "know perfectly well that it's an unwinnable war and that an all-out confrontation would be devastating for both the US and Iran", said Bitar, an expert at France's Institute for International and Strategic Affairs. But, he added, "the inflammatory rhetoric of the past few weeks plays right into the hands of Iran's hardliners" as well as pleasing Saudi Arabia and Israel, "bent on settling old scores with Iran". Tehran accuses its regional Sunni rival Riyadh and archfoe Israel of pressing the Trump administration to adopt a hard line. But experts doubt the crisis will result in a head-on confrontation with Washington. "There won't be a direct war. The United States is counting on a collapse of the (Iranian) economy, which could be accompanied by limited air strikes," said Iraqi political scientist Hashem al-Hashemi. He said Washington may also urge Israel to carry out air strikes against Iran's militia allies in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq. Meanwhile, memories of American interventions in recent years could also dampen Washington's appetite for an offensive. "The US foreign policy and security establishment knows full well that attacking Iran would make the Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya wars look like walks in the park," Bitar said. "So besides some messages that could be sent on the Iraqi arena, unless utter madness prevails, a large, open, direct war is still unlikely." Baghdad (AFP) - Iraq is planning to send urgent delegations to the United States and Iran, its prime minister said Tuesday, as Baghdad seeks to rein in soaring tensions between its top allies. Baghdad "will very soon send delegations to Tehran and Washington to push for calm", Adel Abdel Mahdi told journalists in the Iraqi capital. The United States and Iran have exchanged bellicose rhetoric in recent weeks, with the US deploying a naval strike group and B-52 bombers to the Gulf over unspecified Iranian "threats". The bitter standoff has raised fears of the consequences for Iraq, which has sought to balance its ties between the bitter enemies. On Sunday, a Katyusha rocket was fired into Baghdad's Green Zone housing government offices and embassies including the US mission, days after Washington evacuated staff from Iraq, citing Iranian threats. Abdel Mahdi stressed the need to "avoid giving other parties the space to inflame the situation". "We will not allow Iraq to be a war zone or a launchpad for a war against any state," he said. Calming the situation would "serve both the interests of Iraq and its people and those of the region in general," he added. The premier said Iraq "does not have the option of distancing itself" from US-Iranian tensions, and said Baghdad was working with European and Arab states to calm the situation. Another Iraqi official, who asked not to be named, told AFP that Baghdad would be a suitable place for US-Iranian talks. "The United States considers Iraq the only country able to bring the two countries together for negotiations," he said. Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - Israel announced Tuesday it had eased fishing restrictions off the blockaded Gaza Strip after a ceasefire with Hamas ended a deadly escalation earlier this month. Israel extended the fishing limit to up to 15 nautical miles, said COGAT, the defence ministry unit that oversees such regulations. The move restores the fishing zone to the limits set in April ahead of Israel's general election. Gaza fishing union official, Zakaria Bakr, however told AFP on Tuesday morning that it had yet to be informed of any changes. COGAT did not provide further details, but in April the limit was set at six nautical miles in the north near the Israeli border, 12 off central Gaza and 15 in the south near the Egyptian border, according to the fishing union. Israel banned fishing completely when the two-day flare-up of violence began earlier this month, but lifted the ban with a restriction of up to 12 nautical miles following the truce. The 15-nautical-mile limit is the largest allowed in years by Israel, which has fought three wars with Palestinian militants in the enclave and has blockaded it for more than a decade. But human rights activists note that it still falls short of the 20 nautical miles agreed under the Oslo accords of the 1990s. Israeli authorities did not say the move was linked to the truce reached earlier this month with Hamas, the Islamist movement that rules the Gaza Strip. But Palestinian officials said at the time of the May 6 ceasefire that it included Israel taking steps to ease its blockade. Israel media reported late Monday that the ceasefire, brokered by Egyptian and UN officials, is a six-month deal that includes the expansion of the fishing zone as well as the transfer of medicines and other aid to Gaza. Negotiations are also to take place on issues including Gaza's severe electricity shortage and border crossings, the reports said. In return, Hamas would calm protests along the border and halt maritime demonstrations aimed at breaking the blockade. Story continues Hamas denied the reports and Israel did not comment. Separately on Tuesday, human rights groups said Israel had informed the Israeli supreme court it intended to return 65 boats seized from Gaza fishermen accused of violating the blockade. Three human rights groups calling for the immediate return of the boats said the government indicated in a court filing it intended to return them "in accordance with security and political considerations and in line with a security assessment", without providing a date. COGAT did not respond to a request for comment on the statement from the three groups, Gisha, Adalah and Al Mezan. Barcelona (AFP) - Former Catalan vice-president Oriol Junqueras has been in jail for more than 18 months but on Tuesday he will be temporarily released, and sworn in as a Spanish lawmaker. The head of Catalan separatist party ERC is one of five Catalan leaders on trial for their roles in an October 2017 Catalonian secession bid who were elected deputies in Spain's April 28 general election. Four won seats in the lower house of parliament and one was elected to the Senate. "They want to silence and marginalise us, and the ballot box has given our voice back. We defeated repression through the power of voting," Junqueras, 50, told AFP in a written interview from prison. He is the main protagonist in the trial that opened in February at Spain's Supreme Court in Madrid of 12 Catalan leaders accused of rebellion and other charges in connection with a banned independence referendum held on October 1, 2017 that was followed by a short-lived declaration of independence. Junqueras, a lifelong supporter of independence, could face 25 years in prison if convicted. "The fact that we are political prisoners in detention is a great anomaly. For what reason? for having staged a referendum. This is our crime, setting up ballot boxes and voting," he said. Junqueras seems as determined as when he was jailed in November 2017 after choosing to remain in Spain rather than flee abroad following the failed declaration of independence. "It is obvious that we will not renounce independence or the right to self-determination," he said. - Backing for Sanchez? - His ERC party won 15 seats in Spain's 350-seat lower house of parliament in last month's general election, ahead of the Junts per Catalunya party (JxCAT) of Carles Puigdemont who led the regional Catalan government during the independence bid. The JxCAT won seven seats, giving Catalan separatist parties a total of 22 seats in the assembly. Acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialists won the most seats in the election but fell short of an absolute majority. To be sworn in again as prime minister, he is likely to rely on some parties abstaining from voting. Story continues Spain's new parliament will likely vote at the beginning of July on who will become prime minister but Junqueras warned his ERC would not back the Socialists during the investiture vote. "We will not offer our votes to Sanchez. The separatist victory obliges him to sit at the negotiating table but he continues to look elsewhere. He is afraid of dialogue and if there is no dialogue, there is nothing to discuss regarding an investiture," Junqueras said. "We have always said that we will not set any red lines for dialogue. That is the starting point," he added. The ERC has said it is open to dialogue but insists on holding an independence referendum in Catalonia, which Sanchez steadfastly refuses. Junqueras is the lead candidate in this weekend's European Parliament election for a European regionalist party that defends the right to self-determination, the European Free Alliance. "I presented myself as a candidate most of all because it is a way to condemn the repression and democratic regression of the Spanish state," said Junqueras, who was already an MEP between 2009 and 2012. "I am convinced that the European Parliament will not leave anybody out and I will be able to exercise my mandate as a European member of parliament. Europe can't look away when democracy is at stake," he added. Madrid (AFP) - Five jailed Catalan separatist leaders elected to the Spanish parliament last month were temporarily released from prison Tuesday and escorted by police to the assembly to be sworn in as lawmakers. The Supreme Court allowed the five men, on trial for their role in Catalonia's 2017 secession attempt, to leave jail to take up their seats, but they are likely to be quickly suspended because of their legal situation. They won office in an April 28 general election that was won by acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialists but without a majority. Oriol Junqueras, Jordi Sanchez, Jordi Turull and Josep Rull won seats in the Congress, the lower house of parliament, while Raul Romeva was elected to the Senate, the upper house. They swore to respect the Spanish constitution -- the same constitution they are accused of having violated with their independence push -- even as they vowed to remain faithful to the separatist cause. "True to my Republican commitments, as a political prisoner and by legal obligation, yes I promise" to respect the constitution, said Junqueras, a former Catalan vice-president who heads the separatist ERC party. The five are among 12 Catalan leaders on trial in connection with a banned independence referendum held on October 1, 2017 that was followed by a short-lived declaration of independence which sparked Spain's worst political crisis in decades. Whenever the Catalan separatists took their oaths, lawmakers from far-right party Vox banged their desks and drowned out their voices. Boosted by its fierce opposition to Catalan separatism, far-right party Vox won 24 seats and entered parliament in a country that has had no significant far-right party to speak of since the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975. - 'International embarrassment' - The conservative Popular Party (PP) and centre-right Ciudadanos have said they will try to stop the five men from occupying their posts. Story continues PP leader Pablo Casado said that allowing the jailed separatists to add caveats when they swore to respect the constitution was an "international embarrassment" that should not be allowed to happen again in the future. The chambers' governing bodies, which was elected on Tuesday, will now decide whether or not to suspend the five men who returned to jail after the opening session of parliament. "The suspension is obvious...they can't hold their posts," acting Deputy Prime Minister Carmen Calvo told news radio Cadena Ser. While the Socialists emerged as the biggest party in the 350-seat lower house in last month's elections, they lack a majority. To be sworn in as prime minister again Sanchez is likely to rely on some parties abstaining from voting. But if the jailed Catalan lawmakers are not allowed to take part in Sanchez's investiture vote, and are not replaced, the threshold to be approved will be lower and he could be sworn in without relying on Catalan separatist parties abstaining. - Catalan speakers - Sanchez, who took over as prime minister in June 2018, has bet on dialogue with Catalonia to ease tensions sparked by the separatist push. Last week he proposed two Catalans as speakers of the upper and lower houses of parliament in what was seen as goodwill gesture. The outgoing minister for territorial policy, Meritxell Batet, was elected speaker of the Congress while philosopher Manuel Cruz was elected speaker of the Senate. The pro-independence Catalan party ERC blocked Sanchez's first pick for Senate speaker, Socialist leader in Catalonia Miquel Iceta, because he and his party backed the temporary suspension of Catalonia's regional powers after the 2017 independence declaration. While the ERC says it is open to dialogue with Madrid, it insists on holding an independence referendum in Catalonia, which Sanchez steadfastly refuses. A poll published on May 10 by the Catalan government's CEO survey institute showed that slightly more Catalans were against independence than were in favour -- the first time that has been the case since June 2017. King Mohammed VI inaugurated, on Monday at Sidi Moumen district in Casablanca, a community medical center financed by the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity. The construction works of the solidarity-based project, which cost 60 million dirhams, were launched by the monarch in 2016. This new project that will upgrade proximity health services for the population of Sidi Moumen translates the Kings commitment to improve medical services and health care for the underprivileged and ensure comprehensive, sustainable and integrated human development. It is also in line with the sovereigns efforts to promote access of disadvantaged social layers to quality basic health care and ensure periodic medical consultations to patients requiring regular medical follow-up. The new center, the second of its kind nationwide, will help speed up medical emergency operations, sparing patients life-threatening long commute distances, and relieve the pressure on the hospital and health centers in Sidi Bernoussi prefecture. The new center that will provide health services for nearly 500,000 inhabitants includes a department for community-based medical emergencies, a unit for primary health care (consultation, care, vaccination and maternal and child health / family planning), specialized consultations wings (cardiology, ophthalmology, ENT, dermatology, gastroenterology, pediatrics, gynecology), an orthopedic rehabilitation unit and a medical-technical department with two surgery rooms and an observation ward. The center, which has a modern state-of-the art equipment, also houses a dental care unit, a medical imaging unit (radiology, mammography, ultrasound, dental panoramic X-ray), a medical analysis laboratory, a sterilization unit, 12 hospital beds, a pharmacy, and a morgue. The new facilitys medical and paramedical staff is made up of 21 general practitioners, emergency doctors and specialists, 38 nurses, as well as administrative and technical personnel. By Belen Carreno and Ingrid Melander MADRID (Reuters) - Jailed Catalan separatists, far-right lawmakers, a record number of women and the biggest Socialist group in years held a rowdy opening session on Tuesday of a parliament that reflected Spain's divisions and diversity like no other in recent memory. Acting prime minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialists boosted their representation in the April 28 election after a tense campaign, but have yet to put together a working majority and say it may not happen until July. The lower house or Congress erupted in cheers, jeers, desk slapping and defiant declarations in local languages as each of its 350 members was sworn in. The combative atmosphere was one of many firsts for a parliament that illustrates the fragmentation of Spain's politics and the demise of decades-old domination by the Socialists to the left and the conservative People's Party to the right. Much of the tension focused on the four jailed Catalan lawmakers. They are the first to make their way to Spain's parliament from jail, as they undergo trial over a banned independence referendum. One other jailed Catalan leader was elected to the upper house, the Senate. As each stood to be sworn in, their words were drowned out by far-right nationalist lawmakers from the newcomer Vox party and a few from the centre-right Ciudadanos banging on their desks, while fellow separatists gave them a standing ovation. "DEMOCRACY HUMILIATED" Accusations of lack of respect for parliament and voters flew on all sides after the ceremony, with right-wing parties particularly angry at the presence of the jailed separatists. "Spanish democracy was humiliated," said Pablo Casado, leader of the conservative People's Party. Some pro-independence Catalan lawmakers could be heard pledging to follow through on the results of the banned referendum, which backed independence, prompting more jeers from right-wingers. Story continues Vox lawmaker Ivan Espinosa de los Monteros said they were "enemies of Spain" and called their presence a "joke" while Gabriel Rufian, from the separatist ERC party, said the presence of police monitoring the four men was a breach of rights, and that other groups had behaved liked "fascists". The Supreme Court had ruled that the jailed separatists could collect their papers and attend Tuesday's opening sessions before returning to prison. The newly elected chair of the chamber, Meritxell Batet, concluded the swearing-in ceremony by saying all should respect the diversity of the chamber. "We all represent the people but none of us on their own represents everybody," she said. The 24 Vox lawmakers are the first far-right bloc to sit in parliament since Francisco Franco's dictatorship ended in the late 1970s, although one single far-right legislator sat from 1979-1982. WOMEN LEAD THE WAY Newcomer Vox gained 10% of the vote last month and counts among its legislators two retired generals who have signed a manifesto honouring Franco's memory. In the chamber, the bloc sat right behind the acting Socialist government bench, having arrived early to claim the high-profile seats, and behind them sat one of the jailed Catalan members of parliament, Oriol Junqueras. Spain's lower house is now Europe's most gender-equal legislature, with 47.1% women. Nine of those represent Vox, which strongly opposes existing equality laws, saying they discriminate against men. [nL5N22T588] To the left of the Socialists are another relative upstart party in the anti-austerity Podemos ("We Can"), which hopes to strike a coalition deal with Sanchez, who has been non-committal. Podemos's ponytailed young leader, Pablo Iglesias, said the jeers in parliament demonstrated "a lack of manners". Parliament now needs to decide if the jailed Catalans' rights as lawmakers should be suspended. They and seven other Catalan leaders are charged with rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds, which they all deny. The trial is expected to last several more months. Sanchez proposed two Catalan Socialists as parliamentary speakers, a nod to the prominent role that the politically volatile region is likely to play during his mandate. Batet got 175 votes in a first round on Tuesday, one short of an absolute majority, but was then elected to lead the lower house in a second round by simple majority. Her equivalent candidate for the upper house, Manuel Cruz, was also elected. (Reporting by Belen Carreno, Paul Day, Sabela Ojea, Elena Rodriguez; Writing by Ingrid Melander; Editing by Kevin Liffey) Administrators appointed to Jamie Olivers restaurant empire have closed all but three of the companys restaurants, in a move that will see around 1,000 employees lose their jobs. The company, which includes 22 Jamies Italian restaurants in the UK as well as the celebrity chefs Fifteen and Barbecoa restaurants, on Tuesday appointed accounting firm KPMG as administrator. Unfortunately, with insufficient funds available to be able to trade the business in administration, all but the Gatwick airport restaurants have now closed, joint administrator Will Wright, a partner in KPMG, said in a statement. In a tweet on Tuesday, Oliver said: Im devastated that our much-loved UK restaurants have gone into administration. I am deeply saddened by this outcome and would like to thank all of the people who have put their hearts and souls into this business over the years. KPMG confirmed that around 1,000 employees would be made redundant, but said that all restaurant staff salaries would be paid up to the date of its appointment. The group employs around 1,300 staff across 25 restaurants. Trouble has been brewing for Olivers empire for some time, and it has been seeking a new investor. File photo dated 07/11/02 of chef Jamie Oliver in the kitchen during the launch of his restaurant 'Fifteen' in London's Old Street. Jamie Oliver's restaurant group, which includes Jamie's Italian, Barbecoa and Fifteen, has appointed administrators putting more than 1,300 jobs at risk. READ MORE: The full list of Jamie Oliver restaurants at risk of closing Over the course of several months in 2017 and 2018, the chef was forced to inject almost 13m of his own money into the company to save it from bankruptcy. Discussing that move, the celebrity chef said a perfect storm had brought his restaurant chain to the brink, blaming a combination of high rents, rates, food costs, a decline of the high street, Brexit, and the increase in the minimum wage. Last year, the group sold five of its Australian restaurants in a last-minute rescue deal, while a sixth was forced to close. Im devastated that our much-loved UK restaurants have gone into administration. I am deeply saddened by this outcome and would like to thank all of the people who have put their hearts and souls into this business over the years. Jamie Oliver Jamie Oliver (@jamieoliver) May 21, 2019 Oliver closed six of his UK-based Jamies Italian branches in 2017, blaming the pressures and unknowns of Brexit, and sold a further 12 of them in January 2018. Story continues In its most recent financial year, the company lost almost 20m. Sales fell by around 11%, to just 101m. It blamed the ongoing challenges of the casual dining sector. The current trading environment for companies across the casual dining sector is as tough as Ive ever seen, Wright said on Tuesday, adding that the companys directors had worked tirelessly to stabilise the business. In February 2018, court documents revealed that Jamies Italian, which was founded in 2008, had debts of more than 70m, including 30m in overdrafts and loans. READ MORE: Jamies Italian latest in string of casual dining brands to suffer At its peak, there were more than 40 Jamies Italian branches. In a further statement on Tuesday, Oliver said the chains intention had been to positively disrupt mid-market dining in the UK with great value and much higher quality ingredients, best-in-class animal welfare standards and an amazing team who shared my passion for great food and service. And we did exactly that, he said. Olivers media business, including his roster of best-selling cookbooks and TV shows, is unaffected by the collapse of his restaurant empire. In its most recent financial year, profits at that firm jumped 45% to 8m. Having sold more than 40 million books, Oliver is not only the UKs most successful celebrity chef, but also the countrys best-selling non-fiction author. READ MORE: Jamie Oliver says poverty-stricken obese Brits eat badly because they think in a different gear Jeremy Corbyn speaking during the 2019 National Manufacturing Conference. Photo: Dinendra Haria/SOPA Images/Sipa USA A former economic adviser to Jeremy Corbyn has launched an extraordinary personal attack on the Labour leader, calling him a pro-Brexit buffoon who was clueless about economics. Danny Blanchflower, who served on the Bank of Englands monetary policy committee during the financial crisis, joined other leading left-leaning economists on an advisory group after Corbyn gained power. But he has since distanced himself from the leader of the UK opposition, and now urging voters not to support Corbyn over his stance on Brexit in the upcoming European elections. In a series of furious tweets over the past few days, Blanchflower called Corbyn an uneducated fool and accused him of being clueless about economics. I supported @UKLabour my whole life but could never vote for them with a pro-brexit buffoon as leader https://t.co/mwuCwHXF0r Danny Blanchflower (@D_Blanchflower) May 20, 2019 READ MORE: Labour calls for government to step in as British Steel battles to survive He said: I supported Labour my whole life but could never vote for them with a pro-Brexit buffoon as leader. In Scotland Remainers should vote for the SNP, and certainly not for Labour or the awful Scottish Tories, either of who have anything to offer sad that I have had to say this but pro-Brexit Jeremy Corbyn is a disaster. The possibility of Brexit has slowed GDP and hit the pound. I sit from afar watching the world being astonished at the utter incompetence of UK politicians Labour should be a real alternative but is just a laughing stock due to the non-leadership of utterly useless Corbyn sadly. He claimed he was told once during a BBC interview that Corbyn had announced plans to cap the pay of CEOS bidding for government contracts, having heard nothing about the plans before going on air. They scrapped it two hours later after I said it was bloody idiotic, he tweeted. Story continues READ MORE: Huawei set to unveil UK tech hub just as security fears grow Simon Wren-Lewis, an economics professor also previously on Corbyns economic advisory council (EAC), also spoke out against him this week, albeit in more moderate terms. He said that Labour had taken up his advice on setting fiscal rules, but didnt appear to listen on our warnings about Brexit. He added: It was Brexit, and the Labour leader's lackluster campaign and too eager adoption of it, that broke up the EAC. If it hadn't been for that I think the organisation would have improved and there would be plenty of policies to discuss. READ MORE: Ex-BoE official dubs Brexit economists charlatans and crackpots DOVER, N.J. New Jersey police arresting a suspect early Sunday morning on charges including assault were seen punching him in the face while he was pinned to the ground in video on social media The suspect, Cyprian Luke, 19, of Morristown, was being held at the Morris County Correctional Facility on Sunday pending a court appearance Monday. He was also charged with violating court orders and criminal mischief. The Morris County Prosecutor's office said late Sunday that it is investigating the incident under the supervision of the New Jersey Attorney General's Office "as required under their directive." About 50 people, including friends and members of Luke's family, gathered Sunday evening to organize a protest in the parking lot of a Krauszer's convenience store located across North Warren Street from the Dover Police Department. About half a dozen officers stood outside their department entrance and did not interact with protesters, who waved signs and chanted "No justice, no peace, no racist police." They also called for the dismissal of one officer by name who some protesters claim threw the punches. What happened before the punches Before the scene in the video that involved the officers restraining Luke, police were seen on video dragging the unwilling suspect toward a patrol car while enduring an expletive-laden rant from those observing the arrest. Police did not appear to react in a physical manner toward those cursing them or the person recording the video. Marcus Robinson of Morristown said he was with Luke and another friend when he stopped briefly in the Krauszer's store off North Warren Street at 2:15 a.m. When Robinson exited the store, he said, he saw the police confronting Luke outside the Mill Pond Towers apartments. Robinson, who captured the encounter in a cellphone video, also said police used a chemical spray to subdue Luke. "First thing I see is they sprayed him with mace," Robinson said. "They were all over him. He couldn't move his arms, but then they were saying 'stop resisting' at the same time. And then they started punching him. I thought bro was going to die." Story continues Robinson said they were in town to get tattoos and were sober at the time. Police Safety Director Daniel Degroot said later Sunday that "the investigation is commencing immediately and is a priority due to the serious nature of the incident." More: N.J. cops tried to provoke violence with profanity, lawsuit says Police stand outside Dover police headquarters as about 50 protesters march by Sunday following the release of a video that shows a Dover officer punching a man in the face while he appeared to be resisting arrest early that morning, but was immobilized by other officers. May 19, 2019 Shanell Harris of Boonton, who said she was Luke's wife, took a call from Luke from prison as the protest continued and relayed answers to questions from the media. "He said his head hurts, he has migraines on and off," she said, holding her toddler daughter, Athena. Harris and others at the protest confirmed reports that when first confronted, Luke gave the false name of "Anthony" to police. "But how would they know?" Harris said. "They didn't know him. He's from Morristown. How would they know?" Robinson said he also spoke to Luke Sunday from the jail. "He's hurting bad," he said. Luke's aunt, Rachelle Cruz, was among the protesters. "He's a great kid, he gets in trouble here and there like a normal teenager, but he's not a violent person," said Cruz, a Dover resident. "He lives in the Hollow, which is the toughest area to live in Morristown, and you kind of have to be a little tougher. He doesn't like it, but he has to do what he's got to do to survive sometimes. But he's a great kid. The people here are doing it out of love for him." Luke's grandmother, Aura Heredia, also came to the protest, where she teared up after someone showed her the video for the first time. "It's too much," she said, her voice breaking. Karol Ruiz, an attorney and president of the Morristown-based nonprofit Wind of the Spirit immigrant resource center, organized the protesters. About 50 protesters march in Dover Sunday following the release of a video that shows a Dover officer punching a man in the face while he appeared to be resisting arrest early that morning, but was immobilized by other officers. May 19, 2019 "I certainly don't understand police procedure, I only understand the difference between a peaceful arrest and a violent arrest," She said. "That video showed excessive force to me. That is a concerning pattern we are seeing across the country." Dover Alderwoman Carolyn Blackman called for "restraint" and for "an independent authority to conduct a swift, full and fair investigation into this tragic incident." "When videos such as these surface, emotions can run high, especially in the African-American and Latino communities, as we have had to endure more than our fair share of mistreatment on every level," Blackman said. "I praise the professionalism of our dedicated and hard-working police officers as they deal with challenging situations every day. However, Dover is not immune to the potential for the use of excessive force. Brutality by law enforcement against the very people they are duty-bound to protect and serve is unacceptable " This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: New Jersey police punch restrained suspect in the face in video By Tim Reid LOS ANGELES, May 21 (Reuters) - A comedian who asked for help with her love life on Twitter said she was left "crying and shaking" from an inspirational phone call with Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren on Tuesday, after the two had connected on the social media platform. Ashley Nicole Black, a 33-year-old comic based in Los Angeles who is a former writer for "Full Frontal with Samantha Bee," asked jokingly in a tweet on Saturday: "Do you think Elizabeth Warren has a plan to fix my love life?" Her message was a reference to one of the Democratic candidate's campaign slogans, "I have a plan for that." Warren, a U.S. senator from Massachusetts, has one of the most detailed policy programs of the 23 Democratic candidates hoping to become their party's nominee to take on Republican President Donald Trump in next year's election. On Sunday, Warren replied on Twitter: "DM me and let's figure this out." Warren's request to Black to direct message her set off a social media frenzy, with over 75,000 Twitter users "liking" Warren's response and over 1,000 commenting on it by Tuesday. Black tweeted out on Tuesday that the two had spoken, saying: "Guess who's crying and shaking and just talked to Elizabeth Warren on the phone?!?!? We have a plan to get my mom grandkids, it's very comprehensive, and it does involve raising taxes on billionaires." Warren, a progressive, proposes taxing the wealthiest 75,000 American families to pay for programs including free universal child care and student debt relief. Kristen Orthman, a campaign spokeswoman for Warren, confirmed in an email that Black and Warren had spoken. Rachel Marie, one Twitter user, told Black: "I love her. I love you. This is magical!" Another user, Razan Ghalayini, declared: "She's got my vote." According to polls, Warren leads a second-tier pack of Democrats seeking the party's nomination, but is still well behind the frontrunner, former Vice President Joe Biden. ( Reporting by Tim Reid) The House Oversight and Reform Committee is one step closer to obtaining President Donald Trumps financial recordsbut the end might still be just out of sight. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta upheld the Committees subpoena on Monday, arguing that it has the authority to examine Trumps records. But what happens next? Both sides have agreed to a waiting period for the next seven days. In that period, Mazars, Trumps accounting firm, cannot release any documents. The first step for Trumps legal team is to appeal the ruling within that time frame. Trump attorney Jay Sekulow said that they will be filing a timely notice of appeal to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. An earlier request to issue a stay on the ruling from another Trump attorney, William Consovoy, was denied. Mehta ruled that the the public interest in maximizing the effectiveness of the investigatory powers of Congress was greater than possible damages to Trump. Without a stay on the ruling, Mazars could theoretically comply with any subsequent request from the House Committee to disclose Trumps financial records before an appeals court intervenes. The appeals court would have to step in first to prevent the firm from complying. Even if the case were to make it to the appeals court before any records are shared, legal experts widely expect that Trumps legal reasoning will not hold up in court. If the subpoena is upheld, Trump would be legally obligated to provide these records to Congress, paving the way for deeper investigations into Trumps finances and the Trump Organization. Mazars did not take a legal position on the case and has said that it will respect the legal process and fully comply with its legal obligations. Trump called the ruling crazy on Monday. We disagree with that ruling, its crazy, he told reporters. As far as the financials are concerned, its totally the wrong decision by obviously an Obama-appointed judge. This has never happened to any other president, he added, arguing that Democrats were seeking an opportunity to even out the score following the conclusion of Muellers investigation. The Democrats were very upset with the Mueller report, as perhaps they should be, he said. Story continues Mehtas ruling is the first time a federal court has weighed in on the issue of Congressional subpoena power versus executive privilege. While lengthy litigation on the matter of Trumps financial records is to be expected, the outcome will have far-reaching implications for similar instances in which the House is seeking other records from Trump and members of his cabinet. The House has already flagged the ruling to a judge in New York who is currently considering House subpoenas to Deutsche Bank and Capitol One for other Trump financial records. More must-read stories from Fortune: Meet the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates youve (probably) never heard of How would a recession shape the 2020 presidential race? Stacey Abrams wont rule out a 2020 run for president Inside Elizabeth Warrens $100 billion plan to tackle the opioid epidemic How New York could become a factor in the 2020 presidential race Having become the first Republican in Congress to call for the impeachment of Donald Trump, Justin Amash reward is a challenger for his seat. The Michigan congressman brought the wrath of his entire party into himself with a number of tweets over the weekend suggesting that the possible attempts of obstruction of justice against the president raised by special counsel Robert Mueller amounted to impeachable conduct. Mr Amash said Mr Mueller had identified multiple examples of conduct satisfying all the elements of obstruction of justice during his investigation into Russian election interference, adding that any person who is not the president of the United States would be indicted based on such evidence. Attorney general William Barr said that the 11 examples raised did not constitute obstruction of justice, with the Mueller report having already said that the president was not involved in a conspiracy with Russia to sway the 2016 presidential election. But Mr Amash accused Mr Barr of having deliberately misrepresented the investigation and that it was up to Congress to decide what happens next. Contrary to Barrs portrayal, Mr Amash tweeted. Muellers report reveals that President Trump engaged in specific actions and a pattern of behaviour that meet the threshold for impeachment, he added. Talking about impeachment he said it simply requires a finding that an official has engaged in careless, abusive, corrupt or otherwise dishonourable conduct. Now Michigan state representative and Republican Jim Lower has announced that he will be challenging Mr Amash for the third district seat the congressman won in the Tea Party wave of 2010. I am a pro-Trump, pro-life, pro-jobs, pro-second amendment, pro-family values Republican, Mr Lower said in a statement. Justin Amashs tweets... calling for President Trumps impeachment show how out of touch he is with the truth and how out of touch he is with people he represents. Story continues Mr Amash had faced a difficult 48 hours, with the whole Republican Party establishment admonishing him. Ronna McDaniel, chair of the Republican National Committee, accused him of parroting the Democrats talking points on Russia. Kevin McCarthy, the House minority leader, called the move disturbingquestioned if he was truly a Republican. Its very disturbing. This is exactly what you would expect from Justin. He never supported the president. And I think hes just looking for attention, Mr McCarthy said. Mr Amash has gone against his party on some major legislation over the years, but has backed Mr Trumps wishes more often than not. As for the president, he called Mr Amash called a total lightweight who opposes me and some of our great Republican ideas and policies. As for the Democrats, senator Chris Coons summed up the mood when he said he was surprised to see a Republican congressman saying publicly what I think many are thinking privately. A regional conference on the promotion of oases in North Africa and Mauritania held in Tozeur, Tunisia, last week underlined that $24 million funding was needed to preserve the green areas in the region desert. Participants in the conference, recognizing oases as a historical, cultural, environmental, civilizational, national and international heritage that must be preserved, have decided to ask for the funding, in the form of donation, from the Green Climate Fund ($10 million) and from the Adaptation Fund ($14 million) said the representative of the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (SSO), Nabil Hmada. Speaking at the closing of this conference held May 17-18, the SSO official said the finalization of the funding process will last 15 months and it will benefit six countries concerned by the development of oases, namely Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Egypt and Mauritania, Tunisian news agency reported. Participants recommended supporting national, local and international initiatives aimed at improving the adaptation of oases to climate change and strengthening the means of sustainable development within them. In addition, participants called for a development vision based on an integrated approach between different sectors and stakeholders (government departments, civil society, private sector, university and scientific research institute). They also called for strengthening mechanisms for cooperation and sharing of experience in the field to develop a regional work plan for oasis governance, while taking into account local and national specificities and making use of new technologies. The recommendations from this meeting must be implemented, especially those relating to the preservation of oases and their integration into the economic system, as well as the establishment of companies specializing in the investment in this area and the mobilization of funding, said Tunisian Minister of Local Affairs and Environment Mokhtar Hammami. The regional conference was organized in cooperation with the World Bank. Following a couple years of serious financial difficulties, the restaurant empire of British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver may have reached the end of its roadthe latest victim of an ongoing, partly Brexit-related shakeout in the U.K.s casual dining sector. The Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group said Tuesday that it had gone into administration, with KPMGs insolvency team taking over. Most of its locations are closing immediately, taking more than 1,000 jobs with them. The 11-year-old business had reportedly been trying to find a buyer in recent months, but had no luck. Im devastated that our much-loved U.K. restaurants have gone into administration, said Oliver. I am deeply saddened by this outcome and would like to thank all of the people who have put their hearts and souls into this business over the years. Im devastated that our much-loved UK restaurants have gone into administration. I am deeply saddened by this outcome and would like to thank all of the people who have put their hearts and souls into this business over the years. Jamie Oliver Jamie Oliver (@jamieoliver) May 21, 2019 All in all, 25 restaurants are closing, including 23 Jamies Italian restaurants across the U.K., plus the Barbecoa steakhouse and flagship Fifteen restaurant in London. The groups international franchise business will continue, as will three restaurants at Gatwick Airport near London, in the short term at least. The group had recently undertaken a process to secure additional investment into the business and, since the beginning of this year, Jamie Oliver has made available additional funds of 4 million [$5.1 million] to support the fundraising. However, with no suitable investment forthcoming and in light of the very difficult current trading environment, the directors resolved to appoint administrators, KPMG said in a statement quoted by the BBC. Story continues Tough scene The Jamie Oliver Restaurant Groups troubles are well-documented. When the company shuttered half a dozen Jamies Italian restaurants in early 2017, it said it had been hit by the Brexit vote and the resulting depreciation of the British poundimporting ingredients became more expensive. The company almost went bankrupt, and was only saved by a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) with its creditors. Oliver had to inject 12.7 million of his own money into the business, and HSBC threw it another lifeline in the form of a 37 million loan. Hoda Kotb, Jamie Oliver and Kathie Lee Gifford appear on NBC News' Jamies Italian is hardly the only mid-market restaurant chain to suffer in the last 18 months. The Italian chain Strada shuttered a third of its restaurants at the start of 2018, and Prezzo and Carlucciosyes, Italian food againhad to undergo restructuring. The Byron burger chain had to shutter two-fifths of its restaurants last year as part of its own restructuring agreement with creditors. Gourmet Burger Kitchen also had to undergo restructuring. According to Deloitte partner Sarah Humphreys, who specializes in the casual dining industry, high-profile restaurant-chain CVAs may hit the headlines, but quite a few brands are still succeeding and, among the 40 biggest chains, there has only been a very small net decline in the year. However, Humphreys said, it has been commonly noted in the last two years that there was a restaurant oversupply, in particular [in] Italian chains and the burger sector. Brexit effect As for the Brexit effect, sterling still hasnt recovered from the post-referendum drop, so those import costs havent fallen. And, with Brexits ultimate form still unclear, consumer confidence remains shaky. It is known that consumer spending is linked to the sentiment around the economy, Humphreys said. There has been some consumer uncertainty around Brexit that has reduced some spending, to a small extent. KPMG partner Will Wright, one of the administrators appointed to handle the restaurant groups insolvency, painted a bleaker picture in talking to the Guardian, calling the current environment in casual dining as tough as Ive ever seen. The directors at Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group have worked tirelessly to stabilize the business against a backdrop of rising costs and brittle consumer confidence, he said. Some pinned the blame on the businesss inflexibility rather than the landscape. Faced with higher rent, rising food prices and increased competition, restaurants need a point of differenceits no coincidence that smaller brands with the freedom and flexibility to keep things fresh are currently the ones performing well, Simon Mydlowski, a partner at the law firm Gordons, told the BBC. Insolvency lawyer Turon Miah, of Gowling WLG, said there was still a possibility that parts of the Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group could survive. Other buyers might be interested in revamping the chain, he said. [Oliver] still has a high profile and the brand is still strong. I can see there being some interest in that. Nicholas Rose who was found guilty of murdering missing 16-year-old Charlotte Pinkney from Devon. A murderer who killed a 16-year-old girl whose body has never been found has died in prison. Nicholas Rose, 37, was convicted of killing tragic teen Charlotte Pinkney in 2004 after attacking her when she spurned his sexual advances. The Ministry of Justice has confirmed he died on Sunday at HMP Guys Marsh where he was serving a life sentence for the killing. Rose was convicted of murder at Exeter Crown Court in February 2005. It was said he killed Charlotte in the early hours of February 28, 2004 after she spurned his sexual advances. But several aspects of the case in Ilfracombe, Devon, remain a mystery. Charlotte Pinkney who disappeared on February 28 2004. Her killer Nicholas Rose has been found dead in prison. Charlotte's body was never found and Rose maintained his innocence. He was convicted on circumstantial evidence, including DNA. His death means that, tragically, Charlotte's family may never find out what happened to her. In a statement the MoJ said: "HMP Guys Marsh prisoner Nicholas Rose died in prison on 19 May 2019. As with all deaths in custody there will be an independent investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. Rose was serving a minimum of 20 years before being considered for release. Neil and Kay Rose stand with their daughter, Carley, outside the High Court in London, during Rose's appeal against his murder conviction. Kay has said she is 'heartbroken' following her son's death. The jury at his trial in 2005 delivered a majority verdict after deliberating for 25 hours. They agreed Rose, a scaffolder, drove Charlotte to a deserted reservoir, killed her and dumped her body. Judge Graham Cottle said Charlotte's family could not rest until Rose, aged 22 at the time of the killing, told them where he had disposed of his victim. In the lead up to her death Charlotte had been to a house party in Ilfracombe where she met Rose. They left together at 4.30am and Rose killed her after an argument about sex. The prosecution said scratch marks on the defendant meant Charlotte had fought for her life. Her blood was found in the car Rose was driving, on the jump leads, the roof and one of his trainers. A button of the type used on her trousers was found in the vacuum he used to clean the car and black elastic consistent with a thong Charlotte was wearing was found under the passenger seat. Story continues Read more from Yahoo News UK: Video shows man knocked out in London station brawl Police launch manhunt after girl raped in woodland Man takes police to court over facial recognition technology Rose said he had dropped Charlotte off close to the party and was not responsible for her death. In 2006 Rose lost an appeal against his conviction. He claimed a number of witnesses had seen Charlotte in Ilfracombe after he was supposed to have murdered her. They also rejected his claims the judge had allowed prejudicial evidence. His mother, Kay Rose, said she was heartbroken by the news of his death. "We are all heartbroken," she said. "We can't think straight. "We are waiting for the post mortem to find out what happened. We know it wasn't suspicious and he didn't take his own life." Reflecting on his murder conviction she said: "We will still carry on fighting. We will still try to clear his name if we can. He maintained his innocence. It's just been such a hard fight." An inquest will be held at a later date. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK The big shareholder groups in Hawthorn Resources Limited (ASX:HAW) have power over the company. Insiders often own a large chunk of younger, smaller, companies while huge companies tend to have institutions as shareholders. Warren Buffett said that he likes 'a business with enduring competitive advantages that is run by able and owner-oriented people'. So it's nice to see some insider ownership, because it may suggest that management is owner-oriented. With a market capitalization of AU$17m, Hawthorn Resources is a small cap stock, so it might not be well known by many institutional investors. Our analysis of the ownership of the company, below, shows that institutions own shares in the company. Let's delve deeper into each type of owner, to discover more about HAW. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! Check out our latest analysis for Hawthorn Resources ASX:HAW Ownership Summary, May 21st 2019 What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Hawthorn Resources? Many institutions measure their performance against an index that approximates the local market. So they usually pay more attention to companies that are included in major indices. Hawthorn Resources already has institutions on the share registry. Indeed, they own 19% of the company. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see Hawthorn Resources's historic earnings and revenue, below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story. ASX:HAW Income Statement, May 21st 2019 Hawthorn Resources is not owned by hedge funds. Our information suggests that there isn't any analyst coverage of the stock, so it is probably little known. Story continues Insider Ownership Of Hawthorn Resources The definition of company insiders can be subjective, and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it. Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances. Our information suggests that insiders maintain a significant holding in Hawthorn Resources Limited. Insiders own AU$1.9m worth of shares in the AU$17m company. This may suggest that the founders still own a lot of shares. You can click here to see if they have been buying or selling. General Public Ownership With a 27% ownership, the general public have some degree of sway over HAW. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies. Private Company Ownership It seems that Private Companies own 39%, of the HAW stock. It might be worth looking deeper into this. If related parties, such as insiders, have an interest in one of these private companies, that should be disclosed in the annual report. Private companies may also have a strategic interest in the company. Public Company Ownership Public companies currently own 3.9% of HAW stock. We can't be certain, but this is quite possible this is a strategic stake. The businesses may be similar, or work together. Next Steps: It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand Hawthorn Resources better, we need to consider many other factors. I always like to check for a history of revenue growth. You can too, by accessing this free chart of historic revenue and earnings in this detailed graph. Of course this may not be the best stock to buy. Therefore, you may wish to see our free collection of interesting prospects boasting favorable financials. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. 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. MOSCOW, May 21 (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Tuesday that U.S. sanctions on Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline to Germany would be an act of unfair competition that would be seen as unacceptable in Moscow and some European capitals. U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry said earlier on Tuesday in Kiev that a sanctions bill putting onerous restrictions on companies involved in the Nord Stream 2 project would come in the "not too distant future." The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project has come under fire from the United States and several eastern European, Nordic and Baltic Sea countries which fear it will increase the European Union's reliance on Russian gas. "This (acts of unfair U.S. competition) is unacceptable not only for us, but also for many European Union countries," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call. (Reporting by Tom Balmforth and Maxim Rodionov; editing by Andrew Osborn) Boris Johnson is seen as the biggest threat to Jeremy Corbyn's hopes of becoming Prime Minister, according to a poll of Labour voters. Boris Johnson is the biggest threat to Jeremy Corbyns bid to lead the country, according to a Labour voters survey. LabourList asked members which potential Conservative leadership candidates they saw as the biggest challenge for Mr Corbyn in a general election and the former Mayor of London came out on top, with 45.2% of readers backing Johnson. An overwhelming 72% of the 4,478 polled said they considered Johnson to be the contender who would be most damaging to the country as Prime Minister. He was followed by Esther McVey, the former work and pensions minister who fiercely defended Universal Credit, but she received just 6.8% of the vote for the potential to do the most damage. Around 60% of Labour voters have said they plan to back Corbyn's party in the European elections. (PA) The news comes as Theresa May attempts to secure Cabinet support for a "bold offer" to MPs across the Commons to finally win backing for her Brexit deal. The Prime Minister's senior ministers will consider the Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB) against the backdrop of the looming contest to replace her. In a sign of the divisions within the party, Chancellor Philip Hammond will use a major speech on Tuesday night to deliver a rebuke to would-be leaders considering a no-deal Brexit. In remarks set to raise Tory tensions on EU withdrawal, the Chancellor will claim supporters of leaving the bloc without an exit agreement are trying to "hijack" the result of the referendum. Read more from Yahoo News UK: Video shows man knocked out in London station brawl Police launch manhunt after girl raped in woodland Man takes police to court over facial recognition technology But Commons leader Andrea Leadsom, who has said she could stand in the contest to replace Mrs May, insisted the UK had to be prepared to walk away without a Brexit deal. Worryingly for Labour despite the government unrest the LabourList poll found that almost of third of people do not intend to vote for the party in Thursdays European elections, though 63% of the sites readers said they will back the party. Story continues More readers plan to continue supporting the party in the next general election with 75% saying they will vote Labour when the time comes. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK Bitcoin Cash (BCH) is once again leading the way in the cryptocurrency market with a 13% climb upwards since the weekend. While many other altcoins have already made back the gains lost during the market crash of last November/December, Bitcoin Cash is still fighting to make back losses from the hash war coin split that took place during 2017. Now, as some coins like Ethereum, EOS, and Litecoin are racing past those pre-November levels, there appears to be an opportunity for BCH to do likewise. Lets take a look at the latest BCH price action. Looking at the chart above, we can clearly see price has broken through important resistance barriers, but there is still room for improvement. Bitcoin Cash broke the $330 level around its 200-day EMA in early May, and the 20-day EMA is finally moving towards the 200-day EMA a clear bullish signal. Moreover, volumes have remained strong since mid-May the BCH market hasnt seen such positive volumes coming in since early April. What I expect to happen is altcoins such as BCH will continue rising against both BTC and USD. We should take into account Bitcoin now has close to 60% total market dominance, meaning its possible investors are satisfied with their altcoin-to-Bitcoin gains. If order books stay on the side of buyers, which will become increasingly difficult the more price goes up, we could see BCH climbing again to the next resistance zone around $440 in just a few days. Last month I predicted that the market was going to experience a small correction, which did come to fruition following sharp dips in price at the beginning of May and at the end of last week so congratulations if you managed to grab some BCH at a nice discount. Still, be aware we may experience close to 60% drops, as this did happen in a similar situation during 2015 prior to the last massive bull run. For the time being, I expect BCH to move towards the $440 level with minimal hassle. Story continues Safe trades! BCH Fundamentals 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. I personally think these 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. 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 21, 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. Carlos Gregorio Hernandez Vasquez, a 16-year-old Guatemalan boy who died in U.S. custody in South Texas Monday, had been detained by border officials for twice as long as U.S. law allows, according to a timeline provided to reporters by a Customs and Border Protection official. The fifth Guatemalan child to die after illegally crossing the border since December, Vasquezs death at a Border Patrol station raises new questions about the length of time minors are being detained, as well as the conditions provided to them while in custody. According to a CPB official familiar with the case, Vasquez was apprehended by Border Patrol agents near Hidalgo, Texas, on May 13 after crossing the border illegally with a group of 70 migrants. Within two hours of being taken into custody, Vasquez was transported to CBPs Central Processing Center in McAllen the agencys largest immigrant processing facility and one of the primary settings for family separations under the Trump administrations zero-tolerance policy. Upon arrival at CPC, Vasquez received a medical screening but received no recommendation for any kind of treatment or higher-level care at that time. A Border Patrol station in Weslaco, Texas. (Photo: Joel Martinez/Monitor via AP) Under U.S. law, unaccompanied immigrant children from noncontiguous countries (i.e., anywhere other than Mexico or Canada) must be transferred to the custody of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement within 72 hours after being apprehended. However, according to the timeline provided to reporters Monday by a CBP official who declined to be quoted on the record, Vasquez was still at the CPC in McAllen on May 19, nearly a week after his arrival. In the early morning hours, he indicated to staff at the processing facility that he was not feeling well. The teen was then examined by a nurse practitioner, among the medical staff contracted by CBP to provide care to migrants at CPC and other facilities along the border, who determined that he had Influenza A and prescribed him Tamiflu, which Border Patrol agents picked up at a local pharmacy. Story continues Carlos continued to receive care at CPC throughout that day, said the CBP official. Around midday, in order to segregate him from much of other population at CPC, the teen was transferred to the Weslaco Border Patrol station, approximately 22 miles away. Border Patrol agents conduct intake of illegal border crossers at the Central Processing Center in McAllen, Texas. (Photo: U.S. Customs and Border Protection via Getty Images) The CBP official told reporters that the agency had received confirmation on May 19 of initial placement for Vasquez at the Homestead temporary facility in southern Florida. The largest federally contracted childrens shelter in the country as of April 30, the Homestead facility houses approximately 2,200 unaccompanied immigrant children between the ages of 13 and 17. After learning of his illness, Vasquezs placement at Homestead was withdrawn, the official said, and changed to the Casa Padre shelter in Brownsville, Texas, another massive facility for migrant children located in a former Walmart just 46 miles from Weslaco. The short drive to Brownsville was deemed more appropriate than a long flight, the CBP official explained. On Monday morning seven days after he was first apprehended at the border Vasquez was found unresponsive in one of the short-term holding cells at the Weslaco station. It was not immediately clear whether he was being held alone or if there were others in the cell with him. The exact cause and circumstances surrounding the Vazquezs death are now under investigation by CBP, the FBI and the Weslaco Police Department. Though many questions remain unanswered at this point, one thing is clear from the official timeline: Vasquez had been in CBP custody for twice as long as legally allowed. This, sadly, doesnt surprise me, Leah Chavla, an attorney and policy adviser with the Womens Refugee Commission who focuses rights of unaccompanied immigrant children, told Yahoo News. Chavla said that Vasquezs delayed transfer to ORR custody is consistent with reports weve been getting now for at least a month or so from shelter staff, attorneys and other social service providers who work with unaccompanied immigrant kids. Jennifer Podkul, policy director at Kids in Need of Defense, or KIND, an organization that provides pro bono legal services to immigrant children confirmed this trend. Our understanding [of] the delay is that CBP isn't able to do the screenings quickly enough to get the kids out in 72 hours, Podkul said. [The Office of Refugee Resettlement] has had open bed space so they haven't been full so it doesn't seem like the backup is on their end. The 72-hour policy for unaccompanied immigrant children was established under the 2008 William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, or the TVPRA. In response to flow of unaccompanied children and families from Central America to the southwest border, President Trump and members of his administration have been pushing for Congress to pass legislation that would roll back a number of existing legal protections, including those outlined in the TVPRA, that govern the detention of immigrant children. Asked why Vasquez was not transferred to an appropriate shelter within the required timeframe, the CBP official offered a vague answer that seemed to point a finger at ORR. Each individual is a case-by-case basis, ultimately ORR makes a determination as to which facilities they will be transporting subjects to and which individual demographics meet their available space, the official said. A scene from a detention facility run by the U.S. Border Patrol, McAllen, Texas. (Photo: John Moore/Getty Images). In a statement to Yahoo News, Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Mark Weber said HHS has not rejected any referrals due to a lack of bed capacity despite the current historical refugee influx. Weber did not, however, address the Vasquez case specifically. In the vast majority of cases, Weber continued, HHS has promptly designated a bed within 72 hours of DHS determining that the child is an unaccompanied alien child (UAC) and referring the child to HHS for placement. DHS then arranges transportation to the HHS shelter. The minority of cases exceeding 72 hours have generally involved exceptional circumstances, such as health issues unique to the UAC, or the placement of a sibling group to ensure they remain together. Before the December 2018 deaths of Jakelin Caal Maquin and Felipe Gomez Alonzo, two young Guatemalan migrants ages 7 and 8 whod been apprehended by Border Patrol after crossing the border with their fathers within weeks of one another, no minor had died in CBP custody in over a decade. Outrage over those two deaths prompted congressional hearings and the implementation by CBP of additional medical screening procedures for children in their custody, particularly those under age 10. The official who briefed reporters on Vasquezs death noted that, since December 22, CBP agents across the southwest border have been transporting an average of 69 subjects per day to higher-level-care facilities, including urgent care as well as hospitals. In recent months, as the number of families with children arriving at the southwest border has swelled to record highs, Homeland Security Officials have sought additional funding from Congress to expand both personnel and physical capacity to accommodate this growing new population of migrants. At the same time, groups like KIND and WRC, along with the American Academy of Pediatrics have called for CBP facilities to employ specially-trained child welfare professionals to screen all children in CBP custody for signs of trafficking, abuse, fear of return, as well as potential health issues. Earlier this month, another 16-year-old from Guatemala, Juan de Leon Gutierrez, died at a Texas childrens hospital after he was brought to the Casa Padre shelter in Brownsville. Last week, a 2-year-old Guatemalan boy apprehended with his mother by Border Patrol agents near El Paso in early April died after spending weeks in the Providence Childrens Hospital. The toddlers official cause of death has yet to be confirmed, but Guatemalas Consul for the El Paso area told the Washington Post that the child, who spent three days in federal custody with his mother, had apparently contracted a form of pneumonia. More than anything, this is a disturbing pattern, said Chavla, who stated that while Vasquez shouldve been in ORR custody, ultimately his death raises questions about the treatment and care of children detained at the border regardless of how long theyre in custody. Its horrifying that this is yet again happening, and why is that? she asked. Read more from Yahoo News: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Latest on the scandals involving Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada (all times local): 8:45 p.m. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee says he's ready to call a special session if House Speaker Glen Casada does not step aside from his leadership position after receiving a no-confidence vote from his GOP caucus. Lee announced late Monday that the House Republican's 45-24 secret ballot vote sent a "clear message." Lee, a first-term Republican governor elected in November, has previously declined to weigh in on what the speaker should do following the swirling scandals surrounding the lawmaker's office for nearly three weeks. Casada has said he does not plan on resigning and instead has vowed to spend the next few months regaining his colleagues' confidence. ___ 6:15 p.m. Embattled Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada is not immediately heeding calls to resign his leadership post in the face of scandals, saying he'll work over the next few months to regain his colleagues' confidence. Casada made the statement in response to a 45-24 secret ballot vote Monday in which his House GOP colleagues declared they had no confidence in him as speaker. Afterward, state Republican Party Chairman Scott Golden called on Casada to relinquish his role as speaker. Casada has been dogged by calls to resign the leadership post after it was revealed that he exchanged text messages containing sexually explicit language about women with his former chief of staff, among other scandals. House GOP Leader William Lamberth and Caucus Chairman Cameron Sexton said after the vote that there isn't any immediate way to remove Casada as speaker. Casada has said recently that he's changed and released an action plan designed to build trust in the legislature. ___ 5:30 p.m. Tennessee House Republicans have cast a vote of no confidence in House Speaker Glen Casada, who remains ensnared by a spate of scandals. House GOP Majority Leader William Lamberth said Republicans cast the 45-24 vote during a Monday meeting closed to the public and reporters. Story continues Casada has been dogged by calls to resign after it was revealed that he exchanged text messages containing sexually explicit language about women with his former chief of staff. Beforehand, Republican Gov. Bill Lee told reporters that he would wait for a signal from House Republicans before saying whether or not a special session is needed to address Casada's leadership. Casada, who previously declined to step aside, didn't immediately comment on the vote. He has said recently that he's changed and released an action plan designed to build trust in the legislature. Spanish far-right party Vox raised fears of Moroccan presence in the occupied city of Melilla as it continues to stir fear of Muslims and migrants to win votes in May 26 regional elections. Jesus Delgado Aboy, who leads Vox in Melilla, said that the rising numbers of Moroccans in the city endangers the Spanish presence there. Melilla, together with Ceuta, has been under Spanish occupation for centuries. Morocco claims both cities as an integral part of its national territory. Vox will not allow in any way that the population of Melilla leave their land to Moroccans, said the local Vox leader. He resented that Melilla is becoming more Moroccan and less Spanish and that everyday more and more Moroccans come to live within the 12 square kilometer territory. Every day resources are diverted to Moroccans in the field of public health to the detriment of Spanish Melillians. The education administration is favoring Moroccan students over Melillian students, he said. Vox has made of its hostile stands towards Muslims, notably Moroccans and migrants, its cause attracting votes at time of economic uncertainty across Europe. Paris (AFP) - French President Emmanuel Macron has warned of an "existential risk" to the EU just days ahead of elections for the European Parliament, while playing down the political risks of being personally involved in the high-stakes campaign. "I cannot be a spectator, but a participant in what is the most important European election since 1979, because the union is facing an existential risk," Macron said in a joint interview published in regional French papers on Tuesday. But Macron's critics say the head of state has no business taking sides in the European contest, and supporters worry that he might be setting himself up for a fall if his party does badly. Macron's centrist list is running neck and neck in opinion polls with the far-right National Rally of Marine Le Pen, who is hoping to hobble her rival after losing badly in the French presidential run-off two years ago. Late Monday, after meeting with Portugal's Socialist premier Antonio Costa, Macron called for a "grand coalition of progressives" to combat "those who want to destroy Europe through nationalism." In the interview he defended his decision to plunge into the high-stakes campaign after supporters worry that he might be setting himself up for a fall if his party does badly. He also raised eyebrows by appearing alone on an election poster last week, replacing the nominal head of his party's campaign, former Europe minister Nathalie Loiseau. "He's acting like the head of a clan. It's not his role today," Jordan Bardella, the head of the National Rally list for the parliament vote, said in a radio interview on Tuesday. Macron rejected the accusation, saying Europeans were facing a vital choice on how to handle a range of challenges from migration and trade to the growing might of China and increased tensions with the United States. "The French president isn't the head of a party, but it's normal that he be involved in these fundamental choices," he said. Story continues At least one paper, the Voix du Nord, boycotted the interview, since Macron's office required a jointly written version of his responses, which had to be submitted for prior approval before publication. - Abstention risks - The election is shaping up to be a showdown between pro-Europeans and eurosceptic populist parties, but opinion polls show abstentions could exceed the record high of 57 percent in 2014's parliament vote. "Deciding not to vote means deciding to give a voice to those who would destroy Europe," Macron said. "But we can't make Europe advance if there's a Franco-German discord," he said, referring to signs of a sharp dispute with Berlin in several areas. Chancellor Angela Merkel admitted last week to "differences in mentality" with Macron and "differences in our understanding of our roles." Macron played down the rift, saying: "We respect each other and work very well together, but I don't believe in faked or sterile relations, that we should paper over our differences," he said. "If we don't say things, we won't move forward," he said. LONDON, May 21 (Reuters) - A man has been charged with common assault and criminal damage after a milkshake was thrown over Nigel Farage, the leader of Britain's Brexit Party, police said on Tuesday. Farage, one of the leading figures in the campaign for Britain to leave the European Union, was covered in the milkshake at a campaign event for the European Parliament elections in the northern English city of Newcastle. He is the latest anti-EU figure to be doused with the drink by protesters ahead of Thursday's vote. Northumbria Police said they had now charged a 32-year-old man, Paul Crowther, over the incident. He is due to appear in court later on Tuesday. "At around 1 p.m., a 55-year-old man had a milkshake thrown at him in the city center," police said in a statement. "A 32-year-old man was detained at the scene and arrested by police." Farage's newly-formed pro-Brexit party is predicted by opinion polls to win the most support in Britain at the elections later this week, promising to take the country out of the European Union without a deal. "Sadly some remainers have become radicalized, to the extent that normal campaigning is becoming impossible," Farage tweeted after the incident. "For a civilized democracy to work you need the losers consent, politicians not accepting the referendum result have led us to this." Farage, a 55-year-old former commodities broker, played an instrumental role in persuading Britain's mainstream political parties to hold a referendum on leaving the European Union in 2016, and then convincing voters to back Brexit during the subsequent campaign. Britain remains deeply divided over the issue and parliament has been unable to agree when, how or even if the country should leave the bloc. (Reporting by Michael Holden. Editing by Andrew MacAskill) LONDON (Reuters) - A man has been charged with common assault and criminal damage after a milkshake was thrown over Nigel Farage, the leader of Britain's Brexit Party, police said on Tuesday. Farage, one of the leading figures in the campaign for Britain to leave the European Union, was covered in the milkshake at a campaign event for the European Parliament elections in the northern English city of Newcastle. He is the latest anti-EU figure to be doused with the drink by protesters ahead of Thursday's vote. Northumbria Police said they had now charged a 32-year-old man, Paul Crowther, over the incident. He is due to appear in court later on Tuesday. "At around 1 p.m., a 55-year-old man had a milkshake thrown at him in the city center," police said in a statement. "A 32-year-old man was detained at the scene and arrested by police." Farage's newly-formed pro-Brexit party is predicted by opinion polls to win the most support in Britain at the elections later this week, promising to take the country out of the European Union without a deal. "Sadly some remainers have become radicalized, to the extent that normal campaigning is becoming impossible," Farage tweeted after the incident. "For a civilized democracy to work you need the losers consent, politicians not accepting the referendum result have led us to this." Farage, a 55-year-old former commodities broker, played an instrumental role in persuading Britain's mainstream political parties to hold a referendum on leaving the European Union in 2016, and then convincing voters to back Brexit during the subsequent campaign. Britain remains deeply divided over the issue and parliament has been unable to agree when, how or even if the country should leave the bloc. (Reporting by Michael Holden. Editing by Andrew MacAskill) Police use of facial recognition technology has been controversial (Picture: PA) The first legal battle in the UK over police use of facial recognition technology begins on Tuesday. Ed Bridges has crowdfunded action against South Wales Police over claims that the use of the technology on him was an unlawful violation of privacy. He will also argue it breaches data protection and equality laws during a three-day hearing at Cardiff Civil Justice and Family Centre. Facial recognition technology maps faces in a crowd then compares results with a "watch list" of images which can include suspects, missing people and persons of interest. Ed Bridges has launched the first legal battle over police use of facial recognition technology (Picture: PA) Police who have trialled the technology hope it can help tackle crime but campaigners argue it breaches privacy and civil liberty. South Wales Police first used Automatic Facial Recognition (AFR) during the Champions League final week in Cardiff in 2017. Read more MPs could be sent on anger management courses for bad behaviour Nigel Farage pelted with milkshake during Brexit Party campaigning Petition supports doctor who asked Muslim woman to remove her veil Mr Bridges, from Cardiff, said he has been scanned by AFR at least twice, including at a peaceful anti-arms protest and while doing Christmas shopping, according to the campaign group Liberty, which represents him. Liberty claims South Wales Police have used facial recognition technology "on around 50 occasions". The force said it would not comment until the judicial review is finished. The Metropolitan Police have also trialled the technology several times in London. Facial recognition technology has been used in London (Picture: PA) Earlier this month, footage emerged of police fining a pedestrian 90 for disorderly behaviour after he attempted to cover his face while passing a facial recognition camera. The man hid his face with his hat and jacket after he spotted the camera during a trial scheme in Romford, east London. Information about AFR on a website set up by South Wales Police says it will help the force "become smarter" and make its patch safer. The force has said it works to "ensure that the deployment of this technology is proportionate whilst recognising the need to balance security and privacy". Story continues Liberty said freedom of information requests have shown that South Wales Police's use of live AFR technology "resulted in 'true matches' with less than 9% accuracy" in the first year. ---Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK--- When Andrea Martinez asked about medical marijuana, the question quickly turned from the political to the personal. At a town hall in a dimly lit church in Washington Monday evening, the 51-year-old Navy veteran suggested to Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson that marijuana might make a suitable alternative to some of the medications prescribed to veterans, adding that shed personally experienced suicidal thoughts on some of those drugs. Williamson reached out and touched Martinezs arm. Im glad you said that. Im glad you said that, she said, reassuringly. Because [its] a big, national underbelly secret that its almost like a sacred cow, youre not supposed to say it. A spiritual adviser, best-selling author and lecturer with no prior political experience, Williamson is an unconventional candidate for the 2020 Democratic nomination. But the argument for her campaign boils down to moments like this one times when she can personally reach out and empathize with voters in a way that eludes many of her rivals, especially President Donald Trump. After floating in elite circles with the likes of Oprah Winfrey, who introduced her to a national audience, Williamson has a core group of supporters who believe in her message of love and kindness, enough that she reached the threshold of 65,000 individual donors to qualify for the first primary debate earlier this month. (More experienced politicians like Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet; Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton; and Miramar, Fla., Mayor Wayne Messam have not yet qualified for the debate stage.) For supporters like Martinez, Williamsons appeal is her ability to connect with voters on a human level. That was, like, the connection It was actually, like, authentic, and it was sincere. You really cant fake that. You cant fake it, Martinez told TIME about her interaction with Williamson at the town hall. Part of the reason why Im on the bandwagon is because shes putting forth that conversation about love. Story continues Still, in a field that includes more than 20 Democratic candidates (or 1,736 candidates, as Williamson joked), the celebrity self-help author has a long slog to become competitive. Although she has raised more than $1.5 million as of the end of March, Williamson still has low name recognition and hasnt polled well. She has also struggled to be recognized as a legitimate candidate. In the meantime, Williamson is out making a case for herself. At the town hall on Monday night, she zoomed around the room to whoever was asking her a question, to an extent that the cameras struggled to keep her in their frame and that the clearly exasperated moderator repeatedly kept having to call her back up to the front. (Williamson explained she needed to get close to people so she could watch their mouths as they spoke because she wears hearing aids.) Her message of kindness wasnt just aspirational, however. She also used it to target Trump over his behavior in office. We have a choice in this country. We have someone [who] has harnessed fear, racism, bigotry, anti-Semitism, some of the worst faces of the human character for political purposes, Williamson said. There is only one way to override that, and that is to harness love, decency, compassion, forgiveness, and mercy, love for each other and love for our country, and love for our unborn great grandchildren. We need to harness that for political purposes. The audience was diverse, but a lot of her long-time fans were middle-aged women who at one point or another read her books. Even Williamsons campaign manager, Maurice Daniel, ceded he was not really aware of Williamson like a lot of men before he started working on her campaign. I believe that its really important critical for our country to unite and come together and have more grace and tolerance, and actually, just, you know, love and a lot less judgement of one another, said Heather Smith, 61, of Frederick, Maryland. She said she was supporting Williamson as a candidate and had followed her work for almost 30 years, adding that she is not nearly as familiar with other candidates in the race. Another woman, Elaine Duncan, 48, drove from Annandale, Virginia, despite being exhausted from getting in at 1 a.m. from a Montana trip, to catch the town hall. She has also followed Williamson for years. I think that shes going to change the conversation a lot, Duncan said. I just think that the way she communicates is on an entirely different level, and I think that she comes from such a place of wisdom that you almost cant disagree with her. Duncan said she voted for Trump but is planning on switching her party affiliation so she can support Williamson. (I dont think Trump is stupid, but I think hes an ass, she said, adding that she doesnt think Trump sets a good moral example.) Asked if she would do that for another candidate, she said she didnt know. She described Williamson as unflappable. Listening to Williamsons remarks gave the sense of being at a concert where everyone knows the hits. Preach! yelled out a man in the audience when Williamson said she pushed back on the idea that only someone who has spent decades serving in elected office or made a career out of public service could be the Democratic nominee. Theyre the same people entrenched within the same mindset that drove us into this ditch, she said. What elected office boils down to, she argued, is people making decisions, and it doesnt take prior experience to do that. She blasted members of Congress for spending a good portion of their time fundraising anyway. I know that my candidacy is outside the box. I submit to you, the box is deadly, Williamson said to an appreciative audience. I dont know, I take back the word deadly toxic. Let me stay with toxic. Williamsons platform includes paying reparations (a proposal that got loud cheers from the audience) and creating a Department of Childhood and Youth to focus on chronic trauma experienced by American children because of systematic failures. But during the question and answer portion of the evening, Williamson touched on everything from marijuana, which she wants to legalize, to abortion, which she called an issue of private morality the government should have nothing to do with. Asked about impeachment, Williamson said that the answer to whether Trump has committed impeachable offenses is an absolute yes, but that there are political dimensions as to whether Democrats should pursue impeachment. Hes goading us to impeach him, she said, going on to praise some chairs of House Committees by name for the way they have handled Trump investigations. A lot of Williamsons success may hinge on whether shes able to set herself apart from the rest of the candidates in style. There are two categories of candidates in the Democratic party, Williamson said when asked how she was going to differentiate herself from other candidates who are running. There are those who feel that an incremental approach and maybe treating the symptoms will be enough, and then there are a few of us who believe [in] a serious, fundamental path of disruption, economically and politically, and Im clearly one of those. Whether Williamsons message ends up resonating with a larger audience remains to be seen. By the time the town hall ended, a large chunk of the audience had already trickled out early. The water supply to the 2.5 million residents of Tripoli has been restored Tuesday, two days after they were cut off by gunmen, allowing the besieged capital to escape shortages that could have caused a humanitarian crisis. Unidentified armed men stormed Sunday a station of the Great Man-Made River Project, a pipeline network carrying water from the Sahara desert to western cities including Tripoli. Brigadier General Mohammed bin Nayel, a general under Libyas renegade commander Khalifa Haftar, said water from the industrial river had begun flowing through its normal routes, Al Jazeera reported. The Great Man-Made River project belongs to all Libyans and will not be affected by Libyan armed forces, said bin Nayel, who is in charge of the Barak military zone. The authority in charge of the Great Man-Made River also confirmed the resumption of supplies. The crisis of halting water supplies has ended and flows have started, the authority said in a statement. Water has been cut off in Tripoli and neighboring districts after an armed group shut off operations at the main power supply plant amid the ongoing military confrontation between UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) and forces loyal to east-based military commander Khalifa Haftar who launched early last month an offensive to capture the Libyan capital. The UN had branded the attack on civilian infrastructure war crime. The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Libya, Maria Ribeiro, condemned the attack on the civilian infrastructure in a statement on Monday. Such attacks against civilian infrastructure may be considered war crimes, she was quoted by Al Jazeera as saying. The action on the water supply woud have increased the plight of Tripoli inhabitants who have been under siege with the military GNA-LNA showdown. Over 500 people have lost their lives since the beginning of the Haftar-launched offensive early April. Close to 75,000 have been forced to leave their homes while UN figures put number of wounded to nearly 2,500. More than two dozen women have filed lawsuits against McDonald's or filed complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission saying they were sexually harassed while working for the fast food chain. The charges 25 filings in all involve alleged incidents at McDonald's restaurants and corporate offices in 20 cities across the U.S. in which workers as young as 16 years old faced harassing behavior that included groping, indecent exposure, propositions for sex and lewd comments by supervisors. The American Civil Liberties Union and Time's Up, an organization that strives for gender equality, supported many of the 25 workers in their filings, which were announced Tuesday, two days before McDonald's annual shareholder meeting in Dallas. Going out of business: Ascena Retail Group closing all of its nearly 650 Dressbarn stores US-China trade war: China tariffs could force 'widespread store closures' and put $40 billion in sales at risk In September 2018, McDonald's workers in 10 cities across the U.S. went on a one-day strike to protest sexual harassment about one year after accusations of sexual harassment came to light against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, which led to the #MeToo movement. These new charges continue a multi-year effort by workers to address harassment and other workplace conditions, including higher wages, with the help of the organization The Fight for $15 and a Union. "It's unacceptable that as the second-largest employer in the world, McDonald's (doesn't keep) workers like me safe, " said Jamelia Fairley of Sanford, Florida, who dealt with a co-worker's unwanted touching and sexually explicit comments, including asking her how much it would cost to have sex with her then-1-year-old daughter. "Every worker that puts on a McDonald's apron has a right to be treated with dignity and respect in the workplace." In all, more than 50 charges and suits have been filed by McDonalds employees working with the organization over the last three years. Story continues "Sexual harassment has been illegal for more than 30 years, but as the #MeToo movement has shown, it's alive and well in many sectors," said Gillian Thomas, senior staff attorney at the ACLU Women's Rights Project. McDonalds last year began working with RAINN, an anti-sexual violence organization, to improve the workplace and update its harassment policy, CEO Steve Easterbrook said in a letter to "Top Chef" host and executive producer Padma Lakshmi, who planned to participate in a protest outside McDonalds downtown Chicago headquarters Tuesday where the workers and the organizations would formally announce the charges. "Together, we have enhanced our policy so that it more clearly informs employees of their rights, more clearly defines sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation, and provides examples of what unacceptable behavior looks like," Easterbrook wrote in the letter, a copy of which was provided to USA TODAY. "It also underscores how employees can report a complaint if they do not feel comfortable addressing it with a manager." Additional manager and employee training has been and continues to be conducted, he said, and "a new third-party managed hotline for reporting complaints of any kind" will be available next month. The EEOC charges were filed by workers in cities including Cincinnati; Chicago; Durham, North Carolina; East Haven, Connecticut; Gladwin, Michigan; Kansas City, Missouri; Los Angeles; Monterey Park, California; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Sacramento, California; St. Louis; and Tucson, Arizona. Workers in Chickamauga, Georgia; Williamsburg, Michigan; and Davison, Michigan filed civil lawsuits against McDonalds. For three years, weve been speaking out, filing charges and even going on strike to get McDonalds to confront its sexual harassment problem, said Tanya Harrell, a McDonalds worker from Gretna, Louisiana, in a statement. She said a coworker attempted to rape her in a bathroom stall at the restaurant. But these new charges show that nothing has changed. We cannot wait any longer for action. McDonalds, its time to sit down with the workers who help make your $6 billion in profits possible so, together, we can stamp out harassment once and for all. The workers want McDonalds to engage in talks to enforce its zero-tolerance policy against sexual harassment and to have training for managers and employees to combat the behavior. McDonalds is a leader in the fast-food industry, yet lags behind when it comes to protecting the workers who make its success possible, said Eve Cervantez, an attorney who is working on behalf of many of clients in the case. Year after year, worker after worker tells the same story of ineffectual response from McDonalds to serious reports of sexual harassment. McDonalds can and should do better. In his letter, Easterbrook explained that McDonald's has reprinted and shipped posters containing the new policy to all 14,000 restaurants in the McDonalds system and encouraged franchisees to use this policy and provided resources. And close to 90% of all McDonalds operators and general managers have undergone training that includes identifying, addressing and preventing harassment since it was introduced last fall with more harassment-education training planned for employees during their work shifts. "McDonalds is committed to ensuring a harassment and bias-free workplace," he wrote. Follow USA TODAY reporter Mike Snider on Twitter: @MikeSnider. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: McDonald's faces 25 new charges of sexual harassment in the workplace May 21 (Reuters) - McDonald's Corp has been accused in 25 new legal actions of condoning sexual harassment in the workplace and retaliating against employees who speak up. The new charges and lawsuits against one of the world's most recognizable brands were announced on Tuesday by the American Civil Liberties Union, the labor group Fight for $15, and the Times Up Legal Defense Fund, which wants to expand the #MeToo movement beyond prominent figures in Hollywood and elsewhere. McDonald's said it has more than 14,000 locations in the United States, over 90 percent of which are franchised, with some 850,000 workers. The Chicago-based company has also long said it should not be liable for how employees in franchised restaurants behave. In letters sent this week to Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth and "Top Chef" host Padma Lakshmi, who is supporting the workers' cause, McDonald's Chief Executive Steve Easterbrook said the fast food chain has improved and more clearly defined its harassment policies, and trained most franchise owners. "McDonald's is sending a clear message that we are committed to creating and sustaining a culture of trust where employees feel safe, valued and respected," Easterbrook wrote. The ACLU said the legal actions include three new civil rights lawsuits, two lawsuits by workers who previously filed charges, and charges filed by workers across the country with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. More than 50 such charges and lawsuits have been filed against McDonald's in the last three years, the ACLU said. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; editing by Bill Berkrot) MEXICO CITY, May 21 (Reuters) - The head of Mexico's social security institute has stepped down citing budget cuts he said put at risk health services for the poor, in one of the first major resignations in the administration of leftist President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. German Martinez, head of the institute known as IMSS, issued his resignation in a letter published on the government's website on Tuesday. In it, he took a swipe at the finance ministry, blaming it for pressure on the IMSS to make savings and cut staff. "Excessive savings and controls in health spending is inhumane," Martinez said in the letter, saying the country's poor were worst hit. The finance ministry under Lopez Obrador, who took office in December, made widespread spending cuts in the government's first budget, trying to balance the president's promises to help the poor with commitments to run a 1% primary fiscal surplus. IMSS runs hospitals as well as pensions and social services and is one of the country's biggest spending government dependencies. Martinez is a former chairman of the center-right National Action Party (PAN), a longstanding adversary of Lopez Obrador. Martinez's decision to switch sides and join the campaign of the former Mexico City mayor had helped to broaden Lopez Obrador's base of support in the run-up to his landslide election win last July. Lopez Obrador took office as president in December. A spokesman for the finance ministry said it had no immediate comment about Martinez's letter. (Reporting by Dave Graham and Ana Isabel Martinez Editing by Alistair Bell) Mexico City (AFP) - Mexico announced Tuesday it will auction off scores of luxury cars seized by police, as its austerity-crusading president seeks to send a message in a country where powerful criminals often wield their bling with impunity. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said the proceeds from the sale of the 82 cars -- which include a Lamborghini Murcielago, three Porsches and dozens of armored trucks -- would be invested in poor communities. The auction, scheduled for Sunday, will be run by the government's newly launched "Institute to Return What Has Been Robbed to the People," he told a press conference. "Everything that is seized (from criminals) will now be given to communities, especially the country's poor communities," said the left-wing populist. Lopez Obrador, 65, took office in December with a promise to "transform" a country fed up with crime and corruption. The official tasked with heading the new institute, Ricardo Rodriguez, said its mission was to undo what he called a "reverse Robin Hood effect" in Mexico. "They were robbing from the poor and giving it to the corrupt. Not anymore. Now (the president's) instructions are to give back to the people, the legitimate owners of these resources," he said. The total value of the entry-level bids for the vehicles is around 28 million pesos ($1.5 million), though officials expect the final bids will come in higher, he said. Real estate and jewels seized from criminals and corrupt politicians will go under the hammer in separate auctions, he said. The vehicle auction will be held at the former presidential residence, Los Pinos, which Lopez Obrador has forsworn and turned into a cultural center. The president, widely known as "AMLO," has also given up the presidential bodyguards, jet and 60 percent of the salary. Lopez Obrador, who won last year's election in a landslide, remains widely popular in a country that was hungry for change after years of corruption and violent crime that has claimed more than 250,000 lives since 2006. But he faces growing criticism for failing to curb the violence: the first quarter of the year set a new record for homicides. And experts accuse him of lacking a clear strategy for fighting the country's deeply entrenched, multi-billion-dollar drug cartels. By Anthony Esposito MEXICO CITY, May 20 (Reuters) - Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, looking to make good on a promise to clean up rampant corruption, will go after judges that have aligned themselves with the country's notorious drug cartels, a government official said. The United States slapped sanctions on a Mexican judge and a former state governor on Friday, accusing them of taking bribes from drug traffickers, and saying that government corruption had allowed Mexican drug gangs to operate with impunity. Santiago Nieto, head of the finance ministry's financial intelligence unit, said authorities were investigating other cases of judges that may have taken bribes from organized crime, underscoring that the government would make sure that no one is above the law. "I have received instructions from the president of the republic to go after anybody regardless of their position or party loyalty," Nieto said in an interview with Reuters. The magistrate sanctioned on Friday, Isidro Avelar Gutierrez, accepted bribes from the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the Los Cuinis Drug Trafficking Organization in exchange for favorable rulings for their senior members, according to the U.S. Treasury Department and Drug Enforcement Agency. Avelar Gutierrez could not be reached for comment. Asked if the case of Avelar Gutierrez was the tip of the iceberg, Nieto said it was, but added he could not discuss the details of any open investigations. "What I can say is that we are working in coordination with various institutions of the Mexican state in cases related to corruption in the judicial system," said Nieto. "The Mexican financial system must not be used by criminal groups to launder money." In December, shortly after taking office, Lopez Obrador took aim at the finances of the powerful CJNG in what Nieto described as an opening salvo in the fight to stop criminal gangs from flourishing with impunity. Mexico's drug war has raged for over a decade since the government sent in the armed forces at the end of 2006 to crack down on cartels. Since then, more than 200,000 people have been killed in the violence and thousands more disappeared. Speaking of the decision to go after Avelar Gutierrez, Nieto said: "This is a clear message. The courts are one of the central values, fundamental pillars of the democratic state. That is why if a judge or magistrate betrays that position they must be sanctioned." (Reporting by Anthony Esposito Editing by Chris Reese) President Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania last night. Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images At his rally last night, President Trumps characteristic threats of vengeance against his enemies took an especially chilling turn. There was treason! he announced, summarizing the investigation into the Mueller probe. The crowd began chanting, Lock them up! Lock them up! Trump initially returned to his prepared text, itself a creepily ethno-nationalist paean to his narrow Electoral College win. You reclaimed your destiny, you defended your dignity, and you took back your country, he read, in a passage that probably sounded better in the original German. But the Lock them up! chants persisted, and, with his showmans gift for timing, Trump turned back to his audience and paused as the chants increased, then theatrically relented to the demands of the crowd that he had stoked. We have a great new attorney general who will give it a very fair look, very fair look, he promised. It is difficult to fully describe what Trump conveyed in this line without watching the video. As Trump said very fair, he wore an arch expression. Trump of course does not use fair in anything like the dictionary definition of the term. Trumps notion of fairness is purely positional, revolving entirely around his own self-interest. With his expression, Trump unusual for him brought the crowd in on the joke. Very fair was a punch line. Trumps notion of a fair attorney general, as he has stated many times, is one who loyally protects the presidents political interests. His frequent expressions of confidence in William Barr are therefore an important indicator. Barr conspicuously refused to answer a question about whether he had been ordered to investigate anybody, then announced a new, third, investigation into the origins of the Russia probe. Barr has also repeatedly prejudged the outcome of that probe in public. Trump has told close confidants that he finally had my attorney general, according to two Republicans close to the White House, reports the Associated Press. Every indicator suggests Trump believes, correctly or otherwise, that his attorney general shares his peculiar, mob-family sense of fairness. In a pre-Trumpian world, this sequence of events would set off a political crisis. In the surreal landscape we inhabit, it barely registers. But it is worth noting that Trump continues to commit impeachable offenses at an unprecedented pace. Last nights threats to make good on his lock them up promises are merely one more in another recent flurry. The space between Trumps long-standing authoritarian rhetoric and the deployment of his powers of office is slowly collapsing on several fronts. Consider some of the events of recent days. Sunday, the New York Times revealed that Deutsche Banks internal investigators raised concerns that the portfolios of Trump and his son-in-law Jared Kushner involved money laundering. Trump is suing Deutsche Bank to block it from complying with congressional investigators. The notion that the president is entitled to engage in red-flagged dealings with money launderers, and conceal it from Congress and the public, is a wild transgression of transparency norms. The same day, the Times reported Trump is preparing pardons for several American war criminals. Trump has long fantasized about war crimes and human-rights violations as part of his idealized military, from repeating a fantasized historical account of General Pershing shooting Muslims with bullets dipped in pigs blood to proposing that the United States seize Iraqi oil as spoils of war. His prospective pardoning of war criminals are steps toward institutionalizing this vision as de facto law. Yesterday, the Washington Post reported that Michael Cohen told a closed House panel that Trumps lawyer, Jay Sekulow, encouraged him to lie to Congress in 2017. Cohens lie concerned his handling of a deal to build a Trump-branded tower in Moscow. The subject of the lie is itself a massive scandal: Vladimir Putin, who habitually corrupts foreign politicians with bribes disguised as lucrative deals, was dangling a contract worth several hundred million dollars, with no financial risk or downside to Trump. Cohen has testified that Trump encouraged him to lie by repeating, in his characteristic mobster code Theres no Russia a cover story both men knew to be false. (Trump of course signed the letter of intent for the Moscow Project.) The new report shows that Sekulow was involved in crafting his false testimony, and that, far from the presidents lawyer freelance ordering perjury, Cohen understood Trump to be working through Sekulow: Hmm. Trump better hope that HPSCI doesn't find a way to get Sekulow's testimony. pic.twitter.com/vAKUGjQJqZ emptywheel (@emptywheel) May 21, 2019 The new disclosure fleshes out more evidence that the president suborned perjury to conceal evidence that he was deeply compromised by Russia during the campaign. Also yesterday, former White House Counsel Don McGahn refused to appear at a House hearing to testify to yet another serious presidential crime. According to the Mueller report, Trump ordered McGahn to tell Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to fire Mueller, an order McGahn refused. Trump later told McGahn to falsely deny Trump had ever told him this. Trump has publicly insisted none of this has happened, a denial that makes McGahns testimony highly pertinent. There is no basis for refusing to let McGahn testify. Its not executive privilege, a right McGahn already waived by discussing it with Mueller. Instead, the White House is advancing the novel and extreme argument that Congress can never compel testimony from a senior White House official. That precedent, if accepted, would negate vast swathes of Congresss long-standing investigative powers. Whats more, Trump is backstopping his demand with financial blackmail. The AP reports that Trump has mused about instructing Republicans to cease dealing with the firm currently employing McGahn, which relies on Republican connections for its business. So Trump, in short, is using financial blackmail in support of a fallacious legal argument in order to cover up a clear instance of obstruction of justice a seamless garment of corruption. What cynics had waved off as Trumps cartoonish musings is slowly seeping its way into sanctioned government policy. The question of whether or not to impeach Trump has attached itself to the discrete drama of the Mueller report, which contains a large cache of Trumpian misconduct. But the misconduct is also an ongoing process with no clear endpoint. The impeachable offenses just keep coming. Microsoft MSFT recently voiced its opinion on making gaming platforms safer for everyone, via a blog post by Head of Xbox, Phil Spencer. The company is focused on digital gaming community, which is lately under the radar of growing toxic stew of hate speech, bigotry and misogyny. In a bid to address these concerns, Spencer stresses on making interactive platforms safer and more welcoming for use by introducing moderation features to Xbox Live platform by the end of 2019. Microsoft notes that Xbox Safety team dubbed as Defenders of Joy is working on tackling the online gaming threats and devise effective filters to eliminate toxic content. Xbox has also revamped its community standards for safer gameplay. Notably, Xbox live monthly active users came in at $63 million, up 7% year over year in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. Microsoft Corporation Revenue (Quarterly) Microsoft Corporation Revenue (Quarterly) Microsoft Corporation revenue-quarterly | Microsoft Corporation Quote Overall, Microsofts Gaming revenues jumped 5% (7% at cc) to $2.36 billion (contributing 10% to third-quarter revenues), driven by robust performance from Xbox software and services (up 15% at cc) on the back of third-party title strength. We believe such meaningful measures, will not only improve Xboxs brand reputation but also boost gamer base, in turn favoring the top line. What Investors Should Know? Microsoft has time and again, made its stance clear on promoting a fair and unbiased use of technology. The company is leaving no stone unturned to make gaming inclusive and just for everyone with its ongoing initiatives. For instance, to make gaming accessible, Microsoft rolled out Xbox Adaptive Controller for differently-abled gamers. Nevertheless, gaming is now evolving from console to cloud-based platforms, increasing interactions among gamers like never before. Per latest IHS Markit data, consumer spending on cloud gaming content subscriptions reached $234 million in 2018 and is forecast to grow to $1.5 billion by 2023. Story continues Per Spencer, Microsofts upcoming Project xCloud, Alphabets GOOGL Google Stadia and Apples AAPL Arcade, to mention a few, are expected to expand the gaming community considerably. These factors call for effective measures for handling user content in gaming communities and eradicate hateful content. We believe Microsofts initiatives in this domain, hold promise. The company is making every effort to enhance gaming business with robust initiatives. Recently, the company inked a MoU with Sony SNE to explore the utility of Azure cloud computing capabilities to provide immersive gaming experience to the end user. We believe Microsofts domain expertise in gaming and strength in Azure sets it apart from peers in both cloud and gaming sectors. The same also positions the company well to capitalize on the rapidly growing cloud gaming market. Microsoft currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank 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 >> 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 Sony Corporation (SNE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Apple Inc. (AAPL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Stephen Fenby became the CEO of Midwich Group Plc (LON:MIDW) in 2010. This analysis aims first to contrast CEO compensation with other companies that have similar market capitalization. After that, we will consider the growth in the business. 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. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! Check out our latest analysis for Midwich Group How Does Stephen Fenby's Compensation Compare With Similar Sized Companies? According to our data, Midwich Group Plc has a market capitalization of UK489m, and pays its CEO total annual compensation worth UK606k. (This is based on the year to December 2017). While we always look at total compensation first, we note that the salary component is less, at UK397k. We looked at a group of companies with market capitalizations from UK314m to UK1.3b, and the median CEO total compensation was UK878k. This would give shareholders a good impression of the company, since most similar size companies have to pay more, leaving less for shareholders. Though positive, it's important we delve into the performance of the actual business. You can see a visual representation of the CEO compensation at Midwich Group, below. AIM:MIDW CEO Compensation, May 21st 2019 Is Midwich Group Plc Growing? On average over the last three years, Midwich Group Plc has shrunk earnings per share by 130% each year (measured with a line of best fit). It achieved revenue growth of 22% over the last year. Unfortunately, earnings per share have trended lower over the last three years. And while it's good to see some good revenue growth recently, the growth isn't really fast enough for me to put aside my concerns around earnings. It's hard to argue the company is firing on all cylinders, so shareholders might be averse to high CEO remuneration. It could be important to check this free visual depiction of what analysts expect for the future. Story continues Has Midwich Group Plc Been A Good Investment? I think that the total shareholder return of 164%, over three years, would leave most Midwich Group Plc shareholders smiling. So they may not be at all concerned if the CEO were to be paid more than is normal for companies around the same size. In Summary... It appears that Midwich Group Plc remunerates its CEO below most similar sized companies. Stephen Fenby is paid less than CEOs of similar size companies. While the company isn't growing on our analysis, shareholder returns have been good in recent years. So, while it would be nice to have EPS growth, on our analysis the CEO compensation is not an issue. Whatever your view on compensation, you might want to check if insiders are buying or selling Midwich Group shares (free trial). Arguably, business quality is much more important than CEO compensation levels. So check out 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. Ankur Jain, the founder and CEO of Kairos, stops by Yahoo Finance to discuss his new op-ed in Marie Claire. After millennials have been a topic in the media for decades, he believes the focus needs to move toward how the generation is doing since this will be the last class graduating college. The 29-year-old says topics to be discussed include student debt, the cost of rent and healthcare. JACKSON, Miss. (AP) A federal judge indicated Tuesday that he is likely to block a Mississippi law that will ban most abortions once a fetal heartbeat can be detected. The new law puts a cutoff point for abortion at about six weeks, when many women may not yet know they're pregnant. U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves heard arguments about a request from the state's only abortion clinic, which wants him to block the law from taking effect July 1, as scheduled. Reeves is the same judge who ruled last year that Mississippi's 15-week ban is unconstitutional because it would prohibit access to abortion before a fetus could survive outside the pregnant woman's body. Viability is generally considered to be about 23 or 24 weeks. In an indication of which way he is leaning on the request to block the new law, Reeves asked attorneys: "Doesn't it boil down to: Six is less than 15?" Mississippi is one of several states enacting abortion restrictions this year in hopes that the U.S. Supreme Court, with new conservative justices, will reevaluate and maybe overturn its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide. Reeves criticized Mississippi lawmakers for passing an earlier ban after he struck down the one at 15 weeks. "It sure smacks of defiance to this court," he said. The state is appealing Reeves' ruling on the 15-week ban, and Republican Gov. Phil Bryant signed the new law in March. The state's only abortion clinic, Jackson Women's Health Organization, quickly sued the state. Reeves said he would decide soon on the request to block the law, but did not indicate when he would issue a ruling. Governors in Kentucky, Ohio and Georgia have signed bans on abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected. Alabama's governor signed a measure making abortion a felony in nearly all cases. The Mississippi law says physicians who perform abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected could face revocation of their state medical licenses. It also says abortions could be allowed after a fetal heartbeat is found if a pregnancy endangers a woman's life or one of her major bodily functions. Senators rejected an amendment that would have allowed exceptions for pregnancies caused by rape or incest. Story continues Hillary Schneller, an attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights, said the Mississippi law is "clearly unconstitutional" because it bans abortion before viability. If the law were to take effect, "Women will be forced to leave the state to obtain legal abortions ... or will be forced to remain pregnant against their will," Schneller said. Mississippi Special Assistant Attorney General Paul Barnes said the new law is not an outright ban on abortion but a limitation on when the procedure can be done. "When a fetal heartbeat is detected, our position is it is constitutional" to prohibit abortion, Barnes said. He also said the state respectfully disagrees with Reeves' ruling on the 15-week ban. If Reeves temporarily blocks the new Mississippi law, he would hear arguments later on the larger question of constitutionality. Reeves asked Barnes whether a 10- or 11-year-old girl who is impregnated by rape would have to carry the pregnancy to full term if she waited too long to tell anyone what had happened to her. Barnes said he did not know whether a family court judge would allow the child to have an abortion after the fetal heartbeat is found. Barnes said the man who impregnated the girl could be charged with capital rape. Reeves said legislators were aware the law did not allow exceptions for rape or incest. Barnes said he did not know if they knew, and Reeves responded: "Well, they speak through their statute." After the court hearing, more than 100 abortion-rights supporters rallied outside the state Capitol in downtown Jackson less than a mile from the federal courthouse. They chanted: "We won't go back" and "My body, my choice." Zakiya Summers of the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi said outlawing abortion will not get rid of the procedure but will make it more dangerous. "The decision whether to become a parent is in the hands of those who are involved. It is not the politicians' decision to make," Summers said. "Bodies do not belong to the government." After the rally, Republican Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves held a news conference at a church in the Jackson suburb of Byram with pastors and others who oppose abortion. Tate Reeves, no relation to the federal judge, said he will continue to try to restrict abortion if he is elected governor this year. "Mississippi is overwhelmingly pro-life," Tate Reeves said. "And we need a governor that will be overwhelmingly pro-life." ____ Follow Emily Wagster Pettus on Twitter at http://twitter.com/EWagsterPettus . U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves on Tuesday asked pointed questions about Mississippi's law that bans abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, at approximately six weeks of pregnancy. In 2018, Reeves was the judge who struck down a 15-week abortion ban. "Doesn't it boil down to six is less than 15?" Reeves asked, adding that the new law "smacks of defiance to this court." In his prior decision, Reeves wrote that Mississippis law violates Supreme Court precedent, and in doing so it disregards the 14th Amendment guarantee of autonomy for women desiring to control their own reproductive health. Gov. Phil Bryant signed the bill into law in March and it's set to take effect July 1 if it's not blocked. The bill makes no exceptions for women who are victims of rape or incest. So a child who is raped at 10 or 11 years old, that child does not open their mouth, doesnt tell their parents, the rapist may be in their home, nobody discovers until its too late that is a fetal heartbeat has been detected that child must bring the fetus to term under this statute, if the fetal heartbeat can be detected," Reeves said. The Center for Reproductive Rights filed the legal challenge on behalf of Jackson Womens Health Organization (JWHO), the state's last remaining abortion clinic, which does not perform abortions after 16 weeks. Hillary Schneller, staff attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights, said Mississippi's heartbeat law is "blatantly unconstitutional" and likely won't survive a federal court challenge. "It's critical to remind people that none of these bans have taken effect and we dont expect any of them to take effect," Schneller told USA TODAY. "Every person deserves access to abortion no matter what state they live in. Opponents say the six-week bans, or heartbeat bills, are similar to total abortion bans because many women dont know they are pregnant at six weeks. Story continues Three other states Georgia, Ohio and Kentucky have enacted heartbeat bills this year. A Kentucky judge temporarily blocked the state's bill in March saying the American Civil Liberties Union's claim that it was unconstitutional would likely succeed in court. The ACLU filed a federal lawsuit last week challenging Ohio's law, seeking an order to stop it from taking effect July 10. The ACLU has said it plans to challenge Georgia's heartbeat bill before it takes effect in January. Jennifer Dalven, director of the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project, said Georgia's law is likely to also get struck down. "While there is some question whether the Supreme Court would overturn (Roe v. Wade)," Dalven said. "The federal district courts have no power to disregard the (unconstitutionality of abortion bans) even if they dont like it." At least 17 states nationwide are considering or have passed laws this year that restrict abortion rights. MAP: Where is abortion legal? Everywhere. But ... Last week, Alabama enacted the most extreme abortion ban the country has seen since the landmark Roe v. Wade decision in 1973. The law only allows abortion if the mother or fetus' lives are in danger and mandates prison time for doctors who perform the procedure. Emboldened by a new conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court, Republican lawmakers say they are passing anti-abortion bills in an attempt to get Roe v. Wade overturned. The Center for Reproductive Rights has 26 active lawsuits challenging anti-abortion bills across the country. Schneller said the Center and partnering organizations vow to challenge any law that strips women of their rights to an abortion. Contributing: Sarah Fowler, Mississippi Clarion-Ledger This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mississippi judge who blocked 15-week abortion ban hears arguments on fetal heartbeat law Frankfurt am Main (AFP) - Bayer's public relations headaches over its mammoth takeover of Monsanto intensified Tuesday, as a scandal about "watch lists" of pro- or anti-pesticides figures kept by the US group snowballed across Europe. The German group said the lists covered politicians, journalists and others across seven European countries and in Brussels. Bayer's admission adds to the company's woes that have piled up since it acquired Monsanto for $63 billion in 2018 -- one of the largest in German corporate history -- which has also lumbered it with a massive burden of health-related lawsuits. The Leverkusen-based group said Tuesday that PR agency FleishmanHillard "drew up lists of stakeholders in France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain and United Kingdom, as well as regarding stakeholders related to EU institutions" on Monsanto's behalf. Bayer promised transparency over the lists earlier this month, after a French television channel revealed the existence in France of files on prominent backers and opponents of pesticides and genetically modified crops. "The lists primarily include journalists, politicians and other interest groups," the company said. Elected officials and media in France and beyond immediately cried foul over the affair, prompting Bayer to apologise. AFP has filed a complaint with a French regulatory body, the Commission Nationale Informatique et Libertes, because some of its journalists were on the list. Bayer said Tuesday it had hired law firm Sidley Austin to investigate the lists and to determine whether they extended to other countries. Its lawyers will also contact the individuals named to inform them what data FleishmanHillard collected on them, Bayer said, starting "no later than" May 31. Meanwhile, the Leverkusen-based group said it would suspend the agency's PR work and that it "is examining the contractual options for a possible exit as soon as possible" in other areas, although marketing projects would be upheld. Story continues - Shareholder rage - The debacle over the watch lists is just one area where Bayer management is struggling to put out a number of different legal and public relations fires, diverting attention away from efforts to turn the combined pharmaceutical and agrochemicals group of Bayer-Monsanto into a global player. Along with Monsanto's arsenal of genetically modified crops, the German company has also acquired its business with herbicide glyphosate. Many of the engineered seeds are designed to be resistant to the weedkiller, giving the combined technologies blockbuster sales potential. But despite intensive scientific study and the approval of regulatory authorities worldwide, doubts have remained in the public's mind about the safety of glyphosate for humans, as well as for vital pollinating insects like bees. Bayer now faces around 13,400 lawsuits in the US from plaintiffs alleging their illnesses, including many cancers, had been caused by glyphosate-containing Monsanto weedkillers, such as the flagship product, Roundup. Three juries have so far ordered Monsanto to pay sufferers massive compensation, with the latest award for $2 billion to a couple in California. Bayer is appealing the cases and stands by its position that "regulatory authorities around the world consider glyphosate-based herbicides as safe when used as directed". Shareholders proved largely unconvinced by the management's strategy at the group's annual general meeting last month, with 55.5 percent voting against the board. Its always been a sort of final chapter of the American dream: Get married and have kids. Buy a house. Move to a bigger house. Downsize to a smaller one. But a growing number of aging baby boomers are saying, No, thanks to downsizing, choosing instead to remain in the same sprawling houses in which they raised kids and created lifelong memories. Were just not seeing that much downsizing, says Alexandra Lee, a housing data analyst at Trulia, a real estate research firm. While many older Americans are still stepping down to smaller homes, they're doing so later in life. The trend is contributing to a housing supply shortage across much of the country. Start the day smarter: Get USA TODAY's Daily Briefing in your inbox A more modest home typically means less upkeep and a potential financial windfall as a big chunk of the proceeds from the sale of the larger property can help bolster retirement nest eggs. Boomers, however, are defying the traditional bounds of advancing age just as they rebelled against the establishment in the 1960s and work- and family-centered values in the 1970s in favor of self-fulfillment. They have refused to follow what the traditional expectations were, says Barbara Risman, a sociology professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago. There are other forces at work. Boomers, generally those age 54 to 73, are working longer and putting off retirement. Many of their millennial children are living with them well into adulthood. And theres a dire shortage of less expensive entry-level houses across the country, pushing up prices in that category and making the trade-off less appealing. Fifty-two percent of boomers say theyll never move from their current home, according to a Chase bank survey of 753 boomer homeowners released earlier this year. Chase doesnt have comparable data from an earlier period. An Ipsos/USA TODAY poll of 45- to 65-year-olds in 2017 found 43% anticipated remaining in their current residence through their retirement, possibly indicating the share of non-downsizers is rising. Story continues Jeff and Shelly Levy plan to stay in their 3,900-square-foot four-bedroom house in the Memorial section of Houston. Many boomers are staying in their longtime homes and communities because theyre deferring retirement. About 20% of Americans 65 and older are working or looking for jobs, up from 12.1% in 1996, Labor Department figures show. Older people are staying in the workforce because theyre healthier and will need bigger nest eggs to finance longer retirements, according to Jennifer Schramm, senior strategic policy adviser for the AARP Public policy Institute. Also, many older workers retirement savings were hammered a decade ago, she says. Pancake promo: IHOP is selling pancakes for $1 on Tuesday, with proceeds going to the military McDonald's suits: McDonald's faces 25 new charges of sexual harassment in the workplace Jeff Levy, 58, an insurance broker who lives in a 3,900-square-foot, four-bedroom house in the upscale Memorial section of Houston, plans to work into his 70s. Our home is less than one mile from my office, he says. Downsizing and moving further away from the office is not attractive. Levys wife, Shelly, 55, wouldnt mind moving to a high-rise that offers more security and turnkey services at some point. What do we do with this big space? she says. But Shelly, a legal assistant, adds they would prefer to stay in Memorial and the few condominiums there cost about the same as their house. Plus, the Levys want to have the house available for visits from their two adult children and, eventually, grandchildren. I am looking forward to the day when our children have kids, and they come to our house and play in their parents room, Jeff says. Jeff Levys wife, Shelly, 55, wouldnt mind moving to a high-rise that offers more security and turnkey services at some point. What do we do with this big space? she says. But Shelly, a legal assistant, adds they would prefer to stay in Memorial and the few condominiums there cost about the same as their house. Staying active The tendency to age in place is also rooted in boomers better health and desire to stay active. Baby boomers dont want to become old in a way that has negative connotations, Risman says. Remaining in ones old house is part of remaining in the prime of ones life longer. Even when they retire, boomers are staying engaged through volunteer work and other activities, says Phyllis Moen, a sociologist at the University of Minnesota. They are in the space opening up for the first time in history between the career-and family-building years and the frailties associated with old age, Moen says. Closures: Fred's closing 104 more stores in summer, see the list Boomers penchant to stay in their long-time homes is likely playing a role in low housing supplies, says Danielle Hale, chief economist of realtor.com. The crunch has improved since last year but housing stocks are still well below normal levels. To be sure, many aging Americans are moving to traditional retirement havens like Florida and Arizona. But even among those who plan to move, 43% want their next home to be the same size as their current one, and 22% want it to be larger, according to a January survey of 50- and 60-year-olds by Del Webb, which builds communities for age 55-plus Americans. Trulia analysts believe older Americans are simply deferring downsizing. Both in 2005 and 2016, 5.5% of households 65 and over moved, with that share evenly split between those moving to single-family and multifamily homes, according to a Trulia analysis of Census Bureau data. But in 2016, the youngest age at which seniors moving to multifamily homes began to outnumber those moving to single-family houses was older (late 70s) than it was in 2005 (early 70s). Downsizing, but not yet Jim Peet, 70, of Plymouth, Minnesota, may seriously consider selling his 3,300-square-foot house but not until hes 80. Peet, a retired information technology professional, and his wife, Kathee, flirted with downsizing several years ago, largely to reduce maintenance hassles, but found that a condo in downtown Minneapolis would cost more than their house. They also shopped for a similar-sized house in Tallahassee, Florida, but backed out after realizing they didnt want to be so far from their family. In fact, their kids and grandchildren generate a consistent hive of activity in their house. Its just so comfortable to entertain people, Peet says. The kids run from the living room to the kitchen I love watching them. Peet, who uses a walker because of a spine-related injury, also appreciates the support of decades-long neighbors. Recently, he says, a neighbor helped him when he fell from a chair. Other reasons many boomers are staying where they are: Millennial kids in the house Millennials have lived with their boomer parents longer than prior generations as those graduating college between 2008 and 2010, in particular, struggled to launch their careers. In 2016, 16.1% of senior households had younger generations living with them, up from 14.4% in 2005, according to Trulia and Census figures. Starter home crunch The housing supply shortage is especially curtailing the inventory of the kind of smaller, less expensive homes that boomers may target, Hale says. That makes it harder to find a compact house and pushes up its price, reducing the net profits of any downsizing. From 2012 to February 2019, the bottom third of homes with the lowest prices appreciated an average 8.03% a year, versus 6.39% for mid-level homes and 5.01% for the most expensive units, according to a Trulia analysis. Many upgrading, not selling Now that home prices have more than recovered from a skid in prices, the Chase survey showed nearly nine in 10 boomers are looking to make improvements. As a result, many boomers are focused on upgrades rather than downsizing. Paid-off mortgages Many boomers have finally paid off their mortgages and dont want to start making house payments again. Why get into another situation? says Shelly Levy, whose mortgage will be paid off two years. We've got a nice house. Now its our turn to go on vacation. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Home buying: Many boomers choose to age in place and not move Border security fundraiser. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images The White House earlier this month asked Congress for a few billion dollars to fund operations at the border, including $1.1 billion for security. But the Department of Homeland Security is working on a backup plan in case that money doesnt come through. Part of its contingency: to collect all the loose change left behind at TSA checkpoints, feed it through a CoinStar machine, and send it to the border. NBC News reports that DHS is eyeing $3 million in loose change that could be cobbled together for border security measures. Thats a small part of the $232 million DHS is asking the TSA to prepare to fork over the money if Congress doesnt meet the request for additional border funding. The rest of that total would come from cash set aside to upgrade TSA screening technology and money meant for the agencys workers compensation fund. Under a 2005 federal law, the TSA is allowed to use the change left at airports on security operations. And its not an insignificant sum. In fiscal year 2016, passengers left behind nearly $900,000 CNBC reported. That was $100,000 more than the year prior. Previously, that haul has been used to work on the TSAs Precheck program. According to internal emails obtained by NBC News, funding for Transportation security officers could also be siphoned off for border security. This comes after last weeks news that the TSA is sending security officers to help Customs and Border Protection at the border. Both good reasons to keep your summer vacation destination within driving distance. By Rich McKay May 21 (Reuters) - U.S. southern plains states face more tornadoes, hail and heavy rain after at least 19 twisters tore through parts of Texas and Oklahoma, but the storm system was not as severe as originally feared, the National Weather Service said on Tuesday. "More tornados are on the way today, most likely late this afternoon into the evening," said NWS forecaster Rich Otto, adding that the warnings stretched from Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas eastwards to Arkansas and southwest Missouri. On Monday, the National Weather Service said the risk of tornadoes in the region was higher than at any time in years. Local media and officials reported some homes and businesses damaged but it was not clear if there were any serious injuries. "The good news is that the whole system is not as extreme as originally feared and it is weakening as it moves east through the day, but flooding is still the big concern," Otto said. More than 4 million people were under a flash-flood warning or watch through Tuesday, with the areas seeing the heaviest rains concentrated in west Texas through southwest Missouri. "Some areas could get another 2 inches of rain today, but that comes after another 5 to 10 inches some areas have already seen," Otto said. Yet another storm system is brewing and could hit the same southern states later this week. "The whole area is in the bulls-eye, with more rounds of severe storms possible," the forecaster said. (Reporting by Rich McKay in Atlanta and Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles Editing by Mark Heinrich) 1350 N.W. Eighth Court, #A4. | Photos: Zumper According to rental site Zumper, median rents for a one bedroom in Overtown are hovering around $1,525, compared to a $1,922 one-bedroom median for Miami as a whole. But how does the low-end pricing on an Overtown rental look these days and what might you get for your money? We took a look at local listings for studios and one-bedroom apartments to find out what price-conscious apartment seekers can expect to find in the neighborhood, which, according to Walk Score ratings, is quite walkable, is quite bikeable and has excellent transit. 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. 419 N.W. Eighth St. Here's a one-bedroom, one-bathroom at 419 N.W. Eighth St., which, at 500 square feet, is going for $950/month. There's no leasing fee required for this rental. (See the full listing here.) 560 N.W. Seventh St. And here's a one-bedroom, one-bathroom at 560 N.W. Seventh St., which is going for $1,050/month. The building offers on-site laundry, secured entry and assigned parking. In the unit, you're promised air conditioning and tile floors. Good news for animal lovers: both dogs and cats are permitted here. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee, but there is a $75 application fee, $500 deposit. (Check out the listing here.) 219 N.W. 10th St. Over at 219 N.W. 10th St., there's this 408-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom , going for $1,100/month. In the unit, you can anticipate tile floors and ample closet space. When it comes to building amenities, expect assigned parking, on-site management and secured entry. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee. (View the listing here.) 1350 N.W. Eighth Court, #A4 At 1350 N.W. Eighth Court, #A4, you'll find this 797-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo going for $1,450/month. Story continues In the unit, expect to find in-unit laundry, a dishwasher and a balcony. Building amenities include a swimming pool, secured entry and assigned parking. Good news for animal lovers: both dogs and cats are welcome here. 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. RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) A disabled North Carolina woman is suing the right-wing group Project Veritas and its founder James O'Keefe over how her assault outside a 2016 Donald Trump campaign rally was portrayed in a video. Jurors in Asheville were sequestered before testimony Tuesday in the federal libel trial expected to last all week. Shirley Teter, 71, of Asheville, sued O'Keefe, Project Veritas and its tax-exempt social welfare affiliate Project Veritas Action for what her lawyers described as targeting an innocent, private person for "ridicule, contempt, or disgrace." Project Veritas has used disguises and hidden cameras to uncover supposed liberal bias and corruption. Teter joined a crowd of protesters outside a Trump rally on Sept. 12, 2016, at an arena a block from her downtown Asheville senior housing apartment. The disabled woman was assaulted and knocked to the ground, police said. A South Carolina man was arrested days later, but charges were later dropped. A month later, Project Veritas Action Fund released an online video purporting to show Democratic operatives describing a plan to incite violence at Trump rallies. The heavily edited video led to Wisconsin-based Democratic activist Scott Foval cutting ties with the Democratic National Committee. The video, which featured Foval, described plans to position supporters in event locations so they could ask Trump questions while reporters were nearby, Teter's attorneys said in court filings. The video, and a later one focused on Teter, omitted Foval telling interviewers pretending to work for a wealthy donor that Teter's assault "was not preplanned" and "we haven't paid a single person to get beat up at a rally," her attorneys said. "We stand by our reporting in the video that is the subject of this defamation lawsuit," O'Keefe tweeted on an account confirmed by a Project Veritas spokesman. "We did not alter the meaning of his (Foval's) statements, and we preserved the video recording in its original state. We issued the report because the public has a right to know the issues raised in these videos." Story continues Wisconsin's Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel concluded last year that the secretly recorded videos of Foval revealed no evidence of election fraud or other state crimes. O'Keefe's attorneys contend Teter became a public figure after speaking to the news media about the assault and so must prove to jurors that Project Veritas published the videos knowing they were false or with reckless disregard for their truth or falsity. "She used that altercation to advocate against Trump in the media and with activist organizations," defense attorneys said in a court filing. Though releasing the videos, Project Veritas Action "had no intent to defame Plaintiff." Teter's lawyers said jurors should consider awarding her money damages not only for her injuries but to punish Project Veritas, which rewards employees and raises funds under "a business model that uses deception to produce highly publicized content, without fear of the consequences. These tactics demonstrate reckless disregard for the truth." ___ Follow Emery P. Dalesio at http://twitter.com/emerydalesio . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/emery . Nepal said Tuesday it has banned popular Chinese digital wallets Alipay and WeChat to prevent the loss of foreign currency earnings from tens of thousands of Chinese tourists. Over 150,000 Chinese holidaymakers visited Nepal last year, many using digital wallets to pay in hotels, restaurants and shops in tourist areas -- especially in Chinese-run businesses. Laxmi Prapanna Niroula, a spokesman for the country's central bank which announced the ban on Monday, said that Nepal was losing out since the actual transactions took place in China. "We have enforced a ban on Alipay and WeChat Pay because the country is losing foreign currency earnings through its usage. Action will be taken if anyone is found using the platforms," Niroula told AFP. Niroula said there was no information available on the volume of transactions concerned. Alipay, started by e-commerce giant Alibaba and owned by its affiliate Ant Financial, and WeChat Pay, built into Tencent's popular messaging service, have hundreds of millions of users between them and are China's dominant payment platforms. "Chinese tourists often ask for digital payment options. With the ban, people are bound to lose business," said Sushil Koirala, who runs a tea shop in Thamel, Kathmandu's main tourist area. A street in Thamel has even earned the name Chinatown because of the high number of Chinese-run hotels and restaurants. Tourism is a major revenue-earner for impoverished Nepal, home to eight of the world's 14 peaks over 8,000 metres (26,000 feet). Tourism contributed 7.8 percent to the Himalayan nation's economy in 2017, creating over a million jobs, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. Last year it welcomed more than a million visitors for the first time. MANAGUA (Reuters) - The Nicaraguan government said on Monday it had begun the process of freeing another 100 political prisoners after threats from the opposition it could abandon talks aimed at ending a political crisis and push for a general strike. The government said the release was part of a plan to free almost 300 political prisoners by June 18, and it made its announcement soon after the opposition issued its threats. "We have issued 100 (release) orders for people (...) detained for committing crimes against public security and public order," the interior ministry said in a statement. The government arrested hundreds of people during violent clashes that first erupted in April 2018 when President Daniel Ortega tried to cut welfare benefits. The protests soon spiraled into a broader resistance movement and became the sharpest test of Ortega's authority since the former Marxist guerrilla returned to office in 2007. In contrast to previous prisoner releases, the government said that several delegates of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) participated as observers. Nicaragua's opposition has made the release of political prisoners a condition of dialogue with the government. The list of 300 prisoners was agreed between Ortega's government and the opposition earlier this year. However, the opposition and the government differ on how many political prisoners there are. Ortega has called the protests an illegal plot by his adversaries to oust him, while critics have accused him of human rights abuses in the crackdown on dissent. Since the protests against Ortega's government began last year, more than 324 people have died and another 60,000 have gone into exile, according to human rights organizations. (Reporting by Ismael Lopez; Editing by Sandra Maler) LONDON, May 21 (Reuters) - U.S. investment bank JPMorgan raised its probability of a no-deal Brexit to 25% from 15%, saying its base case is that Boris Johnson becomes prime minister, followed by a general election and then another delay to Britain's exit to the end of the year. JPMorgan raised the probability of an Article 50 extension to 60% versus 50% before and cut the probability of exit on the terms of Prime Minister Theresa May's Withdrawal Agreement to 15% from 35%. The bank's Malcolm Barr said in a research note to clients on Tuesday that their base case was that: "Boris Johnson becomes PM in early September on a 'no deal if we have to' platform. The EU refuses his central objective of removing the backstop from the Withdrawal agreement." "The Commons begins the process of legislating to force Johnson to seek an Article 50 extension, and Johnson calls a general election seeking a mandate for his approach," the note added. "The UK and EU agree to extend Article 50 to end December to allow time for the general election to take place and for discussions to follow it." (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; editing by Michael Holden) By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS, May 21 (Reuters) - North Korea stepped up its campaign on Tuesday for the United States to return a seized cargo ship belonging to Pyongyang, warning Washington that it had violated its sovereignty in a move that could affect "future developments" between the countries. North Korea's U.N. Ambassador Kim Song held a rare news conference at the United Nations in New York to demand the immediate return of the ship, which the United States said earlier this month it had seized over accusations it was used for coal shipments in violation of U.S. and U.N. sanctions. "The United States should deliberate and think over the consequences its outrageous act might have on the future developments. Also the United States must return our cargo ship without delay," Kim said. "We regard it as part of our territory where our sovereignty is fully exercised." He said the seizure of the ship, known as the "Wise Honest," defied the spirit of a statement by U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un after their first meeting in Singapore in June 2018. They pledged to build new ties between their countries and work toward North Korea's denuclearization. The U.S. Justice Department earlier this month said the ship was seized and impounded to American Samoa. The vessel was first detained by Indonesia in April 2018. A second meeting between Trump and Kim Jong Un in Hanoi broke down in February. With talks on denuclearization stalled, North Korea went ahead with more weapons tests this month. The tests were seen as a protest by Kim Jong Un after Trump rejected his calls for sanctions relief at the Hanoi summit. The U.N. Security Council has unanimously strengthened sanctions on North Korea since 2006 in a bid to choke funding for Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, banning exports including coal, iron, lead, textiles and seafood, and capping imports of crude oil and refined petroleum products. Story continues "We will carefully watch every move of the United States," said Kim. Kim wrote to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday to ask him to take "urgent measures" over the issue. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday that the letter had been received. "We're taking a look at it. The issue of sanctions, the implementation of sanctions, the interpretation of sanctions, is really a matter for the U.N. Security Council to decide and to discuss," he said. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols Editing by Alistair Bell) Photo: Anna Gassot/AFP/Getty Images Intelligencer staffers Irin Carmon, Benjamin Hart, and Sarah Jones talk about the Democratic reaction to a raft of strict abortion laws around the country. Ben: Is it fair to say that Democratic lawmakers and the pro-choice movement were initially caught flat-footed by the avalanche of new abortion restrictions that have recently passed and which await legal challenges in the South and Midwest? Sarah: Im not sure that flat-footed is the right description. Heartbeat bills, for example, arent new on the scene; pro-choice activists have been fighting them for years. And I think, too, that the movement understood what a Trump presidency could mean for reproductive rights. Anti-choice legislators are emboldened by a sympathetic administration and a sympathetic Supreme Court. I do think that the Democratic Party has handicapped itself with its vaunted big tent, and I wonder if the reproductive-rights movement has spent its resources as effectively as it could have over the last decade or so. Irin: I think its absolutely right to see these new laws as being on a continuum rather than different in kind, which is somehow how they were received. Whats different now is that the anti-choice movements strategists have lost control of their ranks.These laws have been in the wings for a while, but conservative legislators emboldened by Trump want it all banned, right now. I think Democrats were unprepared for the backlash to these laws mirror images, which are the blue-state laws protecting Roe. Ben: This raft of ultrastrict laws has galvanized the pro-choice side, much as the laws Irin mentioned, inaccurately described as allowing infanticide, galvanized the pro-life contingent earlier this year. There are nationwide protests today, and many Democrats have weighed in with their support. But how much does this public awakening matter, when the presidential election isnt for a year and a half, and when the issue is really ultimately up to the courts, many of which are stacked with conservative ideologues, to decide? Irin: I think it matters a lot to clarify the stakes for more people than those immediately adjacent to the reproductive-rights movement. Sarah: It could matter very much! I think its a mistake to think about it simply in terms of electoral politics, though obviously thats important. What holds the Christian right together on the issue of abortion? Conviction. The pro-choice movement hell, liberals as a category could use a dose of conviction. Irin: Ive been covering this for about a decade, and the past week has brought more interest from people who have never asked about it before than I can remember. People are realizing this isnt a talking point, its real. And the trick is explaining the damage thats already been done without minimizing the seriousness of what could be ahead. Ben: Sarah, you mentioned the big tent could be a problem for Democrats. Can you explain? Sarah: Ive been harping on Dan Lipinski a lot lately, but hes such a perfect example. The DCCC is raising money for him! In a district that a more progressive candidate could actually win! Henry Cuellar, too his district isnt so conservative that only an anti-abortion Dem can win it. The usual logic doesnt even apply. Then there was the Heath Mello debacle a couple years ago. The anti-abortion movement has its divisions on questions of strategy, but its very much unified around a central premise, which is that abortion is murder. Democrats, in contrast, arent as unified or as emphatic on the right to abortion. Irin: I get why people are upset about those examples, and they matter. But whats had a much bigger impact is that the Christian right turned out for Donald Trump because of abortion (and curtailing LGBT rights and more), and not enough Democratic voters did the same when, with the Supreme Court and in the world we have, abortions legality was clearly on the ballot in 2016. So I guess my question is whether the attention to these bans might change that. Ben: Do you think the frames that most Democrats use around the issue that its a womans choice, that the government shouldnt be interfering with womens bodies, and so on generally work? Could they be doing something more effective in the face of often dishonest Republican attacks that focus on rare circumstances like third-trimester abortions? Irin: I was talking this week with a pollster whos done a lot of surveys and focus groups on the question, and she says that its striking the intensity that Democratic voters are bringing to the issue, and that theyre moving away from the private decision between a woman and her doctor and toward talking about it as control over your body. One Latina woman said to her in a focus group, You have to ask the president now if you want to go to the bathroom. Of course, thats Democratic voters. Across the board, polling on later procedures is scary for politicians. But I pointed to some of the research in my piece about how that changes when you talk about the reasons people need later procedures (and we should distinguish, in a way anti-choice people havent, between, say, 20 to 24 weeks, and the abortions after that, which in many states have to meet exceptions for health and life.) Sarah: Speaking frankly, the bodily autonomy argument is what converted me originally from being anti-choice to pro-choice. I think it can be quite powerful to emphasize the notion of control. Do you think you have the right to your own body or not? Its a clarifying question to ask people. Irin: I hesitate to add to the avalanche of praise for Pete Buttigieg, but he did have a deft way of handling it when he said people want to talk about where to draw the line, but the question is who should draw it. Ben: Im curious about another messaging tactic. Though its true that all the Alabama senators who voted for the states draconian ban were men, the genders arent far off in their opinions of abortion, and many of the most powerful pro-life advocates and politicians are women (including Alabamas governor, Kay Ivey, who signed that bill into law). When the pro-choice side frames all these restrictions as a war on women, does that elide some important context? And is it okay if it does? Sarah: Im sympathetic to that framing, but I dont really think its the most effective way to make an argument. Not only does it give anti-choice women a pass, it sort of fights the war on the Christian rights own turf, as a culture battle. Again, I think pro-choice advocates would be better off if they focused on the notion of bodily control. Its a deeply feminist argument, but it sidesteps the culture war. Irin: You saw a lot of Democrats adopting that line in 201112. I see it less now. I think it fails to account for anti-choice women like Ivey. We have to draw attention to gaps in representation everywhere, but they wont tell the whole story. In the age of Ivanka Trump, with pseudo-empowerment having gone wide and a (likely) majority of white women voting for Trump, I hope more people can become familiar with the long-standing feminist observation that some women are deeply invested in the patriarchy. Sarah: Yes, agreed. I remember trying to make this point when The Handmaids Tale first premiered on Hulu. The Christian rights always had its share of Serena Joys, and is successful in no small part because of their efforts. Irin: Yeah, Serena Joy and Aunt Lydia should make this a lot easier to understand. But just like the rights true intentions for uteruses, its a lesson we have to keep relearning. North Korea's ambassador to the United Nations on Tuesday warned the United States that its seizure of a cargo ship could have consequences on the future of US-North Korean relations. Ambassador Kim Song told a rare news conference that Pyongyang was closely watching "every move" by the United States following the US seizure of the Wise Honest ship. "The United States should deliberate and think over the consequences its outrageous acts might have on the future development," Kim said. The ambassador called on Washington to immediately return the ship, describing the seizure as an "outright denial" of commitments made by President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to improve relations. The United States announced on May 9 that it had impounded the state-owned Wise Honest, arguing that it was being used to export North Korean coal, in violations of UN sanctions over its banned nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. It was the first time that the US had seized a North Korean vessel after several years of high seas cat-and-mouse games in which North Korean shippers renamed their vessels, used false flags and turned off their tracking devices to avoid detection. The seizure came amid heightened tensions after Pyongyang conducted weapons drills involving short-range missiles, and with nuclear talks deadlocked since the collapse of the Hanoi summit between Trump and Kim earlier this year. Asked to elaborate on the impact of the ship seizure on relations, the North Korean ambassador repeated that Pyongyang was closely watching the US response. "Everything depends on the United States," he said. "We shall watch every move (by) the United States with regard to these issues." Trump and Kim have held two summit meetings to address the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. A first meeting in June last year ended with a vague commitment to denuclearize the Korean peninsula but the second summit in Hanoi collapsed over what Pyongyang would be willing to give up in exchange for relief from sanctions. The United States insists that sanctions will be lifted after North Korea has fully scrapped its weapons programs. The North Korean ambassador wrote to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last week to ask for "urgent measures" to return the Wise Honest, but the UN spokesman made clear the matter should be resolved bilaterally. When The North West Company Inc. (TSE:NWC) released its most recent earnings update (31 January 2019), I compared it against two factor: its historical earnings track record, and the performance of its industry peers on average. Understanding how North West performed requires a benchmark rather than trying to assess a standalone number at one point in time. Below is a quick commentary on how I see NWC has performed. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! Check out our latest analysis for North West Commentary On NWC's Past Performance NWC's trailing twelve-month earnings (from 31 January 2019) of CA$87m has jumped 29% compared to the previous year. Furthermore, this one-year growth rate has exceeded its 5-year annual growth average of 5.0%, indicating the rate at which NWC is growing has accelerated. How has it been able to do this? Well, lets take a look at whether it is only because of industry tailwinds, or if North West has seen some company-specific growth. TSX:NWC Income Statement, May 21st 2019 In terms of returns from investment, North West has invested its equity funds well leading to a 22% return on equity (ROE), above the sensible minimum of 20%. Furthermore, its return on assets (ROA) of 9.8% exceeds the CA Consumer Retailing industry of 5.7%, indicating North West has used its assets more efficiently. However, its return on capital (ROC), which also accounts for North Wests debt level, has declined over the past 3 years from 17% to 13%. This correlates with an increase in debt holding, with debt-to-equity ratio rising from 57% to 87% over the past 5 years. What does this mean? While past data is useful, it doesnt tell the whole story. Positive growth and profitability are what investors like to see in a companys track record, but how do we properly assess sustainability? I suggest you continue to research North West to get a more holistic view of the stock by looking at: Story continues Future Outlook: What are well-informed industry analysts predicting for NWCs future growth? Take a look at our free research report of analyst consensus for NWCs outlook. Financial Health: Are NWCs 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 January 2019. 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. Fruit and veg stalls in St George's Market in Belfast. Photo: Eye Ubiquitous/UIG via Getty Images Economic growth in Northern Ireland in the first quarter of the year was almost four times slower than it was in London, according to new estimates. Data released by the Economic Statistics Centre of Excellence shows that, during the first three months of the year, Londons economy grew by 2.7%. In Northern Ireland, the UKs slowest-growing region, economic growth was just 0.7%. The data also shows a continued disparity between London and the other regions of the UK, with economic growth in the North East and North West standing at just 0.8% and 1%, respectively. Data from the Office for National Statistics, which collaborates with the centre, shows that the UKs economy grew by 1.5% overall in the first quarter. READ MORE: 1.6m northerners are paid less than the real living wage Three other regions were also below the UK average: Yorkshire and the Humber (1.4%), the West Midlands (1.2%), and Wales (1.1%). Meanwhile, five other regions had growth above the UK average, but below that of London: the South West (2.1%), Scotland (2%) the South East (2%), the East of England (1.9%) and the East Midlands (1.6%). Northern Irelands economy has long needed a boost from Westminster, with most of the regions money coming from money known as the subvention. Though Northern Ireland was once a net contributor to HM Treasury, its now thought of as a big deficit economy it has one of the highest levels of public spending in the entire UK, and collects a comparatively low level of taxation revenue. For beginners, it can seem like a good idea (and an exciting prospect) to buy a company that tells a good story to investors, even if it completely lacks a track record of revenue and profit. Unfortunately, high risk investments often have little probability of ever paying off, and many investors pay a price to learn their lesson. In the age of tech-stock blue-sky investing, my choice may seem old fashioned; I still prefer profitable companies like Everyman Media Group (LON:EMAN). Even if the shares are fully valued today, most capitalists would recognize its profits as the demonstration of steady value generation. While a well funded company may sustain losses for years, unless its owners have an endless appetite for subsidizing the customer, it will need to generate a profit eventually, or else breathe its last breath. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! See our latest analysis for Everyman Media Group Everyman Media Group's Improving Profits Over the last three years, Everyman Media Group has grown earnings per share (EPS) like young bamboo after rain; fast, and from a low base. So I don't think the percent growth rate is particularly meaningful. Thus, it makes sense to focus on more recent growth rates, instead. Like a wedge-tailed eagle on the wind, Everyman Media Group's EPS soared from UK0.021 to UK0.029, in just one year. That's a impressive gain of 41%. I like to take a look at earnings before interest and (EBIT) tax margins, as well as revenue growth, to get another take on the quality of the company's growth. While we note Everyman Media Group's EBIT margins were flat over the last year, revenue grew by a solid 27% to UK52m. That's a real positive. You can take a look at the company's revenue and earnings growth trend, in the chart below. Click on the chart to see the exact numbers. AIM:EMAN Income Statement, May 21st 2019 Everyman Media Group isn't a huge company, given its market capitalization of UK138m. That makes it extra important to check on its balance sheet strength. Story continues Are Everyman Media Group Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders? Like the kids in the streets standing up for their beliefs, insider share purchases give me reason to believe in a brighter future. Because oftentimes, the purchase of stock is a sign that the buyer views it as undervalued. However, small purchases are not always indicative of conviction, and insiders don't always get it right. While Everyman Media Group insiders did net -UK1.1m selling stock over the last year, they invested UK1.3m, a much higher figure. On balance, to me, this signals their optimism. Zooming in, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by Non-Executive Director Charles Dorfman for UK889k worth of shares, at about UK2.02 per share. The good news, alongside the insider buying, for Everyman Media Group bulls is that insiders (collectively) have a meaningful investment in the stock. Given insiders own a small fortune of shares, currently valued at UK45m, they have plenty of motivation to push the business to succeed. At 33% of the company, the co-investment by insiders gives me confidence that management will make long-term focussed decisions. While insiders are apparently happy to hold and accumulate shares, that is just part of the pretty picture. That's because on our analysis the CEO, Crispin Lilly, is paid less than the median for similar sized companies. For companies with market capitalizations between UK79m and UK314m, like Everyman Media Group, the median CEO pay is around UK517k. The Everyman Media Group CEO received UK343k in compensation for the year ending January 2019. That seems pretty reasonable, especially given its below the median for similar sized companies. While the level of CEO compensation isn't a huge factor in my view of the company, modest remuneration is a positive, because it suggests that the board keeps shareholder interests in mind. It can also be a sign of good governance, more generally. Should You Add Everyman Media Group To Your Watchlist? Given my belief that share price follows earnings per share you can easily imagine how I feel about Everyman Media Group's strong EPS growth. Not only that, but we can see that insiders both own a lot of, and are buying more, shares in the company. So I do think this is one stock worth watching. One of Buffett's considerations when discussing businesses is if they are capital light or capital intensive. Generally, a company with a high return on equity is capital light, and can thus fund growth more easily. So you might want to check this graph comparing Everyman Media Group's ROE with industry peers (and the market at large). As a growth investor I do like to see insider buying. But Everyman Media Group isn't the only one. You can see a a free list of them here. Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction 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. Pete Hegseth in Trump Tower during the presidential transition. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images Among the several accused war criminals Trump is considering for pardons is Navy SEAL platoon leader Edward Gallagher, who will stand trial on May 28 for premeditated murder, attempted murder, obstruction of justice, and close to a dozen other offenses. Among the acts Gallagher will be on trial for are his indiscriminate shooting at civilians and his killing of a teenage ISIS combatant, after which he texted a picture of the teenagers corpse to a fellow seal I got him with my hunting knife and posed with the body in front of an American flag. If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life in prison. Luckily for Gallagher, he has the president of the United States on his side, a political ally for which he can reportedly thank Fox News. According to a new report from the Daily Beast, Fox & Friends host Pete Hegseth has been speaking with Trump in private for the last four months, lobbying the president to pardon Gallagher and other accused war criminals. Hegseth has reportedly told Trump that Gallagher has suffered very unfair treatment, and has specifically advised that the president pardon him and the other men for whom the president is considering a pardon. Clearly, the Fox News hosts efforts are working: Trump has been tweeting about Gallagher since March, and in recent weeks, he has reportedly described Gallaghers treatment in private as total bullshit. Hegseth, a Bronze Star recipient who once accidentally hit a West Point band member with an axe on live TV, has reportedly expressed in private that he considers the militarys rules of engagement too restrictive. According to the Daily Beast, he has been able to advise Trump on the matter without ever disclosing he was doing so, although Fox & Friends has treated the topic on-air several times in the past few months. These guys make tough calls in moments for most people have never been a part of in their life, Hegseth said while interviewing Edward Gallaghers brother in February. And then folks in suits in Washington, D.C., they throw paper at them and accuse them of things. In December, Hegseth even said in a segment involving Gallagher that guys like these can be pardoned. The Fox News host is certainly speaking to a receptive audience. As New Yorks Eric Levitz writes, Trumps possible pardons serve as confirmation that [he] wishes to use his pardon power to signal, in no uncertain terms, that he believes it is good for armed agents of the state to brutalize suspected enemies, whether thats Joe Arpaio terrorizing Latinos in Maricopa County or a Navy SEAL picking off little girls in Iraq. And Trump even acknowledged Hegseths influence on him on the topic in December in a tweet regarding Matt Golsteyn, another accused war criminal. 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. He could face the death penalty from our own government after he admitted to killing a Terrorist bomb maker while overseas. @PeteHegseth @FoxNews Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 16, 2018 Whether its the late night calls between the president and Sean Hannity, the suspicious timing of TV segments preceding presidential tweets, or the former network co-president serving for a time as White House deputy chief of staff, the Fox News-Trump feedback loop has been established since the early days of the administration. But the report on Pete Hegseths sway over the president shows, perhaps for the first time, that an individual Fox News host can set up a one-man lobbying shop with direct, actionable access to the president. * U.S. seeks to begin Mideast initiative at June 25-26 meeting * Distrustful of Trump, Palestinian leaders plan not to attend * Trump's son-in-law Kushner and envoy Greenblatt lead plan * Abbas' PA and Hamas call for boycotts of Bahrain conference By Ali Sawafta, Rami Ayyub and Nidal al-Mughrabi RAMALLAH/GAZA, May 21 (Reuters) - Palestinian business leaders on Tuesday rebuffed U.S. plans for an economic conference in Bahrain that has become the spearhead of President Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan. As Washington appealed to Palestinian and Arab leaders to come to the June 25-26 gathering, Palestinian businessmen joined politicians in saying their political demands would have to be addressed in any plan to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestinian pollsters and analysts also reported deep skepticism about the latest in a long line of U.S. peace efforts, this time led by Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt. The U.S. initiative follows an upsurge in cross-border fighting between Gaza militants and Israel, and as Palestinians still smart at Trump's political support for Israel, including his decision to recognize Jerusalem as its capital. Arafat Asfour, chairman of business association Paltrade with more than 300 members across the West Bank and Gaza, said it was unresolved political issues - such as Israeli restrictions on movement of goods and people in the occupied territories - that had long deterred foreign investment. Israel says such measures stem from security concerns. "How (can you) expect people to invest in Palestine if they don't have access? If they don't have the control, if they don't have the legal framework, the business environment, to protect their business?" asked Asfour, saying his organization had refused to go to Bahrain. Ibrahim Barham, CEO of Safad, a Ramallah-based IT company, said: "They're taking the side of Israel, on the political side, and they want to speak with us only on economic issues. But it's not a proper way." Story continues Bashar Masri, a Palestinian businessman and founder of Rawabi, the first Palestinian planned city in the West Bank, has also turned down an invitation. President Mahmoud Abbas's western-backed Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization have voiced strong opposition to the Bahrain initiative, after a year-and-a-half of refusing to deal with the Trump administration because, they say, it is biased towards Israel. "AMBITIOUS BUT ACHIEVABLE" Countering criticisms, envoy Greenblatt said the PA was "shamefully" blocking a better future for Palestinians and denied Washington was prioritizing the economic component over political problems. In a statement, he described his team's economic plan as an "ambitious but achievable" vision. Pollster Khalil Shikaki, director of the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, said close to 80 percent of Palestinians believed the Trump plan would not lead to an end of Israel's occupation of the West Bank. "It's not that those Palestinians or business leaders are not interested in improving economic conditions of Palestinians. Of course they are," he said, based on polling carried out in March, before the Bahrain element of the plan was announced. "It's the concern that what the Americans are trying to do is give the Palestinians a choice between their political rights or their economic rights. They want both, and they are not willing to make a trade off." The Palestinians want to establish a state in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, all territory Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East War. The United Nations and most nations around the world back a two-state solution. Abbas officials have criticized Bahrain for agreeing to host the summit, and called for a boycott. Saleh Rafat, a PLO official, said on Tuesday: "It is shameful for a sister Arab country to align itself with American proposals aimed at eliminating the Palestinian cause and host conferences that seek to liquidate our just aspirations." In a rare agreement between Palestinian rivals, the Islamist group Hamas also called for an Arab boycott. "Hamas hopes Bahrain and its noble people will reject their soil being defiled," said a statement by the group, which seized control of the Gaza Strip from Abbas's forces in 2007. Israeli newspapers reported that at least one Palestinian businessman, Ashraf Jabari, from Hebron, had ignored the boycott calls and accepted an invitation to attend. Others in Hebron were opposed. "We Palestinians refuse any kind of dictating to the Palestinian people without ending the occupation and giving Palestinians their full freedom," said Issa Amro of Youth Against Settlements. (Additional reporting by Matt Spetalnick in Washington; Editing by Stephen Farrell and Andrew Cawthorne) By Ali Sawafta, Rami Ayyub and Nidal al-Mughrabi RAMALLAH/GAZA (Reuters) - Palestinian business leaders on Tuesday rebuffed U.S. plans for an economic conference in Bahrain that has become the spearhead of President Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan. As Washington appealed to Palestinian and Arab leaders to come to the June 25-26 gathering, Palestinian businessmen joined politicians in saying their political demands would have to be addressed in any plan to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestinian pollsters and analysts also reported deep scepticism about the latest in a long line of U.S. peace efforts, this time led by Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt. The U.S. initiative follows an upsurge in cross-border fighting between Gaza militants and Israel, and as Palestinians still smart at Trump's political support for Israel, including his decision to recognize Jerusalem as its capital. Arafat Asfour, chairman of business association Paltrade with more than 300 members across the West Bank and Gaza, said it was unresolved political issues - such as Israeli restrictions on movement of goods and people in the occupied territories - that had long deterred foreign investment. Israel says such measures stem from security concerns. "How (can you) expect people to invest in Palestine if they don't have access? If they don't have the control, if they don't have the legal framework, the business environment, to protect their business?" asked Asfour, saying his organization had refused to go to Bahrain. Ibrahim Barham, CEO of Safad, a Ramallah-based IT company, said: "They're taking the side of Israel, on the political side, and they want to speak with us only on economic issues. But it's not a proper way." Bashar Masri, a Palestinian businessman and founder of Rawabi, the first Palestinian planned city in the West Bank, has also turned down an invitation. President Mahmoud Abbas's western-backed Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization have voiced strong opposition to the Bahrain initiative, after a year-and-a-half of refusing to deal with the Trump administration because, they say, it is biased toward Israel. "AMBITIOUS BUT ACHIEVABLE" Countering criticisms, envoy Greenblatt said the PA was "shamefully" blocking a better future for Palestinians and denied Washington was prioritizing the economic component over political problems. In a statement, he described his team's economic plan as an "ambitious but achievable" vision. Pollster Khalil Shikaki, director of the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, said close to 80 percent of Palestinians believed the Trump plan would not lead to an end of Israel's occupation of the West Bank. "It's not that those Palestinians or business leaders are not interested in improving economic conditions of Palestinians. Of course they are," he said, based on polling carried out in March, before the Bahrain element of the plan was announced. "It's the concern that what the Americans are trying to do is give the Palestinians a choice between their political rights or their economic rights. They want both, and they are not willing to make a trade off." The Palestinians want to establish a state in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, all territory Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East War. The United Nations and most nations around the world back a two-state solution. Abbas officials have criticized Bahrain for agreeing to host the summit, and called for a boycott. Saleh Rafat, a PLO official, said on Tuesday: "It is shameful for a sister Arab country to align itself with American proposals aimed at eliminating the Palestinian cause and host conferences that seek to liquidate our just aspirations." In a rare agreement between Palestinian rivals, the Islamist group Hamas also called for an Arab boycott. "Hamas hopes Bahrain and its noble people will reject their soil being defiled," said a statement by the group, which seized control of the Gaza Strip from Abbas's forces in 2007. Israeli newspapers reported that at least one Palestinian businessman, Ashraf Jabari, from Hebron, had ignored the boycott calls and accepted an invitation to attend. Others in Hebron were opposed. "We Palestinians refuse any kind of dictating to the Palestinian people without ending the occupation and giving Palestinians their full freedom," said Issa Amro of Youth Against Settlements. (Additional reporting by Matt Spetalnick in Washington; Editing by Stephen Farrell and Andrew Cawthorne) Pete Buttigieg blasted Fox News two most well-known hosts during a nationally televised town hall on the network. After receiving criticism from many in the Democratic party for agreeing to take part in the hour-long event, the South Bend, Indiana, mayor and 2020 presidential contender, 37, spoke with moderator and Fox News personality Chris Wallace in Claremont, New Hampshire, on Sunday evening. A lot of people in my party were critical of me doing this, and I get where thats coming from, especially when you see what goes on with some of the opinion hosts on this network, Buttigieg said. I mean when youve got Tucker Carlson saying that immigrants make America dirty. When youve got Laura Ingraham comparing detention centers with children in cages to summer camps, he added. There is a reason why anybody has to swallow hard and think twice before participating in this media ecosystem. Mayor Pete was making a reference to Carlsons on-camera remarks in December 2018 when he suggested immigrants make our own country poor and dirtier and more divided. Meanwhile, six months before in June 2018, Ingraham likened immigrant child detention centers to essentially summer camps. Sarah Rice/Getty However, Buttigieg defended his decision to participate in the networks town hall. I also believe that even though some of those hosts are not always there in good faith, I think a lot of people tune into this network who do it in good faith, he said. And there are a lot of Americans who my party cant blame if they are ignoring our message, because they will never hear it if we dont go on and talk about it. Buttigieg added, We have to find people where they are, not change our values, but update our vocabulary so that were truly connecting with Americans coast to coast. After his closing remarks, during which he said, I believe running for office is an act of hope, the politicians appearance was concluded with roaring applause and even a standing ovation that left Wallace saying, Wow. Story continues RELATED: Pete Buttigieg, Who Could Be the First Openly Gay President, Faces Anti-Gay Heckling at Iowa Rally: See His Response Sarah Rice/Getty Buttigiegs Fox News town hall comes a week after his fellow 2020 contender, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., turned down an invite from the network. Warren said she gave the event a hard pass, further criticizing Fox News as a hate-for-profit racket that gives a megaphone to racists and conspiracists. Thousands of people living in Northern Alberta have been ordered to evacuated due to an out-of-control wildfire burning near the town of High Level. "The fire is jumping from crown to crown of trees," Premier Jason Kenney said at a press conference, noting that dry and windy weather will create an increasingly dangerous situation in the coming days. High Level Mayor Crystal McAteer told reporters that the number of active fires in Alberta is slightly higher than the five-year average for this time of year. Residents in the area saw the wildfire burn, with purple-colour puffs of smoke moving through nearby communities. The High Level fire has to be addressed from above, as its too dangerous to have anyone on the ground to fight the fire, said Bruce Mayer, assistant deputy minister, Alberta Environment at the press conference. The fire has come within 5 km of homes, but theres no reports of damage or injuries yet, Kenney said. Crews are working around the clock to contain the fire and residents are expected to be barred from returning for at least a few days. -With files from CBC News Thousands of people are being told to leave High Level, as well as the Bushe River Reserve, via Highway 58 east of the communities since highways south and west have already been closed due to the blaze. (Rob Drinkwater/The Canadian Press) The wildfire near Marlboro, Alta., jumped Highway 16. (Stephanie Pollard/CBC News) Smoke fills the sky from a wildfire near Marlboro, Alta. (Stephanie Pollard/CBC News) More than 4,000 people are affected by evacuation orders in northwestern Alberta. (Deb Stecyk/CBC News) The Chuckegg Creek wildfire (HWF-042) burns out of control in the High Level Forest Area, to the southwest and west of the town of High Level, Alberta, Canada in this May 19, 2019 picture obtained from social media. (Alberta Wildfire/via Reuters) The wildfires are classified as out of control at 251 and 50 hectares in size, respectively. (Social Media via Alberta Wildfire) Fire HWF042, is located approximately 20 km south of the Town of High Level.(Social Media via Alberta Wildfire) Smoke from a wildfire 25 kilometres southwest of High Level, Alta. hovered over the town May 19, 2019. Alberta Wildfire says the community is not at risk. (Deb Stecyk/CBC News) The wildfire near the northern Alberta town of High Level has been burning since May 12. (Deb Stecyk/CBC News) A fire ban is in effect for most of northern Alberta. (Deb Stecyk/CBC News) Deb Stecyk says while High Level residents can certainly see the wildfire smoke, they can't smell it. (Deb Stecyk/CBC News) Google's decision to partially cut off Huawei devices from its Android operating system has presented the Chinese tech titan with one of its most dramatic challenges yet: how to keep up with the competition if it cannot use the platform that powers nearly every other smartphone in the world? It is a possibility for which the Shenzhen-based firm, the world's second-largest smartphone maker by sales, has been preparing for years -- reportedly since 2012 -- by building an operating system of its own. Huawei has acknowledged its existence, but the platform remains shrouded in mystery. "We have prepared our own operating system. If it should be the case that we can no longer use these systems (like Android)... we would therefore need to be well-armed," Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei's Consumer Business Group, told German newspaper Die Welt in an interview published in March. "That is our Plan B. But we would of course prefer to work together with the ecosystems provided by Google and Microsoft." That system could now become more important than ever to Huawei. Washington last week imposed a ban on the sale or transfer of American technology to the firm -- which could impact hundreds of millions of Huawei phones and tablets around the world. Google has said it will comply with the US restrictions, and bar Huawei from access to some core components of Android and its proprietary services. While both Google and Huawei have reassured users that their phones will continue to function as normal, this could present major problems for Huawei, and apps on its phones could become unusable if it does not have access to code licensed by Google to phone makers. And if the ban is not lifted, it could also run into trouble when the next version of Android is rolled out, because Huawei would not have the kind of access enjoyed by its rivals such as Samsung. Its own platform, currently undergoing trials, is named "HongMeng" and "will gradually replace the Android system", China's state-owned Global Times said Monday, citing other local media reports without more details. Story continues - 'Exceptionally difficult' - In developing a possible successor to Android on its devices, Huawei is attempting something other industry behemoths like Microsoft and Samsung have failed to do: create a platform that attracts both users and app developers. The technical development is just one aspect of the challenge, analysts say. It takes years to build trust and confidence among app makers to write and sell software on the platform, and to convince users to adopt it. Building an operating system "is exceptionally difficult to do well and to do successfully", said Ryan Whalen, deputy director of the Law and Technology Centre at the University of Hong Kong. "Just look to players like Nokia, BlackBerry and Microsoft that have all failed recently in similar endeavours," he told AFP, adding that Huawei would have to deal with a "competitive disadvantage" as its rivals will feature core Android services. Without full access to Android and popular Google services, Huawei -- which has launched its products at glitzy ceremonies in major markets around the world -- could find it difficult to convince customers to choose its phones over those pushed by rivals. Microsoft pulled the plug on its Windows Phone platform earlier this year, and Samsung's Tizen system is barely known compared with Android and Apple's iOS, which runs iPhones and iPads. Huawei knows "that being a big telecom company, you have to have your own core technology eventually", Wong Kam Fai, a professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, told AFP. "They have it, but they are not ready for production yet. It would have been better if this thing happened two or three years later, but it is happening now so they just have to speed up." burs-qan/hg/lth/dan McDonalds workers and activists march toward the companys headquarters to protest sexual harassment. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images McDonalds says that it has created Americas best first job. Thats not the way Latarsha Smith describes it. The South Carolina woman says that when she entered a management-training program at a McDonalds in December 2017, she expected a promotion and a raise. But after a co-worker sexually harassed her, her professional goals took a sharp detour. The harassment became more and more aggressive, and more difficult to evade. The co-worker allegedly touched her rear end, tried to get her to come to his house, and sent her graphic, sexual texts. At one point, he asked her to send him a photo of her chest. Try it, he wrote. And then lets text about it and see how wet you get. I felt disrespected. I just felt so emotional, I cried. I was depressed, Smith told New York on Monday. She rebuffed the co-worker repeatedly and eventually, she says, he began to retaliate. Smith says he told her that managers in training must work weekends, though that didnt appear true of others in the program, and shed been clear from the start that she was unavailable then due to family obligations. Soon enough, hed forced her out of the program altogether, which cost her that promotion and a raise that she needed. After some deliberation, she told her family what had happened to her, and reported her experiences up the chain of management only to be transferred to a new store, where she was scheduled for fewer hours. I went through a depression, Smith says, of the aftermath. I started losing my hair and started getting sick. I have been going to the hospital with severe headaches I have a daughter thats in college and I wasnt able to support her like I was when I was given hours and I was in a management program. She couldnt support her grandson, she added, or her sick mother. Smith believes she completed the management-training program; she says at the end of the process, she was told shes need to take another eight-hour class in the state capital, though that didnt seem to be a requirement for other managers. After a year and a half working for McDonalds, she was fired. On Tuesday, Smith became one of 25 workers to announce sexual-harassment complaints against McDonalds. Its the third such round of complaints filed by Fight for $15 campaign with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission since 2016, and the second time that the Times Up Legal Defense Fund, which grew out of the #MeToo movement, has participated in the effort. Tuesdays complaints also mark an escalation in Fight for $15s efforts to end sexual harassment in McDonalds restaurants. In addition to the new charges, the coalition announced that workers in three cities had filed civil suits against the fast-food giant. Workers in two additional cities, who had previously filed complaints against McDonalds, have progressed to filing lawsuits with the assistance of the ACLU. But the obstacles to change are significant. Tuesdays complaints not only challenge McDonalds image, but also its business model. Without significant reforms to the companys labor practices, activists say that workers like Smith have little recourse when theyre abused on the job. Fight for $15 has successfully pressured the corporation to change its policies in the past. In March, McDonalds announced it would no longer lobby against laws to increase the minimum wage. Though that isnt an endorsement of a higher minimum wage, its still a meaningful shift in the companys posture. On sexual harassment, however, workers and their allies say the corporation has done little to address their long-standing concerns. Smith, for example, says that no one spoke to her about sexual harassment or informed her about any policies when she began working for McDonalds. When she did try to report her experiences first to management, and then to a corporate human resources hotline her situation didnt improve. In a press release issued by Fight for $15, other workers say they have experienced groping, attempted rape, and indecent exposure from other co-workers. A Durham, North Carolina, woman says a co-worker exposed himself to her in a walk-in freezer and then tried to pin her down. In Arizona, an adult male reportedly harassed a 16-year-old employee and retaliated against her when she rejected him. When her mother, who also worked for the store, tried to intervene, her hours were cut. Smith will join other workers and Top Chef star Padma Lakshmi at a rally in Chicago on Tuesday. Theyre asking McDonalds to sit down with them to discuss new strategies for ending sexual harassment at work. But its not clear whether the company will agree to do so. In a letter to Lakshmi, shared with New York by McDonalds, the fast food chain said that it had partnered with the Rape, Abuse, and Incest Network to provide employee-centered education to workers, and that RAINN had facilitated conversations with Futures without Violence and the American Association of University Women on the topic. The letter also asserts that 90 percent of the corporations operators and general managers have undergone a new sexual harassment training, and points to a new corporate hotline as proof of its commitment. It also says that it has produced new posters outlining the rights of its workers, and shipped them to its 14,000 restaurants. In the next two months, McDonalds and RAINN will facilitate additional conversations with U.S. restaurant employees and other relevant external stakeholder groups to help inform and further strengthen our policy and trainings, it added. The letter does not specify which employees will be involved in those additional conversations. In a press release, Gillian Thomas of the ACLUs Womens Rights Project said that most of their clients allege harassment occurring precisely when the company claims it was making these reforms, and we can find no one who has heard of a new policy or training initiative. Further reform may be difficult thanks to the companys franchise model. Around 90 to 95 percent of the companys stores are franchises, and in its letter to Lakshmi, McDonalds says it has encouraged franchise owners to implement its new policy. It cant force them to do so without further changes to federal labor policy, and McDonalds opposes reforms that would make it liable for the actions of its franchise owners. (In this, it has a powerful ally in the Trump administration.) A spokesperson for McDonalds confirmed to New York on Tuesday that the company has not changed its position. The gap between corporate policy and franchise practice can be dangerous for workers like Smith, advocates say. Mary Joyce Carlson, an attorney who works with the Fight For 15 campaign, told New York that at McDonalds and low-wage workplaces like it, its not made clear to [workers] that this is a workplace where youre entitled to be safe. This is a workplace that I think calls out for a union. I think all workers should have the right to unionize, particularly in a work setting like this, Carlson added. That is, in fact, the other half of the Fight for $15 campaigns principle demand a higher wage, and a union. Some McDonalds workers in other countries are unionized, but workers in the chains American locations are not, though the Service Employees International Union works with Fight for $15 campaigners. The franchise model, again, looks like an obstacle. As matters stand right now, the SEIU or another union would have to individually organize each of the companys franchise locations a Herculean undertaking that would not result in a corporation-wide contract that provided identical and universal protections to all of the companys rank-and-file workers. For workers, protest and public shaming may be the most direct route to change. Smith said she gave the company a chance to investigate, but its inaction inspired her to go public with her story. I have been working with you guys, she said. Its like yall are brushing this under the rug like it never happened. So I said, no, its not going to happen anymore. I will not allow this to happen to anybody else. This post has been updated to clarify the circumstances of Latarsha Smiths time in the management-training program. Police have released CCTV to appeal for the identity a man who jumped up and down on a rapid response ambulance. (SWNS) Police are hunting a yob caught on CCTV jumping up and down on the roof of a rapid response ambulance. Three men walked past Bramley Ambulance Station in Leeds, at around 11.30pm on May 14. The man, who can be seen topless in the images, then proceeded to jump up on the rapid response car. This caused criminal damage to the vehicle. Police have released CCTV to appeal for the identity a man who jumped up and down on a rapid response ambulance. (SWNS) The rapid response vehicles transport specialist paramedics, and due to be able to travel faster than ambulances, are often first on the scene. Yorkshire Ambulance tweeted an appeal for help in identifying the three men. Read more from Yahoo News UK: Video shows man knocked out in London station brawl Police launch manhunt after girl raped in woodland Man takes police to court over facial recognition technology It said: "Do you recognise this person? At 11.30pm on Tuesday 14 May, 3 males walked past Bramley Ambulance Station and one proceeded to cause criminal damage to a vehicle by jumping up and down on its roof. "Call West Yorkshire Police on 101 quoting ref 13190246243 if you can help identify them." Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK A Frederick County pediatrician charged early in May with sexually assaulting a patient is now accused of molesting 11 more. Maryland State Police said they are searching in Maryland and neighboring states for a man and possibly others in connection with an armed home invasion and assault on a pregnant woman in Cecil County. Police released a picture of a man who they said, along with at least three others, was involved in an armed home invasion at an apartment complex in North East on April 25. By Alan Charlish and Joanna Plucinska WARSAW, May 21 (Reuters) - Poland's prime minister has outraged the Jewish community by saying compensation for property seized during World War Two would represent a posthumous triumph for Adolf Hitler. The ruling nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) argues that as a victim of invasion and occupation by Nazi Germany in the 1939-1945 war, Poland should not be saddled with financial obligations in providing restitution payments to Jews. "If it ever got to this point, to this horrible injustice, if the victim and the executioner switched places, it would be an abuse of all of the basic principles of international law and would also be Hitler's posthumous victory," Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Friday. Poland was home to one of the world's biggest Jewish communities, before it was almost entirely wiped out by the Nazis who set up notorious death camps such as Auschwitz. The World Jewish Congress' president, Ronald S. Lauder, called for the prime minister to deny or retract his comments, calling them "alarming in the extreme" and "reprehensible." The World Jewish Restitution Organization also weighed in. "This statement, if reported correctly, is deeply insensitive to Holocaust survivors and their families," it said. Jewish former property owners and their descendants have been campaigning since the 1989 fall of communism to be compensated, but Polish administrations have lacked the money or determination to resolve the issue. "Successive Polish governments have steadfastly refused to recognize the material losses of Polish Jewry and have essentially treated their homes and other property as the spoils of war - and individual Poles and Polish institutions have profiteered from these assets for more than seven decades," Lauder added in the statement from his organization. Morawiecki defended himself on Tuesday, telling reporters critics had taken out of context his comments in a speech at a party convention in the central Polish city of Lodz. Story continues "If they read the full sentence, they wouldn't criticize this speech," said the 50-year-old former banker who in his youth was involved in the underground anti-communist movement. Polish-Israeli relations have deteriorated in recent months over accusations that Warsaw's nationalist PiS government has failed to counter anti-Semitic incidents strongly enough. The PiS denies that. "I don't know what is anti-Semitic about telling the truth - that the Germans attacked Poland and that Poland defended itself ... and many times defended Jews," deputy justice minister Patryk Jaki told state-run TV channel TVP on Tuesday. Many Poles still refuse to accept research showing thousands participated in the Holocaust in addition to the thousands who risked their lives to help the Jews. (Reporting by Alan Charlish, Joanna Plucinska and Pawel Florkiewicz; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne) By Zarir Hussain GUWAHATI, India (Reuters) - Eleven people, including a lawmaker and four of his family, were killed in an ambush by tribal separatists in the eastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, a senior police official said on Tuesday. Heavily armed militants fired automatic weapons at the five-vehicle convoy of Tirong Aboh, a member of the legislative assembly for the state seat of Khonsa, in the Tirap district near the border with Myanmar, the police official said. "We are yet to ascertain the group responsible for the attack," the police official, who declined to be named as he is not authorized to talk to the media, told Reuters. The area where the ambush took place is very remote, making investigation of the attack difficult, the official said. "Extremely shocked by unfortunate incident of killing of Khonsa MLA Tirong Aboh along with several others by insurgents," Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu tweeted https://bit.ly/2WUdAqU. Attacks on Indian officials by separatist militias have declined in recent years, though dozens of groups still operate in north and eastern areas of the country. In April, five people including a lawmaker from India's ruling party were killed in the eastern state of Chhattisgarh when Maoist militants detonated a bomb as an entourage traveled back from a campaign appearance. (Reporting by Zarir Hussain in Guwahati; Writing by Shounak Dasgupta; Editing by Alasdair Pal and Nick Macfie) Washington (AFP) - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday it was "quite possible" Iran was responsible for sabotage of Gulf oil interests as he prepared to brief lawmakers on rising tensions. Pompeo cautioned that the United States has not made "a definitive conclusion" that can be presented publicly over mysterious sabotage incidents of oil tankers off the United Arab Emirates or drone strikes on a crude pipeline in Saudi Arabia. "But given all the regional conflicts that we have seen over the past decade and the shape of these attacks, it seems like it's quite possible that Iran was behind these," Pompeo told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt. "Most importantly, we will continue to take acts that protect American interests and that work to deter Iran from misbehavior in the region, which has the real risk of escalating the situation such that crude oil prices rise," he said. Yemen's Huthi rebels, who are allied with Iran and are being hit hard by US-backed Saudi airstrikes, claimed responsibility last week for a drone strike on a major east-west pipeline in the kingdom, which was forced to shut down temporarily. President Donald Trump has warned, "If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran" -- but also on Monday downplayed the Iranian threat to US interests. Pompeo is due later Tuesday to brief US lawmakers on Iran alongside acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan and the top US military officer, General Joseph Dunford. Some Republican allies of Trump have called for the United States to be ready with a major military response, but leading Democrats have accused the White House of hyping the intelligence, saying that Iran's actions were predictable responses to US moves. Tensions have risen sharply in recent months as the Trump administration has vowed to cut off all oil exports from Iran and designated the elite Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist group. LISBON, May 21 (Reuters) - Portuguese police arrested 17 members of the Hells Angels motorcycle club on Tuesday on suspicion of organized crime activity, authorities said. Around 150 officers, including anti-terrorism personnel, took part in raids on homes and commercial establishments across Portugal, the Judiciary Police (PJ) said in a statement. TV channel SIC reported homes were searched in the capital Lisbon, the country's north and the Algarve in the south where thousands of bikers gather every year for an international motorcycle event. Police confirmed 17 men belonging to the Hells Angels and aged between 29 and 52 were detained and expected to appear in court on Wednesday, charged with criminal association - which in Portugal is punishable by up to five years in jail. One police inquiry has focused on a March 2018 incident in which Hells Angels members allegedly attacked a rival motorcycle gang and neo-Nazi associates as part of a turf war for control of illicit weapons and drug trafficking. Dozens of Hells Angels bikers were arrested four months later and described by Portuguese police as "extremely dangerous" with long criminal records and involvement in violent organized crime. The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club was formed in the United States in 1948 and has branches around the world, including in Portugal since 2002. The US-based club couldn't immediately be reached for comment. (Reporting by Catarina Demony Editing by Axel Bugge) Robert F. Smith gives the commencement address during the Morehouse College 135th Commencement at Morehouse College on May 19, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo: Marcus Ingram/Getty Images Private equity billionaire Robert F. Smith announced on Sunday that he would pay off the student loan debt belonging to the entire Morehouse College class of 2019. His decision was as unprecedented as it was generous: By aiding nearly 400 young men at an estimated value of $40 million, his donation is the biggest single gift in the schools 152-year history. Morehouse is a historically-black institution and Smith is Americas richest black man. Their confluence is no accident. Smith said in his speech that he revered Morehouse men because they understand the power of education and the responsibility that comes with it. He framed his gift as exemplifying that tradition the idea that black people are the products of black communities that invested in them and so are duty-bound to invest in others. And Smith sees few limits to the potential of such investments. As the shock of his announcement and the applause that greeted it subsided, he closed his speech with a distillation of its theme. I want my class to look at these alumnus, these beautiful Morehouse brothers, and lets make sure that every class has the same opportunity going forward, he said. Because we are enough to take care of our own community. We are enough to ensure we have all the opportunities of the American Dream. The refrain you are enough is one of Smiths go-tos and was the basis for his 2015 commencement speech at American University as well. But at Morehouse, it assumed the weight and significance of a blueprint for racial uplift. In the vein of the black conservative tradition exemplified by Booker T. Washington, Smiths address was shot through with endorsements of black capitalism, the notion that having a sustained stake in American society means being economically self-sufficient. Success is only real if our community is protected, our potential is realized, and if our most valuable assets our people find strength in owning the businesses that provide economic stability in our community, Smith said. It is an outlook as old as it is dubious. Several commenters, including Senator Bernie Sanders and writer Anand Giridharadas, have praised Smiths generosity while maintaining that its necessity stems from policy failures. Senator Elizabeth Warren has proposed legislation accordingly that would eliminate student debt for most borrowers. And as Giridharadas points out, Smiths philanthropy comes with a caveat: That despite his investment in this tiny subset of the borrower population, his opposition to closing tax loopholes for phenomenally-wealthy people like himself indicates a lack of interest in systemic change that could generate enough money to make college free for everybody a great way, in Smiths words, to make sure that every class has the same opportunity going forward. But equally suspect is the notion that overcoming racism is a matter of personal resolve or communal resilience. Smith is versed in the history of black underdevelopment in the United States, from the reneged-upon promise of land to freed slaves to the denial of New Deal benefits to black domestics and farm workers. He recognizes, too, that he is a product of both extraordinary government investment and extraordinary privilege: Respectively, a bussing program that sent children from his black neighborhood in Denver to a predominantly-white school across town, and the capital that came with being among the fourth generation in his family to attend college. Both are historical aberrations for black people that by chance produced one of the few black multi-billionaires. Smith should know as well as anybody that whether black people are enough is besides the point. As long as racism exists, we never will be. That is because racism is an ideology that ascribes inequality to the fiction of race. It does not restrict black people because we do not realize our capacity to overcome it. It holds us back because its existence requires that we be held back, and then insists that our lag is an innate feature of our blackness. Smiths counsel that racism is like gravity: you gotta keep pushing against it without spending too much time thinking about it lets racism off the hook for the inequality it sustains, without meaningfully undermining it. This is not to say that black people cannot thrive in a racist society. Smith himself is an example to the contrary. It does mean that the median black American cannot be equal to the median white American in either wealth or social standing using the roadmap that Smith provided on Sunday. It is one thing and not a bad thing to give individuals a chance to build wealth. But it is another to insist that the system which sustains wealth inequality at all be undone. The central metaphor of Smiths speech was Bus No. 13, which extracted him from his segregated environs as a child. In his telling, it represents both his generosity toward the Morehouse graduates and that which he expects them to pay forward. He asks of them: Who will you bring onto your Bus No. 13? Broadly speaking, this is meant to encourage them to aim high and then use their success to bring others with them. The problem with this plan absent policy interventions of the type suggested by Giridharadas and Warren is that it requires these graduates to be both successful and philanthropic. Success is a worthy goal, but not one whose fulfillment should dictate outcomes for black people. Smiths financial launchpad will ensure that 396 Morehouse men enter the job market with a stability that should be their right. But it should be others as well even the less accomplished. The opportunity for access should be determined only by the fierceness of your intellect and the courage of your creativity, Smith said. Yet to concede that inequality should be dictated by ones purported worthiness rather than racism is to concede inequality nonetheless. It need not be so. Nor is this observation meant to disparage the value of Smiths gift. It is meant only to suggest that charity is not a route to a just society. A vision of black prosperity rooted in the willingness of prosperous black people to uplift the rest guarantees one outcome: a society where black prosperity relies on the pre-existence of prosperous black people. It is a society where solutions to the inequality caused by racism is shouldered by its victims rather than its perpetrators. It is a surefire way to foster resilience and innovation among the downtrodden. But it is not a counterweight to the racism that caused their plight in the first place. Prince Charles will host President Donald Trump for tea during the U.S. Presidents state visit to the U.K next month. It will be the first time the heir to the throne will meet Trump since he was elected in 2016. The meeting will take place at Clarence House, an official royal residence. The pair previously met in 2005 when Charles, 72, and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, 71, travelled to the U.S. By invitation from Queen Elizabeth, Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, are scheduled to travel to the U.K. from June 3 to 5 for a state visit, a grandiose event that involves a carriage ride through London and a banquet at Buckingham Palace. Charles will be joined at the state banquet on June 3 by Prince William and Duchess Kate, but not the Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Suffolk, who just had their first baby. Theres certainly potential for awkwardness given that Prince Charles and Trump have opposing views on environmental issues. While the royal often raises awareness about problems related to climate change and sustainability, Trump has mocked climate change, calling it a hoax. In 2017 he said the U.S. would pull out of the Paris Agreement, an environmental pact signed by 195 countries dealing with migration, greenhouse gas emissions, adaptation and financing. The White House has already announced that the president will meet with the queen and British Prime Minister Theresa May, who plans to attend a ceremony with Trump to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Trumps visit in London in July 2018 sparked mass protests in central London. Activists launched a six-meter blimp depicting the U.S. President as a diaper-wearing orange baby outside Britains Parliament. If protesters can raise 30,000 pounds ($38,000) for advocacy groups, the blimp will be raised again next month. Dhaka (AFP) - Bangladesh has banned fishing in the Bay of Bengal for the next two months in an effort to replenish stocks, a minister said Tuesday, triggering protests by hundreds of fishermen. The junior minister for fisheries, Ashraf Ali Khan, said the ban would run from May 20 to July 23, and that navy and coast guard vessels would patrol the bay to prevent boats from putting to sea. Bangladesh frequently slaps seasonal bans on fishing in deep seas and coastal rivers, but authorities said this was the longest-ever imposed for shallow waters. The decision triggered angry demonstrations in the coastal region, and hundreds of fishermen took to the streets to protest the ban. Some 15 million people in southern Bangladesh are either directly or indirectly involved in the fishing industry, one of the largest in the world. Abdul Khalek, president of a fishing trawler owners association in Cox's Bazar, said members were in shock as the ban comes during the peak season for catching Hilsa, a type of herring. "We were neither prepared nor received any early warning," he told AFP. "The order came suddenly. We already couldn't go to the sea for 15 days due to Cyclone Fani." Khalek said fishermen had in the past welcomed short bans on fishing which seemed "healthy" forall parties. "But two months of unemployment would be too hard," he said. Chittagong fisheries department official Mominul Haque said some 25,000 registered fishermen had returned to port since the ban was declared. "Fishermen have only one thought in mind: how they will feed their children as there will be no work for the next two months," said boat owner Delwar Hossain. Authorities have not announced any compensation scheme, but minister Khan said: "The fishermen will be the ultimate beneficiaries." Every year Bangladesh imposes a weeks-long ban on the fishing of Hilsa, the country's most popular fish, and has created six sanctuaries in its network of coastal rivers to allow spawning. The bans have helped boost the catch by more than 150 percent in the last 15 years to become a nearly $2 billion global market. A few weeks before Donald Trump became president, Russian banker Petr Aven, a billionaire oligarch with Moscows Alfa Bank, pulled aside Washington lobbyist Richard Burt at a corporate meeting in Luxembourg with a sensitive request. Aven told Burt that someone high in the Russian government wanted a communications channel between the Kremlin and the Trump Transition Team, according to Special Counsel Robert Muellers recently released report. Aven wanted Burt, a former ambassador who had helped Trumps campaign, to work on setting it up. Burt later told Muellers team that the request was, in the words of the report, outside the normal realm, even for Burt, a well-traveled Washington insider who had worked with Aven for years. It looks even more remarkable now. The high Russian official was none other than President Vladimir Putin, Muellers team would later learn. Amid what Mueller called a flurry of Russian activity during the Trump transition, the Aven outreach is the only publicly known instance in which Putin, a onetime KGB spy, was personally involved in directing Russias clandestine efforts with the incoming administration. The surreptitious contacts involving Putin, Aven and Burt as described in the Mueller report contradict repeated assertions by Alfa Bank that it had no contacts with Trump or people around him. At the time of Trumps election, Alfa Bank was at the center of a mystery over an unexplained surge in computer traffic from Moscow to the Trump Organization in the midst of the 2016 presidential campaign. Computer analysts concluded that Alfa Bank had developed a covert communications channel to the Trump Organization. The bank has adamantly denied those assertions, saying in March 2017, for instance, that opponents were trying to use the Internet traffic to create the false impression that Alfa Bank has business or other dealings with Mr. Trump. Alfa Bank said separately that same month that the bank and Mr. Aven had not had any contact with Mr. Trump or his organizations. Story continues Mueller did not address the cyber-traffic one way or the other in his report. That has left some Democrats on Capitol Hill unsatisfied. Even in the wake of the Mueller report, we dont know the meaning of the 2016 communications between Alfa Bank and Trump Organization servers, nor do we even know whether the FBI has fully investigated those links, says Rhode Island Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a member of the Judiciary Committee. Burt, who was the U.S. ambassador to West Germany during the Reagan Administration, wears a number of hats in the 2016 story of Aven and Alfa Bank. He helped develop key points for an important foreign-policy speech that then-candidate Trump delivered in Washington in April 2016, with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak in attendance. Burt also dined during the campaign with Jeff Sessions, then a top Trump advisor, to discuss policy matters, Mueller said. Burt has worked over the years with Alfa Bank and other Russian interests. He aided Russias plans for a massive gas pipeline, and currently sits on the board of a Luxembourg company, LetterOne, that Aven helped found in 2013 with other Alfa Group leaders and that is investing billions in American health care. It was at a LetterOne meeting that Aven first told Burt of the back channel idea. Putin suggested that Aven needed to take steps to protect himself and Alfa Bank, against the possibility of U.S. sanctions, including by opening up the back channel, the Mueller report said. Putin never explicitly told him to create the back channel to protect against that threat, Aven told Muellers investigators, but he took his comments as implicit directives, and that there would be consequences for Aven if he did not follow through. Burt took Avens idea to Dmitri Simes, the Russian-born president of a Washington think tank, the Center for the National Interest, where Burt served on the board. Burt asked Simes to arrange a meeting with Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law, Simes told Muellers investigators. Simes was lobbying for Burt to be ambassador to Russia, and was speaking with Kushner about foreign policy issues. According to Muellers report, Simes said he told Burt the secret channel was not a good idea because of the growing scrutiny over Trumps alleged Russian ties. The Kushner meeting apparently never occurred. Burt, however, reported back to Aven that there was interest and an understanding for the need to establish such a channel. He said that while a very influential person advised him the idea was too explosive at the moment, it might be reconsidered in the New Year, Mueller said. Aven said he, in turn, reported back to Putin in early 2017 about what Muellers report describes as his lack of success. Putin continued to inquire in later meetings, Aven said. He eventually told Putins chief-of-staff the FBI had subpoenaed him, asking whether he had worked to create a back channel between the Russian government and the Trump Administration, Mueller said, but Putins aide did not appear to care. Burt insists his efforts led nowhere. My understanding is nothing came of that, he told TIME in an interview. We concluded it wasnt a good idea. I then contacted Petr [Aven] and that was the end of it. Muellers report is silent on why Putin thought Alfa Bank and Aven might be the subject of U.S. sanctions. Nor does it say why Aven may have found the danger of sanctions sufficient to take the unusual step of asking for Burts help in setting up the secret back channel to the incoming U.S. presidents team, or whether he simply did it at Putins suggestion. Alfa Bank was neck deep in a controversy between Russia and the Trump campaign at the time. Beginning in the spring of 2016, according to cyber analysts, Alfa Banks computer servers in Russia had pinged a rarely-used email server connected to the Trump Organization more than 2,700 times with computer-domain look-ups essentially a knock on the door from one computer server seeking to talk to another one. The look-ups, and were identified by independent computer analysts tracking Internet traffic. One of them, Jean Camp, a computer science professor at Indiana University, examined Alfa Banks email look-ups, and posted an analysis of the Internet traffic soon after it surfaced, urging more investigation. A number of experts in the field, including Camp, said the computer traffic had the characteristics of a covert email chain that could facilitate the transfer of data or other hidden communications. The Trump server involved in the traffic was taken down in September of 2016, soon after the banks Washington representatives learned of questions about the suspicious activity. Alfa Banks lawyers sent Camp a series of letters denying any communication with the Trump Organization and threatening legal action. In one March 2017 letter, Alfa told her the company had never had any relationship of any kind with the Trump Organization. Alfa Bank sticks by that claim when it comes to the question of communication between Alfas computer servers and the Trump camp. Any suggestion to the contrary is false, its still false, and it will always be false, Jeffrey Birnbaum, a spokesman for the bank with the BGR Group in Washington, told TIME when asked again recently about the suspicious cyber activity. There was never any sort of electronic communication ever, Birnbaum says. After the election, Daniel Jones, a former senior national security investigator with both the FBI and the Senate Intelligence Committee who now leads a private investigative firm, used a team of computer analysts to examine the Alfa Bank server traffic, and says that the computer traffic in 2016 was highly unusual. Jones team found that 80% of the traffic going to one particular server at the Trump Organization was coming from Alfa Bank. The question is why? says Jones. Jones says the Mueller report deepens the mystery. Who knows what they were doing with the Alfa server but this new evidence certainly raises all sorts of additional questions, Jones said in an interview. Camp says she finds it striking that Putin personally directed Aven to create a Trump backchannel, even after Alfa Bank repeatedly denied that any relationship existed before that. I feel vindicated knowing that there really were communications going on, she said. Muellers redacted report doesnt mention the cyber-traffic, or say whether there were any communications during the campaign between Alfa Bank and the Trump camp. We still dont know the full story, said Ilya Zaslavskiy at the Free Russia Foundation in Washington. Mueller concluded that overall, the evidence was not sufficient to charge that any member of the Trump campaign conspired or coordinated with representatives of the Russian government to interfere in the 2016 election. He did report finding numerous links between Russia and the Trump campaignduring the campaign and after. Burts role in the proposed back channel, as outlined by Mueller, is certainly one of them. Following his work on foreign policy for the Trump campaign, Burt said that he also played a limited role in the transition in preparing Rex Tillerson for his confirmation hearing as Secretary of State. The Democratic-led House Judiciary Committee has launched a wide-ranging investigation into possible corruption and abuse of power by the Trump Administration, issuing letters and document requests in March, prior to the Mueller report, to 81 people and groups, including many prominent business, political and personal associates of the president. Alfa Bank and Aven were not on that list, but may be of interest in the wake of the Mueller report, a committee source tells TIME. The House intelligence committee is also preparing oversight hearings based in part on Muellers findings. Staffers declined to say whether Aven and Alfa bank will be a subject of their ongoing probe. 470 Maxey Road. | Photos: Zumper According to rental site Zumper, median rents for a one-bedroom in Houston are hovering around $1,225. But how does the low-end pricing on a Houston rental look these daysand what might you get for the price? We took a look at local listings for studios and one-bedroom apartments to find out what price-conscious apartment seekers can expect to find. 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. 470 Maxey Road, #5164 Here's a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment at 470 Maxey Road, #5164, in Northshore, which is going for $535/month. Pets are not permitted. There isn't a leasing fee associated with this rental. Per Walk Score ratings, this location is somewhat walkable, is fairly bikeable and has a few nearby public transportation options. (See the full listing here.) 1303 Gears Road Next up is this 484-square-foot studio, located at 1303 Gears Road in Greater Greenspoint and listed for $575/month. In the unit, expect air conditioning, a walk-in closet and in-unit laundry. The building offers garage parking, outdoor space and a swimming pool. Pets are not permitted. Walk Score indicates that the area around this address isn't very walkable, is somewhat bikeable and has a few nearby public transportation options. (Here's the listing.) 2305 Hayes Road, #4487 This studio apartment, situated at 2305 Hayes Road, #4487 in Briarforest Area, is also listed for $575/month. Pets are not permitted. There isn't a leasing fee associated with this rental. Walk Score indicates that the surrounding area is somewhat walkable, has some bike infrastructure and has good transit options. (See the listing here.) 503 El Dorado Blvd., #5160 And here's a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment at 503 El Dorado Blvd., #5160, in Clear Lake, which is going for $595/month. Story continues Pets are not allowed. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. According to Walk Score's assessment, this location is somewhat walkable, is relatively bikeable and has minimal transit options. (Check out the listing here.) 5701 Schumacher Lane Listed at $600/month, this 390-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom is located at 5701 Schumacher Lane in Mid West. Building amenities include on-site laundry and secured entry. Pets are not permitted. Walk Score indicates that the surrounding area is friendly for those on foot, is fairly bikeable and has good 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. 2323 Race St., #1005 | 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 locating a place in Philadelphia if you've got a budget of $2,600/month. 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. 410 S. Front St., #103 (Society Hill) Check out this 937-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo that's located at 410 S. Front St., #103. It's listed for $2,595/month. In the apartment, you'll find in-unit laundry and a mix of carpeted and hardwood floors. Animals are not permitted. The building features garage parking, extra storage and outdoor space. According to Walk Score's assessment, the surrounding area is a "walker's paradise," is convenient for biking and has excellent transit. (Check out the complete listing here.) 3737 Chestnut St. (University City) Located at 3737 Chestnut St., here's a 545-square-foot studio that's listed for $2,565/month. In the furnished studio, you can expect a dishwasher, in-unit laundry, a walk-in closet and air conditioning. If you've got a pet, you'll be happy to learn that cats and dogs are welcome. Building amenities include garage parking, secured entry and a fitness center. According to Walk Score, the area around this address is a "walker's paradise," is great for biking and has excellent transit. (Check out the complete listing here.) 500 N. 21st St., #0326 (Logan Square) Listed at $2,528/month, this 866-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo is located at 500 N. 21st St., #0326. The apartment features air conditioning, a dishwasher and floor-to-ceiling windows. Building amenities include a swimming pool and a fitness center. Neither cats nor dogs are allowed. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. Story continues Per Walk Score ratings, this location is extremely walkable, is very bikeable and boasts excellent transit options. (Take a look at the complete listing here.) 2323 Race St., #1005 (Logan Square) Finally, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment over at 2323 Race St., #1005. It's listed for $2,523/month for its 796 square feet. Amenities offered in the building include a fitness center, concierge service and a business center. The apartment has hardwood floors, air conditioning and a walk-in closet. Pets are not permitted. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. Walk Score indicates that this location is friendly for those on foot, is easy to get around on a bicycle and has excellent transit. (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. 1844 N. 51st St., #3. | Photos: Zumper Curious just how far your dollar goes in Phoenix? 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 rental in Phoenix if you're on a budget of $700/month. 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. 1844 N. 51st St., #3 (Camelback East) Listed at $699/month, this 550-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom residence is located at 1844 N. 51st St., #3. In the unit, you can expect air conditioning. Bark alert: dogs are welcome. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. According to Walk Score, the surrounding area is somewhat walkable, is quite bikeable and has some transit options. (Check out the complete listing here.) 7151 W. Indian School Road (Maryvale) Next, there's this studio apartment located at 7151 W. Indian School Road. It's also listed for $699/month. On-site laundry is listed as a building amenity. In the apartment, you'll get air conditioning, hardwood flooring and a walk-in closet. If you've got a pet, you'll be happy to learn that cats and dogs are welcome. Be prepared for a broker's fee equal to one month's rent. Walk Score indicates that the area around this address requires a car for most errands, is fairly bikeable and has some transit options. (Check out the complete listing here.) 1905 W. Las Palmaritas Drive (North Mountain) Finally, there's this studio situated at 1905 W. Las Palmaritas Drive. It's listed for $665/month for its 312 square feet of space. In the unit, you'll get air conditioning, hardwood flooring and stainless steel appliances. The building offers additional storage space and a swimming pool. Pets are allowed. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. Story continues Per Walk Score ratings, the area around this address is quite walkable, is relatively bikeable and has good transit 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. Curious just how far your dollar goes in St. Louis? 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 rental in St. Louis if you've got a budget of $1,100/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. 3124 Olive St., #3 (Midtown) Listed at $1,100/month, this 1,185-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo is located at 3124 Olive St., #3. Assigned parking and on-site laundry are listed as building amenities. In the unit, you'll get concrete floors, air conditioning and high ceilings. Pet owners, take note: cats and dogs are not allowed. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee. According to Walk Score's assessment, the surrounding area is very walkable, is convenient for biking and offers many nearby public transportation options. (See the complete listing here.) 1002 Allen Ave. (Soulard) Next, there's this one-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bathroom abode situated at 1002 Allen Ave. It's listed for $1,100/month for its 2,250 square feet of space. Amenities offered in the building include assigned parking, outdoor space and on-site laundry. In the furnished home, you'll get air conditioning and a walk-in closet. Pet owners, take note: neither cats nor dogs are welcome. There's no leasing fee required for this rental. Walk Score indicates that the area around this address is quite walkable, is bikeable and has some transit options. (Take a gander at the complete listing here.) 4641 McRee Ave. (Forest Park Southeast) Here's a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment at 4641 McRee Ave. that's going for $1,075/month. Amenities offered in the building include garage parking and a swimming pool. In the unit, anticipate in-unit laundry and hardwood floors. Pet owners, take note: dogs and cats are not welcome. Story continues According to Walk Score's assessment, the area around this address is somewhat walkable, is bikeable and has a few nearby public transportation options. (Check out the complete listing here.) 1601 Washington Ave., #211 (Downtown West) Listed at $1,025/month, this 1,211-square-foot one-bedroom, two-bathroom condo is located at 1601 Washington Ave., #211. In the unit, anticipate air conditioning, a ceiling fan and a walk-in closet. Garage parking is listed as a building amenity. Pet owners, inquire elsewhere: this spot doesn't allow cats or dogs. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. Walk Score indicates that the area around this address has excellent walkability, is fairly bikeable 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. Julio Urias will reportedly be reinstated from administrative leave on Tuesday following an arrest for misdemeanor domestic violence. (AP Photo/Jim Young,File) Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias will reportedly be reinstated from administrative leave on Tuesday, according to ESPNs Jeff Passan. Urias was placed on leave on May 14 after he was arrested on a domestic violence charge following an alleged altercation. According to TMZ, Urias and a female companion were having an argument in the parking lot of a Los Angeles mall, and the police were called by a witness after Urias allegedly pushed her to the ground. While the woman told police that there had been no physical contact between her and Urias, several witnesses at the scene said they had seen Urias push her down. Urias was then reportedly arrested and booked on a charge of misdemeanor domestic violence. MLB started its investigation into the incident after Urias was placed on paid administrative leave. Mall security cameras did catch video of the incident, which MLB has attempted to gain access to or view in the seven days since Urias was placed on leave. But according to Passan, mall officials have not allowed MLB to view the video. The video, or the absence of it, is reportedly why Urias is being reinstated and MLB is not pursuing an extension of his leave. The MLB Players Association agreed that MLB could place Urias on leave pending the contents of the video, but since MLB has not been able to review it, Urias and the MLBPA may have filed a grievance if the league attempted to extend Urias leave. However, MLBs investigation is not over, and the end of Urias paid leave doesnt mean MLB wont punish him. The joint MLB-MLBPA domestic violence policy doesnt require an investigation to be completed in any set amount of time, and gives commissioner Rob Manfred the power to punish a player who has violated the agreement regardless of evidence. Since the investigation remains open, MLB could opt to wait to punish Urias until the video can be viewed. The recent suspension of Addison Russell followed that path. MLB started an investigation into allegations that he had physically and emotionally abused his then-wife, but when there was trouble obtaining evidence, the investigation remained open. Months later, when his now-former wife agreed to speak with MLB, Russell was suspended 40 games. Story continues More from Yahoo Sports: The famous conservative Evangelicalled chicken sandwich eatery that wont bend to the equality fashion. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images The Chick-fil-A sandwich chain has long served as a flash point in the fight for equality, thanks to the open disdain for the LGBTQ community expressed by its CEO, Dan Cathy. Though the company claims to welcome everyone these days, its charitable foundation still contributes to anti-LGBTQ organizations, and so still receives significant opprobrium. Thats why officials in San Antonio recently made approval of an airport concession contract contingent on exclusion of the eatery, which offers its signature sandwiches six days a week at many airports (the chain is closed on Sundays in observance of the Christian Sabbath). In recognition of the GOPs loud solidarity with conservative Christians alleging persecution by people who just wont let believers express their bigotry, Texas Republicans sprang to Chick-fil-As defense. Senator Ted Cruz and Governor Greg Abbott cried foul. Christian right Attorney General Ken Paxton threatened to investigate San Antonio for its intolerance. And GOP legislators offered religious liberty legislation with a potentially alarming sweep, as the Texas Tribune explained: When the bill was first filed, it contained sweeping religious refusals language that had the potential to gut the few existing protections for gay communities, hailing from a national sweep of anti-LGBTQ model legislation. Despite a strong effort from the legislatures small but brave LGBTQ caucus, the bill was considerably watered down: As its made its way through the Legislature, the bill has been progressively stripped of its most controversial provisions, leaving a version that largely codifies existing legal protections: freedom of religion and freedom of association. On Monday, House sponsor Rep. Matt Krause, R-Fort Worth, weakened the measure further, removing a provision that would have empowered the Texas attorney general to bring lawsuits against governmental entities accused of religious discrimination. Even though the bill as amended essentially codifies existing Texas laws, those laws are weak enough as protections for LGBTQ people (Texas is not one of the states with a general anti-discrimination law covering sexual orientation and gender identity) that it remains controversial, passing the Texas House on a party-line vote (it earlier passed the Senate with a similar partisan division). As the Washington Post observed, Texas Republicans apparent solicitude for the free-speech rights of homophobic state contractors is a tad ironic, given another recent action: The bill stands in notable contrast to another passed by the states Republican-controlled legislature and signed by Abbott in 2017. That legislation had an opposite thrust it required government contractors to sign a pledge saying that they would not boycott Israel. That law was blocked at least temporarily by a federal judge. The latest bill could produce some litigation as well. But for the time being, the most likely effect is to buttress consumption of chicken sandwiches by conservative Evangelicals who view patronizing the chain as a blow against political correctness and the homosexual agenda, and perhaps a step toward their own separate Gilead without uppity sodomites and feminists. Too bad they cant chow down there after church on Sundays. Following is a summary of current odd news briefs. Polish sextuplets surprise parents and doctors expecting five Poland's first sextuplets on record, two boys and four girls, were born in the southern city of Krakow on Monday to the surprise of parents and doctors who had expected five babies. "Imagine this: we were prepared from early in the morning to help deliver five tiny citizens. So we are in the operating room, there are five teams of doctors ready to take care of five children," Ryszard Lauterbach, head of Clinical Neonatology at the University Hospital in Krakow said. Belgian monks resurrect brewery after two century break Belgian monks at the Grimbergen abbey are on the verge of brewing beer again after a break of more than 200 years. The abbey, whose emblem is a phoenix with the Latin motto "Ardet nec consumitur," meaning "Burned but not destroyed," was ransacked and had its brewery smashed in 1795 by French troops. Eiffel Tower climber in custody after daring ascent Rescuers successfully talked down a man who scaled the upper heights of the Eiffel Tower on Monday, forcing the monument's evacuation, and handed him over to police. Television channels ran live shots as rescuers perched on the 324-meter (1,063-foot) tower's wrought-iron struts, just below the highest viewing platform, tried to persuade the unknown man to give himself up. Following is a summary of current US domestic news briefs. U.S. Supreme Court takes no action in Indiana abortion cases The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday took no action on appeals seeking to revive two restrictive Republican-backed abortion laws from Indiana, even as debate rages over a new measure in Alabama that would prohibit the procedure almost entirely. Neither Indiana case was on the list of appeals on which the court acted on Monday morning. The court could next announce whether or not it will hear the cases on May 28. White House does not need a 'strongman,' Hickenlooper says in 2020 policy speech Former Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper on Monday said there is an "authoritarian mentality" in the White House and the United States does not need its own "strongman," as he delivered the first major foreign policy address among two dozen Democrats vying for the 2020 presidential nomination. "I think history clearly demonstrates that when you have a so-called strongman - a dictator - you don't have rule of law," Hickenlooper said when asked at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs if that was a better approach to foreign policy than multilateralism. U.S. garlic growers profit from trade war as most farmers struggle Unlike millions of other U.S. farmers, garlic growers are profiting from the trade war with China and have cheered President Donald Trump's latest economic attack accordingly. Sales of California-grown garlic are now increasing after decades of losing ground to cheaper Chinese imports. Sales are poised to get even better as Chinese garlic faces even higher tariffs, with no end to the trade war in sight. With shelters at 'max' California border agents drop migrants at bus station A surge in migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border has pushed immigration detention facilities in California to capacity, forcing U.S. Border Patrol to release many at bus stations in the state for the first time, the agency said on Monday. U.S. Border Patrol in the El Centro area of southern California said it began to drop migrants off at San Bernardino's Greyhound Station on Wednesday after it ran out of room to hold them. Story continues Missouri governor expected to sign eight-week abortion ban into law Missouri's Republican governor could sign a law as early as this week banning most abortions in the Midwestern state after the eighth week of pregnancy, part of a wave of restrictions aimed at driving a challenge of abortion to the U.S. Supreme Court. Republican Governor Mike Parson told reporters on Friday he planned to sign the bill, which was approved by the Republican-controlled state legislature last week and would enact one of the United States' most restrictive bans. He has not yet set a date for the signing, a spokeswoman in his office said, but he has until July 14 to do so, according to local media reports. Two more racehorses die at Southern California track: media Two further racehorses have died since Friday at Santa Anita Park following a spate of 23 other equine deaths at the Southern California venue since December, multiple media have reported. The gelding Spectacular Music suffered a pelvis injury in a race on Sunday and was euthanized on Monday, the Los Angeles Times and other media reported, citing racetrack officials. Tornado hits near Tulsa, Oklahoma airport as five states brace for severe weather A tornado was spotted near the main airport in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Tuesday, as 22 million people in the central United States faced a severe weather system that brought hail, heavy rain and flooding, the National Weather Service (NWS) said. The twister near Tulsa International Airport was one of at least 22 that have ripped through the region since late Monday evening, according to the NWS. There were no immediate reports of serious injuries and airport officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Measles outbreak spreads to Oklahoma as U.S. reports 41 new cases The worst measles outbreak in the United States in 25 years has spread to Oklahoma, federal health officials said on Monday as they reported 41 new cases nationwide, raising the total number sickened this year to 880 people. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a 4.9% increase in the number of measles cases from May 10 to May 17 in an outbreak that has now reached 24 states. The agency has been providing weekly updates every Monday. U.S. Border agent accused of calling migrants 'savages' before knocking one over A U.S. Border Patrol agent had called migrants "subhuman" and "savages" in text messages weeks before he knocked over a migrant with a pickup truck, according to federal court documents. Agent Matthew Bowen sent the messages in November 2017, two weeks before he is accused of deliberately knocking over a Guatemalan man with his Border Patrol vehicle in Nogales, Arizona, according to documents filed in U.S. District Court in Tucson. Alabama police arrest suspect in shooting death of officer A man sought for the shooting death of an Auburn, Alabama, police officer and the wounding of two others was arrested without incident early on Monday after a brief manhunt that had the community on edge, authorities said. Grady Wayne Wilkes, 29, was taken into custody about nine hours after the shooting, which happened on Sunday night when police responded to a report of a domestic disturbance and were met with gunfire, Auburn Police Chief Paul Register said. Following is a summary of current world news briefs. Trump: U.S. will respond with 'great force' if Iran attacks interests President Donald Trump warned on Monday Iran would be met with "great force" if it attacked U.S. interests in the Middle East, and government sources said Washington strongly suspects Shi'ite militias with ties to Tehran were behind a rocket attack in Baghdad's Green Zone. "I think Iran would be making a very big mistake if they did anything," Trump told reporters as he left the White House on Monday evening for an event in Pennsylvania. "If they do something, it will be met with great force but we have no indication that they will." UK's Hammond warns of hit to economy from a no-deal Brexit British finance minister Philip Hammond said a no-deal Brexit would leave the country poorer, repeating his warnings to potential successors of Prime Minister Theresa May, some of whom have advocated an abrupt departure from the European Union. "First of all there will clearly be short-term disruption which will have an unpredictable and potentially significant effect on our economy," Hammond told lawmakers in parliament on Tuesday. In hometown, Macron battles disillusion and apathy ahead of EU election In Emmanuel Macron's hometown of Amiens, it's hard to find enthusiasm for either the French president or the European Union, less than a week before European parliament elections. Blue-collar workers on its outskirts are tempted by protest votes, while a disillusioned, conservative middle-class in its pretty center is contemplating other right-leaning candidates or not even voting at all, spelling bad news for the president in his battle against the far-right. UK PM May to set out details of Brexit deal offer at 1500 GMT: spokesman British Prime Minister Theresa May will make a speech at 1500 GMT on Tuesday to set out the details of Brexit legislation she plans to put before parliament next month, her spokesman said. The law, required to enact May's Brexit deal with Brussels, will include significant new aspects, he said, adding there had to be some change from the divorce deal that was rejected three times by parliament. Story continues Brexit shifts politics in Ireland as parties look north When Britain voted to leave the European Union, few voters outside Northern Ireland thought about what it would mean for the British province. Three years on, Northern Ireland is inching closer to holding a referendum of its own -- on reunification with Ireland. Portugal arrests 17 Hells Angels biker gang members in raids across country Portuguese police arrested 17 members of the Hells Angels motorcycle club on Tuesday on suspicion of organized crime activity, authorities said. Around 150 officers, including anti-terrorism personnel, took part in raids on homes and commercial establishments across Portugal, the Judiciary Police (PJ) said in a statement. Police file New Zealand's first terrorism charge over mosque shootings New Zealand police have charged the man accused of murder in shootings at two Christchurch mosques in March with engaging in a terrorist act, the first time such a charge had been brought in the country's history, they said on Tuesday. In an attack broadcast live on Facebook, a lone gunman armed with semi-automatic weapons targeted Muslims attending Friday prayers on March 15, killing 51 worshippers and wounding dozens of people. Don't play that song for me: anthem plan highlights German divisions Thirty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Bodo Ramelow, premier of the eastern state of Thuringia, thinks it might be time for a new national anthem for a reunited Germany. The proposal is radical, but with most of the former East Germany voting in regional elections this year that will test Chancellor Angela Merkel's fractious coalition, the eastern Germans' feelings are uppermost in many politicians' minds. What would a UK Labour Party government nationalize, and how? Britain's opposition Labour Party wants to nationalize energy and water infrastructure if it can oust Prime Minister Theresa May's ruling Conservatives from power, reversing decades of pro-privatization public policy. Despite a national election not being due until 2022, the prospect of nationalization is worrying investors. In an Indian village, Muslims talk of leaving as divide with Hindus widens Muslims in Nayabans, an unremarkable village in northern India, say they remember a time when their children played with Hindu youths, and people from either faith chatted when they frequented each other's shops and went to festivals together. Such interactions no longer happen, many say, because of how polarized the two communities have become in the past two years, and some are frightened and thinking of moving away - if they can afford it. Following is a summary of current world news briefs. Trump: U.S. will respond with 'great force' if Iran attacks interests President Donald Trump warned on Monday Iran would be met with "great force" if it attacked U.S. interests in the Middle East, and government sources said Washington strongly suspects Shi'ite militias with ties to Tehran were behind a rocket attack in Baghdad's Green Zone. "I think Iran would be making a very big mistake if they did anything," Trump told reporters as he left the White House on Monday evening for an event in Pennsylvania. "If they do something, it will be met with great force but we have no indication that they will." Venezuela's Maduro proposes early elections for opposition-run congress Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday proposed early elections for the National Assembly, which is headed by opposition leader Juan Guaido and is the sole body recognized as democratically legitimate by most Western nations. The opposition won a majority in the National Assembly in 2015 and the next congressional elections are currently scheduled for late 2020. Maduro did not give an exact new date, and he has previously said he would shift them earlier, without following through. UK's Hammond: Backing a 'no deal' Brexit means deliberately harming economy British finance minister Philip Hammond will on Tuesday warn that those pushing for Britain to leave the European Union without a deal would be doing deliberate damage to the British economy. Nearly three years after the United Kingdom voted 52% to 48% in a referendum to leave the EU, it remains unclear how, when or even if it will leave the European club it joined in 1973. It is currently due to leave on Oct. 31, with or without a deal. Austria's Kurz hopes to sidestep scandal to stay in power Even though he brought the far right into power, Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz hopes voters will see him as having put his country first by sticking by his coalition partners despite their history of scandals, and then ditching them. It just might work if the public believes his disavowal of his former allies in the Freedom Party (FPO) and the maths go his way in September, when Austrians are expected to vote in a snap election brought about by the latest FPO transgression. Story continues U.S. warship sails in disputed South China Sea amid trade tensions The U.S. military said one of its warships sailed near the disputed Scarborough Shoal claimed by China in the South China Sea on Sunday, angering Beijing at a time of tense ties between the world's two biggest economies. The busy waterway is one of a growing number of flashpoints in the U.S.-China relationship, which include a trade war, U.S. sanctions and Taiwan. Marawi's ruins a reminder of Islamic State's devastating reach It had only been a week since Mohammad Ali Acampong finished renovating his house when bombs and bullets struck Marawi City. Two years ago, pro-Islamic State militants took over in a bid to carve out their own "Wilayah," or province, forcing nearly 100,000 people to flee in what became the Philippine military's toughest and longest conflict since World War Two. As U.S.-Iran tension simmers, rocket fired near Iraq's U.S. Embassy A rocket was fired into the Iraqi capital Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses government buildings and diplomatic missions, on Sunday night, falling near the U.S. Embassy but causing no casualties, the Iraqi military said. The attack came two weeks after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Iraqi leaders during a surprise visit to Baghdad that if they failed to keep in check Iran-backed militias, which are expanding their power in Iraq and now form part of its security apparatus, the United States would respond with force. Talks on Sudan's political transition fail to produce deal for second day Talks between Sudan's ruling Transitional Military Council and an alliance of protesters and opposition groups failed for the second day in a row to produce a breakthrough on the country's political transition, the council said early on Tuesday. Street protests and a sit-in outside the defense ministry compound in Khartoum have not ended even after the army ousted and arrested former President Omar al-Bashir on April 11. Guatemalan teenage boy dies in U.S. Border Patrol custody A 16-year-old Guatemalan boy died on Monday in U.S. Border Patrol custody in Texas, U.S. officials said, making him the fifth Guatemalan minor to die after being apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border since December. The boy, Carlos Hernandez, was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol agents on May 13 after crossing the border illegally near Hidalgo, Texas, with a group of 70 others, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which oversees the Border Patrol. High fives, selfies and a snap election as Zelenskiy takes power in Ukraine Television comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy took the oath of office as Ukraine's new president on Monday, promising that as hard as he had worked in the past to make Ukrainians laugh, he would now work to keep them from crying. As his first act, he dismissed the parliament still dominated by loyalists of his defeated predecessor, setting up an election in two months in which his new party has a chance to win its first seats. Commercial real estate lenders may have their hands full in the event of a recession, according to a new report. U.S. lenders have much greater risk exposure than publicly recognized to the commercial real estate sector, real estate data firm CrediFi says in the report, provided first to Fortune. The study deems lenders exposure to the retail and industrial property sectors as particularly risky in the event of an economic downturn, as well as declining commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) originations that leave more risk on lenders balance sheets. CrediFi tracked more than $925 billion of commercial real estate loan originations in 2018a huge figure that exceeds the numbers documented by more established industry groups like the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), which reported nearly $574 billion in new loans last year. But the real estate data startup describes the MBAs figures as misleading and incomplete in its report, which it says is based on granular, loan-level data covering a wider swath of the commercial real estate lending market. That data shows both banks and non-bank lenders have particularly troubling exposure to certain at-risk sectors, namely both retail and industrial lending, the report says. New loan originations on retail and industrial properties combined to surpass $250 billion in 2018, per CrediFi. By contrast, the MBAs data has that figure at less than $150 billion, which CrediFi says underestimates lenders exposure to risks such as a downturn in consumer spending and industrial production. Those two segments are so sensitive to the economy and would be very sensitive to an [economic] downturn, CrediFi CEO Ely Razin tells Fortune. Razin echoes the reports sentiment that a downturn is comingciting a 4 percent decline in lending volumes last year, according to CrediFi data, as indicating that lenders are starting to pull back amid concerns about an added level of risk in the market. Story continues This is a very long economic cycle, and if youre a believer that the downturn is coming sooner rather than later, the risks are imminent, he adds. Jamie Woodwell, the MBAs vice president of research and economics, disputes CrediFis findings that there is more risk in the commercial real estate lending market than recognized. He cites incredible transparency into the debt held by banks via disclosures by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Federal Reserve, as well as commercial and multifamily mortgage delinquency rates that are at their lowest levels in history. Woodwell acknowledges that the MBA and CrediFi are measuring different things when it comes to their tracking of commercial real estate loan data. He says the MBA focuses its research on the financing of income-producing properties usually leased from one party to another, while eschewing data on owner-occupied real estatethe kind that businesses often use as collateral on commercial & industrial (C&I) loans, which are factored into the CrediFi report. But Woodwell defends the MBAs methodology, noting that the groups data focuses on major lenders with a dedicated commercial real estate platform who provide a majority of the markets financing volume. The headwinds facing the retail sector have been well-documented in recent years, with the rise of online retail hurting everyone from national chains to mom-and-pop stores. In turn, retail landlords have faced rising vacancies that have diminished cash flowsmaking it harder to pay off the loans on their propertiesand created an overabundance of malls and shopping centers across the country. While CrediFi did not provide a list of the lenders with the greatest exposure to retail, the MBAs data for 2018 identified Wells Fargo ($6.35 billion in originations last year), Key Bank ($5 billion), JPMorgan Chase ($3.34 billion), Morgan Stanley ($3.29 billion), and Deutsche Bank ($2.19 billion) as the largest lenders to the sector. I do think the banks have a lot of [retail] loans on the books that arent going to look so good soon, according to Mark Fogel, president and CEO of commercial real estate debt lender ACRES Capital. I think youll start to see some distress. Industrial real estate, in turn, has proven among the more in-demand sectors in commercial real estatea dynamic fueled, in many cases, by the same e-commerce companies whose emergence has devastated the brick-and-mortar retail sector. With such companies needing more space than ever to serve their warehousing and distribution needs, investors and debt lenders alike have flocked to the industrial sector. Industrial property loans grew 73% by dollar volume, year-on-year, in the first quarter of 2019, according to the MBA. The largest lenders to the industrial sector last year included Wells Fargo ($5.54 billion in originations), Citibank ($3.93 billion), Morgan Stanley ($3.04 billion), PGIM Real Estate Finance ($2.97 billion), and JPMorgan Chase ($2.53 billion), per MBA data. Some commercial real estate finance market sources expressed their surprise about CrediFis prognosis on industrial property types. James Millon, an executive vice president at commercial real estate brokerage CBREs debt and structured finance division, describes the retail and industrial sectors as polar opposites from a lending perspective right now. What were seeing is a fundamental explosion in the demand for anything industrial, says Warren de Haan, co-founder and managing partner at commercial real estate debt firm ACORE Capital. The desirability of the asset class is the highest Ive ever seen it. But Razin notes that CrediFis numbers also account for debt on more conventional industrial properties, like those used for manufacturinga sector sensitive to macroeconomic conditions, and particularly so given escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and Chinaas well as C&I business loans that are backed by companies real estate assets (which are not included in the MBAs data). Its not just marijuana farms and Amazon distribution centers, Razin says of the industrial real estate markets risk profile. CrediFi also points to declining CMBS (commercial mortgage-backed securities) volumes as another warning sign, citing figures that show that less than 10% of retail and industrial loan originations in 2018 were securitized. That means that more of this risk is clustered on the balance sheets of traditional lenders, according to the report. Yet debt market participants are also split on the significance of this, given the general drop in CMBS volumes in the years after the financial crisis. Compared to their all-time high of more than $228 billion in 2007, CMBS issuances in the U.S. totaled less than $88 billion in 2017 and fell even further last year to nearly $77 billion, according to data from Commercial Mortgage Alert. Those pre-crisis CMBS loans, many of which carried 10-year terms, came due and theyll never be replaced, according to Josh Zegen, co-founder and managing principal of commercial real estate debt and equity firm Madison Realty Capital. That [$228 billion] year in 2007half of that volume should have never gone into securitization. In todays world, with risk retention [regulations], you would have never had that [volume]. Debt market sources also depicted a commercial real estate lending market that has diversified greatly post-recessionwith a slew of non-bank debt funds having emerged to fill the void left by banks who have retreated from riskier types of debt, such as construction lending. Thats left the banks in an altogether safer position than they were previously. Theres been a de-risking and a lot more discipline in the bank world, for sure, says Marc Warren, a principal at real estate debt brokerage Ackman-Ziff Real Estate Group. The banks arent levered nearly as much as they were pre-crisis. In addition to tighter regulations and underwriting [standards], they have significantly more capital than they did pre-crisis and can absorb significantly more losses than they could before. But that doesnt mean that alternative, non-bank lenderswho have come to comprise an ever-larger slice of the commercial real estate lending piearent also exercising discipline of their own. Jeff Fastov, a senior managing director at one such player, Square Mile Capital, said his firm is being way more cautious these days amid concerns that we could be nearing a turning point in one of the longest economic expansions in U.S. history. If things are subject to go one way or another, were being more conservative as to how we underwrite deals. Fastov also notes that, in general, todays commercial real estate lenders have been substantially more controlled compared to the aggressive levels of leverage and pricing being offered to borrowers in the previous cycle. With the likes of CrediFi raising alarms about lenders risk exposure in a maturing economic cycle, that sort of discipline could bode wellshould things take a turn for the worse. This story has been updated to include comment from the Mortgage Bankers Association. MOSCOW, May 21 (Reuters) - Russia's FSB security service has asked a court to keep a former U.S. marine accused of espionage in pre-trial detention for another three months, the Interfax news agency reported on Tuesday. Paul Whelan, who holds U.S., British, Canadian and Irish passports, was detained in a Moscow hotel room on Dec. 28 and accused of espionage, a charge he denies. If found guilty, he could be imprisoned for up to 20 years. Whelan was due to be kept in pre-trial detention until May 28 while investigators continue to look into his case. The FSB said it now wanted him to be detained until the end of August, Interfax reported. (Reporting by Andrew Osborn and Maxim Rodionov; writing by Tom Balmforth; editing by Andrew Osborn) MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's FSB security service has asked a court to keep a former U.S. marine accused of espionage in pre-trial detention for another three months, the Interfax news agency reported on Tuesday. Paul Whelan, who holds U.S., British, Canadian and Irish passports, was detained in a Moscow hotel room on Dec. 28 and accused of espionage, a charge he denies. If found guilty, he could be imprisoned for up to 20 years. Whelan was due to be kept in pre-trial detention until May 28 while investigators continue to look into his case. The FSB said it now wanted him to be detained until the end of August, Interfax reported. (Reporting by Andrew Osborn and Maxim Rodionov; writing by Tom Balmforth; editing by Andrew Osborn) Former White House counsel Don McGahn. Photo: JIM BOURG/AFP/Getty Images Some of the Mueller reports most compelling evidence for the case that President Trump obstructed justice comes from his interactions with former White House counsel Don McGahn most notably, the presidents attempt to fire Robert Mueller in June 2017, which was thwarted only when McGahn threatened to resign if he were forced to carry out the order. Trump, obviously, does not want the most-cited witness in the Mueller report to testify in front of Congress. So it wasnt a surprise when he directed McGahn to ignore a congressional subpoena and skip his hearing in front of the House Judiciary Committee scheduled for Tuesday. McGahns lawyer said on Tuesday that he will not appear before the House, and a source close to him told the New York Times that he intends to follow any directive from the White House. The former White House counsel has already ignored one House Judiciary subpoena, refusing to send the committee the documents he had shared with the Mueller team. As former Obama administration Department of Justice appointee Eric Columbus attests, McGahn could testify if he chose to: Executive privilege has no force against a former employee who wants to testify. Furthermore, there is no reasonable claim of attorney-client privilege between the president and a former White House counsel. If McGahns defense of the president seems confusing, the New York Times cites one reason for his decision to walk the party line: If he defies the White House, Mr. McGahn could not only damage his own career in Republican politics but also put his law firm, Jones Day, at risk of having the president urge his allies to withhold their business. The firms Washington practice is closely affiliated with the party. Still, he has declined at least two requests from the White House asking that he publicly declare that the president did not obstruct justice. In an effort to keep his unsportsmanlike behavior private, Trump is employing executive privilege left and right, claiming that Congress cannot investigate if the president has broken the law. After his declaring executive privilege over McGahns documents and the unredacted Mueller report, its gotten to the point that even Republicans are frustrated with Trumps abuse of the power. I think we have oversight authority over the administration, House Judiciary member Ken Buck told Politico. Naturally, theyre not frustrated enough to put any pressure on the president to stop flaunting the power. Democrats are taking too broad of a view of the investigative powers of Congress and the administrations taking way too narrow of one, Republican Mike Simpson told Politico, describing a happy medium for House Republicans, who can sit back and do nothing. How Sabre Is Tackling Its Airline Tech Challenges When he became CEO of Sabre two years ago, Sean Menke pledged to upgrade the companys technology. After last summers reorganization, Menkes changes materialized, as Sabre unified its systems and added tools. But problems still persist. Since last summer, Sabre has had some system failures. On April 29, its core reservation system, SabreSonic, briefly failed. The company apologized to customers, including American Airlines and JetBlue. That followed Sabre a month earlier having similar system outages that caused delays for carriers. More recently, on May 14, JetBlue reported that SabreSonic went down. Sabre blamed one of its connectivity suppliers, CenturyLink, for the hiccup. Sabre said it strives for perfect operations, that no downtime is acceptable, and that it doesnt expect further failures. It cant afford them, with competition for airline business steep, even from the airlines themselves now. Sabres glitches werent new. In November 2016, Southwest, JetBlue, and other customers blamed a Sabre snafu for causing scattered takeoff delays. In October 2016, a similar Sabre issue stopped travelers from booking with Southwest, JetBlue, and Virgin. Some airlines had begun to worry that Sabre had neglected to clean up its software. This was feedback Menke moved quickly to address. Linking and Upgrading Sabres tech modernization, which has included the companys first big overhaul of its flagship booking system in five years, aims to prevent these problems while also adding more useful tools. The company has two main systems. SabreSonic takes reservations. AirVision helps airlines manage crew schedules, define route networks, and re-accommodate passengers when a storm disrupts flights. In October, Sabre combined the systems, though it has more integration work to do. Were breaking down the siloed databases, like inventory, booking, and check-in data, said Rodrigo Celis, vice president of marketing and product management for Sabre Airline Solutions. Story continues By talking with each other, Sabres systems give an airline a fuller picture of whats happening. For example, revenue management systems that have set fares based on historical data can now also pull in real-time booking data from the previously separate passenger service system to fine-tune their forecasts. With our unified platform, we can now find data relevant to a particular passenger across all the data sets, Celis said. Playing Defense Sabre has been playing defense lately. Sluggish revenue underscores the fact. In 2018, Sabre generated $822.7 million in revenue from its operational software services for airlines, in particular, up a mere 1 percent from the prior year. For 2019, it forecasts airline solutions revenue to decline by 2 percent to 4 percent, year-over-year. Executives blame the drop on problems at Jet Airways, which suspended operations, and Ethiopian, which has faced turmoil due to the crash of a Boeing 737 Max plane. Sabres airline solutions revenue is mostly tied to travel suppliers transaction volumes, rather than fixed monthly fees. Sabres airline solutions unit faces stiff competition. The three other largest providers of reservations systems are Amadeus, TravelSky, and Accelya. Other players include Avtra, Enoya-ones AeroCRS, Radixx, and Hitit. Another source of competition is airlines themselves. Exhibit A is Delta, which develops software applications for itself and other carriers. It can be a challenge if youre an airline hosted on a passenger-service hosting system to justify a tech fix you want to make if you have to persuade the third-party tech provider, who also has other airline customers to think about, said Amy Sexton, an airline consultant based in Denver. If youre an airline with your own PSS [passenger service system] you have total control about making software changes. Seamlessness matters for airlines. For example, Sean Durfy saw his term as CEO of the Canadian airline WestJet last only three years after he oversaw a problem-plagued installation of the SabreSonic computer reservation system in the fall of 2009. Participants dispute what happened, but many blamed the airlines and Sabres systems not playing nicely with each other. The Amazon Way Sabre is also changing how it delivers its services. In other industries, most cutting-edge mobile apps and technology services use a new wave of application programming interfaces, or APIs for short, as methods for exchanging information. However, the airline sector has been slow to adopt the new model. In the past year, Sabre has invested in micro-services hub to adopt these new APIs. Sabre has been inspired by what Jeff Bezos did at Amazon around 2002 in requiring that every technology team at the retailer had to use something called a service interface, opening up data and the functions of every system to other parts of Amazon. Bezos banned all other linking or data sharing. Similarly, Sabre intends to create a unified technology platform, replacing the array of pieces that dont always work well together. You cant predict what you might want to commercialize later, so you should build everything as something you could share to third parties, said David Moore, Sabres senior vice president of travel solutions platform development. This approach forces good habits on software developers, prompting them to build things in a way that makes them more pluggable, a bit like Legos. A Google-Like Approach Sabre is also helping airlines get a picture of broad market trends with an enhanced shopping engine. A year ago, the company brought on board Sundar Narasimhan as senior vice president and president of Sabre Labs and product strategy. Narasimhan had been the chief technology officer of ITA Software by Google, which offers a widely used QPX Airline Pricing and Shopping product. Narasimhans team has tuned up Sabres software algorithm. Theyve sped up the computing power that Sabres engine can deliver to airlines when fetching giant sets of fare data over many months. Moving to the Cloud To longtime observers, it can seem like Sabre has been saying it has been moving its computing systems off of mainframe computers for more than a decade. Today about 11 percent of Sabres computing remains in its data centers. It will take Sabre until 2023 to be fully in the cloud and off of code first written decades ago. However, Sabre claims progress. About half of its overall computing for customers runs in the cloud instead of in a data center. In the past six months, Sabre moved about 14 percentage points of its airline solutions computing to the cloud. In a test this spring, it ran one of its signature services, its fare shopping engine, entirely on Amazon Web Services for a while, said Moore. Once were fully off mainframes, the savings that will return to Sabre will be in the many tens of millions a year, predicted Moore. New Products Sabre has added new tools, too. For example, its rolled out to airlines mobile-first software for their gate agents. Other new tools bring in data on the fares customers are shopping for across several price-comparison websites, travel management companies, and other marketplaces. The data can help airlines better understand the demand for their products and fares. The company has also debuted an in-flight solution that helps carriers like Vietnam Airline find savings in their catering budgets. Sabre obviously hopes to boost revenue with the new products. Airlines face a cost in moving to the new versions of Sabres software. Some may choose to remain on older systems for longer instead. Its a value conversation, said Celis. If youre trying to achieve revenue goals that are important for your airline, there will be a business case to upgrade to the latest version. In February, Sabre had a critical win, offering Menke and his team a sign that certain issues might be behind them. JetBlue renewed its contract with Sabre and added some services. The tech vendor successfully addressed questions about system stability, modernization, and enhancements. This followed last Mays successful migration of LATAM Brazil from its legacy reservation system onto the parent airline groups SabreSonic passenger services system. This is the kind of news Menke hopes to hear more of, instead of those late-night calls about a customer having to delay or cancel flights due to a system outage. Subscribe to Skift newsletters covering the business of travel, restaurants, and wellness. Seoul (AFP) - Shares in Samsung Electronics climbed nearly three percent Tuesday on the back of its chief rival Huawei's mounting problems, including a decision by Google to sever ties with the Chinese mobile phone maker. It is the latest in the months-long saga between Huawei and the United States analysts warn could see Chinese semiconductor demand fall, threatening a nascent Asian recovery in the industry. US internet giant Google, whose Android mobile operating system powers most of the world's smartphones, said this week it is cutting ties with Huawei to comply with an executive order issued by President Donald Trump. The move could have dramatic implications for Huawei smartphone users, as the firm will no longer have access to Google's proprietary services -- which include the Gmail and Google Maps apps. Investors bet Huawei's loss could benefit Samsung, the world's biggest smartphone maker which has been facing increasing competition from its Chinese rival, sending its shares up 2.7 percent at closing on Tuesday. Analysts say the US ban will damage Huawei's ability to sell phones outside China, offering Samsung a chance to consolidate its position at the top of the global market. "If you are in Europe or China and couldn't use Google map or any Android services with a Huawei smartphone, would you buy one?" MS Hwang, an analyst at Samsung Securities, told Bloomberg News, adding: "Wouldn't you buy a Samsung smartphone instead?" Samsung accounted for 23.1 percent of global smartphone sales in the first quarter of this year, according to industry tracker International Data Corporation, while Huawei had 19.0 percent. But Huawei's troubles may be a double-edged sword for Samsung -- also the world's biggest chipmaker -- if it leads to a plunge in demand for semiconductors. China dominates purchases from Asian chip makers and bought 51 percent of their shipments in 2017, Bloomberg reported citing a Citigroup analysis. Including Hong Kong, it accounted for 69 percent of South Korea's chip production. Story continues "In our view, China's restocking efforts for electronic goods will likely weaken and be delayed if the tensions and the ban stay longer, which likely will hurt overall demand," the report said. Last week, Trump declared a "national emergency" empowering him to blacklist companies seen as "an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States" -- a move analysts said was clearly aimed at Huawei. The US Commerce Department announced a ban on American companies selling or transferring US technology to Huawei, with a 90-day reprieve by allowing temporary licences. BAGHDAD/DUBAI/KABUL, May 21 (Reuters) - Threats of conflict between the United States and Iran have highlighted the places and ways their forces, proxies or allies could clash. Iran backs militias in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan, where U.S. troops are also based, and in Lebanon and Yemen, located next to Washington's closest regional allies Israel and Saudi Arabia. It is situated opposite Saudi Arabia on the Gulf, and along the Strait of Hormuz, passageway for almost a fifth of the world's daily crude oil consumption. Washington this month sent military reinforcements to the area, saying it feared an Iranian attack. Last week, unidentified assailants struck Saudi oil assets and on Sunday others fired a rocket into Baghdads heavily fortified Green Zone that exploded near the U.S. embassy. Iran denied any role in either incident. U.S. President Donald Trump warned this week that Iran would be met with "great force" if it attacked U.S. interests in the Middle East. At the weekend he tweeted that "If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran." The Iranian government has condemned Trump's remarks and U.S. deployments as provocative and called for respect and an end to a U.S. squeeze on Iran's oil exports aimed at forcing it to negotiate. However, a commander of its powerful Revolutionary Guards said this month U.S. assets in the Gulf were now targets. "If (the Americans) make a move, we will hit them in the head," said Amirali Hajizadeh, head of the Guards' aerospace division. Here is an outline of ways in which Iran could strike at the more powerful United States, and its regional allies and interests, if their dispute escalated. IRAQ Iran-backed Shi'ite groups gained strength in the chaos after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, and were incorporated last year into the security forces, underscoring their pervasive role despite the American presence. The strongest groups - trained, equipped and funded by Tehran - are Asaib Ahl al-Haq, Kataib Hezbollah, Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba and the Badr Organisation. Story continues The United States says Iran was behind the deaths of at least 603 American armed service members since 2003. Some 5,200 U.S. troops remain in Iraq, located in four main bases, as well as Baghdad airport and the coalition headquarters in the Green Zone. Washington last week ordered a partial evacuation of its embassy. The militias have positions very near places where U.S. forces are stationed, and have powerful rocket and drone capabilities. THE GULF Revolutionary Guards commanders have long warned that in a war they could cut off Gulf oil supplies flowing through the Strait of Hormuz into the Indian Ocean. Iran holds one side of the strait, putting shipping in range of its forces from the sea or shore, and allowing it to lay mines. A U.S. official has blamed Iran for last week's attacks on four vessels including two Saudi oil tankers in the Gulf, though Tehran has denied it. Iran could also strike directly at U.S. forces in the Gulf with missiles. The U.S. Combined Air Operations Center is based at al-Udaid airbase in Qatar. Its navy Fifth Fleet is based in Bahrain. The U.S. air force also uses al-Dhafra airbase in Abu Dhabi and Ali Al Salem airbase in Kuwait. The governments of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia say Iran planned attacks on security forces in Bahrain in recent years. Iran and Bahrainis accused of this have denied it. Missiles could target infrastructure in Gulf monarchies, including water and power plants, oil refineries and export terminals, and petrochemical factories. A 2012 cyber attack targeting Saudi oil giant Aramco and another two years earlier against Iran's nuclear program point to new ways a conflict could play out. YEMEN Yemen's Houthis chant "Death to America, Death to Israel," daubing the slogan on walls and gluing it to their weapons. The U.S. has backed a Saudi-led coalition targeting the group since 2015. Iran and the Houthis have longstanding links, but both deny coalition claims that Tehran provides training and weapons. The U.N. says missiles fired at Saudi Arabia share design features with ones made in Iran. Since the war began, the Houthis have often used rockets and drones to attack Saudi Arabia, one of Washington's closest regional allies. One came down near Riyadh airport in 2017. U.N. experts says the Houthis now have drones that can drop bigger bombs further away and more accurately than before. Last week, drones hit two oil pumping stations hundreds of kilometers inside Saudi territory. Houthi control over Yemen's old navy, with speed boats and sea mines, means the group could try to disrupt shipping in the Red Sea. SYRIA While backing President Bashar al-Assad during eight years of conflict, Iran has built a network of militias in government-held areas. These include Lebanon's Hezbollah, the Iraqi Nujaba group, and the mostly Afghan Fatemiyoun group. They have fought near the Syrian-Iraqi border, near the U.S. military base at Tanf, and near the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. A senior U.S. official said in February that Washington would keep about 400 troops in Syria after defeating Islamic State, down from about 2,000 before. They are located in the northeast area held by Kurdish-led forces and at Tanf, near the borders with Jordan and Iraq. Israel has struck Iran and its allies in Syria, seeking to drive them far from its frontier. In January it accused Iranian forces of firing a missile at a ski resort in the Golan Heights. LEBANON The U.S. blames Hezbollah for its military's bloodiest day since the Vietnam war: the truck bombing at a marine barracks in Lebanon in 1983 that killed 241 U.S. service members. It also accuses it of taking Americans hostage in Lebanon in the 1980s. The group, set up by Iran to resist Israel's occupation of south Lebanon, is today the most powerful in the country. Israel, the U.S.' closest regional ally, regards Hezbollah as the biggest threat on its borders and launched a military incursion into Lebanon in 2006 in a failed bid to destroy it. Today, Hezbollah says it has a large arsenal of "precision" rockets that could strike all over Israel, including its atomic reactor. It has threatened, in the event of war, to infiltrate fighters across the frontier. A pro-Hezbollah journalist, Ibrahim al-Amin, last week wrote in Lebanon's al-Akhbar newspaper that if Israel got involved in any war between the U.S. and Iran, striking at Tehran's proxies, it would "become an actual target for allies of Iran." AFGHANISTAN Western officials and analysts say they believe Iran gives some help to the Taliban, either in weapons or through finance and logistics, which could be increased. The Taliban control or influence more territory than at any point since their ouster at the hands of U.S.-led troops following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States; intense fighting continues. A report by the U.S. Institute of Peace in March said that up to 50,000 Afghans have fought in Syria as part of the Tehran-backed Fatemiyoun group. It issued a statement two years ago, carried by Iranian news outlets, pledging to fight wherever Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei asked them to. About 14,000 U.S. troops remain in Afghanistan and Washington imposed sanctions on the Fatemiyoun in January. An Iranian official told Reuters that the U.S. used its presence in Afghanistan "to threaten us from these bases." (Reporting By Babak Dehghanpisheh in Geneva, John Davison and Ahmed Rasheed in Baghdad, Aziz El Yaakoubi and Tuqa Khaled in Dubai, James Mackenzie in Islamabad and Rupam Nair in Kabul; writing and additional reporting by Angus McDowall in Beirut; editing by Philippa Fletcher) The year 2011 wasnt a pleasant one for labor relations at Deerfield Public Schools District 109. The K-8 public school district in the Chicago suburb of Deerfield, Illinois, experienced cantankerous contract talks. Teachers went seven months without a contract, and nearly walked out of their classrooms in frustration. In my opinion, we were on the verge of a strike, recalls Dale Fisher, assistant superintendent for human resources at the district. We never wanted to repeat that. And we havent. A big reason that Fisher, other administrators and teachers have enjoyed labor peace since 2011 is that the district began quantifying their workplace culture. By surveying teachers and other staffers on a regular basis, and making changes in response to the findings, the district now gets high marks on its workplace environment. In fact, it earned a place on the 2019 list of the Best Workplaces in Chicago, which was compiled by workplace research and data analytics firm Great Place to Work in partnership with Fortune. The list is based on a rigorous assessment of the experience of employees in the metropolitan Chicago region. Nearly 19,000 workers in the Chicago metro area responded to more than 60 survey questions describing the extent to which their organization creates a Great Place to Work For All. Eighty-five percent of the evaluation is based on what employees say about their experiences of trust and reaching their full human potential, no matter who they are or what they do for the organization. Great Place to Work analyzes these experiences relative to each organizations size, across their workforce, and whats typical in each industry and throughout Chicago. The remaining 15 percent of the rank is based on an assessment of all employees daily experiences of innovation, the companys values, and the effectiveness of their leaders. The Best Workplaces in Chicago list has two rankings. In the large organization division, software company Workday is No. 1, followed by Salesforce, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Marriott International, and Power Home Remodeling. Large firms on the list include biopharmaceutical company AbbVie, Hyatt Hotels, and the accounting firms Crowe LLP and Baker Tilly Virchow Krause LLP. Story continues Among small and medium best workplaces in Chicago, consulting firm West Monroe Partners ranks No. 1, followed by IT advisory firm Burwood Group, and employee health and benefits company Maestro Health. Deerfield Public Schools District 109 (at No. 20 on the small and medium list) stands out for being an organization in the education arena with a stellar workplace culture. Indeed, labor strife in school districts has made headlines in recent years in places including West Virginia, Oklahoma, Arizona, Los Angeles, Denver and Oakland. At Deerfields District 109, 93 percent of employees call the organization a great place to work. Even more, 95 percent, say they feel they make a difference at work, while 97 percent say people care about each other here and 96 percent say theyre proud to tell others they work there. The positive ratings have to do with whats become a culture of feedback. Fisher says that district leaders are constantly learning new things about what teachers want or need. One recent pain point was tech support, leading administrators to speed up their helpdesk response times. Another finding was that teachers wanted to understand the long-term financial impact of their decisions to buy this or that curriculum product. Administrators hadnt expected classroom teachers to take such a keen interest in the budgetary big picture. It always surprises us, Fisher says. They needed to be in the know. The habit of polling employees gradually extended to cover a wider set of stakeholders, says Superintendent Anthony McConnell. The district now surveys students and parents on a regular basis. Among the questions asked of students is whether the principal knows them by name. When McConnell was a principal in the district some time ago, survey results showed that nearly all of his students felt he knew their name. I remember going home and wracking my brain about thiswho are those two kids who think I dont know their name? he says. In the wake of that information, McConnell began writing hand-written notes to all his students and being more conscious of using student names. That personal touch, along with happy teachers, reinforces strong results in the district. Since 2015, five of its six elementary and middle schools have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools, a recognition available only to schools in the top 15 percent of academic performance statewide. The designation also rewards excellence when it comes to school culture, climate, community engagement, professional learning and leadership. As superintendent, McConnell sees his role as creating a culture where staff members feel listened to, proud, prepared and empowered to do the right thing for students and their learning. I cant directly control how a teacher acts if a student starts crying in their classroom, he says. But I can create systems to make sure we have the right people with the right dispositions in that classroom, and make sure that we create a school environment that is conducive to empathy. We spend a lot of time getting our people focused around the right way to make decisions, and then allowing them to make the decisions. Ed Frauenheim is senior director of content at Great Place to Work and co-author of the book A Great Place to Work For All. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has taken action against what it alleges is a $30 million cryptocurrency scam based around supposed diamond investment. In a press release Tuesday, the commission alleged that defendant Jose Angel Aman operated a purported crypto business called Argyle Coin as a Ponzi scheme, using investments from new recruits to returns to pay previous investors. According to the SEC complaint, Aman is said to have fleeced over 300 investors since May 2014 by selling unregistered securities in two other firms he owns: Natural Diamonds Investment Co. (Natural Diamonds) and Eagle Financial Diamond Group Inc. Australian Government Employee Charged With Mining Crypto at Work He falsely promised investors that the firms would invest in whole diamonds to cut down and sell for substantial profits, the SEC said. He was allegedly assisted in the scheme by Harold Seigel and Jonathan H. Seigel, who also had interest in the two firms. According to the press release: Aman and Jonathan H. Seigel continued the scheme by luring investors to invest in Argyle Coin, falsely claiming the investment was risk-free because it was backed by fancy colored diamonds, and promising to use investor funds to develop the cryptocurrency business. In fact, Aman, Natural Diamonds, Eagle and Argyle Coin, misused or misappropriated over $10 million of investors money to pay other investors their supposed returns under the scheme. Aman is claimed to have also squandered the investments on personal expenses, including rent, horse purchases and riding lessons for his son. SEC Delays Decision on VanEck/SolidX Filing in Latest Bitcoin ETF Setback Eric I. Bustillo, director of the SECs Miami Regional Office, said: As alleged, Aman operated a complicated web of fraudulent companies in an effort to continually loot retail investors and perpetuate the Ponzi schemes as well as divert money to himself. The SECs diligent investigative work uncovered the Ponzi schemes and our goal is to bring justice to the harmed investors. Story continues Judge Robin L. Rosenberg of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida has now granted the SECs request for a temporary restraining order and temporary asset freeze against Aman and Argyle Coin, as well as the other companies. The court has also appointed a receiver for Argyle Coin. Natural Diamonds, Eagle, Argyle Coin, Aman, Harold Seigel and Jonathan H. Seigel face charges over securities registration violations, while Natural Diamonds, Eagle, Argyle Coin and Aman are charged with securities fraud. The SEC said it is seeking repayment of allegedly ill-gotten gains and prejudgment interest, as well as financial penalties. Diamond image via Shutterstock Related Stories WASHINGTON Some supporters of Donald Trump proudly tout their loyalty with Make America Great Again T-shirts and hats, taking delight in the irritation they may cause critics of the president. Theres even a thriving market for Trump tattoos, which take that provocation to an entirely new not to mention permanent level. But some who voted for Trump kept quiet about casting their vote for him in the 2016 election, fearing condemnation from friends, family and co-workers. A new study finds that secret Trump voters were twice as common as secret voters for Hillary Clinton. In fact, more than half of all secret voters were Trump supporters. The study may explain why polls so badly misjudged the election, practically handing it to Clinton. The apparent hesitation people may have had about admitting support for Trump is a variation on the so-called Bradley effect, in which poll respondents overstate support for an African-American candidate. Supporters of President Trump at a rally in Panama City Beach, Fla., May 8, 2019. (Photo: Evan Vucci/AP) Given how divisive Trump remains, the same effect could repeat itself in 2020. Polls in battleground states have recently shown Trump falling behind former vice president and Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden. But these polls, like the ones that showed Clinton winning in 2016, could be failing to tap into a secret reserve of support for Trump. The new study, Motivated Secrecy: Politics, Relationships, and Regrets was co-authored by Michael Slepian and Rachel McDonald of Columbia Business School, Jessica Salerno of Arizona State University and Katharine Greenaway of the University of Melbourne. It will be published in the social science journal Motivational Science. The study began just after the surprising 2016 presidential election results. The researchers located 1,000 people who secretly voted for someone other than whom they publicly claimed to have voted for. They found that 53 percent of these secret voters voted for Trump, while 27 percent voted for Clinton. Another 19 percent voted for a third party candidate (some believe that support for fringe candidates like Jill Stein and Gary Johnson swung the election to Trump). Story continues "Trump voters were more concerned about their reputation than Clinton supporters, Slepian of Columbia told Yahoo News. They were aware of the reputational implications of supporting Trump, fearing that they may be grouped with some of Trumps more objectionable statements, as well as his more fringe supporters, including those who espoused xenophobic or white supremacist viewpoints. Guilt or regret was something we saw our participants express, Slepian said. The study found that the more conservative the studys participants, the less they regretted keeping their vote secret. Clinton supporters had a different regret: Liberal participants may have wished that they voiced their support for Clinton in advance of the election, the authors write. The study also found that secret voters were most likely to hide their political preference from family. This should not be surprising, as there have been many accounts of a spouse discovering that his or her loved one is a Trump supporter. In 2017, a woman wrote in MEL Magazine of learning that her husband, who claimed to have voted for libertarian candidate Johnson, had actually voted for Trump. The woman, a sexual assault survivor, was horrified. It was like being punched in the gut. I was so flabbergasted, so hurt, so betrayed, she wrote, explaining a little later that Trump embodies everything I stand against and everything we dont want our children to be. She concluded that article by describing how she was coming to terms with her husbands decision to vote for Trump. Slepian, the studys lead author, told Yahoo News that many Trump supporters feared getting in arguments with people and creating conflicts with those around them, electing instead to keep quiet. They didnt have anyone to talk to, Slepian explained. Such feelings of social isolation can drive people to online communities, where their prejudices are accepted, but also amplified and reinforced. That, in turn, could further stifle civic discourse, hardening convictions and silencing debate. These are conversations, Slepian says, people need to have. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: He didnt serve, but hes extremely patriotic. Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images Intelligencer staffers Benjamin Hart, Ed Kilgore, and Eric Levitz discuss the possibility that President Trump will pardon U.S. soldiers who committed violence against unarmed combatants and civilians. Ben: The New York Times reported on Saturday that President Trump is laying the groundwork to pardon several suspected or convicted war criminals, including a Navy SEAL whos scheduled to go on trial soon for shooting civilians, a Blackwater contractor who had been convicted for his role in the killing of several unarmed Iraqis, and a group of Marine Corps snipers accused of violating the corpses of Taliban soldiers, among others. What does Trumps willingness to use his power to wipe clean horrific crimes on the battlefield tell us about him that we might not have already known? Eric: Nothing. Ben: Okay, we can wrap there. Ed: Well, it reconfirms his fidelity to the Jacksonian theory of national security, which can roughly be described as: We dont want to go to war, but if we do, well kill em all and let God sort them out. Its a belief that once hostilities are under way, any sort of lethal violence is justified, with the laws of war being an illegitimate restraint on the laws of national sovereignty and self-defense. Eric: Yeah. It serves as confirmation that Trump wishes to use his pardon power to signal, in no uncertain terms, that he believes it is good for armed agents of the state to brutalize suspected enemies, whether thats Joe Arpaio terrorizing Latinos in Maricopa County or a Navy SEAL picking off little girls in Iraq. Ed: If the Blackwater contractor a mercenary, basically gets a pardon, that will be particularly telling. This is not a member of the U.S. Armed Services. The peg to Memorial Day is also questionable: Its a holiday set aside to honor those who died in military service to the U.S. In this case, Trump would be honoring very much alive men whose victims are very much dead. Im not sure Trump makes these sorts of distinctions: All these holidays are good days for a parade or for jingoism. Eric: I have to say Im not surprised that Trump is doing this, but I was a little taken aback to learn that conservative media decided to make Edward Gallagher, the accused Navy SEAL, a hero. Naive, I know. But theres just so much culture-war fodder out there Why celebrate the child-killer who alienated and terrified his fellow NAVY SEALs? Like, even if youre completely indifferent to war crimes against foreign kids, this doesnt work as a support our troops thing, since the conservative position is that the troops who didnt do the war crimes deserve to be disbelieved. Ed: It brought back very bad memories for me of the lionization of William Calley Jr. in the early 1970s. Ben: There has been some backlash to these expected moves from military veterans. Mark Hertling, who served as commanding general for U.S. Army Europe, wrote for CNN that those who have been convicted were individuals who either did not understand the requirements of every military member to abide by a professional ethic and a prescribed set of values, or they did not understand the implications such an action has for commanders who have the requirement to constantly maintain good order and discipline in the professional military force. In a popular Twitter thread, Glenn Kischner wrote: As a former career prosecutor, including 6 years as an Army JAG, this makes me sick. I dont get the sense that the rank and file would be too thrilled with letting the people who violated their sacred code off the hook. Might this backfire on Trump politically, or could there be enough flak coming from soldiers that he decides not to go through with it? Ed: I doubt he pays that much attention to JAG officers or brass hats on this sort of thing. If the base interprets the dispute as doubting the virtue of patriotic Americans who are taking the risks the rest of us rely on for our safety, then Id imagine hell go right ahead. Most JAG officers dont like torturing suspects or targeting the families of terrorists, either, but Trump endorsed both those practices when he was running for president. Eric: Yeah. Fox & Friends are the only troops who matter here. That said, I havent actually seen many statements from veterans groups criticizing the apparent decision. Ben: Hey, a man can hope. Ed: I do think there is a deep strain of Jacksonism in the popular American attitude toward war, which is why Calley became sort of a national hero despite being admitting that he had fired bullets into small children while following orders. Eric: I think theres that, plus collective guilt about how few of us fight in these things anymore. Ed: Yep, along with a sense that its the little guys who get thrown in the brig while the higher-ups skate. A lot of antiwar types defended Calley on those grounds. Ben: Our own Chas Danner wrote over the weekend that beyond Trumps predilection for favoring brute force and punishing the powerless, the potential pardons must also be seen in the context of President Trumps rarely veiled Islamophobia and how well that has played with his base. Whats your take on where the presidents religious bigotry fits in here? Ed: It looms pretty large. But if the U.S. invaded Mexico to restore order to our border, I would imagine him taking the same position re collateral damage. Eric: He literally campaigned on the view Mass murdering Muslim prisoners of war with bullets dipped in pigs blood is a uniquely effective counterterrorism strategy, and that to take out ISIS, the U.S. military should take out their families. The man just loves war crimes, especially against Muslims, though perhaps not exclusively against them. Ed: America First appears to mean no one who gets in the way of Uncle Sam has a presumed right to stay alive. Eric: He also wanted Old Testament justice against the Central Park Five, just generally believes in vicious brutality toward enemies. Ben: But hes a nice guy once you get to know him. Eric: Least racist person Ive ever met in my life. Ed: If he were reflective enough to think about it, hed probably come up with some elaborate theory that threatening to kill innocent civilians saves lives by intimidating people against any temptation to cross us. Sort of a visceral corollary of the madman theory. As you may have noticed, Ben, Eric, and I harbor some pretty heavy-duty liberal bias against our president. We just cant see fit to understand why he likes war crimes. Ben: I just wish youd give the guy a chance. By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Three Democratic U.S. senators on Tuesday questioned a decision by Volkswagen AG's U.S. unit to delay a union election for workers at its Tennessee assembly plant. Earlier this month, the largest German automaker won its bid to put off a union vote for 1,700 workers at the Chattanooga plant until its challenge to a smaller United Auto Workers bargaining unit at the factory is settled. The National Labor Relations Board, in a 2-1 decision on May 3, granted Volkswagen's motion to stay an election petition filed by some of its workers last month. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan and Sherrod Brown of Ohio wrote to Scott Keogh, president of Volkswagen Group of America, on Tuesday, expressing "deep concern with delays" to the vote. "We urge you to immediately drop any efforts to oppose or postpone the election," the said. UAW spokesman Brian Rothenberg urged VW to allow a vote of its workers: "Volkswagen should stop obstructing the rights of Chattanooga workers to vote and have a union enough is enough." Volkswagen spokesman Mark Clothier confirmed the company had received the letter and would respond. "We respect the decision of our team and their right to decide on representation. We have taken a neutral position on the issue and will continue to do so," Clothier said. In December 2015, 160 skilled trade maintenance workers voted to unionize and affiliate with the UAW, the union said. VW declined to bargain with the union, saying the unit needed to include both skilled trade maintenance workers and production workers. Volkswagen has stated it is neutral on workers joining a union but the senators said its "actions suggest otherwise." VW began production in 2011 at the plant, which builds the Passat car and the Atlas SUV. In January, VW said it was investing $800 million to build a new electric vehicle in Tennessee and add 1,000 jobs at the Chattanooga plant that will begin EV production in 2022. Story continues The senators "have heard that facility supervisors in Chattanooga are engaging in direct anti-union conversations with workers in the workplace, including pulling workers off the production line to ask if they support the union," they said. In February 2014, workers at the plant narrowly voted against union representation, which had been seen as organized labor's best chance to expand in the U.S. South. UAW membership has plummeted 75 percent since 1979 and now stands at about 396,000. The UAW has failed for two decades to organize foreign automaker plants in the United States. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe and Bernadette Baum) Sharon Carter and Baron Zemo actors in talks to join The Falcon and the Winter Soldier series (Credit: Marvel) The Falcon And The Winter Soldier series may well be adding some old MCU faces. According to Deadline, Captain America: Civil War stars Daniel Bruhl and Emily Van Camp are in talks to join Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan in the Disney+ show. Bruhl played the villain Baron Zemo in the Marvel movie while Van Camp would be reprising her Captain America: The Winter Soldier role Sharon Carter. Carter is the grand-niece of Peggy Carter, Steve Rogers first love, which makes their Civil War kiss all the more awkward, especially after Avengers: Endgame. She was last seen working for the C.I.A. after S.H.I.E.L.D. was shut down by Black Widow and Captain America because of H.Y.D.R.A. infiltrating the spy organisation. Read more: Why are Marvel fans so upset with this picture? 'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier' series will see Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan reprise their MCU roles (Credit: Marvel) Zemo was taken prisoner by Black Panther after a failed suicide attempt so it will be interesting to see how he will factor into the six-part miniseries. Kari Skogland has been tapped to direct The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, with Empires Malcolm Spellman on board as a writer. Skogland has a string of prestige television shows to her name, including The Handmaids Tale, The Borgias, Penny Dreadful, Boardwalk Empire, The Killing, The Walking Dead, The Americans, as well as House of Cards and The Punisher on Netflix. Details about the setting and plot of the show have been kept under-wraps but Stan had this to say about what we might expect for Bucky Barnes. "I think it's time for Bucky to go out there and have an identity outside of the circumstances that we've met him through," Stan said at an Italian Comic-Con. "So, I don't know, he might do all kinds of things. He might even go on a date. I don't know. Scary world out there, you know? Apps, things like that. Read more: Avengers spoiler-ban lifts I don't know what he's gonna do. I can't see him on an iPhone...I think it's gonna be a lot of dealing with Anthony's character and Anthony himself which is always another character." Story continues At the end of Endgame, and old man Steve Rogers passed on the Captain America shield to Mackies Sam Wilson suggesting that he would take up the heros mantle in future films. This may come into play in the Disney+ series but it seems likely that most of these new Marvel shows will be set in the past and before the events of Infinity War. The Black Widow solo movie certainly will as well as the WandaVision and Loki shows, as all but one of these characters are already dead by the end of Endgame. The Falcon And The Winter Soldier is heading to Disney+ in 2020. Only last week Nepali mountain guide Kami Rita Sherpa set a new record by climbing Everest a 23rd time. On Tuesday for good measure he did it again, expedition organisers said. "This is historic. He made his record climb this morning, guiding a team of Indian police," Mingma Sherpa of Seven Summit Treks told AFP. A guide for more than two decades, Sherpa first summited the 8,848-metre (29,029-foot) peak, the world's highest, in 1994 while working for a commercial expedition. In the 25 years since, the 49-year-old has made 35 summits on five 8,000-metre peaks, including the world's second-highest mountain, K2 in Pakistan. Last year he ascended Everest for the 22nd time, breaking the previous record of 21 summits he shared with two other Sherpa climbers, both of whom have retired. Returning last week to a colourful welcome at base camp after his 23rd climb, Sherpa had already said that he wanted to go up for a second time this season. "I am very happy and proud, I think I might go up the mountain again this season," he had said over a crackly phone line after his descent. The accomplished climber has often said he did not intend to make records, but accumulated his summits in course of his work as a guide. "I did not climb for world records, I was just working. I did not even know you could set records earlier," he said last month before setting off for Everest base camp. With their unique ability to work in a low-oxygen, high-altitude atmosphere, ethnic Sherpa guides are the backbone of Nepal's climbing industry, helping clients and hauling equipment up Himalayan peaks. Mountaineering has become a lucrative business since Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay made the first ascent of Everest in 1953. Nepal has issued a record 381 permits costing $11,000 each for this year's spring climbing season, sparking fears of bottlenecks en route to the summit if poor weather cuts down the number of climbing days. Story continues Most Everest hopefuls are escorted by a Nepali guide, meaning over 750 climbers will tread the same path to the top in the coming weeks. And at least 140 others are preparing to scale Everest from the northern flank in Tibet, according to expedition operators. This could take the total past last year's record of 807 people reaching the summit. Many Himalayan mountains -- including Everest -- are at peak climbing season, with the window of good weather between late April and the end of May. The death toll is already mounting, however. An Indian climber died on Everest last week while a search continues for an Irish mountaineer who slipped and fell close to the summit. Six other foreign climbers have died on other 8,000-metre Himalayan peaks while two are missing. Washington (AFP) - The clash between US President Donald Trump and the Democratic majority in Congress intensified on Monday, with the White House telling the president's former lawyer to ignore a subpoena to testify about Trump's alleged obstruction of justice in the Russia probe. And in a big setback for Trump, a federal judge denied the president's attempt to quash another subpoena from Democratic lawmakers ordering an accounting firm to release years of Trump financial documents dating from before he took office. That decision marks the first time US courts have waded into the conflict that pits the president against Democrats who have opened a raft of probes into his administration since they took control of the House of Representatives in January. In a sign of the uphill battle their investigations face, an attorney for Trump's former lawyer Don McGahn said his client would follow the White House's instructions and not testify about Trump's alleged obstruction of justice at a House Judiciary Committee hearing set for Tuesday. "Under these circumstances, and also conscious of the duties he, as an attorney, owes to his former client, Mr. McGahn must decline to appear at the hearing tomorrow," his attorney William A. Burck wrote to the committee, adding that his client "understands from your prior correspondence that the Committee would vote to hold him in contempt should he not appear." Earlier in the day, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler called the White House's move "the latest act of obstruction," and said "the Committee will convene as planned tomorrow morning, and Mr. McGahn is expected to appear as legally required." "The first thing we're going to have to do is hold McGahn in contempt," Nalder told CNN in an interview late Monday. He added: "You're dealing with a lawless president willing to go to any lengths to prevent testimony that might implicate him -- that does implicate him." Story continues Democrats want McGahn to talk about special counsel Robert Mueller's sprawling, 22-month probe into whether Trump colluded with Russians while running for president and then tried to impede the probe into that question after he was elected. In his final report, released in mid-April, Mueller said he hadn't gathered evidence of collusion that would warrant charges of criminal conspiracy. But it detailed a series of moves by the presidency against Mueller's investigation, including an attempt to sack Mueller that was blocked by McGahn. Trump has hit back against these investigations, saying he's a victim of "harassment." "The Democrats do not like the conclusion of the Mueller investigation... and want a wasteful and unnecessary do-over," his spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said on Monday. - Financial investigation - The White House has also refused to cooperate with a Democrat-led investigation of Trump's finances prior to his election. Last month, lawmakers issued a subpoena for records dating back to 2011 after Trump's one-time lawyer Michael Cohen testified that his boss would often change the estimated value of his assets and liabilities on financial statements as he felt was needed for various purposes. Trump and affiliated organizations and entities then filed a suit requesting that the court declare the subpoena "invalid and unenforceable" as it questioned the legislative validity of the Democrats' demands. US District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington on Monday refused to block the subpoena saying, "it is not for the court to question whether the committee's actions are truly motivated by political considerations." In another twist to this saga, the House Intelligence Committee on Monday made public the transcripts of testimony by Cohen, who is currently serving a prison sentence in part for lying to Congress, made to lawmakers behind closed doors. According to the transcripts from hearings held earlier in the year, Cohen said he'd followed directions from Trump's personal lawyer to lie about when a proposed Trump Tower project in Moscow was called off. "Make no mistake, any attempt by the president, his associates or administration to suborn perjury, obstruct our investigation or mislead the public will not be tolerated and will be exposed," intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff said in a statement. A side effect of prostate cancer treatment can be bladder problems [Photo: Getty] Sir Michael Parkinson has opened up about suffering from a weak bladder, a lesser-known side effect of his treatment for prostate cancer. The 84-year-old was first given the all clear following treatment for the cancer, but has been left surprised by some of the side effects hes since suffered following an operation and radiotherapy back in 2013. When I look back at what happened, my treatment and aftercare was fabulous but the one thing that did bother me was I felt I was left to find out about what the consequences might be by myself, he told Mirror. Many patients suffer erectile dysfunction as well as urinary problems as removal of the gland can damage nerves and muscles close to the prostate. I didnt need chemotherapy, which was wonderful, but I had radiotherapy. It leaves you with problems because its so near the bowels and bladder, Sir Parkinson continued. It never occurred to me that might be the case and they never prepared me for what did happen and that for me was the worst part of it. I was not really told how uncomfortable the after-effects can be the problems you have with the bowel or the bladder. READ MORE: As Jeremy Bowen reveals bowel cancer diagnosis, how to spot symptoms of the condition Though he acknowledges that the after effects hes been left with arent life-threatening, it does have an impact day to day. It is a nuisance rather than an illness, he explains of now having a weak bladder. It didnt change my life fundamentally, but it turns it around a bit as there are certain things you can do, certain things you cant. So its a reorganisation. Now the TV interviewer wonders if there should be an awareness campaign informing others of the potential post-treatment side effects. Sir Michael Parkinson has opened up about the side effects of his prostate cancer treatment [Photo: Getty] Why does prostate cancer treatment lead to bladder problems? "Many men experience urinary problems as a side effect of their treatment, explains Laura James, Head of Clinical Services, Prostate Cancer UK. This is because prostate cancer treatment can damage the nerves and muscles that control when a man urinates. Story continues James recommends that a man asks his doctor about possible side effects before starting treatments. The side effects will depend on the elected treatment, and whether there were urinary problems before starting treatment, she explains. Radiotherapy, like Sir Parkinson had, is an example of a type of treatment which treats the whole prostate. It aims to target all the cancer cells, including any that have spread to the area just outside the prostate. It can lead to side effects such as irritating the lining of the bladder and the urethra, which can cause a man to urinate more often or feel a sudden urge to urinate." READ MORE: How to spot anal cancer symptoms Managing side effects Though side effects can affect day-to-day life, James says there are treatments for them, as well as things men can do themselves to manage them. If you're having problems with a side effect, you might have a meeting with your GP or nurse to work out what support you need, she adds. Depending on the type of side effects being faced, ways to manage them can include lifestyle changes, pelvic floor muscle exercises, bladder retraining, medicines or surgery. Prostate Cancer UK's new campaign 'Men, we are with you', launched last week in a bid to highlight the charity's belief that all men are worth saving from prostate cancer. More than 11,500 men die from prostate cancer in the UK each year, which makes it a bigger killer than breast cancer. With one man dying from prostate cancer every 45 minutes, the campaign aims to make people think about the men in their life, what they love about them and what they would miss if they lost them to prostate cancer. For more information about urinary problems after prostate cancer treatment visit here For tips on managing urinary problems, visit Prostate Cancer UK's How to Manage Guides. Anyone with concerns about prostate cancer may contact Prostate Cancer UK's Specialist Nurses in confidence on 0800 074 8383 or online via the Live Chat instant messaging service. Cannes (France) (AFP) - Actress Wu Ke-xi has never been raped by an all-powerful movie mogul -- as happens in her striking new movie at the Cannes film festival. But the Taiwanese star knows what it is to be humiliated by a director drunk on his own power. She will never forget being repeatedly slapped in the face during the shoot of an advert for a mahjong video game early in her career. Wu was publicly punished for having the temerity to ask the director a question. "I just wanted to know whether a shot would be a close-up or in long shot so I could prepare myself," the actress told AFP in Cannes, where "Nina Wu" -- which she both wrote and stars in -- is in the official section. "The director asked the whole crew to collect all the banknotes they were using in the advert and to bring to him. He made a fan out of them. Then he asked another actor to slap me in the face with them about 30 times. "It went on and on, him shooting it all in close-up. Everyone was shocked. This wasn't in the script." It was a punishment for speaking out of turn, Wu said. Hers was only a bit-part, and "someone who is so low class didn't have the right to ask a question." "For the rest of the shoot everyone was stunned." - 'I was shunned' - Then an odd thing happened. Wu, 36, noticed that the crew began shunning her. "They had to choose which side they were going to be on, I guess. And nobody wants to get fired." Soon she was feeling their hostility at her very presence. "So they started bullying me too. After that experience I went home and for two weeks I had flashbacks of being slapped in the face. "I had nightmares and the director's voice was in my head all the time. I would experience this humiliation over and over again. I would open the fridge to get something but I wasn't there. I was on the set getting slapped. I wanted to cry all the time." Story continues Wu had been traumatised. "She had a kind of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)," said the film's Myanmar-born director, Midi Z, with whom Wu has worked on the acclaimed "Ice Poison" and "The Road to Mandalay". "What happened to me was not very serious," the actress added. But it got her thinking -- "What would women or men who suffer really bad things go through?" - Asian Weinsteins - The spectre of Harvey Weinstein hangs heavily over the film, the story of a failing actress so desperate to grab her one chance of fame that she is prepared to put herself through anything. Indeed Wu, who began as a hip-hop dancer and endured "some crazy years" before her own career took off, started writing it after the Hollywood mogul's fall. "I kept wondering what happened in those rooms. I was so shocked and curious," she said as scandal after scandal broke in Hollywood, South Korea and Japan. In Taiwan itself, one of the country's most acclaimed directors, Chang Tso-chi, was already behind bars for raping a scriptwriter. And in February another major industry player, actor-director Doze Niu, was charged with sexual assault. But it was the appalling cases of a series of South Korean actress that really haunted Wu. In particular that of Jang Ja-yeon, whose suicide in 2009 after she was abused by the head of her studio, was initially covered up. What chilled Wu was some actresses were attempting suicide 10 years and more after the abuse happened. "You would think that surely when the thing is finished that would be it. "But no, it went on tormenting them for all those years -- that's the thing with PTSD -- and that's what made them decide to kill themselves such a long time after." Midi Z said the film industry in Asia is probably no better or worse in terms of abuse than anywhere else. "People tend to be polite," yet if something did happen, there isn't much of a culture of speaking out, he admitted. "This is not based on anybody, it is a fiction, a drama, but the feelings are real. "I wanted the audience to be right in the character's head and to feel what she does, all the subtle sounds like the (film producer's) boiling kettle that stick in people's heads", and trigger their trauma when she hears something similar. "If that freaks people out, then I'm happy," he added. By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON, May 21 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's nominee to be ambassador to Mexico had a smooth U.S. Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday, and looked likely to easily win confirmation to a post that could be important in talks on disputed issues like immigration and trade. Trump nominated Christopher Landau, 55, in March for the post in Mexico City, which has been vacant for a year. "I hope that we can expedite this nomination and get it moving," said Senator Ben Cardin, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations western hemisphere subcommittee. At the same time Landau was in the Senate promising to seek common ground with Mexico's people and government, the Republican president took to his favored medium Twitter with comments that underscored the complexity of the ambassador's position. "Mexico's attitude is that people from other countries, including Mexico, should have the right to flow into the U.S. & that U.S. taxpayers should be responsible for the tremendous costs associated w/this illegal migration. Mexico is wrong and I will soon be giving a response!" Trump said on Twitter. Trump, whose administration has been negotiating a new trade agreement with Mexico and Canada, last month threatened to put tariffs on cars coming from Mexico if its government did not help Washington deal with the immigration situation along the border. Trump has made a crackdown on immigration across the southern U.S. border a central theme of his presidency and campaign. He has asked Congress for billions of taxpayer dollars to build a wall along the frontier with Mexico. A prominent Washington lawyer and son of a former U.S. ambassador to Paraguay, Chile and Venezuela, Landau speaks fluent Spanish but lacks diplomatic experience of his own. His nomination will next come up for a vote in the foreign relations committee, likely in June. There was no immediate word on when Landau might be considered by the full Senate, where Trump's fellow Republicans hold 53 of the 100 seats. He needs just 51 votes in the Senate to be confirmed as ambassador. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle Editing by Nick Zieminski) Decrease Font Size Font Size Increase Font Size Article body For Auburn alumna Eva Wohiren, writing and storytelling have always been passions. Her teachers and parents recognized her talent for it, too, and often pointed out that she excelled in writing. Thats why a journalism degree seemed like a natural fit for Wohiren when she enrolled at Auburn. I saw writing as my way to explore and meet new people, she said. There is so much potential in journalismwhether its print, digital or broadcastso I am so glad I pursued it. Since graduating from Auburn in 2014, Wohirens journalism career has skyrocketed to the national stage, taking her to Connecticut and back home to Georgia, with a quick stop in between. It all started for Wohiren when she landed a job at WSFA in Montgomery, Alabama, where she was training to be a producer. But, she had always dreamed about working at ESPN, so when the opportunity came, she took it. She headed to Bristol, Connecticut, to work as a production assistant at ESPN and started on the TV side cutting highlights for SportsCenter and working behind the scenes. Within her first year at ESPN, she made the switch to the digital team which put her on the career path shes on now. After a year in Bristol, Wohiren transferred to the ESPN-owned SEC Network in Charlotte, North Carolina. Soon thereafter, her career further catapulted when she received an offer to work at CNN Digital. And it was the perfect chance to move back to her home state of Georgia. At CNN, she is an associate producer on the video programming team, where she crafts engaging headlines; programs videos on the CNN.com domestic and international pages and on the CNN app; and pitches and produces video content on topics ranging from breaking news to politics and trending stories. One of my favorite experiences was being a part of the 2016 election season, she said. It was such a unique election period for CNN and AmericaI feel like I'm a part of history. Shes entrenched in her role as an associate producerevery day is different and she thrives on the variety that her work brings. As a member of the overnight team, she works to keep viewer numbers strong, even in the wee hours of the night. The team also focuses on CNNs international homepage and looks for trends and stories that may pick up in the morning. There is always something to do, which I love, she said. As she continues to grow in her career, she has her sights set on becoming a producer. I want to continue to move up the ladder here at CNN and continue to develop my growth as a journalist, she said. I hope to get more experience in the field shooting, interviewing and editing. She credits her time at Auburnand two classes in particularwith her success in the field so far. One of the classes was journalism fundamentalslearning Associated Press style and how to edit writing and correct mistakes. In any role, digital journalism or not, I think understanding how to craft and punctuate a proper sentence is vital, she said. The other course that helped prepare her for the future was broadcast newswriting, which she took with Ric Smith, a lecturer in the School of Communication and Journalism in Auburns College of Liberal Arts. We learned that writing for air and writing for digital are very different and it is important to know how to do bothwhich only adds to your market value when you are leaving school, she said. DENVER Snow this late in May? It is rare, but can happen! A strong storm system will dump heavy rain and snow across Colorado through early Wednesday. The average date for the last measurable snow in Denver is April 27th and the latest date on record was June 2 in 1951, although flurries fell on June 12 in 1947! Here is the list of the last measurable snows in Denver in the past 10 years. April 24, 2018 April 29, 2017 April 30, 2016 May 10, 2015 May 12, 2014 May 2, 2013 April 3, 2012 May 11, 2011 May 12, 2010 April 27, 2009 Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for the mountains above 9,000 feet. Snow will fall heavily at times and may accumulate to 12 to 18 inches in the mountains by late Tuesday. Roads vary from wet, to snow covered and slippery and numerous accidents have already been reported. For elevations between 6,000 and 9,000 feet, Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for tonight and Tuesday for 4 to 8 inches of wet, sloppy snow. This Advisory includes western and southern suburbs of the Denver area. Most of the snow will accumulate on grassy areas, but trees and shrubs that are already in leaf will take a beating overnight. Bring any potted plants indoors tonight and try to cover plants in the ground with a plastic bucket or something sturdy to keep the heavy snow and the cold at bay. Temperatures will drop to the low 30s by early Tuesday. Trees and shrubs may be saved by gently knocking off the snow tonight and early Tuesday. Rain showers continue for elevations below 6,000 feet, but snow will mix in with the rain and change to wet, slushy snow overnight. The snow may accumulate to a couple inches on grassy surfaces early Tuesday, but the roads will just stay wet. The storm will be a very soggy one with 1-2 inches of liquid expected over much of the state! Temperatures will stay cold on Tuesday with highs in the low to mid-40s for lower elevations and low to mid-30s in the mountains. Cool, wet weather will linger into Wednesday with more mountain snow showers and rain showers for the plains. Highs will be in the upper 30s to mid-40 in the mountains and in the 50s to near 60 on the plains. Warmer and drier weather will finally arrive in Colorado Thursday and Friday with highs returning to around 70 degrees by Friday. Saturday and Sunday will be warm and dry, followed by a chance for thunderstorms on Memorial Day. Stay tuned for updates on the changing weather. Sophie Turner (Credit: Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP) Sophie Turner has said the petition to have season eight of Game of Thrones remade, created by a disgruntled fan, is 'disrespectful' to those who make the show. The petition was launched earlier this month, and has now pulled in nearly 1.5 million signatures, a total boosted following the series finale. It asks fans to sign up up they want the divisive final series of show remade by competent writers, a slight at showrunners Dan Weiss and David Benioff. And while Turner says she's not surprised by the frustration, she's not happy about how it's manifested itself. Read more: George R.R. Martin on whether that was the real GoT ending People always have an idea in their heads of how they want a show to finish, and so when it doesnt go to their liking, they start to speak up about it and rebel, she told The New York Times. Sophie as Sansa Stark (Credit: HBO) All of these petitions and things like that - I think its disrespectful to the crew, and the writers, and the filmmakers who have worked tirelessly over 10 years, and for 11 months shooting the last season. Like 50-something night shoots. So many people worked so, so hard on it, and for people to just rubbish it because its not what they want to see is just disrespectful. Read more: Game of Thrones final episode round-up She's not the only cast-member to rubbish the petition. Its ridiculous that people think they can just demand a different ending because they dont like it, Isaac Hempstall-Wright, who plays Bran Stark, told The Hollywood Reporter. Arya, Bran and Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones (Credit: HBO) I have stupidly taken it quite personally, which obviously I shouldnt. In my opinion, its a great ending. Well, he would say that, wouldn't he. Speaking prior to the final episodes airing, he addd: If people have made up their minds now that they hate Game of Thrones, then obviously they are not going to enjoy it, no matter how good it is. I personally think it's a very clever way of tying it all up. JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Mozambique's former finance minister Manuel Chang will be extradited to his home country where he is wanted on charges related to a $2 billion debt scandal, South Africa's Justice Minister Michael Masutha said on Tuesday. Chang has been in custody in South Africa since December, when he was arrested at the request of the United States for his alleged involvement in $2 billion of borrowing that U.S. authorities say was fraudulent. During his time as finance minister, Chang signed off on the loans, which were guaranteed by the government although some of them were not disclosed. Mozambique's subsequent acknowledgement of the undisclosed borrowing prompted donors to cut off support and triggered a currency collapse. Masutha had to decide whether to have Chang extradited to Mozambique or the United States following requests from both countries. "I am satisfied that the interest of justice will be best served by acceding to the request by the Republic of Mozambique," Masutha said in a statement. "I have decided that the accused, Mr. Manuel Chang, will be extradited to stand trial for his alleged offences in Mozambique." Masutha said he considered in his decision that Chang was a citizen of Mozambique and that he had requested to be extradited to his home country, among other things. (Reporting by Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo; Editing by Bill Berkrot) Though China ETFs have rallied this year, renewed trade tensions have once again put the countrys investing scene on the backburner. The month started with the incendiary move by President Donald Trump regarding his levy of tariffs on Chinese goods. The Trump administration raised the current 10% tariff on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods to 25% on May 10. The decision, however, has been retaliated by China (read: China's Retaliation Puts These ETFs and Stocks in Focus). Why China is Vulnerable Though trade talks are not dead yet and President Trump and Chinas president Xi Jingpin may resume talks in the upcoming G-20 meet, Trump said that he will impose a 25% tax on an extra $325 billion of Chinese goods shortly (read: Least-Hurt Tech ETFs as China Hits Back). We believe along with several other analysts that there are strong signals from companies of relocating supply chains and manufacturing out of China and into some of the Southeast Asian countries. About 200 American companies are looking to shift their manufacturing base from China to India post general elections, per a top US-based advocacy group in an interview with PTI. Chinas economic growth has also been decelerating. Of late, the economy has seen a retail sales slump and decline in industrial output growth. Fixed-asset investment and private-sector fixed-asset investment growth have also been disappointing (read: China Disappoints With Sluggish Numbers: 5 ETFs in Focus). Given escalating trade tensions with China, American firms may be lured to buy semiconductor parts from Malaysia and data-storage units from Thailand; or consider moving their factories to Vietnam; or start investing more in Indonesia. India, Thailand and Indonesia, being the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) countries, tend to benefit from the U.S.-China trade war, per a source. The GSP act promotes economic development by removing duties on thousands of products when imported from one of 120 designated beneficiary countries and territories. Story continues This is why Aberdeen Standard Investments probably sees opportunities in Southeast Asia as the trade war between the U.S. and China wages on. Aberdeen has strengthened their positions on Singapore, Indonesia and India (read: Slowing Indonesian Economy Puts These ETFs in Focus). ETFs in Focus If you are a believer of this investment thesis, you can try to have a close look on various country ETFs like iShares MSCI Singapore Capped ETF EWS, iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF EIDO and iShares India 50 ETF INDY (read: ETFs to Buy/Avoid on Higher Oil Prices). Want key ETF info delivered straight to your inbox? Zacks free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top-performing ETFs, each week. Get it free >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report iShares MSCI Singapore ETF (EWS): ETF Research Reports iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF (EIDO): ETF Research Reports iShares India 50 ETF (INDY): ETF Research Reports To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Jerusalem (AFP) - Jonathan Pollard, the American spy jailed for decades, gave a rare interview Tuesday in which he criticised Israel for not helping him emigrate after selling American secrets to the Jewish state. "It's a question of priorities. There always seems to be something else" more important, Pollard told Channel 12 during an interview at a New York cafe. Pollard, 64, was released in November 2015 after serving a 30-year term for passing sensitive security documents to Israel while working as a US Navy intelligence analyst. Under the terms of his release, he was barred from leaving the United States for five years and as a result prevented from moving to Israel. "To make me a priority would mean that the government actually cared and said 'this is what we want, we want him to come home'. That simply hasn't been done," Pollard said. He rebuked the Israeli government for "missing several chances" to discuss his case with US President Donald Trump or his predecessor Barack Obama. Pollard was granted Israeli citizenship in 1995, but said he was not in contact with any officials from the country. But the Israeli government said it remained "determined to ensure the return of Jonathan Pollard to Israel". "The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has discussed the subject several times with the American president and will do so until he (Pollard) returns," the premier's office said in a statement. Over the years Israeli right-wing activists have sought to turn Pollard into an icon for what they see as his efforts to defend Israel's security, even when it meant spying on Israel's closest ally. In the US, however, Pentagon and CIA officials are still angry about the classified documents he leaked after making contact with an Israeli colonel in New York. Israel's October 1985 raid on the Palestinian Liberation Organization's Tunis headquarters that killed around 60 people was planned with information from Pollard, according to CIA documents declassified in 2012. Sri Lanka's police Tuesday said DNA tests confirmed that the ringleader of the Easter attacks, Zahran Hashim, was one of the suicide bombers who blew himself up at the Shangri-La hotel. Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said the government's main forensic laboratory matched Hashim's daughter's DNA with the remains of one of the bombers at the hotel. "With the latest test results we have re-confirmed the identities of all the seven suicide bombers plus two others who exploded explosives on April 21," Gunasekera said, explaining that police had matched their DNA with that of their relatives. The second attacker at the Shangri-La was identified as Ilham Ibrahim, whose brother Inshaf was the lone suicide bomber at the nearby Cinnamon Grand hotel, according to police. Another Colombo hotel and three Christian churches were also bombed at about the same time killing 258 people and leaving nearly 500 wounded. Forty five of the dead were foreign nationals. Ilham's wife, Fathima Ilham, also blew herself up when police went to her Colombo home a few hours after the coordinated attacks. She killed herself and three children, police said, revising their earlier toll of two children. Three officers also lost their lives in that explosion. The third Colombo hotel to be targeted on April 21, the Kingsbury, was bombed by a man identified as Mohamed Azzam Mubarak Mohamed. St. Anthony's Shrine, a popular church in the capital, was attacked by a man named Ahmed Muaz, while St. Sebastian's Church just north of Colombo was bombed by Mohamed Hasthun, who came from eastern Sri Lanka where Hashim was based. The sixth suicide bomber was Mohamed Nasser Mohamed Asad, who targeted Zion Church in the eastern district of Batticaloa. A seventh man failed to explode a bomb at a luxury hotel, but blasted his explosives at a guest house near the capital. He was identified as aeronautical engineer Abdul Latheef who had studied in Britain and Australia. Story continues All the bombers were believed to be members of Hashim's now banned National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ) organisation. The Islamic State group later claimed the attack. Hashim appeared in an IS video, where he is seen leading a group of seven others in a pledge of allegiance to IS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Hashim was a relative unknown before the attacks, though local Muslim leaders say they had reported him on more than one occasion to the authorities for his extremist views and violent behaviour. A group of Starbucks customers in New York City are suing the coffee-shop chain, claiming pest-extermination strips that contain a potentially lethal chemical were used in the companys Manhattan locations. The lawsuit alleged that Starbucks cafes "have been permeated with" a pesticide called dichlorvos or 2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate, better known as DDVP, which is "highly poisonous and completely unfit for use in proximity to food, beverages and people." It was in the form of no-pest strips, which third-party exterminators and store employees warned managers about to no avail, according to the suit. "Starbucks has intentionally and wantonly exposed its customers to toxic chemicals with a complete disregard for the impact on their customers health," the 10 plaintiffs said in the class action filed in the New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan on Tuesday. A Starbucks located in downtown Pittsburgh. Forget downsizing: More baby boomers stay in their homes as they reach retirement Going out of business: Ascena Retail Group closing all of its nearly 650 Dressbarn stores The court documents accused Starbucks of not dealing with spills, standing water and rodent droppings promptly often in areas customers don't see, like under sinks, behind cabinets and in food-prep areas or with piled-up garbage. That led to mold and other growths unsafe for humans to form and a breeding ground for maggots, flies, cockroaches, fruit flies, silverfish and other pests. Then, the Starbucks stores used Hot Shot No-Pest 2 strips, which contain DDVP, to deal the problems. The chemical a probable carcinogen according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency can cause everything from dizziness and confusion to convulsions, coma and death, the National Institutes of Health website said. The strips were placed inside food display cases, next to food-prep equipment and air vents and under counters without warning customers, the lawsuit said. Story continues Starbucks spokesman Reggie Borges said the lawsuit "lacks merit and is an attempt to incite public fear for their own financial gain. We go to great lengths to ensure the safety of customers and employees." In addition, the company said that any products used in Starbucks stores must meet corporate safety guidelines and as soon as they heard about products that violated those standards, the local leadership team was told to remove them. In addition, experts have told Starbucks that employees and customers were not exposed to any health risks and Starbucks stores typically don't sell food in display cases to customers. "Starbucks message is clear in exchange for paying a higher, premium price, customers receive a clean, comfortable environment to enjoy food and beverages that are made with only the best premium ingredients," court documents said. "Central in that message is that Starbucks will safeguard the health and well-being of its customers." The suit accuses Starbucks of acting in false, misleading and deceptive ways and of false advertising. Also on Tuesday, the same law firm, Wigdor LLP, filed a case in federal court in Manhattan, accusing Starbucks of negligence and gross negligence through exposure to hazardous chemical poisons. The plaintiffs are exterminator Paul DAuria, assigned to Starbucks Manhattan store locations for chunks of time between 1999 and 2018; Jill Shwiner, who worked for the pest control company Starbucks contracted with for its Manhattan stores, including training chain managers and doing walk-throughs of cafes; and Rafael Fox, a Starbucks employee for 16 years, including time as store manager until he was terminated. Fox also claims Starbucks fired him for complaining about the no-pest strips and some improper payroll practices he said he discovered. Borges, the Starbucks spokesman, dismissed the allegations that employee concerns were ignored and then retaliated against. Follow USA TODAY reporter Zlati Meyer on Twitter: @ZlatiMeyer This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Starbucks customers sue claiming exposure to potentially fatal pest-control chemicals Britannia Industries, India's leading biscuits and bakery products maker, in a clarification to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) said on Tuesday that there was no question of disqualification of Wadia group scion Ness Wadia's role as director. The BSE had sought clarification from Britannia Industries with respect to Wadia's conviction in Japan for drug possession. "We have also obtained clear legal opinion that there is no question of disqualification / vacation of the office of director under Indian law since the matter relates to a court outside the territory of India, and since the sentence has been suspended and is without effect," Britannia Industries said in a clarification to the exchange. The company had sought legal advice over Wadia's role as the director after some of the independent members of the board raised concerns following his conviction in Japan for possession of drugs. The board had hired retired Supreme Court chief justice TS Thakur for the legal opinion, the Economic Times reported. Last month, Ness Wadia, who is the non-executive director of Britannia Industries, had been sentenced to two-year prison term for possession of cannabis in Japan. Ness Wadia is the son of Nusli Wadia and the heir to the business empire, the Wadia Group. Bombay Dyeing, Bombay Burman Trading, Britannia Industries and budget airline GoAir all come under the Wadia empire. They also have shares in IPL team Kings XI Punjab. Also Read: Ness Wadia sentenced to 2-year jail term in Japan for possession of drugs: report "The matter is purely personal to Wadia and the company sought clarifications from Wadia," the biscuit maker said, adding that it does not involve itself with the personal litigation and affairs of its directors, employees and promoters. The company said it was informed that Ness Wadia was detained on March 3, 2019 at Chitose Airport, Sapporo, Japan for alleged possession of Cannabis under the Cannabis Control Act and the Customs Act of Japan. "On April 22, 2019, Wadia was given a suspended sentence of two years, which sentence is suspended for a period of five years," it said. Ness Wadia has since been available to the company and is performing his duties as per his role, it added. According to reports Wadia was found in possession of 25 gm of cannabis resin in March. He spent a period in detention before his indictment on March 20, and also spent an undisclosed period of detention before a court hearing. Shares of Britannia Industries were trading at Rs 2,843.20 apiece, up 1.35 per cent, against the previous close on the BSE. Edited by Chitranjan Kumar (Note: Print or Digital Use Allowed. Please credit Stateline, an initiative of the Pew Charitable Trusts. For downloadable graphics, please visit www.pewtrusts.org/stateline) By Christine Vestal May 21 (Stateline) - To stem the opioid epidemic, U.S. doctors cut prescriptions of medications such as OxyContin, Vicodin and Percocet by at least a quarter over the last five years. But the reduction in prescriptions came at a cost to some pain patients. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration last month warned prescribers that abruptly cutting off high-dose patients or tapering their doses too rapidly could cause withdrawal and even suicide. The new recommendations likely will prompt states to consider adjusting their opioid prescribing laws, said Karmen Hanson, a public health expert at the National Conference of State Legislatures. But since the CDC and FDA clarifications came near the end of legislative sessions for most states, no actions are anticipated this year, she said. More than half of states enacted laws restricting painkiller prescriptions after earlier federal guidance urged such limits, but the agencies say that advice may have been misinterpreted or taken too far. The FDA last month said it had received reports of patients taken off their pain medicines who were suffering serious withdrawal symptoms, uncontrolled pain, psychological distress and suicide. Likewise, the CDC which in 2016 recommended prescribing limits for opioid painkillers said it had received reports that some prescribers were too rigidly adhering to its dosage guidelines and had misapplied the limits to patients already on high doses of opioids. In its 2016 guidelines, the CDC urged doctors to use opioid painkillers sparingly, and instead opt for non-opioid medications and non-pharmacological solutions to pain, such as physical therapy. The agency recommended a one-week limit on the number of pills prescribed for first-time users suffering from acute pain and urged doctors to avoid increasing longer-term prescriptions for chronic pain to more than the equivalent of 90 mg of morphine a day. Story continues Last month, the agency said: This statement does not address or suggest discontinuation of opioids already prescribed at higher dosages, yet it has been used to justify abruptly stopping opioid prescriptions or coverage. The recommended limit of 90 mg equivalents is roughly equal to two tablets of 30 mg OxyContin or nine tablets of 10 mg Vicodin, a medication level that the agency says should be reserved for cancer patients, patients at the end of life, and others with intractable pain. The CDCs clarification came in response to a March letter from a group of more than 300 physicians known as Health Professionals for Patients in Pain who reported that the suggested daily dosage limits had been widely misapplied by doctors, insurers and pharmacists as well as by entire health care systems. The group, which includes three past U.S. drug czars, said patients have endured not only unnecessary suffering, but some have turned to suicide or illicit substance use, because of misapplied CDC guidelines. But they conceded that experiences for these patients are documented predominantly in anecdotal form. Dr. Patrice Harris, president-elect of the American Medical Association, said the CDCs warning about the guidelines underscores that patients with acute or chronic pain can benefit from taking prescription opioid analgesics at doses that may be greater than the guidelines. The misapplication of the CDC guidelines has been so broad, Harris said, that it will be hard to undo the damage. When the CDC guidelines were published in 2016, the American Medical Association and pain organizations backed by drugmakers complained that the recommendations could make it difficult for chronic pain sufferers to get the pills they need. Andrew Kolodny, who co-directs opioid research at Brandeis University and heads Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing, said the reports of pain patients suffering because of misapplication of the CDCs guidelines are exaggerated. The number of doctors who are inappropriately tapering pain patients is likely very small and should not be blamed on the CDC, he said. Kolodny said he sympathized with chronic pain patients. Their emotions are real. But theyre being effectively manipulated to controversialize the CDC guidelines. He said the CDCs April statement on high-dose opioid prescribing simply reiterated what it already said in 2016. Pain Refugees Representatives of Health Professionals for Patients in Pain praised both federal agencies for issuing clarifications. But they said more needs to be done to reduce prescribers concerns that they will run afoul of state and federal regulations if they treat chronic pain patients with the high doses of opioid painkillers that they say many patients need. Dr. Sally Satel, a psychiatrist and resident scholar at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, who helped organize the group, said that doses as high as 400 to 800 mg morphine equivalents are not unusual for some pain patients. Next year, Satel said, she expects her group and others will begin talking to state officials about laws that reflect the CDC guidelines. In most states, laws on opioid prescribing dont apply to chronic pain patients, she said, but they certainly reinforce this climate of intense anxiety over the dangers of prescription opioids, which I think has been wildly overstated. Most people can take these meds without problems. Satel and other advocates for opioid use in pain management have argued that under pressure from federal, state and health system policies, many doctors have refused to treat pain patients. This has resulted, they said, in an increasing number of what they call pain refugees who go from doctor to doctor searching for someone who will treat their chronic pain. Kolodny disagrees that the CDCs guidelines and state prescribing laws are putting too much pressure on prescribers. We have a very real problem in this country. But the CDC guidelines didnt cause it, he said. The problem is that millions of Americans have been put on round-the-clock opioids at very high doses and for reasons that doctors now realize were not appropriate. What the FDA needs to tell doctors is that because it is so excruciating to come off of opioids, they need to be very selective about who they put on them, he said. They need to talk to patients about how theyre going to land the plane before they take off in it. Rapid Decline In an article last month in the New England Journal of Medicine, the authors of the CDCs guidelines praised efforts by states, hospitals and medical organizations to develop policies that reduce opioid prescribing, addiction and overdoses. In 2017, the number of opioid prescriptions declined more than 25% from its peak in 2012 of 81 per 100 U.S. residents to an average of 59, according to the CDC. During the same period, the rate of high-dose opioid prescribing also declined. In 2012, 683 people per 100,000 in the United States were prescribed high doses of opioids. By 2016, when the CDC issued its guidelines, the rate of high-dose prescribing already had declined by about 4 per 100,000 each month. After the guidelines came out, the monthly decline doubled to 8 per 100,000, according to a recent study by University of Michigan researchers. Another study, by researchers at Harvard, found that first-time opioid prescribing dropped by more than half between 2012 and 2017, largely because many doctors stopped prescribing the painkillers. Prescribing rates vary widely among states and counties, with some counties having rates seven times the national average, according to the CDC. State Laws In 2016, Massachusetts became the first state to enact a law limiting first-time opioid prescriptions to seven days, in line with the CDCs recommendation. Since then, 25 states have enacted similar laws restricting opioid prescribing for acute pain. The strictest limits are in Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee, where initial prescribing is limited to three to four days. Minnesota also limits painkiller prescriptions to three to four days, but only for acute dental or eye pain, according to National Conference of State Legislatures. Seven other states New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, Washington state and Wisconsin have enacted statutes that authorize a state agency to set prescribing limits on opioids. Arizona and Nevada have laws limiting prescribed doses of opioids to the equivalent of 90 mg a day, as the CDC guidelines recommend. Maines limit is 100 mg morphine equivalents. Rhode Island limits prescriptions to 50 mg morphine equivalents, as does Tennessee, except for prescriptions of three days or less, which can be prescribed at 60 mg equivalents. Arizona, California, Florida, New Mexico, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia and Washington state have enacted laws requiring doctors to prescribe or offer to prescribe the overdose rescue drug naloxone to patients who are taking high doses of opioid painkillers. Coprescribing naloxone with high doses of opioid pain medications also was among the CDCs 2016 guidelines. https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2019/05/21/rapid-opioid-cutoff-is-risky-too-feds-warn Ashley Roberts on Good Morning Britain (ITV) Strictly Come Dancing star Ashley Roberts says she trusts her boyfriend Giovanni Pernice and isnt concerned about the shows infamous curse. Over the years, the BBC dancing programme has seen many of its professional dancers and celebrities end relationships and marriages. But the former Pussycat Doll, who confirmed her romance with Pernice with an Instagram post back in January, is confident they wont be affected by the shows tendency to split up couples. Read more: Strictly's Katya Jones: Drama around Seann Walsh kiss is like Brexit Giovanni Pernice with Ashley Roberts (ITV) Appearing on Good Morning Britain, Roberts told hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid that isnt worried about her boyfriend leaving her for a new dance partner. She said: "I feel like we have a real connection. Hes also very supportive and hes so excited Im doing Waitress [the musical]. He said, 'Im gonna be there on the 17th June for the first night'. Morgan then asked: "Are you worried about him with some hot woman he gets placed with? Whoever it may be?" She replied: "That's a good question but I do trust him," before changing the topic to professional dancer Pasha Kovalevs exit from the show. Ashley Roberts poses for photographers upon arrival at the Brit Awards in London, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP) Read more: Strictly star Kevin Clifton claims he's 'public enemy no. 1' because of Stacey Dooley romance Roberts and Pernice werent dancing partners during the last series, but they still ended up starting a romance that has continued beyond the show. She added: "We weren't partnered up, we ended up having a bit of a romance on the show but it ended up evolving into something much bigger. During an appearance on Lorraine, Pernice jumped to Roberts defence when he was asked about the backlash she received for having an unfair advantage in the competition, due to her dancing experience. Every single year people talk about experience, but its completely different, theyve never danced ballroom or Latin before, he said. By Susan Cornwell WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Justin Amash, the first Republican in the U.S. Congress to say openly that President Donald Trump has committed impeachable offenses, on Monday fired back at critics, including Trump. Standing behind his earlier remarks, Amash issued a string of tweets that challenged some of the most common arguments of those who defend Trump over Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe of Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election. The new Amash tweets followed his earlier remarks on Twitter on Saturday, when he said that the Mueller report on Russia showed that Trump, a fellow Republican, had obstructed justice. "President Trump has engaged in impeachable conduct," the Michigan conservative said then, drawing a broadside from Trump. In his usual caustic style, the president on Sunday tweeted that Amash was "a total lightweight" and "a loser." In addition, in a case of swift political retribution, Amash drew an election challenge from within his own party on Monday when Jim Lower, a Michigan state legislator who described himself as "pro-Trump," said he would challenge Amash in the 2020 Republican primary, the Detroit Free Press reported. Amash in his latest tweets said that people who say Trump could not have intended to illegally obstruct Mueller's investigation relied on several falsehoods, including a claim that there were no underlying crimes. "In fact, there were many crimes revealed by the investigation, some of which were charged, and some of which were not," Amash wrote on Twitter. Muellers investigation led to criminal charges against 34 people, including Trump's first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, who agreed to cooperate with the probe. Amash also said that bringing an obstruction of justice case did not, as some of Trump's backers have argued, require the prosecution of an underlying crime. Further, he said, "high crimes and misdemeanors," the U.S. Constitution's standard for removing a president from office, does not require corresponding statutory charges. "The context implies conduct that violates the public trust," Amash said. No U.S. president has ever been removed from office as a direct result of the U.S. Constitution's impeachment process. Democrats have debated for months whether to start proceedings to remove Trump from office, but no Republican in Congress, other than Amash, has called Trump's conduct impeachable. While Amash's remarks made calls in Congress for Trump's removal bipartisan, there were no signs late on Monday of other Republicans following his lead. A long-time Trump critic, Amash is part of the House Freedom Caucus, a conservative House of Representatives faction whose members normally defend Trump. Amash has also signaled he would consider running as a libertarian against Trump in 2020. Representative Mark Meadows, the leader of the Freedom Caucus, told reporters Monday that he and other members of the group do not agree with Amash's impeachment remarks, calling them "poorly informed" and a "faulty analysis." But, he said he still expected Amash to be re-elected again to Congress next year. Meadows said Amash's conclusion about impeachment was an outlier among Republicans. "This is not the crack or the floodgates opening up because of this one person," Meadows said. "In fact itll have no impact on any other Republican member in terms of their position in support of the president." Amash has been in Congress since 2011 and has faced only one serious primary challenge since then. He beat that opponent by nearly 15 points in 2014. Michigan voters helped put Trump in the White House in 2016 by a slim margin. Democrats gained ground in 2018's congressional and state elections, making the Midwestern state a key political battleground in 2020. (additional reporting by David Morgan); Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh and Bill Berkrot) KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) Sudan's ruling generals and the protesters who drove President Omar al-Bashir from power last month said Tuesday they remain divided over who will lead the country during its transition period despite progress in recent talks. The protesters, represented by the Forces for the Declaration of Freedom and Change, have insisted on "limited military representation" in a sovereign council, while the military wants to lead the body during an agreed-upon three-year transition. The military council said in a statement Tuesday that the two sides are split over the makeup of the council and who should lead it. Both sides said early Tuesday that they intend to continue the talks, without setting a date. The U.S., Britain and Norway meanwhile issued a statement urging a transition to civilian rule. "Any outcome that does not result in the formation of a government that is civilian-led, placing primary authority for governing with civilians. will make it harder for our countries to work with the new authorities and support Sudan's economic development," it said. The two sides have held several rounds of talks since the military overthrew al-Bashir on April 11, ending his 30-year reign after four months of mass protests and sit-ins, which are still underway. The protesters have threatened a general strike, accusing the generals of dragging their feet on handing over power. The military has warned against any further "chaos." Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo , deputy head of the council, on Monday told his paramilitary Rapid Support Forces to be vigilant and ready to preserve security. "There are parties that are plotting to create chaos," he said. The protesters are still holding a mass sit-in outside the military headquarters in the capital, Khartoum, that was set up days before al-Bashir was overthrown. They have vowed to remain there until the military hands over power to civilians. Story continues Also on Tuesday, Sudan's prosecutor's office said in a statement that guards for former intelligence chief Lt. Gen. Salah Abdallah Gosh obstructed his detention the previous day for questioning about alleged financial wrongdoing. Prosecutors have been investigating a bank account with 46 billion Sudanese pounds (more than $1 billion) accessible only by Gosh. Protesters have accused Gosh of involvement in killing demonstrators during the uprising. Once a member of the president's inner circle, Gosh was sacked as an adviser in April 2011 for criticizing the government. He was arrested the following year on suspicion of involvement in a coup attempt, but was later pardoned by al-Bashir, who appointed him intelligence chief in February 2018. Al-Bashir is being held in a jail in Khartoum, and local prosecutors have charged him with involvement in killing protesters and incitement to kill protesters during the uprising. The military has said it will not extradite him to The Hague, where the International Criminal Court has charged him with war crimes and genocide linked to the Darfur conflict in the 2000s. _______________ Magdy reported from Cairo. By Nadine Awadalla KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sudan's main protest group called on Tuesday for a general strike, saying two late-night negotiation sessions with the military had failed to reach a deal on how to lead the country after the overthrow of former president Omar al-Bashir. An alliance of protest and opposition organisations is demanding civilians head a new Sovereign Council meant to oversee a three-year transition towards democracy. But the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) protest group said the army was still insisting on directing the transition and keeping a military majority on the council. "Civilian power means that the structure is fully civilian with a civilian majority in all its parts," the SPA said in a statement. It said members should mobilise for a strike, without giving a date. The impasse has hit hopes of a quick recovery from the political turmoil that ended Bashir's three-decade rule on April 11. Britain, the United States and Norway, who are working together on Sudan, urged all parties to quickly end the uncertainty and build consensus, warning against any outcome without a civilian-led government. "This will complicate international engagement, and make it harder for our countries to work with the new authorities and support Sudans economic development," they said in a statement. Bashir, the former Islamist general under whose rule Sudan was placed on a U.S. list of sponsors of terrorism, was ousted by the army after months of protests against soaring prices, cash shortages and other economic hardships. The army set up a Transitional Military Council (TMC) to rule the country and promised to hand over after elections. PROTEST PRESSURE But, wary of the example of neighbouring Egypt where the head of the army eventually became president after the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak, Sudanese protesters have sought guarantees of civilian control. Protesters have also been pushing for justice over the deaths of dozens of demonstrators since December and for a crackdown on corruption. Story continues Bashir and some of his aides have been arrested, though on Tuesday guards blocked the arrest of Salah Abdallah Mohamed Saleh, known as Salah Gosh, the former intelligence chief. Mohamed Ibrahim El Tayeb, a 60-year-old pharmacist in Khartoum, said people were determined to learn from Sudan's own history, when previous uprisings were "stolen" by the military. A delay to negotiations would allow allies of the former Bashir government to regroup, so strikes and other protests were necessary, he said. "This card of civil disobedience is one of our cards to ensure our revolution reaches a successful end." There have been sporadic work stoppages and some bankers and telecoms employees took to the streets on Tuesday in Khartoum calling for civilian rule. Many medical staff have been on strike since Dec. 19 when protests began against Bashir, who is sought by international prosecutors for alleged war crimes in the western Darfur region. The army acknowledged early on Tuesday that the make-up of the sovereign council remained the main point of contention, but did not go into details on its position. "Aware of our historical responsibility, we will work toward reaching an urgent agreement ... that meets the aspirations of the Sudanese people and the goals of the glorious December revolution," said a statement signed by the TMC. It gave no date for when talks would resume. (Additional reporting by Nafisa Eltahir; Writing by Aidan Lewis; Editing by Andrew Heavens, William Maclean) Khartoum (AFP) - Sudanese protest leaders called on their supporters Tuesday to prepare for a general strike after talks with the country's military rulers stalled on who will lead an agreed three-year transition. Protest leaders had reached agreement with the ruling military council on the other main aspects of the transition. But early on Tuesday, the generals who overthrew veteran president Omar al-Bashir last month baulked at protesters' demands for a civilian head and a civilian majority for an agreed new sovereign council to lead the transition. "In order to achieve a full victory, we are calling for a huge participation in a general political strike," said the Sudanese Professionals Association, which took the lead in organising the four months of nationwide protests that led to Bashir's ouster. "The strike is our revolutionary duty and the participation in the sit-in ... is a crucial guarantee to achieve the goals of the revolution." Protest leader Madani Abbas Madani told AFP the preparations for a "general political strike and civil disobedience" were already under way. "Whenever we will decide on applying these plans, we will make an announcement," said Madani, a prominent leader of protest umbrella group the Alliance for Freedom and Change. The two sides launched what had been billed as a final round of talks on the transition late on Sunday. The military council has faced pressure from Western government and the African Union to agree to a civilian-led transition -- the central demand of the thousands of demonstrators who have spent weeks camped outside army headquarters in Khartoum. When talks broke up early on Tuesday, neither side said when they would resume. Protest leader Siddiq Yousef told reporters they had been suspended. "The main point of dispute that remains is concerning the share of representatives of the military and the civilians in the council and who will be the head of the new body," the two sides said in a joint statement. The military council has been pushing for its chairman General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to head the new sovereign council but protest leaders want a civilian. By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY, May 21 (Reuters) - Reports of suspicious financial activity in the Vatican reached a six-year low in 2018, an internal watchdog report showed on Tuesday, continuing a trend officials said showed reforms were fully embedded. The annual report by the Vatican's Financial Information Authority (AIF) also showed that Vatican's cooperation with international financial regulators to fight fraud and money laundering had increased nearly six-fold in the same period. "I think it's fair to say that a fully functioning system has been implemented and achieved," Rene Bruelhart, a Swiss lawyer and anti-money laundering expert who has headed the AIF since 2014, told a news conference. The report showed that 56 Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) were filed with the authority in 2018, down from a peak of 544 in 2015. Eleven were passed on to the Vatican's investigating magistrate. They involved suspicion of international fraud, fiscal fraud or market abuse. The trial of a former head of the Vatican bank and an Italian lawyer on charges of money laundering and embezzlement began last year and is still in progress. For decades before reforms were implemented, the bank, officially known as the Institute for Works of Religion (IOR), was embroiled in numerous financial scandals as Italians with no right to have accounts opened them with the complicity of corrupt insiders. Pope Francis, who has made cleaning up Vatican finances a priority and given Bruelhart wide powers, considered closing the IOR when he was elected in 2013. Hundreds of accounts have been closed at the IOR, whose stated purpose is to manage funds for the Church, Vatican employees, religious institutes, or Catholic charities. Asked about resistance to change, Bruelhart, in an apparent reference to the pope's backing, said: "The support on the political level from superiors has been tremendous, otherwise it would not have been possible to bring these reforms forward in such a short period of time, especially from a Vatican perspective." Story continues The AIF carried out an on-site inspection of IOR in 2018 to see it was complying with anti-money laundering legislation and the outcome was "substantially positive," the report said. In 2017, Italy put the Vatican on its "white list" of states with cooperative financial institutions, ending years of mistrust. The same year, Moneyval, a monitoring body of the Council of Europe, gave Vatican reforms a mostly positive evaluation. Not everything is rosy in the Vatican's financial departments, however. Its economy minister, Cardinal George Pell, was found guilty of sexual abuse of minors in his native Australia in February and the post is vacant. Pell denies all wrongdoing. (Reporting by Philip Pullella, editing by Ed Osmond) By Stephanie Nebehay GENEVA, May 21 (Reuters) - At least 380 civilians have been arrested in Syria's south and 11 civilians serving on local councils and former fighters have been killed or attacked there since the government retook the area, the United Nations said on Tuesday. The U.N. human rights office said the incidents took place in the province of Deraa, where peaceful protests against 40 years of autocratic Assad family rule began in 2011 and were met by deadly force before spreading across the country. The report by the U.N. rights office said that the 11 cases included fatal drive-by shootings and attempted murders, but it was not in a position to identify any perpetrators as it has no presence in Syria, which has been gripped by war since 2011. The report said that the incidents, which it described as "most likely reprisals committed by parties to the conflict," had taken place despite attempts at reconciliation between former combatants. Syrian authorities could not immediately be reached for comment. The Syrian army, aided by Russian airpower and Iranian militias, retook control of Deraa city from rebel forces in July on its way to regaining control of the bulk of Syrian territory. But residents of the city say disaffection has been growing as President Bashar Assad's secret police once more tighten their control and a campaign of arrests has sowed widespread fear. The rights office had received reports that from July 26, 2018 to March 13, 2019, former members of armed groups and civilians who joined government bodies in the province including civilian local councils were victims of what appear to have been "targeted killings," spokeswoman Marta Hurtado told a news briefing. Although participation in the councils is required under reconciliation agreements, "clearly they (the assailants) are targeting former opposition members or perceived opposition members," Hurtado said. At least 380 people were arrested or detained in the period, including three who had recently returned after fleeing the war, she said. The reasons were unclear, and little or no information is given to the families, Hurtado said, adding that some arrests were said to be linked to suspicion of "terrorism." Story continues About 150 were released after a few days, but at least 230 have disappeared into custody, she said. "In some cases we know that they have been detained to extract information, either what happened in the past or how the opposition is currently acting, but in general the bottom line is that they don't inform why these detentions are taking place," Hurtado said. The arrests have also alarmed activists, who said they had targeted former armed and political opposition leaders, media activists, aid workers, defectors, and family members. "Active combat has ended in much of Syria, but nothing has changed in the way intelligence branches trample rights of perceived opponents of Assads rule," Lama Fakih, acting Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement. "Lack of due process, arbitrary arrests, and harassment, even in so-called reconciled areas, speak louder than empty government promises of return, reform, and reconciliation." (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay, Editing by William Maclean) The Finance Ministry has asked Airport Authority of India to issue shares in lieu of the Rs 656 crore capital it has received from the government, sources said. AAI, a 100 per cent government owned statutory corporation, was constituted by an Act of Parliament and came into being on April 1, 1995, by merging erstwhile National Airports Authority and International Airports Authority of India. The fact that AAI did not issue equity to the government in lieu of fund infusion by the government, last year during discussions in the Finance Ministry over share buy back by profit making public sector enterprises. Following that, discussions were held among the officials of Ministry of Finance, Corporate Affairs and Civil Aviation for corporatisation of AAI and legal opinion was obtained on share issuance corresponding to the capital infusion. ALSO READ:Hinduja Group set to bid for Jet Airways this week "The Finance Ministry has written to AAI for issuing shares in lieu of the paid-up capital of Rs 656.56 crore infused by the Government," the sources told PTI. With the issuance of equity capital, AAI will become a company under the Companies Act and can go in for divestment of equity, share buyback or listing on bourses. Sources said the issue of corporatisation of AAI will be taken up by the new government, which is scheduled to assume office later in the month. ALSO READ:Jet Airways crisis: IndiGo, SpiceJet, Vistara, GoAir squabble over airline's international slots In last fiscal, AAI had transferred the entire profit after tax (PAT) for 2017-18 fiscal of Rs 2,800 crore to the government as dividend. Earlier, it used to transfer only 30 per cent of PAT as dividend to the government. Capital restructuring policy of the Finance Ministry requires public sector enterprises to pay maximum dividend to the government. Hence last fiscal, AAI was asked to transfer its entire profit of 2017-18 to the exchequer as dividend. AAI, as per its website, is responsible for creating, upgrading, maintaining and managing civil aviation infrastructure both on the ground and air space in the country. It manages 125 airports, which include 18 international airport, 7 customs airports, 78 domestic airports and 26 civil enclaves at Defense airfields. By Stephanie Nebehay GENEVA (Reuters) - At least 380 civilians have been arrested in Syria's south and 11 civilians serving on local councils and former fighters have been killed or attacked there since the government retook the area, the United Nations said on Tuesday. The U.N. human rights office said the incidents took place in the province of Deraa, where peaceful protests against 40 years of autocratic Assad family rule began in 2011 and were met by deadly force before spreading across the country. The report by the U.N. rights office said that the 11 cases included fatal drive-by shootings and attempted murders, but it was not in a position to identify any perpetrators as it has no presence in Syria, which has been gripped by war since 2011. The report said that the incidents, which it described as "most likely reprisals committed by parties to the conflict", had taken place despite attempts at reconciliation between former combatants. Syrian authorities could not immediately be reached for comment. The Syrian army, aided by Russian airpower and Iranian militias, retook control of Deraa city from rebel forces in July on its way to regaining control of the bulk of Syrian territory. But residents of the city say disaffection has been growing as President Bashar Assad's secret police once more tighten their control and a campaign of arrests has sowed widespread fear. The rights office had received reports that from July 26, 2018 to March 13, 2019, former members of armed groups and civilians who joined government bodies in the province including civilian local councils were victims of what appear to have been "targeted killings," spokeswoman Marta Hurtado told a news briefing. Although participation in the councils is required under reconciliation agreements, "clearly they (the assailants) are targeting former opposition members or perceived opposition members," Hurtado said. At least 380 people were arrested or detained in the period, including three who had recently returned after fleeing the war, she said. The reasons were unclear, and little or no information is given to the families, Hurtado said, adding that some arrests were said to be linked to suspicion of "terrorism". About 150 were released after a few days, but at least 230 have disappeared into custody, she said. "In some cases we know that they have been detained to extract information, either what happened in the past or how the opposition is currently acting, but in general the bottom line is that they don't inform why these detentions are taking place," Hurtado said. The arrests have also alarmed activists, who said they had targeted former armed and political opposition leaders, media activists, aid workers, defectors, and family members. "Active combat has ended in much of Syria, but nothing has changed in the way intelligence branches trample rights of perceived opponents of Assads rule," Lama Fakih, acting Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement. "Lack of due process, arbitrary arrests, and harassment, even in so-called reconciled areas, speak louder than empty government promises of return, reform, and reconciliation." (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay, Editing by William Maclean) By Annie Banerji NEW DELHI, May 21 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - The Taj Mahal, built as a monument to a woman who died in childbirth, is set to get a baby feeding room in a first for India where conservative attitudes toward public breastfeeding mean nursing mothers are often shamed and told to cover up. Vasant Kumar Swarnkar, a top official at the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) in Agra city - home to the Taj Mahal - said the baby feeding room would be set up by July to help the "millions of mothers who visit with their babies." A regular visitor to the 17th century monument to eternal love, Swarnkar said he got the idea last week when he spotted a mother hiding under a staircase and struggling to breastfeed her baby despite her husband providing extra cover. "I could see it was so difficult for her (to feed her child) which is a basic motherhood right. So I thought we have to do something," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Public breastfeeding still carries a social stigma in India where mothers are expected to be covered head-to-toe. Last year, mothers in the eastern city of Kolkata protested outside a mall where employees told a woman to nurse her baby in a toilet and mocked her complaint. The Taj Mahal attracts up to 8 million visitors annually. Swarnkar said he has ordered two other historical monuments in Agra to set up similar feeding rooms. The ASI said this was the first time it was providing such a facility at any of India's 3,600 plus monuments. "My hope is that more and more monuments - not only in India but around the world - replicate this (plan) so that women can feed their babies comfortably," said Swarnkar. In 2017, the director of London's Victoria and Albert museum apologized to a mother, who was asked to cover up while breastfeeding her baby. Two years earlier, another was expelled from Spain's Corral del Carbon monument for nursing her baby. (Reporting by Annie Banerji @anniebanerji, Editing by Belinda Goldsmith; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters that covers humanitarian issues, conflicts, land and property rights, modern slavery and human trafficking, gender equality, climate change and resilience. Visit http://news.trust.org to see more stories) New York (AFP) - A quarter-century after nabbing the coveted Palme d'Or at Cannes for "Pulp Fiction," Quentin Tarantino is back at the world's top film festival on Tuesday to show his all-star new picture "Once Upon A Time in Hollywood." The mastermind behind hits including "Reservoir Dogs" and the "Kill Bill" series, Tarantino, 56, is in Cannes to premiere his ninth movie, one of the festival's most hotly-anticipated screenings. It's a remarkable trajectory for the self-taught American director born in the southern state of Tennessee and raised in the suburbs of Los Angeles, a high school dropout who developed an encyclopedic knowledge of movies while working in a video store. "People ask me if I went to film school," he told Rolling Stone magazine in 1994, the year "Pulp Fiction" changed the course of independent film. "And I tell them, 'No, I went to films.'" After his debut as a screenwriter, Tarantino's name exploded onto the scene with his first feature film "Reservoir Dogs," an extraordinarily violent, low-budget gangster movie that quickly became a cult smash. Its popularity helped him forge his own image as a filmmaker, a blend of arrogance and reverence for the greats of the craft including Jean-Luc Godard, John Woo and Sergio Corbucci. An unabashed "cinema nerd", Tarantino is today seen as a master of genre films who has inspired generations of directors after him. - Omnipresent violence - "Reservoir Dogs," a film about the aftermath of a jewelry heist gone wrong, contains all the traits for which Tarantino has become famous: non-linear story structure, snappy dialogue, graphic violence and plentiful pop-culture references. A stomach-churning scene where a sadistic gangster played by Michael Madsen cuts off the ear of a police officer has made its way into Hollywood folklore. "I'm a big fan of violence in cinema," Tarantino told Britain's Daily Telegraph. Story continues "I believe Thomas Edison invented the camera to film people beating the shit out of each other. It really affects the audience in a big way, but at the same time you know it's just a movie." It's not something he condones in real life, however: "To say that I get a big kick out of violence in movies and can enjoy violence in movies but find it totally abhorrent in real life -- I can feel totally justified and totally comfortable with that statement," he told Britain's Observer in 1994. Tarantino followed "Reservoir Dogs" with "Pulp Fiction," a mesmerizing ensemble piece that skilfully weaved together multiple Los Angeles underworld characters. The film was nominated for seven Oscars including Best Picture and landed Tarantino a Best Original Screenplay Academy Award while actors John Travolta, Uma Thurman and Samuel L. Jackson all received nominations. - Schlock series - Tarantino returned in 1997 with "Jackie Brown," his well-received adaptation of Elmore Leonard's novel "Rum Punch," before taking a prolonged sabbatical as he worked on his martial arts epics "Kill Bill: Volume 1" and "Kill Bill Volume 2" starring Thurman. In typical Tarantino fashion, the films blurred multiple genres, with influences ranging from spaghetti Westerns to blaxploitation and Asian martial arts movies. Tarantino's next film, 2007's "Death Proof", paid homage to the low-budget, high-bodycount B movies that were a staple of drive-in cinemas and seedy theaters throughout the US in the 1960s and 1970s. He then took a turn with period films, releasing "Inglourious Basterds" -- the story of a Jewish assassination squad parachuted into Nazi-occupied France with the purpose of sowing terror amongst German troops -- and "Django Unchained," set in the American South during the Civil War. His most recent film "The Hateful Eight" saw him dive into a western, a genre that had already influenced a number of his films. Tarantino has vowed several times he will retire after 10 films, meaning that he'll have only one to go after "Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood" starring powerhouse duo Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio. His intention is to leave behind a coherent filmography, in the style of his illustrious role models. "At the end of a director's career you don't look at just one movie -- you look at all of them," Tarantino said. (Refiles to fix slug keyword used by media subscribers) By Ranga Sirilal COLOMBO, May 21 (Reuters) - Weeping Sri Lankan Catholics lit candles and prayed in a memorial service outside a bombed church on Tuesday, one month after Easter bombings by Islamist militants killed more than 250 people. The April 21 attacks, claimed by militant group Islamic State, targeted three churches and three luxury hotels, shocking the island and shattering a decade of relative peace after the end of a 25-year civil war. Hundreds of worshippers, including survivors and relatives of the victims, gathered outside St. Anthony's Shrine, a Catholic church in the capital, Colombo, for the ceremony. "I did not want to come here," said Gloria, one of those attending, as she wiped away tears. "But we came to remember our daddy who left us," added the 17-year-old, who was accompanied by her mother and 14-year-old sister, Sophia. Gloria, who declined to give her surname, said she lost consciousness during the attack, and opened her eyes to see her sister crawling towards her and her father bleeding. The navy is repairing the white-painted church, which is covered in scaffolding, and police with sniffer dogs patrolled the area. Some Christian schools also re-opened on Tuesday amid tight security. The city's archbishop had complained about insufficient security around churches, and many parents have kept their children at home for fears of renewed attacks. Authorities say the threat of more Islamist militant attacks has been contained and that security services have dismantled most of the network linked to the Easter Sunday bombings. (Writing by Shihar Aneez; Editing by Alexandra Ulmer and Clarence Fernandez) One of the three teens who pleaded guilty for his role in the death of a Utah police officer in 2016 is now serving time in state prison. 16-year-old Lawrence Boggs was 14 at the time of Officer Cody Brotherson's death. He was in the stolen car that was trying to evade officers when it hit and killed Brotherson. MILAN (Reuters) - Telecom Italia (TIM) should seek a way to keep control of its fixed-line network if it is merged with smaller infrastructure provider Open Fiber, the former phone monopoly's chief executive said on Tuesday. Italy has been pushing for the creation of a single ultrafast broadband operator through a merger of TIM's network with Open Fiber to avoid duplicating investments. The future of TIM's network has been a bone of contention among the group's biggest investors. Activist fund Elliott, which last year wrestled control of TIM's board from French media giant Vivendi, has called for a spin-off of the company's fixed-line network while looking to keep between 25% and 75% of the asset. Vivendi, which controls a 23.9% stake and could block any deal, opposes losing control of the network. Open Fiber is co-owned by Italy's biggest utility Enel and state lender CDP, which recently built a stake of almost 10% in TIM to become its second-largest shareholder. TIM, Italy's biggest phone group, is exploring the options as part of a three-year strategic plan unveiled by CEO Luigi Gubitosi earlier this year. Maintaining some sort of control would be the "best solution", Gubitosi said in a conference call with analysts on Tuesday. "There are different ways of keeping control," he said without elaborating but added that issues including valuations still needed to be discussed with shareholders and the board. A merger of Telecom Italia's copper and fiber network with wholesale-only broadband group Open Fiber could raise antitrust concerns, but Gubitosi said regulatory hurdles could be fixed. "We don't think there's anything that could not be solved", he told analysts. A complete assessment of folding Open Fiber into Telecom Italia would be wrapped up next month and would be examined by two company board meetings scheduled on June 27 and August 1, the CEO said. Shares in Telecom Italia rose more than 4% on Tuesday as the company reported adjusted net debt of 25.1 billion euros ($28 billion) at the end of March, down 1.8% year on year. Core earnings fell 2.1% to 1.83 billion euros after a 9.9% drop in the previous quarter. That compared with a consensus forecast of 1.794 billion euros. "Results are broadly in line to slightly ahead; net debt progress is encouraging," Berenberg said in a note. (Reporting by Elvira Pollina and Stephen Jewkes; Editing by David Goodman) Morgan Stanley cut its worst-case forecast on Teslas stock from $97 to just $10 on Tuesday, citing concerns about the companys increased debt load and geopolitical exposure. In particular, Morgan Stanley analysts said the reduction was driven by concerns around Chinese demand for Tesla products. The $10 per share mark is an extreme example and well below the companys current trade level, which is over $200 per share in mid-morning trading Tuesday. It does, however, show increasing concerns among investors. Yahoo Finance's Dan Roberts, Melody Hahm and Akiko Fujita discuss on YFi AM. A day after the Lok Sabha polls concluded, parties have retraced to their headquarters to strategise for the coming few days. To begin with, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi urged her fellow workers not to believe in the exit polls. "Exit polls are being shown to discourage you. Do not believe them. Remain alert in the strong rooms and counting rooms. I am positive that our hard work will reap fruits," said Priyanka Gandhi. While all the Opposition parties have put up a brave face, with many leaders saying that they do not believe in exit polls, the poll prediction shows a landslide victory for the ruling BJP-led NDA alliance. Additionally, the Opposition leaders have set in motion the process of initiating alliance talks. Stakes are high and it is only a matter to a day before the new government is formed. Follow Lok Sabha Election 2019 LIVE updates on the BusinessToday.In blog here: 5.35 PM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at BJP headquarters for the meeting of Union Council of Minsters. Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at BJP headquarters for the meeting of Union Council of Minsters. pic.twitter.com/PJDrZb3feT ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 4.47 PM: Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Maneka Gandhi & VK Singh arrive at the BJP Office for meeting of Union Council of Ministers to be held at 5 pm. Delhi: Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Maneka Gandhi & VK Singh arrive at the BJP Office for meeting of Union Council of Ministers to be held at 5 pm. pic.twitter.com/DPCdGVE8Zg ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 4.19 PM: As many as 22 Opposition parties have submitted a memorandum before the EC, requesting the verification of VVPAT slips of randomly identified (05) polling stations should be done prior to the initiation of counting of votes and not after the completion of last round of counting. 4.00 PM: The SC has dismissed a PIL seeking 100 per cent matching of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during the counting of votes on May 23 for Lok Sabha polls. A vacation bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra refused to entertain the plea filed by a Chennai-based organisation 'Tech 4 All', saying that a larger bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi had already dealt with the matter and passed an order.-- PTI 3.55 PM: "The provisions and protocols have been explained to the political parties on multiple occasions including in several of the 93 meetings held with them at the Commission since announcement of elections," says the EC. 3.34 PM: The Election Commission says complaints of alleged movement of EVMs, purportedly to replace polled EVMs in strongrooms, doing rounds in sections of media. "Would like to unambiguously clarify that reports are absolutely false. Visuals seen viral on media do not pertain to any EVMs used during the polls." 3.17pm: Former President Pranab Mukherjee speaks out on contentions raised against EVMs. "The onus of ensuring institutional integrity in this case lies with the Election Commission of India. They must do so and put all speculations to rest," Mukherjee said in his statement. Former President Pranab Mukherjee issues statement, says ' Onus on ensuring institutional integrity in this case(security of EVMs) lies with the Election Commission, they must do so and put all speculations to rest' pic.twitter.com/2xFIhok7pN ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 3.10 PM: Leaders from over 19 parties are present in the meeting held by Opposition leaders. These parties include Congress, SP, BSP, TDP, TMC, RJD, JDS, CPI, CPIM, NCP and DMK. 3.02pm: Opposition leaders arrive at Election Commission to meet offcials over EVMs. They will raise their demand of tallying VVPAT slips with EVM figures in an entire Assembly constituency if a discrepancy is found in any polling booth. Opposition leaders will be pressing their demand of tallying VVPAT slips with EVM figures in an entire Assembly constituency in case a discrepancy is found in any polling booth. https://t.co/8NjY5qdWwY ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 2.52 PM: Kamal Nath on political situation in Madhya Pradesh: "I have complete trust on the MLAs of Congress party. At least 10 MLAs have told me now that they are getting phone calls where they are being offered money & posts." (ANI) 2.28 PM: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar: "We've always maintained Art.370 shouldn't be scrapped, Uniform Civil Code shouldn't be imposed, Ayodhya dispute should be resolved through mutual agreement/court's intervention." Bihar CM Nitish Kumar: BJP's stand is not new. A party has its own stand but when there is an alliance, all of this is discussed. So there is no problem there. https://t.co/jLhTeKukPD ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 2.10 PM: A meeting of opposition leaders is underway at the Constitution Club of India. Delhi: A meeting of opposition leaders is underway at the Constitution Club of India. pic.twitter.com/0AB86GJ2zB ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 1:41pm: "There's no contradiction. We've always maintained Article 370 shouldn't be scrapped, Uniform Civil Code shouldn't be imposed, Ayodhya dispute should be resolved through mutual agreement/court's intervention. We've maintained this since we first forged an alliance with BJP. BJP's stand is not new. A party has its own stand but when there is an alliance, all of this is discussed. So there is no problem there," said Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. 1:35pm: Mumbai Congress President Milind Deora writes to Chief Electoral Officer, Maharashtra requesting "increase of vigilance, security etc at counting centers, so that EVM machines should not get tampered in any manner whatsoever" 1:20pm: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said, "Questions on EVM is bogus. After introduction of EVMs, elections have become transparent. It's a technology which has been questioned multiple times&have been answered by EC...Faction which begins losing says there were discrepancies in elections. It's not new." 1:16pm: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee chief Dinesh Gundu Rao on Roshan Baig: It's unbecoming of a politician of his stature to be speaking like this, it ranks of pure political opportunism. We will take required action when the time is right. 1:10pm: Congress Party has said that movement of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) during the night is raising suspicion among people and asked the EC take corrective measures to maintain sanctity of the electoral process. Party spokesperson Rajiv Shukla said that similar complaints have been made by party leaders from across the country. A delegation of opposition parties will meet EC officials later today to apprise it about their concerns over EVMs. Addressing media at Party headquarters, Congress spokesperson Rajiv Shukla said, "We have received complaints about suspicious movement of EVMs in Gazipur, Jhansi, Dumariyaganj, Saran, Chamoli, Fatehabad and Punjab as well. These are genuine complaints which the election commission should look into to maintain sanctity of the entire electoral process otherwise people will lose faith." He said that a delegation of opposition party leaders will meet EC official to apprise them about EVM security concerns and VVPAT. He also said that the EC has not clarified as to what procedure will be followed if the EVM and VVPAT mismatch is reported. "This is the reason we are demanding at least 50% tally of VVPAT, let it take two days, what's the harm, earlier also counting process used to take two-three days but at least people will not have any doubt," said Rajiv Shukla. 12:55pm: Sweet shop workers prepare sweets in Borivali, Mumbai wearing Modi masks. Sweet shop workers prepare sweets in Borivali, Mumbai ahead of #LokSabhaElections2019 results on 23rd May. Shop owner says,"We've received an order of 1500-2000 kg sweets from BJP's Gopal Shetty (Mumbai North LS candidate). Workers are excited, so they're wearing Modi ji's masks" pic.twitter.com/mJd2yrfVHK ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 12:49pm: Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President KS Azhagiri and other party leaders pay tribute to former PM Rajiv Gandhi. Tamil Nadu: Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President KS Azhagiri and other party leaders pay tribute to former PM #RajivGandhi at his memorial in Sriperumbudur, on his death anniversary today. pic.twitter.com/r7xcXSU2KY ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 12:47pm: Visuals from the Pradesh Congress Committee meeting of the party candidates underway in Bhopal. Madhya Pradesh: Visuals from the Pradesh Congress Committee meeting of the party candidates, underway in Bhopal. pic.twitter.com/Q6DX5WJ4zS ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 12:40pm: The AIADMK on Tuesday instructed its counting agents to remain vigilant over archrival DMK's "dishonest practices" during the counting of votes polled in the Lok Sabha elections and Assembly by-polls, and asked them to ensure all standard procedures were followed. AIADMK Coordinator O Panneerselvam and Joint Coordinator K Palaniswami said in a statement that agents must follow a slew of steps, including reaching the counting centres as early as 6 am on May 23. Palaniswami is Tamil Nadu Chief Minister while Panneerselvam is his deputy. "The entire country knows that DMK members are experts in resorting to dishonest practices as well as violence. Many instances can be mentioned (to prove this). Thererfore, (the AIADMK counting agents) shold remain vigilant to see if the DMK members commit any fraud and (if so) seek reddressal by taking that up with higher officials," they said. (PTI) 12:35pm: "I feel the gathbandhan will get more than 60 seats in UP. BJP will be wiped off across the country. Exit polls will prove to be completely false, like it had happened before. Opposition will form a strong govt at the centre," said AAP leader Sanjay Singh. 12:30pm: AAP leader Sanjay Singh after meeting SP chief Akhilesh Yadav: Results will be declared after 2 days. We met to discuss the strategy to be followed after that. The first priority is to stop BJP, pair of Narendra Modi-Amit Shah and communal forces. This was also a courtesy call. 12:22pm: "No seats were given to Christians and only one seat was given to Muslims in Karnataka, they were ignored. I'm upset with this, we have been used," said Roshan Baig. 12:21pm: Roshan Baig, Congress when asked if Siddaramaiah is responsible for the collapse of the govt: "KC Venugopal is a buffoon. I feel sorry for my leader Rahul Gandhi ji. Buffoons like Venugopal, the arrogant attitude of Siddaramaiah and the flop show of Gundu Rao...The result is this." 12:18pm: Roshan Baig, Congress when asked if Congress should've thought before giving portfolios in state: "Portfolios were sold. How can I blame Kumaraswamy for it? He wasn't allowed to function. From day one Siddaramaiah said 'I'm going to be CM'. You've gone to their doorstep to form govt!" 12:15pm: The Shiv Sena on Tuesday expressed confidence that a government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be re-elected for a second term as the exit polls show a "clear trend" in the BJP-led NDA's favour. At the same time, it also praised Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and his sister and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for their "hard work", saying their party will get enough seats to bag the leader of opposition's post in the new Lok Sabha. "There was no need for political pundits to say the Modi government will be re-elected. The ground situation was such that people were leading the poll campaign and had made up their mind to vote Modi back to power," the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'. (PTI) 12:07pm: Deva Gowda, Former PM said, "They have done their duty. Same exit polls in 2004 got the predictions wrong. I don't want to dispute exit polls. I don't know what will happen tomorrow. They are free to come up with their predictions." 12:04pm: "Exit polls are entertainment polls. The real results will be out on May 23 and the reality of exit polls will be out," said Kamal Nath. 12:02pm: The voter turnout for the Lok Sabha Elections 2019 was the highest ever with 67.11%. The percentage is 1.16% higher than the turnout in 2014. 12:00pm: Supreme Court dismisses a plea challenging the appointment of two retired bureaucrats as special observer and central police observer in West Bengal for the Lok Sabha polls. Court observed that elections are over and the petitioner may approach the Kolkata High Court. 11:40am: Five BJP workers were injured last night in West Bengal after they were attacked allegedly by TMC workers in Sitai, Cooch Behar. More details awaited. 11:30am: Coming down heavily on the petitioner, Justice Mishra, while dismissing the petition, said, "Won't entertain such kind of plea over&over again. We can't come in the way of people electing their representatives." The Justice also termed the move of the petitioner, a "nuisance" PIL: ANI. 11:15am: How will the stars fare? Will Urmila Matondkar and Gautam Gambhir debut with a bang? Will Hema Malini hold on to her seat? Here's a look: 10:59am: Supreme Court dismisses the petition filed by a group of technocrats seeking a direction that the number of machines subject to verification of VVPATs to be increased to 100%. A vacation bench of the Apex Court did not find any merit in the petition filed by the technocrats: ANI. 10:55am: EC: In all cases, polled EVMs and VVPATs were sealed properly in front of parties' candidates and videographed. CCTV cameras installed. CAPF security there. Candidates are allowed to have watch on strong room at a time and one representatives of each candidates for 24X7. Allegations baseless. 10:48am: EC on EVM issue: 3. Domariaganj - EVMs were under proper security and protocol. Agitation was unnecessary. They were convinced by DM and SP. The matter is resolved. 4. Jhansi - EVMs are under proper security and protocol in presence of political parties candidates. No issue. 10:45am: Election Commission on EVM issue: 1. Ghazipur - There was issue regarding "watch on polled EVM strong room by the candidates" which was resolved by conveying the EC instructions. 2. Chandauli - frivolous allegation by some people, EVMs were in proper security and protocol. 10:42am: CBI files an affidavit in Supreme Court against Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav in connection with a disproportionate assets case. The CBI, in the affidavit, gave clean chit to Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav in the disproportionate assets case registered against them. CBI further said that it did not find any evidence to register a Regular Case (RC) against the father and son duo. 10:40am: A special court here has granted exemption to the 2008 Malegaon blast case accused Pragya Singh Thakur, Lt Col Prasad Purohit and Sudhakar Chaturvedi from appearing before it this week. When the matter was taken up by the special NIA court on Monday, the three accused filed applications through their lawyers seeking exemption from appearance. While Thakur and Chaturvedi said they are busy with preparations for the upcoming results of the Lok Sabha polls, which they had contested, Purohit cited personal difficulties. The court allowed the applications. (PTI) 10:28am: Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi met Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu at Andhra Bhawan. 10:26am: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish kumar will be participating in NDA dinner in Delhi to be hosted by BJP chief Amit Shah. 10:24am: Uddhav Thackeray will not be available for the NDA dinner to be hosted by Amit Shah at Ashoka Hotel at 7pm. 10:20am: Tamil Nadu deputy CM O Paneerselvam left for Delhi at 9 am. He will participate in the dinner to be hosted by BJP chief Amit Shah at Ashoka hotel at 7 pm. 10:15am: Chief Minister of Karnataka HD Kumaraswamy's proposed visit to New Delhi has been cancelled. 10:10am: AIADMK MLA Thoppu ND Venkatachalam has resigned from the party post citing personal reasons. Venkatachalam met CM Palaniswami and handed over his resignation from a party post. 10:00am: Rahul Gandhi paid tribute on Rajiv Gandhi's death anniversary. My father was gentle, loving, kind & affectionate. He taught me to love & respect all beings. To never hate. To forgive. I miss him. On his death anniversary, I remember my father with love & gratitude.#RememberingRajivGandhipic.twitter.com/sYPGu5jGFC Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 21, 2019 9:45am: Priyanka Gandhi shares emotional tweet. You will always be my hero. pic.twitter.com/LYPciCD234 Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) May 21, 2019 9:36am: Vivek Oberoi who plays PM Modi in the film Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologised for his meme on Aishwarya Rai. The tweet he had shared showed Rai with Salman Khan under the heading 'Opinion Poll', followed by a picture of Rai with himself under 'Exit Poll' and in the third panel Rai was with her husband Abhishek Bachchan and their daughter Aradhya. Oberoi received severe backlash from Twitterati, including multiple industry members. Even if one woman is offended by my reply to the meme, it calls for remedial action. Apologies tweet deleted. Vivek Anand Oberoi (@vivekoberoi) May 21, 2019 9:29am: PM Modi pays tribute to former PM Rajiv Gandhi. Tributes to former PM Shri Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary. Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 21, 2019 9:20am: Poll held on 19th May at polling station number 200 of the Kolkata Uttar parliamentary constituency declared void. Re-poll to be held on 22nd May from 7am to 6pm: ECI. 9:19am: Amid poor numbers given by exit polls to the Congress in the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections, senior Congress leader Roshan Baig on Monday dropped hints of quitting the party, and humbly appealed to Muslims to compromise with the situation, if NDA returns to power. "Well if NDA is coming back to power, I humbly appeal to Muslim brothers to learn to compromise with the situation," he told a section of media. Asked if that means Muslims should join hands with BJP, Baig said if need arises, they must as the Congress had given just one ticket to a Muslim leader in Karnataka. "If needs be, (Muslims) must join hands. We must not remain loyal to one party. What happened to Muslims in Karnataka? The Congress gave just one seat," he blurted. (PTI) 9:14am: Former PM Manmohan Singh and former President Pranab Mukherjee also pay tribute to former PM Rajiv Gandhi. Delhi: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former President Pranab Mukherjee pay tribute to former Prime Minister #RajivGandhi, on his death anniversary at Veer Bhumi. pic.twitter.com/Co2MTjdMsU ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 9:13am: Congress President Rahul Gandhi, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress General Secretary for UP (East) Priyanka Gandhi Vadra pay tribute to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Delhi: Congress President Rahul Gandhi, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress General Secretary for UP (East) Priyanka Gandhi Vadra pay tribute to former Prime Minister #RajivGandhi, on his death anniversary at Veer Bhumi. Robert Vadra also present. pic.twitter.com/njKY1jT6rv ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 9:10am: "Nobody can stop us from returning to power. These are mind games. We will get over 110 Assembly and 18 to 20 Lok Sabha seats," said Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandarbabu Naidu. 9:04am:Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath said on Monday that his government is ready for an assembly floor test. His statement came hours after the BJP claimed that the Congress-led government in Madhya Pradesh is in minority in the state. "They have been trying this since day one, [We] have proved majority at least four times in last five months. They want to do it again, we have no problem. They'll try their best to disturb present govt to save themselves from getting exposed," he said. When underwriters help a company go public, one of their main goals is to make sure the stock does not suffer from too much selling pressure on day one. Underwriters mostly rely on an over-allotment of shares to stabilize a stocks price when it opens for trading, but extraordinary circumstances sometimes push underwriters to use an unconventional tool called a naked short. Because IPOs rarely fall in price on the first day of trading, underwriters rarely ever need to use the naked short to prop a stock price up, but underwriters will occasionally include the option if theres a chance of the stock selling off on the first day of trading. In the case of the high-profile Uber (UBER) initial public offering (IPO), underwriters reportedly relied on the naked short to support the stock at its offering price of $45 a share. Those tools only helped so much shares of Uber had fallen over 10% by the end of the second day of trading. But in order to understand the naked short sell, its important to know about the first line of defense in keeping a stock price up: the greenshoe option. Greenshoe When an underwriter prepares an IPO, they will allot a specific amount of shares that will be sold in the offering. But an underwriter will include a provision that allows the company to offer a 15% bonus allotment that can be sold in the open market and then bought back for the purposes of stabilizing the stock price. For example, ABC Company might offer 1,000,000 shares at $100 a share. But when the stock finally goes public on IPO day, the underwriters call sell an extra 15% (150,000 shares, for a total of 1,150,000 shares). The underwriters will then buy back those 150,000 extra shares if the price starts sinking, in an effort to prop the stock back up. This over-allotment is called a greenshoe, named after the Green Shoe Manufacturing Company (now called Stride Rite), which first employed the strategy when it went public. The naked short Story continues But if the greenshoe is not enough, underwriters can turn to another back-up: the naked short. In a regular short position, person A borrows one share of the ABC Company and sells it to person B at $100. If the stock sinks to $90, person A then re-buys one share and gives it back to the lender, making a profit of $10. In a naked short, person A never owned the share at all, and instead sells the promise of delivering one share of the ABC Company to person B at $100. If the stock sinks to $90, person A quickly re-buys one share and gives it back to the lender, still making a profit of $10. Naked short-sellers can prop up a company's stock after an IPO. Image source: Getty The naked short is possible because there is a three-day settlement period for actually handing over the stock. In theory, if the short seller can buy back one share within the three-day settlement period, they can deliver on the stock and close their position. If the seller does not have the share by the time the settlement period is over, a failure to deliver occurs and the trade falls short. The Securities and Exchange Commission made the practice illegal in the aftermath of the financial crisis, saying that naked short selling had the abusive potential of creating a misleading impression of the market for a given stock. But naked short selling is still legal for IPO underwriters. The logic is that the underwriters, who created the new shares to begin with, should have no issue failing to deliver since they plan on quickly re-buying the shares in order to prop the stock back up anyway. Worth all the effort? In the case of Uber, the greenshoe and the naked short were not able to save the stock from slipping over 10% by the end of its second day of trading. Thomas Boulton, a professor who studies IPOs at Miami University, told Yahoo Finance that stock support from an underwriter is fairly brief. The evidence seems to suggest the price support lasts for no more than a couple of weeks, Boulton said. Much of the price support takes place right out of the gate but in some issues the price support will last for multiple days. Although seen as a means to reduce volatility for a brand-new security, stabilizing efforts could also be seen as a legal means of price manipulation that lends itself to ambiguity over how involved underwriters be in propping a stock up. In 1999, brokers for the now-defunct Duke & Co. firm were indicted for keeping the prices of at least six small stocks at artificially high levels. Theres also the question over the financial gain that lead underwriting banks stand to gain from naked short positions, since selling stocks at a high price and rebuying them at a lower price leads to profits for the bank. But a 2007 paper from Oxford University professors Tim Jenkinson and Howard Jones notes that the naked short actually incentivizes underwriters to do whats in its clients best interests: preventing their stocks from plummeting on day one. Jenkinson and Jones also point out that the profits from their short positions are offset by the negative reputational effects of having an underwritten stock fall. Still, naked short selling remains a bit of a mystery in the IPO process because unlike the greenshoe, those positions are not public knowledge. The size of the naked short in the Uber IPO, for example, is unknown. And tracking the trades in the market are difficult because the positions were likely closed very quickly. The Jenkinson and Jones paper, released well before the current chapter of unicorn IPOs, observed at the time that in many cases, the lead underwriters short position is greater than the size of the greenshoe. As other large companies prepare to go public, underwriters are likely to incorporate at least a greenshoe to make sure their stocks are stable out of the gate. As for the naked short, it will take a little more scrutiny to find out. Brian Cheung is a reporter covering the banking industry and the intersection of finance and policy for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on Twitter @bcheungz. Regulator tells banks to watch out for leveraged loans Minneapolis Fed's Kashkari: 'Monetary policy has been too tight' Alice Rivlin, trailblazer in the economics field, dies at 88 Trump to Fed: Cut rates and help us win the trade war Congress may have accidentally freed nearly all banks from the Volcker Rule Imagine if some of the wages from your high school job washing cars were invested for retirement? At a 7% average rate of return for stocks, just $1,000 saved at age 16 would be almost $40,000 by age 70. That is exactly what Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read wants. He is pushing Congress to lower the minimum age for IRAs contributions to age 16 (Oregons minimum age to open an IRA is 18; different states have different minimum ages). During recent testimony before the Senate Finance committee, he said we sure like the idea of getting them in the habit of saving from the beginning of their career. In an interview with Yahoo Finance, Read expanded on this idea: "The simplicity is what most appeals to me. For Read, 18 years old is sort of an arbitrary date, adding, it just seems to me that we should not treat people who are working legally differently. Oregon has a program in place that automatically enrolls workers in an IRA if their employer doesnt offer a retirement plan. [4 ways Washington may soon change how you save for retirement] Chris Carosa, the author of From Cradle to Retirement: The Child IRA, wants to go even further. During an appearance on Yahoo Finances YFI PM, he said, I would prefer that they lower it more, noting that it currently is legal for a parent to set up an IRA for their children. The child IRA is really an underutilized tool," he said. "Its available now but the requirement is that you need to work in order to do it. Focus on young people Policymakers are struggling for ways to spur retirement savings among young people. A 2018 study by the National Institute on Retirement Security found that two-thirds of working millennials have nothing saved for retirement. In Washington, lawmakers are currently considering an idea to allow employers to make matching contributions to an employees retirement account equal to the amount of that employees student loan payment. Treasurer Read remains optimistic that Congress will take some action to help young people save. There was general agreement [in the Senate Finance hearing] that helping people to get started saving earlier is a good thing he said. Story continues As for the idea to lower the savings age to 16, Senate Finance committee ranking member Ron Wyden is exploring the idea, according to an aide. But there is no provision in the current bill and new policies are not expected to be added. As for the chances of his idea ever becoming law, Read demurred, saying that of all the people who are prognosticators about Congressional action, I gotta rank right near the bottom. Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit. What happened? Theresa May made a final attempt to persuade MPs to back her Brexit deal in a speech this afternoon. She said Parliament has one last chance to deliver a smooth exit from the EU, offering MPs the chance to vote on whether to hold a second Brexit referendum - but only on the condition they vote for the Withdrawal Agreement Bill in two weeks time. Mrs May tried to woo Brexiteers, Remainers and Labour all at the same time with a list of promises aimed at getting her deal over the line. Doomed to fail Even before Mrs May had finished speaking, one Tory Brexiteer warned he would not be backing the WAB. Simon Clarke said: "I supported the PM at MV3, to try to get us out on 29 March. But this speech from the PM means there is no way I will support the Withdrawal Agreement Bill." His blow was the first in a flurry from Brexiteers clamouring to criticise the speech. Eurosceptic MP Andrea Jenkyns tweeted: !!!!!!! How to Not deliver Brexit! Farcical. Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith MP said there was nothing new in Mrs Mays latest deal, confirming he would not vote in favour. The promise of a second referendum also failed to win support. Former Conservative MP Anna Soubry, now with Change UK, tweeted: Even if Bill passes #BrexitNightmare does NOT end because Mays Withdrawal Agreement does NOT settle our final relationship with the EU so the polarised debate continues AND we all know @Conservatives are determined to remove May asap (to) elect a No Deal Leader. Labour MP Wes Streeting tweeted: Lots of us have been very clear that the PMs deal can pass on the condition that the people get to decide through a referendum. Thats not what the PM is promising Im afraid." Theresa May has lost three votes on her Brexit deal, the first by a historic margin. She has agreed to set out a definitive timetable for her departure even if she loses the WAB during the vote in the first week of June. Read more: Theresa May offers MPs a vote on a second referendum (HuffPost) Story continues Tory MP accused of talking 'absolute balls' (The Independent) Clean Brexit sounds simple. Trouble is, it doesnt exist (The Guardian) The first legal battle in the UK over police use of facial recognition technology begins today. Ed Bridges crowdfunded action against South Wales Police over claims that its use on his was an unlawful violation of privacy. Facial recognition technology maps faces in a crowd then compares results with a "watch list" of images which can include suspects, missing people and persons of interest. Do you think the police should be allowed to use facial recognition technology? Read the full story (Yahoo News UK) here and have your say below: Have-a-go hero tried to thwart London Bridge attackers A man followed the three London Bridge terrorist, shouting and throwing objects at them in an attempt to lure them into the line of fire for armed police, an inquest has heard. Gerard Vowls said he was trying to prevent them attacking other people by drawing attention to himself. He swore at the three and threw a chair at them as he followed them, he said. Read the full story here (The Guardian) Illegitimate son inherits mansion after legal battle A struggling care worker has inherited one of Britains finest country estates after he was found to be the illegitimate son of the propertys previous aristocratic owner who died last year. After a lengthy battle and a DNA test to prove he was the rightful heir, Jordan Adlard Rogers, 31, moved into the sprawling 1,536-acre Penrose National Trust estate in Cornwall estimated to be worth 50 million. His father was Charles Rogers, who died from a drug overdose last year. Read the full story here (The Independent) A cheeky badger has been causing chaos at a house by entering through the cat flap and eating all the food. Hannah Carver, 29, set up a camera and caught the thief tucking into a meal of ice lollies, crumpets and mashed potato. 1,000 Thats roughly the number of people set to lose their jobs after celebrity chef Jamie Olivers restaurant empire collapsed. Twenty-two of his 25 restaurants, including the Jamie's Italian chain, Barbecoa and Fifteen, have closed. The accounting firm KPMG, which has been brought in to oversee administration, said all but the Gatwick airport restaurants have now closed. On Twitter, Oliver said he was devastated by the news. Read the full story here (Sky News) PRAGUE, May 21 (Reuters) - Thousands of Czechs protested for a fourth week in a row on Tuesday against a justice minister they fear could influence a criminal case against Prime Minister Andrej Babis. Protesters say Justice Minister Marie Benesova's past comments and actions were supportive of Babis, a billionaire-turned-politician who has been charged with illegally tapping 2 million euros in European Union funds a decade ago when he was in business. He denies the charges. As a member of parliament in 2017, Benesova was among a small group of lawmakers who did not support lifting Babis's parliamentary immunity in the subsidy case. Earlier, in 2013, she served as justice minister in a caretaker government appointed by President Milos Zeman, an ally of Babis. People gathered at Wenceslas Square in the center of Prague, moving the protest to a larger space as the number of participants grew. Organizers estimated attendance at 50,000, surpassing the previous protests with around 20,000. The crowd waved Czech and European Union flags and signs that read "You can't break justice" or "I am ashamed of my prime minister." "If such people (as Babis) represent us, it is not good," said Josef Hovorka, 34, an NGO employee. "We could take inspiration from Austria, where politicians resigned for less," he said, referring to a scandal that felled Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz's coalition government at the weekend. Despite the protests, Babis and his ANO party have not suffered any significant drop in support ahead of a European Parliament election this weekend, garnering around 30 percent in opinion polls. Prosecutors, who can halt the case before it gets to court, have yet to decide on police recommendations delivered last month that Babis stand trial. Benesova's predecessor at the justice ministry resigned one day after the police wrapped up their investigation, sparking worries that political pressure might be involved. (Reporting by Robert Muller Editing by Gareth Jones) Today we'll take a closer look at Telecom Digital Holdings Limited (HKG:6033) from a dividend investor's perspective. Owning a strong business and reinvesting the dividends is widely seen as an attractive way of growing your wealth. Yet sometimes, investors buy a stock for its dividend and lose money because the share price falls by more than they earned in dividend payments. With a five-year payment history and a 8.6% yield, many investors probably find Telecom Digital Holdings intriguing. It sure looks interesting on these metrics - but there's always more to the story . Before you buy any stock for its dividend however, you should always remember Warren Buffett's two rules: 1) Don't lose money, and 2) Remember rule #1. We'll run through some checks below to help with this. Click the interactive chart for our full dividend analysis SEHK:6033 Historical Dividend Yield, May 21st 2019 Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! Payout ratios Companies (usually) pay dividends out of their earnings. If a company is paying more than it earns, the dividend might have to be cut. So we need to be form a view on if a company's dividend is sustainable, relative to its net profit after tax. Telecom Digital Holdings paid out 71% of its profit as dividends, over the trailing twelve month period. A payout ratio above 50% generally implies a business is reaching maturity, although it is still possible to reinvest in the business or increase the dividend over time. In addition to comparing dividends against profits, we should inspect whether the company generated enough cash to pay its dividend. Telecom Digital Holdings paid out 67% of its cash flow as dividends last year, which is within a reasonable range for the average corporation. Remember, you can always get a snapshot of Telecom Digital Holdings's latest financial position, by checking our visualisation of its financial health. Story continues Dividend Volatility From the perspective of an income investor who wants to earn dividends for many years, there is not much point buying a stock if its dividend is regularly cut or is not reliable. Looking at the data, we can see that Telecom Digital Holdings has been paying a dividend for the past five years. During the past five-year period, the first annual payment was HK$0.04 in 2014, compared to HK$0.24 last year. Dividends per share have grown at approximately 43% per year over this time. The dividend has been growing pretty quickly, which could be enough to get us interested even though the dividend history is relatively short. Further research may be warranted. Dividend Growth Potential Examining whether the dividend is affordable and stable is important. However, it's also important to assess if earnings per share (EPS) are growing. Growing EPS can help maintain or increase the purchasing power of the dividend over the long run. Strong earnings per share (EPS) growth might encourage our interest in the company despite fluctuating dividends, which is why it's great to see Telecom Digital Holdings has grown its earnings per share at 14% per annum over the past five years. Earnings per share have been growing rapidly, but given that it is paying out more than half of its earnings as dividends, we wonder how Telecom Digital Holdings will keep funding its growth projects in the future. Conclusion When we look at a dividend stock, we need to form a judgement on whether the dividend will grow, if the company is able to maintain it in a wide range of economic circumstances, and if the dividend payout is sustainable. Telecom Digital Holdings's is paying out more than half its income as dividends, but at least the dividend is covered both by reported earnings and cashflow. Next, earnings growth has been good, but unfortunately the company has not been paying dividends as long as we'd like. Ultimately, Telecom Digital Holdings comes up short on our dividend analysis. It's not that we think it is a bad company - just that there are likely more appealing dividend prospects out there on this analysis. Now, if you want to look closer, it would be worth checking out our free research on Telecom Digital Holdings management tenure, salary, and performance. Looking for more high-yielding dividend ideas? Try our curated list of dividend stocks with a yield above 3%. 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. Photo: The Capital Grille/Yelp Looking to try the top steakhouses around? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best high-end steakhouses in Fort Worth, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to fill the bill. 1. The Capital Grille Photo: the capital grille/Yelp Topping the list is The Capital Grille. Located at 800 Main St., the steakhouse and wine bar, which offers seafood and more, is the highest rated high-end steakhouse in Fort Worth, boasting 4.5 stars out of 372 reviews on Yelp. This national chain serves a variety of protein-centric entrees. Start off with steak tartare and shrimp cocktail before moving on to main dishes such as seared tenderloin with butter-poached lobster tails or a 24-ounce dry-aged porterhouse. The wine list features more than 350 options. (Here's the website.) 2. Reata Photo: haley l./Yelp Next up is Reata, situated at 310 Houston St. With four stars out of 773 reviews on Yelp, the steakhouse and New American spot has proven to be a local favorite for those looking to indulge. Start off with some cilantro and jalapeno soup, a Caesar salad or bacon wrapped shrimp before opting for heartier entree options such as pan-seared pepper crusted tenderloin; grilled chicken breast with tomato blue cheese salad; or a bone-in ribeye with chef butter. (Check out the menu here for a full line of offerings and for more information.) 3. Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse Photo: del frisco's double eagle steakhouse/Yelp Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse, a steakhouse and cocktail bar that offers seafood and more, is another pricey go-to, with four stars out of 367 Yelp reviews. Head over to 812 Main St. to see for yourself. Both lunch and dinner menus are available. Start off with a shrimp cocktail, tuna tartare or Shanghai-style fried calamari before indulging in main courses such as seared Chilean sea bass with crab fried rice; broiled lobster tail with drawn butter and lemon; or salmon with crab hash. Steaks, sides and desserts round out the menu. 4. Texas de Brazil Photo: texas de brazil/Yelp Check out Texas de Brazil, which has earned four stars out of 362 reviews on Yelp. Treat yourself at the Brazilian steakhouse spot by heading over to 101 N. Houston St. Story continues The churrascaria, or Brazilian steakhouse, cooks a wide selection of meats over an open flame on large skewers and then carves them up tableside. Dinner includes unlimited meats including filet mignon wrapped in bacon and Parmesan-crusted pork loin and trips to the salad bar. 5. Eddie V's Prime Seafood Photo: eddie v's prime seafood/Yelp And then there's Eddie V's Prime Seafood, a local favorite with four stars out of 295 reviews. Stop by 3100 W. Seventh St. to hit up the steakhouse and lounge, which offers seafood and more, next time you're in the mood to celebrate. Part seafood spot, part modernized speakeasy, the upscale chain has restaurants from coast to coast. Look for live jazz every night and a menu that offers Chilean sea bass steamed Hong Kong-style with a light soy broth, lobster tails broiled with drawn butter and lemon, and Norwegian salmon sauteed with young vegetables and mustard vinaigrette. (Here's the menu.) 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. JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) Supporters of an unsuccessful presidential candidate clashed with security forces in the Indonesian capital on Wednesday, burning vehicles and throwing rocks at police using tear gas and rubber bullets. The protesters tried to force their way into the downtown offices of the election supervisory agency late Tuesday and clashes have continued since then. National Police spokesman Dedi Prasetyo said more than 20 suspected provocateurs have been arrested. Local media reported several deaths among protesters but there has been no official confirmation. White-robed protesters blocked streets in one central Jakarta neighborhood and in another, rioters fought running battles with police, throwing rocks and setting fires. MANILA, Philippines (AP) The Philippine president's allies won a majority of the 12 Senate seats at stake in the midterm elections, official results showed, while the opposition's shutout heralds a stronger grip on power by a leader accused of massive human rights violations. Elections officials were to proclaim the winners Wednesday after finishing the official count of the May 13 elections overnight. The tally had been delayed by glitches in automated counting machines. President Rodrigo Duterte backed eight winning aspirants to half of the seats in the 24-member Senate, including his former national police chief, Ronald dela Rosa, who enforced the president's crackdown on illegal drugs in a campaign that left thousands of suspects dead and drew international condemnation. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) North Korea has labeled Joe Biden a "fool of low IQ" and an "imbecile bereft of elementary quality as a human being" after the Democratic presidential hopeful during a recent speech called North Korean leader Kim Jong Un a tyrant. Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency on Wednesday accused Biden of insulting the country's supreme leadership and committing an "intolerable and serious politically-motivated provocation" against the North. Biden during a campaign launch in Philadelphia on Saturday accused President Donald Trump of cozying up to "dictators and tyrants" like Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Story continues UNITED NATIONS (AP) North Korea's U.N. ambassador said Tuesday the Trump administration should consider the possible consequences that the recent U.S. seizure of a North Korean cargo ship could have on relations between the two countries and immediately return the vessel. Kim Song said at a news conference the "outrageous act" of seizing the ship was aimed at bringing maximum pressure on North Korea to make it "kneel down." The vessel Wise Honest, North Korea's second largest cargo ship, was first detained in April 2018 by Indonesia while transporting a large amount of coal. The U.S. announced May 9 that it had seized the ship because it was carrying coal in violation of U.N. WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) New Zealand police on Tuesday filed a terrorism charge against the man accused of killing 51 people at two Christchurch mosques. Australian Brenton Harrison Tarrant, 28, was already facing murder and attempted murder charges from the March 15 shootings. The new charge comes with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment upon conviction and will be a test case for New Zealand's terrorism law, which came onto the books in 2002 following the terrorist attacks in the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001. The New Zealand law defines terrorism as including acts that are carried out to advance an ideological, political, or religious cause with the intention of inducing terror in a civilian population. CANBERRA, Australia (AP) Australia's newly reelected government said Tuesday that its promise to slash income taxes might be delivered late but would not be broken as it seeks to stimulate consumer spending, revive a flagging economy and repair relations with China, its most important trading partner. Prime Minister Scott Morrison chose the latest possible date to call an election that on Saturday delivered his conservative coalition a surprise victory. But the timing means he probably won't be able to recall Parliament to pass the tax cuts before July 1 the date he promised during the election campaign that the lower tax rate would take effect. MANILA, Philippines (AP) A former Philippine Supreme Court justice who accused Chinese President Xi Jinping of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court said she was barred for hours Tuesday from entering Hong Kong. Conchita Carpio-Morales said she was stopped by immigration authorities and was held in a room at Hong Kong's airport for about four hours and ordered to take a flight back to Manila. She had planned to take a vacation for five days in Hong Kong with her husband, son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren, who were all allowed entry. Hong Kong airport and immigration officials later told her "there was a mistake" and that she could proceed with her trip to Hong Kong, but she and her family had already decided to return home because of the incident, she said. YANGON, Myanmar (AP) A court in Myanmar on Tuesday formally charged an American man and two local co-workers with violating drug laws concerning marijuana, with potential penalties ranging from five years' imprisonment to death. The court in the central Mandalay region charged John Frederic Todoroki with violating five sections of the drugs and narcotics law covering possession, sale and trafficking of illegal drugs, lawyer Thein Than Oo said by phone. The defendants contend they were growing hemp, not marijuana. Both are subspecies of the cannabis plant genus. The mildest penalty facing the defendants is five years if they are convicted of growing narcotic drugs. WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) A Chinese woman charged with lying to illegally enter President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort told a stunned judge Tuesday that she wants to fire her attorneys and represent herself. Yujing Zhang surprised U.S. District Judge Roy Altman during what was to have been a routine hearing over whether to delay her trial, which is scheduled to start next week. She faces up to five years in prison on charges of unlawful entry and making false statements. She has pleaded not guilty. According to media reports, Zhang, 33, told Altman she wants to dismiss her public defenders and represent herself. TOKYO (AP) Plans for U.S. President Donald Trump to check out the ancient Japanese sport of sumo wrestling during a state visit are raising security issues for organizers. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is eager to have Trump and his wife, Melania, attend the final day of a 15-day tournament on May 26 and hand over a trophy to the winner. The issue for organizers, Japanese media reports said Tuesday, is that more than 1,000 seats near the ring are generally sold out and buyers will all have to be checked in advance. They may also have to ban the sale of canned beer in the front section, where Trump is expected to sit, the reports said. Missed the the most recent top news in Atlanta? Read on for everything you need to know. Georgia girl, 3, dies as stepdad charged with rape and mom arrested ALBANY, Ga. (WGXA) - An Albany stepfather and mother are in custody after a 3-year-old girl who police say was sexually abused died at an Atlanta hospital. Read the full story on FOX26. Report: Intown Atlanta home sale prices just outpaced national average by four times But "home sales continue to decline amid our very low inventory," according to a RE/MAX official. Read the full story on Curbed Atlanta. Atlantas first e-scooter death spotlights need for infrastructure improvements Could bike lanes near a MARTA station have made a difference? Read the full story on Curbed Atlanta. Atlanta City Council Chamber renamed to honor Marvin Arrington Sr. "You can make a change you just have to be bold enough to do it, to take that first step," he said. Read the full story on 11ALIVE. 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. Photo: iStock Read on for the most recent top news you may have missed in Baltimore. Pediatrician indicted on 65 charges after rape accusation BALTIMORE (AP) A Maryland pediatrician accused recently of raping a patient has since been indicted on 65 additional charges, including nine counts of child sex abuse. Read the full story on 7News - WHDH Boston. 'He wanted to turn his life around': After 21 years in prison, Baltimore man was killed 4 months after release James Lomax wanted to buy a home and see his daughters, but his plans were cut short by gunshots. Read the full story on Baltimore Sun. After Baltimore weekend with 10 people shot three fatally police ramp up Western District patrols Four overnight shootings left one dead and three others injured, Baltimore Police said Monday morning, ending a violent weekend in Baltimore. Read the full story on Baltimore Sun. Baltimore County man sentenced to 50 years in fatal 2017 Columbia stabbing A 43-year-old Baltimore County man was sentenced Monday to 50 years in prison for a fatal Christmas night stabbing in 2017 in Columbia. Read the full story on Baltimore Sun. Baltimore sues drug maker it says inflated its costs by unfairly staving off competition Baltimore filed an antitrust lawsuit against the maker of a blockbuster prostate cancer drug for filing sham litigation to fend off generic competition. Read the full story on Baltimore Sun. 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. Punjab National Bank could take control of two-three smaller public sector banks in the next round of banking sector consolidation, a Reuters report said. These smaller banks up for acquisition include Oriental Bank of Commerce, Andhra Bank and Allahabad Bank, the news agency reported quoting sources. PNB could begin the process of taking over these banks in the next three months, the report said. However, the development has not been confirmed by PNB, the three other state-run banks, or the Ministry of Finance. There were speculations earlier this year that PNB would merge with certain smaller public sector banks. However, these reports were turned down by PNB. ALSO READ:Govt may soon invite PNB, Union Bank, BoI, other PSBs to discuss merger plan India has been trying to consolidate its banking sector by merging smaller regional public-sector banks with larger government-owned banks. The idea is to reduce bad loans in the Indian banking sector, streamline operations and cut operating costs. Merging banks is also meant to create superior lenders which can size up to global competitors. Only recently, the Chief Economic Advisor Krishnamurthy V Subramanian stated in an interview that having a few large banks that can tap into savings elsewhere is good for India. This will help these banks to enhance their quality and compete globally with the best of the world, he further added. ALSO READ:Merger impact: BoB looks to rationalise 800-900 branches to improve operational efficiency On similar lines, a report last month had indicated that the government could invite certain lenders for another round of merger. The list of banks included PNB, along with Union Bank of India and Bank of India. Only last month, the government had finalised the merger of Bank of Baroda, Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank, creating the country's third largest lender. This merger was the first step in the consolidation of the public sector banking industry as recommended by the Narasimham Committee in 1991. The government has already orchestrated the takeover of embattled IDBI Bank by insurance major, Life Insurance Corporation of India. State Bank of India has already taken its subsidiaries and Bharatiya Mahila Bank under its fold back in April 2017. ALSO READ:Appointment of RBI director to Yes Bank board may be precautionary: Macquarie Photo: Brooke Tauaefa/Unsplash Missed the the most recent top news in Dallas? Read on for everything you need to know. Dallas mayoral race: Scott Griggs and Eric Johnson debate the issues on WFAA Council member Scott Griggs and state Rep. Eric Johnson are headed for a runoff June 8. Read the full story on WFAA. Report of Dallas road rage shooting shuts down part of Commerce Street Part of Commerce Street, directly in front of the Dallas County Jail, has been shut down after reports of a road rage shooting. Read the full story on CBS DFW. Dallas Police Chief Renee Hall releases summer crime reduction plan in midst of spike in murders Dallas Police said of the 23 murders this month, 18 have been solved. Read the full story on CBS DFW. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to get new terminal DALLAS (AP) - Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport plans to build a sixth terminal that would open by 2025 and provide up to 24 new gates for U.S. and international flights. Read the full story on MySanAntonio. Cowboys' Elliott detained by police at Vegas music festival LAS VEGAS (AP) - Dallas Cowboys star Ezekiel Elliott was handcuffed by police, but not arrested, after a scuffle involving event staff at a Las Vegas music festival, officials said Monday. Read the full story on KGET - TV 17 Bakersfield. 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. Photo: Random Sky/Unsplash Read on for the most recent top news you may have missed in Houston. Houston rapper Jaimian Sims convicted for sex trafficking of a minor Jaimian Sims could be locked up for life after police rescued a teenager girl from a North Freeway motel. Read the full story on ABC13 Houston. Severely emaciated dog left in dumpster rescued by Houston SPCA The SPCA says the dog will be placed in a foster home once she has gained weight and her condition is more stable. Read the full story on KHOU 11 News. Houston Rockets' official Twitter account suspended TEAM FOUL: The club, already eliminated from the playoffs, confirmed the suspension and said it is working on the issue. Read the full story on ABC Houston, KTRK. Driver found dead after car fire in northeast Houston A driver was found dead after a car fire along the Eastex Freeway on Monday, police said. Read the full story on MySanAntonio. Houston mayor's State of the City and rival's event held in same building At the same time, inside the same hotel, Mayor Sylvester Turner's address ran counter to challenger Tony Buzbee's own state of the city. Read the full story on ABC Houston, KTRK. 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. Read on for the most recent top news you may have missed in San Jose. San Jose Sharks dealing with key injuries heading into Game 6 The San Jose Sharks could be headed into their fifth elimination game of the postseason short-handed. Read the full story on CBS San Francisco. New report shows San Jose has nation's highest-paid workers A new report says the highest paid workers in the nation are here in the Bay Area. Read the full story on CBS San Francisco. Village plans take shape near downtown San Jose on county property A new mixed-use village would sprout on East Santa Clara Street between 14th and 17th streets on the site of the old San Jose Hospital, under a plan proposed by the county that would help create more activity on a stretch of roadway that is currently slumbering. Read the full story on Mercury News. San Jose: Authorities identify man found dead near SJSU Cause of death is pending, but foul play is not suspected. Read the full story on Mercury News. 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. Missed the the most recent top news in St. Louis? Read on for everything you need to know. St. Louis County lifeguard business closes, leaves area pools scrambling Lifeguards Unlimited unexpectedly closed in the past few days and it's leaving some St. Louis suburbs searching for a quick solution. Read the full story on KDSK. Missouri Lottery recognizes 9 St. Louis businesses for helping contribute over $2M to public education The businesses helped contribute $2.4 million to public education in the last year and will be recognized this week. Read the full story on KDSK. St. Louis-area executive accused of embezzling $3.8 million ST. LOUIS (AP) - The chief financial officer for a St. Louis-area company is accused in a federal indictment of embezzling $3.8 million. The indictment of 45-year-old Bryan Vonderahe of Kirkwood was announced Monday. Read the full story on MySanAntonio. 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. South Africa: Uber, Taxify urged to exercise caution in KwaMashu Police in KwaZulu-Natal have warned Uber and Taxify taxis to be on high alert when operating in areas surrounding KwaMashu in Durban. In a statement, police said the alert was in the wake of a number of robberies reported over the weekend, where criminals pretend to be clients wanting transport from certain spots to their requested destination around Kwamashu. Unsuspecting drivers are then robbed of their belongings and vehicles, Lieutenant Colonel Thulani Zwane said. Recently, on 19 May 2019 at 05:00, a 30-year-old driver was robbed at a gunpoint while he was picking up a passenger in K 26 Seme Road during which suspects took his cellphones and dropped him off at J section, he said. In a second incident, on the same day, a 25-year-old driver was requested to drop off passengers in C section Mpangeni Road, where, upon his arrival, he was approached by two suspects with firearms. He was moved from the drivers seat and shoved to the back seat and they also took his cellphone. The suspects drove with him until he was dropped off at the bushes towards J section. Cases of carjacking are being investigated, Zwane said. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-05-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Photo: Cielo Bistro Mexico/Yelp As fans of cronuts and cake pops can attest, food trends come and go. So how can you tell which tastes are trending at this very moment? We took a data-driven look at the question, using Yelp to uncover which local businesses have been in the limelight this month. To find out who made the list, we looked at Austin businesses on Yelp by category and counted how many reviews each received. Rather than compare them based on number of reviews alone, we calculated a percentage increase in reviews over the past month, and tracked businesses that consistently increase their volume of reviews to identify statistically significant outliers compared to past performance. Read on to see which spots poised to start summer off strong. Cielo Bistro Mexico Photo: elvira a./Yelp Open since October, this Mexican spot is trending compared to other businesses categorized as "Mexican" on Yelp. Citywide, Mexican spots saw a median 2.1 percent increase in new reviews over the past month, but Cielo Bistro Mexico saw a 35.7 percent increase, maintaining a superior four-star rating throughout. Located at 7032 Wood Hollow Drive, Cielo Bistro Mexico offers lunch, dinner and brunch. On the menu, expect a culinary marriage of European influences and the native cuisines of Meso America and authentic, regional and contemporary Mexico. Try the carnitas (braised crispy pork) or the calabaza con esquites (zucchini squash, chile guajillo, crema Mexican street corn and queso oaxaca). Rosewood Whether or not you've been hearing buzz about Central East Austin's Rosewood, the bar and traditional American spot, which offers seafood and more, is a hot topic according to Yelp review data. While businesses categorized as "Bars" on Yelp saw a median 2.1 percent increase in new reviews over the past month, Rosewood bagged an 8.8 percent increase in new reviews within that timeframe, maintaining a healthy 4.5-star rating. Open at 1209 Rosewood Ave. since last May, Rosewood boasts a menu that changes daily, with seafood arriving each morning. A sampling of what is available includes grilled escarole (blue cheese, pistachios and a poached egg), beef fat potatoes (sauerkraut, loquat mostarda and drill aioli) and shrimp jambalaya. The full bar serves signature cocktails, craft beer and wine. (Click here to view the menu.) Story continues Hideaway Kitchen & Bar Photo: hideaway kitchen & bar/Yelp Franklin Park's Hideaway Kitchen & Bar is also making waves. Open since last June at 4323 S. Interstate 35, the popular lounge and breakfast and brunch and New American spot has seen a 10 percent bump in new reviews over the last month, compared to a median review increase of 2.1 percent for all businesses tagged "American (New)" on Yelp. Hideaway Kitchen & Bar offers locally sourced Southern comfort food with a Texas twist in a cozy atmosphere. For breakfast, look for chicken and waffles, peach pie pancakes and egg white frittatas, while sandwiches, burgers, soup and salad highlight the lunch menu. Over the past month, it's seen its Yelp rating tick down from 4.5 stars to four stars. Sway North Burnett's Sway is the city's buzziest cocktail bar by the numbers. The popular cocktail bar and Thai spot, which opened at 11501 Rock Rose Ave., Suite 100 on Dec. 5, increased its new review count by 9.8 percent over the past month, an outlier when compared to the median new review count of 3.3 percent for the Yelp category "Cocktail Bars." It outperformed the previous month by gaining 2.2 times more reviews than expected based on past performance. Sway offers curry, fried rice, grilled pork, steak, chicken and fish and noodle soup. Try the jungle curry (Texas Wagyu brisket, red chili, baby corn, eggplant, peppercorn and coconut cream) or the grilled pork, served with a farm egg and thick soy. (See the full menu here.) Home Slice Pizza Photo: geraldo h./Yelp North Loop's popular Home Slice Pizza is currently on the upswing in the sandwich category on Yelp. While businesses categorized as "Sandwiches" on Yelp saw a median 2.2 percent increase in new reviews over the past month, this spot to score pizza and sandwiches increased its by 9.4 percentand kept its rating consistent at 4.5 stars. Open for business at 501 E. 53rd St. since 2005, the business offers New York-style Sicilian pizza as well as traditional pies with more than two dozen toppings to choose from. Customers can also order signature pizzas such as the eggplant pie or white clam pizza. There are also hot and cold subs and salad on the menu. 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. MONTOURSVILLE, PA: President Donald Trump calls up Blake Marnell, wearing a jacket with bricks representing a border wall, to the stage during a 'Make America Great Again' campaign rally at Williamsport Regional Airport on May 20 in Montoursville, Pennsylvania. Trump is making a trip to the swing state to drum up Republican support on the eve of a special election in Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district, with Republican Fred Keller facing off against Democrat Marc Friedenberg. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775341208 ORIG FILE ID: 1145317959 WASHINGTON Amid chants of "build that wall," President Donald Trump found one supporter that truly tried to embody one of the president's main policy initiatives. During a campaign rally in Montoursville, Penn., Trump invited a man to the stage who was wearing a suit that had a brick wall design. "Now, we know who he's voting for," Trump said after shaking hands with the man, identified as Blake Marnell by the Associated Press. Trump was campaigning for Republican Fred Keller ahead of Tuesday's special election to find a replacement for Rep. Tom Marino. Keller is going up against Democrat Marc Friedenberg for Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District seat. Trump's wall: Pentagon to tap accounts for missiles, Afghan war to pay $1.5B for it More: Pressured by Trump, Mexico cracks down on migrants; many will never reach the US border The president was bashing Friedenberg as a candidate who "wants to open your borders." Democrats have not called for open borders, but have opposed Trump's plan to build new barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border. "We're fighting like hell with the worst laws to get those borders closed," the president said. His supporters began chanting "build that wall," when Trump spotted Marnell, who was sporting the signature red "Make America Great Again" cap and a suit designed to look like a brick wall. "Look at that," Trump said pointing to the crowd. "Can you get him up here? Get him up here, c'mon. Look at this guy!" Marnell, who Trump said was from San Diego, Calif., ran up to the stage to shake the president's hand and briefly exchanged words with Trump. The president later in his rally continued to criticize Democrats' stance on immigration, again falsely saying that "they want everyone to come in." Trump claimed that "Democrat-backed policies have left our borders overrun" and "our detention facilities overwhelmed." Story continues Centers holding migrants have quickly filled up and have created hard living environments. A 16-year-old Guatemalan migrant, Carlos Gregorio Hernandez Vasquez, died while in Customs and Border Protection custody, the agency announced Monday. More: Trump to Pennsylvania voters: 'Biden deserted you' Last week, Trump last introduced an immigration plan that prioritizes highly skilled workers -- a plan he called "pro-immigrant" at the Monday rally. The plan did not address the millions of undocumented immigrants currently living in the U.S. "Our country is full," Trump said Monday night in Pennsylvania. "We don't want people coming up here. We want Mexico to stop, we want all of them to stop. "Our country is packed to the gills, we don't want them coming up," he concluded. Like what youre reading?: Download the USA TODAY app for more This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump invites man wearing border wall suit to stage: 'We know who he's voting for' President Donald Trump met Tuesday at the White House with the leaders of the tiny, but strategic states of Micronesia and other Pacific island nations to underline the leading US role in the region. The brief but symbolic meeting demonstrated US support at a time when Washington is pushing back against expanding Chinese influence in the Pacific. Trump hosted the presidents of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. After, they issued a joint statement to "jointly reaffirm our interest in a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region." "It is in our mutual interest that the Pacific Ocean remains an important and vibrant corridor for maritime trade," the statement said in a possible message to China, which is projecting naval power further into previously US-dominated waters. A senior White House official said "President Trump has been directing an unprecedented level of focus on the Pacific Islands, in recognition of the fact that the United States is a Pacific nation, with immutable strategic, economic, cultural and people-to-people links in the islands." The tiny countries, formed from sprawling but lightly populated archipelagos, have what are known as compacts of free association with the United States dating back to the aftermath of World War II. Washington pays much of their budgets and in return uses the territories as important links in a huge chain of military bases across the ocean. Donald Trump sought on Monday to discredit a New York Times report that Deutsche Bank employees flagged concerns over transactions involving legal entities controlled by the president and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Related: Deutsche Bank staff saw suspicious Trump and Kushner activity report The Times said the nature of the transactions was not clear and that the bank ultimately took no action. Some of the transactions involved money flowing back and forth with overseas entities or individuals, some in Russia. Trump claimed he did not need or want banks and does not receive money from Russia. Congress and New York state are investigating the relationship between Trump, his family and Deutsche Bank, and demanding documents related to any suspicious activity. Trump has sued in court in an attempt to block House subpoenas for his financial records that were sent to Deutsche Bank, Capital One and the accounting firm Mazars. The Times report said anti-money-laundering specialists at Deutsche Bank recommended in 2016 and 2017 that multiple transactions be reported to a federal financial-crimes watchdog. Citing five current and former Deutsche Bank employees, the report said executives at the German-based bank, which has lent billions to Trump and Kushner companies, rejected the advice and the reports were never filed. Earlier this month, the Times obtained tax information which showed his businesses lost more than $1bn from 1985 to 1994. Trump has refused to release more recent tax returns or to comply with House subpoenas for them. Trump rejected and ridiculed that story. In his Monday tweets, he claimed not to need banks as he made a lot of money and buys everything for cash. He also said the fake media always uses unnamed sources (because their sources dont even exist). But one former Deutsche Bank employee, Tammy McFadden, who reviewed some of the transactions, spoke to the Times on the record. She said she was fired last year after raising concerns about the banks practices, the Times said. Story continues McFadden said concerns she raised included contacts between Kushner Companies and Russian individuals in summer 2016. Deutsche Bank has been fined for laundering billions of dollars for Russians. In his report on Russian election interference released in redacted form last month, special counsel Robert Mueller did not find that Trump conspired with Moscow. But he did lay out extensive contacts between Trump aides and Russia. On Monday, Trump tweeted: The new big story is that Trump made a lot of money and buys everything for cash, he doesnt need banks. But where did he get all of that cash? Could it be Russia? No, I built a great business and dont need banks, but if I did they would be there. Trump also called the Times reporting phony and called Deutsche Bank very good and highly professional. Deutsche Bank denied the report but it contributed to shares falling to a record low. Shares in the German lender were down by 2.8% at the time of writing. The bank was recently forced to abandon merger plans with Commerzbank. It has also struggled to turn around its corporate and investment arms. The Times said the transactions in question, some of which involved Trumps now-defunct foundation, set off alerts in a computer system designed to detect illicit activity, according to the former bank employees. Compliance staff members who reviewed the transactions prepared suspicious activity reports they believed should be sent to a unit of the US treasury that polices financial crimes, according to the newspaper. A spokeswoman for the Trump Organization told Reuters the story is absolute nonsense. We have no knowledge of any flagged transactions with Deutsche Bank. In fact, we have no operating accounts with Deutsche Bank, she said. The newspaper said a Kushner Companies spokeswoman called any allegations of relationships involving money laundering made up and totally false. Lower house of Russian parliament adopts e-voting bill RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 15:20 21/05/2019 MOSCOW, May 21 (RAPSI) - The State Duma, the lower house of Russian parliament, passed a bill envisaging test remote voting via electronic communications during the elections to the Moscow parliament in the third and final reading on Tuesday. The Moscow City Duma election will be held on September 8. Under the draft law, the test voting is to be conducted in one or several city districts. The remote voting would require changes and development of public control over the elections, Alexander Brod, a member of the Presidential Council of Human Rights, said earlier. Previously, the Central Election Commission (CEC) proposed to ease the procedure governing the elections of municipal lawmakers. As noted by Maxim Grigoryev, a member of the Civic Chamber, the measure will enable small political parties and those outside the Parliament to take a more active stand in the political life in Russia. CEC, Grigoriev pointed out, has also plans to improve the procedures on the participation of observers in the elections. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday Mexico was "doing virtually nothing to stop illegal immigrants from coming to our southern border" and that he would soon give a response. "Mexicos attitude is that people from other countries, including Mexico, should have the right to flow into the U.S. & that U.S. taxpayers should be responsible for the tremendous costs associated w/this illegal migration. Mexico is wrong and I will soon be giving a response!" Trump said on Twitter. Trump, who is pushing ahead with building a wall along parts of the U.S.-Mexico border after failing to make Mexico pay for a barrier as he had promised during his 2016 election campaign, did not elaborate on his planned response. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trumps tweet, and whether he was referring to a request from Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador for an agreement on development aid with the United States and other nations to address the flood of Central American migrants. Lopez Obrador said on Monday that Trump had made a commitment for U.S. investment in Central America and Mexico and had shown interest in his ideas, but that the next step was to sign an agreement. Trump last month threatened to put tariffs on cars coming from Mexico into the United States if Mexico did not help Washington deal with the immigration and drug situation along the border. The U.S. government has said border officers apprehended nearly 99,000 people crossing the southern border into the country in April, the highest figure since 2007, as Trump administration officials decry what they call a humanitarian and security crisis. (Reporting by Roberta Rampton and Tim Ahmann; Writing by Mohammad Zargham; Editing by David Alexander and Tom Brown) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he will nominate Barbara Barrett, a former chair of the Aerospace Corporation, to be secretary of the Air Force. "I am pleased to announce my nomination of Barbara Barrett of Arizona, and former Chairman of the Aerospace Corporation, to be the next Secretary of the Air Force," Trump said on Twitter. "She will be an outstanding Secretary!," he added. Heather Wilson resigned as Air Force Secretary in March to return to academia and become president of the University of Texas at El Paso. The Aerospace Corporation is a national nonprofit company that operates a federally funded research and development center and has approximately 4,000 employees, according to its website. Barrett was U.S. Ambassador to Finland in 2008-09 during the presidency of George W. Bush. Barrett unsuccessfully ran for Arizona governor in 1994 as the first Republican woman to seek that office. She also was deputy administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and vice chair of the U.S. Civil Aeronautics Board. She is married to Craig Barrett, retired chief executive of Intel Corp. . (Reporting by Eric Beech, Idrees Ali and Mike Stone; editing by David Alexander and Bill Berkrot) Donald Trump turned his fire on Fox News, threatened to have his attorney general investigate Democrats and FBI for treason and joked about serving five terms as president during a typically rambling rally speech in Pennsylvania. The president was in the northeastern state to campaign for Republican congressional candidate Fred Keller, ahead of a special election on Tuesday. Whats going on with Fox, by the way? Mr Trump asked the crowd. Theyre putting more Democrats on than Republicans. Something strange is going on at Fox, folks! Something very strange! His remarks caused the crowd to loudly boo the right-wing television network, which has previously shown staunch support to the president. Mr Trump had earlier accused Fox News of moving...to the losing (wrong) side in a series of tweets posted on Sunday. The president appeared angered by the cable networks decision to screen a televised town hall event featuring Pete Buttigieg. The mayor of South Bend, a city in Indiana, is an increasingly popular Democratic primary candidate. Hard to believe that Fox News is wasting airtime on Mayor Pete, the president wrote. Fox is moving more and more to the losing (wrong) side in covering the [Democrats]. They got dumped from the Democrats boring debates, and they just want in. They forgot the people...who got them there. The president has expressed increasing frustration with Fox News over recent weeks, despite the networks consistently pro-Trump stance. So weird to watch Crazy Bernie on Fox News, he tweeted on 16 April, after the cable network hosted an event with Vermont senator Bernie Sanders. During Mondays rally the president also criticised Democratic frontrunner Joe Biden. The former vice-president was born in Pennsylvania but later moved to Delaware as a child. He represented the latter state in the US senate for over 30 years. Story continues I guess he was born here, but he left you folks, Mr Trump claimed. He left you for another state. Remember that please. I meant to say that. The president also accused the FBI and Democrats of treasonover the investigation of his 2016 election campaign for its links to Russia, as his supporters chanted "lock them up". Well we have a great new attorney general, who is going to give it a very fair look, he said. The 72-year-old also discussed serving four more years after 2020 and joked about remaining in office for up to five full terms. Well go and well do what we have to do. Well do a three and a four and a five [terms], he said. Additional reporting by agencies May 21 (Reuters) - Two further racehorses have died since Friday at Santa Anita Park following a spate of 23 other equine deaths at the Southern California venue since December, multiple media have reported. The gelding Spectacular Music suffered a pelvis injury in a race on Sunday and was euthanized on Monday, the Los Angeles Times and other media reported, citing racetrack officials. It follows the death on Friday of three-year-old gelding Commander Coil, which suffered a fatal shoulder injury while training at the venue and became the 24th horse to die since Dec. 26, NBC News and other media reported. In March, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office launched an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding horse deaths at the park, one of America's premiere thoroughbred tracks, in Arcadia about 15 miles northeast of Los Angeles. The district attorney's office created a task force to investigate training and veterinary practices. Racing at Santa Anita Park was suspended for about two weeks in March, while the main track was tested for safety, and reopened with new rules for both track safety and veterinary practices, track officials previously said. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) issued a statement late on Monday about the latest two horse deaths, acknowledging the new safety measures but calling for more action. "Two dead horses in three days proves that more must be done to end training and veterinary practices that lead to broken bones," the organization, which is pushing for stricter laws governing horse racing, said in the statement. In an unrelated incident, a three-year-old filly named Congrats Gal collapsed and died after racing at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on May 17, a day before the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown. The cause of death was not immediately reported by officials. (Reporting by Rich McKay in Atlanta; Editing by Greg Stutchbury) By Leigh Thomas PARIS (Reuters) - Economic growth in China and the United States could be 0.2-0.3% lower on average by 2021 and 2022 if the two countries do not row back on tit-for-tat tariffs in their dispute that has dampened the global economic outlook, the OECD said on Tuesday. U.S. President Donald Trump has raised tariffs on $200 billion on Chinese imports to 25% from 10% in the long-running trade row, while Beijing said it would hit back by lifting tariffs on $60 billion in U.S. goods. The global economy would grow by only 3.2% this year as growth in trade flows is nearly halved this year to only 2.1%, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said in its biannual Economic Outlook. That would be the slowest pace of global economic growth since 2016 and was down marginally from the Paris-based policy forum's last forecast in March for growth of 3.3%. The world economy should fare slightly better next year with a growth rate of 3.4%, but only if the United States and China pull back from tariff hikes announced this month. The OECD said growth in China and the United States could come in 0.2-0.3% lower on average by 2021 and 2022 if the two nations did not reverse course. Without taking the latest round of tariff increases into account, the OECD forecast the United States would outpace other big developed economies with growth of 2.8% this year, up from the 2.6% the organization had projected in March. The world's biggest economy was seen slowing to 2.3% next year even if the new tariff hikes are not carried through. China, which is not an OECD country, has been seeking to stimulate its economy but growth was still seen easing from 6.2% this year to 6.0% in 2020, the lowest rate in 30 years for the world's second-biggest economy. Global investors are closely watching to see how much more support Beijing will inject to shore up growth after China already loosened monetary policy, cut taxes and allowed local governments to issue special bonds to fund infrastructure projects. Story continues Japan's export-dependent economy is suffering from the drop in trade flows with growth expected at only 0.7% in 2019 and 0.6% in 2020, trimmed from the OECD's March forecasts of 0.8% and 0.7% respectively. The euro zone is also paying a heavy price for the global trade slowdown, with its growth seen this year at 1.2% before rising to 1.4% year. That was slightly better than the 1.0% and 1.2% expected in March as Italy's downturn proves slightly less severe than previously expected Meanwhile, the OECD raised Britain's growth forecast to 1.2% this year from 0.8% previously, as the prospect of its exit from the European Union was pushed back. UK growth is expected to fall to 1.0%, marginally better than the 0.9% expected in March. (Reporting by Leigh Thomas; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta and Edmund Blair) (corrects acreage of farm in paragraph 10; corrects paragraph 11 to grandfather, not father; corrects paragraph 13 to International Trade Commission, not Congress) By Lucy Nicholson and Richa Naidu GILROY, California, May 21 (Reuters) - Unlike millions of other U.S. farmers, garlic growers are profiting from the trade war with China and have cheered President Donald Trump's latest economic attack accordingly. Sales of California-grown garlic are now increasing after decades of losing ground to cheaper Chinese imports. Sales are poised to get even better as Chinese garlic faces even higher tariffs, with no end to the trade war in sight. "In a perfect world, we'd love to see the tariffs stay on forever," said Ken Christopher, executive vice president of family owned Christopher Ranch, the largest of three remaining commercial garlic producers in the United States. While many farmers are suffering through the trade war because they relied heavily on imports to China, U.S. garlic growers benefit because they rely overwhelmingly on domestic sales. Tariffs on Chinese garlic increased from 10 to 25 percent on May 9, when the U.S. hiked tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods and dashed hopes that a U.S.-China trade deal could come soon. While soybean farmers in the U.S. Midwest watched silos fill with unsold crops as top buyer China all but stopped purchases, Christopher Ranch saw domestic garlic sales rise 15 percent in the last quarter of 2018 after the U.S. applied a 10 percent tariff on imports of Chinese garlic in September. Then Trump ordered even higher tariffs this month after trade talks broke down when China backtracked on a host of issues crucial to U.S. officials. The escalation came just a few weeks before the U.S. garlic harvest. "The timing couldnt be better for us," Christopher said. "We anticipate a surge in demand for California garlic in the coming weeks." Christopher, 33, whose farm has 5,900 acres of grass-like garlic fields in Gilroy, California, traveled to Washington D.C. in July to urge the Trump administration to include garlic in the list of imports that would face tariffs. Story continues In lobbying for tariffs, Christopher follows in the footsteps of his grandfather, who fought to implement an anti-dumping duty of up to 400 percent on Chinese garlic in the 1990s. "We understand in a broader economic sense that a trade war is not in the U.S. best interest," he said, "But since the tariffs were happening anyway, we needed to be sure that garlic was part of the equation." Not everyone is a fan of the garlic tariff. While Christopher was testifying in favor of tariffs to the U.S. International Trade Commission, executives from one of the world's top seasoning companies, McCormick & Company Inc., were arguing against them. McCormick says its recipes mostly rely on Chinese garlic, calling it a different product from what is grown in the United States. Theyre not substitutable," CEO Lawrence Kurzius told Reuters in an interview. "Just like wine, origin matters and terroir matter. Taste differences aside, California garlic has traditionally sold at far higher prices than Chinese garlic. It now sells for about $60 per 30-pound box on the wholesale market, according to Christopher. Until recently, Chinese garlic sold for $20 per box, but that has risen to $40 with tariffs and will likely soon rise further, he said. The new profits U.S. garlic farmers have enjoyed from tariffs are an exception in the U.S. farm sector. China last year retaliated to Trump's tariffs with duties on U.S. goods including soybeans, corn and pork. Trump has pledged up to an additional $20 billion in aid to help U.S. farmers hurt by the prolonged dispute after groups such as the American Soybean Association criticized the failure to reach a deal. That's on top of $12 billion the administration promised last year to compensate farmers for trade-war losses. The trade war has also left many West Coast specialty crop farmers, like nut and cherry growers, scrambling to find alternative markets after China imposed steep duties on imports that made their products too expensive to sell there. Jamie Johansson, an olive farmer and president of the California farm bureau - which represents 400 crops and 36,000 members - said the Trump administration had put California farmers in the middle of tariff wars with four of the state's five top markets, including China. "Among our members, I have not heard of anyone benefiting from the current trade war and tariffs," Johansson said. (Additional reporting and writing by Caroline Stauffer Editing by Simon Webb and Brian Thevenot) The U.S. has thrown Huawei Technologies a lifeline, but it likely isnt doing it for the Chinese companys sake. Last Wednesday, the Commerce Department added Huawei and 68 affiliates to its prohibitive entities lista catalogue of companies considered threats to national security. Entities on the list are required to apply for special permission to purchase components from U.S. companies, with the understanding that approval will likely be denied. U.S. companies didnt wait to be told no. On Monday, Google announced it would exclude Huawei from its Android mobile operating system; chipmakers Qualcomm, Intel and Xilinx Inc likewise said they were cutting supplies to Huawei, throttling their own stock prices. Shares in Xilinx tumbled 5% Monday, while Qualcomm shares dropped over 4%. Granting a reprieve Following the fallout, the Trump Administration granted Huawei a three-month general license late Monday that would allow the Chinese manufacturer to continue purchasing U.S. equipment until August 19. U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross announced the temporary license on Monday.. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) The temporary general license grants operators time to make other arrangements and the [commerce] department space to determine the appropriate long term measures for Americans and foreign telecommunications providers that currently rely on Huawei equipment for critical services, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said. Reality check According to Huaweis own reporting, 33 of its 93 core suppliers are U.S. tech firms, some of which are overly exposed to the Huawei blockade. California-based NeoPhotonics, for example, earned roughly 47% of its 2018 Q3 revenue from sales to Huawei. The broader U.S. semiconductor industry earns roughly $11 billion in annual sales to Huawei alone. Meanwhile, Huaweis carrier business serves clients worldwide including in low population areas of the U.S. such as parts of Wyoming and Oregon, where customers would suffer if Huawei is unable to maintain its service. I think this is a reality check, Washington trade lawyer Douglas Jacobson told Reuters. It shows how pervasive Huawei goods and technology are around the globe and if the U.S. imposes restrictions, that has impacts. Story continues Marching orders Throughout the fluctuation in U.S. policy, Huawei has remained uncowed. At a press conference Saturday, founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei told reporters that Huawei would be fine without U.S. components. Ren echoed his remarks at another media meeting Tuesday where he said, We can also produce chips as good as the U.S. chips, but it doesnt mean we are not purchasing those anymore. Huawei Founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei has downplayed the business ramifications of losing access to U.S.-build telecom components. ( | FABRICE COFFRINI AFP/Getty Images) Huawei claims to have been stockpiling computer chips and other vital imports as a contingency plan for year since even before a similar embargo brought rival manufacturer ZTE to a complete standstill last summer. However, analysts estimate Huawei only has enough supplies to tide itself over for three months. Huawei has been developing semiconductors of its own through subsidiary HiSilicon, although it still depends on foreign manufacturers to fabricate them. Last Friday, HiSilicon President Teresa He Tingbo posted a memo on Chinas Twitter-like Weibo in response to Huaweis placement on the entity list. In the open letter, he described HiSilicons efforts to secure Huaweis supply chains as a Long March, alluding to a historic event during Chinas civil war in 1934, when tens of thousands of Communist Party loyalists marched 8,000 miles in a tactical retreat. One important note about the Long March is that many of the marchers died, either in battle or starving, exhausted, and frozen as they trudged over mountains during the year-long trek. The Long March whittled Communist Party membership down from 300,000 to 40,000. Party folklore maintains that those who survived were the strongest members. Party officials have often evoked memory of the Long March to prepare citizens for a period of strife. The symbolism then was not lost on Monday when, during his first domestic visit since trade talks broke down, President Xi Jinping travelled with chief negotiator Liu He to Yudu county, Jiangxi province, where the Long March began. China, like Huawei, is digging in for the long haul. More must-read stories from Fortune: Questioning the role of French telecom execs in 35 employee suicides Tencents new video game: part propaganda, part peace offering Why the new U.S.-EU trade talks might go nowhere The Eastern European countries home to todays most dynamic winemakers Catch up with Data Sheet, Fortunes daily digest on the business of tech. Golos NGO member arrested in Moscow on suspicion of murder threat RIA Novosti, Yevgeny Odinokov 11:47 21/05/2019 MOSCOW, May 21 (RAPSI) Moscow police have arrested a member of the Golos association in defense of voters rights Roman Udot on suspicion of murder threat and causing bodily harm, RAPSI has learnt from the law enforcement. According to a source of the agency, Udot was hiding out from investigators alleging that he had threatened a journalist to kill her. The activist pleads not guilty. Golos, the movement for protecting voter rights, was established on July 5, 2013. The organization has been monitoring elections in Russia since 2000. (Corrects second paragraph to make clear Missouri governor has not yet signed bill into law) By Cecile Mantovani GENEVA, May 21 (Reuters) - The United Nations human rights office called on U.S. authorities on Tuesday to ensure that women have access to safe abortions, saying bans lead to risky underground abortions that can endanger a woman's life. Missouri's Republican governor, Mike Parson, could sign a bill into law as early as this week that prohibits women from seeking an abortion after the eighth week of pregnancy, days after Alabama enacted the most restrictive abortion law in the United States. "We are very concerned that several U.S. states have passed laws severely restricting access to safe abortion for women, including by imposing criminal penalties on the women themselves and on abortion service providers," U.N. human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told Reuters Television in Geneva. Evidence and experience have shown that complete bans on abortions do not reduce their number, but drive them underground "jeopardizing the life, health and safety of the women concerned," she said. Such bans are also "inherently discriminatory," affecting women who are poor, from minority backgrounds or other marginalized communities, Shamdasani added. "So we are calling on the United States and all other countries to ensure that women have access to safe abortions. At an absolute minimum, in cases of rape, incest and fetal anomaly, there needs to be safe access to abortions," she said. Missouri is one of eight states where Republican-controlled legislatures this year have passed new restrictions on abortion. It is part of a coordinated campaign aimed at prompting the conservative-majority U.S. Supreme Court to cut back or overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide and recognized a right under the U.S. Constitution for women to terminate pregnancies. Story continues The most restrictive of those bills was signed into law in Alabama last week. It bans abortion at all times and in almost all cases, including when the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest, but allows exceptions when the mother's life is in danger. Anti-abortion advocates are aware that any laws they pass are certain to be challenged. But supporters of the Alabama ban said the right to life of the fetus transcended other rights, an idea they would like tested at the Supreme Court. (Reporting by Cecile Mantovani Writing by Stephanie Nebehay Editing by Frances Kerry) By David Brunnstrom and Idrees Ali WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States sees signs the Syrian government may be using chemical weapons, including an alleged chlorine attack on Sunday in northwest Syria, the State Department said on Tuesday, warning that Washington and its allies would respond "quickly and appropriately" if this were proven. "Unfortunately, we continue to see signs that the Assad regime may be renewing its use of chemical weapons, including an alleged chlorine attack in northwest Syria on the morning of May 19," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement. "We are still gathering information on this incident, but we repeat our warning that if the Assad regime uses chemical weapons, the United States and our allies will respond quickly and appropriately," she said. Ortagus said the alleged attack was part of a violent campaign by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces violating a ceasefire that has protected several million civilians in the greater Idlib area. "The regimes attacks against the communities of northwest Syria must end," the statement said. "The United States reiterates its warning, first issued by President Trump in September 2018, that an attack against the Idlib de-escalation zone would be a reckless escalation that threatens to destabilize the region." President Donald Trump's administration has twice bombed Syria over Assad's alleged use of chemical weapons, in April 2017 and April 2018. In September, a senior U.S. official said there was evidence showing chemical weapons were being prepared by Syrian government forces in Idlib, the last major rebel stronghold in the country. The State Department statement accused Russia and Assad's forces of "a continuing disinformation campaign ... to create the false narrative that others are to blame for chemical weapons attacks." "The facts, however, are clear," the statement said. The Assad regime itself has conducted almost all verified chemical weapons attacks that have taken place in Syria a conclusion the United Nations has reached over and over again." A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the Syrian government had a history of resorting to chemical weapons when fighting intensified. The official, however, was not aware of any confirmation of what substance was allegedly used, if at all, and said the U.S. government was still gathering information. There was no immediate comment from the Syrian government on the U.S. statement. In March, Syrian state media cited a hospital in government-held Hama as saying 21 people suffered choking symptoms from poison gas after rebels shelled a village. In January, U.S. national security adviser John Bolton warned the Syrian government against using chemical weapons again. There is absolutely no change in the U.S. position against the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime and absolutely no change in our position that any use of chemical weapons would be met by a very strong response, as we've done twice before," Bolton said at the time. (Reporting by Eric Beech, David Brunnstrom and Idrees Ali; editing by Jonathan Oatis) WASHINGTON, May 21 (Reuters) - Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said on Tuesday that top administration officials told senators in a briefing the recent attacks on shipping and a pipeline in the Middle East was directed by the Iranian government and the ayatollah. "They explained to us how the Iranian threat streams were different than in the past, that the attack on the ships and the pipeline was coordinated and directed by the Iranian government, the ayatollah," Graham told reporters. (Reporting by David Alexander; Editing by Eric Beech) By David Shepardson WASHINGTON, May 21 (Reuters) - Three Democratic U.S. senators on Tuesday questioned the decision by Volkswagen AG's U.S. unit to delay a union election for workers at its Tennessee assembly plant. Earlier this month, the largest German automaker won its bid to put off a union election for 1,700 workers at the Chattanooga plant until its challenge to a smaller United Auto Workers bargaining unit at the factory is settled. The National Labor Relations Board in a single-sentence, 2-1 decision on May 3 granted Volkswagen's motion to stay an election petition filed by some of its workers last month. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan and Sherrod Brown of Ohio wrote to Scott Keogh, president of Volkswagen Group of America, on Tuesday, expressing "deep concern with delays" to the election. "We urge you to immediately drop any efforts to oppose or postpone the election," the said. UAW spokesman Brian Rothenberg said: "Chattanooga workers just want the right to vote and have the same workplace rights as every other VW worker in the world." Volkswagen did not immediately comment Tuesday. In December 2015, 160 skilled trade maintenance workers voted to unionize and affiliate with the UAW, the union said. VW declined to bargain with the union, saying the unit needed to include both skilled trade maintenance workers and production workers. Volkswagen has stated it is neutral on workers joining a union but the senators said its "actions suggest otherwise." VW began production at the plant in 2011 and builds the Passat car and the Atlas SUV. In January, VW said it was investing $800 million to build a new electric vehicle in Tennessee and add 1,000 jobs at the Chattanooga plant that will begin EV production in 2022. The senators "have heard that facility supervisors in Chattanooga are engaging in direct anti-union conversations with workers in the workplace, including pulling workers off the production line to ask if they support the union," they said. In February 2014, workers at the plant narrowly voted against union representation, which had been seen as organized labor's best chance to expand in the U.S. South. UAW membership has plummeted 75 percent since 1979 and now stands at about 396,000. The UAW has failed for two decades to organize foreign automaker plants in the United States. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe) WASHINGTON, May 21 (Reuters) - U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer will meet with officials from the European Union and Japan in Paris on Thursday regarding joint efforts to address the non market-oriented policies and practices of other countries, his office said. The meeting, which is expected to focus largely on Chinese subsidies, will take place on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting of the 36-member Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris on Wednesday and Thursday. Lighthizer will also hold several bilateral meetings with key trading partners, and attend an informal ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization, his office said in a statement. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Lisa Shumaker) By William James LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's opposition Labour Party wants to nationalize energy and water infrastructure if it can oust Prime Minister Theresa May's ruling Conservatives from power, reversing decades of pro-privatization public policy. Despite a national election not being due until 2022, the prospect of nationalization is worrying investors. Analysts have valued the regulated asset values of water and energy networks potentially facing nationalization at around 125 billion pounds ($159 billion). The likelihood of May's center-right Conservative minority government lasting until 2022 has been reduced because arguments over Brexit have split the party, paralyzing policymaking and causing its poll ratings to slide. When Labour elected the pro-nationalization left-winger Jeremy Corbyn as leader in 2015, many wrote off his chances of ever becoming prime minister, describing his manifesto as a throwback to Britain's socialist experiences of the 1970s. But, despite also suffering electoral damage over its Brexit policy, a Labour government is now considered a real possibility. What does Labour want to nationalize, and how will it affect shareholders? WHAT IS IN LABOUR'S SIGHTS? Labour campaigned in the 2017 election on a manifesto to bring rail companies, energy supply networks, water systems and mail delivery into public ownership. It has since produced more detailed policy on what it would do with National Grid, the private company which operates gas and electricity transmission networks in Britain, along with other assets. It has also set out plans for the water industry which is controlled by regional companies, some of which are publicly listed. The nationalization program would be led by a 'Public Ownership Unit' within the finance ministry, which would establish the timetable for each industry. WHAT WILL SHAREHOLDERS GET? Labour has said it will compensate shareholders using bonds. It describes that exchange as cost neutral to the public purse because it trades a liability (the bond) for a profitable asset (the companies). It has not specified the nature of these bonds. WHO DECIDES THE PRICE? The key issue for shareholders in the affected firms is the price at which a Labour government would compensate shareholders. In policy documents, Labour says: "The UK legal framework is clear that the level of compensation should be decided by Parliament". It cites court rulings relating to the nationalization of Northern Rock bank in 2008 to support this statement. HOW WILL PARLIAMENT DETERMINE THE PRICE? Labour has not set out details of the process parliament would use to set the price of the bonds-for-equity exchange. Asked what method Labour intended to use, the party's finance policy chief John McDonnell said there would be a consultation on the issue and he would be as open and transparent about the process as possible. In the case of Northern Rock, a failed mortgage lender hit by the global financial crisis, parliament appointed an independent valuer. In that case, because the bank was in administration and receiving government support the valuer decided it had no value, and shareholders were not compensated. The renationalization of aircraft and shipbuilding industries in the 1970s was based on the average share price of the relevant firms over a six-month period preceding the election of the Labour government that implemented the policy. Subsequent shareholder legal challenges to both methods were unsuccessful. WHAT WILL PARLIAMENT LOOK AT? Labour's policy document goes on to say that parliament could seek deductions from the determined price based upon: - pension fund deficits - asset stripping since privatization - stranded assets - the state of repair of assets - state subsidies given to the energy companies since privatization Labour said existing debts would be carried into public ownership and honored in full, and that they would be refinanced over a period of time to benefit from the reduced debt costs associated with government borrowing. (Reporting by William James, Additinoal reporting by Susanna Twidale and Noor Zainab Hussain; Editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Ed Osmond) LONDON, May 21 (Reuters) - Britain's opposition Labour Party said on Tuesday the government must intervene to save British Steel, the country's second largest steel producer, from administration. The steelmaker, which employs around 5,000 people in Scunthorpe, northern England, with tens of thousands more dependent on in its supply chain, is on the brink of collapse unless the government agrees to provide an emergency 30 million pound ($38.1 million) loan by later on Tuesday. "The UK steel industry is critical to our manufacturing base and is strategically important to UK industry," Gill Furniss, Labour's spokeswoman on steel, said in a statement. "Administration would be devastating for the thousands of workers and their families who rely on this key industry in a part of the country which has not had enough support and investment from government over decades." (Reporting by Michael Holden. Editing by Andrew MacAskill) LONDON, May 21 (Reuters) - Lawmakers will be able to determine the shape of Britain's exit from the European Union by amending the government's Brexit legislation in parliament, trade minister Liam Fox will say on Tuesday. Prime Minister Theresa May plans to put the Withdrawal Agreement Bill, the law which will enact her exit deal with the EU, to a vote in parliament in early June. Her deal has been rejected by lawmakers three times. "The second reading of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill will allow MPs to determine the type of Brexit they want by amending the bill during its passage through parliament," Fox will say, according to advance extracts released by his office. "Those voting against the Bill will be voting against the delivery of Brexit itself. Voters will see clearly whether their MPs have kept their promise or not." (Reporting by Kylie MacLellan; Editing by Janet Lawrence) DUBLIN (Reuters) - The deputy leader of the Northern Irish party propping up British Prime Minister Theresa May's government said on Tuesday he thought Brexit would be delivered, but that it might require a new prime minister to do so. "All the attention in Westminster is focused on what comes after the prime minister, that's one of the problems she has now in terms of delivering this kind of hodge podge set of proposals," Nigel Dodds of the Democratic Unionist Party told Northern Irish broadcaster UTV, referring to her exit deal. "Everybody is saying why should we vote for this when we don't know who the next prime minister is going to be." (Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Gareth Jones) UNITED NATIONS (AP) An armed group stormed the main water distribution station in Libya's capital and closed valves supplying Tripoli and cities in the northwest, potentially affecting some two million people, the United Nations said Monday. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said U.N. humanitarian officials are deeply concerned over the reported water cutoff following Sunday's attack. Some districts in Tripoli are already experiencing low water pressure, "and it is expected that the full impact will be felt in the coming two days unless the valves are reopened," he said. Dujarric said Tripoli's water supply had been affected before Sunday's incident because maintenance workers at the main distribution station were evacuated for security reasons. The self-styled Libyan National Army led by Field Marshal Khalifa Hifter launched an offensive from the east on April 4 seeking to take Tripoli. Hifter's forces are battling militias loosely allied with a weak, U.N.-recognized government in the capital. Civil war in Libya in 2011 toppled and later killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi, and the chaos that followed resulted in a divided country, with the U.N.-aligned administration in Tripoli overseeing the country's west and a government in the east aligned with Hifter. Each is backed by an array of militias and armed groups fighting over resources and territory. Dujarric said clashes in and around Tripoli continue "to surge," increasing the number of civilians who have fled their homes to more than 78,000. The United Nations has verified some 126 civilian casualties to date, including 29 fatalities, he said, but "they should be considered a minimum." The battle for the Libyan capital has threatened to ignite a civil war on the scale of the 2011 uprising against Gadhafi. Seguin, TX (78155) Today Mostly sunny. Near record high temperatures. High 82F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low near 65F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. UNITED NATIONS (AP) The U.N. envoy for Libya warned Tuesday that the oil-rich nation "is on the verge of descending into a civil war" that could divide the country and imperil the security of its neighbors and the wider Mediterranean region. Ghassan Salame told the Security Council that extremists from the Islamic State and al-Qaida are already exploiting the security vacuum sparked by the offensive to take the capital Tripoli launched April 4 by the self-styled Libyan National Army led by Field Marshal Khalifa Hifter. He said the black flags of the Islamic State extremist group are appearing in southern Libya and there have been four attacks by its fighters in the south since April 4 that together have killed 17 people, wounded more than 10 and led to eight kidnappings. "Libyan forces that had in the past courageously defended their country against these terrorist groups are now busy fighting each other," Salame said. Besides innocent Libyans being increasingly subjected to the increasing wrath of Islamic State extremists, he said, "there will be spillover of this violence to Libya's immediate neighbors." Civil war in Libya in 2011 toppled and later killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi, and the chaos that followed resulted in a divided country, with a U.N.-aligned, but weak, administration in Tripoli overseeing the country's west and a government in the east aligned with Hifter. Each is backed by an array of militias and armed groups fighting over resources and territory. Salame lamented that when Hifter launched the offensive on April 4 "the capital was enjoying a measure of increased security, the population a much more stable currency and an improved economic outlook, and the political process, despite many obstacles, was moving forward" with a national conference 10 days away to chart a roadmap to elections and a united future for Libya. But 48 days into Hifter's offensive, he said, more than 460 people have died, including 29 civilians, over 2,400 mainly civilians have been wounded, and over 75,000 civilians have been forced from their homes. Story continues Humanitarian officials estimate that "over 100,000 men, women and children remain trapped in immediate frontline areas, with over 400,000 more in areas directly impacted by the clashes, he said. And "nearly 3,400 refugees and migrants are trapped in detention centers exposed to, or in close proximity to, the fighting." Salame said there are also numerous reports of extremists, people on U.N. sanctions blacklists, and people wanted by the International Criminal Court "appearing on the battlefield on all sides." He called on the Security Council to support the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry "to determine who has taken up arms and support the establishment of mechanisms to ensure the exclusion of unwanted elements." And he urged all parties to hand over those sought by the ICC. Salame also said that "arms are pouring in again to all sides" from many countries that he did not name, in violation of a U.N. arms embargo against Libya. He urged the U.N. to enforce the embargo, saying the amount and sophistication of new weapons "are already causing greater numbers of casualties." "I am no Cassandra, but the violence on the outskirts of Tripoli is just the start of a long and bloody war on the southern shores of the Mediterranean, imperiling the security of Libya's immediate neighbors and the wider Mediterranean region," Salame said. However, the U.N. envoy said "full civil war is not inevitable," though "it may occur by the will of some parties, and by the inaction of others." He called on the Security Council to urge an immediate cease-fire and return to a U.N.-led political process. "A better future is still possible, but we all must be seized with the fierce urgency of now while the front lines remain on the outskirts of Tripoli and before the battle moves, God forbid, to the capital's more densely populated neighborhoods," Salame said. United Nations (United States) (AFP) - The UN envoy for Libya warned Tuesday the battle for Tripoli was "just the start of a long and bloody war" and called for immediate steps to cut off arms flows fueling the fighting. Addressing the Security Council, Ghassan Salame said "many countries" were supplying weapons to the UN-recognized government in Tripoli and forces led by Khalifa Haftar. Haftar, who is backed by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, launched an offensive on April 4 to seize the capital but his forces have been bogged down in the southern outskirts of Tripoli. "I am no Cassandra, but the violence on the outskirts of Tripoli is just the start of a long and bloody war on the southern shores of the Mediterranean, imperiling the security of Libya's immediate neighbors and the wider Mediterranean region," Salame said. Without immediate action to stop the flow of arms, "Libya will descend into civil war which could potentially lead to a Hobbesian all-against-all state of chaos or partition of the country," he said. His appeal came after the Tripoli-based government of national accord posted photographs at the weekend of dozens of Turkish-made armored vehicles that it said on its Facebook page were fresh deliveries for its fighters. Pro-Haftar websites also posted photos and video footage of Jordanian-built armored cars they said were supplied to the Libyan National Army, Haftar's self-styled militia based in the east. UN experts earlier this month said in a confidential report to the council that missiles fired at pro-Tripoli forces in April pointed to a likely drone attack that could involve a "third party," possibly the United Arab Emirates. - Divided council - More than 75,000 people have been driven from their homes in the latest fighting and 510 have been killed, according to the World Health Organization. The envoy urged the council to set up a commission of inquiry to "determine who has taken up arms" and look into war crimes allegations. Story continues With Haftar's forces mobilized near Tripoli, Libyan militias linked to the Islamic State and al-Qaeda have stepped up attacks, in particular in the south, Salame said. The Security Council failed last month to agree on a draft resolution demanding a ceasefire in Libya and a return to political talks to end the conflict. Russia refused to include any mention of Haftar's offensive on Tripoli while the United States said it needed more time to consider the situation, diplomats said. "Attempts to place the responsibility at the foot of only one of the players would only lead to deepening confrontation," Russian Deputy Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov told the council. France called for an immediate ceasefire and a return to talks, arguing that neither side could win an outright military victory in Tripoli. Haftar is due to hold talks with President Emmanuel Macron in Paris this week. The United States urged the warring sides to return to UN mediation. A Pakistani paramedic takes a blood sample from a baby for a HIV test at a state-run hospital in Ratodero in the district of Larkana of the southern Sindh province - AFP Hundreds of babies and toddlers have been found infected with HIV in a Pakistani city, in an unprecedented outbreak of the virus where children are the worst affected. Three-quarters of those testing positive for the virus since the outbreak was discovered a month ago in Rotadero in Sindh province are children, with nearly two-thirds aged five or under. Unqualified 'quack' doctors sharing dirty needles for injections, intravenous drips and blood transfusions have been blamed for spreading the virus, which attacks the immune system and leads to AIDS. Dr Maria Elena Filio-Borromeo, Pakistan director for the United Nations' AIDS and HIV programme, said she had not seen anything similar in Asia. This one is just unprecedented. It's such a very unique kind of profile, because those infected are children. A woman cries in her scarf as she holds her HIV infected child outside a house at Wasayo village in Rato Dero Credit: AFP The children have been infected in a country where HIV treatment remains rare for the poor, and where 6,200 people died from AIDS in 2018. The outbreak was detected when a paediatrician in the area was concerned eight of her young patients were finding it difficult to shake off fevers and not getting better when given medicine. Testing found all eight were HIV positive and a screening programme was started in the city a month ago. Since then 18,418 people have been screened and 607 have been found positive. Of those, 381 are aged five or under. The figure is expected to rise as screening increases. Researchers have yet to determine the exact source of the outbreak, but believe the virus has been spread by 'quack' doctors who specialise in injections and drips, but do not use clean needles. Many local patients have a culture of demanding injections and drips when they are sick, believing they are quicker and more effective than other medicines, Dr Filio-Borromeo said. Unqualified quack doctors running backstreet clinics to fill gaps in Pakistan's overstretched and underfunded public health system, are happy to oblige. Story continues Patients say: 'If you will not give me a drip, I will go to another doctor,' she said. Education is so critical. You can provide all this mass testing, all the treatment, but educate people. First on the reduction in the demand of unnecessary injections. According to United Nations estimates, 150,000 people in Pakistan have HIV and the number is increasing by 20,000 a year. But only one-in-50 women and one-in-25 men have ever been tested. Police in Sindh earlier this months said they had shut down a string of quack clinics and said they had arrested a doctor they accused of spreading the virus. The doctor has denied wrongdoing. The region has been hit by an outbreak before. In 2016 more than 1,500 people were found to be infected, with most of them men linked to the area's sex workers. Lax hygiene by quacks may have allowed the virus to spread from this high-risk group to the wider community, doctors believe. Dr Filio-Borromeo said Pakistan had good regulations for making the virus did not spread, but those regulations were rarely enforced. Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security Washington (AFP) - Despite removing a key sticking point on the new North American free trade pact, issues remain before Congress will vote to approve it, a top Democratic leader said Tuesday. President Donald Trump this month agreed to remove contentious tariffs on steel and aluminum imported from Mexico and Canada but Congressman Steny Hoyer of Maryland said Democrats continue to have concerns about workers' rights, dispute resolution and other issues in the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement. "We're not there yet," Hoyer, who is the House majority leader, told reporters. "We'd like to get to a yes." The three countries agreed on a revised free trade pact last year after months of negotiations but Ottawa and Mexico City said they would not ratify the deal unless the steel and aluminum tariffs were removed. US congressional leaders from both parties also demanded the tariffs end before they would approve the trade pact. Trump has hailed the USMCA as a major improvement over the 24-year-old NAFTA which he derided as the worst deal ever. US labor unions also have been skeptical that the new agreement resolves concerns over workers' rights in Mexico, even after the country agreed to change some of its labor laws. "As you know, organized labor says it would like to get to yes, we say we'd like to get to yes," Hoyer said. "Mexico has acted but we need enforcement." (Repeats to chain to alerts, no changes to text) KIEV, May 21 (Reuters) - United States Energy Secretary Rick Perry said on Tuesday that a sanctions bill putting onerous restrictions on companies involved in the Nord Stream 2 project would come in the "not too distant future." The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project has come under fire from the United States and several eastern European, Nordic and Baltic Sea countries which fear it will increase the European Union's reliance on Russian gas. "The opposition to Nord Stream 2 is still very much alive and well in the United States," Perry told a briefing on a visit to Kiev for the inauguration of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. "The United States Senate is going to pass a bill, the House is going to approve it, and it's going to go to the President and he's going to sign it, that is going to put sanctions on Nord Stream 2." (Reporting by Matthias Williams, editing by Louise Heavens) The Trump administration's move to block US technology sales to Huawei shoots an arrow deep into the Chinese tech giant's Achilles heel -- its over-reliance on American components -- and threatens the company's very survival, analysts said. Citing national security, President Donald Trump last week effectively banned US companies from supplying Huawei and affiliates with the critical components that have helped it grow into the world's largest supplier of telecom networking equipment and second-biggest smartphone maker. Trump's broadside will cause pain for US companies that count on Huawei as a steady customer, but it poses an existential threat to Huawei. "The worst case would eventually see a total cutoff of access to US technology -- (Huawei) would almost certainly not survive this outcome in its current form," the Eurasia Group consultancy said in a report issued Sunday. The tech ban caps months of US effort to isolate Huawei, which Washington suspects has deep links to China's military, allowing Beijing to potentially use Huawei-enabled networks for espionage or cyber-sabotage. The risks for Huawei came into focus this week when Google, whose Android operating system powers most of the world's smartphones, said it would cut ties with Huawei as a result of the ban. That poses a dire threat to Huawei as loss of full access to Google's services could make its phones a hard sell to consumers. - Major setback - And with the digital ecosystem now a duopoly of Android and Apple's IoS system, Huawei is in a bind. "This is a fairly major setback for Huawei's smartphone division," said Ryan Whalen, a professor with the Law and Technology Centre at the University of Hong Kong. Huawei has said it was working on its own operating system, but Whalen notes that the Android-IoS stranglehold is nearly impossible to break. "Just look to players like Nokia, Blackberry, and Microsoft that have all failed recently in similar endeavours," he said. Story continues Huawei's other major business segment comprises carrier networks around the world powered by its equipment and which give it a leg up in the race to dominate fifth-generation (5G) technologies. 5G is the next digital milestone: its ultra-fast network speeds and data capacity making possible widespread use of artificial intelligence and other high-tech advancements that China's government wants its companies to lead. But here as well, Huawei is vulnerable. It buys about $67 billion worth of components annually, including about $11 billion from US suppliers, according to a tally by The Nikkei business daily. Eurasia Group said it had learned that major US suppliers including chipset manufacturers Qualcomm, Qorvo, and Texas Instruments, and software firms Oracle and Microsoft, have suspended shipments to Huawei until the dust settles. This could "completely undermine" Huawei on 5G, it added. Chinese President Xi Jinping has previously sketched out plans for China to gain dominance in key future high technologies by 2025, a strategy that has caused US alarm. But harsh action against Huawei could give the push even more impetus, said Roger Kay, founder and analyst at Endpoint Technologies Associates. "The longer-term effect is that Huawei and other Chinese companies turn away more sharply from American suppliers," he said. - Huawei shrugs it off - Founder Ren Zhengfei shrugged off supply fears, telling Chinese media on Tuesday that Huawei has a hoard of chips and can manufacture its own. But tech analysts view that as mere bravado. Eurasia Group said that regardless of any chip stockpile, Huawei "cannot stockpile software, and there is no conceivable way the firm could survive for an extended period... without access to global supply chains". Huawei's own chip design arm Hisilicon is also targeted by the US ban, cutting it off from critical tools it needs to continue function. Trump could be merely using Huawei for leverage in broader trade talks: US officials have issued a 90-day reprieve on the ban. But Beijing could hit back. Huawei's smartphone rival Apple could be particularly vulnerable to Chinese counter-measures as nearly 20 percent of its sales are in China and it relies heavily on Chinese factories for production. Some sort of compromise remains possible, perhaps with the US approving case-by-case tech sales to placate American suppliers, thereby limiting the damage to Huawei. But Trump has fuelled growing bipartisan congressional animosity against Huawei that could prevent him backing down, analysts note. One wildcard is Europe where Huawei has significant business with carriers, for whom a supplier shift would be costly. The US feels that a Huawei presence in Europe must be prevented for cyber-security reasons, and the main intent of the tech ban is to force Europe and other key markets to abandon Huawei on 5G, Eurasia Group said. Germany, France and the Netherlands have resisted US pressure, but analysts say they cannot do so for long. Further US pressure would make it "very difficult for the EU to continue working with Huawei," said Guntram Wolff, director of Brussels-based think-tank Bruegel. Washington (AFP) - The United States said Tuesday it suspected that Syrian government forces have carried out a fresh chemical attack and it threatened reprisals. The State Department said it was assessing indications that the regime used chemical weapons on Sunday during its offensive in Idlib, the most significant remaining holdout in Syria of jihadist rebels. "We are still gathering information on this incident, but we repeat our warning that if the Assad regime uses chemical weapons, the United States and our allies will respond quickly and appropriately," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement. She also denounced Russia, the key ally of Damascus, for what she called a "disinformation campaign" as it tries to blame other parties for chemical attacks. "The Assad regime's culpability in horrific chemical weapons attacks is undeniable," Ortagus said. Russia and Turkey, the key ally of the rebels, in September reached an agreement that nominally protects Idlib amid fears for the safety of some three million people in the northwestern area. But Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has seized a large part of the province and adjoining areas, triggering a regime offensive that includes strikes by Syrian and Russian airplanes. Ortagus said that the offensive has "destroyed known health facilities, schools, residences and internally displaced person camps." "The regime's attacks against the communities of northwest Syria must end," she said. "The United States reiterates its warning, first issued by President (Donald) Trump in September 2018, that an attack against the Idlib de-escalation zone would be a reckless escalation that threatens to destabilize the region," she said. - History of chemical attacks - The warning came despite a trip to Russia last week by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who voiced optimism that the rival powers had found ways to work together on Syria. Story continues Some 180 civilians have been killed in the flare-up since April 30, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based monitor. The United Nations says that tens of thousands have fled their homes. International inspectors say that Assad's forces have carried out a series of chemical attacks in the course of the brutal civil war, which has killed more than 370,000 people and displaced millions since 2011. A sarin gas attack in April 2017 in the town of Khan Sheikhun killed 83 people, according to the United Nations, leading Trump to order a strike by 59 cruise missiles on a Syrian air base. His action was a reversal from his predecessor Barack Obama, who had declared chemical weapons to be a red line but controversially chose not to respond militarily and instead worked with Russia on a plan that aimed to remove the regime's chemical stockpile. Trump, however, is also skeptical of a commitment in Syria and last year ordered the withdrawal of all 2,000 US troops, although aides later said a small number would stay. Washington (AFP) - A public television station in the conservative southern US state of Alabama refused to broadcast an episode of the cartoon "Arthur" that depicted a marriage between two same-sex characters, US media said. "Arthur," an American-Canadian series which first aired in 1996, tells the story of an eight-year-old aardvark, his family and friends. In the episode "Mr Ratburn and the Special Someone," Arthur and his friends attend the wedding of their teacher Mr Ratburn with Patrick, a chocolate-maker. Mr Ratburn is a rat, while Patrick is a long-eared aardvark like Arthur. Rather than broadcast the episode which aired nationally in mid-May, Alabama Public Television (APT) replaced it with a re-run. "Although we strongly encourage parents to watch television with their children and talk about what they have learned afterwards -- parents trust that their children can watch APT without their supervision," Mike McKenzie, the channel's director of programming, was quoted by the local AL.com news website as saying. "We also know that children who are younger than the 'target' audience for Arthur also watch the program." Alabama is in the headlines this week after passing the country's most restrictive abortion ban. It's not the first time that the issue of homosexuality in a children's program has generated controversy. In September, a longtime writer for the beloved children's show "Sesame Street" appeared to confirm years of speculation that the puppets Bert and Ernie were a "loving couple." The show's creators denied the pair were together and the writer seemed to backtrack. Beijing (AFP) - Washington has warned that Chinese-made drones could be giving spy agencies in Beijing "unfettered access" to stolen data, according to a report in American media. The Department of Homeland Security sent out an alert on Monday flagging drones built in China as a "potential risk to an organization's information", CNN reported. The US government has "strong concerns about any technology product that takes American data into the territory of an authoritarian state that permits its intelligence services to have unfettered access to that data or otherwise abuses that access," wrote CNN, quoting the DHS alert. The warning comes as China's tech sector attracts unprecedented scrutiny amid the bruising China-US trade war. Washington has cranked up the heat on China's Huawei by effectively banning American companies from selling or transferring US technology to the telecoms giant, though the US Commerce Department has granted the firm a 90-day reprieve. US intelligence believes Huawei is backed by the Chinese military and that its equipment could provide Beijing's spy agencies with a backdoor into the communications networks of other countries. Washington has also pushed its closest allies to reject Huawei technology. The DHS report did not name any specific Chinese manufacturers, but the southern China-based DJI produces about 70 percent of the world's commercial drones. The Pentagon has banned the military from using DJI drones for security reasons since 2017. "Safety is at the core of everything we do, and the security of our technology has been independently verified by the US government and leading US businesses," DJI said in a statement. "For government and critical infrastructure customers that require additional assurances, we provide drones that do not transfer data to DJI or via the internet," the company added. By Tom Miles GENEVA (Reuters) - Doubts about vaccines have spread across social media like a disease and false information that "kills people" should be taken down by the companies running digital platforms, the head of global vaccine alliance Gavi said on Tuesday. Speaking at a U.S.-sponsored event on the sidelines of the World Health Organization's annual assembly in Geneva, Gavi CEO Seth Berkley said there was a strong scientific consensus about the safety of vaccines. But social media algorithms favored sensational content over scientific facts, rapidly convincing people who had never seen family members die from preventable illness. "We have to think about it as a disease. This is a disease," Berkley said. "This spreads at the speed of light, literally." WHO says poor vaccination coverage is causing measles outbreaks globally, with numbers spiking in countries that were previously almost free of the disease, including the United States. Misinformation about vaccines, which the WHO says save two million lives annually, was not a freedom of speech issue and social media firms need to take it offline, Berkley said. "I remind people that this kills people," he said. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said complacency, misunderstanding and misinformation were causing vaccination rates to decline globally, with tragic results. "In my country, social media conspiracy groups confuse well-meaning parents so they hesitate to get the recommended vaccinations," Azar said. He rejected any criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump, who repeatedly and erroneously tweeted about links between vaccines and autism in the years before he became president. "A study says @Autism is out of control -- a 78% increase in 10 years. Stop giving monstrous combined vaccinations," Trump tweeted in 2012. Azar said Trump was "extremely firm" in support of vaccination. "If you had been paying attention in the last month, you would know that the President of the United States, President Trump, was very clear and emphatic: get your shots, get your kids vaccinated, vaccines are safe," Azar said. Canada's Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam said health authorities needed to "up our game", adding that she was working with Twitter, Facebook, Google and other tech companies. "You've got to get into the trenches... and begin to get engaged much more on a personal and emotional level, because people don't understand statistics and data. If you do that (talk about data) you've lost them." (Reporting by Tom Miles, Editing by William Maclean) LOS ANGELES (AP) "This Is Us" star Milo Ventimiglia learned firsthand what the Red Nose Day's fundraising campaign means to children in need, and he's eager to spread the word. "I saw how the money was being spent, and how it's impacting these kids on a very real level and giving them a better shot at life," the actor said after an April trip to the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya. "It's the simplest of corrections to get a kid educated, to get a kid healthy, to get a kid safe." He visited a clinic vaccinating children from deadly, preventable diseases including pneumonia, and a program that houses and educates young girls who have been subsisting on landfills. Video of his encounters will be part of NBC's Red Nose Day USA special airing Thursday (8-10 p.m EDT) with host Terry Crews. Performances by Sting, Josh Groban, John Legend, Chrissy Metz, Kelly Clarkson and Blake Shelton, and a sketch with "Saturday Night Live" players Michael Che, Colin Jost and Kate McKinnon are part of the special. Other celebrities participating include Julia Roberts, Gloria Estefan, Damian Lewis, Kal Penn, Saoirse Ronan, Ben Stiller, Chrissy Teigen, Connie Britton, Lilly Singh, Susan Kelechi Watson and Daryl Hall and John Oates. The Red Nose Day campaign , in its fifth year in America, is run by the nonprofit Comic Relief USA. It's raised close to $150 million, including through donations at Walgreens and Duane Reade stores, to support programs for children in the U.S. and other countries. Red Nose Day originated in Britain more than 30 years ago and reports more than $1 billion in donations internationally. Ventimiglia, who plays patriarch Jack on NBC's drama "This Is Us," made his African trip after appearing on previous Red Nose Day specials. He's also a longtime supporter of U.S. veterans' causes, including traveling with the USO to Iraq and Afghanistan. "This was the first time that I'd been invited to see the challenges that these kids were living in," Ventimiglia said. He witnessed children rummaging through trash dumps for items to sell and even food to eat. Story continues "It's hard to imagine that this is average life for a human being," the actor said, and he was glad to put the goodwill he's gained playing Jack to good use. "Hopefully, people's familiarity with me and an interest in where I might be spending my time will lead to some good donations that are going to help kids out," he said. ___ Online: https://rednoseday.org/ With events for designers happening daily, and new projects cropping up all over the city, keeping track of all the goings-on in Atlanta can be a tall order. Thats why AD PRO is here to keep you informed for the week. Spring Floor Model Sale at Verde Home Now through May 25, Verde Home hosts its spring floor model sale. During the event, all rugs in stock are offered at 25% off and select in-stock tables, accessories, dining tables, lighting, sofas, and beds are up to 70% off. Amy Morris Interiors Launches Eight-Piece Lighting Collection for Avrett Atlanta-based interior designer Amy Morris has launched The Facet Collection, an eight-piece lighting collection for Avrett. The project represents the Charleston, South Carolina, manufacturers first designer collaboration since their release with Barry Dixon in 2017. The modern collection of sculptural lanterns, sconces, and flush-mounted lights are available through the R HUGHES showroom in the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC). Jaipur Living Announces Barclay Butera Partnership Atlanta-area carpet brand Jaipur Living has announced a new partnership with designer Barclay Butera. Im delighted that my new partner Jaipur Living understands my brand aesthetic and our customer needs, Butera said in a statement. Our goal has always been to provide an easy integration of all of our licensed collections, and now with Jaipur Living manufacturing our rugs, that category is covered. The collection of Buteras Jaipur Living rugs will debut in the spring 2020 edition of High Point Market. Young Architects Forum of AIA and ADC Team Up for Dining + Design in Summerhill On Thursday, May 23, the Atlanta Architecture and Design Center (ADC) and Young Architects Forum of AIA Atlanta host a Dining + Design walking tour in the Summerhill neighborhood from 6 to 9 p.m. The evening will include dialogue with designers from DeCarlo Hawker and Square Feet Studio and developer Carter about how the south downtown neighborhood is changing Atlantas landscape. The tour will stop for drinks, bites, and discussions with the proprietors, chefs, and designers at Little Bear, Little Tart, and Halfway Crooks. Tickets are required. Story continues MODA and Ponce City Market Host "The Art of Restaurant Design" On June 1, from 2 to 4 p.m., Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) and Ponce City Market host "Dinner by Design: The Art of Restaurant Design." Moderated by Switch Modern cofounder Doug Henderson, the panel discussion in the Markets plaza will include a dialogue between designer Smith Hanes, Square Feet Studios founding principal John Bencich, designer Tim Nichols of NO Architecture, designer Skylar Morgan of Skylar Morgan Furniture + Design, and ai3s Daniel Maas. The discussion will focus on how design enhances dining experiences in Atlanta and beyond. The Shade Store Is Open in Buckhead Exchange This spring, The Shade Store opened its third Atlanta showroom in Buckhead Exchange. Staffed by window treatment experts primed to help clients and interior designers choose custom products including shades and draperies, the company offers collections by Jonathan Adler, Alexa Hampton, Nate Berkus, Aerin, and a host of other household names. The brand's other Atlanta showrooms are located at ADAC and in the Westside Provisions District. Wakefield Beasley & Associates Names Alex Campbell Hospitality Studio Director Alex Campbell is the new hospitality studio director at Wakefield Beasley, a NELSON brand. In his role, he will provide leadership for a team of architects and manage day-to-day operations. Campbell is known for his work on noteworthy hospitality projects including the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman Hotel & Residences, the Anjum Hotel in Saudi Arabia, and the Westin Washington National Harbor. Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest Tripoli (AFP) - Violent clashes raged Tuesday south of Tripoli, marking an uptick in fighting as the UN envoy for Libya warned of a "long and bloody war". Heavy artillery fire could be heard from the city centre as the most intense fighting took place since May 6, when the holy Muslim month of Ramadan started. More than six weeks since commander Khalifa Haftar launched an assault on the capital, fighters backing the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) made advances in the southern Salaheddin neighbourhood. AFP journalists on the front lines estimated pro-GNA forces progressed by two or three kilometres (up to two miles) in the residential district. Moustafa al-Mejii, a GNA spokesman, said fighter planes supported ground forces in their advance, carrying out strikes against tanks and heavy weapons in a barracks. Haftar, who is backed by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, launched a lightning assault on Tripoli with his self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) on April 4. But forces backing the GNA have put up a fierce resistance and the LNA has been held back in Tripoli's southern suburbs. Weeks of fighting have killed 510 people and wounded 2,467, according to the latest toll from the World Health Organization. More than 75,000 people have fled their homes, according to the United Nations, while 100,000 are trapped by the conflict. - 'Long and bloody war' - On Tuesday the UN's envoy for Libya, Ghassan Salame, warned greater efforts were needed to stem the flow of arms to the North African country. "The violence on the outskirts of Tripoli is just the start of a long and bloody war on the southern shores of the Mediterranean, imperilling the security of Libya's immediate neighbours and the wider Mediterranean region," he told the UN Security Council. Without immediate action by the international community, he said, "Libya will descend into civil war which could potentially lead to a Hobbesian all-against-all state of chaos or partition of the country." Story continues His appeal came after the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord posted photographs at the weekend of dozens of Turkish-made armoured vehicles that it said on its Facebook page were fresh deliveries for its fighters. Pro-Haftar websites also posted photos and video footage of Jordanian-built armoured cars they said were supplied to the LNA. Haftar advanced from his stronghold of eastern Libya with an offensive on the south of the country earlier this year, before turning his forces towards the capital. His forces control Libya's most important oil fields, but the Tripoli-based National Oil Corporation manages production and revenues are chanelled through the central bank in the capital. Libya has been mired in chaos since NATO-backed forces deposed and killed former dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, with militias and tribes vying for control of the country's resources. By Alberto Alerigi and Marcelo Rochabrun SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Volkswagen AG truck brand Scania said on Tuesday it will invest 1.4 billion reais ($344.14 million) to modernize its Brazilian factory in Sao Bernardo do Campo, an industrial city near Sao Paulo. The investment in the historic center of Brazil's auto industry follows Ford Motor Co's decision to exit the heavy truck business in South America and shut down its plant in the same city, which could benefit the remaining players in the sector. During the first four months of 2019, sales of Scania heavy trucks increased 31% compared to the same period a year ago, according to data compiled by local automakers association Anfavea. The investment comes at a time when the state of Sao Paulo, which long dominated the Brazilian auto industry, has seen auto companies set up factories elsewhere, lured by tax incentives. Earlier this year, General Motors Co threatened big cuts in its Sao Paulo factories. That prompted state governor Joao Doria to negotiate aggressively, ending in the launch of a new incentive package for auto makers in the state. GM then decided to invest $2.7 billion to take advantage of the tax program. The new Scania investment will start in 2021 and end in 2024, following its 2016 to 2020 investments, which total 2.6 billion reais, the company said in a joint statement with the Sao Paulo state government. Scania's latest financial commitment is aimed at overhauling its assembly line, as well as introducing a new generation of trucks in Latin America. The Swedish company is among the largest truck firms in Brazil, behind Mercedes-Benz and Volvo. (Reporting by Alberto Alerigi Jr and Marcelo Rochabrun; writing by Gabriela Mello; editing by Bill Berkrot) The delegation burnt incense to commemorate the President at the Vietnamese Embassy in the Netherland At the meeting with the citys delegation, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Netherlands Ngo Thi Hoa reported on cooperation ties between the two countries through visits between senior leaders of the nations, aiming to tighten the relationship in past time. Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan meets representatives of Heineken Group On the same day, the delegation had a meeting with representatives of Heineken Group, which is a joint venture between Saigon Trading Group (SATRA) and Heineken Vietnam Brewery Limited Company (HVN), has been operating in Vietnam for over 27 years and contributed about VND 49,000 billion to Vietnam. This journey is one of Ho Chi Minh Citys efforts to lure investment and learn experiences of the Netherlands in urban infrastructure management, educational and vocational cooperation.Besides, this is considered as an opportunity not only to exchange experiences about building a smart city, artificial intelligence but also to share information and opportunities with businesses who have been interested in investment in Vietnam.On the occasion of the 129th birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh (on May 19, 1890- 2019), the delegation burnt incense to commemorate the late President at the Vietnamese Embassy in the Netherland before a meeting with officials and the staff of the Embassy.In the economic sector, the Netherlands is currently the Vietnam's leading European trade partner with bilateral trade at nearly US$ 8 billion in 2018; and largest European investor with the total capital of over US$ 9 billion through more than 300 investment projects.Many Vietnamese products have been exported to the Netherlands via third countries which is a point to be paid attentions as if these products can be exported directly, the mutual profits of both sides will increase.On the other hand, Vietnam and the Netherlands formally set up the strategic partnership mechanism in water management and climate change response in 2010, the strategic partnership on agriculture and food security in 2014.The Dutch enterprises also desire to continue expanding cooperation with Vietnam in shipbuilding, logistics and smart urban areas, application of artificial intelligence, etc.The Netherlands is a reliable partner for Ho Chi Minh City and nationwide enterprises.This visit falls on a range of special events to mark the birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh and 50-year implementation of President Ho Chi Minh's Testament.On the occasion, the city Party chief congratulated and praised achievements as well as operations of the embassy in past years. In parallel, he also shared challenges and difficulties of Ho Chi Minh City; and desired to receive more and more assistances in calling for investment, solving current urgent problems of Ho Chi Minh City such as population growth and housing solutions, etc as well as strategic issues to ensure fast and sustainable development.To fufill this aims, Mr. Nguyen Thien Nhan desired that the ambassador and staffs of the embassy would continue supporting and promoting friendly cooperation relations between Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City and the Netherlands, especially in the fields of responding climate change and water management.Ho Chi Minh City is ready for supporting the embassy to fulfill its political tasks assigned by the Party and the State.Previously, Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan held a meeting with President of the Netherlands Vietnam Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam Joost Francken Peters to share information and investment opportunities in the locality.The city leader highly appreciated effective investment results of Heineken Vietnam, and expressed his impression of environmental protection during its operation process, social and charitable contributions. BY KIEU PHONG- Translated by Huyen Huong Actuant Corporation (NYSE:ATU), which is in the machinery business, and is based in United States, received a lot of attention from a substantial price movement on the NYSE over the last few months, increasing to $26.03 at one point, and dropping to the lows of $22.78. 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 Actuant's current trading price of $24.11 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 Actuants outlook and value based on the most recent financial data to see if there are any catalysts for a price change. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! View our latest analysis for Actuant What is Actuant worth? The stock seems fairly valued at the moment according to my valuation model. Its trading around 2.77% above my intrinsic value, which means if you buy Actuant today, youd be paying a relatively fair price for it. And if you believe the companys true value is $23.46, theres only an insignificant downside when the price falls to its real value. Is there another opportunity to buy low in the future? Since Actuants share price is quite volatile, we could potentially see it sink lower (or rise higher) in the future, giving us another chance to buy. This is based on its high beta, which is a good indicator for how much the stock moves relative to the rest of the market. What kind of growth will Actuant generate? NYSE:ATU Past and Future Earnings, May 21st 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. Though in the case of Actuant, it is expected to deliver a relatively unexciting top-line growth of 6.5% in the next few years, which doesnt help build up its investment thesis. Growth doesnt appear to be a main reason for a buy decision for the company, at least in the near term. Story continues What this means for you: Are you a shareholder? It seems like the market has already priced in ATUs future outlook, with shares trading around its fair value. However, there are also other important factors which we havent considered today, such as the financial strength of the company. Have these factors changed since the last time you looked at the stock? Will you have enough conviction to buy should the price fluctuates below the true value? Are you a potential investor? If youve been keeping an eye on ATU, now may not be the most advantageous time to buy, given it is trading around its fair value. However, the positive outlook means its worth diving deeper into other factors such as the strength of its balance sheet, in order to take advantage of the next price drop. Price is just the tip of the iceberg. Dig deeper into what truly matters the fundamentals before you make a decision on Actuant. You can find everything you need to know about Actuant in the latest infographic research report. If you are no longer interested in Actuant, 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. Chancellor Philip Hammond holding his red ministerial box outside 11 Downing Street. Photo: Press Association Rising employment is usually a positive sign for an economy, showing businesses expanding and creating roles that allow people to earn their living. So the UK chancellor Philip Hammond naturally welcomed figures showing the UKs employment rate at its joint-highest on record at 76.1% last month. He even accused the opposition Labour party of constantly trying to talk down our remarkable achievement on jobs in his spring statement in March. But Labour, which has raised concerns about job quality, pay and underemployment, is not the only organisation questioning a seemingly obvious good news story. Now the less obviously partisan Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has sounded its own warning about exactly why employers are hiring in Britain. READ MORE: Corbyns former economics adviser calls him a pro-Brexit buffoon A new OECD report released today warns British firms are holding back investment because of the continued uncertainty over what Brexit could mean for their business. Crucially, it says: Firms have been meeting demand by hiring rather than investing. The OECD warns Brexit-related uncertainty will carry on holding back investment until there is clarity over Britains future trade arrangements with the EU. Record employment levels have surprised some economists, who feared Brexit would already have wiped out jobs. But there are suspicions some firms are choosing to hire because it is a cheaper and less risky short-term way of meet current demand than major investments in equipment and technology, which could significantly boost current or future productivity. That might be good news for some workers themselves, but it could help explain poor levels of British productivity growth - and it would not be a ringing endorsement of their faith in the UK economy or its government. Other business surveys have indicated growing numbers of firms are preparing to cut jobs in future amid gloom about the economys long-term prospects. The OECD expects economic activity to grow at slightly above 1% this year and next, but only on the assumption there is a smooth transition and exit from the EU after 2020. READ MORE: Wages have kept on rising since the Brexit vote Today we are going to look at Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited (ASX:SOL) 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 of all, we'll work out how to calculate ROCE. Then we'll compare its ROCE to similar companies. Then we'll determine how its current liabilities are affecting its ROCE. Understanding Return On Capital Employed (ROCE) ROCE measures the amount of pre-tax profits a company can generate from the capital employed in its business. All else being equal, a better business will have a higher ROCE. Ultimately, it is a useful but imperfect metric. Renowned investment researcher Michael Mauboussin has suggested that a high ROCE can indicate that 'one dollar invested in the company generates value of more than one dollar'. So, How Do We Calculate ROCE? The formula for calculating the return on capital employed is: Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) (Total Assets - Current Liabilities) Or for Washington H. Soul Pattinson: 0.065 = AU$346m (AU$5.7b - AU$321m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to January 2019.) So, Washington H. Soul Pattinson has an ROCE of 6.5%. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! View our latest analysis for Washington H. Soul Pattinson Does Washington H. Soul Pattinson Have A Good ROCE? ROCE is commonly used for comparing the performance of similar businesses. In this analysis, Washington H. Soul Pattinson's ROCE appears meaningfully below the 10% average reported by the Oil and Gas industry. This could be seen as a negative, as it suggests some competitors may be employing their capital more efficiently. Setting aside the industry comparison for now, Washington H. Soul Pattinson's ROCE is mediocre in absolute terms, considering the risk of investing in stocks versus the safety of a bank account. Readers may find more attractive investment prospects elsewhere. Story continues In our analysis, Washington H. Soul Pattinson's ROCE appears to be 6.5%, compared to 3 years ago, when its ROCE was 1.6%. This makes us think about whether the company has been reinvesting shrewdly. ASX:SOL Past Revenue and Net Income, May 21st 2019 It is important to remember that ROCE shows past performance, and is not necessarily predictive. ROCE can be deceptive for cyclical businesses, as returns can look incredible in boom times, and terribly low in downturns. This is because ROCE only looks at one year, instead of considering returns across a whole cycle. We note Washington H. Soul Pattinson could be considered a cyclical business. Since the future is so important for investors, you should check out our free report on analyst forecasts for Washington H. Soul Pattinson. Washington H. Soul Pattinson'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. The ROCE equation subtracts current liabilities from capital employed, so a company with a lot of current liabilities appears to have less capital employed, and a higher ROCE than otherwise. To counter this, investors can check if a company has high current liabilities relative to total assets. Washington H. Soul Pattinson has total liabilities of AU$321m and total assets of AU$5.7b. Therefore its current liabilities are equivalent to approximately 5.7% of its total assets. Washington H. Soul Pattinson has a low level of current liabilities, which have a minimal impact on its uninspiring ROCE. The Bottom Line On Washington H. Soul Pattinson's ROCE Based on this information, Washington H. Soul Pattinson appears to be a mediocre business. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking at a few good candidates. So take a peek at this free list of companies with modest (or no) debt, trading on a P/E below 20. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket. 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. Parvez Ahmed became the CEO of The Jammu and Kashmir Bank Limited (NSE:J&KBANK) in 2016. This report will, first, examine the CEO compensation levels in comparison to CEO compensation at companies of similar size. 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. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! View our latest analysis for Jammu and Kashmir Bank How Does Parvez Ahmed's Compensation Compare With Similar Sized Companies? Our data indicates that The Jammu and Kashmir Bank Limited is worth 31b, and total annual CEO compensation is 6.6m. (This number is for the twelve months until March 2018). It is worth noting that the CEO compensation consists almost entirely of the salary, worth 6.6m. We examined companies with market caps from 14b to 56b, and discovered that the median CEO total compensation of that group was 22m. Most shareholders would consider it a positive that Parvez Ahmed takes less total compensation than the CEOs of most similar size companies, leaving more for shareholders. Though positive, it's important we delve into the performance of the actual business. You can see a visual representation of the CEO compensation at Jammu and Kashmir Bank, below. NSEI:J&KBANK CEO Compensation, May 21st 2019 Is The Jammu and Kashmir Bank Limited Growing? On average over the last three years, The Jammu and Kashmir Bank Limited has grown earnings per share (EPS) by 27% each year (using a line of best fit). It achieved revenue growth of 49% over the last year. This shows that the company has improved itself over the last few years. Good news for shareholders. The combination of strong revenue growth with medium-term earnings per share improvement certainly points to the kind of growth I like to see. It could be important to check this free visual depiction of what analysts expect for the future. Story continues Has The Jammu and Kashmir Bank Limited Been A Good Investment? With a three year total loss of 3.9%, The Jammu and Kashmir Bank Limited would certainly have some dissatisfied shareholders. It therefore might be upsetting for shareholders if the CEO were paid generously. In Summary... It appears that The Jammu and Kashmir Bank Limited remunerates its CEO below most similar sized companies. Many would consider this to indicate that the pay is modest since the business is growing. Despite some positives, it is likely that shareholders wanted better returns, given the performance over the last three years. We're not critical of the remuneration Parvez Ahmed receives, but it would be good to see improved returns to shareholders before the remuneration grows too much. When I see fairly low remuneration, combined with earnings per share growth, but without big share price gains, it makes me want to research the potential for future gains. If you think CEO compensation levels are interesting you will probably really like this free visualization of insider trading at Jammu and Kashmir Bank. If you want to buy a stock that is better than Jammu and Kashmir Bank, 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. (Adds Southwest comment, background) By Tracy Rucinski CHICAGO, May 21 (Reuters) - Southwest Airlines Co's mechanics union said on Tuesday its members had overwhelmingly voted to ratify a tentative contract agreement with the airline, ending seven years of labor negotiations fraught with legal disputes and flight disruptions. The agreement, which brought to a close one of the most disruptive labor disputes to hit a top-four U.S. airline in more than a decade, came a day after rival U.S. carrier American Airlines Group Inc said it was filing a labor-related lawsuit against its mechanics. Analysts have highlighted labor issues as a main concern for airlines this year, in addition to rising fuel costs and the grounding of Boeing MAX jets after two fatal crashes. Mechanics at both American and Southwest have complained that the airlines are moving to outsource maintenance work that has traditionally been done in-house. In a statement on its website, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, which represents around 2,500 Southwest mechanics, said about 95 percent of its members had voted to accept a labor agreement that includes significant pay increases and headcount protections. Southwest, which had been forced to cancel hundreds of flights earlier this year stemming from the mechanics dispute, welcomed the agreement. "Our mechanics will receive well-deserved pay increases, and the company will realize additional flexibilities necessary to compete in today's airline industry," Russell McCrady, vice president of labor relations, said in a statement. AMERICAN AIRLINES MECHANICS RESPOND TO LAWSUIT Separately on Tuesday, American Airlines' mechanics union, the TWU-IAM Association, said it was "ready and willing" to return to the bargaining table to negotiate a fair contract, as long as it had a willing partner. The comment followed a federal lawsuit filed by American alleging an illegal slowdown by its mechanics aimed at disrupting operations to improve their position in labor talks, which began in 2015. Story continues "We would much prefer to be at the negotiating table than in a legal battle brought on by American," the TWU-IAM Association said in a statement. American said the slowdowns had escalated following the last joint bargaining session on April 25, which was overseen by the National Mediation Board. The action has caused hundreds of flight cancellations and more than 1,000 maintenance delays, threatening further disruption during the busy U.S. summer, it said. TWU-IAM, formed in 2015 after the merger of US Airways and American Airlines, said it wants to keep the company from outsourcing more maintenance and repair work to South America, China and Europe, and is "standing strong" against cuts to medical benefits and retirement security. (Reporting by Tracy Rucinski Editing by Susan Thomas and Bill Berkrot) By Lisa Barrington DUBAI (Reuters) - Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis have stepped up missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia this week in a resurgence of tactics that had largely subsided since late last year amid United Nations-led peace efforts. The latest hostilities coincide with rising tensions between Iran and Gulf Arab states allied to the United States and come just as a sensitive, U.N.-sponsored peace deal is being carried out in Yemen's main port of Hodeidah, a lifeline for millions. The Houthis, who claimed responsibility for last week's armed drone strikes on oil assets in Saudi Arabia, said on Tuesday that one of their drones hit an arms depot at the kingdom's Najran airport near the Yemeni border, causing a fire. The Saudi-led military coalition said a civilian facility in Najran province was targeted with an explosive-laden drone. It said on Monday that Saudi defense forces intercepted Houthi ballistic missiles fired toward Mecca, Islam's holiest site. The Houthis denied doing so. On Sunday, the Houthis said they would attack 300 vital military targets in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Saudi Arabia and the UAE head a Western-backed coalition of Sunni Muslim states that intervened in Yemen in 2015 to try to restore the internationally recognized government ousted from power in the capital Sanaa by the Houthis in late 2014. The movement has during the war repeatedly targeted Saudi cities and vital installations - mostly in border areas, but on several occasions the capital Riyadh as well. The Houthis pledged last November to stop attacks on Saudi Arabia and the UAE at the request of the United Nations. While attacks on Saudi border areas continued, the Houthis had avoided targeting major cities or infrastructure. There have been no reports of attacks on the capital since last June. The coalition has in return conducted multiple air strikes on the Houthi-held Yemeni capital Sanaa which it says target military facilities and aim to neutralize the group's ability to fire missiles and drones. Riyadh and Abu Dhabi accuse Iran of arming the Houthis, a charge denied by the group and Tehran. FRAGILE REGIONAL CEASEFIRE It was not yet clear how the rising tension could impact a regional ceasefire and troop withdrawal deal in Hodeidah - the first major diplomatic breakthrough in a conflict that has pushed Yemen to the brink of famine. The deal was stalled for months before a unilateral Houthi withdrawal from Hodeidah and two other Red Sea ports 10 days ago. That is meant to lead to a pullback by coalition forces massed on the edges of Hodeidah, the main entry point for Yemen's commercial and humanitarian aid imports. Saudi Arabia accused Iran of ordering last week's drone strikes on two Aramco oil pumping stations, which followed sabotage acts on Saudi oil tankers off the UAE coast. Iran denied being behind the drone attacks. The UAE has yet to blame anyone for the tanker operation, but U.S. government sources told Reuters last week they believe Iran encouraged Houthi militants or Iraq-based Shi'ite militias to carry out the tanker attacks. Iran distanced itself. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, due to testify at a closed-door hearing on Iran in the U.S. Congress on Tuesday, said in a radio interview that the United States had yet to reach a definitive conclusion he could speak publicly about. "But given all the regional conflicts that we have seen over the past decade and the shape of these attacks, it seems like its quite possible that Iran was behind these," he told the Hugh Hewitt show. Saudi Arabia will hold an emergency Arab summit in Mecca on May 30 to discuss the implications of the attacks, which came as the United States and Iran spar over U.S. sanctions reimposed on Tehran and over the U.S. military presence in the Gulf. Yemen's conflict is widely seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The Houthis, who control the biggest urban centers in Yemen, deny being Iranian puppets and say they are waging a revolution against corruption. The World Food Programme said on Monday it was considering suspending aid deliveries in areas under Houthi control due to fighting, insecurity and interference in its work. Some 9 million of the 12 million Yemenis whom the WFP is seeking to reach with rations each month live in Houthi-held areas, WFP spokesman Herve Verhoosel said, denouncing diversions of aid supplies especially in areas in Houthi hands. "All this needs to stop. We are here to save 12 million people - many of them children and women - to save them from famine," he told a briefing in Geneva. (Reporting by Ali Abdelaty in Cairo with additional reporting by Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva and David Brunnstrom in Washington; Writing by Lisa Barrington in Dubai; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Jonathan Oatis) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Yemen's Iranian-allied Houthi rebels attacked a Saudi airport and military base with a bomb-laden drone Tuesday, an assault acknowledged by the kingdom as Middle East tensions remained high between Tehran and Washington. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. The attack on the Saudi city of Najran came after Iran announced it has quadrupled its uranium-enrichment production capacity, though still at a level far lower than needed for atomic weapons, a year after the U.S. withdrew from Iran's nuclear deal with world powers. Underlining the tensions, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is seeking expanded executive powers to better deal with "economic war" triggered by the Trump's administration's renewal and escalation of sanctions targeting the Islamic Republic, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. "A person or a nation might be under pressure but the Iranian nation will not bow to bullies," Rouhani vowed in a televised speech Tuesday night. By increasing production, Iran soon will exceed the stockpile limitations set by the nuclear accord. Tehran has set a July 7 deadline for Europe to put forth new terms for the deal, or it will enrich closer to weapons-grade levels in a Middle East already on edge. The U.S. has deployed bombers and an aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf over still-unspecified threats from Iran, which is the biggest rival in the region to the U.S.-allied Saudi Arabia. Before a briefing on the situation to Congress , acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan suggested the U.S. military response to Iranian threats has already had an effect. He said U.S. military moves have given Iran "time to recalculate" and as a result the potential for attacks on Americans is "on hold," although the threat has not gone away. In the drone attack, the Houthis' Al-Masirah satellite news channel said they targeted the airport in Najran with a Qasef-2K drone, striking an "arms depot." Najran, 840 kilometers (525 miles) southwest of Riyadh, lies on the Saudi-Yemen border and has repeatedly been targeted by the Houthis. Story continues A statement on the state-run Saudi Press Agency quoted Saudi-led coalition spokesman Col. Turki al-Maliki as saying the Houthis "had tried to target" a civilian site in Najran, without elaborating. Al-Maliki warned there would be a "strong deterrent" to such attacks and described the Houthis as the "terrorist militias of Iran." Similar Houthi attacks have sparked Saudi-led airstrikes on Yemen, which have been widely criticized internationally for killing civilians. Civilian airports across the Middle East often host military bases. The New York Times reported last year that American intelligence analysts were based in Najran, assisting the Saudis and a deployment of U.S. Army Green Berets on the border. Lt. Col. Earl Brown, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command, said there were "no U.S. personnel involved nor present at Najran" at the time of the attack. Last week, the Houthis launched a coordinated drone attack on a Saudi oil pipeline. Earlier this month, officials in the United Arab Emirates alleged that four oil tankers were sabotaged and U.S. diplomats relayed a warning that commercial airlines could be misidentified by Iran and attacked, something dismissed by Tehran. In its nuclear program announcement Monday night, Iranian officials stressed that the uranium would be enriched only to the 3.67% limit set under the 2015 nuclear deal, making it usable for a power plant but far below what's needed for an atomic weapon. Iran said it had told the International Atomic Energy Agency of the development. The Vienna-based U.N. nuclear watchdog did not respond to a request for comment. Tehran long has insisted it does not seek nuclear weapons, though the West fears its program could allow it to build them. President Donald Trump, who campaigned on a promise to pull the U.S. from the Iran deal, has alternated tough talk with more conciliatory statements a strategy he says is aimed at keeping Iran guessing at the administration's intentions. Trump also has said he hopes Iran calls him and engages in negotiations. But while Trump's approach of flattery and threats has become a hallmark of his foreign policy, the risks have only grown in dealing with Iran, where mistrust between Tehran and Washington goes back four decades. While both sides say they don't seek war, many worry any miscalculation could spiral out of control. A Trump tweet Monday warning Iran would face its "official end" if it threatened the U.S. drew sharp rebuke from Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Twitter, who used the hashtag #NeverThreatenAnIranian. In Iran, it remains unclear what powers Rouhani seeks. In Iran's 1980s war with Iraq, a wartime supreme council was able to bypass other branches to make decisions regarding the economy and the war. "Today, we need such powers," Rouhani said, according to IRNA. He added that country "is united that we should resist the U.S. and the sanctions." Meanwhile, former U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis told an audience in the United Arab Emirates on Monday night that America "needs to engage more in the world and intervene militarily less." While "Iran's behavior must change," he urged the U.S. not to engage in unilateral action and that American "military must work to buy time for diplomats to work their magic." "I will assure you no nation will be more honest with you than America," the retired Marine Corps general said, according to a report in the state-linked newspaper The National. "America will frustrate you at times because of its form of government, but the UAE and America will always find their way back to common ground, on that I have no doubt." Mattis abruptly resigned in December after clashing with Trump over withdrawing troops in Syria. He spoke at a previously unannounced speech before a Ramadan lecture series in honor of Abu Dhabi's powerful crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. ___ Associated Press writer Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, contributed. Following the lead of cities like Honolulu and Montclair, Calif, New York could become the first state to ban distracted walking. If passed, the bill would prohibit using any portable electronic device while crossing the street. Distracted walkers could face fines of $25 to $50 for their first infraction, and up to $250 for repeat offenders. Its not hard to notice the number of people texting while walking, State Senator John Liu, the bills sponsor, told CNN. We want New Yorkers to know its okay to wait the five seconds. Lius home borough, Queens, currently has the highest rate of pedestrian deaths in New York City. This is the second time this year a New York legislator has proposed a distracted walking bill. In January, Assemblyman Felix Ortiz proposed basically the same bill, though it never progressed out of committee. Ortiz is now a co-sponsor on Lius bill. Critics say, however, that the bill does not actually get to the heart of the issue. Marco Conner, a deputy director at the nonprofit Transportation Alternatives, told CityLab that while the bill was well-intentioned it could lead to subjective policing and ignores the fact that drivers are at fault for a majority of pedestrian deaths. And State Senator Tim Kennedy, chair of the Senates Transportation Committee (which would need to approve the bill), told USA Today he viewed the proposal in its current form as an overreach of government. Other states, including New Yorks neighbors Connecticut and New Jersey, are currently considering similar bills. [May 21, 2019] Navy Federal Achieves The International Customer Management Institute's "Best Contact Center Culture" Award Navy Federal Credit Union has been announced as the winner of The International Customer Management Institute's "Best Contact Center Culture" award. This award recognizes exceptional contact centers and those with the strongest leadership and dedication to the industry. "The winners of this year's ICMI Global Contact Center Awards have showcased their commitment to excelling the contact center and customer service industry through their innovative ideas, hard work and passion to provide excellent service," said Erica Marois, Content and Awards Manager, ICMI. "I am excited to watch the professionals and teams honored with this year's awards continue to excel in our industry." The award criteria centered around measuring and communicating employee engagement, providing a culture that enhances the customer experience, and evidence that the culture has positively impacted recruiting and retention. "Building a strong company culture results in excellent service, so on behalf of the thousands of Navy Federal employees who serve our members every day, we are thrilled to have been recognized for this prestigious award," sai Kathy Zierers, senior vice president of Contact Center Operations at Navy Federal. "Creating a coveted place to work has been a top goal for our leadership and something we'll always strive for. This achievement is truly a wonderful testament to all the effort our staff has put in to making Navy Federal a great place to work." In addition to the "Best Contact Center Culture" selection, the world's largest credit union has been repeatedly recognized for its dynamic and quality work environment. This includes the credit union ranking #29 on FORTUNE's 100 Best Companies to Work For list in 2019 and ranking #10 on the Best Workplaces for Women list in 2018. Navy Federal is planning to hire nearly 1,200 new Contact Center Operations employees this year in locations like Pensacola, Fla., and in Vienna and Winchester, Va. For more information on Contact Center careers, visit the NFCU career page. About Navy Federal Credit Union: Established in 1933 with only seven members, Navy Federal now has the distinct honor of serving over 8 million members globally and is the world's largest credit union. As a member-owned and not-for-profit organization, Navy Federal always puts the financial needs of its members first. Membership is open to all Department of Defense and Coast Guard Active Duty, veterans, civilian and contractor personnel, and their families. Dedicated to its mission of service, Navy Federal employs a workforce of over 18,000 and has a global network of 333 branches. For more information about Navy Federal Credit Union, visit navyfederal.org. About ICMI: The International Customer Management Institute (ICMI) is the leading global provider of comprehensive resources for customer management professionals -- from frontline agents to executives -- who wish to improve customer experiences and increase efficiencies at every level of the contact center. Since 1985, ICMI has helped more than 50,000 organizations in 167 countries through training, events, consulting, and informational resources. ICMI's experienced and dedicated team of industry insiders, trainers, and consultants are committed to helping you raise the strategic value of your contact center, optimize your operations and improve your customer service. ICMI is organized by UBM, which in June 2018 combined with Informa (News - Alert) PLC to become a leading B2B information services group and the largest B2B Events organizer in the world. ICMI Contact Center Expo, May 13-16, 2019, Ft. Lauderdale, FL View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005165/en/ [ Back To SIP Trunking Home's Homepage ] Career readiness goes far beyond the classroom, and @Sprint4Chi volunteers supported Youth Guidance in developing the career skills of high school students from under-resourced schools across Chicago at Prepared for Whats Next 2019 (#PFWN2019). Sprint is honored to support Prepared for Whats Next for the third year in a row, said Jim Mills, President of the Midwest at Sprint. This day is just as impactful to Sprint volunteers as it is to the youth, and we are grateful for the opportunity to positively impact our community. University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) hosted the all-day event with opening remarks from Leah Eggers, Director of Youth Guidance Youth Workforce Development and Postsecondary Pathways and an event welcome from Phillip Beverly, Director of the UIC Presidents Award Program. Phillip emphasized that the workforce is always changing, and said that all students need to develop their own set of skills to help them throughout their career journey. You will be the people who create the next series of jobs that we cant even imagine yet, Phillip said. Nelly Pitocco, President of Affinity and Strategic Partnerships at Sprint, shared her inspiring life journey. As a child, Pitocco moved to Chicago with her mother and siblings from Puerto Rico. She said they faced many hardships growing up, but it never stopped her from wanting to better herself. When my mom moved us here, one of the things that she taught us was that you need to change your environment in order to understand what your options are. You cant be, what you cant see Nelly said. The art of networking is sought-after in todays job market, and the students had the opportunity to practice making connections with more than 50 event volunteers. Conversations focused on future plans, goals, and other interests. During the goal setting lunch, students were paired with volunteers to learn how to set goals effectively. Some of the students shared what their future career goals are and what they are involved in at their school. Kate, a junior, is interested psychology and wants to go into the medical field. I like being able to connect with people and help them get through whatever they are going through on their own, Kate said. Stephanie, a senior, said she wants to study graphic design or dentistry after high school. She also wants to take away skills from the event that would help her in either of those career paths. I really want to learn to communicate better, she said. First impressions can make or break an interview, and students were shown how to dress for success in any professional situation. Every student at Prepared for Whats Next left the event with a business outfit they can wear to a future interview. All of the clothes were generously donated by Sprint. After mock interviews in their new business clothes, students wrapped up the day with their own reflections. Marco shared how Nellys story of her own life journey inspired him. If she (Nelly) could do it, I know I can do it too. She didnt have anything growing up and now shes the President of Sprint. Why cant I do it too? Youth Guidance: Youth Guidance creates and implements school-based programs that enable youth to overcome obstacles, focus on their education and ultimately succeed in school and life. Founded in 1924, Youth Guidance is a leading provider of outcomes-driven programs and capacity-building initiatives, directly serving approximately 11,000 youth in more than 100 schools this year. More than 95% are African American and Hispanic/Latino. Youth Guidance focuses services on Chicago most under-resourced areas of the city where the challenges of community violence, unemployment and academic failure are prevalent. For more info, visit www.youth-guidance.org. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang's Regular Press Conference on May 21, 2019 2019/05/21 Q: US President Donald Trump recently said in an interview that considering China's previous trade practices, any agreement with China cannot be a "50-50" deal and had to be more in favor of the US side. What's your comment? A: I'm no expert in trade, but I think it's necessary to make a distinction between "reciprocity" and "equal benefits". These are two different things in trade relations. It is only unrealistic to pursue strictly reciprocal openness in trade practices. The fact is, economic globalization by nature is a process where countries leverage their respective strengths and each supplies what the others need. Here is a case in point: China's tariff rate on unshelled peanuts stood at 15 percent while that of the US was 163.8 percent in 2017. Could we simply say the US gained extra advantage? Reciprocity and mutual benefit in trade refer to the overall reciprocity and balance of interests in the open markets of all industries. The simplistic view that the US is "ripped off" in its trade with China is unscientific and unprofessional. Therefore, when negotiating a trade agreement, one cannot ask for equal benefits in every field. Rather, the agreement must be two-way, balanced and based on equality and mutual benefits. Q: Yesterday Italian Deputy Prime Minister Salvini said that Italians must retain control of sensitive data such as personal finances or health conditions, and prevent what he said "an undemocratic country like China" from gaining access. Is the Chinese government upset with his comments? A: First of all, I have to point out that it is in itself not democratic at all to define which country is democratic and which is not simply by one's own standards. China and Italy have carried out a lot of friendly cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit in recent years. You may also have seen that in fact the cooperation between the two sides has been deepening and brought tangible benefits to the two peoples. As to the doubts certain individual in Italy may have over the security of Chinese products, we stated our position on many occasions. The Chinese government asks Chinese businesses to abide by local laws and regulations when investing and operating overseas. In the meantime, we hope all other countries will provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese businesses. Q: The 72nd World Health Assembly (WHA) has decided not to include a Taiwan-related proposal into its provisional agenda. Would you like to comment on that? A: This year the WHA has again refused to include the so-called proposal of "inviting Taiwan to attend the WHA as an observer" in the conference's provisional agenda. This decision, consistent with provisions of relevant resolutions of the UNGA and the WHA, is a further testament that the one-China principle is an overriding trend with wide support that cannot be challenged. I would like to reiterate that the participation of China's Taiwan region in the activities of international organizations must and can only be handled in accordance with the one-China principle. Q: China's Envoy to the European Union Zhang Ming said that there will be a necessary response to the US actions against Huawei. I was wondering if you could share more details on the kind of responses China is considering? A: You were here yesterday when I answered this question raised by another journalist. As you know, we won't make predictions on what the government and companies will do. But I will state that China's position is firm. Trade and investment between countries must be equal-footed and mutually beneficial. We have the resolve and capability to defend our legitimate and lawful rights and interests. Q: Does China have a plan to establish diplomatic relations with the Solomon Islands? A: Not just the Solomon Islands. We are ready to develop friendly relations with all countries in the world on the basis of the one-China principle and the basic norms governing international relations. Q: According to some media, US President Trump said recently that additional tariffs on Chinese goods will make companies move their production lines from China to Vietnam and other countries in Asia. I'm wondering if that's the case? A: A year or so into the trade friction, as you have seen, the US releases information out of political needs at home from time to time. Sometimes it's just too busy to care if the information matches the real situation. US behaviors to break trading rules have for some time caused disturbances to the global market, which includes China and the US itself. However, at the end of the day, businesses will decide on investment destinations based on strategic judgement of economic prospects. As a matter of fact, despite the constant US threats to impose additional tariffs on Chinese products in the past year or so, China remains a popular destination for foreign investors. My colleagues and I have talked about the recently expanding investment in China by famous multinationals such as ExxonMobil, Tesla, BASF and BMW. Let me give you some other examples. As is shown by the Survey on the International Operations of Japanese Firms released recently by JETRO, the Chinese market remains a favored choice for Japanese firms and it ranks the first place in the categories of export, investment and cross-border e-commerce. You may still recall that during the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held not long ago, delegates from the business community of various countries signed cooperation agreements worth more than $64 billion. We can see clearly that against the background of a world economy fraught with uncertainties and instability, foreign enterprises have made clear their attitude and expressed their firm confidence in China's economy through concrete actions. I would like to reiterate here that China welcomes as always more investment from foreign businesses and will continue to foster a more stable, fair, transparent and predictable market environment for them. Q: The fifth China-US Governors' Forum will be held soon. Can you confirm that and give us more details? A: Yes, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the US National Governors Association will jointly hold the fifth China-US Governors' Forum in Lexington, Kentucky from May 22 to 24. According to what I have at hand, this forum will focus on promoting sub-national cooperation and exchange in the fields of economy, trade, culture and people-to-people interaction. Leaders from the CPAFFC, Chongqing Municipality, Shaanxi Province, Jiangxi Province and Gansu province will head delegations to the forum. Their counterparts from the States of Kentucky, Tennessee, Colorado, Michigan and Washington will also attend the event. The fifth China-US Governors' Forum is an important sub-national platform for exchange between China and the US. It has been successfully held for four times since its kick-off in 2011. The active participation of local governments of both countries have demonstrated sincere will for strengthening sub-national exchange and cooperation. I believe this forum will inject new impetus into the efforts to deepen friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Q: On Monday, the US Commerce Department temporarily eased restrictions against Huawei, saying it would let American firms continue transactions with the Chinese company for 90 days. I wonder if the Chinese foreign ministry has any comment on this? A: We have been stating our position these past few days. The US is using state power to crack down on foreign enterprises and disrupt market activities. To be frank, it won't serve US interests in the end. As I said while answering an earlier question, trade and investment relations between countries must be equal-footed and mutually beneficial. The Chinese government has the resolve and the capability to defend our legitimate and lawful rights and interests. Q: We just saw the report that China Eastern Airlines has claimed losses from Boeing over the grounded 737 MAX fleet, becoming the first Chinese airline to request compensation. According to China Eastern Airlines, the grounding of 737 MAX aircraft since March 11 has caused rather significant losses to the company. Considering it is still unknown whether the aircraft can be put into operation in the near future, it has decided to claim losses from Boeing. The company will closely follow progress of relevant work by China's civil aviation authority and Boeing. That said, the most pressing task at the moment is to make sure the aircraft are safe. Are you aware of the developments and do you have any comment? A: We have noted relevant reports. As we all know, the 737 MAX aircraft have been grounded globally for security concerns and the technical problems are yet to be solved. I am not in a position to comment on commercial transactions between companies. But I believe you agree with me that a company can lawfully claim its lawful and legitimate rights. Q: US President Donald Trump warned on Monday that Iran would be met with great force if it attacked US interests in the Middle East. He was commenting on the rocket attack on the Green Zone in Baghdad. I wonder if China has any comment on this situation in the Persian Gulf? A: We have noted the latest tensions in the Gulf region. You may have noticed that recently China exchanged ideas with Iran, the US and other sides. We have made clear our position that conflict and confrontation will lead us nowhere and that dialogue and consultation is the only way out. We hope relevant parties can exercise restraint and step up dialogue to properly address each other's concerns. Follow-up: Can we say that China is somehow concerned on the situation in the Gulf region? A: Tensions in the Gulf region at the moment will serve no country's interests and will have a negative impact on global political security and world economy. Of counse China is concerned. That's why we have been trying to persuade relevant parties to exercise restraint and seek a proper solution through dialogue. Chinese investment in Australia has fallen to its lowest level in five years, new research shows, sparking calls for the newly re-elected conservative government to improve its rocky relationship with Beijing. After hitting a peak of Aus$15.8 billion (US$10.4 billion) in 2016, Chinese firms invested Aus$4.8 billion in the country last year, the Australian National University said Monday. Researchers said the amount of cash piled into Australia had been "broadly in line" with China's global activities, except for last year when it fell 50 percent from Aus$9.6 billion in 2017. The data will fuel concerns that strained political ties between Beijing and Canberra are hurting the economic relationship. "Chinese investment flows offshore have fallen generally in the past year but they have fallen more in Australia," report co-author Peter Drysdale told The Australian newspaper. "It shows there is a problem as the investment relationship is more affected by the political situation. "It is a serious warning sign that we have to do more to get the relationship back on track. Quite a lot of work has to be done to improve the relationship." Canberra in recent years has curbed Chinese involvement in key infrastructure projects as leaders grow increasingly concerned about Beijing's influence in the country. The study follows reports earlier this year that Australian coal was being blocked or experiencing delays at Chinese ports. Both governments have denied those reports. China is Australia's biggest trading partner and coal is the resource-rich country's most valuable export. Bloomberg News reported in April that Beijing will maintain the slowdown on imports until it assesses the outcome of the election on Saturday. Overall, China is Australia's ninth largest foreign investor, or 1.8 percent of the total, according to Australia's foreign affairs department. Australian authorities have in recent years curbed Chinese involvement on a number of infrastructure projects owing to concerns about Beijing's influence in the country I don't even watch GoT but Me-Again was such a jerk to spoil it. It's common sense at this point. Reply Thread Link lmfao me-again Reply Parent Thread Link The news about the Morehouse grads made me so happy. Reply Thread Link honestly same, i'm so happy they're going to get a decent start Reply Parent Thread Link yeah! i can't imagine that kind of relief phew hope other rich ppl follow the example ha Reply Parent Thread Link If a girl isn't sailing off to reunite with A Man then Idgaf. Reply Thread Link My vote goes to Drogon. Yes he may eat you alive but no one can deny hes the goodest boy. Reply Thread Link Youre right and you should say it! Reply Parent Thread Link he really is! Reply Parent Thread Link he killed a child Reply Parent Thread Link he had it coming Reply Parent Thread Expand Link He melted the iron throne out of pettiness which means he's smart enough to be king. Reply Parent Thread Link lmao she's too much. just be like "omg I'm so sorry!" if you accidentally spoil something. Instead she gets defensive and starts screaming at everyone Reply Thread Link She's so bloody unlikeable! Ugh! How does her reaction even make sense in her head??? Reply Parent Thread Link of course meghan ruined game of thrones for sunny and many of the audience/viewers. what did anyone expect? she's a life-ruiner. she ruins peoples lives Edited at 2019-05-20 11:56 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link you know if someone spoiled something for her, she'd refuse to come in for the rest of the week Reply Thread Link Jeez. The part about the student loan debt truly scare me on going to school lol. Idk if I can invest in myself on something I can do for a super specific career. Still I don't want to be in this same place in the future if I don't have anything to do about it. :-/ So yeah that's really awesome of that dude, bless. Reply Thread Link Has anyone been changing their mind about Beto? He's still a distant 3rd (if that) to Bernie and Warren for me, but I kinda feel like he's leaning left? Maybe it's my imagination though idk. Reply Thread Link 2020 SC Dem Primary Poll Biden 42% Harris 10% Buttigieg 8% Warren 8% Sanders 7% 2020 SC Dem Primary Poll Biden 42% Harris 10% Buttigieg 8% Warren 8% Sanders 7% Booker 4% Crantford Research https://t.co/jXCsIixP7W Political Polls (@PpollingNumbers) May 20, 2019 Beto is busy reintroducing his campaign but it isn't going so well. As for Sanders, he's not even a factor in the SC primary and I think that goes for many of the other primaries, especially California. He's not gonna make it.2020 SC Dem Primary PollBiden 42%Harris 10%Buttigieg 8%Warren 8%Sanders 7% Reply Parent Thread Link if that poll is the measure, Biden is the only person with a chance. Is that what you believe? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link warren being so low is a fucking disgrace Reply Parent Thread Expand Link My vote would go to Davos, the one true King of Common Sense. Just imagine that story, from illiterate commoner, to the worlds greatest smuggler, the hand of two kings, to a king himself. Thats someone the smallfolk could get behind. But no, now he has to put up with Bronn of all people, ugh. Oh well, I guess I should just be content that he lived. Reply Thread Link Yeah, if we're voting for someone he'd be at the top of my list. He was a good advisor for both Stannis (when Stannis would listen) and Jon. He also isn't high born and has more of a connection to the common people (which for some reason the Lords hate - when Aegon V (who spent many years wandering the country with Ser Duncan the Tall getting to know the common people) tried to do reforms to help the smallfolk the Lords were really not pleased with him and called him half a peasant and such. Reply Parent Thread Link I wouldve voted for him too if not for Dany and Sansa. Reply Parent Thread Link Honestly, I agree Davos is such a good choice for a King. Reply Parent Thread Link For a second I was trying to figure out which democrat that was lol. Reply Parent Thread Link Lol! Honestly, if Davos were real Id vote for him over most of the democrats in this field so far. Definitely a better choice than Biden. Reply Parent Thread Link I hope he sets up education centers in honor of Shireen Education for all Reply Parent Thread Expand Link His and Brienne's and Sam's reactions were like medicine for my sickness upon seeing and hearing Bronn! Reply Parent Thread Link YES. I have accepted Bran as the chill, peaceful king but Davos is truly the best choice -- he's experienced, wise, practical, and seemingly incorruptible. Reply Parent Thread Link the story we deserved dany should have made him hand of the queen the moment she landed tbh Reply Parent Thread Link lmao I was expecting to vote for Warren again OP! You got me! Reply Thread Link Im sorry, but watch a show the night of or avoid media if you wont want to be spoiled. Reply Thread Link Thats so lame. Some people have jobs and responsibilities. Reply Parent Thread Link I can't @ MEghan making Whoopi's illness about herself. I think MEghan spoiled GOT on purpose to drum up headlines for herself. I'm sure she'll be on tomorrow complaining about the haters, or something. Reply Thread Link I always call her MEghan MEcain, lol. She's truly obsessed with herself. Reply Parent Thread Link Omgggg make this a meme lmao I Reply Parent Thread Link Megan is not wrong here. But, it's all over the internet you really have to live under a rock to not know the ending. Reply Thread Link Somehow I didnt see anything. I was expecting to see how it ended but maybe the places I go are polite about spoilers? Reply Parent Thread Link she isn't the literal worst in the history of the world, but she's got to be top 20 for bottled blondes on tv. Reply Parent Thread Link She's unwatchable. I can't believe her behaviour is sanctioned by The View execs. Horrible woman! Reply Parent Thread Link I just cant with her at all. Reply Parent Thread Link sunny seems super repressed. i love to talk about sex. it's how we learn and grow with it. no shame in it or our bodies. but then half of you would be horrified that my mom and i could talk openly about sex, and everything our bodies did. it's how you learn what's normal and what isn't. talking about our bodies and being familiar with them has been proven to be beneficial for our heath time and again. how else are you gonna know if sudden pains are normal, lumps are normal, bleeding that's irregular for anyone not just you having some rough cycles? and for me, it would depend on the friend and depend on the ex. mostly him. sometimes people don't fit together, but it doesn't make one or both of them "bad" just means they didn't fit together. /shrug. Reply Thread Link it legit scares me (and i know there are millions like her) that it's 2019 and someone is that fucking conservative. we were fighting about free condoms or even mentioning condoms when i was a teenager. and i haven't been one for quite. some. time. its so frustrating that not every "learns" shit when they get older. evolve. focus on what matters. sorry bb, didn't mean to rant. nice icon though lol Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Against free condoms and prolife... how does she even function Reply Parent Thread Link I could not imagine ever talking about sex to my parents but I was also raised catholic, lol. my bf has spoken pretty openly about sex with his parents and I'm like *clutches pearls* if I have a question I ask a friend lol (or ONTD) Reply Parent Thread Link I like when people talk about their sex lives. Not in a pervy way lmao but sex has always interested me and people have wildly different experiences and tastes so I like hearing about it from other POVs. People who think it's trashy are lame. Reply Thread Link yeah, I agree with this. I'm not one to just offer up sex stories unprompted, but am happy to contribute to a discussion about sex and enjoy reading other people's opinions and ideas about it. Reply Parent Thread Link Exactly! Unprompted is weird! Same as gossip or any other topic clearly unprompted and not wanted by the other person Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah especially bc it is fun. Id get a kick out of dem sex stories. Even if its bad lmao Reply Parent Thread Link same. esp bc so many people have insecurities based on what the media tells us is "normal" or "enough". Talking with actual humans is a real reality check. Reply Parent Thread Link Meghan says if Joy wants all Republicans to go to jail over impeachment then Pelosi should go to jail, too. Joy says she was being hyperbolic but Meghan thinks it sounds aggressive. meghan is such a brat Reply Thread Link She's the worst... Reply Parent Thread Link As far as friends dating exes, it really depends. How much did I know or care about them? How did they treat me during and, if badly, does the friend know? How did it end (did I "win" the breakup)? How long has it been since? Too many factors to have one blanket answer. Reply Thread Link I literally woke up today at 5am in a rage at Meghan repeatedly spreading lies about abortion and most nights I go to sleep thinking about it. It's so scary. Reply Thread Link This is really my biggest issue with her. She's saying Democrats want to murder babies, the GOP talking point for 2020. They are literally basing their campaigns on this lie, along with all Democrats are really evil socialists who want to destroy the country. And it works. Twitter is full of stupid GOP drones who retweet 45 and repeat these lies over and over. This all starts at FoxNews, the head propaganda outlet. You can't reason with these people. If you show them some legitimate news they say, "that's from CNN, that's fake news," no matter what it is. You could show them video of 45 screwing a cow and they would find a way to justify it. They don't care how many lies they repeat, they're like a cult. Reply Parent Thread Link And her talking points, the NY 3rd term abortion bill and Ralph Northam's comments about how they care for babies with severe deformities, are so easy to fact check but she'd rather parrot tr*mps lies. It drives me nuts. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Hollyweird stays weirder. Impeach 45. Period. I rather talk about my sex life anonymously. Its basically nonexistent now lmao. I still have tons of condoms in a shoebox. Not to mention some dudes are really clingy and desperate for a damn blowjob. Ugh. Turnoff. No chill. Delete. I literally have no best friend so Im not too worried lol. I rather would have my future SO as my best friend. Bromance <3 Reply Thread Link my friends and i talk about our sex lives all the time but i would never do so around my parents or in public, idk also i definitely read that first cut text as "COULD MEGHAN BE HELD IN CONTEMPT" and got excited for a second Reply Thread Link she should Reply Parent Thread Link Im open about my sex life with my family (sister, mom, not with my dad) and my friends, but damn.. I dont think I could ever openly speak about it casually in front of people with my boyfriend (husband in her case) there too. Im not that free spirited lol. And nope, I dont think Id be ok with a close friend dating an ex. Oblig. Meghan is the worst. Reply Thread Link The absolute worst. How she can be allowed to continue in such a horrible, hostile manner is incomprehensible! Reply Parent Thread Link I only saw the first segment or two, but their dynamic seemed weird today, like they had a big fight back stage or had a talking-to from someone or something. Meghan was death glaring everyone and there were a few awkward silences Reply Thread Link I agree! There was something up today with Meghan for sure. I hope it's the news that her contract won't be renewed that got her so uptight! Reply Parent Thread Link She always looks like she's smelling shit. Whenever the camera cuts to her whenever someone is talking she's either scowling or is half rolling her eyes looking out to the audience. Reply Parent Thread Link I noticed that vibe as well. It's like they were all holding back a little. Not the normal back and forth. I wonder if the network has told them all to tone it down a little bit? Reply Parent Thread Link Why is one of their Hot Topics a conversation from a Real Housewives episode from over a month ago?... Reply Thread Link I think they do it to keep Meghan 'happy' since she is a housewives fan. It didn't work today. Meghan had an awful attitude, more than usual. Reply Parent Thread Link LOL MEGHAN TRYING TO PRETEND SHE'S SO CONVSERATIVE talking about "cultural shocks" girl you used to be BFF with Tila Tequila. So fucking fake. Reply Thread Link More than bffs, despite her protests otherwise Reply Parent Thread Link Read the post as Meghan possibly being held in contempt and thought YAS GAWD Reply Thread Link hahah same Reply Parent Thread Link Oil prices seesawed early on Tuesday, supported by indications that OPEC may opt for prolonging the production cut deal beyond June, while tensions between the U.S. and Iran continued to feed concern about oil supply flows from the Middle East. As of 10:23 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, WTI Crude was down 0.25 percent at $63.05, and Brent Crude was trading up 0.03 percent, at $71.99. In recent days, escalating tensions in the Middle East and signals from OPEC and its de facto leader Saudi Arabia that the cartel and its allies could decide to continue restricting some production through the end of this year have been trumping concerns about the state of the global economy and oil demand stemming from the U.S.-China trade war. Reports have it that OPEC and its partners may decide to keep the oil production cuts until the end of the year as the cartel fears a steep price drop if cuts were to be reversed within the next couple of months, according to delegates at a Sunday panel meeting of the extended producers club who spoke to The Wall Street Journal. Saudi Arabias Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih told Reuters on Sunday that he doesnt see an oil supply shortage on the market currently, as inventories are still rising. OPEC will be responsive to the market needs, al-Falih said, but reiterated that data still suggests that inventories are rising, especially in the United States. In considering the next step of its oil supply management policy, OPEC will have to factor in the heightened tension between the U.S. and Iran and in the Middle East as a whole. If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again!, U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted on Sunday, following up with remarks on Monday that I think Iran would be making a very big mistake if they did anything. If they do something, itll be met with great force. But we have no indication that they will. The tension between Iran and the U.S. and in the Middle East has flared up in recent weeks after the U.S. ended all sanction waivers for Iranian oil exports, aiming to drive Irans oil sales to zero. Iran claims the U.S. cant and wont drive its exports to zero and accuses the United States and its regional allies Saudi Arabia and the UAE of using oil as a political tool. Saudi Arabia reported last week attacks on its oil infrastructure as the proxy conflict escalates between Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies on the one side, and Iran and its allies on the other. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: If you protest an oil or gas pipeline in Texas, you could face up to 10 years in prison. The bill on the verge of becoming law in Texas would classify civil disobedience against the construction of a pipeline in Texas a third-degree felony, putting it on the same level of felony as attempted murderers, according to the Texas Observer, or equivalent to sentences handed down to drive-by shooters who fail to hit their mark, as Bloomberg put it. The legislation would elevate pipelines as critical infrastructure, classifying them in the same category as power plants and water treatment facilities. But it would also include projects under construction, going beyond current law, according to the Observer. Those violating the law say, community or environmental groups looking to disrupt construction could face 10 years in prison and also liable for damages. The bill in Texas is the latest in a wave of anti-protest bills sweeping state capitols, and they are a reaction by the industry to the Dakota Access Pipeline protests in the summer of 2016 and the decade-long battle over the Keystone XL pipeline. Similar bills have already passed in North Dakota, South Dakota, Louisiana, Iowa and Oklahoma. They are part of a concerted effort by industry groups and their allies in state capitols. According to the National Lawyers Guild, as of early 2018, there were 58 anti-protest bills moving through the legislatures of 31 states. Criminalizing protest is seen as a vital step in paving the way for more oil and gas infrastructure. A lot is at stake. New midstream capital expenditures is expected to hit $791 billion over the next 17 years, according to The Interstate Natural Gas Association of American (INGAA), or about $44 billion per year. That spending will translate into an additional 41,000 miles of pipeline, plus an additional 139,000 miles of gathering lines. Related: The Single Most Bullish Indicator For Oil But protests have proliferated against oil and gas infrastructure as the climate crisis continues to grow worse. Just this week, protestors blocked BPs headquarters in London to interrupt the annual shareholders meeting. That comes on the heels of the disruptive Extinction Rebellion protests in April, which saw the entrance of the UK headquarters of Royal Dutch Shell blocked in April. As protests swell and disrupt more oil and gas operations, the industry is trying to head off and break up planned actions before they start. Earlier this year, The Intercept reported on how Minnesota police had been preparing for 18 months for a major protest over the Line 3 pipeline, a key project that would replace and add midstream capacity, carrying oil from Canada to the United States. Law enforcement in Minnesota worked with private contractors to monitor protestors in order to prevent a disruption on the scale of the Dakota Access protests. Some of the laws face litigation as critics say they violate first amendment rights to free speech. But prosecutions are already occurring and the chilling effect is likely to be powerful. Related: OPEC+ Top Priority: Dont Crash Oil Prices Ultimately, the urgency around pipelines is an outgrowth of booming oil and gas production. For instance, the bottlenecks in the Permian led to steep discounts for oil based in Midland last year. Those differentials narrowed as some pipeline capacity came online. But with production still rising and exports surging, the shale industry is desperate for more pipelines. The same is true in North Dakota and Canada, where upstream production has had trouble finding its way to market. Trains have stepped in to fill the gap in the interim, but the oil and gas industry ultimately wants to build more pipelines. According to Rystad Energy, the U.S. is on track to add another 1.1 to 1.2 million barrels of oil per day this year, an increase of about 16 percent. That comes after a rather unimpressive first quarter. The slow first quarter implies an even steeper expected growth curve for the remainder of the year. In fact, acceleration of oil production for many operators is already underway and oil additions are thus likely to increase notably already in the second quarter of 2019, Veronika Akulinitseva, senior analyst at Rystad Energy said in a statement. More oil means more pipelines need to be built. By Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Over the past week, oil prices have trended higher as concerns about escalating U.S.-Iran and Iran-Saudi standoffs have overshadowed bearish-side concerns about the U.S.-China trade war and slowing global economic growth. The rising tension in the Middle East and the critical oil tanker waterways in the region have had some analysts and investment banks return to talking about Brent Crude hitting US$80, US$90, or even US$100 a barrel, compared to the current level of around US$72 per barrel. JP Morgan, however, thinks that the return of the geopolitical risk premium in oil prices could be only for the short term, as U.S. shale production continues to grow, while global oil demand may falter amid uncertainties in the worlds economy. Its difficult to make a case why oil prices materially move up from here, Scott Darling, head of Asia Pacific oil and gas research at JP Morgan, told CNBC on Monday, although he admitted that right now its okay to consider risks of supply outages, given the current geopolitical situation. U.S. shale has dramatically cut the market cycle for oil, so the geopolitical risks could be short lived, Darling told CNBC. JP Morgan sees Brent Crude at US$75 a barrel by the end of June, but expects the global oil benchmark to average US$71 this year and to slump to US$60 in 2021, according to Darling. Related: Irans Trick To Sell Oil For A 30% Premium At the beginning of this month, just as the U.S. sanction waivers to all Iranian oil buyers expired, Christyan Malek, head of EMEA oil & gas research at JP Morgan, told Bloomberg that Brent Crude prices could move toward the US$80 handle at some point this summer, due to stronger fuel demand in the summer and OPEC being far more measured in terms of their response to the end of Iranian waivers and Venezuelas plunging production. A week after the end of the U.S. sanction waivers for Iranian customers, Helima Croft, Global Head of Commodity Strategy at RBC Capital Markets, said that The possibility of Iran recommencing its nuclear program and tensions around key strategic waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Yemeni coast could lead to Brent crude, projected to average $75 a barrel for 2019 pass $80 mark this summer. Last week, attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure supported oil prices and raised the geopolitical tension, leading to some investment banks projecting much higher oil prices this summer. If the U.S. and China settle their trade dispute, thus brightening the outlook for global economy and oil demand, one incident in the tense Middle East region could result in oil prices shooting up to US$100, Francisco Blanch, head of global commodities and derivatives at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, told CNBC last week. Blanch expects Brent Crude to hit US$82 this summer. Later last week, Bank of America Merrill Lynch said that the new sulfur content regulations for shipping fuels could push Brent to as high as US$90 a barrel, but warned that an all-out trade war could send prices plunging to as low as US$50 if it leads to an economic downturn. Amid all these conflicting signals in the market, OPEC and its allies are set to decide next month how to proceed with their oil supply management policywhether to extend the production cuts in some form, or to reverse all or some of the cuts. Related: The Single Most Bullish Indicator For Oil OPEC is not rushing into decisions to reverse the cuts as it did last year in the run-up to the U.S. sanctions on Iran, just to see oil prices crashing in Q4. The cartel is said to be considering extending the production cuts through the whole of 2019, although quotas may differ, to prevent another oil price crash that would hurt the budgets of many OPEC members, including the de facto leader Saudi Arabia. The bottom line is that none of us wants to see the stocks swell again, so we have to be cautious. It is one of our most critical priorities, Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said at a panel OPEC/non-OPEC ministerial meeting this weekend. The Saudis seem keen to extend the production cut deal into the second half of this year, in order to gently draw down inventories, Warren Patterson, Head of Commodities Strategy at ING, said on Monday. ING believes that OPEC+ doesnt need to extend the agreement in its current form, as the market will see significant tightening as we move into the third quarter. OPEC and its Russia-led non-OPEC allies will sit down to decide the fate of the deal just over a month from now, during which geopolitical risks and demand forecasts will fight for dominance in setting the sentiment in the oil market. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: ExxonMobil evacuated some staff from southern Iraq over fears of rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran, although there is still little evidence to suggest any oil operations will be impacted. Exxon removed 60 workers from its West Qurna 1 project, and sent them to Dubai, according to Reuters. The evacuation comes in the wake of the U.S. withdrawing embassy staff from Baghdad, which the State Department said was in response to the threat of attack from Iran. But a top Iraqi official seemed a little perplexed by the decision. Exxon Mobils evacuation is a precautionary and temporary measure. We have no indication over any dangers, the situation is secure and very stable at the oilfield which is running at full capacity and producing 440,000 bpd, Ihsan Abdul Jabbar of Iraqs South Oil Company, which owns the field, told Reuters. Exxon is the lead contractor on the project. There are over 1,700 people working in the oilfield, 1,300 are South Oil Company staff and 400 are Iraqis working with foreign companies. Only around 60 people have left and theyre all advisors, administrators and finance staff, Abdul Jabbar told Reuters. Oil production at West Qurna 1 remains unaffected at 440,000 barrels per day. This withdrawal may send the wrong message about the situation in Iraq, and thats something we reject, Iraqs Oil Minister Thamir Ghadhban said in a statement on Saturday. No single personnel from other foreign companies withdrew, he said. Other oil companies operating in Iraqs enormous southern oil fields said they were monitoring the situation but saw no reason to suggest that the threat level was any higher than normal. Last week, Royal Dutch Shell said that it was monitoring the situation but that everything was operating as normal. BP said something similar. Related: Back To The Future: Labor Party Looks To Renationalize UK Utilities The series of events raises questions about what exactly is going on in Iraq. The U.S. State Department decided to remove people as part of an ordered departure from the embassy in Baghdad, a move that sparked alarm. The evacuation of diplomatic personnel exacerbated tensions, and came after a series of escalatory events, including the U.S. decision to send naval assets to the region and the apparent attacks on Saudi oil tankers. But the embassy move was odd. The U.S. embassy in Baghdad is the worlds largest. Its a fortress, and staff worked at the site throughout other, more unstable, periods of time in the past 15 years. It is the US perception of risks to its interests in Iraq that has changed, not the inherent risk itself, and that has prompted the sudden change in tone in recent days, Niamh McBurney, head of MENA for global risk analysis firm Verisk Maplecroft, told Platts in an email. The evacuation appears to be a political decision that is more about the US not wanting to engage with Iran in Iraqi territory as part of its 'maximum pressure' campaign. On Sunday, however, a rocket apparently landed near the U.S. embassy, although it was not clear what exactly was targeted. Pro-Iranian militias denounced the attack and no group took responsibility. Analysts said it was possible that the rocket attack was done by groups that would stand to benefit from heightened U.S.-Iran tension. The rocket attack was intended to make the Americans blame the Iraqi government and the armed groups in Iraq, Iraqi political analyst Ahmed al-Sharifi told the Wall Street Journal. Other analyst said that the Iraqi government has little control over militias in the country, which may have been behind the incident. Related: War With Iran Could Send Oil To $250 Iraq has no interest in seeing the U.S.-Iran conflict play out on its territory. Iraq has been living through hell for the last four decades, Iraq's President Barham Salih told CBS News. Enough of wars, enough of conflict. And certainly, Iraqis do not want to see this country yet again turn into a zone of proxy conflict. He added that he thought the U.S. decision to evacuate embassy staff was unwarranted. In fact, the episode comes after both the U.S. and Iran have tamped down the aggressive rhetoric, and tensions had subsided somewhat. But Trump tweeted in reaction to the apparent incident. If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again! Ultimately, the risk level is murky, especially with very little evidence offered publicly by the U.S. government. We do not see an increase in risk to IOC personnel or operations in Basra and Maysan, or elsewhere across the country, either from or as a result of the US warning, Verisk Maplecroft's McBurney said to Platts. Another source pointed out to Platts that oil companies remain active in Libya, where the dangers are much more serious. By Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: There has been much talk of an Iran War in recent weeks, but the likelihood of a war, whether intentional or accidental, is relatively small for the simple reason that the leaders of Iran and the U.S. dont want one. President Donald Trump, who has been remarkably faithful to his campaign promises, to the chagrin of many, doesnt want another Iraq-like war with a quick victory followed by a long defeat. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran, doesnt want his revolution and country crushed by the massive military might of America. This is not to say there arent powerful individuals in the Trump administration such as National Security Advisor John Bolton and possibly Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and regional allies Israel, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) who want a war to bring about regime change in Iran, and who are willing to stir the pot in an attempt to make it happen. Trumps personal preference for Iran may also be regime change, with a negotiated neutering of the Islamic Republic his next best outcome. But he probably would settle for long-term containment of Iran through his maximum pressure campaign, accepting that the Iranian regime would likely be able to sustain itself though skirting sanctions. Iran has made huge geopolitical gains in the Middle East since the U.S. inadvertently pushed Shiite-majority Iraq into the Iranian sphere of influence by imposing democracy on the country following the 2003 war. Tehran now directly or indirectly controls an arc of territory north of Saudi Arabia Iraq, Syria and Lebanon while supporting Houthi rebels to the south of the kingdom in Yemen. Although U.S. sanctions on Irans oil and metal exports are unlikely to bring about regime change, they will make it significantly more difficult for the Islamic Republic to consolidate its territorial gains and sustain its regional proxy network, as the government will have to prioritize domestic spending to maintain social stability. Simply put, the sanctions make it more difficult for Iran to directly challenge its regional enemies, Israel, Saudi Arabia and UAE and score additional foreign policy victories. Despite an aversion to war with the U.S., it appears Khamenei has given Qassem Suleimani, leader of Irans powerful Quds Force and national hero, permission to encourage foreign militias aligned with Tehran to cause mischief for U.S. and allied forces in the Middle East, and if possible, disrupt the flow of oil from the region through non-attributed actions. The Iranian goal is to break the resolve of the U.S., given American military retreats from the Middle East in the past Lebanon (1984), Iraq (2011), and Syria (presently) and to increase the cost of Iranian oil sanctions on the global economy through additional disruptions to supply. This is obviously a dangerous game that could lead to real war, not just proxy war. As a result, it is important to explore the potential impact of both on the world oil market, despite the latter being significantly more likely than the former. U.S. Perspective Pompeo laid out the Trump administrations rationale and strategy for dealing with the Islamic Republic in Confronting Iran, an article in the November-December 2018 issue of Foreign Affairs. He argued the deal the Obama administration and international community struck with Iran in 2015 the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was fundamentally flawed as it failed to end the countrys nuclear weapons ambition. Instead, the deal simply postponed Irans nuclear ambitions while the regime continued its ballistic missile program to allow it to deliver a nuclear payload. At the same time, the deal gave Tehran piles of money, which the supreme leader has used to sponsor all types of terrorism throughout the Middle East (with few consequences in response) and which have boosted the economic fortunes of a regime that remains bent on exporting its revolution abroad and imposing it at home. The core of the Trump administrations maximum pressure campaign are economic sanctions designed to choke off revenues to Iran to force its government to negotiate a new deal covering its nuclear activities, ballistic missile program and malign behaviour across the Middle East, while providing sufficient military deterrence to keep Tehran from lashing out at U.S. forces and allies in the region. Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal in May 2018, and has since ratcheted up economic sanctions on the Islamic Republic in August and November of last year, while going the full monty on Iranian crude and condensate exports at the beginning of May. On the deterrence front, the U.S. has moved numerous military assets to the Persian Gulf region since the Trump administrations no waiver oil sanctions came into effect. These include: hastening the arrival of a carrier strike group; deployment of a bomber task-force; additional Patriot missiles; and as reported by The New York Times, drawing up plans to send up to 120,000 U.S. troops to the Middle East, if Iran attacks U.S. forces or rushes to develop nuclear weapons. It should be noted that a military buildup of this size would take months, and the 120,000 number is widely viewed as insufficient for a full-scale invasion of Iran. The Islamic Republic has been planning and building up asymmetric military capabilities to thwart a U.S. attack since the 1990s, while the country is larger in size and population than Iraq. The U.S. military plan reported by the New York Times did not call for a land invasion of Iran. Related: Who Is Winning The Offshore Solar Race? On May 14, Trump denied the New York Times report, but in characteristic fashion appeared to up the ante. Now, would I do that? Absolutely, Trump said. But we have not planned for that. Hopefully were not going to have to plan for that. If we did that, we would send a hell of a lot more troops than that. But in the Foreign Affairs article Pompeo wrote that Trump does not want the U.S. to go to war with Iran: President Trump does not want another long-term U.S. military engagement in the Middle Eastor in any other region, for that matter. He has spoken openly about the dreadful consequences of the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the 2011 intervention in Libya. Iranian Perspective On May 14, Khamenei explicitly said that Iran does not want to go to war with the U.S., and suggested the same of America, as a war would be in neither countrys interest. "There won't be any war, he said. "Neither we nor they seek war. They know it will not be in their interest." In terms of Irans current situation, David Petraeus, ex-CIA director and Americas former top general in the Middle East, possibly put it best. "Certainly, if Iran were to precipitate that [a war], it would be a suicide gesture," Petraeus said on May 9. "It would be very, very foolhardy. And they know that." The Islamic Republic has done an excellent job of marshaling relatively limited financial and military resources to expand its influence and control through the Middle East since 2003, but its defense budget of about US$16 billion or a mere 3.7 percent of GDP falls considerably short compared to regional rivals Israel, Saudi Arabia and UAE on an individual basis, let alone a collective one. The military capabilities of the U.S. dwarf those of Iran on every conceivable measure, which should come as no surprise since Americas most recent defense budget is a massive US$686 billion. Khamenei also said his country has no desire to negotiate with the U.S., given the Trump administrations extreme demands and unilateral breaking of the nuclear pact, and suggested the current crisis will likely be a long one, a view supported by Hassan Rouhani, the democratically elected president of Iran. The Iranian nation has chosen the path of resistance," Khamenei said. Rouhani was even more explicit. Speaking to activists from a wide range of political factions on May 12, he said Iran is facing unprecedented pressure from U.S. sanctions and suggested economic conditions may become worse than during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War. The pressures by enemies is a war unprecedented in the history of our Islamic revolution, Rouhani said, according to the state news agency IRNA. But I do not despair and have great hope for the future and believe that we can move past these difficult conditions provided that we are united. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is forecasting the Iranian economy to contract 6 percent in 2019, following a 3.9 percent decline last year, with unemployment to climb to 15.4 percent. In contrast, Irans economy surged an impressive 12.5 percent in 2016, after most global economic sanctions were lifted following the signing of JCPOA the year before. Khameneis unwillingness to negotiate with the Trump administration, at least at the present time, should not come as a big surprise, as European diplomats and officials from past U.S. administrations say there are no grounds for serious negotiation. Tehran would see Americas current demands as de facto surrender, after a long line of geopolitical victories in the Middle East contributing to Iranian hubris. Cat and Mouse The Iranian leadership may not want real war, but it does want proxy war a game of cat and mouse against the U.S. and its regional allies to increase the cost of their anti-Iran policies in an attempt to break American resolve, while avoiding escalation to full-scale military conflict. On May 16, The Guardian reported that Suleimani held a meeting in Baghdad three weeks prior where he told Iranian-backed Iraqi militias to prepare for proxy war. Knowledge of this meeting contributed to the U.S. governments May 15 decision to evacuate non-essential staff from its diplomatic missions in Baghdad and Erbil and to raise the threat status at American bases in Iraq. It has since been reported that Iranian-backed militias elsewhere in the Middle East have been told to await instructions. The most tangible actions of this so-called proxy war to date appear to be four ships two Saudi, one Emirati and one Norwegian being hulled off the coast of the UAE on May 12 in what Emirati officials have described as acts of sabotage near the port of Fujairah 164 kilometers outside the Strait of Hormuz and Houthi-rebels in Yemen using armed drones to attack two pumping stations of Saudi Arabias East-West crude pipeline two days later. But Saudi state media has already called for surgical strikes by U.S. forces against Iranian targets in response to these transgressions. In an editorial titled Iran must not go unpunished in the Riyadh-based Arab New on May 16, the paper wrote: The next logical step in this newspapers view should be surgical strikes. The US has set a precedent, and it had a telling effect: The Trump strikes on Syria when the Assad regime used Sarin gas against its people. The Guardian reported that the Saudi leadership has specifically asked Washington whether it is planning to act to defend their interests. The Iranian leadership also appears to be using the threat of restarting its nuclear program in their cat and mouse game. On May 15, state news agency ISNA reported Iran had officially stopped some relatively minor commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal, after notifying China, France, Germany, Russia and the United Kingdom of such the week before and a year after the other signatory, the U.S., had unilaterally withdrawn from the pact. In particular, Tehran is no longer planning to adhere to the nuclear deals 300 kilogram limit on low-enriched 3.67 percent; compared to 90 percent for weapons-grade uranium stocks and the 130 tonne limit on heavy water stockpiles. Proxy versus Real War As a result, while there are many possible outcomes, there are two extreme but plausible scenarios for Iran, the Middle East and the world oil market Proxy War and Real War. Under Proxy War, Iranian-backed militias in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, Iraq and Yemen would ramp up attacks on U.S.-allied forces in the Middle East, while Iran and its proxies would launch sporadic missile and sabotage attacks on oil and gas infrastructure and tankers transiting the straits of Bab al-Mandeb and Hormuz. But their malign activities are constrained by two factors: U.S. and aligned forces hitting back hard in a disciplined fashion; and Irans financial difficulties significantly cutting funding and resources for their proxy forces. Related: California Threatens Gasoline Car Ban In response to attacks and Iranian efforts to build up military assets in the Levant, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) would launch airstrikes on Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iranian-backed forces in Syria, while Saudi Arabia and UAE would boost their military activities to crush Houthi rebels in Yemen. By agreement, the U.S. will continue to patrol regional waters and respond militarily to any attacks to shipping and their armed forces in the region. In this geopolitically-charged environment, the spot price of international benchmark Brent crude tends to average around US$85 per barrel, US$15 more than if Iranian oil exports were not constrained by U.S. sanctions, with occasional spikes above US$100 per barrel despite continuing strong growth in U.S. oil production through the second half of the next decade. The loss of roughly 2 million b/d of Iranian crude and condensate from the world oil market cutting Tehrans oil exports by about three-quarters would drive spare capacity well below 1 million b/d, making crude prices more susceptible to supply disruptions, Iranian-inspired or otherwise. Under Real War, the less plausible of the two extreme scenarios, Irans proxy war and related nuclear activities would be perceived as too much by Trump, especially after much nudging by hawkish advisors and regional allies. In March 2020, Saudi Arabia, Israel, UAE and the U.S. would launch a coordinated attack against Iranian aligned forces and assets in the Middle East. In this scenario, the IDF invades Gaza and southern Lebanon to battle Hamas and Hezbollah, respectively, and launches massive airstrikes against Iranian military resources in Syria. Saudi Arabia, UAE and the U.S. launch airstrikes and missile attacks on Iranian military forces, oil facilities and major cities. Iran, and its proxy forces, respond in kind. Both sides refrain from a land attack, with the 120,000 U.S. troops stationed in the Gulf insufficient to launch a successful invasion of Iran but plenty to deter Tehran and its proxies. China and Russia call for an emergency UN Security Council meeting to condemn American-led aggression against Iran, but Britain, France and the US the other veto holders in the council nix a vote. In six short weeks there is tremendous damage to oil facilities on both sides, given their proximity to the Persian Gulf region, and to major cities as well. Iran, with its fleet of fast patrol craft and arsenal of short-range rockets, is able to briefly close the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting the flow of about 18 million b/d to the world market, almost a fifth of global supply. Brent spikes over US$250 per barrel, before falling back to around US$150 with the International Energy Agency (IEA) coordinating an emergency release of oil stocks from strategic reserves of its member countries and China releasing significant volumes from its now substantial strategic reserve as well. Under heavy bombardment and with their military resources running low, the Iranian leadership calls for an end in hostilities and negotiations, which the U.S. and its regional allies immediately agree upon. Through negotiations a detente is achieved in the Middle East, with the two sides agreeing to demarcate spheres of influence in the region. Saudi Arabia and the UAE agree to stop meddling in Iraq and Syria in return for Iran ending its meddling in Shiite areas of Bahrain, Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Lebanon is declared neutral territory. Iran agrees to mothball its nuclear program indefinitely and stop exporting weapons to its regional allies. Once hostilities cease, it takes two or more years for the price of Brent to fall back into a US$60-70 per range given necessary repairs to war damaged oil facilities in the Persian Gulf region and the rebuilding of global oil inventories where prices remain indefinitely, capped by the spreading Shale Oil Revolution. By Vincent Lauerman for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Lone Star Ports LLC, backed by Carlyle Group, will be seeking a faster-track approval from the U.S. Administration for its project to build the first U.S. onshore export terminal capable of servicing supertankers on an island near Corpus Christi, officials tell Reuters. Lone Star Ports plans to build the terminal on the Harbor Island as U.S. oil production continues to grow, while current oil export infrastructure is insufficient to handle growing crude exports. The planned terminal will be able to service full-laden Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC)the so-called supertankers with the ability to carry up to 2 million barrels of crude oil each. Lone Star Ports plans to file documents this week with the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (FPISC), asking to join a list of infrastructure projects that could be fast-tracked through local, state, and federal reviews. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has recommended an environmental impact assessment review of the project, which could take two years or more. Carlyle has been hoping to be able to proceed with the project after a shorter review, or environmental assessment, which could take less than a year. To have clarity on timing is extremely helpful for us, Jeremiah Jerry Ashcroft, CEO at Lone Star Ports, told Reuters, adding that if the project were added to priority infrastructure projects, the dredging of the ship channel is more likely to move forward. Related: On The Cusp Of War: Why Iran Wont Fold Lone Star Ports and Carlyle are yet to make a final investment decision on the export terminal project. In March this year, the Port of Corpus Christi Commission approved a 50-year lease agreement with Lone Star Ports for around 200 acres on Harbor Island to develop the oil export terminal. The previous month, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) had awarded the first dredging contract for the Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Project to deepen the channel to a depth of 56 from the Channel entrance to Harbor Island, and a planned depth of 54 throughout the rest of the harbor. The ability to handle supertankers is expected to be a key asset for any future export terminal, considering that U.S. crude oil exports have been steadily growing in recent months. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Yet Another US Presidential hopeful rolled out yet another climate change solution on Monday, this time by Democrat Michael Bennet, and this one topping the charts as far as its cost. The plan, titled Americas Climate Change Plan, was outlined on Monday on Bennets website, and will cost $10 trillionby far the most expensive climate solution proposed this election campaign. Bennets plan aggressively calls for 100 percent clean, net-zero emissions as soon as possible, and no later than 2050. The plan includes a specific Climate X Option whereby power providers would be required to offer zero-emission options to every household and business in America. More ambiguously, the plan calls on American agriculture to lead the global fight against climate change. Other aspects of the plan would see the create of a Climate Bank to catalyze $10 trillion in private sector investment in innovation and infrastructure that creates new markets for American businesses. Under the ambitious plan, America would cut energy waste in half by 2040 through investments in both zero-emission and flex-fuel vehicles and infrastructure. The timing comes just a week after another Presidential hopeful, Jay Inslee, unveiled his plan for tacking climate change for a price tag of $9 trillion, and a couple of months after Rep. Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Markey presented The New Green Deal. The timing of the release comes in the wake of what the media are viewing as an Australian election upset over the weekend, during which the liberal climate change agenda was decidedly rejected by the Australian people, despite polling to the contrary. The election results down under might have given American Democrats pause in pursuing a climate agenda whole hog, but todays rollout shows that might not be the case. The Australian polls showed that climate change was the most important issue for the Australian people. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Despite criticizing the U.S. decision not to extend any sanction waivers for Iranian oil customers, Turkey appears to be fully complying with the U.S. sanctions on Irans oil, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing tanker tracking data. Turkey was one of the eight buyers of Iranian oil that were given an initial six-month waiver to continue importing crude from Iran at reduced volumes after the U.S. slapped back sanctions on Iran in November last year. Under its maximum pressure campaign against Iran, the U.S. ended all waivers for all Iranian customers as of early May. On the day on which the U.S. announced that it was not extending any exemptions to any Iranian oil buyer, Turkeys Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu tweeted: The US decision to end sanctions waivers on Iran oil imports will not serve regional peace and stability, yet will harm Iranian people. Turkey rejects unilateral sanctions and impositions on how to conduct relations with neighbors. Earlier this month, Cavusoglu said that Turkey will not be able to quickly source oil from alternate sources after the end of the U.S. waivers. It does not seem possible for us to diversify the sources of the oil we import in a short time, Cavusoglu said. Turkeys refineries, according to the minister, are not equipped to process crude oil from just any other country, and would therefore require retoolingsomething that is not only time intensive but costly. Related: War With Iran Could Send Oil To $250 However, so far in Maythe first month in which the U.S. doesnt allow any sanction waivers on Irans oilno tanker loaded in Iran has arrived at a Turkish port, according to Refinitiv tanker tracking data cited by Reuters. Turkeys biggest refiner Tupras had tried to negotiate a waiver before the end of the previous exemptions, but it wasnt granted such and made it clear it wouldnt import oil from Iran, a source familiar with the negotiations told Reuters. Before the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal in May of 2018, Turkey was importing nearly halfor 47 percentof its crude from Iran, according to Reuters data. Subsequently, Turkey had reduced its imports from Iran and has started to buy more oil from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Iraq, to replace Iranian barrels, according to analysts. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Unacceptable and unjustified are the words Iraqi Oil Minister Thamer Ghadhban used to describe ExxonMobils hasty exit from the troubled country, according to Reuters, but a late-night rocket strike in Iraq suggests Exxons move was timely. Exxon began evacuating its foreign engineering personnel last week from the West Qurna 1 field in Iraq due to security concerns, Al Arabiya reported at the time. While Exxon neither confirmed nor denied the report last week, Iraqi officials are confirming that Exxon has removed 60 peopleor all of its foreign employees. The security issues came to light mid-week last week after the United States ordered all non-essential personnel from the country citing possible threats from Iran, presumably via the Iraqi Shiite militia. Ghadhban said that Exxons personnel shuffling had a different motive. "The withdrawal of multiple employees - despite their small number - temporarily has nothing to do with the security situation or threats in the oilfields in of southern Iraq, but it's for political reasons," Ghadhban said, adding that he had sent a letter to Iraq asking for the company to return to work in the oilfield. Exxons departure seems rather prudent, however, given the late-night rocket strike near the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad that the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday. Iran was quick to denounce the attacks. Iraq says that the production at the West Qurna 1 field is not affected by Exxons exit, with production still holding at 440,000 barrels per day. However, Exxons abrupt departure from the country could put a strain on a $53 billion energy deal that is currently in the works between Exxon, PetroChina, and Iraqthe latter of which stands to rake in $400 billion over the 30-year period that the deal spans, adding more than 350,000 bpd of oil to Iraqs capabilities. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Mid-cap oil and gas companies are having trouble securing fresh investments because fund managers are reorienting their priorities towards alternative energies, says the chief financial officer of one such company, UK-based Hurricane Energy, as quoted by Energy Voice. Private equity firms are still willing to invest in oil and gas exploration, but this is not the case with investors in public companies. As a result, Alistair Stobie told Energy Voice, the industry needs to do more to restore faith among investors that fossil fuels will have a role to play in the future energy mix even if it is a smaller one. The biggest part of the problem facing medium-sized energy independents seems to be that most specialist investorsthose focusing specifically on the energy industrywere wiped out during the latest industry downturn and now sector players are finding themselves having to deal with what Stobie called generalist investors: funds and institutions who spread their investments across many different industries and whose priorities are different. An important group among these is investment funds who are now placing a lot more emphasis on environmental, social, and governance factors than pure growth in returns. For now, the problem is not acute, the executive said, but in might become so in the future. There are fewer oil and gas experts available and the pressure not to invest is greater, Stobie told Energy Voice. The rise of the generalist investors also means there is less specialist knowledge among investors about new discoveries and their future prospects, he added. Hurricane Energy is one of the private equity-backed energy independents that flooded the UK North Sea when the supermajors began to pull out to focus on quicker-return projects in U.S. shale and elsewhere. The company is operator of the Lancaster field, one of the largest recent discoveries in the area estimated to hold some 500 million barrels of crude oil. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The United States is increasing its oil imports from Russia, according to a Bloomberg source, as US refineries clamor for more oil now that Venezuelan oil supplies have dried up. The amount of oil that flowed into the United States from Russia so far in May was exponentially greater, said Russ Dallen of Caracas Capital Markets. United States took a total of 5 million barrels of Russian crude so far this month, and more are on the way. The United States imported less Russian crude in January and February, purchasing a total of 16.13 million barrels of crude and other oil products, according to the Energy Information Administration. This compares to 20.25 million during that period in 2018. But the US is expected to increase this as much as three times now that Venezuela is no longer a crude supplier to the United States. In January and February, Venezuela shipped 27.67 million barrels to the United States. This is lower than in January and February 2018, when oil shipments from Venezuela to the United States came in at 29.589 million for the two-month periodthe latest official EIA data availablewith an expectation that these have plummeted to zero in May. The data suggests that Russia is all too happy to pick up the slack left by Venezuela and profit from itmuch like Saudi Arabia and the UAE are happy to do as Iranian oil exports fall to new lows. For Russia, this could be viewed as a rather opportunistic hedge against the money it has lent to Venezuela, with slim hopes of Venezuela ever paying it back. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 52-year old man, Tayo Ogunmola, over an attempt to defraud the states Commissioner of Police, Bashir Makama. A statement released by the commands public relations officer, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, says that the arrest of the suspect followed a phone call he made to the police commissioner, pretending to be an old herbalist who mistakenly sent a recharge card pin to the telephone number of the CP pleading for the pin to be sent back to him. Makama who is familiar with the antics of the fraudsters decided to play along with him while he sent men of the Intelligence Response Team to technically track and apprehend the suspect. At a stage, the suspect who was not aware that he is being trailed, presented himself as a commissioner of police, a deputy Inspector general of Police, ready to assist Makama only if he can part with a certain amount of money not knowing that the person hes been discussing with is a serving commissioner of police. Luck however ran out on him when he was traced to his hideout at Araromi phase 11 in Ilogbo area of Ota where he was promptly arrested. On interrogation, he confessed being a fraudster who had defrauded many unsuspecting members of the public of money running into millions of Naira out of which he built the house he is living in. Makama has ordered the monitoring team to properly investigate the suspect with the view of arresting his other accomplices and arraign them before a court of competent jurisdiction. Aileen Wuonos Aileen Wuornos better known as The Highway Hooker or The Damsel of Death was a notorious serial killer convicted and sentenced to death for murdering her victims who were all men between 1989 and 1990. She killed her victims by posing as a stranded motorist on north central Florida highways. Wuornos who committed the heinous acts in Florida shot her victims at point-blank range claiming that those she killed were people who had wronged (raped) her in the past even though she later recanted. Wuornos had a really troubled past. Born on February 29, 1956, at the tender age 11, she began selling her body in exchange for cigarettes, drugs, and food. She fell pregnant at 13 after being raped by her grandfathers friend. At 15, she delved into prostitution, selling her body to survive and living in the woods after he grandfather threw her out of his house. As a disturbed woman, Wuornos engaged in car theft, robberies, prostitution and illegal use of firearm. She was angry with many people and decided to get her revenge (so it seems). Within a period of twelve months, Wuornos killed six men, even though the seventh mans body was never found and she was not charged for it. Tyria Moore, Wuornos girlfriend she met at a biker bar before they started a relationship convinced her to confess. Moore worked as a hotel maid when she and Wuornos started a relationship and became a couple. As at the time of her death, Wuornos said she was still in love with Moore. Wuornos and Moore were arrested following the murder of Peter Siems, a 65-year-old ex-merchant seaman who devoted his life to a Christian outreach ministry. Witnesses helped police identify the two after Moore and Wuornos were spotted abandoning his car. Wuornos palm print was found on the interior door handle. They never told police where the body was and it was never found. Tyria Moore was spared of prosecution. Moore knew about the killings. She elicited confession from Wuornos in exchange for immunity from prosecution. She did this by making numerous phone calls to Wuornos under police guidance. She pleaded with Wuornos to confess to the police and help clear her name. After three days of pleading, Wuornos confessed to the murders. A member of the Volusia County Sheriffs Department, Sgt. Bob Kelley who investigated the murder of Wuornos first victim, Richard Mallory described the method used by Wuornos saying she shot, robbed and dumped the bodies of her victims [to rot.] With the help of her girlfriends testimony, Wuornos was convicted of Richard Mallorys murder. Even though psychiatrists testified that Wuornos was mentally unsound and had earlier been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder, she was however given a death sentence. Moreso, Wuornos was handed four more death sentences after pleading guilty to murdering her other victims Charles Humphreys, Troy Burress, David Spears and Charles Carskaddon. According to her, the reason for her confession was because she wanted to get right with God. She was also accused of murdering, Walter Jeno Antonio. A statement she made in court read in part: I wanted to confess to you that Richard Mallory did violently rape me as Ive told you; but these others did not. [They] only began to start to. Wuornos left chilling last words in her petition to the Florida Supreme Court in 2001. She notified them of her intention to dismiss her legal counsel and terminate all pending appeals. In a 2001 petition to the Florida Supreme Court, she stated her intention to dismiss her legal counsel and terminate all pending appeals. I killed those men, robbed them as cold as ice. And Id do it again, too. Theres no chance in keeping me alive or anything, because Id kill again. I have hate crawling through my system. I am so sick of hearing this shes crazy stuff. Ive been evaluated so many times. Im competent, sane, and Im trying to tell the truth. Im one who seriously hates human life and would kill again. she said. In her final words before her execution, Wuornos said: Id just like to say Im sailing with the Rock and Ill be back like Independence Day with Jesus, June 6, like the movie, big mother ship and all. Ill be back. Her death came on the 9th of October, 2002 after she was executed by lethal injection. In 2003, the film, Monster won actress Charlize Theron an Academy Award for Best Actress. She starred as Wuornos, telling the story of a disturbed Wuornos. After going through something as life-altering as a car accident, the best thing you can get out of it is... " " This portrait of a Budai was taken at a public shrine in Chiang Mai, Thailand. In Thailand, the 'Laughing Monk' is believed to represent a god of happiness and plenty. Gabriel Perez/Getty Images There he is, seated next to the cash register at your local Chinese restaurant. A shiny bronze statue of a pot-bellied, bald man with a laughing grin on his face, the same jolly fella immortalized in keychains, paperweights and other trinkets sold in Chinatown tourist shops. That's the Buddha, right? Advertisement Nope, but you're in the right religious ballpark. Westerners can be forgiven for mistaking the ubiquitous chubby figure as the Buddha, since he's also called "the Laughing Buddha." But the true story behind the Laughing Buddha is nearly as complicated as Buddhism itself. Denise Leidy is curator of Asian art at the Yale University Art Gallery and held the same position at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for 22 years. She's no stranger to the confusion over the Laughing Buddha statue. "In Christianity, there's this one guy. So when people see this corpulent, fun guy, they think, 'That's the Buddha,' but it's not," says Leidy. "The Buddha, in the singular, is Siddhartha Gautama. But the Buddhist religion over time has become so complicated and has added multiple layers of deities, many of whom have multiple avatars. So it's gotten mind-boggling complicated and only crazy people like myself spend their lives figuring it out." The Buddha, as Leidy mentioned, was a man named Siddhartha Gautama who lived around the 6th century B.C.E. in India. Born a wealthy prince, he chose to live as an ascetic in search of the meaning of existence, which he found while meditating for 49 days under the Bodhi tree. " " This giant statue in Thailand of the Buddha shows a slimmer physique. David Buffington/Getty Images After achieving nirvana, which is the escape from the endless cycle of suffering, death and rebirth, Siddhartha Gautama became Buddha or the "awakened one." Over the centuries, his teachings spread throughout India, into China, across Asia and eventually around the world. Today, there are an estimated 376 million followers of Buddhism worldwide. So, Who Is the Laughing Buddha? As Leidy indicated, however, Buddhism has expanded over the millennia to include a pantheon of deities in addition to Gautama Buddha. Those include numerous bodhisattvas, the term for sagelike individuals who work for the enlightenment of all sentient beings. In Theravada Buddhism, practiced mainly in Southeast Asia, Gautama Buddha is only the most recent of 28 Buddhas described in holy texts. And then there are avatars, humans believed to be incarnations of deities. The Laughing Buddha, it turns out, was one such avatar, a 10th-century Chinese monk named Budai. According to accounts written centuries later, Budai was a gregarious, pot-bellied monk who wandered from village to village carrying a large sack over his shoulder. (Budai means "cloth sack" in Chinese.) He was beloved by children and the poor, to whom he would give rice and sweets from his sack. On his deathbed, Budai penned a poem in which he revealed himself as the avatar of Maitreya, a deity also known as the "Future Buddha." "In our lifetime, this great cosmic era you and I are sharing, there is a 'teaching Buddha' named Siddhartha Gautama or Shakyamuni," explains Leidy. "The world will ultimately destroy itself; I don't know when. But when the world is reborn, Maitreya will come back as the teaching Buddha of that era." Over time, Budai became a subject of popular devotion in Zen Buddhism, both in China and in Japan, where he goes by the name Hotei. His large belly and sack are believed to represent abundance, and he is included among the Seven Lucky Gods of Japan as a harbinger of abundance and good health. At some point, he also became the patron deity of restaurateurs and bartenders, hence his prized location next to the cash register. Leidy isn't sure of the exact historical provenance of today's Laughing Buddha statues, but she believes that Bodai imagery in Chinese art and sculpture started popping up in the 15th century. "As global trade begins to expand in late 16th and 17th century, and porcelain is totally transforming global ceramics, there's probably some imagery of this guy that snuck in," says Leidy. "It got picked up in the West, turned into the Laughing Buddha, and made into this kitschy thing you can buy anywhere." Although rubbing the Budai's belly for good luck is not a Buddhist teaching, devotees of Buddhism don't seem to have a problem with this chubby statue. "It is indicative of Buddhism's broad tolerance of diversity that this laughing Buddha of folklore is accepted into the official practice," writes Barbara O'Brien, a journalist and Zen Buddhism student. "For Buddhists, any quality that represents Buddha-nature is to be encouraged, and the folklore of the kind, laughing Buddha is not regarded as any kind of sacrilege, even though people unwittingly may confuse him with Shakyamuni Buddha." Now That's No Laughing Matter Nearly half of all Buddhist monks in Thailand are obese and 10 percent have diabetes, the result of sugary drinks, low-quality donated food and all that sedentary meditating. Advertisement Originally Published: Aug 24, 2018 MANILA, Philippines The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has deferred the expected proclamation of winning senators and party-list groups in the 2019 midterm elections on Tuesday. Comelec Spokesperson Director James Jimenez said in a press briefing that they are still waiting for the certificates of canvass (COC) from Washington, D.C. in the United States. Jimenez explained the transmission of returns from Los Angeles caused the delay in Washington. The COC from Washington, D.C. is expected to arrive on Tuesday evening. He said these votes represent more than 200,000 registered voters, which may still change the rankings in the senatorial race particularly for candidates in the bottom of the top 12. In order to make sure na wala nang movement sa rankings ng elected officials natin, we need to get that squared away, he said in a media briefing at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). He added that even a partial proclamation is still not being considered at this point. So not today. We will announce when, he said. Jimenez said on Monday that the proclamation of winning senators and party-list organizations may likely be held on May 21. READ: Comelec hopes to proclaim winning Senators, party-list groups on Tuesday The Comelec, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), has so far canvassed 166 out of 167 COCs for the May 13 polls. As of Tuesday, reelectionist senators Cynthia Villar and Grace Poe still topped the Comelecs partial and official tally, followed by Bong Go, Pia Cayetano, Ronald dela Rosa, Sonny Angara, Lito Lapid, Imee Marcos, Francis Tolentino, Koko Pimentel, Bong Revilla, and Nancy Binay. Placing outside the winning circle are reelectionist senators JV Ejercito, Bam Aquino, and former senator Jinggoy Estrada. Although a date has yet to be determined, the poll body is still eyeing to proclaim winning senators and party-list groups on the same day. Ang worst case scenario natin, baka ma-split ang dalawa. But again, right now we are confident na mapagsasabay natin, Jimenez said. Story continues Once the canvassing of votes is completed, Comelec said it will send out invitations to election winners and their families, and other government officials. Senate race winners will only be allowed to bring ten visitors each due to limited space in the venue. There will be no interviews by the media yet, that will be done after the ceremony. We can use the press conference area or even along the sides of the venue but after the program, said Atty. Frances Arabe, Comelec Director for Education and Information Department. The poll body has yet to confirm whether President Rodrigo Duterte will attend the proclamation ceremony. A dry run for the upcoming event is also being held. (with details from Aiko Miguel) The post Comelec on proclamation of winning senators, party-list groups: Not today appeared first on UNTV News. FILE PHOTO: Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales MANILA, Philippines Former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales was temporarily held at Hong Kong International Airport on Tuesday (May 21). According to Deputy Consul General Germinia Aguilar-Usudan, Morales arrived at 12:20 p.m. along with her family for a vacation. Her family was allowed entry but the Hong Kong Immigration Officials stopped her and held her at the airport. With assistance from Philippine Consulate officials, Morales was allowed entry at around 3:00 p.m but she decided to just take a flight back to the Philippines. Aguilar-Usudan said, however, they were not informed of the exact reason why Morales was held. The former Ombudsman and her family will take Philippine Airlines flight PR307 to Manila. In March, Morales along with former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, filed a complaint of crimes against humanity against Chinese President Xi Jinping at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for purportedly damaging the resources at the disputed territory in West Philippine Sea through Chinas ongoing reclamation activities in the area. Marje Pelayo (with details from Ferdie Petalio | UNTV Hong Kong) The post Ex-Ombudsman Morales temporarily held at HK airport appeared first on UNTV News. The former ombudsman of the Philippines, Conchita Carpio Morales, was detained by Hong Kong immigration officials today after being denied entry at the citys airport. Germie Usudan, the Philippine Deputy Consul General to Hong Kong, confirmed Moraless detention to Coconuts HK this afternoon, but said the reason for her being denied entry was unknown. She arrived early this afternoon at around 12 oclock, Usudan said just before 4pm this afternoon, noting that Morales was traveling with several companions. Theyre just here for a holiday. The companions were allowed entry to Hong Kong, but there was some problem with [Moraless] entry, so she was detained. Morales, along with the Philippines former foreign affairs secretary, joined a group of Filipino fishermen in filing a complaint before the International Criminal Court accusing Chinese President Xi Jinping and other Chinese officials of committing crimes against humanity in implementing Beijings systematic plan to control the South China Sea. Though Hong Kong is administered under a separate system, it is still part of the Peoples Republic of China, with rights groups in recent months expressing growing alarm at Beijings increasing influence in the citys affairs. It was unclear, however, what bearing, if any, Moraless complaint had on her detention. I heard just a few minutes ago that she had been allowed entry [to Hong Kong], but she decided to go back to the Philippines with her family this afternoon, Usudan said. There was no reason given [for the denial], so we cannot ask her to guess about that. Morales reportedly told the Filipino outlet ABS-CBN news just after 3pm that she was still waiting in a separate area of Hong Kong International Airport to board a return flight to the Philippines. Though ABS-CBN characterized Moraless return as a deportation, Usudan, the deputy consul, stressed it was voluntary, and that Morales had ultimately been allowed to enter Hong Kong. Story continues Immigration officials declined to comment on the detention when reached by Coconuts HK, citing privacy concerns. Carpio retired as the Philippines ombudsman in 2018. In the Philippines, an ombudsman is responsible for investigating and prosecuting high-ranking officers or employees of the government who have been accused of crimes such as graft and corruption. When Carpio retired, she had a 77 percent conviction rate against erring government officials, a 41 percent increase from her predecessor, according to the Filipino news outlet Rappler. This article, Ex-ombudsman who filed complaint against Xi at ICC detained at Hong Kong Intl Airport, originally appeared on Coconuts, Asia's leading alternative media company. Want more Coconuts? Sign up for our newsletters! THE Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday, May 21, announced that it will be revoking the Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) of brands deemed as "fake" vinegar. In a statement, FDA OIC-Director General Rolando Enrique Domingo said they will be revoking the CPRs of vinegar products made with synthetic acetic acid. "Products using synthetic acetic acid shall have their registration with the FDA revoked for misdeclaration, said Domingo. He explained that this is because FDA standards consider vinegar a natural product that should have undergone the natural process of alcoholic or acetous fermentation of natural raw materials. "If the product contains artificial matter, such as synthetic acetic acid or cloudifying agent, it is considered adulterated," said Domingo. The FDA statement comes on the heels of a report by the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute- Department of Science and Technology (PNRI-DOST) that as many as eight out of 10 vinegar products are not made from natural sources. According to the PNRI-DOST report, such products did not undergo the natural process of fermentation of acetic acid, which is the usual process of making vinegar. The FDA acting head pointed out, however, it is unlikely that health risks will come with the consumption of the so-called "fake" vinegar. This, he said, is because FDA classifies vinegar as a low risk product, which means that these products are unlikely to contain pathogenic microorganisms and will not normally support their growth because of food characteristics. "There is also no evidence that synthetic acetic acid is harmful to health," said Domingo. (HDT/SunStar Philippines) High School Student Awarded $3 Million in Scholarships, Graduates With 4.3 GPA While Homeless High School Student With 4.3 GPA Awarded $3M in Scholarships A Tennesee high school student who graduated at the top of his class earned millions for his college education, all while enduring a family tragedy. Earlier this month, 17-year-old Tupac Mosley graduated from Raleigh Egypt High School in Memphis with a whopping $3 million in scholarships, FOX 13 reported. While the monetary total is astonishing, its even more remarkable that Mosley was able to earn the funds while keeping a 4.3 GPA and being homeless. When I heard that I got $3 million, I was more than elated and excited and astonished that it was that much, he told the outlet. Mosley, who was the schools valedictorian, explained that his family has struggled since the death of his father this year. After his passing, they had trouble paying bills and rent and were evicted from their home. A permanent living situation soon seemed out of reach, and Mosley began to worry about his goal of attending college. After my father passed, [my family] fell behind on bills and we ended up getting evicted from our home Feb. 21 of this year, Mosley told FOX 13. So, we went to different homes. During a speech at his graduation ceremony, Mosley thanked the nonprofit For the Kingdom, which helps urban youth get away from city life but not from the city through camps and workshops, their website says. Mosley explained that For the Kingdoms director gave his family a place to stay at the campgrounds, which, in turn, kept his dreams of attending college alive, according to ABC 7. Tupac Mosley | Fox 13 I knew that I had to make them proud, Mosley said of the people who helped his family during the difficult time, including his teachers and principal. I knew that their investment was worth it that and just show them that, yes, everything that you poured into me was worth $3 million and counting. RELATED: Billionaire Announces He Will Pay Off Class of 2019s Student Debt During Commencement Speech Now the teenager will have the opportunity to continue his dream of earning a degree in electrical engineering from Tennessee State University in Nashville. Never let your current situation, whatever circumstances youre going through, Mosley explained, be a mountain that you cant climb. Former Catalan vice-president Oriol Junqueras has been in jail for more than 18 months but on Tuesday he will be temporarily released, and sworn in as a Spanish lawmaker. The head of Catalan separatist party ERC is one of five Catalan leaders on trial for their roles in an October 2017 Catalonian secession bid who were elected deputies in Spain's April 28 general election. Four won seats in the lower house of parliament and one was elected to the Senate. "They want to silence and marginalise us, and the ballot box has given our voice back. We defeated repression through the power of voting," Junqueras, 50, told AFP in a written interview from prison. He is the main protagonist in the trial that opened in February at Spain's Supreme Court in Madrid of 12 Catalan leaders accused of rebellion and other charges in connection with a banned independence referendum held on October 1, 2017 that was followed by a short-lived declaration of independence. Junqueras, a lifelong supporter of independence, could face 25 years in prison if convicted. "The fact that we are political prisoners in detention is a great anomaly. For what reason? for having staged a referendum. This is our crime, setting up ballot boxes and voting," he said. Junqueras seems as determined as when he was jailed in November 2017 after choosing to remain in Spain rather than flee abroad following the failed declaration of independence. "It is obvious that we will not renounce independence or the right to self-determination," he said. - Backing for Sanchez? - His ERC party won 15 seats in Spain's 350-seat lower house of parliament in last month's general election, ahead of the Junts per Catalunya party (JxCAT) of Carles Puigdemont who led the regional Catalan government during the independence bid. The JxCAT won seven seats, giving Catalan separatist parties a total of 22 seats in the assembly. Acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialists won the most seats in the election but fell short of an absolute majority. To be sworn in again as prime minister, he is likely to rely on some parties abstaining from voting. Spain's new parliament will likely vote at the beginning of July on who will become prime minister but Junqueras warned his ERC would not back the Socialists during the investiture vote. "We will not offer our votes to Sanchez. The separatist victory obliges him to sit at the negotiating table but he continues to look elsewhere. He is afraid of dialogue and if there is no dialogue, there is nothing to discuss regarding an investiture," Junqueras said. "We have always said that we will not set any red lines for dialogue. That is the starting point," he added. The ERC has said it is open to dialogue but insists on holding an independence referendum in Catalonia, which Sanchez steadfastly refuses. Junqueras is the lead candidate in this weekend's European Parliament election for a European regionalist party that defends the right to self-determination, the European Free Alliance. "I presented myself as a candidate most of all because it is a way to condemn the repression and democratic regression of the Spanish state," said Junqueras, who was already an MEP between 2009 and 2012. "I am convinced that the European Parliament will not leave anybody out and I will be able to exercise my mandate as a European member of parliament. Europe can't look away when democracy is at stake," he added. SATURDAY, May 25, will be the day of the Community Fashion Parade at The Gallery of Ayala Center Cebu, featuring Australian brands like Cotton On, Roxy, Quicksilver, Ever New and the local Cebu brand Anthill. SATURDAY, May 25, will be the day of the Community Fashion Parade at The Gallery of Ayala Center Cebu, featuring Australian brands like Cotton On, Roxy, Quicksilver, Ever New and the local Cebu brand Anthill. The event is part of the celebration of the annual Philippines-Australia Friendship Day which will be held in our city this year. Its the mango season and the Cebu Mangoes Festival unfolds at Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City on May 25 and 26. A joint undertaking of Lapu-Lapu City, through its Tourism office, and Megaworld Cebu Properties Inc., the celebration of Cebu mangoes is expected to offer 10,000 kilos of mangoes (for sale from P80-P100 per kilo) from more than 200 trees in the Megaworld township. There will also be a Mango Bazaar where mango-related products will be highlighted. Coming up for the weekend is One Sweet Day at Marco Polo Plaza, a two-day affair at the Grand Ballroom featuring wedding and debut exclusives. The celebration packages come with extra perks and privileges. In line with its aim of providing an avenue for Cebuano artists to showcase their talent, Maayo Hotel in Mandaue hosted the art exhibit dubbed Cebu: People, Places and Faces. Organized by hardworking artist Celso Pepito of Art Portal Cebu, the art happening featured the works of 40 selected Cebuano artists. Our Queen City (specifically Radisson Blu Cebu) was the venue of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (Pata) Annual Summit 2019. Pata is the biggest tourism organization in the world with 55 chapters counting as members airlines, hotels, resorts, travel agencies, tour operators, NGOs and universities offering tourism programs. The Philippine chapter is headed by our good friend and fellow Cebuano Bob Zozobrado who has been re-elected as chairman for another two years. His biggest achievement as chairman on his first term was the creation of student chapters in the different universities in the country, thus paving the way for the students to get involved in tourism projects and events. Story continues Theme of this years summit was Sustainable Tourism. Speakers included opinion leaders from both public and private sectors as well as leaders of tourism boards. For its culminating activity, Speechcom Summer 2019 presented Talento Cebuano 2019 at Ayala Center Cebus Activity Center. Spearheaded by Speechcom International founded by doctor Mila Espina, Talento Cebuano is a special tribute given to a Cebuano or an adopted Cebuano for his/her special contribution to the community. The project is supported by the We Care and Allef foundations, the USJ-R Arts and Sciences and Masscom departments, and the Education Committee of Zonta Club of Cebu 1. Three talented and exemplary Cebuanos were honored during the program. Lady lawyer Ria Lidia Espina was cited for her Excellent Leadership in the Academic and Legal Profession. As for Robby Alugar, he was recognized as a Success Story for Creative PR and Marketing Initiatives. Meanwhile, designer Dexter Alazas was acknowledged for Creative Craftmanship with a purpose in merging Fashion Arts with the essence of the Cebuana. ROTC student-cadets during training The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of National Defense support the implementation of mandatory Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) training if it passes into law. According to PNP Spokesperson Police Colonel Bernard Banac, the mandatory ROTC will prepare the youth if they are interested in entering the PNP or the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). It will also train the youth in case there is a need for assistance during calamities. Kung saka-sakaling may pangangailangan na magpatawag tayo ng reserba, hindi lamang sa segurdidad kundi pati sa pag-responde sa mga disaster, calamities, and emergencies, (In case there is a need for additional forces, not just for security, but also during disasters, calamities, and emergencies) Banac said. Meanwhile, the Department National Defense (DND) also expressed support for the passage of the mandatory ROTC. In a statement, the DND said the measure will boost the youths patriotism and sense of community. The reinstatement of mandatory ROTC in Grades 11 and 12 will help instill love of country, good citizenship, respect for human rights, and adherence to the rule of law, their statement reads. The House of Representatives approved House Bill 8961 on the 3rd and final reading on Monday (May 20). This will require high school students to undergo ROTC. The post PNP, DND supports mandatory ROTC in grade 11 and 12 appeared first on UNTV News. To showcase their ability to build vehicles from the ground up, the Used Trucks Rebuilders and Importers Association of the Philippines (UTRIP) highlighted more than 30 rebuilt trucks in a two-day trucks show. Last May 17 and 18, more than 30 rebuilt trucks were displayed in Metrotent. Some of the trucks that shared the limelight were from G-Technica, GLC, Solid Machineries, Pioneer Trucks, Megaton, Mana Diesel, Firewolf and Max Edge Industrial Corporation. UTRIP is an association of 25 companies that operate used truck rebuilding centers within Metro Manila. It is under the umbrella of the Confederation of Truck Rebuilders and Importers Association of the Philippines (CTRIP), which is composed of close to 300 truck rebuilders nationwide including UTRIP, which employs about50,000 highly-skilled production-line workers. UTRIP President Jaime Vicente said that through the program, they are hoping to convey the message that their offerings are made with quality materials under stringent supervision. Earlier, the group reiterated its call for separate classification from the used vehicles. According to the group, it has been following stringent roadworthiness and emission guideline. In a letter to Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade dated December 11, 2018, the group highlighted the groups contribution in nation-building. And now, or 15 years hence, it is indeed a marvel at how this industry metamorphosed from a literally backyard operation, to a full blown, Filipino owned and controlled sector of the automotive industry, generating multi-billion in investments, providing tens of thousands of direct-hire, highly skilled workers, the group stated in the letter. The post UTRIP Showcases Products in Two-Day Truck Show appeared first on Carmudi Philippines. 15 May 2019 Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa, Nai Yang Beach recently invited its media colleagues to The Andaman Kitchen, its all-day dining restaurant, for the latest edition of its Media Mixer Party series. Media Mixer Party Volume II allowed attendees to sample the resorts new Long Chim Thai food concept, which features authentic dishes in a minimalist canape style. A new series of signature cocktails was revealed and the resort also introduced its No Plastic Straws initiative. The event, which was hosted in the restaurant and on its alfresco lawn overlooking Nai Yang Beach, included a tasting session featuring culinary creations from the resorts Executive Sous Chef, Worakant Singha, and Thai Sous Chef, Ekarat Rattiso. This excellent event allowed us to demonstrate our latest innovations, build stronger relationships with our friends in the media, and give them great experiences. After the success of Media Mixer Party Volume I at Big Fish Restaurant and Bar, we were delighted to demonstrate the skills of our team at The Andaman Kitchen, said Gerd Kotlorz, General Manger, Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa, Nai Yang Beach. Every dish on the Long Chim menu features locally sourced ingredients, including Phuket crab curry omelet, the resorts signature breakfast dish, as well as moo hong (southern Thai pork belly stew), poh pia sod (fresh spring rolls), gaeng keow wan goong (green curry with prawns), mussaman nuea (mussaman curry with beef) and a classic Thai dessert. New signature cocktails were also revealed by three bartenders, who told guests fun stories about their origins and ingredients. The No Plastic Straws project is one of many environmental initiatives launched by Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa, Nai Yang Beach. The resort is continuously devising new ways to reuse and recycle, and plans to further reduce its plastic and energy use in future, including in its back office. Media Mixer Volume II provided another example of the resorts creative meeting concepts, which can be adapted to suit any kind of event. The Amazon logo at one of the e-commerce company's logistics centers in France E-commerce giant Amazon was on its way to running its own online neighborhood Monday after the internet's address keeper granted the ".amazon" domain to the company. After waiting in vain for years for the US online retail colossus and an alliance of South American countries to resolve their battle over the right to web addresses ending with ".amazon," the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) this month sided with the Seattle-based company. In 2012, Amazon applied for ".amazon" and two internationalized versions of the name. Brazil and several other countries put the US company on notice that they were opposed to the idea. "Due to its inseparable semantic relation to the Amazon forest, that domain should not be, in any way, the monopoly of a company," the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs argued on its website. "On the contrary, it is imperative that the States concerned be able to participate in the management and use of the name in order to defend and promote the natural, cultural and symbolic heritage of the Amazon region, as well as foster the regional economy and the digital inclusion of the populations living there." ICANN said it balanced concerns of all involved and stalled the company's application for the domain in hopes the internet firm and member states of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization would work out a solution. "ACTO and the Amazon corporation have been unable to come to a mutually acceptable solution or agree on an extension of time for continued discussions," ICANN said. "In light of this, the board is now moving forward with the next steps laid out... and is directing ICANN org to continue processing the .AMAZON applications toward delegation." There will be a public comment period as per procedures established for granting new domain names. The Brazilian Foreign Ministry said it feared the ICANN decision did not sufficiently take into account the interests of the South American governments involved and undermined the rights of sovereign states. Explore further Authors oppose Amazon control of .book websites 2019 AFP Founder Ren Zhengfei shrugged off supply fears, telling Chinese media that Huawei has a hoard of chips and can manufacture its own The Trump administration's move to block US technology sales to Huawei shoots an arrow deep into the Chinese tech giant's Achilles heelits over-reliance on American componentsand threatens the company's very survival, analysts said. Citing national security, President Donald Trump last week effectively banned US companies from supplying Huawei and affiliates with the critical components that have helped it grow into the world's largest supplier of telecom networking equipment and second-biggest smartphone maker. Trump's broadside will cause pain for US companies that count on Huawei as a steady customer, but it poses an existential threat to Huawei. "The worst case would eventually see a total cutoff of access to US technology(Huawei) would almost certainly not survive this outcome in its current form," the Eurasia Group consultancy said in a report issued Sunday. The tech ban caps months of US effort to isolate Huawei, which Washington suspects has deep links to China's military, allowing Beijing to potentially use Huawei-enabled networks for espionage or cyber-sabotage. The risks for Huawei came into focus this week when Google, whose Android operating system powers most of the world's smartphones, said it would cut ties with Huawei as a result of the ban. That poses a dire threat to Huawei as loss of full access to Google's services could make its phones a hard sell to consumers. Major setback And with the digital ecosystem now a duopoly of Android and Apple's IoS system, Huawei is in a bind. "This is a fairly major setback for Huawei's smartphone division," said Ryan Whalen, a professor with the Law and Technology Centre at the University of Hong Kong. Huawei has said it was working on its own operating system, but Whalen notes that the Android-IoS stranglehold is nearly impossible to break. "Just look to players like Nokia, Blackberry, and Microsoft that have all failed recently in similar endeavours," he said. Huawei's other major business segment comprises carrier networks around the world powered by its equipment and which give it a leg up in the race to dominate fifth-generation (5G) technologies. 5G is the next digital milestone: its ultra-fast network speeds and data capacity making possible widespread use of artificial intelligence and other high-tech advancements that China's government wants its companies to lead. But here as well, Huawei is vulnerable. It buys about $67 billion worth of components annually, including about $11 billion from US suppliers, according to a tally by The Nikkei business daily. Eurasia Group said it had learned that major US suppliers including chipset manufacturers Qualcomm, Qorvo, and Texas Instruments, and software firms Oracle and Microsoft, have suspended shipments to Huawei until the dust settles. The tech ban caps months of US effort to isolate Huawei, which Washington suspects has deep links to China's military This could "completely undermine" Huawei on 5G, it added. Chinese President Xi Jinping has previously sketched out plans for China to gain dominance in key future high technologies by 2025, a strategy that has caused US alarm. But harsh action against Huawei could give the push even more impetus, said Roger Kay, founder and analyst at Endpoint Technologies Associates. "The longer-term effect is that Huawei and other Chinese companies turn away more sharply from American suppliers," he said. Huawei shrugs it off Founder Ren Zhengfei shrugged off supply fears, telling Chinese media on Tuesday that Huawei has a hoard of chips and can manufacture its own. But tech analysts view that as mere bravado. Eurasia Group said that regardless of any chip stockpile, Huawei "cannot stockpile software, and there is no conceivable way the firm could survive for an extended period... without access to global supply chains". Huawei's own chip design arm Hisilicon is also targeted by the US ban, cutting it off from critical tools it needs to continue function. Trump could be merely using Huawei for leverage in broader trade talks: US officials have issued a 90-day reprieve on the ban. But Beijing could hit back. Huawei's smartphone rival Apple could be particularly vulnerable to Chinese counter-measures as nearly 20 percent of its sales are in China and it relies heavily on Chinese factories for production. Some sort of compromise remains possible, perhaps with the US approving case-by-case tech sales to placate American suppliers, thereby limiting the damage to Huawei. But Trump has fuelled growing bipartisan congressional animosity against Huawei that could prevent him backing down, analysts note. One wildcard is Europe where Huawei has significant business with carriers, for whom a supplier shift would be costly. The US feels that a Huawei presence in Europe must be prevented for cyber-security reasons, and the main intent of the tech ban is to force Europe and other key markets to abandon Huawei on 5G, Eurasia Group said. Germany, France and the Netherlands have resisted US pressure, but analysts say they cannot do so for long. Further US pressure would make it "very difficult for the EU to continue working with Huawei," said Guntram Wolff, director of Brussels-based think-tank Bruegel. Explore further US delays Huawei ban for 90 days 2019 AFP Credit: NASA NASA astronaut Anne McClain performs the first series of tests of an Astrobee robot, Bumble, during a hardware checkout. To her right is the docking station that was installed in the Kibo module on the International Space Station on Feb. 15. Bumble, and another robot named Honey, launched to the space station on Apr. 17, aboard Northrop Grumman's eleventh commercial resupply services mission from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. When needed the robots will be able to return to their docking station on their own and recharge their battery power. Astrobee is a free-flying robot system that will provide a research platform for the orbiting laboratory. The system includes three robots as well as a docking station for recharging. Robots will play a significant part in the agency's mission to return to the Moon as well as other deep space missions. Astrobee will be used to test how robots can assist crew and perform caretaking duties on spacecraft. This will increase astronaut productivity and help maintain spacecraft when astronauts are not present near the Moon, Mars or other deep-space outposts. Bumble, the first Astrobee robot to power up in space, blinks while connected to its docking station in the Kibo module of the International Space Station. On April 30, NASA astronaut Anne McClain unpacked Bumble and worked with Astrobees team at NASAs Ames Research Center in Californias Silicon Valley to do an initial series of tests to verify that all of the robots subsystems avionics, cameras, propulsion and docking for power and data transfer were working properly before Bumble really takes flight later this spring. Credit: NASA Explore further Robotic bees are joining the International Space Station NISTs platinum-iridium kilogram K92 (front) with stainless-steel kilogram masses in the background. Credit: J.L. Lee/NIST Scales aren't changing and the weather won't be noticeably different, but on May 20 the definitions that underlie what your scale and thermometer reportalong with standard definitions used in chemistry and electronicsare undergoing a major overhaul. That's the date that a more-than-centuries-long process of standardizing measurements reaches its conclusion. At that time, the way we define an amount of light or electrical currentalong with the more familiar measurements of volume and masswill all be based on descriptions that could be replicated by anyone not just on Earth but in galaxies far, far away. "Nothing changes and everything changes," said Marc Salit, who helped define these measurementsknown as the International System of Units, or SI unitsat the National Institute of Standards and Technology for 28 years. He now directs an effort to apply similar rigor to definitions of biological measurements. That effort, called the Joint Initiative for Metrology in Biology, or JIMB (pronounced Jim-Bee), was founded by NIST and Stanford in 2014 and is now part of SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. Salit said Monday's changes will be invisible to most people but represent a major change in the field of metrology. He was at the meeting in November where the assembled international representatives voted to adopt the proposed changes. "It was cool to see the U.S. voting yes, Russia voting yes, Ukraine voting yes and China voting yes. All voting yes to adopt the resolution that redefines the SI," Salit said. He equates metrology with kids trying to equally share a chocolate bar. "We each have an innate sense of justice and fairness," he said. "This redefined SI is how we share. It's the basis for trade. It's the basis for equity. It's the basis for knowledge that is quantitative and interoperable and communicable." The international effort to standardize measurements began with a treaty in 1875, when countries recognized the need for a consistent way of measuring products for trade. One early outcome was a standardized kilogram created in 1889 and housed in an underground bunker outside Paris, known as Le Grand Kilo or Le Grand K. Copies exist around the world, but Le Grand K, protected with three sets of keys, set the standard. Now, a kilogram, like each of the seven base units of measure, will hinge on unchanging properties of naturethe speed of light, the wavelength of known atomsand all other measurements build on those. The seven SI base units on the left are now all derived from a set of definitions linked to the laws of physics. Those base units are used to calculate other measurements like force, energy and electric charge. Credit: National Institute of Standards and Technology "This represents centuries of work bringing us together to share in a quantitative and repeatable, reproducible, precise manner," Salit said. "That redefinition makes it so that those units are coupled through a harmonious system that could be beamed into space." To promote their effort, NIST has created superhero personas for each base unit of measure, all united around a common villainMajor Uncertainty (its symbol: the question mark). Salit's work at JIMB focuses on trying to bring the same absolute specificity to biology. "How do you sequence something in Canada and I sequence it here and how do we compare? How do we make sure we got it right?" he asked. Salit helped devise standardized controls for measuring the activity of genes and is looking at standardizing descriptions of how scientists measure protein levels. As with the base units of measure, he said, the goal is to help scientists communicate, share knowledge and ultimately support fair partnership in trade. Measurements: Similar, accurate, truthful May 20 also marks the debut of a new book on the history of measurement by Emanuele Lugli, assistant professor of art and art history at the School of Humanities and Sciences. The Making of Measure and the Promise of Sameness (University of Chicago Press) is a quest for the foundations of objectivity through an analysis of the ways measurement standards were made, displayed, used and imagined between the 12th and the 17th century. "We measure everything we dothe paths we run, the food we eat, the time we sleepbut we rarely consider the ways we measure," Lugli said. "We take what is displayed on our scales and on our apps for granted even if we have no problem questioning the news, the weather forecast, even what our closest friends tell us. We take measuring as a simple, straightforward activity. We place our trust in it like in no other activity. Why? This book turns to the history of medieval and early modern Europe to search for the foundations of such a blind belief." In his book, Lugli finds many answers in the late 12th century, when the governments of Italy's newly formed city-republics rejected imperial measurement standards and created new local ones, displaying them in their main squares. "This deceptively simple gestureentirely overlooked by historianstriggered a series of revolutionary practices that not only redefined the cultural landscape of the time, but also laid the foundations of today's ideas about precision, reproducibility and truth," he said. By looking at the very emergence of measurement standardsthe ways they were conceived, made, guarded, enforced through the population, and eventually regarded as truethis book exposes power's labors in shaping and merging with the real, Lugli said. Explore further The way we define kilograms, meters and seconds changes today Berkeley Lab's new project to identify and mitigate methane "super emitters" will focus on the area in the white polygon. The smaller colored polygons show the diversity of methane emission sources in the area, with oil and gas fields in red, dairies in green, landfills in cyan, and natural gas infrastructure in purple. Credit: Berkeley Lab Methane, a potent greenhouse gas that traps about 30 times more heat than carbon dioxide, is commonly released from rice fields, dairies, landfills, and oil and gas facilitiesall of which are plentiful in California. Now the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) has been awarded $6 million by the state to find "super emitters" of methane in an effort to quantify and potentially mitigate methane emissions. With a grant from the California Energy Commission, the project will focus on the southern San Joaquin Valley, a region where the dairy industry and oil and gas industry are the dominant sources of methane. Berkeley Lab is working in collaboration with Stanford University, UC Riverside, the Central California Asthma Collaborative, Scientific Aviation, and Bluefield on the project, dubbed SUMMATION, or SUper eMitters of Methane detection using Aircraft, Towers, and Intensive Observational Network. "The existing methane accounting and monitoring frameworks in California are limited in their ability to resolve emissions at the scale of individual cities or facilities, such as an oil and gas field or a natural gas processing facility, much less individual components," said Sebastien Biraud, a Berkeley Lab scientist who leads the effort. "The idea for this project is based on the development of a tiered observation system." The researchers will be monitoring and quantifying methane emissions at multiple scales, from regional to facility and component scales. Detection methods include collecting air samples from a network of fixed towers and aircraft, running field campaigns to test new technologies including low-cost sensors, driving throughout the region using on-road vehicles equipped with a variety of equipment, and surveying residential and commercial buildings. "We will show the state how methane emission quantification can be done over a complex region, and hopefully demonstrate that our approach can be replicated in a cost-effective manner to other areas of interest in California, such as the San Francisco Bay Area or the Sacramento region," Biraud said. "The goal is to design a framework, show that it works, and expand it throughout the state." Challenges of accurate methane monitoring Methane is classified as a short-lived climate pollutant as it stays in the atmosphere only about 10 years, while carbon dioxide, the most abundant anthropogenic greenhouse gas, stays in the atmosphere for about 100 years. California is mandated to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions under several laws and executive orders, and it has prioritized a reduction of short-lived climate pollutants as a way to make a more immediate beneficial impact on climate change and public health. For example, California passed the California Cooling Act last year banning certain hydrofluorocarbons in new air conditioning and refrigeration systems. And following the 2015 Aliso Canyon disaster, a massive leak from a natural gas storage facility in Southern California, the state adopted an air regulation requiring quarterly monitoring of methane emissions from oil and gas wells, natural gas processing facilities, and other equipment used in the processing and delivery of oil and natural gas. The tiered methane observation program will use towers, aircraft, on-road vehicle surveys, post-meter residential and commercial measurements, and low-cost sensors to detect methane emissions. Credit: Berkeley Lab It also takes regular inventories of California's greenhouse gas emissions, but numerous studies, including from Berkeley Lab, have found that official inventories could be underestimating methane emissions. The southern San Joaquin Valley is particularly lacking in reliable atmospheric observations of methane. Combined with the complexity of this region's sources, this translates to significant uncertainty in the total magnitude and distribution (over space, time, and sector) of methane emissions in the region. Most methane emissions from super emitters The prime target of SUMMATION is big emitters. "Methane emissions could be in the form of a distributed area of small leaks, which is difficult to address, or from a large super emitter, which is low-hanging fruit," Biraud said. "A statewide methane survey led by NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory from 2015 through 2017 found that 80% of methane emissions in California are from 25% of sources; in some cases, as few as 1% of sources contribute more than half the emissions. A super emitter could be a dairy, it could be a landfill that's not well maintained, or it could be a leaking natural gas compressor station." Having multiple collection methods, including continuous and frequent field campaigns, will improve detection and monitoring. "Many sources are not persistentthey could be on for a few months, then off," Biraud said. "If you just do surveys one or two times a year, you're fishing. You might see a source, you might not. With a persistent network of towers, you address the nature of intermittent sources." The SUMMATION team will use tracers to help attribute the source of methane. For example, certain alkanes (like ethane) are present in methane from oil and gas operations but not present in methane from dairy operations. One key component of the project is to evaluate low-cost methane sensors. "There are new technologies emerging," Biraud said. "We'll invite companies to participate, then deploy some of them over a one-year period." With observations and data analysis from the tiered observation system framework developed in Kern County, Berkeley Lab researchers will perform an economic analysis, looking at cost-effective ways to deploy some of these technologies to address certain questions in other parts of the state. Another important aspect of the project includes stakeholder and community engagement. "We'll be reaching out to disadvantaged communities, both to educate them on methane emissions and also to hear about their concerns in order to inform the development of future measurement systems," Biraud said. "These communities are affected disproportionately by methane and VOCs [volatile organic compounds]." Explore further U.S. methane emissions flat since 2006 despite increased oil and gas activity Credit: CC0 Public Domain To the uninitiated, it can be hard to imagine. Robots with fingers designed to pick mature tomatoes, among the most delicate of crops. A Fitbit-like collar that monitors the wellbeing of a cow. Drones with sensors to identify dry areas of a field or discover crop production inefficiencies. "In 30 years, what we're doing or seeing as innovative now will be viewed as tradition," said Susan Duncan, associate director of the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg. Science and technology will be core to the farming revolution, which teachers and agricultural leaders envision as including robots, temperature and moisture sensors, aerial images and GPS technology, alongside big data that affects everyonesuppliers, farmers, traders, processors, retailers and consumers. But agricultural educators and advocates are concerned about the future of agricultural education, given the industry's broad needs and the lack of qualified job candidates. They say part of the problem is marketing: Most people, including students, equate agriculture with farming. The industry gets limited media exposure, they said, but also needs to do a better job of promoting itself, particularly as high-tech. "We rely on software developers probably as much as Silicon Valley does," said Eric Haggard, director of human resources, talent management and diversity and inclusion at AGCO Corporation, a Duluth, Georgia-based agricultural equipment manufacturer. The issue is important to states seeking to protect their agricultural interests and grow their economies. For example, in Virginia, agriculture and forestry are among the largest industries, according to Virginia Tech, with an annual economic impact of more than $91 billion and nearly 442,000 jobs. Precision agricultureusing technology to take detailed measurements and adjust on the flyis intended to boost the efficiency and productivity of the farm and the health of the land. According to an April 2019 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, digital technologies that collect and analyze large amounts of data, typically by agribusinesses, researchers and public sector officials, can help inform decisions on how to fertilize for soil conditions, apply pesticides to targeted areas, use limited water resources effectively, and estimate the potential profit and economic risk in growing one crop over another. Precision agriculture could even help address global challenges, such as how to feed a population the United Nations projects will reach 9.6 billion by 2050. But too few college graduates have the skills employers need. The food and agricultural production sectors influence more than 20% of the U.S. economy and 15% of U.S. employment, or 43.3 million jobs, according to a report from Virginia Tech University and Tyson Foods. To be sure, digital technologies already have made an impact. But if farms and producers had the digital technologies and expertise they needed, the United States could boost economic benefits by nearly 18% of total agriculture production, based on 2017 levels, according to the USDA report. That's $47 billion to $65 billion annually in additional gross economic benefits. The USDA report recommends colleges equip a new workforce for careers in high-value technology. Occupations focused on food, agriculture, renewable natural resources and the environment will need about 57,900 college graduates a year through 2020, but as of 2015, only about 35,400 available candidates graduated, according to a 2015 report from the USDA and Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. "People coming out of the communities really understand the farmer, and that colors the way they're going to think about building the technology that suits the needs of the farmers," said Sara Williams, head of recruiting at Farmers Business Network, a fast-growing agronomic information startup. Who's Team Ag? But agriculture can be a tough sell to students when other flashy majors are competing for attention. Engineering programs, for example, often have ample resources and funding. Computer science academies can give students computers, said Karl Binns Jr., lead development officer and former recruiter for the School of Agriculture and Natural Sciences at the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, a historically black university. "It's very hard to tangibly hand somebody a piece of agriculture and say, 'That's why you should be in this industry,'" Binns said. Binns and others said the agricultural industry can feel insular and difficult to break into for those who didn't grow up on a farm, in a rural area or with an industry connection. While there are efforts to expand the representation of farmers and agricultural professionals, the industry continues to be racially homogenous: Roughly 95% of agricultural producers are white, though the number of female producers grew by roughly 27% from 2012 to 2017, according to the 2017 agriculture census. "Outside of the racial disparity, whenever you go to these agricultural conferences, it's always people who are already on team ag," Binns said. "If you're only talking to people who agree with you, you're not reaching a new audience." States vary in their support of agricultural education. In Maryland, for example, there are 56 high school agricultural education programs among 235 high schools, according to the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, a ratio that advocates say is typical for states. A House bill supported by the Maryland Farm Bureau that would encourage each county board of education to start an agricultural education program that includes integrated classroom and laboratory instruction failed for the second year to pass the state Senate, though in both years it passed unanimously in the House. "We get a lot of bills in our committee, and we're kind of saying that if it doesn't take us forward, if it doesn't do anything, if it's just a feel-good, we shouldn't make it law," said Maryland state Sen. Ron Young, a Democrat from rural Frederick County who voted against the bill because it would not mandate the changes. Maryland educators such as Terrie Shank, assistant director of high school and post-secondary education for the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, said legislators representing urban areas without farms often do not appreciate that agriculture isn't all field work. "I think some of the reasons the legislature fails is because they don't see farming as being a viable occupation for students," Shank said. Young pushed back against that assertion too. "We've allowed farmers to have all kinds of activities on their farms to produce money, like wineries and breweries and things like that," Young said. "We're constantly trying to do things. Agriculture is the state's No. 1 job creator, so we do what we can." Finally, there's long been a shortage of certified agricultural teachers. In addition to their teaching responsibilities, agricultural educators are expected to manage labs and community-based programs and serve as the faculty adviser for high school students' agriculture organizations. When schools are unable to fill positions with certified candidates, openings are filled with teachers from alternative backgrounds, but advocates say the field requires subject-specific knowledge. Several statesincluding Hawaii, Maine, Rhode Island and Vermonthave no agricultural teacher preparation programs, according to a national teacher supply and demand study by the American Association for Agricultural Education. "We know one of the best reasons anyone does anything is because someone says, 'Hey, I think you have a lot of potential,'" said Ellen Thompson, the National Teach Ag Campaign project director for the National Association of Agricultural Educators. Big Ideas Eventually robots will take over the fieldwork that's typically the domain of migrant workers, and someone will need to control the machines, said Mary Lou de Leon Siantz, professor emeritus at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at University of California-Davis and founding director of the Center for the Advancement of Multicultural Perspectives on Science. She and others say the next generation of farm labor and agriculture workers will require more advanced skills. Today's farm laborers will control the robots that will need round-the-clock maintenance. Meanwhile, through 4-H youth development programs delivered locally through University of California Cooperative Extension Offices, laborers' children will be encouraged to pursue science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) paths in agriculture, de Leon Siantz said. Building a pipeline that starts early, as in elementary school, is part of UC Davis' ambitious plan to revolutionize agricultural technology. It's looking at creating a major in digital agriculture and agriculture technology that would involve training in the use of autonomous vehicles, such as tractors, for agriculture. The school also has invested in a course on the Internet of Things, during which students create devices that use the internet to turn equipment on and off, and smartphone interfaces and program controls to manage irrigation or environmental control systems for vertical farming, said David Slaughter, a professor of biological and agricultural engineering who's managing the Smart Farm initiative. Virginia Tech is in the midst of its own Smart Farm evolution to develop partnerships between researchers and industry. "The agricultural system is so complex and has so many players in it that sometimes people feel like they're on the outside," said Duncan, associate director of the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station. "They might think they're not really part of that system, but in reality, we're all users or players in some part of that system." Advocates in other states are reaching out to young people in urban areas to tap a different audience. In Nebraska, where 4-H programs reach about a third of young people between ages 5 and 18, there's a push to reach those who may not have heard of 4-H before or live in underserved communities, said Kathleen Lodl, 4-H program administrator with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension. In Maryland, where agriculture is a critical industry, there are Future Farmers of America chapters in all but one county, and three in Baltimore City alone, said Shank, who's also executive director for the Maryland FFA Association. Binns, also president of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences, or MANRRS, has over the past six years helped rebuild chapters on the University of Maryland campuses of College Park and Eastern Shore, and at the University of Delaware, and launch the MANRRS Leadership Institute for underrepresented Maryland high school students, he said. This past fall, Binns said, saw its highest number of students enter the agriculture college at the Eastern Shore campus. 2019 Stateline.org Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. (AP) The Netherlands won the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv Saturday, with Duncan Laurence's doleful piano ballad "Arcade" crowned champion of Europe's annual music extravaganza. The 25-year-old was tapped as an early front-runner before the Grand Final but was only ranked third after the vote of professional juries from the 41 participating countries, trailing Sweden and North Macedonia. He surged ahead thanks to the fan vote, securing The Netherlands its fifth win ever in the competition. Italy finished second, followed by Russia, Switzerland and Norway. "This is to dreaming big. This is to music first, always," Laurence said, as he was handed the trophy from last year's winner, Israel's Netta Barzilai. Some 200 million people around the world were believed to have watched the annual campy contest with 26 nations battling in the Grand Final of the 64th Eurovision. Madonna was the star attraction, performing her hit staple, "Like a Prayer," marking 30 years since its release, and a new song "Future" from her forthcoming album "Madame X." She took the stage after participants wrapped up their performances shortly after midnight when the elaborate voting process got underway across Europe. To maximize onscreen tension, performers are ranked by a mix of fan votes and professional juries. Spectators could not vote for their own country, but like-minded nations tend to fall into blocs that back their regional favorites, with politics meshing into art. The Eurovision debuted in the wake of World War II to heal a divided continent. Over the years, the earnest show of European unity has ballooned into an over-the-top, gay-friendly spectacle that brings together acts from across the continent, including those with little or no connection to Europe, such as Australia. Israel earned the right to host the show after Barzilai won last year's competition with her catchy pop anthem "Toy." The ostensibly non-political affair has tried to avoid the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has largely succeeded, despite swirling threats of controversy. Calls for performers to boycott the show over Israeli policies toward Palestinians failed to generate much momentum. A small protest took place outside Tel Aviv's Expo Center before the show, following another one from musicians in Gaza earlier in the week. A recent round of rocket fire toward Israel from there also failed to temper excitement. Madonna herself had faced calls from a Palestinian-led campaign to avoid performing at the event in Israel. But the Queen of Pop rejected the boycott motions, saying she will "never stop playing music to suit someone's political agenda." Still, two of her embracing dancers sported the flags of Israel and the Palestinians on their backs. All eyes were on Iceland's controversial steampunk band Hatari, which had drawn attention for initially saying it would be "absurd" to participate in Israel because of its policies toward the Palestinians. They had vowed to use the Eurovision spotlight to expose the "face of the occupation," but their live performance of grinding metal rock passed without incident. Only at the end of the broadcast, when their final vote tally was announced, did they whip out a Palestinian flag, to sounds of boos from the audience. For Israel, the mega event offered a much-anticipated opportunity to put its good face forward and project an image of normalcy to the world. Israel-themed promotional clips featuring each of the participants dancing in various scenic locations across the country streamed before each performance to a TV audience expected to be larger than that of the Super Bowl. The event itself was being hosted by a quartet of Israeli celebrities, including top model Bar Refaeli. Israel's own Wonder Woman Gal Gadot also made a cameo video appearance. The Tel Aviv hall was packed with thousands of screaming fans, while tens of thousands gathered to watch the final at the city-sponsored Eurovision village in Tel Aviv and at public screenings elsewhere. As the reigning champion, Israel swept straight through to the finals along with the five European countries who most heavily funded the event. The other 20 participants qualified through a pair of semifinal rounds. Sweden's soulful "Too Late for Love," sung by John Lundvik, topped the professional jury vote and seemed to be on its way to carrying forward Sweden's successful Eurovision track record 45 years after Swedish icons ABBA won with "Waterloo." Israel has won the Eurovision four previous times and it has provided the country with some of its cultural touchstones. "Hallelujah" became the country's unofficial national song after Milk and Honey won the contest for Israel when it hosted the event in the late 1970s, and Dana International became a national hero and global transgender icon when she won with "Diva" in 1998. Barzilai became a role model for plus-size women after her win last year. She has been unapologetic about her weight, the loud colors she wears, and the funky chicken moves and sounds that have become her trademark. All of Israel's former winners took part in Saturday's event with Barzilai and Dana International ceremoniously getting it underway. A close up view of the surface of an Orbicella faveolata coral colony from a reef in Los Canarreos, Cuba. Credit: Amy Apprill, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Symbiotic algae living inside corals provide those animals with their vibrant color, as well as many of the nutrients they need to survive. That algae, and other microbes within the bodies of corals, have been extensively studiedyet until now, researchers have largely ignored the microbial communities just outside of the coral colonies. A new study from scientists at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) has begun to describe and catalogue microbes that live just a few centimeters from the surface of corals, laying the groundwork for future studies. The researchers' work will be published May 21 in the journal Limnology and Oceanography. "Microbes are everywhere on reefs. There's roughly a million of them in a single milliliter, which is about 20 drops, of seawater. But we don't yet have a good sense of the microbial population that exists right next to corals," says Laura Weber, lead author of the study and a Ph.D. student in the joint WHOI-MIT program. "There's some evidence from previous studies that corals may be surrounded by unique microbial cells, but many questions are still unanswered. Do these cells differ with coral species or reef site? How might they function?" she says. To begin to chip away at those questions, Weber and her colleagues focused on sampling the seawater surrounding Caribbean corals across multiple reefs. Weber thinks that microbes immediately next to the corals could play a role in breaking down waste products from the colonies, introducing new nutrients and potentially letting symbiotic algae or pathogens into the corals themselves. Along with her Ph.D. advisor, Amy Apprill, Weber traveled to a protected coral reef system called the "Jardines de la Reina," located amid a string of remote islands near the southern coast of Cuba. Once there, Weber teamed with local Cuban scientists Patricia Gonzalez-Diaz and Maickel Armenteros to dive on the reefs and collect dozens of small samples from the water near five different species of coral. Laura Weber collects a syringe sample from seawater surrounding an Orbicella faveolata coral colony in Jardines de la Reina, Cuba. Credit: Amy Apprill, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution "The Cuban reefs provided a perfect opportunity for this study. Because they're so remote, there's limited impact from human activities," says Apprill, a coral reef ecologist at WHOI and senior author on the paper. A majority of the reef system was established as a marine protected area by the Cuban government in 1996, so fishing is prohibited and diving tourism is restricted. "The Cuban scientists we collaborated with are also doing research that complements our own. They have extensive knowledge of their marine environment, and provided access to research permits, which was a clear advantage when planning sites for cruises," Apprill adds. Once the samples were back in the US, Weber analyzed the genetic material of the microbes inside them to figure out which species were present. She found that different types of coral did indeed have different microbial communities living near them. "We started finding cool species-specific trends," Weber says. "I didn't think we would see any differences at allbut it turned out that in some areas, the bacterium Endozoicomonas, which lives symbiotically with corals, was actually enriched in the seawater closer to corals compared to the surrounding reef water. That means the region adjacent to corals could be important for attracting symbionts to a coral's surface, or it could represent a region where corals shed their symbionts." In addition to understanding which microbes are living next to corals, Weber and Apprill also looked at the microorganisms' potential ecological functions. They found that the seawater microbes contained genes that let them interact with the coral surface, suggesting that there may be important interactions between seawater microorganisms and the coral surface. Reef fish hover over a pillar coral colony (Dendrogyra cylindrus) located next to a field of soft corals in Jardines de la Reina, Cuba. Credit: Amy Apprill, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution "Scientists have been working for a while now to understand the role of microorganisms in reef environments and within coral colonies. But now we have evidence that demonstrates a possible relationship between seawater microbes and coral symbionts. That gives us some clues to how they find and infect coral colonies, and how they might impact the health of the corals. It's very exciting," Weber says. This project was funded by the Dalio Explore Fund, which supports scientific research at WHOI. The fund is part of Dalio Philanthropies' larger commitment to ocean exploration and discovery, including the new OceanX initiative. "We are thrilled to support WHOI's scientific research efforts through the Dalio Explore Fund," said Vincent Pieribone, Vice Chairman, OceanX. "The findings from this mission will help reveal the secret lives of coral, how their microbiomesimilar to ourssupports good health, and how, when they are at an imbalance, corals, like humans, can become sick." Explore further Soft tissue makes coral tougher in the face of climate change More information: Laura Weber et al, The coral ecosphere: A unique coral reef habitat that fosters coral-microbial interactions, Limnology and Oceanography (2019). Laura Weber et al, The coral ecosphere: A unique coral reef habitat that fosters coral-microbial interactions,(2019). DOI: 10.1002/lno.11190 Based on measurements gathered by the Copernicus Sentinel-5P mission between April 2018 and March 2019, the image shows nitrogen dioxide over Europe. Nitrogen dioxide pollutes the air mainly as a result of traffic and the combustion of fossil fuel in industrial processes. It has a significant impact on human health, contributing particularly to respiratory problems. Credit: contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2018-19), processed by KNMI/ESA Air pollution is a global environmental health problem, especially for those living in urban areas. Not only does it negatively impact our ecosystems, it considerably affects our health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 8 million premature deaths per year are linked to air pollution, more than double of previous estimates. One of the pollutants with the strongest evidence of health effects is nitrogen dioxide. In the EU, the largest contributor to nitrogen dioxide emissions is the road transport sector, as well as pollution produced from industrial activities, and residential combustion. According to the Air quality in Europe report published in 2018 by the European Environment Agency (EEA), nineteen of the EU Member States recorded nitrogen dioxide concentrations above the annual limit value. Not only is nitrogen dioxide damaging the ecosystem, it also causes significant health issues contributing to respiratory problems ranging from causing cardiopulmonary ailments, to exacerbating asthma and even impacting cognitive abilities. With air quality increasingly becoming a serious concern, the Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite was launched in 2017 to map a multitude of air pollutants around the globe. With its state-of-the-art instrument, Tropomi, it is able to detect atmospheric gases to image air pollutants more accurately and at a higher spatial resolution than ever before from space. Folkert Boersma, Associate Professor at Wageningen University and Research Scientist from the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), comments, "The spatial resolution of the satellite is so good, that we can pinpoint emissions in fine detail and also detect gradients of emissions in large cities." As part of the Living Planet Symposium School Lab taking place in Milan this week, ESA has given schools around the Lombardy and Milan area, the exciting opportunity to assemble and operate their own air monitoring stations. The Living Planet Symposium School Lab aims to make school students to discover the exciting science and technology behind Earth observation. Based on a Rasperry Pi computer, each station is equipped with a set of sensors to measure different characteristics of ambient air. The stations measure nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and particulate matter, as well as temperature and humidity. They also have a GPS receiver for positioning. Once the platform has Wi-Fi access, it automatically sends its measurements to an online map where they can be retrieved in real time. Throughout the week, the results will be published on an interactive map, showcasing how both children and citizens can contribute in monitoring different air quality parameters, as well as gaining an insight regarding air pollution and how satellite missions can help monitor these issues. Italy is among the top countries in Europe with the largest health impacts attributed to nitrogen dioxide exposure, as well as Germany, France, Spain and the United Kingdom. In northern Italy, the densely populated and heavily industrialised Po Valley area, makes it one of the areas with the dirtiest air in Europe. Based on measurements gathered by the Copernicus Sentinel-5P mission between January and April 2019, the image shows high levels of nitrogen dioxide in the Po Valley in northern Italy. Nitrogen dioxide pollutes the air mainly as a result of traffic and the combustion of fossil fuel in industrial processes. It has a significant impact on human health, contributing particularly to respiratory problems. Credit: contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2019), processed by ESA, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO Explore further Nitrogen dioxide pollution mapped A raven named 'Louise' in the home enclosure at the Haidlhof Research Station in Austria. Credit: Jessie E.C. Adriaense. A team of researchers affiliated with institutions in Austria, the U.S. and Switzerland has found evidence of negative emotional contagion in lab ravens. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group describes their experiments with lab ravens and what they learned. Emotional contagion describes the emotional state of one person impacting that of another, followed by a cascade of subsequent impacts in other people. In such a scenario, one crabby person could conceivably push an entire crowd into crabbiness. In this new effort, the researchers report that ravens apparently have some form of negative emotional contagion, as well. To find out if ravens are impacted by the moods of another in close proximity, they paired eight of the birds and put each pair through an experiment. Both birds were given a choice between a box containing nothing and one with cheese, which the birds like to eat. After several trials, the birds learned which box held the cheese and which one was empty. After that, the researchers presented them with a third box and then noted how they both behaved. This part of the experiment was known as a cognitive bias test, intended to measure the degree of optimism or pessimism. Next, the birds were separated, and one was given a choice between eating carrots, which ravens do not really care for, or dried dog food, which they like. The other raven (the observer) could see how its comrade was behaving, but was not allowed to see which choices it was given. Afterward, both of the birds were given the cognitive bias test again. The researchers report that the observer ravens that had watched their paired comrade behave badly took much longer to investigate the third box presented to them, suggesting they had been negatively emotionally impacted by watching their fellow raven behave negatively. Those observer ravens who had witnessed normal behavior, on the other hand, also exhibited normal behavior when tested. The researchers suggest their experiments indicate that ravens can experience negative emotional contagion. A raven named 'Joey' pecking the positive box during the cognitive bias test at Haidlhof Research Station, Austria. Credit: Jessie E.C. Adriaense Habituation and training of the ravens in the experimental compartments, Haidlhof Research Station, Austria. Credit: Jessie E.C. Adriaense Explore further Ravens found able to remember people who tricked them up to two months later More information: Jessie E. C. Adriaense et al. Negative emotional contagion and cognitive bias in common ravens (Corvus corax), Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2019). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Jessie E. C. Adriaense et al. Negative emotional contagion and cognitive bias in common ravens (Corvus corax),(2019). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1817066116 2019 Science X Network Credit: Arizona State University On April 23 at 9:09 p.m. local time, residents of Aguas Zarcas, a small town in Costa Rica, saw a large "fireball" in the sky. The reported fireball was a meteor about the size of a washing machine. As it entered Earth's atmosphere, it broke apart and rained hundreds of meteorites in and around the small town, including a two-pound rock that crashed through the roof of a local house, smashing the dining room table below. While meteorite falls happen around the world on a regular basis, early reports indicated that this meteorite belongs to a special group called "carbonaceous chondrites" that are rich in organic compounds and full of water. "Many carbonaceous chondrites are mud balls that are between 80 and 95 percent clay," said Laurence Garvie, a research professor in the School of Earth and Space Exploration and a curator for Arizona State University's Center for Meteorite Studies. "Clays are important because water is an integral part of their structure." From these early reports, the race was on to collect samples and bring them back to labs around the world for scientific analysis. "These had to be collected quickly and before they got rained on," Garvie explained. "Because they are mostly clay, as soon as these types of meteorites get wet, they fall apart." Fortunately, meteorite collectors had five rain-free days in the region to collect samples from the fall. About 55 pounds of meteorites (collectively the size of a large beach ball) have been recovered so far. As of last week, ASU has acquired several meteorite samples from the Aguas Zarcas fall, which were donated by meteorite collector Michael Farmer. Farmer traveled to Costa Rica immediately after the meteorite fall to purchase and collect the meteorites from residents of Aguas Zarcas. A private donor has also provided funds for ASU to purchase additional meteorite samples from this fall. Once Garvie had the donated samples, he rushed back to the lab on ASU's Tempe campus to run the analyses needed to determine the classification of the meteorites. He is now leading an international classification effort. "I was in the lab by 5 a.m. the next morning after picking up the samples to get them ready for the initial analyses," Garvie said. "Classification of new meteorites can be like a race with other institutions, and I needed ASU to be first so that we'll have the recognition of being the collection that holds and curates the type specimen material." A composite element map showing distribution of different minerals at the microscopic scale in a fragment of Aguas Zarcas. Orange-yellow colors show the distribution of Fe-S-Mg rich mineral called tochilinite, which is surrounded by diffuse matrix of clays. Deep blue are olivine in chondrules. Red are Fe-Ni-S rich pentlandite and pyrrhotite. Credit: ASU/Center for Meteorite Studies ASU's Center for Meteorite Studies has a specialized curatorial facility for meteorites, one that rivals many other international facilities. In particular, ASU has nitrogen cabinets for storage of particularly air-sensitive meteorites where the nitrogen atmosphere preserves the meteorites and stops their degradation. "If you left this carbonaceous chondrite in the air, it would lose some of its extraterrestrial affinities," Garvie explained. "These meteorites have to be curated in a way that they can be used for current and future research, and we have that ability here at ASU." For the meteorite classification process, Garvie is working with Karen Ziegler from the Institute of Meteoritics at the University of New Mexico. In her lab, Ziegler analyzed the samples for their oxygen isotopes, which helps determine what characteristics this meteorite shares with other carbonaceous chondrites. Garvie is also working with ASU School of Molecular Sciences' Professor Emerita Sandra Pizzarello, an organic chemist known for her work with carbonaceous chondrite meteorites. Pizzarello's analysis is helping to determine the organic inventory of the sample, which may provide insights into whether these types of meteorites provided the ingredients for the origins of life on Earth. Ultimately, the meteorites will be approved, classified and named by the Meteoritical Society's nomenclature committee, an international team of 12 scientists who approve all new classified meteorites. This approval is the first and most important step of an in-depth scientific analysis. Explore further Meteorites from fireball seen over Arizona found Credit: Oregon State University A new study finds that the low-cost, extreme draining of a reservoir in Oregon aided downstream migration of juvenile chinook salmonand led to the gradual disappearance of two species of predatory invasive fish in the artificial lake. The study is published in the journal Ecohydrology. The elimination of largemouth bass and crappie from Fall Creek Reservoir, about 30 miles southeast of Eugene in in the Willamette River basin, could have management implications for reservoirs that have been invaded by certain species of fish that eat other fish, according to Christina Murphy, a recent Oregon State University doctoral graduate and lead author on the study. "Even though the strategy appears extreme, it's both helping juvenile salmonids pass downstream and promoting a native species-dominated reservoir," Murphy said. "Bass and crappie, which are major predators in the reservoir, have been pushed out and into the Willamette. That can be worrying because filling the river with invasive, warm-water fish seems like a bad idea, but these reservoirs are leaking warm-water fish all the time. "The good news is that they were pushed downstream in the fall and winter, when the water is cold and the flow is faster, so they should be at a disadvantage in the Willamette Rivercompared to when they leak out of the reservoir in the summer." Fish passage out of reservoirs is a critical issue for downstream movement of juvenile salmonids and other migratory species. Because of their declining numbers through the decades, nine West Coast populations of Chinook salmon are federally threatened and endangered species. In the Pacific Northwest, large dams and reservoirs have been constructed on many salmon-bearing rivers. Salmon are anadromous: they migrate from home streams to the ocean as juveniles and return a few years later as adults to spawn, so damming rivers can delay downstream migrations by juvenile salmon for months or years. Credit: Oregon State University For the past several years, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has briefly drained Fall Creek Reservoir in the fall to help juvenile spring chinook salmon move out of the reservoir and continue their downstream migration. A team of researchers from Oregon State, the U.S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station and the Corps of Engineers analyzed fish capture data from 2006-2017annual draining started halfway through this periodto examine changes in timing of passage out of the lake and to compare fish species composition. The team found that draining the 50-year-old reservoir led to its intended resultgiving juvenile chinook salmon a way out of the reservoir. At the same time, crappie and largemouth bass numbers began declining until there were none. "We have also been sampling fish within the reservoir during the summer," Murphy said. "In 2012, we could capture 10 bass an hour. This went down each year. By the summer of 2015 we only caught one during all of our sampling and in 2016, we didn't capture any. This change was reflected in the data from the trap downstream too. The decline occurred with crappie, but faster." "This extreme draining management is only about a week in duration, but has implications for the whole ecosystem. It makes the reservoir begin to act as a natural river again affecting the entire fish community," said Ivan Arismendi, an assistant professor in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife in OSU's College of Agricultural Sciences and co-author on the study. Sherri Johnson, a research ecologist with the U.S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station, said, "This type of research and monitoring before and after major changes in management of a reservoir is crucial for improving our ability to balance water availability while maintaining native species." Gregory Taylor and Todd Pierce of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were co-authors on the study. Funding for the research was provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Explore further Study finds experimental extreme draining of reservoir has unexpected ecological impacts More information: Christina A. Murphy et al, Shortterm reservoir draining to streambed for juvenile salmon passage and nonnative fish removal, Ecohydrology (2019). Christina A. Murphy et al, Shortterm reservoir draining to streambed for juvenile salmon passage and nonnative fish removal,(2019). DOI: 10.1002/eco.2096 A large fish fence used in Indonesia. Credit: Benjamin Jones/ Project Seagrass Huge fish fences which are commonly used in tropical seas are causing extensive social, ecological and economic damage and are threatening marine biodiversity and human livelihoods, according to a new study. Fish fences are a common type of traditional fishing gear regularly constructed from mangrove poles and nets spanning hundreds of metres which are placed semi-permanently in shallow habitats. Using ecological, social and remote sensing methods, the research team examined the landings from fish fences over a 15-year period and assessed the health of condition of local seagrass, mangroves and reef habitats. Dr. Richard Unsworth from Swansea University, co-author of the study, explained: "These fences which are common across the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans are so large they can be seen from space using Google Earth. Because they are unselective, they catch more than 500 species, many as babies or which are of conservation concern. It's not surprising that these fisheries are having a disastrous impact on tropical marine ecosystems such as seagrass meadows, mangroves and coral reefs. "Over a 10-year period local reef fish density was found to decline by half as a result of these fisheries. Fisheries management often targets commercial and industrial fishing gears, and allows for the use of more traditional fishing gears that are often referred to as 'sustainable'. This work challenges that assumption." A diagram that illustrates the impact of large fish fences. Credit: Swansea University Dr. Gabby Ahmadia of the World Wildlife Fund and co-author on the study, said: "This study demonstrates the widespread impact of fish fences, which are often used in some of the world's poorest countries where reliance on marine resources is high. Our research reveals that some of these traditional fishing fences have a much higher impact than we initially thought, and we need to work with communities and local governments to identify solutions that can support traditional practice, but also promote sustainable fisheries and provide equitable benefits for people." Hiding in plain sight: social and ecological impacts of artisanal fish fences. Credit: Swansea University Dr. Dan Exton of Operation Wallacea and lead researcher of the study, said: "Fisheries management is not just about how many fish are being caught, it's about how those fish are being removed, and understanding the far-reaching impacts of a single fishing technique. Governments, National Government Organisations and communities need to direct management efforts toward fishing techniques that are having the most harmful impacts. This could help with sustainability, and even increase short-term resilience to climate change." The research team that published the research is made up of researchers from Operation Wallacea, Essex and Cardiff Universities, World Wildlife Fund, Cornell University (USA), and Hasanuddin University (Indonesia). The paper, entitled 'Artisanal fish fences pose broad and unexpected threats to the tropical coastal seascape', is published in Nature Communications. Explore further Coral reef parks protecting only 40 percent of fish biomass potential More information: Dan A. Exton et al. Artisanal fish fences pose broad and unexpected threats to the tropical coastal seascape, Nature Communications (2019). Journal information: Nature Communications Dan A. Exton et al. Artisanal fish fences pose broad and unexpected threats to the tropical coastal seascape,(2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10051-0 Life without Google is normal in China. About 1.4 billion Chinese people wake up each day to check WeChat instead of Gmail, navigate with Baidu instead of Google Maps, and watch videos on Youku instead of YouTube. But will the rest of the world want to buy phones that use only these Chinese alternatives? Under a Trump administration blacklist, Huawei will have to either persuade consumers to do that, or scale down and limit itself to the Chinese market. On Sunday, Google suspended business with the Chinese telecommunications giant, following two executive orders President Donald Trump signed last week. Those orders ban U.S. purchase of technology from companies deemed a threat to national security and block Huawei from buying American products without U.S. government approval. That means Huawei would be cut off from crucial hardware such as chips, processors and modems from Qualcomm, Intel and other American companies. Unless the ban is dropped as part of ongoing U.S.-China trade talks, Huawei could end up leading a "decoupling" of the American and Chinese tech worlds that encompasses everything from supply chains to the end user's choice of apps. Huawei founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei scoffed at the orders on Saturday, telling Japanese media in Shenzhen, China, that the company would be "fine" without U.S. components. "We have already been preparing for this," Ren said. Huawei reportedly has a stockpile of enough chips to keep the company going for several months. Its subsidiary HiSilicon also designs and supplies chips for Huawei smartphones, though industry experts say their chips are not on par with American ones. HiSilicon President He Tingbo wrote a letter to her staff on Friday saying the firm has been developing backup chips for years in case an "extreme scenario" like this one unfolded, and would help enable Huawei to be self-sufficient. Huawei is not a major customer for San Diego-based Qualcomm, which supplies 50% of the global market for smartphone processors. Analysts believe the smartphone chips that Qualcomm sells to Huawei are limited to a few models sold outside China. Huawei does license Qualcomm's cellular patents, but the two companies are in a dispute over how much is owed in patent fees. Investors worry that Huawei could stop making payments. A lack of U.S. components for Huawei network gear could slow its rollout of 5G cellular service, which is important for Qualcomm. "The longer-term impact is Huawei is important for 5G infrastructure networks, and if they're unable to ship, 5G could really grind to a halt," said Mike Walkley, an analyst with Canaccord Genuity. Huawei's phones run on Android and include the Google Play set of apps in devices sold abroad. Most Google apps are not available on models sold in China, where they are illegal. Huawei will still have access to the open source version of Android's operating system, but Google will not provide access or technical support on its proprietary apps and services, the company said. Google reassured Huawei users on Twitter on Monday that existing phones would retain access to Google Play. But future phones will lose access to the Google Play store, apps such as Gmail and YouTube, and updates to the Android operating system. Google did not respond to questions about how it would keep existing Huawei phones' access to Google services. "We are complying with the (Trump administration) order and reviewing the implications," the company said in a written statement. Huawei is the world's second-largest smartphone seller, ahead of Apple and behind Samsung. It accounts for about a third of the European smartphone market, but is lesser known in the U.S. market because carriers such as AT&T and Verizon don't sell Huawei devices. "They were en route to become the biggest smartphone seller in Europe, and not just in Europe but worldwide," said Francisco Jeronimo, London-based associate vice president of IDC, a global market intelligence firm. The ban completely changes the picture, he said. "Without access to Google services it's nearly impossible for them to sell smartphones outside China." If Google does not get a U.S. license to sell to Huawei, the Chinese company would struggle to sell its phones outside China and mobile carriers might stop selling Huawei phones, hampering Huawei's international expansion, he added. But if Google lost the Huawei marketand potentially that of other Chinese playersit would also threaten Android's global business. Elliott Zaagman, co-host of the China Tech Investor podcast, said the ban would hurt both Huawei and American businesses. Huawei bought $70 billion worth of components for its products last year, including $11 billion from U.S. businesses. Zaagman said that "$11 billion is a lot of money and hurts a lot of big American companies as well. You've got to believe that a lot of lobbyists are in Washington trying to find loopholes to this ban." Huawei has been in conflict with the U.S. since last year, when Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Canada at the request of the U.S. on charges of financial fraud. Washington has pressured allied governments to ban Huawei equipment over cybersecurity concerns, particularly that the Chinese government will be able to access and control key infrastructure through 5G networks built by Huawei. Huawei denies accusations that the company has engaged in activities threatening U.S. national security. In China, state and public support for Huawei have grown amid an escalating U.S.-China trade war, including the Trump administration's recent move to increase tariffs on $200 million in Chinese goods to 25% from 10%. Beijing has criticized U.S. actions against Huawei as politically motivated. "China supports Chinese companies defending their legitimate rights according to laws," Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lu Kang said at a news conference Monday. "In terms of what measures either Chinese companies or Chinese government would take, please wait and see," he said. The day after Trump's executive orders, China officially arrested two Canadiansa former diplomat and a businessmanwho had been in custody since December, when they were detained shortly after Meng's arrest in Canada. China has accused both of espionage. Huawei has been developing its own operating system, but company spokespeople said as recently as last week that it preferred to use Android. If no exceptions to the ban are given, however, Huawei and other Chinese companies may move toward developing an alternative operating system and ecosystem of apps for their phones sold abroad. Huawei did not respond to specific questions about how it would move forward. It will provide security updates and after-sales services to all existing Huawei products, the company said in a written statement. "We will continue to build a safe and sustainable software ecosystem, in order to provide the best experience for all users globally," the statement said. The idea of a smartphone with no Google may sound absurd to Western consumers. But China already has 43 percent of the global smartphone marketsignificant power, according to Jeronimo. He predicted that even if the trade war ends and bans on Huawei are withdrawn, Chinese technology companies would build an alternative operating system within the next five years, so that they can rely less on unstable foreign supply chains. "It's very likely that the biggest Chinese makers, Huawei, Xiaomi, Oppo, Lenovo, they will work with the Chinese government to build an alternative to Android," he said. "This would completely change the smartphone market and would open the door for other alternatives to come up either in China or Europe or somewhere else." Explore further Google v Huawei hits millions of smartphone users 2019 Los Angeles Times Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. In this photo taken Monday, May 20, 2019, a child plays with bubbles near the logo for tech giant Huawei in Beijing. The Trump administration's sanctions against Huawei have begun to bite even though their dimensions remain unclear. U.S. companies that supply the Chinese tech powerhouse with computer chips saw their stock prices slump Monday, and Huawei faces decimated smartphone sales with the anticipated loss of Google's popular software and services. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) The founder of Huawei expressed confidence Washington's curbs on sales to the Chinese tech giant will have little impact and said Tuesday it is discussing "emergency relief" from Google for possible loss of services for its smartphone business. Huawei Technologies Ltd., the biggest maker of network gear for phone carriers, has "supply backups" if it loses access to American components, Ren Zhengfei told Chinese reporters. His comments were broadcast by state TV and other outlets. The Trump administration's order last week steps up pressure on Huawei, which Washington says is a security risk, and threatens to hamper sales of network gear and other products. Huawei is the No. 2 global smartphone brand but relies on Google's Android operating system and U.S. components suppliers. China's government repeated its promise to defend Chinese companies abroad but gave no details of what Beijing might do. American officials say Huawei and other Chinese telecom equipment vendors are a risk because they beholden to the ruling Communist Party. Huawei denies accusations it facilitates Chinese spying. The U.S. controls "will have no impact within this company" and none on development of next-generation telecom technology, Ren said. He said some low-end business might be affected. A man walks by a Huawei retail shop behind a handrail inside a commercial office building in Beijing, Tuesday, May 21, 2019. The Trump administration's sanctions against Huawei have begun to bite even though their dimensions remain unclear. U.S. companies that supply the Chinese tech powerhouse with computer chips saw their stock prices slump Monday, and Huawei faces decimated smartphone sales with the anticipated loss of Google's popular software and services. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Huawei has developed its own chips for some smartphones and other products but relies on American suppliers for its most advanced components. Huawei and Google are discussing possible "emergency relief measures" for its smartphone business, which might lose access to some of the American company's services, Ren said. He gave no details. Google, a unit of Alphabet Inc., said Monday its basic services still will work on Huawei smartphones, which use its Android operating system. Google gave no details of what services might be curtailed. But the company would be barred from transferring hardware or software directly to Huawei. That would affect maps or other services that require the American company's support. Huawei trails only Samsung of South Korea in global smartphone sales. Industry analysts say it might struggle to compete if it cannot line up replacements for Google services that run afoul of the U.S. curbs. "I should say this impact will be very big, but Google is an extremely good company," Ren said. "We are discussing emergency relief measures." In this photo taken Monday, May 20, 2019, residents enjoy a cool evening near a Huawei store in Beijing. The Trump administration's sanctions against Huawei have begun to bite even though their dimensions remain unclear. U.S. companies that supply the Chinese tech powerhouse with computer chips saw their stock prices slump Monday, and Huawei faces decimated smartphone sales with the anticipated loss of Google's popular software and services. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) A foreign ministry spokesman accused Washington of misusing "state power" to hurt foreign companies and interfere in commercial markets. "The Chinese government has determination and ability to safeguard its legitimate and lawful rights and interests," said the spokesman, Lu Kang. Apple Inc., Huawei's main American rival in smartphones, makes a prominent potential target for Beijing. The company's iPhones are assembled in China and the country is its No. 2 market after the United States. Attacking Apple might be politically awkward for Chinese leaders who have accused Washington of mistreating Huawei. Business groups say Chinese officials are trying to reassure American companies they are welcome despite Beijing's tariff war with President Donald Trump. But regulators have an array of tools including tax and safety inspections that can hamper a company with no official acknowledgement it is targeted. Huawei's U.S. sales collapsed in 2012 after a congressional panel told phone carriers to avoid the company and its smaller Chinese competitor, ZTE Corp., as security threats. Despite that, Huawei's sales elsewhere have grown rapidly. The company reported earlier its global sales rose 19.5% last year over 2017 to 721.2 billion ($105.2 billion). Profit rose 25.1% to 59.3 billion yuan ($8.6 billion). A man looks at his smartphone past a Huawei retail shop is seen through a handrail inside a commercial office building in Beijing, Tuesday, May 21, 2019. The Trump administration's sanctions against Huawei have begun to bite even though their dimensions remain unclear. U.S. companies that supply the Chinese tech powerhouse with computer chips saw their stock prices slump Monday, and Huawei faces decimated smartphone sales with the anticipated loss of Google's popular software and services. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Huawei smartphone shipments rose 50 percent over a year earlier in the first three months of 2019 to 59.1 million, while the global industry's total fell 6.6%, according to IDC. Shipments by Samsung and No. 3 Apple declined. Last week's order, however, threatens to disrupt Huawei's global business by limiting access to components for products sold everywhere, not just in the U.S. market. It will take effect after a 90-day grace period that will allow some transactions to allow telecom operators that depend on Huawei equipment for "critical services" time to make other arrangements, the U.S. Department of Commerce said Monday in a notice on its website. Washington has tried to persuade U.S. allies to shun Huawei as a supplier of fifth-generation technology. Australia, Taiwan and some other governments have imposed curbs on use of Huawei technology, but Germany, France and other countries still do business with the company. Explore further Huawei could be stripped of Google services after US ban 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. In this photo taken Monday, May 20, 2019, residents enjoy a cool evening near a Huawei store in Beijing. The Trump administration's sanctions against Huawei have begun to bite even though their dimensions remain unclear. U.S. companies that supply the Chinese tech powerhouse with computer chips saw their stock prices slump Monday, and Huawei faces decimated smartphone sales with the anticipated loss of Google's popular software and services. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) The United States is delaying some restrictions on U.S. technology sales to Chinese tech powerhouse Huawei in what it calls an effort to ease the blow on Huawei smartphone owners and smaller U.S. telecoms providers that rely on its networking equipment. The Trump administration insists the sanctions are unrelated to its escalating trade war with China, and many analysts see it as aimed at pressuring U.S. allies in Europe to accede to Washington's entreaties to exclude Huawei equipment from their next-generation wireless networks, known as 5G. The U.S. government on Monday amended last week's order restricting all technology sales to Huawei, the world's biggest maker of mobile network gear and the No. 2 smartphone brand. It granted a temporary, 90-day exemption, but only for existing hardware and software. It also said that grace period could be renewed. Shares in tech companies rose Tuesday after some news organizations erroneously reported that the amended order amounted to a blanket reprieve for Huawei. "It's just housekeeping. It's not a capitulation. It's a very pragmatic solution to avoid unintended consequences to third parties," said Kevin Wolf, who oversaw a related case involving China's No. 2 telecoms supplier ZTE as assistant secretary of commerce for export administration under President Barack Obama. In this photo taken Monday, May 20, 2019, a child plays with bubbles near the logo for tech giant Huawei in Beijing. The Trump administration's sanctions against Huawei have begun to bite even though their dimensions remain unclear. U.S. companies that supply the Chinese tech powerhouse with computer chips saw their stock prices slump Monday, and Huawei faces decimated smartphone sales with the anticipated loss of Google's popular software and services. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) The U.S. claims Huawei is a cybersecurity risk and has targeted it against the backdrop of a wider battle with China over economic and technological pre-eminence that has included tariffs on billions worth of trade and limits on business. U.S. officials say Huawei is legally beholden to China's repressive rulers but have provided no evidence that it has intentionally allowed its equipment to be used for espionage. Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei sought to put a brave face on the situation, saying Tuesday that the company has "supply backups" if it loses access to American components. Huawei Technologies Ltd. relies on Google's Android operating system and U.S. components suppliers for its smartphones. "I should say this impact will be very big, but Google is an extremely good company," Ren Zhengfei told Chinese reporters. "We are discussing emergency relief measures," he added, without giving details. Industry analysts say Huawei might struggle to compete if it cannot line up replacements for Google services that run afoul of the U.S. curbs. Google says its basic services still will work on existing Huawei smartphones. However, the company would be barred from transferring hardware or software directly to Huawei. That would affect maps or other services that require the American company's support. A man walks by a Huawei retail shop behind a handrail inside a commercial office building in Beijing, Tuesday, May 21, 2019. The Trump administration's sanctions against Huawei have begun to bite even though their dimensions remain unclear. U.S. companies that supply the Chinese tech powerhouse with computer chips saw their stock prices slump Monday, and Huawei faces decimated smartphone sales with the anticipated loss of Google's popular software and services. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) In Brussels, a senior Huawei European representative lashed out at the U.S. sanctions. "This is dangerous. Now it is happening to Huawei. Tomorrow it can happen to any other international company," Abraham Liu, Huawei chief representative to the European Union's institutions, told reporters. China's government repeated its promise to defend Chinese companies abroad but gave no details of what Beijing might do. The 90-day grace period announced Monday by Washington exempts from U.S. licensing requirements any technology needed to maintain and support existing networking equipment and smartphones. It also authorizes U.S. providers to alert Huawei to security vulnerabilities and engage the Chinese company in research on standards for next-generation 5G wireless networks. "This license will allow operations to continue for existing Huawei mobile phone users and rural broadband networks," Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said in a statement. A man looks at his smartphone past a Huawei retail shop is seen through a handrail inside a commercial office building in Beijing, Tuesday, May 21, 2019. The Trump administration's sanctions against Huawei have begun to bite even though their dimensions remain unclear. U.S. companies that supply the Chinese tech powerhouse with computer chips saw their stock prices slump Monday, and Huawei faces decimated smartphone sales with the anticipated loss of Google's popular software and services. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) But still in place are requirements that government licenses be obtained for any sales to Huawei unrelated to existing equipment. The Commerce Department said the grace period would allow rural U.S. telecom operators that depend on Huawei equipment for "critical services" time to make other arrangements. Companies that supply softwaresuch as Google for Huawei's Android smartphonescan continue to provide updates. Britain's cybersecurity agency issued guidance saying the temporary reprieve means "people should be able to update their handsets as normal." In a report, the global risk assessment firm Eurasia Group said that if the sanction process helps persuade European network carriers to also shun Huawei equipment, a full ban on purchases of U.S. technology products and services could be avoided. The move to delay the restrictions on Huawei may follow a familiar script with the Trump administration, which in its attempt to change the U.S.'s trade relations with major economies like China and Europe has often announced restrictions or tariffs only to delay their implementation. That increases pressure on the other side but also gives them an incentive to negotiate. Abraham Liu, Chief Representative of Huawei to the European Institutions speaks during a DigitALL lunch talk in Brussels, Tuesday, May 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo) It hasn't always worked. The U.S. has announced new tariffs on European and Chinese goods several times, only to see them retaliate with tariffs on U.S. goods. That has raised the stakes in the trade wars, hurting global commerce and economic growth. As China looks to respond to President Donald Trump's move against Huawei, Apple makes a prominent potential target for retaliation. Apple is Huawei's main American rival in smartphones and its iPhones are assembled in China. The country is also Apple's No. 2 market after the United States. Attacking Apple might be politically awkward for Chinese leaders who have accused Washington of mistreating Huawei. Business groups say Chinese officials are trying to reassure American companies they are welcome despite the tariffs war. But regulators have an array of tools including tax and safety inspections that can hamper a company with no official acknowledgement it is targeted. Abraham Liu, Chief Representative of Huawei to the European Institutions speaks during a DigitALL lunch talk in Brussels, Tuesday, May 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo) Huawei's U.S. sales collapsed in 2012 after a congressional panel told phone carriers to avoid the company and its smaller Chinese competitor, ZTE Corp., as security threats. Despite that, Huawei's sales elsewhere have grown rapidly. The company reported earlier its global sales rose 19.5% last year over 2017 to 721.2 billion ($105.2 billion). Huawei smartphone shipments rose 50 percent over a year earlier in the first three months of 2019 to 59.1 million, while the global industry's total fell 6.6%, according to IDC. Shipments by Samsung and No. 3 Apple declined. 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The largest number of migrants in South Asia move to the neighbouring country. Credit: www.shutterstock.com, CC BY-ND According to the United Nations, more people live in a country other than their place of birth today than ever before. The 2017 migration statistics show that about 34 people out of every 1,000 lived away from their place of birth. This number was over 31 in 2010, and 28 in 2000. Although the number of migrants is expected to grow, a clear understanding of contemporary migration remains a challenge. Defining who is a migrant This challenge was on display at a recent meeting where a group of South Asian journalists, academics and activists gathered to address the core issue of migration. Officially, the number of migrants globally reached 258 million in 2017, compared to about 173 million in 2000, which represents an increase of 49 percent. But it remains difficult to determine with reasonable clarity who is a migrant and who is not. The multiple identities of people on the move complicate migration statistics and generate controversy. One of the speakers, Chris Lowenstein-Lom from the International Organisation of Migration (IOM), presented an overview of migration scenarios in South Asia to highlight the sheer number of migrants in the region, both internally and internationally. Many participants questioned the validity of the figures. Journalists raised questions about the migration data gathered by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and IOM. The figures either contradicted their lived experience (for example, the number of Indian-origin people living in Pakistan, and vice versa) or overlooked the historical context of certain migrants (for example those of Bangladeshi-origin in India). The IOM representative's insistence on his organisation's goal of "safe, regular and orderly" movement of people across borders resonated with other participants. They emphasised that improving data quality is important for achieving safe passage of migrants. Difficulties with migration data Concerns about accuracy and clarity of migration statistics were raised concerning both data collection methods and interpretation. For example, the ranking of countries by the number of migrants shifts dramatically with a change in definition. The highest number of immigrants (over 48 million) live in the United States, which constitutes 15 percent of the country's population. However, the highest proportion of immigrants to a population (87 percent) live in the United Arab Emirates, which is only eight million in number. The highest number of migrants (nearly 16 million) originate from India, which is only 1.2 percent of the country's population. But the highest proportion of migrants to a country's population (45.6 percent) is in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is only 2 million. Any statistical generalisation about migrants requires significant qualification. Political perspectives on who is or is not a bona fide migrant vary significantly between countries. As a result, the figures produced to represent certain sections of the migrant population can become cloudy or even opaque. For example, many Indian politicians label the Bangla-speaking Muslim population in northeast India as migrants from Bangladesh. But from the Bangladeshi perspective, most of these people can hardly be considered as such because they had lived in their current location since well before the state of Bangladesh was created in 1971. Similarly, in the early stage of the 2017 influx of Rohingya people to Bangladesh, this definitional opacity created confusion about their status. Were they returnees, refugees or infiltrators? This lack of clarity in legal status has the potential to render a vast number of people stateless. On the other hand, the refugee status of the Afghani people in Pakistan has been relatively clear to many sides, even though the identity of a specific individual can still be problematic. Challenge to report on migration These differences create a challenge for South Asian journalists to report accurately on migration issues. Consider the following figures: According to the UN DESA 2017 estimate, 33.5 million people moved out of five South Asian countries (Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) while 11.7 million people lived in these countries as migrants. The largest number of migrants in South Asia were from neighbouring countries, such as from Myanmar to Bangladesh (42 percent of the total 2.2 million immigrants in the country), from Afghanistan to Pakistan (1.4 million out of the total 3.4 million), and from Pakistan and Bangladesh to India (together, 81 percent of the total 5.2 million immigrants). According to this estimate, about 60 percent of the 5.2 million migrants in India were from Bangladesh. But this estimate was based mainly on population data produced by India. Bangladeshi officials and experts had reservations about this figure because, they claimed, the historical dimension mentioned above had been overlooked in its calculation. Consequences of data opacity One can easily imagine the difficulties faced by journalists in busy newsrooms with limited resources. They need to report on complex migration issues and are expected to report them accurately, without a clear definition about who is and is not a migrant. Would you label Rohingya people in Bangladesh as "returnees," following the Myanmar authorities? Or would you use the "infiltrator" description, as Bangladeshi officials initially identified them? Some of this confusion may be clarified over time, but others continue to bug journalists and other commentators. The lack of a clear definition exists not only in South Asia. Despite the well-founded criticisms levelled against the UN data on migration, they remain the most widely used set of figures globally. Other organisations and mechanisms of data distribution, such as IOM or the Migration Data Portal also use them. An important characteristic of the data set is its origin. They are mainly produced through official population censuses by the respective member states, using public money. Everyone has a stake in improving the quality of these data for a better understanding of the complexity of South Asian and global migration. Explore further Migrants need better access to health care in Europe: WHO This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. A gassy insulating layer beneath the icy surfaces of distant celestial objects could mean there are more oceans in the universe than previously thought. Computer simulations provide compelling evidence that an insulating layer of gas hydrates could keep a subsurface ocean from freezing beneath Pluto's icy exterior, according to a study published in the journal Nature Geoscience. In July 2015, NASA's New Horizons spacecraft flew through Pluto's system, providing the first-ever close-up images of this distant dwarf planet and its moons. The images showed Pluto's unexpected topography, including a white-colored ellipsoidal basin named Sputnik Planitia, located near the equator and roughly the size of Texas. Because of its location and topography, scientists believe a subsurface ocean exists beneath the ice shell which is thinned at Sputnik Planitia. However, these observations are contradictory to the age of the dwarf planet because the ocean should have frozen a long time ago and the inner surface of the ice shell facing the ocean should have also been flattened. Researchers at Japan's Hokkaido University, the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokushima University, Osaka University, Kobe University, and at the University of California, Santa Cruz, considered what could keep the subsurface ocean warm while keeping the ice shell's inner surface frozen and uneven on Pluto. The team hypothesized that an "insulating layer" of gas hydrates exists beneath the icy surface of Sputnik Planitia. Gas hydrates are crystalline ice-like solids formed of gas trapped within molecular water cages. They are highly viscous, have low thermal conductivity, and could therefore provide insulating properties. The researchers conducted computer simulations covering a timescale of 4.6 billion years, when the solar system began to form. The simulations showed the thermal and structural evolution of Pluto's interior and the time required for a subsurface ocean to freeze and for the icy shell covering it to become uniformly thick. They simulated two scenarios: one where an insulating layer of gas hydrates existed between the ocean and the icy shell, and one where it did not. The simulations showed that, without a gas hydrate insulating layer, the subsurface sea would have frozen completely hundreds of millions of years ago; but with one, it hardly freezes at all. Also, it takes about one million years for a uniformly thick ice crust to completely form over the ocean, but with a gas hydrate insulating layer, it takes more than one billion years. The simulation's results support the possibility of a long-lived liquid ocean existing beneath the icy crust of Sputnik Planitia. The team believes that the most likely gas within the hypothesized insulating layer is methane originating from Pluto's rocky core. This theory, in which methane is trapped as a gas hydrate, is consistent with the unusual composition of Pluto's atmosphere -- methane-poor and nitrogen-rich. Similar gas hydrate insulating layers could be maintaining long-lived subsurface oceans in other relatively large but minimally heated icy moons and distant celestial objects, the researchers conclude. "This could mean there are more oceans in the universe than previously thought, making the existence of extraterrestrial life more plausible," says Shunichi Kamata of Hokkaido University who led the team. Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. Using SLAC's Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Light Source, researchers were able to untangle the story of key pigments in ancient mouse fossils. The researchers showed that the mouse likely had reddish and brown fur on its back and sides and a white tummy, as shown in Stuart Pond's artist's conception on the left. The bottom image on the right is a photograph of the key fossil examined in this study. Above that is a false colour synchrotron X-ray image of the fossil chemistry. Credit: Gregory Stewart/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory Researchers have for the first time detected chemical traces of red pigment in an ancient fossilan exceptionally well-preserved mouse, not unlike today's field mice, that roamed the fields of what is now the German village of Willershausen around 3 million years ago. The study revealed that the extinct creature, affectionately nicknamed "mighty mouse" by the authors, was dressed in brown to reddish fur on its back and sides and had a tiny white tummy. The results were published today in Nature Communications. The international collaboration, led by researchers at the University of Manchester in the U.K., used X-ray spectroscopy and multiple imaging techniques to detect the delicate chemical signature of pigments in this long-extinct mouse. "Life on Earth has littered the fossil record with a wealth of information that has only recently been accessible to science," says Phil Manning, a professor at Manchester who co-led the study. "A suite of new imaging techniques can now be deployed, which permit us to peer deep into the chemical history of a fossil organism and the processes that preserved its tissues. Where once we saw simply minerals, now we gently unpick the 'biochemical ghosts' of long extinct species." The research team, which includes scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, used X-ray beams from SLAC's Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL) and the Diamond Light Source (DLS) in the U.K. A false color synchrotron X-ray image of the fossil chemistry. Blue represents calcium in the bones, green is the element zinc which has been shown to be important in the biochemistry of red pigment and red is a particular type of organic sulfur which cannot be imaged by traditional methods. This type of sulfur is enriched in red pigment. When combined, regions rich in both zinc and sulfur appear yellow on this image, showing that the fur on this animal was rich in the chemical compounds that are most probably derived from the original red pigments produced by the mouse. Credit: Nature Communications Painting a picture of the past Color plays a vital role in the selective processes that have steered evolution for hundreds of millions of years. But until recently, techniques used to study fossils weren't capable of exploring the pigmentation of ancient animals that is pivotal when reconstructing exactly what they looked like. This most recent paper marks a breakthrough in the ability to resolve fossilized color pigments in long-gone species by mapping key elements associated with the pigment melanin, the dominant pigment in animals. In the form of eumelanin, the pigment gives a black or dark brown color, but in the form of pheomelanin, it produces a reddish or yellow color. Building the foundation Until recently, the researchers had focused on the traces of elements known to be associated with eumelanin, which in previous experiments revealed dark and light patterns in the feathers of the first birds, including Archaeopteryx the famous fossil that first offered a clear link between dinosaurs and birds. In 2016, co-author Nick Edwards, scientist at SLAC, led a study that demonstrated the potential to differentiate between eumelanin and pheomelanin in modern bird feathers. That work provided a chemical benchmark for this most recent paper, which for the first time showed it's possible to detect the elusive red pigment, which is far less stable over geological time, in ancient fossils. The key fossil examined in this study is a 3-million-year-old extinct species of field mouse from Germany. The mouse is approximately 7 cm long. Credit: University of G?ttingen "We had to build up a strong foundation using modern animal tissue before we could apply the technique to these ancient animals," Edwards said. "It was really a tipping point in using chemical signatures to crack the coloring of ancient animals with soft tissue fossils." To reveal the fossil patterns in the mighty mouse, the Manchester team used SSRL and DLS to bathe the fossils in intense X-rays. The interaction of those X-rays with trace metals found in pigments allowed the team to reconstruct the reddish coloring in the mouse's fur. "The fossils used in this study preserve amazing structural detail, but our work emphasizes that such exceptional preservation may also lead to extraordinary chemical detail that changes our understanding of what is possible to resolve in fossils," said Manchester professor of geochemistry Roy Wogelius, who co-led the study. "Along the way we learned so much more about the chemistry of pigmentation throughout the animal kingdom" Adding a new dimension The key to their work was determining that trace metals were incorporated into the fossilized mouse fur in exactly the same way that they bond to pigments in animals with high concentrations of red pigment in their tissue. "As you do research in a particular area, the scope of your techniques might evolve," says Uwe Bergmann, co-author and a distinguished staff scientist at SLAC who led the development of the X-ray fluorescence imaging used in this research. "The hope is that you can develop a tool that will become part of the standard arsenal when something new is studied, and I believe the application to fossils is a good example." The effort, which involved physics, paleontology, organic chemistry and geochemistry, informs the scientists what to look for in the future. "Our hope is that these results will mean that we can become more confident in reconstructing extinct animals and thereby add another dimension to the study of evolution," Wogelius says. Explore further Research may help to discover the true colour of extinct animals An artists impression of the KM3NeT telescope. Credit: KM3NeT Curtin University researchers are part of an international project that will use a huge underwater neutrino telescope at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea to help explain some of the most powerful and mysterious events in the universe. Located at two sites at depths of up to 3500m, the KM3NeT telescope will occupy more than a cubic kilometre of water, and will comprise of hundreds of vertical detection lines anchored to the seabed and held in place by buoys when complete. Dr. Clancy James, from the Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy and the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR), said such a huge volume of water was required to surround the instruments because neutrinos were otherwise difficult to detect. "Neutrinos very rarely interact, however when a neutrino hits water it generates light, which the KM3NeT telescope is able to detect," Dr. James said. "The underwater telescope is bombarded by millions of different particles, but only neutrinos can pass through the Earth to reach the detector from below so, unlike normal telescopes, it looks down through the Earth at the same sky viewed by upward-facing telescopes in Australia." Dr. James said KM3NeT needed to be incredibly sensitive because the light detected from neutrino interactions was about as faint as the light from a lightbulb in Sydney as seen from Perth. "Each line has 18 modules equipped with light sensors along its length and, in the darkness of the deep ocean, these sensors register the faint flashes of a special light that signals the interaction of neutrinos with the seawater," Dr. James said. "This project will help us answer some of the major questions around particle physics and the nature of our universe, potentially ushering in a new era in neutrino astronomy." Curtin University formally joined the project in March 2019 and will use radio telescopes such as the Murchison Widefield Array to study the origins of neutrinos seen by KM3NeT. Explore further KM3NeT unveils detailed plans for largest neutrino telescope in the world The memories retained by soil contain countless records, including a history of human encounters with the land. Credit: Shutterstock The English language is full of phrasesfrom "bogged down" to "feet of clay" and "dirt cheap"that reflect how we appreciate the diversity of soil, but value it little. Soil retains a special place in many cultures. In Ireland, where I grew up, patches of what is known as "hungry ground" are thought to retain the memory of the Irish Famine in the 1800s, and you are advised to carry bread while you cross them. To poet Patrick Kavanagh, the clay of soils sealed the hopeless fate of lonely Irish bachelor farmers: "Clay is the word and clay is the fleshWhere the potato-gatherers like mechanised scarecrows move." But is soil valueless like dirt or replete with mystery? Is it just dirt, or a cathedral of evolutionary and cultural memory? Like an elder among us, soil holds records of our planet's past and the possibilities of its future sustainability. A repository of memory Like a library, soil houses stories written from the microscopic to the landscape scale of human and evolutionary history. Our enormous recent impacts, from the global nitrogen cycle to our use of atomic weapons, can be read as elemental and isotopic traces in soil. One quarter of all the world's biodiversity can be found in soil; it is where many plants, bacteria and fungi evolved together. In many cases, plants and soil microbes established mutually beneficial relationships, communicating with each other by sending signals through the soil in a complex dating game. Butterflies and beetles and some bees, too, evolved to need the soil for certain stages of their life cycle. Functions of soil. Credit: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Soil also remembers its natural vegetationas seeds that can be used to help restore the native plant diversity and ecosystem, even in an urban lawn setting. For plants, the memory of their interaction with soil microbes may even be transmitted to their offspring. Ecosystem services In our urgent search for solutions to climate change, we have realized soils are key to turning back the carbon clock and reversing CO2 accumulation in the atmosphere. Thus we are recognizing soils as far more than just an anchor for growing plants, but as the irreplaceable "skin of the Earth" providing economic, environmental and social services that are essential for life. Now more than ever, the science of soil reflects this appreciation of soil's keystone role in preserving biodiversity, reversing climate change and sustaining life on Earth. Understanding soil The history of soil science has often been a story of international collaboration, including the recent production of a global soil carbon map and an atlas of soil biodiversity, both wonderful examples of important global advances in soil science. Quebec farmer Sebastien Angers (standing) invites Laval University researcher Caroline Halde and French Masters intern Nathan Rondeau to assess the soil quality under a cover crop in spring 2019. Credit: Derek Lynch, Author provided Rapid advances in application of molecular techniques are helping us understand in much greater detail the relationships between soil organisms and the many essential functions they perform. Importantly, too, we are learning much more about soil's resilience, such as how it responds to, and may recover from, the stresses imposed by human activities or a changing climate. We are learning more about the services provided by soils in cities, and the unique stresses imposed upon them. According to Canadian soil scientist Henry Janzen, a fundamental goal of soil science and key to global sustainability is to extract the memories hidden in soil. Managing farm soils Intensive farming systems are a major driver of land degradation and soil losses, and declines in the abundance and diversity of animals and plants. Applying our improved understanding of soil, an urgent challenge is to develop and support farming systems that are sustainable ecologically while also providing humanity sufficient supplies of food and fibre. Farmers, as land managers, are on the front lines of this challenge. Many take an agro-ecological approach and consider themselves stewards or caretakers of plant diversity and the soil as much as solely producers of crops. For example, farmers who plant mixtures of flowering cover crops (buckwheat, phacelia, sweet clover, vetch etc.) benefit pollinators. The crop also protects the soil by keeping it covered over winter. As it decomposes, the abundant cover crop residue improves the soil's structure and biological activity, while releasing nutrients to the following cash crop. We need to cherish and learn from soil now more than ever. It holds the keys to our planet's past and future. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The infrared nebula of J005311. Credit: Vasilii Gvaramadse/Moscow University Astronomers at the University of Bonn and their colleagues from Moscow have identified an unusual celestial object. It is most likely the product of the fusion of two stars that died a long time ago. After billions of years circling around each other these so-called white dwarfs merged and rose from the dead. In the near future, their lives could finally endwith a huge bang. The researchers are now presenting their findings in the journal Nature. The extremely rare merger product was discovered by scientists from the University of Moscow. On images made by the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) satellite they found a gas nebula with a bright star in its center. Surprisingly, however, the nebula emitted almost exclusively infrared radiation and no visible light. "Our colleagues in Moscow realized that this already argued for an unusual origin," explains Dr. Gotz Grafener from the Argelander Institute for Astronomy (AIfA) at the University of Bonn. In Bonn, the spectrum of the radiation emitted by the nebula and its central star was analyzed. In this way, the AIfA researchers were able to show that the enigmatic celestial object contained neither hydrogen nor heliuma characteristic typical for the interiors of white dwarfs. Stars like our Sun generate their energy through hydrogen burning, the nuclear fusion of hydrogen. When the hydrogen is consumed, they continue burning helium. However, they cannot fuse even heavier elementstheir mass is insufficient to produce the necessary high temperatures. Once all helium is used up, they cease burning and cool down turning into so-called white dwarfs. Usually their life is over at this point. But not for J005311this is how the scientists named their new find in the constellation Cassiopeia, 10,000 light-years from Earth. "We assume that two white dwarfs formed there in close proximity many billions of years ago," explains Prof. Dr. Norbert Langer from AIfA. "They circled around each other, creating exotic distortions of space-time, called gravitational waves." In the process, they gradually lost energy. In return, the distance between them shrunk more and more until they finally merged. WISE 22 micron infrared images at different intensity scales (panels a and b) compared with an optical IPHAS H alpha image where the nebula is not visible (panel c). (c) Vasilii Gvaramadse/Moscow University Only five of these objects in the Milky Way Now their total mass was sufficient to fuse heavier elements than hydrogen or helium. The stellar furnace started burning again. "Such an event is extremely rare," stresses Grafener. "There are probably not even half a dozen such objects in the Milky Way, and we have discovered one of them." An extreme stroke of luck. Nevertheless, the researchers are convinced that they are right with their interpretation. For one, the star in the center of the nebula shines 40,000 times as bright as the sun, far brighter than a single white dwarf could. In addition, the spectra indicate that J005311 has an extremely strong stellar windthis is the stream of material that emanates from the stellar surface. Its engine is the radiation generated during the burning process. Only, at a speed of 16,000 kilometers per second, the wind of J005311 is so fast that this factor alone is not enough to explain it. However, merged white dwarfs are expected to have a very strong rotating magnetic field. "Our simulations show that this field acts like a turbine, which additionally accelerates the stellar wind," says Grafener. Sadly, the resurgence of J005311 will not last long. In only a few thousand years the star will have transformed all elements into iron and fade again. As its mass has increased to more than 1.4 times the mass of the Sun in the merger process, it will suffer an exceptional fate. The star will collapse under the influence of its own gravity. At the same time, the electrons and protons building up its matter will fuse into neutrons. The resulting neutron star has only a fraction of its previous size, measuring only few kilometers in diameter, while it is weighing more than the entire solar system. J005311, however, won't leave without a final salute. Its collapse will be accompanied by a huge bang, a so-called supernova explosion. Explore further Explosion on Jupiter-sized star 10 times more powerful than ever seen on the sun More information: Vasilii V. Gvaramadze et al. A massive white-dwarf merger product before final collapse, Nature (2019). Journal information: Nature Vasilii V. Gvaramadze et al. A massive white-dwarf merger product before final collapse,(2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1216-1 Buoy collecting atmospheric and ocean data in the tropical Pacific. Credit: NOAA/PMEL The warming of the Earth by the human-caused greenhouse effect is progressing. But predictions for the next decades still show relatively large uncertainties. A German-Australian research team headed by GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel identified the large natural variations in the tropical Pacific region as the key reason. As a conclusion of their study, published in the renowned scientific journal Nature Communications, the scientists call for more climate data from this region. Our planet is warming up. This is documented consistently by all measurements carried out worldwide. However, this warming, which is mainly caused by the emission of greenhouse gases, is superimposed by natural climatic fluctuations on time scales from years to centuries. Climate forecasts for the future have to incorporate these variations. A team of scientists from Australia and Germany has now found out that in particular the very strong natural climatic fluctuations in the tropical Pacific on decadal timescales are important in understanding how the climate develops in the future. "We have known about strong natural climatic variations in the tropical Pacific for a long time," explains Dr. Mohammad Hadi Bordbar from the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, lead author of the study. "Furthermore, climate forecasts on time scales of decades show a relatively large spread. In our study, we wanted to find out to what extent there is a connection," explains the climate scientist from Kiel. Together with Australian colleagues from the University of New South Wales, the researchers designed a study with three different climate models. They started the model simulations with different initial conditions that reflect the natural variations in the tropical Pacific region. "The results clearly show that a significant fraction of the large spread in climate forecasts has its origins in this region," explains Dr. Matthew England from the University of New South Wales. For the scientists, these results indicate that better information about the initial state of the ocean, in particular subsurface data, could improve their predictions significantly. "In the scenario we studied, the predicted spatial patterns of surface temperatures are very dependent on the initial state of the Pacific Ocean," explains Prof. Dr. Mojib Latif, co-author of the study from GEOMAR. "The available observation data from the Pacific are in many areas only patchy, therefore, the results of the various simulations show such a strong spread," Latif continues. Uncertainties in climate predictions with and without usage of ocean data. Credit: M.H. Bordbar, GEOMAR. According to the scientists, in addition to improvements in the models, significantly more and better observation data are needed in order to improve the quality of climate predictions. Explore further Hindcast experiments capture long-term climate fluctuations More information: Mohammad Hadi Bordbar et al, Uncertainty in near-term global surface warming linked to tropical Pacific climate variability, Nature Communications (2019). Journal information: Nature Communications Mohammad Hadi Bordbar et al, Uncertainty in near-term global surface warming linked to tropical Pacific climate variability,(2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09761-2 Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute About a billion miles more distant than Pluto is Ultima Thule, a peanut-shaped object in the outer solar system that's the farthest place ever visited by humans. NASA's New Horizons spacecraft zipped past Ultima Thule on New Year's Eve (Pacific time), flying within 2,200 miles of the space rock's rust-colored surface. The data it captured is now giving scientists a rare glimpse into the solar system's early days. Ultima Thule has spent most of its 4.5 billion years frozen in time in the Kuiper Belt, a doughnut-shaped region beyond Neptune that contains remnants from the solar system's early days. Its surface is barely heated by the sun, which is about 4 billion miles away, according to an initial analysis of New Horizons data published in Friday's edition of the journal Science. "We had never seen something that was so primordial, so unchanged since the early formation days," said Alan Stern, the principal investigator for the New Horizons mission. Ultima Thule is what's called a contact binary object, consisting of two lobes that formed separately through an accumulation of small particles of gas and dust. Only later did they fuse together, scientists believe. The new report is based on only 10% of all the data collected by New Horizons during its flyby. The full download won't be complete until mid-2020. Here are seven things we've learned about Ultima Thule so far: - It has been essentially undisturbed for more than 4 billion years Ultima Thule is about 43 times farther from the sun than we are, and as a result, it receives 900 times less sunlight than we do on Earth. Since it has never gotten warmer than about -350 degrees Fahrenheit, it has been well preserved since its formation shortly after the solar system was born. During its 293-year orbit around the sun, some regions of Ultima Thule receive no sunlight for decades at a time, while others face the sun for decades straight. Scientists think variations in daily and seasonal temperatures have probably only affected a very shallow surface layer of the Kuiper Belt object, ranging from a few millimeters to a few meters. "Different chemical changes that might happen don't occur," said astronomer Will Grundy of the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Ariz., leader of the project's surface composition team. "It just never got warm. At all.Its lobes came together in a very gentle collision The larger lobe is nicknamed "Ultima" and the smaller one is called "Thule." They came together in an unusual way. Collisions in Ultima Thule's section of the Kuiper Belt typically occur at the speed of a bullet, but Ultima Thule doesn't display the scars that would have resulted from such a violent merger. "They would be very heavily damaged, if not catastrophically destroyed, by such collisions," said Stern, who is based at the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colo. Instead, scientists estimate that Ultima Thule's lobes made contact traveling only a few miles per hour. Planetary scientist Cathy Olkin, a deputy project scientist for New Horizons who also works at the Southwest Research Institute, said researchers aren't exactly sure why the lobes came together at such slow speed. They might have lost momentum as a result of having to slog through gases that hadn't yet been pushed out of the solar system at the time, or by interacting with objects such as lumps of dust. "They would exchange momentum with these other small objects, sending them far away and bringing Ultima and Thule closer together until they touched," she said. - There are no moons or rings Many objects in Ultima Thule's region of the Kuiper Belt are accompanied by satellites, but Ultima Thule itself appears to be flying solo. New Horizons also looked for rings around the object and didn't find any of those either. If there had been a moon, it would have helped scientists determine the density of Ultima Thule. Instead, all the study authors could say is that it's most likely to resemble the nuclei of comets. - It is lightly cratered Both lobes have pits, but the team identified only two possible impact craters, in a depressed region on Thule called Maryland. Scientists said the relative dearth of possible impact craters they have found so far may point to a deficit of small objects on the Kuiper Belt. "There are fewer things to crash, and when they do crash, they are crashing at smaller speeds," Grundy said. - Its surface has patches of brightness Ultima Thule is extremely dark and reflects no more than 12% of the light that strikes its surface. For the sake of comparison, potting soil reflects about 10% of its light, Stern said. The surface has three types of bright patches: circular or oval spots; lanes that are either straight or gently curved; and what Stern described as broad, diffused regions. The brightest spots are at the object's neckthe junction between both lobesand on Maryland. It's unclear how these bright patches came about. They "are generally correlated with low regions," Stern said, and they could have been created by bright, fine-grained particles that slid downhill. - There's little water on the surface There are indications of water ice on Ultima Thule's surface, but it doesn't appear to be abundant. Whatever water ice might be there is probably either limited or masked behind other material, Grundy said, but it likely hasn't evaporated. "It's not that easy to get rid of water ice at those kinds of low temperatures because it's basically a rock," he said. - Ultima is unusually flat Ultima is wider than Thule, and it's significantly flatter too. New Horizons project scientist Hal Weaver, a planetary scientist at Johns Hopkins University, said that the flatness could have resulted from "natural variability" during its formation, when an elongated swarm of small particles collapsed around a core clump of matter. "The stuff is streaming with a particular speed and preferred direction," he said. "It's that directional thing that's giving you an elongated shape." Explore further New Horizons team publishes first Kuiper Belt flyby science results 2019 Los Angeles Times Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Twenty-two-year-old Standardbred racehorse owner/groom Jordan Hicken went overboard while fishing off of Prince Edward Island on Tuesday, May 21. Intensive searches of the waters and shore have taken place since the incident, but have yet to locate him. According to multiple reports, Hicken, a resident of Lower Montague who has fished for six or seven years, went overboard early Tuesday morning near Naufrage. Halifaxs Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre received a transfer call via 911 P.E.I. at roughly 5:26 a.m. which stated that a man had gone overboard in the area of Naufrage. Hicken was the subject of an intensive search and rescue operation that took place all day on Tuesday and was later called off as nightfall fell. It has been estimated that roughly 60 vessels including those of fishermen, firefighters, police and the Canadian Coast Guard had been searching for Hicken on Tuesday. After the Tuesday search, Halifax's Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre declared Hicken a missing person and handed the case over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The CBC has reported that Jordan was fishing with his father, Standardbred horseman Trevor Hicken, at the time he went overboard. Multiple media outlets have received confirmation that several of Jordans personal items that had blown overboard were found in the water during the Tuesday search. A follow-up story by the CBC explains that waters were too rough to search on Wednesday (May 22), although shoreline searches did take place. Local fishermen, including Hicken's father and other family members, were back on the water searching Thursday and are expected to continue the search either on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Trot Insider will update this story with more information when it is known. Please join Standardbred Canada in keeping Jordan Hickens family and friends in your thoughts at this time. An image of Jordan Hicken, which is displayed on his Facebook page. An image of Jordan Hicken, which is displayed on his Facebook page. (With files from The Guardian, The Canadian Press and the CBC) The sun shines more often. Valleys are greening. Summer is on the horizon. And southwestern Pennsylvanians are taking to the regions abundant streams, rivers and lakes for recreation, as they do each season in impressive numbers. More than 66 percent of residents head to a stream, river or lake for a little recreation. And 37 percent of southwestern Pennsylvanians do so at least six times a year, a Pittsburgh Today environment survey suggests. They are also protective of those resources. More than 37 percent rank rivers and streams at the top of their list of conservation priorities. But theyre increasingly concerned about the health of the waters they use for fun and relaxation. Water worries Concerns over pollution of the regions streams and rivers have soared in Allegheny County, which holds the regions greatest population of people who use those resources. In 2018, some 57 percent of residents saw stream and river pollution as a problem in the region. In 2011, only 37 percent had such concerns, according to quality of life surveys done by Pittsburgh Today and the University of Pittsburgh in those years. They are not without reasons to be concerned. The regions legacy of industry and mining has had an impact of the waterways. Thousands of miles of rivers and streams in the region and state fail to meet federal water quality standards for reasons ranging from acid mine drainage and urban runoff to industrial and wastewater effluent. The most likely to express concern about stream and river health are residents with the lowest incomes and residents who are between the ages of 18 and 45. Generally, the greater their income, the less likely residents are to see a problem. And concern tends to wane with age. Still, at least half of every age, income and education group expresses concern about the health of the waters they seek for recreation when the weather warms and the days grow long. Pittsburgh Today and the University of Pittsburgh University Center Survey for Social and Urban Research conducted the Pittsburgh Regional Quality of Life in June 2018. 1,881 Allegheny County residents drawn from the UCSUR Research Registry completed the online survey. Data were adjusted to make the survey sample representative of the demographic characteristics of the county. The complete set of data tables are available at pittsburghquarterly.com/quality-of-life-2018. AONE made a grandiloquent gesture with his arm, saying, These are all my paintings. They were hung around the four walls of the giant loft and it looked to me like there might be a thousand of them. We circumnavigated the loft clockwise, pausing in front of each painting so AONE could explain the inspiration behind it. To give you an idea what this experience was like, Ill mention just one canvas. As we approached this particular painting, I actually gasped. Ah, yes, said AONE. You see, sir, I had gone to my studio in Tuscany yes, graffiti artists have studios in Tuscany but I couldnt get anything done! Every time I tried to paint, the phone rang! My lawyer, my accountant, my agent, gallery owners, journalists! But then I had an idea. The next time the phone rang I would grab my Glock and fire a round into the phone. The bullet would travel through the phone line, under the Atlantic Ocean, all the way to New York and slam into the guys head! Sure enough, the painting depicted a guy standing in an art gallery, holding a telephone about a foot from his ear. A bullet had shot out of the phone, slammed into his head and exited out the other side. (You can see the bullet speeding away.) The guys eyes are popping out of their sockets, his mouth gapes open. Blood, skin, bone and brains stream out the side of his head and splash against the wall. All in primary colors of red, green and yellow. Powerful, I said. Eventually, the Exotic Eastern European Film Director (EEEFD) came over and pulled me aside. For Gods sakes, Pittburk, buy someting! he said. Dont you want to get out of here alife? I sighed, but for the life of me(!) I couldnt find anything I could stand to have in my house. But then I spotted it, just around the next corner. I walked quickly over to the painting and tapped it with my finger. This one, I said. This one speaks to me, AONE. You have excellent taste, sir! AONE exclaimed. This is one of my very best works! The painting was called Bernini Fountains, Piazza Navona. You see, AONE continued, I was wandering around Rome one day, totally stoned. I stumbled into this big square that had a big fountain in the middle of it. I stared at it for, I dont know, hours! Then I raced back to Tuscany and painted it from memory. The fountain AONE had painted rather spectacularly is actually called the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers), designed by the famous Baroque sculptor, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, in 1651. Its terrific, AONE, I said. What are you asking for it? Fifty. F-f-fifty thousand dollars? Is that too much? Thirty. Actually, AONE, I wasnt thinking of Ten. My final offer. I looked toward the EEEFD, who was shooting me an urgent glance. Okay, I said to AONE. But I need to go back to Pittsburgh and talk to my accountant, maybe sell some securities. (I assumed this was how important art collectors talked.) Of course, said AONE, I understand completely. Its very nice doing business with you, sir! I shook AONEs hand and got the hell out of there. In the taxi on the way back to the hotel I said to the EEEFD, Wait a week, then tell AONE I changed my mind. A week later my phone rangit was AONE. I know you decided not to buy my painting, he said. I understandits very hard to start collecting a new genre. Genre? But you see, sir, it is very important for an artist such as myself to get his work into the hands of important collectors such as yourself. Therefore, what would you say to, oh, one thousand dollars? I held the phone at arms length and stared at it, then said, Wait a minute, AONE, are you saying you would sell me a fifty thousand dollar painting for one thousand dollars? No, no, of course not, said AONE. I am making a gift to you of a fifty thousand dollar painting. You, sir, are making a gift to me of one thousand dollars. Ah, I see. Well, in that case, AONE, we have a deal. Ill write you a check and No, no, no! blurted AONE. I dont do checks! You want me to send cash? Sure. You put one thousand dollars in a New Yorker magazine, put the magazine in an envelope marked PERIODICALS, then send it via Federal Express to my uncle in the South Bronx. I knew perfectly well that sending one thousand dollars cash to some address in the South Bronx was completely insane, but I did it anyway. Then I heard nothing. Okay, I thought, I got what I deserved for being such a gullible idiot. But then, months later, a guy called me who owned a gallery in Soho and said, When are you coming in to pick up your painting? What painting is that? Bernini Fountains, by AONE. Needless to say, I was on the next plane to New York the airfare was more than Id paid for the painting. When I arrived at the gallery my painting was spread out on the floor and the gallery owner and I stared down at it. Exuberant, he said, yet playful. Right. How do I get it to my hotel? What do you mean? Its pouring down rain outside, and itll take me twenty minutes to get a cab. Sir, said the gallery owner, this is spray paint. Nothing can hurt it. So I rolled the painting up, tossed it over my shoulder and headed out into the downpour. When I arrived at the hotel Bernini Fountains was no worse for the wear. I shipped the painting to a Pittsburgh gallery owned by a friend of mine, asking him to stretch it on a frame, then went in to pick it up. My friend had hung Bernini Fountains on the wall, and we both stared at it. Exuberant, I suggested, yet playful. Right. Mind if I ask how much you paid for it? I, well, I promised the artist I wouldnt say. Any idea what its worth? My friend shrugged. Not that much, he said. Maybe twenty-five or thirty thousand. But thats in the US. If you took it to Europe say, to just the right gallery in Basel you could probably get fifty thousand for it. * * * A few years later AONE died unexpectedly, and overnight his paintings doubled in value. Just last year an AONE painting that was smaller (and less exuberant-yet-playful) than mine sold at auction in Paris for $150,000. I figure Bernini Fountains is worth close to $200,000, making it the single best investment I ever made. Maybe Ill sit down and write another screenplay. Next up: Responsible Investing Without the Hype Douglas V. Gibbs is a proud member of the American Authors Association Douglas V. Gibbs is a proud member of the Military Writers Society of America. An Australian man has unearthed a 1.4kg (49oz) gold nugget with a metal detector while wandering Western Australias gold fields, say locals. Australian finds a 1.4 kg gold nugget in old gold fields. A shop in Kalgoorlie shared pictures of the rock online, estimated to be worth A$100,000 (54,000; $69,000). The unidentified man was an experienced local hobbyist, shop owner Matt Cook, told the BBC. Finds of this scale by prospectors are known to happen a few times a year, experts say. About three-quarters of the gold mined in Australia is produced in and around the Kalgoorlie region. Mr Cook, who owns a shop selling supplies to gold prospectors, said the man detected the piece on some saltbush flats, about 45cm (18 inches) below the surface. He walked into my shop and showed me the nugget in his hand with a big smile on my face, Mr Cook told the BBC. It just a bit bigger than a packet of smokes, and the density of it was incredible, so heavy. Smaller traces of gold are more common finds in the region, says Prof Sam Spearing, director of the Western Australia School of Mines at Curtin University. Along with the mines around, a lot of people go around as prospectors on the weekend, as a hobby. Other people do it on a full-time basis, Prof Spearing said. Most of the gold found is in the less than half an ounce category, but they do find them fairly frequently. WOW! I need to try hunting for gold in Australia. Follow us on FACEBOOK and TWITTER. Share your thoughts in our DISCUSSION FORUMS. Donate through Paypal. Please and thank you [BBC] December 12, 1946 May 19, 2019 HAGUE Richard Joseph Mattison Jr., 72, of Hague, passed away on Sunday, May 19, 2019 at the Glens Falls Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Ticonderoga, Dec. 12, 1946, he was the son of the late Richard Sr. and Virginia (Eichen) Mattison. Richard was a lifetime resident of Ticonderoga and Hague, having moved to Hague in 1999. He was employed by the International Paper Co. of Ticonderoga as a millwright for many years and was a member of the Company's Quarter Century Club. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in the Vietnam War in Special Forces, and was awarded the purple heart and numerous other medals. He was a member of the American Legion #224, the V.F.W. #146, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks #1494, all of Ticonderoga. Survivors include his wife of 21 years, Susan F. (Smith) Mattison; four children, Richard J. Rick Mattison III (Shannon) of Stafford, Virginia, David Jordon (Karla) of Hague, Amy Reeves of Ticonderoga and Joanna Knight (Domonic) of Ticonderoga; one brother, Robert Mattison of North Carolina; and two sisters, Gloria Waters of Castleton and Brenda Cudd of Ticonderoga. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was predeceased by one brother, Jack Mattison. Relatives and friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 24, at Wilcox & Regan Funeral Home, 11 Algonkin St., Ticonderoga. A funeral service will take place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 25, at the First United Methodist Church of Ticonderoga. The Rev. Skip Trembley will officiate. Interment with military honors will take place at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. To offer online condolences, please visit www.wilcoxandreganfuneralhome.com. Donations in Richard's memory may be made to the American Legion Post #224, 104 Montcalm St., Ticonderoga, NY 12883; or the V.F.W. #146, 12 Shore Airport Road, Ticonderoga, NY 12883; or Friends Comforting Friends, 25 Steamboat Landing, Ticonderoga, NY 12883. Nine weeks. Thats all Kimberly Williams of Cambridge had after being told that her flu-like symptoms were actually metastasized cancer. She died Tuesday morning of lung cancer. In April, Williams, 42, was optimistic. She was hoping to live until after her son graduated in June 2020. That boy is everything to me, she said in April. If I can watch my son graduate and maybe steal some more time afterward, Ill take it. Cambridge woman with headache discovers she has brain tumors, lung cancer CAMBRIDGE Until two weeks ago, Kimberly Williams worked as a CNA at Washington Center, scraping up just enough money to support her family, He is a junior at Cambridge high school. Williams was confident that her sons father, to whom she was not married, would take care of him if she died early. He has a really good dad, she said. She also found love recently, getting married just before the diagnosis. She took full responsibility for the cancer, blaming it on her 27 years of smoking. She quit last year in response to repeated urging from her son, but was convinced she would never suffer ill effects. She was active, never needed an inhaler and had no symptoms until her diagnosis at stage 4. When she got sick, she told the media to publicize the cause smoking rather than writing about her. Tell people to quit smoking, she said. Smoking is a deadly activity. It causes about 20% of all deaths in the country, according to the CDC. Thats the message Williams wanted to get out. Lung cancer is usually found late and does not have a good prognosis. Stage 4 lung cancer has a median survival rate of eight to 10 months. Once it spreads to the brain, life expectancy drops to an average of five months. Williams didnt get diagnosed until brain tumors had grown so large they were threatening her life. A tumor was pressing on her cerebellum. In late March, she was rushed to Albany Medical Center Hospital, where she had emergency surgery the next day. They told her if she had waited two more days, she would have died. She applied for Medicaid she could not afford health insurance from her job, and now she could not work anyway and started aggressive cancer treatment. But it was not enough. At her workplace, Washington Center, residents and employees grieved all day after hearing the news. Six people had come to work wearing Team Kim shirts, not realizing she had died. Her boss sold the shirts to raise money for her. Williams was a certified nursing assistant there. She was so well-loved at Washington Center that even residents came into the nursing directors office to buy the shirts. Her residents were so taken care of, Nursing Director Lisa Clark said. When I told the activities director (about Williams death) today, she burst into tears and said, Whos going to bring John to activities? No one else could get John to activities. She just had that personality. Her residents knew they could turn to her. She would help anybody, Clark said. Thats not to say she was meek. You always knew what she was thinking, even if you didnt want to, Clark said. She had that sharp, snarky personality. She was funny but she was a smartass. Then Clark laughed, thinking of some of the funny comments Williams had made over the years. Once, Clark gave a group of employees what she hoped was a rousing speech about empowerment. Williams reaction: It aint gonna work. That might sound insubordinate, but it wasnt taken that way. She was super funny, Clark said. Washington Center is collecting stories about Williams, from employees and residents. The stories will be printed and bound as a gift for Williams family. There is also a gofundme still open for Williams. As of Tuesday, it had raised $4,100. You can reach Kathleen Moore at 742-3247 or kmoore@poststar.com. Follow her on Twitter @ByKathleenMoore or at her blog on www.poststar.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 26 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. I'm not on Facebook and do not post to Medium. Twitter has suspended me. I don't know why. mscriver@3rivers.net COMMENTS WELCOME unless they are anonymous. 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 France has threatened three French journalists with potential jail time for using secret documents to reveal the countrys involvement in the Yemen civil war. They could face up to five years in prison and be fined up to $83,000. Making an example of us: French journalists face jail for exposing govt lies about Yemen war In a series of reports published in April, investigative journalists from Disclose and Radio France revealed the number of French arms sold to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The documents, authored by Frances Directorate of Military Intelligence (DSGI), showed that senior French officials had lied about the role of French weapons in the Yemen War. Following the publication of the reports in April, Discloses co-founders Geoffrey Livolsi and Mathias Destal and Radio France journalist Benoit Collombat were asked to attend a hearing at the DSGI headquarters in Paris. The three journalists refused to reveal their sources after being questioned by the DSGI on the origin of the document, their work and posts on Facebook and Twitter. The journalists used the hearing to defend press freedom and how it was in the public interest to publish details from the leaked DSGI document. Press Freedom has been protected for more than 130 years under the Press Law of 1881, which gives journalists the right to keep sources confidential. But the law, however, does not cover national security and the journalists could be sentenced under a 2009 French law that considers as an offence the handling of a classified document without clearance or proper authorisation. If convicted, the journalists could face five years in prison and a $83,000 fine. The case could be closed by the DSGI or be handed to a judge who could take the case to trial. France is ranked 32nd out of 180 countries in RSFs 2019 World Press Freedom Index. Paul Coppin, the head of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) legal unit, criticised the DSGI for attempting to prosecute the French journalists. In a statement published on the RSF website, Coppin described the case as a matter of legitimate public interest. We are concerned that the sole aim of this hearing is to use the threat of prosecution to put pressure on these journalists to reveal their source, said Paul Coppin. As it is legally unable to force them to disclose the identity of their source, the prosecutors office is using the possibility of a charge of compromising national defence secrecy, a charge punishable by five years in prison and a fine of 75,000 euros [$83,750]. The mere fact of threatening such a prosecution for publishing information in the public interest would in itself constitute a serious violation of the publics right to be informed. Yemens civil war has killed or injured more than 17,900 civilians and triggered a famine that has taken the lives of an estimated 85,000 children. Campaigners have argued that arms supplied by other Western countries, including the United States and Britain, have been used by the Saudi-led coalition to commit human rights abuses as they fight against Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Follow us on FACEBOOK and TWITTER. Share your thoughts in our DISCUSSION FORUMS. Donate through Paypal. Please and thank you [Middle East Eye] Ecuadorans say Assange was rude to staff, damaged the embassy floors by skateboarding and smeared feces on the wall. More fundamentally, the Ecuadorians accused Assange of violating their asylum agreement by continuing to hack and interfere in the affairs of foreign countries. Two weeks ago, Assange was sentenced to nearly a year in prison for by a British judge who said it is difficult to envisage a more serious example" of violating bail. Apparently, the British government is in league with the Swedish government. Assanges alleged assault victims, the U.S. and now the Ecuadorian government. Sweden has announced plans to reopen the rape cases, which had been closed in 2017, because there was still probable cause to suspect that Assange was guilty, and hes now accessible. I hope hes prosecuted to that countrys fullest extent of the law. But if hes ever extradited to the U.S. to face charges related to aiding and encouraging Mannings theft of government secrets, I hope the prosecution does not add charges related to WikiLeaks publication of hacked information. My wish has nothing to do with Assange, who is little more than a narcissistic sneak and abettor of spies and an ungrateful one at that. I was reading the comments attached to a news story about public school teachers staging a rally in my home state of North Carolina (Come for the No. 34 ranking in nationwide teacher pay; stay for the barbecue) when it hit me: People really are idiots. Not all of yall. But I gotta give a shout-out to the laboratory-quality dumbbell who wrote and I am not making this up Teachers is paid enough. If they want more money, they should have went to school for something else. Yes. And maybe he shouldve gone to school a little longer. Or at all. You know those bumper stickers that say: If you can read this, thank a teacher? Yeah, I havent seen one in ages either. Of all the groups I wouldve considered safe from snark and, worse, vilification, it would be teachers. Admittedly, I have a dog in this fight. As the daughter of a public school teacher and the mother of a newly minted one who has signed on to work in a high-poverty school for the next two years, yeah, I have to say this shift in the national conversation is a head-scratcher at best and a head-in-the-oven at worst. A disabled dog named Ping Pong has become the pride of his village in north-east Thailand, after rescuing a baby boy who had been buried alive by his teenage mother. Ping Pong alerted local villagers to infants location by digging to expose the childs legs. Disabled dog rescues baby boy buried alive by teenage mother in Thailand. Picture by Thai television On Wednesday the canines sniffing and digging attracted the attention of farmers to a spot of ground in Ban Nong Kham village, in Cham Phuang district, north east of Bangkok. According to Ping Pongs owner, the dogs digging exposed the childs legs, prompting locals to haul the infant to safety. A 15-year-old girl, who has not been named, confessed to burying her baby and was charged with attempted murder. She said she had been scared of retribution from her father for getting pregnant. The girls family said they will look after the child, who was declared healthy after his rescue. Lieutenant colonel Panuwat Puttakam, of Cham Phuang police, said: The girl is now in the care of a psychologist and her parents because she is in great fear. She regrets what she did and said she acted on impulse without thinking it through. She feared her parents would find out she had been pregnant. The officer said that police were obliged to charge the girl with attempted murder, and that she would be questioned in the presence of child service workers. Six year-old Ping Pong, who only has use of three of his legs, was filmed lapping up the attention of his community following the rescue. His owner Usa Nisaika, 41, said he raised the dog from birth and confirmed that he was a very good boy. I heard a dog barking and a baby crying in a cassava plantation, so I went there to check, he told local media. The dog was digging up a dirt pile and the babys legs emerged. He added: Ping Pong was hit by a car, so hes disabled. But I kept him because hes so loyal and obedient, and always helps me out when I go into the fields to tend to my cattle. Hes loved by the entire village. Its amazing he found the baby. This Thai village has found his new superhero! Follow us on FACEBOOK and TWITTER. Share your thoughts in our DISCUSSION FORUMS. Donate through Paypal. Please and thank you [Guardian] The Pennington County Commission approved a haul route agreement Tuesday governing TC Energys use of county roads during the construction of the companys proposed Keystone XL crude-oil pipeline. The written agreement is the product of lengthy talks between the county and TC Energy, formerly known as TransCanada. The company has similar agreements with other counties for construction activities related to the proposed pipeline, which has yet to clear legal hurdles preventing the projects commencement. The pipeline would pass through western South Dakota en route from Canada to Nebraska. Terms of the agreement with Pennington County designate portions of Elm Springs Road and 1416/Liberty Boulevard as haul roads for the movement of TC Energys equipment, supplies and materials within the county. The agreement generally requires TC Energy to make any necessary improvements to the roads and to keep them in good condition through the end of the construction project. TC Energy has already said it will miss the 2019 construction season. Pennington County Highway Superintendent Joseph Miller said Tuesday that some pipeline pre-construction activities could occur this fall, with construction tentatively scheduled for next year. In other business conducted Tuesday at the County Administration Building, the commissioners: Heard a presentation from representatives of the Governors Office of Economic Development about a state program that awards sales and use tax dollars to counties for permitting livestock development projects. Approved a resolution to authorize refinancing, at a savings of $700,000, of some approximately 10-year-old debt from construction of the countys Administration Building. Approved the creation of 10 new positions for the countys new Care Campus, including detox technicians, counselors, a clinical supervisor and a nurse, all of which Sheriff Kevin Thom said will be funded by state treatment funds. Approved the writing of a letter of recommendation to support the Green Valley Sanitation Districts applications for state funds to install a sewer system. Approved, on a 3-2 vote with commissioners Mark DiSanto and Lloyd LaCroix voting no, the rezone of about 21 acres along U.S. Highway 16 at Rockerville from a general agriculture district to a highway service district, for applicant Borglum Historical Center Inc., which is registered to Duane Pankratz. Contact Seth Tupper at seth.tupper@rapidcityjournal.com You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 1 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Cannabis could come to the beach cities. This is how Mays weather has been miserably chilly and wet in Rapid City, but it has not been particularly historic at least not yet. As of midday Monday, downtown Rapid City was 0.18 inch below normal precipitation for the month. That was expected to change with 2 inches of snow predicted to begin falling overnight Monday and continue through today. Alzina Foscato, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Rapid City, said the consistently dreary and wet conditions this month have kept the ground moist and made May seem wetter than its actually been. Its kind of been a steady series of rains, but we havent seen too much heavy rain that would run off, she said. Its just been light stuff thats been able to soak into the ground. Another soaking is in progress. Light rain fell throughout much of the day Monday in Rapid City, and meteorologist Eric Helgeson, also of the NWS Rapid City office, said Rapid City could have the equivalent of about 3 inches of liquid precipitation after the rain and snow are done Wednesday morning. Helgeson said there could be 3-4 inches of variation in snowfall amounts across areas as near to each other as 5 miles. Some places above 5,000 feet of elevation in the Black Hills could end up with a foot of snowfall, after some of those spots already received several inches of snow over the weekend. The higher you are, the better chance there is of a whole pile of snow on your grass, Helgeson said. Those higher elevation areas were placed under a winter storm warning Monday that was expected to last through Wednesday morning, with a lull this afternoon. Rapid City and much of western South Dakota were placed under a flood watch that was expected to last through Wednesday night. In Rapid City, the bike path at Cambell Street was closed Monday due to higher water in Rapid Creek. Other previously closed areas of the bike path remained closed, including beneath the Mount Rushmore Road and Canyon Lake Drive bridges, and a stretch near the 4-H building at the Central States Fairgrounds. Helgeson does not expect much improvement in the weather anytime soon. Normal temperatures for May are around 67 degrees, but Helgeson said Rapid City will probably stay cooler than that through Memorial Day. The pattern were in doesnt look like it will change significantly for at least the next week or two, Helgeson said. Foscato said this weeks weather and any further cold and wet weather through the end of May could push the month upward in historical rankings. She said this years January-to-May period is on track to rank among the 10 coldest and snowiest such periods in Rapid City history. Late-May snowfall is unusual in Rapid City, Foscato said, but not unprecedented. She noted that Rapid City has had snow as late as June, including 3.2 inches on June 1-2, 1951, and 0.5 inch on June 13, 1969. Contact Seth Tupper at seth.tupper@rapidcityjournal.com You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. STURGIS | There were plenty of ideas bandied about Monday night when a group of Meade County residents and officials gathered to find a solution to the impending loss of ambulance service to about 4,000 residents who live in the southwest part of the county. The gathering in the loft of the Loud American Roadhouse in downtown Sturgis was another step in response to an April 15 decision by the Sturgis City Council to redraw service boundaries, drastically shrinking the area served by the city-owned Sturgis Ambulance Service because of budget shortfalls over the last several years. Suggestions for responding to the citys action ranged from doing nothing to voluntarily pledging money to fund an ambulance service, and holding a second election to form at least one tax district and a governing board to collect revenue to form either an independent ambulance service or contract with an existing one. Thats what were here for, to find a solution, said R.J. Ludwick, owner-operator of No Name City Campground east of Sturgis along with other businesses in town. He said approximately 1,150 homes in the affected areas would need to pay about $52 annually to come up with $60,000 needed to help address a yearly shortfall in funding for the Sturgis Ambulance Service. Permeating the atmosphere at the meeting was a healthy distrust of the citys claim of budget woes for its ambulance service. Sturgis City Manager Daniel Ainslie said the Sturgis ambulance operated at an estimated $85,000 deficit last year in spite of the city appropriating $100,000 for the service in each of the last five years. Ainslie has said another $100,000 yearly will be needed to buy new ambulances as the current fleet of six reaches mileage maximums. Do nothing. Call their bluff, one woman said of the Sturgis City Councils unanimous vote to end ambulance service for areas of southwest Meade County on July 15, just a few days before hundreds of thousands of visitors come to western South Dakota in August for the Sturgis motorcycle rally. Thats our first option, do nothing, Ludwick said. I dont think any of us want that. After July 15, the Sturgis Ambulance Service would provide service within the city limits of Sturgis, the Fort Meade VA Medical Center, National Forest land to the south of the city, Bureau of Land Management areas and segments of Interstate 90 to the west and east of Sturgis. Other northern and eastern areas of expansive Meade County are served by other ambulance districts, including Newell, Faith and Enning, with southern areas of the county served by Piedmont and Rapid City, and small portions served by Wall and Ellsworth Air Force Base. Residents in those areas either pay a yearly fee to support their volunteer ambulance service, or in the case of Piedmont, pay a levy governed by a tax district. Meade County paid for an unsuccessful election in December to begin forming a pair of fire and ambulance districts for precincts now facing the loss of their ambulance service. Commissioner Rod Bradley, one of two county board members in attendance Monday night, said a renewed effort to look at establishing a tax district could persuade the city council to revert to the ambulance services original boundaries, at least for the near term. But the city wants a stable long-term funding source for the ambulance service, he said. They dont want to kick the can down the street, Bradley said. They want a long-term solution. Based on information from the city finance office, Bradley said, a petition calling for an ambulance tax district election would need to be filed by July 5, to be certified by the county on July 9. The election would be on Nov. 5, and if successful, another vote for a district board of trustees would be on Dec. 5. Gathering revenues for a new ambulance service or to contract with an existing service could take up to two years. Commissioner Talbot Wieczorek discounted a suggestion to draw from the countys general fund to fund an ambulance service. The county is not going to do it for one piece of the county when other parts of the county are doing it for themselves, he said. Wieczorek also said a call by Citizens For Fair Emergency Services, in a letter to commissioners demanding an independent forensic audit of the Sturgis Ambulance Service to determine accurate call, cost, staff and billing information, would be expensive. The county cant force the city to do an audit, he said. No action was taken nor new meeting date set, but Ludwick said he hopes to put together a working group from a list of names gathered during the meeting to continue to seek a solution for the fast-approaching loss of ambulance service. Ludwick said he was heartened by the attendance and ideas put forth Monday night. "Obviously we can't solve this tonight, but we needed a direction," Ludwick said. "That's why we had this meeting." You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The dominant narrative in the news is that our president is a crazy man and a fool and everything is filtered through that lens. To hear the media tell it, we shouldnt be a viable nation at all. This is troubling because theres another narrative running through the Sunday talk shows and deep in the back pages of major news magazines. This narrative holds that President Trump is a rough and tumble guy whos been moving major policy initiatives forward against opposition from the Democrats. President Trump is a sucker and an idiot, the pundits say, for muffing the China trade deal. We were apparently doing just fine with China the way things stood under his predecessors. The Chinese were stealing our software and our codes, copying our high tech and hardware and had an open door to our patent office, and that was great. Why rock the boat? The back narrative says we were being played for suckers, that the Chinese were robbing us lock, stock and barrel for a handful of silver. It made me wonder if I was hearing things. Apparently, President Trump is the only guy in the White House in modern memory who has a business background. Thats important because he knows how to play hardball with people who were having their way with our earnest but ignorant, past bureaucratic administrators who had no experience doing the hard work, the risk-taking, and the bluffing that have to happen to get other business people to play ball. Mr. Obamas credentials were a lifetime in NGOs and government. So, when he was being shaken down by the Chinese and Mexicans and Iranians, he didnt understand what was happening and had no experience and knowledge to respond. If everybody would just get along, things would be fine; sort of a Rodney King model of trade relations. It seems that the president is not OK with the trade deals made by people with no trade deal savvy. Hes rewriting those agreements. We will have to pay more for cars and manufactured goods. We may find it cheaper to start building stuff at home. The Chinese manufactured more steel than all the other nations put together in order to crash everyone elses steel industry and force other nations to come to China for steel. So, President Trump is taking action that may kick start steel in America. Farmers will have to adjust to the tariffs on soybeans, but the government is going to supplement their incomes, so theyll be alright. The point is, President Trump is not an idiot whatever his other failings. Hes got a strong family and a great sense of the art of the possible. Hes actually talking to North Korea. CNN says he blew the North Korea nuclear deal, but thats just hogwash. He started the deal in the first place. The worst case would be no deal, which is exactly where we started. The best case is a major change in our combined nuclear safety, worldwide. Then theres the Iranian deal. President Obama, due no doubt to his lack of experience and his willingness to believe our enemies to just get along, was funding the Iranian fight against us and Israel. President Trump stopped paying them and the Iranians are protesting. I get it. Id rather have them mad than happy with us paying them millions. Its safer to take out their nuclear facilities than to fund their war of conquest in the Middle East. President Trump should get credit where credit is due. His record at this point is at least as good as Reagans. 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 The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, produces, distributes, and markets gas in Hong Kong and Mainland China. It is involved in the provision of liquefied natural gas, methanol, and coal and other chemicals; conversion and utilization of biomass, and industrial and agricultural waste; and operation of natural gas refilling stations, piped city-gas projects, upstream and midstream developments, water and wastewater treatment projects, energy exploration and utilization ventures, and aviation fuel facilities. The company supplies town gas to approximately 1.9 million customers. It also provides network connectivity, and data center and cloud computing services; and engages in the software development, solution implementation, and systems integration activities. In addition, the company offers consultancy and engineering contractor services, including utilities installation, infrastructure construction, and civil and building services engineering for public and private projects; and designs and manufactures gas meters and metering systems. Further, it is involved in water supply and wastewater treatment serving 2.4 million customers. Additionally, the company manufactures polyethylene piping and fittings; and engages in the customers center, cafA, restaurant, retail sale, automatic meter reading system development, laboratory testing, payment gateway and related, project management, landfill gas project, financing, logistics, oil, research and development, property development, and securities investment activities. The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited was founded in 1862 and is headquartered in North Point, Hong Kong. Read More After months of games of high-stakes brinkmanship, Trump has ended tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico, marking the first time the iconoclastic president has actually backed down on protection once it has been imposed. Trumps administration imposed a 25 percent levy on imported steel and 10 percent on aluminum last March arguing cheap imports were a national security threat and were decimating whole communities. Canada and Mexico are expected to reciprocate by lifting retaliatory tariffs imposed on American products. The president is usually not this charitable, with a reworked trade deal with South Korea last year resulting in tariffs being replaced with quotas which were just as punitive. Washington was actually pushing for a similar quotas-for-tariffs swap with the two nations but they stood their ground. The administration has also announced it will postpone the decision on whether to impose tariffs on car and automobile part imports for six months. Why has Trump backed off? (Click to enlarge) The cop-out has taken many by surprise given how vocal the no-holds-barred president has been about making sure America gets back its pound of flesh from predatory trade partners. There are several possible reasons for his sudden change in tact. First off, its likely that the president has decided he has enough on his plate already. The U.S. is embroiled in a big trade war with China, and escalating it by taking on its North American neighbors as well as the EU at the same time while hoping to come out unscathed might be a tad naive. Related: Rise Of EVs Signals Peak Gasoline Second, Trump might have finally come to the realization that those types of trade barriers rarely work as intended. The president has in the past called the tariffs a big win for the country, saying they had helped revive U.S. steel and aluminum industries and created thousands of new jobs. Yet, evidence for the same is tenuous or mixed at best. American steel manufacturers did receive an initial boost with the New York Times reporting that dozens of steel companies had re-opened or made new investments courtesy of the tariffs. The bounty though was only short-lived with steel prices rapidly falling back to pre-tariff levels. Shares of steel companies have been beaten up pretty badly over the past few years and Trumps tariffs have done little to change the situation. The one thing the tariffs undoubtedly achieved was a deterioration in relations between America and its closest neighbors. Lifting the tariffs will help repair frayed ties with two of its top allies especially since the three countries have agreed to drop their World Trade Organization trade disputes. Yet, Trumps sudden magnanimity might actually prove self-serving. U.S. lawmakers from both parties have severally warned that the tariffs would hinder attempts to ratify a new trade deal between the three neighbors on Capitol Hill. Ending the tariffs clears a major hurdle to the ratification of the NAFTA replacement, USMCA (U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement), in all three countries. Granted, removal of the metal tariffs is just one of several pre-conditions for USMCA to finally see the light of day. Nevertheless, the president has just improved the odds of overseeing a signature trade deal he will no doubt love to tout during his 2020 reelection campaign. Costly experiment Ultimately, the steel and aluminum tariffs have proven a futile and costly experiment in protectionism. Trumps administration has not fully given up on protecting its metals industry altogether and can still re-apply them if deemed necessary. Nevertheless, the boilerplate safeguard language in the agreement simply is a well-established provision found in most trade agreements that allows a country to temporarily reimpose protection whenever a surge in imports threatens to injure domestic industries. Moreover, it limits retaliation to only the affected sectors. Definitely looks like a step in the right direction. By Alex Kimani for SafeHaven.com More Top Reads From Safehaven.com Accused of failing to observe good cybersecurity hygiene, multinational telecommunication equipment manufacturer, Huawei, has become the biggest collateral damage in fisticuffs between the worlds two leading economies. Last week, the U.S. Commerce Dept. said it had added Huawei to the dreaded Entity List, which was quickly followed by an executive order by President Trump that banned the company from doing business with U.S. companies on security grounds. Left with little choice, U.S. tech companies rapidly distanced themselves from the telecom pariah with semiconductor players Intel, Qualcomm, Micron, Xilinx, Broadcom, Qorvo and Western Digital cutting of their chip supplies. German chip maker, Infineon, also said it was temporarily halting shipments to assess compliance requirements. As if that was not already bad enough, Google on Sunday dealt Huawei a potentially lethal blow after withdrawing its Android license with terse one-liner saying it all: "We are complying with the order and reviewing the implications." Android is by far the most popular mobile operating system, powering nearly 4-out-of-5 smartphones globally. The withdrawal would effectively have cut off Huawei from critical chip supplies as well as a host of essential Google apps and services that consumers expect on their Android devicesif the government had not immediately changed its mind. Huawei though can still count itself lucky after Commerce Dept. granted its chip and component suppliers a 90-day reprieve during which time they will be able to do business with the company through Aug. 20. (Click to enlarge) Source: StatCounter What the restrictions could mean for Huawei Huawei is no stranger to controversy, with U.S. and EU watchdogs in the past accusing it of cyber-espionage and using illegal backdoors on its telecom gear to spy on target companies. Last year, the U.S. charged Meng Wanzhou, Huawei CFO and daughter of Huawei founder and president Ren Zhengfei, with stealing U.S. trade secrets. Yet, the latest ban could prove to be by far the most extensive and damaging from Huaweis standpointif nothing is worked out over the next three months. But just how bad is the potential damage? For starters, existing Huawei smartphones are unlikely to be affectedat least temporarilywith popular services such as Google Play and its security protections continuing to function as normal. Related: Trump Lifts Metals Tariffs To Cool Simmering Trade War Second, Huawei says the temporary export restrictions are meaningless [ to it] since it has been stockpiling chips in anticipation of a crackdown. Unlike ZTE, which went into meltdown when it faced a similar ban by the U.S. last year, Huawei has some internal manufacturing capacity thanks to its HiSilicon fabs. But thats about where the tough talk comes to an end. The company remains heavily reliant on U.S. software and hardware. Going forward, the worlds second largest smartphone manufacturer will be restricted to only using Android Open Source Project (AOSP) in future smartphones. This leaves buyers of the companys smartphones in a precarious position because the company will only be able to push security updates for the open-source system only when they become availablemeaning ceding control of a key component to third-parties. Of course, Huawei could simply develop its own mobile OS. In fact, the company claimed as much as way back as 2012. But judging by how the technological graveyard is littered with OSes that once looked promisingWindows 10 Mobile, Firefox OS, BlackBerry 10, Ubuntu Touch and webOS among otherstheres no guarantee that Huaweis would fare any better. Further, even rather successful operating systems like Samsungs Tizen and Sailfish OS, developed by an ex-Nokia employee, have not escaped the Android-clone label due to having optional Android runtimes though with poorer compatibility for apps that require Google APIs. Huawei could also simply decide to only develop smartphones for its internal market where these restrictions do not apply. But for a company making half its 200 million smartphones annual sales in external markets at some of the highest ASPs in the Android world--thats gravy train its not about to hop out of without a fight. (Click to enlarge) Source: XDA Developers Huaweis fledgling PC OEM business is likely to fare better since its CPU-manufacturing segment, HiSilicon, does not rely on Intels x86-64 product lines. If push comes to shove, Huawei could resort to China-targeted distributions such as Ubuntu Kylin or even ARM64 builds of that distribution. However, expecting a dominant smartphone seller to suddenly embrace open-source requires a stretch of the imagination. The damage is done Ultimately, over time, even in the event that the impasse remains unresolved and Google and Huawei chip suppliers go ahead with the restrictions, Huawei might still be able to able to obviate some of the worst effects of the ban given that IC design and wafer shipment tends to be highly interconnected throughout the world. But make no mistake about: both sides would end up with a bloody nose. Last year, U.S. technology exports to China totaled $17.9 billion. According to a Monday report by non-partisan think tank, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), total export controls under consideration by the U.S. could mean U.S. firms losing $14.1 billion to $56.3 billion and anywhere from 18,000 to 74,000 jobs. By Alex Kimani for SafeHaven.com More Top Reads From Safehaven.com " " Many conspiracy theorists and doomsday prophets believe in the existence of distant planet Nibiru, and that the orbital path of the passing planet will eventually bring destruction to Earth. NASA Doomsday prophecies often can find receptive ears. Sure they're grim, but for various reasons, some people actually take comfort in apocalyptic predictions. That doesn't, however, make these prophecies true. A lot of widespread ideas about end times rely on faulty science and nonexistent "evidence." Take the Nibiru cataclysm. It's perhaps one of the worst doomsday offenders. Most believers say that Nibiru is a mysterious planet that orbits the sun, completing a new trip around the star every 3,600 Earth years. And supposedly, planet Nibiru is on a collision course with us. The story goes that Nibiru will someday crash into our home world or, failing that, get close enough to trigger a mass outbreak of natural disasters that'll destroy civilization as we know it. Don't worry; Nibiru is pure fiction. If it was real, there'd be traces of its gravitational influence all over the solar system. No such clues exist. Besides, any planet with Nibiru's alleged orbit likely would've kissed our sun goodbye ages ago, leaving mankind in peace. Advertisement In the Beginning ... Nibiru entered the public consciousness in 1976 with the publication of "The 12th Planet" by Zecharia Sitchin. We should note that Sitchin himself didn't believe Nibiru posed any immediate threat to mankind. On the contrary, he thought it was linked to the creation of our species. Yeah, there's a lot to unpack here. The late Sitchin was a journalist and a student of Sumerian cuneiform ancient writings of Mesopotamia and Persia mainly on clay tablets. Somewhere down the line, he became convinced that Homo sapiens are not the product of natural selection at least, not entirely. According to his ( questionable) interpretations of ancient Mesopotamian texts and inscriptions, the first humans were bio-engineered by some aliens called the Annunaki, who once colonized southeastern Africa. Sitchin claimed these beings hailed from a place called Nibiru, a hitherto-undiscovered planet. His writings state that Nibiru approaches Earth once every 3,600 years and then retreats to the depths of space. "The 12th Planet" and Sitchin's follow-up books were never taken seriously by scientists or historians, but they sold millions of copies nonetheless. As for Nibiru, it was destined to become an object of fear. Starting in the mid-1990s, the imaginary Nibiru was incorporated into a slew of doomsday and conspiracy theories. One psychic decided to warn mankind that Nibiru would fly past us in the year 2003, causing mass destruction en route. Obviously, this didn't happen. But Nibiru kept making headlines. Many proponents of the faux 2012 apocalypse thought Nibiru was going to strike Earth that December, vindicating their beliefs about the Mayan calendar. More recently, in 2017, some Christian fundamentalists declared that Nibiru or a similar object was fast approaching and would soon herald the apocalypse. Advertisement Sayonara, Solar System! Let's take this opportunity to try and put some minds at ease. To recap, Nibiru supposedly has an orbital period of 3,600 Earth years. On its face, that claim seems plausible. After all, it takes the minor planet Sedna (which actually exists) an incredible 11,400 Earth years to finish one trip around our sun. But Sedna gives the sun a wide berth. Astronomers and planetary scientists use astronomical units, or AUs, to measure some of the vast distances in the cosmos. One AU is equal to about 93 million miles (150 million kilometers), which is the average distance between Earth and the sun. Even at its closest point to the sun, Sedna is 76 AUs away from the life-giving star putting it in the outer solar system and far beyond the planets Uranus and Neptune, and the much-maligned Pluto. Yet Nibiru is supposed to make regular forays into the inner solar system, which is the domain of Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. Using these criteria, Bruce McClure at Earthsky.org calculated that the far end of Nibiru's orbital path would be about 469 AUs away from the sun. So in the span of 3,600 years, poor old Nibiru would have to travel all the way from planet Earth to this very distant location and back. To stay on schedule, the planet would need a ridiculously narrow, almost stick-shaped orbit. And Nibiru would be moving really, really fast. As it passed by the Earth, we'd expect such an object to have a dizzying travel speed of 26.1 miles per second (42.1 kilometers per second). That spells trouble. A planet cruising at such a high velocity and along such an unstable orbit would be at risk of getting ejected out of the solar system entirely. Bye, Felicia! Advertisement The Gravity of the Situation OK, so what would happen if Nibiru actually stayed the course and maintained its weird orbit around the sun? Well, if that were the case, we'd have found telltale evidence. Long before Neptune was discovered in 1846, astronomers suspected there might be a large planet in its general vicinity. Why? Because observers noticed that Uranus which was first sighted in 1781 kept deviating from its expected orbit. Mathematicians hypothesized that this was because a nearby planet was influencing Uranus. Lo and behold, these predictions were spot-on. The mystery planet turned out to be the gas giant we now call Neptune. Likewise, if Nibiru was real, its influence on the other planets in our solar system would be plain to see. And if as many apologists claim Nibiru was a giant planet Jupiter-sized or bigger, that influence would be all the more obvious because massive planets exert strong gravitational pulls. Today, all the planets from Venus to Neptune orbit the sun on the same general plane (give or take a few degrees). But according to astronomer David Morrison, if a Nibiru-esque body was careening past Earth every 3,600 years, its gravity would've driven at least some of those planets way off the plane leaving them with severely tilted orbital pathways. (Also, spare a thought for Earth's natural satellite. Nibiru would have presumably stolen our moon away by now.) Advertisement Seeing Is Believing Finally, there's the issue of direct observation or, more accurately, the lack thereof. Astronomers would be able to detect Nibiru several years before it reached Earth. And several months prior to the wayward planet's arrival, it'd shine brighter than some of the stars that are currently visible to the naked eye. But nobody's ever seen the prophesized planet, amateur astronomers or otherwise, and there's no scientific evidence to think that anyone ever will. The jury is in: Nibiru's just a hoax. NOW THAT'S INTERESTING On new age websites, the term "Planet X" is sometimes used interchangeably with "Nibiru." But they aren't synonyms. "Planet X" is a label that scientists occasionally give to theoretical planets (and similar bodies) whose existence has yet to be proven. Pluto once went by this title. Advertisement Originally Published: May 21, 2019 RP tech India has signed up an exclusive distribution partnership with Colorful Technology Company Limited. Headquartered in China, Colorful is a leading manufacturer of graphics cards, motherboards and high-performance storage solutions. With this collaboration, RP tech India has become the exclusive distribution partner and service provider for Colorful Graphics Cards, which are designed using NVIDIA GPUs of GT, GTX & RTX Series to offer seamless gaming experience. Colorful enhances the user experience with its proprietary Silver Plate, One-key OC and I-game Pure Power technology. Commenting on the collaboration with Colorful, Mr. Rajesh Goenka, Director, Sales and Marketing, said, We are very pleased to bring Colorful in India. Colorful is the # No 1 brand in China and we are excited to offer their cutting edge solutions in the Indian market. Talking about the distribution roadmap for Colorful, Mr. Goenka said, RP tech India is very bullish over the booming Gaming business and we will leverage this opportunity to grow the Colorful business across the Metros and Non-Metros locations. Simultaneously, we will focus on brand awareness and visibility through various channel engagement and marketing campaigns. Highlighting the value proposition RP tech India offers to Colorful, Mr. Wei Luo, General Manager, Sales, said, The collaboration of Colorful and RP tech India is a wonderful decision. RP tech India is a successful company with a long history rooted in the Indian market. They have the know-how knowledge and solid foundation, which we believe could help Colorful take the first step in India. Most importantly, we share the common mission, which is to bring the premium quality products and services to customers. Talking about the go-to-market and channel strategy, Mr. Luo said that Colorful would collaborate with RP tech India to conduct various marketing activities and channel engagement programs to enhance brand awareness in the country. Marketing investment is very important for Colorful to expand business and visibility. We will join hands with RP tech India to conduct various marketing activities to enhance Colorful brand awareness in industry. We will highlight our strengths at an early stage as both Colorful and RP tech India are very strong in channel management and sales power. We are also open to exploring more opportunities and co-operations with them. Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Vamsi Krishna, Consumer Marketing Head, NVIDIA said, We are excited to have Colorful enter the Indian market as India is starting to become a serious gaming entity thats recognized in the world stage and Colorfuls entry in the country further exemplifies this fact. India, being the youngest country with almost 64 per cent population in the working age group, offers huge growth prospects to the Gaming industry. The growing influence of Gamers, increase in disposable income and growing awareness about professional gaming are fueling the growth of the industry. The Gaming/ Internet Cafe and Do-it-Yourself (DIY) are the two main segments that are developing rapidly and generating demand for gaming hardware solutions, especially in graphics cards. Colorful, NVIDIA and RP tech India are bullish over this market opportunity. If you have a problem with a stock brokerage firm, either as an investor or a financial professional, call Sallah Astarita & Cox, LLC Let's find out if our attorneys, who are former SEC Enforcement attorneys and broker-dealer counsel, can help you. A recent MuddyWater campaign tracked as BlackWater shows that the APT group added new anti-detection techniques to its arsenal. Security experts at Cisco Talos attributed the recently spotted campaign tracked as BlackWater to the MuddyWater APT group (aka SeedWorm and TEMP.Zagros). The researchers also pointed out that the cyber espionage group has been updating its tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) by adding three distinct steps to their operations to avoid the detection. The first MuddyWater campaign was observed in late 2017 when targeted entities in the Middle East. The experts called the campaign MuddyWater due to the confusion in attributing a wave of attacks that took place between February and October 2017 targeting entities in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Georgia, India, Pakistan, Turkey, and the United States to date. The group evolved over the years by adding new attack techniques to its arsenal. In March 2018, experts at FireEye uncovered a massive phishing campaign conducted by the TEMP.Zagros group targeting Asia and Middle East regions from January 2018 to March 2018. Attackers used weaponized documents typically having geopolitical themes, such as documents purporting to be from the National Assembly of Pakistan or the Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology. In June 2018, Trend Micro researchers discovered a new attack relying on weaponized Word documents and PowerShell scripts that appears related to the MuddyWater APT. The final payload delivered in the campaign is the PRB- BackdoorRAT , it was controlled by the command and control (C&C) server at outl00k [ . ] net. This campaign aims at installing a PowerShell-based backdoor onto the victims machine for espionage purposes. As part of the recent BlackWater campaign, the MuddyWater APT group leveraged an obfuscated Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) macro script to add a Run registry key and gain persistence. Then the attackers used a PowerShell stager script masquerade as a red-teaming tool that would download a PowerShell-based Trojan from a C2 server. The stager download from the C2 a component of the FruityC2 agent script, an open-source framework on GitHub, that uses to enumerate the host machine. This could allow the threat actor to monitor web logs and determine whether someone uninvolved in the campaign made a request to their server in an attempt to investigate the activity. reads the analysis published by Talos group. Once the enumeration commands would run, the agent would communicate with a different C2 and send back the data in the URL field. This would make host-based detection more difficult, as an easily identifiable errors.txt file would not be generated. The cyberspies also used to replace some variable strings in the more recent samples to avoid signature-based detection from Yara rules. Attackers used a document that once was opened, it prompted the user to enable the macro titled BlackWater . bas. They protected the macro with a password to prevent user to view it in Visual Basic. The Blackwater.bas macro was obfuscated using a substitution cipher whereby the characters are replaced by their corresponding integer. This series of commands first sent a server hello message to the C2, followed by a subsequent hello message every 300 seconds. An example of this beacon is hxxp://82[.]102[.]8[.]101:80/bcerrxy.php?rCecms=BlackWater. continues the analysis. Notably, the trojanized documents macro was also called BlackWater, and the value BlackWater was hard coded into the PowerShell script. Next, the script would enumerate the victims machine Experts conclude that even if the changes implemented by the threat actor were minimal, they were significant enough to avoid detection and to allow the group to continue to perform operations. If you appreciate my effort in spreading cybersecurity awareness, please vote for Security Affairs in the section Your Vote for the Best EU Security Tweeter Thank you Pierluigi Paganini (SecurityAffairs MuddyWater, APT) Share this... Linkedin Share this: Twitter Print LinkedIn Facebook More Tumblr Pocket Share On Significant collection of significant former federal prosecutors write to Senators to oppose SSA | Main | Despite execution problems elsewhere, Texas poised to carry out another death sentence on Tuesday May 12, 2014 Form, function and finality of sentences through history: the Founding Era As explained here, I am "celebrating" the official publication of my new article titled "Re-Balancing Fitness, Fairness, and Finality for Sentences" (which is available in full via this SSRN link) through a series of posts exploring sentence finality doctrines and practice. As explained in this prior post, a central theme of my piece is that different conceptual, policy, and practical considerations are implicated when a defendant seeks only review and reconsideration of his final sentence and does not challenge his underlying conviction. This theme is developed descriptively in the first part of my article as I showcase (perhaps too briefly) how the forms and functions of different punishment systems throughout US history provide different frameworks for the legal and practical relationship between conviction finality and sentence finality. I recount this historical story (too quickly) in three parts in my paper discussing separately the Founding, Rehabilitative and Modern Eras and will use three blog posts to set out this story here. Starting with the Founding Era, here are some of my article's observations: The distinct nature of sentencing and punishment in the Founding Era adds additional dimensions to the finality story in early American criminal justice systems. At Americas founding, differentiating between convictions and sentences was largely unknown because a defendants conviction and sentence were generally one and the same. As the Supreme Court has explained, during this period the substantive criminal law tended to be sanction-specific; it prescribed a particular sentence for each offense [and a] judge was meant simply to impose that sentence. This eras invariable linkage of punishment with crime meant that there were generally no special sentencing doctrines or court proceedings distinct from the doctrines and procedures that attended traditional criminal trials. The early history of American law, in other words, did not generally distinguish between convictions and sentences for any purpose, let alone with respect to how these two components of a criminal judgment ought to be treated for finality purposes. [In addition,] until the development of penitentiaries in the mid-nineteenth century, the capital and corporal punishments typically employed in early America were completed upon imposition and thus beyond review or reconsideration once imposed. After a convicted criminal defendant was executed or banished or pilloried or whipped or placed in the public stocks, there were no practical means or opportunity to review or modify the imposed sanction. An executed or banished defendant was, obviously, no longer present in the community to seek reconsideration of either his conviction or sentence; a defendant who was whipped or subject to other public corporal punishment could not have reversed or modified the pain or shame he experienced after such a sanction was first imposed. Prior posts in this series: May 12, 2014 at 12:36 PM | Permalink TrackBack TrackBack URL for this entry: https://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83451574769e201a3fd06f548970b Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Form, function and finality of sentences through history: the Founding Era: Comments Doug, you do not distinguish between correction plans and sentences. A sentence is the fixed part of a correction plan; i.e., deprivations used to penalize and punish. Once established, they do not change. Those parts of a correction plan that are not fixed are variable; i.e., deprivations used for risk control and risk reduction.The facts upon which these parts of a correction plan are based do change. Posted by: Tom McGee | May 12, 2014 1:16:24 PM What about damage awards? Could a spouse, e.g., get something for a wrongful conviction? If corporal punishment was wrongly applied and it affected livelihood? etc. And, why should banishment block reconsideration? Did they have to be present to bring a claim? For instance, let's say a person had cause to return in respect to his business. If the banishment was wrongful, was there no route of redress? Did the feds banish people from territories? A person would still be present in the country even if they could not enter a territory. Isn't part of the "shame" that one is a criminal? A wrongful whipping would be shameful to some extent, but if they had an official judgment it was wrongful, I'd think it much less so long term. BTW, interesting discussion of a lecture over at SCOTUSBlog, including a reference to slaves being appointed counsel in Missouri for freedom suits. Posted by: Joe | May 12, 2014 1:51:12 PM I am not sure I understand your distinction, Tom. Let's focus on, for example, the current federal sentencing system for an average federal crack defendant (who we can call Cracky). According to USSC data, which the "average sentence length for crack cocaine traffickers was 96 months" (8 years) in FY 2013, plus a couple additional years of supervised release. So let's say this is what Cracky gets for his average crack offense sentenced sometime in 2013. Based on good behavior, Cracky could get up to 15% off his prison sentence and end up, in fact, spending less than 7 years of his 8 years sentence behind bars. But, based on bad behavior as judged by corrections officials and probation officials, Cracky might not only have to serve a full 8 years, but might also have his supervised release revoked and get sentenced (by a judge) to serve another few years in prison. Based on your terminology, what is Cracky's "sentence" and what is his "correction plan"? I think most folks would say his "sentence" is what was announced at his sentencing: 96 months in prison plus a couple years of supervised release. And that is what I generally mean when I say "sentence." But your comment makes me think you have a distinct definition. Just trying to understand your terminology and to see how it applies to modern federal sentencing. Posted by: Doug B. | May 12, 2014 4:45:11 PM You raise great points, Joe, and I would love to see a historical review of the issues you raise. The point of the very cursory (and arm-chair) bit of legal history in my article was not to try to provide a full account of these matters, but rather to just provide a bit of historical perspective (which I find intriguing) on how sentence finality issues look(ed) quite different when prison terms are not the standard form of punishment. Posted by: Doug B. | May 12, 2014 5:36:14 PM Doug, Im sorry for the lack of clarity in my comment. The current federal sentencing system does not make this distinction between correction plans and sentences, but looking ahead, it should. It seems to me that the system should focus on correcting the problem, which is a persons antisocial behavior. To do this the state must make a plan and then match the components of that plan with the components of a correction program as closely as possible. The aim of such a plan is to shape the behavior choices of the offender. It has several components. Two of them are fixed, a penalty for having committed a crime and punishment, which is the states response to the fact that that crime was the core part of a criminal offense. These components do not change, because the facts upon which they are based do not change once established. Both are manifestations of the problem. A sentence is the fixed part of a correction plan. In addition the plan should include a risk control component and risk reduction component, both of which are responses to the fact that the person in question is a criminal offender who has a substantial risk of committing another crime. This provocation is also a manifestation of the problem. The facts upon which risk are based do change over time. So what we have is an argument that has two premises and a conclusion, all of which are manifestations of the problem. When activated by a finding of guilt or plea, the person in question is placed in jeopardy and the planning process goes forward. Plea-bargaining is appropriate with respect to the penalty and punishment components because the facts upon which they are based do not change once established. But plea-bargaining is unworkable with respect to risk because it factual basis is changeable. I believe the current system has run wild because it is focused on priming the jeopardy argument, which is an understandable concern of most lawyers, rather than upon correcting the problem. What we call a sentence is just the fixed part of a correction plan. To get back on track we need some agreement about what constitutes a correction plan, and the role that sentencing plays in its formulation. Posted by: Tom McGee | May 12, 2014 6:18:06 PM I appreciate it. Just take it in that spirit. Posted by: Joe | May 13, 2014 9:56:18 AM Doug, after checking my comment yesterday, I see that I did not answer your question directly. Yes, I agree that Crakey was "sentenced" as you described. The difficulty here is that this "sentence" was the state's response to a heuristic question. When people are confronted by difficult questions they often answer easier heuristic questions. Daniel Kahneman describes it this way. "The technical definition of heuristic is a simple procedure that helps find adequate, though often imperfect answers to difficult questions." The difficult question here is how shall the state respond to a person's antisocial behavior? The heuristic question is what shall the state do when someone commits a crime? Heuristic answers are often biased. That is certainly the case with most sentences. They are either determinate or indeterminate, when in fact the state's responses to a person's antisocial behavior should be both, as I described in my earlier comment. The alternative is to make a life-space plan for each offender, then match the components of that plan with the components of a program. Plans of this kind put all of the state's correctional objectives on the table in each case, rather than being one sided. The so-called sentencing revolution that started in the 1970's chose to dumb-down the problem; to take the heuristic route. The result has been disastrous. Posted by: Tom McGee | May 13, 2014 12:48:30 PM Post a comment New commentary highlights why DOJ's new clemency initiative is not enough of a good thing | Main | Federal judge splits the difference in sentencing former SAC money manager to 3.5 years May 16, 2014 Form, function and finality of sentences through history: the Modern Era As explained here, I am "celebrating" the official publication of my new article titled "Re-Balancing Fitness, Fairness, and Finality for Sentences" (which is available in full via this SSRN link) through a series of posts exploring sentence finality doctrines and practice. And, as set forth in this prior post, a central theme of my piece is that different conceptual, policy, and practical considerations are implicated when a defendant seeks only review and reconsideration of his final sentence and does not challenge his underlying conviction. As noted in prior posts, my theme is developed descriptively in the first part of my article as I showcase (perhaps too briefly) how the forms and functions of different punishment systems throughout US history provide different frameworks for the legal and practical relationship between conviction finality and sentence finality. In this post, I will reprint my article's final historical observations about sentence finality during the "Modern Era" stretching from the the 1970s through today. At the start of this period, U.S. sentencing philosophies, policies, and practices changed dramatically. Legislatures through this period have embraced determinate sentencing laws that require prison sentences for most offenses and require very lengthy prison terms for nearly all serious offenses and repeat offenders. These modern sentencing realities, in turn, has considerably changed the nature and stakes of issues surrounding sentence finality: [Modern incarceration] statistics suggest there may now be more individuals condemned to die in Americas prisons based on their current final sentences than the total prison population in the 1960s when courts and scholars began earnestly discussing the importance of finality for criminal judgments. As explained before, the then-prevailing practices of indeterminate sentencing and parole entailed that the vast majority of 300,000 persons incarcerated in 1970 could take comfort in the then-prevailing reality that the duration of and justification for their ongoing prison terms would be regularly reviewed and reconsidered by corrections officials. Today, in sharp contrast, the majority of the 2.25 million incarcerated individuals in the United States cope with the now-prevailing reality that their prison sentences are fixed and final and not subject to any regularized means of review or reconsideration for any purposes. In sum, the transformation of the sentencing enterprise and embrace of mandatory sentencing schemes throughout the United States over the past four decades has been remarkable and remarkably consequential for the considerable number of offenders sentenced to significant terms of imprisonment. The highly discretionary indeterminate sentencing systems that had been dominant for a century have been replaced by an array of sentencing structures that govern and control sentencing decisionmaking. Most pertinent to the topic of this Essay, prison sentences that had for more than a century been defined by a lack of finality are now fixed and final in the vast majority of all serious criminal cases at the moment they are announced by a sentencing judge. Consequently, two centuries of U.S. criminal justice experience in which sentence finality was not a distinct concern has given way, due to dramatic changes in sentencing laws, policies, and practices, to a modern era of mass and massive terms of incarceration that makes the treatment of final sentences arguably the most important issue for hundreds of thousands of current prisoners and for the tens of thousands more defendants being sentenced to lengthy prison terms each year throughout the United States. Sentence finality, in short, has gone from being a non-issue to being arguably one of the most important issues in modern American criminal justice systems. Prior posts in this series: May 16, 2014 at 11:16 AM | Permalink TrackBack TrackBack URL for this entry: https://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83451574769e201a511b9ce94970c Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Form, function and finality of sentences through history: the Modern Era: Comments Doug, i would call the era that ended in the 1970's the Idealistic Era. It was concerned with more then just rehabilitation. I would call the era we are now leaving the Simple-Minded Era. It has been based on a dumbed-down understanding of the problem. Hopefully we are moving into a Realistic Era, where a sensible correction plan will be made in each case. Posted by: Tom McGee | May 16, 2014 5:16:22 PM It might be worth mentioning that in many European and civil law countries there is a constitutional right for persons incarcerated for a particular offense to benefit from any subsequent reduction in the sentences for that offense. So, for example, if someone was sentenced to 15 years for possession of crack cocaine and five years later the maximum sentence for the offense was reduced to five years, that person would be entitled to immediate release of right as a matter of constitutional law. Posted by: ohwilleke | May 16, 2014 6:45:40 PM Post a comment How do we reconcile Senator Jeff Sessions' vocal support for the FSA and strong opposition to the SSA? | Main | "Federal Judges Are Cutting Rich Tax Cheats Big Sentencing Breaks" May 14, 2014 Form, function and finality of sentences through history: the Rehabilitative Era As explained here, I am "celebrating" the official publication of my new article titled "Re-Balancing Fitness, Fairness, and Finality for Sentences" (which is available in full via this SSRN link) through a series of posts exploring sentence finality doctrines and practice. As explained in this prior post, a central theme of my piece is that different conceptual, policy, and practical considerations are implicated when a defendant seeks only review and reconsideration of his final sentence and does not challenge his underlying conviction. As explained in this prior post discussing Founding Era realities, my theme is developed descriptively in the first part of my article as I showcase (perhaps too briefly) how the forms and functions of different punishment systems throughout US history provide different frameworks for the legal and practical relationship between conviction finality and sentence finality. In this post, I will reprint my article's observations about the dynamics of conviction and sentence finality during the so-called Rehabilitative Era stretching from the mid 19th Century to the latter part of the 20th Century. During this period, prisons were constructed from coast to coast as American criminal justice systems nationwide embraced rehabilitation as the central punishment concern, and a highly discretionary medical model came to dominate criminal sentencing procedures and practices. This punishment model, as explained here, had a considerable impact on sentence finality and its relationship to conviction finality: This rehabilitative model of sentencing and corrections was avowedly disinterested and arguably disdainful of sentencing finality, at least with respect to the traditional sentences of prison and probation. After a sentencing judge had imposed a prison term, which sometimes would be set in a range as broad as one year to life, prison and parole officials were expected and instructed to consistently review offenders behavior in prison to determine if and when they should be released to the community. All imprisoned defendants would have regular parole hearings at which time their sentence terms were, formally and functionally, subject to review and reconsideration by corrections officials. Even after officials decided to set free a prisoner on parole, or if a defendant was sentenced to probation rather than prison in the first instance, correctional supervisors still kept close watch on offenders to assess their behavior in the community again with an eye toward reviewing and modifying sanctions as needed to fit the needs of the offender and society. Release on parole or probation was never really a final sentencing disposition: government officials readily could and often would revoke parole or probation to remand those who misbehaved in the community back to prison. Significantly, this rehabilitative model of sentencing and corrections with its fundamental disaffinity for treating any sentencing term as final was still dominant in the 1960s when courts and scholars began earnestly discussing the importance of treating criminal judgments as final. This historical reality should inform consideration of this periods debate over the finality of criminal judgments in two critical ways: (1) because it was widely understood (and still well-accepted) that all sentences were indeterminate and subject to review and reconsideration by corrections officials, advocates stressing the importance of treating criminal judgments as final were necessarily focused only on the finality of criminal convictions; and (2) any problems or harms resulting from giving too much weight to the interests of finality for criminal convictions were necessarily mitigated by parole mechanisms which allowed reconsideration of any and all criminal sentences that might later be considered unfit or unfair based on subsequent legal or social developments. Prior posts in this series: May 14, 2014 at 11:55 AM | Permalink TrackBack TrackBack URL for this entry: https://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83451574769e201a3fd08a6cf970b Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Form, function and finality of sentences through history: the Rehabilitative Era: Comments Oughtnt we have one sentence finality here? Intellectually & Morally Disabled Delay Just hours before Robert James Campbell was scheduled to die from lethal injection, a federal appeals court announced that the execution would be halted due to Campbells intellectual disability. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted the stay Campbell and his attorneys have not had a fair opportunity to develop Campbells claim of ineligibility for the death penalty, the opinion read. --- > Campbell was sentenced to death in 1992 for murdering Alexandra Rendon, a 20-year-old abducted by Campbell and an accomplice while getting gas and was robbed and raped before Campbell shot and killed her. < --- Im happy, Campbell said of the stay, according to a spokesman for the Texas prisons system. The Lord prevailed. Moments after the news emerged, Campbells sister pulled into a parking lot across the street from the penitentiary and jumped out of the car, laughing and smiling with multiple friends. We are excited, Terri Brooks-Bridges said. God is good, God is good! She said that her brother had maintained a positive attitude right up until the news of his stay came. Death penalty opponents cheered the move , Any time that an execution is delayed, a life is saved and we live to fight another day, said the Rev. Jeff Hood of Denton, Tex., who is on the board of directors for the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. Attorneys for Campbell had utilized multiple routes in arguing for a stay. They cited his mental impairment, calling it an outrage that the state hadnt properly considered that factor. In addition, they filed an appeal [for] the source of the[execution] drugs Twisted 21st century morality Posted by: Adamakis | May 14, 2014 12:15:57 PM I certainly think your article gets at something that is important and hope you pursue it further. But i would frame the issue somewhat differently. The so-called rehabilitative era was really an era during which the difficulty of the true problem was recognized and practitioners tried to cope with its complexity. How should the state respond to the criminal conduct by people? Rehabilitation was one objective, but not the only objective by any means. The California Youth Authority was a leader in this regard, but from its very beginning in 1941, holding offenders accountable was one of its objectives. So what was missing from this era? We did not develop a decision making system that could cope with the complexity of the problem. Eventually the sentencing reformers of the 1970s and 80's, lawyers primarily, dumbed down the problem. How should the state respond when a person commits a particular crime? We are now experiencing what follows this narrow minded approach to a very complex social problem. The challenge is still there. Build a decision-making system that can cope with complexity. A patchwork, band-aide approach to sentencing just won't cut it. A plan should be made for each offender; one that will accomplish all of the states objectives in that case. Then match the components of that plan with the components of a correction program. I like this quote from Scott Shapiro: "Laws are plans or plan-like social norms." Posted by: Tom McGee | May 14, 2014 1:59:59 PM I am a defense attorney and former prosecutor. As you may have already observed in your article, the federal Youth Corrections Act (which was available to defendants 21 and under) and Young Adult Offender Act (which extended the benefits of YCA treatment to defendants under 26) were good examples, in theory at least, of the rehabilitative approach. The court had two options -- (1) give the offender probation, or (2) commit the offender to the custody of the Attorney General for an indeterminate term of up to six years. In either case, if the defendant succeeded, the conviction was set aside. (This was said to be patterned after the Borstal system in Britain.) Judicial dissatisfaction with these procedures grew when it became clear that the Parole Commission was using guidelines (fancy that!), rather than individualized consideration, to determine the release dates of inmates sentenced under option 2. Some judges tried to mix and match by sentencing defendants to, say, two years "under the Youth Corrections Act," which the courts held could not be done. See United States v. Cruz, 544 F.2d 1162 (2nd Cir. 1976), and United States v. Jackson, 550 F.2nd 830 (2nd Cir. 1977). Ultimately, as you know, the YCA was repealed as part of the 1984 Sentencing Reform Act. Enter the era of punitive sentencing. Posted by: Allen Bentley | May 14, 2014 3:45:06 PM Do you realize, Adamakis, that the Campbell stay was granted and required only because Texas prosecutors had hid and lied about important evidence for a decade? Posted by: Doug B. | May 14, 2014 4:39:57 PM Evidence? Exculpatory, or do you mean mitigating? Or is this an "innocent" convict? If so, then use your status to sanction them, but try to stick to the crime and culpability. 1. thus, sometimes a person whose IQ has tested above 70 may be diagnosed as mentally retarded while a person whose IQ tests below 70 may not be mentally retarded. ---- Furthermore, IQ tests differ in content and accuracy. 2. seven years old, he performed in the lowest range of the Metropolitan Readiness Test. 3. nine years old, Campbell received a deviation IQ of 68 on the Otis-Lennon Mental Ability Test. 4. received by TDCJ in May 1990. The admission summary for that conviction indicates an IQ test score of 84. 5. in 1992, Campbell was administered the WAIS-R IQ Short Form (that is, the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised Short Form) test and scored 71. ---In re Campbell, No. 14-20293 Average of 76.5? By the way, To this end, the Metropolitan Readiness Tests (MRT) scores of 351 students in an Iowa school district were correlated with their Metropolitan Achievement Tests (MAT) scores at grades one, three, and five. These correlations were further compared to the publisher's (Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, Inc.) nationally-normed correlation of.70 between MRT scores and first grade MAT scores.^ all the correlations were significantly below the.70 found by the publisher. Of these low-scoring students, only about one-third continued to score in the low range by fifth grade.^ Finally, data were examined to determine if the childrens' first grade intelligence test scores would have been a better indicator of future achievement than the MRT. It was found that, while the Otis Lennon School Abilities Index had moderately strong correlations (.46-.50) to the MAT scores at the three grade levels, the correlations of the MRT to the MAT scores were consistently slightly higher (.48-.52). ^ THE RELATIONSHIP OF METROPOLITAN READINESS TESTS SCORES TO METROPOLITAN ACHIEVEMENT TESTS SCORES THROUGH GRADE FIVE IN AN IOWA SCHOOL DISTRICT ANN E. WERTHMAN FOX, University of Nebraska - Lincoln http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/jblanton/read/screening.htm http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8803995/ Posted by: Adamakis | May 14, 2014 10:13:58 PM it doesn't matter what the evidence was Adamakis the state committed a CRIME when it hid the evidence. Sorry at that point they lost any right to say shit to this individual about whatever he/she did. I wouldn't care if it was Adolf Hitler they had to release. If you don't bother to obey your damn rules you have no right to punish anyone else who doesn't bother. I think the criminals who run this country have either forgotten or never learned one of the first rules of criminals. When another crook shafts you ...KEEP YOUR DAMN MOUTH SHUT! in this case the state committed fraud and perjury. Sorry now you can shut your faces and release him. You MIGHT even want to get off your crooked lazy asses and actually PUNISH the fuckups who caused it to happen. Posted by: rodsmith | May 15, 2014 1:00:21 AM "it doesn't matter what the evidence was" --..-- It does with a righteous judge. Rodsmith: This is all a sentencing phase dispute, so murderer/rapist Campbells convictions stand, even by the most liberal ACLU standard. Howbeit, you remind me of one of the most ridiculous, pervasive problems with American law: the tendency, actually compulsion, to toss-out convictions, nullify sentences, to contort and extend the fruit of the poison tree construct to indefensible extremes. Such equates to throwing the baby out with the bath water, [recall Miranda?] This does not strengthen the American judicial system, it slows and weakens it by promoting frivolous law suits, and by assisting evidentially guilty parties in getting-out on irrelevant technicalities (which engenders endless appeals). Thus the judicial process in far too many cases is more akin to a game rather than an exercise in justice, a search for the truth. According to some, from judges and law professors on down, the legal community believes that it is un-American to discourage redress of government by legal action, by making losers pay, or by readily denying irrelevant appeals or frivolous suits. Specifically in the criminal courts, tainted evidence could be suppressed without summary acquittal or nullification, but so often it does not happen. [My understanding is that in other places in the world it results this way routinely, in some cases automatically, a.k.a. the English Rule .] I remember one time in my Moms law career she stated that she had counter-sued for court costs in all of her cases where it was appropriate -- in New York and Virginia -- but had never recovered anything regardless of how unfounded were the claims against her clients! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_rule_(attorney's_fees) Posted by: Adamakis | May 15, 2014 10:05:33 AM I actually agree but the problem is that for so many damn decades the gov't has committed crime after crime after crime that it's hit the point that ONLY this punishment will stop their shit. Get caught playing fast and loose with any information during a trial and the case is DONE. Once they get their collective shit together then we can tighten the rules. See I personally think the trial should be about the truth PERIOD. If the information is TRUE and collected within the law. the jury see's it. IF you broke the law to get it. The jury see's NOTHING and the case is done. Sorry that's the hight of two-faced criminal action. The defendant is on trial because THEY BROKE THE LAW. Now the gov't is going to BREAK THE LAW to get them. Sorry NO! Posted by: rodsmith | May 15, 2014 2:32:28 PM Well Adamakis maybe if the courts actually tossed illegal evidence you might have something. after all how many 1,000 times have you seen a news article about the retard who got stopped for a tail light or a basic traffic ticket who was shortly under arrest for voluntarily allowing a search of the car when god knows how much illegal drug was laying in the back seat? Which the court immediately allows all the while knowing it was pretty much an illegal search. Sorry not even Gilligan or our fucked up politicians would be that damn stupid. Personally I think pretty much all the current 4th amendment exemptions are illegal in today's society. Sorry no warrant no evidence except in clear limited situations. as for that retarded 3rd party bullshit in today's interconnected society it's retarded. Posted by: rodsmith | May 15, 2014 2:37:55 PM Adamakis and rodsmith- Your conversation is a good example of the confusion that can follow if you dumb-down the problem. The first question is did the person in question commit a crime? If the answer is no, that's the end of it. If the answer is yes, then you go on to the second question. Was that crime the core part of a criminal offense? If the answer is yes, then you go to the third question. Is that person a criminal offender who has a substantial risk of committing another crime? What we have here is a jeopardy argument. It has two premises and a conclusion. It is primed by a positive response to the first question. The state's plan for correcting the problem should respond to each premise and the conclusion. Posted by: Tom McGee | May 15, 2014 5:13:38 PM well tom I will give you the first question. The second of course is wrong. It should be Can we make a case using evidence we LEGALLY collected. Not with faked evidence and LIES! At that point the STATE IS NOW A CRIMINAL. Therefore it loses all right to do shit to this individual. like I said before I don't care if it's adolf fucking hitler. If you can't get him within the law YOU DON'T GET HIM. Otherwise at that point the law is meaningless and nobody has to follow it. After all if the gov't be bothered for follow it WHY SHOULD ANYONE ELSE? Posted by: rodsmith | May 19, 2014 1:56:24 AM But I do like this question! "Was that crime the core part of a criminal offense?" Obviously in many cases the answer is NO but the state still moves forward. Can we say Martha Steward. You know who was convicted of lieing to the FBI about an illegal stock deal but never convicted of doing on! Posted by: rodsmith | May 19, 2014 1:58:47 AM Post a comment Applying strict scrutiny, Louisiana Supreme Court upholds facial constitutionality of criminalizing gun possession with illegal drug possession | Main | "Drugs and Violence" May 9, 2014 Is it fair to read the Constitution as evidence the Framers were not fans of finality? As explained here, I am "celebrating" the official publication of my new article titled "Re-Balancing Fitness, Fairness, and Finality for Sentences" (which is available in full via this SSRN link) through a series of posts exploring sentence finality doctrines and practice. As explained in this prior post, one of the central themes of my piece is that different conceptual, policy, and practical considerations are implicated when a defendant seeks only review and reconsideration of his final sentence and does not challenge his underlying conviction. But, before I dig too deeply into distinguishing conviction and sentence finality, my article starts by pondering briefly what might have been the Framing Era perspective on finality considerations more generally. In so doing, I have this to say about some key provisions in each Article of the US Constitution: The Constitutions text can be read to suggest the Framers were decidedly eager to provide or preserve opportunities for defendants to seek review and reconsideration of their treatment by government authorities. Article I, Section 9 instructs Congress that the Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, Article II, Section 2 provides that the President shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, and Article III, Section 2 provides that the Supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction. These provisions codify in our nations charter all the traditional mechanisms long used by individuals to challenge or seek modification of the exercise of government power through criminal justice systems. These provisions alone may not support a strong originalist claim that the Framers disfavored treating criminal judgments as final. Nevertheless, by precluding Congress from suspending habeas review, by empowering the President to grant clemency, and by authorizing the Supreme Court to hear appeals, the Constitution ensured that criminal defendants in a new America would have various means to seek review and reconsideration of the application of governmental power even after an initial criminal conviction and sentencing. More broadly, given the checks and balances built into our constitutional structure and the significant individual rights and criminal procedure protections enshrined in the Bill of Rights, one might readily conclude that the Framers were likely far more concerned with the fitness and fairness of criminal justice outcomes than with their finality. Because I am neither a constitutional historian nor a hard-core originalist jurisprude, I do not devote much more time to these matters in my article. Still, as I suggest in a footnote, given "the significant attention now paid to various theories of originalism in modern constitutional litigation and jurisprudence in recent years, modern criminal justice advocates and scholars might unearth interesting and consequential findings if they were now to engage in an in-depth historical exploration of criminal justice finality concerns and issues through U.S. legal history." Ergo the question in this post is an effort to encourage engagement with these historical ideas (and also to solicit views on whether folks think further historical inquiry here might be important for modern jurisprudential developments). Prior posts in this series: May 9, 2014 at 01:44 PM | Permalink TrackBack TrackBack URL for this entry: https://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83451574769e201a511b4c5b8970c Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Is it fair to read the Constitution as evidence the Framers were not fans of finality?: Comments // the Constitution ensured that criminal defendants in a new America would have various means to seek review and reconsideration of the application of governmental power even after an initial criminal conviction and sentencing." // Yet they still speedily effected executions, the first federal one in less than one year after apprehension; [now that's "finality"] the 10-20 years of todays procedure is ridiculous. 1. "The first federal execution was on June 25, 1790," {RI had been the last state to ratify the Constitution on May 29, 1790;} 2. The "First US Congress Establishes Federal Death Penalty" on April 30, 1790, {In 1787 the 5th and 14th Amendments recognizing it with due process}. ~~Pbs.org, Gwu.org, Procon.org, ExecutedToday.com Posted by: Adamakis | May 9, 2014 3:00:55 PM The openness of the Founders to deviations from finality in criminal justice need to be understood, I think, against the prevailing system in place at the time. * Appeals of right, other than habeas corpus petitions (which the government could defeat simply by establishing the fact of a conviction by a court with competent jurisdiction without inquiry into the guts of the proceeding particularly in the early days), are not available in the federal criminal justice system until a century after the constitution was adopted. Commutations and pardons, by virtue of the absence of other alternatives, which do a negligible share of appellate review work today and rarely interrupt finality of sentences today, played a part that at least rivaled habeas corpus review and appellate review at the time. Indeed, it was arguably the only forum in which the kinds of issues raised in modern criminal appeals had any plausible shot at having an impact. Independence from Britain also enhanced the finality of criminal judgments in the U.S. by eliminating the right to appeal to a Privy Council in London weeks away across the Atlantic Ocean in certain circumstances that had existed in the Colonial era. * The use of the death penalty for non-homicide offenses (pretty much all of the most serious felonies and some merely moderately serious felonies) was common in 18th century America and in 18th century Britain from which it derived its legal culture. Executions followed days or months, not years or decades, after the sentence was pronounced. Even into the 1960s, before the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily suspended the death penalty in the United States, judicial review of capital verdicts was not all that much longer or more onerous than judicial review of other criminal convictions for felonies. In the time of the Founders, summary execution by ship's captain tribunals for piracy on the high seas without any ordinary judicial process or judicial review was also routine (and at that time, the vast majority of the U.S. population lived on the Atlantic coast and travel by sea was the predominant form of interstate commerce). And, of course, the discipline of slaves, indentured servants, wives and children by a head of household was almost completely outside the judicial process. Within a household whose head was virtually sovereign in his own home. * Corporal punishment short of death was also a not infrequently used sentencing option and again, was imposed promptly (and less often with any attempt at collateral review). * Long sentences of incarceration were extremely rare (in part because society couldn't afford to run the prisons and remove so many able bodies men from the work force while feeding, sheltering and clothing them), so any process for reviewing convictions resulting in sentences to periods of incarceration would often be rendered moot unless it was very speedy. * We normally don't think about the duration of the trial itself as a key parameter in the criminal justice system, but while we have many very short criminal trials today, just as we did back then, very long criminal trials were profoundly less common then than they are today. Also, preserving an appellate record at trial in order to set up an appeal was far more difficult. Posted by: ohwilleke | May 9, 2014 8:39:36 PM Not bad. For a taste of a relevant Founding Father's legal positions, try John Jay @ oll.libertyfund.org/titles/jay-the-correspondence-and-public-papers-of-john-jay-vol-4-1794-1826& www.wallbuilders.com/libissuesarticles.asp?id=64 {The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay} www.nycourts.gov/history/legal-history-new-york/luminaries-supreme-court/jay-john.html Posted by: Adamakis | May 9, 2014 11:30:44 PM I was reading a few books and articles on the Nuremberg Trials last year. One thing struck me. The Russians were voicing the idea that each side round up the bad Nazis and simply shoot them without trial. One problem with that would have been that the World would not have seen the allegations and evidence which was presented and history would perhaps judged the Nazis and German people less harshly. In America, part of the process of trials and appeals has a similar positive aspect. The public gets to hear the allegations and evidence against alleged criminals and can learn from the mistakes. The issues of mistakes and intentional false charges against innocent people reveals an ugly side of America. Posted by: Liberty1st | May 10, 2014 1:37:10 AM The Founding Fathers are dead. We are not going to read the minds of people from 250 years ago. We should be fans of accuracy. To promote it, 1) Allow the smartest and most experienced person in the tribunal to investigate the facts. The judge. Today, the hierarchy will destroy a judge who drives through the intersection of the accident. They impeached such a judge. Crush the vile cult criminals. Stop wasting the legal assets of he judge. Naturally, the judge should be liable in torts for a performance below judge standards of due care. 2) Appeals of a verdict should go to seasoned investigators for any missed factual innocence. If they are satisfied, both verdict and sentence should be final if the sentence is within guidelines. 3) If finality has value, make all appellate panels have an even number of judges. If the vote is tied, the decision of the lower court stands. Posted by: Supremacy Claus | May 10, 2014 6:30:18 AM The opening for review was there -- a historian of American law, e.g., cited various "technicalities" that overturned sentences in the 19th Century ("framers" of the 14A would be of this time period) -- and even if they were applied in a different way, the Constitution left the opening there for developments, including as the penal system looked much different than it did in 1790. An earlier comment stacks the deck a bit there. For instance, damage awards being possible would not make things "moot" even if the person was whipped or something. Criminals also served in various ways outside of prison. Blacks, who did have some rights contra Taney, might have had to serve a period of servitude. Whites could be banished. Some probably served on work gangs or the like. And, "almost" is not "none." This is not meant to be a full reply either. Posted by: Joe | May 10, 2014 12:07:12 PM Lib: How do you like the outcome of those fancy trials? Immediate mass hangings of those not committing suicide. Same as what the Russians proposed. The Russian were just mediocre Commies compared to the American lawyer. They did not see that lengthy trials would generate a massive lawyer bill, and government make work jobs for the lawyer profession. Then hide the real intent with lying lawyer propaganda about their false hypocritical piety. Posted by: Supremacy Claus | May 11, 2014 10:25:26 AM "2) Appeals of a verdict should go to seasoned investigators for any missed factual innocence. If they are satisfied, both verdict and sentence should be final if the sentence is within guidelines." France has something a bit like this system. A certain percentage of cases are automatically appealed despite a lack of a request to appeal by either party as part of the auditing function to make sure that trial judges are doing their jobs. Posted by: ohwilleke | May 13, 2014 2:46:54 PM Post a comment Ingenico's LinkPlus connects businesses and their customers with enhanced payment security, boosting direct purchases AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - Media OutReach - 9 May 2019 - Payment leader Ingenico Group (Euronext: FR0000125346 - ING) has launched LinkPlus, a simple and secure solution for businesses who handle payments over the phone. The solution enables online businesses to send payments through a link or QR code, removing the need to manually process unsecured credit card details or banking information. Despite the best efforts of airlines, hotels, retailers or other businesses, customers often book services indirectly over the phone. Security concerns, a lack of available payment options and inconvenient booking systems are just a few of the factors that can deter a customer from purchasing directly. LinkPlus addresses these issues by providing an interface to a secure hosted environment, where a card payment can be completed with full PCI-compliance and without any sensitive data being stored on the premises. Businesses who adopt the new system will also benefit from easier navigation through typically complex security procedures and regulations, supported by Ingenico. A smooth and intuitive payment process is a vital element in increasing sales conversion rates and boosting customer loyalty. Linkplus also enables businesses to generate FX revenue and protects costs and exposure by giving the flexibility to add a spread on top of the daily base exchange rates. "LinkPlus enables businesses to deliver a premium payment experience to their customers," says Gabriel de Montessus, SVP Global Online (Retail BU) for Ingenico Group. "Call centers and customer service teams can now offer multiple payment methods and currencies with high speed authorization and enhanced security and page design. For many customers, this will be the tipping point that converts them from a browser into a buyer and potentially, a returning customer." Story continues Des Pugson, Senior Vice President/Managing Director of Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, which piloted the LinkPlus platform, commended the self-service portal for eliminating the need for customers to email or fax their credit card details. This means the hotel group no longer has to manually process unsecured credit card details. "Guest experience is our utmost priority. Our guests can now conveniently complete their transactions online with enhanced payment security in a trusted, hosted environment," adds Des Pugson. "It also enables the handling of no-shows and cancellations more efficiently." About Ingenico Group Ingenico Group (Euronext: FR0000125346 - ING) is the global leader in seamless payment, providing smart, trusted and secure solutions to empower commerce across all channels, in-store, online and mobile. With the world's largest payment acceptance network, we deliver secure payment solutions with a local, national and international scope. We are the trusted world-class partner for financial institutions and retailers, from small merchants to several of the world's best known global brands. Our solutions enable merchants to simplify payment and deliver their brand promise. www.ingenico.com twitter.com/ingenico (Photo: Getty Creative) By Francis Kan SINGAPORE An appetite for risk led to large losses for serial investor Jenny Goh who has put funds into everything from land banking to diamonds. These days her money is invested solely in her own business ventures. As an entrepreneur who has run my own PR agency for over 10 years, Im clearly not risk-averse. But that also reflects how I used to invest. Over the years, the knowledge that I could win big has led me to put my money into many different types of alternative investments. That said, I only ever invested cash that I could afford to lose. I started in my 20s, investing in everything from land banking to diamonds. For most of them, I had hoped to get my money out in two years, with a tidy profit. Unfortunately, I lost money on all of them. My first alternative investment was 12 years ago in land banking in Canada. I had just left my corporate job and a friend introduced me to the scheme. The company was well-known in land banking and had a good track record. In fact, they are still doing business in Singapore. Real estate is also seen as a safe long-term bet. I parted with around $20,000 for a 1-acre land parcel in Calgary. The sell was compelling the land was supposed to be developed by the Canadian government as part of a commercial super corridor. But that promise never materialised. As it turned out, the lands potential had been overestimated, and there was actually no demand for it. To this day, I still own that land parcel. I clearly didnt learn my lesson, because a few years later, I was introduced to the idea of diamonds as an investment. The scheme was supposed to have worked like this: you purchase a Grade A diamond I spent $30,000 to purchase mine and, each year, the company would pay a return of 1% to 2% on it. In five years, the initial sum invested would be returned. But the deal was tied up in deadlines I was unclear about. When I tried to cash in, I was told that I had just missed the deadline, and could not get my money back. What was ironic was that the company had itself missed deadlines for annual payouts. But I was stuck with a diamond that turned out to be worth only a third of what I paid. Story continues I then lost another $20,000 when my investments in wine and art went sour. Maybe I was naive. In hindsight, I realise that many of the companies offering alternative investments had no foundation or reliable revenue stream, and roped in new investors to pay off older ones. But from where I stood, everything had looked quite legitimate. And while the investments were risky, there seemed to be a chance that they would pay off in a big way. Because a few of my friends had made money on similar investments, I thought they were worth the risk. Ultimately, though, I was prepared to lose the money. I was young and told myself that if the worst happened, I would have time to make the money back. And the reality is that some alternative investments do pay off well. Still, these were tough lessons. I now moderate my risk-taking and am focussed on building something more financially stable my own business. Today, my company generates enough income to sustain itself and I have paid off all my business-related loans. At 42, and after many years of high-risk investments, Ive realised that the best bet I can make is on myself. Related stories: Money Choice: I was blinded by my greed Money Choice: A losing bet on a fitness startup Money Choice: My decision costs me my daughters schooling fund By Sarah N. Lynch, David Morgan and Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday told former White House counsel Don McGahn to defy a subpoena to testify before Congress about the Russia investigation, deepening his fight with Democratic lawmakers. In a letter to the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, White House Counsel Pat Cipollone said McGahn should not appear due to both "constitutional immunity" and "in order to protect the prerogatives of the Office of the Presidency." The committee's Democratic chairman, Jerrold Nadler, responded by saying Trump was simply trying to block damaging testimony about him obstructing justice. "The President acted again and again -- perhaps criminally -- to protect himself from federal law enforcement. Don McGahn personally witnessed the most egregious of these acts. President Trump knows this. He clearly does not want the American people to hear firsthand about his alleged misconduct," Nadler said in a statement. He said his committee would meet on Tuesday morning and expected McGahn to show up and testify. Another Democrat on the committee, David Cicilline, warned that if McGahn stays away on Tuesday, lawmakers might need to push ahead with an impeachment inquiry against Trump in order to compel his administration to produce witnesses and documents. "We simply cannot sit by and allow this president to destroy the rule of law, to subvert the Constitution," Cicilline told MSNBC. Late on Monday, McGahn's lawyer, William Burck, wrote to Nadler that his client would not testify before the committee unless the judiciary panel reached an agreement with the White House, saying McGahn would "respect the President's instruction," according to a letter viewed by Reuters. The committee is investigating whether Trump illegally obstructed the probe into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. McGahn figured prominently in a report by Special Counsel Robert Mueller about the Russia probe and whether Trump committed obstruction of justice. Mueller cited McGahn as saying that Trump called him several times in June 2017 to tell him to direct the Justice Department to remove Mueller because of conflicts of interest. McGahn did not carry out Trumps order. Later, when news articles about the incident surfaced, McGahn told Mueller's investigators that Trump tried to get him to dispute the accuracy of the reports. McGahn again refused. OBSTRUCTION? Many Democratic lawmakers, as well as many former prosecutors not involved in the investigation, have said the alleged order by the president to fire Mueller and attempt to coerce McGahn to lie about it could amount to committing the crime of obstruction. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and said he did not ask McGahn to have Mueller removed. Mueller's report described numerous links between Trump's 2016 campaign and various Russians but did not find sufficient evidence to establish there was a criminal conspiracy with Moscow. Mueller also described numerous attempts by Trump to impede the investigation, but stopped short of declaring the president had committed a crime. Attorney General William Barr determined after reviewing Mueller's findings that there was insufficient evidence to bring criminal obstruction charges against the president. Nadler's committee has been locked in multiple battles with the Trump administration over access to information contained in the Mueller report. Trump said following the release of the report in March that it showed he was exonerated of colluding with Russia and obstruction justice. But since then he has hardened his administration's position of defying the legal demands of Democrats in Congress who want more information on the Russia investigation and Trumps taxes and business dealings. Earlier this month, the committee voted to hold Barr in contempt after he defied a subpoena seeking an unredacted copy of the Mueller report and its underlying investigative materials. Nadler also issued a subpoena last month compelling McGahn to testify on Tuesday, and he has previously said he would hold the attorney in contempt if he did not show up. The Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel issued an opinion on Monday that gave legal cover to the decision to block McGahn from testifying. "Congress may not constitutionally compel the President's senior advisers to testify about their official duties," Justice Department Assistant Attorney General Steven Engel wrote. (Reporting by Steve Holland, Sarah N. Lynch, David Morgan and Tim Ahmann; writing by Mohammad Zargham; editing by Alistair Bell, Tom Brown and Cynthia Osterman) (Corrects typographical errors in 1st and 2nd paragraphs) By Pratima Desai LONDON, May 20 (Reuters) - The London Metal Exchange (LME) has dismissed a complaint from miner and commodity trader Glencore over its inability to take fast delivery of aluminium from warehouses owned by ISTIM UK in Port Klang, Malaysia, two sources familiar with the matter said on Monday. Sources had told Reuters earlier this year that Glencore's complaint highlighted uncertainties in the LME's storage rules, after industry reform sparked by accusations from consumers that banks and traders were hoarding metal in LME warehouses. "The LME has recently received and decided a formal complaint in respect of warehousing. The LME would not comment on that specific complaint, or confirm the parties involved," the LME said in a statement. Both Glencore and ISTIM UK declined to comment. London-listed Glencore bought 200,000 tonnes of aluminium on the LME late in January and made preparations to take that metal from ISTIM's warehouses. Metal entering the LME's global warehouse storage network is issued with a title document called a warrant. To take delivery of metal from the network buyers need to cancel the warrants, thereby earmarking it for delivery. To get the metal out quickly, Glencore moved to complete the formalities and create a queue of more than 50 days before the end of January, which would have activated the LME's load-in, load-out (LILO) rules for warehousing, the sources said. "The LME believes it appropriate to inform the market of matters of general interest arising from the complaint, and in particular the point at which a queue should be determined to arise for the purposes of the LILO Rule," the exchange said. After investigating, it has clarified its rules about when a queue to take metal out of its warehouses started for the purposes of triggering its load-out rules. The definition of a queue includes the clause "circumstances where load-out requests cannot be serviced immediately". Story continues "It is not possible in practice for a warehouse to load out metal instantaneously upon receipt of a cancellation request and so 'serviced immediately' cannot mean 'completed instantaneously upon request'," the exchange said in a notice to members. As a result, the LME said the words "serviced immediately" should be interpreted as "delivered as soon as practically possible, acting vigorously and without delay". (Reporting by Pratima Desai Editing by Veronica Brown and David Goodman) Paya Serais Malay Chef Badrol Mohd Noor said Malay food is the hardest to cook because of its time-consuming method. Picture by Hari Anggara PETALING JAYA, May 21 Ramadan bazaars and buffets are staple in Malaysia during the fasting month. And for the past 35 years, Hilton Petaling Jaya's Paya Serai restaurant has been serving up some of the most memorable iftar dishes. Known for its rotating menu, authentic cuisine, huge variety and central location are factors that keep diners coming back each year. To get a glimpse of the Herculean effort required to successfully pull-off a buka puasa buffet, Malay Mail went behind the scenes to see how this establishment pulls off the feat. With more than 350 authentic dishes, planning starts three months prior where the chefs pore through menus from previous years. Unsurprisingly, curating a menu, and an extensive one at that is no easy feat. Its difficult to come up with a new menu each year thats a big challenge for us because we need to brainstorm and put out food that Malaysians like, said Paya Serais Malay Chef Badrol Mohd Noor who has been with the hotel for three years. Despite the difficulties in coming up with a new theme for each Ramadan, some mainstays will never go out of style. Our briyani, soup gearbox, bubur lambuk, extensive selection of kerabu, gulai kawah, kapitan chicken, ayam ros, are just some of the signature dishes that patrons look forward to, the Penang native said. This year, the restaurants kapitan chicken dish is given a twist and features goose instead. Angsa kapitan has a great flavour it tastes better than chicken, said Badrol on his favourite dish on the menu this year. He added that diners crave authentic kampung cuisine such as ulam-ulaman (local herbs). Nasi lemak bungkus with fried chicken is just one of 350 dishes served at this years buka puasa buffet. Picture via Instagram/Hilton Petaling Jaya Time consuming Coincidentally, the local fare synonymous with the iconic PJ hotel is also the hardest to make. In total, kitchen staff spends eight hours a day prepping. Malay food is the most difficult to make because it needs time for the flavours to develop its not something you can make in two minutes. The minimum is one hour for one dish. Although we have a boiler, traditionally cooked dishes do require more time, said Badrol, a former private chef. Story continues Kerabu for example, involves chopping plenty of herbs such as torch ginger flower and lemongrass. To paint a picture of the kitchen, the Penang-native described the back of the house like a war zone. There are around 60 cooks alone in the hot kitchen and five in the butchery who prepare the meats. The ingredients used come from all over Malaysia including Penang for spices, Langkawi and even Chow Kit market for local herbs such as galangal, ginger, lemongrass, turmeric and its leaves. According to Badrol, onions, ginger, lemongrass and garlic are the four most-used ingredients. For Paya Serai alone, we use to 40 kilos of onions per day. More onions, more delicious, he laughed. Durian! Besides the restaurants mouth-watering dishes, durian lovers will have a variety of the thorny, pungent fruit to savour as part of the buffet. Introduced five years ago, the durian types include Udang Merah, D24 and D101 sourced fresh daily from Tangkak and Raub. We have 300 kilos of durian a day and nothing is left, Badrol said. Hilton Petaling Jayas Buka Puasa Buffet Dinner will last until June 4. Related Articles Iftar@KL 2019 pikat pelancong asing kenali agama, budaya Niaga sambil amal, wanita hamil dapat roti John percuma Diari Beijing: Rakyat Malaysia sambut Ramadan, bagaikan keluarga besar Aston Martin makes true on a promise, and soon, James Bond fanatics with deep pockets will be able to experience what its like to actually drive a secret agent car when Aston Martin releases the Goldfinger-inspired Aston Martin DB5. True to the film, the car comes complete with Q-approved gizmos such as rear smokescreen generator, revolving number plates, and twin machine guns (not real) that poke out from the turn signals. The British luxury carmaker provided some updates on the 25 new Goldfinger DB5s this week, which should also feature oil squirters, battering rams, and a retractable bulletproof windshield, just as they appeared in the iconic 007 flick. Other features that are expected to make it to the final car include a telephone in the drivers side door, a faux radar-tracker screen, a weapon tray concealed under the leather seats, and if the blueprints are to be believed, a passenger ejector seat. Aston Martin is building the cars in partnership with Eon Productions, the film outfit behind the James Bond franchise, and Chris Corbould, the special effects wiz who created many of the gadgetry you see used by the double-O agent. The main challenge has been to recreate the gadgets from the film world and transfer them into a consumer product, Corbould said. We have license in the film world to cheat different aspects under controlled conditions. For instance, we might have four different cars to accommodate four different gadgets. We obviously dont have that luxury on these DB5s as all the gadgets have to work in the same car all the time. Corbould said that the faux-machine guns were the most difficult to incorporate into the car. The guns appearing from the front lights were a particular challenge as, in the film world, we are able to use flammable gas mixtures combined with an ignition system to produce a flame and noise effect, Corbould said. Clearly, this is not practical in untrained hands, so we have devised a new system to achieve a realistic effect. Story continues The car will only be made available in one colorsilver birch, like the original. Unfortunately, the 282-hp, USD 3.6 million car will not be road-legal, which shouldnt pose a problem for those who can afford it, as they can simply drive their car on their massive properties. The post Aston Martin Provides Some Update on Real-Life James Bond Car appeared first on Carmudi Philippines. Austrian Interior Minister Herbert Kickl leaves after addressing a news conference in Vienna Austrian Interior Minister Herbert Kickl leaves after addressing a news conference in Vienna, Austria, May 20, 2019. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner By Francois Murphy VIENNA (Reuters) - Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz proposed on Monday sacking his interior minister, escalating a battle triggered when a video sting took down the longtime leader of his far-right coalition partners. Kurz, a conservative, ended his coalition with the nationalist Freedom Party (FPO) on Saturday after leader and Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache was caught in the apparent sting operation offering to fix state contracts for a woman posing as a Russian oligarch's niece. The fight took a new turn when Kurz told reporters he would propose to Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen removing Interior Minister Herbert Kickl from office after Kickl refused to go voluntarily, as Strache did. The FPO had announced that it would vacate all its ministerial posts if Kickl, a mastermind of the FPO's ascent to power, were forced out. "I agreed with the president that we want to guarantee stability until the new elections. That's why we'll fill the vacant jobs in the ministries with experts or senior government officials," Kurz said. He said this would keep the government operating effectively until snap elections due in September. Opposition parties readied a vote of no confidence in the government, and it was not clear that the FPO would side with Kurz in the vote. Austrian news agency APA reported that the FPO's ministers quit in unison on Monday. But in an interview with national broadcaster ORF later in the evening, Norbert Hofer, the new head of the Freedom Party, only repeated that its ministers would step down if Kickl were forced out. FPO spokesmen were not immediately available for comment. German media published the video on Friday, a week before a European Parliament election and a year-and-a-half after Austria once again became the only Western European country with far-right cabinet ministers. It has since been joined by Italy. The video showed Strache meeting the woman in 2017, shortly before the election that brought him into government. So far, nothing has come to light suggesting how or why the two news outlets came to publish it now. Story continues In the footage, Strache discussed rules on party financing and how to work around them. Describing the footage as "targeted political assassination", he said he has done nothing illegal and never met the woman again. Niki Fellner, editor in chief of the Oesterreich tabloid newspaper, said by openly discussing what he called corruption and dirty tricks, Strache had tarnished Austria's image: "From Germany to Hungary, we are seen as of now as a banana republic." Kurz has argued Kickl could not oversee an investigation into the sting that snared his party leader. Kickl accused Kurz of attempting a power grab for his OVP party. "This ministry was for many ... years the linchpin of the engine of a ruthless OVP power system in this republic," Kickl said, adding that for Kurz: "It therefore had to come back under the OVP's control, no matter the cost." Kickl's position is especially sensitive given the FPO's ties to Russia. It has a cooperation agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin's United Russia party. (Additional reporting by Alexandra Schwarz-Goerlich in Vienna and Michael Shields in Zurich; Editing by Alison Williams and Phil Berlowitz) Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook and his Singapore counterpart Khaw Boon Wan being briefed on the proposed Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) station at Woodlands North in Singapore May 21, 2019. Picture by Ben Tan SINGAPORE, May 21 Bukit Chagar in Johor Baru will be the main transportation hub for the southern part of the state if the proposed Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) link proceeds by September this year, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Foo said today. He said this was due to a comprehensive transportation plan for the state called the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) that can integrate with the RTS. With that, the RTS in Bukit Chagar will also be a hub for for the BRT buses that are presently under the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (Irda), said Loke during a visit to the proposed RTS Woodlands North site here. He was accompanied by Singapore Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan and senior officials from the republics Land Transport Authority. Johors RM2.56 billion BRT is expected to start in early 2022, with the aim of beating congestion and pollution and encouraging more people to use public transport. The 4km RTS link was planned to connect the Woodlands North station on Singapores Thomson-East Coast MRT Line to Bukit Chagar in Johor Baru at an initial cost of RM4 billion. However, Loke said that the government does not want to pre-empt the discussions on the RTS with its Singaporean counterparts. As we know, the BRT in Johor Baru will be under Irda and we are still looking at other suitable options as there is no firm decision made on the RTS yet, he said. On his visit to the Woodlands North RTS site, Loke said gave him a better understanding of the situation. He said he will share details of his visit today with the Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad upon his return to Malaysia. Basically, the Malaysian government does not have a firm decision on the future of the RTS. We want the project to continue, but we have yet to decide on how we plan to go ahead with the plan, said Loke, referring to RTS. Earlier, he had signed a supplementary agreement with Khaw where both governments agreed to suspend the proposed Johor Baru-Singapore RTS link until the end of September this year to allow Malaysia more time to study the scope, structure and costs of the project. For the six-month delay, Loke said the Malaysian government will pay Singapore S$600,000 or about RM2 million as abortive cost before July 30 this year. Related Articles Dakwa menteri salah guna kuasa, persatuan teksi tuntut hak sama rata Malaysia punya pelbagai peluang untuk bukan bumiputera melanjutkan pelajaran Kerajaan banyak lakukan kesalahan pada PRK Sandakan, kata Bersih 2.0 Lim Hong Liang, 55, was sentenced to six years imprisonment while another man who took part in the plot, 48-year-old Ong Hock Chye, received a five-and-a-half year jail term along with six strokes of the cane. (PHOTO: Getty Images) SINGAPORE A businessman who masterminded an assault on his mistress boyfriend was jailed at the State Courts on Tuesday (21 May). Lim Hong Liang, 55, was sentenced to six years imprisonment while another man who took part in the plot, 48-year-old Ong Hock Chye, received a five-and-a-half year jail term along with six strokes of the cane. The former had asked for help in arranging an attack on Joshua Koh Kian Yong on 30 April 2016 after discovering that Koh had been seeing his then 27-year-old mistress Audrey Chen Ying Fang. Following a trial, Lim and Ong were each found guilty of one count of engaging in a conspiracy along with five others to voluntarily cause grievous hurt to Koh. While Lim had initially intended for Kohs hands and legs to be broken, it was Ong who suggested that the victims face be slashed instead. The eventual attack left Koh permanently scarred. Both intend to appeal against the court's decision. Actions spurred by wounded pride: prosecution According to the prosecution, Lims actions were borne out of his jealousy and wounded pride. He had hired hitmen to teach (Koh) a lesson and the wound left on Koh was meant as a reminder for the victim to stay away from Chen. Lim had originally instructed his nephew, 27-year-old Ron Lim De Mai, to find someone to break Kohs hands and legs. Ron then asked Ong to recruit people for the task and Ong later suggested that Kohs face be slashed instead. The hitmen were then paid to scar Kohs face with a penknife. As evidence of their work, Lim was presented with a picture of Kohs injured face. Apart from Lim, Ong and Ron, four hitmen were involved in the conspiracy. Lim and Chen, a former beauty queen, first met in mid-2014 and became lovers by the end of the year. While Lim was married with three children, he also provided for Chen and hired her as an administrative executive in his company. She was paid $2,000 a month even though she was not required to show up for work. Story continues Chen also lived rent-free in a condominium unit that Lim owned at The Parc. The unit was decorated with a Hello Kitty theme according to her liking. Accused kept tabs on mistress Lim also provided Chen with a white Mercedes Benz. However, she was unaware that Lim had installed a GPS device in the vehicle to track her movements. He also instructed Ron to tail Chen and report her whereabouts to him. Chen later discovered the tracking device and had it removed in June 2016. Despite being involved with Lim, Chen entered into a relationship with Koh on 7 April 2016. When Lim discovered that Chen was seeing Koh, he confiscated her branded goods and demanded that she stop seeing the other man. On 8 April that year, when Chen was with Koh in the unit, Ron and Lims elder son also showed up and assaulted Koh. Following the attack, Koh and Chen stayed in hotels while fleeing from Lim. When he discovered that Koh was still seeing Chen, Lim called Ron and asked the latter to find someone to break Kohs limbs. Ron roped in Ong and gave the latter $2,000 from Lim as a transportation fee. Lim also gave Ron $8,000 to pay Ong and the hitmen. On the night of 30 April, the couple were dining at Huay Kwang Thai Kitchen off Townshend Road when the hitmen attacked Koh and slashed his face in the process. Koh suffered a 2cm laceration over his left upper lip, and a 5cm laceration over his right lower lip. The prosecution called for Lim to be jailed seven years with another three years in lieu of six strokes of the cane. It sought a six year jail term for Ong, along with six strokes of the cane. Deputy Public Prosecutor Tan Wen Hsien said that both Lim and Ong were the most culpable of all the members of the conspiracy, and pointed out that Lim ought to receive the harshest sentence for being the mastermind. The deliberate procurement of criminal acts, particularly those involving violence and physical harm, with the promise of financial reward, is repugnant to moral and social norms and must be met with a stiff deterrent sentence, said the DPP. The prosecution also cited the high degree of premeditation and planning before the offence was carried out. According to the prosecution a briefing was conducted on 27 April 2016 at a Toa Payoh coffeeshop when the hitmen were given partial payment, a photograph of Koh to identify him, and the use of the GPS tracking account so they could locate him. The hitmen then tracked Chens car for days and selected a suitable location one they believed had no CCTV cameras for the attack. All four hitmen have since admitted to their offences. Three have been jailed while one was sentenced to reformative training. Ron was jailed 36 months and caned four strokes. Related stories: Businessman who hired hitmen to slash mistress' boyfriend convicted Businessman who plotted alleged assault on love rival: Ex-mistress testifies Man who planned attack on uncles love rival sentenced to 3 years jail, caning MANILA, Philippines Major telecommunication companies in the Philippines should exercise caution amid the ban imposed by the United States (US) on Chinese tech giant Huawei, a cybersecurity expert said. The US last week barred American firms from dealing with Huawei without a government license, in a latest blow against China amid escalating trade war. The US accused Huawei of posing an international security threat, saying the telecom company is being used by China for surveillance and to spy on Americans. Huawei, the worlds biggest supplier of telecommunications equipment, gets critical technology and components from a number of US firms for its devices. On Sunday, news emerged that Google will comply with a US government order and suspended business with Huawei that requires the transfer of hardware, software and technical services except those publicly available via open source licensing. Reports said the move will render Google services inaccessible on Huawei smartphones that run on Android. Future versions of Huawei mobile devices will also lose access to popular services, such as Google Play Store, Gmail and YouTube apps. In a statement, Android clarified that existing Huawei devices can still have access to Google services. READ: Existing Huawei devices safe from Google app restrictionsAndroid Local telecommunication companies, in a separate statement, also assured its subscribers that existing Huawei handsets and devices will continue to function normally on their network. READ: Purchased Huawei products will function properly on our network PLDT But cyber security expert Roselle Reig said the ongoing crackdown and increasing number of countries banning Huawei should alarm local telcos. They need to be cautious because it seems there a lot of countries that are against Huawei. Our Telcos should listen and be aware of what is happening outside the country and to safeguard our Huawei users, she said. Reig also stressed that an intensive study should be conducted to determine the implications of the issue to the national security should spying allegations against Huawei are proven to be true. Story continues The US State Department earlier accused the Tech Giant of sharing some vital information to their clients in the Chinese government. Should there be backdoor access that could spy the device or Huawei devices can be used to spy the government or communication (system) in the country, its a big threat to the security of every Filipino and Internet user, she said. Reig also expressed fear that the processes of systems in terms of transportation, electricity and banking, among others may be put in danger due to cyber hacking. On the part of Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), acting secretary Eliseo Rio Jr. said the US blacklist on Huawei would not affect its policy of allowing private telcos choose their equipment supplier. Telcos are also required by the government to provide assurance that their networks will not pose any threat to national security. If it does, if an incident happens, then they can lose their business, if their network has been the cause of breach that endangers our national security, said DICT Acting Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr. Despite the ban, Huawei assured to keep sending software updates to its devices for the next three months after receiving a temporary license until August 19, 2019. READ: U.S. temporarily eases trade restrictions vs Huawei The US government also temporarily eased restrictions on Huawei for 90 days to minimize disruption for customers and to allow telcos relying on the Chinese firm to make other arrangements. (with details from April Cenedoza) The post Cyber security expert cautions PH telcos amid Huawei crackdown appeared first on UNTV News. President Donald Trump's administration on Tuesday appeared set on easing weeks of escalating tensions with Iran, assuring worried lawmakers it does not seek war and crediting robust US military moves with deterring the clerical regime. After a month of fiery warnings to Iran, top Trump officials delivered a classified briefing to the full US Congress where Democrats have accused the administration of hyping intelligence and pushing the United States dangerously close to war. "This is about deterrence, not about war. We are not about going to war," Patrick Shanahan, the acting defense secretary, told reporters after exiting the closed-door briefing he gave with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Shanahan cast the US deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group and nuclear-capable B-52 bombers as reactive actions -- and said they sent a strong signal. "We have deterred attacks based on reposturing of assets -- deterred attacks against American forces," Shanahan said. "Our biggest focus at this point is to prevent Iranian miscalculation. We do not want the situation to escalate," he said. Pompeo and Shanahan are believed to have shared intelligence that blamed Tehran -- enemy number one for Trump -- for security incidents involving US-allied Arabs. Pompeo, in an interview earlier Tuesday, said it was "quite possible" Iran was behind sabotage of oil tankers off the United Arab Emirates as well as drone strikes on a crude pipeline in Saudi Arabia, although he stopped short of giving a definitive conclusion. Yemen's Huthi rebels, who are allied with Iran and are being hit hard by US-backed Saudi air strikes, claimed responsibility last week for a drone strike on a major east-west pipeline in the kingdom, which was forced to shut down temporarily. Representative Michael McCaul, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the administration made a convincing case that Iran and its proxies were behind numerous attacks -- including a rocket that landed Sunday near the US embassy in Baghdad, which has been evacuated. But McCaul also cast the US response as deterrence, telling reporters: "It was made very clear... there is no intention to go to war." - 'Very dangerous game' - Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned that the United States was "playing a very, very dangerous game" with military deployments, saying that some actors were "interested in accidents" -- a likely allusion to its regional rivals such as Saudi Arabia. "There will be painful consequences for everybody (if) there is an escalation against Iran, that's for sure," he said," Zarif told CNN. Trump last year pulled out of a multinational agreement negotiated under his predecessor Barack Obama under which Tehran drastically scaled back its nuclear work in return for promises of sanctions relief. The administration, which is closely allied with Riyadh, instead vowed "maximum pressure" to weaken Iran's regional influence, including by trying to stop all oil sales by Tehran. Democrats, while criticizing Iran, said its actions were predicted responses to Trump's actions and vowed to hold the White House to account after the debacle over the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent leftist who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, said that both the Iraq and Vietnam wars were based on lies. "I worry very much that, intentionally or unintentionally, we can create a situation in which a war will take place," Sanders told reporters. "I believe that a war with Iran would be an absolute disaster, far worse than the war with Iraq," Sanders said. Representative Adam Smith, a Democrat who leads the House Armed Services Committee, said that Pompeo in the briefing gave "a very lengthy political argument" explaining "all the terrible things Iran has done" until the Democratic lawmaker said he cut him off and asked to hear about US policy. "I think there's a risk of miscalculation on both sides. And that remains my biggest concern," Smith said. - Opening on prisoners? - Numerous Republicans have been clamoring for a tough stance on Iran that includes military options. Senator Lindsey Graham, a longtime hawk who is close to Trump, called the classified briefing a "game-changer." "The appeasement strategy against Iran is over," he declared after the briefing. But Trump has sent mixed signals, on Sunday warning by tweet that the United States could obliterate Iran while also calling for talks. He similarly threatened North Korea before his historic meetings with its leader Kim Jong Un, although few expect Iran's leadership -- for whom anti-Americanism is a cardinal tenet of the 1979 Islamic revolution -- to meet Trump. But Zarif has proposed a swap of prisoners, a step some observers say could offer a path to resume at least low-level dialogue to ease tensions. Pompeo, in a radio interview with conservative host Hugh Hewitt, said without further explanation that there had been "just a hint" that Iran was moving to release imprisoned US citizens. "Even a small confidence-building measure is a good thing, so it's absolutely the case that were they to release these Americans who are wrongfully held, it would be a good thing," Pompeo said. burs-sct/dw In a press release issued today by his family, relatives of Malaysian-national P. Pannir Selvam, are pleading with the Singaporean government for last-minute clemency as the date for his pending execution edges closer. Pannir, who has maintained his innocence throughout his trial, is set to face death by hanging in only three days. Appealing to Singapores president, his sister revealed that the family was given notice of his execution date last week on the very day that his last bid for clemency was rejected by President Halimah Yacob. She has asked the Malaysian government to step in with any assistance. On September 3, 2014, Pannir was found to be in possession of 51.84 grams of diamorphine, aka heroin, at the Woodlands Checkpoint between Singapore and Malaysia. He was convicted despite pleading innocent on June 27, 2017. We know that in the New Malaysia, our government no longer approves of the death sentence for drug trafficking. The Malaysian government is Pannir and our familys last hope. We implore the Malaysian government to communicate and urge the Singapore government to halt Fridays execution. Please give Pannir and our family a second chance, read the statement. Local lawyer activist group Lawyers for Liberty has weighed in on the issue, and called out what they say are irregularities in the Singaporean legal process. Once again, Singapore is planning to execute a mere drug mule, while the drug kingpins continue to ply their trade with impunity. More disturbingly, Pannirs final recourse of a clemency petition to the president of Singapore has been tainted with illegality and unlawful acts by the Singapore authorities, said N. Surendran, an adviser to the group. Adding that there is cause to believe that Pannir was mere duped into carrying a package by a man named Anand, and that the defendant gave authorities thorough information on the alleged mastermind. Singapore, a country known for its harsh anti-drug trafficking laws, denied Pannir a certificate of assistance that would have commuted his sentence to life imprisonment. This article, Family of Malaysian man charged with drug trafficking make final plea for clemency from Singapore, originally appeared on Coconuts, Asia's leading alternative media company. Want more Coconuts? Sign up for our newsletters! The Malaysians for Malaysia group at its annual Puasa 4 Malaysia inclusive breaking fast event. Picture by Mukhriz Hazim KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 Now entering its fourth year, the Malaysians for Malaysia movement said today it plans to continue working towards uniting fellow citizens even amid challenging ethnic and religious ties here. The loose group made of concerned citizens organised this evening its annual Puasa 4 Malaysia inclusive breaking fast event, as a way for it to celebrate the diversity of the society. We try to do this annually. So Malaysians for Malaysia, is a loose group of people who came together to try and introduce a more positive race narrative in Malaysia, one of the events organisers Emmanuel Joseph told Malay Mail when met at the event. So we started four years back and we did few events at a church during the Allah debacle, and we had the Purple Walk during the MH370 issue. We also held Walks of Hope. Then we tried to do this Puasa 4 Malaysia event once a year, he added. Every year, the group would invite non-Muslims to join fellow Muslims breaking their fast during Ramadan, with tens of attendees joining this years event. Emmanuel said the programme has since evolved into a nationwide cause, with members of the movement in several other states organising their own series of events. Of course theres also increased stress with politics but I guess as people in a mature country like Malaysia, its all part of finding the common ground between us and working around these differences, because at the end of the day we are all Malaysians, he added. Another organiser, interfaith activist Yana Rizal echoed Emmanuels sentiment. Usually what happens is when an issue crops up, that usually threatens some sort of discord in multi-racial Malaysia, what we do is we try to do events like this to bring people back together and go back to the core of what makes us uniquely Malaysians, she added. Among the works done by Malaysians for Malaysia, includes a campaign previously, to ease tensions during the controversy on the use of the Arabic reference for God Allah. Story continues The programme has since evolved into a nationwide cause, with members of the movement in several other states organising their own series of events. Picture by Mukhriz Hazim It then went on to unite Malaysians at a time when the nation was grieving the vanishing of the Malaysian flag carrier MH370, by holding the Wall of Hope campaign, calling on Malaysians to write and spread messages of love and unity. Even though its symbolic, I think thats what people need to see. That is the kind of things we need to see in our media these days, she added. Among some of the participants of the event today, included prominent Malaysian standup comedian Dr Jason Leong. Dr Leong got involved with the movement after hosting one of its event after the 14th general election last year. Malaysians for Malaysia is a very nice slogan which means all Malaysians are equal and its a beacon for a more fair Malaysia and Im all for that, he said. Another participant, Dr S. Komella Anne felt that Malaysians should not associate themselves with divisive politics and instead focus on the similarities. Actually this is my first time here, but yes, I will definitely support it from now onwards. I think there is a lot of positivity if you look closely. We come from different backgrounds but you can find that we can gel very well together, so its just a matter of putting in the effort. We need to be that bridge, Dr Komala added. Related Articles Foreign Minister: Putrajaya making efforts to help Malaysian scheduled for execution in Singapore Bukit Chagar poised to be JBs main transportation hub once RTS project proceeds Malaysia punya pelbagai peluang untuk bukan bumiputera melanjutkan pelajaran The European Union's border agency Frontex said it had launched Tuesday in Albania its first-ever joint operation outside the bloc's territory. The announcement came just days before EU elections with the bloc's migration policy under attack from populist candidates such as Italian vice premier Matteo Salvini and French far-right National Rally top candidate Jordan Bardella. Bardella recently said that Frontex, tasked with protecting bloc's external borders, acted as a "receptionist for migrants". Shrugging off such criticism, EU migration commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos labelled the operation launched in Tirana a "real game changer and a truly historical step bringing this region closer to the EU by working together ... on shared challenges such as better managing migration and protecting our common borders". Albania, which hopes to open EU membership talks in June, will through the scheme receive help with border control and tackling cross-border crime. The Balkan country's Prime Minister Edi Rama hailed a "very important step in relations between Albania and the EU" and said it was "strengthening cooperation in the security field". Starting Wednesday, Frontex teams will be deployed at the Greek border alongside Albanian border guards. The European Commission has initialled similar deals with Bosnia, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, which should come into force soon. Those countries and Albania lie on the so-called Balkans route used by thousands of EU-bound migrants. Hundreds of thousands used the route in 2015 and 2016, fleeing war and poverty across Africa and the Middle East -- but it was effectively closed in March 2016. Strengthened cooperation will "contribute to the better management of irregular migration, further enhance security at the EU's external borders and strengthen the agency's ability to act in the EU's immediate neighbourhood, while bringing that neighbourhood closer to the EU," a Commission statement said. The EU decided considerably to strengthen Frontex after the huge 2015 influx sparked chaos. By 2027, the agency expects to deploy 10,000 border and coast guards to help countries cope with migrants. North Korean refugees Mrs Lee and Park Dae Hyeon address international reporters from the 2019 Jefferson Fellowships in Seoul in Wednesday, 1 May 2019. Both requested that their faces not be shown as they still have relatives in the North. PHOTO: Nicholas Yong/Yahoo News Singapore SEOUL Defectors from North Korea have much in common with migrants around the world: they leave their homeland, and often their families, in search of a better life. In the process, they travel great distances and encounter hardships, emotional turmoil and often prejudice in their new countries. The key difference is that refugees from the Hermit Kingdom are fleeing what is widely regarded as the worlds most oppressive society, where entire families can be punished for even minor transgressions against the state. If North Koreans do not follow the policies of the state, the state not only threatens your life, but also the whole family up to three generations, said Mrs Lee, who defected to South Korea in 2011 from Ryanggang, a province near the Chinese border. They threaten to kill the family members or put them in prison. Their journey typically begins by crossing from border towns into China, where they face the threat of arrest, deportation and torture even before they could continue the journey into South Korea. China has forcibly deported tens of thousands of North Koreans over the years, given its close ties with Pyongyang, according to the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea. Once they are able to escape the Chinese dragnet, the North Koreans have to cover a dangerous, circuitous route through Southeast Asian countries before they make it to the South. After paying hefty fees to brokers and smugglers, and surviving the perilous journey, they still face other obstacles. Once we come to South Korea, self-esteem is very low because we are starting (to adjust to a very different life) compared with South Koreans, said Park Dae Heyon, 29, who fled the Hwanghae region in 2007 with his grandfather, mother and younger sister. South Koreans seem like they have everything, but...we dont have anything. We dont have any connections, especially in this society. We dont have any background, education. Now the chief executive of Woorion, an NGO that helps refugees from the North to resettle in the South, Park added, Whenever North Korea shoots their missiles or tests nuclear weapons, people just ask (im)polite questions. I think because they view North Koreans as third-class citizens. Story continues I started to wonder: how rich is the South? According to statistics from the Ministry of Unification, there were some 32,705 North Korean refugees in the South as of March 2019, of whom more than 70 per cent are women. But the number of refugees has been steadily falling since 2011, the year Kim Jong Un took power, when 2,706 refugees made the journey south. By 2018, only 1,137 refugees managed to cross over. Ko Gyoung Bin, president of Korea Hana Foundation, a support group for defectors, told reporters that the drop was due to the improved economic situation in the North, as well as tighter border security between the North and China. The final reason cited by Ko is tinged with cruel irony. There are already more than 30,000 North Korean refugees in South Korea sending money to their families in the North. Maybe they would rather lead a decent life in the North instead of risking their lives, he said. The money needed for the escape is mostly sent by relatives residing in South Korea, religious groups or human rights organisations, Ko added. Those who do not have relatives living in South Korea get help from the brokers first, and they pay back after working and making money in South Korea. The statistics underscore how hard life can be for North Korean refugees across the 38th parallel: steep school drop-out rates, an unemployment rate of 7 per cent - almost double the figure in South Korea - and a monthly income that is half the national average. Many also report difficulty in making friends or finding decent jobs, while southerners tend to view them with suspicion and contempt. Some even end up going back to the North. According to the award-winning book Nothing To Envy by journalist Barbara Demick, the most prized qualities in South Korean society are wealth, height, good looks, a university degree and money. Defectors who first arrive in the South often lack all five and invariably struggle. Then there is the question of culture and temperament. Park Ju Yeon (not her real name), 43, came to the South in 2002 from Hamgyong Namdo. Her mother, who was originally from China, managed to register her as a Chinese citizen. This enabled her to obtain a visa to come to the South. Married to a South Korean now, Park is a mother of two young children. She is the president and CEO of My JT Factory, which manufactures custom-made T-shirts, cups and souvenirs and employs nine people. The biggest (workplace) issue is communication, said Park of the issues between her North and South Korean workers. North Koreans do not have the freedom to express themselves, or to voice their unhappiness. They are very defensive, and can come across as offensive, while those from the South are more mellow and pleasant. South Korea is like heaven My JT Factory, located in Gyeonggi province, is run by North Korean defector Park Ju Hyeon (not her real name). It manufactures custom-made T-shirts and souvenirs and mainly serves kindergartens and churches. PHOTO: Nicholas Yong/Yahoo News Singapore It is telling that all three defectors Yahoo News Singapore spoke to requested that their faces not be shown in photos. They fear that if their identities are known, their relatives who are still living in the North could suffer severe repercussions. The threat is ever-present, even years after they have left a country where the three leaders of the Kim dynasty are regarded as deities and absolute loyalty to the regime is demanded of citizens. Park Ju Yeon even left her old job at Hanawon, the detention centre where all defectors are first held, because a client she had been helping chose to go back to the North. I felt unsafe as the client knew everything about me, including my real name, said Park, whose younger brother is still in the North. She has been unable to contact her brother for the past five years. Looking back to the time before they came to the south, Park Dae Hyeon and Park Ju Yeon used the same noun to describe what their new home might be like. We saw from videos and dramas and movies that South Korea is.like heaven, said the former. The latter was even more effusive in her praises once she arrived. My favourite things about the South: security, the freedom to express myself and hard work is rewarded. Here, I can say bad things about the president. But in the North, my neighbour would report me. And when asked whether she had faced discrimination in the South, Park Ju Yeon admitted to it but added, This situation of not being able to adjust to society, that is my fault. We are in a very good system, and it is on you to adjust. But what does Park think of North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns new policy of rapprochement towards the South and whether it would lead to peace between the two Koreas? She replied, Even if I cannot believe, I want to believe it. I really hope he can do it. The interviews for this story took place in April and May 2019 and were mostly conducted through an interpreter. Travel to Seoul and the interviews were arranged through the 2019 Jefferson Fellowships, which was organised and largely sponsored by the East-West Centre. Hong Kongs expatriate workers took home bigger pay packages in 2018, making the city the fourth most financially attractive place behind Japan, mainland China and India in the Asia-Pacific region for foreign talent to work, a survey has found. Expats in the city received a 3 per cent pay rise on average, or about HK$61,600 (US$7,902) more in their overall annual pay package last year, according to the survey by ECA International, a human resources consultancy. Foreign nationals working as middle managers were offered HK$2.16 million (US$276,000) on average, inclusive of benefits such as housing subsidies. Hong Kong ranked fourth across the Asia-Pacific region in terms of overall pay package, which took into account salaries, benefits and tax treatment, but fell one place to fifth when only salaries were calculated. Hong Kong continues to be an attractive place for companies and expats alike, and the growth of expats pay packages last year was largely a product of the continuous rise in rental allowance and other benefits, including school fees for their childrens international schools, Lee Quane, Asia regional director of ECA International, said on Tuesday. The improvement in 2018 followed a slight shrinkage the previous year. The consultancy studied data collected from more than 280 multinational corporations employing 10,000 expatriate staff from 160 countries last year, and said the trends continued to look good for 2019. The city also compared favourably against regional rivals in the Greater Bay Area when it came to attracting foreign workers as it had a higher quality of life and more international schools, Quane added, referring to Beijings blueprint aimed at linking Hong Kong, Macau and nine mainland cities in Guangdong province into an innovation and technology hub to rival Silicon Valley. Concerns, however, have been raised over the Hong Kong governments controversial extradition bill, which could make it harder for employers in the city to recruit and retain foreign talent. Story continues Whilst acknowledging similar political worries in places across the Asia-Pacific region, Quane said the ongoing saga could blunt Hong Kongs competitive edge as its traditional attractiveness for expat workers as a city valuing personal freedoms and the rule of law faded vis-a-vis its regional rivals. If it is perceived by people [those freedoms] are coming under greater threat then yes, that could have an impact on Hong Kongs attractiveness. According to the Immigration Department, the number of employment visas issued continued to rise, standing at 41,592 in 2018 almost 10,000 more than the 31,676 issued in 2014. This article Hong Kongs expat workers enjoy better pay packages as perks including rental and school fee allowances improve first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2019. * Farmers seen switching away from pulses, cotton * Higher domestic soy output could cut edible oil imports * Iran's soymeal buying supporting local soybean prices By Rajendra Jadhav MUMBAI, May 21 (Reuters) - India is set to grow soybeans on more land in the 2019 crop year as higher prices for the oilseed push some farmers to switch from cultivating competing commodities such as cotton and pulses, an industry official and dealers told Reuters. Increased production of India's main summer-sown oilseed could help the world's biggest vegetable oil importer trim costly purchases from Brazil, Argentina, Indonesia and Malaysia. It could also help boost Indian exports of animal feed ingredient soymeal to places such as Bangladesh, Japan, Vietnam and Iran. "At current prices, soybeans are more lucrative than other crops. We will see a shift towards soybeans from cotton and pulses," said Davish Jain, chairman of the Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA). Local soybean prices have risen nearly 14 percent to 3,716 rupees ($53.31) per 100 kg since the start of the 2018 crop year on Oct. 1, boosted after India raised the duty on importing soyoil, palm oil and other cooking oils. Soybeans have been cultivated on 10.8 million hectares in the 2018 crop year, up 6.7 percent from the year before, according to data compiled by SOPA. Jain did not give an exact estimate on how much land he expected to be planted with soybean crops in the 2019 crop year. The appeal of sowing soybean fields could also be boosted by forecasts the next monsoon will arrive late and deliver less rainfall than average. "Soybean is a sturdy crop. Even if it encounters adverse weather conditions, then ... farmers would not end up with total losses like other crops," Jain said. Most Indian farmers typically begin cultivating soybeans, cotton and pulses, which are rain-fed crops, in June after the arrival of the monsoon. The western state of Maharashtra and central India's Madhya Pradesh account for more than 80 percent of the country's total soybean output. Both states could receive lower-than-normal rainfall in 2019, according to private weather forecaster Skymet. Story continues The greatest rise in soybean area could be in Maharashtra, where farmers were not happy with returns from cotton, said Govindbhai Patel, managing director of trading firm G.G. Patel & Nikhil Research Company. "Soybean doesn't need too much rainfall. It needs timely rainfall for better yields," Patel said. Soybean prices have also been buoyed by growing Iranian appetite for imports of Indian soymeal, said a Mumbai-based dealer with a global trading firm. ($1 = 69.7100 Indian rupees) (Reporting by Rajendra Jadhav; Editing by Joseph Radford) Rodel Jayme, the webmaster of the website which first shared the Bikoy videos MANILA, Philippines Website Administrator Rodel Jayme, who was accused of sharing internet videos linking the Duterte family to narcotics trade, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of inciting to sedition. Jayme on Tuesday, entered the plea when he was arraigned before the Paranaque Regional Trial Court Branch 258. The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed the inciting to sedition rap in relation to the anti-cybercrime law, an offense punishable by a prison term of six to 12 years. The DOJ said Jaymes posting of videos is not an exercise of his freedom of speech and expression but a clear act to arouse among its viewers a sense of dissatisfaction against the duly constituted authorities. READ: Prosecutors find probable cause to indict Jayme for violation of Art. 142 of RPC The 27-year old webmaster admitted to developing the website which was later used to host the series of online videos entitled, Ang Totoong Narco List, where a certain Bikoy implicated some members of President Rodrigo Dutertes family and close associates to the illegal drug trade. However, he denied involvement in the uploading and subsequent sharing of videos that have gone viral on social media. READ: Rodel Jayme denies knowledge of uploaded Bikoy videos READ: Jayme possible as state witness but no assurance yet NBI Jayme earlier expressed willingness to turn state witness to help apprehend the individual who spread the videos. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said it will evaluate if Jayme is qualified to become state witness. Meanwhile, the court also ordered Jaymes transfer to the Paranaque City Jail from the NBI. The post Jayme pleads not guilty to sedition charges appeared first on UNTV News. Singapore Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan and his Malaysian counterpart Anthony Loke at a news conference in Singapore on 21 May 2019. PHOTO: Nicholas Yong/Yahoo News Singapore SINGAPORE Singapore and Malaysia have signed an agreement to suspend the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link (RTS) project for six months. In a joint statement by the two countries on Tuesday (21 May), Singapore said that it had agreed to Malaysias request, which was made on 27 March, to suspend the project in the spirit of bilateral cooperation. The suspension period will be up to 30 September 2019, with Malaysia bearing the abortive costs of suspending the project, which amounts to some $600,000. It will also have the opportunity to propose changes to the project scope. Malaysia and Singapore will also continue to discuss other affordable and sustainable solutions to address traffic congestion at the border, said the two countries. If Putrajaya does not proceed with the project by the deadline, it will also bear the agreed costs incurred by Singapore in fulfilling Tuesdays agreement. This will amount to $66 million, which is the amount that has been spent on the project since it began. Malaysia had made the request to suspend the project due to concerns about the cost. Cost is a major consideration for Malaysia Meeting at Singapore's Ministry of Transport, Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke (left) and his Singaporean counterpart Khaw Boon Wan ink an agreement to suspend the RTS Link Project on Tuesday, 21 May 2019. PHOTO: Nicholas Yong/Yahoo News Singapore Set to connect Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru to Woodlands, the RTS Link was supposed to be completed by 2024 but fell behind schedule due to Malaysias repeated delays in confirming its joint venture partner. Addressing the media at Singapores Ministry of Transport on Tuesday, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan and his Malaysian counterpart Anthony Loke recognised the urgent need to alleviate traffic congestion at the Johor Bahru-Singapore Causeway, which facilitates about 300,000 crossings daily. Khaw said, An RTS Link with a capacity of 10,000 passengers per direction per hour can make a material difference to commuters experience. Many Singaporeans and Malaysians stand to benefit from such a project. Singapore remains committed to it. The 66-year-old expressed hopes that the project would resume at the end of the suspension period. He noted that the decision to suspend the contract would affect the Land Transport Authoritys contractors and bidders involved in the project, as well as SMRT, which is Singapores joint venture partner for the RTS Link operator. Story continues They have been concerned about the future of the project. Todays announcement will clarify the situation. Asked if terminating the project would ultimately be the most cost-effective option for Malaysia, Loke said that he did not want to jump the gun at this point as Putrajaya was still considering its options on the matter. We are committed to find a solution to this issue. We do not want to discount any possibility at this point of time...we really hope that this project can proceed, but in other forms and other approaches...key to that is the cost of the project, that is the major consideration on the Malaysian part. But Loke conceded that commuters on both sides of the Causeway wanted to see the project come to fruition. I think by and large, what the public wants to see is that the project can proceed, the project can help to alleviate congestion at the Causeway. Bilateral disagreements Singapore and Malaysia have been embroiled in a series of bilateral disagreements since October 2018, centred on maritime and aviation disputes. Noting that it was the one-year anniversary of his being sworn in as Transport Minister, Loke remarked to reporters that he and Khaw have met six times in the past year. The Republic had initially taken a strong stance on the various disputes. Last December, Khaw said that Putrajaya was using its objections to the Instrument Landing System (LS) procedures for Seletar Airport as a technical excuse to trigger an unfriendly act towards Singapore. Singapores Foreign Ministry had also said the presence of Malaysian vessels ion Singapore territorial waters off Tuas risked causing an unintended and dangerous incident. But the disputes have died down in recent months, with the two countries agreeing to suspend the High Speed Rail project for two years, with Malaysia paying $15 million to Singapore for abortive costs. Singapore has also agreed to withdraw the Instrument Landing System (ILS) procedures at Seletar Airport, while both countries have mutually suspended the implementation of their overlapping port limits. Related stories Khaw hopes deal to suspend RTS link can be finalised soon Singapore to withdraw ILS at Seletar Airport, while Malaysia will suspend Pasir Gudang restricted area Malaysia is using 'technical excuse' of ILS to trigger 'unfriendly act': Khaw Malaysian vessels in Singapore waters raise tensions, risk causing dangerous incident: MFA Lim Kit Siang attends the 2019 DAP National Conference in Shah Alam May 5, 2019. Picture by Firdaus Latif KUALA LUMPUR, MAY 21 DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang has no objection to other topics being raised during his tentative debate with former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, so long as the main subject remains unchanged. The Iskandar Puteri MP has also appointed his political secretary Syahredzan Johan and Parliamentary liaison officer Ahmad Faiz Mustafa to liaise with Najibs officers to finalise details of the debate. I have no objection to other topics being discussed at the debate, but the subject of the debate must not be changed and must be clearly publicised as How Malaysia became a global kleptocracy and how can we become a leading nation of integrity whether at the debate venue or elsewhere, he said in a statement. He said once the debate has been confirmed, it should be clearly publicised at the debate venue or elsewhere as How Malaysia became a global kleptocracy and how can we become a leading nation of integrity. Adding the finalisation would take place after Hari Raya Aidilfitri, he also welcomed the views of others on the subject via their emails and suggestions at limkitsiang@gmail.com. In a Facebook post earlier today, Najib confirmed the debate would take place after Lim had agreed with his proposal for the event. Najib later added in a separate post that controversial Jelutong MP RSN Rayer, who had recently criticised him, cannot be the moderator of the debate. Related Articles Kit Siang, Hanif Omar may settle defamation suit out of court, says lawyer 'Obses' kritik Najib, Lim Kit Siang dicabar debat 'apa saja' Cadang pinda perlembagaan parti, taktik Umno singkir Zahid, Najib? Hundreds of Catholics prayed outside the bombed St Anthony's Church in Colombo on Tuesday, marking one month since the Easter Sunday suicide attacks that killed 258 people in Sri Lanka. The faithful lit candles and offered prayers even as the church, first built in 1740, was being restored following the devastating April 21 bombing. Two other churches outside the capital and three luxury hotels in Colombo were also hit in the coordinated attacks blamed on local jihadists and claimed by the Islamic State group. Troops and police maintained tight security across the country on the anniversary, which also coincided with the partial reopening of Catholic schools after an extended Easter holiday. At St. Joseph's College in Colombo, upper school students were seen returning to classes. Public schools had reopened earlier in the month. Catholic schools reopened after army chief Mahesh Senanayake said security forces would ensure that students were not targeted by Islamic militants responsible for the Easter bombings. A Catholic spokesman in Colombo said primary classes will resume next week. President Maithripala Sirisena has vowed to crush Islamist militants blamed for the Easter bombings that also left 500 injured. Christians make up 7.6 percent and Muslims 10 percent of mainly Buddhist Sri Lanka, which has been under a state of emergency since the attacks. Singapores doing a lot to scrub secondhand smoke off its streets, first with designated smoking zones along Orchard Road that went official last month, and now with the launch of the countrys first smoking cabin outside Fusionopolis. But get this: Its not simply a place for people to puff away. Smoking Cabin SG is actually billed as the first facility here to transform cigarette smoke into clean air. This nifty invention is developed by Southern Globe Corporation (SGC), using the three-layer filtering system by Danish company Smoke Solution, which can apparently be seen in countries like Japan, Denmark, and Kuwait. I am a father of two and there are many occasions where my family has been inconvenienced by the presence of cigarette smoke, said Stefen Choo, Director of SGC, in a press release today. I have always felt that there should be a better solution to contain cigarette smoke in Singapore. When I came across Smoke Solutions Indoor Glass Cabins at an international trade show, I knew that I had to bring the technology to Singapore. Inside the cabin. Photo: Smoking Cabin SG First tested out as a prototype outside Fusionopolis in early May, the air-conditioned quarters, which can fit up to 10 people at a time, have since been used by about 100 smokers each day, SGC claims. So how does it work? The filtering system is fitted with automatic motion sensors, and its base is equipped with a centrifugal fan that draws in the cigarette smoke. Once in the system, the smoke passes through a Pre Filter to remove bigger dust particles, a HEPA Filter to get rid of small 0.3 micron particles (acting like an N95 mask), and an Activated Carbon Filter to extract odors and gases. Even if you dont live or work in the area, the firm has plans to deploy 60 such smoking cabins across the island by the end of the year. This technology has drastically transformed the issue of cigarette smoke worldwide. We are extremely excited to see what it can do for Singapore, Choo said. Oh, Singapore. Always going above and beyond to maintain your clean and green look. This article, Singapore launches first smoking cabin that filters cigarette smoke into clean air, originally appeared on Coconuts, Asia's leading alternative media company. Want more Coconuts? Sign up for our newsletters! Local and foreign investment in South Korean real estate dropped by nearly a third in the first three months of the year as Seoul announced plans to remove tax perks granted to the most common investment vehicles used by institutional investors. In the first quarter of the year, total foreign and local investment declined 31 per cent to US$4.44 billion from US$6.47 billion in the same period last year, data from Real Capital Analytics showed. Under the countrys current tax regime, real estate funds (REF) and private real estate investment trusts (Reits) enjoy a flat property tax on land of 0.24 per cent per annum, lower than an incremental tax rate of up to 0.48 per cent for regular companies. REFs and Reits are also exempted from paying aggregate real estate tax, while regular companies pay an incremental tax rate of up to 0.84 per cent. Support for tax to curb soaring South Korea property prices rises Under the new proposal, private REFs and Reits will have the same tax rates applied to regular companies for certain taxes. The property tax on land of up to 0.48 per cent per annum will have an additional 0.14 per cent added if the property is in a city area. The amendments are expected to be confirmed and promulgated into law following a public notification period that will end on May 29. Analysts said demand for South Korean real estate was likely to soften until the uncertainty over the change in the way REFs and Reits are taxed is resolved. There is potentially going to be a change in the tax treatment for specialist real estate investment vehicles. That might slow volumes going forward, said Ben Vickery, associate director of the investment advisory division at Savills Korea. South Korean law firm Kim & Chang has estimated that return on equity investments into REFs and Reits could fall by as much as 15 per cent under the impact of the proposed changes. Chinese still keen on Korean property despite diplomatic rift The Korean property market has recently seen a boom with domestic and foreign investment hitting US$26.15 billion in 2018, up by 38.7 per cent from US$18.85 billion in 2017, according to Real Capital Analytics. Story continues More than half the total came from equity funds, investment managers and Reits. Last year, Hong Kong investors poured US$203 million into South Korean property. That was down 39 per cent from US$334 million 2017 but above the US$154 million invested in 2016. Vickery said that REFs and Reits contributed about 20 per cent to 30 per cent of the total volume of investment in the South Korean property market. He noted that the fundamentals of the market remained sound. Petra Blazkova, senior director for Asia-Pacific analytics at Real Capital Analytics, said record investment volumes in the South Korean property market would be difficult to match this year owing to a deteriorating investment environment. In South Korea, last years robust investment flows will be difficult to match in 2019 ... Domestic investors took a step back after a record year in 2018 and were concerned about the impact of declining exports on economic growth, she said. Property consultancy CBRE said returns of domestic private real estate funds will fall between 0.2 per cent and 0.5 per cent owing to the amendment of the law, while some asset management companies expect returns to decline by at least 1 per cent. Despite worries about the decline in yields, it is expected that there will be no large capital outflows from the market when the domestic commercial real estate investment activity is still active and very competitive this year, said Claire Choi, CBRE Korea head of research. This article South Korean property boom fizzles out as investors balk at plan to remove tax incentives first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2019. How standing up to Xi Jinping could help Taiwans Tsai Ing-wen come back from the political dead Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has been given a boost in the polls after her firm rebuff of Xi Jinpings call for the island to discuss reunification with the mainland under the one country, two systems model. To win next years election she will have to fight off a challenge both from inside her Democratic Progressive Party, in the form of former premier William Lai Ching-te, before facing off against an opposition heavyweight such as Kaohsiung mayor Han Kuo-yu or Foxconn billionaire Terry Gou. Various opinion polls had put Tsai behind all her prospective challengers since she stepped down as DPP chairwoman after a heavy defeat in Novembers local government elections that saw the party lose control of eight cities and counties, including its former stronghold of Kaohsiung. No one thought she could make it back in the race after the DPPs crushing defeat in November, but the proposal by Xi helped her get back on track, as voters admired her courage in safeguarding Taiwans sovereignty, Fan Shih-ping, professor of political science at Taiwan Normal University, said on Monday. According to two opinion polls released by the Taipei-based Cross-Strait Policy Association and the United Daily News on Monday to mark the third anniversary of Tsais presidency, her approval rating has risen to 41 per cent and 34 per cent respectively, up from lows of 39 per cent and 20 per cent. Though Tsai is still lagging behind other contenders like Han and Gou, her popularity has been on the rebound and in some opinion polls released last week, she was even beating the pro-independence Lai, a former close ally. Since Tsai sternly rejected Xis call, she has started a series of measures to safeguard Taiwans sovereignty, said Lin Ting-hui, deputy secretary general of the Taiwanese Society of International Law. These include working closely with the US to counter security threats and disinformation from China, and increasing the defence budget to counter Beijings military expansion and intimidation. Story continues Beijing considers Taiwan a wayward province that must be returned to the mainland fold, by force if necessary. It has suspended official exchanges and talks with the self-ruled island since Tsai took office and refused to accept the one-China principle as a basis for talks on reunification. In addition to staging war games on Taiwans doorstep, it has also wooed away five of the islands last diplomatic allies and has pressured international companies to change their websites so the island is designated as a Chinese province. Doong Sy-chi, director of foreign policy studies at Taiwan Thinktank, said Xis proposal in January to start talks under the one country, two systems model previously used to reunify Hong Kong and Macau with the mainland had only heightened the Taiwanese peoples resentment. The Chinese Communists are always the best campaign aide for the DPP Fan Shih-ping The Cross-Strait Policy Associations poll showed that close to 60 per cent of respondents in Taiwan disapprove of how Beijing has treated the island in recent years. This proves that the Chinese Communists are always the best campaign aide for the DPP, Fan said. The stronger the pressure applied to Taiwan, the better the chance for the DPP to win the elections. Speaking in Taipei to mark the third anniversary of her inauguration, Tsai stressed that she did not seek provocation. But since January, by openly bringing up the proposal of cross-strait unification under the one country, two systems formula, China has left us no more ambiguity or room for manoeuvre, she said, adding that this has forced her government to firmly and clearly declare our stand and defend Taiwans sovereignty. Tsai admitted that she had also suffered by pursuing unpopular labour and pension reforms, but said if she did not have the courage to pursue them in her first term, she would not be able to do so in her second. The KMT, however, has criticised her for doing nothing for Taiwan or its sagging economy, and accused her of spending her time on political witch hunts instead. This article How standing up to Xi Jinping could help Taiwans Tsai Ing-wen come back from the political dead first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2019. Photo credit: Bruno Rezza From Harper's BAZAAR When Ian Ross spotted Virginia Ashe sitting outside on a spring day in Boston eating brunch with some friends, he could never have imagined that less than six years later, in beautiful Cartagena, Colombia, she would become his wife. All he cared about in that moment was talking to her-and he did just that. He said something like, Youre the most beautiful girl Ive ever seen, recalls Virginia, who at the time was a sophomore at Boston University. We all started talking, and the whole time I was thinking hed be perfect for one of my friends. Ian (accidentally) left his phone at the table, and when he came back for it, he asked Virginia for her number. I wasnt in the practice of giving it out to complete strangers, but he lived in New York. I was planning on interning in the city, so I thought, you never know, she says. Photo credit: Bruno Rezza Photo credit: Bruno Rezza In June, they went on one amazing date in downtown New York City at Bacaro , but nothing really came of it and Virginia returned to school. (Though they did discover they share the same birthday-and that she had lied about being 21 when they met.) A second date in Manhattan took place in October, and it went so well that Ian, who works in commercial real estate, convinced her to spend an extra day there. From then on, they were a couple; after three semesters of long distance, Virginia relocated to New York. The couple moved in together two years after that fateful brunch. In October 2016, Ian popped the question-and somehow, he was able to keep it all a secret. Im super nosy, so Im a tough person to surprise, Virginia says. Ian pulled it off by pretending to go on a two-day work trip, and asking a friend to invite Virginia to a fake event at The Metrograph theater while he was gone. When I got there, there was no sign of anything going on-and I still wasnt suspicious, says Virginia, a fashion and lifestyle publicist and the founder of ASHE Agency. Photo credit: Bruno Rezza Photo credit: Bruno Rezza An usher led her into the theater, where Ian had arranged to play a video that chronicled their relationship, before getting down on one knee with an asscher-cut ring from Cory Friedman Fine Jewels in New York. But the surprises didnt end there; Ian had planned an engagement party at Bacaro-and the next morning whisked Virginia off to Paris for four days. She told me about six months ago that she had known about the trip all along, Ian says. Story continues Choosing the destination for the wedding was easy. Virginias parents are from Cali, Colombia, and she always envisioned herself getting married in Cartagena, a quintessential tropical escape. Ian and I vacationed there a few years prior, when he came to meet my family, and we had this magical time, she says. Not only did we want a place with a personal connection, we wanted to bring our friends there to experience the vibrant culture. Photo credit: Bruno Rezza Photo credit: Bruno Rezza She turned to Instagram for inspiration, and happened upon a re-posted image of an outdoor dinner on the island of Baru, just off the coast of Cartagena. I began stalking who originally posted the picture, and found that it was the New York-based wedding planner Matthew Robbins Design . After discovering that one of the owners, Luis Otoya, is Colombian and that they have an office in Cartagena, RobbinsOtoya, Virginia knew she had found her dream team. The festivities took place over a holiday weekend, beginning with Cuban-inspired welcome cocktails at the restaurant La Vitrola, complete with a cigar roller and a salsa band. For Saturdays rehearsal dinner-which Victoria describes as vibrant, tropical, and sexy-the couple invited everyone to a beautifully rustic and bohemian home on Baru. It was meant to be casual and relaxed, says Ian. The meal was actually on the beach, and people were even barefoot. Tables were decorated with foliage and accented with exotic tropical fruits such as corozo, granadillas, watermelons, and pitayas. Evento & Cocina created a menu of Colombian dishes like avocado and green mango salad, platanos en tentacion (baked sweet plantains), and coconut rice. I thought of this as a Colombian night under the stars, says Virginia, who wore a jungle-inspired custom gown by the local designer Maria Elena Villamil and Oscar de la Renta gold floral drop earrings. Photo credit: Bruno Rezza Photo credit: Bruno Rezza Photo credit: Bruno Rezza For her wedding gown, Virginia knew she wanted something by a Latin American designer-and also a style that embodied the wedding destination. The result? A timeless gown by the Dominican Republic-born Oscar de la Renta . The front was simple, with a deep V, with a ruffle in the back that felt very fun and tropical, like Cartagena, she says. She paired the look with funky, gold Saint Laurent heels (a gift from her grandmother), vintage diamond stud earrings from Ians mother, and a custom-made Sposabella Lace veil-which she didnt wear for long. I had to take it off mid-ceremony because of the wind, which made for a funny moment! she says. The 10 bridesmaids wore dresses of their choice in shades of red, pink, and ivory, while the 10 groomsmen, like Ian, wore suits with white jackets. Photo credit: Bruno Rezza Photo credit: Bruno Rezza After a weekend of events and activities in Cartagena, 160 guests gathered to watch Virginia and Ian exchange vows in the courtyard of the Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa . It has these terra cotta walls and it felt really intimate, says Ian, who donned a custom suit with a white dinner jacket (a.k.a. tropical black tie). To honor Ians Jewish heritage, the couple flew over their rabbi from Brooklyn to officiate the ceremony, which took place under a chuppah decorated with bougainvillea. When I was standing up there and Virginia was walking down the aisle, it was this really emotional, wild moment, Ian says. Were both big planners, but I never really stopped to think about how much work we had put into the wedding until right then. Photo credit: Bruno Rezza Photo credit: Bruno Rezza Photo credit: Bruno Rezza Photo credit: Bruno Rezza After the ceremony, traditional merengue dancers led everyone on a walk around the block-like a second line in New Orleans-dropping them off back at the hotel for outdoor cocktails while Virginia and Ian stole some time away for themselves before entering the propertys ballroom, which used to be a cathedral. When we were designing the look for the reception, I said to Matthew that I liked the idea of tropical grunge, Virginia says. We had a lot of burgundy and aubergine tones and deep tropical greens, which made it a little moody and really enhanced the space. Photo credit: Bruno Rezza Photo credit: Bruno Rezza Photo credit: Bruno Rezza Photo credit: Bruno Rezza Guests found their seats around teak wood tables, which were decorated with custom-made woven placemats from Usiacuri, Colombia, and centerpieces made of green foliage, protea, and orchids. But rather than linger over dinner and speeches, the meal-catered by the propertys chef, the celebrated Harry Sasson-was served relatively early on so that the salsa band could get down to business. So after enjoying pepper-crusted steak, grouper with roasted leeks, and grilled hearts of palm, Everyone got really into the Latin dancing, Ian says. All these people who had never salsa danced were out there doing it. Photo credit: Bruno Rezza Photo credit: Bruno Rezza Photo credit: Bruno Rezza At around 11:30, they transitioned to a DJ-specifically DJ Chachi , who is a close friend of Ians. Around the same time, Virginia says, I changed into a red, sequined Stella McCartney dress that made me feel totally glam and ready to party! And just when everyone thought the evening was winding down, out came two trumpet players at 2 a.m. for whats known as hora loca, or crazy hour. At 3 a.m., the party continued at one of the colonial homes the couple had rented, where many of their friends were staying. Photo credit: Bruno Rezza Photo credit: Bruno Rezza Photo credit: Bruno Rezza On Monday, the newlyweds hosted a brunch at the house where they were staying. Ive never been a fan of formal brunches, and we wanted people to feel as comfortable as possible since they may have had a rough night, Ian says. Guests came and went as they pleased to eat empanadas and arepas, sip on tropical juices, and relax by the pool or on the rooftop. Virginia and Ross left right from Cartagena for a mini-moon in Belize, staying a few days on the private island resort of Cayo Espanto . Its really beautiful, and you do nothing except for relax, she says. We did take a helicopter ride, and Im scared of flying so that was enough adventure for me. Photo credit: Bruno Rezza But the real honeymoon happened in the summer, when they had their own Under the Tuscan Sun experience-complete with a Fiat and a playlist loaded with Italian songs. We drove through Tuscany, and stopped at these amazing towns, where we walked around and explored, Ian says. They spent a few nights at the Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco , and the hotel prepared a private picnic in its vineyard, the most perfect setting for a toast to the future. ('You Might Also Like',) Netflix announces fashion design series NEW YORK (AP) Its been a minute since a new fashion design competition has occurred. Enter: Next in Fashion, soon to come on Netflix. The series is hosted by the first Queer Eye star to spin off, Tan France, along with fashion maven Alexa Chung. The show features 18 designers competing for $250,000 and the chance to sell their wares on Net-a-Porter. No release date was announced. Netflix said in a statement Friday the competition is focused on trends and styles that have influenced the way the entire world dresses. Among the judges are celebrity stylist Elizabeth Stewart and Eva Chen, Instagrams director of fashion partnerships. The show comes after a 17th-season makeover for Project Runway on Bravo starring Christian Siriano as mentor, Karlie Kloss as host and Brandon Maxwell among the judges. University gets horror filmmakers archives PITTSBURGH (AP) The University of Pittsburgh is getting a spooky addition: the archives of late iconic horror filmmaker George A. Romero. Romeros horror flicks date back to the 1968 film Night of the Living Dead, and many consider him the godfather of zombie cinema. The archives will be available to scholars, students and filmmakers and include the original annotated Night of the Living Dead script and a foam latex zombie head. University officials say the collection will be used to build an international resource for the study of horror and science fiction. Romero came to Pittsburgh in the late 1950s to study graphic art. He launched his career with commercials and shorts, including work for Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. Romero died in 2017. Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SIOUX CITY -- Going into his sentencing hearing Tuesday, Robert Mahoney knew he'd be sentenced to either 25 or 30 years in prison for setting the fire that led to the death of Wanda Blake. District Judge Patrick Tott chose 30 years, ordering the 25-year sentence for first-degree arson and the five years for involuntary manslaughter to be served consecutively, or back to back. Both actions were separate crimes and deserved to be punished as such, Tott said, adding that Mahoney's lengthy criminal record also factored in his decision. "It's fortunate no deaths were caused (by Mahoney) before this," Tott said. A Woodbury County District Court jury in March found Mahoney, 52, of Sioux City, guilty of setting a Feb. 4, 2018, fire at his apartment complex. Firefighters responding to the blaze found Blake unconscious in a hallway, and she was treated at a hospital for smoke and carbon monoxide inhalation. Blake, 51, died three weeks later at a Sioux City hospital after spending several days in intensive care before being released to a rehabilitation facility. A medical examiner testified that blood clots that developed in Blake's legs traveled to her lungs, causing her death. Her death was ruled a homicide. Mahoney told Tott he didn't start the fire with the intent of harming anyone. "I'm sorry for what happened," Mahoney said before Tott sentenced him. Under state law, Mahoney also must pay $150,000 in restitution to Blake's estate. Assistant Woodbury County Attorney James Loomis had argued for the longer sentence. He said the two charges stemmed from separate crimes, and Mahoney has a criminal history dating back some 30 years. "This defendant is dangerous to this community, and he should be locked away as long as possible," Loomis said. Public defender Billy Oyadare had asked Tott to order the sentences be served concurrently for a total sentence of 25 years. Mahoney told police he was bored when he set a small fire in his apartment with bug spray and a lighter. When the fire went out, Mahoney became angry, doused papers on a table with bug spray and set a second fire, which blazed out of control and damaged several units at Central Apartments, 613 11th St. Oyadare had argued at trial that Mahoney suffers from chronic mental illnesses, and a psychiatrist testified that Mahoney set the fire impulsively and had no intent to cause harm. Before sentencing Mahoney, Tott denied Oyadare's motion for a new trial. Copyright 2019 The Sioux City Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 1 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 -- The City of Sioux City is suing a woman for more than $50,000 in damages caused when her vehicle crashed into a traffic signal control box on Hamilton Boulevard. The city says that Laresa Jones' auto insurance carrier has refused to pay the city for the damages, so it is now seeking judgment against her personally, according to the lawsuit, filed May 14 in Woodbury County District Court. Jones, 30, of Sioux City, currently faces a criminal charge of second-offense operating while intoxicated for the Nov. 1 incident. According to court documents filed in the OWI case, Jones lost control of her southbound Subaru Crosstrek at about 9:30 p.m. while driving in the 3000 block of Hamilton Boulevard. Her vehicle left the roadway and struck the control box, knocking out power to traffic signals, before driving off of a retaining wall and coming to rest in the Minerva's restaurant parking lot at 2945 Hamilton Blvd. Jones fled the scene on foot before being apprehended nearby, police said. The city said in its lawsuit that Jones' vehicle destroyed the traffic signal control equipment, and its replacement cost $50,536. According to court documents, Jones told police she had been driving from a local bar at the time of the incident. She is scheduled to stand trial for OWI in July. Copyright 2019 The Sioux City Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 9 Wow 2 Sad 1 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 -- An arbitrator has ordered the Sioux City school district to revise classroom schedules for the 2019-20 school year to give more teachers morning and afternoon breaks. District administrators and the teachers union face an Aug. 1 deadline to negotiate a schedule allowing middle and high school teachers to take 10-minute breaks in the morning and afternoon at least four days a week. Currently, teachers for grades K-5 receive the two breaks, a practice that dates back at least 20 years, said Brenda Zahner, a leader of the Sioux City Education Association, which has more than 900 members. When the district approved the SCEA contract for the 2018-19 year last spring, language governing working conditions was changed so the breaks also would apply to other groups of teachers. "The language is the same, what changes is the grade levels it effects," Zahner said. The breaks weren't put into practice, however. So, in December 2018 the SCEA filed a grievance with the Iowa Public Employment Relations Board. In a May 15 decision, an arbitrator sided with the union and ordered the two sides to reach an agreement by Aug. 1. In the meantime, all master schedules for instructions, which covers teaching assignments, duties and student schedules, have been put on hold. District spokeswoman Mandie Mayo said schedule changes are being evaluated for teachers in grades 6-12 to provide the breaks. "This will include a slight schedule change for teachers at the secondary level. Student recess has traditionally allowed such breaks in the elementary schedule," Mayo said. "The Sioux City Community School District is committed to maintaining a positive work environment for all staff members. As we work through this process over the summer, staff are welcome to assist in formulating a plan of action by submitting ideas to SCEA building representatives." Zahner, director of the Siouxland UniServ group of the Iowa State Education Association, said people may see the word "grievance," and think the two sides are at loggerheads. Instead, she said, "I am optimistic that we will be able to come to an agreement soon." Copyright 2019 The Sioux City Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 5 Funny 1 Wow 2 Sad 0 Angry 0 CEDAR RAPIDS A Des Moines Democrat launched a campaign Monday to try to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, and a Linn County supervisor plans to decide this month whether to try also. Des Moines businessman Eddie Mauro joins lawyer Kimberly Graham, also of Des Moines, in seeking the Democratic nomination in 2020. Washington remains broken and its time for a change, and I am the best candidate to take on and defeat Joni Ernst, said Mauro, who in 2018 ran unsuccessfully for U.S. House in the 3rd District. Also Monday, Stacey Walker, a member of the Linn County Board of Supervisors, confirmed hes giving serious consideration to joining the race. Ernst, he said, has not lived up to her promise to go to Washington to shake things up and drain the swamp. Instead, we have seen that she has protected a president who has done a lot of harm to Iowans all across the state, he said. Walker, 31, who was elected in a special election in 2016 and re-elected last year, acknowledged that Ernst will be a formidable candidate as an incumbent who has raised about $3 million in campaign funds. Shes popular with Republicans and shes a skilled campaigner, he said. I give her all the credit in that respect. However, after more than four years in the Senate, Ernst has a record she will have to defend, including her support for President Donald Trump. She will have to answer for that, Walker said. Regardless of the fact that she is an incumbent or that she has a lot of money, Iowans are smart and Iowans like candidates that are going to be honest with them and do what they say they are going to do. In that respect, Sen. Ernst has come up woefully short, he said. Although Democrats have had difficulties winning competitive statewide races in recent years, Walker takes encouragement from Democrat Rob Sands win in the race for state auditor as well as Democrats picking up two U.S. House seats in 2018. You are also starting to see a new crop of leaders in the Democratic Party who are bringing a lot of people into the conversation and their message is resonating, he said. In launching his campaign, Mauro, 56, said Iowans need a senator who will fight for Iowas middle-class families, our family farms, the small businesses on Main Street, protect and improve access to affordable health care for all Iowans and invest in our renewable energy economy to create jobs and combat the climate chaos and challenge before us. Protecting the Affordable Care Act and coverage of pre-existing conditions were critical to flipping seats in Iowas 1st and 3rd congressional district and will be central in his Senate race, Mauro said. If he runs, Walker expects a spirited primary. Primaries give candidates and the party an opportunity to sort out the issues and figure out what Iowans care about, he said. It gives candidates an opportunity to refine their message and reach as many Iowans as they can. Graham, 54, received her law degree from Drake University and lived in Indianola for 25 years before moving to Des Moines a year ago. Graham, who aims to visit all 99 counties by September, formally kicked off her campaign recently in Indianola. Love 2 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 WILTON, Iowa When she delivers her Condition of the State speech kicking off the Iowa Legislatures 2020 session, Gov. Kim Reynolds expects to be able to include firm examples of how her Empower Rural Iowa Initiative is helping communities meet the need for broadband, housing and leadership. By providing $5 million for broadband and $25 million for workforce housing tax credits, Reynolds believes she can give legislators some tangible examples of how communities have been able to utilize the program, she said Monday after signing House File 772 in Wilton. The legislation was approved unanimously earlier this year by the Iowa House and Senate. Although it takes time to build housing, we can demonstrate how we can get that funding out the door and really start to make a difference in rural Iowa, she said. And the state Office of Chief Information Officer is ready to start reviewing applications for $5 million in broadband grants targeted to projects that use partnerships between local, state and federal governments and private entities such as telecommunications companies and rural electric cooperatives. Im hoping that I can go to the Legislature next year with a wait-list of other companies hoping to take advantage of the grants, said Reynolds, who had asked for $20 million over two years for broadband efforts. Her office picked the small town of Wilton, north of Muscatine, as the backdrop for her signing the bill into law. Standing outside Wilton Candy Kitchen, Reynolds said the 109-year-old family-owned business embodies the small-town character we are famous for and is the perfect example of why we should do everything we can to preserve, grow and strengthen out small-town way of life. Iowa is speckled with vibrant communities like Wilton, each with its own character and its own story to tell, she said. HF 772 will help those communities harness the power of the internet so all Iowans have the same opportunities regardless where they live, Reynolds told about 100 people on hand for the signing ceremony. Connected communities are fundamental to all aspects of growth and prosperity, and essential to keep our young people and attract others to rural Iowa, she said. The legislation also addresses the shortage of workforce housing in small towns and urban areas. Iowa businesses have openings for tens of thousands of employees, but we cant fill the jobs if theres not a place to call home, she said. HF 772 doubles the rural set-aside in workforce housing tax credits. Next year, the full $25 million in tax credits will go to clear a backlog in rural housing proposals. It also makes housing tax credits available in those areas that have been declared presidential disaster areas because of this years flooding. HF 772 also calls for a Center for Rural Revitalization in the state Economic Development Authority. Among its goals will be strengthening and developing local leadership. Theres a renaissance underway in small towns across our state and its fueled by hardworking local leaders who adapt with the times and think differently, she said. Bill Menner, who worked with the governors Empower Rural Iowa task force, shares her optimism. He called the initiative significant because there had not been many efforts targeted directly at small towns. But he said rural revitalization wont happen overnight. The fact that she was willing to do it is pretty significant, said Menner, executive director of the Iowa Rural Development Council, a partnership of public and private entities and nonprofit associations. Planting seeds in small towns is sometimes a lengthy process, he said. It takes so long to make these things happen, but I think what you will start to see immediately with these dollars is some projects pop. Whether its a housing project in a small town, whether its a broadband grant that actually leads to fiber being extended, you will start to see projects happen. He also predicted that as the task force headed by Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg continues, it may address more issues. They may delve into health care or day care or access to capital, he said. I think you will start to see a churn of issue development and policy development as well. Gregg seemed to agree, telling community leaders that, Were not finished. Were just approaching the starting line with this. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 WILTON, Iowa Shes met with Attorney General Tom Miller and heard from his colleagues in other states, but Gov. Kim Reynolds said Monday she has made no decision on legislation that would limit his independence. Were still reviewing it, Reynolds said Monday after a bill signing in Wilton. I cant give you any insight into what were going to do, but thanks for asking. A provision in Senate File 615, a $584 million justice systems budget bill, would require the attorney general to get permission from the governor, Executive Council or Legislature before joining an out-of-state lawsuit. Reynolds, a Republican, has until May 27 to make a decision whether to exercise her line-item veto authority to strike the limitation that is the only one of its kind on a state attorney general in the country. The Republican-controlled Iowa House and Senate adopted the measure over Democratic objections that it was politically motivated because Miller, a 10-term Democrat, has joined other attorneys general in challenging the Trump administrations policies on clean energy, immigration and putting a citizenship question on the upcoming Census. Republicans countered that Miller was less aggressive in challenging federal policies under the administration of President Barack Obama, a Democrat he endorsed. Miller recently met with the governor to discuss the restriction, but Reynolds on Monday would not discuss the content of their conversation. It was a private conversation, she said about the meeting between the two public officials. I appreciated him coming in and sitting down and talking about why he thought it was important. It was a good conversation. In an interview last week, Miller called it a good visit. She heard me out and I had my say, Miller said. Its in her hands now. A bipartisan group of current and former state attorneys general also recently wrote Reynolds to encourage her to veto the provision. Reynolds said she has heard from a couple, I think attorneys general from other states who encouraged her to veto the provision. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 WASHINGTON -- The ship has sailed, the train has left the station, the horse is out of the barn, the genie is out of the bottle, and the toothpaste is out of the tube. Enter President Trump. "As most people know, and for those who would like to know, I am strongly Pro-Life, with the three exceptions -- Rape, Incest and protecting the Life of the mother -- the same position taken by Ronald Reagan," Trump tweeted on the weekend. He was trying to distance himself from Alabama's new law begging the Supreme Court to ban abortions even for victims of rape and incest. But it no longer matters what Trump thinks -- and not just because the Alabama ban is already signed into law. Trump put Alabama on course to do what it has done. He rewarded pro-life advocates for their support with two new justices, vetted by the conservative Federalist Society, and likely an antiabortion majority on the high court. Now, pro-lifers are predictably testing to see how far they can go in reversing Roe v. Wade. Why wouldn't they? Trump's chance to influence this has passed. This is just one of many cases in which Trump seems to be catching up with the consequences of his own actions. His policies toward China, Iran and on the southern border have likewise produced a variety of ill effects and unforeseen consequences. Unforeseen, but not unforeseeable: Trump seems to govern by smashing crockery, undoing decades of precedent and causing upheaval for its own sake -- without much regard for what the consequences might be. Trump's loyal supporters see the chaos he causes as its own reward. "He continues to turn things upside down. Love it," one wrote to me last week in an email that well captured this sentiment. But turning things upside down causes unpredictable and sometimes ugly results. Some were clear immediately, as in the botched rollout of the travel ban, the family separation policies and the attempt to repeal Obamacare without an alternative. The consequences of Trump's upending of other policies and norms -- alienating European allies, protecting access to firearms by the mentally ill, declaring a national emergency to circumvent Congress and launching a massive economic stimulus during an expansion -- might not be felt for years. At some point, though, the consequences show themselves. Trump, for example, turned Iran policy upside down, pulling out of the "horrible" Iran nuclear agreement negotiated by the Obama administration and badgering European allies to accept tough new sanctions against Iran. Now, a year later: Iran has declared that it is resuming nuclear fuel production; a rocket fired by an Iran-aligned militia on Sunday landed near the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad; the United States has pulled back diplomats from the area and sent an aircraft carrier amid rising tensions and an attack on oil tankers; and European allies are blaming the United States. Likewise, the administration blacklisted China's Huawei, the giant telecommunications-equipment maker. But then the administration realized the decision would cause many Americans, particularly in rural areas, to lose their phone service and Internet access. The Commerce Department is revisiting the just-implemented plan. In the broader trade dispute with China, Trump slapped tariffs on Chinese goods to push China to negotiate. But trade talks broke down; China's retaliatory tariffs have caused a growing number of farm bankruptcies, while U.S. steel consumers and natural-gas producers have also been hurt. Trump upended Middle East policy, ending decades of attempts by the United States to be an honest broker between Israel and the Palestinians. He moved the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, cut aid to Palestinians and, last week, his ambassador, David Friedman, proclaimed that "Israel is on the side of God." Trump tossed out long-standing policy on North Korea, first threatening the country with "fire and fury" and then giving North Korea's dictator a world stage with a pair of summits, at which Trump said he and Kim "fell in love." Trump declared the nuclear threat was over. But now Kim is back to testing missiles (though his nuclear program never stopped). On the border, Trump vowed a hard-line policy to reduce illegal immigration, but it had the opposite effect. Apprehensions at the border exceeded 100,000 for a second straight month in April, the highest in 12 years. Virtually all of these unforeseen consequences could have been avoided if Trump had spent a few minutes foreseeing them. Instead, they took months to show themselves. And they could take years to repair. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Speaking on state TV of the prospect of a war in the Gulf, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei seemed to dismiss the idea. "There won't be any war. ... We don't seek a war, and (the Americans) don't either. They know it's not in their interests." The ayatollah's analysis -- a war is in neither nation's interest -- is correct. Consider the consequences of a war with the United States for his own country. Iran's hundreds of swift boats and handful of submarines would be sunk. Its ports would be mined or blockaded. Oil exports and oil revenue would halt. Air fields and missile bases would be bombed. The Iranian economy would crash. Iran would need years to recover. And though Iran's nuclear sites are under constant observation and regular inspection, they would be destroyed. Tehran knows this, which is why, despite 40 years of hostility, Iran has never sought war with the "Great Satan" and does not want this war to which we seem to be edging closer every day. What would such a war mean for the United States? It would not bring about "regime change" or bring down Iran's government that survived eight years of ground war with Saddam Hussein's Iraq. If we wish to impose a regime more to our liking in Tehran, we will have to do it the way we did it with Germany and Japan after 1945, or with Iraq in 2003. We would have to invade and occupy Iran. But in World War II, we had 12 million men under arms. And unlike Iraq in 2003, which is one-third the size and population of Iran, we do not have the hundreds of thousands of troops to call up and send to the Gulf. Nor would Americans support such an invasion, as President Donald Trump knows from his 2016 campaign. Outside a few precincts, America has no enthusiasm for a new Mideast war, no stomach for any occupation of Iran. Moreover, war with Iran would involve firefights in the Gulf that would cause at least a temporary shutdown in oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz -- and a worldwide recession. How would that help the world? Or Trump in 2020? How many allies would we have in such a war? Spain has pulled its lone frigate out of John Bolton's flotilla headed for the Gulf. Britain, France and Germany are staying with the nuclear pact, continuing to trade with Iran, throwing ice water on our intelligence reports that Iran is preparing to attack us. Turkey regards Iran as a cultural and economic partner. Russia was a de facto ally in Syria's civil war. China continues to buy Iranian oil. India just hosted Iran's foreign minister. So, again, Cicero's question: "Cui bono?" Who really wants this war? How did we reach this precipice? A year ago, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a MacArthurian ultimatum, making 12 demands on the Tehran regime. Iran must abandon all its allies in the Middle East -- Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, Hamas in Gaza -- pull all forces under Iranian command out of Syria, and then disarm all its Shiite militia in Iraq. Iran must halt all enrichment of uranium, swear never to produce plutonium, shut down its heavy water reactor, open up its military bases to inspection to prove it never had a secret nuclear program and stop testing missiles. And unless she submits, Iran will be strangled with sanctions. Pompeo's speech at the Heritage Foundation read like the terms of some conquering Caesar dictating to some defeated tribe in Gaul, though we had yet to fight and win the war, usually a precondition for dictating terms. Iran's response was to disregard Pompeo's demands. And crushing U.S. sanctions were imposed, to brutal effect. Yet, as one looks again at the places where Pompeo ordered Iran out -- Lebanon, Yemen, Gaza, Syria, Iraq -- no vital interest of ours was imperiled by any Iranian presence. The people who have a problem with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon are the Israelis whose occupations spawned those movements. As for Yemen, the Houthis overthrew a Saudi puppet. Syria's Bashar Assad never threatened us, though we armed rebels to overthrow him. In Iraq, Iranian-backed Shiite militia helped us to defend Baghdad from the southerly advance of ISIS, which had taken Mosul. Who wants us to plunge back into the Middle East, to fight a new and wider war than the ones we fought already this century in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya and Yemen? Answer: Pompeo and Bolton, Bibi Netanyahu, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Sunni kings, princes, emirs, sultans and the other assorted Jeffersonian democrats on the south shore of the Persian Gulf. And lest we forget, the never-Trumpers and neocons in exile nursing their bruised egos, whose idea of sweet revenge is a U.S. return to the Mideast in a war with Iran, which then brings an end to the Trump presidency. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The For the People Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives (HR1) and was introduced in the Senate in March 2019. The League of Women Voters of Iowa strongly believes that this act is needed to protect voting rights in Iowa. The For the People Act will improve and modernize our elections and put power back into the hands of the American people. The For the People Act is a bold, transformative set of reforms that will strengthen our democracy. It will restore voting rights to felons, limit gerrymandering, and help with campaign finance reform. In Iowa we have 52,000 citizens who are unable to participate in elections because of felony convictions. Iowa and Kentucky are presently the only two states with such restrictions since Floridas citizens recently voted to restore voting rights for felons. Once an ex-felon has served their sentence, there is no good reason why that right should not be restored. Indeed, restoration of voting rights is credited with reducing recidivism and promoting public safety. Currently, in many states gerrymandering is used to create districts with an unfair advantage for one political party. The state of Iowas method of redistricting, in which the lines are drawn by the Legislative Services Agency and approved by the state legislature, is considered a model for how to create congressional and state legislative districts. The For the People Act would make sure that such a type of fair process is used in all states. Campaign finance reform is a concern for Iowans as well as all political parties. Not only would the For the People Act introduce voluntary public financing for all campaigns, matching small donations at a 6:1 ratio, it would set stricter limits on foreign lobbying and require dark money organizations to disclose donations. It would also restructure the Federal Election Commission to reduce the current partisan gridlock. The power to advance this legislation lies in the hands of the Senate Finance Committee chairman, Iowas U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley. Grassley has made no secret of the fact that he does not support portions of the bill, but that should not prevent him from bringing it before his committee for a full and honest discussion of the problems and concerns it addresses. In the name of good governance, we urge every Iowan to contact Sen. Grassley and demand that he provide a hearing of the For the People Act. Mary Rae Bragg is president of the League of Women Voters of Iowa. Editor's note: Tuesday Topic is a weekly Opinion page feature. Each Tuesday in this space, local, regional and state writers will discuss issues in the news. If you have an idea for a Tuesday Topic, please contact Editorial Page Editor Michael Gors at 712-293-4223 or mike.gors@lee.net. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 When private equity billionaire Robert Smith announced this weekend that he would pay off the student loans belonging to the entire 2019 class of Morehouse College, at least two groups of people were especially excited. First, obviously, were the students and their families, for many of whom the gift is probably worth tens of thousands of dollars. (The median debt among Morehouse grads who borrow for school is $26,000, according to the Department of Education.) Second were the economics nerds, represented on Twitter by none other than Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Advertisement Every Morehouse Class of 2019 student is getting their student debt load paid off by their commencement speaker. This could be the start of whats known in Econ as a natural experiment. Follow these students & compare their life choices w their peers over the next 10-15 years. https://t.co/UM1qTJOxHf Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 19, 2019 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Natural experiments are pretty much what they sound like. In the hard sciences, researchers can usually test their hypotheses with traditional experiments. If youre running trials on a new cholesterol drug, you randomly assign a test group and a control group. You give the latter a placebo, the former the new medicine drug, and see if health improves. Then you draw conclusions from the results. Advertisement Advertisement Economists dont often get to test their ideas in a lab, which can make it hard to distinguish correlation from causationthough Lord knows they try anyway with all sorts of fancy math and empirical strategies. But sometimes the real world provides events that can take the place of experiments. Some of the most famous research on how immigration affects wages, for instance, looked at what happened when a massive influx of Cuban migrants arrived in Miami in 1980 via the Mariel Boatlift. There was a great paper a while back that looked at the effects of prostitution on public health and policing after Rhode Island accidentally legalized sex work in 2003. The key is that these events are basically random, so it helps get around the correlation vs. causation problem. Cubans didnt go to Miami because it had a great economy; it just happened to be close. Rhode Islands dalliance with legal prostitution wasnt a reflection of its enlightened ideas on STI prevention or policing. Advertisement Advertisement You dont get much more random than a billionaire arbitrarily deciding to pull an Oprah for a single class of college graduates. As a result, Smiths largesse could help us learn about the effects of mass student debt forgiveness, a topic thats gotten a boost of attention thanks to Elizabeth Warrens plan to wipe out education debt. One strategy might be to study how this years batch of Morehouse alums fare in life compared with last years and next years, who could serve as control groups. Advertisement Advertisement Coincidentally (at least, I assume its a coincidence), a group of economists released a draft study earlier this month that used another natural experiment to test the effects of student debt forgiveness. It looked at borrowers whose loans were canceled between 2010 and 2017 by a judge when it turned out the company that claimed to own their debts, National Collegiate, couldnt prove it did. (The company had bought the debt from banks and other lenders, and the paperwork seemed to have been lost in the shuffle, which actually happens all the time with consumer debt.) The researchers compared those lucky beneficiaries of National Collegiates foul-up with similar borrowers who did not have their debts forgiven. Having debt forgiven seemed to make a large impact on peoples lives: They became more likely to move, and their incomes rose, on average, by $4,000. It seemed that removing the burden freed people up to pursue better opportunities for themselves. (Some recent research on credit card debt forgiveness has turned up similar results.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, the results of the National Collegiate study might not tell us much about typical student loan borrowers. Thats because all the subjects who had their debt forgiven were previously in default, meaning they had run into financial trouble before the courts gave them a fresh start. Its not clear that canceling the debts of somebody who was able to pay them back would have the same impact. Looking at what happens to this years Morehouse students might give us a better sense of how forgiveness affects all sorts of borrowers, whether theyve run into trouble with their loans or not. The only problem is that we may have to wait a while to see how these graduates lives turn out. As economist Justin Wolfers jokes, we can all look forward to getting some scientifically rigorous answers about loan relief about a decade from now. The papers title, of course, writes itself: Advertisement Advertisement How to Do It is Slates sex advice column. Send your questions for Stoya and Rich to howtodoit@slate.com. Dear How to Do It, In high school, my younger sister Eva got very intensely into a conservative church, purity pledges and all. My brother Josh and I never did, and both turned out to be pretty nonreligious with unremarkable dating lives. Eva remained very involved in her church, and three months ago, at 22, she married her similarly devout husband. Advertisement This past weekend, Josh informed me that our brother-in-law confessed to him (over too much to drink) that he and Eva hadnt consummated the marriage despite multiple attempts together. He didnt mention what kind of difficulties they were having, only that it was also his first time and he felt pretty lost. Josh was focused on getting him sober and getting him home, so the conversation didnt continue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I feel terrible for them! Im trying to figure out if I can say something to Eva: Do I give her an adult version of The Talk? Slide a pamphlet in her purse and run away? Id be happy to give advice, but I have no idea where to start, because I doubt shed approve of my unmarried sex life. We have a warm but not deeply close sisterly relationship (think: coffee together a few times a month) so I have no idea where to start. Josh said he would be open to talking to our brother-in-law too, if he could figure out what to say. Advertisement Advertisement Holy Matrimony Dear Holy Matrimony, At least between the two of us, youre the expert here on Evas boundaries, and if you think shed have a negative response to sex advice from your lived experience, youre probably correct. If you want to avoid potential awkwardness, thats totally understandable, and you should tread carefully. But I do think you have some options. I am so happy that Nadia Bolz-Weber exists and that shes given her book Shameless to the world. Its a bit bigger than a pamphlet. Bolz-Weber, a former pastor, writes about members of her congregation whoafter a lifetime of abstinence-only, celibacy-till-the-wedding-day teachingsdidnt know how to relate to each other sexually once they were married. I think you could give this book to your sister in a private setting, let her know youre free to talk if she has any questions or needs to vent, and leave it at that. Advertisement Alternately or additionally, Josh could encourage your brother-in-law to speak with their pastor about ways to navigate this problem. My thinking for both suggestions is that Eva and her husband might have an easier time hearing tips and encouragements about intimacy from Christian sources. That also shifts the burden of education off of you and your brother. It might be enough for them to realize their issue is common in their community and not something they have to deal with on their own. Advertisement Advertisement Dear How to Do It, My husband and I had been married three months when I learned from a particularly heartbreaking Facebook message that he had slept with someone else two days prior. It was so unbelievable that he could be capable of this that I read the message out loud to him, saying how it was the weirdest spam bot I had ever seen. Instead of laughing with me, he confessed that it was true. He further explained that he had met her on Tinder, that he had been texting her for days, and that it didnt feel like he had been doing any of these things. He said it felt like something he literally had no control over, like watching someone else do it, all the while somehow knowing it was him. Obviously, this sounded like bullshit. There were no warning signs, and he repeatedly said he was so happy and so in love with me and he couldnt believe it had happened either. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then he started to hallucinate. Frequently. Over the next few days, we went to couples counseling, where we were told that it didnt seem that we had a relationship problem. Instead, our therapist believed what I was beginning to suspect: that he wasnt lying and there was something else going on with his brain. Which brings us to today, one month later. My husband has now been diagnosed with bipolar 1. A frequent symptom of this is hypersexuality, an issue that can arrive when someone with bipolar is in a manic state. It basically means that they lose control of themselves sexually and begin to act out. This can mean a ramped-up interest in sex or a sudden and difficult-to-manage desire for forbidden sex. So now Im stuck in a position that I do not understand. How can I hold him accountable for this? How do I move on if he isnt to blame? How do I deal with a sexual indiscretion that seems to have happened as a result of mental illness? Advertisement Advertisement Diagnostic Dear Diagnostic, Big hug. Im sorry this happened to your husband, to you, and to your marriage. Your question was out of the scope of my expertise, so I asked licensed social worker Deb Yeager for her take on your situation. She noted that focusing on the sexual transgression may be making it more difficult to process. I like to take the word sex out of the sentence and replace it with another word, she told me. Would an irrational manic spending spree cause a trust issue? Doing something physically dangerous? In other words, if this transgression came from his illness, it may be clarifying to think about how you would feel in similar scenarios that are less emotionally charged. Advertisement Advertisement Yeager added, I understand that our society defines anything with another person as cheating, but through therapy and discussion, we can break it all down into workable pieces. She said you can ask yourself, Can he pick the woman out of a lineup now? Was this an intentional search for a replacement? It might help to see this as a manic impulse, not acting out against your marriage. As Yeager put it, It is still painful and a betrayal, but it is not indicative of the end of their relationship. Id like to add that its OK for you to feel angry, betrayed, hurt, or even just irritated or annoyed. Sometimes our intellectual understanding of a situation has no bearing on our emotional response, and your feelings are OK no matter what they are. Your husband will now likely need a therapist himself, and it would be a resounding show of good faith if he made this particular facet of his mania a priority and focused on how to prevent a repeat of this in the future. You should also talk with someone as well, or find solace in the stories of other partners of people with bipolar disorder. Youre just beginning to confront what this situation means for you as a couple, and its OK that you dont understand it yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dear How to Do It, My boyfriend and I have been in a relationship for a bit over a year and are compatible on nearly every level. Were both in our early 30s, and the sex is amazing. He enjoys being the dominate one in bed, and despite being sexually active since I was 17, he is the first person to ever make me come. But he has requested a specific act in bed that I am hesitant about. He really wants to do ass-to-mouth, but I have some concerns: mainly cleanliness and also my gag reflex. I really like the two separatelyblow jobs and anal sexbut thinking about one immediately after the other makes me feel gross. And I have a fairly sensitive gag reflex, which hasnt been a problem before, but Im worried it will go into high gear if I were to do this. He is very generous in bed and I try to reciprocate, but this is the first time Im really hesitating. How unsanitary is ass-to-mouth? Is it actually fine? Any advice if I decide to do it? Advertisement ATM Dear ATM, A cursory kiss on the pucker is one thing, but eating assreally eating ass, getting your tongue in there, digging deepis roughly as unsanitary as sucking a dick thats just come out of your ass (as your boyfriend would like you to do). So, if youve let your boyfriend eat your ass and then kiss you on the mouth, youve already handled something at least half as squick-y. Maybe even three-quarters. Does that help? Advertisement Your buttholes main purpose involves poop, and it is inadvisable to use strong cleaners on your insides. This adds up to a low sanitation score. You can rinse out with room temperature filtered water, but you do need to reconcile the risk of rectal ramifications before you go boning around in there. Theres no way to guarantee absolutely fecal-free fornication if youre entering an anus. Advertisement Advertisement Is your boyfriend going to be turned off forever if you accidentally vomit? I suspect notalthough I doubt he will surprise you with an emetophilic streak either. So it might not be the sexiest experience, but it probably wont destroy the relationship or his attraction toward you, especially if you communicate your worries upfront. Clearly, Im pretty relaxed about these things. You have to listen to yourself and decide what youre comfortable experimenting with and what ick risks youre willing to take. If you do decide to suck your boyfriends dick immediately after it comes out of your asswhich, you know, isnt clean but hasnt killed meremember that you can stop at any time, too. The fact that you started doesnt mean you have to finish. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dear How to Do It, My spouse (fem-leaning gender fluid, he/him) came out to me (a straight, cis woman) about two years ago. We are in our 50s and have been together 15 years. It has been a tough two years as we have worked through all the implications of his coming out, but we are doing better now and are committed to staying together. Where we need some help is with our sex life. Before he came out, we had a very dull sex life that frankly was not great for me. He was very orgasm-oriented, always putting me first, but due, I think, to inexperience, he was just not interested in trying anything besides about three positions. He didnt seem to get that sex could also be about having fun and being silly and lots of other things. Probably a lot of this has to do with his suppressing his gender identity for so long. He has many other redeeming qualities, so none of the sex issues were a deal-breaker for me. Advertisement Advertisement We both would like to take this opportunity, as his body is changing from HRT and Im getting used to his new breasts, to make our sex life way, way better than before. We are working on communicating our needs and desires better. But I think neither of us really knows what we desire, and we both feel embarrassed talking about it. Obviously, we both need to loosen up a lot. His penis is not working like it used to since starting HRT about six months ago, but he doesnt have dysphoria around his genitals. Where do we even start figuring out how to do better? Neither of us has any idea. Are there good books, porn, workbooks, or websites that are not too outre for boring old people like us? He thinks male bodies are gross, but I dont. Neither of us likes fake-looking bodies, and I wont watch or read misogynist or racist porn. Can you help? Trying to change things up is really difficult at midlife after 50 years of doing things in a certain way, even when that way wasnt great. I want the next 40 to 50 years of our sex life to be awesome. Advertisement Advertisement New Leaf Dear New Leaf, Silly sex is, in my opinion, the greatest sex. The holy grail of hanky-panky. Use the changes taking place in your partners body as an excuse to start over. Bring all the joy, excitement, and curiosity you can muster and see what happens. Revel in the revisiting that giddy, tentative feeling of new relationships. Have fun with each other. Try dumb stuff. Actively seek to make your partner crack up in giggles. You might find that the areas behind and beside your partners balls provide a different sort of stimulation than a few months ago. You might revel in the newas ContraPointss Natalie Wynn has called itmouthfeel his penis now possesses. Yall will need to get in there and sort the specifics out yourselves, but try to talk openly and leave the embarrassment behind. Nows your chance. Advertisement Advertisement I do have some porn recommendations for you. Shine Louise Houstons Pink & White production company does a great series called CrashPad that features bodies of all types, people of all orientations, presentations, and melanin saturations. Erika Lust prefers a natural aesthetic, caters largely to the female gaze, and Id be incredibly surprised to see the faintest whiff of misogyny or racism in her work. She does, however, tend to show more heterotypical sex. Houston and Lust both maintain Netflix-ish libraries of works from other like-minded pornographers and erotic-film creators in addition to the work they produce themselves. Tobi Hill-Meyers Handbasket Productions shows human connection between partners with a beautiful and poignant touch. That should get you off to a good start. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Books are cool, too. Cleis Press maintains a library of educational texts to help people explore whatever facet of sexuality strikes their fancy. If youre lucky enough to have one of those nice newfangled progressive sex toy stores nearby, they might have a reasonably sized how-to and erotic literature section worth checking out in person. I think you two have some fantastic, sexy romps together ahead of you. Get in there and get experimental. Stoya More How to Do It My wife is bisexual, and Ive always been cool with her playing with other women, and sometimes other guyswe have plenty of sex, so I know its not about me. Im usually a one-woman kind of guy myself, but recently we had a couple over socially and things got a little heated. My wife and the woman had fooled around before, but never with her boyfriend. I figured wed just watch, but then the guy put his hand on my thigh. I wasnt really sure how to respondIve never been with a guy and dont think Im interestedso I just left the room. My wife was a little upset; she felt I was too closed off to experimentation. But shouldnt this kind of thing happen with lots of communication? I sort of suspect she and the other couple intended things to go in this direction, and Im the only one who didnt know. What should I do, in this instance and in potential future ones? Austrias government came crashing down with a bang not a whimper this past weekend following one of the worst political scandals in the countrys recent history. It all started Friday evening when a 2-year-old video surfaced in the German media showing Austrias vice chancellor and the leader of the far-right Freedom Party, Heinz-Christian Strache, offering government contracts and a stake in Austrias most important tabloid, the Krone Zeitung, to a woman he believed to be the niece of a Russian oligarch. Advertisement The woman turned out to be a decoy, and the offer that Strache made during a night of heavy drinking in Ibiza, the far-right politicians favorite Mediterranean holiday resort, a few weeks ahead of the Austrian parliamentary elections in October 2017, was secretly filmed. While it is still unclear who was behind the video, its publication was tantamount to the unleashing of a political tsunami in Austria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Strache, whose party is the junior partner in a coalition government with the center-right Austrian Peoples Party, known as OVP, resigned the day after the video was released, along with fellow party member Johann Gudenus, who was deputy mayor of Vienna at the time and acted as Russian translator on the boozy night. Advertisement That same day, 32-year-old Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, who was swept into office in December 2017 by moving the conservative OVP to the right and embracing a form of light populism, announced snap elections and an end to the center-right/far-right government he has been leading. Austrians will now head to the polls in September. The chancellor in turn will face a parliamentary vote of no confidence next week, which could force him to resign. Kurzs partnership with the far right lasted just 18 months. Kurz, who has been hailed as a rock star by U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell and who was received by U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House earlier this year, is now slated to become the far rights new boogeyman. Advertisement Advertisement He probably shouldnt have been surprised. The Freedom Party, known as FPO, has been in power four times since 1983, and during each instance, the government collapsed prematurely because of infighting or scandals. But what makes the recent crisis especially intriguing is that what ultimately triggered it was not the FPOs anti-Semitic, anti-immigrant, and general xenophobic rhetoric, nor an alleged scandal involving Austrias domestic intelligence agency, nor verbal attacks by the party against the Austrian Broadcasting Corp., but rather the party leaders affinity to Russia, which was deliberately exploited by the actors behind the 2017 video. This is no coincidence: Austria is one of Russias closest friends in Europe. Advertisement Advertisement At first glance, its bewildering that a party, founded by former members of the Nazi party, would ally itself with the latters archenemy: Russia. While Austria, as part of Nazi Germany, participated in the merciless invasion of the Soviet Union during the Second World War, it was largely the legacy of that conflict that helped determine the benign trajectory of Austro-Russian relations in recent decades. Austria was the only country in Europe from which the Soviet Union withdrew its soldiers, following a 10-year occupation, on the condition that it would become a neutral country in conflicts between the Soviet Union and the West, to which Vienna complied by passing the Constitutional Law on the Neutrality of Austria in 1955. It was this neutrality law that permitted close contacts of Austrian elites with their counterparts in Moscow during the Cold War years and enabled Austrian businesses to enter the Russian market quickly following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Advertisement Advertisement Neutrality has continued to be official policy since the end of the Cold War and remains deeply popular among Austrians as one of the foundational myths of the Second Austrian Republic. However, skeptics have persistently argued that it is outdated and opportunistic. Neutrality is a fig leaf for being pro-Russian, Gustav C. Gressel, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, told me in an interview. Neutrality has lost any practical meaning after the end of the Cold War and particularly after Austria joined the European Union. Today, it is a catchword to describe anti-American resentments and the wish for proximity to Russia. Advertisement Advertisement The FPO may be more pro-Russian than other Austrian parties, but its not entirely unique. An exceptionally high number of Austrian politicians has gone on to work for Russian state-owned or privately owned enterprises with close ties to the Kremlin after the end of their political careers. For example, Former Chancellor Wolfgang Schussel (of OVP) is a member of the board of directors of MTS, Russias largest mobile operator; former Chancellor Christian Kern (of the Social Democratic Party, known as SPO) is slated to join the board of Russian Railways; former Minister of Finance Hans Jorg Schelling (of OVP) is an adviser to Gazprom. Advertisement Advertisement Senior Austrian politicians also have repeatedly expressed their desire to see the EU sanctions enacted following Moscows illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 lifted. While there are some geostrategic reasons for that85 percent of Austrias natural gas demand is met by Russiamany of these politicians are also known to have private business interests in Russia. For example, the former president of the influential Austrian Economic Chamber, Christoph Leitl, is known to have at one time owned shares at two Russian companies worth more than $83 million. Advertisement Austria was also the first EU country to welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin to an official state visit after the beginning of the Ukraine crisis in 2014, during which he was also warmly received by Leitl. Notably, Austria also did not join other Western countries in expelling Russian diplomats following Russias alleged poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, in England last year. 2018 also saw Putin attend the wedding of Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl. During her own wedding, Kneissl kneeled in front of the Russian presidentfor many a symbol of Austrias obsequious relationship with the Kremlin. Advertisement Still, the FPOs support for Russia stands out, with Johann Gudenus, an aristocrat whose father was a FPO politicianturnedconvicted Holocaust denier, acting as the Kremlins biggest cheerleader in Austrian politicsat least until last Friday. Gudenus has endorsed the Russian occupation of Crimea, praised the Russian-installed Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov, railed against the EU (a lobby for homosexuals, according to a speech he gave in Moscow in 2014) and the United States, and condemned Western pluralism and liberalism, all of which brought him the attention of the Kremlin. Gudenus was also instrumental in the FPO concluding a partnership treaty with Putins United Russia party in December 2016. Gudenus and FPOs current front-runner in the upcoming EU Parliament elections, Harald Vilimsky, were also suspected by Austrias domestic intelligence agency to be Russian influence agents, according to media reports. (Indeed, there is some speculation that a raid ordered by the FPO interior minister on Feb. 18 against the anti-extremism unit of the domestic intelligence division was to retrieve copies of the Ibiza video.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At first glance, its bewildering that a party founded by former members of the Nazi Party would ally itself with the latters archenemy: Russia. And Strache, in 1992, still publicly advocated the removal of a Soviet victory monument in Vienna. In the past, FPO politicians have also been among the first to point out the multiple war crimes committed by the Soviets, including the endemic rape of Austrian women, during the last weeks of the Second World War in Austria. However, once Strache assumed the partys leadership in 2005, a gradual rapprochement took place. This started when he was approached by close confidant of Putins, according to recent reporting by the Suddeutsche Zeitung, and together they devised a plan to strategically work together in the future. This was the result of a Russian reassessment of European far-right parties in general, following the so-called color revolutions of the 2000s. The Kremlin came to see these parties as useful tools to help undermine the European Union, NATO, economic liberalism, and democratic pluralism, all of which, in the wake of these pro-Western uprisings, were seen as threats to Russian national interests. Russia, in turn, was gradually seen as a useful ally in the FPOs fight against the Islamization of Austria and Western liberalism in general. A December 2013 strategy paper by a Russian think tank with close ties to the Kremlin touted the idea of Putin as a leader of a new global conservativism. Advertisement Advertisement It should be noted that not all FPO politicians are pro-Russian. For example, during a recent visit to the U.S., Austrian Defense Minister Mario Kunasek emphasized his fondness of the United States and called the U.S. a stabilizing factor in Europe. The incumbent FPO Interior Minister Herbert Kickl has also been skeptical of his partys pro-Russian drift. Advertisement But close contacts between the FPO and Russian officials have reportedly intensified in recent years. According to Gressel, while other members of the Austrian political elite were cultivated by the Russian diplomatic service or state-owned enterprises, FPO politicians tended to be targeted by the intelligence services or private actors like Konstantin Malofeev, the ultra-orthodox right-wing oligarch with close ties to the Kremlin. Hence their pro-Russianness has a much more radical tone, he said. Notably, many of these Russian interactions were ignored or not detected by Austrian counterintelligence branches. Advertisement Others have begun to notice, however. The FPOs close ties with Russia led several Western intelligence agencies to stop sharing intelligence with Austria, as the party controlled all of the countrys three intelligence agencies. As I have reported for Kleine Zeitung, this policy expanded earlier this year to include U.S. military intelligence. Advertisement Advertisement The far right in Austria is not alone in its close ties to Russia. Far-right populist parties in France, Italy, Germany, and in other European countries are all cooperating with the Kremlin in one way or the other. This often includes funding from Russian sources for their political campaigns. Russia is also attempting to meddle in the upcoming EU Parliament elections by spreading disinformation. To date, no Russian funding of the FPO has been publicly revealed, although a senior OVP politician told me in November that the FPO has indeed received money from Russian sources in the past. A recent report by Profil identified a possible intermediary for some of these transactions. It should be noted that Austria lacks rigidly enforced campaign finance laws and there are various indicators that neither the SPO nor OVP want to dig too deeply into it, as it would also reveal in detail how their political campaigns are financed. Advertisement Advertisement May will likely mark the zenith of Russian influence in Austria. With the FPO purged of its most pro-Russian politician and the entire party ousted from government this week, as a result of a sting operation that played to Austrian politicians allure to Russian power, Russian ties to all the major parties and political institutions are bound to be more closely scrutinized. Perhaps a small sign of the changing political wind in Vienna is that both the Austrian foreign and defense ministries pulled out of an Austro-Russian security conference on Tuesday. The Ibiza video showing Austrian politicians attempting to undermine Austrian democracy should be a wake-up call for Austrias political elite to reevaluate its relationship with Moscow and Russian money. To paraphrase the disgraced former vice chancellor: Jetzt erst recht! (Now, above all.) Listen to Slates The Gist: Get More of The Gist Slate Plus members get extended, ad-free versions of our podcastsand much more. Sign up today. Join Slate Plus Subscribe to The Gist Copy this link and add it in your podcast app. copy link copied! For detailed instructions, see our Slate Plus podcasts page. Listen to The Gist via Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Play. On The Gist, the gift to the Morehouse graduates is great, but should it be celebrated or just the standard? In the interview, Linda Taylor committed many crimes, but only one of themwelfare fraudreally mattered to politicians, the press, and the public. Anecdotes about kidnapping and possible murder would only get in the way of the portrait Ronald Reagan presented to American voters in 1976, of a woman whose defrauding of taxpayer money was typical among those dependent on social programs. Slate national editor Josh Levin wrote Slates most read story ever, and has expanded it into a bookThe Queen: The Forgotten Life Behind an American Mythand a Slate podcast: The Queen, available now wherever you get your podcasts. In the Spiel, Anand Giridharadas fact checking Jared Diamond. Get The Gist in Your Inbox We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at Slate.com/gistplus. Join the discussion of this episode on Facebook. Email: thegist@slate.com Twitter: @slategist Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Pierre Bienaime. President Donald Trump is in the market for an immigration czar to help implement his dystopian policies at the border, and former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach is in the market for, well, a job of some sort. Whats not to like here! To be fair, Kobach has immigration and voter suppression instincts similar to Trumps, not to mention a kindred penchant for self-aggrandizing. All of that has added up to Kobachs name being bandied about as a potential figurehead to lead Trumps anti-immigration charge. Advertisement So will Kobach get the gig? The New York Times reports that Kobach has, ahem, a few demands before he would consider signing on the dotted line. Kobachs deal-breakers include, but are not limited to: 24/7 access to a jet, a guarantee he will be nominated to head the Department of Homeland Security by November, along with a pledge that current Cabinet members will defer to him on immigration matters. Seems pretty reasonable so far. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres the full list from the Times: 1. Office in the West Wing. 2. Walk-in privileges with the president. 3. Assistant to the President rankat highest pay level for WH senior staff. 4. Staff of 7 people (2 attorneys, 2 research analysts, 1 scheduler, 1 media person, 1 assistant). 5. POTUS sits down individually with Czar and the secretaries of Homeland Security, Defense, Justice, Ag, Interior, and Commerce, and tells each of the Secretaries to follow the directives of the Czar without delay, subject to appeal to the President in cases of disagreement. 6. 24/7 access to either a DHS or DOD jet. Czar must be on the border every week. 7. Ability to spend weekends in KS with family on way from border back to DC, unless POTUS needs Czar elsewhere. 8. Security detail if deemed necessary after security review. 9. Serve as the face of Trump immigration policy - the principal spokesman on television and in the media. 10. Promise that by November 1, 2019, the president will nominate Kris Kobach to be DHS Secretary, unless Kobach wishes to continue in Czar position. Advertisement Advertisement Kobach reportedly discussed with Trump the possibility of creating a czar role, a job that Kobach could, crucially, assume without Senate confirmation. Getting the nod from the Senate is considered a serious roadblock for Kobach, who was once seen as a rising star in the party but made a mockery of himself by running Trumps pet voter fraud commission. The probe, shockingly, was disbanded without having done much of anything. Now, the Senate seems to be adhering to a general trend started by voters that the more one gets to know Kobach, the less one likes him. The most indisputable evidence of this theorem to date is that Kobach ran for governor of Kansas in 2018 and managed to get the GOP nomination, before losing to a Democratin Kansas. The following essay is adapted from The Queen: The Forgotten Life Behind an American Myth, out now from Little, Brown. You can also listen to the podcast miniseries based on the book. When she heard the buzzer at the front gate of Illinois Dwight Correctional Center on Feb. 16, 1978, Linda Taylor was 52 years old. In a photograph snapped two months later, prisoner A-87028 looked more defeated than frightened. An intake form listed her age as 39 and her race as black. Taylor had a short-stocky build, brown eyes, and black/dyed blonde hair. Her occupation was minister. Advertisement Taylor had been sentenced to three to seven years in state prison after being convicted of welfare fraud and perjury. While her trial had been held in 1977, shed been a villain since 1974, when the Chicago Tribune detailed her brazen theft of government checks and nicknamed her the welfare queen. Ronald Reagan had used this one-off story to argue that the welfare system was beset by Taylor-like cheaters. When Reagan won the presidency in 1980, that claim would imperil millions of people who received public aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After her sentencing, Taylors fate was in the hands of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, the body that would eventually decide whether to grant Taylor parole. In April 1978, the board received an official statement of facts from a Cook County states attorney. Taylor was a nationally known welfare cheat and a career criminal, the prosecutor said. He advised that she be locked up for the full seven years, the maximum period allowable by law. Advertisement Advertisement Listen to the latest episode of The Queen in Apple Podcasts or in the player below. Despite arrests dating back to the 1940s, Taylor had never served a long stint in prison. At Dwight, she wouldnt be required to wear a uniformin that prison photograph, she had on a collared shirt with a paisley printand she wouldnt spend her nights behind bars. The state penitentiary, located roughly halfway between Chicago and Peoria on a property laden with oaks and spruces, looked like a country club or a college campus. Dwight boarded its occupants in mock-medieval cottages, most of which had been built in the 1920s. Though they looked fancy on the outside, the cottages had balky plumbing and inadequate heat, and up to five women got crammed into each small bedroom. For a time, the guards banned their charges from touching each other, and women suspected of lesbianism were isolated in a high-security unit. Tell all the people out there that this isnt fun; its not exciting or interesting, a prisoner told the Chicago Tribune Magazine in 1979. Another said, All this place does is teach you how to really hate. Advertisement Linda Taylor essentially disappeared from public view once she passed through the prisons front gate. The politicians and journalists who lavished attention on her welfare thievery while she was still a free woman turned their attention elsewhere once she got sent to Dwight. In March 1979, the Chicago Sun-Times ran a short item reporting that she had a minor violation on her prison recordshe allegedly used state-owned materials to make cushions and sell them. No other major outlet would write a single story about what had become of Chicagos original welfare queen. Advertisement Advertisement The Chicago Tribune may have lost interest in Linda Taylor when she went to prison, but the newspaper didnt forget about the prosecutor who sent the welfare queen away. In the aftermath of his successful prosecution of Taylor, the Cook County states attorneys office had put Jim Piper in charge of a dedicated welfare fraud division. On Feb. 16, 1978, the same day Taylor entered Dwight Correctional Center, the Tribune reported that Pipers unit had won 77 indictments since its inception the previous fall. Three days later, the assistant states attorney was quoted in a story chiding the Cook County courts for being soft on welfare cheaters. These people are crying in front of the judge but laughing all the way to the bank, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pipers cause was arguably a righteous one: He was going after men and women who stole taxpayer money, with a specific focus on civil servants who collected both government salaries and government benefits. Among the people his division indicted in April 1979, the Tribune wrote, were 11 employed by the State of Illinois, 8 by the Chicago Board of Education, 7 by Cook County Hospital, and one by the City of Chicago. While Piper was happy to push this anti-corruption storyline, the nations best-known welfare fraud prosecutor also recognized the importance of going after big, media-luring targetsthe kind that would keep the public excited about locking up chiselers. Arlene Otis, a 30-year-old black criminal justice graduate student whod purportedly stolen in excess of $100,000 in public aid money, was just the type to stoke those feelings of righteous indignation. Advertisement Although Piper had won the Linda Taylor case, he knew that it hadnt been a perfect prosecution. In pursuing Taylors successora woman touted as the new welfare queen by both the states attorneys office and the Tribunehe looked to fix the mistakes hed made the first time out. Illinois officials had believed Taylor had a tax-free cash income of $150,000 a year, but shed been convicted of thieving a tiny fraction of that amount; the charges against Otis, by contrast, reflected the full scope of her alleged actions. For Piper, it had also been vexing to watch Taylor keep getting released on bail; this go-round, he made sure Otis stayed locked up on a $200,000 bond. And while it took more than three years for Taylor to go from arrest to incarceration, Otis traveled the same path in just eight months. In January 1979, Piper reached a plea deal with Otis lawyer, and the new welfare queen was sentenced to four years in state prison. Like her forebear, shed serve that time at Dwight Correctional Center. Advertisement Advertisement In pursuing Taylors successorthe new welfare queenJim Piper looked to fix the mistakes hed made the first time out. Otis, too, had her own successor, a purveyor of frozen treats the Tribune called the Ice Cream Welfare Queen. That woman, Joyce Williams, reportedly collected almost $11,500 in public aid even as she lived in a luxury apartment building on South Lake Shore Drive and drove a $23,000 imported automobile. She was held on $100,000 bond in August 1978 after supposedly fleeing to Mississippi and opening another ice cream parlor. Piper also prosecuted Chicagos next new welfare queen, Hope Beaty, who was denied bail in 1980 after being charged with illegally collecting $150,682 in checks, $49,858 in food stamps, and $8,844 in medical payments. The bail rulings in these high-profile fraud casesthe six-figure bonds given to Otis and Williams, and Beaty getting held without any bond at allsignaled that the Cook County courts were in the grip of a kind of antiwelfare queen hysteria. The Tribune didnt criticize this or any other practice undertaken by Pipers welfare fraud unit. It would be unfair, though, to say the newspaper lacked compassion for Chicagos poor. In its annual drives for the citys Neediest Families Christmas Fund, the Tribune urged its readers to give money to the citys most pitiable welfare recipients: Gloria Diaz, a diabetic mother with three small daughters; John Larkin, an elderly man with an artificial leg and paralyzed arm; and Margueritte Gillian, who took care of foster children until being felled by illness, has not received her last two [public aid] checks in the mail, and has no family to help her through these hard times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the enormous chasm between Linda Taylor and Margueritte Gillian were untold numbers of people who neglected to report outside income that might render them ineligible for government assistance. All of them were cheaters by the letter of the law, and the Tribune rarely if ever defended them. In 1980, the magazine Chicago Lawyer published an in-depth feature about one of these supposedly hardened criminals, a black woman named Dorothy Holder who collected $4,730.95 in public aid while working for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Advertisement Advertisement They failed to realize how I had to fight to be well educated. I was trying to survive. I was not doing it to buy cars and fancy clothes. Dorothy Holder Holder, whod dropped out of high school to help support her family, had to stop working temporarily at age 36 because of a prolonged hospitalization. Shed then earned a bachelors degree, began to pursue a masters, and got a job with the state, failing to get off the public aid rolls immediately upon finding full-time work. Holder learned that shed been indicted when a friend told her that her name was in the newspapershe was the 11th of 27 Chicagoans on a list of those accused of bilking the welfare system. For the states attorneys office and the Tribune, these directories of alleged wrongdoerseach person charged was identified by name, age, address, and place of employmentserved the dual purpose of publicly shaming supposed welfare thieves and alerting the cheater-hating masses that the city was overrun by leeches. Advertisement Advertisement Holder admitted shed made a mistakeI dont want to sound like Miss Goody Two-Shoes, because thats not the case, she told Chicago Lawyerbut pleaded to be seen as someone who was trying to do the right thing. I wanted to work it out so that once I got off public aid I would never have to go that route again, she said. They kept saying in court that I was a well-educated woman, but they failed to realize how I had to fight to be well educated. I was trying to survive. I was not doing it to buy cars and fancy clothes. Judge Thomas J. Maloney didnt listen to anything Holder said. He rejected her request that she be allowed to repay the money shed taken, and he ignored testimony from her boss and co-workers that she was a woman of high character. On Dec. 7, 1979, Maloney ordered Holder to prison for one to five years for what he termed a clever, conniving, callous rip-off of the taxpayers money, arguing that if she was retained on the state payroll, Holder could, and probably would, steal again. Years later, the judge who lectured Dorothy Holder on morality would spend 12 years behind bars after being convicted of fixing multiple murder trials in exchange for cash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Linda Taylors welfare queen successors were getting demonized on the outside, Taylors hitch in prison passed by relatively uneventfully. Her file with the parole board contained just one disciplinary report, a document detailing an incident that took place 19 months into her sentence. One afternoon in September 1979, a guard conducting a routine shakedown following a visit found a plastic package inside Taylors bra. That pouch contained 20 pink pillsa more potent heart medication, one not stocked by the prison pharmacy, than the one prescribed to her for what by all indications was a real affliction. Taylor said she hadnt known the contraband was in her bra and suggested that she may have been set up by correctional guards. She also requested that a man named Willtrue Loyd be allowed to speak at her disciplinary hearing, falsely claiming that he was her father. In November 1979, state authorities would revoke a handful of Taylors good conduct credits, delaying her eventual release by 15 days. Advertisement The following month, as Taylor neared her first possible parole date, the Cook County states attorneys office reiterated its view that she should remain in prison for seven years. Taylor, the chief of the felony trial division wrote, will no doubt resume criminal activity immediately upon her release. The states attorneys, who had used the Taylor case as the impetus to ramp up their prosecution of welfare cheaters, also made the perverse argument that she should be punished for giving public aid recipients a bad reputation. Advertisement This Welfare Queen, as appropriately titled by the media has preyed on society and government since 1944. Her actions and others of her ilk, deprive decent citizens who may need welfare as a temporary measure, of the sympathy of taxpayers who contribute to that support, and who have become disenchanted with the ever increasing tax burden required to meet those needs. Her actions have tainted the legitimate recipients to the point where taxpayers believe all recipients are out to get all they can. Advertisement Advertisement The parole board didnt listen to the prosecutors advice. Taylor, whom the state couldve kept under lock and key until 1985, was released from prison on April 11, 1980two years, one month, and 26 days after shed entered Dwight Correctional Center. A year later, Taylors parole officer reported that she was married and living on the North Side of Chicago. Although Taylor had planned to be self-employed with sewing and crocheting for customers, a variety of illnesses and ailments had left her unemployed. Consequently, she was receiving $186 per month in public aid. As of April 1981, the parole officer wrote, Linda Taylor was older and wiser. At age 50, the parole officer said of the 55-year-old Taylor, she displays no inclinations to return to the criminal acts that caused her incarceration. A few weeks later, on May 26, the Illinois Prisoner Review Board granted Taylor her final discharge. The members of the parole board decreed that she no longer posed a threat to society, and they said that shed remain at liberty without violating the law. They were wrong on both counts. Slate has relationships with various online retailers. If you buy something through our links, Slate may earn an affiliate commission. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. All prices were up to date at the time of publication. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta rejected Donald Trumps efforts to invalidate the House Oversight Committees subpoena of the presidents financial records on Monday. Mehtas decision affirms Congress constitutional authority to investigate the chief executivea power that Trump asked the court to curtail. It is thorough and emphatic, a stinging repudiation of the presidents bizarre legal theory. In April, the House Oversight Committee issued a subpoena for eight years of financial records from Mazars USA, which provided accounting services to Trump. The committee took this step after former Trump attorney Michael Cohen testified that the president engaged in financial misconduct. Its subpoena requested financial records pertaining to the president and his businesses going back to 2011. These records may be incredibly damning, with the potential to reveal financial misconduct by the president and his associates. Trump filed suit, asking the court to void the subpoena because, his attorneys claimed, it exceeded Congress investigative powers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately for the president, this complaint has no basis in law. The Constitution grants Congress all legislative Powers, and the Supreme Court has confirmed that the power to collect needed information is a fundamental attribute of the power to legislate. Moreover, the Constitutions speech or debate clause generally bars courts from interfering with congressional subpoenas, so long as they are issued for some legitimate legislative purpose. Courts cannot force Congress to prove a link between its investigation and some future legislation. Nor are they permitted to search for some covert illicit motive among committee members. So long as the committee provides a justification that is legitimate on its face, the courts must treat the subpoenas as valid. Here, Metha explained, the House Oversight Committee easily met this low hurdle. The committee listed four reasons it sought to investigate Trumps finances. First, it wished to determine whether Trump accurately reported his finances to the Office of Government Ethics, noting that its finding would help it determine whether reforms are necessary to address deficiencies with current laws, rules, and regulations. That goal clearly falls within the legislative sphere. Advertisement Advertisement Second, the committee sought to learn whether Trump is complying with the Constitutions foreign emoluments clause. Although its scope is disputed, this provision, at a minimum, bars the president from accepting any gift from a foreign government without Congress consent. Surely, Mehta wrote, incident to Congresss authority to consent to the Presidents receipt of Emoluments is the power to investigate the Presidents compliance with the Clause. Any congressional investigation meant to carry out an expressly delegated constitutional function is plainly valid. No president can compel a court to impede a congressional committees exercise of its constitutional powers. Third, the committee sought to discover whether Trump has undisclosed conflicts of interest that may impair his ability to make impartial policy decisions. This goal, Mehta explained, falls squarely within Congresss province to legislate regarding the ethics of government officials. Indeed, exposing conflicts of interest is one of the core objectives of the Ethics in Government Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fourth, the committee wished to know whether the President may have engaged in illegal conduct before and during his tenure in office. And because the House of Representatives has the power to impeach a president, it surely has the power to investigate him for impeachable offenses. It is simply not fathomable, Mehta noted, that a Constitution that grants Congress the power to remove a President for reasons including criminal behavior would deny Congress the power to investigate him for unlawful conductpast or presenteven without formally opening an impeachment inquiry. Thus, the House Oversight Committees justifications for its subpoena passes legal muster. The House wishes to fulfill its duties under the Constitution and gather information for possible legislation. No president can compel a court to impede a congressional committees exercise of its constitutional powers. Advertisement Advertisement To illustrate just how wacky Trumps lawsuit is, Metha opened by discussing President James Buchanans similar effort to block an investigation into his affairs, noting dryly that Trump has taken up [Buchanans] fight. And he declined to put his ruling on hold while Trump appeals because the president failed to raise a serious legal question going to the merits. Ouch. Advertisement Advertisement Trump has filed a similar lawsuit in New York to invalidate subpoenas for records from Deutsche Bank and Capital One. Expect that to fail too. And dont expect any appeals court, including the Supreme Court, to jump to Trumps defense and freeze the Houses subpoenas. Whatever the wisdom of its actions, Congress obviously has the authority to uncover the presidents financial records. Any court that stands in its way will be overstepping its own constitutional authority. Mazars now has seven days to comply with the subpoena, barring such a successful appeal. In one week, then, the Houseand, soon after, the publicmay know a great deal more about Trumps taxes, businesses affairs, and alleged financial malfeasance. It might even uncover more evidence of the presidents high crimes and misdemeanors. The Donald Trump presidency, marked by cruelty, corruption, and disdain for the rule of law, has been disastrous for our democracy. If there is one silver lining, it is this: Trumps abuses have exposed weaknesses in our laws and institutions that were previously hidden and which we can now begin to try to fix. We learned about one such weakness in February, when Trump relied on the National Emergencies Act to commandeer funding Congress had specifically denied for the construction of a border wall. The latest such legal loophole is another emergency power that could enable the president to turn the military into his own immigration police force. Advertisement According to a report in the Daily Caller last week, the Trump administration is considering invoking the Insurrection Act to give federal troops the power to detain and remove undocumented immigrants in the United States, acting essentially as Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. The White House, when asked about the option last week, refused to rule it out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Trump follows through on this plan, it would be a staggering abuse of authority, on par with the presidents declaration of a national emergency to build the border wall. In both cases, the president seeks to harness an authority clearly intended for the most dire and unusual of circumstances to deal with a long-standing issue that does not come close to posing an urgent or overwhelming threat. In both cases, the presidents goal is not to avert a catastrophe, but to score political points with his base and consolidate his own power. Advertisement Advertisement The Insurrection Act is an exception to the general rule, enshrined in the Posse Comitatus Act, that presidents may not use the military as a domestic police force. Posse comitatus, in the words of one former Defense Department official, reflects one of the clearest political traditions in Anglo-American history: that using military power to enforce the civilian law is harmful to both civilian and military interests. Deploying soldiers as police officers not only violates democratic sensibilities; it increases the risk that interactions with civilians could go disastrously wrong, as armed forces are not trained in conducting law enforcement activities. On the flip side, every soldier engaged in law enforcement is being pulled away from military priorities. The Insurrection Act gives the president a dangerous amount of discretion. Despite this strong tradition, there are times when the law permits domestic use of the military. The Insurrection Act allows the president to deploy federal troops to suppress domestic uprisings and enforce the law when civilian law enforcement is impeded or overwhelmed. As its name suggests, Congress intended the law to be used only in the most extraordinary situations, and only where absolutely necessary to preserve civil order. For the most part, presidents have honored this intent. The law has not been invoked since 1992, when George H.W. Bush used it to help suppress riots in Los Angeles following the acquittal of police officers for the brutal beating of Rodney King. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It should go without saying that the presence of undocumented immigrants within the United States does not justify invocation of this potent emergency power. There is no uprising taking place, no breakdown of civil order. For better or for worse, immigration officers are fully capable of carrying out deportationsindeed, they are doing so at record-setting rates. Unfortunately, however, the Insurrection Act, like the National Emergencies Act, gives the president a dangerous amount of discretion. The Insurrection Act allows the deployment of federal troops whenever the President considers that unlawful obstructions, combinations, or assemblages, or rebellion against the authority of the United States, make it impracticable to enforce the laws of the United States in any State by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings. The judgment as to whether these vaguely worded conditions exist is left entirely to the president. The National Emergencies Act, for its part, allows the president to declare a national emergencyand therefore to invoke dozens of special statutory powerswithout defining the term or specifying any substantive criteria that must be met. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both laws are also short on checks and balances to deter or correct abuse. In their current form, neither law includes any express provision for judicial review or any time limits on how long the powers they confer may be exercised. And while the National Emergencies Act includes a weak congressional backstopany member can force a vote on a resolution to terminate a state of emergency, but passing the resolution still effectively requires a veto-proof majoritythe Insurrection Act does not even go that far. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell could thus prevent the Senate from considering any legislation to call off the troops. Congress enacted these sweeping delegations of power on the assumption that presidents could be trusted to act honorably and in the nations interest. Whether such an assumption is wise when passing run-of-the-mill legislation is debatable. When granting presidents extraordinary authorities to implement emergency rule or to deploy federal troops domesticallypowers that, by their very nature, pose profound risks to a democracytrust should never replace careful, substantive limits and rigorous procedural checks. Advertisement Advertisement A rare opportunity now exists for Congress to reform these authorities. Republicans, worried about how a future Democratic president might use emergency powers, are lining up behind legislation to reform the National Emergencies Act. Many of them are no doubt driven by a dislike of Democratic policy goals, rather than a true concern about excessive presidential discretion. Nonetheless, the reform they are supportinga requirement that Congress approve states of emergency within 30 daysis exactly the type of check that is needed to prevent abuse and presidential overreach. Depending on how events unfold, Republicans might be willing to support similar reforms to the Insurrection Act. Advertisement Ironically, some Democrats are balking at National Emergencies Act reform, hinting that the law could be a useful tool for future Democratic presidents faced with an obstructionist Republican Congress. This approach is understandable but shortsighted, and ultimately dangerous for our democracy. Trump is aberrant in many respects, but he is not the first president to misuse power, nor will he be the last. To the extent his actions have highlighted specific authorities that are particularly susceptible to abuse, it is incumbent on Congress to reform these laws before Trump, or another president, exploits them furtheremploying emergency powers to shut down communications facilities, or deploying the military to suppress anti-government protests. With Trump already having laid the groundwork to challenge the legitimacy of any 2020 election defeat, the issue is as urgent as any this country faces. Trump has shown what can happen when Congress delegates too much discretion to the president. To call this a teachable moment is an understatement. For the sake of our democracy, Congress must heed the underlying lesson behind Trumps abuses of power and amend the legal framework for emergency powers to replace trust and discretion with meaningful checks and balances. Last week, the U.S. government issued a dramatic one-two punch in its fight to manage supply chain risks in tech infrastructure and avoid Chinese companies dominance in next-generation 5G wireless networks. Both actions in their own way targeted the Chinese telecom giant Huawei, which has long been a focus of U.S. scrutiny over allegations that the Chinese government could use its products for espionage or sabotage. First and most acutely, the Commerce Department announced that Huawei will be cut off from U.S. suppliers without special licenses and that licensing applications will be subject to the presumption of denial. As a result, Huawei could lose access to components such as specialized microprocessors and to software, including the Android mobile operating system, which runs on the companys thriving line of smartphonesnone of which it can easily replace with non-U.S. alternatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Second, an executive order gave the commerce secretary and other officials broad authority to restrict U.S. tech purchases that they deem a risk to national security and linked to a foreign adversary. This will likely be used to ban Huawei equipment in 5G networks, but it could end up having a much broader use than that. The U.S. government has 150 days to determine exactly how that order will be implemented. What happens during that period will decide whether the order is a wise response to real cybersecurity risks or a folly that will effectively cut off the U.S. market from useful and harmless products. At the worst, it could duplicate Chinas own highly problematic system for deciding which products are secure enough for Chinese usea system that in effect uses sweeping definitions of national security as justification to block foreign competition, allowing Chinese companies to thrive. Advertisement Advertisement For years, the U.S. government and industry have protested the Chinese governments opaque regime for security reviews of technology products. Pushback accelerated in the months leading up to the release of Chinas Cybersecurity Law in late 2016, as early drafts circulated among industry experts. Within weeks of the law entering force in 2017, China published a rather obscure draft regulation called the Measures on the Security Review of Network Products and Services, though its more commonly known as the Cybersecurity Review Regime, or CRR. Currently, the measures are in a trial form and require products to undergo security review if their application poses certain types of security risks. U.S. companies began referring to it as a black box review, because there are no publicly known metrics or processes to pass it. In effect, the CRR means that companies do not know what they can buy and sell to whom. Reviews could kick in and affect a company after it has already entered the market, creating sunk costs and making upgrades impossible or expensive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What, indeed, counts as a catastrophic effect on the digital economy? There is little public information about what exactly the CRR means in practice. In part, thats because not many companies have actually gone through it yet, since the regime has not yet been widely implemented. The very existence of the regime on the books has caused alarm simply because of the threat it could be used at any point. U.S. policymakers and industry groups fear that companies could be compelled to disclose source code or corporate secrets in the process of being evaluated under the CRR. A notice from the Ministry of Public Security even suggested that law enforcement would have authority to conduct random on-site inspections and demand remote access to corporate networks. When the law and review regime went into effect in June 2017, few beyond Chinas tech policy watchers were even aware of the debate surrounding Chinas emerging cyberspace governance regime. But less than a year later, that would all change. By March 2018, the U.S. government was preparing a whole-of-government effort to take Beijing to task for all the ways that U.S. companies in China experienced an unfair playing field: cybertheft, pressure to turn over technology and intellectual property to Chinese partners, and the laws and regulations that advantage Chinese companies. Against this backdrop, the Office of the United States Trade Representative issued a nearly 200-page report that ultimately provided justification for imposing tariffs on billions of dollars worth of Chinese goods by documenting all of these grievances. And it cited Chinas Cybersecurity Law, which undergirds Chinas review regime, as forcing U.S. firms to submit to ambiguous reviews in the name of national security and cybersecurity. Chinas black box review was a stated irritant for the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The irony was not likely lost on observers in Beijing, then, that last weeks U.S. executive order used flexible language in announcing new powers to block tech transactions or require unspecified extra stepsperhaps even including security reviewsif linked to vaguely defined foreign adversaries. The order gives the U.S. government new authority to consider the provenance of a product or service and block transactions that could jeopardize broad public interests. Its full of open-ended language. For instance, it targets an undue risk of catastrophic effects on the security or resiliency of United States critical infrastructure or the digital economy. This huge latitudewhat, indeed, counts as a catastrophic effect on the digital economy?gives the government broad discretion, but it also risks mirroring some of the most troublesome features of Chinas own regime. Advertisement Advertisement First, both the Chinese regulation and the U.S. order give officials broad authority to identify the scope of their own power. The U.S. order gives the commerce secretary discretion to design or negotiate measures to mitigate concerns over product security, effectively granting the authority to create an entire system of procedures and rules not set out by the president or Congress. The Chinese regulation says that the State shall, in accordance with law, identify third party institutions to undertake third party-evaluation work, leaving the players and procedures in this delegated authority up to bureaucrats. Advertisement Second, the Chinese regulation and U.S. order both enumerate some specific areas where their review process may apply, but they also include flexible catch-all language that gives officials the ability to move the goal posts based on their interpretation of national security. The Chinese black box review may apply when other risks that may endanger national security are at stake, while the U.S. powers apply to transactions that otherwise pos[e] an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States or the security and safety of United States persons. Advertisement Third, the ranges of technologies or products subject to the two regimes are so broadly defined as to make it hard for many businesses to determine what is covered or reliably safe. The U.S. order says its scope covers information and communications technology or services designed, developed, manufactured, or supplied, by persons owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of a foreign adversary. The Chinese systems scope includes important network products and services related to national security network and information system procurement. In both cases, further regulatory documents could give more clarity. The Chinese regime probably wont become less opaque soon, but the U.S. order gives the government 150 days to develop policies to implement its objectives. During that time, officials would do well to remember some of the downsides of Chinas own attempt to solve the problem of which equipment to trust. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chinas government has spent years developing a conceptual boundary between secure and controllable or independent and controllable technologies, generally made in China, versus foreign suppliers that cannot be totally trustedsuch as the so-called eight guardian warriors of Cisco, IBM, Google, Qualcomm, Intel, Apple, Oracle, and Microsoft that so much of Chinas tech ecosystem once relied on. Huaweis rise is seen in China as one way to reduce Chinas dependency on these foreign giants. Now, the U.S. government is beginning to draw its own line at trusting Huawei. Yet in doing so, it risks going beyond Huawei in ways that appear to parallel Beijings own aspirations for a secure and controllable IT industry system. Advertisement Security and national origin may be related, but theyre not the same thing. In order to accomplish important cybersecurity goals without causing unnecessary confusion or cost for businesses and consumers, the U.S. government should be targeted and transparent in laying out the scope of foreign adversarybased IT regulations. At least some officials seem to favor this tailored approach. Department of Homeland Security official Robert Kolasky reportedly answered industry concerns about unintended impacts by saying, We will look broadly at where there could be elements of risk but Im hoping well be able to be narrow. Advertisement In the case of Chinas opaque review regime, one of the top concerns among businesses is that its very secrecy gives Chinese officials room to insert politics or corruption into the IT market. Until the implementation of the U.S. order becomes clearer, similar concerns may apply to the U.S. governmentespecially since the issue of Huawei is so loaded. Advertisement The Trump administration has struggled to separate economic negotiations with China from its global campaign against the use of Huawei equipment for next-generation 5G wireless networks. The president has himself undermined official claims that the arrest of the companys CFO in Canada last year was a pure law enforcement matter and independent from bilateral negotiations, saying: If I think its good for what will be certainly the largest trade deal ever made I would certainly intervene, if I thought it was necessary. The United States needs government attention to cybersecurity commensurate with the risks and threats that come along with advances in technology, and this order can play a part. But if its implementation allows for the appearance or reality of political entanglements, it risks undermining industry and public trust in government cybersecurity efforts far beyond the question of Huawei or China. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. Welcome to Source Notes, a Future Tense column about the internets knowledge ecosystem. The Chinese government has long been suspicious of Wikipedia. Its been blocked in China intermittently since 2004, and the Chinese-language version has been blocked since June 2015. Now the government has gone even further. The Wikimedia Foundation released a statement on Friday announcing that it had determined that China blocked all versions of Wikipedia. Reuters and PC Mag noted that the timing of the block seems to coincide with the Tiananmen Square protests, which ended violently on June 4, 1989. When Wikipedias official account tweeted that the reasons for the total block were unknown to us, a Shanghai-based user responded, Dont be daft. Advertisement Censorship of encyclopedias has a long history. In the 18th century, Denis Diderot and other authors of the famous Encyclopedie were denounced as heretics for suggesting that knowledge stems from observation and reason rather than religious tradition or papal authority. In 1752, the French kings council issued a stop order on its distribution on the basis that the publication was destroying royal authority and encouraging a spirit of independence and revolt, a prophetic statement just three decades before the French Revolution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blocking a website appears to be the 21st-century equivalent of these encyclopedic press injunctions, and Wikipedia has dealt with more than its fair share. China first blocked the Chinese-language Wikipedia in June 2004 before the 15th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests. Before 2015, countries could even block specific articles because Wikipedia was running on an HTTP protocol. Iran, for example, blocked at least 963 unique articles deemed undesirable for political, religious, or sexual reasons in 2013, including Harry Potter actress Emma Watsons page. But since Wikipedia switched over entirely to HTTPS in 2015, a nations only censorship option has been to block entire language versions. Turkey went ahead and blocked all of Wikipedia in April 2017, citing a controversial law to ban websites in the name of national security. Venezuela temporarily blocked all editions of Wikipedia from Jan. 1218 of this year after some articles referred to opposition leader Juan Guaido as president. But Turkey has so far been the only country since the full implementation of HTTPS to institute a long-term block across all languagesat least until the latest developments with China. Advertisement Advertisement As Omer Benjakob reported for the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Turkish officials reached out to Wikimedia several times in 2017 to request that content be changed in two Wikipedia articles: State-sponsored terrorism and Foreign involvement in the Syrian Civil War. As a matter of policy, Wikimedia does not interfere with its community-written encyclopedia projects, so Turkish representatives took matters into their own hands. As one Turkish official tweeted, This content was not allowed to be edited. Therefore, entire Wikipedia content had to be filtered. Advertisement By contrast, China appears to have blocked the site without forewarning. Wikimedia noted in its statement, We have not received notice or any indication as to why this current block is occurring and why now. The silent approach seems to be customary for Chinese officials, who have blocked thousands of websites including the BBC, the New York Times , Quora, Reddit, and Amnesty International. Under President Xi Jinping, the Chinese government has increasingly sought to use the Great Firewall to maintain a unified Chinanet that reflects the partys express values rather than diversity of opinions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chinas banning of certain American, Japanese, and European domains has helped domestic companies grow. Nine of the worlds 20 largest internet firms, by market value, are now Chinese, including Baidu and WeChat, which have grown exponentially partly because they have been sheltered from Google, Facebook, and Twitter. But it seems unlikely that China is blocking Wikipedia across all languages simply to provide its homegrown company with an advantage. The Chinese-language internet encyclopedia Baidu Baike, owned by Baidu, already has millions more articles than Chinese Wikipedia, which has been blocked since 2015. When Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales met with Cyberspace Administration of China chief Lue Wei later that year, Wales said Wikipedias blocked status did not come up. But spoken or not, the key difference is openness to censorship. Unlike Wikipedia, Baidu Baike removes content when directed to do so by the Chinese government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats where the circumstantial evidence of the 30th anniversary of the violence in Tiananmen Square becomes too compelling to ignore. Back in 2009, during the 20th anniversary, internet references to the demonstrations were strictly censored. When Chinese internet users searched for June 4 on the Chinese search engine Baidu, they would receive a message that said, The search does not comply with laws, regulations and policies. When one country cannot contribute to the internets knowledge ecosystem, the entire world is poorer. With todays prevalence of online translation tools, it would be much easier for Chinese citizens to read content from other encyclopedia editions. Advances in translation software might explain why the government felt the need to expand what was previously only a block of the Chinese (Mandarin) edition. Since Wikipedia is collaboratively written by a decentralized group of editors, the Chinese government is also unable to control the narrative or the nomenclature. On the English-language edition of Wikipedia, for example, there have been fiery debates between editors about whether the events of 1989 should be referred to as the Tiananmen Square massacre or the Tiananmen Square protests. The current English Wikipedia article uses the latter title, but devotes substantial space to describing the death toll and the extent of bloodshed in the Square. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its foreseeable that potentially millions of Chinese citizens would have been curious enough to conduct some basic internet research in the months and weeks leading up to the anniversary of the events at Tiananmen Square, and that they would have preferred to use a source that wasnt censored by the government. Now, by design, many of them will be unable to. When Turkey blocked all editions of Wikipedia in 2017, there was some expectation that the censorship would be short-lived. The countrys previous blocks were often limited in duration, such as a two-week block of Twitter in 2014. But Turkeys block of Wikipedia has now lasted more than two years and is a lose-lose situation for humanity at large. The anti-censorship organization Turkey Blocks recently tweeted, The block of #Wikipedia in #Turkey is not only annoying, it means Turkish citizens are essentially self-excluded from writing their own history or expressing a Turkish point of view in millions of articles that chronicle our age. Wikimedia made a similar point in its recent statement: When one country cannot contribute to the internets knowledge ecosystem, the entire world is poorer. Already there is a Wikipedia entry describing Chinas recent censorship of all Wikipedia. Lets hope this Wikipedia article is soon updated to describe the block in the past tense, and that the revised version will soon be accessible globally without restriction. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. Some boroughs have approved the regulatory instrument for the launch of the parking policy, some have turned it down. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled While parking is what bothers people living and working in Bratislava probably more than anything else, it is still unsure when a city-wide parking policy will be introduced. After Bratislava Mayor Matus Vallo introduced the policy on April 11, 17 of the citys boroughs are now discussing the related, generally binding regulation (VZN), a regulation necessary for the launch of the parking policy. The city council plans to discuss and approve the rules and regulations of the parking policy in June. The parking policy is planned to be launched as of 2021. Read also: Read also: 10 things you need to know about the new parking policy in Bratislava Read more So far most of the boroughs have approved the draft document but four have expressed disagreement. Some borough councillors have asked to postpone the adoption of the regulation. Im afraid that if we postpone it, we will end up in a situation where we will be in the middle of the [four-year election] term and we will not adopt it at all as there will be no political will for it, said Vallo, who was elected to his post at the end of 2018 for four years, as cited by the TASR newswire. He is promising to include the relevant changes proposed by the boroughs in the final wording of the regulation. Ruzinov, Petrzalka, Karlova Ves, Raca, Dubravka and Devinska Nova Ves have okayed the draft regulation providing it meets their requirements for strengthening city transport, the cooperation of the city and the boroughs in increasing parking places, increasing the staff of the municipal police, securing adherence to the parking rules and others. The Old Town (Stare Mesto) borough as well as Nove Mesto, Vrakuna and Podunajske Biskupice have rejected the document. Vrakuna and the Old Town object to what they see as the lack of financial analysis and impact studies as well as the breakneck pace at which the policy is being put to the vote. Other boroughs have not decided about the document yet. As of May 22, the general public will have 10 days to comment on the draft regulation. Four zones and residential cards The city-wide parking policy is scheduled to be introduced in the first zones suffering from the biggest parking problems as of 2021. The city council proposes the creation of four fee zones, where parking is to be charged at 0.50-2 on an hourly basis. City residents are to be issued parking cards and are expected to pay 49 per year for their first car per household, 150 for the second and 500 for the third. Read also: Read also: Bratislava will be waiting for a new parking policy until at least 2020 Read more Vallo has already proposed dividing the fee for the first residential card as well as reducing the fee for the second residential card. The city council wants to set the price level for the residential cards in accordance with the parking policy in order to reduce the number of cars in the city, lower emissions and improve public space. Simultaneously, it should not be too much of a burden on Bratislava families. People want to keep free parking as it is now, but this is not right, says Vallo. I am trying to persuade people that this way wont work. The Slovak arm of the German carmaker has refused to comment. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled The German carmaker Volkswagen will allegedly build its new small electric car in its factory in Bratislava. The company had initially intended to produce the car at its factory in Emden, Germany, but chose Bratislava instead because wage costs are lower in Slovakia than in Germany, German business paper Handelsblatt reported last week. The Slovak arm of the carmaker has treated the information as speculation and refused to comment on it. Its known that the Bratislava plant of Volkswagen Slovakia is currently seeking the production of new products so that it secures jobs in the future, said Lucia Kovarovic Makayova, spokesperson of Volkswagen Slovakia as cited by the TASR newswire. Fewer staffers in Bratislava This year the Bratislava plant wants to reduce the number of its workers from 2018s 14,800 by 3,000 to increase efficiency. Read also: Read also: Will Volkswagen Bratislava win production of new models within the group? Read more The Bratislava plant began to produce the third generation of the Volkswagen Touareg and the brand new Audi Q8 model last year. Along with these models it manufactures the Audi Q7, the Porsche Cayenne, the Porsche Cayenne Coupe, the Seat Mii, the Skodo Citigo, the Volkswagen up! and its electric version the Volkswagen e-up!. The Bratislava plant has been producing the Volkswagen e-up! since 2013, when production of this model started in Bratislava as a pilot for the whole group. Usually a production cycle of one car model is about six years. There are no official plans for models built on VWs electric vehicle platform in Bratislava so far. Oliver Grunberg, chair of Volkswagen Slovakias board, said at a press conference on April 17 that the Bratislava plant wants to continue with the production of electric cars. The allocation of new projects will be decided within the concern at the end of 2019. The logistics real estate market prepares for arrival of autonomous vehicles. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Online shopping has changed the peoples way of shopping and this has also a huge impact on companies active in the logistics real estate market. This is also the case of Prologis, the biggest company operating on the logistics real estate in Slovakia. Actually, retail has moved into warehouses, said Martin Balaz, vice president, country manager at Prologis for Czech Republic and Slovakia, adding that as the consequence the last touch has become the imperative of the day in logistics. The Slovak Spectator spoke with Balaz about e-commerce, shortage of labour force, the industrial park Prologis is building in Nitra as well as whether Slovakia is fully using its potential of the country in the middle of Europe. The Slovak Spectator (TSS): What impacts e-commerce has on the logistics real estate market? Martin Balaz (MB): Its influence is huge. While five years ago we almost did not register any demands from e-commerce stores like Alza or Mall for renting premises in our parks, now such companies are ones of our biggest customers in Slovakia and in the Czech Republic. The internet has moved retail into a completely different dimension when warehouses fulfil in an increasing scale the function of retail. But the challenge is that when a customer orders something online, they want to have it delivered immediately or as soon as possible. This is why the last touch has become the imperative of the day in logistics. TSS: What the last touch exactly means or how long it is? MB: It cannot be measured by kilometres only as it depends how big a city is. The last touch in the biggest European metropolises will differ from that in Bratislava. While in Bratislava it may be half of an hour from the city centre, in Prague it might be a bit longer and in the larger cities it even may last an hour or more. This is why it is ideal to have the last-touch facilities directly in the city. But it is often problem to get a permission to build such a facility directly in the city. TSS: Does have e-commerce any influence on design of warehouses? Emoticon Hanover scored a comfortable 1:54 victory in Monday evenings $52,800 opening leg of the Miss Versatility Series for trotting mares at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The two-time Breeders Crown champion and driver Daniel Dube got away second in a compact field of five and made a second-quarter circle to the lead from the two-hole. The Luc Blais trainee proceeded to post a :28.4 third-quarter followed by a :27.4 final-quarter to secure the win by 2-1/4 lengths over early-leader The Erm. Emoticon Hanovers stablemate Dream Together finished third. Pat Matters and Sorceress Seelster rounded out the field, with both making breaks early in the mile. A daughter of Kadabra, Emoticon Hanover picked up her 24th career victory Monday to bring her season record to two for two. The six-year-old is looking to duplicate or surpass last years totals of six wins and $397,208 earned in 15 starts. Mondays victory pushes Emoticon Hanover over $1.7 million in career earnings. She paid $2.50 to win. The next leg of the Miss Versatility will take place on July 13 at The Meadowlands. The series features four preliminary legs followed by the final at the Delaware County Fairgrounds on Little Brown Jug day. Musical Rhythm extended his winning streak to four-in-a-row for Team Baillargeon thanks to his front-stepping score in the $34,000 Preferred Handicap for trotters. Assigned the outside post in the seven-horse affair, Musical Rhythm shot to the front for driver Mario Baillargeon, and they led the field through fractions of :28.2, :57.4 and 1:27.1 before kicking home in :27.3 to win by 1-1/4 lengths over stablemate P L Jill in 1:54.4. Third prize went to Free Willy Hanover. Trainer Ben Baillargeon co-owns the 34-time winner with Claude Hamel and the Venas Nunzio and Santo. The seven-year-old son of Cantab Hall-Musical Victory pushed his lifetime earnings over $800,000 with the win. (With files from Woodbine Mohawk Park) To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results Woodbin Mohawk Park. In order to continue enjoying our site, we ask that you confirm your identity as a human. Thank you very much for your cooperation. Dr Michael Spence, Vice-Chancellor and Principal. This is a reflection of the talented educators, researchers and professional staff who make up the collaborative and welcoming culture we enjoy here, says Dr Michael Spence, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Sydney. Its also recognition of the positive workplace policies and programs that support staff in their careers. The University is currently ranked 13th, up 14 places from 2018. Sydney is joined by five other Australian universities in the top 20 including the University of Melbourne, RMIT, the University of Queensland, University of NSW and Monash University, highlighting the strength of the nations higher education sector. What makes University of Sydney such an attractive employer? The University works hard to support a community where each individual is valued. Sydney actively promotes whole-of-life balance with flexible working hours, various types of leave and opportunities to grow personally as well as professionally. For researchers, this means having access to long-term strategic career support and advice, world-class core research facilities, and opportunities to collaborate with some of the brightest minds. Staff from diverse backgrounds and ways of life are direct contributors to our inclusive community. With our many support networks, opportunities to share and create innovative experiences abound. We actively encourage professional growth from day one, and career mentorship and development is an important part of our staff experience. Benefits of working at the University of Sydney Some benefits of working at the University of Sydney include: Flexible work options Flexible working provisions form part of the Universitys culture strategy which includes a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. The University offers a range of flexible working options, including: flexible working arrangements that let staff balance their work and personal responsibilities generous leave entitlements. Support for you and your family The University is a family-friendly environment. There are a number of provisions and facilities that can help staff balance their work and family commitments, including: Sanamayn holds a unique position in southern Syria, as it was one of the first cities to agree to reconciliations with the regime, but recent events have increased tensions in the area writes Alsouria Net. The city of Sanamayn in the northern Daraa countryside has entered its fifth day of a siege imposed by Assads forces, which has prevented the entry and exit of civilians and foodstuffs entirely, with the exception of only allowing university students to leave. The siege has become complementary to the clashes witnessed by the city over the past few days, which have killed and wounded a number of regime forces and civilians. What Happened? A patrol by the Criminal Security center on Sunday raided a district to arrest a number of wanted people, most prominently Agheed al-Zahara, a former rebel commander, who had joined a settlement agreement with regime forces with a group of his fighters and had maintained his presence inside the city with small arms. Regime forces were met with armed resistance, which it appears they had not expected, and which killed one of their fighters and wounded others, including Colonel Omar Jumaa, head of the Criminal Security branch in the city. The clash ended with just three wanted people being arrested. The failure of the siege operation and regulation of the relationship with settlement fighters has pushed the latter to take up arms and impose a siege on the city and draw a security circle around the area. A number of former reconciliation committee members said that the siege would not be broken until all wanted people in the city were handed over and an inspection process was carried out on small armsa condition contradicting the settlement agreement. Representatives for residents have begun efforts to try to resolve the situation and to mediate with regime forces to break the siege. Then on the fourth night of the siege, the city witnessed a night attack carried out by unknown men of the Criminal Security center, which left no fighters dead or wounded, but filled the city of indiscriminate gunfire that killed a civilian. The mystery surrounding this attack has pushed all parties to explain it in different ways. The regime considers it an escalation by militants, while others doubted this and considered what happened to have been fabricated by the regime to create pretexts to carry out a military and security operation inside the city. Meanwhile pro-revolution and opponents of the settlement agreement said that what happened was a reaction by rebels to the siege of the city. The Daraa Governorate council only issued a statement in which it called on the international community and human rights groups to work to break the siege. Why Sanamayn? The settlement deal underway in Sanamayn is not part of the agreement that was concluded in most cities and towns in southern Syria in July last year. Sanamayn was the first city in Daraa province to conclude a separate agreement with regime forces more than four years ago, allowing small rebel groups to take control over the city while the regime only took control over military bases and the security square in the citys environs. Throughout these years, the city has seen a number of violations, but they have always been quickly resolvedeven to the extent that those who settled with the regime have been accused of treachery, following their normalization of relations between them and the regime and their repeated refusal to get involved in battles, which rebel groups faced in areas near Sanamayn. These included Zahara and his group who were part of the recent escalation of events. A source following the events in the city told Alsouria Net that what was happening was part of plans developed by the regime to create excuses to raid the city and to strip fighters there of their weapons, and put an end to some former commanders who were part of the history of the regimes agreements with the city itself. Sanamayn is still an exceptional and special case in the southern Syrian rebellions scene. It is not a fully liberated city, nor is it fully under regime control. The groups there are not fully revolutionary but they cannot be considered to be supporting the regime. The same source believed that the regime had chosen the Criminal Security as the agency to carry out the arrests of commanders with the aim of showing that the arrests were due to criminal activities and not related to security or political issues, which are crimes that would not end the settlements. The number in the patrol which arrested the wanted peoplewhich did not exceed ten fightersraises a number of question marks. It is certain that the regime knew that this sort of arrest needed higher numbers and equipment, which made this look like it was a sort of trap to lure wanted people into lessening their numbers and clashes with them. The presence of the head of the center, who was later wounded, as part of the patrol, raises another question mark which cannot be explained except to say that the regime wanted him to be there and get wounded, as evidence that one of its officers was wounded in the fighting. The Weakest Link Sanamayn can be considered the weakest link in Daraa. It is not the eastern Daraa countryside, which is governed by the relation between the regime and the Fifth Corps, and it is not the western Daraa countryside, which is overflowing with weapons, which makes the regime hesitant to enter there to avoid clashes with its cities and towns out of fear of developments growing out of control. The regime sees Sanamayn as the weakest link, and teaching it a lessons could send a message to its neighbors. Therefore what happens here will be observed and anticipated with interest by most people and forces in Daraa province and not just Sanamayn, as scenarios which ignite the scene in other parts of southern Syria are still fully possible. 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 European Front for Solidarity with Syria, denounced the attacks in Hama, Lattakia and Aleppo and the international silence reports SANA. The European Front for Solidarity with Syria in Spain condemned the recent terrorist attacks targeting a number of areas in Aleppo, Hama, Lattakia and near the Hemeimeem base. The Front confirmed, in a statement on Sunday, that such attacks are backed by the Israeli occupation entity. It said that these attacks come after the defeats suffered by terrorist organizations at the hands of the Syrian Arab Army. The statement criticized the media blackout, practiced by many Western countries, of the reality of what is happening in Syria, condemning the Western medias continued lies and distorted facts regarding the reality of events after more than eight years of war in Syria. The Front also condemned the international silence on the terrorist attacks and the frequent Israeli aggressions against Syria, which are a flagrant violation of all international laws and UN resolutions. It expressed solidarity with the Syrian people, government, army and leadership in response to the international terrorism which is backed by the United States, NATO and the Israeli entity. The statement hailed the steadfastness of the Syrian people and the victories achieved by the Syrian Arab Army in its fight against terrorism, voicing solidarity with the families of the martyrs of the Syrian Arab Army, which has been fighting for years not only for Syria but also for peace throughout the world, including Spain. This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. Offices that deal with displaced people and their right to return have been closed by authorities, which has sparked protests in Afrin reports Zaman Al Wasl. Representatives from the offices for displaced Syrians in the border city of Afrin called for protests against the Turkish decision to close their offices, saying that Turkey seeks to force the displaced to settle in northern Syria and to bar them from the right to return. According to a joint statement issued by the representatives of six offices, the decision aims to erase their Syrian identity, forcibly binding them to the areas where they currently reside. The report accused the Turkish government of the attempt to settle the displaced in Afrin, through what it described as, reinforcing the mentality of dispossessing the displaced from their attachment to their regions and their right to return. The statement stressed that all available means must be taken to stop this decision, at the same time, calling for continuous demonstrations, as a rejection of the decision and to pressure the resumption of the immediate work of the offices to serve the people of their regions. According to sources, the local council of the city of Afrin conveyed, at a meeting, held in the presence of a representative of the Turkish government, about the need to close these offices in the city. Adding that, During the meeting, a representative of the Turkish intelligence service verbally informed the committees to close all civil affairs offices for the displaced. A new decision by the Turkish government was issued to cancel residence permits, which allowed the displaced to obtain an identity card, to be replaced instead by Kurdish officials who will soon be appointed, and to who they can refer to in case they need to obtain any other civil papers. The source explained that this decision would obliterate the identity of the displaced, because they come from multiple provinces and when new IDs are issued to them in Afrin, the Afrin registration will be placed on them, thus canceling their previous registrations. The offices of displaced persons, throughout the region of Afrin, carry out relief, work and conduct censuses of displaced people from all governorates and organize them into indexes, showing their family data and places of residence, as a customary legal measure to secure their needs through local councils. The source explained that these offices also coordinate with the local council of Afrin and the interim government in order to assist the people of the displaced areas to obtain official papers, such as registrations, residence permits, family civil status books, death / birth certificates, family registrations, the latter officially recognized in Turkey and a number of European countries. It is worth mentioning that the entities calling for the demonstration are: the Revolution Coordinators Union in Afrin, members of the Damascus Governorate Council, and the offices of the civil affairs in the countryside of Damascus, Homs and the coastal region. This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. The economic crisis that is gripping Syria has hit pro-regime media outlets, who are finding that their funding has been halted, which could result in them closing their doors writes Zaman Al Wasl. The Syrian regimes economic crisis has led to the ultimate cessation of financial support to pro-Bashar al-Assad media outlets and journalists, sources revealed. Shaaban Aboud, a Washington-based journalist, noted on his Facebook page, that media support for newspapers, TV channels and private news sites had been interrupted by the economic crisis. This had a negative effect on the loyalist Syrian media. Aboud pointed out that it is customary for the Arab Advertising Organization to provide support for these media outlets in addition to Arab media personalities who support and stand with the regime. However, this year, media owners did not receive a penny of that support, which some describe as shameful. Aboud suggested that a media official in the presidential palace, Luna Alshebel, was behind the suspension of support, as she holds the actual power over Syrian media, while the Minister of Information is just a mere employee. In an interview with Zaman al-Wasl, Aboud pointed out that it wasnt just the stifling economic crisis that led to the decision to stop the support, but also that the regime now feels triumphant and that it no longer needs media and all loyalist voices after they achieved their desired purpose. The regime is now aware that the issue goes beyond them and that the real support comes from allied countries like Russia and Iran, he added. The regime may have needed these voices at the beginning of the revolution as part of the campaign to promote its version of events and to create a narrative. Today, however, the regime believes that it moved beyond that stage and that the alignments are set. He ruled out the possibility of loyalist figures changing their positions and alignment because of the cessation of funds, saying that, they will continue to bet on the regime and on the possibility of overcoming the crisis and the return of support, some may think it is a temporary phase, he says. He added that they may be looking for parties that would support them financially, but they will look in the same circle of regime allies, particularly Iran, the biggest supporter of the regime, which is now under sanctions and siege and cannot do much for them. The Lebanese media that receives support from the regime, have no credibility or a large presence, said the journalist who worked as a correspondent for the Lebanese daily An-Nahar in Damascus for years. But at the same time, we must not forget that there are political and sectarian alignments, interests and competition among politicians that make them race to win the satisfaction of the regime, feeling it to be strong and influential despite the withdrawal of its troops from Lebanon. They became accustomed, since the Syrian presence in Lebanon, to resorting to cheap methods of obtaining political and financial support. Some of them see their relationship with the regime as a source of livelihood, but they lack credibility and respect at the Arab level, as people see them as mere paid tools, he continued. The Arab Advertising Organization often takes the role of mediator between the regime and its trumpets and the Lebanese media, by directly giving them advertisements or financial assistance. He added, While the regime does not broadcast it, everyone knows the formula and mechanisms of support. Sometimes support is provided to loyalist figures, who, in turn, support the media by securing special and minor demands and taking their interests into account. Aboud played down the impact of the economic crisis on the regimes official and private media. According to him, some private media organizations may be forced to close if the crisis persists, but the majority will wait and accept the reality, finding justifications for the crisis and the regime. This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. The newspaper cited the increasing pressure that journalists in the country are facing as the reason for its decision to stop publishing reports Al-Modon. After its owner was arrested for a short period and its editor resigned from media work, the Al-Ayyam pro-regime newspaper in Syria announced it was halting publication because of the crisis affecting media work in Syria, as it put it. The weekly newspaper allocated its final edition on Sunday to discussing the operating conditions for media in Syria. The editor Ali Hassoun wrote that, the current stage is the hardest in the history of Syrian journalism because of the increasing pressure on media work and because fear has begun to govern journalists pens. This outcome for the paper does not need much explanation, but is a scenario that Syrians have been familiar with for decades. Since the Syrian revolution began in 2011, Assads Syria has the lowest levels of press freedoms and freedom of expression, which are issued by independent groups such as Reporters Without Borders. Everyone knows how media is governed and dealt with as a tool to strengthen the ruling authority and nothing more. The regime has allowed delusion to persist among loyalist journalists, giving them broad space to criticize the government, militias and others as long as they do not criticize the main figures of the Syrian state as well as some other red lines. But this has changed completely over the last two years to the extent that it can be said that the regime has achieved its wish of creating fundamental change in the untouchable official and semi-official media apparatus during the years of the Syrian revolution, and is now able to regulate the image and flow of information through communication sites and limits that to images and information which it approves. This has happened gradually, with laws issued for electronic crimes and heavy restrictions imposed on activities on social media, and war and military correspondents being halted, and some loyalist activists being arrested, such as Wissam al-Teir, owner of the Damascus Now network, with other activists being silenced with threats, according to colleagues of these loyalist activists. The repression has affected prominent regime loyalists like the television correspondent in Aleppo Shadi al-Helou, who was kicked out of his program This is Aleppo and prevented from appearing on Syrian channels after the local radio he ran in Aleppo was closed last year. It must be said that the regime had been lenient over the war years in monitoring loyalist media because it was not free to undertake full-time monitoring on one hand while on the other, media sites were an outlet for loyalist anger at internal policies and services. It allowed loyalists to attack the government and officials and ministers as long as it did not affect President Bashar al-Assad for example or the prestige of the state. Loyalist journalists apparently believed that this leniency was a type of press freedom theyd recently gained and believed in the idea of the regime reforming itself from the inside. 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. A Kelso man set to be sentenced in July for threatening to kill his roommates on Oct. 5 and dealing child porn could spend nine years in prison under a plea deal with prosecutors. A victim in one of his cases said that wouldnt be enough. This is an evil person, Richard Vaillencourt said of his uncle Kevin Vaillencourt, 55, in a phone interview. Theyre just letting him just straight off the hook. Nine years to a known child predator, just so they can get a guilty verdict? ... Im not putting the detectives or (prosecutors office) down (but) hes still gonna be in his 60s (when he is released from prison). Even at that age, he could be a danger to the children. Kevin Vaillencourt originally faced 17 charges, including two counts of second-degree assault and nine counts of first-degree possession of child pornography. He was previously scheduled to go to trial for the assault charges Tuesday but instead pleaded guilty when prosecutors dropped all but five charges: first-degree dealing of child pornography, first-degree possession of child pornography, second-degree possession of child pornography and two counts of felony harassment (threats to kill). The prosecutor and Vaillencourts defense agreed to a recommended sentence of nine years in prison and three years on probation. Cowlitz Superior Court Judge Stephen Warning, who is scheduled to sentence Vaillencourt on July 2, is not obligated to impose the plea deal and could sentence Vaillencourt to more or less prison time. Police say Kevin Vaillencourt, while being arrested, told officers he was ready to kill right now after breaking down a door and screaming about killing his nephew and Jennifer Lamon, who were living with him in Kelso. Richard Vaillencourt and Lamon said they left the county for their own safety after the Oct. 5 incident and are temporarily living in Florida. Were not trying to play the victims, but we are (victims), Richard Vaillencourt said. And nobodys asked the rest of the story. Nobody cares about the day after, the week after, the month after. The couple said theyre just looking for justice and help for their mental health. I want somebody to hear my voice, because nobodys listening, Lamon said. Im not doing well at all right now. I basically feel like he took my life away that night. Just days before the Oct. 5 incident, Kelso police say they received a tip that Kevin Vaillencourt had uploaded sexually explicit photos of minors to Instagram and Facebook. An investigation later found hundreds of explicit images and videos of children on Vaillencourts electronic devices, according to court documents. Vaillencourt is a level 3 registered sex offender (the most likely to re-offend) and was sentenced to 14 years in prison in 1992 after pleading guilty to four counts of first-degree child molestation. In 2006, he was found guilty of violating his probation from that conviction after he met and drank alcoholic beverages with a 16-year-old boy who he thought was 18, according to a violation report. His sex offender treatment counselor wrote that Vaillencourt was a self-admitted pedophile who willingly engaged in activities that raised his risk of re-offending, such as drinking alcohol and driving around without any particular destination. His recent violations combined with his prior violations ... are most disturbing, a Department of Corrections officer wrote in 2006. It appears that new sex crimes are imminent if they have not already occurred. Clearly, the system knows him, Richard Vaillencourt said. The whole community was aware of how he was as a person, before this incident happened. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 10 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Longview Mayor Don Jensen on Thursday is expected to appoint a committee to plan the citys upcoming centennial celebration. The City of Longview was dedicated in July 1923 and incorporated in 1924. City Manager Kurt Sacha said Tuesday that the city plans to mark its 100-year anniversary in 2023. Also during the City Council meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday in City Hall, the council will also hear presentations about the Highlands Neighborhood Association, a recent homeless shelter cleanup and a financial review of the general fund. We continue to hold our own financially, Sacha, who is also the acting finance director for the city, said Tuesday. As you look ahead, financially it appears dire in that we are spending more than we are bringing in. But as we actually get into the years, much of it has to do with conservationism. After the first quarter, the citys general fund revenue for 2019 is projected to reach $38.1 million, while expenditures are estimated to be $39.3 million a $1.17 million deficit. Sacha also predicts that between 2020 and 2024, the city will see revenue increase between 2.5% and 4% each year, while expenditures will increase between 3% and 4% annually. However, Sacha said the city budgets were conservative, and oftentimes the final revenue comes in higher than projected and expenditures are lower than expected. General fund expenditures in 2019 are projected to be $550,000 less than budgeted, which is related to under-spending in salaries and benefits, supplies, services and charges and intergovernmental contracts, according to meeting documents. While we may spend a bit more than we take in, its usually something we can sustain, he said. But we cant continue to do that. Certainly thats why economic development is so important to grow the economy of our community. Projected sales tax for 2019 is $9.16 million a 2% increase, or $177,000 more than 2018 sales tax collections. And year to date sales tax revenues in April were about 4.2% higher than 2018 sales tax revenues through March. Business and Occupation tax revenue is expected to stay about the same ($10,500) in 2019 as last year. The council will also consider setting two public hearings for the next meeting on June 13 to discuss the six year transportation improvement program from 2020 to 2025 and the 2019 allocation of HOME, Community Development Block Grant and Document Recording Fee Program dollars. In other business, the council will consider: Vacating about 100 feet of unimproved right of way by Lots 8 and 9 off California Way. The $34,400 fee has already been paid and deposited into the Arterial Street Fund. Awarding a $208,200 contract to Nutter Corp. of Vancouver to replace a sewer main in the alley of Eighth and Ninth avenues between the Fir Street right of way and Florida Street. The low bid from Nutter Corp. came in higher than the engineers estimate of $175,000. Entering an agreement with the state Department of Enterprise Services surplus operations for auctioning surplus vehicles, equipment and other property. This story has been updated with the correct start time for the meeting: 7 p.m. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Fugitive Cowlitz County sheriffs deputies Saturday arrested Duane Michael Horner, 43, of Kelso on suspicion of being a fugitive from justice. DUI Washington State Patrol troopers Saturday arrested Antonio Plancarte, 30, city of residence unknown, on suspicion of felony driving under the influence. Drugs Kelso police Sunday arrested Dmitriy Basistyy, 55, of Kent, Wash., on suspicion of violating a no contact order and a felony drug offense. Assault Longview police Sunday arrested Cody Joseph Blakley, 32, of Longview on suspicion of second-degree domestic violence assault, interfering with domestic violence reporting, fourth-degree domestic violence assault and unlawful imprisonment. Obstruction Washington State Patrol troopers Sunday arrested Tiffany Marie Blouin, 33, of Stevenson, Wash., on suspicion of taking a vehicle without permission, obstructing a public servant and resisting arrest. Unlawful imprisonment Cowlitz County sheriffs deputies Sunday arrested Ryan Lee Gomez, 31, of Longview on suspicion of unlawful imprisonment. Stolen vehicle, firearm Cowlitz County sheriffs deputies Sunday arrested Quintin Leon Nunn-Motley, 28, of University Place, Wash., on suspicion of possessing a stolen vehicle, possessing a stolen firearm and unlawful possession of a firearm. Burglaries 5000 block of Ocean Beach Highway, Longview. Saturday. Someone trying to get into the house through a window. 1200 block of Ross Ave., Kelso. Saturday. Front and back door wide open. 1000 block of 10th Ave., Longview. Sunday. Tools taken from garage. Vandalism 300 block of Three Rivers Drive, Kelso. Saturday. Rear vehicle busted out. 300 block of Hillsdale Drive, Woodland. Sunday. House hit with paintballs. 100 block of Sapphire Road, Woodland. Sunday. House hit with paintballs. 700 block of 15th Ave., Longview. Sunday. Rock thrown at vehicle. Thefts 200 block of 24th Ave, Longview. Saturday. Man going through dumpsters. 200 block of Castleman St., Longview. Saturday. DeWalt radio taken from back porch. 1000 block of Commerce Ave., Longview. Sunday. Bike and trailer taken. 3000 block of Ocean Beach Highway, Longview. Sunday. Wheels stolen from back of truck. Intersection of Oregon Way and Industrial Way, Longview. Sunday. Items taken from boat. Love 1 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. Justice David Hayton, who delivered the judgment, on behalf of the Court, said that in the unique circumstances of this case, the CCJ felt obliged to resolve the issue, between the parties, without wasting time and costs in further proceedings. (Photo credit: CCJ.) The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on April 18, 2019, directed the Judicial Manager of the Clico International Life Insurance Limited (CLICO), to recognise and pay a debt of EC$1,423,329.46 to Dominican brothers Octavius John and Laurent John, within ten days of the Courts judgment.{ {more}} This judgement comes after a protracted battle in the Courts of Dominica, Barbados and finally the CCJ. The brothers, courts document showed, had invested in several "Executive Premium Annuity policies from CLICO to fund their retirement. At the expiration of these policies, CLICO did not pay the John brothers their entitlements, forcing them to resort to the High Court of Dominica to recover the funds. In September 2010, the brothers obtained default judgment against CLICO in the sum of EC$1,423,329.46 plus interest. After further delay by CLICO, the John brothers obtained a consent order in February 2011 by which CLICO undertook to pay EC$75,000 monthly, beginning at the end of April in that year and continuing until the judgment was paid. CLICO also undertook to pay costs and interest to them. However, from 14 April 2011, CLICO was placed under judicial management in accordance with the Insurance Act of Barbados and no payment was made to the John brothers. The Insurance Act stated that all court orders must be placed on hold and further action could not proceed without the leave of the court. The John brothers, however, sought to enforce their Dominican judgment against CLICO in the High Court of Barbados and that Court granted leave to continue to a higher court. The Court of Appeal in Barbados, however, on an appeal to it refused leave to the John brothers to enforce their judgment, given the financial difficulties of CLICO and that, in their opinion, the brothers failed to make out an exceptional case as compared to other policyholders throughout the Caribbean. The Court of Appeal, though, granted the John brothers permission to appeal to the CCJ. At the CCJ, CLICO filed an application to strike out the appeal, saying that the Court of Appeal had erred in allowing the John brothers to appeal to the CCJ. The Court considered whether the CCJ had jurisdiction to hear the appeal and whether leave should be granted to the John brothers to enforce the judgment from the High Court of Dominica. In these circumstances, the Court found that these proceedings were final and not interlocutory and therefore the Court of Appeal in Barbados was correct in granting leave to appeal to the CCJ. The Court stated that the John brothers had made their case with sufficient evidence, however, there was insufficient evidence from CLICOs Judicial Manager. (Source: CCJ) The Court was satisfied that the John brothers had made out an exceptional case and had done all they could to extract their money from CLICO before a realistic possibility of its collapse happened. Moreover, the judicial managers counsel conceded, at the hearing before the CCJ, that it no longer treated the brothers the same as other policy-holders since they had become ordinary unsecured creditors so that their claims would not be addressed.In the unique circumstances of this case, the CCJ felt obliged to resolve the issue between the parties without wasting time and costs in further proceedings, and ordered that the brothers be paid within ten days after the judgment, failing which interest shall accrue at the judgement rate applicable in Barbados. NEW YORK Donald Trump has seemed largely uninterested in foreign policy. He got excited briefly when he thought he could win a Nobel Peace Prize and hyped the danger of an imminent North Korean attack so that he could play the peacemaker. When it became clear that a deal was not to be had easily, Trump lost interest and scarcely mentions the subject anymore. Beyond North Korea, his foreign policy has largely been one of subcontracting (a familiar style for a real estate developer). Middle East policy is farmed out to Israel and Saudi Arabia. The administration simply backs whatever those nations want. Policy toward left-wing regimes in Latin America Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua has been delegated to saber-rattlers like national security adviser John Bolton and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. The rest of Latin America is dealt with solely through the lens of immigration in other words, subcontracted to senior adviser Stephen Miller. The one common aspect of Trumps foreign policy, however, has been that it has provoked a vigorous nationalist response abroad. Take China, where the government has gone on the offensive and denounced what it sees as Americas aggressive trade demands. Beijings state-controlled television network recently featured a commentary that tied American tactics to previous foreign efforts to subjugate China. After 5,000 years of wind and rain, what hasnt the Chinese nation weathered? the anchor said. If you want a trade war, he declared, well fight you until the end. That clip, in addition to being aired on Chinas main TV news channel, has now been watched online millions of times. In Iran, the Islamic Republic has been able to withstand the economic storms caused by U.S. sanctions so far because it has been able to pin the blame on Trumps anti-Iran strategy, not the regimes economic mismanagement. Washington has always underestimated nationalism, especially in the case of Iran. Many of Irans foreign policy moves stem from its geopolitical position, not some fundamentalist Shiite ideology. Last year, Ardeshir Zahedi, who served as foreign minister under the shah, published an open letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, essentially defending the Islamic Republics foreign policy. Irans nuclear program, it is worth recalling, began under the shah. The manner in which the Trump administration deals with almost every country provokes a nationalist, anti-American response. One of the great achievements of American foreign policy over the last 30 years was that Mexico had gone from being an anti-American, revolutionary country to a pro-American partner. In 2015, before Trumps election, 66% of Mexicans had a favorable view of America. By 2018, that number had dropped to 32%. Confidence in the U.S. president plummeted in that same time period from 49% to 6%. The pattern recurs almost everywhere. In Canada, confidence in the U.S. president went from 76% in 2015 to 25% in 2018. In France its worse, from 83% under Obama to single digits under Trump. In fact, in a recent Pew Research Center survey of 25 countries, only two places expressed greater confidence in Trump than they did in his predecessor Russia and Israel. Countries around the globe are becoming more assertive and anti-American, even ones that embrace Trumps ideology. Viktor Orban proudly proclaims that he is building an illiberal democracy in Hungary. In recent years, the prime minister has destroyed democratic checks and balances, demonized immigrants (of whom there are few in Hungary) and mouthed anti-Islamic rhetoric. Shunned by Obama, Orban was warmly welcomed this week at the White House by Trump. And yet, Orban has rebuffed American overtures and aligned himself with China and Russia when it has suited his purposes. It makes perfect sense. In his 2017 speech to the UN General Assembly, Trump called for a great reawakening of nations, urging countries to use patriotism and self-interest as their guides in foreign policy. Trumps north star has been to celebrate a narrow conception of national interest, rejecting the idea that there are larger international interests and, by implication, denigrating the idea of cooperative, win-win solutions. Well, Orban is simply doing what Trump urged, as are the Chinese, the Iranians and so many others. And since the United States is still the worlds leading power, and Trumps style has been to be aggressive and undiplomatic, the easiest response is a nationalist, anti-American one, feeding public anger, stoking bad historical memories, and locking countries into a win-lose mindset. It is a world with more instability, less cooperation and fewer opportunities for America. And it is a direct, logical consequence of Donald Trumps philosophy of America First. Fareed Zakarias syndicated foreign affairs column appears each week in The Washington Post. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 At the end of National Police Week, I extend my heartfelt thanks to my fellow citizens for their show of support. The past month has been both tragic and revealing, with the loss of Deputy DeRosier. I hired this fine young man a couple of years ago, knowing he had a sincere heart to serve in the community he called home. I know it was not in his plan to sacrifice his life in this manner, but it was his plan to sacrifice his everyday life for the sake of public service and safety. It only took forever but HBO Go is confirmed to be hitting Malaysian shores soon via the HBO Go app, Astro Go or the Astro set top box. Set for release in May 2019 exclusively for Astro, it will be complimentary for those who subscribe to the Astro Movies Pack. You can download the HBO Go app from this site. Alongside the site, you can also watch your favourite HBO movies and shows via your device with the HBO Go app. However, as of right now, it is not currently possible for users to download the app to their mobile devices just yet. The Malaysian HBO Go landing page The HBO Go app will also let you download content along with a Live TV streaming capability that lets you broadcast the stream directly. It's a little late for them to swing by our country now that Game of Thrones has finally ended but there are other shows to look forward to like Watchmen, West World season 3 and His Dark Materials while for the kids there's We Bare Bears. For the latest news on the latest entertainment apps in Malaysia, stay tuned to TechNave.com! Huawei has responded on their Facebook page, regarding Googles decision on suspending business activities between the two tech giants. As previously mentioned, Googles call to cease all operations with Huawei was based on the premise that the company has been blacklisted by the US government. That being said, Huawei has given a statement on the suspension stating that Huawei has made substantial contributions to the Android ecosystem which has benefitted users all around the globe. They will continue providing support including security updates, as well as after sale services for existing users of their devices. Huawei's response on their Facebook page In our opinion, everybody shouldnt be too worried about this for now as Huawei is currently working on a solution to issue. Who knows? With careful negotiations, the trade suspension between the two could be lifted. For more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com. [Update]: For those not in the know, Huawei have since responded with a statement of support and weve explored many of the possibilities for the future. In addition, the US have also made a U-Turn, but to stay up to date with all the latest news, feel free to download our new TechNave APP 2.0 for Android and iOS. Machel Montano (left) and Shaggy are among the stars expected to headline the Super Concert. (Photo Credit: Looptt.news) Trinidad and Tobago will host CARIFESTA XIV from August 16-25, 2019. Thousands of performing artistes, artists, art-lovers and creative entrepreneurs from across the Caribbean and beyond are expected to descend on the twin island republic for what is deemed the regions biggest festival. As of March 25 this year, some 19 counties, including St. Vincent and the Grenadines, had confirmed their participation. Catherine Morris, in a piece as per the St. Lucia Star of May 7, writes that CARIFESTA X1V promises to be bigger and better than ever. Morris quotes Arlene Holman, Marketing Manager for CARIFESTA XIV, as saying, "In every hosting of the festival, each host country is encouraged to innovate. Trinidad and Tobago have introduced a number of new activities and events with a view to widening the target market and reach of the festival. Holman referenced those new activities as being , "Caribbean Jazz show, JOuvert, Food & Rum Festival, Gospel Showcase and other exciting shows. Morris also hinted that the word from Trinidad and Tobaga is that the activities could include a "super concert headlined by homegrown legends such as soca legend Machel Montano and Jamican reggae superstar Shaggy. Daily performances by Caribbean artistes are also to be carded with the likes of Calypso Queen of the World Calypso Rose and Martiniques internationally acclaimed band Kassav, expected to be among the headlines. But, as Morris writes, "The festival isnt just one big party. Its also a business boon that helps small island economies diversify and grow.Its also a business boom that helps small island economies diversify and grow. According to Dr Hilary Brown, Programme Manager for Culture and Community Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, "For countries hosting the festival, participating contingents of artists as well as visitors and the local audience lead to an increase in demand for goods and services related to tourism and cultural industries. For participating countries, the festival provides a regional platform for showcasing their respective culture and arts with an opportunity to generate business. (Source: St. Lucia Star) CARIFESTA 1 was held in Guyana in 1972, the result of a suggestion of a convention of writers and artists held in Guyana in 1970. The suggestion was that a large-sale festival would inject new energy into the regional arts community. 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. 3 hours ago US steps up probe into Hyundai-Kia engine failures and fires DETROIT (AP) U.S. auto safety regulators have stepped up a series of investigations into engine fires that have plagued Hyundai and Kia vehicles for more than six years. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says a new engineering analysis investigation covers more than 3 million vehicles from the 2011 through 2016 model years. Read Article By Azernews By Leman Mammadova Local non-oil products are strengthening their positions abroad since Azerbaijani companies strive to export their goods to new foreign markets. The products of 19 Azerbaijani companies operating in the field of food, wine and other alcoholic beverages were presented at the national stand Made in Azerbaijan at the Sial China 2019 International Exhibition recently held in Shanghai, China. At the meetings held within the framework of the exhibition, local companies held discussions on expanding exports and reached agreements to export their products. Thus, Agro-Azerinvest has reached an agreement on the export of narsharab (pomegranate sauce), Naiqin Ko Tovuz Baltiya on the export of narsharab and pomegranate juice, and Az-Granata held negotiations on wine exports. In addition, products manufactured by Azerbaijani companies Aspi-Agro, Merit Brand, Caspian Coast Winery and Vineyards, Absheron Sharab, Marandi, Naiqin Ko Tovuz Baltiya, Aznar, Ismayilli Sharab 2, Jalilabad Sharab-2 and Sharg Ulduzu, caused interest of importers from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Israel and other countries, and negotiations on export were held. At the same time, Azerbaijani food manufacturers Crispa Snacks, Jamal Ltd, BakuKonserv negotiated exports to China, Mongolia, Singapore and Lithuania. Sial China is Asia's largest food innovation exhibition. This year, more than 4,300 professional suppliers from 67 countries gathered to present valuable market insights, trends and innovations in 21 food categories. Distinguished by their quality, Azerbaijani wines are in demand in Chinese markets. Azerbaijani wines received the highest award at the International Wine Challenge in June 2018 in Shanghai. At present, Azerbaijans trade and wine houses operate in Shanghai, Urumqi and Liuzhou cities to ensure the export of local products to China under the Made in Azerbaijan brand. In addition, the country is planning to open its trading house in the city of Xi'an. Trading houses play an important role in promoting Azerbaijani products to the Chinese market. They help the entrepreneurs to establish direct contacts with their customers, get support in promoting their products and analyze the potential sales markets. Since March 1, the sale of Azerbaijani wines has already been launched in China's BHG markets. It should be noted that the Ministry of Economy and the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) organized the export mission to China on May 13-18. The mission included 13 Azerbaijani companies operating in the field of food, wine and other alcoholic drinks. This year, the Ministry of Economy is planning to organize two more export missions to China. The introduction of local products at international exhibitions and successful organization of export missions to overseas to promote national products under the Made in Azerbaijan brand boost the non-oil sector of the Azerbaijani economy as well as strengthen business ties with foreign countries. Written by Chester Williams The island of St. Lucia, all 238 square miles of it, has had a very interesting history. The French were the island's first European settlers. They signed a treaty with the native Caribs in 1660. England took control of the island from 1663 to 1667. In ensuing years, England was at war with France fourteen times, and rule of the island changed frequently (it was ruled seven times each by the French and British). In 1814, the British took definitive control of the island. Because it switched so often between British and French control, St. Lucia was also known as the "Helen of the West Indies." Located just offshore in the north of the island is one of St Lucia's most historical sites. An island until 1972, when it was joined to the mainland, Pigeon Island itself has had a very colorful past. Artifacts from the island's original people, the Arawaks and the Caribs, dating back to around 1000 A.D., have been found on the island. In the late 1550s, the French pirate Francois Le Clerc (known as Jambe de Bois due to his wooden leg) set up a camp on Pigeon Island, from where he attacked passing Spanish ships. Pigeon Island was later heavily fortified by Admiral Rodney between 1772 and 1782. Remnants of these fortifications heavily dot the island. In addition, in 1909 a whaling station was established at Pigeon Island. Legislation to control whaling in 1952 put an end to this operation Into this strange, sometimes brutal tropical world, entered a most unlikely visitor who would eventually make Pigeon island her home. Agnes Pennington Legh, known simply as "Josset," was a soprano chorister and player with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company at the Savoy Hotel for the Second London Repertory Season, April 1908 to March 1909. She was described as a big-boned woman, eccentric in ways that only the Brits know how to be, with her wrinkly face, blondish hair, invariably dressed in a sunsuit, one of those strapless things with a little skirt and pants. Her marriage to her first husband was cut short when he died as the result of wounds suffered in World War I. She visited the island colony of St. Lucia in 1937 with Dorothy D'Oyly Carte, daughter of the 2nd Earl of Cranbrook, and took up residence on the forty-acre rock called Pigeon Island, signing a 99-year lease for the property. Josset, as she preferred to be called, quickly established herself as the "Eve" of the island. She then married Anthony Snowball and was jokingly nicknamed "Ma Snowball," a name perfectly suited to her physical attributes. Her second marriage to Mr. Snowball ended in divorce and Josset turned all her love and attention to her island. Life was perfect for the transplanted Australian. Her previous existence was completely different from what she created for herself on this tropical paradise. Gone were the lavish balls, dancing with impeccably dressed men and sipping the most expensive brandies with her friend Dorothy, whose husband owned the Savoy Hotel in the UK. What she had traded that life for was a tranquil location, with endless sunshine, genial banter and innocent mischief, and baskets full to overflowing with home-cooked goodies, bottles of spiced rum, creme ponche, and sorrel (fermented petals from a local plant). Josset used to run what was known at the time by the grand name of "The Club," a little house built of crooked sticks with a thatched roof, near the southern beach on Pigeon Island. Her perfect world came to an unceremonious end soon after U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt visited the island on December 8th, 1940. The island was to be used as a Communications Station to support the Naval Air Station that being built on the mainland opposite Pigeon Island. A squadron of 18 PBY-5 Catalina amphibious aircraft was stationed there, used for patrolling the Caribbean and hunting for German submarines. Like Eve before her, Josset was unceremonially kicked out of her beloved paradise. Her third love affair had apparently ended in tragedy. But in 1946, with World War II ended, the American Base was deactivated, and Josset was allowed to return. She resumed her carefree life there for another 25 years. Yachts carried parties of family, friends and visitors across to spend Sundays drinking, laughing, swimming, and basking in the beauty and nature of that little island. In 1971, a decision was made to join her island to the mainland of St. Lucia by the construction of a causeway. But Josset was not daunted by the modern invasion of her domain. She maintained her day-to-day activities even when there was an influx of motorcars to her island rather than the customary yacht. Nothing but old age could make Josset give up what she must have loved more than anything else in lifeher island in the sun. On her first visit back to England since leaving after the war, in 1978, at the age of 90, Josset Legh died. Her ashes are commemorated by a headstone in St. Mary the Virgin's Church in Avington, Hampshire. The ruins of Josset's house. Photo by J. Makali Bruton, April 26, 2015, courtesy of HMdb.org In 1980, most of her house was destroyed by the last major hurricane to hit the island. "The Goodbye Kiss" was taken in that house that Josett built for herself on her Pigeon Island. Amidst the crumbling structure, roofless and devoid of any human presence, was a wall, still upright with pale pastel remnants of colour. And on that wall was the simple image. To me it represents an exchange of love between Josset and the only true and longest-lasting love of her life. It is a fitting symbol of an extraordinary love affair that lasted for over 40 years, between a woman and her glorious tropical island. Even though history invariably reduces its characters to dust and ashes, the legend of Josset lives on in the memories of thousands of living people today, occupying a very special corner in their hearts. Josset Legh is the name that is most intimately tied to the history of Pigeon Island. Chester Original contents copyright 2019 by Chester Williams. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site. B&H Photo Adorama (To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.) Featured Comments from: Scott: "Chester (may I call you that?), this is a lovely story! I cried here at the breakfast table at the end of it. I wasn't expecting any story at all behind this particular photo and then you gave me a love story between a woman and an island and its people! Thank you so much for giving us this gift." Tim Wilson: "Thanks for providing the backstory for the photograph! I plan to keep a copy of the text with my copy of the photograph." Looking forward to its arrival!" Mike replies: There will be a printed copy of this post in your package, too. AlexV: "Chester, I have read elsewhere that photos should stand alone, without any commentary that may influence a viewer's interaction with the image. That is a valid approach to some pictures, but your tale is an eloquent counter argument. The photo is striking as it is, yet the backstory makes it all the more poignant. Thank you for sharing it." SPRINGFIELD Illinoisans soon may have to be fingerprinted and pay an increased fee to be a licensed gun owner in the state. In the wake of a shooting at an Aurora workplace in February that left five people dead, lawmakers have debated how to better track Firearm Owners Identification Card holders who have had their licenses revoked. Senate Bill 1966 was advanced to the full House on Tuesday by the House Judiciary Committee on a vote along party lines. Sponsored by Rep. Kathleen Willis, D-Addison, an amendment to the bill would require new FOID card holders and those renewing their license to submit to a fingerprint. It also would increase application fees from $10 to $50, and reduce the time a license is valid from 10 years to five years. Willis said the purpose of the bill is to keep up with FOID revocations and create better communication between local and state law enforcement agencies. One of the reasons that we saw that revocations were not followed up as best as they could was because there was no money in resources to be able to do that, Willis said. State Police Lt. John Thompson testified Tuesday about the challenges his agency faces with the limited funds it receives for FOID revocation enforcement. He said the fee of $10 for 10 years isnt enough to sustain the nearly 1,000 applications the department receives daily. Were running a very, very basic operation, and its not whats expected of us and we need to do better, Thompson said. Ed Sullivan, on behalf of the Illinois State Rifle Association, said fees required for concealed-carry permits have amounted to $78 million over 10 years. So tell me, please, somebody, wheres the lack of money? Sullivan asked. Sullivan said what happened in Aurora was a systematic failure of government that could have been avoided if the shooters FOID card had been taken, and added that the bill being presented does little to address those failures. The problem, Sullivan said, is not going and taking FOID cards from people who shouldnt have them. Republicans who spoke Tuesday opposed additional requirements to exercise rights guaranteed in the constitution. Rep. Margo McDermed, R-Mokena, said the Aurora shooting is being used by gun grabbers to enact more laws to reduce access to firearms. Rep. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro, the committees Republican spokesperson, said she would never vote for a law that mandates fingerprints for any constitutional right. Rep. Arthur Turner, D-Chicago, said he was fine with everything in the bill and supports sensible gun laws, but believes the increased FOID card costs would be a burden to those in poorer communities. If I have to pay hundreds of dollars, potentially, to have a FOID card, Im worried that youre going to price out certain communities that cant afford to pay that, Turner said. You could make a criminal out a person whos already a FOID card holder that didnt get it renewed because they couldnt afford it at the time. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 5 CARBONDALE Plans are now in place for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to phase out the nursing degree program it offers at SIU Carbondale, making way for SIUC to start its own. The universities settled on a teach-out of SIUEs two-year program, said SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook, with Edwardsville faculty continuing to teach in Carbondale for two more years as rising juniors and seniors finish their nursing degrees. Incoming freshmen and rising sophomores, meanwhile, will take the pre-nursing curriculum already in place at SIU Carbondale, then do their nursing and clinical classes through SIUCs new nursing program, as it becomes ready. To accommodate those students, SIUC must have its program ready by Fall 2020, the first semester that the SIUE program at Carbondale will admit no new upperclassmen. I am very confident we will meet that deadline, interim SIUC provost Meera Komarraju said Monday. We will work very hard to make that happen. However, some factors are beyond the university's control. Before any students can be admitted to the Carbondale program, its creation must be approved by the Illinois Board of Higher Education, which meets about every two months. The program did not make the June meeting agenda, said IBHE public information officer Melissa Hahn, because a technical review is ongoing. That means the soonest Carbondale could have approval is mid-August. SIUC has responded to two rounds of technical questions from the IBHE since submitting the proposal in March, Komarraju said, and has taken other steps to be ready as soon as it gets the green light. I am optimistic we will be on the August agenda, she said. The university has already prepared job descriptions for a nursing program director and faculty, Komarraju said, to be posted as soon as the IBHE gives the go-ahead. It has also hired an academic adviser, Mary Smith, who previously mentored nursing students for SIUE, to an SIUC position overseeing nursing advisement, Komarraju said. Meanwhile, Pembrook and SIUC Interim Chancellor John Dunn have been in personal communication in recent weeks, they told The Southern, going through SIUCs pre-nursing undergraduates student-by-student, to ensure each one makes a seamless transition. Thats a system at its best, Dunn said. But rising SIU junior Nicole Wysocki said her transition from SIUC pre-nursing to the SIUE program at Carbondale was marred by bad advisement and misinformation. I was never told the Edwardsville program would continue at Carbondale, Wysocki said. I was told I was to go to Edwardsville or wait for the Carbondale program. Wysocki was without an academic adviser for the entire Spring 2019 semester, she told The Southern, as Smith moved from SIUE to SIUC. Meanwhile, pre-nursing students were not informed officially of the changes to nursing at SIUC until a May 1 email from Interim Dean Scott Ishman, which Wysocki provided to The Southern. The delay and confusion caused Wysocki to enroll in classes she didnt need, she said, wasting time and money. As a result, she will not be returning to SIUC, she told The Southern. Via a receptionist, Ishman declined comment Monday morning. Smith also refused to comment. Dunn acknowledged there could be glitches in the transition, but stressed the willingness of administrators to work one-on-one to make sure every student outcome is satisfactory. Students know we will not have them be disadvantaged, he said. Wysocki did speak with administrators including Komarraju, she said, but still elected to leave SIUC. I feel cheated, she said. Theres no way Im going back. Even if IBHE approval does not come as promptly as SIUC hopes, Dunn and Pembrook said they'd continue to cooperate on the transition. We are here to serve students, and depending on how things unfold, we will do our best working together to ensure we get students to their goals, Pembrook said at last weeks meeting of the SIU Board of Trustees. When Dorsey approved the SIUC program in February, he appeared to strike a balance between the interests of the two campuses, by requesting Carbondale not offer an online BSN degree, as it had originally proposed. That eliminated potential competition with SIUEs existing online RN to BSN program, which was recently ranked among the best and most affordable in the country by Nursing School Hub. Since then, SIUE has moved to grow its online nursing presence in Southern Illinois, signing partnerships with Shawnee Community College, Southeastern Illinois College and Rend Lake College, to allow students earning a registered nursing associate degree to complete online nursing classes through SIUE and earn a Bachelors of Science in Nursing degree in as little as one extra year. Upon receiving IBHE approval, SIUC too will seek to partner with community colleges and recruit their students, Komarraju said. The BSN is kind of the preferred degree right now and many RNs want that BSN degree, Komarraju said. Weve brought our community partners and hospitals together, and theyre very enthusiastic. Theyre just waiting to find out when we start. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. By Trend Committee on Economic Policy, Industry and Entrepreneurship of the Azerbaijani Parliament proposed amendments to the law "On regulation of inspections conducted in the field of entrepreneurship and protection of the interests of entrepreneurs." The corresponding bill was included in the agenda of the Committee meeting on May 21, Trend reports. The bill, which came to the Parliament on the proposal of President Ilham Aliyev, provides for the elimination of restrictions on the conduct of inspections of a number of facilities, namely of those with the potential of danger, in the field of radiation safety control and safe mining operation control. Under the current legislation, inspections conducted in the field of entrepreneurship in the country are suspended until January 1, 2021. However, according to the new amendment, in order to preserve the life and health of people and ensure the safety and protection of the economic interests of the state, the conduct of inspections is permitted in some cases. The bill was recommended for the plenary session of the Azerbaijani Parliament. FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS A former top law enforcement official in Southern Illinois carried on a yearslong affair with a subordinate, creating a work environment so hostile that employees feared they would get fired for speaking to internal investigators about it, an internal report released to the Post-Dispatch on Saturday says. The pair were in near constant communication during the affair, were frequently at work together on weekends and were intimate on work trips, says the report issued by the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General. The subordinate, a high-level supervisor, received cash awards and raises during the affair. The official reviewed her work performance, the report says. The affair gave her tremendous influence over the office, the report says. Both were married to others; the supervisor was married to another prosecutor in the office. The identity of former U.S. Attorney Steve Wigginton was hidden from the public for years after an anonymized summary report was issued in May of 2017. Wigginton was the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. The release of Wiggintons name was part of a deal between lawyers for Buzzfeed and the Justice Department after a federal judge in Manhattan said there was a significant public interest in doing so. In March, U.S. District Court Judge Vernon Broderick said the affair was not only improper, as government lawyers had claimed, but affected the supervising, management, and operation of his district. Wiggintons actions led to complaints and could have led to lawsuits and calls for his resignation, the judge wrote. The improper relationship was so open and obvious that it caused employees within the office to feel powerless, embarrassed, and distracted, Broderick wrote. The conduct resulted in disparate treatment regarding bonuses and disciplinary actions, and led some to avoid the pair at all costs, he continued. Following the OIGs investigation into this matter, the Department took appropriate steps to assess and address the issues outlined in the OIGs report. The department has complete confidence in the new leadership and overall professionalism of the USAO in the Southern District of Illinois, a spokesman said in an email. Open and notorious Wigginton was nominated by then-President Barack Obama and was sworn in on Aug. 27, 2010. The woman became criminal chief in January of 2011. Wigginton told investigators that the affair lasted from November 2011 to November 2015. The inspector generals report says that the pair frequently carpooled to meetings alone, had lunch together alone almost every day, and flirted with each other frequently during the day, which was embarrassing and distracting for other employees. They sat together during meetings and also appeared to frequently go on official travel together so they could spend more time together, employees told the Office of the Inspector General. A source with knowledge of the investigation, who has been interviewed by the Office of the Inspector General, told the Post-Dispatch that Wiggintons relationship was open and notorious. They thought they were clever in keeping it a secret, the source said. But everybody in the office knew. Despite a warning from a family friend in 2012 about rumors, and another persons advice to spend more time with others to avoid allegations of an inappropriate relationship, Wigginton did not change his behavior, the report says. He knew hed be asked to resign if the affair was discovered, the report says. He denied treating the supervisor differently because of the affair, said it did not adversely affect the office, and said the complaints were likely coming from a few malcontents. Wigginton announced his resignation in November 2015, saying he was going to join the Clayton, Missouri-based firm Armstrong Teasdale. He told investigators that he applied for retirement before becoming aware of the investigation, and said that the affair was not a misuse of government time, because the high performance records of the office speak for themselves. The supervisor also acknowledged the affair and said it was consensual. The report, however, says that because Wigginton supervised the woman, the power imbalance undermined the consensual nature of the relationship. The Office of the Inspector General concluded that Wigginton engaged in ethical misconduct and violated regulations and policy against sexual harassment. Investigators found several of his claims to be deeply concerning, and said they showed a lack of full acceptance of responsibility for his misconduct. In July 2016, the supervisor was reassigned to a non-supervisory position on the civil side of the office, handling things like lawsuits over disability payments. Neither has responded to repeated requests for comment about the report since 2017. Two DUI arrests Wiggintons personal conduct has attracted public attention since he left the U.S. attorneys office. On May 23, 2017, Wigginton was arrested by Troy, Illinois, police and charged with driving under the influence and leaving the scene of a crash after allegedly hitting a fence while exiting Interstate 55 onto U.S. Route 40. He pleaded guilty to the DUI charge, paid $1,500 in fines and costs and was ordered into court supervision for a year. He also received an alcohol evaluation. Court filings show he opened his own law practice in Belleville after leaving Armstrong Teasdale later in 2017. His wife filed for divorce in April 2018 after more than 27 years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences. The two have been barred from contacting each other or being within 50 feet of each other without police being present. Divorce lawyers for Wigginton and his wife have not responded to requests for comment. On Dec. 31, Wigginton was arrested by Edwardsville police on another DUI charge. They stopped him after he swerved across traffic lanes, and said he had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath, failed sobriety tests and provided inconsistent answers to questions. He refused a breath test, police say, but didnt have his license suspended because officials failed to promptly hold a hearing on the issue, according to court documents. A divorce attorney listed Wiggintons last known address in a March filing as a condo in Fort Myers, Florida. An investigator with the Illinois agency that disciplines attorneys has requested a copy of the DUI file, according to court records. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 3 Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office Burglars stole cash from three Orangeburg Consolidated School District 4 schools over the weekend, according to sheriffs office incident reports. Individuals from Edisto Primary School, Edisto High School and Hunter-Kinard-Tyler High School called the sheriffs office on Monday morning to report the burglaries. Sheriffs office spokesman Richard Walker said that investigators are, looking at all possibilities at this time, including whether or not these incidents are related. An Edisto Primary School employee reported Monday morning that someone broke into the cafeteria and damaged two cash registers. The thief stole $40 from the Cordova school. The caller noted that a window in the cafeteria was unlocked. Later that morning, the principal at Edisto High School in Cordova reported a break-in. Video surveillance showed two unknown people wearing gloves and masks forcing open the door to the common area at the rear of the school. The pair then went to the offices of the principal, bookkeeper, principals administrative assistant and front desk breakroom area. They removed items only from the principals office, including $116.95 in cash from a bank deposit bag and petty cash from a white bank deposit bag that was inside of the principals desk drawer. A teacher at HKT High School in Neeses then discovered that someone entered her classroom and removed $3 in coins from her top desk drawer. The sheriffs office is asking anyone with information about the burglaries to call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC. In other reports: An Orangeburg woman called deputies at 12:33 p.m. Monday to report that her 15-year-old son refused to go to Orangeburg-Wilkson High School, according to an incident report. She said the family court instructed her to file an incident report when her son refuses to report to school. Deputies forwarded the case to the S.C. Department of Juvenile Justice. A Belvedere Drive man called deputies to his Eutawville home at 1:16 p.m. Saturday to report that someone stole his 16-foot trailer from his front yard two weeks ago. The trailer is valued at $1,000. Contact the writer: mbrown@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5545. Follow on Twitter: @MRBrownTandD. Love 1 Funny 3 Wow 1 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. ATLANTA -- The South Carolina State University National Alumni Association announced at its May 11 quarterly business meeting the re-election of its national president, John J. Funny. Funnys first term ends on June 30. As national president, he will continue to serve in his S.C. State Board of Trustees ex-officio seat. Funny will be sworn into office and will assume this key leadership role on July 20 during the SCSUNAA National Convention. The convention will be held on the S.C. State campus July 18-21. Funny will serve an additional two-year term, which will be his last as national president based on eligibility requirements. A 1987 S.C. State graduate, Funny has been an active member within the association and a strong supporter of the university. He is a resident of Atlanta and native of Georgetown. The election is over and the votes have been counted. And I am so proud of the results, said Audrey Battiste, past national president. Alumni throughout the world are excited about the work that has been completed during Johns first term and we are even more excited about future advancement plans for our national alumni association. "During his first term, John has proven that he works in a collaborative and transparent manner. He has also proven to be a consensus builder with his leadership team. He motivates leaders and expresses great appreciation for all active alumni and those volunteering to handle assignments within the organization," Battiste said. "Additionally, he has empowered special ad-hoc task forces to address issues head on. One of those areas hes tackling is increasing young alumni membership. Were very fortunate to have a leader of John Funnys caliber to be re-elected as national president and to continue leading us forward in our future endeavors. "On behalf of our members across the country, we extend our full support. His outstanding professional and civic experiences, as well as his hands-on approach to networking and consensus building will allow him to strategically position SCSUNAA to maximize the opportunities before us. We are excited about our next chapter and look forward to his stewardship. With a re-election platform focused on collaboration, communication and coordination, Funnys campaign for president of SCSUNAA began in January 2019. During the past several months, he visited over 15 chapters, met fellow alumni and gained firsthand knowledge and understanding of the needs and concerns of the membership body. Funny has a history of service to his alma mater and giving back to both the university and the student body. He returned to S.C. State on numerous occasions to provide his support to various endeavors including participating in mentorship workshops; serving on the board of trustees; serving as a speaker during the School of Business Executive Series; serving as a member of the School of Engineering Advisory Board; serving on the Institutional Advancement and the University Transportation Center advisory boards; and providing scholarships from his foundation for needy and deserving students. S.C. State honored Funny with the Distinguished Alumni award. He also was featured in the National Alumni Stellar Calendar. Thank you to the SCSUNAA membership for their support in re-electing me to the office of national president. It is indeed my honor and privilege to serve in this key leadership position. With great pride and enthusiasm, I endeavor to continue leading the alumni association to greater heights as we build a stronger and more vibrant strategic partnership between alumni, students and our college, Funny said. "Additionally, I want to challenge all alumni to join the association. Our voice and our support rely heavily on all alumni being involved and engaged. Please visit our website (www.scstatealumni.org) and become an active member. Together with high-caliber alumni, dedicated college professionals and an outstanding student body, we will reach greater heights and we will achieve greatness for our association and our beloved alma mater. In his professional life, Funny serves as chief executive officer of Grice Consulting Group, a nationally recognized city/urban planning, traffic engineering and transportation engineering consulting firm. Headquartered in Atlanta, the firm also has regional offices in Columbia and Washington, D.C. Prior to launching Grice, Funny held a leadership role in the Atlanta office of a prominent international planning and engineering firm. Funny received his bachelor's degree in civil engineering technology from S.C. State and completed master of science transportation planning and engineering courses at North Carolina State University. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 WASHINGTON -- Growing up in the 1950s and '60s, there was no avoiding the adorable Doris Day. She was cute as a bug, wholesome, winsome and adored, at least in movies, by the swooning-est leading men in Hollywood -- Rock Hudson, Cary Grant and Clark Gable, to name a few. As a young girl, I simply loved her and, of course, wanted to marry Rock. As dreamboats went, he was without par. And Doris (we were on a first-name basis back then) was this motherless girl's idea of what a woman should be -- cheerfully feminine and wise to men. Today, Day's characters would be laughable to world-weary children trapped in a sexualized world. But I can testify that watching grown-ups crawl into twin beds wearing pajamas brings no harm to the underaged. I'm grateful for the innocence that society then permitted its younger generation, and to actors such as Day, who declined roles, including Mrs. Robinson in "The Graduate," that defied her values. Also, Day was honest enough about herself to figure she probably wouldn't have been believable as a seductress. She was certainly glamorous, but was also perhaps cursed by a prevailing perkiness that could be neither subdued nor camouflaged. Besides, who would want to see a lascivious Doris Day? Surely, not her fans. Day's singing career -- about which much has been written -- preceded and succeeded her acting career. "Que Sera, Sera" became her theme song, and its lyrics were tantamount to an elegy for the songstress, who wanted none of that. Day, who died Monday at 97, made known that she didn't want a funeral, memorial or even a headstone. In her later years, Day became increasingly reclusive and dedicated her talents and resources to animal rights. If long ago I admired her fictional personas, I'm grateful today for her animal activism and find myself in agreement with her reflection: "The more I study human beings, the more I love animals." Though her work for animals is inarguably her greatest legacy, most obituaries have focused on her film and song careers. Eager to know more, I contacted Wayne Pacelle, former head of the Humane Society of the United States, who knew Day and worked with her in pursuing legislative action on behalf of animals. "Her compassion for all animals -- not just dogs, but for all animals -- was central to everything she was about," he wrote in an email. "She attached her name to advocacy organizations to scale up her work for animals -- a rare thing for celebrities, who would occasionally weigh in on issues, but not fully commit to engagement on these issues." Pacelle said Day frequently called state and federal lawmakers when animal issues hung in the balance. She advocated for a 1990 ban on the trophy hunting of mountain lions in California, was strong in urging an end to cosmetic testing on animals, helped with a 2010 ballot measure in Missouri to crack down on puppy mills, and made calls and sent letters on a wide range of topics to help all animals. "Lawmakers who were old enough to have been fans were always thrilled to hear from her," he said. "She was one of the biggest celebrity names in the 20th century, and her guileless approach on animal issues won her so many admirers and fans. She was part of the process of making animal welfare a mainstream issue. She is like Jane Goodall in being above the fray and was almost impossible for apologists of animal cruelty to attack." Pacelle visited Day in her Carmel, California, home 14 years ago to discuss merging the Doris Day Animal League (a political advocacy group) with a planned HSUS political action committee. He remembered her home as elegant but understated and described her as "warm and gracious." A small herd of rescue dogs followed her everywhere. At first, Day was reluctant to combine forces, wishing to remain independent, but she ended the conversation with, "Let's do it." The result was a union of HSUS and DDAL and the creation of the Humane Society Legislative Fund and its PAC. Come to think of it, maybe Day wasn't a que sera, sera sort of gal after all. She saw cruelty and used her celebrity to improve the lives of animals and, by extension, helped create a more humane world. The future may not be ours to see, but Day demonstrated that the future can be made better through activism, helped along, no doubt, by the memory of a wink, a smile and a song. South Carolinian and Pulitzer Prize winner Kathleen Parker's email address is kathleenparker@washpost.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 According to a Sept. 19 study by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, one in five American households goes without food or medicine at least once a year to stay warm in the winter or cool in the summer. Seven million households face this decision nearly every month. The elephant in the room is high-priced renewable power. Americas energy-production revolution has cut the cost of natural gas by more than 50% since 2009. Natural gas is now the largest source of American electricity, accounting for 35% of generation. Plummeting natural gas prices and new natural gas power plants have put tremendous downward pricing pressure on coal and nuclear facilities, which have slashed their prices due to market forces. Yet, despite large federal and state subsidies, renewable power, not including long-established hydro-power, today accounts for just 10% of Americas electricity generation. In many places, wind and solar simply cannot survive without vast direct and indirect subsidies paid for by energy consumers and taxpayers. Those subsidies include the following. Continued large federal tax breaks. According to Congress Joint Committee on Taxation, wind and solar corporations are scheduled to receive $34 billion in tax breaks from fiscal years 2017-21. By contrast, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, the main federal program providing direct energy bill assistance to the poor, has $3.6 billion in annual funding. State purchasing mandates. One way to increase wind and solar production, and bypass market forces, is to specify fuel sources by law. Large-population states like California, New Jersey and Massachusetts have specified dramatic increases in renewable power by 2030. Hamstrung regulators. Americas public utility commissions have a long and proud history of being insulated from political pressures so that they can adopt sensible policies to promote affordable and reliable electricity. But when politicians prescribe fuel types and start to micro-manage energy production decisions, absurdly expensive things happen. A case in point is the Nov. 2 decision by the Virginia State Corporation Commission to approve reluctantly offshore wind facilities. The commission determined that the cost, at 78 cents per kilowatt hour, is 26 times the market price. It also determined, Customers bear essentially all of the risk of the proposed project, including cost overruns and lack of performance. The commission was clear that its hands were tied by statute, explaining the commissions standard analysis of prudency as a purely factual matter must be subordinated in large measure to the public policy established by the General Assembly. States like New Jersey considering major offshore wind projects should be mindful of Virginias experience before committing to high-cost projects that are unfriendly to consumers. Renewable power subsidies and costs could balloon in the years ahead. One central reason is that the transmission grid needs to be overhauled. For starters, much of the grid is more than 50 years old and electric companies are currently spending $50 billion annually to modernize it. A heavy push to renewables will spike these costs. Because wind and solar power are intermittent, subject to unreliable natural forces, they present significant transmission management challenges. Robert Blohm, who serves on the Standards Committee of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, the chief regulator responsible for U.S. grid reliability, points out, An all-renewables grid would require prohibitively expensive battery storage to compensate for sudden power losses. Americans patience with renewable energy subsidies is also wearing thin. Last November, Washington state voters rejected a carbon tax, and Arizona voters soundly defeated a proposal to require half of electricity come from renewable sources by 2030. It seems the time has come for many renewable power advocates to recognize that non-emitting nuclear power and lower carbon-emitting natural gas have important roles to play in Americas energy future. Paul Steidler is a senior fellow with the Lexington Institute, a public policy think tank in Arlington, Virginia. He wrote this for InsideSources.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 College graduates have a history of not remembering much of what their commencement speaker had to say. That wont be the case with Morehouse Colleges nearly 400 graduates from a Sunday ceremony. Robert E. Smith -- founder and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, a private equity firm that invests in software, data and technology-driven companies told the graduates of the all-male historically black college in Atlanta that were gonna put a little fuel in your bus. That may have sounded like standard fare for a speech until his following words: "This is my class, 2019. And my family is making a grant to eliminate their student loans." Thats right, not a donation to the college a contribution to each graduate to pay off student loans. As The Associated Press reported: The announcement immediately drew stunned looks from faculty and students alike. Then the graduates broke into the biggest cheers of the morning and stood up, applauding. And they will continue to applaud for many years to come as the burden of repaying debt for their educations is removed. Though college officials could not provide an estimate of the exact amount owed by the current graduating class, students graduate with an average debt of $30,000 to $40,000, Terrance L. Dixon, vice president of enrollment management, told The AP. At $30,000 per student, the Smith family contribution comes to $12 million. But AP reported the estimated contribution could come closer to $40 million. Beyond the students and their families, theres a little something in this for everyone. Those contending the wealthy do not pay enough taxes and fail to invest their money in the nations future can point to this as a positive exception and example. Those arguing against free college education for all a popular position on the Democratic presidential campaign trail can argue that the amount of student debt among seniors at Morehouse is alone proof enough of the problem for young people today. And those encouraging active support of higher education, and HBCUs in particular, can rightly say that while scholarship funds and endowments are vital, such a high-profile contribution to directly aid every student in the graduating class is due tremendous praise. And a lot of thanks. For all intents and purposes, 400 students on Sunday won the lottery. But with many more classes to follow and thousands upon thousands of students across the country continuing to accumulate debt that will take them decades to erase, Sundays stunning announcement only casts further light on an issue that is integral to the future of the country. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 By Trend Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov and Foreign Minister of Paraguay Luis Alberto Castiglioni exchanged congratulatory letters on the occasion of 15th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Trend reports referring to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan. In his letter, Elmar Mammadyarov congratulated his counterpart Luis Alberto Castiglioni on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Paraguay. Elmar Mammadyarov noted that over the past years, the two countries have successfully laid a solid foundation for mutually beneficial cooperation across many areas, including political dialogue, trade connections and cultural exchanges. It was also stressed out that Azerbaijan and Paraguay are jointly committed to the strengthening of peace and security based on the norms and principles of international law. In this regards, Minister Elmar Mammadyarov expressed his appreciation for Paraguays valuable support concerning the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno Karabakh conflict within the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan cemented with the UNSC resolutions 822, 853, 874, 884 of 1993. Mammadyarov underlined that the recent decision of the Government of Azerbaijan to appoint a Honorary Council to Paraguay reflects strong will to give an impetus to bilateral dialogue between the two nations and expressed his confidence that both sides will continue to take joint efforts, on the basis of shared interests and common values, towards the achievement of multifaceted cooperation for the benefit of the two nations. In his letter, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay Luis Alberto Castiglioni delivered his warmest greetings to Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Paraguay. He expressed his loyalty to the dynamic activity that would contribute to the development of bilateral relations within the framework of mutual understanding and cooperation between the two Governments. He also wished the good relations between two countries to be sustainable. Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Paraguay were established on April 20, 2004. 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. Caps 4 Kids Wednesday The fourth Wednesday of May is fast approaching. All who knit or crochet are invited to the Senior Center, 1831 East 4th Street, as we continue to make stocking caps for area kids of all ages. We gather around 12:30 to stitch and chat for as long as our schedules permit. We would enjoy meeting you as we share patterns and ideas for stocking caps. Please call the Senior Center at 265-4678 if you need more information. They will forward your query to one of our regular attendees. Remember that we have a large selection of yarn for your use. Red Hats lunch at Ale Works The Red Hat Luncheon for May is at 11:30 a.m., at Wyoming Ale Works, 5900 E. 2nd St. Please call Ellen Jevne at 259-2535, Ardith Holmes 265-2195 or Naoda Adams at 259-0235. Anime Fest The Natrona County Library and Centennial Middle School Anime Club will host an Anime Fest, open to teens in grades 6-12, at 4 p.m., at the Natrona County Library. Join fellow anime enthusiasts around Casper, enjoy anime, showcase cosplay, munch on treats, borrow from the Librarys extensive manga and anime collection, and show off your skills in one of the any contests at Anime Fest for a chance to win prizes! Registration for the cosplay and manga/anime art contests will take place from 4 to 5 p.m. Limit of one piece of artwork per teen for the manga/anime art contest. The cosplay contest will start at 5 p.m. Teens participating in cosplay will need to bring a physical picture of their character with them for judging purposes. Call 577-7323 x101 for more information. Tacos at the Elks Wednesday Night Special at the Casper Elks Lodge is taco bar with all the fixings. All you can eat for $7. Build your own tacos, nachos, taco salad or any combination you desire with green chili and refried beans. Children 5 to 12 are $3, serving from 6 to 7 p.m. or until gone. Also enjoy dessert for $1. Member, significant other and guest accompanied by a member. For more information, call 234-4839. Free tire checks at Plains Plains Tire will be offering free tire checks during National Tire Safety Week through May 27. The checks will be performed at all nine Wyoming locations including the two in Casper, Laramie, Rock Springs, Gillette, Evanston, Sheridan, Riverton and Green River. The safety check includes an inspection for air pressure, tread depth, irregular wear patterns, nails, cuts, punctures and other visible damage and visible structural integrity issues. Additionally, a free 21-point inspection will also be available. 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. Interim City Manager Liz Becher declined to say why she dismissed Jim Wetzel as Casper police chief last week, though she emphasized that he was not fired. That word is off-limits, Becher said. The distinction between terminating Wetzels contract which is what Becher did and firing an employee lies in the terms of his employment agreement. Jim Wetzel out as Casper police chief Casper Police Chief Jim Wetzel is no longer serving as head of the department. Employee shall serve at the pleasure of the City Manager of the City, and his employment may be terminated at any time by the City Manager, the contract states. Terminating employment may sound like firing, but the difference hinges on whether Wetzels contract was terminated for a particular reason. Because Wetzel was dismissed by the city manager without cause, he received six months of severance pay. But he was unable to protest his termination. In contrast, if Becher had fired Wetzel with cause, she would have been required to provide a list of the causes. He would have been provided with an informal hearing before the City Manager to refute such charges. New direction unclear Becher said she terminated Wetzels contract so the department can be taken in a different direction. But she disputed the notion that she was unhappy with the previous direction. We were good, Becher said. Were just going in a different direction, probably. Becher wont say what direction that is, only that city staff will be presenting the new plan sometime during the next few weeks. She said aspects of it will be discussed during City Councils budget session, scheduled to begin in two weeks. Becher said the city will not begin searching for a new police chief until a permanent city manger is hired. As for what led her to oust Wetzel as chief and bring in the second-highest ranking officer in the department Capt. Steve Schulz Becher offered more information. I have spent countless hours over the last three weeks reading and listening and observing, said Becher, who was appointed to replace V.H. McDonald in mid-April. She spoke with current and retired police department employees and last week reviewed a draft of an investigation by local attorney Judith Studer. The city asked Studer to look into personnel issues at the police department last fall. City investigation into Casper Police Department to conclude 'any day' A city investigation into the personnel issues at the Casper Police Department is expected t Becher said elements of the Studer investigation factored into her decision to terminate Wetzels contract. But it was a decision based on the accumulation of evidence and there was no single piece of information that pushed her to act, she said. It was a lot of thought, Becher said. And Ive said it before, a lot of prayer. In an interview last month, Becher said her faith would help alert her to a need for change at the police department. I do believe that that through personal Christian values, we know, Becher said at the time. Becher said she decided to dismiss Wetzel shortly before the weekly Council leadership meeting last Thursday afternoon, one day before the chief was informed. Controversy Wetzel had become the subject of controversy after a survey was released by the local Fraternal Order of Police, based on an anonymous poll of department employees and including unattributed comments, blasting him as arrogant and a poor leader. The unsigned survey also claimed that senior CPD employees had brought concerns about Wetzels leadership to the attention of city officials last spring. McDonald retired days after the survey was released but said his staff had been working to address concerns within the department. Over the last month, supporters and critics of Wetzel have made their voices heard at Council meetings, on social media and in letters to the editor. Becher would not say whether she confirmed any accusations against Wetzel before terminating his contract or whether his continuing as chief had simply become untenable in the face of public criticism. Two weeks ago, councilman and former police chief Chris Walsh asked Becher to request that the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation look into several potentially illegal activities on the part of CPD leadership. Becher said she had not requested a DCI investigation but that some of the issues raised by Walsh such as whether officers were being instructed to lie on grant applications would be addressed by an outside audit of the department expected to conclude in September. Becher believes any lingering questions about the police department can be addressed by city officials and do not warrant public scrutiny. We are doing our jobs, and I just dont think its the medias role to turn over the stones for us, she said. We are addressing handling public safety here. Council largely backs interim manager's decision to dismiss police chief At their first public meeting since Casper police Chief Jim Wetzel was dismissed last week, Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 The City of Caspers health insurance costs have been a constant headache for the City Council for the past few years. Uncharacteristically high insurance claims and a failure to prioritize the insurance reserve fund led to precipitous drops in the fund, resulting in a $2.5 million operational shortfall last year and the complete depletion of the funds reserves. The health fund has been one of those things thats just been a daunting, daunting situation, Casper City Manager Carter Napier said. But those troubles may soon be over, Napier said. Napier, who took over as city manager in 2017, said the funds revenues are projected to exceed its expenses within the next two years. The reserve fund could be replenished within the next three to four years, he said. Balancing the health insurance fund is one of the councils primary goals for the fiscal year 2020 budget, Casper Mayor Charlie Powell previously told the Star-Tribune. Napier made a number of recommendations for meeting this goal during the councils first FY 2020 budget discussion Monday night. First, he proposed taking $425,000 from the citys property and liability reserve fund, which he said only requires about $200,000. That $425,000 would be used to begin to rebuild the health insurance reserve fund. He also proposed implementing rate increases for those on the insurance plan. Those increases would likely be around 10 percent for the next two to three years, he said. Those increases would be split between the city and the employees. The rate increases would likely be reflected in each city departments budget, taking up a larger portion of those budgets, Napier said during Mondays meeting. Still, the fund will require the council to approve a $500,000 transfer, half from the citys general fund, half from the enterprise fund, to meet its projected operational expenses for FY 2020. Last year, the Council approved a $1.5 million transfer to the fund to make up for the $2.5 million deficit. Napier said he is hopeful this is the last time the fund will require additional money from the city to meet its anticipated annual expenses. He did stress that medical costs are difficult to predict and these goals are based on projections. Trying to predict health consumption and medical consumption ... is a real dicey thing, he said. But given current analysis, he said he is hopeful for the future of the fund. In 2013, the health insurance reserve fund was healthy, with nearly $6.5 million saved. But after several years of multi-million dollar differences between expenditures and revenue, the reserves had less than $1 million in 2017. By 2018, the reserves were completely drained, according to city budget documents from the past eight years. Despite the consistent expense increases due in part to claims increases of several million dollars over several years the citys health insurance premium costs were raised only twice between 2011 and 2018, first by 5 percent in 2016 and then by 14 percent last year. Under Napiers recommended plan, there would be rate increases for the next few years. Powell has said that the lack of rate increases had nothing to do with the health funds problems. Even if the premiums were raised, it would not have made up the difference from the more than $2 million increase in claims over the past several years, he said. Those claims increases are one reason the city would potentially like to join the states insurance pool. In the past, cities and towns have been excluded from the states insurance pool, but an attorney generals opinion issued earlier this month might change that. That opinion ruled cities and towns would be able to join the states insurance pool for the same reasons school districts are able to. Currently, only the Natrona County School District has taken advantage of that ability. Napier has said in the past joining the state pool would be one solution to the citys problem with the health insurance fund. Because the state pool covers thousands of people, larger claims would likely have a lesser effect on overall health insurance costs than with the citys current situation, where just over 1,000 people are in the insurance pool. But whether Casper would want to join the pool, or even be able to, is still up in the air. Napier has said several times that some state legislators have questioned the lawfulness of the opinion. He also said even if the city were able to join the state pool, it might not be the best option. The city would relinquish control of its health insurance plan to the Legislature, and Napier said the council may not want to do that. To be clear, whether the city would join the state insurance pool is still being reviewed and plays no part in the FY 2020 budget discussion, though the issue could come up in future budget conversations. The FY 2020 budget must be balanced and approved by June 18, in accordance with Wyoming state statute. The City Council will meet Wednesday evening to further discuss the budget and will then decide whether to ask for an additional work session to discuss it or move the proposed budget forward for a vote. Follow city reporter Morgan Hughes on Twitter @morganhwrites. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Casper City Council is holding special work sessions this week to discuss the fiscal year 2020 budget. In recent years, the states economic downturn resulted in an early retirement program and budget cuts, but Mayor Charlie Powell said this year he is cautiously optimistic about the citys revenue picture. We still want to be very cautious, he said, but he doesnt anticipate any significant budget cuts this year, or reserve fund spending. Powell said his major priorities for this years budget are paying off a $1.7 million debt to the state and balancing the city employee health insurance fund, which Powell said earlier this year was a primary goal of his. The $1.7 million debt to the state comes from a clerical error made by a Rock Springs company in 2013, when Casper was given sales tax funds meant for Rock Springs and Green River. Weve got some plans for how we can make that up, Powell said. Its not a crisis situation. One way the city may address that debt is by postponing some capital construction projects, though Powell said it would not mean postponing projects the city has already committed to. He said rebuilding the city employee health insurance fund may require a line item in the budget. The health insurance fund has been a contentious topic for the Council. Claim costs have increased to the point where the city had to spend much of the health insurance reserve fund to make up the difference, leaving a $2.5 million deficit in the fund. Since 2011, the city has raised health insurance premiums twice, once in 2014 and once earlier this year, despite a more than $2 million increase in claims in the same time frame. Powell said the issue is less with not raising the premiums and more with the unpredictability of claims. An attorney generals opinion issued earlier this month, which ruled municipalities could join the state health insurance pool, may be one answer to the citys trouble on that front. Powell said it is something city officials are considering. But even with the health insurance deficit and the $1.7 million debt, the budget is in good shape, Powell said. The city may be able to revive some positions eliminated by past layoffs and there may be room for additional spending when it comes to wages for city employees, he said. He said the city has been unable to change the compensation package over the last few years, and he would like to look at fixing that. At the Councils May 14 work session, the Casper Police Department submitted a proposal to restructure its compensation model, creating a new position within the department to both incentivize officers and provide more services to the community, according to the proposal. The proposed model tackles a challenge almost every department in the city has faced: After five years with the city, advancement opportunities and with them, raises stall out, and employees can only receive cost-of-living wage increases. This both hurts recruitment and retention, particularly in the police department, Police Chief Keith McPheeters told the Star-Tribune last week. The Council will consider approving the police departments proposal, which Powell said he was supportive of, as well as look at implementing similar changes in other city departments, though that discussion is still in early stages and will likely require more research. Council member Steve Freel said he supports the police departments proposal, but wouldnt approve similar changes for other departments until seeing detailed plans for those departments. Im supportive across the board of making sure were paying our employees what they deserve to get paid, Freel said. But Im not going to give you a thumbs up to implement something I havent seen. As for other budget issues, Freel said he is looking forward to seeing how the process goes. I think its going to be a learning experience, he said, this being his first year on the Council. Freel said if its possible to earmark money for certain recreation projects, like funding a new lift at the Hogadon Ski Area, he would support that. But, he said his primary goal is ensuring the budget is balanced and there is not any unnecessary spending. Bob Hopkins, a longtime council member, said he thinks this year will be routine. I dont see anything right now out of the ordinary, he said. He anticipates ending the 2019 fiscal year ahead, and he said he would like to see that money put back in the reserve fund. The Council is expected to vote on the budget either later this month or early next month. Wyoming state statute requires all cities to have an approved, balanced budget by mid June. Follow city reporter Morgan Hughes on Twitter @morganhwrites. 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. For more than five hours Monday, a federal prosecutor peppered a Casper doctor accused of running a pill mill with questions about his practice and history in an often combative cross-examination, which saw the doctor call people who testified against him a bunch of liars. Shakeel Kahns defense team rested its case Monday afternoon after the doctor attempted to deflect questions from Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Sprecher about the high dose of prescription painkillers he routinely doled out to patients and whether he knew they were selling those drugs. Khan faces 21 charges from the federal government, which alleges that he distributed high doses and amounts of controlled substances to patients while charging them high fees. One of those patients, Jessica Burch, overdosed in Arizona. Kahn is also charged in relation to her death. The prosecution and defense will make closing statements Tuesday, after which the jury will begin deliberating on Kahns fate. As he did Friday when he testified in his own defense, Kahn maintained that he broke no laws, always prescribed drugs for legitimate medical purposes and was unaware that any of his patients were selling the pills he gave them. He rejected repeated questions from Sprecher that he knew that his patients, apparently addicted to the pills, had to sell some to continue affording the large cash fees Kahn charged. Kahn, who started medical school in Toronto before being expelled for omitting previous degrees hed earned from his application, finished his medical degree at a Belize school that has offices in Texas and Mexico. He did part of his residency for the University of Wyoming. Sprecher asked Kahn about a time in his residency here when he was reprimanded for his prescribing habits. He called it a discussion with his mentor related to an overdose of a patient who Kahn said hadnt adequately described his or her full history. Throughout the day, Sprecher had to cut off Kahn as he attempted to steer yes-or-no questions into more lengthy answers. At one point, the Judge Alan Johnson instructed him to listen to the question. The prosecutor detailed other issues Kahn has faced in his past, including a 2009 incident in Arizona where he increased a patients prescriptions despite another physicians instructions to lower the doses. He acknowledged he lost an appeal on that ruling but maintained that he still disagrees that he was in the wrong. Sprecher moved on to 2012 complaints, which Kahn successfully challenged, related to his prescribing. While Sprecher acknowledged Kahn had prevailed there, she asked about the resources he cited in his response to the Arizona Medical Board. Those resources advised starting patients on a low dose and increasing that dose slowly, she said. But Kahn said he didnt necessarily believe in that. Then why say in your appeal that you follow the guidelines, Sprecher asked. Kahn said he followed parts of the guidelines but not all. There were other guidelines which he didnt cite in his own defense from the Arizona complaints to which he apparently gave more credence when starting patients on controlled substances. Guidelines are guidelines, he testified. Theyre not legally binding. He maintained that he was vigilant in preventing abuse and misuse of drugs in his patients and insisted that he always kept patients aware of the risks they faced from abusing the medications. But no patients testified at his hearings before the Arizona Medical Board, Sprecher pointed out. In that case, is the court just relying on Kahns word? I was under oath, he said. Sprecher, who wanted him to say yes or no, asked again, and Kahn repeated his answer. Kahn denied that he falsified records that he turned over to the medical board, saying instead that he updated them. He repeated what he said Friday: It wouldve been less accurate to not include that hed drug tested his patients than to alter his records to say he did. But Sprecher noted that he had records for patients like Burch on days that they couldnt possibly have been in his office and that he was relying on memory to list specific details in seemingly random charts from years prior. That would make them not technically accurate, she said. I guess not, he replied. You shouldve said, I knew I did a drug screen, I just cant remember when, correct? Sprecher said. I shouldve probably said that, Kahn agreed. Despite his claim that his recollections from years prior should be relied upon to accurately at least in a broad sense reflect his medical practice, Kahn practically snorted when asked why a patients recollection of a conversation about the risks of opioids didnt match with his own memory. Patient recollections ... he said, starting and then apparently deciding against it. I couldnt comment on that. He later said patients lied when they testified that Kahn had not adequately described the risks of opioids. He maintained that he told the patients that information in person, even if he didnt describe those conversations in his records, and that he didnt give high doses to opioid-naive patients meaning those who hadnt previously used the pills. But he gave an 18-year-old a total of 240 oxycodones in two different strengths, and when she reported later that she was feeling better, he upped the strength of one of the prescriptions. He later testified that he believed she had previously used the pills and had taken them from family members. Sprecher attempted to show that many of Kahns patients were unemployed and couldnt afford the fees he regularly charged ranging from $500 to well over $1,000 per month. She walked through records of several patients who were all unemployed or were on a fixed income. She routinely described Kahn as charging for prescriptions, a phrasing he corrected to note that his patients were paying for office visits, not just pills. Kahn testified that he would give patients prescriptions even if they hadnt seen him in the office. They would still pay as if he say them in person but would routinely pick up their prescriptions from his office without seeing him. In at least one case, a patient picked up a prescription in a parking lot. In another, a patient got their meds from a Casper vape shop, where Kahns stepchild worked. Sprecher showed text messages between Kahn and one of his patients that showed, month after month, that the patient was texting Kahn for appointments to get his prescriptions more than 400 pills in each refill and that Kahn replied that he was out of town. Each time, the patient was advised to go to the office and pick up his scripts. In return, he paid Kahn $1,650 for each visit. Kahn insisted that each time, the patients vital signs were taken and forms were filled out. He said that patients who paid more received greater access to him and that more meds meant more attention paid to the patients risk. Sprecher also showed Kahn a transcript between Kahn and his wife, in which Kahn said a patient had better be dying before they called him. The doctor also expressed anger when a patient asked him about a medical problem. Kahn later testified he wasnt that patients primary provider and shouldnt be expected to deal with his other ailments. He did, however, write prescriptions for Xanax, an anxiety medication, and gabapentin, a medication for nerve issues. He repeatedly denied knowing that any of his patients were selling their pills in order to afford his escalating prices. Sprecher argued that he gave his patients more pills when his prices went up so they could feed their habit and sell the excess pills; the money made from those sales would in turn go to getting more pills from Kahn, and the cycle would continue. Kahn denied that he participated or knew that was happening and said that was not why he raised prices. In one case, he prescribed a patient roughly 700 oxycodone pills. That patients fee was $1,200. The patient told Kahn that he would pay Kahn back for a loan after the patient went to Oregon for business. Sprecher implied the patient was selling his hundreds of pills there. Kahn said he understood that to mean the patient was working with his son in Portland. In any case, Kahn said the prescription was legitimate. Oxycodone proved to be Kahns most-prescribed drug. He wrote scripts for more than 899,000 30 mg oxycodone pills, according to the prosecution. He disagreed when Sprecher said the drug was highly abused, saying hydrocodone was more widely misused. According to both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and a study by the American Academy of Pain Medicine, oxycodone is one of the most widely abused prescription opioids. Asked about his preference for 30 mg oxycodones and how some pharmacists would call that cookie cutter medicine, Kahn lashed out at pharmacists (some of whom he had sparred with in Wyoming and in Arizona), saying they should go to medical school if they want to be doctors. The doctor also denied trying to ensure his patients would stick with him. In a phone with his wife Lyn, Kahn said a competitor wont give a departing patient s-, referring to pills, and that the patient would come back. Lyn also called that competitors office, describing the patient as having missed appointments, lost prescriptions dubiously and had generally been a bad patient. But the Kahns did not disclose to the competitor that the patient owed them money. On the stand Monday, Kahn said that was because the money wasnt important to the patients care. But Sprecher argued that if he had included the information about the money, the competitor may have suspected the Kahns were angry at the patient and had ulterior motives. Kahn also denied allowing his patients to dictate how much to give others. Paul Beland, who took a plea deal in the case and previously testified, said in a phone call that a patient Beland was referring to Kahn should get 120, 120 meaning the quantity of pills and then 180, 180. The patient was ultimately prescribed 120 of one strength of oxycodone and 120 of another dose. When Beland told Kahn that, Kahn replied, Yeah on the phone. Kahn testified he was noncommittal later in the call and wanted to get off of the phone with Beland. He also called patients who had previously testified in the case a bunch of liars and continued to defend himself as a doctor who meant well but made the mistake of trusting his patients too much. As the day wound down and Sprecher prepared to step down, allowing Kahns attorney to ask more questions, she asked him if he had ever known his patients were selling their pills and if he wouldve allowed it. He said it wouldve gone against every personal, ethical, legal guideline I have internally. She asked if she was supposed to just take his word on that. On my word and on Gods word above, Kahn replied. Follow education reporter Seth Klamann on Twitter @SethKlamann Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 4 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. A CY Junior High student was arrested Monday morning for allegedly assaulting a staff member at the school. Sgt. Scott Jones, who leads the Casper Police Department's school resource officers, said that the administrators at CY called police Monday "concerning a student." "Given the nature of the incident, and after consultation with the District Attorney's Office, my officer removed the student from the school," Jones said, later clarifying that the student had been arrested. Jones confirmed the incident was a student-on-staff issue. He declined to specify details, other than to say it didn't involve a weapon and that the broader school population was never in danger. He said the student in question made "poor choices." According to a log of police arrests, the student was arrested at 9:23 Monday morning for simple assault, which is a misdemeanor charge and carries a six-month maximum jail sentence. Follow education reporter Seth Klamann on Twitter @SethKlamann Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 2 Sad 3 Angry 1 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. By Trend A meeting with Natia Natsvlishvili, Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Turkmenistan, was held at the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan (UIET), Trend reports referring to UIET. The meeting participants named interaction on the development of services in the Awaza tourist zone as well as on the introduction of digital technologies as promising areas of cooperation. They also discussed opportunities for expanding cooperation for implementation of UNDP projects, and the smart-city project in particular, according to the source. International cooperation and the development of partnerships of UIET with leading international organizations and banking structures and business communities of different countries were among the topics of particular interest. In the beginning of this year, Turkmenistan started the implementation of the Digital Economy Development Concept, which is designed for the period up to 2025. The project consists of a roadmap for technological transformation in all industries and their state management, the formation of a knowledge economy based on the country's resource and production potential. The concept is aimed at the growth of business and investment activity, the introduction of advanced methods of state management, and the creation of new workplaces. Turkmenistan is promoting development in areas of telemedicine, online education, distance learning and e-government tools in the country. Digitization of economic, industrial, and managerial processes will allow creating "smart cities. A man died overnight Monday from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after a police pursuit that ended on a Casper highway, officials with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation said Tuesday. Special Agent Ryan Cox said when police arrived at the stopped vehicle, the man appeared to have been shot. DCI Commander Matt Waldock said Tuesday afternoon that the gunshot appeared to be self-inflicted. Waldock said DCI does not believe law enforcement fired their weapons. Cox said DCI has not yet determined whether the man fired at police. Investigators recovered a handgun at the scene, he said. DCI is a statewide law enforcement agency that among other duties typically investigates shootings involving police officers. The pursuit began Monday night, Cox said, following a citizens call reporting a stolen Dodge pickup. Police spotted the vehicle and took chase, following the truck north on Interstate 25. When the chase ended between the Center and Poplar Street exits, the man was found to be suffering from an apparent gunshot wound, Cox said. Law enforcement officers used spike strips, Waldock said, though he did not know how the pickup wrecked. DCI has confirmed the pickup was stolen, he said. Waldock believed the man was also wanted out of Gillette. The Natrona County Coroners Office will perform an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of the mans death. Waldock deferred to the coroner to identify the man. The Wyoming Highway Patrol, Natrona County Sheriffs Office and Casper Police Department were also involved in the pursuit, Cox said. Although parts of the highway were closed Monday night, by 8 a.m. Tuesday, the scene had been cleared. Follow crime reporter Shane Sanderson on Twitter @shanersanderson Love 4 Funny 2 Wow 3 Sad 1 Angry 3 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. One adult and two high school students appeared in court Tuesday afternoon in connection to what a prosecutor called a drive by shooting over the weekend. Court documents that detail the specifics of the case were not available after the proceedings ended. On Monday, police indicated theyd taken four juveniles into custody after officers responded to a shots-fired call on Sunday night. Bullet casings were found in the street and bullet holes were seen in the side of a home. Casper police spokeswoman Rebekah Ladd confirmed that the juveniles making their initial court appearances Tuesday are believed to be connected to the Sunday night incident, and that the adult, Mathew Nietert, is allegedly involved, as well. Ladd said police believe the incident was a drive-by shooting but arent sure if the house struck by gunfire was specifically targeted. She said she didnt know how Nietert was allegedly involved in the situation. Nietert, 25, is charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault; conspiracy to commit property destruction; the wrongful taking or disposing of property; and possession of a deadly weapon. He was held on a $100,000 bond. The two juveniles, who prosecutor Michael Schafer said were linked to the crime, faced similar charges. One, a 17-year-old, faces five felonies. In addition to the conspiracy and the deadly weapon charges that Nietert faces, the teen is also charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver. The teenager, who goes to a Casper high school, appeared with his grandmother and winced when Schafer recommended a $50,000 bond. The teen was ultimately held on $100,000 bond, despite his grandmothers request that he be released to her. Circuit Court Judge Michael Patchen told the woman that he wasnt concerned that the teen would flee but that he would sell drugs. That statement drew a snort and a really? from a woman in the audience. A Natrona County sheriffs deputy would later warn her to be quiet, and after another outburst, the deputy eventually escorted another adolescent in the audience out of the courtroom. After setting bond at $100,000, Patchen told the teen that it couldve been a lot worse. It couldve been a murder charge. The second juvenile who appeared Tuesday was also 17 and also appeared with his grandmother. He was charged with the two conspiracy charges and with possession a deadly weapon. His bond was set at $50,000. A third juvenile was set to appear in court related to the incident, but Patchen declined to move forward because the boy, 16, did not have a parent or guardian present. A fourth juvenile apparently connected to the incident did not appear in circuit court Tuesday. The Star-Tribune typically refrains from publishing the names of juveniles unless they are charged in adult court. Ladd, the police spokeswoman, said law enforcement had not yet released the affidavit detailing the case because of the involvement of juveniles. Follow education reporter Seth Klamann on Twitter @SethKlamann Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 2 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. CHEYENNE Rajan Zed approached the podium of the Wyoming Senate on Friday, dressed in a saffron-colored shirt and pants, a yellow shawl draped around his neck and a line of paint streaked across his forehead that he said symbolized auspiciousness. He began a prayer, alternating between Sanskrit and English. Minutes later, he uttered the same words in the House. Each day at the Wyoming Legislature begins in prayer. But usually the religious leaders wear collars. Friday was the first time that a Hindu cleric led prayers for the Wyoming Legislature. Zed is from Reno, Nevada. Hes the president of the Universal Society of Hinduism. We meditate on the transcendental glory of the Deity Supreme, who is inside the heart of the Earth, inside the life of the sky and inside the soul of the heaven. May he stimulate and illuminate our minds, Zed prayed. Zed said hes led prayers in Congress and other state legislatures. In the Cowboy State, few people practice Hinduism one of the oldest faiths in the world. It has over 1 billion adherents, most of whom live in India. But we do have some in Laramie, professors and students, the cleric said. And some of them run in hotels in Rawlins and different places in Wyoming. Zed ended the prayer in both chambers with: Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti. Peace. Peace. Peace be unto all. Om. And in the House, Rep. Mike Gierau, D-Jackson, shook Zeds hand and posed in a picture with him. House Speaker Steve Harshman chatted with Zed for a moment Friday morning before the prayer. The Casper Republican said was thrilled to have him lead the convocation. Hes a wonderful guy, Harshman said. It makes you feel good to be around him. Follow political reporter Laura Hancock on Twitter @laurahancock 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. Ask Wyomingites to name their biggest concerns right now and they might start by talking about how difficult it is to afford health care. Thats no surprise. Figures show medical prices are higher here than elsewhere sometimes significantly. Moreover, insurance costs continue to rise at rates that are unaffordable to average citizens and employers. Wyomingites might also say that its increasingly difficult to save money for retirement. Many have only a fraction of the savings they will need, forcing them to work longer, while increasing the burden on safety net services like Medicare and Medicaid. Parents might say theyre anxious about school funding. Here in Casper, five schools have closed in the recent past, and as the coal industry continues to struggle, lawmakers still havent decided on a sustainable source of funding for our educational system. The Legislature failed to address all of those problems when lawmakers convened earlier this year. And it appears they are continuing to ignore our states most pressing concerns in favor of polarizing issues that are of little consequence to our state. Consider the actions last week of the Legislatures corporations committee, which agreed to take a second look at a pair of failed voting-related bills from the recently completed legislative session. The first bill would enact a voter I.D. law in Wyoming. The second is designed to limit the practice of primary election crossover voting when voters change parties to cast ballots in the opposing partys election. Sponsored by Rep. Chuck Gray, R-Casper, the voter I.D. law is part of, we think, a misguided wave of bills that have popped up across the country, based on the thoroughly debunked idea that our elections system is plagued by voter fraud. This is a false premise studies show voter fraud is exceedingly rare, and the Secretary of States office representative told lawmakers this winter that she was not aware of any recent reported cases in Wyoming. The crossover voting bill would, pure and simple, reduce participation in Wyomings electoral process. Its based on another specious premise that Democrats and independents are the reason Gov. Mark Gordon is in office and not one of his more conservative primary challengers. This bill appears to be a top priority for Wyomings Republican Party. It was defeated over and over again during the last session, and the fact it keeps coming back suggests this must be personal. These bills have something in common beyond matters of voting. Neither is being clamored for by the majority of our states voters. And neither would address any of the actual problems facing residents of our state. Instead, they are bills that are reflective of the increased polarization of our Legislature. Our lawmakers have long enjoyed a reputation for concentrating on the pragmatic, seeking out solutions to common problems instead of focusing on issues that divide us. But since the start of this decade, there has been a disturbing rise in attempts by some lawmakers to bring the bitter partisan fights that are endemic in national politics to Wyoming. Why would we want such a thing? This morning, people across Wyoming will wake and get ready for work. Many will worry that they wont be able to afford their medical bills. Theyll worry that they cant save enough for retirement. Its an insult to them that some lawmakers continue to focus on distractions like nonexistent voter fraud rather than facing our states biggest challenges with the persistence, determination and resources these real problems actually deserve. Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 More than 60 alternative government Twitter accounts including two for Yellowstone National Park and one for Glacier have popped up across the United States in the wake of the Trump administrations mid-January order that Interior Department employees stop making posts on a National Park Service account. This whole dimension of communication didnt exist before and hadnt been controversial because it was used as a means to amplify talking points, said Jeff Ruch, executive director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, which revealed a list of the new Twitter accounts in a Wednesday email. But now all the talking points are thrown out the window. The temporary shutdown of a National Park Service Twitter account was ordered after the agency posted photos of a smaller crowd attending President Donald Trumps inauguration in comparison to when President Barack Obama was sworn in. The step is just one that the Trump administration has taken to control information coming from government agencies. Last month, the Environmental Protection Agency was ordered by the new administration to halt all press releases, blog updates or posts to the agencys social media accounts, according to an Associated Press report. Ruch said the attempt to control information shows how much the political landscape has changed because of social media in just the past few years. No one would have noticed such a move in the early years of the Obama administration, he said. Trumps actions have prompted a revolt unique to a new world where social media has provided the ability for people to circumvent the normal channels for releasing information to the public. The list PEER referred to has been compiled by Alice Stollmeyer, a digital advocacy strategist from Brussels with a background in science and communications, according to her LinkedIn account. Her public list of Twitter accounts is titled Twistance: Twitter+resistance=#Twistance. US federal #science agencies going rogue. Shes also posted another public list called Twistance 2 that listed 33 other rogue alternate accounts for agencies like Homeland Security, FEMA and the Department of Education. The alternative Yellowstone accounts include @YellerstoneNPS, which describes its site as The official Twitter feed* of Yellerstone National Park. *some facts may be alternative. More popular is @AltYellowstoneNatPar, which says it is An unofficial group of employees, scientists and activists in and around Yellowstone national park. We will try and keep you informed, when others cant. The @GlacierNPSAlt site simply says it is The alternative Twitter site for Glacier National Park. It has already gathered more than 20,000 followers. The fact that in only a few days the sites have logged thousands of followers impressed Kirsten Stade, advocacy director for PEER. These alternative accounts have tapped into a current that the rest of us dream of, she said, referring to others with Twitter accounts. Twitter users skew younger, she said, which also means that the accounts may be reaching a new audience for scientific, climate and research issues by government agencies. @NastyWomenofNPS, The Unofficial Resistance team of nasty lady rangers your elected officials warned you about, posted comments by former Park Service Director Jon Jarvis supporting the social media revolt. I have been watching the Trump administration trying unsuccessfully to suppress the National Park Service with a mix of pride and amusement, Jarvis said in a statement posted to the Association of National Park Rangers Facebook site. The NPS is the steward of Americas most important places and the narrator of our most powerful stories, told authentically, accurately, and built upon scientific and scholarly research. The park ranger is a trusted interpreter of our complex natural and cultural history and a voice that cannot not be suppressed. Edicts from on-high have directed the NPS to not talk about national policy, but permission is granted to use social media for visitor center hours and safety. Jarvis goes on to question what such gag orders could lead to, including: as we scientifically monitor the rapid decline of glaciers in Glacier National Park, a clear and troubling indicator of a warming planet, shall we refrain from telling this story to the public because the administration views climate change as national policy? The alternative sites now claim to represent people from a variety of federal agencies, from NASA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The new alt movement can trace its short heritage back to a former Badlands (South Dakota) National Park employee who had access to the parks Twitter account and on Jan. 24 started posting climate change facts. The Tweets, which gained 60,000 followers in a day, were later deleted by the Park Service but an alternative account, @AltUSNatParkService popped up. Although PEERs Stade said the current political climate has been challenging, the rise of alt Twitter accounts is a positive sign. We may have a more active and engaged citizenry, she said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Tucson Electric Power Co. is seeking comments from the public on proposed routes for a new high-voltage transmission line planned to run about 10 miles, mainly along South Kolb Road. The first set of public meetings on the project are scheduled for 6 to 7:30 p.m. today (Tuesday, May 21) at the Littletown Community Center, 6465 S. Craycroft Road; and 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, at the Ott Family YMCA, 401 S. Prudence Road. The 138-kilovolt Irvington-East Loop line would connect a TEP substation at the H. Wilson Sundt Generating Station on East Irvington Road to its East Loop Substation, east of North Kolb Road and north of Broadway. The new line, which TEP is planning to place into service in 2021, also would connect to two new substations, one at South Kolb Road and East Stella Road and the other near Kolb and East Littletown Road. TEP says the new transmission line is needed to serve growing energy needs, help Davis-Monthan Air Force Base meet its energy resiliency requirements and improve electric reliability for customers across Tucson. The Arizona Corporation Commission must approve a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility for the transmission line before it can be built. This never happens. To be able to represent Middle Easterns and Indians and Asians, and hopefully thats a symbol for all the other ethnic groups, for Latinos and everybody else, that you can make a big blockbuster movie like this, Massoud said. Hopefully it succeeds and they continue to make them. Scott remembers bonding with her older brother over the original Aladdin as a child and says the movie left an impression on her. For my brother and I, thats what we would play all the time, she said. When youre a kid, its what you see. If you see yourself in something, thats just so powerful, just on its own. Massoud shares many scenes in the movie with Smith, whose eccentric Genie was voiced by the late Robin Williams in the animated film. Williams set a high bar with his unforgettable performance, but Massoud and Scott agree that casting Smith was spot on. What (Williams) did with the Genie in the original was that he was just himself, essentially, Massoud explained. He did all the things he was good at. He did all the different voices, and he was just his big personality. PHOENIX Over the objections of one member, the state Board of Education voted Monday to scrap a rule that requires sex education classes in Arizona to promote honor and respect for monogamous heterosexual marriage. Armando Ruiz said he understands the aim is to prevent discrimination against those who are different. He told colleagues of his experience of being called a wetback and being one of just seven children of color at Brophy Preparatory Academy. Theres also the fact that repeal of the section is necessary to end a lawsuit against the state by gay-rights advocates. But Ruiz, a former Democrat state lawmaker, told colleagues he fears that the repeal will result in a new form of discrimination, this time against members of the faith community who do believe in what the language has, until now, promoted. Once we take that off the table, we brand that as inferior, he said of the idea of monogamous heterosexual marriage. Like it or not, the message that we send is that worldview is inferior, its denigrating, theres something wrong with it. And Ruiz said thats not acceptable to the Mexican community, which he said has a large number of people of faith. The woman was taken to the hospital with seven stab wounds and survived her injuries, Ward said in the letter. The letter says the injured man told officials he had just met Padilla and the woman that day at a downtown bar. He invited them to his house after the bar closed, and they spent three to four hours talking, drinking and sitting in the hot tub in his backyard. The man said he fell asleep and woke up to Padilla stabbing him and saying "You betrayed me," the letter says. The woman called 911 and the man was able to get outside. The letter goes on to say the County Attorney's Office declined to file any charges against Copp because he had several reasons to believe Padilla would try to stab him or the woman, and was justified in his actions. Contact reporter Danyelle Khmara at dkhmara@tucson.com or 573-4223. On Twitter: @DanyelleKhmara 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 Deputy Pima County Attorney Tracy Miller made her sentencing recommendation to the court, four of Loebe's victims took turns reading statements to Bernini. Loebe had his back turned to the women throughout their emotional pleas. One of the survivors told Bernini that she wasn't initially sure if she wanted to participate in the trial when police contacted her four years after her assault, but she's been grateful for the opportunity to talk about how the attack affected her life. The Star does not typically identify victims of sexual assault. The woman said she initially blamed Tucson Police and the court system for the delay in justice, but "mostly I blamed myself." After her assault, when Loebe was stalking and threatening her, he told the woman that he had proof that he was HIV positive. As a result, the woman endured 17 HIV tests, she told Bernini. The woman said that the trial had been a blessing for her, in part, because she learned she'd been blaming all the wrong people. "The fault lies with Nathan," the woman said, adding that the night of her assault, she had asked him for a ride home and nothing more. Global real estate advisor Savills has announced the signing of a prominent joint venture with Egyptian company Sphere, to cover the full range of real estate services in Egypt. The new partnership, which will trade as Savills, will combine local knowledge with international best practice, said senior officials while announcing the deal at MIPIM 2019, a leading international property event held annually in Cannes, France. The ceremony was attended by key executives including Steve Morgan, CEO of Savills Middle East, Catesby Langer-Paget, Head of Savills Egypt, James Sparrow, CEO of Savills UK & EMEA, Philip Ingleby, COO of Savills UK & EMEA, and Sherine Badreldine, CEO of Sphere. As part of the deal, the new joint venture company will this month take responsibility for the management, agency and marketing of Arakan, a key mixed-use development located in West Cairo. The development opened its doors in 2012 and quickly became the prime location for business, retail and leisure for Sheikh Zayed City and beyond. Arkan is undergoing significant expansion, with construction on track to be completed in Q1 2020, said a statement from Savills. Once the extension is concluded, the project will span over a total built-up area of 260,000 sq m and features 210 shops, 67 restaurants, 185 room hotel, 600 seat theatre, 47,000 sq m offices, 4,500 parking spaces and other key developments. Langer-Paget said: The Savills journey in Egypt to date has been a great success. We launched our operations in Egypt only in December 2018 and recently announced the launch of our first residential project, One Zamalek, the much anticipated waterfront address in Cairo." "These rapid developments allowed us to grow considerably in a market that shows promising signs of expansion. We are now achieving another milestone through our strategic joint venture with Sphere, and the subsequent management of Arkan. This key development is set to become one of the most sought-after destinations in the Egyptian capital. Thus we are bringing on board world-class expertise to set a new benchmark in the market, he stated. Badreldin said: We have managed Arkan since its inception and were able to provide one of the first real mixed use schemes in Cairo. Accordingly, we have been approached by other clients for property management, marketing and leasing mandates." "There is a strong demand for high-end real estate services in Egypt, given the growing number of developments," she noted. "With Savills, we can meet these requests by providing best in class service, based on global standard policies and procedures. We take great pride in working with the renowned Savills team on the next phase of Arkan, and all the potential future mandates. Their global expertise and knowledge of the regional market, will be key in our journey towards being Egypt's best real estate service provider, she added. Savills has also appointed James Bailey as Client Services Director to join the team. James brings over 20 years of experience in delivering and managing key commercial assets. For instance, he played a vital role in successfully launching three top 20 UK shopping centres which contributed to significant economic regeneration and community engagement in Leeds, Bristol and Leicester. His expertise will be an important asset to raise the bar of what has been previously achieved in Cairo.-TradeArabia News Service Arizona Gives Day, the 24-hour online donation effort held April 2, raised $3.6 million for more than 650 registered charities. The amount was a record and Arizona Gives Day has now raised more than $17 million since 2013, according to a news release. The day of giving also saw a 13% increase in the average individual gift amount from about $123 to $142. Arizona Gives Day 2019 was hosted by the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits and Arizona Grantmakers Forum, and presented by FirstBank. Other facts about the day: 21,950 donations were received during the 24-hour period. 653 of 723 registered organizations received online donations. $180,000 in prize pool money was awarded to the nonprofits. For more information, go online to www.azgives.org Theres a lot of guys and women out there who do good things on a day-to-day basis. It just doesnt get publicized. Del Cueto, who still works about a shift a week as a patrol agent in addition to his union duties, told me he will sometimes buy food at a drive-thru if he has apprehended people who are hungry. He wasnt bragging, just pointing out that pitching in like that is not an uncommon part of the work. In fact, it is part of the agencys culture. On the other hand, Del Cueto is also the man who became the target of students ire at the University of Arizona this spring. After a protester disrupted a presentation by two agents on campus, Del Cueto told a radio host that if a protester had approached him and shouted at him up close the way she did to these agents, and if he were off-duty, I would have punched her in the throat. McSally, who met with Barrett last week in Washington, applauded Trumps announcement. Ambassador Barrett is a force to be reckoned with and who has the leadership, experience and knowledge to lead our Air Force into the future during a time of increased global threats, McSally said in a written statement. I have confidence that Ambassador Barrett will lead the way in maintaining air and space dominance and continue to build upon the initiatives, leadership and example set forth by Secretary Heather Wilson. Heading the Air Force would cap a career for Barrett in and around government that began in the early 1980s. She was an intern for former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day OConnor and an adviser to Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. In 1982 she was appointed by former President Ronald Reagan as the vice chairman of the Civil Aeronautics Board. In 2008 and 2009, Barrett was U.S. ambassador to Finland under President George W. Bush. Over the years, she has served on various nonprofit and corporate boards, including the Smithsonians Board of Regents, Rand Corp. and Aerospace Corp. If you were in Tucson for only one weekend and had the opportunity to visit seven restaurants, which ones would you choose? Carey Polis of Bon Appetit Magazine did just that. And she chose El Charro Cafe, Oasis Fruit Cones, El Guero Canelo, Tumerico, Barrio Bread, Cafe Santa Rosa and Monsoon Chocolate. In Bon Appetit's "How to Spend a Big Fat Weekend in Tucson, Arizona," Polis says she visited Tucson with fairly low culinary expectations. But after her weekend visit, her opinion changed. "This trip to Tucson was one of the best (unintentional) gastro-tourism experiences I've ever had from great local wheat bread to bean-to-bar chocolate, vegan pork tacos to overstuffed hot dogs," she writes. She also mentioned Tucson's 2015 UNESCO designation Tucson was the first city in the U.S. to be recognized as a World City of Gastronomy. "I might've been late to the party, but at least I'm glad I made it," she writes. The Coronet, a popular eatery at 402 E. Ninth St., off of North Fourth Avenue, will move into the space at 198 W. Cushing St. this summer. PHOENIX A House panel approved changes in laws about when people who have been sexually abused can sue their assailants, but in a form that some victims and their advocates say really wont help them. Rep. Anthony Kern, R-Glendale, who chairs the Republican-dominated panel, would not let victims testify. On a party-line vote Monday, the Rules Committee approved House Bill 2746 to give victims until they turn 30 to file civil suits. Thats a decade longer than now allowed. Kern said the the more liberal version that victims who showed up to testify want giving victims seven years after they report what happened to a medical professional, with no age limit is not about justice but would do nothing more than line attorneys pockets. Theres no amount of money that can help them, Kern said. Sen. Paul Boyer, R-Phoenix, who has been pushing the broader version, said the issue is giving victims a chance not only to go after their abusers but to help ferret out perpetrators who may still be working with children. Yes, it's May 20. And yes, parts of Southern Arizona are under a freeze watch. Sulphur Spring Valley and the Sonoita-Elgin area are under a freeze warning from 3 to 7 a.m. Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service. The possible-freezing temperatures come as a surprise this time of year, when temperatures are usually well into the 90s. Tucson and much of Southern Arizonan experienced this unusually cool temperatures Monday, which even led to some flurries on Mount Lemmon Monday morning. LUDRES, France (AP) After decades of searching, Andre Gantois had lost hope. The retired French postal worker figured he'd likely go to his grave without ever knowing who his father was, unable to identify the U.S. serviceman who had fought his way across France after the D-Day landings, taken a bullet to the skull and been nursed back to health in a military hospital by Gantois' mother. Into his 70s, Gantois still had no clues to pursue, no name to work with, no paper trail to follow. As a consequence, he also had no peace. "Throughout my life, I lived with this open wound," he says. "I never accepted my situation, of not knowing my father and, most of all, knowing that he didn't know about me, didn't know of my existence." Even as Europe, the United States and their allies mark 75 years since 160,000 Allied troops stormed a heavily-fortified 50-mile (80-kilometer) stretch of Nazi-occupied coastline in Normandy, the history of D-Day and its aftermath is still being written. The big picture, of course, is well known, meticulously documented and preciously conserved to be told and retold for generations to come. The greatest-ever amphibious landing, a triumph of soldiering and seafaring, of industry, ingenuity and logistics, and upon which a new world order was built, will again be commemorated June 6 with respect for the ever-smaller group of surviving veterans and awe for their heroics on the landing beaches: Omaha, Utah, Juno, Sword and Gold. Yet all these years later, there are enduring holes in the narrative, too. Among the thick Normandy hedgerows where German troops dug in and the Allied advance bogged down, soldiers' bones are still regularly disinterred. So brutal and chaotic was the fighting in France that thousands went missing or couldn't be identified before they were buried in graves still marked, "A comrade in arms known but to God." Soldiers on all sides also fathered tens of thousands of children, some of them unable to ever answer that most existential of questions: Where did I come from? Until a few months ago, when what he calls an unexpected "miracle" changed his life and filled in one of these missing pieces of wartime history, Gantois was among them. Growing up as a post-war kid in eastern France, he would simply draw a line on forms at school that asked pupils for their fathers' names and other family details. His mother and grandmother told him his father was killed in France's war in Vietnam that broke out in 1946, the year Gantois was born. The grandmother said his father's name was Jack. A trusting child, Gantois couldn't know these were lies. He didn't pay much heed to elderly neighbors who called him "the young American" or "the American's kid." Only at age 15, when Gantois was mourning the death of his mother, taken by tuberculosis at age 37, did he get the truth. "'Listen, Andre, I have to tell you,'" the 73-year-old Gantois recalls his grandmother confessing to him. "'Your dad was an American, in the war.'" At first, Gantois was lost. Later, in his twenties, he became determined to find out more. Having married and with plans to start a family of his own, Gantois felt compelled to put a name, a face, to the patchy story and to fill what his wife, Rosine, now says was "a huge hole" in his life. "He had no name, nothing to go on," she says. "He told me, 'I'll die without ever knowing who he was.'" Visits to U.S. offices in France produced only frustration. Gantois recalls that an embassy official told him: "'A lot of people are looking for their fathers, because they want money, they want to be compensated by the U.S. government. But you have to have proof.' I had no proof." Other avenues also proved to be dead ends. Until last June. Urged on by his daughter-in-law, Gantois took a DNA test. Weeks later, in the middle of the night, she called him with the earthshaking results. "'You have an American brother, a sister, a whole family,'" Gantois recalls her telling him. "I didn't know what to say." His dad, the test helped reveal, had been Wilburn 'Bill' Henderson. From Essex, Missouri, the infantryman landed on Omaha beach seemingly just after D-Day, fought through Normandy, suffered a head wound in the closing months of the war and met Irene Gantois at a hospital in occupied Germany. After Germany's surrender in May 1945, when the soldier came to visit her at home in eastern France, she apparently didn't tell him that she was carrying his child. He returned to the United States, started a family and never spoke to his children about her before his death in 1997. The trail would have ended there for Andre Gantois had his American half brother not also taken a DNA test. By chance, they both picked the same testing company, enabling it to put them together. The two men and Gantois' half sister, Judy, met for the first time last September in France. Allen Henderson took the test on a whim, because the company had a special offer on its prices and, he says, because "I thought, well, that would be interesting." Both Gantois and Henderson acknowledge how lucky they are not only to have found each other but also that their father survived Normandy and its aftermath. "When I was little, he was always telling me stories about being in France and he'd speak a little French and kind of talk about how it was like to lay in a foxhole and guns, bullets flying over your head and guys dying all around you," says the 65-year-old Henderson, who lives in Greenville, South Carolina. "Amazing that he survived." Henderson says he knew straight away when he saw Gantois that they were brothers because the resemblance is so striking. "You know, Andre actually looks more like my dad than I do," Henderson says. "Your mannerisms, your smile, your face, I feel almost like I'm talking to my dad." Other wartime families' histories remain unresolved. They're only more likely to stay that way with each passing year. Posting on a French electronic bulletin board in 2016, for example, Jeannine Clement appealed for information about her biological father, a German soldier who was stationed in France before being sent to the Russian front in 1942. Her mother waved goodbye to him at a train station, "in tears and pregnant," Clement wrote. "She never heard from him again." Now at 76 and in poor health, Clement is still waiting. Andre Gantois says he feels sorry for those without answers. "It is not easy to live like that," he says. "I've got closure. The whole issue of my father, that's it, it's done. I'm no longer in a fog." ___ Associated Press writer Sarah Blake Morgan contributed from Greenville, South Carolina. Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), the Bahrain-based aluminium smelter, will host the prestigious Arab International Aluminium Conference (Arabal) 2019, later this year in the kingdom, under the theme Shaping the Future of Aluminium in the Arab Region. Arabal is being hosted for the fifth time in Bahrain and is being held under the patronage of HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa the Prime Minister of Bahrain. It will take place from November 19 to 21, at the Gulf Hotel. Albas chairman of the board of directors Shaikh Daij bin Salman bin Daij Al Khalifa said: Arabal is reputed as one of the premium platforms for the aluminium industry in the Arab world that brings together the whos who of the aluminium industry across the globe. Being the first aluminium smelter in the GCC, our company is privileged to host the 36th edition of the prestigious event, he said. Shaikh Daij continued: We look forward to welcoming our peers and industry experts to showcase Bahrains thriving aluminium sector. We look forward to hosting the event at a time our company evolves to become the largest aluminium smelter, and we are moving ahead as planned, he added. Arabal, which started in 1983 and will be hosted by Alba as it is on course to be the worlds largest aluminium smelter, has become an event of international repute, bringing together industry leaders from around the world to discuss current issues in the aluminium sector whilst also exploring investment opportunities. It comprises a conference focusing on the current industry prospects and challenges, as well as an international exhibition coupled with workshops, site-visits and networking platforms. TradeArabia News Service OPINION: "The beautiful thing about Big Jim was his engagement with everyone who had the good fortune to interact with him. When you were in conversation, he leaned down (did anyone mention that he is tall?), looked in your eyes, and gave you his entire attention. The community he (and his family) built makes Tucson unique and we are all lucky to have been a part of this," writes former Tucson Meet Yourself volunteer Michelle Bezanson. Many Huawei mobile owners in Vietnam have got uneasy after U.S. tech giant Google announced on Monday (Vietnam time) it would suspend most of its partnerships with the Chinese smartphone maker, threatening future access to such popular apps as Gmail and YouTube. Googles parent company, Alphabet, said it would comply with a U.S. government ruling to stop supplying Huawei, meaning its popular apps will no longer be offered to buyers of new Huawei smartphones. Giant chip manufacturers like Qualcomm and Intel also quickly followed suit. Like millions of consumers in other markets, Vietnams Huawei mobile users will likely be affected by this massive blow to the Chinese smartphone maker. Some have pondered over switching to new brands, while others grasp this chance to buy Huawei handsets at cheap prices. An attendant at a smartphone store in Ho Chi Minh City gives consultation to a customer. Photo: Bong Mai / Tuoi Tre On the Hoi Nguoi Dung Huawei & Honor Vietnam, a closed group on Facebook for Huawei fans with nearly 20,000 members, some holders of existing Huawei smartphones have started to advertise their devices for sale. A user named T.D. wanted to sell a newly-bought Huawei P30 Pro smartphone for VND23 million (US$989) in this Facebook group, only to be disappointed by other group members taking the price down to VND2-5 million ($86-215). A Facebook user even jokingly offered VND500,000 ($21.5) for the latest premium Huawei smartphone. Some others expressed their bewilderment as they have just bought Huawei devices for a few weeks. Huawei should come up with a solution, said Dang Khiem, a Huawei user in Hanoi, affirming his belief that such a global conglomerate will not let its business be affected by the suspension. Meanwhile, those who had their eyes on Huawei smartphones were already in two minds about buying the phones. We spend most of our time on smartphones to use such apps as Google and YouTube, so I cannot imagine what an expensive smartphone is for if it cannot provide access to the apps, said Nguyen Minh Tuan, a 33-year-old smartphone consumer in Ho Chi Minh City. A customer visits the Huawei counter at a smartphone store in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Bong Mai / Tuoi Tre An, manager of a smartphone store in District 1, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that sales of Huawei smartphones at his outlet slumped on the day news of the Google block broke. At the same time, Vietnamese consumers also bombarded email addresses and phone numbers of local smartphone retailers with questions about the impacts of the suspension on their devices. Addressing consumers concern, Huawei said on Monday it would continue to provide security updates and services for its smartphones and tablets that have already been sold or are still in stock globally. We will continue to build a safe and sustainable software ecosystem, in order to provide the best experience for all users globally, the Chinese smartphone manufacturer affirmed in its statement to media. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), a member of the Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDB), reported a total of 1,320 bilateral meetings and 200 deals under discussion through its flagship programme: the Arab Africa Trade Bridges Program (AATB). The deals were at an Agri-food Trade Forum held recently in Dubai, UAE, in collaboration with Dubai Exports. The two-day forum promoted trade and investment between African countries and the UAE and eight other Arab Countries. Attended by 40 companies from 15 African countries, in addition to 70 companies from the UAE and Arab countries, the event focused on how to increase the import and export of Agri-Food products. Agri-food companies from Mauritania, Senegal, Cote dIvoire, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Benin, Gabon, Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya and Mozambique were among the participants in the forum. Engineer Hani Salem Sonbol, chief executive officer, ITFC, said: With the huge potential of trade and investment between the Arab and the African regions, The AATB Program attracted the interest of several regional financial institutions and Arab and African Member Countries. The $500 million agreement signed last month with one of the main AATB partners to finance Arab and African trade is a strong signal on the growing importance given to African markets. Similarly, the high number of participating companies in this B2B and the 1300 business meetings held confirm the increasing trend to explore the African Markets, he added. The AATB Program is a regional trade promotion programme, led by ITFC to address some of the challenges faced in promoting trade between the two regions. The programme aims to enhance the potential for products of Arab origin to be exported into African countries and vice versa, and to create a platform that allows for business exchange and greater awareness of intra-regional trade opportunities. In addition, it brings together business communities from Arab and African countries, providing an opportunity for exporters to present their products; and creates new trade finance and export credit insurance solutions that facilitate to businesses to present their services and products. ITFC was established to advance trade and contribute to the improvement of socio-economic conditions and sustainable growth in OIC member countries. ITFC has facilitated more than $45 billion of trade financing solutions to OIC member countries since its inception in 2008, in addition to improving access to trade-related capacity building tools, enabling SMEs and growing businesses to compete in the global market. TradeArabia News Service As the global leading healthcare company with more than 100,000 employees worldwide, Abbott takes pride in being among The Fortunes Most Admired Companies, Top 50 Companies with Most Female Leadership, LinkedIn Top 50 Companies to Work for, and others. March 2019 marks the 6th consecutive year Abbott has been named as one of the best places to work for in Vietnam by Anphabe, the prestigious career network for management professionals, with the accreditation of VCCI. This resulted from 70,000 in-depth interviews with experienced employees and human resources officials. Particularly, Abbott maintained its No.1 position in the Pharmaceutical/Biotechnology industry for the third year in a row, strongly reinforcing the companys expertise and its commitment to bring a better life to Vietnamese people, including both customers and employees. Empowering local talents to strengthen healthcare commitment Building a strong local workforce is on top of Abbotts priorities, as the company understands the correlation between a strong working team and a sustainable business. Creating a healthy and stimulating working environment that allows employees to realize their potential is of vital importance. As an innovation-driven company, Abbott appreciates the value of people who can create and make changes. Fostering those change agents and helping them maximize their capability, Abbott generously provides a range of comprehensive offers, from fair compensation to wellness programs. Abbotts employees thus have a chance to practice their brand motto live life fully thoroughly which helps them feel rewarded both at home and at work. The company also offers opportunities for employees to build their best careers through the Vietnam Leadership training and Performance Management program. At Abbott, we care for our employees and help them to build extraordinary careers. We encourage our employees to enjoy doing work that matters and to find motivation and inspiration in helping customers live fully with our life-changing technologies. Being a part of Abbott, employees feel proud in doing meaningful work and are provided with opportunities to have an impact on the lives of people across the world, which motivates them to dedicate their talents and effort to making more lives better, said Douglas Kuo, General Manager of Abbott Vietnam. Abbott is recognized among best places to work for worldwide Since 1984, Abbott has continuously been recognized as one of The Fortunes Most Admired Companies: ranked #1 in Medical Products from 2014 to 2018; a Science Top Employer for 14 years and a Top 20 Biopharma Employer by Science magazine. On the other hand, the company is reputable for empowering women at work. The women of Abbott are fostered to move up in their career. Such efforts in supporting and promoting women have listed Abbott in the recognition of 100 Best Companies by Working Mother magazine for 18 years in a row. Abbott has been making efforts to create the greatest workplace for its employees, including local talents. Abbott places employee development at its focus, leveraging their deep understanding of the local market to drive the company's breakthrough products and services that benefit not only local people but also global citizens and global healthcare as a whole. As an innovative company, Abbott appreciates people who are pioneering and innovate for better changes. Abbott works to help people reach their fullest potential through health, and builds an active and creative work environment where employees can learn from one another and nurture aspiration for professional growth. In March, Abbott was again named as one of the best places to work for in Vietnam. This resulted from 70,000 in-depth interviews with experienced employees and human resources officials. In terms of Healthcare/Biotechnology/Pharmaceuticals, it is the third year in a row Abbott ranks in the first place. This recognition has reaffirmed the companys commitment to create the best conditions for its employees to maximize their potential and positively make changes to their own lives and others' through their impactful work. Your browser does not support the audio element. A Vietnamese model has drawn criticism over her appearance at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival in France wearing a scanty black gown that leaves little to the imagination. Model Ngoc Trinh arrived on the red carpet of the annual film festival on Sunday for the screening of German film A Hidden Life. Appearing in a sheer lace bodice with beaded detailing and a pair of black glittered heels, the 29-year-old brimmed with confidence as she posed in front of cameras amongst international stars. UK tabloid newspaper Daily Mail describes Trinhs Sunday ensemble as the most daring outfit of the night. Ngoc Trinh attended Cannes this weekend in an ensemble that was cut so high it made us wince, Daily Mail comments. Vietnamese model Ngoc Trinh walks on the red carpet at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France on May 19, 2019. Photo: Getty Images Her appearance has been rapped in Vietnam with social media users criticizing her risque outfit, which they described as unfit for a formal event like Cannes. Trinhs appearance in Cannes was also thrown into question, as the model did not participate in any film project up for preview at this years edition of the film festival. On Monday, culture ministry spokesperson Nguyen Thai Binh said Ngoc Trinh did not represent any official Vietnamese agencies in attending the festival. How she shows up for the event is therefore her business, Binh said. Vietnamese model Ngoc Trinh walks on the red carpet at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France on May 19, 2019. Photo: Getty Images From my viewpoint, I consider [her outfit] to be anti-cultural and go against the fine customs of Vietnam, the official said. This is truly an objectionable behavior and a ridiculous attempt at drawing attention. Founded in 1946, the Cannes Film Festival, held annually in the namesake city in France, previews new films of all genres, including documentaries from all around the world. The invitational festival is held annually around May, and is one of the Big Three film fests alongside the Venice Film Festival in Italy and Berlin International Film Festival in Germany. The 72nd Cannes Film Festival lasts from May 14 to 25. Vietnamese model Ngoc Trinh walks on the red carpet at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France on May 19, 2019. Photo: Getty Images Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Here are todays leading news stories: Politics -- Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc arrived at Pulkovo 1 airport in Saint Petersburg at 6:45 pm on Monday (local time), commencing his official visit to Russia at the invitation of his Russian counterpart Dmitri Medvedev. -- Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan joined talks with Dutch Deputy Prime Minister Carola Schouten in the Netherlands on Monday, as part of his business trip to the European country from May 20 to 26. Society -- A heatwave that has been affecting northern and central Vietnam is forecast to end on Tuesday, the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting reported, adding that it will remain hot in southern provinces in the morning and afternoon, while rain and thunderstorms are likely to occur in the evening. -- A 32-year-old Viet Kieu man has expressed his apologies to two security guards at the Lacasa Apartment Complex in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, for his disrespectful behaviors during their argument over the mans dogs. The argument was filmed and the footage went viral on social media on Monday. -- More than 50 houses in Huong Khe District in the north-central province of Ha Tinh had their roofs blown off as downpours accompanied by whirlwinds hit the locality on Monday afternoon. -- Vo Thi Ngoc Thuy, deputy director of the International Training Institute under the Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City, has been appointed as deputy director of the municipal Department of Tourism. -- A 16-year-old construction worker was killed after the scaffolding at the site collapsed in the southern province of Binh Duong on Monday. -- Severe traffic jams have occurred at the Kenh Te Bridge connecting District 4 and District 7 in Ho Chi Minh City as a part of the structure has been barricaded for the implementation of an expansion project. -- A 35-year-old man from north-central Thanh Hoa Province has been fined VND2.5 million (US$107.5) for brutally beating his eight-year-old daughter, following his ex-wifes report. Business -- The prime minister has recently tasked the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Science and Technology with creating a vaccine against African swine fever, as the disease has been affecting the countrys swine herd over the past months. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! As many apartment complexes in Ho Chi Minh City have run out of parking space for automobiles, residents are scratching their heads over finding a proper place to park their vehicles. The rapid increase in automobiles across the southern metropolis has resulted in parking basements filled up at multiple apartment buildings. Residents who have recently bought their cars are now unable to park the vehicles where they live and are forced to look for a parking spot elsewhere. About 8.5 million motorcycles and 350,000 automobiles were recorded in the city in March, according to statistics from the Transport Development and Strategy Institute under the transport ministry. Le Huu K., a resident at Him Lam Cho Lon Apartment Buildings in District 6, said he bought his flat in 2016. The place was advertised as having modern amenities and sufficient parking space, K. stated. He found that such advertising was just for show after purchasing his car earlier this year, as the two-story parking basement had already run out of space. The management board attributed the issue to the rising number of car owners last year. K. decided to sign up on a wait list, which already had more than 100 residents, many of whom have waited for over a year for an available slot. He had no other choice but to use services at a nearby parking lot. According to Le Thi Bich Ngoc, deputy director of Him Lam JSC, the developer, the apartment complex is designed with 320 parking spaces for cars. About 1,500 people are living in the buildings, 540 of whom own a car, Ngoc continued. The management board previously allowed residents to park their cars along the roads on the premises. In order to ensure fire safety, however, they have been asked to park their vehicles at nearby facilities, Ngoc stated, adding that about four parking lots are situated within a 500-meter radius of the building. A similar situation also happens at the EverRich Infinity Apartment Complex in District 5. The monthly parking rate is currently VND2.2 million (US$94.6) per car, which is quite high compared to other places. The complex has 188 parking spaces for cars, but there are about 250 car owners. The management board has to hold a lucky draw every six months to determine who gets to use the spaces. They are now mulling over selling the parking spaces to residents at VND500 million ($21,500) each, an idea bashed by the residents. 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 high-level Ho Chi Minh City delegation led by municipal Party chief Nguyen Thien Nhan is on a working visit to the Netherlands to gain experience in flood control and smart city development. The officials landed in Amsterdam on Sunday afternoon local time and began their visit with a trip to a Heineken factory in the capital city. Nhan praised the brewers profitable operations in Vietnam and their focus on environmental protection in production. Later the same day, the Vietnamese delegation paid a visit to the Embassy of Vietnam in The Hague, where Nhan said Ho Chi Minh City attaches great importance to its officials visit to the Netherlands. Experience and cooperation opportunities in areas including smart city development, artificial intelligence and flood control are key points of focus of this visit, Nhan said. Ho Chi Minh City Party chief Nguyen Thien Nhan visits a Heineken factory in Amsterdam, the Netherlands on May 19, 2019. Photo: Vien Su / Tuoi Tre The Netherlands has solutions for managing its water resources and dealing with flooding vulnerability, which Ho Chi Minh City needs if it was to become a sustainable metropolis, the Vietnamese leader stressed. After each trip, we must be able to answer questions we had raised beforehand on how to advance the growth of our city and our nation, the municipal Party leader told embassy personnel. On Monday, the Ho Chi Minh City officials met with Dutch Deputy Prime Minister Carola Schouten, Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, and Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation. They also visited water treatment plants and anti-flooding systems in Rotterdam. The delegation is scheduled to make another stop in the Dutch city of Eindhoven before departing for Germany. The Ho Chi Minh City officials will conclude their Europe trip on May 26. Ho Chi Minh City Party chief Nguyen Thien Nhan visits the Embassy of Vietnam in The Hague, the Netherlands on May 19, 2019. Photo: Vien Su / Tuoi Tre Ho Chi Minh City had sunk by half a meter over the past 25 years, Dutch expert Gilles Erkens pointed out last year. Over 60 percent of the southern hub has an elevation of under 1.6 meters, while the highest tide was recorded at 1.72 meters in December 2017. The situation is most evident around the flyover on Nguyen Huu Canh Street in Binh Thanh District, which usually becomes flooded whenever it rains. During a 2018 conference, a Ho Chi Minh City geomatrics official assessed that multiple areas in Binh Chanh District, Binh Tan District, Nha Be District, Thu Duc District, District 7, District 8, and District 12 had been sinking by five to 10 millimeters every year. Meanwhile, climate change has caused sea level to rise by about three millimeters a year, the official continued. Ho Chi Minh City Party chief Nguyen Thien Nhan meets with Dutch Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Roald Leppere on May 20, 2019. Photo: Vien Su / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A Viet Kieu man has expressed his apologies to two security guards at an apartment complex in Ho Chi Minh City for his disrespectful behaviors during their argument over the mans dogs. Nguyen Phuc Dai, 32, publicly apologized to Nguyen Van Phe and Ta Hong Thai on Monday afternoon, following their recent quarrel. Phe, 54, and Thai, 60, are employees of Yuki Sepre 24 Security Services Company, who are tasked with guarding the Lacasa Apartment Complex in District 7. A heated argument broke out between Dai, from Canada, and the two security guards as he and his girlfriend walked their two dogs into the premises of the apartment complex last week. The dogs appeared to have relieved themselves on the lawn, before the guards voiced their objection. In the footage, which has gone viral on social media since Sunday, Dai was seen yelling at Phe and Thai, as well as other bystanders. Nguyen Phuc Dai (C) expresses his apologies on May 20, 2019. Photo: Che Than / Tuoi Tre I dont have to talk to you people. My dogs need to be in an air-conditioned room and Im going to take them home first, Dai said in an offensive tone. You cannot keep me here. What kind of proof do you have against me, old man? he shouted at one of the guards. After an officer of the ward-level police unit arrived, the Viet Kieu man was still aggressive and insisted he did nothing wrong. In his apology, Dai said police officers had helped him understand his fault as well as the entire situation.On Monday morning, Dai was summoned to the local police station to pay his fine, as the dogs did not wear a muzzle pursuant to the law. I just came back to Vietnam 10 days ago and was not aware of the law regarding my pets. I was also hot-headed at that time, which explained my bad manners, the man stated. The security guards accepted his apologies, saying what mattered was Dai had acknowledged his wrongdoing and was willing to make amends. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Applications are open for The Natalie Miller Fellowship. The annual grant of up to $20,000, is open to all women working in the Australian screen industry and aims to help further her professional development through educational programs such as internships, attachments or secondments. The Natalie Miller Fellowship continues to support female leaders who are ready to take their careers and our industry to the next level. Our alumni including Rachel Okine, Sasha Close, Miriam Katsambis and Kristy Matheson are making a big impact. Kristy (Director of Film Programs, ACMI) is innovating in the exhibitions space to bring premium, female-driven content to our screens and we are delighted to partner with ACMI to celebrate Agnes Varda, one of the greats, at the upcoming screening and networking event in Melbourne, said Sue Maslin AO. Last years winner Miriam Katsambis said; To be the first lawyer to be awarded the NMF was a tremendous shock, but also such a golden opportunity. The application process was deeply reflective for me; I actually changed my professional development proposal as a result of drafting the document because I had never really taken the time for introspection. I realised that my passion for connecting audiences with dynamic and diverse stories, and interest in the growing demand for screen content in the Asia region, werent necessarily aligned with further legal training. With NMF support, I was selected to participate in the 2019 Asialink Business Leaders Program a unique opportunity usually reserved for outstanding, upper-level managers from corporate Australia which has inspired me to approach cross-cultural work through a more commercial, entrepreneurial and innovative lens. I cant wait for the next phase which will involve time in Hong Kong, engaging with the market there, and communicating that knowledge back to the local industry so we can broaden our engagement with that region. The Natalie Miller Fellowship is the only grant of its kind in the country and is funded via donations made to the Natalie Miller Fellowship Endowment Fund and through the generous support of sponsors including Film Victoria, Village Roadshow, Andyinc and the Myer Foundation. Since 2012, seven Fellowships have been awarded to Rachel Okine (Vice President of Acquisitions STX international), Harriet Pike (Head of Production & Development, WildBear Entertainment), Rebecca Hammond (Post Production Manager, Beyond Productions), Courtney Botfield (Film Distribution and Marketing Consultant/Producer), Sasha Close (Film Programming Manager, Wallis Cinemas); Kristy Matheson (Director, Film Programs ACMI); and Miriam Katsambis (Legal Counsel, Entertainment One Films AUNZ). Applications must be received by Friday 23 August. Protesters lined the streets outside Philadelphias City Hall on May 21 to protest against restrictive abortion bans, including new laws in Georgia and Alabama. Similar protests against abortion restrictions were held around the country on Tuesday, including in Georgia, Minnesota, Alabama, Texas, and in front of the Supreme Court in Washington. This footage shows people holding signs and chanting while cars honk as they pass. Credit: Katy Otto via Storyful London-based Feed Algae plans to invest RO167.5 million ($440 million) to develop one of the worlds largest algae farms in Omans Sharqiyah Governorate, said a report. The initiative will enable Omans entry into the booming multibillion dollar global algae farming industry, added the Oman Daily Observer report. Feed Algaes investment will help set up a mega algae cultivation project capable of producing a world-scale 100,000 tonnes of algae per annum, it said. Omans authorities, led by the Implementation Support & Follow-up Unit (ISFU) a task force operating under the auspices of the Diwan of Royal Court have been assisting the investor in securing suitable land and other approvals for the landmark project. When fully rolled out, the Al Sharqiyah Algae Farm will rank among the largest in the world, said ISFU in a report on various initiatives and projects currently under implementation in support of Omans economic diversification. The first harvest of algae is slated during 2022, it stated. Omans arid environment and climate conditions are conducive to the cultivation of high quality algae, which is an increasingly important source of biofuels, nutrients, proteins and other valuable ingredients. The global algae farming industry is projected to be worth around $48 billion over the next five years, says ISFU, citing the growing demand for this environmentally-friendly and cost-competitive natural resource. Agta hunter gatherers in the Phillipines - Cambridge University Switching from hunting to farming made life 50 per cent more difficult for humans, a study by Cambridge University suggests. The move to agriculture, dubbed the Neolithic revolution, began around 11,000 years ago in the Middle East and had spread to Britain by around 4,000BC. But although farming allowed previously nomadic communities to stay put and grow, a new study of hunter gatherer communities in the Philippines suggests it came at a huge cost. Anthropologist Dr Mark Dyble, lived with 10 Agta groups and found that those who still hunted and foraged their food spent around 20 hours working in the week to live, but those who had switched to farming needed to work 30 hours for the same amount of food. "For a long time, the transition from foraging to farming was assumed to represent progress, allowing people to escape an arduous and precarious way of life, said Dr Dyble. "But as soon as anthropologists started working with hunter-gatherers they began questioning this narrative, finding that foragers actually enjoy quite a lot of leisure time. Our data provides some of the clearest support for this idea yet." The researchers followed 359 people from the Agta community recording how much time they spent on leisure, childcare, domestic chores and out-of-camp work. Farming communities spent more time working Credit: Cambridge University As well as the overall difference in hours worked, the study also found that women living in the communities most involved in farming had half as much leisure time as those in communities which only foraged. Co-author, Dr Abigail Page, an anthropologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, added: "We have to be really cautious when extrapolating from contemporary hunter-gatherers to different societies in pre-history. But if the first farmers really did work harder than foragers then this begs an important question - why did humans adopt agriculture?" Previous studies have suggested the adoption of farming grew up to help cope with expanding societies, although other experts claim that it was agriculture itself that allowed sedentary communities to expand, and once they reached a certain size, it would have been impossible for groups to return to a hunter gathering lifestyle, even if they had wanted to. Story continues Dr Page says: The amount of leisure time that Agta enjoy is testament to the effectiveness of the hunter-gatherer way of life. This leisure time also helps to explain how these communities manage to share so many skills and so much knowledge within lifetimes and across generations. The research was published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour. ---Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK--- LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May has put forward in a speech proposals that she called "one last chance" for parliament to approve the Brexit deal she has struck with the European Union. Here is an abridged text of her speech: "I became Prime Minister almost three years ago immediately after the British people voted to leave the European Union. My aim was and is - to deliver Brexit and help our country move beyond the division of the referendum and into a better future. I knew that delivering Brexit was not going to be simple or straightforward. The result in 2016 was decisive, but it was close. The challenge of taking Brexit from the simplicity of the choice on the ballot paper to the complexity of resetting the countrys relationship with 27 of its nearest neighbours was always going to be huge. While it has proved even harder than I anticipated, I continue to believe that the best way to make a success of Brexit is to negotiate a good exit deal with the EU as the basis of a new deep and special partnership for the future. That was my pitch to be leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister. That is what I set out in my Lancaster House speech and that was what my Partys election manifesto said in 2017. That is in essence what the Labour Partys election manifesto stated too and over 80% of the electorate backed parties which stood to deliver Brexit by leaving with a deal. We have worked hard to deliver that but we have not yet managed it. I have tried everything I possibly can to find a way through. It is true that initially I wanted to achieve this predominantly on the back of Conservative and DUP votes. In our Parliamentary system, that is simply how you normally get things done. I sought the changes MPs demanded. I offered to give up the job I love earlier than I would like. And on 29th March the day we were meant to leave the EU if just 30 MPs had voted differently we would have passed the Withdrawal Agreement. And we would be leaving the EU. Story continues But it was not enough. So I took the difficult decision to try to reach a cross-party deal on Brexit. Many MPs on both sides were unsettled by this. But I believe it was the right thing to do. We engaged in six weeks of serious talks with the Opposition, offering to compromise. But in the end those talks were not enough for Labour to reach an agreement with us. But I do not think that means we should give up. ONE LAST CHANCE The House of Commons voted to trigger Article 50 and the majority of MPs say they want to deliver the result of the referendum. So I think we need to help them find a way and I believe there is now one last chance to do that. I have listened to concerns from across the political spectrum. I have done all I can to address them. And today I am making a serious offer to MPs across Parliament - a new Brexit deal. As part of that deal I will continue to make the case for the Conservative Party to be united behind a policy that can deliver Brexit. Nine out of 10 Conservative MPs have already given the Withdrawal Agreement their backing and I want to reach out to every single one of my colleagues to make the very best offer I can to them. We came together around an amendment from Sir Graham Brady and this gave rise to the work on Alternative Arrangements to the backstop. Although it is not possible for those to replace the backstop in the Withdrawal Agreement, we can start the work now to ensure they are a viable alternative. NORTHERN IRISH BACKSTOP So as part of the new Brexit deal we will place the government under a legal obligation to seek to conclude Alternative Arrangements by December 2020 so that we can avoid any need for the backstop coming into force. I have also listened to Unionist concerns about the backstop so the new Brexit deal goes further to address these. It will commit that, should the backstop come into force, the government will ensure that Great Britain will stay aligned with Northern Ireland. We will prohibit the proposal that a future government could split Northern Ireland off from the UK's customs territory and we will deliver on our commitments to Northern Ireland in the December 2017 Joint Report in full. We will implement paragraph 50 of the Joint Report in law. The Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive will have to give their consent on a cross-community basis for new regulations which are added to the backstop. And we will work with our (DUP) Confidence and Supply Partners on how these commitments should be entrenched in law. This new Brexit deal contains significant further changes to protect the economic and constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom and deliver Brexit. It is a bespoke solution that answers the unique concerns of all parts of the community in Northern Ireland. WORKERS' RIGHTS But the reality is that after three attempts to secure parliamentary agreement, we will not leave the European Union unless we have a deal that can command wider cross-party support. Thats why I sat down with the Opposition. I have been serious about listening to views across the House throughout this process. That is why when two Labour MPs, Lisa Nandy and Gareth Snell, put forward their proposals to give parliament a bigger say in the next phase of the negotiations I listened to them. So the new Brexit deal will set out in law that the House of Commons will approve the UKs objectives for the negotiations on our future relationship with the EU and they will approve the treaties governing that relationship before the Government signs them. And while the talks with the opposition did not reach a comprehensive agreement, we did make significant progress in a number of areas. Like on workers rights. I am absolutely committed to the UK continuing to lead the way on this issue. But I understand people want guarantees. And I am happy to give them so the new Brexit deal will offer new safeguards to ensure these standards are always met. We will introduce a new Workers Rights Bill to ensure UK workers enjoy rights that are every bit as good as, or better than, those provided for by EU rules. And we will discuss further amendments with trade unions and business. ENVIRONMENT AND TRADE The new Brexit deal will also guarantee there will be no change in the level of environmental protection when we leave the EU. And we will establish a new independent Office of Environmental Protection to uphold the highest environmental standards and enforce compliance. The new Brexit deal will also place a legal duty on the government to seek as close to frictionless trade with the EU in goods as possible, subject to being outside the Single Market and ending freedom of movement. In order to deliver this, the UK will maintain common rules with the EU for goods and agri-food products that are relevant to checks at the border. This will be particularly important for our manufacturing firms and trade unions, protecting thousands of jobs that depend on just-in-time supply chains. CUSTOMS The most difficult area is the question of customs. At the heart of delivering Brexit lies a tension between the strength of our ambition to seize the new opportunities that Brexit presents - and the need to protect the jobs and prosperity that are built on an interconnected relationship with other European economies. This ambition should not be divisive. There are many people who voted to leave who also want to retain close trading links with Europe. Just as there are many people - like myself - who voted to remain and yet are excited by the new opportunities that Brexit presents. Indeed I believe that one of the great opportunities of leaving the European Union is the ability to have an independent trade policy and to benefit from the new jobs and industries that can result from deepening our trade ties with partners across every continent of the world. But I have never believed that this should come at the expense of the jobs and livelihoods that are sustained by our existing trade with the EU. And to protect these, both the government and the opposition agree that we must have as close as possible to frictionless trade at the UK-EU border. Now the government has already put a proposal which delivers the benefits of a customs union but with the ability for the UK to determine its own trade and development policy. Labour are both sceptical of our ability to negotiate that and dont believe an independent trade policy is in the national interest. They would prefer a comprehensive customs union - with a UK say in EU trade policy but with the EU negotiating on our behalf. If we are going to pass the Withdrawal Agreement Bill and deliver Brexit, we must resolve this difference. As part of the cross-party discussions the government offered a compromise option of a temporary customs union on goods only, including a UK say in relevant EU trade policy and an ability to change the arrangement, so a future government could move it in its preferred direction. We were not able to agree this as part of our cross-party talks so it is right that parliament should have the opportunity to resolve this during the passage of the Bill and decide between the governments proposal and a compromise option. And so the government will commit in law to let Parliament decide this issue, and to reflect the outcome of this process in legislation. SECOND REFERENDUM I have also listened carefully to those who have been arguing for a Second Referendum. I have made my own view clear on this many times. I do not believe this is a route that we should take, because I think we should be implementing the result of the first referendum, not asking the British people to vote in a second one. But I recognise the genuine and sincere strength of feeling across the House on this important issue. The government will therefore include in the Withdrawal Agreement Bill at introduction a requirement to vote on whether to hold a second referendum. This must take place before the Withdrawal Agreement can be ratified. And if the House of Commons were to vote for a referendum, it would be requiring the government to make provisions for such a referendum including legislation if it wanted to ratify the Withdrawal Agreement. So to those MPs who want a second referendum to confirm the deal: you need a deal and therefore a Withdrawal Agreement Bill to make it happen. So let it have its Second Reading and then make your case to Parliament. Finally, we cannot expect MPs to vote on the same two documents they previously rejected. So we will seek changes to the political declaration to reflect this new deal. (Reporting by Stephen Addison; editing by Costas Pitas) DUBAI (Reuters) - Qatar has not been invited to two regional summits called to discuss attacks on Saudi oil assets, a Qatari Foreign Ministry official said on Monday, but the Arab League said it had circulated invitations to member states. Saudi King Salman on Saturday proposed holding a summit of Gulf Arab rulers and a wider meeting of Arab leaders in Mecca on May 30 to discuss last week's drone strikes on oil installations in the kingdom and attacks on four vessels, including two Saudi oil tankers, off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt have imposed an economic and diplomatic boycott on Qatar since June 2017 over allegations that Doha supports terrorism and is cosying up to regional foe Iran. Qatar denies the charges. "Qatar, which is still isolated from its neighbours, did not receive an invitation to attend the two summits," the director of the Qatari Foreign Ministry Information Office said on Twitter, citing State Minister for Foreign Affairs Soltan bin Saad al-Muraikhi. The Saudi Foreign Ministry and government communications office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Cairo-based League of Arab States said in a statement that its secretariat had on Sunday "circulated the invitation issued by (King Salman) to Arab leaders to convene an emergency Arab summit in Mecca". Leaders of Arab and other Muslim countries were already due to gather in Mecca at the end of May for a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of ordering the drone strikes, for which Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis claimed responsibility. The kingdom said while it did not want war to break out in the region, it was ready to respond strongly. The UAE has not blamed anyone for the sabotage acts against the tankers pending an investigation and said it was committed to de-escalation. Iran has denied it carried out either attack. Story continues The UAE on Sunday said that the current "critical circumstances" in the region required a "unified Arab and Gulf stance". Yemen's Houthi movement on Monday denied Saudi media reports that it had fired a ballistic missile towards Mecca, Islam's holiest site. (Reporting by Stephen Kalin in Riyadh, Lisa Barrington and Asma Alsharif in Dubai and Mahmoud Mourad in Cairo; Editing by Alison Williams, William Maclean) Mike Russell has said he is determined to ensure a Scottish citizens assembly is representative of society. The Constitutional Relations Secretary told MSPs he visited Ireland last week to consider the model of assemblies set up there. His trip came after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said a citizens assembly would be set up to consider issues such as what kind of country Scotland should be. It followed her announcement that plans for a second Scottish independence referendum would be pursued within the next two years if the UK quits the European Union. NS: So, I can confirm that the Scottish Government will establish a Citizens Assembly. The SNP (@theSNP) April 24, 2019 The EU exit experience has shown the weakness in the current devolution settlement and the UKs constitutional arrangements more widely, Mr Russell said. We must consider the best way forward for Scotland in light of that experience. In doing so, we want to avoid the division created over EU exit. Thats why the First Minister announced we would establish a Citizens Assembly to consider the best way forward for Scotland. Mr Russell added he hoped parties from across the chamber would take part in discussions over the design of an assembly. He said he would write to party leaders inviting them to do so. Mike Russell speaks in the main chamber at the Scottish Parliament (Jane Barlow/PA) Scottish Green MSP Alison Johnstone urged Mr Russell to give his backing to ensuring the assemblys diversity. Ms Johnstone said: A citizens assembly of course should represent the demographics of the whole population in a way that, as yet, this Parliament has failed to do. So will the Cabinet Secretary be considering ensuring a diversity of assembly that can properly consider all perspectives and help deliver a real, meaningful outcome? Story continues Mr Russell responded: The establishment of a citizens assembly should endeavour to establish a body for a particular purpose, and that purpose mustnt be too wide, but it must be representative of society. And there are a number of ways in which that can be done. It was an issue in both the Constitutional Convention in Ireland and in the Citizens Assembly in Ireland. How do you do so? Its a very hard thing to do because you are trying to balance demography, youre trying to balance geography, youre trying to balance sexual interests and a variety of minorities and majorities. It will require a lot of work by us and I hope it will be a task that all the parties will find themselves involved in to do that. He added: But I am determined that the citizens assembly, which we will establish and I hope will be meeting by the autumn of this year, I am determined that it should represent in that way, and there are a number of ways to do so, and Id be happy to discuss with other parties about how we are trying to do that and to seek the input of other parties in their views about how we should do that. And finally: we need a citizens assembly to ask what kind of country we are seeking to build. We have one. Its the Scottish Parliament. And it should be spending its time on building Scottish education, health, economic growthand not on chasing the SNPs indy unicorns Ends Adam Tomkins MSP (@ProfTomkins) April 24, 2019 Scottish Tory MSP Adam Tomkins asked Mr Russell what the costs would be of establishing a citizens assembly. Mr Russell said: That will depend on the design of the assembly, which I wish to discuss with party representatives and to get their views. We certainly have learned from the Irish experience it should be an open and transparent process. All details, including costs, will be published in full as the process goes forward. Later, Mr Tomkins tweeted that the country already had a citizens assembly in the form of the Scottish Parliament. Police in Alava, in northern Spain, said on May 20 that they had seized more than 178 kilograms, or 390 pounds, of crystal meth, their largest-ever seizure of the drug. Police said the seizure was made during a series of raids across northern Spain. Twelve people arrested, and significant quantities of speed, marijuana and other drugs were seized, along with 30,000 in cash. Two drug laboratories were dismantled in the operation, police said. Credit: National Police via Storyful Huawei is the second-largest smartphone seller in the world. Over the last few years, it has made huge advancements in 5G technology that imposed a threat of tech-superiority to the US. Fearing Huawei's progress in the US market, Washington accused the company, last year, of spying on American citizens. However, Huawei refused the claim and assured the US and other western allies that it's ready to sign a no-spy deal with the US to make its equipment meet no-spy and no-backdoor standard. Yet, this offer got a very cold response as the US put Huawei in their Entity List last week, meaning the American suppliers have to get permission from the Government authorities before supplying equipment to Huawei. Following the pattern, Google has now come forward and announced that it's going to cut off Huawei's license which means Huawei users will not receive further updates for their Google apps. Details about Google cutting-off Huawei's license As reported by Reuters, the Chinese tech giant will no longer receive updates and support for Google's priority apps such as YouTube, Gmail, and Chrome. However, the Android's open source version will still be available to Huawei. However, the company will not be able to update its existing operating system. A relief for existing Huawei users is that they can still use their Google apps or download them from Google Playstore. They will not see a sudden disappearance of any Google service or app. But, these services will not be available in Huawei's future handsets. What Google has to say about canceling the license? Google said in a statement on Monday that it is complying with the orders of Government and reviewing the implications of this decision. They further said, "For assistance of users of our services, Google Play Protect and Google Play Store will continue to function on existing Huawei handsets." What's Huawei's response to this ban? Huawei sent a statement to Ars Technica in response to Google's decision. Discuss this news on Eunomia The company says that it will continue to offer after-sale services and security updates to all existing smartphones and tablets that it has sold or are in stock globally. They further say that they will continue to provide the best experience for its users by building safe and sustainable software ecosystem. Intel, Qualcomm, and Broadcom join this ban Meanwhile, as reported by Bloomberg, other US companies have also started to join this ban. Companies including Qualcomm, Broadcom, and Intel have refused to supply chips to Huawei. Without intel chips in Huawei's laptops, they are pretty much dead. The actions of the tech giant over the past couple of months show that they saw this ban coming and that's why it has already stockpiled three months worth of Intel chips. Adding to the drama, Huawei is going to launch Honor20 this Tuesday. At this time, seems that the launch will go ahead as scheduled. Numerous challenges are facing the export of Vietnamese coffee, which has continually declined in both volume and value since the beginning of this year. Numerous challenges are facing the export of Vietnamese coffee, which has continually declined in both volume and value since the beginning of this year. (Photo: hanoimoi.com.vn) In the first four months of 2019, 629,000 tonnes of coffee worth 1.1 billion USD was shipped abroad, down 13.4 percent in volume and 22.5 percent in value year-on-year. The export is forecast to continue the downtrend in May as domestic and global coffee prices are still falling, according to the Agro Processing and Market Development Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The departments Acting Director Nguyen Quoc Toan said domestic coffee prices are currently below 30,000 VND (1.28 USD) per kg the lowest in a decade. Prices in international markets have also dropped by 500 USD per tonne to 1,295 USD per tonne since the start of May. He explained that global coffee prices have been affected by US-China trade relations, which has subsequently dragged down prices in many countries, including Vietnam. Additionally, coffee exports have also faced fierce competition from other rivals. Secretary-General of the Vietnam Coffee-Cocoa Association Nguyen Viet Vinh said over the last four months, coffee exports to the US fell by 19.8 percent, and 13 percent for those to Germany. Vietnamese coffee now has to compete with Brazilian and Colombian products in these two traditional markets. Coffee exports to many other destinations have also been declining sharply, including India (down 33.7 percent), Algeria (25.2 percent), France (14 percent), Japan (12.5 percent), and the Republic of Korea (11.2 percent). Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong partly attributed the decrease to the limited quality of Vietnamese coffee, a lack of diverse products, and the sectors inactive response to market fluctuations. He said the coffee sector needs to change its production mode, adding that amid droughts decreasing crops and therefore coffee output, it is now urgent to apply technology in production so as to ensure product quality. Meanwhile, Vietnam should also develop specialty products for export, said Chairman Thai Nhu Hiep of the Vinh Hiep Co. Ltd a coffee processor and exporter in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai. Hiep noted that specialty products make up about 2 percent of the global coffee output, but their added value is five to 10 times higher than that of normal ones. There are many regions producing such quality coffee in Vietnam. Minister Cuong said in the time ahead, new-generation free trade agreements like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) will open up numerous new chances for Vietnamese coffee thanks to tariff cuts, especially those for processed coffee. Vietnamese businesses should make use of these opportunities to improve the quality of their coffee, diversify products, and focus on processed coffee with high value to expand the market and give this strategic commodity the recognition it deserves, the official added. VNA UAE's Time Hotels has signed an agreement with Dubai-based Plan B Solutions - creator of The Elite Club, an alliance-based rewards programme - to launch a new co-branded loyalty programme - Time Elite Club. The new loyalty programme has two tiers, the first being a complimentary level where would-be members can enrol for free, by simply downloading the eliteclub mobile app and registering. Members can earn two points for every $1 spent in any participating Time hotel and points can be redeemed, through the eliteclub e-commerce platform against gift certificates, retail products or cash vouchers, which can be spent at any Time Hotel. Elite Club is all about adding value to our proposition. Guests can earn points every time they stay or dine with us, which can be saved and redeemed at a later stage. Although we already have a very loyal customer base, we thought this was another way of saying thank you for their continued loyalty, said Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, Time Hotels. The executive tier of the programme comes with an annual membership fee of Dh990 ($269.4), but opens the door to a world of advantages, including unlimited discounts of up to 50 per cent on F&B, free upgrades and up to 20 per cent discounts on rooms; Dh1,600 ($435.5) worth of complimentary voucher packages, containing free accommodation and breakfast, plus free access to 100 swimming pools and beach resorts for two people, at all hotels enrolled in to the eliteclub loyalty scheme. This loyalty programme also allows members to take advantage of considerable discounts and value-led offers, not only from Time Hotels but from an extensive collection of bars, restaurants and experiences, as well as another 30 branded hotel partners across the globe, said Elie Younis, founder and CEO of Plan B Solutions and eliteclub. - TradeArabia News Service The representative of the Project Management Unit No 2 under MOT said many foreign investors from France, Japan and South Korea have expressed interest in the Highway 45-Nghi Son section of the north-south expressway project. Besides foreign investors, the Vietnamese Central Construction Corporation is also interested in the section. The section, 43 kilometers long, will be implemented under the BOT (build, operate, transfer) mode with total investment capital of VND6.333 trillion, of which VND2.003 trillion will be from the State. Previously, Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Nhat said at the National Assemblys Economics Committee session in late April that only Chinese investors showed interest in the project. The section, 43 kilometers long, will be implemented under the BOT (build, operate, transfer) mode with total investment capital of VND6.333 trillion, of which VND2.003 trillion will be from the State. No investor from developed countries such as France, the UK, US and Japan has come to learn (about BOT projects), Dat Viet newspaper quoted Nhat as saying. Big investors have set three major requirements which Vietnam doesnt satisfy revenue guarantee, exchange rate conversion guarantee, and government risk guarantee, he said. Because of these reasons, big investors, especially from developed countries, may not join. Only Chinese investors will come, he added. This supposed indifference by foreign investors to the north-south expressway raised concerns. Nguyen Dinh Tham from the Hanoi Civil Engineering University and other experts asked government agencies to be cautious when working with Chinese investors, because Vietnam has faced problems in many projects executed by Chinese companies. They stressed that the Ministry of Transport has to open international bids and organize the bidding in a transparent way to select the best contractors. As for domestic investors, Nguoi Lao Dong quoted its sources as reporting that the investors cannot take part in all eight component projects of the huge north-south expressway project because of limited financial capability. A high ranking official of the Ministry of Transport said Vietnamese investors cannot satisfy the requirements on stockholder equity and experience in implementing large projects. As such, they will have to join forces with other investors to become contractors. Ngo Tri Long, a respected economist, commented that Vietnamese enterprises will have fewer opportunities to join the project because of stricter requirements on contractors. However, he said that setting strict requirements is a must to be sure that problems arising in the past will not be repeated. He said the quality of the expressway and the smooth execution of the project must be a top priority. Meanwhile, Vietnamese contractors still can seek opportunities by working with foreign contractors. RELATED NEWS Are only Chinese investors interested in the north-south express railway? Foreign investors spotlight on Vietnam North-South Expressway Thanh Mai Nearly 100 percent of materials needed to make textile and garment products must be imported, limiting Vietnams to take full advantage of preferential tariffs in FTAs. All the FTAs Vietnam signed stipulate that textiles and garments must meet the requirements on origin to be eligible for preferential tariffs. Under the FTAs Vietnam acceded to some years ago, the origin requirements are applied in one or two production stages. But under the newly signed CPTPP, Vietnam must meet requirements in three stages, i.e work in the three stages must be implemented in CPTPP member countries. Meanwhile, it is difficult for Vietnamese enterprises to make yarn-forward materials because they cannot find premises for factories. Under the FTAs Vietnam acceded to some years ago, the origin requirements are applied in one or two production stages. But under the newly signed CPTPP, Vietnam must meet requirements in three stages, i.e work in the three stages must be implemented in CPTPP member countries. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai, deputy secretary general of the Vietnam Textile & Apparel Association (Vitas), said in mid-2018, Vinh Phuc province rejected a weaving & dyeing project registered by Hong Kongs TAL Group. Later, the group got the nod from Thai Nguyen provincial authorities to set up a factory there. However, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment rejected the project for fear that the waste water would harm the environment. Meanwhile, Vietnamese enterprises do not have enough capital to run weaving & dyeing factories. As such, the question about textile & dyeing industry development remains unsolved, Mai said. According to Pham Xuan Hong, chair of the HCMC Association of Textile, Garment, Embroidery & Knitting, 90 percent of fabric is imported from China, Taiwan and South Korea, while 80 percent of yarn is from the US, West Africa and India. The General Department of Customs (GDC) reported that in 2018, the country imported $23.91 billion worth of textile & garment and footwear materials, an increase of 13.9 percent over 2017. Vitas estimated that the textile & garment industry uses 820,000 tons of materials and accessories each year, 70 percent of which is from China. If Vietnamese enterprises continue importing materials from China, they wont have opportunities to exploit the preferences offered in CPTPP and EVFTA. The lack of Vietnam-made materials is not the only difficulty. Hong said garment companies have been facing a labor shortage over the last few years. Vietnam now has to compete with strong rivals such as Bangladesh, Pakistan and India which have been upgrading their production capability. If Vietnamese enterprises cannot improve production and increase productivity, they will be the losers. The biggest advantage Vietnam holds in the competition, according to Hong, is the politico-economic stability, which reassures investors. Vitas hopes it can export $40 billion worth of textiles and garments this year, an increase of 10.5 percent in comparison with the $36.2 billion in 2018. Foreign invested enterprises made up 70 percent of Vietnams textile & garment export turnover in 2018. RELATED NEWS Labour Code to be adjusted to be compatible with new-generation FTAs Utilising FTAs to improve businesses Kim Chi Vietnams textile and garment may not be able to take full advantage of the preferential tariffs of two important FTAs, CPTPP and EVFTA, because of problems in input materials. The industry witnessed an impressive export growth rate of 16 percent in 2018 compared with 2017, reaching $36 billion, which put Vietnam into top three exporters in the world, after China and India. Analysts commented that the growth rate was high in the context of the worlds modest demand increase of 3 percent. Meanwhile, the 10 biggest exporters reported growth rates of below 5 percent only. The high growth rate continued in Q1 2019, at 11.9 percent. With the export turnover of $8.6 billion of just three first months, the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (Vitas) believes the $40 billion target is within reach. Analysts commented that the growth rate was high in the context of the worlds modest demand increase of 3 percent. Meanwhile, the 10 biggest exporters reported growth rates of below 5 percent only. According to Le Tien Truong, CEO of Vinatex, orders from foreign partners have increased by 8-10 percent over the same period last year. Analysts said orders continue because garments are not listed among the Chinese products the US is going to tax in the US-China trade war. Foreign partners have continued to place orders with Chinese and Vietnamese exporters. If the Chinese garments are subject to US taxation, a part of orders would be redirected to Vietnam. According to Truong Van Cam, deputy chair of Vitas, the EU-Vietnam FTA (EVFTA), which is expected to be inked in June, promises an opportunity to export $100 billion a year worth of textiles and garments. The current tariff of 9.6 percent will be cut to zero percent once the FTA takes effect. Meanwhile, CPTTP, which took effect in January, is believed to open new markets such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Peru and Chile. Previously, Vietnams products had to go through third countries before reaching the markets. Nevertheless, analysts warned that Vietnams enterprises may not be able to exploit the opportunities of the FTAs because they cannot satisfy the requirements of the FTAs in terms of input material origin. Regarding the product origin, under CPTPP "three-step rule", the process of spinning, weaving, dyeing, finishing and sewing must be implemented in CPTPP member countries. Vietnam still has to import 50 percent of fabric from China, 18 percent from South Korea and 15 percent from Taiwan, the non-CPTPP countries. It is easy to call for investments for production stages because investors can see the great potential that FTAs can bring. However, local authorities now tend to refuse textile and dyeing projects for fear of environmental pollution. Vinh Phuc province, for instance, in 2018 rejected a huge project, capitalized at hundreds of million of dollars registered by TAL. RELATED NEWS VN poised to become manufacturer of established global brands VN garment industry eyes $60 billion from exports by 2025 M. Ha Local private equity (PE) investment market experienced a thriving year, with 38 transactions in 2018 worth a total of US$1.6 billion, marking a record high for the past decade. Employees work at a wood processing plant owned by a private firm in Lam Dong Province. Local private equity investment market experienced a thriving year in 2018 The value and volume of the PE investment deals rose by 285% and 41% against those seen in 2017, placing Vietnam among the top three ASEAN countries attracting PE investment based on deal value, according to a report on PE in Vietnam released on May 20 by Grant Thornton Vietnam, a tax and advisory service provider. In total, 141 PE investment deals were made in the region, worth over US$4.7 billion, up 18% in volume and down 62% in value. In Vietnam, PE investments in startups made up 71% of the total number of transactions, rising by 56% compared with 2017. In addition, up to 40% of the total deals focused on technology firms, while domestic PE funds took the lead with 17 transactions, accounting for 36% of the total number of deals. Meanwhile, 34% of surveyed investors chose Vietnam as the most attractive investment destination among ASEAN countries. The survey also indicated the six most attractive PE investment sectors in Vietnam, comprising fintech, education, renewable energy, healthcare-pharmaceuticals, ecommerce, transportation and logistics. Besides this, the survey revealed the challenges faced by enterprises in attracting PE investment. Of these, the surveyed investors said local firms gave themselves too high a rating and there was a shortage of attractive deal opportunities. Another key challenge is the low acceptance of PE funding among local companies owners. Private firms usually opt for bank loans, which is a simple and traditional practice, before considering fundraising from private funds and ventures. Apart from that, the investors voiced concern over the lack of transparency in business information, noting that this was a deal breaker, alongside inconsistent investment regulations and policies and corruption issues. Meanwhile, owners of private companies worried about potential conflicts with PE investors, such as conflicts in vision and strategy, difficulty in sharing power, strict and binding terms and conditions and excessive demands for financial and nonfinancial disclosures. SGT Minh Tam After racing to breed tra fish, farmers in the Mekong Delta region, mainly in the Tien Giang and Long An provinces, suffered heavy losses because of the rock-bottom prices of tra fish in the market. Farmers in the Mekong Delta province of Long An harvest tra fish. Farmers in the Mekong Delta region have suffered heavy losses because of the rock-bottom prices of tra fish in the market In the 2017-2018 period, tra fish prices continually hit record highs from VND30,000 per kilogram to VND40,000 and at times to VND70,000, resulting in an increase in the tra fish farming area in many localities, especially Tien Giang and Long An provinces. Long An Province, for example, saw farmers switching from rice farming, with 1,500 hectares of land, to tra fish breeding at the time. Land assigned to raising tra fish in Tan Hung District reached over 1,000 hectares, while in Tan Thanh District, it reached more than 300 hectares and in Vinh Hung District, 100 hectares. Tra fish breeding rose during the period due to strong demand for the product on the global market. However, tra fish exports have plummeted since the beginning of 2019, blocking the plans of many tra fish farming firms and keeping households from raising new tra fish schools. Ong Hang Van, deputy director of Truong Giang Seafood JSC in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap, told the Saigon Times that at the end of 2018, many firms had announced their large-scale tra fish production projects, totaling trillions of Vietnamese dong. These projects are being executed slowly, and some have been suspended, Van said. The stagnation or suspension of these projects was attributed to the drop in tra fish exports this year, leading to the low prices of the product. A report from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers shows that tra fish shipments to the China-Hong Kong market and the United States, Vietnams two largest tra fish buyers, are on a downward spiral. In particular, Vietnam saw tra fish exports to China-Hong Kong amounting to US$39 million in March, down 13% year-on-year. The country shipped over US$99 million worth of tra fish to the market in the first three months this year, slipping 1.8% year-on-year, while tra fish shipments to the United States in the same period generated US$71 million, dipping 5% against the same period last year. The falling demand for tra fish and oversupply has pulled down its prices to VND17,000-VND18,000 per kilogram, causing tra fish breeders to incur heavy losses. SGT Trung Chanh The National Assembly (NA) discussed the draft revisions of the Law on Education and the Law on Architecture at the ongoing seventh session in Hanoi on May 21. Draft revisions of the Law on Education and the Law on Architecture are discussed at the National Assembly's 7th session on May 21. The majority of lawmakers agreed with the report on the amendments to the draft revised education law presented by Chairman of the NAs Committee for Culture, Education, Youth, and Adolescents Phan Thanh Binh. Twenty-four legislators spoke highly of the efforts made by the compiling board to complete the draft law and gave opinions about several issues, like education philosophy, curricula and textbooks, investors and school councils, support policies for pedagogical students, policies for teachers and education managers, and free compulsory education. Binh went on to explain in detail some of the issues raised by deputies. Concluding the morning session, NA Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong asked the compiling board and competent authorities to work together to complete the draft law before submitting it to the NA for adoption. Under the chair of NA Vice Chairman Phung Quoc Hien in the afternoon, the legislature heard a report on the amended architecture law delivered by Chairman of the NAs Committee for Science, Technology, and Environment Phan Xuan Dung. Legislators debated the States policies for architectural activities, orientations for Vietnams architecture development, Vietnamese culture in architecture and preservation, regulations on architecture management, architecture licensing and certificates, and intellectual property protection in the architecture sector, among others. Minister of Construction Pham Hong Ha explained several issues of concern, while NA Vice Chairman Hien asked relevant agencies to coordinate to further clarify the issues, particularly those receiving mixed opinions. On May 22, the legislature will discuss in groups additional evaluations on the socio-economic development plan and state budget for 2018, implementation of socio-economic develop target and state budget from the outset of 2019, and state budget balance in 2017. In the afternoon, the lawmakers will hear and discuss a report on the amended law on enforcement of criminal judgments. VNA Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, his spouse and his entourage on May 21 visited Saint Petersburg city as part of his ongoing official visit to the country at the invitation of his Russian counterpart Dmitri Medvedev. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and acting Governor of Saint Petersburg Alexander Beglov The Vietnamese Government leader met with acting Governor of Saint Petersburg Alexander Beglov, during which he expressed his joy to witness with his own eyes great achievements of the socio-economic development of the city. He said the relations betweenthe northern capital city of Russia with localities of Vietnam have been increasingly expanded and the exchange of all-level delegation maintained regularly. PM Phuc affirmed that the Vietnamese Government always supports localities of the two countries to strengthen cooperation across fields. He praised their coordination in organising meaningful activities in the framework of the Vietnam Year in Russia and the Russia Year in Vietnam, contributing to tightening the friendship and cooperation between the two nations. The Vietnamese leader thanked the Saint Petersburg authorities for their facilitation for Vietnamese communities living and working in the city. For his part, Beglov affirmed that the municipal authorities cherish the traditional relationship between the two nations. They will host many activities, especially the Vietnam-Russia Youth Forum and the Day of Ho Chi Minh City in Saint Petersburg, he said. Earlier, PM Phuc and the Vietnamese delegation laid a wreath at the Piskaryovskoye Memorial Cemetery which is dedicated to victims of the Siege of Leningrad and soldiers of the Leningrad Front. PM Phuc and his entourage came to visit Russias historic cruiser Aurora, touted as a revolution icon since it fired a shot to beckon the last attack at the Winter Palace in Petrograd on November 11, 1917. The leader and his entourage also went on a tour of the Winter Palace, part of the Hermitage Museum, which displays some 3 million art works. The same days afternoon, PM Phuc left Saint Petersburg for Moscow, continuing his activities in his official visit to Russia. -VNA A high-ranking delegation from the Ministry of Defence, headed by Deputy Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Be Xuan Truong, has been on a working trip to Belarus and Russia from May 16 to 21. Deputy Minister of Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Be Xuan Truong As part of the trip, the delegation held separate talks with leaders of the State Authority for Military Industry of Belarus and the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation of Russia. At these functions, officers discussed past technical collaboration of the sides involved and sought agreements on orientations for joint works in the coming time. The delegation attended the 9th International Exhibition of Arms Military Machinery in Minsk, Belarus, and visited a number of defence industrial establishments in Kazan, Russia. The trip was meant to contribute to intensifying the countries defence ties to match with their sound bilateral relations.-VNA In early and late April, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc released two documents noting that plastic waste is a burning issue and calling all people to join forces to settle the problem. Vietnam is witnessing a green consumer boom. Meanwhile, plastics manufacturers are shifting to environmentally friendly materials. The question is what materials should be used to replace PE and PP, which are the major materials of plastic bags. The answer is bioplastics. Bioplastics are created from the combination of scientist-certified biodegradable polymers, such as PLA, PBS and PBAT, and naturally sourced green materials such as corn flour, plant starch, collagen and cellulose fiber. Bioplastics are 100 percent compostable thanks to the effects of bacteria which turn it into natural harmless substances. Bioplastics made of corn flour can be used as fertilizer after disintegration. The pioneer in Vietnam in making green products is An Phat Bioplastics. The company produces AnEco bags, gloves, knives, spoons and forks from corn flour and other organic starch. An Phat Bioplastics is one of five Asian companies which are members of the European Bioplastics Association. All of An Phats products are certified compostable. It was the first producer in Vietnam to be granted TUV Vincotte OK Home Compost, the strictest standard for environment friendliness. AnEcos products are available in the domestic market, including at large supermarket chains such as Vinmart, Lotte, Big C, Aeon Mall and LSpace. AnEcos products are available in the domestic market, including at large supermarket chains such as Vinmart, Lotte, Big C, Aeon Mall and LSpace. Nguyen Trung Viet, head of the solid waste management division of the HCMC Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, noted that self-decomposing plastic bags can harm the environment. My viewpoint is that itd be better to keep large plastic pieces, because it would be easier to treat them, rather than use chemicals to decompose plastic products into tiny pieces, he said. The smaller plastic pieces are, the faster they can be spread in the environment and then it is more difficult to treat them, he said. Viet recommended that Vietnamese enterprises make biodegradable bags, not self-decomposing bags. To make bioplastics, enterprises need high technologies, modern machines and powerful financial capability for R&D. There are about 10 companies in the world which can make compostable products. Only products made of bioplastics are 100 percent degradable. The products differ from decomposing bags which disintegrate into small pieces which drift in the sea and exist in the air, harming the environment. An Phat plans to build an environmentally-friendly packaging plant in the US, expected to become operational in Q1 2020. RELATED NEWS Environmentally-friendly building materials in high demand Vietnamese make next-generation straws, friendly to environment Kim Chi As many as 17 Lao nationals living in Dak Glei district of the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum were granted Vietnamese citizenship certificates during a ceremony on May 21. Lao nationals living in Dak Glei district of the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum were granted Vietnamese citizenship certificates during a ceremony on May 21 The event was attended by officials from Sekong and Attapeu provinces of Laos. The Lao migrants currently live in 11 villages in Dak Glei districts Dak Mon, Dak Long, and Dak Nhoong communes. In accordance with President Nguyen Phu Trongs Decision No. 561 dated April 3, 2019, a total of 38 individuals will receive Vietnamese citizenship. They are residing in six communes in two districts of Dak Glei and Ngoc Hoi of Kon Tum province. Following Dak Glei district, a similar ceremony is scheduled to take place on May 22 to grant citizenship to the other 21 Lao nationals in Ngoc Hoi districts Dak Duc, Dak Nong, and Bo Y communes.VNA Stuart Birkwood has been named general manager of the Radisson RED Dubai Silicon Oasis. Before joining Radisson Hotel Group, Birkwood held numerous positions in the hospitality industry for the last 11 years he has been based in the Middle East. His most recent roles were cluster general manager with Marriott in Dubai and general manager roles with Starwood in Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia. This is his first position within Radisson Hotel Group. This is the 10th property that Birkwood has been a part of with regards to either opening, rebranding or reopening. - TradeArabia News Service The World Bankand the Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs held a workshop in Hanoi today to announce the research results on factors affecting the socio-economic development of ethnic minority groups in Vietnam. According to the study, infrastructure and economic connectivity, as well as market linkages and opportunities to join the labour market are the main factors that enable certain ethnic minority groups to obtain a higher level of development than others. Other factors include the availability of means of production, access to education and healthcare services, traditional institutions and local governance, gender relationships, ethnic conceptions, and the ability to access external support. The research also suggested some useful policies with focus on investment in supporting production and building capacity, accessing the labour market, empowering women in conducting business, and reducing prejudice and social discrimination. Minister and Chairman of the CEMA Do Van Chien highly appreciated the prompt support of the WB and the Australian Embassy in Vietnam in coordinating with the committee to make in-depth research on factors that directly affect the socio-economic life of ethnic minority groups. The information and analysis results of the research are very useful for ethnic policy making and management, especially when the CEMA is entrusted by the Government to coordinate with relevant ministries and departments to elaborate an overall scheme on socio-economic development amongst ethnic minorities, and mountainous and disadvantaged regions post-2020. Ousmane Dione, Director of the World Bank in Vietnam, said that from this research, there are many opportunities to further improve the agenda to increase social integration by actively adopting a new approach to the development of ethnic minority areas. Vietnam can count on the support of the World Bank to integrate this programme into transport and infrastructure investment projects in rural and mountainous areas, as well as diversify agriculture and implement national target programmes, he added.VNA Torrential rain and whirlwind have damaged many houses and uprooted trees in the central provinces of Nghe An and Ha Tinh. According to Trinh Xuan Thanh, chairman of Huong Xuan Commune Peoples Committee in Huong Khe District, dozens of local houses had their roof swept away by the rain and strong wind which lasted for an hour on the afternoon of Monday. Most of the affected households are in Phu Huong 2, Phu Huong 1, Tan Phu and Truong Son villages. Lots of trees in the commune were also uprooted. After the rain, local authorities worked with people to deal with the consequence. Meanwhile, on the same day, residents in Nghe An Provinces two mountainous districts of Ky Son and Que Phong faced hail and strong wind. As a result, 11 houses in Ky Son were ruined and many trees were damaged. In Que Phong District, many trees along National Highway 48 were also uprooted, cutting power. The National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting has forecasted that many localities in the northern region and the northern central provinces of Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and Ha Tinh will experience rains along with strong wind and hail. This weather will last until May 22. Houses seriously damaged after the rain The rain and strong wind uprooted many trees Dtinews Localities nationwide have mobilised resources and equipment to prevent and control the African Swine Fever (ASF) amidst the fast spread of the disease. The northern mountainous province of Yen Bai discovered the disease in 17 hamlets of nine communes, and wards and towns in six districts and townships. The province has provided over 2,600 litres of cleaning chemicals and equipment to localities, while setting up epidemic control stations to prevent the spread of the epidemic. Meanwhile, the Peoples Committee of the northern province of Lao Cai has asked sectors and localities to mobilise all resources for epidemic prevention and control, along with the formation of nearly 20 control stations. From May 11-19, ASF has attacked five hamlets of Ban Lau and Lung Vai communes of Muong Khuong district, forcing the killing of 310 pigs. Local authorities also culled seven pigs of a farm at Bao Ha commune of Bao Yen district. In the northern midland province of Phu Tho, from February 19 to May 19, the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development culled 1,058 pigs, weighing over 73 tonnes in total, in 38 communes, wards, and towns of 11 districts, cities, and townships. Phu Tho has established 15 mobile control teams and six stations at provincial and district levels, along with 277 control teams and 17 control stations at communal level to manage pig trading, slaughtering, and transport. At the same time, the southern province of Dong Nai has asked for 40,000 litres of chemicals from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to help clean pig farms. Currently, ASF has been found in five communes of Trang Bom, Nhon Trach, and Vinh Cuu districts. Local authorities have culled nearly 900 pigs weighing more than 35 tonnes. Dong Nai has the largest pig herd in the country with 2.5 million pigs. Stronger efforts required for fight against African swine fever Party Committees at all levels, local administrations and social organisations must make strong efforts to fight African swine fever, said a directive issued on May 20 by the Party Central Committees Secretariat. To cope with the disease which has hit 34 provinces and cities and caused big losses for pig farmers, the Party Central Committees Secretariat called for stronger measures to control the outbreak. The fight against African swine fever must be a key and urgent task for the Government and related ministries, said the directive. The ministries and local administrations must control the outbreak in the shortest time to ensure sustainable socio-economic development and improve people's lives. Party members and people should be provided with information on the danger of the disease to prevent outbreaks and protect pig production and distribution, while avoiding confusion in society, the directive said. The agricultural sector should prepare measures to restore pig breeding when the outbreak is fully controlled, as well as set up plans to raise other animals and fishery production. Peoples Committees of provinces and cities must ensure financial and human resources to fight African swine fever and other diseases. Appeals for financial contribution and technical assistance from organisations and individuals from both domestic and abroad must be launched to help farmers affected by the outbreak. So far, 1.5 million infected pigs have been culled since the African swine fever entered the country in February this year. VNA HCM City's Traffic Surveillance and Control Centre. More than 1,000 surveillance cameras have been installed on the city's streets to monitor traffic. Photo thanhnien.vn Le Quoc Cuong, deputy director of HCM City Department of Information and Communication, talks to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper about the installed camera system to monitor the city. On May 12, HCM City announced the results of the first phase of the implementation of the intelligent urban administration centre as part of a master plan to develop the city into a smart city by 2020. More than 1,000 surveillance cameras have been integrated to watch over the city. How does the camera network operate? In the first phase, the city has already integrated nearly 1,200 cameras. Of which, 50 cameras are piloted using artificial intelligence (AI) which can detect face, vehicles, crowd, behaviour and send signals to the monitoring centre. What is the effect of using cameras that use AI programmes compared to existing camera systems? The superiority of this advanced camera system is not only to receive direct images from the scene but also to save time by performing the image processing and enhancement. It also offers automatic analysis, evaluation, early warning of events and behaviours for the State officials to promptly handle. For example, we can measure traffic flow in rush hour. When the traffic flow exceeds the permitted level, the camera in that area will automatically transmit signals to warn operators of traffic congestions. With facial recognition, the camera immediately takes the image of a person who is being monitored appearing on a certain camera and transmits it to the monitoring centre. What will the recorded data and images which sent to the centre help the city authorities and people? With more cameras installed everywhere, the monitoring of all city activities will be more efficient. The collected data and images will help authorities deal and dispatch forces to handle situations faster. These cameras are installed throughout the city in different layers. The cameras installed at high positions are to see the whole city; the cameras at the middle are to monitor traffic, people and the others at lower points are to monitor flooding. Cameras also can detect a fire when a smoke appears or it may capture images of residents who break the laws. Can people use database from this camera system? At the moment, only State management agencies have the function of using images and data collected from the camera system. Of course, in the future, when the camera system is completed, the city will consider what can be shared with the public. Data on traffic, environment and flooding have been shared. Some schools have connected surveillance camera systems to share classroom images for parents to monitor their children's learning at class. However, any form of sharing must be carefully considered to ensure respect to privacy and security. I think this number is very small to the whole city. We need more cameras to be integrated. The city leader has instructed to continue connecting and installing more cameras at hotspots in order to have a complete system to observe the whole city. We need high quality cameras and smarter technologies. In the near future, there will be very specific regulations on camera standards to avoid waste in investment. VNS In 1612, John Rolfe introduced a variety of tobacco from the West Indies to Virginia, the same variety that would flourish as a commercial commodity for the colonists. Today, tobacco remains an important crop for the commonwealth, generating an estimated $80 million in farm gate value each year. The Virginia Tech Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research and Extension Center (AREC), located in Blackstone, Virginia, is working to ensure that the states tobacco crop and producers continue to thrive. The AREC is doing so with help from long-time partner, Altria Group, parent company to Philip Morris USA and several other tobacco operating companies. Altria recently awarded more than $600,000 to AREC. We are interested in helping growers succeed, said Brittany Irving, an agronomist with Altria. We want growers to produce the best crop they can and to help address the challenges they face. The AREC staff does a great job of providing tobacco research and outreach to growers. Altrias gift enables the AREC to expand its research capabilities by improving and expanding the stations facilities, covering the purchase and renovation of a large warehouse adjacent to the center. We have been talking with our industry partners and stakeholders about some of the needs of the station, said Carol Wilkinson, director of the Southern Piedmont AREC. One of those needs is a grinding and drying facility. We grow tobacco, forages, and other crops, and must grind them in order to perform chemical analyses. We currently do this in our parking lot, which makes this work dependent on the weather. When a metal warehouse across the road became available for sale, the ARECs tobacco agronomist, David Reed 84, 87, 90 (agronomy and integrated pest management, entomology) consulted Irving to see if Southern Piedmont and Altria could partner to develop a grinding and drying facility. We have a long-standing relationship with Virginia Techs College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and with the Southern Piedmont AREC, said Irving. The station has had space constraints for some time. This new facility allows them to process samples indoors, and gives the staff flexibility and space for equipment. They will be able to continue conducting research that helps the tobacco industry. Wilkinson also hopes to move the ARECs mechanical shop to the warehouse, allowing staff members to perform maintenance and welding on tractors and other machinery. In addition, 18 small-scale curing barns will be installed in the new facility. The closing is scheduled for this month, after which contractors will begin electrical upgrades and other renovations in order to have the facility ready this summer. The AREC director has collaborated with Altria for the duration of her career at Virginia Tech and is confident and inspired about the vital role the company and other industry partners continue to play in helping Southern Piedmont realize its mission. Our relationship is invaluable to the success of our research and Extension programs at Southern Piedmont, and beneficial to all aspects of our work helping producers, Virginia Tech, the Southern Piedmont, and the commonwealth, she said. External funding from industry is also essential to training the next generation of employees and leaders for the agricultural science industries. Altria and other partners make it possible for us to provide experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate students and assistantships to employ graduate students. The ARECs provide a unique opportunity for all students to learn about and work in fully integrated research and Extension programs, said Wilkinson. Wilkinson and Irving also agree that helping growers succeed is fundamental to their partnership. Training students is essential to developing research breakthroughs that our producers can use, Wilkinson said. We develop research-based information so growers can be profitable and environmentally sound. This investment will help us do that. The Southern Piedmont AREC conducts strong commodity-oriented research and Extension programs to provide information and technology to the agricultural industry. Programs enhance the economic viability and environmental stewardship of tobacco, forage crops, beef cattle, small fruits, and other field and specialty crops. We are happy that Altria could help when help was needed, said Irving. Hopefully, this support will assist the AREC staff in continuing their work for years to come. Written by Amy Painter WATERLOO The Cedar Valley Hospice staff believes compassionate care is the only way of delivering support to the patients and families. Their mission says it all To Enrich Lives With Knowledge, Respect and Compassionate Care. That mission has been the cornerstone of Cedar Valley Hospice for 40 years. From 2 to 4 p.m. May 29, an open house at 2101 Kimball Ave., Suite 401, will mark the organizations growth to the leading hospice provider in the Cedar Valley. A new simulation lab will be unveiled at the event. The training room duplicates a patients room in their own home, including a bed, lift chair, TV, table, bathroom and a Go PRO video monitoring System with audio equipment that can simulate and record teaching sessions. The end goal is to ensure that the patient and caregivers have the best end of life experience possible, said Executive Director Michaela Vandersee. We will be considering every aspect of (a hospices patient) visit, from where you are parking your car, to where you enter the home, how you greet people, how you assess the environment before you actually address anyone in the room. We have talked with our clinicians and have created what we think is the best-of-the-best training. Cedar Valley Hospice was incorporated on July 19, 1979. It all started with Virginia Bisbee in 1978, who had cared for a dying relative and found the support system lacking. She began researching the hospice movement, enlisting radiologist Dr. Robert Guthrie in the effort. A group of grassroots volunteers came together, including Karol Rae Hoth, who at the time was the leadership director of Junior League. Our philosophy of care when we started was, How can I help? Hoth said. It wasnt just a concept; we made it a reality. This same philosophy still exists today. We aim to serve. Waterloos First Presbyterian Church donated office and meeting space. By January 1980, Cedar Valley Hospice had a trained team and had admitted its first patient. In 1982, an agreement with the former Schoitz Medical Center allowed the opening of an inpatient unit. The Hospice Home opened in 2000. The first patient was Bisbee. The six-bed facility serves people who are nearing the end of their life. Most people want to stay in their home, said Vandersee, and that is our goal. Sometimes patients need a little more. It is staffed 24-7. They get very personalized care here. The Hospice Home is really for pain crisis and respite, to give the caregiver a break, explained Jennifer Siech, director of marketing. Families can utilize it as an alternative to a hospital stay. Throughout four decades, the Friends of Cedar Valley Hospice has been essential to the programs success by raising funds. Other programs include the LINK Palliative Care Program, which helps those with life-limiting illnesses and who arent eligible or ready for hospice. Caring Connections, an outreach program that addresses employer/employee needs regarding caregiving, end-of-life care and grief, was selected by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in 2009 as one of 32 hospices in the country for its pilot program. In 2011, Cedar Valley Hospice joined the We Honor Veterans program, which aims to care for and honor those who have served when they reach the end of life. Through the Grief Support program, we provide help with a death in the community whether the deceased was in our program or not, said Siech. We are experts in that field, and we want to make sure we are giving back to the community. Cedar Valley Hospice is strong because of the community, Vandersee said. I am in awe of the vision (founders) had over 40 years ago and the work they put into it to make it a reality. I am inspired by the passion they still have today to serve, she said. Many people have helped this organization evolve and grow. It goes without saying that we would not be where we are today without the help from all of them that came before us and fought for end-of-life care for our community. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CEDAR RAPIDS --- The Cedar Rapids Police Department has identified three people of interest in the double homicide in the parking lot of Iowa Smoke Shop, 70 Kirkwood Court SW, on Saturday. The Police Department is asking anyone with information on the whereabouts of these individuals to contact the Cedar Rapids Police Department at (319) 286-5491 or their local law enforcement. The three persons of interest are: DeShawn Hull, age 21, height: 58, weight: 200 pounds Andre Richardson, age 25, height: 61, weight: 185 pounds Alexandra Smith, age 24, height: 53, weight: 130 pounds Police officers received reports of a shooting incident that occurred in the Iowa Smoke Shop parking lot at 70 Kirkwood Court SW shortly after 1:20 a.m. Saturday. Officers arrived on scene and found three victims that had sustained life-threatening gunshot wounds. Two of the victims have been pronounced deceased. The deceased victims have been identified as Matrell Michael Eugene Johnson, DOB/06-11-2000, age 18 and Royal Ceiz Abram, DOB/03-27-2001, age 18. The third victim that was wounded, a 19-year old female, remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. A short time later, police officers were notified that an additional victim with gunshot wounds arrived at a local hospital. The victims injuries are considered life-threatening. The victim is believed to have been transported by private vehicle from the scene of the shooting at 70 Kirkwood Court SW. This fourth victim that was wounded, a 19-year old male, remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. Based on the preliminary investigation, it appears that the victims were in a vehicle in the Iowa Smoke Shop parking lot. An individual approached the vehicle and multiple shots were fired into the vehicle. There is an active, ongoing investigation. At this time, it appears that this was a targeted attack and is not related to an earlier shooting that was reported in the 100 block of 29th Street Drive SE. Anyone with information about the shooting incident at 70 Kirkwood Court SW is encouraged to contact the Cedar Rapids Police Department at (319) 286-5491 or Linn County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-CS-CRIME. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 3 INDEPENDENCE -- Sentencing for reality TV star Chris Soules in the April 2017 crash that killed an Aurora farmer Kenneth Mosher will have to wait for another day. Soules, a 36-year-old rural Arlington resident who appeared on ABC's "The Bachelor" and "Dancing with the Stars," had been scheduled for sentencing today. But the defense successfully argued against victim impact statements that had been a cornerstone of a pre-sentence report that was prepared by corrections officials. And because the state had agreed to follow the recommendations in the report, Judge Andrea Dryer agreed with the defense to strike the report and order a new one. Sentencing was delayed to another day. The defense had argued that the written victim statements that were part of the report shouldn't have been allowed because Soules was charged with leaving the scene -- which happened after the crash -- and not charged with causing the collision. Because the charge had nothing to do with the cause of the crash, Mosher's family can't be considered victims under Iowa Code. Authorities said Soules was heading south on Slater Avenue outside of Aurora around 8:20 p.m. on April 24, 2017, when he rear-ended a tractor Mosher was driving. The defense said he reported the crash to 911 operators, performed CPR and remained on the scene until medics arrived. But prosecutors said he left in another vehicle before law enforcement pulled up. Sheriff's deputies later found him at his home. Soules had been charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident, a felony with a five-year maximum. In November 2018, he pleaded to a reduced charge of leaving the scene of an serious injury accident, a misdemeanor that carries up to two years in prison. Under the plea agreement, the state was to adopt the recommendations by corrections officials, who prepared a pre-sentence report. The defense was allowed to argue for a deferred judgment Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 3 WATERLOO A St. Louis man has pleaded to federal drug charges in connection with a 2018 traffic stop in Waterloo. Oluwadurotim Orebiyi, 27, pleaded to one count of drug user in possession of a firearm on Monday in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids. Sentencing will be at a later date. Authorities said Orebiyi was a passenger in a Mazda that was pulled over on Division Street on Sept. 3, 2018. Officers found an open bottle of Hennessey on a seat and two bags of marijuana under a seat, and Orebiyi admitted he had placed a handgun in the glove box, according to court records. Police found a loaded 9mm Taurus handgun and a spare magazine with 30 rounds. He was arrested on state weapons and drug charges, but he missed a court date in December 2018 and remained on the loose until he was arrested by ATF agents in March 2019 in the St. Louis area. 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. WATERLOO A Waterloo teen arrived at the hospital following an apparent shooting Monday night. Details werent immediately available, but police said the injuries arent life threatening, and the teen was treated and released. It wasnt immediately clear where the shooting took place, but the 16-year-old male apparently went to a home and was then taken to MercyOne Medical Center by private vehicle around 11:30 p.m. Monday. he projectile struck him in the head and bounced off or merely grazed him, police said. Police said they found the teens vehicle with a hole in the back window. T Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 WATERLOO A Waterloo man who was convicted of selling crack in the 1990s has been returned to federal prison for allegedly selling crack cocaine in 2016 and 2017. Judge Leonard Strand sentenced Edward Butch Smart, 56, to five years and eight months in prison during a Friday hearing in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids. His prison time will be followed with four years of supervised release. Smart pleaded to conspiracy to distribute 28 grams of more of crack cocaine. Court records allege he sold crack in the Waterloo area 12 times between December 2016 and September 2017. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2018. Smart has a prior conviction for federal drug charges from 1998 in a case where he was allegedly buying powder cocaine and selling crack, according to Courier archives. In that case, he was sentenced to eight years in prison and was released in February 2007. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CEDAR FALLS The City Council on Monday night approved a parking ordinance that creates 36 parking spots and will add parking fees to lots downtown. The council approved the new parking map and recommended updates to the parking ordinance from a study conducted last year by the Wantman Group Inc. Those recommendations also impact traffic lanes, new spots and time limits for parking spots on the streets. The new spots are primarily along State Street and Second Street. Fees werent established; rates will adopted by the council at a later date, said Terra Ray, city engineer tech. There will continue to be free parking in downtown Cedar Falls, said Carol Lilly, director of Community Main Street, during public comments. What this ordinance has done is provided more options for alternatives to the public. On Feb. 18 the council unanimously voted to implement recommendations from the WGI study. The study found public parking facilities are operating at maximum efficiency at normal times, and during high traffic times are operating at full capacity. The new ordinance also will allow more overnight parking on downtown side streets, Ray said. It will extend enforcement times to 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday from the current 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Pay stations and mobile applications will also be added for the paid parking lots. The council unanimously approved the ordinance without discussion. (Parking) has always been an issue, probably always will be, said Tim Schilling, a Main Street property owner. The customer will not pay for parking if they dont want to. Schilling said paid parking will cost merchants customers. You need to enforce the regulations, Schilling said. Lilly is optimistic about the ordinance. Really what were looking at is managing what were currently doing, Lilly said. Our organization will always advocate for an element of free parking within this district. It is important to the merchants. Love 3 Funny 7 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 6 WATERLOO The city is seeking federal historic recognition for one of its oldest neighborhoods. Waterloo City Council members voted unanimously Monday to nominate the Walnut Neighborhood to the National Register of Historic Places. A survey completed by the Louis Berger Group of Kansas City, Mo., found the district north of the downtown central business district appeared to be eligible for NRHP listing despite a number of dilapidated houses being razed over the years. The demolition of residences within the district has resulted in some vacant lots, but the district overall retains integrity of location, setting, association and feeling, the consultants said. Ninety of the 111 buildings left in the potential Walnut Street Historic District, all built between 1880 and 1981, are considered to contribute to the integrity of the area. A committee through the Iowa State Historic Preservation Office will review the nomination June 14 before it is submitted to the National Park Service for final approval. There were no objections during a public hearing on the application. Ed Ottesen, chairman of the Waterloo Historic Preservation Commission, spoke in support of its approval. It will open up possible tax incentives for some of the properties, most importantly the income-producing properties, and (it) could include some of the residential properties as well, he said. Listing on the NRHP does not require property owners to seek historic clearances when working on their homes. Those restrictions apply only to locally designated historic districts, such as Highland Park. The proposed district is generally bounded by Franklin Street, U.S. Highway 63, Dane Street and East Fourth Street. But it excludes newer commercial construction along Franklin and East Fourth, which does not contribute to the historic nature of the area. The Louis Berger report said construction of the Illinois Central Railroad shops and roundhouse northeast of downtown in 1870 sparked residential and commercial growth in what became the Walnut Neighborhood. Its proximity to downtown attracted prominent Waterloo businessmen while the nearby railroad made it convenient for middle class residents and railroad workers. These dynamic forces created a neighborhood in Waterloo that is not seen in any other section of the city, the consultants said. Waterloos first hospital on the east side of the Cedar River opened in the Walnut Neighborhood in 1909 in a brick house at 516 Pine St. F.D. Merritt, who was superintendent of public schools, sold the house to doctors Joseph and Grace Jerger, who operated Pine Street Hospital. The consultants noted the Walnut Neighborhood began declining after World War II, as banks redlined the area as a risky place for housing investment and suburban flight changed the neighborhood. Urban renewal programs in the 1960s led to some houses being demolished. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CEDAR RAPIDS A Des Moines Democrat launched a campaign Monday to try to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst. Des Moines businessman Eddie Mauro joins lawyer Kimberly Graham, also of Des Moines, in seeking the Democratic nomination in 2020. Washington remains broken and its time for a change, and I am the best candidate to take on and defeat Joni Ernst, said Mauro, who in 2018 ran unsuccessfully for U.S. House in Iowas 3rd District. Also Monday, Stacey Walker, a member of the Linn County Board of Supervisors, confirmed hes giving serious consideration to joining the race. Walker, 31, who was elected in a special election in 2016 and re-elected last year, acknowledged that Ernst will be a formidable candidate as an incumbent who has raised about $3 million in campaign funds. Although Democrats have had difficulties winning competitive statewide races in recent years, Walker takes encouragement from Democrat Rob Sands win in the race for state auditor as well as Democrats picking up two U.S. House seats in 2018. You are also starting to see a new crop of leaders in the Democratic Party who are bringing a lot of people into the conversation and their message is resonating, he said. In launching his campaign, Mauro, 56, said Iowans need a senator who will fight for Iowas middle-class families, our family farms, the small businesses on Main Street, protect and improve access to affordable health care for all Iowans and invest in our renewable energy economy to create jobs and combat the climate chaos and challenge before us. Protecting the Affordable Care Act and coverage of pre-existing conditions were critical to flipping seats in Iowas 1st and 3rd congressional district and will be central in his Senate race, Mauro said. Graham, 54, received her law degree from Drake University and lived in Indianola for 25 years before moving to Des Moines a year ago. Graham, who aims to visit all 99 counties by September, formally kicked off her campaign recently in Indianola. 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. DES MOINES Competitive congressional races will be as common as Caseys pizza in Iowa in 2020. All four of the states U.S. House races figure to be competitive, politically intriguing and draw significant national interest throughout this election cycle. Thats not normal: Two of the states four districts are regularly competitive, but the other two have been much less so over the past decade. But this time around, its a 4-for-4 free-for-all. The 1st and 3rd districts will be competitive as ever thanks to the politically balanced makeup of voters in those districts and the fact both are being represented by first-term congresswomen, Abby Finkenauer and Cindy Axne. That these races will be competitive comes as no surprise. What makes 2020 unique is the addition of the 2nd and 4th districts as potentially competitive races. The 2nd District has been relatively safe for Democrats and Rep. Dave Loebsack. But Loebsack is not seeking re-election. Within minutes of his retirement announcement, an editor for a national political forecasting publication moved the race from likely Democratic to a toss-up. And the 4th District historically has been safe for Republicans. But oft-embattled Republican Rep. Steve King won in 2018 by only 3 percentage points after a series of statements and national media coverage preceded a significant drop in support on Election Day. Both races promise to be competitive this cycle, giving Iowa intriguing campaigns from river to river and border to border. The national forecasters see the same thing coming. The Cook Political Report has Iowas 1st, 2nd and 3rd districts rated toss-ups, and the 4th District likely Republican. Larry Sabatos Crystal Ball has the 1st and 2nd as toss-ups, the 3rd as leans Democratic and the 4th as likely Republican. This is going to be one of the most active election cycles, said Troy Price, chairman of the state Democratic Party. So many races, so many different opportunities here on the ballot. I think its going to be a really exciting time. Exciting but daunting. Much work lies ahead for the parties as they must go all-in on all four races. Yes, its exciting. But at the same time, as chair of the party, Im just going, OK, lets take a look at these resources and sharpen the pencils, said Jeff Kaufmann, chairman of the state Republican Party. The logistical challenges will increase. With four races that could go either way, no stone can go unturned, no voter can be left uncontacted in any of the states 99 counties. Price and Kaufmann said planning has already started. Kaufmann said he expects help in terms of resources from the Trump campaign and coordination with GOP U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, who also will be on the ballot. Kaufmann said wants to build one of the most efficient Republican campaign operations in the country. The state party is at full capacity with its field staff and is already training workers. Its changed a lot of planning. Its changed a lot of strategic initiatives in terms of where were going to place offices, Kaufmann said. Price said Democrats have hired organizers in each congressional district earlier than most campaign cycles. He said Democrats will be able to build off the endless string of visits by Democratic presidential candidates by tapping into voter enthusiasm and engagement. Theres a lot of energy within our party, a lot of excitement within our party at all these levels, Price said. These caucuses are going to allow us to build more infrastructure, get more people activated, get more people identified that we can reach out to. The opportunities and challenges vary for the two parties. Democrats were on offense in 2018, when they flipped two seats to gain control of three of Iowas four U.S. House seats. This year, they will be largely on the defensive: They must defend two first-term representatives and win an open-seat race in a district won in 2016 by Republican President Donald Trump in order to keep it in Democratic hands. Iowa gives us three strong opportunities to pick up Democratic-held seats. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd districts all present very solid chances for Republican pickup, said Bob Salera, with the Republican Partys organization that works to elect GOP U.S. House candidates. Were confident with the way the socialist Democrats have overstepped since taking over the House. Iowans will be ready for new Republican leadership in all three districts. Republicans must bounce back from losses in the 1st and 3rd districts in 2018 despite many of the same issues health care chief among them driving the national conversation. And they must do so in a presidential election year, during which voter turnout historically improves in Democrats favor. Republicans clearly havent learned the lesson of 2018 because they are continuing to put forth candidates in Iowa who support ending protections for people with pre-existing conditions and who have chosen to stand with big pharmaceutical companies instead of lowering health care costs for families, said Brooke Goren, with the Democrats national U.S. House campaign organization. With health care on the ballot yet again in 2020, Iowa voters are energized and deeply motivated to re-elect Reps. Abby Finkenauer and Cindy Axne. Heres a breakdown of what to expect in the races in Iowa four congressional districts. 1st District Incumbent: Abby Finkenauer, Democrat (one term) Possible challengers: Republicans Ashley Hinson and Rod Blum Forecast: Finkenauer in 2018 defeated Blum, who had served for two terms. Hinson, a state legislator and former local TV news anchor, has declared her candidacy. Blum has not ruled it out. Finkenauer will have to again win in a district that in 2018 was carried by Trump. 2nd District Incumbent: None. Possible challengers: Democrat Rita Hart and Republicans Bobby Schilling, Mariannette Miller-Meeks Forecast: Hart is a former state senator who was the running mate of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Fred Hubbell in 2018. Schilling is a former Congressman from just east of the Mississippi River in northwest Illinois. He has moved to Iowa and is making moves that suggest he is likely to run. Miller-Meeks unsuccessfully challenged Loebsack in the past. 3rd District Incumbent: Cindy Axne, Democrat (one term) Possible challengers: Republicans David Young and Zach Nunn Forecast: Young has officially declared, while Nunn is holding a town hall tour while he considers a run. Axne defeated Young in 2018 by a close margin, and Republicans feel in 2020 they can boost turnout in areas where Young did well in 2018, perhaps closing that gap. 4th District Incumbent: Steve King, Republican (nine terms) Possible challengers: Democrat J.D. Scholten, Republicans Randy Feenstra, Jeremy Taylor and Bret Richards Forecast: Scholten nearly accomplished the unthinkable in 2018, coming within 3 percentage points of beating King. He has not yet decided whether he will run in this race or perhaps challenge Ernst in Iowas U.S. Senate race. King isnt even guaranteed to be his partys nominee: He faces a primary challenge from three Republicans. Feenstra got off to a strong start with a big fundraising haul. 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. WATERLOO Welcome to Medicare is a free monthly seminar hosted by MercyOne and offered by the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP). The seminar is held the first Wednesday of each month and open to anyone approaching Medicare age. The next seminar will be 5 p.m. June 5 at MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center, Classroom 2, 3421 West Ninth St. Register by May 28 by calling 272-2552. This seminar will cover: Medicare Parts A and B benefits Prescription Drug Benefits (Part D) Medicare Advantage Plans Medicare Supplement Insurance This presentation is given by a trained SHIIP volunteer. All SHIIP volunteers are trained in Medicare issues by the state of Iowas Insurance Division. SHIIP is a service of the State of Iowa and does not sell or promote any insurance companies, policies or agents. Steak cook-off entries sought WATERLOO Entries are being accepted for teams to participate in the BBQ Loo and Blues Too! steak cook-off competition. The contest will be held at 5 p.m. July 19 at Lincoln Park, downtown Waterloo. The cook-off is a part of the 18th annual BBQ Loo and Blues Too! and is sanctioned by the Steak Cookoff Association. All contestants will have the opportunity to become sanctioned by the SCA. Ribeye steak will be provided to cook. The winner will receive $500 and a first place plaque. Second through fifth place will be awarded cash and ribbons. For contest details or registration form please call Main Street Waterloo office at 291-2038 or visit www.mainstreetwaterloo.org. Deadline for entries is July 10.Main Street Waterloo is a privatepublic partnership dedicated to the revitalization of our citys downtown center. City moves open house WATERLOO Waterloo Fire Rescue is moving its open house scheduled for today to Wednesday due to an unfavorable weather forecast. Waterloo Fire Rescue encourages the public to attend a family-friendly fire station open house in celebration of EMS Week 2019. The open house will take place at Station One, 425 E. Third St., from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday. In honor of National Public Works Week, the public is invited to an open house and heavy equipment demonstration from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Citys Public Works facility, 625 Glenwood St., Waterloo. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 This is where I get off, pro-life friends. And not as in hey, thanks so much for the ride, but more like how did I miss that enormous cudgel in your pocket? The only two labels we use to describe a whole spectrum of views on abortion rights have always meant very different things to different people. But before I moved back to red-state America two years ago from Washington, D.C., I had lost sight of how irrelevant my view of what being pro-life means really was. It isnt a particularly rarefied view; on the contrary, polling thats held steady over the last 40 years shows that the majority of the public holds an in-the-middle, neither never nor always view on abortion rights thats very much in keeping with my own. Though abortion is a divisive issue, notes a Pew Research Center report, more than half of U.S. adults take a non-absolutist position, saying that in most but not all cases, abortion should be legal (34%) or illegal (22%). Fewer take the position that in all cases abortion should be either legal (25%) or illegal (15%). Thats also reflected in law in most of the rest of the world, where early abortion is readily available, late-term is not and that isnt seen as a problem. But politically, as lawmakers in Missouri and other conservative states that are pursuing near-total abortion bans have made it impossible to ignore, there is no gray area. And there is no leaning pro-life without falling face-forward, because opposing abortion can mean only one thing: It means that an 11-year-old raped by her father is not a person, but before a woman even knows shes pregnant, the child shes carrying is. Somehow, separating immigrant families without bothering to keep track of who they are, where theyre going and how to ever put them back together again is now A+ pro-life behavior, as is fawning over dictators and feigning ignorance over the assassination of critics. Starting a war for no good reason would be OK, too. But for women in crisis, there are no excuses, and there is no way out. Lock her up no longer just applies to Hillary Clinton. Because if a doctor can be jailed for 15 years for performing an abortion after eight weeks, then lets not pretend that wed never criminalize a womans decision to end her pregnancy, no matter how harrowing her circumstances. These GOP lawmakers are as divorced from reality as I was in thinking that being pro-life could mean supporting all of the policies and programs that would actually reduce the number of abortions. Expanding Medicaid, for instance, and making birth control accessible. I thought it implied so much more than that, too, vis-a-vis the disabled and the elderly, the immigrant and the environment, the military and the death row inmate. Unfortunately, it doesnt. My views on all of this are the same as when I drove a friend to Planned Parenthood to have an abortion decades ago. Because she asked me to, thats why. And as when I loaned OK, that was 1983, so at this point Im going to say gave another friend the money for one. Theyre the same as when I was expecting our twins and because I had pregnancy-related tachycardia, every doctor I went to recommended that I get an abortion not because any of the three of us was in any real danger, but because they didnt want the medical liability. Since then, the whole hushed sanctity of the decision between a woman and her doctor has underwhelmed me. Theyre the same as when I started thinking we should call things by their name instead of behaving as though its only a baby when we say its a baby; what kind of science is that? And as when I really couldnt see shouting your abortion or turning the World Trade Center pink or seeing an abortion as, as a colleague once put it, a less than ideal couple of hours. My own goal wasnt to overturn Roe v. Wade, but to encourage tolerance for different views and out of that, appreciation that what most of us want is to make abortion not illegal, but unnecessary. Because nuance and abortion dont go together, I paid a price for being the odd one out neither a Republican nor an orthodox Democrat and really, I was OK with that. But what Republican state legislators in Missouri and around the country are doing now I am not OK with, and I can no longer describe myself the same way these so-what-if-girls-suffer jihadists do. I cant wear the same name tag as those who do not even know who theyre leaving out of the equation when they say things like state Sen. Bob Onder did in explaining why the Missouri law has no rape or incest exception: We believe the second violent act does not fix a violent act. We dont believe in the death penalty for the crime of the father of the baby. The man you call a father, Senator, I call a rapist. It should not have taken me this long to see that neither the pro-life nor the pro-choice label fits me. But I wont ever again try to make myself fit either one. Melinda Henneberger is an editorial columnist for the Kansas City Star. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Climate change STEVE KAPLER WATERLOO Comedian Billy Connolly once told the story about a humorous incident at Queen Elizabeths coronation parade. It seems her royal highness was riding in an ornate horse-drawn carriage, seated alongside the King of Tonga. One of the horses broke wind. The resultant odor soon permeated the down-wind carriage. Quite embarrassed, she turned to her royal Tongan guest and, in her most apologetic British accent, said: Im so sorry! The King replied: Oh, I thought it was the horse. Which leads us to climate change. Climate change is real. I call it the four seasons. Some are cooler, warmer, wetter or drier than others. As regards the notion of man-made climate change? Chicken Little comes to mind. Sixty-four million years ago long before horses, humans or queens carriages roamed earth the climate changed suddenly, convulsively. Most planetary life perished. No, I dont share the mass hysteria and expert lectures about man-made climate change. The theories surrounding it are worth debating. But to summarily categorize those who challenge its assumptions as 21st Century Neanderthals merely fouls the air, much like Queen Elizabeths horse. Writer Thomas Sowell calls such intellectual smugness green bigotry. Breathe easy, relax. The sky is not falling. Letter followup ROB GREEN CEDAR FALLS Recently, a resident stated in a letter (May 12) that I had banned him from Nextdoor.com (a nationwide neighborhood social network) and restricted his freedom of speech. Its simply not true; Im just one of 30-plus local Neighborhood Leads and none of us have the power to terminate accounts. I did report one comment (from someone else) that threatened violence against law-abiding citizens (a clear violation). But nothing against the letter writer. Indeed, the poll he posted was removed by Nextdoor; it violated their written Community Guidelines which limit posts to local only topics. Neighbors can (and do) engage in spirited debates on school bonds, city government, you name it as long as its local, and the dialogue is respectful. I learn a lot from these spirited back-and-forths and am very glad for them. The 4,700-plus Cedar Falls residents on Nextdoor must follow the Community Guidelines in order to participate; still, it seems a bit heavy handed for Nextdoor Support to have banned the letter writer without a warning first. Ive left a voicemail with this resident to see if he desires to try and have his account restored, now that hes aware of the Community Guidelines. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 TWH The Satanic Temple (TST) since its founding in 2013 has been on the front lines of fighting for religious freedom, womens reproductive rights, debunking pseudo-science, and fighting for sexual equality. TST is not a Pagan organization and does not pretend to be. Their mission clearly offers insights into who they are The mission of The Satanic Temple is to encourage benevolence and empathy among all people, reject tyrannical authority, advocate practical common sense and justice, and be directed by the human conscience to undertake noble pursuits guided by the individual will. Some would argue that Satanism represents a fourth branch of Abrahamic religious thought. But that statement does not describe the TST either. They are non-theistic. The TSTs work centers on the defense of secularism and their literary canon shows an alignment with Enlightenment principles with Satan as a metaphorical rebel against oppression. The TST however, is not universally welcomed in Pagan communities. some have argued that the TSTs demonstrations has resulted in new hazards to Pagans and polytheists. Their use of the Baphomet statue and its presence in shows like The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina with a connection to Witches and Wicca have fostered some public confusion about who is who, especially in conservative religious communities. Indeed, the TST is not championing Pagan rights. Nevertheless, their work aligns with many Pagan and polytheist worldviews about equality, personal sovereignty and personal responsibility. Its work against patriarchal structures, its reproach of religious oppression and defense of the First Amendment in the US Constitution is adjacent to the work of many Pagans and polytheists. We caught up with Lucien Greaves, co-founder of TST to ask him about the TST and the recent changes it has experienced. TWH: Welcome to The Wild Hunt, Lucien. Since the founding of TST you said publicly that TST would not seek tax-exempt status, but after the election in 2017, TST reversed its position on that. Can you explain TSTs original stance and the reasoning behind not seeking tax-exempt status? Greaves: For one thing, at our inception, we imagined that the issue of whether or not we were a real religion in the eyes of our opposition would have little to no impact upon our legal claims for equal access and Religious Freedom. This was not an assumption made from mere naivete, rather the courts have been fairly consistent, historically, in refraining from adjudging the authenticity of an alleged deeply-held belief, and they have been very circumspect as well in trying to impose any hard definitions of what legitimizes a religious claim. With Burwell v Hobby Lobby, in which a corporation was making a claim for religious exemption against health care standards that required coverage for contraceptive options, the Supreme Court never considered the question of how it was that a corporation operating as a public accommodation could even claim to hold a religion, or whether their aversion to contraceptives even had credible doctrinal support within that religion itself. Religious claims, it seemed, were taken at face value. That generous attitude toward religious claims disappeared when The Satanic Temple would file suit, and we found that the same legal groups that fight hardest for the inclusion of religious expression in the Public Square were openly dedicated to ensuring that The Satanic Temple not become beneficiaries of their campaigns on the grounds that they saw fit to define us out of the protected class of religion. In fact, the entire defense in Arkansas against the religious discrimination suit we filed in response to their rejecting our Baphomet monument while accepting the private donation of a 10 Commandments monument on public grounds was built upon the idea that we were merely satiric, and therefore beneath the dignity of the Court. The IRS is the only Federal agency that has any type of test to determine the legitimacy of a religious organization. Having passed that test, we no longer have to fight that battle case-by-case in the courts. TWH: Besides the 2017 election, were there any other concerns that prompted the shift to apply for tax-exempt status? Greaves: The theocratic coup in the United States has been in motion for generations, and its encroachment into politics is not unique to the Trump administration, though the Trump administration has proven very openly allied with theocrats. Mike Pence is an openly superstitious medieval-minded gynephobic theocrat with designs for bringing us back to a brutal dark age of ignorance. Many of the Trump administrations cabinet picks are no better. When we saw that our opposition was going to challenge our religious legitimacy in court, and we also began to see that the courts themselves were going to take such challenges seriously, even in the face of all the recent precedent that gives religious liberty claims a carte blanche, we began to rethink our position on IRS tax exemption. However, it wasnt until Trump announced that he was going to kill the Johnson Amendment that we decided we could no longer justify allowing ourselves to be more disadvantaged than we already are in this asymmetric Culture War. That was when we actually decided to apply. TWH: How do you think being recognized as a non-profit, faith-based organization will help TST in its future projects? Greaves: Somewhat embarrassingly, I am woefully ignorant regarding the full ramifications and potential benefits of this new IRS status held by The Satanic Temple. I felt a real urgency to apply for our religious recognition when Trump announced he was targeting the Johnson Amendment, rendering the IRS status all benefit and no loss entirely removing our ability to claim political rights unavailable to tax-exempt churches but I was also concerned when he expressed an interest in revoking the IRS recognition of the Church of Scientology. It made us feel that we were potentially close to a situation in which the administration would seek to narrow the definition of Religion in a manner that would benefit their theocratic base. Such a narrowing of definition would, no doubt, be contestable as unconstitutional, but we believed our position would be stronger if such attempts to define us out of the religious class came following our recognition as a religion, rather than before it. In fact, had religion been redefined to exclude The Satanic Temple before we sought and obtained religious recognition, we might not have legal standing to contest the change in standards at all. The documentary Hail Satan? was screened at Sundance earlier this year and received favorable reviews. What factors prompted TST to agree to being the subject of a documentary? Greaves: We had been approached many times throughout the years by people working with various production companies pitching documentaries, reality series, and other potentially high-profile media projects. Few people recognize how discerning we have been, and just how many offers we have turned down. I simply do not subscribe to the notion that all press is good press. In fact, sometimes good press meaning press that is willing to look at The Satanic Temple in a positive light can even be bad press if it fails to accurately represent who we are, what is important to us, what we do, and why we do it. Oftentimes documentarians would approach us enthusiastically offering to humanize us to a broader audience. We werent interested in that. We are not interested in being normal or being normalized. We are an outsider movement, and we are not here to make the general population more comfortable by appeals to banality. Many of the pitches were far more insulting than that requests to explore the everyday lives of Satanists in a reality TV-style format. The Satanic Temple has always been very careful to only seek media when there are specific issues that demand public attention. We do not accept media merely for the purposes of aggrandizement, and we have a general prohibition against leveraging The Satanic Temple as a vehicle for personal exposure. So when Penny approached with the idea of doing a documentary, I tried to persuade her to construct a documentary that would primarily focus on our Grey Faction campaign, which I think is our most publicly under-discussed campaign. However, it was her narrative to explore and construct, I could only set certain limitations: we would not do re-enactments, we would not do biographical vignettes. It needed to be about The Satanic Temple, not about me or anybody else. Most filmmakers will not accept such limitations because it is a lot more work and it requires actually learning something along the way, rather than merely fabricating interpersonal controversies. Penny was the first filmmaker who really seemed to understand who we are and what is important to us upon approaching us, and that is why she is the first filmmaker amongst an army of them with whom we agreed to work. TWH: What was the filming, production, and screening process like? Greaves: It can be very difficult, even as a subject. It required constant planning and communication. Things can happen really fast within The Satanic Temple, and we have chapters throughout the world that are engaging in consequential activities. I would have weekly meetings with the director and producer. Now that those meetings are over, however, I have come to miss them. They are both incredible people, and I grew to value discussing internal business with interested outside parties as a way of articulating current events, helping me to mentally digest, decompress, and contextualize all that was happening around me as we continued to expand at such an alarming rate of membership. I miss having that. TWH: What, if any, impact has the documentary had for TST? Greaves: Mostly, and so far, the response has been really good, and the impact has been positive. Many more people are aware of who we are, and they have a clearer idea of what we do and why. With sudden growth, however, there are always some drawbacks, and chapters are starting to see an influx of people who saw the film, developed some rigid ideas of what they think The Satanic Temple is, can, or should be, and they arent always well apprised of our actual interests and/or limits. TWH: Moving forward, what do you see as the vision for TST? Greaves: My own primary concern is that the organization can be self-sustaining to the point that if I get shot, hit by bus, or decide to finally go entirely recluse, as is my inclination, The Satanic Temple can carry on seamlessly without a difficult transition, and I think we are pretty much there. Our National Council is amazing, and the amount of work these volunteers have put in for so little reward in fact, they have all attracted more negative returns, in every possible way, rather than positive is outright heroic. We are establishing a religious identity and community that will long outlive the current Culture War, whatever the result of the Culture War might be. TWH: How has TST evolved from when it originally began? Greaves: It is a bit annoying to see all these reviews of Hail Satan? that summarize The Satanic Temple as having evolved from a joke into an authentic religion almost entirely against the will and expectations of those of us who founded it. The film was very clear in showing that while we were engaging in prankster activities at the outset, without the expectation that we would expand into an international movement, I myself clearly identified with Satanism long before that, and we did not invent our philosophy merely to justify our antics. That seems to be the hardest part for the general public to grasp, and some people are even disappointed to learn that we genuinely identify with nontheistic Satanism, and it isnt just some clever legalistic ploy. The narrative that describes our evolution from mere prank to authentic religious movement creates a lot of misunderstanding. If anything, our evolution came in resolving to put forth a completely forthright and clear message, not muddying our actual beliefs in an effort to play Devils Advocate. For example, you would never find us endorsing an asshole like Rick Scott again, as we did in the beginning to present him with an unintended consequence following his passage of a Religious Liberty bill clearly meant to benefit his Christian base alone. We have resolved to be completely clear regarding what we actually stand for and what we stand against. TWH: Any new projects or planned actions on the horizon that you would like to share with our readership? Greaves: Keep watching. We have a lot of things on the way. TWH: If there was one thing you want people to understand about TST, what would it be? Greaves: We are a religious group that engages in activism when public policy is seen to inhibit our practice or otherwise diminish our ability for equal civic engagement. We are not an activist group waving the banner of religion as an afterthought. We are Satanists first. 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(1) May 11 (1) Jul 11 (1) When he had gone out, Jesus said, Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, Where I am going, you cannot come. I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. John Tierney in The City Journal: A team of Internet entrepreneurs in downtown Manhattan wants to revolutionize how Americans get prescription drugs. Their company, Blink Health, has a crazy idea: let customers shop for the best deal. In any other industry, of course, this would not be revolutionary, but its a foreign concept at the pharmacy counter and a distasteful prospect to the businesses now shielded from marketplace competition. Politicians and activists routinely decry the resulting high prices, but their preferred solution is to impose price controls that would stifle the development of new drugs. Democratsjoined, at times, by President Trumpargue that government control is necessary because the free-market system has failed patients. But the real problem with prescription drugs, as with the rest of the health-care system, is that the free market hasnt been tried. A functioning market requires price signals to provide consumer guidance; but at the pharmacy, neither the buyer nor the seller knows what the price is. In choosing among drugs to prescribe, your doctor doesnt know how much each will cost you or your insurance company. You cant find out what youll pay until after youve chosen a pharmacy to handle the prescription. The pharmacist must contact the insurance company to find out how much to charge youand even then, he doesnt know whether the transaction will be profitable. All that information is available only to the middlemen, who have exploited the systems secrecy and complexity to profit at the expense of patients, local pharmacists, drug manufacturers, and taxpayers. While politicians denounce the supposed power of Big Pharma, the pharmaceutical manufacturers are a puny, disorganized force compared with the companies that control the pricing and availability of drugsBig Pharmacy, as the executives at Blink Health call these middlemen. Theyre the ones who decide whether your insurance will cover a drug, how much youll pay for it at the counter, and how much of that payment the drugstore will keep. More here. David Robson at the BBC: Earlier this year, the presidents of Sudan and Algeria both announced they would step aside after decades in office, thanks to peaceful campaigns of resistance. In each case, civil resistance by ordinary members of the public trumped the political elite to achieve radical change. There are, of course, many ethical reasons to use nonviolent strategies. But compelling research by Erica Chenoweth, a political scientist at Harvard University, confirms that civil disobedience is not only the moral choice; it is also the most powerful way of shaping world politics by a long way. Looking at hundreds of campaigns over the last century, Chenoweth found that nonviolent campaigns are twice as likely to achieve their goals as violent campaigns. And although the exact dynamics will depend on many factors, she has shown it takes around 3.5% of the population actively participating in the protests to ensure serious political change. More here. Will Garin, Crown Americans swooned over Frances Mayes sensuous descriptions of Tuscany's rolling green hills and succulent cuisine in her best-selling 1996 memoir Under the Tuscan Sun. Now she's back with See You in the Piazza: New Places to Discover in Italy, a broader, food-focused exploration of the country that's her home for much of the year (otherwise you'll find her in North Carolina). She says she was especially knocked sideways by Turin, or Torino, as the Italians call the capital of the Piedmont region in Northern Italy. It's a magnificent, manageable city, she tells us, noting its dozens of museums, colorful outdoor markets, lovely snow-capped mountain vistas, and mouth-watering food and drink especially its famous bicerin, the coffee-chocolate-and-cream drink that she adores. "The city just ticked all of my boxes, she says. Below is Mayes homage and guide to Turin, adapted from her new book, See You in the Piazza: I'm at the wood-paneled Caffe Al Bicerin, intimate, with candles on tiny marble tables, when the waiter slides toward me a clear little glass layered with cream, chocolate, and coffee. Sip the layers and you taste Torino. The bicerin dialect for small glass has come to be synonymous with the many atmospheric cafes that are the city's life blood. Flush with regal boulevards and piazzas, it's ringed with these delicious haunts. I came to Torino last summer with my husband Ed and grandson William and loved every minute of the four days we spent blessedly free from mobs. Where are the tourists? we wonder. They're all in Florence. Torino: forty museums. Sixty markets. Churches, more cafes, contemporary galleries we must come back. Again, and again. Highlights from our visits: The Food. All of Piemonte is known for the pleasures of the table but Torino particularly so. There are the fabulous desserts not always, or even usually, a given in Italy (except for gelato). The wine region just to the north, the irresistible cheeses, the ever-present taste of hazelnut, the coveted beef of Piemontese Fassone cows, and sopratutto, above all chocolate. Not only plain chocolate but gianduia, chocolate with roasted hazelnuts, one of those genius mother-of-necessity inventions at a time when chocolate was scarce and roasted hazelnuts were incorporated to stretch the quantity. Del Cambio. My favorite restaurant. The long mirrors sending back the sparkle of chandeliers; the tables, drawn up to claret velvet banquettes and laden with polished cutlery and hothouse flowers; the atmosphere of friendly hauteur. Since 1757, Del Cambio has served the locally beloved finanziera, a stew our friend Fulvio always raves about anytime he returns to Torino for a visit. The hallowed dish earned its name from what was on the backs of bankers who dined at this very restaurant; they wore coats called finanziere, financiers. The recipe is sometimes called finanziera Cavour, for the prime ministerstatesman who frequented the restaurant. The ingredients include brains and veins, veal, bone marrow, calf and/or rooster testicles, cockscomb, wattle, mushrooms, Marsala or Barolo, parsley, garlic, and bay leaves. Finanziera's popularity in Torino reveals something essential about the local palate: Anything that moves or grows is fair game. Full slate planned in 2022 by Aberdeen Community Theatre Aberdeen Community Theatre eased in to 2021 with three live performances and is now planning six live stage performances in 2022. Trump administration sanctions against Huawei have begun to bite even though their dimensions remain unclear. U.S. companies that supply the Chinese tech powerhouse with computer chips saw their stock prices slump Monday, and Huawei faces decimated smartphone sales with the anticipated loss of Googles popular software and services. The U.S. move escalates trade-war tensions with Beijing, but also risks making China more self-sufficient over time. Heres a look at whats behind the dispute and what it means. ___ WHATS THIS ABOUT? Last week, the U.S. Commerce Department placed Huawei its so-called Entity List , effectively barring U.S. firms from selling it technology without government approval. Google said it would continue to support existing Huawei smartphones but future devices will not have its flagship apps and services, including maps, Gmail and search. Only basic services would be available, making Huawei phones less desirable. Separately, Huawei is the worlds leading provider of networking equipment, but it relies on U.S. components including computer chips. About a third of Huaweis suppliers are American. ___ WHY PUNISH HUAWEI? The U.S. defense and intelligence communities have long accused Huawei of being an untrustworthy agent of Beijings repressive rulers though without providing evidence. The U.S. governments sanctions are widely seen as a means of pressuring reluctant allies in Europe to exclude Huawei equipment from their next-generation wireless networks. Washington says its a question of national security and punishment of Huawei for skirting sanctions against Iran, but the backdrop is a struggle for economic and technological dominance. The politics of President Donald Trumps escalating tit-for-tat trade war have co-opted a longstanding policy goal of stemming state-backed Chinese cyber theft of trade and military secrets. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said last week that the sanctions on Huawei have nothing to do with the trade war and could be revoked if Huaweis behavior were to change. ___ THE SANCTIONS BITE Analysts predict consumers will abandon Huawei for other smartphone makers if Huawei can only use a stripped-down version of Android. Huawei, now the No. 2 smartphone supplier, could fall behind Apple to third place. Google could seek exemptions, but would not comment on whether it planned to do so. ___ WHO USES HUAWEI ANYWAY? While most consumers in the U.S. dont even know how to pronounce Huawei (its HWA-way), its brand is well known in most of the rest of the world, where people have been buying its smartphones in droves. Huawei stealthily became an industry star by plowing into new markets, developing a lineup of phones that offer affordable options for low-income households and luxury models that are siphoning upper-crust sales from Apple and Samsung in China and Europe. About 13 percent of its phones are now sold in Europe, estimates Gartner analyst Annette Zimmermann. That formula helped Huawei establish itself as the worlds second-largest seller of smartphones during the first three months of this year, according to the research firm IDC. Huawei shipped 59 million smartphones in the January-March period, nearly 23 million more than Apple. ___ RIPPLE EFFECTS The U.S. sanctions could have unwelcome ripple effects in the U.S., given how much technology Huawei buys from U.S. companies, especially from makers of the microprocessors that go into smartphones, computers, internet networking gear and other gadgetry. The list of chip companies expected to be hit hardest includes Micron Technologies, Qualcomm, Qorvo and Skyworks Solutions, which all have listed Huawei as a major customer in their annual reports. Others likely to suffer are Xilinx, Broadcom and Texas Instruments, according to industry analysts. Being cut off from Huawei will also compound the pain the chip sector is already experiencing from the Trump administrations rising China tariffs. The Commerce Department on Monday announced an expected grace period of 90 days or more, easing the immediate hit on U.S. suppliers. It can extend that stay, and also has the option of issuing exemptions for especially hard-hit companies. Much could depend on whether countries including France, Germany, the U.K. and the Netherlands continue to refuse to completely exclude Huawei equipment from their wireless networks. The grace period allows U.S. providers to alert Huawei to security vulnerabilities and engage the Chinese company in research on standards for next-generation 5G wireless networks. It also gives operators of U.S. rural broadband networks that use Huawei routers time to switch them out. ___ COULD THIS BACKFIRE? Huawei is already the biggest global supplier of networking equipment, and is now likely to move toward making all components domestically. China already has a policy seeking technological independence by 2025. U.S. tech companies, facing a drop in sales, could respond with layoffs. More than 52,000 technology jobs in the U.S. are directly tied to China exports, according to the Computing Technology Industry Association, a trade group also known as CompTIA. ___ WHAT ABOUT HARM TO GOOGLE? Google may lose some licensing fees and opportunities to show ads on Huawei phones, but it still will probably be a financial hiccup for Google and its corporate parent, Alphabet Inc., which is expected to generate $160 billion in revenue this year. ___ THE APPLE EFFECT In theory, Huaweis losses could translate into gains for both Samsung and Apple at a time both of those companies are trying to reverse a sharp decline in smartphone sales. But Apple also stands to be hurt if China decides to target it in retaliation. Apple is particularly vulnerable because most iPhones are assembled in China. The Chinese government, for example could block crucial shipments to the factories assembling iPhones or take other measures that disrupt the supply chain. Any retaliatory move from China could come on top of a looming increase on tariffs by the U.S. that would hit the iPhone, forcing Apple to raise prices or reduce profits. Whats more, the escalating trade war may trigger a backlash among Chinese consumers against U.S. products, including the iPhone. Beijing could stoke nationalist sentiment over the treatment of Huawei, which could result in protests against major U.S. technology brands, CompTIA warned. WASHINGTON As questions mount over President Donald Trumps tough talk on Iran, top national security officials are heading to Capitol Hill to brief Congress. But skeptical Democrats have asked for a second opinion. The competing closed-door sessions Tuesday, unusual and potentially polarizing, come after weeks of escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf that have raised alarms over a possible military confrontation with Iran. Lawmakers are warning the Trump administration it cannot take the country into war without approval from Congress, and the back-to-back briefings show the wariness among Democrats, and some Republicans, over the White Houses sudden policy shifts in the Middle East. Trump, veering between bombast and conciliation in his quest to contain Iran, threatened Monday to meet provocations by Iran with great force, but also said hes willing to negotiate. Well see what happens, Trump told reporters Monday as he left the White House for a campaign rally. He said Iran has been very hostile. We have no indication that anythings happened or will happened, but if it does, it will be met, obviously, with great force, Trump said. Well have no choice. Trump said while there are no talks with Iran he still wants to hear from them, if theyre ready. Over the past several weeks the U.S. has sent an aircraft carrier and other resources to the Persian Gulf region, and evacuated non-essential personnel from Iraq, amid unspecified threats the administration says are linked to Iran. The administration is sending Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan and other top brass, including Gen. Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff, for closed-door briefings Tuesday with both the House and Senate. But House Democrats, deeply skeptical of the information from the Trump officials and mindful of the drumbeat of claims during the run-up to the Iraq War invited former CIA Director John Brennan and former State Department official Wendy Sherman, who negotiated the Iran nuclear deal. Brennan, an outspoken Trump critic, does not have a formal briefing planned but is prepared to answer questions on Iran and is willing to do the same for Republicans, said a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to discuss it publicly. The intent, the person said, is to provide information and not to be partisan. Top Democrats say Trump escalated problems by abruptly withdrawing the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal, a complex accord negotiated during the Obama administration to prevent the country from nuclear weapons production. Trumps allies in Congress, including GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, say the threats from Iran are real. Graham urged Trump to stand firm and said he received his own briefing over the weekend from John Bolton, Trumps national security adviser. It is clear that over the last several weeks Iran has attacked pipelines and ships of other nations and created threat streams against American interests in Iraq, Graham tweeted. If the Iranian threats against American personnel and interests are activated we must deliver an overwhelming military response. But Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego of Arizona, an Iraq War veteran, tweeted that after having received the same intelligence briefing, that was not his conclusion. That is not what is being said. This is total information bias to draw the conclusion he wants for himself and the media, Gallego tweeted. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said its important to more fully understand the situation. I think Iranians think that our moves are offensive, we think their moves are offensive, thats how you get into wars by mistake, he said. Grahams reference to Iran having attacked ships appeared to be a further indication that the U.S. military has concluded that Iran was behind the reported attack May 12 on four commercial vessels off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. At the outset of an investigation into those apparent attacks, which damaged vessels of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Norway but caused no injuries, U.S. officials had said they appeared to be carried out by Iran. A U.S. official said Monday the probe was finished and evidence still pointed at Iran, although the official did not provide details. The official was not authorized to publicly discuss the matter and so spoke on condition of anonymity. On Sunday, a rocket landed near the U.S. Embassy in the Green Zone of Iraqs capital of Baghdad, days after nonessential U.S. staff were ordered to evacuate from diplomatic posts in the country. No one was reported injured. Iraqi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasoul told The Associated Press that the rocket was believed to have been fired from eastern Baghdad, an area home to Iran-backed Shiite militias. Defense officials said no additional Iranian threats or incidents had emerged in the days since the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier battle group arrived in the Arabian Sea late last week. Iran, meanwhile, announced that it has quadrupled its uranium-enrichment production capacity. Iranian officials made a point to stress that the uranium would be enriched only to the 3.67% limit set under the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, making it usable for a power plant but far below whats needed for an atomic weapon. The state-run IRNA news agency quoted Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, as acknowledging that capacity had been quadrupled. He said Iran took this step because the U.S. had ended a program allowing it to exchange enriched uranium to Russia for unprocessed yellowcake uranium, as well as ending the sale of heavy water to Oman. Heavy water helps cool reactors producing plutonium that can be used in nuclear weapons. Tehran long has insisted it does not seek nuclear weapons, though the West fears its program could allow it to build them. Trumps remarks reflect what has been a strategy of alternating tough talk with more conciliatory statements, which he says is aimed at keeping Iran guessing at the administrations intentions. He described his approach in a speech Friday, saying, Its probably a good thing because theyre saying, Man, I dont know where these people are coming from, right? A man charged with attempted murder in the beating death of his girlfriend will now potentially face murder charges after she died on Sunday. Deputy Felicia Maggard, a spokeswoman for the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office, said detectives are still working with the District Attorneys Office to amend the charges against Mark Guerro, 46, and the homicide investigation is ongoing. Maggard said on May 5, around 12:30 a.m. deputies were called to the 2600 block of Isleta for a possible overdose. When they got there they found Judith Apache, 36, unconscious. She was taken to the hospital. A couple of days later, medical staff told detectives Apaches injuries which included severe bruising, evidence of a rape, and a brain bleed so severe half of her brain had to be removed were inconsistent with an overdose. Deputies arrested her boyfriend Guerro and charged him with attempt to commit a violent felony after he told them he used a belt and a broom to hit her multiple times, according to the criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court. A judge ordered him to be held in jail until his trial. WASHINGTON President Donald Trumps former fixer, Michael Cohen, told Congress it was Trumps personal attorney, Jay Sekulow, who suggested he tell lawmakers that the negotiations for Trump Tower Moscow ended in January 2016, even though they continued for months after that. The House Intelligence Committee on Monday released two transcripts of closed-door interviews with Cohen from earlier this year, along with some exhibits from the testimony. Cohen, who is serving a three-year prison sentence, pleaded guilty last year and admitted that he misled Congress by saying he had abandoned the Trump Tower Moscow project months earlier than he actually did. During the interviews, legislators repeatedly pressed Cohen for details on his false statement to Congress and tried to nail down whether he was directly told by Trumps legal team to mislead the committee, but the transcripts provide no slam-dunk evidence. Cohen offered no direct proof that Sekulow knew the January 2016 date we false, but Cohen claims Sekulow should have known because he had access to relevant emails and other communications as part of an agreement between defense attorneys to share documents. Attorneys for Sekulow said Cohens testimony is not credible. Michael Cohens alleged statements are more of the same from him and confirm the observations of prosecutors in the Southern District of New York that Cohens instinct to blame others is strong,' Sekulows lawyers, Jane Serene Raskin and Patrick Strawbridge, said in a statement. That this or any Committee would rely on the word of Michael Cohen for any purpose much less to try and pierce the attorney-client privilege and discover confidential communications of four respected lawyers defies logic, well-established law and common sense. Cohen said Trump also knew the negotiations had continued far beyond January 2016 and that Sekulow had seen his testimony in advance of submission. He also claimed that Sekulow edited the statement and that both Sekulow and Trump approved it. Cohen also provided documents to the intelligence panel that showed the editing process for the statement. When asked whether Trump had read his false written testimony, Cohen replied: Mr. Sekulow said that he spoke to the client and that, you know, the client likes it and that its good. In addition to the questioning about his false testimony, much of the discussion during Cohens interviews related to pardons and whether Trump or his lawyers were dangling them in front of Cohen as the government began to investigate him. Cohen told the intelligence committee that he was discussing the possibility of a pardon with Sekulow, up until Cohen abandoned their joint-defense agreement and publicly broke from the president in mid-2018. He said Sekulow was representing him, not the president, when he brought up the idea of a pardon during a May 2017 Oval Office meeting with Trump. The discussions continued after Sekulow became Trumps lawyer and Cohen retained other counsel, Cohen said. Sekulow was dangling the concept of pardons to keep people in Trumps inner circle in line, Cohen testified. Mr. Sekulow stated that the President loves you, dont worry, everything is going to be fine, nothing is going to happen, Cohen testified. Cohen said he only discussed the idea of a pardon with Sekulow, not Trump or anyone at the White House, but that he believes the discussions were done with Trumps knowledge and authority. He said Sekulow had brought up the possibility of a pardon to shut down the inquiries and to shut the investigation down. Cohen became a key figure in congressional investigations after turning on his former boss and cooperating with special counsel Robert Muellers Russia probe. Muellers final report, released in April, examined conduct related to Cohen as one of several possible instances of obstruction of justice by the president. Cohen was also convicted in federal court in New York of campaign finance violations for his role in buying the silence of two women who alleged they had affairs with Trump, as well as other crimes. He began serving a prison sentence earlier this month. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said in a statement last week that Cohens testimony this year, along with materials in the committees possession, raises serious, unresolved concerns about the obstruction of our committees investigation that we would be negligent not to pursue. In an apparent attempt to deflect attention away from Cohens testimony and its implication for Trump, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Doug Collins, released transcripts of interviews with former Attorney General Loretta Lynch and several other current or former Justice Department officials, including many who played key roles in the Hillary Clinton email investigation. The Intelligence committee is also seeking more information about Cohens 2017 testimony from four lawyers for the Trump family. The lawyers who received the requests from the committee are Sekulow; Abbe Lowell, lawyer for Ivanka Trump, the presidents daughter, and her husband, Jared Kushner; Alan Futerfas, lawyer for Donald Trump Jr.; and Alan Garten, lawyer for the Trump Organization. ___ Associated Press writers Michael R. Sisak and Jim Mustian in New York and Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report. Police say Dominic Detwiler said, You all are going to have to shoot me, seconds before he opened fire on three officers outside an apartment complex last month. Then, police say, he took off running across the parking lot and officers Andrew Hinkle, Vince Salas, and Pete Tartaglia shot at him several times, striking him twice in the lower back. Detwiler, 20, remains paralyzed from the waist down, Albuquerque Police Department Lt. Scott Norris said in a briefing on the incident Friday. Detwiler faces charges of robbery and aggravated assault on a police officer with a deadly weapon but has not yet been booked into jail. Norris said it all started a little before 9 p.m. on April 18, when officers were called to an apartment complex on the 500 block of Virginia NE, near Copper and Wyoming, for reports of a home invasion. The caller indicated a male individual forced entry into his apartment, armed with a handgun, Norris said. He also stated he was blindfolded, and had to get off the phone because the offender was still present. When the officers arrived they found Detwiler, who matched the description of the suspect, sitting on the staircase leading up to the second story of the apartment complex. Norris said Detwiler told officers they would have to shoot him and then pulled out a gun and fired four times, striking a window a couple of feet from them. The officers lapel camera video shows the shots and then all three taking cover and shooting at Detwiler as he ran across the parking lot. Norris said Detwiler was not pointing the gun at the officers when he was shot, however a gun was found next to him. Hes a fleeing violent felon and he already showed a propensity for violence, Norris said, in response to questions about whether the shooting is considered justified. Hes running toward an occupied dwelling at about 9 at night. He posed a clear and immediate present danger to not only officers but the citizens in that neighborhood. Detwiler is still at the hospital. Norris said the gun had not been reported stolen, has been traced to someone else, and officers are trying to figure out how it got to Detwiler. As for the home invasion that started the whole incident, Norris said officers are still investigating. Were still trying to figure out with regard to why were we called to begin with, he said. Officers Hinkle, Salas and Tartaglia have all been with the department since August 2015 and have not been involved in any prior shootings. The Multi-Agency Task Force investigation and the Internal Affairs investigation into the shooting is ongoing. Detwiler had previously faced charges for trafficking a controlled substance in three separate cases that involved allegations that he sold drugs to undercover New Mexico State Police agents in November 2017. In a fourth case, that same month Rio Rancho police pulled him over for speeding and found a loaded gun, methamphetamine and heroin, according to a criminal complaint filed in Sandoval County Magistrate Court. The first three cases were dismissed because the state didnt turn over evidence by deadline and Detwiler pleaded guilty to unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon and trafficking a controlled substance in the fourth, according to online court records. He was on probation at the time of the shooting. This is the second time Albuquerque police have shot and injured a suspect this year. The first occurred on April 5, when an officer shot Pedro Escalante, 26, during a foot chase near Grove and Bell SE after Escalante reportedly flashed a gun at them. More than 42% of New Mexicans rely on Medicaid, the health care coverage program for the poor. The state spends almost $1 billion annually on the program. Last week, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said she would join the Legislature in injecting an additional $60 million into Medicaid provider reimbursements to try to attract and keep doctors in the state, ranked 48th in the nation for physician access. And yet this entire system along with food stamps and other benefits for the states most financially vulnerable residents hangs in the balance as the state struggles to meet a federal mandate to upgrade its computer processing. Developed by the multinational corporate giant Deloitte at an initial cost of $115 million, the now $201 million Automated System Program and Eligibility Network ASPEN for short is supposed to streamline how the state processes Medicaid and food stamps, as well as programs that help the states poorest residents meet their most basic needs. State officials say they envision clients using smartphones to apply for Medicaid or other assistance and getting immediate answers on their eligibility. In reality, a programming error when the system went live in 2013 summarily kicked tens of thousands of children and families off the benefits they relied on for food. Many were eventually able to get their assistance back, however, not before struggling to feed themselves for weeks or even months. But some never did. The system has also failed to add newborns to Medicaid within the required three-day period, meaning they lacked medical coverage, and purged adults and children from the rolls. Fast-forward to 2019, and clearly the enormity of those events and the lessons they should have imparted did not hit home. A new report by analysts for the Legislative Finance Committee shows the state has repeatedly missed targets for awarding contracts and encountered staffing problems. Completion has now been pushed back two years, to the end of 2021. And the 42% of the states population that relies on Medicaid services, the 25% who rely on food stamps and the taxpayers funding not only the upgrades, but also the programs themselves could once again bear the hard consequences of a poorly executed software upgrade. Remember the $30 million state SHARE accounting system that wasnt delivering a decade after installation? The $40 million Taxation and Revenue computer that was dumped after four years of unsuccessful troubleshooting? The $3.6 million-turned-$14 million Labor Department computer upgrade that wasnt working when the warranty expired? Or this months MVD billing glitch on 90,000-plus vehicle registration renewals? Human Services Secretary David Scrase says he and others are moving to correct problems and finish the project, although he acknowledges its the largest and most complex project in state government. Lets hope they are moving in the right direction and its not the largest and most complex computer failure to date. The greater issue is: Why does this keep happening? As Rep. Patricia Lundstrom, D-Gallup and LFC vice chair, points out, we pump a lot of money into these things, only to get requests for more money to fix problems. New Mexicans fund and depend on these programs to be administered responsibly. We cannot go on squandering financial and human resources, hoping for the best while all too often what happens is the worst. This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers. WASHINGTON Supporters of abortion rights are fond of saying that Roe v. Wade is settled law. The phrase is supposed to convey a finality that borders on irrevocability. But, of course, what the Supreme Court gives, the Supreme Court can take away. That appears to be the reasoning behind the new laws passed in Alabama, Georgia, and Missouri, which would virtually outlaw abortion. Obviously, these laws will be challenged by abortion-rights activists; just as obviously, the laws will be struck down by lower courts, whereupon the states will appeal all the way to the Supreme Court. And shortly thereafter, the country will probably find out just how settled Roe v. Wade really is. The showdown looms because Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh now occupies the Supreme Court seat once held by the now-retired Anthony M. Kennedy. Pro-lifers and pro-choicers alike suspect that Kavanaugh is less supportive of sweeping abortion rights than Kennedy was. But the confrontation arguably was inevitable from the moment Roe was decided in 1973; the settled right may actually have been inherently unstable. When the court finally rules and all the shouting has stopped, we may eventually come to wonder whether it could ever have turned out any other way. No legal case has done more than Roe to define how the left sees the Supreme Court: not as a somewhat boring final arbiter of words recorded in law books, but as the oracle that tells us what rights the Constitution ought to guarantee. Consequential cases such as Brown v. Board of Education (1954) and Miranda v. Arizona (1966), concerning racial segregation and the rights of police suspects, respectively, dealt with matters that clearly involved the Constitution. There was no question that resolving just such ambiguity is the Supreme Courts job. But by the 1970s, the court was, one suspects, a little drunk on the moral and legal triumph of those earlier cases. The justices were now going well beyond the words in the law books and into the unwritten law of what used to be called enlightened opinion. In 1972, they abolished the death penalty in all 50 states, even though the Constitution clearly contemplates government-administered capital punishment. The following year, the justices gave the country a new right to abortion. The right is nowhere mentioned in the Constitution but had apparently been lurking there undetected for the better part of two centuries before the justices finally coaxed it into the open. From this era dates the solemn invocations of settled law issued by the highest court in the land. That view of constitutional interpretation works precisely as long as you happen to agree with the judicial interpreters. When the other side of the political spectrum gets wise and starts stocking the courts with judges who share their opinions Catastrophe! Ruination! Citizens United! Which makes this a good time for the left to step back and ask whether it was ever a good idea to urge such sweeping powers on unelected judges. The benefit of going the judicial route is that you can occasionally achieve outcomes you could never obtain through legislatures; that is how America, a center-right nation, got one of the most liberal abortion regimes in the world. The problem with going the judicial route is that it short-circuits public debate and forces the opposition to take radical action like, say, a decades-long project to fill the courts with right-leaning judges to amend that settled law. The consequences of the counterreaction can go well beyond the issue at hand. If not for Roe, it seems eminently possible that the conservative-court project would have been less urgent, and the decisions in District of Columbia v. Heller on gun rights or Citizens United on campaign finance might never have happened. If it hadnt been for Roe, evangelicals might also have balked at electing Donald Trump. Of course, if it hadnt been for Roe, there also wouldnt have been more than 50 million abortions since 1973; whether thats a good or bad thing will be left as an exercise for the reader. But many abortions would have been performed anyway, because before the court took the issue away from voters, polls showed public opinion steadily trending in favor of legalized abortion, and the procedure was already legal in several states. If the Supreme Court hadnt intervened on abortion, political debate might have sorted voters along a spectrum, rather than forcing them into the unforgiving yes-no binary. And if you fear youre about to end up on the wrong side of that binary, you might wish your side had settled for something less grandiose, but more enduring. Twitter, @asymmetricinfo. 2019, Washington Post Writers Group. Copyright 2019 Albuquerque Journal Time constraints, eligibility requirements and what one school leader calls a moving target are creating obstacles for schools in New Mexico to opt into extended learning time programs. Extended learning time, which was allocated about $62 million in state money during this years legislative session, lengthens the school year by 10 days, boosts professional development time for teachers and creates academic after-school opportunities or extracurricular programs. The idea is to ramp up the time kids spend learning, but not all schools are on board. Albuquerque Public Schools said Monday that about 20 of its schools will feature the program eight will offer it campuswide, and 10 to 12 will provide it for part of their student populations. The eight schools fully employing the program will start the 2019-20 school year on July 29, and the district will release more details on the others in the coming days. However, the state Public Education Department approved funding for many more schools more than 100 in APS to offer the program, according to the PED. Antonio Gonzales, APS associate superintendent for leadership and learning for Zone 2, said that by applying for more than 100 schools, the district kept the opportunity on the table for campuses across the district. He said the district had only about six days to complete extended learning time applications. We applied for these schools with the hopes that we would give our communities, our teachers, our principals a little bit more time to plan accordingly before solidifying plans, he said. Deputy Education Secretary Katarina Kata Sandoval said unused extended learning program money will revert back to the PED. While awaiting determinations from the PED, school officials looked at whether there were enough teachers and staffers and whether they could develop and deploy extended learning programs in the coming months. After reviewing feasibility and community interest, Gonzales said, only about 20 APS schools are planning on using the state dollars to implement extended learning time. He said there were various reasons more schools didnt take part. Community input, timing, feeling ready. Those are some of the leading reasons that come to mind, he said. Gonzales added that the time constraints were a hindrance. It was a trick, the time to be able to get these programs out. Thats not to say we arent interested in future opportunities. We have been working with the PED, he said. But in terms of the new school year, time was really one of the constraints. Sen. Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, who co-sponsored a bill that outlines extended learning, said the timing of the legislative session creates tight schedules. We always run into this problem, especially a 60-day session because we do a short turnaround for the next year, Stewart said. There are going to be some wrinkles. Gonzales said he expects more schools to offer extended learning programs in the future. Other schools also reported facing obstacles to extended learning time. For instance, charters that follow calendars outside the traditional 180 days have run into issues. Erik Bose, executive director of Albuquerque Charter Academy, thought his school, which is on a four-day school week, would qualify for extended learning time funding. The blended learning high school has 169 instructional days in the year, Bose said. Requirements for extended learning in Senate Bill 1 say a school in a district on the four-day week timeline needs to have 160 days per school year. But Bose ended up not applying, saying he was told he would have to increase his existing calendar by 10 days above the current level. We couldnt do that. We wouldnt have a summer, he said. Stewart said the legislative intent of the bill was not necessarily to meet a certain number of days but to increase existing school calendars. The idea is to extend the school year you have, she said. With the aim of qualifying for the state funding, Bose said, his school is planning on going to 159 instructional days in the 2019-20 school year. We kind of have to take a back step, he said. This will give the school a chance to establish a 159-day baseline. Then, in the 2020-21 school year, the Albuquerque Charter Academy will seek state dollars to get back on the 169-day calendar, Bose said. In Gallup, Rob Hunter, CEO of Middle College High School, said he feels like he is in limbo. Hunter said he is waiting to hear whether his charter school was approved for the funding. He is planning to increase his 168-day calendar by 10 days. Weve applied for it, but its been a moving target, he said. He said the requirements for the program have been unclear for schools that arent on a traditional calendar. I think they are operating with the mind-set of a traditional school, he said.Its really hard for an innovative school, if you dont follow your very traditional schedule. Sandoval said she believes the PED has been clear. Weve been very consistent in terms of the requirements: 10 additional days, 80 hours of professional development, and then the after-school programs. As long as they have those things, then they could qualify, she said. Hunter said he is considering the program for about 70 kids for the coming year. We have at-risk students that can benefit from this, he said. Copyright 2019 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE More than a dozen cities and counties have joined a lawsuit accusing New Mexico of flubbing its responsibility to accurately collect and distribute tax revenue, according to court records. The lawsuit, initially filed by Albuquerque and three other cities in late 2018, ballooned this year to 19 villages, counties and other local governments throughout the state. At least 10 more cities also intend to join the suit, an attorney involved in the case said. The 21-page petition, filed in the states 2nd Judicial District, asks a judge to order the state Taxation and Revenue Department to compensate cities and counties for making improper reductions to the revenue they rely on. The department, in turn, has denied the allegations in court. It isnt clear how much money is at issue. The first four cities to initiate the lawsuit estimated they were owed $10 million to $12 million in gross receipts taxes. The cities and counties that joined the suit later say they are owed millions of dollars on top of that. William Fulginiti, executive director of the New Mexico Municipal League, said more than just money is at stake. The local governments want better communication, more transparency and assurances that the state is in compliance with tax laws. Cities opened their banking statements and found they were short, Fulginiti said Monday. Thats not what the procedures call for. Charlie Moore, a spokesman for the Taxation and Revenue Department, said the agency cant comment on pending litigation. But the department takes seriously its role in distributing tax revenue accurately and on time to local governments, he said. The department, Moore said, has created a new liaison position to work with local governments and to answer questions about tax distributions. There are also a variety of financial reports that local officials can look at. We are committed to providing excellent customer service to local governments and to assisting local governments in interpreting trends and tax data, Taxation and Revenue Secretary Stephanie Schardin Clarke said in a written statement. Schardin Clarke took over the department in late January, about three months after the lawsuit was filed. The suit centers on gross receipts taxes, which are generally levied on the sale of goods and services in New Mexico. The Taxation and Revenue Department collects the money from businesses and then sends it back to local governments after making a few adjustments. But the lawsuit accuses the state of automatically granting refunds to businesses that claim they overpaid and providing little explanation to the cities and counties that rely on the revenue. The refund is then taken out of the next distribution to the local government, the lawsuit says. The cities and counties also allege a variety of other legal violations in the handling of the money, and they are seeking an accounting of the revenue and refunds. Gross receipts taxes are a critical source of funding for police, firefighters and other local services throughout the state, the lawsuit says. The revenue makes up about 75 percent of city budgets. Obviously, its revenue they rely on, Fulginiti said. The original lawsuit, covering four cities, was filed in early November. Another 15 local governments signed on to a new version of the suit in late January. They range from Santa Fe, Espanola and Los Alamos in the northern part of the state to Hobbs and Hatch in the south. Fulginiti said he expects more local governments to be added to the lawsuit soon. Ten more cities have already agreed to join the suit, and 12 counties have expressed interest in participating, an attorney involved in the case said. Strong winds ground the helicopter, so the ambulance drives my friend to the hospital, the one that will keep her until the lungs either arrive in time or dont. Aimee survives the three-hour trip. Shes at the top of the transplant list. Im relieved; Im terrified. How close to dead do you have to be to earn the No. 1 spot? More than 113,000 people need organ transplants to save their lives. Signing up to donate is simple: Check a box at the DMV or skip the lines at organdonor.gov. It seems so obvious to share an act of generosity in death that leaves a trail of life behind. Yet, every day in the United States, 18 people die waiting. Aimees wait is near its end: What she needs now depends on strangers. In second grade, my family moved into the house beside hers. We shared a classroom and a school bus. Ours was a friendship born of geography. But at first, we fought. Aimees name was spelled for her French Canadian roots. I noted that it also matched the toothpaste with the catchy commercial, AIM tastes good!, and one day on the playground, thats what I sang. As a taunt, it caught her attention. Eyes blazing, she chased me on skinny legs until her fingernails raked my arm. She was always tough. Did I know then she was sick? In a way. Every day, a few minutes before lunch, she left class to visit the nurse. Every day, she picked a friend to go with her. Eventually, I was one. We walked the empty hallways, sneaking peeks in classrooms. I hated when she chose anyone else. While Aimee saw the nurse, I waited outside. It never occurred to me to wonder what happened while she was out of sight. Forty years later, I finally asked her dad as we sat beside her hospital bed. It was a pill, he said. I thought about that pill, swallowed every day. That feeling of stolen magic, just the two of us. Back then, being sick seemed lucky. But cystic fibrosis was just one part of her. And the older we got, the harder it was to remember she was sick at all. When she was 17, she flew alone from New York to Hawaii to visit her great aunts. She studied hard and skied black-diamond slopes, collected friends and kept in touch with all of them. She adventured in Paris, became an accountant and toured the Pyramids. She got to parties early and stayed late, rescued cats and had kids. She ran and ran, rain or shine, every day, to keep her lungs strong. And she coughed a reminder, a warning. But it was easy to believe she was tough enough to keep the disease at bay. It was easy to forget she was dying. I bring Little House in the Big Woods, her old favorite, to the hospital on her third day. The tracheotomy tube delivers her oxygen now. She mouths hello. I hold up the book. She nods, closes her eyes. I begin to read. It is a world away from this room high above the Hudson River. The month before, wed walked slowly around her block. It was drizzling. She was mostly housebound, tethered to an oxygen tank as mucus steadily choked her of air. But there she was, in the rain, a portable tank on her back. On our third loop, the tank needle hovered near red. I asked if we should turn back. I think I can make one more, she said. And she did. She walks the hospital hallways once a day. When the staff is off on Sundays, she is upset, but makes do with leg lifts in bed. The skin across her cheeks has grown tight, but her spirit is entirely intact. She reaches for her whiteboard anytime doctors visit, even when her eyes are shut. Her handwriting is wobbly, but her questions about carbon monoxide levels and whether any lungs are on the horizon are sharp. She is constantly assessed: blood drawn, chest X-rayed, a camera scoped into her lungs to monitor whats left. On the eighth day, a machine begins removing carbon dioxide from her blood because her lungs no longer can. I head north to watch her kids while her mother visits. The calendar turns a page. Trees begin to bloom. On the 19th day, the call comes: A pair of lungs is available. The morning passes. Her father receives the verdict: The surgical team has rejected them. You dont want the wrong lungs, I say, hating the words. She looks so tired. I hug her as I leave. Its not enough. She gets up and walks the next morning, aiming for the hallway overlooking the city. She studies photos of her kids and messages on cards taped to the wall. I think about the racetrack where we worked in high school and the ever-shifting odds. Numbers are the thing to beat. More than half of adults in the United States are registered to be organ donors, but only 3 in 1,000 people die in a way that allows for their organs to be donated. In 2018, there were 36,529 organ transplants in the United States, including 2,530 lung transplants. On her 24th day, Aimee gets hers. Before the surgery, doctors and nurses celebrate a moment no one had been sure would arrive. One nurse cries tears of joy. I hug her goodbye, but, for the first time in a month, believe it might not be for good. Outside, I finally cry. Two months later, Im standing beside her parents in her kitchen. She is exactly the same. Except she can laugh and laugh without choking on a cough. At lunch, her mother sits next to me. Isnt it amazing? My friend looks at us, at me, and groans. You saw the ugly, she said. Shes right. It was ugly. But she was beautiful. LAS CRUCES The arrival of about 25 motorcycles Friday afternoon announced the donation of 30,000 non-perishable meals for migrants being processed at the former U.S. Army Reserve Center on Brown Road. Las Cruces Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Daniels, the emergency operations commander on scene, said the donation was a welcome surprise. The bikers arrived ready to unload five or six pallets worth of meals from Pack Away Hunger, an Indiana-based nonprofit that distributes meals in pouches that can be prepared with hot water. The organization delivers to countries worldwide. They arrived without announcement and, with the help of migrants, who immediately lined up to assist, the meals were unloaded in minutes. Their first stop had been the nearby transitional living community, Camp Hope, where they delivered 5,000 meals. City spokesman Udell Vigil told the Sun-News the motorcycle clubs at the scene included the Bandidos, Soldados, Squad, Riga and Guardians of Children. Victoria Fisk, a former educator who lives in Las Cruces, told the Sun-News the donation came about after she contacted a friend who worked with Pack Away Hunger. As it happened, a large shipment was being organized for sites in Guatemala and Honduras, she said, and the organization arranged to send some meals to Las Cruces. This went so fast, Fisk said. We literally put it together a week ago. Daniels said that Border Patrol continued to release the migrants, who are legally present in the United States while applying for political asylum, at the facility Friday, with 216 on the premises at lunchtime. Daily drop-offs of asylum seekers have been ongoing in Las Cruces since April 12. WASHINGTON Tamping down talk of war, top Trump administration officials told Congress on Tuesday that recent actions by the U.S. deterred attacks on American forces. But some lawmakers remained deeply skeptical of the White House approach in the Middle East. After a day of closed-door briefings on Capitol Hill, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said their objective over recent days has been to deter Iran. Now they want to prevent further escalation, Shanahan said. Were not about going to war, Shanahan told reporters. Our biggest focus at this point is to prevent Iranian miscalculation, said Shanahan, flanked by Pompeo, after back-to-back briefings for the House and Senate. We do not want the situation to escalate. The officials arrived on Capitol Hill as questions mounted over President Donald Trumps tough talk on Iran and sudden policy shifts in the region. Skeptical Democrats sought out a second opinion, holding their own briefing with former Obama administration officials, former CIA Director John Brennan and Wendy Sherman, an architect of the Iran nuclear deal. The competing closed-door sessions Tuesday came after weeks of escalating tensions that raised alarms over a possible military confrontation with Iran. Trump, veering between bombast and conciliation in his quest to contain Iran, threatened Monday to meet provocations by Iran with great force, but he also said hes willing to negotiate. The results of the meetings Tuesday were mixed, with views settling largely along partisan lines. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, said the action taken by the Trump administration is totally appropriate and sends a message that if you attack our people, there will be a response. Romney characterized it as defensive in nature and meant to deter Iran from malign actions. Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego, a veteran of the Iraq War, left the classified House briefing, saying: What I heard in there makes it clear that this administration feels that they do not have to come back and talk to Congress in regards to any action they do in Iran. Democrats are particularly concerned the Trump administration may try to rely on nearly 20-year-old war authorizations rather than seek fresh approval from Congress for any action. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he told Pompeo and the others their consultation with Congress has been inadequate. Shananan said he and the others heard that message and vowed to better communicate with lawmakers and the public. In recent weeks, the U.S. sent an aircraft carrier strike group, four bomber aircraft and other assets to the region, and is moving a Patriot missile battery to an undisclosed country in the area. The Trump administration has evacuated nonessential personnel from Iraq, amid unspecified threats the administration says are linked to Iran. Shanahan said the recent U.S. actions in the region were based on credible threats to U.S. forces and interests in the Middle East. We have deterred attacks based on our repositioning of assets, deterred attacks against American forces, he said. Pompeo said he tried to put the Iran situation in the countrys 40-year history of malign actions. Pompeo, a former congressman, has become somewhat of a polarizing figure on Capitol Hill, and some lawmakers left the meeting saying he was lecturing and arrogant. Democratic Rep. Adam Smith of Washington, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, said he interjected at one point during the briefing: We know Iran is bad, OK? What is the policy going forward? There wasnt enough information on that. Smith said Pompeo was asked why it took so long to brief Congress. The congressman said the secretarys answer was, We were busy. He said it was not an acceptable answer. Earlier, Brennan told House Democrats that while Tehran wants to avoid conflict, the countrys leadership will not capitulate to Trump. Sherman warned that reckless behavior by the Trump administration in Iran is hurting the U.S.s credibility and undermining moderates in the country. Their comments were conveyed by a person in the room who was not authorized to discuss the private meeting by name. Top Democrats say Trump escalated problems by abruptly withdrawing the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal, a complex accord negotiated during the Obama administration to prevent Iran from nuclear weapons production. I have yet to see any exhibited strategy, said Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia, a former CIA officer. She said she finds many of the administrations recent statements on Iran to be deeply troubling. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., the chairman of the House intelligence committee, said, What Im interested in more right now is what the administrations strategy is if they have one to keep us out of war. Republicans and Trumps allies in Congress said the threats from Iran are real. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., suggested lawmakers who say otherwise are doing so for political reasons. GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina urged Trump to stand firm. The U.S. military appears to have concluded that Iran was behind the reported attack May 12 on four commercial vessels off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. A U.S. official said Monday a probe into the attack was finished and evidence still pointed at Iran, although the official did not provide details. The official was not authorized to publicly discuss the matter and so spoke on condition of anonymity. On Sunday, a rocket landed near the U.S. Embassy in the Green Zone of Iraqs capital of Baghdad, days after nonessential U.S. staff were ordered to evacuate from diplomatic posts in the country. No one was reported injured. Defense officials said no additional Iranian threats or incidents had emerged in the days since the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier battle group arrived in the Arabian Sea late last week. Iran, meanwhile, announced that it has quadrupled its uranium-enrichment production capacity. Officials said it remains set to the limits of a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, making it usable for a power plant but far below whats needed for an atomic weapon. Tehran long has insisted it does not seek nuclear weapons, though the West fears its program could allow it to build them. ___ Associated Press writers Robert Burns, Lolita Baldor and Matthew Daly contributed to this report. BENGHAZI, Libya After years of assassinations, bombings and militia firefights, Libyas eastern city of Benghazi finally feels safe again but security has come at a heavy cost. Uniformed police are out at major intersections, cafes and restaurants stay open late into the night, and local groups hold art exhibitions and festivals. But the city center lies in ruins, thousands remain displaced, and forces loyal to commander Khalifa Hifter, who now controls eastern Libya, have cracked down on dissent. Benghazi offers a glimpse of what may befall the capital, Tripoli, where Hifters forces launched an offensive last month against rival militias loosely allied with a weak, U.N.-recognized government. Its fate could also harden the resolve of Hifters opponents who view him as an aspiring dictator and further imperil U.N. efforts to peacefully reunite the country. Hifters forces have met stiff resistance on the outskirts of Tripoli, and experts say that despite considerable international support, he is unlikely to succeed in defeating his rivals in the west or unifying the country. They point out that even in the east, his forces rely on local militias as well as ultraconservative Islamists known as Salafists. Benghazi was the epicenter of the Arab Spring uprising in 2011 that toppled and killed long-ruling dictator Moammar Gadhafi. But in the years after his ouster, the city and much of the country came to be ruled by a patchwork of armed groups: local and tribal militias, nationalist and mainstream Islamist groups, as well as al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. Extremists attacked the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi on September 11, 2012, killing U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans. Hifter served as a senior officer under Gadhafi but defected in the 1980s during the ruinous war with Chad, in which he and hundreds of soldiers were captured in an ambush. He later spent more than two decades in the suburbs of Washington, where he is widely believed to have worked with the CIA, before returning to join the uprising in 2011. He eventually built up forces known as the Libyan National Army. In February 2014, he declared the start of an operation to root out the militias and unify the country. Four months later, when it appeared they would lose influence in a disputed election, Islamist and other factions in Tripoli launched an attack on their rivals, eventually splitting the country into rival authorities in the east and west, each beholden to an array of militias. ___ BACK TO NORMAL Hifters prominence rose as his forces battled extremists and other rival factions across eastern Libya, and the parliament there eventually recognized him as the head of its armed forces, giving him the rank of field marshal. He also gained the support of Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, as well as France and Russia , all of which came to see him as a key ally against extremists and are widely believed to have provided weapons and other support despite a U.N. arms embargo. His opponents in western Libya are believed to have gotten aid from Qatar and Turkey. Today his forces are firmly in control of the countrys east, and the near-daily assassinations, abductions and shootings that once terrified Benghazis residents are a thing of the past. Billboards and posters showing Hifter in full military regalia line the streets with so many placed along the airport road that many jokingly refer to the display as Hifters Instagram page. In 2019 we have recorded no terrorist attacks or assassinations in Benghazi, which was a daily event back before the LNA took control over the city, said Maj. Tarek Alkarraz, spokesman for the Interior Ministry in the east. He added that the city of Derna, which was under IS control, was similar. Now life is back to normal and its safe and secure. Streets are cleaner, garbage is being collected and the electricity cuts out far less often than it did at the height of the fighting. Outside the devastated city center, modern shopping malls have sprung up, as well as upscale seafood and Turkish restaurants. Local ride-booking services are modeled on Uber and Careem. The only thing that matters is safety, which we are enjoying, thank God, said Wanees Amgadah, a retired teacher. The whole east, and God willing even the west, will be safe with the help of God, thanks to our soldiers. ___ INSPIRED BY EGYPTS EL-SISSI Hifter has modeled his rule on that of President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, his close ally in neighboring Egypt, who led the overthrow of an elected but divisive Islamist president in 2013. Both have declared war on terrorism applying the term not only to extremist groups but more moderate Islamists. El-Sissi has launched an unprecedented crackdown on dissent, jailing thousands of people and heavily restricting independent media and civil society. The LNA primarily emphasize stability and deem the Muslim Brotherhood and their allies and associates as a security threat, said Claudia Gazzini, a Libya expert at the International Crisis Group. This is a very vague term and this brand could be slapped on anyone who opposes the LNA. A human rights activist in Benghazi, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, said the security forces are more aggressive than at any point since Gadhafis time, restricting the movement of activists and NGO workers, and regularly bringing them in for interrogation. In a report issued last month, the Tripoli-based Libyan Center for Freedom of the Press documented 29 attacks on reporters by Hifters forces over the past year and a half, more than any other armed group. Hifters forces prohibit all the media and journalists who are not loyal to it, and thus totally curtail all civilian state aspects in eastern Libya, it said. The report said more than 80 journalists have fled the country since 2014. Across Libya, it said, journalists now face one of three options: to work under threat, or observe silence and not talk about the threats they face, or abandon their profession. Hifters supporters insist the LNA is not seeking to rule the country, but to rebuild the state and create the conditions for elected government. Our goal is not to rule or to establish a military government, Abdulhadi Lahweej, the foreign minister in the eastern government, told The Associated Press earlier this month. We want a civil state based on institutions and human rights. We want a government that the Libyan people choose and we will approve of whatever the people choose. Egypt has also held elections under el-Sissi, but they resulted in a parliament packed with his supporters, which earlier this year approved constitutional changes allowing him to potentially remain in office until 2030. El-Sissi was re-elected last year in a vote in which all potentially serious competitors were either arrested or pressured into withdrawing from the race. After years of unrest, many Libyans may prefer that kind of stability. Is it possible to achieve democracy in the presence of two and a half million weapons? asks Ahmed Almahdawi, an independent political analyst based in Benghazi. I dont think so. Younis Fanoush, a Benghazi lawmaker who recently helped launch an independent political party backing the LNA, said the only hope of establishing a civil state is to first defeat the militias. He says the armed groups chose to destroy any hope for establishing a democratic state and drafting a constitution. Now the only way is forward, and this war is a must to remove these cancerous entities from the capital. ___ Krauss reported from Cairo. LA MESA Rich Global Hemp is moving its operation to Dona Ana County to ramp up production and will hire 180 employees as well as work with local farmers to grow the crop and researchers at New Mexico State University to study different strains of the plant. We believe New Mexico could be one of the leaders in production for commercial hemp, said Josh Rich, CEO of Rich Global Hemp. The governor and state and local economic development officials welcomed the company to New Mexico during the announcement Monday organized by the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance. Todays a celebration. New Mexico set a marker that said companies who want to engage in this new cash commodity said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Were the first state in the country to be ready to create a new industry. The farm bill passed by Congress in December legalized hemp nationally. The announcement of the new hemp production company moving here comes a month and a half after the governor signed a new law authorizing state agencies to regulate the crop. Rich credited the political will as part of the companys decision to move to New Mexico as well as the perfect climate of hot days and cool nights ideal for growing hemp plants. Rich Global Hemp is taking over a 750,000-square-foot green house in Las Cruces and has already begun reaching out to area farmers who are interested in start up plants. Honestly two years ago I wouldnt have ever thought about coming to New Mexico. We were like Nevada, Colorado, this is where were going to do our operations, said Kai Kirk, founding partnter of Rich Global Hemp. Kirk said the company is excited about bringing an alternative crop to New Mexico farmers and create a variety of jobs. Hemp can be used to create a variety of products including textiles, fabric, food and biodegradeable plastics. One of the biggest areas of growth is health and beauty products from CBD oil. The company will work with NMSU to study different strains and uses for hemp both medically and industrially. NMSU Chancellor Dan Arvizu said the business is an example of placed-based economic development that takes full advantage of our unique local agricultural base and leverages it with a new crop. Davin Lopez, president and CEO of the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance welcomed the companys NMSU collaboration. The state has approved a $1.2 million grant for land, building and infrastructure from the Local Economic Development Act program and up to $1.4 million in job training. The project is expected to generate $136 million in direct spending over the next 10 years with a total economic impact of $247 million, according to an analysis by the state Economic Development Department. DENVER A late spring storm has dumped heavy, wet snow in Colorado and Wyoming, cancelling flights and snapping newly greened up tree limbs. The check in lines were long at Denver International Airport Tuesday morning with travelers from earlier canceled flights hoping to fly out. In western Colorado, a rock slide has closed Interstate 70 in Glenwood Canyon along the Colorado River. The area is prone to slides especially following wet weather and temperature fluctuations. No vehicles were hit by the rocks. Denvers airport got 3.4 inches (8.6 centimeters) of snow but some areas near Colorado Springs got a foot (0.3 meters) or more. Downed tree limbs littered streets in metro Denver. May snowfall is fairly common there but usually not this late. Up to 9 inches (22.8 centimeters) of snow was reported in the Cheyenne, Wyoming area. In a quiet neighborhood near Googles headquarters last month, rusty, oleaginous sewage was seeping from a parked RV onto the otherwise pristine street. Sgt. Wahed Magee, of the Mountain View Police Department, was furious. You guys need to take care of it, like ASAP, he said, lecturing the young couple living in the vehicle. Im not going to tow it today, but tomorrow if I come out here and its like this, its getting towed! As he delivered the ultimatum, a self-driving car rolled past. Mountain View is a wealthy town thats home to Alphabet Inc., the worlds fourth-most valuable public corporation and Googles owner. Magee spends a lot of his time knocking on the doors of RVs parked on the citys streets, logging license plates and marking rigs that havent moved for several days. This is the epicenter of a Silicon Valley tech boom that is minting millionaires but also fueling a homelessness crisis that the United Nations recently deemed a human rights violation. Thousands of people live in RVs across San Francisco and the broader Bay Area because they cant afford to rent or buy homes. In December, Mountain View police logged almost 300 RVs that appeared to be used as primary residences. Palo Alto, Berkeley and other Bay Area towns have similar numbers. Some Silicon Valley towns have cracked down in recent months, creating an even more uncertain future for RV residents. At a March city council meeting, Mountain View voted to ban RVs from parking overnight on public streets. The ban hasnt taken effect yet, but soon, the towns van dwellers will need to go elsewhere. The city council also declared a shelter crisis and passed a new ordinance to ticket vehicles that discharge domestic sewage on the public right of way. At the meeting, some people opposing the ban blamed Google for the housing crisis. In my neighborhood there are a group of five or six duplexes and a couple that I know lived in one of them for 22 years. When Google moved in next door, their landlord raised the rent by $700 a month, said resident Susan Barkin. Preventing parking and throwing more people out of our community is unconscionable. I do not want to live in a town where the only people who can afford to be here are very, very, rich techies or very, very, old retirees like myself. If representatives from Google were in attendance, they didnt speak up to defend the company or address the housing crisis. But the issue has arisen inside the Googleplex. At a staff meeting earlier this year, one Google worker asked why Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai was paid hundreds of millions of dollars, while some employees struggle to afford to live in the area. Pichai said it has little control over the high cost of living, people familiar with the situation told Bloomberg at the time. The median rent in Mountain View almost doubled since late 2010 to $4,151 a month. Thats nearly triple the national average, according to Trulia. The median home value is $1.8 million, up from $750,000 ten years ago, according to Zillow. We have rising rents. We have gentrification. We have people being displaced, said Jennifer Loving, head of Destination: Home, a group thats trying to reduce homelessness in Santa Clara County, home to Google and Mountain View. All of that together is creating an untenable situation for thousands and thousands of families and individuals who are trying to live and work here. At first, its hard to spot RVs that are used as homes. But these vehicles are all over Silicon Valley. They line frontage roads that run alongside highways. There will often be a chain of them on quieter streets in office parks and light industrial areas. But they can also be found on suburban residential streets parked in rows opposite the ranch-style homes common to the area. The RVs are often white or beige, and the windows are covered with blinds, sheets or blankets for privacy. Leaves and dust sometimes accumulate on the windshield wipers, and some have generators on the back for extra power. Around Googles campus there are sometimes multicolored company bikes parked nearby so RV dwellers can jump on and ride to work. Soon, these impromptu communities may be gone. Before that happens, Bloomberg spent the past month interviewing RV residents and speaking with officials and other locals about the phenomenon. One 24-year-old Google contract worker lives in a rented RV with her girlfriend close to the internet giants campus. She asked that her name not be published, because she didnt want her employer to know about her living situation. She grew up in the Bay Area and served in the Navy for three years. After that, she studied psychology, then moved to Atlanta where she rented a townhouse for $1,050 a month. She applied online to be a Google security guard and when the contracting firm gave her the job, she moved to Mountain View in April. She initially considered renting a small apartment, but realized she couldnt save any money that way. An apartment out here would cost at least $2,500 a month, she said. The money I make here is great, but I would be pretty much spending the majority of that on rent and I just dont want to do that. So she decided to rent the RV for $800 a month. Theres less space. Thats the main thing. Its confined, she said. Her day starts on Googles campus where she can grab a quick breakfast, usually a banana. Lunch is also available at headquarters, while dinner is prepared on the RVs two stove tops. Theres no oven. Complaints from neighbors arent a problem because shes parked the RV close to Googles headquarters, which is all office parks with very few residential buildings. At night, she takes courses at the City College of San Francisco to become a firefighter. If she can get a job as a firefighter in San Francisco within a year, shell continue to stay here, she said. If not, I will take my earnings and go back to Georgia and purchase a home and live happily ever after. I can probably buy a house back there. Its Georgia, its really cheap. Another RV resident in Mountain View is a 41-year-old IT professional who now drives for Lyft Inc. He moved from Sacramento about two years ago after his wife got a job at a big drug-development company in Silicon Valley. (He asked not to be identified because he worries his wife might lose her job if her employer learns about her living situation.) Once they arrived, they realized they couldnt afford to rent an apartment and build their savings, despite a combined income of roughly $100,000 a year. We just did the math when we were, you know, renting a room, and we could kind of stay afloat but theres no way to save any money for retirement or the future at all, he said. The Lyft driver, and other van dwellers around him, said they arent sure what theyll do when the parking ban kicks in, rendering their situation illegal. Many hope to just muddle through somehow. Im aware of the ban, said Brandon, another Mountain View RV resident who didnt want to share his last name. Ill cross that particular bridge when I get to it. Tech companies should be doing more to fix the housing crisis, the Lyft driver said. There was a time when corporations were allowed to operate because they were also providing for the communities around them in some way, he said. And for some reason that responsibility has shifted to profits only. Google declined to comment, but referred to an interview one of the companys public policy managers, Rebecca Prozan, gave to PBS in 2016. Obviously, our footprint creates pressure. It creates pressure on housing and transportation, but that pressure isnt just tech. Its not just Google, she said. Its all the industries that are creating the economy of the Bay Area. We all have to work together to figure out what were going to look like, and how were going to live. When asked about employees living in RVs, she said: We dont necessarily want to comment on our employees participating in those activities. Since 2014, Google has given more than $14 million to groups tackling homelessness in Mountain View. That includes $1 million for Destination: Home, and $1.5 million to help with construction of a 67-unit affordable housing development. It also has a plan to invest much more in a project to build thousands of homes on a nearby part of the city called North Bayshore. Twenty percent of that will be affordable housing, although its a long way from happening: Mountain View hasnt decided how to proceed yet. Loving, the head of Destination: Home, thinks the North Bayshore plan should include a lot more affordable housing. But she and others say its not just about money. There needs to be political will-people have to want to help their neighbors in need. Some Silicon Valley residents dont want new apartment buildings changing their suburban towns, and they get angry at the thought of affordable housing bringing poorer people to their neighborhoods. Two years ago, about 500 local residents showed up at a meeting to discuss small, temporary housing in San Jose. Many screamed and shouted at Loving and her colleagues. At one point, the crowd chanted build a wall to keep homeless people away. There have been meetings since where theres a lot of fear about what these developments would look like, and fear is a really powerful emotion and it seems to supersede logic, Loving said. Some cities are beginning to work more affordable housing into their expansion plans. And theres a growing movement of residents who support, rather than fight, such development. But its nowhere near enough to fix the problem quickly. Thats a risk to Silicon Valley itself, because tech companies may go elsewhere. In February, Pichai, Googles CEO, announced a plan to spend $13 billion on new and expanded offices and data centers. A lot of this is outside Silicon Valley, where its cheaper to hire talent-in part because housing is more plentiful. Theres a second issue, too. If teachers, nurses, trash collectors and other regular workers cant afford to live the area, the fabric of society begins to fray, according to Alison Hicks, a Mountain View council member who voted against the RV ban. To have a regular functioning town you need to have occupational diversity, she said. You cant have a town that functions if we only have tech workers living in it It wont be a functioning city as I know it. It wouldnt be a city I would want to live in. Back on Mountain Views streets, Magee followed up on the RV that was dripping with sewage. The following day, the owners had fixed the problem. When asked whether the RV situation will ultimately be resolved, Magee looked tired as he thought about the answer. After a 12-hour day, he had a long drive ahead to get home-he cant afford to live in Mountain View. The way things are going, I dont see how its all gonna disappear, he said. Where are we gonna put everyone? LONDON In a major concession, British Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday offered U.K. lawmakers the chance to vote on whether to hold a new referendum on the countrys membership in the European Union but only if they back her thrice-rejected Brexit agreement. May made the offer as part of a desperate attempt to persuade Parliament to back a divorce deal that will allow the U.K. make an orderly, if delayed, departure from the EU. She plans to ask the House of Commons to vote in early June on a withdrawal agreement bill, in what May called a last chance to seal a Brexit deal. Soon after that vote, she will give a timetable for her departure as Conservative leader and prime minister. In a speech Tuesday, May said the bill would include a requirement to vote on whether to hold a second referendum that would give Britons a chance to approve or reject the terms of Brexit. A referendum is a key demand of opposition lawmakers who have until now rejected Mays deal. I do not believe that this is a route we should take, said May, who has long opposed a new public vote on Brexit. But I recognize the genuine and sincere strength of feeling across the House on this important issue. The Brexit referendum, however, will only happen if Parliament backs the EU withdrawal bill and it becomes law, something that still seems unlikely, despite Mays last-minute changes. Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, said Mays new bill was merely a repackaging of the same old bad deal, rejected three times by Parliament. Ian Blackford, a lawmaker with the pro-EU Scottish National Party, said it was too little, too late from a prime minister who is headed for the exit door. Mays tack toward the opposition further angered pro-Brexit Conservative lawmakers, who are already furious at her failure to take Britain out of the EU on schedule. They want to replace her with a staunch Brexit supporter such as Boris Johnson, a former foreign secretary. Theres nothing new or bold about this bad buffet of non-Brexit options, said Ian Duncan Smith, a former Conservative leader. Conservative lawmaker Owen Paterson, a prominent Brexiteer, tweeted that the referendum vote promise was a direct insult to 17.4m people who voted in 2016 to leave the EU. Britain voted for Brexit in June 2016 and was due to leave the EU on March 29, but the bloc has extended the deadline until Oct. 31 amid the U.K.s political impasse. Talks on securing a compromise on the Brexit deal between Mays Conservatives and Labour broke down last week. May says she will try again the week of June 3 by asking lawmakers to vote on a withdrawal agreement bill implementing the departure terms. Outlining what she called a new Brexit deal, May tried to win support from both pro-EU and pro-Brexit sides of the House of Commons. To Brexiteers concerned that the need to ensure an open Irish border will keep the U.K. too closely aligned to EU rules, she offered a promise of unspecified alternative arrangements to a contentious provision on the border known as the backstop. But most of her concessions were aimed at the left-of-center opposition Labour Party. May promised that Britain would maintain high standards on workers rights and environmental protections both Labour priorities and said U.K. lawmakers would get to decide on what customs arrangements should be in place to ensure as close as possible to frictionless trade between Britain and the EU. Customs is a major bone of contention between the parties. Labour wants to stick close to EU rules in order to guarantee seamless trade, while the government wants a looser relationship that would leave Britain freer to strike new trade deals around the world. Addressing lawmakers though in a speech at the corporate headquarters of PWC rather than in the House of Commons May said she was making a new offer to find common ground in Parliament. I have compromised. Now I ask you to compromise too, she said. May, who knows her legacy will be dominated by Brexit, implored lawmakers to let Britain leave the EU in a way that protects jobs, protects our security, maintains a close relationship with our friends and works for the whole United Kingdom. It is practical. It is responsible. It is deliverable. And right now, it is slipping away from us, she said. ___ Follow APs full coverage of Brexit at: https://www.apnews.com/Brexit Growing up in a military family, Tayla Oliver learned the importance of respect and responsibility from a young age. After working at Kirtland Air Force Base as a youth leader for several years, Oliver, 17, recently earned the title of Military Youth of the Year at the state level. Military Youth of the Year is a component of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Youth of the Year program. It recognizes outstanding teenagers who serve on Boys & Girls Clubs-affiliated youth centers on military installations, according to the organizations website. Oliver, who graduates from Rio Rancho High School this week, said growing up with her father serving in the Air Force, she became involved in the youth programs available. As a volunteer and mentor to younger kids over the past two years, Oliver became familiar with the place and the people, and was encouraged by her best friend to run for Military Youth of the Year. Oliver had to write speeches and prepare to talk in front of large audiences to receive her title. Oliver said her advisor, Heather Hutzell, and her best friend Erynn Rider, who won New Mexico Military Youth of the Year last year, helped her most throughout her journey. Heather was always there whenever I needed something, Oliver said. When I was writing my speech, she would be on my tail like, Hey, hows the speech going? Send it to me when youre done so I can edit it.' Hutzell pushed Oliver to try for the title in the first place and helped her describe her personal brand, which was one essay topic. She told me, Youre so adaptable and you need to touch on that. You make friends wherever you go, youre really easy to get along with and you stay true to yourself at all times,' Oliver recalled. Rider helped Oliver memorize and polish her speech. She was there bouncing ideas off me, telling me which ideas were really good, making sure I emphasize the Kirtland Air Force Base, and the history of where I come from and how long Ive been here, Oliver said. When preparing for her interview with the judges, Oliver said she didnt pre-plan her answers to the questions. I had just looked through them, and I had ideas of what I wanted to say, she said. I was really just being myself the entire time, because I really wanted my answers to be genuine I didnt want to sound like a robot. Oliver said a lot of the questions were regarding the essays she wrote, most of which discussed her personal brand. She said her brand was more of a slogan: Be like a sponge. I said (in my essay) being a sponge is like being a well-rounded person, Oliver said. The last sentence in my essay was about being influential in a positive way and initiating change. Giving back, innovating, spreading positivity and being sponges of the world to soak up wisdom, experience and cultures I think Ive been a pretty useful sponge. Olivers message for future applicants for Military Youth of the Year is to be themselves. She said they must know their message and stay true to themselves when sharing it. I feel like the judges arent really looking for programed people, Oliver said. Its like studying for a test you have all of the answers, but you have to know your stuff. You cant just copy it. Just being yourself the authenticity will come in through your personality, and youll be able to connect to more people that way. Her title helped give Oliver a choice in what college she will attend next year either Prairie View A&M University or Tuskegee University. Oliver said the $5,000 scholarship from the Youth of the Year program, as well as other scholarships shes applied for, will help her earn a degree in mechanical engineering. PNM Resources top five executives could earn nearly $9.6 million in total combined compensation for their work in 2018, assuming they meet all performance goals. Shareholders voted to back the compensation package at this years annual meeting at Hotel Albuquerque in Old Town Tuesday morning. Unlike previous years, when environmentalists gathered outside to protest the companys heavy reliance on fossil fuels, no demonstrators showed up this year. Still, PNM Shareholders for a Responsible Future an activist group of about 20 individual investors made impassioned pleas during the meeting for greater transparency in executive decisions on environmental decisions and management. They proposed a resolution requesting that the company publish a report on PNMs handling of coal ash from the San Juan Generating Station near Farmington, detailing risks and potential liabilities once the utility abandons the plant in 2022. Shareholders, however, rejected the resolution, with nearly 75 percent of outstanding common stock that was voted in opposition. A new coal ash report would duplicate work already done and publicly available through the companys Security and Exchange Commission filings, PNM Chairman, President and CEO Pat Vincent-Collawn said. Regarding the meetings say-on-pay vote, which allows investors to weigh in on executive compensation, shareholders approved a 9 percent collective increase for the companys top five executives, from $8.8 million in 2017 to $9.56 million for 2018. That includes about $2.27 million in base pay, with the rest is stock options, incentive awards and benefits. Most of that is considered at risk compensation, because its only earned in future years if the executives meet performance goals. Shareholders pay for all incentive earnings. Ratepayers cover about two-thirds of base pay. Vincent-Collawns potential compensation could reach $4.76 million, including $854,000 in salary and the rest incentives and benefits. Shareholders also voted for the companys 10-member board to continue serving through December. That includes two new board members, Vicky Bailey and James Hughes, who joined in January after the board expanded membership from eight to 10. Vincent-Collawn said its a momentous time for the company given the states new Energy Transition Act, which obligates public utilities to derive 50 percent of their electricity from renewable resources by 2030, 80 percent by 2040, and 100 percent carbon-free generation by 2045. PNM has embraced the changes, Vincent-Collawn told shareholders, including a voluntary commitment to reach 100 percent carbon-free status by 2040. Thats five years earlier than the ETA required and it makes PNM the first-ever investor-owned utility in the U.S. to be emissions-free, she said. McDonalds Corp. says its enhancing training and offering a new hotline for workers in response to mounting allegations of sexual harassment. On Tuesday, the labor group Fight for $15 filed 25 sexual harassment charges against McDonalds with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The American Civil Liberties Union and the Times Up Legal Defense Fund are providing legal support. Among those filing complaints is Jamelia Fairley, who works at a company-owned store in Sanford, Florida. In a conference call with media, Fairley said she was harassed by two male employees who would rub up against her, pinch her and make explicit comments. I stood up for myself and will not let anyone bully me, Fairley said. She said she never received training about harassment or how to report it. Its the third time in three years that Fight for $15 has filed harassment charges on behalf of McDonalds workers. In all, around 50 cases have been filed. In addition to the charges filed with the government, civil lawsuits have been filed in Michigan, Georgia, California and North Carolina. McDonalds says it has been working with the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network since last year to develop new training materials. It has also rewritten its employee policy to more clearly define sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation. The fast food chain says it sent posters with the new policy to its 14,000 U.S. restaurants. The posters also make clear that employees can call a third-party hotline to report abuse. The company said it will begin training store workers about harassment and bias this August. We are committed to creating and sustaining a culture of trust where employees feel safe, valued and respected, McDonalds CEO Steve Easterbrook wrote in a letter sent this week to author and actress Padma Lakshmi, who participated in a Fight for $15 rally Tuesday outside McDonalds Chicago headquarters. ROSHARON, Texas A former Texas prison sergeant is slated to stand trial, accused of throwing a handcuffed prisoner onto a concrete floor so viciously that the inmate died. Lou Joffrion slammed inmate David Witt in August 2017 in an attack that was captured on video at the Darrington Unit in Rosharon, south of Houston. Joffrion resigned two days later after being recommended for termination, said Jeremy Desel, a prison spokesman. Joffrion will stand trial in September on an aggravated assault charge. He wasnt charged with murder, partly because the assault charge would be easier to prove, the Houston Chronicle reported. The charges carry the same sentencing range. Just weeks before the attack that was caught on video, state officials said Joffrion had completed six months of disciplinary probation for another violent encounter with the 41-year-old Witt. Prison officials Monday condemned Joffrions conduct but noted a powerful painkiller in the slain inmates blood as a possible cause of the altercation. While the use of force was deemed excessive in the investigation, said Texas Department of Criminal Justice Executive Director Bryan Collier, an autopsy of offender Witt did find the presence of fentanyl, an extremely powerful synthetic opioid, which could explain the actions which prompted the use of force. Witts family members said they werent informed of the circumstances surrounding his death for months. Officials didnt report Witts death as a homicide until the full autopsy was completed a year later. Its unclear whether the drug was smuggled illegally into prison or given as treatment at the hospital, where Witt had undergone surgery prior to this death. Prison officials did not further elaborate. Connie Williams, the lawyer representing Joffrion, said his client followed proper procedures. There are some suggestions that he slammed him too hard, Williams said. But there was no intent to kill anybody. Witt had suffered from mental health issues before he was imprisoned, his family noted. He was charged with aggravated robbery in 2004, resulting in a 20-year prison sentence. He was in and out of the systems psychiatric prisons during the first few years, according to his mother. Occasionally, she would visit the prison and Witt couldnt recognize who she was. In other instances, Witt wouldnt recognize himself. He was such a sweet man, Rosemary said. And prison destroyed him. ___ Information from: Houston Chronicle, http://www.houstonchronicle.com SHASTA COUNTY, Calif. - Shasta County has been ranked the third highest county when it comes to arrests rates. A new study from the Public Policy Institute of California breaks down 10 types of arrests that are mostly seen within the county. The Public Policy Institute of California said the largest shares of the arrests come from people failing to appear in court, drugs, city and county laws. The Shasta County District Attorney's Office did not immediately respond to comment. See below for a breakdown by the Public Policy Institute of California regarding research on arrest rates in Shasta County. For more information on how state-wide arrest numbers, CLICK HERE. CHICO, Calif. - It happens every summer, Chico Firefighters called to Upper Bidwell Park to rescue injured hikers. Captain Carlos Munoz from the Chico Fire Department talked about how their thought process during the rescue today. "On foot is it going to be by helicopter? how are we going to do it?" On Monday afternoon a woman was hiking near Bear Hole when she apparently twisted her ankle and could not hike back down. Captain Munoz said thats when they had to figure out how to get her down, "once we determined where the patient was we were able to hike to her and load her up and stabilize her." For firefighters responding to Upper Park, its never an easy or safe rescue. It involves steep and narrow trails. When they find the patients they usually need to be carried back down, in a basket, as was the case Monday. Captain Munoz said, "We were able to hike her down and put her in the ambulance and now she's transported to Enloe Hospital." Memorial Day is this weekend, so firefighters have some tips for avoiding their rescue basket and the ambulance. Captain Munoz suggested, "Stay in groups of people so you have someone who can get help and someone who can assist you with help." It was a hiking companion who called for Mondays rescue. Firefighters also suggest wearing the right clothes. "Don't wear jeans when you're hiking. You want to be able to have clothes that breathe well. You want to be able to have good footing, because the grounds are slippery and it's not pavement out here." You also cannot underestimate the importance of carrying enough water. This is something experienced hikers talked about. Jose Martinez said, "So I would definitely always stay hydrated especially during the activities and stuff." Another hiker Rey Medina said, "Stay hydrated because the sun is beating down on you. So yeah, stay hydrated." If anything does happen, firefighters recommend trying to stay as calm as possible. The news industrys most innovative initiatives were honoured in New York (USA) by the International News Media Association (INMA) and Dainik Jagran, yet again flagged the Indian flag high. Dainik Jagran earned maximum awards amongst Indian Newspapers for its spectacular initiatives and was adjudged Best in South Asia newspaper brand. Produced by the International News Media Association (INMA), the Global Media Awards were presented today before more than 400 delegates attending the INMA World Congress of News Media at the Edison Ballroom in New Yorks Times Square. The 2019 Global Media Awards competition garnered 664 entries from 165 news media companies in 34 countries. Participants included newspaper media, magazine media, digital media, television media, and radio media. An international panel of 46 executives from 15 countries selected 194 finalists, and from those the first place recipients were announced at todays Global Media Awards Dinner. Dainik Jagran won multiple first-place awards and brought home 11 awards including three top - First Place awards in two categories - Best Idea to Encourage Print Readership or Engagement for Every Breath You Take and BEST USE OF VIDEO for its campaign We, The Daughters of India . We, The Daughters of India was also adjudged as Best in South Asia Global/National Brands. Second place awards for Dainik Jagran went for BEST USE OF MOBILE for An App to Power a Parliament and BEST NEW CONCEPT OR INNOVATION TO CREATE NEW PROFIT CENTERS for Game Theory to Generate Ad Revenues. Third place awards for BEST PUBLIC RELATIONS OR COMMUNITY SERVICE CAMPAIGN for Fields on Fire; BEST USE OF NEW TECHNOLOGY TO GENERATE REVENUE & ENGAGE for An App to Power a Parliament and BEST USE OF AN EVENT TO BUILD A NEWS BRAND for The Culture Project. Dainik Jagran also received Honourable Mentions at INMA New York for Dainik Jagran: Amazon at your door step for Best Use of Print Advertising; The School of Life for Best Use of Consumer Research and We The Daughters of India for Best Use of Social Media. On this remarkable win, Basant Rathore, Sr VP Strategy, Brand & Business Development, Jagran Prakashan said Presented with Best in South Asia is by all means an exceptional achievement that all of us at Dainik Jagran feel proud of. Its an honour for brand Dainik Jagran, and we accept it with all humility and great responsibility. We believe that brands can drive great engagement from media titles that go beyond just numbers, and engage strongly with their audiences Authored by Karthik Nagendra, Founder & CEO, Thought Starters. In the past few years content marketing has gained a lot of popularity. Almost 93% of B2Bs use content marketing to promote their product and services. They spend about 31% of their marketing budget for content creation and marketing. Almost 51% of these companies produce content daily. Although lots of effort and money in spent in content marketing, as per CMI only 9% of marketers find it really effective. The most reason for content marketing failure is lack of strategy. In the highly competitive B2B domain 91% of marketers name a documented strategy as essential ingredient for success. Lack of interesting content, wrong channel for promotion and absence of measuring metrics also affect the results of the content marketing. Route to recovery The route to recovery from content marketing failures for the companies is to include research as an integral part of their marketing mechanism. It will help to revive the content marketing efforts by setting the focus on the right areas. Here is a list of ways in which research can help you in getting better results. Identify the right target audience and content: Most marketers try to push their content without looking into its relevance. Reports say 55% of people receiving content from brands do not find it interesting or relevant and avoid viewing them. Therefore, it is imperative to have a knowledge who are your target audience, what are their pain points and their expectations. To achieve this, a detailed market research should be carried out before the content creation. With the customer base narrowed down and their choices known marketers can create as per the customers interest rather than their own interest. This would help to give the right content to the right people and develop result-oriented marketing strategy. Gaining insights into the trends: Research is the key to developing good content and strategy. With effective research marketers will be able to identify the frequently used keywords to search for the products or services on offer, where, how and the kind of content their audience consume. It also enables to gain insights into the tactics used by competitors, trends, best practices in the industry. This helps to make the content more solid from a thought leadership perspective. This puts the marketers in vantage position and enable them to see the kind of impact their content could create and devise appropriate strategy to make their marketing campaign a success. Customer involvement for better engagement: As per Zazzle Media, 60% of businesses struggle to produce content consistently, and 65% find it a challenge to produce engaging content. When the content is not engaging, the marketing efforts may not yield the expected results. By involving the customer in the research, the sales team would get a chance to engage further with the them. The customers feel valued and trust the brand better. By directly working with the customers, the businesses can have a better understand of their needs and preferences. This would help them to create engaging content that connects with buyers, makes a difference to the target audience and generates brand loyalty. Data backed content: Customers of today being well informed attach greater importance to factual data than general opinion. They like to see a date from real customer feedbacks and testimonial, surveys and others through which they can ascertain the suitability of the products and services. Therefore, close to 94% of B2B marketers who are successful always or frequently ensure that their content is fact-based and/or comes from a credible source. Identify the right channels that give maximum ROI: There are plenty of channels for marketing. A deep research on the target audiences demographics, interests and online behaviour will help to determine the suitable channel. This would ensure the content reaches the maximum target based giving maximum return on investment. Thus, research can play a crucial part in the success of content marketing campaigns. However, this is a time consuming and on-going process. Businesses would benefit by engaging specialist content marketing firms for supporting them in the content marketing endeavour. These professional agencies can manage the content marketing efforts end-to-end while the business concentrate on their core activity and thereby reap success consistently. About the Author Karthik Nagendra is a serial entrepreneur with 15 years experience across strategy, marketing, operations and HR. He has been instrumental in creating many award-winning programs for leading brands like MeritTrac-India's largest Skills Assessment Company, Wipro Technologies and Accenture in his earlier stints. He has worked closely with leading universities, industry bodies, analysts and research firms globally and acted as a catalyst in providing best practices and insights to customers across sectors. He has authored papers & articles on marketing, strategy, gender diversity in international journals & has been a guest speaker at many Ivy league Universities globally. He has been featured among the Top 30 marketing Consultants in India by Consultant Review Magazine & Insight Success business magazine. Karthik holds a bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Bangalore University & an MBA in Marketing & Finance from IMI Belgium. He is currently pursuing his PhD in Marketing Management. The International Advertising Association (IAA) has announced the launch of the IndIAA Regional Awards-Tamil, an extension of its very popular IndIAA Awards that honor real work that worked in the market place. MediaNews4u.com has been roped in as partner for the inaugural leg of IndIAA Tamil Awards. Says Punit Goenka, President IAA India Chapter,After the very successful launch of the Regional Awards in Telugu last year, we have big plans to grow this space. The Tamil awards are something we are looking forward to, and no effort will be spared to make it aspirational. Adds Pradeep Dwivedi, Chairman IAA Regional Awards Committee, Nominations are now invited for the creative awards that would be judged by an all-client jury. Mainstream advertising campaigns launched between 1 April 2018 and 31 March 2019 are eligible. The campaign should include at least one film. There is no entry fee. Anyone can nominate a campaign that meets the above said criteria. There will be two components of awards. National Awards for work released in Tamil language by advertisers/agencies across India; and Regional awards for work created for clients in Tamil Nadu by agencies in Tamil Nadu, in either English or Tamil. Suggested nominees will be evaluated for inclusion in the shortlist by MediaNews4u.com. TAM AdEx is on board as Knowledge Partner. Independent Content Consultant Gokul Krishnamoorthy will be honorary process advisor. The IndIAA Awards were launched in 2015 to honour mainstream work, as against creativity for creativitys sake. The regional leg was rolled out in 2018 with the launch of IndIAA Telugu Awards, based on inputs from senior industry leaders. The first edition of the IndIAA Tamil Awards will be hosted in Chennai on 14th June 2019. The International News Media Association (INMA) announced that Paris would host the 90th Annual World Congress of News Media April 23-28, 2020. The news media industrys premier experience will include a media conference, five seminars, a study tour, and more. More than 500 delegates from 50+ countries are expected to attend this second-ever World Congress held by INMA in Paris. Highlights of the 2020 World Congress include: Congress venue: Palais Brongniart, a 19th century stock exchange re-imagined as a conference facility in the Vivienne district of Paris, where the media conference and seminars will be held. Opening reception: The Louvre, the worlds foremost museum, where INMA will have an exclusive viewing of famous works such as the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. Closing awards dinner: Opera Ballroom of the Intercontinental Le Grand, an historical landmark from the Napoleon III era, where INMA will hold its Global Media Awards dinner. The Paris announcement was made at the INMA World Congress in New Yorks TimesCenter. The Paris 2020 website was unveiled in New York: www.inma.org/worldcongress. The INMA World Congress is considered the news industrys best executive overview of trends, strategies, and best practices among the worlds top media companies. The Congress attracts top executives from the worlds leading news media companies. In addition to a Media Conference focused on broad themes related to strategic direction with impactful keynotes and informative panels, the week includes seminars on smart use of data analytics, global best practices, advertising, editorial, and print innovation. The International News Media Association is a global community of market-leading news media companies reinventing how they engage audiences and grow revenue in a multi-media environment. The fast-growing INMA community consists of more than 10,000 executives at 700+ media companies in 70 countries. INMA is the news media industrys foremost ideas-sharing network with members connected via conferences, reports, Webinars, and an unparalleled archive of best practices. INMA has offices in the United States, Belgium, India, and El Salvador. Global omnichannel marketing automation leader, Resulticks today announced the appointment of Mani Gopalaratnam as the companys Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Customer Success, reporting to CEO and Co-Founder Redickaa Subramanian. He will be based in the companys Singapore headquarters. In his new role, Gopalaratnam will lead Resulticks efforts to optimize the customer journey, promote best practices in implementing the Resulticks platform, and maximize economic value for each of the companys clients. In welcoming Gopalaratnam to the company, Redickaa Subrammanian, said, Mani has been a trusted advisor and business mentor for Resulticks since our platforms conceptualization. Were very pleased and fortunate now to welcome him on board as a full-time member of our team. Hes the right leader to help accelerate our growth as a disruptive brand in the highly competitive marketing automation space. We look forward to an even deeper level of customer engagement and success under his stewardship. Gopalaratnam comes to the position with more than three decades of experience in the technology and innovation space, and was most recently chief technologist at DXC Technologies. Gopalaratnam brings with him deep expertise in IoT, predictive modelling, big data solutions, and digital transformation across a broad spectrum of industries including manufacturing, logistics, banking, capital markets, insurance, real estate, utilities, and telecommunications. Commenting on the appointment, Gopalaratnam said, Resulticks has transformed the way brands connect with its customers at every possible touch point. Its the most robust and comprehensive solution of its kind, and I have personally seen how the platform constantly evolves to stay ahead of the curve and is at the forefront of technological innovation for marketers. I am excited and humbled by the opportunity where I can contribute to enabling unique customer journeys and to our clients success with innovative, data-driven omnichannel marketing solutions. 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. AFRIN, Syria To the locals, Mostafa Bakr, a young Kurdish musician from Afrin, is a true virtuoso. Bakr established a small music school in the city the Awaz Institute where he teaches budding talents the regions musical heritage. Afrin is a town in the northern Aleppo countryside with a rich musical past many families there own an instrument, often a tanbur, a long-necked string instrument that originates from Mesopotamia. Often hung on the wall, the tanbur is a central part of the Kurdish identity and heritage, and is played at weddings, during Nowruz (New Year's) celebrations and other occasions. It is also popular among the younger generation. Bakr plays most of the regions instruments with ease, from the long-necked tanbur to the smaller buzuq and teaches others to play at the music school located at his own home downtown. His students are from all age groups and play a wide range of instruments. Lilav Mostafa, a young woman with a clear voice, has been learning to play the tanbur. Sifan Ali Haider, a 40-year-old man, is learning to play the buzuq, a four-string instrument in the oud family with a small body and a long, fretted neck. Bakr also teaches children, such as Khalil Osman who is learning to play the baglama, a string instrument with seven strings. Al-Monitor met with Hoshiar Hussein, who is a gifted 16-year-old buzuq player. I began to play the buzuq when I was nine but I learned to play scales at the institute about three months ago, Hussein told Al-Monitor. Haifan Ahmad, 18, plays the baglama, too. I love this instrument and I sing while playing. The baglama is connected to the Kurds and means a lot to me. It is part of who I am, she told Al-Monitor. Adult students usually like to learn to play traditional instruments such as the tanbur and buzuq. Younger students in addition to their passion for traditional music also tend to like Western musical instruments such as the guitar, Bakr said. Bakr said that he owes a lot to Naim Shabab, his teacher and role model. Shabab is a Syrian musician from the city of Afrin, who is known and respected in his hometown because he ran a music school there in 2010-2017. He has taught many young people to play instruments. He currently lives in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, where he also established a music institute. Thanks to my mentor Shahab, I have an extensive music experience, Bakr told Al-Monitor as he gave a tour of his music school. I read a lot about music and international and Kurdish musicians. I play the tanbur and other string instruments of the region, including the seven-string baglama, the four-string buzuq and the oud, and I teach them at the Awaz Institute. Thirty students of different ages are enrolled in the institute. The two-hour music lessons are scheduled twice a week and cost 4,000 Syrian pounds a month [$8]. This nominal fee allows more students who wish to hone their musical skills to come on board, he said. Bakr added, Traditional music is a cultural heritage and language for communication between people, carrying a message of love and peace and expressing joy and sadness." On the occasion of Nowruz on March 16, Bakr and his students made a music video that was filmed with modest means on the outskirts of the city. The video, which shows the young students performing a traditional song, only has just over 1,400 views so far but it has encouraged the students to continue playing music to make their voices heard. Iran's Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, has said his country won't negotiate with President Donald Trump unless the US shows Tehran "respect" by honoring its commitments under the disputed nuclear deal. As CNN writes in the article Iran refuses Trump's offer of talks unless US shows 'respect', Zarif warned the US was "playing a very, very dangerous game" by boosting its military presence in the region. Zarif criticized the US for sending the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Gulf. "Having all these military assets in a small area is in of itself prone to accidents," Zarif said. "Extreme prudence is required and the United States is playing a very, very dangerous game." He accused Washington of walking out first on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, the 2015 deal designed to limit Iran's nuclear capabilities in return for the lifting of sanctions. "We acted in good faith," Zarif said of the deal, which was signed by the US, Iran, Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia. "We are not willing to talk to people who have broken their promises." Earlier this month, Trump said Iran should be "calling me up." But on Sunday the President hardened his rhetoric. "If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran," Trump said in a tweet. "Never threaten the United States again!" Iran would not bow to the threats, Zarif said. "Iran never negotiates with coercion. You cannot threaten any Iranian and expect them to engage. The way to do it is through respect, not through threats." Zarif said there "will be painful consequences if there is an escalation." But also added that Iran was "not interested in escalation." Instead, he called for an immediate end to the "economic warfare" waged by the US on Iran, saying that sanctions were "depriving citizens of their means of livelihood." Economic war Iran announced it would be partially withdrawing from the deal on the one-year anniversary of the US's departure from the accord. It gave the remaining signatories of the deal until July 7 to ease restrictions on Iran's badly hit banking and oil sectors, or face unspecified retaliation. European signatories are in a delicate position -- either side with the Trump administration and walk away from the deal, or preserve the pact by caving in to Iranian calls to ease restrictions, despite the threat of US sanctions. Britain's Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt -- whose government has repeatedly pledged its support for the deal -- warned Iran of "consequences" if it does not comply with the agreement. Uranium production quadrupled Zarif's comments came after it emerged that Iran has quadrupled its rate of production of low-enriched uranium, according to the Tasnim news agency which cited an official at the Natanz nuclear facility Monday. By ramping up production, Iran could soon exceed the 300-kilogram threshold agreed under the 2015 nuclear deal. Under the deal, Iran can only enrich uranium at 3.67% -- suitable for a power plant and far below the 90% required for weapons grade. The move puts further strain on what remains of the nuclear deal. Iran earlier this month announced it was partially withdrawing from the accord, following the US decision to walk away. The United States top diplomat and its lead civilian and military defense officials today failed to assuage lawmakers concerns that the country may be inadvertently hurtling toward war with Iran. I still dont have a clear idea of what the administrations objectives are, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith, D-Wash., told reporters after todays briefing with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan and Joint Chiefs Chairman Joseph Dunford. They have said over and over again that regime change is not the objective. What is the maximum pressure campaign trying to achieve? Ahead of the hearing, Pompeo tweeted that he was headed to Capitol Hill for a serious discussion about 40 years of unprovoked Iranian aggression. But Democrats had little patience for it: Smith said the secretary of state launched a very lengthy political argument for 10 minutes before the Washington Democrat felt compelled to cut him off. There was a lot of talk in the briefing about how theres a huge risk of Iran miscalculating, striking in a way that gets a response they didnt anticipate, Smith said while defending the Donald Trump administrations decision to send bombers and a US aircraft carrier group to the region. I think putting ourselves in a position to make sure that Iran knows that if they strike our troops, they will face a response is appropriate, Smith told Al-Monitor. I dont have a problem with that. Presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., went further, likening current tensions with Iran to the lead-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. A war with Iran would be an absolute disaster, far worse than the war with Iraq, and I hope the American people tell this administration that we will not go to war in Iraq, Sanders said. I worry very much that intentionally or unintentionally we can create a situation in which a war will take place. Sanders and three other White House hopefuls have signed on to a Senate bill blocking funding for military action against Iran: Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. In the House, fellow presidential candidates Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, and Seth Moulton, D-Mass., have introduced their own separate bills intended to curtail military action against Iran. And earlier today, the House Appropriations Committee voted 30-22 along party lines to amend its annual defense spending bill with a provision that would repeal the 2001 military authorization in eight months, which has been used as the legal basis for military action against al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. The bills sponsor, Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., told Al-Monitor that shes concerned the Trump administration could use the 2001 authorization as a justification to attack Iran as well as other parts of the world, as [others presidents] have done in the past. Pompeo refused to state that the 2001 military authorization does not apply to Iran when pushed by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee last month. However, the Daily Beast reports that todays briefers told lawmakers there was no evidence of cooperation between Iran and al-Qaeda in the recent regional flare-up, complicating any potential legal case to use the 2001 law to go after Iran. Pauls Republican colleagues have framed the Trump administrations approach to Iran more favorably, arguing that the military buildup and the White Houses heightened rhetoric presents a credible deterrent against potential attacks on US forces. This is a deterrent operation that is to stop Irans escalation and aggression in the region, said Rep. Mike McCaul, R-Texas, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The Daily Beast reported today that McCaul and House Foreign Affairs Chairman Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., met with former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson today, but the exact purpose of the meeting remains unclear. McCaul went on to blame Iran for last weekends rocket attack near the US Embassy in Baghdad and last weeks attack on four oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz. Neither Tehran nor its proxies have claimed responsibility for either attack, but Iraqi security forces have found a rocket launch pad in areas around Baghdad controlled by Iran-backed militias. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, the chairman of the Senates Middle East panel, also referenced the attack on the oil tankers. But he noted that an attack on American personnel has not occurred and perhaps thats related to the fact that we set up a very strong deterrent message to the people in the leadership in Iran. He also said that there is specific, credible evidence of the malign interest on the part of Iran. Still, Democrats accuse Republicans of mischaracterizing the intelligence. Im listening to Republicans twist the Iran intel to make it sound like Iran is taking unprovoked, offensive measures against the US and our allies, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., the top Democrat on the Senate Middle East panel, tweeted Monday. Like it just came out of nowhere. Ive read the intel too. And let me be clear thats not what the intel says. Despite their misgivings, some lawmakers remain hopeful the situation can be defused. I think the president is saying hed like to talk to Iran, of course Iran has to be willing to talk to us, Smith said. But there are a variety of other back channels that could be used, that I hope are being used, to reduce the risk of miscalculation. As many Gaza Strip-based businesses have struggled under the 12-year-long Israeli blockade, unable to make a sustainable profit, some are driven to search for new and alternative markets despite warnings of potential harm to the local economy. One of those companies, Pepsi Palestine, has spent four years establishing a soda bottling factory in the West Bank and is now able to serve that market directly. The company, affiliated with bottler Yazji Group, had shipped its products to the West Bank from its facilities in Greece and Jordan, paying steep transportation costs and tariffs. Pepsi Palestine media director Hammam Yazji told Al-Monitor, Israel bans the exportation of our products from Gaza to the West Bank, but it allows products to move in the opposite direction. We had to establish a factory in the West Bank, where production costs less. We also employed people, and the Palestinian Authority [PA] offered us incentives such as expediting the issuance of needed permits and governmental procedures. The company, however, is maintaining its Gaza Strip factory despite dropping sales due to the economic situation there. Yazji Group and other companies in Gaza say they open branches in the West Bank because the latter has enough raw materials, electrical power around the clock and the necessary infrastructure, unlike Gaza. Israel also continues to ban certain production tools and packaging equipment anything it thinks terrorists could put to use from entering the Gaza Strip. The new facility in the West Bank is considered one of the newest and most modern soda factories in the Middle East. Yazji Group said construction work on the plant in the Jericho industrial zone was completed in February at a cost of $25 million. The 10,000-square-meter (107,639-square-foot) plant employs 72 people, with the number set to rise to 150. The factory also has warehouses for storage and raw material, and water-treatment facilities. The company just announced its first shipment to the Gaza Strip on April 30. We are happy with this accomplishment," Mahmoud Yazji, who owns Yazji Group, said in a press statement that day. "It is a historical moment crowning years of continuous work, despite impediments. Yazji Group was established in 1961 in the Gaza Strip. Hammam added, I don't want to talk about our profit or the sales quantity or the competition with other soda companies in the West Bank. It's a seasonal rather than fixed trade. But, we established the factory because our sales in Gaza dropped, like all companies. Our prices are affordable for consumers in Gaza and the West Bank. We sell a 1-liter bottle for 2 shekels, which is equivalent to 50 cents." Gazas consumption of local and imported soda beverages is estimated at 110,000 tons per year, and the enclave imports 13,000 tons annually from Turkey, China, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE [United Arab Emirates] and eastern Asia, Hani al-Barawi, head of the Food Products Department at the Ministry of Economy in Gaza, told the local Felesteen newspaper in March 2017. On average, the Gaza Strip produces 5 tons of natural juices daily, and its daily need amounts to 500 tons. It imports 20,000 to 30,000 tons yearly 30% from the West Bank, 10% from Israel, 40% from the Gulf, 10% from Turkey and 10% from other countries. Nasser Abdul Karim, an economics professor at Birzeit University, told Al-Monitor, Yazji Group opened a branch in the West Bank to gain economic privileges that are missing in Gaza, like marketing opportunities, overcoming Israeli restrictions and the geographic separation between Gaza and the West Bank. This encourages establishing more branches of Gazan companies in the West Bank. Gazas financial and economic situation is not encouraging. Therefore, factories in Gaza seek alternative markets. Yazji Group is not the first Gazan company to establish a branch in the West Bank: Biscuit maker El-Awda Co. opened a branch in Hebron in 2017. Although companies' justifications for building branches in the West Bank seem reasonable, such moves risk emptying Gaza City of factories and harming its productivity. Osama Nofal, director of planning and policies at the Ministry of Economy in Gaza, told Al-Monitor, Yazji Group built its branch in the West Bank due to production impediments in Gaza, including high production costs and power cuts, leading to losses. But opening branches for Gazan factories in the West Bank is a negative indicator that harms the economic cycle in Gaza, causes lack of jobs and leads to a drop in capital that is moved to the West Bank at the expense of Gaza. There is an inclination to move some factories to Egypt, too. Factories can open branches abroad, but we are trying to offer an encouraging economic environment [through tax breaks and help with marketing] to keep them in Gaza. Yazji Group is the main producer of sodas in Gaza, and it owns the trademark rights for Pepsi-Cola, 7UP and Mirinda in the West Bank and Gaza. Yazji holds a 35% share of the overall soda market in Gaza and employs 300 people there. The new Jericho factory's production capacity meets demand in the West Bank cities and provinces, although the Gaza plant already produces enough to meet demand in both territories but its exports are restricted. When Osama al-Saadawi, PA minister of state for leadership and empowerment, visited Gaza on May 8, the Union of Contractors in Gaza handed him a study on moving national facilities outside the Gaza Strip to promote jobs and investment opportunities abroad. Companies that moved their branches outside Gaza mainly cited fear of ongoing wars and the blockade as their reasons. Businesses were never compensated for the losses their factories sustained during the Israeli wars on Gaza between 2008 and 2014. Atef Adwan, head of the Economic Commission of the Palestinian Legislative Council, told Al-Monitor, "The factories in Gaza increase investment, employ labor and reduce unemployment. It's a negative indication when a factory moves outside Gaza. The West Bank situation is fine, but Gaza is under blockade. The increasing relocation of branches to the West Bank would lead to an economic crisis in Gaza. This is worrying. We are giving factories incentives to remain in Gaza, like tax exemption for the first five years, customs protection for imported merchandise and promoting local products. "Although I personally support dialog and diplomacy, I flatly reject it under the current circumstances," said Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a clear message that the Islamic Republic's stance toward the idea of talks with the administration of US President Donald Trump remained unchanged. Rouhani said "five world leaders" had approached him to help defuse Tehran-Washington tensions during his visit to New York for the UN General Assembly in September 2018. "But today's conditions are by no means fit for negotiations," he added, noting that "steadfastness and resistance" are Iran's options, echoing a similar view earlier expressed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Rouhani made the remarks shortly before Trump's latest tweet on Iran in which he denied media reports that his administration was going the extra mile to bring the Islamic Republic to the negotiating table: "Iran will call us if and when they are ever ready." Picking up on a response from Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to an earlier threat by Trump, Iranian media outlets wrote in volumes to fire back at the US president, trying to give him a history lesson on how ancient Persia stood the test of time. On the front page of Reformist daily Hamdeli, a cartoon of a screaming Trump struck attention. His rhetoric, according to the paper, was but an "empty threat." Printing a picture of Trump in the form of a melting iceberg, hard-line Javan wrote about the melting down of Trump's "warmongering." The debate over how a possible US war on the Islamic Republic could play out has been largely characterized by Iranian patriotic and religious sentiments in recent weeks. "Iranians are the most immortal nation of the world. What was overthrown in the country 40 years ago was a 6,000-year-old despotic monarchy backed by the United States," wrote Hesamodin Ashna, one of Rouhani's top advisers. According to prominent pundit and political scientist Sadegh Zibakalam, any US invasion of the country will strikingly differ from the American occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan. Unlike Iraq under Saddam Hussein and Afghanistan under the Taliban, Zibakalam told Arman daily, Iranians' support for their government will pose a key challenge to the US military. "Listen carefully, Mr. Trump! We wont negotiate, nor are we asking for war. But the battle is a battle of resolves and victory belongs to the ones who have chosen God," tweeted an Iranian. In a step meant to draw the worlds attention to Trump's apparent threats, Iran's ambassador to the United Nations wrote to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, warning about a deterioration of the security situation in the Persian Gulf. Without naming the US government, Majid Takh-Ravanchi referred to "circles" outside the region who are trying to create an "unnecessary crisis" through "fabricated claims, disinformation and fake news" while relying on "support from their Middle East allies." But not all windows were shut. Oman's Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi sat down with Zarif in Tehran in what was interpreted as a mediation drive led by a country that has traditionally shuttled between Iran and the United States to try to end the two arch foes' decades-long hostilities. Details of the meeting in Tehran remain undisclosed to the media, but Oman is credited with having laid the foundation of talks between the two sides in 2012, which three years later culminated in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) signed between Iran and six world powers including the United States. That very deal, however, has been in tatters since the Trump administration pulled out of it in May 2018. Now, in the latest development on that front, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran announced May 20 that it had officially started boosting its capacity to enrich uranium by four times the previous level. The move was one of the steps the Islamic Republic decided to take earlier this month in response to the US departure from the JCPOA and the European signatories to the deals inability to provide the promised economic dividends. A serious crisis loomed over the inauguration of Benjamin Netanyahus first government back in June 1996. The newly appointed Foreign Minister David Levy gave Netanyahu a stern ultimatum and said that he would not be joining Netanyahu's government unless an appropriate position was found for Ariel Sharon. The two men, Levy and Sharon, had a political alliance at the time, so when Netanyahu, who felt threatened by Sharon, decided to keep him out of the government in an effort to eliminate him politically, Levy rose to his colleagues defense. As a result, a new economic portfolio, the Ministry of National Infrastructures, was created especially for Sharon, and the Netanyahu government was sworn in on schedule. Similarly, just two days earlier during that same time period, senior Likud Knesset member Benny Begin had threatened Netanyahu that he would also stay out of the government unless an appropriate post was found for Dan Meridor. Even though he was originally shunted aside as a dangerous political rival, Meridor was eventually appointed finance minister. Now, exactly 23 years later, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is about to form his fifth government but today, he is politically stronger than ever. This time, the role of the dangerous enemy from within has been taken by senior Likud member Gideon Saar, the person thought to have the best chance to take over from Netanyahu one day. Saar is considered quite popular. He is also thought of giving voice to values within the Likud. In the last primary to choose the partys Knesset list in February 2019, he was elected to the fourth-place slot. Over the last few days, however, he reached the inevitable conclusion that he would not be appointed to a senior position under Netanyahu, and that he may not even be made a minister at all. Under these circumstances, he had no qualms about going to the media and saying what many other senior members of the Likud thought to themselves but were afraid to say openly: The Immunity Law being pushed by Netanyahu is intended entirely for his own personal protection and would eventually cause serious damage to the party as a whole. In an interview with Channel 12 News, Saar explained that personal legislation would undermine public trust in the government and that someone gave the prime minister bad advice. Saar added that he isnt the only one whos concerned within Likuds top ranks. This was the signal to launch an intense vilification campaign against him on social networks and in Likud WhatsApp groups. Saar was accused of being a leftist and even of treason, yet not one of his colleagues in the Likud leadership called for an end to the incitement against him. In order to better understand the intensity of the change within the Likud in the Netanyahu era and his absolute control over the partys senior members, it is important to consider the collegial relationships characteristic of the old Likud and the autonomy of the partys individual members such as Benny Begin and David Levy. Both of them provided an example to Netanyahu on the limits of power. The only person to speak out in the media in defense of Saar was new Knesset member Michal Shir, who used to work with Saar. She claimed that in a democratic party, people should be allowed to express their opinions, but her remarks only led to a barrage of attacks against her. Among other things, she was reminded that the only reason she was elected to the Knesset was because of the 35 seats that Netanyahu won for the party. Obviously, there are political considerations and motives behind what Saar did. It is clear to everyone that he wants to replace Netanyahu at some point in the future. All of that is legitimate. It should be a feature of any democratic political movement. Netanyahu himself challenged other Likud prime ministers on more than one occasion. But this story is not limited to Netanyahu alone. It is also, if not mainly, the story of the most senior Likud officials and how they are incapable of saying anything against incitement and attacks against their own colleague in the party leadership. They can see and hear the attacks, but they are silent, knowing that anything they say in Saars support will impact the positions that they receive in the next government. They know they can easily find themselves in Saars place, so they keep their mouths shut. While Netanyahu himself seems to be ignoring what is going on, his son Yairs Twitter account offers a glimpse into the mood at the Netanyahu family home. In an interminable series of tweets, Netanyahu Jr. described Saar as having ties with what he considers to be radical leftists, including the staff of the State Attorneys office and senior journalists, all of whom he deems adversaries of his father. His remarks are intended to burn into the consciousness of the Likud that Saar is a fifth columnist. It is the attitude of the commander in chief [Netanyahu], and it has already trickled down to the partys activists. Furthermore, support for Saars remarks among the leaders of the opposition like Yair Lapid only intensified the attacks against him. None of the senior members of the Likud called for people to hold their fire and stop their attacks against Saar. It didnt matter that Saar had always been loyal to the Likud or even that he refused to quit the party during the 2005 disengagement from Gaza, even when offered a ministerial portfolio in the new government that was formed. The fact is that some of these Likud senior members joined the chorus against him. Minister of Culture Miri Regev is just one example. She said that Saar made a big mistake in the way he acted. The height of absurdity came when Regev admitted in a radio interview that even though she told the press after the Likuds recent primary that she voted for Saar, the fact is that she didnt really vote for Saar in the primary after all. Knesset member Amir Ohana chastised Saar and Shir, saying, The scope and intensity of the attacks on him [Netanyahu] from the most powerful forces in the State of Israel are unprecedented, and I expect us at least those of us in the Knesset to show solidarity and unity. We are team players. Happily, most of us act that way. Sadly, not all of us do. The few words tweeted by Knesset member David Amsalem can be seen to summarize the entire issue: Gideon Saar, shame on you! Amsalem is considered to be the political barometer of the Likud and someone with a deep understanding of the mood on the ground within the party. His choice of words was intentional. He was insinuating that what Saar did was so vile that he should be ashamed of it. That is no different from accusing Saar of treason. Most senior members of the Likud were silent, even when Saar came under attack from the right for supporting assimilation after it was revealed that his 22-year-old daughter is dating an Israeli Arab. And yet, in the face of all these attacks, Saar has shown tenacity. On May 19, he released an example of an incendiary tweet against him, showing him wearing a keffiyeh and claiming that he was planted in the Likud by the left and the New Israel Fund, which is now Israels worst enemy, even worse than Iran [said the accusing tweet]. Saar responded by writing, Intimidation and threats wont work on us. It is too early to determine whether his challenge to Netanyahu will position Saar as an alternative to the prime minister or whether it will cause him serious harm. Netanyahu has already succeeded in one thing. He has created a perfect symbiosis between him and the Likud, so that anyone who comes out against him is betraying the party. Attacks on Saar reflect the blind, unreserved support for Netanyahu within the Likud and the weakness of the partys senior leaders. After the Donald Trump administration decided to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights in March, the possibility of annexing Israeli settlements in the West Bank began making headlines. On April 6, three days before Israel held elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced, We will move to the next stage to the gradual extension of Israeli sovereignty in the areas of Judea and Samaria [West Bank], and explained that he meant all the settlements, not just the large settlement blocs. The day before the balloting, Netanyahu honed his message, stating that he had already engaged the Americans in discussions on obtaining their consent to annex the settlements. On April 10 in Al-Monitor, Shlomi Eldar asserted that Netanyahus fifth government would be a government of annexation. He went on to link the annexation of certain territories in the West Bank to the various right-wing parties granting Netanyahu immunity from indictment. That is exactly what is happening. As part of the ongoing coalition negotiations, representatives of the United Right are calling on Netanyahu to keep his pre-election promise on annexation and to formalize it in the coalition agreements. Even that, however, is not enough for right-wing settlements supporters. They are also demanding that the law concerning the 2005 disengagement be revoked. Prime Minister Ariel Sharons disengagement plan included the evacuation of all Israeli settlements in Gaza, along with four settlements in the northern West Bank: Homesh and Sa-Nur, north of Nablus, and Ganim and Kadim, east of Jenin. The land occupied by the evacuated settlements was not transferred to the Palestinian Authority, which controls Area A of the West Bank, but remained under the control of the Israel Defense Forces, with a ban on entry by Israeli civilians. Some of the evacuated settlers have demanded that they be allowed to rebuild the settlements. Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council and himself an evacuee from Sa-Nur, established Homesh First, which arranges tours of the settlements ruins for journalists, Knesset members and right-wing activists even though the area itself has been declared a closed military zone. On May 16, in the heat of negotiations to establish a new government, 10 Knesset members from the Likud and United Right visited the ruins of Homesh. Led by Dagan and Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein, the tour was effectively a declaration of intent. Edelstein, who actually opposed the 2005 disengagement vote in the Knesset, said during the visit that overturning the law on the disengagement will be the mission of all Knesset members who support Jewish settlement. According to him, there is good reason to believe that the proposal would receive widespread support in the Likud. Among current Likud Knesset members, six had objected to the disengagement legislation: Edelstein along with Gilad Erdan, Haim Katz, Moshe Kahlon, Gila Gamliel and Gideon Saar. Four current Likud Knesset members had supported the legislation: Netanyahu (who did so at his party's instruction, but later resigned in part over implementation of the disengagement), Yisrael Katz, Yuval Steinitz and Tzachi Hanegbi. Dagan, the guiding force behind revocation of the disengagement legislation, aims to include the move in the emerging coalition agreement. In a conversation with Al-Monitor, Dagan claimed that most Likud Knesset members support such a law, but that the ultimate decision would of course be left to Netanyahu. At the same time, however, he said he would not allow the prime minister to hide behind the Americans. Dagan is convinced that the pressure Netanyahu is now facing from the United Right and certain Knesset members from the Likud increases the likelihood that he will respond positively to the demand. Past experience would appear to suggest that Netanyahu is in no way enthusiastic about the proposal. Shuli Mualem, a former Knesset member for HaBayit HaYehudi, had submitted legislation to overturn the disengagement legislation during the previous Knesset, in October 2017, with the first stage being the removal of the ban on entry by Israelis into the evacuated territories. In a 2017 interview with Israel Today, Maj. Gen. (res.) Yair Naveh had expressed his personal support for the proposed legislation. As head of IDF Central Command at the time of the disengagement, Naveh oversaw the evacuation of the four settlements. He asserted that in hindsight, the move did not offer Israel any security or diplomatic advantages. Acting through the coalition chair, David Bitan, Netanyahu had given the green light to move Mualem's bill forward, but on more than one occasion, Netanyahu also ensured that debate be postponed. Netanyahus main reason and explanation for the delays was to avoid conflict with the United States. In January 2018, for example, he postponed debate on the proposed legislation in the Ministerial Committee for Legislation because of an upcoming visit by Vice President Mike Pence. These days, the United Right is unwilling to abandon its demand. One of its leaders, Knesset member Bezalel Smotrich, had said in 2015 that his ultimate goal is to rebuild the evacuated settlements. On the other hand, sources close to the prime minister say that there is no place for such a demand and certainly not as a part of a coalition agreement. One senior Likud official told Al-Monitor that Netanyahu cannot allow a demand like that to be included in the coalition agreement before he sees the American peace plan. According to that same source, Netanyahu promised the Americans that he will not make any major moves on the ground without their consent. Even the prime ministers own comments during the last election campaign were tempered by his statement that everything would be done in coordination with the Trump administration, said the source. Netanyahus personal and political future depends on his coalition partners. Without them, he cannot form a government and pass legislation that will help him avoid possible indictment. Smotrich is the force behind efforts to amend the current Immunity Law so that it would keep Netanyahu from standing trial on corruption charges, pending a hearing. On May 19, Smotrich made it clear that he plans to continue advocating for amending the Immunity Law, despite reservations and flat-out opposition from many legal and political actors, including some in the Likud. Now, Netanyahu has to simultaneously contend with Smotrich's demand and with President Donald Trump and his plan to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. While Netanyahu might be a political wizard, it looks like he will need all his political adroitness to resolve this dilemma. BEIRUT The most important thing is to get rid of the mystique of identity, Guillaume de Vaulx d'Arcy, researcher and organizer of the Identity Papers, an exhibition at Beit Beirut, told al-Monitor. [We have to] concentrate on the materialistic realities, administrative procedures and papers, because these are the heart of identity [formation]. Organized by the French Institute of the Middle East, the exhibition presents an array of identity papers, passports and government permits from the last 150 years in Lebanon. The documents are complemented by artworks and installations to illustrate how identities are formed. The exhibition, which opened May 11 and runs through May 31, tackles different types of identity formation, focusing on the role of state administration in the process. The topic is particularly relevant for Lebanon in light of the series of governments that controlled the territory in the first decades of the 20th century. During that time, each administration issued its own documents to cement its sovereignty. Intrigued by these types of documents, Wissam Lahham, a political science teacher at Beiruts Saint Joseph University, scoured the region to find examples of them. A selection from his collection is on display at the exhibition. I collect old books, property deeds, treasury bonds, coins, stamps, [etc.], Lahham told al-Monitor. It is a disease, he added, laughing about his ever-growing collection. The documents on display range from French mandate-era identity papers issued after the last census in Lebanon, in 1932, to modern passports. Collectively, they show how such papers came to be and the sometimes arbitrary nature and consequences behind them. Following the fall of the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century, the French became trustees of the newly created Lebanese state and set out to count the local population. Two censuses, conducted in 1921 and 1932, recorded people's confession. Lahham explained, however, In the census law [of the time], there was nothing that said you should record the community of the people, but they asked anyway. This small detail would give the censuses a pivotal role in shaping the development of the political system and its confessional component, which survives to this day. Noticeably absent from Lahhams and many other's collection of documents are identity papers of Muslims from the French mandate period. Lahham explained, During the first census, in 1921, when they issued the identity papers, it was boycotted by many Sunnis. They wanted to be part of Syria. In the 19th century, if you were to say Lebanon, you would mean [predominantly Christian] Mount Lebanon. While establishing identity, the documents also reveal the impermanence of identity and how quickly populations sometimes embrace new ones. According to Lahham, the incentives that identity papers offer are key to people agreeing to accept new identities. The creation of a state and the creation of a legal framework over time creates interests, Lahham said. People will get papers to [be able to] travel and such. The 1994 Naturalization Decree, a copy of which is on display, represents another example of the power administrative papers have despite often being arbitrary. The decree bestowed citizenship on people who were overlooked by the 1932 census. According to Lahham, political interests and corruption led to many receiving citizenship who might not have received it otherwise. Determining who should receive it and who should not was difficult, as no criteria was cited. The decree itself consists of a list of nearly 100,000 unordered names. All those listed simply became citizens. Other documents reveal commonalities. One part of such an example is a French-issued Patente de Protection from 1869, one of the oldest documents on display. This paper was issued in accordance with the contracts known collectively as the Turkish Capitulations, whereby traders and subjects of European powers were subject to European law rather than local law while on Ottoman territory. The French issued the document on display to a local merchant in Syria and Lebanon, allowing him the protection of French law. Lahham explained that such documents came to symbolize the weakness of the Ottomans and the dominance of the European powers. DArcy, taking another tact, cited the parallels between protection papers and the passports of Lebanese dual nationals who also hold a French passport. Dual passports are like protection papers, dArcy told Al-Monitor, because the French passport allows people to do things that a Lebanese one cannot. There is a social hierarchy [inherent] in these papers. DArcy also pointed to other examples of identity hierarchies, highlighting people in Lebanon subject to the kafala system, under which foreign workers are considered the responsibility of their employer, not the state, and the inability of women and Palestinians in Lebanon to pass their nationality on to their children. As regards citizenship in the latter situation, a similar law was recently repealed in Iran. The recent influx of nearly 1 million registered Syrian refugees to Lebanon has generated another paper hierarchy. In Identity Papers, Rabee Kiwan, a Syrian artist living in Lebanon, explores this inequality through paintings of passports overlaid with distorted images. [My] project revolves around the Syrian diaspora in particular and the concept of identity in general, Kiwan told Al-Monitor. The idea emerged when I was refused entry to a neighboring country to attend my own exhibition. One of the paintings on display shows passport photos of friends of Kiwan with the faces variously distorted, symbolizing how identity papers turn us into mere figures and codes, [and] rob us of our humanity. The final section of Identity Papers looks at this transformation of identities into codes and figures in an installation on identity in the digital age. Piles of computer monitors line the exhibition's exit, each showing images of new forms of documenting identity Instagram accounts, user names for government databases and personal accounts for television streaming services. [On the internet], categories are hidden, dArcy said. You like something on Netflix, and you are shown things from that category, but there are hundreds of others we dont see. Before, we were aware of different categories, now we [aren't shown them]. The impact that papers from a century ago made on identity hint at the immense changes that digital documentation will play in forming identity in the future, with all the mystique, hierarchies and exclusion it might bring. GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip The Israeli army embarked May 8 on the construction of a new concrete barrier on the border with the Gaza Strip. The barrier aims to protect the open border areas from the rockets that Hamas and Islamic Jihad possess. According to The Times of Israel, the Israeli army said in a statement May 8, As a result of lessons learned from previous rounds of fighting there is a major effort to protect certain areas adjacent to the Gaza Strip to adapt the areas to threats, including the threat of anti-tank and direct fire. The 600-meter-long (0.4-mile-long) and nearly 2-meter-high (6.5-feet-high) barrier will be erected in the open areas on the eastern border of the Gaza Strip. The Israeli armys decision was made three days after Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas military wing, fired May 5 a guided missile at an Israeli vehicle, east of Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip, which killed one Israeli. This happened during the last military confrontation May 4-5 between Israel and Gaza. In the same article, The Times of Israel reported the Israeli army as saying, That strike was one of two cases of Hamas firing the Kornet anti-tank guided missile, a precise, deadly and costly weapon The second operation took place May 5, with Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, along with Islamic Jihads military wing, Saraya al-Quds Brigades, firing another guided missile at an Israeli armored personnel carrier near the eastern border in the central Gaza Strip. No casualties have been reported. Hamas had already fired a Kornet anti-tank guided missile at an Israeli military bus Nov. 12, on the eastern border of Jabalya town, in the northern Gaza Strip, which destroyed the bus and badly wounded an Israeli soldier. Speaking to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, an al-Qassam Brigades' military source stated that setting up a concrete barrier on the Gaza border will not stop the resistance from firing guided missiles at Israeli vehicles in any new confrontation. He added, The resistance is following up closely on the construction of the new barrier and is examining means and how to break through it. I believe that getting past the barrier to conduct other operations against Israeli military targets will not be a hard task." Hamas spokesman Abdel Latif al-Qanou told Al-Monitor, Setting up a concrete wall on the Gaza border shows that the occupation and the settlers are terrified. He added that the barrier will neither bring them safety nor prevent the resistance from dealing its blow. Ahmad al-Moudalal, an Islamic Jihad leader, told Al-Monitor, This concrete barrier will not affect our ability to cause Israel genuine pain. The resistances capabilities are growing daily and [the resistance] is capable of getting past the barrier. Israel will realize in any future confrontation that this barrier is pointless. He noted that targeting the Israeli vehicle and armored personnel carrier in the last confrontation, as well as filming and broadcasting it, is a message to Israel that the resistance is capable of carrying out operations against Israeli military targets inside Israel, not only in Gaza. Kayed al-Ghul, a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine's political bureau, told Al-Monitor, Building this new barrier is an indication that Israel failed to protect its vehicles on the border via its military techniques and defense systems. In 2011, Israel created the Trophy defense system, a military technique to intercept anti-tank missiles. Ghul noted that firing guided missiles at Israeli vehicles has created a balance of deterrence to Israel, despite its obvious supremacy in terms of military capabilities. Speaking to Al-Monitor, Yusuf al-Sharqawi, a retired general, said, Israel is pursuing the policy of building barriers on the border with the Gaza Strip. It is still working on setting up an underground barrier along the border with Gaza to counter the resistances tunnels. Presently, the Israeli desire is to build another above-ground barrier to stop its vehicles from being targeted. Sharqawi perceived that the new barrier is a pointer that Israel fears that the truce agreement with the resistance in Gaza does not survive. This is why it is fortifying its open border areas in order to protect its military vehicles from the resistance in any future confrontation. He explained that Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza fired guided missiles at the Israeli bus and vehicle to prevent an Israeli ground operation from taking place in the Gaza Strip in the last military confrontation. He added that the resistance succeeded in doing so, as the Israeli action was limited to airstrikes. Speaking to Al-Monitor, Ayman Rafati, a political analyst specialized in Israeli affairs and author for the Hamas-affiliated Al-Resalah newspaper, said that the barrier will be built in the northern and southern parts of the eastern border area with the Gaza Strip, on land that lies lower than the land across the border in Gaza, which makes it more vulnerable to attacks. He noted that setting up the barrier points at the Israeli intelligences failure in detecting operations by Hamas and Islamic Jihad before they happen. He also pointed out that it consists of a message to the Israeli community that the army is seeking to protect Israelis residing near the border with the Gaza Strip. Nevertheless, Rafati believes that the Israeli government is pulling the wool over the eyes of the Israelis because the idea of erecting barriers is a complete failure. If [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu wants to protect Israelis on the Gaza border, he would have built the barrier along the 64-kilometer-long [40-mile-long] border. Yet this will prevent his soldiers from seeing the Palestinian moves on the Palestinian side of the border. During a press conference in New York on May 16, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric called for the immediate release and dropping charges against" UN expert Moncef Kartas. Speaking to Univers News on May 16, one of Kartas' defense lawyers, Sarah Zaafrani, stated she is convinced [Kartas'] case has taken a political turn." On World Press Freedom Day on May 2, UN resident coordinator in Tunisia Diego Zorrilla urged Tunisian authorities to free UN expert Moncef Kartas and return the technical equipment he had in his possession when he was arrested. Zorrilla told the Tunisia Africa Press news agency (TAP) that Moncef Kartas, who holds both Tunisian and German citizenships, is being illegally detained. On the same day, a German Federal Foreign Office spokesperson told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that German authorities have sent yet another verbal note to the Tunisian authorities in order to get consular access to Kartas and further information on the case. Kartas defense lawyers who spoke with Al-Monitor said it was only on May 7 that the Judge of Instruction (who was not identified for the protection of Kartas) granted visiting rights to representatives from the German Embassy to visit Kartas in prison that same day. These developments follow the publication April 30 of an open letter addressed to the Tunisian government demanding the immediate release of Kartas. The letter was authored by his legal team and family and signed by some 107 academics, experts on Libya and weapons, and leading disarmament nongovernmental organizations. Many of the signatories are colleagues of Kartas, who works in Tunisia and has been a member of the UN Panel of Experts on Libya since 2016, researching the illegal trading of arms into Libya, including traffic across Tunisias borders. Kartas ordeal began on the evening of March 26 when 12 members of Tunisias security forces arrested him on his way out of the Tunis-Carthage International Airport after a flight from Rome that was paid for by the UN. Kartas was apparently using his Tunisian rather than his German passport. His arrest came a few days ahead of the Arab Summit held in Tunis on March 31, where Kartas was due to deliver a paper outlining multiple breaches of the UN Security Council arms embargo on Libya by Turkey and Qatar via Tunisia in 2013. This paper could have had serious implications for members of the Tunisian Troika government, which was in power during that time in 2013. Libya has been under an arms embargo since 2011; the embargo was renewed in 2018. The real sticking point in Kartas case has been Tunisias refusal to respect the 1946 Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel, which Tunisia signed in 1957. Spokesperson for Tunisia's judicial counterterrorism division Sofien Sliti told TAP news agency on March 30 that Kartas cannot benefit from immunity insofar as the case involves personal benefits. Slitis statement seems to have created a diplomatic impasse between the UN and the Tunisian state. A UN spokesman had condemned the arrest of Kartas on March 29, saying Tunisia failed to abide by its obligations set in the 1946 convention. However, during his visit to Tunis March 31 to attend the Arab Summit, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres remained silent on Kartas case. On April 11, Kartas was officially charged with espionage and treason by the Court for Anti-Terrorism in Charguia, Tunis. Following the official charging of Kartas, Dujarric issued a statement April 12 stating, Mr. Kartas is an expert on mission for the UN and enjoys specific privileges and immunities under Article VI, Section 22 of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the UN, adding that the procedure for addressing his immunity is clearly spelled out in the convention. Dujarric described Kartas arrest as a matter of very grave concern. During the initial four days of his custody, Kartas was interrogated without the presence of his lawyer which is contrary to Tunisian law and without the presence of a translator as Kartas only speaks basic Tunisian Arabic, a former work colleague wishing to remain anonymous confirmed to Al-Monitor. Human Rights Watch denounced this on March 28, with researcher Amna Guellali quoting Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director for Human Rights Watch, as saying, Tunisia should immediately explain its shocking detention of Moncef Kartas and at a minimum grant him immediate access to his lawyers. Meanwhile, UN requests for access to Kartas were refused. Zaafrani told Al-Monitor that only a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees team was allowed access to Kartas on April 12. The team saw him again on April 12 in prison, but it was then refused further visits despite numerous attempts, she said. Head of Tunisia's National Institute for the Prevention of Torture Fathay Jarray confirmed to Al-Monitor that although Kartas had not been physically tortured, he had endured some psychological pressures. Kartas now finds himself on trial for treason and espionage under Article 60 of the Tunisian Penal Code, charges which under Tunisian law carry the death sentence. It should be noted, however, that Tunisia has not carried out an execution since 1991. Zaafrani told Al-Monitor there is no evidence and the file is empty. Her other main concern is that the wheels of justice may be grinding deliberately slowly. She said the judge doesnt want to close the file quickly. She said that in Tunisian law a judge can take a maximum of 16 months to deliberate before returning a judgment; if he fails to do so, the Judge of Instruction presiding over the case is obliged to release him. Speaking to Al-Monitor, Sliti confirmed that Kartas case is under review by the Judge of Instruction but could not comment as to whether there is a deadline for a decision. Kartas has remained in the notorious Mornaguia Prison, where those charged under the counterterrorism law are imprisoned. Zaafrani said Kartas health is beginning to deteriorate, and she is concerned his health might worsen if he remains in prison over the summer when temperatures can reach up to 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) as he only has one kidney as a result of a childhood accident. And now that the Muslim holy month of Ramadan has begun, Kartas no longer has access to drinking water during the fasting hours. Zaafranis concerns were corroborated by Mohieddine Lagha, a member of the Tunisian League of Human Rights who regularly inspects prisons. Lagha told Al-Monitor, The general [prison] conditions [accommodation, sanitation, infrastructure, etc.] remain dismal, particularly healthwise. The Tunisian state has remained markedly tacit on the Kartas case with only statements regarding his arrest and later his charge since then, there has been silence. Meanwhile, Tunisian media has indulged in a trial by media, with reports striking a decidedly nationalistic tone and provoking Tunisians deeply rooted paranoias about national security. Zaafrani is certain that Kartas arrest is a direct result of the nature of his work since authorities have had full access to his phone and laptop and his work has been the focus of interrogations. Certainly, the timing of his arrest ahead of the Arab Summit and before the offensive launched by leader of the Benghazi-based Libyan National Army Gen. Khalifa Hifter on Tripoli seems significant. His arrest sets a dangerous precedent, Farrah Hawana, a lecturer of International Politics and Security at Aberystwyth University in Wales and signatory to the open letter, told Al-Monitor. According to Hawana, the ramifications of Kartas arrest on international efforts to reduce armed conflict are very serious. It is quite a risky moment for multilateral efforts on arms control. Given that Tunisia is suffering from severe economic fragility, deep political tensions, civil discontent and is the direct neighbor of war-torn Libya, it is difficult to understand why the government has chosen to make such a provocative move which effectively undermines UN authority and also to block diplomatic dialogue with the German Embassy when Germany is its third top trading partner and has invested heavily in Tunisia. If Tunisia does not capitulate in this situation, it might jeopardize other international negotiations such as the new free trade agreement with the European Union that has yet to be settled. Germany has said very little publicly, apart from the abovementioned statement regarding demands for consular access to Kartas. But the German Federal Foreign Office spokesperson told Al-Monitor, The embassy is in close and high-level contact both with the UN and Tunisian authorities. Meanwhile, on May 3, Dujarric announced that Tunisian authorities provided the UN with documents regarding the legal processes against Kartas. However, our position remains unchanged [regarding UN staff immunity] and he should be immediately released until the matter is resolved, he added. Up to this point, the diplomatic process has been discreet. According to Zaafrani, the UN has informed Kartas defense team that the diplomatic process will take some time but that they will continue to support Kartas so he must be patient. Zaafrani said to Al-Monitor that during their sole visit to see Kartas in Mornaguia Prison, the German Embassy team working on his case had outlined their plan of diplomatic work to gain his freedom. When Kartas relayed this to her, Zaafrani's impression was that this process must proceed strictly from one step to the next and that trying to rush matters would derail the whole diplomatic process and risk Moncef's release. As delicate as the diplomatic process appears to be, questions must be asked about Tunisias accountability and cooperation with the UN in the longer term. Hawana said, If Tunisia faces no repercussions or consequences for violating its international obligations, then how or why would we expect any other country to respect the diplomatic privilege of the UN Panel of Experts anywhere?" President Donald Trump has stepped up his trade war on China after the United States trade deficit in goods with China hit a record $419.2 billion last year. US exports to China were worth $120.3 billion, while its imports were 4.5 times bigger, totaling $539.5 billion. Turkey, saddled in relative terms with a worse trade deficit with China, has begun to openly complain about the imbalance and has raised the prospect of taking measures, but how much can it really do? Last year, Turkeys exports to China totaled $2.9 billion, while its imports were seven times bigger, standing at $20.7 billion. China was the 16th largest buyer of Turkish goods and the second largest exporter to Turkey after Russia. In 2017, China was the No. 1 exporter to Turkey, but in 2018 Turkish imports from China decreased 11.3% while its imports from Russia rose 12.7%, putting Russia in the top spot. Despite the downtick, Turkeys trade gap with China remains massive, accounting for 33% of Turkey's overall foreign trade deficit of $55.1 billion. Looking at the past decade, Turkeys trade deficit with China totaled a staggering $190.6 billion from 2009 to 2018. The gap, which stood at $11 billion in 2009, enlarged steadily, peaking at $23 billion in 2016 before falling to $20.4 billion in 2017 and $17.8 billion last year. The decrease in the past two years, however, stems not from an increase in Turkeys exports but a shrinkage in the bilateral trade volume. Judging by the trend in Turkish exports, closing the gap seems impossible. Exports to China peaked at $3.6 billion in 2013, only to go down in the ensuing years. Throughout the past decade, Turkish exports to China have fluctuated between $2 billion and $3 billion, with the year 2013 being the sole exception. The contraction in bilateral trade has accelerated this year. In the first quarter, Turkeys exports to China decreased 18.6% to $571 million from $701 billion in the same period last year. China retains second place among the largest exporters to Turkey, but its sales fell nearly 30% to $4.2 billion from $6 billion in the first quarter of 2018. The economic crisis bruising Turkey could explain why it buys less from China, but the decrease in Chinas import of Turkish goods suggests that trade haggles have begun between the two countries. Like the United States, Turkey is irked by Chinese trade domination and has begun to openly express it. Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak said in January that the current state of trade with China and South Korea was not sustainable. It is supposed to be a win-win affair, but we see a picture in Turkeys disfavor. Either we gain together or we will take different steps, he said. Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos a week later, Albayrak said serious work had begun to narrow the trade gaps with the two Asian heavyweights. We can say that we are not in a happy commercial relationship, he said, pledging a much more active policy on South Korea and China. It remains unclear whether Ankaras active policy will entail higher tariffs or other measures to curb exports. Still, punishing China at a stroke like the United States is trying to do is not possible for Turkey for several reasons. China has offered Turkey financial support in times of hardship. Last summer, when Turkeys economic woes jolted the foreign-exchange market, Ankara was able to secure a $3.6 billion loan package from China. Bilateral ties hold the potential of significant headway in other areas. China is interested in boosting investment in Turkey. Its ambassador to Ankara, Deng Li, said in March that China aimed to increase investment in Turkey to $6 billion by 2021 from the current $2.8 billion. In 2018, declared as Turkey Tourism Year in China, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Turkey increased 60% to 390,000. According to Deng, the goal is to bring the figure up to 800,000 in the short run. Though Ankara has not yet outlined any measures specifically for China, general policies aimed at curbing imports the result of Turkeys currency woes are bearing on China directly. Earlier this month, for instance, the 25% special consumption tax on mobile phones was doubled to 50%. China tops the list of mobile phone exporters to Turkey. Last year, Ankara imposed certain import restrictions on shoe and textile products. Other factors complicating imports from China such as protracted customs procedures and extra paperwork have reached such a level that importers' complaints have made headlines in the press. Yet Turkeys importation of intermediary goods from China stands in the way of heavier restrictions. Besides mobile phones, the top goods imported from China include audio, visual and other transmission devices, automatic data processing machines and their magnetic or optical readers, synthetic yarn, parts and accessories for road vehicles, electrical transformers, toys, pipes, boilers, tanks, faucets, air and vacuum pumps, gas compressors, fans, monitors, projectors, TV receivers and illuminated signs. The top products that Turkey exports to China include marble, chrome, lead, copper, iron and precious metals. Meanwhile, Turkish citizens could unwittingly help the government in its efforts to balance trade with China. With the Turkish lira nosediving since last year, they are becoming poorer and the demand for imported luxury goods, especially mobile phones, is on the decline, auguring some forced adjustments. For the second day, Turkish fighter jets pounded Kurdish rebels wedged between the borders of Turkey, Iran and Iraq. The operations are part of a fresh offensive against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), Turkeys Defense Ministry announced today. The ministry said Turkish forces had struck ammunition depots and shelters used by the rebels in the Avashin area in Iraqi Kurdistan. Rudaw, an Iraqi Kurdish news outlet, reported that Turkish forces and the PKK have engaged in clashes over the past five days on the ground in Sidekan, which lies in the targeted region known as Kharkurk. Large plumes of smoke billowed above sparsely forested mountains as Turkish military helicopters hovered, as seen in a video shot by Asqui Zuber, a villager from Sidekan. The footage, posted on Rudaw, was recorded May 19. Zuber said he was headed home with his parents when he witnessed the attack. Scores of Iraqi Kurdish villagers and hundreds of sheep have perished in Turkish airstrikes since the early 1990s, when the PKK set up its main command centers in the mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan. Turkish Minister of Interior Suleyman Soylu claimed today that Turkeys 35-year battle against the PKK was increasingly effective, thanks in part to the use of locally manufactured armed and surveillance drones. PKK sources contacted by Al-Monitor in recent months have acknowledged that Turkeys use of drones has made life harder for the rebels. But if success is to be measured by the number of rebels killed, Soylus claims do not match up. Speaking to a graduating class of police cadets in Istanbul, Soylu asserted that Turkish security forces had killed 1,380 PKK militants last year in 104,534 separate operations. Again, by Soylus own account in 2017, it took around half as many operations (60,733) to kill more (1,953) PKK militants. In the old days, an average of 5,000 people would join the PKK, in 2018 this number fell to 136, Soylu claimed. High level, low level, [whoever] is linked to this treasonous PKK we are eliminating one by one. The ministers hawkish stance is at odds with speculation that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is teasing engagement with imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan in a bid to woo Kurdish voters ahead of a controversial rerun of the Istanbul municipal elections that are due to take place June 23. The rumors were first prompted by the governments decision to allow Ocalan to meet with his lawyers May 2 for the first time in eight years. Ibrahim Bilmez, a member of Ocalans legal team, told Al-Monitor that they are awaiting a government response to their request to visit him again. Kurdish voters played a critical role in helping the main opposition mayoral contender, Ekrem Imamoglu, narrowly win the March 31 local polls in Istanbul. The ballot was annulled and Imamoglu was stripped of his mandate by Turkeys Supreme Electoral Commission after it upheld the claim of Erdogans ruling Justice and Development Party that there were irregularities in the appointment of some polling station officials. Erdogan has, however, ruled out resuming peace talks with Ocalan. Talks collapsed in 2015, as did a mutually observed cease-fire that had lasted over two years. Italy's governing populist Five Star Movement appeared to have coalition partner Matteo Salvini on the back foot Monday, as it challenged the strongman over his latest anti-migrant decree. As Daily Mail writes in the article Italy's Salvini fumes as ruling partner slows anti-migrant bill, the head of the far-right League is courting votes ahead of the European elections by waging war on refugees and migrants attempting to reach Europe by boat, and he wants his bill adopted ahead of the May 26 ballot. But while the bill was slated for debate at a cabinet meeting on Monday, the M5S signalled it was not prepared to pass the law in its present form. The draconian update to Salvini's earlier security decree has drawn fire from his coalition partner M5S, the Catholic Church and even the UN's human rights agency. While the M5S reluctantly passed the initial security law in November, political watchers said it knew it could stand up to Salvini now because he would not risk the government collapsing just before the EU vote. Any large-scale crisis in the government could affect the performance of the League and its plans to head up a nationalist grouping of far-right parties in the Europe parliament. "If (the decree) is just an empty electoral stunt it means they're taking Italians for a ride," said M5S head Luigi Di Maio. "We'll see (at the cabinet meeting). The interior minister hasn't let us read it yet," Di Maio said of the final draft. Salvini lashed out at all and sundry on Sunday after discovering live on television that a Sicilian prosecutor had overruled his order to close the ports to migrants rescued by the German charity Sea-Watch. UN human rights investigators said Sunday that the decree, which sets fines of up to 5,500 euros ($6,145) for each rescued migrant brought to Italy, violates international law. Good Catholic Salvini, whose League has soared in popularity thanks largely to his hardline migration policy, wants the power to prevent any migrants from being brought to Italy by banning ships from entering Italian territorial waters. He insists that those setting sail from Libya to seek safety in Europe should be returned to the crisis-hit country -- an order that is illegal under international law, and which charity-run migrant rescue vessels have repeatedly refused to follow. On Sunday Italian prosecutors impounded the Sea-Watch 3 and opened an investigation into its captain for allegedly aiding illegal immigration after it rescued 65 migrants off the coast of Libya last week and brought them to Italy. The interior minister described himself as a "good Catholic" on Monday following an outcry sparked by his carrying a rosary, which many saw as a gratuitous prop, during a rally of the European far right in Milan on Saturday. Critics also said his campaign against rescue vessels posed a high risk of boats sinking and people drowning during the perilous crossing in the Mediterranean with the tragedies going unrecorded. On an uncharacteristically cold October day, Lindy Wood welcomes us to Westonwood Ranch in Walton County, Florida. In a short-sleeve polo, well-worn jeans, and cowboy boots, the mom of four apologizes for the rain while leading us to a covered structure where we can chat. Its just a few weeks after Hurricane Michael rocked the Florida Panhandle, but the positivity radiating from Wood makes it impossible to tell that not too long ago she was holed up waiting and watching as the strongest storm to hit the Panhandle in its history tore through town. At stake was, of course, the safety of her family, friends, and community. But also, the progress shed already made on Westonwood Ranch, the 40-acre property she and her family bought in 2014 to turn into a pre-planned, farm-based learning program for individuals with autism. Sitting under the soon-to-be equine stables with an aquaponic greenhouse a couple hundred yards away and animal pens holding alpacas, pigs, and bunnies sprinkled throughout the propertyits a miracle that Wood had time to meet with us, much less set up display tables with cardboard renderings of the ranch or think to set out water bottles for us. But of course, Wood never had much time to dawdle in tragedy or stop for sorrow. If ever the title supermom were to be awarded, itd go to Wood. Superwoman would be just as accurate. FORMATIVE EXPERIENCE Nine years ago, Wood, her husband Jason, and their two children were living what she describes as a picture-perfect life. The high school sweethearts had planted roots on a farm in their hometown of Livingston, Alabama. They expected it to be their forever home. I think when youre planning your life, you think its all a fairytale, Wood says. You always see families that have special-needs kids, and you think in the back of your mind, Thats something that happens to someone else, not us. Wood became that someone else just a few years later when her third child, Weston, was diagnosed with severe autism at the age of 2. Weston was non-verbal and self-injurious, and Wood, a psychiatric nurse practitioner by trade, was entirely overwhelmed. Her initial panic at Westons diagnosis was exacerbated by finding out she was pregnant with her fourth child around the same time. I felt like someone had just ripped my heart out, she remembers. I dont want to compare it to a death, but you do grieve. Its like your childs whole life flashes before your eyes. You think he probably wont play little league, he wont go to prom, he wont have a girlfriend, hes not going to have a job. All of that flashes before you. In the wake of hearing the gut-wrenching news, Wood went into go-mode, quitting her job to research every possibility for speech therapy, occupational therapy, and behavioral therapy that could help Weston. What she immediately discovered was the immense lack of comprehensive programs for those affected by autismespecially in rural Alabama. Eventually, Woods search led her to Mitchells Place in Birmingham, where Weston could get the one-on-one ABA (applied behavioral analysis) therapy he needed. With no time for self-pity, Wood packed up her life (including her four-week-old baby) and moved to Birmingham. For the next two years, Wood and her two youngest children lived in Birmingham during the week, reuniting with the other half of their family in Livingston on the weekends. The decision to split up their family was difficult but necessary at the time, yet Wood knew it wasnt a permanent solution. Children age out of Mitchells Place after age 7, and living in two places at once was taking its toll on the entire family. Wood began looking for other options, and after touring Emerald Coast Autism Center in Niceville, Florida, she and Jason made the heart-breaking decision to leave behind their forever home in Livingston and move their family to the coast. We were so torn up about having to leave our home behind and uprooting our family, Wood says. We just felt really lost. It was in that dark period, just a week before the big move, that Wood had an experience that changed her perspective forever. She had lunch with a fellow mother of a child with autismonly this child, named Hallie, was now 22 and had aged out of the public-school system. Her mom, Fran, had to quit her job because there was nowhere else for Hallie to go. In that momentand it was a very distinct momentmy energy and my mind and my heart kind of shifted from what I was caught up in immediately with Weston, and I thought that this fundamentally wasnt right, Wood says. Wood decided her impact could go far beyond helping just her sonshe wanted to help people like Weston everywhere. And she wanted that help to last well beyond the age of 7, or 13, or even 22. She wanted a permanent solution to the problem of individuals with autism being left behind. At the end of the day, everyone wants an independent life and to feel like theyre productive and giving back, she says. But basically, our society slams the door in their face just by the nature of how we educate this population. OPENING DOORS With all that in mind, the Wood family moved to the Florida Panhandle and Weston began attending Emerald Coast Autism Center (ECAC). At the same time, they purchased the land that would become Westonwood Ranch and began fleshing out plans for a system of replicable self-sustaining business enterprises run by adolescents and young adults with autism. Wood also worked closely with ECAC to develop an ABA-based curriculum for Westonwood that focuses largely on skill acquisition. The vision for Westonwood was a working ranch, complete with a 4,500-square-foot vocational training center, a commercial aquaponic greenhouse, covered equine arena and stables, technology and fitness centers, and a sensory room. Its main demographic would be aged 14 and older; an eventual goal is also to provide on-site, semi-independent housing for older program members. The whole idea behind Westonwood Ranch is that I didnt want to be put in a box, Wood says. Everything at Westonwood is done with purpose, and all endeavors on the ranch are connected to one another. For example, Wood chose aquaponic farming because its a self-sustaining ecosystem that provides multiple avenues for growth and exploration. Students can take part in the highly predictable, cyclic farming, but they also can learn to process, market, and sell the harvested organic produce. In the commercial kitchen, students hone cooking skills to produce, package, and sell a signature pesto using basil from the greenhouse. Another huge part of the milieu at Westonwood is the ranchs emphasis on animal therapy. Growing up with weekend access to the family farm in Livingston, Weston formed a special bond with one of the familys horses, Razzie, who is now one of the therapy horses at Westonwood. We realized that he could be all over the place, but when we put him bareback on horseback and he could feel those vibrations from the horse, he was calm for hours after, Wood says. Horses are pack animals, and they can sense the vulnerable and weak, so they pair with those individuals naturally. Seeing this population interact with them is beautiful. Outside of therapy, students will be able to learn about animal husbandry, stable operations, and proper animal care from the ranchs dozens of other rescue animals, including pigs Frank and Pumba, an adorably ugly alpaca, and a bundle of bunnies. Theres a long list of experiences that individuals with autism typically miss out on, but Wood is working to change that by offering after-school classes for a wide range of ages in art and dance. She also plans to host an inclusive summer day camp for both children with and without special needs. All in all, Westonwood will be able to accommodate 140 full-time program participants. GARNERING SUPPORT If youre thinking this sounds like a lot to put together for one familyeven one led by the incredible force that is Lindy Woodyoud be right. Luckily for the Woods, theyve had tremendous support from the surrounding community. The initial influx of donations from the silent capital campaign in October of 2017 shocked Wood. And from there, she says, the gifts just kept coming. I stand back sometimes, and Im amazed because everyones generosity fast-tracked this, and its not anything I did, she says. There are days when Weston doesnt sleep and he self-injures, and Im like I can barely take a shower, why am I trying to put this together? And when I have those days, I swear its like a beautiful gift would get put right back in our path. One of those gifts came when Westonwood was selected as a benefiting charity of Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF), a nonprofit that plans biannual wine-focused events that fully benefit a number of childrens charities. To date, the 14-year-old organization has donated more than $18 million to Northwest Florida charities through its spring Destin Charity Wine Auction and fall Harvest Wine & Food Festival. DCWAF President John Russell says the decision to welcome Westonwood as one of its benefiting charities was an obvious one. All of us at Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation are in awe of the drive and personal commitment of Lindy and Jason Wood to create a sustainable therapeutic model to improve the lives and vocational skills of young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Russell says. The Woods have developed an extraordinary solution that could only come out of the love of parents with a child with [autism spectrum disorder]. As Wood puts it, a lot has happened by meeting the right people on the right path. Another example: Wood met with an architect from Blue Mountain Beach to talk about potential designs for the ranchs vocational training center. After explaining the mission behind Westonwood, the architect offered to do the project pro bono. As it turns out, his 14-year-old son also is affected by autism. Still, much of the communitys willingness to offer support can be attributed to Woods incredible passion and drive to make the world a better place for her sonand for so many others like him. We want to create this movement where we stop pigeonholing these kids and saying all theyre capable of doing is bagging groceries or picking up trash, she says. It breaks my heart because I can see these kids have so many unique talents, but theyre just not allowed the chance to explore and find out what they excel at. Westonwood also is a chance for Wood to give herselfand Hallies mom and every other parent who has a child affected by autismpeace of mind in knowing that their child will have the opportunity to live a meaningful life. I have a 16-year-old son, too, and with him, I feel like my parenting stops with college, Wood says. Ive given him all these tools, and then he kind of flies away. But with Weston, I feel that heaviness on my heart that its not going to be easy for him to fly away. Hes going to need a lot more. I want Westonwood Ranch to offer that. Details Find out more about Westonwood at westonwood.org. This story appears in Birmingham magazines May 2019 issue. Subscribe today! A Los Angeles-based publicist with ties to Birmingham is bringing a new gourmet burger restaurant franchise to the Birmingham area. Burgerim looks to open this fall at a location to be determined later. Francis Perdue, who was recently appointed as the companys public relations director, is one of the youngest black women to purchase a franchise. After launching in Israel in 2008, Burgerim has locations in 15 states and plans on operating about 500 stores in the U.S. by the end of this year. The franchise has burgers with patties made of salmon, Wagyu and Angus Beef, chicken, falafel, as well as serving beer, wine, milkshakes, wings and salads. The franchise will also open a Montgomery location on Commerce Street later this year, as well as one in Enterprise on Boll Weevil Circle. Francis Perdue is also the public relations representative for Burgerim in California. Perdue said she sees the business opportunity as a way to give back. I decided to open Burgerim in my familys hometown because they were different from other franchises in which it wasnt top heavy for a start-up fee and they assist you every step of the way," Perdue said. I intend on giving the community assistance through programs for students at Parker High and other high schools and colleges in the area. I want women, women of color and people of color period to know that we can work together and attain wealth to change our neighborhood as well as our legacies. Phillip Leys May 1 flight from the Mobile Downtown Airport was strictly business. That it was the inaugural Frontier Airlines trip from the citys new $8 million terminal wasnt a big deal. That it went straight to Chicago was. Im going to see how well this works for us having this direct flight, said Ley, who lives in Mobile and works at Evonik Corp. in the chemical giants IT department. Ley is an example of the primary air travelers served in Mobile: Here, 80% of fliers are traveling on business, according to the Airport Authoritys president. The other 20% are leisure travelers. Mobiles leisure travel figure trails that in both Huntsville and Birmingham, and lags vastly behind that at the rival Pensacola International Airport, where almost half the fliers are on vacation or sight-seeing or otherwise traveling to enjoy themselves. Mobile airport officials want to close the gap, and they are banking on a slow shift of commercial service from Mobile Regional Airport in the far western suburbs to the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley situated beside the citys longtime core and just a dozen or so miles from booming Baldwin County. A $1.5 million ongoing study, expected to be completed within the next two years, is analyzing the swap. I think having an airport, from where you get into your car and you are five minutes to downtown, its a big deal, said Dave Clark, president and CEO of Visit Mobile. It will be a big deal for leisure and business travel going into the future, and Alabamians need to continue to support it. Battling for beaches Plenty of potential exists at Mobile Downtown Airport to lure in leisure travelers. Mobile and Baldwin counties are two of the states top three counties for tourism, according to an Alabama Department of Tourism report released on Monday. Together, the counties comprise of 35.6% of the overall 27.7 million visitors to Alabama last year. While we are predominately a drive-to destination, as people in markets farther away learn about us, flying could be their best or preferred option, said Herb Malone, president and CEO of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism. The flights, he said, could be particularly important in the off-season when vacationers come for quick in-and-out stays. Mobiles Downtown Airport is about a 1 hour, 10-minute drive to the Gulf Shores Public Beach. Pensacolas International Airport is closer, but not by much its about a 55-minute drive. At present, Malone said, a majority of travelers to Alabamas beaches fly into Pensacola. The statistics, compiled through visitor survey research break down like this: -20% of winter season travelers arrive via air and of this percentage, four-fifths flew into Pensacola while one-fifth arrived into Mobile Regional Airport. The source markets came through a variety of airline hubs: Atlanta, Dallas and Houston. -14% of spring travelers arriving by air flew primarily through Pensacola, with the source market airports including: Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, Miami, Nashville, Milwaukee and St. Louis. -10% of fall travelers arriving by air flew into Pensacola with the source markets being Atlanta, Dallas and Houston. -6% of summer visitors arriving by came from Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and Indianapolis. Of this percentage, three-fifths flew into Pensacola, while two-fifths came through Mobile Regional. Keep in mind that travel is not just people coming here to Mobile or Alabamas beaches; its also local residents taking vacations or traveling for business, said Malone. The key factors, I think, to securing more flights regardless of its business or leisure-related are the same: A diverse mix of airlines, competitive and affordable flights, and a strong variety of departure and arrival options. Business, leisure ratios Pensacolas airport has an almost evenly split ratio of business-leisure travelers, according to figures provided by the airport. According to the airport, flights out of the airport are 47.94% business, 46.28% leisure and 5.78% military. A market analysis shows that Pensacolas airport loses relatively few local travelers to other airports. If there is any so-called leakage, its to Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport. Mobile, according to the analysis, isnt on the radar as a competitor. But Pensacola does get a boost from Alabama. Fifty-four percent of Pensacolas ticket purchases occurred outside of Florida, 16 percent from Alabama, the most of any state. Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airports business-to-leisure ratio, based on analysis by New South Research, is 59% business and 34% leisure. An additional 7% represent a combination of the two. Huntsville International Airport averages 70% business to 30% leisure travelers, according to the latest surveys. Jana Kuner, a Huntsville airport spokeswoman, said she could see those numbers shifting. Our goal is to have a more even mix of business and leisure travelers, she said. She said the goal is to work with low-cost carriers who can provide more leisure destinations with lower fares. We are working to communicate that we have a new ultra-low-cost carrier (Frontier) to passengers and we are also promoting our MyHSV campaign which offers our travelers the service of a free travel agent to help them find the lower fares, said Kuner. Our airport pays the travel agent fees for them so what does it hurt to look at us first? Examining Mobiles markets The Mobile Airport Authority views itself as a two-airport system for the next four to five years, said its president, Chris Curry, and will focus its marketing of the Downtown Airport to fill gaps in our air service. He said that legacy carriers such as Delta, United Airlines and American Airlines, which offer flights out of Mobile Regional are focused on transporting passengers to the nearest hub before connecting to other destinations. A key is to get further hubs, such as New York, Miami-Fort Lauderdale and Washington, D.C., to complement Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Charlotte. Mobiles second priority is to attract carriers flying non-stop to leisure destinations like Orlando, Tampa, Las Vegas and Phoenix. Right now, there isnt a plan for Mobile to become a leisure destination itself, such as for low-cost carrier Allegiant Airlines. The Nevada-based Allegiant serves smaller-market cities throughout the U.S., mostly in the Midwest. But its also flying in and out of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, about a two-hour drive from Mobile. Destin is a 100% leisure market whereas Mobile is 80% business and 20% leisure from my perspective, said Curry. Mobile market is a drive-in market and with new low-fare service, we can change that dynamic. New carriers can also create competition in the marketplace which will drive down those fares at Regional. Allegiant isnt actively considering coming to Mobile, at least at this point. We expect to grow our capacity across the company by approximately 10% over the next year, said Sonya Padgett, spokeswoman with Allegiant. Allegiants business model is unique in that we serve the price-sensitive leisure traveler. We strive to be highly responsive to customers needs, which means our network planning team is constantly measuring demand and seeking new opportunities, but we have no plans to offer service at Mobiles airport at this time. Kerry Tan, an associate professor of economics at the Sellinger School of Business at Loyola University Maryland, said Mobile airport officials should focus on attracting an Allegiant flight from the Downtown Airport. He said the long-term sustainability of the new airport will depend on more options than the five flights-per-week schedule Frontier is offering to Denver and Chicago. Allegiant is a good way to make this sustainable, said Tan. The idea that Allegiant Airlines targets these leisure routes, and if the purpose is to stimulate leisure travel (in Mobile), then Allegiant is the kind of the biggest player for that space. Tan said Mobile could also benefit in inquiring about Essential Air Service benefits offered by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The incentives, which are offered by the federal government and require a local match, help make an airport economically feasible to make an airline interested in entertaining (service) at that airport. Tan said the closest airport to Mobile that participates in the EAS program is in Arkansas. It could be something the Airport Authority can get a subsidy in helping to attract additional airlines to service the new airport, he said. For now, Clark of Visit Mobile and others in Mobile area pleased with the potential to attract more business-related conventions to downtown Mobile because of the new Mobile Downtown Airport. Clark has repeatedly cited Chicago-based groups coming to Mobile for conventions because of the airports opening. From a convention standpoint its a growth element we can enjoy when Alabamians support this downtown airport when Frontier and (hopefully) another airline can come in here and fly more frequently during the week, he said. Hyundai Motor America is donating $250,000 to Montgomery Public Schools to fund math and science education. The companys Hyundai ST Math Initiative, with the Mind Research Institute, will benefit more than 3,000 students from five public elementary schools in the system, including Catoma, T.S. Morris, Morningview, Seth Johnson, and Brewbaker Elementary. Hyundai executives will host a check presentation later today at the Montgomery plant, along with Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange, Montgomery School Superintendent Ann Roy Moore, County Commission Chairman Elton Dean, and Bernice King, CEO of the King Center for Non-Violent Social Change. The Mind Research Institute is a non-profit that provides instruction in math development skills and STEM education. Hyundai has been in partnership with them for almost six years in providing math education for thousands of high-need elementary Zafar Brooks, director of corporate social responsibility and diversity & inclusion for Hyundai Motor America, said the company is committed to helping communities thrive, and one of our core priorities is investing in education. We believe this STEM initiative can help unlock young minds today to help solve tomorrow problems, and help build the next generation of innovators, Brooks said. Hyundai has committed about $2 million since 2011 to the ST Math program, which is developed to teach math and problem-solving skills to elementary and secondary school students. The Hyundai STEM initiative operates in 80 schools, with 25,000 students and 1,000 teachers throughout the nation. We are honored by Hyundais tremendous support and commitment to the students of MPS, Moore said. This program will aid educators and equip students with advanced technology and resources to develop interest and increase proficiency in STEM subjects. The president of the Toyota Motor Co., speaking on behalf of a trade organization of Japanese automakers, said today that he is deeply saddened by President Donald Trumps directive last week labeling auto imports a national security threat. At the same time, Alabamas commerce secretary said potential tariffs on European and Japanese vehicles and auto parts could threaten to seriously disrupt their operations in the state and put Alabama jobs on the line. Akio Toyoda, who is also chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, said the organization is profoundly disappointed by the announcement, and dismayed to hear a message suggesting that our long-time contributions of investment and employment in the United States are not welcomed. Trump on Friday issued a new directive setting a six-month deadline for Japan and the European Union to renegotiate their U.S. trade deals. If those talks go badly, it could result in a 25 percent auto tariff. Toyoda, in a statement today, said the group hopes the talks lead to an outcome that supports the development of the auto industries and economies of both nations. According to JAMA, its member companies, which includes Alabama automakers Honda, Toyota and Mazda, now have 24 manufacturing plants, 45 research-and-development/design centers and 39 distribution centers in 28 states, investing about $51 billion into manufacturing facilities alone. Those plants and other facilities support about 93,000 direct manufacturing jobs and 1.6 million in spin-offs and suppliers. Alabama, of course, is home to Hondas Talladega County plant, Toyotas Huntsville engine plant and the $1.6 billion Mazda Toyota factory currently under construction in Huntsville. Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield noted that Toyoda personally came to Alabama in January 2018 to announce the coming of the Mazda Toyota plant. We regret to see these relationships imperiled by the U.S. Department of Commerces Section 232 findings that set the stage for tariffs that threaten to seriously disrupt the operations of these Alabama manufacturing operations and put Alabama jobs on the line, Canfield said. "We will continue to work to help the Trump administration understand that these proposed tariffs will have real and painful consequences for many hard-working Alabamians and companies that have established roots in our state. Manny Manriquez, general director of JAMA USA, said Japanese-brand automakers build one-third of all vehicles produced in the U.S. And Toyoda said in his statement that even during the Great Recession, JAMA member companies made great efforts to maintain employment. These numbers speak for themselves about JAMA member companies long history of local contributions and commitment as U.S. corporate citizens, and we are certain that neither imported vehicles and parts nor our American operations threaten to impair the U.S. national security, Toyoda said. Gov. Kay Ivey has been vocal in her opposition to potential tariffs, telling Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in a letter last June that Alabama could lose approximately 4,000 jobs as a result. Last November, she told a room of Alabama automakers in Birmingham that despite having a very good relationship with Trump, she feels the policy is no good for our automotive industry. I felt it was where I had to draw the line, Ivey said at the time. As long as Im governor, I want to make Alabama great again. Clearly our automotive industry is a major part of who we are. Ivey is planning on traveling to Huntsville Wednesday for a major economic announcement to be made near the Mazda Toyota plants site in Limestone County. Canfield noted that Japanese and European automakers have made profound contributions to Alabamas economy through significant investment and job creation that has enriched families and communities. About 58,000 Alabamians work in the auto industry. Mercedes-Benz, which came to Alabama more than 20 years ago, has invested $6 billion in the state. Between them, Honda and Toyota have invested well over $3 billion in their Alabama manufacturing operations and employ more than 5,000 people in Alabama, Canfield said. Auto suppliers for these automakers have also invested heavily in operations in Alabama and they continue to do so. Comedian and artist Jim Carrey has made Alabama Governor Kay Ivey his latest subject. In a tweet, Carrey shows Ivey with a gloved hand applying suction to her head while she appears to be in the womb. I think If youre going to terminate a pregnancy, it should be done sometime before the fetus becomes Governor of Alabama, Carrey wrote. I think If youre going to terminate a pregnancy, it should be done sometime before the fetus becomes Governor of Alabama. pic.twitter.com/6QgsY2rMz7 Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) May 18, 2019 The post has been retweeted more than 20,000 times and has 101,000 likes. Ivey, a Republican, has been criticized for her recent signing of the states new strict abortion law. The law, which goes into effect in six months, makes it a felony for a doctor to perform or attempt to perform an abortion. Carreys portrait has drawn its own fire. Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas called on the comedian to respecthumanity. Its been seven weeks since the U.S. Department of Justice notified Gov. Kay Ivey of allegations that conditions in Alabamas mens prisons violate the Constitution because of the level of violence, sexual abuse and other problems. The notification said the DOJ could file a lawsuit at the end of a 49-day period if the states response to the allegations is inadequate. The 49-day notification is required under the federal law called the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, CRIPA. Jay Town, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, issued a statement today in response to a question about the notification period ending. The three U.S. attorneys in Alabama were involved in the two-year investigation of prisons that led to the allegations and Town is working with state officials on the response and remedies. We are encouraged with the current progress of our negotiations with the State, Town said in the statement. "It is too early in this process, however, to determine whether there will be a need for CRIPA litigation. The Department remains hopeful that such a step will be unnecessary. Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster, who has been involved in the states response, had said earlier today he was not expecting a lawsuit, at least not immediately. Weve had some very good conversations with DOJ and they know that were committed to working our way through this and trying to comply with some of their concerns, Ward said. I do not expect a lawsuit, at all. And theyve been very reassuring on that. Now thats not a guarantee. The DOJ could file a lawsuit later. The 49-day period was a minimum notification period before doing so. A bipartisan group of lawmakers held a press conference last week about the prison issues. They say the problems would be best addressed in a special session. Ivey has not said whether she will call a special session. The governor issued a statement last week on the states longstanding problem with overcrowded, understaffed and dangerous prisons, saying, This problem has been kicked down the road for the last time. I am encouraged to know that the Legislature will continue to work on solutions during the remainder of this session, we will remain in constant communication with one another during the coming weeks and months to keep this issue on the front burner," Ivey said in the statement. Legislators have nine meeting days left in the regular session, counting today. The session must end by June 17. Bob Horton, spokesman for the Alabama Department of Corrections, issued a statement about the notification period coming to an end. There is no 49-day deadline for enacting changes, nor is there a requirement that DOJ file a lawsuit, Horton said. "Since issuance of the findings letter, the State and the DOJ have engaged in collaborative communications seeking to jointly address the issues outlined in the DOJs findings letter. Even before the DOJ released its report, ADOC recognized the magnitude and scope of the challenges facing our Department. We have been working to identify and implement solutions to these issues and address long-established challenges that impact our prisons and inmate population. With Governor Iveys leadership and the partnership of our state legislature, we will continue to forge ahead to reform and reshape corrections in Alabama. Updated at 2:08 p.m. to add statement from the ADOC. Updated at 2:36 p.m. to add statement from U.S. Attorney Jay Town. Kurt Kaser had no time to consider his options. The 63-year-old farmer had stepped into a grain auger, the blade violently twisting and twirling to carry corn to a storage bin on his farm in northeastern Nebraska - and, in an instant, his left foot was sucked into the machine. He scrambled as the corkscrew-style blade inside cut off his foot and continued to pull at him, leaving him to wonder when or whether it would stop, he said. "I can remember telling myself, 'This is not good. This is bad,' " he recounted Monday in a phone interview with The Washington Post. "I just dropped to the ground and started pulling on my leg to try to get it out, but it wouldn't come," Kaser added, explaining that he knew he could not lie there and wait for help. "I didn't know how long it would be before someone would show up. I didn't know how long I would stay conscious." Kaser was all alone on the property and said he searched his pockets for his cellphone, but it wasn't there. Thinking back, he said, he wonders whether it had fallen into the grain. So, he said, he pulled out his pocketknife and tried to finish the job - severing his leg in a desperate attempt to free himself, he said. "Then, all at once, it let me go," the farmer said. Until that point, it had been a typical day for Kaser, who was working on his 1,500-acre farm outside Pender, a small town less than 100 miles from Omaha. It was early afternoon on Good Friday - April 19 - and Kaser was moving grain from one bin to another when he got caught in the auger, he said. A grain auger is a machine containing a spiral steel blade that rotates, pulling grain up through a long tube into a nearby storage bin. The blade is more exposed near the end of the auger, but there is often a wire screen that covers the blade, keeping other things from being pulled into the machine. Kaser said he had forgotten that, over the winter, he had cut a small hole in that protective screen to get it to work under frozen ground. When he put his foot down on it last month, he said, he slipped right through the opening and onto the spinning blade. Still, during the ordeal - watching his leg get mangled in the machinery and then having to cut off what was left of it, feeling the pops and sharp pains as he severed his own nerves - Kaser said he wasn't afraid. "I was just mad at myself because I knew what my mistake was - cutting that hole in the screen and stepping in it," he said. Once Kaser was free, he said, he crawled on his elbows to his office a couple hundred feet away and called his son, who is a volunteer with the local fire and rescue department. Kaser was rushed to a nearby hospital and then transported by helicopter to the Bryan Trauma Center at Bryan West Campus in Lincoln, Nebraska, where one of his daughters is a trauma nurse, he said. Stanley Okosun, a trauma surgeon and medical director of the Bryan Trauma Center, was on call when Kaser was brought into the hospital. He said the farmer had a very severe and dirty wound from dragging himself on the ground to call for help, so the medical team aggressively treated him with antibiotics and rushed him into surgery. Okosun said that although Kaser had basically amputated his own leg, surgeons performed a proper amputation, midway between Kaser's knee and his ankle on his left leg. Okosun said he's been a surgeon for about 15 years and has never seen a case like it. "He was his own 911, his own pre-hospital, his own surgeon," the surgeon said about Kaser. "He saved his own life," he added, "and he made it very easy for us to treat him." Okosun called Kaser "a very strong-willed guy who did what he needed to do to survive." After a week in the hospital and a couple weeks in a rehabilitation center, Kaser said he is recovering at home. He said doctors told him it will be six to eight months before he can be fitted with a prosthetic - but once he is, he plans to get right back to work. Except this time, he said, he will be more mindful. Kaser said that he hopes his story "helps anybody in any way." "Take time and think - and don't get in such a hurry," he said. He said he is discouraged a little, but glad hes alive and will be able to walk again. I feel fortunate that it was no worse than it was, he said. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said Tuesday shes committed to have state transportation officials and elected leaders in Mobile and Baldwin counties work together to find a reasonable toll for the future Interstate 10 Bridge, Bayway and George Wallace Tunnel. If we do that, we can an give our children a much-needed and long-awaited project, Ivey said during the Warrior Tombigbee Waterway Associations annual meeting luncheon at The Grant Hotel in Point Clear. Asked by the media afterward what she meant by a reasonable toll, Ivey replied, Ill let local leaders come up with ALDOT on a reasonable toll to be acceptable. The proposed toll range is $3 to $6 for a one-way trip along the entire span of the future Interstate 10 Bridge and Bayway. In addition, the existing Wallace Tunnel is slated to be toll. The tolls are proposed to be assessed to help finance a $2.1 billion project that is scheduled to be under construction starting next year. Ivey did not respond to a question on whether she felt a $6 toll was reasonable. Asked if she would drive over a bridge that assessed a $6 toll, she responded, Thats speculation. State Sen. Chris Elliott, R-Daphne, said that coastal lawmakers, in conversations with Iveys office, have received a commitment to bring the state back to the table with South Alabama leaders to work out a reasonable solution. Elliott was the first state lawmaker, earlier this month, to submit a letter to state officials opposing the proposed tolls. In talking with the governors office over the last few weeks, I am convinced that she understands the concerns from South Alabama over the tolls being proposed, Elliott said. I can assure you that reasonable, at a minimum, is less than half of where we are on the proposed toll structure today. Iveys statements about the proposed I-10 toll come as the Alabama Department of Transportation continues to accept online comments about the project through Thursday. The state will then compile the comments ahead of the projects record of decision that will be released later this summer. The project involves building a 2.5-mile-long, six-lane cable stay bridge that stands 215 feet above the Mobile River. The bridge would be among the tallest in North America, and only five feet shorter than the 220-foot height of the famous Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. In addition, the entire Bayway would be replaced, rather than merely widened as originally projected. The new Bayway would be a 7.5-mile, eight-lane span crossing Mobile Bay, elevated to a height that would be above a 100-year storm surge level. ALDOT has said that it assessing a toll is the only way to pay for it. Local politicians like Elliott, in recent weeks, have expressed concerns over the fees which they believe are much too high on Mobile and Baldwin County motorists. Officials also believe that ALDOTs proposed 15% frequent user discount is not enough of a break. Online opposition via social media has also surfaced this month, led by representatives with the Common Sense Campaign tea party in Baldwin County and Alabama Auditor Jim Zeigler. Toll opposition dominated a recent public hearing into the project held earlier this month in Spanish Fort. Residents said the proposed amounts will be costly to businesses and taxpayers, and would create a situation of toll diversion to the non-tolled Spanish Fort Causeway, Bankhead Tunnel and the Cochrane-Africatown Bridge. The projects overall goal is to transform the portion of I-10 through Mobile and over Mobile Bay into an easy-flowing interstate unhindered by bottlenecks and clogs, even at times of peak traffic counts. During busy summer months, that count can soar past 100,000 vehicles per day. This story was updated at 7:38 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21, 2019, with comments from state Sen. Chris Elliott, R-Daphne. Alabama lawmakers today rejected a plan to allow voters to decide whether to establish a state lottery, a question that was last on the ballot 20 years ago. Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, who is handling the bill in the House of Representatives, initially said it could be reconsidered tonight or Wednesday. Clouse later said the bill was not coming up tonight, according to the Associated Press. The bill fell one vote shy of the three-fifths margin required on a procedural vote in the House. The vote was 53-36 with one abstention. Most of the Republicans voted yes, while most Democrats voted no. Legislators had said they expected a close vote today. The bill would direct 75 percent of net lottery revenue to the state General Fund and 25 percent to the Education Trust Fund. Disagreement over that formula was part of todays debate. Rep. Louise Alexander, D-Birmingham, was one of the first up to talk about the bill. Alexander said she would propose an amendment to split the revenues equally between the General Fund and Education Trust Fund. Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, spoke after Alexander and said she also supported sending more of the money to education. After that, the House voted on the procedural motion called the budget isolation resolution, which is required on every bill before the state budgets pass. Approval requires a three-fifths margin, which the bill did not receive. House rules allow reconsideration of the budget isolation resolution, called the BIR, one time. When the House recessed for dinner tonight, Clouse said he was working to round up the votes to bring the bill back up. He said that could happen tonight or Wednesday. He later said it would not come up tonight, according to the Associated Press. Rep. Steve Clouse says no lottery vote tonight in Alabama House. Kim Chandler (@StatehouseKim) May 22, 2019 Clouse said he believes the House would approve the BIR if it votes on it again. But passing the bill is harder, requiring three-fifths of the House membership, or 63 votes. The question is, as we move forward with different amendments and different arguments, do we have enough votes to get to 63, Clouse said. Weve got to have 63 yes votes. I just dont know if weve got that yet or not. Fifty Republicans voted in favor of the budget isolation resolution, while three Democrats voted for it. Twenty-one Democrats and 15 Republicans voted against it. Clouse said an amendment to direct more of the lottery revenue to education is probably necessary to attract the votes needed to pass, even though he said the General Fund has the greatest need. I realize that for the general public, though, they that think more needs to go to education and the General Fund is just some kind of black hole, Clouse said. But when you start identifying all the areas of the General Fund, from Medicaid, to prisons, to mental health, to DHR, state troopers, at the point people begin to realize how important it is for public safety. Rep Steve Clouse says General Fund has greatest need for lottery dollars even though public support is stronger for education. #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/vdEC4z2dSK Mike Cason (@MikeCasonAL) May 21, 2019 If the bill makes it through the Legislature, the question of whether to allow a lottery would go on the ballot for voters during the presidential primary in March. Alabama voters last had their say on a lottery in 1999, when voters rejected the plan by Gov. Don Siegelman. In 2016, Gov. Robert Bentley proposed a lottery plan to support the General Fund, but it did not pass the Legislature. The news of the release of his sworn political opponent, Armenia's second president Robert Kocharian, was probably a complete surprise and a painful blow for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. His Sunday night call for supporters to block the court buildings across the country on Monday morning can be only described as a 'shock reaction'. Pashinyan's emotionality is not news, but his irrational-panicky behavior in the last two days was not the most pleasant sight even for his faithful base, still living with the ideas of the 'revolution of love and harmony'. Let's try to identify and analyze the most interesting aspects of Armenia's rapidly developing internal political drama of recent days. First, the PM's call to block the court buildings can be considered political nonsense. If such a statement was made by Nikol Pashinyan, an oppositionist, it would be an acceptable political move. However, he has not been an oppositionist for a year now, he is the Prime Minister of Armenia, and a call for spontaneous blocking of courts is, at least, a rough interference by the executive power in the work of the judiciary. The situation became so absurd that Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council Gagik Harutyunyan could not leave the building because of the protests and take part in the meeting convened by Pashinyan himself. It's hard to take seriously the comical statement made by chairperson of the My Step block Lilit Makunts that Pashinyans appeal has no relation 'to a specific case', that is, the release of Robert Kocharyan. Rather, there is an attempt by Makunts to cover up the leadership's actions, which she doesn't understand. Second, attention is drawn to the fact that Armenia's social networks users harshly criticized Nikol Pashinyans Sunday call. People are tired of taking to the streets on the prime minister's whim. Pashinyan has already received a huge advance of trust from the people, he has a convincing absolute parliamentary majority. Today, the Armenian people expect the government to work efficiently, not holding street marches and actions. Last years revolutionary romance no longer works. Third, it is difficult not to notice Pashinyans ambivalent attempts to preserve his popularity. On Sunday, he said that he did not join the protest. In social networks, it caused a wave of negative comments - like, Pashinyan gathers people, and disappears himself. As a result, the next day, the Prime Minister changed his decision and personally joined the actions to block the court buildings. Is it worth saying that the PM participating in such a dubious action distorts his image both at home and abroad? Pashinyan's urgent termination of the action to block the court buildings, probably after realizing its irrelevance, should also be noted. As a result, the action turned out to be crumpled, chaotic and left behind one question: what was it about, actually? Fourth, the sharply negative reaction of the Prosperous Armenia and the Bright Armenia parties, which were initially considered 'decorative opposition,' to Nikol Pashinyan's actions, whose authority was indisputable a couple of months ago, testifies to growing internal political ferment in Armenia. The position of Armenian President Armen Sarkisyan, who urged everyone to maintain peace and calmness these days, recalling that the judiciary should 'reflect the will of the people', was neither here nor there. Fifth, the first international reaction shows that the Armenian PM disappoints Western institutions with his behavior as well. Thus, the Director for Special Research at Freedom House, Nate Schenkkan, wrote: "The danger in post-revolutionary Armenia was always that Pashinyan, lacking the ability to transform the country quickly or sustainably, would fall back on the populism that got him into power. Here we are. Don't do this." The ODIHR, in turn, considered unacceptable the disruption of the normal functioning of the courts, calling on judges and all members of the judiciary to exercise utmost restraint and remain solely in the legal field. Finally, the detention and search of the secretary of the National Security Council of the unrecognized 'NKR', Vitaly Balasanyan's car in Yerevan draws attention. Balasanyan, being a military man and a respected representative of the Karabakh clan, reckons little with Pashinyan. He has repeatedly been marked by harsh statements against the Prime Minister and his supporters. His detention (allegedly by mistake) is evidence that the fault line between Armenians of Armenia and representatives of the Nagorno-Karabakh regime is widening. This also includes the meeting with the separatist leader Bako Sahakyan requested by the My Step block. There is no doubt that the conversation will not be easy, given the role played by Sahakyan and Arkady Ghukasyan in the release of Robert Kocharyan from custody. Nikol Pashinyan's words that "time has come to establish a parliamentary commission for investigating causes of the April 2016 events and receiving an answer to a number of the matters of our concern" should also be taken carefully. In the context of accusations addressed to the "former corrupt elite" that they are drawing up a plot and ready to "surrender the territories" for this purpose, Pashinyans statement is a retaliatory declaration of war to the Karabakh clan, who openly supported Robert Kocharyan. Pashinyans call to the Karabakh Armenians "to support only those forces that stand from the standpoint of indisputable support of the people of Armenia and their legitimate representative - the government" points to one thing: Pashinyan is preparing to wipe our the disloyal forces in Nagorno-Karabakh. But will he have enough legitimacy and resources for this? A joint investigation by three Alabama agencies led to the arrest Saturday of a north Alabama man who allegedly raped and sodomized a foster child, the Marshall County Sheriffs Office announced Monday. The investigation by the sheriffs office, Alabama Department of Human Resources and the Marshall County Child Advocacy Center yielded the arrest of Larry Austin Reed, 36, of Grant in Marshall County, according to the sheriffs office and jail records. Reed was arrested Saturday in Scottsboro and charged with rape, sodomy and sex with a foster child, authorities said. He is being held in the Marshall County Jail on $200,000 bond. A 12-year-old boy died in an ATV wreck over the weekend, the Jackson County Sheriffs Office said Monday, according to AL.com news partner WHNT in Huntsville. The childs family was visiting a cabin when one of their family members found the child wrecked the ATV on Saturday, Jackson Couty Sheriffs Office Chief Deputy Rocky Harnen told WHNT. The incident occurred by Alabama Highway 65 and County Road 4 near Holloway, Harnen said. Responders tried to resuscitate the child and transported him to a local hospital where he was prpnounced dead. So-called American Taliban John Walker Lindh is scheduled to be released Thursday years earlier than his 20-year prison sentence for aiding the extremist Muslim group and Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., wants answers. Alabamas senior senator sent a letter Monday to the acting director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, concerned that federal officials may not be prepared to keep Americans safe from Lindh and other terrorist offenders who are soon to be released. As many as 108 other terrorist offenders are scheduled to complete their sentences and be released from U.S. federal prisons over the next few years. Little information has been made available to the public about who, when, and where these offenders will be released, whether they pose an ongoing public threat, and what your agencies are doing to mitigate this threat while the offenders are in federal custody, Shelby and Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., wrote to Acting BOP Director Hugh Hurwitz. It's unacceptable that convicted American Taliban fighter John Walker Lindh is scheduled to be released early from federal custody Thursday. Our highest priority is keeping America safe, secure, & free. Richard Shelby (@SenShelby) May 21, 2019 Our highest priority is keeping America safe, secure, and free, the senators added. To that end, we must consider the security and safety implications for our citizens and communities who will receive individuals like John Walker Lindh who continue to openly call for extremist violence. Lindh, a native of California, was interrogated by CIA officer and Alabama native Johnny Mike Spann hours before Spanns death in an Afghan fortress where prisoners of war were being held. Spann is considered to be the first American to die in combat during the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. Spanns family earlier told AL.com that they hold Lindh responsible for Mike Spanns death at the hands of Taliban prisoners because Lindh did not warn the CIA officer about the planned uprising that cost him his life. He had a chance to say he was an American and save Mikes life and other Americans lives. He did not do that, Spanns father, Johnny Spann, told AL.com in a late March interview. Its no different than if he pulled the trigger. John Walker Lindh had the opportunity to tell Mike right there, youre an American, Im an American, Spanns mother, Gail Spann, said after Alabama lawmakers passed a resolution honoring hr son and condemning Lindhs release. Hes a traitor to our country. He could have had an opportunity to save a great man that actually saved a lot of lives that day. Lindh is scheduled to be released Thursday, years earlier than his 20-year sentence dictates, due to good behavior and time served before his trial, according to the San Jose Mercury News. Among Shelbys questions for Hurwitz are how the BOP assesses how terrorist and extremist offenders pose threats to the public after their release and what training is given to parole officers to identify signs of violent radicalization and recidivism. Shelby and Hassan have given Hurwitz a 4 p.m. Tuesday local time deadline to answer their questions. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin told the Birmingham City Council Sherman Industries will not be relocating its concrete batch plant to the Five Points West community. Sherman Industries will not be coming to the Five Points West community, Woodfin said during Tuesdays City Council meeting. The company, however, says it continues in talks with the city for a suitable location, to continue its decades of operating in Birmingham. Just now: @randallwoodfin tells @citycouncilbham: "Sherman Industries will not be coming to the Five Points West community." Roy S. Johnson (@roysj) May 21, 2019 Sherman Industries intends to continue working with the city and the community to improve everyones understanding of the scope of our project and trying to identify a mutually acceptable solution at Fayette Avenue in Five Points West, or possibly an equally viable location that is, like the Fayette Avenue site, properly zoned for this business, said Jeff Sieg, a spokesman for Lehigh Hanson, of which Sherman Industries LLC is a subsidiary. The company has been doing business in the Birmingham area for many decades and remains committed to continuing to run our facilities in a safe and environmentally responsible manner and supplying our customers in the market with high-quality ready mixed concrete. During the meeting, District 8 Councilor Steven Hoyt read a letter he sent to Woodfin asking for his help in keeping Sherman Industries from Five Points West. Nevertheless, the council last week took the first steps to rezoning the Five Points West property for Sherman. Local residents raised concerns about the concrete batch mixing plant moving to the area after learning about an air permit application with the Jefferson County Department of Public Health. A public hearing on the air permit will be held at 5:30 p.m. June 6 at the Crossplex. Sieg said Sherman Industries plans to also participate in this meeting. We look forward to the opportunity to share the plans for our new facility, the proposed environmental controls and address any questions and concerns, he said. Updated at 4:10 p.m. to add information about the June 6 public hearing. Grady Wayne Wilkes, the suspect in the slaying of Auburn police officer William Buechner, is an active member of the Alabama Army National Guard, guard officials confirmed to AL.com Tuesday. Wilkes, 29, is a corporal and infantry fire team leader who joined the guard in 2010, according to Army National Guard public affairs. Guard officials said they have no record of Wilkes being deployed. Wilkes now-deleted Facebook page showed images of him in uniform with fellow soldiers. Wilkes is charged with capital murder in the Sunday night shooting deaths of Buechner and the wounding of two other Auburn officers, Webb Sistrunk and Evan Elliott, when they responded to a domestic violence call at a mobile home park. At the time of the shootings, Wilkes was wearing body armor and a helmet. He fled the scene but was apprehended the next morning. Officials said they plan to purse the death penalty against Wilkes, who is also charged with three counts of attempted murder and one count of second degree domestic abuse. Wilkes is also a 2011 graduate of Daleville High School, according to the Daleville Sun-Courier newspaper. He was an active member of the DHS JROTC throughout his high school career, earning several accolades as part of the organizations rifle team as a sporter shooter. He also received the Sons of the American Revolution Award in honor of outstanding leadership qualities, military bearing and excellence," that report states. NOW: Grady Wayne Wilkes, accused of shooting and killing an Auburn Police officer and injuring two others just had his first court appearance. No bond able to be set because of capital murder charges. More tonight on @CBS_42 pic.twitter.com/kOazDqT4tZ Michael Clark (@mclarkreports) May 21, 2019 Wilkes was denied bond during a hearing Tuesday in Opelika. He was handcuffed and shackled about the legs as he answered a judge's questions politely. A prosecutor says Wilkes has an "on-again, off-again" relationship with a woman who called the police alleging domestic abuse. He says the two aren't married. Wilkes hasnt responded to the charges, but a judge appointed an attorney to represent him. The Associated Press contributed to this report. An Alabama man reporting missing in Panama City Beach has been found safe. Victor McKinstry was seen early Sunday at the Angry Tuna restaurant, said Panama City Beach Police Capt. Jason Jones on Monday. Jones on Tuesday said McKinstry was located back in Birmingham. He expressed appreciation to the Birmingham Police Department for its help in locating McKinstry. A Hoover woman is under arrest after police say she stole jewelry while pet sitting. Authorities identified the woman as Jordan Elizabeth Rodgers. She is 29. Hoover police responded May 8 to a home in the 3800 block of James Hill Circle after the resident discovered several pieces of jewelry missing, said Lt. Keith Czeskleba. There was no indication a burglary had taken place. The victim suspected her pet sitter was responsible for the theft, Czeskleba said. Detectives launched an investigation and found that Rodgers had sold more than $12,000 worth of jewelry that matched the description of what was stolen. The sale was made at a jewelry store in Birmingham. Once the victim positively identified the jewelry as hers, police obtained warrants against Rodgers for two counts of first-degree receiving stolen property and one count of second-degree receiving stolen property. Rodgers turned herself in at the Jefferson County Jail Monday and was released after posting $30,000 bond. Fire swept through a Cullman chicken house Tuesday morning, killing a large number of animals. Cullman County Animal Control said the fire happened about 7:30 a.m. on County Road 1223. Killed in the blaze were dogs, chickens, birds and rabbits. Investigators remain on the scene and said they do not have the number of animals killed but it could reach into the hundreds. Several dozen animals were saved. Authorities have described the property as a breeding operation. Allison Black Cornelius, president and CEO of the Greater Birmingham Humane Society, posted this on Facebook: This is an alleged puppy mill breeder that wed gotten calls about in the past. We had tried to figure out a way to determine the conditions of these dogs and couldnt get on the property or get anyone to sign a warrant. Im heartbroken and so is our entire staff. When will we pass regulations and prevent this? When? The Cullman County Commission issued the following statement on the fire: The Cullman County Commission regretfully announces that numerous animals, many of which were fowl, rabbits, and canines, perished in a fire today on private property just off of Cullman County Road 1223. No estimate is available at this time as to the number of animals who lost their lives. A debt of gratitude is owed to the West Point, Vinemont, Battleground, and Falkville Volunteer Fire Departments for their valiant efforts to extinguish the fire. Additional information will be released as it becomes available. The Alabama State Fire Marshals Office is investigating the blaze. Animal control authorities said they expect to release more information later Tuesday. A candid photo snapped by a Jefferson County woman Tuesday morning is touching hearts on social media. Lindsay Williams McGough captured Jefferson County Sheriffs Deputy David Lawrence praying with a man outside the Shamrock gas station near the Hayden/Corner exit. A tow truck company was called to the scene to help the unidentified man unlock his car. McGough gave AL.com permission to share her photo and her words, which have been shared hundreds of times on social media. This is what she posted: I dont know this police officer and he has no idea that I was watching him or snapped this picture. With all the negative things said about our first responders I wanted to share what I witnessed off the Hayden/Corner exit. This Jefferson County police officer helped a citizen out and then prayed over him and with him before departing from the call. A guy having a bad day was aided by an officer doing his job, but the fact that the officer took the time to show this man who was having a bad day Gods love was amazing to witness! I cant commend this officer enough for going above the call! #jeffersoncounty #police #firstresponders #abovethecall #backtheblue #alabama Sheriff Mark Pettway said his deputies enjoy helping others. Our deputies go beyond the call of duty every day. We appreciate it when citizens acknowledge our work, the sheriff said. With three officers killed in Alabama this year, we ask the public to pray for us as we pray for them. Seven people have now been charged in connection with a north Alabama murder investigation, authorities announced today. Robert Luke Pratt, 19, was killed May 6 inside a home on Skyline Road in Madison. Investigators on Tuesday released for the first time that Pratt had been fatally stabbed. Police were called to Skyline Road in the Skyline Acres subdivision on that Monday just after 1:30 a.m. Once on the scene, they found two victims inside the home. One victim had been shot and was taken to Huntsville Hospital. Pratt was pronounced dead on the scene. Caleb Ryan Kegley Madison police Capt. John Stringer on Tuesday said six people have been arrested so far and one remains at large. Detectives have interviewed multiple witnesses and suspects in the weeks-long probe and the suspects are charged with crimes ranging from capital murder to murder and burglary depending on their roles in the crime. Most recently, Stringer said, authorities arrested Caleb Ryan Kegley, a 19-year-old from Athens, on murder and first-degree burglary charges. He was arrested by Madison police on May 16 and held in the Madison County Jail on $120,000 bond. Hunter Dubois Already arrested are: Hunter Guy Ray Dubois, of Athens; Lucas Ray Kemp, 18, of Toney; Austin Blake Holmes, of Toney, Hunter Mitchell Moore, 18, of Huntsville; and a juvenile whose name has not been released. Police are still searching for Kenneth Khesahn Altonia Harvey who they believe could be in the Jacksonville, Fl. area. Stringer said a press release is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Madison Police Department to further discuss the case. Georgia's elections on Sunday - parliamentary by-elections, sakrebulo by-elections and extraordinary mayoral elections in a number of districts and cities - created new tensions in the domestic political situation. The opposition threatens the authorities to hold widespread protest demonstrations if the CEC announces the preliminary results of the elections final. At other times, the vote on Sunday could have gone unnoticed or would not have attracted much attention. But today it turned out to be in the foreground, since it could have marked either the beginning of the former ruling party United National Movement's revenge, or even greater approval of the ruling Georgian Dream party. The recent presidential election, which required the runoff to determine the winner, despite the government's virtually unlimited support for one of the candidates, Salome Zourabishvili, demonstrated that the ruling party's positions were shaken. Further events in Georgia, in particular, the epic with the Supreme Court, which caused a split in the ranks of the GD, only confirmed this observation - the government is losing popularity, and sometimes causes frank irritation of a part of society with its persistence in certain issues, weak competence and lack of initiative - in others, and general cynicism in general. That is why the vote on Sunday caused an increased interest. However, they could not be called full-fledged elections. Voting took place in those areas where, for some reason, a void was formed in one or another power branch. In the Mtatsminda district of Tbilisi, for example, they elected a deputy to the Georgian Parliament - the place became vacant after Salome Zurabishvili, who won the presidential election, resigned as a deputy. And the population of Zugdidi, in Western Georgia, was electing a new mayor, since the former mayor was put into jail due to his participation in corruption schemes. In some areas, there were vacant seats in local legislative bodies or in administrations. It's not by chance that the elections in Tbilisi and Zugdidi are outlined. Those are the ones where much was not clear, while voting for certain candidates in other Georgian regions seemed predetermined by virtue of the GD positions, and the inevitable use of administrative resource, albeit well-kept. And eventually, the GM people won everywhere. But in the end of the month the re-elections will be held in Mtatsminda district of the capital: the candidate from the GD has bypassed rivals, but did not reach the 50% threshold - the authorities explained it by the passivity of the population. But in Zugdidi, Mikheil Saakashvili's wife, former first lady of Georgia Sandra Roelofs claimed the post of mayor. Her victory could have marked the beginning of the UNM's return to previous positions, and Mikheil Saakashvili's return, against whom several criminal cases were initiated, to his homeland. Sandra Roelofs, who is of Dutch origin, moved to Zugdidi during her election campaign, which was led very aggressively, which immediately made her more sympathetic in the eyes of Zugdidi people. When her husband was the president she won over the inhabitants of the Megrelia region, the administrative center of which is Zugdidi, with her rather good knowledge of not just Georgian, but also Megrelian language. But it, as well as the maximum possible support of UND and her husband was not enough for the victory - at least official. Her opponent from the GD, Giorgi Shengelia announced his victory and thanked the Zugdidi people against the background of an unopened ballot box. Roelofs immediately announced that it was the joint success of the dictatorial power, security forces and criminals. She sarcastically congratulated the authorities with an unprecedented level of merging with the underworld and warned: if the CEC approves Shengelia's victory, protest actions will be held across the whole country, including Megrelia. Megrelia is a complex region bordering Abkhazia. A large part of the post-Soviet period, it expressed discontent, not resigned to the overthrow and expulsion of first President Zviad Gamsakhurdia. Full reconciliation with Tbilisi happened only after the removal of Eduard Shevardnadze from power, who was considered in Megrelia the main 'offender' of Gamsakhurdia. It turns out that the 'nationals' who managed to stabilize the regions relations with the center now threaten to undermine them. There is no shortage of comments on Sundays election. The GD supporters are celebrating yet another failure of the revanchist-minded UNM. Opponents are accusing the government of falsifying, bribing, pressure and intimidation of voters. As usual, the opposition TV channel Rustavi-2 turns up the heat, announcing a fee of $1,000 for each video evidence of violation of the voting process. It is not yet known how much the budget of the television company has reduced, but there is almost no doubt that a 'series' on this subject may soon be demonstrated. And it will be an open question what is real and what is staged, because Rustavi-2 is known not only for its high-quality operational and informational-analytical work, but also for professionally-made deceits. Moderate critics believe that the results of any election in Georgia after the 2016 parliamentary election will be questionable as long as it features oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili leading the Georgian Dream - the population is poor and he has no difficulty to buy votes, and in fact it will seem clear - ballots in ballot boxes, the absence of mass pressure on the voter, etc. "The main thing in such conditions is that the so-called coordinators do not try to embezzle part of the money allocated for the purchase of votes, thus causing resonant conflicts, and pay the voters carefully, leaving no evidence or traces. Then we can witness the unprecedented long reign of the Georgian Dream, when all persons can change, except for one. You know who I'm talking about, don't you?" one of the Georgian users of Facebook predicts. A man charged with capital murder in the death of his three-month-old daughter is due for a bond hearing this afternoon in a Mobile courtroom. Corey Harrison-Rudolph Parsons, 29, was arrested Sunday on a charge of capital murder. The criminal complaint against him accuses him of causing the death of a girl born Feb. 14, by blunt force to the head on or about Saturday. According to information released by the Mobile Police Department, the child was transported to a hospital on Saturday, where she was pronounced dead. Police identified Parsons as the girls father. Parsons appears to have no prior criminal record in Alabama. He had worked previously as a substitute teacher. He has been held in Mobile County Metro Jail since his arrest. Circuit Judge Brandy Hambright has been appointed as a special District Court Judge in charge of the case, per an order filed Monday by Presiding Circuit Court Judge John Lockett. UPDATE: Georgia authorities said the case began with a case of custodial interference and that the family was found safe in Alabama. Details werent immediately available. EARLIER: A search is underway for a missing Georgia family last seen in southeast Alabama. The Lee County Sheriffs Office is assisting Cobb County Police Department in Georgia with the missing persons investigation. The names of the family members have not been released but the two adults are traveling with four children a 9-year-old girl and three boys ages 13, 11 and 9. The family was last seen just before 3 p.m. Sunday walking in the area of Highway 280 and Lee Road 252 in Salem, according to a statement released by Alabama authorities on Facebook. We are trying to locate individuals who may have seen them or anyone who may have given them a ride, the post states. Efforts reach Georgia authorities for additional information werent immediately successful. Anyone with information on the family is asked to call the Lee County Sheriffs Office at 334-749-5681. A 36-year-old man charged with murder after remains were found in a burned vehicle is accused of dismembering his mother and then setting her body parts on fire. Chad Dewayne Brodgon, a Level Plains man who previously lived in the Birmingham area, on Thursday was charged with murder in the slaying. Though authorities have not positively identified the remains, they believe the victim to be 58-year-old Penny Newton, Brogdons mother. Hartford police and Geneva county sheriffs deputies responded about 5 p.m. Tuesday that day after a citizen called to report a burned vehicle on Alabama Highway 167 near the Choctawatchee River. When they arrived on the scene, they found a vehicle burned beyond recognition along with human remains, said State Bureau of Investigation Lt. Heath Carpenter. SBI was brought in to lead the investigation. Agents responded and processed evidence at the scene while working with local law enforcement to conduct numerous search warrants and interviews. On Wednesday, Brogdon was identified as a person of interest. Brogdon was located by a Geneva County deputy and taken to the Geneva County Sheriffs Office for questioning. On Thursday, SBI agents obtained arrest warrants for Brogdon, who is charged with murder and abuse of a corpse. The lawmen booked Brogdon, into the Dale County Jail where he is being held without bond. Brogdon made his first appearance in court Friday. Though its unusual for lawmen to provide testimony at first appearances, Carpenter said they did so to show that he should not be eligible for bond. SBI Special Agent Brian Harvin in charging documents made public Monday stated that Brodgon dismembered the victim and placed her body parts inside and/or near a burning car. According to WDHN television station in Dothan, Harvin testified Friday that body parts such as an arm, part of a leg, a skull, ribs, and vertebrae were all found on the passengers side of the car. In the garage of the home, a freezer was found, and when investigators opened it they discovered all the food had been removed except for the top shelf, and that blood was found inside, the television station reported. Harvin said officers believe that the murder took place at the home and was then taken to Geneva County to be burned. A month ago, members from First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham (where I serve as Associate Pastor) partnered with another congregation to host a meal-packing event with the nonprofit Rise Against Hunger. More than fifty people came together to pack 20,000 meals in two hours, meals that will go to feed hungry people in the developing world. The event was fun people of all ages were able to pitch in and feel like we were making a difference. But in our world of abundance, the need for such an event begs the question: why are nutrition interventions necessary? How is it possible that children still die from hunger, and far more still suffer from stunting or other hunger-related illnesses? What more can we do to help prevent this tragedy? In March, the current Administration released its FY20 budget recommendations for Congress. Out of more than $4 trillion expenditure, less than one percent goes to global health and development. And with that sliver of funding, it was recommended that funding for global nutrition programs be cut by 46 percent this year. More than half of Americans believe that foreign assistance makes up 28 percent of our annual budget. It does not. Global health alone accounts for less than one-quarter of one percent. Funding for global nutrition crucial programs that save the lives of our most vulnerable brothers and sisters makes up only one percent of the global health account. That means its only one percent of one percent for foreign assistance. Last year, Congress increased global nutrition funding for the first time in more than a decade to $145 million. That funding went to save the lives of mothers, babies, and children largely under the age of two years old. We know now that if we can provide strong nutrition for the mother from conception including folic acid and iron to reduce the chance of anemia and for the child until age two with breastfeeding, micronutrients, protein, vitamin A, and clean water we can help combat both cognitive and physical stunting which has an irreversible, lifelong effect on the child. Not only does stunting impact a child for life, but it also means they will attain less education, which leads to fewer job opportunities, and less possibility for economic development, thereby impacting their community, society, and nation. Nutrition is the quintessential ingredient necessary to help pull an entire generation out of extreme poverty. More than 27 million childrens lives were saved in 2017 because of this funding in global nutrition through USAID. Both Senator Richard Shelby and Representative Robert Aderholt as Appropriations leaders have the opportunity to increase funding for the global health account, including the global nutrition account, which specifically targets mothers and young children. My congregation has pledged to be a Matthew 25 church: one that sees Christ in the hungry, the poor, the imprisoned, and all who suffer. As a person of faith, I am called to speak up on behalf of the most vulnerable ones among us both here in Alabama and around the world, and to advocate for funding that will allow hungry children not only to survive, but also to thrive. I hope you will join me. Rev. Cat Goodrich is Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham. A Louisiana native, Cat is a graduate of Austin College in Sherman, Texas and Boston University School of Theology. She and her husband love the outdoors, local food, and their daughters, Madeline and Gillian. Transparency and accountability won a small victory at the Alabama Legislature this session. It should not have taken legislation to stop some sheriffs from abusing public trust and violating human rights by underfeeding people incarcerated in their jails and pocketing the money saved. But it did. Hopefully, passage of SB 228, which has already been signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey, will put an end to sheriffs profiteering from the jail food fund once and for all. The new law makes clear that state funds provided to county sheriffs for feeding people incarcerated in their jails must be used for feeding those people. It increases funding from $1.75 per inmate per day to $2.25. Leftover funds must be used for future food expenses, although 25% of unspent funds may be used at the end of the fiscal year for other law enforcement purposes, benefiting public safety as well. For years, abuses under the old law -- a Depression-era relic misinterpreted by sheriffs -- regularly flared up. In 2009, a federal judge held former Morgan County Sheriff Greg Bartlett in contempt and jailed him after he was caught pocketing $212,000 of jail food money -- money he saved by purchasing a truckload of corndogs and feeding them to people incarcerated in his jail at every meal. Other sheriffs still did not get the message. Last year, the Southern Center for Human Rights and Alabama Appleseed Center for Law & Justice obtained records showing that multiple other sheriffs had personally pocketed a combined sum in excess of $1 million by keeping taxpayer money meant for feeding people in jail . Many sheriffs refused even to comply with our requests for public records showing how they spent taxpayer money. We sued them, because when public officials profit by depriving people in their custody of adequate food, the public has a right to know, and a duty to put a stop to it Finally, investigative reporting by Connor Sheets revealed that Etowah County Sheriff Todd Entrekin kept about $750,000 of the countys jail food funds for himself, and used some of it to buy a beach house. News of Alabamas Beach House Sheriff and the malnourished inmates in his custody made national news. With these arcane abuses behind us, its important to recognize the collaborative effort required to fix a persistent problem in Alabama. It took civil rights organizations, investigative journalists, and a bad look for any law enforcement official -- the juxtaposition of hungry people in his jail with a 3,056 square-foot, bright pink beach house, complete with palm trees and a boat slip. It took a determined Senator, Arthur Orr (R-Decatur), to sponsor the bill and expertly navigate the politics of law enforcement influence to get it passed. The passage of SB 228 is a victory for anyone who believes that elected officials have an obligation to be transparent in their actions and accountable to the citizens who elected them and pay their salaries. Its a victory for anyone who believes that incarcerated people should be treated with dignity, not neglected and exploited for profit. Its a reminder that advocates, lawyers, journalists, and reform-minded elected leaders can come together to fix the chronic problems plaguing Alabamas criminal legal system. As important as this victory is, much larger challenges loom for those of us rightly troubled by inhumane treatment of incarcerated people in our state. This session, we moved administration of jail food funds out of the 1930s. Good government, transparency, and basic human decency won out over business as usual. Carla Crowder is Executive Director, Alabama Appleseed Center and Aaron Littman, Staff Attorney, Southern Center for Human Rights Google announced it would no longer give Huawei full access to its Android operating system, a move that will cripple Huaweis smartphone business. The ban will mean Huawei, the worlds second biggest vendor of smartphones, will no longer be able to offer its smartphone users access to Googles core services like, Google Maps, YouTube, and the Google app store. Vice reports in its article The U.S. Sent a Warship to the South China Sea to Send China a Message that tensions between China and the U.S. ratcheted up several notches over the weekend as Washington sent a warship into the disputed waters of the South China Sea. Navy exercises in the South China Sea On Sunday, a U.S. warship sailed into waters claimed by China in the hotly disputed South China Sea, with the U.S. Navy confirming that one of its vessels sailed close to the Scarborough Shoal, as part of what it describes as freedom of navigation exercises. The USS Preble sailed within 12 nautical miles of Scarborough Reef in order to challenge excessive maritime claims and preserve access to the waterways as governed by international law, Commander Clay Doss, a spokesman for the Seventh Fleet, said Sunday. Beijing responded Monday by saying it strongly urges the U.S. to stop such provocative actions. Since 2010, China has conducted an increasingly aggressive land grab in the South China Sea, which is one of the worlds busiest trade routes and home to huge deposits of oil and natural gas. The campaign worries Western governments, who fear that China will gain complete control of the valuable maritime real estate. Sundays exercise is the second of its kind in the South China Seas in the last month, but the chief of the U.S. Navy last week refuted claims they have anything to do with the trade war. The exercises are by design non-provocative, non-escalatory. Theyre just challenging excessive maritime claims in a very consistent basis, Adm. John Richardson told the International Maritime Security Conference in Singapore last week, claiming there has been no recent spike in activity in the region. GOOGLE BOOTS HUAWEI The exercise in the South China Sea was carried out against the backdrop of tit-for-tat tariffs, as well as the Trump administrations efforts to undermine Chinas most prominent global technology company. Google announced it would no longer give Huawei full access to its Android operating system, a move that will cripple Huaweis smartphone business. The ban will mean Huawei, the worlds second biggest vendor of smartphones, will no longer be able to offer its smartphone users access to Googles core services like, Google Maps, YouTube, and the Google app store. Google said it had no choice but to bar Huawei from its system after the Trump administration announced last week that it will blacklist the Chinese company. U.S. chipmakers like Intel, Broadcom, and Qualcomm, which provide components to Huawei, have also decided to cut the company off, according to sources speaking to Bloomberg. The effect will be to stifle Huaweis ability to make both its smartphones and its networking equipment. The company said in an emailed statement that Huawei will continue to provide updates and security patches to owners of its smartphones, but it did not address questions about the impact of the Google ban on its business. "ABSOLUTELY PAINFUL" TRADE WAR The ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China continues to upset global markets. While markets in Asia generally maintained the levels of show small gains Monday, markets in China fell in response to the latest developments at Huawei. On Sunday, Trump told Fox News that he was very happy with how negotiations with China were going. He claimed the trade war had prompted firms to move production out of China and into other Asian countries, though he failed to provide any proof. Trump insisted that, ultimately, China and its companies will pay the price of the trade war, saying they are getting killed with the tariffs. But hours earlier on the same network, Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) said tariffs are absolutely painful for farmers. Toomey added that if a deal could be struck with China, we might look back and say this is worth the price we are paying. The Trump administration has so far paid over $8.5 billion to farmers to offset losses resulting from the trade war. Closure for Bilkis Bano, whose family suffered one of the worst episodes of violence in the 2002 Gujarat riots. New Delhi, India In the spring of 2002, 19-year-old Bilkis Bano, who was five months pregnant, fled her village, Randhikpur in eastern Gujarat, with several relatives as communal riots broke out across the state. According to witnesses, Muslims fled en masse as a mob of hardline Hindus from right-wing groups rampaged through the village, setting properties on fire and looting them. Banos family found refuge in a small village, where Shamim, her cousin, went into labour and delivered a baby girl at a local midwifes house. Two days later, as they passed through a dirt road bordering a field, rioters wielding swords and sickles arrived in two white vehicles and shouted at them: These are the Muslims, kill them, cut them! In one of the most horrific episodes of the large-scale anti-Muslim violence that swept across Gujarat, 13 members of Banos family were killed including her three-year-old daughter and Shamims two-day-old baby. Bano was gang-raped. She survived by playing dead and then lost consciousness. At least 2,000 people were killed in Gujarat most of them Muslim after a train fire in which 60 Hindu pilgrims were burned alive. They killed my family they killed my daughter. They didn't even let us clean our dead and give them a burial. How could I forget this? Bilkis Bano, rape survivor Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was then the chief minister of the state, and his political rise has since been dogged by his handling of the riots. Last month, after a 17-year battle, the Supreme Court directed the Gujarat government to pay $71,000 to Bano as compensation, along with a job and accommodation of her choice. It was the highest compensation on record given to a rape survivor or riot victim in India. In 2017, a high court had upheld the conviction of 11 men found guilty of rape and murder and sentenced them to life imprisonment. Bano was one of the few survivors who came forward. Im very happy with the judgment, Bano, 36, told Al Jazeera. There were many friends, women activists and [other] officials who helped me to get justice. The intervening years since the 2002 riots threw Banos life in jeopardy as she and her husband Yakub Rasool decided to pursue the case in court hoping to get justice. After local officials dismissed her complaint, she went to the National Human Rights Commission, which petitioned the Supreme Court. Witnesses were threatened and Bano received death threats as the family moved from one place to another, living on financial support from a few NGOs. The state used its power, authority and office to protect them [the perpetrators] at any cost. The question is why? said Shobha Gupta, Banos counsel since 2003. Bilkis Bano holds her daughter Aksha, as her husband looks on during a press conference in New Delhi, India May 8, 2017 [Cathal McNaughton/Reuters] It was a very difficult time for us, Bano said. We have suffered a lot of misery. But the thought of giving up never crossed her mind. They killed my family they killed my daughter. They didnt even let us clean our dead and give them a burial. How could I forget this? Bano grew up as an ordinary young girl in rural Gujarat her father sold milk to sustain the family, she knew everybody. She said she had not faced any discrimination before. I still dont understand how could they have done something so horrible to us, Bano said. The 11 men convicted were from her neighbourhood, among them people Bano grew up with and knew by name. Gupta said from a personal perspective, the case was monumental. It made me believe that man can become a dangerous animal beyond [ones] wildest imagination [and that] communal belief can lead one unto any extreme, she said. It is unfortunate that such people use women to [vent] their hatred. On April 24, Bano stood in front of cameras in her home constituency and showed her index finger marked in ink. She had cast her vote in the general elections. When asked by reporters about her vote, Bano said that it was for the unity and democracy of the country. We must fight for something when it is important. Otherwise, we take freedom, unity, all this for granted, Bano told Al Jazeera. At her press conference in New Delhi after the judgment, Bano with her husband and daughter, who was born after the riots, announced that she would create a fund for survivors of sexual violence. They [the survivors] should fight for it, just like I did. They should have courage, [and if they dont have it], I will give them, she said. Legal experts and activists say Banos case is unique, marking a rare instance of justice for a victim of sexual violence during communal riots. It has been a lamentable fact that the rape of women during mass violence rarely finds prosecution, let alone conviction [in India], said Pratiksha Baxi, a legal scholar at New Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru University. She said that there is little understanding among the judiciary of the nature of suffering caused by rape during instances of targeted mass violence. Rape is not understood as political violence that uses sexual and reproductive violence as a technique to obliterate the enemy, the community that has been othered. A riot survivor, centre left wearing white, breaks down as others hold candle during a candlelit vigil to mark the 10th anniversary of the Gujarat riots as photographs of riot victims stand in the foreground in Ahmadabad, India, on February 24, 2012 [EPA] India has witnessed several religious riots since independence, but Banos case is only the second instance where survivors of sexual violence during the riots received any justice. In 2014, a court in Odisha convicted three people for a nuns gang rape during communal violence in 2008 when Hindu attackers killed 39 Christians. In the last five years under Prime Minister Modi, who won an historic mandate in 2014 promising tens of millions of jobs and inclusive development, India has witnessed the rise of Hindu nationalism with increasing instances of mob lynchings and fearmongering against the Muslim community. Against the backdrop of Banos traumatic past and considering the gravity of her suffering, many have called her a beacon of hope for Indias unity and constitutional plurality at a time of rising polarisation. But Bano says that she is just an ordinary woman and an ordinary citizen who fought for her rights. That is what my struggle was for. For equality for each of us. When we are wronged then we must seek to right it using the power of truth. When our rights as citizens are denied, we turn to our constitution. Digital documentary Growing up too Fast in Afghanistan was recognised in the short video category. The Al Jazeera English Online unit AJ Shorts was honoured alongside fellow awards winners from The New York Times, Reuters, BBC, Washington Post and leading East Asian news outlets at this years Human Rights Press Awards ceremony in Hong Kong. The AJ Shorts digital documentary, Growing up too Fast in Afghanistan, won in the Short Video (English) category, which was announced at the event on May 16. The film is the first-person narrative of a 14-year-old boy, Khudai, whose father was killed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, or ISIS) group, forcing him to abandon school and take odd jobs to ensure the survival of his mother and five younger sisters. Filmed and directed by Preethi Nallu, Growing up too Fast in Afghanistan also garnered two awards at the Webby Awards gala in New York City earlier this month. Al Jazeera Media Networks director of Digital Innovation and Programming Carlos Van Meek said he is proud of his teams accomplishments. This was a great collaboration between our broadcast partners and our digital team. I credit everyone involved for thinking laterally and working together across platforms to get the most out of a great story. Much more of this to come, said Van Meek. The Human Rights Press Awards presented 52 awards in recognition of outstanding human rights-focused journalism from across Asia. Winning entries ranged from high-profile issues such as the plight of Myanmars Rohingya, to under-reported topics such as the extrajudicial killing of Muslims in India, and the hardships faced by stateless minority communities living precariously along Cambodias waterways. Jailed Reuters reporters The award for Best Investigative Feature Writing went to Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo and their colleagues in recognition of their chilling work Myanmar Burning, which documented military atrocities including extrajudicial killings against the Rohingya Muslim minority. Shortly after publishing the report, Myanmar authorities imprisoned the two journalists for more than 500 days. AJ Shorts Commissioning Editor Andrew James Phillips said his teams win provided a big lift to continue telling stories of ordinary people in extraordinary and often extremely challenging circumstances. Were honoured to receive such an important accolade, Phillips said. Keynote speaker Maria Ressa, cofounder and CEO of the Philippines-based news website Rappler, summed up the role that human rights storytelling and reportage play in global media. Your reporting matters now more than ever, she said, addressing the audience in Hong Kong. We need to hold the line and show the best of human nature. That is our hope for the future. Iraq has been mediating between both sides, US and Iran, to try and avoid a crisis. Iraqs prime minister says hes sending a delegation to the United States and Iran. There are concerns a military confrontation could lead to renewed conflict in Iraq, which is a US ally and Irans neighbour. People in Iraq are hoping for a peaceful solution and hope their country will not be turned into a battleground again. Al Jazeeras Charles Stratford reports from Baghdad. All FPO-ministers will be replaced by technocrats as Austria gets a minority government for the first time ever. Vienna, Austria There is a significant chance that a 1990s Vengaboys song will become this years summer hit in Austria. Were going to Ibiza was played over and over again as protesters gathered in front of the chancellors office in Vienna on Saturday. Ibiza-Gate has triggered a political earthquake here. That was one of the most remarkable political days in the life of us all. The mood was energetic, says Can Gulcu, a 43-year-old curator at the Wien Museum. Laura Holzinger-Sahan, a 22-year-old philosophy and history student agreed: It was chaotic and stressful, but all the nicer that so many people were there. The pair had brought together speakers and DJs to organise the protest. According to them, 15,000-20,000 people joined in. 190519114048959 Just a few hours earlier, German media outlet Suddeutsche Zeitung and Der Spiegel had released an explosive video. It was recorded with hidden cameras in July 2017 on the Spanish island of Ibiza, and featured two well-known protagonists: Heinz-Christian Strache, who later that year was appointed vice-chancellor, and Johann Gudenus, a member of the Austrian parliament. Both are leading politicians in the Austrian right-wing party, FPO. For more than six hours, they talk to a woman they understand to be the niece of a powerful Russian oligarch. The footage shows Strache offering government contracts. Gulcu explains why the video has been so powerful: It speaks for itself. It shows two drunk political leaders selling themselves and their power. And now the people have understood their character. Saviour and victim The video scandal has caused a government crisis and it is hard to keep track of the events since it was published. Not only did Heinz-Christian Strache and Johann Gudenus resign, but Chancellor Sebastian Kurz of the Austrian Peoples Party (OVP) has announced snap elections. After Kurz dismissed the right-wing interior minister Herbert Kickl on Monday evening, and all FPO-ministers left the government. They will be replaced by technocratic experts and for the first time ever, Austria will get a minority government. Gulcu wants Kurz to leave office as well. Sebastian Kurz presents himself as a saviour and victim in a situation that he himself produced. He sells his story very well, as always, says Gulcu. In a statement, Kurz repeatedly pointed to his governments achievements, including the implementation of the 12-hour work day, and reductions in social care spending, but mostly, that he avoided arguing with his coalition partner. He stressed several times that FPO and OVP had worked hand in hand. Kurz may also face a motion of no-confidence in the Austrian parliament, which the FPO has said it would back. 190328193007882 Still, many Austrians perceive Kurz as an effective politician, a 32-year-old prodigy who has changed the political landscape of the country. Maria, an 81-year-old pensioner who asked for her surname not to be published, says: Kurz is a very reasonable young man with good ideas. And he worked so well together with FPO. Its obvious that Strache was tricked into a trap. The country is boiling Nationalism has been on the rise in Austria in recent months, and the isolation of the country within the European Union has become more apparent. FPO politicians have threatened journalists and published anti-Semitic poems, links with the Identitarian movement who received a donation from the perpetrator of the Christchurch attacks have been revealed, and anti-migrant rhetoric has dominated their public discourse. Ingo Hartmann wants a drastic change in Austrias political culture. They need to raise the standard in the way they talk and they do politics in this country, the 47-year-old architect told Al Jazeera. This is also why Holzinger-Sahan and Gulcu joined Wiederdonnerstag, a collective that organises weekly protests against the current government. Wiederdonnerstag, which means Thursday again, is a reference to demonstrations in the years 2000 and 2001, when the first coalition of FPO and the conservatives came to power. We address problems that concern us all from education to housing, poverty, work, Europe, racism, says Gulcu. He expects even more people to turn up to this weeks protest. Currently, the country is boiling, he said. And the demonstrations continue until something changes. Thousands gather in cities nationwide to protest against wave of state abortion bans passed in recent months. New York City Thousands of abortion rights activists across the United States took to the streets, town squares and courthouses on Tuesday to protest against a recent wave of anti-abortion laws passed in several states including Alabama, Mississippi, Ohio and Missouri. #StopTheBans protests were organised by more than 50 organisations, including the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws (NARAL) Pro-Choice America and American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). We are seeing a new wave of extreme bans on abortion, stripping away reproductive freedom and representing an all-out assault on abortion access, organisers said in a statement. This is Trumps anti-abortion extremism and its terrifying, particularly for communities of colour and low-income communities who are most affected by these bans. Activists and others gather in major cities across the US, including New York City, Washington, DC, Las Vegas and Philadelphia. Dozens of protesters chanted and sang songs outside the Middle Collegiate Church in New York City, holding signs that read, My body, my choice and I am in charge of my body. Women listen to speeches as they take part in an abortion rights rally in front of the Middle Collegiate Church in the East Village of New York on May 21, 2019 [Timothy Clary/AFP] In Washington, DC, hundreds protested outside the Supreme Court building. This nation was built on the backs and grown in the wombs of women, and our rights are not up for debate, Democratic Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley told the crowd. We are here to say, enough is enough, said Amy Klobuchar, a Democratic congresswoman who is running in the 2020 presidential election. We are not going to allow them to move our country backwards, she said. Wave of bans In the first quarter of 2019, at least 28 state legislatures introduced some version of an abortion ban, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive health and research and policy organisation. The Guttmacher Institute said that although that number is essentially the same as last year, the extreme nature of this years bills is unprecedented. 190514142646289 Last week, Alabamas governor signed the strictest abortion law in the US, making abortion illegal in nearly all cases including rape and incest. Doctors who perform an abortion could face up to 99 years in jail. The earliest the law can go into effect is in November, and rights groups have vowed to challenge it in court. Several states, including Ohio, Louisiana and Kentucky, have also passed so-called heartbeat laws that ban abortion once a fetal heartbeat, which can be as early as six weeks, before many women know theyre pregnant. Rights groups have challenged or plan to challenge the laws in the courts. The health and well-being of women is of little concern to the politicians championing these laws, who come from states with some of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the country, said Jennifer Dalven, the ACLUs reproductive freedom project director. The ACLU, on behalf of our millions of members, is proud to join today with our partners to fight these bans in court, on the street, and with our votes on Election Day, she told Al Jazeera. August Mulvihill, of Norwalk, Iowa, holds a sign during a rally to protest recent abortion bans at the Statehouse in Des Moines, Iowa [Charlie Neibergall/AP Photo] Many anti-abortion rights advocates, expecting the restrictions will be challenged, want the Supreme Court to revisit the 1973 Roe v Wade ruling which legalised abortion. Many feel that with a more conservative court, include two justices nominated by Republican President Donald Trump, they have a chance at having the ruling overturned. But #StopTheBan organisers describe the laws as an unconstitutional attempt to gut Roe and punish those who need access to abortion. Anti-abortion rights activists across the country criticised Tuesdays protests, saying they were part of the extreme pro-abortion agenda. For someone who recognises a precious brother or sister in every unborn child, its encouraging to see states passing laws that reflect that reality, said Eric Scheidler, executive director of the Pro-life Action League. At the same time, its deeply troubling to see so many thousands take to the streets this week denouncing the very idea that those unborn lives have any value at all, he told Al Jazeera. A protester holds up her arm with My Body My Choice written on it during a protest against recently passed abortion ban bills at the Georgia State Capitol building [Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images/AFP] But many abortion rights activists vowed to continue to protest in the streets The rally ended 30 minutes ago, but were still here raising our voices because this is important! tweeted the Womens March Minnesota a state whose legislature is considering restrictions. Abortion is healthcare and healthcare is a right, protesters chanted. British Steel, the beleaguered manufacturer which last week asked the United Kingdom government for a $95m bailout loan, is on the brink of collapse, a source told Reuters news agency. The steelmakers owners, Greybull Capital, agreed to put up some of the money themselves, and the loan request was dropped to $38m. But if the crisis loan is not approved by Tuesday afternoon, administrators could be called in as early as Wednesday. The company employs 5,000 workers, mostly at a giant plant in the northern town of Scunthorpe, and a further 20,000 jobs are dependent upon its supply chain. Administration would be devastating for the thousands of workers and their families who rely on this key industry in a part of the country which has not had enough support and investment from government over decades, said Gill Furness, Labours spokeswoman for steel. The UK steel industry is critical to our manufacturing base and is strategically important to UK industry. Unions have urged the government to approve the loan. Yesterday, the government, alongside trade unions and employers, signed a UK Steel Charter at Westminster, GMB National Officer Ross Murdoch told Reuters. They must now put their money where their mouth is. GMB calls on the government and Greybull to redouble efforts to save this proud steelworks and the highly skilled jobs. Any financial support form the government to a steel company would have to be on a commercial basis, Whitehalls Business Department noted in an email to Al Jazeera. Business minister Andrew Stephenson said he met with representatives of TATA Steel on Monday. The government will leave no stone unturned in its bid to support the UK steel industry, he told the House of Commons on Tuesday. Global economic considerations continue to be challenging for the industry, he added. We will do whatever is in our power to support all aspects of the UK steel sector. Nik Dakin, MP for Scunthorpe, was wearing a Save Our Steel badge in the House of Commons on Tuesday. Does the minister agree the stakes are too high, for the government, for us, to fail? Stephenson replied: When we are in a position to update the House we will do so at this stage I cannot comment on specifics. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the collapse of British Steel would be devastating. The government must act to secure the long-term future of the steelworks protecting peoples livelihoods and the community, he posted on Twitter. History of the problem 190119082641310 British Steel has been in trouble for a while. Three weeks ago, the government agreed a $150m loan so that the company could make its payments to a European Union environmental scheme and avoid a $630m fine from European regulators. Under the scheme, companies are awarded a certain number of carbon credits based on their target emissions outputs. If they perform well and emit less carbon, as British Steel did from 2013 to 2018, they can sell their remaining credits to those companies emitting more carbon into the atmosphere. British Steel sold off its remaining credits when Britain was expecting to leave the EU at the end of March. Then Brexit was delayed by six months and the manufacturer faced a huge shortfall in its credits, facing a huge fine. On Tuesday, pro-Brexit politicians in the House of Commons urged their colleagues to pass Theresa Mays EU Withdrawal Agreement when it returns to parliament in order to give some certainty to businesses. The steelmaker told The Guardian last week that its EU orders had dried up. In the event of a no-deal Brexit, WTO tariffs on steel would be 20 percent a significant disincentive for European buyers. About 70 percent of British Steels products are exported to either the EU or Turkey and North Africa, according to the Financial Times. But British Steels problems go back further still. Formerly part of Tata Steels European operations, a deal to sell off the division fell apart in 2015, with would-be buyers citing Chinas dumping of steel onto global markets causing unpredictable price fluctuations as a major reason for abandoning the purchase. In 2016, Greybull Capital, a private investment firm, bought Tatas steel division for a token amount of 1 ($1.27 at the current rate) and renamed it British Steel, saving thousands of jobs. Now, Greybull itself is facing additional scrutiny. In the two years following the acquisition, Greybull charged British Steel more than $20m a year in interest on loans it had itself provided, the Financial Times reported. The newly-owned British Steel also made a $50m investment in a French steelmaker. Contacted by Al Jazeera, a spokesperson for the UKs Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy declined to comment directly on whether the loan was likely to be agreed, saying: As the business department, we are in regular conversation with a wide range of companies. Blaise Compaore led successful negotiations with armed groups in the past, but the government has no plans to allow him to return to the country. After five years in exile, former Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore says he wants to come home, offering his help to try to broker a peace deal with armed groups. The government has been struggling to stop religious-based attacks and intercommunal violence. And as Al Jazeeras Nicolas Haque reports from Ouagadougou, protesters are threatening to take action. Self-confessed white supremacist accused of killing 51 people in two New Zealand mosques. New Zealand police have charged the Australian man accused of killing 51 people and wounding dozens of others in two Christchurch mosques in March with terrorism. In a statement released on Tuesday, police said a charge of engaging in a terrorist act under section 6A of the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002 had been filed against 28-year-old Brenton Tarrant. An additional murder charge over the death of a Turkish national, who died earlier this month, and two additional attempted murder charges have also been filed, bringing the total number of murder charges against him to 51 and 40 of attempted murder. The self-confessed white supremacist is accused of opening fire in the al-Noor and Linwood mosques on March 15 in the worst mass shooting in New Zealands recent history. Women and children were among those killed. 190410093022879 Until now, the charges against him were less expansive. Police said the decision to lay the terror charge was made after consultations with prosecutors and government legal experts. In April, Tarrant appeared at Christchurch High Court via video link from New Zealands only maximum security prison in Auckland more than 1,000 kilometres north of Christchurch. He is next due to appear in court on June 14, after being remanded in custody and ordered to undergo psychiatric assessment to determine if he was fit to stand trial. Fighting extremism Police notified roughly 200 family members of attack victims and survivors about the additional charges at a meeting on Tuesday, the statement added. Police are committed to providing all the support necessary for what will be a challenging and emotional court process to come for the victims families and survivors of the attack, they said. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has characterised the mosque killings a well-planned terrorist attack on one of the countrys darkest days. The attack was live-streamed on Facebook and the footage was widely shared sparking wide-ranging condemnation of social media networks ability to control the content shared on their platforms. Since then, technology giants, including Amazon, Facebook, Google, Microsoft and Twitter, have agreed to fight violent and extremist online content on several new fronts. A nine-point action plan was adopted at the Christchurch Call to Action summit with world leaders in Paris last week. Last month, New Zealands parliament also voted overwhelmingly in favour of legislation to ban semi-automatic and military-style weapons. Tarrant had purchased his weapons legally online and modified their capacity by using 30-round magazines. Earlier this month, New Zealands major media organisations pledged not to promote Tarrants white supremacist ideology while covering his trial. The five organisations signed an agreement saying they were aware he might try to use the trial as a platform to promote white supremacist or terrorist views. It is unclear if the letter from Congress will push the White House into articulating a clear strategy for Syria. Hundreds of US congressmen and senators have sent a letter to the White House urging President Donald Trump not to pull troops out of Syria. The bipartisan plea argues the United States should remain engaged in the conflict to protect regional allies. Democrats and Republicans have voiced concerns after Trump announced the withdrawal in December. Al Jazeeras Andrew Chappelle reports. Washington, DC US Democratic politicians expressed scepticism and alarm after receiving closed-door briefings from key Trump administration officials on Tuesday about escalating tensions with Iran. The briefings were given by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan, Chairman of Joint Chiefs General Joseph Dunford and an official from the US Defense Intelligence Agency. Secretary Pompeo made a very lengthy political argument and he argued, Here are all the terrible things that Iran has done, and he spent about 10 minutes until I cut him off, Representative Adam Smith, the Democrat chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, told reporters after the briefing for House members. And as every member who stood up has said, We know Iran is bad. What is the policy going forward? There wasnt enough information on that, Smith said. Trump officials cast the discussion as the United States responding to provocations from Iran, but failed to mention President Donald Trumps decision a year ago to withdraw from a nuclear agreement with Iran and Trumps imposition of economic sanctions, according to members of Congress after the briefings. If this whole conversation is absent, if it doesnt take into consideration what the administration is saying, that the administration keeps heightening tensions, then you a leaving something major out, Representative Anna Eshoo, a Democrat, told Al Jazeera. There was an echo of years past, Eshoo said. The Trump officials presented their case as, This is what we are finding. This is what we are trying to deter. But if we find something, then, of course, we would have to act because wed have to respond, she said. Acting United States Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo give a statement after a closed-door briefing on Iran in the auditorium of the Capitol Visitors Center in Washington, DC [Mandel Ngan/AFP] The Trump administration has increased US military presence in the Gulf in response to what it said were threats from Iran. On Sunday, Trump tweeted if Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. He added, never threaten the United States again. He did not clarify what threats he meant. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, in an interview broadcast on CNN on Tuesday, said the US is playing a dangerous game, warning that having all these military assets in a small area is in of itself prone to accidents. Tensions between the two countries mounted this month, a year after Trump pulled the US out of the landmark 2015 nuclear deal in which Iran agreed to curb its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. Trumps decision to withdraw the US from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) has led to the reimposition of US sanctions as part of a maximum pressure campaign against Tehran. 190520201653885 For its part, Iranian officials have said Tehran had acted in good faith over the nuclear deal. They accuse the US of waging economic warfare with the reimposition of sanctions, as well as its move to reduce Iranian oil exports to zero. Republicans defend administrations moves Shanahan told reporters at the US Capitol on Tuesday that while threats from Iran in the Middle East remain high, deployments of additional US forces to the region had deterred Iran and its proxies from any attacks on Americans. Republicans emerging from the classified presentation defended Trumps moves as necessary while tamping down talk of direct military conflict with Iran or even war. Representative Michael McCaul, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told reporters that the Trump officials said Iran carried out and launched several attacks through their proxies including a rocket attack near our embassy in Baghdad, ships in the Persian Gulf, and drone attacks in Saudi Arabia. The administrations response was intended to de-escalate and provide a deterrent strategy so that Iran does not become aggressive, McCaul said. 190521133132568 It was made very clear there is no intent to go to war in the region, he added. Words are one thing, movement of forces are one thing but actual military action is something else. Thus far, the United States hasnt taken any substantial military action, Representative Steve Chabot, a Republican, told Al Jazeera. Iran does need to think long and hard about anything that they may do from this point on, Chabot said. Twisting US intelligence But Democrats warned that the Trump administration is twisting what US intelligence shows to justify its narrative about confronting Iran. So far, there has not been a single shred of evidence presented to justify the escalation with Iran, Representative Gerry Connolly, a Democrat, told reporters after leaving the briefing. That may exist, but I sure didnt hear it while I was in there, he said. 190521191806344 Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican, said the briefing to the Senate provided useful information. They explained to us how the Iranian threat streams were different than in the past, that the attack on the ships and the pipeline was coordinated and directed by the Iranian government, Graham told reporters. There was specific credible evidence of a malign interest on the part Iran and as a result of that, our intelligence community had a high degree of confidence that something might occur that would be of detriment to our personnel, Senator Mitt Romney, a Republican, told reporters. Independent Senator from Vermont Bernie Sanders speaks to the news media after attending a classified intelligence briefing on Iran [Erik Lesser/EPA-EFE] Senator Bernie Sanders, a candidate for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, compared the Trump administrations claims to false arguments that led to the Vietnam War and the Iraq War. We were lied to about Iraq supposedly having weapons of mass destruction, Sanders said. A war with Iran would be an absolute disaster, far worse than the war with Iraq. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said, What I learned from the briefing is that the Iranians are no closer to talking than ever before. They do not seem to be backing down from a standpoint of military provocation and thus you have to ask whether our strategy is working. He added, If the Iranians arent ready to talk and they are ramping up their provocative actions in the region, that would seem to be a pretty significant indictment of our policy. Murphy said the administrations briefing focused on tactics, but lacked a clear overarching strategy. There was no effort to lay out a thoughtful, interdepartmental strategy for how this is ultimately going to wind up in a better deal being signed by the Iranians than was signed by the Obama administration. Supply risks abound from Iran to Venezuela to Libya and the peak summer oil demand season is just around the corner, but Saudi energy minister Khalid al-Falih still sees a world awash in crude. As S&P Global Platts writes in the article Analysis: Saudi energy minister says world does not need any more oil in coming months, in case anyone doubted Saudi Arabia's resolve to maintain price-boosting production discipline, when many forecasters are warning of a potential supply squeeze ahead and US President Donald Trump is pressuring the kingdom to open the taps, Falih could not have been more clear Sunday. "We see inventories rising, we see plentiful supplies," the minister told reporters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where an OPEC/non-OPEC monitoring committee that he co-chairs with Russian counterpart Alexander Novak met to debate how much to pump going forward. "All in all we should be in a comfortable situation in the weeks to months to come," Falih added. So comfortable, in fact, that he said the OPEC kingpin will keep its crude production in May and June at around 9.7 million to 9.8 million b/d. That is more than half a million b/d below its quota under an OPEC/non-OPEC supply accord of 10.31 million b/d. Saudi crude exports would not surpass 7 million b/d in either month, he added. Even if the deal is not extended beyond its June expiry when the producer coalition meets in five weeks in Vienna, the minister declared that Saudi Arabia will still hold to its quota for at least an extra month -- boldly risking its own market share in the name of price support. "We are not going to deviate from our target for July," Falih said. "I hope my other colleagues will do the same." The prospects of rolling over the production cuts are not yet clear. Several ministers at the monitoring committee meeting said they supported in principle a continuation of the supply agreement, but the group as a whole was not ready to be locked into a commitment just yet. Changing market dynamics may necessitate some kind of amendment to the deal, such as loosening some quotas and adjusting the level of cuts, some delegates said. Novak said geopolitical uncertainties, including the US enforcement of sanctions on Iran and Venezuela, complicate the OPEC/non-OPEC coalition's ability to stabilize the oil market, while the demand outlook is clouded by trade disputes and slowing economic growth. "We need to remain flexible," he said after the committee meeting. "We are trying to base that decision on what's best for the market and do the right thing to keep it balanced." Non-OPEC Russia has been less eager than Saudi Arabia to pledge further cuts, though President Vladimir Putin has said he sees political benefits to continuing engagement with OPEC. Based on the steep backwardation in Brent prices, the oil market appears to be anticipating an increasingly tight physical market due to the US crackdown on Iranian crude exports through sanctions and Venezuela's continued economic collapse. Libya's instability also presents a supply risk, with Mustafa Sanalla, the chairman of the country's state-owned oil company, saying Saturday that warring factions are putting some 95% of its production at risk. Front-month Brent futures have risen more than a third since the beginning of the year, but Falih dismissed the market structure as not grounded in reality and said that prices had greater downside risk than upside. "We're not fooled by current prices," he said. "We think the market has been fragile." Even US sanctions on Iran have not clamped down on Iranian oil exports as much as believed, he said. Iran has said it will try to sell barrels on the so-called "gray market" to try to avoid US detection, through clandestine shipments and third-party sales. "I think there is a lot of oil that is leaving the shores of Iran or the borders of Iran that is not accounted as Iranian oil," Falih said. "It's presented in the markets, and therefore we are not seeing as much demand for other crudes as many analysts are expecting." What Falih said he is laser focused on is tackling the global oil inventory glut. Oil stocks have risen some 65 million to 70 million barrels since last July, he said, though much of that is due to Saudi Arabia raising its production under pressure from the US to keep the market well-supplied in advance of the reimposition of Iran sanctions in November. Saudi crude production reached a record high above 11 million b/d that month. Sanctions waivers the US granted to eight countries to continue purchasing Iranian oil for six months wrong-footed the Saudis and caused a severe downturn in the market. Once bitten and twice shy, Saudi Arabia will not raise output again without evidence that global demand warrants the extra barrels -- but Falih said that surge should provide ample evidence that Saudi Arabia can rise to the occasion if a supply shortage does materialize. However, the kingdom may not want to risk a further rift in OPEC by producing beyond its quota, with geopolitical tensions with Iran already high in the wake of last week's drone attack on a major Saudi pipeline that officials have blamed on Iranian-backed Yemeni Houthis. Iran, which did not send a representative to the committee meeting in Jeddah, has warned other countries not to encroach on its sanctions-hit market share. "We want to bring inventories down to a more normal levels," Falih said. "We need to stay the course and do that in the weeks and months to come." About 200,000 civilians caught in the crossfire in the countrys northwest have now fled intensified fighting, UN says. Rebels in northwestern Syria launched a counterattack on Tuesday against pro-government positions and fighting killed more than three dozen combatants from both sides, a war monitor said. The fighting in the town of Kafr Nabuda, in the north of Hama province, killed 26 pro-government fighters as well as 18 rebels, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Syrian forces seized control of the town on May 8. State news agency SANA also said terrorist groups a catch-all term for opposition armed groups fired missiles on the west of government-held Aleppo city, wounding six civilians. About 200,000 people caught in the crossfire in northwestern Syria have now fled intensified fighting between rebels and Syrian and Russian forces. The territory is largely controlled by Hayet Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an armed group that formerly represented al-Qaedas Syrian wing. The Syrian government has vowed to remove HTS from the region. Food in need Thousands of Syrians are on the move in search of safety, food and shelter, according to NGO Mercy Corps. People on the ground tell us that their first need is food, yet food prices have reportedly increased by up to 45 percent during the holy month of Ramadan in the worst-affected areas of northern Hama and southern Idlib, said Made Ferguson, Mercy Corps deputy country director for Syria. Marta Hurtado, spokeswoman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said fighting was continuing despite a 72-hour ceasefire, adding at least 200,000 people have now fled southern Idlib and northern Hama provinces since renewed fighting began at the end of last month. Air strikes and ground-based attacks continue to take place in various parts of Idlib and Hama governorates, said Hurtado in a statement on Tuesday. The situation remains volatile and the possibility of renewed clashes is high, worsening the prospects for some three million civilians caught in the crossfire. Hurtado said at least 105 civilians have been killed including many women and children since last month. Crisis point Syrian and Russian air raids have hit 18 health facilities and violence has destroyed at least 16 schools since last month, the United Nations says. Some 70 aid groups called for an immediate end to the fighting in Idlib, saying conditions have reached a crisis point. The groups said violence has forced at least 16 humanitarian organisations to suspend their operations in the region, adding staff were either displaced themselves or the facilities came under attack. The fighting marks the biggest upsurge in violence since last summer between President Bashar al-Assad and his enemies in Idlib province and a belt of territory around it. The battles have forced fleeing Syrians to live out in the open amid the exchanges of fire as they try to escape the region. Watching the truck burn Ali al-Ahmed and his family fled on foot through the fields when the bombs began raining down on their house in northwestern Syria, escaping the major offensive by the Syrian army and its Russian allies. In the early hours of the morning, the artillery stopped. Then, the warplanes and helicopters came out, said Ahmed, a 25-year-old farmer recalling his last hours in the village of Habeet, which he fled with his family of five dozen people. Scattered during their frantic escape from the village, the family are now reunited in a makeshift shelter in an olive grove near the border with Turkey. 180314141254482 The night before Alis family left the village, they hid indoors or in basements. They feared to even to check around the village for other still living inhabitants. Shelling hit his small truck, which they had planned to escape in. The warplane was flying overhead, he said. So, we stood there watching the truck burn. Then, they set off through the fields: some of the relatives ran on foot. Others hopped into cars with their neighbours. A few stayed behind. For three days, we didnt know anything about each other, Ali said. The family ended up in an olive grove in the border town of Atmeh two weeks ago. Our entire lives today are under these two trees, said Ali, who had already been uprooted twice before during the eight-year war. Researchers say two-metre sea level rise is possible if global temperatures warm by five degrees Celsius by 2100. Global sea levels could rise by two metres and displace tens of millions of people by the end of the century if greenhouse emissions remain unchecked, according to a new study. The authors of the report, released on Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal, said this outcome is the worst-case scenario, in which global temperatures would warm more than five degrees Celsius by 2100. The new projections, which double benchmark estimates by the United Nations, suggest the melting of the vast ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica will contribute to accelerating the rise of seas levels, adding that they contain enough frozen water to lift the worlds oceans dozens of metres. The UNs Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said its 2013 Fifth Assessment Report suggested that in a business-as-usual scenario, sea levels would likely to rise by up to one metre by 2100. 190512174743893 That prediction has since been viewed as conservative, as the levels of planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise year on year, and satellites show accelerated rates of melt-off from massive ice sheets atop Antarctica and Greenland. In October, the IPCC released a landmark climate report that called for a drastic and immediate reduction in coal, oil and gas consumption in order to arrest the rapid rise in the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. That report, however, did not include revised estimates of sea-level rise. P rofound consequences Researchers on the study say a sea-level rise of the suggested magnitude would have profound consequences for humanity. The two-metre sea level rise that we project is not the most likely scenario but it is a plausible scenario. So it is one we should consider if we want to plan and adapt to future sea level rises, Jonathan Bamber, a professor at the University of Bristol and the lead researcher of the study, told Al Jazeera. 181009134051255 It was based on the assumption that we carry on increasing our emissions of greenhouse gasses into the future and sadly carbon emissions have carried on increasing even after the Paris Agreement of 2015, he added. The Paris climate deal, struck between nations in 2015, aims to limit global temperature rises to well below two degrees Celsius and encourages countries to work towards a 1.5-degree cap. The authors said the area of land lost to the ocean could be equivalent to that of France, Germany, Spain and Britain combined, and would displace more than 180 million people. Earth has already heated one degree Celcius since pre-industrial times, contributing roughly 3 millimetres to sea levels each year. A United States congressional committee chairman issued subpoenas to two more former White House aides hours after being spurned by White House Counsel Donald McGahn at a hearing on Tuesday. The subpoenas came as Democratic politicians negotiated for testimony by Special Counsel Robert Mueller and debated impeaching President Donald Trump. Heeding Trumps instructions to ignore a subpoena from the Democratic-led House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, McGahn failed to show up for scheduled testimony before the panel on Thursday morning. Undeterred in a growing conflict with Trump over congressional powers to oversee his administration, committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler announced he has issued fresh subpoenas to former White House Communications Director Hope Hicks and Annie Donaldson, the former chief of staff to McGahn. The subpoenas seek testimony and documents in connection with the committees probe into whether Trump obstructed Muellers investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US election. Despite McGahns no-show, the committee held a hearing lasting about a half-hour that featured an empty chair at the witness table. Nadler said at the hearing, Let me be clear: this committee will hear Mr McGahns testimony, even if we have to go to court to secure it. Attorney General William Barr, the top US law enforcement official and a Trump appointee, on May 2 snubbed the same committee, which later voted to hold him in contempt of Congress for not handing over a full, unredacted Mueller report. 190521140914965 At the hearing skipped by Barr, an empty chair also figured prominently and a Democratic committee member placed a ceramic chicken on the table in front of it for the cameras. The ceramic chicken did not make a repeat appearance on Tuesday. After the hearing where McGahn was a no-show, several Democrats said the Judiciary Committee was negotiating with Mueller about his possible testimony. A redacted version of Muellers report was released by Barr last month. We are working with his team on that right now. I cant tell you for sure if hes going to come, said Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, a Democratic member of the committee. Republicans derided Tuesdays session as a political stunt and an abuse of the hearing process. This is becoming a regular event. Its called the circus of Judiciary, the panels top Republican, Representative Doug Collins, said after the hearing. In the early days of Trumps presidency, few aides had more frequent access to him than Hicks, a public relations consultant that Trump hired into the White House from his daughter Ivankas staff. She rose to the position of communications director, but resigned from the White House in March 2018. Trump, seeking re-election in 2020, is refusing to cooperate with many probes into his administration, his family and his business interests. The White House on Monday told McGahn, who left his post in October, to disregard the Judiciary Committees subpoena. Considering impeachment House Oversight Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings, who is locked in another legal battle with Trump over access to his financial records, told reporters on Tuesday that Democrats are moving more and more toward using impeachment as an option in the showdown with Trump. 190510153644885 Taking it a step further, Democratic Representative Diana DeGette said on Twitter: The facts laid out in the Mueller report, coupled with this administrations ongoing attempts to stonewall Congress, leave us no choice: It is time for Congress to officially launch an impeachment inquiry against the President of the United States. Other Democrats remained cautious, however, saying a federal judges decision against Trump on Monday in a subpoena case shows a step-by-step approach in the courts will bring results. US District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington blocked a lawsuit by Trump that attempted to quash a subpoena sent by Cummings to Trumps long-time accounting firm Mazars LLP seeking his financial records. Trump has appealed the case. It was not immediately clear when Democrats might pursue a contempt citation against McGahn. The rules require 48-hours notice, but many House members will be flying out of town on Thursday for the Memorial Day holiday, a logistical challenge that means any contempt vote would be unlikely before June. In the Mueller report, McGahn was a key witness regarding possible obstruction of justice by Trump. Career prosecutors who are not involved in the case have said the report contained strong evidence that Trump committed a crime when he pressured McGahn to fire Mueller and later urged him to lie about it. Any impeachment effort would take place in the House, led by the Judiciary Committee, before trial in the Republican-led Senate would decide whether to remove Trump from office. No US president has ever been removed from office through impeachment, a process spelled out in the Constitution. Democrats have debated for months whether to initiate the process, with some legislators clamouring for it, but senior leaders, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, has counselled caution for fear of a voter backlash that could benefit Trump. The redacted, 448-page Mueller report, 22 months in the making, showed how Moscow interfered in the 2016 US presidential election in Trumps favour and detailed Trumps attempts to impede Muellers probe. The report found there was insufficient evidence to conclude that a criminal conspiracy between Moscow and the Trump campaign had taken place. It made no recommendation on whether Trump obstructed justice, leaving that question up to Congress. Ren Zhengfei tells Chinese state media US underestimates Huawei and technology transfer ban will have no effect. Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei has struck a defiant tone in the Chinese technology giants battle over 5G technology with the United States, as Washington temporarily eased some trade restrictions on the company in an attempt to minimise the effect on customers. Speaking to Chinas state media on Tuesday, Ren said the US was underestimating Huawei, the worlds biggest manufacturer of telecommunications equipment and its second-biggest smartphone maker. The current practice of US politicians underestimates our strength, Ren said in an interview with state broadcaster CCTV. Last week, US President Donald Trump declared a national emergency that enabled him to blacklist companies seen as an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States a move analysts said was clearly aimed at Huawei. At the same time, the US Commerce Department announced an effective ban on US companies selling or transferring technology to Huawei. Ren insisted the move would have no effect. Huaweis 5G will absolutely not be affected, he said. In terms of 5G technologies, others wont be able to catch up with Huawei in two or three years, he said. Smartphones US internet giant Google, whose Android mobile operating system powers most of the worlds smartphones, said this week it was beginning to cut some ties with Huawei in light of the US blacklisting. This could have dramatic implications for people who use Huawei phones because the telecoms giant would no longer have access to Googles proprietary services, including Gmail and Google Maps. Ren told state media that Huawei was in discussions with Google on how to deal with the ban. On Monday, the US Commerce Department issued a 90-day reprieve on the transfer of technology to give Huawei a temporary licence to buy US-made goods in order to maintain existing networks and provide software updates to existing phones. The reprieve is intended to give telecommunications operators that rely on Huawei equipment time to make alternative arrangements, US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said in a statement. In short, this license will allow operations to continue for existing Huawei mobile phone users and rural broadband networks, he said. The licence, which is in effect until August 19, suggests changes to Huaweis supply chain may have immediate, far-reaching and unintended consequences for its customers. The goal seems to be to prevent internet, computer and cell phone systems from crashing, lawyer Kevin Wolf, a former Commerce Department official, told Reuters news agency. This is not a capitulation. This is housekeeping. Speaking to Chinese state media, Ren said Huawei was prepared. The US 90-day temporary licence does not have much impact on us, we are ready, Ren said. Half the chips used in Huawei equipment come from the US and the other half are made by the Chinese company, he said. We cannot be isolated from the world, Ren said, stressing he did not see a situation where Huawei would be cut off completely from US supply. Escalating tensions The dispute over Huawei has added to tensions in an escalating trade war between the worlds top two economies, with both sides exchanging steep increases in tariffs as negotiations have faltered. Einar Tangen, a political analyst who advises the Chinese government on economics and development, said the US was trying to destroy the competition. Basically, this is a very clear attempt to cripple Huawei, he told Al Jazeera from Beijing, warning, however, of potential disastrous consequences for the profits of some US tech giants. You could see Apples sales plummet one of the other realities of this trade war is that this type of international stories are going to impact more and more nationalist, China and they will shy away from buying Apple and other US products, said Tangen. Remember, this is an over $350bn-a-year market where US companies are selling in China and that could have disastrous consequences for American businesses, especially down the profit lines. The spat has also drawn in Canada after Huaweis Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, who is also Rens daughter, was detained there in December following a US extradition request related to alleged violations of Washingtons sanctions on Iran. Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, two Canadians working in China, were detained shortly afterwards. The two were formally charged with spying last week, an action Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described as unacceptable. Kovrig is a former diplomat who now works with the International Crisis Group, a global think-tank, as its senior adviser on Northeast Asia, while Spavor is a businessman. The men have been allowed to meet consular officials only once a month and were refused access to a lawyer. Meng is out on bail and living in her Vancouver mansion. Irans FM slams US move to shift military hardware to the region, warning it increases the risk of accidents. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif warned the United States is playing a dangerous game by boosting its military might in the Gulf as the fiery rhetoric between Washington and Tehran continues. Zarif criticised the US move to deploy an aircraft carrier strike group and bomber task force earlier this month in response to an unspecified threat, cautioning that having all these military assets in a small area is in of itself prone to accidents. Extreme prudence is required and the United States is playing a very, very dangerous game, he told CNN in an interview broadcast on Tuesday. Friction between Tehran and Washington has steadily ratcheted up this month, a year after US President Donald Trump pulled out of a landmark 2015 nuclear accord brokered between the Islamic Republic and several other world powers. Under the deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran agreed to curb its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. Since then, the Trump administration has pursued a maximum pressure campaign against Tehran, which it accuses of being a destabilising actor in the Middle East. Respect not threat On Tuesday, Zarif said Tehran had acted in good faith over the JCPOA and accused the US of waging economic warfare on Iran by reimposing sanctions and moving to reduce Iranian oil exports to zero. Iran never negotiates with coercion. You cannot threaten any Iranian and expect them to engage. The way to do it is through respect, not through threats, Zarif said, adding there would be painful consequences if current tensions escalate further. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a televised speech on Tuesday that whenever the US administration threatens Iran, international and domestic pressure means they regret it in less than two hours. All those with the responsibility of the world on their shoulders tell the White House that this was a very dangerous thing to say [and] the Pentagons pressure makes the president apologise and say we dont mean to wage war or attack, he said. Iraq to calm tensions Amid the sharp rhetoric, Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi announced on Tuesday that Baghdad will dispatch diplomatic delegations to Washington and Tehran in a bid to halt tensions as the ongoing war of words could erupt into a full-blown military conflict. Abdul Mahdi also said there were no Iraqi groups that wanted to push towards a war, two days after a rocket landed close to the US embassy in the Iraqi capital, the latest in a series of regional attacks. 190114195115637 Last week, the US ordered the evacuation of nonessential diplomatic staff from Iraq amid unspecified threats from Iran and rising friction across the region. The US has also blacklisted Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps, which has ties to a number of armed groups operating in Iraq, as a terrorist group. Iran has done the same to US forces operating in the Middle East. On Tuesday, Patrick Shanahan, the acting US defence secretary, said while the threat posed by Iran in the region remained high, the potential for attacks on US nationals had been put on hold. Id say were in a period where the threat remains high and our job is to make sure that there is no miscalculation by the Iranians, he told reporters at the Pentagon. Tit-for-tat threats Shanahans comments came after Trump on Sunday warned Iran to never threaten the United States again, adding: If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. He did not clarify what threats he meant. Zarif dismissed the US leaders comments as genocidal taunts. Iranians have stood tall for millennia while aggressors all gone, he wrote on Twitter. Despite repeated threats of readiness to retaliate to any strike from the other, both sides have also repeatedly stated they do not want war. 190515103122141 Analysts, meanwhile, said there was unlikely to be a halt to the rhetoric or improvement in relations unless Trump changes tack and acts first in making a diplomatic overture to Iran. Iran wants to hear from the US president; they dont want to hear the others because they know Bolton is pushing for confrontation or regime change, said Mahjoob Zweiri, a director of the Gulf Studies Centre at Qatar University, referring to US National Security Adviser and renowned Iran critic John Bolton. Irans calculation is very clear. The maximum the president can stay is five years, so is it worth it to enter a confrontation with this president? Is it worth it to have a war that Iran will lose? The best solution is to find an exit strategy, either through a closed door or on camera negotiations, Zweiri added. The Iranian side is looking to see if Trump can offer something, so they can start talking about next steps. Al Jazeeras Zein Basravi, reporting from Tehran, said while many Iranians were worried about the threat of conflict with the US, for others the Islamic Republics economic woes were a more pressing issue. War is a concern and an existential threat, it remains a fear for many Iranians. But they say the more immediate problem they are facing is financial their devolving currency and continued American sanctions that are eating away at Irans economy. Jakarta, Indonesia Losing presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto is to legally challenge the official result of Indonesias election as hardline conservative groups threaten street protests after incumbent Joko Widodo was confirmed as the winner of last months vote. The Indonesian Election Commission announced the official results in the early hours of Tuesday morning, bringing forward by more than 24 hours an announcement that had been expected on Wednesday. The commissions count showed Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, and his running mate, Maruf Amin, had received 55.5 percent of the votes, compared with 44.5 percent for Prabowo and his running mate, Sandiago Uno. The results closely resemble the unofficial quick count results carried out by independent election observers on election day last month. But the official witness from Prabowos team refused to sign the statement of the official results, while campaign spokesman Danhil Anzar Simanjuntak told Al Jazeera that Prabowos team did not accept the outcome. Officially, we are rejecting the results of the presidential election, Simanjuntak said on Tuesday morning. Structural, systematic, massive and brutal fraud has taken place, and it has not been dealt with justly. He declined to go into details about the alleged fraud. Widodo won more than 85 million votes of the 154 million cast on April 17 in the worlds third-largest democracy, the commission said. His party also emerged the winner in the parliamentary elections that took place at the same time. Prabowos side said initially they would not take legal action, but legal director Sufmi Dasco Ahmad told reporters on Tuesday that the team would take their case to the Constitutional Court. Under electoral law, they have three days to lodge the complaint. Prabowo lost a similar challenge to the results after losing the previous presidential election in 2014. Arief Budiman talks to reporters after the announcement of the results [Willy Kurniawan/Reuters] Protest threat Supporters of Prabowo have said they are planning to hold a rally on Wednesday outside the commissions office in the capital, Jakarta, to protest against the results. They have called themselves the Brotherhood of 212 Alumni, in reference to the December 2016 protests against Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama, the first ethnic Chinese governor of Jakarta who was accused and later found guilty of blasphemy. Members of the group include the Islamic Defenders Front, known by its Indonesian initials as FPI. During his campaign for the presidency, Prabowo, a former general who has been accused of human rights abuses, found significant support among conservative groups. Accusations that Jokowi was not a true Muslim ran rampant. Hoaxes alleging that the president would remove religious education in schools, forbid the call to prayer and legalise extra-marital sex and same-sex marriage if returned to power appeared to resonate among voters in the worlds largest Muslim-majority country, even though the claims were false. Their movement wants the public to think that Islamic leaders, or leaders supported by Islamic groups, will not win [in elections] because of the fraudulent practices of state actors and the incumbent president, said Titi Anggraini, the executive director of the Association of Elections and Democracy (Perludem). They want to present themselves as wronged. The election commission said there was no evidence of systematic cheating in the election, while independent observers have said the poll was free and fair. In his first comments since the announcement of the official results, Jokowi tweeted his gratitude to those who had voted for him. Thank you for having faith in us and giving us a mandate, he wrote in Indonesian. We will turn your trust into development programmes that are fair and equitable. Jokowi later told reporters his government would be the leaders and protectors of all Indonesians. Dina Afrianty, a research fellow at La Trobe University Law School in Melbourne, said Prabowos position appeared weak. The threat of protest appears genuine, but the call to object to the election result carries far less credibility than the 212 protests, she told Al Jazeera. This continuing effort to mobilise people power seems to be running out of steam, and appears to be part of an increasingly desperate and hopeless campaign to impugn the election result. In fact, major groups such as Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesias two largest Muslim mass organisations, have distanced themselves from the protest calls. This is an important move by Muhammadiyah, Afrianty added. Many of its members were previously sympathetic to the 212 [movement], and also broadly in the Prabowo camp. However, this time, Muhammadiyahs leadership has advised its members that respecting the election outcome is part of their obligation as Muslims to command right and forbid wrong. Razor wire and police trucks deployed outside the headquarters of Indonesias election commission amid concerns about street protests called by hardline Islamic groups and losing presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto. [Kate Walton/Al Jazeera] Heightened security There was heightened security across Jakarta on Tuesday with a heavy police presence at the commissions offices and the National Monument, a popular gathering point for protests. The Indonesian Police put out a warning over fears of attacks by an Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS) splinter cell known as Jamaah Anshurat Daulah (JAD). Foreign missions, including Australia and the United States of America, have issued safety warnings for Wednesday, citing heightened risks of terrorism. At least 30 individuals have already been arrested over the past week for allegedly planning an attack on the Elections Commission office, located in the heart of Jakartas business district. The suspected attackers planned to use remote-detonated devices to cause mass casualties in the crowds, police said during a press conference on May 17. Police announced that multiple pre-assembled explosives and additional bomb-making materials were found during raids. Among those arrested were seven people who had returned from Syria. More than 40,000 police and military personnel are being deployed in the capital this week to protect the city from potential violence. The number includes thousands relocated from other parts of Indonesia. Meanwhile, multiple Chinese-Indonesian women in Jakarta told Al Jazeera privately that they planned on staying at home on Wednesday for their own safety, amid fears of a repeat of 1998s violence during the fall of then-President Soeharto when minority Chinese-Indonesians were targeted by rioters. Perludems Anggraini believes that even if this weeks protests are small in size compared to the 212 protests, which attracted millions of people, they must be seen as part of a larger movement. The May 22 protests have a long-term goal, she said. Its a political investment in future electoral contests. There will be 269 regional elections in 2020, and another presidential election in 2024. Both will be incredibly competitive. UN says at least 11 people were killed and 380 arrested in rebel area that surrendered to Syrian government last year. At least 380 civilians have been arrested in Syrias Deraa and 11 people killed in apparent targeted killings since government retook the southern province, according to the United Nations. Marta Hurtado, spokeswoman for the UN high commissioner for human rights, said the 11 cases included a number of civilians and former fighters serving in civilian local councils and the security forces. The killings in Deraa, the birthplace of the uprising against President Bashar al-Assads rule, took place despite attempts at reconciliation between the government and former fighters. Deraa surrendered to the Syrian army under a deal brokered by Russia in July last year. Assads government offered amnesty to former fighters under the so-called reconciliation agreements. The 11 deaths that took place from July 26, 2018, to March 13, 2019, included fatal drive-by shootings, the UN rights office said in a report. The agency said it was not in a position to identify any perpetrators as it has no presence in Syria, which has been gripped by war since 2011. Syrian authorities could not immediately be reached for comment. Hurtado told a news conference that the assailants were clearly targeting former opposition members or perceived opposition members. Empty promises At least 380 people were arrested or detained in the period, including three who had recently returned after fleeing the war, she said. The reasons were unclear, and little or no information is given to the families, Hurtado said, adding that some arrests were said to be linked to suspicion of terrorism. About 150 were released after a few days, but at least 230 have disappeared into custody, she said. In some cases, we know that they have been detained to extract information, either what happened in the past or how the opposition is currently acting, but in general, the bottom line is that they dont inform why these detentions are taking place, Hurtado said. The arrests have also alarmed activists, who said they had targeted former armed and political opposition leaders, media activists, aid workers, defectors, and family members. Active combat has ended in much of Syria, but nothing has changed in the way intelligence branches trample rights of perceived opponents of Assads rule, Lama Fakih, acting Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement. Lack of due process, arbitrary arrests, and harassment, even in so-called reconciled areas, speak louder than empty government promises of return, reform, and reconciliation. In a separate report on Tuesday, HRW said it had documented 11 cases of arbitrary detention and disappearance in three areas retaken by government forces last year Daraa, the Eastern Ghouta suburbs of Damascus, and southern neighbourhoods of the capital. In all cases, the people targeted had signed reconciliation agreements with the government, it said. It called on Moscow to use its influence with its ally Damascus to stop arbitrary detention and harassment, and help release arbitrarily held detainees. Banks gave Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund cheap money, hoping for lucrative deals. Those days may be over. Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund (PIF) is attracting only tepid interest in plans for its latest multibillion-dollar debt sale, banking sources told the Reuters news agency. This suggests the kingdom may be losing its appeal for some lenders. In order to cultivate business in Saudi Arabia, some international banks have flocked to join the Saudi effort to reduce its reliance on oil. Still, Riyadhs relations with Western allies have been strained by the murder last year of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The Saudi government raised tens of billions of dollars since 2016: nearly $60bn by issuing global bonds, and $16bn by securing an international loan. State entities are also issuing debt to raise money, including oil giant Saudi Aramcos $12bn bond issue. Banks have queued up for relatively low-earning Saudi sovereign bonds and loans because they hope doing so could lead to more lucrative work. However, the postponement of Aramcos planned stock market listing and a slow start to a slate of other planned privatisations is disappointing some lenders. Banks had been made a lot of promises, on the equity side mostly, and what is happening is just sovereign borrowing, one banker with an international lender told Reuters. Having raised $11bn through a syndicated five-year (term) loan in 2018, PIF now wants another $8bn (bridge) loan that it hopes to pay back one year after it sells its 70 percent stake in SABIC (Saudi Basic Industries Corp, a petrochemicals company) to Saudi Aramco. Sources told Reuters that even though international banks took part in the PIF term loan, they are thinking twice about getting involved in a billion-dollar bridge loan if it is just about relationship lending and not at commercial terms. Some large banks, such as HSBC and Citibank, will participate, the sources said, meaning the deal is likely to get done. But the waning interest indicates that Saudi Arabia may have to start paying higher rates for sovereign debt that is not a precursor to more profitable work. Last year, sources said that PIFs $11bn (term) loan paid 75 basis points over the London InterBank Offered Rate (LIBOR) thus the same rate paid by the Saudi government itself. A group of 15 lenders took part in that deal, including European, Asian and United States banks. Less favourable pricing PIFs new loan is expected to offer relatively low margins. One source tells Reuters he expected it to be around 30 basis points above LIBOR, adding to the lack of enthusiasm. A PIF spokesman said the fund does not comment on rumours or speculation regarding transactions. He added that PIFs long-term funding includes four financing sources: loans, debt instruments, retained investment returns, and lastly, capital injections or asset transfers by the Saudi government. Many banks tend to establish or strengthen relationships with clients by providing relatively cheap financing in the hopes of gaining further business in areas such as trade finance or capital markets. Saudi Arabias economic reforms include privatisations, large infrastructure projects, and the planned flotation of Aramco a transaction expected to net $100bn for the state. However, Aramcos initial public offering has been postponed until at least 2021, and the other work expected has been slow to appear. When Saudi Arabia started its borrowing spree, bankers said it was made clear in conversations that the government was asking them to lend cheaply in return for more profitable opportunities further down the line. Banks with large balance sheets and a strong presence in the Middle East, such as JPMorgan Chase, have been able to lend extensively at low margins. But new borrowing requests from the Saudis are starting to fatigue medium-sized banks, sources said. For some European banks, which have a very high cost of funding, this is a problem. And they are feeling the pinch, one source said. The new PIF loan has also raised concern among potential lenders because it is unclear how the loan will be used, as it is not tied to any specific investment or acquisition. Theres no visibility in terms of deals and upcoming business, one source said. Freed prisoners struggle to find work, resume normal life after their release amid stigma and lack of support. Yangon, Myanmar In 2013, after spending more than eight years in jail for owning an independent newspaper during the military governments decades-long rule in Myanmar, Sonny Swe was granted his freedom in a prisoner amnesty. Once out, he was greeted by an emotional crowd of friends and family, many of whom had campaigned for his release for years. But as the euphoria faded, the reality of being a former convict kicked in. For two years after my release, it was like an adrenaline rush, Sonny Swe said. I had the feeling I could restore everything Id lost in a few months. But then all of a sudden, it was like I dropped dead. 190125035908709 Sonny Swe is one of the thousands of former political prisoners who, after years behind bars, are facing the challenge of reintegrating into society with no form of restitution, recognition or support from Myanmars civilian-elected government. Many of them spent years in jail for questionable reasons from participating in a protest to distributing pro-democracy literature. Hundreds of political prisoners were freed as Myanmar formerly known as Burma began its transition from decades-long military rule to democracy in 2011. And after the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Aung San Suu Kyi, herself a former political prisoner took power after elections in 2015, scores more were released. But once they were freed, the former prisoners found they had little support and many struggled to return to normal life. We knew from our own experiences that there would be many struggles for former political prisoners after their release, said Ko Bo Gyi, a cofounder of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), an organisation launched in 2000 by former political prisoners. Sonny Swe, jailed in Myanmar for running an independent media organisation, suffers from PTSD as a result of his time in prison [Victoria Milko/Al Jazeera] Stigma faced Most of the political prisoners lost their jobs when they were arrested, but after their release found employers did not want to hire people with a criminal record. Bo Kyi said that while more international groups and civil society organisations were beginning to hire political prisoners, the years spent behind bars mean they generally have far fewer skills. Many former political prisoners that were [incarcerated] for a long period of time do not have higher education, cannot speak other languages, and dont know how to use computers, Bo Gyi said. Thus they have a harder time of getting good jobs that support them or their families. Other jobs such as being a doctor or lawyer- still remain out of reach because they require licensing that is not available to people with a criminal record. Prisoners also suffer from poor health after spending time in overcrowded jails that lack proper nutrition, sanitation and ventilation, as well as from the effects of physical wounds left from torture which was widespread and systematic in Myanmars prisons under the military. Years away from family also has an effect. 181207065931858 Shortly after I was released from prison I began to realise that my family life wasnt the same any more, said Sonny Swe, whose only son was not yet a teenager when he was jailed. Now my marriage is over, and my son is so used to life without his father Im still getting used to the social adjustments Ive had to make. And hes not alone. [Former political prisoners] surveyed reported experiences of social exclusion from family, friends, neighbours and ostracism by the wider community due to the pervasive culture of fear in Burma, said a report released by AAPP in 2016. Then there are the hidden effects of imprisonment. Dealing with my post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been one of the hardest parts, said Sonny Swe, who spent two years in solitary confinement. My depression comes every six months. I can no longer see blood or go to funerals or be around things that make me sad. Its a regular struggle. And for former political prisoners such as activists or journalists, who return to their former roles, there is also the risk of rearrest. There is no official support for Myanmars political prisoners when they get out of jail but civil society groups like the AAPP try to help people get back on their feet [AAPP/Al Jazeera] Watching me Political prisoners who are granted amnesty and released before their sentence ends are usually freed conditionally under Article 401 of Myanmars Code of Criminal Procedure. The law states that if the authorities deem the ex-political prisoner has violated the terms of their release they will be rearrested without warrant and remanded to complete the unexpired portion of the sentence. Maung Saungkha, an activist and former political prisoner, says he knows that he and the activities of Athan, a free-expression organisation he helped found, are being monitored by the government. They have been watching me for a while, said Maung Saungkha. They and I know that they can arrest me again at any time. Indeed, hopes that Myanmar would become a country with no political prisoners have quickly dwindled, as more people have been jailed including Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, two Reuters news agency reporters who were released two weeks ago after spending more than 500 days in jail over an award-winning report on a massacre of Rohingya men and boys. According to the AAPP, there are some 120 former political prisoners from the NLD who are members of parliament. Still, the lack of government recognition and support means that it has been left to mainly small organisations like the AAPP to provide support and services for former political prisoners. Through a series of programmes, round-table discussions, and one-on-one talks, the AAPP works to ensure that former political prisoners have access to education, vocational training, mental health counselling and healthcare. 190309083316608 We also work with the prison department to send money to current political prisoners so that they can buy themselves goods and medicine, Bo Gyi said. And, at times, we provide scholarships for their families so that their children can continue their education. Local organisation Former Political Prisoners Society (FPPS), started in 2012 by NLD cofounder and former political prisoner U Win Tin, works to assist former political prisoners who suffer from physical wounds resulting from their incarcerations by helping them with their search for medical treatment. Both the AAPP and FPPS also provide mental health services and counselling for former political prisoners and their families in a country where social stigma over mental health runs deep. Especially for former political prisoners, after their release, they suffer from trauma and depression, said Kyaw Soe Win, who leads the AAPPs mental health assistance programme. It can take time for them and their families to be willing to have therapy together. But we are here and provide services for them when they are ready. And while the AAPP works to provide immediate and long-term assistance to former and current political prisoners, they also have also taken on an advocacy role, focussing on prison reforms, prisoners rights, the repeal of laws commonly used against political prisoners, and the fight for formal recognition of political prisoners in Myanmar. Despite there being over 120 former political prisoners in government, we have not seen any efforts from the government to address the political prisoner situation, Bo Gyi said. The government always says, Forget the past. But how can we forget the past when we are forced to live in it? May says if her deal is approved by Parliament, politicians may then hold vote on putting deal to British public. British Prime Minister Theresa May says she has compromised before a last-ditch effort to get her Brexit deal approved by Parliament. On Tuesday, May attempted to win over opposition by offering the House of Commons a vote on whether to hold a confirmatory referendum on her Withdrawal Agreement if it is pushed through Parliament. I say with conviction to every MP of every party: I have compromised, now I ask you to compromise, she said. The holding of any fresh referendum for the British public would take a good deal of parliamentary wrangling to establish exactly what question should be asked, but a confirmatory vote would essentially be a choice between Mays deal and the cancellation of Brexit altogether. Its her absolutely last throw of the dice to get her deal through and secure her legacy before she steps down, said Al Jazeeras Laurence Lee, reporting from London. Opposition on several fronts Mays deal has faced opposition on several fronts. Hardliners in her own Conservative Party believe it doesnt go far enough, leaving Britain part of several European institutions and structures such as the Customs Union. 190515153816471 The DUP, on whose support May depends to command a majority in Parliament, says efforts to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland keeping Northern Ireland largely aligned with the EU until a new trade deal can be agreed, also known as the backstop position undermines the integrity of the UK, creating a trade border between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. And Labour, the principal opposition party, while politically committed to leaving the EU, also opposes the deal over issues of workers rights and those of EU nationals living in Britain and British nationals living within the EU. Following Mays announcement on Tuesday afternoon, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said his party could not support the new Brexit bill, saying it did not offer any significant change and was only offering a temporary customs union, not a permanent customs union, which is what we want. May has said she has compromised on 10 key points, but Al Jazeeras Laurence Lee says most of the concessions were already known, and the only new offer was that of the confirmatory referendum. Will it work? Probably not, he said. Her half-in, half-out approach has appeased no one at all. Her final throw of the dice will more likely be a one than a six. Opposition to Mays proposed referendum has been swift. On the right, David Davis, a former Brexit minister, said he would not vote to approve the Withdrawal Agreement, because it risked a second referendum. Jacob Rees-Mogg, the ringleader of the most ardent Conservative Brexiteers, told The Daily Telegraph he wouldnt put money on my backing the deal. On the left, Labours Wes Streeting tweeted: Lots of us have been very clear that the PMs deal can pass on the condition that the people get to decide through a referendum. Thats not what the PM is promising Im afraid. Reuters reported a DUP spokesperson saying: We will have to await the publication of the text of the Brexit Bill to see what the proposals actually mean, but the fact is that the fatal flaws of the draft treaty remain. The prime ministers spokesman told reporters that dialogue continues with the DUP and other groups in parliament. Six weeks of negotiations between Mays administration and Labour proved largely fruitless and collapsed last week, with the opposition stating that, with May having agreed to set out her departure timetable and Cabinet ministers already jockeying for position to replace her, there was no guarantee that the next administration would uphold any agreement made now. The delegation led by Chief of the Department of the Main Department of Combat Training and Military Education of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense, Major General Anvar Efendiyev took part in another international conference of the Army International Games 2019 held in Moscow, according to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry's website. The conditions and rules of the competitions were discussed during the event. The delegation also reviewed the venues of the competitions. The Azerbaijani servicemen are expected to participate in competitions entitled "Sea Cup", "Tank Biathlon", "Masters of Artillery Fire", "Sniper Frontier", "Military Medical Relay Race" and "Field Kitchen" within the international military competitions. "Army International Games - 2019" will be held on August 3-17, 2019. An earlier version of this article reported victims had incurred broken bones as well as missing teeth. However, there were no broken bones mentioned in the medical reports, as is now reflected below. Lisbon, Portugal Eight police officers were on Monday convicted of crimes ranging from aggravated kidnapping to grievous bodily harm against eight young black people in Lisbon. It was the end for now at least of an unprecedented court case that saw seventeen agents on trial, bringing the issue of institutional racism and police violence in Portugal into the public eye. The sentences handed down, however, were met with disappointment and both sides intend to appeal. The case was brought against PSP (Public Security Police) officers by the Public Prosecution Service (Public Ministry) and concerned the events of February 5, 2015, when police carried out an operation in Cova da Moura, a Lisbon neighbourhood known for its proud, predominantly Cape Verdean community. Two women, Neuza Correia and Jailsa Sousa both bystanders were left wounded after being shot with rubber-coated ammunition. A series of police detentions during the operation were on Monday found to have been illegal, tantamount to aggravated kidnapping, and resulting in the grievous bodily harm to a further six people Bruno Lopes, Rui Moniz, Celso Lopes, Flavio Almada, Paulo Veiga and Miguel Reis. During the trial, it also emerged that police officers had falsified documentation and testimony in an attempt to justify the detentions, alleging that the victims had been trying to storm the police station. While illegally detained, victims incurred various injuries, including missing teeth. One was denied medication for a heart condition, the court heard. Racial slurs and insults In April, the Public Ministry dropped the accusation of racial hatred, as well as an accusation of torture, in what was seen as a blow to the victims case, which contained reports of repeated racial slurs and insults. All the police officers in the case are white and all the defendants are black, however, racism is not a prosecutable criminal offence in Portugal. 170711180845011 The kind of discrimination they face every day because theyre poor and from working-class communities, because theyre black, because they work on the informal market, and so on all of the prejudice they face in the streets, they also experienced, unfortunately, within the courtroom, Lucia Gomes, the victims lawyer, told Al Jazeera. Mondays court session the 34th since the trial got under way was tense from the start, with at least 30 of the tiny courtrooms seats occupied quickly by off-duty police officers and police union reps, leaving only three seats for the victims. The victims family and supporters including the NGO SOS Racism were forced to wait in the corridors outside. When Judge Ester Pacheco entered the courtroom to read her final decision, there were only four black faces in the courtroom, including two of the victims Flavio Almada and Celso Lopes and their lawyer, Jose Semedo Fernandes. 181026215738680 Judge Pacheco ruled that only one police officer would serve a prison sentence of one year and six months because he was already under a suspended sentence. The remaining seven convicted officers were given suspended prison sentences of between two months and five years, with the police station chief Luis Anunciacao receiving the longest sentence. The judge rejected the police officers version of events almost in its entirety, referring in detail to the Police Code and to the Portuguese constitution to make her points about professionalism and human rights. However, it was the awarding of substantial compensation to the victims which some officers will have to pay that caused the most upset in the courtroom. Six of the victims were awarded payouts of around 10,000 euros ($11,160). Anunciacao received the largest bill, having been ordered to pay 50,000 euros ($55,780) to the victims. Small victory There were emotional scenes outside the courtroom as some victims and supporters cautiously celebrated a small but significant victory. Lawyer Lucia Gomes was clearly relieved yet reserved in her reaction: I cant say that Im happy, she told Al Jazeera. The court had every possibility to go much further than it did. On social media, prominent members of Portuguese anti-racism movements denounced the sentences as shameful and pitiful. The fact that organised black movements have emerged onto the public sphere in recent years may explain the small victory of today, Pedro Schacht Pereira, an associate professor of Portuguese at Ohio State University, told Al Jazeera. It is a ruling that gives an air of decency to the justice system, while preserving intact the idea that racism is not a Portuguese problem, since those charges were dropped. Its bittersweet, said SOS Racism director Mamadou Ba after the session, calling the sentences disproportionate to the crimes committed. Furthermore, the U-turn that the Public Ministry performed [on the charges of racism and torture] pose a serious challenge in the fight against institutional racism. The seventeen police officers were greeted with applause as they left the court building in Sintra but many of them looked shaken. At least two have already made denouncements of slander against some of the victims. Peixoto Rodrigues, a police union leader, said they intended to appeal: First, were going to analyse the decision thats been made. The sentencing comes a year since the trial began and more than four years after the events it dealt with. I think they got off lightly, Flavio Almada told reporters outside the court. Our families, our friends, and our community have suffered greatly. Rally marks a fourth week of demonstrations since the controversial appointment of Marie Benesova as justice minister. Prague, Czech Republic Fifty-thousand people filled Wenceslas Square on Tuesday to protest what they say is an attack on judicial independence that threatens to send the country down a similar route with its internationally pilloried neighbours. The event marked a fourth week of growing demonstrations since the sudden appointment of Marie Benesova as justice minister in April. Her nomination came one day after investigators recommended Prime Minister Andrej Babis should face criminal charges for European Union subsidies fraud. I think theyve crossed the line, Mikulas Minar, one of the student founders of the Million Moments for Democracy (Milion Chvilek), the NGO organising the protests, told Al Jazeera when asked why the demonstrations have picked up such momentum so quickly. Complaints about Babis have been common, but now people are afraid its no longer a game but a serious assault on democracy, added fellow activist Benjamin Roll. On the square that hosted the Velvet Revolution, the 1989 demonstrations that brought down the communist regime, the crowd waved Czech and EU flags and sent up deafening whistles every time Babis sins were mentioned in speeches. They told the prime minister: Weve had enough! as they demanded judicial independence, honest government, and Benesovas dismissal. Concerns over new minister Milion Chvilek fears the new justice minister will derail the case against Babis, and is calling for guarantees that supreme state prosecutor Pavel Zeman, who is now deciding whether to press charges, will not be replaced. Babis, who put his agricultural and chemicals conglomerate Agrofert into a trust before becoming government leader in 2017, rejects the conclusions of the Czech police and the EUs anti-fraud office OLAF that he hid ownership of a leisure resort named Storks Nest in order to qualify for a two million euros small business grant from the EU. 190425220147838 The populist billionaire insists the case is part of a plot by the countrys elite to force him from politics. He remains defiant in the face of the demonstrations. People have the right to protest, government spokesperson Jana Adamcova told Al Jazeera. But the prime minister was democratically elected and has the right to choose whichever ministers he wants. However, there are worries that it may not be Babis calling all the shots. Although his anti-establishment Ano party won elections in 2017 on the back of promises to reject migrants and stamp out corruption, mainstream political parties have refused to cooperate, citing the potential charges. That has left Babis leading a minority government that relies on informal support from hardline parties on the left and right. Many claim this support is orchestrated by President Milos Zeman, a controversial populist with links to Russia and China, under a suspected power-pact with the prime minister. However, as Babis is weakened by scandals, so Zemans leverage grows. Neighbouring precedents Benesova is a long-time confidante of the president, and her appointment has raised concern that Czech democracy could be threatened along the same lines as in some Central European neighbours. There are precedents in Hungary and Poland showing that the destruction of democracy begins with attacks on judicial independence, said Vratislav, a 34-year-old bank worker from Prague holding a sign featuring Babis behind bars. 181123164349899 However, Jiri Pehe, a political analyst and an adviser to former president Vaclav Havel, said the Czech political system has more robust defences against authoritarian takeover than its regional peers. Czech institutions are much stronger and the political system means Babis has far less leverage than [Hungary and Polands leaders] Orban or Kaczynski, Pehe told Al Jazeera. We will not have a single party government that can alter the constitution in this country. Minar, 26, said the protests have already averted the worst-case scenario by serving the government a warning that its being closely watched. Milion Chvileks long-term aim, he added, is to help Czechs become more politically engaged in order to avoid going the way of our neighbours. With 751 representatives from 28 countries, the European Parliament is considered to be the human face of the EU. With just a couple of days to go before the European Parliament elections, last-minute campaigning is in full swing. Mainstream politicians are campaigning for a united Europe and warning voters to reject far-right candidates. In Italy, nationalist and Eurosceptic parties have formed a new alliance to woo voters. Al Jazeeras Osama Bin Javaid reports from Milan. Sheikh Salman al-Awdah, Awad al-Qarni and Ali al-Omari to be sentenced to death by Riyadh, Middle East Eye reports. Three leading Saudi Arabian scholars being held by Riyadh on multiple charges of terrorism will be sentenced to death, according to a report. Citing two government sources and one of the mens relatives, Middle East Eye on Tuesday reported the three individuals Sheikh Salman al-Awdah, Awad al-Qarni and Ali al-Omari will be convicted and executed after the Muslim holy month of Ramadan concludes next month. There was no comment from Saudi authorities on the report. Al-Awdah is an internationally renowned progressive Islamic scholar described by UN experts as a reformist, al-Qarni is a preacher, academic and author, and al-Omari is a popular broadcaster. They will not wait to execute these men once the death sentence has been passed, one unnamed source told Middle East Eye. 180905055754018 Another Saudi government source said the execution last month of 37 of the countrys nationals was used as a trial balloon to gauge the strength of international condemnation, the outlet reported. Ali al-Ahmad, a longtime Saudi opposition figure and head of the US-based Institute for Gulf Affairs, called the reported move to execute the three prominent men a crime to terrorise the Saudi citizens into submission. The Saudi court system is more or less a kangaroo court system, al-Ahmad told Al Jazeera from Washington, DC. But Yahya Assiri, founder of ALQST, a Saudi human rights organisation based in London, called the news report untrue in a tweet in Arabic. However, he wrote, Nothing is beyond the authorities who are oppressive, brutal and ignorant, but also no one has been convicted or executed This news is harmful to the victim and the human rights situation and our work. International condemnation The trio are currently awaiting trial at the Criminal Special Court in the capital, Riyadh, according to Middle East Eye, after being arrested in September 2017, when Saudi authorities detained dozens of prominent figures in an alleged anti-corruption crackdown headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. 190423140531849 Their arrests provoked the condemnation of the United Nations, as well as several prominent rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. Al-Awdah, who has more than 13 million followers on Twitter, posted a tweet shortly before being arrested that contained an apparent reference to relations between Saudi Arabia and its Gulf neighbour, Qatar. Riyadh spearheaded an air, sea and land blockade imposed on Qatar since June 2017. The move was backed by three other Arab countries: the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt. May God harmonise between their hearts for the good of their people, Al-Awdah said in the tweet. Saudi Arabia has frequently drawn international criticism for alleged human rights violations, including the use of repression to detain domestic nationals. In a January 2018 report, UN experts condemned the kingdoms continued use of counterterrorism and security-related laws against human rights defenders. Despite being elected as a member of the Human Rights Council at the end of 2016, Saudi Arabia has continued its practice of silencing, arbitrarily arresting, detaining and persecuting human rights defenders and critics, the report said. The US Department of Commerce on Monday created a temporary general licence allowing Huawei Technologies the worlds largest maker of telecommunications equipment, and a company blacklisted by the US since Friday to restore its ability to maintain existing networks and provide software updates to existing Huawei handsets. The licence, which was posted for public inspection, scales back the restrictions imposed by the US government last week on Huawei Technologies Co Ltds buying US goods in order to help existing customers. The temporary license lasts until August 19. The latest move amid an escalating trade war gives more time to companies and people who have Huawei equipment to maintain reliability of their communications equipment. Potential beneficiaries of the temporary licence could include internet access and mobile phone service providers that are in thinly populated places such as Wyoming and eastern Oregon and that purchased network equipment from Huawei in recent years. On Thursday, the Commerce Department added Huawei and 68 entities to an export blacklist that makes it nearly impossible for the Chinese company to buy goods made in the United States. Huawei is now on a list of entities that are banned from doing business with US companies without licences. The entities list identifies companies believed to be involved in activities contrary to the national security or US interests abroad. Meanwhile, Alphabet Incs Google has suspended any business with Huawei that requires the transfer of hardware, software and technical services except those publicly available via open-source licensing. Holders of current Huawei smartphones with Google apps, however, will continue to be able to use and download app updates provided by Google. Muslims live in fear after wave of attacks is blamed on Buddhist hardliners in the wake of the Easter Sunday bombings. Kottaramulla, Sri Lanka The stench of turpentine overpowered Jiffriya Ameer as she cradled her husbands head on her lap on the front porch of her home and watched the blood drain from the gaping wound on his head and neck. Her three children watched in horror as their father gasped for breath. She screamed for help, but three police officers stood, looking on in disbelief, she said. The only vehicle which could take 49-year old Saleem Ameer to the hospital was engulfed in flames. Minutes earlier, a Sinhalese mob had attacked Ameer with swords, fatally wounding him before pouring turpentine on his face. 190515161553706 It was hard for me to believe the mob could commit such a heinous crime, she said. In spite of a state of emergency being in place following the deadly Easter Sunday bombings, on May 12 and 13, Sinhala mobs rampaged through at least 24 towns in western Sri Lanka, looting and attacking Muslim properties with stones, swords and petrol bombs. In addition to killing Ameer, the mobs wounded at least 14 other Muslims and destroyed over 540 Muslim-owned houses, shops, and mosques as well as nearly 100 vehicles, according to an assessment by local charities. Authorities said that Buddhist hardline groups were likely to blame for the wave of anti-Muslim riots that swept the island in apparent retaliation for last months bombings claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS) group. Armed navy personnel stood guard on a narrow dirt track that leads to Ameers home in Kottaramulla, about 60km north of Colombo in western Sri Lanka. They are among hundreds of military and additional police who have been deployed in the region since the anti-Muslim riots. Tainted peace A month earlier, such a nightmarish scenario would have hardly seemed imaginable in Sri Lankas northwest province, which had been largely unaffected by the sporadic ethnic violence seen in other parts of the country in the decade since Sri Lankas civil war ended. This week, Sri Lanka marked the 10th anniversaryof the end of its 26-year civil war between the government forces and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eeelam (LTTE), who fought for autonomy for the countrys minority Tamil population. The mosque in Minuwangoda following riots on May 13 [Rukshana Rizwie/Al Jazeera] Since the end of the war, tensions have increased between the majority Sinhala community, which constitute 75 percent of Sri Lankas population, and Muslims, who at 9.7 percent consider themselves to be a distinct ethnic group in the country. Last year, Muslim mosques and business were burned in an arson attack carried out by Buddhist mobs. But the South Asian island nation has seen more violence in the last month than it had in the past decade. Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said he could not verify the number of properties that were damaged until their investigation was complete. However, he insisted that no deaths were reported, although the local hospital and police in Kottaramulla confirmed Ameers death. Last months deadly bombings, which killed over 250 people, ignited anti-Muslim sentiments and eventually sparked full-scale riots. A local Muslim hardline group, the National Thowheed Jamath, was blamed for the coordinated attacks on three churches and three hotels on April 21, the worst attack in a decade. 190514122834359 Insecurity continues In the towns hit by violence, both Muslims and Sinhalese said they still felt unsafe, despite the increased presence of the armed forces in the region. Jiffriyas Sinhalese neighbour said he feared reprisal attacks, and pointed to the presence of naval officers as evidence of such a threat. Meanwhile, many Muslims said they fear they could be attacked again. In Thummadora, another affected town about 40km east of Colombo, Abdul Wahid Mohamed Risvi, a 44-year-old father of three, is terrified about the possibility of more violence. I havent gone to work in a week because I cannot leave my children alone. I cannot sleep well either, he said. Many Muslims also said they no longer trust the police or the military to protect them. 190517181721867 Before the incident took place, we asked for protection from the local monks and the police, Aboo Haneefa Mohammed Ahsan, 26, told Al Jazeera in Thummadora. They promised to provide security. But we were attacked anyway. Gunasekara admitted that some incidents were reported in some areas after curfew, but added that the situation was brought under control after the military was deployed. The army investigated accusations of its complicity in the attacks after a video emerged on social media purportedly showing a soldier in Thummadora gesturing to a mob to attack a mosque. The army concluded that the soldier was merely adjusting an arm strap. Acting army spokesman General Roshan Seneviratne told Al Jazeera that no incidents took place wherever the army was deployed. We cant look at each others faces Meanwhile, residents in the affected towns report their long-existing relationships with their neighbours have deteriorated. We maintained a good relationship with the Sinhala community before the incident. Now we cant even look at each others faces, Ahsan said. Victims have said people from their own neighbourhoods were also involved in some of the attacks. Mohammed Thowfeek Abdul Kamil at his shop in Nikaweratiya that was attacked during the riots [Al Jazeera] Mohammed Thowfeek Abdul Kamil, 39, said the CCTV footage of a mob attacking his electronics store in Nikerapitiya revealed that most of the perpetrators were local men. I recognised them when I watched the video, he said. However, Risvi said while some of the local Sinhala population in Thummadora joined in the attacks, there were others who tried to protect their Muslim neighbours, sometimes at great personal risk. When two elderly Muslim women walked into the town, a Sinhalese family came to the road and brought them into their home to protect them. Some Sinhalese also tried to dissuade the mobs from attacking, he said. One Sinhalese women in Thummadora, who requested anonymity, warned three Muslim families of the impending attacks and hid them in her home. She said she was terrified for her own familys safety but saw it as her duty to protect her neighbours. As a Buddhist, I must do my best to protect other people, regardless of their religion, she said. Call for strike comes as protesters and military fail to reach a deal on who will lead Sudans three-year transition. Sudans main protest group called on Tuesday for a general strike after talks with the countrys military rulers stalled on who will lead an agreed three-year transition. Protesters are demanding civilians head a new sovereign council which is meant to oversee a transition towards democracy. The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) said the army was still insisting on directing the transition and keeping a military majority on the council. Civilian power means that the structure is fully civilian with a civilian majority in all its parts, the SPA said in a statement. In order to achieve a full victory, we are calling for a huge participation in a general political strike, it said, without giving a date. The impasse has hit hopes of a quick recovery from the political turmoil that climaxed at the end of former President Omar al-Bashirs nearly three-decade rule on April 11. The military removed the former general after months of anti-al-Bashir protests, which first erupted in December over soaring prices, cash shortages and other economic hardships. It set up a Transitional Military Council (TMC) to rule the country and promised to hand over power after elections. The TMC has faced pressure from Western governments and the African Union to agree to a civilian-led transition a key demand of the thousands of demonstrators who have spent weeks camped outside the Defence Ministry compound in Khartoum. The council and protest leaders had reached an agreement on the other main aspects of the transition, including a three-year transition period and the creation of a 300-member parliament, with two-thirds of legislators to come from the protesters umbrella group. The two sides launched what had been billed as a final round of talks on the transition late on Sunday. The TMC acknowledged early on Tuesday that the make-up of the sovereign council remained the main point of contention, but did not go into details on its position. Aware of our historical responsibility, we will work toward reaching an urgent agreement that meets the aspirations of the Sudanese people and the goals of the glorious December revolution, said a statement signed by the TMC. It gave no date for when talks would resume. Tajik government blames ISIL inmates for Vahdat prison riot in which 32 people, including three guards, are killed. Prominent members of the outlawed Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan opposition party (IRPT) were among those killed in a prison riot on Monday, the Tajik government confirmed. The insurrection, which took place in Vakhdat, about 10km east of the capital, Dushanbe, claimed the lives of at least 32 people, including three prison guards and 29 inmates, the government said. Authorities said they believed the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL or ISIS) group was responsible for setting off the disturbance after a fight broke out between members of the group and IRPT. According to the justice ministry, members of ISIL armed with knives killed three security guards before executing several fellow prisoners. In order to intimidate the other prisoners, the Islamic State members executed five people and 10 others were savagely beaten, a statement from the ministry said, referring to the ISIL group. At the time of publication, ISIL had yet to claim responsibility. Maran Turner, the executive director of the prisoners of conscious Freedom Now organisation, called on the Tajik government to ensure the protection of all prisoners in its custody and to conduct a thorough, transparent, and independent investigation into the riot. We express our deepest condolences to the families of Sattor Karimov, Saeed Qiyomiddin Ghozi, and Jomahmad Boev, Turner said. The deaths of these men, who were imprisoned on politically motivated charges, is a travesty of justice, Turner added. Karimov was a member of IRPTs supreme political council, and was sentenced to 26 years in prison in 2016 for alleged involvement in a coup attempt. His peer, Ghozi, was a founding IRPT member who was abducted in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 2017 and was forcibly taken to Tajikistan by government agents. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison before the penalty was reduced to eight years. Relatives of the detained activists informed human rights groups that the detainees were subjected to torture and kept incommunicado. Last November, ISIL claimed responsibility for another Tajik prison riot, which followed a deadly attack by its followers on tourists in July 2018. A Tajik man, who joined ISIL before handing himself over to the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Syria, told Reuters news agency last month that many foreigners who enlisted in its self-declared caliphate of ISIL were jailed or killed for trying to leave. Tajikistan has offered amnesty to those who quit the armed group and return home, provided they have committed no other crimes. Kamonket Akkahad was shot as she treated the wounded in the bloody crackdown on the Red Shirt protests nine years ago. Bangkok, Thailand For the past nine years, Phayaw Akkahad has been tirelessly seeking justice for her daughter and scores of other people killed when Thailands army embarked on a final push to break up anti-government protests that had brought the capital to a standstill. On Sunday evening, she was once again lighting candles at the Ratchaprasong intersection in Bangkoks main shopping strip that was at the heart of the 2010 demonstrations, and only a few hundred metres from where her daughter died. I want the truth, she told Al Jazeera in an interview at the end of March. Just the facts and the truth. Official investigations have concluded that at least 98 people were killed and 2,000 wounded as mass protests against the government of then-Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva descended into violence in May 2010. The military, backed by Abhisits government, had stepped up efforts to reclaim the streets after the failure of mediation with the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), better known as the Red Shirts, which had been protesting since March. As the days passed, the situation deteriorated. There were arson and looting, and a shadowy group of more violent UDD protesters known as the Black Shirts. Thai army soldiers cross a destroyed barricade during the 2010 crackdown on the so-called Red-Shirt protesters who had occupied Bangkok for three months [File: Damir Sagolj/Reuters] So many bullets On the morning of May 19, Akkahads 25-year-old daughter Kamonket went into the city to buy flowers at the hospital where she had been working and had run into financial difficulties so she was helping with the familys flower stall. But when the trained nursing assistant saw what was going on, she called her mother to let her know she wanted to stay and help the wounded. She was like that, Akkahad said, recalling one of their final conversations. She was always the person who would volunteer. Dressed in sky-blue overalls marked with a large red cross, Kamonket was tending to the wounded at Wat Pathumwanaram, a Buddhist temple overlooked by shopping centres crowded with designer cloth shops where hundreds of people had sought shelter amid the violence. Kamonket urged her mother not to worry because the temple was an agreed safe zone and she was a first aider. The five bullets that were later removed from Kamonkets body suggested she had been crouching down when she was shot. Another nurse told Human Rights Watch (HRW) that Kamonket had been attempting to resuscitate a badly-wounded man near the temples entrance. She got so many bullets, Akkahad told Al Jazeera at the market stall where she now sells coffee and other drinks. She blames not only the military and Abhisit for what happened, but the Red Shirt leaders too. The people who should take responsibility have never said sorry. They should go to jail. Murder charges against Abhisit, who authorised the armys use of live bullets, and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban were dropped in 2014. Earlier this month, a military court said it would not indict eight soldiers accused of fatally wounding the six civilians who were in the temple because there were no witnesses to the killings and no evidence. What is left is unaddressed grievances that after all these years are still very much visible, said Sunai Phasuk, a researcher at HRW who monitored the 2010 protests closely. Still very much bitter such that it can mobilise anger towards the military and towards Abhisit and Suthep. And it remains a politically sensitive issue. An inquest by the Bangkok Criminal Court in 2013, which based its findings on the evidence gathered by the Department of Special Investigation at the Ministry of Justice, said the residue from the bullets found in the bodies of those killed in Wat Pathumwanaram matched those used by soldiers who fired their assault rifles from the train lines overlooking the temple. A unit of the special forces was responsible, it said. In a statement, HRW said the decision to drop the investigation against the soldiers was the latest insult to the families of the victims who included not only medics such as Kamonket, but journalists and bystanders too. Akkahad: I will keep fighting until the day I die [Hathairat Phaholtap/Al Jazeera] Regret Abhisit, who established a commission to look into the violence, insists he was left with no choice but to allow the use of bullets because some of the protesters were armed. Do you fight people who are armed without live bullets, he asked rhetorically in an interview with Al Jazeera. Where does that happen? We have never had in the past armed groups infused within demonstrators and we had to somehow resolve the situation. Every action we took, we took legally. We tried our best to resolve the situation. We obviously regret the losses. Akkahad has little time for Abhisits regret. She shakes her head. He knew what could happen, she said. He could see that people might die. Why do such a thing? It was a relative who first told Akkahad that Kamonket was dead and frantically called her daughters mobile in the hope she would answer. The person who picked up the call urged her to stay calm, as he confirmed the news she dreaded to hear. Dont tease me, I told him, Tell me the truth and he said that he was, she told Al Jazeera, tears welling in her eyes. That it was true and that Kamonket was dead. But it was only later, when Akkahad was watching TV, that she was truly convinced. There were pictures of bodies covered by white sheets, she said. I saw my daughters feet poking out. Thats when I knew that it was true. The Eton and Oxford-educated Abhisit was defeated in elections in 2011, and the Red Shirt-supported government of Yingluck Shinawatra that came to power was overthrown by the military in a coup three years later. The country itself has become increasingly authoritarian since the crackdown and now the putschs leader, former army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha, looks poised to become the countrys next civilian prime minister after elections in March. It was three months after Prayuth took power five years ago that the court dropped the case against Abhisit. At Bangkoks Ratchaprasong intersection, where Akkahad and others gather each year to remember the dead, the city authorities have installed large plant pots on the pavement. Akkahad said she had been harassed and followed as a result of her continuing fight for justice. In December last year, she was charged for contravening public assembly laws. I have already chosen to die or get arrested and sent to jail to get justice, she said. I will keep fighting until the day I die. Twenty tornadoes reported across the Southern Plains but were less destructive than warnings predicted. Residents of the Southern Plains of the US are breathing a sigh of relief after the much-publicised tornado threat turned out to be less severe than feared. On Monday, the governments Storm Prediction Center (SPC) raised the threat of tornadoes to high risk, the most serious of SPCs five risk categories, as a rare combination of a summer-like air mass and a winter-like upper-level low combined. This was expected to lead to an unusually intense, widespread and prolonged severe weather outbreak. Oklahoma residents were particularly nervous because Monday was the sixth anniversary of a massive tornado in Moore that killed 24 people. Ahead of the storms, some schools in the state, including Oklahoma City and Norman, cancelled classes, while schools in western Texas sent students home. Tinker Air Force Base near Oklahoma City moved several planes to other military installations and state workers were sent home early. The severe weather spawned 20 tornadoes, hail as large as 10 centimetres in diameter and winds gusting as high as 143 kilometres per hour. The storms damaged houses, destroyed barns, brought down trees and power lines triggering numerous power cuts but this wasnt as bad as feared. National Weather Service meteorologist John Pike said a layer of relatively warm air aloft developed late on Monday afternoon over central Oklahoma and capped the development of thunderstorms. One of the tornadoes struck the town of Mangum. Glynadee Edwards, the Greer County emergency management director, said some homes incurred roof damage and the high schools barn was destroyed but the livestock survived. The pigs are walking around wondering what happened to their house, she said. More severe thunderstorms are expected on Tuesday evening, with the Storm Prediction Center warning that the threat is greatest over Missouri and northern Arkansas. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has attended the inauguration of Sabunchu Railway Station Complex, and viewed the work done on the newly built Baku passenger-Sabunchu railway line. In the first place, Ilham Aliyev met with local residents. They thanked the head of state for high attention and care. President Aliyev then cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the railway station. Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways Closed Joint Stock Company Javid Gurbanov informed the president of the work done on Baku passenger-Sabunchu railway line, AzerTAc reported. Ilham Aliyev then arrived at Bakikhanov and Keshla stations by a passenger train and viewed conditions created here. US judge rules in favour of House panel seeking Trumps financial records from his accounting firm. A US judge on Monday ruled in favour of a US House of Representatives committee seeking President Donald Trumps financial records from his accounting firm, dealing an early setback to the Trump administration in its legal battle with Congress. US District Judge Amit Mehta also denied a request by Trump to stay his decision pending an appeal. Last Tuesday Mehta heard oral arguments on whether Mazars LLP must comply with a House of Representatives Oversight Committee subpoena. Mehta said in Mondays ruling that the committee has shown that it is not engaged in a pure fishing expedition for the presidents financial records and that the Mazars documents might assist Congress in passing laws and performing other core functions. It was the first time a federal court had waded into the tussle about how far Congress can go in probing Trump and his business affairs. Trump on Monday vowed to appeal the decision, saying it was crazy. Its totally the wrong decision by obviously an Obama-appointed judge, Trump said. Mehta was appointed in 2014 by Democratic former President Barack Obama, who was often investigated by Republicans in Congress during his two terms in office. Trump is refusing to cooperate with a series of investigations on issues ranging from his tax returns and policy decisions to his Washington hotel and his familys security clearances. Trumps lawyers argued that Congress is on a quest to turn up something that Democrats can use as a political tool against the president now and in the 2020 election. 190520143401114 The House Oversight Committee has claimed sweeping investigative power and said it needs Trumps financial records to examine whether he has conflicts of interest or broke the law by not disentangling himself from his business holdings, as previous presidents did. Lawyers for Trump and the Trump Organization, his company, last month filed a lawsuit to block the committees subpoena, saying it exceeded Congresss constitutional limits. Mazars has avoided taking sides in the dispute and said it will comply with all legal obligations. July 21 vote is widely seen as an attempt to gain momentum and cement power at a high point of new leaders popularity. Ukraines new President Volodymyr Zelensky called early parliamentary elections for July 21, a controversial move a day after his inauguration. Zelensky, a political novice before running for the presidency earlier this year took office on Monday before dissolving the current assembly, according to a decree published on the presidential administrations website on Tuesday. In his inaugural speech, the 41-year-old former comedian announced he would dissolve Parliament to call early elections, originally scheduled for October. On Tuesday, during a meeting with parliamentary leaders, Zelensky said the current chamber was supported by only four percent of Ukrainians. The main argument for dissolving the Verkhovna Rada is an extremely low trust of Ukrainian citizens in this institution, Zelensky said. He became Ukraines youngest post-Soviet president after winning a landslide victory over incumbent Petro Poroshenko in April with a campaign capitalising on widespread discontent with the political establishment. His move to call early polls is widely seen as an attempt to gain momentum and cement power at a high point of his popularity. 190520155817398 Zelenskys newly-formed Servant of the People party, named after the sitcom in which he starred, is leading in opinion polls with almost 40 percent support. The vote would give his new party the opportunity to win seats for the first time. Although the legal status of Zelenskys move to dissolve Parliament remains uncertain, he claimed on Tuesday that he has the authority to disband the legislature because since 2016, there has been no coalition. The main parties in the current chamber, including those of Poroshenko and former Prime Minister Yuliya Tymoshenko, are unlikely to challenge the decision. Prime minister resigns On Monday, Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman said he would resign after Zelensky urged him to do so. Zelensky also called for the sacking of the head of the state security service, prosecutor-general and defence minister who are loyal to his predecessor but these moves have to be approved by Parliament. On Tuesday he promoted Lieutenant General Ruslan Khomchak as chief of the general staff, and lawyer Andriy Bogdan as head of the presidential administration. Zelensky has vowed to press ahead with the countrys pro-Western course but critics question how he will deal with the enormous challenges of a deadly separatist conflict in the east and deep-seated economic problems. 190520062559754 On Tuesday, an IMF team arrived in Kiev to review progress on implementing previously agreed reform measures. In December, the IMF board approved a new loan package for Ukraine and released a first tranche worth $1.4bn. Zelensky on Monday said his top priority is ending the war with Russia-backed separatists which has claimed some 13,000 lives since 2014 when Moscow annexed Crimea. But the Kremlin on Tuesday warned him against asking Washington for more sanctions against Russia, suggesting it would not help his efforts to end the conflict. Tripoli government blamed group that is says also cut the water supply in 2017. The water supply to the 2.5 million residents of Tripoli has been restored two days after they were cut off by gunmen, allowing the besieged capital to escape shortages that could have caused a humanitarian crisis. Brigadier General Mohammed bin Nayel, a general under Libyas renegade commander Khalifa Haftar, said water from the industrial river had begun flowing through its normal routes. The Great Man-Made River project belongs to all Libyans and will not be affected by Libyan armed forces, said bin Nayel, who is in charge of the Barak military zone. The authority in charge of the Great Man-Made River, a pipe network supplying groundwater from the Sahara, also confirmed the resumption of supplies. The crisis of halting water supplies has ended and flows have started, it said in a statement. Earlier, residents and officials reported that gunmen had cut off the main water pipeline, forcing workers at the facilities to close all flow control valves. 190414092955725 Cutting off the water supply from the capital Tripoli and its environs by groups following Khalifa Haftar is another act of human rights violations and war crimes, the government said in a statement issued on Tuesday. The Tripoli government blamed a group that also cut the water supplies in 2017, saying that its commander, Khalifa Ehnaish, was part of Haftars eastern self-proclaimed Libyan National Army (LNA) forces. However, bin Nayel denied the LNAs involvement and said what happened was an accident by an individual that does not represent any region or tribe. He also said that military reinforcements would be sent to the water control station to avoid a repeat of the disruption. The United Nations strongly condemned cutting off the water supply to Tripoli, saying it could amount to a war crime. UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Libya Maria Ribeiro condemned the act, which aims to deprive hundreds of thousands of already embattled Libyans of safe drinking water. Ribeiro added that continuous attacks on the water system further jeopardised the health and hygiene of the civilian population, particularly those most vulnerable, including children, and caused further hardship and possible displacement. Interactive: Whats at stake for Libya? Last month, Haftar launched an offensive to seize Tripoli from the internationally recognised government led by Fayez al-Sarraj. Fighting in the battle for Tripoli that began last month has killed at least 510 people, wounded nearly 2,500, forced 75,000 out of their homes, trapped thousands of migrants in detention centres, and flattened some southern suburbs, according to the UN. It has also forced the closure of schools, split families on different sides of the front line, and caused power-cuts. The conflict is one of the most serious flare-ups in years of chaos since the 2011 toppling of Gaddafi and has sharpened regional political divisions over Libya. The US House Judiciary Committee convened a hearing on Tuesday with another empty chair at the witness table, as former White House counsel Don McGahn refused to testify. In a further escalation of a struggle between President Donald Trump and Congress over its power to investigate him, the White House on Monday told McGahn, who left his post in October, to disregard a subpoena from the Democratic-led House Judiciary Committee subpoena to appear at the hearing. The panel is investigating Trump and Special Counsel Robert Muellers inquiry into Russian election meddling. Attorney General William Barr on May 2 also snubbed the committee, which later voted to hold him in contempt of Congress for not handing over an unredacted copy of Muellers final report. Our subpoenas are not optional, Jerrod Nadler, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee said during the opening remarks of Tuesdays hearing. Mr McGahn has a legal obligation to be here for his scheduled appearance. If he does not immediately correct his mistake, this committee will have no choice but to enforce the subpoena against him. Trump is stonewalling numerous congressional inquiries into himself, his turbulent presidency, his family and his sprawling business interests, which he did not divest or put into a blind trust when he took office in January 2018. Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, US Representative Jerry Nadler, speaks during a hearing where former White House lawyer Don McGhan is expected to testify on the Mueller report [Mandel Ngan/AFP] Trump and most fellow Republicans in Congress dismissed the inquiries as political harassment in advance of the 2020 elections. Late on Monday, the Department of Justice issued a legal opinion saying McGahn did not need to appear at the hearing, while McGahns lawyer, William Burck, wrote that his client would not testify before the committee unless it reached an agreement with the White House. In a letter sent to McGahn, Nadler told the former White House counsel that he would risk serious consequences if he failed to show up to testify. Should you fail to do so, the committee is prepared to use all enforcement mechanisms at its disposal, Nadler wrote. Trump appeals in financial records case On another front, in a legal setback for Trump, a US judge on Monday ruled against him in a case involving another House panel. The House Oversight Committee has subpoenaed Trumps financial records from his long-time accounting firm Mazars LLP. In an unusual move, lawyers for Trump and the Trump Organization, his company, last month sued to try to block the subpoena. US District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington, DC, ruled against Trump and denied his request for a stay pending appeal. 190520210027494 Early on Tuesday, Trump appealed the judges ruling, challenging all aspects of Mehtas decision. As the confrontation between Trump and Congress has intensified, Democrats have raised growing concerns about the presidents conduct, especially since the mid-April release of the Mueller report. We simply cannot sit by and allow this president to destroy the rule of law If Mr McGahn doesnt testify tomorrow, I think it is probably appropriate for us to move forward with an impeachment inquiry, Democratic Representative David Cicilline, a Judiciary Committee member, told MSNBC on Monday. The redacted, 448-page report from Special Counsel Robert Mueller, 22 months in the making, showed how Moscow interfered in the 2016 US presidential election in Trumps favour and detailed Trumps attempts to impede Muellers probe. The report found there was insufficient evidence to allege a criminal conspiracy between Moscow and the Trump campaign. It made no recommendation on whether Trump obstructed justice, leaving that question up to Congress. My name is David Solway and I am a recovering white supremacist. For many years I had no doubt that my supremacy and attendant privileges were morally and historically deserved. But of late I have begun to doubt these assumptions, owing to the tornado of contempt and animadversion that has come my way via the media, establishment politicians on the left, various identity groups, assorted intellectuals, and even former friends. This has led me to reconsider my principles and beliefs, to subject them to relentless scrutiny in order to discover if there is any justice to the criticism and vilification I have endured, and whether I should modify my convictions and mend my ways. Obviously, I first needed to review these convictions and see precisely what they consisted of before I could arrive at a just conclusion. It seemed to me that my white supremacism comprised some of the following items and elements. I am white. I believed that Judeo-Hellenic-Christian civilization, for all its flaws and missteps, was on balance an undeniable boon for mankind, raising vast populations from abject poverty, tyrannical compulsion, and low horizons of expectation and achievement. I was convinced that Western civilization engendered enormous advances in religious thought, art, philosophical speculation, science, medicine, technology and infrastructure, giving us the presumed blessings and inventions we all take for granted: longer life spans and increased leisure; readily available transportation; electricity; interior heating; viable buildings; a wide range of comestibles; sanitation facilities; clean water; revolutionary surgical techniques; communication devices; labor-saving implements and tools; great painting, sculpture, architecture, music and literature; and indeed, almost everything we touch, experience, eat and drink, look at, wear and enjoy, down to the tiniest domestic objects. The list of such supposed goods is endless and is with few exceptions associated with the energy and resourcefulness of white males of chiefly European descent. I believed that a free-market economy was infinitely superior to a command economy and that the proof was everywhere to be seen by those who still had eyes to see. What this had to do with white supremacy was never entirely clear to me, but then, the principal economists of merit were chiefly Scottish and English and tended to be men -- same for those who pioneered the Industrial Revolution of which we are all the ostensible beneficiaries. However, I eventually came to understand that I was without question guilty of hatred and bigotry. True, I was brought up in a culture whose axioms I imbibed with my mothers milk -- also white -- but that is no excuse. I never thought to examine the issue independently, which makes me equally guilty of laziness and congenital myopia. I now feel great shame to have believed that science, medicine, art, technology and the rest of it constituted anything more than a mere whimsical distraction, that white European males comprised anything other than an evolutionary mistake, and that the world we inherited from them was not what it plainly is, a major inconvenience if not a blight upon the progressive development of the species. But I must also confess that I am in something of a quandary. For what am I to do and think the next time I flick a light switch, pour a glass of filtered water from the kitchen tap, drive my car, shop at a supermarket with its laden shelves, make a phone call, turn on the television, visit the medical clinic for my tetanus shot and flu injection, consult my wrist watch, speak into a functioning microphone at the next academic conference I attend, ride the elevator, activate the AC unit that makes the humid weather bearable, use my credit card, click my ballpoint pen, work on the computer, cook on a propane-fired grill, shave with a handy razor, light the furnace against the winter cold, peer into a telescope at the local observatory, walk into a church or synagogue, buy a book with legible type, go to a movie, plug in my guitar amplifier, power my lawnmower, fly to Greece on a summer vacation, uncork a bottle of Languedoc wine and sip my evening Scotch, dine on salmon seined from the Pacific by white fishermen in perfectly engineered boats, buy a pair of comfortable shoes complete with tongue and uppers, listen to an opera in my living room, call a plumber to repair a broken pipe, deposit my earnings safely in a bank, rely on the rule of law and presumption of innocence, and so much more? Come to think of it, not really a big deal (Photo credit: NASA) And of course, I am not alone in my misery. White supremacy may be associated with males of European descent, but females of European descent are also white and must share the burden. They, too, are complicit in the common degradation of the pathology of the pale. They, too, must atone for their prerogatives and entitlements. They, too, will be the victims of rampant intersectionality and stringent chromatic mandates. In any event, I can no longer escape the heavy sense of guilt that weighs me down. As a white male of European lineage, I am now determined to salve and redeem my tarnished conscience and to forfeit my position of unjust pre-eminence. There is no way around it. I absorb texts that exhort me to apologize to those I have impenitently abused and make whatever amends I can. I attend meetings that purport to cure me of my debased addiction to the European project. I am presently studying Kijiji to find where I can buy a yurt. Georgian Defense Minister Levan Izoria, being on a visit in the U.S., met with Under Secretary of Defense for Policy John Rood. Strategic partnership issues and future cooperation plans were discussed during the meeting. The necessity to increase the scale and format of multinational training for enhancement of security in the Black Sea region were considered. According to the Georgian minister, the 3-year frame-agreement will be signed with the U.S. in autumn. "This will give Georgia the opportunity to come closer to NATO with quality of cooperation," 1tv.ge cited Izoria as saying. We should begin by stating the obvious: Roe v. Wade was an errant ruling by the Supreme Court, and one which has rightfully earned public opposition and academic criticism because the Court ventured too far in the change it ordered and presented an incomplete justification for its action. Thats not my framing of the mistake made in the Roe decision, mind you. Those are the words of none other than Ruth Bader Ginsburg, uttered in 1985. And as late as 2005, even she acknowledged that in 1973, the law was changing. Women were lobbying around that issue. The Supreme Court stopped all that by deeming every law even the most liberal as unconstitutional. That seemed to me not the way the courts generally work. Anyone who harbors an ounce of honesty must admit that these statements by the famously progressive justice are accurate. As MSNBC legal analyst Danny Cevallos recently observed: [W]e have known since the 70s that Roe v. Wade stands on a weak foundational basis. Whether youre pro-life or pro-choice, Roe v. Wade is really about, do we have an individual, fundamental do women have a privacy right in the Constitution that overrides state legislatures abilities to make laws affecting abortion? The bottom line is, that even if you are pro-choice, [sic] the right to privacy does not exist, either in the history or the text of the Constitution, which is why Roe v. Wade has always been ripe to be overturned. MSNBC Host Joe Scarborough, rather than being aghast at such a heretical observation, told Cevallos that his comments are interesting because Mika [Brzezinski] and I were talking about it after the news of Alabamas new restrictive abortion legislation broke, he said, and even Scarboroughs constitutional law professor, who was very progressive, said, though I agree with the conclusion of Roe, its a terribly written case, and its logic is baffling at times. Its logic was certainly baffling to Justice Byron White, who observed in his dissenting opinion in 1973 that the Court had simply fashion[ed] and announce[d] a new Constitutional right for pregnant women and, with scarcely any reason or authority for its action, invest[ed] that right with sufficient substance to override most existing state abortion statutes. Theres a theme here which anyone should be able to notice. The notion that [a]bortion is a constitutional right, as Bernie Sanders tweeted in the wake of Alabamas new abortion legislation, is legally flimsy at best, and entirely made-up at likeliest, considering that even the staunchest supporters of progressive social positions often find themselves having to admit that no such right was ever enumerated in the Constitution. So here we are, at the crossroads of a national crisis that probably would never have existed without the unwarranted and unsubstantiated judicial activism of 1973. Ginsburg alluded to that fact in 2005. Laws were changing by 1973, as state laws are wont to do as the culture changes. But these changes were occurring at the state level, as the Constitution intended. Presciently, the late Antonin Scalia explained, in his dissenting opinion on Planned Parenthood v. Casey in 1992, precisely how and why Roe has created these current circumstances, where political sentiments on this issue have pulled toward the ideological poles in an all-or-nothing national debate that is ultimately to be settled by nine Supreme Court justices. Profound disagreement existed among our citizens over the issue as it does over other issues, such as the death penalty but that disagreement was being worked out at the state level. As with many other issues, the division of sentiment within each State was not a closely balanced as it was among the population of the Nation as a whole, meaning not only that more people would be satisfied with the results of state by state resolution, but also that those results would be more stable. Pre-Roe, moreover, political compromise was possible. Roes mandate for abortion on demand destroyed the comprises of the past, rendered compromise impossible for the future, and required the entire issue to be resolved uniformly, at the national level [t]o portray Roe as the statesmanlike settlement of a divisive issue, a jurisprudential Peace of Westphalia that is worth preserving, is nothing short of Orwellian. Roe fanned into life an issue that has inflamed our national politics in general, and has obscured with its smoke the selection of Justices to this Court in particular, ever since. His point is brilliantly made, and time has only confirmed his wisdom. New York has now passed abortion legislation that is so open-ended that it would allow a doctor to legally deny medical assistance to a living child, outside of the mothers womb, if that child survives an abortion attempt. Alabama has now crafted a law which is the polar opposite of that law, effectively outlawing nearly all abortion. Since the division of sentiment on the issue of abortion in New York is not the same as Alabama, it seems only obvious that more people would be satisfied if each respective state were allowed to craft its own laws on the matter. Applying the Alabama law to New York might be every bit as disagreeable to New Yorkers as applying the New York law to Alabama would be disagreeable to the people of Alabama. And clearly, Alabamas law is a direct challenge to the Courts previous rulings protecting Roe v. Wade on the principle of stare decisis, which demands that, however wrong the conclusion may have been, it is settled precedent determined by the Court, as Justice Sotomayor describes it. Thats a ridiculous foundation for establishing ones judicial practice, to be sure. Its doubly ridiculous when one considers that progressive justices like Sotomayor would like nothing more than to reverse precedent on, say, the Heller decision of 2008. But while even the nine justices, like all Americans, may have moral convictions around the abortion debate, we look to them to answer this question for us. Scalia was correct in observing that Roe has obscured with its smoke the selection of Justices to the Supreme Court. If you doubt that fact, consider that opposition to Brett Kavanaughs selection to the Court centered around fears that he would elect to overturn the terrible decision made in Roe. To invoke Ginsburg, leaving such a weighty moral decision in the hands of nine individuals of the Court to decide for all Americans seems to me not the way the Courts generally work. To invoke Abraham Lincoln: The candid citizen must confess that if the policy of the Government, upon vital questions affecting the whole people, is to be irrevocably fixed by the decisions of the Supreme Court the people will have ceased to be their own rulers, having to that extent practically resigned their Government into the hands of that eminent tribunal. A fierce opponent of the Dred Scott v. Sanford decision, Lincoln did not challenge the Supreme Court as a federal institution, but was challenging the principle of stare decisis, evident by the word irrevocably in the above quote. [W]e believe the Dred Scott decision is erroneous, he said. We know the Court that made it, has often overruled its own decisions, and we shall do what we can to have it over-rule this. In short, the Constitution gave us a formula to navigate this issue, and it is best handled state-to-state rather than being irrevocably fixed by the Supreme Court. If the federal government is to allow or forbid abortion, it must be allowed to do so only by Constitutional Amendment. Insofar as the states comprising these United States cannot agree to do one or the other at the Congressional level, that Amendment is not in the foreseeable future, and therefore, it is still best left to the states to decide. Two things are certain. First, the national debate over abortion will continue, whatever the result of the coming Supreme Court decision on any new abortion legislation like Alabamas. Secondly, what is best for every citizen of every state is not best decided by the nine judges of the Supreme Court, whoever they may be. So, even though we disagree with the decision in Roe v. Wade, we must do what we can to have the Court overrule that terrible mistake that has left more 60 million legally killed unborn babies in its horrifying wake. William Sullivan blogs at Political Palaver and can be followed on Twitter. A special election underway today in Pennsylvanias 12th Congressional District offers voters a chance to deliver a verdict on the promises kept by President Trump, whose pro-growth economic policies have reinvigorated the Keystone States economy, sending unemployment to record lows and reviving once-struggling industries. We can do our part to keep the good times rolling by sending State Representative Fred Keller to Washington to help support the America First agenda in Congress. Marc Friedenberg, the Democrat who is running against Keller in the special election for Pennsylvanias 12th Congressional District today, once called for a middle-class tax increase, arguing that the middle class has to pay their fair share. "We should be raising taxes on the middle class so that they're paying their fair share," he said in a 2017 video. Of course, raising taxes especially on middle-class Americans is precisely the opposite of the approach that has finally jump-started the languid economy that President Obama left as his legacy. President Trump visited Montoursville yesterday to campaign for Fred Keller, and addressed a highly enthusiastic crowd of supporters; YouTube screen grab When candidate Trump visited Pennsylvania in 2016, he promised that American workers will finally have a President who will protect them and fight for them. We will stand up to trade cheating anywhere and everywhere it threatens an American job, then-candidate Trump pledged. We will make America the best place in the world to start a business, hire workers, and open a factory. Since his very first day in office, Donald Trump has worked tirelessly to turn that vision into reality, implementing policies to improve our economy, repair our healthcare industry, and bring back the prosperity that never materialized under the previous administration. In order to protect American workers from unfair competition, for instance, President Trump renegotiated the disastrous NAFTA deal that cost the U.S. at least one million jobs, withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership that threatened to impose a similar burden on our economy, and imposed targeted counter-tariffs on serial trade cheaters, such as China. The Trump administration has also made enormous strides on healthcare by lowering the cost of prescription drugs and correcting some of the worst problems with Obamacare while still protecting pre-existing conditions, including eliminating the individual mandate, an onerous requirement that burdened Americans everywhere. Thanks to his policies, prescription drug prices are falling for the first time in 47 years, resulting in savings of $26 billion. Obamacare premiums, which increased rapidly for most of the laws history, are even projected to decline for the first time ever in 2019. The Presidents most significant achievement to date, however, is the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which slashed taxes on ordinary Americans and provided corporate tax relief that has spurred hiring across nearly every sector of the economy. Thanks in large part to the stimulus provided by those middle-class tax cuts, Pennsylvanias unemployment rate reached 3.9 percent in March the lowest level ever recorded. Pennsylvania businesses have added 123,600 jobs under President Trump, including thousands of jobs in industries such as manufacturing that had languished under Obamas regulation-happy two terms in office. Despite the Presidents impressive record of delivering results for Pennsylvania and the rest of the country, however, the Democrats have opted for an obstructionist strategy of automatic opposition to Trumps policies. Friedenberg would just be another soldier in House Speaker Nancy Pelosis far-left army, assisting in her efforts to frustrate the Presidents agenda that has generated historic prosperity. GOP nominee Fred Keller, on the other hand, shares Trumps economic vision, and will be a steadfast ally to the President, helping him to advance his effective policy agenda. Kellers experience as a small business owner and his record of supporting pro-growth policies as a public servant even earned him the endorsement of the National Federation of Independent Businesses, which praised his deep understanding of the challenges small business owners face, such as taxes and regulations. Thanks to President Trump, Pennsylvania's economic engine is roaring once again. It's now up to us, the voters, to defend this newfound prosperity against the power-hungry Democrats, and we can start by sending Fred Keller to Congress when we go to the polls on Tuesday. Rose Tennent of Pennsylvania has been a prominent figure for twenty years as a syndicated conservative political talk show host. She is a frequent guest host for Sean Hannitys Radio Show and is a regular guest on Fox News She is currently serving on the Advisory Board for Moms For America. She spoke at last nights rally in Montoursville, PA. The political zealotry of the federal judge who ordered ten years' worth of Donald Trump's financial records turned over to the House Oversight and Reform Committee chaired by Elijah Cummings has been revealed with a highly unusual provision of his order. Jacqueline Thomsen of The Hill lays out the facts of the case: In a 41-page opinion, Judge Amit Mehta, an Obama appointee, found that the panel, under the leadership of Chairman Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), had valid reasons for requesting the president's financial records from the accounting firm Mazars, even though they predated his entering office. "These are facially valid legislative purposes, and it is not for the court to question whether the Committee's actions are truly motivated by political considerations," Mehta wrote. Judge Mehta is not only an Obama appointee the federal bench, but an Obama donor: Oh look, the Federal Judge who just ruled that President Trump must turn over his financial records to Congressional Dems, also just so happens to be an Obama-Biden donor. I'm sure one has nothing to do with the other though. Nothing to see here folks!https://t.co/LYncbOD45I pic.twitter.com/2EGAe5r0oc Andrew Surabian (@Surabees) May 20, 2019 Judge Amit Mehta (official court photo). The remedy for potential political bias in a federal judge's ruling consists of the appeals process, with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and ultimately the Supreme Court able to reverse such a decision. But Judge Mehta's order forbids this. Mehta also denied a request from Trump lawyer William Consovoy that he issue a stay on the ruling while they appeal the decision to a higher court, meaning that the House Democrats could quickly obtain the president's financial records if Mazars complies with the request before an appeals court potentially intervenes. "The court is well aware that this case involves records concerning the private and business affairs of the President of the United States," Mehta wrote. "But on the question of whether to grant a stay pending appeal, the President is subject to the same legal standard as any other litigant that does not prevail." The judge stated in his opinion that both parties of the lawsuit have agreed to a seven-day waiting period after any ruling before Mazars releases any documents. The president's attorneys have indicated that they will appeal any ruling not in their favor. A stay of a ruling with irreversible consequences is standard operating procedure. In this case, once the records would be turned over before the appeals process could play out, any appeals reversal would be moot, since the records, once disclosed, cannot be made private and confidential once again. In effect, Judge Mehta has made himself the Supreme Court of the United States as far as litigant Donald Trump is concerned. This is a "tell" an unintentional indication that the judge is biased and willing to deny the right to appeal his decision in order to advance the political agenda of the House Democratic Caucus, as expressed through Representative Cummings's committee's subpoena. I wonder how many Democrats have thought through the precedents being established here. Republican-led committees in the current Senate or a future House could, for instance, subpoena Nancy Pelosi's tax returns or those of, for instance, George Soros or other major donors to progressive causes. Once personal tax returns are fair game for political fishing expeditions, all the statutory protections of privacy for taxes are out the window. I expect an immediate appeal of the order to the D.C. Court of Appeals requesting an immediate stay while the appeals process plays out. The media meme of late has included ridicule for President Trump (how surprising!) because with the courts preventing the nation's border police from expelling those who illegally enter the country, the president has spoken of sending them various places (such as California and Florida), and then, when even office-holding Democrats have spazzed over the thought of having these people sent into their communities, the president has "backtracked" and said they'd instead be sent someplace else. The entire situation is absurd, but is the president showing "weakness" here, as some in the media have been suggesting? Is he flailing? Hardly. In truth, there are two great goods being accomplished despite the absurdity of the situation. 1. The left-leaning politicians are being exposed for their hypocrisy. All the Pelosi-type talk about the "nobility" of all people, and thus the supposedly kind humanitarianism of inviting them en masse into the country, falls flat when the "they are welcome here" talk becomes real and specific. 2. It is making the people themselves actually think and not just ignore the debate or comfort themselves with Pelosiesque banalities. Yes, here means here. In your neighborhood. In your kids' schools. Using up your limited resources. It is a daily told lie that only hate, meanness, coldness, and general lack of heart make people call for legal and controlled immigration. That's an easy lie to buy in to. Why would you resist all the needy moms and their kids? Yeah, until one is forced to face the realities that the majority of the border-crossers are not those sweet children seen in the media pix, no, nor are they mostly "moms." Most, in fact, are young men poorly schooled young men looking at best for low-wage work. Many, in fact, will never work. Most in one way or another will become (even if such was not their plan) to some degree dependent on the public weal. Saying "Let them in! Have a heart!" is fine when it is a generalization about some faceless person sent to someone else's community. It is not so fine when it is about to be real and local, when the real costs, both monetary and social, will have to be faced and counted. These are truths we resist seeing The president is forcing us to see. In this, he is both doing us a favor and demonstrating once again what a smart (some would say "wily") guy he is. She's done it again. She's stepped in it. Democrat Sen. Elizabeth Warren's floundering run for president has brought on a new stunt played on Twitter to humanize herself that just makes her look foolish. According to Breitbart: Senator and 2020 Democrat presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) offered to assist a woman on social media with conjuring up a plan to fix her "love life" on Sunday, suggesting she send her a private message so that the two can "figure this out." ...and... "Do you think Elizabeth Warren has a plan to fix my love life?" tweeted Black on Saturday, likely in reference to several of Warren's recent policy proposals, in which the presidential candidate suggests that she, as a politician, can fix the public's personal problems. "DM me and let's figure this out," replied Sen. Warren, to which Black reacted by tweeting, "I knew I could count on you." Had enough? Rest assured it's unlikely she fixed this woman's problems, and more to the point, she wouldn't be in a position to solve every American's personal problems were she elected president. She's running for president, though, and this is something she wants getting out, the better to pander to the women's magazinereading low-information voters. Awkward, given that the rest of us are watching. Is she running for president, or is she running for Yenta in Chief? What we are seeing here is the empty politics of gesture, much the same way Pope Francis got a lot of positive press for hugging handicapped people in crowds before the Church faithful could find out what his real agenda was, the unabashedly leftist one. Now, coming from a presidential candidate seeking to reignite her campaign based on a cheesy Dear Abby stunt, well, that's embarrassing. It's always that way with Warren. The Breitbart report notes that she did another bid to prove herself the regular everywoman, posing on a bus, telling everyone she was Elizabeth Warren and clearly wanting them to get excited. The strap-hanging commuters were not impressed. There also was her famous beer-drinking ad, trying to pal it up with the regular joes out there by trying to convey that she, too, drinks beer; she's not just the haughty Harvard law professor focused on policy-wonking. That was clearly staged, particularly with the scripted kiss with her husband and fell flat. Seems that every time Liz Warren tries to seem human, this sort of thing happens. Maybe she should quit pandering to all the little guys out there since this stuff doesn't cut it. Image credit: The Matchmaker by Gerrit van Honthorst, Centraal Museum, Netherlands, public domain. I have had it up to here with the Democratic Party, now investing all its energy in destroying Donald Trump even if it means doing irreparable harm to the country and the presidency. And it's about to get worse. Color me unsurprised. Schumer, Pelosi, their congressional cohorts, their peevish billionaire backers, their unserious presidential aspirants, their angry base, their media sycophants, and their Deep State allies none of them gives a fig about the damage their cause is doing to America's tradition of constitutional governance. It's about power, not principle. Plenty of ordinary people who inhabit the Left's echo chamber believe they're on the side of the angels. You know them the cousins, siblings, friends who refuse to entertain any information that contradicts their beliefs. The Progressives' pawns. In their millions, they're about to be enlisted in the Democrats' last-ditch attempt to nullify Trump's election. Mueller was probably told by Barr to wrap it up and stuck his finger in the A.G.'s eye by devoting half the report to obstruction porn. They'll deny it, but House committee chairs Schiff, Nadler, and Cummings are now prepping the ground for impeachment hearings. Every Dem in the House, including the "moderates," will vote to impeach because they live in Nancy's world. Against conventional wisdom, it will happen sooner rather than later. Why? As Mueller and collusion recede, as the economy keeps chugging along, Trump's numbers are likely to tick up. He must be stopped before he reverses the progressive train wreck the left plans for the rest of us. Impeachment not conviction, which is not going to happen might constrain Trump from pursuing his agenda and perhaps render him unelectable in 2020. Consider: The instant the president is impeached, he will be proclaimed tainted and unworthy of holding the office. Hillary's charge that he is an illegitimate president will become the new narrative, the inescapable truth. Deathly afraid of Ruth Bader Ginsberg's passing, Schumer will declare that an impeached president has no business making appointments to the Supreme Court. Thousands of left-leaning lawyers and academics will sign petitions. The news will be about nothing else. In this climate, McConnell might be unable to herd all his cats and get a Supreme Court nominee through. On immigration, trade, Iran, Venezuela, and a host of other matters, squishy Republicans in the House and Senate will determine that Trump is weakened and desert him to bask in the praise of Colbert, Schiff, and the New York Times for abandoning partisanship for the good of the country. (Barf.) I'm thinking of you, Senator Romney. Impeachment in the near future obliterates coverage of the DOJ's I.G. report, the Huber inquiry, and anything Bull Durham has come up with since he began his investigation. Smoking guns? Brennan, Clapper, Comey indicted? Who cares? Section B, page 13, maybe. Trump's impeachment is the only story. Loyal opposition, my butt. The Left and its enablers are disloyal opportunists messing with the greatest document aside from the Bible in human history: the Constitution of the United States. And more's the pity: millions of Americans who love this country and its institutions stand with the people who are trying to shred it. These I don't forgive for they know not what they do, because they've chosen ignorance. With Mueller done and hell about to descend on the Deep State, Pelosi must pull the trigger on impeachment. That's all the Dems have. And, not being entirely convinced about the wisdom of the American electorate, it may be enough. Steve Grammatico is the author of You Hear Me, Barack? PC-Free Conservative Satire. He blogs at You Hear Me, Barack? A Repository of Conservative Satire, where he's just posted some V.P. Biden satire from the book. Image: Lorie Schaull via Flickr. My hometown of Minneapolis has been totally transformed by the arrival of tens of thousands of refugees from Somalis, one of whom now represents the city and a few suburbs in Congress. Nobody there was asked if such a makeover was desired by the residents; State Department officials decided that the generous welfare benefits available in Minnesota were reason enough to send people whose native land is tropical to the coldest major city in the United States. But now that the old 97%-plus Caucasian city has been made into a multicultural exemplar, the local establishment, including the newspapers and broadcasters, is ultra-protective of its prized diversity-endowing Somali community. That might explain why the news of a horrific attack on people waiting for a light rail train at the University of Minnesota has been so slow to emerge. A mob of "youths" it now turns out they are juveniles, so their identities are being protected believed to be of Somali extraction attacked innocent people waiting for a light rail train at the East Bank University of Minnesota station. They were wielding either hammers or pipes. East Bank Light Rail station (photo credit: Runner 1928). The first reports came not from any established news outlets, but rather from people monitoring police scanners and posting the Facebook page of 2nd Pct Minneapolis Crime Watch & Information. Those reports were, in turn, posted to Alpha News (hat tip: Glenn Reynolds, Intapundit), which writes: A mob of eight to 10 males wielding hammers descended upon bystanders at the East Bank Light Rail station on Friday night injuring several, according to recorded police dispatch audio. The incident was apparently reported to 911 just before 10 p.m. on Friday according to the audio and other social media police scanner reports. A 9:48 p.m. Facebook post on 2nd Precinct Minneapolis Crime Watch page said that University of Minnesota (U of M) police were requesting assistance from Minneapolis police (MPD) and Metro Transit police for "a group of 8-10 males chasing people with hammers" and that some people were injured. A Facebook post a minute later on Minneapolis Scanner page said that the three police departments were responding to "multiple [911] calls" about "10-12 Somali teen males armed with hammers chasing people," also with "several injuries reported." Both Facebook pages regularly post summaries of police scanner audio. A person who claimed on social media to have been at the station when the incident occurred said that the group of males had "hammers and bars," and that they seemed to be "attacking anyone who looked like they had money or were white." The witness, who said he isn't white, said he didn't want to "[take] on a bunch of dudes with blunt objects," and that he "hurried an older white lady away" and they walked a few blocks to catch a bus. A long and spirited discussion thread on 2nd Pct Minneapolis Crime Watch & Information provided lots of follow-up, including: A representative from the MPD's 2nd Precinct, which covers the area where the incident occurred, responded that the case was being handled by the University of Minnesota (U of M) police, and said that the U of M police report indicated there were seven juveniles "causing a disturbance" on the light rail platform and that two of the juveniles "had pipes in their hands." The email stated that two juveniles were arrested and cited for disorderly conduct, fleeing police and false information to police, and they were transported to the Juvenile Detention Center. The email also said that one of the suspects was "known" to officers in Minneapolis' 1st Precinct, which covers downtown Minneapolis and the Cedar-Riverside area. The email said there was nothing mentioned [in the U of M police report] about injuries or victims. Case number UM 19-140183. Because the suspects are juveniles, no further information about their identities or cases will be made available. Finally, yesterday, three days after the attack, the (formerly St. Paul, now Twin Cities) Pioneer Press daily newspaper covered the attack. Two males who were carrying metal pipes were identified through video surveillance and witness descriptions, said Lacey Nygard, a University of Minnesota spokeswoman. Police issued them citations. University of Minnesota Police were dispatched to the Green Line's East Bank station at 9:45 p.m. Friday. Police asked for assistance from Metro Transit and Minneapolis police for a group of eight to 10 males "chasing people around with hammers," according to initial emergency radio traffic posted by Minneapolis Crime Watch & Information. Officers found no one injured as a result of the incident, Nygard said. Police cited two males for disorderly conduct and fleeing police on foot; one was also cited for giving police a fictitious name. A police report didn't specify their exact ages, but indicated that one is 12 or 13 and the other is 14 or 15. Glenn Reynolds comments: "Males." They were Somali teens, showing their gratitude to the nation that gave them refuge. So far as I can determine, Rep. Ilhan Omar, the Somali refugee who represents Minneapolis in Congress and who also seems entirely ungrateful to the nation that paid for her to leave her hellhole homeland and granted her citizenship, has so far not commented on the incident. Since the alleged perps are juveniles, we can expect this attack to disappear from the formal media, but perhaps bloggers and Facebook posters (so long as Mark Zuckerberg permits) will offer further details as they emerge. Celebrate diversity, anyone? Now that "dialogue" is going on between Venezuela's socialist dictator Nicolas Maduro and democratically declared acting president Juan Guaido, Maduro has an opening offer. BBC reports: Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro has proposed bringing forward next year's election for the opposition-controlled National Assembly. National Assembly President Juan Guaido dismissed the proposal as "a farce". The two men have been at loggerheads since January when Mr Guaido declared himself interim president, arguing Mr Maduro's re-election was fraudulent. Talks between the two sides via international mediators are under way in the Norwegian capital, Oslo. Elections for thee, but not for me. "Elections," as they are called in Venezuela, are just for the people who oppose the regime. Bear in mind that Venezuela has seen humongous, million-plus-strong protests over elections and a call for some new ones. Nobody's protesting to get new elections from the National Assembly, which is the last redoubt of opposition control. The guy they want on the ballot, in free and fair elections, is Maduro himself, who was "re-elected" last year in elections so fraudulent that only the world's pariah states recognized them. That's some chutzpah, for Maduro to call for such "elections." It sounds as if he's interested in a new fraud election to get his opponents out of there. And it's insulting as heck, given that the Maduro-democrats talks in Norway, to please the Norwegians more than anyone else, are supposedly an effort to work out a new deal for free and fair elections. Maduro's proposal for who gets the elections shows the futility of talking to him, the idiocy of dialogue, which, in any case, has been attempted multiple times in the past, only to lead to more dictatorship. It also signals that far from being the scared guy in the palace, looking for enemies in every corner, as some U.S. officials have been suggesting that he's quite comfortable. And he's got only contempt for the angry Venezuelans in the streets calling for free and fair elections. Maduro's insulting proposal signals that to him, none of this is a problem. The "dialogue" is just for show, a bid to appear reasonable and respectable to the Norwegians, while using the talks as means to expand his dictatorial power, even as Venezuelans starve in the streets. No issue. He's not serious. And whether the Guaido forces and the Norwegians themselves recognize this, with crap like this coming out from Maduro, it's pretty clear the talks are done. Image credit: Eneas De Troya via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. Mark Levin's new book, Unfreedom of the Press, published today, is a remarkable achievement. If you often get angry at the press and want to understand how we ended up with a mass media establishment that has betrayed its responsibilities and now functions as an adjunct of the Democrats, this is the book for you. He weaves a penetrating view of the theory and practice of journalism (and propaganda), with a history of the American press from colonial times on, and a devastating critique of the behavior of the leading institutions of American media. His treatment of the New York Times, in particular, is devastating to that newspaper, and not merely its behavior in the age of Trump. It is true that, as Mark explains, partisan media are nothing new. In the early days of the Republic, the "party-press" operated as open advocates for one of the two political parties of the time, Republicans (ancestors of today's Democrats) and the Federalists. After a period of pretending to be objective purveyors of fact, we are back again to the "party-press," but with a dishonest pretense of being objective. Throughout the book, Mark relates the history he discusses to the present-day practices of the media that so infuriate anyone not fully committed to the progressive project of fundamentally transforming America. What makes Unfreedom of the Press so impressive is the combination of scope, depth, and readability. I honestly don't know how Mark does it all and does it so well: legal scholar; activist lawyer; talk radio giant; skilled television host; and probing, in-depth interviewer. Now with his new book, he adds media historian and theorist. That he does all of these tasks superbly is evident to anyone who cares to read, look, and listen. If I were not so grateful for his work, I'd be very jealous. In a significant way, "Mayor Pete" Buttigieg is the embodiment of his father Joseph and, by extension, Antonio Gramsci. Buttigieg Senior was a professor of critical theory and the relationship between culture and politics at Notre Dame University from 1980 until his retirement in 2017. (The man, a smoker who wouldn't quit, died of lung cancer in 2019.) Academically, Joseph Buttigieg spent his entire professional life editing the journals of Antonio Gramsci. According to a N.D. alumni newsletter, Professor Buttigieg's work on Gramsci has been spread far and wide, with his work having been translated into German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Japanese. Gramsci needs no introduction. He was a Marxist philosopher and sometime politician. He's noteworthy for redirecting the Marxist subversion of societies from the economy to instead focus on culture. Gramsci's premise was that if the Marxists could rot out the culture, society would fall into their laps. In this regard, Gramsci's idea has been tremendously successful. It unleashed the kulturkampf (culture war) against traditionalism, the family, love of country, and most of all, religion. Their weapons are insidious ideas like multiculturalism, social justice, and identity politics. In America, the basic aim of the cultural Marxists was (and still is) to replace Christianity as the nation's bedrock with the new secular religion of the progressives. According to E. Michael Jones in his book Home Alone; A Neighbor's Thoughts on Pete Buttigieg: Buttigieg pere was no scholar, but he was a world class academic schemer; his implementation of Gramsci's theory of cultural subversion at Notre Dame won him an endowed chair in spite of the fact that his only book in the Notre Dame library is a warmed over doctorial dissertation on James Joyce which was full of modernistic cliches he would later ridicule after his conversion to post-modernism, whose main apostle was Michel Foucault. Jones goes on about Joseph Buttigieg's work at N.D.: More importantly, Buttigieg pere is the man who introduced the thinking on Michel Foucault, an advocate of political correctness and homosexualism, to the University of Notre Dame. This sets one to thinking. How much of Mayor Pete's homosexuality is due to his father Joseph spreading his postmodern ideology at home as opposed to blaming it on the mythical "homosexual gene"? In any case, by gaining national recognition by having thrown his hat into the Democrat presidential primary, Mayor Pete is advancing the cause of cultural Marxism. By being in a homosexual union, which he calls a marriage, the high visibility thus accruing to Buttigieg and his so-called husband can only further desensitize the country to the type of arrangements such as theirs. The image of a homosexual first "family" in the future is the logical extension from Buttigieg's campaign. In this regard, Buttigieg is a symbol and role model who will adversely affect many. And this is how the Marxists advance their agenda incrementally, one step at a time. Mayor Pete has little chance of winning the nomination for president even from a party as dysfunctional as the Democrats. At least not this time. Liberals like Joe Scarborough of MSNBC, however, are tantalized by Buttigieg and are calling him "the future of the Democrat Party." Even Brit Hume of Fox News is impressed with Buttigieg and says: "I think Pete Buttigieg is the most impressive, by far, candidate in terms of raw political talent in the Democratic field, and he may be the most impressive candidate I've seen since the emergence of Barack Obama." All this is troubling. The damage Mayor Pete had done and will continue to do to the traditional society upon which America was built is huge. Both Buttigieg's father and Gramsci himself would be proud of the boy. Image: Marc Nozell via Flickr. The Kremlin is confident that the Nord Stream 2 construction will be completed despite possible US sanctions, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. "The project has already been implemented to a large extent, and there is a certain confidence that the project will be finalized and launched for the benefit of European consumers of gas," TASS cited him a saying. Asked to comment on Washingtons intention to impose sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 pipeline construction project announced by U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry today, Peskov emphasized that the issue is about an international project. The Kremlin spokesman also stressed that "the project meets the interests of providing Europes energy security, it is in the interests of European producers, first of all of Germany, and it has nothing to do with the politics." One hand clapping. That's the sound after the Mueller report's release. Why? Because one of the questions we would have hoped to see answered in the report is, what, exactly, was the charge against President Trump; what, exactly, is he supposed to have done? It is astonishing that the word used for his alleged activity has been, from start to finish, "collusion." "Collusion" is a characterization of a charge, not a description of one. If, for instance, Vladimir Putin had come ashore in a dinghy on a remote patch of the Maine coastline and had handed Trump a briefcase with $1 billion in it, that would be the charge. Poets could characterize that as "collusion" between Trump and Putin, but the charge would be that Trump had accepted from Putin a foreigner a contributed of $1 billion to Trump's campaign. We can narrow things down because we know what did not happen and thus could not have been collusion with the Russians or anybody else. 1. That George Papadopoulos could have opened the investigation into the Trump campaign is absurd. Papadopoulos allegedly told Alexander Downer that the Trump campaign knew that the Russians had Hillary's 33,000 deleted emails. Our intelligence guys would have laughed themselves sick if they believed this. Why? Because Hillary had already turned back in to the State Department all the emails containing Official Business! The 33,000 emails that she deleted contained only "wedding arrangements and yoga appointments." How do we know this? Hillary told us! 2. In addition to that, the FBI was convinced of it by means of the FBI's investigation. Would the agents have cleared Hillary of prosecution if they thought Official Business/secrets of the country had been conveyed to the Russians due to her use of her private server while secretary of state? Obviously not! And we know that the FBI must have been extremely careful, because it had to account for the massive amount $500,000 the Russians had paid for a speech by Bill. 3. There is one more thing that locks this up tight. James Comey at that time director of the FBI broke with normal practice and made himself responsible for the investigation of Hillary's emails. No more need be said! 4. We know that "hacking" of the DNC computers could not have been an issue because that never rose to the level of a formal complaint through channels. There were some mutterings about hacking having taken place, but when the FBI sought to investigate that is, when the authorities wanted to initiate a criminal investigation the DNC would not permit the FBI to examine its computers. Thus, the DNC, whatever may have happened with its computers, had not a criminal problem, but rather an I.T. problem. 5. Some of the emails from John Podesta Hillary's campaign chairman were published by WikiLeaks. By Podesta's own account, he was phished. That is not a hack. And, in any case, "sunshine is the best disinfectant." There would be no activities that a campaign chairman would be involved in that the public does not have a "right to know" about. Mueller cleared President Trump of all charges, but that still leaves his report a disappointment because we still don't know what charges it is that Trump was cleared of! Look at it this way. Our quadrennial elections for president are the most important ritual of the U.S. of A. People in the intelligence community Brennan, Comey, Clapper knew that there was "unprecedented interference" by the Russians in the 2016 election. How do we know this? They've told us so! Well, who was in charge of seeing that that did not happen? The CIA, the FBI, and the director of National Intelligence, who coordinates all our intelligence. But they have not told us what the Russians did or what they Brennan, Comey, Clapper did about it and what they directed their organizations to do about it. The point of intelligence is to inform the president so he can direct the affairs of the country. A matter this grave would have been reported upward to President Obama. What did he know, and when did he know it? And why didn't he do anything? After Hillary lost the election, the Democrats, examining their souls in light of 150 years of machine politics, wondered what trick Trump used to fool the public. Not being able to find one, they made one up with the support of the Intelligence Community, which turned on the country. Trump offered himself as a citizen, at great personal risk, to lead the country. He made the case to the public on critical issues that had been ignored or on which the country was being sold out by its permanent leadership and about which the public was gravely concerned. Trump picked up the trampled flag and hollered, "Follow me." Huawei has been working on its own mobile operating system for a few years now, and it looks like thats going to be coming out later this fall. And in a smart move, itll also have Android App compatibility. This comes out of Caijing, a Chinese publication who spoke with Huaweis CEO, Richard Yu. In the interview, he revealed some details about Huaweis new mobile operating system. Yu stated that it will be available this fall, or early next year, and essentially be available on all of its products. That includes smartphones, computers, tablets, TVs, cars and wearables. Huawei has already built its own operating system for wearables, called Lite OS. Which weve seen on the Huawei Watch GT last year. It wouldnt be too surprising to see this as an extension of that operating system. Advertisement This new operating system is going to support Android apps, which is a big deal. And for Huawei, the smart thing to do. Any company can build a new OS to compete with iOS or Android. But without app and developer support, that new OS is essentially dead on arrival. But allowing Android apps to work on this new platform, means that they are going to have a ton of apps available on day one. Though one question that remains is app updates. As weve seen something similar with the Amazon Fire OS Android apps, which dont get updated or get updated very late. Of course, this news comes after the US banned Huawei from working with any US company. That led to Google having to cut business ties with Huawei, with Microsoft, Qualcomm and Intel following suite. Making it pretty tough for Huawei to make products. Seeing as it was cut off by hardware and software partners. Huawei could still use Android, but it wouldnt get help from Google, nor get Google Apps or early code for new versions of Android. Thats one of the good things about Android being open source, as they werent completely out of luck, but almost. There have been reports for many years that Huawei was building its own operating system to replace Android. As Huawei had seen this day coming for quite some time. Especially once Trump took office, and really went after China as well as Huawei. The company was smart to get building this operating system ahead of time. But it does still have an uphill battle in the US. Advertisement This is just the beginning for Huawei and the US government. The Commerce Department granted it a temporary license yesterday, so that it can work with US companies for 90 days, until it can get things worked out. It wouldnt be too surprising to see this get extended either. As the US doesnt really want to put a company out of business (essentially), but are more likely using Huawei as a pawn in its trade war with China. Since China has such an invested interest in Huawei, it will likely work to get a trade deal put in place between the two countries. Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei is unsurprised with the executive order and subsequent blacklisting the United States President Donald Trump signed last week which consequently crippled Huaweis global operations by forbiding American companies from doing business with the Chinese firm. In a recent interview with a state-sponsored media outlet from the Far Eastern country, Mr. Ren attempted to romanticize Huaweis rise to the top of the telecom equipment market, its first major win thats been followed by a similarly successful foray into the world of smartphones. The industry veteran and one of the richest people on the planet talked about an ideal Huawei has been pursuing at the expense of individuals and families. For this ideal, there will be conflict with the United States sooner or later, he was quoted as saying. Regardless of everything that transpired, Mr. Ren is unconcerned about Huaweis prospects in the global 5G race, having asserted the companys technology is already too advanced for anyone to be able to catch up with it within the next several years. Advertisement The fact that Huawei expected the ban for some time now is far from unexpected; after all, the Chinese firm has been taking blows from the U.S. government for about two decades now, having been repeatedly accused of posing a national security risk. Crisis delayed However, the crisis that essentially only started on Sunday, after Google, Intel, Broadcom, and the like started actually cutting off Huawei from their supply chains, ended up being a short-lasting affair, at least for the time being, with the conglomerate winning a reprieve that allowed it to delay the worst-case scenario. How long that reprieve ends up lasting remains to be seen but even if Washington drops the idea of crippling Huawei for good, or attempting to do so, this isnt expected to be the culmination of the companys issues with the U.S. government. Advertisement Besides the aforementioned history of conflicts with both Capitol Hill and the White House, Huawei currently has two other major issues with the Trump administration; first of all, its Chief Financial Officer and Mr. Rens own daughter, Meng Wanzhou, is currently fighting an extradition request in Canada where shes been trapped since December after the U.S. Department of Justice accused her of being the mastermind of an international fraud ring. According to the DOJ, Ms. Meng played a key role in obfuscating Huawei ownership of several satellite companies it then used for doing business with Iran, consequently breaking a number of sanctions issued by the Department of Commerce. The executive denied all accusations and described the case as political persecution, accusing the Trump administration of going after her in order to put pressure on China and gain extra leverage in its trade negotiations with the Beijing-based communist government. What happens next is anyones guess. Owners of Huwei-made devices shouldnt be alarmed because their products will continue to receive updates and Huawei wont be pausing any single one of its after-sales services, as it confirmed already. However, theres a realistic chance this move will see Huawei lose its title of the worlds second-largest smartphone company it just won from Apple last year because a return of the ban suspended yesterday would likely see the conglomerates number annual of shipments and sales drop by the millions. It seems like the very first firmware update will be ready the moment you power on your brand new OnePlus 7 Pro. This update weighs 125MB, and its changelog is quite a long one, actually. The update comes with OxygenOS 9.5.3.GM21AA build, based on the provided screenshots that the source shared. First and foremost, its worth noting that the update brings the Android security patch for April to the device, which are great news. On top of that, your regular general bug fixes and improvements are mentioned in the changelog, along with the DC dimming feature. DC dimming will be available once you install this update, but it is available via the OnePlus Laboratory menu, which suggests its still experimental. For those of you who do not know, DC dimming adjusts the power current going through the display, and reduces flicker at lower brightness. Advertisement This update also improves the smooth-scrolling experience on the device, while it brings enhancements to audiovisual experience by adding haptic feedback. You can find more info regarding this in the Gaming mode section of the phones settings. Fnatic mode that the company talked about during the OnePlus 7 Pros announcement is also being added via this update, you can spot it in the Gaming mode section of the phones settings as well, simply navigate to Utilities and Gaming mode. Fnatic mode will probably prove to be more than useful for those of you who intend to use the OnePlus 7 Pro for gaming. Now, this update is also said to improve the photo quality the phones camera setup can provide. Such improvements are always welcomed, though it remains to be seen how much will the update improve things. Not that the phones camera is bad out of the box, but OnePlus does need to improve some things well, tweak is the better word for it. Advertisement The last entry in the official changelog actually considers only users in Thailand, as it enabled VoLTE and WoWifi for Thailand AIS. Thats pretty much it as this changelog is concerned, but as you can see, there are quite a few entries included here. The OnePlus 7 series of devices was announced quite recently, as the company introduced its OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro devices. The OnePlus 7 Pro is the companys brand new, a cutting-edge phone that is supposed to compete with the very best out there, while the OnePlus 7 is still a flagship handset, but a considerably more affordable variant. Both devices are first to the market to offer UFS 3.0 storage, beating Samsungs Galaxy Fold smartphone whose launch got postponed a while back. The OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro are both fueled by the Snapdragon 855, and both of them ship with stereo speakers, which is yet another first for the company. Advertisement The OnePlus 7 Pro includes a curved display, and no notches or display holes, instead, the company opted to include a pop-up selfie camera here. Android 9 Pie comes pre-installed on both devices, along with the companys OxygenOS skin. If youd like to know more about the OnePlus 7 Pro, click here. Android Q Developer preview was released for OnePlus 6 and OnePlus 6T right after the third beta preview was announced during the Google I/O, and now the users of the OnePlus 7 series phones can also get a taste of it. However, as OnePlus cautions, this Android Q build is meant for techies such as developers who might want to test their apps on Android Q beta, and its best if you steer clear of it if you are not well versed with the nitty-gritty of software development, as you might end up bricking your phone or running into some other problems. Since this is a beta preview, it comes with its own problems, some of which include system stability issues, broken portrait camera mode, and inability to send messages when VoLTE is on. Moreover, Ambient Display, navigation gestures, and recovery mode do not work on it. Advertisement The UI might also crash every now and then and some apps might not work as intended, Needless to say, the beta preview is quite buggy and for an average user with no technical know-how, it will be more of a hassle. If its any consolation, since the software is in its third beta release, it is likely to be more stable than previous releases. So, if you are an early adopter and cannot wait to get your hands on Android Q beta, OnePlus has laid down all the instructions for you to download it on your OnePlus 7 or OnePlus 7 Pro. It goes without saying that you must back up your data before flashing the ROM. Make sure your battery is more than 30-percent full before beginning the process and also ensure you have at least 3GB of storage space. This will ensure that everything goes smoothly. All you have to do is download a zip file, copy the package to your phone storage, and then navigate to settings to upgrade the system. To complete the process, you will have to restart the device. As mentioned before, detailed instructions can be found on the OnePlus forum. In addition to that, the company has also provided a step by step guide to help you rollback to Android Pie in case you end up not liking Android Q. Advertisement The beta update offers new features such as a system-wide dark theme, while new, iPhone-inspired navigation gestures are still not available. Google had earlier announced that Android Q beta will be rolled out to nearly 20 non-Pixel devices. This is the first time this many phones will be getting access to the Android beta software and it implies that the Android Pie successor might be here before the year concludes. The OnePlus 7 Pro is already receiving glaring reviews from most media publications, thanks to its 90Hz display, UFS 3.0 type storage, impressive screen-to-body ratio, and great value for money. Downloading Android Q Beta will give a chance to the users to try out the new software on OnePlus latest hardware. Of course, its quite buggy right now, but Google will hopefully iron out all the kinks soon. Police officers have rescued a bear cub that was chained without food in a private house in the Rostov region, Russian Interior Ministry spokesperson Irina Volk said. "It was reported to the Azovsky Department of the Russian Interior Ministry that an animal-like roar had been heard from a house in the Kuleshovsky settlement," she said. "Senior District Police Officer Major Roman Lobanov found out that a starved bear cub was chained there with no food or water. Police officers accompanying him fed the bear cub, gave him water and continued to take care of him for 24 hours until a vet and an animal expert arrived who took the cub to a new place to live," TAS cited Volk as saying. According to her, the police officers found and questioned the woman who owns the house and learned that she had rented it out. The tenants moved out but she knew nothing about the animal they had left behind. Neighbors said they had heard the roaring but had been afraid of entering the house. "The well-coordinated steps by police officers and officials from the Rostov Regions Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment made it possible to save the little bear. He has been put in a better environment and is not getting better," the spokesperson added. The Samsung Galaxy Note10 is not scheduled to arrive until August, and while we wait for more info to leak, Ben Geskin has released two new concept designs of the upcoming flagship. If you take a look at the gallery down below, you will see two designs that are almost identical, with one rather noticeable difference. The first design included a display camera cutout for a single camera, while the other one includes a pill-shaped cutout for two front-facing cameras. Interestingly enough, the designer opted to center those cutouts at the top of the display, theyre not moved to the left or right side, like on the Galaxy S10 series. Some rumors did indicate that Samsung may include those cutouts in the middle this time around, but chances are the company will put them on the right, same as it did with the Galaxy S10 series. Advertisement The source claims that these two designs are based on rumors, and as you can see, other than the display cutout, these two designs show a basically bezel-less smartphone, even though a barely noticeable chin is included below the display. Speaking of which, the display is curved, which is something were used to when it comes to Samsungs flagship smartphone lineup. The designer opted to include the power / lock key on the right-hand side of this concept design, while the volume up, volume down, and Bixby buttons are located on the left. There are three cameras included on the back of this phone, and those three cameras are vertically-aligned. Below those cameras, you will notice a heart rate sensor, an LED flash, and Samsungs branding. The back side of this phone is curved, as expected, and the device seems to be made out of metal and glass. The designer opted to keep a 3.5mm headphone jack here, as you can see by looking at the very bottom of the device, as a headphone jack is located next to a Type-C USB port. Advertisement The Galaxy Note10 series is expected to arrive in August, though Samsung did not confirm anything just yet, of course. The company is rumored to release both the Galaxy Note10 and Note10 Pro, while both of those models will be available in 4G and 5G variants, allegedly. Much like with the Galaxy S10 series of devices, the Galaxy Note10 and Note10 Pro are expected to arrive in two SoC variants. European and Indian variants will be fueled by the Exynos 9820, while the US and Chinese models will ship with the Snapdragon 855. The Galaxy Note10 series is expected to arrive in several RAM variants, starting at 6GB of RAM, while Android 9 Pie will come pre-installed on both devices. On top of Googles operating system, youll get Samsungs very own One UI skin, which the company pre-installed on the Galaxy S10 series devices. Were expecting to see plenty of Galaxy Note10 leaks moving forward, the closer August is, the more leaks well be seeing, as is the case every year when it comes to Samsungs Galaxy Note series of devices. Google will be losing at least three engineers specializing in the building of chipset technology, sources have told The Information. That includes John Bruno, Manu Gulati, and Vinod Chamarty. If those names sound familiar, thats because each of the employees in question was a relatively recent hire, brought on from Apple and Qualcomm to lead the companies efforts to build in-house consumer-level chips for use by the search giant. Details surrounding the impending departures are still slim but the shift has led to some speculation about the future of Googles branded-chip efforts. Is this going to impact Google? Advertisement Mr. Bruno was brought on by Google approximately one and a half years ago to take on a role as a chip system architect, a similar role filled by fellow Apple defector Mr. Gulati. Both engineers still have listed their jobs at Google as their current employment, suggesting that the situation between the company and workers here isnt hostile which could be a concern given recent events surrounding the search giant. Mr. Chamarty filled a similar role after heading over to Google from Qualcomm. Setting aside their respective roles, the departures are already fueling speculation that Googles hardware division and its in-house consumer chip-making endeavors, in particular, will be directly harmed by this turn of events. More directly, thats with consideration for Googles purported attempts to build mobile-friendly components that would help set its Pixel-branded smartphones and hardware apart from competing devices. Advertisement While the departures will almost certainly weaken some of its consumer-level efforts, they arent necessarily going to cause too much damage. Chip projects typically take years to complete and generally involve a large number of engineers. According to sources close to the matter, those projects are still ongoing with a focus on smaller chipsets for non-mobile hardware. So the loss of three isnt likely to have a major negative impact. The constant shuffle of silicon valley Google is said to have chosen not to comment on the departures but did confirm that the departure is imminent without disclosing further details. The Googlers in question havent publicly provided any reason behind their decision that isnt necessarily surprising. Shuffles in the tech industry are not only common but are practically to be expected, with employees moving between Apple, Google, Qualcomm, Facebook and others with some regularity. Advertisement Generally, departures occur on good terms and as new opportunities arise with fresh challenges to be met or to allow a change of pace and the latter may be the case if Googles efforts have centered around menial projects. Prior to the latest three departures of engineers from Google, the company also lost another acquisition back in mid-2018 when then Head of Chip Development Shahriar Rabii left for Facebook. Mr. Rabii served at the company for nearly seven years as Senior Director of Engineering and as Director of Engineering before leaving for Facebook. The short employment term between the hiring and decision to leave is not the usual run of events but isnt unheard of either and Google has also spent a significant amount of time hiring for hardware related positions. So, at present, there doesnt appear to be any evidence that this will be detrimental to the company or to its chip projects. MadridYesterday gave us a historic image when the Catalan political prisoners who won a seat in the recent Spanish elections were driven to parliament with a police escort in order to collect their official credentials. Newly-elected lawmakers Oriol Junqueras, Jordi Sanchez, Josep Rull and Jordi Turull, plus senator Raul Romeva, were driven back to Madrids Soto del Real prison after completing the necessary paperwork in the Spanish chamber. The motorcade led by a Guardia Civil car followed by several unmarked vehicles left the correctional facility shortly after 9 am on Monday morning. The Catalan MPs were driven to the respective chambers where they sorted out the paperwork under police watch, as mandated by Spains Supreme Court. About one hour later, they were driven back to prison in police vehicles. The jailed representatives were not issued their mobile phones and tablets, although their attache cases will be kept by their parliamentary groups. Speaking to reporters, MP Josep Lluis Cleries (JxCat) remarked that they are incommunicado MPs. They completed the formalities while accompanied by several other MPs, including Bildus Jon Inarritu, as well as ERC and JxCat lawmakers. The jailed MPs did not enter the building through the car parks main entrance which meant the media missed their arrival and they appeared at the lifts on the ground floor of the parliament, where their peers were waiting for them. In Madrids senate, Raul Romeva was given a warm welcome by his thirteen ERC colleagues, including senators Ana Surra, Miquel Caminal, Sara Bailac and Josep Quintana. It took Romeva less than ten minutes to pick up his credentials and exit the Clara Campoamor hall as those present applauded and embraced him. The jailed representatives were not allowed to speak to the press or attend any work meetings, but that didnt stop them from posting messages on Twitter. Im in the Spanish parliament, among friends and colleagues. A real privilege. I told them that seeing all 15 of them on tv made me feel incredibly proud. We need a victory on Sunday and a free Catalonia, Junqueras said in a video posted on social networks. In Romevas case, the newly-elected ERC senator said he appreciated the welcome and celebrated his new office: We are politicians, politics is our business and thats what well keep doing. After taking an oath of allegiance to the Constitution on Tuesday, next we will see whether they are allowed to go about their business or they will be suspended, given their judicial situation. This possibility was mentioned in the first messages sent out by the jailed representatives. Sanchez said he doesnt know to what extent he will be allowed to exercise my mandate while MP Turull remained hopeful: Lets hope all the MPs elected at the polls will allow those of us who have been jailed due to a vote to do our job. Still, the deputy leader of the JxCat group in the Spanish parliament, Laura Borras, emphasised that Sanchez, Turull and Rull are certain that the board of the chamber will uphold their rights and wont suspend them, which it could do in accordance with Article 21.1 of the rules and regulations of the lower chamber. Speaking at a press conference, once the jailed representatives had completed all the paperwork for their credentials, Borras was asked whether Sanchez, Rull and Turull intend to give up their seat if they are suspended. She replied emphatically that they do not want to give up anything. What they want is to exercise their rights. Someone will have to prevent them from doing the job they have been elected to do. She added that the only possible hurdles will be the decisions by the Supreme Court or the board of the parliament. Former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont also celebrated the issuing of parliamentary credentials, which in his view certifies that they are political prisoners. They are going into the chamber to stand for the very same views that landed them in jail. An embarrassment for some and a source of immense dignity for you, he tweeted. Greeting PM Pedro Sanchez ERCs senators and law-makers had a group photo taken outside the Spanish parliaments main entrance and spokesman Gabriel Rufian stressed how abnormal it was that it wasnt Oriol Junqueras who spoke to the press. Still, he said he hoped it would be business as usual and didnt rule out the possibility that Junqueras might greet the other political leaders, including PM Sanchez, in the chamber this Tuesday. Rufian said that if it happens, thats ok and it should be a normal thing, although he pointed out that it is the PSOE leader who should approach Junqueras, as the latter is the winner the elections in Catalonia. Rufian also read a short message from Junqueras and Romeva: Today we were allowed to come out of jail and give our colleagues a hug thanks to your votes. We have picked up our credentials and we are looking forward to exercising our rights here and elsewhere. Your ballots have made us free. Tomorrow [Tuesday] we will be back. Well get to look in the eye those who would like us to stay quiet in a prison cell, silenced and subdued. We will look at them with a victorious smile and the dignity of someone who is not afraid. We will show Pedro Sanchez, face to face, that democracy is stronger than repression and the ballot will always trump the baton. Ballot papers and ballot boxes are our greatest assets. Nothing will ever stop them. We start a new era which begins by bringing down the prison walls and will continue on Sunday with a victory at the local polls. We will beat the jailers clad in robes and sitting in parliament. Junqueras and Romeva used the opportunity to denounce Spains so-called democracy that has prevented them from meeting their colleagues in parliament and speak to the press. Except for Romeva, the other prisoners could have registered by proxy, but the Supreme Court granted them permission to do it personally without delaying their prompt return to the correctional facility. Rull called the situation surreal and totally unreal in a video posted on Twitter where he decried being denied the chance to meet with the parliamentary group and the fact that they had been kept under watch at all times. The jailed representatives will leave prison tomorrow [Tuesday] to attend the parliaments inauguration under the same conditions. That is why their trial sessions have been adjourned until Wednesday this week. Russia's gas giant Gazprom plans to start production at the Chayandinskoye gas field in eastern Siberia in August, deputy head of its production department Oleg Andreev said in Moscow on Monday. The start of production at the field will help to fill the Power of Siberia natural gas export pipeline for China, Reuters reported. Earlier it was reported that Gazprom will start filling the Power of Siberia pipeline from September 1. Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller said that gas exports to China via the pipeline will begin ahead of schedule on December 1. BarcelonaInternational Trial Watch (ITW) has accused Justice Manuel Marchena of having lost a judges objective impartiality in the trial he presides over at Madrids Supreme Court. The observers remark that the presiding judges inconsiderate, restrictive attitude towards the defence teams reached a new high this week with an obvious loss of objective impartiality and they criticise the differences in the way police officers and members of the public were treated on the witness stand. Furthermore, they denounce the out of courtroom reprimand meted out to Jordi Cuixarts counsel by means of an unofficial press release where the court voices its deepest, unanimous unease with the conduct of the defence. According to the observers, the note might be an attempt to influence the counsels strategy, which is entirely at odds with the objective impartiality expected from the court and it might lead to a limitation of the right to a proper defence. In a statement, ITW complains that Justice Marchena restricted the testimonies of witnesses who described what they had experienced on October 1, the day of the independence referendum, as they voiced their fear or utter surprise at the attitude of the Spanish police. In contrast, the court allowed police officers on the witness stand to describe at length the looks of hatred they had seen in the crowds gathered at polling stations, expressing opinions and making comparisons with the Basque Country back when ETA was committing acts of terror. According to some observers, Justice Marchena did not interrupt the prosecutions witnesses nearly as much as the defences, as the former were afforded much more leniency on the stand. The restriction of the witnesses testimonies prompted a protest by the defence lawyers, who were admonished by Marchena and urged to get on with their cross-examination. When a lawyer said he had no more questions, Justice Marchena remarked All the better. ITW notes that all this shows many parallels with other cases where the European Court of Human rights eventually ruled against Spain (Otegi vs Spain, 2018), after it was established that the court had abandoned its objective impartiality. Furthermore, some observers have pointed out that the court shows no interest in learning about the use of violence on October 1 and they harbour doubts as to Marchenas objectivity because he repeatedly seems to favour a certain angle in the narrative, making the defences job difficult. ITW a platform led by Catalonias Institute for Human Rights, the Catalan Association for de Defence of Human Rights and Iridia, among others have also criticised the decision not to release the prisoners who recently won a seat in the Spanish parliament. They insist on the political nature of the trial and that the defendants freedom is being curtailed as per the doctrine of the European Court of Human Rights. With the MEBAA Show Morocco set to take place 25-26 September at Marrakech Menara Airport, the show plans to showcase this success in the region. The JSSI Business Aviation Index report showed business jet utilisation in Africa was 17.4% up in 2018 on the previous year, significantly larger than any other region. In the absence of Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), business jet operators benefit from more agility than their commercial counterparts. Rather than personal use or tourism, it is commerce and gaps from the commercial sector driving the African business aviation market. The National Airports Authority (ONDA) in Morocco reports that the countrys airports manage 50% of North Africas business jet movements. Given 1,200 business aircraft are expected to make 175,000 individual aircraft movements by 2020 in MENA, the Moroccan governments strategy to attract the industry has significant forethought. The MEBAA Show Morocco will again bring together the key players in business aviation in addition to featuring a static display of the latest business aircraft. Already committed to exhibit are local and international names including Air Ocean Maroc, XJet and Milano Prime, all of whom have exhibited before, plus new names who are keen to be involved in this burgeoning market, such as AMAC Aerospace. All the signs plus of course the interest from the industry point to a good year for business aviation in 2019 and I am very much looking forward to September when the show will take place - preceded by the MEBAA Conference where the market will be discussed in detail by representatives of key industry and government organisations, said Alnaqbi. Etihad has also signed an agreement with Abu Dhabi Airports to provide Basma members with a range of added benefits from the Capitals airport. On the occasion of the launch, Hessa Bint Essa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development, emphasised the importance of signing this MoU with Etihad Airways to offer an exclusive programme of benefits and discounts for senior Emiratis. This initiative enhances the quality of future life and enriches social communication for senior Emiratis. The national policy for senior citizens of the UAE is based on partnerships with key entities offering services to this community, and providing them with innovative channels of sustainable collaboration. Buhumaid said: The memorandum of understanding with Etihad Airways is a result of continuous efforts, partnership and integration with different public and private sectors in order to disseminate community culture and achieve welfare, happiness and positivity among all categories of the community. The national policy for senior Emiratis aims to raise their quality of life and to provide them with exclusive benefits and discounts. The MoU between the Ministry of Community Development and Etihad Airways enhances the Ministrys vision of supporting senior Emiratis and giving them more facilities to enrich their lives and reward their service and dedication to the nation. Tony Douglas, group chief executive officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said: Following in the footsteps of our countrys great leadership, Etihad Airways truly values the contribution of the UAEs senior citizens to our society. It is a great privilege for Etihad to give back to this community with an exclusive and tailored package of benefits. It is with great pride that Etihad is the first airline in the region to offer such benefits, which will be expanded over the coming years. Users of the Etihad Senior Emiratis Basma Card will be able to instantly access Silver status with Etihad Guest, the airlines award-winning loyalty programme. Further benefits include discounts on Etihad Airways flights, when booked through Etihad Airways retail offices. Members will also receive 25 per cent bonus Guest Miles, discounts on upgrades using miles at the airport, alongside priority check-in at Abu Dhabi International Airport. They will also be entitled to an additional baggage allowance, depending on the class of travel. Bryan Thompson, chief executive officer at Abu Dhabi Airports, said: Abu Dhabi Airports is eager to collaborate with our key partner, Etihad Airways, on producing tailored and creative offers that will further enhance our customer experience across our services. Through this programme, the national carrier and the capitals airport are ensuring we are delivering a product that will create a memorable experience to one of our most cherished and appreciated travellers. RJ volunteering employees also visited the homes of needy families in Umm al-Rassass area, where poverty, lack of minimum services and deprivation prevail. Over the past week, some colleagues participated in preparing food parcels that, each, contained 24 food items that help a family get its nutritional requirements for one month. Meanwhile, RJ organized an iftar at MacDonalds for 70 visually impaired individuals in Zarqa, in which several RJ employees from different departments took part. Eid items of clothing were also distributed to the attendees. Yesterday, RJ also sponsored one day of Mawaed Al Rahman iftar banquets, which Tkiyet Um Ali holds every Ramadan. This time, more than 2,000 individuals attended the iftar, where RJ volunteers served iftar meals to these beneficiaries. Royal Jordanians Ramadan Campaign is a yearly ritual that includes many charity and goodwill activities that cater to the needs of many needy people, who live under difficult economic conditions. Among these initiatives this year, RJ sponsors 60 families all year round, providing food parcels to these families located in different parts of the kingdom Next week, around 200 orphaned children will be hosted by RJ for an iftar banquet at the Childrens Museum-Jordan. An agreement for scientific and technical cooperation between the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) and Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) has been concluded in Baku. The document was signed by President of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences Akif Alizadeh and President of the Academy of Sciences of the Russian Federation Alexander Sergeyev in Baku. During the meeting, academician Akif Alizade told about many years of fruitful cooperation between the academies of both countries, specifying that the RAS President's visit to Azerbaijan will contribute to the further development and strengthening of cooperation. The President of ANAS explained that the need for an agreement arose in connection with certain changes in various fields of science. In turn, academician Alexander Sergeev drew attention to the importance of conducting basic research on the Caspian Sea. Academician Alizade expressed solidarity with his Russian counterpart. "A joint with the Russian scientists study of the Caucasus, the resettlement of people in the Caucasus, underwater marine and coastal studies in the Caspian Sea have become an important area of science in Azerbaijan and Russia," Trend cited him as saying. The President of the Russian Academy of Sciences said that the agreement will help expand bilateral cooperation and the development of many areas of science, technology and innovation. In the final part of the meeting, Sergeyev and Alizade signed an agreement for scientific and technical cooperation. The document reflects such topical issues as the development and implementation of joint projects in priority areas of science and technology, the exchange of information and experience, the training of highly qualified personnel and the organization of joint activities. In early April, Alexander Sergeyev told Vestnik Kavkaza about his visit to Baku and plans to sign the agreement. "We're also discussing initiative on intensification of work of the five Caspian countries, since leaders of these countries discussed issues related to development of science only briefly during their meeting in Aktau. We believe that there are a lot of joint scientific topics that are interesting for all five countries, including issues related to mineral and biological resources of the Caspian Sea, climate, monitoring of ecology of the Caspian Sea, history of the movement of peoples around the Caspian Sea and their interaction. Following our trip to Baku, we will decide on joint initiative to hold scientific forum of the Caspian countries. We really hope that our Azerbaijani colleagues will support these initiatives and will be one of the main driving forces in implementation of cooperation projects in the Caspian region," he said back then. The President of the RAS stressed that Russia and Azerbaijan have a high potential for scientific ties to grow. "During Soviet times, there were much more scientific contacts, and in the 1990s our countries decided to focus on cooperation in science with Europe and the United States and weakened contacts with each other. Now we once again understand that we must restart our relationship. It's in our joint interests to support and further develop this area. It's clear that these issues related to the Caspian Sea are important, and I hope that the Caspian initiative, which I mentioned above, will allow us to restore the level of relations in science and education that existed before. There are obviously certain prospects, and most importantly, there's an understanding between all sides," Alexander Sergeyev noted. Send to Email Address Your Name Your Email Address Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Email check failed, please try again Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Prosecutors told a judge Thursday that they intend to retry Michael Rohana, 25, on charges of theft and concealment of an object of cultural heritage. Their decision comes a month after a jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict after a weeklong trial, stymied by questions of whether he had been appropriately charged. The Philadelphia Inquirer Over the past year, the magazine has been locked in a bizarre intra-company battle between writers and photographers with a web of companies and individuals all seemingly blaming each other for the missed payments. The Daily Beast The United States would certainly negotiate with Iran when they are ready, U.S. President Donald Trump said. Trump repeated earlier threats that Iran would face "great force" if it took aim at the United States. However, he said he would welcome talks. "If they call, we will certainly negotiate but thats going to be up to them. Id only want them to call if they are ready. If they are not ready, they dont have to bother," AFP cited the U.S. president as saying. "With Iran, well see what happens. But theyve been very hostile," Trump said, adding that Tehran would be making a very big mistake if they did anything. "Well have no choice," he stressed. Trumps remarks came despite urgings from Tehran on Monday for the United States to treat Iran with respect, not threats of war, in response to the U.S. leaders comments on Sunday that stoked concerns about a potential U.S.-Iran conflict. According to a communication of WTO, both countries have stated that they have a substantial trade interest in ICT goods. On May 14, Japan dragged India to the WTO over the import duties imposed on certain electronic goods including telephones for cellular networks. New Delhi: Singapore and Canada have expressed interest in joining consultations in a case filed by Japan in the WTO's dispute settlement body against India's import duties on certain information and communication technology products, including mobile phones. According to a communication of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), both countries have stated that they have a substantial trade interest in information and communication technology (ICT) goods. On May 14, Japan dragged India to the WTO over the import duties imposed on certain electronic goods including telephones for cellular networks; machines for reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data; and parts of telephone sets. It alleged that imposition of import duties on these products by India infringes WTO norms as India has committed zero per cent bound tariffs on these products. While bound tariffs or duties refer to the ceiling over which a WTO member country cannot impose import duty, the applied tariff is the duty which is currently in place. In a separate communication, Singapore said it "desires to be joined in India's consultations with Japan". "This is because Singapore, as one of the world's largest exporters of ICT products, with export value of USD 120 billion annually, has substantial trade interest in this matter," it said. Similarly, Canada has said that during 2016-2018, India's imports from Canada of ICT products have aggregated at USD 28.7 million. "This reflected 31.2 per cent of India's total imports of ICT products from Canada. ICT is an important sector for Canada's economy which relies on access to global markets. "Over 2016-2018, Canada's global exports of all ICT products averaged USD 11.3 billion and accounted for 2.8 per cent of all Canadian exports," the north american country said in its communication. As per WTO rules, seeking consultation is the first step of dispute settlement process. If the bilateral consultations requested by the complainant with India do not result in a satisfactory solution, it can request the WTO to set up a dispute panel to pass a ruling on the matter. Singapore and Canada require approval from India and Japan to join the consultation process. A WTO member country can file a dispute if it perceives that another country's trade policies or actions are violating global trade norms. India's bilateral trade with Canada and Singapore stood at USD 7.23 billion and USD 17.7 billion respectively, in 2017-18. Chinese Taipei has also expressed interest in joining these consultations. Besides Japan, last month, the European Union (EU) too dragged India into WTO's dispute settlement mechanism over imposition of import duties on certain ICT products, alleging breach of global trade norms. Sri Lanka to have 51per cent stake, India & Japan to hold 49 per cent. Japan has also pushed its plans to be a bigger player in the region under its Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy. India, Japan and Sri Lanka are weighing the development of a terminal at the bustling port of Colombo in a country thats seen ongoing political controversies related to investments from Chinas Belt and Road initiative. The three countries are set to sign a memorandum of understanding in the coming months to build out the east container terminal at the Port of Colombo, according to an Indian government official who asked not to be identified, citing rules. India and Japan will seek private sector investment and a terminal operator after the framework agreement is signed, with India likely providing easy credit, the Indian official said. Sri Lanka will control 51 per cent of the project, with India and Japan jointly controlling the other 49 per cent, this person said. Unlike the Chinese-owned Hamban-tota port in southern Sri Lanka which has been heavily criticisedthe Colombo port project is a commercially viable venture, though it should not be viewed as a counter to Chinas Belt and Road, they said. Japan has supported the Port of Colombos development since the 1980s in recognition of the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific, said Natsuko Sakata, a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "Nothing has been decided at this moment on any policy of our new assistance regarding the port of Colombo, she said in a statement sent by email. Japan has also pushed its plans to be a bigger player in the region under its Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy. A Sri Lanka government official, who asked not to be named, citing rules, said the deal with India and Japan would soon be finalised. Japan would provide a 40-year yen loan with a 10-year grace period, with Sri Lanka holding 51 per cent and Japan and India holding 49 per cent. Two months ago, Sri Lankas Port Minister Sagala Ratnayaka told parliament the Ports Authority was procuring cranes from Japan for the Colombo ports east terminal. The country was seeking to "attract more shipping lines, especially shipping lines which operate the largest ships in the industry," he said, noting at the time India was a possible partner. Sri Lanka previously tried to court Indian investment in Hambantotas empty airport. The move reflects Indias new openness to cooperate with Japan, the US and other Indo-Pacific powers in its immediate neighbourhood, said Constant-ino Xavier, a foreign policy fellow at Brookings India. "Chinas Belt and Road Initiative investments in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region have forced Delhi to be more proactive in offering reliable alternatives to Beijings rising economic clout." Sri Lanka has been one of the countries drawn to Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, an ambitious plan announced in 2013 by President Xi Jinping to build an estimated $1 trillion of infrastructure to support increased trade and economic ties and further Chinas interests around the globe. Bloomberg Gold prices fell on slump in demand from local jewellers and a weak trend overseas, according to All India Sarafa Association. New Delhi: Gold prices on Tuesday declined by Rs 50 to Rs 32,670 per 10 gram in the national capital on fall in demand from local jewellers in tandem with a weak trend overseas, according to the All India Sarafa Association. Silver however stood steady at Monday's level of Rs 37,350 per kg. Traders said gold dropped due to a weak overseas trend and decline in local demand. Globally, spot gold was trading lower at USD 1,276.10 an ounce, while silver was down at USD 14.49 an ounce in New York. In the national capital, gold of 99.9 per cent and 99.5 per cent purity dropped by Rs 50 each to Rs 32,670 and Rs 32,500 per 10 gram, respectively. Sovereign gold, however, held steady at Rs 26,500 per eight gram. Silver ready held steady at Rs 37,350 per kg, while weekly-based delivery gained Rs 90 to Rs 36,251 per kg. Silver coins held flat at Rs 79,000 for buying and Rs 80,000 for selling of 100 pieces. After hitting an intra-day record high of 39,571.73, the 30-share index ended 382.87 points, or 0.97 per cent, lower at 38,969.80. Traders believe that though a profit-booking emerged at higher levels but election rally may continue if the election results come as per exit polls prediction. Mumbai: Benchmark indices took U-turn from record high levels touched during early trade on Tuesday, with the BSE Sensex tripping nearly 383 points and the NSE Nifty shedding over 119 points as investors hurried up to book profits. An intense selling was seen, barring initial hours, across sectors after market participants sensed that exit polls euphoria over BJP's likely win in the general election has already been factored in appropriately. After hitting an intra-day record high of 39,571.73, the 30-share index ended 382.87 points, or 0.97 per cent, lower at 38,969.80. The gauge hit the day's low of 38,884.85. In a similar movement, the broader NSE Nifty plunged 119.15 points, or 1.01 per cent, to 11,709.10. Tata Motors was the biggest loser in the Sensex pack, dipping 7.05 per cent, a day after the company posted a 49 per cent decline in March quarter profit. Maruti, IndusInd Bank, M&M, Bharti Airtel, SBI, PowerGrid, Hero MotoCorp, Tata Steel, ICICI Bank, Infosys, Yes Bank and TCS too fell up to 3.25 per cent. On the other hand, RIL, HUL and Bajaj Finance ended in the green, rising up to 1.08 per cent. The broader BSE midcap and smallcap indices ended in the red in line with benchmarks, falling up to 0.84 per cent. Traders believe that though a profit-booking emerged at higher levels but election rally may continue if the election results come as per exit polls prediction. On Monday, the 30-share index skyrocketed 1,421.90 points, or 3.75 per cent, to 39,352.67, and the Nifty soared 421.10 points, or 3.69 per cent, to 11,828.25. The rally came after a majority of exit polls forecast another term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The results of the seven-phase polls will be announced on May 23. Meanwhile, the Indian rupee was trading marginally lower at 69.76 against the US dollar. Brent crude, the global benchmark, was trading at 72.01 per barrel, higher by 0.04 per cent. Globally, bourses in Asia ended on a mixed note, while those in Europe were trading in the green in their respective early deals. Sonam Kapoor was the first celebrity to slam Oberoi for the meme, calling it, 'disgusting and classless.' New Delhi: Actor Vivek Oberoi on Monday said he doesn't see anything offensive in his tweet featuring Aishwarya Bachchan, her daughter, Abhishek Bachchan, and Salman Khan along with him, and will not apologise since he has not done anything "wrong." "Those who are in the meme have no objection while scores of politicians are trying to politicise the issue. They don't work on issues but start their politics on such non-issues. There is a 'Didi' in West Bengal who puts people behind jail for a meme. Now, these people are demanding to put Vivek Oberoi behind bars. They were unable to stop my film and hence are now are trying to put me behind bars," Oberoi told ANI. Refusing to tender his apologies, Oberoi said: "People are asking me to apologise. I have no problem with apologising, but tell me what wrong have I done. If I have done something wrong, I will apologise. I don't think I have done anything wrong. What's wrong in it? Somebody tweeted a meme and I laughed at it." Earlier today Oberoi had tweeted a collage of three images featuring him, Aishwarya, Salman Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, and Aishwarya's seven-year-old daughter Aaradhya. The post referred to Salman and Aishwarya's relationship as the 'opinion poll', Vivek and Aishwarya's affair as the 'exit poll' and her current family with husband Abhishek and daughter Aaradhya as the 'final result.' "Is there anything wrong in it? Is there some abuse in it? Is there any obscene picture in it? It is just a creative meme made at the time of elections. I saw it and laughed. I have no problem in saying sorry as I am an expert in saying sorry. But, please, tell me what wrong have I said," said Oberoi. Also Read | Vivek Oberoi slammed for 'bizarre' tweet about Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's relationship "I am waiting for the notice from Maharashtra's Women Commission and the NCW. I would also like to meet them and give an explanation because I don't think I have done something wrong," said Oberoi. "I don't know why people are making a huge issue out of it? Someone had sent me a meme which made fun of me. I laughed at it. I appreciated the person for his creativity. If someone mocks you, you should not take it seriously," he said. Sonam Kapoor was the first celebrity to slam Oberoi for the meme, calling it, "disgusting and classless." Director Madhur Bhandarkar also tweeted, "Dear @vivekoberoi, never expected such tweet from u. The trolls may go to any extent and make memes but u as a responsible celebrity should be careful of hurting anyone's dignity. Would request u to apologize and delete the tweet..." Disgusting and classless. https://t.co/GUB7K6dAY8 Sonam K Ahuja (@sonamakapoor) May 20, 2019 Dear @vivekoberoi, never expected such tweet from u. The trolls may go to any extent and make memes but u as a responsible celebrity should be careful of hurting anyone's dignity. Would request u to apologize and delete the tweet. https://t.co/lfJgWiWphF Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) May 20, 2019 Talking about Sonam Kapoor's tweet, he said: "I personally feel that she should less overact in her films and should not overreact on social media." "Sometimes people do such things to look cool. I want to ask Sonam how much she has worked on women empowerment," he said. The National Commission for Women (NCW) has issued a notice to actor Oberoi demanding explanation over his tweet on the exit polls. Rekha Sharma, NCW chairperson, said "We would like him (Vivek Oberoi) to apologise on social media and personally also to the person concerned. If he doesn't do so, we will see what legal action we can take against him. We will be talking to Twitter to remove that tweet immediately." Vijaya Rahatkar, Chief of Maharashtra State Commission for Women, said: "We have taken cognizance of actor Vivek Oberoi's tweet on exit polls and notice is being issued to him." He said democracy succeed in India due to perfect conduct of polls by various Election Commissioners. Mukherjee said all the three Commissioners are appointed by the executive and they are doing their job well. (Photo: File) New Delhi: Former President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday praised the Election Commission for perfectly conducting the general elections, reported IANS. He said democracy succeed in India due to perfect conduct of polls by various Election Commissioners. If democracy has succeeded, it is largely due to perfect conduct of elections by Election Commissioners starting from Sukumar Sen to the present Election Commissioners, he said. Mukherjee said all the three Commissioners are appointed by the executive and they are doing their job well. You cannot criticise them, it was a perfect conduct of elections, he said. The poll body has faced a lot of criticism during the polls for its little action on most of the complaints filed with it regarding the violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Some of the opposition parties even accused the Election Commission of favouritism towards the BJP. His comment came at a time when role of the commission is being heavily criticised by the opposition parties. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analysis et al. Happy reading. On May 18, Naidu urged the Election Commission to count votes through VVPAT instead of EVMs during counting for the Lok Sabha polls. Ahmed Patel of Congress, Sharad Pawar of NCP, Satish Chandra Misra of BSP, Sitaram Yechury of Communist Party of India (Marxist), D Raja of Communist Party of India (CPI) and Derek O'Brien of the TMC are expected to meet the EC. (Photo: File) New Delhi: A delegation of 21 opposition parties along with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu will knock the doors of Election Commission of India (ECI) at 3 pm on Tuesday, pressing their demand of tallying VVPAT slips with EVM figures in an entire Assembly constituency, in case a discrepancy is found in any polling booth. Ahmed Patel of Congress, Sharad Pawar of NCP, Satish Chandra Misra of BSP, Sitaram Yechury of Communist Party of India (Marxist), D Raja of Communist Party of India (CPI) and Derek O'Brien of the TMC are expected to meet the EC. On May 18, Naidu urged the Election Commission to count votes through Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) instead of EVMs during counting for the Lok Sabha polls. On May 7, the Supreme Court turned down a review plea by 21 opposition parties seeking a direction to increase random physical verification of VVPAT from five to at least 50 per cent of EVMs. The review petition was filed after the Supreme Court on April 8 directed the ECI to increase physical counting of VVPAT slips to 5 random EVMs in each constituency. Earlier, only VVPAT slips from one EVM in every Assembly segment or constituency was subjected to physical verification. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analysis et al. Happy reading. In elections for the 230-member Assembly last year, the Congress won 114 seats and the BJP, coming a close second, got 109. New Delhi/Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh BJP has asked governor Anandiben Patel to call a special session of the state Assembly to hold a floor test of the Congress government led by chief minister Kamal Nath alleging that it had lost its majority. Speculation had been rife in MP that the BJP could make such an attempt if it gets a majority in the Lok Sabha polls. The Congress accused the BJP of attempting to destabilise the Kamal Nath government through the use of corrupt practices and said that in doing so they are trying to negate the mandate of the people of the state. The Congress Madhya Pradesh in-charge, Mr Deepak Babaria, said: The BJP is trying to destabilise the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh through corrupt practices. They are trying to negate the mandate of the people of Madhya Pradesh given in favour of the Congress in the Assembly elections a few months ago, and the people will not forgive them for this. In elections for the 230-member Assembly last year, the Congress won 114 seats and the BJP, coming a close second, got 109. The Bahujan Samaj Party has two seats, the Samajwadi Party one and Independents four seats. The Congress had taken power from the BJP after the Assembly polls. Two short of the majority mark on its own, the Congress has the support of the BSP and SP in the House. Hours after the BJP demanded the Congress government in the state prove its majority in the Assembly. Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath on Monday said his government was ready for a floor test. Leader of the Opposition Gopal Bhargava said his party will ask governor Anandiben Patel to convene a special session of the Assembly to discuss important issues and test the Congress governments strength. He said: I am writing a letter to the governor for convening a special session of the MP Assembly shortly. We want a discussion on important issues like farm loan waivers and (to) test the governments strength. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analysis et al. Happy reading. The Opposition is likely to sit on a dharna outside the Electioin Commission office at around 3 PM. The parties would be demanding 100 percent VVPAT counting in Assembly segments where any mismatch is found. New Delhi: As exit polls predicted a clean sweep for the NDA, Opposition parties have decided to meet the Election Commission on Tuesday demanding a 100 percent VVPAT count in case a mismatch is found in any Assembly segment even as BSP chief Mayawati quelled rumours of coming to Delhi to meet Congress President Rahul Gandhi and his mother former UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. If the BSP chief would have met the Gandhis, it would have been a significant step towards consolidation of Opposition moves. However, her aide and BSP leader Satish Chandra Mishra said, Mayawatiji has no programmes or meetings in Delhi on Monday. She will be in Lucknow. Later, however, Ms Mayawati met with Samajwadi President Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow. On Sunday she had met TDP chief N. Chandra-babu Naidu, who has been trying to bring the Opposition parties on a common platform. Mr Naidu flew to Kolkata to meet Trinamul Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee and would reach the national capital late tonight. On Tuesday, Mr Naidu would lead the Opposition delegation to the Election Commission and is likely to sit on a dharna outside the EC at around 3 PM. Other leaders who would be present, sources told this newspaper are NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Congress leaders Ahmed Patel and Kapil Sibal, BSPs Satish Mishra, CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury and CPIs D. Raja besides representatives from parties like Trinamul Congres and DMK. The parties would be demanding 100 percent VVPAT counting in Assembly segments where any mismatch is found. On VVPATs and the EVM tally, the EC is yet to come out with a procedure in case there is a mismatch. Even if there is one mismatch in the VVPAT samples picked for counting and EVMs, to maintain integrity of the electoral process, all VVPATs in that assembly segment must be counted, Mr Yechury tweeted on Monday. Despite demoralising predictions by exit polls, Mr Naidu has taken a lead in getting the Opposition act together. Mr Naidu had on Saturday met Congress president Rahul Gandhi, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and a host of other senior Opposition leaders. The Opposition parties also had plans of submitting a letter to President Ramnath Kovind with the signatures of all Opposition anti-NDA parties requesting him to consider them as a single block whicle extending invitation to form the government. The Opposition led by Congress had also initiated contact with YSR Congress chief Jagan Mohan Reddy and Telangana Rashtra Samiti chief K Chandrasekar Rao to join the UPA in case of a hung Lok Sabha. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analysis et al. Happy reading. Fresh roads were laid from the cave to Kedarnath shrine. Hyderabad: Old bathroom fittings were replaced with new ones including the geyser, new wifi router was in place besides a phone, the room plastered to give a new look, electricity supply restored and a brand new room heater with radiator too was purchased. In no time, the 'rudra' cave was spruced up with all new facilities. Besides the multi layered security three layers to be precise who stood guard for Indias most powerful man in temperatures which dipped to minus three degrees, a battery of doctors including Cardiologists, dozens of personnel of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) along with the local police and of course the Special Protection Group (SPG) personnel. All of them had their eyes fixed on the cave while a group of electricians, plumbers remained on stand by throughout the night and so were more than two dozen porters (for transporting luggage and material) and several palki walahs, just in case the VVIP had to be moved in palki. Contingency plans are always there for the visit of any Prime Minister to any state or country. But the recent night halt by Prime Minister Narendra Modi inside the rudra cave in Kedarnath, at an at altitude of 11,700 feet up in the majestic himalayas kept the SPG personnel and the Uttarakhand district administration on the edge throughout the 17 hours Modi spent inside the cave as this was the first time they had been guarding the VVIP who chose to stay in a cave, at that altitude and a hostile weather perhaps a bigger threat than the ones emerging from the usual quarters. We came to know about his visit to Kedarnath five days ago and to make arrangements in the cave, 11,700 feet up in the Himalayas, its no ordinary task at this short notice. We swung into action and started making all the arrangements,' top Uttarakhand government officials said. Within the next 24 hours, multiple recces were taken up by the top government officials even as it snowed heavily followed by spells of rainfall. As is the normal drill before any visit of the PM, the SPG had already taken over Kedarnath four days prior to the PMs visit. He arrived in Dehradun on May 18 on a two day visit and flew down straight to Kedarnath in a special helicopter. The first task was to spruce up the cave and upgrade it completely for the use of the Prime Minister. From bathroom fittings to plastering the wall to wifi, phones, room heater etc, we had worked on everything including the back up (generators). Fresh roads were laid from the cave to the shrine. There was a contingency plan for everything and we had made a separate accommodation ready just in case the PM would have expressed his desire to shift from the cave. But he spent the entire time in the cave. At this altitude, oxygen is less and health is a major concern and therefore a battery of doctors including cardiologists were on stand by, sources said. Sources further added that the place of night halt (the cave) was peculiar and never in the past had the SPG found itself in a situation wherein it was tasked with securing a cave in which the VVIP was present. The Nord Stream 2 pipeline will be put under sanctions by Washington, U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry said. The politician noted that the U.S. administration could prepare a bill providing for restrictions on Nord Stream 2. Perry previously warned that not only is the U.S. opposed to Nord Stream 2, it has actually threatened to impose sanctions on European firms that participate in the Russian-sponsored gas pipeline project. U.S. President Donald Trump has accused Germany of being "captive" to Russia due to its reliance on Russian gas, Interfax recalls. The advisor on macroeconomics to the CEO of the 'Opening-Broker' brokerage house, economist Sergey Hestanov, speaking to Vestnik Kavkaza, noted that direct U.S. sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 are technically unlikely. "American companies do not participate in the project. At the same time, the strength of the American sanctions is not in bans, but in the so-called secondary sanctions, when companies violating, according to the American leadership, certain bans are prohibited from working with U.S. citizens and organizations. The threat here is that no one wants to lose the U.S. market, and the Russian market is ten times smaller compared to the U.S. market, which is why it is easier for many companies to refuse from cooperation with Russian companies," he said in the first place. "Theoretically, some companies involved in Nord Stream 2 may be frightened by U.S. sanctions and leave the project. However, the project has been largely implemented, and the chances of the pipeline being completed are great. The likelihood that these statements will succeed to stop the project is small. But still uncertainty will most likely persist until the very end. You cant completely exclude the option when the pipeline is built, but gas is not pumped through it - its implementation is no guarantee that the Nord Stream 2 will be fully exploited, since the regulatory restrictions will remain in any case," Sergei Khestanov noted. Deputy director of energy policy of the Institute of Energy and Finances, Alexey Belogoriev, in turn, expressed confidence that Rick Perry's statements are of declarative nature. "The U.S. administration is not going to initiate the adoption of such a bill - it is waiting for an initiative on the part of Congress. All known options for sanctions boil down to a ban on any economic and economic links to the Nord Stream-2 operator when supplying equipment, providing services and investing with contracts exceeding $1 million. In fact, this means a ban on any contract work," he recalled. "The main problem for Washington here is the extraterritoriality of U.S. sanctions: the project is implemented by European companies. Understanding between European politicians and the U.S. administration has not improved since 2017. It is important that any restrictions are dangerous for the project at the construction stage, and, given the fact that they have not yet succeeded in concluding an agreement with Denmark, there is a risk that construction will be delayed until the end of 2020, which is why the U.S. is expanding its time range," Aleksey Belogoryev pointed out. "The context is still important here. Rick Perry made this statement at a meeting with Ukrainian politicians. Naturally, the rhetoric changes depending on the audience, and it is clear that American politicians try not to make such statements in Germany," the deputy director of energy policy of the Institute of Energy and Finances added. In a tweet, Rahul remembered his father as a gentle person who taught him to forgive and never hate. Priyanka also shared an image from the past in which she could be seen hugging Rajiv Gandhi. (Photo: Twitter) New Delhi: Congress general secretary in-charge Priyanka Gandhi on Tuesday paid tributes to her father and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 28th death anniversary calling him her "hero". She also shared an image from the past in which she could be seen hugging Rajiv Gandhi. Along with the picture the Congress leader also shared few stanzas from Harivansh Rai Bachchan's famous poem 'Agneepath'. "You will always be my hero", she wrote along with the image. You will always be my hero. pic.twitter.com/LYPciCD234 Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) May 21, 2019 Earlier in the day, United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka paid floral tribute to late prime minister on his death anniversary at Veer Bhumi here. In a tweet, Rahul remembered his father as a gentle person who taught him to forgive and never hate. "My father was gentle, loving, kind & affectionate. He taught me to love & respect all beings. To never hate. To forgive. I miss him. On his death anniversary, I remember my father with love & gratitude," he said. My father was gentle, loving, kind & affectionate. He taught me to love & respect all beings. To never hate. To forgive. I miss him. On his death anniversary, I remember my father with love & gratitude.#RememberingRajivGandhi pic.twitter.com/sYPGu5jGFC Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 21, 2019 Earlier on Tuesday, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. Tributes to former PM Shri Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary, tweeted PM Modi. This comes after PM Modi during an election rally in Uttar Pradesh called Rajiv Gandhi, bhrashtachari no 1 (corrupt number 1). Your father (Rajiv Gandhi) was termed Mr Clean by his courtiers, but his life ended as bhrashtachari no 1, PM Modi said while targetting Congress President Rahul Gandhi. Read: PM Modi, other leaders pay tribute to Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversay Born on August 20, 1944, Rajiv Gandhi had represented Uttar Pradesh's Amethi parliamentary constituency four times. A recipient of Bharat Ratna, Rajiv Gandhi served as the sixth Prime Minister of India from 1984 to 1989. He took office after the assassination of his mother, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984. Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suicide bomber during an election rally in Tamil Nadu's Sriperumbudur on May 21, 1991. He was cremated at Veer Bhumi, located on the banks of the river Yamuna. This will be the last major foreign policy engagement of the Modi Government in its current tenure. New Delhi: Just ahead of poll results on Thursday, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj will attend the meeting of Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to be held at Bishkek (Kyrgyz Republic) on Tuesday and Wednesday. The conference is also expected to be attended by Pakistani foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and the two ministers could exchange pleasantries although there is unlikely to be any separate bilateral meeting between the two. This will be the last major foreign policy engagement of the Modi Government in its current tenure. The SCO is an eight-member predominantly Central Asian Grouping that comprises China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, India, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Pakistan. India and Pakistan became SCO members in 2017. In a statement on Monday, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said, External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj will be representing India in the meeting of Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to be held in Bishkek (Kyrgyz Republic) on 21-22 May 2019. This will be the second CFM meeting that India will be attending as a full member of SCO. External affairs minister had also attended the last CFM meeting in Beijing (China) in April 2018. India actively took part in various SCO dialogue mechanisms under the Chairmanship of the Kyrgyz Republic over the past year. The next SCO Summit will be held in Bishkek in June 2019. The MEA added, The ministers programme in Bishkek will include the meeting of Council of SCO Foreign Ministers. The BJP, including Mr Modi, had been asserting that the ruling alliance would retain power by a comfortable majority. New Delhi: Upbeat over the exit poll predictions, the BJP has called a meeting of its NDA allies on Tuesday, which will be followed by a dinner hosted by party president Amit Shah. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to be present on both occasions. With most of the exit polls predicting a second term for the Narendra Modi-led NDA with a thumping majority, the BJP, sources said, could also hold a meeting of its MPs on May 24, a day after the 2019 Lok Sabha election results are is out. The BJP, including Mr Modi, had been asserting that the ruling alliance would retain power by a comfortable majority. In a related development, Union minister Nitin Gadkari met RSS second-in-command Bhaiyya Joshi in Nagpur, at the Sanghs headquarters. The RSS and its cadre play a key role in the BJPs election strategies and both leaders, it was learnt, also discussed the exit poll verdict as well as the feedback from the ground received by the RSS from parliamentary seats across the country. Sources said JD(U) chief and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Lok Janshakti Party head Ram Vilas Paswan are likely to attend Tuesdays meeting. Sources said that before the NDA leaders meet, the BJP top brass, including Prime Minister Modi, Mr Shah, home minister Rajnath Singh and Mr Gadkari, among others, would meet at the party headquarters. In a boost to the NDA, Odishas ruling BJD led by chief minister Naveen Patnaik indicated it might join hands with the BJP-led coalition if it forms the government at the Centre. Odisha is the one of the key states where the BJP failed to gain much in 2014 and was under Mr Shahs radar for expanding the partys organisational and support base. The exit polls have predicted significant gains for the BJP in Odisha. Going by the exit polls, if the NDA forms the government at the Centre, then we could very much be part of the government. Whoever understands our problem like special category status, we are with them. We are open to that, BJD spokesperson Amar Patnaik said. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analysis et al. Happy reading. Congress leader Roshan Baig dropped hints of quitting the party, and humbly appealed Muslims to compromise with the situation. Baig pointed fingers at KPCC President Dinesh Gundu Rao for conducting 'flop poll campaign' and also attacked CLP leaders including Siddaramaiah for the same. (Photo: File) Bengaluru: Amid poor numbers given by exit polls to the Congress in the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections, senior Congress leader Roshan Baig on Monday dropped hints of quitting the party, and humbly appealed to Muslims to compromise with the situation, if NDA returns to power. "Well if NDA is coming back to power, I humbly appeal to Muslim brothers to learn to compromise with the situation," he told a section of media here. Asked if that means Muslims should join hands with BJP, Baig said if need arises, they must as the Congress had given just one ticket to a Muslim leader in Karnataka. "If needs be, (Muslims) must join hands. We must not remain loyal to one party. What happened to Muslims in Karnataka? The Congress gave just one seat," he blurted. Asked if he will take a decision to quit Congress in coming days, Baig said if needs be, he would do it. "If needs be, I will do it because we (Muslims) cannot remain in a party with disgrace. We live our lives with grace and dignity. Where we will not get respect, we will not want to remain there. If someone makes us sit with love and affection, we will sit with them," he said. When asked whom would he blame for the present condition of the Muslims in Karnataka, Baig pointed fingers at KPCC President Dinesh Gundu Rao for conducting "flop poll campaign" and also attacked CLP leaders including Siddaramaiah for the same. "I hold Dinesh Gundu Rao for conducting a flop poll campaign. Moreover, CLP leaders who were flying high in the sky should come to terms with ground realities," he added. Baig said he was not surprised by exit poll numbers as from the very beginning he knew Congress would not get good numbers because of the "flop poll campaigning" of the party. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses etc all. Happy reading. The BJP leadership, however, mocked TMCs effort to cobble up an anti-BJP alliance. Kolkata: The Trinamul Congress, which has dubbed exit polls as gossip, said on Monday its internal reports from districts and every constituencies clearly say the party will win this time too. Unfazed by exit polls projections, chief minister Mamata Banerjee led TMC exuded confidence that it would play a major role in the formation of a new government for which it is in touch with various Opposition parties. Some of the exit polls have suggested TMC getting 24 seats, the BJP bagging 16, the Congress two and the Left Front drawing a blank. West Bengal has a total of 42 Lok Sabha seats, third highest after Uttar Pradesh 80 and Maharashtras 48. At the national level too, exit polls have forecast a second term for Narendra Modi as Prime Minister. The TMC supremo had on Sunday dubbed the exit polls as gossip. Ms Banerjee said she did not trust such surveys as the game plan was to use them for manipulation of EVMs. Dismissing the exit poll predictions, TMC secretary general Partha Chatterjee said Monday, party is not worried about these exit poll reports, which in most cases do not match with the reality. We have our internal party reports. We also have reports from districts and each and every constituency and it clearly says we will win this time too. he said. A senior TMC leader, who did wish to be named, said We are in touch with various Opposition parties including SP, BSP, Congress, TDP, AAP and many other parties for post poll situation. According to our calculations, a government of Opposition parties will come to power. There is hardly any chance of BJP returning to power. The BJP leadership, however, mocked TMCs effort to cobble up an anti-BJP alliance. As per exit polls and people's mood, the TMC has lost the battle. But it seems they are yet to give up their dream of Mamata Banerjee being the next Prime Minister. The fact is she should stop dreaming of it as days of TMC government are numbered in Bengal, BJP state president Dilip Ghosh said. The Bengal BJP asked Ms Banerjee to stop living in denial as the days of her TMC government in West Bengal were numbered. In a tweet it also asked Ms Banerjee to stop giving lame excuses. Although senior TMC leaders sounded confident of winning the polls, some district leaders feel there had been an undercurrent against the TMC, which the top leadership of the party failed to gauge. We dont know whether these exit poll results will match with the actual results. But, we can say this much that there has been an undercurrent against us this time. Now everything will be answered only on May 23, a TMC leader of West Midnapore district, said. After a good performance in panchayats election and some state level bypolls last year, BJP emerged as principal challenger to TMC in Bengal in the current general election. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah addressed several rallies to boost the party chance in Bengal from where it had only two MPs in 2014. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. The meme was a take on the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the results of which will be declared Thursday. Mumbai: Taking serious note of actor Vivek Oberois distasteful and crass meme targeting actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchans relationships, the State Womens Commission (SWC) has issued notice to him. Mr Oberoi, who reportedly dated the actor-former Miss World in early 2000s, posted a meme with three panels, one with him, another with Salman Khan and a third with her husband Abhishek and daughter Aaradhya on Twitter. The meme was a take on the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the results of which will be declared Thursday. Not only has Mr Oberoi earned himself a notice from the SWC but he is also being slammed on social media after sharing the meme equating the exit polls to his past relationship with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Mr Oberoi tweeted the meme with this endorsement: Haha, creative. No politics here, just life. Vijaya Rahatkar, chief of the Maharashtra SWC took cognisance of Oberois tweet on the exit polls and a notice was issued to him. What he tweeted cannot be considered creative. He is a responsible actor and we did not expect this behaviour from him. We have taken note of this and we will be sending notice to him, Rahatkar said. Oberois post drew a lot of flak from Bollywood celebrities, and he was heavily trolled by the Twitterati. Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor, too, reacted to his tweet, calling it disgusting and classless. The NCW (National Commission for Women) also sent a notice to the actor asking him to give an explanation for sharing the insulting and misogynist tweet. This tweet is absolutely disgusting, distasteful, and degrading a women. @NCWIndia will be serving notice to @vivekoberoi, NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma tweeted. In their notice, the NCW said the actor should not have carried a minor girl and a woman's picture for a sly reference. NCPs national spokesperson Nawab Malik sought that an FIR be filed against Mr Oberoi. Film celebrities who support the BJP are crossing a line. The way Vivek Oberoi has tweeted about the exit poll, disrespecting a woman is not right. Womens commission must take cognisance of this and not stay asleep. When women are treated with such utter disrespect, the public will get angry. If he doesnt apologise, he will have to face the consequences, Mr Malik said. Pakistan has already stated that it will not take sides in the current confrontation, and called for US restraint. Brewing tensions in the Persian Gulf should be a cause for alarm in Pakistan. The US deployment of an aircraft-carrier and bombers, alleged proxy attacks, Saudi Arabias calls for surgical strikes against Iran, and Iranian threats about resuming its nuclear programme are setting the stage for conflict. But US and Iranian officials are simultaneously softening their stances, calling for talks and downplaying prospects of direct conflict. Tweeting on Friday, US President Donald Trump summed up the situation quite well: With all the Fake and Made Up News out there, Iran can have no idea what is actually going on! And neither can anyone else. What is clear, however, is that the Trump administrations ham-fisted efforts to install a better nuclear deal with Iran will increase the precariousness of regional dynamics, with uncertain outcomes, and implications for Pakistans stability. Pakistan has already stated that it will not take sides in the current confrontation, and called for US restraint. These are the right noises to make. The need for Pakistan to remain neutral in any stand-off between the US and Saudi Arabia on one side and Iran on the other is clear. The Pakistani Parliaments decision in 2015 not to send troops to support the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen set an excellent precedent for this neutrality. However, that position could be tested under the latest circumstances. Following the Yemen snub to the kingdom, Pakistan showered Saudi Arabia with assurances that it would defend Saudi Arabias interests. Recent developments, such as the Houthi drone strikes against Saudi oil infrastructure, for which Riyadh has blamed Tehran, could lead to renewed pressure on Pakistan to provide support to the kingdom. Given Saudi Arabias recent largesse towards Pakistan last years $6 billion emergency loan, promises of up to $20bn in investments, and even offers of LNG Riyadh may be tempted to test the strength of Islamabads allegiance and, given its indebtedness, our government would struggle to push back. Some analysts have argued that given Saudi Arabias growing engagement with India, it can hardly object to Pakistan balancing ties and continuing to engage with Iran. But we should have no delusions that this is an equal partnership. Riyadh would expect to count on Pakistan if the regional situation deteriorated significantly; for example, if it came to direct conflict, or if the resumption of Irans nuclear weapons programme sparked an arms race in which Saudi Arabia would rely on Pakistani cooperation. The timing of the US-Iran flare-up could not be worse in terms of Pakistan-Iran relations, following Imran Khans overdue and productive trip to Iran including his symbolically important visit to Mashhad last month. Given recent, audacious attacks by Baloch militant groups within Pakistan, the need to secure Iranian cooperation to stamp out militant sanctuaries across the western border is essential. Indeed, the key outcome from Khans visit was the rapid reaction force to combat militancy along the border, which must be sustained. The reasons for Pakistan to maintain good ties with Iran persist: the 950-kilometre border; the need for counterterrorism cooperation and a coordinated approach towards ending the Afghan conflict; to prevent entanglement in a Middle Eastern arms race; and most importantly, to stave off threats of renewed proxy sectarian conflict within Pakistan. The recent tensions are another reminder that Pakistan must entrench its ties with Iran, so that each regional conflagration does not throw bilateral ties into question. Beyond counterterrorism cooperation, there are many ways for Pakistan to do this. One is to build awareness among the public that the Pakistan-Iran relationship is a long, substantive one. How many know that Iran was the first nation to recognise Pakistan? Pakistan should also develop strategies to increase bilateral trade to the agreed target of $5bn. Plans to improve connectivity between Gwadar and Chabahar ports, and between the two countries more generally, should be fast-tracked. Pakistan should also import electricity from Iran and initiate diplomatic efforts to increase the feasibility of completing the Iran-Pakistan pipeline. Arts and culture remain underdeveloped areas for bilateral engagement. The recent revival of Pakistani cinema has led our artists to turn to Bollywood for inspiration, lessons, and new opportunities. But budding Pakistani filmmakers could learn as much from the cinematic genius of Iranians. Similarly, Pakistans vibrant poetic tradition overlaps with that of Irans and more high-profile mushairas could be a way to connect the people of the two countries. A diplomatic balancing act as complex as the one Pakistan must pull off between Iran, Saudi Arabia and the US will no doubt require the deployment of both hard and soft power. Lets hope Pakistans foreign ministry is up to the task. By arrangement with Dawn The BJP-NDA win indicated by the different exit polls cant be used to infer that it is the victory of Mr Modis charismatic leadership. Politicians pretend that they do not like exit polls, even when they are shown to be winning. It is not surprising. The politicians know that the real test is the actual outcome. Conjectures, however close and legitimate, are not satisfying. And the politicians who are on the losing side do not want to accept defeat until it really hits them. The May 19 exit polls conducted by a dozen and more television news channels and professional pollsters mostly indicated Narendra Modis BJP-led NDA was the winner. The BJP leaders are maintaining a smug silence, and saying their tally would be better than projected by the most favourable poll. Those who are arrayed against Mr Narendra Modis right-wing politics perhaps Mr Modi doesnt care what his politics is called as long as he is winning, and he loves to win every time are not only sceptical about the exit poll projections, but are positively negative about the findings. The hostility is understandable, especially if Mr Modi is to emerge the winner on Many 23, as predicted by the exit polls. It would be necessary and interesting to look at the phenomenon of exit polls on their own terms. The exit polls are not part of any conspiracy because if the actual poll outcome were to prove them wrong, the purpose of conspiracy to hide the truth would be of no avail. The exit polls are to be seen as a legitimate media exercise. To get it right would be a bonus but getting it wrong does not de-legitimise them. An exit poll, like opinion polls and surveys, is a statistical exercise. And over the years, the methodology has been refined, and the sample size enlarged and attempts made to account for diversity. And if inaccuracies remain, it is not to be imputed to bad faith. It is also not right to argue that exit polls dont serve any purpose when the actual results are but days away, as in the India case. Speculation is part of the media exercise, and it cannot, and should not, be given up. The May 19 exit polls do indicate the general feeling among politicians and among people: Mr Modis likely return as Prime Minister for a second term. Even Congress president Rahul Gandhi didnt rule out the BJP-NDAs victory. He argued Mr Modi wouldnt be Prime Minister even if the BJP-NDA won. So the exit polls showing a NDA win, by a small margin in some and big in others, is not going against current opinion. Many of the conservative projections also show that the BJP is not scoring a spectacular victory and that it is getting back to office on the back of support that comes from its allies. All the exit polls show the BJP losing ground in Uttar Pradesh, in comparison with its 2014 tally of 73 out of 80. They show the BJP holding its ground in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka, all strong bastions of the saffron party over the years. So the exit polls havent really shown a pronounced bias in favour of the BJP. The BJP-NDA win indicated by the different exit polls cant be used to infer that it is the victory of Mr Modis charismatic leadership. It seems more likely the case that people have voted for what appeared to be a stable BJP-NDA. This is not a ratification of what the Modi government did in its first term, nor is it a stamp of approval for Mr Modis stylised personal politics. This is a vote for political stability and continuity. Very clearly, the Opposition parties gave no sign of being a united and stable formation. The talk of post-poll alliances has given rise to fears that things may not work smoothly. The intriguing question then is whether the fact that the Opposition had no prime ministerial candidate made its case weak in the eyes of the people, and that Mr Modi as the unanimous PM candidate for a second term turned out to be an advantage for the BJP-NDA? One of the conspicuous facts of the 2019 election is that it has not been an election about Mr Modi, though the BJP and the Opposition almost made it look like one. There was enough evidence in the 2014 election that many voted for the BJP as they were impressed by Mr Modi. In 2019, most people voted for the BJP but remained critical of Mr Modis failures on the job front and his disastrous decision about the November 2016 demonetisation. Mr Modis claim to have proved his credentials as a strong PM by ordering the Balakot airstrike on the Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp after the JeM suicide attack in Pulwama did not turn out to be the key issue. There were other things on the minds of the people. So if Mr Modi has been preferred, as indicated by the exit polls, it shows the people have come to the realistic assessment that Mr Modi is not the best, but he is the better one. The truth or otherwise of the exit polls will be borne out by the results on May 23. As we wait for D-Day, the exit polls provide enough cud to chew about the seven-phase five-week general election process. The key issues did not remain constant through the protracted election schedule. People were not carried away by the Balakot rhetoric and they did not buy into the charges of corruption surrounding the Rafale fighter deal. They weighed many more issues and it seems that the verdict reflects their deliberative decision. The exit polls also point to the fact that the Opposition has not been turfed out as the BJP and Mr Modis fanatical fans on the social media would have wanted. And the BJP has not really been given a carte blanche to do whatever they would want to. The timing of the run, before the results are declared and the veracity of numerous exit polls is tested, is also for a reason. The shroud of silence covering the content of the cross-country discussions that the tireless N. Chandrababu Naidu, Telugu Desam supremo and Andhra Pradesh chief minister, is pursuing must have a purpose. The timing of the run, before the results are declared and the veracity of numerous exit polls is tested, is also for a reason. Timing matters as never before. The near unanimous estimates by the exit polls that the BJP and its allies will win this race has been rejected by the leaderships of the regional parties as well as the Congress. On the assumption and the ground reports that these parties have collected, the exercise by Mr Naidu is critical to ensuring that the alliance that has no name and is not formally constituted is nevertheless in the reckoning, if the results reveal a hung Parliament. The only way of keeping one step ahead of the BJP is through the optics of a cross country-race that Mr Naidu is running. If the exit polls read the mood of the voter wrong, then the alliance will have to try and beat the BJP at its own game, by putting in a bid first. That will matter with this President, whose response to the misdemeanours of a governor endorsing his party during the election process has been so languid that it would be possible to describe the action, if anyone else were to mimic it, as that of a wimp. There are so many precedents on how Presidents in the past have handled the tricky business of deciding on who should form a government when there was no clear and simple verdict by voters. The problem is that the BJP and governors have successfully outsmarted the Congress and regional parties in the past five years to filch chief ministerships. In Karnataka, the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) went to court before the coalition could stake its claim to form the government and prove its majority on the floor of the Assembly. Mr Naidu has seen the shenanigans that precede government formation firsthand. The spectre that haunts the alliance that has many names Federal Front, United Alliance and nameless alliance is what will some regional parties do if the BJP under Narendra Modi woos them for votes in case there is a hung Parliament. Herding leaders of regional parties and their MPs in resorts is not as easy as herding MLAs; more so as managers of every party are beginning to man the gates. There is also the complicated arithmetic of stitching up a front of regional parties on the one hand and with the Congress on the other. This fiendishly difficult task has to grapple with the exit poll numbers, that are unverified till the results are out, but which nevertheless are the only guesses available. Getting the relative weights correct, down to the last grain, will be crucial to the formation of the alliance as each regional party has its own calculation of what it is worth. Not getting this right can mean the difference between relative stability and vertiginous volatility; between ceaseless assaults by the BJP and endless efforts to propitiate potential breakaways. If the exit polls are correct then there is a tectonic shift in the politics of West Bengal, for instance. The polls indicate that the ground has fallen from under Mamata Banerjees feet and the winds of change have heaped it under the BJP, raising its position to being a real challenge to the Trinamul Congress. If the Trinamul Congress loses heavily to the BJP, then Mamata Banerjees relative strength as principal sponsor of the United Alliance, as she now calls it, will change dramatically. If the exit polls have it wrong, then Ms Banerjee may have the third largest party in the Lok Sabha, after the BJP and the Congress, ousting the AIADMK from that slot. Entirely expectedly, she has trashed the exit poll estimates and articulated her suspicions on what the Election Commission is up to with the EVM machines. In other words, she has formulated a face-saving reason for the Trinamul Congress and herself, in case the BJP emerges as a strong challenger, with a substantial voteshare and lots of seats. If Mamata Banerjee has butterflies in her stomach, she has reasons. West Bengals voters can be brutal in their decisions. In 2009, the Trinamul Congress won 19 seats, dislodging the Communist Party of India (Marxist) from being the party with the most MPs from West Bengal in the Lok Sabha. In fact, the Trinamul Congress on its own won more seats in the Lok Sabha in 2009 than the combined Left Front, which won 15, of which the CPI(M) won nine. The movement that Mamata Banerjee led in West Bengal after 2006 was exceptional. She alone led the Trinamul Congress that brought the CPI(M)-led Left Front to its knees. In the bargain, she took over the Lefts rural base, wooed away the Muslim vote, won over liberals and intellectuals who were in the Left camp and galvanised sections of voters who had never fully felt themselves included in the politics of West Bengal. The BJPs garish, noisy and polarising mobilisation in West Bengal in no way comes even close to making the kind of social alliances that Ms Banerjee had forged after 2006. The BJP in West Bengal has not been able to wean even a single notable intellectual celebrity away from the Trinamul Congress and even the vastly depleted CPI(M). The Sangh Parivar has certainly proved itself an attractive alternative for disgruntled political leaders from other parties, including the CPI(M) and the Trinamul Congress Mukul Roy, but not his MLA son Subranshu, Barrackpore candidate Arjun Singh, Jadavpur candidate Anupam Hazra, Khagen Murmu. If the BJP does well, then maybe more than the 40 that Prime Minister Modi had announced would cross over may do so after May 23. That potential floor-crossers are keeping their options open in West Bengal is very revealing; nobody is certain that the BJP has finally transformed itself from an up-country Hindi heartland party into a native Bengali version. The logic of coalitions is it reflects and represents the extraordinary diversity of the population, which is diametrically different from the centrally-controlled, formidably hierarchical BJP. The exit polls have revealed a voter preference for a command and control politics. The results on Thursday will confirm or reject the bias. In a recent interview, Pakistan PM Imran Khan indicated a better chance for resuming contacts if Narendra Modi returned to power. The India-Pakistan relationship continues in its rocky, low-equilibrium, phase which it entered after the Pulwama terrorist strike in February, to which India retaliated through a deep incursion into Pakistani airspace at Balakot. The situation got complex when Pakistan counter-attacked the following morning. The bland external affairs ministry statement on Monday suggests it is unlikely that the presence of external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi at the meeting of foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Bishkek on May 21-22 will break the status quo. The two may exchange pleasantries, that is all. Balakot had just preceded the long election season in India, which began in March. Restarting a dialogue in this period was unthinkable. With the results due on May 23, realistically speaking, no movement of any kind may be expected before the new government in India settles down. In a recent interview, Pakistan PM Imran Khan indicated a better chance for resuming contacts if Narendra Modi returned to power. Presumably, this is because Mr Modi is seen as the leader of a party that espouses the cause of India's majority religious community. At any rate, Islamabad has named a new high commissioner to India, though New Delhi has not been informed of this officially. It's up to the incoming government here to react to this. Impetus has been imparted to regional political dynamics with fresh developments in Afghanistan and in Iran. In respect of Iran, a breakout of hostilities with the United States is deemed not improbable. In such a context, worthwhile diplomatic contact between India and Pakistan can be useful. The race to the cloud is on and it's about to pick up speed. Citrix Systems, Inc. today announced plans to extend Citrix Workspace to Google Cloud, expanding the flexibility and choice companies have in transitioning to the cloud by enabling them to quickly and efficiently deliver apps to Google devices and operating systems and create a superior digital work experience that unleashes productivity and innovation. The news came during Citrix Synergy, the premier digital work conference taking place in Atlanta this week. "As companies move more apps to the cloud, they need an easy, secure way for employees to access them anywhere, anytime from any device," said David Henshall, President and CEO, Citrix. "In delivering Citrix Workspace for Google Cloud, we are enabling our customers to accelerate their digital transformations and deliver a simple, intuitive experience for their users." "Many of our customers have existing software and infrastructure investments, yet still want the freedom to invest in their cloud future," said Rob Enslin, President Global Customer Operations, Google Cloud. "In expanding our partnership with Citrix, we can better help these customers with their transformations by enabling them to access and run the apps their businesses depend on anywhere-simply, flexibly and securely." A Productivity Powerhouse Extending Citrix Workspace beyond Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops for companies using Google Cloud will enable them to modernize their apps and deliver unified access across Google devices and operating systems to create a productivity powerhouse for employees and IT administrators alike. Planned interoperability with Google's Cloud Identity, for instance, will allow for the seamless authentication of users using G Suite credentials to access Citrix Workspace, which will provide a more secure and unified end-user experience. In addition, the integration of intelligent capabilities into G Suite will enable companies to automatically notify employees of important events from their Google calendars through personalized feeds within Citrix Workspace. This will create a simple, intelligent experience that boosts engagement and productivity by reducing frustration from constantly switching apps and searching for information. "With Citrix and Google Cloud Platform, we have the possibility to create a compelling work experience that has a tremendous effect on efficiency and employee satisfaction," said Mari Wasstrom, IT Solutions Service Management Lead, Neste. "Instead of a solution based in Finland, we now have a global concept that we can deploy to all our sites worldwide giving users a fast and secure application user experience from the cloud." Enterprise-Grade VDI Using Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Machine Creation Service (MCS), IT will be able to quickly and efficiently provision Windows-based Citrix workloads at scale and create a modern digital work environment in which employees can access all of the tools they need to collaborate and perform at their best. Automated provisioning for Google Cloud Platform is available on demand today and will be rolled out to all customers in the third quarter of 2019. Linux virtual desktops from Citrix will soon be supported on GCP as well. Highly Reliable Application Delivery Keeping users engaged and productive requires organizations to ensure an always-on infrastructure. This can be a challenge in hybrid cloud environments, but with Citrix Workspace for Google Cloud, companies can leverage the powerful combination of Citrix ADC and Citrix SD-WAN to optimize and secure connectivity when transporting applications from GCP or connecting users to those resources. Changing the Game We officially live in a hybrid, multi-cloud world. And it's changing the game for IT. "In the old days, all the apps people needed to do their jobs were on their laptops. Now, some are local, some are in corporate datacenters, some are in the cloud," Henshall said. "In extending Citrix Workspace to Google Cloud, we're giving companies greater flexibility and choice in how they deploy the SaaS, cloud, and web apps their employees need to be engaged and productive and a simple, efficient way to do it." Ironically, well-meaning observers abroad hailed the verdict of the hustings five years ago as a much-needed return to national grassroots. India will never be the same again. Not because vicious vituperation sank to a new low in this election but because the norms of Indian society seem to have changed. We live in an age of irrelevance where Hamleys toys and Rafale fighters matter more than jobs, housing, education, health, medical care and all those other indices of well-being in which we now have to compete even with Bangladesh. Whether its the mystery that still surrounds the murder of Haren Pandya, Gujarats former home minister, or Mukesh Ambanis latest $88.5 million toy or the spat in the three-member Election Commission, the well-springs of thought and action could not be farther removed from what is lovingly thought of as the Indian ideal. Ironically, well-meaning observers abroad hailed the verdict of the hustings five years ago as a much-needed return to national grassroots. Their case was that ruled by the Congress Party and its variants and offshoots since 1947, India still moved on the momentum of the British Raj. Jawaharlal Nehru even described himself (perhaps with a touch of pride?) as the last Englishman to rule India. But his successors also had to work with and through practices and precedents that the British had left behind. The expectation in 2014 was that Narendra Modi would achieve what Atal Behari Vajpayee did not even attempt and create an altogether new narrative to reflect a creative native identity. When we read of new school and college syllabi, of the transformation of existing institutions, of people singled out for promotion or doomed to be discarded, and of bizarre scientific and medical theories, it does sometimes seem as if the prophets were right. But, then, I am reminded of the claim by South African social scientist Sabelo J. Ndlovu-Gatsheni that the post-colonial is yet to be born. As he elaborated, This is because colonialism, if it was ever buried, it was buried alive. In other words, to adapt the old European monarchical chant, The King is dead. Long live the King! Narendra Modi might pay highly publicised visits to Kedarnath and Badrinath and have himself photographed ostentatiously meditating in a cave, but these are not fundamental departures from the past. Modest brass plaques if they havent been robbed or vandalised on the front pews of Christ Church in Shimla reading Viceroy and Commander-in-Chief are reminders that the highest in the land in British India did not neglect the deity they believed in. As the French say, Plus ca change, plus cest la meme chose! The more things change, the more they stay the same. The difference between now and then is not that we have reverted to some authentic indigenous type but that we have made a different selection from the same international smorgasbord that has always been on offer. But whereas the items picked up under the influence of leaders like Nehru were chosen with intelligent and educated care, the selection now reeks of crass wealth and the desperate desire to dazzle. Mr Modis monogrammed coat is not the only example of showmanship, although his sartorial elegance does betray what rightly or wrongly is regarded as the Indian ideal. When he describes himself as a faqir who will pick up his jhola and go, he is tactfully acknowledging the austerity and simplicity that Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi identified with India. Our public interlocutors have become so sycophantic that no one points out the gulf between practice and profession. Pandyas murder and the Gujarat governments decision not to allow the CBI to prosecute D.G. Vanzara, the former deputy inspector-general of police, could be the replication of a passage from the history of Chicago in its years of turbulence. While the chief election commissioner cannot be blamed for not acting as Ashok Lavasa would have had him do, the decision not to acknowledge his dissenting voice violates all democratic procedures. What should cause most concern, however, is not something the government explicitly does but something that it tacitly encourages the crass consumerism that spawns crony capitalism and distorts the liberalisation that P.V. Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh ushered in. The alacrity with which Indians have taken to the capitalist road makes one feel we were all hypocrites when a socialistic pattern of society was supposed to be the model. The Rafale contract indicates that even a major public sector undertaking like Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd must yield to the private sectors profit motive. We live in parlous times. Foreign direct investment is falling. Mr Modis Make in India has had little or no impact. The GDP has declined from 7.8 to 6.5 per cent. Unemployment at 6.1 per cent is higher than it has been in the last 45 years. It has been calculated that a mere one per cent of the population owns 58 per cent of the national wealth while 60 per cent of 1.3 billion Indians languish below the poverty line. Yet, miraculously, the economy has played little part in this election campaign. The official emphasis on security, Pakistan and terrorism has enabled the BJP to distract attention from unsatisfied basic needs. Meanwhile, the purchase by one of the Prime Ministers favourites of Hamleys, the loss-making British toy firm that has been owned in recent years by Icelandic, French and Hong Kong Chinese, must set a new mark for irrelevance. Mukesh Ambani, reputedly Asias richest man, cant be told what to do with his money. Certainly not if brother Anil is allowed to make all those Rafale aircraft. But the question may well be asked: When the ordinary Indian who is still reeling from the impact of demonetisation wants a job, will he be offered a Hamleys toy or a Rafale fighter? One of the main negotiators from the Taliban side is its commander, once imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay. In 2003, then US President George W. Bush ordered the invasion of Iraq in 2003 on bogus accusations of possession of weapons of mass destruction. Yes, the US did topple Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi President, pull him out of his hidey-hole and hang him following a sham of a trial. The WMDs were nowhere to be found. But Iraq was pushed back by half a century and more: its entire infrastructure, including roads, bridges, hospitals, schools and colleges reduced to rubble, along with its priceless heritage! Instead of democracy, the US ushered in total chaos, making millions refugees overnight and, arguably, paving the way for the birth of the Islamic State (ISIS). In Three Trillion Dollar War, Joseph Stiglitz, winner of the Nobel Prize, and Linda Bilmes maintain that the Second Gulf War cost the US economy $3 trillion. Ironically, Iran commands considerable influence in Iraq today. It did not earlier - the two countries had engaged in a nearly-nine-year-long crippling war in the 1980s. The US invaded Afghanistan on October 7, 2001, in its much-vaunted Operation Enduring Freedom. Yet now, the US is desperately seeking an agreement with the Taliban to ensure a smooth exit from the country. One of the main negotiators from the Taliban side is its commander, once imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay. Neither Hussein nor Muammar Gaddafi of Libya nor Bashar al-Assad, President of Syria, are known as paragons of democracy and human rights. But for ordinary citizens, there was law and order, essentials were available in the market, people could go to their workplaces, children could go to schools and robberies were unheard of, while they were in office. For their own reasons, these three heads of state never allowed the Muslim Brotherhood, Al Qaeda and ISIS to gain a foothold in their territory. Following the United Nations and US sanctions, Gaddafi sought to have close relations with America. On December 19, 2003, he gave up his nuclear ambitions. He did get a pat on the back from Mr Bush, but disarmed and a decade later, met a brutal end. If he were to be watching now how the young North Korean President Kim Jong-un outsmarted Mr Trump in the nuclear discussions, Gaddafi would be regretting that decision. Today, Libya has virtually no government, its different parts controlled by various militias, and Tripoli is one of most unsafe places on earth! Syria, too, has become the site of a proxy war between the US, Saudi Arabia and the UAE and Russia, China and Iran. Mr Assad escaped the fate of Gaddafi thanks to the intervention of the latter. The remnants of ISIS are alive and kicking. The recent church massacres in Sri Lanka are proof of that reality. US President Donald Trump's declaration of total collapse of the ISIS has been as premature as Bush's "Mission Accomplished" in May 2003. The moving of USS Abraham Lincoln, the aircraft-carrier strike group, to the Gulf, the rhetoric of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, orchestrated reports of Iran cheating on its nuclear programme, sabotage of a Saudi oil tanker, the alleged drone attack on a Saudi oil pipeline by the pro-Iranian Houthi tribe in Yemen and withdrawal of non-essential staff from Iraq by foreign oil companies have built up tensions in the region. When a rocket landed near the US embassy in Baghdad, reversing his earlier soft tone, Mr Trump raised the ante warning Iran that another such attack will be its official end. But Iranian foreign minister Zavad Zarif paid him back in kind, tweeting: Trump hopes to achieve what Alexander, Genghis and others aggressors failed to do. Is Mr Trump getting ready to sit down with Iranians for face-to-face negotiations as he did with Mr Kim in Singapore after threatening at a UN meet to destroy his country? In any case, the American commitment to South Korea and Japan rules out any punitive action against North Korea. Some observers including The New York Times feel Mr Trump is indulging in characteristic brinkmanship. It's a dangerous game. He is presumably being egged on by national security adviser John Bolton, secretary of state Mike Pompeo and vice-president Mike Pence just as Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld and Paul Wolfowitz influenced Mr Bush in 2003. But Mr Trump is the most openly pro-Israel US President so far. One should not be surprised if, instead of mounting a direct attack, he turns a blind eye to Israel doing the dirty job. With its superior military power, defeating Iran is not difficult. Still, is there a guarantee that the regime that will succeed will be pro-US? It hasn't happened in Iraq, Afghanistan or Libya. The words of Senator Chris Murphy, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counter-Terrorism, and Representative Jim Himes, a member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, are worth pondering: Take one look at the chaos in Libya, Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan and it's hard to imagine why any American leader would be itching to put the United States into another foreign war. But that's what could be happening right now, as the hawkish advisers to President Donald Trump walk us towards conflict with Iran. Americans raise their voices against another disastrous Middle Eastern conflict. Both have demanded that President Trump briefs Congress on the situation in an open and transparent manner, pointing out that the Constitution grants war-making authority solely to Congress, not the Oval Office. They also highlight the authorisation for the use of military force that Congress passed in 2001 against Al Qaeda does not authorise hostilities against Iran, no matter how much Pompeo would like to link Iran and Al Qaeda. Speaker Nancy Pelosi insists Mr Trump has no congressional authorisation to wage war against Iran. But does he care? China and Russia, who coordinated their stand against the US in Syria, along with France, Germany and the United Kingdom, all signatories to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (the Iran deal), should collectively pressure the US not to precipitate a crisis. As over six million of its citizens live in the Gulf, India, too, should be worried. With good relations with the US, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Israel, the next Prime Minister can exert a calming influence in the region. Intel Corp, Qualcomm Inc, Xilinx Inc and Broadcom Inc have all now told their employees they will not supply Huawei until further notice. Huawei, which is the worlds largest supplier of telecom networking equipment, is at the center of trade tensions between Beijing and Washington. (Photo: AP) Apple Face ID parts supplier Lumentum Holdings Inc followed Google on Monday in clamping down on the business it does with Huawei Technologies after US President Donald Trump imposed a ban on the Chinese firm on national security grounds. A source told Reuters on Sunday that Google had suspended business with Huawei that requires the transfer of hardware, software and technical services, except those publicly available via open source licensing. That was the first major outcome following Trumps decision late last week and sent shock-wave coursing through the chip industry globally, weakening shares of partners of the Chinese firm. While most US suppliers have yet to issue statements on their position on the Huawei ban, Bloomberg reported that Intel Corp, Qualcomm Inc, Xilinx Inc and Broadcom Inc have all now told their employees they will not supply Huawei until further notice. Xilinx said the company was aware of the Denial Order issued by the US Department of Commerce and is cooperating. Other companies did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment. Shares in the companies were lower across the board and analysts said the fallout was likely to exceed that around a ban last year on another big Chinese supplier, ZTE. The US companies have risk. We saw it with ZTE. Those with more exposure to Huawei are companies like Skyworks, Qualcomm, and Seagate, said Chaim Siegel, an analyst with Elazar Advisors. Theres risk ahead though not just for these companies but as China and the US take the gloves off, the rest of tech. Huawei, which is the worlds largest supplier of telecom networking equipment, is at the centre of trade tensions between Beijing and Washington. The United States has said its gear could be used by China to spy on Americans, allegations the Chinese company has repeatedly denied. Huawei said on Monday it would support its smartphones and tablets by providing security updates and services, after the ban by Google, owned by Alphabet Inc. But the firm did not say what would happen with phones it sells in the future, which are unlikely to have access to Googles popular services, including Gmail, YouTube and maps unless a special licence is obtained. Lumentum, seen in the industry as a major supplier of Apple Incs Face ID technology, said it was halting shipments to Huawei and cannot predict when it would be able to resume them. It said Huawei represented 18 per cent of its total revenue in its last reported quarter and cut its forecast for fourth-quarter revenue to between USD 375 million and USD 390 million from a previous USD 405 million to USD 425 million. Peers such as Neophotonics, Macom Technology Solutions Holdings Inc and Inphi Corp also get more than 10 per cent of their revenue supplying optical components for Huawei phones. If Chinas ZTE is not blacklisted by the US, vendors can shift to ZTE as a network equipment conduit to the China telecomms, D.A. Davidson analyst Mark Kelleher said. If ZTE is added to the list, the supply chain will be impacted. Almost half of the 208 million phones Huawei shipped in 2018 went outside mainland China, and Europe is the most important overseas market where its devices had a 29 per cent market share in the first quarter of 2019, technology research firm IDC says. The Google loss was likely to cost Huawei all of its smartphone sales outside China as device purchasing is now almost entirely driven by the ecosystem, said another industry analyst, Richard Windsor. Huawei will not lose access to Android itself, which is open source, but Android devices outside of China must offer access to Google services in order to have any prospect of being sold, Windsor added. Google said its Google Play app store and the security protections from Google Play Protect would continue to function on existing Huawei devices. As well as restrictions on the software running its devices, Huawei faces the prospect of losing access to some of the US hardware suppliers it needs to produce its technology. Founder and chief executive Ren Zhengfei said on Saturday that Huaweis growth may slow, but only slightly due to the US restrictions and that it would be fine even if Qualcomm and other American suppliers would not sell it chips. Huaweis chip arm HiSilicon had been secretly developing back-up products for years in anticipation of the unlikely scenario that Huawei may one day be unable to obtain advanced chips and technology from the United States, President He Tingbo said in a letter to staff dated May 17. In a speech at Scotland Yard, UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid warned British nationals to leave conflict-ridden territories. Other exemptions have been written into the legislation, passed by the UK Parliament last month. (Representational Photo) London: The UK government on Monday announced a fresh crackdown on its nationals travelling to ISIS territory in Syria as it revealed that Britain's security forces had foiled 19 major terror attacks in the past two years. In a speech on national security at Scotland Yard headquarters in London, UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid warned British nationals to leave conflict-ridden territories or risk a jail term of up to 10 years, effectively imposing a ban on travel to Idlib and the northeast of Syria under new powers to tackle suspected terrorists. "Each and every day, our security services fight against terror - from large international terrorist groups, to radicalised individuals. In the past two years, they have foiled 19 major terrorist attacks - 14 of them Islamist, and five of them motivated by extreme right-wing ideologies," said Mr Javid, the UK's senior-most Pakistani-origin minister. "And despite this impressive work, the tempo of terrorist activity is increasing," he warned. Laying out details of the UK's new Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act, he unveiled powers to "designate" a region anywhere in the world and make it an offence for British nationals to be there. He said: "I've asked my officials to work closely with CT (Counter-Terrorism) policing and intelligence agencies to urgently review the case for exercising this power in relation to Syria, with a particular focus on Idlib and the North East." "So, anyone who is in these areas without a legitimate reason should be on notice. I can also see that there may be a case in the future for considering designating parts of West Africa." The Act follows the high-profile case of Bangladeshi-origin British schoolgirl Shamima Begum, who had travelled to the ISIS-controlled region over four years ago before discovery in a detention camp earlier this year. She has since been stripped of her British citizenship and her London-based family has launched a legal bid to bring her back. "Deprivation is never a step that is taken lightly...When we assess that someone poses a real threat, we will work to stop them from returning. Sometimes to do that I have to deprive people of their British nationality," said Mr Javid. If the Syrian regions are designated under the new UK act, Britons detained by the Syrian Defence Forces will be deemed unable to leave and return to the UK. A person already in a designated area at the time of designation will not commit an offence if they leave the area within one month of such an order being made. Other exemptions have been written into the legislation, passed by the UK Parliament last month, to protect those who have a legitimate reason for being in a designated area or conducting research online, such as journalists. As part of a package of security measures, Mr Javid also announced the appointment of Barrister Jonathan Hall as the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation. "With the threat from terrorism continuing to evolve and diversify, it is vital we have robust oversight to ensure our counter-terrorism laws are fair, necessary and proportionate," said Mr Javid. As part of the new role, Hall will be required to provide an annual report on his findings which the government must lay before Parliament and publish. The minister stressed on the need for a global effort to fight terror as groups like Al Qaeda and ISIS continue to pose a threat. He said: "Of all the terrorist plots thwarted by the UK and our Western allies last year, 80 per cent were planned by people inspired by the ideology of Daesh (ISIS), but who had never actually been in contact with the so-called Caliphate. And just as its fighters were drawn from every corner of the world, including too many Brits, we have taken an international response to this menace." Mr Javid's speech also revealed a planned crackdown on hostile spying activity, with plans in the works for foreign spies to add their names to a register as part of a new Espionage Bill. "I have also asked my officials to consider the case for updating treason laws. Our definition of terrorism is probably broad enough to cover those who betray our country by supporting terror abroad. But if updating the old offence of treason would help us to counter hostile state activity, then there is merit in considering that too," he said. Taco Bell is Opening a Hotel and Resort Heres Your Chance to Spend the Night in a Taco Bell Hotel If your dream vacation involves a Chalupa Cravings Box or a Cheesy Gordita Crunch Combo, Taco Bells new hotel and resort might be the ultimate getaway. RELATED: 10 Healthy Fast-Food Options Well, it isnt exactly spending the night in a Taco Bell, but the Mexican fast food restaurant brand is planning on taking over a hotel and resort in Palm Springs, California for a limited time. Per its website, taco-lovers lucky enough to stay at Hotel Taco Bell, will have access to perks such as a gift shop with Taco Bell-themed clothes, an on-site salon where you can get Taco Bell nail art and hair styling services, Bell hops and Baja Blasts, and Fire Sauce and Sauce Packet floaties. The Bell: A Taco Bell Hotel and Resort also comes with iconic flavors and an intro to new menu surprises only to those who stay at the hotel. According to Marisa Thalberg, the Bells chief brand officer, the idea for the Taco Bell hotel is meant to be all in good fun, but it does aspire to be an unparalleled experience. I have often quipped that Taco Bell is the fast fashion of food, said Thalberg in an interview. We have our everyday classics, but then were always introducing these cool limited-edition experiences to do something new and different. Vacationers 18+ and older can make reservations as early as June to stay in Taco Bells hotel starting in August. However, if social media is any indication, the rooms will likely fill up fast. Taco Bell is opening a resort hotel. Yes, this is really happening. All my dreams have just come true! Now I have a place to go on vacation. #tacohaven Bill (@wire0523) May 16, 2019 If Taco Bell plays this right with their new hotel, it could be amazing! Make an upscale restaurant with 3 shells in the bathrooms, and I'm in! pic.twitter.com/X9EyRbVvhC Critik (@critikle) May 17, 2019 scrapping all future vacation plans in favor of the taco bell hotel & resort pic.twitter.com/egkKvIQqfl Bobby Lewis (@revrrlewis) May 17, 2019 My mood when those @tacobell hotel reservations open up! pic.twitter.com/0lvjLc7d57 Erika Barderea (@ErikaBardere) May 17, 2019 This isnt the first time Taco Bell has offered taco-related experiences. You can also plan a Taco Bell-themed wedding in Las Vegas for $600, with more than 165 weddings already registered. And as far as spending the night with Taco Bell? In 2016, four people won overnight stays at a Taco Bell Airbnb in Taco Bell Canadas SteakCation. You Might Also Dig: The last week has seen a flurry of activity with the D-Day Squadron as crews prepared for the final push to get their Douglas transport planes to Europe to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. Coordinated by our very own Moreno Aguiari, fourteen of the fifteen aircraft that form the D-Day Squadron are now on the way to Europe following a fabulous few days in Oxford, Connecticut where the crews continued to practice together and continue with their safety training. The highlight of their time in Oxford was likely the 9 ship formation flypast down the Hudson river and around the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor on May 18th. The aircraft that form the D-Day Squadron are as follows 1 C-47A-40-DL Skytrain 42-24064 Placid Lassie N74589 Lead Aircraft 2 C-53-DO Skytrooper 42-47371 Spirit of Benovia N8336C 3 C-53-DO Skytrooper 42-68830 D-Day Doll N45366 4 C-47-DL Skytrain 42-32833 Legend Airways Liberty N25641 5 C-47A-60-DL 43-30647 Virginia Ann N62CC 6 C-47B-5-DK 43-48608 Betsys Biscuit Bomber N47SJ 7 C-47A-30-DL 42-23669/FD879 Flabob Express N103NA 8 C-47B-1-DL 43-16340 Pan Am N877MG 9 C-47A-60-DL 43-30665 Miss Virginia N47E 10 C-41A 40-0070 Hap-Penstance N341A 11 C-47A-90-DL 43-15731 Miss Montana N24320 12 C-47B-50-DK 45-1108 Clipper Tabitha May N33611 13 C-47A-15-DK 42-92847 Thats All, Brother N47TB 14 DC-3-201/C-49G 42-56631 N18121 15 C-47-DL 41-18401 101st Airborne Tribute N150D For the individual aircraft profiles, please click our story HERE. Four aircraft left early (Clipper Tabitha May, Hap-Hastance, 101st Airborne Tribute and the un-named DC-3/C-49G), to follow the Blue Spruce ferry route, from Gander, Newfoundland, to Narsasauq, Greenland, to Reykjavik, Iceland, to Prestwick, Scotland, and from there to England and then Continental Europe. Five further aircraft left their temporary home in Oxford, Connecticut on Saturday May 18th (Thats AllBrother, Placid Lassie, Spirit of Benovia, Legend Airways Liberty and Miss Virginia), with another five on Sunday (Virginia Ann, Betsys Biscuit Bomber, Flabob Express, D-Day Doll, and PanAm). The lone straggler, Miss Montana, was late to leave home due to bad weather, but she is now in Oxford, CT, and will leave on Wednesday doubtless to catch up with the others sometime soon. The video below shows five of the aircraft preparing to leave Oxford, CT on Sunday, May 19th. A video of the aircraft on a refueling stop in Presque Isle, Maine prior to heading to Goose Bay. Moreno Aguiari following arrival in Goose Bay, Newfoundland aboard Pan Am. Aguiari flew a couple of hours on this leg with John Sessions. As of writing, the first four to leave have started arriving in England. Five aircraft had reached Reykjavik, Iceland (Thats AllBrother, Placid Lassie, Spirit of Benovia, Legend Airways Liberty and Miss Virginia), with five others temporarily weathered in at Goose Bay (Virginia Ann, Betsys Biscuit Bomber, Flabob Express, D-Day Doll, and PanAm). Here are a few of Mos photos from Goose Bay He has been flying aboard John Sessions C-47 Pan Am, and piloted part of yesterdays leg too! More updates will follow soon! In what is definitely a career-making moment, a Utah Highway Patrol trooper out in traffic noticed a car tailgating another and failing to signal a lane change, KSL reports. This happened on April 25 on I-15 near Cedar City, Utah, but details of the bust have been made public only now.The trooper summoned the driver to pull over and immediately noticed that both him and his passenger were too nervous for a routine traffic stop. This led to a search of the vehicle with the K-9 drug unit and, in turn, this led to the discovery of a whopping 15 pounds of methamphetamine.The driver was very nervous and could hardly speak while I was talking to him, the trooper wrote in the report. A probable cause search revealed 15 one-pound packages of methamphetamine. Fourteen packages were found in a diaper box on the back seat and one package was found under the driver's seat. The street value of the drugs discovered in the car are $670,000. This case will likely go federal.The 2 men, identified as Eduardo Soltero-Estrada and Jose Luis Casillas-Cervantes, told the trooper they were on their way to Colorado after spending a week in California and a couple of days in Las Vegas with family. As for how that insane amount of drugs landed in their car, they came up with one of the oldest excuses in the book: Ive never seen that before, officer![They claimed] they went to a movie theater [while in California], the search warrant affidavit obtained by the publication notes. He stated that when they came out of the movie theater that the box containing the drugs had been left on the back seat of the vehicle.Both men have been charged with felony drug distribution. That initial minor traffic offense is now the least of their problems. SUV This week though, Cupra released several photos showing the concept on an actual road, showing a glimpse of a future with the new nameplate in it. The location chosen for the photo shoot was Cap de Formentor in Mallorca, Spain, the place from where the car gets its names.Well probably have a lot more occasion to see the Formentor In various settings by the end, as the production version of the car is not scheduled for market launch before 2020.When it is available to be driven by actual customers, the Formentor is supposed to be a revolution for SEAT and Cupra. Powered by a plug-in hybrid power, thedelivers 245 ps of power and up to 31 miles (50 km) of travel in pure electric mode. Something the two Spanish companies never had before.Design-wise, Cupra went for an SUV with a lowered stance, as a means to highlight its sportiness, and tried as much as possible to draw the eye toward the rear of the car. Judging by what we get to see in the photos released today, designers seem to have achieved their purpose.Theres no official word on how much of the concept well be getting in next years production version, but chances are a lot.The Cupra brand separated from SEAT in early 2018, being tasked, just as before, with developing high-performance vehicles. Only this time, being a standalone nameplate allows it to have its own cars, rather than just tweaking the ones with the big S badge. His attorneys silly argument didnt convince the judge: Ashley Evans, 28, from Splott, Cardiff, U.K., got a 3-year sentence behind bars for the accident he caused earlier this month, the Daily Mail reports. He also got a proper tell-off from the judge, who ripped him a new one for even thinking that he was a decent human being.Considering the events of that day, its no wonder. At the time, Evans had 6 previous convictions for driving while disqualified and was actually still serving the most recent sentence. The fact that he did not have a valid drivers license didnt stop him from treating himself to a new car, which he took for a spin.Evans had a friend pick up the red Vauxhall Astra and, the next day after that, ran over the 6-year-old, as she was lying defenseless in a parking lot, after shed fallen off her scooter. The Mail has video of the accident.When Evans stopped the car, the girl was still wedged under the car. A taxi driver came rushing and other passers-by intervened to help him lift the back of the car, so they could free the girl. She suffered broken legs, a broken pelvis and a fractured collarbone, and is still recovering in the hospital as we speak.After Evans ran her over even though she was in the middle of the road and could easily be observed, he did the most cowardly thing: he took advantage of the confusion around the victim and fled. He turned himself later to the police, when he was contacted by the officers, and charged with causing serious injury while driving while disqualified, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and failing to stop.He pleaded guilty to all charges but his attorney still argued that he was a good man, one who had learned from this incident to actually take the driving bans for what they are: driving. The judge didnt buy it.The defendant described himself in his letter to the court as a good person. I am afraid his record rather belies that, the judge said. You ran her over and dragged her a short distance beneath the car. You drove the car away without remaining at the scene. Your behavior was cowardly and inhuman.Evans was sentenced to 3 years in jail and got another 5-year driving ban. Should he wish to get behind the wheel when its over, he will have to pass an extended re-test. Of course, there are plenty of answers that would determined one to steer clear of brewing a Porsche at home. Then again, the wacky builders over at Garage 54 have a different idea, as they've already set out to bring such a contraption to life.The said aficionados come from Russia, so they didn't need to do too much research when it came to the donor car. What do you mean you're not sure what I'm on about? A Lada was chosen for the job.The project is still in its infancy and, as you'll notice in the piece of footage at the bottom of the page, the Russian crew has recently came up with mockup and not the kind Bugatti pulled off when introducing the La Voiture Noire at this year's Geneva Motor Show.Instead, the body panels, wheels and roof of the Boxster were placed together next to the Lada base car.However, we have plenty of reasons to believe the said garage will deliver on its promise. After all, these guys have quite a thing for Lada builds.For instance, they are the team behind the 16-cylinder Lada "dragster" , while these gear heads have also brought us the insane Niva 6x6 So now that the project is on my radar, I'll come up with an update as soon as I get my hands on fresh details, which should happen in the next few weeks. The announcement of Laudas death was made on Monday night by his family, who said the drivers passing had been peaceful and in the presence of his family.With deep sadness, we announce that our beloved Niki has peacefully passed away with his family on Monday, May 20, 2019, the family said in a statement.His unique achievements as an athlete and entrepreneur are and will remain unforgettable, his tireless zest for action, his straightforwardness and his courage remain.Niki Lauda was born on February 22, 1949 in Vienna, Austria and he indulged himself in motorsports from a young age, contrary to his familys wishes.After racing for a few years in minor European competitions, Lauda made his way into Formula 2 racing in 1971 as part of the March Engineering team. He was quickly bumped into the main series the next year.In 1974, Lauda signed with Ferrari , scoring his first Grand Prix win in Spain four races into that season. The following year, Lauda managed to earn his first title of world champion.In 1976, Lauda was involved in one of the most horrific crashes in Formula 1 history, one that would leave his scared for life. At that years German Grand Prix at the Nurburgring, his car swerved off the track and into an embankment, catching fire. Trapped in the car, Lauda suffered severe burns to his head.Despite the ordeal, Lauda managed to recover and came back to win another F1 title in 1977. His third and last title came in 1984.After ending his Formula 1 career in 1985, Lauda went to become a businessman, owner of his own airline. On May 26, 1991, one of his planes, a Boeing 767, crashed in Thailand killing all 223 passengers and crew on board.In 2006, Lauda said in an interview with The Guardian that the worst time of his life was not the period following the Nurburgring accident, but the one following the Boeing crash. 4WD SUV Adding to the confusion, the Colorado from Thailand is different from the Colorado that Chevrolet sells in the United States. But thats a story for another time and another place.Turning our attention back to the Trailblazer, it appears that General Motors is testing a prototype of either the next generation or the second mid-cycle refresh. Considering the Trailblazer is also related to the Isuzu MU-X from 2013, were expecting a successor rather than a facelift.General Motors has an all-new Blazer in the United States and an all-new Trailblazer in China , and looking at the bigger picture, crossovers and SUVs reign supreme. The Holden-branded Trailblazer in Australia slots above the Equinox, and as far as pricing is concerned, the LT 4x4 with the 2.8-liter turbo diesel and six-speed auto is 47,990 dollars.The LTZ and Z71 feature the same engine and transmission, and pricing tops in the ballpark of 55,000 dollars. Codenamed A 428, the 2.8-liter four-cylinder powerplant is a VM Motori design that used to be found in the Chrysler Voyager and Grand Voyager, Jeep Cherokee, Liberty, and Wrangler, Dodge Nitro, BMC Megastar, and Maxus T60 from SAIC Motor in China.Thanks to shift-on-the-flyand the torquey engine, the Trailblazer also happens to be capable off the beaten path. The tires on the prototype bring the point home, but on the other hand, the interior appears to be plusher than before.Over in America, the Trailblazer is also offered under the Chevrolet brand in places such as Brazil. As opposed to the mid-sizefrom Australia, the Brazilian model is also available with a 3.6-liter V6 from the High Feature engine family. On that note, General Motors markets the 2.8 under the Duramax brand despite the fact this engine doesnt come out of Moraine, Ohio from DMAX. Palmdale, CA (93550) Today Windy with periods of rain. High 44F. Winds SW at 25 to 35 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 32F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. 25 McDonald's employees have filed sexual harassment charges against their employer, as announced on Tuesday by the ACLU, the labor group Fight for $15 and TIMES UP Legal Defense Fund, NBC reports. The big picture: These new complaints and lawsuits indicate a growing problem in McDonald's restaurants. Last year, the fast-food chain's employees in 8 states filed complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), alleging they faced sexual harassment, lewd comments and retaliation on the job. Details: The new charges include "claims of groping, indecent exposure, propositions for sex, and lewd comments by supervisors," per NBC. One attorney said that some of the workers coming forward with complaints of sexual harassment were as young as 16 or 17 at the time of the incidents. Young workforces are more vulnerable to harassment, according to the EEOC. McDonald's reports that "the average age of an 'hourly-paid' employee is 20." The bottom line: McDonald's claims it is developing anti-harassment measures, but employees at Tuesday's announcement said they have seen no evidence of any changes. Workers are demanding that the company "sit down with them to chart a path forward to end sexual harassment at the company's restaurants once and for all," according to a TIME'S UP press release on Tuesday. Go deeper: McDonald's workers say #MeToo in nationwide strike Over the years, Walmart's bosses have invited dozens of A-listers, including Justin Timberlake, Jamie Foxx and Carly Rae Jepsen, to its annual shareholders' meeting in Bentonville, Arkansas. This year, workers, who are attending the meeting to lobby for higher pay and better benefits, invited their own guest: Sen. Bernie Sanders. Why it matters: In the 1980s, Walmart was the archvillain of capitalism. Now, Amazon has largely taken its place, fielding most of the criticism from political candidates and academics for its size and influence. But Walmart, which is still far bigger by sales volume than Amazon, is starting to creep back into the debate. Details: Sanders is attending the June 5 meeting to stand with workers as they introduce a proposal asking for a seat on the company's board for hourly workers. Last year, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon made $23.6 million. That's 1,076 times more than the median salary of hourly workers, which was $22,000, according to a Washington Post analysis of company filings. Sanders told the Post: "If hourly workers at Walmart were well represented on its board, I doubt you would see the CEO of Walmart making over a thousand times more than its average worker." Walmart told Axios: "The company will respond to specific shareholder proposals once they are formally presented. ... If Sen. Sanders attends, we hope he will approach his visit not as a campaign stop, but as a constructive opportunity to learn about the many ways were working to provide increased economic opportunity, mobility and benefits to our associates." Go deeper: Walmart wants to be the anti-Amazon California sued to block the Trump administration from pulling $929 million for a statewide high-speed rail project on Tuesday, describing the funding cancellation as political retribution for California's resistance to President Trump's immigration policies, reports NBC. Why it matters: California Gov. Gavin Newsom has previously sparred with Trump, but this move is consistent with how the president tries to reprimand leaders of left-leaning states, per the Washington Post. This is Californias money, appropriated by Congress, and we will vigorously defend it in court. Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement Context: The Trump administration officially canceled the funding for the transit project on May 16 and has long been against the project, per the Washington Post. The U.S. Department of Transportation said California hadn't made any "reasonable progress" to merit continued funding, per the Washington Post. Details: California has also requested a temporary restraining order on the nearly $1 billion in funding so the federal government can't allocate it to other projects. The transit plan was announced in February, designed to connect Los Angeles and San Francisco. The Australian man accused of killing 51 people in 2 New Zealand mosques faces fresh charges including engaging in a terrorist act, Christchurch police said in a statement Tuesday. Details: Police said they also filed 1 additional charge of murder and 2 more of attempted murder against Brenton Harrison Tarrant, 28. That brings the total number of murder and attempted murder charges to 51 and 40, respectively. The death toll from the Christchurch shootings rose to 51 after a Turkish national died of his injuries this month. Why it matters: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called the suspect a terrorist soon after the March 15 shootings. But this is the first charge filed that alleges a terrorist act was carried out in the South Island's most populous city. It'll be a test case of a 2002 terrorism law, brought in after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the U.S., per AP. What's next? Tarrant, a self-proclaimed white supremacist who was ordered by a judge to undergo a psychiatric assessment to determine his fitness to stand trial, is due to face court on June 14. Go deeper: 1 big thing: The climate-change disconnect More people around the world say theyre worried about climate change but that concern is not translating into a willingness to pay more for energy or vote for candidates supporting aggressive action on the issue. Driving the news: At least 3 recent developments show this stark disconnect... Australians voted against politicians campaigning on addressing climate change in their national elections last weekend. This is despite polling showing desire for immediate action at 61%, a near record high and close to where it was a decade ago. Washington state voters rejected for the second time a proposal to price carbon emissions in the 2018 midterm elections. Washington is one of Americas most liberal states and polling shows a record-high 45% of Americans say climate change is a serious problem and supports immediate action. Protests in Paris over high gasoline and diesel costs compelled the French government to scrap increases that were part of its climate agenda. This is despite 83% of the French population saying climate change is a threat to their country, up from 54% in 2013. My thought bubble: Expressed concern doesnt necessarily equate to action. Just ask someone worried about eating right and exercising enough but who doesnt actually make it to the gym or opt for salad over fries. But, but, but: Exceptions exist to this rule, just like there are people who exercise regularly and eat healthy. Australias former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who doesnt acknowledge the scientific consensus on climate change, lost his parliament seat in a wealthy Sydney suburb where people did appear to vote their concern about climate change. Some U.S. states are addressing the issue, such as Washington, which recently passed a clean-electricity bill after its carbon tax proposal failed. California is one of the few economies in the world tackling the climate impacts of a broad swath of its economy. What were watching: Whether this disconnect just needs more time to, well, connect, as warmings impacts worsen and the cost of addressing the problem drops as clean-energy technologies become more affordable. Or, whether itll never connect with enough voters for big action. Whats next: This years re-election campaign of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be interesting to watch as it's shaped by debate on climate change and the newly installed carbon tax. Go deeper Dozens of Taylor University faculty members and graduating students walked out moments before Vice President Mike Pence gave a commencement address about standing up for traditional Christian beliefs Saturday, the Indianapolis Star first reported. Details: A petition expressing dissent at Taylor University for giving Pence a platform was signed by more than 8,000 people. It said the move made the institution, staff and students "complicit in the Trump-Pence Administration's policies, which we believe are not consistent with the Christian ethic of love." Most of the 494 Christian liberal arts school graduates remained seated during the planned protest, according to Fox News. Go deeper: Pence to Christian students: Prepare for persecution from secular left Due to atrophy at home and competition abroad, the U.S. nuclear industry is increasingly at risk of losing power plants, workforce talent and global business. Why it matters: The civilian and military nuclear sectors depend on one another, and both are strategic assets vital to national security. Nuclear energy also eases the path to decarbonizing the U.S. electric grid. Context: Prospective employment in the civilian nuclear power sector is a core incentive to academic training and military careers in nuclear energy. This supply chain of expertise is at least as essential as the material inputs. U.S. exports of nuclear technology are part of a diplomatic strategy that establishes trade agreements with foreign countries pursuant to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act of 1978. Nuclear energy constitutes the majority of low-carbon electricity generation in the U.S., at just under 20% of the overall domestic energy mix for electricity. Where it stands: The U.S. has lost 6 nuclear energy plants since 2013, while 9 more are planned to close in the next decade. Nuclear power faces stiff competition from cheaper fuels like natural gas, solar and wind, while its reliability, resilience and zero-carbon footprint go undervalued. Meanwhile, foreign state-owned nuclear companies can outcompete U.S. firms. Russia and China are building more than 60% of the worlds new nuclear plants, with significant state support. Whats happening: Some states are incorporating nuclear energy into their clean energy portfolio standards to prevent plant closures. Congress recently passed 2 bills to encourage advanced nuclear technologies and a third was introduced in March. Yes, but: Stronger legislation could help the industry by incentivizing more innovation and easing the permitting processes. A carbon fee of $15 per ton that increases 5% a year (in real-dollar terms) could support the current fleet and even encourage new plant construction by 2050, according to the Energy Information Agency. A $25 baseline would yield even greater benefits. Small modular reactors and generation IV technologies promise to reduce waste, shorten construction times and decrease proliferation and safety risks. These innovations could lower costs but would likely require government investment. The bottom line: If more of Americas nuclear power plants shutter over the coming decade, the U.S. could see further erosion of both its international influence and the industrial-scientific base critical to future innovation. The authors are with the Atlantic Councils Global Energy Center, where Randolph Bell is director, Jennifer T. Gordon is deputy director and Robert F. Ichord Jr. is a senior fellow. Go deeper: Read the Atlantic Council report on the U.S. nuclear industry's strategic challenges. Maine's lobster exports to China have plummeted following punitive tariffs placed on a variety of U.S. goods, Maine International Trade Center data reveals. Details: Before the tariffs were enforced in July 2018, Maine was forecast to have a record year, with $87 million of lobster expected to export through mid-2018 nearly double the year prior. Maine's ability to compete with Canadian lobster exporters has since dwindled, though the industry continues to aggressively pursue other markets to recoup some of the financial burden from the U.S.-China trade war. "It's gone from very regular large-scale relationships, to very opportunistic," Sheila Adams, the vice president of sales and marketing for Maine Coast Lobster, told SeafoodSource. Go deeper: China will raise tariffs on $60 billion of U.S. goods More than 170 U.S. shoe companies including Nike, Adidas and Steve Madden signed onto a letter with the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America to warn President Trump of "catastrophic" repercussions in the industry if the U.S.-China trade war continues. Why it matters: The letter argues that Trump's proposed 25% tariff on footwear would cause "unfathomable" effects and could cost American customers an extra $7 billion a year, despite the president's incorrect assertion that tariffs are paid by China directly into the U.S. Treasury. The companies ask Trump to "bring this trade war to an end." Go deeper: Trump's newest tariff threat could raise iPhone, Nike shoe prices A court in Yerevan confirmed on Tuesday that it has suspended Robert Kocharians trial because of what it called a possible contradiction between the Armenian constitution and coup charges brought against the former president. In a decision posted on an official website, the judge presiding over the trial, Davit Grigorian, cited a suspicion of discrepancy between three articles of the constitution and prosecutors claims that Kocharian illegally seized power in the wake of the February 2008 presidential election. He said he has therefore asked the Constitutional Court to pass judgment on that suspicion. What is more, Grigorian suggested that the constitution gives Kocharian immunity from prosecution in connection with the post-election violence of March 1-2, 2008, which left eight opposition protesters and two policemen dead. The judge formally made the decision on Monday one week after the start of Kocharians trial and two days after ordering the ex-presidents release from jail pending a court verdict in the high-profile case. The order angered many political allies and supporters of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, who hold Kocharian responsible for the 2008 bloodshed. At Pashinians urging, they blocked the entrances to court buildings across the country on Monday. The protests ended shortly after Pashinian held an emergency meeting with senior state officials to announce a surgical intervention in the Armenian judiciary which he said remains closely linked to the countrys corrupt former leaders. In particular, the premier called for a mandatory vetting of all judges and said many of them should quit even before the start of such a process. Judge Grigorians decision to refer the case to the Constitutional Court was condemned by lawyers representing relatives of the protesters killed in March 2008. They complained that he did not hear their arguments before deciding to suspend the trial. One of the lawyers, Vahe Grigorian (no relation to the judge), said the Constitutional Court cannot take up the case because he and his colleague Seda Safarian are legally unable to appeal against the judges decision. Safarian denied any contradiction between the constitutional provisions and an article of the Criminal Code used against Kocharian as well as three other indicted former officials. She also dismissed the district court judges claim about Kocharians immunity from prosecution. Article 140 of the constitution says: During the term of his or her powers and thereafter, the President of the Republic may not be prosecuted and subjected to liability for actions deriving from his or her status. Law-enforcement authorities have said that this clause does not apply to Kocharian because his actions in February-March 2008 were illegal. Safarian likewise asserted that they didnt stem from his status. The judges argument is that Kocharian acted as president of the republic, not as a private individual, even assuming that his post-election crackdown on the opposition was unlawful. Kocharians lawyers have made the same point. One of them, Hovannes Khudoyan, welcomed Judge Grigorians controversial decision. Under Armenian law, the Constitutional Court has one month to decide whether to hold hearings and rule on the judges appeal. Armenias Office of the Prosecutor-General did not react to the development as of Tuesday evening. A spokesperson for the law-enforcement agency told RFE/RLs Armenian service that it has not yet received a copy of the decision. The prosecutors pledged over the weekend to appeal against Kocharians release from custody. Justice Minister Artak Zeynalian on Tuesday declined to comment on Mondays blockade of Armenias courts initiated by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian. This was a political process and I wont rush to make evaluations for now, Zeynalian told reporters. Asked whether he would have resigned if he had disapproved of the protests staged by government supporters outside the courts, Zeynalian replied: I wont answer this question. Pashinian urged supporters to block the entrances to all court buildings following a Yerevan courts decision to order the release of his bitter foe and former President Robert Kocharian from custody. He said they would thus help to establish the peoples power over the judiciary which he accused of retaining close ties with the former corrupt system. Armenias leading opposition groups denounced Pashinians initiative was as unconstitutional. Human rights ombudsman Arman Tatoyan and the head of the national lawyers association also criticized it. Later on Monday, Pashinian demanded a mandatory vetting of all judges. He said many of them must resign even before the start of such a process because they are not trusted by the public. A spokesperson for the Supreme Judicial Council overseeing the Armenian courts told RFE/RLs Armenian service that none of the countrys 234 judges tendered their resignation by Tuesday afternoon. Zeynalian stressed the need for an urgent reform of Armenias judicial system which has long suffered from corruption and lack of independence. It is now even more imperative to introduce transitional justice because we are short of time, he said. We must create independent, impartial and, as was said [by Pashinian,] non-puppet courts. Accordingly, the minister voiced support of the idea of judicial vetting. According to Lilit Makunts, the parliamentary leader of the ruling My Step alliance, lawmakers have already started working on a bill on vetting. Makunts declined to give any details, saying only that the bill be drafted soon. Advertisement By The Associated Press May. 20, 2019 | WASHINGTON By The Associated Press May. 20, 2019 | 10:56 AM | WASHINGTON From liberal firebrands Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren to moderates Joe Biden and John Hickenlooper, nearly the entire 2020 Democratic presidential field agrees that the federal minimum wage should be more than doubled, to $15 an hour. That near-unanimity reflects the success of an unorthodox campaign by the Service Employees International Union called the Fight for 15. It launched in 2012 to help nonunion McDonald's workers who walked off their jobs as cooks and servers agitate for a then-unthinkable $15 minimum wage. Now, according to the National Employment Law Project, one-third of the country will have a $15 minimum wage as gradual increases in bedrock Democratic states like California, Illinois and New York kick in over the coming years. Ernie Tedeschi, an analyst at Evercore ISI, calculated the de facto national minimum wage at a historic high of $12 an hour when accounting for a flurry of recent city and statewide increases . Officially, the federal minimum wage is still $7.25 an hour. Other than the sudden jump on wages and its hold in the Democratic primary, the Fight for 15 is also showcasing a different form of labor organizing as traditional union membership has dwindled. "The labor movement is reinventing themselves as a new civil rights movement by helping workers in ways beyond collective bargaining," said Gary Chaison, an industrial relations professor at Clark University in Massachusetts. "This may be the last national political contest for the unions. A loss means the loss of relevancy as a workplace voice, and a win means a new purpose for the unions, outside of collective bargaining." Still, unions also need dues-paying members, and the movement is redoubling its efforts this week to pressure McDonald's into letting its workers unionize. Democratic presidential aspirants like New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee will join workers on picket lines this week, and Sanders will host a video town hall with employees of the fast-food giant who will protest outside the company's board meeting in Dallas on Thursday. "That's the lynchpin of the thing that we're asking elected officials to respond to," said Mary Kay Henry, SEIU's president, who has been demanding that presidential aspirants also detail how they'll make it easier for workers to join unions. "We're trying to make a demand for a union about having a seat at the table that allows workers to be able to have a say in how decisions are made." That may not be easy. McDonalds has argued that whether to allow unions is a decision for the franchisees who own the restaurants and employ the workers, not for the corporation. Labor groups worry that the new Republican-appointed majority on the National Labor Relations Board will prevent unions from forcing McDonald's to bargain for those employees. The tight job market has led some companies like Amazon and Target to offer a $15 minimum wage. But even though the $15 minimum wage has largely unified the Democratic presidential hopefuls only technology entrepreneur Andrew Yang opposes it, arguing he'd rather have the government pay people directly a bill to implement a national wage at that level is stalled in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives. Democratic moderates worry it would be an economic shock to areas that don't already have high wages. A few booming cities like Seattle and San Francisco have already hit a $15 minimum wage, and evidence on the impact is mixed, with some studies showing that higher wages are boosting local economies but others following the traditional patterns that economists warn about with minimum wage hikes that they can lead to fewer jobs by raising business payroll costs. "If $15 is causing speed bumps in San Francisco, what does it mean in Sioux Falls?" asked Michael Saltsman of the Employment Policies Institute, a conservative think tank in Washington, D.C., that opposes the higher wage. "We will get to the end of 2020, and $15 will be a largely blue state phenomenon." Kansas City, Missouri, in 2015 passed a law to gradually raise its minimum wage to $13 an hour. But Missouri's GOP-led state legislature passed a law forbidding cities and counties from raising the minimum wage on their own, forcing the Kansas City measure's repeal. Terrence Wise, a 39-year-old McDonald's shift supervisor who earns $11 an hour, recounted the story at a recent Democratic presidential candidate forum in Las Vegas that was co-sponsored by SEIU. At the forum, California Sen. Kamala Harris said that, as president, she'd call the leadership of McDonald's to urge them to remove obstacles to unionization. Harris and other candidates including Castro, Hickenlooper, Warren and former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke spoke about the need to support unions and restock the NLRB with pro-labor members. Wise has three children and normally works a second job to help pay the bills. He said that he used an online tool from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to determine what an adequate wage in his neighborhood would be to raise a family and found it was $22 an hour. But there are few good options around. "When I ride down my block to work, I see McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell," Wise said in an interview. "We've got to make our bad jobs good jobs." By Trend Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops 20 times, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said on May 21, 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 Trend A new agricultural insurance mechanism will be launched in Azerbaijan till late 2020, Firdovsi Agashirinov, head of the Insurance Supervision Department of the Financial Market Supervisory Authority of Azerbaijan (FIMSA), told Trend. "Turkeys and Spains agricultural insurance mechanisms were chosen as samples for the development of the bill on agricultural insurance," he said. "The task of creating an agricultural insurance mechanism has been set before both FIMSA and the Ministry of Agriculture," Agashirinov said. "A working group has been created to review the international practice. The advanced models of agricultural insurance of Spain, Turkey, the US, Canada and Israel have been considered." "However, the attention was also paid to the negative moments in these mechanisms, so that we act flawlessly in the future taking into account the mistakes," he said. "The draft law on agricultural insurance has been prepared on the basis of these models, taking into account Azerbaijans peculiarities." In his words, after the law enters into force, agricultural insurance will be used on the basis of a mechanism of cooperation between the state and the private sector and will be implemented through a joint insurance system. The agrarian insurance will be managed via an e-information system. He continued by saying, "A group of experts specializing in agricultural insurance will be set up. Today, insurance companies render agricultural insurance services individually, and reinsurance companies are not interested in providing them. After the new mechanism is applied, insurance services will be rendered on a vast scale, rather than individually, which will be interesting and attractive for reinsurance companies." Agashirinov stressed that in accordance with the new law, each direction of the agricultural sector, be it animal husbandry or crop production, will be regulated according to its rules. "There will be separate acts and rules for each sector," he added. "There will be methodologies and rules for risk assessment and damage management. The experts will work according to these regulations. The representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economy and FIMSA work together on these issues." "To attract independent experts, FIMSA is negotiating with the Azerbaijan State Agrarian University," Agashirinov said. "The work is underway to create an independent expert institute for agricultural insurance." "The law also envisages the subsidization of insurance premiums, one part of which be paid by the farmer and the other by the state," he added. "This also implies guarantees for reinsurance on the accumulated funds." "The state guarantees will be a step higher than reinsurance," Agashirinov added. "This is a new mechanism. Thus, the problem of ensuring the protection of farmers from risks will be solved. At the same time, the burden of the state will decrease and the sustainability of agricultural production will be ensured." He noted, "There will be conditions for the growth of financial opportunities, the level of urbanization will decrease, and food security will be enhanced. All these advantages will be possible after implementation of the new agricultural insurance system." --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Mirsaid Ibrahimzade Reforms carried out in Azerbaijan to strengthen the macroeconomic and financial stability positively affect the economic situation. Finance Minister Samir Sharifov said at a regional public debt management forum that management of public debt is part of reforms which have been implemented in the country and these reforms have already begun to yield results. "We managed to reduce the governments debt in foreign currency in the share of GDP by 17 percent. Today, Azerbaijans nominated debt in foreign currency makes up only one fifth of the country's total income," the Minister said. Sharifov noted that reforms bear fruits, macroeconomic environment has stabilized, economy is back to growth route and the non-oil sector is developing. Further, the finance minister emphasized that at the beginning of this year, the strategy of regulating Azerbaijans public debt allowed reducing the debt in foreign currency from 24 to 19 percent of the countrys foreign exchange reserves. He stressed that Azerbaijan plans to convert the public debt in foreign currency to national currency debt and added that one of the important goals of the state policy is to improve public debt management. Sharifov stated that Azerbaijans nominated debt in foreign currency makes up only one fifth of the country's total income. In addition, he said that according to the calculations of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), at the end of 2018, global public debt exceeds $69 trillion, which is more than 80 percent of world GDP. "In developing countries, the level of public debt is lower, but growth trends have been felt lately. The national debt in these countries has grown by 50 percent compared to 2012," the minister stated. He also touched upon the cooperation with the Asian Development Bank, noting that to date, the Bank has invested in 23 projects in Azerbaijan worth $3.7 billion. The minister added that Azerbaijan highly appreciates the cooperation with ADB and stressed that the regional public debt management forum will be a new phase of cooperation between the Bank and Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan joined ADB in 1999 and its share in the bank is 0.5 percent. In 2004, the Bank's local representative office was opened in our country. Azerbaijan hosted the 48th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Bank in 2015. The main objective of ADB is to support the economic development of member countries and to help alleviate poverty and improve the living standards of the population. -- Mirsaid Ibrahimzade is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @MirsaidIbrahim1 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Leman Mammadova The UK is a strategic partner of Azerbaijan in many spheres of cooperation and both countries are interested in expanding economic ties, particularly in the non-oil sector. London is ready to assist Baku in the implementation of its tasks in various sectors of the economy, Carole Crofts, UK ambassador to Azerbaijan, told local media. Azerbaijan has set itself the big task of diversifying its economy, and we are interested in helping the country to achieve its goals, she said. The ambassador particularly underlined that the UK is ready to offer Azerbaijan assistance in the field of agriculture. We are ready to share our experience in providing agriculture with fertilizers, increasing yields, she said. We also continue to cooperate in the areas of ICT, tourism, space research, digital technologies. Crofts further stressed the increasing interest in Azerbaijan among British tourists. Azerbaijan is an exotic country for the British, where they come for new discoveries. The interesting geographical location of the country and the presence of beautiful neighbors are the reason why the British are not satisfied with a one-time visit here. Many of them return to Azerbaijan again, getting an opportunity to visit Georgia and the Caspian states, she said. It should be noted that the number of travelers from the Great Britain to Azerbaijan was 29,399 in 2018. The ambassador went on to add that the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) on Azerbaijan-UK economic cooperation will be held on May 22 in London. In her words, during the meeting, a number of bilateral protocols and memorandums of understanding on the development of cooperation in various fields are expected to be signed, the main purpose of which will be ensuring the transition to a qualitatively new level of relations between Baku and London. The ambassador added that the Azerbaijani delegation, which will be headed by Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov, will include 23 people. This meeting will be the most representative in the history of relations between our two countries, she said. The diplomat also stressed that the UK and British oil and gas company BP are stable and reliable partners of Azerbaijan. The UK is the largest foreign investor in Azerbaijan. BP plays a big role in this. Crofts added that there are about 500 British companies in Azerbaijan. BPs activity allowed opening thousands of new jobs not only in Azerbaijan, but also for our citizens in the UK, said the ambassador. She also noted the role of the Southern Gas Corridor project to ensure Europes energy security. SGC is a magnificent project that we can call a multi-part megaproject. In 2020, Azerbaijani gas should start to be delivered to Italy through the SGC, she said, stressing that this project serves to ensure European energy security and will reduce the level of coal use in Europe, which, in turn, serves to preserving the ecology. Diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom were established on March 11, 1992. For the UK, the Caspian region is an area of great opportunity as Azerbaijan makes the most of its strategic geographic position, energy resources and transport links. The UK is Azerbaijans leading investor and there are currently some 523 British companies operating in Azerbaijan, primarily in the oil and gas sector, but also in mining, construction, financial services, retail, fashion and healthcare. The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and the UK stood at $525.2 million in 2018, according to the State Customs Committee. The export of Azerbaijani products accounted for around $261.4 million. It is noteworthy that the trade turnover between the two countries increased by 46.5 percent compared to 2017. BP is the largest foreign investor in Azerbaijan that helped the Azerbaijani government transform the economy, establishing a solid foundation to build business success. So far, the UK has invested over $27 billion in the economy of Azerbaijan. The countries have signed about 15 bilateral agreements so far. In recent years, the bilateral relations have been made even stronger with the establishment of a Joint Intergovernmental Commission between the two countries and a UK-Azerbaijan Partnership Program in the Oil and Gas Sector. --- Leman Mammadova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @leman_888 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Leman Mammadova Azerbaijan is continuously working on the improvement of financial environment in the country by cooperating with foreign countries and institutions in this direction. Financial Market Supervisory Authority of Azerbaijan (FIMSA) and the Central Bank of Russia have discussed the further opportunities of applying electronic money in Azerbaijan. A meeting with Alla Bakina, the Director of the National Payment System Department of the Russian Central Bank, was held at the FIMSA within the framework of the Financial and Digital Technologies Week. During the meeting, Bakina spoke about the legislative base in electronic payments in Russia, the reforms carried out, the money transfers between the countries, as well as projects implemented in financial literacy. FIMSA, in turn, informed about measures taken to accelerate the digital transformation of banks and strengthen financial inclusion in the country. The meeting focused on innovative payment solutions and application of electronic money in the country, stressing the necessity of mutual cooperation in the future. Electronic money is a virtual currency through which all kinds of payments are made on the Internet. Electronic money is not a generally accepted means of payment; they exist only within a certain payment system. Electronic money can be in different currencies, they can be exchanged for real money and vice versa. The functions of electronic money do not actually differ from ordinary banknotes or coins. Electronic money in a modern market economy successfully acts as a payment tool. Payment by electronic money has already become familiar in many areas: shopping on the Internet, paying utility bills, traveling in public transport, paying for television, using mobile communications, and much more. Financial and digital technologies were also discussed at the 48th meeting of associate members of the European Banking Federation (EBF) organized by the Azerbaijan Banks Association (ABA) on May 20. Chief Policy Officer of ABF Sebastien de Brouwer briefed the participants on the development trends in the banking and financial sector of Europe. Executive Director of ABA Yunus Abdulov, in turn, spoke about development trends in the banking sector of the country. The agenda of the event included the innovations implemented in digitization, payment ecosystem development, bail realization and execution of court decisions. European banks shared their experiences in this direction. As an important component of the dynamics of the economys development, digitization is one of the priorities for Azerbaijan. It is expected that as a result of digitization, Azerbaijans GDP will increase by 135 million manats ($79 million) in 2020. --- Leman Mammadova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @leman_888 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Laman Ismayilova The final of Miss & Mister Azerbaijan 2019, the long-awaited beauty contest, will be held at the Opera Studio of the Baku Academy of Music on May 31. In the final, 17 male and female models will compete for the crown, Trend Life reported. The jury will include its chairman, the main organizer of the competition Anelia Ordukhanova, the executive director of the competition Amil Abbasov, the main coordinator, choreographer and director of the competition Ayla Mais, the coordinator and choreographer Hidayat Khalilov (Mister Super Model 2018), the winners of previous years and the jury members whose names will not be disclosed until the final evening. Participants will be rated on a 10-point scale in 3 rounds. Fashion shows and after party will be also held as part of the event. It should be noted that the Miss & Mister Azerbaijan competition has turned 21 this year. Tickets for the comptetition final may be purchased at all ticket offices in the city. Media partners of the event are Azernews.az, Trend.az, Day.az, Milli.az. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend The negotiations on a new agreement between Azerbaijan and the EU are underway in three spheres, spokesperson for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Leyla Abdullayeva told Trend News Agency, as part of the Interview with Sahil Karimli. She stressed that the first sphere is connected with politics and security, the second sphere concerns economic and trade issues, the third sphere is called the sectoral cooperation, that is, the cooperation between Azerbaijan and the EU in various sectors. "The main part of the text of the agreement, about 90 percent, has already been agreed on, Abdullayeva said. Today the negotiations on the remaining issues are underway. The date of signing the agreement is not important. "The Azerbaijani side has expressed its position, and if this is going to be a detailed document, it should reflect the issues that the Eastern Partnership program countries are interested in," she said. The most important issue is related to the territorial integrity, Abdullayeva said. The references to the documents adopted following the previous Eastern Partnership Summits were made in the agreement which is being developed. The respect for Azerbaijans territorial integrity and sovereignty was expressed in these documents." She added that the main points of the negotiations, which have been held for the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict for many years, are known. "Today's main problem is that Armenia does not show concrete political will in this issue, Abdullayeva said. If there is political will, if the Armenian armed forces are withdrawn from the occupied Azerbaijani territories and Azerbaijani internally displaced people return to these lands, as it was stressed in the documents on the conflict settlement adopted by international organizations, then specific progress will be achieved, as well as peace and stability will be established in the region." --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Her Majesty Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has congratulated Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports referring to the Azerbaijani presidential press-service on May 20. It gives me great pleasure to send Your Excellency my congratulations on the celebration of your National Day, together with my best wishes for the happiness and prosperity of the people of Azerbaijan in the coming year, Elizabeth II said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Azerbaijan has been recognized as a regional force and an active player, contributing to the establishment of the cooperation relations in the system of international relations, the implementation of transnational projects, global security issues and European energy security, Member of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party Parvin Karimzade told Trend on May 20. She added that the fact that Azerbaijan plays the role of a corridor between Western and Eastern civilizations, as well as the North and the South, enhances its authority as an important country. These achievements have been made thanks to Azerbaijans pragmatic and rational foreign policy, Karimzade said. "Azerbaijan always attaches special importance to the relations with certain countries, as well as bilateral relations with neighboring countries. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyevs working visit to Belgium testified to the development of the EU-Azerbaijan relations based on mutual interests. The fact that Azerbaijan is a reliable and responsible partner for the EU was confirmed once more, she said. The meeting between President of the European Council Donald Tusk and President Aliyev when Tusk named Azerbaijan as a reliable partner of the EU also testifies to that. The active cooperation within the Eastern Partnership program, the countrys close cooperation both within the Eastern Partnership and in bilateral format with the EU were also highlighted during the meeting," Karimzade said. She reminded that the EU has supported the implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor project from the very beginning and is interested in further trade relations and strategic partnership with Azerbaijan. "At the same time, the EU supports Azerbaijans territorial integrity, which has been reflected in the adopted bilateral documents," Karimzade said. She stressed that the policy being pursued by President Aliyev serves only Azerbaijans national interests and strengthening the country's position. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz A new print edition of the AZERNEWS online newspaper was released on May 21. The new edition includes articles: Buta Airways launches direct flights to Astrakhan, Cryptocurrencies attract increased interest, National weapons demonstrated at MILEX-2019, National video art works presented in Georgia, 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. Advertisement By The Associated Press May. 20, 2019 | WORLDWIDE By The Associated Press May. 20, 2019 | 12:22 PM | WORLDWIDE Huawei could lose its grip on the No. 2 ranking in worldwide cellphone sales after Google announced it would comply with U.S. government restrictions meant to punish the Chinese tech powerhouse. Google said basic services would still function on the Android operating system used in Huawei's smartphones. Google also said existing smartphone owners would not lose access to its Google Play app store or security features. But unless the U.S. Commerce Department grants exceptions, a ban announced last week on all purchases of U.S. technology would badly hurt Huawei, analyst say. Washington claims Huawei poses a national security threat. Its placement on the so-called Entity List by the Trump administration last week is widely seen as intended to persuade resistant U.S. allies in Europe to exclude Huawei equipment from their next-generation wireless networks, known as 5G. "This is major crisis for Huawei. Instead of being the world's largest handset manufacturer this year, it will struggle to stay two, but probably fall behind," analyst Roger Entner said. "How competitive is a smartphone without the most well-known and popular apps?" Huawei will likely use its own, stripped-down version of Android, whose basic code is provided free of charge by Google. But it's not yet clear what other Google software and services such as maps, Gmail or search it will be able to use. Entner, founder of Recon Analytics, said Google itself won't have a large direct impact, "as consumers will shift to other Android devices. The biggest concern is not to be caught in the crossfire of two governments." Gartner analyst Tuong Nguyen said 48% of Huawei's phone shipments last year were outside of China and the company will need to scramble not to lose market share. Samsung led global smartphone sales in the first quarter of this year with a 23.1% share. Huawei was second with 19%, followed by Apple at 11.7%, according to IDC. Huawei's smartphone sales in the U.S. are tiny and the Chinese company's footprint in telecommunications networks is limited to smaller wireless and internet providers so any impact on U.S. consumers of a Google services cutoff would be slight. Hardware suppliers led by Qualcomm, Broadcom and Intel would also be forced to halt shipments to Huawei under the Commerce Department rule, which requires all U.S. technology sales to the company to obtain U.S. government approval unless exceptions are made. The global risk assessment outfit Eurasia Group said the Commerce Department was expected to set a 90-day grace period this week. Department officials did not immediately return phone calls and emails seeking comment. In a report, Eurasia Group said that if the Commerce Department sanction process helps persuade European carriers to shun Huawei equipment, a full ban on purchases of U.S. technology products and services could be avoided. Google, a unit of Alphabet Inc., said in a statement late Sunday that it was complying with and "reviewing the implications" of the requirement for export licenses for technology sales to Huawei, which took effect Thursday. "For users of our services, Google Play and the security protections from Google Play Protect will continue to function on existing Huawei devices," it added. Google did not immediately respond to questions about whether it planned to request Commerce Department approval to be able to continue to provide Huawei with the value-added services and apps that have made Android the world's most popular mobile operating system. Ben Wood, chief of research at CCS Insight, said it's unclear what Google has told Huawei, but any disruption in getting updates to software would have "considerable implications" for its consumer device business. The U.S. government says Chinese suppliers including Huawei and its smaller rival, ZTE Corp., pose an espionage threat because they are beholden to China's ruling Communist Party. But American officials have presented no evidence of any Huawei equipment serving as intentional conduits for espionage by Beijing. Huawei, headquartered in the southern city of Shenzhen near Hong Kong, reported earlier that its worldwide sales rose 19.5% last year over 2017 to 721.2 billion ($105.2 billion). Profit rose 25.1% to 59.3 billion yuan ($8.6 billion). Huawei smartphone shipments rose 50% in the first three months of 2019 to 59.1 million, compared with a year earlier, while the global industry's total fell 6.6%, according to IDC. Shipments from Samsung and Apple both declined. Huawei defended itself Monday as "one of Android's key global partners." The company said it helped to develop a system that "benefited both users and the industry." "We will continue to build a safe and sustainable software ecosystem, in order to provide the best experience for all users globally," the company said. A foreign ministry spokesman, Lu Kang, said China will "monitor the development of the situation" but gave no indication how Beijing might respond. The U.S. order took effect Thursday and requires government approval for all purchases of American microchips, software and other components globally by Huawei and 68 affiliated businesses. Huawei says that amounted to $11 billion in goods last year. That could certainly create some collateral damage for U.S. companies. The California chipmaker Xilinx Inc. tumbled 4% Monday. David Wong, an analyst with Nomura, said Xilinx has benefited from demand in next-generation, 5G technologies and "action against a major maker of communications infrastructure equipment like Huawei likely poses risk for Xilinx." By Trend Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov and Foreign Minister of Paraguay Luis Alberto Castiglioni exchanged congratulatory letters on the occasion of 15th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Trend reports referring to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan. In his letter, Elmar Mammadyarov congratulated his counterpart Luis Alberto Castiglioni on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Paraguay. Elmar Mammadyarov noted that over the past years, the two countries have successfully laid a solid foundation for mutually beneficial cooperation across many areas, including political dialogue, trade connections and cultural exchanges. It was also stressed out that Azerbaijan and Paraguay are jointly committed to the strengthening of peace and security based on the norms and principles of international law. In this regards, Minister Elmar Mammadyarov expressed his appreciation for Paraguays valuable support concerning the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno Karabakh conflict within the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan cemented with the UNSC resolutions 822, 853, 874, 884 of 1993. Mammadyarov underlined that the recent decision of the Government of Azerbaijan to appoint a Honorary Council to Paraguay reflects strong will to give an impetus to bilateral dialogue between the two nations and expressed his confidence that both sides will continue to take joint efforts, on the basis of shared interests and common values, towards the achievement of multifaceted cooperation for the benefit of the two nations. In his letter, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay Luis Alberto Castiglioni delivered his warmest greetings to Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Paraguay. He expressed his loyalty to the dynamic activity that would contribute to the development of bilateral relations within the framework of mutual understanding and cooperation between the two Governments. He also wished the good relations between two countries to be sustainable. Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Paraguay were established on April 20, 2004. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Mirsaid Ibrahimzade Swedish Foreign Ministry believes that the new partnership agreement between Azerbaijan and the European Union (EU) will expand bilateral relations. The ministry told Trend that presently, negotiations are underway on the new EU-Azerbaijan agreement which will deepen the relations between EU member states and Azerbaijan. The Eastern Partnership is also an important instrument for the relations, the ministry noted. Speaking on the relations between Azerbaijan and Sweden, the ministry noted increase in exports and imports between Sweden and Azerbaijan in 2018. Thus, last year, exports from Sweden to Azerbaijan increased by 25 percent and imports by 24 percent. The foreign ministry also emphasized that the opening of the Swedish embassy in 2014 provides new opportunities for increasing the bilateral relations between the two countries. Azerbaijan is also represented by an embassy in Sweden. Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Margot Wallstrom visited Azerbaijan in February 2016 and the following year Azerbaijani Minister for Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov visited Sweden, the ministry said. The MFA added that currently there are no plans for high level bilateral visits; however, Ministers Wallstrom and Mammadyarov both participated at the 10th anniversary of the Eastern Partnership High Level Conference on May 14, where future of the partnership was discussed. Touching upon political relations with Sweden, it is important to note that Sweden was one of the founder countries of the OSCE Minsk Group created in the 1990s to encourage a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia. There are fields, such as educational sector, where Azerbaijan and Sweden enjoy good partnership, which is evidenced by scholarships offered by Swedish universities for student from Azerbaijan. The European Council adopted a mandate for the European Commission and the high representative for foreign affairs and security policy to negotiate, on behalf of the EU and its member states, a comprehensive agreement with Azerbaijan in November 2016. The new agreement should replace the 1996 partnership and cooperation agreement and 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. 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. -- Mirsaid Ibrahimzade is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @MirsaidIbrahim1 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Abdul Kerimkhanov Despite the current authorities' promises about a decent life, the standard of living in Armenia remains extremely poor. Yerevan's chief architect Artur Meschyan said at a press conference that if, in the near future, salaries of the staff at departments do not increase, he will send them all home at 18:00, adding that after 18:00 no one will be at the workplace, including on Saturday and Sunday. Meschyan stressed that the current salary rate of architects does not fit into any logic framework. All departments, whose activities he oversees, work until 23:00, he added. He considers that his staff works overtime because threefold increase in the volume of work, while composition of the unit remains unchanged. Although salaries in the country are low in all spheres, the Armenian budget could hardly cope with increase of wages in the national scale. Earlier, a spokesman for Yerevan Mayor Hakob Karapetyan said the salary of 1,700 employees of the mayors office would increase by about 30 percent. This caused sharp criticism of the city authorities. Chiefs charge their employees with work that does not have a logical conclusion, and it is not surprising that in most cases workers simply do not cope with the work. Assembling and dismantling a Christmas tree, demolishing a pair of buildings, prohibiting car parks in some places in the city center - this is all the post-revolutionary rulers of ''new Armenia'' can boast. The statement about sending employees home at exactly 18:00 seems strange. It turns out that in Armenia there is a labor law, according to which he cannot let the employees go home at the end of the working day. If workers remain working late or on weekends, then the law provides for an additional fee. For some reason, the chief architect of Yerevan is simply keeping silence about this. Recently, government officials have been explaining to the public the need for wage increases in a certain area given the long stay of workers in the workplace. Although it is obvious that working time is not necessarily an indicator of quality. For some reasons, these simple truths do not work in a right manner in Armenia. --- Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Abdul Kerimkhanov The trade and economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and China is undergoing a rapid development. Chinese company Huaxin Cement Co Ltd. has started construction of a cement plant in Zafarabad district of Jizzakh region of Uzbekistan. The plant capacity will be 1.2 million tons of Portland cement per year. In particular, the plant will produce 480,000 tons of M400 Portland cement and 720,000 tons of M500 cement. The company will export 48,000 tons of M400 cement and 72,000 tons of M500 cement per year. The total project cost is $150 million. The investor will finance the project through direct investment and borrowed funds. As part of the investment project implementation, Huaxin Cement Co Ltd. established a foreign subsidiary, Huaxin Cement Jizzakh Limited Liability Company. It is expected that the new plant will start producing products in February 2020. Diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and China were established on January 2, 1992. Among the five Central Asian states, Uzbekistan became the first country with which China established diplomatic relations. The trade turnover between the two countries totaled $6.43 billion in 2018. Of this amount, $2.87 billion was Uzbekistans exports, and $3.56 billion was imports. --- Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Abdul Kerimkhanov Kazakh and Kyrgyz Chambers of Commerce and Industries (CCI) are trying to improve business cooperation and enhance trade and economic relations. More than 50 percent of the goods produced in Kyrgyzstan are exported to Kazakhstan, Rima Apasova, Kyrgyz CCI Vice President, has said at a business forum organized jointly by the Kyrgyz and Kazakh CCIs. Apasova noted that Kazakhstan is a priority partner for Kyrgyzstan. Informing that currently, the volume of trade between the two countries has reached more than $700 million, she noted that the countries still have far to go. Twenty Kazakh representatives of the machine-building, oil and gas, energy, mining and metallurgical industries, as well as representatives of companies-manufacturers of pharmaceutical products, medical equipment and working clothes attended the forum. The forum was held in the framework of the memorandum of cooperation between the Kyrgyz and Kazakh CCIs. Since 2015, the parties have organized five business forums in Kyrgyzstan, during which entrepreneurs of the two countries signed contracts worth more than $15 million. Diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan were established on August 27, 1992. Kyrgyzstan supplies electricity, dairy products, vegetables and fruits, live cattle, garments, glass to Kazakhstan. Meanwhile, oil and oil products, wheat, coal, wheat flour, vegetable oil, inorganic chemicals, mineral raw materials, flat iron and stainless steel are imported from Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan. As many as 824 joint ventures with Kyrgyz capital have been established in Kazakhstan, which operate in the wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, professional, scientific and technical activities, construction and services. --- Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Abdul Kerimkhanov Tourism is one of the leading and fastest growing sectors of the Azerbaijani economy. The fact that tourism is a strategically important sector of the national economy ensures a strong support for the industry from the government. Favorable climatic conditions allow organization of tourism at any time of year. Tourism and hospitality sector may become the most profitable sector of the non-oil sector in 2019 and potential investors can invest in this area, Azerbaijani economist Elman Sadigov has told Trend. He considers that the need for professionals, felt in the service sector, the lack of places for receiving and accommodating foreign tourists arriving in the country can bring significant income to those who are ready to invest in this sphere. "One may launch activity in the tourism sector by opening a small or medium-sized hostel, a two-star hotel, or a guest house for 10-20 rooms. One may attract guests and make a profit through good service," Sadigov said. The expert believes that the main task is to ensure that the tourist is satisfied and a positive image is created, adding that as the client potential grows, profits will also increase. He further noted the lack of mid-segment facilities in the service sector, including cafes and restaurants. The economist said that the luxury segment five-star hotels, expensive restaurants are most represented, but there is a need for more facilities that would meet the middle segment requirements. Sadigov assumes that the agriculture segment may also be attractive, but this is hard work that requires a special approach. "It is important to be a professional in the agricultural sector. To invest in this sphere without being involved in it is a wrong approach, because the investor may be unable to understand why and how the investments are lost. Agriculture is a specific sector. Without knowing it, it may be risky to invest in it. This is a profitable sector, but only if a professional approach is taken," he mentioned. As the expert thinks, a family business is considered another profitable area. "ABAD (ASAN Support to Family Business) project is being implemented in Azerbaijan, which is very positive. I think every citizen can assess their potential, their interests and create a small family business by contacting ABAD centers. It may seem that self-employment sounds simple, but this is an extremely important question," he said. The economist also warned that investing in today's popular cryptocurrency can be risky. "The person who eyes to invest in financial markets in cryptocurrency must be careful. There is a very high volatility in this sector, which means that there is also a high risk of losses," Sadigov concluded. Azerbaijan is among the developing countries in the field of tourism, occupying the 39th place among 148 countries in terms of global competitiveness in tourism. The successful holding of grand events has turned Azerbaijan into a country recognizable by everyone in the world, and a country that many foreigners wish to visit as soon as possible. Moreover, simplification of the visa regime also plays a major role in the development of tourism in Azerbaijan. Currently, citizens of a number of countries get visas right at the Azerbaijani airports, while other tourists can visit the country by getting online tourist visas. In 2018, as many as 2,849,600 tourists from 196 countries arrived in Azerbaijan, showing a 5.7 percent increase compared to 2017. --- Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Leman Mammadova Despite the long distance between Azerbaijan and Australia, there is great potential for developing cooperation between the two countries. Azerbaijan and Australia plan to expand cooperation in tourism, President of the Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce in Australia Nizami Jafarov told Trend. He said that at the beginning of 2019, the cooperation issues and various options for the development of ties in tourism between the countries were discussed. Particularly, a small survey was conducted among travel agencies that could be involved in the development of travel packages in both directions, Jafarov noted. He further added that relations between Azerbaijan and Australia are developing in all directions, mainly in such areas as agriculture and construction. The head of the chamber noted that a delegation led by the Azerbaijani MP Khanlar Fatiyev visited Australia in February 2019, adding that MP Asim Mollazade was also a member of the Azerbaijani delegation. Earlier, Jafarov noted that mining, IT and aerospace industry are among the most promising areas in the implementation of joint projects between Azerbaijan and Australia. He said that Azerbaijani company Global Service Provider (GSP) was negotiating to launch its activity in Australia. In his words, the cooperation in the aerospace industry can be established by Azercosmos OJSC and the Australian Space Agency. Diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Australia were established on June 19, 1992. There are many opportunities for the development of cooperation between Australia and Azerbaijan. In 2015, a friendship group with Australia was established in the Parliament of Azerbaijan. Also, the Australia-Azerbaijan inter-parliamentary friendship group was established in the Australian Federal Parliament. Within these groups, many reciprocal and fruitful visits have been made. Australian companies are ready to invest in the Azerbaijani economy. They show a special interest in cooperation in the fields of tourism, transport, logistics and agriculture. The economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Australia intensified in 2017. Thus, the first Azerbaijani-Australian business forum was held in 2017 in Baku. Representatives of 30 Australian companies operating in agriculture, oil and gas, tourism, transport and logistics came to Azerbaijan. Australian experts were also involved in organizing the first European Games, Formula 1 competitions, the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games and other international events held in Azerbaijan. The number of tourists coming to Azerbaijan from Australia continues to grow. Last year, the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Australia amounted to $4.5 million. Australian exports to Azerbaijan accounted for the largest part of bilateral trade ($4 million). --- Leman Mammadova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @leman_888 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By The Associated Press May. 20, 2019 | 05:32 AM | LOUISVILLE Republican Gov. Matt Bevin has lashed out at protesting teachers and ridiculed judges during a tumultuous term steering Kentucky on a conservative course. Now the pugnacious governor faces the first test of his reelection campaign in a race that could offer clues about the electorate's mood heading into a presidential election year. Voters get to speak Tuesday in a state the GOP has recently dominated, but where Democrats see an opportunity to win back the governorship. Three prominent Democrats, including the son of Bevin's predecessor, are competing for the chance to challenge Bevin. The leading Democrats are Attorney General Andy Beshear, ex-state auditor Adam Edelen and longtime state Rep. Rocky Adkins. Beshear's father served two terms as governor. Bevin has three Republican primary challengers, including state Rep. Robert Goforth. To Present at Investor Conference Perth, May 21, 2019 AEST (ABN Newswire) - MMJ Group Holdings Limited ( ASX:MMJ ) ( OTCMKTS:MMJJF ) (MMJ) announced that its Chief Financial Officer, Jim Hallam, will attend and present in front of 200 investors at the forthcoming Finance News Network Investor Conference in Sydney on Tuesday, 21 May 2019 between 12:30pm and 2.30pm.The attached investor presentation (see link below) will also be available on MMJ's website.To view the presentation, please visit:About MMJ Group Holdings Ltd MMJ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX:MMJ) is a global cannabis investment company. MMJ owns a portfolio of minority investments and aims to invest across the full range of emerging cannabis-related sectors including healthcare, technology, infrastructure, logistics, processing, cultivation, equipment and retail. For MMJ's latest investor presentation and news, please visit: http://www.mmjphytotech.com.au/investors/ ALLEGATIONS AGAINST BAKERSFIELD PRIEST Here is a brief summary of accusations against Craig Harrison, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Bakersfield: A man told the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno April 12 he was touched inappropriately by Harrison three separate times while serving as a 16- or 17-year-old altar boy at St. Joseph Church in Firebaugh. The diocese announced the accusation April 25 and placed Harrison on paid leave that same day. Another man contacted the diocese April 25 to say he was a minor at St. Patrick's Church in Merced in 1988 when Harrison touched him inappropriately. Separately, a man who grew up in Bakersfield and attended St. Francis reported to police May 8 he was sexually abused as a minor by Harrison seven to nine times during a four-year-period that started in 1989. Another man reported to Firebaugh police in 1998 that Harrison abused him at St. Joseph. The accuser came forward again in 2002 to report it to the diocese, which investigated and deemed the claim unsubstantiated. The Fresno diocese is now revisiting those accusations. Also in 2002, the Bakersfield Police Department received an anonymous allegation of inappropriate contact by Harrison involving a group of teen juveniles. The department said no one named in the letter could corroborate the accusation and the case was closed. Board Appointment - Dr George Theocharides Nicosia, May 21, 2019 AEST (ABN Newswire) - iSignthis Ltd ( ASX:ISX ) ("the Company"), is pleased to announce that effective today, Dr George Theocharides has been appointed to the board of its subsidiary, iSignthis eMoney Ltd, following regulatory approval as a 'fit and proper' person under the European Central Bank requirements.Highlights- Appoints new board member to iSignthis eMoney Ltd board- Dr George Theocharides experience includeso CySec Board (Cypriot Securities sector regulator)o Bank of Cyprus & Centre for Blockchain technologieso Associate Professor at Cyprus International Institute of Management.Dr. George Theocharides is an Associate Professor of Finance at the Cyprus International Institute of Management (CIIM), a Research Fellow at the UCL Centre for Blockchain Technologies (UCL CBT), and a Director at Goal Portfolios Ltd. He is also the Chairman of the Board of Cyprus Blockchain Technologies Ltd, a non-profit organisation established as a collaboration among academic institutions, local regulators, financial institutions and banks, as well as other technology associations and companies. Dr. Theocharides serves as the Programme Director of the MSc in Financial Services at CIIM and Chairman of the Board of Management of The English School, Nicosia, a selective and highly prestigious secondary school. Currently, he is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Global Balanced Fund of Funds Salamis VCIC Plc and a member of the Training/HR Committee of the Cyprus Investment Funds Association (CIFA).In the past, he served as a member of the Interim Board of Bank of Cyprus, Chairman of the Recapitalisation Committee, and member of the Audit Committee and CISCO Ltd, a nonexecutive member of the Board of Directors of the Cypriot markets regulator, the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), as well as a Board member of the Cyprus-Kuwait Business Association.Dr. Theocharides holds a B. Eng. (Hons) degree in Electrical Engineering and Electronics from University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (U.M.I.S.T.), an M.B.A. degree (in Marketing and Venture Management) from the University of San Diego, as well as a Ph.D. in Finance from the University of Arizona. Before joining CIIM he spent almost four years as an Assistant Professor of Finance at the Graduate School of Business at Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul, Korea. Prior to that, he served as an International Faculty Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Sloan School of Management (MIT) between August and December 2006. Dr. Theocharides research and teaching interests are in the fields of fixedincome markets, investments, international finance, and derivatives. He has provided numerous in-house and open seminars in finance-related topics in Cyprus and abroad.CEO of iSignthis Ltd, Mr John Karantzis said "We are delighted to have a person of George's caliber join the board of iSignthis eMoney. George brings a unique mix of financial, technical and regulatory experience to the board, as well as further insight into the securities sector, which is a key market sector for the Company. I look forward to working with George and welcome him to the iSignthis eMoney Ltd board".About iSignthis Ltd iSignthis Ltd (ASX:ISX) (FRA:TA8) is a hybrid monetary financial institution and also a RegTech leader in remote identity verification, payment authentication with deposit taking, transactional banking and payment processing capability. iSignthis provides an end-to-end on-boarding service for merchants, with a unified payment, electronic money and identity service via our Paydentity(TM) and ISXPay(R) solutions. By converging payments and identity, iSignthis delivers regulatory compliance to an enhanced customer due diligence standard, offering global reach to any of the world's 4.2Bn 'bank verified' card or account holders, that can be remotely on-boarded to meet the Customer Due Diligence requirements of AML regulated merchants in as little as 3 to 5 minutes. Paydentity(TM) has now onboarded and verified more than 1.5m persons to an AML KYC standard. iSignthis Paydentity(TM) service is the trusted back office solution for regulated entities, allowing merchants to stay ahead of the regulatory curve, and focus on growing their core business. iSignthis' subsidiary, iSignthis eMoney Ltd, trades as ISXPay(R), and is an EEA authorised eMoney Monetary Financial Institution, offering card acquiring in the EEA, and Australia. ISXPay(R) is a principal member of Mastercard Inc, Diners, Discover, (China) Union Pay International and JCB International, an American Express aggregator, and provides merchants with access to payments via alternative methods including SEPA, Poli Payments, Sofort, PRZ24 and others. Probanx Solutions Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of iSignthis Ltd, provides API based access to CORE Banking solutions, SEPA Core, SEPA Instant and SEPA business scheme, for neobanks, banks, credit unions and emoney institutions, and provides a bridge to the Eurosystem's Central Bank of Lithuania's CENTROLink service. Joseph Luiz can be reached at 395-7368 or by email at jluiz@bakersfield.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @JLuiz_TBC. Sam Morgen can be reach at 661-395-7415. You may also follow him on Twitter @smorgenTBC. Joseph Luiz can be reached at 395-7368 or by email at jluiz@bakersfield.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @JLuiz_TBC. Founded in 2008, London-based 3HR Benefits Consultancy is a subsidiary of 3HR plc and provides specialist employee benefits and international private medical insurance (IPMI) support and services to more than 200 Japanese, Korean and Chinese blue chip companies in respect of their UK and European expatriate employees. The company is the leading UK benefits consulting firm specialising in the Far Eastern market and dominates the sector with a number of Fortune 500 clients Commenting on this latest acquisition, Broadstone Group CEO, Grant Stobart, said: As part of our strategy to grow all areas of our business we must identify and then capitalise on emerging trends and opportunities. This is another outstanding acquisition for Broadstone and adds further scale in a buoyant sector. 3HR Benefits Consultancy is one of the UKs leading providers of specialist IPMI and employee benefits services to Far Eastern groups operating in the UK and Europe and the respect and authority they have built up in this sector is very impressive. Acquiring this niche business with its quality client base and experienced staff will provide clients with access to Broadstones wider service offering. 2019 continues to be a year of targeted but vigorous expansion for Broadstone, concluded Stobart. Terence Bennett, CEO at 3HR plc, said: Over the past few months we have been actively seeking ways of further developing our benefits consultancy and expatriate medical insurance business and have now found the ideal partner in Broadstone. This deal is an important step in the evolution of our business and will ensure that we can continue to further strengthen the service we offer our clients and the personal and professional development of all of our staff. Xavier Woodward, from Broadstones private equity parent, Livingbridge, commented: This acquisition further strengthens Broadstones offering and provides access to a new client base. We are delighted to welcome 3HR Benefits Consulting on board as we continue to execute on a strong M&A pipeline. Before they were running for president or starring in long-running sitcoms, they were walking the hallways of Houston schools. Senator Elizabeth Warren and Actor Jim Parsons are just two famous names alongside dozens who attended schools in the Bayou City. Soon-to-be high school graduates who want to stay in Houston could be among many greats who chose to do the same. Here are four legislative updates that could affect your surgery center: A bill to allow 23-hour stays in ASCs advanced to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' desk and could go into effect July 1 if the Republican governor signs it into law. The Vermont House Health Care Committee advanced a bill that could establish a state licensing structure for ASCs. North Carolina representatives introduced legislation to repeal the state's certificate-of-need laws related to standalone surgery centers. Florida, Georgia and Alaska are also considering CON law reform. President Donald Trump called for legislators to quickly pass a bill targeting surprise billing, according to Anesthesia Business Consultants President and CEO Tony Mira. In the first quarter of this year, Becker's ASC Review reported on 12 orthopedic ASCs and practices opening in the U.S January Akron, Ohio-based Orthopaedic Surgery Center is building a bigger, $7 million facility in Boardman, Ohio. Phoenix-based OrthoArizona and Addison, Texas-based United Surgical Partners International moved into a new medical office building and ASC in Gilbert, Ariz. Orthopedic Associates of Hartford (Conn.) opened a $30 million facility in Rocky Hill, Conn. The Glendale-based Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin opened outpatient facilities in Greenfield, Wis., and New Berlin, Wis. February & March Albany Medical Center, Saratoga Hospital and Capital Region North are teaming up to build an outpatient surgery center primarily devoted to joint surgeries. Albany Medical Center and Capital Region North are based in Albany, N.Y. Tampa, Fla.-based BioSpine Institute expanded its minimally invasive spine surgery practice to Orlando, Fla. BioSpine Institute's new Orlando facility includes medical offices and a surgery center. Canton, Ohio-based Omni Orthopaedics plans to build a surgery center this year in Jackson Township, Ohio. April An affiliation between Children's Hospital of New Orleans and Tulane University Medical School in New Orleans will result in several systemwide changes. Children's Hospital will absorb Tulane Lakeside Hospital for Women and Children's inpatient pediatric intensive care services. Lakeside hospital will shift its focus to providing adult intensive care and open an orthopedic surgery center. Concord (N.H.) Orthopaedics will occupy space in Concord Hospital's four-story medical office building addition opening next year. Concord Orthopaedics' surgery center will be on the bottom floor of Concord Hospital's $56 million, 53,000-square-foot medical office building. The Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee a partnership between Franklin, Tenn.-based Williamson Medical Center and more than a dozen orthopedic surgeons opened April 29. A group of surgeons opened Downeast Surgery Center in Bangor, Maine, April 17. Muncie, Ind.-based Central Indiana Orthopedics began building a facility in MedTech Park, a 37-acre business development in Fishers, Ind. A Southern Illinois physician is suing McKesson Corp. and other general drug companies, accusing them of colluding to fix prices for their drugs, according to local ABC news affiliate WSIL-TV. Key lawsuit details: 1. Tom Pliura, MD, owner of Marion (Ill.) HealthCare said the increasing cost of generic medications and set reimbursement rates from government payers have forced the surgery center in his clinic to turn away patients because either his clinic or the patient must cover medication costs that Medicare and Medicaid won't. 2. Dr. Pliura's filed his lawsuit last year, months before a recent national lawsuit accusing pharmaceutical companies of wrongdoing. The national suit, including 44 states, accuses the companies of taking billions from consumers by colluding to raise prices. 3. An investigation before the national lawsuit was filed found the price of a generic asthma medication had increased more than 4,000 percent over the course of a year. U.S. Rep. Katie Porter of California plans to share her surprise-billing experience during a May 21 congressional hearing on the issue, according to the Los Angeles Times. Ms. Porter, a Democrat elected in November, received a surprise medical bill last year after her appendix burst. At Irvine, Calif.-based Hoag Hospital an in-network facility she had an appendectomy and spent an additional five days in the hospital on IV antibiotics, Ms. Porter told the Times. She said her Anthem Blue Cross plan covered about $55,000 worth of services, and she had a $250 copay. Weeks later, though, she said she received a $3,231 bill from the out-of-network surgeon, leaving her with $2,800 in out-of-pocket costs. "It's not a special story because I'm a member of Congress. It's actually that this is such an ordinary experience," Ms. Porter told the Times. "As were trying to encourage Americans to buy insurance in the face of higher premiums, we're trying to encourage employers to continue to provide coverage. To then not have the insurance system working to protect people from unexpected problems is a real problem." Her remarks come as federal lawmakers are working on legislation to end surprise medical bills. Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate have introduced preliminary proposals. Proposals include limiting a patient's cost-sharing and out-of-pocket responsibilities for out-of-network emergency care to in-network amounts, as well as an arbitration process to settle payment disputes between the health plan and the hospital or healthcare provider. Another proposal, from Sens. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., and Patty Murray, D-Wash., is expected to be released as soon as this week, and multiple congressional hearings are expected on surprise medical bills, according to the Times. More articles on healthcare finance: 8 hospital CFOs share their proudest moments For-profit stock report: Week of May 13-17 Baylor St. Luke's vows to correct deficiencies identified in CMS report MyHeritage, a direct-to-consumer DNA testing company based in Israel, is expanding its offerings beyond ancestry reports to provide insights into genetic health conditions. Here are five things to know about the new MyHeritage Health+Ancestry test. 1. The test provides 11 genetic risk reports, three polygenic risk reports the most of any major at-home DNA test and 15 carrier status reports. 2. The genetic risk reports detect the likelihood of developing conditions like late-onset Alzheimer's disease, late-onset Parkinson's disease and breast cancer, with a BRCA report that tests for 10 pathogenic variants of the mutation. 3. The polygenic risk reports examine thousands of variants across the entire genome to rate a user's risk of developing heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and breast cancer. These reports are currently only supported for those with European ancestry. 4. The carrier status reports list the presence of conditions that can be passed down to a user's children, including Tay-Sachs disease and cystic fibrosis. 5. The Health+Ancestry kit, which retails for $199, is password-protected and encrypted, and MyHeritage has vowed never to license or sell health data to insurance companies or other third parties without obtaining explicit user consent. More articles about health IT: DOD throws money behind development of 6 brain-machine interfaces Big banks invest $50M to create blockchain-based settlement transaction system The rise of medical device vulnerabilities: 5 things to know The University of Maryland Medical System's affiliated institutions contract with board members who profit from deals reminiscent of those signed by former Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh, according to The Washington Post. According to an analysis of financial disclosures conducted by The Washington Post, at least two dozen board members with the system's smaller affiliates had contracts with the system that, in some cases, were worth more than $100,000 annually. For example, an affiliated institution contracted with a vascular surgeon whose practice has made $2.4 million since 2013. Additionally, the former president of an ambulance company had contracts worth at least $1.3 million since 2010, according to the report. Baltimore-based UMMS has been dealing with controversy surrounding these types of contracts after it was revealed the system paid then-Baltimore Mayor Ms. 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 amid the scrutiny over book deals she made with entities she had influence over. In a statement to The Washington Post, UMMS spokesperson Michael Schwartzberg said the contracts were "all appropriate and consistent with fair market value." He added that some of the contracts were in place before members joined their respective boards, while others were signed after members joined their boards. More articles on leadership: CEOs rank the 10 best, worst states for business UPMC's public board meeting will be an hour of scripted PR unless public steps it up, editorial says It's National Hospital Week: 6 things to know Vice President Mike Pence may be quietly influencing HHS' policies on family planning and religious protections for healthcare workers through top-level appointments and other ties to the agency, according to Politico. Three things to know: 1. Several of HHS' top leaders, including Secretary Alex Azar, Surgeon General Jerome Adams, MD, and CMS Administrator Seema Verma, are linked to Mr. Pence and his home state of Indiana. For example, Mr. Azar was a top executive at Indiana-based drugmaker Eli Lilly when Mr. Pence served as governor of the state, and Dr. Adams is a former Indiana public health official. 2. In addition, Ms. Verma was his health adviser in Indiana. Her deputy chief of staff, Brady Brookes, served as Mr. Pence's former Indiana legislative director. Likewise, Rebekah Armstrong, who oversaw domestic policy for Mr. Pence at the beginning of his tenure as vice president, now holds an office in HHS' legislative affairs office, according to Politico. 3. While there are links between Mr. Pence's anti-abortion agenda and the administration's changes to federal family planning programs through Title X funding, multiple standing and former officials told Politico the vice president is not directing policies at HHS. "There have been many staff level meetings on pro-life issues with HHS. He and the president will always advocate for pro-life policies," a White House official told Politico. More articles on leadership: CEOs rank the 10 best, worst states for business UPMC's public board meeting will be an hour of scripted PR unless public steps it up, editorial says It's National Hospital Week: 6 things to know Spurred by a discrimination lawsuit, students of New York City-based Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine are calling on the board to denounce misogyny and discrimination by becoming a signatory of Time's Up Healthcare. Time's Up Healthcare is a branch of the Time's Up movement, launched to combat sexual harassment and inequity in the workplace. The lawsuit was filed April 26 by eight current and former employees of Mount Sinai's global health institute. It alleges the institute's leadership was discriminatory toward certain employees, predominantly female employees over age 40, and other officials exhibited similar behavior without repercussions. Mount Sinai medical students were compelled by this lawsuit to take action, Forbes reported. One student from the class of 2019, Hazel Lever, MD, penned a letter to the Mount Sinai board of trustees that as of this writing has more than 300 signatures. "Misogyny, discrimination, and bullying are never acceptable in interpersonal and professional settings," the letter opens. It calls on the board to be more transparent in its investigation of the lawsuit's claims, to take action to correct the issues and create a culture "where misogyny, discrimination, and bullying are unacceptable." "We are outraged by their mistreatment and the culture of abuse that has flourished at Mount Sinai. We believe in the work these women have dedicated themselves to in the pursuit of health and human rights in our own communities and around the world. More broadly, we believe in and trust women," the letter reads. More articles on leadership and management: CEOs rank the 10 best, worst states for business UPMC's public board meeting will be an hour of scripted PR unless public steps it up, editorial says It's National Hospital Week: 6 things to know Another veteran Massena (N.Y.) Memorial Hospital board member stepped down as the hospital discusses management changes, according to the Watertown Daily Times. Edward J. Fay resigned May 15 after a special meeting to go over an assessment from Potsdam, N.Y.-based St. Lawrence Health System on Massena's operations and finances. Mr. Fay voted against St. Lawrence Health providing Massena management, operational strategy and guidance. Mr. Fay's resignation follows former board Secretary Tina Buckley's departure. Ms. Buckley stepped down in January after serving on the board for nine years. Mr. Fay, who has been on the board since 2013, will not be replaced, according to the report. In April, Massena said it had lost $2 million in the first three months of this year and, as a result, planned to end robotic surgeries to improve its financial picture. In the same month, the board voted unanimously to apply for Critical Access Hospital designation as financial problems mount. Data analytics can be leveraged to address various challenges in the pharmacy industry, from drug shortages to identifying high-risk readmissions. Pharmacy leaders explored some of these issues and shared insights on how their own organizations are using data analytics at Becker's Hospital Review 2nd Annual Health IT + Clinical Leadership + Pharmacy conference in Chicago, May 2-4. Three key insights: 1. Drug shortages and increasing specialty supply chain. Two of the biggest challenges today for the pharmacy industry are drug shortages and increasing use of more expensive, higher regulated medications coming through the supply chain, said Andre Smith, executive director of the central and west regions for Dublin, Ohio-based Cardinal Health. "We're seeing a large shift to that specialty supply chain from the normal supply chain," Mr. Smith said. "These are extremely expensive drugs and [the challenge is] trying to combat the effect and the cost of those with being able to supply patients with needed medications. To help offset the rising costs of specialty drugs, many hospitals are looking at where profitability is in service lines to identify savings opportunities and help determine what types of patients they're providing to." 2. Use data analytics to pinpoint drug shortage risk. HC Pharmacy and Supply Chain Commercial Services, a division of UPMC, has been increasingly investing in data analytics over the past 18 months to analyze drug shortages, said Jessica Daley, the organization's vice president. Data analysts can compile reports and insights on drug shortage risk to identify shortages before they hit the market. "We're moving the majority of [our data analysis] into a more hardened data warehouse architecture, so we have an entire team of data analysts, software engineers, data managers and even some data scientists who are using all of the pieces of information that we were manually manipulating in [Microsoft] Excel," Ms. Daley said. "And they have devised a way to pull all of that data in automatically into a data overlay." 3. Target interventions around population health parameters. Institutions should use analytics to help identify what the biggest drivers are for drug use, such as inpatient or ambulatory use, said Bhavesh Shah, director of specialty and hematology/oncology pharmacy at Boston Medical Center. "Why don't we target those patients who actually have this really high risk of readmission and really target those interventions around those patients that's what we [Boston Medical Center] use data to do," Mr. Shah said. "We have a relative risk admission that we calculate on every single patient, and they're basically categorized into four different categories: super utilizer, high risk, moderate and lower risk." New York City-based NYC Health + Hospitals is using data science to implement several initiatives to help better identify and serve its homeless population, according to a Harvard Business Review article co-authored by four of the health system's executives. To help match homeless patients to the correct hospital and community-based resources, including housing, NYC Health + Hospitals developed a composite definition of homelessness by analyzing registration records, EHRs and insurance claims from its one million patients. The health system matched addresses for each of its patients to homeless shelters and hospitals, searched for words such as "homeless" and "shelter" in the records and flagged patients whose zip code changed 10 or more times in a single year. As a result of its search efforts, NYC Health + Hospitals was able to capture more than 20,000 adult homeless patients served within one year. Since then, the health system has opened an outpatient care clinic, which offers walk-in appointments and longer visits, at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. The location treats the health system's largest number of homeless patients. The clinic's staff are trained on issues homeless patients face, such as substance abuse disorder and navigating the public housing system. Additionally, NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln launched a pilot program to identify patients at risk of eviction or who are homeless. The program connects these individuals to resources, including health insurance navigation, public shelters, food benefit programs and local housing organizations. The health system also uses its patient data to organize lists of homeless patients who meet requirements for local supportive housing complexes and coordinates housing applications. Georgia has the highest maternal mortality rate of all states at 46.2 deaths per 1,000 births, but Lawrenceville, Ga.-based Gwinnett Medical Center is working to change that, reports the Gwinnett Daily Post. The hospital, which houses a level 3 neonatal intensive care unit, is participating in two initiatives to help lower postpartum hemorrhage rates: The Georgia Perinatal Quality Collaborative The Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses Postpartum Hemorrhage Project In the second quarter of 2018, 6.7 percent of GMC patients who experienced postpartum hemorrhaging had a severe maternal morbidity event, which fell to 5.8 percent in the third quarter of 2018. For reference, 24.2 percent of women at other hospitals with level 3 NICUs participating in the Georgia Perinatal Quality Collaborative experienced a maternal morbidity event after a postpartum hemorrhage. "In-house drills, assessments of processes and procedures and collaboration have been key," Veritta Henderson, RN, a perinatal practice specialist at GMC, told the Gwinnett Daily Post. "Furthermore, leadership and medical providers are extremely open to new findings and supportive of a team approach." Hospital and health system leaders may have a difficult time defining Optum the fastest-growing unit of the largest health insurer in the country as a competitor or a collaborator. Here are 10 things to know about Optum, a subsidiary of Eden Prairie, Minn.-based UnitedHealth Group: 1. UnitedHealth Group unveiled the Optum brand in 2011 by merging its existing individual health services business units at the time OptumInsight, OptumHealth and OptumRx. 2. Optum's revenues topped $100 billion for the first time in the year ended Dec. 31, 2018. It grew revenues by 11.1 percent year over year to $101.3 billion. 3. Optum has 165,000 employees worldwide and 2,447 job opportunities posted as of May 20, including vice president for talent and succession management, RN case manager (with $3,000 sign-on bonus) and an internal medicine physician. 4. Optum contains several divisions: OptumRx pharmacy benefit manager with a network of more than 67,000 community pharmacies OptumCare healthcare organization offering primary, pediatric, specialty, surgical, urgent, senior and advanced care Optum Global includes Optum Global Solutions and OptumInsights, which provide business solutions and consults to clients Optum360 technology arm for billing, operations and administrative processes for hospitals and physician practices OptumServe federal health services business for military service members, veterans and their families 5. With a network of more than 32,000 physicians and advanced practice clinicians in 75 markets, OptumCare is one of the largest employers of medical professionals. OptumCare locations include: WellMed based in San Antonio with more than 16,000 physician offices in Texas and Florida Monarch HealthCare based in Irvine, Calif., with more than 2,500 physicians AppleCare Medical Group based in Artesia, Calif., with more than 900 physicians Reliant Medical Group based in Worcester, Mass., with more than 500 physicians The Polyclinic based in Seattle with more than 200 physicians American Health Network based in Indianapolis and Columbus, Ohio, with more than 200 physicians 6. Optum joins forces with physicians via direct employment, network affiliation or practice acquisition. 7. Sir Andrew Witty has led Optum as CEO since 2018, after serving as a UnitedHealth Group company director. He previously served as CEO and a director of GlaxoSmithKline from 2008 to 2017, working with the drugmaker for more than 30 years total. He was knighted in 2012 for his contributions to the United Kingdom's economy. 8. Wyatt Decker, MD, has served as CEO of OptumHealth since April. He previously spent more than 20 years at Mayo Clinic, most recently as chief medical information officer for the Rochester, Minn.-based health system and CEO of its Arizona campus. 9. Optum has made several noteworthy acquisitions in the past five years, including its acquisitions of MedExpress for $1.5 billion in 2015, Surgical Care Affiliates for $2.3 billion in 2017, the Advisory Board's healthcare arm for $1.3 billion in 2017, and DaVita Medical Group for $4.3 billion, the last of which is still pending. 10. Earlier this year, Optum filed suit for a temporary restraining order to stop one of its former executives from working at Haven, the healthcare joint venture launched by Amazon, JPMorgan and Berkshire Hathaway. Optum argued that David William Smith's employment as Haven's director of strategy and research would violate the noncompete agreement he signed while with Optum. In February, U.S. District Judge Mark Wolf in Boston denied the motion and ordered the parties to work with an arbitrator to resolve the dispute on a confidential basis. The University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington is preparing to open a new $200 million building that will feature 128 single-bed rooms, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. Three things to know: 1. The new facility the Miller Building will begin admitting patients on June 1. 2. The Miller Building is designed to increase the number of private rooms at the hospital from 30 percent to almost 90 percent, however it does not increase the number of patients who can be cared for simultaneously. 3. Specialty surgery, cardiology, oncology and orthopedic patients will be treated at the facility. It also includes improved information technology and larger family spaces within rooms. Various spine and orthopedic device companies have been experimenting with 3D printing. Here are 10 key developments in 3D printing so far this year. In January, New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery and LimaCorporate launched a project to develop the first provider-based additive manufacturing 3D printing facility for custom orthopedic implants. Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine and Institute of Engineering used 3D technology to print spinal cords by implanting scaffolding, which is loaded with neural stem cells, into rats with severe spinal cord injuries. MTS Systems Corporation, a global supplier of high-performance test systems, motion simulators and sensors, used MTS material test systems to develop 3D-printed, porous titanium spinal implants. Brian Gantwerker, MD, gave his opinion on future developments of 3D printing in spine: "Where it can and should shine is potentially having a 3D printer intraoperatively that can construct a custom cage based on intraoperative CT scans or imaging." Mayo Clinic researchers shared findings on 3D printed spine models. They found cadavers are still considered the "gold-standard" for training with simulators, despite the high cost, regulation and maintenance, although developments in 3D printing could change that. RTI Surgical enrolled the first patient in a clinical evaluation of its Fortilink Interbody Fusion 3D-printed implants for degenerative disc disease treatment Medical device manufacturer, Nexxt Spine, expanded its metal 3D printing capacity with two additional machines from GE Additive. They are the company's fourth and fifth AM acquisitions in under two years following its initial investment in 2017 to support the design and development of its flagship spinal fusion implants. Brian Gill, MD, delivered his opinion on 3D printing in spine: "3D printed materials may allow bone ongrowth as well as ingrowth, achieving a higher fusion rate or even a more rapid fusion." American filament manufacturing company, 3D Printlife, plans to launch two new 3D printing materials FibreTuff PAPC Bone Replacement Filament and PEEK at the RAPID industry show in Detroit. CoreLink Surgical launched its Lateral Access System and two implant systems the F3D and CL5 Lateral interbody fusion devices designed for lateral fusions. 8.1% of all those aged between 16 and 24 in Northern Ireland were classified as NEET. Credit: Steve Parsons/PA There are 16,000 young people across Northern Ireland who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), new figures have revealed. Statistics from the Department for the Economy show that, from January to March this year, 8.1% of all those aged between 16 and 24 were classified as NEET. More than half (9,000) were female. This figure has been gradually declining over the years, from a peak of 39,000 in early 2015, and is below the level for the whole of the UK, 10.3%. A total of 12,000 young people classed as NEET were also not actively looking for work, while the remainder were trying to gain employment. The Airbus A220-100 delivered to Delta Air Lines at the A220 final assembly plant in Mirabel, Canada, is the 12,000th aircraft delivered by Airbus since 1974 The 12,000th aircraft delivered by Airbus since 1974 is an A220-100 jet, the aerospace giant said yesterday. The narrow-body aircraft and its Belfast-made wings were handed over to US airline Delta yesterday. It's the 12th A220 delivered to Delta Air Lines since October 2018. The US airline originally placed an order for 75 of the smaller A220-100 jets in 2016. In January, Delta upgraded its order to 50 of the larger A220-300 aircraft and 40 A220-100s. Airbus, which took a majority stake in Bombardier's former C Series last summer, said yesterday that the milestone delivery to Delta highlights its growing presence in North America. Ground was broken in January on a second A220 final assembly line in Mobile, Alabama. Nine months on from the devastating Primark fire in Belfast city centre, the cause of the blaze has still not been determined. It comes as the neighbouring Tesco Metro store on Royal Avenue finally reopened yesterday after the fire forced its immediate closure. The store, which employs 95 people, had been shut since the Primark blaze on August 28 last year. It was among a number of businesses in the vicinity of Primark forced to close their doors due to the fire. A cordon was installed around the area to protect the public from debris from the shell of the building, which is expected to be further reduced next month to allow buses to pass through the city centre. A spokesman for the NI Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said yesterday that the investigation into the Primark fire is still ongoing. "This is a complex process due to the nature of such a large-scale incident and there has not yet been a determination in regard to the cause of the fire," he added. A Primark spokesperson added: "Primark continues to assist the NIFRS and HSENI (Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland) with their investigation." Glyn Roberts, chief executive of Retail NI, said retailers need answers about the cause of the fire that left them out of business for several months. "Given the scale of the disruption to Belfast city centre, it's important that we get to the bottom of the fire, not least because there could obviously be lessons for other retailers to learn from to ensure this never happens again. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Aerial views showing the aftermath of the fire in the Bank Buildings - Primark Belfast - August 29th 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott) Kevin Scott Aerial views showing the aftermath of the fire in the Bank Buildings - Primark Belfast - August 29th 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott) Kevin Scott Aerial views showing the aftermath of the fire in the Bank Buildings - Primark Belfast - August 29th 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott) Kevin Scott Aerial views showing the aftermath of the fire in the Bank Buildings - Primark Belfast - August 29th 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott) Kevin Scott Aerial views showing the aftermath of the fire in the Bank Buildings - Primark Belfast - August 29th 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott) Kevin Scott Aerial views showing the aftermath of the fire in the Bank Buildings - Primark Belfast - August 29th 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott) Kevin Scott Aerial views showing the aftermath of the fire in the Bank Buildings - Primark Belfast - August 29th 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott) Kevin Scott Aerial views showing the aftermath of the fire in the Bank Buildings - Primark Belfast - August 29th 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott) Kevin Scott Aerial views showing the aftermath of the fire in the Bank Buildings - Primark Belfast - August 29th 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott) Kevin Scott Aerial views showing the aftermath of the fire in the Bank Buildings - Primark Belfast - August 29th 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott) Kevin Scott Aerial view over Bank Buildings following Tuesdays fire. Photo by Gregory Weeks. Photo by Gregory Weeks. Aerial view over Bank Buildings following Tuesdays fire.. Photo by Gregory Weeks. Aerial view over Bank Buildings following Tuesdays fire.. Aerial view over Bank Buildings following Tuesdays fire. Photo by Gregory Weeks. Photo by Gregory Weeks. Aerial view over Bank Buildings following Tuesdays fire.. Photo by Gregory Weeks. Aerial view over Bank Buildings following Tuesdays fire.. Photo by Gregory Weeks. Aerial view over Bank Buildings following Tuesdays fire.. Photo by Gregory Weeks. Aerial view over Bank Buildings following Tuesdays fire.. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Aerial views showing the aftermath of the fire in the Bank Buildings - Primark Belfast - August 29th 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott) "A number of neighbouring retailers and hospitality businesses have lost out after closing their doors so we need to know the truth about what happened on that day in August. We are not far off a year since this happened and we need answers." Mr Roberts has also called for a rejuvenation fund for the city centre. "There is no reason, with the right investment and partnership, that Belfast couldn't be in the top 10 of retail destinations in the UK," he said. "Top of our list is creating the conditions so that more independent retailers could locate in the city centre to offer something different and distinctive to consumers. "We will be engaging with the newly elected Belfast City Councillors to outline how this could be achieved." The Tesco outlet is one of the final businesses affected by the fire to reopen its doors. Last month, Spanish fashion store Zara reopened after seven months out of action. Among the other businesses affected by the Primark fire were Argento, McDonalds and DV8. Following the fire, Primark opened two new stores in Belfast city centre on Castle Street and Donegall Place. Work is currently ongoing to restore the bank buildings and its facade, with Primark hoping to move back into the building in future. An artists impression of the planned City Quays 3 development in Belfast, which at 16 storeys is set to become Northern Irelands tallest office building An artists impression of the planned City Quays 3 development in Belfast, which at 16 storeys is set to become Northern Irelands tallest office building The 50m contract to build Northern Ireland's tallest office building has been awarded to Belfast firm Farrans Construction. Work on the City Quays 3 project is set to begin later this month, with 500 people expected to be involved in its construction phase. The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) gave the planning go-ahead for the major project in January. When completed in 2021, the 16-storey tower will bring another 250,000 square foot of grade A office space to Belfast Harbour's waterfront City Quays scheme, which already houses 1,100 office workers. Read More Belfast Harbour said yesterday that City Quays 3 represents its largest development project to date. Capable of accommodating up to 1,800 people, the finished building will bring to 125m Belfast Harbour's investment in the 20-acre site. It follows the 17m 900-space car park opened by Belfast Harbour in January. The new office tower will be built near the M3 Lagan Bridge, on a vacant site between the AC Marriott Hotel and the City Quays 2 building, which is home to broadcaster UTV and other busineseses. John Armstrong, managing director of the Construction Employers Federation (CEF), welcomed the appointment of the Northern Ireland contractor just four months after planning approval was secured. "Farrans, its direct workforce and supply chain will bring a wealth of experience to the project and, at a time of ongoing political and economic uncertainty, the project's commencement will come as a significant economic boost locally," he said. "Belfast Harbour is a major client for Northern Ireland's construction sector and the industry looks forward to working with it as it continues to expand on its economic contribution to Northern Ireland." Belfast Harbour's chief executive Joe O'Neill, said: "City Quays 3 is one of the largest strategic investments ever undertaken by Belfast Harbour and we're delighted to award the contract to a local construction company. In addition to supporting 500 local construction jobs, the office will build upon City Quays' success by providing strategic accommodation to meet demand for grade A, city-centre office space. "In just five years City Quays has emerged as an iconic waterfront destination for sectors including legal, media, IT and financial services," he continued. "Our experience of developing in advance of market demand, and the subsequent success in securing occupiers, has led us to progress City Quays 3. "This investment will assist both indigenous and new market entrants and we have already had very positive early discussions with a number of potential occupiers." Glenn Gilmore, regional director at Farrans Construction, said: "Farrans Construction is delighted at our contract award on City Quays 3. The award of this prestigious contract, within the heart of the City Quays waterfront scheme, re-establishes our relationship with Belfast Harbour Commissioners. "Our team have been heavily involved behind the scenes and this announcement is a testament to the professionalism and expertise of all our team working on the project to date." The City Quays 3 application was submitted in May 2017 and sent to DfI for consideration. It was passed three months after new decision making powers were given to Northern Ireland civil servants in the absence of Stormont ministers. The tourism industry in Northern Ireland is a success story with the potential to become even more successful. The search for more tourists and for higher value tourism is now coming together with greater professional assistance through the creation of the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance (NITA) as a new business force adding to the efforts of the existing institutions such as Tourism NI and Tourism Ireland. After careful preparation, NITA is offering a forceful voice bringing together the business skills and experience of an influential group of commercial interests and other relevant agencies such as local government councils. NITA has a significant group of members, including accommodation providers (with major hotels), members of food and drink associations, providers of passenger transport (by air, sea, road and rail), tour guides and regional organisations (such as Visit Belfast, Visit Derry and Visit West Belfast). NITA has also recruited as associate members 10 local councils, Tourism NI and Tourism Ireland, education and skills providers, and at least one of the local universities. To lead this representative new organisation, NITA has appointed a full-time chief executive who brings a wealth of business experience to the role. Joanne Stuart, a former senior manager at Catalyst, is reviewing activity in the tourism sector and assessing the strengths and weaknesses so that they can move towards setting agreed priorities for development. Joanne has the advantage of a successful business career and, as a former chairman of the Institute of Directors (IoD), her network of business associates and colleagues is extensive. NITA will be a forceful new voice, supplementing the efforts that are already being made. In addition, it will be an additional source of expertise, advice, operational support and challenge to a tourism sector that is ready to enhance the vision of what local tourism could achieve. In the debate about further strengthening tourism, NITA will be able to offer Tourism NI and the Department for the Economy well sourced advice and, where appropriate, critical comments. NITA is well aware of the tensions of different approaches. Tourism should be a self-sustaining industry: tourists are encouraged to come to Northern Ireland because it offers tourist products which are good value for money. But tourism will sometimes, selectively, need Government support to build up support where there might be market failure. Projects which exploit and commercialise facilities or events drawing on cultural heritage and traditional festivals may merit launch aid, possibly on a one-off basis. The local tourist industry will want to refresh and add to the available tourism product. The Giant's Causeway, Titanic Quarter and the Mournes are already world renowned. However, NITA will all be considering how to broaden the appeal, increase the length of the tourist season and look to other agencies to supplement their activities. In the last decade, Northern Ireland has begun to build recurring festivals and events that attract visitors. Londonderry has a successful Halloween festival, Fermanagh has begun to commercialise leisure cruising on the lakes and across to the Shannon by-canal, Belfast has enjoyed business connected with its maritime heritage which can now add the attraction of HMS Caroline, East Antrim offers a unique experience through the Gobbins walkway. So the list must go on... and grow. NITA will set the scene for an ever-more ambitious agenda. Northern Ireland has begun to recognise where the potential for success lies. Vision and delivery must come from the efforts of talented local entrepreneurs. To broaden the potential tourist market, efforts are contemplated to increase the number of business visitors mixing business and pleasure. Belfast and Londonderry have the capacity, if local councils and accommodation providers cooperate, to offer the range of facilities to attract large professional conferences. A tourist sector which generates better, larger and more enduring activity lies within the grasp of a better focused local effort. Two of Northern Ireland's ports have revealed investments totalling nearly 60m in a major vote of confidence in the economy. Belfast Harbour has announced the contract to build City Quays 3 - which will be Northern Ireland's tallest office building at 16 storeys - has gone to Farrans Construction. And in Co Down, Warrenpoint Harbour has said that a company is investing 9.5m in a liquid carbon dioxide terminal on the site. Nippon Gases, a Japanese business, is to open an import and distribution terminal in Warrenpoint in its first major investment in Ireland. The Asian company bought Praxair Gases Europe in December last year. Belfast Harbour is listed at number 10 in today's Belfast Telegraph Top 100 Companies in association with Arthur Cox. The harbour reported pre-tax profits of 65.8m during 2017. The business describes itself as a major driver of the Northern Ireland economy and home to over 700 firms. Two weeks ago Belfast Harbour announced it's spending 15m on redeveloping Victoria Terminal 2, which serves the Belfast-Liverpool route. The contract for that work has gone to Hillsborough-based firm Graham. Stephen Kelly (centre) with Retail NIs Glyn Roberts and Colin Neill of Hospitality Ulster at the the New Deal for Northern Ireland policy launch Stephen Kelly with children Josh and Abbie, who both live in Sydney, TJ, who is studying for his GCSEs, and wife Carol Stephen with his late father Terry, his mother Ann and sister Catherine in 1974 Stephen Kelly being awarded the Board of Trade role with Greg Hands MP, Liam Fox MP and Karen Betts When Stephen Kelly was appointed as chief executive of Manufacturing Northern Ireland, no one could predict the uncertainty that lay ahead. The industry has experienced extremely difficult times in recent years, with major employers such as Bombardier and Wrightbus shedding hundreds of jobs. However, the political indecision over Brexit poses an even more significant threat to manufacturing firms across Northern Ireland. Read More Throughout it all, 47-year-old Stephen has been committed to representing the manufacturing industry in a bid to ensure the best possible conditions for trade once the UK leaves Europe. He is clear that a no-deal Brexit would be a disaster for the economy here. "The biggest thing we are facing at the moment is a Brexit done wrong, which presents a massive threat to our sector," he says. "Our guys depend on all out access to an all-Ireland market, free and unfettered, in order to deliver what they need to do. "We also require unfettered access to the rest of the UK market in order to be able to function. "We have directly engaged with the UK and Irish governments and Michel Barnier's team and made clear to them what is required in order to make Brexit work for Northern Ireland. "What is currently being delivered in terms of the Withdrawal Agreement isn't perfect, but it is workable and preferable to a no-deal scenario. "We have engaged in some very difficult conversations, we've been very straight talking, particularly in relation to the possibility of a no-deal and the implications of that. "People who scream for a no-deal aren't people who have to worry about paying wages or putting food on the table." He adds: "However, the fact is people did vote for Brexit and we have always taken a very pragmatic approach and once the UK decided to leave, how we leave became the most important thing." You only have to talk to Stephen for a matter of minutes to recognise his dedication to his job. He freely admits he remains in a role for as long as he finds it challenging and enjoyable. In fact, it was when he realised that he was no longer happy in his previous job that he applied to Manufacturing NI. "I was in Glasgow at a client meeting and I was booked on to the last plane of the day," he says. "As usual, the flight was delayed because it was the last flight and I got home to Derry at 1.30am and I realised I didn't enjoy it anymore and decided I wanted to do something different. "I opened up my laptop and searched jobs in Northern Ireland and the job I have now was the very first job that came up. "I honestly believe that life is all about being open to things." It is this attitude that has allowed Stephen to build up a wealth of skills and experience that have helped him to become an advocate for the manufacturing industry in Northern Ireland. Previous roles have included head of strategy and special projects for international marketing and communications firm, Velocity Worldwide, where he was responsible for delivery across all accounts, partnerships and company development. Before joining the company in 2008, he was CEO of the Federation of the Retail Licensed Trade in Northern Ireland and former CEO of City Centre Initiative, a regeneration partnership for the development of Londonderry city centre. For five years, Stephen was a member of the BBC Broadcasting Council for Northern Ireland and he also provided mediation services as an authorised officer for the Parades Commission. He was the 2003 national president of Junior Chamber International UK and is a past vice chairman of the Northern Ireland Association of Town Centre Managers. He has also graduated from numerous local, national and international leadership programmes including Common Purpose, Boston College's Irish Institute Programme, JCI Leadership Academy in Japan and the International Visitor and Leadership Programme on NGO's sponsored by the US State Department. It is an impressive and varied CV, but has happened more by chance than design, according to Stephen. Born and bred in Londonderry, Stephen, who is married to Carol and is stepdad to Josh (29) and Abbie (27) and dad to 16-year-old TJ, attended Greenhaw Primary School and then Templemore Secondary School. He says: "They weren't fully integrated, they were mixed rather than integrated, but I do think it was a really positive experience. "My father didn't have the best experience at school so he didn't want me to go to the same school as him so it was a conscious decision to go to Greenhaw and Templemore even though they weren't our local schools. "When I went to secondary school, those were very difficult years in Northern Ireland, but I was going to a school where I was mixing with people, not just from different religious backgrounds, but different ethnic backgrounds. "Other pupils were from Asia and Africa, which was unusual in Derry at the time, and I think that makes you much more tolerant of other people's views. "I definitely enjoyed my time at school, but I had no idea what I wanted to do when I left. "It might sound odd that I didn't know, it wasn't like I knew I wanted to be a cowboy or a doctor or a fireman, but that's the truth. "When I was at school, I did everything from maths to music, I have always done what I enjoyed. "I'm a great believer of serendipity more than anything else - rather than sitting and planning out my career, I have always done what I have enjoyed and that has served me well. "If it gets to the point where I don't like something, I don't do it anymore - I look for something completely different. "That has been a real driver for expanding my own knowledge and experience, I just don't believe in doing something to the point of depression, where you just can't stand something anymore. "I like to give 150% and when I can't do it anymore I start to do something different." Stephen has grown up with a strong work ethic - his first job was delivering Belfast Telegraph newspapers around his home city of Derry from the age of 13. By the time he was 16, he had taken on the role of managing the distribution of the newspapers. While he enjoyed school, he initially had no plans to go to university but made the decision to take up a place at the University of Ulster studying part-time for a Masters in business and public policy. "It was more through necessity than anything else," he says. "I realised that if I wanted to get into employment that businesses shortlist you on qualifications. "I knew that when I applied for jobs I would be competing in the sifting process with people with degrees and I wouldn't stand a chance." Ultimately, however, he decided to commit to the world of work. "I was basically working from the age of 13," he says. "As it turns out, I didn't finish the degree although I got through most of it. "I started working as a research assistant for a professor running the degree and my career went from there." Despite his varied career, Stephen had limited knowledge of the manufacturing industry before taking up his current role. But he believes it was actually the many different jobs he has had, as well as his can-do attitude, that made him perfect for the position. He continues: "My time as national president of Junior Chamber International UK gave me more in terms of my career than any academic education. "It's where I really learned the skills I needed to get on in life. "I was asked about my knowledge of the manufacturing industry when I was interviewed for my current role and I was very honest and said I knew nothing. "That isn't generally to be advised in an interview, but I also told them I work as hard as anyone and said that if I don't have the knowledge, I will identify the people who do and network. "They did take a risk on me and I hope that have been very happy, certainly they do tell me from time to time. "I'm certainly happy with them - I've been in this job for five and a half years which is longer than any other role." So, looking back on his career to date, does Stephen have any regrets? "I don't think you should regret what you do," he says. "As long as you make a decision to do something for the right reason, even if not everyone appreciates what you are doing, then you'll always be on the right side and you shouldn't regret that. "I'm not the type of person to dwell on my decisions, I'm quite brave and I think my career path shows that in some respects. "I think it's a value we should all have more of. "I also think we should be more willing to run towards challenges, instead of cowering away from them." Stephen applies this philosophy to all aspects of his life - and even set up Event Collective to help creative artists find a platform to perform and he has even been involved in running underground raves in Derry. He adds: "I've always been known as someone who firstly accepts challenges and secondly will sort problems out. "I also do what needs to be done in order to get the confidence of everyone else involved to agree to these things. "It might seem surprising that I have time to do this, but it's so important to have a life outside of work." A top recruiter has called for companies to do more to ensure women progress in work after the Belfast Telegraph Top 100 for 2019 showed that just 3% of the biggest firms here are led by women. The representation of women in this year's list is one of the lowest of recent years. Three years ago, three of the top five firms were led by women. Recruitment specialist Aine Brolly of executive search company Ardlinn said she was disappointed at the low representation of women in this year's Top 100. The Belfast Telegraph Top 100 in partnership with law firm Arthur Cox is compiled by economist Professor John Simpson on the basis of company pre-tax profits. Read More And Ms Brolly had a message for the 97 firms who are led by men. She said: "Those 97 firms need to focus on their female talent and how they progress through their organisations." Of the three firms with female leaders in the Top 100, the highest placed is Northern Ireland Water, the government-owned company at number two with pre-tax profits of 94.5m. It's led by Sara Venning. Read More And SHS Group, the Belfast-based consumer goods company behind brands such as Shloer, is led by Elaine Birchall. With a pre-tax profits level of 24.4m, it's at number 20. The third female leader in the Top 100 is Darina Armstrong, at the helm of Progressive Building Society at number 54. It has pre-tax profits of 9m. But Sara Venning, who has been NI Water chief executive for five years, said the lack of women was a matter of "fact" and was something which should be met with pragmatism. "Rather than thinking it's disappointing or shocking, it's just fact. The industry I am in is a bit like the corporate world as a whole, which in the past has tended to be more attractive to males, so you've had decades of quite low employee turnover. And I think that because we have that ageing older workforce, we now have a huge opportunity to increase diversity and the representation of women in our own workforce." But she said that she believed in fairness in the workplace: "If there's a job to be done, then the best person has to do it, regardless of gender." Along with Trisha McAuley, a non-executive director, she is one of two women on the board of NI Water. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Justin Patty, Arthur Cox, and Jackie Reid and Richard Packenham, Belfast Telegraph. Johanna Cunningham, Erin Carruthers, and Katie Millar, Arthur Cox. Colm McElroy, Arthur Cox and Paul Stanfield, Firmus Energy Chris Milligan, Mark Jameson, and Stuart Mansfield, Arthur Cox Linda McKillen and Kellie-Ann Hoey, SHS Group Margaret Canning, Belfast Telegraph and Lynsey Mallon, Arthur Cox Rajesh Rana, Andras House, Michael Graham, GRAHAM, and Mark Walker, Hilton Paul Stanfield, Firmus Energy, Andrew Greer, SSE, and David Black, Arthur Cox Colm McElroy, Arthur Cox, and Michael Scott, Firmus Energy John Healy, Allstate NI, Mark Ennis, SSE, Margaret Canning, Belfast Telegraph, Kevin Kingston, Danske Bank, and John Simpson, economist Cahal Carvill, Arthur Cox, Liam McDonald, Whitemountain, William Curry, Arthur Cox, and Damian Heron, Heron Bros Simon Campbell, Portview and Alan Taylor, Arthur Cox Ian Wright, NIIB Group, Claudine Herron, W&R Barnett, and William Thompson, Bank of Ireland Paul McBride, Arthur Cox and Kevin Lagan, Lagan Specialist Contracting Group / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Justin Patty, Arthur Cox, and Jackie Reid and Richard Packenham, Belfast Telegraph. Roseann Kelly, Women in Business chief executive, expressed her disappointment, saying the figure of 3% did not "represent the female talent and expertise we have available in Northern Ireland". She added: "I would call on local business to reassess their gender diversity procedures - a balanced workforce is good for business, it is good for customers, for profitability and workplace culture." Ms Brolly said the lack of female business leaders reflected that many of the top companies belong in traditionally male-dominated sectors. "Bigger, older, traditional companies will just by default have less females because they have had that culture of factory floor being mostly men. "But the fact that only three of the top companies have female chief executives is really poor on our part." She said research suggested that one fifth of board members in top companies are female. A renewable energy business is today named Northern Ireland's number one company in the Belfast Telegraph Top 100 Companies in association with Arthur Cox solicitors. SSE Renewable Onshore has taken the top spot in the prestigious list after declaring pre-tax profits of 107m in the year to March 2018. Its profit count has dislodged Dankse Bank, which topped the poll every year from 2015 to 2018. And the threshold to qualify for the Top 100 - which is compiled by economist John Simpson - has this year risen to 4.4m, up from 4.2m in 2018. The glossy magazine will be launched at a prestigious event attended by top business leaders in Belfast today. Read More Arthur Cox managing partner Catriona Gibson - which has supported the Top 100 for five years in a row - said: "Each year, the Top 100 provides an insight into the performances of Northern Ireland's leading companies, showcasing a tremendous breadth of firms operating locally - from small family businesses to large international corporations. "Compiled during a time of wider economic and political uncertainty, the guide presents a welcome opportunity to celebrate the continuing ability of businesses to flourish despite facing myriad external challenges. "Congratulations go to all organisations included in the Top 100 guide." The list is compiled and analysed by economist John Simpson. He said the firms on the list had a total pre-tax profit of 1.880bn, and had racked up employment costs of 2.743bn in employing 80,190 staff. And he said that overall, the period covered in the company accounts which inform the Top 100 showed a successful year. But he added it had not been a boom year. "In fact, 2018 overall was a year of slow, but undoubted, expansion," he said. "The Top 100 league table shows numerous examples of some firms outpacing their rivals." He said he had drawn the final Top 100 from a study of 300 businesses. And he said small variations of performance from one company to another could result in firms being knocked off the list. "Starting with the pre-tax cut-off point for the 100th business at 4.4m, there are nine firms with pre-tax profits between 4.4m and 4.9m as well as 12 with results in the range 4m to 4.39m," he said. "Small changes might move a business from 100th to 90th or 112th place in the rank order." Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Justin Patty, Arthur Cox, and Jackie Reid and Richard Packenham, Belfast Telegraph. Johanna Cunningham, Erin Carruthers, and Katie Millar, Arthur Cox. Colm McElroy, Arthur Cox and Paul Stanfield, Firmus Energy Chris Milligan, Mark Jameson, and Stuart Mansfield, Arthur Cox Linda McKillen and Kellie-Ann Hoey, SHS Group Margaret Canning, Belfast Telegraph and Lynsey Mallon, Arthur Cox Rajesh Rana, Andras House, Michael Graham, GRAHAM, and Mark Walker, Hilton Paul Stanfield, Firmus Energy, Andrew Greer, SSE, and David Black, Arthur Cox Colm McElroy, Arthur Cox, and Michael Scott, Firmus Energy John Healy, Allstate NI, Mark Ennis, SSE, Margaret Canning, Belfast Telegraph, Kevin Kingston, Danske Bank, and John Simpson, economist Cahal Carvill, Arthur Cox, Liam McDonald, Whitemountain, William Curry, Arthur Cox, and Damian Heron, Heron Bros Simon Campbell, Portview and Alan Taylor, Arthur Cox Ian Wright, NIIB Group, Claudine Herron, W&R Barnett, and William Thompson, Bank of Ireland Paul McBride, Arthur Cox and Kevin Lagan, Lagan Specialist Contracting Group / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Justin Patty, Arthur Cox, and Jackie Reid and Richard Packenham, Belfast Telegraph. Looking at the top 20 firms, Mr Simpson selected top performers including four banks, six utility companies, and a port, as well as one large property business and nine private sector trading businesses. And of the private sector trading businesses, there are family-run firms including W&R Barnett, Norbrook Holdings and Banner Dell, the firm best known for holding the KFC franchise. W&R Barnett is the highest-placed family company, with pre-tax profits of 46.8m placing it at number 12. It is a global business based in Belfast whose interests include molasses, animal feed, grain and other items. In its most recent company results - published after the cut-off date for the Top 100 publication - its pre-tax profits were 51.6m, an improvement which would place it at number 10 in the list. This year, only 3% of the Top 100 companies are led by women. Christine White, head of business at Diversity Mark NI, which helps companies benchmark their progress on gender diversity, said it was a "shocking" statistic. "Countless studies back gender diversity as good for business; it adds to the bottom line, increases employee satisfaction and reduces staff turnover," she added. "The time to act on gender inequality is now and we are calling on all businesses to assess their gender equality procedures." Councillors John Palmer, Jim Dillon and Caleb McCready take part in the final day of the archaeological dig at Moira Demesne A community archaeological dig has unearthed new details about a medieval structure. The foundations of Moira Castle, which dates back to the 1600s, emerged during last summer's drought when the ground receded to reveal part of the main building. More than 100 volunteers, including school pupils, joined a team from Queen's University and the Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum for an excavation of the remains. David Burns, chief executive of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, said the dig - which took place over the past two weeks - has given an insight into the life of the castle's inhabitants in the 18th and 19th centuries. "Over the course of 14 days not only were wall foundations uncovered but the team also found 17th and 18th century pottery, roof tiles, window and drinking glass, clay pipes and a wild boar tusk," he said. "The excavation has revealed a large amount of information about the site, its inhabitants and their way of life over 200 years later." Mr Burns revealed that one of the most impressive finds of the dig was a coin with a 1773 date. "(This was) from around the time William Sharman, MP for Lisburn, leased the estate from John Rawdon, 1st Earl of Moira," he explained. Mr Burns urged history buffs to visit the Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum, where the findings from the excavation will be displayed in the near future. Mr Burns - who joined in the dig - also praised the efforts of volunteers and the eight school groups for their hard work on the project. "It was great to hear the excitement of participants as they helped uncover these historic foundations dating back to the 1600s," he said. "Local residents also came down to Moira Demesne to watch the activity going on." The council will be updating its records following the findings of the dig. Director of excavation from Queen's, Ruairi O Baoill, will deliver a talk on the dig as part of the museum's autumn programme later this year. The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said the situation was the result of staff shortages. (stock photo) The head of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) has expressed "regret" after it emerged Belfast was left without a paramedic on duty one night last month. On April 26, a Saturday night, seven emergency crews were due to be on duty in the city - however due to vacancies, leave and sickness, only four crews operated until midnight. This then reduced to three crews, none of which contained paramedics from 2.30am onwards. The shortages were reported by The Irish News on Tuesday. Instead, the NIAS relied on non-emergency staff, who are unable to administer many life-saving treatments, such as adrenalin and morphine, and voluntary and private ambulance services. Read More NIAS chief executive, Michael Bloomfield, said: It is a source of regret to me whenever ambulance cover is depleted due to lack of available resources and the potential impact this may have on the community we serve. "Demand for NIAS services has increased significantly over recent years without a corresponding increase in ambulance resources. We are working to address the issue and fill existing vacancies with ongoing regional recruitments and training. "A Paramedic Foundation Degree programme commenced in January 2019 in partnership with Ulster University and 48 students are expected to qualify in November 2019. "In addition 48 EMTs are due to complete their training and become operational later this month. Further training programmes are planned to start later this year." Mr Bloomfield added that there are 352 paramedics across Northern Ireland, with 38 current vacancies, and more than 120 additional paramedics are needed to implement a proposed new Clinical Response Model. "I would like to express my gratitude to those staff, on the frontline and in ambulance control, who continue to work tirelessly to ensure that an ambulance response is provided to those who have an immediate and life-threatening need, he added. Earlier this week, the Belfast Telegraph revealed a disgruntled NIAS employee took to Facebook to post a damning assessment of the stress paramedics in Northern Ireland face on a daily basis. In a statement, NIAS said they had temporarily removed the paramedic in question from duty due to concerns about his mental wellbeing. A north Belfast school has revealed that it currently has no students studying languages at A-level or GCSE. Credit: Gareth Fuller/PA A north Belfast school has revealed that it currently has no students studying languages at A-level or GCSE. It comes as a new report published today shows that the number of pupils learning a modern language here continues to plummet. The British Council's first Language Trends Northern Ireland report surveyed over 300 primary and post-primary schools. It found that Spanish is now the language most frequently taught in local schools, followed by French and Irish. In the eight-year period from 2010, GCSE entries in Northern Ireland dropped by 19% with significant falls in both French (41%) and German (18%), while Spanish rose by 16%. The results were similar at A-level with the number of students taking French declining by 40% while German fell by 29%. A number of primary and post-primary schools are now offering more diverse languages such as Mandarin and Arabic, which are recognised as crucial to the UK's long-term competitiveness, especially as the country plans to leave the EU. Many respondents said they believed languages were no longer valued here and the rest of the UK. Other barriers cited for the decline included the perceived level of difficulty of languages at GCSE and A-level. Belfast Boys' Model School offers French and Spanish to pupils in Year 8, 9 and 10. But head of modern languages at the school, Linda Parra, said: "We currently don't have any pupils at A-level or GCSE studying languages. "It's not like the pupils don't have an interest; in Year 8 they're really keen and the Modern Language Club for Years 9 and 10 is really popular, but they only do an hour of languages a week, so it would have to be a very a brave pupil to take languages on at GCSE. For me the main worry is grading at GCSE and its level of difficulty. Pupils are discouraged from taking languages as the main priority is for them to pass in maths and English. "I believe children should be learning languages at primary school - even just 10 minutes a week - so that when they come here they are more familiar and have built up some of the basic vocabulary." Paul Porter, head of modern languages at Belfast Royal Academy, believes subjects such as French and German are now "fighting a losing battle" against heavily promoted STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths) subjects. "Students are now taking subjects that are easier to pass and no longer see the relevance and value in languages," he said. They know the language courses are more rigorous in terms of their demands, which is turning them off." At primary level the report found just 55% of primary schools surveyed provided some form of language teaching. Unlike in England and Scotland, learning a second language is not a statutory part of the primary school curriculum here. But Lynne Rainey, PwC student recruitment lead in Northern Ireland, says learning a language is a skill that must be kept alive. "At PwC we currently have over 20 language groups. Spanish is our most important language, but we are seeing an increasing need for languages such as Arabic and Mandarin and emerging languages such as Portuguese and Russian," she said. "We tend to have to recruit people from outside Northern Ireland and 40% of our roles are currently filled by people not from here. "That's a big statistic and there is definitely a gap in skills, especially in non-traditional languages such as Arabic or Mandarin." Jonathan Stewart, director of the British Council Northern Ireland, believes that if the region is to remain competitive globally, far more young people need to be learning languages. He added: "The benefits of learning a language are huge; from boosting job prospects to acquiring the ability to understand and better connect with another culture, so we must therefore make a concerted effort to give language learning back the respect and prominence it deserves." Emergency Services at the scene of a serious RTC on the A2 Bangor to Belfast road close to Station Road on May 21st 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) Three people have been taken to hospital after a serious four vehicle crash on the A2 Bangor to Belfast Road. Police closed the road after the serious accident at the Devil's Elbow at Seahill. The road was reopened at around 10.30pm. The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said it received a call about a four vehicle road traffic collision at 6.36pm. Two rapid response paramedics and three emergency crews were sent to the scene. Following treatment and assessment at the scene, three patients were taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital. North Down DUP MLA Gordon Dunne said: "This is a very busy section of road and it reinforces the need for more road safety improvements to reduce the risk for all road users. Unfortunately we have seen a number of fatalities along the A2 Dual Carriageway over the last few years and I believe more needs to be done by DfI Roads to address ongoing concerns. "I understand from speaking with local people and the PSNI that there were a number of people involved and some have unfortunately suffered injuries. I certainly trust they will all make a full recovery "There was in fact another road accident yesterday (Tuesday) along the A2 at the Kinnegar junction at a Holywood which again highlights how busy and dangerous a road this is. There was significant diversions in place over the Craigantlet Hills on Tuesday following both of these accidents." Alliance councillor Andrew Muir told the Belfast Telegraph: "That is an extremely dangerous stretch of road and there has been a number of fatalities there in the past. "It is the most dangerous part of the A2, that stretch of road, and I think we need to have a road safety review in that area. There has been deaths on this stretch before and I just hope that is not the case in this incident." My thoughts with all those affected by this horrific crash on one of Northern Ireland's busiest roads where a review of safety along A2 Bangor to Belfast Rd seems wise following yet another dreadful accident https://t.co/cxdfYwZTsm Andrew Muir MLA (@AndrewMuirNI) May 21, 2019 DUP councillor Stephen Dunne said: "It is a very dangerous junction. It is a busy four lane carriageway and it has 45,000 vehicle movements every day according to the last traffic report." The pair appeared before Belfast Magistrates' Court on Tuesday A brother and sister allegedly robbed a Belfast taxi driver of 90 in takings at knifepoint, a court has heard. Colin Crawford, 31, and 32-year-old Lorilee Crawford are accused of brandishing blades after flagging down the cab in the early hours of Monday morning. Prosecutors claimed they were then found hiding behind shutters at a fast-food restaurant near the scene on the Shankill Road area. The pair, both of Dunanney Avenue in Newtownabbey, appeared together at Belfast Magistrates' Court charged with robbery and possessing offensive weapons with intent to commit an indictable offence. Lorilee Crawford faces further counts of stealing a debit card and having cocaine and diazepam said to have been located in her underwear. Police said the driver was robbed after picking up a man and woman on the Shore Road near Crusaders FC's Seaview stadium. He had been asked to take them to the Shankill area but became wary at the circuitous route they wanted to travel, the court was told. At that point the man in the front passenger seat allegedly produced a knife and demanded: "Give me the money, I want all of it." The woman in the back seat also then pressed a suspected blade against the victim's neck, according to police. He handed over a container with approximately 90 in it before exiting his taxi and phoning police. District Judge Peter King was told officers responded and located a knife nearby. The accused were detained at a KFC outlet, with searches allegedly leading to another knife being found in Lorilee Crawford's possession. Both accused deny carrying out the robbery. They claim to have taken a taxi from Rathcoole in Newtownabbey to the Shankill area to visit relatives. During interviews Lorilee Crawford, a mother of three, told police they had encountered a group of teenagers and warned them about the dangers of drugs misuse. She alleged that the teenagers then dropped substances, which she picked up and planned to hand over to a pharmacy. Her barrister, Sean Mullan, argued that she is not forensically linked to the robbery. Colin Crawford's lawyer, Pearse MacDermott, also insisted there is currently no fingerprint or DNA connection. "This is very much a circumstantial case at present," he said. Both defendants were refused bail, however, due to the potential risk of re-offending. Remanding them in custody to appear again by video-link in four weeks time, Judge King said: "The allegations are striking - they are against a taxi driver and there's allegations of the use of a knife." A burglary victim has been left badly shaken after four masked men broke into a home in Newtownards. The burglary happened at a house in the Talbot Street area of the town on Monday night. Detective Constable Armstrong said: We received a report that four masked men entered the property at around 10.20pm on Monday. They rummaged through the house and left with a sum of money. Its reported that the men all wore dark clothing and balaclavas. "The occupant, while physically unharmed, was understandably left badly shaken. It is believed that the four subsequently headed in the direction of William Street Court, and got into a dark coloured hatchback-type vehicle. We are appealing to anyone with information, or who may have witnessed any suspicious activity in the area, to contact detectives on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 1534 of 20/05/19. Information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime. A couple and their 15-year-old daughter escaped injury in a shooting attack in Lisburn. A shot was fired at a house in the Hillhall Park area in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Detective Constable Kennedy said: It was reported that just after midnight, between 00.10am and 00.20am, damage was caused to a living room window of a property from what would appear to be a single shot fired from a shotgun. A couple and their 15-year-old daughter were in the house at the time, but thankfully no one was injured as a result of this totally reckless act. We are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this incident, or who may have information or dashcam footage of the area, to contact detectives in Lisburn on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 57 of 21/05/19. "Alternatively, information can be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime." Police are examining more than 10,000 images seized from a former Boys Brigade leader who is accused of a number of sexual offences. A prosecuting lawyer told Lisburn Magistrates Court the officer in charge of the investigation into 29-year-old Neil Cunningham had given an update that police are "about three quarters of the way through" categorising around 11,000 images. In cases relating to the alleged possession or downloading of indecent images of children, the material is classified according to its content. These range from the least serious category one, which involves erotic posing, to the most serious category five, which would depict sex with adults or have sadomasochistic elements. As yet, the court has not heard what type of images Cunningham is alleged to have had. Former BB and church youth group leader Cunningham, currently on remand in Maghaberry Prison but from Glebe Manor in Hillsborough, is accused of a total of eight sex offences allegedly committed between August 2, 2016 and September 11, 2018. He faces two counts each of breaching his Sexual Offences Prevention Order (Sopo) and attempting to sexually communicate with four female children. He also faces four charges of encouraging the children to commit an offence, "namely distributing or showing an indecent photograph" of a child. Cunningham is alleged to have breached his Sopo by communicating or attempting to communicate with a child and that he "hid the internet history". Cunningham had been due to appear at court via video-link but due to technical difficulties, the case was mentioned in his absence. The PPS lawyer told the court that as well as the categorisation of the 11,000 images, "there are a number of items that still need to be looked at but it's all coming together". Asking for a four-week adjournment, he said the officer "believes that in another couple of weeks all things will be tied up and the file submitted". District Judge Rosie Watters re-listed the case for June 17 for Cunningham to appear via video-link. Belfasts new Sinn Fein mayor has urged unionists to judge him with an open mind, as he highlighted his family links to the Orange Order and British military. John Finucane, son of murdered solicitor Pat Finucane, also expressed hope that his year in office would not be dominated by the narrative around his fathers controversial killing. I am very proud to be the son of Pat Finucane, but I think for the people who know me, there is a lot more to me than that, he told the Press Association. Mr Finucane, himself a well-established solicitor in Belfast, said he would not be found wanting in reaching out to the unionist community insisting he would meet members of the royal family and attend Orange events if invited. The 39-year-old father-of-four said his partys long-standing boycott of the Remembrance Sunday commemoration would be again reviewed ahead of November. Expand Close John Finucane said he would not be found wanting in reaching out to the unionist community (Liam McBurney/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp John Finucane said he would not be found wanting in reaching out to the unionist community (Liam McBurney/PA) I am the product of an east Belfast mother who grew up in a middle class unionist area and a west Belfast father who grew up in a Catholic working class area, Mr Finucane, said as he formally began his year in office. I live and have grown up in north Belfast, I have seen both sides of this city. I am a republican, I have family members who are unionist, I have family members who are neither of the two, and I think that diversity can only make our city stronger, because certainly I have felt the benefit of that particular upbringing. I feel very comfortable in my own politics, that it doesnt cause me any discomfort to go into areas, where I have been invited, to go into areas and show that a Sinn Fein mayor is not something to be feared. Because first and foremost, especially given my own personal background, I know that we need representation that represents everybody, and we cant be partial. My office and my hand will always be extended, especially to the Orange Order. Certainly I won't be found wanting should a request come inJohn Finucane I appreciate that is me setting out my stall at the start of the year, but I ask people to certainly treat me with an open mind, because I am coming at this to very much represent everybody in Belfast, and I think there will be opportunities that present themselves and I dont think I will be found wanting. Mr Finucane said he had recently discovered that his grandfather had served in the British Navy during the Second World War, and had survived the sinking of an aircraft carrier that he was on, off the coast of Scotland. I am very cognisant of my own family history, of the fact that many people in Ireland fought in both world wars, he said. Remembrance as we know it has become controversial because it has extended beyond the second world war. But for issues like that I will be dealing with them in a very sensitive, in a very appropriate and professional manner, and I dont seek to offend anybody or discredit, certainly, what people fought for in the two world wars. He said relations on his mothers side were also Orangemen. My office and my hand will always be extended, especially to the Orange Order, he said. Certainly I wont be found wanting should a request come in. Mr Finucane, who is going to take a step back from his legal job for the year, only retaining two high-profile cases, said he understood why he was rarely referenced in public without mention of his fathers murder. Pat Finucane was gunned down in 1989 in front of his wife and three children, in the family home in north Belfast, by loyalist gunmen who were later found to be colluding with rogue security force members. Expand Close Pat Finucane was gunned down in 1989 (PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Pat Finucane was gunned down in 1989 (PA) He was the same age as his son is now. I understand the reality that since I was eight years of age, and shortly after that period my family embarked on a very public campaign to expose the circumstances surrounding my fathers murder, so I am not naive to think that given the fact that campaign has been ongoing for 30 years, that people would not refer to me as the son of Pat Finucane, said the new mayor. So whatever way people want to describe me is a matter for them, I am comfortable with that. I dont, and I wont, have my year as mayor dominated by my own past in the way I conduct myself, and it will be for others to write and report on how they feel I am doing in that job. Mr Finucane has been elevated to the position of mayor only weeks after being elected as a councillor for the first time. The new Mayor of Belfast City. Sinn Feins @johnfinucane. pic.twitter.com/0H4TEorzkC Belfast Sinn Fein (@belfastsinnfein) May 21, 2019 He said he hoped his father was proud of his achievement. When I was speaking with my mother about this she was reminding me that he used to attend city council in the 80s as an observer, as a legal observer, and he was horrified as to how council operated, how it ran, how they treated each other, how they treated people in certain parts of Belfast, and here I am, X amount of years later, as the mayor in a very, very different city council. I think the progress and significance of that wouldnt be lost on him. He may well even have went so far as to say he was proud of the role I was taking. But its certainly an example of how far Belfast has moved on, how committed it is to never going back to the days when places like this council was run in a way that didnt represent a return for everybody. Flight disruption continued for a second day in a row at Northern Ireland's two major airports as a result of a fuel supply problem in Manchester. A total of three Flybe flights were cancelled to and from George Best Belfast City Airport on Sunday with passengers on four other flights experiencing delays. There were further problems yesterday when another flight to Manchester was cancelled as a result of power issues which led to a failure of fuel supply systems. A total of six flights were cancelled to and from Belfast International Airport on Sunday. Knock-on delays continued yesterday but last night a spokesperson for the airport said all issues now appear to have been resolved. "Engineers have now resolved the power issue which affected the fuel supply," Manchester Airport said yesterday. A total of around 13,000 passengers were affected and at least 80 more flights were cancelled. The school of a 12-year-old girl in Co Down who died suddenly have paid tribute to a "much-loved" pupil. Evan Cromie from Newtownards had been missing before her body was found over the weekend, causing shock across the community. Claire Foster, the principal at Strangford College, led the tributes to the popular schoolgirl. "It is with great sadness that I have to tell you of the sudden death of Evan Cromie, a much-loved Year 8 student. Our students were informed about this by their form teachers this morning," she said on the school's Facebook page yesterday. "We are deeply saddened by this great loss but we are trying, for all the students' sake, to keep the school environment as normal as possible. Our thoughts are with Evan's family at this tragic time and the school community sends them its sincerest sympathy and support. Trained staff from the Education Authority Critical Incident Response Team are helping to support us through this difficult time and are available in school to support pupils as required." A GoFundMe page has since been set up online to help pay for Evans mother Belindas funeral costs, and yesterday over 2,600 had been raised. Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong sits on Strangford College's board of governors. "I would pass on my condolences to Evan's family as well as her friends and fellow pupils at Strangford College," she said yesterday. "The school has put measures in place to support other pupils but the thoughts are with her family." She added the school would remain open this week to make sure all pupils had access to any support they may need. DUP MP for Strangford, Jim Shannon, also paid his respects to the family over the "unspeakable" tragedy. "Death at any stage is always hard to come to terms with, but at such a young age is almost incomprehensible," he said. "In the first place all of our thoughts are with the family, with her friends at school and elsewhere. I'm very conscious there's absolutely no words that can ease the grief. The fact this has happened to a pupil at Strangford College focuses our attention on the families. "The whole of the community unites when tragedy strikes in the most unspeakable way. "I think we have to be very mindful of the effect the tragic loss of someone so young has on her peers. "It's absolutely right the school is taking the action they are to provide support. Whenever we grieve we all do it differently and some may need more help than others." Many others wrote their own personal messages of support on the school's Facebook page. One message read: "No words seem to be enough to explain how [devasatating] and truly heartbreaking this is. Sincere condolences to Evan's family and to her Strangford family also. May her wee soul rest in peace." Another commented: "Our family sends our thoughts and prayers to Evan's loved ones and to the Strangford community at this tragic time." The fundraising page can be found by visiting GoFundMe.com and searching 'Evan Cromie's funeral'. If you, or anyone close to you, is affected by any issues in this article, please contact the Samaritans free on 116123 or Lifeline on 0808 808 8000 A man and woman have been charged after a Belfast taxi driver was held at knifepoint and robbed. It happened in the Shankill Road area of the city in the early hours of Monday morning. The driver had just taken a journey from the Shore Road. After he was robbed the perpetrators fled on foot and were caught by responding police in the area. A 32-year-old woman and man (31) have been charged with a number of offences including robbery and possession of an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence. They will appear in a Belfast court on Tuesday where as is usual procedure the charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service. A paramedic was removed from duty to help his mental health after he warned working conditions were pushing colleagues to the brink of suicide, it has been claimed. Bosses at the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) took the decision to stand down the paramedic as a "proactive measure". It came after the disgruntled employee took to Facebook to post a damning assessment of the stress paramedics in Northern Ireland face on a daily basis. Read More His post, which was shared more than 140 times within hours of it appearing on Facebook, criticised management and unions for the ongoing disparity in pay between staff here compared to their counterparts in Scotland. The devastating post urged bosses to act urgently to address working conditions "before you wake up to a headline some day that will haunt you for the rest of your days". In a statement NIAS said the move to temporarily remove the paramedic from duty was a standard measure that is put in place when there are concerns about an employee's mental wellbeing. It said the measure is used by managers "to support staff following a range of difficult circumstances such as staff having attended a traumatic call or having been assaulted". A spokesman stressed the term "stand down" was being "wrongly understood to infer a sanction of some form". He said that NIAS takes seriously the issue of staff mental health and has a range of programmes that staff are encouraged to use, including an external and confidential assistance programme. He continued: "The services available under this programme have recently been reviewed, expanded and updated. Staff are also encouraged to approach line managers across the organisation." The Facebook post, aimed at management and highlighted in yesterday's Belfast Telegraph, was a scathing assessment of the challenges facing paramedics. "You are walking us into a mental health crisis with your attitude to this and also to our day to day welfare regarding rest periods, late finishes and enforced overtime," it said. "You are haemorrhaging staff as people jump ship to Capita, GP surgeries or just leave before the job kills them. "Is that what it's going to take for you to sit up and notice the rot beneath your feet? "We are fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers, daughters, carers, colleagues and friends, and we are sick to the back teeth of your inaction and procrastination. "Get it sorted or move over and let someone who has an ounce of compassion get the job done for you, before you wake up to a headline someday that will haunt you for the rest of your days." The NIAS spokesman said many of the issues raised by the paramedic are down to the ongoing staffing issues, a situation the trust is working to address. He said 48 associate ambulance practitioners began working yesterday and it is hoped they will help alleviate pressures on the service. He added: "NIAS staff work in very challenging circumstances, providing an essential service to the public and the trust takes seriously its responsibilities in regard to the provision of support to staff in relation to all aspects of their health and well-being and particularly mental health. "We will continue to work to ensure that our staff are given whatever help and support they need in this regard." Health bosses are coming under increasing pressure to address pay disparity between NHS staff here and the rest of the UK. Earlier this month the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in Northern Ireland warned that thousands of members may walk out amid growing unrest over pay and conditions. Paramedics and nurses have both complained they frequently work unpaid overtime, without breaks to eat or go to the toilet. At the same time, they are earning thousands of pounds less than NHS staff doing the same jobs in England, Scotland and Wales. RCN (NI) director Pat Cullen said of the situation: "I really feel awful shame at how nurses are being totally and utterly exploited. "It is clear exploitation, let's not dress it up anymore, more and more is being pushed on our nurses." Shots are fired in west Belfast in honour of INLA leader Martin McElkerney Sinn Fein has said there is "no place for guns on our streets" after shots were fired during a paramilitary-style display in Belfast. Social media footage circulated on Monday night showing a masked man wearing a white shirt and black tie discharging several rounds skywards. He was surrounded by others similarly dressed and wearing balaclavas. One of the men held a picture of INLA man Martin McElkerney. It has been reported it happened outside Mr McElkerney's house and during his wake in Ross Street in the Divis area. Following the volley of shots onlookers were heard cheering and applauding. Martin McElkerney, 57, was taken to hospital after he was discovered critically injured at Milltown Cemetery in Belfast on Thursday. He was convicted of killing two children and a soldier in a republican bomb attack during the Troubles and released under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. His funeral will take place on Thursday. A Sinn Fein spokesman said: There is no place for guns on our streets. All armed groups should disband immediately. DUP Policing Board member Keith Buchanan condemned those responsible for the INLA 'show of strength'. Paramilitaries should have left the stage long ago,"the MLA said. Expand Close Martin McElkerney / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Martin McElkerney "Those who cling to the trappings of terrorism should feel the full weight of the law. The majority of people in Northern Ireland do not want this on our streets. It will take leadership from within the Republican and Nationalist community to step up to the mark. "The days of empty words are over. Sinn Fein should condemn this. "The Police will have questions to answer as to how they are tackling this. Intimidation in the form of men in balaclavas and ultimatum gunfire is unacceptable. SDLP Belfast councillor Brian Heading said: "If the last number of weeks have shown us anything, people are sick of this and they won't tolerate it anymore. "This behaviour has no place here and those involved have no right to impose it on our communities. They need to get off the backs of our people." In a statement on Tuesday morning, the PSNI said: "Police are aware of a video on social media showing a masked man firing shots into the air. "An investigation is underway to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident." The Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) is suspected to have been behind 120 killings during the conflict. High-profile victims' campaigner Raymond McCord has been warned loyalist paramilitaries are plotting to kill him, he has revealed. The Belfast man said police alerted him to the new threat against his life and advised him to review personal security arrangements. But Mr McCord has vowed to press on with a planned High Court action against seven men in connection with the Ulster Volunteer Force murder of his son more than 21 years ago. He insisted: "This will not stop me in my campaign for justice for young Raymond, or stop my private civil action. The fight continues." Raymond McCord Jnr, 22, was beaten to death before his body was dumped at a quarry outside north Belfast in November 1997. The killing was carried out by a UVF unit based in the Mount Vernon area of the city. In 2007 a major Police Ombudsman investigation established Special Branch officers colluded with the gang behind the murder. The victim's father has been an outspoken critic of the loyalist paramilitaries involved, resulting in him receiving a number of threat messages over the years. Mr McCord said he was contacted again by the police on Monday, and issued with the warning when he attended a PSNI station in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim. "A sergeant told me simply they had received information that loyalist paramilitaries are planning to murder me by shooting me," he disclosed. The 65-year-old campaigner, who is recovering from surgery to remove his gallbladder, said he was given advice on his future movements. He confirmed however, that a lawsuit seeking damages over his son's murder will continue. The case is being taken against the man he claims headed up the UVF, and six others allegedly associated with the terror grouping. Police declined to confirm or deny whether any warning was made. A PSNI spokesman said: "We do not discuss the security of individuals and no inference should be drawn from this. "However, if we receive information that a person's life may be at risk, we will inform them accordingly. "We never ignore anything which may put an individual at risk." Shots are fired in west Belfast in honour of INLA leader Martin McElkerney A masked man fired gunshots in west Belfast in a mark of respect to INLA killer Martin McElkerney. Video footage emerged on social media last night showing masked men in balaclavas including one firing a rifle into the air outside a house, before retreating inside. Another video shows around 20 masked men in a guard of honour as the coffin arrives. Final salute Marty Mac pic.twitter.com/47ix1Zcsrm lone wolf (@lonewol22156321) May 20, 2019 It appears to have happened close to St Peter's Cathedral in the Divis area of the lower Falls Road, close to where McElkerney lived. His funeral is to take place at St Peter's at 11am on Thursday, with cremation at Roselawn at 4pm. Triple killer McElkerney was jailed in 1987 for his part in a 1982 booby-trap bomb which killed two schoolboys, Kevin Valliday (11) and his friend Stephen Bennet (14), as well as 20-year-old Lance Bombardier Kevin Waller. McElkerney died last week after he was found with a gunshot wound at the republican plot in Milltown Cemetery. The INLA man had been identified in court as the lookout for the bomber who triggered the device at Divis Flats in 1982. McElkerney received three life sentences in 1987, but was released in 1999 under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. By 2010 he was among four ex-INLA prisoners who appeared at a press conference to announce that the left-wing paramilitary group had disposed of its weapons. It's believed the terror group was responsible for more than 120 deaths during the Troubles. The IRSP, the political wing of the INLA, referred to the "tragic and untimely passing of life long INLA volunteer, former prisoner and IRSP Ard Comhairle member Martin McElkerney" after his death. The Alliance Party has said that negotiations to restore power-sharing must intensify significantly over coming weeks if they are to succeed. The party's deputy leader Stephen Farry was speaking yesterday at Stormont after a further round of talks. Mr Farry said: "The Prime Minister and Taoiseach set a timescale at the end of next week for reviewing progress. "While parties are engaging in a constructive way, the current intensity of the talks is not sufficient for substantive progress to be made by that time. That intensity needs to increase significantly if the process is to be successful." Secretary of State Karen Bradley praised the attitudes of the five main parties engaged in the process. "I want to pay tribute to the parties and the leader, who all have shown the right attitude and the right determination that they want to see Stormont resolved," she said. "There are difficult issues, there are difficult things that will need to be addressed, but I am pleased by the progress we are making and the attitude and approach of all party leaders." Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney pledged that the talks would step up a gear. He said cross-party working groups examining the roadblocks to devolution would intensify ahead of a stocktaking review by the two governments at the end of May. Theresa May and Leo Varadkar are set to discuss progress in the negotiations and to decide whether there is a basis upon which to resurrect the Stormont institutions. Mr Coveney said: "I think you will see an intensification now of efforts from the leaders within the working groups to try to move toward consensus in the areas where that is possible, and if there are areas where it is not possible, they will outline why. "Certainly you will see the leaders within those working groups intensifying their efforts and trying to actually push from discussion and accommodation to agreement where they can." The Tanaiste said that if a basis for agreement was identified at the end of the month, Mrs May and Mr Varadkar would discuss how to move the talks process forward. "I suspect it will be a more political and direct approach after that if there is a basis for finding an agreement, which I hope there will be," he said. Asked whether an independent mediator could enter the process, Mr Coveney said he did not think that would happen. "We are trying to get this process done quickly," he added. "The idea that we would introduce an outsider now, albeit a very well-meaning and potentially very experienced outsider, I don't think is consistent with trying to get this done quickly because it would take time to get to know that person to build the relationships, and so on." Mr Coveney also acknowledged that events at Westminster at the start of June, when a departing Mrs May would again try to get her Brexit deal passed by Parliament, could prove a distraction for the Stormont process. "It doesn't take a genius to see that there will be other pressures in Westminster in the first and second week in June when we are also trying to conclude things here," he said. The Prince of Wales during a visit to Glendalough Monastic Settlement (Niall Carson/PA) Royal baby Archie had his grandfather smiling when the Prince of Wales was congratulated by well-wishers on the birth. Charles was happy to chat about his grandson when he stopped to greet a group of tourists during his visit to a centuries-old monastic site in Irelands Wicklow mountains. The Duchess of Cornwall described the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs son as still very little during a visit to the Republics oldest working mill in Avoca Village, Co Wicklow. Expand Close Camilla is shown a loom at Avoca Mill (Neil Hall/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Camilla is shown a loom at Avoca Mill (Neil Hall/PA) Heir to the throne Charles, making his fifth visit to Ireland in as many years, visited Meghan and Harrys baby son with Camilla soon after they returned from a tour of Germany. Charles stopped to speak to a group of American and Australian tourists who called out to him as he visited the Glendalough Monastic Site. Congratulations on the birth of your new baby grandson, said a woman who was visiting from Australia. Oh, youre very kind, a smiling Charles replied. The Prince of Wales then visited Glendalough Monastic Site. #RoyalVisitIreland Most of the buildings that survive today in this early Christian monastic settlement date from the 10th-12th centuries. pic.twitter.com/gbhk9YXUwg The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) May 21, 2019 Camilla spoke about Harry and Meghans baby when she met wellwisher Jo Wallace, who handed the duchess a bouquet of flowers at the mill. Ms Wallace, who was with her own grandchildren, said: Congratulations on your grandchild, the new one, as the pair shook hands. The duchess replied: Yes, the new one indeed, hes still very little. The Prince of Wales visits the Irelands largest National Park, Wicklow Mountains. At Upper Lake, His Royal Highness hears about the parks conservation and education work. #RoyalVisitIreland pic.twitter.com/QROmz7d0iK The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) May 21, 2019 Charles met a group of local children who were cataloguing moths caught overnight on the shores of the picturesque areas upper lake Aaron Conway, 12, said: He was saying about how he likes the environment and that it was really fascinating all the different moths we were identifying. The prince was also taken with a mountain rescue dog called Rowan, a three-year-old collie cross, who was with his handler Sheelagh OMalley, from Glen of Imaal Wicklow Mountain Rescue. Meeting Rowan Dublin and Wicklow Mountain Rescues newly recruited search and rescue dog. #RoyalVisitIreland pic.twitter.com/7Im58468QA The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) May 21, 2019 She said: He seemed more interested in the dog, hes a real dog person but he is a very cute dog, I have to say. Hes got a massive work ethic, when I put on his mountain rescue jacket he knows its time for work and when and take it off he relaxes. Before leaving the area, Charles went on a brief walkabout and was surrounded by walkers who had gathered nearby when they realised he was visiting. The Government has been heavily criticised in the Dail over its backing of ludicrous co-living apartment schemes. Labour leader Brendan Howlin said it demonstrated the Governments mind-numbing lack of ambition on housing. The criticism came after Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy was quoted in the Irish Times on Monday describing the prospect of co-living as an exciting choice for young workers. Expand Close Eoghan Murphy (Niall Carson/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Eoghan Murphy (Niall Carson/PA) At one proposed development in Dublin, 42 people would be required to share a communal kitchen. During Leaders Questions on Tuesday, Mr Howlin described co-living schemes as ludicrous and an attempt to normalise cramped living conditions and erode public housing standards. The Minister for Housing has become an apologist for those who wish to push down the quality of housing, he claimed. We are going backwards now. We are reducing standards so that people can live on top of one another. Mr Howlin said Mr Murphys backing of co-living proposals showed Fine Gael was out of touch with the reality of the lives of the vast bulk of working people who needed affordable housing. In response Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said co-living was only one part of the Governments housing policy and that it was important to put the developments in context. He said there could be as few as half a dozen co-living schemes this year and next year. Expand Close Leo Varadkar (Brian Lawless/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Leo Varadkar (Brian Lawless/PA) He added that the solution to the countrys housing issues did not lie in any particular model. We need new housing of all different types and sorts, and lots of it, he told the Dail. But Mr Howlin said: The Taoiseachs reply is just mind-numbing in its lack of ambition. If we had gone into government in 2011 with that attitude to the economic crisis, we would still be in the morass. Solidarity TD Mick Barry said Fine Gael deserved a hammering at the ballot box in Fridays local and European elections for its failure to solve the homelessness crisis. He claimed Fine Gael was a party of landlords and was not going to act against its own class interests. This Friday voters will have a chance to deliver a verdict on the Governments performance on housing, he said. The Taoiseach said it was up to the people to decide who to vote for on Friday. A senior Irish Government minister has suggested a commission of inquiry is needed into claims that Sinn Fein and the IRA sought to cover up sex abuse with a kangaroo court. Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty said she fully supports Paudie McGahon who has called for an investigation into the alleged cover-up. Mr McGahon was raped by IRA man Seamus Marley from Belfast, and he claims that Sinn Fein and the IRA tried to prevent the crime being reported to the gardai. Marley was recently jailed for seven years for abusing Mr McGahon and another boy two decades ago. Mr McGahon (44) waived his anonymity to speak out. He has told of how an IRA kangaroo court was convened in 2002 after the victims first brought their abuse allegations to the attention of Louth Sinn Fein councillor Pearse McGeough. Both Mr McGeough and Sinn Fein have insisted the victims were advised to go to gardai at the time. Mr McGeough - who is a candidate in the local elections - has previously denied that he was involved in the kangaroo court. Last night Mr McGahon claimed that Sinn Fein and its former leader Gerry Adams "knew all about our allegations against Marley in 2002". He said: "The IRA told us that they believed our allegations, but still didn't bother to tip off the authorities that he was a risk to children." He said this "just makes no sense at all and they have a lot of questions to answer about that". Mr McGahon claimed that Sinn Fein representatives "are guilty of outrageous hypocrisy when they accuse the Church of wrongdoing and covering up for paedophiles when they refuse to confront their own skeletons". Ms Doherty praised Mr McGahon for the courage he has displayed. She claimed Sinn Fein have "done nothing to assist victims of IRA atrocities and crimes to get answers". She said she believes Mr McGahon should be provided with "full and frank information" on any attempts to cover up what she said was "this horrendous sex abuse". She suggested a commission of inquiry into the issue would be a way to do this and added: "An independent probe is the only way to uncover the truth." Irish Labour Senator Ged Nash argued that Mr McGahon's treatment by Sinn Fein is "unforgivable". He claimed that Sinn Fein had "put the party before the victim" and argued that no amount of "carefully crafted spin and empty statements" will "undo the damage done". Abuse victim Mairia Cahill said Mr McGeough should "absolutely not be running in any type of election". She accused him of failing to report Marley to the gardai himself when the victims approached him in 2002. Ms Cahill referred to Mr McGeough's statement from the weekend. Mr McGeough said on Sunday that the party's advice at the time was to bring the allegations of abuse to gardai and added that "as adults that decision was for the victims". Ms Cahill argued that regardless of the victims being adults at the time, Mr McGeough had a "moral responsibility" to report the abuse to gardai. Ms Cahill says she was raped as a teenager by an alleged IRA man and was later forced to face her abuser at a kangaroo court. The PSNI brought a case against the alleged rapist but it subsequently collapsed. Neither Sinn Fein nor Mr McGeough responded to the criticism last night. At the weekend Sinn Fein commended the victims in the Marley case for their courage in bringing the abuser to justice. A statement said: "The abuser is now in jail, where he should be. We hope the victims and their families get the closure they deserve." It added: "Sinn Fein's advice was to bring the allegations of abuse to gardai." The Prime Minister has outlined her latest plan to push her Withdrawal Agreement through Parliament, warning that if MPs vote against the second reading of the Bill they are voting to stop Brexit. Theresa May said her Withdrawal Agreement Bill will include a vote by MPs on whether to hold a second referendum. She added that if her deal was rejected again: If they do so the consequences could hardly be greater reject this deal and leaving the EU with a negotiated deal any time soon will be dead in the water and what would we do then? If not no-deal then it would have to be a general election or a second referendum that could lead to revocation and no Brexit at all. The Withdrawal Agreement Bill will go to the Commons in early June, with defeat likely to hasten Mrs Mays departure from Number 10. WATCH LIVE: PM @Theresa_May gives a speech on the new Brexit deal https://t.co/OJ2R78BPeJ UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) May 21, 2019 4.55pm Conservative MP Owen Paterson, a prominent Eurosceptic, tweeted: I said 2 weeks ago The only promise the PM has still to break is her opposition to a 2nd referendum. Given her record, who would now bet against another pivot in that direction? I will definitely not be supporting WAB, a direct insult to 17.4m people, he added. Reaction to this speech has been extremely adverse so far among MPs and campaigners. Of course, I will vote against this muddled implementation of a failed deal which only adds yet more uncertainty. A truly awful situation. https://t.co/Vlqh4AR3CC Steve Baker MP FRSA (@SteveBakerHW) May 21, 2019 Mr Patersons fellow European Research Group member Steve Baker echoed his sentiments, tweeting: Reaction to this speech has been extremely adverse so far among MPs and campaigners. 4.50pm There has been a mixed reaction from Mrs Mays party, with former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith saying there was nothing new in the latest deal: I cant see that weve taken back control over anything. The backstop is still there, its a customs union in all but name and it puts Brussels firmly in control of our destiny. Theres nothing new or bold about this bad buffet of non-Brexit options. At a time when people are deserting the main parties this is the PMs response, to do all she can to defy the result of the referendum. Today the Government has moved from take back control to give back control. Conservative MP and Brexiteer Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP said she was very unlikely to vote for the deal, adding: It still contains the dreaded backstop, endangering our Union and selling out the people of Northern Ireland. But International Development Secretary Rory Stewart tweeted that his leader was right: We need to get Brexit done. Then - when we have got it over the line - we can move on and talk about the wider issues that really matter to people, while crafting the future of British foreign policy. Rory Stewart (@RoryStewartUK) May 21, 2019 And Education minister Chris Skidmore said it was the last chance for compromise. We have gone through every possibility, every vote in the Commons. Now the PM has come forward with a New Deal- the last chance for compromise in the national interest. People are fed up with uncertainty and delay- lets get Brexit done by 31 July by voting for the bill in June Chris Skidmore (@CSkidmoreUK) May 21, 2019 4.45pm During the Q&A after her speech, Mrs May was asked if she would resign if the Withdrawal Agreement Bill was defeated and replied: That was last weeks news. And I set out with the chairman of the 22 (1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers) what would be happening. 4.39pm Responding, SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon said her party would be voting against the Withdrawal Agreement Bill to ensure Brexit was stopped: 2/ in PMs own words, if MPs vote against the Bill, they will be voting to stop Brexit. That is what @theSNP will do because Scotland did not vote for Brexit. #StopBrexit Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) May 21, 2019 4.38pm As she ended the speech, the PM said: What matters now is honouring the result of the referendum and seizing the opportunity that is right before us. So we are making a new offer to find common ground in Parliament. That is now the only way to deliver Brexit. Over the next two weeks the Government will be making the case for this deal in Parliament, in the media and in the country. Tomorrow I will make a statement to the House of Commons. And there will opportunities throughout the Bill for MPs on all sides to have their say. But I say with conviction to every MP of every party I have compromised. Now I ask you to compromise too. 4.36pm Mrs May added: This is a huge opportunity for the United Kingdom. Out of the EU. Out of ever-closer union. Free to do things differently. And doing so in a way that protects jobs, protects our security, maintains a close relationship with our friends and works for the whole United Kingdom. It is practical. It is responsible. It is deliverable. And right now, it is slipping away from us. We risk losing a great opportunity. She then took questions from reporters in the audience. 4.32pm As Mrs May warned this was the last chance to avoid a nightmare future of permanently polarised politics, she said her deal would be guaranteed to last for at least this Parliament. She added: If MPs vote against the second reading of this Bill they are voting to stop Brexit. If they do so the consequences could hardly be greater reject this deal and leaving the EU with a negotiated deal any time soon will be dead in the water and what would we do then? If not no-deal then it would have to be a general election or a second referendum that could lead to revocation and no Brexit at all. The SNP again raised that the PM had not made the speech direct to the Commons. Seeking common ground in Parliament Theresa May says in a speech that is not in parliament. pic.twitter.com/OIbjvH6QuO Stewart McDonald MP (@StewartMcDonald) May 21, 2019 Second referendum On the prospect of a second referendum, Mrs May said: I recognise the genuine and sincere strength of feeling across the House on this important issue. The Government will therefore include in the Withdrawal Agreement Bill at introduction a requirement to vote on whether to hold a second referendum and this must take place before the Withdrawal Agreement can be ratified. 4.29pm Mrs May said a failure to reach agreement on Brexit would lead to a nightmare future of permanently polarised politics. She also spoke about workers rights one of the issues discussed with Labour during the cross-party talks saying: We will introduce a new Workers Rights Bill to ensure UK workers enjoy rights that are every bit as good as, or better than, those provided for by EU rules. And we will discuss further amendments with trade unions and businesses. 4.27pm The Prime Minister said her Withdrawal Agreement Bill will include a vote on whether to hold a second referendum. There was immediate reaction from MPs, with Conserative Simon Clarke tweeting that it was outrageous: So if we pass the Withdrawal Agreement Bill at 2nd reading, we allow a Remain Parliament to insist upon a 2nd referendum and a Customs Union? This is *outrageous*. Simon Clarke MP (@SimonClarkeMP) May 21, 2019 Mrs May also said the Government will commit in law to let Parliament decide on the customs issue. 4.25pm Mrs May said her new Brexit deal had listened to Unionist concerns about the Irish backstop. So the new Brexit deal goes further, she said. It will commit that should the backstop come into force the Government will commit to ensure that Great Britain will stay aligned with Northern Ireland. We will prohibit the proposal that a future government could split Northern Ireland off from the UKs customs territory. 4.23pm Mrs May said: The new Brexit deal will set out in law that the House of Commons would approve the UKs objectives for the negotiations on our future relations with the EU. And they will approve the treaties governing that relationship before the Government signs them. PM Theresa May says her plan is one last chance to get a Brexit deal through Parliament. pic.twitter.com/IJbB1BDemU David Hughes (@DavidHughesPA) May 21, 2019 4.20pm SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford also said the speech should have been made directly to the House of Commons, tweeting: Why is the Prime Minister making a speech about a so called new Brexit deal away from Parliament. This is a breech of responsibility. Any such statement should be made in Parliament, quite simply this is treating Parliament with contempt. This is not good enough. The Prime Minister talks about a new Brexit deal. The one we want is to stay in the EU.That is the best deal. Scotland will not be dragged out of the EU against our will. Vote SNP on Thursday to send @theresa_may a clear message. Ian Blackford (@Ianblackford_MP) May 21, 2019 4.18pm The Prime Minister said there is one last chance to help MPs deliver the result of the 2016 referendum, as she offered her new Brexit deal. She confirmed her latest Brexit deal will seek to conclude alternative arrangements for the Irish backstop by December 2020. At a speech in Westminster, she said: Although its not possible for (alternative arrangements) to replace the backstop in the Withdrawal Agreement, we can start the work now to ensure they are a viable alternative. So as part of the new Brexit deal we will place the Government under a legal obligation to seek to conclude alternative arrangements by December 2020 so that we can avoid any need for the backstop coming into force. 4.15pm Mrs May began her speech just after 4pm, recounting her efforts over the past two years to achieve Brexit. As she began, the Labours whips office tweeted that it was a shame she had not made it in Parliament, adding: presumably because she knows her warring Cabinet & party would clearly give away that they dont support her. Nigel Farage has accused the Electoral Commission of being absolutely full of Remainers as the watchdog visited the Brexit Partys headquarters amid a review into its donations system. Mr Farage claimed the regulator was staffed by establishment figures and was not a neutral organisation and said he believed his party was more compliant than any others standing in the European elections. The Brexit Party leader, in an interview with the Press Association, also labelled Channel 4 News as political activists, after it reported that insurance tycoon Arron Banks had spent approximately 450,000 on Mr Farage in the year following the EU referendum in 2016. It came as a European Parliament committee announced it would investigate a complaint about Mr Farage for allegedly failing to declare payments made to him by Mr Banks. The complaint was submitted to European Parliament president Antonio Tajani by British Liberal Democrat MEP Catherine Bearder, a parliament source confirmed. Under European parliament rules, MEPs must declare payments made to them, or other support given by third parties. On Tuesday, Mr Tajani referred the issue to an advisory committee of five MEPs that investigates the conduct of members. Discussing his partys donation system ahead of the committees announcement, he said: Ive got a team of four qualified accountants looking after our money, our income. I bet were more compliant than any of the other parties in this election. Im not stupid, Ive set this up properly, Im entirely confident that we are more compliant than any of the other parties right nowNigel Farage Ive crossed with the Electoral Commission before they are not a neutral organisation, absolutely full of Remainers, full of establishment figures. We are about not just leaving the European Union, the Brexit Party is about changing politics for good getting SW1 and Westminster to reflect the country more broadly and the Electoral Commission are part of that huge reform that is needed. Mr Farage said his party was looking for repeat donations, and had sent money back if it was unsure where it had come from. Im not stupid. Ive set this up to take on the Labour and Conservative parties who, I think, have betrayed the biggest democratic vote in our nations history. I know that when you do that the establishment will not come out with a tray of gin and tonics and say well done. I understand how it works. As I say, Im not stupid, Ive set this up properly, Im entirely confident that we are more compliant than any of the other parties right now. Mr Farage confirmed he was not talking to Channel 4 News following their reports, saying: Im not speaking to them now, they are political activists. They are supposed to be a public service broadcaster, theyre not behaving in that way. Weve no interest in talking to them whatsoever. Expand Close Nigel Farage on the campaign trail in Exeter (Ben Birchall/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Nigel Farage on the campaign trail in Exeter (Ben Birchall/PA) Asked if he was blocking their questions, he said: If you think Im funded by Russia, just watch Channel 4 News, because thats the kind of tosh they come out with regularly, and Ive just had enough of a series of accusations, in many cases based on nothing. This is a two way street the relationship between people in politics and the media is always going to be a slightly tense one, obviously, but it only works if everybody ultimately has a bit of respect for each other. And we as an organisation have at the moment lost respect for Channel 4 News. He said Brexit Party chairman Richard Tice had asked to sit down with the broadcaster to talk about the issue. Were not being silly about this, were just saying lets try and get this relationship on an even keel. The editor of Channel 4 News, Ben de Pear, said on Twitter: We hope to resolve our access ban from Brexit Party events ASAP. We hope to resolve our access ban from Brexit Party events ASAP. We were unaware of the 6-week ban until last Thursday when we broadcast this Nigel Farage investigation, revealing he had been bankrolled by 450k from Arron Banks. Until then we had full access, including to Farage https://t.co/giVSm2CIxg Ben de Pear (@bendepear) May 21, 2019 We were unaware of the 6-week ban until last Thursday when we broadcast this Nigel Farage investigation, revealing he had been bankrolled by 450k from Arron Banks. Until then we had full access, including to Farage. An Electoral Commission spokesman said: Last weeks meeting with the Brexit Party was an opportunity to meet with representatives of this newly formed party. Todays visit is about taking a closer look at the systems the party has in place to receive funds. It gives us active oversight of the rules and this includes helping those regulated to understand them and to ensure there are systems in place to comply with them. As a newly registered party running a national election campaign who have put information into the public domain about the level of their fundraising, it is right and proper for the regulator to be in regular contact with the Brexit Party. We have been talking to the Party since it registered, discussing the rules and the partys systems. But recently we have seen significant public concern about the way the party raises funds. We have not seen evidence of electoral offences, but the law in this area is complex and we want to satisfy ourselves that the partys systems are robust. Our regulatory work during this campaign for the European Parliamentary elections has not deviated from our usual approach. We are an independent and impartial organisation which is accountable to Parliament. We regulate as is proportionate to the issue, regardless of a partys politics. Our decision to visit is not related to comments made by the former prime minister. A review of mental health provision at a young offenders institution where two people took their own lives has found the risks and vulnerabilities of some inmates are not given enough attention. The report on HMP YOI Polmont also found systemic inter-agency shortcomings of communication and information exchange across justice inhibit the management and care of young people entering and leaving the institution. A review of mental health services for young people in custody was ordered by the Scottish Government following the death of Katie Allan, 21, and 16-year-old William Lindsay, who took his own life at Polmont 48 hours after being sent there on remand. Expand Close Katie Allan died at Polmont in June last year (Family handout/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Katie Allan died at Polmont in June last year (Family handout/PA) The report found being traumatised, being young, being held on remand and being in the first three months of custody increases the risk of suicide. It found there is a lack of proactive attention to the needs, risks and vulnerabilities of those on remand and in the early days of custody, and highlights the powerfully negative effect of social isolation. The HM Chief Inspector of Prisons report makes more than 80 recommendations, including that social isolation, a key trigger for self-harm and suicide, should be minimised, with a particular focus on those held on remand and during the early weeks in custody. It also said a bespoke suicide and self-harm strategy should be developed by the Scottish Prison Service and NHS Forth Valley for young people that builds on the strengths of the existing framework. Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: We take the mental well-being of people in prison very seriously and while the numbers of suicides by young people in custody are small, no death should be regarded as inevitable. Any suicide in custody is a tragedy that has a profound effect on family and friends, as well as prison staff, and my thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones to suicide. Both the mental health review and routine inspection report highlight the hard work, compassion and dedication of frontline prison and healthcare staff who provide opportunities and support to young people in custody every single day. That dedication is clearly evidenced in the Chief Inspectors finding that Polmont is a leading edge prison where there are respectful relationships between staff and the people in its care and an impressive range of support offered to young people. Expand Close Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf will consider the reports 80 recommendations (Jane Barlow/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf will consider the reports 80 recommendations (Jane Barlow/PA) He added: The report contains 80 recommendations and we are clear that improvements can and should be made. We will give the report and recommendations full and detailed consideration. Katies parents Stuart and Linda Allan, together with lawyer Aamer Anwar, met the Justice Secretary last year to discuss the issue. Mr Yousaf said the Scottish Government would work with the Scottish Prison Service, NHS and other partners to consider further action in light of the review. The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) said the safety and well-being of everyone in its care continues to be a priority and work is already under way to strengthen the support available. A spokesman said: The Scottish Prison Service takes all instances of self-harm and threats to self-harm very seriously and we constantly review our processes to ensure those at risk are identified and supported effectively. It said the report also recognises the hard-working and compassionate staff who work with and care for the young people in our care. NHS Forth Valley said action has already been taken on many of the recommendations in the review and work is under way to address the others. A health board spokeswoman said: While the report outlines a number of challenges, many of which are national issues affecting prisons across Scotland, it also highlights several areas of good practice. These include the initial consultation carried out by nursing staff on admission, short waiting times and the ability to rapidly refer young people to psychiatry services, if required. Solicitor Aamer Anwar, representing the families of Katie Allan and William Lindsay, said of the mental health review: It is a substantial report which will take time to consider. However, on first reading it paints a picture of widespread failures at all levels of the SPS and NHS. They regard the review as a damning indictment of Polmont for what it says but they raise concerns on what has been missed out. He added: How can Polmont be described by HMIPS as a leading edge prison, when it is a system in deep crisis, lacking the resources, morale and trained staff which could save lives? Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt is expected to face MPs in the Commons today amid pressure to protect veterans from "legal witch-hunts". Conservative Mark Francois, a former Armed Forces Minister, insisted it was "absolutely imperative" that Ms Mordaunt makes a statement to outline her proposals. Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood replied by confirming Ms Mordaunt will "be in her place" today, suggesting the request will be met. The exchanges came after Tory MP James Heappey, a former Army officer who served in Northern Ireland, urged the Government to call a halt to investigations into military veterans. Ms Mordaunt last week announced plans for legislation to provide stronger protection from repeated investigations into historical allegations for veterans of overseas conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Under the proposals, there would be a "presumption against prosecution" in relation to alleged incidents dating back more than 10 years, unless there were "exceptional circumstances". As it stands, the legislation will not apply to those who served here, although in an apparent break with Government policy, Ms Mordaunt said she intended to find a way they could be afforded similar protection. A number of veterans are currently facing charges, including Soldier F, who has been charged in relation to the killings of two protesters during Bloody Sunday in 1972. Meanwhile, Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie has slammed plans for a military statute of limitations which would also "deliver more protections for the terrorists while denying victims and survivors any chance of truth and justice". The Military Cross recipient said: "What better excuse do the IRA and their surrogates in Sinn Fein need in promoting the idea, unhindered, that soldiers operated outside the rules prescribed to them, and that as a result the IRA were just protecting their community?" He said he would not support a statute of limitations "which will create an amnesty". He said the UUP also cannot support the proposed Historical Investigations Unit (HIU) "which ignores victims and survivors while placing state forces at the top of the investigatory pile". He accused the Government of allowing "a seedy deal" between Sinn Fein and the DUP for the HIU as part of the Stormont House Agreement "that will see every killing by the military and police reinvestigated while ignoring hundreds of atrocities committed by the terrorists". Sinn Fein victims spokeswoman Linda Dillon said there can be "no prospect of immunity for British soldiers guilty of crimes in Ireland". The Mid Ulster MLA said: "MPs can have as many debates as they like on the issue but the fact is that any attempt to introduce immunity would simply not be tolerable or acceptable. "No British soldier, past or present, can be exempted from the due process of the law." Chief Constable Iain Livingstone has ordered a new review of an undercover unit (Police Scotland/PA) Scotlands police chief has criticised wholly unsatisfactory and unprofessional conduct in the countrys former Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA) and asked an outside force to carry out a review. Police Scotland held a review of the undercover unit after a former officer won a civil court case in January. She had alleged she was not treated fairly after whistle-blowing over the discovery of mismanagement at the unit in 2011. Chief Constable Iain Livingstone has told oversight body the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) he has asked another police force to carry out a further review. He said this would ascertain if there should be further investigations and was being carried out to help restore public confidence in covert police operations. Mr Livingstone highlighted the evidence from the former officer, known as Mrs K, included assertions regarding unprofessional practice, including that documents were destroyed by burning following the April 2011 discovery. I have requested that an external force, which has significant knowledge and experience in the area of covert policing, carry out a peer reviewChief Constable Iain Livingstone In the court judgment, Mrs K is recorded as telling the court she discovered boxes and bags of unopened documents and mail in an office she used with another undercover officer. There were bank cards, mobile phone bills, letters from debt collectors and passports in pseudonyms she did not recognise, along with cash. Mrs K said she knew of no operational reason for the items and was concerned undercover operations were compromised and the safety of officers could be at risk. The covert officer who shared the office was admitted to a psychiatric unit then retired on ill-health grounds. Mrs K said she was questioned for days as part of the investigation, suspended then told she would be temporarily transferred, before finding out her original job had been advertised, all causing her distress and leading to her taking ill-health retirement. . #SPABoard meeting is taking place in Edinburgh this week. You can view the agenda & papers online at the SPA website: https://t.co/AN0SR5HBqE The SPA (@ScotPolAuth) May 20, 2019 In a report to go before the SPA at a board meeting on Wednesday, Mr Livingstone said: It is clear that the events which took place in the legacy SCDEA in 2011, as described in the civil action, were wholly unsatisfactory and unprofessional. I have now considered Police Scotland Review Teams conclusions and recommendations. While I am entirely satisfied that the review was a thorough, robust and appropriate response, I recognise the legitimate interest that exists about what took place in 2011 and the importance of public confidence in the vital area of covert policing. To that end, I have requested that an external force, which has significant knowledge and experience in the area of covert policing, carry out a peer review to provide independent assurance. He added: The purpose of this independent peer review is to ensure all legitimate enquiries have been carried out, and to identify whether there are any further lines of investigation which should be pursued. On completion and receipt of the peer review, I will determine what steps, if any, are required to ensure the integrity of the Police Scotland response and provide further public reassurance over this episode. These events resembled scenes from Life on MarsScottish Lib Dem justice spokesman Liam McArthur Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesman Liam McArthur questioned if anyone would be held accountable for the events in the unit, which was disbanded as its role was incorporated into the single force in 2013. He said: These events resembled scenes from Life on Mars. Chaotic filing was followed by officers being sent to buy an incinerator and petrol, taking documents to a wasteland by a river, then setting alight to them in a car park. As I have said previously, in order to restore public confidence we now need to see another force from elsewhere in the UK brought in to consider Police Scotlands findings and look at additional lines of inquiry. There is also the outstanding question of whether anyone will be held accountable for these events. Mike Russell has said he is determined to ensure a Scottish citizens assembly is representative of society. The Constitutional Relations Secretary told MSPs he visited Ireland last week to consider the model of assemblies set up there. His trip came after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said a citizens assembly would be set up to consider issues such as what kind of country Scotland should be. It followed her announcement that plans for a second Scottish independence referendum would be pursued within the next two years if the UK quits the European Union. NS: So, I can confirm that the Scottish Government will establish a Citizens Assembly. The SNP (@theSNP) April 24, 2019 The EU exit experience has shown the weakness in the current devolution settlement and the UKs constitutional arrangements more widely, Mr Russell said. We must consider the best way forward for Scotland in light of that experience. In doing so, we want to avoid the division created over EU exit. Thats why the First Minister announced we would establish a Citizens Assembly to consider the best way forward for Scotland. Mr Russell added he hoped parties from across the chamber would take part in discussions over the design of an assembly. He said he would write to party leaders inviting them to do so. Expand Close Mike Russell speaks in the main chamber at the Scottish Parliament (Jane Barlow/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mike Russell speaks in the main chamber at the Scottish Parliament (Jane Barlow/PA) Scottish Green MSP Alison Johnstone urged Mr Russell to give his backing to ensuring the assemblys diversity. Ms Johnstone said: A citizens assembly of course should represent the demographics of the whole population in a way that, as yet, this Parliament has failed to do. So will the Cabinet Secretary be considering ensuring a diversity of assembly that can properly consider all perspectives and help deliver a real, meaningful outcome? Mr Russell responded: The establishment of a citizens assembly should endeavour to establish a body for a particular purpose, and that purpose mustnt be too wide, but it must be representative of society. And there are a number of ways in which that can be done. It was an issue in both the Constitutional Convention in Ireland and in the Citizens Assembly in Ireland. How do you do so? Its a very hard thing to do because you are trying to balance demography, youre trying to balance geography, youre trying to balance sexual interests and a variety of minorities and majorities. It will require a lot of work by us and I hope it will be a task that all the parties will find themselves involved in to do that. He added: But I am determined that the citizens assembly, which we will establish and I hope will be meeting by the autumn of this year, I am determined that it should represent in that way, and there are a number of ways to do so, and Id be happy to discuss with other parties about how we are trying to do that and to seek the input of other parties in their views about how we should do that. And finally: we need a citizens assembly to ask what kind of country we are seeking to build. We have one. Its the Scottish Parliament. And it should be spending its time on building Scottish education, health, economic growthand not on chasing the SNPs indy unicorns Ends Adam Tomkins (@ProfTomkins) April 24, 2019 Scottish Tory MSP Adam Tomkins asked Mr Russell what the costs would be of establishing a citizens assembly. Mr Russell said: That will depend on the design of the assembly, which I wish to discuss with party representatives and to get their views. We certainly have learned from the Irish experience it should be an open and transparent process. All details, including costs, will be published in full as the process goes forward. Later, Mr Tomkins tweeted that the country already had a citizens assembly in the form of the Scottish Parliament. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the SNP would vote against Theresa Mays deal (Andrew Milligan/PA) The SNP will vote against Theresa Mays deal in a bid to stop Brexit, Nicola Sturgeon has pledged. In a speech on Tuesday, the Prime Minister said her latest Withdrawal Agreement represented one last chance for MPs to deliver on the result of the 2016 EU referendum. The First Minister said the SNP would not vote for a Bill that takes Scotland out of the EU against its will. 1/ The PM is asking MPs to vote for a Bill that takes us out of the EU - in Scotlands case against our will - out of the single market and possibly out of the Customs Union. And with no actual commitment to put the deal to a second referendum. @theSNP will not do that. Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) May 21, 2019 Ms Sturgeon tweeted: The PM is asking MPs to vote for a Bill that takes us out of the EU in Scotlands case against our will out of the single market and possibly out of the Customs Union. And with no actual commitment to put the deal to a second referendum. The SNP will not do that. In PMs own words if MPs vote against the Bill, they will be voting to stop Brexit. That is what the SNP will do because Scotland did not vote for Brexit. #StopBrexit. Mrs May said her Withdrawal Agreement Bill will include a vote on whether to hold a second referendum. The Prime Minister also suggested failure to reach agreement at the fourth attempt on Brexit would lead to a nightmare future of permanently polarised politics. Share Article A USAF B-52H Stratofortress aircraft assigned to the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron takes off from Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, on May 12, 2019. Air Force photo by TSgt. Nichelle Anderson. A B-52 from the recently deployed Bomber Task Force to the Middle East flew its first mission on May 12, alongside F-15Cs and F-35s to defend American forces and interests. Air Forces Central Command posted imagery of the B-52s taking off from Al Udeid AB, Qatar, and the three types of aircraft refueling from a KC-135 over an undisclosed location in CENTCOM. AFCENT did not expand on the mission, saying the B-52H offers diverse capabilities including the delivery of precision weapons to support security and stability. AFCENT, in an email to Air Force Magazine, would not elaborate on the specific mission but emphasized that the aircraft are flying deterrence missions in the region, including over the Persian Gulf. Photographs showed empty bomb pylons under the bombers wing, along with a targeting pod. The four bombers deployed to Al Udeid from Barksdale AFB, La., last week in response to credible threats from Iran, according to Defense Department and White House officials. The Pentagon on May 10 also approved the deployment of a Patriot missile defense battery and the amphibious transport dock USS Arlington to the region, in addition to the bombers and the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike group. The Pentagon noted in a statement the Defense Department is closely monitoring the Iranian regime. The United States does not seek conflict with Iran, but we are postured and ready to defend US forces and interests in the region, according to the statement. Police are investigating the incident in Glasgow (David Cheskin/PA) Police are investigating after a teenager was raped in a city centre. The 17-year-old was attacked in Renfrew Lane in Glasgow on Friday evening. The incident was reported to police on Monday. A police spokesman said: Inquiries are ongoing following a report that a 17-year-old woman was the subject of a serious sexual assault in Glasgow on the evening of Friday May 17. Theresa May has held talks with the Cabinet about her Brexit deal (PA) Theresa May will set out details of her new plan to get a Brexit deal through Parliament after another difficult Cabinet meeting. The new deal is an attempt by the Prime Minister to win over critics across the Commons who have rejected her three previous attempts to get an agreement through. The Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB) will go to the Commons in early June, with defeat likely to hasten her departure from Number 10. Expand Close (left to right) Health Secretary Matt Hancock, Education Secretary Damian Hinds and Works and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd leave the Cabinet meeting (Isabel Infantes/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (left to right) Health Secretary Matt Hancock, Education Secretary Damian Hinds and Works and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd leave the Cabinet meeting (Isabel Infantes/PA) Mrs May told the Cabinet: The Withdrawal Agreement Bill is the vehicle which gets the UK out of the EU and it is vital to find a way to get it over the line. During the two hours spent discussing the Brexit plan, Mrs Mays spokesman acknowledged there were strong opinions around the Cabinet table but also a determination to get a deal through Parliament. The discussions included alternative arrangements, workers rights, environmental protections and further assurances on protecting the integrity of the UK in the unlikely event that the backstop is required, the spokesman said. The talks also covered the whole range of topics related to the Withdrawal Agreement Bill, including customs arrangements and calls for a second referendum. The meeting was characterised by a shared determination to find a way of passing the WAB so that the UK can leave the EU with a deal, the spokesman said. But Brexit is a topic which does carry strong opinions and they are very often reflected around the Cabinet table. Downing Street said the package contained significant new aspects after MPs resoundingly defeated previous versions of the deal three times. Ministers also considered the ongoing preparation for a no-deal Brexit if an agreement has not been ratified by October 31. In a sign of the divisions within the party, Chancellor Philip Hammond will use a major speech on Tuesday night to deliver a rebuke to would-be leaders considering a no-deal Brexit. The Chancellor will claim supporters of leaving the bloc without an exit agreement are trying to hijack the result of the referendum. But Commons leader Andrea Leadsom, who has said she could stand in the contest to replace Mrs May, insisted the UK had to be prepared to walk away without a Brexit deal. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) Despite the collapse of cross-party talks with Labour, the WAB contains a series of commitments on workers rights and environmental protections designed to appeal to opposition MPs. It also contains commitments to look at alternative arrangements to prevent the need for the controversial backstop aimed at keeping a soft border with Ireland, an olive branch for Tory Brexiteers and the DUP. Mrs Leadsom, one of the Cabinets leading Brexiteers, said she would support the Bill, but warned that could change if its provisions were watered down. I continue to support the Prime Minister to get her Withdrawal Agreement Bill through, she told BBC Radio 4s Today. It is leaving the European Union and so long as it continues to be leaving the European Union, I continue to support it. What I do think is that for any negotiation to succeed, you have to be prepared to walk away. Expand Close Justice Secretary David Gauke (Isabel Infantes/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Justice Secretary David Gauke (Isabel Infantes/PA) But shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry dismissed the idea of Labour supporting it, claiming the Bill was a piece of political theatre for Mrs May to have one last shot at getting her deal through. Its almost like she is setting up her own political version of the last rites, she told Today. She cannot realistically expect to see this get through without fundamental changes and we are not going to see fundamental changes, from everything I hear. Defeat for the WAB will accelerate Mrs Mays departure from Downing Street, with the Prime Minister due to set out the timetable for the contest to replace her after the vote. In a warning to leadership contenders, the Chancellor will use a speech to the CBIs annual dinner in London on Tuesday to highlight the risk of right-wing populism. Expand Close Boris Johnson (Brian Lawless/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Boris Johnson (Brian Lawless/PA) He will say that if the Brexit issue is not resolved in the next few weeks, there is a real risk of a new prime minister moving towards a damaging no-deal exit policy for ideological reasons. In what is likely to be seen as a sharp dig at prominent Tory Brexiteers like ex-foreign secretary Boris Johnson, Mr Hammond will say all the preparation in the world will not avoid the consequences of no deal. The witness chair in the House Judiciary Committee was left empty (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Former White House aide Don McGahn has been told he will be held in contempt of the US Congress after failing to appear in front of the House Judiciary Committee. The committees chairman Jerrold Nadler opened a Trump-Russia hearing with an empty witness chair and a stern warning for the former White House counsel for his failure to comply with a subpoena. Mr Nadler said that subpoenas are not optional and that the panel will hear from Mr McGahn one way or another. This committee will have no choice but to enforce the subpoena against him, he added. We will not allow the president to prevent the American people from hearing from this witness [or] block congressional subpoenas. We will hold this president accountable one way or the other.@RepJerryNadler makes it clear: Trump wont get away with obstructing justice. pic.twitter.com/b0GHjiHNnH CAP Action (@CAPAction) May 21, 2019 Our subpoenas are not optional, Mr Nadler said. The panel will hear from Mr McGahn one way or another, he added. Democrats are facing yet another attempt by President Donald Trump to stonewall their investigations. This time theyve been blocked from hearing from Mr McGahn a chief eyewitness to the presidents handling of the federal Russia investigation on orders from the White House. Representative Doug Collins, the ranking Republican on the Judiciary Committee, spoke scornfully of Mr Nadlers position, calling the session a circus and saying the chairman preferred a public fight over fact-finding. Democrats are trying desperately to make something out of nothing, Mr Collins said, in the aftermath of special counsel Robert Muellers findings in the Russia probe. Expand Close Chairman Jerrold Nadler, left, and represenative Doug Collins, right (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Chairman Jerrold Nadler, left, and represenative Doug Collins, right (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) The committee voted to adjourn the hearing immediately after Mr Collins remarks. A lawyer for Mr McGahn had said he would follow the presidents directive and skip the hearing, leaving the Democrats without yet another witness and a growing debate within the party about how to respond. House speaker Nancy Pelosi, backed by Mr Nadler, is taking a step-by-step approach to the confrontations with Mr Trump. Mr Nadler said the committee would vote to hold Mr McGahn in contempt, and take the issue to court. We will not allow the president to stop this investigation, the chairman said. A contempt vote is not expected until June, as congressmen are scheduled to leave town for a week-long recess. Democrats are encouraged by an early success on that route as a federal judge ruled against Mr Trump on Monday in a financial records dispute with Congress. Mr Trumps team filed notice that they would appeal. The president's continuing lawless conduct is making it harder and harder to rule out impeachment or any other enforcement actionHouse Judiciary Committee chairman Jerrold Nadler But Ms Pelosis strategy has not been swift enough for some members of the Judiciary panel who feel Democrats should be more aggressive and launch a formal impeachment inquiry as they try to get information from the administration. Impeachment hearings would give Democrats more standing in court and could stop short of a vote to remove the president. The issue was raised in a meeting among top Democrats on Monday evening, where some members confronted Ms Pelosi about it. In the hours after the discussion, Ms Pelosi and Mr Nadler met privately. Shortly afterwards, Mr Nadler said its possible when asked about impeachment hearings. The presidents continuing lawless conduct is making it harder and harder to rule out impeachment or any other enforcement action, Mr Nadler said. Expand Close Don McGahn was a no-show at the committee hearing (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Don McGahn was a no-show at the committee hearing (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) Mr McGahns refusal to testify is the latest of several moves to block Democratic investigations by Mr Trump, who has said his administration will fight all of the subpoenas. The Judiciary Committee voted to hold attorney general William Barr in contempt earlier this month after he declined to provide an unredacted version of Mr Muellers report. And the House intelligence committee is expected to vote on a separate enforcement action against the Justice Department this week after Mr Barr declined a similar request from that panel. More than 6 million Malawians are voting for a president, parliament and local councils in the countrys sixth election since the end of dictatorship in 1994. Of a field of seven presidential candidates, incumbent 78-year-old President Peter Mutharika faces stiff competition from his vice-president, Saulos Chilima, 46, and from Lazarus Chakwera, 64, leader of the main opposition, the Malawi Congress Party. Malawis winning candidate must get the most votes cast but is not required to receive more than 50% of the votes. Previous president Joyce Banda dropped out of the race and is supporting Mr Chakwera. Expand Close Malawis President Peter Mutharika casts his vote (AP Photo/Thoko Chikondi) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Malawis President Peter Mutharika casts his vote (AP Photo/Thoko Chikondi) Of the registered voters, 54% are young people between the ages of 18 and 34. Women make up 56% of the registered voters while all the presidential candidates are male. Malawis army and police will provide security at the more than 5,000 polling stations across the country and polls will remain open for 12 hours until 6pm local time. Most voters interviewed said they are pleased to cast their ballots in the hotly contested presidential poll. We are tired with all these months of bickering and I just want to vote and be done with it, said Martha Liunda, 66, in Blantyre. William Phiri, 32, an inmate at Chichiri prison in Blantyre said he was excited to be able to vote for a candidate of his choice even though he is in jail. I have two years to serve and I am voting for a future that I will find upon my release, he said. Malawis voting system is secure and cannot be penetrated by hackers, said electoral commission chairwoman Jane Ansa. No communications networks will be shut down during the elections, she said. The presidential contest is very close between the top three contenders, said Boniface Dulani, a senior lecturer in political science at Chancellor College, University of Malawi. As in previous elections, he says voting is likely to follow regional lines where Mr Chakwera and the Malawi Congress Party will carry the central region, Mr Chilima the north and Mr Mutharika the south. The decider will most likely be who comes second in all the regions, he said. Brenton Tarrant is suspected of murdering 51 people in the attacks (TRT World/AP) New Zealand police have filed a terrorism charge against the man accused of killing 51 people at two Christchurch mosques. Officers have charged 28-year-old Australian Brenton Tarrant with engaging in a terrorist act after the March 15 shootings. The charge comes with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and will be a test case for New Zealands terrorism laws, which came into force in 2002. Police have met with victims families and survivors of the March 15 Christchurch attack to inform them of new charges which have been filed, and update them on the ongoing Police investigation plus the court process to come - https://t.co/Q20m7EAgJS pic.twitter.com/490zx2LMQv New Zealand Police (@nzpolice) May 21, 2019 Police have also charged Tarrant with an additional count of murder, bringing the total number of murder charges against him to 51. That came after a Turkish man who was wounded in the attack died earlier this month in Christchurch Hospital. Police told families and survivors of the new charges at a meeting attended by more than 200 people. A former White House aide is defying a request to testify before the US Congress. Democrats in the House of Representatives are facing another attempt by President Donald Trump to stonewall their investigations after instructing former White House counsel Donald McGahn to defy his subpoena. Expand Close Donald Trump has said his administration will fight every subpoena (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Donald Trump has said his administration will fight every subpoena (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) A lawyer for Mr McGahn said he would follow the presidents directive and skip the House Judiciary hearing, leaving the Democrats without another witness. House speaker Nancy Pelosi, backed by House Judiciary Committee chairman Jerrold Nadler, is taking a step-by-step approach to the confrontations with Mr Trump. Mr Nadler said the committee would vote to hold Mr McGahn in contempt, and take the issue to court. Mr Nadler warned McGahn in a letter on the eve of the hearing: You face serious consequences if you do not appear. NEW: Chairman @RepJerryNadler response letter to former White House counsel Don McGahn. https://t.co/rw977z0qNw pic.twitter.com/HCL29eahHM House Judiciary Dems (@HouseJudiciary) May 21, 2019 Democrats are encouraged by an early success on that route as a federal judge ruled against Mr Trump on Monday in a financial records dispute with Congress. But that has not been swift enough for some members of the Judiciary panel who feel that Ms Pelosi should be more aggressive and launch impeachment hearings that would make it easier to get information from the administration. Such hearings would give Democrats more standing in court and could stop short of a vote to remove the president. The issue was raised in a meeting among top Democrats where some members confronted Ms Pelosi about opening up the impeachment hearings. The president's continuing lawless conduct is making it harder and harder to rule out impeachmentHouse Judiciary Committee chairman Jerrold Nadler Maryland representative Jamie Raskin made the case that launching an impeachment inquiry would consolidate the Trump investigations as Democrats try to keep focus on their other work. Ms Pelosi replied that several committees are doing investigations already and they had already been successful in one court case. But the members, several of whom have spoken publicly about the need to be more aggressive with Mr Trump, are increasingly impatient with the careful approach. In the hours after the discussion, Ms Pelosi and Mr Nadler met privately. Shortly after emerging from that meeting, Mr Nadler said its possible when asked about impeachment hearings. But he noted that Democrats had won a court victory without having to take that step. The presidents continuing lawless conduct is making it harder and harder to rule out impeachment or any other enforcement action, Mr Nadler said. Mr McGahns refusal to testify is the latest of several moves to block Democratic investigations by Mr Trump, who has said his administration will fight all of the subpoenas. The Judiciary committee voted to hold attorney general William Barr in contempt earlier this month after he declined to provide an unredacted version of special counsel Robert Muellers report. Every American should be alarmed by @realDonaldTrump and his Administrations behavior, as well as Republicans choosing to remain silent or defend these actions. History will judge us for how we handle this challenge. pic.twitter.com/5cvCCqdbuH House Judiciary Dems (@HouseJudiciary) May 8, 2019 And the House intelligence committee is expected to take a vote on a separate enforcement action against the Justice Department this week after Mr Barr declined a similar request from that panel. Mr McGahn was a key figure in Mr Muellers investigation, describing ways in which the president sought to curtail that federal probe. Democrats have hoped to question him as a way to focus attention on Mr Muellers findings and further investigate whether Mr Trump obstructed justice. One of the paradoxes about visiting a graveyard is the fact that it is a place of headstones where the stories of the dead can come alive. This is particularly so in the case of Ian Forbes, a former RUC member who has recently finished a huge personal project to photograph the graves of all of his police colleagues who were murdered during the Troubles. Mr Forbes, who comes from a family steeped in the tradition of serving in the RUC, has his own dramatic story to tell. His father Thomas, an RUC officer, was murdered by the IRA in Dungannon in 1942. Read More Ian also came under attack from gunmen at his home in January 1973, and survived even though he was shot in the hip and a bullet passed his heart. The house was hit 26 times, and two bullets passed through the dress of his wife Carrie before the shooting stopped. Mr Forbes travelled some 80,000 miles around Ireland to visit just over 300 graves. His motive was to ensure that the service of these victims of violence would not be forgotten in the way that he believed his father had been forgotten by everyone except his family and friends. This noble act by Ian Forbes has been recognised by the presentation of the RUC George Cross Association Certificate of Appreciation, and deservedly so. His is a form of tribute to dead colleagues that is rooted in traumatic personal experiences, and there is obviously a desire and a need to tell the stories of individuals, and not just a provide a collective tally of police deaths and suffering. Mr Forbes' collection of photographs will remind us all of the huge sacrifice that was made by serving members of the RUC, including those who died or were injured. The gravestones tell their grim stories of people of all ages who were affected, and of the loved ones they left behind. They are a reminder of a harrowing story of the collective suffering of all the families, including the single parent left to raise young children, and the grief of parents, siblings and friends. Sadly we have been so used to violence in Northern Ireland that we have used broad brush strokes to paint the picture of suffering, so that the deep trauma of individuals and families is too often overlooked. Thoughtful acts of remembrance, like that of Mr Forbes, are all the more poignant because they are a personal project involving time and effort, and are informed by memory. This is vitally important, and we need to be reminded continually of the pain and suffering of the past - and to stiffen our resolve to build a better future where this kind of savagery will not take place again. The scale and ferocity of some of the criticism aimed at the Prime Minister by members of her own party is little short of a disgrace. Theresa May, despite being a Remainer, has honourably stuck to the parliamentary pledge to fulfil the outcome of the referendum, while many of her colleagues whose support she is entitled to have flip-flopped around shamefully looking for ways to dishonour that solemn pledge. As I say, it is a disgrace. Meanwhile, the humourless Brussels negotiators - many of them unelected - are making things even more difficult for her. This may well be to scare off some other member states who might want to leave and yet will be daunted from trying to do so when they see what the UK has had to endure. In short, the hard men of Brussels, with their bleak smiles, are fearful that any more "defectors" could see the whole rickety edifice crumble to the ground in ruins. Theresa May has been doing her utmost to resolve a crisis which others created. She should be commended for this - not stigmatised. Glory be! Who on Earth would want to lead the Conservative Party at this critical moment in its history? Yet amazingly the runners and riders who want to succeed Theresa May are approaching Grand National levels - 17 so far and probably still counting. The new incumbent needs to be a knight in shining armour, galloping to the rescue of a stricken maiden while running the country at the same time. Boris Johnson appears to be the hot favourite. Asked at a business event in Manchester if he would be a candidate, the former Foreign Secretary replied: "Of course I'm going to go for it. I don't think that is any particular secret to anybody. But, you know, there is no vacancy at present." Mr Johnson, a leading Brexiteer who quit the Cabinet last year over the terms of the withdrawal agreement added: "I do think there's been a real lack of grip and dynamism in the way we approached these talks (with the European Union). We've failed over the last three years to put forward a convincing narrative about how we can make sense of Brexit and how to exploit the opportunities of Brexit." However, favourites do not always win races. And that is certainly true of political contests. Relatively obscure names like John Major and Michael Foot find themselves blinking in the limelight, leaving Michael Heseltine and Denis Healey regarding themselves ruefully as the best political leaders Britain never had. So, don't risk your life savings on Boris. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable presents a suave spectacle as he glides across the ballroom - he is a polished hoofer - but perhaps he is not quite so proficient as a political fixer. It was reported some months ago that he was trying to unite all the Remain factions in Parliament as an umbrella party of which, presumably, he would have been leader. Well, nothing at all emerged. By contrast, Nigel Farage founded the new Brexit Party within a matter of days. Nigel is certainly The Great Seducer, which Sir Vince is emphatically not. Indeed, the Brexit Party is already running rings round the Tories in the opinion polls. In short, the Tories are running scared as they wait in dread for the outcome of Thursday's European elections. Will they complete their grisly meltdown? It is just 18 years since bruiser John Prescott, then Deputy Prime Minister, thumped a protester who threw an egg at him during an election campaign near Rhyl. I am reminded that a senior Labour figure telephoned, in agitation, Sky News, telling them they had made a grave mistake, because the incident had never occurred. What the caller seemed unaware of was that Sky actually had an eyewitness, who viewed the entire proceedings. Of course it happened. And Prescott would have it no other way. He said after the encounter: "I was told to connect with the voters. So that is what I did." There is a question regularly asked about political officials: "How do you know when they are lying?" Answer: "When you see their lips move." Enough said. Indonesian women pray during a protest rally following the announcement of presidential election results outside the Election Supervisory Agency headquarters in Jakarta, May 21, 2019. Updated at 4:05 P.M. ET on 2019-05-21 Indonesias 2019 presidential election, whose official results on Tuesday sealed a second term for the incumbent, exposed social and religious divides in Southeast Asias largest country that reflect its growing pains as a maturing democracy, analysts told BenarNews. The Election Commission released its official tally showing that President Joko Jokowi Widodo was reelected with 55.5 percent of the vote against 44.5 percent for his rival, retired Gen. Prabowo Subianto, in the April 17 election. The election exposed divides in Indonesian society, not only between Muslims and non-Muslims, but also between Muslims who are tolerant and rooted in local values such as Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), and those who follow more Middle Eastern-oriented clerics, said Achmad Sukarsono, a senior analyst at Control Risks, a Singapore-based consultancy. Basically its 50-50 and non-Muslims tipped the balance in favor of Jokowi, he added. Jokowi won in Central and East Java, the stronghold for NU, the countrys largest Muslim organization to which his running mate belongs. The incumbent also won in provinces where non-Muslims are the majority, such as mainly Hindu Bali and predominantly Christian East Nusa Tenggara. Jokowi picked as his running mate Maruf Amin, a cleric known for his conservative views on issues such as gay and minority rights, to fend off accusations from hardline Islamic groups that he was not sufficiently Muslim, but the move failed to curb the polarization, according to analysts. Maruf only succeeded in solidifying support within NU for Jokowi, said Wasisto Raharjo Jati, a political researcher with the Indonesian Institute of Sciences. Challenger Prabowo and his running mate, wealthy businessman Sandiaga Uno, dominated in West Java the countrys most populous province most of Sumatra island as well as in the Aceh region, where Islamic law is enforced. Jayadi Hanan, an analyst at Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting, said strong polarization meant that most voters had made up their minds before the election. Some voters were determined to vote for Prabowo, even though they saw that Jokowis performance was good enough, he said. Minority outreach As he prepares to take office in October for a final five-year term, Jokowi has his work cut out for him, Achmad said, pointing to how the president must address grievances and demands of the Muslim majority. Its hard for Jokowi to defend the rights of minorities when the majority feel increasingly insecure, he said, adding that the schism was part of the growing pains of a maturing democracy. Wasisto questioned Jokowis efforts toward minorities in the worlds largest Muslim-majority country, which has been a democracy for only 21 years. Jokowi has enjoyed support for populist programs that affect ordinary people, but his commitment to resolving human rights issue leaves much to be desired, Wasisto said. The president has been praised for his drive to revamp the countrys crumbling infrastructure by building roads, ports, power plants and dams during his first five-year term. But he has also been criticized for his record on human rights, law enforcement and the fight against corruption, despite a campaign promise to address cases of past rights violations, analysts said. Jokowis first term saw the jailing of environmental activists and members of ethnic and religious minorities, including an ethnic Chinese Buddhist woman who was sentenced to 18 months in prison last year for blasphemy after complaining about noise from a local mosque. In a high-profile case, then-Jakarta Gov. Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama, a Christian of Chinese descent, was sentenced in 2017 to two years in prison over allegations that he had insulted the Quran in off-the-cuff remarks. Ahok, who was the deputy to Jokowi when Jokowi served as governor of Jakarta before first running for president in 2014, was released from prison in January. The events leading to Ahoks jailing raised concerns about growing intolerance where anti-Chinese sentiment remains high despite the end of official discrimination against the minority group after the downfall of strongman Suharto in 1998. Meanwhile, opposition figures have accused Jokowi of politicizing law enforcement to muzzle dissent. It is likely that the human rights situation will continue to slowly deteriorate, as Jokowi has leaned more and more on the police and prosecutors to shut down political opponents who he cannot win over to his agenda or ply with patronage to support it, said Aaron Connelly, a research fellow in Southeast Asian politics at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). While Jokowi has talked about focusing on people during his second term, a move away from infrastructure seems unlikely, Connelly said. The president has said that he would use his second term to go all out to make Indonesia the worlds fourth-largest economy by 2045. Without infrastructure, dont dream about being the fifth- or the fourth-largest economy in the world, Jokowi said. An earlier version of this story contained an incorrect attribution in the final quote. Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo delivers a victory speech before residents of Johar Baru, a Central Jakarta sub-district, as running mate Maruf Amin looks on, May 21, 2019. Updated at 5:35 P.M. ET on 2019-05-21 Fresh from winning his second five-year term, Indonesia's President Joko Jokowi Widodo vowed Tuesday to protect the interest of all citizens, as his defeated rival's supporters launched street protests in Jakarta questioning the result of the elections held last month. Jokowi garnered 55.5 percent of ballots in the April 17 presidential election, beating for the second time his challenger, retired army Gen. Prabowo Subianto, according to the General Elections Commission (KPU) in a surprise announcement made one day earlier than scheduled amid concerns of mass protests. In what was seen as one of the most divisive elections in Indonesia's history, Jokowi received 85.6 million votes while Prabowo got nearly 68.8 million, the final tally showed. The official results confirmed quick count exit polls that independent pollsters conducted and released hours after the election. I and Kyai Haji Maruf Amin are grateful for the trust given to us, Jokowi said, referring to his running mate during a press conference in a Jakarta slum. We will answer the peoples trust for us by creating development programs which are equitable and just for people from all walks of life in every corner of the country, Jokowi told reporters and hundreds of people who jostled to catch a glimpse of the president. 'We will fight hard for all Indonesian people' However, Prabowo refused to concede defeat, saying he would challenge the results which, he continued to allege, resulted from massive and systematic fraud. Indonesian media reported that police had arrested several of hundreds of people protesting outside the offices of the Election Supervisory Agency in the heart of Jakarta's commercial and government district. Police armed with riot shields shot tear gas and fired water cannons at some stone-throwing protesters at Tanah Abang in Central Jakarta early Wednesday Indonesian time, after they refused to disperse, live footage from KompasTV showed. There were about 1,000 Prabowo supporters at a rally that ended peacefully but later police fired tear gas as some protesters hurled fireworks and other objects at officers in riot gear, TV footage showed and acording to reports. KPU Chairman Arief Budiman said the Prabowo camp had three days to challenge the results before the Constitutional Court. Barring a successful challenge, Jokowi will be sworn in for a second and final five-year term on Oct. 20. The election was a rematch of the 2014 presidential polls that pitted Jokowi, the then-mayor of Jakarta, against Prabowo, a former general in the Indonesian army special forces. Accompanied by running mate Sandiaga Uno, Prabowo insisted that the election was marred by widespread irregularities. We will not accept the vote count conducted by the KPU as long as its the result of fraud, Prabowo told reporters gathered at his home in south Jakarta. We will make every legal effort afforded by the constitution to defend the sovereignty of the people whose constitutional right has been denied in this election, he said. The election exposed divides in Indonesian society, not only between Muslims and non-Muslims, but also between Muslims who are tolerant and rooted in local values such as Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), and those who follow more Middle Eastern-oriented clerics, said Achmad Sukarsono, a senior analyst at Control Risks, a Singapore-based consultancy. On Monday, the Election Supervisory Agency, the nations electoral watchdog, dismissed the Prabowo campaigns allegations, saying there was not enough evidence to support them. Heightened security The official results were to be released on Wednesday, but were moved up a day early after Prabowos supporters threatened to hold a massive rally in front of the KPU building in central Jakarta. National police spokesman Muhammad Iqbal said 40,000 police and soldiers had been deployed to provide security. Our analysis is that not all protesters have peaceful intentions, Iqbal said, adding that police had arrested would-be protesters suspected of carrying fuel bombs. Some groups tried to carry bamboo spears. This is dangerous and the public should know this, he said. Security Affairs Minister Wiranto urged Prabowo supporters not to take to the streets, saying their action would undermine democracy and hurt people. Its a misguided act and is not supported by the majority of the people, he said, adding that stern action would be taken against those violating the law. Prabowo called on his supporters to protest the vote results in a nonviolent way. I urge volunteers and supporters to maintain order and peace and that all actions are conducted peacefully and constitutionally, Prabowo said. Last week, police said they had arrested 29 suspected militants who were alleged to be plotting to set off bombs at a political rally that was expected after official poll results were announced on May 22, as originally scheduled. In addition, police and military police said they had arrested retired Maj. Gen. Soenarko, a former commander of Kopassus, the armys special forces wing, for alleged treason and illegal possession of firearms. Soenarko supports Prabowo, an ex-Kopassus commander. Police also arrested National Mandate Party politician Eggi Sudjana and Prabowo campaign member Lieus Sungkharisma on charges of treason after they called for election protests. Police armed with riot shields shot tear gas at stone-throwing protesters at Tanah Abang in Central Jakarta in the middle of the night, after groups of protesters refused to disperse. (AFP) Step that must be taken Sirojuddin Abbas, a political analyst with Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting, said Prabowo was in the right to challenge the election results. This is a constitutional step that must be taken, he said, adding that the protest could bring clarity to the question of electoral integrity. Another analyst, Ray Rangkuti with election watchdog Lingkar Madani, predicted that protests would last for a few days before dying down. Two days to a week later, they will start preparing again for the next election. This has been a kind of tradition in Indonesia after every level of election, Ray told BenarNews. He criticized security forces response to threats of protests, saying it showed that the government panicked. Of course such attitudes more or less tarnished the victory of Mr. Jokowi and could potentially lead to new problems, he said. Jokowi congratulated Foreign leaders, meanwhile, began to congratulate Jokowi on his re-election. I wish to congratulate Bapak @jokowi for the win and officially elected as Indonesia president. I hope the cooperation between the two countries will be stronger after this, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said in a Twitter post. Warmest congratulations @jokowi on your re-election as President of Indonesia. Indonesia is one of Australias most important strategic relationships. We look forward to further deepening ties between and across all of our shared interests, tweeted Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, fresh from his own electoral victory. Tia Asmara in Jakarta contributed to this report. Malaysias counter terror chief Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay (center) talks with ex-militants at an iftar dinner hosted by police in Kuala Lumpur, May 18, 2019. Dressed in traditional Muslim garb abaya or niqab for women, skull caps for men the people entering a hotel banquet hall in Kuala Lumpur one recent evening looked like any other group gathering for iftar, the meal that breaks the days fast during Ramadan. But this was no ordinary group. It included one-time members of Jemaah Islamiyah, Darul Islam, Abu Sayyaf, al-Qaeda and the so-called Islamic State men convicted of terrorism offenses and men detained under security laws, plus their relatives 122 people in all. The event has been hosted annually for 16 years by the Royal Malaysia Police to help authorities stay engaged with people once involved with or suspected of involvement in terror activities. We do have other programs, but it is not something that we hold on a grand scale like this. The other would be one-to-one visits, and sometimes we organize talks. It is difficult to conduct house visits to everyone, but we make sure we are contactable whenever they need us, Malaysias counter terror chief Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay told BenarNews. The aim of all these efforts is to keep strong relationships with people who could be vulnerable to returning to violent activities and radical ideologies, he said. They had to deal a lot with public perception among others, family acceptance and financial aid as well. So we talk to their family, because family acceptance is important. Once they have that support, they will be able to stay focused and handle the pressure, Ayob said. He described the iftar event as a reunion where ex-terrorists and former detainees get to meet not only with police officers but also with people they used to associate with in terror groups. Asked if he was worried about hosting an event where such individuals could interact, Ayob said no. Those who are here have repented. They are no longer a threat, he said. Only seven of more than 700 individuals arrested since 2001 for terrorism-related activities have relapsed, he said, citing police data. Our de-radicalization program is a success. Many have gone back to society and they live a normal life. Some had gone back, in fact they fled to Syria to join the caliphate, but it is an isolated case, Ayob said. Many regret their actions and believe that violence and extremism is not the way, he said. We are the only country People attending the event appeared uneasy around reporters and most declined to speak to the media. One man, a government official detained by police for 28 days in 2014, gave a short interview to BenarNews on condition his name not be used. The 32-year-old was arrested after he was believed to have attempted to flee the country to join militants in the southern Philippines. He was held under the Security Offenses (Special Measures) Act (SOSMA), which allows suspects to be detained up to 28 days without charges. He was later released due to lack of evidence. I used to be detained under SOSMA. I see the law able to curb militant activities especially when it involves the countrys security. Maybe what the government can do is to improve it, said the father-of-one. But he declined to say how. He said his name had been added to a police watch list, requiring him to seek police consent before visiting any other countries. I do not know how long I will be on the list. I have no other comment on this matter, the man said. Ahmad El-Muhammady, a senior lecturer with International Islamic University Malaysia, said that Malaysian police use an individualized approach to de-radicalizing extremists. The breaking fast event is one of the programs the police organize to engage with them, he said. Ahmad, who participates in the rehabilitation efforts, claimed that Malaysia is the only country that uses this approach to get close to ex-terrorists. We are the only country. During Ramadan we invite them for breaking fast, during Eid we visit them and bring them some gifts, and when their children are entering school we help them with school shoes or a bag. Demonstrators wearing masks marked with the symbol of the New Peoples Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, join a protest rally in Manila, March 25, 2019. Philippine security forces killed at least five suspected communist guerrillas in two clashes in the southern Mindanao region during the weekend, the military said Tuesday. A group of 20 soldiers on foot patrol on Sunday in the town of Carmen in Surigao del Sur province came upon 10 men believed to be New Peoples Army (NPA) guerrillas, who engaged the troops in a gunbattle for several minutes, said Capt. Francisco Garello, the local army spokesman. Weve been monitoring their presence since the May 13 elections. We moved against them when we realized they were still there after the elections, Garello said, referring to the midterm polls in which millions of voters chose more than 18,000 local officials and 12 members of the Philippine Senate. The soldiers and rebels were chasing each other, he said. It was a running gunbattle for 15 minutes. Garello said the soldiers recovered the bodies of four men and seized three AK-47 and two M16 rifles, three mobile phones and assorted ammunition. He said there were no reports of casualties from the military side. On the same day in Remedios Romualdez town in Agusan del Norte province, about 129 km (80 miles) south of Surigao del Sur, Philippine Army members engaged a band of gunmen believed to be NPA rebels, he said. Garello said soldiers killed a suspected guerrilla and recovered an AK 47 rifle with two ammunition cartridges from the slain man. The clashes were the deadliest since suspected NPA rebels killed at least six soldiers and wounded six others in a pre-dawn ambush in April in the central Philippine town of Calbiga in Samar province, officials said. The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, which has been waging one of Asias longest-running rebellions since the 1960s. Efforts to strike a peace agreement with the group fell through, with President Rodrigo Duterte saying there wont be talks for the duration of his six-year term that ends in 2022. Abdulroning Jeloh (left) recollects events that took place during attacks by insurgents in the Thai Deep South in 2004, as a neighbor (right) and his mother look on, at his familys home in Pattani province, May 21, 2019. King Maha Vajiralongkorn has pardoned a man imprisoned for life in connection with insurgent attacks that killed more than 100 people in Thailands Deep South in 2004, in what a prison official said was the first royal pardon of a suspected southern rebel. Abdulroning Jeloh, who was interviewed by BenarNews at his mothers home in Pattani province on Tuesday, expressed gratitude to the monarch for granting the rare pardon that gave him back his freedom after 15 years behind bars. I thank the King for the pardon, he said, otherwise I needed to wait for two more years, 10 months and 10 days. Abdulroning received a death sentence in 2004 but it was commuted to life imprisonment in 2004. His pardon came about three years before his scheduled release for good behavior. A prison official, who requested anonymity, confirmed that Abdulroning had received a royal pardon and was released last Friday. He was the first among 500 suspected insurgents incarcerated in the Deep South to receive such a pardon, the official said. Royal pardons are offered occasionally at auspicious moments, such as during the monarchs coronation, and would include some criteria, corrections officials said. According to the Royal Gazette, prisoners who could be eligible for royal pardon would include those with disabilities or terminal diseases, or those within a year of completing their sentence. Fateful day On April 28, 2004, separatist insurgents launched widespread pre-dawn attacks on 11 security checkpoints and government locations in the southern provinces of Pattani, Songkhla and Yala. Initial reports said there were 108 fatalities on both sides, but Thai authorities later reported that 107 suspected insurgents and five members of the security forces had been killed. Abdulroning was captured after being shot in the ribs during coordinated attacks, but he maintained his innocence during the interview with Benar. Abdulroning, who declined to give his age but appeared to be in his 50s, said on that day in April, he drove a truck carrying some of his neighbors. He was told to stop the vehicle when they arrived at Mae Lan police station without knowing what would happen next, he said. He figured out what his neighbors had in mind only after shooting erupted and a bullet pierced his chest, he said. I thought I was dead, but the nurses saved me, Abdulroning said, adding that five of his neighbors were killed in the attack. I was detained and tried, he said, emphasizing that he thought he would only be sent to jail for 10 or 20 days. The 2004 attacks led to a massacre at the historic Krue Se Mosque, when suspected 32 insurgents hid in the small concrete structure and were killed after a general ordered an all-out assault. In January of the same year, insurgents raided a military barracks in Narathiwat, another Deep South province, and looted more than 400 rifles, reigniting the insurgency that began in the 1960s and has killed more than 7,000 people in the mainly Muslim and Malay-speaking southern border region since 2004. The Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), the strongest of the separatist insurgent groups that fight for independence of the Malay Patani people in the Deep South, never officially claimed responsibility for the attacks. During the past five years, Thailand has attempted negotiations BRN but talks have largely stalled. Abdulroning told BenarNews that he would live a clean life, growing chili peppers in their backyard to raise money. I intend to become a merchant to feed my mom, he said. His mother, Aesa Lateh, said she was very happy to have her son back. I dont need to go to the prison to visit him no more," she said. Successful brands must have a strong local resonance and activation if they are to emotionally connect with consumers in Africa and fuel growth in the fast-changing region, reports Kantar TNS. The latest Kantar Africa Life 2019 report is due to be released end of May. Kantar Africa Life 2019 report. Its time for Africa Connected consumers Research study Banking and finance, Media and entertainment. Food. Telecommunications. Modern Retail In the Pursuit of Health Simplicity Super Food Ambition Africa love Authenticity Digital Oxygen Entrepreneurial Ambition Share is the New Care Africa is home to 1.2 billion people. Its population will double in less than three decades, representing one fourth of humanity. Urbanisation levels will by then stand at 60% and will be the highest urbanisation rate globally, according to a preview of the Kantar Africa Life 2019 report.The current dynamics and impressive economic and social progress made by most African countries predicts a materialisation of the demographic dividend over the next 10 years. This is a massive opportunity for the continent, its population and the economic players that operate in Africa.2020-2030 will continue to be a decade of profound positive transformations. A more powerful iteration of the Its time for Africa narrative is highly anticipated, Kantar reports.Connected consumers will have more choices and will in turn be more demanding. Consumers in Africa will expect products and messages that are more tailored to who they are, what they care for and the environment they live in. They will be ready to pay more for products which they can culturally identify with in the broader sense of the term. They will value customised experience more than ever.According to Kantar, the opportunity is massive for brands that understand the consumers (culture) codes, and which can inject such understanding into their products, brand messaging and overall experience offered.Culture will be an essential marketing currency in Africa, more than anywhere else; and influence marketing will need to be at the centre of brand activations.Kantar embarked on the latest major research study for Africa Life 2019 in March 2019 in six major sub-Saharan countries Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Senegal - expanding it from three in 2017 for a broader and stronger representation of the sub-Saharan region. Mixed methodologies were used to surface the key trends that are shaping Africa today.The following industries are trending:In Africa Life 2017, Kantar TNS uncovered a large set of growth-enabling dynamics, including:In the latest round of research, Kantar conducted 5000 interviews across Africa in a robust quantitative approach across the six key markets a minimum of 800 interviews per market and 1200 in Nigeria; an exclusive qualitative module via creative one-on-one sessions with key influencers and bloggers in each market; and a digital module of visual data analysis via Recognology, which captures and makes sense of the most spontaneous expression of trends from consumers.To book your Africa Life 2019 executive session with Kantar TNS, email: The Impact Fund for African Creatives (IFFAC) is calling on designers to apply for its accelerator programme. The programme, focused on supporting and strengthening emerging African brands, is open to all designers living or working in Africa. Launched in 2018 at the Paris Peace Forum, the IFFAC is a 100 million impact investment fund focused on creative businesses in the fashion and lifestyle industries in Africa.The Fund is managed by Roberta Annan Capital Partners (RACP), and is a collaboration between the International Trade Centre's (ITC) Ethical Fashion Initiative and the African Fashion Fund (AFF).The Fund aims to identify top talent in African creative industries and improve the success rates of these entrepreneurs by providing funding and support, and access to mentorship and skills development.It also strives to highlight and export Africas rich and diverse culture and artistry, and to improve the global positioning and integration of African artists through participation in major global events.Designers interested in the accelerator programme should submit a letter of motivation, a copy of an ID card, a copy of their business registration and 10 high-resolution images of a new collection they would like to present to moc.c-affi@rotarelecca The deadline for applications is 30 June 2019. Be inspired by the best The Loeries Travelling Exhibition is a captivating showcase of 2018s award-winning creative work from across Africa and the Middle East. The exhibition will be at Red & Yellow School of Logic and Magic, Cape Town, from May 27 to 31, 2019.For anyone studying advertising, design and other aspects of the brand communication industry, its a fantastic chance to be inspired by the best work from our continent. Also, for anyone planning to enter the Loeries this year, its the last opportunity to see past winners as a guide to your own entries.The creative economy offers so much potential for our economy the opportunity to employ our talented youth and to turn their ideas into something valuable, while creating revenue, says Loeries CEO Andrew Human. I hope this exhibition inspires talented youngsters to follow their heart and make their passion their career.The Loeries Extended-Extended entry deadline is 7 June (although all work must still be launched, flighted or published by 31 May 2019 to be eligible) and Creative Week takes place from 19-25 August. Visit loeries.com for details.For more information about the Loeries Travelling Exhibition at Red & Yellow School of Logic and Magic call Clayton Sutherland (021) 462 1946/8.The Loeries, a non-profit company, is Africa and the Middle Easts premiere initiative that recognises, rewards, inspires and fosters creative excellence in the brand communication industry. As the highest accolade for creativity and innovation across our region, the Loeries promotes and supports creativity by helping marketers, agencies and consumers appreciate the value of ideas and fresh thinking. Culminating in the biggest creative gathering in Africa and the Middle East, Loeries Creative Week Durban brings together the best innovative minds from our industry for a festival of networking, inspiring minds and recognising great work. Our region's creative economy is world-class and has great potential to grow and to offer employment to our talented youth. The growth occurring throughout Africa and the Middle East is very exciting, and a major focus of the Loeries is to increase the standard of brand communication in the region.DStv Media Sales, GearhouseAB InBev, Barron, Brand South Africa, Facebook, Gagasi FM, Google, JCDecaux, Nandos, Tsogo Sun, Vodacom, WoolworthsAAA School of Advertising, Antalis South Africa, Aon South Africa, Backsberg, BEE Online, First Source, Fresh RSVP Guest Logistics, Funk Productions, Gallo Images, Grid Worldwide, Hetzner, Mama Creative, Newsclip, Paygate, Rocketseed, Shared Value Initiative, Shift Social Development, Vega School, VQI Communications NigeriaAssociation of Communication and Design, Brand Council South Africa, Commercial Producers Association, Creative Circle, EXCA, IAB, South African Institute of Architects, IIDModern Marketing, Bizcommunity.com, Book of Swag, Brand Communicator Nigeria, CampaignMiddle East, Film & Event Media, The Redzone. #AfricaMonth: Changing the face of wireless power solutions WiPo Wireless Power, a young dynamic startup that provides wireless power solutions for drone and other industrial equipment, was selected as one of the startups to take part in the #Africa4Future initiative. Dr Jaco du Preez, founder and CEO of WiPo Wireless Power #Africa4Future is an initiative between Airbus BizLab and the GIZ's (the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit) Make-IT in Africa. The programme is being implemented by Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) and InnoCircle to drive innovation, build businesses and unlock new potential. InnoCircle, a boutique South African innovation consultancy, selected WiPo to participate in the acceleration programme. One of the most common goals of acceleration programmes, such as #Africa4Future, is business sustainability. As this results in job creation, it can enhance a communitys entrepreneurial climate and economy, retain businesses in a community, build or accelerate growth in local industries and diversify local economies. As the Cape Town leg of the #Africa4Future programme wrapped up earlier this week, we chat to Dr Jaco du Preez, founder and CEO of WiPo Wireless Power, to find out more about the journey... Can you tell us a bit about WiPo Wireless Power? Can you tell us a bit about WiPo Wireless Power? #Africa4Future is an initiative between Airbus BizLab and the GIZ's (the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit) Make-IT in Africa. The programme is being implemented by Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) and InnoCircle to drive innovation, build businesses and unlock new potential. InnoCircle, a boutique South African innovation consultancy, selected WiPo to participate in the acceleration programme.One of the most common goals of acceleration programmes, such as #Africa4Future, is business sustainability. As this results in job creation, it can enhance a communitys entrepreneurial climate and economy, retain businesses in a community, build or accelerate growth in local industries and diversify local economies.As the Cape Town leg of the #Africa4Future programme wrapped up earlier this week, we chat to Dr Jaco du Preez, founder and CEO of WiPo Wireless Power, to find out more about the journey... When, how and why did you get started? When, how and why did you get started? What is the core function of WiPo Wireless Power? What is the core function of WiPo Wireless Power? What are some of the obstacles you've had to overcome since starting out? What are some of the obstacles you've had to overcome since starting out? What advice would you give to other aspiring entrepreneurs? What advice would you give to other aspiring entrepreneurs? What has been your proudest achievements thus far? What has been your proudest achievements thus far? What does the future of entrepreneurship look like to you? What does the future of entrepreneurship look like to you? What is the importance of startup accelerator/incubator programmes? What is the importance of startup accelerator/incubator programmes? What would you like to see changed in the South African/African startup landscape? What would you like to see changed in the South African/African startup landscape? What do you believe are the traits an entrepreneur needs in order to succeed? What do you believe are the traits an entrepreneur needs in order to succeed? Tell us about your biggest struggles as entrepreneurs, as well as some major highlights. Tell us about your biggest struggles as entrepreneurs, as well as some major highlights. Why would you encourage someone to become an entrepreneur? Why would you encourage someone to become an entrepreneur? What is the importance of entrepreneurship? What is the importance of entrepreneurship? Where would you like to see WiPo Wireless Power in the next 5 years? Where would you like to see WiPo Wireless Power in the next 5 years? Evan-Lee Courie's articles About Evan-Lee Courie Editor: Marketing & Media; Head of Content for Entrepreneurship Editor: Marketing & Media; Head of Content for Entrepreneurship Don't miss BizTrends2022 - 7 keynote speakers forecast trends shaping business in our region! Register now! WiPo Wireless Power is a young dynamic startup that provides wireless power solutions for drone and other industrial equipment. The WiPort drone port is a safe and secure enclosure for drones that allows drones to rapidly launch, automatically charge the drone batteries, whilst enabling the drone to be operated autonomously.As the founder of the company, I always wanted to start a hardware-based company that provided a specific solution that addressed a unique problem.The main drive was looking into two vertical technologies and combine them to provide that solution. In WiPo Wireless Power's case, the two main technologies are Wireless Power and Drones.The company was subsequently founded in 2017, after winning a Gauteng Accelerator Programme (GAP) Competition prize from The Innovation Hub in 2016. The initial prototype was a charger for drones that could be powered directly from electromagnetic fields from power line. This, however, did not materialise as the local power utility was concerned about drones flying too close to the power lines. WiPo Wireless Power then pivoted the product to a different drone powering solution, the WiPort.WiPo Wireless Power brings all the benefits of using wireless power to address a unique problem our customers have. We specialise in providing ultra-high powered solutions for a drone, electric forklifts and factory robotics.When the company started we used the lean startup methodology where we still had to validate our business model and the associated hypotheses. One of the hypothesis was a unique product for power utilities on powering drones from power lines, we had to pivot both on product and customer.I think the most difficult part of being an entrepreneur is to just start. Start by identifying a unique problem, find out if the problem is widespread and what solutions are available to solve that specific problem. Once the problem is identified start working on a solution that addresses that problem. If the market is significant then there is a great deal of potential for the company. The biggest point here is to just start.Being selected to be part of the #Africa4Future acceleration programme from hundreds of applicants. the programme run by the MakeIT alliance (Airbus, GIZ, Innocercle and MEST) added so much value to our startup from the expertise, the mentoring, the access to market and insights into VC funding made this experience start out above everything else in the short life of our startup.I believe that with all the support and programmes offered to entrepreneurs and the startup ecosystem developing, entrepreneurs will start younger starting their companies. The median age for entrepreneurs is 38-40 years old and I believe that the median age will move closer to the early 30's for startup founders. They will have access to capital, a better ecosystem and a large pool of free and open source tools to assist them in starting their ventures.A significant number of entrepreneurs start their companies because of a personal need - either to solve a problem and for necessity. They generally have little to no experience in business or what is required to grow their businesses. this is where these programmes come into the ecosystem. The incubation and acceleration programmes provide startups with mentorship, expertise, co-working space, training, and sometimes funds to assist them in their startup venture.I think the biggest value would be to provide startups access to market, i.e. access to repeatable business from multiple clients. There is nothing better than validating a business model than a paying client. When a startup has repeatable business from multiple clients, they need a great deal less training, mentorship, expertise and most importantly, access to funding from grants or from equity funding.The ability to spot a problem, come up with a solution, determine if there is a gap in the market and most importantly to just start with their venture by building a product that will solve a unique problem.Cash flow is the Achilles heel of any company, especially a startup. With no cash flow in your startup, you cannot pay suppliers, pay salaries and struggle to plan for the future. The saying "Cash is King" is spot on.To be able to be passionate about what you do, how the company addresses a specific problem and all the excitement that goes with running a startup.As a startup founder, you determine your future. You can work on the one thing that you are most passionate about and not what someone else tells you and pays you to do. I have seen too many people starting a company and fall into another speciality that one never anticipated or are even passionate about. Life is too short to work on something else someone else decided on.Entrepreneurs are by far the biggest employer of staff in the economy. If we have one million startups or SMEs, and each of them employs just one more employee, we would eliminate unemployment in a short period of time. Government and large industry cannot do the same, so the future lies with the entrepreneur and not with industry.A prosperous company employing a number of people, producing a large number of products that are best suited for businesses with specific problems. I would love to see WiPo Wireless Power as a company that stands out in the wireless power community, and people that benefit daily whilst using our products. Cape Town Press Club expresses grief over Judge Anton Steenkamp's death Through its Facebook page, the Cape Town Press Club expressed its sadness over the death of one of its members. Judge Anton Steenkamp died from a fatal black mamba bite in Zambia. PR Newswire NEW YORK and DALLAS, May 21, 2019 - Alliance will help businesses address the challenges of multijurisdictional tax operations, by providing leading-edge, digitally enabled tax services NEW YORK and DALLAS, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Ernst & Young LLP (EY) and Thomson Reuters today announce a strategic alliance that brings together Thomson Reuters ONESOURCE global tax technology with EY Tax Technology and Transformation (TTT) services. Through the alliance, EY and Thomson Reuters will bring to market new solutions that help multinational organizations implement seamless tax compliance operations to help address the challenges of complying with multijurisdictional tax requirements in a complex and shifting regulatory environment. Thomson Reuters ONESOURCE with an industry-leading portfolio of global tax and accounting technology for corporations enables streamlining of data and process automation across tax, accounting and finance functions. With extensive knowledge of ONESOURCE, EY teams will guide clients through the implementation of the technology as clients embark on digital and business transformation to simplify tax processes, drive down operating costs and maintain transparent global tax compliance. Kate Barton, EY Global Vice Chair Tax, says: "With the rapid rise in platform-based technology in the form of cloud and other secure access platforms, tax departments are beginning to solve problems, source business solutions and interact with tax authorities in a whole different way. Together, EY and Thomson Reuters have the opportunity to provide clients a leading-edge, tech-driven solution to help solve their most complex tax challenges." Brian Peccarelli, Chief Operating Officer, Customer Markets, Thomson Reuters, says: "Businesses are responding to technological, social and professional disruption by transforming how they operate and are structured. They now want those they work with to provide transparent, integrated and agile technology with the services that are tailored to meet their needs, not just a one-kind-fits-all offering. This alliance with EY enables us to provide our clients with the very best technology and advisory services for tax, accounting and legal departments." The alliance expands the longstanding relationship with Thomson Reuters and provides the ability for EY to serve clients at a deeper level within the ever-changing tax technology space. It will also offer EY clients focused support from Thomson Reuters within and beyond the tax function, deepening relationships in the areas of compliance, technology, IT, global trade and the office of the general counsel. John Kuzy, EY Americas Tax Sector Leader, says: "EY and Thomson Reuters have unparalleled experience in helping clients manage the complexities of interconnected topics such as tax reform, global compliance and reporting, workforce transformation in the digital age and global trade. Driven by a common purpose to build a better working world, both organizations help make tax operations thrive in the digital age, across geographies and sectors, thus helping the corporate tax function to advance clients' business strategy." Notes to Editors About EY EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities. EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation is available via ey.com/privacy. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com. This news release has been issued by EYGM Limited, a member of the global EY organization that also does not provide any services to clients. About Thomson Reuters Thomson Reuters (TSX/NYSE: TRI) is the world's leading provider of news and information-based tools to professionals. Our worldwide network of journalists and specialist editors keep customers up to speed on global developments, with a particular focus on legal, regulatory and tax changes. Thomson Reuters shares are listed on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges. For more information on Thomson Reuters, visit tr.com and for the latest world news, reuters.com. Virginia Milazzo EY Global Media Relations +1 212 360 9261 [email protected] Jenn Riggle Thomson Reuters +1 972 250 8444 [email protected] Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/708904/EY_Logo.jpg SEPT-ILES, Que. - American tariffs on Canadian aluminum cut into profits but didn't slow production or hurt employment, says the CEO of the Quebec company whose plant Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Tuesday to boast about getting the duties removed. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 21/5/2019 (951 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a visit to the Alouette aluminum plant in Sept-Iles, Que. on Tuesday, May 21, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot SEPT-ILES, Que. - American tariffs on Canadian aluminum cut into profits but didn't slow production or hurt employment, says the CEO of the Quebec company whose plant Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Tuesday to boast about getting the duties removed. In fact, Patrice L'Huillier said the trade dispute with the United States has pushed the industry to resist an influx of Chinese metals. "We will die from the overflow of Chinese aluminum," said L'Huillier, who runs Aluminerie Alouette in Sept-Iles, Que., about 550 km northeast of Quebec City. "The tariff was not a good thing but to control the metal flow and to understand the source of the metal ... is quite a good idea." L'Huillier said China accounts for more than half of world aluminum production and each year, the country adds between two and three million tonnes of capacity. Chinese metals, such as aluminum, were illegally finding their way into the market, he said, undercutting the North American industry. China produced nearly 36 million tonnes of aluminum last year, according to official government figures. Canada produces about three million tonnes. L'Huillier said Trump's tariffs "put a lot of pressure into the system." And as a result, he said the North American aluminum industry is coming up with a tracking process that will be "much more formalized with much more information. The system will be secured in such a way that you can prove aluminum has been produced in Sept-Iles." The U.S. slapped import taxes of 25 per cent on Canadian steel and 10 per cent on aluminum as a pressure tactic when negotiations on a new North American free-trade treaty got difficult, tariffs the Americans agreed to lift entirely last Friday. The agreement says the U.S. and Canada will establish a process for monitoring the steel and aluminum trade between them. And Ottawa has also been working to demonstrate to Washington that it is stemming the flow of cheaper Chinese metals into Canada. Canada's retaliatory tariffs on American goods played a key role in restoring free access to the U.S. market for Canadian steel and aluminum, Trudeau said after touring the aluminum plant. Canada responded by putting taxes on U.S. metal products, but also on a range of others from cucumbers to coffee to whisky to playing cards to lawn mowers. In many cases, these were grown, processed or manufactured in districts represented by key American politicians. "We strategically put a significant number of American products and produce under tariffs and that had an impact on governors, on members of Congress, who continued to talk to the president and to members of the administration about lifting these tariffs," Trudeau said. L'Huillier said over the past year his company shipped more of its products to Europe instead of the United States, which ate into profits due to the added costs of sending aluminum across the Atlantic. "We didn't decrease production volumes, we didn't remove jobs in that way there was no direct impact," L'Huillier said in an interview following his meeting with Trudeau. "But I think the tariffs, it's more of an indirect, long-term impact if these taxes were not removed." Residents of Sept-Iles said they didn't really feel the effects of the tariffs. "Yes, they touched the industry, but everything was still working to full capacity," said Isabelle Bond, who works at the town's public library. "The big companies just lost money." She said people in Sept-Iles have been more positive about the industry in general over the past 12 months, as prices have improved. Jean-Francois Fournier, owner of a beloved seafood restaurant by the shore of the St. Lawrence, said because there were no job losses over the past 12 months, his restaurant continued to do well. "When the metals industry does badly we feel it because people spend less," he said. But since last year, business is good. "I've actually seen more tourists because of the high American dollar." Trudeau said now that the tariffs have been lifted, the route is clear to finalizing the replacement for NAFTA. Canada, the United States and Mexico signed the new trade treaty at the end of last year; it awaits ratification in each country's national legislature. "With the full lift of the steel and aluminum tariffs, the last major barrier against ratification has been taken away on both sides, because it was also a barrier to the American ratification process," Trudeau said. But Canada remains entangled in a battle between the United States and China, since the RCMP arrested Chinese high-tech executive Meng Wanzhou on a U.S. extradition warrant last December. China has since detained two Canadians former diplomat Michael Kovrig and entrepreneur Michael Spavor and begun to obstruct trade in Canadian products such as canola, soybeans and pork on various technical and administrative grounds. "I speak to global leaders who are all very concerned about some of the decisions and some of the positionings that China has taken recently," said Trudeau, who was asked about reports that Canada has sent a parliamentary delegation to aid in securing the release of the two men. "Canada obviously is in a difficult situation with China right now but we're going to continue to hold strong, we're going to continue to stand up for our values and principles. We're going to put the safety and security of Canadians first and foremost, as we always do, and we're going to work with our allies to ensure that China understands that Canada is going to stay strong." Trudeau said diplomatic efforts to free the two Canadians are still underway, though they've been in custody since December and were formally arrested last week for allegedly undermining Chinese national security. A group of MPs is on a visit to China now. The delegation includes Toronto Liberal Rob Oliphant, the parliamentary secretary to Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland. Oliphant "has raised Canada's strong concerns regarding the arbitrary detention of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor during his meetings with Chinese government officials," said Freeland spokesman Adam Austen. CALGARY - A Calgary judge says a "callous and remorseless" man who killed a mother and her young daughter must wait 50 years before he has a chance at parole. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 21/5/2019 (951 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. CALGARY - A Calgary judge says a "callous and remorseless" man who killed a mother and her young daughter must wait 50 years before he has a chance at parole. A jury found Edward Downey guilty last year of first-degree murder in the 2016 deaths of Sara Baillie, 34, and five-year-old Taliyah Marsman. Edward Downey is seen in this undated handout photo provided by the Alberta Courts. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Alberta Courts *MANDATORY CREDIT* The convictions carry an automatic life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years, but Justice Beth Hughes ruled Tuesday that Downey must wait double that time before he can ask the parole board for release. "The gravity of the offence, Mr. Downey's moral blameworthiness, and his degree of responsibility are at the highest level," the judge said, noting Downey planned and deliberated on the girl's murder for hours before he killed her. Downey showed no emotion as Hughes read her decision. An uncle and cousin of Baillie embraced in the courtroom. The Crown had argued Downey's record of escalating crimes since his early 20s and the brutality of the murders warranted consecutive periods of parole ineligibility a provision allowed when someone is convicted of multiple murders. Downey's lawyers, however, argued a 50-year wait would be tantamount to a death sentence because their 49-year-old client would have no hope of release until his mid-90s. The trial heard Downey killed Baillie because he blamed her for the breakdown of his relationship with his girlfriend, who was Baillie's best friend, and that Baillie had dissuaded the woman from working for Downey as an escort. Jurors heard Taliyah was a witness who needed to be silenced. Both died by asphyxiation. Graphic evidence was presented in court of how Baillie was found dead in a laundry basket in her daughter's bedroom with duct tape wrapped around her face, neck and wrists. And her daughter was missing. Three days later, the girl's body was discovered in some bushes in a rural area east of the city. Downey repeatedly denied the killings in his testimony and suggested someone named Terrance was to blame. He apologized at his sentencing hearing in March to Baillie and Taliyah's friends and family, but did not admit to the killings. In her decision, Hughes said evidence at trial showed Downey exchanged some 90 flirtatious texts with a woman over a two-hour span the day Baillie and her daughter were killed, including while he was disposing of the girl's body. "These texts illustrate Mr. Downey experienced no remorse after killing Ms. Baillie and then, a number of hours later, a five-year-old defenceless child," she said. "One can only conclude he is a callous and remorseless individual regardless of his in-court statement." Scott Hamilton, Baillie's uncle and Taliyah's great-uncle, told reporters outside court the sentencing was a long time coming for the family. He said they are grateful to Calgary police, Crown prosecutors and the judge. "Sara and Taliyah are always in our thoughts," he said, choking back tears. "We miss them dearly." HIGH LEVEL, Alta. - A northern Alberta town and a nearby First Nation are being evacuated due to the threat of an encroaching wildfire. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 20/5/2019 (952 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The Chuckegg Creek fire is seen from the air in a Government of Alberta handout photo taken near the town of High Level, Alta., on Sunday, May 19, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Government of Alberta, *MANDATORY CREDIT* HIGH LEVEL, Alta. - A northern Alberta town and a nearby First Nation are being evacuated due to the threat of an encroaching wildfire. Thousands of people are being told to leave High Level, as well as the Bushe River Reserve, via Highway 58 east of the communities since highways south and west have already been closed due to the blaze. The Chuckegg Creek fire has been burning for several days, but grew substantially from Sunday, when it covered about 25,000 hectares, to an estimated 69,000 hectares on Monday. At the time the evacuations were ordered, the flames were only about three kilometres from High Level. "The winds are pushing the smoke away from the Town of High Level. It looks very scary on the horizon, but in the Town of High Level the skies are blue and sunny and windy," Mayor Crystal McAteer told a telephone news conference on Monday afternoon. Reception centres for evacuees have been set up in High Prairie and Slave Lake, and officials are arranging transportation for residents who can't get out on their own. McAteer said the evacuation is being co-ordinated in zones. People should expect to be away for 72 hours. She said about 4,000 people from High Level were affected by the order, and another 750 from Bushe River. Earlier in the day, the town warned on its website that people should fill up their vehicles and collect important documents in case they were ordered to leave at short notice. Power has also been knocked out because of the fire, but was expected to be restored Monday evening. Mandatory evacuation orders for residents south and southeast of the town, and south of Bushe River, were issued early Monday. Provincial officials said the evacuation of High Level would take a maximum of eight hours, but since some people had already left, they said it could be completed sooner. Alberta Health Services said it had evacuated 20 patients from the Northwest Health Centre in High Level and relocated them to other communities. Scott Elliot, an incident commander with Alberta Wildfire, told the news conference that the wildfire was mostly headed away from High Level, but that city officials decided it was best for everyone to leave since the flames were so close. "If there was a subtle shift in the wind direction, that would increase the likelihood of rapid fire spread towards the community," Elliot said. Crews are using sprinklers on structures on the edge of the town closest to the fire. McAteer said people were complying with the evacuation order. "People are of course afraid because they remember the wildfires of Fort McMurray, but we talked to a lot of the residents and reaffirmed that we were being proactive," she said. A 2016 wildfire in Fort McMurray, Alta., destroyed one-tenth of the city and some 88,000 people were forced from their homes. Slave Lake, where a reception centre has been set up for residents of High Level, was also evacuated because of a wildfire in 2011 that destroyed parts of the community. The Alberta government issued a fire ban and restricted off-highway vehicle use for numerous parts of the province late last week due to forecasts that called for little precipitation and strong winds. Highway 16, a major thoroughfare between Edmonton and Prince George B.C., was forced to close in both direction Sunday when a wildfire crossed the roadway west of Edson, Alta., but was reopened early Monday. By Rob Drinkwater in Edmonton TORONTO - Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains unveiled a wide review of federal privacy laws Tuesday in what he said was an effort to build trust in a digital world. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 21/5/2019 (951 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. TORONTO - Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains unveiled a wide review of federal privacy laws Tuesday in what he said was an effort to build trust in a digital world. Bains announced the review as part of a 10-point digital charter that he said is necessary in a rapidly evolving society and economy that's increasingly data-reliant. "We need to get serious about rebuilding trust because people are currently losing it," he said at an Empire Club of Canada event in Toronto. "In the 21st century, either we build that trust and compete in the data-driven digital economy, or we don't compete at all." Bains committed to a review of the federal privacy law for private-sector organizations, known as PIPEDA, as well as the Privacy Act, which applies to federal government institutions. He promised more stringent enforcement mechanisms against companies that violate the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. He said the government has also written to the Competition Bureau to ensure the agency, an autonomous part of his department, has the tools to promote competition, including room for small and medium businesses to compete. Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, speaks to media following a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Bains says the federal government will look to update the Privacy Act as part of an effort to build greater trust in the digital world. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick A background briefing by officials at the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development said changes to PIPEDA aren't expected until after the federal election in October. Similarly, an analysis of on the Privacy Act by the Justice Department and Treasury Board isn't expected to be done until after the election. Bains said he also plans a review the Statistics Act so citizens have faith in the agency's data collection, and it will launch a new Data Governance Standardization Collaborative to manage data governance standards in the country. Statistics Canada was forced in November to put on hold a controversial plan to sample banking information from 500,000 Canadians through data obtained from major financial institutions, pending a review by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Bains said the Liberal government which emphasized an innovation agenda before and after the 2015 election will look to collaborate with businesses as it updates policies. "Governments can't do this alone, we need businesses, we must work together...that's the only way we'll build trust in our digital institutions." The move was welcomed by the Council of Canadian Innovators, a business group that says it represents over 100 of the country's fastest-growing technology companies. "Canadian innovators have long called on the federal government to develop a national strategy that recognizes data as the most valuable asset in today's economy," said executive director Benjamin Bergen in a statement. "While our members are pleased to see the government is concerned with issues posed by data-driven economy, more work is needed to ensure data collection, use, monetization and data flows serve the interest of Canada's economy." Prime Minister Justin Trudeau first announced the digital charter last week, emphasizing the need to combat hate speech, misinformation and online electoral interference. OTTAWA - Veteran Ukraine lawmaker Mustafa Jemilev was as worried and surprised as anyone when a comedian who played Ukraine's president on television was actually elected the country's president last month. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 21/5/2019 (951 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Veteran Ukraine lawmaker Mustafa Jemilev, seen in Ottawa on Friday, May 17, 2019, is the political head of Crimea's persecuted Tatars. He says the time has come to rally around the countryAos new president who came to fame as a television comedian. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mike Blanchfield OTTAWA - Veteran Ukraine lawmaker Mustafa Jemilev was as worried and surprised as anyone when a comedian who played Ukraine's president on television was actually elected the country's president last month. Jemilev, 75, is a staunch supporter of former president Petro Poroshenko. Jemilev and many others including Canada's leaders credit Poroshenko with saving his country from ruin in 2014 after Russia annexed Crimea and fomented a pro-Kremlin insurgency in the country's east that has killed 13,000 people. Jemilev, also the political leader of Crimea's persecuted Tatars, says he was initially worried that the actor-turned-politician Volodymyr Zelenskiy was too soft on Russia. But with Russia's continuing threat and Ukraine now facing political upheaval Zelenskiy was sworn in on Monday and abruptly dissolved parliament on Tuesday Jemilev says the time has come to rally around the new president. "Our position will be constructive," Zelenskiy told The Canadian Press on a visit to Ottawa this past week. "We will try to help him as much as possible because the stability of the country is the most important for us," he said through an interpreter. "We will definitely not play against him when he fails in something because that situation could be used by Russia." Ukraine's uncertain political future has implications for Canada's domestic politics as the federal election approaches: the 1.3 million Canadians of Ukrainian descent comprise one of the country's most influential diaspora communities. Stephen Harper's Conservatives courted Ukrainian support with frequent visits to Kyiv and the dispatching of special teams of Canadian election monitors, as have Justin Trudeau's Liberals. Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland's own Ukrainian heritage has helped keep Ukraine near the top of Canada's foreign-policy agenda. Freeland was one of the first foreign politicians to visit Zelenskiy in Kyiv earlier this month and came away reassured, according to a senior Canadian official who was in the room but was not authorized to speak about the meeting for attribution. The person said that while the new president and his entourage have little political experience, Canada isn't worried he will shift Ukraine away from Canada and its western allies, back towards the Kremlin. Then, there's that other top-of-mind head scratcher: just how worried should the rest of the world be that an actor-comedian won the presidency of the east European country that is on the front line of Russian aggression towards the continent? With 73-per-cent support, no less? Zelenskiy was frequently compared with former U.S. president Ronald Reagan. But as Jemilev noted, Reagan served as governor of California between his Hollywood career and arrival in the Oval Office. "He's more like Rick Mercer getting elected prime minister," said the Canadian official. Like Mercer's frequent political rants, Zelenskiy's long-running political satire was well-researched and demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of politics and corruption. Zelenskiy was "not a clueless person in talking to us," the official said. He grappled with issues and showed himself to be a "quick learner." But he will require help running a government because Ukraine's institutions are not as strong as the West's, so Canada is standing by with offers of training on the machinery of government, said the source. Freeland also connected with Zelenskiy's team by sharing insights from her transition from journalism to politics. She was a reporter in Ukraine during the Soviet Union's dissolution and became journalistic comrades with one of Zelenskiy's top advisers, who also reported on the 1990s upheaval. "She was able to share her journey from outsider/journalist to somebody who's in government, and point out some of the challenges that are involved," said the source. "(There was) no indication from Zelenskiy and his team that there's going to be some radical shift away from the overall Euro-Atlantic direction of Ukraine. Their concept is 'we want to update things, we're all a generation younger so we want to see a more digital Ukraine.' " The change that Zelenskiy initially campaigned on was difficult to swallow for the pro-Poroshenko establishment, especially the Tatars whom Jemilev represents. Divisions showed again this week after he was sworn in, with disputes over the propriety of his order dissolving parliament early and moves to overhaul the leadership of Ukraine's security services. "We were very anxious that during the presidential campaign, (with) Mr. Zelenskiy asserting he would like to have peace with Russia under any condition that we would do anything," said Jemilev. "That sounded to us a little bit unfair because it was not us who started the war, it was no us who annexed someone's territory." Between the two rounds of presidential balloting, Jemilev was able to ask Zelenskiy some important questions about his Russia stance and was reassured that Zelenskiy wouldn't bend towards Russia at the expense of Ukraine. The Russian annexation is particularly painful for Crimea's Muslim Tatars, who view it as history repeating itself. This past weekend marked 75 years since Josef Stalin forced hundreds of thousands of Tatars from the strategic peninsula on the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. "Canada remains deeply concerned by the dire human-rights situation on the Crimean peninsula, which is under continued and illegal Russian occupation, as well as by the mistreatment of the Crimean Tatar people and the destruction of their historic sites," Freeland said in a statement. Jemilev chose to spend the 75th anniversary of the expulsion in Canada because "the Ukrainian diaspora is the most effective in Canada." "That might be the influence of the overall Canadian spirit," he added. "Maybe it's the Canadian factor of multiculturalism. Compared to the United States the Ukrainian diaspora is also big there, but the attitude towards different nationalities, to different ethnicities in the United States, is very different from the Canadian one." GUYSBOROUGH, N.S. - More than two years after former Canadian soldier Lionel Desmond killed his mother, wife and daughter before taking his own life, a provincial fatality inquiry got underway Tuesday in Guysborough, N.S., not far from the family's rural home. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 21/5/2019 (951 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Shanna and Lionel Desmond hold their daughter Aaliyah in a photo from the Facebook page of Shanna Desmond. An inquiry begins its investigation today into the death of an Afghan war veteran in Nova Scotia who killed his family and himself more than two years ago. The provincial government promised an inquiry in December 2017, almost a year after Lionel Desmond fatally shot his mother Brenda, wife Shanna and 10-year-old daughter Aaliyah, before turning the gun on himself. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Facebook MANDATORY CREDIT GUYSBOROUGH, N.S. - More than two years after former Canadian soldier Lionel Desmond killed his mother, wife and daughter before taking his own life, a provincial fatality inquiry got underway Tuesday in Guysborough, N.S., not far from the family's rural home. The commissioner overseeing the inquiry, provincial court Judge Warren Zimmer, opened the hearings by recounting the grim facts from Jan. 3, 2017, when the former infantryman entered his home in Upper Big Tracadie armed with a rifle. "Family members, friends and the community have all been impacted by the deaths in a variety of ways," Zimmer said as the hearings began. "Many questions have been left unanswered." The Nova Scotia government promised the 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. The 33-year-old soldier had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after two tours in Afghanistan in 2007. Family members say Desmond sought treatment for his mental illness and a post-concussion disorder, but they say he did not receive the help he desperately needed. The first order of business for the inquiry will be deciding who will be granted standing to be directly involved in the proceedings. In all, Zimmer confirmed he would review eight applications for standing, including requests from Desmond's sisters, Chantel and Cassandra, and Shanna Desmond's brother, Sheldon Borden. An application was filed by lawyers representing the federal attorney general, whose office will speak for the involvement of Health Canada, Veterans Affairs, the RCMP and the Public Safety Department. The province's attorney general applied for standing. That office will speak for the involvement of the provincial departments of justice, health, education and community services as well as the Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs and the Advisory Council on the Status of Women. Other applications were filed by the Nova Scotia Health Authority, which represents Guysborough Memorial Hospital and St. Martha's Regional Hospital in Antigonish. Family and friends of Lionel Desmond have said he sought help from staff at St. Martha's in the days leading up to the killings. Two psychiatrists from St. Martha's Hospital Dr. Ian Slayter and Dr. Faisal Rahman have also applied for standing, as did Heather MacPherson, the daughter of a Second World War veteran who has been dealing with Veteran Affairs on his behalf for more than 30 years. Meanwhile, Shanna Desmond's parents, Thelma and Richard Borden, also submitted an application but Zimmer said he would consider that request at a later date. Earlier in the day, Zimmer talked about the role of fatality inquiries and how they differ from public inquiries. He also mentioned jurisdiction issues and the specific terms of reference that will guide the inquiry. Adam Rodgers, the lawyer who represents Desmond's estate and Cassandra Desmond, has said the Nova Scotia Justice Department has imposed unrealistic restrictions on legal fees and preparation time. He is seeking an order from Zimmer to increase those limits. That motion will be dealt with on Thursday morning. The inquiry, which adjourned on Tuesday, is expected to begin hearing testimony in September. By Michael MacDonald in Halifax. HIGH LEVEL, Alta. - Fire officials say winds continue to be favourable as crews battle a large wildfire burning a few kilometres from a northern Alberta town. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 21/5/2019 (951 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. HIGH LEVEL, Alta. - Fire officials say winds continue to be favourable as crews battle a large wildfire burning a few kilometres from a northern Alberta town. Nearly 5,000 people have cleared out of High Level and nearby First Nations with flames licking at the southern edge of the community, located about 750 kilometres northwest of Edmonton. The Chuckegg Creek wildfire burns in the High Level Forest Area, to the southwest and west of the town of High Level, Alta. in this photo posted on the Alberta Wildfire Twitter page on Saturday, May 18, 2019. Fire officials say the winds continue to be favourable as crews battle a large wildfire burning a few kilometres from a northwestern Alberta town.Nearly 5,000 people have cleared out of High Level and nearby First Nations with flames licking at the southern edge of the community, which is about 750 kilometres northwest of Edmonton. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Twitter, @AlbertaWildfire *MANDATORY CREDIT* Winds are expected to be out of the southeast for the next several days, pushing the fire away from homes and other buildings. "The fire is actually burning on the southwest side of High Level headed northwest," Bruce Mayer, assistant deputy minister of Alberta's Agriculture and Forestry Department, said Tuesday. "The forecast for the next few days is the strong gusty winds will be from the southeast to east and northeast, which are all favourable." Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said the fire is about five kilometres from the town. Official reports said flames were within three kilometres. Kenney said no buildings have been damaged and the evacuation of the town on Monday went off without incident. "I'm pleased to say it was a safe, orderly evacuation thanks to the co-operation of residents and first responders." Evacuee reception centres have been set up in Slave Lake and High Prairie. Officials in Slave Lake said about 700 people have so far registered at its reception centre. "Steady flow of evacuees all night," Mayor Tyler Warman said Tuesday morning. "People are very calm, very patient." Warman said hotel rooms had been booked Monday for those who needed them, but they were running out of rooms later Tuesday. "We are working with our counterparts in High Prairie right now to see if they can take some overflow," he said at an afternoon news conference. Warman, who was a town councillor and firefighter during a 2011 wildfire that destroyed parts of Slave Lake, said he's happy that the community is able to help its neighbours. "We gained a ton of experience in 2011," he said. "We've done a ton of extensive training on how to assist other communities. "Thankfully we're able to put all that training and all that energy and all those ideas and things we learned to good use." Officials were also arranging for pets to be housed in Slave Lake during the evacuation. Other evacuees were asked to register with the Red Cross. They were told to prepare for three days away from their homes and Kenney said they could be out for as many as five days. About 20 patients were also moved from the High Level hospital over the long weekend. The fire is rated at a Level 6, the most intense rating on the scale. That means flames are jumping from treetop to treetop. The last estimate at noon Tuesday put the blaze at about 800 square kilometres, almost the same size as Calgary. Power had been cut to the town and wasn't expected to be restored until Tuesday evening. Almost 90 firefighters were working on the edge of the fire closest to High Level. Heavy-duty sprinkler systems were brought in to keep buildings wet. Kenney said more firefighters from Ontario, British Columbia and Nova Scotia were expected to be on the ground in Alberta in the next two days as part of national agreements to share firefighting resources. "We will certainly be proud to return the favour when needed in the future." The premier urged residents to be cautious as the fire danger in many parts of the province is considered extreme. "Unfortunately the dry conditions in northern Alberta are expected to continue for the foreseeable future with the fire danger possibly increasing this week," he said. Four other fires are classified as out of control in northern Alberta, including two burning north of Slave Lake. The province issued a fire ban and restricted off-highway vehicle use for several areas late last week due to forecasts calling for little precipitation and strong winds. It isn't the first time wildfires have forced an evacuation of an Alberta community this early in the season. In May 2016, a massive fire swept into Fort McMurray, destroying thousands of homes and businesses and forcing almost 88,000 people to flee. About 7,000 were evacuated from Slave Lake due to a wildfire in May 2011. WINNIPEG - A woman says jealousy was a problem in a house several women shared with a man who is accused of killing one of them. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 21/5/2019 (951 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us WINNIPEG - A woman says jealousy was a problem in a house several women shared with a man who is accused of killing one of them. "Five women all vying for the attention of one man, obviously, there would be jealousy issues," Holley Sullivan told the jury at the first-degree murder trial of Perez Cleveland on Tuesday. Perez Cleveland is seen in this undated police handout photo. A woman says there was a strange dynamic in a house five women shared with a man accused of killing one of them. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Winnipeg Police Service *MANDATORY CREDIT* Cleveland, 46, has pleaded not guilty in the death of 42-year-old Jennifer Barrett, whose body was found in a barrel behind their Winnipeg home in 2016. Court has heard that Cleveland shared the house with his adult daughter and five women who were described by one of them as "sister wives." Last week, Sullivan, 30, told court she started a relationship with Cleveland in 2010 and experienced years of horrific abuse. Court heard that Cleveland, his daughter, Sullivan, Barrett, and another woman moved to Winnipeg in 2014. Soon after, Sullivan was jailed for a credit-card scam. By the time she was released in 2016, two more women had joined the group, including Jessica Reid, 36, who testified about similar abuse in the home. Sullivan testified that Cleveland had an "uncanny knack of making them think the abuse he inflicted on them was their fault." The defence has argued that Reid was jealous of Barrett. Defence lawyer Steve Brennan asked Sullivan whether she'd seen violence between the two women and Sullivan said no. "I would say that Jessica was jealous of everyone," she said. Sullivan is currently serving time after pleading guilty for her role in hiding Barrett's body in the barrel. Reid is also charged with being an accessory after the fact, but her case has not yet gone to trial. The defence also pointed to the different scams Sullivan took part in, including credit-card skimming, puppy sales and ripping off landlords. Sullivan said it was all to support Cleveland because he had complete control over her. "Every penny I made for the seven years I was with that man went to him," she said. Sullivan testified that in August 2016 Cleveland punished Barrett over several days in the basement of their house because he believed she was cheating on him. Sullivan told the jury she researched liquid cremations online when Cleveland asked her and Reid to dispose of Barrett's body. The two women placed the body in a barrel with a mix of drain cleaner and water. They heated it up with a blowtorch to speed up decomposition. "There was no discussion about blaming this all on Perez if you got caught?" Brennan asked. "No," Sullivan responded. Brennan asked why the abuse and the death were never reported to police. He questioned why Sullivan initially lied to officers and said Barrett had left the city to visit family in Ontario. She was trying to protect Cleveland, Sullivan responded, and she was afraid of what he would do. "You were also interested in protecting Holley Sullivan, weren't you?" Brennan said. Sullivan continued to have a relationship with Cleveland for a few months after Barrett's death before she fled to a women's shelter and then to Alberta. When asked by defence why she finally left, Sullivan said that Cleveland had also threatened to kill her. "It was either I left, or I was going to end up like Ms. Barrett." International law firm William Fry has opened an office in Cork because of continued growth in its Munster business, including tech and life sciences, it said. The Dublin-based firm, which also has offices in London, New York, Silicon Valley and San Francisco, said it is currently working with clients in a wide range of industries in Munster, such as banking and finance, technology, food and healthcare and life sciences. Cork's burgeoning tech industry, along with its traditional reputation as a base for some of the world's biggest pharma and life science firms, was a factor in William Fry's decision, it said. The Cork office will be led by Brian O'Callaghan, a partner in the firm's real estate department, and Laura Houlihan, one of its senior people in its banking and finance department. Ms Houlihan specialises in acquisitions and regularly acts as lead counsel in multi-jurisdictional transactions, William Fry said. Mr O'Callaghan said: "The growth of tech and life science firms in the Cork and Munster region was a big factor in our decision to open a new office in Cork as was the Cork economy generally. Meanwhile, a US firm specialising in engineering protective equipment for organisations including Nasa officially opened its new manufacturing facility in Blarney. ILC Dover, known for producing astronaut space suits and complex safety devices for major firms, said late last year that it would expand its Irish production in Blarney with 70 new jobs. The firm's chief executive and president Fran DiNuzzo, who was on hand in Cork for the opening, said Cork's proximity to the world's leading pharmaceutical giants, as well as its talent pool, were major factors in its expansion. The company is responsible for the protective space suits worn by Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong for the moon landings, and is the only firm in the world to have made spacesuits for moon missions. Clients also include government agencies. The outlook for the Irish economy is favourable in the short-term but Brexit is still "a big sword of Damocles" for growth, the new KBC Ireland chief executive has said. Peter Roebben told TDs and Senators at the Oireachtas Finance Committee that "it could go in any direction" in relation to Brexit but that KBC was retaining its "quite upbeat" outlook for now. "While the recently agreed extension to the UKs withdrawal provides some breathing space, much uncertainty remains. To this point, we have seen no material effect on KBC activity or our customers relationship with us. The nature and scale of the long-term impact of Brexit on Ireland will depend on a range of factors. We remain however watchful," he said. Mr Roebben said KBC Ireland's role in the tracker mortgage scandal went "much further and deeper" than it should have, that it had been "explicitly discussed" with the top 300 management in the overall group in Belgium to make sure there was "a total seachange" to make sure it did not happen again. The bank was committed to ensuring voices were heard not just "from the top down, but the bottom up and horizontally" to ensure good practice and to avoid scandals like the tracker one, he said. The 1bn tracker scandal happened when almost 40,000 Irish customers were wrongly put on more expensive loans by more than a dozen lenders over a number of years. Some 4% of affected KBC Ireland customers, or 149, are still to be contacted but 96% have been paid redress and compensation, the bank said. Mr Roebben said he wanted to "sincerely apologise" as one of his first acts as new chief executive. The bank's retail banking executive director Dara Deering told the committee that nine out of 10 customers do not engage face to face, but rather online. More customers are choosing video link as well as online banking, while so-called mobile wallets, such as transactions through Apple or Fitbit Pay, now consist of 6% of transactions. A mobile wallet is a virtual wallet that stores payment card information on a mobile device. Some 40% of its transactions are done by card-tapping, Ms Deering said. Passenger numbers at Kerry Airport grew by 9 per cent in 2018, according to the airports annual report and accounts released today. The airport which recently became the helicopter base for oil and gas exploration rigs moving into the Porcupine Basin in Kerry celebrates fifty years in August. Total passenger numbers grew to 365,339 compared with 335,480 in the previous year, an increase of 9%. The subsidised and critically important Aer Lingus Kerry-Dublin route, operated by Stobart Air recorded growth of 12% and an average PLF (Passenger Load Factor) of close to 60% for the year supported by the new higher capacity 70-seat aircraft. Operating Profit after Taxation for the period of 966,056, compared to 728,626 in the previous year. Car parking income at almost 400,000 brought in more revenue than the 388,300 gift shop sales, the figures for the year show. Turnover increased from 6.34m to 7.9m reflecting increased passenger related revenues for the year mainly accounted for within increased Fuel Sales in both litres and monetary terms. 1.914m spent on Capital projects during the year on areas of Taxiway resurfacing, Navigation Aids upgrades and additional Airside Equipment with the support of funding from the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport. The restaurant area has also been done up. The Ryanair London-Luton also performed well but the long-established German route to Frankfurt-Hahn experienced a small drop in its numbers. A second German link set up in 2018 the Ryanair Kerry-Berlin service also performed well in 2018 on its twice-weekly service recording 32,518 passengers handled in the first full year of operation. The now annual sun holiday routes to Alicante in Spain and Faro in Portugal continue to be popular and the airport is eyeing up more sun destinations. Commenting on the results Airport Chairman Denis Cregan said the results for the year 2018 were satisfactory. Increased daily capacity on the Kerry-Dublin service by the Airline (Stobart Air under the Aer Lingus Regional branding) with the larger ATR-72 aircraft, together with growth on this route of 12%, was a positive development for the Region going forward under the new PSO contract 2018-2022. This twice-daily flight is of critical importance to the Region and with fares as low as 44 each way - we hope this product will continue to get the support it deserves, Mr Cregan said. Earlier this year Sammy Haress a representative of the bin Mahfouz family, the Saudi Arabian billionaire banker family, and a major shareholder in Kerry Airport since the 1990s was appointed to the board. The agm will be in June. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has warned a disorderly Brexit could plunge the Irish economy into a recession and that further surges in Irish property prices could lead to another boom-to-bust cycle. The latest economic outlook suggests the the influx of foreign investors, who are responsible for around half the investment in the commercial property market, could create a new source of risk and the market is "vulnerable to rapid changes in prices". It says residential and commercial prices are still high, despite growth rates having moderated. Property prices may strongly surge again, which would further boost construction activity in the near term but may lay the foundation for another boom-and-bust cycle if associated with another surge in credit growth, the OECD says. It says a shortage in housing stock will continue for some time. Although new housing completions have been catching up with demand, there will continue to be shortages in the dwelling stock for some time. In addition, a disorderly Brexit could plunge the Irish economy into a recession. The OECD expects significant wage pressure in the future as the unemployment rate falls to historically very low levels. "The unemployment rate will continue to fall to historically very low levels, albeit at a more moderate pace. As a result, wage pressures will remain significant, translating into higher prices given weak productivity growth." Economic growth is expected to ease gradually to 3.9% in 2019 and 3.3% in 2020. The OECD suggests the Government should focus on sustainability in the public finances and says local property tax should rise along with house prices. Globally, the OECD says world trade is projected to grow by just over 2% this year, the lowest rate in a decade. It says the current cycle of trade disputes is hurting manufacturing, disrupting global value chains and generating significant uncertainty. The fragile global economy is being destabilised by trade tensions, said OECD Chief Economist Laurence Boone. Growth is stabilising but the economy is weak and there are very serious risks on the horizon. Governments need to work harder together to ensure a return to stronger and more sustainable growth. The body of an Indian climber who was part of an expedition group that included Irish father-of-one Seamus Lawless, has been recovered. Ravi Thakar was found dead inside his tent on Mount Everest at 7,900m Camp Four in Nepal last Friday morning. Severe altitude sickness is being blamed for his death. Just hours earlier, Wicklow man Seamus Lawless fell from the treacherous area known as the balcony. He is yet to be found. The assistant professor in artificial intelligence at Trinity Colleges School of Computer Science and Statistics had successfully reached the summit of 8,848m, last Thursday along with several others, led by well-known and respected Co Down adventurer Noel Hanna. Ravi Thakar was staying in the same Everest camp - Camp IV - as Seamus Lawless. The search for Mr Lawless has now turned into a recovery operation. Mr Hanna has experienced another tragedy in his climbing career. In 2011, he was part of a team involved in another Everest summit attempt, where another Irishman and father-of-two John Delaney, 41, from Kilcock, Co Kildare, died 50 metres from the Everest summit. His body remains on the mountain. Weather conditions throughout last week were extremely difficult with high winds of 55km and frigid temperatures of -27C with a wind chill, making it feel more like -43C being persistent. Mingma Sherpa, chairman of the Seven Summit Treks company, who climbed with both Mr Thakar and Mr Lawless, said that a team of seven Sherpas coordinated by Tashi Lakpa Sherpa, have brought the Indian climbers body from Camp Four to Camp Two where they were forced to remain for a number of days due to safety concerns. Speaking to The Himalayan Times, Mingma Sherpa said: The team has recovered the body of Ravi Thakar, who was found dead inside his tent at Camp Four on Mt Everest. High winds have now eased but weather temperatures are still frigid at -26C which may enable any potential attempt to locate Mr Lawless to go ahead. Meanwhile, the remains of two other men Biplab Baidya (48) and Kuntal Karar (46), who died on Mt Kanchenjunga also last week were airlifted to Nepals Capital Kathmandu. The duo died on May 16 after they were unable to continue their descent from near the summit point of the worlds third-highest peak. To date, the prime climbing season has resulted in at least 11 fatal incidents with three deaths on Mt Kanchenjunga, two on Mt Everest, three on Mt Makalu and one each on Mt Lhotse, Mt Annapurna and Mt Cho Oyu. Seamus Lawless. Mr Lawless pregnant wife Pam and their four-year-old daughter Emma remain at their home in Bray being comforted by family and friends. Mr Delaneys wife Orla was also pregnant with their third child when he attempted his climb. A fundraising drive on the gofundme crowd sharing page, set-up by Mr Lawless family last Friday has so far raised over 257,000. They aim to raise 750,000 as they have said that they have been forced to look for donations, as the insurance company which provided a policy for Mr Lawless, are currently not providing assistance with the search and rescue operation. Mr Lawless attempted the mammoth climb to raise up to 25,000 for Barretstown, a charity dedicated to seriously ill children and their families. One of Irelands leading mountaineers and adventurers, Pat Falvey, who is the only Irish person to successfully ascend Mt Everest from the north and south faces said: A lot of questions need to be asked as to how Mr Lawless fell. "From what the experts in Nepal have told, is that he was only missed when Mr Hanna went looking for him after they had descended down from summit to the nearest camp. It would be a massive task to bring him down from the balcony area where he was last seen. Normally, a climber has fixed ropes attached to them and is accompanied by a sherpa in a type of one-on-one situation. This article was edited on May 21, to provide further details about the expedition group. The Government will today discuss the collapse in cross-party Brexit talks in London as well as fresh fears of Britain crashing out of the EU without agreement. As Tanaiste Simon Coveney briefs ministers in Dublin at the weekly Cabinet meeting, British Prime Minister Theresa May is also set to brief her own government on a bold new Brexit initiative. This is being flagged as a new series of planned indicative votes on Brexit and new proposals on an exit deal in Westminster, as well as future customs proposals with the EU and the North. Mr Coveney will update the Cabinet on preparations in the public and private sectors for a potential disorderly Brexit. This will include an analysis of the Brexit impasse, following a breakdown in talks between Ms Mays Conservative party and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn last week. It has also been confirmed that Mr Corbyn will meet Taoiseach Leo Varadkar for talks on Brexit in Dublin in the next fortnight. Ms Mays ministers will discuss whether to offer MPs a menu of Brexit options in a bid to break the deadlock. The legislation for the Withdrawal Agreement Bill is due in the House of Commons in the week beginning June 3, but still faces stiff opposition and, with little progress since the Brexit deadline was extended to October 31, Brussels also has no plans to intervene. Its clear that we are in a situation where London talks to London, so there is nothing that we can do at this stage, said European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas. The EUs chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, again stressed that an orderly withdrawal remains the best basis of trust for the future and Brussels is ready to be more ambitious in the Political Declaration setting out the future UK-EU relationship. Ms Mays bold offer today is expected to include provisions on future trade arrangements with the EU, on environmental protections, and on the North, including the use of technology to avoid the need for a border in Ireland. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin last night warned events in the UK could harden positions. Unfortunately, with the politics of the UK, unfortunately the results there [on Brexit talks] could lead to a hardening of positions on the Tories side, which would really worry me on the prospect of a no deal re-emerging. Now, youre getting into a difficult political stage, where it looks as though the Brexit Party will do well there in their election, so it depends on how the Tories respond to that. Co Carlow has the highest divorce rate in the country, according to figures from the Circuit Court. Carlow has been at the number one spot from 2015 up to 2017, with Dublin occupying the spot from 2010 to 2014. Leitrim has the lowest rate of divorce for 2017 while Kilkenny, Monaghan and Cavan previously had the lowest rate. The figures, obtained by the Irish Times via the Circuit Court, show there were 68,453 applications for divorce in Ireland between 2000 and 2017. The most recent Census revealed that the number of divorced people in Ireland Read More: The research comes before Friday's vote in a referendum regarding the length of time couples have lived apart before they can be granted a divorce. Before a court can grant a divorce at present, the parties must have been married and living apart for four out of the previous five years before the application is made. The Referendum Commission says the proposal "is about two issues relating to divorce, namely how long people must be living apart before applying for a divorce, and the recognition of foreign divorces. "There will be one question on the ballot paper and voters can either vote Yes to allow both changes, or No to reject both changes. "Voters cannot accept one change and reject the other." If a Yes vote is carried, the Constitution "will no longer require a person applying for a divorce to have lived apart from his or her spouse for at least four years". In the second aspect of the vote, while the Oireachtas already has the power to make laws recognising foreign divorces, a Yes vote means this power will be made explicit in the Constitution. For more information on the referendum vote, see the Referendum Commission website. The Government says the public is now beginning to tune into what is at stake for the referendum. Culture Minister Josepha Madigan believes the public is well-informed. "I do think people are aware of the issues," said Ms Madigan. "I think the approach we have taken is reasonable. There is cross-party support for it. "Many of the NGOs support it, which is important. So I think people will come out and vote." A convicted sex offender who is something of a menace was twice caught masturbating in public one week apart, a court has heard. Anthony Goodman (aged 74) of St Bricins Military Hospital, Infirmary Road, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to exposure at McGovern's Restaurant, The Diamond, Main Street, Malahide, Dublin, on August 13, 2018. He also pleaded guilty to exposure on board the 46a bus at Donnybrook Fair, Donnybrook, Dublin, and sexual assault at Stillorgan Road, Dublin, both on August 20, 2018. Judge Melanie Greally remarked that he was clearly not deterred by sex offender orders and that he has been something of a menace in terms of his conduct. Garda Rosemary Gallagher told Gerardine Small BL, prosecuting, that Goodman entered the Malahide restaurant on the date in question and sat at a table near two women who were having lunch. Gda Gallagher said one of the women noticed that the accused was almost squirming in his seat and moving his hands quickly on his crotch while staring at her. He had his hands down his trousers and the incident lasted for approximately 30 to 40 minutes. The woman noticed two wet stains on his t-shirt when he stood up and left the restaurant without paying for his coffee. He was arrested four days later and released on bail. Garda Danielle Cassidy told Ms Small that one week after the other incident of exposure, Goodman got on the 46a bus and sat across the aisle from a woman on her way to college. Goodman immediately began to masturbate while staring at the woman and positioned himself so that he was facing towards her with his back to the window. At one point he reached across to touch her and asked her if she had the time. Gda Cassidy said that later that day, another woman got on a bus and the accused sat beside her. He put his hand on her knee and tickled her left side with his right hand. The woman got up to leave and he stood to let her pass, but slid his hand over her clothes and touched one of her breasts. Goodman has 201 previous convictions, including convictions for sexual assault, indecency, arson, threats to kill and possession of firearms. He was subject to a sex offender's order, which he breached, that he could not ride on a bus without informing gardai. Tom L Power BL, defending, said his client was born in London and came to Ireland in 1981. Goodman is married and has two sons from whom he is estranged. Mr Power said his client instructed him to apologise for his behaviour to the victims. He said that Goodman had no explanation for his actions and was at a loss why he does what he does. Judge Greally said some assessment of his cognitive function was necessary. She ordered a probation report and adjourned the matter to October 11, next. Gardai in Carlow have seized drugs with an estimated street value of 125,000. Gardai attached to the Carlow Detective Unit with assistance from the Garda Dog Unit searched a premises at Phelim Wood, Tullow on Friday May 17. The Government has been accused of having a "mind-numbing lack of ambition" when it comes to housing. It comes after Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy commented on the development of co-living apartment blocks where up to 42 people may share a kitchen. One developer has applied for permission to develop one such space in Dun Laoghaire in Dublin. In remarks quoted by The Irish Times, Minister Murphy yesterday described the prospect of co-living as an "exciting" choice to young workers. He argued that workers have always made sacrifices and, in this case, they would have the option to sacrifice space for lower rents. Opposition groups and housing organisations, however, have sharply criticised the minister for backing the proposals. Housing group Threshold has described co-living as "21st-century bedsits with a glossy makeover". Labour leader Brendan Howlin claimed it is a shocking approach to the housing crisis by the Government. Speaking in the Dail, he said: "We've seen this in this ludicrous co-living proposal. "It attempts to normalise cramped living conditions and erode public housing standards that we have spent most of our lives trying to improve." Sinn Fein housing spokesperson Eoin O Broin TD, meanwhile, called on Minster Murphy to stop promoting co-living as a solution to the housing crisis. He said: "The Ministers comments about young people having to make sacrifices in terms of rental accommodation are quite frankly bizarre. "Young people are facing rising costs for rents, insurance and education and the Minister's patronising comments were not helpful. "The Minister must also stop promoting this as a cheaper alternative to the traditional house share. It is not. "Some of the co-living developments will command rents of up to 1,300 per month." Fine Gael is refusing to ban evictions into homelessness because it is a party of landlords, the Dail has heard. Four members of Cabinet are landlords, as are five Ministers of State. Nearly one-third of members of the Fine Gael parliamentary party are landlords, Solidarity TD Mick Barry said during Leaders' Questions. Fine Gael is not going to act against its own class interests, he said as he called for a cleansing of our modern den of thieves". While speaking at Leaders Questions, Mr Barry highlighted a case in Cork city where the residents of six flats were given notice to quit for July. All of the residents rent had been paid and their leases were intact. The notices arrived with the announcement that refurbishment was needed. If Fine Gael is not prepared to protect people being evicted from their homes, is it not right and proper for the people to evict Fine Gael, and the Fianna Fail Party that supports it, from the council chambers of this country this Friday? he said. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar responded that although he is very sorry to hear about the case in Cork, there are also many good stories from the past year in regards to homelessness: Some 5,000 families were lifted out of homelessness and provided with secure tenancies in the last year. Some 18,000 families are now living in houses that did not exist a year ago. There are many good stories of people who are being lifted out of homelessness and people who are getting homes for the first time. As I mentioned earlier, 9,000 families were provided with new social housing last year. Labour Leader Brendan Howlin criticised plans, presented by Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy, for Read More: The Taoiseach said this type of development accounts for less than 1% of new homes currently being built and emphasised that the Government's goal with these new plans is to provide more choice in the market. Meanwhile, Fianna Fail's finance spokesman, Michael McGrath, expressed concerns over the Government's forecast spending. He highlighted the extra spending required on the national childrens hospital, the national broadband plan, as well as the Government's proposed 2.3 billion income tax cut: A neighbour has told the trial of a woman charged with murdering her boyfriend that the man was "always" the aggressor in the couples arguments. When he met a garda after the fatal fight, he immediately asked the officer: "Is she ok?" having earlier heard a "scream of pain" from "the girl". The court also saw photographs of two bite marks and other injuries to the woman, taken shortly after her boyfriend died of a stab wound caused by a knife she was holding. The evidence was given to the Central Criminal Court today in the trial of the 48-year-old, charged with murdering the 40-year-old father-of-two in their Co. Tipperary home. Inga Ozolina, originally from Latvia, but with an address at Old Court Church, Mountrath, Co Laois, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Audrius Pukas at The Malthouse, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, on November 20, 2016. He died at the scene from a stab wound to his chest. The mother of two has said she acted in self defence. Mark Fletcher testified that the couple had moved into the apartment next to his in 2016. There was a lot of arguments, he told Paul Murray SC, prosecuting. It was ok for probably the first month, he explained. Then, one Saturday night I was in bed, and it was like a herd of cattle went through the room. He said it sounded like someone was being thrown around and that there was "screaming" on Ms Ozolinas part. He said that he had been about to call the gardai when it stopped and everything went quiet. I think somebody else called the guards, he said. He said that he moved into a bedroom further from their apartment after that night. However, he continued to hear their arguments, always late at night. He added that it was the man, who was shouting, 90% of the time. He said that he was again woken by shouting in the early hours of November 20. I think it was him, he said. Any time there was shouting, I could never really hear her. He said that everything went quiet and he lay back down. However, he said heard garda radios in the backyard about 20 minutes later. I went to the back door and was stopped by a garda, who said: You cant come out. Its a crime scene, he recalled. The first question I asked was: Is she ok? Under cross-examination by Caroline Biggs SC, defending, he agreed that he could still recall the scream of "the girl" that night. It was like a scream of pain. "Its just something I cant forget, he said. She asked, in his assessment, who the aggressor was during the incidents between the couple. Him always, he replied. Always him. She asked what he would hear the woman doing. You could hear her talking normally. I never heard her raise her voice, he replied. Garda Maureen Finnerty earlier testified that she was the member in charge of Nenagh Garda Station when Ms Ozolina was brought in later that morning. She said that she and another female garda searched her and that she noted marks to her body. She said that there was a bruised bite mark on her left upper arm and a bite mark on her left forearm. She also said that her left breast was bruised, there was redness on her left upper thigh, blood dried on her knee cap, a scrape on her left shoulder and black marks, maybe dirt, on both calves. In reply to a question by Mr Justice Alexander Owens, Gda Finnerty confirmed that she had noted these marks. Ms Ozolina had not pointed them out to her. The trial continues tomorrow morning before and a jury of seven men and five women. Strict anti-terrorism laws imposed in the aftermath of the Omagh bombing are still needed because of the threat of dissident republicans and Lyra McKees murder, the Cabinet will be told today. At a private meeting this morning, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan will say the wide-reaching rules imposed 20 years ago must continue to be supported and signed into law for another year. During the Governments weekly Cabinet meeting, Mr Flanagan will tell ministers that the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act, 1998, and the Criminal Justice Act, 2009, need to be renewed due to the ongoing security problems in Ireland. The 1998 law was introduced in the wake of the Omagh bombing, while the 2009 law was part of a bid to address the growth of dissident republican and serious gangland threats in the countrys cities. The 1998 law allows for people to be charged with directing an unlawful organisation, training people to illegally use guns, and for inferences to be drawn from refusing to answer questions. The 2009 law gives gardai more powers to combat organised crime and to try defendants in the Special Criminal Court. Due to the strict powers allowed under the laws, the legislation governing them must be renewed every 12 months, with the deadline for this year running out in late June. The Irish Examiner understands Mr Flanagan will specifically tell Cabinet today that the real and persistent risk of dissident republican violence means the laws must be extended. He is expected to reference the killing last month of Ms McKee, the car bombing in Derry last July, and ongoing operations to underline his point. Meanwhile, Childrens Minister Katherine Zappone is expected to ask Cabinet for permission to create a parenting unit in her department. Independent TD Ms Zappone will say the move is needed as part of an implementation plan for her First Five plan to help families in the first five years of childrens lives. The plan was announced last autumn. Patrick Quirke is due to appeal his conviction for the murder of his love rival Bobby Ryan. The 50-year-old farmer from Breanshamore, Co. Tipperary, is serving a life sentence after being found guilty by a majority verdict three weeks ago. An Bord Pleanala has approved plans for a massive 100m redevelopment of one of Irelands first suburban shopping centres. The board granted permission for the Wilton Shopping Centre project in Cork for a period of 10 years and imposed 22 conditions on consent. One of the conditions requires the construction of an internal vehicular route between the proposed multi-storey car park and the existing Tesco entrance which it said should be developed and operational prior to the operation of the multi-storey car park. Another condition requires the omission of a proposed surface car park to the north and north-west of Wilton Library and the creation of a public plaza at this location. Cork City Council granted planning for the project, which includes the partial demolition of the existing shopping centre, including the Penneys anchor store, in August 2018. The decision was appealed by Wilton Road Residents Association and others. But in its decision distributed this morning, the board said it is considered that the environmental impact assessment report on the project identified and described adequately the effects of the proposed development on the environment. The board said it agreed with the inspectors report and that it was satisfied that the main significant effects of the proposed development would be mitigated through a series of measures. CGI Visualisation images of the front of the Wilton Development, positioned from the CUH entrance. Images G-Net 3D The board also said the project would make a positive contribution to the urban character of the area. It said that subject to compliance with the conditions, the proposed development would constitute an appropriate form of development and would not be contrary to the retail policy in the new city development plan and would be acceptable in terms of pedestrian and traffic safety and convenience The proposed development includes the construction of an extension to the existing shopping centre ranging in height from two to seven storeys, the development of cafe and restaurant uses over three floors of the extension, to include a 14-screen cinema, a 190-bed hotel, a multi-storey car park over six levels to provide 874 spaces, 227 bike parking spaces, 70 motorbike parking spaces and a new vehicular entrance from Sarsfield Rd. All schools are to be notified of their Special Needs Assistants (SNA) allocations by next week. The move will provide more certainty to schools, parents and SNAs themselves ahead of the new school term in September. Education Minister Joe McHugh updated his Cabinet colleagues on the allocation of almost 16,000 SNAs to schools which will now be made before the end of May and also provided an update on a new pilot scheme. Under the front-loaded allocation model, SNAs will be automatically provided to schools at the start of the academic year rather than waiting for an individual students disability diagnosis to be allocated hours. A total of 75 schools in Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare will take part in the pilot and this allocation will be sourced from the 950 additional SNA posts provided for in Budget 2019. A total of 4.75m in funding was announced for the model in the last Budget, which aims to provide support based on a profiling system for Special Education Teaching to be used to allocate resources. The Department hopes that under the new scheme schools won't have to wait for child assessments to receive SNA hours. The Department of Education has promised that no school will be allocated less than they would have under the current scheme. An appeals mechanism will also be included to deal with exceptional cases in schools. Separately Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan sought approval to establish a Personal Injuries Guidelines Committee in a bid to tackle rising insurance costs. Mr Flanagan will draft an amendment to the Judicial Council Bill 2017 to set up a committee of judges who will be tasked with drawing up guidelines for appropriate general damages for various types of personal injury. The group would compare damages that are awarded both in Ireland and other countries when deciding on appropriate pay-outs. The courts would then be required to have regard to the guidelines when assessing damages in a personal injuries action. Meanwhile, Minister of State John Halligan sought approval to publish Ireland's first ever National Space Strategy for enterprise. The number of companies engaged with the European Space Agency (ESA) has almost doubled in the past decade, from 35 in 2009 to 67 in 2018. The National Space Strategy for Enterprise 2019-2025 will aim to further develop and expand a sustainable space-active enterprise sector in Ireland within the evolving international market. The Housing Minister also asked the Cabinet to exercise its Constitutional power to ask President Michael D Higgins to fast-track the passing of the Residential Tenancies Bill. The Bill, which is currently progressing through the Oireachtas will provide stronger protections for tenants and will also further regulate short-term lettings such as Airbnb which the Government says are taking housing stock out of the rental market. The new short-term letting provisions will come into effect from the beginning of July, with a four-week public information campaign being held in advance throughout the month of June. The Discovery Channel has been filming on Spike Island and will feature it in the first episode of a new flagship series being launched in September called 'Breaking History.' The channel got the opportunity to film the opening of underground chambers on the island, some of which were sealed off as far back as the early 1900s, and to view artifacts which were discovered inside them. John Crotty, the general manager of Spike Island, said having such a prestigious TV channel as the Discovery Channel air a programme about the island's history was "absolutely fantastic" as it would get to a niche market that he and his colleagues would normally never have a hope of reaching. "They (Discovery Channel) will add gravitas to the site. I'm blown away by it as Spike will be in the opening episode of the new series. I think it will definitely help to add to our visitor numbers as we will get penetration into markets we normally wouldn't be able to reach. The channel is a really respected brand," Mr Crotty said. A number of the tunnels were also blocked off in the 1960s and then before it opened as a prison (juvenile detention centre) in 1985. "We have been unblocking them recently and our aim to to have them opened to the public in the future." It's planned to open around 200m of tunnels. Some of them actually held prisoners in the 1850s, when it was the biggest jail in the world. "Can you imagine what it was like. They would have lived in absolutely horrific condition with no windows, no light and cold temperatures," Mr Crotty said. During the course of unblocking the tunnels, the Spike Island team discovered spare parts for coastal artillery guns which were put into place in the fort by the British in 1904. "We also found original lanterns which were used by the prison guards in the late 1800s and early 1900s. We were very pleased to find them," Mr Crotty said. He said that it will take some time to get the tunnels opened to the public. The only issue will be completely taking down the separation walls, but otherwise the tunnels are rock solid. While the island's history dates back to the founding of a monastery on it in the 7th century, the Discovery Channel programme will focus onwards from the period from when it was a noted pirate haunt in the 17th century. That will include its time as a military fortification and prison. An independent review into the circumstances of an abortion at the National Maternity Hospital is to be carried out, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has confirmed to the Dail. He said his heart goes out to the couple at the heart of this situation, saying this is a deeply personal and private matter. Speaking today, Mr Varadkar was pressed by Aontu TD Peadar Tobin about the case, which has made front-page news in recent days and called on him to ensure it does not happen again. Mr Tobin, who is a pro-life TD, left Sinn Fein because of his opposition to his party's stance during the referendum, called for action from Mr Varadkar. I wish to convey my deepest sympathies to the parents of the unborn child whose life was ended in the National Maternity Hospital as a result of a reported misdiagnosis and the alleged failure of the hospital to wait for the results of a diagnostic test, he said. It was reported that the medics recommended an abortion unprompted by the childs parents and that the couple were told that there was no need to wait for a final test, he added. Mr Tobin said it was further reported that there was no specific genetic involvement at the time of the abortion decision and that the couple were not told clearly that the child was healthy after the third set of results came in, but, rather, worked this out themselves from information they received in an envelope. It has emerged that there are no national guidelines for doctors in this area, he said. I and other Members raised this issue during the debate on the legislation and warned the Government that such events could occur, but the Government refused to take that into consideration. Will it now create the necessary guidelines to ensure that this does not happen again? In response, the Taoiseach said: My heart goes out to the couple affected by these events. It is important to restate on the floor of the House that this is an individual matter. "These matters are deeply personal and should be confidential. Although the Deputy may have access to individual medical or other information regarding a particular patient, and whether it was reported in The Irish Times is beside the point. These are personal, private and confidential matters and it is not appropriate for us to discuss them in this Chamber. I am advised by the Minister for Health that steps are being taken to carry out an independent review of the case. "Clinical guidelines are normally drawn up by doctors and their professional bodies. I will ask the Minister for Health to follow up on the matter with the Deputy, the Taoiseach said. It has been confirmed that the independent review is to be conducted into the case of a termination carried out for reasons of fatal foetal abnormality, where a test later showed no abnormality was present. The National Maternity Hospital in Dublin commissioned the review into the circumstances of an abortion carried out in the hospital last March. The review is to be carried out by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in the UK in response to a complaint made by a couple who attended the hospital. The woman involved was tested for a potential abnormality in chromosome 18, which can give rise to a fatal foetal abnormality known as Edwards Syndrome, or Trisomy18. The first sample, which was processed in five days, showed signs of the abnormality. This test is regarded as 99% accurate, with a false positive rate of just 0.15%. On the basis of this result, the couple opted for a termination, which was carried out in Holles Street two months ago. However, a second sample, which took two weeks to process and involved the growing out of cells, came back normal. (ANSA) - Modena, May 21 - Two people are dead, two others are seriously injured and 16 people suffered smoke inhalation after a fire at local police station near Modena overnight led to an explosion at a flat in the same building, sources said on Tuesday. The deceased are an 84-year-old woman and her 74-year-old carer. The initial fire is suspected to have been caused by arson and a young person from Morocco has been detained, according to the sources. "Young North African immigrant arrested for the blaze that devastated the office of the local police in Mirandola," Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said via Twitter. "Two dead, dozens were injured and suffered smoke inhalation. "Forget about opening the ports (to migrant-rescue ships). Eliminating illegal immigration in Europe and Italy is a moral duty: they must all GO HOME!". Tottenham have handed "indefinite" bans to three supporters who tried to sell their Champions League final tickets on a secondary ticketing platform. Spurs have been allocated 16,613 tickets for the June 1 showpiece against Liverpool at Atletico Madrid's 64,000-seater Wanda Metropolitano stadium, meaning many fans will miss out. Three season-ticket holders who were successful listed them on a resale site but have been caught out, with Spurs urging other fans not to "ruin one of the biggest occasions in the club's history". A statement from Spurs read: "The club has this week issued indefinite bans to three season-ticket holders who have listed their UEFA Champions League final tickets for sale on a secondary ticketing platform. "Once again, we wish to remind all our supporters that any ticket purchased is for the sole use of the individual that purchases it from the club. "Transferring or selling tickets on unofficially breaches our terms and conditions and is against the law. "We shall look to take the strongest possible action against anyone found to be engaging in such activity - including indefinite season-ticket bans. "Additionally, if we are made aware of tickets being sold on by supporters after collection we will cancel the original match tickets with UEFA and the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, meaning these tickets will no longer be valid for entry to the stadium. "Please do not ruin one of the biggest occasions in the club's history by selling on your ticket and profiteering from fellow Spurs fans. "As always, we also strongly advise fans against purchasing tickets from unofficial sources. These tickets could be invalid or counterfeit." Liverpool have also pledged to fully investigate after identifying five supporters who have listed their final tickets for sale on secondary ticketing platforms. The club warned last week, when one re-sale site was listing tickets ranging from 2,800 to 35,000, supporters could be indefinitely banned from Anfield if found guilty of such an offence. "For those of you that have asked, as per our advisory of 19th May, we have, and will continue to, investigate all tickets that are being offered for sale on the secondary market," chief executive Peter Moore wrote on Twitter. With so many fans of each club set to miss out, Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust last week issued a joint statement with Liverpool fan group Spirit of Shankly imploring sponsors of the competition to give up tickets. It read: "We ask Nissan, PlayStation, Gazprom, PepsiCo, Banco Santander, Mastercard, Heineken and Expedia Group to help redress the balance in the current unfair allocation that sees fans of the competing clubs receive less than 25 per cent of the available tickets. "As major sponsors of the UEFA Champions League, we know these companies appreciate the passion and dedication of the fans who follow their teams and make every game such a spectacle. "But many of those fans who have followed their team and contributed to the competition throughout this season will miss out on the biggest game of all. As will thousands more loyal supporters." Charter Hall has ramped up efforts to bolster its pipeline of high-performing office and industrial assets, gaining approval to demolish a redundant 24-storey Collins Street building and increasing its exposure to logistics warehousing. The fund manager, which has a $4.8 billion market capitalisation on the ASX, has begun to dismantle a rundown tower on the corner of King and Collins streets in Melbourne which it intends to replace with a $1.5 billion office redevelopment timed to coincide with peak tenant demand in three years' time. The tower at 555 Collins Street is being demolished. Credit:Lucia Medzihradska Delta Group is overseeing the $13 million demolition of 555 Collins Street in anticipation of Charter Hall's $5.4 billion wholesale Prime Office Fund (CPOF) gaining approval for plans it submitted to authorities in April for a 35-level tower. The new premium grade high-rise is not the acquisitive fund manager's only office play. Wesfarmers' attempt to buy Lynas Corp on the cheap appears to be dead after a combination of US President Donald Trump's trade wars and the announcement of expansion plans by the rare earths group sent its share price soaring above the Perth-based conglomermate's indicative offer price on Tuesday. Lynas said it will spend $500 million by 2025 on value added processing in the US and Malaysia as well as setting up a processing plant in Western Australia, near its Mt Weld mine, to extract radioactive waste from its rare earths before it is shipped to Malaysia. Loading "Our plan is to invest in upstream processing close to our source (Mt Weld), with downstream processing close to our customers," Lynas chief executive Amanda Lacaze said with reference to the Malaysian plant and expansion plans in the US announced on Monday. Lynas offered little clarity on whether this will ensure its Malaysian operations will be able to continue operating when its current licence expires in September, but it did not matter. Last August, Jamie Oliver admitted that 40 per cent of his business ventures had soured. He can now add his restaurant empire to the list after it crashed into administration: 22 of the chef's 25 restaurants were immediately closed and 1,000 staff will lose their jobs. Jamie Oliver's brand may have become overexposed, say analysts. Credit:James Alcock He said he was "deeply saddened" by the collapse, while KPMG said other directors had worked "tirelessly" to save the outlets of Jamie's Italian, Jamie's Italian Coffee Lounge, Jamie Oliver's Italian, Jamie Oliver's Diner, Barbecoa and Fifteen. Oliver shocked insiders by pulling the plug late on Monday. Sources close to the negotiations claimed that one of the reasons talks to save the business by offloading it to an outside investor were scuppered was the looming wage bill. "The business was consistently portrayed as a viable going concern," said one person connected to the sale. "It wasn't the world's hardest deal." In truth, the failure of Oliver's restaurants had been a long time coming. Restructuring experts Alix Partners had been scrambling to find a new "investment partner" for months. But the seeds of yesterday's collapse were sown much longer ago than that. Cannes: Algeria surprises at Semaine de la Critique Abou Leila by first-time director Amin Sidi-Boumediene (by Giorgio Gosetti) (ANSAmed) - CANNES, MAY 21 - The Semaine de la Critique in Cannes looks for tomorrow's film talents, first-time authors who arrive at the festival as unknown artists and suddenly become sought-after. The critics' section dedicated to debut movies and the ''Camera d'or'', the prize for 'new promises', includes a larger selection than the Semaine's shortlist. However, those looking for a potential new jewel at the 2019 edition of the Cannes film festival, should keep an eye on Algeria's Amin Sidi-Boumediene, whose film Abou Leila has just been presented and was highly anticipated since its project was first developed. The movie focuses on a key theme - the fascination around religious terrorism and the myth of its angels of death. S., the protagonist whose name is never mentioned, and his childhood friend Lofti are following the traces of killer Abou Leila in the Algeria of the 1990s. They are looking for a fleeting shadow everybody knows about yet nobody seems to really know. They cross the Sahara desert in search of him, meeting people who still ignore the meaning of ''holy war'' across uncorrupt nature. S. wants to find Abou Leila and his search becomes an obsession. Lofti's only objective, meanwhile, is to take his friend far from the capital to protect him and dissuade him from his dangerous dream given that it is possible S. will want to destroy the invisible killer once he finds him. But the truth could also be elsewhere: Abou Leila does not exist except in S.'s mind and the trip can only have one conclusion. Under the scorching sun, isolated from the rest of the world, the two friends discover the violence that lives within them and exorcizing it won't be easy. Mediterranean cinema, which describes a society torn between modernity and ancient archetypes, often uses metaphors or great popular narratives to tell a story. It must not have been easy for a young author to examine such a theme in today's Algeria, a country devastated by clashes and rage nourished by religious fanaticism. Produced with the support of the Doha Film Institute and the funding of French services and capital, the film has surprising visual quality and the security displayed by the director, which leaves no space to boredom or a feeling of unfamiliarity for the western viewer, gives Abou Leila great potential for western markets. The sober, yet never minimalistic, direction and the beauty of the setting could strike jurors of Camera d'or, despite the competition of many films.(ANSAmed). Shanghai: President Xi Jinping's visit to a rare earths facility has fuelled speculation that the strategic materials could be weaponised in China's tit-for-tat with the US on trade. The US relies on China, the dominant global supplier, for about 80 per cent of its rare earths imports. Xi Jinping: preparing to retaliate in the trade war? Credit:AP Shares in JL MAG Rare-Earth surged by their daily limit on Monday after Chinese state news agency Xinhua said the president had stopped by the company in Jiangxi. Official news outlets give regular updates on the whereabouts of top leaders, sometimes leading to share spikes on the belief that companies have been handed official backing. Across the state, Labor's primary vote fell by 1.8 per cent, with the party picking up just three out of every 10 voters. The tide turned against the Liberals as well, with their primary vote falling to 45.3 per cent. But the Liberals cleaned up once preferences were allocated, collecting 55.1 per cent of the vote, with a half a per cent swing towards them. The biggest two-party preferred swings were in Curtin and Canning. In Curtin, Liberal Celia Hammond suffered a 6.2 per cent swing away from her because of a well-resourced campaign from a progressive independent candidate and to a small degree the loss of former MP Julie Bishop's personal support in the electorate. But in Canning, a serious shift in the underlying vote was apparent. High-profile MP Andrew Hastie has increased his vote in every race since entering parliament in a 2015 byelection, winning blue collar, once-Labor voters in his outer metropolitan, semi-rural seat. In fact, a well-placed source in Labor's campaign said the party struck Canning off its wish list once it saw Mr Hastie on the back of a truck at a union rally lending his support to Alcoa workers who were striking for better conditions. Canning: A blue collar case study Mr Hastie was not shy about campaigning on the economic impact of Labors climate change policies. He ran social media ads targeting Bill Shortens policy to make half of all new cars sold electric. Andrew Hastie. Credit:Ross Swanborough He was particularly critical of Labors inability to explain how reducing carbon emissions by 50 per cent and a 45 per cent renewable energy target would affect jobs at Cannings biggest employer, Alcoa. The workers at Alcoa are the same men and women Mr Hastie backed during their industrial action, which forced a rethink in Labor about their hopes of winning the seat. It didnt help that Labor preselected a public servant from Perths inner city suburbs who belongs to the left of the party. Social conservatives on the move Dont listen to anyone who tells you religion wasnt front and centre on polling day. Not only was Prime Minister Scott Morrison under pressure on his beliefs absout hell and homosexuality, the Israel Folau decision dropped on election eve. Again in Canning, the Australian Christian Lobby ran a campaign targeting socially conservative Labor voters, with mail-outs and phone calls outlining what it said was Bill Shortens gender agenda. The ACL sent a series of three flyers into the electorate and asked its 15,000 Western Australian supporters to share information with voters in Canning. Outer metropolitan seats like Canning and Brand, which also had a big anti-Labor swing, have seen an explosion in the number of Christian churches in recent years. Libs ahead on ground game Liberal state director Sam Calabrese was coy when discussing the success of the Liberal campaign and the failure of Labors. But he credited the partys volunteers who out-campaigned Labor on ground game, or the number of supporters wearing out boot leather on the streets. We received incredible support from our members, volunteers and the community, who made the difference on the ground, door to door, person to person," Mr Calabrese said. There was a very noticeable difference out in the community. Although our volunteers had been told for months that we could not win, they still went out every day to wave signs, door knock and letterbox, some days in the pouring rain." Dirty deeds done dirt cheap This campaign was beset by dirty tricks, with Labor responsible for two against Hasluck MP Ken Wyatt, which Liberal strategists suggest turned off voters. A week before polling day, Mr Shorten's communications team tweeted a photo taken by Labor campaign volunteers of Mr Wyatt holding Clive Palmer's United Australia Party signs. The WA Labor campaign then bought up social media ads of the image showing a giant Clive Palmer looming out of the shadows and pulling Mr Wyatt's strings as though he was a puppet. But Mr Wyatt said he was just tidying up signs left behind by UAP volunteers. Then on election day, a poster appeared on booths in Hasluck, which was authorised by Labor, asking voters to Google "Ken Wyatt bullying". Signage displayed in Ken Wyatt's seat of Hasluck on election day. It is understood Google distanced itself from the material and asked the Labor campaign to remove it from polling places, but a spokeswoman from the US internet search giant declined to comment on record. A Labor insider who spent the day working on booths in Hasluck told WAtoday he was appalled and disgusted by the poster. "This is a new low and I've been a Labor member since the seventies," he said. "The party needs to grow up. Even if you disagree with Ken Wyatt's politics, attacking a person of his reputation and calibre beggars belief." Where to from here Scott Morrison will be coming after Labors safer electorates in WA. Labor took a serious hit to its vote in Brand, where the party's most senior WA MP Madeleine King suffered a 4.5 per cent against her on a two-party preferred basis and a 6.5 per cent swing on primaries. Blue collar voters deserted the party at this election. When the next election rolls around, which will be due in 2022, Labor will have gone from hunting for five seats to defending the few it already holds. University of Notre Dame politics expert Martin Drum said Labor had to think about why it's not connecting with voters, but WA was a more conservative state in federal elections. "But people vote for different things perhaps and I think they might vote a bit more ideologically at a federal level than they do at state level," he said. "At a state level, it's about who is best placed to deliver services; federally we look at the direction of the country." This is a reality Labor will need to confront. Working people in WA are beginning to vote against the direction the party wants to take the country. Melbourne suburbs will start to vote the same way as Queensland, a key Labor operative has warned, spelling long-term danger for the party in its strongest state. The warning comes as ALP hopes fade in the target seat of Chisholm with the Liberal candidate Gladys Liu marginally ahead and expected to take the seat as postal votes continued to be counted on Tuesday morning. Liberal Candidate for Chisholm, Gladys Liu. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer Failure to win Chisholm will leave Labor with just two gains in Victoria, the seats of Corangamite and Dunkley won on the back of new boundaries rather than a growing Labor vote. The Liberals have not given up hope on Corangamite- with postal votes still being counted, their candidate Sarah Henderson trails her opponent by about 2800 votes. There has been a statistical surge in the number of Australians looking at a move to New Zealand following last week's election. Immigration New Zealand said there was a more than 10-fold increase in Australians looking at its website on Sunday and expressions of interest increased by more than 25 times on the same time the week before. NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Credit:Tom Lee/Stuff More than 8500 people went to the "New Zealand Now" website the day after the election and 512 registered interest - the first step in the visa process - compared to about 20 registrations on May 12, the government department said. However as Australians do not need visas to move to New Zealand, the actual implications of the figures are not yet clear. The Australian election was a referendum on taxation, wealth redistribution and climate change. It was not dominated by issues like gender, sexuality, race or religion (besides a brief skirmish about whether gays go to hell). Immigration hardly featured at all, and neither did asylum seekers. Scott Morrison at the footy. Credit:AAP It was an entirely different story with Trump, who launched his campaign with a call to ban Muslim immigration and described Mexican immigrants as "rapists". His signature pledge was building a wall on the southern border. He also railed against free trade and the loss of manufacturing jobs to China, leading to a debate about whether his victory should be attributed primarily to economic distress or identity politics. The two aren't mutually exclusive. But the quantitative evidence suggests Trump's victory is best explained by cleavages on race, ethnicity, religion and immigration. That's the conclusion of Identity Crisis, a book by three top political scientists that has been widely hailed as the definitive explanation of the 2016 election. "Voters attitudes on racial issues accounted for the diploma divide between less and better educated whites," the authors write. "Economic anxiety did not." There was nothing particularly populist about Morrison's economic agenda. Cutting taxes, maintaining tax breaks for property investors and a cautious approach on climate change represent a traditional centre-right offering. Bill and Chloe Shorten return home after a disastrous election result. Credit:Darrian Traynor The only major party leader regularly called a populist was Bill Shorten, who peppered his speeches with attacks on the "big end of town". Morrison has compared himself to Trump, most famously in an interview with The Times' Maureen Dowd. But the two men are hardly political twins. Trump was a political novice and former Democrat. Morrison, the NSW Liberal Party's former director, is a consummate insider. And while Trump arouses outrage and adoration in almost equal measure, Morrison is far less polarising. In an opinion piece for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, former Victorian Liberal Party director Michael Kroger wrote: "Not for the first time, the polls were spectacularly wrong. As went Trump and Brexit, so went Australia. The shy Trump voter effect wreaked havoc again on the public opinion polls." Kroger was referring to the much-discussed theory that opinion polls underestimated Trump's popularity because voters thought it was not socially acceptable to support him. The idea makes intuitive sense given Trump's outlandish and at times offensive comments. But there's little compelling evidence that this phenomenon actually occurred. An exhaustive review of polling in the 2016 US election by the American Association for Public Opinion Research found "little backing" for the hypothesis of the shy Trump voter. The review found polls probably underestimated Trump's support in key states because voters changed their mind at the last minute, some groups turned out in unexpected numbers (African Americans down and rural whites up) and college-educated Clinton supporters were over-sampled. In Australia, the idea of the shy conservative voter is even less convincing. The final Newspoll of the campaign put One Nation's primary vote at 3 per cent - the exact amount the party received on May 18. The poll put support for Clive Palmer's United Australia Party at 5 per cent, which turned out to be an over-estimate for the populist party. Queenslanders have previously been happy to express strong support for right-wing parties when speaking to pollsters. It's unclear why they'd be reticent to do so this time. Australia is not immune to global political trends. Centre-left parties around the world are struggling to connect with voters and pollsters are finding it increasingly hard to gauge the public mood in a post-landline phone world. Rising numbers of palliative care patients are dying in hospitals despite the majority wanting to spend their final days at home, national data shows. The rate of patients admitted to hospital for palliative care is rising faster than any other type of hospital admission, according to the latest Australian Institute of Health And Welfare report. Palliative care hospitalisations are rising faster than all other hospitalisations. Credit:Steven Siewer Palliative care-related hospitalisations rose by over 25.6 per cent, from just under 62,000 to 77,369 between 2012-2013 and 2016-2017, the 'Palliative Care Services in Australia' report found. Over the same period, hospitalisations overall rose by 17.6 per cent. So called political violence or violence against women in politics is a specific thing. But before I give you the technical definition, let me just say that yesterdays Sunshine Coast Daily front page featuring Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in the crosshairs of a rifle with the headline, Anna, Youre Next, is a pretty classic example. From commonplace acts of harassment and sexual harassment, to misogynistic and sexist verbal attacks, much of it increasingly online, women in politics are consistently undermined the entire point is to discourage them from being politically active. And that is what the anoraks who study this kind of (all too common) thing call political violence. Part of the Sunshine Coast Daily's front page. This isnt just the rough and tumble of politics, as some would have you believe. This is highly gendered in its nature and women are specifically targeted precisely because there is a strong feeling amongst those who mete it out that women shouldnt be active in the political arena. An understanding of whats driving this kind of violence and its potential consequences for our democracy underpins Australian Senator Sarah Hanson Youngs decision to take a defamation case against fellow Senator David Leyonhjelm for a series of sexist and slut shaming remarks he made about her last year (the case is currently before the courts). Edwin Drummond, a mountaineer and poet who made international headlines by scaling landmarks like the Statue of Liberty as a form of protest, died on April 23 at a care facility in Oakland, California. He was 73. His son, Haworth Ward-Drummond, said that the cause was pneumonia, and that Drummond had had Parkinsons disease since 1994. Drummond was already well known in climbing circles as a sort of alpine poet laureate before he decided, in the late 1970s, to use the talents he honed on European peaks and El Capitan in Yosemite National Park to draw attention to causes he considered important. He faced legal repercussions for climbing various buildings and monuments, which he saw as a small price to pay for battling injustice. Edwin Drummond, top, and Stephen Rutherford climb a third of the way up the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. Credit:The New York Times In 1978 he climbed Nelsons Column in London with Colin Rowe, another mountaineer, to protest apartheid in South Africa; the next year he climbed Grace Cathedral in San Francisco to protest the incarceration of Elmer G. Pratt, a Black Panther who had been sentenced to life in prison in 1972 after he was convicted of killing a teacher. (Mr. Pratt spent years trying to prove that he had been framed before his conviction was vacated in 1997.) A student from Sydney's North Shore has been found safe and well after she was reported missing to police, following a party in the Hunter Valley from which she failed to return. Kate Delaney, 23, was at what police call a "small dance party" over the weekend, in the Howes Valley near Wollombi, and was last seen on the property at 1.45am on Monday. Kate Delaney. Her family became concerned when she did not return home and reported her disappearance to police on the North Shore. Officers from the Hunter Valley have since commenced a land search of the area surrounding the property, although police said she may have left the property of her own accord. Six south Brisbane train stations are set to be upgraded to ensure they meet accessibility standards with new lifts, overpasses and bike racks in preparation for the long-awaited Cross River Rail. The state government has promised a facelift for Fairfield, Yeronga, Yeerongpilly, Moorooka, Rocklea and Salisbury stations, to coincide with the project. Concept image for upgrade at Salisbury station. Queenslanders are backing public transport like never before, with a record 182 million trips across the south-east last financial year, Transport Minister Mark Bailey said. Cross River Rail already includes plans to build an additional platform at these southside stations, so it makes sense that we also invest in accessibility upgrades to the existing station platforms at the same time, so they can be delivered by the Cross River Rail contractor. Migrants: Malta soldiers suspended over alleged racist raids Armed forces confirm probe on suspected cell (ANSAmed) - VALLETTA, MAY 21 - Two Maltese soldiers accused of carrying out racist raids in February and April in which an Ivorian migrant was killed and three other refugees were wounded have been suspended from the armed forces (AFM) under the order of the president of the Republic, George Vella, the military said. The AFM added that in this particular case it decided to ask the head of State for a special order for an immediate suspension from service, setting aside the presumption of innocence. One of the two soldiers was part of an infantry division considered to be an elite unit of the Maltese army deployed in peacekeeping and anti-piracy missions. He is suspected of materially shooting to death on April 6 a 42-year-old Ivorian, Lassana Cisse Souleymane. The other soldier involved, Lorin Scicluna, 22, is part of the combat engineers. The two are childhood friends and enrolled together in 2017. AFM in a statement confirmed that an internal investigative commission has been created to examine previous acts of racial intolerance by other soldiers to identify potential correlations between different incidents. A high-level source was quoted by the Times of Malta as saying that the ''idea is to establish whether there is a group of soldiers that promotes anti-migrant sentiments or if the pair are lone wolves''. The commission includes high-level officers and its activity will not be connected to the criminal investigation on the attacks. Ordinary courts in Malta are always in charge of crimes committed by military personnel.(ANSAmed). A man has been banned from owning animals for three years after his drug-fuelled attack on a dog in Queensland. Andrew Coleman, 31, held down a bull Arab named Jaboo, punched him repeatedly in the head and then tossed the dog aside in a street in North Mackay. He pleaded guilty on Tuesday to cruelty to an animal by causing it unnecessary or unreasonable pain in the attack that was caught on CCTV footage on February 13, 2019. Coleman told Mackay Magistrates Court on Tuesday that his drug use was behind the incident. Prosecuting barrister for RSPCA Scott McLennan said that was no excuse for the attack which he labelled "protracted, callous and cruel". Driving into a busy intersection 9.9 seconds after a traffic light turned yellow has had tragic consequences for a Queensland mother and the motorcycle rider she hit and severely injured, a court has been told. University of Queensland staffer Inge Ellen Matt, 57, wept in the Brisbane District Court on Tuesday as she was sentenced to 15 months' prison, wholly suspended. Matt, 57, wept in the Brisbane District Court as she was sentenced to 15 months' prison, wholly suspended. Credit:AAP It came almost three years after she ran through a red light and slammed into a motorcycle rider at the intersection of Moggill Rd and the Western Freeway in Brisbane's inner-west. The man suffered cuts to a number of internal organs as well as a fracture to his lower back. A man was stabbed in the leg by two robbers who emerged from a car and approached him as he was walking along a street in Surrey Hills, in Melbourne's east. Police are looking for the men, who stole a bag from the victim before returning to their car and fleeing. Police have been told a silver Holden Commodore sedan pulled up alongside the 31-year-old victim as he walked west along Whitehorse Road just before 11.40pm on Thursday May 9. Police say two men got out of the backseats of the silver Holden Commodore Sedan. Credit:Victoria Police Two men got out of the back seat of the car and started yelling at the victim, as the sedan drove a few metres down the road. The creator of one of the world's largest indoor rainforests is set to build a $150 million eco-tourism attraction at the site of the former Anglesea coal mine. Resources giant Alcoa wants community feedback about its proposed rehabilitation of the 325-hectare Anglesea site and plans to draw thousands of visitors to the area. It is partnering with the people who built Britain's top eco-attraction The Eden Project, which transformed a disused quarry in Cornwall into a field of giant plastic domes that house tropical rainforests. An artist's impression of the Eden Project's proposal for an ecotourism attraction at the former Alcoa coal mine. Its rough plans for Anglesea show a massive lake with piers leading into the water, huge art installations and a series of gardens connected by pathways. The dumped West Australian trade commissioner to Japan who had engaged in serious misconduct for many years, including double dipping with his allowance, has agreed to pay back the state. Former WA Japan trade commissioner Craig Peacock. Credit:Internet. A Corruption and Crime Commission report released in March revealed Craig Peacock dined with mates at the expense of taxpayers, covered up a drunken crash in a work car that landed him in prison for two days in 2011 and organised a bathhouse trip for two Liberal politicians in 2015. On Tuesday, Premier Mark McGowan said the State Solicitor's Office had reached an out-of-court settlement with Mr Peacock, who had agreed to pay more than $540,000 in reimbursement to the state. "This does not stop the state of Western Australia from pursuing further action against Mr Peacock if investigations uncover any additional allegations of financial wrongdoing," he told a budget estimates hearing on Tuesday. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Planning power in WA is concentrated in the hands of a few key government players, some of whom were appointed straight out of long private industry careers. While there are checks and balances in place to manage conflicts the closer to the top it gets, the murkier the process becomes; and you cant get closer to the top than the WA Planning Commission. The WAPC creates high level state frameworks, advises planning ministers on decisions and gets ultimate say over council schemes. Its boards monthly meeting agendas and minutes are not publicly available. Residents, developers and councils invited to state their case to the decision-makers have to do it blind, with no knowledge of the recommendations made. They are ushered out for the discussion and voting, and reasons for decisions are not routinely published. Agendas and minutes of its Statutory Planning Committee, which also makes high-level decisions, are available but any document for the Minister for a final decision is deemed 'confidential.' WAPC head David Caddy was appointed to the board early 2018 and flagged incoming transparency changes but nothing has changed yet. Advertisement Meanwhile, WAtoday has been contacted by several readers concerned about the membership and decisions of the board and committee. For almost three decades until March 2018, Mr Caddy was founder, director and shareholder at one of Perth's most prominent planning firms, Element Advisory (formerly TPG). He represented developer clients, appearing before decision-making bodies prosecuting their proposals, including several high-profile apartment tower projects in South Perth. In 2016 he appeared before the WAPC's SPC to argue it should not allow the City of South Perth to reintroduce building height limits on its peninsula. When the job was advertised as the chairman of the WAPC board, he applied for and got it. He ceased his directorship of Element and divested his shares before starting the role in April 2018. Advertisement Since then, Mr Caddy personally intervened to squash a fresh attempt by the City of South Perth to reintroduce building height limits, which the city was considering under pressure from angry residents. The appointment of Lino Iacomella to the SPC also raised eyebrows in South Perth. As one of the states most well known property industry lobbyists, he has spent the past decade advocating for developers interests as both deputy executive director and executive director of the Property Council WA. There is no suggestion either man has done anything wrong but their appointments outraged some South Perth residents, who viewed it as a slap in the face for the government to hand ultimate planning power over South Perth to a people who had so long argued in the developers corner. Mr Caddy defended his actions in South Perth and commitment to avoiding conflict. He said he had worked in planning roles in local and state government before he founded TPG in 1989. He was 65 years old and about to retire when the WAPC chairman's role was advertised. "When you've been a career planner to come back as chairman is the pinnacle, there's no doubt about that," he said. "It's the defining moment in a career." Advertisement He said while his predecessor had been drawn from the public service, all previous WAPC chairmen since 1985 had come from the public sector and his selection was the result of a rigorous three-month process. "It's not as if someone made a decision to say, 'let's appoint this bloke,' he said. His priorities in the role were guided by an accord signed with Minister Saffioti that revolved around two objectives: building Metronet and reforming the planning system. "It's as if I'm consulting to government instead of to the private sector,"- David Caddy. Credit:Hamish Hastie "The last 12 months has been the steepest learning curve that I've been through in 45 years of planning," he said. "In chairing the commission I am bringing a different perspective to the work that is being done by the department, and I think it's a very healthy perspective, but I do not interfere in the work that is being done. "It's as if I'm consulting to government instead of to the private sector. You obviously represent the best interests of your client at the time. Advertisement "Every time I see Element on an agenda I ring up and make sure that it was a job that was started after I left. If there's any hint that it was something that was started, even if I didn't know about it while I was there, I declare an interest and leave the room." He said the issues with South Perth went back many years and his intervention was at the invitation of the council's planning staff, to resolve an impasse between officers and councillors. He understood plans were now being considered by the planning department and hoped the situation in South Perth was resolved. "The relationship is so good that South Perth Mayor [Sue Doherty] rang me the other day before she went on long service leave and thanked me for working with the council to achieve the outcome that we've now got," he said. Planning Minister Rita Saffioti said the community of South Perth had been unable to define a vision for the future for many years now. Mr Caddy asked them to do what theyre meant to be doing and develop a plan for the area," she said. "The absence of these plans is creating a lot of uncertainty which isnt good for anybody. We need councils to get on with their jobs. Two residents of Shenton Park who have run the WAPC gauntlet say the problem is not Mr Caddy. Advertisement A Perth mother-of-one and respite carer is encouraging parents and guardians to educate their kids and have age-appropriate conversations with them about sexual abuse. Mother and respite carer Sarah encourages parents to educate children how to protect their body and privacy. Credit:Stock Image Sickened, angry and saddened by the grotesque abuse children can be subjected to, Sarah* said it was integral children were given the tools and knowledge of what they should do if theyre ever put in a compromising situation. Sarah is a mother and is also a a respite carer to another child who was sexually abused. I know people close to me who were sexually abused as young children and I have seen the effects it has had on them, she said. Queensland's environment department has dropped legal action against an Adani-owned company after it promised to monitor water quality in real time at its Abbot Point coal terminal. The state's environment department was pursuing Abbot Point Operations in court for allegedly releasing eight times the allowed limit of sediment water into the Great Barrier Reef during Cyclone Debbie in 2017. The coal terminal at Abbot Point, near the Great Barrier Reef Credit:New York Times But the government dropped its prosecution on Tuesday after the parties reached an agreement that Abbott Point Operations would install an automated system at its floodwater release point near the ocean. "This new water monitoring infrastructure will allow us to measure water quality in real-time to assist in managing stormwater impacting our site," a company spokesman said in a statement. By comparison, the same researchers found no such significant advantages for wild male chimpanzees in Cote d'Ivoire, Tanzania, and Uganda. This is important because bonobos and chimpanzees are very closely related. But chimpanzee mothers don't typically display any of these matchmaking - or, rather, match-defending - behaviours for their sons. This suggests the boost in baby bonobos is at least partly due to the mothers' son-assisting behaviour and not simply good genetics. But there's also a social component. In chimpanzee groups, males always retain dominance. In bonobo groups, males and females share dominance, and females are usually protected from violence from males. "I am pretty sure we see these effects in bonobos because females have these high social ranks," said Martin Surbeck, a biologist at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and lead author of the study. "Where we are less sure is the actual mechanism by which the presence of mums helps their sons." And the mothers' presence alone is important. In a 2010 study, Surbeck and his co-authors observed that bonobo males tend to remain on the outskirts of the group when they don't have their mothers nearby. That's bad news for those males' reproduction rates, because the centre of the group is where the most reproductively available females congregate. On the contrary, even low and mid-ranking males were able to safely enter the centre of the group when their mums accompanied them. Loading "They act as social passport allowing males to 'enter' the female core of the bonobo society," Surbeck wrote in an email. Mothers also seem to influence the rank of their sons, with more powerful mothers having more powerful sons. "And once mothers lose their high ranks, this can affect their sons ranks as well," Surbeck said. Ammie Kalan, a primatologist at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology who was not involved in the new study, called it "fascinating" for the way it invokes comparisons to the so-called grandmother hypothesis for human evolution. The grandmother hypothesis attempts to explain why female humans are among the very few animals that experience menopause. After all, if evolution is all about passing on your genes, what benefit would there be in hanging up your reproductive ability? The answer, according to the hypothesis, is that after a certain age, grandmothers actually have a better chance of passing on their genes by helping their offspring rather than by creating more offspring themselves. "That being said, I would find it very interesting to know what has greater predictive value for reproductive success of a bonobo male," said Kalan, who collaborates with some of the study's authors. "Is it his mother being present? His mother's rank in the group? Or his own rank?" Cat Hobaiter, a University of St Andrews primatologist, also said she found the research interesting. "But I wonder how much of this really is a species-level difference, and how much is about the opportunity for particular pairs of mothers and sons," she wrote in an email. Another study from 2011 showed that bonobo mothers are less inclined to help their sons when they are pregnant themselves, for instance. And while bonobos are relegated to one relatively small portion of central Africa, chimpanzees are found in pockets across the continent, and there's great variation between each group. East African chimpanzees groups come together and split up frequently, so a mother that still lives with her son may not see him for days or weeks at a time. On the other hand, West African chimpanzees seem to form more cohesive social groups, lending mothers more opportunities to help their offspring. Mataram: An Indonesian court has sentenced a Frenchman to death for smuggling 3 kilograms of drugs to the tourist island of Lombok, even though prosecutors had only sought a 20-year sentence. Felix Dorfin, 35, sat silently when a panel of three judges handed down the punishment. He declined to speak to reporters on his way back to prison from Mataram District Court in Lombok. French national Felix Dorfin, left, is accompanied by an interpreter during his sentencing hearing. Credit:AP In their verdict, the judges concluded that Dorfin had weakened the government's drug prevention program and could have a bad influence on young people. "He is legally and convincingly guilty of importing narcotics to Indonesia," said Presiding Judge Isnurul Syamsul Arif. "We found no reason to lighten his sentence." (by Giorgio Gosetti) CANNES - The Semaine de la Critique in Cannes looks for tomorrow's film talents, first-time authors who arrive at the festival as unknown artists and suddenly become sought-after. The critics' section dedicated to debut movies and the ''Camera d'or'', the prize for 'new promises', includes a larger selection than the Semaine's shortlist. However, those looking for a potential new jewel at the 2019 edition of the Cannes film festival, should keep an eye on Algeria's Amin Sidi-Boumediene, whose film Abou Leila has just been presented and was highly anticipated since its project was first developed. The movie focuses on a key theme - the fascination around religious terrorism and the myth of its angels of death. S., the protagonist whose name is never mentioned, and his childhood friend Lofti are following the traces of killer Abou Leila in the Algeria of the 1990s. They are looking for a fleeting shadow everybody knows about yet nobody seems to really know. They cross the Sahara desert in search of him, meeting people who still ignore the meaning of ''holy war'' across uncorrupt nature. S. wants to find Abou Leila and his search becomes an obsession. Lofti's only objective, meanwhile, is to take his friend far from the capital to protect him and dissuade him from his dangerous dream given that it is possible S. will want to destroy the invisible killer once he finds him. But the truth could also be elsewhere: Abou Leila does not exist except in S.'s mind and the trip can only have one conclusion. Under the scorching sun, isolated from the rest of the world, the two friends discover the violence that lives within them and exorcizing it won't be easy. Mediterranean cinema, which describes a society torn between modernity and ancient archetypes, often uses metaphors or great popular narratives to tell a story. It must not have been easy for a young author to examine such a theme in today's Algeria, a country devastated by clashes and rage nourished by religious fanaticism. Produced with the support of the Doha Film Institute and the funding of French services and capital, the film has surprising visual quality and the security displayed by the director, which leaves no space to boredom or a feeling of unfamiliarity for the western viewer, gives Abou Leila great potential for western markets. The sober, yet never minimalistic, direction and the beauty of the setting could strike jurors of Camera d'or, despite the competition of many films. Jakarta: Indonesian President Joko Widodo has claimed victory in the country's election, praising his "mature nation" for holding a peaceful and honest poll, even as his opponent threatens to take to the streets in protest at the result. The country's General Elections Commission announced on Tuesday that Joko had convincingly won his second five-year term with an overwhelming mandate of 55.5 per cent of total valid votes against rival Prabowo Subianto. Residents take a selfie with Joko Widodo prior to a speech declaring his victory in the presidential election. Credit:AP Prabowo, a businessman and former military general, has said he will not accept the result, claiming widespread rorting. The call has forced tens of thousands of police and soldiers onto the streets of Jakarta to protect against a threatened series of protests. However, police have cracked down hard on any civil unrest. Last week they arrested one of Prabowo's biggest supporters, Eggy Sujana, on suspicion of treason. The arrest appears to relate to Eggy's call for a "people power" protest against the election result - a speech made in front of Prabowo's Jakarta residence on April 17. London: British Prime Minister Theresa May has opened the door - barely - to the possibility of a second Brexit referendum in her last-ditch effort to get the UK out of the European Union on the terms of the deal she has agreed with Brussels. In a major speech on Tuesday, May warned that her deal was the only way to avoid "a nightmare future of permanently polarised politics". But the speech, billed beforehand as a bold new offer to MPs who have three times rejected her Brexit plan, was greeted with disdain by most of the people she needs to win over. May promised to introduce legislation next month that would address many of the criticisms of her deal. She laid out a ten-point offer in what she called her New Brexit Deal. The White House announced on Monday that it would block McGahn from testifying, the latest act of defiance in the ongoing conflict between House Democrats and Trump. Loading Democrats hoped McGahn would become a star witness in their investigation into whether Trump obstructed justice, given that the former White House counsel delivered critical testimony in several instances of potential obstruction by Trump detailed in the report by special counsel Robert Mueller. A 15-page legal opinion written by assistant Attorney-General Steven Engel argued that McGahn could not be compelled to testify before the Judiciary Committee, based on past Justice Department legal opinions regarding the President's close advisers. The memo said McGahn's immunity from congressional testimony was separate and broader than a claim of executive privilege. During his remarks, Nadler asserted that case law is on the committee's side and accused Trump of seeking to intimidate McGahn from appearing, calling that "not remotely acceptable". "When this committee issues a subpoena - even to a senior presidential adviser - the witness must show up," Nadler said. "Our subpoenas are not optional." Nadler said he may hold McGahn in contempt for failing to appear before the House. Credit:Bloomberg McGahn's no-show was the latest episode in a sweeping attempt by Trump and his administration to resist oversight by the Democrats-led House. Separately on Tuesday, Trump's lawyers notified a federal judge that they have appealed "all aspects" of his Monday ruling that the President's accounting firm must turn over his financial records to Congress. In a ruling on Monday, the judge flatly rejected arguments from the President's lawyers that the House Oversight Committee's demands for the records from Trump's accounting firm, Mazars USA, were overly broad and served no legitimate legislative function. Former White House counsel Don McGahn provided extensive information to Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. Credit:AP Pelosi has scheduled a Democratic caucus meeting for Wednesday morning to discuss updates on oversight and investigations, according to two Democrats briefed on her plans who requested anonymity to discuss a meeting that has not been publicly announced. Members expect the meeting will include a robust discussion of whether to launch an impeachment inquiry against Trump. Pelosi has long been an impeachment sceptic and tried to tamp down impeachment talk in her ranks as recently as last week by encouraging members to focus on their legislative agenda. But calls to launch an impeachment inquiry have escalated since the White House's announcement on Monday that McGahn would not testify. "It would signal to all of the parties that this is a serious inquiry by the committee with the potential or consideration of impeachment as a final action," Democratic Congressman David Cicilline, a member of the Judiciary Committee and the House leadership team, said during an appearance Tuesday morning on MSNBC. Loading Some Democrats have argued that their court victory on Monday was an encouraging sign that they can prevail over Trump in the judiciary and a reason to hold off on impeachment. But Congresswoman Maxine Waters told reporters that "winding your way through the courts could take a lot of time". "We also know that this is something that the President has relied upon in his business dealings, that he can win in the courts because he can outlast those who are bringing lawsuits against him," Waters said in explaining her support for launching an impeachment inquiry. "So while I have a great appreciation for that ruling... I still think we should move forward." Other Democrats cautioned that beginning the impeachment process would overshadow work on legislation important to their constituents. "I believe in checks and balances and the constitutional division of powers," said Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat representative from Michigan. "But I also know that I get stopped in the grocery store constantly and what people are asking about is the price of health care and the price of prescription drugs ... I think the perception is that Washington is more focused on the checks and balances than they are on actually helping people's pocketbooks and their kids. And that's a real problem." During closed-door meetings on Monday night, several members of Pelosi's leadership team pressed her to begin an impeachment inquiry, according to multiple officials in the rooms - an effort the speaker rebuffed each time. At least five members of Pelosi's leadership team - four of whom also sit on the House Judiciary Committee, with jurisdiction over impeachment - pressed Pelosi in a closed-door leadership meeting to allow the panel to start an inquiry, which they argued would help investigators attain documents and testimony that Trump has blocked. Several hours later, Nadler met with Pelosi and made the case to start the inquiry, he later told his panel members on a call. Washington: Robert Mueller and House Democrats have been unable to reach an agreement on how much of the special counsel's expected congressional testimony would be public, and how much would take place in private, according to people familiar with the matter. Robert Mueller's potential testimony has hit several roadblocks. Credit:AP The special counsel's office has been quietly negotiating with the House Judiciary Committee, whose chairman, Congressman Jerrold Nadler, has been eager to have Mueller testify as soon as possible. Loading Mueller, according to people familiar with the matter, would like for any discussions beyond the public contents of his report to be conducted in private. 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 New Zealand based financial services group has partnered with an Australian non-bank lender to launch a new range of home loan products to Kiwi borrowers. Astute NZ will harness Pepper Money's "funding capability and deep underwriting expertise" to offer a product range under the Ascenteon brand in New Zealands mortgage lending market. According to Pepper Australia CEO Mario Rehayem, "Pepper has a longstanding track record of seeking growth in underserved markets. Thats why moving into New Zealand through a white label arrangement is a natural extension of that strategy. We are looking forward to working with Astute to provide their customers with loans that represent genuine choice, and a competitive alternative to what is already available in market, he added. The Ascenteon portfolio will comprise of eight different products, designed to meet the wide and varied needs of all types of residential borrowers. The platform will utilise fully-integrated online submissions and new-to-market tools, enabling borrowers to receive an indicative offer in under five minutes. The products are the result of close consultation by Pepper with stakeholders in the mortgage market. They are aligned closely to borrowers best interests and we believe they will appeal to borrowers in a lending market that is not uniformly well serviced, explained Astute NZ CEO, Sarah Johnston. Certainly, the feedback received in the short time the loans have been available has been very positive, Johnston said. Pepper director of sales and distribution for New Zealand, Aaron Milburn, said that Pepper is delighted to partner with Astute. Pepper is about choice, flexibility and a genuine willingness to cater to a borrowers unique circumstances. We look forward to supporting the Astute NZ adviser network in introducing a fresh mortgage alternative in the NZ market, he concluded. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams Two gunmen face life behind bars after a jury found them guilty of murder for slaying two young mothers amid a failed Bedford-Stuyvesant assassination attempt in 2017. Bed-Stuy resident Anthony Alexander, 19, and Harlem dweller Nazir Saunders, 22, were each convicted of two counts of second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon in Brooklyn Supreme Court on Monday. They face up to 50 years to life in prison when theyre sentenced on June 10. The gun-toting gangbangers waltzed into the courtyard of a Gates Avenue housing complex between Lewis and Stuyvesant avenues at 9:30 p.m. on July 12, 2017 and opened fire into a crowd of about 20 people barbecuing, in an attempt to slay rival gang members, according to District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. The lowlifes missed their intended target, and instead struck Chynna Battle, the 21-year-old mother of a 3-year-old girl, in the head, and 29-year-old Shaqwanda Staley, who had a 9-year-old daughter, in the back, killing both women. Two innocent women, each of them a young mother, died when these defendants callously opened fire on a crowd that was peacefully gathered in a courtyard on a summer evening, said Gonzalez. The victims daughters will now grow up without the love and support of their mothers. We cannot allow gun violence like this to continue to wreak havoc on our communities. The scum fled to South Carolina following the murders, where they were arrested on Oct. 31, 2017. VALLETTA - Two Maltese soldiers accused of carrying out racist raids in February and April in which an Ivorian migrant was killed and three other refugees were wounded have been suspended from the armed forces (AFM) under the order of the president of the Republic, George Vella, the military said. The AFM added that in this particular case it decided to ask the head of State for a special order for an immediate suspension from service, setting aside the presumption of innocence. One of the two soldiers was part of an infantry division considered to be an elite unit of the Maltese army deployed in peacekeeping and anti-piracy missions. He is suspected of materially shooting to death on April 6 a 42-year-old Ivorian, Lassana Cisse Souleymane. The other soldier involved, Lorin Scicluna, 22, is part of the combat engineers. The two are childhood friends and enrolled together in 2017. AFM in a statement confirmed that an internal investigative commission has been created to examine previous acts of racial intolerance by other soldiers to identify potential correlations between different incidents. A high-level source was quoted by the Times of Malta as saying that the ''idea is to establish whether there is a group of soldiers that promotes anti-migrant sentiments or if the pair are lone wolves''. The commission includes high-level officers and its activity will not be connected to the criminal investigation on the attacks. Ordinary courts in Malta are always in charge of crimes committed by military personnel. 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 Punjab National Bank (PNB) could take control of two or three small state-run banks, that could include Oriental Bank of Commerce, Andhra Bank and Allahabad Bank, two sources familiar with the situation told Reuters. New Delhi has been trying to merge smaller regional state-run banks with better managed larger government-owned lenders as one way to reduce bad loans that stand at more than Rs 9 trillion ($130 billion), or nearly 5 per cent of the nations gross domestic output. Last year, the government engineered state-owned Life Insurance Corporations takeover of IDBI ... BEIRUT - A drone loaded with explosive was launched by Houthis against an arms deposit in Najran, in Saudi Arabia, the Yemeni rebels announced. No victims were reported in the attack. According to a spokesperson of the Saudi-led Coalition, the drone ''tried to strike'' the site but did not succeed. The incident was reported after a series of attacks by Yemeni insurgents, considered close to Iran, against Saudi military and civilian targets as part of escalating tensions between Iran and the United States and their respective allies in the region. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is planning to set up a new institute, to be known as the College of Supervisors, in Mumbai to train and build up a cadre for supervisory roles in the financial system. The institute will provide a one-year specialised training programme for the RBI officials, according to a plan discussed in the RBIs meeting of the central board, chaired by Governor Shaktikanta Das, in Chennai. The officials undergoing training at the institute will be required to go for re-certification every five years in a bid to adapt to any change in technology ... Corporation Bank, which was in February this year taken out of Reserve Bank of India's prompt corrective action (PCA) framework, has said it would reduce slippages to up to Rs 4,000 crore in the financial year ending March 2020. Slippages, or standard assets becoming bad loans, were around Rs 2,000 crore every quarter in FY19. This means the bank would reduce slippages by almost 50 per cent. "Henceforth, the slippages should not be more than Rs 1,000 crore per quarter. It will be only in smaller accounts. As for big-ticket loans, we have covered most of the ... At over $100 a tonne, the global price of iron ores higher grades is now the highest in five years, kindling hope of revival in export of lower grades of ore from India. Export of iron ore of up to 58 per cent ferrous content (58-Fe) attracts zero duty. Traders say once the price of this baser grade of ore breaches $70 a tonne, export becomes viable. Odisha alone has in excess of 100 million tonnes of inferior grade iron ore accumulated at mine heads; this ore lacks takers in India. More such inventory is piling up in Jharkhand; the two states account for over 80 per cent of the ... TEL AVIV - Israel has expanded the approved fishing zone off Gaza's coast to 15 nautical miles, according to the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT). The body's general commander, Kamil Abu Rukun explained that the measure is part of ''of civilian policy for the prevention of worsening conditions'' in the Gaza Strip and consists in ''distinguishing between terrorists and the population that is not involved''. COGAT's move is part of steps for a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel which was recently reached with the mediation of the UN and Egypt. Last night, Israeli television Channel 12 spoke about a six-month-long extension of the ceasefire between the sides, although so far Israel has not confirmed the report. At least 10 civilians, including five children, were killed in air strikes by Syrian government ally Russia on Monday in the northwestern Idlib province, the last major rebel-held territory. This comes hours after Russia's Defence Ministry announced a unilateral ceasefire. The Russian army launched air raids on a town in the province, largely controlled by former al-Qaeda affiliate Hay'et Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, claiming that the area was being used as a launchpad to fire rockets on Syrian airbase. Fighting erupted in northwestern Syria last month breaking a truce brokered by Russia and Turkey in 2018. At least 167 civilians have lost their lives in Idlib since April 25. The province is home to about three-million people. The Syrian war has killed more than 370,00O people and displaced millions inside Syria and abroad since it began in March 2011. The Syrian government has been accused of attacking civilians in Idlib. United Nations has also warned of a humanitarian catastrophe. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is trying to regain control over the last rebel-held province. The multi-sided armed conflict in Syria has been raging since 2011, with Russia, Turkey and Iran being the guarantors of the ceasefire regime. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Navy ships from Myanmar reached Port Blair to attend the opening ceremony of the 8th Indo-Myanmar Coordinated Patrol (IMCOR) which will be held from May 20-28. "Myanmar Navy Ship UMS King TabinShweHtee (773) and UMS Inlay (OPV-54) have arrived at Port Blair on May 20 for the 'Opening Ceremony' of the 8th Indo-Myanmar coordinated patrol (IMCOR), at Andaman and Nicobar Command. The Myanmar delegation led by Commodore Htein Win, Commander, Ayeyarwady Naval Command, called on Cmde Ashutosh Ridhorkar, VSM, Naval Component Commander on May 20," a press release by the Ministry of Defense read. Myanmar ships UMS King TabinShweHtee and UMS Inlay would undertake a coordinated patrol (CORPAT) with Indian Naval Ship Saryu under the program. The ships will patrol along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) between the two countries covering a distance of roughly 725 kilometres in four days, augmented by patrol aircraft from both navies. "The ships will also undertake joint manoeuvres and drills during the sea phase of CORPAT prior to the 'Closing Ceremony' of the CORPAT onboard Myanmar Naval Ship," it went on to add. CORPAT, first held in March 2013, has enhanced the mutual understanding and fostered improved professional interaction between the two navies for maritime interoperability. The statement also mentioned the importance of CORPAT in eliminating threats of terrorism, drug trafficking and other illegal activities which harm the interests of both nations. "CORPAT initiative between the two navies is meant to address issues of terrorism, illegal fishing, drug trafficking, human trafficking, poaching and other illegal activities inimical to the interest of both nations," the statement said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has signed its annual performance contract with the Ministry of Civil Aviation specifying various parameters and targets to be performed during 2019-20. The MoU was signed on Monday by Civil Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola and AAI Chairman Guruprasad Mohapatra. Senior officers from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and AAI board members were present on the occasion. The AAI manages 125 airports across the country, which ranks among the fastest growing markets globally. It also provides air navigation services over 2.8 million square nautical miles of air space. It has earmarked Rs 5,160 crore towards capital expenditure for airport infrastructure development. Besides, it has set targets in the field of finance, research and development, human resource development, airport service quality, cargo and Central Public Sector Enterprises Conclave. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Tuesday cancelled his scheduled visit to the capital on a day when opposition parties will be meeting Election Commission officials over the issues of EVMs. The Janata Dal (Secular) leader is skipping a visit to Delhi at a time when opposition parties are in a huddle after exit polls predicted a victory of the BJP-led NDA. Later today, 21 opposition parties will knock the doors of Election Commission (EC), pressing their demand of tallying VVPAT slips with EVM figures in an entire constituency, in case a discrepancy is found at any polling booth. Before the visit, the parties will also hold a meeting at Delhi's constitution club. Ahmed Patel of Congress, Sharad Pawar of NCP, Chandrababu Naidu of TDP, Satish Chandra Misra of BSP, Sitaram Yechury of Communist Party of India (Marxist), D Raja of Communist Party of India (CPI) and Derek O'Brien of the TMC are expected to meet the officials of the poll commission. Naidu is at the forefront of ongoing efforts to stitch a united opposition ahead of the Lok Sabha election results on May 23. On Monday, Kumaraswamy, whose party is in alliance with Congress in Karnataka, had also expressed his concerns over EVMs and tweeted, "Entire Opposition political parties had expressed concern over credibility of EVMs under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rule. Opposition parties even knocked the doors of the Supreme Court asking for a traditional ballet paper elections to avoid defective EVMs that are vulnerable to fraud." In another tweet, he added, "Worldwide, even developed countries have opted for traditional polls through paper ballots. The exit poll surveys on May 19 only reiterated the serious concern of the Opposition parties on misuse of vulnerable EVMs for electoral gains by the ruling party." The chief minister also discredited predictions of the exit polls and said they are "being used to create an impression that there is still a Modi wave in the country." "This artificially engineered or manufactured Modi wave is being used by the BJP to lure regional parties well in advance to fill any shortfall after the results on May 23. The entire exit poll exercise was an effort to create false impression of a wave in favour of one particular leader and the party. As they say, it is just an exit poll, not exact poll," he said in another post on the micro-blogging website. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) American actor Al Pacino was honoured at the American Icon Awards, with longtime friend and co-actor Robert De Niro presenting the award. Filmmaker Martin Scorsese's congratulatory video to Pacino marked the beginning of the awards gala, reported The Hollywood Reporter. Martin Scorsese directed Al Pacino and Niro recently in an upcoming Netflix film 'The Irishman'. Presenting the award to Pacino, Niro said, "The term icon is overused, but not tonight." Adding a teasing remark he said, "Looking at those clips from Al's career, I can't help but think' How did I not get those parts?' I guess they were going for someone older." Recalling his first meeting with Pacino in their early 20s, he said, " Al and I got to be friends over the years, hanging out from time to time, talking about work, life, whatever, competing viciously with each other for parts." "Al's career exploded with The Godfather and two years later in Godfather 2, Al reprised his role of Michael Corleone I played the young old Vito Corleone in the flashbacks. In other words, I played Al's father. And that's when I think I became a father figure to Al, and he's looked up to me in that way ever since," he added. Robert De Niro called Pacino on stage as he said a classic from 'Scarface', "Say hello to your little friend!" Sylvester Stallone, Joe Mantegna, Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue, David Foster and Katherine McPhee, Wendi McClendon-Covey, Peter Facinelli, Barry Bostwick also attended the event. Musician Quincy Jones and former boxer Evander Holyfield were also honoured at the event. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Underlining that the ensuing presidential election will prevent Algeria from "falling into the trap of a constitutional void", the Army chief Lieutenant General Gaid Salah on Monday proposed the formation of an "independent body" to organise and oversee the election which is scheduled for July 4. "Holding a presidential election could help [Algeria] avoid falling into the trap of a constitutional void, with its accompanying dangers and unwelcome consequences," Al Jazeera quoted General Salah as saying. "There is a need to accelerate the establishment of an independent body to organise and oversee the election. This would stop those who are trying to prolong the crisis, " he added. Salah's statement comes days after thousands of protestors hit the streets in cities across the country to denounce the army's proposed plan. They are demanding a postponement of the elections and a transitional authority to be set up to review the constitution and allow for free and fair elections to take place. However, Salah has rejected their demands, calling them "unobjective and unreasonable". The demonstrations, which are being held for the 12th week in a row, comes after 82-year-old Bouteflika stepped down last month following popular uprisings against the ailing leader. Protesters, who are fasting from dawn to dusk during Ramadan month, are also demanding the immediate departure of interim President Abdelkader Bensalah and Prime Minister Noureddine Badawi, who were all part of Bouteflika's regime. On April 2, Bouteflika resigned as Algeria's president weeks before his mandate was to end on April 28, after remaining in power for about 20 years. This came after a press statement issued by Bouteflika's office had said that the president will take steps to ensure "state institutions continue to function during the transition period", adding, his "resignation would occur before April 28, 2019". The statement further noted that Bouteflika would "take important measures to ensure the continuity of the functioning of the state institutions during the period of transition." Algeria has been witnessing protests since February against Bouteflika following his announcement that he was keen on contesting for a fifth term. However, he later gave in to the protesters' demands and abandoned his re-election bid, while delaying the presidential polls.Protests, however, did not subside over Bouteflika's continued hold of power, after which he tendered his resignation. Bouteflika rarely made public appearances since suffering a stroke in 2013. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Union Council of Ministers met on Tuesday at the BJP headquarters where the ministers thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for leading the BJP to a possible victory in the Lok Sabha elections. The meeting was attended by ministers including those from the NDA constituents. BJP president Amit Shah, who called the meeting of ministers, congratulated "Team Modi Sarkar" for the "remarkable achievements" in the last five years. Shah also asked the council of ministers to keep the momentum going for a New India under the leadership of Modi. "I congratulate Team Modi Sarkar for their hard work and remarkable achievements in the last 5 years. Let us keep this momentum going for a New India under the leadership of PM @narendramodi," Shah posted on his twitter handle. Meanwhile, the BJP president also said shared pictures of the "Aabhar Milan of Union Council of Ministers" that took place this evening at BJP headquarters in the capital. Shah also hosted a special dinner for the allies in the Democratic Alliance. Among the leaders were Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackrey and his son Aditya Thackery, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Akali Dal's Prakash Singh Badal, AIADMK's E Palaniswamy and O Pannerselvam, Apna Dal leader Anupriya Patel and Ramdas Athawale. Counting of votes for the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections will take place on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With a majority of exit polls predicting a huge victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Lok Sabha polls, the party has now begun preparations in grand style, for May 23 when the results will be announced. A sweet shop in Mumbai is gearing up for celebrations by making laddoos. What is more, all the workers involved in rolling out the sweets are doing so wearing paper masks of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The BJP candidate from Mumbai North Gopal Shetty has given an order of 3000 kilograms of laddus for celebrating the party's victory on the result day. Ambika foods products located in Borivali, Mumbai has got the order for preparing 1500-3000 kgs of laddus for May 23. The workers of the company too are enthusiastic about the prospect of PM Narendra Modi coming back to power again and have themselves donned Modi masks while preparing the laddus according to Bharat, the manager of the establishment. "We had received an order for 2000 kilograms from Gopal Shetty the BJP MP candidate, but it was later increased to 3000 kilograms. After seeing the exit polls we think his victory is guaranteed. The workers too are overjoyed at the prospect of Narendra Modiji winning the elections and so they are wearing his masks which they themselves brought while preparing the laddus,' Bharat told ANI. The exit polls on television channels on May 19 projected BJP-led Democratic Alliance (NDA) to retain power at the Centre with most of the pollsters giving Prime Minister Narendra Modi a clear majority again in the 543-member Lok Sabha. The CNN News 18-IPSOS exit poll has given the BJP and its allies the highest number of 336 seats with the saffron party on its own getting 276 seats, four more than it won in the 2014 elections. The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) is projected to get 82 seats including 46 of the Congress, two more than the party won in the last elections. Almost all other exit polls like the Times Now-VMR, Republic-TV-C voter and others too predicted a big victory for BJP. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) North Korea on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on former Vice President Joe Biden calling him a "snob bereft of elementary quality as a human being".It also belittled Biden by terming him "fool of low IQ", The Hill reported. "He is self-praising himself as being the most popular presidential candidate. This is enough to make a cat laugh," North Korea's state agency KCNA wrote in a commentary piece. This appears to be the first attack by the reclusive nation on Biden after he announced his candidacy for the presidential nomination for 2020 election. It is not clear whether KCNA made these comments after the former Vice President attacked President Donald Trump last week for embracing "dictators and tyrants" like North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Biden had also praised Trump after he walked away without a deal from a nuclear summit in Hanoi with North Korea in February, saying "He did the right thing by walking away. A bad deal is worse than no deal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kerala BJP will 'sue' and seek 'prosecution' of Finance Minister Thomas Isaac for accusing BJP's state unit president PS Sreedharan Pillai of trying to "sabotage development in Kerala." "Kerala BJP will sue and prosecute Finance Minister Thomas Isaac for his defamatory statement on May 6," said PS Sreedharan Pillai on Tuesday. He said that he has claimed Rs 10 as compensation besides seeking criminal prosecution against Isaac. Isaac had reportedly alleged that Pillai is making use of his position as the BJP state president as a golden opportunity to sabotage development in Kerala. "Sreedharan Pillai, who tried to disrupt the development of Highway in Kerala should be treated as a public enemy of the state," Isaac had said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Libya: Tripoli clashes threaten Med security - UN Some nations fuel conflict, Salame' (ANSAmed) - NEW YORK, MAY 21 - The UN special envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salame, told a Security Council meeting that ''violence on the outskirts of Tripoli is only the beginning of a long and bloody war on the southern Mediterranean coast that will threaten the security of Libya's neighboring countries and the wider region of the Mediterranean''. ''There is no military solution in Libya, and it is not a cliche but a fact'', he added, stressing that ''some nations are fueling this bloody conflict and the UN needs to end it''. The special envoy said he was ''horrified'' by the apparent lack of regard for medical personnel carrying out vital work on the ground and recalled that attacks against healthcare operators are a grave violation of international humanitarian law. ''We are also deeply concerned by the strong increase in abductions, disappearances and arbitrary arrests since the start of the ongoing conflict'', added Salame. ''At least seven officials and employees have been arbitrarily detained or kidnapped in eastern and western Libya. The fate of these individuals remains unknown''. ''We must prove to those who commit violations that impunity will not prevail'', he concluded. ''While the conflict continues, the country's social context is crumbling at an alarming rate. Social media are used as a weapon to promote fake news and expressions of hatred that deeply divide the population''. (ANSAmed) After receiving direction from Delhi High Court, the Central Board of Secondary (CBSE) on Tuesday said it has preponed all its activities of conduct of examination, declaration of result and process of verification and re-evaluation. "As per the directives of Hon'ble High Court of Delhi, CBSE has preponed all its activities of conduct of examination, declaration of result and process of verification and re-evaluation," Rama Sharma, PRO CBSE said. In a letter to Registrar of Delhi University, the CBSE has urged to align the admission process as per its schedule. Now, Delhi University has to fix the last date of submission of application form for admission in Delhi University in such a manner that the work of re-evaluation gets over prior to the last date of Delhi University admission process. Immediately, after the examinations were over, the tentative schedule of verification of marks and re-evaluation was also hosted on the website for the information of all the stakeholders. This year, the CBSE has declared its result 28 days before the last years' date and accordingly, other activities have also been advanced. A total of 12,87,359 students appeared for Class 12 board examination, out of which 7,48,498 are boys and 5,38,861 girls. Institution-wise, Kendriya Vidyalaya emerged with the highest number of passing students in the country with a pass percentage of 98.54 per cent, followed by Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya with a pass percentage of 96.62 per cent. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Governor Satyapal Malik on Tuesday decided to lift the remaining restrictions on civilian movement on the Srinagar-Jammu highway from May 27 followed by a review of the security situation and the requirement of security forces' convoys in the state. In order to facilitate safe and secure movement of Security Forces' Convoys, the government had imposed a prohibition on civilian traffic after 40 CRPF were killed in Pulwama on February after their convoy was attacked by a suicide car bomber on the Highway in Pulwama district. "The Government had imposed a prohibition on civilian traffic on NH-44 from Baramulla to Udhampur twice a week, i.e. on Sunday and Wednesday from 4 AM to 5 PM. Elaborate arrangements were, however, made by the local administration to facilitate the movement of the public during the period of restriction," a release of state's PIB said. "The restrictions had become necessary following the movement of security forces on an unprecedented scale after the Pulwama terror attack. The forces were required both for anti-militancy operations and for smooth conduct of general elections," it said. Earlier, the restriction on civilian movement between Srinagar and Baramulla on NH-44 was limited to Sunday only from April 22 and later completely lifted from May 2. Restrictions on the Srinagar Udhampur stretch were limited to just one day from May 13. "After a detailed review today with all security agencies, civil and police administration in connection with the preparations for the Shri Amarnathji Yatra, the Governor directed that there should be no restriction on civilian movement on NH 44 from Monday, May 27," the release said. The leaders from the Valley including Conference (NC) Farooq Abdullah, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti vehemently protest against the closing of the 300-kilometres long Jammu-Srinagar highway which connects the Kashmir valley with the rest of India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amidst turmoil in the Congress-JD(S) coalition in Karnataka, Congress leader Roshan Baig on Tuesday called his party leader KC Venugopal a "buffoon" and blamed Siddaramaiah for the "collapse" of the alliance in the state. "KC Venugopal is a buffoon. I feel sorry for my leader Rahul Gandhi ji. Buffoons like Venugopal, the arrogant attitude of Siddaramaiah and the flop show of Gundu Rao...The result is this," hel told the media here. Asked whether Congress should have given more thought before giving portfolios in the state, Baig said, "Portfolios were sold. How can I blame Kumaraswamy for it? He wasn't allowed to function. From day one Siddaramaiah said 'I'm going to be the Chief Minister'.You have gone to their doorstep to form the government." Amid all this, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has also cancelled his scheduled visit to Delhi. Later when a reporter questioned whether Siddaramaiah is responsible for the "collapse" of the government, Baig replied, "Yes. He is responsible." Baig further alleged that "no seats were given to Christians and only one seat was given to Muslims in Karnataka." "They were ignored. I am upset with this, we have been used," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The daughter of late Sub-Inspector Rajkumar, who was killed on Sunday night in Vivek Vihar's Kasturba Nagar area, on Tuesday wrote to Station House Officer (SHO) of Vivek Vihar, asking him to provide security to her family as they have been threatened by the accused.In the letter to the SHO, she has alleged that her family members have been threatened by the accused and requested a strict action against them.According to the inspector's family, he lost his life after getting into a fight with miscreants.Sub-Inspector Rajkumar had gone for a walk after dinner when he had a fight with some goons, his family had said. The deceased's family had added that the cause of the brawl was the permanent picket set up by police in the area where bootleggers reside. People present at the spot, however, said that the argument began over a video that the cop had made of the criminals. Police, however, said there was no "death causing" injury on his body.On Monday, Shahdara District Commissioner of Police (DCP) Meghna Yadav said: "Prima facie, there is not any death causing injury on his body. The cut on his chin is superficial which is not a reason for his death. His post-mortem is underway which will tell what the cause of death was."Police said a PCR call was received at 10 pm at the Vivek Vihar station regarding a quarrel in the area.ASI Devi Sharan who conducted the inquiry found that at around 9 pm Rajkumar was involved in a quarrel with one person identified as Vijay, alias Bhuri, a history-sheeter.After the quarrel, Rajkumar reached his home and proceeded towards a nearby hospital driving his own scooty. He was accompanied by his daughter. On the way, Rajkumarfainted and his daughter managed to take him to the hospital, whose authorities suggested to take him to another hospital in Patparganj."He was declared brought dead at the hospital. Examination of the dead body of the deceased prima facie revealed a superficial cut injury below the chin and a blunt injury mark on the chest," Sharan said. According to the District Commissioner of Police, Bhuri has a criminal record and was in jail from January 2018 in Vivek Vihar. However, he was released in April this year.Police have registered a case under section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the further investigation is underway. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a victory of sorts for Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa, the Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday decided to record dissent of any member during proceedings of the full Commission. The decision was taken at a meeting of the full Commission which was called specifically to take on board the concerns expressed by Lavasa after he kept away from the meetings protesting against non-recording of his dissent on the clean chits given by the Commission on the complaints of opposition parties regarding alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah. In the meeting of the full Commission today which was also attended by Lavasa, it was decided that proceedings of the Commission meeting would be drawn including the views of all the Commission members, sources said. Thereafter, formal instructions would be issued in consonance with the present laws and rules, they said. The meeting was chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora and other Commissioner Sushil Chandra. Differences in the Election Commission burst out in the open last week with Lavasa boycotting the meetings of the full Commission over his dissent on crucial decisions not being recorded. Arora sought to downplay the controversy saying all the Commissioners are "not expected to be template or clones of each other". Arora also said "ill-timed" controversies should be avoided and called a meeting of the full Commission on May 21 to discuss and thrash out issues. Lavasa, had written a letter to Arora on May 16 even hinting at "taking recourse to other measures" for restoring the "lawful" functioning of the Commission in terms of recording minority decisions. "I am being forced to stay away from the meetings of the full Commission since minority decisions are not being recorded. My participation in the deliberations of the Commission becomes meaningless since my minority decisions go unrecorded," he said. Lavasa said he might consider taking recourse to other measures aimed at restoring the lawful functioning of the Commission in terms of recording minority decisions. "My various notes on the need for transparency in the recording and disclosure of all decisions including the minority view have gone unheeded, forcing me to withdraw from participating in the deliberations of the complaints," he said in the letter to Arora. The office of the CEC on Saturday released a statement of Arora which said there has been an "unsavoury and avoidable" controversy reported in the media today about the internal functioning of the Commission in respect of the handling Mode Code of Conduct. This, he said, has come at a time when all the Chief Electoral Officers throughout the country and their teams were geared for the seventh and last phase of polling on Sunday. All of them and the senior officers of the EC headquarters have been working their utmost during the last six phases of elections which barring an odd incident here and there have been largely peaceful and conducted in a fair, free and transparent manner. "The three members of ECI are not expected to be template or clones of each other. There have been so many times in the past when there has been a vast diversion of views as it can and should be. But the same largely remained within the confines of ECIafter demission of office unless appearing much later in a book written by the concerned ECs/CECs. Lavasa had opposed and dissented on the clean chits given by the Commission to Modi and Shah over the alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct by them during their campaign. The Congress and CPI(M) had complained against Modi's speeches invoking the armed forces in the context of the Balakot aerial strikes and on issues relating to minorities. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday reiterated that polled EVMs are safe in the sealed strong rooms which are under surveillance and also urged people to keep faith in the poll commission. "Polled EVMs are safe in sealed strong rooms under security, CCTV coverage and surveillance of candidates. There is no possibility of changing EVMs. Don't panic and keep faith", the official handle of CEO, Uttar Pradesh tweeted on Tuesday. The clarification by the polling officer comes after various rumours on social media regarding EVMs leading to tensions in some parts of the region. In Mau, police had to disperse a crowd gathered outside a strong room last night. In Bihar, RJD alleged suspicious movement of EVMs in Maharajganj and Saran parliamentary constituencies. The party's allegations were later refuted by the administration stating that it was for the purpose of training. After exit polls predicted victory for the BJP-led NDA, many opposition parties have also discredited the polling process and alleged irregularities in EVM machines. Opposition parties are also visiting the Election Commission to meet officials over this issue, later today. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United States on Monday (local time) said that a 16-year-old boy from Guatemala died at a Border Patrol station in southern Texas, becoming the fifth death of migrant child since December last year. In a statement, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said the Border Patrol apprehended the teenager in Rio Grande Valley on May 13. The CBP said the teenager was found unresponsive on Monday morning during a welfare check, Al Jazeera reported. The agency did not state why the teenager was detained for a week but said he was "due for placement" in a facility for youth operated by the US Department of Health and Human Services. The incident happened less than a week following the death of a two-year-old child after he and his mother were detained by the Border Patrol. According to the US and Guatemalan authorities, the small child died after several weeks in the hospital. Officials, at that time, were quoted as saying that the boy was suffering from very high fever and difficulty in breathing, and was later diagnosed with pneumonia at a children's hospital. "Four in six months is a clear pattern of willful, callous disregard for children's lives," Jess Morales Rocketto, chair of the advocacy group 'Families Belong Together' told Al Jazeera. All five children who lost their lives after being apprehended by the Border Patrol so far were from Guatemala, a Latin American nation ravaged by organised crime and extortion, poverty, rampant corruption, and political turmoil. More than 114,000 people from Guatemala have been apprehended by the Border Patrol between October and April. In early in December last year, a seven-year-old Jakelin Caal Maquin died of a bacterial infection under the US custody at the border. An eight-year-old Felipe Gomez Alonzo died on the Christmas Eve of a flu infection. He had been detained with his father for a week before falling sick. After Gomez Alonzo's death, the Department of Homeland Security announced it would expand medical checks and ensure that all children in Border Patrol custody would receive "a more thorough hands-on assessment at the earliest possible time." Juan de Leon Gutierrez, 16, died on April 30 after officials noticed that he was sick at a youth detention facility operated by US Department of Health and Human Services. The medical examiner in Corpus Christi, Texas, said Juan had been diagnosed with a rare condition known as Pott's puffy tumour, which can be caused by a severe sinus infection or head trauma. President Donald Trump's administration has for months warned that the US immigration system was at a "breaking point." The administration has asked for USD 4.5 billion in emergency humanitarian funding and urged Congress to change laws that would allow agencies to detain families longer and deport them more quickly. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) When the whole nation is waiting for the final verdict of 2019 Lok Sabha elections, actor Vivek Oberoi is awaiting the release of his film - 'PM Narendra Modi' -- which is scheduled for release a day after the results will be announced. Expressing his excitement during an interaction with media persons here on Tuesday, Oberoi said: "First on May 23, Modi will come to power and then on 24th he (PM Narendra Modi) will come in theatres." The Election Commission of India (ECI) on April 10 had stayed the release of the biopic, a day ahead of its original scheduled release date on April 11, which coincided with the first phase polling of the Lok Sabha elections. The poll panel had said the film disturbs the level-playing field. With a bright smile on his face, the actor asserted that they had organised a special screening of the film in Delhi and Mumbai and got a very positive response from the audience. "The special screenings that took place in Delhi and Mumbai saw an excitement among the audience. People were shouting the slogan of Modi and were very happy," he said. After being surrounded by a string of controversies regarding his upcoming film for months, Vivek once again found himself in a soup after he posted a tasteless joke referring to his ex-girlfriend Aishwarya Rai and her relationships on Monday. The post referred to Salman and Aishwarya's relationship as the 'opinion poll,' Vivek and Aishwarya's affair as the 'exit poll' and her current family with husband Abhishek and daughter Aaradhya as the 'final result.' While the actor might have posted the tweet thinking it is funny, others did not share the same feeling. Many including his fellow actors called him out for posting the bizarre tweet. The National Commission for Women (NCW) has even issued a notice to the actor demanding an explanation over his tweet on the exit polls. However, earlier today, Oberoi apologised for his tweet and later deleted it. "Sometimes what appears to be funny and harmless at first glance to one, may not be so to others. I have spent the last 10 years empowering more than 2,000 underprivileged girls. I can't even think of being disrespectful to any woman ever," Vivek tweeted, before deleting the distasteful tweet. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India with a population of 1.4 billion people should have a permanent seat in the UN Security Council as its absence will hurt the body's credibility, said German Ambassador to India Walter J Lindner here on Tuesday. "India must have a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. India with 1.4 billion people is not yet a permanent member. This is unheard of. This cannot go on like this because it hurts the credibility of the UN system," Lindner told ANI. For long several countries have been supporting India's candidature for the permanent membership of the UN Security Council. India, a founding member of the UN, is one of the largest contributors of troops to UN peacekeeping missions. The country has been elected seven times to the Security Council as a non-permanent member, most recently from 2011 to 2012. The UN Security Council has five permanent members with veto power -- US, UK, China, France, and Russia. Talking about the designation of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, Lindner said that the outcome among countries was "satisfactory," which strengthened the fight against global terrorism. "One of the rules of international diplomacy is that you do things behind the scenes. It was a good collaboration with many international actors and we had an outcome which was satisfactory and that counts. It was satisfactory for us, India and has strengthened the fight against terror," he said. The German envoy said that terrorists should not have a future "whoever they are, wherever they are and whenever they act," and added that they should be brought to books. Underscoring the need to strengthen anti-terror cooperation, Lindner said: "We will work together with India. Having a population of 1.4 billion people, India has a strong voice as it has been a victim of terrorism, like other countries." In a huge diplomatic victory for India, the UN on May 1 designated Azhar as a "global terrorist" after China lifted its technical hold on a proposal to blacklist the JeM chief, a decade after New Delhi approached the body for the first time on the issue. In the past, China had stalled India's proposal to enlist Azhar as a 'global terrorist' at least four times in the last 10 years, the latest being in March this year. Beijing had previously blocked New Delhi's bid three times -- in 2009, 2016 and 2017. A global terrorist tag under the UN's 1267 committee will lead to a freeze on Azhar's assets and a ban on his travel and constraints on possessing weapons, similarly to the Al Qaida and ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant). Asked on the exit polls which projected a majority for the BJP-led NDA, Lindner said that Germany will continue to maintain a great relationship with any Indian government, whoever will win the Lok Sabha elections. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) To ignite the love and passion of gemstones, GIA India organised the GemKids programme for the students of Universal Public School, New Delhi, on May 3. More than 20 students from 6th to 8th grade attended the programme to learn about the fascinating world of gemstones. GIA India Instructor Amar Agarwal shared insights and facts on a variety of gems. The programme offered students an opportunity to learn about gemmology through hands-on activities using natural minerals and gemstones. Students explored how gems are formed in nature, the different methods used to mine them, how civilizations valued gems throughout history and more. "We have high regards for GIA India introducing GemKids to our school - a thoughtful initiative where students are encouraged to develop their knowledge of gemstones. This programme offers interesting content encouraging students to distinguish naturally-occurring gems from laboratory-grown and various kinds of treatments done to enhance its beauty", said Maya Gupta, Principal of the Universal Public School. "Kids learn from what they see and observe. GIA India believes the GemKids programme is a great step towards igniting a passion in children to learn gemmology. We were thrilled to see a great response from the students and grateful to Universal Public School for their support", said Nirupa Bhatt, Managing Director of GIA India and the Middle East. 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.) South Africa: HPCSA welcomes SIU investigation The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) has welcomed the proclamation by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the Special Investigative Units (SIU) investigation into alleged unlawful or improper conduct by employees of the HPCSA. This follows a report by the Ministerial Task Team (MTT) appointed by Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi in 2015, to investigate allegations of administrative irregularities, mismanagement and poor governance at the HPCSA. The MTT report of the investigations, which was released by Motsoaledi in October 2015, found the HPCSA to be in a state of multi-system organisational dysfunction, which resulted in the failure of the organisation to deliver effectively and efficiently on its primary objects and functions, in terms of the Health Professions Act 56 of 1974. There is lack of coherence and cohesion it is the view of the MTT that the best interests of the health system are not served by the current structure and organisation of the HPCSA, the Minister reported at the time. The HPCSA was also accused of poor communication with health professionals, excessive delays in processing applications, registration rules that discriminate against foreign-qualified practitioners from developing countries, and failure to respond meaningfully to questions from the public. Business Process Re-engineering Project HPCSA CEO, Dr Raymond Billa, said that based on the MTT outcome report, the council has embarked on a Business Process Re-engineering (BPR) Project. The BPR project is aimed at enhancing councils effectiveness and efficiencies through streamlined services that will ensure that it becomes a reputable, professional regulatory body. It is estimated that council will reap the rewards of the investment made on the turnaround over a five-year period. However, over the past two years, the HPCSA has made remarkable strides in ensuring that it achieves the goals and objectives of the BPR Project, Billa said. Dr Billa said the MTT report highlighted a need for full organisational review which would be inclusive of a new governance and administrative structure. He said the revised organisational structure aims to consolidate HPCSAs structure into five high-level functional areas, including, enabling development of specific functional knowledge and expertise within each function, clear accountability enabling identification of inefficiencies, better departmental coordination and a stable environment, and faster decision making. The new organisational structure became effective in August 2018. On 24 August 2018, the HPCSA, in line with its determination to turn council around into a transparent and credible regulator, submitted a request to the SIU to investigate any conduct of maladministration, corruption or corrupt activities, including fraud, in connection with the mandate of the council as contained in the Health Professions Act 56 of 1974, against any person, Billa said. This included amongst others, registration of persons in terms of the Act (including the integrity of all registers kept in terms of the act) and provision or offering of education and training having as its object to qualify any person for the practising of any profession to which the provisions of the Act apply. The SIU is currently undertaking its own internal processes in this regard, Billa said. He added that an Anti-Corruption Forum on Health was also established to deal with all allegations of maladministration within the Health Sector. He re-assured the public of the councils commitment to eradicate corruption. Council believes that with the turnaround outcomes being bedded down and the Registrar/CEO at the helm, the image of the HPCSA can only improve in the mid to long term. Council understands that the turnaround journey is not going to be an easy one, however, with the initial steps already taken, the HPCSA can only get better, Billa said. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-05-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. TIRANA - Starting tomorrow, 50 members of EU border and coast guard agency Frontex from 11 European Union countries will be deployed alongside their Albanian colleagues at the border between Albania and Greece in the first mission in a non-EU country. ''This not only marks a new phase for border cooperation between the Union and western Balkan countries but also represents another step towards the agency's full operability'', said European commissioner for migration, home affairs and citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos, speaking at a ceremony in Tirana. The commissioner last October signed an agreement with Albanian authorities that came into effect at the beginning of May. The EU is holding talks to reach similar agreements with more Balkan countries. ''The only way to effectively deal with migration and security challenges confronting us today and in the coming years is to work together as neighbors and partners. What is happening in Albania and in the western Balkans concerns the EU and vice versa'', said Avramopoulos. He stressed that ''migration flows along the western Balkan route are constantly dropping. However, we must remain vigilant''. Albanian Premier Edi Rama said that, thanks to this accord, the country is contributing to European security ''while at the same time it is showing the firm will to be a trustworthy partner of the EU''. Tirana is expecting a green light from the EU next month to start membership talks.(ANSAmed). Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday penned an emotional note for his father and late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, on his 28th death anniversary. He described his father as gentle, loving and affectionate. "My father was gentle, loving, kind & affectionate. He taught me to love & respect all beings. To never hate. To forgive. I miss him. On his death anniversary, I remember my father with love & gratitude," Rahul Gandhi wrote on his Twitter handle. He tagged an old image of his father and a picture of himself paying his respects. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also paid tributes to her father calling him her "hero." She also shared an image from the past in which she could be seen hugging Rajiv Gandhi. Along with the picture the Congress leader also shared few stanzas from Harivansh Rai Bachchan's famous poem 'Agneepath'. "You will always be my hero", she wrote along with the image. Earlier in the day, United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Rahul and Priyanka paid floral tribute to Rajiv Gandhi at Veer Bhumi. Priyanka's husband Robert Vadra was also present with the Gandhi family and also paid obeisance. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former President Pranab Mukherjee too paid homage to the former prime minister. Born on August 20, 1944, Rajiv Gandhi had represented Uttar Pradesh's Amethi parliamentary constituency four times. A recipient of Bharat Ratna, Rajiv Gandhi served as the sixth Prime Minister of India from 1984 to 1989. He took office after the assassination of his mother, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984. Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suicide bomber during an election rally in Tamil Nadu's Sriperumbudur on May 21, 1991. He was cremated at Veer Bhumi, located on the banks of the river Yamuna. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hindu Rao Hospital Resident Doctor's Association on Tuesday called off their indefinite strike over pending salaries after North Delhi Municipal Corporation agreed to their demands. The employees launched a protest on Monday claiming that they have not received salary from past three months. Earlier today, they submitted a charter of demands to MS/HRH during their strike. Later they received a reply, which states that the salary up to the month of March 2019 has already been released and credited in the account of residents. The authorities further stated that the demand of arrears will be taken up with the competent authority for release as soon as possible. "The 16 point charter of demands will be discussed and amicably resolved in consultation with members of RDA and Commissioner and Addl. Commissioner (Health). The punitive action will not be taken against the Residents, however issue of salary during strike period will be forwarded to the competent authority for favorable consideration," the reply added. The RDA also kept a demand of handing over the hospital to the Central government if the local government and the municipal corporation are unable to run it. On Monday, while complaining about the poor facilities and non-availability of accommodation and potable water, the RDA demanded that the hospital should be handed over to the Centre if the municipal corporation and local government are unable to handle it. The facilities at OPD and wards were partially affected due to the strike. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A day after major tech companies including Google, Qualcomm, and Intel agreed to follow US orders and cut ties with Huawei, the Trump administration decided to provide some temporary relief to the troubled company. The US Department of Commerce announced that it is issuing Huawei a 90-day exemption from trade restrictions through a Temporary General License (TGL). It grants operators time to make other arrangements and authorises specific, engagement in transactions involving the export, reexport, and transfer of items. This license also allows operations to continue for existing Huawei mobile phone users and rural broadband networks for the stated period. The Department will evaluate whether to extend the TGL beyond 90 days. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Tuesday seized a Pakistani fishing boat with six crew members aboard, sailing in the Indian waters off the International Maritime boundary line (IMBL) in the Arabian Sea. During the search,194 packets of suspected narcotics were recovered from the boat. The ICG on Sunday had received a tip-off about a suspected vessel likely to be engaged in drug trafficking. A similar input was received on the following day from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). After the two intelligence inputs, the ICG deployed two interceptor boats C-437 and C-408 from Gujarat's Jakhua and Okho coasts, and a Dornier aircraft from the Porbandar coast to augment the search. The ICG Ship 'Arinjay', which was on patrol off Indo-Pak IMBL, was also alerted about the suspicious vessel. Following this, on Monday night, a fishing boat observed to be suspicious was shadowed by the Coast Guard Ships. In the wee hours of Tuesday, this suspicious vessel crossed the IMBL towards Indian side and started moving towards Jakhua coast. The vessel was kept under surveillance and intercepted at around 9:15, about eight nautical miles inside the Indian waters. The vessel was found to be a Pakistani fishing boat 'Al Madina', registered at Karachi. It was escorted to Jakhua harbour for detailed investigation and rummaging. In a similar operation earlier this year, the ICG, in a joint operation with Anti-terrorist Squad (ATS) had seized about 100 kilograms of Heroin from a Pakistani boat off the east coast of Gujarat. Nine Iranian nationals were apprehended from the boat. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held an official meeting with her Kyrgyz counterpart Chingiz Aidarbekov on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Foreign Minister's meet here on Tuesday. "First engagement in Bishkek. EAM @SushmaSwaraj had a productive discussion with Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Aidarbekov on all aspects of bilateral relations, including in political & defence, trade & investment, health, capacity building and people-to-people ties," Raveesh Kumar, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) tweeted. The two-day Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) meeting, from May 21 to May 22, will see all sides exchange views on issues of international and regional importance, along with reviewing the preparation for the SCO Summit in Bishkek from June 13-14, according to the MEA. The EAM's visit comes just after Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attended the SCO Defence Ministers' conclave in the Kyrgyz capital last month. The conclave aimed to further boost defence and security cooperation among the member countries in the wake of evolving security challenges in the region. Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi is also slated to attend the impending SCO meeting. However, it is not known if any engagement will be held between the two leaders. The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the then-Presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Election Commission of Indonesia on Tuesday confirmed that President Joko Widodo has won a second term as president, beating out rival Prabowo Subianto, a retired general, by a 55.5 per cent to 44.5 per cent margin. The commission was expected to announce the official results on Wednesday but, in a surprising move, it was released early on Tuesday hours before opposition protesters were set to protest against the final results, Al Jazeera reports. Fear of unrest gripped the country after Prabowo had vowed to challenge any victory announced in favour of the incumbent leader. "This ruling was announced on May 21 ... and will be effectively immediately," said Arief Budiman, the commission's chairman. However, the local media reported that Prabowo's campaign team and the leading opposition party refused to sign and validate the official results. It was not clear immediately if Prabowo would mount a legal challenge to the official result, as he did in 2014 after losing the presidential bid to Widodo. Last month, Indonesia held its biggest-ever election, a massive one day poll featuring more than 190 million registered voters and a record 245,000 candidates vying for the presidency, parliamentary seats and local legislator positions. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lokayukta police on Tuesday raided the residence of an assistant commercial tax officer and found unaccounted wealth worth Rs 1.4 crore. The accused, identified as, Komal Bali joined the commerce tax department in 2006 as a commercial tax inspector, said Praveen Singh Baghel, DSP, Lokayukta. "So far, we have found unaccounted wealth worth Rs. 1 crore and 41 lakh, which is many times more than what she must have rightfully earned during her service tenure," said Baghel. The unaccounted wealth includes two houses, a farmhouse, gold worth Rs. 10 lakh, and automobiles, said Baghel. "Apart from freezing all her bank accounts, police are also investigating other transactions and other related documents," said Baghel. A case has been registered in the incident and further probe is underway. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has ruled out the possibility of negotiations with the United States under current circumstances of heightened diplomatic tensions between the two countries. "I favour talks and diplomacy but under current conditions, I do not accept it, as today's situation is not suitable for talks and our choice is resistance only," IRNA quoted Rouhani as saying. Rouhani added that Iranian authorities feel the support of ordinary people, who do not buy the idea that their country is responsible for the spike in tensions, despite attempts by "the enemy" to portray it as such, reports Russia Today. Recently, the country officially halted some of the commitments under the landmark 2015 nuclear deal signed with powers. The development implied that Iran no longer had any limit for the production of enriched uranium. Speaking on the same, Rouhani admitted that the reason Iran was reluctant to further walk away completely from the said deal was that it would lead to more economic sanctions on the country. "If we walked away from the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) with the US provocative acts, then, in addition to the US, the UN and would also impose sanctions on us," he said The Iranian President had recently admitted that the country was facing "unprecedented pressure" from the international political sanctions, as a result of which the country could be under worse economic conditions during the 190-88 war with Iraq. Concerns about the possible conflict between the two countries have flared ever since Washington ordered carrier strike warships and B-52 bombers off the coast of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to counter an alleged and unexplained threat from Iran. In a separate development, Iran's Director of Foreign Affairs for the country's parliament, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has called Trump a "crazy President", whose threats against Tehran were not going to work. "In his mind, Trump thinks he has a gun to Iran's head with sanctions and he is trying to shut down our economy," Amir-Abdollahian told CNN in an interview. "This is all in his imagination. Now he wants us to call him? This is a crazy president!" "Within the White House there is a lot of conflicting opinions," Amir-Abdollahian continued, "Also, Trump is not quite balanced and stable in his decision making, so we are dealing with a confused White House. Iran receives various signals which show that no one knows who owns the White House." The statement has come against the backdrop of Trump's tweet on Monday, where he denied the reports that the US was trying to set up a negotiation with Iran. "Fake News put out a typically false statement, without any knowledge that the United States was trying to set up a negotiation with Iran. This is a false report," Trump tweeted on Monday. "Iran will call us if and when they are ever ready. In the meantime, their economy continues to collapse - very sad for the Iranian people. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jet Airways employees on Tuesday staged a protest outside the Safdarjung Airport here, seeking government's intervention to solve the crisis facing the airline. The protesting employees were demanding the intervention of government in securing the future of the airline company. Many employees carried placards on which "Save Jet Airways", "Hear our cry, Let 9W fly" and "We have dependent to feed, please don't let our 9W bleed" was written to draw the attention of the government. Pooja, a customer service employee, who had been working with Jet Airways for the past 11 years, said she had her family loans, her parents and many other co-dependents to look after. She added meeting these expenses was becoming difficult with each passing day considering they had not got their salaries since February. "We have not got our salaries from February. I personally have a lot of burden on me, being the sole bread earner in my family. There are many more like me amongst the 22,000 employees. We have many demands but first and foremost we want the government to restart our airlines. The lives of employees, their families and the ones who are dependent on us are in peril," Pooja told reporters here. Rishi Sehgal, a ground service employee who had worked for 22 years with Jet said the protests will continue till the time their demands were met. He also questioned the Chairman of the company and SBI for not clarifying the position and the measures being taken which have led to hopelessness amongst the employees. "Till our jobs come back we will not stop the protests. These are not even protests but a collective request of all the employees. Our Chairman should have come forward to stand by us, an email from him was simply not enough he should have talked to us, giving us some hope. SBI too is not saying anything to us clearly. All the information we are getting is through news, we need some credibility," Sehgal told reporters. Meanwhile, Darwin Platform Group of Companies, which recently shot into prominence for its interest in taking stakes in Jet Airways with an infusion of Rs 14,000 crore, has geared up to foray into the Indian aviation sector. "Our main priority is to save the airline and thousands of employees who are jobless and in pain. I feel sad for thousands of Jet Airways employees and their family members. But soon, I believe Jet Airways will be back in the air," its Chairman Ajay Harinath Singh told ANI. Meanwhile, the Aviation Ministry said that carrier Air India will be given preference during the allocation of international slots of grounded Jet Airways. The ministry has already issued a couple of overseas slots to Air India, according to sources. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Infighting in Congress party's Karnataka unit reared its ugly head publically with one leader, Roshan Baig, levelling a series of strong allegations against the party leadership. The party has served a showcause notice seeking an explanation from him within a week. To which, the Congress MLA said he will not even bother reading the notice as it has "clearly been sent on the orders of the same people whose incompetencies were highlighted" by him. Baig had earlier said Congress general secretary KC Venugopal is "a buffon", the party's state unit president Dinesh Gundu Rao "a flop show" and blamed Congress Legislature Party Leader (CLP) Siddaramaiah for the "collapse" of the Congress-JD(U) alliance in the state. Speaking to ANI earlier today, Baig also reiterated he is upset with the fact that no seats were given to Christians and only one seat to Muslims in Karnataka. "No seats were given to Christians and only one seat was given to Muslims in Karnataka, they were ignored. I'm upset with this, we have been used," he said. Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) general secretary Venkatrao Y Ghorpade on sent a showcause notice to Baig. "I've received the showcause notice sent to me by the KPCC. I'm not even going to bother to read it because it's clearly sent by the orders of the same people whose incompetencies were highlighted by me," Baig said. Baig, who is apparently at loggerheads with the Congress party after not getting a ticket to contest the just-concluded Lok Sabha polls, slammed Gundurao and Siddaramaiah asserting that "these two leaders should be held responsible if Congress doesn't perform well in the general elections." A few hours later, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara slammed Baig for his claims and said that it is his personal opinion and not the party's opinion or assessment. A miffed Baig, also called his party leader KC Venugopal a "buffoon" and blamed Siddaramaiah for the "collapse" of the alliance in the state. "KC Venugopal is a buffoon. I feel sorry for my leader Rahul Gandhi ji. Buffoons like Venugopal, the arrogant attitude of Siddaramaiah and the flop show of Gundu Rao...The result is this," he told the media persons. When he was asked whether Congress should have given more thought before assigning minister portfolios, Baig said, "Portfolios were sold. How can I blame Kumaraswamy for it? He wasn't allowed to function. From day one Siddaramaiah said he is going to be the chief minister. You have gone to their doorstep to form the government." Responding to this, Gundu Rao said: "It is unbecoming of a politician of his stature to be speaking like this, it ranks of pure political opportunism. We will take the required action when the time is right." Meanwhile, Congress leader Rizwan Arshad called Baig an "opportunist" and asked him to resign from the party. "He is an opportunist. If he has guts let him resign and contest from theBJP. If Congress is such a bad party which gave him power for the last 10 years and made him MLA for the last four terms let him resign and contest from BJP. Let's see what happens in Shivajinagara," he said. Gundurao added, "The words he's using shows his own standard, his background. In public life, nobody uses such words for anyone. He knows what he did with me in the last and recent elections. He has no moral right to give advice to the party." Amidst the friction in the coalition in Karnataka, chief minister HD Kumaraswamy cancelled his visit to New Delhi to meet Election Commission, along with the 21 opposition parties, over the issue of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM). Kumaraswamy had cancelled his visit after expressing concern over the vulnerability of EVMs on Monday. Karnataka has 28 parliamentary constituencies. Polling for the seven-phased Lok Sabha elections concluded on May 19. The much-awaited results of the general elections will be announced on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) TUNIS - The association Shams for the decriminalization of homosexuality in Tunisia will be allowed to legally continue its activities in the North African country, the association announced on Tuesday. The group made the announcement after an appeals court in Tunis upheld a decision issued by a court on February 23, 2016, which authorized the organization and rejected an appeal filed by the Tunisian government according to which Shams violated legislation on associations and the ''Islamic values of Tunisian society, which rejects homosexuality and prohibits such extraneous behavior''. Last week, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights sent a letter to the Tunisian government, expressing concern for its attempt to close the association Shams, saying this could threaten universal human rights values and the international Convention on civil and political rights ratified in Tunisia on March 18, 1969. Shams' history has been complicated since its creation. The official recognition of the first association protecting the rights of the LGBT community, on May 18, 2015, was immediately controversial. For some, it represented a step forward for the protection of sexual minorities while others criticized it, including the Mufti of the Republic who asked authorities to revise their decision. The Mufti said that the recognition of Shams represented a ''threat for future generations through the promotion of abhorrent and perverted behavior''. Criticism mainly came from the most conservative part of society, like some imams who considered Shams' recognition as a ''dangerous precedent for Tunisia that goes against Islamic teachings''. In January 2016, after a government appeal, judges ordered the suspension of activities for a month. On February 23, Shams obtained by an appeals court the right to operate again. Now the appeals court in Tunis has issued its final verdict on the matter. Shams has always defended citizens sentenced to jail by Tunisian courts for ''homosexuality'' and is campaigning for the abolition of article 230 of the criminal code that considers homosexuality a crime. Mumbai Congress president Milind Deora on Tuesday urged the Election Commission to take the required steps for ensuring safety and security of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the larger interest of democracy. "You are kindly requested to take the required steps for ensuring safety and security of EVM Machines in the larger interest of democracy," Deora said in a letter to the EC, showing concerns regarding the possibility of EVM tempering at various centers in Mumbai. "After the Election being held on April 29, as the President of Mumbai Regional Congress Committee, I have received very shocking feedback about the possibility of tampering with EVM machines, which are being stored at various counting centers presently. Our Congress workers those who are constantly looking after these centers from outside have informed us about suspicious movements of few persons or few vehicles around these centers," he said. Urging the EC to increase vigilance and security at the counting centres, The Mumbai Congress president said: "On behalf of Mumbai Regional Congress Committee request your good self to kindly increase the vigilance, security etc at these counting centers, so that EVM machines should not get tempered in any manner whatsoever so that exact result should reflect on the day of counting to provide free and fair result." He also requested EC to allow volunteers to remain there outside these centers for safeguarding along with the security forces deployed there. This comes in the backdrop of a delegation of 21 opposition parties, scheduled to meet EC at 3 pm on Tuesday in the capital, to press for their demand of tallying VVPAT slips with EVM figures in an entire Assembly constituency, in case a discrepancy is found in any polling booth. N Chandrababu Naidu, Ahmed Patel of Congress, Sharad Pawar of NCP, Satish Chandra Misra of BSP, Sitaram Yechury of Communist Party of India (Marxist), D Raja of Communist Party of India (CPI) and Derek O'Brien of the TMC are expected to meet the EC. Polling for seven-phased Lok Sabha elections started on April 11 and concluded on May 19. The much-awaited results of the general elections 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 United Nations on Monday said that the letter sent by North Korea over the United States' seizure of its cargo ship is under review. On May 8, the US Justice Department said it seized Wise Honest, one of North Korea's cargo ships on suspicions of transferring coal and machinery in violation of sanctions imposed on Pyongyang by Washington and the UN. The 17,061-ton bulk carrier was also intercepted by foreign maritime authorities in April last year after being loaded with coal in Nampo, North Korea, the department said in a press release. Following the ship seizure, North Korea's top envoy to the UN, Kim Song, sent a letter to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, last Friday, seeking "urgent measures" against the US' decision and criticising the move as "unlawful and outrageous". Confirming receipt of the letter, Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN chief, said the letter has been "distributed and circulated ", Yonhap reported. "We are, obviously, studying the letter as ... it relates to the issue of sanctions on the DPRK and actions taken in the implementation of those sanctions," Dujarric was quoted as saying in a press briefing in New York on Monday (local time). "The questions relating to possible sanctions evasion and Member States' implementation of Security Council resolutions are a matter for Member States to address," he added. According to North Korea's state-run newspaper Korean Central News Agency, leader Kim Jong-un is set to hold a briefing on the seizure of the ship at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday asked educational institutions to maintain high standards and foster academic excellence as the country has emerged as an attractive destination for global investors. India is poised to become a five trillion dollars economy in the next few years, he said while addressing the convocation of Great Lakes Institute of Management. Naidu said today's youngsters are joining India's growth story at a very exciting juncture. India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and has become the second largest global hub for start-ups.The Fourth Industrial Revolution is being driven by rapidly-changing technologies, he said. Professional managers will be required to manage technology-driven changes in industrial processes and practices. "Every change is potentially disruptive. You have to control and manage this disruption. So equip yourself with knowledge and upgrade your skills continuously," said Naidu. "Sustaining the culture of innovation and enterprise in a fast-changing technological environment is a challenge for management Up-skilling, re-skilling, learning and adopting the best practices are key elements for individual growth," he added. Eminent scientist and former Director General of CSIR Ramesh Mashelkar, Principal and Associate Dean of Great Lakes Institute of Management Vaidyanathan Jayaraman, senior faculty members and parents of the graduating students were present at the event. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and TDP President Nara Chandrababu Naidu and other leaders of opposition parties will hold a meeting on Tuesday over election-related issues. The meeting scheduled at Delhi's constitution club is expected to be centred around issues concerning the recently concluded general elections and the role of Election Commission of India (ECI). After the meeting, a delegation of 21 opposition parties along with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu will knock the doors of Election Commission of India (ECI), pressing their demand of tallying VVPAT slips with EVM figures in an entire Assembly constituency, in case a discrepancy is found in any polling booth. Ahmed Patel of Congress, Sharad Pawar of NCP, Satish Chandra Misra of BSP, Sitaram Yechury of Communist Party of India (Marxist), D Raja of Communist Party of India (CPI) and Derek O'Brien of the TMC are expected to meet the EC along with Naidu. Naidu is at the forefront of ongoing efforts to stitch a united opposition ahead of the May 23 elections. He had met with West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata on Monday, continuing his efforts to cobble a non-BJP coalition post-poll, notwithstanding exit poll predictions giving BJP a comfortable majority in the Lok Sabha elections. In recent past Naidu had met various leaders including Congress President Rahul Gandhi, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar and CPI (M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury. On May 18, Naidu urged the Election Commission to count votes through Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) instead of EVMs during counting for the Lok Sabha polls. On May 7, the Supreme Court turned down a review plea by 21 opposition parties seeking a direction to increase random physical verification of VVPAT from five to at least 50 per cent of EVMs. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nine members of two families were killed in a gruesome homicide by a group of masked men in Eastern Nepal's Panchthar District on Monday night. The incident was reported to the police on Tuesday morning after the locals found mutilated bodies near the murder spot. A 12-year old girl, identified as Sita Khajum survived the fatal attack but sustained severe injuries. She is undergoing treatment in Damak Municipality of Jhapa district, police said. Murari Wasti, the Chief district officer (CDO) of Panchthar, told ANI that the masked men used sharp knives to kill the families of Dhanraj Sherma and his father-in-law Bam Bahadur Phiya. District Police Office inspector Anil Paudel informed that the bodies of five members of Sherma family were found inside their house, while bodies of the four members of the Phiyak family were recovered from outside. The deceased have been identified as Dhanraj Sherma (41), Jasmita Phiyak (36), Man Kumari Phiyak (26), Iksha Sherma (6), Yobana Sherma (13), Muna Sherma (8), Bam Bahadur (74) and his wife, and Aashika Khajum Limbu (12). The investigation into the matter is underway. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar will attend the dinner being hosted by BJP president Amit Shah for NDA allies in the capital on Tuesday. Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray, LJSP chief Ram Vilas Paswan and AIADMK leaders E K Palaniswamy and O. Pannerselvam are also likelyi to be present at the dinner. With exit polls predicting BJP and allies to get a comofrtable majority in the Lok Sabha elections, Shah has invited the key leaders of Democratic Alliance and over dinner for a strategy session before the official results are declared on May 23. While the BJP and its coalition partners have said that the exit polls are showing a true picture, the Opposition parties have termed the exit polls as wrong. Elections for 543 seats in the Lok Sabha were held between April 11 and May 19. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hours after Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) sent a show cause notice to Congress MLA Roshan Baig for speaking against Congress-JDS alliance leaders, Baig said he does not bother to read the notice as it was issued at "the orders of the people whose incompetencies were highlighted by me." "I've received the show cause notice sent to me by the KPCC. I'm not even going to bother to read it because it's clearly sent at the orders of the same people whose incompetencies were highlighted by me," Baig wrote on his Twitter handle. Earlier in the day, KPCC general secretary Venkatrao Y Ghorpade sent a show cause notice to Baig over his remarks against AICC general secretary KC Venugopal, KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah. He has been asked to reply within one week. Baig, who is at loggerheads with the party leaders for not getting the ticket to contest the just-concluded Lok Sabha polls, slammed Gundurao and Siddaramaiah, saying that "these two leaders should be held responsible if the Congress doesn't perform well in the General Elections." He also called his party leader KC Venugopal a "buffoon" and blamed Siddaramaiah for the "collapse" of the alliance in the state. The Congress leader reiterated that he is upset with the fact that no seats were given to Christians and only one seat to Muslims in Karnataka. "No seats were given to Christians and only one seat was given to Muslims in Karnataka. They were ignored. I am upset about this. We have been used," he told ANI. "The arrogance of these state leaders is immeasurable. These people accuse the opposition of horse-trading without mentioning how they sold ministerial portfolios at exorbitant prices. The incumbent government is being man-handled by the state Cong leaders as well," he said. "I brought out several instances of murky ongoings with a few leaders of the high command of the party, but those leaders turned a blind eye to these ongoings. Be assured several grievances were raised by me internally before going public," Baig said. The miffed Congress MLA further stated that there are several senior leaders who are capable of running the party but were sidelined. "Leadership defines a party and I've hit out at the leaders. Unfortunately, attacks on the leadership turn into an attack on the party. There are several senior leaders who were capable of running the party but were sidelined," he said. Responding to Baig's statement, Gundurao said: "It is unbecoming of a politician of his stature to be speaking like this. It ranks of pure political opportunism. We will take the required action when the time is right." Meanwhile, Congress leader Rizwan Arshad called Baig an "opportunist" and asked him to resign from the party. "He is an opportunist. If he has guts, let him resign and contest on the BJP ticket. If the Congress is such a bad party which gave him power for the last 10 years and made him MLA for the last four terms, then let him resign and contest on the BJP ticket. Let us see what happens in Shivajinagara," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The makers of Anupam Kher starrer mystery thriller 'One Day' dropped an intriguing and tantalising trailer on Tuesday which will make you bite your nails. Sharing the trailer on his Twitter handle, Kher wrote, " Presenting the trailer of my forthcoming film One Day. Directed by Ashok Nanda. Hope you all like it." The gripping trailer starts with a phrase, "Courage has no value unless accompanied by Justice" and features Anupam Kher as a retired judge who is seen interrogating a bomb blast suspect. An enthralling series of missing people and unsolved cases calls on board a special officer from the crime branch, the role essayed by Esha Gupta. A retro-style title track also finds a place in the one-minute fifty-three-second trailer which is set to take you on a roller coaster ride. Ashok Nanda is directing the thriller which is being produced by Ketan Patel and Swati Singh. The first poster of the film was released in February by the veteran actor on his Instagram account which gave a hint that the story may revolve around a retired judge who tries solving a crime to get justice. Along with Anupam Kher and Esha Gupta, Kumud Mishra will also be seen in the upcoming film. The film is slated for a release next month on June 14. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A day after praising the Election Commission for conducting "perfect" polls, former President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday expressed concern over reports of alleged tampering of EVMs and asked the poll body to put all speculations to rest. Issuing a statement on Twitter, he said, "I am concerned at reports of alleged tampering of voters' verdict. The safety and security of EVMs which are in the custody of ECI is the responsibility of the Commission." "There can be no room for speculations that challenge the very basis of our democracy. People's mandate is sacrosanct and has to be above any iota of reasonable doubt," Mukherjee said. He said the onus on ensuring institutional integrity in this case (security of EVMs) lay with the Election Commission of India (ECI). "They must do so and put all speculations to rest." The former President said as a firm believer in the country's institutions, it was his considered opinion that it is the workmen who decide how the institutional tools perform. His statement came a day after Mukherjee praised the role of the poll panel right from the first Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sukumar Sen to the present Commissioners but favoured a different method of choosing the Commissioners. Speaking at a book launch function here, he said: "There is some doubt about the functioning of the Election Commission during these elections. There should be a different method of choosing the members of the Commission. There may be some viewpoints." "If we want to strengthen institutions, we have to keep in mind institutions, which are serving well in the country. If democracy has succeeded, it has succeeded largely due to perfect conduct of elections by the Election Commissioner started from Sukumar Sen in 1951 to the present EC Commissioners," he said. The former President further said that Indian electorates have never lost confidence in elections. The opposition parties have attacked the Election Commission, accusing it of working at the behest of the Central government and surrendering its autonomy during the just concluded Lok Sabha polls. They have also criticised the poll panel for giving a number of clean chits to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah on alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). One of the Election Commissioners, Ashok Lavasa even boycotted the full commission meetings protesting against the non-recording of his dissent on the clean chits to Modi and Shah. There have been demands for making a collegium to select the Election Commissioners instead of the government appointing them. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Tuesday slammed the opposition parties over their allegations on EVM discrepancies, saying it amounted to insulting the vote of the people. "People who are questioning EVMs are those who formed the government by this system. Congress also formed its government by EVMs. The problem is that these people have realised that they are loosing and hence they are making such wild claims. They are insulting the vote of the people by blaming EVMs," Naqvi told ANI. Later today, 21 opposition parties will knock the doors of Election Commission (EC), pressing their demand of tallying VVPAT slips with EVM figures in an entire constituency, in case a discrepancy is found at any polling booth. The Opposition is currently holding a meeting at Delhi's Constitution Club of India before visiting the EC office. Ahmed Patel of Congress, Sharad Pawar of NCP, Chandrababu Naidu of TDP, Satish Chandra Misra of BSP, Sitaram Yechury of Communist Party of India (Marxist), D Raja of Communist Party of India (CPI) and Derek O'Brien of the TMC are expected to meet the officials of the poll commission. Naidu is at the forefront of ongoing efforts to stitch a united opposition ahead of the Lok Sabha election results on May 23. Backing former President Pranab Mukherjee's remarks on Election Commission, the Union Minister said, "The Opposition should learn something from Pranab Mukherjee. I absolutely agree with what he said." Amidst controversy over EC's functioning in the current elections, Mukherjee on Monday praised the role of the poll panel right from the first Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sukumar Sen to the present Commissioners. "There is some doubt about the functioning of the Election Commission during these elections. There should be a different method of choosing the members of the Commission. There may be some viewpoints," he had said at a book launch event in New Delhi. "Sukumar Sen was appointed by the executive. All the Election Commissioners have been appointed by the executives till date. All the judges of the higher judiciary are appointed by the Prime Minister and Law Minister. Till 1991, they were appointed with the consultation of the Chief Justice of Supreme Court. Now the judgment of the Supreme Court has been changed that it will be done by the collegium in consultation with the Prime Minister and Cabinet...," he had said. The opposition parties have attacked the EC, accusing it of working at the behest of the Central government and surrendering its autonomy during the just concluded Lok Sabha polls. They have also criticised the poll panel for giving a number of clean chits to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah on alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Kishan ration shop, an initiative taken by the Kishan Research and Development Centre, is helping the locals here to save money by selling fresh farm products at a fixed price and other grocery items at a subsidized rate, similarly like cooperative department stores. It is worth noticing that these shops sell farm produce acquired directly from the farmers at a price profitable to them and also beneficial to the buyers. It sells products such as rice, wheat, pulses, spices, vegetables, and dairy products. Besides, it also has consumer durables like coffee powder, tea leaves, tea powder, and even soaps. "Earlier I used to buy products from the grocery shop outside my house at a higher price. But buying things from Kishan ration shops has helped me to save money. Besides saving money, the quality of the products are also good as they are directly coming from the farmers, " said Meenakshi, a customer. In order to buy the products at a minimal rate, the customers visiting the shop need to carry their anyone their identity proof documents such as Ration card, or Aadhaar card and avail discounts of as much as 90 per cent on some products. "We offer subsidies on many products. This concept of buying directly taking supply from the farmers and selling it to people is profitable for all us. We make a card of the shop after the customers show their identity card. This is a good place to buy products at a controlled rate," the shopkeeper said. Kishan Research and Development Center is an organisation promoted under (KKF) Khadyota Kishan foundation approved by Government of India. The aim of these shops is to develop the economic level of the farmers and to get the right price for the agricultural and manufacturing products. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shiv Sena on Tuesday took a jibe at the Congress and said that the party will prove to be a strong Opposition in the Parliament as its president Rahul Gandhi and leader Priyanka Gandhi have worked hard in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. "We do not want to go by exit polls, but looking at the enthusiasm of the people, the trend and the mandate of Maharashtra has become clear. There is no need for a priest to say that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government will again come to power in 2019," Shiv Sena said in its mouthpiece 'Saamana'. "Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi have definitely worked hard... They will be successful as a strong opposition. In 2014, their party did not have enough number of MPs to get the post of opposition in the Lok Sabha. This time the Leader of Opposition will be from Congress party, this should be termed as Rahul Gandhi's success," the party added. The exit polls on television channels on Monday projected that the BJP-led Democratic Alliance (NDA) will retain power at the Centre again. Most of the pollsters gave Prime Minister Narendra Modi a clear majority in the 543-member Lok Sabha. Polling for seven-phased Lok Sabha elections started on April 11 and concluded on May 19. The much-awaited results of the general elections will be announced on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, MoS Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday condemned the attack on Arunachal's MLA Tirong Aboh and his family by suspected NSCN terrorists near Bogapani area in Tirap district. Taking to Twitter, the Union Home Minister expressed condolences and said that the perpetrators of attack will not be spared. "Shocked and anguished by the killing of MLA Tirong Aboh ji, his family & others in Arunachal Pradesh. It is an outrageous attempt to disturb peace and normalcy in the North East. The perpetrators of this heinous crime will not be spared. My condolences to the bereaved families," he tweeted. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said that the action will be initiated against the accused of the attack. "Extremely shocked by unfortunate incident of killing of Khonsa MLA Tirong Aboh along with several others by insurgents. Strongly condemn this barbarous act. Action will be initiated to hunt down the perpetrators. My heartfelt condolence and may soul of those departed Rest In Peace," he tweeted. Rijiju, who is also a Lok Sabha MP from Arunachal West tweeted, "I'm shocked and saddened by the brutal attack and tragic killing of MLA Shri Tirong Aboh of Arunachal Pradesh, his family including 11 people. Strongest possible action will be taken against those responsible for such dastardly attack." On Tuesday, 11 people, including sitting People's Party (NPP) MLA Tirong Aboh and his son were killed when his convoy was ambushed by suspected NSCN terrorists in Bogapani area in Arunachal's Tirap district. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Businessman and Congress president Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law Robert Vadra, accused in a money laundering case, on Tuesday moved a special CBI court seeking permission to travel abroad. Special Judge Arvind Kumar will hear the arguments on Friday. A lawyer from the legal team of KTS Tulsi, the counsel of Vadra, requested the Special Judge to ensure the confidentiality of the businessman's itinerary over security concerns. The court had, last month, granted anticipatory bail to Vadra on a personal bond of Rs 5 lakh and asked him to not to leave the country without seeking its prior permission. "Truth and justice have prevailed," Vadra had said after securing the bail on April 1. Special Judge Arvind Kumar had also directed him to join the investigation when called by the authorities. "The accused shall not tamper with evidence or influence witnesses," the court had said. In a previous hearing in March, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had sought custodial interrogation of Vadra in connection with the money laundering case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Normal services on Delhi Metro's Yellow Line from Samaypur Badli to HUDA City Centre were disrupted on Tuesday due to a technical glitch, affecting thousands of passengers. The train services, because of the technical issue, are running in two loops -- between HUDA City Centre and Sultanpur and between Samaypur Badli and Qutub Minar, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) informed on their Twitter handle. "There will be no train movement between Sultanpur & Qutub Minar & we will update when the issue is rectified," read another tweet. The DMRC informed that repair work was initiated between Qutub Minar and Chhattarpur stations. The passengers of two trains between the two stations have been evacuated, the authorities said. Later, the metro officials said that two maintenance teams rectified the issue on an urgent basis. Movement of trains, however, has been partially normalised between Qutub Minar and Chhatarpur stations on a single line. "Train movement partially normalised between Qutub Minar and Chhattarpur. Single line operational at the moment. We will keep you updated," it said in a tweet. The Yellow Line is one of the busiest lines in the Delhi Metro network, ferrying thousands of passengers from Delhi to neighbouring Gurgaon in Haryana. The route measures almost 49 km and has a total of 37 stations. It connects Samaypur Badli in north Delhi to HUDA City Centre in Gurugram. The stretch connects prominent areas such as Delhi University, New Delhi and Old Delhi Railway Stations, INA Market, AIIMS and Hauz Khas. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Giving a glimpse of what went into the creation of Salman Khan starrer 'Bharat', the makers of the film shared behind the scene video that shows intricate details the team looked into while creating the partition scene and refugee camps in the movie. Keeping the audience on their toes, director of 'Bharat' Ali Abbas Zafar, has yet again shared a video and wrote, "Experience the magnificence of the 1940s with Bharat!" The short clip starts Pt Jawaharlal Nehru iconic speech 'Tryst with Destiny': "At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom"; featuring the period of the partition of India in 1947. Revealing the details that were considered while creating the period, Zafar said, " Whenever you try to attempt something which is that magnanimous and historical. You need to be careful to do it with a sensible eye. So we got a lot of picture references of that time and frame in our research work." The production designer, Rajnish Hedao added: "The film starts from the partition. So, we have created train, engine, and station into a 1947 era. And at the same time, we did Bharat houses from 1947 in Punjab villages. From there the story goes to refugee camps in India in Purana Qila. It was really interesting to show different backdrops in terms of architecture, culture, heritage, and vehicle. To shoot the partition scene, Zafar zeroed a location, "It is in the interior and only one train passes through there. It is right on the border of Pakistan and India," he said. The team took the utmost care to make the scene as real as possible and for this, the production team saw the footage of the train used in the partition to re-create trains that look as real as possible. Atul Agnihotri, the producer of the film, said, "There was a lot of detailing that went into creating the station and the trains. The station floor was made in bricks." Not just the sites but costumes also were made after a lot of research. Alvira Agnihotri, Fashion Designer, said, "A lot of research has gone in costumes. We used to see a lot of family pictures to see what kind of clothes people used to wear those days. "What train master, Jackie Shroff, is wearing that is the actual uniform worn at that time," added Lovleen Bains, Costume Designer. To create the partition sequence a whole section of the refugee camp was created in Tughlakabad Fort. Sharing his feeling about partition, Jackie Shroff, who plays Salman's father said, "Partition is not good. When I played a trainmaster in 'Bharat', I came to know what must have happened. I have heard and read about it but I felt it when I did 'Bharat'. Helmed by Zafar, the film is produced by Atul Agnihotri, Bhushan Kumar, and Krishan Kumar. Apart from Salman Khan, Jackie Shroff, the film also stars Katrina Kaif and who plays the female protagonist in the film. The cast list also includes Sunil Grover, Nora Fatehi, Disha Patani and Tabu in pivotal roles. cast list includes 'Bharat' is scheduled to release on June 5. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tech Mahindra, a leading provider of digital transformation, consulting and business re-engineering services and solutions, on Tuesday, announced its biggest defence order worth Rs 300 crores to enable digital transformation for the Indian Navy. As part of the 'Armed Forces Secure Access Card' (AFSAC) Project, Tech Mahindra will implement RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) based Access Control System across all naval bases and ships. The new AFSAC Card will replace the existing paper-based identity card for all Navy personnel including dependents and ex-servicemen. Using the CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integration) level 5 processes, Tech Mahindra will develop a secure application to manage the access control devices, network devices and the AFSAC Card through a Data Centre. Scheduled to be implemented over the next two years, the project will ensure smooth issuance, handling, administration, management and life-cycle support of AFSAC Cards on turnkey basis. Sujit Baksi, President, India Business and Corporate Affairs, Tech Mahindra, said, "It is an incredible feat for us to work with the Indian Navy on this project to enhance our defence security systems. "Tech Mahindra has shown renewed focus in the India market with key wins in the recent past like - Coal India, India Ports Association, Kanpur Smart City, to name a few. This order further cements our role as one of the leading system integrators globally. With our proven expertise in tech enablement and digital transformation, we look forward to collaborating with the Indian Navy in ramping up the security infrastructure," he said. Commodore Atul Kumar, Project Director, Indian Navy said the Navy looks forward to collaborating with Tech Mahindra on the "path-breaking endeavour." "The security of Indian Naval establishments against unauthorized access, is a thrust area and the AFSAC Project will be an important step towards achieving this aim; with a combination of cutting-edge technology and professional execution. We look forward to collaborating with Tech Mahindra in this path-breaking endeavour," Kumar said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Terrorists on Tuesday evening hurled grenade at a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) post situated at State Bank of India (SBI) in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. No loss of life or injury has been reported yet. On May 18, three terrorists affiliated with proscribed terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen were killed in an encounter in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir police had said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday rejected speculation of BJP forming a government in Karnataka. The senior Congress leaders also snubbed claims made by BJP state chief Yeddyurappa, that over 20 MLAs will leave Congress after Lok Sabha poll results. "They always keep dreaming. They were given a chance to form the government (in Karnataka). They were given a chance to prove majority on the floor which they could not do," Kharge told ANI here. Yeddyurappa last week claimed that more than 20 "unhappy" Congress legislators will desert the grand old party after the declaration of general election results. Earlier, Congress leader KC Venugopal had also claimed that many BJP MLAs will join his party after May 23. Amid the widening rift between the Congress-JDS alliance and ongoing mudslinging between coalition leaders, Kharge said that there was no danger to the Karnataka government and asserted the unity of the ruling alliance. Kharge said, "First no one wants to go to polls and, second, the alliance is united." Contrary to Khadge's claims, state Congress leader Roshan Baig blamed his colleague KC Venugopal for the "collapse" of the coalition, calling the latter a "buffoon". He also alleged that portfolios of the state government were "sold". Baig, who is at loggerheads with the Congress party after not getting a ticket to contest the just-concluded Lok Sabha polls, said that state president Dinesh Gundurao and Siddaramaiah should be held responsible if Congress doesn't perform well in the general elections. Deputy CM G Parmeshwara hit back at Baig and said that it was his personal opinion. Congress president Rahul Gandhi has already warned states leader not make statements against the coalition. In February, Congress alleged that Yeddyurappa had offered around Rs 200 crore to 18 of its MLAs in an attempt to destabilise the ruling coalition government. In the 224-member state Assembly, JD(S) has 37 MLAs and its coalition partner has 80. It has the support of some Independents in the House where the majority figure is 113. The Bharatiya Janata Party' number in the Assembly stands at 104. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday told his ministerial colleagues that this Lok Sabha election was like a pilgrimage for him, Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar informed the media persons after the meeting. Quoting Prime Minister Modi, Tomar said: "Prime Minister Modi said that he has seen many elections but this election's campaign did not seem like a campaign. He said it was like a pilgrimage for him." "Terming the completion of the NDA government's tenure as a successful experiment, PM Modi said the alliance should be further strengthened," Union Minister Tomar said further. Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday had a meeting with the members of his Council of Ministers and congratulated them for successfully working as a team for the last five years. The 2-hour long meeting was attended by all the ministers, who on their part congratulated Modi for the development works that the government did in the last five years under his leadership. Fully confident to return to power, Union Minister and SAD leader Harsimrat Kaur said: "We are 110 per cent forming the next government. The opposition is staring at their defeat." On the allegations about drawbacks in electronic voting machines (EVMs), Kaur said: "When they won the Assembly polls in three states, EVMs were good for them but when the exit polls have shown their defeat, they have started blaming EVMs." Seeking apologies for their baseless allegations against Modi, Giriraj Singh said: "Opposition parties should apologise to the public for their baseless allegations. They have won elections when it was conducted by EVMs in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Delhi." Predicting more than 300 seats for BJP and 350 plus for the NDA, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan said: "Scared of defeat, the opposition parties indulged in violence and bloodshed. They are not able to digest the defeat." Union Minister and LJP president Ram Vilas Paswan also thanked Prime Minister Modi for running a strong government at the Centre for five years. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will attend the dinner hosted by Amit Shah for NDA allies in the capital on Tuesday. Other leaders like Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar and Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan will also be present for the dinner. With exit polls predicting NDA to get a comfortable majority in the Lok Sabha elections, Shah has invited the key leaders of the BJP-led alliance for dinner to chalk out a strategy session before the votes are counted on May 23. While the BJP and its coalition partners have said that the exit polls are showing a true picture, the Opposition parties have termed it as wrong and inaccurate. Elections for 542 Lok Sabha seats were held between April 11 and May 19. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United Nations on Monday announced that it will honour the "brave and selfless" action of a late UN peacekeeper from Mali, who sacrificed his life while saving his fellow comrade during an operation against a local armed group last year. In a statement, the UN said late Malawian soldier Chancy Chitete will be honoured with the UN's highest peacekeeping award by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the UN headquarters in New York on Friday 24. Chitete, of Mali, was killed in November last year during an operation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to combat the ADF, an armed force that had been terrorising civilians and disrupting the UN's ongoing efforts to treat, and halt, the spread of the deadly Ebola virus. Whilst fighting alongside other Malawian and Tanzanian peacekeepers attached to the UN Mission in DRC (MONUSCO), Chitete and his colleagues came under heavy fire. He and his team fought back, allowing other troops to tactically withdraw, the statement said. Seeing a badly-injured Tanzanian peacekeeper, Corporal Ali Khamis Omary, pinned down and exposed to enemy fire, Chitete dragged him to safety and administered first-aid: whilst doing so, he was shot and killed. Chitete's heroism and sacrifice helped the peacekeepers to achieve their objective of dislodging the ADF forces from their stronghold and saved the life of Corporal Omary, it added. "The remarkable actions of Private Chitete helped protect many lives, both civilian and military," UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix said. "His sacrifice underscores the dangers our peacekeepers face every day while executing their vital protection tasks in some of the world's most challenging environments. Private Chitete remains an inspiration to us all and we are proud to honour his memory and commemorate his brave and selfless action," Lacroix added. The award, officially named the "Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage," which was established in 2014 for uniformed and civilian personnel who meet the criteria, is named after the late UN peacekeeper Captain Diagne, who saved hundreds of lives in Rwanda in 1994, before being killed. Despite the nomination of several peacekeepers for exceptional service over the past four years, the awarding of the Medal to Private Chitite will mark the first time the actions of a UN peacekeeper have been found to meet the standard set by Captain Diagne. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United States on Monday announced temporary ease of restrictions to American companies using products of Chinese tech giant Huawei that was deemed as a threat to the national security by Washington. The announcement was made by the US Commerce Department in order to help American companies do business with Huawei, CNN reported. Last Wednesday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order barring US firms from using telecommunication equipment from sources that the administration deemed as national security threats. The decision was undertaken amid an escalating trade war situation between China and the United States. White House officials earlier declined to identify China and Huawei as the intended target of the executive order. However, shortly after the order was issued, the US Commerce Department formally added Huawei to the list of companies the US government considers to be undermining American interests. By adding Huawei to the so-called Entity List, the Trump administration ensures Huawei will be covered by the new executive order. Although Huawei does not do much business in the United States, the company is the sole provider of networking equipment to many rural American internet providers, who further said that it will take time -- or may be impossible -- to replace their Huawei technology with a rival's. The department issued a temporary general license, effective for 90 days that lets Huawei buy US goods to maintain existing networks and continue providing wireless services. The company is still banned from buying US equipment to make new products. "The Temporary General License grants operators time to make other arrangements and the Department space to determine the appropriate long term measures for Americans and foreign telecommunications providers that currently rely on Huawei equipment for critical services," Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said in a statement. Meanwhile, Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei earlier in the day said that the US temporary license didn't "make much sense," reiterating that the company was prepared for disruptions to its supply chain. "We shall not narrow-mindedly exclude US chips. We shall grow together. But when there is a supply shortage, we have a backup," he said in an interview with Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. The United States many times has publicly asked its allies to steer clear of using Huawei products over concerns that the equipment could be used by the Chinese government to obtain private information. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vice Admiral Bimal Verma on Tuesday filed a fresh petition in the Armed Forces Tribunal seeking quashing of the government orders for designating Vice Admiral Karambir Singh as next Navy Chief and the last week rejection of his statutory complaint by the Defence Ministry. In his plea, Vice Admiral Verma has contended that the tribunal should call for the service records of both -- him and Vice Admiral KB Singh -- and see if any "extraneous or irrelevant considerations" were placed before the competent authority to reject his case while the Navy Chief appointment was being made. The tribunal is expected to hear the plea on Wednesday. "Quash the Defence Ministry order by which the Vice Admiral's statutory complaint has been quashed on grounds that are extraneous, vague and unsubstantiated...quash the March 23 order by which Vice Admiral Karambir Singh has been appointed Chief of Naval Staff in place of the applicant (Vice Admiral Verma)," the fresh plea filed by Vice Admiral Verma said. After the Defence Ministry rejected Verma's statutory complaint, his lawyer Ankur Chhibber had told ANI that "as per law we would be withdrawing the present petition with liberty to challenge the order issued by the government and request the tribunal to hear the matter before the new chief takes over." The first plea was filed by Verma on April 10. While rejecting his plea, Defence Ministry's Joint Secretary (Navy) Richa Mishra had clarified that though seniority is an important criterion while appointing services chiefs but it is not the "sole" criterion and has been dispersed within the past too while appointing Navy chiefs. "The Central government after careful examination of the matter is of the opinion that this statutory petition dated 10th April 2019 from Vice Admiral Bimal Kumar Verma regarding his non-selection as the chief of naval staff is devoid of merit and be rejected," the Defence Ministry had said while rejecting the officer's plea. The Defence Ministry also made it clear that being the seniormost officer, Vice Admiral Verma was also considered for the appointment to the post of Navy Chief but was "found unsuitable to the tenant the appointment of the Chief of Naval Staff." "Upon examination, the Central government is satisfied that the parameters for selection as evident from consistent practice were applied uniformly to all the officers in the zone of consideration and based on the assessment, Vice Admiral Bimal Kumar Verma being the senior most eligible officer was considered and found unsuitable to tenant the appointment of Chief of naval staff." "The Central government is also satisfied that no unsubstantiated frivolous, extraneous or irrelevant consideration has had a bearing on this said selection," Richa Mishra had said in her order rejecting the officer's plea. After the government overlooked him in appointing Navy Chief and designated Vice Admiral Karambir Singh as the next Navy chief, Verma who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command, approached the Armed Forces Tribunal. The government last month named Vice Admiral Karambir Singh as next chief of the naval staff, succeeding Admiral Sunil Lanba who retires on May 31. While appointing the Army Chief in 2016, the Central government did not follow the seniority criteria. In the order, Defence Ministry also mentioned that the officer was not considered for being awarded the Param Vishisht Sewa Medal and was also not given the command of either the Eastern or the Western commands. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Vivek Oberoi on Tuesday apologised for his tweet featuring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and deleted it later. On Monday, Vivek had tweeted a collage of three images featuring him, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, her husband Abhishek Bachchan, their daughter Aaradhya and superstar Salman Khan. The post referred to Salman and Aishwarya's relationship as the 'opinion poll', Vivek and Aishwarya's affair as the 'exit poll' and her current family with husband Abhishek and daughter Aaradhya as the 'final result.' "Sometimes what appears to be funny and harmless at first glance to one, may not be so to others. I have spent the last 10 years empowering more than 2000 underprivileged girls, I can't even think of being disrespectful to any woman ever," Vivek tweeted on Tuesday. "Even if one woman is offended by my reply to the meme, it calls for remedial action. Apologies. Tweet deleted," he added. While talking to ANI on Monday, Vivek had said that he doesn't see anything offensive in his tweet and will not apologise since he has not done anything "wrong." "Those who are in the meme have no objection while scores of politicians are trying to politicise the issue. They don't work on issues but start their politics on such non-issues. There is a 'Didi' in West Bengal who puts people behind jail for a meme. Now, these people are demanding to put Vivek Oberoi behind bars. They were unable to stop my film and hence are now are trying to put me behind bars," Vivek said. Refusing to tender apologies, Oberoi added: "People are asking me to apologise. I have no problem in apologising, but tell me what wrong have I done. If I have done something wrong, I will apologise. I don't think I have done anything wrong. What's wrong in it? Somebody tweeted a meme and I laughed at it." The Commission for Women (NCW) had later issued a notice to actor Oberoi demanding explanation over his tweet on the exit polls. Rekha Sharma, NCW chairperson, said "We would like him (Vivek Oberoi) to apologise on social media and personally also to the person concerned. If he doesn't do so, we will see what legal action we can take against him. We will be talking to Twitter to remove that tweet immediately. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least five BJP workers were injured on Monday night after they were attacked by alleged All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers in Sitai, Cooch Behar. Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal were marred with instances of violence, despite the presence of central security forces, with both BJP and TMC accusing each other of rigging, interfering in polling booths and threatening each other cadres. During voting for the sixth round of polls on May 12, a scuffle broke out between TMC and the BJP workers at a polling booth number 254 in Bankura after the BJP alleged rigging. Police had to interfere in order to disperse the two groups who were on the verge of clashing. West Bengal voted across all the seven phases of polls, with all the rounds witnessing violence with TMC and BJP trading blame over the issue. . (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is expected to discuss pressing issues, including the threat of terrorism and security of Afghanistan, as she embarked on Tuesday on a two-day visit to Kyrgyzstan capital Bishkek to represent India in the meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). The May 21-22 meeting of Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) will exchange views on topical issues of international and regional importance, besides reviewing the preparation for the SCO Summit in Bishkek from June 13-14, the ministry of external affairs said in a statement. "India actively took part in various SCO dialogue mechanisms under the Chairmanship of the Kyrgyz Republic over the past year," the MEA added. Last month, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attended the SCO Defence Ministers' conclave in Bishkek to further boost defence and security cooperation among the member countries in the wake of evolving security challenges in the region. In addition, Swaraj's Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi will also attend the meeting. However, it is not certain whether there will be any kind of engagement between the two leaders. Experts believe that the SCO meet could provide an opportunity to India and Pakistan to explore the possibility of bilateral engagement. Along with India, Pakistan was also granted SCO membership in 2017. The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United States and South Korea are working in various ways to resume denuclearisation negotiations with North Korea, said South Korean Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul on Tuesday. "The overall situation shows that we are facing a lull, but I think you should know that we are working in various ways to resume negotiations. South Korea and the US are also sharing the need for keeping the situation under control," he said during a briefing here. Kim also outlined the importance of providing humanitarian aid to North Korea. "A hungry child knows no politics," he said while quoting former US President Ronald Reagan, according to Yonhap News Agency. The South Korean official's comment comes as talks regarding denuclearisation have been stalled between the United States and North Korea following the second summit between the two states, which ended abruptly in Vietnam in February earlier this year. The two sides reportedly failed to resolve their differences on sanctions relief, which led to the summit ending earlier than scheduled. In fact, no joint agreement was issued following the talks. Meanwhile, South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday highlighted that the "firmness" of the US-South Korea relationship showed in their response to North Korea's recent projectiles launches. The launches are largely being perceived as a sign of frustration on part of the reclusive state, which has been demanding sanctions relief in exchange for the steps it has taken towards denuclearisation. The United States, meanwhile, has stood firm in its stance of only providing sanctions waivers once complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula is achieved. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Houthi rebels launched a bomb-laden drone targeting an airport in a city in southwestern Saudi Arabia located near the border with Yemen, the Iran-backed militia said on its news channel early Tuesday. The Houthi's Al Masirah satellite news channel said they targeted the airport in Najran city with a Qasef-2K drone, and attacked an "arms depot" inside the airport. Gulf News reported that the authorities are yet to reveal the number of people wounded in the drone attack. Saudi-led Coalition spokesperson Colonel Turki Al Maliki was quoted as saying that there would be a "strong deterrent" to such attacks and described the Houthis as the "terrorist militias of Iran." Last week, the Houthis launched a coordinated drone attack on a Saudi oil pipeline amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States. The New York Times last year reported that American intelligence analysts were based in Najran to assist the Saudis in their coalition-led airstrikes against the Houthis. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Headline indices of the Mainland China equity market closed higher on Tuesday, 21 May 2019, as tension between US and China temporary reprieved today after US officials said it would grant 90-day reprieve from penalties to Huawei and its subsidiaries. At closing bell, the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index advanced 1.23%, or 35.37 points, to 2,905.97. The Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, added 1.77%, or 26.96 points, to 1,548.68. The blue-chip CSI300 index rose 1.35%, or 48.99 points, to 3,666.78. The U. S. granted limited relief for consumers and carriers using Huawei Technologies, a day after the White House's moves against the Chinese telecom giant battered stocks. The U. S. government on Monday allowed Huawei Technologies Co Ltd to purchase American-made goods in order to maintain existing networks and provide software updates to existing Huawei handsets until Aug. 19. The U. S. Commerce Department allowed Huawei Technologies to purchase American-made goods in order to maintain existing networks and provide software updates to existing Huawei handsets. The company is still prohibited from buying American parts and components to manufacture new products without license approvals that likely will be denied. The new authorization is intended to give telecommunications providers that rely on Huawei equipment time to make other arrangements, U. S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said in a statement. The authorization, which is in effect for 90 days, suggests changes to Huawei's upply chain may have immediate, far-reaching and unintended consequences for its customers. The U. S. move eased some worries that Sino-U. S. trade tensions would be further inflamed and inflict deeper losses on the Chinese currency. Earlier, Alphabet's Google suspended business with Huawei that involves transferring hardware, software and other technical services. The U. S. search giant's decision followed U. S. President Donald Trump's administration adding Huawei to a list that required U. S. companies get a license to do business with the Chinese company. Bloomberg News also reported that companies like Intel, Qualcomm and Broadcom will not supply Huawei until further notice. CURRENCY NEWS: China's yuan strengthened against the U. S. dollar on Tuesday, as China's central bank set firmer midpoint fixing and Washington temporarily eased restrictions on Huawei. In the spot market, onshore yuan opened at 6.9094 per dollar and was changing hands at 6.9024 at midday, 109 pips firmer than the previous late session close and 0.05 percent softer than the midpoint. The yuan has dropped around 2.5 percent since U. S. President Donald Trump said on 5 May 2019 he was going to raise tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese imports. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Domestic stocks dropped in volatile session of trade led by slide in HDFC Bank, Infosys and ICICI Bank. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, lost 382.87 points or 0.97% at 38,969.80. The Nifty 50 index lost 119.15 points or 1.01% at 11,709.10. Profit booking emerged after domestic stocks logged strong gains yesterday, 20 May 2019 to settle at record high after most exit polls forecast a majority for the ruling BJP-led NDA in Lok Sabha polls. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, surged 1,421.90 points or 3.75% at 39,352.67 and the Nifty 50 index surged 421.10 points or 3.69% at 11,828.25. The 2019 polls, held from April 11 to May 19, will decide which party presides over the 17th Lok Sabha. Elections were held for 542 seats. A party or coalition needs 272 seats in parliament to form a government. The counting of votes is slated for May 23. Coming back to today's trade, local stocks nudged higher in early trade on buying demand in index pivotals with the Sensex and the Nifty, both, scaling record high. A bout of volatility was seen in morning trade as stocks regained strength soon after trimming gains. Stocks hovered in positive zone in mid-morning trade. Stocks trimmed gains in early afternoon trade. Volatility ruled the roost as the key indices erased intraday gains to sink in negative zone in afternoon trade. Key indices extended losses in mid-afternoon trade. Indices dropped to day's low in late trade on fresh selling in index pivotals, with the Sensex sliding below 39,000 level. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index fell 0.84%. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index fell 0.61%. The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was weak. On the BSE, 975 shares rose and 1579 shares fell. A total of 158 shares were unchanged. Maruti Suzuki India (down 3.25%), IndusInd Bank (down 3.02%), M&M (down 2.61%), Bharti Airtel (down 2.6%) and Power Grid Corporation of India (down 2.13%) edged lower from the Sensex pack. Index heavyweight Reliance Industries rose 1.08% to Rs 1,339.75 Tata Motors lost 7.05% after consolidated net profit dropped 47.42% to Rs 1117.48 crore on 4.28% fall in total income to Rs 87718.69 crore in Q4 March 2019 over Q4 March 2018. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 20 May 2019. N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Motors said the company's domestic business delivered a resilient performance in the face of challenging market conditions. The company has continued to step up pace of innovation, improved market shares as well as profitability. In JLR, the company is continuing to face challenges in China which are addressing on priority. Overseas, European shares were trading higher while most Asian shares ended higher after the United States temporarily eased restrictions on China's Huawei, easing trade tensions. The U.S. Commerce Department said it would allow Huawei Technologies to purchase American-made goods. US stocks fell on Monday as the White House's restrictions on Chinese telecoms equipment maker Huawei Technologies Co weighed on the technology sector and raised concerns that the move would further inflame trade tensions between the United States and China. 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 extended losses in mid-afternoon trade on fresh selling in index pivotals. At 14:28 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was down 253.26 points or 0.64% at 39,099.41. The Nifty 50 index was down 75.15 points or 0.64% at 11,753.10. Local stocks nudged higher in early trade on buying demand in index pivotals with the Sensex and the Nifty, both, scaling record high. A bout of volatility was seen in morning trade as stocks regained strength soon after trimming gains. Stocks hovered in positive zone in mid-morning trade. Local stocks trimmed gains in early afternoon trade. Volatility ruled the roost as the key indices erased intraday gains to sink in negative zone in afternoon trade. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index was off 0.8%. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index was off 0.65%. The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was weak. On the BSE, 864 shares rose and 1612 shares fell. A total of 142 shares were unchanged. IndusInd Bank (down 2.83%), M&M (down 2.48%), Yes Bank (down 2.3%), Maruti Suzuki India (down 2.22%) and ICICI Bank (down 2.16%) edged lower from the Sensex pack. Index heavyweight Reliance Industries rose 0.85% to Rs 1,336.75 Tata Motors lost 7.71% after consolidated net profit dropped 47.42% to Rs 1117.48 crore on 4.28% fall in total income to Rs 87718.69 crore in Q4 March 2019 over Q4 March 2018. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 20 May 2019. N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Motors said the company's domestic business delivered a resilient performance in the face of challenging market conditions. The company has continued to step up pace of innovation, improved market shares as well as profitability. In JLR, the company is continuing to face challenges in China which are addressing on priority. Overseas, European shares were trading higher while most Asian shares rose after the United States temporarily eased restrictions on China's Huawei, easing trade tensions. The U.S. Commerce Department said it would allow Huawei Technologies to purchase American-made goods. US stocks fell on Monday as the White House's restrictions on Chinese telecoms equipment maker Huawei Technologies Co weighed on the technology sector and raised concerns that the move would further inflame trade tensions between the United States and China. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Board decides to create a specialised supervisory and regulatory cadre within the RBI The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) Central Board met today in Chennai under the Chairmanship of Shaktikanta Das, Governor, Reserve Bank of India. This was the 576th meeting of the Central Board. The Board reviewed the current economic situation, global and domestic challenges and various areas of operations of the Reserve Bank. Among other important matters, the Board discussed the Medium Term Strategy document, covering, inter-alia, the Mission Statement and the Vision Statement. The Board also reviewed the present structure of supervision in RBI in the context of the growing diversity, complexities and interconnectedness within the Indian financial sector. With a view to strengthening the supervision and regulation of commercial banks, urban cooperative banks and Non-Banking Financial Companies, the Board decided to create a specialised supervisory and regulatory cadre within the RBI. Other matters discussed by the Board included, inter-alia, issues related to the Currency Management and Banker to Government functions of the RBI. Deputy Governors N. S. Vishwanathan, Dr. Viral V. Acharya, B. P. Kanungo and Mahesh Kumar Jain of the Reserve Bank of India, and other Directors of the Central Board of the Reserve Bank - Bharat Doshi, Sudhir Mankad, Manish Sabharwal, Satish Marathe, Swaminathan Gurumurthy, Revathy Iyer and Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi, attended the meeting. The Government Directors Subhash Chandra Garg, Finance Secretary and Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs and Rajiv Kumar, Secretary, Department of Financial Services also attended the meeting. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amazon Studios has returned the domestic rights to film "A Rainy Day in New York" back to its director and producer Woody Allen. Amazon Studios had shelved the film indefinitely after allegations of sexual abuse against Allen grabbed attention in the wake of the #MeToo movement. Now, Amazon has returned the rights to Allen, reports variety.com. Allen caused widespread confusion last week when he released a trailer for his Elle Fanning and Timothee Chalamet-starring drama on his Facebook page, saying it was "coming soon". The film had been stuck in the mire of litigation with his former creative partners at Amazon, but Allen is now free to proceed with any domestic release elsewhere as he sees fit, said a source close to the project. "A Rainy Day in New York" already has international distribution commitments from France's Contracorriente Films (September 18), Italy's Lucky Red (October 3) and Germany's Filmwelt/NFP (this year). Germany was pre-sold in 2017 by FilmNation and Allen's Gravier Productions secured France and Italy, and will handle sales in the rest of the world and now the US. The film recently screened for at least one American indie distributor as a prospective acquisition, but another source close to the project said the showing was done as a "professional courtesy" rather than an earnest business proposition. Which American company will now possibly step up to release the film? Allen and Amazon are locked in a legal battle regarding his overall deal, a reported $80 million multi-project agreement, which stalled when misconduct accusations against the director resurfaced in the #MeToo era. "The return of the film rights does not impact the current legal battle," another source said told variety.com. "This is death, publicity-wise," said one top film distribution chief on potentially acquiring the movie. While Allen has long been public about what he calls "25-year-old baseless" accusations of sexual abuse from his daughter Dylan Farrow, the #MeToo movement has galvanised Hollywood to hear and support victims. Further complicating matters is the fact that two of the film's cast members -- Chalamet and Rebecca Hall -- donated their salaries from the production to charities like the Time's Up legal defence fund. The pair publicly expressed regret over having worked with Allen. "Talent wants to distance themselves as far as possible from this. None of them are likely to promote it," said the executive. --IANS sug/rb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Army on Tuesday launched a massive operation in and around Khonsa in Arunachal Pradesh where suspected militants ambushed the convoy of sitting MLA Tirong Aboh, killing him and 10 others, including his minor son, two personal security officers (PSOs) and some of his relatives. A senior police official in Itanagar stated this while adding that additional forces have also been sent to Khonsa and adjoining areas to nab the culprits behind the killing. "The government has also rushed the DIG (Eastern range), IGP (Law and Order) and the SPs of both Tirap and Changlang districts to the place of occurrence to coordinate the operation," he said. Police said that Aboh, his minor son and others were travelling in a convoy of four vehicles from Dibrugarh in Assam to Khonsa when the armed militants stopped the convoy at 12 Mile area, located 20 kms from Khonsa and fired upon them. While 11 persons were killed, two security personnel received serious bullet injuries and a woman escaped unhurt, police said. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu expressed extreme anguish and shock over the ghastly incident and assured that befitting action would be initiated against the perpetrators. The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Brig B.D. Mishra (Retd.) has also expressed his deep grief and condolences on the assassination of Aboh and 10 others and said that the state government is resolved to deal firmly with the situation and the perpetrators of the crime will, sooner than later, have to suffer the consequences of their actions. The others who were killed in the incident included Wangngoi Hakhun, Jalin Hakhun, Ganwang Hakhun, Matlam Aboh, Pangro, two PSOs of Aboh including Ponhang Agi and B. Siksa, the police said adding that two other victims are yet to be identified. Police said two other PSOs travelling with Aboh including Wangsan Hakhun and Wangdan Hakhun received bullet injuries while one woman and another PSO escaped unhurt. --IANS ah/kr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bangladesh had not stopped issuing visas to Pakistan nationals as was claimed by some media reports, Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen said here on Tuesday. "We have not stopped visas to anyone. Some individuals may not get the visa, but that happens across the world," bdnews24 quoted the Minister as saying. On Monday, the media reports claimed Bangladesh had stopped issuing visas to Pakistan nationals. A source told bdnews24.com the issuance of visa had become difficult in Islamabad over the last one week because of shortage of officers. But the Bangladesh mission in Karachi has continued to issue visas. Momen said there was no officer in the consular wing of the Bangladesh mission in Islamabad for long. Pakistan did not grant visa to the newly appointed officer. "Our High Commissioner assigned the task to another officer. But his visa also expired and Pakistan didn't renew the visa," he said. Momen, however, could not explain what led to the impasse, but hoped Pakistan would settle the issue. "We are in touch with them." --IANS ksk/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bangladesh has halted issuance of visas to Pakistani nationals and reportedly refused to accept the 'agrement' from Islamabad for appointment of a new High Commissioner to Dhaka after a visa-extension application of its diplomat was kept pending. The Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad stopped issuing visas to Pakistanis for the last one week as a mark of protest as a Bangladeshi diplomat's visa-extension application has not been cleared by the Pakistan government for last four months, according to media reports here. According to The Daily Star newspaper, Muhammad Iqbal Hossain, Counsellor (Press) at the Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad, had submitted visa-extension application to Pakistan's Foreign Affairs Ministry in January, which was subsequently sent to its Interior Ministry. It has still not been cleared. Hossain's wife and son also had applied for visas at the Pakistan High Commission but they have not been granted visas yet, the newspaper said. "Issuance of any visa to Pakistani nationals remains suspended as the visa counter in Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad has been closed since last Monday [May 13]," Hossain told Dhaka Tribune from the Pakistani capital. The Daily Star newspaper cited a diplomat in Islamabad as stating that the post of visa officer had been vacant since November last and Hossain was also looking after this section, in addition to his current charge. Media reports said Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs named Saqlain Syedah as its new High Commissioner to Bangladesh, but Dhaka refused to accept the "agrement", a diplomatic requirement under which a host country has to confirm appointment of an incoming envoy. Brahma Chellaney, a strategic thinker and author, said that bilateral ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh have been strained. "Bangladesh, which seceded from Pakistan in 1971, has accused Pakistan of financing terrorism on its soil. Bilateral ties have become so strained that Bangladesh has refused since 2018 to accept Pakistan's new high commissioner. Now it has halted granting visas to all Pakistanis," Chellaney said in a tweet. --IANS ps/akk/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a post-poll clash between Trinamool Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers, a BJP member has been shot at in West Bengal's Cooch Behar district, police said on Tuesday. "There was a clash on Monday night. One of the BJP workers was shot at but we are yet to receive any formal complaint. Whether it was actually a bullet injury, needs to be verified," an officer of Sitai police station said. Cooch Behar parliamentary constituency voted on April 11 in the first phase of Lok Sabha 2019. According to sources, around five BJP workers have received injuries and were admitted to hospital. --IANS bnd/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ahead of attending a dinner meeting being hosted by BJP President Amit Shah in the national capital on Tuesday night, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that the state should be granted special category status. "We are still in favour of the special category status to Bihar. This issue is very important for us. We will continue to raise it," the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) chief told the media here on Tuesday. Nitish Kumar also downplayed differences over his ally Bharatiya Janata Party's demand to abolish Article 370. "There's no contradiction. We've always maintained Article 370 shouldn't be scrapped, Uniform Civil Code shouldn't be imposed, Ayodhya dispute should be resolved through mutual agreement/court's intervention. We've maintained this since we first forged an alliance with BJP." He added that the BJP knows of his stand, but there was no dispute between the two parties. Nitish also expressed confidence about the NDA's victory in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan will also attend the dinner meeting. --IANS ik/ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Taking centre stage in national politics, TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu has been holding series of meeting with leaders of various parties to forge a non-BJP coalition at the Centre and all his efforts appear to be aimed at making himself relevant in Delhi. He held talks with leaders that included United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia, Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on Saturday and Sunday. He also flew to Lucknow to meet Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati and her alliance partner Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav. Back in Delhi on Sunday, he briefed Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi on the meetings with BSP-SP leaders. Naidu also called on Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) head Sharad Yadav, Communist Party of India (CPI) leader S. Sudhakar Reddy, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Secretary Sitaram Yechuri and many others. Even Sunday's exit polls, which predicted a second term for BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre, could not deter Naidu from embarking on another round of meetings. Rubbishing the predictions and exuding confidence of his Telugu Desam Party (TDP) retaining power in Andhra Pradesh and non-BJP parties coming to power at the Centre, he left for Kolkata to meet West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee to discuss the post-poll strategy. From Kolkata, he arrived in Delhi, where he is expected to hold talks with more leaders over the next two days. "I will continue my efforts till May 23," declared Naidu. Since the time he pulled out of the BJP-led NDA last year over the issue of special category status to Andhra Pradesh, Naidu has held talks with various non-BJP parties in order to bring them together in an coalition headed by the Congress. His efforts hit a pause when parties like the BSP, SP, TMC and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) decided not to have pre-poll alliance with Congress. However, Naidu was back in action as soon as the Lok Sabha polls ended. Though facing a tough challenge at home from his main rival the YSR Congress Party, the 69-year-old remains confident about his poll prospects. And instead of just confining himself to state politics, he is trying to play a key role at the Centre. TDP leader Khambampati Rammohan Rao believes it is Naidu's urge to serve the nation that gives him the confidence to pursue his efforts. "He is doing all this in national interest. The need of the hour is to bring a change at the Centre," Rao told IANS. Rao pointed out that Naidu earlier proved his skills as a national leader in 1996-1998, when he cobbled up the United Front (UF), a coalition of 13 parties which then ruled at the Centre. As the convenor of the UF, Naidu played a key role in making H.D. Deve Gowda and later I.K. Gujral the prime ministers. The TDP leader also recalled how Naidu played a vital role in the candidature of A.P. Abdul Kalam as the President of India in 2002. Expressing confidence in Naidu's skills, he said: "We feel he will bring many parties on the anti-NDA platform." Political analyst Palwai Raghavendra Reddy, however, felt that Naidu was putting in all the hard work only to stay relevant in the national "Whether Naidu wins or loses elections in his state, his next destination is Delhi. He has to be relevant in national irrespective of the result in Andhra Pradesh," Reddy told IANS. According to the analyst, if Naidu loses the polls in Andhra Pradesh, he may not sit as leader of the opposition in the Assembly, where Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is sitting as the chief minister. "In such a scenario, Naidu may make his son Lokesh or some other TDP leader the leader of opposition and do his from Delhi," said Reddy. He said that even if Naidu retained power in Andhra Pradesh, he needed support from whoever came to power at the Centre. "The state will need all the support from Delhi to implement his poll promises and execute ongoing projects like Polavaram and construction of state capital," the analyst said. He believes if the NDA falls short of numbers, Naidu may even extend support to it. "If Modi forms the government again at the Centre and Naidu retains power in Andhra, the latter may join hands with the NDA even if it needs no support because he needs handholding by Delhi to run the state," Reddy said. (Mohammed Shafeeq can be contacted at m.shafeeq@ians.in) --IANS ms/rtp (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China on Tuesday said it was concerned over rising tensions between the US and Iran and asked them to exercise restraint. Beijing was reacting to US President Donald Trump warning Iran that the country would be finished if it attacked America. On Sunday, a rocket from an unknown location was fired into Baghdad's Green Zone housing government offices and embassies including the US mission. "We have taken note of the tensions that recently occurred in the Gulf region. China talked to the US. Our State Counsellor Wang Yi talked to US Defence Secretary Mike Pompeo on the phone," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said. Asked if Beijing was concerned over the rising tensions, Lu said: "Of course, tensions in the region serve no country's interest and do not do any good to the global economy. "Of course we are concerned and that's why we are contacting all relevant parties and asked them to exercise restraint and jointly find a proper resolution," Lu added. Ties between Iran and the US have gone south after the US pulled out of a nuclear pact last year and reimposed sanctions on the Islamic Republic. China, the biggest importer of Iranian crude oil, has backed the country and opposed the US sanctions. Beijing has deep trade relations with Tehran but it also maintains good ties with Iran's arch rival Saudi Arabia. --IANS gsh/kr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mumbai-based Shantadevi, once a meek woman disowned by her husband, soon sat atop a colossal drug empire she built over decades. Her real-life story opens the new thriller "Queens of Crime" where Sushant Singh, host of crime-based TV series "Savdhaan India", and his co-author Kulpreet Yadav decipher what sends women down the road of crime. Asked if women, who generally tend to make headlines for being victims and survivors of crimes, are seen with a less suspicious eye, Yadav answered in the affirmative. "There's a tendency for criminals to push desperate and poor women into crime because the police are less likely to suspect them," Yadav, who served two decades with the Navy, told IANS in an email interview. "Investigating agencies usually don't suspect women to commit crimes. But, that has changed in the recent past. Almost all the women in this book committed crimes for three reasons: abject poverty forced upon them due to family problems (husbands or lovers), or greed, or lack of attention/love." A criminal bent of mind is not the monopoly of men, added his co-author Singh. The television and film actor also said that when a woman decides to do away with the social constructs of being dependent on men, "just like in every other field, she could outdo men in crimes as well". "Queens of Crimes", a Penguin title that releases on May 24, features "raw, violent and seemingly unbelievable" but true renditions of India's 10 women criminals. As per the authors, it is based on deep research -- offline and online reports, court judgments, meetings with policemen and legal experts. While the book shows women to be susceptible to the same vices as male criminals, Yadav chipped in to highlight subtle differences in how the two genders commit crimes. "Like women, even as criminals, are less aggressive. Most of the crimes, therefore, when committed by women, are well thought-out, not instinctive," the co-author, who has earlier penned "Murder in Paharganj" and "The Girl Who Loved a Spy" said. He added that these stories are rare exceptions. For Singh, the book drew immensely from his experience of hosting "Savdhaan India" TV serial for over seven years. In his words, it gave him a "new perspective towards crimes, criminals, victims and the larger social impact of every crime". The actor's message with his debut book? "Crime is almost always a choice." Interestingly, "Queens of Crime" also draws attention to a lesser-known study field - female criminology. While experts are still trying to understand why women commit crimes and how are they different than men in their motivations, methodology and implementation, the book presents 10 hair-raising thrilling stories where women criminals take centre stage. (Siddhi Jain can be contacted at siddhi.j@ians.in) --IANS sj/akk/mag/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi Police on Tuesday arrested a woman in Bangalore for allegedly robbing a house in Delhi where she was working as a domestic help. According to the police, the accused identified as Shanti Joshi, had recently started working at the house in Defence Colony and she was reported missing along with a safe which had jewellery and cash worth Rs 15 lakh. The FIR for the same was registered about a month ago and since then the mobile number of the accused was on continuous surveillance. "The complainant had not filed for police verification of the domestic help, so it became easy for the accused to flee. However her phone number which was the only lead for us helped to nab her," said Vijay Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South). Ten days ago, the police team traced her location to Bangalore from where she was arrested along with her husband and the stolen items. --IANS rag/kr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jammu and Kashmir Congress President G.A. Mir on Tuesday asserted that the exit polls should not to be believed and that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) would have the majority in the Lok Sabha polls. Speaking to the media here, Mir said: "Don't believe these exit polls. Wait for the results on May 23 (when the vote counting takes place). The UPA would have the majority and all these exit polls will be proved wrong." Mir, who contested from the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat against former state Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti of the Peoples Democratic Party and Justice (Retired) Hasnain Masoodi of the National Conference, said: "Whatever they (exit polls) might say, the Congress will win the Anantnag seat with flying colours." Anantnag is the only Lok Sabha constituency in the country where polling was held in three phases due to the challenging law and order situation. Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian districts constitute the voting segments of the Anantnag constituency. --IANS sq/pg/rtp (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump has said that Twitter, where his posts often circulate as memes, is nothing more than just a "typewriter" to him. Trump spoke about his "Twitter Theory" during an interview with Fox News Channel, CNN reported on Monday. "Twitter is really a typewriter for me. It's really not Twitter -- it's -- Twitter goes on television, or if they have breaking news, I'll tweet, I'll say 'Watch this -- boom.' That's not to build Twitter. "That's to say that as soon as it goes out, it goes on television, it goes on Facebook, it goes all over the place and it's instant -- it really is, to me it's a modern way to communicate," the report quoted the US President as saying. From his statement it stands clear that Trump tweets using his personal account to make sure that things are noticed distinctly. Irrespective of his 60.4 million followers, Trump has been regularly pulled out for posting controversial statements and war threats with Iran and North Korea on his page. "If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again!" Trump had tweeted recently. Twitteratis were quick to quote Trump on his old comments where he stated that "President (Barack) Obama will attack Iran because of his inability to negotiate properly" and call him out for being a hypocrite. On several occasions, Trump's spelling errors have also made him trend on social networking sites. Earlier in May, he misspelled the word "stolen" as "stollen" -- which is a type of fruit bread served in Germany on Christmas. Twitter, with over 330 million global users, went ablaze with memes and the word "stollen" along with images of the German fruit bread went viral. --IANS rp/mag/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Customs officials in Goa seized gold worth Rs 48.50 lakh from a passenger who arrived at the Dabolim International Airport here from Oman on Tuesday, officials said. The accused Moseen Bepari, a resident of North Goa District, is being questioned, an official statement said. "Gold plates collectively weighing 1.6 kgs were packed in a plastic bag which was concealed in the waist band of his jeans and soles of shoes," the statement said. The international passenger had arrived at the Goa airport from Muscat in Oman via an Oman Air flight. --IANS maya/kr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has ruled out the possibility of negotiations with the US under current circumstances. "Today's circumstances are not suitable for negotiations at all," he said. Despite favouring on disputed issues, Rouhani said he is currently opposed to any negotiations with the US, Xinhua news agency reported on Tuesday. He also appealed unity and consistency among Iranians to overcome the economic challenges imposed by Washington. Last week, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also ruled out any talks with the US government on the disputed issues. US President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the Iran international nuclear deal in May 2018 and re-imposed energy and financial sanctions against the Islamic republic. Washington seeks to seal a new nuclear deal with Iran to further curb its nuclear programme and stop ballistic missile development. --IANS mag/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi on Tuesday said Iraq would send delegations to the US and Iran to ease the tension in the Middle East. "Iraq has high-level contacts (with parties of dispute), and we are going to push for calm between Washington and Tehran. But it's not a mediation," Xinhua news agency quoted Abdul Mahdi as saying at a press conference. "The US and Iranian officials have assured us that they have no desire in fighting a war," he said. On May 15, the US State Department ordered the non-emergency US employees at the embassy in Baghdad and the consulate in Erbil to leave Iraq, according to a US embassy statement. Earlier, the US military said the US forces were on high alert in Iraq and Syria over fears of "imminent threats" from Iran-backed forces in the region. Earlier in the day, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani ruled out the possibility of negotiations with the US. In recent weeks, the US has ended waivers for Iranian oil imports, announced sanctions on Tehran's non-proliferation activity associated with the 2015 nuclear deal and sent a Navy strike group and bomber into the Persian Gulf as US officials leaked reports that claimed a heightened threat from the country, CNN reported. In response, Iran announced it would stop complying with the nuclear deal. On Monday, an Iranian energy official announced the country had increased its uranium enrichment four-fold and had informed the International Atomic Energy Agency. --IANS mag/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police on Tuesday arrested a man carrying a country made pistol in Jammu and Kashmir's Jammu city. The man was spotted moving about in a suspicious manner in Shamshan Ghat Chowk of Shastri Nagar locality. "He was asked to stop after which he tried to run away, but he was chased and arrested," police said. "He was carrying a country made pistol and live cartridges. A case has been registered against him under the relevant sections of law." "The accused has been identified as Manoj Kumar who was detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA) as a repeat criminal because of his involvement in various crimes, including attempt to murder and extortion. "He had been recently released after his detention term under the PSA ended," police said. --IANS sq/mag/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Metro commuters on Tuesday had a harrowing time during the morning rush hours and around 5,000 had to be evacuated from stuck trains as the services on the Yellow Line between Haryana's Huda City and Samaypur Badli in Delhi were stalled for over four hours due to a technical snag. The service was hit around 9.30 am due to the breakdown of overhead wire (OHE) at the Sultanpur station, leaving thousands of people stranded and scores stuck in the trains. Although the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced around 1 p.m. that the service has been restored, there was a slowdown in the plying of trains on the line till late in the evening. The DMRC said the slow movement of trains was due to bunching of the trains. Calling it a harrowing experience, commuters shared videos and pictures of the passengers walking on Metro tracks. Scores of passengers got stuck in the trains and had to be evacuated. "Passengers of two trains between the two metro stations were evacuated this morning after the train services were affected," the DMRC said in a tweet. The DMRC said more than 5,000 passengers were evacuated in the mid-section safely and buses were arranged at a short notice for the commuters while starting restoration operations simultaneously, which was an "extremely challenging" situation. "Disturbances in suburban Metro operations are extremely tricky in urban transportation with high frequency of train services," DMRC's Executive Director Anuj Dayal said. Passengers complained that the evacuation process took so long that several of them started feeling uneasy inside the train. "The evacuation was carried out after a prolonged wait of over an hour. We kept trying to contact the operator, but in vain. I even suggested breaking a window, but the fellow passengers refused," said Pankaj Dugar, a commuter. Due to the massive train delays, the metro stations falling on the line were overcrowded. Huge crowds could be seen at Hauz Khas, Saket, Malviya Nagar, Chhatarpur and Qutub Minar metro stations. Passengers complained that the gates of the trains did not open at several stations. Even the air conditioner inside the trains did not function, they said. "The Qutub Minar and Chhatarpur stations got so overcrowded that the entry had to be closed," said Krishnakant Raj, a commuter. It did not end here. The app-based taxi service operators immediately applied flexible charges and doubled the price of fare. "I have to reach my office located at Nirman Bhawan and my nearest station is Udyog Bhawan. I had to shell out Rs 200 to reach from Sultanpur to Saket metro station," said Nilima Sharma, who works in the CPWD office. At 1 pm, the DMRC tweeted: "Normal services have now resumed. Inconvenience is regretted. Please allow for some extra time in your commute till the bunching of trains eases." Earlier, the DMRC said that train movement has been partially restored between Qutub Minar and Chhatarpur metro stations. "Single line operational at the moment. We will keep you updated. On the other line, the stranded train is being removed. Services will be completely normalised shortly," it added. Meanwhile, Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot wrote to DMRC Managing Director Mangu Singh, asking him to ensure that city-state's transport minister is informed about any disruption in metro services. Referring to the disruption in metro services on Tuesday, Gehlot's office stated that "such incidents must be reported by DMRC to Minister (Transport) immediately in future." He also added that the evacuation of one of the two trains that got stuck at Chhatarpur and Sultanpur metro stations appears to have taken longer time. Earlier in the day, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asked the transport minister Kailash Gahlot to seek a detailed report into the Delhi Metro technical snag incident that left thousands stranded. "I have asked transport minister to seek a detailed report and direct Delhi Metro to fix responsibility," Kejriwal tweeted. --IANS pgs/akk/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least seven persons, including the MLA of Khonsa West constituency Triong Aboh, were killed on Tuesday after suspected Naga militants fired at the vehicle they were travelling in. Police said the incident took place around 11.30 a.m. at Bogapani area in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh. Aboh, who had contested elections from Khonsa West, was travelling from Dibrugarh in Assam to Konsa. --IANS sc/rtp (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah will hold a dinner meeting on Tuesday with leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The meeting, which comes two days ahead of the counting of votes of the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, is likely to chalk out a strategy for the post poll scenario. Senior BJP leaders are also likely to meet at the party headquarters prior to the dinner meeting. Party sources said Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal-United President Nitish Kumar and Lok Janshakti Party President Ram Vilas Paswan will attend the meeting. Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal might give it a miss and are likely to send their representatives. --IANS bns/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After the arrest of 12 people in the Rs 100 crore SC/ST scholarships scam that rattled the Haridwar district, the Uttarakhand Police on Tuesday said some more arrests were likely on the completion of investigations. "This is just the tip of the iceberg. We will soon start investigations in the Dehradun district too. More arrests are likely as it's a big scam," said a top police official. State Deputy Director of the Social Welfare Department Anurag Shakhdhar, who was recently arrested in the scam, has been suspended. The scam came to light in 2016 when then State Vigilance Department Director Ashok Kumar ordered arrest of some top officials of Mewar University in Rajasthan on the charges of siphoning off scholarships in the names of Uttarakhand students through fake identities, police sources said. In 2017, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat ordered a probe by a special investigation team (SIT) into the scholarship scam. Social activists has claimed involvement of dozens of educational institutes in Haridwar in the scam. The alleged involvement of scores of educational institutes in Uttarakhand and other states in the siphoning of SC/ST students' scholarships by using fake identities have come to light. A majority of the educational institutes under cloud are in the Haridwar and Dehradun districts. The IMS Institute of Technology, Roorkee, alone siphoned off Rs 4.13 crore, the police said. Four top officials of this institute have been arrested. --IANS str/mag/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mumbai Congress President Milind M. Deora on Tuesday expressed apprehensions about the safety and security of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) stored at various strongrooms for the city's six Lok Sabha seats ahead of the counting on May 23. In a letter to the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and Mumbai Police Commissioner, he said "shocking information has been received about the possibility of tampering with EVMs in view of certain strange developments from the vicinity of the strongrooms". "Congress workers who are constantly looking after these (counting) centres from outside have informed us of some suspicious movements of few persons and few vehicles around these centres," Deora, who is in the fray from Mumbai South constituency, said. He said that such questionable movements of persons and vehicles have created definite doubts and fears about the safety and security of the EVMs stored there for the May 23 vote count. Deora urged the CEO to increase vigilance and security at all the counting centres to ensure that EVMs are not tinkered with in any manner. He also urged the CEO to permit party volunteers to remain outside the counting centres, and provide the password of the CCTVs installed, so that the party volunteers can monitor them along with the security personnel round-the-clock. Even as reports of alleged meddling with EVMs emanated from different parts of India, party's Mumbai North West candidate Sanjay Nirupam visited the counting centre in Goregaon east and personally monitored the safety and security status there. "The next two nights before the counting day are critical. All party workers and the people must keep vigil to find out whether the Bharatiya Janata Party activists are indulging in any mischief," he said. Nirupam also demanded that the Election Commission must clarify whether all votes would be recounted in case of a mismatch between the voting figures in the EVMs and the VVPATs. "In such an eventuality, all the VVPATs must be counted and the EC must issue written orders to all Returning Officers, or it will create suspicions," Nirupam said. Responding to the recent exit poll projections, Nirupam said: "Its clear that the biggest beneficiaries of the exit polls are stock market operators. Sensex is up by 2,000 points in just two days. The SEBI must set up an enquiry to probe the links between the beneficiaries and the (exit) poll agencies, leading to the sudden flare-up in the markets." Meanwhile, an official from the CEO said that all arrangements have been made for the vote counting on Thursday for all the 48 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state. "The vote count will begin with postal and defence personnel votes at 8 a.m., then after that the EVMs shall be opened and the votes therein counted," said the official. The vote count will be held at three specific centres in the city - at Sewri for Mumbai South and Mumbai South Central, NSE Grounds Goregaon for Mumbai North, Mumbai North West and Mumbai North Central seats) and the Godrej Campus in Vikhroli for Mumbai North East - amidst full security. --IANS qn/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Thousands of North Korean women and girls were being trafficked and sold into sexual slavery in China, where many are sold as wives to Chinese men while others forced into prostitution or to livestream acts against their will, a new report has claimed. The report, by the London-based Korea Future Initiative (KFI), includes shocking first-hand reports of girls as young as 12 being raped and women being forced to participate in cybersex for days without eating, CNN reported on Tuesday. The KFI's report took two years to compile, the group said. The authors said they interviewed more than 45 survivors and victims of sexual violence whose testimony pieced together a "complex and interconnected illicit industry that accrues vast profits from trafficked women and girls". There were no official statistics on the number of North Koreans that leave the country and settle outside South Korea. Aid groups have reported that tens of thousands of North Koreans live in China as refugees, according to a 2014 UN report. The KFI -- a non-profit that focuses on North Korean women, children and minorities who are the victims of human rights abuses -- in the report claimed that the number could be as high as 200,000. It estimated that as many as 60 per cent of female North Korean refugees in China were trafficked into the sex trade. "At a time when significant global capital is invested in China and, more recently, political capital expended on North Korea, it is a damning indictment that North Korean women and girls are left languishing in the sex trade," the organization said. "Condemnation is insufficient. Only tangible acts can dismantle China's sex trade, confront a North Korean regime that abhors women, and rescue sex slaves scattered across brothels, remote townships, and cybersex dens in mainland China." A 98-page report from Human Rights Watch published last November reached similar conclusions as the KFI regarding the risks female defectors face, CNN reported. The US State Department also acknowledged reports of violence against women defectors in its 2018 report on human rights practices in North Korea. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supremo N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday discussed forging a non-BJP alliance after the results of the Lok Sabha elections on Thursday with Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda and Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy here, a party official said. "Naidu met Gowda and Kumaraswamy at the latter's residence in the city's southern suburb and sought their party's support for forming a non-BJP alliance and staking claim to power in the event of a fractured verdict and a hung Parliament," JD-S official Ramesh Babu told IANS here. The JD-S, which is in power in the southern state with the Congress, has agreed to being a part of such an alliance and even endorsed Congress President Rahul Gandhi for the Prime Minister's post. "Naidu also apprised Gowda and Kumaraswamy of his discussions with Gandhi, TMC President Mamata Banerjee, BSP President Mayawati, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and other allies for a post-poll alliance to prevent the BJP from returning to power in a hung Parliament," said Babu. The JD-S has contested in only 7 of the 28 Lok Sabha seats across the state, allowing the Congress in the remaining 21 seats as part of a pre-poll seat sharing arrangement for fielding joint candidates against the Bharatiya Janata Party. "Naidu has agreed to call on both the JD-S leaders on Thursday after all the Lok Sabha results are declared and requested them to be in New Delhi on Friday for a meeting of the non-BJP alliance leaders, Babu added. --IANS fb/rs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The constituents of BJP-led NDA allies on Tuesday expressed full faith in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of results of Lok Sabha elections, saying the past five years have brought about a change in Indias perception that it was a soft state. At the meeting attended by leaders of 36 parties, including Bihar Chief Minister and JD-U leader Nitish Kumar, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackery and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Parkash Singh Badal, the leaders expressed full confidence about the victory of the alliance on May 23 and said 2019 will be "a decisive moment" in history. Leaders from AIADMK, Chief Minister Edappadi K.Palanisamy, his deputy O. Panneerselvam and those from Asom Gana Parishad, and AJSU also attended the meeting. They said the ruling alliance had become "a principal pillar" of Indian In his remarks, Modi said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was an "organic entity", " stronger than before" and "a strong pillar to fulfill regional aspirations". He said the election narrative was seeing a change and said "the poor were the biggest caste". Briefing reporters after the meeting, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that Modi and other NDA leaders expressed concern over attempts by the opposition to raise questions over Election Commission's credibility. They said that there could be global branding of Indian general election, but the opposition was creating roadblocks. He said NDA was committed to addressing problems of all regions. The meeting passed a resolution which hailed the development initiatives of the NDA government and noted that it had raised India's stature in the world. "There has been a change in the perception that India is a soft state. The era of India being a soft state has ended," Rajnath Singh said, adding that India has achieved success in diplomacy and security. The NDA, he said, has left a new mark in governance. Singh said the the NDA has firm plans for the next five years and it will invest Rs 100 lakh crore in infrastructure and take the economy to new heights. "We are committed to making the country strong, prosperous, developed -- as per the dream of the freedom fighters," he said. Food Minister and Lok Janshakti Party leader Ram Vilas Paswan said the election was "a tsunami" and not a mere wave in favour of Modi. He said candidates sought votes in the name of Modi. "All of us expressed our faith in the leadership of the Prime Minister," he added. He said NDA had shown how an alliance can be run successfully and noted that Modi had shown a big heart in dealing with allies. He attacked opposition parties for raising questions over EVMs, saying they have nothing to say when they win elections. BJP sources said leaders from Apna Dal (Sonelal), Pattali Makkal Katchi, Naga People's Front, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, Tamil Maanila Congress, Sikkim Democratic Front, Republican Party of India (A), Bodoland People's Front, Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party, All India N.R. Congress, Rashtriya Loktantrik Party, National People's Party, Rashtriya Samaj Paksha and Shiv Sangram attended the meeting. Other leaders were from Goa Forward Party, Indigenous People's Front of Tripura, Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam, Bharath Dharmajana Sena, Kerala Congress (Thomas), Nishad Party, Puthiya Needhi Katchi, Rabha Hasong Joint Movement, All India Moovendar Munnani Kazhagam, Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, Tamil Nadu Kongu Ilaingar Peravai, Kongunadu Munnetra Kazhagam, Naga People's Front, All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi, Indian Makkal Kalvi Munnetra Kazhagam and Puratchi Bharatham. --IANS bns-ps-spk/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Niki Lauda, a three-time Formula One champion, made Spain's Balearic Island of Ibiza his second home after he first visited in 1976, shortly after he suffered a severe accident at the Nurburging circuit. Lauda, who died on Monday, had said during an interview with the Diario de Ibiza newspaper that the island gave him back the confidence he had lost, which helped him to recover from the accident. Over four decades later, the former F1 driver made of the island a place to get into the rhythm of retirement. He did not feel like a foreigner on the island, he had told the paper, reports Efe news. The legendary driver got to know Ibiza thanks to his ex-wife Marlene Knaus and her mother, as both of them were residents there. After his marriage to Knaus came to an end, Lauda convinced his second wife, Birgit Lauda, to move to Ibiza. Niki and Birgit left their Ibiza home in 2012, as they considered Ibiza not suitable for their children, Birgit told Austria's Seitenblicke magazine. Lauda frequented the Trattoria del Mar and II Giardinetto restaurants, located in Marina Botafoc. He spent last Christmas in Ibiza, recovering from a lung transplant that he underwent in August. --IANS kk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bihar Chief Minister and JD-U chief Nitish Kumar will attend the dinner meeting of BJP President Amit Shah in Delhi on Tuesday night. He will leave for Delhi on Tuesday at 2.39 p.m. Shah is likely to chalk out a strategy for the post poll scenario as exit polls predicted thumping majority to the NDA, a Janata Dal-United leader close to Nitish Kumar said. Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan will also attend the meeting. --IANS ik/pg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two days ahead of the Lok Sabha election results, leaders of around 20 opposition parties met here on Tuesday amid their concerns over the electronic voting machines (EVM) and use of VVPATs. Among those who attended the meeting were Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, Telugu Desam Party chief Chandrababu Naidu, Nationalist Congress Party's Praful Patel, DMK's Kanimozhi, Trinamool Congress' Derek O'Brien, Samajwadi Party's Ram Gopal Yadav, Bahujan Samaj Party's Satish Chandra Misra, Rashtriya Janata Dal's Manoj Jha, Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Sitraram Yechury, Communist Party of India leader D. Raja and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal. The leaders will later meet the Election Commission (EC) about their concerns. While going for the meeting, Yechury said there is no clarity on how the EC will take a decision if there is a mismatch between the EVM and VVPAT (Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail). "The Supreme Court has ruled that there should be five per cent match between EVM and VVPAT. The question is that if there is a mismatch, what will the Election Commission do," he said. Yechury said that in such a case there should be match between the VVPAT and EVM in the whole Assembly segment. --IANS ps-spk/akk/mag/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The outcome of Australia's federal election in which pro-mining coalition government has emerged as favourite to form the next government has given a boost to Adani's mining plans. Last week, Australia conducted its federal elections for the 151-member House of Representatives. The pro-mining coalition government won 75 seats to emerge as favourites to form the next government. On the other hand, the Labor party which gave a mixed support message for the Adani mine secured only 67 seats. "There is now a clear mandate for resources projects that have lawful approvals to proceed, such as the Adani coal mine in central Queensland and the Yeelirrie uranium mine in Western Australia," said Minerals Council of Australia's chief executive Tania Constable. Meanwhile, Lucas Dow, Chief Executive of Mining with Adani Australia, thanked voters in regional Queensland for supporting candidates who support Adani's Carmichael mine and rail project. On Monday morning, the official Twitter handle for Adani Australia posted a video feed by the senior executive who has been actively engaging with communities across Queensland. "Queenslanders have sent a very strong message on Saturday. It's a message on jobs in regional Queensland and the need for a government to stand behind people who need jobs (sic)" said Lucas. "It's now time for the State Government to hear Queenslanders' message and start acting in the best interest of the people. People here want jobs. We are proud of being coal-miners and we are not embarrassed about what we do." Construction of the mine can begin once the Queensland state government signs off two outstanding environmental management plans. --IANS rv/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday continued to blame each other over the violence in Bhatpara Assembly constituency - that voted in a bypoll last Sunday - while over 60 people have been arrested. The by-polls were necessitated after Arjun Singh, who defected to the BJP from Trinamool Congress, resigned as Bhatpara MLA to contest the Lok Sabha polls. His son Pawan Kumar Singh is fighting the Assembly by-polls on a BJP ticket. He faces former minister Madan Mitra of the Trinamool. "Police are beating up women and their role has called for immense protests. It is highly shameful. I want Election Commission to deploy military here and assign a special observer to oversee law and order and restore peace," Singh said. On the other hand, Mitra alleged that BJP workers had torched the residences of Trinamool workers and councillors and the party has informed the District Magistrate about the situation. "We want the rule of law to be in place immediately. If it is not established, people will take the matter in their hands," he said. Earlier, state Food Minister and Trinamool North 24 Parganas district President Jyotipriyo Mullick had blamed Singh and the central forces for disruptions and obstruction of trains at Kakinara station. "Singh and his men are creating trouble. They are setting shops and houses on fire, disrupting trains and harassing the public. The paramilitary forces, deployed during the elections, are also supporting them. We have met the District Magistrate and sought their arrest within 24 hours," he said. Police have made several arrests and deployed the Rapid Action Force (RAF) to control the situation. "Till morning 62 people were arrested. Raids are on and there have been more arrests. Some explosive material has also been recovered," a senior officer of Barrackpore Police commissionerate said. He said prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, banning assembly of more than four people in an area, have been imposed and police pickets posted. "We are announcing that people should not believe in rumours," the officer added. --IANS bnd/ssp/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday described the Lok Sabha elections as "unique" as he met his Council of Ministers at a meeting convened by BJP chief Amit Shah for thanking them for their work. The meeting at the BJP headquarters took place two days ahead of the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha polls. The meeting was called to thank the Ministers of the NDA for dedicatedly working for five years and fulfilling the schemes of the government, Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar told the media while briefing on the deliberations. The Prime Minister, while thanking his cabinet colleagues, said all worked very hard to take the government's initiatives to the people and fulfilling them. Terming this election as "unique", the PM said these polls were above and were being "fought by the people" of the country, Tomar added. He said the BJP president also gave his good wishes to all the Ministers in the context of the Lok Sabha election results. Among those who attended the meeting were Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Smriti Irani, Prakash Javadekar, Radha Mohan Singh, Piyush Goyal, Giriraj Singh, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Chaudhary Birendra Singh, Uma Bharti as also Ram Vilas Paswan of Lok Janshakti Party and Harsimrat Kaur Badal of Shiromani Akali Dal. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was not present at the meeting. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who is on a visit to Kyrgyzstan for the SCO Foreign Ministers' meeting, also could not attend the meeting. The meeting took place just a few hours ahead of the dinner hosted by Shah for leaders of the NDA allies to discuss the prospective poll results and the post-poll scenario. --IANS rbe/akk/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Results of the Ghaziabad Lok Sabha seat could be delayed on Thursday due to the tallying of EVM results with the VVPATs from five booths in every assembly segment, District Magistrate Ritu Maheswari said on Tuesday. Counting will start at 8 a.m. on Thursday in Govindpuram Mandi here, Maheswari, who is also the returning officer, told the media here. The outcome will be uploaded on the Election Commission's Suvidha portal which can be viewed by the public within 10 minutes of uploading of data, she told the media. The officers, candidates and their agents will have to reach Govindpuram Mandi an hour before counting starts as the strong room will be opened in their presence and EVMs inspected and placed on counting tables. The counting of five Assembly constituencies in Ghaziabad parliamentary constituency -- Loni, Murad Nagar, Sahibabad, Ghaziabad and Modi Nagar -- will be conducted in separate halls while the counting of Dhaulana Assembly constituency will be conducted in Hapur district. There were complaints that mock poll numbers were not neutralized by polling officials before starting of the polling process so two booths in Loni and three booths in Modi Nagar will be counted separately to correct the error, said Maheswari. --IANS sps/mag/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Train services in the Sealdah-Naihati division of Eastern Railway (ER) were disrupted for about three hours ( 8.43 a.m. to 12:04 p.m.) on Tuesday as residents squatted on tracks near Kankinara station, protesting against clashes in the North 24 Parganas district, an official said. Residents of the Bhatpara Assembly constituency were staging protest against violent political clashes during the by-election on Sunday. Due to protests 17 electric multiple unit (EMU) trains were stopped. It included 13104 Bhagirathi Express, 12384 Asansol-Sealdah Intercity Express and 15048 Poorvanchal Express. ER authorities had to cancel seven pairs of EMU locals and terminate seven others before their destinations. A large contingent of RPF, GRP and West Bengal Police had been deployed at the site to ensure safety and security of passengers and to help resume services, the ER said in an official statement. The by-election was caused by Trinamool MLA Arjun Singh's defection to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) two months ago. Blaming Singh and other BJP activists for the disruption, State Food Minister and Trinamool North 24 Parganas district President Jyotipriyo Mullick told IANS, "Singh and his men are creating trouble. They are setting shops and houses on fire, disrupting trains and harassing the public." "The paramilitary forces, deployed during the elections, are also supporting them. We have met the District Magistrate and sought their arrest within 24 hours," Mullick said. --IANS bnd/ssp/pg/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) If the rural and urban divide among voters is any indicator of poll outcome, the cities in Uttar Pradesh are the main culprits in bringing the voters turnout down in the state. Uttar Pradesh saw 59.52 per cent turnout, way below the record national average of 67.10. A breakdown of the state's 80 seats show that voters apathy was evidence in all the major cities of the state while rural areas witnessed brisk polling. Ghaziabad Assembly segment, a strong urban conglomerate in western Uttar Pradesh saw 53.28 per cent polling and in neighbouring urban centre of Sahibabad 49.5 per cent of voters came out to vote. Noida adjoining the national capital saw 52.35 per cent voting. This is in sharp contrast to many rural segments of western part of the state where polling was above 70 per cent. Khatauli Assembly segment in Muzzafarnagar saw 72.16 per cent voting. Behat Assembly segment in Saharanpur saw 73.78 per cent polling. Among the big cities in the state, Kanpur saw a turnout of 51.48. Arya Nagar, part of Kanpur, saw only 48.63 per cent and 49.20 per cent of votes were polled in Kanpur Cantt. Allahabad, now known as Prayagraj, saw 51.70 per cent polling. Within the city, only 40.25 per cent voted in Allahabad South. Allahabad West, which is part of Phulpur Lok Sabha seat, saw 42.38 per cent voting and Allahabad North, also under Phulpur, was even below 40 per cent at 38.98, one of the lowest in the state. State capital Lucknow also saw only 53.30 per cent polling with lowest being in Lucknow Cantt where only half of the voters came out. Similar trend was witnessed in smaller cities like Bareilly where poll percentage barely crossed 50 per cent. --IANS gd/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath seems to be in for big trouble. After IT raids on his aides last month, the BJP in Uttar Pradesh is initiating a probe against renowned IMT Institute run by the Congress stalwarts family. Recently his nephew Ratul Puri, was also interrogated in the VVIP chopper scam by ED. BJP has accused Kamal Nath's IMT college of fraudulently taking the possession of 15 acres of prime land in the heart of Ghaziabad city, a few miles away from the national capital. The land, according to BJP leader Rajendra Tyagi, belongs to the state-run Chowdhary Charan Singh University (CCSU). On Tyagi's complaint, Uttar Pradesh Governer Ram Naik, who is also the Chancellor of the CCSU, has shot a letter to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to initiate a probe into the fraudulent allotment of land worth several hundred crores to IMT College. The IMT website reveals that the prestigious institute was founded by Kamal Nath's father Mahendra Nath in the 1970s. Presently IMT College holds high rankings among the private B schools in the country. Talking to IANS, Rajendra Tyagi, the complainant in the case, and senior corporator of Ghaziabad said that he was in possession of documentary evidence to prove that IMT grabbed the land of CCSU. "Documents reveal that IMT was allotted a land by UPSIDC in 1973 near Rajnagar Extension. The Institute was supposed to be built on this land. However, at present IMT's distance learning centre is established on UPSIDC plot whereas the IMT main campus is built on a nearby land which is owned by CCSU's LR Degree College," explained Tyagi. When contacted on phone by IANS, a lady officer of the Director's Secretariat, IMT, refused to comment on the issue. Meanwhile a close aide of Kamal Nath told IANS, that charges levelled by the BJP leader is baseless and the subsequent probe being initiated by the Uttar Pradesh government in the IMT land deal case, is to harass Kamal Nath's family. Earlier last month, Kamal Nath's associates, Praveen Kakkar and Rajendra Miglani, former personal assistant, were raided by IT sleuths in Bhopal, other major towns of Madhya Pradesh and a few premises owned by them in Delhi-NCR. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) later informed that unaccounted wealth worth over Rs 281 crore was unearthed by IT teams during these raids. --IANS ds/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) TikTok's parent company ByteDance on Tuesday announced appointment of Sameer Singh as Vice-President (monetisation) for India. Besides TikTok, the Chinese conglomerate operates a range of content platforms, including social media platform Helo that achieved four crore monthly active users in India at the end of the first quarter of 2019. TikTok, briefly banned in India for spread of pornographic content, claims to have over 200 million users in the country. "I am excited to join ByteDance, one of the fastest growing global technology companies spearheading innovation in the mobile space," Singh said. "In India, ByteDance has transformed the way people create and interact with their content, and I believe my experience will contribute to ByteDance's promising journey in this market," he said. TikTok earlier this month said it reclaimed the top free app position on iOS and top free app in the "social" category on the Google Play Store, days after the Madras High Court's Madurai Bench lifted the ban. Prior to joining ByteDance, Singh was GroupM Chief Executive Officer leading the South Asia operations of marketing services of the conglomerate. "We are excited to welcome Sameer to the team. We are looking forward to working with him to bring ByteDance's monetisation efforts in India across our various platforms such as TikTok and Helo to even greater heights," Lidong Zhang, Senior Vice-President, ByteDance, said in a statement. --IANS gb/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea challenging the appointment of two retired bureaucrats as special observer and central police observer in West Bengal in the recently-concluded general election. A vacation bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra said the court is not willing to entertain the petition under Article 32, as polling is already over. "The election is already over.....we don't want to interfere," observed the court. Vivek Dubey was appointed as a central police observer for West Bengal and Jharkhand, and Ajay Nayak was appointed as a special observer. The petition alleged that these appointments have been made to extract favours during the general election. Though, the court dismissed the petition, but it allowed the petitioner Ramu Mandi, an independent candidate from Barrackpore constituency in West Bengal, to move the Calcutta High Court. The Election Commission counsel during the hearing told the court that polling in the election is already over. The counsel for Mandi contested that though the voting is over, but results are yet to be declared. The court rebutted that in these circumstances the lawyer should move the high court concerned. Mandi's counsel contended that due to the lawyers' strike in Kolkata, nothing is moving. He told the court the appointment of these observers could hurt his chances as an independent candidate. In the petition, Mandi said the appointment of retired officers cannot be justified, as there are already senior officers in service. Mandi also claimed that he fears being prejudiced by these retired officers overlooking the election process. The petitioner said that Dubey and Nayak did not match the criteria in accordance with the Representation of People Act, as they were not serving government officers. Barrackpore went to polls in the fifth phase of the general election. The apex court on May 6 had asked the Election Commission, West Bengal government and other respondents made in the petition to file a response to Mandi's petition. --IANS ss/kr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday attended the dinner meeting hosted by BJP chief Amit Shah here for NDA allies, hours after his party spokesperson said he would not attend it. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also present at the dinner hosted just two days ahead of the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha elections. Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut told CNN New18 that Thackeray will not attend the meeting and Subhash Desai, a Rajya Sabha MP, will be the party's representative at the meeting. "The BJP President had invited Udhav ji and he called him up also. But he is not going. Subhash Desai will attend the dinner," Raut said. He also raised questions on holding such a meeting ahead of the results, asking: "Till the results come out and things get clear, what will we do in Delhi?" Among other allies who attended the meeting were Janata Dal (United) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and LJP leader Ram Vilas Paswan and Akali Dal leader Parkash Singh Badal. The meeting, which comes two days ahead of the counting of votes, is likely to chalk out a strategy for the post-poll scenario. Before the dinner meeting, Modi and Shah also met the Union Council of Ministers and thanked them for their services rendered over the last five years. --IANS bns/akk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Not a single student from as many as 63 schools managed to clear the Secondary School Certificate examinations conducted by the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Board, the results of which were declared here on Tuesday. The overall pass percentage was 66.97 per cent, slightly lower than 67.5 per cent of last year. The exams were held in March. In a press conference, Board Chairman A.J. Shah stated that, "Out of the total 8,22,823 regular candidates appearing in the exam, 5,51,023 have passed." He informed that not a single student from as many as 63 schools could pass the board exams, while 366 schools posted cent per cent results. Only 17.23 per cent of the repeat candidates passed the examinations, where as often, girls outshone boys with 72.64 pass percentage as against 62.83 per cent of the latter, Shah said. English-medium schools saw the highest passing percentage at 88.11, followed by 72.66 per cent of Hindi medium students and those from Gujarati medium reported the lowest at 64.58 per cent. Surat district in South Gujarat topped the charts with 79.63 per cent, while the backward tribal district of Chhota Udepur in the central region posted the lowest 46.38 pass percentage. The detailed results are on the official website at www.gseb.org. --IANS cb/desai/kr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Major sneaker brands, including Adidas and Nike, told US President Donald Trump that proposed tariffs on imported shoes from China would be "catastrophic" for American consumers. "Any action taken to increase duties on Chinese footwear will have an immediate and long-lasting effect on American individuals and families," CNN quoted a coalition of more than 170 footwear companies as saying in a letter to Trump on Monday. "It will also threaten the very economic viability of many companies in our industry." The letter was posted on the website for the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America, an industry trade group. It was also addressed to US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Larry Kudlow, the director of the National Economic Council. Earlier this month, the Trump administration hiked tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese-made goods. The tariffs mostly hit industrial materials and component parts, but also applied to luggage, hats and gloves for US importers. Additionally, the Trump administration has started a formal process to slap 25 per cent tariffs on the remaining $325 billion in goods coming from China that aren't already taxed. That list included sneakers, toys and other consumer products. The Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America estimated that 25 per cent tariffs on shoes coming from China would add $7 billion in additional costs for American customers annually. "We can assure you that any increase in the cost of importing shoes has a direct impact on the American footwear consumer," the companies wrote in their letter. China is a key link in the supply chain for US shoe companies, CNN reported. The country accounted for 72 per cent of all footwear imported into the US in 2017, according to data from retail industry trade groups. Twenty-six per cent of Nike's footwear and 26 per cent of its apparel were manufactured in China in its 2018 fiscal year, according to the company's annual securities filing. Other US companies have also recently warned that additional tariffs on Chinese goods will hit consumers. Walmart, America's largest retailer, said last week it will raise prices on some products as a result of the Trump administration's tariffs on Chinese goods. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will skip the dinner meeting hosted by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah in Delhi on Tuesday evening, which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Anil Desai, the Rajya Sabha MP, will be Shiv Sena'a representative at the meet. "BJP President had invited Udhavji and he called him up also. But he is not going. Subhash Desai will attend the dinner," Shiv Sena leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut told the media here. He also raised questions on holding such a meeting ahead of the results, asking: "Till the results come out and things get clear, what will we do in Delhi?" The counting of votes for the just-held Lok Sabha elections will be taken up on May 23. The meeting, which comes two days ahead of the counting of votes, is likely to chalk out a strategy for the post-poll scenario. --IANS bns/akk/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Jammu and government announced on Tuesday that there would be no restrictions on civilian traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway from May 27 onwards. In the aftermath of the February 14 Pulwama terror attack, the state government had banned movement of civilian traffic on the national highway on Wednesdays and Sundays to secure the passage of convoys of security forces. These restrictions were later reduced to only Sundays. An official statement said here today, "Following a review of the security situation in the state and of the requirement of security forces convoys, the Governor has decided to lift the remaining restrictions on civilian movement on the National Highway (NH-44) connecting Jammu to Srinagar with effect from Monday, 27.5.2019." These restrictions had become necessary following the movement of security forces on an unprecedented scale after the Pulwama attack. The forces were required both for anti-militancy operations and for smooth conduct of general elections. After a detailed review with all security agencies, civil and police administration in connection with the preparations for the Amarnath Yatra, the Governor directed that there should be no restriction on civilian movement on NH-44 from May 27. --IANS sq/kr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President Rahul Gandhi and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi were among several political leaders on Tuesday who paid homage to late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 28th death anniversary. Rajiv Gandhi's wife Sonia and his two children, Rahul and Priyanka, who is also the Congress General Secretary, paid tributes at his memorial, Veer Bhumi, here. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former President Pranab Mukherjee were also present at Veer Bhumi along with other senior party leaders. Modi, who was recently criticised for his remarks against Rajiv Gandhi while campaigning for the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, said in a tweet: "Tributes to former PM Shri Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary." After visiting Veer Bhumi, Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet: "My father was gentle, loving, kind & affectionate. He taught me to love & respect all beings. To never hate. To forgive. I miss him. On his death anniversary, I remember my father with love & gratitude." West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also remembered the late leader, saying: "Solemnly and very fondly remembering former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary." Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda, in a series of tweets, said: "Today is the day to pay respect to this great leader who dreamed of India in the 21st century and at the same time reflect on his contribution to India." Pitroda worked with him as an advisor on technology missions. "Rajiv Gandhi's life was taken away at an early age by a terror attack. His loss left a huge vacuum in politics, leadership, and development in India," he added. Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated on May 21, 1991, by a female LTTE suicide bomber, who greeted him at a rally in Tamil Nadu's Sriperumbudur town with a bomb strapped to her chest. He served as the sixth Prime Minister of India from 1984 to 1989. He took office after the 1984 assassination of his mother, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, becoming the country's youngest Prime Minister at age 40. --IANS rak/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Tripura government has suspended an IPS officer and eight troopers of the elite Tripura State Rifles (TSR) from service for breaching discipline, an official said here on Tuesday. A Tripura Home Department official said: "Five TSR troopers last week brutally assaulted two of their colleagues, Bhojveer Singh Chouhan and Jaydeep Prashad Tawra, at the 12th Battalion TSR Headquarters in Chakmaghat." "Chouhan, a resident of Madhya Pradesh, had to admitted to the Govind Ballabh Pant Medical College and Hospital here with severe injuries, while Tawra returned to his home in Rajasthan," he said. The official said after the incident came to light on Monday, the government suspended the 12th Battalion TSR Commandant Rati Ranjan Debnath, an IPS officer, and the five troopers. In another incident, three more TSR troopers of the 11th Battalion were suspended and action will be taken against another three for negligence of duty during a protest near Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb's official residence on May 17. The TSR, trained for counter-insurgency operations, was launched in March 1984 to deal with terrorism. Seventy-five per cent of its personnel are from Tripura. --IANS sc/ksk/rtp (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Following the defeat of the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group in Syria and Iraq, the heads of the UN Security Council (UNSC) have warned of the dangers of foreign terrorist fighters (FTF) spreading terrorism as they return home or scatter around. Council President Dian Triansyah Djani, who heads two terrorism-related committees, and Counter-Terrorism Committee chair Gustavo Meza-Cuadra issued the warning on Monday while briefing the Council. Their warnings have a resonance for India from where several people have been reported to have travelled to Syria to join the now-defeated IS jihadis. The danger hit close to home in Sri Lanka where a returning FTF was involved in the April 21 Easter Sunday bombings that killed more than 250 people, according to officials. "Returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters pose a potential threat and require tailored prosecution, rehabilitation and reintegration measures, which are consistent with international law and take into account gender and age considerations," said Djani, who chairs the committee dealing with Al Qaeda and IS and the committee on preventing weapons of mass destruction falling into the hands of terrorists. Despite its defeat, the IS "remains a global organization with centralized leadership", he added. Counter-Terrorism Committee chair Gustavo Meza-Cuadra said: "Our major concerns are exacerbated further not only by the activities of FTFs who remain in the conflict zones, but also returning and relocating FTFs and their family members, and the potential risks posed by the forthcoming release of imprisoned FTFs, including 'frustrated travellers' who did not get a chance to join the IS-led fighting." Meza-Cuadra, who is Peru's Permanent Representative, said there was another layer of threat with terrorist groups "tending to shift their focus towards more localized narratives, marked by a greater focus on local or national issues". The IS, its fellow-travellers and lone actors "have consistently demonstrated their intent and ability to exploit new technologies", he added. Djani, who is also the Indonesian Permanent Representative, said that according to its monitoring team, there is a possibility that FTFs who had been with IS will choose to join Al Qaeda affiliates "in regions where they are the dominant brand". The trend and its potential threat to India was noticed when a US-based recruiter for the Al Qaeda-linked Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) diverted an aspiring IS jihadi to his group. Michael Kyle Sewell, who admitted in a Texas federal court to recruiting a man to the LeT, advised him that "he should not join the IS because it had no territory", and instead he suggested the "LeT and the Taliban" as "worth joining", according to transcripts of their communications. Emphasising the duty of nations to prevent terrorists acquiring weapons of mass destruction, Djani said: "The readiness of non-state groups and individuals with extreme or apocalyptic views to use extreme violence in various parts of the world remains a matter of serious concern." (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.) The US Commerce Department has announced loosening of some of the restrictions Washington placed on Huawei equipment last week, which made it difficult for American companies to do business with the Chinese tech giant. Although Huawei does not do much business in the US, the company is the sole provider of networking equipment to many rural American internet providers. Those companies have said it will take time - or may be impossible - to replace their Huawei technology with a rival's, CNN reported. The department on Monday issued a temporary general license that lets Huawei buy US goods to maintain existing networks and continue providing wireless services. The company however, is still banned from buying American equipment to make new products. The license took effect on Monday and lasts for 90 days, at which point it could be extended. "The Temporary General License grants operators time to make other arrangements and the Department space to determine the appropriate long term measures for Americans and foreign telecommunications providers that currently rely on Huawei equipment for critical services," Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said in a statement. In response to the development, Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei said on Tuesday that the US temporary license didn't "make much sense", reiterating that the company was prepared for disruptions to its supply chain. "We shall not narrow-mindedly exclude US chips. We shall grow together. But when there is a supply shortage, we have a backup," he said in an interview with Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. The executive order comes amid an escalating trade war between the US and China. The US has also publicly asked its allies to steer clear of using Huawei products over concerns that the equipment could be used by the Chinese government to obtain private information. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Vivek Anand Oberoi has been a vocal supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but he has no plans to shift gears into politics. Asked if he would like to try stepping into politics, Vivek told IANS here: "No. In 2004, I was offered my first ticket as a Member of Parliament. It has been five times since then including the by-elections. I have been offered the MP ticket from regional and national parties, but I've said no." "Who wants to be an MP when you can be PM on-screen," added the actor, who features as Modi in the leader's biopic "PM Narendra Modi", releasing on May 24. The film, which traces Modi's life story, was stopped just a night before its scheduled worldwide opening on April 11 when the parliamentary polls kicked off, to ensure a level playing field in the elections. "We finished filming the biopic in just 38 days and the Election Commission (EC) delayed us by 40 days to release it. It took us longer to release the film than to make it. But it's all in the past now," he said of the Omung Kumar directorial. "PM Narendra Modi" was called a "propaganda film", and several political parties sought a ban on the biopic's release till the Lok Sabha polls got over. Vivek feels politics must not play spoilsport for cinema. "I just feel that if they focussed a little bit more on the work at hand, serving the people which they are supposed to rather than doing all this nonsense... If you did your work, then you would not have to run around doing all this... The appreciation comes with the work you do," said the 42-year-old actor. --IANS dc/rb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Exit polls are out and the Opposition parties are once again blaming electronic voting machines (EVMs). It shows that they still have not come to terms with the reality. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rise in 2014 has been a very significant development in the political landscape of our country. This is no small change by any standards considering it pushed the Congress party, a party considered the natural choice for governance for long, to the margins. This was made possible by a wide acceptance of the alternate narrative set in motion by Modi. Today, the Opposition needs to ... The entire nation and the media is waiting with bated breath for May 23. Ahead of the exit polls and opinion surveys, many non-NDA allies are teaming up to form their strategies for a post-poll alliance. The move by Opposition parties seem to have been inspired by the exit poll results. The scenario has led to intense speculation but this is yet another a learning curve for the media. It should be noted that in a democracy, any party can form a government either through a majority or through coalition. There is no harm in some of the Opposition party leaders calling for a meeting to ... A 10-year old girl in Pakistan was murdered after being allegedly raped, triggering massive protests by her family members and locals on Tuesday. The victim's family protested against the brutal murder of the girl by keeping her body at Taramri Chowk in Islamabad on Tuesday. The protesters, calling for action to be taken against the culprits, said they will bury the victim only after negotiations are successful with the district administration. According to an FIR filed by the victim's father, his daughter had gone out to play on May 15 in the evening in Shahzad Town area of the capital but did not return. The body of the girl with torture marks and wounds was found on May 20. The father alleged that his daughter - who had been missing for at least four days before her body was found in a wooded area - had been raped before she was killed. The father alleged that police instead of taking action or filing an FIR, had blamed the girl and posed insensitive questions to the family, such as asking whether she had eloped with someone. He alleged that the family had "continuously requested concerned police station for FIR but they refused". Following the massive protest, Interior Minister Ijaz Shah ordered Inspector General Police (IGP) Zulfiqar Shah to probe the matter. The Station House Officer (SHO) of Shehzad Town, Sub-Inspector Abbas Rana, has been suspended for negligence and to ensure transparent probe, according to police. Police also said that three suspects were arrested and shifted to undisclosed location. Those arrested were Afghan refugees living in the area. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Eleven persons were killed and ten injured when the pick-up van in which they were travelling collided with an oil tanker in Anand district of Gujarat Tuesday, police said. The accident took place on a state highway near Gambhira village in Anklav tehsil, said a local police official. The victims, most of them factory workers, were returning to Sarol village in Borsad tehsil of the district from Padra in Vadodara district where they worked, he said. While eight persons died on the spot, one died on the way to hospital and two others died during treatment at a government hospital in Vadodara, police said. The van was carrying a total of 22 people. Those injured were admitted to hospitals in Borsad and Vadodara. Driver of the oil tanker was absconding, the official said, adding that further probe was on. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 13 students, including three girls, of a college here were injured when they were attacked by another group over old enmity, police said Tuesday. The incident took place on Monday, they said. The injured were rushed to hospital and a case has been registered against 26 students, of which only six have been identified, station house officer of Miranpur police station, Pankaj Tyagi said. An FIR was filed by assistant director of Bhagwant Institute of Technology, Raghav Mehra. According to the complainant, the students were in class when another group of students entered the college and beat them up over old enmity. The students were attacked with sticks. Security has been tightened in the college after the incident, the police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two Naxals, each carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh against their names, were Tuesday arrested from Katekalyan area in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district, police said. An official identified them as Kawasi Masa (26) and Kudami Hadma (25), adding that Masa was active as a "jan militia commander" while Hadma was head of the Dandakaranya Adivasi Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan, a front outfit of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist). "The two were held by a team comprising the Central Reserve Police Force's 195th battalion and the district force while cordoning off a forested hill between Borpadar and Chikpal villages. The two tried to escape but were held after a brief chase," he added. He said security forces recovered a bow and arrows and three electric detonators from the duo. "Both carry Rs 1 lakh reward on their heads. They were involved in two attacks on security forces in Dantewada. However, they were mainly tasked with arranging meetings of senior leaders with local villagers, planting explosives to target security forces and obstructing roads," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two workers were left unconscious after a suspected noxious gas leakage at a flour mill in northwest Delhi's Keshav Puram area on Tuesday night, police said. The fire department was alerted at 10.00 pm about the leakage and two fire tenders were rushed to the spot, officials. A senior police officer said two workers were trapped inside the mill, which is on Lawrence Road, The fire department personnel are trying to rescue the unconscious workers, he said. Police suspect the gas leaked from the machines in the mill. Further details are awaited. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 25-hour countdown began Tuesday for the launch of India's all-weather radar imaging earth observation satellite RISAT-2B on-board Polar rocket from the spaceport of Sriharihota, the ISRO said. The workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, on its 48th mission, PSLV-C46, is scheduled for lift-off from the first launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, over 130 km from here, at 5.30 am Wednesday, the Indian Space Research Organisation said. The 615 kg satellite, meant for applications in fields such as surveillance, agriculture, forestry and disaster management support, will be released into orbit about 15 minutes after lift-off. ISRO Chairman K Sivan described the mission as "very very important" but did not elaborate. "Tomorrow morning at 5.30 am, we are going to have the PSLV-C46 mission which is going to launch satellite RISAT 2B and this is very very important mission for India...It is an excellent satellite with hi-fi earth observation (capabilities)", he said. Speaking to reporters after offering prayers at the famous Lord Venkateshwara temple in Tirupati ahead of the launch, Sivan said that after RISAT-2B, ISRO would turn to Chandrayaan-2 which is scheduled for launch between July 9 and 16. "Everybody is looking very eagerly for that mission and ISRO would look at landing the rover of Chandrayaan-2 (on Lunar surface) by September 6", he said. ISRO said the countdown for RISAT-2B began at 4.30 AM Tuesday and was progressing smoothly. RISAT-2B, which would replace RISAT-2 launched in 2009, is equipped with synthetic aperture radar that can take pictures of earth day and night and also under cloudy conditions. With a mission of life of five years, it would also be used for military surveillance, ISRO sources told PTI. RISAT-2 has been actively used by India to monitor activities in camps across the border in Pakistan to thwart infiltration bids by terrorists. PSLV-C46 is the 14th flight of the PSLV in its core-alone configuration sans the use of the solid strap-on motors. It would be the 72nd launch vehicle mission from Sriharikota and also marks the 36th launch from the first launch pad at the spaceport. Tomorrow's launch of PSLV also marks the third launch in 2019. Previous launches by ISRO in 2019 include the PSLV-C45/EMISAT Mission which successfully injected EMISAT and 29 international customer satellites on April 1. Besides PSLV-C45, ISRO had successfully launched PSLV-C44 which successfully placed Microsat-R and Kalamsat-V2 satellites in the designated orbits on January 24, 2019. ISRO had launched RISAT-1 (Radar Satellite-1), a microwave remote sensing satellite on April 26, 2012 from Sriharikota. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An estimated 70.78 per cent of the total 5,61,079 students, passed the annual high school certificate examination, the results of which were announced by the Board of Secondary (BSE), Odisha here Tuesday. The pass ratio this year is five per cent lower than last years pass percentage of 76.23 per cent, said School and Mass Education, secretary, PK Mohapatra while announcing the results. Of the 5,61,079 students who appeared the annual HSC examination, 3,97,125 students have passed the test, he said, adding that among successful students, 1,91,655 are male and 2,05,470 are female. At least 1,181 students have been awarded grade-A1 (more than 90 per cent), 9,938 students got Grade A2 , B1- 24,991 and 46,319 students have been graded under B2 category. Similarly, 76,139 students have been graded under C category, Grade D-1,16,262, Grade E-1,22,062 and Grade F-1,63,954 students, Mohapatra said. Though 289 schools have recorded cent percent results, 82 schools have recorded nil results. The students had appeared the examinations held in February-March this year in regular, ex-regular, correspondence, madhyama (Sanskrit) and Open School categories. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has congratulated the students who passed the matriculation exam and wished them good luck in their future career. "Congratulate all students who matriculated today. Best wishes for your future, Patnaik tweeted both in Odia ad English after the results were announced by the board here in the morning. "The decline in pass percentage this year was more because of the reforms introduced to check unfair means adopted by the students while writing their papers," said Mohapatra. He said the board will take some more stringent measures next year to crack down on the mischief mongers, who were circulating the images of the question papers on social media after the question booklets were taken out of their sealed covers. "Although, this naughtiness cannot be viewed as a question paper leak, yet, the mischief is denting the image of the Board and the students are getting panicked," Mohapatra observed. Among the districts, regular students of Jharsuguda district registered highest pass percentage (85.48), while only 50 percent students passed in Koraput district. More number of girls (2,05,470) became matriculates this year in the state than the boys (1,92,655) in the regular stream. While results of 10 students have been withheld this year, 1124 students were booked as "malpractice" for resorting to unfair means during the examination. Under Open School system, out of the total 11,219 students, 6,568 students have cleared the exam making the pass percentage 58.53. However, no candidates have been categorised in grade A1. Twenty one students have been graded under B1 category, 297 students have been awarded Grade B2. Similarly, Under Madhyama stream, out of 3,563 students, 3,015 have come out successful in the examination and the pass percentage is 84.62. No students have been awarded Grade A1 and Grade A2 under Madhyama stream. 174 students have been awarded B1 and 883 students have been graded under B2 category, Mohapatra said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An estimated 86.07 per cent of the 10,50,397 students passed the Madhyamik Pariksha (class 10) board examination in West Bengal, the results of which were announced on Tuesday. Sougata Das of Mahammadpur Deshpran Vidyapith in Purba Midnapore district topped the madhyamik examination securing 694 out of total 700 marks with 99.94 percentage. West Bengal Board of Secondary (WBBSE), president Kalyanmoy Ganguly told a press meet here that this year's 86.07 pass percentage was the highest in madhyamik examination in recent times. Asked if results in other class 10 board examinations prompted the Madhyamik high scores as the topper got 694, the second 691 and the third and four ranked received 689 and 687 marks respectively, Ganguly said "we are not influenced by evaluation of other boards. We are following our own yardsticks. These students deservedly got such marks." The results are available on the website wbbse.org. Purba Midnapore district registered the highest pass percentage of 96.01 per cent among the districts. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said the urban life of Srinagar city was blight with various problems, adding that neither the Centre nor the Jammu and Kashmir government invested in the augmentation of urban infrastructure of the state capital in the last five years. "The people of Srinagar stand dejected at the paucity of amenities and the appalling condition of roads. The people of Srinagar city were forsaken by the former PDP-BJP government and the present governor's administration proved no different. The work on the various vital projects of the city initiated by our government was unfortunately stalled by the former PDP-BJP regime," Abdullah said, addressing a party function where 11 corporators of the SMC joined the NC. Abdullah said the NC, despite being subjected to political shenanigans and conspiracies of various agencies, never left any stone unturned to work for the benefit of the people of the state. "Once in power, we will carry forward the mission of development and work towards ensuring peace in the state with active participation of people. The urban life of Srinagar is fraught with different issues. The party, once in power, will hold the authorities accountable. "For the last few years, no headway was seen towards upgrading the existing road and transport infrastructure of the city. The need of the hour, therefore, is proper planning to rise up to the demands of the growing population of Srinagar city," he said. The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said the absence of a popular elected government in the state was taking its toll on the development scenario of the state. "The onus for the miseries that are plaguing the state in the absence of an elected government lies on (PDP chief) Mehbooba Mufti. Had she asked the governor to dissolve the Assembly in June last year, after being shown the door by its former ally, things would have been much different. "Today we would have had an elected government looking after the basic needs of people. However, she chose not to do that and what followed is known to all. It is she who is blameworthy for putting the state into a chasm," Abdullah said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Admissions to law courses in Delhi government's Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) for the 2019-20 academic session will be only through national level Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), the Supreme Court said Tuesday. A vacation bench comprising Justices Arun Mishra and M R Shah said this while hearing a petition filed by the GGSIPU challenging the Delhi High Court order which had stayed the operation of an order and circular issued in February mandating the varsity to take admission in law courses through CLAT. "Let the admissions (in law courses) be made on the basis of CLAT," the bench said. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for GGSIPU, said that as per the high court order, the varsity would have to conduct common entrance test for taking admissions in law courses as it cannot take admissions through CLAT. The counsel appearing for self financing educational institutions association said students will have to suffer if admissions to law courses were made only through CLAT as the last date for applying for CLAT was already over. "Nobody will suffer. CLAT means CLAT," the bench observed. During the hearing, the bench took umbrage at one of the junior lawyers, assisting a senior advocate arguing in the matter, when he tried to interject. "Ask you junior to behave properly in the court," the bench said, adding, "What is this happening? We will initiate contempt... Is this a 'Sabzi Mandi' (vegetable market)? A senior counsel is arguing and he (junior lawyer) is shouting from behind". However, the senior lawyer apologised to the bench on behalf of his junior colleague. When the counsel appearing for the association told the court that students will suffer since last date for applying for CLAT was over, the bench said, "Your apprehension does not seem to be correct. Today, students are more smart. They must have applied for CLAT. Do not under estimate students". The Directorate of Higher of Delhi government had issued an order on February 11 permitting the GGSIPU to adopt National Level Tests for admission to several courses, including LLB and LLM, for 2019-20. Subsequently, the university issued a circular on February 26 saying it was likely to admit students in the law programs for the academic session 2019-20, through CLAT-UG and CLAT-PG. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : The International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad (IIIT-H), Tuesday announced country-wide rollout of its executive programmes on artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), blockchain and digital ledger technologies, in association with TalentSprint IIIT-H said the rollout was in response to a demand for deep-tech expertise currently sweeping through knowledge professionals in all major technology hubs of the country. The programme on AI and ML, commencing from August this year, would be delivered over 18 weeks in a hybrid format while theblockchainprogramme would begin from next month. There would be three campus visits of three days each to IIIT-Hyderabad, and live interactive online classes in other weeks, professor Ramesh Loganathan of IIIT-Hyderabad told mediapersons here. TalentSprint managing director and CEO Santanu Paul told reporters that 'we successfully combined theory with practice, academic rigour with industry experience, onsite with online. The popularity of the programmes has encouraged us to launch this updated nationwide format." IIIT-H said since their launch in 2018 in Hyderabad and Bengaluru, the hybrid executive programmes, with their onsite/online format, have seen 11 successful cohorts already completed or underway and the programmes pracademicdesign (deep academic knowledge combined with industry best practices) have been warmly embraced by working professionals. Over 1,600 tech professionals have undergone the advanced programme in AI/ML and blockchain, the institute said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The exhumed body of Angolan rebel chief Jonas Savimbi, who was killed in 2002, will be reburied in his hometown next month, authorities said after DNA tests confirmed the identity of the remains. The charismatic warlord, who fought Angola's socialist government in a 27-year civil war, was killed in a battle against the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) forces on February 22, 2002. His death paved the way for a peace deal that brought an end to one of Africa's longest and bloodiest conflicts, which erupted after independence from Portugal in 1975. He was buried the day after he died in Angola's eastern Moxico province. Six weeks after his death, his Unita movement signed a peace treaty with the MPLA government. DNA tests, conducted by laboratories in South Africa, Argentina, Portugal and Angola, confirmed that the body was Savimbi's. "All tests agree," Minister of State Pedro Sebastiao told reporters on Monday. The rebel leader will be re-buried in his hometown Lopitanga on June 1. "It is a relief to know that it is his body, and that we will bring him back where he wanted to be buried," one of his sons, Alleluia Sakaita-Savimbi, told AFP. Unita has campaigned for Savimbi to be given a dignified funeral, and President Joao Lourenco last year set up a commission to exhume and rebury his remains. Lourenco came to power in 2017 as head of the MPLA party, succeeding Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who ruled for 38 years. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Anil Ambani's Reliance Group has decided to withdraw the Rs 5,000-crore civil defamation suits filed in an Ahmedabad court against Congress leaders and National Herald newspaper over their statements and an article on the controversial Rafale fighter jet deal. The suits were being heard in the court of city civil and sessions judge P J Tamakuwala. "We have intimated the defendants that we are going to withdraw the suits against them," the complainant's lawyer, Rasesh Parikh, told PTI on Tuesday. P S Champaneri, the lawyer representing the National Herald and some other defendants, said he was told by the Reliance Group's counsel that he received instructions from his client to withdraw the defamation suits against them. The formal process to withdraw the suits will be taken up in the court when it resumes after the summer vacation, Champaneri said. Reliance Defence, Reliance Infrastructure and Reliance Aerostructure-- part of the Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Group-- had earlier filed civil defamation suits against Congress leaders including Sunil Jakhar, Randeep Singh Surjewala, Oommen Chandy, Ashok Chavan, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Sanjay Nirupam and Shaktisinh Gohil, and some journalists and organisations like the National Herald. The defamation suits were also filed against the National Herald's editor Zafar Agha, and Vishwadeepak, the author of a article published by it. Before going for summer vacation, the court was hearing applications moved by the defendants questioning the territorial jurisdiction of the court in Ahmedabad to hear such suits. The complainants said the defendants made libelous and derogatory statements against the Reliance Group and its chairman Anil Ambani pertaining to the Rafale fighter jet deal and his firms. They asked the defendants to "cease and desist" from levelling allegations against the company in connection with the Rafale deal. The defamation suit filed against the National Herald pertained to an article published by it, titled 'Anil Ambani floated Reliance Defence 10 days before Modi announced Rafale deal'. The article "misleads the general public to believe that undue business favours are being extended to them by the government of the day," the petition said. It conveys a "negative image" and "adversely affects the public perception" of Reliance Group and its chairman Ambani, it said. It has caused "considerable damage" to the reputation and goodwill of plaintiff firms, it said, seeking damages of Rs 5,000 crore. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) / -- As reported by iChongqing, Asia300 Global Business Forum Chongqing Summit, kicked off in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on May 16, 2019, as part of the 2nd Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade. The Chongqing Summit gathered about 300 of Asia's leading business and political leaders and academics in Chongqing to discuss and explore the potential for open and connected Asian economies. Its theme was "Towards an Open Asian Economic Area: The Potential of Closer Partnerships." Asia300 first time held in Chongqing Duan Chenggang, Member of the Standing Committee of Chongqing CPC Municipal Committee, noted that, at the intersection of the Belt and Road and the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Chongqing will play a leading role in promoting the joint construction of the Belt and Road. Takeoka Lunshi, Special Executive Director of Nikkei, said it was the first time that Nikkei had chosen Chongqing to have the summit. The summit served as an excellent platform for enterprises in Chongqing to communicate with and learn from its Asian counterparts and informs Chongqing's efforts to pioneer opening-up in hinterland China. The Belt and Road to better connect the world Vivek Chaand Sehgal, the founder and chairman of Samvardhana Motherson Group (India), said, "SMG covers 41 countries with 135,000 employees, there are 24 factories in China, we are looking for more cooperation opportunities in China." Tassapon Bijleveld, Executive Chairman of Asia Aviation Plc. and Thai AirAsia CEO of AirAsia China and Indochina said, "AirAsia will be seeking to support the infrastructure along the Belt and Road, connecting China to cities all along with it, expanding service to Europe later this year or early next year."Speeches and panel discussions inspire ideas Apart from speeches, panel discussions included Ambika Goel from GLP China, Dr. Ingrid van Wees from Asia Development Bank, Luky Eko Wuryanto from Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and Ken Koyanagi from Nikkei Asian Review. Heizo Takenaka, Former Minister of Economic and Financial Policy, noted that ways to build the supercity in Japan represent a hot topic. In that regard, experiences can be learned from practices in China, for example, shared big data in Chongqing for improving city management. The event was jointly organized by Chongqing Municipal People's Government Press Office, Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce, Chongqing Daily Group and Nikkei Inc. For more information: https://www.ichongqing. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Assam police Tuesday busted a call centre racket and arrested 37 persons, including nine women, for allegedly duping a large number of people in the US. A database of around seven lakh American citizens was seized from the office of Avenir call centre, which was operating from a rented house in Guwahati, clocking a revenue of over Rs 50 lakh per month, police said. The money collected from the US nationals after duping them come through a "hawala network" from American soil to Guwahati with the help of brokers based in the two countries, Assam Additional Director General of Police (CID) L R Bishnoi told reporters here. "We have been working on this for 15 days. Last night, around 40 CID officials raided the complex and picked up 37 persons, including the main kingpin of the entire network, but one managed to escape," he said. The arrested persons hail from Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Nagaland and Delhi, Bishnoi said. Explaining the modus operandi, he said the call centre, which was operating since February this year, pretends to be working from America on behalf of the US government. "It works as per American timings and opens at 8.30 pm every day. They call blast around 60,000 people daily by sending group messages, containing a phrase like 'we are calling from Social Security Administration.' Then they scare people by saying that their SSN is found to be involved in some illegal activities," the senior officer said. In the US, a Social Security Number (SSN), similar to India's Aadhaar, is a nine-digit number issued to citizens and residents by the Social Security Administration, an agency of the American government. "From them, usually 4,000-5,000 people call back. The calls land in Guwahati through an IP network and the call centre starts exploiting the people by stating that they had violated some laws. They are then asked to deposit some money depending upon the nature of the 'crime' narrated to them," Bishnoi said. On an average, 30-40 American people deposit the amount demanded every day. The call centre was owned and run by Rajesh Khan alias Rajesh Mukherjee, who has been arrested by the CID sleuths. When presented before the media, the accused said: "The entire money is transacted through hawala network. It is done online and no physical contact is needed... I learnt everything about this business from YouTube videos." Bishnoi said Rajesh hails from Gujarat, and was held two years ago for the same crime from Guwahati. "The accused, along with two of his accomplices, hire the youths by advertising jobs. Apart from paying around Rs 20,000 salary every month, they are also provided with accommodation, food and transportation," he said. "We have also seized 40 workstations, 32 mobile handsets, one laptop, pen drives and huge quantities of documents. "Once the entire case is solved, we will write to police of other states, the US authorities and Interpol," Bishnoi added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Swedish court said Tuesday it would hold a hearing on June 3 to decide whether to issue a detention order for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on suspicion of rape, the first step towards seeking his extradition from Britain to Sweden. The Uppsala district court said it had taken "both the requirement of a speedy procedure and the right for the suspect to prepare his defence" into consideration when setting the hearing date. Swedish deputy director of public prosecutions Eva-Marie Persson on Monday filed a request with the court to have Assange, currently imprisoned in Britain, detained in his absence over a 2010 rape allegation. Detaining someone in their absence is a standard part of Swedish legal procedure if a suspect is outside the country or cannot be located. The Australian whistleblower, who holed himself up in the Ecuadoran embassy in London for seven years to avoid a British extradition order to Sweden, was arrested by British police on April 11 after Ecuador gave him up. He was subsequently sentenced to 50 weeks in jail for breaching bail conditions when he took refuge in the embassy. Following his arrest Swedish authorities last week decided to reopen a 2010 rape investigation, which had been closed in 2017 when Sweden's then director of public prosecutions Marianne Ny argued that since Assange could not be reached, it was not possible to proceed with the probe. If the Swedish court grants the request for a detention order, Persson has said she plans to issue a European Arrest Warrant for Assange and request his transfer to Sweden. Assange is already the subject of an extradition request from the United States, where he is accused of hacking. Persson said it would be up to British authorities to decide which country's request shou ld take precedence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday expressed concern over the "needless controversy" created by the Opposition over EVMs at a meeting of NDA leaders, even as the ruling alliance laid out its agenda for the next five years if it is elected to power again. At the BJP-led ruling alliance meeting, which was attended by 36 parties, a resolution was passed, terming the 2019 general election decisive for the country and pledging to make India "strong, developed, prosperous and inclusive" by 2022 when India completes 75 years of its independence, party leader and Union minister Rajnath Singh told reporters. In his address, Modi stressed on the need to change the narrative from caste lines and orient it for the poor, Singh said. The prime minister expressed concern over the Opposition making "needless controversy" over electronic voting machines, the home minister said. The resolution was proposed by BJP ally and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E K Palaniswami were among the BJP allies who attended the dinner-meeting hosted by BJP president Amit Shah. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a no-holds barred attack, senior Karnataka Congress leader Roshan Baig Tuesday accused the state party chief of being a "flop show" and scoffed at AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal as a "buffon", prompting the party to issue a show cause notice for his outburst. Baig, a senior MLA, also slammed former chief minister Siddarmaiah for "dividing" the Hindu society by attempting to give separate religion tag to Lingayat community and "abusing" the Vokkaliga community during his tenure in the top post. The attack by Baig who was miffed over being denied ticket to contest Lok Sabha polls came after the exit polls predicted a rout for the Congress-JD(S) alliance in Karnataka and NDA's return to power at the Centre. Baig also appealed to the Muslims to "compromise with the situation" (about BJP-led NDA being in power) and not to remain like "cattle" and be reduced to a vote bank. "Venugopal (in-charge of party affairs in the state) should have resigned when Congress got 79 seats in assembly polls (a year ago). I feel sorry for such general secretary coming to our state...," he said "K C Venugopal is a buffoon, I feel sorry for him, I feel sorry for my leader Sri Rahul Gabndhi ji," Baig told reporters here. He added: "Buffoons like Venugopal and arrogant attitude of Siddaramaiah and the flop show president Dinesh Gundu Rao...the result is this (Lok Sabha exit polls forecast)." A red-faced Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee issued a "show cause" notice to Baig for his outbursts. It said Baig's remarks were being considered seriously as an "anti party activity", and asked him as to why disciplinary action should not be taken against him. Seeking Baig's explanation in a week, the notice signed by KPCC General Secretary V Y Ghorpade said, "On failing to reply further disciplinary action will be taken against you." The notice has taken strong exception toBaig's comments against Venugopal, Rao and Siddaramaiah. "By making statements to the media and causing discomfortto the party and expressing your displeasure publicly throughthe media, you have conducted yourself by going against theparty's principles. Your conduct has dented party's prestige," it said. Baig said the "drastic decisions" led to the downfall of the party in the assembly election and now the same was reflected in the Lok Sabha exit poll results too. "Nobody should divide the religion. A chief minister should behave like a statesman. What it means if he (Siddaramaiah) thinks he will win the election by dividing the religion? Isn't it madness?," he said. He was referring to the Siddaramaiah government's decision to seek a separate religious tag to Lingayat community. While the Congress leaders tried to divide the Lingayat community, they abused Vokkalikas, alleged Baig. "They abused (JDS leaders) H D Deve Gowda and H DKumaraswamy. They polarised people. They segregated Vokkaligasand Lingayat communities," Baig alleged. According to political observers, the decision on Lingayat community had cost the Congress dearly in the assembly polls, in which the BJP emerged as the single largest party but fell short of numbers. The Congress and JDS then formed a post-poll alliance and the government. "Look at the way CLP leader (Siddaramaiah) behaved - his ego. After going to the doors of Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy with a proposal to form a coalition government, now you are saying I am the chief minister and I will be the chief minister again. People don't like such behaviour," Baig added. Baig's angst was against Congress giving ticket to just one Muslim candidate Rizwan Arshad against the demand for three candidates. "Earlier they used to give tickets to three minorities. Today they gave it to only one," Baig added. Appealing to Muslims to "compromise with the situation", he said, "we should not be sacrificed. We should not remain like cattle. We should not become vote bank of one side." Asked whether he would quit Congress, Baig said hehad not taken any decision yet. Meanwhile, Baig's son Ruman Baig in a tweet said: "Congress has created a fear psychosis amongst minorities. They've created a narrative that minorities shouldfeel guilty if they decide to vote for BJP. But in realityCongress leadership just uses the minority votebank as asafety cushion." Reacting to Roshan Baig's outburst, Rao said the remarks crossed the limits of party's discipline. "The results are not yet out but he is giving statements in a way as if he is extremely happy with the projections," Rao said. Baig had earlier, too, expressed displeasure against the Congress leadership for not being included in the cabinet, headed by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy. His outbursts has come at a time when another senior MLA, Ramesh Jarkiholi, who is hobnobbing with the Bharatiya Janata Party, had threatened to quit the Congress along with other MLAs "soon". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior BJP leader and Union Minister D V Sadananda Gowda Tuesday said Karnataka Congress legislator R Roshan Baig's outburst against his party leadership will give a "new direction" to the state BJP will welcome all who share the saffron party's ideology, he said when asked if the party would welcome if Baig wants to switch over. On Monday, Baig had hit out at the Congress leaders for the party's performance in the Lok Sabha polls as projected in the exit polls a day ago. The MLA had held former chief minister Siddaramaiah's "arrogance" and party state president Dinesh Gundu Rao's "immaturity" responsible for the "flop show". He had also called K C Venugopal, who is in charge of the party affairs in the state, a "buffoon". "You cannot hide truth and true incidents. It will be in public sooner than later. Probably, Roshan Baig was keeping it to himself. He was forced to speak out looking at the current situation. I welcome," Gowda told reporters here. He further said, "Baig is thinking that State Food and civil supplies minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan has taken over his position, for which Siddaramaih is responsible. It will give a new direction to Karnataka " Asked whether BJP will welcome Baig if he expresses interest in joining the saffron party, he said, "We welcome all those who believe in our ideology. We don't have enmity." Sadananda Gowda, a former state chief minister, is contesting from the Bengaluru North constituency. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bangladesh Foreign Minister A K Abdul Momen said Tuesday that his country did not stop issuing visas to Pakistanis, amid reports that Dhaka's high commission in Islamabad has stopped issuing visas to Pakistani nationals over a fresh diplomatic row. "The report should have appeared in the media in the reverse way," he told a press conference in Dhaka, attributing the current crisis to Pakistan's inaction in issuing visas to Bangladeshi diplomats to be posted in Islamabad. Earlier, the media reported that Bangladesh stopped issuing visas to Pakistan nationals. "We have not stopped issuing visas to Pakistanis, but delays could happen in some cases which are common worldwide," the minister said. He said Bangladesh's mission in Islamabad was facing manpower shortage which affected the processing of visas as Pakistan was delaying in issuing visa for Bangladesh's newly appointed visa councilor in Islamabad. Moreover, he said, Islamabad was not renewing the visa of the officer who was temporarily entrusted with the task of issuing visas. "It is them (Islamabad)...how could we issue visa unless we have our manpower to do that there," the minister said. His comments came amid strained bilateral ties since 2013 when Dhaka decided to hang several of the Bangladeshi 1971 war criminals, who carried out atrocities siding with Pakistani troops during the country's Liberation War. "You can call it a sign of protest against the Pakistani gesture," a Bangladeshi foreign ministry official familiar with the development told PTI. But the official, who preferred anonymity, said the Bangladeshi diplomat in-charge of issuing visas refrained from processing the application by Pakistanis as the authorities there had been sitting on his own official visa renewal application for the past four months. Pakistani high commission in Dhaka is not processing his family members' visa applications, barring Bangladesh high commission's press and visa affairs councillor Iqbal Hossain from meeting his family, the official said. According to the official, Hossain is living in Islamabad with his daughter while his wife and son were in Dhaka. "We earlier contacted and still communicating with them to resolve the pending visa issues of our diplomats," Momen said. No official in the Pakistani high commission was immediately available for comments over the impasse. The diplomatic row between Bangladesh and Pakistan is on the rise since last year when Dhaka denied a visa to the Pakistan high commissioner. In March 2018, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry proposed Saqlain Syedah as its new high commissioner to Bangladesh. Bangladesh refused to accept Syedah's "agreement" (documents related to proposal of nomination) as Pakistan's envoy. Six months later, Bangladesh verbally notified Pakistan that it cannot accept Syedah's nomination, and asked for an alternative nomination. Asked if there was any development over the acceptance of the credentials of Pakistan's proposed envoy in Dhaka, Momen said Bangladesh did not accept Islamabad's proposal for "some reasons". "(But) this is a quite normal phenomenon (in diplomatic arena), if they propose someone new, we will definitely consider it," he said. Pakistan has not come up with any alternative nominations yet. The row over the 1971 war criminals' trials visibly prompted Bangladesh not to clear the credentials of the proposed Pakistani envoy to Dhaka. Syedah is now appointed as high commissioner to Kenya, according to an announcement by Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday. According to a report in Pakistani media, the foreign ministry made a suggestion to Prime Minister Imran Khan to downgrade Bangladeshi mission in Islamabad as Pakistani mission in Dhaka was being run by a consular level officer. Pakistan's national and provincial assemblies in recent years passed several resolutions while several of their ministers too issued statements protesting trial of the top 1971 collaborators of Pakistani troops in Bangladesh. The move prompted the foreign office in Dhaka to summon repeatedly Islamabad's envoy to be handed down protest notes. Five top collaborators of the Pakistani army, four being leaders of fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami, which opposed the country's 1971 independence from Pakistan, have so far been executed after their trial in Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal. The strained bilateral relations worsened in 2016 when Bangladesh forced Islamabad to take back three of its officials, including a woman diplomat, alleging their links to Islamist militants. Diplomatic negotiations between the two countries are at a standstill for a few years now over Dhaka alleging Pakistani high commission of financing terrorist activities in the country. Foreign secretary-level talks have not taken place between the two countries in the past four years now. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bangladesh high commission in Islamabad has stopped issuing visas to Pakistani nationals for one week over a fresh diplomatic row, a Bangladeshi official said Tuesday, amid strained bilateral ties since 2013 when Dhaka decided to hang several of the 1971 war criminals. The diplomatic row between Bangladesh and Pakistan is on the rise since last year when Dhaka denied a visa to the Pakistan high commissioner. "You can call it a sign of protest against the Pakistani gesture," a Bangladeshi foreign ministry official familiar with the development told PTI. The foreign office in Dhaka, however, is yet to make any formal confirmation and no official notification has been issued on the halting of visas to the Pakistani nationals. But the official, who preferred anonymity, said the Bangladeshi diplomat in charge of issuing visas refrained from processing the application by Pakistanis as Pakistani authorities had been sitting on his own official visa renewal application for the past four months. Pakistani high commission in Dhaka is not processing his family members' visa applications, barring Bangladesh high commission's press and visa affairs councillor Iqbal Hossain from meeting his family, the official said. "Issuance of any visa to Pakistani nationals remains suspended as the visa counter in Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad has been closed since last Monday [May 13]," Dhaka Tribune quoted Hossain as saying. The Bangladeshi councillor said they had informed the South Asia wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Pakistan. According to the officials, Hossain is living in Islamabad with his daughter while his wife and son were in Dhaka. No official in the Pakistani high commission was immediately available for comments over the impasse. Pakistan apparently has delayed the renewal of the visa after Dhaka refused to accept the nomination of the new high commissioner of Pakistan to Bangladesh for over a year. In March 2018, Pakistan Foreign Ministry proposed Saqlain Syedah as its new high commissioner to Bangladesh. Bangladesh refused to accept Syedah's "agreement" (documents related to proposal of nomination) as Pakistan high Commissioner. Six months later, Bangladesh verbally notified Pakistan that it cannot accept Syedah's nomination, and asked for an alternative nomination. Pakistan has not come up with any alternative nominations yet. The row over the 1971 war criminals' trials visibly prompted Bangladesh not to clear the credentials of the proposed Pakistani high commissioner to Dhaka. Syedah is now appointed as high commissioner to Kenya, according to an announcement by Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday. According to a report in Pakistani media, the foreign ministry made a suggestion to Prime Minister Imran Khan to downgrade Bangladeshi mission in Islamabad as Pakistani mission in Dhaka was being run by a consular level officer. Pakistan's national and provincial assemblies in recent years passed several resolutions while several of their ministers too issued statements protesting trial of the top 1971 collaborators of Pakistani troops in Bangladesh. The move prompted the foreign office in Dhaka to summon repeatedly Islamabad's envoy to be handed down protest notes. Five top collaborators of the Pakistani army, four being leaders of fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami which opposed the country's 1971 independence from Pakistan, have so far been executed after their trial in Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal. The strained bilateral relations worsened in 2016 when Bangladesh forced Islamabad to take back three of its officials, including a woman diplomat, alleging their links to Islamist militants. Diplomatic negotiations between the two countries are at a standstill for a few years now over Dhaka alleging Pakistani high commission of financing terrorist activities in the country. Foreign secretary-level talks have not taken place between the two countries in the past four years now. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In one of the biggest seizures, gold and foreign currencies worth Rs 5.5 crore were seized at the Delhi airport in a single day. "Indira Gandhi International Airport customs intelligence and preventive have been maintaining a heightened alert posture to curb smuggling. In last 24 hours contraband worth over 5.5 crore was seized," said Manish Kumar, commissioner of customs department at the airport. The department said a Japanese man was intercepted after his arrival from Hong Kong on Monday. A detailed personal and baggage search of the passenger resulted in the recovery of four pieces of gold of cylindrical shape and eight gold bars, collectively weighing 7 kg, it said in a statement issued Tuesday. The market value of the gold, that has been seized, is assessed to be Rs 2.22 crore, the statement said, adding that the Japanese man was arrested. It is after a long time that a Japanese man has been arrested for gold smuggling. The yellow metal was concealed inside auto parts being carried by the passenger. In another case, three Indian men were intercepted at the airport when they were proceeding to board a flight to Hong Kong on Sunday. A detailed personal and baggage search of these passengers resulted in the recovery of various foreign currencies USD, Australian Dollar, Euro, New Zealand Dollar, UAE Dirham, Bahrain Dinar and Hong Kong Dollar among others equivalent to Rs 2.3 crore. The trio were arrested and the forex was seized. In addition to these, other small seizures totalling another three kilogram of gold were made on Sunday. In all, ten kg gold and foreign currencies worth Rs 5.5 crore were seized, a senior customs official said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP leader Vijender Gupta Tuesday sent legal notices to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia asking them to apologise for their tweets in which they had accused him of being part of a conspiracy to kill the AAP chief. Gupta said if Kejriwal and Sisodia failed to apologise, he would initiate civil as well as criminal proceedings against them. The Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly has already filed a police complaint against the chief minister and his deputy, alleging that they were tying to "falsely implicate" him in a conspiracy to kill Arvind Kejriwal. In the legal notice, Gupta also demanded "immediate withdrawal" of their tweets and apologise for their statement imputing conspiracy being hatched by him to murder Kejriwal. "If Sisodia and Kejriwal failed to apologise within seven days for their defamatory, false and baseless allegations, I would be forced to initiate civil as well as criminal proceedings against them in a competent court of Law," Gupta said in a statement. The Delhi chief minister had recently alleged in an interview to a Punjabi channel that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wanted to get him killed by his own Personal Security Officer (PSO) in the manner in which Indira Gandhi had been killed. Countering the charge Gupta had tweeted, "Before the slapgate on May 4, @ArvindKejriwal asked the liaison officer to lift the security cover around his vehicle. The chief minister's instruction is registered in the roznamcha (police diary). The AAP could not receive electoral gain out of it because I exposed this, so out of frustration Kejriwal is saying that his PSO reports to the BJP." This gave ammunition to Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who alleged that Gupta was part of the conspiracy to kill Arvind Kejriwal. "BJP is conspiring to get the CM killed. This tweet by @Gupta_vijender has proved that the BJP is getting the daily security plan of the CM and it is hatching a conspiracy to kill the CM on this basis. Vijender Gupta is also a part of this conspiracy," he said quoting Gupta's tweet. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP's Himachal Pradesh unit may soon take action against its Mandi MLA for not attending a rally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi held in the assembly segment earlier this month, a party leader said. During the Lok Sabha election campaign, Modi had addressed a rally at Paddal Maidan in Mandi on May 10 in support of sitting BJP MP Ram Swaroop Sharma. The local MLA, Anil Sharma, whose son, Aashray, was fielded by the Congress opposite Ram Swaroop, gave the prime minister's rally a miss. Disciplinary action will definitely be taken against Anil Sharma after talking to the party high command, state BJP president Satpal Singh Satti said. "As far as his membership of the legislative assembly is concerned, legal opinion will be taken on that and action may be taken against him through Speaker Rajeev Bindal. Being the leader of the House, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur will decide in what manner action will be initiated against the MLA," Satti told PTI. "However, as far as the party is concerned, being a legislator, Anil Sharma is a member of the BJP's state executive. We will discuss in our disciplinary committee his removal from the state executive for not attending our topmost leader Narendra Modi's rally held in his home constituency," he added. Ashray, who was eyeing BJP ticket from Mandi, joined the Congress after the saffron party decided to re-nominate Ram Swaroop. After Ashray's candidature was announced by the Congress, Anil Sharma resigned as the state power minister due to constant attack from within the BJP and uneasy equation with Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. He had told the BJP that he would neither campaign for the party candidate, nor for his son. The Mandi Lok Sabha constituency is very important for the BJP as it is Thakur's home district. Polling was held in Mandi on May 19 and it recorded a voter turnout of 73.39 per cent. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Tuesday condemned parties for questioning the credibility of Electronic Voting Machines and asked them to accept their defeat with grace if the people vote Prime Minister Narendra Modi to power again. Party leader and Law Minister took a swipe at the opposition, saying EVMs were fine when its leaders like Mamata Banerjee, N Chandrababu Naidu and Amarinder Singh win elections and come to power, but the machines turn unreliable when it appears Modi will come back to power. " is good when Mamata Banerjee became West Bengal chief minister twice and Amarinder Singh became Punjab chief minister. If they win, is good. But when there is expectation that we will win because people of this country want Narendra Modi to be prime minister again, then is unreliable," said "The condemns their (opposition) conduct and will tell humbly to accept their defeat with grace," he said. spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao said parties are desperately seeking an alibi for their impending massive defeat and their sudden mistrust is "unsurprising and unimaginary". "When they win, as they did in state polls recently, EVMs are trustworthy. But when they lose, they become questionable. Their selective trust in the EVMs is hypocritical and mischievous. "Their blatant effort at rubbishing the predicted pro-BJP mandate is an insult to the Indian democracy. The parties look very small not in their defeat, but in their condemnable conduct," he said. Leaders of as many as 22 opposition parties met the (EC) on Tuesday and demanded verification of slips of randomly-selected polling stations before the counting of the votes polled in the just-concluded Lok Sabha election begins on May 23. They also demanded that if any discrepancy is found during verification, 100 per cent counting of the paper slips of VVPATs of all polling stations in a particular Assembly segment should be done and compared with the electronic voting machine (EVM) results. Yemen's Iranian-allied Houthi rebels attacked a Saudi airport and military base with a bomb-laden drone Tuesday, an assault acknowledged by the kingdom as Middle East tensions remained high between Tehran and Washington. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. The attack on the Saudi city of Najran came after Iran announced it has quadrupled its uranium-enrichment production capacity, though still at a level far lower than needed for atomic weapons, a year after the US withdrew from Iran's nuclear deal with world powers. Underlining the tensions, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is seeking expanded executive powers to better deal with "economic war" triggered by the Trump's administration's renewal and escalation of sanctions targeting the Islamic Republic, the state-run IRNA agency reported. "A person or a nation might be under pressure but the Iranian nation will not bow to bullies," Rouhani vowed in a televised speech Tuesday night. By increasing production, Iran soon will exceed the stockpile limitations set by the nuclear accord. Tehran has set a July 7 deadline for Europe to put forth new terms for the deal, or it will enrich closer to weapons-grade levels in a Middle East already on edge. The U.S. has deployed bombers and an aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf over still-unspecified threats from Iran, which is the biggest rival in the region to the U.S.-allied Saudi Arabia. Before a briefing on the situation to Congress , acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan suggested the U.S. military response to Iranian threats has already had an effect. He said U.S. military moves have given Iran "time to recalculate" and as a result the potential for attacks on Americans is "on hold," although the threat has not gone away. In the drone attack, the Houthis' Al-Masirah satellite channel said they targeted the airport in Najran with a Qasef-2K drone, striking an "arms depot." Najran, 840 kilometers (525 miles) southwest of Riyadh, lies on the Saudi-Yemen border and has repeatedly been targeted by the Houthis. A statement on the state-run Saudi Press Agency quoted Saudi-led coalition spokesman Col. Turki al-Maliki as saying the Houthis "had tried to target" a civilian site in Najran, without elaborating. Al-Maliki warned there would be a "strong deterrent" to such attacks and described the Houthis as the "terrorist militias of Iran." Similar Houthi attacks have sparked Saudi-led airstrikes on Yemen, which have been widely criticized internationally for killing civilians. Civilian airports across the Middle East often host military bases. The New York Times reported last year that American intelligence analysts were based in Najran, assisting the Saudis and a deployment of U.S. Army Green Berets on the border. Lt. Col. Earl Brown, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command, said there were "no U.S. personnel involved nor present at Najran" at the time of the attack. Last week, the Houthis launched a coordinated drone attack on a Saudi oil pipeline. Earlier this month, officials in the United Arab Emirates alleged that four oil tankers were sabotaged and U.S. diplomats relayed a warning that commercial airlines could be misidentified by Iran and attacked, something dismissed by Tehran. In its nuclear program announcement Monday night, Iranian officials stressed that the uranium would be enriched only to the 3.67% limit set under the 2015 nuclear deal, making it usable for a power plant but far below what's needed for an atomic weapon. Iran said it had told the International Atomic Energy Agency of the development. The Vienna-based U.N. nuclear watchdog did not respond to a request for comment. Tehran long has insisted it does not seek nuclear weapons, though the West fears its program could allow it to build them. President Donald Trump, who campaigned on a promise to pull the U.S. from the Iran deal, has alternated tough talk with more conciliatory statements a strategy he says is aimed at keeping Iran guessing at the administration's intentions. Trump also has said he hopes Iran calls him and engages in negotiations. But while Trump's approach of flattery and threats has become a hallmark of his foreign policy, the risks have only grown in dealing with Iran, where mistrust between Tehran and Washington goes back four decades. While both sides say they don't seek war, many worry any miscalculation could spiral out of control. A Trump tweet Monday warning Iran would face its "official end" if it threatened the U.S. drew sharp rebuke from Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Twitter, who used the hashtag #NeverThreatenAnIranian. In Iran, it remains unclear what powers Rouhani seeks. In Iran's 1980s war with Iraq, a wartime supreme council was able to bypass other branches to make decisions regarding the economy and the war. "Today, we need such powers," Rouhani said, according to IRNA. He added that country "is united that we should resist the U.S. and the sanctions." Meanwhile, former U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis told an audience in the United Arab Emirates on Monday night that America "needs to engage more in the world and intervene militarily less." While "Iran's behavior must change," he urged the U.S. not to engage in unilateral action and that American "military must work to buy time for diplomats to work their magic. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Breakdown of two trucks during the peak morning hours and a technical glitch on Delhi Metro's Yellow Line forced commuters to take roads to reach their destinations and choked several stretches in South Delhi and the Gurgaon-Delhi highway on Tuesday. One 10-axle truck, carrying crushed stones, broke down near Rangpuri area at around 7 am, affecting traffic on one lane and another 14-axle truck overturned on Rao Tularam Marg near Subroto Park area at 6.20 am, said Taj Hassan, Special Police Commissioner (Traffic). The first truck was removed from road around 10 am and the second was removed at 9.15 am. However, traffic had already been affected by then. Meanwhile, train services on the 49-km Yellow Line, connecting Huda City Centre in Gurgaon to Samaypur Badli in Delhi, stalled at 9.32 am and remained paralysed for more than four hours. Several commuters were forced to take the road route to reach their destinations, triggering a cascading effect from the earlier traffic jam. "The stretch between the Hauz Khas and MG Road was effected. Mehrauli Circle was the most effected area," a senior traffic police officer said. "Traffic is heavy at Qutub Minar, Sultanpur, Ghitorni, Chhatarpur,100 Feet Rd, CDR Chowk ,Lado Sarai, Aurobindo Marg, MG road due to technical fault in Metro line," Delhi Traffic Police tweeted. There was heavy traffic for two to three hours in South Delhi. People came out of metro stations and sought autos or taxis to reach their destinations, the officer said, adding now the traffic is running normally. Police tried to help commuters using their duty trucks. "Helped several commuters to reach their destinations who stuck due to snag in Metro service in between Sultanpur to Qutub stn. Traffic police and Local police now clearing huge traffic on MG road," DCP South Vijay Kumar tweeted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) by Nirmala Carvalho This year marks the Conventions 30th anniversary. Arigatou International, an NGO, wants to set up a platform for discussion among religious leaders o protect children with the help of religion. Mumbai (AsiaNews) Arigatou International met in Lausanne (Switzerland) to discuss ways to modernise the UN Convention on the rights of children by enhancing the role of religions. "The meeting was aimed at drafting a document on the current conditions of children and the challenges of the modern era, to be presented on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Convention which falls on 20 November, said Mgr Felix Machado, archbishop of Vasai, India. Arigatou (thank you in Japanese) International is an NGO devoted to child welfare, bringing together leaders from seven religions: Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, Sikh, Bahai, Hinduism. The annual meeting of the associations 15-member advisory committee was held on 10-11 May. Bishop Machado was the only Catholic representative. The associations purpose is to put representatives of different faiths and cultures on the same level, so that they can work together to build a better world for children. The NGO is the brainchild of Myochikai, a Japanese Buddhist organisation, founded by the late Takeyasu Miyamoto. His son Keishi Miyamoto now leads it. "When I worked in the Holy See (1994-1998), the founder paid a visit to the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and expressed a wish to get involved with children and their rights, said the prelate. This led to the creation of the organisation that deals with the causes of children and is active all over the world." "Reviewing the Convention on the Rights of the Child from a multi-religious perspective is the current objective of the committee, Mgr Machado said. For this reason, leading children's rights experts have been selected. The main question is what can religious leaders do to protect childrens rights? The starting point is the childs dignity." "Children must not suffer because of our ideological differences. Religious leaders must be players in child protection. Let us not be guided by the head, but by the heart. It is an opportunity for us all to do more for children, the prelate explained. "Every religion has its own moral approach, but children must enjoy the fundamental dignity they are entitled to. Everyone must agree on this. Let us inspire people to act in support of our children. Families are the place where they are born and grow up. The institution of the family must be strengthened. Boosted by positive exit poll forecasts for the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP is now laying foundation for the assembly elections in the city in 2020, party leaders said Tuesday. To improve the party's image here, the BJP leaders are focusing on performance of the three municipal corporations it has majority in, said a senior party leader. "Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari has already started meetings with municipal councilors. Two prominent issues that are coming up for discussion are corruption in building departments and insanitation in municipal areas," he said. The BJP leaders "are aware of the notorious reputation of the building department staff" of the three municipal corporations. There are large number of complaints against the department staff and their nexus with local councilors in "taking bribe" for construction work, the BJP leader said. "Tiwari has sought help from councilors on how to check rampant corruption in building department, so that the civic bodies' image can be improved. He also sought their assistance in making the city clean. Tiwari will hold a meeting with sanitation workers for the same," said the leader. The Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) rules the South, North and East Delhi Municipal Corporations. "Image of these corporations plays a crucial role in assembly polls in Delhi. The party leaders believe an improvement in the image can enhance the party's appeal among voters," he said. The BJP is ruling the three civic bodies for three consecutive terms since 2007. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress have frequently attacked the BJP, accusing it of "corruption and mismanagement". The counting of votes for seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi will be held on May 23. The BJP, which won all the seven seats in 2014 general elections, is pitted against the AAP and the Congress in a triangular contest for most seats here. The exit polls by different channels have predicted the BJP winning five to seven of the seats in Delhi. The assembly polls in Delhi are due next year in February. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Canadian authorities on Tuesday raided a zoo, arrested its owner, and seized more than 100 animals including lions, zebras, kangaroos and bears -- after finding two dead tigers on the property. Norman Trahan, owner of the Saint-Edouard Zoo in Saint-Edouard-de-Maskinonge, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) northeast of Montreal, faces charges of animal cruelty and neglect. If convicted he faces up to five years in prison and a lifetime ban on owning animals. The local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), which has policing powers in the province, and a team of veterinarians spent the morning cataloguing and checking on the health of each of the animals. "Given the magnitude and the complexity of the endeavour, the operation will take place over a number of weeks and will be conducted in partnership with Humane Society International, an organization specialized in mass animal rescue operations," Sophie Gaillard, who is in charge of the operation, told a press conference. "To our knowledge, this is the first time in Canada that a zoo owner has been charged with criminal animal cruelty," she said. The seized exotic and wild animals will be moved to sanctuaries and specialized care facilities elsewhere in North America. In a statement, the SPCA said it started investigating the zoo after receiving a tip about mistreatment of the animals from a visitor in August 2018. Animal protection officers began documenting "significant problems" with the animals' health and living conditions, and initially seized two alpacas in very poor condition while also finding the remains of four other animals, including the tigers, on the property. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Central Board of Secondary (CBSE) has written to Delhi University to align their admission process with the preponed result schedule of the class 12 board examination. CBSE had announced results of class 12 examination on May 2, in record 28 days. Usually, the class 12 results are announced by third week of May. "As per the directives of the Delhi High Court, CBSE has preponed all its activities of conduct of examination, declaration of result and process of verification and re-evaluation. "We have also written a letter to the Registrar of Delhi University to align the admission process as per the schedule fixed by the CBSE," a board official said. The official said now, Delhi University has to fix the last date of submission of application form for admission in Delhi University in such a manner that the work of re-evaluation is over prior to the last date of Delhi University admission process. The Delhi University is yet to announce the admission schedule while St Stephen's college which is not part of the centralised admission process has announced the schedule. The admissions will begin at the prestigious college on May 22. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China on Tuesday dismissed as unscientific and unprofessional US President Donald Trump's charge that Beijing has ripped off America with unfair business practices for decades. The US and China are locked in a bruising trade war since Trump imposed heavy tariffs on imported steel and aluminium items from China in March last year, a move that sparked fears of a global trade war. In response, China imposed tit-for-tat tariffs on billions of dollars worth of American imports. Trump once again accused China of ripping off United States at a rally in Montoursville, Pennsylvania on Monday, attacking his potential re-election challenger Joe Biden for minimising the economic threat posed by Beijing. They want Biden so that China can continue to make $500 billion dollars a year and more ripping off the United States, he said. Past leaders let China freely plunder the US economy and take the crown jewels of American industry, Trump said. Reacting to Trump's charge, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told media here that any trade deal should be balanced and mutually beneficial. It is necessary to distinguish between reciprocity and which side gains advantage. In trade relations, they are not the same thing. It is unrealistic to ask for absolute equal openness and not to mention that economic globalisation is a process that countries complement each other's advantages, he said. In trade, mutual benefit means we can achieve over all mutual benefit and balanced interests in open markets. So, it is not scientific or professional to think that US got ripped off. Any trade deal should be two-way balanced and based on equality and mutual benefit, he said. 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 in the Chinese markets. He has already increased the tariffs on over USD 250 billion worth of Chinese exports to the US and threatened to extend tariffs on USD 200 billion worth of Chinese imports to 25 per cent. China too slapped reciprocal tariffs on some US exports to the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Securities Appellate Tribunal has rejected OPG Securities' plea in the co-location matter, wherein the stock broker had sought permission to deposit Rs 7.5 crore as a mix of cash and securities with the regulator. Previously, the tribunal had granted interim stay on Securities and Exchange Board of India's (Sebi) order against and its directors, but had asked them to deposit Rs 7.5 crore with by May 20. Last month, barred and its three directors from for five years and asked them to disgorge illegal gains worth Rs 15.57 crore along with interest for gaining unfair advantage over other trading members by connecting to secondary server in NSE's co-location facility on a daily basis without valid reasons. In a fresh plea, OPG had requested the tribunal to allow it to deposit Rs 99 lakh in cash and the balance amount of Rs 6.51 crore by way of securities. While rejecting the plea, the tribunal, in an order dated May 20, said "it does not find any merit" in the application. It asked OPG "to deposit a sum of Rs 7.5 crore in cash or in the form of a bank guarantee given from a nationalised bank to be deposited before the respondent on or before May 30, 2019 failing which the interim order shall stand vacated automatically." The is the respondent in the case as per the order. A Pakistani boat carrying narcotic substance worth Rs 600 crore was seized by the Indian Coast Guard on Tuesday after two days of relentless search of nearly 200 nautical miles along the International Maritime Boundary Line off the Gujarat coast, a top official said. Six crew members of the boat were taken into custody, Additional Director General of the Coast Guard VSR Murthy said. He said a joint team comprising intelligence agencies will interrogate the crew members. On May 19, the Coast Guard received inputs from the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) about a Pakistani ship trying to enter Indian waters, Murthy said. A day later, the maritime security agency received similar inputs from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence. Following this, the search operation was intensified. The Coast Guard deployed Aranjay, a fast patrol vessel, two interceptor boats and an aircraft for scanning the sea, Murthy added. Early Tuesday, the Coast Guard intercepted 'Al-Madina', a Pakistani fishing trawler, eight nautical miles inside Indian waters off the Jakhau coast. "The suspect boat did evasive manoeuvres to avoid getting apprehended. However, they were apprehended despite the rough sea conditions," Murthy said. When cornered, the crew on the boat threw the bags containing the suspicious materials in water before being taken into custody, the ICG said, adding that seven bags were retrieved from the water. "On rummaging the boat, approximately 194 packets of suspicious substance suspected to be narcotics have been recovered which will be further verified by appropriate agencies through chemical analysis," the Coast Guard said. "Further rummaging of the boat will be undertaken during joint investigation and interrogation with other agencies," the maritime agency added. This is the second incidence in this year when the ICG has seized such a large quantity of heroin from the coast of Gujarat, the maritime agency said. In March, the ICG, in a joint operation with the Anti Terrorist Squad, had seized 100 kg of heroin. During the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008, terrorists had used the sea route to enter India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Indian Coast Guard on Tuesday apprehended a Pakistani boat off the Gujarat coast and seized narcotics, suspected to be heroin, worth Rs 600 crore, the maritime agency said. Six crew members of the boat were taken into custody by the ICG, it said. The action was taken based on inputs from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and other agencies. "Following a tip-off @IndiaCoastGuard Ship apprehended a #Karachi registered #Pakistani #Fishing Boat 'AL-MADINA' with 06 crew onboard off #Gujarat coast this morning & seized 194 packets of #Narcotics substance. Boat is being escorted 2 #Jakhau 4 investigation @DefenceMinIndia," the ICG tweeted. An ICG ship and two interceptor boats were involved in a clandestine operation to intercept the vessel, it said. On Tuesday morning, Pakistani fishing boat Al-Madina was intercepted off Jakhau coast even though it did evasive manoeuvres to avert getting apprehended, it said. When cornered, the crew on the boat threw the bags containing the suspicious materials in water before being taken into custody, the ICG said, adding that seven bags were retrieved from the water. "On rummaging the boat, approximately 194 packets of suspicious substance suspected to be narcotics have been recovered which will be further verified by appropriate agencies through chemical analysis," it said. "Further rummaging of the boat will be undertaken during joint investigation and interrogation with other agencies," the maritime agency added. Defence PRO Puneet Chadha said six crew members have been taken into custody and they will jointly interrogated at Jakhau. "This is the second incidence in this year when ICG has seized such a large quantity of heroin from the coast of Gujarat," the agency said. In March, the ICG, in a joint operation with the Anti Terrorist Squad, had seized 100 kg of heroin. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Activists of the Youth Congress in Palghar district of Maharashtra have complained to police against a BJP worker for allegedly posting derogatory comments against Mahatma Gandhi on social media, police said Tuesday. The Congress workers alleged that local BJP activist Prakash Lodaya last week in a post on Facebook justified the assassination of the Father of the Nation and lauded his assassin Nathuram Godse, a police official said. They submitted a memorandum to the Vasai police here on Monday in this connection, he said. Vasai police's sub-inspector Sahebrao Kachre said they received the complaint which was forwarded to the Manickpur police here for further action. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AICC's Punjab in-charge Asha Kumari Tuesday sought a report from the party's state unit over the face-off between Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and his cabinet colleague Navjot Singh Sidhu, as more party leaders backed the CM. Sidhu is under fire from his own party leaders after he questioned during electioneering why Bathinda why no FIR was lodged against the Badals, who headed the previous state government, for the desecration of religious texts in 2015. "We seek a report on every event and in this issue too a report has been sought from the PCC (state Congress committee)," Kumari told PTI over the phone. She said state party chief Sunil Jakhar, who is seeking re-election from Gurdaspur, will give the report once he is free from the election process after the declaration of the results. Amarinder Singh on Sunday had accused Sidhu of "damaging" the Congress in the state and suggested that he wanted to be the chief minister himself. Meanwhile, more Congress leaders came out in support of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. "Amarinder Singh is an undisputed leader of Punjab. There are many facets to his personality, said former Union Minister and Congress leader Manish Tewari. Tewari praised Amarinder Singh as a "protector of Punjab's waters", a writer, an able administrator who has a mass appeal. "People need to learn and grow," he added, in a veiled attack at Sidhu. He said nothing could be more laughable if anyone compared himself to "Captain Sahib". Jails Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa too hit out at Local Bodies Minister Sidhu, saying, "Making such a statement during elections meant directly helping the Badals." Randhawa said Sidhu should know that it was Amarinder Singh who fought against the Badals and ensured the Congress victory in the 2017 assembly polls. "In the 2017 assembly polls, the Congress came to power in Punjab with an overwhelming majority as people voted in Amarinder Singh's name. The party high command is with the chief minister. Our party has never tolerated indiscipline," Randhawa said. He added that Sidhu should know that the state government had set up a special investigation team (SIT) over the desecration issue. "Does Navjot Singh Sidhu not know that action is being taken and some people have already been arrested. Is he ignorant of these facts," he said. Randhawa alleged that when Sidhu's wife Navjot Kaur was a BJP MLA, she never spoke a word on the issue. Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri, who is BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Amritsar, also took a jibe at the Congress, saying, "all along the campaign, one could sense unease in their ranks." "Now the cat is out of the bag," he tweeted, adding that Sidhu was under attack from his own cabinet colleagues. Punjab minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot had Monday asked Navjot Singh Sidhu to resign from the state cabinet if he could not work with Amarinder Singh. The differences between the chief minister and Sidhu had come to the fore in August last year when Amarinder Singh advised Sidhu against attending to the swearing-in ceremony of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. The relations strained further when Sidhu said his captain is Congress president Rahul Gandhi, suggesting that he didn't regard Captain Amarinder Singh as his leader. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Congress leader has been arrested in connection with the killing of a BJP worker on the last day of polling for Lok Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh. Nemichand Tanvar (60) was killed at Palia village, about 20 km from here, Sunday. Arun Sharma, a local Congress leader, was arrested in the case Monday night, said district Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ruchi Vardhan Misra. Efforts were on to arrest Sharma's sons Pankaj and Navin who were absconding, she said. Investigation suggested that it was Pankaj who allegedly shot Tanvar around 5.30 pm Sunday, the SSP said. The BJP has alleged that Tanvar was killed after he told Sharma that he voted for the saffron party. Misra said the dispute arose over casting of vote. "But we cannot conclude that the murder was its fallout because the two factions had an old dispute as well," she said, adding that the case was being investigated from all angles. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) by Mathias Hariyadi The Electoral Commission publishes the official results of the April elections. There is a difference of 10% in votes between the incumbent president and the challenger Prabowo Subiato. The opposition denounces fraud: it will present a complaint to the Constitutional Court. The organizers of the "people's power" campaign say that today and tomorrow, more than one million people will take to the streets to protest. Jakarta (AsiaNews) - The Indonesian president Joko "Jokowi" Widodo (photo 1) gets his second term, after defeating his rival Prabowo Subianto in the April 17th elections. This was announced today by the General Electoral Commission (Komisi Pemilihan Umum - Kpu), ahead of schedule. The opposition refuses to recognize the defeat by denouncing fraud in the vote. In the coming days, Subianto will appeal to the Constitutional Court. Meanwhile, the daughters of former Indonesian dictator Suharto and founding father Sukarno have joined the opposition to demand two days of mass protests starting today. The Kpu should hadannounced the final count of the votes tomorrow. But the authorities' fears about possible riots and street demonstrations yesterday prompted officials to work all night. Arief Budiman (photo 2), president of the Commission, announced in a live video that Widodo and his vice-president candidate, Ma'ruf Amin, won the elections with 55.5% of the votes, against 44.5% of Subianto and Sandiaga Uno. About 85.6 million Indonesians out of nearly 154 million voters voted in favor of the current president. Azis Subekti, a member of the Subianto campaign, refused to sign and validate the official election results. "We will not give up in our struggle against injustice, fraud and abuse," he said. Yesterday, the electoral agency rejected accusations of systematic fraud, citing a lack of evidence. Independent observers and analysts stated that the vote took place correctly and fairly. Nevertheless, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, director of Subianto's legal team, said: "We will present a case to the Constitutional Court." The authorities fear that the mass demonstrations announced by Subianto supporters may destabilize the country. Indonesian police have warned of possible attacks by terrorist groups. About 30 suspected jihadists were arrested in connection with a plan to hit the Electoral Commission. During the raids, security forces seized several improvised explosive devices and other bomb-making materials. More than 32,000 soldiers and policemen are deployed to guarantee public order in the capital alone. Prominent personalities related to Subianto, such as the former Gen. Kivlan Zen and fundamentalist lawyer Eddy Sudjana, in recent days had threatened to resort to street protests against Widodo and the Kpu. Rachmawati Sukarnoputri, the least known of Sukarno's two daughters, and Titiek Suharto, Prabowo's ex-wife and daughter of former president Suharto, are also part of the movement, among whose ranks there are former army generals. The organizers of the "people's power" campaign say that from today more than a million people will take to the streets, but analysts and experts doubt that such a large number of protesters will join the protest. According to some, the movement could lose ground after the country's two largest Muslim organizations, Nahdlatul Ulama (Nu) and Muhammadiyah, have forbidden its members to participate. The Himachal Pradesh High Court has quashed an FIR against veteran Bollywood actor Jeetendra, alleging that he sexually assaulted his cousin 48 years ago. Justice Ajay Mohan Goel Monday dismissed the FIR lodged on February 16 last year under section Section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of the IPC. The offence is punishable with maximum imprisonment of two years. In his 26-page judgment, Justice Goel found credible the actor's contention that the the FIR was "mala fide" as the woman's daughter had been rejected in an audition by Balaji Motion Pictures Limited run by the Jeetendra's family. The judge said the contents of the FIR do not provide ground to proceed against the accused, as they appear to be "vague" and inherently absurd. In the FIR, Jeetendra's cousin alleged that the assault took place in 1971 when the actor took her to a room at a hotel in Shimla. The room had two separate beds. While she was sleeping, he allegedly joined the two beds and tried to outrage her modesty. He was drunk at that time, she claimed. Jeetendra's cousin claimed before the registration of the FIR that the #MeToo campaign against sexual harassment encouraged her to speak against the "abuse". In 1971, she was 18 years old while Jeetendra was 28. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) To attract Indian film-makers, the Film Commission of the Republic of Crimea has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the India-based Russia Information Centre (RIC). The RIC will promote the Crimean region, part of the Russian Federation since 2014, as a shooting destination for Indian film industries, it said. "Our delegation will visit India in 2020 to discuss all the details of cooperation," said Konstantin Maloletnev, Managing Director, Film Commission of the Republic of Crimea, in a recent statement. The cultural department of Sevastopol in Crimea and a delegation of Indian travel agents also signed an MoU to promote tourism in Russia, the RIC said. The MoU too is aimed at exploring outdoor film shooting and tourism potential of the region. Mumbai-based Russia Information Centre had organised the meeting between the government of Sevastopol and the Indian delegation last month. Governor of Sevastopol Dmitri Ovsyannikov was present when the MoU was signed. "As a part of Russia familiarisation tour, 108 delegates from India were taken to Moscow, Yekaterinburg and Crimea," said Paresh Navani, head of RIC. "We will also be organising an official BRICS conference on tourism in Crimea in 2020," Navani said. BRICS denotes a grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Customs Department has been directed by the Delhi High Court to pay Rs 94 lakh to a foreigner for hurriedly selling off nearly 4 kg gold seized from her even though the proceedings were pending in the court. When the high court was informed that the proceeds collected during the auction were equal to the value of the gold, Rs 93,34,783, it directed the Customs Department which comes under the Ministry of Finance, to refund the amount to the Kenyan national by June 30. On failure to refund the amount by the time fixed, the authorities will have to pay the money along with a simple interest at 6 per cent per annum on the sum for the period of delay, it said. A bench of Justices S Muralidhar and I S Mehta set aside the adjudication order passed by the Commissioner of Customs (Airport and General) confiscating the seized gold and imposing Rs 18 lakh penalty on her. The court questioned the customs officials as to why they were constrained to dispose of the seized gold, when it was neither perishable nor hazardous. The officials had no explanation to offer for this action, it noted. "In the present case with the seized material not being perishable, being gold bars, there was no reason for the Respondents to have hurriedly disposed it off and that too without notice to the petitioner (woman)," it said. The bench said the entire manner in which the respondents have proceeded to pass the adjudication order and also dispose of the gold without notice to the woman leaves no doubt that not only the disposal of the seized gold, but the adjudication order as well, are both "unsustainable in law". The court also noted that even the show cause notice was not served upon the woman, from whom 3,732.48 gms of gold bars were seized at the IGI Airport on January 5, 2015. The woman said she had arrived at IGI Airport here from Nairobi on January 5, 2015 and was carrying the gold which she wanted to be used for making jewellery in India and then take it back to Kenya to sell for profit. The authorities had claimed to have found 32 pieces of gold bars, each weighing 10 tolas, from the woman's pouches. According to the woman, she had purchased the gold in Kenya after selling her car and taking loan from her friends and relatives. When she was exiting, she was stopped at the gate and was asked if she was carrying any gold. She claimed that when she replied in the affirmative, she was taken to the preventive room where she took out the gold from her bag and gave it to the Customs Department. When the gold was not returned to her and no show cause notice (SCN) was issued, she filed a petition in the high court in April 2018. As per the documents of Customs department, when she was asked at the airport whether she was carrying any dutiable goods/ gold items which she needed to declare, she had answered in the negative. The bench said there was no answer why the gold had to be disposed of without notice being issued to the person from whom it was seized. The court noted that the authorities disclosed for the first time, its counter affidavit filed in February this year, that as per available records, the case property has been already disposed of but no details were given as to when the seized gold was disposed of. It referred to a previous judgement of the Supreme Court in which it was stated that if the SCN was not issued within six months from the date of seizure the consequence would be that the person from whom the gold was seized would become entitled to its return. "Even the adjudication order in the present case would be illegal as the Commissioner passed the same ex-parte without the SCN having been actually served upon the present petitioner at all in the present case," the high court said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Damascus has carried out a wave of arbitrary arrests against former activists in rebel areas that surrendered under deals brokered by its ally Moscow, Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday. The so-called "reconciliation" agreements that restored government control over swathes of central and southern Syria last year were heavily criticised from the start because they were signed under the pressure of military blockade and intense air and artillery bombardment. The government offered amnesty to all who agreed to end their anti-government activities. But thousands of residents, particularly former fighters and their families, chose to be evacuated to remaining rebel-held territory rather than accept renewed rule by President Bashar al-Assad's government. Human Rights Watch said its research showed that former government critics and rebels who signed up for "reconciliation" had paid heavily for their decision. It said it had documented 11 cases of arbitrary detention and disappearance in three areas retaken by government forces last year -- the southern province of Daraa, the Eastern Ghouta suburbs of Damascus, and southern neighbourhoods of the capital. Syrian organisations had documented at least 500 arrests in the three areas since August, it added. "Active combat has ended in much of Syria, but nothing has changed in the way intelligence branches trample rights of perceived opponents of Assad's rule," said HRW's acting Middle East director, Lama Fakih. "Lack of due process, arbitrary arrests, and harassment, even in so-called reconciled areas, speak louder than empty government promises of return, reform and reconciliation." HRW said those targeted included family members, as well former opposition activists and rebel fighters. "In all cases, the people targeted... had signed reconciliation agreements with the government," it said. It called on Moscow to use its influence with its ally Damascus "to stop arbitrary detention and harassment," and help "release arbitrarily held detainees". The United Nations on Tuesday said that, between 26 July 2018 and 31 March 2019, at least 380 people were arrested or detained in Daraa province alone. At least 230 of these were subjected to enforced disappearances, while the rest were released after a few days in detention. "Many families in Daraa continue to have limited or no information about their missing or detained relatives," said Marta Hurtado, spokeswoman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Assad's forces secured full control of Daraa province from rebels in July, in a massive blow to the country's ill-fated revolt that erupted in the southern city. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi Commission For Women has issued a notice to city police over the killing of a sub-inspector in Shahdara and sought details from them about their investigation in the case. Raj Kumar Rajput, who was posted in the communication unit of Delhi police, was killed allegedly during a scuffle with a suspected criminal on May 19 in Shahdara's Kasturba Nagar area. The accused was arrested. The victim's family has alleged the area is "full of bootleggers" and extremely unsafe. In its notice, the Commission said police should take urgent steps to curb the menace of illicit liquor and gambling in the area, and sought details of FIR registered in the matter along with a copy of the FIR. DCW has asked for details of the accused and previous cases registered against him along with status report of each case. It has also asked for details of previous complaints made Rajput regarding similar activities in the past, whether externment proceedings were initiated against the accused in the past and whether any compensation has been provided to the officer's family. The notice has sought a reply from police by May 24. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sri Lankan authorities have confirmed through DNA tests that one of the two suicide bombers who died in the Shangri-La Hotel bombing during Easter Sunday attacks was Zahran Cassim, the leader of the local jihadi group NTJ. Zahran, the mastermind behind the Easter blasts, led the attack on the Shangri-La hotel and was accompanied by a second bomber identified as Ilham Ahmed Ibrahim. He was killed inside the luxury hotel where he blew himself up. A senior analyst at the Government Analyst's Department said that the DNA tests done using the blood samples of Zahran's wife, his daughter and a brother have proved that he died in the suicide attack on Shangri-La Hotel. Nine suicide bombers carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and as many luxury hotels on April 21, killing more than 250 people and injuring 500 others. The ISIS terror group claimed the attacks, but the government blamed the local Islamist extremist group National Thawheed Jammath (NTJ) for the bombings. The victims included over 40 foreigners, 10 of whom were Indians. Zahran was one of the two suicide bombers at the Shangri La Hotel where 36 people including 12 foreigners died. The hotel's CCTV footage showed the two bombers with heavy back packs arriving at the hotel's restaurant on the third floor. Zahran's wife and the four-year-old daughter survived the suicide bombings carried out five days after the Easter Sunday at a terror group hideout. Some 15 people, including Zahran's father and two brothers, were killed at an eastern province hideout of the NTJ terror group. They exploded bombs after an exchange of gun fire with the troops during a raid of the safehouse on a tip off. Zahran's wife and daughter were pulled out of the blasted house with burn injuries by the troops the following morning. The analysts' report was to be presented to the police's crime investigations department on Tuesday. The department is scheduled to hand over the finalised reports regarding the attacks on Cinnamon Grand, Shangri-La, Zion Church in Batticaloa and Dehiwala Tropical Inn, to the CID. The suicide bombers of the other churches such as Kochchikade and Katuwapitiya have also been identified. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu Tuesday cautioned against undermining constitutional bodies, saying issues should be sorted out through internal mechanisms. The vice-president, who was addressing management graduates at a convocation here, emphasised that patriotism does not mean only saying 'Vande Mataram' or 'Jai Hind' and said it also meant supporting each other. "Institution can be anything - a university, the judiciary, CVC, CAG, the Election Commission, parliament and state legislatures. We should not undermine our institutions,'' he said. If there is something wrong, there should be a mechanism internally and it should be discussed at appropriate forums rather than trying to undermine them outwardly - from the outside," he said. Everyone should understand this in the present context, he added. In an apparent reference to controversies over nationalism, Naidu said, "A big discussion is going on now on patriotism. Patriotism does not mean only saying 'Vande Mataram' or 'Jai Hindh' or bowing before a portrait of Bharat Mata." "...If something happens in Kanyakumari, Kashmir should react. Kerala should react if something happens in Kerala... That is called nationalism and patriotism," he said. Nationalism means remembering and supporting every Indian, irrespective of caste, creed, sex, religion and region. Taking care of all citizens... is desha bhakti. None should misinterpret this, Naidu said. He said the atmosphere on university campuses should not be vitiated by extraneous issues and added that he was happy that barring a few, most of the 900 universities were free from any disturbance. "If you want to eat some food, eat; but do not make it a festival kind of thing that hurts the sentiments of people. In some places there are also kissing festivals, if two want to do it, go to a private place and do whatever you want. Why should there be a festival again?" Naidu said. Observing that management was not confined to the corporate sector alone, Naidu said the scope of management studies should cover the rural economy, agriculture and allied industry and provide solutions to make these sectors viable and vibrant. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As questions mount over President Donald Trump's tough talk on Iran, top national security officials are heading to Capitol Hill to brief Congress. But skeptical Democrats have asked for a second opinion. The competing closed-door sessions Tuesday, unusual and potentially polarising, come after weeks of escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf that have raised alarms over a possible military confrontation with Iran. Lawmakers are warning the Trump administration it cannot take the country into war without approval from Congress, and the back-to-back briefings show the wariness among Democrats, and some Republicans, over the White House's sudden policy shifts in the Middle East. Trump, veering between bombast and conciliation in his quest to contain Iran, threatened Monday to meet provocations by Iran with "great force," but also said he's willing to negotiate. "We'll see what happens," Trump told reporters as he left the White House for a campaign rally. He said Iran has been "very hostile." "We have no indication that anything's happened or will happened, but if it does, it will be met, obviously, with great force," Trump said. "We'll have no choice." Trump said while there are no talks with Iran he still wants to hear from them, "if they're ready." Over the past several weeks the US has sent an aircraft carrier and other resources to the Persian Gulf region, and evacuated non-essential personnel from Iraq, amid unspecified threats the administration says are linked to Iran. The administration is sending Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan and other top brass, including Gen Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff, for closed-door briefings Tuesday with both the House and Senate. But House Democrats, deeply skeptical of the information from the Trump officials and mindful of the drumbeat of claims during the run-up to the Iraq War invited former CIA Director John Brennan and former State Department official Wendy Sherman, who negotiated the Iran nuclear deal. Brennan, an outspoken Trump critic, does not have a formal briefing planned but is prepared to answer questions on Iran and is willing to do the same for Republicans, said a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to discuss it publicly. The intent, the person said, is to provide information and not to be partisan. Top Democrats say Trump escalated problems by abruptly withdrawing the US from the Iran nuclear deal, a complex accord negotiated during the Obama administration to prevent the country from nuclear weapons production. Trump's allies in Congress, including GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, say the threats from Iran are real. Graham urged Trump to "stand firm" and said he received his own briefing over the weekend from John Bolton, Trump's national security adviser. "It is clear that over the last several weeks Iran has attacked pipelines and ships of other nations and created threat streams against American interests in Iraq," Graham tweeted. "If the Iranian threats against American personnel and interests are activated we must deliver an overwhelming military response." But Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego of Arizona, an Iraq War veteran, tweeted that after having received "the same" intelligence briefing, that was not his conclusion. "That is not what is being said. This is total information bias to draw the conclusion he wants for himself and the media," Gallego tweeted. Sen Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said it's important to more fully understand the situation. "I think Iranians think that our moves are offensive, we think their moves are offensive, that's how you get into wars by mistake," he said. Graham's reference to Iran having attacked ships appeared to be a further indication that the US military has concluded that Iran was behind the reported attack May 12 on four commercial vessels off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. At the outset of an investigation into those apparent attacks, which damaged vessels of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Norway but caused no injuries, U.S. officials had said they appeared to be carried out by Iran. A US official said Monday the probe was finished and evidence still pointed at Iran, although the official did not provide details. The official was not authorized to publicly discuss the matter and so spoke on condition of anonymity. On Sunday, a rocket landed near the US Embassy in the Green Zone of Iraq's capital of Baghdad, days after nonessential U.S. staff were ordered to evacuate from diplomatic posts in the country. No one was reported injured. Iraqi military spokesman Brig. Gen Yahya Rasoul told The Associated Press that the rocket was believed to have been fired from eastern Baghdad, an area home to Iran-backed Shiite militias. Defense officials said no additional Iranian threats or incidents had emerged in the days since the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier battle group arrived in the Arabian Sea late last week. Iran, meanwhile, announced that it has quadrupled its uranium-enrichment production capacity. Iranian officials made a point to stress that the uranium would be enriched only to the 3.67 per cent limit set under the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, making it usable for a power plant but far below what's needed for an atomic weapon. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former chief election commissioner T S Krishnamurthy Tuesday said the poll body has done 'a good job' in conducting the Lok Sabha elections but could have taken decisions on certain complaints in time. He also came out in support of the demand of Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa that his dissent be recorded in orders on model code of conduct (MCC) violation cases. "Election Commission did a good job (in conduct of elections), reasonably well...", he told PTI. The former CEC said he was not surprised by political parties' attack on the Election Commission, saying when it takes a decision on complaints of MCC violations, it has to be "one way or the other". But Krishnamurthy, who oversaw the 2004 General Elections, said the EC should have taken some decisions (on MCC violations) in time, and also while passing orders, it should have given reasons. He did not go into specifics. "There is also criticism by one of the Election Commissioners about dissent having been not recorded; I don't see no reason why dissent cannot be recorded", he said. "They (EC) could have taken decisions quickly instead of waiting for some time; secondly they could have given reasons whenever they have taken a view and third one is if somebody wants dissent to be recorded, it's in fairness to record", Krishnamurthy said. He also expressed the view that the EC should have considered postponing elections in violence-hit constituencies of West Bengal to send a strong message to political parties that such things cannot be condoned. EC, Krishnamurthy said, took prompt action in curtailing campaign time in the state as "there was so much of violence from all sides" in West Bengal. But he added EC should have also even thought of postponing the elections in such cases because political parties should know "these sort of things" would not be condoned. "The 'brahmastra' that the EC has is postponement. You can't do it in every case, (but) where there is too much of violence, they (political parties) should know and it has to be dealt with very seriously. In serious violations, parties should know that we will postpone the elections", he said. When he was serving as CEC, Krishnamurthy recalled, a ruling party member in a state said all the poll observers should be taken to the police station and they should not allowed to function. "I called up the Chief Minister and told him that we will have to consider postponing the entire election in the state if this is the attitude, and officially it must to be contradicted and they (the State government) did contradict", he said. "So, there was a better understanding between political parties and state governments and the Election Commission", he said. Krishnamurthy said he is "very disturbed" by hate speeches and personal attacks by politicians during the campaign in the seven-phase election that concluded Sunday. "Somehow this time, so much of hatred, personal attacks and all that...felt very disturbed that such things should have happened". He said the EC should give a strong message to political parties that violence, hatred and personal attacks cannot be tolerated. "And only 'brahmastra' that the EC has is postponement of elections but you have to do it very carefully, selectively in a few cases". "In spite of so much of hatred, personal attacks and violence, we have been able to complete (the elections"), Krishnamurthy said. According to him, EC should insist on having adequate paramilitary forces to conduct the elections in future within 4-5 phases, which would be ideal. "I am sure they (EC) would have considered shorter schedule, but they did not have adequate paramilitary forces. So, now onwards they have to build on the paramilitary forces... adequacy of paramilitary forces so that our target should be four or five phase elections, and not seven-phased elections in future", Krishnamurthy said. He said the "big takeaway" from the elections is that there is need for urgent implementation of electoral reforms. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Egypt's interior ministry said Tuesday 16 suspected militants have been killed in North Sinai, where security forces have for years been battling a local affiliate of the Islamic State group. The militants were killed during police raids on their hideouts in the provincial capital El-Arish, the ministry said in a statement. They were found with weapons and explosives in their possession, it added without detailing when the raids took place. Based on intelligence from the national security department, the ministry alleged the militants had been planning attacks on "important and vital facilities" as well as prominent figures in the city. Egypt has for years been fighting an insurgency in North Sinai, which escalated following the 2013 military ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi. Since then, hundreds of police officers and soldiers have been killed in militant attacks. In February 2018, the army launched a nationwide operation against the militants, focusing mainly on the turbulent North Sinai region. Some 650 militants and around 45 soldiers have been killed since the start of the offensive, according to separate statements by the armed forces. No independent statistic are available to verify the deaths and the region is largely cut off to journalists. Recently, the Egyptian government has started organising rare media visits closely supervised by the military. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) by Vladimir Rozanskij The journalists resign in solidarity with two of their colleagues dismissed for writing an article about Senate speaker, Valentina Matvienko, labelling her "custodian of Putinism". A worrying sign for press freedom and freedom of expression. Moscow (AsiaNews) - Thirteen journalists from the Russian newspaper Kommersant, one of the most authoritative and widespread in the country, yesterday presented their resignations en mass, as an act of protest for political pressure. The main shareholder of the newspaper, Alisher Usmanov, one of the major "oligarchs" close to President Putin, had forced two political editors to resign, Ivan Safronov and Maksim Ivanov, following an article they on the possible resignation of the president of Senate, Valentina Matvienko. The deputy editor of the magazine, Gleb Cherkasov, also joined the protest. The group include well-known journalists: Alla Barakhova, Maria Luisa Tirmaste, Natalia Korchenkova, Sofia Samokhina, Lisa Miller, Katerina Grobman, Viktor Khamraev, Vsevolod Injutin, Anna Pushkarskaja. On Facebook, Cherkasov explained the reasons for the sensational gesture: the offending article revealed the background to an agreement between Putin and Matveenko to leave the Senate, in preparation of very significant changes in Russia's political leadership. The Matvienko spokesman would have denied this information as "rumors". The article, released on April 17, caused controversy in public opinion, Matvienko being one of the figures of power closest to the president. Her resignation could trigger a very broad and difficult scenario. Vice-president of the Council from 1998 to 2003, then governor of St. Petersburg from 2003 to 2011, from the outset Valentina Matvienko has been one of the "guardians of Putinism", a pragmatic woman who has always been at the side of the supreme leader. Her exit from the Senate could prefigure an even more authoritarian turning point, if it were to take on more operational roles of power, or a change of guard in the field of "dolphins" and possible successors of the same president. The resignation of Kommersant journalists is nothing new in Russian journalism, or the history of the newspaper itself. Tensions have existed for several years, and often against Usmanov, the Uzbek oligarch who represents one of the bastions of Putin's politics, in the union between great capital and the "heights of power". Usmanov has countered its criticism of Putin, often branded as a "violation of journalistic ethics". The law against "public offenses" of institutions, which is severely sanctioned, was recently been approved by the Duma. The political and social climate in Russia is becoming increasingly restrictive in the last two years, after the explosion of protests by pensioners and students, less and less supported by the regime. Added to these are the recent protests against the Orthodox Church and its influence thanks to increasing support from the political and economic elites. At the newspaper the resignation of some journalists, including the chief editors, occurred on several occasion between 2011 and 2018, always resolved by negotiations with the owners. But if this last protest is not resolved it represents a worrying sign for freedom of the press and freedom of expression in Russia. Actor Elle Fanning fainted at the Chopard Trophee dinner at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival. Fanning, who is a member of this year's festival jury, was sitting at a table next to sister Dakota Fanning, when she collapsed and fell off her chair nearby. According to Variety, the ceremony was paused for a short while. Hollywood actor Colin Firth, who was seated close to Fanning, quickly offered assistance to "The Beguiled" actor. Actor Marion Cotillard placed a hand over her heart as Fanning was taken away by security. Fanning later took to social media to inform her fans that she is fine. "Oops, had a fainting spell tonight in my 1950's Prada prom dress but it's all good," she captioned her picture in which she can be seen smiling and giving a thumbs up. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A campaign to protect "highly endangered" animals -Tiger, Pangolin and Star Tortoise- hunted for illegal trading internationally, has been launched by the Ministry of at major airports in the country. The campaign 'Not all animals migrate by choice' has been launched ahead of the International Day of Biological Diversity, to be celebrated on May 22, by C K Mishra, Secretary, Ministry of and Forests and actor and United Nations Goodwill Ambassador Dia Mirza here. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), UN Environment and GMR Group are also part of the campaign. "Conservation is innate to India's ethos. While wildlife faces threat across the globe and India's flora and fauna's demand continues in illegal global markets, in keeping with our stringent provisions for protection of wildlife under the Wild life (Protection) Act, 1972, efforts towards creating awareness among public at large would go a long way to help protect our wildlife," said Mishra. "In the first phase of the campaign, Tiger, Pangolin, Star Tortoise and Tokay Gecko have been chosen as they are highly endangered due to illegal trading in International markets. "Tiger is traded for its skin, bones and body parts; Pangolin, the most illegally traded wild mammal on the planet is trafficked for its meat and its scales are used in traditional medicines; Star Tortoise for meat and pet trade and Tokay Gecko in traditional medicine mostly into South East Asia and particularly Chinese Markets. Phase two will see more threatened species and explore other routes of trafficking," said an official statement from the ministry. The campaign aims at creating awareness and garnering public support for the protection and conservation of wildlife, prevention of smuggling and reduction in demand for wildlife products, said the official. "There is an urgent need for awareness, action and stringent enforcement of laws to put an end to all illegal wildlife trade threatening biodiversity and conservation in the wild. This campaign is an important step forward in creating much-needed awareness on wildlife trafficking which threatens the very survival of these species," said Atul Bagai, Head, UN Environment India. Speaking at the launch, WCCB Additional Director Tilotama Verma said the awareness campaign at airports is a step towards reaching out to public regarding smuggling of India's fauna. "A huge global demand for our flora and fauna is a major cause for illegal wildlife trade by ruthless cross border smugglers. WCCB stands committed to fight this organized crime but it is crucial to work together across various government and non-government organizations, private sector and civil society to save wildlife. Our awareness campaign at Airports is a step towards reaching out to the public," Verma said. The ministry's statement said some of the major wildlife species and their body parts being smuggled through airports are star tortoises, live birds, tiger and leopard body parts, pangolin and their scales, ivory, rhino horns, sea shells, sea-horse, sea-cucumber, red sanders, deer antlers, mongoose hairs, reptile skins, live snakes, lizards, corals, orchids, medicinal plants, and Shahtoosh shawls. In collaboration with the Airports Authority of India and GMR Group, the campaign will travel across 22 airports across India over the next year. Both WCCB and UN Environment initiated a comprehensive approach with focus on awareness building of various stakeholders towards the issue of prevention of illegal trade and smuggling of wildlife and wildlife products through exit points. The awareness campaign is expected to complement the efforts of the Govt Agencies. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau is a statutory multi-disciplinary body established by the Government of India under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, to combat organized wildlife crime in the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Barely two days before the Lok Sabha vote count, a political row erupted Tuesday over reports of alleged tampering of EVMs and a concerned former President Pranab Mukherjee also stepped in to say the onus is on the Election Commission to put all speculation around these voting machines to rest. Already locked in a battle with the EC over the reliability of the Electronic Voting Machines(EVM), the opposition also got fresh ammunition to press for their demand of increasing the tallying the paper trail of votes (VVPATs) with EVM figures after protests broke out in some parts of Uttar Pradesh. The protests erupted after videos of alleged movement and tampering of EVMs went viral on social media, a charge dismissed by the EC as "frivolous" and "unfounded". The EC also said the voting machines used for the seven-phase polls that began on April 11 and ended on May 19 are "absolutely safe" in strongrooms. Reacting to the protests, the Congress said the EC should take immediate and effective steps to address the complaints of movement of EVMs from strongrooms in various parts of the country. Amid allegations and complaints that fresh EVMs were being switched with those used in elections ahead of counting of votes on Thursday, the Commission came out with a statement to "emphatically and unambiguously" clarify that all such reports and allegations are "absolutely false, and factually incorrect." It said the visuals available on TV and social media "do not pertain to any EVMs used during the polls". Wading into the controversy over the EVMs, Mukherjee, in a rare intervention after demitting office in 2017, said there can be no room for speculation that challenge the very basis of Indian democracy. He expressed concern over the alleged tampering of voters' verdict, saying the onus of ensuring institutional integrity lies with the Election Commission, which should put all speculation to rest. "I am concerned at reports of alleged tampering of voters' verdict. The safety and security of EVMs which are in the custody of ECI is the responsibility of the Commission," Mukherjee, a former Congress stalwart, said in a statement posted on his Twitter handle. As political parties directed their leaders, candidates and workers to remain extra vigilant in all districts where EVMs have been stored, Mukherjee said people's mandate is sacrosanct and has to be above any iota of reasonable doubt. "The onus of ensuring institutional integrity in this case lies with the Election Commission of India. They must do so and put all speculation to rest," he said. Mukherjee on Monday had lauded the EC for conducting the Lok Sabha polls "perfectly". The BJP on its part condemned the opposition parties for questioning the credibility of the EVMs and asked them to accept their defeat with grace if people vote Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government to power again. Exit polls have projected that the BJP-led NDA will retain power at the Centre, BJP leader and Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad took a swipe at the opposition, saying EVMs were fine when its leaders like Mamata Banerjee, N Chandrababu Naidu, Amarinder Singh and Arvind Kejriwal win elections and come to power but they turn unreliable when "it appears that Modi will come back to power". Leaders of 22 opposition parties met the Election Commission in Delhi and demanded verification of Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips of randomly-selected polling stations before the counting of the votes. They also demanded that if any discrepancy is found during VVPAT verification, 100 per cent counting of the paper slips of VVPATs of all polling stations of that particular Assembly segment be done and compared with EVM results. "We told the EC that the VVPAT machines should be counted first and if there is any discrepancy, then all of them in that segment should be counted," Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters. Azad's party colleague Abhishek Singhvi said despite requests to the EC for months, the poll body has now said it will meet on Wednesday to discuss the issue. "We are asking the EC to respect the mandate of people. It cannot be manipulated," TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu said. BSP leader Satish Chandra Mishra alleged "there is large-scale bungling relating to EVMs in Uttar Pradesh. We demand deployment of central forces". The opposition parties also raised concerns over the transportation of EVMs ahead of counting of votes and urged the EC to probe the issue. The Supreme Court, meanwhile, dismissed a PIL seeking 100 per cent matching of VVPAT slips with EVMs during the counting of votes. As the videos of alleged movement and tampering of EVMs went viral on social media, workers of various parties held protests in Ghazipur, Chandauli and Dumariyaganj, alleging that EVMs were being "moved around" outside strongrooms. Congress spokesperson Rajeev Shukla said complaints about movement of EVMs are coming from various parts of the country. "In Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Punjab -- there are complaints of taking out the EVMs from strongrooms from various places. People's suspicion and anger are increasing," he said. The reason that was being given was these were the reserve machines, but even then, the EVMs should be shown to the candidates' representatives, he added. UP's Chief Electoral Officer Venkateshwarlu allayed fears of tampering of EVMs. "There are CCTV cameras installed in strong rooms. Candidates are allowed to keep a watch on strong rooms through their representatives. All apprehensions are unfounded," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A former Congress MLA and Rajura municipal council president were arrested Tuesday after a complaint of molestation was lodged against them by a student of a nursing college in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra, police said. The Congress leader is identified as former MLA Subhash Dhote and the municipal council president as Arun Dhote. Subhash is president of Rajura-based Kalyan Nursing Educational Institution in which the woman was a student while Arun is its secretary, a police officer said. Subhash and Arun are cousins. The woman had alleged that the then principal had sought sexual favours from her last year, and when she refused she was ousted from the institution, said Rajura police station inspector B M Gaigole. The woman said Subhash failed to take action on her complaint against the then principal, and that she was ousted from the institution and hostel in October last year, he said. The complainant alleged that Subhash and Arun hired a person to watch her movements after the incident of sexual abuse of two tribal girls at a residential school in Rajura came to light in April this year, he said. "Due to repeated stalking, the student lodged a complaint against Subhash, Arun and the former principal of the college in this connection," the officer added. Subhash and Arun have been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for molestation and criminal intimidation. They were produced in the court of Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) in Ballarpur, which remanded them in police custody till May 24. In the residential school case, police had arrested two school officials for allegedly abusing two tribal girls in April this year. Police had also arrested two women staff members. The school, run by a private organisation, is located in Rajura tehsil. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Centre on Tuesday told the Delhi High Court that extension ofE Act beyond class VIII in schools is a "major policy issue" which could only be decided after the new government is formed post general elections. The central government made the submission in an affidavit filed in response to a pending PIL seeking free for students from the economically weaker sections (EWS) and disadvantaged groups (DG) up to class 12 in private unaided schools. The affidavit filed by an officer of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) said the proposal in this regard has been submitted for in-principle decision of the central government. As per section 3 of the Right to (RTE) Act, every child of the age of six to 14 years shall have the right to free and compulsory in a neighbourhood school till the completion of his or her elementary education(class VIII). The matter along with the affidavit is likely to come up for hearing before a bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice A J Bhambhani. "As mentioned in ... and considering the fact that education is in Concurrent List of Constitution, the extension ofE Act beyond elementary level is a major policy issue which could only be decided once the new government is formed after the general elections. However, the proposal in this regard has been submitted for in-principle decision of the central government," the affidavit said. In case of an amendment to the Constitution, consultations with all State and Union Territories (UT) governments will be required, it said. Further, Section 7(1) of theE Act prescribes that "The Central government and the state governments shall have concurrent responsibility for providing funds for carrying out the provisions of this Act", and this emphasises that the involvement of all states and UT governments will be necessary, it added. The court had earlier sought replies of the HRD ministry and the Delhi government on the plea filed by NGO Social Jurist which has claimed that the students admitted in private unaided schools under the EWS and DG categories are being asked to pay fee or leave after they complete Class 8. The NGO, in its petition filed through advocate Ashok Agarwal, has sought an amendment to theE Act, 2009 to provide free education to poor and disadvantaged kids up to Class 12 in private unaided schools. The HRD ministry, in its response, said it was clear that the prayer to extend the section 12(1)(c) of theE Act to ensure free and compulsory education to disadvantageous and weaker groups of students beyond elementary level in private unaided schools from all perspectives and the final decision will be a "policy decision". "TheE Act derives its power from 86th Constitutional amendment which has made elementary education a fundamental right for all children of age group 6 to 14 years. "Section 12(1)(c) is part of theE Act, therefore, any extension or amendment in this particular section of the Act will need to be examined in the context of the wholeE Act as the Act is made for all children and not merely a particular group of children," it said. The affidavit states that till the time decision is taken by the Centre, the Delhi government has been requested to consider approaching those private unaided schools, where children have been admitted under theE Act and who have passed out of class VIII, to be allowed to continue in such private schools which are not situated on public land, beyond elementary level. Agarwal had earlier told the court that the Delhi government, under its Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules, had ensured that the EWS and DG students studying in private unaided schools situated on public land were allowed to continue up to Class 12. "However, this benefit is not available to the EWS/DG students studying in private unaided schools not located on a public land," the NGO has said in its plea. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four students were killed when their car rammed into a stationary truck near Sarfabad village on the Eastern Peripheral Expressway on Tuesday, police said. The accident took place when the car was coming from Haryana, Circle Officer, Khekda, R.P Singh said. Another girl, who sustained injuries in the accident, has been admitted to the district hospital. Further details are awaited. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An insulating layer of gas beneath Pluto's icy exterior may be protecting a subsurface ocean from freezing, scientists claim. The team from the Hokkaido University in Japan conducted computer simulations covering a timescale of 4.6 billion years, when the solar system began to form. In July 2015, NASA's New Horizons spacecraft flew through Pluto's system, providing the first-ever close-up images of this distant dwarf planet and its moons. The images showed Pluto's unexpected topography, including a white-colored ellipsoidal basin named Sputnik Planitia, located near the equator. Due to its location and topography, scientists believe a subsurface ocean exists beneath the ice shell which is thinned at Sputnik Planitia. However, these observations are contradictory to the age of the dwarf planet because the ocean should have frozen a long time ago and the inner surface of the ice shell facing the ocean should have also been flattened. Researchers at Tokushima University in Japan and the University of California, Santa Cruz in the US, considered what could keep the subsurface ocean warm while keeping the ice shell's inner surface frozen and uneven on Pluto. The team hypothesised that an "insulating layer" of gas hydrates exists beneath the icy surface of Sputnik Planitia. Gas hydrates are crystalline ice-like solids formed of gas trapped within molecular water cages. They are highly viscous, have low thermal conductivity, and could therefore provide insulating properties. The research, published in the journal Nature Geoscience, showed the thermal and structural evolution of Pluto's interior and the time required for a subsurface ocean to freeze and for the icy shell covering it to become uniformly thick. They simulated two scenarios: one where an insulating layer of gas hydrates existed between the ocean and the icy shell, and one where it did not. The simulations showed that, without a gas hydrate insulating layer, the subsurface sea would have frozen completely hundreds of millions of years ago; but with one, it hardly freezes at all. Also, it takes about one million years for a uniformly thick ice crust to completely form over the ocean, but with a gas hydrate insulating layer, it takes more than one billion years. The simulation's results support the possibility of a long-lived liquid ocean existing beneath the icy crust of Sputnik Planitia. The most likely gas within the hypothesised insulating layer is methane originating from Pluto's rocky core. This theory, in which methane is trapped as a gas hydrate, is consistent with the unusual composition of Pluto's atmosphere -- methane-poor and nitrogen-rich. Similar gas hydrate insulating layers could be maintaining long-lived subsurface oceans in other relatively large but minimally heated icy moons and distant celestial objects, the researchers conclude. "This could mean there are more oceans in the universe than previously thought, making the existence of extraterrestrial life more plausible," said Shunichi Kamata of Hokkaido University who led the team. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) German authorities are handing over to Israel some 5,000 documents kept by a confidant of Franz Kafka, a trove whose plight could have been plucked from one of the author's surreal stories. The papers being returned Tuesday include a postcard from Kafka from 1910 and personal documents kept by Max Brod, which experts say provide a window into Europe's literary and cultural scene in the early 20th century. They are among some 40,000 documents, including manuscripts, correspondence, notebooks and other writings that once belonged to Brod, which are being brought together again in Israel's National Library. They had ended up in bank vaults in Switzerland and Tel Aviv, a Tel Aviv apartment and in a storage facility in Wiesbaden, Germany, where police found them tucked among forged Russian avant-garde artworks. "I think he (Kafka) would really be amused," said National Library archivist and humanities collection curator Stefan Litt, who helped identify the papers recovered in Germany. "He couldn't invent by himself a better plot." The documents recovered in Wiesbaden have little to do with Kafka himself, but make the Brod collection complete and shine a light on Brod and his circle, which included Kafka and other writers, Litt said. "This is an important chapter in Max Brod's estate," Litt said. "And it's always good for researchers to have as complete a picture as possible." Kafka, a Bohemian Jew from Prague who lived for a while in Berlin, was close friends with Brod, himself an accomplished writer. Shortly before his untimely death at 40 of tuberculosis in 1924, Kafka bequeathed his writings to Brod, reportedly telling him to burn them all unread. Instead, Brod published much of the collection, including the novels "The Trial," The Castle," and "Amerika," helping to posthumously establish Kafka as one of the great authors of the 20th century. He also brought "Kafkaesque" into the English language to describe a situation evoking a bizarre, illogical or nightmarish situation like the ones Kafka wrote about. After the Nazis occupied the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia in 1938, Brod fled to escape persecution with the entire collection to what was then British-ruled Palestine. When Brod died, he left his personal secretary Esther Hoffe in charge of his literary estate and instructed her to transfer the Kafka papers to an academic institution. Instead, she kept the documents for the next four decades and sold some, like the original manuscript of Kafka's "The Trial," which fetched USD 1.8 million at auction in 1988. She kept some of the items in a bank vault in Tel Aviv, some in Switzerland, and others at her apartment in Tel Aviv. When she died in 2008, the collection went to her two daughters, who fought to keep it but eventually lost a battle in Israel's Supreme Court in 2016. The court sided with the country's National Library, whose lawyers had argued the Kafka papers were "cultural assets" that belonged to the Jewish people. Both daughters have now died, and the documents stored in Israel have already been transferred to the National Library's care. The documents held in Switzerland should be on their way soon after the National Library won a court case in Zurich last month, which upheld the Israeli verdict and ordered that several safe deposit boxes be opened and their contents shipped to the institution in Jerusalem. But that left the documents in Germany, which had been stolen from Hoffe's apartment about a decade ago. They ended up with an Israeli dealer, who tried in 2013 to sell them to the German Literature Archive in Marbach the same institution that bought "The Trial" manuscript at auction in 1988. The German archive instead reported the offer to Israel's National Library, which then got authorities involved, Litt said. The documents resurfaced at the Wiesbaden storage facility of an international forgery ring that produced and sold millions of euros (dollars) worth of forged paintings, which was taken down by German authorities that same year, Litt said. Since then, they have been stored by German authorities as Litt and others sought to confirm their provenance. Those being returned include correspondence between Brod and his wife, and even some of his notebooks from high school, Litt said. "There's no doubt these materials were part of his papers," he said. The manuscript of "The Trial," however, was properly purchased by the German Literature Archive in the 1988 Sotheby's auction, and the National Library has no claim on it, he said. "We're happy it's in safe hands," Litt said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Several NGOs Tuesday demanded stern action against those involved in celebrating the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse. Representatives of these NGOs also said they have sought an appointment with President Ram Nath Kovind to make a representation about similar incidents that have taken place recently. Six Hindu Mahasabha activists were Monday arrested for allegedly celebrating the birth anniversary of Godse at the Suryamukhi Hanuman temple in Surat's Limbayat area on Sunday. Godse was born in Baramati in Pune district, then part of the Bombay Presidency, on May 19 in 1910. Surat police on Tuesday said they were on the look out for two more people who were involved in Sunday's Mahasabha event. The six were arrested under sections 153 (provocation with an intent to cause riot), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups, doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) and 153B (making assertions prejudicial to national- integration) of the Indian Penal Code. The NGOs Tuesday said police must arrest these persons under the sedition law and also demanded that the government ban outfits like the Hindu Mahasabha. In a joint statement, the NGOs, including Sarv Seva Sangh and Gujarat Lok Samiti, said they have sought time from President Kovind to make a representation. "Earlier too, several BJP leaders and ministers have tried to belittle Gandhiji's contribution and openly supported Godse's act of killing Gandhiji," said Mahadev Vidrohi of Sarv Seva Sangh, a Gandhian institution. "It is a well planned conspiracy and both BJP and RSS are supporting this by remaining silent over such incidents. We want the BJP and its government to issue a statement and come clean on the whole issue," Vidrohi added. "Whatever is happening is very dangerous for our nation. We are deeply hurt by such incidents and demand stern action. That is why we have sought the President's time to make a detailed representation on this issue. In coming days, activists have also planned a dharna protest in Delhi," he asserted. Senior activist Prakash N Shah alleged the Surat incident was not an isolated one. "The country is passing through a decisive phase. A parallel ideology is being floated. The Surat incident was not an isolated one. Hindu Mahasabha is being used just as a means to promote that parallel ideology," Shah said. "We should not forget that founder of Jan Sangh, precursor to the BJP, Syama Prasad Mookerjee, was earlier associated with Hindu Mahasabha. Now, the BJP's true character has come before us," Shah claimed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Haryana Police has deployed six additional companies of paramilitary forces as part of tight security measures for EVMs in the "sensitive" districts of Rohtak, Sonipat, Jhajjar, Bhiwani, Sirsa, Hisar and Fatehabad, ADGP (Law and Order) Navdeep Singh Virk said Tuesday. According to intelligence and other inputs, these seven districts are found to be "sensitive", he said. Twelve companies of the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB), coming back from election duties, are also being deployed in these districts Wednesday, Virk said. The counting of votes cast in the seven-phase general election will take place on May 23. "We have also requested the Ministry of Home Affairs to provide another 20 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to ensure fool-proof security of EVMs and it is hoped that we will get these shortly," Virk said in a statement here. All these personnel would be deployed for safety of EVMs in the sensitive districts, he said. The ADGP said security has already been tightened at the strong rooms housing the EVMs to ensure peaceful counting of votes in the state. All the commissioners of police and district superintendents of police have been instructed to ensure round-the-clock vigil at the strong rooms across the state. Apart from this, they have also been asked to ensure maintenance of law and order in their respective areas on the counting day, he said. A three-layered security cover has already been put in place at the counting centres after elections to 10 Lok Sabha seats got over in the state, Virk added. The polling for 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana was held in the sixth phase on May 12. As many as 90 strong rooms have been set up at 30 locations in Haryana for safe storage of EVMs and VVPAT machines, state's Joint Chief Electoral Officer Inder Jeet said earlier. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The launch early yesterday morning only recently confirmed by official Riyadh media. Already in 2017, a rocket launched by the rebels in Yemen was directed at the most important holy site for Islam. Fringe pushing for war against Tehran is growing among Saudi intellectuals and scholars. Riyadh (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Saudi air force says it has intercepted and destroyed two missiles fired by Houthi rebel militias in Yemen and headed for Mecca, Islams holiest site, and Jeddah. The attack was launched early yesterday morning but, for many hours, the Saudi official media did not confirm the launch, which only emerged when social networks were already flooded with news and videos (click here for the video). In just a few hours, over 40 thousand Twitter posts on the topic were counted, while the official Riyadh media remained silent. According to a spokesman for the Arab Saudi-led coalition operating in Yemen, the two rockets were shot down over the skies of Taif, at dawn yesterday. Arab News adds that some fragments of the first missile fell on Wadi Jalil, a valley that extends to Mecca. Some inhabitants in Jeddah have confirmed a powerful explosion in the early hours of yesterday. Analysts and experts recall that it is not the first attack by pro-Iranian militias against the holy city of Islam. Already in July 2017 the Houthi had launched a missile against Mecca. The attack, which coincides with Ramadan, the holy month of fasting and Islamic prayer, is only the latest in a series of episodes that confirm the escalation of tension in the Middle Eastern region. At the center is the clash between Iran and the Arab alliance (Saudis and emirates above all), which is also reflected in the bloody war that has been going on in Yemen for over four years. The Arab satellite TV channel Al-Arabiya cites eyewitnesses who confirm the shooting down of the two rockets on the skies of Jeddah and Taif. In the hours following the attack and facing the general outrage of the Arab and Muslim world, the leaders of the Houthi movement denied wishing to hit Mecca (70 km away from Jeddah and 50 km from Taif). For the Yemeni rebels the accusation is only a pretext to feed the war launched by Riyadh in the neighboring country. "The Saudi regime is trying, with these accusations, to fuel support for its brutal aggression against the people of Yemen," said spokesman Houthi Yahya Sarea. Many Saudi analysts and scholars are instead calling for all-out war with Tehran. They include Hamdan Al-Shehri, a professor of international relations based in Riyadh, who says "it is not the first time that the Houthis and their masters in Tehran have launched missiles at Mecca". "Now it is time - adds the scholar - that all the Muslim nations in the world make a square around sacred places [...] condemnation in words is not enough. Iran and the Houthi have crossed the red line, so a deterrent action is needed against Tehran ". Since 2015, Saudi security forces have intercepted and destroyed 227 ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis in Yemen. Resident doctors of the NDMC-run Hindu Rao hospital called off their strike on Tuesday, a day after launching an indefinite stir over non-payment of salaries, as an "arrangement" was reached to disburse their dues, an official said. The strike by the doctors, who claimed they had not been paid salaries for three months, had partially hit health services at the hospital. NDMC officials had said the salaries could not be paid due to delay in release of funds by the Delhi government, which released around Rs 206 crore to the cash-strapped municipal corporation on Monday. "The strike was called off as an arrangement was reached about their salaries and payment of arrears... It was done in the presence of Union minister Vijay Goel and North Delhi Mayor Avtar Singh," a senior North Delhi Municipal Corporation official said. The official said salaries for the month of March have been released and are also being paid for April. "As per the charter of demands put up by resident doctors' association, the demand for arrears will be put up to the competent authority for release, as soon as possible," he said. Union minister Goel in his tweet in Hindi said the strike was called off Tuesday. "...The salaries of two months have been credited in their accounts, and the salary for the third month will be deposited sooner or later. And no action shall be taken against these doctors," he wrote on Twitter. Protesting delay in payment of salaries for three months, the resident doctors on Monday had said that the hospital should be handed over to the Central government, if the local government and the municipal corporation are unable to run it properly. "It's not just a question of three months' salary, we are facing this recurring problem. The Delhi government and NDMC should give up this hospital if they cannot ensure regular payment of staff. "We need a permanent solution of the problem and the authorities should hand over the hospital to the Central government if they can not run it properly," Rahul Chaudhary, president of hospital's Resident Doctors Association, had said. The doctors had also complained about poor facilities, like non-availability of potable water and residential facilities for them. The facilities at outdoor patients' department (OPD) and wards of the 1,200-bed hospital were affected partially due to the strike, before it was called off about at 1pm. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei Tuesday downplayed the impact of the US executive order against his firm, saying Washington "underestimates" the telecom giant's strength and other countries would take two to three years to catch-up with it in the next-generation 5G technology. The Trump administration officials have issued a 90-day reprieve on their ban on dealing with Huawei, saying breathing space was needed to allow for software updates and other contractual obligations. US Commerce Department said on Monday that the delay does not change the ban imposed by President Donald Trump on Huawei, a move which will have a major implication for American and Chinese technology firms. Speaking to state-run China Central Television, Ren, whose daughter and CFO of Huawei Meng Wanzhou has been arrested in Canada to face prosecution for violations of American sanctions against Iran, expressed his resentment over the ban. "The current practice of US politicians underestimates our strength," Ren said. "Huawei's 5G will absolutely not be affected. In terms of 5G technologies, others won't be able to catch up with Huawei in two or three years," he said. "The US 90-day temporary licence does not have much impact on us, we are ready," Ren said. But at the same he admitted that half of chips used in Huawei equipment come from the US and the other half are made by the Chinese company. "We cannot be isolated from the world. We can also make the same chips as the US chips, but it doesn't mean we won't buy them," he added. Though rapidly expanding to become leader in 5G, Huawei is dependent on foreign suppliers. According to estimates, Huawei buys about USD 67 billion worth of components each year, including about USD 11 billion from US suppliers. Commenting on the development, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told the media on Tuesday that "the US is using national means to oppress and smear certain Chinese company". "This will serve no one's interest in the end. In international relations while doing trade we must follow the principle of equality and mutual benefit. We will defend our companies' legitimate rights and interests," he said. Though Ren has put up a brave front, concerns mounted for Huawei as Google has barred the telecom giant from some updates to the Android operating system which could deal a big blow to it. The new designs of Huawei smartphones are set to lose access to some Google apps, a BBC report said. Google said it was "complying with the order and reviewing the implications". Huawei said it would continue to provide security updates and after-sales services to all existing Huawei and honour smartphone and tablet products, covering those that have been sold or are still in stock globally. "We will continue to build a safe and sustainable software ecosystem, in order to provide the best experience for all users globally," it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chinese telecom player Huawei launched its Honor 20 series of Android-based smartphones Tuesday amid uncertainty over the access to key services of the operating system owned by US-based technology giant Google. Media interactions with Honor President George Zhao, however, were cancelled due to the controversy over Google's plan to cut ties with Huawei, which Washington considers a national security threat. An Honor media team official told PTI that interviews with Zhao were cancelled because "it is a sensitive time" for the brand as well as parent Huawei. The Honor is a sub-brand of Huawei. The company did not cancel the launch of Honor 20 series, based on Android 9 platform, as it is a Google-certified device and the US technology giant has said that it will continue to provide software updates to all existing devices from Huawei group, the official said. Last week, the US government had placed Huawei and its affiliates on a blacklist, a move that essentially bans the Chinese firm from purchasing parts and components from American companies without the US government approval. Google Monday barred Huawei devices from accessing its proprietary services like email and Maps amid the ongoing trade war between the US and China. Pointing out that it had made substantial contributions to the development and growth of Android around the world, Huawei said it has worked closely with Android's open-source platform to develop an ecosystem that has benefitted both users and the industry. "Huawei will continue to provide security updates and after-sales services to all existing Huawei and Honor smartphone and tablet products, covering those that have been sold and that are still in stock globally. We will continue to build a safe and sustainable software ecosystem, in order to provide the best experience for all users globally," it added. Huawei is likely to lose access to the Android operating system as well as applications like Maps, Gmail and access to Play Store. The latest development is expected to benefit competitors like Samsung and Xiaomi that sell Android phones. In the latest March quarter, Huawei was the second largest smartphone vendor with global shipment of 59.1 million units and 19 per cent market share, behind Samsung that had 71.9 million units shipment (23.1 per cent share), as per research firm IDC. Counterpoint Research Associate Director Tarun Pathak said the latest development is going to impact the new device sales for Huawei and Honor. India is one of their key countries outside China with almost 4 per cent market share, he added. About 31 million units smartphones were shipped in India during the January-March 2019 quarter with Xiaomi leading the tally with 29 per cent share and followed by Samsung (23 per cent), Vivo (12 per cent), Realme and Oppo (7 per cent each). Pathak said Huawei can always look at using the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) but that is unlikely to provide a good consumer experience. "Huawei always put in a lot of effort in integration of hardware and software for a seamless experience. Using AOSP is unlikely to provide a good consumer experience," he said. AOSP is a version of the Android operating system available through the open source licence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chinese smartphone major Huawei's consumer devices brand Honor, which launched three new Android-based smartphones Tuesday amid uncertainty over access to key services of Google-owned software platform, exuded confidence that it will continue to grow in the industry. "Honor will continue to work hard to bring out best innovation, best product and best technology for everybody and will continue to work to support the best experience for our customers. Honor will continue to grow in this industry and will continue to grow with young people," Honor President George Zhao said while unveiling the Honor 20 series smartphones here. In the latest March quarter, was the second largest smartphone vendor with global shipments of 59.1 million units and 19 per cent market share, behind Samsung that had 71.9 million units shipment (23.1 per cent share), according to the research firm IDC. A product team official of Honor said that the three smartphones that were unveiled will be launched in India on June 11 and there is no change in schedule as of now. Globally, the Honor 20 series has been priced in the range of 299 to 599 euro but prices in India will be unveiled on June 11. "Honor is a big family. I believe together we have to build future," Zhao said after announcing the global price for the three models of the Honor 20 series. The Honor had scheduled a media interaction with Zhao after its first global launch held here but cancelled it following the software ban imposed by the US government on its parent firm "We have cancelled all media interviews with President George Zhao because it is a sensitive time for us," an Honor media team official told PTI. The company official said that the Honor 20 series launch was not cancelled because it is a Google certified device and the US technology giant has said that it will continue to provide software updates to all existing devices from group. Last week, the US government had placed Huawei and its affiliates on a blacklist, a move that essentially bans the Chinese firm from purchasing parts and components from American without the US government approval. Google is said to be ending transfer of hardware, software and technical services to Huawei amid the ongoing trade war between the US and China. Pointing out that it had made substantial contributions to the development and growth of Android around the world, Huawei said it has worked closely with Android's open-source platform to develop an ecosystem that has benefitted both users and the industry. "We will continue to build a safe and sustainable software ecosystem, in order to provide the best experience for all users globally," it added. The company did not elaborate on the impact of the development on its customers in India. Huawei is likely to lose access to the Android operating system as well as applications like Maps, Gmail and access to Play Store. Besides, the latest development is expected to benefit competitors like Samsung and Xiaomi that sell Android phones. Counterpoint Research Associate Director Tarun Pathak said the latest development is going to impact the new device sales for Huawei and Honor. India is one of their key countries outside China with almost four per cent market share, he added. About 31 million units smartphones were shipped in India during the January-March 2019 quarter with Xiaomi leading the tally with 29 per cent share and followed by Samsung (23 per cent), Vivo (12 per cent), Realme and Oppo (7 per cent each). Pathak said Huawei can always look at using the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) but that is unlikely to provide a good consumer experience. "Huawei always put in a lot of effort in the integration of hardware and software for a seamless experience. Using AOSP is unlikely to provide a good consumer experience," he said. AOSP is a version of the Android operating system available through the open source license. Sci-fi drama "Humans" will not be returning for a fourth season, the creators have announced. Writers Jonathan Brackley and Sam Vincent shared the on Twitter on Monday. The series, that ran on Channel 4 and AMC, was fronted by "Crazy Rich Asians" star Gemma Chan. "Sadly, there won't be a fourth season of Humans. In this age of unprecedented choice and competition, we can have no complaints. Channel 4 and AMC were the perfect partners. They supported the show brilliantly and above all let us make three seasons. We're gutted, of course, but we were so lucky. We got to make the show we wanted to make, for 24 episodes... "So here's to every last actor, director, writer, producer, exec, commissioner, DoP, editor, composer, crew member and the unfailingly generous Swedish team behind the original version," the writer duo said in a statement. Brackley and Vincent thanked fans for their support and regretted they were unable to "keep the story going for the people that love it". The end for the series is a surprise as last year executive producer Emma Kingsman-Lloyd told Deadline that there was no end in sight for the show. The writers admitted they know "we left some threads hanging". "That was the way we always wrote the show. Maybe one day we'll get a chance to pick them back up. If there's anyone out there with a few million quid and an interest in AI stories, we're all ears. DM us Elon. Thanks for watching," they further said. The third season of "Humans" premiered in the US in June 2018 and in the UK in May same year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) South Korean auto major Hyundai Tuesday forayed into high selling compact SUV segment in India with its new model 'Venue', with introductory price range of Rs 6.5-11.1 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Hyundai Venue, which made its global debut here, will take on the likes of market leader Maruti Suzuki's Vitara Brezza, Tata Motors' Nexon, Ford's EcoSport and Mahindra's XUV300, that are priced between Rs 6.48-11.99 lakh. Identifying India as a key centre in its strategy to gain leadership in global mobility leadership, Hyundai has invested USD 100 million (over Rs 690 crore) in four years to develop Venue. The new model has been positioned as India's first connected car based on the company's BlueLink technology equipped with 33 artificial intelligence and connected features, of which 10 have been specially designed for the Indian market. It comes with three engine options -- 1 litre turbo and 1.2 litre petrol besides a 1.4 litre diesel -- and sits below the company's popular SUV Creta in terms of price and positioning. The petrol variants are priced between Rs 6.5 -11.1 lakh, while the diesel trims are tagged between Rs 7.75-10.84 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). "The Indian market is at the centre of Hyundai's global growth plan and the launch of Venue will strengthen our commitment to this market," Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) MD and CEO S S Kim told reporters here. The compact SUV segment has remained one of the few segments which has continued to grow in India even as the overall passenger vehicles market has slowed since the past 10 months. "We wanted to give some confidence to customers. At the moment the overall economic sentiment in India is low and customers here are price sensitive," Kim said when asked if the company's pricing of the model was constrained by the prevailing market situation. Hyundai will also launch Venue in various international markets including the US, Canada and Australia after its debut in India. Asked about the expectations from Venue, HMIL Assistant Vice-President and National Sales Head Vikas Jain said it was early to predict under the current circumstances. "So far, we have received 15,000 bookings and these will be delivered by June," he said. When asked about overall sales outlook for 2019, Jain said, "when we started the year we had set a target of doing 5.8 lakh units in the domestic market. At present we are holding on to it". Last year, HMIL posted its highest ever domestic sales at 5,45,243 units. Commenting on the company's preparation for BS-VI emission norms, Kim said it is on track and the company's models will be ready when the transition takes place on April 1, 2020. Unlike Maruti Suzuki, which has decided to stop selling diesel models due to cost escalation in the wake of BS-VI emission norms, Hyundai said it will continue to bring diesel vehicles in India. Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) President, Head of R&D Division Albert Biermann said, "we are aware that Indian customers like fuel efficient yet fun to drive vehicles at the same time. We will continue to bring diesel engine which meets BS-VI norms". HMC has also announced that by 2025 it will have 44 eco-friendly new technology vehicles including electric and fuel cell in its global portfolio. Kim, however, said launching those in India would largely depend on the development of charging infrastructure and customer demand here. The company is slated to launch full electric version of SUV Kona in July this year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India must have a permanent seat in the UN Security Council as its absence hurts the credibility of the UN system, Germany's new Ambassador to India Walter J Lindner said Tuesday. Lindner presented his credentials to President Ram Nath Kovind in Hindi on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters after presenting his credentials, Lindner said the G4 grouping -- India, Germany, Japan and Brazil -- is fighting for the enlargement of the Security Council permanent membership. "India must have a permanent seat in the UN Security Council...India with 1.4 billion people is not yet a permanent member, this is unheard of. This can't go on like this because it hurts the credibility of the United Nations system," he said. At present, there are five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council -- China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the US. The German envoy also said that his country was supportive of the listing of JeM chief Masood Azhar at the UN as a global terrorist. "We were in close contact with India and other nations (over the listing). We will continue to work on this (anti-terror) cooperation because terrorism has to be removed from the surface of this planet," he said. Asked about the prospects of working with the Modi government if it comes to power, Lindner said he does not want to answer hypothetical questions and would like to wait for the outcome of the polls. "It is such a great country, whoever will win will continue the great relationship with Germany. We are happy to work with whoever Indian people elect and in two days we will know who that is," he said. On whether EVMs were more suited or ballot papers, especially keeping in mind the European experience, he said: "Whatever system you seem to be working seems to be a very good one." Asked about the Iran nuclear deal and the US sanctions, Lindner said Germany is a strong supporter of the nuclear agreement with Iran because it keeps the country away from a nuclear weapon. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The UK will vote in the European Union (EU) elections on Thursday to elect Members of the European Parliament (MEP), a vote necessitated by a failure of Brexit negotiations which should have seen the UK out of the 28-member economic bloc on March 29. It is being widely forecast that the electorate will use the European elections this week to punish both main political parties the ruling Conservatives and Opposition Labour Party for missing that deadline. All eyes will be on two fledgling parties contesting on either side of the Brexit divide, with a number of Indian-origin candidates joining the ranks of both the anti-EU Brexit Party, led by former UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage, and Change UK, made up of Tory and Labour defectors unhappy with the policies of their former parties. I'm a doctor and I know how bad Brexit will be for our precious NHS [National Health Service] and everyone who relies on it. That's why I'm campaigning for Change UK in the European elections, says Arun Banerji, the Change UK candidate from the North-West of Britain. Brexit is bad for your health. The EU provides life-saving skills, medicines and research to the NHS, adds the doctor working for the UK's state-funded health service. His views are widely echoed by his fellow Indian-origin Change UK candidates, including Narinder Sharma and Pankajkumar Gulab from the East Midlands, Bhavna Joshi from the East of England and Amrik Kandola from the West Midlands. The party, which has been campaigning on the grounds of holding a second referendum on any Brexit agreement before the UK is taken out of the EU, is hoping to make its message heard through a mandate in the European election. In the last few weeks, our momentum has continued to grow. There are a lot of people out there who do want a second vote, says Joshi, a former Labour Party supporter who is now standing as a Change UK MEP from the East of England. I've been a lawyer for over 25 years. I know how bad Brexit will be for the rights of British people, adds Kandola, a legal consultant who is contesting from the West Midlands. At the other end of the spectrum is the staunchly anti-EU Brexit Party, which has its leader Farage leading its rallies up and down the country. I would have hoped for the Conservative Party to deliver on their manifesto and the referendum result, which we were promised they would. Combined with my experience in the Tory party as chairman and now the Brexit issue I felt I could no longer rely on them as a party with the incumbent leader (Theresa May), says Ajay Jagota, a housing and property expert who switched allegiance from the Tories to contest as MEP for the Brexit Party from the North West. He is joined by Vishal Khatri from the West Midlands and Alka Sehgal Cuthbert from London. We have a very diverse range of candidates who are fighting to help deliver the vision of the 2016 referendum, said Khatri as he took to Twitter to condemn a disgusting milkshake attack on party leader Farage during an election rally on Monday. The man seen hurling the liquid in Newcastle has since been arrested on suspicion of common assault, sparking a tirade on social media both in favour and against such an attack. It's only going to strengthen our resolve. It's only going to unify us more. We stand united in our fight for democracy, added Khatri. Both parties have completely divergent views on Britain's membership of the EU but the one common thread is their attempt to lure a growing number of disgruntled British voters, frustrated with the inability of the two main political parties to either deliver on the result of the June 2016 referendum in favour of Brexit or give them an option for another say. The pro-EU Liberal Democrats, who saw a massive surge in their support during local elections held earlier this month as the electorate used their votes to express their anger against the Tories and Labour, are hoping to further cash in during this week's polls. Lib Dem leader Vince Cable has been campaigning on the basis of offering a proper and democratic way to stop Brexit. European Parliament President Donald Tusk has also urged voters to back anti-Brexit parties and candidates to try and reverse Brexit. Our research shows clearly that (Labour Leader) Mr Corbyn's unwillingness to get off the fence on Brexit is causing real damage to his party's electoral prospects, said Gina Miller, another vocal Indian-origin anti-Brexit campaigner and founder of the Remain United movement. By refusing unequivocally to change its official policy to back remaining in the EU, and promising to hold a second referendum (on whether to stay in or leave the EU), Mr Corbyn is massively out of step with his own Labour MPs, party members, supporters and crucially with Labour voters, she said. Meanwhile, the Tories are fighting on the unchanged platform of being the only party committed to delivering Brexit even as many of its MPs fear a ballot box battering on Thursday after British Prime Minister Theresa May's controversial withdrawal agreement has failed to clear the parliamentary hurdle multiple times. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dave Sharma, the Liberal candidate and former Australian ambassador to Israel, has scripted history by becoming the first Indian-origin lawmaker in the country's Parliament after winning a seat in Sydney suburb in the federal election. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is close to securing a majority government as the election's final results are being counted. His conservative coalition has defied polls and is leading with 77 seats, the Australian Electoral Commission says. Only 76 seats are needed for a majority. Sharma, 43, defeated independent candidate Kerryn Phelps for the eastern suburb seat of Wentworthin district. Sharma, who had lost to Phelps in a by-election six months ago, claimed the seat of Wentworth with 51.16 per cent of the vote. "Very humbled by the trust placed in me by the people of Wentworth. Look forward to being a voice for them in Parliament and the party room," Sharma said in a tweet. He said the three main issues he wanted to focus on were national security, female workforce participation and making sure Australia remains at the high end of the value chain. "It's been a long continuous campaign for seven months for me," he told reporters in Sydney. I was helped by the tailwind of a strong national campaign," he told reporters on Monday. Sharma, who was Australia's ambassador to Israel from 2013 to 2017, also brushed aside questions as to whether he will be given a position in Prime Minister Morrison's new Cabinet. "I'll be concentrating my time over the next weeks, months and years to being a good local representative," he was quoted as saying by The Sydney Morning Herald. "I'll be helping to protect open spaces and parklands, fight for better local infrastructure and transport, helping preserve the wonderful quality of life we have here in Wentworth," he said. Sharma also paid tribute to former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, whom he described as a "good friend". Turnbull was criticised by colleagues for not helping Sharma campaign in the by-election. Born to a father of Indian heritage and an Australian mother, Dave's family settled in Sydney in the 1970s. Over 10 Indian-origin candidates contested this year's federal elections in Australia where the Indian diaspora continues to grow and has touched more than 700,000. Other Liberal candidates who contested but lost were Vivek Singha and Sachin Joshi from New South Wales and Hemant Dave from South Australia. Labor Party's candidates included Aruna Chandrala and Parwinder Sarwara. Raj Samson Rajwin, Prakul Chhabra, Jatinder Singh, Sahil Chawla represented United Australia Party (UAP). A former international student Nikhil Reddy contested elections from Pauline Hanson-led One Nation party and the Greens' Harkirat Singh. "It is a matter of time before we have an increased representation of Indians in the state and federal parliament," Kaushliya Vaghela, the first India-born Member of Parliament in Victoria said. She said though the task of cracking into Australian was a difficult one for the first generation migrants , there was a need for Australian Parliament, at both state and federal levels, to be reflective of the diversity. Stating that the scenario was slowly changing, Vaghela who arrived in Australia as international student over two decades ago, said, "I am the classic example of that. I'm the first generation migrant to become an MP last year". "As Indian population increases in Australia we will have more people participating in politics, leading them to Parliament," she said. Despite the losses, the Indian diaspora has been actively involved in election campaigning for their respective parties and raising funds. This year, the two major political parties, Labor and Liberal, also wooed the Indian-Australian voters with several new promises. Vasan Srinivasan, a member of the Multicultural Australia Council and a former Liberal party candidate, said the Indian community was a significant and growing community in Australia and Liberal party had promised a USD 2.5 million specifically for Indians in Victoria and Perth. Srinivasan said the party promised a USD 100,000 each for Khalsa Punjabi School and Vedanta Society ahead of the elections. Similarly, the Labor party also wooed Indian-Australian voters by making new promises to the South Asian communities. It said that if re-elected it would offer cheaper long stay parent visa scheme, USD 4.5 million for the Building Multicultural Communities programme and millions of funds for language school and arts and festival programmes. Labor Senator from Tasmania Lisa Singh with Indian-Fijian ancestry was the first to enter Australian Parliament. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Thousands of soldiers fanned out across Jakarta on Tuesday as unexpectedly early results in Indonesia's election showed Joko Widodo was re-elected leader of the world's third-biggest democracy. The election commission had been due to announce the final tally of the divisive poll on Wednesday, but the results were revealed early Tuesday with little advance notice amid fears of unrest. Presidential challenger Prabowo Subianto had warned of possible mass uprisings in response to his claims of widespread cheating. Tensions have also spiked high since police said last week that they arrested dozens of Islamic State-linked terror suspects -- including some who planned to cause chaos by detonating bombs at any post-election protests. On Friday, the US embassy in Jakarta issued a heightened security alert for Indonesia, the world's biggest Muslim majority nation. There was a heavy security presence in Jakarta on Tuesday, including in front of the elections commission office, which was barricaded with razor wire and protected by scores of heavily armed troops. Subianto, a 67-year-old retired general, has targeted the commission by accusing it of allowing a string of election violations. The former military man -- who has strong ties to the Suharto dictatorship that collapsed in 1998 -- has kept up a steady string of rhetoric since unofficial results for the April 17 poll put bitter rival Widodo ahead by a wide margin. Subianto lost a 2014 presidential battle with Widodo, which he unsuccessfully challenged in court. It was not immediately clear if he would formally challenge the latest results. However, Azis Subekti, a witness for Subianto's camp, refused to sign the official election results Tuesday, and hinted that the matter was not settled. "We won't surrender in our fight against injustice, fraud and abuse," he was quoted as saying by Indonesia's Detik.com. Analysts and election officials have discounted Subianto's claims that the result was affected by voter fraud and widespread cheating. "The scale of abuses and errors in the conduct of the election are clearly very minor overall," Jakarta-based political analyst Kevin O'Rourke said before Tuesday's official results. "(Subianto) and his camp are harping on minor deficiencies and very micro problems, clearly in an attempt to sway public opinion and delegitimise Widodo." It was unclear if huge crowds would flood the streets to support Subianto, but there was little sign of Tuesday. "There will be protests from disappointed (Subianto) supporters but I don't think it'll be significant," said Syamsuddin Haris, a political analyst at the Indonesian Sciences Institute. "Authorities have been anticipating this," he added. The presidential campaign was punctuated by bitter mudslinging and a slew of fake online -- much of it directed at the presidential contenders. The soft-spoken Widodo -- who pointed to his efforts to boost Southeast Asia's biggest economy with a huge infrastructure push -- stood in stark contrast to fiery nationalist Subianto, a strongman who courted Islamic hardliners and promised a boost to military and defence spending. Online, Subianto was pilloried by social media users who poked fun at his repudiation of the unofficial results and for kissing the ground as he declared himself president. Last month, a record 245,000 candidates ran for public office in Indonesia, from the presidency and parliamentary seats to local positions -- the first time all were held on the same day. Widodo and his vice-presidential running mate Ma'ruf Amin won the country's top jobs with 55.5 per cent of the vote against 44.5 per cent for Subianto and his wealthy financier partner Sandiaga Uno, the commission said Tuesday. Some 85.6 million votes were cast in favour of Widodo out of about 154 million in total, it added. Widodo scoring thumping victories in holiday hotspot Bali and heavily populated East Java, while Subianto landed big wins in conservative Aceh and West Java. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) by John Ai Journey into the economic heart of southern China. The megalopolis attracts millions of migrant workers. Its factories offer dull jobs in demanding and sometimes dangerous conditions. The factories tend to create corporate "mini-cities" where workers spend their wages, putting money back into corporate pockets. Young cynics look for day jobs and spend time in Internet cafes and bingo halls. Shenzhen (AsiaNews) The city of Shenzhen, as window of Chinas economic reform that began 40 years ago, accumulated numerous wealth rapidly. Diligence and hardworking are seen as the first rule to get rich and people expect to realize their dreams through competition, but now some discouraged young people have lost confidence. As the most vibrant area and the financial centre of south China, Shenzhen attracts laborers across the country and the toil of workers piles up the prosperous megacity. Amid the slowdown of Chinas economy and the trade war between US and China, Shenzhen is still an option for migrant workers who seek better life. Shenzhen Sanhe Human Resources Market in suburb Longhua District is a major hub for people who look for jobs in labour intensive industries. Near Sanhe, dozens of employment agencies are also thriving. IT manufacturers including Huawei and Foxconn set up advertisement there to recruit laborers for assembly line. Factories dispatch buses parking outside the employment agencies every morning. After registering their identity card, job seekers get on board and buses will drive them to the factories that are totally unknown to these people. According to Huaweis recruiting advertisement, only people below 30 years old with at least high school diploma are accepted. An employment agent in Sanhe said that job seekers must pay 60 yuan to apply for the job and if the job seekers fail to pass the interview, the money will not be refund. The agent emphasized that the large possibility of enrolment with true diploma and relatively high salaries in Huawei, finally, he added that laborers above 30 will be fired, unless they promote to higher hierarchy. The series suicides in Foxccon years ago raised the concern about the work condition. Workers who quit their jobs from Foxccon complained about the fast pace of assembly line. The company claimed that the work condition is largely improved these years. We see high-rise apartments for Foxccon employees that look tidy, with countless clothes to be dried hanged in balconies. Factories of thousands of workers with business facilities within the industrial parks form small Foxccon cities. Although many workers prefer overtime to earn more, online comments say that, you earn money in Foxccon and you spend money in Foxccon. You cannot take away anything. Splendid buildings and luxurious service are within labours sight but out of their life. Here, the neighbours offer almost the cheapest prices catering peoples daily life, from meals, to guest houses and internet bars. It becomes the basin in this exorbitant city, sheltering the subsisting people. When the night coming, owners of guest houses begin to solicit passers-by. A bed only costs 15 yuan a night, less than two euros. Some just sleep in the street. Different from the older migrant workers in the beginning of economic reform, younger generation do not like intensified and monotonous work condition. Long working hours and low wages make young laborers change jobs frequently, and factories post recruiting advertisement all year long. Youths came with hope, however lacking education and skills, they failed to have decent life. They gave up striving finally and embrace the lifestyle of cynicism. Youngsters roam around in the street nearby all the day. Discouraged by the factories, they choose a leisure life: looking for temporary work that is paid by day, and workers will get cash immediately after finishing work. Play games in internet bar or sitting in lottery shop and chatting are their ways to kill time. When they use up their money, it is time to look for another temporary work. The cycle repeats and copies to other young people who come to Sanhe. The group is called Sanhe Dashen (gods) in Chinese cyber sphere. The evasive state is regarded as self-protection by those young people: they complain the harsh, sometimes risky working condition. Usually, many employment agents do not tell the truth because they say that the wages and actual condition is not beautiful as the agents promised. Some of those young people borrow usury or get addicted with gambling. Mobile phones are the most valuable thing among their belongings. However, they may sell their phones then lose contact with family, even sell identity cards for more money. Work one day and play for three days, once the slogan displayed outside employment agencies has disappeared after media reported. Police cracked down unlicensed agents that made fewer temporary jobs available for those young people although illegal agents still exist. Discussions online intertwines mockery and sympathy towards Sanhe Dashan. Some argue that individual commitment gives little chance to raise people from poverty in the society of economic inequity. Did the young people give up themselves or were they abandoned by the society? Should everything be attributed to their laziness? Those questions are worthy to fathom. Bharti and Vodafone Group on Tuesday named Bimal Dayal as the CEO of the mega tower company proposed to be formed from merger of Indus Towers and Bharti Infratel, and said the merger process is in "advanced stage of completion". Dayal will be responsible for the combined business and take forward integration of the two in preparation of the merger, a joint statement said. "Bimal Dayal (currently CEO, Indus Towers) is proposed to be appointed as the of the merged entity," it said. Hemant Ruia, currently CFO of Indus Towers, is proposed to be appointed as the Chief Financial Officer of the combined entity, the statement added. The existing leadership teams of both Indus Towers and Bharti Infratel will continue to manage their respective businesses till the merger becomes effective. "Shareholder Groups (Bharti and Vodafone Group) of combined entity resulting from the merger of Indus Towers with Bharti Infratel today announced that the merger process is at an advanced stage of completion," the statement said. Bharti and Vodafone Group look forward to early completion of the merger and move towards successful integration, it noted. The merger of Bharti Infratel and Indus Towers will create a pan-India tower company, with over 163,000 towers, operating across all 22 telecom service areas in India. The Jammu and Kashmir BJP unit Tuesday batted strongly for grant of seats reserved in the state assembly to displaced people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Twenty-five seats are reserved for the people from that region. State BJP chief spokesperson Sunil Sethi said after a long struggle of more than seven decades, "the time has come to do complete justice to the displaced persons of areas of J-K, which are under the illegal occupation of Pakistan, by providing legal and constitutional recognition to their rights." The displaced people from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) should be granted these reserved seats in the assembly to choose their representatives here, he said. There are over 20 to 25 lakh displaced persons of PoK living in the Jammu region since their migration over 70 years ago, and it was in 1951 that a constituent assembly was set up to frame a constitution for the state. The nation is bound by a parliamentary resolution of taking back areas of the state that are illegally occupied by Pakistan and China, Sethi said. It is the right of the displaced persons from all these areas and their future generations to have the option of settling in their "heritage areas after those are freed (from Pakistan and China)", he said. The BJP leader said the continued illegal occupation of these areas by the "two hostile neighbouring countries is defeat of peaceful coexistence." "World bodies should focus on this issue to force the return of the occupied territories to India and India should adopt all ways and means to reclaim its territories," he said. Sethi noted that till the territories are reclaimed and the process of settlement starts, the rights of persons who have been displaced from PoK should be recognised and honoured to give them due place in representative governance. This can be done by providing for separate seats in Parliament and the state assembly as also in the state legislative council for them, he said. "This will empower the community which has been suffering silently for more than seven decades", Sethi said. He also demanded reservation and creation of special seats in technical, higher and specialised education institutions for the children from the community to provide avenues for growth. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Up-and-coming actor Jason Mitchell has been dropped from a number projects over allegations of inappropriate behaviour. According to Deadline, Mitchell has been expelled by his agency, UTA, management company Authentic Talent & Literary Management, Netflix movie "Desperados" and season three of Showtime drama "The Chi". Netflix decided to dismiss the actor from "Desperados" after the makers were informed about an off-set incident. The incident was immediately investigated leading to Mitchell's termination from the project, in which he was to star opposite Nasim Pedrad, Anna Camp and Robbie Amell. Looking at the seriousness of the allegations, Fox 21 TV Studios, opted not to sign Mitchell for the third season of "The Chi". Mitchell has been in high-demand since his breakout role in the 2015 film "Straight Outta Compton", in which he played NWA member Eazy-E. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Employees of cash-strapped protested outside the on Tuesday, demanding revival of the airline and payment of their pending salaries. The protests come amid the struggles of State Bank of India-led consortium of lenders to find a buyer for the airline which ceased operations around mid-last month due to acute liquidity crisis. Around 200 employees of demonstrated with banners reading "Hear our cry, let 9W fly", "We fly you around, don't let us be on ground", "We have dependents to feed, please don't let 9W bleed" and "A family helps each other for cleaning house". 9W is the flight code for As the protesters moved towards the ministry, Delhi Police and CRPF personnel erected barriers to stop them. Three employees of the full-service carrier met S K Mishra, joint secretary of Ministry of Civil Aviation. Asish Kumar Mohanty, one of the employees who met Mishra, told PTI later, "We have given him an update about today's conditions within Jet Airways... We have not got salaries for the last five months. In between, our medical coverage has also been stopped as the management has told us that they have no revenue." "We told him about three important concerns for the airline -- employees' pending salaries, no management is there now to look after Jet Airways and expedition of SBI's bidding process," added Mohanty, who belongs to the airline's engineering department. Jet Airways' Chief Executive Officer Vinay Dube, Chief Financial Officer Amit Agarwal, Company Secretary and Compliance Officer Kuldeep Sharma and Chief People Officer Rahul Taneja had resigned from their respective posts on May 14. "The joint secretary said the government is very much concerned about the revival of Jet Airways. He said that the higher officers know about it and dialogue and meetings are going on. We told him that the dialogue and meetings have been going on for the last 3-4 months, but nothing has been done on paper as yet," Mohanty said. He said Mishra was told that aircrafts of the airline are being de-registered and the primary concern is the pending salaries of employees. According to Mohanty, the joint secretary said he will tell his "top bosses" about the employees' concerns. He added that the central government would be given a petition on Tuesday itself. The lenders, whom Jet Airways owes over Rs 8,000 crore in debt, are offering 31.2 per cent-75 per cent stake in the company on a fully diluted basis. SBI Caps, the merchant banking arm of SBI, had on behalf of the consortium of 26 lenders invited expressions of interest between April 8-12, and received four preliminary bids. These 26 lenders own 51 per cent stake in the airline. After the first round of bids, private equity firms IndiGo Partners and TPG, and the sovereign fund NIIF were shortlisted. Abu Dhabi-based submitted its sealed bid to acquire a minority stake in Jet Airways with a lot of riders that involved finding more investors, leaving little hope for the airline's survival. Karnataka JD(S) President A H Vishwanath Tuesday welcomed senior Congress MLA R Roshan Baig's outburst against the party's leadership, saying his remarks were "true" and "a reality." A bete noire of Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah, Vishwanath said "Our Roshan Baig at least has come to know about the truth at the end. Thanks to Mr Roshan." Asked if he was thanking Baig for his comments against Siddaramaiah, he said, "I'm saying thanks for his statement today in total, after understanding the truth and reality.""...Roshan has understood the ground realities at the end. There is nothing wrong in what he has said; there is nothing that is false. He has spoken the truth," he said. Hitting out at Congress leaders for the party's performance in the Lok Sabha polls as projected in the exit polls, Baig Tuesday held Siddaramaiah's "arrogance" andKPCC chief Dinesh Gundu Rao's "immaturity" responsible for the "flop show". Baig, who objected to Siddaramaiah's Chief Ministerial ambitions, when the post was not vacant, also called AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal, who is in-charge of Karnataka a "buffoon." Pointing out that Baig is an influential Muslim leader, Vishwanath said the statements he made during the holy month of Ramazan is "appropriate", "reality" and "true". "Roshan Baig knows the truth and reality of that party (Congress) and he has spoken out, nothing more than that," he said, adding that he too has been saying similar things for long. Vishwanath has repeatedly hit out at the Congress-JD(S) coordination committee Chairman Siddaramaiah for his conduct. Last week, with the clamour growing within Congress for Siddaramaiah to become CM once again, Vishwanath had hit out at the CLP leader, raising questions about his performance as Chief Minister in the previous government, and had termed the demand as "chamchagiri" (sycophancy). His statements had resulted in a public spat between the two, with Siddaramaiah hitting back and asking the JD(S) leadership to intervene. On Saturday too, Vishwanath had raised questions about Siddaramaiah's performance as coordination committee chief andhit out at him or not inducting him and Rao to the committee. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal talked to Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav over phone on Tuesday to discuss the strategy to be followed after the announcement of the Lok Sabha poll results on Thursday. Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh told reporters here that the two leaders held talks over phone. Singh also met Yadav in Lucknow and discussed the political situation prevailing in the country. He said Kejriwal and Yadav talked about the strategy to be followed after the announcement of the poll results. Singh added that their priority was to stop the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from forming the government. On May 17, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu had paid a "courtesy visit" to Kejriwal. The results of the just-concluded, seven-phased Lok Sabha polls will be announced on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kerala cabinet Tuesday approved the draft plan for the 'Rebuild Kerala Development Programme' to reconstruct the flood-hit state ravaged by 2018 floods. "The cabinet has approved a comprehensive development plan for the rebuilding the state which was destructed in the floods last year,'' an official press release said here. The aim is to rebuild the state to withstand such natural calamities. The plan will be an inclusive one, the release said. The project would link the ongoing development projects with the rebuilding initiative. The draft plan aims to reduce the loss of life during such natural calamities, it said. "Also, the state will form a river basin management authority as part of water resource management. The government will also develop a centralised command centre for controlling the water in the dams," the release said, adding that the dam safety authority would be strengthened. The 2018 flood claimed 483 lives and it was among the major disasters reported globally last year, including the California wildfire and the floods in Japan. The post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA) report prepared by a UN team said Kerala would need Rs 31,000 crore for rebuilding. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Home Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday expressed anguish over the killing of an MLA, his son and nine others in Arunachal Pradesh by suspected NSCN rebels and termed it as an "outrageous attempt" to disturb peace in the Northeast. His deputy Kiren Rijiju also demanded strongest possible action against those responsible for the dastardly attack. "Shocked and anguished by the killing of MLA Tirong Aboh ji, his family and others in Arunachal Pradesh. It is an outrageous attempt to disturb peace and normalcy in the North East. The perpetrators of this heinous crime will not be spared. My condolences to the bereaved families," Singh said in a tweet. Rijiju said he was shocked and saddened by the brutal attack and tragic killing of Aboh, his family members and others. "Strongest possible action will be taken against those responsible for such dastardly attack," he tweeted. Suspected Naga militants Tuesday gunned down Aboh, a sitting MLA from Khonsa West constituency, and 10 others, including his son and security personnel, in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh. The MLA was also seeking re-election from the same constituency on a ticket of the National People's Party, headed by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma. Aboh was on his way from Assam to his constituency, along with his family members, three police personnel and a poll agent, when suspected NSCN-IM rebels opened fire at their vehicles around 11.30am. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Kremlin on Tuesday warned Ukraine's new President Volodymyr Zelensky against asking Washington for more sanctions against Russia, suggesting it would not help his efforts to end the war in the east. President Vladimir Putin's spokesman spoke after US Secretary of Energy Rick Perry said in Kiev earlier in the day that Washington intends to impose sanctions on companies involved in the Moscow-led Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline project. On Monday, Zelensky was sworn in as Ukraine's president and said his priority was ending the conflict with Russia-backed insurgents in the east, which has claimed some 13,000 lives since 2014. In a meeting with US officials including Perry on Monday, Zelensky called on Washington to support Ukraine and introduce more sanctions against Moscow. "This is the rhetoric that will not help Ukraine to sort out the problem of the southeast," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, referring to the separatist conflict in the ex-Soviet country's industrial east. Zelensky had told the US delegation that also included US Senator Ron Johnson that Washington should keep "increasing sanctions" against Moscow. "We will not be able to overcome Russian aggression in Donbass and Crimea alone," Zelensky was quoted as saying by his office in reference to the eastern regions and Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014. Peskov said Ukraine should stick to the Western-brokered peace treaty -- which is largely moribund -- if it wanted to settle the conflict. "The US cannot fulfil a list (of requirements) of the Minsk agreements. Russia cannot fulfil them either," he said. "It is Kiev which can and must fulfil them." The Kremlin has refused to congratulate Zelensky on his landslide election victory last month or the inauguration. Speaking in Kiev earlier Tuesday, US Secretary of Energy Perry said Washington is moving towards imposing restrictions on the companies involved in the Nord Steam 2 pipeline to Germany. "The opposition to Nord Stream 2 is still very much alive and well in the United States," Perry said in comments released by the US embassy in Kiev. Perry said he expected the US Senate and House to approve a bill on the planned measures "over the course of the not too distant future," later sending it to US President Donald Trump. The bill will "have very-very onerous restrictions on companies that continue to do business with Nord Stream 2," Perry said. The controversial 11-billion-euro (USD 12-billion) energy link between Russia and Germany is to run under the Baltic Sea and set to double Russian gas shipments to the EU's biggest economy. Kiev, Washington and other countries are opposed to the pipeline, saying it will increase Europe's reliance on Russian gas. Peskov dismissed the planned sanctions on Tuesday. "The project has largely been implemented," he said. Last week, Putin defiantly said Russia would finish the pipeline, which is currently scheduled to be completed by the end of this year. "I believe we will see its logical completion," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Larsen & Toubro's standalone market capitalisation will touch Rs 3 trillion and revenue will reach Rs 2 trillion in five years as strategic initiatives like NxT have helped in making giant strides, Group Chairman A M Naik said. The recently launched L&T-NxT initiative is a technology platform that focusses on artificial intelligence, internet of things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, geospatial solutions as well as cybersecurity. The $20 billion diversified Group has a of about Rs 2.5 trillion at present. "Five years from now, I expect standalone to be in the range of Rs 3 trillion from the present about Rs 2 trillion... L&T's revenue will then touch Rs 2 trillion from the present about Rs 1.4 trillion," Naik told PTI in an exclusive interview. According to him, when he took over as L&T CEO, the combined was around Rs 2,000 crore and it has now surged to Rs 2.5 lakh crore. He joined L&T in 1965 as a junior engineer and rose to the positions of CEO and MD in 1999 and chairman in 2003. In 2017, he stepped aside from executive responsibilities and took over as Group Chairman. "It has grown so much. The sales were about Rs 5,000 crore (when he took over) and today it is Rs 1.4 trillion." "I would say 88 per cent of today's L&T has been created by me from the clean slate. What we inherited, no longer exist today and in a year or two, it (share of the inherited businesses) will come down from 12 per cent to 2-3 per cent. Remaining we would have closed or sold," he said. Naik narrated how he aspired to be a manager in L&T and retire when he would get Rs 1,000 salary. "I used to say I will become a manager one day and will get a four figure salary of Rs 1,000, which I received in 1966 itself, purely out of sheer hard work and a lot of innovative things I did. "This went on...I gave stock options to all employees in 1999 and fortunately the stock went up...perhaps it is a record... it moved up 1,800 times which made almost 2,500 L&T employees millionaires and some even multi-millionaires," he said. Naik said since then the stock options have become worth a lot of wealth and he has been consistently giving away the same for charity, education and health. He said, once he aspired to work with L&T which only recruited from IITs but he was not an IITian. "Finally I was called for interview in November 1964 and joined L&T in March 1965. Now it is my 55th year with L&T...I have always worked 16 hours a day, 7 days a week," he said. Naik said L&T- NxT has been his brainchild and has propelled the company further on growth path and it is set for giant strides. "Through L&T-NxT I hope we will do better and do great things. ... in IT and engineering service, once we complete our acquisition of Mindtree, we will be a $3 billion company and our idea is in three to four years, we will take it to $5 billion," he said. "It was zero when I took over....application of new generation of technologies is now a major focus for us with L&T-NxT and I hope we will do a great job in this area." The infrastructure major has taken its shareholding in IT services firm to 26.53 per cent. L&T is a major technology, engineering, construction, manufacturing and financial services conglomerate with global operations. Trafficking generates US$ 105 million in annual profits. Almost one survivor in two is forced into prostitution, over 30 per cent are sold into forced marriages and another 15 per cent forced into cybersex. The victims are mostly aged between 12 and 29 but some are younger. Seoul (AsiaNews/Agencies) About 60 per cent of female North Korean defectors in China are believed to be trafficked for sexual exploitation (prostitution, forced marriages and cybersex), a London-based civic group says in a report. Titled Prostitution, Cybersex & Forced Marriage of North Korean Women & Girls in China," the research by the Korea Future Initiative is based on interviews with more than 45 survivors and victims of sexual violence, as well as discussions with rescuers and others in China. Between 2015 to 2018, nearly half of the victims were forced into prostitution, over 30 per cent were sold into forced marriages and another 15 per cent were pressed into cybersex. The exploitation of North Korean women defectors in China generates an estimated US$ 105 million in annual profits. "Victims are prostituted for as little as 30 Chinese yuan (US$ 4.30), sold as wives for just 1,000 yuan (US$ 145), and trafficked into cybersex dens for exploitation by a global online audience," the report's author Yoon Hee-soon says. The girls and women in question are usually aged 12 to 29, but can sometimes be younger. They are coerced, sold, or abducted in China or trafficked directly from North Korea. Many are sold more than once and are forced into at least one form of sexual slavery within a year of leaving their homeland. Others are enslaved in brothels in districts in north-east China with large migrant worker populations. The girls some as young as nine and women working in the cybersex industry are forced to perform sex acts and are sexually assaulted in front of webcams. Many of the subscribers are thought to be South Korean. Women forced into marriage were mostly sold in rural areas for 1,000 to 50,000 yuan (US$ 7,250), and were raped and abused by their husbands. One woman, named as Ms Pyon from Chongjin City, North Korea, is quoted as saying in the report: "I was sold [to a brothel] with six other North Korean women at a hotel. We were not given much food and were treated badly . . . After eight months, half of us were sold again. The broker did bad things to me." Another victim, Kim, said: "There are many South Koreans [in Dalian, China] . . . We put advertising cards under their doors [in hotels] . . . The cards are in the Korean-language and advertise what we offer...We are mostly taken to bars [by the pimp]. "South Korean companies want [North Korean prostitutes] for their businessmen . . . Prostitution was my first experience of meeting a South Korean person." Lokayukta Police Tuesday conducted simultaneous searches at the premises of Indore Assistant Commercial Tax Officer on suspicion of unaccounted wealth. A senior Lokayukta Police officer said a complaint was received against the officer, Komal Bali (45), that she had amassed huge property through illegal means. Acting on it, the searches were conducted at Bali's residence in Ushaganj besides at four other places associated with her, he said. The officer said Rs 53,000 cash, 440 grams of gold jewellery, about one kg of silver items, an expensive car, and documents related to a farmhouse and two houses were recovered during the searches. He said police also stumbled upon some clues regarding other immovable assets. Bali had joined the state government service in 2006 as an inspector in Commercial Tax department. She was promoted as assistant commercial tax officer in 2012. A case has been registered against Bali under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Evaluation of Bali's assets and detailed investigation is underway, the officer added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Police arrested a Nepalese couple on charges of committing theft at a house in south Delhi's posh Defence Colony area where one of them was employed as a maid, officials said Tuesday. The couple have been identified as Shanti Joshi (36) and Kishan Joshi (45), natives of Bajhang district in Nepal, they said. Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Vijay Kumar said, "Shanti, the maid, was employed in the house and only 15 days later she was found missing along with the safe kept in house". A case was registered on April 10 and investigation was initiated. The safe was carrying cash, jewellery and valuables. The only clue was the mobile phone used by the maid which was found inactive soon after the incident. Not even one photograph of accused was available, he said. After discreet technical search and monitoring, the accused was tracked moving towards Nepal, police said. Further after a month, the close contacts of accused were tracked in Bangalore. The team zeroed down the location and then door-to-door survey was conducted. On ground survey, the maid was found working in a house. She was identified on the basis of a photograph available on CAF. She was apprehended with her husband and the stolen diamond ring, wrist watch and other articles were recovered, police added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A special court here has granted exemption to the 2008 Malegaon blast case accused Pragya Singh Thakur, Lt Col Prasad Purohit and Sudhakar Chaturvedi from appearing before it this week. When the matter was taken up by the special NIA court on Monday, the three accused filed applications through their lawyers seeking exemption from appearance. While Thakur and Chaturvedi said they are busy with preparations for the upcoming results of the Lok Sabha polls, which they had contested, Purohit cited personal difficulties. The court allowed the applications. The court also allowed an application filed by lawyers of the accused persons to visit the blast site in Malegaon, a town about 200 kilometers from here in Maharashtra's Nashik district. Last week, the special NIA court, which is conducting a trial against seven accused in the case, had directed all of them to appear before it at least once a week. It then said an exemption would be granted if cogent reasons were submitted. Thakur, the BJP nominee from Bhopal Lok Sabha seat, said in her application that as a candidate, she would have to fulfil certain procedures of the Election Commission, including nominating her agents for the counting of votes in her constituency on May 23. Chaturvedi, who fought the election as an Independent from Mirzapur seat in Uttar Pradesh, cited the same reason. Currently, the court is recording the testimony of witnesses in the case. Besides these three, the other accused in the case are Major (retired) Ramesh Upadhyay, Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhakar Dwivedi and Sameer Kulkarni. They are all out on bail. Six people were killed and over 100 injured on September 29, 2008, when an explosive device strapped to a motorcycle went off near a mosque in Malegaon. The accused persons are facing trial under various sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). They have been charged under UAPA Sections 16 (committing terrorist act) and 18 (conspiring to commit terrorist act). They are facing charges under sections 120(b) (criminal conspiracy), 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 153(a) (promoting enmity between two religious groups) of the IPC. The accused have also been charged under relevant sections of the Explosive Substances Act. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 24-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly forging documents against Syro-Malabar Church head Cardinal George Alencherry, following which a row has erupted in Kerala's influential Catholic Church with a section of priests protesting against the arrest. Three bishops of the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese have come out openly against the arrest of Adithya Valavi, who is a post-graduate from an IIT, claiming that he is not a criminal and he had no role in forging documents. The priests have claimed that the man, a faithful, while working as an intern with a reputed business group in Kochi, had taken a screenshot of documents allegedly having Alencherry's name from the computer server of the firm and brought it to the notice of a church priest he knew. The priest reportedly shared it with another priest, who allegedly submitted it to a Synod of the Syro-Malabar Church. The priests, including auxiliary bishops of the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese, have demanded a high-level probe into the forgery case. They alleged that the man, who was taken into custody by police last week, was tortured and forced to make statements against other priests in connection with the case. His arrest was recorded on Sunday. Police have said the documents, purportedly linking the Syro-Malabar church head with the accounts of a private bank, were found to be forged during their investigation. According to them, the cardinal was found not operating any account in the bank named in the documents. Alleging that Adithya was subjected to torture in custody, the priests, including Bishop Jacob Manathodath, who was appointed as the administrator of the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese by Pope Francis last year, have urged the government to order either a CBI or a judicial probe into the case. Adithya's father Zachariah alleged that his son was physically and mentally tortured by the police in custody. Adithya was also forced to make a statement against Father Tony Kallookaran, vicar of Muringoor Sanjoe Nagar church, he alleged. Meanwhile, the police made Father Kallookaran also an accused in the case on Tuesday. Bishop Sebastian Adayanthrath and Bishop Jose Puthenveettil had also joined Manathodath at a press conference held on Monday evening to raise the demand. Refuting the allegations of torture in custody, the police said they were carrying out a "scientific probe" into the case. The issue of controversial land deals involving top priests of the Syro-Malabar Church has been in the for quite some time. The Syro-Malabar Church has over 30 dioceses in the country and four outside -- in the US, Canada, Australia and Britain -- serving over five million faithful. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 21-year-old man was apprehended at a metro station here on Tuesday for allegedly carrying a pistol and two live bullet rounds in his bag, officials said. Karim, a resident of Uttar Pradesh's Meerut city, was held by CISF personnel at Delhi Gate metro station at around 9 am, they said. He was held after the baggage scanner detected a country-made pistol and two live bullets in his bag, the officials said. The accused was then handed over to the local police by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) for further investigation, they said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Several post-graduate medical students withdrew their protest on Tuesday after the Maharashtra governor signed an ordinance to provide quota to the Maratha community members under the Socially and Economically Backward Class (SEBC) category. Around 250 students were sitting on a protest at the Azad Maidan here for the last two weeks, after the Bombay High Court earlier this month ruled that the 16 per cent quota offered to Marathas will not be applicable on admissions to post-graduate (PG) medical courses this year. Later, when the Supreme Court also upheld the HC ruling, leading to cancellation of admissions granted to 253 students, the state government took the ordinance route. On the government's recommendation, Governor C Vidyasagar Rao signed the ordinance on Monday to protect the admissions of students in the PG courses. Expressing happiness over it, the protesting students in a statement said they were satisfied with the measures initiated by the state government and therefore, decided to withdraw their agitation. On November 30, 2018, the Maharashtra legislature passed a bill proposing 16 per cent reservation for Marathas in government jobs and under the SEBC category. The ordinance is aimed to further explain the state government's intent to provide quota to the Maratha community. The state government earlier clarified that the quota was applicable from the time the prospectus for the said courses were issued in February this year. It has also sought more medical and dental seats from the Centre and plans to provide scholarships to the open category students, if their admission process is disturbed due to the implementation of the quota. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Meteorological Department has issued a fresh yellow weather warning for thunderstorm in Himachal Pradesh on May 22 and 23, an official said Tuesday. The Shimla Meteorological Centre has forecast thunderstorm accompanied with gusty winds in plains and low and middle hills of the state on Wednesday and Thursday, he 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. Meanwhile, precipitation occurred at isolated places over the state during the last 24 hours. The lowest temperature in the state was recorded in Lahaul-Spiti's administrative centre Keylong at 5.5 degrees Celsius. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Militants hurled a grenade on security forces in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday but no one was injured in the attack, police said. The militants lobbed the grenade towards the security forces posted near the State Bank of India branch at Pulwama Chowk, a police official said. He said the grenade exploded by the roadside. There were no reports of anyone getting injured in the explosion, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday likened his campaign for this Lok Sabha election to a pilgrimage, saying it stood out from other polls as it was being fought by the people and not the party alone. He made these remarks at a meeting of ministers of his government at the BJP headquarters where he thanked them for their work, Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar told reporters. "I have seen many elections but this one was beyond Public was fighting them. I have campaigned in assembly elections and undertaken political tours for the party in different elections. When I toured during these polls, it seemed that I was on a pilgrimage," the prime minister was quoted as saying. He met Union ministers from the BJP as well as allies at the meeting- called 'Aabhar milan' (expressing gratitude)- hosted by party president Amit Shah. Shah also later hosted a dinner for party leaders and allies. The BJP described the meeting as an occasion to thank ministers for "their service to the nation" ahead of the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha election on May 23, following which a new government will assume charge. Later in a tweet, Shah said, "I congratulate Team Modi Sarkar for their hard work and remarkable achievements in the last 5 years. Let us keep this momentum going for a New India under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi." Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Arun Jaitley, J P Nadda and Prakash Javadekar were among the key leaders from the BJP at the meeting. Some ministers from BJP allies, including Ram Vilas Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party, Harsimrat Kaur Badal from the Akali Dal and Anupriya Patel of the Apna Dal, also attended the meeting. In the dinner meet, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, JD(U) president and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, besides other allies were present. The saffron camp has expressed confidence that the NDA will emerge victorious, with the exit polls too forecasting a return of the Modi government. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met Union ministers from the BJP as well as allies at a meeting hosted by party president Amit Shah at its headquarters. The BJP described the meeting as an occasion to thank ministers for "their service to the nation" ahead of the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha election on May 23, following which a new government will assume charge. Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Arun Jaitley, J P Nadda and Prakash Javadekar were among the key leaders from the BJP at the meeting. Some ministers from BJP allies, including Ram Vilas Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party, Harsimrat Kaur Badal from the Akali Dal and Anupriya Patel of the Apna Dal, were also present. The saffron camp has expressed confidence that the NDA will emerge victorious, with the exit polls too forecasting a return of the Modi government. Shah is also hosting a dinner for BJP leaders and allies later in the evening. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The project was announced by Lander & Rogers and YBF Ventures in February. The hub, housed at YBF Ventures at 520 Bourke St, offers start-up and scale-up companies co-working space and access to Lander & Rogers experts and clients. Lander & Rogers said that the hub is an immersion opportunity for mature start-ups and scale-ups looking to collaborate, grow their companies rapidly, and be part of the up-and-coming legal technology community in Australia. The companies admitted to the LawTech Hub target different problems in legal services through technology. TA Law is working on giving barristers the ability to receive electronic briefings. Mitimes is working on automating lawyers timesheets. Josef is working on a platform that lets lawyers create their own legal bots. Anika, a registered charity, is building a platform for legal professionals to provide free legal advice and give law students the opportunity to gain practical experience. Clients are expecting more from their legal advisers and the industry has to respond. Lander & Rogers has chosen to look outwards and embrace technology, and our LawTech Hub is an important part of our response, said Genevieve Collins, Lander & Rogers chief executive partner. Through the LawTech Hub, Lander & Rogers can learn from the vibrant and engaged start-up community, and we can bring extensive legal experience and expertise to the table. I believe this is a powerful combination for both our firm's people, our clients, and our lawtech partners. Farley Blackman, YBF Ventures chief executive, said that LawTech Hub joins a group of the leading start-up hubs for technology and innovation in Melbourne, which includes hubs within YBF backed by the federal and state governments. He said that YBF and Lander & Rogers will be on hand to ensure the first group that enters the LawTech Hub has the support to grow their businesses. In a politically-significant move, the Madhya Pradesh government is contemplating to reopen a 12-year-old murder case of an RSS activist in which controversial BJP leader Pragya Singh Thakur was acquitted due to lack of evidence. RSS 'pracharak' Sunil Joshi was shot dead in Dewas district on December 29, 2007. Thakur, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blasts, was one of the eight people who were acquitted by a lower court in 2017 in the Joshi murder case due to lack of evidence. State Law Minister P C Sharma said a legal opinion is being sought for reopening the case as the bureaucrats had "faulted" by not appealing against the February 1, 2017, order of the court. The move is seen by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a "politics of revenge" by the Congress-led government in the state. "It looks like the MP government is going to take this decision because Pragya Thakur contested the election as BJP candidate against Congress' Digvijaya Singh," party spokesperson Rajnish Agarwal said. Thakur is contesting the Lok Sabha election from Bhopal on a BJP ticket against the Congress' two-time chief minister, Digvijaya Singh. The exit polls indicate of a victory for Thakur. Sharma said the state government would appeal in a higher court to reopen the Joshi murder case, adding that the Dewas collector had been asked to submit a report. "We will seek a legal opinion on that report and then take a decision about moving a higher court," Sharma said, claiming that the then district collector took a decision about not filing a review without asking the law department for legal opinion. "The district collector should have sent the report to the law department instead of deciding that there was no need to move a higher court," the minister said. The NIA had been moving from pillar to post for getting the Joshi murder case transferred to it from the Madhya Pradesh police, which was then headed by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The then BJP-led state government was initially reluctant in handing over the case, but finally had to give in. Joshi, who had been chargesheeted by the NIA in connection with the Samjhauta Express blast in 2007, was considered an important link to alleged acts of right-wing terror. He was shot dead when he was walking back to his hideout in Chuna Khadan locality in Dewas town. The state police had also filed a charge sheet in the Joshi murder case against Thakur, against whom charges had been framed by a special court in the Malegaon blasts case that left nine people dead. She is presently out on bail. After the BJP-led NDA came to power at the Centre in 2014, the NIA shifted the Joshi murder case back to the Madhya Pradesh police, saying it found no terror angle in the case. Joshi has been named as an accused in the NIA charge sheet on the 2007 Samjhuta train blasts that left over 60 people dead. Under the previous UPA dispensation, the NIA had filed several applications before courts in Madhya Pradesh, seeking directions to the state police to hand over the investigation to it. The MP police, after having closed the Joshi murder case earlier, reopened it and filed a charge sheet in Dewas, alleging Thakur and four others had murdered him as the accused feared he might expose the entire conspiracy from Samjhauta to Ajmer blasts. The NIA, which had taken over the case in 2013, filed a supplementary charge sheet in August 2015, over a year after the Modi government took office. It said since no "scheduled offence" had been found during the probe, the designated NIA court might transfer the matter to any other court for taking cognizance of the offence. The anti-terror agency ruled out any larger conspiracy, reducing the case to one of simple murder by contending that "licentious advances" made by Joshi to Thakur had angered her accomplices who killed him. The court had in February 2017 acquitted Thakur and seven others, observing that the state police and the NIA conducted the probe with "prejudice" and produced "weak and self-contradictory evidence". "The contradictory evidences by police and NIA in the case raised serious doubts in the whole case," Rajiv Madhusudan Apte, the additional district and sessions judge, said while acquitting Thakur, Harshad Solanki, Vasudev Parmar, Patel, Anandraj Kataria, Lokesh Sharma, Rajendra Choudhary and Jitendra Sharma. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government is planning to reopen an old murder case against candidate Pragya Singh Thakur, a day after exit polls predicted a victory for her from Lok Sabha constituency. The Congress-led government in the state will seek a legal opinion on reopening the murder case of ex-RSS pracharak Sunil Joshi, in which Pragya Singh was acquitted, state Law Minister P C Sharma said Tuesday. Joshi was shot dead in Dewas district on December 29, 2007. Thakur and seven other accused were acquitted by a court there in 2017 due to lack of evidence against them. The state government will appeal in a higher court to reopen the Joshi murder case, Sharma said. The Dewas collector has been asked to submit a report in connection with the case, the minister added. "We will seek a legal opinion on that report and then take a decision about moving a higher court," he said. Sharma claimed that the then district collector took a decision on his own to shut the case, instead of sending it to the law department for legal opinion. "The district collector should have sent the report to the law department instead of deciding that there was no need to move a higher court," he said. The dubbed the move as revenge "It looks like the MP government is going to take this decision because contested the election as candidate against Congress' This is of revenge," state BJP spokesman Rajnish Agrawal said. An accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, Thakur is currently out on bail. Joshi, also known as Guruji, was shot dead by bike- borne assailants in Chuna Khadan area of Dewas. He was reportedly evading arrest for his alleged role in the murder of a Congress leader. The voter turnout in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in 29 seats in Madhya Pradesh was about 9.5 per cent more than that in 2014, state Chief Electoral Officer V L Kantha Rao said Tuesday. He said increase in voting among men was 12 per cent while that among women voters was 7.5 per cent. "The voter turnout in Madhya Pradesh has seen a rise of about 9.5 per cent. In 2014, 29 seats of Madhya Pradesh had recorded an average turnout of 61.57 per cent. In the 2019 polls, the voter turnout has risen to 71.10 per cent," Rao told reporters here. "Of this, there is 12 per cent rise among male voters and 7.5 per cent increase in female electors when compared to 2014 Lok Sabha polls," he added. Talking about preparations for vote counting on May 23, Rao said, "The counting of votes for the state's 29 Lok Sabha seats will be held in 292 halls across 51 district headquarters from 8 am." "After end of counting, five randomly selected Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips from each Assembly segment of that particular parliamentary seat would be matched with electronic voting machines (EVMs)," he said. The lowest round of counting, at 14, will be in Katni while the highest, at 29, will be in Indore, Rao said. Rao said the firsr results may start coming in by 10 am. "There are 1800 CCTV cameras at these counting centres for monitoring. This comes to an average of 30-40 cameras per centre. No wi-fi, internet would be available at the counting centres," he informed. He said 9000 personnel, including 17 companies of central forces, have been deployed for security of strong rooms in which the EVMs have been kept. MP saw polls in four phases on April 29, May 6, 12 and 19. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Myanmar Navy ships UMS King TabinShweHtee and UMS Inlay have arrived at Port Blair to take part in the 8th Indo-Myanmar Coordinated Patrol (IMCOR), officials said Tuesday. The CORPAT (coordinated patrol) initiative between Indian and Myanmar navies is meant to address issues of terrorism, illegal fishing, drug trafficking, human trafficking, poaching and other illegal activities inimical to the interests of both the countries. "Myanmar Navy Ship UMS King TabinShweHtee (773) and UMS Inlay (OPV-54) have arrived Port Blair on May 20 for the opening ceremony of the 8th Indo-Myanmar Coordinated Patrol (IMCOR), at Andaman and Nicobar Command," the Navy said in a statement. The Myanmar delegation, led by Commodore Htein Win, Commander, Ayeyarwady Naval Command, called on Cmde Ashutosh Ridhorkar, VSM, Naval Component Commander, on Monday, it said. "Started in March 2013, the CORPAT series has enhanced the mutual understanding and fostered improved professional interaction between the two navies for maritime interoperability," the statement said. Myanmar ships UMS King TabinShweHtee and UMS Inlay would undertake a coordinated patrol with Indian Naval Ship Saryu from May 20-28. The patrolling effort will be augmented by Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both the navies, it said. The ships would patrol along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) between the two countries covering a distance of approximately 725 kms over a period of four days. The ships will also undertake joint manoeuvres and drills during the sea phase of coordinated patrol (CORPAT) prior to closing ceremony of the CORPAT onboard Myanmar Naval Ship, the statement said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The National Commission for Women (NCW) Tuesday asked the Director General of Police (DGP) of Rajasthan to ensure a swift and speedy probe into the reported gang rape of a woman in Bikaner. A married woman, who had gone out to collect firewood was allegedly sexually assaulted by three persons at an isolated place, police had said on Sunday. The alleged incident took place on May 15. The woman reached the police station along with her husband in the wee hours of May 18 to lodge a complaint. NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma in a letter to Rajasthan DGP Kapil Garg said, "The NCW is deeply disturbed by the media report captioned 'Married Woman gang-raped by three in Rajasthan's Bikaner on May 20". Sharma said NCW is seriously concerned about the recent rise in heinous crimes targeted against women in Rajasthan despite the enactment of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 2013. "Considering the gravity of the matter, it is requested to ensure swift and speedy investigation in the matter and the Commission may be apprised about any action taken in the matter at an early date," she added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nepal's central bank has banned popular Chinese digital wallets Alipay and WeChat, an official said Tuesday, fearing loss of foreign currency earnings from thousands of Chinese tourists that visit the country. Nepal Rastra Bank issued a notice on Monday, banning the use of the Chinese digital payment platforms popularly used in hotels, restaurants and shops in tourist areas, especially in Chinese-run businesses. Laxmi Prapanna Niroula, spokesman for Nepal's central bank said that using the platforms in the country was illegal without the bank's authorisation. "We have enforced a ban on Alipay and WeChat Pay because the country is losing foreign currency earnings through its usage. Action will be taken if anyone is found using the platforms," Niroula told AFP. Niroula said currently there is no record of how many transactions have taken place through the platforms as they are not recorded in Nepal. Alipay, started by e-commerce giant Alibaba and owned by its affiliate Ant Financial, and WeChat Pay, built into Tencent's popular messaging service, have hundreds of millions of users between them and are China's dominant payment platforms. Over 150,000 Chinese tourists visited Nepal last year, helping it reach a landmark of welcoming over a million tourists for the first time. Tourism is a major revenue earner for impoverished Nepal, home to eight of the world's 14 peaks over 8,000 metres. Tourism contributed 7.8 percent to Nepal's GDP in 2017, creating over a million jobs, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nepal's Supreme Court has ordered a prominent university here to allow 32 Indian students pursuing medical studies in one of its affiliated colleges to appear in their annual examinations, months after they were debarred for not passing an entrance conducted by the institution's Institute of Medicine, according to a media report. The apex court in its order May 17 ordered the Tribhuvan University to allow the 32 Indian students from appearing in their annual examinations, observing that they had cleared the Indian government-conducted National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, which meant that they had fulfilled the criterion set by Nepal Medical Council under the MBBS programme, the Himalayan Times reported. The students, who are pursuing MBBS at Nepal's Janaki Devi Medical college affiliated to the Tribhuvan University, were to appear for their annual examination on December 20 last year. However, they were not allowed to appear in the exams citing none of them had cleared an entrance conducted by the Institute of Medicine, the paper reported on Saturday. The students filed a case but then the apex court had denied staying the TU's order, saying the exam had already started. However, the apex court on Friday ordered the university to allow the students from appearing in their annual examination. The court said that foreign students pursuing their MBBS studies at Kathmandu University were being allowed to appear for exams and hence, it would be unfair to bar the students from appearing in the exam, the paper reported. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kami Rita Sherpa, the 50-year-old veteran Nepali mountaineer, scaled Mount Everest for the 24th time Tuesday as he guided an Indian police team atop the world's highest peak, breaking his own record for the most Everest ascents within a week. Kami, who conquered Everest 23rd time on May 15, scaled the 8,848-metre peak along with the Indian team, becoming the only mountaineer in the world to hold the record for most Everest summits. According to Mingma Sherpa, Company Chairman at Seven Summit Treks, the Nepali veteran from Thame village of Solukhumbu district successfully climbed Mount Everest at 6:38 am from Nepal side. "Kami Rita along with the Indian Police team from the Seven Summit Treks expedition has stood atop the roof of the world," Mingma told The Himalayan Times. Kami reached the top of Mount Everest guiding an Indian team, he said. He started his summit push from Camp IV on Monday night and reached the summit point on Tuesday morning, said Gyanendra Shrestha, a liaison officer at the base camp. Kami has already climbed most of the peaks above 8,000 metres, including K2, Cho-oyu, Lhoste and Annapurna among others. The climbers have now been descending to the lower camps safely, Mingma said, adding that Kami wanted to climb Mount Everest for at least 25 times. Kami has been climbing Mount Everest since 1994. He could not climb the Everest in 1995 after his client got sick on the way to summit. In 1995, he abandoned the summit bid after the deadliest avalanche killed expedition teams. Nepal opened the climbing route to the world's highest peak on May 14, when a team of eight Sherpas successfully scaled the Mount Everest, becoming the first team to reach the summit. Hundreds of climbers flock each year to Nepal - home to several of the world's highest mountains, to scale Himalayan peaks during the spring season that begins around March and ends in June. According to Nepal Depatment of Tourism, more than 4,400 people have scaled the summit since Edmund Hilary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay first conquered the mountain in 1953. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The National Green Tribunal has formed a committee to monitor compliance of conditions in the and forest clearances by ISKCON in Mathura where the organisation is building a 70-storey temple. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel constituted a joint committee comprising representatives of the Ministry of and Forests (MoEF), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) to avoid passing of responsibilities. "The CPCB will be the nodal agency for compliance and coordination of the joint committee so as to cover all aspects required to be dealt with in the matter. A copy of this order be sent each to the MoEF, CPCB and the CGWA by e-mail. Let a further report be submitted by the CPCB within a month by e-mail," the bench said. The green panel passed the order after the CPCB told it that monitoring of condition of bio-diversity park is to be enforced by the MoEF and the issue of ground water is to be monitored by the CGWA. Neither the CGWA nor the MoEF have taken action, the NGT noted. The tribunal also noted that nobody has appeared on behalf of the project proponent. It directed that a copy of the report be also furnished to the project proponent by the CPCB through an e-mail so that if it has any objection to raise, the same may be raised before August 2, the next date of hearing. The green body had earlier directed the CPCB to submit a report on setting up of a bio-diversity park by ISKCON in Mathura. It had asked the apex pollution monitoring body to furnish a report on whether conditions stipulated in the and forest clearances were being adhered to or not by the trust which was directed by the green body to build the park. The tribunal had, on July 31, given a green signal to the construction of the 70-storey temple but directed the trust managing construction of 'Sri Vrindavan Chandra Mandir', as part of its social responsibility, to undertake development of at least one bio-diversity park on the land parcel over and above the area which has been earmarked for the project. It had also directed the MoEF to develop an institutional mechanism for monitoring the conditions as stipulated in environment and forest clearances. The order had come on a plea filed by local resident Manikesh Chaturvedi alleging that construction of 'Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir' by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in the vicinity of Yamuna would harm the environment. When completed, 'Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir' will be the tallest religious monument in the world, it is claimed. To be built at a cost of Rs 300 crore, it will be one of the most expensively built temples in the world by ISKCON Bangalore. The temple will rise to a height of about 700 ft, with a built-up area of 5,40,000 sq. ft, according to the petitioner. A look-alike of the verdant forests of Vrindavan is planned to be recreated around this magnificent temple. It will be spread over a sprawling 26 acres. It will consist of the twelve forests of Braj, with varieties of lush vegetation, lakes with lotuses and water falls. The project is set in 62 acres of land and will include parking in 12 acres and a helipad. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A group of masked assailants murdered nine members of two related families, including four children, using a sharp weapon in Nepal's remote eastern region, police said on Tuesday. The incident, which happened on Monday night, was discovered by the local people Tuesday. The mutilated bodies of the nine deceased were found from two different houses in Nepal's Panchthar district. A 12-year-old girl survived the attack with severe injuries. The two families were related but lived in separate houses that were adjacent, officials said. The deceased have been identified as Dhanaraj Sherma Limbu, 34, his 35-year-old wife, along their three daughters aged 12, 10 and 8. Similarly, the bodies found from the second house were of Bam Bahadur Fiak, 75, his wife, 70, daughter aged 35 and grand daughter aged 10. A team of 15 police personnel under the leadership of Senior police officer Sharad Kumar Khatri from Federal Police Office has been mobilised to probe the murder. Police said a man, who was suspected to be involved in the murder, was found hanged near the incident site. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A case has begun in Wales which challenges the use of facial recognition technology, claiming an infringement of the right to privacy. Civil rights organization Liberty is supporting Ed Bridges case which is being heard in the High Court in Cardiff. Mr Bridges says police captured his image while he was shopping in the city through the use of automated technology inside a police van parked in the street. The BBC reports that South Wales Police have defended the use of automated facial recognition surveillance. : National Mineral Development Corporation Limited (NMDC), a public sector undertaking, Tuesday said it has created aseparate department 'NMDC Global' to use internationalopportunities of acquisition of mineral assets and strategic tie-ups on emerging technologies. While maintaining its leadership position in Indian iron ore industry, NMDC isalso focussing on increasing its geographic foothold globally, a press release said here. ''To give a structured thrust to these areas, NMDC has created a separate department 'NMDC Global' to pursue those international opportunities for acquisition of mineral assets and strategic tie-ups regarding emerging technologies, NMDC said in the release. NMDC currently has presence in Australia, Mozambique and Tanzania, and is alsolooking to diversify into strategic and critical raw materials. It is also looking at other emerging opportunities in key minerals which has potential to deliver the long-term benefits to the company and the country, the public sector undertaking (PSU) said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Jammu and Kashmir governor's administration Tuesday withdrew an order restricting movement of civilian traffic on the national highway between Srinagar and Jammu from Monday. An official statement said following a review of the security situation in the state and of the requirement of security forces' convoys, Governor Satya Pal Malik has decided to lift the remaining restrictions on civilian traffic movement on the national highway connecting Jammu to Srinagar with effect from May 27. May 26 will be the last day of restriction on the movement of civilian traffic on the highway. The state administration had earlier on May 7 reduced the number of days from two to one and allowed civilian traffic on Wednesdays. These restrictions had become necessary following the movement of security forces on an unprecedented scale after the Pulwama terror attack, according to the statement. The forces were required both for anti-militancy operations and for smooth conduct of the general elections. In order to facilitate safe and secure movement of convoys of the security forces, the state administration had imposed prohibition on civilian traffic on the highway from Baramulla to Udhampur twice a week -- Sunday and Wednesday -- from 4 am-5 pm. Elaborate arrangements were, however, made by the local administration to facilitate movement of public during the period of restriction, it claimed. ?Earlier, restriction on civilian movement between Srinagar and Baramulla on the highway was limited to Sunday with effect from April 22 and later completely withdrawn from May 2. Restrictions on the Srinagar-Udhampur stretch were limited to just one day from May 13. "After a detailed review today with all security agencies, civil and police administration in connection with the preparations for the Shri Amarnathji Yatra, the governor directed that there should be no restriction on civilian movement on the highway from Monday next," the statement said. The restriction had come into force after a suicide bomber triggered an explosive laden car next to a bus of a CRPF convoy leaving 40 personnel dead. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Suspected NSCN (IM) militants Tuesday gunned down an assembly poll candidate of the NPP and six others, including two security personnel, in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh, a top official said. Tirong Aboh, a sitting MLA from Khonsa West constituency, was seeking a re-election from the seat. Aboh was on his way to his constituency from Assam, along with four civilians and two police personnel, when the suspected rebels opened fire at their vehicle near Bogapani village in the district around 11.30 am, Tirap deputy commissioner P N Thungon said. All seven of them died on the spot, he said, adding that more details were awaited. Condemning the attack, NPP president and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma sought the intervention of the Prime Minister's Office and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. "The NPP is extremely shocked and saddened by the of the death of its MLA Shri Tirong Aboh (Arunachal Pradesh) and his family. We condemn the brutal attack and urge @rajnathsingh and @PMOIndia to take action against those responsible for such attack," Sangma tweeted. Assembly polls were held concurrently with Lok Sabha elections in Arunachal Pradesh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The opposition 'Mahagathbandhan' in Bihar on Tuesday alleged that attempts were being made to manipulate Lok Sabha poll results in favor of the ruling NDA, and warned that "blood may spill on the streets" on account of "tremendous public anger". The BJP hit back, saying an impending defeat had made the opposition grand alliance desperate and its statement was tantamount to "provocation for an armed rebellion". At a joint press conference here, which was addressed by RLSP chief and former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha and other leaders of the grand alliance, they alleged that the exit polls' prediction of NDA winning 30 or more seats in Bihar out of 40 was "misleading", and aimed at "causing demoralisation among our cadres, with a mala fide intent". "Earlier, we used to hear about booth loot. This time, it is suspected that attempts may be made to loot the results. These could be through manipulation of the EVMs or any other measures at the counting centres," Kushwaha said. The leaders of the NDA are hereby warned not to indulge in such a misadventure. There is "tremendous public anger and blood may spill on the streets, for which we shall not be held responsible," he said. "The exit polls appear to have been a step in this direction. We have all toured the state during elections and can say, without any hesitation, that we are set to win most of the seats in the state. Such has been the public response in favour of the Mahagathbandhan. "The NDA, therefore, seems to have devised a plan to demoralise the opposition cadres so that the rigged results could later be justified. We are dealing with people who are in power but have no scruples. All Mahagathbandhan workers are, therefore, urged to keep round the clock vigil at counting centres..." said the RLSP chief, who is contesting from Karakat, besides Ujiyarpur. The NDA must take care that things do not reach a flashpoint, he said. State BJP spokesman Nikhil Anand reacted sharply to Kushwaha's remarks, saying it is undemocratic and unconstitutional. "It is nothing short of a provocation for an armed rebellion. We are not living in times when people can be misled into causing riots. The Mahagathbandhan has been pursuing a shallow brand of politics and casting aspersions on all institutions out of frustration. "First, it was the armed forces, then came the turn of the Election Commission. Now, they are after the channels which have broadcast the exit polls. They must apologise for making outrageous comments at a press conference," Anand said. The RLSP chief, whose views were echoed by other alliance partners, also expressed concern over reports, in a section of the media, of EVMs being transported a day after polling was over in several parts of India, including Saran district in Bihar. Former chief minister and RJD leader Rabri Devi, who was not present at the press conference, also issued a statement questioning "discovery of EVMs outside the strong rooms in several parts of the state" and sought to know "where were these kept and being taken to, and for what purpose". The Election Commission, meanwhile, denied these allegations. "The EVMs at Saran were meant for training the personnel involved in counting. These were not from among the polled machines kept at the strong room. Rather, these were kept at a warehouse for training purpose. "Public representatives have been shown the warehouses and the EVMs kept therein and they have been satisfied," it said in a release. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Leaders of as many as 22 opposition parties met the Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday and demanded verification of VVPAT slips of randomly-selected polling stations before the counting of the votes polled in the just-concluded Lok Sabha election begins on May 23. They also demanded that if any discrepancy is found during VVPAT verification, 100 per cent counting of the paper slips of VVPATs of all polling stations of that particular Assembly segment should be done and compared with the electronic voting machine (EVM) results. "We told the EC that the VVPAT machines should be counted first and if there is any discrepancy, then all of them in that segment should be counted," Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters here after meeting EC officials. Azad's party colleague Abhishek Singhvi said despite requests to the EC since months, the poll body has now said it will meet on Wednesday to discuss the issue. "We are asking the EC to respect the mandate of people. It cannot be manipulated," Telugu Desam Party's (TDP) N Chandrababu Naidu told reporters. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Satish Chandra Mishra alleged that "there is large-scale bungling relating to EVMs in Uttar Pradesh. We demand deployment of central forces". The opposition parties also raised concerns over the transportation of EVMs ahead of counting of votes and urged the EC to probe the issue. The opposition parties are seeking transparency and fairness in the counting of votes and respecting the mandate of the people of the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The leaders of 22 opposition parties met the Election Commission on Tuesday ahead of the Lok Sabha election results and asked it to ensure transparency and fairness in the counting process by verifying EVM results with VVPATs. The opposition leaders, including from the Congress, the DMK, the TDP and the BSP, submitted a memorandum to the poll panel, demanding the tallying of votes of electronic voting machines with a paper trail of votes (VVPATs) of five randomly identified polling booths in an assembly segment before counting begins on Thursday. Before meeting the poll panel, the leaders met at the Constitution Club to discuss the current political situation and the need for fairness in the counting process. They held talks after meeting the Election Commission as well and decided they would be in constant touch with each other on counting day and after that too to discuss possibilities of forming a coalition government, an opposition leader told PTI. "It is requested that the verification of VVPAT slips of randomly identified (05) polling stations should be done prior to the initiation of counting of votes and not after the completion of last round of counting. "If any discrepancy is found anywhere during the VVPAT verification, 100% counting of paper slips of VVPATs of all polling stations of that assembly segment should be done," the memorandum to the Election Commission stated. The meeting came on a day the Supreme Court dismissed a PIL seeking 100 per cent matching of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips with EVMs. Demanding fairness in elections, the leaders of the 22 parties who signed the memorandum said they represent the voice of 70 per cent of the electorate of the country. They said they reached out to the Election Commission in January 2019 to increase VVPAT slips counting to 100 per cent or revert to the old paper ballot system. "We told the EC that VVPAT machines should be counted first and if there is any discrepancy, then all of them in that segment should be counted," Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters here after meeting the poll panel. The poll body has now said it will meet on Wednesday to discuss the issue, added Azad's party colleague Abhishek Singhvi. "We are asking the EC to respect the mandate of people. It cannot be manipulated," Telugu Desam Party's N Chandrababu Naidu told reporters. Alleging large-scale EVM bungling in Uttar Pradesh, Bahujan Samaj Party leader Satish Chandra Mishra demanded the deployment of central forces. The opposition parties also raised concerns over the transportation of EVMs ahead of counting of votes and urged the Election Commission to probe the issue. The opposition parties said they are seeking transparency and fairness in the counting of votes and respecting the mandate of the people of the country. Those who attended the meeting included Congress' Azad, Singhvi, Ahmed Patel and Ashok Gehlot, SP's Ram Gopal Yadav (SP), CPI-M's Sitaram Yechuri and T K Rangarajan, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal (AAP), NCP's Praful Patel and Majeed Memon (NCP) and DMK's K Kanimozhi. Trinamool Congress' Derek O'Brien, RJD's Manoj Jha, CPI's S Sudhakar Reddy and D Raja, LJD's Javed Razawa, NC's Devender Rana and JD-S' Kupendra Reddy were also among those present. "On VVPATs and the EVM tally, the EC is yet to come out with a procedure in case there is a mismatch. Even if there is one mismatch in the VVPAT samples picked for counting and EVMs, to maintain the integrity of the electoral process, all VVPATs in that Assembly segment must be counted," Yechury said after the meeting. NCP's Majid Memon said the parties are demanding that "there should be fairness in the counting of votes". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Top opposition leaders will meet in the national capital Tuesday to discuss the possibility of a non-NDA alliance staking claim to government formation and also move the Election Commission to press for their demand of tallying paper trail of votes (VVPATs) with electronic voting machine (EVM) figures. According to sources, leaders of opposition parties such as the Congress, TDP, Left parties, BSP, NCP and TMC will informally meet to discuss the way forward in case the NDA fails to get to the majority mark. Ahmed Patel and Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Congress, Sharad Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), TDP's Chandrababu Naidu, Satish Chandra Misra of the BSP, Sitaram Yechury of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), D Raja of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and Derek O'Brien of the TMC are expected to take part in Tuesday's meeting among others. Notwithstanding exit polls that have predicted a majority for the BJP-led NDA, the opposition is going ahead with its strategy as most parties have trashed the forecast and claimed that the NDA would not get a majority in the Lok Sabha. Opposition leaders are citing previous examples when exit polls were proved wrong, as also elsewhere in the world like the surprise result in Australia. As part of his efforts to unite the opposition, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP leader Naidu held a meeting on Monday with his West Bengal counterpart, Mamata Banerjee, at her Kolkata residence on forming a non-BJP government at the Centre in case of a hung verdict. Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav also telephoned Banerjee on Monday and discussed the strategy of the "Mahagathbandhan", sources said. Naidu has been moving around across the country and has held several rounds of discussions with top opposition leaders in a bid to unite them and form an alliance to stake claim to form the next government in case the NDA falls short of the majority mark. On Sunday, Naidu met UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi separately in New Delhi, besides NCP supremo Pawar. Akhilesh and Mayawati also held a meeting on Monday and discussed their strategy going forward. However, in view of the exit polls, the opposition has turned a bit cautious and decided not to hold any formal meetings. Sources said the opposition strategy was to procure letters of support from various parties and in case of a hung verdict, to present the same before the president to stake claim to form the government. They added that the opposition did not want to leave anything to chance and did not wish to waste any time in staking claim for government formation and thus, was putting its house in order. Opposition parties will also be meeting the Election Commission and demand tallying of VVPAT slips with EVM figures in an entire Assembly constituency in case a discrepancy is found in any polling booth. The Supreme Court has asked the EC to tally the VVPAT slips with the EVM figures of five polling stations in each Assembly constituency across the country, which may delay the results. In another releated development, the apex court Tuesday dismissed a PIL seeking 100 per cent matching of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during counting of votes on May 23 for Lok Sabha polls. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The University of Oxford is launching two new programs aimed at helping disadvantaged students gain a coveted place at the institution. Oxford's vice chancellor, Louise Richardson, says the programs outlined Tuesday represent "a sea change" in admissions and that there is now a commitment "to accelerate the pace at which we are diversifying our student body." The university says the programs will offer places for up to 250 students a year, representing 10 per cent of Oxford's UK undergraduate intake. It aims to boost the proportion of students coming to Oxford from under-represented backgrounds from 15 per cent to 25 per cent. Chris Millward of the Office for Students, the independent regulator of higher education, says "radical change" is necessary to shrink the access gap, but that the proposals are a step in the right direction. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Career diplomat Moin-ul-Haq has been appointed as Pakistan's new High Commissioner to India to start a new process of engagement with the country where a new government will be formed soon, amid strained relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday approved appointments of over two dozen ambassadors in various countries including India, China and Japan. Haq, in his mid-fifties is the current ambassador to France. He has previously served as chief of protocol at the Foreign Office. He joined Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1987 and was posted in countries like Turkey, Canada and Sri Lanka. The post of High Commissioner to India fell vacant after Sohail Mehmood was appointed Pakistan's new foreign secretary in April. The decision came after a detailed meeting with Prime Minister Khan, who formally approved the new appointments, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said in a video message on Monday night. Qureshi said, "New Delhi, India, is very importantAfter consultation I have decided to appoint Moin-ul-Haq, the current ambassador in France, who will be sent to Delhi, and I hope that he (Haq) will deliver." Qureshi said that Indian elections were coming to an end and it was possible that after the elections a new process of engagement could start. The results of India's general election would be announced on May 23. The relationship between the two neighbouring nations currently is at all-time low after a Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) suicide bomber attacked a CRPF convoy in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14 that killed 40 soldiers. Amid mounting outrage, the Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out a counter-terror operation, hitting what it said was a JeM training camp in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan on February 26. The next day, the PAF retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in an aerial combat and captured an IAF pilot, who was later released and handed over to India on March 1. Qureshi expressed hope that Haq would perform his new job with best of his abilities. Since assuming the office in August last year, Prime Minister Khan repeatedly reached out to India for the resumption of peace talks on all outstanding issues. But India has made it clear to Pakistan that terrorism and dialogue will not go hand-in-hand. Confirming other major appointments, the foreign minister said Naghmana Hashmi, career diplomat, is being sent to China, which is "very important" country for Pakistan. She will replace Masood Khalid, the incumbent envoy to China, after completion of his tenure. Additional Secretary Imtiaz Ahmad was appointed ambassador to Japan while Zaheer Janjua, currently serving as additional secretary to Europe, was sent to Pakistani mission in Brussels. Additional Secretary Amina Baloch was appointed Ambassador in Malaysia, Javed Khattak in Portugal, Saqlain Sayeda in Kenya, Rukhsana Afzal in Singapore, Khalid Jamali in Czech Republic and Ataul Munim in Algeria. Sarfaraz Ahmad appointed as ambassador to Sudan, Imran Haider was appointed as ambassador in Tajikistan, Major General Abdul Aziz Tariq in Brunei and Major General Muhammad Khalid Rao in Bosnia Herzegovina. Qureshi said council generals appointed included Khalid Majeed in Jeddah, Ayesha Abbas Khan in New York. Ambassador in Kuwait Ghulam Dastagir will replace Muazzam Ali Khan in Abu Dhabi, while Qazi Khalilullah, serving as ambassador in Russia, was being given an extension of six months. Qureshi hoped that the newly-appointed ambassadors and consul generals will play a pivotal in promoting the soft image of Pakistan and will adopt the best behaviour with Pakistani community living abroad. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistani authorities on Tuesday identified an Afghan national as the suicide bomber who triggered a blast outside a revered Sufi shrine here that killed 13 people, including five police personnel, on May 8. Police said Sadiqullah Momand entered Pakistan through Torkham area on May 6 and blew himself up near a police van at the shrine of Ali Hajvari commonly known as Data Darbar. Police also claim to have arrested one named Mohsin Khan, who is the main facilitator of the terror attack. Thirteen people, including five police personnel, were killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up outside the Data Darbar, the largest Sufi shrine in South Asia. A CCTV footage showed a teenage boy wearing black shalwar kameez and a suicide vest coming closer to the vehicle of an elite police force before blowing himself up. Police also confirmed that Hizbul Ahrar had claimed responsibility for sending the teenage suicide bomber to the shrine. The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of Punjab has examined the records of three terror groups, including the Ghazi Force and Jamaatul Ahrar. Hizbul Ahrar is a splinter group of Jamaatul Ahrar headed by Muqarram Shah from Afghanistan. It separated from Jamaatul Ahrar due to internal rifts. Police said that the blast facilitator, Mohsin Khan moved to Lahore a couple of weeks before the blast and rented a house at Bhati Gate, a residential area near the shrine. He received the suicide bomber Momand on May 6 and took him to his target on May 8. Another suspect identified as Tayabullah is at large. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Thomson Geer has boosted its capability in aged care and retirement living in Brisbane with the hire of a team headed by two new partners. Julie McStay and Madeline Walsh joined as partners of the firm in the Queensland capital on 7 May, bringing with them a team that includes six senior lawyers and clinical consultants. McStay and Walsh are former partners of Hynes Legal. Thomson Geer said that the team will work closely with Sydney-based partners Lucinda Smith and Arthur Koumoukelis and Perth-based special counsel Amber Crosthwaite. A panel of experts set up by the Pakistan government has prepared a scientific lunar calendar to end the controversy over moon-sighting ahead of Ramzan and according to it, Eid is expected to fall on June 5, a senior minister said. Since assuming office as Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry has been pushing for using scientific methods for preparing the Islamic calendar and doing away with the traditional moon-sighting practices used by the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee. Chaudhry announced on Monday that the scientific calendar has been completed and "will be sent to the Council of Islamic Ideology on Tuesday". The minister said that according to the scientific lunar calendar prepared by his ministry, Eid is expected to fall on June 5. The Pakistan government formed a scientific committee this month to end the moon-sighting controversy, angering several Islamic scholars. According to the minister, the calendar has been prepared through collaboration between Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), experts on space and weather experts. He said that members of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) as well as the moon sighting committee have been invited to view the calendar "so that they understand the extensive working that was done to compile it". He has said that it was not sane to spend Rs 3.6 to 4 million for the sighting of the moon and instead guidance should be taken from his ministry. "A 10-year calendar will end the disputes and extra expenses," the minister said. The ministry of science and technology prepared the calendar for five years which would be reviewed every five years, the Express Tribune reported Tuesday. "We have contacted the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) to get its opinion on the lunar calendar. Suggestions from renowned clerics Mufti Muneebur Rehman and Shahabuddin Popalzai will also be taken on the matter," said the ministry. Chaudhry said, "Before issuing the lunar calendar, religious scholars will be consulted and taken into confidence. After taking opinion from the IIC, the calendar will be sent to the federal Cabinet for approval." "We will try to release the lunar calendar during Ramzan," he said. On Monday, Chaudhry, in an unusual move, invited clerics Mufti Rehman and Shahabuddin Popalzai to see "how the moon cycle works". The minister tweeted that he has invited the two clerics to "see for themselves how easy science has made it easy to predict the lunar calendar. "There is no need for an arduous task," he sarcastically. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's federal minister for narcotics control and former Sindh Chief Minister Sardar Ali Mohammad Mahar died Tuesday after suffering cardiac arrest, according to media reports. Mahar, 52, died at at his village Khangarh in Muzaffargarh district of the Punjab province, Radio Pakistan reported. Mahar, who served as the 25th Chief Minister of Sindh from 2002 to 2004, was injured in a suspected dacoity at his residence in Gizri neighbourhood in Karachi in April. President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan have expressed grief and deep sorrow over the demise of Mahar, the report said. In 2018 general election, Mahar was elected to the National Assembly as an independent candidate from Constituency NA-205 Ghotki. He announced to join Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf following his victory and became part of the Cabinet in September 2018. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two days ahead of counting of votes, both the ruling and the opposition parties were engaged in consultations on Tuesday with BJP President Amit Shah hosting two key meetings, and leaders of 22 opposition parties coming together to take stock of the political situation. The opposition leaders also met the Election Commission (EC) with a demand that it should ensure transparency in the counting process by verifying EVM results with VVPATs. Amid projections of a return of the BJP-led NDA to power, Shah organised a meeting where Prime Minister Narendra Modi met senior Union ministers, described by the ruling party as an occasion to thank ministers for "their service to the nation" ahead of the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha election on May 23. Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Arun Jaitley, J P Nadda and Prakash Javadekar were among the key leaders from the BJP at the meeting. It was also attended by ministers from BJP allies, including Ram Vilas Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party, Harsimrat Kaur Badal from the Akali Dal and Anupriya Patel of the Apna Dal. During the meeting 'Aabhar Milan' (expressing gratitude), Modi likened his campaign for this Lok Sabha election to a pilgrimage, saying it stood out from other polls as it was being fought by the people and not the party alone. "I have seen many elections but this one was beyond Public was fighting them. I have campaigned in assembly elections and undertaken political tours for the party in different elections. When I toured during these polls, it seemed that I was on a pilgrimage," the prime minister was quoted by a BJP leader as saying. Shah also later hosted a dinner for party leaders and allies. Faced with the unfavourable exit poll predictions, the opposition leaders during the meeting did not discuss any concrete strategy, and agreed to remain in constant consultations to chalk out the future course of action, depending on the outcome of the polls. Those who attended the meeting included senior Congress leaders -Ghulam Nabi Azad, Abhishek Singhvi, Ahmed Patel and Ashok Gehlot, Telugu Desam Party's N Chandrababu Naidu, Samajwadi Party's Ram Gopal Yadav, CPI-M's Sitaram Yechuri and T K Rangarajan, AAP chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, NCP's Praful Patel and Majeed Memon and DMK's K Kanimozhi. Trinamool Congress' Derek O'Brien, RJD's Manoj Jha, CPI's S Sudhakar Reddy and D Raja, LJD's Javed Razawa, NC's Devender Rana and JD-S' Kupendra Reddy were also among those present. After the meeting, they met the EC and submitted a memorandum, demanding the tallying of votes of electronic voting machines with a paper trail of votes (VVPATs) of five randomly identified polling booths in an assembly segment before counting begins on Thursday. "We told the EC that the VVPAT machines should be counted first and if there is any discrepancy, then all of them in that segment should be counted," Azad told reporters. The opposition leaders again held talks after meeting the Commission and decided they would be in constant touch with each other on counting day and after that too to discuss possibilities of forming a coalition government, an opposition leader told PTI. Meanwhile, continuing his efforts to unite opposition parties against the BJP, Naidu is scheduled to hold discussions with JDS chief H D Deve Gowda and his son and Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy in Bengaluru. Separately, Kejriwal also talked to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav over phone to discuss the strategy to be followed after the announcement of the Lok Sabha poll results. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 59 private schools operating on the DDA land in the national capital have been granted permission to increase their fees by 5-10 per cent by the Delhi government, officials said Tuesday. As per norms, private schools built on the Delhi Development Authority land need to take permission from the Directorate of (DoE) before proceeding with any fee hike. There are 301 such schools in the city of which 267 had approached for permission for fee hike. "After detailed audit of the schools, 59 of them which were in deep shortage of funds have been allowed to hike the fees by 5-10 per cent. The fee hike will be limited to tution fees only," a senior DoE official said. The DoE had in 2017 allowed the schools to go ahead with an "interim fee hike" up to 15 per cent in line with the seventh pay commission's recommendations provided they get their financial accounts audited by the government in a fixed period of time. The order was withdrawn by the AAP government last year, saying that the schools would have to obtain prior permission from it before increasing their fees and any hike would be permitted only after an audit of the schools' accounts. The schools had moved the High Court and secured a stay on the order by a single bench. However, the Delhi government had approached a double bench which had ruled in its favour on the issue. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Air India pilot accused of sexual harassment has been told that he needs a written permission to enter the airline's offices till an inquiry is over, according to an official document. Last Wednesday, the national carrier had said it has set up a high-level inquiry to probe a junior woman pilot's sexual harassment complaint against a the accused, who is holding a senior position of commander rank. In a letter to the accused on Monday, Abhay Pathak, Air India regional director (northern region), said that "pending (an) enquiry... during the period of suspension, you will not enter the premises of Air India Limited without written permission." "You will not leave the station (Delhi) without written permission of the undersigned," Pathak added. According to a complaint filed by the woman pilot, the alleged incident took place on May 5 in Hyderabad, where she was being trained by the commander pilot. In the complaint, the female pilot has alleged that the instructor suggested that the two should have dinner at a restaurant after the training session was over on that day. "We went to (a) restaurant at around 8 pm and this is where my ordeal started.... He started with telling me how depressed and unhappy he was in his married life," the woman said in her complaint. "He also asked me how I coped with my husband living away and whether I didn't need to have sex everyday. He asked me if I masturbated...," she alleged. "At some point I told him I did not want to talk about all this and called a cab." The pilot alleged that the commander's behaviour got worse during the half-hour wait for the cab. "I was left shocked at this behaviour and felt extremely uncomfortable, scared and humiliated," she added. The woman said she felt "morally obliged" to report this matter to the airline so that such behaviour is not repeated with anyone else in the future. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday night held a meeting with top bureaucrats from key ministries, sources said. There was no official word about the agenda of the meeting, which comes ahead of the Lok Sabha election results on May 23. Sources said the Prime Minister is believed to have taken feedback on various issues, including about the state of the economy, from the bureaucrats. This is possibly the first time that Modi convened a meeting of top bureaucrats from key ministries after announcement of dates of general elections in March. Earlier in the day, Modi met his cabinet ministers and attended a dinner for leaders of NDA allies hosted by BJP president Amit Shah. Most exit polls have predicted Modi-led NDA coming back to power with a comfortable majority. According to the sources, the government has already asked all the ministries and departments to prepare their 100-day agenda. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 29-year-old Polish mother who gave birth to sextuplets has been able to leave her hospital bed and visit her babies in another ward, where the infants are said to be doing fine, doctors said Tuesday. The four girls and two boys were born prematurely Monday in the 29th week of pregnancy by cesarean section in Krakow, southern Poland. Doctor Ryszard Lauterbach at the University Hospital said the babies were "born in a condition surprisingly good for sextuplets," but their respiratory, nervous and digestive systems are immature and require medical care. The sextuplets were a surprise to the family their mother, Klaudia Marzec, said on TVN24 the family was not expecting six but five babies. "We have made some logistical plans at home for five, but now they will need to be changed," Marzec said. "Now we just want them to leave hospital in the best condition possible." They were conceived naturally, the hospital said. The babies, whose individual birth weights ranged from 890 grams (1.96 pounds) to 1,300 grams (2.86 pounds), are in incubators. Doctors say the little ones can breathe on their own but will likely remain in hospital for around three months. Hospital director Marcin Jedrychowski called the operation an "extremely difficult" one that involved up to 40 doctors and medical personnel. The surprise sixth girl had a moment of warm physical contact with her mother before a sixth incubator arrived for her, according to Lauterbach. The boys' names are Filip and Tymon and the girls were named Zosia, Kaja, Nela and Malwina. Their father, Szymon Marzec, said their arrival was a "great joy, but we also have plenty of concerns." "We are happy that the kids are in the best hands possible, and all that we can give them now is our love and presence near them. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police Tuesday claimed to have cracked the May 10 dacoity committed in famous Vajreshwari temple in Maharashtra's Thane district by arresting five persons from various villages, a senior officer said. Police also recovered Rs 2.83 lakh out of Rs 7.10 lakh cash stolen from the temple, which is located in Bhiwandi taluka, around 75 km away from Mumbai. A gang of about half a dozen dacoits, armed with swords, had allegedly looted Rs 7 lakh cash from the temple in the wee hours of May 10 by tying up the only security guard. Thane Superintendent of Police Shivaji Rathod told reporters that the accused were arrested from the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and from villages in Jawhar and Shahapur talukas. He said the accused conducted recce of the entire Ganeshpuri locality during recently-concluded religious fair before committing the crime. "Six teams were fanned out to trace criminals involved in the case," said the officer. According to sources in local police, more than 50 personnel camped in forest areas for days to trace the accused as they hailed from interior villages. The arrested men are identified as Govind Gimbal, 35, Vineet Surji Chimda, 19, Bharat Wagh, 22, Jagdish Navtare, 26 and his brother Pravin Navtare, 22, the SP said, adding that Gimbal and absconding accused Ramesh Gadge are the masterminds of the crime. The investigating team will be rewarded for their work, the SP 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 said Tuesday it was "quite possible" Iran was responsible for sabotage of Gulf oil interests, although he stopped short of making a definitive conclusion. "Given all the regional conflicts that we have seen over the past decade and the shape of these attacks, it seems like it's quite possible that Iran was behind these," Pompeo, who later Tuesday will brief US lawmakers on rising tensions with Tehran, told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Primary schools in Kerala are all set to become hi-tech by July, thanks to a comprehensive IT initiative of the Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for (KITE). Thestate-run agency had recently successfully completed the Hi-Tech school project, under which 45,000 classrooms in the state were made hi-tech. KITE, formerly IT@School project under the state General Department, is a special purpose vehicle envisaged to promote IT in state schools. It has completed the tender proceedings for the procurement of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) equipment for the Hi-Tech Lab for primary schools project funded by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Board (KIIFB), an official statement said on Tuesday. The KITE authorities have decided to issue the supply orders for 55,086 laptops and USB speakers and 23,170 multimedia projectors to be deployed in 9,941 lower primary and upper primary schools in the state. As per the KIIFB approved estimate for the Hi-Tech lab for primary schools project, an amount of Rs 252.38 crore was earmarked for these ICT equipment, it said. However, after the tender, the final price received including the GST for these items was only Rs 204.9 crore, which is less than Rs.47.34 crore (18.76 per cent) than the estimate, the release said. All ICT equipment would be covered with Insurance protection against theft and damages due to natural calamities. KITE has also provided Broadband internet connectivity to all 9,941 primary schools. "Hi-Tech Labs would be setup in all Primary and Upper Primary schools from July 2019 onwards," said K Anvar Sadath, Vice Chairman and Executive Director, KITE. A total of 20.86 Lakh Primary level students are expected to be benefited through the project, he said. As a prelude for this, 76,349 Lower Primary and Upper Primary teachers were given specific IT training during the vacation time, the release added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Emma Beckett, Lecturer (Food Science and Human Nutrition), School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle from www.shutterstock.com We choose to spend money on household items based on how they look, feel and taste, and how we think they might make our lives better. Manufacturers apply nanotechnology a field of technology that makes use of effects that happen at the nanoscale to create the properties we want in such items. For example, whiteness in toothpaste, or preventing growth of bacteria in socks. One nanometre is one billionth of a metre. Chemical and physical interactions at the nanoscale are way smaller than our eyes can see. Medicines, tiny sensors, fast computers and food science are all ways we can put nanotechnology to use. Read more: Why nanotechnology is more than just a buzzword But some people are concerned nanoparticles may present health risks. Recently France announced one nanoscale food additive will be banned from 2020 due to a lack of evidence about its safety. Heres what we know about nanotechnology in food. What are nanoparticles? Nanoparticles are extremely tiny particles. Their external dimensions are smaller than 100 nanometres, or 0.0001 of a millimetre. Thats pretty small! Not all nanoparticles are the same. The can be made of all kinds of different things metals like silver and gold, carbon or even clay and can have different structures and chemistry. These properties ultimately determine how the nanoparticles behave, their functions and whether or not they are safe. Nanoparticles occur naturally, and can also be manufactured. Naturally occurring nanoparticles can be found in ash, waterways, fine sand and dust, and even biological matter like viruses. When used in medicine, technology or science, nanoparticles are typically manufactured to better control their properties. The benefits of nanoparticles come from their extremely small sizes. For example, materials can be made stronger, lighter or better electrical conductors. In medicine, nanoparticles can be manufactured to get into difficult-to-reach places in the body. This is useful in the treatment or diagnosis of diseases such as cancer and infections. But sometimes nanoparticles which you did not intend to ingest get into the body, or small amounts are consumed in products. This leaves some people asking how we know they are safe. Read more: A guide to the nanotechnology used in the average home Nanoparticles occur naturally in foods Firstly, nanoparticles in foods are not new. Nano-sized particles occur naturally in some foods: a good example is milk. Casein micelles in milk are nano-sized spheres made of proteins. By naturally coming together this way, the nutrients in the micelles are more available for us to absorb. In addition to milk, it is also possible for some food ingredients to naturally assemble into nanoparticle sized units such as micelles. During digestion, our bodies use the bile that comes from our gall bladder to nanofabricate the fats we eat into micelles so we can absorb them. Micelles also allow fats to be mixed more effectively into water we create micelles when we wash the dishes using detergents. Nanoparticles can be created during food processing such as in homogenisation and emulsification, and milling and grinding. They are also shed from metallic cutlery and other cooking instruments over time. Nanoparticles are in some additives Common additives like titanium dioxide, a whitening agent, and silicon dioxide, an anticaking agent, can contain nanoparticles. This is because they are added as powders, and some of the powder particles will be nano-sized. These ingredients only make up a small percentage of foods and only a small fraction of them are actually nano-sized. Titanium dioxide recently made headlines because a study showed it had an effect on bacteria in the guts of mice. This sounds scary, but the effects were seen when mice were given a big dose (about 50mg per kilogram of body weight each day). This is 50 to 25 times the estimated exposure in humans. It was also added to their drinking water, so there was no food around for the particles to bind with through digestion (as is the case when we eat products with nanoparticles in them). Two reviews commissioned by Food Standards Australia New Zealand in 2015 found current evidence that nanoparticles of titanium dioxide and silicon dioxide are not absorbed better than micro-sized particles (particles a thousand times the size) and that the majority is excreted. New uses are being explored Researchers are looking at how nanoparticles might bring new benefits to food. For example, adding nutrients into foods could help us provide better nutrition from processed foods, slow the breakdown of nutrients and help nutrients be absorbed better. Nano-sized salt and sugar could help make foods healthier. The smaller the particles, the quicker and more easily they can access your taste buds on your tongue, so the less we might need to eat to get that sweet or salty hit. Similarly, using nanoparticles can mean lower levels of additives by helping them mix more easily through products. Nanoparticles might also be able to extend shelf life, improve safety of foods, and reduce the need for added fats. Testing for toxicity will be an important part of bringing these new technologies to market. Read more: Nanotechnology could make our food tastier and healthier but can we stomach it? But all in all, we have been eating nanoparticles naturally occurring and in additives for a long time with no evidence of harm. Emma Beckett receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council. She is a member of the Nutrition Society of Australia, the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology and the Early and Mid Career Researcher Forum. Susan Hua does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Originally published in The Conversation. The Delhi Police told the Delhi High Court on Tuesday that on its directions, it had procured several high-powered motorcycles like Enfield Thunderbird and four-wheelers like Scorpio S5 for efficient and effective policing. Apart from that, as part of its emergency response support system, the Police Control Room (PCR) vehicles would also have on-board fingerprint scanners, the court was told. The introduction of these technological enhancements in the police force was indicated in a status report filed before Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, pursuant to the court's direction to procure higher engine capacity vehicles with appropriate customisation to make policing "more efficient and effective". With regard to procurement of high-performance vehicles, the report filed through Delhi government's standing counsel (criminal) Rahul Mehra and advocate Chaitanya Gosain said the police had procured 31 Scorpio S5 120-BHP SUVs and five Enfield Thunderbird 500 motorcycles. Besides, it was in the process of procuring 16 more Scorpio cars, 12 Enfield Interceptor 650 CC and seven more Enfield Thunderbird 500 motorcycles. The other initiatives taken by the Delhi Police include initiating steps for procurement of an "e-beat book" which can scan fingerprints and compare those with the criminal database, setting up of a "state-of-the-art" forensic laboratory at Dwarka here to handle cyber crime cases and establishment of a mobile cyber forensic laboratory, the report said. The mobile laboratory has portable cyber forensic equipment for data extraction and analysis from the scene of crime, the report said and added that procurement of two cyber forensic vans was under process. There is also a proposal for replacing the existing radio system with an advanced version and the tender for the same would be commissioned in 2020, it said. The court, in its February 5 order, had also suggested installing electronic sensors in the licensed firearms to monitor the GPS location and usage of such weapons. In response to this, the Delhi Police said it had sent a letter in this regard to the Ministry of Home Affairs seeking its comments which were awaited. The February 5 order of the court had come in an anticipatory bail application moved by a man facing a case of illegal possession of firearms. During the hearing of the case in July last year, the court had observed that in such cases, whenever any weapon was recovered, no fingerprint was taken from the firearm or the bullets found in it or from the crime scene and the accused always took the defence that they had no connection with the weapon. The police had said there was no specific procedure in place to direct investigating officers or other policemen to take fingerprints from weapons or bullets recovered from crime scenes or the accused. Taking note of the submission, the court had on July 11 last year asked the police what steps could be taken for further enhancing its technical capabilities by providing IT equipment and communication devices up to the beat officers level. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Rajasthan Congress on Tuesday expressed concern over the alleged tampering of the EVMs, saying the onus of ensuring the devices' security lies with the Election Commission. Mahesh Joshi, the Congress' chief whip in the state Assembly, said there is a doubt that the electronic voting machines (EVMs) could be tampered with. "Several political parties have demanded that the elections should ballot-paper based. It is the Election Commission's responsibility to ensure trust and clarify all doubts," Joshi told reporters. "The EC should give one EVM to political parties and technical expert to check whether they can be tampered." Several complaints have come up, he said, claiming that the EC was adamant on its stand. State Power Minister B D Kalla pointed out that even developed countries like the USA had adopted paper ballot-based election, considering chances of tampering with the EVMs. "The EVMs and VVPAT results should be matched for better authenticity," Kalla said. The minister said there were complaints during the Assembly election as well. People were expecting 150-160 seats in favour of the Congress. This means there is a doubt and it should be clarified, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement may hurt India's export competitiveness as the trade balance is already skewed, TPCI said Tuesday. Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI) said that the proposed RCEP, which is a mega free trade agreement, could lead to flooding of goods in the Indian market from the member countries; and due to this, Indian negotiators need to move with caution on this. The RCEP bloc comprises 10 Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) group members (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Laos and Vietnam) and their six FTA partners - India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. TPCI said in a statement that it is "apprehensive that the RCEP deal is expected to hurt India's export competitiveness as the trade balance is already skewed and there will be flood of goods imports in the Indian market, with relatively little gains on the export front". The council's Chairman Mohit Singla said India needs to move with optimism and caution on this mega trade agreement. "For India, issues of tariff rate (import duty) are as important as other areas under negotiations, mainly because India does not have trade agreements into effect with all countries involved in RCEP," he said. For instance, he said India does not have a trade agreement with China, and the negotiations with Australia and New Zealand have not come into effect. He added that RCEP could have a "negative impact" on sectors like steel, pharma, e-commerce, and food processing. India is already facing challenges from Singapore, Australia and New Zealand in agriculture and dairy sector, Singla said. Further he said that on the services front, India should strongly negotiate its proposals such as greater mobility for professionals through measures like visa fee waivers. Citing a report, he said according to the World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS) Simulator, India's imports may increase by USD 29 billion annually during the post-RCEP period, implying a revenue loss by as much as 1.3 per cent of GDP. India has registered trade deficit in 2018-19 with as many as 11 RCEP member countries - including China, South Korea and Australia - out of the grouping of 16 nations that are negotiating the mega trade pact since November 2012. RCEP negotiations, which started in Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, aims to cover goods, services, investments, economic and technical cooperation, competition and intellectual property rights. Pressure is mounting on India for early conclusion of the proposed trade pact. Member countries are looking to conclude the talks by end of this year, but many issues, including the number of products over which duties will be eliminated, are yet to be finalised. Domestic steel and other metal industries want these sectors to be kept out of the deal. India already has a free trade pact with Asean, Japan and South Korea. It is also negotiating a similar agreement with Australia and New Zealand, but has no such plans for China. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Restrictions were Tuesday imposed in parts of the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir in view of the separatists' plan to hold a march to Eidgah martyrs graveyard for paying tributes to slain Hurriyat leaders Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq and Abdul Gani Lone. The district administration imposed restrictions in Khanyar, Rainawari, Nowhatta, Maharajgunj and Safa Kadal police station areas of the old city, officials said. They said security force personnel were deployed in large numbers at vulnerable places in the city and elsewhere in the valley for maintaining law and order. The separatists had called for a shut down in Kashmir and asked people to march to Eidgah martyrs graveyard to mark the death anniversaries of the slain Mirwaiz and Lone. However, authorities placed Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house arrest. Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq was killed by militants on this day in 1990 and Abdul Gani Lone, father of former minister Sajad Lone and Hurriyat executive member Bilal Lone, fell to the bullets of militants during a commemoration function for the slain Mirwaiz in 2002. Elsewhere, normal life was affected across the valley due to the strike called by the separatists. Business establishments, schools, colleges and other educational institutions remained closed while public transport was off the roads in most parts of the valley. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The resolution process for 10 profitable group companies, having total debt of Rs 11,564 crore, is underway, the government informed the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal on Tuesday. The board IL&FS, which has to repay over Rs 90,000 crore to lenders, has decided to adopt an "asset level resolution" with regard to various group and entities. The directors of have contemplated that "an asset level resolution and the sale of business verticals comprising of a basket of and other entities" is the most feasible option for the resolution of the debt of the company. State-run GAIL has emerged as the highest bidder with offer of Rs 4,800 crore for Wind Energy Ltd (IWEL), which has seven operating wind power plants. "Final bids received. GAIL India Ltd has emerged as the highest bidder," the affidavit said. The ministry also said Japan-based Orix Corporation, which has 49 per cent stake in each of the seven projects, has expressed its intention to acquire remaining 51 per cent stake in each of them. The expected date of closure of the process for IWEL is June 30. Regarding Tripura Company Ltd, which has a total debt of Rs 3,337 crore, discussions are going on between and Tripura government. For Gujarat International Finance Tec-City Company Ltd -- which has a total debt of Rs 1,233 crore -- discussions are going on with the The government has 50 per cent stake in the entity. According to the affidavit, discussions are progressing with IOCL regarding IL&FS Paradip Refinery Water Ltd's valuation of assets. The entity's debt is around Rs 747 crore. However, no bids have been received for IL&FS Solar Power, which has debt of Rs 632 crore. For Mangalore SEZ, discussions is going on with on valuation while sale process is being looked at for Tamil Nadu Water Investment Co and its subsidiary New Tirupur Area Development Corporation. The resolution process for IL&FS Securities Services and its subsidiary ISSL Settlement & Transaction Services Ltd, which owes Rs 223 crore, is facing challenges due to ongoing investigations. They are "currently facing challenges due to restriction imposed under investigations being carried out by investigative and regulatory agencies against an intermediary broker-client of ISSL," the affidavit said. In the case of IL&FS Technologies, the "board has approved a process akin to a Swiss challenge process," it noted. During proceedings at the NCLAT, senior advocate Ramji Srinivasan said classification of seven more entities has been completed. Five of them have been put under 'green' category and the remaining two have been put under 'red' category. Classification of 11 other entities is under process, he added. NCLAT has directed listing the matter for hearing on May 27. Under its resolution plan, the government has categorised entities into green, amber and red categories based on their respective financial positions. Entities classified as 'green' would continue to meet their payment obligations, while 'amber' category firms can meet only operational payment obligations to senior secured financial creditors. Those falling in the 'red' category are entities which cannot meet their payment obligations towards even senior secured financial creditors. Saudi-owned media accused Yemeni rebels Tuesday of targeting Islam's holiest city Mecca after Riyadh and its allies said they had intercepted two missiles over the kingdom. The exiled Yemeni government, which is based in Saudi Arabia, echoed the claim but the Huthi rebels denied any such attack. Coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Maliki said two missiles were shot down between Jeddah and Taiz districts of Mecca province on Monday but did not elaborate on the suspected target or who fired them. However, the satellite network Al-Arabiya and pan-Arab newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat said the missiles were fired by Yemen's Huthi Shiites rebels at Mecca. They said it was the third such launch by the Huthis targeting the holy city since the Saudi-led coalition intervened in the war in Yemen in March 2015. The Huthis denied any such missile fire, adding that they would have claimed responsibility if they had been behind a launch. "We wouldn't be embarrassed to claim any operation to defend our people and land," a rebel spokesman said in a tweet. The exiled Yemeni government's information minister, Muammar al-Iryani, said: "The Huthi militias targeted Mecca... on orders from Iran". The claim comes against a backdrop of rising regional tensions between Iran and Gulf Arab countries allied with the United States. Saudi Arabia is to host twin summits in Mecca next week of the Arab League and of the Gulf Cooperation Council. In a separate statement Tuesday, Maliki said the Huthis attacked a "civilian installation" in Najran province bordering Yemen with a drone loaded with explosives, without reporting casualties. The armed drone hit a weapons depot at Najran airport, setting off a blaze, according to the rebels' Al-Masirah television. Last week, Saudi Arabia temporarily shut down a key oil pipeline after Huthi drone attacks on two pumping stations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a PIL seeking 100 per cent matching of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during counting of votes on May 23 for Lok Sabha polls. A vacation bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra refused to entertain the plea filed by a Chennai-based organisation 'Tech for All', saying that a larger bench headed by had already dealt with the matter and passed an order "The CJI had dealt with this matter. Why are you taking chance before a two-judge vacation bench," the apex court asked. "We cannot override the CJI's order... This is nonsense. The petition is taken on board. Dismissed," Justice Mishra said. The apex court had on May 7 dismissed a review plea filed by 21 Opposition leaders led by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister seeking that random matching of slips with be increased to 50 per cent. The top court had on April 8 directed the to increase random matching of slips with from one to five polling booths per assembly segment in Lok Sabha polls, saying it would provide greater satisfaction not just to political parties but also to the entire electorate. The Tuesday refused to entertain a plea challenging the appointment of two retired bureaucrats as observers in for the Lok Sabha polls, saying the voting is already over. While Vivek Dubey was appointed as a central police observer for and Jharkhand, Ajay Nayak was appointed a special observer. The petition had alleged that they had been appointed in contravention of the law so as to ensure "certain favours" are granted at the time of election. A vacation bench comprising Justices Arun Mishra and M R Shah said: "Since the election is over, we are not inclined to entertain this petition under Article 32," the bench said. The bench however granted liberty to petitioner Ramu Mandi, who contested the polls as an independent candidate from Barrackpore constituency of West Bengal, to approach the Calcutta High Court. Barrackpore was one of the seven constituencies in where polling was held in the fifth phase of the general elections. During the hearing on Tuesday, the counsel appearing for the (EC) said that polling for the Lok Sabha elections was already over. The counsel for Mandi said that although the polling was over, results of the general elections have not been declared yet. "The election process is still going on. Results are yet to come," the lawyer said. To this, the bench said, "You go to the high court. We are permitting you to go to the high court". The petitioner's counsel then said that judicial work in the high court there was affected due to the lawyers' strike in Kolkata. He said he was "apprehensive", alleging that these observers would "indulge in favouritism and partisanship" and their appointment will directly be against his interest as an Independent candidate. "There appears to be no reasonable or cogent reasons to nominate or appoint retired officers as observers especially when there are multiple senior officers who are currently in service and are known to have impeccable integrity and reputation," the plea said. Mandi further alleged that the observers were causing "prejudice" to him and he apprehends that his chances of being elected was being jeopardized by their "illegal" appointment. "Numerous attempts have been made by them to jeopardize the election process by making unnecessary and unwarranted statements in public about the West Bengal's purported precarious condition," he claimed in the plea. The petition had also alleged that Dubey and Nayak's appointments as observers did not fulfil the requirement laid down under the Representation of the People Act, since they were retired bureaucrats and not "officers of government". On May 6, the apex court had sought responses from the EC, West Bengal government and others on the plea filed by Mandi. China and India have made a lot of progress in building trade ties in the last 14 years but there is still scope for improvement, Chinese envoy Luo Zhaohui said on Tuesday. Speaking at a seminar on 'Civilisation Perspective: China-India Relations', the outgoing envoy said Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have established high-level people-to-people exchange mechanism between the two countries. Luo noted that China and India have made a lot of progress in building trade ties in the last 14 years but there is still scope for improvement. "Even though the boundary between the two countries has not been demarcated, there are several border trade points between the two countries," he said. Both the nations have achieved comprehensive connectivity and it can be seen through the Mansarovar yatra, wherein Indians can undertake pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet in China through Nathula Pass and Qiang La (Lipulekh) Pass, he said. Luo will be returning to Beijing after he was promoted to the rank of a vice-minister. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With two days left for the declaration of results of the Lok Sabha polls, security has been beefed up in and around the counting centres in the seven parliamentary constituencies of the national capital, officials said Tuesday. The deployment for May 23, when the results of Lok Sabha polls will be declared, has been made in accordance with the guidelines of the Election Commission, an official said. The security at EVM strongrooms comprises three layers- the outer cordon, middle cordon and inner cordon, an official from Chief Electoral Office in Delhi said. The inner cordon is made up of personnel from Central Reserve Police Force, middle layer has personnel from the Delhi Armed Police and the outer layer has personnel from the district police. There are seven counting centres --SKV, Bharat Nagar for Chandni Chowk constituency, Jijabai Industrial Training Institute for Women, August Kranti Marg, Siri Fort for south Delhi, integrated Institute of Technology, Dwarka for west Delhi, DTU, Shahbad Daulatpur for northwest, ITI Nand Nagari for northeast Delhi, NP Bengali Girls Senior Secondary School, Gole Market for New Delhi and Badminton Court in CWG Village for east Delhi, respectively. On the counting day, there will be a three-tier security in place with the outer cordon beginning 100 metres away from the counting centre, middle layer at the entrance followed by the inner layer, said a senior police officer. Every counting centre will have a deployment of 1,000 Delhi Police personnel, one company from Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and one company from Delhi Armed Police. One company comprises 100 personnel. While Northeast, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi, East and northwest parliamentary constituencies will see deployment of 800-1100 police personnel, there will be more personnel deployed at the counting centres in west Delhi and south Delhi constituencies, he added. The counting centre for west Delhi is situated in Dwarka and has open roads which see a huge amount of traffic. Similarly, the counting centre for south Delhi is situated on the busy stretch of August Kranti Marg and more security has been been deployed there, he added. Security was also beefed up there following the Aam Aadmi Party's letter to the Election Commission urging them to provide additional security at the counting centre in South Delhi, alleging that political opponents plan to manipulate EVMs ahead of the announcement of poll results on May 23. Around 1,450 Delhi Police personnel will be deployed at the centre apart from the additional forces, he said. Barricades will be put up 100 metres away from the counting centre in Dwarka and only vehicles of returning officers and SDMs will be allowed to go up to the counting centre. The police has arranged two parking spots where commuters will be able to park their vehicles, another officer said. Since the Dwarka Court is also located close to the counting centre, two diversions have been made for the advocates and petitioners coming to the court that day, he said, adding they have also made arrangements for the victory procession that will start once the results are out. On the day of the counting, police personnel will be deployed in three shifts - 6 am to 2 pm, 2pm to 10 pm and if the results are not out by that time, there will be a team coming in for security. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Serbian lawmakers have voted to introduce life imprisonment without parole for the gravest criminal acts, despite criticism from the Council of Europe's top human rights official. Parliament on Tuesday approved the changes to the Balkan country's criminal law with 159 votes in the 250-member assembly. Lawmakers from several opposition parties boycotted the vote. The new legislation envisages life sentence for such acts as the killing or rape of a child or a pregnant woman. It resulted from a petition launched by the father of a teenage girl who was raped and killed in 2014. The Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner Dunja Mijatovic has warned that the law is in violation of the European Convention on Human Rights because it does not envisage the possibility of conditional release or sentence review. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Serbian lawmakers amended Tuesday the penal code to introduce a life sentence without parole, despite concerns voiced by the Council of Europe. Until now, the maximum sentence in Serbia, which seeks to join the European Union, was 40 years in prison. According to the new law, those sentenced to life imprisonment will be able to ask a tribunal to review their sentence once they have spent 27 years behind bars. But those convicted of rape followed by murder, or serious crimes against children or pregnant women, will not have that option. Such a provision runs counter to the European Convention on Human Rights, according to which it must be possible to review all life sentences after a certain period of time. "Where domestic law does not provide for the possibility of such a review, a whole life sentence will not measure up to the standards ... of the Convention," the European Court of Human Rights has ruled. In a letter to Serbian Justice Minister Nela Kuburic earlier this month, the Council of Europe's Human Rights Commissioner Dunja Mijatovic had encouraged local authorities to think again about submitting the draft law to a vote. As a member of the Council, Serbia is bound by the European Convention on Human Rights, which does not prohibit life sentences but requires "a prospect of the prisoner's release and the possibility of a review of the sentence," Mijatovic wrote. "A sentence of 30 to 40 years in jail can be also considered inhuman," the Serb minister reportedly answered, according to the daily Politika. That is because "once they have served their sentence, convicts are set free when they are older, most of the time without money ... without links to family or friends," Kubaric was quoted as saying. The introduction of life sentence was triggered by the 2014 rape and murder of a 15-year-old Serbian girl, Tijana Juric. A foundation named for her and established by her father has campaigned for a life sentence without possibility of parole ever since. Juric's murderer was sentenced to 40 years in prison. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit told the Delhi High Court on Tuesday that she and BJP leader Vijender Gupta have settled the dispute between them over the alleged misuse of government funds by her in the 2008 assembly polls. A court official said the matter was listed before Justice Sunil Gaur who, taking note of the submission, disposed of Dikshit's plea against a trial court order to lodge an FIR against her on Gupta's complaint alleging misuse of government funds by her. The detailed order is awaited. The trial court's August 31, 2013 direction had come on the BJP leader's complaint alleging that she had misused government funds of Rs 22.56 crore in an advertisement campaign ahead of the 2008 assembly polls. The petition against the trial court order was pending in the high court since September 2013 when it had ordered that status quo be maintained in respect of registration of FIR against Dikshit. In his complaint before the trial court, Gupta had sought registration of FIR against Dikshit and others for alleged criminal breach of trust (Sec 409 IPC), criminal misappropriation of public funds and criminal misconduct under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The complaint had said that in 2007-08, Dikshit was the Chief Minister of Delhi and also minister in-charge of information and publicity when the alleged misuse of funds took place. He had said, "A large number of hoardings showing pictures of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Sheila Dikshit all over Delhi Metro, bus shelters and also in form of radio jingles, TV spots etc. by misusing government machinery and public funds...burdened the state exchequer in carrying out campaign of Congress party for her own political gains." The BJP leader had said he had filed a complaint before Delhi Lokayukta who had on May 22, 2013, indicted Dikshit for allegedly misusing government funds for carrying out an advertisement campaign with a political purpose ahead of the last assembly polls. He had also said that the Lokayukta had also recommended to then President Pranab Mukherjee to caution Dikshit for the alleged misuse of public funds and to advise her to reimburse either herself or through her party Rs 11 crore as half the cost of the advertisements in 2008 or any amount the President finds adequate. The high court had ordered status quo with regard to registration of the FIR as the Lokayukta recommendation was pending consideration of the President. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former foreign secretary Shyam Saran will be conferred with Japan's second highest national award for his contributions to strengthen the strategic ties and enhancing mutual understanding between India and Japan. The Government of Japan on Tuesday announced that in its 2019 Spring Imperial Decorations, it will confer 72-year-old Saran, 'the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star'. Saran, who was India's Foreign Secretary during 2004-2006, has played an important role to elevate Japan-India relationship to strategic partnership, the Embassy of Japan said in a statement. During his tenure, the then Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited India for the first time in 5 years, the statement said. Saran's contributions in strengthening mutual understanding between Japan and India includes "India Festival", which was held in Japan in 1988, when he was Deputy Chief of Mission of Embassy of India in Japan, it said. Since 2017, Saran has been enhancing mutual understanding between the two countries, such as by hosting an "India-Japan Colloquium," it said. 'The Order of the Rising Sun' is a Japanese government honour established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Singapore and Canada have expressed interest in joining consultations in a case filed by Japan in the WTO's dispute settlement body against India's import duties on certain information and communication technology products, including mobile phones. According to a communication of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), both countries have stated that they have a substantial trade interest in information and communication technology (ICT) goods. On May 14, Japan dragged India to the WTO over the import duties imposed on certain electronic goods including telephones for cellular networks; machines for reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data; and parts of telephone sets. It alleged that imposition of import duties on these products by India infringes WTO norms as India has committed zero per cent bound tariffs on these products. While bound tariffs or duties refer to the ceiling over which a WTO member country cannot impose import duty, the applied tariff is the duty which is currently in place. In a separate communication, Singapore said it "desires to be joined in India's consultations with Japan". "This is because Singapore, as one of the world's largest exporters of ICT products, with export value of USD 120 billion annually, has substantial trade interest in this matter," it said. Similarly, Canada has said that during 2016-2018, India's imports from Canada of ICT products have aggregated at USD 28.7 million. "This reflected 31.2 per cent of India's total imports of ICT products from Canada. ICT is an important sector for Canada's economy which relies on access to global markets. "Over 2016-2018, Canada's global exports of all ICT products averaged USD 11.3 billion and accounted for 2.8 per cent of all Canadian exports," the north american country said in its communication. As per WTO rules, seeking consultation is the first step of dispute settlement process. If the bilateral consultations requested by the complainant with India do not result in a satisfactory solution, it can request the WTO to set up a dispute panel to pass a ruling on the matter. Singapore and Canada require approval from India and Japan to join the consultation process. A WTO member country can file a dispute if it perceives that another country's trade policies or actions are violating global trade norms. India's bilateral trade with Canada and Singapore stood at USD 7.23 billion and USD 17.7 billion respectively, in 2017-18. Chinese Taipei has also expressed interest in joining these consultations. Besides Japan, last month, the European Union (EU) too dragged India into WTO's dispute settlement mechanism over imposition of import duties on certain ICT products, alleging breach of global trade norms. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A special screening of the biopic 'PM Narendra Modi' was held on Tuesday at PVR Acropolis here with Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in attendance. The film, which did the rounds of the courts and poll authorities for a release date, was postponed earlier by the Election Commission in view of the Lok Sabha polls. The Omung Kumar-directed film, in which actor Vivek Oberoi is playing the eponymous role, is now scheduled for a May 24 release. Speaking at the screening, Oberoi exuded confidence that Modi and the NDA would win a second term and asked people to see his film to "celebrate" the poll victory. "I am fortunate to land the role. Our friendship started from Gujarat...People said you are making him (Modi) a hero, I said he is already a hero," Oberoi told reporters. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The family of 58-year-old sub-inspector, who died after he was allegedly attacked by a suspected criminal in Shahdara, Tuesday sought police protection, saying they are getting threats. Raj Kumar, who was posted in the communication department of the Delhi Police, had died Sunday night after he was allegedly assaulted following a scuffle with the suspected criminal in the Vivek Vihar area. Vaishali, daughter of Kumar, alleged that her father's murder was pre-planned as three-four men were involved in the attack. "We have given in writing to police that we need protection as we are getting threats from local goons in the area," She told PTI over the phone. Police, however, said they have not received any written communication from Kumar's family for the same. According to the preliminary post-mortem report, Kumar died of cardiac arrest following the attack, police said. Kumar was apparently filming a video of the criminal on his mobile phone when he was allegedly assaulted, they said. Rejecting the report that her father died due to the cardiac arrest, Vaishali said, "My father was not a heart patient and he never visited a hospital for any heart-related ailment. "It was a planned killing and we can clearly see in the CCTV footage that two persons have caught hold of him and Vinay alias Bhuri (the accused who has been arrested) is punching him." She said her family in the complaint to the police named four men who might have been involved in the incident. But despite this, police have arrested only one accused, she said. "No one came forward to save my father during the incident. This place is not safe at all. If this is happening to a police officer, then how can police ensure the safety of a common man?," she questioned. Kumar had joined the Delhi Police in 1990 as head constable. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj arrived here in the Kyrgyz capital on Tuesday to attend a two-day meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) during which several pressing issues including the threat of terrorism are expected to be discussed. Swaraj was given a traditional welcome on her arrival here. The External Affairs Ministry in New Delhi said Monday that the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) will exchange views on topical issues of international and regional importance, besides reviewing the preparation for the SCO Summit in Bishkek from June 13-14. "External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will be representing India in the meeting of Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to be held in Bishkek on May 21-22," it said. India became a full member of the the China-dominated grouping in 2017 and New Delhi's entry has increased the bloc's heft in regional geo-politics, besides giving it a pan-Asian hue. India is also keen on deepening its security-related cooperation with the SCO and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS), which specifically deals with issues relating to security and defence. Swaraj's programme in Bishkek will include a joint call of SCO Foreign Ministers on Kyrgyz President Sooranbay Jeenbekov. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi will also attend the meeting. Last month, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attended the SCO Defence Ministers' conclave in Bishkek. India was an observer at the SCO since 2005 and has generally participated in the ministerial-level meetings of the grouping which focus mainly on security and economic cooperation in the Eurasian region. Along with India, Pakistan was also granted the SCO membership in 2017. The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held a "productive discussion" with her Kyrgyz counterpart Chingiz Aidarbekov ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting during which several pressing issues including the threat of terrorism are expected to be discussed. In her first engagement in Bishkek, Swaraj had a "productive discussion with Aidarbekov on all aspects of bilateral relations, including in political and defence, trade and investment, health, capacity building and people-to-people ties," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. Swaraj, who arrived here in the Kyrgyz capital on Tuesday to attend a two-day meeting of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers, was given a traditional welcome on her arrival here. The External Affairs Ministry in New Delhi said Monday that the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) will exchange views on topical issues of international and regional importance, besides reviewing the preparation for the SCO Summit in Bishkek from June 13-14. India became a full member of the China-dominated grouping in 2017 and New Delhi's entry has increased the bloc's heft in regional geo-politics, besides giving it a pan-Asian hue. India is also keen on deepening its security-related cooperation with the SCO and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS), which specifically deals with issues relating to security and defence. Swaraj's programme in Bishkek will include a joint call of SCO Foreign Ministers on Kyrgyz President Sooranbay Jeenbekov. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi will also attend the meeting. Last month, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attended the SCO Defence Ministers' conclave in Bishkek. India was an observer at the SCO since 2005 and has generally participated in the ministerial-level meetings of the grouping which focus mainly on security and economic cooperation in the Eurasian region. Along with India, Pakistan was also granted the SCO membership in 2017. The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tata Group's budget hotel brand Ginger Tuesday said it has opened a 98-room hotel in Dwarka, Gujarat, taking its count to 7 hotels across the state. "The hotel complements Ginger's growth strategy of building presence in key religious destinations in India," Ginger Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Deepika Rao said. With the opening of this hotel, The Indian Hotels Company, part of the Tata Group, will have 15 hotels across its brands in the state of Gujarat. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Seeking to ensure a decent funeral for the poor, the civic body in Karimnagar town of Telangana will launch a scheme next month under which last rites can be performed for just one rupee. According to Karimnagar Mayor S Ravinder Singh, the 'Antim Yatra Aakhri Safar' would be launched on June 15 and Rs 1.10 crore had already been allotted for the initiative, which would take care of the funeral as per the religious customs of the deceased. "The middle and low-income group people can avail the facility by paying only Re 1 as charges for cremation. The scheme will be extended to all, irrespective of caste and religion," Singh told PTI. Under the scheme, the municipal corporation of the town, 164 km northeast of Hyderabad, will provide wood, pieces of sandalwood and kerosene to the family of the deceased for performing the last rites. A reserve fund of Rs 50 lakh is available for the purchase of wood, the mayor said. Meals for around 50 people will also be provided on the day of performing the customary rituals at the rate of Rs 5 per person. Necessary arrangements will also be made for those who want to bury the bodies, Singh said The civic body will procure two vehicles to shift the corpses to the graveyard and buy two freezers, he said, adding that the civic body had plans to issue death certificates "then and there" at the crematorium. The mayor said people belonging to the low and middle-income group are unable to give farewell in a decent manner as the cost of conducing funeral rites is not within their reach. Singh also appealed to the philanthropists and donors to contribute to the scheme. According to him, there are an average of three-four deaths in Karimnagar town everyday. The initiative also came in for praise from Vice President Venkaiah Naidu. "Compliments to Municipal Corporation of Karimnagar, #Telangana for proposing to launch 'Antima Yatra' (last journey) from June 15th to conduct last rites of dead on a token payment of ONE rupee. Glad that meals will also be provided to 50 members of bereaved family.#Humanity," Naidu tweeted. Lauding the mayor for the scheme, Naidu added: "It is important to accord dignity to the dead and perform the last rites in accordance with traditions. #Humanity #Telangana. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi police have arrested three people from Khajuri Khas area for allegedly supplying psychotropic drug 'Tramadol' and recovered capsules worth over Rs 1.3 crore in the international market, officials said Tuesday. Tramadol, a painkiller pharma drug, has been declared a "psychotropic substance" by the Union government. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) had last year said the drug was being internationally smuggled, and had possible supply links to the global terror group ISIS. The accused have been identified as Sunil (21), Ankit (30) - both residents of Ghaziabad and Vikki Kumar (21), a resident of Karawal Nagar in Delhi, they said. "During a checking drive on the service road near Government Boys Senior Secondary School at Khajoori Khas on May 16, police nabbed two persons while they were trying to flee on their scooter," Atul Kumar Thakur, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northeast), said. Police recovered a total of nine cartons containing 39,000 capsules of 'Tramadol', also known as fighter drug, he said. Their associate Ankit was also arrested from Loni in Ghaziabad and a total of 81,960 capsules of 'Tramadol' were recovered from his possession, the DCP said. Further interrogation revealed that all the accused had worked in different medical shops. Ankit has knowledge of different medicines or drugs, he said. Ankit used to receive the consignment of contraband drugs from different sources and his associates Sunil and Vicky used to distribute them to various suppliers and customers across the country, Thakur said. Accused Ankit was an expert in packing and concealing of such contraband drug. This consignment was to be handed over in Punjab and Haryana, he added. A total of 6.048 kilograms - 1,20,960 capsules of 'Tramadol' drug and one scooter has been recovered from their possession, police said, adding further investigation is on in the matter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit administered the anti-terrorism day pledge to his staff on the 28th death anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi, as Congress workers paid tributes to the former Prime Minister across the state Tuesday. TNCC President K S Alagiri led the party workers in remembering Gandhi and attended a slew of events to mark the day. Purohit, camping in The Nilgiris, administered the Anti-Terrorism Day pledge to the officers and staff of Raj Bhavan at Udhagamandalam, an official said. At Chennai, state police chief T K Rajendiran administered the pledge to police officials. Meanwhie, Alagiri and senior party leaders, including his predecessor Su Thirunavukkarasar, paid homage to Rajiv Gandhi at his memorial in Sriperumbudur near here, where he was killed by a female suicide bomber of the banned LTTE this day in 1991. Further, the party workers led by Alagiri took the anti-terrorism pledge. A medical camp was also held to mark the day. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) TPG Growth Tuesday said it has signed a definitive agreement to sell Cancer Treatment Services International (CTSI) to Varian Medical Systems for USD 283 million (over Rs 1,970 crore). TPG Growth is a middle market and growth equity platform of global alternative asset firm TPG. The transaction is expected close in approximately two weeks. CTSI is part of Asia Healthcare Holdings (AHH), a healthcare operating platform founded by TPG Growth, the company said in a statement. CTSI owns and operates a network of cancer treatment facilities across India and South Asia, including several brands such as the American Oncology Institute, US-based CTSI Oncology Solutions, and AmPath, an integrated reference laboratory and pathology services provider in India. Commenting on the development, partner at TPG Growth Matthew Hobart said: "The transaction today marks an exciting step for CTSI and an important milestone in AHH's evolution as one of the leading healthcare platforms in South Asia". AHH seeks to build a market-leading franchise in single-specialties across India and South Asia, and helps power companies through a single management team, the statement said. "Leveraging TPG's global healthcare franchise, we worked together to grow CTSI from sourcing to exit," AHH CEO Vishal Bali said. "At Varian, the patient and clinician are at the center of our thinking as we evolve into a broad-based cancer care solutions company," Varian President and CEO Dow Wilson said. The acquisition of CTSI is consistent with this strategy and will allow Varian to better support oncology centers globally, accelerate access to technology-driven care and build a feedback loop that will drive cost-effective innovation, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Train services in the Eastern Railway's Sealdah division were disrupted for the second day Tuesday owing to a rail blockade by protesters at Kankinara, as clashes continued between the TMC and the BJP supporters in Bhatpara, where assembly bypoll was held Sunday. Notwithstanding the prohibitory orders imposed in the area, unidentified men hurled a crude bomb outside Kankinara railway station, but no one was injured in the incident, a police officer said. Panicked passengers and local people were seen running for cover as armed miscreants moved around the area. An Eastern Railway spokesperson said hundreds of people were inconvenienced Tuesday morning as the blockade, which began at 8.43 am and continued till 12.04 pm, led to the detainment and cancellation of local and express trains. Bhatpara, considered to be a stronghold of former TMC MLA Arjun Singh, turned into a battle zone on Sunday during the bypoll, with the BJP and the TMC activists allegedly clashing with each other at Kankinara in the constituency. Bombs were also reportedly hurled and an office of the ruling TMC was set on fire, as central forces resorted to lathicharge to bring the situation under control. The violence caused injury to 14 people and damaged multiple shops and houses. The Election Commission Monday clamped Section 144 CrPC in Bhatpara owing to the volatile situation. Deputy Commissioner (Zone I) of Barrackpur police commisionerate K Kannan said that 70 persons have been arrested so far for their alleged involvement in the violence at Bhatpara since Sunday. Around 200 companies of central forces has been retained in West Bengal till May 27 in the wake of possible post-poll violence in the state. Bypoll in Bhatpara in North 24 Paraganas district was necessitated after Arjun Singh, who switched to the BJP from the TMC, resigned as MLA to contest the Lok Sabha polls from Barrackpore. His son Pawan Kumar Singh was fielded by the BJP for the byelection against TMC's Madan Mitra. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Donald Trump has met at the White House with the leaders of the tiny, but strategic states of Micronesia and other Pacific island nations to underline the leading US role in the region. The brief but symbolic meeting on Tuesday demonstrated US support at a time when Washington is pushing back against expanding Chinese influence in the Pacific. Trump hosted the presidents of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. After, they issued a joint statement to "jointly reaffirm our interest in a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region." "It is in our mutual interest that the Pacific Ocean remains an important and vibrant corridor for maritime trade," the statement said in a possible message to China, which is projecting naval power further into previously US-dominated waters. A senior White House official said "President Trump has been directing an unprecedented level of focus on the Pacific Islands, in recognition of the fact that the United States is a Pacific nation, with immutable strategic, economic, cultural and people-to-people links in the islands." The tiny countries, formed from sprawling but lightly populated archipelagos, have what are known as compacts of free association with the United States dating back to the aftermath of World War II. Washington pays much of their budgets and in return uses the territories as important links in a huge chain of military bases across the ocean. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Donald Trump has nominated an aerospace executive to be the next secretary of the Air Force. Trump says in a tweet that he has chosen Barbara Barrett, former chairman of the Aerospace Corporation, to replace Heather Wilson who is stepping down at the end of this month after two years on the job. Barrett, 68, served as ambassador to Finland in 2008 during the administration of then-President George W Bush. She also served as deputy administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and was vice-chairman of the US Civil Aeronautics Board. This is the second time she's been picked for the Air Force job. In 2003, Bush announced he would nominate her, but she was never confirmed. She's a trained civilian pilot and was certified for space travel. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President is threatening to meet provocations by Iran with "great force," but says he's also willing to negotiate. Trump spoke to reporters as he left the Monday evening en route to a rally in Pennsylvania. He says, "If they do something it will be met great force." But he adds, "We have no indication that they will." Still, he is not mincing his words, calling Iran "hostile" and the "No. 1 provocateur of terror." The administration recently sent an aircraft carrier and other military resources to the region, and withdrew non-essential personnel from Iraq, raising alarms over the possibility of a confrontation with Iran. Trump had been downplaying the chances of potential conflict in recent days. Two human traffickers, including a woman, were arrested from the Guwahati railway station and three minor girls rescued, as part of a special drive, officials said on Tuesday. The Quick Response Team of the RPF arrested the two traffickers, hailing from Sivasagar and Tinsukia districts of Assam, respectively, on May 17, said Northeast Frontier (NF) Railway Chief Public Relations Officer P J Sharma. The rescued minor girls hailing from Tinsukia district were to be sent to Delhi for Rs 5,000 per head, Sharma said. Six human traffickers have so far been arrested and handed over for prosecution this year, he said. In 2018, the Railway Protection Force had apprehended 20 human traffickers during similar drives. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Uttarakhand Congress on Tuesday alleged that using government funds Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has developed a lake to boost value of a nearby land he purchased in his wife's name on "cheap rates". State Congress chief Pritam Singh and Ranikhet MLA Karan Mehra alleged in a joint press conference here that Rawat has purchased the 16 bigha land in Suryadhar area on Sahastradhara Road here in the name of his wife and associate Sanjay Gupta's wife. However, BJP spokesman Munna Singh denied all the allegations and said Chief Minister Rawat will resign if the charges proved. Congress leaders further claimed that the registry of the land was done in July 2017 and with in six months electricity and water connections were provided in the area and after that in December 2017, Rs 70 crore Suryadhar lake development project was announced to boost the value of the nearby land belonging to the CM's wife. They also demanded an inquiry by the retired high court judge and said if proven guilty Rawat should resign. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday launched a permanent residency scheme to woo wealthy individuals and exceptional talents, a move that could attract more Indian professionals and businessmen to the Gulf nation. The "Golden Card" programme unveiled by Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum is open to investors and "exceptional talents" such as doctors, engineers, scientists, students and artists. "We want them to be permanent partners in our journey. Residents are an indispensable part of our country," Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, who is also Dubai's ruler, tweeted. The first group of 6,800 investors from over 70 countries with investments totalling 100 billion dirhams ($27 billion) were being given permanent residency, he announced. The Golden Card offers unprecedented benefits to the cardholders and their families while creating an attractive environment for business and growth. "Throughout history, the opened its door to millions of people looking for to pursue their dreams and better their lives. The Golden Card is our way to welcome all those seeking to be a part of the UAE's success story and making it a second home," he said. The new initiative will attract greater foreign investment and stimulate the local economy, making it more efficient and attractive for investors. It will also increase the UAE's competitiveness and reaffirms the country's position as a global incubator, Khaleej Times reported. The benefits of the permanent residency also include the spouse and children of the cardholder to ensure cohesive social ties, the report said. Expatriates in the are usually given limited duration residence permits under a sponsorship system. Earlier this month, Major-General Saeed Rakan Al Rashedi, UAE's Director-General for Foreigners Affairs and Ports, said the "Golden Card" visa categories include general investors who will be granted a 10-year visa, real estate investors, who can get a visa for five years, along with entrepreneurs and talented professionals such as doctors, researchers and innovators 10 years. The fifth category outstanding students will also be permitted residency visas for five years. All categories of visas can be renewed upon expiry. The Indian expatriate community is reportedly the largest ethnic community in the UAE, constituting roughly about 30 per cent of the country's population of around nine million. Though most of the Indians living in the UAE are employed, about 10 per cent of the Indian population constitutes dependent family members, according to the Indian Embassy website. British MPs will be able to vote on whether or not to hold a second Brexit referendum -- but only if they approve draft legislation to implement the divorce agreement with the EU, Prime Minister Theresa May said on Tuesday. May said the government would also allow parliament to decide whether to remain temporarily in a customs union with the European Union. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The UN envoy for Libya warned Tuesday the battle for Tripoli was "just the start of a long and bloody war" and called for immediate steps to cut off arms flows fuelling the fighting. "I am no Cassandra, but the violence on the outskirts of Tripoli is just the start of a long and bloody war on the southern shores of the Mediterranean, imperiling the security of Libya's immediate neighbours and the wider Mediterranean region," Ghassan Salame told the Security Council. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With the arrest of four men, the Special Task Force of the Uttar Pradesh Police on Tuesday claimed to have busted a gang allegedly involved in duping crores of rupees from 1,500 people after obtaining the OTP numbers of their credit/debit cards. The four accused -- Sanjeet alias Sandeep, Baldev Singh, Tapeshwar alias Rahu Chaudhary and Gajendra alias Rahul Singh -- were held at around 12.30 pm from Ghaziabad by the Noida field unit of the STF, a senior official said. "It has emerged that so far they have duped over 1,500 people and made over Rs 1 crore by duping them. More details are being worked out. The gang especially targeted paramilitary and Army officials," Deputy Superintendent of Police of the STF Raj Kumar Mishra said. Data of around 50,000 customers of various banks has been recovered from the gang, he said. Three mobile phones, data related to bank accounts and credit/debit cards of several people, among other documents, he added. "The gang would procure data of bank customers from their sources and then trick gullible users over phone calls to share the one-time password (OTP) with them. Once seized of the OTP, they would transfer money from their bank accounts to their e-wallets like Mobikwik and Paytm," he said. "Later, they would transfer the money from their e-wallets to their bank accounts and withdraw it. The ill-gotten money would then be distributed among them," Mishra said. Reports of this gang operating in the region were being received by the UP Police, with a latest case in Ghaziabad where Rs 1.70 lakh was transferred from the bank account of an NDRF official without his knowledge. A case was registered at the Kavi Nagar police station in Ghaziabad under Indian Penal Code Section 420 (fraud) and Section 66 of the Information Technology Act (cyber offences), officials said. DSP Mishra said the Noida field unit was entrusted the probe in the case and its officials had got a tip-off from reliable sources about the movement of the gang members in Kavi Nagar area late on Monday night. "Based on the input, our team reached Ghaziabad and arrested the four men near Diamond Flyover where they had reached for a deal with their source to obtain data base of some bank customers," he added. The STF said, in a statement, that a couple of Delhi-based men known to Sanjeet provided the data to the gang at a cost of Re 1 per bank customer's data. "The data of customers had leaked from Money Mantra, a Delhi-based firm which handles data base for some banks, including some reputed multinational banks," it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Abortion rights activists protested across the country Tuesday against Republican-led efforts to restrict access to the procedure -- a drive they fear will end with a challenge to the 1973 US Supreme Court ruling legalising the practice. The rallies come nearly a week after the southern state of Alabama passed the country's toughest ban, prohibiting abortion in all cases -- even rape and incest -- unless the mother's life is at risk. Alabama is among more than a dozen states which have adopted laws banning or drastically curtailing access to abortion. Even some of the lawmakers in those states have admitted that their end goal is to put the issue -- one of the most divisive in the United States -- back before the nation's high court. "I feel there is a real war on women in this country," said 63-year-old Danna Ives-Kimpel, who was one of hundreds of protesters who gathered outside the Supreme Court in Washington. They urged the nine justices inside to protect the landmark decision in Roe v. Wade, which enshrined the right to abortion up to the point that the fetus is viable outside the womb, about 24 weeks. "It would be absolutely devastating" if the ruling were overturned, said Michaela Masson, a 25-year-old working in government affairs in the US capital. Highlighting the key role the issue could play in the 2020 presidential elections, several Democrats vying to take on President Donald Trump including Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar appeared at the rally. Protests also were held in New York, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, Georgia. Others were planned in the South, the conservative "Bible Belt" that includes Alabama. "Abortion access is under attack," said the powerful American Civil Liberties Union, an organizer of Tuesday's demonstrations. "Today's the day we take to the streets to defend reproductive freedom. Our dissent is powerful. Our voices are powerful," the group said on Twitter. Zak Butterfield, a 45-year-old father attending the rally in Washington, said: "I am not going to stay quiet." For years, the doorsteps of abortion clinics nationwide have been the scene of near-daily standoffs between pro- and anti-abortion rights activists. That battle is now front and centre in Alabama, which has three clinics. The Alabama law is to take effect in November. It seeks jail terms of between 10 and 99 years for doctors performing abortions, which are counted as homicides. It does not, however, penalise the mother. Earlier this month, the governor of Georgia signed into law a ban on abortion from the moment a fetal heartbeat is detected. Georgia became the sixth US state to outlaw abortion after roughly six weeks of gestation. Missouri's legislature on Friday made the procedure illegal from eight weeks of pregnancy, and did not make exceptions for rape or incest either. Ohio, Mississippi, Kentucky, Iowa and North Dakota have enacted restrictive laws, while Florida and Texas are considering doing the same. All of the state bans have either been blocked by a judge or are headed for the courts. But there is no guarantee that any of the laws recently passed, including the one in Alabama, will be taken up by the high court. Each law would first have to make its way through the lower courts and then be chosen by the justices as a case to be heard. The hopes of anti-abortion activists have been lifted since President Donald Trump took office more than two years ago. The Republican leader had promised to appoint only judges opposed to abortion, and has already named two conservatives to the highest bench, tipping the balance to a conservative-leaning majority. "After Trump got elected, we knew they would chip away at our reproductive freedom," said Washington protester Robin Pereira. Although Trump himself has given impetus to the anti-abortion side with his Supreme Court appointments and declarations that he is "strongly Pro-Life," he said late Saturday that exceptions should be made for "rape, incest and protecting the life of the mother." Around two thirds of Americans say abortion should be legal, a Pew Center poll found last year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Exploring the possibility of developing as an alternative in the midst of a US- trade war, the American corporate sector eagerly looks forward to the election results and hopes that the new government adopts a "consultative process" in framing policies, experts say. "US companies are looking for transparency and consistency in policy framework. They would appreciate a consultative process (in) framing policies," Mukesh Aghi, of the US- Strategic and Partnership Forum told PTI, ahead of the declaration of the election results on May 23. India, Aghi asserted, has "a fantastic opportunity" to attract US and European companies as trade relations get strained with its partners. "These companies would consider if ease of business improves along with predictability, otherwise countries like and are successfully attracting these companies," Aghi said in response to a question. The new government will need to look closely at what it can do to unleash growth and create jobs because India must tackle its own apparent economic slowdown, Alyssa Ayres, from the Council on Foreign Relations think tank, told "Economists have long recommended structural reforms as the way to do that which would likely help India address the complaints from the US and about difficulties of doing business in the country," Ayres said in response to a question. Although the final results are yet to be declared and may hold some surprises, there are several issues that whoever comes to power would need to grapple with, observed Anit Mukherjee, a policy fellow at the Center for Global Development, a think tank in Washington DC. But the broad theme would be on consolidation of the gains of the past five years and ushering in some much-needed reforms to accelerate growth and reduce poverty, he said. Noting that India's economy has gone through a period of consistent, if not spectacular, growth over the last five years -- this in spite of demonetization, GST, and the NPA and farm crises -- Mukherjee said this provides a platform for higher growth in the next five years. "But this will depend largely on how the government can steer the macroeconomy, streamline GST, address non-performing assets and mitigate the farm crisis," he told There will be headwinds oil prices are increasing, external trade environment is hostile, vested interests have scuttled plans to reform PSU banks, and the government does not seem to have much appetite to reform agricultural markets apart from announcing a cash transfer programme just before the elections, he added. India, he said, is going through a rapid digital transformation. Aadhaar is now almost universal, its use is now pretty well defined following the judgement, Mukherjee said, adding that India's financial inclusion is now among the highest in the world (over 80 per cent), thanks largely to the Jan Dhan program; and mobile phone use is ubiquitous, serving a data hungry population. "So the building blocks of a digital economy is in place and India is poised to take a big leap in the next five years. The government needs to recognise that and bring policy and regulatory clarity, especially data sharing, trade in data services and privacy protection," he said. Observing that India's rise as an economic power comes with responsibilities, Mukherjee said would do well to learn the lessons from China, which is facing a backlash over its trade and investment policies, as well its domestic policies favouring large technology firms that are perceived as a threat (eg. blacklisting of for 5G telecom equipment and Google's decision not to allow future OS updates to run on smartphones). "India has so far refused to engage with the US and the EU on the global E-commerce and data governance architecture but it would do well not to be sidelined in the discussions," he said in response to another question. "It is in everyone's interest that India becomes a hub of digital innovation and commerce, with a level playing field that does not discriminate in favour of any particular special interest group," Mukherjee told President Donald Trump's administration charged Tuesday it was "quite possible" Iran was responsible for sabotage of Gulf oil interests but said its robust response had stopped potential attacks on Americans. Top Trump officials appeared to be toning down weeks of fiery warnings to Iran before delivering a classified briefing to the full Congress, where rival Democrats have accused the administration of hyping intelligence and pushing the United States dangerously close to war. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States has not made "a definitive conclusion" that can be presented publicly over sabotage incidents of oil tankers off the United Arab Emirates or drone strikes on a crude pipeline in Saudi Arabia. "But given all the regional conflicts that we have seen over the past decade and the shape of these attacks, it seems like it's quite possible that Iran was behind these," Pompeo told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt before heading to Congress. "Most importantly, we will continue to take acts that protect American interests and that work to deter Iran from misbehavior in the region, which has the real risk of escalating the situation such that crude oil prices rise," he said. Yemen's Huthi rebels, who are allied with Iran and are being hit hard by US-backed Saudi airstrikes, claimed responsibility last week for a drone strike on a major east-west pipeline in the kingdom, which was forced to shut down temporarily. John Bolton, Trump's hawkish national security adviser, earlier this month warned of "unrelenting force" if Iran strikes US interests as he announced the deployment to the region of an aircraft carrier strike group, followed by nuclear-capable B-52 bombers. Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, who will also brief lawmakers alongside the US military chief, General Joseph Dunford, said the US response had made an impact but warned of continued risks. "I think our steps were very prudent and we've put on hold the potential for attacks on Americans," Shanahan told reporters. "I'd say we're in a period where the threat remains high and our job is to make sure that there is no miscalculation by the Iranians," he said. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned that the United States was "playing a very, very dangerous game" with military deployments, saying that some actors were "interested in accidents" -- a likely allusion to its regional rivals such as Saudi Arabia. "There will be painful consequences for everybody (if) there is an escalation against Iran, that's for sure," he said," Zarif told CNN. Trump last year pulled out of a multinational agreement negotiated under his predecessor Barack Obama under which Iran drastically scaled back its nuclear work in return for promises of sanctions relief. The administration, which is closely allied with the Saudis, instead vowed "maximum pressure" to weaken the clerical state's regional influence, including by trying to stop all oil sales by Iran. Democrats, who requested the briefing to lawmakers, criticized Iran but said its actions were in line with predicted responses to Trump's moves. "Bluntly, I believe the path to the current level of tension began when President Trump unilaterally walked out of a diplomatic deal," Senator Tim Kaine said Monday on the chamber's floor. "I think it would be absolute lunacy for the United States to get involved in another war right now in the Middle East. I think it would be devastating if we were to be in a war with Iran," he said, calling instead for diplomacy. Trump stoked the fire on Sunday in a tweet in which he warned: "If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran." But the US president -- who made similar threats against North Korea before meeting leader Kim Jong Un -- a day later downplayed the Iranian threat to US interests and has called for talks. Few expect Iran's leaders, for whom anti-Americanism is a cardinal tenet of the 1979 Islamic revolution, to meet Trump. But Zarif has proposed a swap of prisoners, a step some observers say could offer a path to resume at least low-level dialogue to ease tensions. Pompeo in the radio interview said without further explanation that there had been "just a hint" that Iran was moving to release imprisoned US citizens. "Even a small confidence-building measure is a good thing, so it's absolutely the case that were they to release these Americans who are wrongfully held, it would be a good thing," Pompeo said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A US federal judge has denied President Donald Trump's efforts to quash a subpoena from Democratic lawmakers to release years of financial documents dating from before his time in the White House. Monday's decision marked the first time that US courts have waded into the conflict pitting the president against the Democrats who, riding on their newfound majority in the House of Representatives, have opened a raft of probes into Trump. Trump, who says he is the victim of "harassment," has refused to cooperate in the investigations focused on his tax returns, his finances or matters related to Russian efforts to tip the 2016 election in his favour. US District Judge Amit Mehta refused to block the House Oversight and Reform Committee's subpoena for accounting firm Mazars USA pending litigation. The lawmakers' April 15 request for records dating back to 2011 followed testimony by Trump's one-time lawyer Michael Cohen that his boss would often change the estimated value of his assets and liabilities on financial statements as he felt was needed for various purposes. On April 22, Trump and affiliated organisations and entities filed suit, requesting that the court declare the subpoena "invalid and unenforceable" as it questioned the legislative validity of the Democrats' demands. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vice Admiral Bimal Verma on Tuesday filed a fresh petition at a military tribunal here, seeking cancellation of the defence ministry's order appointing Vice Admiral Karambir Singh as the next In his petition, Verma also sought quashing of a note issued by the rejecting his plea against Singh's appointment. "The petition will come up for hearing on Wednesday," Verma's lawyer Ankur Chhibber said. Last week, the rejected Verma's petition challenging the appointment of his junior, Vice Admiral Singh, as the next Chhibber said a previous petition filed with the AFT on the issue was withdrawn on Monday for filing the detailed plea on the issue. In an order last week, the said Verma's statutory petition dated April 10 against appointment of Vice Admiral Singh to the top post is devoid of merit and has been rejected in exercise of powers under Section 23 of the Navy Act 1957. Verma, commander-in-chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command and senior-most naval commander, had moved the tribunal last month questioning Vice Admiral Singh's appointment as the next Navy Chief, overlooking his seniority. Singh is scheduled to take charge as the new from incumbent Admiral Sunil Lanba, who will demit office on May 31. The tribunal had on April 25 directed the defence ministry to decide Verma's petition within three weeks. Rejecting Verma's plea, the defence ministry said a thorough selection process was conducted under which overall service profile of all the contenders for the top post was examined. It said specific parameters for selection were applied uniformly to all the contenders and based on the assessment, it was found that Vice Admiral Verma, though being the senior most eligible officer, was unsuitable to hold the post of the Chief of the Naval Staff. In his petition to the defence ministry, Verma wondered why he was overlooked for the top post despite being the senior-most in the line of command, terming as "wrongful" the government's decision to appoint Singh to the post. While appointing the Army chief in 2016, the government did not follow the long-held tradition of going by seniority. Bipin Rawat was appointed Army chief superseding then Eastern Command Chief Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi and Southern Command Chief PM Hariz. Besides Verma, the other contenders for the Navy Chief post included Vice Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar, FOC-in-C of Western Naval Command Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar and FOC-in-C of Southern Naval Command Vice Admiral Anil Kumar Chawla. Singh, who is at present serving as the Flag Officer Commanding in Chief (FOC-in-C) of the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam, will be the first helicopter pilot to become chief of naval staff. Tuesday said Vinod Kannan will take over as its chief strategy officer from June as the full service carrier prepares to fly overseas. Currently, Sanjiv Kapoor is both chief commercial officer as well as chief strategy officer at Vistara, a joint venture between Tatas and "As accelerates its growth and prepares to take the next leap in its journey of becoming a global brand, certain changes have been introduced in the leadership structure. "Strategy and Commercial are cornerstones of any airline's business, and these two areas will be bolstered to ensure focus on key priorities," an airline spokesperson told PTI. Kannan from within the group will be joining next month as chief strategy officer, while Kapoor will remain chief commercial officer, the spokesperson said. The domestic carrier is preparing to start overseas flights and has also placed orders for a significant number of planes. Vistara, which has 22 aircraft on its fleet, operates around 140 flights every day. The airline commenced commercial operations on January 9, 2015. British carrier Virgin Atlantic Tuesday announced the resumption of its daily services to the city from London's Heathrow, starting October, after discontinuing its flights to the city four years back. The London-Mumbai flight will be available from booking from May 28 and the services on the route will restart from October 27, Virgin Atlantic said in a release. At present, the airline operates a daily flight on the Delhi-London route. The Mumbai flight will be operated with a 258-seater Boeing 787-9 planes in three class configuration -31 business, 35 premium and 192 economy class -- and complement London-Delhi route of the airline, it said. "2019 marks a significant period of growth for Virgin Atlantic and I am delighted that were continuing to expand our route network once more, by returning to Mumbai. "Until recently we have been able to serve this important market through our partnership with Jet Airways, however, since Jet Airways has sadly suspended its operation, we now have an opportunity to provide alternative options for our customers and meet this demand," said Juha Jarvinen, Executive Vice President for commercial, Virgin Atlantic. Besides providing an increased offering to the thriving Indian market, together with its partners Delta Airlines, Virgin Atlantic will offer more seamless connections to the USA via Heathrow airport, he said. After launching its services to Mumbai from London in March 2005, the carrier withdrew them in 2009 due to the economic conditions at that time. It reintroduced the route in 2012. However, Virgin Atlantic discontinued the services in January 2015 again as part of the network review. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Vivek Oberoi on Tuesday apologised for sharing a meme on Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's personal life after severe criticism on social media and elsewhere, but that cut little ice with a charity organisation that dropped him from a fund-raising event. Oberoi, who received a notice from the National Commission for Women asking for an explanation for sharing the "insulting" and "misogynistic" tweet, also deleted the controversial post. The actor on Monday shared a meme with three panels, one featuring him, another with Salman Khan and a third with Aishwarya's husband Abhishek and daughter Aaradhya. The meme was a take on the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the results of which will be declared on Thursday. "Sometimes what appears to be funny and harmless at first glance to one, may not be so to others. I have spent the last 10 years empowering more than 2000 underprivileged girls. I can't even think of being disrespectful to any woman ever," he tweeted. "Even if one woman is offended by my reply to the meme, it calls for remedial action. Apologies.. tweet deleted," the actor added. But the Smile Foundation was unimpressed. "In view of the recent development related to Mr Vivek Anand Oberoi's social media posts, Smile Foundation disassociates itself with the celebrity for the fundraising event on Odisha Fani Cyclone relief at DLF Promenade. "We as an organisation stand for women empowerment and his statements are not in line with our belief statement," the organisation said in statement. Social media users, including members of the film fraternity, blasted the actor for sharing something that was "distasteful" and "crass". Oberoi, who is currently promoting a biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was initially adamant that people were unnecessarily politicising the issue. "Someone sent me a creative meme where I was being made fun of. I just wrote, 'Ha ha,' and appreciated the other person. When someone makes fun of you, you should laugh and not take it so seriously. "I even wrote there that there's nothing political about it. It's life and such things happen in life that you are with someone and then you move on in life," he said soon after the controversy broke on Monday. The U-turn came the following day. Praising himself for working towards empowering 2,000 "underprivileged girls" in the last one decade, the actor said he could never thing of "being disrespectful to any woman ever" while issuing an apology. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Swedish telecom gear maker said Tuesday it believes in "open competition" in any market, as it sidestepped questions over the recent US action on and its implication on other players in the telecom space. "I don't comment on any one of our specific competitors, we are happy to have open competition with our competitors in any market," Chief Technology Officer, Asia Pacific, Magnus Ewerbring told reporters here. Ewerbring was responding to a specific question on Chinese gear maker Last week, the Trump administration had placed and its affiliates on a blacklist, a move that essentially banned the Chinese telecom equipment company from purchasing parts and components from American firms without the US government approval. The US has now reportedly relaxed some of the restrictions, to reduce disruption for its customers. Meanwhile, during a conference here said that enhanced mobile broadband and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) would be the early 'use cases' for 5G in India. The company has already announced 18 commercial 5G deals with telecom operators across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. It has deployed operational 5G networks based on commercial equipment in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. "The near-term benefits of 5G include enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) and FWA. These will help address the limited fixed broadband penetration levels in India and also enhance data experience on the move," Ewerbring said. Terming 5G as a "game changer" for telecom service providers in the long run, Ewerbring said that it will enable new revenue streams. Between 2018-2024, total mobile data traffic is expected to increase by a factor of five, with 5G networks projected to carry 25 percent of mobile traffic by the end of the period, according to Ericsson Mobility Report (November 2018 edition). More than half of smartphone users in China and India, and one in four in the US, Australia and Canada, expect their own provider to switch to 5G or will wait a maximum of six months before moving to another provider that does, the company said. The West Bengal Bar Council on Tuesday extended till May 24 its ongoing ceasework to protest alleged excesses by police in controlling a clash between advocates and civic employees in Howrah. Bar Council Vice Chairman Siddhartha Mukhopadhyay said it is hoping that an order will be passed by the Calcutta High Court, which initiated a suo motu case in this regard, soon. "We will take a decision with regard to continuance of the ceasework after the high court delivers its order on the matter," Mukhopadhyay said. He said the council decided to extend the ceasework during a meeting of its executive on Tuesday. A division bench comprising Justice B Somadder and Justice Arindam Mukherjee on Monday concluded hearing of the case, initiated by Chief Justice T B N Radhakrishnan regarding the clash that occurred on April 24. Several persons, including lawyers, were injured in the incident when police allegedly entered the Howrah court premises, without obtaining requisite permission of the chief judge of the district court, and resorted to baton charge to control the mob. Lawyers of the Howrah district court and the staff of Howrah Municipal Corporation, located opposite to each other, had allegedly clashed over issues relating to parking of vehicles on April 24. Following the incident, the Bar Council asked all associations, representing lawyers at different courts in the state, to observe ceasework. The council has been extending the ceasework ever since it began on April 26, demanding action against the police personnel involved. Litigants are suffering due to the stalemate in the courts, including the high court, for over three weeks now. There were 228,460 cases pending before the Calcutta High Court as on March 31, 2019, according to information available on its website. Lakhs of cases are also due for clearance before the district and sub-divisional courts in the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Google's restriction of business ties with Huawei, the world's No. 2 smartphone maker, could hit the demand for the Chinese firm's devices overseas by reducing them to be paperweights and give market leader Samsung a leg up in cementing its lead in Android devices, a media report said on Tuesday. Rival phone brands Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo would benefit from Google's suspension of services to Huawei, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported. Last week, the Trump administration had placed Huawei and its affiliates on a blacklist, a move that essentially bans the Chinese firm from purchasing parts and components from American companies without the US government approval. Google, a unit of Alphabet Inc., said it is complying with and "reviewing the implications" of the requirement for export licenses for technology sales to Huawei, which uses Google's Android operating system in its smartphones. Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei Tuesday downplayed the impact of the US executive order against his firm, saying Washington "underestimates" the telecom giant's strength. Google's move to curtail access to its Android operating system means that the Shenzhen-based company will no longer be able to run Google's popular apps and services such as Gmail, YouTube or its Google Play app store on future Huawei devices, the Post said. For markets outside China, the removal of these critical Google services will mean that overseas consumers will think twice about buying Huawei devices in future. That is a big problem for Huawei, as about half of the 208 million smartphones it shipped in 2018 went to markets outside of China, it said. "As far as overseas markets go, this move just turned Huawei's upcoming phones into paperweights," said Bryan Ma, vice-president of client devices research at IDC Asia-Pacific. "The phones won't be very useful any more without Google apps on them, and other apps will be unable to call on Google Play services," the Post quoted him as saying. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 35-year-old woman was charred to death Tuesday when the car in which she was travelling caught fire following a collision with another vehicle in Maharashtra's Beed district, police said. Her husband and their 14-year-old daughter sustained serious burn injuries. The accident took place at Kolgaon in Georai tehsil around 12.30 pm when Dnyaneshwar Jadhav (40), his wife Manisha and daughter Lavanya were returning to Pune after attending a wedding in Parbhani, a police official said. A speeding SUV hit their car and the car caught fire, he said. While Dnyaneshwar and Lavanya could get out of the vehicle, Manisha was trapped inside, he said. Lavanya's condition was critical, the officer added. Dnyaneshwar, an engineer, works with a private company at Bhosri near Pune, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Yemen's Houthi rebels said Tuesday they launched a bomb-laden drone targeting an airport in Saudi Arabia that also has a military base inside of it, an attack acknowledged by the kingdom as Mideast tensions remain high between Iran and the US. The attack on Najran comes as Iran quadrupled its uranium-enrichment production capacity amid tensions with the US over Tehran's atomic program, nuclear officials said Monday, just after President Donald Trump and Iran's foreign minister traded threats and taunts on Twitter. Iranian officials made a point to stress that the uranium would be enriched only to the 3.67 per cent limit set under the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, making it usable for a power plant but far below what's needed for an atomic weapon. But by increasing production, Iran soon will exceed the stockpile limitations set by the accord. Tehran has set a July 7 deadline for Europe to set new terms for the deal, or it will enrich closer to weapons-grade levels in a Middle East already on edge. The Trump administration has deployed bombers and an aircraft carrier to the region over still-unspecified threats from Iran. In the drone attack, the Houthi's Al-Masirah satellite channel said early Tuesday they targeted the airport in Najran with a Qasef-2K drone, striking an "arms depot" there. Najran, 840 kilometers (525 miles) southwest of Riyadh, is right on the Saudi border with Yemen and has repeatedly been targeted by the Iranian-allied Houthis. A statement earlier Tuesday on the state-run Saudi Press Agency quoted Saudi-led coalition spokesman Col. Turki al-Maliki as saying the Houthis "had tried to target" a civilian site in Najran, without elaborating. It was not clear if there were any injuries. Al-Maliki warned there would be a "strong deterrent" to such attacks and described the Houthis as the "terrorist militias of Iran." Such Houthi attacks in the past have sparked rounds of Saudi-led airstrikes on Yemen, which have been widely criticized internationally for killing civilians. Civilian airports throughout the Middle East often host military bases. The New York Times last year reported that American intelligence analysts were based in Najran assisting the Saudis and a US Army Green Berets deployment on the border. The Pentagon and the US military's Central Command did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Last week, the Houthis launched a coordinated drone attack on a Saudi oil pipeline amid heightened tensions between Iran and the US. That came as already this month, officials in the United Arab Emirates alleged that four oil tankers were sabotaged and US diplomats relayed a warning that commercial airlines could be misidentified by Iran and attacked, something dismissed by Tehran. Iran's enrichment announcement came after journalists visiting the country's underground enrichment facility in Natanz were given a statement by an unidentified nuclear scientist who wore a surgical cap and a mask. His outfit wasn't explained, although Israel is suspected of targeting Iranian nuclear scientists. The state-run IRNA agency later quoted Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, as acknowledging that capacity had been quadrupled. He said Iran took this step because the US had ended a program allowing it to exchange enriched uranium to Russia for unprocessed yellowcake uranium, as well as ending the sale of heavy water to Oman. Heavy water helps cool reactors producing plutonium that can be used in nuclear weapons. Kamalvandi said Iran had informed the International Atomic Energy Agency of the development. The Vienna-based UN nuclear watchdog did not respond to a request for comment. Tehran long has insisted it does not seek nuclear weapons, though the West fears its program could allow it to build them. Before Iran's announcement, Trump tweeted: "If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again!" Trump's remarks reflect what has been a strategy of alternating tough talk with more conciliatory statements he says is aimed at keeping Iran guessing at the administration's intentions. He also has said he hopes Iran calls him and engages in negotiations. He described his approach in a speech Friday, saying, "It's probably a good thing because they're saying, 'Man, I don't know where these people are coming from,' right?" But while Trump's approach of flattery and threats has become a hallmark of his foreign policy, the risks have only grown in dealing with Iran, where mistrust between Tehran and Washington stretch four decades. While both sides say they don't seek war, many worry any miscalculation could spiral out of control. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif soon responded by tweeting that Trump had been "goaded" into "genocidal taunts." Zarif referenced both Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan as two historical leaders that Persia outlasted. "Iranians have stood tall for a millennia while aggressors all gone," he wrote. "Try respect - it works!" Zarif also used the hashtag #NeverThreatenAnIranian, a reference to a comment he made during intense negotiations for the 2015 nuclear accord. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Zambia's on Tuesday appointed a provisional administrator for the country's largest copper firm, Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), with the government seeking to have another investor replace its current majority-owner, London-based State-owned Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH), which is a minority shareholder in KCM, has sought the liquidation of KCM's assets according to court papers. The court immediately appointed legal firm Lungu Simwanza and Company "to act as provisional liquidator" pending the "conclusion of the hearing" of the petition by ZCCM-IH. The case is due to be heard on Friday. Metals and company firm is the major shareholder in Konkola Copper Mines with a 79.4-per cent stake, while ZCCM-IH holds 20.6 per cent. "It has become clear that Vedanta owes creditors money and to secure an orderly exit of Vedanta it is important that a liquidator is appointed," presidential spokesman Amos Chanda told AFP. "Currently the government is in talks with three investors for a possible takeover of the mine," he added. Edgar Lungu last week warned that international were free to leave the copper-rich country if they opposed the new tax regime. initially opposed changes to Zambia's taxes, but later agreed. The government has targeted the mining sector to generate revenue as the country struggles under growing debt, but businesses have warned that the tax proposals could trigger a mass withdrawal of investment and thousands of redundancies. KCM, which employs 13,000 people, said in a statement on Monday that it "has sought an urgent meeting with the president". It said it has invested over $3 billion into its operations since 2004 and is "yet to receive a positive return on this investment while, on the other hand, taxes, duties, fuel and power costs have risen exponentially". Analysts believe Vedanta could be replaced by a Chinese company. "Private property rights look increasingly vulnerable as the government grapples with a sovereign debt crisis," said Nick Branson, analyst with London-based Verisk Maplecroft. " Lungu's aggressive targeting of global commodity firms also hints at Zambia's increasing reliance on China, its largest bilateral creditor," he said. Zambia is Africa's second copper producing country after Democratic Republic of Congo. US internet giant Google, whose Android mobile operating system powers most of the world's smartphones, said on Sunday it was beginning to cut ties with China's Huawei, which Washington considers a national security threat. In the midst of a trade war with Beijing, President Donald Trump has barred US companies from engaging in telecommunications trade with foreign companies said to threaten American national security. The measure targets Huawei, a Chinese telecoms giant in Washington's sights, that is listed by the Commerce Department among firms with which American companies can only engage in trade after obtaining the green light from the authorities. The ban includes technology sharing. Listen to this podcast for more. Getting a small business off the ground takes more than just a great idea, gumption and some luck. It also generally requires money. While securing funding can be a major hurdle for any fledgling business, it's often harder for ethnic minorities to fund their businesses than it is for their white counterparts. It's with that fact in mind that officials with the Metropolitan Economic Development Association (Meda) announced the return of its Million Dollar Challenge for Minority Entrepreneurs competition later this year. "Meda's Million Dollar Challenge brings so much to the table for entrepreneurs of color: highlighting their innovation and creativity, attracting more equity and capital investments, and accelerating business growth," said Gary Cunningham, president and CEO of Meda. Since its creation in 1971, officials said, Meda has helped minority entrepreneurs start more than 500 small businesses by providing business consulting, financing solutions, and corporate and government opportunities. Competition for startup financing From now until June 13, 2019, entrepreneurs of color will have the chance to apply for the second annual competition, which will award at least $1 million in business financing in the form of a convertible note. Following the application deadline, up to 20 ethnic minority-owned businesses will participate in the competition, which is modeled after the popular television show Shark Tank. Each contestant will pitch their ventures to a panel of judges, explaining why their small business is ripe for growth. From that initial group, 10 finalists will move on to the next phase of the contest, where they will participate in Meda's Boot Camp for Successful Pitches. Officials described this part of the competition as an "accelerator offering investor and industry feedback, marketing consulting, and professional connections." On Oct. 11, 2019, the finalists will head to St. Paul, Minnesota, for one last chance to make their case before a group of judges. Last year, it was during this stage of the competition that nine minority businesses from four states were awarded nearly $1.5 million in funding. Editor's note: Need financing for your business? Fill out the below questionnaire to have our vendor partners contact you with free information. Why funding for minority entrepreneurs matters According to a January 2016 report from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency, there were nearly 8 million minority-owned businesses throughout the country, marking a 38% increase in less than a decade. Even though millions of small businesses are owned by members of a minority group, a 2017 study from the National Bureau of Economic Research estimated that minority entrepreneurs were just 20% of the entrepreneurs funded by venture capital. Furthermore, a 2017 report by the Minority Business Development Agency found that loan denial rates were 300% higher for "minority firms with gross receipts under $500,000" and roughly twice as high for those with greater revenues. Cunningham said Meda's annual effort of offering an avenue for new entrepreneurs of color benefits the country. "The impact of uplifting minority entrepreneurs goes far beyond the bounds of the individual and is a proven strategy for creating jobs and boosting economic development," he said. "When we support minority entrepreneurs, we support all and we are proud to bring the Million Dollar Challenge back for a second year to continue that impact on a national level." The second Meda Million Dollar Challenge for Minority Entrepreneurs is open to all for-profit minority-owned businesses in the U.S. For more information and instructions on how to apply, visit Meda's contest site. Troubles for banks, especially for public sector banks (PSBs), are far from over. First, it was the Reserve Bank of India's asset quality review (AQR) that resulted in huge NPA provisioning and losses in the books. Then, just when banks were close to clean up their books from stressed assets, the crisis in infra financing institution IL&FS hit them hard. The total debt exposure in IL&FS including that of banks was over Rs 90,000 crore. Soon, Jet Airways joined in as another surprise stressed asset, although banks did not have much exposure in the airline. The latest stressed asset that has joined the list is Dewan Housing Finance, a non-banking housing finance company (NBFC), which had an outstanding loan of close to Rs 40,000 crore until September 2018, when the liquidity crisis first erupted. While Dewan Housing is not an NPA in the books of banks, the huge exposure is now giving sleepless nights to bankers. The rating agencies have already downgraded the investment grade ratings given to Dewan Housing. The stock market is also punishing its stock as efforts to bring in strategic investors haven't yielded any results. This is how the loan exposure is distributed among banks: Among total 29 banks, the State Bank of India (SBI) has the highest term loan and cash credit exposure of Rs 8,328 crore as on September 30, 2018. The other big banks are Bank of India (Rs 4,015 crore), Bank of Baroda (Rs 3,814 crore), Union Bank Of India (Rs 2,154 crore), Canara Bank (Rs 2,119 crore) and IDBI Bank (Rs 1,096 crore). The other banks with over Rs 1,000 crore exposure includes Indian Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce, Punjab National Bank, Syndicate Bank and Central Bank. The private sector banks with exposure to Dewan Housing includes ICICI Bank (Rs 108 crore), Axis Bank (Rs 65 crore), DCB (Rs 18 crore), Federal Bank (Rs 193 crore) and HDFC Bank (Rs 573 crore). However, the private sector banks have largely stayed away from taking higher exposure in NBFCs such as Dewan Housing Finance. The repayment schedule of these banks by Dewan Housing is not known, but the NBFC claims to have repaid creditors including fixed deposit holders to the tune of Rs 30,000 crore in the last six months. Currently, Dewan Housing is not an NPA for banks, but banks are worried the way things are unfolding. "We don't want any surprises. We have to be ready in terms of provisioning to avoid any big hit in future," says a banker. Many banks are already cautious in lending further to NBFCs. They are instead evaluating proposals to buy out retail portfolios. Dewan Housing is already in the market to sell down its assets to generate liquidity. Also Read: IL&FS crisis: Board gives nod to digital forensic probes amid massive layoffs, shell firm closures Also Read: Hyundai launches compact SUV Venue in India, price starts at Rs 6.5 lakh Also Read: Hinduja Group set to bid for Jet Airways this week In a regulatory filing last week, Infosys said that it had proposed CEO and Managing Director Salil Parekh be granted annual performance-based stock incentives worth Rs 10 crore under its latest 'Expanded Stock Ownership Programme 2019'. He is not the only executive looking at a big bonanza - the plan proposes to allocate 5 crore shares to incentivise its over 2.28 lakh employees, subject to shareholder approval. But the employees of India's second largest IT have fared exceedingly well even in the last fiscal. Sixty-four Infosys executives boasted compensation packages of over Rs 1 crore in the year ended March, up from 28 in FY18, The Times of India reported, with many more senior vice-presidents and vice-presidents making it to this Richie Rich club. A company spokesperson told the daily that a significant part of the increase in remuneration was on account of the increase in perquisite value of stock incentives - the average stock price increased by more than 35 per cent in FY19 over the previous year. The company, under the 2015 Stock Incentive Compensation Plan, has been offering share-based benefits to employees to retain talent. At the end of the March quarter, Infosys had pegged attrition at 20.4 per cent compared to 19.5 per cent in Q4FY18. 9 of top 10 companies lose Rs 1.60 lakh crore in m-cap; RIL worst hit, TCS lone gainer Apart from red hot stock options, some senior executives had reportedly also seen an expansion in their roles and responsibilities in the last fiscal, and their salary packages were increased accordingly. "Our compensation approach provides for competitive salaries for our employees benchmarked with the industry, which includes performance-linked rewards for senior executives with their compensation aligned to shareholder value," the company added. Remuneration typically includes fixed pay, variable pay, retiral benefits and the perquisite value of stock incentives exercised during the period. Infosys' crorepati club mushroomed by over 128% in the last fiscal since time-based stock incentives granted in 2017-18 and 2018-19 vested during the year and the stock price rally made for a windfall. Interestingly, the company's 2019 Plan will vest strictly on performance, and won't be based on time any longer. Infosys to allocate 50 million shares to incentivise employees "This programme builds on the strong legacy of meritocracy that was established by the founders and strengthens the company's efforts towards wealth creation for the company's employees, enhanced shareholder returns and delight for customers," Infosys informed the exchanges on Friday. The grants allocated to employees over a period of seven years will vest based on challenging performance criteria, including relative total shareholder return (TSR) against an industry peer group, relative TSR against domestic and global indices, and operating lead performance metrics such as total revenue, digital revenue growth, and operating margins. As Parekh rightly pointed out, "By making employees owners, they get an opportunity to be beneficiaries in the long term success of the company". Long standing true to this strategy, Infosys is credited with spawning some of India's early salaried millionaires. The company reportedly created as many as 20,000 rupee millionaires in the 1990s and 2000s. Sushmita Agarwal with PTI inputs Infosys results are good but could have been better US officials have delayed a ban on American technology exports to Chinese tech giant Huawei until mid-August, saying the time was needed to allow for software updates and other contractual obligations. A Commerce Department filing on Monday said the delay does not change the ban imposed by President Donald Trump on national security grounds, an action with major implications for US and Chinese technology firms. The document said authorities would not enforce the ban for 90 days to give Huawei and its partners time "to maintain and support existing and currently fully operational networks and equipment, including software updates and patches, subject to legally binding contracts and agreements... on or before May 16, 2019." Also read: American firms suspend ties with China-based Huawei Also read: Google suspends Huawei's access to Android, Play Store, Gmail services after Trump blacklist A day after the Lok Sabha polls concluded, parties have retraced to their headquarters to strategise for the coming few days. To begin with, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi urged her fellow workers not to believe in the exit polls. "Exit polls are being shown to discourage you. Do not believe them. Remain alert in the strong rooms and counting rooms. I am positive that our hard work will reap fruits," said Priyanka Gandhi. While all the Opposition parties have put up a brave face, with many leaders saying that they do not believe in exit polls, the poll prediction shows a landslide victory for the ruling BJP-led NDA alliance. Additionally, the Opposition leaders have set in motion the process of initiating alliance talks. Stakes are high and it is only a matter to a day before the new government is formed. Follow Lok Sabha Election 2019 LIVE updates on the BusinessToday.In blog here: 5.35 PM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at BJP headquarters for the meeting of Union Council of Minsters. Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at BJP headquarters for the meeting of Union Council of Minsters. pic.twitter.com/PJDrZb3feT ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 4.47 PM: Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Maneka Gandhi & VK Singh arrive at the BJP Office for meeting of Union Council of Ministers to be held at 5 pm. Delhi: Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Maneka Gandhi & VK Singh arrive at the BJP Office for meeting of Union Council of Ministers to be held at 5 pm. pic.twitter.com/DPCdGVE8Zg ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 4.19 PM: As many as 22 Opposition parties have submitted a memorandum before the EC, requesting the verification of VVPAT slips of randomly identified (05) polling stations should be done prior to the initiation of counting of votes and not after the completion of last round of counting. 4.00 PM: The SC has dismissed a PIL seeking 100 per cent matching of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during the counting of votes on May 23 for Lok Sabha polls. A vacation bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra refused to entertain the plea filed by a Chennai-based organisation 'Tech 4 All', saying that a larger bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi had already dealt with the matter and passed an order.-- PTI 3.55 PM: "The provisions and protocols have been explained to the political parties on multiple occasions including in several of the 93 meetings held with them at the Commission since announcement of elections," says the EC. 3.34 PM: The Election Commission says complaints of alleged movement of EVMs, purportedly to replace polled EVMs in strongrooms, doing rounds in sections of media. "Would like to unambiguously clarify that reports are absolutely false. Visuals seen viral on media do not pertain to any EVMs used during the polls." 3.17pm: Former President Pranab Mukherjee speaks out on contentions raised against EVMs. "The onus of ensuring institutional integrity in this case lies with the Election Commission of India. They must do so and put all speculations to rest," Mukherjee said in his statement. Former President Pranab Mukherjee issues statement, says ' Onus on ensuring institutional integrity in this case(security of EVMs) lies with the Election Commission, they must do so and put all speculations to rest' pic.twitter.com/2xFIhok7pN ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 3.10 PM: Leaders from over 19 parties are present in the meeting held by Opposition leaders. These parties include Congress, SP, BSP, TDP, TMC, RJD, JDS, CPI, CPIM, NCP and DMK. 3.02pm: Opposition leaders arrive at Election Commission to meet offcials over EVMs. They will raise their demand of tallying VVPAT slips with EVM figures in an entire Assembly constituency if a discrepancy is found in any polling booth. Opposition leaders will be pressing their demand of tallying VVPAT slips with EVM figures in an entire Assembly constituency in case a discrepancy is found in any polling booth. https://t.co/8NjY5qdWwY ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 2.52 PM: Kamal Nath on political situation in Madhya Pradesh: "I have complete trust on the MLAs of Congress party. At least 10 MLAs have told me now that they are getting phone calls where they are being offered money & posts." (ANI) 2.28 PM: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar: "We've always maintained Art.370 shouldn't be scrapped, Uniform Civil Code shouldn't be imposed, Ayodhya dispute should be resolved through mutual agreement/court's intervention." Bihar CM Nitish Kumar: BJP's stand is not new. A party has its own stand but when there is an alliance, all of this is discussed. So there is no problem there. https://t.co/jLhTeKukPD ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 2.10 PM: A meeting of opposition leaders is underway at the Constitution Club of India. Delhi: A meeting of opposition leaders is underway at the Constitution Club of India. pic.twitter.com/0AB86GJ2zB ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 1:41pm: "There's no contradiction. We've always maintained Article 370 shouldn't be scrapped, Uniform Civil Code shouldn't be imposed, Ayodhya dispute should be resolved through mutual agreement/court's intervention. We've maintained this since we first forged an alliance with BJP. BJP's stand is not new. A party has its own stand but when there is an alliance, all of this is discussed. So there is no problem there," said Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. 1:35pm: Mumbai Congress President Milind Deora writes to Chief Electoral Officer, Maharashtra requesting "increase of vigilance, security etc at counting centers, so that EVM machines should not get tampered in any manner whatsoever" 1:20pm: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said, "Questions on EVM is bogus. After introduction of EVMs, elections have become transparent. It's a technology which has been questioned multiple times&have been answered by EC...Faction which begins losing says there were discrepancies in elections. It's not new." 1:16pm: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee chief Dinesh Gundu Rao on Roshan Baig: It's unbecoming of a politician of his stature to be speaking like this, it ranks of pure political opportunism. We will take required action when the time is right. 1:10pm: Congress Party has said that movement of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) during the night is raising suspicion among people and asked the EC take corrective measures to maintain sanctity of the electoral process. Party spokesperson Rajiv Shukla said that similar complaints have been made by party leaders from across the country. A delegation of opposition parties will meet EC officials later today to apprise it about their concerns over EVMs. Addressing media at Party headquarters, Congress spokesperson Rajiv Shukla said, "We have received complaints about suspicious movement of EVMs in Gazipur, Jhansi, Dumariyaganj, Saran, Chamoli, Fatehabad and Punjab as well. These are genuine complaints which the election commission should look into to maintain sanctity of the entire electoral process otherwise people will lose faith." He said that a delegation of opposition party leaders will meet EC official to apprise them about EVM security concerns and VVPAT. He also said that the EC has not clarified as to what procedure will be followed if the EVM and VVPAT mismatch is reported. "This is the reason we are demanding at least 50% tally of VVPAT, let it take two days, what's the harm, earlier also counting process used to take two-three days but at least people will not have any doubt," said Rajiv Shukla. 12:55pm: Sweet shop workers prepare sweets in Borivali, Mumbai wearing Modi masks. Sweet shop workers prepare sweets in Borivali, Mumbai ahead of #LokSabhaElections2019 results on 23rd May. Shop owner says,"We've received an order of 1500-2000 kg sweets from BJP's Gopal Shetty (Mumbai North LS candidate). Workers are excited, so they're wearing Modi ji's masks" pic.twitter.com/mJd2yrfVHK ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 12:49pm: Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President KS Azhagiri and other party leaders pay tribute to former PM Rajiv Gandhi. Tamil Nadu: Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President KS Azhagiri and other party leaders pay tribute to former PM #RajivGandhi at his memorial in Sriperumbudur, on his death anniversary today. pic.twitter.com/r7xcXSU2KY ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 12:47pm: Visuals from the Pradesh Congress Committee meeting of the party candidates underway in Bhopal. Madhya Pradesh: Visuals from the Pradesh Congress Committee meeting of the party candidates, underway in Bhopal. pic.twitter.com/Q6DX5WJ4zS ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 12:40pm: The AIADMK on Tuesday instructed its counting agents to remain vigilant over archrival DMK's "dishonest practices" during the counting of votes polled in the Lok Sabha elections and Assembly by-polls, and asked them to ensure all standard procedures were followed. AIADMK Coordinator O Panneerselvam and Joint Coordinator K Palaniswami said in a statement that agents must follow a slew of steps, including reaching the counting centres as early as 6 am on May 23. Palaniswami is Tamil Nadu Chief Minister while Panneerselvam is his deputy. "The entire country knows that DMK members are experts in resorting to dishonest practices as well as violence. Many instances can be mentioned (to prove this). Thererfore, (the AIADMK counting agents) shold remain vigilant to see if the DMK members commit any fraud and (if so) seek reddressal by taking that up with higher officials," they said. (PTI) 12:35pm: "I feel the gathbandhan will get more than 60 seats in UP. BJP will be wiped off across the country. Exit polls will prove to be completely false, like it had happened before. Opposition will form a strong govt at the centre," said AAP leader Sanjay Singh. 12:30pm: AAP leader Sanjay Singh after meeting SP chief Akhilesh Yadav: Results will be declared after 2 days. We met to discuss the strategy to be followed after that. The first priority is to stop BJP, pair of Narendra Modi-Amit Shah and communal forces. This was also a courtesy call. 12:22pm: "No seats were given to Christians and only one seat was given to Muslims in Karnataka, they were ignored. I'm upset with this, we have been used," said Roshan Baig. 12:21pm: Roshan Baig, Congress when asked if Siddaramaiah is responsible for the collapse of the govt: "KC Venugopal is a buffoon. I feel sorry for my leader Rahul Gandhi ji. Buffoons like Venugopal, the arrogant attitude of Siddaramaiah and the flop show of Gundu Rao...The result is this." 12:18pm: Roshan Baig, Congress when asked if Congress should've thought before giving portfolios in state: "Portfolios were sold. How can I blame Kumaraswamy for it? He wasn't allowed to function. From day one Siddaramaiah said 'I'm going to be CM'. You've gone to their doorstep to form govt!" 12:15pm: The Shiv Sena on Tuesday expressed confidence that a government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be re-elected for a second term as the exit polls show a "clear trend" in the BJP-led NDA's favour. At the same time, it also praised Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and his sister and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for their "hard work", saying their party will get enough seats to bag the leader of opposition's post in the new Lok Sabha. "There was no need for political pundits to say the Modi government will be re-elected. The ground situation was such that people were leading the poll campaign and had made up their mind to vote Modi back to power," the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'. (PTI) 12:07pm: Deva Gowda, Former PM said, "They have done their duty. Same exit polls in 2004 got the predictions wrong. I don't want to dispute exit polls. I don't know what will happen tomorrow. They are free to come up with their predictions." 12:04pm: "Exit polls are entertainment polls. The real results will be out on May 23 and the reality of exit polls will be out," said Kamal Nath. 12:02pm: The voter turnout for the Lok Sabha Elections 2019 was the highest ever with 67.11%. The percentage is 1.16% higher than the turnout in 2014. 12:00pm: Supreme Court dismisses a plea challenging the appointment of two retired bureaucrats as special observer and central police observer in West Bengal for the Lok Sabha polls. Court observed that elections are over and the petitioner may approach the Kolkata High Court. 11:40am: Five BJP workers were injured last night in West Bengal after they were attacked allegedly by TMC workers in Sitai, Cooch Behar. More details awaited. 11:30am: Coming down heavily on the petitioner, Justice Mishra, while dismissing the petition, said, "Won't entertain such kind of plea over&over again. We can't come in the way of people electing their representatives." The Justice also termed the move of the petitioner, a "nuisance" PIL: ANI. 11:15am: How will the stars fare? Will Urmila Matondkar and Gautam Gambhir debut with a bang? Will Hema Malini hold on to her seat? Here's a look: 10:59am: Supreme Court dismisses the petition filed by a group of technocrats seeking a direction that the number of machines subject to verification of VVPATs to be increased to 100%. A vacation bench of the Apex Court did not find any merit in the petition filed by the technocrats: ANI. 10:55am: EC: In all cases, polled EVMs and VVPATs were sealed properly in front of parties' candidates and videographed. CCTV cameras installed. CAPF security there. Candidates are allowed to have watch on strong room at a time and one representatives of each candidates for 24X7. Allegations baseless. 10:48am: EC on EVM issue: 3. Domariaganj - EVMs were under proper security and protocol. Agitation was unnecessary. They were convinced by DM and SP. The matter is resolved. 4. Jhansi - EVMs are under proper security and protocol in presence of political parties candidates. No issue. 10:45am: Election Commission on EVM issue: 1. Ghazipur - There was issue regarding "watch on polled EVM strong room by the candidates" which was resolved by conveying the EC instructions. 2. Chandauli - frivolous allegation by some people, EVMs were in proper security and protocol. 10:42am: CBI files an affidavit in Supreme Court against Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav in connection with a disproportionate assets case. The CBI, in the affidavit, gave clean chit to Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav in the disproportionate assets case registered against them. CBI further said that it did not find any evidence to register a Regular Case (RC) against the father and son duo. 10:40am: A special court here has granted exemption to the 2008 Malegaon blast case accused Pragya Singh Thakur, Lt Col Prasad Purohit and Sudhakar Chaturvedi from appearing before it this week. When the matter was taken up by the special NIA court on Monday, the three accused filed applications through their lawyers seeking exemption from appearance. While Thakur and Chaturvedi said they are busy with preparations for the upcoming results of the Lok Sabha polls, which they had contested, Purohit cited personal difficulties. The court allowed the applications. (PTI) 10:28am: Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi met Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu at Andhra Bhawan. 10:26am: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish kumar will be participating in NDA dinner in Delhi to be hosted by BJP chief Amit Shah. 10:24am: Uddhav Thackeray will not be available for the NDA dinner to be hosted by Amit Shah at Ashoka Hotel at 7pm. 10:20am: Tamil Nadu deputy CM O Paneerselvam left for Delhi at 9 am. He will participate in the dinner to be hosted by BJP chief Amit Shah at Ashoka hotel at 7 pm. 10:15am: Chief Minister of Karnataka HD Kumaraswamy's proposed visit to New Delhi has been cancelled. 10:10am: AIADMK MLA Thoppu ND Venkatachalam has resigned from the party post citing personal reasons. Venkatachalam met CM Palaniswami and handed over his resignation from a party post. 10:00am: Rahul Gandhi paid tribute on Rajiv Gandhi's death anniversary. My father was gentle, loving, kind & affectionate. He taught me to love & respect all beings. To never hate. To forgive. I miss him. On his death anniversary, I remember my father with love & gratitude.#RememberingRajivGandhi pic.twitter.com/sYPGu5jGFC Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 21, 2019 9:45am: Priyanka Gandhi shares emotional tweet. You will always be my hero. pic.twitter.com/LYPciCD234 Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) May 21, 2019 9:36am: Vivek Oberoi who plays PM Modi in the film Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologised for his meme on Aishwarya Rai. The tweet he had shared showed Rai with Salman Khan under the heading 'Opinion Poll', followed by a picture of Rai with himself under 'Exit Poll' and in the third panel Rai was with her husband Abhishek Bachchan and their daughter Aradhya. Oberoi received severe backlash from Twitterati, including multiple industry members. Even if one woman is offended by my reply to the meme, it calls for remedial action. Apologies tweet deleted. Vivek Anand Oberoi (@vivekoberoi) May 21, 2019 9:29am: PM Modi pays tribute to former PM Rajiv Gandhi. Tributes to former PM Shri Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary. Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 21, 2019 9:20am: Poll held on 19th May at polling station number 200 of the Kolkata Uttar parliamentary constituency declared void. Re-poll to be held on 22nd May from 7am to 6pm: ECI. 9:19am: Amid poor numbers given by exit polls to the Congress in the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections, senior Congress leader Roshan Baig on Monday dropped hints of quitting the party, and humbly appealed to Muslims to compromise with the situation, if NDA returns to power. "Well if NDA is coming back to power, I humbly appeal to Muslim brothers to learn to compromise with the situation," he told a section of media. Asked if that means Muslims should join hands with BJP, Baig said if need arises, they must as the Congress had given just one ticket to a Muslim leader in Karnataka. "If needs be, (Muslims) must join hands. We must not remain loyal to one party. What happened to Muslims in Karnataka? The Congress gave just one seat," he blurted. (PTI) 9:14am: Former PM Manmohan Singh and former President Pranab Mukherjee also pay tribute to former PM Rajiv Gandhi. Delhi: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former President Pranab Mukherjee pay tribute to former Prime Minister #RajivGandhi, on his death anniversary at Veer Bhumi. pic.twitter.com/Co2MTjdMsU ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 9:13am: Congress President Rahul Gandhi, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress General Secretary for UP (East) Priyanka Gandhi Vadra pay tribute to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Tata Motors share price tumbled over 5 per cent in early deals on Tuesday, in an otherwise strong market, after the auto major reported lower-than-expected set of numbers for the March quarter. The company has reported a 49 per cent decline in its consolidated net profit at Rs 1,108 crore compared to Rs 2,175 crore in a year ago period, dented by restructuring costs and exceptional charge on account of its United Kingdom Jaguar Land Rover. For the financial year 2018-19, the company has posted a consolidated net loss of Rs 28,826.23 crore as against the consolidated net profit of Rs 8,988.91 in the last fiscal. Reacting to earnings number, Tata Motors share price fell as much as 5.57 per cent to touch an intra-day low of Rs 179.40 against previous close level of Rs 190 on the Bombay Stock Exchange. Paring some of early losses, the scrip was currently trading at Rs 181.15, down 4.66 per cent. In a similar trend, Tata Motors shares were currently trading 4.50 per cent lower at Rs 181.60 apiece on the National Stock Exchange. The scrip opened at Rs 185.25, against previous close level of Rs 190.15, and touched an intra-day low of Rs 179.30. Also Read: Tata Motors posts net loss of Rs 28,826 crore in FY19, JLR turns profitable in Q4 Analysts at CLSA has retained 'sell' rating on Tata Motors stock with a target at Rs 150 per share, citing weak JLR outlook and dip in Indian business. "Indian business margin slipped QoQ despite higher volume. JLR margin guidance cut and cash flow outlook for FY21 looks weak as guidance cut underlines challenges of improving profitability," Moneycontrol quoted CLSA as saying this. Among others, Citi Research recommended a 'buy' rating with a target price of Rs 220, while Morgan Stanley and Motilal Oswal gave 'neutral' call on the stock. Meanwhile, the BSE Sensex was trading at 39,451.71, up by 99.04 points, or by 0.25 per cent, and the NSE Nifty was up by 30.35 points, or by 0.26 per cent, at 11858.6. In the opening trade, the Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, hit all time high after exit polls predicted that BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would get a clear majority in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Edited by Chitranjan Kumar Also Read: Terrific Tuesday for markets! Sensex hits all-time high of 39,560, Nifty breaches 11,870 mark 03 Jun 2019, 1:09 PM Trump administration delays Huawei ban by 90 days US officials have delayed a ban on American technology exports to Chinese tech giant Huawei until mid-August, saying the time was needed to allow for software updates and other contractual obligations. The delay does not change the ban imposed by President Donald Trump on national security grounds, an action with major implications for US and Chinese technology firms. BJP's NaMo TV vanishes from all platforms as Lok Sabha election ends NaMo TV has disappeared from the set-top box as mysteriously as it appeared on them, raising many eyebrows. The channel made its way on various service provider's platform before the General Elections 2019 on March 26. Being funded by the Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), it started a controversy with the opposition leaders calling NaMo TV a propaganda machine as it showed PM's rallies, interviews, features of government schemes and other BJP leaders' interviews. RBI to issue Rs 10 banknotes bearing sign of Guv Das soon Reserve Bank of India Monday said it will issue Rs 10 denomination banknotes bearing signature of Governor Shaktikanta Das. The Reserve Bank will shortly issue Rs 10 denomination banknotes in Mahatma Gandhi (new) series bearing the signature of Shaktikanta Das, Governor, RBI said in a release. The design of these notes is similar in all respect to Rs 10 banknotes in Mahatma Gandhi (new) series. All banknotes in the denomination of Rs 10 issued by the Reserve Bank in the past will continue to be legal tender, it said. Sensex sets new record! Posts highest single-day gain in 10 years The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex set a new record on Monday by posting its highest-ever single day gain in 10 years after exit polls predicted that BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would get a clear majority in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Ford is cutting 7,000 white-collar jobs Ford is cutting about 7,000 white-collar jobs, which would make up 10 per cent of its global workforce. The company has said it was undertaking a major restructuring, and on Monday said that it will have trimmed thousands of jobs by August. The company said that the plan will save about $600 million per year by eliminating bureaucracy and increasing the number of workers reporting to each manager. South Korean auto major Hyundai Motor India Ltd on Tuesday launched its maiden compact SUV Venue ranging from Rs 6.5 lakh to Rs 11.10 lakh. Hyundai Venue is available in 11 trims--five are petrol variants with manual transmission and the other two are petrol with automatic transmission. The Venue also comes in four diesel engine variants. The two petrol manual transmission versions with the 1.2-litre Kappa engine are priced at Rs 6.5 and Rs 7.2 lakh respectively. There are three variants in the 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with manual transmission priced between Rs 8.21-10.60 lakh. The dual clutch automatic transmission that is available only in two variants with the 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine is priced at Rs 9.35 lakh and Rs 11.10 lakh respectively. The four variants with diesel engine are priced between Rs 7.75-10.84 lakh. Though there is widespread debate on the viability of small diesel engines in India once the BS-VI emission norms come into effect from April 2020, Hyundai has clarified that it will continue to offer compatible diesel engines in the country and unlike market leader Maruti Suzuki, it has no plans to discontinue any of them. Maruti's bestseller Brezza compact SUV which is the segment leader with average monthly sales of around 14,000 units currently comes only with a diesel engine. Venue also competes with the likes of Mahindra XUV 300, Tata Nexon and Ford EcoSport in a highly crowded and competitive segment. It is also one of the fastest growing segments in the industry with an average annual growth rate of 28 percent in 2018. "Venue is India's first fully connected SUV equipped with our global Blue Link Connected Technology. The Indian market is at the centre of our global growth plan and the launch of the Venue will strengthen our commitment to the Indian market," said SS Kim, managing director and CEO, Hyundai Motor India Ltd. "We are sure it will create a new benchmark in the segment and demonstrate our unwavering promise of offering the highest quality and feature rich products to the customers." The launch of the car comes at a time when the Indian automobile industry is in the midst of a deep slowdown. Domestic passenger vehicle sales have declined in nine of the last 10 months. Last month, industry volumes declined by over 17 percent, the steepest in a month in 8 years. Hyundai saw a decline of 10 percent during the month. Its last big launch, the new Santro, has not met the expectations of the company but it believes things will be different with the Venue. With the continued success of the bigger Creta SUV, the company is aiming at a leadership position in SUVs ahead of Maruti Suzuki and Mahindra and Mahindra, with the Venue by the end of 2020. "We will be a formidable player in the SUV segment and we are eyeing leadership position. Between the Venue and Creta, we are looking at volumes of 18-20,000 units per month," Kim said. Currently, Maruti leads the UV segment in India with average monthly sales of around 22,000 units in fiscal 2019, followed by Mahindra at about 19,500 units. Hyundai's tally was at 10,500 units during the fiscal. Overall. Hyundai plans to produce 7.44 lakh units in 2019 of which domestic sales is expected to account for 5.8 lakh units-a growth of 5% over 5.5 lakh units the company sold in 2018. Developed with an investment of over Rs 1,000 crore, the Venue is powered by three different powertrains - a 1-litre turbocharged petrol engine with the dual clutch 7-speed transmission, a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and a 1.4-litre diesel engine. The Venus comes with three engines and three transmission options. The diesel version has a 1.4-litre engine produces 90PS power and 220NM of torque and is mated to a 6-speed manual. The 1.2-litre petrol engine has a peak power output of 83PS and 115NM of torque which is delivered through a 5-speed manual transmission. The 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol, the priciest of the lot, makes 120PS of power and 172Nm of torque coupled to a 7-speed DCT, which is also the only dual-clutch automatic in the segment as of now. Hyundai Venue boasts of over 33 connected vehicle features including 10 India specific ones. An embedded eSIM is used for the connected tech, which Hyundai calls Blue Link. It will offer features that include unique functions like remote start, climate controls and location tracking, along with a host of features. Head here to read more about what it packs. The SUV in India will be available in five variants, seven monotone colours and three dual-tone colour options. The colours on offer include: Star Dust, Fiery Red, Polar White, Typhoon Silver, Deep Forest, Lava Orange,and Denim Blue. The dual-tone colour combinations are: blue with white roof, white with black roof and orange with black roof. Jet Airways' may have a saviour after all, and a deep pocketed one at that. The buzz is that the Hinduja Group is finally set to bid for the grounded airline this week, having got the approval of its key stakeholders, including founder Naresh Goyal and Etihad. While the Goyal family owns 51 per cent of the airline, but has pledged 31.2% with lenders, the Gulf carrier is Jet's second largest shareholder, with a 24 per cent stake. Days after India-born industrialist brothers, Srichand and GP Hinduja, reclaimed the title of Britain's wealthiest with fortunes of 22 billion pounds to their name, Etihad and Jet Airways' lenders approached the Group to invest in the debt-ridden airline. Sources in the know told The Economic Times that the Hinduja Group has engaged investment bankers led by SBI Capital Markets for due diligence, which will commence soon. The conglomerate will gauge the level of support from the government and bankers for a revival plan before making its final move. Significantly, the Group has been interested in the aviation space for a while now. In 2001, it had bid for Air India, when the government had put up 40% of the carrier for sale in its maiden attempt at privatisation. It was reportedly the only bidder apart from a consortium of Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines to show interest in the Maharajah. The government had simultaneously put up 26% of Indian Airlines for sale, and the Hindujas had shown interest along with Videocon International. The stake sales were eventually scrapped but the Group had reportedly been disqualified from the bidding process due to the brothers' alleged involvement in the Bofors scam. Before that, it had tied up with Lufthansa AirCargo for services between Sharjah and India from 1997 to 2000. There's another factor that may influence the Hindujas' interest in Jet Airways - the brothers have stuck to a majority stake in the companies they acquire. However, the Hinduja Group will have to move quickly keeping Jet Airways' eroding value in mind. To begin with, there's the recent top level exodus at the grounded airline, including CEO Vinay Dube, apart from its pilots being poached by other airlines. Sources told the daily that at least 30 Jet Airways' commanders flying long-haul, wide-bodied aircraft have applied to Turkish, Korean Air, Qatar Airways and Rwanda Air for jobs, while IndiGo has already hired over 30 pilots who previously flew the carrier's Boeing 737s. Furthermore, the civil aviation ministry has decided to carve up Jet Airways' foreign flying rights and hand them over to other domestic carriers on a temporary basis in an attempt to increase capacity to meet peak season traffic and rationalise spiralling airfares. As per the allocation formula worked out by the government, the grounded airline's slots would be allotted to airlines ranked in terms of available seat kilometres, after giving Air India first claim. But the likes of SpiceJet, Vistara and GoAir have alleged that the formula gives market leader IndiGo an unfair monopoly-like advantage. The ministry is currently looking into this matter. Last but not the least, reviving Jet Airways won't be easy. Experts say that apart from any new investor having to wade through several levels of due diligence in the absence of recent audited financial results, the airline will need up to Rs 20,000 crore over the next three years to fly again. Hence, even if the Hindujas' interest in the airline pans out, the SBI-led consortium of 26 lenders is reportedly looking at a sizeable haircut - initial calculations peg Jet Airways' dues at Rs 12,000 crore. Also read: Jet Airways crisis: IndiGo, SpiceJet, Vistara, GoAir squabble over airline's international slots Also read: Jet Airways Crisis: London-based AdiGro Group offers to restart airline's operations by July 1 It was announced today that Carne, the Irish-founded global provider of fund management company solutions to the asset management industry, will be expanding its Irish operations, creating an additional 250 regional jobs over the next three years. The expansion is supported by the Department of Business, Enterprise, and Innovation, through Enterprise Ireland. Carne currently employs more than 50 people at its financial services centre in Kilkenny and is opening a new financial services centre in Wexford. This will involve the recruitment of 50 highly-skilled positions across a broad range of disciplines. The company is hiring for multiple positions within risk management, compliance and operations and is also looking to recruit IT Developers, IT Architects, Data Miners, Cyber Security experts, financial crime specialists and Business Analysts. The expansion enables Carne to further strengthen its client offering in the investment fund governance solutions sector as it experiences growth due to greater regulation and increasing demand from investors for independent oversight of assets. Welcoming todays announcement, Minister of State for Financial Services, Michael DArcy said, "Im delighted to support Carne Group with their announcement of the creation of 50 highly skilled jobs at their new Wexford financial services centre. A total of 250 jobs between Wexford and Kilkenny over the next 3 years. Carne Group continues to experience sustained significant growth by supporting clients around the world with its next generation fund management services. The expansion is great for Wexford and shows Carne Groups investment in the region and its talented workforce." Group CEO of Carne, John Donohoe addded, "The demand for our next generation technology and risk driven asset management solutions continues to drive rapid growth across the entire Group. The expansion of our Kilkenny financial services centre and the opening of our new financial services centre in Wexford reflects this. Our ambition is to support our asset management clients to revolutionise their businesses and our experience is that regions such as Kilkenny and Wexford have a rich pool of talent that can help us achieve this." Source: www.businessworld.ie MEP Deirdre Clune has officially opened the new manufacturing facility for ILC Dover in Blarney Business Park, Cork today alongside ILC Dover CEO and President Fran DiNuzzo. The state-of-the-art manufacturing facility equipped with 10,500 sq ft of clean room capability will enable the global leader in flexible containment solutions for the pharma industry to meet sustained market demand for their packaging solutions. The expansion to the new facility has created 70 new jobs, with 30 of these roles already filled in recent months. ILC Dover has been operational in Cork since 2007 at a site in Little Island. The company is now actively recruiting for the new facility, with upcoming and open roles in production and quality, materials management, engineering, operators and those with experience of cleanroom environments. More than 30 roles are currently open with ILC Dover for people with various levels of experience from administrative to professional qualifications. Speaking at the official opening, MEP Deirdre Clune said, "Innovation is in the DNA of ILC Dover which operates across a number of market sectors; from developing the spacesuits that enabled Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to walk on the moon to highly effective containment solutions for the pharmaceutical sector, the company has always driven breakthrough solutions. I am delighted to officially open the new manufacturing facility here in Cork today, and welcome the continued investment by ILC Dover in Cork." ILC Dover President and CEO, Fran DiNuzzo added, "For more than a decade, ILC Dover has been based in Cork and our positive experience and engagement here has led to this new investment and our continued confidence in the Irish labour market." Source: www.businessworld.ie Terry Gou, founder and president of contract manufacturer Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd., made waves last week when he said that he would be running for the oppositions nomination for the next Taiwan elections. Yet the announcement was not totally out of the blue in January, Gou had opened various social media accounts and organized a social media team. He began to soften his personal image and post frequently about political and economic issues both on and off the island. The 68-year-old billionaire has close ties with the Chinese mainland and presents years of business experience which could appeal to Taiwans voters. Others are less optimistic about his chances, pointing to his fierce temper, competition from other well-liked candidates, and younger generations detachment from the Chinese mainland. The opposition Chinese Nationalist Party, also known as the Kuomintang (KMT), is expected to select their nominee to run for the top leadership position in July. If selected to represent the party in the January 2020 election, Gou will face off against the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate, likely to be current leader Tsai Ing-wen. The DPP suffered a blow in local elections last November, losing mayoral races in key cities on the island. In 1949, KMT forces fled to the island of Taiwan at the end of a civil war while the Communist Party took over the Chinese mainland and founded the People's Republic of China. The Communist Party still claims Taiwan as part of Chinas territory. The KMT is generally seen to support closer ties with the Chinese mainland, whereas the DPP pushes for Taiwans independence. Gous business success and strongman style along with his deep pockets could make him a solid candidate for the KMT. He has long been a supporter of the party. In 2016, he loaned it NT$45 million ($1.45 million) in his mothers name when its assets were frozen during an investigation launched by Tsais administration. But for Gou, winning the favor of the upper echelons of political circles was just an extra boost. His real capital comes from the entrepreneurial image he has cultivated over the last 20 years as the leader of Hon Hai, which trades as Foxconn, and his personal story. Foxconns success has been a boon for the islands economic development and Gous rise from owning a small plastics factory to working with Apple, Amazon, and other major tech companies is in itself the epitome of Taiwans self-proclaimed destiny. Of the declared KMT candidates, Gous position on cross-strait relations is one of the more clear-cut: stability in the Taiwan Strait and accommodating the growth of a cross-strait economy. He also advocates for Taiwan to stop buying weapons from the United States and instead make it an economic and technological partner. I hope my mother can see my grandson get married, he said in the days before he announced his candidacy. If we want to have five generations together, we need a stable and peaceful environment. Taiwans defense should not depend on the U.S., but rather on peace, he declared. Gous stance has been highly praised by the state media on the other side of the Taiwan Strait. Compared with the general Kuomintang politicians, Gou Tai-mings words reveal a higher level of insight, courage and structure, read a commentary on a WeChat account of the official Peoples Dailys overseas edition, which used Gous Chinese name. The article said Gou is the first candidate in Taiwans elections to openly challenge the U.S. security umbrella. The nationalist paper Global Times also endorsed Gou in an editorial shortly after he announced his candidacy. Gou has also maintained a close relationship with Chinas leaders, with multiple public meetings including with President Xi Jinping and Foxconn conducts billions of dollars of business on the mainland. Additionally, his business expertise may be welcomed amid a struggling economy on the island. Tsais New Southbound Policy, which sought to reduce dependence on exports from the Chinese mainland and stimulate five emerging industries has seen few results since it was introduced three years ago. The economic logic of the Terry Gou Story merging a mainland production base, American customers, and the islands own research and development and large-scale technology processing industry could be a convincing narrative for an election campaign. However, not all are convinced that he will win the KMTs nomination. He is known for his tantrums, and younger voters who tend to support the DPP and Taiwan independence may not be impressed with his deep business ties with the Chinese mainland. He lacks political experience, and some are concerned that he will not totally relinquish his control of Foxconn. In a statement last week, Foxconn said Gou would continue to provide strategic direction and guidance to the company but would withdraw from daily operation. As Foxconn gained ground in the early 2000s, so too did stories of the companys poor treatment of employees. The company has often made headlines due to arbitrary firings, poor living conditions at its manufacturing plants, underpaid and overworked employees, and even suicides. Gou is also known for his angry outbursts, exemplified the day before he announced his candidacy. When a DPP politician allegedly didnt even look at me while briefly answering his question at a panel, Gous temper flared and he stormed out of the conference. The politician later addressed the issue, saying that she did not deliberately try to disrespect him, but Gou was not placated. The incident sparked online criticism of Gou. In March, Gou said that a Microsoft patent lawsuit against his company was a personal attack and claimed the lawsuit was an attempt to extract royalties from one of Foxconns subsidiaries. Bruce Jacobs, professor emeritus at the Chinese studies department of Australias Monash University, said that even if Gou were to win the KMT nomination, the likelihood of him being elected is low, citing younger generations disillusionment with the opposition party which lost the 2016 leadership election by a nearly two-to-one margin. Pang Chien-kuo, a professor at a graduate institute for Chinese mainland studies in Taiwan, said that Gous chances are also highly dependent on another potential KMT candidate joining the race. If Han Kuo-yu decides to enter the primary election, Han has a better chance of winning (the nomination), he told Caixin, referring to the current mayor of Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan. Han has won wide support among the electorate and within the KMT when he won a mayoral election in the DPP-stronghold of Kaohsiung in May 2018, and is widely considered to be Gous biggest competition if he chooses to run. According to an April 22 survey from the United Daily News, a Taiwan-based pro-KMT newspaper, Gou ranked second in popularity among possible KMT candidates with 19%. Han came first with 26%. Jacobs warned that mainland support could end up hurting any KMT candidate, as any endorsement may end up helping the DPP, especially among young voters. While it remains unclear which candidate will poll the highest among voters, Terry Gou has already been a surprise jolt to Taiwans political race. Contact reporter Ren Qiuyu (qiuyuren@caixin.com) Editors note: A devastating chemical blast in eastern Chinas Jiangsu province killed dozens of people on March 21. Weeks later, local communities and businesses are struggling to pick up the pieces while the authorities push to relocate the areas chemical industry. In the second of this two-part series, we look at how the industry was once considered the solution to the regions economic woes even as it took its toll on the environment and local communities. To read part one, click here. At the start of the 21st century, Xiangshui countys economy lagged behind its neighbors. According to Yanchengs records, the Xiangshui governments revenue in 2000 was the lowest among all the citys counties. It earned 91.17 million yuan ($13.2 million) in total that year and was nearly 50 million yuan behind the citys second-lowest earner. Something had to be done, Xiangshui officials thought. On March 8, 2002, the county government held a conference where they mobilized 10,000 representatives to go out into the rest of the country to seek potential investors. The county designated that year as the year of project breakthroughs, and launched a series of preferential policies for investors. The official attitude was that, as long as the project chooses Xiangshui, anything can be negotiated, and any conditions can be responded to, according to the Xiangshui Yearbook of 2000-2003. Chenjiagang Chemical Industry Park which would later be renamed Xiangshui Ecological Chemical Park officially opened in June 2002. By the end of 2002, 23 businesses had agreed to set up facilities in the park, investing a total of 878 million yuan. Other local governments in the area also launched similar projects. In the city of Lianyungang, which borders Yancheng, the Lianyungang Chemical Industry Park and the Yanwei Waterfront Industrial Area were built in 2003 and 2005, respectively. In 2007, the area around the mouth of the Guanhe River home to all three industrial parks was presented with a major opportunity. Pollutants caused an outbreak of toxic blue-green algae in southern Jiangsus Taihu Lake, which led local governments in the area to shut down tens of thousands of smaller chemical businesses in a cleanup effort. This prompted many companies to move north to the Guanhe River mouth area, according to Li Bin (pseudonym), the manager of one of the businesses in Xiangshuis chemical park, told Caixin. The business also moved into Xiangshui Park at that time. Li said the business had been attracted by the relatively low cost of land there, compared to southern Jiangsu, as well as the proximity of its existing facilities elsewhere in the province. By 2017, Xiangshuis chemical park was bringing in annual revenue of 495 million yuan, accounting for one-fifth of the county governments income. Although the county remains at the bottom of Yanchengs government revenue rankings, other indicators demonstrate the rapid growth Xiangshui has experienced its industrial power consumption grew by 24.5% in the first ten months of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. But this growth would come at a terrible cost. Widespread deceit Most of the chemical businesses which moved to northern Jiangsu from the south in recent years produce dyes, pesticides and the raw materials used in pharmaceuticals, some of which are sold to European and American companies. These also happen to be some of the chemical products that cause the most pollution during the manufacturing process. Officially, factories were supposed to use specialized equipment to treat and dispose of solid waste. They were also required to submit environmental impact assessment reports that stated their estimated waste production, and were subject to random inspections. In reality, however, there were widespread violations of waste disposal regulations and factories were often tipped off in advance about inspections, sources told Caixin. For fouler-smelling types of work, if the inspection was due to happen the next day, they would definitely stop work by 6 a.m. Checks from the municipal level or higher mean a direct and total stop to work. Work only resumes when the factory is able to confirm that the inspectors have left Xiangshui, said Feng Zheng (pseudonym), who has worked in the chemical industry for over 30 years and managed a chemical business in Xiangshui since 2011. A sign in Xiangshui touts the region's status as a "hot area for investors" and a "paradise for emerging businesses" on April 22, 2019. Photo: Yang Rui/Caixin In April 2018, state broadcaster CCTV aired a program on illegal liquid waste disposal in the area that revealed to national viewers hidden pipes directing waste into the Guanhe River, prompting a months-long attempt by local governments to clean up the areas businesses. I can confirm that there isnt a single factory without a secret pipe, Feng said. Each factory has a dedicated worker responsible for liquid waste. Usually, there are more than two secret pipes in each factory, used at different times depending on the situation. The pipes end in different directions. Workers at Jiangsu Tianjiayi Chemicals, the factory at the epicenter of the recent explosion, often dumped colorless liquid waste into nearby drains, and then lifted the sluices when the rivers tide ebbed, Caixin learned. Several sources told Caixin that as oversight over pollution tightened in the past two years, businesses have developed more ways to conceal the illegal disposal of liquid waste. Regulations require the amount of liquid waste expected according to a factorys environmental impact assessment to be similar to the amount present in the factorys liquid waste treatment facility during an inspection but if liquid waste is being secretly disposed of in unauthorized ways rather than treated in the facility, factories must find some way to make up for the shortfall. The industry practice is to top up the liquid waste with water intended for firefighting, Feng said, echoing Tianjiayi employees descriptions of how they had prepared their liquid waste storage area for an expected inspection on March 21 the day of the blast. To make matters worse, there doesnt seem to be a clear agreement between work safety and environment bureaus about which government department is responsible for regulating hazardous chemical waste. Buildings lie in ruins at the epicenter of the explosion in Xiangshui Ecological Chemical Park. Photo: Liang Yingfei/Caixin One work safety official who had inspected Xiangshuis chemical park multiple times told Caixin that they did not conduct internal inspections of solid waste storehouses because they were considered environmental protection facilities, which are the responsibility of the environmental protection department. But, on April 12, Chinas environment ministry signaled in a letter that it did not consider environmental bureaus to be the competent departments tasked with overseeing particular industries, and that it considered the safe operation of environmental protection facilities an issue of workplace safety. An official investigation into the causes of the March 21 explosion, which killed at least 78 people and injured hundreds, is still under way, but its suspected that the blast took place after a fire in one of Tianjiayis solid chemical waste storehouses. Relocation Two weeks after the explosion, Yanfu Peoples Daily, the official newspaper of the Yancheng Communist Party Committee, reported that local officials had decided to completely shut down what remains of the Xiangshui Ecological Chemical Park. The news was followed by an announcement that the province planned to speed up the relocation of smaller chemical companies away from densely populated urban areas, as well as the Yangtze River. Yancheng itself has yet to issue any official documents demanding the closure of the park, which is home to at least five listed chemical companies. Closure would be a significant blow for the many businesses that have upgraded their equipment in recent months, Feng told Caixin. But some business owners are also ready to leave the industry, Li said. Who is willing to shoulder such great responsibility? Some people died in the accident. Others will spend the rest of their lives in prison. The responsibility is too great, he said. In fact, Xiangshui-based businesses had already begun considering moving their operations to Chinas west, where costs are lower, even before the explosion. A number of officials from chemical industry parks in northern Jiangsu told Caixin last year that companies were planning to move to autonomous regions like Ningxia and Inner Mongolia. If these businesses stay in Jiangsu and continue to expand their investment, it will be difficult for them to survive and develop, because the production costs are no longer at the same level as Inner Mongolia and other places, Li Bin said. According to him, after the Xiangshui explosion, industrial parks from Shandong and Gansu provinces began putting up advertisements near the Xiangshui industrial park. Some businesses currently operating in Lianyungang Chemical Industry Park have praised the authorities in Chinas west for their quick approval of projects, Cheng Jian, an official at the park, said. "All formalities can be completed within one month. The cost of electricity, water and solid waste treatment is equal to half of our cost here." But some people who spoke to Caixin were concerned that a chemical industry exodus from northern Jiangsu would only shift the problems of pollution and poor safety standards elsewhere, rather than solving them. Inner Mongolias hazardous waste disposal practices are problematic, one manager of a Xiangshui-based factory told Caixin. It seems to me that theyre draining liquid waste into the desert. The park there is spacious and empty, and there are no people living around it. The parks in these areas are still in the primary stage, and with incomplete supporting infrastructure for safety and environmental protection, one investor familiar with northern Jiangsu said. An altered community While businesses look to relocate, Chenjiagangs residents are also facing a tough decision whether to leave their homes or continue to live on polluted land. Older residents of Chenjiagang, the town where the Xiangshui chemical park is located, remember when the town used to be known as North Jiangsus Little Shanghai. In the 1970s, Chenjiagang was the richest town in Xiangshui, home to a state-owned salt production facility, a wharf and a thriving fishing community. When work began on the chemical parks, the many construction vehicles passing through the town damaged its roads and made it difficult to walk in bad weather. Locals used to catch shrimp in the river, but the water is now polluted and the shrimp are gone, they said. At the same time, many local households became dependent on the newly arrived chemical businesses for income. Zheng Jiming (pseudonym), a welder, used to earn 7,000 yuan ($1,012) a month working at Tianjiayi. The explosion left him with a scar stretching from his forehead to the back of his head, an eye injury and staples in his skull. Several Tianjiayi workers said they had yet to receive their wages from February and March. Meanwhile, Jiangsu Weier Chemical and Yancheng Hongyan Chemical, two other companies operating in Xiangshuis chemical park, have announced that they are shutting down their facilities in the park and dismissing all local employees. Zheng was given 6,600 yuan in compensation after he was discharged from the hospital. My eye is recovering slowly, Zheng said. I dont know when it will get better. Im worried that Ill no longer be able to go out and work to earn money in the future. Contact reporter Teng Jing Xuan (jingxuanteng@caixin.com) May 21, 2019 Ottawa, Ontario - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Global Affairs Canada Maintaining and expanding market access for Canadas high-quality agricultural products means greater export opportunities, the creation of good, middle-class jobs, and more money in the pockets of Canadian farmers. Building on a successful G20 Agriculture Ministers Meeting and trade visit to Japan, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and the Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of International Trade Diversification, announced that the Government of Canada has secured expanded market access for beef from cattle older than thirty months of age to Japan, the worlds third-largest economy. Japan is an important market for Canadian beef, with exports to Japan totalling almost $215 million in 2018. Based on industry estimates, the expanded access announced today has the potential to further increase exports by up to 20 per cent, contributing to the governments goal of $75 billion in annual global agri-food exports by 2025. This success is due in part to Canadas competitive advantage in the region, thanks to a recent trade deal with Asia-Pacific countries. Expanded market access for beef provided by the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) creates further opportunities for Canadian beef exports to Japan. In the first three months CPTPP was in force, Canadian agri-food, fish and seafood exports to CPTPP countries increased 3.6 per cent over the same period in 2018, with Canadian beef exports to Japan increasing by more than 117 per cent. Canada is committed to providing the safest, highest-quality products to the global marketplace. In early June, Minister Carr will lead a trade mission to Japan and South Korea to promote Canadian exports, including agricultural goods. This mission will build on Canadas ongoing efforts to maintain market access and to diversify destinations and consumers for Canadian products. Modified On May 29, 2019 10:51 AM By Dhruv for Hyundai Venue The Venue is Hyundais shot at the sub-4 metre space which comprises of cars like the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Ford EcoSport, Mahindra XUV300 and Tata Nexon Venue available with two petrol and one diesel engine. Dual-clutch transmission on offer with 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine. It comes with an eSIM that allows internet connectivity. Gets wireless charging and electric sunroof as creature comforts. Much has been said about the Hyundai Venue in the past couple of months, with the Korean carmaker having revealed all there is to the SUV except for its price and a few details. Now though, we have those too. The sub-4 metre SUV has been launched in India, priced between Rs 6.50 lakh to Rs 11.10 lakh (ex-showroom India) and will be available in 5 variants. Hyundai Venue Variants Introductory Prices (ex-showroom India) E 1.2 Petrol MT Rs 6.50 lakh E 1.4 Diesel MT Rs 7.75 lakh S 1.2 Petrol MT Rs 7.20 lakh S 1.0 Petrol MT Rs 8.21 lakh S 1.0 Petrol DCT Rs 9.35 lakh S 1.4 Diesel MT Rs 8.45 lakh SX 1.0 Petrol MT Rs 9.54 lakh SX 1.4 Diesel MT Rs 9.78 lakh SX(O) 1.0 Petrol MT Rs 10.60 lakh SX(O) 1.4 Diesel MT Rs 10.80 lakh SX+ 1.0 Petrol DCT Rs 11.10 lakh Talking about its design and dimensions, the Venue measures 3995mm in length, is 1770mm wide and 1605mm tall. As far as its exterior design is concerned, the Venue gets Hyundais signature cascading chrome front grille and, like many other modern SUVs, headlamps on the front bumper and DRLs on top. From the rear, the Venue looks sophisticated and even a tad European. Underneath the bonnet, Hyundai is offering a choice of three engines: two petrol and one diesel. You will be familiar with the 1.2-litre petrol (83PS/115Nm) and 1.4-litre diesel (90PS/220Nm) engines which are also present in the Elite i20. They can be had with a 5-speed MT and a 6-speed MT respectively. The other petrol engine is a completely new offering for the Indian market: a 1.0-litre turbocharged unit that makes 120PS/220Nm. It can be had with a 6-speed MT or a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. 1.2-litre petrol with 5-speed MT 17.52kmpl 1.4-litre diesel with 6-speed MT 23.70kmpl 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol with 6-speed MT 18.27kmpl 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol with 7-speed DCT 18.15kmpl The Venue is available in 5 variants. Heres a list of the variant-wise powertrain options on offer on the Venue: Variant Powertrain options E 1.2 MT & 1.4 MT S 1.2 MT, 1.0 MT, 1.0 DCT and 1.4 MT SX 1.0 MT, 1.4 MT SX (O) 1.0 MT, 1.4 MT SX+ 1.0 DCT The Venue is the first connected car in India, which means it has its own internet connection and can communicate with other compatible devices. It will come equipped with an eSIM that allows owners to remotely start the car, operate the sunroof, track its location and enable geo-fencing. Other significant features include an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic climate control, wireless charging and electric sunroof. On the safety front, the Venue gets a maximum of six airbags. Active safety features present onboard the Venue are ABS with EBD, ESC (electronic stability control), VSM (vehicle stability management) and Hill Assist control. The Venue will go up in the Indian market against the likes of the Maruti Vitara Brezza, Mahindra XUV300, Tata Nexon, Ford EcoSport and TUV300. A former Amlin Insurance executive is joining Sompo International Holdings to become head of Financial Lines Insurance in Germany. Zurich North America named a new head of Sales and Distribution for U.S. Commercial Insurance. *** Sompo International Holdings Ltd. is bringing on Udo Putzer as head of Financial Lines Insurance, Germany for the companys European insurance platform. Putzer is based in the companys Dusseldorf office and will introduce a range of management liability, professional indemnity and financial institutions products to the German insurance market. Putzer will also work in conjunction with the companys specialized M&A insurance underwriting team in Barcelona to offer transaction risk products. Hell also join the companys leadership team in Germany, assuming the role of underwriting manager with responsibility for the companys Dusseldorf-based underwriting team, which currently offers a roster of property, casualty and marine insurance products. Putzer reports to Mathieu Borneuf, senior vice president, Continental European Professional Liability Insurance. Putzer joins Sompo International with more than 15 years of professional lines underwriting experience, most recently as head of Field Underwriting Financial Lines at Amlin Insurance SE in Cologne, Germany. He was also head of Financial Lines for Commercial D&O at Aon Versicherungsmakler Deutschland. Before that, he founded and grew Dual Deutschland, a startup MGA in Cologne, Germany, where he served as co-managing director for eight years. *** Brian Winters has been appointed head of Sales and Distribution, U.S. Commercial Insurance, for Zurich North America. His appointment is part of Zurichs continued effort to strengthen relationships with customers and brokers. Toward that end, Zurich is also integrating its distribution and regional management teams into its U.S. Commercial Insurance business. Winters, who previously was head of Specialty Products, will report to Paul Horgan, head of U.S. Commercial Insurance. The specialties underwriting teams, which had reported to Winters, will be integrated into U.S. Commercial Insurance. Winters joined Zurich North America in 2007. Before leading the specialties business, he led Zurichs customer and distribution management team, overseeing large commercial customer relationships, broker relationships and all marketing activities. He has also led Zurichs casualty practice, including domestic, excess and international casualty operations, as well as strategic risk solutions functions. Before joining Zurich, Winters held underwriting and broker relations roles at XL Catlin, Kemper, Travelers and AIG. Sources: Sompo International, Zurich North America Casino giant MGM Resorts told federal regulators last Thursday it might pay up to $800 million to settle liability lawsuits stemming from the 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas the deadliest in modern U.S. history. The company believes it is reasonably possible that a settlement will be reached by next May, it told the Securities and Exchange Commission in a quarterly report. MGM Resorts also said it has $751 million in insurance to pay toward a settlement. However, a lawyer handling mediation talks for plaintiffs called it premature for the corporate owner of Mandalay Bay resort to report a possible settlement range between $735 million and $800 million. Were not even close to resolving all the terms and issues before we have a settlement, attorney Robert Eglet said. He said he represents about 4,200 claimants, including those who have sued in Nevada, California and other states, and people who have not formally filed for damages. Its true that a settlement is possible, Eglet said. But I will tell you its not probable. Nothing is signed. We have a long way to go before we have an agreement. Eglet said talks are ongoing with MGM Resorts attorneys, and that he was aware the company would make its report to the SEC. Eglet said he reviewed the SEC document on Thursday and agreed that a settlement should be reached within a year. Company spokeswoman Debra DeShong said progress has been made after multiple mediation sessions over several months. The goal is to resolve these matters so that all impacted can move forward in their healing process, she said. MGM Resorts has defended itself against liability claims, outraging victims last summer when it filed lawsuits against more than 1,900 people in a bid to consolidate claims in one federal court. The plaintiffs are seeking compensation for a range of physical and psychological harm after a shooter rained gunfire from a Mandalay Bay suite into an open-air concert crowd, killing 58 people and injuring more than 800. They accuse MGM Resorts, which owns the high-rise hotel and owned the concert venue across Las Vegas Boulevard, of failing to adequately protect the 22,000 people attending the Route 91 Harvest Festival. They point to findings that the shooter, Stephen Paddock, spent several days amassing an arsenal of assault-style weapons and ammunition in the two-room suite. Paddock was a 64-year-old retired accountant and high-stakes video poker player. Police and the FBI say he acted alone, firing out the windows with guns equipped with rapid-fire bump stocks then killing himself before officers reached his room. Paddock didnt leave a note or a manifesto, and authorities closed investigations saying they didnt identify a motive. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Pakistan's cement export value rises 31% 21 May 2019 Pakistans cement export revenue for the first 10 months of the current fiscal observed a YoY growth of 30.9 per cent and 52.3 per cent in terms of dollar value and quantity, respectively, according to Pakistan's Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The countrys cement industry earned foreign exchange revenues of US$243.11m by exporting 5.71Mt of cement and clinker during the 10MFY18-19, compared to US$185.74m at 3.74Mt in the same period last year. In terms of export value in Pakistani rupee, exports advanced 60.7 per cent during this period to PKR32.27bn. However, the value in US dollars fell 14.3 per cent from US$49.62/t to US$42.53/t. In April 2019 the country's cement industry earned foreign exchange revenues of US$21.86m by exporting 526,290t, compared to US$15.39m at 350,179t in the previous month and US$19.14m from 404,898t during April 2018. On a MoM basis this shows an increase of 42 per cent and 50.3 per cent in terms of value and volume, respectively, alongside a further 14.9 per cent and 30 per cent rise in YoY terms. Published under On Saturday, June 1, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park and Eastern National will co-host a special panel discussion and battlefield tour about General James Longstreet, Confederate Left Wing Commander during the Battle of Chickamauga. Presenting their views about the leadership of Longstreet will be three Civil War scholars. The one-hour panel begins inside the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Centers theater at 11 a.m., while a special one-hour car caravan tour about General Longstreet will begin in the visitor center lobby at 1 p.m. This years panel participants will include Dave Powell, author of The Chickamauga Campaign, Decisions at Chickamauga and other works about the Battles of Chickamauga and Chattanooga; Matt Spruill, author of Guide to the Battle of Chickamauga, Storming the Heights: A Guide to the Battle of Chattanooga and numerous other works; and Robert Carter, author of Longstreets Breakthrough at Chickamauga: Accidental Victory and The Fight for Snodgrass Hill and the Rock of Chickamauga. "Late in the evening of September 19, 1863, Confederate General James Longstreet arrived at army headquarters near the banks of West Chickamauga Creek for his next assignment," organizers said. "He undoubtedly brought a lot of Civil War battlefield experience with him, not to mention extensive pre-war military service. By the summer of 1863, Longstreet, full of ambition, sought a change which he believed might be found within the Confederate command located near the important rail junction of Chattanooga. However, the move West did not come without its own set of challenges."The authors will also conduct book signings inside the Eastern National Bookstore from 10-11 a.m. and throughout the afternoon.For more information about programs at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, contact the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center at 706-866-9241, the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center at 423-821-7786, or visit parks website at www.nps.gov/chch. Officials of the Chattanooga Area Central Labor Council held a "Rally for Working Families: Stand with VW Chattanooga Workers" on Monday afternoon at Miller Park. The group said, "Working people from across the Chattanooga area will gather to lift up challenges faced in the workplace, celebrate our contributions to the city and hear from workers at VW who are calling for a fair voting process in their effort to unionize. We will have music, hear from labor & community leaders, and write letters of support for the workers at Volkswagen." The United Auto Workers is seeking a vote on the local VW plant on full unionization. The vote has been delayed by the National Labor Relations Board. The Labor Council said, "As Chattanoogas economy booms, countless working families are being left behind. Far too many Chattanooga workers are experiencing the impact of stagnating wages, rising cost of living, full-time jobs being transferred to temp agencies, and lack of recourse for unsafe working conditions. In the face of these challenges, unions are a vehicle for workers to make their voices heard in a unified, principled and organized way. Fundamentally, unions embody our most basic democratic ideals bring workers together to have collective representation in the workplace. PROGRAM AGENDA 5:00-5:30 - Gather and sign-making 5:30-5:40 - Welcome and opening 5:40-6:05 - Worker testimonies (cross-sector of workers from different fields) 6:05-6:15 - VW Chattanooga: a workers perspective 6:15-6:30 - Call to action and closing songs 6:30-7:00 - Music, rally & letter-writing in support of VW Chattanooga workers The Chattanoog a Area Central Labor Council is a regional body of the TN AFL-CIO, representing 17 local labor unions and over 5000 workers in the Chattanooga area. "This form of democratic self-advocacy is one of the most effective means of ensuring a safe work environment and fair pay and has been the source of almost all workplace rights we enjoy today. The power of organized labor has given us the 40-hour work week, the minimum wage, paid vacation, sick time, holidays, lunch breaks, workers comp, military leave, parental leave, and so much more. Among full-time workers today, union members have an average income almost 20 percent higher than those without a union. We also enjoy more paid holidays and are more likely to have a defined benefit pension plan."Chattanooga has provided generous taxpayer incentives to VW, an extremely profitable company, and in return our communities want to see a commitment to fair treatment and a safe working environment for Chattanooga workers. This is not a radical request and should not be a political issue. VW workers across the globe are unionized and have gained the right to collectively bargain. We strongly believe that workers in our community deserve these same rights. We proudly stand with VW workers as they seek to exercise their legal right to choose whether to form a union. We call on our neighbors, co-workers, and elected officials to do the same." Afterward, the anti-union Southern Momentum group released a statement "after a sparse crowd attended a pro-UAW rally at Miller Park in downtown Chattanooga." Cries of Let them vote! fall on deaf ears when it was the UAW itself that asked to stifle the voices of Volkswagen workers by calling for recognition without a vote, said Maury Nicely, a Chattanooga-based lawyer for Evans Harrison Hackett PLC, who represented Southern Momentum in 2014. It was Volkswagen that protected the workers right to vote by ensuring labor laws were and continue to be followed. Regardless, the message sent tonight was clear: this community rejects the UAW and does not appreciate it and its cronies continued efforts to tear down a company that employs thousands of Chattanoogans. The union has spent years trying to build support in our city for its failed policies and yet again our community has made clear that it is not interested in becoming Detroit. After tonight, we are more confident than ever that if another vote is held, the UAW will once again be defeated. Southern Momentum first formed ahead of the 2014 election at the Volkswagen Chattanooga facility, which the UAW lost by a vote of 712 to 626. Workers looking for more information can email info@nowayuaw.com. I spend several hours every day practicing what I call My Morning Reading. I search for stories I think will be of interest to a what has become a large group of followers because I love to share stories on just about any subject and, if they are funny, have the ability to inspire, or pass along wisdom thats all the better. Sometimes, however there is a price to pay. About 20 years ago the San Francisco Chronicle, in a Page One editorial, recognized: Fiction is stranger than truth -- The Internet and e-mail have created a gullible village, and, boy, Ill say. In the past three or four months Ive taken the bait of faux news several times and admit sometimes it is hard to avoid. The Chronicle article read, one of the unintended consequences of the World Wide Web: Its netizens are confronted daily with a phenomenal outburst of hoaxes, frauds, myths and urban legends in a medium without safety checks. The bigger problem is that a tall tale can worm its way into my writings and the next thing I know, there is somebody out there who is saying, I know its true I even read it in Roy Exums story and thats when I want to go outside and hide behind some big rocks. I get lots of emails about lots of stuff. Total strangers will send me stories that really interest me but a funny occurrence is when the same stories hibernate for seven or eight years before they resurface, updated and attributed to a reputable source. The public loves it they want it to be true and the more complex, with new particulars, is when I fall the hardest after taking the bait. Heres a great example of a story that is so good it cant be true. Oh, yes, the president of The American Academy of Forensic Sciences most definitely told this word-for-word in 1994 but he also said he himself made it up about 10 years earlier and used it as a joke of sorts. It is also true this story, or others eerily similar, has emerged as the plot in Law and Order, CSI-Miami, the movie Magnolia and in a number of other screen appearances. It was also voted as The Most Bizarre Crime in 1994 and only until they began to search for the winning law enforcement office was it learned there wasnt one! * * * THE STRANGE MURDER-SUICIDE OF MR. RONALD OPUS Do you like to read a good murder mystery? Not even Law and Order would attempt to capture this mess (although several years the producers did exactly that.) This is an unbelievable twist of fate! At the 1994 annual awards dinner given for forensic science professionals, President, Dr. Don Harper Mills astounded his audience with the legal complications of a bizarre death. Here is the story: On March 23, 1994, the medical examiner viewed the body of Ronald Opus, and concluded that he died from a shotgun wound to the head. Mr. Opus had jumped from the top of a ten-story building intending to commit suicide. He left a note to the effect indicating his despondency. As he fell past the ninth floor, his life was interrupted by a shotgun blast passing through a window, which killed him instantly. Neither the shooter nor the deceased was aware that a safety net had been installed just below the eighth-floor level to protect some building workers, and that Ronald Opus would not have been able to complete his suicide the way he had planned. The room on the ninth floor, where the shotgun blast emanated, was occupied by an elderly man and his wife. They were arguing vigorously, and he was threatening her with a shotgun! The man was so upset that when he pulled the trigger, he completely missed his wife, and the pellets went through the window, striking Mr. Opus. When one intends to kill subject 'A' but kills subject 'B' in the attempt, one is guilty of the murder of subject 'B.' When confronted with the murder charge, the old man and his wife were both adamant, and both said that they thought the shotgun was not loaded. The old man said it was a long-standing habit to threaten his wife with the unloaded shotgun. He had no intention of murdering her. Therefore, the killing of Mr. Opus appeared to be an accident; that is, assuming the gun had been accidentally loaded. The continuing investigation turned up a witness who saw the old couple's son loading the shotgun about six weeks prior to the fatal accident. It transpired that the old lady had cut off her son's financial support and the son, knowing the propensity of his father to use the shotgun threateningly, loaded the gun with the expectation that his father would shoot his mother. Since the loader of the gun was aware of this, he was guilty of the murder even though he didn't actually pull the trigger. The case now becomes one of murder on the part of the son for the death of Ronald Opus. Now comes the exquisite twist ... Further investigation revealed that the son was, in fact, Ronald Opus. He had become increasingly despondent over the failure of his attempt to engineer his mother's murder. This led him to jump off the ten-story building on March 23rd, only to be killed by a shotgun blast passing through the ninth story window. The son, Ronald Opus, had actually murdered himself. So, the medical examiner closed the case as a suicide. (This is a true story from Associated Press.) * * * Confession time: Five years ago, I would not have hesitated to have used this story to delight my readers, in hopes they would get as much enjoyment from it as I did. Today, however, there are too many red flags for even gullible me. With Snopes, TruthOrFiction.co, Google, Wikipedia, and other avenues I would have tried to check. In the story that appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, again this 20 years ago, it read, Told with specific detail, horror or humor, traditional storytelling devices and surprise endings, the classic urban legends are no longer limited to campfire stories (alligators in sewers, the jet-assisted Chevy Impala) or college dorms (the unsuspecting co-ed hooker's unsuspecting client, her dad) or the corner tavern (the bricklayer's mistake, the lawn-chair balloonist, the concrete-filled Cadillac convertible). But the Internet also throbs with hundreds of hoaxes that rely on send-along e-mail and chat rooms to warn of imaginary computer viruses (Good Times, Irina, Deeyenda, Death Ray, Internet Cleanup Day, etc.) E-mail chain letters falsely offer everything from free Microsoft Windows software (the "Bill Gates Hoax") to cases of beer ( "Free Miller Beer Hoax" ). Internet myths are typified by the oft-repeated rumor that Walt Disney's corpse is soaking in liquid nitrogen, awaiting revival technology, the opinion piece added. And 33 million get-well cards were reportedly sent to the alleged little boy whose dying wish, although he is still alive several years later, was to get into the Guinness Book of Records for most get-well cards. A news reporter tracked down Dr. Mills several years after the story had circulated far and wide and he laughed over how many inquiries he had gotten, explaining he was very specific in telling his audience it was totally made up -- a hypothetical anecdote to show how different legal consequences can follow each twist in a homicide inquiry. No, there never was any Ronald Opus, no shotgun blasting through a hotel window, or an Associated Press story but he did add one clarification. The story, still a dazzling yarn, was born at a lecture in 1987, not in 1994. royexum@aol.com Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), David Perdue (R-Ga.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) on Tuesday introduced the Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act of 2019, legislation that will protect Americans from the most violent, repeat offenders. The legislation reinstates a tool for prosecutors to seek enhanced penalties against violent, repeat offenders. Rep. David Kustoff (R-Tenn.) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. The practice of releasing violent serial criminals has to end, said Senator Blackburn. Repeat offenders should not be rewarded with the freedom to needlessly victimize more law-abiding Americans. "Violent, repeat criminals should be behind bars, not roaming the streets threatening law-abiding citizens," said Senator Cotton. "The Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act will give back federal prosecutors the tool they need to lock up hardened, repeat offenders. Dangerous, repeat offenders must be held fully-accountable for their crimes and kept out of our communities, said Senator Perdue. With the safety of Americans at stake, its critical that the Armed Career Criminal Act be restored so that law enforcement can ensure offenders with an extensive criminal history serve the appropriate amount of time. When prosecutors lack the tools to take repeat offenders off the streets, more crimes are committed and all of us are less safe," said Seantor Hawley. "This bill sends the message that if you commit multiple serious felonies and carry a gun illegally, youll be spending the next 15 years in prison." Our law enforcement works around the clock to keep our streets safe," said Rep. Kustoff. 'The least we can do to aid them in their mission is ensure that fewer violent criminals are released back on the streets. This bill is a common sense measure that gives prosecutors the tools to keep hardened criminals behind bars. Thank you to Senator Cotton for working alongside me to introduce this important legislation, and I look forward to swiftly passing this measure to not only protect the American people but to help our men and women in law enforcement." Executive Director and CEO of the National Sheriffs Association Jonathan F. Thompson said, NSA strongly supports this legislation because it will help sheriffs across the country keep their communities safe by ensuring that repeat offenders are kept off the streets. We thank Senators Cotton, Blackburn, Perdue, Hawley, and Graham for continuing to work with law enforcement to find solutions to critical public safety issues the country faces. For full text of the National Association of Police Organizations letter of support, click here. Originally passed by a unanimous vote in the House and Senate in 1984, the Armed Career Criminal Act requires a minimum 15-year prison sentence for felons convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm who have three prior state or federal convictions for violent felonies or serious drug offenses, which must have been committed on three different occasions. These are the worst-of-the worst, career criminals. The ACCA defines serious drug offenses as those punishable by imprisonment for 10 years or more. It defines violent felonies as those: 1. That have an element of threat, attempt, or use of physical force against another; 2. That involve burglary, arson, or extortion; or 3. That constitute crimes similar to burglary, arson, or extortion under what is known as the ACCA's "residual clause" (any crime that "otherwise involves conduct that presents a serious potential risk of physical injury to another"). In 2015, the Supreme Court in Johnson v. United States declared the residual clause unconstitutionally vague and thus effectively void. The Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act of 2019 would do away with the concepts of "violent felony" and "serious drug offense" and replace them with a single category of "serious felony." A serious felony would be any crime punishable by 10 years or more. By defining "serious felony" solely based on the potential term of imprisonment, the bill would address the vagueness issue and remove any discretion or doubt about which offenses qualify, said officials. The bill would give federal prosecutors an additional tool to go after the most dangerous, career criminals and would not apply to low-level offenders. Specifically, the ACCA would still apply only in a case where a felon who possesses a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C. 922(g) has previously been convicted three times of serious felonies, which must have been committed on different occasions. Three Democratic U.S. Senators have written a letter calling on Chattanooga Volkswagen to allow the United Auto Workers to go ahead with a vote on unionizing the entire plant. VW recently obtained a delay from the National Labor Relations Board, citing a need to first complete a challenge to a smaller group at the plant that earlier voted in the UAW. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow, of Michigan, and Sherrod Brown of Ohio, expressed "deep concern with delays." The letter, which went to Scott Keogh, president of Volkswagen Group of America, said, "We urge you to immediately drop any efforts to oppose or postpone the election." Southern Momentum, an anti-UAW group, responded by quoting VW Chattanooga team member Rob Berger as saying, The UAW likes to complain about outsiders when our own elected leaders fight for the people they actually represent, yet the Detroit-based union has now convinced three senators to join them in attacking our local company and to meddle in our business. We are not interested in becoming Detroit or aligning ourselves with a corrupt union, and we certainly do not need outsiders from Michigan and Ohio telling us what is best for our community. Attorney Maury Nicely, said, Maybe when three senators who have no business meddling in our state weigh in, they should check the facts. The fact is that the UAW tried to stifle the voices of workers by demanding recognition without a vote. It was the company that protected the employees right to vote. Federal labor law clearly states that a new election cannot be held at a plant with an unresolved election pending before the National Labor Relations Board, so the UAW is either incompetent or is intentionally misleading workers with false claims about the company blocking a vote. The company is not blocking a vote, it is simply following federal labor law. Presbyterian College in South Carolina has recognized Taylor Kate Gardner, of Signal Mountain, for making the Deans List during the 2019 Spring semester. The Deans List is composed of students who have earned between a 3.3 and a 3.9 grade point average. Presbyterian College is between Columbia and Greenville, S.C., in the college town of Clinton, S.C. For more information about Presbyterian College, visit www.presby.edu. Today marks what would have been rapper, The Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls 47th birthday. Ahead, learn about the late rappers life, details surrounding his death, and the fortune he left behind. Whats Biggie Smalls birthplace? Born Christopher George Latore Wallace, on May 21, 1972, in Brooklyn, New York, Smalls parents were from Jamaica. Voletta, his mother, worked as a preschool teacher while his father, Selwyn, worked as a welder and local politician. Rapper Notorious B.I.G., aka Biggie Smalls, aka Chris Wallace rolls a cigar outside his mothers house in Brooklyn. | Clarence Davis/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images Voletta raised Smalls after her Selwyn left the family in 1974. To support her son, Voletta worked two jobs. After transferring from a private school the Roman Catholic Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School to George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School, Smalls eventually dropped out at the age of 17 in 1989. Smalls started dealing drugs at the age of 12 unbeknownst to his mother. He had trouble with the law throughout his teen years. How did the Biggie Smalls get his nicknames? The rapper got the nickname Big during childhood because of his size. As an adult, he stood at 6 3 tall and 280 pounds. After getting out jail, he made a demo tape under the name, Biggie Smalls, which the rapper got from a drug dealer character in the 1975 film, Lets Do It Again. But he wasnt serious about rapping. It was fun just hearing myself on tape over beats, Smalls later said. As for the name, The Notorious B.I.G., there are multiple theories about the origin of the name. The rapper himself said B.I.G. stood for Biggie Business Instead of Game. His mother has said otherwise. She once claimed the acronym stood for Books Instead of Guns because her son excelled in English classes in school. How did Biggie Smalls die? Smalls died on March 9, 1997, in a shooting after leaving a party in Los Angeles. Stopped at a red light, another vehicle pulled up next to Smalls and open fired. His murder remains unsolved. American rapper Notorious BIG (born Christopher Wallace) attends the 1995 Billboard Music Awards, New York, New York, on December 6, 1995. | Larry Busacca/WireImage His death has been connected to his rivalry with fellow rapper, Tupac Shakur. The two men who were once friends became bitter rivals, dividing the east and west coasts of the United States. Shakur also died in a shooting with many people thinking Smalls had something to do with it even though he continuously denied being involved. How old was Biggie Smalls at the time of his death? Smalls died at the age of 24 only a few months before his 25th birthday. What was Biggie Smalls net worth at the time of his death? When he died, the rapper had an estimated net worth of $20 million. He made money off his debut album, Ready to Die. His second album, eerily named Life After Death, went on sale in the days following his death. Today, his estate has an estimated worth of $160 million. The Notorious B.I.G.s music continued to be released posthumously. The estates also made money through biographies including a movie about the rappers life and legacy. Beautiful Julie Chen Moonves has been mocked for her heritage and insulted for standing by her man. Best known for her role as the host of CBS reality show, Big Brother, Chen Moonves has had an interesting career, to say the least. How old is she and will she return to Big Brother? How old is Julie Chen Moonves? Julie Chen Moonves and her husband | Lawrence Lucier/FilmMagic Chen Moonves is 49 years old. She was born to Chinese immigrants in Queens, New York, on January 6th, 1970. On a 2014 episode of The Talk, Chen Moonves revealed that her grandfather was a polygamist. He grew up dirt poor in a small village in China, and worked his way up with a chain of grocery stores. Eventually, he was a wealthy man with nine wives. Chen Moonves grandmother was his first wife. Julie Chen Moonves career Her career began as an intern for CBS Morning News in 1990, where she answered phones and copied faxes. She worked hard and was promoted to a desk assistant at ABC NewsOne and then a producer of the same show. In 1995, she moved to Dayton, Ohio and worked as a local news reporter. In Dayton, her director advised her that she would never become a news anchor, because of her asian eyes. In 2013, Chen Moonves revealed her experience on an episode of The Talk. She said she asked the producer if she would be able to fill in for one of the anchors if they took a vacation. According to Chen Moonves, this was his response, You will never be on this anchor desk, because youre Chinese, he said. Lets face it, Julie, how relatable are you to our community? How big of an Asian community do we have in Dayton? On top of that, because of your heritage, because of your Asian eyes, sometimes Ive noticed when youre on camera and youre interviewing someone, you look disinterested, you look bored. Understandably, Chen Moonves was hurt and upset by these comments. But because her career was important to her, and she felt it was the only option, Chen Moonves had plastic surgery to reduce the epicanthic folds of her eyes, and make them appear larger. After that, her career took off. She became the anchor of CBS Morning News in 1999, and then held several anchor and co-host positions with various news shows, including The Early Show on CBS, and the daytime talk show, The Talk. In 2000, Chen Moonves took on a slightly different role, as the host of the popular reality show, Big Brother. Julie Chen Moonves marriage scandal Chen Moonves began dating the president and chief executive director, Les Moonves, while he was still married to his wife and mother of their three children, Nancy Wiesenfeld. Later, Wiesenfeld would tell the New York Daily News about her ex-husbands affair, I felt that everybody knew about what was going on [between Moonves and Chen] And everybody did know. Except me, she said. I knew our marriage would end eventually, but the way it happened was not correct, it was not moral. Less than two weeks after his divorce was finalized, Chen and Moonves married. They exchanged vows in Acapulco, Mexico. She was 34 years old at the time, and he was 55. 14 years later, in 2018, 12 women accused her husband, Les Moonves, of sexual harassment. The allegations dated back to before he was married to Chen Moonves and involved forcible touching that was said to occur during business meetings. Chen Moonves stood by her husband during the entire scandal. Even reinforcing her dedication to him by adding Moonves to her professional name. Beginning during the 20th season of Big Brother, she began signing off the show, by saying, Im Julie Chen Moonves. Goodnight, where before, she had always said, Im Julie Chen. Goodnight. Will Julie Chen Moonves return to Big Brother? CBS announced that Big Brother would return for its 21st season, hosted again by Chen Moonves. The two-night premiere is set to air June 25th and June 26th. For fans of Chen Moonves, this is welcome news. The summer of 2019 should be a good one. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have finally revealed the name of their new baby boy. And as was the case with Baby Archies name, no one saw this one coming. Kardashian posted a picture of her new baby on Instagram and simply captioned it Psalm West. Though the name is one that never occurred to any of Kardashians millions of followers, it goes perfectly with other names the family has chosen. But why did the couple choose this unique name and what does it mean? Psalm Wests name has biblical origins Kim Kardashian and Kanye West | Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images The West family has recently taken a journey to a more spiritual path. While fans may have a hard time understanding just what exactly Kanyes Sunday Service entails, Kim has said that she believes that these events have been a healing experience for her husband. Kims not the only one that feels this way, numerous guests, including talk show host David Letterman, have raved at what an amazing experience Sunday Service is. Though the name Psalm took most people by surprise, it makes perfect sense, given the importance of God in the couples life. The book of Psalms is a book of 150 songs in the Old Testament. A source told People magazine that the bible is very important to Kanye and that Psalms is one of his favorite books: He reads the Psalms a lot. He talks about the Psalms he loves. So on that level, the baby name isnt a surprise. The source also noted that Kanye really identifies with King David, the author of the book of Psalms, saying that: David was a mess, always falling into sin and messing up, but the Bible says he was a man after Gods own heart.' Religion has always been important to the Kardashian family as well. Growing up, each of the Kardashian children attended a Presbyterian or Catholic church and attended church regularly. When they were not attending church their father would read the bible and play gospel music. Khloe Kardashian said that once the family stopped attending church, Sundays then became about him bringing church into our home The name Psalm West literally translates to song The family could have chosen any book in the bible to represent their spirituality, but the book of Psalm has a special meaning. Not only does Kanye relate to King David, but the word Psalm is a Hebrew word that translates to song. There is no question that song is important to the West family. Kanye has had a passion for music since he was young. He used that passion to gain entrance into Chicagos American Academy of Art. West dropped out of college to pursue a career in music full time and broke into the industry producing records for Jay-Z and other big-name artists. Throughout his career, he has become one of the most recognizable names in hip hop and has won more Grammys than any other rapper. Fan reactions to the name Psalm West have been mixed Kim coming up with Psalm West pic.twitter.com/NN7pWqyY2I nattyyy (@natadewole) May 17, 2019 As with any decision the Kardashian family makes, fans were torn about what they thought about the unique name. Many fans thought the name was perfect, with one fan writing, The book of Psalm was created by King David to give praises to God. This name is perfect for where you and Kanye are in your lives right now. You are publicly giving God praise for the world to see. Another fan wrote, Its actually pretty perfect. But others thought that the name was self-absorbed and just plain ridiculous. One fan joked, Psalm West but no Wild West smh. Another wrote, Psalm West?! I am deadddddd. Loooooool, Kanye West is so wild with these baby names. Named after one of the most important books in the bible. I cannotttttttt But our favorite reaction goes to Twitter user, Mr. Drinks On Me, who simply wrote, Thanks to Meghan Markles longtime makeup artist, Daniel Martin, we now know how the Duchess of Sussex reacted to Beyonce and Jay-Zs portrait tribute at the Brit Awards. Get the details on Markles reaction below. Beyonce and Jay-Z paid tribute to Meghan Markle First of all, what are the Brit Awards? Theyre like the British version of the Grammy Awards. For their collaborative work as The Carters, Beyonce and Jay-Z were honored at the Brit Awards for best international group in Feb. 2019. The power couple accepted the award with a video message. But not just any video message. Beyonce and Jay-Z Brit Awards video message | YouTube In their acceptance video, Beyonce and Jay-Z stood in front of a portrait of Markle looking very royal and regal in a portrait similar to the ones of Queen Elizabeth II. The simple concept of the video had maximum impact. People went crazy for the portrait of Markle and the tribute. Meghan Markles reaction to Beyonce and Jay-Zs portrait tribute In the CBS Special, Meghan and Harry Plus One, Martin, who also did Markles makeup on her wedding day, revealed how she reacted to the tribute. I sent her a pic I think it was a screengrab of the two of them in front of the portrait, I think all I wrote was, Girl,' Daniel told Gayle King. She wrote me back, like, the big eye emoji. The one emoji summed up the situation perfectly. Martin learned of Markles relationship with Prince Harry while in Greece, the makeup artist explained to E! News. One day I looked up and she was dating a prince! I was in Greece at the time, and my husband was like, Your friend is on the paper. She was literally on the front page of every newspaper in Greece, but everything was in Greek, so I was like, What is going on? I didnt know! Who painted the portrait of Meghan Markle? Wondering who created the portrait of Markle? That would be illustrator, Tim OBrien. His work has been featured on the cover of Time magazine more than a dozen times. Own a copy of the Meghan Markle portrait For those who really enjoyed OBriens portrait of Markle, copies are available for sale on his website. They range in cost from $75 to $100. Beyonce paid tribute to Markle again After giving a nod to Markle in the video message, Beyonce honored Markle again on her website as part of Black History Month. Heres what Beyonce had to say about the Duchess of Sussex: Meghans background as a film and TV actress has allowed her to use her platform for good. Meghans charitable work in communities of color began years before becoming the Duchess of Sussex. Meghan Markle |NIALL CARSON/AFP/Getty Images She continued, As a global ambassador for World Vision, she traveled to Rwanda to see how access to clean, safe water impacts children, an issue that is near and dear to our heartsIn honor of Black History Month, we bow down to one of our Melanated Monas. Were sure there will be many more tributes to Markle as she grows into her role as the Duchess of Sussex. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle recently welcomed their first child, Archie, and based on Harrys comments about his new venture into fatherhood, hes thrilled about the new addition. With the joy comes a bit of pain, however, as Prince Harry misses his mother, Princess Diana, at a time like this. Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor | Dominic Lipinski WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince Harry gushed about Archies arrival Prince Harry was beaming with pride when he greeted the media on the day of Archies birth to announce his arrival. At the time, he noted: Im very excited to announce that Meghan and myself had a baby boy early this morning, a very healthy boy. Mother and baby are doing incredibly well. Its been the most amazing experience I can ever possibly imagine. He continued, sharing how beyond comprehension childbirth is, adding, 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. Prince Harry added that he was so incredibly proud of Markle, sharing, 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 Im just over the moon. Prince Harry likely wishes Princess Diana could meet Archie Naturally, with Prince Harry and Markles new arrival, theres excitement as various family members stop by to meet Archie. Royal expert Duncan Larcombe, author of Prince Harry: The Inside Story, believes its one of his big regrets that his son will never meet Harrys mother, Princess Diana. Larcombe told Yahoos Royal Box: I think weve seen how happy Harry is and in that interview he couldnt hide his joy. But, Dianas missing. He added: In a quiet moment away from all the hoi-polloi and the fuss he will sit down and one of his big regrets will be that he never had an opportunity to show his mum how proud he is of his new son. Unfortunately thats something Harrys had to live with since he was 12. Prince Harry misses his mother During his recent trip to the Netherlands, Prince Harry shared the reason why he misses his mother more since the birth of his first child. Royal correspondent Imogen Lloyd Webber noted during a segment of People magazines People Now show that Prince Harry spoke with a former soldier during the visit. Webber shared: During a bike ride around the park Harry opened up to Dennis van der Stroon Dennis said that Harry spoke to him about how becoming a father reminded him of his late mother. She continued, noting: Actually William talked about these milestone moments especially with weddings and so forth, thats when they miss Diana the most. Michelle Tauber, Peoples senior editor, further noted that, during the bike ride, Prince Harry said, I realized a mother is security and I realized that when I lost my mum, I lost that security and a son needs that. Prince Harry will find ways to remember all the special times Even though Prince Harry suffered a huge loss, Larcombe believes that for people who have lost their parents in childhood it gives extra significance once theyve become parents themselves. He noted: When Harry is the hands-on dad that Im sure he will be, hell remember all the special times he had, all the fun things he did with his mother, and this little boy will have one hell of an upbringing because Harry will throw everything he does into his family. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got engaged during a quiet night together at Nottingham Cottage while they were roasting a chicken, but that low-key setting wasnt where the prince had planned to propose. After they announced their engagement in November 2017, the couple revealed how Harry popped the question. However, the royal reportedly had a much more exotic place in mind where he wanted to ask for Markles hand in marriage. Heres more on where that was and why Harry couldnt propose there even though he wanted to. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Karwai Tang/WireImage Where the prince wanted to propose to Markle According to the documentary Meghan Markle: Movies, Marriage, and Motherhood, the now-Duke of Sussex had planned to ask the former actress to marry him during their trip to Botswana together. The prince spoke about that trip in their post-engagement interview when he said, I managed to persuade her to come join me in Botswana, and we camped out with each other under the stars. The African nation is a special place for Prince Harry. In fact, he previously described it as his second home, adding, This is where I feel more like myself than anywhere else in the world. Its also one of the first places he visited after his mother passed away. Because of that many thought that Harry was going to propose to Markle while they were there, and now were learning that he apparently wanted to. I had actually been told by one of his friends that he had planned to pop the question in Botswana, royal correspondent Katie Nicholl claimed in the documentary. So what stopped the prince from asking Markle then? Why he couldnt do it at that time Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, and Queen Elizabeth II | John Stillwell WPA Pool/Getty Images If Harry did indeed tell his friends that during his three-week trip with Markle that there was a time he thought was the right time to propose, he wasnt able to do it at that time for one specific reason. The Sun noted that under British law, Harry had to wait to ask Markle to marry him until after he got written permission from his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, to do so. The royals who are in the first five positions in line to the throne must ask for permission from Her Majesty before they can say I do. Prior to Prince Louis birth, Harry was fifth in the line of succession and therefore needed permission to get married. So unlike a normal couple, who make a private decision, Harry knew he had to go through the formal hoops before the engagement was official, The Sun reported. With that in mind there was no way Harry could have popped the question before getting that literal royal seal of approval. Once he got the queens blessing, he proposed weeks after their trip at Nottingham Cottage. What Markle thought of the way he proposed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Chris Jackson/Getty Images Although the proposal was reportedly not what Harry had initially planned Markle was very happy with it. She called it an amazing surprise that was sweet and natural and very romantic. She also gushed about how the prince got down on one knee when he asked her and she didnt even let him finish before saying yes. The pair tied the knot on May 19, 2018, and less than a year later welcomed their first son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. And while the proposal didnt happen in Botswana, Markle will always be reminded of that special place every time she looks down at her engagement ring as the center diamond in it came from the African country. Read more: Why Prince Harry Is Being Called the Peoples Prince? (RNS) When the Rev. Emmy Kegler heard her friend Rachel Held Evans had died earlier this month after a sudden illness, she offered a prayer. Then Kegler got together with other friends who had known Evans, a popular progressive Christian writer and speaker, to share their memories and process their grief. As she walked to her car afterward, she wondered what the future would hold. Who would fill the void their friend had left behind? Who is going to be our Rachel now? she asked. Kegler isnt the only one asking. Since Evans untimely death on May 4 at age 37, her readers and friends have shared stories of her impact and her kindnesses toward them online sparking renewed interest in her work and putting her 2015 book Searching for Sunday on this past weekends New York Times bestseller list. Along with them, progressive Christian scholars are also considering Evans legacy and whats next for their movement without one of its most prominent and beloved leaders. Its the same universal question people ask any time people who have brave and strong voices who emerge as leaders die, according to Diana Butler Bass, an independent scholar specializing in American religion and culture. When they pass away, the people who look to them for guidance have always asked that same question: What should we do now? To whom do we now turn? Bass said. Evans was raised in a nondenominational, evangelical Christian family in Dayton, Tenn., where as a student at Bryan College, a center of fundamentalism she began asking tough questions about her faith. She brought her sense of humor to those questions in her writing, including a popular blog, lively social media presence and bestselling books like 2012s A Year of Biblical Womanhood, in which she took the Bibles instructions for women as literally as possible and introduced readers to Amish, Jewish and egalitarian beliefs. Later, she abandoned the evangelical label, worshiping at St. Lukes Episcopal Church in Cleveland, Tenn. In mid-April, the 37-year-old writer and speaker tweeted she was hospitalized with the flu, an infection and an allergic reaction to medication. While there, she began experiencing constant seizures and later swelling in her brain. She was placed in a medically induced coma and never awoke. Evans leaves behind her husband, Dan, and two young children. For her family in East Tennessee, there is nobody who can replace Rachel, Bass noted. Her admirers should resist the urge to look for another leader to take her place, too, she said. For people who are saying, Whats next? whats next is the exact same thing it always is, Bass said. Its gird your loins, go to work. And thats whats next youre next. Losing one of the lights of progressive Christianity wont dim the movement, according to the scholar. I am so confident that Rachels voice will continue through the unique voices of the many people she inspired, she said. I think it will be lovely, actually, and probably very brave, and Rachel would be proud of them. Many who often disagreed with Evans also have reflected over the past few weeks on what theyve learned from their interactions and the legacy she leaves. Rachel Held Evans stirred the evangelical pot in ways that were uncomfortable and distressing, wrote Ed Stetzer, executive director of the Billy Graham Center. However, for me, she made me think and she made me better. She pointed out my logical fallacies and forced me to defend my assumptions. And when she appreciated something, she said it. She was always looking for the good in people, and didnt hold back when she found it. But the outpouring of grief and remembrances after Evans death hasnt been without pushback, said Anthea Butler, associate professor of religious studies and Africana studies at the University of Pennsylvania. Some of her critics have seized the moment to discuss their theological disagreements with the late author, Butler said. Some of them may be jealous that she built a bigger platform than they have, she said. Some may see her work as a threat to conservative Christianity when Evans faith championed the role of women including clergywomen and the inclusion of LGBTQ Christians in the life of the church. The reality is that theyre just mad because she had a ministry, and they want women to be quiet, and they dont like it when women arent quiet, and they dont like it when women arent submissive, Butler said. Not only did Evans bypass the gatekeepers of Christianity, Butler said, she also held open the gate for others. The professor only sees progressive Christianity growing as people reflect on what Evans work meant to them and how they can continue it. Her death might embolden some to ask questions about their own beliefs or to leave spaces that had been comfortable, she said. And Evans work will live on. Her last book, Wholehearted Faith, is set for release in October 2020. A lot of black women in particular are devastated by her death, Butler said. Thats because she shared her platform with black female writers and preachers and speakers, not only in her writing but also at the conferences she co-founded, Why Christian? and Evolving Faith. Rachel Held Evans was somebody that you felt like you could reach out to because she was working through so much stuff, Butler said. She was a warm, friendly white face who didnt talk to you like you dont know anything, she said. Many readers felt that way about Evans, said writer and theologian Brian McLaren. She was asking the same questions about Christianity that they were and showing them that was OK. What was so beautiful about Rachel is that she was honest about her ongoing journey. Her books were kind of like bread crumbs she was dropping along the way to show people where she was going, McLaren said. What made her unique was that she never gave up on God, he said. The greatest part of her legacy will be the people who havent given up, either, because of her who will continue to speak up because she paved the way, according to the theologian. For Kegler, the answer to her question Who is going to be our Rachel now? came quickly. She isnt sure if it was intuition or something divine, but she heard it as clear as a bell: All of you. Rachel wasnt trying to make more Rachels, said Kegler, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Minneapolis and founder and editor of Queer Grace. She was trying to make all of us more ourselves and just to do that to the best of our abilities and to follow Gods call for each of us in such diverse and beautiful ways. READ THIS STORY AT RELIGIONNEWS.COM. Article originally published by Religion News Service. Used with Permission. Photo courtesy: RNS/Macki Evans The Pennsylvania Democratic representative who harassed pro-lifers outside an abortion clinic and sparked a backlash within the pro-life community is apologizing to Planned Parenthood supporters. Im sorry to have created this distraction, State Rep. Brian Sims writes in a Planned Parenthood fundraising email. The email was first reported by Salena Zito, a reporter for the New York Post and a CNN columnist. Sims posted a video in early May showing him harassing and chasing a pro-life woman up and down a sidewalk in front of a Philadelphia Planned Parenthood. He claimed she had no moral right to be there. He also called her an old white lady four times. Earlier, he had posted a video showing him berating pro-life teenage girls in front of the same clinic. In both videos, he asked the audience to help him find the names and addresses of the pro-life protesters. The videos ignited a backlash and led to a pro-life rally in front of the same clinic attended by some 1,000 people, Christian Headlines previously reported. Planned Parenthood is the nations largest abortion provider. If you saw any of the national coverage of my actions throughout the last 10 days, I wanted to send an apology, Sims writes in the email. I recognize that my behavior was aggressive and that I acted in an inappropriate way. For that, I am truly sorry. My emotions took over because I was, and am, angry. Sims said hes angry that pro-life protestors use white privilege and racism to attack people of color in my district and across the nation, for seeking critical health care. Hes angry that there doesnt seem to be a pro-life sentiment for all for all Americans and for Philadelphians. Hes angry about abortion legislation in Georgia, Alabama, Missouri, Ohio, Mississippi and anywhere. All of this makes me angry, but in that moment, in that video, I should not have let my emotions get the best of me, he writes. I should not have disrespected Planned Parenthoods policies of no engaging with protestors. For that, Im absolutely sorry. At the end of the email, he asks for financial support for Planned Parenthood: P.S. If you share in this anger and want to help ensure women have autonomy over their bodies here in Pennsylvania, you can join me in supporting Planned Parenthood with a contribution today. Related: Pro-Life Activists Rally in Philadelphia after Rep. Brian Sims Harasses Teens and Elderly Woman Praying Outside of Planned Parenthood Democratic Rep. Harasses Pro-Life Protester, Threatens to Find Her House, Calls Her Old White Lady Bring Your Camera: Abby Johnson, Pro-Lifers to Rally at Bully Rep.s Planned Parenthood Michael Foust is a freelance writer. Visit his blog, MichaelFoust.com. Photo courtesy: Getty Images/Rachel Murray/Stringer CEO of massive homeless ministry shares powerful message God delivered after husband's suicide Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment When Susie Jennings husband of nearly a decade killed himself one April morning in 1993, she couldnt see a way forward. "An officer found David's decomposing body in a ravine, 30 days after he'd disappeared," Jennings told The Christian Post. "He'd shot himself in the head after years of suffering from a chemical imbalance that caused severe depression." I was so angry at David for leaving me. He was supposed to sing in church that same week; he'd been saved as a little boy. But illness took him from me. We buried him three days before my birthday. Shortly after the loss of her husband, Jennings survived a devastating car accident, leaving her disabled for several months. During that time, her neighbor also died by suicide. At that point, my anger became directed at God, she said. But one night, He gave me a dream. In it, I saw myself knocking on my neighbors door, telling them about Jesus. That morning, I woke up and I decided to choose joy. I said, God, what can I do for you? While driving home from a worship service in Dallas in November of that same year, Jennings heard a voice clearly say, look to your left side. There, she saw over 100 men, women and children living in cardboard boxes. The voice said to me, You're going to go there in person and minister to these people, she recalled. I said, No, no. Not these people. I dont like homeless people. And God said, You were the one who asked me. You need to bring these people blankets.' An immigrant from the Philippines, Jennings shared how growing up, she hated when her mother would serve the homeless in the local community. When I was a little girl, my mother would feed the homeless and poor in our kitchen, and I didnt like it, she admitted. I didnt like these dirty people occupying my space and eating my food and coming into my house. But after hearing Gods voice that day in 1993, Jennings said she was instantly convicted: This is why I tell people, Dont ask God what you can do for Him unless youre prepared because Hell take you out of your comfort zone, she said. Thats what He did to me. The Lord led me to the very group of people I didnt like and it all started in my mothers kitchen. Then a nurse at a major hospital, Jennings began purchasing blankets and asking others to help her buy more. The blankets were distributed with the Gospel message, food and love. On more than one occasion, she stayed overnight with the homeless, immersing herself in their lives. It wasnt long before the homeless community gave Jennings a nickname: The Blanket Lady. In 2001, Jennings willingness to step out in faith and serve God and her community prompted her to launch Operation Care International. Today, the faith-based nonprofit organization serves thousands of homeless, destitute, and low-income families in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and around the world. OCI provides hot meals, an array of health and personal care services, plus clothing, sleeping bags, and blankets to those in need. It also provides free phone calls home, seeking to reunite families. We are an evangelistic street ministry, she said. We provide the physical and spiritual needs of the homeless and poor. While giving them gifts, we tell them about the greatest gift of all, and that is Jesus." In 2004, OCI launched Operation Care Christmas Gift, determined to serve and honor the thousands of homeless at Christmas with an event held at the Dallas Convention Center. The now annual event drew more than 15,000 people and 3,000 volunteers in December 2018. In honor of Jesus birthday, the event provided homeless individuals, veterans and impoverished families with coats, shoes, blankets, toys, meals, haircuts and eye care. The children in attendance enjoyed bounce houses, pony rides and a zipline. This year, Nick Vujicic, founder of Life Without Limbs, shared with those in attendance an encouraging and inspirational message. New shoes and socks come with the event's signature foot washing by volunteers and with the Gospel message presented by volunteers and entertainers. Nationwide, this is the largest event for the homeless, meaning that, aside from just numbers, the things that we do for them is more than other ministries everything is free, Jennings said. "Servanthood is the hallmark of OCI. Before He went to the cross, Jesus washed His disciples feet, demonstrating how He washes away our sins. We follow Jesus by making this act the trademark of our ministry." Over the last few years, thousands of lives have been changed as a result of OCIs work. Jennings shared the story of one woman, Julie, a homeless veteran who lived in her car. She had to give up her son to her boyfriend because she couldnt afford to care for him, she recalled. We put her in an apartment and paid her bills. If we hadnt, she wouldve been on the waiting list for two years to get into the VA. Through OCI, Julie also received free dental care, a makeover, clothing and jewelry. I wanted her to feel like a queen a daughter of God, Jennings explained. Two years later, Julie showed up at OCI with an offering. She wanted to give us money as a thank you, like the leper who came back and thanked Jesus, she said. Today, Julie has finished school and purchased a house. Her son graduated at the top of his class, and three major colleges in Texas offered him full scholarships. Most importantly both mother and son came to know Christ through the ministry of OCI. Homelessness is a very hard thing to minister to because so often, theyre gone the next day, Jennings said. But if one life is changed, Id do all the work a million times over. Jesus left 99 for one. Now, OCIs ministry is going global. In 2012, God gave Jennings a vision to expand the Christmas Gift event and take its message of hope, transformation and the experience of Jesus love to more than 250 cities across the 50 states and to all 240 countries of the world. Renamed the Global Birthday Party for Jesus, the event will occur on Dec. 19, 2020, reflecting Gods perfect vision of the salvation of the world. With $2.4 million raised so far, OCI is hoping to partner with World Vision, Samaritans Purse and Compassion International to make their vision a reality. God told me to take this mission global, but I was fearful because I didnt know how we were going to raise the money, Jennings said. But one day, I received a phone call with a $2.4 million donation. In one phone call, God adopted the world. I said, God forgive me for putting you in a box. The event will culminate with a series of large gatherings held by the worlds greatest evangelists. Jennings hopes that Franklin Graham, son of evangelist Billy Graham, will lead the charge. We believe on that one day, millions will come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, she declared. I believe this worldwide event will draw millions of new heirs to Jesus throne, from the bushes of Africa to the rivers of Columbia to the rich in China. While some may view her vision for OCI as a little too ambitious, Jennings said shes sold out for Jesus and believes that childlike faith can move mountains. The guiding principle for the vision of OCI is in Romans 8:28, And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose, she said. This is just the beginning of evangelizing the world. Louie Giglio identifies why millennials, Gen Z are some of today's greatest evangelists Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Louie Giglio, founding pastor of Passion City Church in Atlanta, Georgia, said he believes millennials and Generation Z are some of today's most effective evangelists because they are cause-driven and have a high sense of social responsibility. Ive always had a burden for the university moment, Giglio told The Christian Post. I believe that God has a purpose and plan for 18- to 25-year-olds, from millennials to Generation Z. I think they get unfairly painted with a broad stroke when theyre actually a generation God cares deeply about. They want to be led and believed in, and theyre one of the most cause-driven generations Ive encountered. Giglio is the founder of the Passion movement, a gathering of young people that has been going on yearly since 1997. He shared how, in past years, Passion students have raised $8.3 million to fight modern-day slavery through Passion and the END IT Movement. This year, students raised $448,370 for the Deaf Bible Society as part of Hope in Every Language, a campaign that helps fund and distributes translations of the stories of Jesus into the sign languages of areas that haven't been reached. These are poor students who are scrounging for ramen noodles, Giglio said. They dont have any money, yet theyre giving what little they have to causes that mean something to them, and that makes them some of todays greatest evangelists. Passion believes in this age group because God has believed in them. Giglio shared how his heart for the next generation began when he started graduate school at Baylor University several decades ago. I saw so many people at the crossroads of life, where they would come to a college campus and be away from their support system and the church they grew up in and suddenly had all of this freedom, he said. I saw so many people putting their faith on hold and not coming back to it until they were 40 and on their second divorce. But 18, 19, 20-year-olds need to see the risen Jesus right here, and right now, he continued. They need to understand that the best thing they can do is live for Gods glory. And at Passion, we've seen tens of thousands of young people come to Christ." The pastor told CP that while its been a number of years since he attended Baylor, the temptations and issues facing young people today havent changed. Still, the introduction of social media has posed challenges unseen just a few decades ago, he said. Its put us all under a microscope, he said of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. Take the case of someone who has lived through a divorce. They dont have the presence of a dad, and they pick up their phones to find solace or some relief, and what do they see? They see everyones filtered life and best-case scenario. Social media, he continued, has put this generation behind the eight ball wondering, How can I measure up to this? instead of asking, How can I do what God says I can do? Its given this generation an identity crisis. We need to put our perspective on technology in check and focus on what God says about our identity. Giglio, who wrote the book,Not Forsaken: Finding Freedom As Sons and Daughters of a Perfect Father, pointed out that more than 1 in 4 children lives without a father in the home. He told CP that the introduction of no-fault divorce in 1970 directly contributed to the breakdown of the family. Without a hearing or judge, anyone can end their marriage today, he said. It seems easy and painless, but now were bearing the fruit of that. This is the first generation where a quarter of children grow up without a father, and thats having devastating effects on society. Once you have a destructive view of your earthly father, then is possible youre going to struggle to have a relationship with God the Father, he continued. Thats one of Satans greatest lies. PULSE founder Nick Hall, who has been called "the next Billy Graham," previously told The Christian Post that he believes millennials and Generation Z make up a revival generation. Like Giglio, Hall said he finds millennials and Gen Z to be particularly cause-driven, positioning them well to fulfill the Great Commission something he believes will happen in our lifetime. "Millennials and Gen Z want a cause bigger than themselves," he said. "They're also passionate, and there's such a willingness to love, to serve, and to get their hands dirty. This is also the first generation where there isn't a division between the sacred and the secular; this generation understands that everything is ministry. If you know Jesus, then you are called to this work of being a light wherever you go. This generation wants to see Jesus made much of and for people everywhere to experience His love." Hall, who has shared the Gospel in person to nearly 3 million students, told CP this generation "cares deeply for their faith, while also caring deeply for their neighbor, for the refugee and for the outcast." "I look into the eyes of teenagers and college kids today, and I'm encouraged," he said. "There's power in unity, and that's something this generation understands. They understand lifting one another's arms to something bigger than us." Sozo prayer spreading worldwide, but what is it? Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Theres a prayer and deliverance ministry that you may or may not have heard of. Its called Sozo. And many churches worldwide have implemented it to help Christians experience inner healing and ultimately draw closer to God. But the reactions have been mixed. While some have wholly embraced it and testified to how much it has changed their lives, others have denounced it as unbiblical and warned Christians to stay away. So what is Sozo? The Sozo ministry or Sozo prayer started in Redding, California, in 1997 by Bethel Church a nondenominational charismatic megachurch. The idea was inspired after a healing evangelist, Randy Clark, held a prayer training at the church. "Sozo" is a Greek word that the ministry's founders, Dawna DeSilva and Teresa Liebscher, two leaders at Bethel, say is found in the New Testament 110 times. Strongs Concordance translates the word as to save, keep safe and sound, to rescue. Liebscher defines it specifically as "to be made whole." The Gospel of Matthew is the first time the word Sozo is used in the New Testament when the angel Gabriel tells Mary that she will have a child who is to be named Jesus. He will save His people from their sins," Matthew 1:21 states. Sozo is translated into the word save in this passage. The Bethel Sozo website describes Sozo ministry as a unique inner healing and deliverance ministry aimed to get to the root of things hindering your personal connection with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit." Co-leader Liebscher describes the Sozo ministry as a place one goes to uncover wounds or lies and their roots. Sozo is not counseling, it is not a prayer ministry, it is a team of people going in helping you make that connection with the Godhead and thus have a place to go to deal with all the issues and crises that will happen with you, Liebscher shares in a promotional video of the experience. It is also a deliverance ministry, because once you go in and heal the wounds and lies, heal the reasons why the demonic thinks it has legal access, the demonic has to leave, and that's in essence what deliverance is. Churches that have a Sozo ministry have leaders who are trained by Bethel's team. Training typically lasts two to four days. What happens during a Sozo? Assemblies of God Pastor Paula Noble, wife of Pastor Jason Noble, the subject behind the new blockbuster hit film Breakthrough, is a big fan of the Sozo prayer and has used the method in her ministry throughout the years. She told The Christian Post that she initially started the practice because of how it personally affected her own life. When conducting an inner healing session, Noble and her team arrive early to prepare their hearts and really surrender themselves to hearing God. After the appointment is set up, the person seeking inner healing meets with no less than two leaders, one who leads the Sozo prayer and another who records what God says throughout the meeting. "In a session of inner healing, there's the leader of the session and then there is a second person. What they're doing is they're writing down all of the good stuff that Jesus said to that person during this session, so they have a written account to take with them. It's not a written account that we keep for any reason. We write it down so they have it to take with them when they leave the room, she told CP. "We get there, we pray, and then when the person comes we just kind of explain what's going to happen and get it started, Noble shared. I always have the person keep their eyes closed during the times so that they're not looking at me. I want them to keep their eyes closed so they can clearly hear what Jesus is saying to them, in the way that He communicates stuff to them, and everyone is different. Some people see pictures, some people have the word come to their mind. It's just so different how everyone communicates with Jesus, but everyone can communicate with Jesus. They keep their eyes closed so that they don't feel like they're talking to me, I want them talking to Jesus. Noble would then proceed to explain to the subject or sozoee what will take place during the session. "'I'm going to give you questions and it's really important for you to communicate to me what He (God) says to you because He's not talking to me, He's talking to you about this, so I want to know where He's going with you,' she illustrated. We do a lot of asking questions and hearing what He has to say about those specific things. Based on what they are hearing from Him, gives me an idea of where He's going with them. Sometimes it's quick and easy and sometimes it's longer. A Sozo goes far beyond just one session in a church, noted Noble. Its usually the beginning or continuation of someone's communication with God. "I really want a person to leave a session and just digest what has happened. That communication doesn't stop when I end a session because now they're hearing Him. Usually, that process continues for a person for a while, a few weeks afterward, she said, adding that she always encourages people to come back for another session. The average Sozo session can last an hour to three hours long, though when DeSilva and Liebscher first started it lasted three to six hours long. The Bethel team created six tools to use that have made the sessions go more quickly. According to Bethel's website, the model of deliverance they use came from Clark's teaching which began in Argentina. The following are the six tools: 1: Father Ladder The Father Ladder tool was designed to explore how the subject's relationships with the people in their life may be affecting how they relate to the Trinity. A sample breakdown of the Father Ladders structure equates God to someone's earthly father or an authority figure in their life, Jesus to siblings or friends and the Holy Spirit to one's mother or the nourishers in their life. 2: Four Doors (hatred, fear, occult, sexual sin) During a Sozo prayer, the leader tries to identify which of the four sins may have opened up a spiritual door to demonic possession or oppression. DeSilva introduced the tool after attending a series of meetings at her church. Although the tool encourages confession and renunciation of sin, which is encouraged in the Bible, its specificity of just the fours sins (hatred, fear, occult, and sexual sin) is often criticized because they are not the only sins spoken of in Scripture that can invite the demonic into their lives. 3. Presenting Jesus Presenting Jesus takes a sozoee on a journey into their past. They are instructed to recall their most painful memories and discover Jesus in the moments in order to bring healing. Dr. Ed Smiths Theophostic Prayer Ministry teachings is said to have helped form the inner healing principles that inspired this tool. This Sozo tool roots out lies we believe that cause us to experience emotional pain greater than our circumstances warrant. We invite the Truth in the person of Jesus Christ to speak into places in our hearts where these ungodly beliefs were formed. Once Jesus speaks truth, emotional wounds are healed, and our present circumstances are no longer so painful, a basic Sozo training handout from The Freedom Resource website details. 4: The Wall From the website Flash Card Machine, we learn that the Wall is a negative blockage in a person's soul that impedes the flow of Gods love which can activate that persons gifting and character in Christ. The Sozo prayer wishes to identify any walls the sozoee might have. The final two are considered advanced tools. 5: Trigger Mechanisms This tool identifies the feelings associated with our memories and was allegedly inspired by button pushing, a tool created by brain science expert Dr. Aiko Hormann. 6: Divine Editing Divine editing has also been linked to Dr. Aiko Hormann in relation to the Sozo prayer. If your childhood lacked nurturing, invite your Heavenly Father to fill in the voids created by lack of nurturing. He will edit your memories both edit out painful memories and edit in His nurturing, Hormanns website describes. The idea was first associated with Sigmund Freud though without the "divine" aspect. American Christian writer Agnes Sanford is responsible for teaching the Christian method of inner healing. Danny Silk, a leader at Bethel Church in California, likened a Sozo prayer to some of the teachings he does in the new Christian meditation app Soultime. During a Sozo, you help people meditate on things in order to find freedom from them, Silk told CP in an interview. "If you notice the [meditation teachings] I do [in Soultime], I pretty much do a mini Sozo prayer in every one of the ones I do, which is, Are there any lies that I am believing about this area of my life?' If so, 'Lord, please show me what they are,' Silk said. 'What is the truth that you want me to believe? Do I need to forgive anyone?' which is classically the obstacle to peace or freedom, that I've not forgiven somebody that scarred me or hurt me, whether it be my parents, or my spouse, or a friend or whatever. Many times in a Sozo there's a block that's going to be a place where my soul is all knotted up. My spirit wants to be free but my soul has this knot." The Bethel leader described a Sozo prayer as a deep massage for your spirit. "A Sozo is where we're just going to keep pushing those spots until you go 'ouch' and then well apply the remedy which classically is forgiveness and aligning your heart up with the truth and turning away from the lie, Silk said. In 2002, Bethel created an advanced Sozo ministry called Shabar, which is the Hebrew word for broken. The ministry is for those who still seek healing after experiencing two Sozo prayer sessions. Should persons attending Sozo sessions be unable to hold on to their healing, they may be encouraged to seek a Shabar session . Shabar is a ministry to individuals who have continued to have inner healing ministry and yet cannot hold on to their healing, the Bethel Sozo website explains. Texas congregation holds first worship service at new sanctuary 18 months after massacre Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A small Texas church that garnered national headlines in 2017 when a shooter opened fire on the congregation officially opened their new sanctuary. First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs held their first services on Sunday at their new worship facility, with elected officials including Governor Greg Abbott giving remarks. This is a tangible sign as people drive through Sutherland Springs in the future they will know that this is a place where goodness triumphed over evil, stated Gov. Abbott, as reported by The Associated Press. There were two services on Sunday, a 9:00 AM service centered on thanking God for the provision of the building and land and an 11:00 AM service meant to honor the victims, victims' families, survivors, donors, and the community of Sutherland Springs, according to a May 8 post on the churchs Facebook page. Pastor Frank Pomeroy, the leader of the church whose 14-year-old daughter was among the murdered, explained to the AP that the church now had a safety response team as part of their increased security. We dont want to look like a fortress, but also wanted to make sure that everybody could feel safe on the inside, said Pomeroy to the AP. The Southern Baptist Conventions North American Mission Board, which helped fundraise for the new building, took to social media to offer their support for the opening. Pray for the members of First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs this morning as they dedicate their new worship facility. Thank you Southern Baptists for making this possible, tweeted NAMB. On Nov. 5, 2017, Devin Patrick Kelley, who was discharged from the U.S. Air Force after being convicted of assault and serving one year in a military prison, entered FBC Sutherland Springs during Sunday worship and opened fire, killing 26 people. Authorities concluded that, although he had a history of anti-religious social media posts, Kelley's primary motive was because his ex-wife had family who attended the church. In March of last year, it was announced that FBC Sutherland Springs was going to construct a new worship space near the location of the mass shooting. Last May, the church held an official ground-breaking, which had among its speakers U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, who told those gathered that while people saw "the face of evil" with the shooting, they also "saw so much more." "You saw love. You saw strength. You saw compassion. You saw courage. You saw sacrifice," said Sen. Cruz at the 2018 event. Cruz also commended the church for its "powerful" showcasing of "the strength, the peace of this community," saying that "as each of you grieving leaned on each other," their reaction to the shooting "reflected the love of Jesus." 'Unplanned' author Abby Johnson named ambassador for new pro-life clothing brand Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Pro-life activist Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood clinic manager who wrote the popular memoir-turned-movie Unplanned, will be the face of a new clothing line for pro-life professionals. Johnson, the author of a memoir that was the focal point of the 2019 movie Unplanned, has been named global ambassador for Culture of Life 1972, whose owners hail as the only pro-life fashion brand in the United States. COL1972 was launched earlier this year in the lead up to the 2019 March for Life by conservative homeschool mother and childrens author Carla D'Addesi and her three daughters in Pennsylvania. COL1972 vows to give 10 percent of its proceeds to organizations that work to protect a culture of life, including March for Life and Students for Life of America. Johnson, who is expecting her eighth child in two weeks, will be the namesake of the brand's first line of professional women's clothing. "We look around and we see companies say, This is ethically sourced. A lot of these companies that claim to be ethically sourced are donating to Americas biggest abortion provider, which is incredibly unethical," Johnson told The Christian Post. "We want to have ethically sourced fashion that is actually going to protect women and their children. Momentum is growing within the pro-life movement and we see all these heartbeat bills being passed. People want alternatives." COL1972 aims to serve as a clothing and accessory alternative for pro-life women who are disappointed that popular brands like Gap, Ann Taylor, Nike, Macys, Levi Straus and Dockers support abortion organizations such as Planned Parenthood. "I spend a lot of time at speaking events and pro-life events, even going to church. I spend a lot of time in dressier, professional clothing," Johnson explained. "There is just not any pro-life options out there that supports that pro-life movement." In the first few months of COL1972's existence, the company has largely focused on selling casual clothes that appeal to millennials. But Johnson's new line that will be unveiled in late June at the Pro-Life Women's Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, will feature options like button-down blouses, dresses, skirts, cardigans, and lightweight sweaters. Johnson, 38, formerly served as an administrator of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Texas for eight years before leaving the industry in 2009 and going on to become one of the nation's most prominent pro-life activists and speakers. Johnson is the founder of And Then There Were None, a pro-life nonprofit that believes the end of abortion starts with abortion clinic workers leaving their jobs and finding healing from their past work. The group says it has already helped over 500 workers leave the abortion industry. DAddesi told The Christian Post that Johnson called her last week expressing interest in partnering with COL1972 after voicing her frustration on social media about the lack of pro-life clothing options. She is a gift from God to our brand, DAddesi stressed. Johnson, who has shared her story across several different media platforms, is invited to speak at a number of different pro-life gatherings each year. As part of her role as a global ambassador with COL1972, she will be styled for her speaking engagements by DAddesi and her daughters. My sisters and I all read Abbys book and watched 'Unplanned' together, co-founder Vittoria DAddesi said in a statement. This is a dream come true. Johnson says she left the abortion industry in October 2009 shortly after seeing an abortion at 13 weeks of gestation on ultrasound. Elements of Johnsons story have been questioned by media outlets and contested by Planned Parenthood. However, Johnson has argued that patient information presented by Planned Parenthood attempting to refute her story was likely falsified because Planned Parenthood isnt a trustworthy organization. "Here is what I know to be true. I know that I am not a person who has a record of being dishonest since leaving Planned Parenthood. I also know that Planned Parenthood does have a considerable rap sheet where they have been proven to be dishonest," she told CP. "They are the ones with a credibility issue. My story has stayed the same ever since I walked out on October 6, 2009. Their story continues to change." Johnson took to Instagram earlier this month to voice her frustration with the lack of pro-life clothing alternatives. It was that social media post that served as the impetus for her eventual ambassadorship with COL1972. I dont need any more T-shirts. Im talking about real clothes, she wrote in a post. Clothes you can wear to church, go out to dinner in. Clothes I can speak in. I dont need everything in my closet to have a logo or graphic on it. I just want cute clothing that is nice, modest and gives money back to pro-life orgs. 23 Adventists arrested in Burundi amid 'systematic religious liberty abuse' Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Twenty-three Seventh-day Adventist worshipers in the tiny landlocked Central African nation of Burundi were arrested last week and released days later. The denomination says it is facing systematic religious liberty abuse at the hands of the national government. The denomination rejoiced over the release of arrested members and leaders, including the duly-elected head of the Burundi Union Mission, was secured on Friday after days of pressuring the Burundi government to follow international laws. We have received very encouraging news and are happy to indicate that all Seventh-day Adventist detainees in Burundi have been released, the Seventh-day Adventist Church General Conference headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland, said in a statement. Prayers have been answered. We thank the Government of Burundi for its role and specifically one of its Members of Parliament, Honorable Justin Niyobuhungiro, for facilitating the releases. General Conference President Ted N.C. Wilson called for a worldwide prayer initiative in response to the struggle that Adventists in Burundi have faced over the last several months due to the governments opposition to duly-elected BUM leadership. The Burundi national government has refused to recognize a BUM leadership change because of its support for the churchs ousted legal representative, Joseph Ndikubwayo, who was removed from the role last year by a committee of the Central and Eastern Africa Division of the Adventist church. Ndikubwayo was also and stripped of his pastoral credentials by the church he served. AFP reports that Ndikubwayo was accused of embezzling church funds and accepting a position with the government that contradicts church doctrine. The ousted leader, however, has reportedly refused to leave the position and has maintained control of the churchs office with help from authorities. The church body boasts as many as 186,000 members in Burundi and 21 million members worldwide. It also operates 23 schools and five clinics in Burundi. In a news release last week, it announced that the 22 members and leaders were arrested on orders of the national government following six months of illegal interference in the administration of the Adventist church in Burundi. Among those arrested was Lamec Barishinga, who was duly elected in November 2018 to serve as president of the BUM. He was arrested on May 10 along with a local field president named Pastor Lambert. Ganoune Diop, director of public affairs and religious liberty for the Adventist world church, wrote in a commentary that the former leader still occupies the church office with the help of police while duly-elected church officials have not had the needed access to church property. The coercive nature of this imposition of a leader the Church has removed from his post is not in accordance with the respect due to ecclesiastical institutions, Diop wrote. Empowering and enabling a demoted former church employee is unwarranted and unhelpful. He can no longer in any way represent the Seventh-day Adventist church. His refusal to leave office appears a sabotage of the functioning of the Adventist Church in a country where Adventists occupy positions of responsibility to loyally and wholeheartedly serve their country. Diop assured that religious freedom is the issue which is at the heart of the current crisis. [It] is not only the right to worship according to the dictates of ones conscience, and the right of religious organizations to conduct their affairs without government interference, but is, at a deeper level, freedom from being harmed, hurt, intimidated, humiliated, persecuted, imprisoned, tortured or murdered, Diop argued. Violence against citizens to make them comply with the preferences of those who govern a country is utterly unethical and inhumane. Peaceful persuasion should always be preferred over coercion. An Adventist delegation was sent by Wilson at the invitation of Burundis interior minister Pascal Barandagiye to listen to a government proposal on a plan of succession of Adventist leadership. The ultimate goal of the delegation, Diop explained, was to find a way to end the stand-off regarding who the legal representative is or should be. It would have been simple to accept the churchs proposal to allow the legal representative of the church be the treasurer of the Union, while allowing the duly elected union president to attend to spiritual and administrative affairs of the church entrusted to his care, Diop wrote. But the governments representative we visited in all good faith insisted on his own plan. The situation escalated with the government support of a person removed from his function as a representative of the church. The intransigence of the government seen in dismissing the Churchs proposal to allow the Union treasurer to be the legal representative of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Burundi has been surprising. It will certainly not aid in maintaining the peaceful cohesion of a country to which the Adventist Church is committed for sustainable development. Although the detained Adventists have been released, Wilson continues to call for prayers that God will provide a helpful resolution for the challenges facing the Adventist church in Burundi. Black Christian leaders protest new Planned Parenthood in Charlotte, lament silent genocide Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment African-American first ladies and church leaders in Charlotte protested the opening of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Charlotte Monday, shouting that the nations largest abortion provider is not welcome in the city. When I heard about how Planned Parenthood is trying to take up shop here in this city, I had to come and help you expose Planned Parenthood for who and what they really are, Pamela Wooden, the first lady and director of womens ministry at the Upper Room Church of God in Christ in Charlotte, said during the protest. Planned Parenthood is a genocidal organization that targets black women and profits from lying and killing innocent children. Wooden was among dozens of black women who participated in a public press conference that was organized by the pro-life arm of the Church of God in Christ and the pro-life research group Douglass Leadership Institute. The new full-service abortion clinic is set to open up in Charlottes Cherry Hill neighborhood next month. Activists have warned that the new clinic will allow Planned Parenthood to perform abortions in Charlotte for the first time in decades. Many African-American church leaders have argued over the years that Planned Parenthood was founded to exterminate the black population and have noted that its founder, Margaret Sanger, promoted eugenics. Minister Marilyn Gool, the first lady and a minister of the multicampus megachurch Victory Christian Center, agreed and said that the African-American community across the nation, as well as in Charlotte, is facing a silent genocide at the hands of the abortion industry. It is the American Holocaust, she said. Just as the Jewish Holocaust began be devaluing the Jews and making them less than human, the same thing has happened in the abortion industry. "Black people have to rise up. This has to be the beginning of a black movement to stand up and say its enough. Across the nation, black women comprise over 30 percent of the 1 million abortions in the U.S. per year. DLI contends that black women account for 53.7 percent of the abortions that take place in Mecklenburg County. We only make up 13 percent of the United States, but 54 percent, that is ridiculous, Sharon Stevens of City Church in nearby Huntersville said. It starts with you being a voice and speaking out and saying there is a better way. Gool stressed that the solution to the problem of unplanned pregnancy in the African-American community is not to murder our babies. When we start to devalue life in the womb, then we start to devalue life afterward, she explained. We cant teach black men to stop killing black men if we teach them it is OK to kill them before they're born. Gool warned about the dangers of society presenting unborn babies as just a fetus or a piece of flesh. She said that she has heard some call an unplanned pregnancy a growth or a tumor. If it is a nuisance that you can kill it before it is born, then you dont have a problem killing it afterward if it becomes a nuisance, Gool said. There is a solution to our problem. There is a solution to our moral problem. But it is never to murder our children. I encourage you to continue to stand for life and stand for black lives because black lives do matter. Wooden contended that Planned Parenthood was founded for the expressed purpose of wiping out the negro race. Do not be fooled by their rebranding and repackaging because their purpose to wipe out black children has not changed, Wooden urged. Pastor Carol Threatt of Charlottes Christian Faith Center contended during her speech that Planned Parenthood doesnt care about the health of African-American women. I refuse to allow Planned Parenthood to come in under the guise of some lies by saying they support us when they are really truly against us, Threatt said. Threatt called for the black community to rise up against the injustice but not to bash women who have experienced abortion. We dont bash them, we uplift them and tell them there is hope, she said. Once we have done that, tell them about the lie. ... Let them know that [abortion] is a lie and God has a plan for our lives and our childrens lives. Stevens argued that even rape does not justify abortion. She stressed that adoption is a better possibility. We are here to be a voice, not just today but when we leave these premises, God has called us, Stevens said. God has put a word in our mouth to speak up. This is great but when we go back to church and our organizations and our communities, when you hear that person say I am pregnant and I dont know what to do, you can encourage them to not give that baby up, dont go to Planned Parenthood. There are some of us standing here today that had an abortion. You didnt know what to do. You felt hopeless. But there is hope today. The protest comes as the national abortion debate has intensified in recent weeks with the passing of abortion bans in states like Georgia, Alabama and Missouri. The Alabama and Missouri bills do not provide exceptions for cases of rape and incest. In North Carolina, the state House of Representatives looks to override Democrat Gov. Roy Coopers recent veto of the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act that would have made it illegal for abortion providers not to provide care for a baby that survived abortion. Over the last few years, the Church of God in Christ (over 6 million members across the globe) has worked through its Family Life Campaign to oppose the abortion industry, as well as help direct women and girls facing unplanned pregnancies away from abortion clinics. COGIC and DLI expressed concern last week, saying that Planned Parenthood South Atlantic set up a shell company to access Charlottes Cherry Hill neighborhood under the radar of pro-life activists and religious leaders who oppose abortion in the city. The expansion of the center is a part of a devastating strategy that Planned Parenthood is deploying, placing mega-abortion facilities in urban communities that are within walking distance of minority neighborhoods throughout the country, Leslie Monet, the leader of COGICs Family Life Campaign, said in a statement. It is part of their operational strategy to place these abortion mills in our communities, and we will not tacitly accept being targeted in this manner. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic defended the clinic in a statement from its vice president, Paige Johnson. These protests are designed to shame the patients who seek basic health care services from Planned Parenthood and to intimidate the health care professionals who work here, Johnson said in a statement, according to the Charlotte Observer. Women should be able to get health care without fear of violence, harassment, or intimidation. Protests against abortion are nothing new for Charlotte, as churches have held several protests against the Preferred Womens Health Center in the outskirts of Charlotte. Do religious couples have happier marriages? Multi-nation reports finds it's complicated Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Certain secular progressive couples and religious conservative couples are the most satisfied with their relationships, according to a new report. The Institute for Family Studies and the Wheatley Institution of Brigham Young University released a report titled, The Ties that Bind: Is Faith a Global Force for Good or Ill in the Family? The researchers analyzed data on family issues from the World Values Survey and the Global Family and Gender Survey, looking at 11 nations: Argentina, Australia, Chile, Canada, Colombia, France, Ireland, Mexico, Peru, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Regarding overall relationship quality, the researchers found a "J-curve" for female respondents when going along the ideological spectrum from most progressive to most conservative. Women at the bookends of the spectrum had the best marriages progressive couples and traditional religious couples showed the highest relationship quality in their marriages while the nominally religious scored lowest with their marriages. Respondents were placed into three categories based upon how often they and their spouses attend religious services: shared secular, mixed and less religious, and highly religious. Progressive gender views were those who mostly or completely disagreed with the statement, It is usually better for everyone involved if the father takes the lead in working outside the home and the mother takes the lead in caring for the home and family. Those who mostly or completely agreed with the statement were labeled "traditional." With these variables, respondents fell into six categories: 1) shared secular, progressive; 2) shared secular, traditional; 3) less/mixed religious, progressive; 4) less/mixed religious, traditional; 5) highly religious, progressive; 6) highly religious, traditional. Secular women with progressive gender views married to secular men with progressive gender views scored a 16.52 on an additive index score that includes relationship attachment, commitment, satisfaction, and stability. This was the third highest after the two highly religious categories. Women in shared secular traditional relationships, less religious or mixed religion progressive relationships, and less religious or mixed religion traditional relationships scored the lowest. Women in highly religious progressive relationships scored second highest, at 16.91, and women in highly religious conservative relationships scored the highest at 17.64. The only two categories where the women showed higher marriage quality than men on average were shared secular progressive and highly religious traditional. "... women in shared secular, progressive relationships enjoy comparatively high levels of relationship quality, whereas women in the ideological and religious middle report lower levels of relationship quality, as do traditionalist women in secular relationships; but women in highly religious relationships, especially traditionalists, report the highest levels of relationship quality," noted the Executive Summary of the report. "In sum, the impact of gender ideology on contemporary family life may vary a great deal by whether or not a couple is highly religious, nominally religious, or secular." W. Bradford Wilcox, Jason S. Carroll and Laurie DeRose, the researchers who authored the Executive Summary, explained in a New York Times column published Saturday that extremely liberal and extremely conservative women were the most likely to be very happy with their marriage, at 69 percent and 72 percent, respectively. In fact, in listening to the happiest secular progressive wives and their religiously conservative counterparts, we noticed something they share in common: devoted family men, they said. Both feminism and faith give family men a clear code: They are supposed to play a big role in their kids lives. Devoted dads are de rigueur in these two communities. And it shows: Both culturally progressive and religiously conservative fathers report high levels of paternal engagement. The report also found that data for the 11 countries suggested that religious couples have more kids, better relationships and better sex, but the levels of domestic violence are the same as non-religious couples. When it comes to relationship quality in heterosexual relationships, highly religious couples enjoy higher-quality relationships and more sexual satisfaction, compared to less/mixed religious couples and secular couples, noted the reports Executive Summary. For instance, women in highly religious relationships are about 50% more likely to report that they are strongly satisfied with their sexual relationship than their secular and less religious counterparts. Another finding was that religious couples averaged slightly more children than couples who rarely or never attend worship services, with the researchers concluding that religions positive influence on fertility has become stronger in recent decades. Today, people ages 18-49 who attend religious services regularly have 0.27 more children than those who never, or practically never, attend, continued the Executive Summary. The report also indicates that marriage plays an important role in explaining religions continued positive influence on childbearing because religious men and women are more likely to marry compared to their more secular peers, and the married have more children than the unmarried. While concluding that religion is a force for good in contemporary family life for the sampled 11 countries, the report acknowledged that domestic violence was equally likely to happen between religious couples as secular couples, with researchers stating that intimate partner violence (IPV) did not differ in a statistically significant way by religiosity. Slightly more than 20% of the men in our sample report perpetuating IPV, and a bit more than 20% of the women in our sample indicate that they have been victims of IPV in their relationship, noted the Executive Summary. Our results suggest, then, that religion is not protective against domestic violence for this sample of couples from the Americas, Europe, and Oceania. However, religion is not an increased risk factor for domestic violence in these countries, either. James MacDonald fights over firing, assets of Harvest Bible Chapel amid murder-for-hire allegations Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Harvest Bible Chapel founder James MacDonald is still contesting his firing from the greater Chicago megachurch even as police investigate murder for hire allegations. Elders at the embattled megachurch revealed in an announcement Saturday that MacDonald is pursuing arbitration with the church to settle a dispute over his firing and the churchs broadcast ministry, Walk in the Word. On May 16, 2019, we received a letter informing us that James MacDonald is pursuing arbitration with Harvest Bible Chapel through the Institute for Christian Conciliation, the church said. Arbitration is a method used to resolve disputes outside of the courts. Essentially, it allows a group of arbitrators to listen to arguments presented by both parties and then the arbitrators decide how this issue will be settled. Both parties submit to the decision of the arbitrators as it is legally binding. This is not a lawsuit in a court of law, and James has not sued our church by taking this action. The issues of this claim primarily involve the termination of James MacDonald and the ownership of Walk in the Word, the announcement continued. MacDonalds Feb. 12 ouster from Harvest Bible Chapel was triggered by "highly inappropriate recorded comments" he made on a radio program as well as "other conduct." He was recorded talking about planting child pornography on Christianity Today CEO's Harold Smith's computer, and making crude remarks about independent journalist Julie Roys including joking that she had an affair with CT Editor-in-Chief Mark Galli and a vulgar reference to Ed Stetzer, executive director of the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College. He also exited the megachurch under a cloud of allegations of financial abuse. The elders maintain that he was fired for cause and that Walk in the Word belongs to the church. As the leaders of this church, we are committing to communicating about this arbitration process as it progresses. There is no desire to keep this matter unnecessarily private. We expect this to take months, not weeks. The Elders and Church Leadership Team are united in their position that James MacDonalds termination was with cause and that Walk in the Word is a ministry of Harvest Bible Chapel, they insisted. The announcement came just days before police in Illinois confirmed they are investigating new claims that James MacDonald sought to find a hitman to commit murder multiple times. A subject came in and filed a report and we are doing an investigation based on that report, Wilmette Deputy Police Chief Pat Collins confirmed with The Christian Post Monday. The allegations regarding MacDonalds efforts to commit murder were first reported by independent journalist Julie Roys, who cited Chicago radio personality Mancow Muller and Emmanuel Manny Bucur, a deacon at HBC and former confidant and volunteer bodyguard of MacDonalds, as the individuals making the claims. Bucur told Roys that in 2015, MacDonald asked him to kill his former son-in-law, Tony Groves, and offered to help dispose of the body. He argued that he did not report MacDonald because he was angry about his daughter allegedly being hurt, and chalked up the proposal as a momentary lapse in judgment. On Monday Muller published a pre-recorded interview with Bucur speaking under the alias George in which the former volunteer bodyguard first revealed MacDonalds proposal. As it turns out Im not the only one hes approached and asked about this which is just insane how many people he thought he could trust to ask something as crazy as this you know. Whats to say he wont come after me? Bucur a combat marine veteran said. I basically told him, were not talking about this. I cant believe you would even ask me this. I shut it down and that was the end of that, he explained. Bucur, who said he believes MacDonald got away with millions from HBC, noted he also had to get a restraining order against MacDonald for trespassing at his house. Muller alleges that MacDonald asked him at least twice in 2018 if he knew a hitman he could hire. Initially, he thought that the HBC founder was joking but it became clear to him during a conversation in December that MacDonald was really serious, and he told him that this was something he could go to Hell for. He came to me and wanted me to have a hitman and he wanted me to hire a hitman and my understanding was to kill one of his rivals. At that moment, I realized I was in a cult, this guy was bad, and I couldnt support it any longer. Do I think he was kidding? No. I think he really wanted me to find a hitman for him as I had found other people to do deeds for him. Had he stepped up and apologized, had they (HBC) done any kind of forensic audit, had anybody done anything right at any step of the way at this place called Harvest, I wouldnt have done this today, he said. He was a good friend with me and he could have trusted me with anything but hiring someone, seriously, I said you dont want to kill someone here? You could go to Hell for that. And I tried to talk him off the ledge but man it scared me and it frightened me and I also thought I wouldnt be able to get here today without him killing me. Im very afraid of the guy, Muller said on the podcast. Nigerian pastor, 16 worshipers kidnapped by gunmen who stormed choir practice Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment An evangelical pastor, his daughter, and more than a dozen other churchgoers were reportedly abducted while one person was killed after a team of gunmen attacked villages in the troubled Kaduna state of Nigeria on Sunday. According to Nnamdi Obasi of the International Crisis Group, Rev. Zakariah Ido, 11 girls and five men were abducted from an Evangelical Church Winning All congregation in the village of Dankande in the Birnin Gwari local government area in the early hours of Sunday morning. He tweeted that sources claimed that as many as 20 gunmen were responsible for the attack. The Nigerian online newspaper TheCable reported that the gunmen also impacted a village in the Igabi local government area of Kaduna. It was at about 12:30 midnight. We had combined choir practice in the church with other neighboring communities. We normally hold the combine choir practice from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m, an unnamed witness told The Cable about the church attack in Dankande. The source explained that the armed men surrounded the church and began shooting. Everybody was terrified but there was no how we could run because they had already surrounded the church, the witness explained. According to The Nation, among those abducted at the church are pastor Idos daughter and the son of an Assemblies of God pastor. Pastor Nath Waziri, the district church council secretary, told The Nation that the gunmen asked everyone at the church to surrender their phones and demanded to know who the pastor was. After threatening the choristers they became afraid and showed them the pastor home, Wazir was quoted as saying. They took him away and his daughter with 15 others amongst which there is the son of the pastor of Assemblies of God Church. The Evangelical Church Winning All is one of the countrys largest Christian denominations with over 6,000 congregations. While it hasnt been confirmed who is responsible for the attack and abduction, ThisDay newspaper spoke with an eyewitness who claimed that 30 Fulani extremists armed with guns and machetes were responsible for the attack in the village of Guguwa-Kwate in Igabi local government area. We are helpless because there is nothing we can do other than to report to the police when such incidents happened, the eyewitness said. We have no arms and we cannot stand them, we are just at their mercy because they are well armed and they always come in large numbers. The witness detailed how his nephew was killed by the gunmen during an attack on a home. They entered one house and were beating people, the source said. They kidnapped one man and a woman in the house. The witness added that it was the fifth time that gunmen had invaded their community. About two months ago, they abducted two people in the farm, the witness said. The other person was killed even after we paid them ransom. Christian farming communities throughout the middle belt of Nigeria have faced increasing attacks at the hands of Fulani extremists over the last couple of years with thousands being killed and countless homes and churches being destroyed. In the last several months, the Kaduna state has been hit hard with Fulani violence. In March, the governor had to institute a dusk-to-dawn curfew. While farmer-herder conflicts in the Middle Belt are nothing new, Christians in Nigeria say that the Fulani attacks have escalated in brutality and taken on a religious element in recent years. It is really simplifying catastrophic incidents in Nigeria by saying herder-farmer conflict and that does not solve the problem, Stephen Enada, who co-founded the nongovernmental organization International Committee on Nigeria, told CP in March. We need to face reality on the ground and call a spade a spade. In Southern Kaduna, a village is almost wiped out and over 200 people have been killed in the last week. Nigeria ranks as the 12th-worst nation in the world when it comes to Christian persecution, according to Open Doors USAs 2019 World Watch List. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has recommended that the State Department designate Nigeria a country of particular concern" for religious freedom violations. Pastor credits 'divine intervention' after locating 8-y-o kidnapped girl: 'God literally led us to this place' Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A pastor who located an 8-year-old girl abducted in Fort Worth, Texas has credited divine intervention for her miraculous recovery, saying God literally led him to her location. Jeff King, pastor at Bear Creek Bible Church in Keller, helped track down Salem Sabatka after she was abducted by Michael Webb, 51, while out walking with her mother in Fort Worth on Saturday. Video footage of the kidnapping showed the girls mother jumping into the grey Ford Five Hundred and desperately trying to save her daughter before Webb shoved her out and drove off. After King, a childhood friend of Salem's parents, heard about the incident, he and a friend began canvassing the streets of Fort Worth searching for the suspect's car. I was sitting at home with my wife when a friend texted and said that our friends' daughter had been kidnapped. All I could think is what are we going to do to help? King told NBC DFW. We were told by detectives the best places to check are hotels, apartments, and parks. The two men searched until after midnight when they got a tip from someone that they should check out a hotel in Forest Hill. After searching the car park at the tip-off location they found no sign of the suspect's car. However, after pulling into the Wood Springs Suites hotel, the two men saw a car that fit the description. God literally led us to this place. It was not on my itinerary, we were not trying to go there, we just drove by. It was divine intervention, 100 percent, King said. The pastor and father-of-two called the police, who then found Salem in the hotel miles away from where she had been abducted. It was a crazy moment. I asked police, 'Did I hear that right? Did they find her? Is she safe?' he said. Then finally one officer said, 'Yes sir, they have her.' Police allowed King to be the one to call Salem's parents and tell them the little girl had been found alive. "I feel like God allowed me to be a tool," the pastor said. On Facebook, Bear Creek Bible Church celebrated the littles girls recovery, writing: The Lord is so faithful! Following the little girls recovery, King, who local media dubbed a "hero," led a prayer at a press conference in her neighborhood. Thank you, Father, that shes alive and shes with us still and that she has a wonderful life to live ahead of her, Father, he prayed. I cant thank You enough for the redemption and grace You show us all the time. I cant thank You enough for the death of Your son on the cross as a substitutionary atonement in our place. Father, I cant thank You enough for last night and being able to locate that vehicle. Thank you, Father, for guiding us every step of the way. According to NBC, part of the kidnapping was captured on the doorbell camera of a neighbor. Footage shows the card speeding off before Salems mother dialed 911, screaming: Help me please, someone call the police, my daughter just got kidnapped. Police quickly started looking for the girl and sent out alerts with photos and details of the car. Webb, who had a lengthy criminal history including being charged with aggravated and sexual assault in April 2018 was arrested eight hours later and booked on a charge of aggravated kidnapping. Those of you who have camera doorbells, keep them going, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price said at a press conference. They were a huge help in getting this settled. Texas legislature advances Save Chick-fil-A religious freedom bill Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The Texas legislature is moving forward with a proposed bill aimed at protecting businesses like Chick-fil-A from being discriminated against due to donations to religious groups that oppose homosexuality. Texas Senate Bill 1978, commonly known as the Save Chick-fil-A bill, tentatively passed the state house on Monday in a vote of 79 ayes to 62 nays. It awaits a procedural House vote before being returned to the state Senate for a final vote. Republican State Representative Matt Krause of Fort Worth, the House sponsor for the bill, said in a statement that the bill was aimed at protecting people who donated to socially conservative religious groups. What we want to make sure is if you donate to the Salvation Army, you won't be labeled as bigoted, stated Rep. Krause, as reported by the Dallas Morning News. Democratic State Representative Julie Johnson denounced the bill, saying she believed that if the legislation is passed it will face a lengthy legal challenge. The underlying message remains the same and that message poisons this state. It sends the message that Texas is not open and welcoming to all, stated Johnson, as reported by the Texas Tribune. SB 1978 came in direct response to the San Antonio City Councils recent decision to ban a Chick-fil-A restaurant from being part of an airports food court. In March, the City Council voted 6-4 to remove Chick-fil-A from a concession agreement with San Antonio International Airport. At issue was Chick-fil-As connections to socially conservative nonprofits and its owners stated opposition to same-sex marriage. Councilman Roberto Trevino, who championed the removal of Chick-fil-A from the agreement, celebrated the vote result as an example of San Antonio becoming a champion of equality and inclusion. San Antonio is a city full of compassion, and we do not have room in our public facilities for a business with a legacy of anti-LGBTQ behavior, said Trevino, as reported by NBC News. However, Councilman and mayoral candidate Greg Brockhouse penned an open letter of apology to Chick-fil-A owner Dan Cathy over the vote result. The recent actions of our City Council do not reflect the overwhelming belief in our City that you are a valued business and community partner, wrote Brockhouse. In spite of the appearance of this decision, San Antonio is a welcoming City that values diversity, faith and inclusivity. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced in response to the outcry that he was investigating whether the City Council decision violated the First Amendment. The Constitutions protection of religious liberty is somehow even better than Chick-fil-As chicken. Unfortunately, I have serious concerns that both are under assault at the San Antonio airport, wrote Paxton in an official letter to San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg. I have directed my office to open an investigation into whether the Citys action violates state law. I trust the City will fully cooperate with my investigation into this matter, and will abide by relevant federal and state laws in the future." Challenging Roe: 5 states that have passed strict anti-abortion laws in 2019 Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Over the past few months, multiple states have passed laws that greatly restrict or all but outlaw abortion, in large part as a way to challenge and possibly overturn the 1973 United States Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade. Many activists and politicians saw the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court as creating a pro-life majority on the highest court that could overturn Roe. Several states have considered increased restrictions on abortion, especially bans on abortions once the heartbeat of an unborn baby is detected. Both Missouri and Louisiana are close to passing such laws. Here are 5 states that have recently passed restrictive laws against abortion. These include laws that ban abortion when an unborn babys heartbeat can be detected and one law that makes abortion a felony. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next House passes LGBT Equality Act; conservatives say it 'undermines womens equality' Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The Democrat-controlled U.S. House of Representatives passed the Equality Act Friday afternoon, hotly-debated legislation seeking to codify LGBT non-discrimination protections into federal law. H.R. 5 passed by a vote of 236-173. The bill would expand the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to also ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition in housing, public accommodations and hiring. The bill was first introduced in 2015 but never passed in the Republican-controlled House. However, it is unlikely to be voted on in the Republican-controlled Senate. But LGBT advocates and supporters consider the bills passage in the House historic and a sign of progress because it is the first time a comprehensive LGBT civil rights bill has come to the floor in Congress To bring our nation closer to the founding promise of liberty and justice for all, we, today, pass the Equality Act and finally, fully end discrimination against LGBTQ Americans, Democrat Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California said on the House floor. LGBTQ people deserve full civil rights protections in the workplace, in every place in education, housing, credit, jury duty, service and public accommodations. No one should be forced to lose his or her job, their home or to live in fear because of who they are and whom they love. Christian conservatives and religious freedom advocates have voiced strong opposition to the bill in fear it could encumber religious freedom for communities and organizations that uphold traditional teaching on issues like marriage, abortion and sexuality. Americans are becoming more tolerant every day, which is why the Equality Act is so counterproductive, Utah Republican Mike Lee wrote in a tweet. It unnecessarily pits communities against each other and divides our nation when patience and understanding are so sorely needed. With the vote along party lines, Idaho Republican Rep. Russ Fulcher announced in a video Friday that he was voting against the bill and questioned if his Democrat colleagues even read the legislation before voting in favor of it. I dont think they read it. I dont think they really understand what is in it because womens rights get eliminated, Fulcher said. Fulcher argued that the bill would "erase gender from federal law." For example, if I were a male inmate at a penitentiary and I identified as a woman that day, I could demand to be incarcerated on the female side of the penitentiary. If I were a male athlete and I wanted to be placed in the womens draw, I could identify as a woman," he said. "School curriculum: it could be mandated to have transgender training. Adoption agencies could be mandated that only certain people can adopt children. The list goes on. The traditional families get eroded and religious freedom is no more because religions identify gender. Critics have expressed concern that the Equality Act opens the door for more potential legal battles spawned by the intersection of LGBT rights and First Amendment rights of religious conservatives who feel homosexuality and transgender identity is unbiblical. In response to the House vote, lawyer Kristen Waggoner, who successfully defended Christian baker Jack Phillips at the U.S. Supreme Court last year for his refusal to bake a custom cake for a gay wedding, argued that the Equality Act fails to respect constitutionally guaranteed freedoms. It undermines womens equality by denying female athletes fair competition in sports, depriving women of business opportunities designed for them, and forcing them to share private, intimate spaces with men who identify as female, Waggoner, an attorney for the Alliance Defending Freedom, said in a statement. Like similar state and local laws, it would also force Americans to participate in events and speak messages that violate their core beliefs, all in the name of an equality that tolerates no dissenters. Across the nation, conservative Christian business owners, organizations and health professionals have come under legal fire for refusing to violate their religious or moral convictions relating to various issues including abortion, marriage, sexuality, gender identity, and gender reassignment. A group of 21 Christian conservative pastors and activists including Franklin Graham and James Dobson urged members of Congress this week to vote against the bill in a letter stating that the legislation carries with it religious freedom concerns. The letter argued that the language of the bill indicates that the bill is also the largest expansion of taxpayer-funded abortion this country has ever seen. "[T]he Equality Act is unacceptable because it is anti-life and creates a right to demand abortion from health care providers, the letter contends. The termination of human life in the womb is unacceptable to any biblically and historically faithful Christian. The responsibility to care for the least of these (Matt. 25:40) is a fundamental responsibility of Christs church, and any proposal that undermines a culture of life must be rejected. While Christian conservatives have spoken out against the Equality Act, left-leaning Christians have backed it, including Rev. Jennifer Butler, the head of the clergy network Faith in Public Life and former chair of the White House Council on Faith and Neighborhood Partnerships during the Obama administration. My faith teaches that everyone is created in the Holy image of God, Butler said in a statement. The passage of the Equality Act is an important step to make sure that the innate dignity of every person is recognized and protected in our country. Waggoner argued that LGBT activists want to con Americans into thinking that disagreement on important matters such as marriage and human sexuality is a form of discrimination that requires the government to enforce one view over another. But that is obviously wrong, she said. This bill undermines human dignity by threatening the fundamental freedoms of speech, religion, and conscience that the First Amendment guarantees for every citizen. Americans deserve better than the profound inequality that this intolerant, deceptively titled legislation offers. Alyssa Milano's comments on abortion an example of 'racism,' 'ignorance,' says Benjamin Watson Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment New England Patriots tight end Benjamin Watson has criticized actress Alyssa Milano for claiming that the right to an abortion benefits women of color, calling the actresss comments an example of ignorance and racism. After Georgia's governor signed the "heartbeat bill" banning abortions if a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which can be as early as six weeks Milano went on Twitter to call for a sex strike until "we get bodily autonomy back." "Any woman of privilege that lives in one of these states, if this goes through, they're going to be able to travel to a state to get a safe reproductive healthcare," Milano told CNNs Chris Cuomo. "But for the women of color, for the women that are marginalized, for the women that are (in) low-income communities ... these bills are going to be catastrophic." Watson, a father of seven and pro-life advocate, responded to Milanos remarks on Twitter, calling it an example of ignorance, racism or some combination of both. To claim that giving MORE children of color the right to be born will negatively affect women of color reveals IGNORANCE, RACISM or some combination of both, Watson said. Our children and families are capable of greatness and lies like this harm our future. Dont patronize us. In recent months, several states have passed laws significantly restricting or banning abortion. Last week, Alabama outraged abortion supporters by passing the most restrictive law in the nation, banning abortion even in cases of rape or incest, while allowing an exception for the life of the mother. Additionally, Missouri, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio and Georgia have passed "heartbeat laws" that ban abortions at a point in a pregnancy when a heartbeat is regularly detectable. A devout Christian who often speaks out publicly on a wide range of racial and political issues, Watson frequently advocates for the unborn. During a pro-life rally held in New Yorks Times Square on May 5, the athlete called on men to not avoid conversations about abortion, but rather to step up and to step into these conversations with boldness and with grace and with conviction. As families across our country are being destroyed and as lives are being extinguished, we must expose the lies that are being told. We must peel back those layers of deceit, said Watson. We have to be men who are willing to step into that boldly and with confidence because we were made to be protectors and providers. You have what it takes to be the man God designed you to be. Watson said that the voice of pro-life men is greatly needed in the public sphere, also stressing that fatherhood begins in the womb. Thats where it starts, continued Watson. It doesnt start when the baby is out. The relationship you have with the mother, the relationship you have talking to that child en utero. Fatherhood begins in the womb. There are millions of preborn children and courageous, precious mothers that are depending on us men to be men. So lets do it. Data from the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 60 percent of legal abortions in the state of Alabama were obtained by black women in 2015. In 2016, Watson argued that the abortion agenda seems to be focused primarily on minorities, pointing out that the nation's largest abortion business was founded by Margaret Sanger, who has often been accused of being a racist and a eugenicist. "I do know that blacks kind of represent a large portion of the abortions, and I do know that honestly the whole idea with Planned Parenthood and Sanger in the past was to exterminate blacks, and it's kind of ironic that it's working," Watson said. "We [as minorities] support candidates, and overwhelmingly support the idea of having Planned Parenthood and the like, and yet, that is why she created it." Watson criticized minorities for buying into the abortion agenda hook, line, and sinker. It's just amazing to me and abortion saddens me, period, he said. But it seems to be something that is really pushed on minorities and provided to minorities especially as something that they should do. In the public, it seems to be painted that when minorities get pregnant they need to get abortions, especially when it comes to teen pregnancy. "We sit here and talk about advancing the black agenda, whatever that means, we talk about our interests, and what's important to us like having political power and advancement and all those things and then we are turning around and we are killing our children," Watson asserted. "And we are buying the lie that it's our personal decision to make." Science cannot bury God but it can bury atheism: John Lennox Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment WASHINGTON Science cannot bury God, as some atheists claim, but it can bury atheism, according to an emeritus professor at Oxford University with a Ph.D. in mathematics. Gathered before hundreds at the Museum of the Bible Thursday for a Socrates in the City event hosted by author Eric Metaxas in the lead-up to Colson Center's annual Wilberforce Weekend, Irish mathematician John Lennox engaged the question: Has science buried God? Atheism, theism, pantheism have been around for millennia, Lennox said, when asked by Metaxas about when the idea crept into to mainstream Western thought that science and Christian faith were at odds. Isaac Newton "laid out the universe beautifully in terms of mathematics and discovered that mathematics gave a brilliant description of how things work, and it led to the idea that the universe was essentially a mechanical artifact. And then people began to think 'Well, it seems to run very well on its own and we are able to research it without referring to any concept of someone who set it going.' So the idea of God setting it going started to recede into the past," he said. By the 18th century, deism the belief that God exists but He is largely uninvolved in the affairs of humanity was prevalent and subsequently followed by the Enlightenment, where the thinkers of the day replaced God with human reason. "The social situation in England was such that when you got to the time of [Charles] Darwin and [Aldous] Huxley it was more to it than simply using science to bury God. Huxley, who was very famous, he was furious at the existence of amateur scientists, some of them were very brilliant ... who challenged him." Huxley's idea was to have the church scientific and change churches into where they would worship "Sophia," the goddess of wisdom, Lennox continued. But the shift away from a God-centered view of the cosmos at that time in the West was compounded by a professing Christian church that had no reality and was compromised morally, he went on to say. "And that turned the tables very rapidly, I think," he said. The thinking then became that God was fine for a while but He is no longer necessary, Lennox explained, as Steven Hawking asserted in his book The Grand Design. The notion that as science increases God decreases is inadequate, he said, and that results in the "God of the gaps" fallacy, which is intellectually lazy: "I can't explain it, therefore, God did it." "And that is a profound misunderstanding of the nature of explanation. Explaining explanation is a very important thing," Lennox said. "The mistake that is made, and [atheist author] Richard Dawkins pushed this, is that God and science compete as explanations, so you have to choose between them." But that's a false choice, he elaborated. Such thinkers are making two key mistakes, the first being that they have the wrong concept of God. When Lennox was growing up in Ireland and would refer to God, people knew he was speaking of the Creator God in the Bible. Yet atheists like Steven Hawking think Lennox is speaking of God who resembles an ancient Greek deity like Zeus and then automatically assume Christians default to the God of the gaps, the "I can't explain lightning so I invent a god when you do some atmospheric physics that god disappears." "The most important thing to realize is that the God of the Bible is not a god of the gaps," Lennox stressed. The first sentence of the Bible "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" linguistically is a merism, which includes the bits we do and don't understand. "If you understand art, you can follow the details of a Rembrandt painting better than I can. The more you understand, the more you admire the genius, and that is just so important. And so Newton's faith and my faith, being in God, increases, because the heavens are constantly and increasingly declaring his glory," he stressed, alluding to Psalm 19. But the reason he thinks that science can bury atheism is because science can be done, Lennox said. If you start believing that there is a rational intelligence behind the universe, then doing science is reasonable, and the Christian has a rationale for doing science, he said. When atheists ask him how it is possible for him to be both a scientist and a Christian he inquires of them: "What do you do science with?" and he points to his head to make it obvious. Most of them reply that they do science with their brains. Lennox then lets them simmer on that thought and then asks them to tell him about their brains with which they do science. "What do you really believe about it? Give me a short history of the brain," he presses them. They often say something like "that's relatively easy because the brain is the end product of the mindless unguided process," he said. "And I look at them and I sometimes smile and I say: 'And you trust it?'" "Be honest with me, if you knew that the computer you use every day in your lab was the end product of a mindless, unguided process would you trust it? Lennox has asked that question to dozens of internationally acclaimed scientists, and he always forces them to answer. Each of them always responds with a "no." "I see you have a problem then. Here you're doing science. And I'm asking you for a rational justification of your faith," he tells them. "We've been hugely miseducated to think that there is science here and faith there," he said, gesturing as if the two were completely distinct categories. "Science involves faith. You don't do science unless it can be done. More precisely, you don't do it unless you believe the universe is at least in part rationally intelligible." Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Weve not seen in the United States, at least in recent memory, so many efforts to force Christians to act in ways that violate their consciences. Almost always, these demands are made in the name of sexual freedomwhether were talking about nuns being forced to provide contraception, bakers and florists having to participate in gay weddings, or adoption agencies being forced to place kids with same-sex couples. What makes these stories even more discouraging is how many Americansespecially Christiansdont seem to understand our first freedom or even care all that much about it. According to a new survey by Barna, the number of Americans who say that religious freedom means being able to believe and practice the core commitments and values of your faith is still a majority, but its falling; down 14 percent since 2012. Even more troubling, pastors seem to be losing interest in the issue. Barna reports that just five years ago, a strong majority of Protestant clergy said they were very concerned that religious freedom would become more restricted. In the latest survey, that number fell to a paltry 34 percent. Barna editor-in-chief, Roxanne Stone says its easy to stop caring when we feel protected by those currently in power. But in doing so, Christians risk becoming just another tribal group jockeying for special favors from Washington. If we want to keep our freedoms after a new president is in the White House, we have to learn to make the case for religious liberty as a positive social value for all people. In other words, we have to be able to argue for this freedom as if its more than a retreat strategy. This is, of course, a real challenge in a culture where increasing numbers of people think religion should be kept private, and sexual preferences should be made public. Somehow, we must make the case that religious liberty is not only a good worth preserving, but that its essential to a free society. You might have heard of S.L.E.D. Its an acronym which stands for Size, Level of development, Environment, and Degree of dependency. It makes the argument for unborn life simple and focused, even when things get emotional. Its memorable and reusable. For a long time now, Ive wished there were a S.L.E.D. for religious freedomsomething to help us remember the arguments and make the case in a convincing way. Well, my colleague Shane Morris has just came up with one: F.R.E.E. Free is an acronym that can walk you through an intelligent conversation about religious liberty. F is for Forcing. Forcing people to go against their beliefs for no good reason is a bad thing. This is a premise that even most secular people should be able to get behind. R stands for Reason. Is there a good reason to force a religious person to go against his or her belief in the case youre discussing? And are there less burdensome alternatives to squashing this freedom, like using a bakery down the street or an adoption agency across town? The first E is for Examples. Offer examples that the person youre talking with may not have thought of or heard of. Should a Muslim t-shirt designer be forced to create shirts mocking the prophet Muhammad? Should an Orthodox Jewish club at a university be forced to admit Christians as officers? Should an LGBT baker be forced to bake a cake with anti-gay slogans? The final E is one I think theyll love: Equality. Christians who dont agree with the new sexual orthodoxy should be equally free to live according to their faith, without being compelled to violate their consciences. Dont hesitate to turn it around as a question: If you think Muslims and Jews should have religious freedom in the examples we gave, why not Christians? Its not a silver bullet, nor does it say everything that well need to about religious freedom, but F.R.E.E can help you have a conversation thats intelligent and focused. If we can discuss religious freedom in a way that cuts through the rhetoricthe way many of us have learned to talk about abortionwell have a chance of preserving this freedom no matter whos in office. Download mp3 audio here. Resources Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty: What Belongs to God, What Belongs to Caesar, David S. Dockery, John Stonestreet, et al | Fidelis Books | 2019 Originally posted at Breakpoint. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment "Game of Thrones" ended Sunday night after eight seasons. It was broadcast in 207 countries and territories and was one of the most popular series on television. Because of its pornographic sexual content and extreme violence, I did not watch the show. But I believe culture-changing Christians can learn something important from it. Two months of testing for a wig "Game of Thrones" filmed in ten countries. The series used 12,986 extras and two thousand crew members in Northern Ireland alone. It included three thousand pyrotechnic effects, fifty miles of fabric for costumes, and more than twenty-four thousand pounds of silicone for prosthetics. Wigs for one of the lead characters required two months of testing and seven prototypes. Over its first seven seasons, the series received 174 award nominations and won sixty-three times. The series is just one example of the fact that our cultures moral compass is broken. A generation ago, a movie as violent and pornographic as "Game of Thrones" would have been X-rated. But while Christians should reject the shows immoral worldview, we should ask ourselves: If such a television series can be produced with professional excellence, how much more does our Father deserve excellence from us? The other side of the equation Yesterday, we focused on the urgency of reliance on God. Jesus taught us that if we would be truly blessed and used by our Lord, we must be poor in spirit, utterly dependent on our Father (Matthew 5:3). The Lord of the universe can do so much more with us than we can do for him. Today, lets consider the other side of the equation. No one in Christian history was more Spirit-led and Spirit-dependent than the Apostle Paul. He said of himself, I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me (Galatians 2:20). He followed Gods leading into regions he did not intend to visit (cf. Acts 16:610). He testified, I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ (Philippians 3:8). At the same time, no one in Christian history was more passionately committed to personal excellence than the Apostle Paul. A passion for personal excellence He encouraged excellence in our thoughts: Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things (Philippians 4:8). He encouraged excellence in our words: Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear (Ephesians 4:29). He encouraged excellence in our actions: Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works (Titus 2:7); Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness (1 Timothy 6:11). He set the example in personal sacrifice (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:2327) and his commitment to scholarship: When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments (2 Timothy 4:13). In short, Paul was completely dependent on God and yet completely committed to personal excellence. How does this balance work? As I work, God works. For many years, I struggled to answer this question. I heard the phrase Let go and let God and took it to mean that I was to be dependent on God for everything I thought, said, and did. And yet I knew that God holds us accountable for our use of the spiritual gifts and resources he entrusts to us (cf. Romans 12:68; Matthew 25:1430). Then I read Fisher Humphreyss excellent systematic theology, Thinking About God. Here is the paragraph that helped me: I agree that we are dependent upon God. However, I do not think that we must cease striving in order to be dependent upon God. . . . It is possible to depend and to strive at the same time. In fact, that is the ideal, as one of the old gospel songs said: Trust and obey, For theres no other way To be happy in Jesus But to trust and obey. In other words, as I work, God works. The divine-human partnership I am passionately convinced that we should begin every day by surrendering that day to the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). We should seek Gods leadership before making our decisions. We should ask for his strength as we face our temptations and challenges. We should depend on him to do what we cannot do: to convict people of sin, save souls, and change lives. But there is a divine-human partnership to living as the people of God. Noah built the ark, then God sent the flood. Moses confronted Pharaoh, then God sent the plagues. Joshua led the people into the flooded Jordan river, then God stopped the flood. David confronted Goliath; Daniel prayed in the lions den; Peter preached at Pentecost; Paul praised God in the Philippian jail; John worshiped on Patmos. As they worked, God worked. 250,000 miles on horseback The God who loves us and saved us deserves our very best. John Wesley believed that God does nothing but in answer to prayer, but he also rode over 250,000 miles on horseback and preached over forty thousand sermons. Martin Luther prayed for three hours a day, but he also translated the entire Bible into German and wrote books that sparked the Reformation. William Carey began each day with God in prayer, Scripture, and worship. He also translated the Bible into forty-four languages and dialects and helped launch the modern missions movement. Careys most famous sermon is Gods call to us today: Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God. Will you do both today? Originally posted at denisonforum.org Christians fearful after two more deadly attacks in Burkina Faso In the last week, ten Christians have been killed in northern Burkina Faso in two separate attacks. The violence has unnerved Christian communities in the region and many have fled. On Monday 13 May, four Catholics were executed by armed attackers. The church members were bringing a statue of Mary back to their parish that had been used in a religious procession when armed men reportedly intercepted them. They let the children who were there go before killing the four adults and destroying the statue. One day earlier between 20-30 armed men stormed a Catholic church in the same region and opened fire on the worshippers. Six people were killed in the attack, among them 34-year-old Reverend Simeon Yampa. The attackers then burned down the church, shops and a health center. On top of this, there have been three other attacks in Burkina Faso over the last five weeks. The increased insecurity in the area has caused churches and schools to close, Christians are in hiding and some have started to flee to safer towns in the south. Those who remain are living in what is rapidly feeling more and more like a ghost town. A local church leader who asked to be unnamed for security reasons told Open Doors: "Christians are in hiding. No one dares to sleep in his house because of the fear of being killed. It's very hard for us. We need your prayers." Burkina Faso has long been known for the peaceful co-existence between different religious communities but the country has seen a rise in attacks by Islamist militants following the removal of long-time ruler, Blaise Compaore in 2014. Home-grown militant groups and extremists with links to al-Qaeda and Islamic State have been in the country's north (bordering Mali) since 2016. Recently they have expanded into the east and southwest, threatening the stability of neighbouring countries. Violence against Christians has risen dramatically in Burkina Faso this year. In the last 12 months, the increasing violence across Mali and Niger, as well as Burkina Faso, has led to a five-fold rise in the displacement of the local population. More than 330,000 people have left their homes. According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, there has been a staggering 7,000 per cent increase in fatalities in Burkina Faso compared to the same period last year. There has also been a 300 per cent increase in fatalities in neighbouring Mali and 500 per cent in Niger. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has rightly condemned the attack. "Houses of worship should be havens, not targets," he said. In a statement he urged, "All citizens of Burkina Faso to stand firmly with one another across communities and not to succumb to efforts to sow discord and breed further violence." Burkina Faso sits just outside the Open Doors World Watch List the top 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. It is categorised as having high levels of persecution and is on Open Doors' list of Persecution Watch countries. Pray for the Christians there, that they may be free to practise their faith in peace and without fear. Open Doors serves persecuted Christians around the world by providing vital support, delivering resources, and providing training. Crackdown on Eritrea's Christians ahead of Independence Day Eritrea has been cracking down on Christians ahead of the country's Independence Day on May 24. Eritrea has arrested more than 140 Christians who were meeting in private in the capital Asmara. Fourteen children are among the 141 detained, after the authorities raided a Christian gathering in Mai Temenai. The crackdown comes ahead of Eritrea's Independence Day on May 24. Contacts of Release International, which supports persecuted Christians around the world, say the streets are filled with police and secret police who are trying to prevent protests. Some of those detained in the latest police action are believed to be in Adi Abeito prison, close to where they were arrested; others are still being held by police. Demonstrations by pro-democracy campaigners in neighbouring Sudan have led to the removal of the ruling dictator, Omar al-Bashir. As well as carrying out arrests, the authorities in Eritrea have shut down social media. Dictatorship Eritrea is a one-party dictatorship, which has been ruled over by President Isaias Afwerki since 1993. The nation had been in a state of war with neighbouring Ethiopia for 30 years. Even though the two countries signed a peace deal last July, hopes that rapprochement with Ethiopia would lead to a freedom dividend have proved unfounded. One in five Eritreans is drafted into the armed forces for indefinite military service. And there has been no improvement in religious freedom or human rights conditions, either, according to the latest report of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. The country has been described as the North Korea of Africa. It is one of the poorest on the continent. Around 1.5 million Eritreans have fled. And this growing diaspora is becoming increasingly vocal in its demands for religious and human rights freedoms. Religion controlled Eritrea is evenly split between Muslims and Christians, but religion is tightly controlled. In 2002 Eritrea outlawed many Christian denominations and shut down Evangelical and Pentecostal churches. Christians who worship in unregistered churches are regarded as enemies of the state. Any believers in the armed services caught practising their faith face imprisonment. Many Christians are jailed indefinitely without charge or going to trial. Some are kept in shipping containers, where they are exposed to the searing desert heat by day and cold by night. Some are beaten and tortured to try to force them to renounce their faith. Torture Dawit, an Eritrean refugee, described how he was tortured to Release International: "I was arrested because of my Christian faith. Each night I had to sleep on the floor with my arms and feet tied together tightly, they called it the Number 8." He said his legs were doubled up behind his back and lashed to his wrists. "Because of that I still have back pain." Sometimes prisoners are tied up and hanged from trees. One form of hanging is known as the Jesus Christ, because it looks like a crucifix. The Bishop of Truro's recent persecution review declared "the torture of Christians is widespread in... Eritrean prisons". And a UN human rights commission noted attacks on Protestants and Pentecostals were "part of a diligently planned policy of the government". Estimates vary as to how many Christian prisoners are being held in Eritrea. The authorities do not release records. Most are believed to be Pentecostal or Evangelical. Many have been held for more than a decade. The prison authorities ban praying aloud, singing, preaching or reading religious books. Freedom call Release partner Dr Berhane Asmelash was himself tortured in Eritrea. He says Christians inside the country are growing bolder as the Eritrean diaspora becomes more outspoken in calling for greater religious freedom. Says Dr Berhane: "People used to live in fear but since last July, people started to speak openly in the diaspora. Over and they are calling that enough is enough, and people inside Eritrea are communicating with them." "Things have to change in Eritrea," says Paul Robinson, Release International CEO. "The country is no longer at war, but it still behaves as though it is and the enemy is its own people. "Release has long been campaigning for Eritrea to release its prisoners of faith and to grant freedom of worship. Please continue to pray for a radical change of heart in President Isaias Afwerki and his government, amid mounting international pressure for reform. "It's time for the repression to end and for freedom to prevail." Release is supporting Christian prisoners and their families in Eritrea as many have been deprived of their breadwinners for years. Release is also providing practical and spiritual support for Eritrean refugees who have been forced to flee, and is helping former prisoners get back into work. Release International works in some 30 countries around the world, supporting pastors, Christian prisoners and their families, and supplying Christian literature and Bibles to the persecuted church. Pro-life student group wins right to presence on Aberdeen University campus after legal challenge A pro-life student group has been told it can formally have a presence on Aberdeen University campus following a legal challenge. The Aberdeen Life Ethics Society (ALES) was informed that its application to affiliate had finally been accepted by the Aberdeen University Students' Association (AUSA) after the pro-life group began legal proceedings last month. ALES launched a legal challenge after its original application for affiliation last October was turned down because its values were not in line with AUSA's pro-abortion policy. As part of its official position, AUSA said it was committed to promoting abortion rights in Northern Ireland and opposed the "unreasonable display of pro-life material within campus and at events". Lawyers for ALES argued that AUSA and the university were in breach of the Equality Act 2010 and the Human Rights Act 1998. In papers lodged by ALES at Aberdeen Sheriff Court last month, the group said legal action was being pursued after "repeated efforts to resolve this problem through internal bureaucratic channels". An AUSA spokesperson confirmed that an application from ALES to affiliate was approved on May 13. "AUSA's Pro-Choice policy remains under suspension and steps are being taken to ensure that AUSA can continue to be pro-choice," the spokesperson said. ALES welcomed the turnaround, calling it a "positive" result. "The pro-life position may be a minority viewpoint, but it is fully protected by the law," it said. The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children has also welcomed the outcome. It accused AUSA of a "blatant attempt to censor the pro-life voice on campus" and said news of ALES' successful affiliation was a "victory for the pro-life voice in universities". It follows a similar case at Glasgow University where Glasgow Students for Life's application for affiliation was only approved by the student council after it was threatened with legal action. WASHINGTON - House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., blocked a bipartisan attempt to limit Chinese companies from contracting with U.S. transit systems, a move that benefited a Chinese government-backed manufacturer with a plant in his district, according to multiple people familiar with the matter. His behind-the-scenes intervention came as Congress was trying this year to craft a spending compromise to avert another government shutdown. McCarthy pressed lawmakers to strip out language that could have prevented the company in his district, BYD Motors, from winning federal contracts, and they relented because they feared imperiling the bill. BYD Motors is a division of BYD Co., a giant Chinese manufacturer. Among other things, it makes electric buses that are often used by local governments. Stella Li, BYD Motors president, is a campaign contributor to McCarthy, and the lawmaker spoke at a ribbon cutting for BYD's California plant in 2017. Lawmakers frequently take a stance on legislation that could affect campaign contributors or hometown companies. But McCarthy's intervention was striking because the close ally of President Donald Trump sought to protect Chinese interests at a time when Trump and many lawmakers on Capitol Hill are attempting to curb Beijing's access to U.S. markets, particularly in industries deemed vital to national security. Last week, Trump put Chinese telecom giant Huawei on a trade "blacklist" that severely restricts its access to U.S. technology. The action leaves about 90 days for companies to do some business with Huawei. McCarthy's move to protect a Chinese company's interests frustrated even some members of his own party because they have warned repeatedly that allowing Chinese-backed firms access to U.S. infrastructure systems could pose a national security risk to the United States. Lawmakers of both major parties have complained that U.S. tax dollars should not be used to support projects that benefit foreign companies. "Kevin McCarthy has been championing a Chinese-owned company that is utilizing our tax dollars to gain a foothold in the American automotive industry," said Scott Paul, president of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, a labor-business partnership that has advocated for a tougher stance against China. "This is a company that is clearly championed by the Chinese government that has ambitions to dominate the global auto market, and so giving a foothold to it in the American transit market . . . seems to be a really, really risky proposition." Matt Sparks, a spokesman for McCarthy, defended the congressman's actions. He said McCarthy has long advocated for companies in his district and denied any connection between McCarthy's receipt of campaign contributions from BYD and his actions on Capitol Hill. "McCarthy is proud to support job creation for his constituents and community," Sparks said. McCarthy's work on the transit issue affecting BYD began last year and continued for several months, culminating in a February spending bill that omitted the ban on Chinese-backed companies getting federal transit contracts. BYD officials initially contacted McCarthy's office because the Senate had approved such a prohibition, which would have applied to bus or rail manufacturers supported by the Chinese government and would have prevented them from winning state or local contracts that use Federal Transit Administration dollars, as such contracts often do. Sparks confirmed McCarthy's aides listened to the issues BYD raised about the bill. A House version of the bill, which McCarthy supported, exempted bus manufacturers from this prohibition, according to McCarthy's office - a key provision that would have protected BYD. Senate negotiators wanted their broader, bipartisan restrictions pushed into the final law, but McCarthy objected, according to three officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the private talks. Ultimately, all of the proposed restrictions were scrapped because the impasse threatened to cause another government shutdown. Supporters of the stricter Senate version said the goal was to protect U.S. national security and domestic manufacturing. "I think we're right to try to protect America's national security interests but also protect our domestic producers against that sort of unfair competition," said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, an author of the Senate provision. Trump and his top aides have complained that China unfairly subsidizes large companies in a way that puts U.S. firms at a disadvantage, but there has never been a full accounting of how much U.S. government business those firms reap. The enterprises are either partially owned by the Chinese government or receive financial support from it, and critics say those direct or indirect subsidies give them an unfair advantage over U.S. manufacturers. The Trump administration has engaged in broad trade negotiations with China, which have soured in recent weeks - in part over the issue of China's extensive network of government-backed enterprises. Beyond economic concerns, lawmakers from both parties have said it is dangerous for Chinese-linked firms to have access to U.S. transit systems because of the potential for espionage or other threats to national security. Among other things, they have argued that in time, China-backed companies could use facial recognition technology or other means to surveil unsuspecting Americans. "We really need to wake up. We need to understand what a threat this is and do something about it," Rep. Daniel Lipinski, D-Ill., said Thursday at a House Transportation Committee hearing about public transit and rail sectors. "We can't just sit here and talk about it and then years from now when it happens, say 'Well, I remember talking about it.' " A BYD official who testified Thursday insisted that the company is not controlled by the Chinese government, noting that Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway owns a stake in the firm. The official - Zachary Kahn, North America government relations director for BYD Motors - emphasized BYD's civic ties to the towns of Lancaster and Palmdale in and near McCarthy's inland Southern California district, including support for the Boy Scouts and the California Poppy Festival. He said BYD employs 775 union members as part of its U.S. workforce, most of whom work at the Lancaster plant. Fast Company last year called BYD "The Biggest Electric Vehicle Company You've Never Heard Of." Forbes in 2017 listed BYD's billionaire chairman and president, Wang Chuanfu, as one of the richest men in China. The company has promoted its ties to McCarthy in the past. At an October 2017 ribbon cutting to expand its Lancaster plant, McCarthy was seated on the stage next to the billionaire, according to a photograph posted on BYD's website. "I am proud that BYD has chosen to expand their facility here in Lancaster," BYD's website quotes McCarthy as saying. "As BYD continues to develop cutting edge technology that helps transform the transportation industry here in the Antelope Valley and around the country, this investment will help create jobs in our community, keep Lancaster on the forefront of technological advancement, and put emission-free vehicles on our streets." One month before the event, BYD's Li made several political donations that benefited groups tied to McCarthy, according to the Federal Election Commission. She gave $1,350 to Kevin McCarthy for Congress, $2,700 to California Victory 2018 and $1,350 to the Great America Committee. Li had never given McCarthy or either of the political action committees money before that time, according to the Federal Election Commission. Frank Girardot, spokesman for BYD Motors, said the donations were made as part of a political fundraising event but disputed any impropriety. "If you're going to characterize this as being some kind of influence type thing, nothing could be further from the truth," Girardot said. The Great America Committee is a political action committee affiliated with Vice President Mike Pence that supported many House Republican candidates in the last campaign cycle. It did not give money to McCarthy, but it did support many of the GOP candidates McCarthy backed in an effort to retain control of the House of Representatives. California Victory 2018 is a political action committee that gives money to California Republicans, with McCarthy being the biggest individual beneficiary last year, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that studies political donations. Sparks, the McCarthy spokesman, said the congressman had been familiar with issues related to BYD for several years. "McCarthy's awareness of BYD's proposal and decision to build a plant in Lancaster long preceded this event. In fact, McCarthy met with the mayor of Lancaster to discuss the BYD proposal and tour potential sites back in 2015," Sparks said. "The BYD investment in the Antelope Valley helps the city of Lancaster - which is in the congressman's district - work toward its ambitious goal to be a zero-net energy city." BYD has faced scrutiny for years. Some Democrats have accused BYD of manufacturing batteries for its vehicles in China and then shipping the unfinished products to the United States, where they are put in a special casing and then labeled in a way that allows them to qualify under "Buy America" restrictions. The Buy America designation is crucial in order for the company to qualify for certain contracts funded by U.S. taxpayer dollars. BYD officials have denied accusations that they aren't properly adhering to the rules, insisting that the company's buses meet or exceed Buy America requirements. "BYD stands by its products and its U.S. employees," Kahn told lawmakers Thursday, adding: "This competitive dynamic supported by BYD's presence in the U.S. has also driven down costs for transit agencies." Winning contracts with state and local governments has been crucial for BYD since it expanded its presence in the United States. Several media reports have projected that the company has received hundreds of millions of dollars in such contracts in recent years. Last year, for example, the company won one bid to supply Atlanta with electric vehicles and another to provide battery-electric buses for Georgia, according to BYD's website. Lawmakers at the House hearing were unimpressed. Rep. Paul Mitchell, R-Mich., said BYD has received $338 million in grants from the Chinese government, and three of its five board members are connected to the Chinese government in some way. Mitchell asked Kahn for details on the terms of the grants and other information about the company's organization, which Kahn was mostly unable to supply. "Whether this is technically state-owned or state-influenced, we have a problem here," Mitchell told him. "What's been made abundantly clear by the Chinese government is they plan to assume a dominant position in the world by 2025 in all aspects, including economic. This is a threat to the security of this nation, so let's not dress this up and say that BYD is not state-owned." House Transportation Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., complained at the same hearing that BYD sent defective buses to his district, but he also acknowledged the company's political savvy. "They're smart, they unionized, they put these plants in very strategic places," DeFazio said. "They didn't know Democrats were going to take over the House, they put the plant in Kevin McCarthy's district, I think they would have put it in someone else's district if they'd known Democrats were going to take over the House, but they aren't dumb." In an interview after the hearing, Kahn was asked whether BYD had chosen to move into Lancaster because it was represented by a powerful member of Congress. He said he wasn't with the company at the time, but that his sense was its biggest supporter was the local mayor. Kahn said the company did nothing untoward in approaching McCarthy and other local representatives about the problematic spending bill language. "We certainly let all of our representatives know when there's legislation that would hurt us, let them know the implications of something like that," Kahn said. "Most transit agencies do use federal funding, hence it would be really damaging to jobs in his district." New legislation, pushed by a group of energy companies seeking to eliminate potential conflicts of interest, would create a new governing board for the Houston Pilots that guide vessels to and from Port of Houston docks. For decades, one board has overseen operations for both the Port of Houston Authority and the Houston Pilots. The Port Authority operates, manages or leases eight public terminals where cargo such as containers and steel are unloaded. It's also the local sponsor of the federally maintained Houston Ship Channel, meaning the Port Authority helps with the management and environmental stewardship of the waterway. At HoustonChronicle.com: Lawmakers add potential hurdles to large container ships The Houston Pilots are tasked with guiding vessels through the narrow channel. They set rules on when it's safe to move these vessels and what size vessels are permitted. Their governing board sets rates that pilots can charge for their services. Senate Bill 1915, sent to Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday, would require a separate board for the Houston Pilots. It also adds two governor appointees to the board. The bill was authored by state Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston. In a statement, she said the commissioners' dual roles "create a conflict of interest because state certified pilots are supposed to be the final arbiter of all safety and traffic decisions on the ship channel." The legislation was pushed by the Coalition for a Fair and Open Port, which represents Houston energy companies including Enterprise Products, Targa Resources Corp. and Kinder Morgan. Vincent DiCosimo, executive director of the coalition, said the Port Authority operates a for-profit economic engine. And whether or not the conflicts of interest are real, the Houston Pilots deserve their own sounding board. At HoustonChronicle.com: Apartment developer Campo wins port chairman job The Houston Pilots are neutral to the bill. But Ric Campo, chairman of the boards governing the Port Authority and the Houston Pilots, called it the coalition's "conspiracy theory." He denied that commissioners would ever put rules in place to benefit container ships over energy ships. And Campo said the Houston Pilots have always been allowed to set and maintain safety rules. No one has interfered with their work. "The energy folks have political clout," Campo said, "and have gone to Austin and said, 'Oh my god, we have a problem.'" He's frustrated that this legislation is distracting from what everyone agrees is the ultimate goal -- deepening and widening the Houston Ship Channel. Houston's office market is improving and the industrial and retail sectors continue to charge forward, according to a quarterly update from commercial real estate services firm NAI Partners. Brokers at the company's Galleria area office shared insights on the market at a quarterly press update Wednesday. Some takeaways: OFFICE The office market is still in a slump -- roughly 60 million square feet of office space throughout the metro area lies fallow. And while some statistics suggest rents have risen, Dan Boyles, an NAI tenant representative, said those numbers are deceptive. "The rents that are going up are really gross rents, they're not net effective rents, which are still under significant pressure," he explained. In other words, landlords are offering such large concessions that the actual rent received over the term of the lease remains low. Boyles said he is seeing significant concessions in both new buildings and older, lower-quality buildings. While it's still a tenant's market, Boyles said leasing activity has taken more space off the market over the past few quarters, referred to as positive absorption. For the first time in a long time, some NAI clients are discussing expanding their office space requirements. In the first quarter of 2019, the Houston market absorbed half a million square feet. "Which is marginal," Boyles said. "But better than the other way around." INDUSTRIAL Houston has historically been more of a manufacturing-based industrial market, but it's shifting to a distribution market. Million-square-foot spec warehouses are coming, said Clay Pritchett, a partner in the industrial and land brokerage services practice at NAI. Spec warehouses used to be 200,000 to 300,000 square feet. Now they're 600,000 to 800,000 square feet. Breaking the 1 million-square-foot mark would put Houston in the league of distribution markets such as Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago and the Inland Empire in Southern California. RETAIL Mixed-use is becoming a bigger component of retail. "There's a big flight to urbanization," said Jason Gaines, senior vice president, retail services at NAI Partners. Investors are interested in re-purposing empty big box stores into last-mile distribution centers. In a 350-foot depth building, a developer might put anchor tenants in the front 250 feet and transform the back into a logistics point. That type of use hasn't yet arrived in Houston, but these types of creative conversions are happening in places with more inventory of space such as the Midwest, Gaines said. Houston's retail has remained fairly full, with occupancy at or above 94 percent during the last five years. "The developers have learned to self-police this industry," Gaines said. "They're not building a lot of spec anymore." After more than 20 years, koalas have returned to the San Antonio Zoo. Warrin and Burra, two male koalas on loan from the San Diego Zoo, arrived in San Antonio on Monday to begin their summer stay at the "Wild Australia" exhibit taking place from May 25 to Sept. 2. Passengers on a Southwest Airlines flight were surprised to find out they had two furry fellow fliers. Each person on the plane received a koala plush to take home to commemorate the trip. The new additions got a koalaty welcome to San Antonio with eucalyptus on board and a police escort to the zoo, as seen in photos shared online. RELATED: New San Antonio attractions to discover with your kids once school's out for the summer "We knew we had the perfect koalaficactions to welcome Burra and Warrin onboard," Southwest Airlines tweeted. "We loved sharing the skies with them!" The Wild Australia event is included with zoo admission and aims to take San Antonio "down under for the summer. "Learn all about Australia and the animals that call it home," the zoo website reads. "See koalas, take a stroll through the Australian Aviary, and hop on over to see kangaroos in the all-new Roo Walkabout." Annual passholders can meet the koala pair first on Friday, May 24 from 5 to 8 p.m. 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 Two restaurants are expanding with new locations at a forthcoming project in the Heights. Both Mendocino Farms Sandwich Market and Honeychild's Sweet Creams have signed leases at M-K-T, the adaptive reuse project planned at an industrial park on North Shepherd and 6th Street, according to the Houston Chronicle. Indigo, the 13-seat restaurant that has become the darling of the local and national food scene, adds another major accolade to its recent achievements. The Northline-area spot has been named one of the top 10 restaurants in America by Food & Wine. Coming in at No. 8 on the list of 2019 Best New Restaurants in America, Indigo was cited for chef Jonny Rhodes' neo-soul menu inspired by the experiences of African-American and indigenous people. Each course in Indigo's prix fixe dinners comes with a historical lesson delivered by the 28-year-old chef. "It's hard to know exactly how to talk about Indigo, but the truth is it's better to listen. To 13 seats, two times a night, chef Jonny Rhodes delivers a thesis in five courses the historic oppression and creativity of African, African American, and black people, told through the lens of what he has named neo-soul food," Food & Wine writes. "Several courses are presented with context from Rhodes, derived from years of research into the African underpinnings of American vernacular cuisine. A theme of preservation ripples through the menutechniques like curing and pickling were vital to the survival of agricultural oppression experienced by African Americans. So you might encounter sweet and sticky preserved figs, smoked fowl, or vegetables submerged in spice-spiked vinegars years before the restaurant ever opened its doors." INDIGO'S JOURNEY: How chef Jonny Rhodes created one of the nation's top restaurants Since it opened last summer, the restaurant at 517 Berry (at 819-square feet it can accommodate only 13 guests seated around a horseshoe-shape counter) has steadily built momentum and foodie buzz. In March, Rhodes was named as a semi-finalist for the 2019 James Beard Awards' Rising Star of the Year distinction for young chefs. That nod came after Texas Monthly included Indigo in its 2019 list of Best New Restaurants in Texas in February. Eater Houston named Rhodes 2018 Chef of the Year. And in her end of the year roundup of the city's best new restaurants, Houston Chronicle restaurant critic Alison Cook found much to admire about Indigo: "Dining at this audacious restaurant is like attending a one-man off-Off-Broadway play." Rhodes and his wife, Chana Rhodes, operate the Indigo Thursday through Sunday with two seatings per night ($79 for herbivore menu, $125 for pescatarian menu). Critics have found it one of the most intimate and special dining experiences in the country. And one of the most unusual, as Food & Wine writes: "Rhodes, who put in time at Gramercy Tavern in New York and Oxheart in Houston, is a gifted cook. And so while all of this may be delicious, none of it is comfortableit isn't intended to be. Sometimes the things we need the most are the hardest to swallow." Indigo is in prestigious company. At No. 3 on the list is Frenchette in New York, named Best New Restaurant at the 2019 James Beard Awards, considered the Oscars of the food world. Cadence in Philadelphia was No. 1 on Food & Wine's list and Suerte in Austin, the only other Texas restaurant included, was at No. 3. 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. Housing sales would drop, gasoline prices would increase and Texas would lose hundreds of billions of dollars in economic output if a major storm struck an unprotected coastline, according to a new study. The joint study by Texas A&M University at Galveston and the Texas General Land Office assesses the storm surge impacts on the three counties along Galveston Bay Galveston, Harris, and Chambers and explores how flooding from a severe storm would impact different sectors of the local and national economies. The study finds that a 500-year storm would result in an 8 percent decrease in Gross State Product by 2066, an $853 billion loss. (A 500-year flood has a 0.2 percent chance of occurring in a given year. Hurricane Harvey was the third such event in the Houston area in three years.) STUDY: Sea level rise causes Texas coastal homeowners to lose millions in potential property value With a coastal barrier in place, the study found, economic losses would be significantly less harmful. Gross State Product would still decline after a 500-year storm, but only by 2 percent. Housing sales would decrease by 2 percent, while petroleum and chemical output would decline by 3 percent and 5 percent, respectively. "This is the first time that people have looked at indirect damages and how things occur other than the damage we think of from floods," said Wes Highfield, an associate professor at Texas A&M University at Galveston and an investigator on the study. "This is another data point that says, 'Hey this could be a really important piece of mitigation.' It creates a richer picture." The economic outlook for an unprotected Houston-Galveston region ravaged by a storm surge is bleak, the report shows. Housing sales would decline by nearly 8 percent, a $39.5 billion loss. Revenues in the petrochemical sector would decline by 19 percent, a $175.4 billion loss, while prices on petroleum products would increase by 13 percent. Nationally, following an unprotected, 500-year surge event in Galveston Bay, the U.S. Gross Domestic Product would be 1.1 percent lower by the end of the 50-year period, an estimated $863 billion dollar economic decline. "This study clearly demonstrates that, without any new protections in place, future storm surges could have substantial and lingering impacts on Texas' economy and send lasting ripples through other economic sectors nationwide," said George P. Bush, the Texas land commissioner, in a statement. READ MORE: Houston Ship Channel dredging could be used for coastal barrier The study was conducted prior to the Army Corps of Engineers' selection in October of a barrier proposal calling for 71 miles of dunes, gates, levees, and wildlife restoration beginning at High Island and running the length of Bolivar Peninsula and Galveston. The barrier models used in the study are roughly 17 feet high and include protection of San Luis Pass, which the current proposal does not. With a barrier in place, the study shows that the decline in national GDP would be limited to .28 percent. Estimated residential losses in the Galveston Bay region are also four times lower with a coastal barrier in place Stay Informed Text "Houston" to 77453 to receive HoustonChronicle.com alerts on your phone. See More Collapse A barrier would have the most pronounced impact on coastal flood insurance premiums. The analysis indicates that $8 billion of National Flood Insurance Program insurance coverage would have reduced surge risk with a coastal spine. Over 31,000, or 10 percent, of all National Flood Insurance Program policies in Harris and Galveston Counties would experience a reduction in 100-year storm surge cost with a coastal barrier in place. Authors of the study also conducted a survey to assess public perception of a coastal barrier. The sample of 2,300 residents of Chambers, Galveston, and Harris Counties was conducted in 2018, months prior to the Army Corps' selection of a coastal barrier proposal. The survey found that 73 percent of respondents supported the construction of a coastal spine, while 55 percent believed the government and port industries should share the cost of building such a system. Two-thirds of respondents also supported some type of public tax, including a sales or hotel tax, to raise revenue to construct the coastal barrier. nick.powell@chron.com Petroleum exports from Russia to the U.S. are growing rapidly as the supplier takes advantage of lost deliveries from sanctions-hit Venezuela and supply cuts by OPEC members. In the first half of May, 13 ships from Russia delivered almost 5 million barrels of crude and oil products, according to a report by Caracas Capital Markets managing partner Russ Dallen. More supplies are en route, with American refiners set to triple their monthly intake of Russian crude, the largest foreign producer outside of OPEC. "Lately, Russian shipments coming to the U.S. seem to be on steroids." Google maps An ex-boyfriend of a woman found stabbed to death last week at her southwest Houston home has been arrested, authorities said. Frederick Lewis, 45, was arrested Friday and charged with murder, three days after 40-year-old Tiffany Uzor was found with fatal stab wounds at her home near Quail Valley, police said on Tuesday. A 3-year-old girl died Tuesday morning after being run over by her father's car in a neighborhood near Sugar Land, Fort Bend County officials said. The girl and her 4-year-old sister were waiting outside their father's car when he put one foot inside the car to turn it on, Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office Major Chad Norvell. As he started the car, he told deputies he accidentally put it in reverse, Norvell said. The car backed up and ran over the younger girl with the front tires, Norvell said. Norvell said CPR couldn't save the girl's life, who died on scene. The incident happened at the family's home in the 6300 block of Logan Creek around 10:15 a.m. "Just a horrible situation," Norvell said during a televised news conference. "We're not looking to file any charges. Just a very tragic incident for this family." DWI INCIDENT: Son of former Houston Astros star pitcher charged Investigators are working to obtain surveillance footage from the family's home to corroborate the father's story. The most recent explanation of events differ from what was originally given by deputies. Deputies initially said that the children were inside the car when the father started it, and that he exited the vehicle to retrieve an item from the garage. They also said that the younger daughter got out of the vehicle on her own, and that the older daughter climbed into the front seat and accidentally put the car in reverse. Norvell cited a language barrier between the father and deputies as a reason for the change in the explanation. Jay R. Jordan covers breaking news in the Houston area. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan | Email him at jay.jordan@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message In addition to bringing sometimes shocking hardships and challenges, Hurricane Harvey and other storms that have affected Friendswood provided lessons for the city and residents, according to an emergency management official. Our job here is to help coordinate and make sure all the city departments are ready, said Brian Mansfield, the citys fire marshal and emergency management coordinator. Fire, EMS and police have all made changes, like adding high-water vehicles and boats and performing training to make sure they have everything they need to respond to an event, especially a water-related event. Weve learned from past storms and rain events and have incorporated those lessons into our planning as well. With hurricane season beginning on June 1, the Friendswood Office of Emergency Management met with key players in the citys hurricane plan to ensure everything is in place. We met with community partners, utility companies, city departments to make sure everyone is on the same page in case of an event, Mansfield said. We also have contracts in place for debris removal, debris monitoring, emergency equipment such as generators, light towers and barricades to make sure theyre in place and ready to implement if we need it. Memories are fresh from the horrific damage in the city caused in August 2017 by Hurricane Harvey flooding, which destroyed 194 homes, put people out of work and left poignant images of destruction and peoples resilience, such as pastor Aric Harding playing a ruined piano in his flooded home on Instagram. The city is considering what steps it should take to reduce future flooding risk. The citys Facebook page has reflected the coming storm season. A May 9 message provided a grim warning about the dangers of driving on flooded streets, and another post reported a planned hurricane preparedness meeting hosted by the city and Friendswood Public Library at 10-11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 30 and at 6:30 p.m. June 6 at the library, 416 S. Friendswood Drive. Plan for the unexpected Mansfield said its equally important that residents prepare as well. Storm information Online:www.friendswood.com Email: Sign up at https://bit.ly/2M073tY. Facebook: See the city's of Friendswood's Facebook page Code Red (evacuation notices, etc.):tinyurl.com/ FwdCodeRED Radio: 1650 AM Youtube:https://bit.ly/2Jvu8Th Comcast: Channel 17 Uverse: Channel 99 See More Collapse Have a plan, and come up with it now, Mansfield said. If they have to evacuate, where do they go and how do they accomplish that? If theyre going to stay, what do they need and how do they accomplish that? Do they have power? Enough food and water to support them? Medication? Every household is different and everyone has their own internal needs; so depending on those, they need to make sure they have everything essential to them, whether theyre sheltering in place or evacuating. Part of that plan, Mansfield said, should include what a family will do in case of a mandatory evacuation. If you can, evacuate early, and we encourage people to evacuate the way they know how, he said. Know the routes, know how to navigate them. Sometimes, the way you know best might not be accessible; so know ways around that as well. If a mandatory evacuation is ordered, officials urge residents to take those orders seriously, mostly for their own safety, but also because a large, destructive storm can leave a community without resources for an extended period. Once theres a mandatory evacuation you have limited resources, he said. Not just fire, police and EMS, because were still here, but they can only respond when its safe for them to respond. But remember that businesses will be required to allow their employees to evacuate and take care of their families. Places residents need to sustain themselves, such as grocery stores, banks, gas stations, hardware stores and restaurants, may not be open sometimes for long periods, Mansfield said. People who have trouble evacuating whether thats due to lack of transportation, limited mobility, financial restraints or other reasons can visit dps.texas.gov/dem/stear/public.htm, or call 2-1-1, both of which are programs run by the state of Texas that help local municipalities evacuate residents who might not be able to evacuate on their own. Mansfield urged residents who might not be able to leave without help or outside resources to register as early as possible. Know what your insurance covers Another step city spokesman Jeff Newpher advises for residents is to not only have insurance but to understand what it covers. Even if residents dont live in a flood plain, he said, the price of the insurance is nominal compared to the peace of mind and the help it would provide if flooding occurs. Just because someone has windstorm insurance doesnt mean it will cover a flood, he said. Now is the time to familiarize yourself with that. Morton Ranch High School senior Amado Velasco received an April 1 email saying that his one-act play had been selected to be performed in the Student Playwright Festival organized by Dirt Dogs Theatre Co. I called my mom and said, Mom, I won, and she said, Are you sure? Noting that it was April Fools Day, he said, It could be the greatest thing ever or it could be the meanest joke ever. Turns out its one of the greatest things ever. His play Staff Meeting from Hell is one of three selected for the second annual festival. Trevor B. Cone, executive director of Dirt Dogs Theatre Co., explained the selection process. We have a team of panelists made up primarily of mentors and executive members of Dirt Dogs Theatre Co. who are given a list of criteria by which to score the plays based on a number of elements. He listed elements as including plot, characterization and producibility. Scores are compiled. The festival chooses between three and five selections, said Cone. Feb. 28 was the deadline to enter the competition, which was open only to high school seniors. Each winner receives a $500 scholarship; Velasco plans to attend Lone Star College. In 2018, he also received a $1,000 Texan Thespian Scholarship. The trio of playwrights will be guests of honor as their plays are performed at the MATCH - Midtown Arts & Theater Center, 3400 Main St. The other winners are Lauren Dodds of Straford High School and Sierra Butterwick of Heights High School. Doors will open at 7 p.m. with the June 5 performance at 7:30 p.m. Visit matchhouston.org or call 713-521-4533 for information. Staff Meeting from Hell is a comedy, said Cone. It involves a monthly meeting of the seven deadly sins. It wasnt Velascos first idea for the play. He explored the possibility of a fantasy action adventure, which he thought was a good idea but then didnt think thats what the theater company was looking for in its contest. And then there was the story of an adult man who feels stuck in life at a job he hates and how he gets back on track. When I first heard of the contest, I had so many ideas about what I wanted to write, said Velasco, who then began his research about what would be a good idea. Whats a show I could do if I could have just a table and a few chairs, he asked himself, which led to an office setting. He observed that television offers a number of comedies based in an office and that office jobs are hell. So he decided to hold his meeting in hell and then asked who would attend. Not the devil, because hes too big but his underlyings the seven deadly sins most likely would. When you look at the seven deadly sins theyre very big and bold personalities, he said. Imagine them trying to sit down and work together when they have all these different ideals and perspectives. Its pretty funny to think of. In actuality, the play has a six-person cast to meet the theater companys guidelines. The deadly sin of Sloth, explained Velasco, overslept and didnt make the meeting although hes mentioned in the script and theres an empty chair at the table for him. Velasco credits Alexis Gette, Maverick Theatre Co. assistant director and thespian sponsor, and Brandon Goodman, technical director/PAC manager, for their help. They read his script and gave him ideas on how to improve it. Gette said she has known Velasco for three years. Hes full of ideas, she said. Last year she received an email about the writing contest and shared it with students. He (Velasco) was the first one who really ran with it. She said he shared his script and took advice and criticism. He also came to Theater 1 class to hear and read it before he submitted it. I think that helped a lot with the process, especially understanding who the characters were. Other than that he did it all himself, said Gette. Im just a cheerleader. She and Morton Ranch High students plan to attend the June 5 performance wearing the school colors purple and white. Velasco added that his mom, Mary Alaniz, who works for an oil/gas company, also will be in the audience. My mom is a very creative spirit, said Velasco. Shes my inspiration to do anything. Shes such a hard worker. I think thats where I get my imagination from. Shes such a kindred spirit. Velasco also found inspiration from his mentor and director; each of the three students has a mentor and director. Velascos mentor is Ted Swindley, who wrote Always ... Patsy Cline and who is founding artistic director of Stages Repertory Theatre. Its very exciting to work with someone whos so experienced and wise; its a real eye-opening experience, said Velasco. He said that Swindley liked his script and compared it as similar to a play he had done at one of his theaters No Exit. That play is about three people stuck in a room together and that hell is other people. Velasco said thats the basic premise of his play. Your play is almost like a part two to that, said Velasco quoting Swindley. Swindley also asked him questions that led him to re-approach his script and characters and made his play more of a commentary on life. His director is Malinda Beckham, artistic director of Dirt Dogs Theatre. She has such remarkable vision, said Velasco, who added that he feels honored to sit next to her and hear her ideas. He attends rehearsals every Saturday in May. My job is to ensure the script is ready to be worked on because, obviously, some times when you write something and someone reads it aloud, it doesnt always sound as good as you thought it would be. He described his job as reworking and fine-tuning. The actors are fantastic. I couldnt ask for a better cast, added Velasco, who remembers writing short little stories as a child because he was inspired by Scooby-Doo and other cartoons. This is the first big stage play he has completed. Noting that scriptwriting isnt taught at high school, Getti said Velasco has served as an inspiration to younger students. He takes that seriously. I hope to set an example of what dedication and hard work can get you, he said as he talked about the importance of always striving to do better. Hes also hoping that people who view his play come away with the realization that if something is wrong in their lives they can work to improve things. He also encourages people to keep creativity in their lives because it helps them to grow. His roles in Maverick Theatre at high school have included lighting crew head for The Addams Family and Xavier Cassidy in By the Bog of Cats. Being on stage before an audience helped according to Velasco in producing his script. Cone, who studied theater in college and grew up in the Northeast,launched Dirt Dogs Theatre Company in 2015 with Beckham and John Baker. The companys mission is threefold: to engage audiences, to engage and inspire artists and to honor playwrights, he said. Visit www.dirtdogstheatre.org for more information. karen.zurawski@chron.com CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (AP) A Katy man must serve nearly two years in prison for trying to smuggle immigrants in furniture after three people were found in a plastic-wrapped dresser that was nailed shut. Federal prosecutors say 23-year-old Yabar Ayan Portes-Arevalo of Katy was sentenced Monday in Corpus Christi to 21 months. About a dozen young men and women - many of them graduating from high school this month - received support and praise as theyre about to embark on service in the U.S. military. Texans Embracing Americas Military organized the May 19 send-off event at Crosspoint Church. Your support both now and throughout their careers is needed and necessary, said Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Constable Wayne Thompson, the guest speaker, as he addressed the friends, family and supporters of the recruits. Our men and women who serve in uniform deserve and require your support. They need ongoing emotional, psychological and physical support. They need our prayers, care packages, notes and letters coming through. They must know that there is a support system in place at all times at home while they are gone. Today, with events like this its a great start but it cannot be the end of our support. We must stand with them before, during and after the battle. We must never fail in showing our support to them. Both the U.S. Marine recruiter Sgt. Zachary Head and U.S. Army recruiter Sgt. First Class Daniel Alford cited the young people as being special. After introducing three recruits, Head said he expected each of them to become a squad leader and become a guide. They are the new face of the Marine Corps. The trio are Rohan Mistra, Daniel Aldric and Michael Fontenot. Instead of walking past the door of the recruiting office, said Head, they said, You know what, I think I have what it takes to become a U.S. Marine because that takes a special individual. Fontenot graduates this month from Tompkins High School. Head said Fontenot walked into U.S. Marine recruiting office as a sophomore in high school and said, Sir, I want to be a Marine. Noting that he maxed out of physical fitness standards, Head said of Fontenot, He works for everything he has. Alford also exhibited pride in his recruits. You have decided to do something that only 1 percent of the population wants to do raise that right hand and defend this country against all enemies foreign and domestic, said Alford. Youre about to embark on a great adventure something that most people cant or arent willing to do. You should have pride in that. Your families should have pride in that. Like Thompson he emphasized the importance of a strong network of support for the recruits and thanked them for being that 1 percent. A 15-year veteran of the U.S. Army, Alford said joining was the best decision he ever made. All come in for different reasons. All stay for the same reason to wear this uniform and serve our country, Alford said. U.S. Army recruits include Emily Bexley of Faith West Academy, Tyler Hansen and David Lacourse, both of Clements High School; Justin Jorski of Lone Star College; Alfredo Flores and Juan Hernandez, both of Royal High School; Nicholas Frankovich of Houston Community College; and Joseline Alfaro and Jose Garay both of Morton Ranch School. In talking with the recruits, Alford said they gave various reasons for joining the military from serving their country, to financing a college education and from traveling the world to wanting to challenge themselves. Some want to pursue a military career after basic training. Both Bexley and Flores want to attend medical school. She wants to become a trauma surgeon and he wants to return to serve his hometown. LaCourse wants to become a police officer and Hernandez a homicide detective. Garay told Alford hed like a career in government. Thompson, who has a military career, told the recruits that they are embarking on a journey for a lifetime. The beginning of your military service and the subsequent years you will serve will be an amazing experience. There will be hardship. But that hardship will forge you and mold you into a better person. He offered some tips. He said they must be a good follower and always remember there is someone higher than them. Everyone answers to someone, he said. You must be faithful, continued Thompson, who said there will be hardships and trouble. Dont quit and never give up, he said. Recruits must be fighters regardless of what job they enter, he said. Dont retreat and stand your ground. Be driven. Thompson said the recruits must have resolve and must have a reason. You have to find your reason. I cant tell you what your reason is. Reasons could include defending their country, fulfilling a family military tradition, proving themselves and their mettle or a little bit of all of those. You must have a reason or youll be lost. There is a reward for their service on earth and on heaven for those who stay the course and finish the race theyre about to embark on, Thompson said. Ralph Oliver, founder of Texans Embracing America's Military, said the May 19 send-off was the third this year. The first send-off was held last March at Katy Elks Lodge. Contributors for each send-off include Katy Elks Lodge 2628, Katy Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9182, Katy American Legion Post 164 and the National Charity League-Katy Chapter. Visit https://texansembracingamericasmilitary.com/ for information. karen.zurawski@chron.com Ryan DeLaRosa said he first started brewing beer when he got a starter kit from a brewing supply store in the Katy area about five years ago. Fast forward to present day and the Dickinson native along with his business partner Matt Emmite, an army veteran, plan to open the Flying Rhino Brewing Company on a 2-acre lot by next spring or summer. "[I] got together with some friends, made our first batch and kind of fell in love right away," DeLaRosa said. "I have learned a lot since then through studying, talking to a lot of other brewers. ...We've got more learning to do but we are confident we can do it." On just under two acres, the Flying Rhino Brewing Company will encompass a 2100 square foot indoor tap room, 1500 square foot outdoor patio and a 6000 square foot production room. DeLaRosa said the brewery will be family friendly and the large outdoor area will be used to host games and other events. There are no plans for a kitchen yet, but DeLaRosa said they plan to offer food trucks on site. Renderings of the space call for a wooden and metal, industrial feel, somewhat similar to an airplane hanger, DeLaRosa said. BREWERY UPGRADES: Houston breweries looking beyond beer and beards DeLaRosa said he hopes to open with five custom craft beers on tap that will be more "approachable" compared to other craft beers. Wine, cider and root beer may also be offered at the brewery, pending final plans, he said. "Craft beer is still growing a lot on the south side of Houston. ...We want to add to that and bring some of that to Dickinson," DeLaRosa said. "We will make a lot of the crazy stuff that big-time craft beer fans like and we want to have some stuff that is approachable for people that are just figuring it out." DeLaRosa said aside from following his dream job of owning his own brewery, he knew he wanted to open Flying Rhino Brewing Company so he could bring the craft beer trend back home. "I think that area is slightly under-served when it comes to craft beer. There is not a whole lot [of options,]" DeLaRosa said. "We know the people, we have lots of friends and family there, it just made a lot of sense that we wanted to do this." While plans are not final yet, DeLaRosa said the brewery will open west of I-45 on FM 517 next year, with plans for a grand opening celebration still underway. DeLaRosa added the brewery is partially veteran owned, as Emmite is an army veteran. 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 Harris County Precinct 1 Constable's Office A man whose criminal history in Harris County dates back to 2012 is wanted after being charged with endangering a child and promotion of prostitution. Both charges are state jail felonies. Colby Bankhead, 24, was charged after Harris County Precinct 1 Constables Office investigators arrested him during an undercover prostitution sting on May 3, 2019, in the 9100 block of Gulf Freeway. When he was arrested, Bankhead allegedly left two children 9 months and 24 months old alone in a vehicle. Some might think Jessie Raney wasnt born lucky. She was diagnosed with leukemia at age 2, and a procedure left her paralyzed from the waist down. The doctors said I would never walk again, she said. But Raney has never depended on luck. Now 18 and due to graduate May 24 from Deer Park High School, shes looking forward to attending the University of Texas at San Antonio with firm plans to move to and teach in Japan upon graduation. Last summer, I spent a month studying abroad in Tokyo and I loved it there. It didnt feel foreign at all it felt like home, like Id seen it all before, said Raney, who is now cancer-free. She said the pull to Tokyo stems not only from her love of the place but from a need to live an independent life, something that health problems had threatened. She spent the early part of her life in a wheelchair and believes her cancer treatment and extended time away from school impacted her ability to learn properly. Ive had a lot of surgeries and missed a lot of classes which affected my learning slightly, but I also believe chemotherapy and radiation had side effects which (hindered) my learning, Raney said. Ive wasnt able to catch on to things as easily as other people did, I stuttered and it was frustrating because I always had to do my homework in the hospital and I would fall behind in my classes. Nevertheless, Raney soldiered on despite missing half of kindergarten following a bone-marrow transplant surgery. When she began school under the special education umbrella, she used her wheelchair but had already advanced to a walker by second grade. Thanks to ongoing physical therapy, she regained ability to walk by middle school with few issues. Now I can fully walk, but I dont have the full movement of my ankles; so I trip a lot, Raney said. Her mother, ReBecca Gardea, was determined her child would not use her illness as a crutch. I pushed her to only use (special education) accommodations as she needed them but no more, Gardea said. As for her abilities in school, I dont tell her what they are or arent. She knows what she needs to do to be successful. That approach seems to be just what Raney needed. Not only was she able to get out of the wheelchair, but she overcame scholastic challenges to excel in pre-AP and AP classes in high school. To be in an AP class and to get college credit is always an achievement for kids, Gardea said. (When she starts at the university) Jessie will have 15 college credit hours under her belt, which is a huge success story for a cancer survivor. Mindy May, Raneys 10th-grade pre-AP English instructor, said she was aware of Jessies struggles almost immediately. When I first met her, her handwriting was a big issue; so I knew she had some (small) motor problems, but she also had trouble putting her ideas together in writing. I was a little worried about her, May said. I worked with her and gave her a framework and some writing templates, and from there she just took off. Her writing just exploded and I ended up seeing tremendous growth, May said. Raney continued to write outside of class. She was trying to get better on her own, thats what impressed me the most, that she took what she learned and applied it, May said. Thats unique. Now on her way to study English and Japanese in San Antonio, Raney is focused on the next four years to earn her degree before headed to the Far East. Her mother, though proud, is still a little unsure of her daughters plans. Her goals impress me, but I dont want her to go, Gardea admitted. But, shes alive; so she needs to go and live her life. So, I support it. May said her former students plans may well had been shaped by her unique experience growing up. Shes learned to see life from a different perspective, and she wants to learn about and be around people who are different from her, she said. Shes not satisfied to stay around here and be like everyone else. Southern Star Brewing Company had a special blend pouring out of its taps Saturday afternoon. About 75 Conroe firefighters and guests gathered at the brewerys bar, clinking pint glasses as they celebrated the soft launch of a beer dedicated to their union chapter. The Conroe-based Southern Star made a five-gallon batch of a special, light edition of their signature Bombshell Blonde blend. The new pale ale craft beer is aptly named Local 2731, Conroe Fires International Association of Fire Fighters annex. Its an opportunity for us to do something in conjunction with our local firefighting department. We wanted to make a beer that kind of suited the taste of Conroe, Southern Star owner Dave Fougeron said. The partnership between the taproom and the Conroe Firefighters Professional Association came about after some Conroe firefighters were in Colorado Springs, Colo. during the Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial. Lloyd Sandefer, the associations president, said at every bar or restaurant they walked in they would see Local 5 plastered on the wall. The firefighters came to find out Pikes Peak Brewing, a Colorado Springs brewery, had dedicated a beer to the IAFF union Local 5. We thought, That would be so cool if we team up with our local brewery and do the same thing, Sandefer said. He and a crew approached Fougeron, who was receptive about the idea and sat down to draft plans. Were kind of trying to honor people that do things that better the community, so to us it was like, Hell yeah, were going to do this, Fougeron said. The beer will officially launch during this summers Fire Up the Bands charity concert. The new blend, along with the annual benefit, will benefit the associations Conroe Professional Firefighters Foundation. A nonprofit, the foundation sponsors community outreach and collects money for a benevolence fund that goes to firefighters facing hardship. This year, the foundation increased its fundraising goals. We give back to the community and we also give back to our own members, Sandefer said. That money is going to go back into the community. Southern Star will be making a 60 barrel batch for the July event, or 120 half-barrel kegs, Fougeron explained. This year will only be draft, but the beer may be packaged for stores next year, he said. My goal is to get it into every draft (retailer) in Conroe that will take it. I would love it if we sold every bit of this beer into (stores) in Conroe, Fougeron said. He explained it has not been entirely determined how how much of the proceeds will go to the foundation, but a $1 per pint benefit is planned for Fire Up the Bands. Instant fans were made during the ales debut as many of the attendees seated at wooden tables gulped down on the beer, music blaring through the taproom. I love it. I think it tastes great, Sandefer said. Its perfect. Its exactly what we were looking for. In between swigs of beer, Conroe Fire engine operator Bobby Allen said despite not being a craft beer fan, he enjoyed Local 2371 and praised it for being a smooth drink. As a light American ale with low alcohol content, Fougeron described the beer as being assessable to a variety of imbibers. Its real light on the palette. It does have some grain flavor to it, so its not completely flavorless. Its slightly sweet on the backside, but not fluently so, for sure, Fougeron said. Its a beer for a hot summer day. Fougeron enlisted Southern Stars taproom manager and events coordinator Keith Amador to create a preliminary logo. Amadors colorful canvas pays homage to Conroe Fire, incorporating the classic pinup girl motif synonymous with the Southern Star brand. The result, on display at the blends premiere tasting, is a woman firefighter wielding a fire ax as big as her. Since it is a pale ale, Amador rendered her a blonde with locks flowing along the red and orange flames encircling her. Her green eyes, Amador explained, were inspired by film actress Scarlett Johansson. He set out to make her a tough chick. Just like the boys, she gets in there, she gets dirty, Amador said. I wanted to make it bright, get the fire going. Capping off the imagery is the IAFF Local 2731 seal with an American bald eagle piercing through it, holding under its beak an American banner. Amador worked eight hours a day for three days to complete the artwork which he said will ultimately land at a Local 2731 station. It may also turn up on fliers and posters during the Fire Up the Bands event, he added. All the effort put into the new beer is but a show of appreciation for Fougeron. Conroe, which he described as a nice little slice of Americana, has been a welcoming place for him. This community has embraced me and my business, Fougeron, a native of Houston, said. Communities either choose to be hostile to you, adore you or support you and this community definitely has embraced us. The launch of the Local 2731 blend coincides with the Conroe Professional Firefighters Associations 40th anniversary in October. Sandefer said this is the first time Conroe Fire has had a company release a product in its honor. Its a big deal for us, Sandefer said. Were overwhelmed. jose.gonzalez@chron.com Harris County District Attorney A Houston woman is facing a felony charge after she allegedly stomped on a man's pet rabbit until it died. Lucienda Stebbins, 20, was arrested May 19 and charged with cruelty to non-livestock animals, according to court documents. Stebbins is accused of killing Jesus Treto's white, five-month old rabbit by stomping on it, court documents show. The Tomball City Council is moving forward with eminent domain on four properties to install public utilities, adopted a water conservation plan and a rezoning request during its regular meeting on Monday, May 20. City manager Rob Hauck said the city was working with landowners to purchase four portions of their properties to install water lines along East Hufsmith Road between Zion Road and Snook Lane. Theres a very distinct difference between easement, which is us utilizing or us having the right to put some pipe in the ground where we still dont own it, where they still can have fences in their yards and those kinds of things, he said. The first property would be for a 0.1099-acre portion or 4,789 square feet of land, while the second property would be for a 0.0555-acre portion or 2,417 square feet. The third property would be for a 0.1107-acre portion or 4,822 square feet and the fourth property would be a 0.1268-acre portion or 5,522 square feet of land. Councilman Derek Townsend voted against the ordinance for the first property, even as council members John Ford, Lori Klein Quinn and Mark Stoll voted in favor of passing the ordinance. Councilman Chad Degges did not attend the meeting. I am firmly a believer that when people own property, they own that property and I dont think that anybody should come in and take that property from them for any other use, Townsend said. According to the Office of the Attorney General of Texas, eminent domain allows government entities to force private landowners to sell their property for public use. A government entity would then condemn the property and compensate the landowner for the property taken. Hauck told the council that the city had been negotiating with the landowners to obtain a 20-foot easement of the landowners properties to install water lines as part of a capital improvement project. Townsend then said he understood the need for eminent domain and voted in favor of the remaining three ordinances. Its important for folks to understand that when this council approves an $800,000 water line expansion project that is going to improve our water system across the citywe cant allow one landowner to completely hold us hostage so that we can damage or negatively affect everyone in the community, Hauck said. Water conservation plan The council approved a water conservation and drought contingency plan, which it periodically reviews and adopts every five years to be submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, according to the agenda. The city would establish and maintain rules and policies to conserve water supplies during droughts and other emergencies where water supplies may be low. This is a re-adoption of a citys drought and contingency plan. Every five years, we need to reevaluate and resubmit to TCEQ and its that time, said public works director Beth Jones. According to the proposed plan, Tomball residents and businesses use about 788 million gallons of water per year with 70 percent for homes, 5 percent for multi-family residences and 24 percent for businesses. The public works department would test and calibrate the water meters and have them replaced as necessary. It would also identify abnormal conditions and repair equipment and pipeline breaks. Depending on the severity of a drought, the city will determine the amount of of water residents and businesses can use, emit boil water notices and may purchase in case of contamination. Residents or business owners who violate plan can be fined up to $2,000 per day. The city council would need to approve the next water contingency plan in 2024. Rezoning request The council also approved a rezoning request for a 3.6-acre property to commercial from agricultural. Located along Texas 249 and Alice Road, the site would be used as a high-end mixed-use development according to a letter written by Harpreet Mangat and Hardial Mangat. Wed appreciate if the zoning was approved so that we can build a beautiful shopping center that welcomes people into Tomball and also, it will provide revenue for the city, said Harpreet. The site would be used for a retail, office and restaurant complex, according to an application submitted to the community development department planning division. mayra.cruz@chron.com The Tomball City Council is moving forward with eminent domain on four properties to install public utilities. At Tomballs May 20 council meeting, city manager Rob Hauck said the city was working with landowners to purchase four portions of their properties to install water lines along East Hufsmith Road between Zion Road and Snook Lane. Theres a very distinct difference between easement, which is us utilizing or us having the right to put some pipe in the ground where we still dont own it, where they still can have fences in their yards and those kinds of things, he said. The first property would be for a 0.1099-acre portion or 4,789 square feet of land, while the second property would be for a 0.0555-acre portion or 2,417 square feet. The third property would be for a 0.1107-acre portion or 4,822 square feet and the fourth property would be a 0.1268-acre portion or 5,522 square feet of land. Councilman Derek Townsend voted against the ordinance for the first property, even as council members John Ford, Lori Klein Quinn and Mark Stoll voted in favor of passing the ordinance. Councilman Chad Degges did not attend the meeting. I am firmly a believer that when people own property, they own that property and I dont think that anybody should come in and take that property from them for any other use, Townsend said. According to the Office of the Attorney General of Texas, eminent domain allows government entities to force private landowners to sell their property for public use. A government entity would then condemn the property and compensate the landowner for the property taken. Hauck told the council that the city had been negotiating with the landowners to obtain a 20-foot easement of the landowners properties to install water lines as part of a capital improvement project. Townsend then said he understood the need for eminent domain and voted in favor of the remaining three ordinances. Its important for folks to understand that when this council approves an $800,000 water line expansion project that is going to improve our water system across the citywe cant allow one landowner to completely hold us hostage so that we can damage or negatively affect everyone in the community, Hauck said. mayra.cruz@chron.com The Woodlands Township has unofficially approved minor changes to the townships election application and candidate notification process, moves that come more than eight months after a candidate was controversially removed from the 2018 township election ballot for not filling in two boxes asking for length of residency in Texas and The Woodlands. The changes were presented to the six board members present on Thursday, May 16, with Director John McMullan who had asked for the issue to be clarified in late 2018 not at the meeting. Because the policy tweaks are not related to the board of directors, there was no vote on them. Karen Dempsey, an assistant to township President and General Manager Don Norrell, told the board members that the policies were reviewed by township legal staff and advisors and do not supercede state election law, but rather set in place protections at the township level in the event a candidate does not properly fill out an application form. There are a number of areas where we have unwritten policies. On the election procedures, this was adopted by the board in 2013 however it has essentially been in place since 2010, Dempsey said. This provides guidance on things not specific in state law. State law of course prevails. We had a discussion on election related policies and process since that time, staff has been working with legal counsel on developing internal procedures that are basically a step-by-step guide for staff to follow throughout the election process. The five-page document approved on Thursday, May 16, includes provisions aimed to prevent what happened to candidate Luis Granados from happening again. Granados, a local oil and gas engineer, had submitted a candidate application in August 2018 intending to challenge incumbent John Anthony Brown on the township board of directors. However, Granados did not fill in two areas of the application asking for the candidates length of residency in both Texas as well as The Woodlands. Both boxes are mandatory and cannot be left blank according to state election law. After a review by township officials, with assistance from the Texas Department of State, Granados application was deemed incomplete and state officials ordered the township to reject it and remove him from the ballot. However, by the time Granados became aware that his application was declined, it was too late for him to file a new form and challenge Brown. After Granados removal from the ballot, Brown ran for his second term uncontested and won re-election with 100 percent of the votes cast. Granados appealed the rejection of his candidate application and removal from the ballot to the Texas Department of State, but his appeal was rejected in late October. Granados, who is a more than 30-year resident of The Woodlands, said he was aware that he left the two boxes on the application form blank, but he claims that he asked a township employee about whether he needed to fill them in or not and claimed she accepted the application despite it being incomplete. At the time of his appeal, township officials denied his version of events and also noted that township staff is prohibited by state law to give advice to applicants in local elections. In addition to what it included in this draft, we typically offer added value services, we offer notary services when the township receives a candidate application, the notary is attesting to the signature, not the validity of the application, Dempsey said. Once the ballot drawing is conducted, an official list of (candidate names) is published. This (policy paper) is primarily for your information at this time. The new provisions are not mandatory board policies, but rather staff guidelines and recommended practices, and include the designation of two township staff members tasked with receiving and reviewing all candidate applications; provide yearly extensive election protocol training for any staff members who may be involved in accepting or processing election candidate applications; and an immediate review of candidate applications by appropriate staff when they are submitted. Township President and General Manager Don Norrell stressed that the staff guidelines do not supercede state law. The baseline of everything is state law, then we have a couple of things that are above and beyond that in terms of reviewing and notary services, Norrell said. Current state law requires all applications to be reviewed by township staff within a five calendar day window. The guidelines approved by the township board instruct staff to immediately notify the applicant that their application is being rejected as soon as that determination is made. Additionally, an online list of candidates for office will now be unofficial to avoid any confusion. jeff.forward@chron.com ZAPORIZHIA, Ukraine - The president of a top Ukrainian aerospace company says its new Chinese investors often ask the staff for "little conversations." They want to know about record-keeping and planning, the setup of production lines and the interplay between workshops. "They'll talk for three hours, and the next day, a totally different group of people will come," said Vyacheslav Boguslayev, whose sprawling Soviet-era company, Motor Sich, is one of the most advanced military aircraft engine manufacturers in the world. "They'll ask all the same questions as yesterday, and this continues for a week," he said. Racing to upgrade its military, China has been turning to Ukraine. And Ukraine - with its economy scrambled by hostilities with Russia - has been willing to accept China's embrace. "If they ban us from working with China," Boguslayev said, "then the first thing I'll do is fire 10,000 people." Motor Sich, dubbed the "Czar of Engines" in the Chinese media, has what Beijing wants: It can supply warplane engines and the know-how to one day possibly make a Chinese-built version. The Chinese, in turn, have what Motor Sich wants: reliable buyers. The company lost its biggest market - supplying engines for military helicopters and other aircraft in Russia - after war broke out in eastern Ukraine in 2014. Now it sells mainly to China. China's under-the-radar push into Ukraine illustrates Beijing's hunger for technology imports and its ability to access them even though Western countries have limited military-related exports to China. It comes as Ukraine struggles to reorient its economy away from Russia. And it puts Washington in a quandary as U.S. rhetoric supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia collides with the Trump administration's widening competition with Beijing. "Local people here are calm, well educated and inexpensive," Liu Tsiun, the trade and economic adviser at the Chinese Embassy in Kiev, said in an interview, speaking fluent Russian at the embassy's walled villa in the Ukrainian capital. "I always think of Ukraine as having great potential in technology and science." Ukraine's factories once churned out tanks, battleships and intercontinental ballistic missiles for the Red Army. They became key to the Russian defense industry's supply chain. In 2014, Ukraine's pro-Western revolution and the outbreak of hostilities with Moscow-backed separatists spurred Kiev to seek markets beyond Russia - its biggest neighbor and trading partner. But European and American investors were nervous about dealing with a country reeling from war, with crumbling infrastructure and widespread corruption. China, on the other hand, saw an opportunity. Ukrainian companies such as Motor Sich, based in the city of Zaporizhia, about 100 miles from the front line in eastern Ukraine, grew desperate as sales to Russia dried up. "What we care about right now is the following: Is America ready to buy our goods? No. Period," said Gennadiy Chyzhykov, president of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "China does buy our goods." China is on pace to surpass Russia by next year as Ukraine's biggest single-country trading partner. In 2018, Ukraine traded $9.8 billion in goods with China - a 51% increase over two years and more than double the $4 billion in trade with the United States. In the past year, China has garnered positive coverage in the Ukrainian news media by making a series of gifts: 50 ambulances, 50 search-and-rescue vehicles, and $137 million for medical equipment for regional hospitals. In April, the Ukrainian government announced $340 million in Chinese financing for a new bridge across the Dnieper River. "If someone comes with money, they'll take it," Andreas Umland, a Kiev-based political analyst, said of Ukraine. "They don't have the luxury to think very strategically here many years ahead." At the time of the 2014 revolution, China already had an economic and defense-industry relationship with Ukraine. It bought an unfinished Soviet-era aircraft carrier from Ukraine in 1998 and ordered four huge military hovercraft in 2009. Western countries, by contrast, had little use for Ukraine's Soviet-legacy defense production. "One way or another, Ukraine will have to choose," said one Western diplomat in Kiev who is examining Ukraine's links with China and who wasn't authorized to comment publicly. "They cannot eternally integrate with China while moving toward the West." The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry declined to comment for this article. Ukraine-China relations are a delicate issue, officials in Kiev said, given Ukraine's desire for close ties with the United States on the one hand and China's expanding partnership with Russia on the other. But Ukraine's new president, Volodymyr Zelensky, who took office Monday, met with the Chinese ambassador in Kiev early this month and offered a vote of confidence. "China's experience and investments are important to Ukraine," he said. China has been aggressive in expanding its influence across the former Soviet Union. In Belarus, China is co-financing a massive new industrial park to house more than 100,000 workers. On the Black Sea, Georgia is emerging as a key hub for Chinese trade with Europe. But Ukraine offers unique resources for China in helping fill knowledge gaps as Beijing looks to build a world-class military, Western diplomats and analysts say. Motor Sich's Boguslayev said the only engines his company is building for China are for aircraft that don't carry weapons, such as the L-15 training jet. But Reuben Johnson, an American defense industry analyst based in Kiev, said a tighter relationship with Motor Sich could allow China to mass-produce its own fighter jets. "The Chinese - for all of the resources they have poured into the endeavor - have not been able to develop reliable fighter-jet engines that are producible in large numbers and run for enough hours between overhauls to be practical," Johnson said. "Acquiring the brainpower and the expertise of Motor Sich could allow them to jump over that very big hurdle." A Chinese firm, Beijing Skyrizon Aviation Industry Investment, tried to buy a controlling stake in Motor Sich in 2017. Ukrainian authorities froze the deal on national security grounds. But Boguslayev said that $100 million of Beijing Skyrizon's promised $250 million did come through and that the Chinese company now owns a stake of at least 25% in Motor Sich. A spokesman for Motor Sich said 35% of the company's $450 million in sales last year went to China, making the country the company's biggest destination for its aircraft engines. No sales went to Russia, the spokesman said. Six years ago, by contrast, one-third of the company's $1.1 billion in total sales went to Russia. "Russia is gone. So I have to be in China now," Boguslayev said. He said he hears frequently from Ukrainian government officials that the United States is unhappy with his dealings with China. His response: "Then how about the State Department gives us work?" Asked for comment about Motor Sich, a State Department spokeswoman said the United States doesn't "oppose China's economic and technological development through legitimate means. However, we are concerned by actions China's government has taken that are out of step with international norms. "The United States encourages our partners to consider national security risks that may arise from foreign investment transactions," the spokeswoman said. In the southwestern Chinese city of Chongqing, Motor Sich and Beijing Skyrizon in 2017 agreed to jointly build a plant to service and manufacture aircraft engines. The Chinese partners offered to build a small town in which Ukrainian engineers would feel at home, Boguslayev said. "They said, 'Give us 1,000 people,' " Boguslayev recalled. " 'We'll build a church for you here. We'll build a kindergarten.' " The plant has been partially built, Boguslayev said, but is not yet operational. Beijing Skyrizon representatives continue to tour Motor Sich plants regularly, Boguslayev said, taking copious notes and interviewing workers. China is interested in Ukrainian technology beyond Motor Sich, hiring Ukrainian engineers and bringing them to China, Western officials and Ukrainian defense industry specialists say. "It's not just outsourcing, but taking our specialists in both the missile sector and in aircraft-building," said Sergii Bondarchuk, a former head of Ukrainian defense export company Ukrspecexport who now lives in London. "Ukraine is losing a generation of engineers in this way." - - - The Washington Post's Paul Sonne in Washington, Lyric Li in Beijing, Oksana Parafeniuk in Kiev and Natalia Abbakumova in Moscow contributed to this report. WASHINGTON - The White House on Monday blocked former counsel Donald McGahn from testifying to Congress, the latest act of defiance in the ongoing conflict between House Democrats and President Donald Trump. McGahn, who Democrats hoped would become a star witness in their investigation into whether Trump obstructed justice, was subpoenaed to testify Tuesday morning. The former White House counsel delivered critical testimony in several instances of potential obstruction by Trump detailed in special counsel Robert. Mueller's report. "The Department of Justice has provided a legal opinion stating that, based on long-standing, bipartisan, and constitutional precedent, the former counsel to the president cannot be forced to give such testimony, and Mr. McGahn has been directed to act accordingly," said White House press secretary Sarah Sanders in a statement. "This action has been taken in order to ensure that future presidents can effectively execute the responsibilities of the office of the presidency." Trump, speaking to reporters Monday evening, called the directive "a very important precedent. And the attorneys say that they're not doing that for me. They're doing it for the office of the president. So we're talking about the future." The 15-page legal opinion written by Assistant Attorney General Steven Engel argues that McGahn cannot be compelled to testify before the committee, based on past Justice Department legal opinions regarding the president's close advisers. The memo says McGahn's immunity from congressional testimony is separate and broader than a claim of executive privilege. The immunity "extends beyond answers to particular questions, precluding Congress from compelling even the appearance of a senior presidential adviser - as a function of the independence and autonomy of the president himself," Engel wrote. That immunity, the memo insists, does not evaporate once the adviser in question leaves the government, because the topics of interest to Congress are discussions that occurred when the person worked for the president. As a private citizen no longer in the government, McGahn is not necessarily bound by the White House directive, or the OLC memo, to refuse to comply with the subpoena. In a letter to the committee obtained by The Washington Post, McGahn's lawyer, William Burck, said the former counsel would not testify. "Mr. McGahn remains obligated to maintain the status quo and will respect the President's instruction," Burck wrote. Testifying, however, could jeopardize business and professional standing for McGahn, who works for Jones Day, a law firm with close ties to the Trump campaign and Republican electoral politics. Jones Day, reelection campaign officials say, will still be involved in the campaign but will have a reduced role from 2016, when it was the main firm. The move to bar McGahn from answering lawmakers' questions angered House Democrats already eager to respond to what they view as White House stonewalling. The defiance raises the possibility that the House will hold McGahn in contempt of Congress, as House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., has threatened. "It is absurd for President Trump to claim privilege as to this witness's testimony when that testimony was already described publicly in the Mueller report," Nadler said in a statement. "Even more ridiculous is the extension of the privilege to cover events before and after Mr. McGahn's service in the White House." The chairman said the committee would still meet Tuesday morning, and "Mr. McGahn is expected to appear as legally required." An increasing number of frustrated Democrats also want to begin impeachment proceedings against Trump even though House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., last week privately downplayed the possibility and encouraged her members to focus on their policy agenda. Some Democrats believe opening an impeachment inquiry will strengthen their hand in trying to force the White House to comply with document requests and witness testimony, including McGahn's. House Democrats were hoping to make McGahn their key witness as they seek to unpack the findings of the Mueller report - particularly regarding questions of whether Trump obstructed justice. Trump and his administration have thwarted House investigations of the report, the president's businesses and efforts to obtain his tax returns, frustrating Democrats who said they are trying to conduct oversight. McGahn emerged as a central player in Mueller's findings, a senior confidante who documented in real-time Trump's rage against the Russia investigation and the president's efforts to shut it down. Democrats wanted him to testify for a national television audience about the two episodes in which Mueller found McGahn was a critical witness and in which investigators say they have substantial evidence Trump was engaged in obstruction of justice that would normally warrant criminal charges. In mid-June 2017, Trump tried to pressure McGahn to intervene with the Justice Department to try to push for Mueller's removal from office based on alleged conflicts of interest, the report said. Then, in February 2018, Trump summoned McGahn to the Oval Office and urged him to deny a news account that suggested the president asked for his help in ousting Mueller. The McGahn confrontation carries echoes of another former White House lawyer who was subpoenaed by Congress - Harriet Miers, a former adviser to President George W. Bush. Congress held her in contempt in 2007 for refusing to comply with a subpoena in its investigation of the firings of U.S. attorneys. As with McGahn, the administration took the position that Miers' departure from the government did not leave her susceptible to a congressional subpoena. The Justice Department memo released Monday said the "immunity of the president's immediate advisers from compelled congressional testimony on matters related to their official responsibilities has long been recognized and arises from the fundamental workings of the separation of powers. Those principles apply to the former White House Counsel. Accordingly, Mr. McGahn is not legally required to appear and testify about matters related to his official duties as Counsel to the President." The McGahn news was not surprising. Earlier this month, the White House invoked executive privilege to bar McGahn from complying with a congressional subpoena to provide documents to Congress related to Mueller's investigation, though the White House never filed the paperwork to assert the White House secrecy prerogative. In a letter to the House Judiciary Committee earlier this month, White House counsel Pat Cipollone said McGahn does not have the legal right to comply with its subpoena for 36 types of documents - most related to Mueller's nearly two-year probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election. Rather, Cipollone argued the committee needed to send the request to the White House - and even hinted that the administration would assert privilege to block the information. "The White House provided these records to Mr. McGahn in connection with its cooperation with the special counsel's investigation and with the clear understanding that the records remain subject to the control of the White House for all purposes," Cipollone wrote earlier this month. "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." A man was killed late Monday in a shooting at a north Houston apartment complex, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. The man, who was identified on Tuesday as 25-year-old Timothy Stockman, suffered gunshot wounds to the hip and upper foot. He was initially alert and talking to police, but succumbed to his wounds at a hospital about two hours after the shooting, according to a detective on the scene. What would a real-time measles epidemic look like? A group of Texas pediatricians has asked researchers at the University of Pittsburgh to present a model that shows what could happen to a municipality should vaccination rates decrease by 10 percent. The researchers have already developed an agent-based modeling system, called the Framework for Reconstructing Epidemiological Dynamics (FRED), that shows the worst case measles scenario at the county or metropolitan area level. This model is based on projections. The Texas model uses real numbers, where simulations drill down to show infection risks at the individual school level. Click through the gallery above to see simulations of a real-time measles outbreak in Houston. "About year and a half ago, the Texas branch of the American College of Pediatricians contacted us," Dr. Mark Roberts, Director of the Public Health Dynamics Laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh, told Chron.com. "They asked if we could do the simulation with actual data." Roberts said his team also used data from the U.S. Department of Education, which provided the location and size of the schools, and from the U.S. Department of Commerce, which provided employment details. While the model shows the upper number of measles cases that could plausibly be expected to occur, it does not include the effect of any public health interventions after an outbreak starts, such as mass vaccination programs or increased isolation rates. On HOUSTON CHRONICLE.COM: Study: Harris County at high risk to measles outbreak "In the simulators, households wake up and then the kids go to school and the adults go to work," Roberts said. "They go from home to school to work, and back and forth over and over again." The projections allow you to watch while a measles outbreak spreads among school children and adult workers, Roberts said. However, the simulation is still highly accurate, Roberts said. "You could argue it's not exact, but, boy, it's pretty close," Roberts said. Moreover, researchers created two graphs showing the population broken into two categories. The first group is made up of bystanders, including those for whom the vaccination failed (3% of people do not gain immunity after vaccination) and those who are ineligible for vaccination due to medical conditions. The second group, called the refusers, includes those who refuse to be vaccinated. If you choose not to vaccinate your child, it affects all others including the bystanders who are not unprotected by choice, Roberts noted. This demonstrates the importance of a high vaccination rate in order to protect the community, according to FRED researchers. Measles, which are highly infectious, have re-emerged as a public health threat after having been largely eradicated by 2000, according to the Houston Chronicle. Harris County ranks the ninth most at risk county of having clusters of people contract measles, the Houston Chronicle reported. To see simulations for Texas and other states, head to the Framework for Reconstructing Epidemiological Dynamics' website. Marcy de Luna is a digital reporter. You can follow her on Twitter @MarcydeLuna and Facebook @MarcydeLuna. Read her stories on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com. | Marcy.deLuna@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message Proponents of recreational marijuana legalization in New York state were dismayed when the measure was dropped from the state budget agreement in late March. And they verged on apoplectic when Gov. Andrew Cuomo said earlier this month that it lacks the votes to pass this year. However, the legalization fight showed signs of life last week when legislators in Albany announced a new bill to legalize recreational marijuana. But state Sen. Liz Krueger, who is sponsoring the legislation, said it currently doesnt have majority support in the upper chamber. The issue has been bogged down in squabbles over technical questions like how the money raised from taxing marijuana sales would be spent and what to do about rural and suburban counties that want to opt out of having dispensaries. Even the arguments for legalization have leaned heavily toward a defensive and technocratic case that arresting pot smokers does more harm than good, and that neighboring states will legalize pot, so New York might as well get its fair share of the revenue. This has led to the pro-legalization movement being weakened by the defeat of legalization in New Jersey. Instead, legalization advocates should make an affirmative case for how permitting marijuana sales will enhance the lives of New Yorkers. Refocusing on the why could propel the debate forward by breaking our myopic focus on the public policy particulars. The argument for legalization is about much more than raising government revenue. Its about the freedom to alter your consciousness, seek new experiences and live life on your own terms. New York could learn a lot from the history of recreational marijuana legalization in Mexico. The Mexican Senate is currently fine-tuning a recreational marijuana legalization bill, but the impetus didnt originate with the legislature: They were pushed into doing it by the Supreme Court of Mexico. In 2018, the Mexican Supreme Court court ruled that blanket bans on recreational cannabis violated Mexicans constitutional right to free development of personality. Now, it would be up to the legislators to decide how, not if, they wanted to regulate recreational marijuana. The phrase free development of personality immediately caught the interest of the U.S. media. The language sounded unfamiliar, maybe even radical. But the underlying idea is a robust conception of personal freedom, an argument with deep roots in the liberal tradition. Its a discourse that every American is familiar with. Its an ideal that New Yorkers may find instructive and inspirational. The Mexican Constitution guarantees the right to free development of personality, which means essentially the right to choose ones way of life, including vital and intimate questions like whether to get married, have children or change ones gender. The Mexican Supreme Court ruled in an earlier case that the right to develop ones personality also includes the right to engage in the recreational activities of ones choice, including taking mind-altering substances to relieve tension, intensify perceptions, or achieve new personal or spiritual experiences. This is a frank acknowledgement from the countrys highest judicial authority that recreational drug use or, at least, the freedom to choose it can be a genuinely good thing. By contrast, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that Congress can even ban marijuana grown and consumed at home because it (somehow) affects interstate commerce, even when no money changes hands. The Mexican ruling doesnt mean that cannabis cant be regulated, or that the court believes the drug to be inherently harmless. It just means that the state must regulate cannabis in ways that are suitable, proportional and necessary to protect public health and preserve public order, instead of imposing a blanket ban that violates a persons right to live freely. The court was clear that its ruling applied only to cannabis, but the same logic could be a basis for legalizing of other drugs. Indeed, Interior Minister Olga Sanchez Cordero, a strong proponent of marijuana legalization, is already talking up Mexicos rich ritual history with peyote and psychedelic mushrooms on national television. The right to choose to use recreational drugs as part of the free development of personality implies a more positive view of drug use than most Americans have typically embraced. Here, even legalization advocates are more likely to talk about harm reduction than about the potential benefits of legal marijuana. As compelling as harm reduction arguments are, legalization advocates are selling ourselves short if we shy away from a robust defense of the potential benefits of the freedom to use marijuana. Given the safety profile of cannabis compared to other legal recreational drugs, prohibition seems like an arbitrary restriction on personal freedom. Marijuana is safer than tobacco or alcohol, the two big regulated recreational drugs in this country. Six people die every day of acute alcohol poisoning, but nobody has ever fatally overdosed on marijuana alone. We know for sure that smoking cigarettes causes lung cancer, but its an open question whether smoking marijuana does. The benefits of recreational marijuana use are difficult to quantify scientifically, but easy to observe in living rooms nationwide. Many people find that marijuana use enhances sociability, empathy and creativity. It can promote relaxation, produce insights into ones own personality and intimate relationships, and inspire new ideas for everything from a stand-up comedy routine to a political magazine article. What would jazz, rock and roll, hip-hop or the past 50 years of American cinema and painting have lost without marijuana? Like all drugs, cannabis affects people differently. Some people find the drug unpleasant, and it may pose special risks for people with certain medical conditions. Indeed, the effects are variable enough that its better to let adults decide for themselves what place, if any, the drug should have in their lives. As New Yorkers, we dont have a constitutional guarantee to fall back on, but the ideal of free development of personality is applicable to the struggle for legalization. Just because the U.S. Constitution doesnt guarantee this particular form of liberty doesnt mean it has no inherent value. As the great astronomer and humanist Carl Sagan wrote in 1969, The illegality of cannabis is outrageous, an impediment to full utilization of a drug which helps produce the serenity and insight, sensitivity and fellowship so desperately needed in this increasingly mad and dangerous world. And if thats not enough reason for New York to legalize recreational marijuana, theres always the thrill of preempting New Jersey. While proponents of legalizing recreational marijuana make a final end-of-session push this year, it is hardly the only outstanding health care issue as the weeks wind down in Albany. Here are some of the other major health-related bills that lawmakers are considering as the window for passage quickly closes. Vaccination legislation New York is facing its worst measles outbreak in decades, with infections mostly contained to ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities in Brooklyn and Rockland County. According to officials, there have been 498 confirmed cases in New York City and 225 cases in Rockland. In response to the outbreak, lawmakers are trying to pass a bill that would eliminate the religious exemption from vaccines, keeping the medical exemption as the only reason someone would be allowed to not to receive a vaccine. After initially expressing reservations about the legislation, namely around potential First Amendment issues, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said he opposes religious exemptions due to the danger they pose to public health. The bill appears to have stalled in the state Legislature, having not moved out of committee in either chamber. However, state Senate Majority Leader Andrea-Stewart Cousins said she supports the bill and plans to bring it to a floor vote soon. The state Legislature is also considering a second bill that would permit teenagers 14 years and older to get vaccinated without parental consent. While both the state Senate and Assembly versions of that bill have been amended since being introduced, neither have made it out of committee. New York Health Act The state will not establish a single-payer health care system this year after state Sen. Gustavo Rivera, one of the bills sponsors, said his chamber will not vote on the measure this session. Nonetheless, the legislation made more progress this year than it has in the nearly three decades since Assemblyman Richard Gottfried first introduced it. Rivera said that the state Senate would hold joint hearings with the Assembly to gather feedback on the New York Health Act, the first time the chamber has held hearings on the matter. The first hearing is set for May 28. Although the Assembly has passed versions of the bill before, the state Senate has never voted on it, due to the chambers longtime Republican majority, and senators have had little opportunity to seriously analyze and consider it. Nurse staffing and insurance The New York State Nurses Association is once again pushing for legislation that would create safe staffing regulations for nurses in the state, a perennial issue in Albany. The union reached a historic contract with three hospital systems in New York City that included minimum staffing levels, affecting about 10,000 nurses. However, the association has 42,000 members across the state, most of whom will not benefit from the contract terms in New York City, so the union continues to advocate for legislation at the state level. The bill was voted out of the Assembly Health Committee in April. The association is raising another issue affecting its members, even catching the attention of Cuomo. Nurses say they have been denied life insurance because they have prescriptions for naloxone, an opioid blocker used during overdoses. More nurses have been getting prescriptions so they can carry it with them as a precautionary measure against accidental exposure while treating patients in nonclinical settings. They are advocating for legislation that would make it illegal for insurance providers to discriminate based on a prescription for Narcan, a brand of naloxone. The bill has passed the state Senate. Cuomo also directed the state Department of Financial Services to investigate the issue. Prescription drugs AARP New York is pushing for three bills that supporters say would decrease the costs of prescription drugs. The first seeks to create a wholesale import program for prescriptions drugs, which would require the state health commissioner to get federal certification if the bill passes. A second piece of legislation would confront pay to delay deals among drug manufacturers by requiring them to notify the state attorney general of any agreements that hold up the introduction of generic medications. A third bill would let the state attorney general prosecute pharmaceutical companies for price gouging. Another bill would crack down on pharmacy benefit managers middlemen between pharmacies and manufactures by requiring them to get state licenses and act in the best interests of health care providers. Medical aid in dying The state Legislature is considering the Medical Aid in Dying Act, which would allow doctors to provide life-ending medication to terminally ill patients seeking to end their own lives. The issue has come up in some form or another since the 1990s, although the current version of the legislation was first introduced in 2016. The difference this year is that Cuomo has made his first public comments on the matter. During an April radio interview, the governor said he supports the legislation and would sign it if it passed both legislative chambers. A survey conducted by WebMD in January found a majority of doctors in the state support medically assisted suicide, with an even larger majority backing the specific legislation proposed. However, the Roman Catholic Church remains staunchly opposed to the measure, and legislative leaders have given no indication about where they stand on the issue, nor if they have any intention of bringing the bill to a vote. -with reporting by Zach Williams We have 20 days two, zero session days to actually pass marijuana legalization in New York, Melissa Moore, deputy state director for the Drug Policy Alliance in New York, said at the close of a May 9 panel discussion on the future of marijuana in the state. This is really an all hands on deck moment. Since that panel, advocates like Moore now have even less time to convince state lawmakers to legalize recreational marijuana. And they have their work cut out for them, as the future of marijuana in this legislative session is far from certain. When marijuana legalization was bundled into the state budget, state Sen. Liz Krueger, who sponsors the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act, felt confident that she had the votes to get it passed. As part of the budget, it was just one of many issues that lawmakers were voting on, giving cover to those who might face backlash from constituents, and it had the strong support of Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Now, as a stand-alone bill, Krueger is not so sure of its prospects, despite maintaining cautious optimism. She said she had never gauged opinion on a vote outside the budget and acknowledged that doing so could be an issue for some Democratic lawmakers though she later said she currently does not have enough votes. I really do believe that the only way this could get across the finish line in both houses is if (Cuomo) makes it extremely clear this is something he wants done, and he uses political capital and political weight to urge legislators who care about what he thinks about this, Krueger told City & State. Cuomo has since indicated that if the state Legislature is banking on his support to convince holdouts, they shouldnt be. Asked in a radio interview on WXXI on May 10 if he would use political capital to help get the votes, Cuomo responded by saying that while he supports the bill, arm-twisting doesnt work. He added that its a bad sign if the state Legislature is asking him to secure votes. It makes me nervous that theyre saying that because they told me they had the votes and they are going to pass it, Cuomo said. He added, I would work to do it. I just now have to gauge the feasibility of it. This may cause some Albany observers to scratch their heads, since Cuomo has been known to twist arms and use his power to get his will done. Same-sex marriage in 2011 and the SAFE Act in 2013 are just two prominent examples, with Cuomo successfully getting his progressive priorities through the Republican-controlled state Senate. In the radio interview, Cuomo said the same-sex marriage issue was different because it involved a legal argument that went beyond ideology in a way that marijuana legalization does not. Krueger and Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, who is sponsoring the companion bill, are poised to introduce revised legislation that reflects discussions with the governors office. It is expected to include a much more detailed regulatory framework for recreational marijuana sales, with provisions for CBD products, hemp and an expansion of the medical marijuana program as well as a mechanism to expunge the records of people convicted of marijuana-related crimes. The revised measure is also expected to include additional funding for education, law enforcement, programs for minority entrepreneurs and reinvestment in communities disproportionately harmed by the enforcement of marijuana laws. However, changes this late in the session give lawmakers very little time to review and debate the new language before a vote. Peoples-Stokes painted a more positive picture of the bills chances than her Senate counterpart. Unlike Krueger, who would not speculate yet about the outcome of potential votes or whether there would be a vote Peoples-Stokes expressed confidence that there is enough support in both chambers. I believe that most people, given the opportunity to take an up-or-down vote on this, will vote yes, Peoples-Stokes told City & State, citing poll numbers that show most New Yorkers support legalization. Throughout this debate, state Sen. Diane Savino has been a voice of pessimism among the proponents. She has repeatedly said that the state Legislature missed its opportunity to legalize marijuana in the budget, that the opposition remains too strong for a stand-alone measure and that it wont get done until at least 2021, after the next election cycle. Its the reason she and Assemblyman Richard Gottfried introduced a bill expanding the existing medical marijuana program in the state, in order to pass reforms even if the recreational bill, which includes the same expansion, does not succeed. Doug Greene, the legislative director at marijuana advocacy group Empire State NORML, agreed with Savinos logic that a failure to act this session would close the window for at least two years. And while he remains hopeful, Greene acknowledged that he and other advocates face an uphill battle in the waning days of the legislative session. One of the things you have to remember that is central to this story is our opposition is much better organized, much better funded than we are, Greene said, referring to the many parent-teacher groups, the Medical Society of the State of New York, law enforcement across the state and the national group Smart Approaches to Marijuana, which has been very active in New York. Legalization proponents have scheduled two lobbying days in Albany to change hearts and minds, one at the end of May and one in the middle of June. Greene said they would in particular focus on suburban lawmakers who have expressed reservations about legalization, saying they would need a suburban strategy. On Long Island, for example, the Democratic county executives in both Nassau and Suffolk counties have said they would opt out of allowing local sales should marijuana become legal, indicating that constituents are not completely on board with legalization. Will there be enough time to come up with and implement the suburban strategy? Its possible, Greene said tentatively, but its going to be really difficult. 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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PRIMARIA MEA este in cautare de o companie IT sau de un intreprinzator individual pentru crearea si dezvoltarea unei pagini web a organizatiei Thanks to globe-spanning social platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, misinformation (any wrong information) and disinformation (intentional misinformation like propaganda) have never been able to spread so rapidly or so far, powered by algorithms and automated filters. But misinformation expert Joan Donovan, who runs the Technology and Social Change Research Project at Harvards Shorenstein Center, says social media platforms are not the only ones who play a critical role in perpetuating the misinformation problem. Journalists and media companies also do, Donovan says, because they often help to amplify misinformation when they cover it and the bad actors who create it, often without thinking about the impact of their coverage. There is clearly more misinformation around than in previous eras, Donovan tells CJR in a recent interview on our Galley discussion platform, because theres just a lot more media, and therefore a lot more opportunity to distribute it. But quantity never really matters unless there is significant attention to the issue being manipulated, she says. So this is where my research is fundamentally about journalism and not about audiences. Trusted information brokers, like journalists and news organizations, are important targets for piggybacking misinformation campaigns into the public sphere. Donovans research looks at how trolls and otherswhether they are government-backed or freelancecan use techniques including social engineering (lying to or manipulating someone to achieve a specific outcome) and low-level hacking to persuade journalists and news outlets of the newsworthiness of a specific campaign. Once that story gets picked up by a reputable outlet, its game time, she says. Donovan and other misinformation experts warned that the Christchurch shooters massive essay about his alleged justification for the incident in April was clearly designed to get as much media attention as possible, by playing on certain themes and popular topics, and they advised media outlets not to play into this strategy by quoting from it. ICYMI: I went to prison for leaking state secrets. Now, I want to make sure sources are protected. Before she joined the Shorenstein Center at Harvard last year, Donovan was a member of the research group Data & Society, where she led the Media Manipulation Initiative, mapping how interest groups, governments, and political operatives use the internet and the media to intentionally manipulate messages. Data & Society published an extensive report on the problem last year, written by Syracuse University media studies professor Whitney Phillips, entitled The Oxygen of Amplification, with advice on how to cover topics like white supremacy and the alt-right without giving them more credibility in the process. Sometimes, I want to throw my hands in the air and grumble, We know what we know from history! Journalists are not outside of society. In fact, they are the most crucial way the public makes sense of the world, Donovan writes in her Galley interview. When journalists pay attention to a particular person or issue, we all do and that has reverberating effects.' As part of her postdoctoral research, Donovan looked at racial violence and media coverage in the 1960s and 1970s, when the Ku Klux Klan was active. The Klan had a specific media strategy to cultivate journalists for positive coverage of their events, Donovan says. As journalists pivoted slowly to covering the civil rights movement with a sympathetic tone, Klan violence risesbut also public spectacles, torch marches, and cross burnings. These acts are often done with the potential for media coverage in mind. Sometimes, I want to throw my hands in the air and grumble, We know what we know from history! Journalists are not outside of society. In fact, they are the most crucial way the public makes sense of the world. Sign up for CJR 's daily email While mass shootings are clearly newsworthy, Donovan says, the internet introduces a new dynamic where all stories on a topic are instantly available to virtually anyone anywhere around the globe. And the fact that they are shared and re-shared and commented on via half a dozen different social networks means that journalists quickly lose control over the reception of their work, she says. This is why it is even more crucial that journalists frame stories clearly and avoid embedding and hyperlinking to known online spaces of radicalization. Despite this kind of advice from Donovan and others, including sociologist Zeynep Tufekci, a number of media outlets linked to the Christchurch shooters writings, and at least one even included a clip from the live-streamed video of his attack. When it comes to what the platforms themselves should do about mitigating the spread of misinformation and the amplification of extremists, Donovan says the obvious thing is that they should remove accounts that harass and use hate speech to silence others. This would go a long way to stamping out the influencers who are providing organizing spaces for their fans to participate in networked harassment and bullying, she says. On YouTube, some would-be influencers use hate speech as a way to attract new audiences and solicit donations, Donovan says, and these attempts are aided by the algorithms and the ad-driven model of the platforms. These influencers would not have grown this popular without the platforms consent, she says. Something can be done and the means to do it are already available. On the topic of the recent Christchurch Calla commitment to take action on extremism signed by the governments of New Zealand, France, Canada, and a number of other nations, along with tech platforms like Google, Facebook, and TwitterDonovan says that until there are tangible results, the agreement looks like just another pledge to do better. These companies apologize and make no specific commitments to change. There are no benchmarks to track progress, no data trails to audit, no human rights abuses accounted for. Something the Christchurch Call also doesnt address, Donovan says, are the fundamental incentives behind how hate groups are financed and resourced online, thanks to access to payment processIng and broadcast technologies at will. ICYMI: The story of Ernest Hemingways $187,000 magazine expenses claim Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Mathew Ingram is CJRs chief digital writer. Previously, he was a senior writer with Fortune magazine. He has written about the intersection between media and technology since the earliest days of the commercial internet. His writing has been published in the Washington Post and the Financial Times as well as by Reuters and Bloomberg. The Kentucky Court of Appeals ruled on Friday that the University of Kentucky failed to comply with the states open records act when it refused to give UKs student newspaper, the Kentucky Kernel, information about the investigation of a professor accused of sexual assault. The May 17 ruling is the latest twist in a legal fight that has put student journalists at UK and Western Kentucky University in the uncomfortable position of trying to cover their universities while simultaneously being sued by them. Since 2016, UK and WKU have resisted requests for records of Title IX investigations against employees accused of sexual harassment or assault. Because of a unique feature of Kentucky law, the only way the universities could block disclosure was to sue the Kernel and the College Heights Herald, WKUs newspaper. (A suit brought by WKU against both the Herald and the Kernel is pending in a trial court in Bowling Green.) This suit between the Kernel and UK has literally been going on for my entire college career, Bailey Vandiver, the Kernels outgoing editor in chief, says. So Ive never known what it would be like to work at a newspaper thats not being sued by the university. The universities insist that they are trying to protect the privacy of students who have been victimized, and argue that the Title IX files are educational records protected from disclosure by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). However, six other Kentucky universities also covered by FERPA have complied with similar document requests from the Kernel and Herald, and attorneys representing the newspapers believe the real motive is to preserve the public image of both universities by preventing scrutiny of their handling of Title IX complaints. Its all about the university trying to save face, Tom Miller, a Lexington attorney who represents the Kernel, says. It just pisses me off. And then they turn around and sue their own students. Among the lawyers representing the Herald is Jon Fleischaker, who wrote the states open records act as counsel for the Kentucky Press Association in the 1970s. He and his wife, Kim Greene, also underwrite a First Amendment scholars program at WKU, and he has raised objections to the lawsuit with WKUs current and past presidents, to no avail. (Disclosure: I oversaw the First Amendment scholars program in the fall semester of 2018.) Sign up for weekly emails from the United States Project ICYMI: A reporter attended a school board meeting for 3 hrs, longer than other journalists present. That ended up being a very good decision. There are people in the administration who are bad-mouthing their own students, Fleischaker says. That really disturbs me. An investigation by WKU journalist Nicole Ares, based on Title IX investigative documents she managed to obtain from five Kentucky public universities, buttresses the case for why disclosure is in the public interest. Ares found that only half of the 62 employees found to be in violation of sexual misconduct policies between 2011 and 2016 were fired, and at least eight had gone on to other schools, which in some cases were unaware of the previous allegations. Aress reports didnt include information on six WKU employees tagged as violators because the university blocked access to those documents. Aress stories about the sexual misconduct complaints have won a slew of prestigious national awards, from the Associated College Press and the College Media Association, among others. While universities are usually quick to publicize student honors, Chuck Clark, director of student publications at WKU, says, there hasnt been any university acknowledgement of those awards. The events leading up to the disputes between the universities and their newspapers began in the spring of 2016 when a source approached Marjorie Kirk, then news editor of the Kernel, about an investigation of UK entomology professor James Harwood, who was accused of sexually assaulting and harassing graduate students he supervised. Kirk says she was told Harwood had been allowed to resign rather than face disciplinary action, and the university had agreed not to disclose any information about the allegations to subsequent employers. The Kernel filed an open records request for the Title IX investigative report, which UK denied. Even with identifying information redacted, the university argued that releasing the records would reveal student identities. We believe strongly that the victim survivors have that right to privacy, Jay Blanton, UKs chief communications officer, says. Thats been the principle that weve adhered to throughout this case. UK continued to resist disclosure even after a source gave most of the documents to Kirk, with student information redacted; Blanton said the university still had a moral responsibility to try to protect the students identities. Meanwhile, at the Herald, Ares had been following the Kernels coverage and decided to file an open records request for Title IX investigative files from seven Kentucky public universities. The Kernel had made made a similar request. Of the seven universities, five complied, including UK. WKU and Kentucky State University declined to comply, citing FERPA in their refusals. When the Kernel and Herald appealed to Attorney General Andy Beshear, who arbitrates open records disputes, the universities also refused to turn over the documents to his office for review, at which point he sided with the newspapers and ordered that the documents be released. Because the open records act precludes lawsuits against the attorney general, the only avenue left for the universities to prevent disclosure was to sue the newspapers. KSU eventually turned over redacted documents after losing at the trial court level; WKUs suit against the Herald and Kernel to block release is yet to be resolved. We think its a pretty definitive statement that the university cant hide behind student privacy to shield information about employees who engage in wrongdoing. Though Beshear wasnt a party to the universities lawsuits, his office took the unprecedented step of intervening in the cases on the side of the newspapers. The open records act is not meant to be a trust me law, Travis Mayo, executive director of the attorney generals Office of Civil and Environmental Law, says. Allowing state agencies to decide for themselves whether records are exempt, without an independent determination by the attorney general, would defeat the purpose of the act, he adds. ICYMI: A student journalist asked her school for records of harassment complaints against teachers. She ended up uncovering a big story The Court of Appeals agreed with UK that students in the Harwood case have privacy rights that UK must protect and that records protected by FERPA arent subject to the open records act. But it rejected the universitys blanket assertion that FERPA protects all of the records and sent the case back to the trial court, with instructions that the university provide a legal justification for any documents it wants to withhold and redact any information that identifies students. Blanton says UK would review the courts ruling before deciding on its next steps. Michael Abate, a Louisville lawyer whose firm is representing the Herald, says the Court of Appeals ruling against UK should help the newspaper prevail in its suit with WKU. We think its a pretty definitive statement that the university cant hide behind student privacy to shield information about employees who engage in wrongdoing, he says. In an email, Bob Skipper, director of media relations at WKU, said the university does not comment on pending litigation, and that our reasoning for taking this course of action is clear in our court statements. To date, UK and WKU have spent more than $134,000 on legal fees pursuing the lawsuits. The newspapers have financed their defense by cobbling together funds from alumni donations, the Kentucky Press Associations legal defense fund, the Society of Professional Journalists state and national organizations, and through the generosity of lawyers dismayed by the universities litigiousness. We have donated a fair amount of labor to the cause, and were happy to do it, says Abate, who adds that he wanted to defend students asking hard questions of people in power. The KPAs executive director, David Thompson, says the association is committed to seeing the cases through because of the precedent that would be set if the universities prevail. We know [the newspapers] are not going to have the resources to keep going, he says. We want them to keep going. If the newspapers prevail, they can collect attorneys fees from the universities if non-compliance is deemed willful, in which case the entire cost of these legal cases could come out of university funds. In the meantime, student journalists at UK and WKU continue to navigate covering news stories involving people whom their newspapers are facing in court. [We] try to help make the students realize that, yes, the university is suing them, but that cant change the tone or tenor of how you cover the university, Clark says. Vandiver believes the lawsuits havent changed how she and her colleagues at the Kernel cover the university. We would be as skeptical of the university as would have been if we hadnt been sued, she says. ICYMI: Teacher discusses student sex worker profile Correction: This story previously misidentified a former Kentucky Kernel editor. She is Marjorie Kirk, not Marjorie Kurtz. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Rich Shumate is an assistant professor of journalism at Western Kentucky University. On Friday, May 17, two German newspapers, Suddeutsche Zeitung and Der Spiegel, published a secretly recorded video. In it, Austrias vice chancellor, Heinz-Christian Strache, speaks of his wish to re-design the countrys media environment so that it resembles Hungary, a country where the free press is all but destroyed. We want to build a media landscape like [Viktor] Orban did, Strache says, referring to Hungarys prime minister. The quote was part of a six-hour conversation in Ibiza, Spain, involving Strache, the chairman of the right-wing populist Freedom Party of Austria (FPO); Johann Gudenus, another FPO politician; and an unidentified woman purporting to be the niece of a Russian oligarch. In the video, both the FPO leaders appear to promise several government contracts to the woman. Strache, whose FPO is a junior member of the ruling conservative government, stepped down the next day, amid the scandal. On Saturday, Sebastian Kurz, the chancellor of Austria, announced that he would end the coalition government and hold snap elections this fall. ICYMI: The White House wages war on transparency The revelations have come to light during a surge of press-freedom threats, which have multiplied since Straches far-right party came to power in December 2017 as part of the coalition led by Kurz, who is a member of OVP, the Austrian Peoples party. Austrias public broadcaster, ORF, has been a special target. In April, Harald Vilimsky, an FPO member of the European Parliament, verbally attacked veteran ORF news reporter Armin Wolf after Wolf asked him about an anti-Muslim FPO poster. During the interview, Vilimsky said that the questions would not remain without consequences, and that if he was in charge, he would fire Wolf on the spot. Sign up for CJR 's daily email In February, after an interview with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, Hans-Jorg Jenewein, a spokesman for FPO, called another veteran broadcast journalist at ORF, Wolfgang Wagner, a Gesinnungsjournalist, a journalist reporting in favor of a particular political party. Jenewein also said that Wagners questions were reminiscent of an East German news program, called for reform of the head and limbs of the broadcaster, and demanded Wagners firing. Ive been in this business for 30 years, so Im used to a lot of critics and pressure, Wagner tells CJR. But this is not normal. In response, Wagner filed a defamation lawsuit against the parliamentary delegation of the FPO. Wagner tells CJR that a judge recently ruled in his favor. FPO has filed an appeal. Last year, an internal memo from Herbert Kickl, the interior minister and a member of FPO, directed police press departments to minimize communication with several publications it saw as critical. Kickl also changed the press policy at the ministry, which resulted in reporters often being prohibited to ask questions at government press conferences. This policy persists even as the coalition collapses. The government is breaking down, and theyre still doing this, and even stronger than before. Its really horrible, Fritz Hausjell, deputy head of the Institute of Journalism and Communication Science at the University of Vienna, says. For Hausjell, this policy is significant because it threatens the Austrian presss ability to report. When you cut out the media, you lose the chance for people to get the information they need, he says. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) downgraded the countrys ranking five points in 2019, a move they made before the current scandal. Pauline Ades-Mevel, the head of Europe and Balkan desk at RSF, says that anti-media rhetoric has become commonplace, and that independent journalists doing investigations are accused of being leftists or trying to destroy the government. We are legitimacy fearing new attacks on media, Ades-Mevel says. The situation for the Austrian media is in no way as grave as it is in Hungary, where the independent press has been essentially destroyed, or in Poland, where public broadcasting has become a mouthpiece for the ruling ultra-conservative Law and Justice Party. Austria still has a vibrant press ecosystem. But these incidents are nevertheless worrisome, especially when taken as a whole. Folker Hanusch, a professor of journalism at the University of Vienna, calls it creeping change. People were worried that the country was going in the direction of Hungary, and the footage shows [Straches] wish to muzzle the press to gain influence and make it a tool for his purposes, Hanusch says. With Strache out and his party no longer part of a ruling coalition, his plans may be foiled. But Hanusch says that Austria has not dodged a bullet yet. I wouldnt say Im fully relieved, Hanusch says. We have to keep watching what will happen. ICYMI: The story of Ernest Hemingways $187,000 magazine expenses claim Correction: A previous version identified Suddeutsche Zeitung as the publisher of the video. It was jointly published with Der Spiegel. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Martin Goillandeau and Makana Eyre are the authors. Martin Goillandeau is a French reporter from Lille who just graduated from the Columbia Journalism School. Before coming to the US, he covered the 2017 French election as a student in Paris. Martin has also worked for several TV and radio outlets in his home country. Makana Eyre is an American reporter based in Paris, France. He is a graduate of the Columbia Journalism School, where he was a fellow at the Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism. Makana works as a freelance correspondent for the Haitian Times, covering the Haitian diaspora in Europe. U.S. and European law enforcement officials on Thursday said they had dismantled a global organized cybercrime network, which used malware to steal banking login details in an attempt to pocket about $100 million from thousands of businesses. A federal grand jury in Pittsburgh charged ten members of the network, and other criminal prosecutions have begun in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, the European Unions agency for law enforcement cooperation Europol said in a statement. Five Russian nationals charged in the indictment are on the run, the agency said, including the developer of the malware. In what Europol called a highly specialized and international criminal network, the members spread across Georgia, Moldova, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Russia sent spear-phishing emails to infect computers with malware, dubbed GozNym, designed to capture login details. That allowed the members to steal money from the bank accounts and launder the funds using U.S. and foreign bank accounts. It was truly the scope of this organization that made this campaign so dangerous, Scott W. Brady, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, said at a press conference at Europols headquarters in the Hague. The cyber investigative team at the Federal Bureau Investigations Pittsburgh field office initiated the investigation, which accelerated in 2016 after officials took down the Avalanche network. That network provided online hosting services to dozens of some of the largest malware campaigns, including GozNym. We identified over 41,000 victims, unsuspecting citizens of European and North American countries who thought they were clicking on a simple invoice as part of their business, Brady said.Instead, they were giving hackers access to their most personal and sensitive information. He said targeted businesses included law firms, mom-and-pop businesses, international corporations and non-profit organizations. The network formed after members each advertised their technical skills and services on underground, Russian-speaking online forums and were then recruited by the groups leader, who controlled more than 41,000 computers infected with the GozNym malware. The accomplices used encryption techniques so the malware could avoid detection by antivirus tools and protective software, Europol said. Once infected, money was then wired to other accounts or withdrawn from ATMs in order to be distributed to members of the network. Officials from Bulgaria, Germany, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and the U.S. coordinated searches and shared evidence to track down the alleged criminals. In a house search in Ukraine, one of the accused individuals resisted arrest by opening fire on officials, Ukraines first Deputy Prosecutor Dmytro Storozhuk said at the press conference, adding that no one was injured during the operation. The wider investigation was also supported by Europol and Eurojust, the EUs judicial cooperation unit. Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. European consumers could be at risk of exposure to hazardous chemicals in products like clothes and cosmetics because safety rules arent being properly enforced, according to a German environmental lobby. Potentially harmful chemicals including dibutyl phthalate found in toys and methyl acetate used in footwear are widely sold to manufacturers of household goods without having been properly vetted, BUND said in a study published Tuesday. Chemical companies have been breaking the law for years and getting away with it, Manuel Fernandez, a chemicals policy officer at BUND, said in a statement. Chemicals in consumer items could cause a range of health problems including hormonal cancers and brain disorders, according to Fernandez. The allegations come at a time of heightened concern about the danger of some products. Germanys Bayer AG has been ordered to pay more than $2 billion in damages to a California couple that claimed they got cancer as a result of using its Roundup weedkiller. The company is under pressure to settle thousands of similar lawsuits. Short on Data The BUND report is based on information dating back to 2014 obtained using freedom of information requests from the European Chemicals Agency, the regions regulator. The study named some top global chemical makers as among the 654 companies linked to dossiers that had insufficient safety data. An industry lobby acknowledged shortfalls in some studies. The European chemical industry underwent a regulatory overhaul in 2008 when the region introduced new safety rules under a framework called REACH. While companies initially scrambled to register and test chemicals, BUND said some havent completed safety reports a decade after the system was introduced. It named BASF SE, Saudi Basic Industries Corp. and Ineos among those. The European Chemicals Agency said in an emailed statement its planning to increase the number of compliance checks to address the shortfall in safety data, adding that most companies provide the missing information upon request. The quality of data in some REACH dossiers needs to be seriously reviewed, industry lobby group, the European Chemical Industry Council, said by email. Ineos is working with the European trade association to address issues on REACH, the company said by email. For Germanys BASF, meeting REACH obligations has so far cost the company about 400 million euros ($446 million). Legal requirements have been fulfilled, and the company is helping put together an improved framework, it said in a statement. Saudi Basic Industries Corp. had no immediate comment. When the REACH program was first introduced, the testing requirements werent spelled out, according to Jari Rosendal, chief executive officer of Kemira Oyj, a Finnish company making chemicals to treat water. No one really told you how to do it, he said. Im sure companies have things to improve but its not like anyone wants to go under the radar. Everybody is doing the best they can. Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. American Airlines Group Inc. asked a federal court to halt an illegal slowdown campaign by unionized employees, saying the action had disrupted the travel plans of 125,000 passengers in the last three months. Mechanics are taking too long to repair jetliners and refusing to work overtime in an effort to gain leverage in contract talks, American said in a lawsuit filed Monday in federal court in Fort Worth, Texas. The alleged slowdown will crimp travel for 3,400 passengers a day if it continues into the summer, the airline said. The lawsuit raises the stakes in a standoff after federal mediators suspended talks last month, saying they didnt see a way to resolve differences between the two sides. The TWU-IAM Association, which represents 30,000 employees in 12 work groups, is the only major union at American that still lacks a complete contract following the carriers merger with US Airways in 2013. American and the union havent been able to agree on issues including pay, health and retirement benefits and limits on outsourcing work. The National Mediation Board is overseeing negotiations between the two sides and will determine the next steps, which could include moving closer to a possible strike. The union didnt immediately comment. Inordinately Long Southwest Airlines Co. had a similar dispute earlier this year. The Dallas-based carrier asked a federal court to order its mechanics and their union to stop reporting excessive maintenance issues that it said were grounding an unusually large number of aircraft. The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association warned that Southwests lawsuit could discourage workers from reporting aircraft damage. The two sides got a warning from the Federal Aviation Administration, which said March 8 that the contentious contract talks and legal fight were putting the carriers safety at risk. The company and the union reached a contract agreement in principle about a week later. American said its mechanics en masse were taking an inordinately long time to repair aircraft. The company also said employees refused overtime and maintenance trips, including weeks with a 100% field trip refusal rate at its Charlotte, Phoenix and Philadelphia hubs. The number of out-of-service aircraft at 7 a.m. each day rose to an average of 44 on May 13 from 36 on Feb. 4, the carrier said. The union and the company had their 17th negotiating session with federal mediators on April 25, according to the filing. Max Grounding American said mechanic productivity should be higher than normal due to the grounding of the Boeing Co. 737 Max. American has 24 of the single-aisle planes, with another 16 scheduled for delivery this year. Regulators barred the plane from flying more than two months ago, following the second deadly crash in a five-month span. Based on the amount of maintenance that Americans 737 Max fleet would require on a daily basis, the grounding of these aircraft has freed up an estimated 180 man-hours on average of mechanics time per night to work on other aircraft, American said. As detailed in this complaint, however, mechanic productivity has significantly decreased. The case is American Airlines Inc. v. Transport Workers Union of America, 4:19-cv-00414-A. U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas (Fort Worth). RENO, Nev. The state of Nevada has reached a tentative settlement with dozens of homeowners and insurance companies that filed an $80 million negligence lawsuit after a fire destroyed 24 homes when strong winds reignited a smoldering prescribed burn south of Reno in 2016, lawyers told a judge Thursday. The lawyers for Nevada and more than 60 plaintiffs who sued the state said the state Board of Examiners plans to vote on the unspecified settlement agreement June 12. A trial to determine the amount of damages had been scheduled for December after a jury found the Nevada Division of Forestry guilty of gross negligence and liable for losses last year. William Jeanney, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said he cant discuss details. But he told reporters after a brief court appearance Thursday its a good deal for everyone involved given the circumstances. He credited Gov. Steve Sisolak and Attorney General Aaron Ford for helping reach the agreement. Im pleased with what we were able to accomplish, Jeanney said. It was not easy. The state was looking at a very difficult damage value. A tough puzzle to solve. A Washoe County District Court jury found the state liable in August for the loss of two dozen homes and 17 other buildings when the prescribed fire raged out of control in the Washoe Valley north of Carson City on land owned by the University of Nevada, Reno, a co-defendant in the lawsuit. Dennis Hof, a prominent Nevada brothel owner who died last year while running for the state legislature, was among the plaintiffs who lost homes. The fire burned more than 3.5 square miles in October 2016 along the Sierras eastern front just east of Lake Tahoe. An independent investigation concluded in February 2017 the fire was caused by the ill-advised attempt to burn a large, wind-prone area with insufficient staff. Joe Freeland, the state forester and fire warden, later resigned. The state argued during the trial last year the fire was an unfortunate accident and that firefighters did everything correctly during the burn intended to clear out overgrown vegetation to prevent future wildfires. Jeanney said Sisolak and Ford _ both Democrats who were elected in November _ were significantly more cooperative than the previous administration under Gov. Brian Sandoval and Attorney General Adam Laxalt, both Republicans. There was not a reasonable, legitimate approach by the prior administration to try to resolve this case, he said. We had to go into a courtroom and prove that they were grossly negligent. We finally had an administration that was willing to listen and reach out to help, he said. Jeanney said the original lawsuit didnt seek a specific amount of damages but suggested cumulatively all the homeowners may have suffered damages somewhere around $80 million to $90 million. He said the settlement largely was reached during a three-day mediation session last month aimed at reaching a deal by May 31 to keep the case from going to trial. Washoe District Judge Scott Freeman set a June 27 hearing to formalize the settlement contingent on approval by the Board of Examiners. It then would go to a state magistrate to divide up payouts to damaged property owners, Jeanney said. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. GEICO General Insurance Co. refused an offer to settle Michael Maziks underinsured motorist claim for $50,000. Instead, the claim will cost the insurer more than $1.3 million. On Friday, a panel of the California 2nd District Court of Appeal affirmed a decision by the Los Angeles County Superior Court to award Mazik $1 million in punitive damages for the bad faith breach of its insurance contract, plus compensatory damages and his legal costs on appeal. The appellate court said GEICO had disregarded information that showed Mazik had suffered a permanent, painful injury after his vehicle collided head-on with another vehicle that had crossed into his lane. An insurer is not permitted to rely selectively on facts that support its position and ignore those facts that support a claim, the court said in an opinion written by Presiding Justice Elwood Lui. Doing so may constitute bad faith. Mazik was injured on Aug. 11, 2008 in Riverside County when another vehicle crossed over double yellow lines while attempting to pass slower traffic. The cars collided while both were traveling at about 45 to 50 mph, according to the opinion. The other driver was killed. The accident shattered the bones in Maziks left ankle. His physician said he may require surgery in the future to fuse the bones together. He testified that Mazik will suffer chronic pain from the injury throughout his life. It was a life-changing injury. Mazik was a young man, no more than 24 years old at the time of the accident, who was active in martial arts and employed as a teacher for children enrolled in a recreational space camp, his attorneys said. Mazik was represented on appeal by the Pine Tillett Pine law firm in Los Angeles. Appellate attorney Scott Tillett said the decision reaffirms an important principle of California insurance law: Insurers are not supposed to negotiate claim as if they were haggling to get a low price on a used car. Here we have a fiduciary relationship, Tillett said. There is a legal duty on the part of the company to treat its policyholders interests at least the same as its own. Mercury Insurance, which insured the other driver, paid Mazik $50,000, the full value of the policy. On Dec. 31, 2009, Maziks attorney submitted a claim to GEICO asking for $50,000. GEICOs regional liability administrator, Lon Grothen, authorized a settlement offer of only $1,000, an amount that Tillett called insulting. The insurer increased that offer to $13,800 nine months later, then to $18,000, and then to $18,887. That was its final and highest offer. After that offer was refused, Grothen instructed the claims adjuster to move the case to arbitration. The arbitrator issued an award of $50,000. GEICO issued a check in that amount in June 2013. Mazik filed a lawsuit accusing GEICO of acting in bad faith. A jury returned a verdict in his favor and awarded $313,508 in compensatory damages and $4 million in punitive damages. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Richard Rico reduced the punitive damages award to $1 million. Geico appealed the trial courts award of punitive damages, but did not challenge the compensatory damages. The appellate court said punitive damages may be awarded only if there is clear and convincing evidence that a defendant has been guilty of oppression, fraud or malice and the if the conduct was approved by a managing agent, meaning an officer who exercises substantial independent authority. Geico argued on appeal that its conduct was not so egregious that it would warrant a bad faith claim, and that Grothen was not a managing agent. The appellate court disagreed on both counts. The court said Grothen had authority to authorize settlements of up to $100,000 and used that brand discretion to enforce his negotiation regime. The court rejected Geicos contention that a managing editor must have responsibility over formal policies, rather than ad hoc decisions. The court said Geico did not request a jury instruction contains such a jury description, so it need not consider that argument. The decision says in footnote that the evidence would support Grothens status as a managing agent even using the strict definition that Geico urged the court to adopt. The evidence also showed that the carriers conduct was sufficiently oppressive to warrant a punitive damage award, the appellate court said. The carriers claims adjusters prepared summaries that were misleading and omitted significant information. For example, one summary stated that Mazik had not submitted any information supporting his request for reimbursement of expenses that his mother and a friend had incurred in assisting him after the accident. In fact, Mazik had submitted documentation. Another summary stated that Mazik had not had any medical treatment in three years, but then visited a doctor five times for fitting of shoes. That description trivialized the treating physicians diagnosis and treatment. Mazik needed specially fitted shoes because of ongoing problems with walking and working due to his pain. The court said Grothen had sufficient contact with Maziks file to know that the adjusters summaries were misleading. GEICO downplayed the nature of the injury and in the courts own words, cherry-picked medical information and disregarded unfavorable findings to lowball the claim and save the company money, Tillett said. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Paint giant Sherwin-Williams could be considering a new headquarters, as space grows tight in its Cleveland offices, according to a local blogger. Ken Prendergast of NEOTrans, an economic development and transportation blog, reported multiple sources saying that Sherwin Williams officials are preparing a request for proposals to build a new headquarters. The company has no comment, Sherwin-Williams Director of Corporate Communications Mike Conway told cleveland.com Tuesday morning. But its a sure bet that Greater Clevelands leadership will try to work with the company. Its very important that they stay in the city and if they are looking ... I can only speak for myself, but Im very confident that the city would do everything we could do to get them to stay in Cleveland, City Council President Kevin Kelley said. Mayor Frank Jacksons administration declined to comment at this time. Sherwin-Williams headquarters are on Prospect Avenue, near Tower City and across from the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. You might be familiar with the giant banner featuring a mosaic of Cleveland faces in the shape of one of the citys iconic Guardians of Traffic" statues (which replaced the giant LeBron James banner when he left the Cavs). The company houses its research and development facilities nearby, at the Breen Technology Center on Canal Road in the Flats. NEOTrans did not report a specific target location for the headquarters. Prendergast wrote that sources say everything is on the table" and that a request for proposals is expected by years end. The companys articles of incorporation state that the company will be located in the City of Cleveland, but that the Board of Directors is authorized to adopt from time to time amendments to the articles. The articles do not clarify what percentage of the board needs to vote to make these amendments. There are 11 members on the board, according to the Sherwin Williams website. Rumors have circulated for years. Prendergast has written about a potential move earlier this year, as well as in 2018. Crains Cleveland also reported on a potential new building in 2016, when Sherwin-Williams was working on a deal to buy Valspar Inc., a coatings company based in Minneapolis. Assessing space, land and building and new paint store location needs, is nothing new, something weve been doing for 149 years as part of our regular business planning cycle," a spokesman told Crains at the time. The company acquired Valspar in May 2017 for $11.3 billion, becoming one of the largest coating companies in the world, with about 58,000 employees worldwide, according to Plain Dealer reports. Prior to the acquisition, the companies sold off Valspars wood coating business for $420 million. This story has been updated to include a note about the Sherwin Williams articles of incorporation and responses from Cleveland City Council President Kevin Kelley and Mayor Frank Jacksons office. Americans are Heading South Across US-Mexico Border Merida, Mexico - The flow of migrants crossing the Mexican border into the United States draws ire from the White House, but the surge of people heading in the opposite direction is less noticed. This southern migration was described in detail in a recent Washington Post article, which talked to people in Mexico's original expat haven, San Miguel de Allende. Mexico's statistics institute estimated this month that the U.S.-born population in this country has reached 799,000, a roughly fourfold increase since 1990. The U.S. Embassy here thinks it's actually 1.5 million or more. It's not just retirees. There are also younger workers, such as tech workers who are location independent. Nearly 600,000 are American-born kids who returned with their Mexican parents. Put them all together, and the flow of migrants from the United States to Mexico is probably larger than the flow of Mexicans to the United States, writes the Post. The American immigrants are pouring money into local economies, renovating historic homes and changing the dynamics of Mexican classrooms. "It's beginning to become a very important cultural phenomenon," said Marcelo Ebrard, Mexico's foreign minister. "Like the Mexican community in the United States." But Mexican authorities know little about the size or needs of their largest immigrant group. He has been tasked by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador with changing that. U.S. and Canadian immigrants here have largely been welcomed. In San Miguel, 10 percent of the city's 100,000 residents are U.S. citizens. Mayor Luis Alberto Villareal delivers his annual State of the Municipality address in English and Spanish. "Despite the fact that Donald Trump insults my country every day, here we receive the entire international community, beginning with Americans, with open arms and hearts," Villareal said. Many of the Americans are probably undocumented, overstaying their six-month "tourist" visas. But the government has shown little concern. "We have never pressured them to have their documents in order," Ebrard said. Typically, violators pay a small fine. Technology and NAFTA have both paved the way to make expat life comfortable in Mexico. "For the things you can't find locally," a marketer named Bill Slusser said, "you just buy them off Amazon." About 35,000 Americans live in the beach resort of Puerto Vallarta and about 20,000 reside near Lake Chapala, in central Mexico, according to the U.S. Embassy. Americans are renovating homes in the historic center of Merida, the capital of Yucatan. Or savoring Pacific Ocean views from homes on Gringo Hill in Sayulita. There are so many Americans in Mexico City's trendy Condesa neighborhood that the guitarists who stroll outside the cafes ask for tips in English, the Post reports. Around 75 percent of immigrants coming to Mexico are from the United States, outnumbering the migrants heading from Central America. SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- Two Brush High School students are being lauded this spring for particularly notable achievements -- class valedictorian Kareem King will be attending Harvard University in the fall on a full-ride academic scholarship, while fellow senior Rebecca Rossi earned a perfect 36 score on her ACT test and will be attending Vanderbilt University in Nashville. For King, choosing Harvard wasnt easy, as he also had received scholarship offers from other prestigious schools to which he applied -- namely Princeton, Johns Hopkins University, Stanford, Brown and Northwestern. In all, scholarship money offered to King totaled $2.3 million of the $5.5 million offered to all of the Brush High Class of 2019. Kareem King (Photo Courtesy of Brush High School) King said the final decision came down to Harvard or Johns Hopkins. It came down to location, costs, how they could prepare me for the field I want to enter, and alumni who may be able to help me down the road, King said of making his decision, one he made with the advice of a college adviser supplied by ACT testers. King, who finished high school with a 4.6 grade point average, will concentrate his studies on molecular and cellular biology, working toward a combined M.D./Ph.D. program, with a specialization in pulmonology and biomedical research. He has, since his sophomore year, engaged in a summer work program through Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine that has given him real-life experience in his chosen field. He is seeking to practice medicine within an inpatient setting, with the goal of helping to improve patient care on a global scale. King said he chose medicine as his prospective field because I like helping people. My mom (Sakinall Jalil) and grandmother (Tina King) are both nurses, and I would always hear about their work, he said of his influences. My dad (Kareem King) was also an influence. He always keeps me on the right track. King, who said he regularly set aside one to two hours per day for study, said his family was thrilled by the college offers he received. When they (offers) started coming, they (family) were so excited. My mom was screaming my ear off. I couldnt hear for a week. My grandma, she cried. King, of South Euclid, said he feels confident he will do well at Harvard and looks forward to the experience. We visited the Boston area and its such a cool place, he said. Theres so much to do. The buildings (at Harvard) are so old. Its kind of got a Harry Potter feel. The students are very diverse. Im excited to be going there. Rebecca Rossi (Photo Courtesy of Brush High School) Like King, Rossi attended Memorial Junior High School before moving on to Brush. The daughter of South Euclids Joe and Pam Rossi plans to study veterinary medicine at Vanderbilt, known to some as the Harvard of the South. Her full, four-year scholarship is valued at about $240,000. This was my second time taking the ACT, Rossi said, mentioning that she took the test as a junior in February 2018. I didnt really study the first time. This time, I bought a test preparation book and studied. In 2018, she recorded a 31 of 36 score, before gaining perfection this year. She plans to attend Vanderbilt for its pre-veterinary program, then follow that up with graduate school at The Ohio State University. I chose Vanderbilt because it has better weather than we have here, and because its not too far that I cant visit home. And, she added of moving to Nasjville, known as Music City USA, I really love music. She chose Vanderbilt over two other offers she received, from Case Western Reserve and Ohio State. As for her career path, Rossi said: Ive always had pets. My dog is basically my best friend. She also recalled the light a pet can bring into a persons life when she said that, after her grandfather died, the family bought her grandmother a dog. Her entire demeanor and attitude towards life changed, Rossi said. South Euclid Ward 2 Councilman Joseph Frank mentioned both Kings and Rossis achievements at a recent City Council meeting. Frank joked that Rossis brother, who graduated from University School, did not achieve a perfect ACT score. Rossi confirmed that, and said that her brother, Michael -- eight years older -- has graduated medical school and is starting his internship at Boston Medical Center. Also from Brush High, Darshan Adhikari, a Nepalese refugee, will be attending Case Western Reserve University on an academic scholarship, and his classmate, Max Campbell, has been offered a full-tuition scholarship to The Ohio State University through the United States Air Force ROTC program, a value of approximately $60,000. See more Sun Messenger news. CLEVELAND, Ohio A federal judge tossed a lawsuit filed by Cleveland police recruits fired after they were caught cheating during their academy training. Safety Director Michael McGrath fired 15 recruits in September after an investigation showed that some recruits in a class of 65 shared and copied notes in their electronic notebooks. While the portions at issue were to be copied verbatim from what instructors put in a presentation, an investigation showed that grammatical errors were consistent among the recruits who cheated. Eleven of the recruits sued in August, after instructors informed them they could not take the final exam and would fail the academy because of the plagiarism investigation. Four later dropped their claims. U.S. District Judge James Gwin ruled Tuesday and shot down the claims made by the seven remaining recruits. While the recruits argued their due process rights were violated and that they have a legal interest in maintaining employment with the city, Gwin wrote the recruits were still in their probationary periods and that legal interest does not apply the same way it does to civil service employees. He ruled that their due process claim fails as a result. The judge also wrote that the recruits did not properly request a name-clearing hearing." Finally, Gwin said while 10 of the 15 black recruits in the class were fired following the cheating investigation, the plaintiffs did not prove any of the fired black recruits were treated differently. Cleveland Law Director Barbara Langhenry praised the ruling. The City of Cleveland is pleased that the federal court agreed that Plaintiffs alleged denial of due process claim was meritless and that the court concluded [t]here are no facts suggesting the City discriminated against any of the police cadets based upon their race, she said in a statement. Lawyers Sean Sobel and Eric Henry, who represent the seven remaining plaintiffs, said in a statement that Gwins ruling was disappointing but that our clients remain focused on their ongoing effort to clear their names. They said they were evaluating their next steps. The recruits lawsuit said they were encouraged to copy, verbatim, wording that was used in class presentations. They were also encouraged to work together and help underperforming recruits, including by sharing notes, the suit stated. The lawsuit also claimed a recruit admitted to cheating and then tried to sabotage other recruits by sending an academy supervisor an anonymous message that implicated 33 classmates in a larger cheating scandal. The recruits who sued asked Gwin to allow them to take the state police certification test while the investigation was still pending, but the judge declined to allow them to do so. If you would like to comment on this story, please visit Tuesdays crime and courts comments section. Click here to read the ruling on a mobile device. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Authorities pulled a mans body from Lake Erie on Tuesday afternoon, nearly a full day after a man jumped into the water near Voinovich Park in downtown Cleveland. Investigators suspect the mans body found about 5 p.m. is the man who jumped into the water Monday afternoon near the park on East 9th Street near Erieside Avenue, police said. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiners Office will release the mans identity. Its unclear why a man jumped into the water Monday afternoon. He was fully clothed, and authorities found his cellphone and wallet nearby, authorities said. Cleveland firefighters, police officers and the U.S. Coast Guard searched the lake for several hours Monday evening, but suspended the search when it became too dark about 8:30 p.m. The search resumed about 9 a.m. Tuesday, with K-9 officers and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources assisting in the search. To comment on this story, visit Tuesdays crime and courts comments page. LORAIN, Ohio A suspected member of a Lorain gang was captured Tuesday morning, more than a month after he crashed into a car and hurt three people while speeding from police. Javiaan Davis, 18, was in arrested in Lorain County, but officials did not specify where he was found or what time. Davis caused a rollover crash that sent three people to the hospital by Life Flight, according to the U.S. Marshals. The incident happened about 7:15 p.m. April 13 when a police officer saw a man, later identified as Davis, driving recklessly on a Lorain street, authorities say. Davis slowed down when an officer tried to stop him on East 29th Street near Wood Avenue. Davis hid something under his seat, the officer noted. Davis sped down a dead-end street and officers called off the chase, police said. He drove around a barricade at 70 mph and went through a field. He crashed into a car and injured three people inside. Their conditions at this point were not immediately available. Davis car flipped, he crawled out and ran off. Police found a man in Davis car, a loaded gun and an open liquor bottle, police said. If youd like to comment on this story, visit Tuesdays crime and courts comments section. SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington will star in the Hulu adaptation of Little Fires Everywhere, the bestselling novel by Celeste Ng, set in her hometown of Shaker Heights. Now reports -- including Witherspoons Twitter feed -- say Joshua Jackson is joining the cast. Witherspoon will play Elena Richardson, a Sun News reporter with four stair-step children at Shaker Heights High School in the 1990s. Washington plays Mia Warren, a mysterious photographer who moves into Elenas rental home with her teenage daughter. If you havent read the New York Times-bestseller, a book club favorite released in 2017, youll get to watch the drama unfurl in both the families and the perfect planned community in a limited series. Ng told NPR last year the city is its own character in the book: 'Writing about my hometown is a little bit like writing about a relative,' she says. You see all of the great things about them, you love them dearly, and yet you also know all of their quirks and their foibles. Jackson, who plays attorney Bill Richardson, has most recently starred in The Affair on Showtime. Though he starred in The Mighty Ducks trilogy and won over teenage hearts in the 90s on WBs Dawsons Creek. (Another Ohio connection: he paired up with Toledoan Katie Holmes character, Joey.) Were still not sure if and when the cast will be filming in Shaker Heights. But Witherspoon posted photos on Instagram of the cast prepping together. She wrote: Day 1 on this dream project with this amazing cast and crew! So excited to act and produce with my friend @kerrywashington on this adaption of @pronounced_ings #littlefireseverywhere. Cant wait to start filming! Stay tuned for more updates #little I watched President Donald Trumps acceptance speech in 2016. At some time during the speech, I exclaimed, Hes insane. I dont remember specifically what set me off, but it was probably a typical Trumpism that disagreed with known facts or with something he had said earlier. I havent really seen or heard anything since to change my mind. He doesnt seem to have any monitor on what comes out of his mouth. It appears recently that he thinks he is king. No one has the right to defy him, or even disagree with him. Now it appears he is trying to start a war with Iran (Are Trump and Bolton making a war inevitable? Opinion, May 16). He probably thinks that will guarantee him a win in 2020. Who would vote against the president in time of war? Iran is larger than the combination of Iraq and Afghanistan, both in area and in population. If you dont believe it, check The World Factbook at cia.gov. Plus the population is technologically modern, at least in comparison with the populations of Iraq and Afghanistan. How many of our young peoples lives are we willing to sacrifice in order to keep Trump in office? Donald E. Dozer, Chardon AKRON, Ohio One person was injured early Tuesday morning in a house fire in the North Hill neighborhood. Akron Fire Department spokesperson Lt. Sierjie Lash says in a news release that there was heavy flames on the second floor of the home on the 900 block of North Main Street when firefighters arrived at about 1:41 a.m. The unidentified victim was taken to the hospital in unknown condition. No cause for the fire was released. To comment on this story, visit Mondays crime and courts comment section. CLEVELAND, Ohio Clevelands Law Director has denied a demand to accept the rejected petitions for a lead-safe housing ordinance proposed by advocacy group CLASH, holding to the citys assertion that the petitions are defective and therefore cannot be considered by City Council. In a letter sent Monday to CLASH lawyers Marc Dann and Donna Taylor-Kolis, Law Director Barbara Langhenry said the papers containing more than 10,000 signatures submitted to Council Clerk Patricia Britt in early April do not constitute a petition for a proposed ordinance because they do not comply with the form required by Ohio law. You can read Langhenrys letter below. Mobile users can read it here. Dann and Taylor-Kolis threatened a lawsuit in a letter sent to Langhenry May 8 if the city did not compel Britt to accept the petitions. CLASH, or Cleveland Lead Advocates for Safe Housing, drafted legislation that would require owners of most Cleveland rental homes to prove their properties are lead-safe by 2021 and had more than 6,000 validated signatures to put it before City Council. City charter allows legislation introduced in this way to be placed on the ballot if it is not passed by council. The advocacy group acknowledges that its petition forms lacked required election falsification language, but argue that the decision to accept or reject the forms lies with the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, not Britt. CLASH and its lawyers said that if Langhenry failed to compel Britt to accept the petitions and allow their introduction to City Council, the group would file a writ of mandamus, a court order compelling Britt to perform her legal duty. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Plain Dealer in 2015 launched a series called Toxic Neglect to investigate city and state failures that allowed lead poisoning levels in Cleveland to remain among the worst in the country and to explore what might work to reverse that trend. This year, well update the progress of the newly formed coalition and the efforts of a separate group, CLASH, as it gathers signatures for a potential ballot initiative to mandate most older Cleveland rentals be certified as lead-safe. Well also update policy changes and other efforts at the state level aimed at combating lead poisoning or helping children already exposed to the brain-damaging toxin. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition updates Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, a Michigan pediatrician known nationally for her research exposing the Flint water crisis, will be the keynote speaker at the coalitions Lead Safe Home Summit on June 21. The summit, which is free and open to the public, will also include a lunchtime panel featuring representatives from peer cities Erie, Rochester, New York and Detroit, who will speak about their experiences reducing childhood exposure to lead. The daylong summit also will include breakout sessions on a wide array of topics, including how to make a home lead-safe, data on the local impact of lead, and statewide efforts to address lead poisoning in children, among others. More than 250 people have registered for the summit to be held at the Huntington Convention Center in Cleveland, and the coalition hopes to reach about 350 attendees. To register for the summit or learn more about planned speakers and breakout sessions, visit unitedwaycleveland.org/leadsafesummit. The coalitions resource committee, which has met three times this month, is working to finalize how a Lead Safe Home Fund" will help finance the work on city rental properties that would be required if the city passes expected legislation requiring these units to prove they are lead-safe. Enterprise Community Partners loan fund, which has done similar work in cities such as New Orleans and New York, is helping to shape the fund, and find potential community partners and a loan fund administrator. The community engagement committee is working on a lead poisoning awareness campaign that would reach parents and caregivers as well as property owners to help them understand the dangers of lead and what role they can play in reducing harm to children, Chair Kim Foreman said. Outreach around new legislation and resources also is planned for Community Development Corporations, block clubs and neighborhood groups that deal with health and housing. Members hope to conduct surveys on community needs to encourage the flow of information from residents and community groups back to coalition leaders. The committee also will help with City Councils planned town hall-style meetings this summer in different neighborhoods to discuss lead-safe legislation once it is proposed. Other updates At a Monday city council health and human services committee meeting, real estate professionals and members of CLASH presented their concerns with the coalitions recently submitted recommendations to address lead poisoning. Members of the real estate community, represented by the 6,500-member Akron Cleveland Association of Realtors, said the coalitions timeline is unrealistic and unnecessarily short and offered its own model ordinance." The association called for a study to determine a feasible timeline and estimate costs of compliance. Council members balked at the suggestion of a study but agreed that understanding the size of the needed workforce was important. Currently, only about 35 certified lead risk assessors work in the Cleveland area. The association also objects to the coalitions recommendation to include source of income as a protected class in local anti-discrimination law, which would prohibit landlords from rejecting applications from renters who use federal housing vouchers, commonly referred to as Section 8. CLASH said it agrees with many of the coalitions recommendations, but would like to see the inclusion of daycare centers in any proposed ordinance addressing lead safe housing and the use of the gold standard lead assessment in initial inspections required to receive a lead safe certificate. Upcoming Events The Cleveland Lead Safe Network is inviting owners and renters to a town hall meeting to discuss lead-risk assessments, the educational impacts of lead poisoning, legal rights regarding lead hazards, and housing and leads effect on health. The meeting will be held June 6 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Rice branch of the Cleveland Public Library, 11535 Shaker Boulevard in Cleveland. To register call 216-359-1060 or email ClevelandLeadSafe@gmail.com. AKRON, Ohio An 89-year-old man was attacked and left pinned under a refrigerator after two males forced their way inside his home, police say. The victim tells police he heard a knock at the door of his residence Friday on the 1700 block of Shaw Avenue in the Goodyear Heights neighborhood. When he opened the door, two males forced their way inside, one punching the victim in the nose, according to police. The males ransacked the victims home, eventually leaving him pinned under a refrigerator in the basement. At about 6 p.m. Friday, a neighbor went to the home to check on the victim. When he received no response to his knocking, he looked through a window and noticed the damage inside the house, police said. The neighbor forced his way inside and found the victim, removing the refrigerator and freeing him. The victim was taken to Akron City Hospital with visible injuries, police say. Nothing was reported missing from the home. The two male suspects are 30 to 35 years old, both about 5-foot-5 to 5-foot-6. The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information can contact 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. Want more Akron news? Sign up for cleveland.coms Rubber City Daily, an email newsletter delivered at 5:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. COLUMBUS, OhioThe Ohio Houses bipartisan bill blowout continued Tuesday, as Republican and Democratic members jointly unveiled another four priority bills on issues from sentencing reform to transferring college class credits. The legislation, unveiled during a Statehouse news conference, is the latest effort by state lawmakers to show that in an era rife with partisanship and discord, they can collaborate on issues that both parties care about. The bills announced Tuesday include: House Bill 1 , which would increase the ability of judges to sentence drug addicts to treatment in lieu of conviction rather than jail time. It would also expand the number of offenders eligible to have their conviction records sealed, and it would allow offenders to have their records sealed after one year instead of the current three-year period; House Bill 5 , which seeks to attract attorneys to become and remain public defenders by creating a program to help public defenders pay off their student loans; House Bill 9 , which attempts to help Ohioans earn college degrees by ensuring that course credits from any Ohio public college or university would be accepted by any other such school in the state. It would also waive fees when a student has to wait a semester to take a required course, and it would require public colleges and universities to reach out to former students to notify them if theyre eligible for an associates degree or certificate; House Bill 12 , which would create an advisory group to plan a network of programs to prevent mental illness in children. House Speaker Larry Householder, a Perry County Republican, said the bills will be considered during the next couple of months, before lawmakers depart for the summer. During two similar news conferences earlier this month, Ohio House leaders rolled out a number of other bipartisan bills, including measures to create a $900 million water-quality fund and revise foster-care requirements. Householder said such collaboration sends a powerful message that Ohio lawmakers from both parties are willing to work together to solve pressing problems. 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 Verily's Jessica Mega speaks during a diabetes gala fundraiser on May 14, 2016, in Beverly Hills, California. Todd Williamson | Getty Images Verily, the health and life sciences company under Google parent-company Alphabet, is moving into the clinical trials space. The company announced Tuesday strategic alliances with the pharmaceutical companies Novartis, Sanofi, Otsuka and Pfizer to help it move more deeply into the medical studies market. The goals for Verily, and its pharma partners, are to reach patients in new ways, make it easier to enroll and participate in trials, and aggregate data across a variety of sources, including the electronic medical record or health-tracking wearable devices. Clinical trials have historically been expensive processes that rely on outdated technologies. So pharma companies are looking to leverage the latest technologies from companies like Google to reach patients in a more targeted way and get their most promising drugs approved more quickly. That's where Verily comes in. "Clinical trials haven't changed much since the 1960's," acknowledged Rod MacKenzie, chief development officer at Pfizer. "We've been thinking about modernizing them for some time." "We see Verily's technology as a way for us to reach patients and get them interested," said Badhri Srinivasan, head of global development operations at Novartis. In an interview, Srinivasan shared an example of engaging people who are already searching on Google for relief from asthma symptoms. At that point, Verily could surface an ad to suggest they enroll in its clinical trial patient registry, dubbed Baseline, and sign up for relevant asthma-related clinical trials if they chose to do so. "From the beginning, our team on Baseline has been thinking a lot about how to bridge the gap between research and care," said Dr. Jessica Mega, Verily's chief medical officer. "And we know that it would involve working with health systems, pharma and biotech companies." The trials haven't launched yet, but Verily and its partners are exploring opportunities in cardiovascular disease, oncology, mental health, dermatology and diabetes. Verily has raised more than $1 billion in capital, most recently in a round led by the private equity firm Silver Lake. That gives it some degree of independence from Alphabet, but also puts it under increasing pressure to find new ways to commercialize its technology, which is targeted to the health-care sector. Lots of history with medical trials Verily sees clinical trials as a natural area of focus, since it already has a lot of experience with medical studies. And it's a huge market opportunity, which is projected to be worth almost $69 billion by 2026, according to Grand View Research. After it became an independent company within Alphabet in 2016, one of Verily's first initiatives was the Baseline clinical study. That study kicked off in 2017, with a goal to enroll 10,000 participants from diverse backgrounds to figure out why people transition from being generally healthy to getting sick. Those patients were given a range of new technologies and tools, including DNA tests and activity-tracking wearables. In recent months, Verily has moved beyond the Baseline study, which involved partnerships with Duke and Stanford Medicine, to start enrolling even larger numbers of people in its "registry." Verily's Scarlet Shore, who runs Baseline, said the company uses Google ads to find patients based on health-related searches, and suggests that they join the project. It also has partnerships with health systems and patient associations, including Mayo Clinic and University of Pittsburgh, which will help spread the word among patients who are interested in participating in medical studies. Anyone can enroll in the registry in about 15 minutes by answering some basic survey questions about their health. From there, they can access relevant clinical studies from Verily's partners and undergo a consent process to sign up. Shore said some patients might get paid, depending on the trial, but others are incentivized to sign up for altruistic reasons or to receive health information back from Baseline. Unlike most clinical trials, Baseline is hoping to share health data with the patient rather than keeping it under lock and key. Health experts say that the clinical trials space is a big opportunity for Verily, if it keeps patient privacy safeguarded in the long term. What's unique about Verily's approach as a technology company is that it can incorporate data about patients' real lives, and not just how they fare in the confines of a lab or hospital. That trend, in the pharmaceutical industry, is known as "real-world evidence." "The clinical trials marketplace and vendor space hasn't been disrupted in quite some time, said Tom Cassels, chief strategy officer for a company called Leidos, which specializes in health technology. "So the opportunity to both improve the efficacy and speed of clinical trials is attractive, and it's a huge market." Sen. Bernie Sanders will take his fight against Walmart closer to home. The Vermont independent and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate will attend the retailer's annual shareholders meeting in Arkansas next month, a campaign spokeswoman said Tuesday. He will push to boost pay and benefits for workers and introduce a measure to give hourly employees a spot on Walmart's board. "If hourly workers at Walmart were well represented on its board, I doubt you would see the CEO of Walmart making over a thousand times more than its average worker," Sanders told The Washington Post, which first reported the news. In a statement, Walmart said it will "respond to specific shareholder proposals once they are formally presented" at the June 5 meeting. "If Senator Sanders attends, we hope he will approach his visit not as a campaign stop, but as a constructive opportunity to learn about the many ways we're working to provide increased economic opportunity, mobility and benefits to our associates as well as our widely recognized leadership on environmental sustainability," the company said. Sanders has long pushed Walmart, the largest U.S. retailer by sales, to hike its minimum wage to $15 per hour. He introduced a bill last year aiming to push the company to raise workers' pay. The senator has cited the Walton family relatives of Walmart founder Sam Walton who own about half of the company's shares as evidence for a "rigged economy" and a need to raise taxes on the wealthy. Sanders' latest push to change Walmart's practices comes as the roughly two dozen candidates in the Democratic primary field jostle to win workers' support. In a party increasingly focused on populist economic ideas, the candidates vying to challenge President Donald Trump next year have tried to cast themselves as the best option to boost wages and benefits such as health care and parental leave for workers. Democratic presidential contenders, who broadly back a $15 per hour minimum wage, have put pressure on other major companies early in the campaign. Sanders, Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee plan to join striking McDonald's workers during the burger chain's annual meeting Thursday, according to Fight for $15, which advocates for a higher pay floor. Several candidates, such as Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, also supported workers on strike from grocer Stop & Shop earlier this year. Sanders will vie with Warren and former Vice President Joe Biden, among others, for support from organized labor. Biden got a major union endorsement from the International Association of Fire Fighters shortly after he launched his campaign last month. Organized labor traditionally backs Democratic candidates. But Trump performed better with union members in 2016 than Republicans have in recent elections and hopes to keep that support in 2020. Last month, he argued union members "love Trump" even if what he called "Dues Crazy union leadership" does not. Walmart and McDonald's workers are not unionized, despite some efforts to organize. Walmart says it employs about 1.5 million hourly associates in the U.S. CNBC's Lauren Thomas contributed to this report. Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube. Mr. Ratburn from the children's show "Arthur" married another man in the show's 22nd season premiere in an episode, titled "Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone," starring lesbian actor Jane Lynch as a special guest on PBS. Alabama Public Television chose not to air PBS' recent "Arthur" episode that featured a same-sex marriage. During the animated series' 22nd season premiere, titled "Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone," Arthur's third-grade teacher, Mr. Ratburn, marries Patrick, a chocolatier, at a wedding attended by his students Arthur, Francine, Buster and Muffy. It aired May 13. Mike McKenzie, director of programming at APT, told NBC News on Monday that PBS sent a message to stations in mid-April alerting them "to possible viewer concerns about the content of the program." After he and others at APT viewed the episode, they decided not to broadcast it and showed a rerun instead. McKenzie said the station has no plans to air it. "Parents have trusted Alabama Public Television for more than 50 years to provide children's programs that entertain, educate and inspire," McKenzie said in a statement. "More importantly although we strongly encourage parents to watch television with their children and talk about what they have learned afterwards parents trust that their children can watch APT without their supervision. We also know that children who are younger than the 'target' audience for 'Arthur' also watch the program." McKenzie also said that if APT had aired the episode, the station would have taken away the choice of parents who felt it was inappropriate for their children. "The vast majority of parents will not have heard about the content, whether they agree with it or not," he said. "Because of this, we felt it would be a violation of trust to broadcast the episode." GLAAD, the media advocacy group for LGBTQ people, said APT's decision was an "attack to censor content" and not only "mean-spirited," but also "it's a losing battle." "TV worlds often reflect our actual world and today that includes LGBTQ parents and families," GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said. "LGBTQ parents and their children deserve to see themselves reflected in media, and if leadership of this public broadcasting station cannot serve the interests of the entire public, it's time to find someone who can." "Arthur" debuted in 1996 and follows the adventures of its title character, his friends and family. In 2005, APT pulled an episode of "Postcards From Buster," a spinoff of "Arthur," in which the character Buster met a girl who had two mothers. "'Our feeling is that we basically have a trust with parents about our programming," then-executive director Allan Pizzato told AL.com at the time. "This program doesn't fit into that." It's shaping up to be another bad week for Apple. The stock slid more than 3% on Monday after HSBC cut its price target on the stock to $174. In a note to clients analyst Erwan Rambourg cited tariff worries as well as a potential slowdown in iPhone demand in China as reasons to be cautious on the stock going forward. The stock was trading at about $184 in Tuesday's premarket, up nearly 1% from Monday's close. Shares of Apple are coming off two straight weeks of losses, and after falling nearly 15% since the May 1 high erasing nearly $130 billion in market cap the stock is on track for its worst month of the year. It is in bear market territory after falling roughly 22% from its October intraday all-time high of $233.47. Apple has been hit especially hard by trade war jitters. The company assembles its iPhones in China, and the region is also a key buyer of Apple products. In 2018 Greater China generated $51 billion in revenue for Apple, the third-highest region behind the Americas and Europe. But one investor says the stock's fundamentals remain strong, and calls the pullback a buying opportunity. "The bottom line is it's a great company and when it gets hit like this, this is one of those instances where you want to be greedy where others are fearful," Joule Financial's Quint Tatro said Monday on CNBC's "Trading Nation." "When it gets hit like this you want to be a buyer for sure." From a technical standpoint, Oppenheimer's Ari Wald says investors should be watching two key levels. "The stock has corrected into its 100-day moving average. That's going to be the start of support at $180, followed by the gap at $173. ... On the upside I think you want to watch out for $192. ... You get above $192 and I think the stock can start trading better again." The $192 level is about 5% higher than Monday's closing level of $183.09. Despite ongoing uncertainties about tariffs and the U.S.-China trade war, Wald thinks overall demand for technology stocks will continue to prop up shares of Apple. "The technology sector overall does keep a floor for it in general when market volatility hits," he said. Disclosure: Tatro holds Apple shares personally and on behalf of Joule Financial clients. Tim Cook, chief executive officer of Apple Inc., listens during an American Workforce Policy Advisory board meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, not pictured, in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, March 6, 2019. The uptick in trade hostilities between Washington and Beijing could threaten Apple's bottom line in 2019 if the soured relationship impacts demand for iPhones in China, Credit Suisse warned clients. For every 5% drop in Greater China sales, Apple's earnings per share should fall about 15 cents, according to analyst Matthew Cabral. "While Apple's products largely fall outside the scope of current US tariffs on Chinese goods, we're more concerned with potential 'second derivative' impacts on local demand and implications of a further escalation from here," Cabral wrote in a note to clients. "We are not adjusting our estimates at this time, but see downside risk from a prolonged escalation in trade tensions." Apple produces popular products like the iPhone and iPad through Taiwanese manufacturer Foxconn in China, where it has also been trying to market its latest luxury mobile offerings. But the Chinese market, though a key growth area for Cupertino, California-based Apple, has proven less than reliable amid renewed trade anxieties. Apple's stock fell 6.9% over the week ended May 10, its worst in 2019, five days after President Donald Trump said on Twitter that he would increase tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods. (It was up 2.3% on Tuesday.) The stock, often viewed as a China trade bellwether, remains down more than 13% since the president's May 5 tweet and more than 21% since its 52-week high notched in October. "Greater China represented ~20% of Apple's revenue and operating profit" in 2018, Cabral said. "Indeed, Greater China was the primary driver of Apple's disappointing C4Q results with revenue declining 27% y/y as the Chinese economy decelerated and nationalistic sentiment may have shifted consumers away from iPhone toward more domestic brands." And while Apple's products have yet to feel direct pressure from the Trump administration's levies, the tit-for-tat tariff battle could bring CEO Tim Cook's predictions of weaker iPhone sales in China to fruition. Cook warned in January that a weaker Chinese economy could dampen Apple's financial results, underscoring slower revenue "primarily in Greater China" and noting that the overseas iPhone replacement cycle was "not as strong" as expected. trump tweet Though Apple's stock rallied about 15% in the months following Cook's warning, it's retraced a fraction of those gains in May, posting declines in nine of the last 14 sessions as investors worry about the company's increasing reliance on China. When Apple reported strong first quarter results at the end of April, Cook credited the company's China prospects as a catalyst. Cook also told CNBC that part of the company's strength in China was thanks to the Trump administration's trade negotiations. "I believe that the trade relationship I don't mean the tariff, I mean the tone is much better today than it was in the November-December time frame. That affects consumer confidence in a positive way," Cook said on April 30. So lack of progress or worse could keep shareholders on edge. Former Foreign Minister Boris Johnson will win the race to be the next leader of the United Kingdom and quickly call a general election to gain support for his Brexit plan. That's the new base-case scenario from the investment bank J.P. Morgan, who said Tuesday the probability that Britain will leave the European Union without a deal has also risen. The bank predicted in a research note that Johnson would win a leadership contest and be in place by early September. It added that within days of this, the EU will reject Johnson's call to remove the controversial Irish backstop arrangement from any Brexit withdrawal deal. The backstop plan is essentially a legally-binding insurance policy to ensure there is no hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. It has been provisionally agreed between the EU and the current U.K. government led by Prime Minister Theresa May, but Johnson and other "Brexiteers" consider it a means by which Europe can continue to dictate terms. J.P. Morgan said that while Brussels will deny Johnson's fresh Brexit plan, it will grant the U.K. a further extension of membership until the end of December. This would allow the time for a new a U.K. general election. The bank's analysis has increased the chances of a "no-deal Brexit" to 25% from the previous 15% level, reflecting fears that a U.K. leadership contest could spice up anti-Brussels sentiment. "It is not difficult to imagine one or more EU leaders responding to a bellicose turn in U.K. rhetoric by stating they will not support a further extension of Article 50," said the note. The investment bank also noted that a leadership victory for Johnson would likely trigger a number of defections from within the Conservative Party, strengthening the case for a general election. A billboard sign promoting High Speed Rail prominently displayed along the 99 Golden State Highway in Bakersfield on January 28, 2015. (Photo by Al Seib/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) The complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief and challenges the Trump administration's decision to pull the nearly $1 billion in funding for the California high-speed rail project. In the court filing, the state notes that it has already committed billions of dollars to the program. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in San Francisco, follows the Federal Railroad Administration last week pulling a 2010 grant for $1 billion for the high-speed rail project and charging that California's rail authority "failed to make reasonable progress on the project." In addition, the FRA indicated last week that it is continuing to explore "all options" concerning another $2.5 billion in funds already awarded to the state's high-speed rail agency. LOS ANGELES California on Tuesday filed a legal challenge to the Trump administration's plans to terminate a grant of nearly $1 billion for the state's high-speed rail project. In February, President Donald Trump called for California to return $3.5 billion in federal funds for the high-speed rail line planned between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The Department of Transportation followed by announcing its intention to cancel $929 million in grant funds awarded previously but not yet paid out. Trump's call for the return of money followed California Gov. Gavin Newsom at his first state of the state address on Feb. 12 announcing a reeling in of the state's high-speed rail project, saying the current plan "would cost too much and take too long." He added, "There simply isn't a path to get from Sacramento to San Diego, let alone from San Francisco to LA." According to the lawsuit, the FRA's action "to abruptly terminate" a 2010 agreement rather than work with the California High-Speed Rail Authority is "a sharp departure from ordinary agency practice." In announcing its termination of the agreement last week, the FRA said California's rail authority "repeatedly failed to comply with the terms of the FY10 agreement." In addition, the lawsuit charges that the federal government's decision to ax the grant agreement "was precipitated by President Trump's overt hostility to California, its challenge to his border wall initiatives, and what he called the 'green disaster' high-speed rail project." Construction is underway on the first leg of the bullet train, a 119-mile section in the state's Central Valley. More than $6 billion has already been spent on the California high-speed rail project. "The Trump administration's action is illegal and a direct assault on California, our green infrastructure, and the thousands of Central Valley workers who are building this project," Newsom said last Thursday after the FRA terminated the nearly $1 billion grant. In 2008, California voters approved Proposition 1A, authorizing nearly $10 billion in bond money for the construction of the high-speed rail system. Since the vote, though, the project been plagued by delays and cost overruns. The DOT declined to comment. The White House declined comment. Separately, California's Attorney General Xavier Becerra late Tuesday announced the state sued the Trump administration over the so-called "conscience" rule, which allows health workers to refuse medical treatment to people, even in emergencies. It marks the state attorney general's 51st lawsuit against the administration. WATCH: Why the U.S. continues to fail with high-speed rail Fullerton Police officer wears his Axon body camera on his chest while on patrol in Fullerton, California, on February 16, 2017. A proposed bill in the California legislature would ban law enforcement in the state from using facial recognition software and biometric scanners in body cameras. Axon body cameras do not use facial recognition software. LOS ANGELES The California state Senate is considering legislation that would ban law enforcement's use of facial recognition technology in body cameras. The proposal passed the state Assembly earlier this month and is among a flurry of bills the upper chamber will consider starting next month. Backers of the ban contend facial recognition software is currently faulty and misidentifies people. Last week San Francisco's Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance banning facial recognition software by law enforcement and other local agencies. The action requires city departments first to get approval to use surveillance technology, including license-plate readers. In the East Bay, the city of Oakland is considering a ban on facial recognition technology. Assembly Bill 1215 would ban the installation and use of facial recognition and biometric scanners statewide in police body cameras, which are widely used by law enforcement agencies across the state. "Much of it that is being used right now is actually not very accurate," said Assemblyman Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, who introduced the measure in February. Ting has been critical of Amazon's Rekognition facial recognition technology, as have some company shareholders. Amazon investors are set to vote on a shareholder resolution Wednesday at the company's annual meeting in Seattle that seeks to halt sales of the Rekognition system to government. LOS ANGELES The California Senate on Tuesday approved legislation to create state-chartered cannabis banks to help the industry get around restrictions on access to banking services. Under the state legislation, which was approved by a vote of 35 to 1, private banks or credit unions can apply for a limited-purpose state charter so they can provide depository services to licensed cannabis businesses. The measure, Senate Bill 51, still requires approval of the Assembly and California Gov. Gavin Newsom to become law. Marijuana businesses, including pot shops, are forced to deal predominantly in cash due to continued federal banking restrictions that make it nearly impossible for them to have bank accounts with federally chartered financial institutions. Passage in the nation's most populous state could add pressure on the U.S. Congress to legalize banking for the marijuana industry. "It's hard to imagine an industry that at this point is as large as, like, craft beer that does not have banking as we have come to know it," said Steve Hawkins, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project, a national marijuana reform organization. He said the legal marijuana industry lacks access to commercial banking services available to other industries, including payroll, loans and deposit needs. "As policymakers, we have a duty to further the will of the voters while protecting the public safety of our constituents," California Senate Majority Leader Robert Hertzberg said last month when introducing SB 51. "This measure is by no means the ultimate solution, but it's just one small step in the right direction to get some of this money off the streets and into bank accounts." The Democratic lawmaker's bill would set up special checks by pot businesses as a way to pay state and local taxes, fees and rent. "It will improve commerce incrementally, but you won't be able to get a loan from one of these banks," said attorney Robert Selna of the Oakland, California-based firm Wendel, Rosen, Black & Dean. "It will help cannabis companies pay the rent, but how it corresponds with federal law is still a question." Indeed, there also are questions about whether banks and credit unions in California will participate, given the potential for the U.S. government to crack down. Marijuana is still a Schedule I drug on the Controlled Substance Act and therefore illegal at the federal level. "Congress will have to act because there's all the interstate ramifications of banking that just really cry out for federal lawmakers to do something in this space," said Hawkins. In March, the House Financial Services Committee passed the Secure And Fair Enforcement Banking Act, which would protect banks and their employees that work with cannabis businesses. Last week, the National Association of State Treasurers issued a resolution to support congressional legislation allowing banks to provide services to legal cannabis businesses. More than 30 states already have medical marijuana use, and 10 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws allowing recreational use. Recreational marijuana was legalized by California voters in November 2016. California's legal marijuana industry is struggling to compete with the black market and is facing challenges that include banking access and high taxes. Earlier this month, the California governor's new state budget plan slashed cannabis tax revenue projections by $223 million. A state cannabis panel last year issued a report on cannabis banking and stated that "large amounts of cash make cannabis businesses, their employees, and their customers targets of violent crime." It also said "banking relationships can help law enforcement officials and regulators distinguish legal cannabis businesses from illegal market operators." Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai speaks at a reception celebrating the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) at the Chinese embassy in Washington D.C., the United States, on July 27, 2017. "It is the U.S. side who changes its mind so often," Cui added. "If we review the process of trade talks between us over the last year or so, it is quite clear it is the U.S. side that, more than once, changed its mind overnight, and broke the tentative deal already reached," Cui told Fox News. Cui Tiankai, the Chinese ambassador to the United States, said on Tuesday that U.S. negotiators have "often" backed out on partial trade deals at the last minute. Cui said, as a result, China has a "no rush" attitude to restarting trade negotiations with the U.S. Talks between the world's two largest economies have stalled after each nation lobbied higher tariffs on the other's imports, and China is reportedly considering canceling the next round of meetings in Beijing even before the U.S. officially accepted the invitation. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has appeared open to accepting China's invitation to bring a U.S. delegation. "China remains ready to continue our talks with our American colleagues to reach a conclusion. Our door is still open," Cui said. Chinese President Xi Jinping said earlier on Tuesday that his country is beginning on a "new Long March," hinting that China does not expect the trade war to end soon. After talks broke down earlier this month, President Donald Trump increased U.S. levies to 25% from 10% on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods. China quickly retaliated, raising tariffs on $60 billion of U.S. goods to 25%. Trump is considering another tariff hike on another set of Chinese goods worth about $300 billion. WHEN: Today, Tuesday, May 21, 2019 Following is the unofficial transcript of a CNBC interview with Novartis CEO Dr. Vasant Narasimhan live from CNBC's Healthy Returns conference in New York City on Tuesday, May 21st. Mandatory credit: CNBC's Healthy Returns conference. Realtime Transcription by www.RealtimeTranscription.com TYLER MATHISEN: Our next guest runs one of the largest multinational pharmaceutical companies in the world, Novartis. And since he took over there a little less than two years ago he has turned this big battleship of a company in a variety of directions, getting it more focused and most, maybe importantly, changing the culture of a company. And that is very, very difficult to do. His company is on the front lines of so much, including the intersection of data science and medical science, tools that he and his fellow executives there are using to try and innovate and bring more drugs to market quicker and in a more targeted way. Dr. Vasant Narasimhan is the CEO of Novartis. And to interview him on stage, please welcome Jim Cramer of CNBC. JIM CRAMER: The man known as Vas. Sir Vas. Who else is in that camp? Certainly no one from pharma. I am so excited to see you. I had dinner with this man and after this dinner I said to him, "I am stupid." I am stupid. I learned so much. You are about to learn a great deal. You're a doctor. You have a unique perspective. The industry has very few doctors -- there are some -- who run companies. Does the health care system need to be fixed, or is it fixing itself? VASANT NARASIMHAN: I think it needs to be fixed, but I think the way it needs to be fixed has to be thoughtfully done. I think it's very easy to have knee-jerk reactions. I think in a world where there's extreme positions -- and I think we have to recognize that innovation is hard in this industry. Most of the things we work on fail. I think if you look at the stats on attrition rates, they just haven't moved in this industry in a decade. So, what we do is incredibly hard. In the end, you have a handful of medicines approved every year; and we need, of course, to be able to generate returns on that investment for our investors. On the flip side, patients need access. And the way I like to think about it is we need to fix some of the distortions in our U.S. health care system. And I think if we fix those distortions, we can create a more sustainable system. JIM CRAMER: Other than Joe Biden, every Democratic candidate favors single payer. If we get single payer, what does it mean for Novartis and innovation? VASANT NARASIMHAN: Look, I think there's different models all around the world, as you know. I mean, we deal with single-payer systems in Europe. I would say in general single-payer systems have lower levels of access and also delay the entry of new innovation, so that's the trade-off you certainly get. I don't believe it's the right thing to do in the United States. I think the United States has been a place where patients get the latest innovations and generally have gotten it in a sustainable way. So, I don't think that's the right solution. And I think there are thoughtful policy solutions right now in Washington, if we could just, I think, get all of the players to find a common ground. JIM CRAMER: All right. So let's go away from Democrat and Republican. If you were the person -- let's say you were the House Speaker. Would you say it's too hard? Which is where Nancy Pelosi is right now. Would you say, You know what, we got to tweak ObamaCare? Or would you say, I've got another solution entirely that people aren't thinking about because it's just politically too hard? VASANT NARASIMHAN: I think there's a couple of places where -- I like to think about these things in incremental moves that actually the system can handle. I think the idea that in a hugely complex system like the United States health care system, move all of these pieces in a radical way, I think is challenging. But I think, look, we know we can make fixes in Part D, which we need to do. And in our sector, but also in the medical care sector, I think there's important shifts we can make. We believe in rebate reform. I think that's one thing that's coming. I think on Part B, I think, again, we need to reform Part B and 340B. This is a system that needs to be more sensibly administered and needs to have more elements of competition within it; I mean, I believe in that. We need biosimilars. We need more transparency. We need to end elements of gaming that block the ability of generics to enter. So, we can do all of these very sensible things, I think, if we could just get the parties to talk. And that would already get us a lot of the way there without us talking about more radical solutions. JIM CRAMER: Let's go right to biosimilars, because Sandoz is really amazing. You guys have had tremendous success at it but it seems like it's success overseas, not in the U.S. VASANT NARASIMHAN: It's been a challenge in the U.S. And in Europe now, we have eight biosimilars launched. In the U.S., it's been a challenge because I think at every step, it's taken longer to get through the regulatory hurdles that we have. And now I think FDA, under Dr. Gottlieb, has really clarified the regulatory hurdles, then. From the I.P. standpoint, it's been much more complicated to navigate the I.P. landscape in the U.S. And then lastly, again, we need Part D and Part B reforms to enable rapid biosimilars update. But you think about an opportunity, there's probably about 60- to $80 billion of spend in the United States that should be susceptible to biosimilars. And in Europe, we're seeing rapid price declines in those segments. And all of that money could then be plowed into new innovation, real innovation, that's advancing the standard of care. That's the world I think we need to create. JIM CRAMER: That's an amazing map. I mean, you're talking about a dramatic decline, but you're also talking about a government that they receive deregulation when it comes to coal, deregulation when it comes to oil and gas, but not deregulation when it comes to pharma. VASANT NARASIMHAN: Yeah, it's a challenge. I mean, I think even within the industry, of course, there's very different views on, of course, biosimilars. But I think we, as an industry, need to take a long view. I think if we resist the ability to take out costs from medicines that are older and try to preserve that too long, we'll lose the right to license, to have the protections we have. Because we need those IP protections. After appropriate IP protections are gone, we need to allow for competition. JIM CRAMER: Right. Now, I know the topic is refocus pharma. I know we can stay at 30,000 feet. I am being remiss if I don't talk about the changes that you have embarked upon as a 42-year-old doctor taking a company that everybody liked to a level -- one of my favorite moves that you made, and you just talked about the idea of doing this, you got rid of Alcon. Not that you got rid of it doesn't mean it's not worth owning. But that was shocking. I mean, Alcon was supposed to be your cash cow. How did you decide to do that? VASANT NARASIMHAN: When I took over the role, I sat down and I really asked my team, 'What is the real future of this company? Where do we have great strength?' And I believe our innovation powers are our greatest strength and our innovation power in medicine. Then I asked myself, you know, 'How can you really be a strong capital allocator within that framework?' And to be in everything from consumer health and contact lenses to cell therapies and gene therapies just seemed like too broad a remit. So, you know, since taking over we've done about $50 billion in deals. We did consumer health, the Alcon spend, which is the largest spend in European capital markets history. And then the Aurobindo deal for our generics unit. And then we combined that with $15 billion of acquisitions, actually now, actually with the recently announced acquisition of Xiidra pending regulatory approval, that goes up to now closer to $19 billion of stuff we're bringing in on the innovative medicine side. And the kind of company I'm trying to create is one -- or that my team and I are trying to create is one that's positioned uniquely in the system. So, we're not a health care conglomerate like some of our priors. We're not an overly focused medicines company with lots of binary risk. If you look at Novartis today, we're a diversified medicines company. We are in the broadest range of platforms, cell therapies, gene therapies, radioligand therapies, RNA. We have 15 blockbusters in line, which is the most in industry. JIM CRAMER: Creating something maybe this week. VASANT NARASIMHAN: We'll see. JIM CRAMER: Oh, come on. VASANT NARASIMHAN: Possibly. JIM CRAMER: Tell us. Come on! Give us a little -- show a little skirt here. Come on! VASANT NARASIMHAN: Yeah, we're hopeful that we'll get the Zolgensma approval soon. I don't know JIM CRAMER: Oh, it's guesswork. VASANT NARASIMHAN: Unfortunately, FDA doesn't give me a heads-up either, so we don't know exactly when the approval will come. But we're quite excited. I mean, it would be transformative. The first systemic gene therapy for neurological illness, really one of the first for any illness. JIM CRAMER: Huge. You got to explain to people, neurology is -- everybody's given up on heart, and they've given up on neurology. You have it. VASANT NARASIMHAN: Yeah, we stay the course in respiratory, cardiovascular, neuroscience. We believe that in the end, in the long run, if we can bring meaningful innovations in these areas, we can -- huge breakthroughs. And when you look at Zolgensma, this is opportunity to cure -- potentially cure kids of this disease. We recently presented at AAN, the American Academy of Neuroscience. We showed two or three striking things. The most striking things to me were children who got this in their first year of life, single infusion, maintain all of the benefits four to five years later. So, this drug is really making a transformational effect. The other one is if you do newborn screening and you treat with this medicine, these kids are growing up almost normally. So, could we live, imagine, let's hope, to live in a world where we eliminate maybe a genetic disease that was otherwise killing these children either in 2 years or 10 to 15 years of age. I mean, that's what we hope for when we do this work. JIM CRAMER: Well, a lot of people feel that big pharma means go after chronic and don't solve because if you solve, you're Gilead, which has got the lowest multiple in the history of major pharma. You're not afraid to solve. VASANT NARASIMHAN: Not afraid to solve, because you have to be about all of these things. We are still in heart failure, as you know. We have Cosentyx and psoriasis. We're working on asthma. But then we're working on gene therapies to cure these genetic diseases. I think we have to be a company about the whole spectrum. I believe ultimately society will value those innovations. JIM CRAMER: Entresto. Talk about it. We're back in a wayback machine. But you know that this is what people have to do. VASANT NARASIMHAN: Entresto was an interesting story. We started out believing this was going to take off like a rocket. Certainly did not take off like a rocket. I think a lot of people externally gave up on us, on our ability to turn around this medicine. And actually what we've seen with consistency, we actually are now back on track for this to be a 4 to $5 billion JIM CRAMER: Incredible. It wasn't in anybody's numbers. VASANT NARASIMHAN: You know, it was interesting learning. One of the key things we've learned is we have to talk not just about the lifesaving benefits of these medicines but the quality-of-life benefits. Because what patients want is actually to feel better. And once we changed our messaging and put our focus on the quality of life, we actually saw a big uptick. JIM CRAMER: Is that because you're a doctor? VASANT NARASIMHAN: I don't know. It's good the drug improves the quality of life. JIM CRAMER: I mean, if you were a salesperson, it would be like -- You're not a salesperson. I make that allusion because there are lawyers who run big pharma, and there are salespeople who run big pharma, and they are very good at having a fantastic sales force. You're very good at innovation. I think I would -- the latter gives you high mobile. VASANT NARASIMHAN: But I give my R&D executives a headache. We sat in our full-day portfolio review, and I was happy to sit there for 11 hours going program by program, trial dataset by trial dataset. JIM CRAMER: They can't wear you out, could they? VASANT NARASIMHAN: They can't wear me out. So, you can ask them. JIM CRAMER: All right. Let's talk about Cosentyx, because it's a crowded market. Severe plaque psoriasis, a lot of companies are going for it. Why did you want to be in a crowded market? VASANT NARASIMHAN: Well, first, we were the first, actually, out of the gate into this whole space. So after the TNF, you know, the approved tumor necrosis factor-alpha drug inhibitors, we came in with the IL-17A. And I think we created this next era of psoriasis. Now the key for us is to shift Cosentyx increasingly from psoriasis into rheumatology where the medicine JIM CRAMER: Right, RA hard. VASANT NARASIMHAN: -- also -- Hard. But, actually, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis relief, where we focus, Cosentyx is pretty unique, unique benefits. Scientifically, it's the right medicine for these diseases. We feel pretty good. JIM CRAMER: Okay. Let's talk about Aimovig; you're calling it a runaway success. You probably don't know this, but I am -- next month, I'll be the national spokesperson for the American Migraine Foundation. VASANT NARASIMHAN: I did not know that. JIM CRAMER: It's not been announced yet, but I just announced it. And I'm an Aimovig user. It's been remarkable. I want to know how much -- how you decide what the pricing is, how did you decide to have a little combat here with Amgen, and what's the best way to reduce stigma? There are a billion people who suffer from this. And when I so-called came out about this, I could not believe how many people refused to be the national spokesperson. I mean, I was, like -- they asked me, Do you want to be the national spokesperson? I said, Sure. Well, let me tell you about the ten actors that wouldn't do it. Let me tell you about the ten big stars. You have decided that this is a very important issue. Awareness, what do you do? And how come it's run away? VASANT NARASIMHAN: First of all, on the price, I'm not allowed to comment. I'm not being coy. It's just that that has to go to Amgen, and so I'm not allowed to say anything on that. But I think on the broader topic, I think migraine is a hidden epidemic. JIM CRAMER: Yes. VASANT NARASIMHAN: We know there are potentially 60 million migraine sufferers, 10% in the U.S., Europe, and other wealthier economies. And 10% are severe migraine sufferers. I mean, this is a really terrible disease. When you talk to the patients -- and I'm sure you know this -- it disrupts your life. Often, you can't go to work. And the other striking thing is how many women are affected -- working-age women are impacted by migraines. So, actually, the societal toll is quite significant. What we have been trying to do is build a social media platform. JIM CRAMER: Good, good. VASANT NARASIMHAN: We have an app now that I think has a couple hundred thousand users that actually talk to one another. JIM CRAMER: You are a leader on this. This man is the leader in trying to get the science. And that's really important because -- well, first, I mean, if you were an investor, it's really important. But you're also trying to reduce the stigma. And that is radical. VASANT NARASIMHAN: And we're investing in interests not just in the U.S. also, but throughout Europe because I think actually in Europe it's sad. It's actually a really sad situation because migraine is just viewed as a headache. JIM CRAMER: I know. VASANT NARASIMHAN: And really the underpinnings of this unique type of headache is really not well-understood. JIM CRAMER: All right. Let's talk about things that you're willing to do that I've not seen a lot do. You have a deal with Tilray. Is this a deal about CBD? Is it about THC? Is it about radical use of it in illnesses we don't know because you can't really dose it. So what is the deal doing? VASANT NARASIMHAN: Honestly, I don't know because -- it's actually a relatively small distribution deal for us. JIM CRAMER: Tilray is just as big. VASANT NARASIMHAN: So actually I think for us it was more an opportunity to use standard infrastructure around the world to support Tilray. But cannabinoids is not a focus area for the company. JIM CRAMER: That's good to know. I think there's what too much hype. It's good that you said that, because there's a lot of people investing in these stocks believing your partnership is going to produce multiple - VASANT NARASIMHAN: As always, we need good studies to understand the data. JIM CRAMER: You're going to let the data get in the way of the story? VASANT NARASIMHAN: That's right. JIM CRAMER: CAR-T, craze or real deal? VASANT NARASIMHAN: CAR-T, in my mind, is a long game. So my fundamental belief is the ability to take human cells out of the body, reprogram them and put them back in is the capability a company like us needs. And it is going to have an impact not just in cancer but could have an impact on hematological diseases, enzymes, replacement therapies, and others. So we wanted to build that capacity. So we have that now globally. We've got manufacturing capacity in the U.S., Germany, France, Switzerland, Japan, and China to take human cells and reprocess them. We're actually not seeing solid uptick in Kymriah. We've been reimbursed in 18 markets. So despite the headlines you see, actually 18 markets now reimburse Kymriah as a cost-effective therapy. In the early day that we see back, this continuum, I mean, we continue to see 90% of kids getting cured of their cancers with this single infusion, when they failed all other lines of therapy. Now, what's the key is we've got to get the manufacturing more efficient. JIM CRAMER: Right. VASANT NARASIMHAN: I think right now for the whole sector, the key will be manufacturing innovation. But I still believe long-term that having the ability to reprogram human cells is something we need to be in. JIM CRAMER: Last week I had the privilege of having dinner with my team and Jensen Huang -- VASANT NARASIMHAN: You have got a better outfit than me. I'm always trying to channel Jensen Huang, but I'm not succeeding. JIM CRAMER: Well, he is the godfather of artificial intelligence. VASANT NARASIMHAN: He looks great in a leather jacket. JIM CRAMER: Yes, he does. He has two kids who are 29 and 27, but he looks 26. So I can't explain it. But he's talking about how hard it is that -- he said we're just not there yet on cancer. He said cancer is too hard. He said there are some guys using genetic mapping. But he said those who think that artificial intelligence is the key to curing cancer are misguided. We're just not there yet. Why? VASANT NARASIMHAN: So, first, my favorite new quote, when people ask me about artificial intelligence, is humans are underrated because I think humans are absolutely -- combined with artificial intelligence, we can solve a lot of problems. But here's the thing. So when you build a driverless car, right, and the car is continually taking images -- and even there we're not completely there -- you can build a training dataset for the car. When you talk about the human body, the human biology, most of human biology we don't understand. Here's some stats, Jim. Every human being is made up of about 40 trillion cells. In every one of those cells, there's 1 trillion molecules. And we only understand a fraction of what all of those molecules are doing. So now you unleash AI on that problem, and we don't understand. So what are we training the AI algorithm on? And so this is the challenge of saying AI is going to solve all drug discovery. I think what AI can do is make us better at diagnosis so we know that whether it's skin cancer or x-rays, it can make a smarter diagnosis. A physician plus AI makes better diagnosis. We also know AI can help us, guide us on drug discovery. But to think that we're just going to leave this all to an algorithm and suddenly cancer drugs are going to start popping up, I only wish it were that easy. JIM CRAMER: I'm so glad you said that because, once again, we get misled. I like the idea that you said humans are underrated because there is a consensus that if we just invest in AI companies, that's who's going to solve cancer. That is naive. VASANT NARASIMHAN: I would say yes. And we are -- we are, of course, also investing. We've gone big on data and digital. We believe -- JIM CRAMER: Right. You are number one. VASANT NARASIMHAN: We're investing hundreds of millions of dollars in the space. But we go in sober. I mean, we know -- we're trying to understand where these technologies can have a big impact and where we have to say, look, there are limitations and then we need to be prudent. JIM CRAMER: This is National Mental Health Month, mental health awareness. Most of the big pharma does not want to tackle mental health. It's not just they see no money in it. They don't think that the science can be there. Why are you not afraid of going after this? VASANT NARASIMHAN: Yeah. We, of course, have limited our efforts as well on mental health, but we're still going after it. We talked about it just last week. We continue our push. I mean, if you look at it, we haven't had a really novel drug in areas like antipsychoses or antipsychotics in 30, 40 years. They're very limited. If you look at depression, with J&J's recent approval, it was the first to advance -- JIM CRAMER: It could be huge. VASANT NARASIMHAN: You will have to ask Alex later. 30 years. So you see there's just been a dearth of innovation. I mean, the challenges, again, point back to the artificial intelligence model. There's so little about the human mind that we really understand. But I still think we have to stay the course. Again, we're a company that builds for decades, not just for the next five years. We have to be in the spaces. JIM CRAMER: I would be remiss if I didn't talk about it. You have ten potential blockbusters in the next few years. I don't know anybody else who has that. That's a pipeline that you inherited? How many of those did you inherit? VASANT NARASIMHAN: That's a pipeline -- not to be self-serving -- that I built as the head of drug development when I was there. JIM CRAMER: Take credit. No one else is going to give it to you. VASANT NARASIMHAN: That's true. Over four, five years, but actually long before that. Of course, these are long, long lead times. I think, no, our team has done a great job. And I like the fact that it's a diverse set of blockbusters. We're not overexposed to cancer. We're in ophthalmology. We had the approval in neuroscience earlier this year with Mayzent. We hopefully have Zolgensma and Ticray [phonetic], another drug in cancer. So those ten blockbusters are diversified. And here's the thing, in our total pipeline, right now we have over 25 blockbusters, when you look at the full late-stage portfolio. So it's a pretty full pipeline. That's another reason why we wanted to move on from Alcon and consumer health and focus on the core. JIM CRAMER: It is interesting that you are alone among the pharma -- alone among a lot of things -- pharma CEOs saying, Listen, we want to buy other companies. I thought that the Takeda acquisition was not talked about enough. You're going up against Allergan. I think it's a weakened Allergan. Do you ever sit there and say, You know what, here's an opponent that is wounded. Let's go in against Restasis? Do you think like that? VASANT NARASIMHAN: I think what we saw there is Xiidra is a unique medicine. And I think in a marketplace that we're dry eye -- we have tens of millions of dry eye sufferers that don't have great therapies, Xiidra is the only drug that's has been approved for signs and symptoms of dry eyes. So when I looked at the clinical data and our team really looked at has this been a motivated team that's really been, you know, moved -- pushing this drug, there's an opportunity to reenergize this team and really take over the medicine. JIM CRAMER: I don't want to get in trouble with the timing gods. But I do want to know, do you think it takes too long to get approval; or do you think it's right, given the fact that if somebody dies from an approval -- after approval, that it's just not worth it and they have to stop the stuff? VASANT NARASIMHAN: I think the regulators do a tremendous service in this space. I think it's very easy to convince ourselves to go on very limited clinical datasets. Now, I think it's very situation-specific. If you have cancers, if you have terminal diseases, of course, you're going to have to take more risk. But I think it's underestimated how strong regulatory systems have ensured we get high-quality medicines and we have strong datasets that come out. So, I would be leery of eroding that too much. What I would rather do is invest in data science and digital to see, can we take up 20% or 25% of the time lines and the cost of drug development. I think that's the future for this industry. JIM CRAMER: So you want to keep Sandoz because biosimilars could be fabulous. VASANT NARASIMHAN: We're going to keep Sandoz. JIM CRAMER: You are? That's important because the literature says -- 50/50 says that you're going to get rid of Sandoz. VASANT NARASIMHAN: We're going to keep Sandoz, Jim. JIM CRAMER: And you kept ophthalmology for Alcon. You keep the science. You're a scientist -- VASANT NARASIMHAN: We kept the medicines. We kept the medicines, and we pushed out the devices and the contact lenses. JIM CRAMER: Yeah, you moved the gravestones but not the bodies is the way I look at it. Okay. Last question. If you were the head of FDA, what would you do? VASANT NARASIMHAN: I would continue Scott's efforts to take on the tobacco industry in a big way because I think -- I think we have to really ensure that smoking does not move into other approaches. JIM CRAMER: You don't favor the watermelon JUUL, the gateway? VASANT NARASIMHAN: I don't. When I look at the data -- JIM CRAMER: You don't favor high school smoking? They are very much about 21. VASANT NARASIMHAN: Right. You want to tackle cancer, you got to get after smoking; and if you want to tackle obesity and diabetes, you have to get after the food industry. JIM CRAMER: Soda. VASANT NARASIMHAN: You have to get after soda. JIM CRAMER: Well, I got to tell you, I applaud everything you've done. I hope you guys understand why I'm kind of enthralled with this guy. I'm old enough to be allowed to say that. That's Vas Narasimhan. I have got to tell you, Novartis is probably the best growth pharma if you want to buy big pharma. Thank you, Vas. VASANT NARASIMHAN: Appreciate it. JIM CRAMER: Great. 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 Deutsche Bank is standing by its call for a 30% return on the this year, despite increasing global fears over the escalating U.S.-China trade dispute. Binky Chadha head of asset allocation and chief equity strategist at the firm told CNBC on Tuesday that he is keeping the S&P target at 3,250, which is the highest among major Wall Street firms. If the S&P were to hit 3,250 by the end of the year, that would represent a 29.7% increase from the index's 2,506 close on Dec. 31, 2018. The end of last year was rough for the stock market. But so far in 2019, even with uncertainty about whether Washington and Beijing can reach a trade deal and call off their increased tariffs, the S&P has gained about 14%. The S&P, as of Monday's close, was only off about 4% from its all-time intraday record high of 2,954 on May 1. According to the CNBC Market Strategist Survey, the average 2019 S&P target among 17 firms is 2,961, with 2,750 as the lowest from Morgan Stanley's Mike Wilson and Barclays' Maneesh Deshpande. In a "Squawk on the Street" interview, Chadha said he expects the market to pull back over the next three months before quickly bouncing back up into the end of the year. "I'm very much of the view that things need to get worse before they can get better." Meanwhile, Boston Fed President Eric Rosengren said in a speech Tuesday that the U.S.-China trade conflict was a "prominent downside risk" that could increase pressure on the economy. You know there's an underlying problem when investment firms start to cut exposure to a particular asset class. Goldman Sachs' decision last week to slash exposure to emerging markets is an indication of the current situation for these economies. The bank's asset management arm said it had scaled back its "overweight" exposure to emerging market currencies and debt amid rising trade tensions between the U.S. and China. Emerging markets are bearing the brunt of an escalating trade war between the world's two largest economies and there is no certainty on when this ends. Last week was the worst for emerging market currencies since the Turkish lira crisis of summer 2018. The Chinese yuan has lost nearly 3% of its value against the U.S. dollar since May 5 the day President Donald Trump tweeted about new tariffs on the country. Photographer | Collection | Getty Images This rout seems to be spreading to other countries, with MSCI's index of emerging market currencies down 3.5% over the past seven days. The index is also down more than 12% over a 12-month period. A recent survey from flow-tracking specialist EPFR Global showed institutional and individual investors pulled $1.3 billion from emerging market equities in just one week. Analysts at Bank of America Merrill Lynch said in a note that these moves reflected "trade deal trauma." In total, globally equity fund outflows have now reached $116 billion in 2019, on course for the worst year since 2016, EPFR said. Flows into emerging markets are highly sensitive to external risk factors such as global growth, changes in monetary policy in the U.S. and a general market sell-off. Add to that domestic factors such as high current account deficits, weak currencies and a dependence on commodities, then these markets can make for a risky investment. Before the recent escalation of the trade war, emerging markets remained a risky yet lucrative destination. The lack of returns from developed markets also pushed yield-hungry investors into these markets. But global uncertainty making its way into almost every asset class, investors are left with very little to choose from. But this could change in the next few months. Emerging markets such as South Africa and India see political change this year and while challenges are significant in both economies, fund managers have pointed out that both these nations have outperformed the Global Emerging Market Indexes year-to-date. On Monday, the Indian rupee was up nearly 1% against the greenback and was the best performing currency across all markets. European stocks closed higher Tuesday as tensions eased slightly in the escalating trade war between the U.S. and China. The pan-European STOXX 600 closed provisionally 0.5% higher, with most sectors in positive territory. Technology stocks led the gains with a 1.6% rise. Monday saw markets close lower after a U.S. crackdown on Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei weighed on the technology sector. Major European chipmakers saw a sell-off with reports that Germany's Infineon had suspended shipments to Huawei. However, markets rebounded Tuesday after the U.S. government temporarily eased some trade restrictions imposed on the company, in a move intended to minimize disruption for Huawei customers around the world. Google confirmed Tuesday that it had reversed a decision to cut ties with Huawei following the move. Chipmakers AMS and STMicroelectronics both climbed about 4% as a result of the positive trade developments. Many semiconductor stocks had turned south on Monday amid jitters around Huawei. In economic news, the OECD released its growth outlook, projecting global economic growth of 3.2% in 2019, down 0.1% from its March forecast, and an unchanged 3.4% in 2020. OECD chief economist Laurence Boone told CNBC Tuesday that U.S.-Sino trade tensions have "derailed global growth" and need to be dealt with at a multilateral level. Meanwhile, investors stateside took their cues from international equity markets, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average trading around 130 points higher and the and Nasdaq indexes also in positive territory. The payments company powering Square, Instacart, and other popular start-ups closed a new funding round Tuesday that brings its valuation to roughly $2 billion. Marqeta announced a $260 million Series E round led by hedge fund Coatue Management. Its earlier investors include Visa, Goldman Sachs, ICONIQ, 83North and Granite Ventures, among others. TechCrunch and the Wall Street Journal reported in March that the nine-year old company was in process of raising money. The funding round will help Marqeta expand overseas especially in Asia in Europe and add new customers, CEO Jason Gardner told CNBC in a phone interview. Gardner said the round was over-subscribed, meaning it had more demand than shares available, a sign of growing enthusiasm for the payments space. "Everyone's been talking about 'winter is coming' and a slowdown in fintech investing for years," Gardner said. "If anything it's speeding up everyone's realizing how brittle much of the technology has been for a long time." Venture Capital deals space are steadily on the rise. Last year, VC funding for payments and processing grew to a total $4.4 billion -- a 46% increase from a year earlier, according to PitchBook. PitchBook said in a recent report that a "decent portion of these venture investments come from incumbents such as banks and their venture capital arms, and we expect this to continue." There has already been significant M&A this year among the companies Marqeta is looking to complete with. In January, Fiserv announced it would buy First Data for a $22 billion. Fidelity National Information Services, or FIS, announced a $35 billion deal to buy Worldpay. The Oakland, California-based payment processing and card issuing platform is what some might call the "plumbing" of financial transactions. The start-up makes money like incumbents Mastercard and Visa by taking a percentage cut of every transaction from customers ranging from e-commerce to fintech. Square used Marqeta for a virtual debit card through Square Cash and for a plastic debit card it unveiled in January. In the case of Instacart and DoorDash, Marqeta provides the debit cards drivers use to pay for the groceries in person. Because of the card's technology, it won't work if the driver isn't in the right location and won't authorize a card swipe unless it's the customer's exact amount, helping reduce fraud. "We provide technology to the card to make sure that the right order, at the right time, for the right amount is being picked up," Gardner said. Former White House Communications Director Hope Hicks. Getty Images House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., on Tuesday subpoenaed former White House officials Hope Hicks and Annie Donaldson to testify before his committee and provide documents related to a sweeping probe of figures in President Donald Trump's orbit. Donaldson was chief of staff to former White House counsel Don McGahn, who on Tuesday defied the Judiciary panel's subpoena to testify about special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe. Hicks is the former White House communications director. Both Hicks and Donaldson were ordered to produce the requested documents to the committee by June 4. Hicks' subpoena sets a June 19 date for her to testify in a hearing before the Judiciary Committee, while Donaldson is asked to appear June 24 for a deposition. The Judiciary Committee said in a statement that the subpoenas for Hicks and Donaldson were issued for "testimony and documents" related to its probe of "obstruction of justice, public corruption, and other abuses of power by President Trump, his associates, and members of his Administration." The panel noted that Mueller's report had "documented alarming misconduct and obstruction of justice by" Trump and that "Donaldson and Hicks were critical witnesses to this behavior." "As I said earlier today, the Judiciary Committee's investigation into obstruction of justice, public corruption and abuse of power by President Trump and his Administration will continue," Nadler said in a statement. "I have issued these subpoenas today to two critical witnesses who have worked closely with the President. We are seeking the information in order to conduct proper oversight, consider potential legislation and perform our constitutional duties." Hicks referred CNBC's request for comment to her attorney, who did not immediately return calls. Donaldson did not immediately return emails requesting comment. A White House spokesman did not immediately respond to CNBC's inquiries about whether the president planned to invoke executive privilege to prevent either woman from turning over documents or from testifying before Nadler's committee. Hicks was at the center of the White House's response to reports that high-level Trump campaign officials, including Donald Trump Jr. and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, had secretly met with Kremlin-connected Russians in Trump Tower in June 2016. The White House said at the time that Trump himself was not involved with crafting the response, which said the meeting was primarily about adoption. It was later revealed that Trump Jr. had been told by Rob Goldstone, a British publicist who set up the meeting, that the Russians had incriminating information to offer about Trump's political opponent, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. "If it's what you say I love it especially later in the summer," Trump Jr. responded. Donaldson, as McGahn's chief of staff, took notes chronicling Trump's decision to fire former FBI Director James Comey in May 2017. Those notes are referenced dozens of times in Mueller's 448-page report on Russian election interference, possible conspiracy between Trump's campaign and Russia, and possible obstruction of justice by Trump himself. In this photo illustration, the Huawei logo and Chinese flag is seen displayed on an Android mobile phone. Omar Marques | LightRocket | Getty Images The U.S. government's temporary easing of restrictions on Huawei may bring little respite for the Chinese telecommunications giant, according to analysts. On Monday, the U.S. government announced that it will allow Huawei to purchase American-made goods in order to maintain existing networks and provide software updates to its existing handsets, though the company is still barred from purchasing American parts and components to manufacture new products without license approvals that likely will be denied. That development wasn't game-changing news, experts told CNBC. "This is not going to ... change overnight again in terms of the fortune for Huawei," said Nicole Peng, vice president of mobility at independent analyst company Canalys. "The biggest problem for them right now is the uncertainty," Peng said, adding that Huawei's suppliers are concerned about business continuity given their increasing reliance on the Chinese tech giant over the past year. The latest development came on the back of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration adding Huawei last week to a list that mandated a license for stateside companies if they want to do business with the Chinese company. That led Alphabet's Google to suspend business with Huawei that involves transferring hardware, software and other technical services. Bloomberg News also reported that companies like Intel, Qualcomm and Broadcom will not supply Huawei until further notice. The "snowball effect" started by Google likely "forced" the Trump administration to pull back from its stance, said Anshel Sag, analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy. He added that the current situation "looks clearly political and related to the trade war." For its part, Huawei has stood defiant. The company's founder, Ren Zhengfei, told Chinese state broadcaster CCTV on Tuesday that "the U.S. government's actions at the moment underestimate our capabilities," according to a transcript published by the outlet. Ren said Huawei was at odds with the U.S. government, not U.S. firms, and that Huawei is capable of making the chips it buys from the United States though that does not mean it will stop buying American chips. "I don't necessarily see Huawei changing course," Sag said. "Ultimately, Huawei knows that what's best for their business is to act as if this 90-day pause is not a pause at all." Google, for its part, said in a statement that the temporary pause allows the U.S. tech giant "to continue to provide software updates and security patches to existing (Huawei) models for the next 90 days." Who stands to gain As Huawei's fortunes hit a roadblock, the discussion has shifted to who may stand to benefit the most from the situation. "(The) biggest winner in the long run will be US IT companies, but in the short term, tension between two countries raises opportunity for Korea," Daniel Yoo, head of global strategy and research at Kiwoom Securities, told CNBC in an email. 9 During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, Come over to Macedonia and help us. 10 When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them. 11 We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days. 13 On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. 14 A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. 15 When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis,and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days.On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there.A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul.When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home. And she prevailed upon us. ******************** The story found in the book of Acts begins with a commission in The story found in the book of Acts begins with a commission in Acts 1:8 . That commission involves proclaiming the Gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit, beginning in Jerusalem, and from there, moving outward through Judea and Samaria to the ends of the earth. The movement forward comes in fits and starts and requires guidance and regular nudges on the part of the Spirit. In Acts 9, Paul, the persecutor of the church, is called to preach, with Gentiles as his target audience. Then, in Acts 11, Peter defends his decision to go to the home of Cornelius, opening up the church to Gentiles, without qualification. That is, he baptized them without first requiring the males to be circumcised. In this action, the path forward that Paul would take is set. During this Easter season, where we focus on readings from the Book of Acts in place of the regular readings from the Hebrew Bible, the lectionary jumps from the story of Peters visit to Cornelius to Pauls call to preach in Macedonia. Theres a lot of territory that is traversed between Acts 11 and Acts 16, one of which is the commissioning of Paul to take up his missionary journeys. Another event is the Jerusalem Council, at which time Paul and Barnabas explain their mission and make peace with the Jerusalem leaders on what is to be required of the new Gentile converts. When we come to Acts 16, Paul has headed out on his second missionary journey. He and Barnabas have parted ways, and Paul is joined by first Silas and then Timothy. The lectionary reading for the Sixth Sunday of Easter (Year C) begins in verse 9 of chapter 16. If we go back a few verses, we learn that Paul had been forbidden to preach in Asia. Paul and his companions had been attempting to go to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them, so they went down to Troas. Thats where we pick things up. The lectionary reading for the Sixth Sunday of Easter (Year C) begins in verse 9 of chapter 16. If we go back a few verses, we learn that Paul had been forbidden to preach in Asia. Paul and his companions had been attempting to go to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them, so they went down to Troas. Thats where we pick things up. Now before we get to verse 9 of chapter 16, we should take note of the message that in the Book of Acts, the Spirit is the driving force in the emerging mission of the church. In this case, the Spirit is specifically linked to Jesus. It is the Spirit of Jesus who is guiding this next step in the churchs mission, and the Spirit has a specific vision of where things should go. When we come to verse 9, we find Paul in Troas, on the Aegean coast. Hes sleeping, not knowing what he is supposed to do. Hes been prevented from going where he intended to go, so where to next? As he slept, he had a visionGod often speaks to people in visions in Acts, sometimes they come when people are awake and sometimes when theyre asleep. In this vision a man of Macedonia, speaks to Paul, saying Come on over to Macedonia. To this point, Pauls ministry had been focused on Asia, what we would call today Anatolia or Turkey. In the story being told by Luke, the Spirit is ready to move into a new field and to cross into Macedonia would mean crossing into Europe. So, things are moving forward, toward that goal of reaching the ends of the earth. When we come to verse 9, we find Paul in Troas, on the Aegean coast. Hes sleeping, not knowing what he is supposed to do. Hes been prevented from going where he intended to go, so where to next? As he slept, he had a visionGod often speaks to people in visions in Acts, sometimes they come when people are awake and sometimes when theyre asleep. In this vision a man of Macedonia, speaks to Paul, saying Come on over to Macedonia. To this point, Pauls ministry had been focused on Asia, what we would call today Anatolia or Turkey. In the story being told by Luke, the Spirit is ready to move into a new field and to cross into Macedonia would mean crossing into Europe. So, things are moving forward, toward that goal of reaching the ends of the earth. With this vision of the man from Macedonia calling Paul to come on over as their guide, the missionary group sets sail from Troas and heads for Samothrace, Neapolis, and finally to Philippi, which, according to Luke, was the chief city of Macedonia and a Roman colony. The reference to Philippi being a Roman colony suggests that it is a rather recently planted city, having been settledor in this case probably re-settledby Roman soldiers and their families. Heres where things get interesting. Since it was Pauls custom, as a Christian who also was a Jew, to worship on the Sabbath, he went looking for a gathering of Jews to pray with. Normally, that would involve looking for the local synagogue. That proved difficult in Philippi because there was no synagogue. What Paul did find was a gathering of women, who had gone down to the river outside the gates of the city to pray. As was his custom as well, he not only prayed with them, but he shared the Gospel with them. Among this group of women was a worshipper of God named Lydia. The reference to her being a worshipper of God, or God-fearer, like Cornelius, suggests that she was likely not Jewish, but one who embraced Judaism without fully converting. She was also a successful businesswoman. Were told that she sold purple cloth, which was expensive. It was the kind of cloth used to make clothes for the wealthy and privileged. It was to this group of women, that Paul preached. They responded positively so that Paul baptized them. With this vision of the man from Macedonia calling Paul to come on over as their guide, the missionary group sets sail from Troas and heads for Samothrace, Neapolis, and finally to Philippi, which, according to Luke, was the chief city of Macedonia and a Roman colony. The reference to Philippi being a Roman colony suggests that it is a rather recently planted city, having been settledor in this case probably re-settledby Roman soldiers and their families. Heres where things get interesting. Since it was Pauls custom, as a Christian who also was a Jew, to worship on the Sabbath, he went looking for a gathering of Jews to pray with. Normally, that would involve looking for the local synagogue. That proved difficult in Philippi because there was no synagogue. What Paul did find was a gathering of women, who had gone down to the river outside the gates of the city to pray. As was his custom as well, he not only prayed with them, but he shared the Gospel with them. Among this group of women was a worshipper of God named Lydia. The reference to her being a worshipper of God, or God-fearer, like Cornelius, suggests that she was likely not Jewish, but one who embraced Judaism without fully converting. She was also a successful businesswoman. Were told that she sold purple cloth, which was expensive. It was the kind of cloth used to make clothes for the wealthy and privileged. It was to this group of women, that Paul preached. They responded positively so that Paul baptized them. Having heard Paul preach, and having been baptized by him (along with what may have been her household), he extends to him an offer of hospitality. She says to him: If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home. Paul couldnt say no. He took up her offer, gratefully, I would expect. Having heard Paul preach, and having been baptized by him (along with what may have been her household), he extends to him an offer of hospitality. She says to him: If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home. Paul couldnt say no. He took up her offer, gratefully, I would expect. Often, we think of the early Christians as being poor and marginalized. Often, they were, but not all of them. In fact, we see in the Corinthian letter signs of socio-economic divisions. Such was not the case here. Lydia was likely rather wealthy, but she used her wealth in this case to benefit the ministry of Paul. In other words, she became a partner in that ministry. The other element of this story is the fact that Paul was willing to worship with and share the message with women. We know that Paul could write instructions for women to be silent. He could also proclaim that in Christ there is neither male nor female ( Often, we think of the early Christians as being poor and marginalized. Often, they were, but not all of them. In fact, we see in the Corinthian letter signs of socio-economic divisions. Such was not the case here. Lydia was likely rather wealthy, but she used her wealth in this case to benefit the ministry of Paul.In other words, she became a partner in that ministry. The other element of this story is the fact that Paul was willing to worship with and share the message with women. We know that Paul could write instructions for women to be silent. He could also proclaim that in Christ there is neither male nor female ( Gal. 3:28 ). In this case, we see Paul expanding the circle to include not only Gentiles but women, who become partners in ministry. So begins Pauls ministry in Europe. A man from Macedonia invited him over to help them, but it was a woman from Thyatira, who was staying in Philippi, who would be the first person to receive the Gospel. Its a bit like Mary Magdalene, who is the first to receive the message of the resurrection ( All of this began in the waters of baptism, which in the book of Acts are transformative. This was true of Cornelius and his household. It was also true of Lydia and her household. So, shall we gather at the river, where bright angel feet have trod, with its crystal tide forever flowing by the throne of God? [Robert Lowry in Chalice Hymnal, p. 701]. So begins Pauls ministry in Europe. A man from Macedonia invited him over to help them, but it was a woman from Thyatira, who was staying in Philippi, who would be the first person to receive the Gospel. Its a bit like Mary Magdalene, who is the first to receive the message of the resurrection ( Jn 20 ). And, as Alice Connors notes, regarding Lydia, there are no heroic deeds attributed to Lydia, no wrestling an angel to receive a blessing. She went about her life, praying and listening, selling and leading [ Connor, Fierce, p. 162 ]. Yes, she went about her life, in fairly normal fashion, but as she did, she became a leader in the church as it spread into Europe.All of this began in the waters of baptism, which in the book of Acts are transformative. This was true of Cornelius and his household. It was also true of Lydia and her household. So, shall we gather at the river, where bright angel feet have trod, with its crystal tide forever flowing by the throne of God? [Robert Lowry inp. 701]. Matteo Salvini, Italy's deputy prime minister, denied he will look to change a coalition agreement in Rome if his Lega party performs well at this weekend's EU elections. Tensions in Italy's government appear to be growing with differences of opinion between the right-wing Lega party and left-leaning Five Star Movement (M5S) becoming more pronounced. The unlikely alliance came to power in June last year but the campaign trail for the EU Parliamentary elections has unveiled large rifts between the two. "This vote is about Europe, to change Europe, to change banks, agriculture, borders," Salvini told CNBC's Willem Marx in Bari, Italy, on Tuesday when asked about a possible relationship breakdown with M5S. "Nothing is going to change within the Italian government. I just hope that, after the election, our relationship with the Five Star Movement will be less confrontational. But even if I win, we won't ask for more ministers, we are not going to change anything," he added. McDonald's employees and other fast food chain workers protest against sexual harassment in the workplace on September 18, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. McDonald's is facing a new wave of complaints about how it handles sexual harassment in its restaurants. The Time's Up Legal Defense Fund, the American Civil Liberties Union and fast-food workers coalition Fight for $15 said Tuesday that they have filed 23 new complaints against the fast-food giant. In a letter to McDonald's top executives, Time's Up said that the company had failed to adequately respond to sexual harassment complaints against McDonald's from female employees, filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission a year ago. So on Tuesday, more employees filed additional complaints against the company for incidents involving harassment, abuse and retaliation. The New York Times first reported the new complaints. Twenty of the complaints were sent to the EEOC. The remaining three were filed as civil rights lawsuits, and two additional suits from previous complaints were also filed, The New York Times reported. The fast-food giant has about 14,000 locations across North America, employing 850,000 people. Roughly 90% to 95% of those restaurants are operated by franchisees, not the corporation. McDonald's CEO Steve Easterbrook outlined in a letter viewed by CNBC the steps that the company has taken to address sexual harassment, abuse and retaliation. Last year, the company began working with RAINN, the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization, according to the letter. Through the program with RAINN, McDonald's has enhanced its policy to inform its employees better about their rights and more clearly define sexual harassment, abuse and retaliation. "By strengthening our overall policy, creating interactive training, a third-party managed anonymous hotline and importantly, listening to employees across the system, McDonald's is sending a clear message that we are committed to creating and sustaining a culture of trust where employees feel safe, valued and respected," Easterbrook wrote in the letter. McDonald's shares, which have a market value of $153.8 billion, have been trading near all-time highs of late. The stock was recently up less than 1% after briefly setting a new high of $201.15 earlier Tuesday. Read the full story in The New York Times here. Sen. Alex Kasser Source: ALEX for State Senate | YouTube A Connecticut state senator's divorce case with her investment banker husband has exposed her romantic relationship with her ex-campaign manager, a woman whose unusual work arrangement for the senator's office raised eyebrows in Hartford earlier this year. The pending divorce between freshman Sen. Alex Bergstein, D-Greenwich, and her husband Morgan Stanley head of global services Seth Bergstein also has exposed Seth's suggestion last year of having his money funneled through a private company to pay for the legislative salary of the other woman, who is now dating his estranged wife. Seth Bergstein in November, on the heels of his wife's election, offered to commit $222,000 "from Morgan Stanley earnings for the next 2 years" to pay Alex Bergstein's personal and professional budget, according to an email cited in court filings. Some of that money, Seth wrote, might be used to pay the salaries of both his wife's current romantic partner and of another legislative aide, the filing said. That money was never paid by Seth, which is a bone of contention in the Bergsteins' divorce case in State Superior Court in Stamford, Connecticut. Alex Bergstein sued her husband for divorce in December, a month after he outlined the proposed payment to her. But if the money had been paid to Alex Bergstein, and if some of it had been funneled through a private company or shell company to pay for the salaries of aides to his wife, it would have been both puzzling and potentially legally problematic move, a leading Connecticut attorney said. "I don't know that it is illegal, but I think it would raise concerns with the state election [enforcement] folks," said Stanley Twardy, a Stamford lawyer who previously served as the state's top federal prosecutor. "A lot of questions and concerns ... it certainly looks bad," said Twardy. He said the arrangement could create tax compliance problems for a company that paid the aides. "You're actually going to have a business paying for our public servants?" he asked. "What's the difference between that and giving them a kickback to pay for legislation?" Alex Bergstein went public with her relationship with the woman, Nichola Samponaro, on Saturday, publishing a picture of them together in front of the statehouse in Hartford on Instagram and Facebook. The senator took that step after becoming aware of the fact that the Hartford Courant was preparing to publish a article about recent court filings in her divorce. Those filings by Alex Bergstein's own lawyer detailed her relationship with Samponaro and discussed Seth Bergstein's unusual suggestion of how to pay Samponaro's salary in the event that the state government would not. Seth Bergstein's lawyers last month issued a subpoena for Samponaro, asking her for all correspondence between her and Alex Bergstein. Samponaro is fighting that subpoena, seeking to quash its request for communications with Alex Bergstein that occurred after the senator sued her husband for divorce. Samponaro's lawyer in a court filing said the request for texts and emails that came after the divorce action "is designed to harass [Samponaro] and invade her privacy." 'There's no scandal here' Alex Bergstein claimed that she and Samponaro became romantically involved only after she sued her husband for divorce, and after Samponaro was working for some period of time as her "personal assistant." "Long after my marriage had ended emotionally and physically, I made the decision to end it legally. Once I was free and empowered, I was able to see other paths to happiness," Alex Bergstein wrote on Facebook on Saturday. "Nichola and I worked together on my campaign and after the Election she stayed on as a personal assistant. Like many others, we fell in love through our work and then ended our professional relationship." She added: "Anyone who suggests there's something inappropriate about our relationship is close-minded and wrong. There's no scandal here." "Senator Bergstein has no comment on her personal life," a spokesman for Alex Bergstein wrote in an email to CNBC on Monday after being asked about Seth Bergstein's suggestion of how to pay Samponaro. The Bergsteins' divorce is not yet finalized. The couple, who have three children, had been married for nearly 24 years when Alex, a former Skadden, Arps, lawyer, won election as a state senator representing Greenwich last November. She was the first Democrat in nearly 90 years to be elected to the senate from that tony town. An 'excellent' aide ... and concerns about 'compliance' Samponaro, a local real estate saleswoman, volunteered as Alex's campaign manager, and, according to court documents, performed so well in that role that Seth Bergstein urged his wife after the election to employ her to support her as a senator. In the November email to his wife quoted by Alex Bergstein's lawyer in a court filing, Seth wrote, "We should seriously consider hiring Nichola full time." "That is an expense that could massively improve your effectiveness. We could pay her $52K with 4 weeks of vacation. She is excellent and the right level and energy level to work for you." Seth Bergstein also wrote that "it would be best to have Nichola and Eliza [Fink, a current legislative aide for Alex] hired by the senate dems." But "if not then we need to hire them and pay them through Technopulp or Bergstein LLC or a new entity," Seth Bergstein wrote Alex Bergstein, according to the filing. Technopulp was at one time a forestry consulting and engineering company in New Jersey, although recent online searches suggest it is a real estate management business. The firm did not return a request for comment. The company at one point was owned by Alex Bergstein's mother, Mary Mochary. Seth Bergstein's lawyer declined to say what Bergstein LLC does or owns. In his email to his wife, Seth Bergstein wrote, "You need to make sure that all checks and bills for your political staff are under your control and in your name only." He emphasized in the email to his wife that the $222,000 he expected to give Alex Bergstein is for "for salary, travel, car, housing events, insurance and your contributions." "Obviously, clothes, food, drs, vacations etc. is not in that but we need to be really careful on that given compliance rules," Seth Bergstein wrote. "I am trying to get positioned for a much bigger job this is new territory for the Firm and I really want to make sure I don't limit my ability to compete for a bigger role," the email from Seth Bergstein said. Seth Bergstein's matrimonial lawyer, Janet Battey, told CNBC that the court filing by Alex Bergstein's attorney, cites "out of context" quotes from the email. Battey said Seth Bergstein's email was outlining how he could financially help his wife fulfill her new duties as a senator in Hartford while also enabling her to continue to live with the family in Greenwich. "He suggested that Nichola drive her back and forth instead of [Alex] residing in Hartford," Battey said. When asked about Seth Bergstein's idea in that email of having his money be passed through a private entity, Battey said, "He was making suggestions" about how both Samponaro and the other aide, Fink, could be paid. "He left it up to Mrs. Bergstein to explore the possibilities there were, and what would and would not be appropriate," said Battey, calling her client's suggestions "off-the-cuff." Asked about Seth's concerns in the emails about the uses of his money by Alex, Battey said, "Mr. Bergstein is, to his knowledge, the first more-senior person at Morgan Stanley that has a spouse who is an elected official." Battey said Seth Bergstein's desire to avoid creating a conflict with Morgan Stanley's compliance rules led him to outline restrictions for the use of his money by his wife to support her as senator. Ethics questions House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., on Tuesday threatened to go to court to get former White House counsel Don McGahn to testify before his committee. "Let me be clear: This committee will hear Mr. McGahn's testimony, even if we have to go to court to secure it," Nadler said. Nadler's remarks came during an empty-chair hearing where McGahn was under subpoena to testify about special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia report. On Monday, President Donald Trump had directed McGahn not to comply with the subpoena, according to letters from administration officials who argued that McGahn was "immune" from being compelled to provide testimony. "Our subpoenas are not optional," Nadler said in the brief hearing, which adjourned after remarks from him and ranking Republican Doug Collins, R-Ga. McGahn's decision to skip the hearing only escalates the ongoing clash between House Democrats, who claim they are exercising their legitimate oversight duties, and Republicans who say the slew of subpoenas issued to figures related to Trump associates are intended to undermine the president. "Democrats are trying desperately to make something out of nothing, which is why the chairman haphazardly subpoenaed today's witness," Collins said in prepared remarks. Less than an hour after the hearing adjourned, the committee's vice chair, Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa., called for an impeachment inquiry against Trump. McGahn's absence, she said in a statement, represented an "inflection point" in the bitter back-and-forth between congressional Democrats and the White House. "The President's refusal to produce evidence or permit witness testimony defies not only the rule of law but the basic protections of our Constitution," Scanlon wrote. "No one is above the rule of law." Scanlon TWEET White House counsel Pat Cipollone sent a letter to Nadler on Monday asserting that McGahn was "absolutely immune from compelled congressional testimony" due to his former position as Trump's senior advisor. Nadler rejected that argument, citing what he said was a similar assertion of executive privilege by President George W. Bush in 2007 that was "slapped down" by Judge John Bates. "In other words, when this committee issues a subpoena even to a senior presidential advisor the witness must show up," Nadler said. "If he does not immediately correct his mistake, this committee will have no choice but to enforce the subpoena against him." In a CNN interview Monday evening, Nadler said he planned to have his committee take legal action against McGahn if he defied the subpoena. "The first thing we are going to do we're going to have to hold McGahn in contempt" by the committee, Nadler told CNN. He said the full House would then move to enforce the contempt citation before launching court proceedings. The committee had voted to hold another Trump administration official in contempt less than two weeks earlier. Attorney General William Barr, who defied a subpoena to hand over an unredacted version of the Mueller report and its underlying evidence. McGahn is the most-cited witness in Mueller's report on Russian election meddling, possible obstruction of justice by Trump and possible coordination between the Kremlin and Trump's campaign. Mueller didn't find sufficient evidence to show Trump-Russia coordination, and Barr and former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein determined there was insufficient evidence for an obstruction offense. But some of McGahn's interactions with Trump, detailed in the 448-page Mueller report, have been highlighted by Democrats claiming that the investigation shows significant evidence of wrongdoing by the president. Nadler on Tuesday noted that Trump allegedly directed McGahn in 2017 to stop then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions from recusing himself from any probes of Russian election interference. Nadler also mentioned Trump allegedly told McGahn to order Rosenstein to fire Mueller. McGahn refused to take either action. "I believe that each of these incidents, documented in detail in the Mueller report, constitutes a crime," Nadler said of those and a handful of other incidents. "But for the Department of Justice's policy of refusing to indict a sitting president, I believe he would have been charged with these crimes." Finished pipes are loaded on a truck for use in the Nord Stream 2, October 19, 2017 in Sassnitz, Germany. Carsten Koall | Getty Images Depending on who you ask, Nord Stream 2 is either a sustainable way to ensure European energy security or a proxy for Russian hybrid warfare. With construction underway and as Germany attempts to downplay criticism of the project, concerns over security and geopolitics remain. United States Energy Secretary Rick Perry said Tuesday that a sanctions bill putting restrictions on companies involved in the project would come in the "not too distant future." What is Nord Stream 2? Nord Stream 2 is a pipeline currently under construction from Russia to Germany via the Baltic Sea. The new pipeline will run alongside the already constructed Nord Stream and will double the amount of gas being funneled through the Baltics to 110 billion cubic meters per year. Estimated to become operational in early 2020, the pipeline is intended to provide Europe with a sustainable gas supply while providing Russia with more direct access to the European gas market. But as tensions between Russia and the West reach their highest in decades, many are skeptical of the purely economic reasoning attributed to the project. German dependence Germany finds itself in a precarious position. Oil and gas are the lifeblood of Germany's manufacturing economy, but the country produces very little energy domestically and is dependent on imports for 98% of its oil and 92% of its gas supply. As of 2015, Russia already supplied the plurality of its oil and gas (40% and 35% respectively), so it was with no great surprise that plans to increase Russia's presence were met with hostility on both sides of the Atlantic. The core concern centers around Germany's dependence on Russian energy which could make it susceptible to exploitation and more vulnerable to interference. In an interview with CNBC's Brian Sullivan in March, Perry spoke on behalf of the United States when warning that "Russian gas has strings attached." In fact, U.S. Congress and the European Parliament passed resolutions calling for an end to construction of the pipeline, citing Russian dependence as a threat to the common market and the EU's strategic interests. Germany, Europe's biggest natural gas consumer, has made efforts to downplay the relevance of Russian energy on the nation's security. German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen has previously told CNBC that the country is not too concerned over security risks, arguing that it will sufficiently diversify their imports. The route of a proposed new gas pipeline from Russia to Europe. nord-stream2.com Ukrainian isolation Since gaining its independence at the end of the Cold War, Ukraine has been Russia's gatekeeper to the European gas market. As of 2017, some 40% of Europe's total gas supply was fed by Russian companies through Ukrainian soil, with transit fees providing Kiev with roughly $2 billion to $3 billion annually. This "middle-man" status provides Ukraine with substantial geopolitical leverage, so attempts to bypass the ex-soviet state with this new pipeline in the Baltic Sea have raised alarm bells. Many fear that Russia is deliberately attempting to weaken the country for its own strategic advantage. Ending gas transit could reduce Ukraine's GDP (gross domestic product) by up to 3%. Meanwhile, the annexation of Crimea in 2014 provides a stark reminder as to the potential consequences of isolation from Europe. While German Chancellor Angela Merkel and others have insisted that gas must continue to flow through Ukraine, no arrangements have been made and Russia remains unreserved about its intentions to restrict gas supplies once the new pipeline is complete. Speaking to Russian television in April 2018, the CEO of Russian oil giant Gazprom revealed that gas will continue to flow via Ukraine, "but the volumes of such transit will be much lower, probably, 10 to 15 billion cubic meters a year." That's just 15% of the gas currently in transit, and this comes amid speculation that Russia intends to eventually reduce this number to zero. As it stands, Nord Stream 2 is to become operational in early 2020, just after the current contract expires between Ukrainian and Russian-owned energy giants, Naftogaz and Gazprom. Nordic security Novartis is entering "an exciting growth phase" as the pharmaceutical company prepares for a series of blockbuster launches this year, CEO Vasant Narasimhan told CNBC on Tuesday. "It's a pretty exciting moment because I can't remember a time at Novartis where year after year after year we have these significant medicines getting launched," Narasimhan said in a sit-down interview with Jim Cramer on "Mad Money." Novartis has a number of drugs in the pipeline. The Swiss-based manufacturer in recent months received federal approval for Mayzent to treat multiple sclerosis. The company is also gearing up to roll out Zolgensma for gene therapy this year, and has a handful of others like RTH258 to treat eye disease in the works, Narasimhan said. On top of several new products, Cosentyx and Entresto are now "firing on all cylinders," he added. Psoriasis drug Cosentyx launched in 2016, and heart drug Entresto hit pharmacy shelves in 2015. "We're a diversified medicine company. When you look at these launches, they happen across therapeutic areas as well as across technologies," Narasimhan said. Pharmaceutical costs have emerged as a pressing political issue in the United States. Health care is shaping up to be a point of focus in the 2020 presidential election, and the Trump administration earlier this month took action to require pharmaceutical companies to list drug prices on television ads. Novartis made headlines earlier this month, with its forthcoming Zolgensma drug that could cost as much as $2 million per patient. The company has called that figure "complete speculation." Nonetheless, Narasimhan told Cramer that he is advocating for the government to rethink how the system can be tailored toward consumers. The industry should make way for new ways to buy medicines, including allowing consumers to make installment and "outcomes-based" payments, he said. Outcome-based health care refers to managed care that seeks more effective prevention, diagnosis and quick intervention. "What I believe is we should fix some of the distortions in the system. We should really ensure rebates get to the patient at the pharmacy counter," Narasimhan said. "We want patients to pay less at the pharmacy counter and get their medicines. We need to reform [Medicare] Part B and 340B [Drug Discount Program], and we need to look at more biosimilars in the United States." Instead of taking medicine over the course of multiple years, advanced medicine has allowed for "one-time, potentially curative therapies," and it will require a shift in how the industry considers costs, he said. "Let's say if you're an insurer or you're a Medicaid program, you could pay over 5 years for one of these transformative therapies, but the child gets the therapy when they need it, and of course then the transformational impact," he said. Narasimhan also defended Novartis' April spinoff of eye care products manufacturer Alcon. "Alcon's doing extremely well as a standalone company, [with a] value approaching $30 billion," he said. I think we "had a great run in the recent quarters ... with all of our blockbusters now coming into the fore. So I think the $50 billion of transactions we did to focus the company, the almost $20 billion of [mergers & acquisitions] we've done to build our core medicines' capability, is really paying off." Shares of Novartis that trade in the U.S. are up more than 9% so far this year. Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reflected a lower year-to-date stock performance and that an eye treatment had received federal approval. Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan said Tuesday that cannabis is not a priority for the Swiss drugmaker despite its partnership with Canadian marijuana giant Tilray. Tilray is working with Novartis' generic drug business Sandoz and supplying non-smokable and non-combustible medical cannabis products where it is legally allowed. As a part of the deal announced in December, Tilray and Sandoz may co-brand certain products as well as develop new ones. It was the first major partnership between a pharmaceutical company and a cannabis business. But speaking with CNBC's Jim Cramer from CNBC's "Healthy Returns" conference in New York City, Narasimhan said cannabis is "not a focus" for the pharma company. Narasimhan said he is instead trying to shape Novartis into a company that is "uniquely placed" in the health-care system, balancing between more common ailments such as dry-eye disease or migraines and more rare health concerns like gene diseases, which affects 350 million people worldwide. The Swiss drugmaker is expected this year to launch its gene therapy called Zolgensma for spinal muscular atrophy, a muscle-wasting disease and leading genetic cause of infant mortality, affecting one in every 11,000 live births. The treatment is estimated to boast a price tag between $1.5 million and $5 million. In his interview Tuesday, Narasimhan said he's "hopeful" the company will get approval for the gene therapy soon. "We believe in the long run we can bring meaningful innovation ... and this can potentially cure kids of a disease," he added. Oprah Winfrey has given a lot of graduation speeches. In 2018, the media mogul emphasized to the University of Southern California, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism Class of 2018 the importance of working hard in their first jobs. When Winfrey spoke to the Colorado College Class of 2019 on Sunday, she again gave practical advice. "Yes, it does pay to floss. Yes, you need to look people in the eye when you speak to them. You need to keep your commitments, you need to make your bed every day because when you do, it makes your whole house look better. And you need to leave your cell phone away at the dinner table," she said. Winfrey also gave the students a sober reminder that their dreams won't come true overnight. "I'm here to tell you that your life isn't some big break, like everybody tells you that is," she told the crowd. "It's about taking one big life transforming step at a time," said Winfrey. "But the truth is you cannot fix everything. What you can do here and now is make a decision because life is about decisions and the decision that you can make is to use your life in service." Winfrey stressed to the students that success, and service, takes time. "The truth is, success is a process you can ask anybody who's been successful," she said, pointing to successful restaurateur Danny Meyer, whose son was among the graduates. Indian billionaire investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala said he is very bullish about the country's medium-to-long term growth prospects. In an interview this week with CNBC's Tanvir Gill, Jhunjhunwala, who is commonly referred to as the "Warren Buffett of India" said things have begun to improve in the economy following five years of a banking crisis, subpar capital expenditure and the introduction of important reforms such as the country's Goods and Services Tax and demonetization. "We are now having improvement in credit culture, we are having integrity come to the fore," he said, adding that the government has taken steps to improve the ease of doing business in the country. "The China-America spat on trade is (also) a great opportunity for India. I don't see any reason why growth in India will not come back with a bang." The investor said he sees India's growth reach around 8%-9% in the near future and them jump into double-digit figures in the longer term. "We've raised our rate of growth in every decade since independence," he said. "I think India's sitting on what is going to be the highest level of growth it has ever seen from 2020 to 2030." Still, reports have said that investors and economists, including International Monetary Fund Chief Economist Gita Gopinath, are increasingly skeptical of India's official growth numbers, questioning if the statistics put out by the government paint an accurate picture. Reuters reported that a study conducted by a division of India's statistics ministry in the 12 months ending June 2017 found that as much as 36% of the companies in the database used in the country's GDP calculations could not be traced or were wrongly classified. Former Reserve Bank of India governor, Raghuram Rajan, also expressed doubts over India's growth numbers. He was reported to have said that it was unlikely India grew at 7% when not enough jobs were being created, according to local media. He said India should consider appointing an impartial body to look at the data. Jhunjhunwala, for his part, downplayed the concerns about the numbers. "Just because you don't agree with your figures, you're suspicious of them, you can't say the method of calculation is incorrect," he said. "If they were incorrect, Mr. Raghuram Rajan should've corrected them. When he was the RBI governor, what was he doing?" He added that he was also bullish about India's future because of the diminishing presence of Indian crony capitalism which refers to the mutually advantageous relationship between government officials and businesses. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government was said to have taken a strong stance against corrupt businessmen in some of India's top companies, particularly as the country underwent its banking crisis and revamped its bankruptcy laws. "The journey to limit crony capitalism: It's a journey, it's not a destination," Jhunjhunwala said. "Slowly but surely, in India, crony capitalism has died and governance is what brings about real growth." 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. Blocks of public flats built by the Housing and Development Board in Singapore. Singapore's annual economic growth slipped to the lowest in nearly a decade in the first quarter as manufacturing contracted in the wake of a protracted Sino-U.S. trade war, prompting a downgrade to the city-state's full-year growth forecast. Gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 1.2% year-on-year in the three months ended March 31, final official data showed on Tuesday, down slightly from the 1.3% seen in the government's advance estimate and the fourth quarter's revised 1.3% pace. The result, which was below the 1.5% growth forecast in a Reuters poll, marked the slowest annual expansion for any quarter since April-June 2009, when GDP shrank 1.7% from a year earlier, government data shows. As broad economic momentum cooled, policymakers downgraded their 2019 growth forecast to 1.5%-2.5%, from 1.5%-3.5% previously. "Uncertainty from the trade tensions (between U.S. and China) have already affected the sectors Singapore has relied on in the last two years," said Jeff Ng said, head of Asia research at Continuum Economics. "The outlook is quite cloudy at the moment." Singapore, like many of its trade-reliant counterparts in the region, has been hit hard by the Sino-U.S. trade war which has disrupted global supply chains in a blow to business investment and corporate profits. The deadly bombings that struck Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday are expected to drag down the country's economic growth to around 3% this year, a senior official at the country's Ministry of Finance said on Tuesday. That latest prediction by State Minister of Finance Eran Wickramaratne is more optimistic than a 2.5% median forecast from analysts polled by Reuters, but lower than projections by institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the Asian Development Bank. The IMF's 2019 growth forecast for Sri Lanka is 3.5%, while that of the ADB is 3.6%. Indrajit Coomaraswamy, the governor of Sri Lanka's central bank, told CNBC last month that the economy could still grow by around 4%. The country's domestic economy grew 3.2% in 2018. But Wickramaratne said growth "would be around 3%" this year. "It's natural to expect we would be probably at the lower end of the range rather the higher end of the range," he told CNBC's Sri Jegarajah at a forum in Singapore. The April 21 bombings killed more than 250 people and have hit Sri Lanka's important tourism sector, which accounts for around 5% of gross domestic product. The attack also affected investor sentiment, sending the benchmark CSE All-Share index down by 6% since April 18 the last trading day before the bombings. But foreign investors are coming back into Sri Lanka, according to Ray Abeywardena, chairman of the Colombo Stock Exchange. He said on Tuesday the exchange saw inflows of around 3.6 billion Sri Lankan rupees ($20.5 million) over the past month. France's far-right party Front National (FN) president Marine Le Pen and former U.S. President Donald Trump advisor Steve Bannon give a joint press conference during the French far-right Front National (FN) party annual congress on March 10, 2018 at the Grand Palais in Lille, north of France. Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon has been accused of interfering in Europe's parliamentary elections taking place this week. Trump's former advisor is in Paris as Europeans head to the polls. His presence there comes after several years of courting the region's populist, nationalist and far-right politicians in a bid to forge alliances among the EU's euroskeptics. One of the leaders he has backed is Marine Le Pen, head of France's far-right National Rally party (formerly known as the National Front) that will be going head-to-head with French President Emmanuel Macron's La Republique En Marche party. Predicting a win for Le Pen and her party, Bannon told Le Parisien newspaper Friday that there would be an "earthquake" on the day of the vote. The newspaper also reported Sunday that its reporter had seen "two executives" of Le Pen's party, that it named, emerge from Bannon's hotel suite in Paris. The executives said Le Pen was not aware of their meeting with Bannon. But on Monday, Bannon denied he is playing any role in Le Pen's campaign and said he was in France merely "as an observer." Speaking to French broadcasters BFM TV, he insisted "Marine Le Pen does not need my help to win." Le Pen also denied Bannon had any role in her campaign and said she did not even know he was in Paris for business. "It has nothing to do with the campaign. It is you, the media that are dragging him into the campaign," Le Pen also told FranceInfo on Monday, Reuters reported. Bannon's presence in Paris has nonetheless caused alarm among Macron's party and the government. Marlene Schiappa, France's minister of state for gender equality, said that other parties are "not playing fair when you see that Steve Bannon is in France now helping Marine Le Pen I think it's a huge question and we need to ask about it," she told CNBC's Joumanna Bercetche in Paris. "I think Steve Bannon is making interference in this election because he's coming in France, in Paris to do what, we don't know, but Steve Bannon said to the journalist that his goal is to destroy Europe." Dr. Ed Ellison, speaking at CNBC's Healthy Returns conference in New York on May 21, 2019. Astrid Stawiarz | CNBC The rigorous work schedule and pressure faced by U.S. doctors have them "stressed to the point of breaking" and struggling with the highest suicide rates among any profession in the U.S., Dr. Edward Ellison, executive medical director and chairman at the Southern California Permanente Medical Group, said Tuesday at CNBC's Healthy Returns conference in New York. Studies estimate that a doctor dies by suicide every day in the United States, Ellison said. He said the health-care industry needs programs for physicians that teach self-care and provide emotional and spiritual support. He added that the medical profession needs to become more efficient for physicians, too. "We need to shift our thinking and evolve our culture inside the medical profession and in society," Ellison said. "Doctors tend to be people who never give up until they do," he said. Ellison cited data that says 44% of physicians display signs of "burnout," which is physical and emotional exhaustion that can lead to insomnia, lack of appetite and other mental health issues. He said a main reason health-care professionals begin to feel burnt out is they are often subjected to rigorous work schedules and forget about taking care of themselves. Unaddressed mental conditions driven by workload, work inefficiency, lack of meaning in work and work-home problems are a main contributor to the high physician suicide rate, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Ellison said that though there have been major positive developments in the health-care industry, the improvements have had somewhat of a negative impact on doctors' schedules. "At the same time, it's just created such an extraordinarily structured, regulated environment in which many, many tasks that used to be done by other members of the health care team fall to physicians," Ellison said. He added this leads to doctors working more hours but spending less time with patients. Physician suicides are an "enormous problem" for the health-care industry, with doctors being much more likely to kill themselves than the general population. The suicide rate for male physicians is 1.41 times higher than the general male population and for female physicians is 2.27 times higher than the general female population. Technology stocks are a casualty of the trade war, but analysts say there's a longer-term chance some companies might emerge stronger, depending on terms of any deal between the U.S. and China. For now, no deal is in sight and no talks seem to be set. Tech stocks are reacting to the trade concerns and White House and Commerce Department actions against China telecom company Huawei that would bar it from buying U.S. components. Tech stocks bounced Tuesday, after the Commerce Department said it would grant some temporary exceptions to the export blacklist against Huawei. The biggest tech casualties have been chipmakers, with the Philadelphia semiconductor index, SOX, down 13.5% this month. Other companies have also been hit, like Apple, which is off 8.8% for the month as investors worry it could be hurt by Chinese retaliation and negative sentiment among Chinese consumers. The Commerce Department said it would grant a temporary license for U.S. exports to Huawei and dozens of its affiliates, giving some suppliers and customers a 90-day reprieve. Analysts expect China to respond to the Huawei action by increasing its focus on building out its own semiconductor supply chain, but that is a longer-term solution. In the near term, there is concern China will find ways to retaliate against companies that operate in China. "Part of what this is all about is trying to keep our intellectual property safe. It's not easy to say, 'I'm going to be a manufacturer of chips.' The process to build some of these things takes decades to get there," said Dan Niles, founding partner of AlphaOne Capital Partners. "If you can't steal it ... or if you can't force U.S. companies into a joint venture, it's much harder to get up the curve quickly." Analysts note that some companies were hit harder than they deserved, but the chip group had been hitting highs, even with negative earnings outlooks just weeks ago. The VanEck Vectors Semiconductor ETF hit an all-time high on April 24. Since May 1, it was down 12.9% but is still up 16% for the year. "We've said very consistently that we're negative on semiconductors. That hasn't changed," said Niles. Short term, companies would see an earnings hit if the U.S. sticks with its clamp-down on Huawei. Niles said investors have to assess whether the stocks should have been priced at such high levels in the first place. "The way I explain it is you should be able to take some short-term pain for the longer-term gain it brings to the U.S.," said Niles. "This is a good thing from a long-term perspective. ... China has been brilliant in all of this, for 20 years, they've gotten everything they wanted. They made our companies work with them in joint ventures. They made U.S. companies team up so they could learn from the U.S. companies. They've been masterful with this. The U.S. fell down on the job. We're trying to go from a position of weakness," he said. Analysts also say the talks do not appear to be going well and intellectual property is an area that's difficult to tackle. "I think it's going to be a long shot that you're going to fix all the problems with China in one trade deal," said Lori Calvasina, chief U.S. equities strategist at RBC. "Everybody agrees that the business community wants things to be better with China, but it just doesn't seem like we're heading in that direction at the moment. The goals are worthy. I don't know that we have a magic wand that's going to make all the problems go away." WASHINGTON President Donald Trump announced his pick for the next Secretary of the Air Force Tuesday. "I am pleased to announce my nomination of Barbara Barrett of Arizona, and former Chairman of the Aerospace Corporation, to be the next Secretary of the Air Force. She will be an outstanding Secretary," Trump wrote via Twitter. Trump Tweet If confirmed by the Senate, Barrett, who was also a diplomat in President George W. Bush's administration, will replace Secretary Heather Wilson, who is slated to step down at the end of the month. Barrett's nomination comes as the Air Force deals with a fresh scandal involving sexual assault. In March, Sen. Martha McSally dramatically disclosed that she was raped by a superior officer while serving in the Air Force. "Like many victims, I felt like the system was raping me all over again," McSally said during a hearing when explaining why she did not come forward. What's more, the Air Force is still working to create Trump's proposed Space Force. Currently the U.S. Air Force manages the space domain through the U.S. Space Command. Space Force would stand alongside the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. However, the newest branch is expected to be akin to the structure of the Marine Corps, which is a component of the U.S. Department of the Navy but has separate representation on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The new sister service branch will be represented on the Joint Chiefs and overseen by an Air Force undersecretary for space. Meanwhile, Wilson, who was rumored to be a top candidate for secretary of defense, will become the next president of the University of Texas at El Paso. In her resignation letter to President Donald Trump, Wilson cites her previous service as a university president and her love for the Southwest as part of her decision to step down. "As you know, I left a university presidency to become Secretary of the Air Force and our family home is in New Mexico, a few hundred miles north of El Paso on the Rio Grande. If approved by the Regents, I look forward to returning to the west to help lead this fine institution," Wilson wrote to Trump in March. WASHINGTON Turkey has a little more than two weeks to decide whether to complete a complex arms deal with the U.S. or risk severe penalties by going through with an agreement to buy a missile system from Russia, according to multiple people familiar with the matter. By the end of the first week of June, Turkey must cancel a multibillion-dollar deal with Russia and instead buy Raytheon's U.S.-made Patriot missile defense system or face removal from Lockheed Martin's F-35 program, forfeiture of 100 promised F-35 jets, imposition of U.S. sanctions and potential blowback from NATO. As it stands now, the U.S. State Department's current offer is the final one, multiple sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity told CNBC when asked whether the deadline had room for more extensions. Turkey, a NATO member, is slated to receive the Russian-made S-400, a mobile surface-to-air missile system, next month. The S-400 is said to pose a risk to the NATO alliance as well as the F-35, America's most expensive weapons platform. "NATO countries need to procure military equipment that is interoperable with NATO systems. A Russian system would not meet that standard," said a U.S. State Department official who requested anonymity given the sensitivity of the matter. "We underscore that Turkey will face very real and negative consequences if it completes its S-400 delivery," the official added. In 2017, Ankara brokered a deal reportedly worth $2.5 billion with the Kremlin for the S-400 despite warnings from the U.S. that buying the system would come with political and economic consequences. In multiple efforts to deter Turkey from buying the S-400, the State Department offered in 2013 and 2017 to sell the country Raytheon's Patriot missile system. Ankara passed on the Patriot both times because the U.S. declined to provide a transfer of the system's sensitive missile technology. All the while, Turkey has become a financial and manufacturing partner for Lockheed Martin's F-35 jet, the world's most advanced fighter. Taking a plane to your summer getaway? Prepare for even more crowded airports. U.S. airlines will fly a record 257.4 million passengers between June 1 and the end of August, a 3.4% increase from the previous year, Airlines for America forecast Tuesday. The increase would mark the 10th consecutive rise in late-spring and peak summer air travel, the result of a strong economy and job market, the trade group said. While it's welcome news that their seats are in high demand, several of the country's biggest airlines are scrambling to keep up with it as their Boeing 737 Max aircraft remain off limits following two fatal crashes. Aviation authorities around the world, including the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, grounded the fast-selling aircraft after deadly accidents in Indonesia and Ethiopia within five months of one another killed a total of 346 people. That's been a headache for travelers and carriers as airlines have been forced to cancel flights during peak spring and summer demand. American Airlines, which has 24 Boeing 737 Max aircraft in its fleet, has removed the planes from its schedule through Aug. 19 and has canceled about 115 flights a day through then as a result, about 1.5% of the carrier's daily summer schedule. Southwest Airlines has 34 of the planes in a fleet of about 750 planes, also removed the planes from its schedules through August, resulting in about 160 flights removed from the schedule each day. "I do not know when the MAX will be returned to service, I am hopeful it will be this summer," Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said in a shareholder meeting last week. Boeing last Thursday said it completed a software upgrade for the beleaguered jets and is awaiting an FAA review and approval before federal officials allow the planes to fly again. At around 3:29 p.m. ET, the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which moves inversely to price, was higher at around 2.43%, while the yield on the 30-year Treasury bond was also up at around 2.845%. Market participants are likely to closely monitor speeches from policymakers at the U.S. central bank. Chicago Fed President Charles Evans and Boston Fed President Eric Rosengren are both set to comment on the world's largest economy at separate events on Tuesday. The speeches come after Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said Monday that rising levels of corporate debt did not pose an immediate threat to the financial system. "Business debt does not present the kind of elevated risks to the stability of the financial system that would lead to broad harm to households and businesses should conditions deteriorate," Powell said in prepared remarks. "At the same time, the level of debt certainly could stress borrowers if the economy weakens." Minutes from the Fed's latest meeting are set for release Wednesday. The central bank said earlier this month that it would keep interest rates unchanged, though Powell added in a press conference that officials saw a decline in inflation in the first quarter as temporary. "We think our policy stance is appropriate at the moment and we don't see a strong case for moving in either direction," Powell said on May 1. "We say in our statement of longer-run goals and monetary policy strategy that the Committee would be concerned if inflation were running persistently above or below 2%." The chairman of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee said in a television interview on Monday that his panel will hold former White House counsel Don McGahn in contempt of Congress for not testifying. "The first thing we are going to do we're going to have to hold McGahn in contempt," Jerrold Nadler, the House judiciary chairman, told CNN, adding that the full House would then move to enforce the contempt citation before launching court proceedings. McGahn had been scheduled to testify in front of the committee on Tuesday, but late on Monday his lawyer said McGahn would not appear. President Donald Trump had on Monday directed former White House counsel Don McGahn not to comply with a subpoena to testify about special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia report, intensifying a clash between the Trump administration and the House Democrats who subpoenaed McGahn to appear. McGahn, who was scheduled to testify Tuesday morning, is cited more than any other witness in Mueller's report on Russian election meddling, possible conspiracy between the Kremlin and the Trump campaign, and possible obstruction by Trump himself. He was subpoenaed in late April by the House Judiciary Committee to appear before that panel and answer questions, as well as hand over a slew of documents. CNBC's Kevin Breuninger contributed to this report. "We are here at the starting point of the Long March to remember the time when the Red Army began its journey," Xi said at a rally in Jiangxi province during a domestic tour. "We are now embarking on a new Long March, and we must start all over again!" according to a report from the South China Morning Post. Chinese President Xi Jinping ramped up his rhetoric yet again on the trade war. Although he didn't mention the U.S. or the ongoing trade war, the remarks are interpreted as a clear sign that China is not going to cave in anytime soon. Chinese Vice premier Liu He, a top trade negotiator, was with Xi during his tour, according to the report. The "Long March" refers to China's civil war in the 1930s. Xi also visited rare earth mining and processing facilities on Monday, the report said. There has been speculation that China could ban rare earth exports to the U.S. if the trade war escalates, according to the South China Morning Post. The trade negotiations between the world's two largest countries have hit a roadblock. President Donald Trump followed through with his threat to increase tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods from 10% to 25%. China immediately responded by upping the tariffs on $60 billion of U.S. goods to as high as 25%. Beijing is in "no rush" to resume trade talks between the U.S. and China, the newspaper reported Monday. Chinese analysts said China is prepared to suspend meeting if Trump wasn't "prepared to be realistic," South China Morning Post said in a Monday report. The talks between the U.S. and China appeared to have stalled as it is unclear what the two sides would negotiate, sources told CNBC's Kayla Tausche on Friday. China has invited the U.S. delegation to Beijing, and last week, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin appeared open to accepting the offer. Trump said recently he has not "made that decision yet" on whether to put tariffs on another $325 billion in Chinese goods. The two leaders are set to meet at the G-20 summit in Japan next month. Click here to read the original story from the South China Morning Post. WATCH: Cramer says China will retaliate against Apple 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. Wind-powered projects spin up mixed reactions from residents who live near them. The benefit of renewable energy and tax revenue for small communities is being challenged by experiences of those living under the propellor's shadow. When the bill is signed by the governor, Missouri will join the ranks of states like Alabama and Georgia with the passage of one of the most restrictive abortion bills in the country. 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 New data has again hammered home the point that Microsoft has given up forcing Windows 10 1809 on users. The Redmond, Wash. developer essentially stopped pushing the October 2018 Update, aka 1809, to customers last month, according to numbers published by AdDuplex, a Lithuanian company whose metrics technology is embedded in thousands of Windows Store apps. Unlike previous Windows 10 feature upgrades, which all non-enterprise users had been required to install every six months, 1809 has been allowed to dawdle in distribution. Windows 10 1809 powered only 29% of surveyed Windows 10 systems as of April 26, AdDuplex said. The increase from March to April was just 3 percentage points, barely half the increase from February to March and but a third that from January to February. Rather than increasing, as one would have expected from past feature upgrade roll-outs, 1809's adoption has slowed over time, a first for Windows 10. IDG/Gregg Keizer Figure 1: Microsoft showed virtually no interest in forcing last fall's feature upgrade 1809 on Windows 10 Home users. (Data: AdDuplex.) "It's only natural, that Windows 10 ]1809] has grown only modestly in anticipation of the next release," AdDuplex wrote on its website, referring to the impending 1903 feature upgrade. Until recently, Microsoft was the sole determiner of how quickly a feature upgrade was adopted by unmanaged PCs - primarily but not exclusively Windows 10 Home-powered machines - as it decided what systems received the automatically downloaded upgrade and when those upgrades were installed. Microsoft was thus responsible for the slow uptake portrayed by AdDuplex, whose metrics largely originated from consumer devices. Managed PCs are typically blocked from installing Windows Store apps willy-nilly. (AdDuplex's data is best understood as leaning heavily toward consumer Windows 10 PCs; any insights into enterprise adoption should be considered suspect.) The new normal? Upgrades prior to 1809 were almost universally adopted by Windows 10 customers, or at least those visible to AdDuplex, leaving little fragmentation by the end of a cycle. Both 1803 and 1709, April 2018's and October 2017's versions, respectively, reached a 90% or higher share of the systems tallied by AdDuplex by the end of their fifth month of availability. In other words, five months after a feature upgrade's debut, just one in 10 Windows 10 PCs ran a predecessor or a preview of its successor. The uniformity was, of course, due to Microsoft's heavy-handed distribution model, which brooked no hesitation by Windows 10 Home users and penned Windows 10 Pro in the 18-month support stockade, requiring it to hustle from upgrade to upgrade. When Microsoft relaxed 1809's force-feeding, that version's share stalled at just three out of every 10 PCs, with the previous upgrade, April's 1803, retaining the lead. (Last month, 1803 accounted for 63% of all Windows 10, AdDuplex reported.) It's likely that splits like that will become commonplace. Later this month - and there's little time left in May - Microsoft is to offer the new "Download and install now" update option to users of Windows 10 Home and Pro who rely on Windows Update. The option will let them decide when to download and install a feature upgrade; Microsoft is to intervene and initiate an auto-install only when the version on the machine "is nearing end of support." "Download and install now" will be included with Windows 10 1903 - slated to show up by month's end - but will also be added to 1803 and 1809. It's unclear how the change will affect adoption of each feature upgrade; the result may not be immediately apparent. But one possibility is that even as some users continue to request an upgrade early in its availability, a majority will decline to use the "Download and install now" option's opt-in approach and simply wait for Microsoft to trigger the refresh when the current version comes close to the end of support. (Microsoft has not said what "near" means in this case.) If that's the case, a feature upgrade's adoption would be back-loaded, with half or more of the installs due to the approaching end of support. That would be a 180-degree change from the current front-loaded adoption of Windows 10 Home, where 90% of systems moved to the newest version inside five months of its launch. In a back-loaded scenario, a core group of enthusiasts - perhaps 25% to 30% of the total - would opt for a feature upgrade in the first six months by using "Download and install." A second six-month span would be composed of small monthly increases as Microsoft's nag messages convinced some users to upgrade. But the adoption line would not really jump until the third six-month period, when Microsoft used the end of support exemption to force upgrades. IDG/ Gregg Keizer Figure 2: The new 'Download and install now' option could reset the adoption 'curve' of Windows 10 Home so that nearly half of all PCs wait until the last six months of an upgrade's support to install it. Hello, 1903! By curtailing its prior policy and slowing adoption of Windows 10 1809, Microsoft has signaled that the bulk of unmanaged Windows 10 PCs will skip that upgrade and instead move directly from the 1803 of April 2018 to this month's 1903. As Figure 3 shows, the 60% or so still running Windows 10 1803 will have more than five months - June through mid-November - to leapfrog 1809 and install 1903. IDG/Gregg Keizer Users of Windows 10 1803 should have slightly more than five months to make the move to 1903. With Windows 1803 slated to exit support for non-Enterprise customers on Nov. 12, Microsoft will probably declare the end of support exemption at, or soon after, 1903's debut so that it can push that build to Windows 10 Home. Computerworld would expect that Microsoft will deploy 1809 to those PCs only as a fallback option. Singapore's GDP growth expected at 1.5 to 2.5 percent for 2019 Singapores GDP growth for 2019 to come in at 1.5 to 2.5 per cent, said the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) on Tuesday, May 21. For the first quarter of 2018, the country's economy grew by 1.2 percent on a year-on-year basis, according to a press release from MTI. This is slightly lower than the 1.3 percent growth in the previous quarter. The manufacturing sector contracted by 0.5 percent year-on-year, a pullback from the 4.6 per cent growth in the previous quarter. The contraction was due to output declines in the precision engineering and electronics clusters, as global semiconductor and semiconductor equipment demand weakened. The construction sector grew by 2.9 percent year-on-year, a turnaround from the 1.2 percent decline in the previous quarter. This was also the first quarter of year-on-year growth after 10 consecutive quarters of contraction. Photo: Connected to India Meanwhile, the wholesale & retail trade sector shrank by 1.8 percent year-on-year, sharper than the 0.8 per cent decline in the previous quarter. Transportation & storage sector posted growth of 0.8 percent year-on-year, supported by the air transport segment which grew on the back of an increase in air passengers handled at Changi Airport. On the other hand, the water transport segment contracted due to a fall in sea cargo handled at Singapores ports. The accommodation & food services sector grew by 1.8 percent year-on-year, mainly supported by the accommodation segment, which expanded on the back of an increase in gross lettings at gazetted hotels. The performance of the food services segment was lacklustre, weighed down by a fall in the volume of sales at restaurants and food caterers. The information & communications sector expanded by 6.6 percent year-on-year, driven by the IT & information services segment on account of firms robust demand for IT and digital solutions. The finance & insurance sector grew by 3.2 percent year-on-year, driven by continued expansions in the others and insurance segments. Growth in the business services sector eased to 2.3 per cent year-on-year, from 2.6 per cent in the previous quarter. This was mainly supported by the professional services and real estate segments. Central Business District in Singapore. Photo: Connected to India The other services industries grew at a faster pace of 2.2 percent year-on-year compared to the 0.3 percent growth in the previous quarter. Growth was primarily driven by an expansion in the education, health & social services segment on the back of a continued ramp-up of operations in healthcare facilities. Outlook for Singapore in 2019 MTI added that amid a challenging external economic backdrop, key outward-oriented sectors in the Singapore economy are expected to slow this year. The manufacturing sector is likely to see a sharp slowdown in growth following two years of robust expansion. In particular, the electronics and precision engineering clusters are expected to face strong headwinds on account of a sharper-than-expected downturn in the global electronics cycle. This is coupled with uncertainties arising from the ongoing trade conflicts between US and China, as well as Brexit. Second, growth in outward-oriented services sectors such as wholesale trade and transportation & storage is expected to ease in tandem with the moderation in growth in key advanced and regional economies. Nonetheless, there remain pockets of strength in the Singapore economy. In particular, the growth of the information & communications sector is projected to remain healthy given firms continued robust demand for IT and digital solutions. At the same time, the education, health & social services segments growth is expected to be resilient, supported by the ongoing ramp-up of operations in healthcare facilities. The construction sector is also likely to see a sustained turnaround after three consecutive years of contraction. This is due to a pickup in contracts awarded since the second half of 2017, which is expected to continue to translate into construction activities for the rest of the year. Taking all the factors into account, MTI narrowed the GDP growth forecast for 2019 downwards to 1.5 to 2.5 percent, from 1.5 to 3.5 percent. Strong public support for tough anti-drug laws in Singapore: MHA A survey conducted between July and October 2018 found that public support for tough anti-drug policies in Singapore is strong. Close to 98 percent of respondents agreed that Singapore should continue to maintain tough laws against drugs, and that drug consumption should remain illegal. Conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the study aims to understand Singapore residents perception of the drug situation in the country. The survey involved face-to-face interviews with 2,000 Singapore residents aged 13 and above. About 90 percent of respondents felt that Singapores drug laws were effective in keeping the country relatively drug-free. Meanwhile, 93 percent agreed that Singapores drug-free environment made them feel safe. Photo courtesy: unsplash At the same time, more than 97 percent of residents surveyed acknowledged the harms of drugs on the abuser, his family, and the society. The respondents also endorsed imprisonment (93 percent) and caning (about 80 percent) as appropriate punishments for drug trafficking offenses. About 70 percent of them agreed with the imposition of the death penalty as an appropriate punishment for trafficking a large amount of drugs. In addition, support against the legalisation of cannabis remains strong. About 87 percent of respondents agreed that cannabis abuse should remain illegal in Singapore. Around 82 percent acknowledged that the drug is addictive. The survey also found that youths between 13 to 30 years old generally hold a more liberal view on drugs, particularly cannabis. While close to 90 percent of those above the age of 30 agreed that cannabis abuse should remain illegal in Singapore, about 80 percent of youths held this view. Similarly, about 84 percent of those above the age of 30 perceived the consumption of cannabis to be harmful, as compared to around 68 percent of youths. There is very strong domestic support for our zero tolerance approach towards drugs, which has been the reason behind the positive and improving state of our drug situation," said Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law. Commenting on the survey results, he added that there is however an increasing push internationally for drug. This phenomena is also driven by commercial interests. "The stakes are high," Mr Shanmugam stressed. "If we let up, there are consequences for the safety and health of our people, our children and future generations. We must persevere with our tough laws and enforcement, even as we seek to educate Singaporeans on the harms of drugs and rehabilitate addicts. The Cabinet meets today to mull an EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill. Is May preparing to concede to Corbyn on the Customs Union? And is Fox willing to walk if necessary? Hammond breaks cover to lead push against No Deal The Guardian But Barclay will push back for more No Deal preparations Financial Times The Commission says there will be no changes to the Withdrawal Agreement Daily Express Hancock woos Remainers over vote, Davis switches back to oppose the deal, Green urges alternative arrangements The Sun Juncker denies drink problem Daily Mail Thatcher: a very British revolution review Daily Telegraph During a Cabinet meeting today, ministers will debate whether to allow Labours demand for the UK to continue to accept new EU laws on workers rights and environmental standards after Brexit. Theresa May is expected to warn ministers they may have to agree to a temporary customs union, which would hamper Britains ability to strike trade deals with non-EU countries, to secure enough Labour votes to pass the Withdrawal Agreement Bill next month. Allies of the PM fear the potential concessions are so significant that Leave ministers such as Liam Fox could walk out in protest if they are approved. Daily Mail Comment: Democracy must not become a fight to the death William Hague, Daily Telegraph Teach them a lesson Richard Littlejohn, Daily Mail If politicians ignore voters, they shouldnt be surprised what comes next Stephen Pollard, Daily Express What a pointless charade these elections will be Daily Express Editorial > Yesterday: Anthony Browne on Comment Policy Gains from Brexit 1) We need more debate about what to do when we take back control Could Labour abstain in the vote? Ashworth says second referendum is likely The Times Labour wont investigate Geoffrey Robinson over spy claims The Times Former Minister Jane Kennedy says party is broken to the core The Guardian Labour in Birmingham 1) Khalid Mahmood insists that the Trojan Horse plot was real Birmingham Post Labour in Birmingham 2) Phillips row with Muslim protestors over LGBT education Daily Mail Heseltine has the whip removed (but he isnt expelled) Senior Conservative sources believe that Mr Corbyn could be persuaded to support the Withdrawal Agreement Bill at second reading or abstain, especially if Labour performs poorly in Thursdays European elections. However, backers of a second referendum dismissed the proposals, arguing that they were being put forward by Brexiteers. They added that it would be hard even for hardline prime minister to secure a no-deal Brexit without holding an election or a second vote. The Times The chancellor drew the battle lines of the leadership contest as the former deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine had the Tory whip removed for saying that he intended to vote Lib Dem at the European elections on Thursday. A Conservative spokesman said: Lord Heseltine has given more than half a century of service to the Conservative Party . . . but, with his long experience, he will know that publicly endorsing the candidates of an another party is not compatible with taking the Conservative whip in parliament. Lord Heseltine said: They can take away the whip, but they cannot take away my integrity, or my convictions, or my experience. The Times As Farage is milkshaked Conservative councillor targeted in firebomb attack Scotsman Brexit Party facing money check from Electoral Commission today Daily Express Farage gives Remainers cause to fear second referendum Robert Shrimsley, Financial Times This milkshake attack will only recruit more Farage fans Sun Editorial Now Change UK backs tactical voting on Thursday The leader of the Brexit Party arrived in the city on Monday lunchtime as part of a whistle stop tour of the country ahead of polling day on May 23, taking in Exeter, Newcastle, Wakefield and Bolton. Video footage of the footage showed a local man, Paul Crowther, dressed in a T-shirt and jeans, waiting for Mr Farage as he crossed a road in the citys main shopping district, and then throwing the milkshake at him. Daily Telegraph Sarah Wollaston, who resigned the Tory whip to join the new party, said that she supported voters backing whichever candidates had the most chance of success across the country even if that meant not necessarily supporting Change UK. Tactical voting websites are recommending that voters support Change UK in London and the South East but not in other parts of the country. Ms Wollaston told the Westminster Hour on BBC Radio 4 that it was sensible to maximise the total unequivocal Remain vote as well as the number of Remain MEPs. The Times Its Morgan v McVey as the One Nation Caucus and Blue Collar Conservatives pronounce on the same day One Nation Group hasnt ruled out giving thumbs-up Johnson but has ruled out giving it to Raab The Times Raab promises 5p income tax cut Daily Telegraph McVey backs No Deal The Sun Bill Grant supports her proposed aid budget cut Scotsman Esther is what diplomatic types might describe as forthright. She is not afraid of straight talk. The Tories, she said in that beguiling Cilla Black lilt, were in the doldrums after failing to deliver Brexit. Henry Deedes, Daily Mail Weird claim that Johnson lawyers say MPs must put him into the final stage if the members want him The Sun Tory members have no right to be angry if he doesnt get through Tom Harris, Daily Telegraph Johnson will pivot away from a hard Brexit if it suits him Rachel Sylvester, The Times He will sell out Leavers if it suits him Polly Toynbee, The Guardian I support Leadsom Brian Binley, Daily Telegraph At an event in parliament attended by some 30 MPs, One Nation called for every household to be given a regular update on its financial health. Peoples personal and household financial security is extremely important and we should put it front and centre of a One Nation Conservative party, said Nicky Morgan, a co-chair of the group Meanwhile the new Blue Collar group, led by former work and pensions secretary Esther McVey, launched its prospectus and her de facto leadership bid, also at the House of Commons. The group called for the UKs foreign aid spending to be cut and channelled into schools and policing. A committed Brexiter, Ms McVey hopes to shed the partys elitist image and outlined policies aimed at the blue-collar voters the Tories have struggled to win over in recent years. Financial Times > Today: ToryDiary Todays One Nation Conservatives are as dreary as Baldwin, not as exciting as Disraeli > Yesterday: Nick Timothy: This rush to declare a climate crisis will hike taxes, close businesses, hit workers and wreck jobs Unsurprisingly, environmental policies feature prominently in the declaration. Battling climate change must be given equal standing with counter-terrorism, they say. But unlike the fight against terrorism, they want Britain to fight climate change on its own. Not content with having already unilaterally forced up domestic energy bills and industrial electricity prices, closing down factories and destroying good jobs, they want Britain to go further, by fully de-industrialising to save the planet. But try telling the rest of the world to do the same. As firms such as British Steel go under, carbon emissions in Asia go on rising, while European countries including Germany burn coal and keep their factories open. The Sun > Today: Anthony Browne on Comment: Policy Gains from Brexit 2) Cutting VAT on domestic electricity https://bit.ly/2M8yi5k > Yesterday: ToryDiary The Australian Liberals know who their target voters are. The Conservatives dont seem to have a clue. Leadership Contender 1) Javid floats new treason law Ministers delay Huawei decision until after Trumps visit The Sun Bradley accused of emotional blackmail over abuse victims Belfast Telegraph Two-thirds of criminals given short prison sentences go on to offend again The Sun Prison is necessary Daily Telegraph Editorial Leadership Contender 2) Hunt appoints first human rights ambassador Sajid Javid said the poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal by Russian intelligence agents showed Britain needed tougher rules to deal with hostile states. Britain expelled 23 Russian diplomats in the wake to the attack, but Mr Javid said the incident had revealed real gaps in existing laws. He announced that the Government is preparing the way for a new espionage Bill. In a speech at Scotland Yard, Mr Javid said: Since the Salisbury attack, the Home Office has been reviewing the laws we have around hostile state activity. Daily Mail The foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has appointed Rita French, formerly his principal private secretary, to take on the task of promoting the UKs work at the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council and the cause of human rights internationally. The role is the first of its kind for the British government, although a clutch of other countries including France, Germany and the Netherlands have had the role, some for more than a decade, often taking outspoken positions with countries such as China and Saudi ArabiaThe Foreign Office said Frenchs role would be to act as an advocate for human rights inside the government, as well as a global champion for human rights across the globe. The Guardian Mercer rounds on May over army witch hunt Defence industry calls for clarity over buy British policy Financial Times Mordaunt pledges torture review in despatch box debut as Secretary of State The Times She is correctly gripped of the gravity of her office but as a communicator she is, ahem, methodical. The speaking clock sounded perkier. Can Sub-Lieut Mordaunt signal ship-to-electorate? Quentin Letts, The Times Rees-Mogg: Lets complete the mission of the welfare state and use it to cover social care Tory backbenchers who served as soldiers rounded on the Prime Minister in the House of Commons, accusing her of being complicit in a witch-hunt. Former Army captain Johnny Mercer said it was genuinely shocking that Mrs May had said terrorists and veterans should be given equal treatment. His comments came in a debate triggered by a petition signed by 146,000 people, calling for soldiers to be granted immunity. Mr Mercer, who earlier this month said no longer shared the values or ethos of the Tory Party under Mrs May, said: There has been a clear moral failure by this Prime Minister and the Northern Ireland Office to deal with this situation. Daily Mail Residential care and in-home care should be paid for almost entirely by the Government, the prominent Conservative MP argues, to end the deep unfairness of pensioners losing their homes and their life savings to pay for care costs. Writing for The Telegraph, Mr Rees-Mogg argues that it is far better to pool risk by paying for social care out of general taxation, rather than imposing ruinous costs on people when they are at their most vulnerable. The Government has yet to publish a long-overdue green paper on its plans for funding social care, but Mr Rees-Moggs suggestion is at odds with ministers current thinking. Daily Telegraph Old age should not have to cost a lifetime of savings Jacob Rees-Mogg, Daily Telegraph Could nanny love his book on the Victorians? Craig Brown, Daily Mail LISTEN: The Moggcast Rees-Mogg suggests that he may switch back and oppose the Withdrawal Agreement Bill Hannah Davies: Health is the key to the productivity gap between North and South News in Brief Hows that Customs Union thingy working out for Turkey? Politico Our poll says Johnson is the biggest threat to Corbyn Labour List Heseltine: you can voice support for other parties and not be expelled. But dont campaign for them Jonathan Isaby, Brexit Central We arrange Peoples Vote donation from Putin Guido Fawkes Ten visitors more terrible than Trump Peter Franklin, UnHerd We in the North take the brunt of inequalities. No one would deny that inequalities exist across the UK but in the Northern Powerhouse they exist on a scale unseen in the rest of England. The Treasury, the Department of Health and Northern Powerhouse minister Jake Berry cannot ignore this fact. When looking at how to deliver local Industrial Strategy, the Northern Powerhouse strategy refresh and the Spending Review, North/South inequalities must be taken into account. Health is key to the dramatic and growing inequalities between North and South. We know there is a productivity gap between the North and South of England whats less known is that a third of that is because of health. Yorkshire Post Cllr Jamie Rose is a councillor in Dover. Going into the elections, there were plenty of reasons to be worried in Dover. A Conservative government had failed to deliver Brexit in an area which voted overwhelmingly to leave. Opinion polls showed a party plummeting. Ward boundary changes looked unfavourable. Yet when all was said and done, we had doubled our majority on Dover District Council. Our vote share went up four per cent as Labours fell five per cent. As local media pointed out, we had bucked the national trend. Exactly how that was achieved is open to interpretation. But here are the views of someone closely involved. First, we had a strong message of success to send. In Dover District, weve worked hard to bring more jobs and money to our corner of Kent. Just a few years ago, unemployment had rocketed by 50 per cent. There are now 7,700 more people in work. Theres been more than 500 million of investment. Nearly a year ago, a 50 million shopping centre opened in the heart of Dover. Where once stood an empty, ugly tower block a much-ridiculed symbol of Dovers decline there now stands a multiplex cinema, shops, and restaurants. A state-of-the art leisure centre has been built. In Deal, the iconic pier is undergoing the most comprehensive refurbishment in its history, including a new restaurant at the end. Crucially, all this has been delivered by a Conservative-controlled council led by Cllr Keith Morris with the lowest council tax in East Kent. Thats what a strong vision and teamwork can achieve real investment, excellent services and genuine value for money. Quite rightly, it made for a compelling argument on the doorstep. Yet frustration over Brexit could not be ignored, as Conservative branches across the country will have found out. There was plenty of anger and a strong desire to get on with it deal or no deal. On doorstep after doorstep, people demanded we leave the EU and move on. Again, we had a compelling argument thanks to our MP Charlie Elphicke. Around here everyone knows he has fought tirelessly to get us out of the EU. And we were unaffected by the Prime Ministers toxicity for reasons avid readers of this site will be familiar with. Charlie has also delivered continually for our area. Down at the docks, the Conservatives put a stop to Labours plan to sell the Port of Dover to the French or whoever. Then we worked to broker a better deal. The port now has community directors, alongside a constitutional commitment to contribute to the area. A 250 million docks revival project is well underway. Investment hasnt just come from the public purse. Big companies have set up shop in our area, too. Multipanel UK relocated its manufacturing operation from China in 2014. Their 24/7 operation now produces more than 500,000 square metres of aluminium composite panels a month. They have been so successful that they hope to open new production lines and hire up to 100 more staff. Yet these success stories dont mean much at election time if people dont hear them. Another reason for our gains, I believe, was a beefed-up social media presence. For the first time, money that might have been spent on more leaflets was put towards a Facebook campaign. A simple post was placed on peoples newsfeeds across the district. Its not just another way to get the message across, its one far less easily tossed into a bin. At the same time, traditional campaign organisation wasnt ignored. Recognising we couldnt call on the number of volunteers you might hope for during a general election, we focused resources on target wards. Here, full canvassing and telling operations were carried out. Working the phones, more than 70 volunteers were mobilised. People were happy to help because of the local success, and because of our MPs record. Dover Conservatism points the way for the future of our party. A focus on the things that matter to people more jobs, money, and investment. Lower taxes, starting with the least well off. Finances in order. Interests of community and consumer before anything else. Much has been done. Yet there is much more to do. We need a plan for Britain how we wont be bullied by Europe in our quest to become a free-trading, global nation again. How we must rebalance our economy, so it works for the towns and regions as much as the big cities. How we must rejuvenate exports, so we arent overly reliant on financial services. We must become international traders again in things like well-marketed British produce, technology, and environmental enterprise. The results in Dover point the way to the bright future that lies ahead. Our lesson is that it starts with having the political courage to see Brexit through. Only then can we properly look at the other important issues. Thats why we must get on with it, then refocus and go again. Because this country is great but it can be so much better. Our best days are yet to come. Andy Street is Mayor of the West Midlands, and is a former Managing Director of John Lewis. While the UK has been stuck in the debate over Europe, a critical domestic policy has been rolling forward, without fanfare, that will determine our future prosperity. The march of technology stops for nothing not even Brexit and the businesses and regions which embrace it will be the winners of the future. After months of preparation, collaboration and consultation, last week saw the launch of the UKs first ever Local Industrial Strategy right here in the West Midlands. As the crucible of the first Industrial Revolution our region was a fitting location to unveil a new approach to business. However, this weeks launch was about looking forward, not back. It saw the dawn of a new kind of industrial thinking, that not only mirrors the changes going on here in the West Midlands, it shows how a Conservative approach to business, investment and innovation can drive regional economies to spread growth and prosperity across the nation. What has changed? In the twentieth century, industrial strategy was all about scale: the Government would identify potential winners among our biggest companies and back them through investment and policy. In the twenty-first century, industrial strategy must take the opposite approach, opening up opportunity on a macro level, identifying areas of excellence, spotting emerging markets and encouraging a plethora of businesses to grow. This reinforces Britain as a place where competition and challenge are encouraged, and where innovative ideas can take off. This is the approach that we have taken in the West Midlands, where we have seen powerful growth based on the diversity of our business sectors. The evidence is there to be seen: more and more new start-ups are picking the West Midlands as their home. Nowhere else outside of London has seen the growth witnessed in our region. Output here has risen by 27 per cent in last five years. Our productivity growth was twice the rate of the rest of the UK in 2017-18. However, strategy is about recognising your strengths and here in the West Midlands we have identified four areas that represent major strategic opportunities, where growth can be nurtured. First of all, with our diverse and growing population, we have opportunities to lead in biomedical research and developing medical devices. Our ability to work with patient data is a major advantage for the West Midlands. With the population of Scotland and the genome of the world, our region could become a global laboratory for data-driven health care. Second, in the creative field, we enjoy a wealth of design, digital, TV, film, VR and gaming companies, and ambitious universities keen to work with them. Birmingham and Solihull alone have the potential to add nearly 4,000 new creative enterprises and 30,000 new related jobs. Third, as we move more towards a service-based economy, we expect to see large-scale growth in the Business Services sector. This already employs 400,000 people across the conurbation with 125,000 more jobs forecast by 2030. There are also huge opportunities to provide business services to the evolving construction industry. Finally, we aim to build on the Midlands status as the home of the British motor trade to make it the UKs centre for mobility. We have the supply chains and transport pedigree to bring huge investment to a renowned automotive sector, as well as light rail and aerospace. Indeed, we launched our strategy last week with a new 28 million investment in the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre in Coventry, which will develop pioneering batteries for electric vehicles. The investment, through the Industrial Strategys Challenge Fund, comes on top of an 80 million initial investment in the centre. Coventry has always been the heart of the UKs motor industry, and we want it to be the centre of the emerging global autonomous vehicle industry. We recognise that we are in a race with Silicon Valley, China, German cities like Stuttgart, and Detroit in the US to be the world-wide capital of the driverless car revolution and thanks to this crucial Government investment Coventry is well on its way to that destination. The pioneering centre will support the regions plans to deliver the first fully-operational connected autonomous vehicles before the world descends on the Midlands for the Commonwealth Games, in Birmingham, in 2022. Through local industrial strategies, this kind of significant, targeted Government investment will create quality jobs, accelerate growth and create a stronger and fairer economy across the country. Crucially, an agreed strategy ensures the Government and regions commit to a defined plan, ensuring we work in concert moving forward while also creating a framework for future investment. This puts the focus on implementation, rather than planning. It gets things done. Choosing the West Midlands as the launchpad of the Local Industrial Strategy concept is a vote of confidence in our local economy, and it is a vote of confidence in the ability of our regions to accelerate the UKs economic growth. It is also a vote of confidence in devolution. This region, where much of the modern world was forged, is today enjoying a renaissance. Under the leadership of a Conservative Mayor, the West Midlands Combined Authority which includes the seven member boroughs of Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Solihull, Walsall, Coventry, Dudley and Sandwell has adopted a collaborative approach that is seeing real change. Our region has been transformed into an economic powerhouse that generates nearly 100 billion of goods and services. However, the success of this industrial vision requires better housing, connectivity, skills, transport and energy. My office has been working on building this foundation, from doubling the number of good-quality apprenticeships by 2030 to delivering 3.4bn of investment in trams, road and rail over the next decade. We will increase the rate of housing delivery with a 350 million housing plan, investing 250 million in reclaiming contaminated industrial land and developing the skills required through the National Brownfield Institute in Wolverhampton. But there is so much more we can do. As Conservatives, we must support commerce and the communities that rely upon it. When a backwards-looking opposition regards business as the real enemy, its vital that we provide the investment and leadership to equip industry for the challenges of the 21st century. I am proud that the West Midlands is leading the way in industrial strategy, just as our forebears did. But this is not about the past by staying true to traditional Conservative values of backing business and embracing innovation, we are carving out a future where the UKs regions can power economic growth for the entire nation. Todays One Nation Conservatives are as dreary as Baldwin, not as exciting as Disraeli Margaret Thatcher did not shrink from using the term as late as 1985. Enoch Powell and Edward Heath belonged to a group named after it. Boris Johnson has taken to sprinkling the expression through his columns with all the prodigality of a pigeon fancier rattling a can of dry corn to tempt his birds home, and a group of Conservative MPs have announced that they are supporters of it. One Nation Conservatism is so popular among Tory MPs that the term sometimes signifies nothing beyond a desire to be regarded as benevolent while not actually being a socialist. Its supporters think of themselves as followers of Benjamin Disraeli, the only British statesman ever to inspire the founding of a posthumous cult, and at this distance in time a figure to whom almost any views can be attributed. Lord Lexden must sometimes feel he has lived in vain. The Conservative Partys official historian has frequently attempted to point out it was actually Stanley Baldwin who, at the Albert Hall on 4th December 1924, in the aftermath of the Conservative Partys greatest general election victory, said: We stand for the union of those two nations of which Disraeli spoke two generations ago: union among our own people to make one nation of our own people which, if secured, nothing else matters in the world. Disraeli had suggested, in Sybil, or The Two Nations, published in 1845, that the Rich and the Poor did not form One Nation, and were as ignorant of each others habits, thoughts, and feelings, as if they were dwellers in different zones, or inhabitants of different planets. He added, for example in his Crystal Palace speech in 1872, that Thegreat objects of the Tory Party areto maintain our institutions, to uphold the Empire, and to elevate the condition of the people. But inspiring though Disraelis vision of elevating the condition of the people was, by the 1920s, with the Bolsheviks in power in Russia and the Labour Party supplanting the Liberals in Britain, something more was needed to meet the threat posed by the socialists, with their doctrine of class conflict. There was at this time, in the immediate aftermath of the Russian Revolution, great fear of Communism. In February 1923, Baldwin, at that time Chancellor of the Exchequer but only a few months short of his unexpected elevation to Prime Minister, tried to reassure people that it could not happen here: I am myself of that somewhat flabby nature that always prefers agreement to disagreement When the Labour Party sits on these benches, we shall all wish them well in their effort to govern the country. But I am quite certain that whether they succeed or fail there will never in this country be a Communist Government, and for this reason, that no gospel founded on hate will ever seize the hearts of our people the people of Great Britain. Baldwins answer to the class struggle was social harmony. The Conservatives stood for One Nation. They would avert revolution by preaching and indeed practising harmony. Labour would be made welcome and would become junior partners in upholding the system. Under Baldwin, Conservative leader until 1937, this inclusive approach worked pretty well. Millions of voters wanted to believe in his doctrine of uniting the nation by treating people decently. But from 1940, Baldwin ceased to be a name any Conservative hoping to win an argument would bandy about. Nor, after Labours landslide victory in 1945, did his approach seem to offer any clues about how to regain the intellectual initiative. Instead, as Enoch Powell recalled in 1991 in a piece for The Independent, reprinted in Reflections of a Statesman, the memory of Benjamin Disraeli, primroses and all, enjoyed a springtime among young aspirants in the Tory ranks. It was in that statesmans works, including Sybil, that clues to a Conservative idea of the nation were discovered by some of the most gifted members of the 1950 intake of Tory MPs: What comfortable words for struggling youth in a Conservative Party reeling under the combined impact of electoral defeat and the popularity of the welfare state Here was the evidence that the heirs of Toryism, with their rooted belief in the nation as a homogeneous, organic phenomenon of nature, could recognise concern for its members as an essential mark of society and Tory society, mark you, not socialist society. Slinking out of the chamber disconsolately after yet another failed frontal attack upon the Labour Partys welfare state, Iain Macleod and Angus Maude put their heads together and said Lets write a book about One Nation. As one, like St Paul, born out of time, I was the last to be recruited to the noble nine who toiled week by week in a committee room and produced the Conservative Partys bestseller of that autumn of 1950. Powell points out that One Nation was anything but a wets charter, and remarks on how surprised Macleod would have been to find himself the darling of the refugees from Thatcherism. Voluntary effort, the original nine-strong One Nation Group insisted, must provide much the greatest part of the services needed for the old. Yet under Margaret Thatcher, One Nation did become a rallying cry for the wet, often somewhat patrician Tories who believed her harsh policies were dividing the country into two nations. The One Nation Conservative Caucus is reportedly intent on opposing a no-deal Brexit. It is evidently a group of the centre-left, though one of its leading members, Sir Nicholas Soames, remarked yesterday that everyone now claims to be a One Nation Conservative. Baldwins speeches, though carefully and artfully intended to convey a sympathetic idea of the nation, were also carefully and artfully designed to exclude anything which might be construed as intellectual or ideological. It is, one fears, to that platitudinous and wilfully vague level that quite a few purveyors of One Nation Conservatism now want to sink. Baldwin really is the model for a lot of this stuff. No one as inspiring as Disraeli is yet in view. If Conservative MPs are not careful, they will find themselves conducting the leadership battle in a code which renders it incomprehensibly and insultingly dull to the wider public. A new report on cybersecurity says that more than 2.3 billion files are exposed and publicly available by misconfigured and non-secured technologies such as remote servers (including printers), network storage devices, and Amazon S3 buckets (cloud service components similar to file folders). To simplify it at the consumer level, that data includes customer data such as passport scans and bank statements, as well as business information like intellectual property -- basically any file that may be stored or shared on the internet. Digital Shadows Photon Research Team is the one shining the light on that staggering number -- a statistic made even more mind-boggling because that 2.3 billion total is a 50 percent jump (750 million files) from last years analysis. Maybe the most staggering consumer concern that the Photon Team uncovered was some 4.7 million personal, medical-related files are being left out in the open -- including patient records, X-ray scans, and physicians notes. Health record data breaches are nothing new, but they are concerning nonetheless -- especially when the consumer counts on agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to prevent cybersecurity attacks on medical devices. Mining for gold All indications point to consumers favorite digital hooligans -- cybercriminals -- as the force lurking in the background and conducting this grab-and-run mission. It would appear threat actors are also attempting to monetize this exposure, theorizes Harrison Van Riper, a Strategy and Research Analyst with Digital Shadows. Within our data set, Photon detected 17 million files had been held hostage by various ransomware variants. Data protection tips The takeaway from this analysis is pretty simple: the consumer should always keep current backups and be prepared if and when a ransomware attack happens. Consumers should be aware that network-attached storage (NAS) drives or other types of file-sharing technologies may not come pre-configured with strong security controls, like a unique and complex password or port blocking to prevent remote access, Riper said when ConsumerAffairs asked him what measures consumers can take to tighten down the clamps on their data. If these unsecured or misconfigured devices are then connected to the internet, potentially for looking at photos or files by the individual when they are away from home or at the office, this exposure point can be easily identified. Taking a look at the security controls and configuration settings should be the first step when deciding to use a storage service or buy a storage device. 100% Website jelitasara.com uses latest and advanced technologies. It supports HTTPS and GZIP compression. The main html page has a size of 68892 bytes (67.28 kb uncompressed) and 12133 bytes (11.85 kb compressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2021-10-22, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. 60% Website knieja.pl uses latest and advanced technologies like: Php. It supports HTTPS. The main html page has a size of 44836 bytes (43.79 kb uncompressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2021-10-19, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. 100% Website nciku.com uses latest and advanced technologies. It supports HTTPS. The main html page has a size of 329657 bytes (321.93 kb uncompressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2020-08-03, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. MP for Nottingham South, Lilian Greenwood, saw first-hand how the building materials industry can play a key role in delivering a low carbon future for the city. Greenwood discussed how modern advances in home heating products can deliver significant improvement to air quality and energy use across the region during a visit organised by the Builders Merchants Federation. Mark Bradley, Chairman of the BMF Plumbing and Heating Forum, hosted the visit at Plumbase in Lenton Lane. Bradley, who is the Managing Director of Plumbase, showed the politician around the companys trade counter and showrooms to illustrate the key points under discussion. He said: BMF members provide the materials, products and expertise needed to de-carbonise our homes, and this visit provided a great opportunity to discuss the workings of the industrys supply chain and how it can help support future low carbon objectives. Fitting energy-efficient, low emission and water-saving measures in properties across Nottingham and the rest of the UK will be key to achieving sustainability goals. The issue is set to gain further momentum following the Chancellor of the Exchequers announcement in March that a new Future Homes Standard will be introduced to end fossil-fuel heating in new homes by 2025. Efficient boilers, coupled with better insulation and the small-scale generation of heat and electric power by individual householders, will be the key drivers in converting homes for a low carbon world. Our role as a trade association is to help set out how this can be achieved and to demonstrate the opportunities available to deliver meaningful environmental and economic benefits overall. Joining Greenwood on the visit were Steve Daley, the Branch Manager at Plumbase in Lenton Lane, and Brett Amphlett, BMFs Policy and Public Affairs Manager. Greenwood said: I was pleased to visit Plumbase and see for myself their contribution to Nottinghams prosperity and the wider East Midlands economy. I congratulate Branch Manager Steve Daley and his team in helping both trade professionals and retail customers. Their knowledge and enthusiasm on how to help people to have warmer homes, cut carbon emissions, and save on energy bills, was really good to see. It is only by working together that politicians and businesses like Plumbase can move to a low-carbon future to improve the energy performance of Nottinghams homes. I am encouraged to see local businesses are up for the challenge. To find out more about MP visits arranged by the BMF click here. Editor's Note : Pastor Roger Barrier's "Ask Roger" column regularly appears at Preach It, Teach It. Every week at Crosswalk, Dr. Barrier puts nearly 40 years of experience in the pastorate to work answering questions of doctrine or practice for laypeople, or giving advice on church leadership issues. Email him your questions at roger@preachitteachit.org. Dear Roger, Im a new Christian and Id like to know more about spiritual gifts. Our pastor preached once on spiritual gifts, and then he went on to something else. How can I find out what my gift is and how to use it? Sincerely, Ryan Dear Ryan, When we meet Christ, the Holy Spirit gives us at least one spiritual gift. In one sense, we are wired to serve (Romans 12:6). God does not just tell us to serve; He gives us special tools for the task: Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant (1 Corinthians 12:1). Why does the Holy Spirit dispense gifts? For the common good... (1 Corinthians 12:7) To Strengthen the local church fellowship To Extend the church's witness and ministry To provide Christians with the tools needed to accomplish their ministry To paint a relevant picture of Christ when all the gifts are working properly Spiritual gifts are found in three separate passages in the New Testament. The lists are not exactly identical, but some overlapping occurs: Ephesians 4:11 Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastor-Teacher Romans 12:6-8 Prophecy Helps Teaching Encouragement Giving Administration Leadership Celibacy Mercy 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 Wisdom Knowledge Faith Healing Miracles Prophecy Distinguishing spirits Speaking in tongues Interpreting tongues 1 Corinthians 7:7 Singleness What is the difference between spiritual gifts and natural talents? We are born with natural talents. Spiritual gifts are given at conversion. Natural talents are often the vehicle through which spiritual gifts can be used. A Christian vocalist may have a natural talent to sing beautifully. A vocalist with the spiritual gift of evangelism may use musical talents along with the spiritual gift of evangelism to guide people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Does every believer have a gift? Yes: All these are the work of one and the same spirit, and he gives them to each man, just as he determines (1 Corinthians 12:11). Can a believer have more than one gift? Yes. As we mature and our ministry responsibilities increase, God will give us the tools we need for the tasks ahead: Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in the gifts that build up the church (Romans 14:12). The number of possible combinations is astounding. By using the algebraic formula, 2n-1 where n is the number of gifts, 18 spiritual gifts can produce 262,144 combinations. I dont have the gift of service, am I still supposed to serve? Of course! While there are many combinations, there is only one Lord and one Body. There are different kinds of gifts, but the same spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them and all men. . . The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ... (Romans 12:4-12). Im going to share a short description of each gift. Hopefully, this will help you understand which spiritual gift, or gifts, that the Holy Spirit has given to you. A short description of each gift: An Apostle is one who is sent to establish a foothold for Christianity in unevangelized areas by establishing churches. Today, we often call these Christians, church planters. Our church ministry partner in Mexico, Roberto Morales, is an apostle. He has planted over 80 churches in Mexico and Peru. A Prophet applies a message from God to a particular situation in relevant terms. The Prophet answers the question, Does God have a Word for me today? An Evangelist is spiritually anointed to persuade people through a variety of relevant methods to surrender their lives to Jesus Christ. They are quite successful at it. A Pastor-Teacher oversees the care and spiritual feeding of a church congregation. His/her teaching clarifies and preserves the truths of God. Many pastor-teachers find preaching the Word more exciting than shepherding the flock. Remember, when Jesus commissioned Peter for ministry instructed him to, Feed my sheep; take care of my little lambs. Jesus was saying, Im a shepherd, you be a shepherd, too. The gift of Helps is a God-given gift for meeting the practical needs of people. When Don Young died, my friend Marilyn Tolson was cleaning up the kitchen when I arrived. "Do you have the gift of helps? I asked. She gave me a puzzled look: "I don't know; but, if there is something you need help with, let me know. The gift of Encouragement has a double use: to comfort or encourage, or to admonish and rebuke when necessary. An encourager is someone with a fantastic ability to motivate others: Cheer up! Our God is omnipotent! You know people who are like that; they're always in the right place at the right time. Several years ago I set a goal to do three encouraging things every day. At a restaurant, for example, when I see two parents with well-behaved children I like to walk to their table and say, you must be wonderful parents, you have such delightful children. They grin from ear to ear. One of our staff once came to my office and said, I need to give you a biblical rebuke about something youve done. He was right. The gift of Giving is the ability to make money and/or resources and to give them freely away with joy and delight. Two characteristics of a person who has the gift of giving are: he/she has resources; he/she delights in sharing those resources. Every Christian is to give generously whether they have the spiritual gift or not. The gift of Administration is the spiritual capacity to organize and manage the church. The Greek word for administration is kuberneseis, meaning helmsman or governor. The administrator is the person who is qualified to steer the ship. He/she is not the Captain. The gift of Leadership is the spiritual capacity to energize people by creating a vision for the future and then by inspiring them to make the vision a reality. Children can be so delightful. A group of children was asked to define Leaders: Leaders are out front. Their rear end is better seen than their front side. Leaders chart a course on star that most never see. A leader is one who causes conflict, but who changes things. You know you're a leader when you look around and people are following you. Such astute observations from children! The gift of Mercy brings the empathetic love of God to hurting people in practical ways. In the first teachers meeting of the new year a new teacher sat down beside one of our church members. They began discussing churches and the new teacher asked Linda where she went to church. I go to Casas Church, Linda replied. I know that church, said the new teacher. Thats the church that helps people. Helping hurting people was our church motto. Every church has a target market whether they realize it or not. We figured that there would always be a market for hurting people. One with the gift of mercy is drawn to suffering people. He/she must do something about it. The hurt requires action. The gift of Wisdom synthesizes concepts, facts and truths in order to find a God-inspired solution for a particular situation. Some people have the ability to synthesize a complex issue into a simple solution. Dr. Harry Ironside said, Put the cookies on the lower shelf where everyone can get to them. The gift of the Word Of Knowledge is a supernaturally-revealed communication for a particular reason. Peter's knowledge of God's supernatural judgment regarding the embezzling of Ananias and Sapphira is a prime example (Acts 5:1-11). The gift of Faith is the spiritual ability to see something that God wants done and to live accordingly even before God acts. Perhaps the gift of faith is synonymous with vision. This person has the same problems as all others, but can see right through the problems to the resources of God. One of our church building projects was having troubles. I was panicking. Lefty, one of our elders, pulled me aside and said, I have the spiritual gift of faith. Trust me, everything is going to be okay. There was something about the way he said it. I felt a calm peace. I said to myself, I think I can live on that faith. So I did! The gift of Healing refers to the healing of physical disease in response to the Holy Spirits promptings through confession, laying on of hands and prayer. One with this gift will often utilize James 5:13-17 to facilitate the work. By the way, I believe that this healing gift and the following gift of miracles are not often seen in the United States of America today. On the other hand, we often hear missionaries on the mission field tell supernatural stories about how miracles and healings compel people to come to Christ. However, we must not limit Gods power. The gift of Miracles is an event of supernatural power, to authenticate the Word and/or the reality of God. One particular Campus Crusade missionary told of a witch doctor who didnt want the Jesus film shown in his village. He demanded the villagers to stay away. The witch doctor didn't want the Jesus film. He pleaded and threatened. The missionaries showed it anyway. They invited neighboring villages to come and several thousand turned up. They turned on the generator and the film commenced. Fifteen minutes into the film the witch doctor crept into the darkness, took his machete and with one quick move, cut the electric cord in two. And the movie kept right on playing! The Jesus film never stopped. The witch doctor said, "If that is the kind of God you have, we need him." He became a Christian. The gift of Distinguishing Between Spirits is the ability to differentiate between holy, human, and demonic powers. Weve all wondered sometimes if it is really God speaking to us. The person with this gift has a God anointed ability to give guidance and wisdom in these areas. Please notice that the gifts of Tongues and Interpreting Tongues the are considered by many to be gifts utilized in the first century only. The gift of Tongues is the ability to speak fluently in a previously unlearned language (dialektos) (Acts 2). Unsaved men and women might hear the gospel in their own languages. This occurred on Pentecost as described in Acts or in a Holy Spirit-inspired spiritual prayer language (glossolalia) which means tongues (1 Corinthians 12). Tongues are useful in prayer to express ideas and concepts that are deep in the human spirit. Some Christians believe that glossolalia is described in Romans 8:26-27: In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for Gods people in accordance with the will of God. My wife Julie had a miraculous experience with dialektos. On a mission trip to Brazil, Dianne Walters, one of her mission volunteers, broke her leg in two places. The rest of the tour leadership left my wife, Julie, alone to handle the medical emergency in the huge metropolis of San Paulo. She knew no one and spoke no Portuguese. By the power of the Holy Spirit, Julie was granted the ability to speak Portuguese (dialektos), discuss medical terms and make all sorts of hotel, airline and hospital arrangements while communicating in Portuguese. The gift of Interpreting Tongues is the spontaneous ability to translate the language of one who is using the gift of tongues (glossalalia). How to unwrap your gift/gifts: 1. Study the gifts in the Bible and learn how they operate. 2. Observe the lives of Christians you know to see how gifts operate in them. 3. Analyze what gifts you recognize developing in yourself. 4. Seek confirmation of your gift from others--and from God. Jake Ellis, a well-respected teacher at my home church affirmed my teaching gift early in my life. Roger, you are a wonderful teacher, he said. The inner witness of the Spirit is not limited to confirming our salvation. He wants us to know what our gifts are and how to use them. Let your successful ministry experiences be a determining factor in recognizing your gift. What ministry is God blessing? When you have prayed for sick people, do you often see answers to those prayers? Do you see fruit from your teaching? Are people trusting Christ as a result of your evangelism? Finally, practice! Practice! Practice! 1 Timothy 4:10: Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of Gods grace in its various forms. Dr. Roger Barrier retired as senior teaching pastor from Casas Church in Tucson, Arizona. In addition to being an author and sought-after conference speaker, Roger has mentored or taught thousands of pastors, missionaries, and Christian leaders worldwide. Casas Church, where Roger served throughout his thirty-five-year career, is a megachurch known for a well-integrated, multi-generational ministry. The value of including new generations is deeply ingrained throughout Casas to help the church move strongly right through the twenty-first century and beyond. Dr. Barrier holds degrees from Baylor University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Golden Gate Seminary in Greek, religion, theology, and pastoral care. His popular book, Listening to the Voice of God, published by Bethany House, is in its second printing and is available in Thai and Portuguese. His latest work is, Got Guts? Get Godly! Pray the Prayer God Guarantees to Answer, from Xulon Press. Roger can be found blogging at Preach It, Teach It, the pastoral teaching site founded with his wife, Dr. Julie Barrier. Photo Credit: GettyImages/ipopba For the second straight year Australias cruise industry will be slightly down in terms of guest capacity, according to the 2019 Cruise Industry News Annual Report. The highest penetration rate in the industry and runaway growth tapered off in 2018 and 2019, with passenger capacity set to be down by just under 1 percent for the calendar year. The changes have been driven by less capacity at P&O Australia, which will see two ships leave its fleet this year as the Pacific Eden and Pacific Jewel depart for new homes. Other cruise lines, however, are building their Australia programs. The Majestic Princess and the Ovation of the Seas have debuted in the market, repositioning from Asia programs on a seasonal basis and driving capacity growth for Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International. Carnival Cruise Line is another brand on the upswing Down Under, as the Carnival Splendor will join the Carnival Spirit on a year-round basis, combining for 5,100 berths for the American brand. Seasonal programs also include Norwegian Cruise Line, with the Jewel, and the upcoming seasonal deployment for Dream Cruises, which is debuting in the Australian and New Zealand market with the Explorer Dream. Its the first footstep outside of the China and Singapore market for Dream Cruises, a premium brand owned by Genting Cruise Lines. Dream will look not only to source locally, but tap its fly-cruise network to fill the 2,000-guest Explorer Dream with guests from China and Southeast Asia. While homeport capacity in Sydney is at its limit, with the government exploring new berth options, a Carnival Corporation-led port project in Brisbane could add much needed homeport room to the Australian market, driving further growth. Apart from Sydney, and located across the continent, Fremantle also remains a key homeport for Western Australia, with a megaship-friendly port. 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. The Silver Explorer made her maiden call at the port of Sokcho in South Korea on May 20. It was also the first Silversea visit to the South Korean port. Local officials planned special events for both passengers and crew. Guests came back to their staterooms from organized excursions to find a nicely packaged set of Korean spoons and chopsticks, a trademark gift wishing them good health. The ships crew was treated to a Sokcho city tour and luncheon. The tour included a visit to Seoraksan national park and Korean BBQ for lunch. Captain Eric Pierre Saint Plancat commented that it was such a rare experience to be treated by the local government like this. BRIDGEPORT The case against 11 protesters arrested during a demonstration on the second anniversary of police fatally shooting a 15-year-old boy has been continued to July. We are still reviewing all the evidence in the case, said Frank Riccio II, a lawyer retained to represent some of the protesters. Contributed Photo When Mary Rutcha and Sam Chiacu met in Bridgeports Seaside Park during the summer of 1947, it was love at first sight. Mary was born in Blackstone, Ma., and Sam was born in Korce, Albania. MILFORD Manslaughter suspect Ricky Garcia told police he kicked Christopher Peckham, another resident of the Anderson Avenue address they shared, no more than two times inside a bedroom in the home Sunday, according to an arrest warrant. I stomped him, police quoted Garcia telling them during an interview. He was kicking at me and I dropped the hammer on him. But other residents of the home, who included Peckhams sister, told police a different story. They said that Garcia beat the 49-year-old Peckham repeatedly with his hands and feet, then dragged him, limp and mumbling, out of the house, leaving him to die there hours later as others milled about the property. Garcia was arraigned at Milford Superior Court Tuesday on a charge of first-degree manslaughter, a felony punishable by up to 20 years behind bars. Judge Peter Brown ordered Garcia held in lieu of $250,000 bond and continued the case to June 4. The warrant says Garcia, 57, called police to the home about 10 p.m. Sunday saying he had found Peckham dead. Peckham had numerous and significant injuries indicating he had been assaulted broken ribs, a broken sternum, a lacerated liver and fractured vertebrae. An autopsy performed Monday at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide, caused by blunt trauma to the upper torso. More News Milford man accused of beating housemate to death According to the warrant, Peckhams sister told police she had asked Garcia to remove her brother, who was passed out on the floor, from her bedroom earlier Sunday. Garcia allegedly told police he started roughhousing with Peckham and slapped him in the face trying to wake him up, but described Peckham as dead weight and unresponsive. Garcia initially told police he left the room and didnt know how Peckham ended up outside, but after more questioning said he dropped his foot on Peckhams torso and it went like jelly on him, the warrant says. Garcia then told police he stomped and dropped the hammer on Peckham. He explained that this is what its called when you bring the foot down on somebody, Detective Kenneth Catino wrote in the warrant. Peckhams sister told police Garcia kicked her brother up to 50 times, including kicking him repeatedly in the stomach pretty freaking hard. She also told police Garcia and her brother were constantly fighting over things that she really couldnt specify. Another resident of the home told police he saw Garcia hitting and kicking Peckham as Peckham said, stop hitting me. He said he saw Ricky Garcia punching Christopher Peckham in the chest and legs, further saying he saw Ricky Garcia jump up and land with his two legs on Christopher Peckhams stomach, the warrant says. The man told police he helped Garcia drag Peckham out of the home, then went back inside and went to sleep. Later in the day, the man told police, he went outside to cut the grass and saw Peckham still lying there, mumbling and moving. After mowing the lawn, the man said, he touched Peckhams leg and called to him, but got no response, the warrant says: At that time he thought that Christopher Peckham was dead. In court Tuesday, Assistant States Attorney Matt Kalthoff said the state has a strong case against Garcia, including statements by several witnesses and Garcias own admissions. A bail commissioner said Garcias record dates back to 1992, for crimes including assault, operating under the influence and failing to appear in court. STRATFORD David Wooster Middle School has been named the states middle school of the year by the Connecticut Association of Schools. Principal Bryan Darcy said he was notified of the award May 8 when he was at a conference in Madison, so he sent an email to the schools staff announcing a mandatory faculty meeting at the end of the day prompting rumors to swirl. People thought I was meeting with them because I was leaving the district or something like that, Darcy said. I wanted to be a secret until I could tell them in person. When he revealed the award, Darcy said teachers were exuberant. Some teachers were in tears because it really meant a lot to us to receive this recognition, Darcy said. There have been teachers who have been here for 20 years plus who deserve the recognition for everything theyve done. The school was notified in March that it was a finalist for the award, Darcy said. A committee from the Connecticut Association of Schools visited Stratford in April. The organizations executive director is scheduled to formally present the award at the May 28 Board of Education meeting, which will be held at Stratford High School. In a press release, the CAS said it became obvious throughout the nomination and selection process that Wooster Middle School is providing an exemplary middle school experience to all the students and families within its educational community. The members of the Awards Committee were extremely impressed with the outstanding and thoughtful work accomplished by the Wooster Middle School staff, the press release said. From the moment one enters the school, there is a pervasive sense of welcome and positive climate. Darcy said he was particularly proud of the schools peer mediation program started two years ago. We train eighth grade students on how to be peer mediators. Then if we have two students who are having some sort of disagreement we have students try to solve the problems together, Darcy said. It allows the students to both speak up for themselves and be self-advocates, but it also teaches them to problem-solve. The CAS also singled out the schools Student Ambassador Program, Creative Learning After-School Program, Safe School Climate Committee, and the integration of a health and counseling clinic as worthy of praise. Darcy said credit for the award should be shared by the whole town. Weve received this award, but everyone deserves recognition for this, Darcy said. This is an award for Stratford and the community as well. Superintendent Janet Robinson agreed, and said she expects to see some future recognition for Flood Middle School as well. The superintendent said the award is a credit to the collaborative attitude of the schools staff, who adapt new programs they see from visiting other schools and from looking at studies. Its really been so much of a team over there, she said. The teachers and administrators have been very innovative in the last few years. Toll Gate Separating Santa From the West Region Facebook Cameroonian soldiers are securing the entry of passengers into Bamenda, North West region, after thousands got stranded in a neighbouring community, in the West region. Several persons travelling into Bamenda are occupied bars and shops for hours around Kombu, West region, after their buses were forced to head to the Kombu, a neighbouring community to Santa, following a gun exchange between Cameroonian soldiers and armed separatists earlier today, May 21. Friends and family members in a state of confusion, have been reaching back home to highlight the incident and share their waterloo. We have been blocked. We cannot go back to Bamenda. The gunshots are terrible. Our driver was forced to take us to Kombu. This is where all the cars are stopping , cried a victim on phone to CameroonInfo.net Ndefru Melanie was on a working trip to Douala, Littoral region, where she spent four days as separatists imposed a boycott on civilians since Friday last week. In an attempt to avoid getting to Bamenda on a ghost town day, Monday May 20, most of them travelled in the night ,so as to reach Bamenda this Tuesday morning and head to work. However, they met a different scenario in Santa subdivision, North West, where both forces were battling it out. Businesses have been shut down in Santa, and many have remained in doors following the shootout. As of now, damages cant be accounted for. Most persons residing in the crisis-hit region, often spend weekends around cities in French speaking towns. The ghost town to many is a torn in their flesh, hence they prefer going to a more friendly environment to free their minds from hostile activities. In an effort to push for independence from the Republic of Cameroon, separatist forces have been carrying out attacks on the military and some civilians to enforce their objectives. Many who go contrary to their demands is considered a sell out and could go through torture or killed as a result. Edward Rostohar, 62, the former president/CEO of the $21 million CBS Employees Federal Credit Union, is scheduled to be sentenced in September after he pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud Monday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. In a plea deal he signed with federal prosecutors on May 10, Rostohar admitted to stealing more than $40 million from the Studio City, Calif. credit union over two decades, one of the industrys largest embezzlements in recent years. The former executive also agreed to forfeit millions of dollars in assets and properties in California, Nevada and Mexico that he purchased with the stolen credit union funds. Before 2000 and continuing through March 2019, he falsified records to make it appear that the credit union was profitable when in fact it was losing millions. Rostohar told investigators he managed to conceal his fraud because he had an insiders knowledge as a trained accountant and as a former NCUA examiner. ERASMUS The EconomistMay 19th 2019BY HER own lights, Sarah Kuteh was evidently convinced that she was doing the right thing. But some of the patients who were interviewed by this devoutly Christian nurse, as they were being prepared for big operations, felt disturbed by her insistence on bringing up her beliefs. One man, facing cancer treatment, said she offered him a Bible and induced him to sing part of a Biblical Psalm with her. It felt like a scene out of Monty Python, an old British comedy show, he complained later.This week a British employment-law judge reaffirmed that a hospital in the south-east of England had been acting within its rights when it dismissed Ms Kuteh after she persisted, despite warnings, in having rather assertive religious conversations with patients. (It was sometimes part of her job to ask patients what religion, if any, they professed, but she had been told to keep such enquiries very brief.) The verdict was a nuanced one, though, which made clear that its aim was not to ban all talk of religion from the workplace.In Britain and most other democracies, law and jurisprudence have tried to achieve a careful balance between two things: first, upholding freedom of speech, and the freedom to practise and indeed advocate ones beliefs; and second, peoples desire to be protected from unwanted or even bullying proselytism, especially when they are in vulnerable situations. Also part of the mix is the natural concern, and indeed duty, of employers to avoid religious discord in the workplace.In Europe, a conditional right to proselytise (in the sense of advocating the truth of ones religion) was affirmed by a famous judgment of the Strasbourg-based European Court of Human Rights, the so-called Kokkinakis case, adjudicated in 1993. As was to be expected, lawyers for Ms Kuteh brought up that case, which vindicated a Greek Jehovahs Witness. (He had been convicted of illegal proselytising, a criminal offence in Greece, after engaging a woman neighbour in a religious discussion which she found confusing; her husband, an Orthodox church chanter, went to the police.)But as this weeks British ruling observed, the Kokkinakis verdict had made an important distinction between bearing Christian witness and improper proselytism. As the Strasbourg verdict specified, the latter might take the form of offering material or social advantages with a view to gaining new members for a church or exerting improper pressure on people in distress or in need; it may even entail the use of violence or brainwashing. And on the face of things, exerting improper pressure on people in distress or in need is a rather accurate description of the activities that were at issue in Ms Kutehs case.In the United States, where religious faith and the sanctity of free speech are generally held in higher regard than in some parts of Europe, there is a similar struggle to achieve a balance. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, a federal agency that upholds anti-discrimination law, warns employers that if one worker is allowed to preach aggressively to another, that can give the targeted worker grounds to sue the bosses for allowing a hostile work environment. But in practice that doesnt preclude a bit of casual chat about matters of belief over the water-cooler.Apart from the constitution, the key legislation in America is the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which tells bosses to give reasonable accommodation to their workers religious needs as long as doing so does not bring about undue hardship for the firm or organisation. A worker who creates an atmosphere of sectarian strife, or falsely implies to the world that an employer is associated with a particular faith, could certainly be accused of causing undue hardship, the case law suggests. This implies that a discreet religious sign at a workstation deep inside a building is okay, but a receptionist putting the same sign above the desk seen by everybody entering the premises would be out of line.A landmark case in 1996 upheld the dismissal of a devoutly Christian worker at a firm in Richmond, Virginia, after she told her supervisor to get right with God and warned a subordinate that she was sinning gravely by conceiving a child out of wedlock. But gentler religious language, such as wishing fellow workers a blessed day, has been found to be permissible.In American cases where the employer is the government, another consideration comes into play: the constitutional ban on the state establishment of any particular faith. In recent times this has been interpreted quite broadly to bar any overt identification by any agency of the state, whether administrative or judicial, with a particular metaphysical viewpoint. So in a case from 2001, when a nursing consultant in Connecticut was dismissed for her habit of preaching on the job, the states Health Department successfully used the argument that its employees had to present a religiously neutral face to the world.But bosses looking for a simple rule of thumb to handle religious issues in the work-place wont find one. International human-rights norms, including the European Convention on Human Rights, affirm the right to manifest ones beliefs, in public and private. Given the harsh persecution which rages in many parts of the word, that is not a trivial entitlement. But as is noted by Tom Heys, an employment laywer with the London firm of Lewis Silkin, There is often a fine line betweenthe manifestation of a belief and its inappropriate promotion. Israel Hits Back At Hamas Cyber Attackers Israel has carried out a military airstrike in response to an attempted cyber-attack launched by terrorist group Hamas. Israeli warplanes stopped an attempted Hamas cyber-attack, with airstrike that removed its HQ. It is thought to be the first time that a nation-state has retaliated with physical military action in real time against a cyber-attack. But an airstrike should come as no surprise. Ever since 2011 the United States for example said it reserved the right to retaliate with military force against a cyber-attack from a hostile state. Cyber Defence News that Israel had used warplanes against cyber attackers came after the Israel Defense Force (IDF) tweeted the news. We thwarted an attempted Hamas cyber offensive against Israeli targets, the IDF tweeted. Following our successful cyber defensive operation, we targeted a building where the Hamas cyber operatives work. HamasCyberHQ.exe has been removed. At the weekend there had been a flurry of attacks between Hamas and the IDF. Hamas reportedly fired more than 600 rockets into Israel, killing four people and injuring dozens. The IDF carried out its own strikes against hundreds of what it characterised as military targets, with at least 27 Palestinians reportedly killed. This included the airstrike against the cyber operation of Hamas, apparently housed in a building in the Gaza Strip. The Hamas cyber-attack operation was reportedly not sophisticated and there is no news on what targets inside Israel were targeted. Cyber Warfare The news that Israel has carried out a military strike against hackers is a noteworthy development in the cyber security landscape. Last year President Donald Trump reportedly reduced the rules to be followed and relaxed the complex guidelines that have to be followed if the United States were to launch a cyber-attack against a rogue nation. All of this comes amid concern in Washington and the West that Russia is no longer concerned about its hacking activities remaining covert. The UK has also been beefing up its cyber operations. Indeed, the UK has at least doubled its cyber-attacks in recent years, as GCHQ ramped up its ability to hit back at those launching cyber-attacks against this country. This is one of many findings in an official report from the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament (ISC), the cross-party body of nine parliamentarians from the Commons and the Lords, tasked with overseeing the work of British intelligence agencies. Many of the current cyber threats facing the UK involve damage to the economy, individual prosperity or privacy. However, increasingly there is a risk of physical damage in the real world. The number of devices, processes and functions connected to the internet, ranging from parts of the Critical National Infrastructure to WiFi-enabled domestic appliances, has grown exponentially in recent years. The Internet of Things (IoT) is a term used to refer to physical devices (including home appliances, vehicles and buildings) embedded with electronics, software, sensors and network connectivity that enables them to collect and exchange data, and that connectivity makes them vulnerable to cyber-attack with potential for direct real-world impact. The report, part of it have been redacted, also pointed out that the UK is facing a diverse range of cyber threats including from state actors (Russia, China, Iran, North Korea etc), to organised crime groups and terrorist organisations, as well as individual criminals. In April 2018 the UK made a rare public admission that it had carried out a cyber-attack on the Islamic State terrorist group. The statement, by the Director of the Intelligence Agency GCHQ Jeremy Fleming, is the first time that the UK has specifically eroded the online efforts of an enemy in a military campaign. Silicon 1 Silicon 2 Silicon 3 You Might Also Read: Israel Responds To A Cyber Attack With Bombs: Manifestation de Camerounais de la diaspora archives Cameroonian Diaspora communities in the United States and Great Britain have been identified as the major push behind the economic and political set up in the country. According to a research work titled "Cameroon Diasporas in the United States of America and Great Britain and their contributions to the economic and political development of Cameroon", was carried out by Abang Calistus Mvo, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of a PhD in political sciences at the University of Yaounde II, Soa. Mr. Abang defended his work over the weekend in the presence of the Secretary General at the Ministry of Higher Education, Professor Wilfred Gabsa, and his supervisor, Professor Emeritus Ndue Paul Ntungwe of the Department of Political Sciences at the University of Yaounde II. He explained that the choice of the topic during this period is for the fact that many have left Cameroon and government has realised the need to include diaspora on the dialogue table. His findings showed that many Cameroonians in the diaspora contribute to the development of Cameroon, although the government looks down on them with much disdain. He further revealed he faced a lot of difficult contacting diasporas in the aforementioned areas, who most often, claimed to busy. Another regret was the fact that the country has no data on diasporas, which made work quite difficult, given government's perception of them due to the fact that they often attack the regime. Dr. Abang Calistus comes from Aghem-Wum, Menchum Division of the North West region. He was the only Anglophone admitted for PhD in political science of his batch and the first Anglophone to defend in same batch. Apart from degrees obtained from the University of Yaounde II, Dr. Abang has obtained 80 certificates in domains such as elections, gender, human rights conflicts, refugees, amongst others. Our own Bruce Siwy and Eric Kieta talk about their true-crime cases in Return To View: The Roundtable The details of the discussions between Prime Minister, Head of Government Dion Ngute Joseph and Human Rights Lawyer Nkongho Felix Agbor alias Agbor Balla are now emerging in bits. Trusted sources say the federalist inclined Agbor Balla was firm on his two-state federation position throughout the in-camera meeting. The President of the banned Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium (CACSC) met with the Prime Minister Friday at the Buea Mountain Hotel, moments before the PM left for Yaounde. It has now emerged that Agbor Balla told the PM that the form of the state must be negotiated in the presence of separatists, federalists and conservative leaders. "Dialogue must be holistic I talked to the PM about online violence and hate speech. I told him and he knows my position. The form of the state has to be discussed. We are no longer in 2016. The form of the state is the cause of this problem and we cannot move forward without discussing the form of the state," Agbor Balla said. Indeed, he had told Cameroon-info.net that he will not pamper the ego of the country's Head of Government when they meet. After the audience, Agbor Balla reacted as follows: "He [PM Dion Ngute] is a very respectful and listening person. He was very understanding and the discussions were very friendly. I appreciate the fact that he gave me the opportunity to talk to him. "Government has to come down from its high-horse and they're gradually doing so. There are certain things that we disagreed on, but I let him know that if we need to find a solution, we need to be frank. "We need to have a holistic dialogue. We need to invoke all the parties involved, be they separatists, federalists or they who believe in the unitary system." The Founder/President of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA) had earlier described as laudable the peace mission initiative of Prime Minister Dion Ngute to the restive North West and South West Regions but hopes it is "sincere and holistic". Agbor Balla, the former President of the Fako Lawyers Association (FAKLA) who was among those who held talks with government in 2016 and January 2017 to rescue Common Law practice in a constitutionally bi-jural Cameroon says it's time for those who have taken up arms to reconsider their positions in favour of lasting peace. Balla was arrested on January 17, 2017 along with Consortium scribe Dr. Fontem Neba moments after the CACSC they led was banned by Cameroons Territorial Administration Minister at the time, Rene Emmanuel Sadi. He was held in detention until September 1, 2017 when he was freed along with some detainees arrested in connection to what has become known as the Anglophone crisis. During his stay in jail, he was charged under the 2014 law on the suppression of acts of terrorism and appeared before the military tribunal facing the maximum sentence. Today, he has forgiven all who have wronged him and also calls on those he might have hurt through his actions and inaction to forgive him. CPDM militants take precautionary measures faced with threats from separatists Facebook Bloodshed, gunshots and destruction of property, characterised the celebration of national unity across the North West and South West regions of Cameroon. Many are still in shock after the soldiers reportedly killed a four months old baby in Muyuka, South West. The mother of the baby in a video shared over social media, cursed the perpetrators of the act. She accused the military of broking into her home and shooting her baby on the head. A gun exchange reported earlier this day, stopped many from attending celebrations at the grandstand. The attack on the four months old baby has been receiving worldwide condemnations over social media. Politicians are calling for urgent dialogue and restriction on military excesses in the Anglophone regions. As gunshots continue in most parts of these regions, at least one person has been killed in Old Town Bamenda. According to reports, the victim, said to be the proprietor of a popular bar in the area, was shot dead by Cameroonian soldiers. Still in the North West region, several separatists have been killed, after they attempted to intimidate the population from showing up at the grandstand in Kumbo, Bui Division. A gun exchange at Mbveh earlier today, led to the killing of many, while others sustained injuries and some escaped. A shop belonging to a phone dealer in Molyko, Buea South West was burnt down this day , as well as a Dangote Cement Truck in the North West which was lit by armed separatists a day before national day celebrations, who accused both victims of violating imposed ghost town days. Despite all these confrontations, some affected parts of the regions, struggled to organise March past activities, despite a boycott call made by separatists. The ghost town seemingly didnt stop militants of the ruling Cameroon People Democratic Movement, as their participation was effective in these areas. May 20 celebration in Yaounde Camera President Paul Biya actively took part in festivities marking national day celebrations in Cameroon, despite earlier rumours from detractors that he was weak, sick and responding to treatment abroad. The sirens that ushered the presidential couple at the May 20 Boulevard in Yaounde, dispelled rumours that he was terribly sick and isnt fit to run the country again. The 86-year-old President, stood up for almost an hour to salute soldiers during the military parade and was able to resist the March past that lasted for two hours thirty minutes. He was actively present at the National Gala organised at the Unity Palace, where he met and communed with collaborators and partners of Cameroon. Many had claimed the President was in Europe, attending to treatment. A recent document delegating powers to the Minister of State, Secretary General at the Presidency of the Republic, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, to issue and sign Presidential decrees, gained media attention a and criticism in Cameroon, as many assumed the Head of State was probably too sick to talk, hence he is preparing a heir. Others assumed his absence in many international sittings, is caused by his poor health. Supporters of the President have been on social media rubbishing these accusations to the face of detractors, stating he has another seven years in office. However, critics paid keen attention to the gala, where they noticed at one point, First Lady Chantal Biya raised President Paul Biyas hands to wave to compatriots. The scene to some, gives the impression that the Head Of State has lost his memory and Mrs. Chantal Biya was assisting him to respond to salutations. Paul Biya has been President of Cameroon since 6th November 1982. He has recently come under critique, for responding slowly to the ongoing Anglophone Crisis, the CRM party crisis, amongst others. Yesterday was a big day for new Defence Minister Penny Mordaunt. She was making her first appearance at the despatch box since moving to the Ministry of Defence after Gavin Williamson (Con, South Staffordshire) was given his marching orders. Here was an opportunity for the new woman in town to display her ministerial timbre. Did she sparkle? Did she rouse the House with stirring, eve-of-the-battle oratory? Well, not quite. Visually, Ms Mordaunt has an imposing presence. Perhaps its her headgirlish manner or that flicky thing she does with her hair, but theres a natural authority to her. There was no reason to doubt Ms Mordaunts competence in listening to her replies. Nor was there that mild sense of alarm which came when watching the peculiar Williamson in the same brief On the surface, everything about her screams leadership material. Everything, that is, except her performances on the big stage. Theyre always so terribly earnest. Yet there was certainly no shortage of goodwill for the new minister. As Ms Mordaunt stepped up to the oche, there were hearty hear, hears from the government benches. Warm words followed from one of her predecessors, Sir Michael Fallon (Con, Sevenoaks), who congratulated her on her well-deserved promotion. There was top greasing, too, from Anne-Marie Trevelyan (Con, Berwick Upon Tweed), who said what a pleasure it was to see an amazing woman on the frontbench. What she was missing was a douse of Esther McVeys perky charms. Earlier in the day, the stylish Merseysider (pictured above) launched Blue Collar Conservatives a campaign group aimed at working people Even her opposite number Nia Griffiths (Lab, Llanelli) offered some graceful remarks. The first queries concerned relations with Saudi Arabia. Stewart McDonald (SNP, Glasgow South) suggested it was time to start unpicking our relationship with the Saudis due to their unsavoury attitudes towards women. Tricky one for Ms Mordaunt, this. For as well as her defence brief, she is also equalities minister. And so her response was that the UK needs to lean in on our relationship with countries which mistreat women rather than retreat. She then disappeared for much of the session as questions were taken by her new underlings: Tobias Ellwood, Mark Lancaster and Stuart Andrew. Fortunately there was not much chance of any of these dry biscuits outshining the new boss. Luxuriantly-haired Ellwood took the opportunity to point out that, since Ms Mordaunts arrival at the MoD, Andrew was now the only defence minister who isnt a military reservist. Poor Andrew turned a darker shade of beetroot. When Ms Mordaunt returned, she was asked by Julian Lewis (Con, New Forest East) about Commodore Nick Cooke-Priest, who has ludicrously been sacked as captain of the HMS Queen Elizabeth for driving the ships official car at weekends. Lewis made the reasonable point that Cooke-Priests sacking was not only a waste of talent but a waste of investment. Ms Mordaunt weakly said it was a matter for the Royal Navy and Lewis gave a resigned shake of the head in return. On the surface, everything about her screams leadership material. Everything, that is, except her performances on the big stage. Theyre always so terribly earnest. Yet there was certainly no shortage of goodwill for the new minister There was no reason to doubt Ms Mordaunts competence in listening to her replies. Nor was there that mild sense of alarm which came when watching the peculiar Williamson in the same brief. But there was no dazzle, no humour. It was just dull. What she was missing was a douse of Esther McVeys perky charms. Earlier in the day, the stylish Merseysider launched Blue Collar Conservatives a campaign group aimed at working people. The event was well attended. Iain Duncan Smith (Con, Chingford and Woodford Green), Robert Halfon (Con, Harlow) and housing minister Kit Malthouse popped their heads round the door, though that might have been to do with the excellent sandwiches Esthers lackeys had knocked up. Esther is what diplomatic types might describe as forthright. She is not afraid of straight talk. The Tories, she said in that beguiling Cilla Black lilt, were in the doldrums after failing to deliver Brexit. A radical agenda was required to win disillusioned voters back, starting with ripping up our bloated foreign aid budget which could be better spent on police and education. As for the next leader, Esther insisted it must be someone who believed in Brexit, meaning someone who voted Leave in 2016. Handily, that leaves Esther in the running. Prince Ekosso Ngwese Michael WhatsApp Prince Michael Ngwese Ekosso, National President of the United Socialist Democratic Party (USDP) has called on chiefs in Buea to be cautious after boycotting National Day celebrations on May 20 because reprisals may follow. He says they are working to expose all those who have been grabbing land in Fako Division indiscriminately. From next week, our team of investigators on the illegal and abusive grabbing of lands in Fako shall start a series of presentations and exposures of some civil administrators and municipal authorities, Ekosso said in a statement on behalf of his party. He said these serial land grabbers have been violating existing presidential decrees and even those in their graves will be exposed. His words: It is scandalous that civil administrators sent to serve in Fako Division can blatantly defile Presidential Decree No. 003/CAB/PR of 8/2/1982, instructions signed by the President of the Republic in matters of acquiring lands in the areas where they are posted to work. We shall start with the governor, then later preceding and current Senior Divisional Officers from the time of late Zang III, and finally the Divisional Officers of the seven subdivisions of Fako. Ekosso says now is the time for the people of Fako. Fako people, this is your time to retrieve your ancestral heritage from these unscrupulous administrators and their surveyors. We are coming out soon! Word to chiefs The USDP National Chairman praised chiefs in Buea for not taking part in the National Day parade. The chiefs had following a misunderstanding of a rallying call made by Governor Okalia Bilai Bernard for them to take part in this years National Day pledged to boycott the national feast. Only HRH Esuka Endeley, Paramount Chief-elect of Buea is said to have attended the patriotic ceremony along with members of his traditional council. A call for prudence to the South West Chiefs and particularly the Fako chiefs, Ekosso captions his message. He writes: Mr. Okalia Bernard Bilai should be very worried and angry now for the fact that the Chiefs have resisted him successfully! He will definitely pull a joker, but there I am suggesting that the chiefs should take a smart step. The South West chiefs and particularly those in Fako become more and more courageous and do the following: They must write at once to the Prime Minister to lobby for the immediate transfer or dismissal of Mr. Bernard Okalia Bilai as the Governor of South West region alongside the D.O of Buea. Any attack on any chiefs irrespective of who they are will be an attack on the people which will advance the radicalization of the people. The new Governor must be somebody from the South West Region who masters the culture of the people. USDP party is behind the Chiefs with all strength. A young woman has spoken out about her terrifying ordeal after she was 'cyberstalked' by a stranger who she rejected when he asked her out on a date. Penelope* received a random message on Instagram from Jonny* in July 2017 after a picture of her celebrating her graduation was uploaded on a friend's page. After chatting for a week, Penelope - who was 23 years old at the time - said Jonny 'insisted' they go out on a blind date, to which she politely declined because she didn't feel safe meeting up with a complete stranger. And that was the last time she would hear from him, or so she thought. Instead, it was the start of a horrific eight-month nightmare that left her fearing for her life after she unknowingly gave him access to her social media accounts. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, the American woman, now aged 25, said the cyberstalker went to extreme lengths to sabotage her life, including her career opportunities by posing as her online. 'All the potential employers received multiple messages where I confessed to being a drug dealer and prostitute in my past, saying how I didn't deserve a job and how they are interviewing me out of pity,' she said. A young woman has spoken out about her terrifying ordeal after she was 'cyberstalked' by a stranger who she rejected when he asked out her on a date (stock image) Penelope said she was only aware of the horrible remarks after she received a response from a recruiter on LinkedIn. 'A recruiter who was supposed to interview me wrote: "Sorry to say, but I'd like to cancel our meeting due to the change in company's priorities". 'What I saw after I opened a full chat not only left me speechless but was the very beginning of the most dreadful year in my life.' We've been talking for a week when he insisted for us to meet. I didn't feel safe going on a blind date so I politely rejected his proposal at least for that day The cruel messages all started after she received a random message from Jonny. 'I was on a Sunday brunch when one of my friends took a photo of me and uploaded it on her Instagram stories,' she said. 'Coming back home, I received a message from a stranger named Jonny. I immediately asked my friend if she knew him. She replied vaguely, saying they might have met at a mutual friend's party, but haven't had any contact ever since. 'As Jonny was a friend of a friend and I heard so many stories about people meeting online, I didn't expect to stumble upon a stalker. For the first few days, he was writing very mannerly, showing no signs of upcoming craziness. 'We've been talking for a week when he insisted for us to meet. I didn't feel safe going on a blind date so I politely rejected his proposal at least for that day. My refusal was followed by tons of messages, false allegations and calling me names. I felt like I was in constant danger and feared that any minute he could knock on my door. It was no longer about the online world, I felt a threat in every single step I made 'I instantly blocked him and had no idea that it was just the tip of an iceberg.' It was only after she'd blocked him, she realised she unknowingly gave him access to all her social networks and email after he sent her a link during their brief chat. 'This was followed not only by messages to my potential employers but emails to my family members and friends,' she said. 'Every single day I received a multitude of terror messages threatening to reveal sensitive information from the past, as well as other kinds of pressure. 'Blocking and reporting his account didn't help as he simply used a different fake account every time I blocked him. 'The worst thing was I felt like I was in constant danger and feared that any minute he could knock on my door. It was no longer about the online world, I felt a threat in every single step I made.' Desperate to get the cyberstalker out of her life for good, she decided to go 'offline' for a year Desperate to get him out of her life for good, she even went to the police, only to be told she was 'not physically threatened, therefore their hands are tied'. 'Feeling hopeless I deleted all my digital footprints and did everything to leave no traces. I had to change my email address too. This included not using social media and online messaging services for quite some time. 'I decided to go "offline" because of a constant feeling that I was being followed. However, I was still using the internet, just differently.' Penelope installed Surfshark VPN - a privacy protection software that helped make her browsing anonymous and untraceable. 'The terror stopped but I felt afraid and thought that he might find me somehow. The feeling lasted for a few months but then everything started to get better,' she said. 'After around half of the year, I began to feel confident that the stalking was over and decided to check my messages. 'There were notifications of messages from him in various places, but I didn't open any of them. I didn't want to know when the last message was sent and what was in there and I simply deleted them. I haven't received a message from him ever since. But it was only a few months ago when for the first time I caught myself not thinking about him for a day. It was a completely new feeling that meant one thing - a relief 'I haven't received a message from him ever since. But it was only a few months ago when for the first time I caught myself not thinking about him for a day. It was a completely new feeling that meant one thing - a relief.' Penelope said she was so traumatised by the ordeal, she couldn't 'force' herself to go to a job interview for a year. 'During the time I received four calls from recruiters, but every time we agreed on a specific date, I'd start having panic attacks and cancelled the interview,' she said. Penelope said she only found the courage to start using social media again earlier this year under a fake name, but her profile no longer includes pictures. 'Frankly, I can't imagine sharing pictures of my daily life on social media ever again,' she said. Despite her constant fear, Penelope said she finally landed a job this year when she gained her confidence back after seeing a therapist and practising Muay Thay. 'For me, it was the beginning of the new chapter,' she said. By sharing her story, Penelope said she wanted to warn people about the potential dangers of oversharing photographs on social media. 'Before the incident, I was sharing loads of private information publicly and was not thinking about security at all. I thought "I have nothing to hide" or "why would any of my information be of interest to anyone". But I was so wrong,' she said. 'People should be aware they might become targets of any type of wrongdoing. They should care about their online protection and know how to secure their digital lives.' * Names have been changed. She added that sleeping on silk pillowcases and drying hair with micro-fiber towels rather than regular cotton towels can keep hair healthier The stylist shared her top tips for keeping hair healthy, as she said she recommends using non-damaging hot tools, and using moisturizing products Justine said a good haircut should last several months and grow out seamlessly The hair expert told FEMAIL she learned the hair hack when she moved to Los Angeles and began working at a busy, high-end salon A-list celebrity hairstylist, Justine Marjan, revealed that she only gets her hair cut twice a year in a video she shared to Instagram on Thursday, May 16 An A-list celebrity hairstylist has revealed that you only need to get your hair cut twice a year. Justine Marjan, a go-to stylist for the likes of Khloe Kardashian and Ashley Graham, shared a video to Instagram on Thursday, May 16, that showed her getting one of her two annual haircuts. Alongside the video, the stylist said: 'I used to think you "needed" to get a haircut every 6 weeks to help it grow and prevent split ends but I soon realized after moving to LA what a myth that is!' Expert tip! A-list celebrity hairstylist, Justine Marjan, revealed that she only gets her hair cut twice a year in a video she shared to Instagram on Thursday, May 16 Bizarre! The hair expert told FEMAIL she learned the hair hack when she moved to Los Angeles and began working at a busy, high-end salon She added: 'Unless you have a short cut or style that will grow out quickly (like bangs) a great cut should last you several months and grow out seamlessly, especially if you are using great products to maintain the integrity of your hair.' Speaking to FEMAIL, the hair expert, who has worked with a number of A-listers including Olivia Culpo, Kerry Washington, and Lily Aldridge, said she learned the hair hack when she first moved to Los Angeles and began working in a busy, high-end salon. She explained: 'The woman I was assisting at the time would travel to the middle east twice a year and all the girls there would wait to get their hair cut each time and they had the most incredible hair. 'I was also busy in my career so I didn't have the time to get my hair cut so frequently but I've always used GHD's great non damaging hot tools and amazing products on my hair that I didn't need to worry about split ends or breakage because I was taking steps to prevent them,' she added. Justine, who is the mastermind behind Ashley Graham's intricate hairstyle at the Met Gala earlier this month and is known as the model's go-to hair pro, explained that she stopped bleaching her hair around the same time. Instead, she opted for semi-permanent colors, which improved the condition of her hair. Hair hack: Justine says that, as long as you are using products that look after your hair, you don't need to get regular chops in order to keep it healthy and long Popular: The haircare pro travels around the world to work on some of the industry's biggest names, from Ashley Graham to Kim Kardashian to Olivia Culpo She said, despite promoting the two-year rule for haircuts, there technically is no real 'set rule' for how often to get your hair cut. 'If you are using more chemicals and color on your hair the frequency will definitely be different,' she explained. The hairstylist said the reason so many people believe they need to get hair cuts more regularly could be because their stylist might convince them, in order for them to have 'job security'. Common hair myths debunked by Justine 'Hotter isn't always better when it comes to hot tools' 'It's okay to wash your hair every day (if your hair needs it!)' 'You don't need to use permanent color to cover grey hair' 'Plucking one grey won't result in two more growing back' Advertisement She added that people tend to enjoy the overall experience of getting their hair done at a salon, meaning they most likely enjoy going on a regular basis. 'People enjoy going to the salon, and the whole experience can be relaxing and renewing,' she said. 'Short haircuts, bangs, damaged, and bleach or color treated hair will definitely need to get trims more frequently, as well as ethnic hair which is very fine and can split easily,' she added. Revealing her top tips for keeping hair looking and feeling healthy and fresh, Justine - who also boasts her own hair accessory collaboration with Kitsch - recommends using hot tools that are 'non-damaging'. The stylist said she only uses GHD styling tools, as she said: 'They are specifically designed to only heat the hair at 365F, which is the ideal heat temperature for styling without blowing out the cuticle layer of the hair. 'Think of melting glass. There is only a certain temperature where it can melt and be reshaped without it breaking. The same rule applies to hair. 'It's such a myth that the hotter the iron, the better the hair will style the hair,' she added. On location: Justine, who is an ambassador for both TRESemme and GHD, also works at Fashion Week shows, as well as on photo shoots across the globe, including with Ashley Silky smooth: The LA-based beauty pro admits that she has a fairly low-maintenance routine when it comes to her own hair, which she keeps long In order to keep hair healthy, she also recommends using a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Among her favorites, she said, are TRESemme Repair and Protect 7, Christophe Robin, Gisou, R+Co, and OUAI. The stylist also likes using a pre-shampoo oil. Justine added that she also makes sure to use The Hollywood Silk Solutions silk pillowcases - which are designed to reduce damage to hair and facial skin typically caused by regular pillow cases - and she only dries her hair with a microfiber towel or turban. Celebrity favorite: Ashley Graham modeled a striking style by Justine at the Met Gala, showing off a long embellished braid that featured multiple clips and bobby pins in it, including some from Justin's own My Kitsch collaboration When it comes to choosing ingredients that will benefit your hair, Justine says it all comes down to what hair type you have. She explained: 'If your hair is dry, look for moisturizing ingredients like jojoba, shea butter and coconut oil. If your hair is oily look for a micellular or pH balancing ingredients like apple cider vinegar. 'If you get an irritated scalp, a scrub shampoo might be best. 'You really have to experiment and find what is right for you and find a stylist that you trust to make the best recommendation,' she added. And for anyone wanting to grow their locks without losing thickness and health, she recommends taking a supplement that will encourage hair growth. She explained: 'Take a supplement to help hair growth, like Olly Undeniable Beauty gummy vitamins. I love these because they taste amazing so I never forget to take them. 'They are infused with biotin, vitamin E, and minerals that aid healthy hair growth. In addition, I would suggest switching to a silk pillowcase, only using non damaging hot tools, and working to prevent stress in your life. 'Hair loss or weak strands can often be a result of unhealthy lifestyle like stress, lack of sleek, and trauma. 'I would suggest massaging the scalp regularly to stimulate follicles, and working to live a healthy lifestyle for the best results,' she added. Louise Thompson looked every bit the excited bride-to-be as she browsed wedding gowns ahead of her upcoming nuptials to personal trainer Ryan Libbey yesterday in Bicester Village. The glamorous Made in Chelsea star, 29, beamed as consultants at the Brides Do Good pop-up showed her their wide selection of designer dresses. Louise, who recently revealed that she is set to get married in December, casually styled a belted jumpsuit with a fur collared coat for an effortlessly chic look. She wore her hair straight down over her shoulders with a centre parting and completed the look with subtle eye-liner and a number of strategically placed rings. Louise Thompson (pictured), 29, went shopping at the Brides Do Good pop-up at Bicester Village yesterday The reality TV star beamed as she browsed through the pop-up boutique's selection of designer gowns which see a portion of profits go to charitable programmes Louise, who is set to marry Ryan Libbey (pictured together at Kensington Palace) in December, has revealed plans to have a traditional wedding in the UK The Bride Do Good boutique pop-up which Louise attended is set to run at luxury shopping destination Bicester Village until May 28. The brand has built up a reputation for being a unique social enterprise that tackles the global issue of child marriage. Brides-to-be are given the opportunity to purchase pre-loved, sample and new designer wedding gowns that have up to two thirds of their profits going towards charity programmes. The funds ensure vulnerable children are given safe access to quality education and that they are provided with the tools and training needed to safeguard an independent future for them, free from child marriage. Louise (pictured) teamed a belted jumpsuit with a fur collar coat for an effortlessly chic appearance during her visit to Bicester The reality star (pictured left) appeared in good spirits as she spoke at length to the boutique's consultants who helped her view the collection Brides do Good offer gowns that give up to two thirds of their profits to programmes that focus on preventing children from marriage Louise (pictured) who counts Made In Chelsea's Spencer Matthews and Alik Alfus among exes, recently revealed that she will not return to the hit series Ryan and Louise (pictured in Leicester Square) began dating in 2016, after meeting when the TV star hired Ryan as a personal trainer Louise's visit to the pop-up coincided perfectly with the beginning of wedding season in the UK. The reality star, whose turbulent love life was documented on the popular E4 show, announced her engagement to personal trainer Ryan Libbey last summer. In the 15th season of the hit series, Louise's ex Alik Alfus suggested that their relationship may have overlapped with the time that she began dating Ryan. Louise (pictured) starred in Made In Chelsea for eight years. Her ex Alik spoke about a possible overlap in their relationship in the 15th season of the show Louise revealed her plans to quit Made In Chelsea earlier this year, after eight years of being on the show. Speaking about her relationship with Ryan to OK! magazine, Louise revealed that their relationship is thriving. She said: 'Ryan and I have known that we want to spend the rest of our lives together for quite a long time. I love him more and more every day, which sounds so cliched, but it's the truth.' Louise (pictured) revealed to OK! magazine that her relationship with Ryan has been thriving and that they had known for a while that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together An award-winning chef has been praised on social media for hiring a homeless man after meeting him outside his restaurant. Gary Usher, who trained at Michelin-starred Chez Bruce in London, offered the man a job as a kitchen porter at his Manchester bistro, Kala, on Sunday. Taking to Twitter to share his heartwarming tale, the 37-year-old had received more than 32,000 likes by Monday morning and was dubbed a 'life changer'. He said he was 'made up' following the meeting and that the man - known only as Derick - was set to start work on Wednesday. Good work! Gary Usher (pictured), who trained at Michelin-starred Chez Bruce, offered a homeless man a job as a kitchen porter at his Manchester bistro, Kala, on Sunday Mr Usher explained on Twitter: 'Leaving Kala last night about midnight in my chef jacket and got talking to a homeless guy. 'He asked me for cash and I didn't have any and there wasn't a cash point anywhere. As I walked off he shouted, "Mate got any jobs?". 'I walked backed to him and said "f****** right I do". He said he'd do anything. I replied, "mate, you don't need to do anything, I have a kitchen porter position available and you could do some food prep too".' The chef said the pair of them were 'made up' following the exchange and met the day after to discuss the start date. 'I'm buzzing,' he wrote. 'I've been offering jobs to people on the streets for ten years. Derick is the first person in that time to turn up.' Social media users were quick to praise the chef and offered their congratulations to an equally 'buzzing' Derick. The moment: Taking to Twitter to share his heartwarming tale, the 37-year-old received more than 32,000 likes by Monday morning 'You seem a genuinely helpful person who's aware of the importance of giving people a chance, you might well have changed his life forever! Great stuff,' one said. Another wrote: 'Nice touch Gary. Someone done the exact same to me 18 years ago. I am now very happily married and 17 years clean plus sober. Peace and Love (sic).' 'Great to know that there are still people like you who can make good things happen. I blubbed about six sentences in,' one admitted. One enthusiastic follower said: 'You might have just changed someone's life! That's a pretty cool thing. Respect!' Mr Usher revealed that he had spoken to Derick's daughter Chantelle, from Scotland, who encouraged her father to accept the restaurant role. She tweeted that the chef was 'a legend', to which he responded: 'It's your dad that's the legend. What an absolute f****** star! Can't wait to work with him X.' Reaction: Social media users were quick to praise the chef and offered their congratulations to an equally 'buzzing' Derick 'Seriously I don't think Ill have a better day in 2019,' he added. The Elite Bistros group founder continued his Twitter thread by asking his followers for advice on how to get Derick on his payroll, since he has no home address. 'Can someone help me? What do I do about him having no address? How does it work with him having no details? Whatever it is I'll sort it. I just need to know,' he wrote. Homeless shelters, charities and local support centre representatives replied within minutes to offer their support. The Elite Bistros group founder continued his Twitter thread by asking his followers for advice on how to get Derick on his payroll, since he has no home address Mr Usher thanked people for the 'lovely, lovely words', yet insisted the congratulations should be given to his new employee. 'Lovely, lovely words being sent my way and that's great, thank you, but it wasn't me that asked for the job,' he wrote. 'Can't even imagine how hard it must have been to turn up at the restaurant today. It's genuinely been a lovely, lovely day seeing Derick and speaking to [his daughter].' A US Army officer who has been oversees for nearly half of his teenage daughter's life surprised her this weekend at her high school graduation. Staff Sgt. Anthony Tillman has been deployed in Korea serving his country, a duty that has kept him away from his family for almost ten years. But this weekend, his daughter Kayla Tillman graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and he turned up surprise her on stage in front of an auditorium full of people. Happy moment: US Army Staff Sgt. Anthony Tillman surprised his daughter Kayla Tillman at her high school graduation Long time: He's been away from his family for nearly ten years while serving in the army Love: Kayla said she was 'surprised' and 'happy' that her dad turned up at the event Video taken from the event shows Kayla, a bit confused, being summoned up onto the stage by herself during her graduation ceremony under the pretense that she was being honored as a student of distinction, according to the Miami Herald. A female speaker asks her to stand nearby as she speaks into the microphone: 'Kayla, we thank you and your family for the sacrifices you have made to defend our freedom.' Then, choking up herself, she adds: 'All the way from Korea, please welcome U.S. Staff Sgt. Anthony Tillman!' Kayla told 7 News Miami that she was 'surprised' by the shock visit and she looked it. When her dad walked up on stage, she came in a long hug, tearing up and wiping her eyes when they finally pulled away. The father-daughter pair got a standing ovation, with the school's Assistant Principal Margie Scott admitting that the reunion was an emotional surprise for many of the school officials too. She added that Kayla's father arrived at the school on Sunday, asking to surprise the teen, and he and a handful of school staff quickly set a plan into motion. She didn't know: The teen was brought on stage at her graduation from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for the big surprise Reveal: A female speaker thanked her and her family and then announced that her dad was there Touching: The two shared a hug while the crowd gave them a standing ovation Sacrifice: Sgt. Tillman said he missed most of his daughter's life while deployed in Korea Sgt. Tillman said it's been hard to be so far from his daughters, Kayla and younger sister Lena, with the family keeping in touch over FaceTime for much of his deployment. 'I was deployed in Korea. I missed most of my daughters life, high school life, probably since fourth grade,' he said. 'I'm a tank commander. I have a combat MOS, and I always think about them, when I'm out there doing my job, to make sure that I make it back safe to them. That was really my motivation, thinking about my daughters. I gotta go home to them.' With Kayla's graduation coming up, he told her that unfortunately he'd be unable to make it, which was upsetting for the teen but little did she know that he had the surprise planned. Sgt. Tillman flew for 24 hours and then drove for another six to make it to Fort Lauderdale for the ceremony. Kayla, seen smiling with her dad, said she was 'happy' he was home. Celebrity makeup artist and beauty brand founder Pat McGrath has revealed that she once used cocoa powder as a foundation on her skin because she was unable to find products made for black skin tones. Speaking to BBC Radio 4 on Sunday, May 19, the makeup mogul opened up about why she chose to found her business, while revealing that her interest in beauty first came from her mother, who had a passion for all things fashion and beauty. The 49-year-old Brit, who is originally from Northampton, added that she learned from her mother to adopt the attitude of 'if you can't find it, you can't buy it, make it'. Journey: Pat McGrath (pictured), 49, has revealed that she once used cocoa powder to act as a powder foundation on her skin as a result of a lack of products for black skin tones Wow! Pat, who has worked with Naomi Campbell for years, was inspired to use the powder after seeing her mom wearing it in place of powder foundation A-list: The beauty guru has worked with a huge number of celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, who featured in a beauty campaign for her before launching her own brand The beauty mogul noted that she would regularly borrow her mothers products, in particular her lipsticks and skincare products, when she was growing up. She explained that one day when she was younger, her mother wore cocoa powder on her face as a form of powder foundation as a solution to the lack of products available for black skin at the time. Pat said: 'She even used cocoa powder, she came in from the kitchen with cocoa powder all over her face, and she was like, "This is the right tone of powder." 'And she had dusted it on her face and she looked amazing. 'So that's what I ended up doing as well, was making products that I needed backstage. 'That stems from my mother, if you can't find it, you can't buy it, make it,' she added. Creative: Pictured with Rita Ora (center) and Kaia Gerber (R), the Northampton native said her creativity stems from her mother, who had a passion for beauty and fashion The inventive attitude she learned from her mom saw her making products of her own from a young age. The first product she recalls making is a 'moisturizer' which she used for her own skin as well as for her dolls. 'I mixed oil and water together, whipped it and put it in the fridge and it looked like a cream,' she explained. 'I celebrated for months with my own cream that I had made and I packed that all over my face. I was shining like a Belisha beacon for months,' she added. When asked if she had experienced racism while growing up, Pat said: 'You grow up in a community from when you were a child, and then also going to church you have a really solid base around you. 'I was very lucky having the mother I had who was like "oh, look at that person, they're racist. Poor things. Anyway, let's go shopping."' 'And I think that really helped,' she added. Despite growing up during a time where there was, as BBC presenter Lauren Laverne described it, a 'skinny and white bias of the fashion industry', Pat said she is happy to have seen growth in terms of diversity in the world of fashion. She said: 'We have models from all different social backgrounds, different weight, body types, different religious backgrounds, shows that are over 50 per cent women of color and it just wasn't there for such a long time. 'And now, it's just so fantastic to see. Beautiful,' she added. Pat has come a long way since the days of making products for her toy dolls, as she has since been named one of the most powerful makeup artist of all time. Favorite: Seen with Rihanna (L) in 2010 and Queen Latifah (R) in 2011, Pat has painted the faces of countless A-list celebrities over the years Growth: Pat, pictured at Calvin Klein's Spring 2008 fashion show in New York, said the first product she ever made was a 'moisturizer' that she used for herself and her dolls In a 2007 Vogue article the 49-year-old was named 'the most influential makeup artist in the world'. Similarly, she was included in this year's Time's 100 most influential people list. Pat has gone on to work with countless A-list celebrities, including Cate Blanchett, Oprah Winfrey, Madonna and Sarah Jessica Parker. Her makeup skills have also seen her working for dozens of designers including Versace, Gucci and Dolce and Gabbana. She also launched her own cosmetics brand - Pat McGrath Labs - which has proven extremely popular since it was unveiled in 2016. The business is now valued at over $1 billion, having overtaken Kylie Jenner's eponymous business back in July 2018 after it secured investment from New York-based Eurazeo Brands. At the time, Kylie's company was estimated to be worth around $800 million - although that number has since grown, as has the value of Pat's label. The investment brought the total external funding for Pat's namesake brand to $88 million in just two years since its debut in 2016. In that time, the makeup mogul saw almost every one of her products sell out within days - and even minutes - of their release online. 'It has always been my dream to create an iconic beauty brand that goes beyond the usual limitations, that lives outside the parameters of what is expected,' Pat said of the new investment. 'I am thrilled to be working with the unique and expert team at Eurazeo Brands.' The line first debuted with a $40 gold pigment called Gold 001 which came in a bag full of sequins, and sold out all 1,000 units in six minutes, according to the publication. She's the Australian mum-of-two and savings superstar who rose to fame after slashing her family's grocery bill to just $50 a week. And now Jody Allen, the blogger behind Stay At Home Mum, has revealed her best shopping hacks that are guaranteed to save you thousands on your grocery bill. Jody said she keeps costs down by always 'turning over every item to see how you can possibly get a cheaper product'. The savvy shopper offered her top tips for buying weekly essentials from bread and cheese to meat, fruit, vegetables and shared how you can cut your bills in half. Jody Allen (pictured) is a mum-of-two who once claimed to famously slash her family's weekly grocery bill to just $50 Biscuits If you enjoy a sweet treat with a cup of tea or like to include biscuits with a packed lunch, there's no need to splash extra cash on these. Jody suggests buying generic supermarket brand biscuits, especially those from Aldi, as they are often as good as name products. She also recommends home bakers prepare a biscuit mixture in bulk and keep portions frozen to make baking a batch a breeze. When shopping at the supermarket, Jody recommends carefully selecting your items and checking if generic or homebranded products can be bought instead Bread If you own a bread maker, then you're going to save some serious cash by making your own, the mum-of-two said. 'The pre-made bread mixes work out to be about $1.30 per loaf are fresh and delicious and you can make them only when needed!' she said on her blog. Jody advises buying bread mixes in bulk - this can either be from the supermarket or directly from a local bakery supplier. 'This is particularly good if you need to eat Gluten Free Bread, as it is notoriously expensive to buy at the shop,' she said. If bread-making isn't something you do, Jody said shop for generic brands of bread - especially wholegrain, wholemeal and seed types. Freeze what you don't use. Today Jody (pictured) is a blogger who thousands turn to on a daily basis for her tips on how to make the family budget stretch a little further Butter While butter is a staple in cooking and on sandwiches, there are ways to save on the spread, without anyone noticing the difference. Jody's top suggestion is to keep butter to a minimum on kids' sandwiches or ditching altogether. She also recommends substituting margarine in recipes that call for butter. If you prefer to use butter, she said to use a product that's inexpensive. Another trick for stretching butter further is to whip it in the food processor for a few minutes as it doubles in size. Jody said when shopping for cereal to consider generic brands, especially items such as rice bubbles Cereal Again, the savvy mum urges shoppers to purchase generic brands of cereal, especially Rice Bubbles. She suggests fans of bulk shopping head to their local Costco, as this item can be picked up cheaply from the store. Her top tip is to only give children a small amount of cereal in their bowls each morning to prevent waste; if they are hungry they will ask for more. The mum-of-two keeps costs down by employing a range of tricks including making DIY champagne Champagne and wine If you're on a budget, champagne is probably off the list. However, a DIY version can be made, according to Jody, by running white wine through a soda stream. When shopping for wine, of any type, the budgeting expert advises purchasing 'cleanskins'. This is branded wine that doesn't have a label. These sorts of wines can be bought at the Cellar Door, at your local Bottle-O or online. Cheese This handy food item is a must on most families' shopping list as it can be used in a variety of meals, on sandwiches for lunch or served as a snack. Jody suggests buying a generic cheese and says a one-kilogram block can be purchased from Aldi for as little as $6. 'Grate some into ziplock bags and freeze them for long life,' she said. What are some other foods you can save on at the supermarket? Coffee: Ditch your morning barista made coffee and buy beans directly from the cafe and make at home yourself Deodorant: Switch from expensive spray deodorants to roll-ons. They are usually half the price and last for twice as long Fabric softener: 1/2 cup of white vinegar per wash works just as well and will only cost a few cents (if you love the smell, add a few drops of essential oil to you wash). Laundry detergent: One tablespoon of laundry detergent is all that is needed to effectively clean your clothing. Shop in bulk at hardware stores. Milk: Always keep a bag of powdered milk in your pantry. It is reasonably priced and it keeps for a long time. Onions: Pre-cut onions in the freezer section of your supermarket work out to be cheaper than buying fresh onions Potatoes: Buy brush (dirty) potatoes. Not only are the cheaper, but they last longer when stored. Sour cream: Substitute Greek yoghurt instead. Not only is this cheaper, but it's better for your waistline. Shaving cream: Other great substitutes for shaving cream include conditioner, soap (but a bit drying), shampoo, baby oil, hand or body lotion, coconut oil, dishwashing liquid and peanut butter. Tea: Buy leaf tea and have it in a teapot every morning. Tastes much better than tea-bags, and so cost effective! Toothpaste: Look at the bottom shelf of the supermarket. The toothpaste there is much cheaper, and works just as well. Window cleaner: White vinegar and crushed up newspaper will get any glass or mirrors shining like brand new! Source: Stay At Home Mum Advertisement Dishwashing liquid and dishwashing tablets Although Jody is a fan of buying generic products, she suggests shoppers splash a little extra on dishwashing liquid as better brands go further. Extra savings can be had by shopping for branded dishwashing liquid at $2 shops or this can be found on sale through some large chemist chains. Those wanting to save on dishwasher tablets can make their own. Jody said to take a drop of dishwashing liquid and mix this with a tablespoon of bicarbonate soda. She suggests using white vinegar as a rinse aid. 'If you are able to get your hands on some Soapnuts, put a few in the cutlery section for every wash. Works out at about 5c per wash!,' she said. Although Jody believes in shopping for cheaper items where possible, she also says some items, such as dishwashing liquid, are worth spending a little extra on Fruit Jody said when it comes to shopping for fruit, it's better to shop at a local market than the supermarket as the quality tends to be better. To make extra savings, she advises shopping at the end of the day and to offer a price for an entire box. If you can't get to a market, your supermarket may offer cheaper 'deformed' fruit. These will be fruits that don't look as good as others, but there's no compromise on quality. Jody said one trick is to shop for meat at the supermarket at the end of the day when prices tend to be marked down When buying meat in bulk, Jody suggests stocking up on mince, sausages and chicken legs as not only are these the cheapest cuts, kids are usually a big fan Meat The meat portion of a grocery bill can be costly, which is why it pays to look for opportunities to save. Jody said one trick is to shop for meat at the supermarket at the end of the day when prices tend to be marked down. Other ideas for saving on meat includes heading to the local butcher to buy bulk packs and storing extra in your freezer. 'Buy loads of mince, sausages and chicken legs. They are the cheapest cuts and forms of meat and kids usually are a big fan of them,' Jody said. The mum-of-two also recommends Costo and said not only do they offer well-priced meat but she also rates the quality. Keeping costs down extends to shopping smarter for everything on the list including pet food and toiletries Pet food Keeping the family pet healthy with nutritionally sound food needn't be an excessive cost. Jody recommends signing up for newsletters from your local pet suppliers as they can offer great deals on specialist pet food from time to time and will deliver. Another alternative is to visit a rural supplier to stock up, as they will often have pet food on sale for up to two thirds cheaper than a supermarket. Those wanting to keep costs down can also make their own pet food. This can be done by boiling up rice with generic frozen vegetables and some diced chicken. Homemade pet food will last in the fridge for up to five days or if you've cooked in bulk, there's the option to freeze. If you have a few cans of generic brand peeled tomatoes in your pantry, you'll always have the basics for a great meal Razors Jody recommends spending a little extra on good quality razors and after you've used these to keep in a little olive oil to stop from going rusty or blunt. Blunt razors can also be sharpened on a pair of denim jeans, according to the budgeting blogger. 'Just gently rub your razor up and down on the denim in the reverse direction that you shave, and your razors will be sharp again!' Savings can be made by purchasing razors in bulk from Ozsale, Costco or Chemist Warehouse. Tomatoes During winter tomatoes can be expensive so if you do purchase a punnet, make sure you keep these on your window sill to remind you to use them up. Jody also suggests keeping a few cans of tinned tomatoes in the pantry - and save by buying generic brands in bulk. The blogger has also written a book The $50 Weekly Shop about how keeps her shopping costs down Vegetables Frozen vegetables are a great way of keeping costs down and also cut down on waste. If you do wish to shop for fresh, do so at a local market as the quality is better. Anything you don't think you will use, blanch and store in the freezer for use later. Yoghurt If your kids are fans of yoghurt, rather than splash extra cash on smaller individual servings, but a larger size pot and divide this among reusable containers. To flavour plain Greek Yoghurt, Jody suggests puree any fruit that's close to going out of date and mix into the yoghurt. Other things to add to bulk up yoghurt include rolled oats and dried fruit. Kmart shoppers were left frustrated with their local stores when the layout changed and checkouts were moved to the middle - but now a possible reason has been revealed. A woman was commiserating about the registers in a private Facebook group when a commenter explained exactly why the change took place in 2016. 'When I was on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland they told me all Kmart stores will be having checkouts in the middle to stop five finger discounts [shoplifting],' the woman said. Loyal Kmart shoppers were left furious with their local stores when the layout changed and checkouts were moved to the middle - but now a possible reason has been revealed 'I looked at my friends thinking that clearly isn't going to work.' Other shoppers shared their fury on social media during the initial rollout, explaining that the move was going to make them 'boycott' the store. 'Oh great. Figtree Kmart now has that stupid layout where the checkouts are in the middle of the f***ing store. I don't know where anything is anymore,' one man said. 'Hey Kmart Australia if you want to stick checkouts in the middle of the store that's fine but don't treat every customer walking out like crims,' another said. A woman was commiserating about the registers in a private Facebook group when a commenter explained exactly why the change took place in 2016 A third added: 'Kmart is nowhere near as good as it used to be. Placing the checkouts in the middle of the store was the final straw for me.' Someone else mused that they might have moved in order to 'tempt' shoppers to spend more money. Shoppers must pay for their products in the middle of the store before walking to the exit and showcasing their docket to the front door worker, who also looks in their bags. Other individuals on Twitter shared their fury during the initial rollout period, explaining that the move was going to make them 'boycott' the store Why have Kmart put their checkouts in the centre of the store? * Lots of similar stores have their checkouts in the centre of the stores, so it's familiar to shoppers. * The entrance of the store is therefore free from clutter and more inviting. * The new Kmart layout is more open and spacious. * It helps to prevent congestion during busy times such as Christmas. * It's still just as easy to find even though the checkouts are no longer at the front. Advertisement A Kmart spokesperson told FEMAIL that despite initial reservations the project had been a success. But the change came from an aesthetic place rather than for security reasons. 'Self-serve and central checkout registers make shopping more convenient, ensuring store entrances are free of queues and clutter, and allowing customers to enter and exit with ease,' they said. 'Customers will always be welcomed into the store with a friendly store greeter. 'We've noticed the layout is more open now and more spacious without having the registers up at the front part, which can get congested during busy times of the year like Christmas.' He also reasoned that Kmart isn't the only store to adopt this layout, with outlets including JB HIFI also adopting the same model. Retail analyst Barry Urquhart added that the reason was simple: 'They want you to spend more... It's about productivity and profitability,' he said. More than 150 of the 228 Kmart stores across Australia and New Zealand have been converted to the new layout. Former Australia's Next Top Model star Taylah Roberts has taken to social media to share a realistic snap of herself in a changing room as a way of encouraging women to accept their bodies. Taylah posted the photo of herself to her 45,000 followers on Instagram, saying there was a time when seeing the raw image would have made her 'break down and cry' - however, today, she takes a kinder view. The photo shows the 24-year-old standing in her underwear under harsh fluorescent lights of a store changing room. 'I'm just gonna leave it here with the intent of normalising flaws in the hopes that someone will see this at the right time and know they are beautiful too, no matter how you look in an awfully lit change room,' Taylah captioned the post. Former Australia's Next Top Model star Taylah Roberts (pictured) recently took to Instagram to share this realistic snap of herself in her underwear The 24-year-old model said there would have been a time when seeing herself under harsh fluorescent lights of a store changing room would have made her cry Thousands have since seen the post and many commenters have shared how inspired they felt by Taylah's brave stand. 'I gotta [sic] say this photo really helped me in literally two minutes,' one person wrote. 'I always criticise myself and try and better myself but I still do it. This post made me think that wow other girls have curves and we don't all have to be a certain way.' Another said: 'Thank you! Trying clothes on in changing rooms is just so horrendous!' 'Thank you,' a third said. 'I've cried too many times in the change room. Not anymore.' The model said she shared the realistic snap as a way of 'normalising' what women's bodies look like The model's most recent snap comes on the heels of a raw before and after photo she shared on Instagram ahead of Sydney Fashion Week. The side-by-side images showed a throwback image of a much-younger Taylah 'riddled with insecurity' as well as a photo of herself as she is now. 'I feel blessed to have almost fully recovered from this dark place I once called home, but I still get glimpses of it and it's usually around this time of year. Fashion week,' she said. The model recently took to Instagram to share a throwback photo of her body (left) as well as a snap of herself as she is now (right) 'All I see in the photo on the left is sadness, exhaustion, insecurity and lack of worth beyond size,' she said describing the image of herself wearing pink lingerie.' Taylah went on to say she felt an internal pressure to keep her weight down and said she was 'terrified that in an instant my dreams would be ripped away from me if the number on a measuring tape had increased by half an inch'. She said she contemplated smoking so she wouldn't be tempted by sweets, and constantly compared herself to other girls in the competitive industry. The model previously shared there was a time when she contemplated taking up smoking as a way to keep her from being tempted by sweets 'Am I not pretty enough, I must not be thin enough, I'm definitely not good enough,' she said were often thoughts she felt during her career. Taylah went on to say: 'After years of feeling unworthy and left with a lot of work to do to get to the place I am now (pictured on the right) I'll take my health, happiness and my size 12/14 a** over EVER feeling like that again!' She used the hashtags 'mental health' and 'ED (eating disorder) recovery' in the post's lengthy caption. I'll take my health, happiness and my size 12/14 a** over EVER feeling like that again!,' the model declared on the Instagram post The images, which have been seen seen by thousands, have earned her an outpouring of support for her 'real and raw' stance. 'You are what our little ones need to look up to. Thank you for being so raw and so real,' said one. 'It's so easy to turn a blind eye to this, I'm so glad you're making people see the reality,' said another. 'It doesn't have to be like that and I'm so glad we're getting to a more inclusive place, but wow we still have such a long way to go.' Her boyfriend's family are no strangers to a fashion frenzy, with Pippa and Kate regularly sending shoppers wild with their trendy looks, often causing brands to sell out in minutes. And now Alizee Thevenet, 30, has cemented her style credentials, with the 49.99 V-neck H&M midi wrap dress she wore to the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor this weekend already selling out online. The french financial expert, who went public with the brother of the Duchess of Cambridge 10 months ago, turned heads in the yellow patterned dress which she paired with nude court shoes and a stylish cream and white fedora hat. Alizee Thevenet, 30, has cemented her style credentials, with the V-neck H&M midi wrap dress she wore to the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor this weekend already selling out online Keeping the look simple, she clutched a cream bag and wore her blonde tresses loose, debuting a natural make-up look as she held hands with her beau James. Alizee's opted for an affordable look, with her dress costing just 49.99 from H&M. However, the garment is now out of stock, and selling on eBay for almost twice the price, at 89.99 - with an extra 4.99 for postage and packaging. Describing the dress online, the Swedish retailer says: 'Long dress in airy, patterned chiffon with a V-neck and wrapover front with ties at one side. 'Long sleeves, narrow buttoned cuffs with a pleated frill trim, and a pleated skirt. Partly lined. Describing the dress online, the Swedish retailer says: 'Long dress in airy, patterned chiffon with a V-neck and wrapover front with ties at one side The garment is now out of stock, and selling on eBay for almost twice the price, at 89.99 - with an extra 4.99 for postage and packaging And Alizee wasn't the only royal wedding guest to see a dress sell out, as the item worn by Pippa Middleton - her boyfriend's older sister - is now almost entirely sold out online, with only a size 6 (US size 2) still available to buy. Pippa, 35, was the picture of elegance in a 695 dress by Kate Spade as she attended the nuptials of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. The chic sky blue Spade Flower Devore Dress features a draped neckline, puffed sleeves and a waist belt that flatter the figure. Keeping the look simple, Alizee clutched a cream bag and wore her blonde tresses loose, debuting a natural make-up look as she held hands with her beau James In January, James made his Instagram account public, but usually shares pictures of his nature walk and beloved dogs. But his latest post shows him cosied up to his girlfriend Social media users were quick to praise Pippa's choice of outfit - and shoppers followed suit. Alizee, who met James in a bar, speaks three languages and has been living and working in London for around six years. According to her father, Jean-Gabriel Thevenet, she was won over by James' British charm and is 'deliriously happy' with the businessman. He also revealed that her unusual name takes after a tropical wind known in French as the Alize, saying: 'My daughter is named after my first love which is wind-surfing and the Alize wind that fills the sails.' Pippa, 35, was the picture of elegance in a 695 dress by Kate Spade as she attended the nuptials of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on Saturday. Pictured, arriving with husband James Matthews The chic sky blue Spade Flower Devore Dress, as seen on the Kate Spade website, features a draped neckline, puffed sleeves and a waist belt that flatter the figure She 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. In January, James made his Instagram account public, but usually shares pictures of his nature walk and beloved dogs. But his latest post shows him cosied up to his girlfriend. The smiling couple, who started dating last year, looked besotted in matching red jumpers out at sea. Sail away with me, writes entrepreneur James. Gregoire Owona, ministre du Travail et de la Securite Sociale archives The Minister of Labour and Social Security who doubles as the Secretary General of the Cameroon People Democratic Movement, says recent demonstrations by Cameroonians in Paris, France was a bold step, aimed at pushing for peace in their country. Calling the demonstrations, Noble, the CPDM scribe over the weekend on Canal 2 television, said " the demonstration that took place in Paris is a noble event. There is a general movement today in Cameroon and I am delighted that it extends to Paris, to say no to all the fights that are causing bloodshed". According to Gregoire Owona, organisers of the Paris Demonstrations that took place on the 18th of May 2019, were mainly pro-government forces who protested for peace to return to Cameroon. Media reports had earlier indicated that the protest was a Biya Must Go campaign and organised by the Anti-Sardinards group in Paris. This is not the first time Cameroonians in the diaspora are taking to the streets to ask for dialogue and peace in the affected parts of the country. Recently, Minister Gregoire Owona's presence on the media and social media has increased. He was on the program, Canal Presse on the eve of May 20 celebrations, Minister Gregoire Owona where he made a ridicule of himself when he tried to denied comments made by the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji on France 24. Minister Atanga Nji said dialogue on the Anglophone Crisis, will focus on everything and not the form of state. His statement was widely condemned by Cameroonians. However his comrade, Owona said the media was manipulative as the video was an old one. Proven wrong on set, the Minister said the only important message Cameroonians should take on the Anglophone Crisis, is the one from Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute, who said Biya was ready to dialogue. On his May Day inaugural speech in Yaounde on the 1st of May, the Minister claimed workers could live comfortably in Cameroon with FCFA 36,270 as salary. A statement which angered workers in Cameroon, who took to social media to insult the minister. He later apologised on his twitter account, asking for forgiveness from those who misquoted him. She's known for her effortless style and always looking put together at royal occasions. And today was no exception for Queen Maxima of the Netherlands as she stepped out during a visit to MV Werften in Rostock, Germany, on the second of three day visit to the country. The royal, 48, was later joined by her husband King Willem-Alexander, who she is accompanying on the trip. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands as she stepped out during a visit to MV Werften in Rostock, Germany, on the second of three day visit to the country The royal, 48, opted for a on-trend nude slingback heel, with natural tights and a monochrome get-up Maxima opted for a on-trend nude slingback heel, with natural tights and a monochrome get-up. Showing off her sartorial prowess, the mother-of-three donned an A-line black, white and grey skirt with a sleek black camisole tucked in - a distinctly different look to her usual bright colours. The Queen added and delicate black blazer to the look which had a intricate gold and white flower embroidered on. Opting for bold accessories, Maxima donned large drop earrings with a matching pearl necklace and ring. Showing off her sartorial prowess, the mother-of-three donned an A-line black, white and grey skirt with a sleek black camisole tucked in - a distinctly different look to her usual bright colours The Queen added and delicate black blazer to the look which had a intricate gold and white flower embroidered on. Opting for bold accessories, Maxima donned large drop earrings with a matching pearl necklace and ring No stranger to a daring piece of headwear, Maxima donned a straw fascinator, over her half pinned back blonde tresses. With a keen eye for detail, the Argentine-born royal removed her nude leather glove to reveal a perfectly painted red manicure. No stranger to a daring piece of headwear, Maxima donned a straw fascinator, over her half pinned back blonde tresses. With a keen eye for detail, the Argentine-born royal removed her nude leather glove to reveal a perfectly painted red manicure. Carrying her belongings in a straw clutch bag, Maxima showed off three sparkling bracelets and a chunky watch. The aim of their visit is to focus on the economic relations between the German and Dutch. No stranger to a daring piece of headwear, Maxima donned a straw fascinator, over her half pinned back blonde tresses King Willem-Alexander and of The Netherlands and Queen Maxima of The Netherlands visit shipyard MV Werften The Royal pair who often make one or more visits for the same purpose annually, coordinated in bronze for a visit to Bremen in Germany earlier this year. Yesterday, the Dutch couple were offered a lunch by the Prime Minister before King Willem-Alexander gave a speech at Schwerin Castle on the importance of working together and building on the Hanze period. He said: 'Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and the Netherlands are not direct neighbors. But we are connected for many centuries. The Royal pair who often make one or more visits for the same purpose annually, coordinated in bronze for a visit to Bremen in Germany earlier this year Yesterday, the Dutch couple were offered a lunch by the Prime Minister before King Willem-Alexander gave a speech at Schwerin Castle on the importance of working together and building on the Hanze period 'What has grown during the Hanze time is still visible. We recognize something in each other: entrepreneurial spirit, the will to cooperate. That recognition makes our band so strong. '....The history that we share since the Hanze period is alive. We are happy to add a new chapter with our visit, believing that many more beautiful things will follow.' The Royals of the Netherlands attended a trade dinner at the Kurhaus in Warnemunde yesterday with attendees from the maritime trade mission and those specializing in coastal protection and agriculture. Their busy visit also includes a visit to a trip to arable farm in Nauen later today, and it will conclude with a lunch at Schloss Sanssouci in Potsdam on Wednesday. Maxima's busy visit also includes a visit to a trip to arable farm in Nauen later today, and it will conclude with a lunch at Schloss Sanssouci in Potsdam on Wednesday King Willem-Alexander (centre) said: 'Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and the Netherlands are not direct neighbours. But we are connected for many centuries. King Willem-Alexander (second right), Queen Maxima (left) and Premier of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Manuela Schwesig (second left) are guided by MV Werften CEO Peter Fetten (right) during a tour at a shipyard in Rostock King Willem-Alexander rings a bell to officially launch a cooperation programme between Dutch and German companies The Duke of Cambridge gave well-wishers a wave as he sailed down the Thames this morning. Prince William, 36, was on hand to launch a new safety campaign to help prevent accidents and self-harm incidents on the river. Speaking at the event, the royal noted that simply saying 'hello' can sometimes be enough to prevent a suicide attempt on the river and urged all Londoners to be aware of those who might be in need. Prince William, 36, was on hand to launch a new safety campaign to help prevent accidents and self-harm incidents on the river He said: 'Everyday people, going about their commute or on their journey to the pub, have a hugely important role to play. 'Don't be afraid to stop and intervene if you see someone who might be considering taking their own life.' William was joined at the event by Jonny Benjamin, who was stopped by passerby Neil Laybourn shortly before a planned suicide attempt from Waterloo Bridge in 2008. Mr Laybourn also attended. Prince William continued: 'I know you have heard today from Jonny Benjamin and Neil Laybourne, who speak so powerfully about their experiences. A simple 'hello, how are you?' is sometimes all it takes to save a life.' The launch of the 'drowning prevention strategy' saw William take to the Thames in a London Port Authority boat. Safety features, such as chains around bridge plinths for people to cling to, were pointed out to him during the 15 minute journey from the Savoy hotel to Tower bridge. Speaking at the event, pictured, William noted that simply saying 'hello' can sometimes be enough to prevent a suicide attempt on the river The initiative is the culmination of 18 months of work by many of the emergency services, such as the police, fire brigades and local councils, to try and improve the river's safety record. The aim is to reduce the number of deaths on the Thames to zero by all the agencies working together more successfully. Suicide related incidents account for about half of the Search and Rescue missions on the river. On board commercial vessel the Silver Surgeon, moored at HMS President pier, William met two women who had both lost sons to accidental drowning. Andrea Corrie's 19-year-old son James Clark was home from Brighton University when he went out with a group of friends in Kingston, Surrey, in July 2005. Medical secretary Mrs Corrie, 63, from Devon said: 'At the end of the evening the group divided into two to get taxis and neither group realised James wasn't there. 'The following day I wasn't particularly worried he wasn't there in the morning but I couldn't get hold of him by text and I was a bit concerned. 'One of his friends phoned and said she was worried they couldn't get hold of him by text. 'My heart sank and I just had a fear that something awful had happened to him once I knew he'd been near the river. It was just an instinct. 'He wasn't recovered until three days later and I don't revisit those three days as they were so truly awful. 'When we went to see where James had had his accident I was really shocked as there are no safety measures by the riverside. 'I vowed then and there is do something about it. The Duke of Cambridge meets representatives of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Metropolitan Police and London Fire Brigade 'We worked for three years with Kingston council to institute changes on the river side. 'It was accidental drowning, he'd had a few drinks and was in unfamiliar environment. 'There were no barriers where he fell into the Thames and our safety campaign got barriers installed. 'No parent should ever have to bury their child. One of the things that is so important that when groups of kids go out, they need to keep in good contact.' Becky Ramsay, 39, lost her 13-year-old son Dylan after he'd been for a swim in Hilltop Quarry, Lancashire in July 2011. She said: 'The fact William is raising awareness about water danger is just brilliant. The Duke of Cambridge spoke to front line staff during the engagement in London today 'It's amazing, it's phenomenal that someone so prestigious is putting their name to water safety. 'I thought he was here to talk just about suicides but after taking to him I think he's just as concerned with accidental drownings. 'Dylan had gone for a swim with his friends in the quarry. 'He'd been in the water for around 20 mins and he started shouting for help three times. 'He only went underwater for only three minutes. A Polish man pulled him out, he'd only been in trouble for around three minutes. William is travelling by boat down the River Thames, pictured, before launching a new drowning prevention strategy from Tower Bridge 'He should have been a near miss, he shouldn't have drowned. 'Maybe emergency services getting to him quicker may have helped. Prince Williams' speech in full 'I am really pleased to be here today to help you launch this hugely important piece of work to keep people safe and prevent drowning on the River Thames. 'The Thames has defined London throughout its history. Londoners identify themselves by whether they live North or South of the river. It is a place of work for many, and of great enjoyment for others. 'But we must not forget about the dangers the river poses. I was struck to learn that around 700 incidents take place along the Thames annually where people's lives are at risk, either through accidents or as the result of suicide attempts. And each year, there are sadly more than 30 fatalities on the river. 'I have just been meeting with families who have lost loved ones on the river. Their stories are heart-breaking reminders of how important all your work is to keep the river safe. Every life lost and every life-changing accident is one too many. 'And that is why you are all gathered here today. To raise awareness of these dangers, and to work together to prevent them. 'Prevention includes practical measures to save lives. Providing and maintaining life-saving equipment along the river, and reducing opportunities to enter the Thames, is very very much needed. I saw some of that today on my journey here along the river. 'Prevention also includes the vital work done by so many front line staff. They help to keep the Thames safe, day in day out, in all sorts of weathers. I'm really pleased to have met some of these staff today, and to have heard about their dedication to prevent loss of life on the river. 'And of course prevention involves all Londoners. Everyday people, going about their commute or on their journey to the pub, have a hugely important role to play. Don't be afraid to stop and intervene if you see someone who might be considering taking their own life. 'I know you have heard today from Jonny Benjamin and Neil Laybourne, who speak so powerfully about their experiences. A simple 'hello, how are you?' is sometimes all it takes to save a life. 'Keeping the river safe is a real team effort. That is why I'm particularly pleased to see such a broad range of organisations here today. This includes the Port of London Authority, all the emergency services, the RNLI, Her Majesty's Coastguard, the NHS, the 27 boroughs that border the Thames, and the Department of Health. 'Congratulations to all of you on your partnership. I hope you all continue working together to implement the strategy that you are launching together today. Thank you.' Advertisement 'I want water safety to be taught on the main school curriculum. 'I want kids to understand the difference between a swimming pool and a river. 'My main message is no life guard, no swimming. 'I'm not against open water swimming but you have to do it safely.' William also met a number of front line staff, from the emergency services, who save lives on a daily basis. RNLI volunteer Gianna Saccomani, 55, from Teddington, 55, told the Duke about why she wanted to volunteer. 'I'm an interior designer so I told him I wanted to give back to the community. 'I joined two years ago and as an older woman it's good to show we can do this role. 'Pull people out of the water, talk people off bridges, we help anyone who's in trouble. 'We don't judge people, we just rescue them.' Natalie Adams, 28, from Dungeness is a full-time helm (in command of a lifeboat) on the Thames in Gravesend. She said: 'I'm in charge of up to four personnel and then however many casualties 'The duke asked me why I joined and I said we have two generations in my family, my father, myself and my brother who's a trainee coxswain. 'Drowning in the Thames is not something we can solve alone and so we need a multi-agency approach. 'And it's not just the Met Police in London or the ambulance service, it's a big old stretch of River from Teddington to Gravesend and so we need Kent police, Essex, Surrey fire and rescues plus the port authority and the coastguard. 'We can all work together to make a difference' More than 30 people die on the Thames each year, with over 700 life-threatening incidents taking place. William himself was called out to suicide incidents while working as an air ambulance pilot. The royal noted prevention also relied on life-saving equipment along the river and the efforts of front line staff. He added: 'I have just been meeting with families who have lost loved ones on the river. Their stories are heart-breaking reminders of how important all your work is to keep the river safe. 'Every life lost and every life-changing accident is one too many.' The strategy will address the risk of drowning through accidents as well as suicide. It has been designed by the Port of London Authority (PLA), the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade, Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), London Ambulance Service and the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA). Queen Letizia of Spain is always dressed to impress and she certainly made sure to put on a smart display today in Geneva, Switzerland. The Spanish royal, 46, attended the 72nd World Health Assembly, and was seen attending discussions on issues such as road safety and emergency care. For the event Letizia wore a grey sleeveless dress and a fitted black blazer with defined shoulder pads and white buttons. The mother-of-two kept her accessories to a minimum, but did don a pair of feather earrings, which she also wore last week to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of Spain's Civil Guards. Queen Letizia of Spain, pictured, looked smart and stylish at the 72nd World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, today While at the event Letizia, left, met with director general of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, pictured right, and enjoyed some refreshments The Spanish royal also spoke with Richard Kojan, pictured together, president of ALIMA which makes biosecure emergency care units called the CUBE During her time at the assembly, which is an eight-day long event, Letizia was seen speaking with Director general of the WHO Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The pair were seen sitting at a table and enjoying some refreshments while the director general had a microphone in front of him. Queen Letizia also spoke with those who were showing the CUBE, ALIMA's biosecure emergency care unit for outbreaks. The CUBE was developed in the aftermath of the 2 014 to 2016 Ebola epidemic in West Africa and is a self-contained and easily transportable system for outbreaks of highly-infectious disease. Queen Letizia, pictured, even gave the CUBE a go and was seen putting her arms into the glove spaces in the unit The mother-of-two wore her hair down and kept her makeup neutral with a bold lipstick today The royal even gave the CUBE, which can be reused up to ten times, a go herself and put her arms inside the device. Letizia, who wore her hair down today, also posed for photographs in front of a sign reading 'I demand safe infrastructure' which was at a side event about road safety. The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of WHO. It is attended by delegations from all WHO Member States and focuses on a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board. The main functions of the World Health Assembly are to determine the policies of the Organisation, appoint the Director-General, supervise financial policies, and review and approve the proposed programme budget. Letizia, pictured, rewore a pair of silver feather shaped earrings for the event in Geneva today The Spanish royal, pictured, was seen posing in front of a sign at a side event on road safety It has already been a busy week for the Queen Letizia as yesterday she attended the Proyectos Sociales De Banco Santander awards in Madrid. The royal was there to award 12 projects who have been chosen to benefit from the bank's social scheme. Letizia accessorised her outfit yesterday by carrying a small black clutch bag and wore navy shoes to match her intricately designed dress, which was cinched at the waist with a thin white belt. Queen Letizia is mother to Princesses Leonor, 13, and Sofia, 12, with husband King Felipe, 50, who ascended to the Spanish throne in 2014. She married King Felipe 15 years ago at Cathedral Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena in Madrid. Stylish Letizia appeared to be deep in thought at the event and spoke with several people there Queen Letizia wore a checked grey dress with a small black belt under her black blazer today 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 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. Delilah Belle Hamlin is the new face of Boohoo and the blonde model has her own collection with the brand, too. The 20-year-old, who is the eldest daughter of actors Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna, has just signed on as brand ambassador for the trendy fashion company. In addition to modeling in a pretty new campaign, Delilah Belle also collaborated on a 54-piece capsule collection, which launches today. The style star: Delilah Belle Hamlin has been announced as the new face of Boohoo Big gig: The 20-year-old has just signed on as brand ambassador for the trendy fashion company As the newest face of the Boohoo Premium Collection, Delilah Belle posed for a series of photos on a pink satin boudoir-like set. In the images, she models pieces from her ultra-feminine, romantic collection, which is back with lace and feather details, ruffled hems, pastel tones. In one shot, she sits at a vanity table in sexy clear stilettos and a sequined dress with a fringe skirt. In another, she lounges in an art deco chair in a feathered white crop top and matching skirt. Everything in the collection is priced from $40 to $120 and is available in US sizes 2-10. It's all her! She also collaborated on a 54-piece capsule collection, which launches today Affordable finds: Everything in the collection is priced from $40 to $120 and is available in US sizes 2-10 Her go-to look: 'I love a good summer dress or jumpsuit with chunky, fun accessories!' she told DailyMail.com Where she gets ideas: 'I mainly look at my mom, Kate moss, or Rachel from Friends [for fashion inspiration],' she said Speaking to DailyMail.com, Delilah Belle also shared her favorite trends, saying: 'I love a good summer dress or jumpsuit with chunky, fun accessories!' As for which pieces from her new collection she'd shared with her younger sister, she she said: 'I would definitely dress Amelia in the black lace jumpsuit so her!' She also listed her fashion inspirations, both real and fictional. 'I mainly look at my mom, Kate moss, or Rachel from Friends [for fashion inspiration], but I also go through my explore page on Instagram and save a lot of fashion edits!' she said. Delilah, who is dating Love Island's Eyal Booker and is rumored to star in the upcoming season of the show, is making a name for herself as a model and has posed for several other brands. Famous family: Delilah Belle (far left) is the eldest daughter of actors Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna and has a younger sister named Amelia Last year, she starred in a campaign for the Australian lingerie company Pleasure State. She has also worked with Botkier, Dolce & Gabbana, and Fame and Partners. And just last month she landed a campaign for vintage brand What Goes Around Comes Around, posing alongside her mother Lisa, and her 17-year-old sister Amelia Gray for the stunning shoot. But Delilah admitted to W magazine last year that she just happened upon this career. 'I didnt really think that I was going to be a model. I never really thought about it, but Instagram kind of just made it happen,' she revealed. 'I was posting pictures of myself, and an agency was like, "We want to represent you." And thats kind of how it happened.' Hoda ventured away from New York City this past weekend for the beach Hoda Kotb soaked up the sun this past weekend with her two daughters while enjoying her maternity leave away from the Today show. Since the beginning of April, the 54-year-old anchor has been away from the Today show to spend time with her newborn daughter Hope Catherine, whom she recently adopted. Hoda has been enjoying the time off with her family in her Upper East Side apartment, as many visitors has showed up to see her new little one. But she decided to take a trip away from New York City this past weekend and spend time on the beach. Trip away! Today's Hoda Kotb, 54, ventured away from New York City this past weekend for the beach while enjoying her maternity leave Bonding: She has been away from the Today show since the beginning of April after adopting her newborn daughter, Hope Catherine. Pictured is Hoda with two-year-old Hailey Joy Gather around: One of the snaps from Hoda's vacation showed the talk show host grinning with friends and family, including her longtime partner, Joel Schiffman Picturesque: It appears Hoda might be at her vacation home in New Jersey with friends and family, but she also could've opted for a different location to enjoy the sunshine One of the pictures Hoda shared on Monday from her vacation away showed the mother-of-two carrying Hope in a baby carrier while two-year-old daughter Hailey Joy waved back at the camera. It appears Hoda might be at her vacation home in New Jersey with friends and family, but she also could've opted for a different beach ocation to enjoy the incoming summer weather. Hoda was grinning back at the camera while holding Hailey's hand, as they stood on a pier overlooking the water. On Friday, Hoda also shared a picture of herself with Hailey while they stood on the beach. She captioned the picture 'exploring'. Another sweet snap from the vacation featured Hoda grinning at the camera while surrounded by family and friends. Included in the picture was her longtime partner, Joel Schiffman, who wore a blue Hawaiian shirt to celebrate the upcoming summer season. 'Summmmmmerrrrr we are ready! Xo,' Hoda captioned the picture. She seems content to enjoy her maternity leave with Hope away from work by being surrounded by her friends and family. But this hasn't stopped Hoda from also calling in from time to time to speak with her Today show colleagues and inform them about what is going on in her life. After Mother's Day, Hoda called into the fourth hour of the Today show, which is now known as Today with Hoda & Jenna. Savannah Guthrie, 47, was working as Hoda's replacement for the week to support Jenna Bush Hager, 37. Checking in: After Mother's Day, Hoda called into the fourth hour of the Today show to inform Savannah Guthrie and Jenna Bush Hager about her maternity leave Interesting choice: She revealed how Hope will fall asleep when Hoda puts Fixer Uppers with Chip and Joanna Gaines on TV 'It was such a great, great day,' the talk show host enthused to Jenna and Savannah when asked about her first Mother's Day with her new daughter. During the phone conversation, Hoda then detailed one trick to her colleagues that she learned this past weekend to help put her new daughter to bed. 'You know what puts Hope to bed?' she asked. 'It is Chip and Joanna Gaines.' Fixer Upper's home improvement couple offers just the right amount of calming sounds, apparently, to help the young girl drift off to sleep. 'Let me tell you, I put her in the bassinet right by the TV, even though I know you're not supposed to,' she said. 'I click on Chip and Joanna she is out cold.' Savannah then joked: 'You should put her next to this show...then she'll sleep.' Sister bonding: The anchor said her eldest daughter Haley Joy is over the moon about being a big sister to her recently adopted baby girl Hope Staying in touch: Hoda (pictured with her daughters and NBC News President Noah Oppenheim) also called in to the Today show last Friday to give an update on her life as a mom While on maternity leave, Hoda has called into her show multiple times to discuss motherhood now that Hope has joined the family. Her call on the Friday before Mother's Day informed her 'work family' about how Haley was over the moon about being a big sister. 'They're in love,' Hoda said. 'They're just hanging out. She wakes up in the morning and kisses Hope, and when she goes down at night, she wants to give her a good night kiss.' She went on to explain how Haley sees her younger sister as a little confidant for her, and it appears the two daughters will have a lasting friendship. 'The other day she said, "Hope's my friend. I was like, "Oh my God,"' Hoda recalled. 'I just feel like she's got a life partner, and I can't tell you how that fills my heart to know that there is somebody who is gonna hold her hand all the way through life.' The journey to motherhood was difficult for Hoda after she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 42. At the time, she came out of treatment unable to conceive a child and with the belief that motherhood was potentially not in the cards for her. Love: Hoda is raising her daughters with her partner, Joel, and couldn't be happier. She admitted she melted when Haley recently called Hope her 'friend' Doting dad: Hoda revealed how Joel made breakfast for the family on Mother's Day Surprise! The Today anchor joyfully revealed last month that she has adopted a second daughter, baby Hope All smiles: Savannah, 47, and Jenna, 37, met baby Hope on April 16, just hours after Hoda had announced that she had adopted a second child Gang's all here! Her former Today show co-host Kathie Lee Gifford visited her and newborn baby Hope last week, and Hoda shared a sweet snap on Instagram But in February 2017, Hoda adopted Haley with the support of Joel. 'Look, did I ever imagine on Mother's Day I would be saying I'm a mom of two?' she asked her colleagues. 'I mean, never in my wildest imagination.' Her phone call in on Friday only continued to gush about her young daughter and the joy she already brings into the family's lives. 'Right now, at this moment, Hope is smiling,' she told her co-stars Savannah, Carson Daly, Craig Melvin, Dylan Dreyer, and Sheinelle Jones. 'I mean, I think it's a smile, or it's gas, either one,' she said with a laugh. 'She is a dream.' Mother's Day ended up being a casual affair for the family, as Joel decided to make breakfast for everyone. Hoda's mom, Sameha, and sister, Hala, were in town visiting with the newborn as she became more acclimated to her new family. Thailand's Royal household has unveiled a series of stunning images of the country's new queen - sporting a dazzling array of different outfits. Queen Suthida, 40, from Bangkok, married 66-year-old King Maha Vajiralongkorn - also known as King Rama X - on May 1 this year. He announced then his intent for Suthida Vajiralongkorn na Ayudhya to be his consort, and at his coronation three days later on May 4, she was bestowed with the title. To mark the momentous occasion and celebrate the marriage, the Royal Household Bureau of Thailand released 20 photographs showing Her Majesty in varying outfits, from military uniforms to formal wear. Though some of the images feature some rather questionable photoshopping, with several making the Queen look superimposed onto a backdrop. Queen Suthida, 40, from Bangkok, married King Maha Vajiralongkorn (also called King Rama X) on May 1 this year To mark the momentous occasion, the Royal Household Bureau of Thailand has released 20 photographs showing Her Majesty in varying outfits, from military uniforms to formal wear Queen Suthida was born on June 3, 1978 - and her birthday will now become a national holiday in Thailand A number of them show her wearing a name badge, supposedly designed to make the outfits look more authentic - however, the Queen does have a military background. Having previously worked as a flight attendant for Thai Airways, which is reportedly how she met the King, Queen Suthida then joined the palace guard in 2013 and became commander of the his security unit. She currently holds a general's rank, having been appointed deputy commander of the King's Royal Guard in June 2017. Her husband King Vajiralongkorn, who has had three previous marriages and divorced his previous wife, with whom he has a son, in 2014, became king after the death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, in October 2016. Queen Suthida was born on June 3, 1978, and the Thai government recently announced that from this year, her birthday will be a national holiday. Queen Suthida, dressed in a military-style pilot's gear, poses for one of the portraits to mark her coronation Thailand's new Queen Suthida, who was born in Bangkok, is a former security guard The new Thai queen also worked as a Thai Airways flight attendant before becoming a commander of the king's security unit For one shot (pictured left) Queen Suthida poses in a military airforce uniform clutching a helmet, then replaces the headgear with a black and gold cap for another Clearly a fan of the side-on portrait, Queen Suthida poses for yet another shot in green military uniform Decorated Queen Suthida, who used to work as a flight attendant for Thai Airways, is pictured dripping in military medals with an enormous headpiece which looks superimposed Thailand's new Queen poses in a white military jacket adorned with numerous medals and badges Ready for combat: Queen Suthida poses in Army-style gear for another one of her shots The former security guard poses in a red and black military uniform complete with a feathered black cap Queen Suthida's heeled black leather boots get another outing for this outfit - this time it's a white military jacket and black skirt Continuing with the military theme, Queen Suthida swaps her formal jackets for a traditional bejewelled coat dress It's safe to say Queen Suthida has a 'good side' for photos, as she poses for another side-on shot in a green military jacket and camo cap The wife of Jamie Oliver returned home looking glum this afternoon after it was announced that his restaurants would go into administration. Jools Oliver, 44, who lives with Jamie and their five children in their Essex mansion, looked down as she pulled up at home this afternoon. The restaurant chain is said to have run up 71.5 million in debt - and has appointed administrators, putting as many as 1,300 jobs at risk. The mother-of-five has written a series of books on parenting, as well as designing a children's clothing range, called Little Bird for Mothercare. The chain of stores also suffered a blow earlier this year when they revealed they would be closing up to 50 of their shops. Jools Oliver, 44, who lives with Jamie and there five children in their Essex mansion, looked down as she pulled up at home this afternoon The pair married in 2000 and have since had five children together Poppy Honey Rosie, 17, 16-year-old Daisy Boo Pamela, Petal Blossom Rainbow, ten, and sons Buddy Bear Maurice, eight, and two-year-old River Rocket Blue Dallas Stepping out of her car in a denim play suit she kept her sunglasses on and had her long brunette locks worn down. The pair married in 2000 and have since had five children together Poppy Honey Rosie, 17, 16-year-old Daisy Boo Pamela, Petal Blossom Rainbow, ten, and sons Buddy Bear Maurice, eight, and two-year-old River Rocket Blue Dallas. The stay-at-home mother is also known for appearing regularly in glossy magazines and sharing candid shots of her family on social media. Just last month Jools attended the GQ Food and Drink Awards with Jamie to watch him be presented a lifetime achievement accolade. Stepping out of her car in a denim play suit she kept her sunglasses on and had her long brunette locks worn down Experts say the growth of takeaway apps, and a 'saturation' of food chains on Britain's high streets contributed to eroding the company's earnings. The chef himself previously blamed Brexit which he said was among the number to factors which caused a 'perfect storm' for the company, as well as rental costs, local government rates and the increase in the minimum wage. The 43-year-old, who has netted 240 million during the 20 years he's been in the public eye, said he was 'devastated' and 'deeply saddened by the outcome'. The stay at home mother is also known for appearing regularly in glossy magazines and sharing candid shots of her family on social media Just last month Jools attended the GQ Food and Drink Awards with Jamie to watch him be presented a lifetime achievement accolade He thanked staff and suppliers, adding: 'I appreciate how difficult this is for everyone affected. It's been a real pleasure serving you.' In 2017 the father-of-five, who lives in a 6million 16th century Essex mansion, ploughed 12.7million of his own money into his struggling business after being given two hours to save the chain. According to Companies House, Jamie Oliver Holdings Ltd the umbrella company under which he runs his myriad businesses turned over 32 million last year - a staggering 87,670 a day. But Jamie's Italian was on the brink of collapse two years ago with the chef revealing in an interview it had 'simply run out of cash' and run up millions in debt. Jools and Jamie Oliver attend a special screening of a film in happier times a few years ago The process does not affect Mr Oliver's other companies, which handle his media and licensing deals, while the international branch of Jamie's Italian is also unaffected. Fifteen Cornwall, which operates under a franchise, is also not involved. It follows a hunt for a new investor in the Jamie's Italian brand, with a number of private equity firms touted as mulling bids for a stake in the business. Overseas, five branches of the Australian arm of Jamie's Italian were sold off last year, while another was put into administration. A bisexual YouTuber who came out last year in an emotional two-part video has since launched a rainbow makeup palette. Jessie Paege, 20, has used her platform of 1.5 million YouTube subscribers to promote love and acceptance within all communities, especially the LGBTQ community. When she first came out as bisexual, all of the ad revenues from the video went directly to The Trevor Project. Now the YouTuber is teaming up with Tarte Cosmetics to release a colorful eye shadow palette that will also give back to The Trevor Project a national organization supporting LGBTQ people under the age of 25 with crisis and suicide prevention. Exciting news: Jessie Paege, 20, came out last year to her 1.5 million YouTube subscribers. She has since teamed up with Tarte Cosmetics to launch a colorful makeup palette Advocate: Last year when she revealed she was bisexual in her video, all ad revenues were donated to The Trevor Project to support the LGBTQ community In her coming out videos, Jessie spoke about how scared she was to open up about her journey towards embracing her sexuality. 'This video has been beyond long overdue,' the YouTuber wrote when captioning the video. 'I send love to you all and hope you all embrace your identities.' She added, 'I'm incredibly nervous to post this, but I'll feel relieved. I wanted to dive into my relationships and experiences through middle school, high school, etc.' Colorful: The new palette comes in eight colorful shades and are named after empowering words and phrases This video became Jessie's highest viewed clip on YouTuber with more than 1.3 million views, and the comments section was flooded with responses from viewers commending the star for speaking out. Jessie then worked to dedicate her platform to supporting people in the LGBTQ community by often tweeting about her sexuality and sharing supportive messages online. In one video, Jessie shared a heartfelt conversation with her mother, who remained off-screen, about her sexuality. The journey towards accepting her sexuality was not always easy for Jessie. Prior to releasing her coming out video, she took a break from YouTube to figure out what exactly she wanted from her platform. But she returned in full force with her coming out video to mark her commitment to being true to herself. Keeping on message: Jessie, pictured after using the palette, and Tarte will donate $25,000 to The Trevor Project for the collaboration Fun: The palette officially launched on Tuesday and comes with a free mascara Happy: 'I'm so excited to work with [Tarte] to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community with this palette that shows this makeup is for everyone, no exceptions,' Jessie said So it only makes sense for the YouTuber to continue her support of her community by combining her love for makeup with her commitment to LGBTQ organizations. Her collection with Tarte officially launched on Tuesday and includes a vibrant Let It Rain-bow eye shadow palette ($24) along with a free mascara with purchase. The eight shades in the palette are named with inspirational words and phrases, including 'Go For It,' 'You Can,' and 'Hustle.' For everyone: 'Whether you're an ally, love rainbows, or just love expressing yourself, those shades and shade names will still speak to you, which is what I really love,' she said about the palette 'There have been so many times in my life where I didn't feel included, which is why my goal has always been for every person to feel loved and comfortable with their identities, including myself,' Jessie said about the collaboration. She continued: 'Tarte's a brand that I've always been able to relate to, and I'm so excited to work with them to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community with this palette that shows this makeup is for everyone, no exceptions. And we're able to do that in a way that gives back to the community through The Trevor Project!' Tarte and Jessie decided to donate $25,000 to The Trevor Project to celebrate the launch of the new eye shadow palette. Also, Jessie shared a picture of herself on her Instagram after using the new colors. Her post featured her eyes forming their own rainbow where her right eye showed off the reds, oranges and yellows of the collection while her left eye modeled the blues and purples. 'Proud of us,' she expressed in the caption and informed followers about when they could order the eye shadow for themselves. Although the palette was launched in support of the LGBTQ community, Jessie told Refinery 29 that she didn't want to just sell to people who identify in one of those groups. 'Whether you're an ally, love rainbows, or just love expressing yourself, those shades and shade names will still speak to you, which is what I really love,' she said. The palette launched on Tarte on Tuesday and will also be sold in Sephora stores. Crown Princess Mary looked as stylish as ever in two glamorous outfits on the second day of her trip to South Korea, even if one of her choices was a little risky. The Danish royal, 47, opted for a brave white trouser suit for the first activities of the day, where she was seen helping out during a cooking show. Later, she paid a visit to Seoul Museum of History to attend an opening reception for the exhibition 'H.C. Andersen and Copenhagen', which is co-hosted by Seoul Museum of History and Odense City Museum. The mother-of-four then changed into a beautiful floral dress and pink heels for a grand dinner. Mary and her husband Crown Prince Frederik, 50, are visiting Seoul to represent Denmark in a Danish business promotional campaign. Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary, pictured at a formal dinner tonight, are on an official three-day visit to South Korea Crown Princess Mary, pictured, took part in a cooking demonstration at the Shilla hotel in Seoul for one of the events for the Korean-Danish Business Day today Their Royal Highnesses will take part in celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Denmark and South Korea during the visit. Mary is the patron of the Danish-South Korean Year of Culture 2019, and was present when the Year of Culture was officially launched at Kunsthal Aarhus in January. This is the Crown Prince couples second time on a cultural and business promotional campaign in South Korea. The previous occasion was in 2012, when the couple among other things, took part in opening the Danish contribution at the worldwide exhibition EXPO 2012. The Danish royal, pictured, wore a bright white trouser suit for the event and appeared relaxed during the cooking show Smiling Crown Princess Mary, pictured centre, also visited the Seoul Museum of History today where she was handed a bouquet of flowers The mother-of-four, pictured third from the left, wore a pair of nude heels to compliment her white outfit at the Korean-Danish Business Conference During the day Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark were presented with certificates of honorary citizenship of Seoul from Mayor Park Won-soon Last week Crown Princess Mary attended the Fashion Summit in Copenhagen. Thrifty Mary, 47, wore a cream midi skirt she first first sported in 2015, and paired it with a dark green shirt and a thin belt, as she attended day two of the event. It was only fitting that the royal would recycle an outfit, as the Copenhagen Fashion Summit has established itself as the worlds leading business event on sustainability in fashion. Mary married Prince Frederik in 2004, and the couple share four children Prince Christian, 13, Princess Josephine, 12, and twins Princess Isabella and Prince Vincent, eight. For the evening's activities Mary, pictured, changed into a floral dress covered in a lace pattern Crown Princess Mary kept her makeup simple but did wear a pink lipstick to match her dress Crown Prince Frederik is also in Seoul with his wife, pictured together, and he wore a navy blue suit for the formal dinner with the business delegation this evening The love story between Princess Mary and Prince Frederick has been well documented; the couple met in a Sydney bar and Mary, born in Tasmania, moved to the northern hemisphere to be with Frederik. In a previous candid interview with Australian Women's Weekly, the Crown Princess revealed that moving to the other side of the world was difficult. She said: 'I did experience a feeling of loneliness - short-term - when I first moved to Denmark,' she told the magazine. 'Moving to Denmark was a huge change in my life - a new culture, new language, new friends, and another way of life. 'So, I see it as quite natural that at times I felt quite alone or a little bit like I was on the outside looking in. A mother has slammed online retailer PrettyLittleThing (PLT) over its sizing after discovering the size eight dress she ordered barely fit her four-year-old daughter. Kirsty Dee purchased the 10 Basic Black Pocket Detail T-shirt dress from PLT in her usual size eight. But she was horrified to find that the product scarcely went over hear head and instead just about fit her youngster, Molly. Taking to Twitter, the disgusted mother shared a photograph of Molly, four, wearing the tiny black dress, alongside a picture of the ensemble's size eight label. Shocking: Kirsty Dee shared a photograph of her daughter, Molly (pictured left), four, wearing the tiny black dress, alongside a picture of the ensemble's size eight label (right) 'So bought this in a size 8 from @OfficialPLT wouldn't even go over my head and just fits my 4 year old daughter! Really???', Ms Dee wrote. Speaking to Fabulous Digital, she said: 'I just think it's disgusting how they promote body confidence and then send me a dress not fit for a size 6-8. 'I couldn't get it over my head. I was so angry I bought it for my friend's birthday BBQ the day after.' She added: '[It] made me feel awful at first but I laughed it off when I saw it fit my four-year-old.' 'Really?' Taking to Twitter, the disgusted mother hit out at the UK-based clothing company The product: Ms Dee purchased the 10 Basic Black Pocket Detail T-shirt dress from PLT Replying to a comment on her post, the mother continued: 'So bad, I laughed it off though, but still.' PrettyLittleThing soon responded to Ms Dee following her tweet and said: 'So sorry to see that there is an issue with the dress you bought. 'If you could please drop us a DM with your order number and the name of the item we can look into getting this sorted for you.' MailOnline has contacted PrettyLittleThing for comment. Tiffany Trump is continuing to make a splash at the Cannes Film Festival while enjoying a trip to the French Riviera with her billionaire beau Michael Boulos. The 25-year-old first daughter took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a photo of herself wearing a pink silk dress by French couture designer Nicolas Besson and lace-up flats. In the snapshot, she is wearing sunglasses and looking away from the camera while crossing Promenade de la Croisette. Style: Tiffany Trump, 25, took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a snap of herself wearing a pink silk dress by French couture designer Nicolas Besson in Cannes Close with the family! The image was presumably taken by her boyfriend Michael Boulos's cousin, wedding and event designer Toni Breiss (right), whom she tagged in the image The image was presumably taken by her boyfriend's cousin, wedding and event designer Toni Breiss, whom she tagged in the image. Tiffany and Michael attended the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival over the weekend, and the hotel rooms for her Secret Service detail during her trip to the South of France are costing taxpayers at least $19,213. A Department of State purchase order reviewed by Quartz shows a $19,213 expenditure labeled, 'USSS HOTEL ROOMS MARRIOTT TIFFANY TRUMPS VISIT TO CANNES 17-20 MAY 2019.' The Secret Service detail was booked for a three-night stay at the Marriott Jesta Fontainebleau, which is just a short walk from Le Majestic Hotel, where Tiffany and her beau were spotted on Sunday evening. Le Majestic is a partner of the Cannes Film Festival and hosts a bevy of celebrities during the event, which began on May 14 and will finish on Saturday, May 25. The 5-star hotel is located by the coast, offering a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean Sea. All smiles: Tiffany joined Michale, his brother Fares Boulos, and their cousin Toni for dinner in Cannes on Sunday evening Out and about: The couple was spotted at Le Majestic Hotel during the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival that night Tiffany and Michael were seen holding hands while making their way down the steps at the hotel on Sunday. President Donald Trump's youngest daughter donned a sleeveless black mid-length dress with a sheer beaded hem and black Aruna Seth heels for the night out. Just a few days before, Tiffany was posing for a photo with Aruna at the British shoe designer's showroom in London. Michael, the heir to the multi-billion-dollar Nigerian trading conglomerate Boulos Enterprises, matched his girlfriend in a black double-breasted coat, black denim, and black sneakers. The couple joined his brother Fares Boulos and their cousin Toni for dinner that night, and the event designer shared photos of them posing together inside the restaurant on Instagram. 'Simple cousin dinner with the beautiful Tiffany Trump,' he captioned the image, prompting Michael to post a heart and face with heart eyes emoji in the comments section. Outfit: President Donald Trump's youngest daughter donned a sleeveless black mid-length dress with a sheer beaded hem and Aruna Seth heels Strike a pose: Tiffany tried on hot pink crystal-embellished pumps at Aruna Seth's showroom in London last week and happily posed for a photo with the British shoe designer Less than a week ago, Tiffany and Michael were living it up in London. The Georgetown Law student was seen happily showing off her sparkly pink sneakers to her beau on the sidewalk before heading inside Harrods department story last Thursday. Tiffany wore black cropped jeans, a sparkly T-shirt, and a pale pink blazer that matched her flashy Aruna Seth sneakers. She accessorized her look with a $6,800 gold Cartier Juste Un Clou bracelet and an Aruna Seth butterfly ring on her ring finger on her left hand. The couple spent two and a half hours shopping in Harrods, and they stopped in a few other stores as well, including Aruna Seth's showroom in Knightsbridge. The shoe designer took to her Instagram Stories on Thursday to share a photo of Tiffany trying on a pair of hot pink pumps adorned with crystal embellishments. Check them out: Tiffany happily showed off her sparkly Aruna Seth sneakers to her boyfriend Michael while visiting Harrods department in London on Thursday In the snapshot, Aruna and Tiffany are sitting side by side on a pink velvet settee inside the showroom. Tiffany liked the image so much, she also posted it on her Instagram Stories. The first daughter has a close relationship with Aruna, and she even wore the British designer's $800 green suede ankle boots featuring crystal butterfly embellishments to her father's inauguration in 2017. Aruna had her head of marketing hop on a plane and deliver her brand's Farfalla boots to a hotel near the White House just a few days before President Trump's swearing-in ceremony. Tiffany traveled across the pond to visit Michael right after her law school exams and papers were officially finished, marking the end of her second year at Georgetown University. Michael was raised in Lagos, Nigeria, but he is now based in London and the pair have a long-distance relationship. Throwback: The first daughter has a close relationship with Aruna, and she even wore the British designer's $800 green suede ankle boots to her father's inauguration in 2017 Serious business: Tiffany may be planning on spending the summer with Michael. She brought him along to Mar-a-Lago last month to celebrate Easter with her family A few days before their big shopping trip at Harrods, they dined at Novikov Restaurant and Bar in London's affluent Mayfair district and were spotted exiting the restaurant after their meal. It remains unclear what else Tiffany and her boyfriend have planned for the rest of her trip away from Washington D.C. Tiffany, who Donald's only child with his second ex-wife Marla Maples, usually spends her summer vacations traveling around the world with her mother. Last year, the two headed to England, and before she started law school in 2017, they went island hopping in Italy ahead of their final stop in Rome. But it looks like she may be spending some quality time with her boyfriend this summer as things continue to heat up between them. Tiffany started dating Michael last year, and things seem to be getting serious between the two as they near their one-year anniversary. Last month, she invited him to Palm Beach, Florida, to stay at her father's Mar-a-Lago resort and attend church with her family on Easter Sunday. Young people need to face tougher warnings about the dangers of laughing gas, Britain's top nurses have warned. The Royal College of Nursing said 'the law is not working' as a deterrent for those inhaling nitrous oxide, also known as nos. Its warning comes as festival season approaches and many will see the balloons and hear the hissing of the canisters the illegal drug comes in. Nos is most popular among people aged between 16 and 24 and around half a million of them have used it in the last year, according to the Government. But the high it gives can come at a high price abusing the drug may lead to suffocation or fainting, or lead to addiction and nerve damage over the long term. Top nurses have warned ahead of festival season that young people need to be better educated about the dangers of taking nitrous oxide, which is usually inhaled from a balloon (Pictured: A woman at Glastonbury Festival in 2015, before the drug was illegal) Laughing gas is most popular among people aged between 16 and 24 and is usually inhaled from a balloon the canisters (pictured) are used by chefs to make whipped cream so are easy to get hold of (stock image) Laughing gas was made illegal as part of the 'legal highs' legislation in 2016 but it is still widely available because it's used by chefs to make whipped cream. 'The law is very clearly not working,' said the Royal College of Nursing's mental health lead, Catherine Gamble. 'Better public information, especially aimed at festival goers and young people, about the risks would help people stay safe and reduce the burden on nursing professionals.' As well as a danger of breathing problems caused by laughing gas which replaces normal air when breathed in people may also suffer headaches and dizziness. Over a longer period users may end up with a vitamin B12 deficiency which can cause nerve damage in the hands and feet, or problems with their immune system because the chemical can prevent white blood cells forming properly. The high the drug gives can lead to hallucinations and dizziness, which raise someone's risk of an accident. Laughing gas can cause headaches or dizziness when inhaled and, in extreme cases, even lead to fainting or suffocation (Pictured: People holding balloons on Brick Lane, London, in 2014 before the drug was illegal) WHAT IS 'NOS'? Nos, also known as laughing gas, is a gas called nitrous oxide which people inhale to get high. The drug is illegal for recreational use but is used by chefs to make whipped cream so is easy to buy. People inhaling the drug usually do so by filling a balloon with it and breathing it in over the course of a minute or so. The drug can produce a feeling of euphoria, lead to laughing or fits of giggles, cause hallucinations, and distort the sounds people hear. Its effects are usually short-lived but it can cause much longer lasting health damage. Because breathing it in essentially replaces the air you breathe with the drug, there is a risk of suffocation. People may also pass out because of the lack of oxygen. Inhaling nitrous oxide can also lead to severe headaches, dizziness, paranoia or stop you being able to think straight. It can also become addictive and, over time, lead to a vitamin B12 deficiency which can cause nerve damage in the hands and feet. Long-term use can also stop the body producing white blood cells effectively, damaging the immune system. Source: FRANK Advertisement Nurses report treating nos users with dangerously increased heart rates and burns, which can be caused by people inhaling it straight out of the canister. And it can exaggerate the effects of other drugs, including alcohol, to make people more likely to lose control of their body. Ms Gamble added: 'Despite the increasing use of nitrous oxide, particularly amongst younger people, far too few people know about the risks. 'It might give a short term high but the long term damage is no laughing matter. 'Along with the physical effects on the body, which themselves can be very serious, there are the psychological impacts associated with the abuse of any substance which can lead to addiction. 'As nurses we need to have proper conversations with people about the risks, and to support those who need our help.' Laughing gas is more popular among men than women with one in 10 males (10.9 per cent) aged 16-24 confessing to taking it within the past year. This compared to around one in 16 females (6.5 per cent) in the same age group. Eight people died after taking the drug in 2017 more than the six in total between 1993 and 2009. Officials estimate there have been an average five deaths per year since 2014. In December 2018, a former Chief Crown Prosecutor said the new law had failed to stop the supply and described the product as 'death in a box'. 'When taken recreationally, it can cause euphoria and help people to feel more relaxed, sometimes becoming giggly or hallucinating,' said Roz Gittins, spokesperson for the charity Addaction. 'There are, however, risks associated with its use and breathing problems may occur when large amounts of the gas is inhaled over a short amount of time or in an enclosed space if the person cannot breathe in enough oxygen. 'It may also cause burns due to coldness if inhaled directly from a canister or anaemia and nerve problems due to vitamin B12 deficiency associated with heavy use.' Exposure to chemicals found in shampoo, toys and floorboards may increase the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease, research suggests. A study found people with higher levels of the gender-bending chemicals phthalates in their urine were more likely to be obese or diabetic. They also had dangerous amounts of fat in their bloodstream and showed signs of liver damage, which can cause metabolic disorders. However, experts have hit back at the research, carried out by the University of Novi Sad in Serbia, saying there is 'not enough evidence' to support its conclusions. Exposure to chemicals found in shampoo may increase our risk of obesity (stock) Phthalates are additives used during the manufacturing of plastic. They have been detected in numerous everyday products, such as bottled water and perfume. Concerns over their safety are already mounting, with three phthalates already being banned in toys manufactured in the EU. The chemicals have been linked to infertility, obesity and impaired development, however, studies have largely been carried out on rodents. To better understand how the chemicals affect human wellbeing, the researchers measured phthalate levels in the urine of 305 people. Levels were compared against body weight, type 2 diabetes diagnoses, and markers of impaired liver function or poor metabolism. Results revealed 66 of the participants had the chemical monoethyl phthalate (MEP) in their urine, while 72 had mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP). Obese participants had higher levels of MEP, as well as aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). AST and ALT are enzymes that get released when the liver is damaged and are markers of liver disease. WHAT ARE PHTHALATES? Phthalates are additives that are used during the manufacturing of plastic or to extend a product's shelf life. The chemicals have been detected in numerous everyday products, such as bottled water, perfume, toys, vinyl flooring and shampoo. Phthalates are also added to fragrances to help the scent last longer on the skin. The chemicals are thought to mimic oestrogen and have been linked to breast and ovarian cancer, as well as an early menopause. They may also disrupt how we store fat, leading to obesity. Some phthalates have also been found to cause reproductive toxicities in animal studies. One trial even found women are more likely to give birth prematurely if they have high levels of phthalates in their bloodstream before conceiving. Advertisement Obese participants with high quantities of MEP in their urine also had greater levels of triglyercides in their blood. Triglyercides are the most common form of fat in the body and come from the extra calories in food. High levels are associated with heart disease. MEP and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GST) levels were also higher in patients with type 2 diabetes. Like AST and ALT, GGT is an enzyme that rises when the liver is damaged. Results further revealed the participants who were a healthy weight had lower levels of MEP, MEHP and cholesterol. Study author Professor Milica Medi Stojanoska admitted the sample of participants was small. She said the results suggest phthalates cause 'toxic damage to the liver', as well as altering metabolism to increase the risk of obesity and diabetes. Professor Stojanoska added: 'We need to inform people about the potential adverse effects of endocrine disruptors on their health. And she called on scientists to look at ways to minimise human contact with the 'harmful chemicals'. The study was presented at the European Society of Endocrinology annual meeting in Lyon. But critics of the research have hit back. Professor Rob Chilcott, a toxicologist at the University of Hertfordshire, said: 'The abstract simply does not provide sufficient information to support its conclusions.' Professor Kevin McConway, emeritus professor of applied statistics at The Open University, added: 'Its much too early to be concerned about this piece of research.' Doctors are calling for appointments to be made at least 15 minutes long because their patients are so ill. The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) said the current standard of 10 minutes per patient is 'not fit for purpose'. Patients spend an average of 9.2 minutes with their doctor, which is one of the shortest among comparable countries. And at the same time, the number of patients who have more than one long-term health condition has been rising by eight per cent per year since 2003. The RCGP's comments back up the findings of a Government review in October which also suggested 10 minutes wasn't long enough. Doctors say their workload is becoming more difficult because increasing numbers of people turn up to appointments with more than one medical condition (stock image) 'It is abundantly clear that the standard 10-minute appointment is unfit for purpose,' said Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, the chair of the RCGP. 'Its increasingly rare for a patient to present with a just single health condition, and we cannot deal with this adequately in 10 minutes. 'GPs want to deliver truly holistic care to our patients, considering all the physical, psychological and social factors potentially impacting on their health. 'But this depends on us having more time to spend with patients, and the resources and people to allow us to do this.' GPs have been concerned about rising workloads for years as the UK's average age is rising and doctor numbers aren't matching up to demand. Estimates show the number of people with a chronic long-term illness rose by four per cent per year between 2003 and 2016. People in the UK get 9.2 minutes with their doctor on average, less than half as long as those in Sweden, the US and Bulgaria, according to research published in 2017 And around half of all GP patients have at least one chronic condition. In a report published today the RCGP has set out a vision for the future of general practice, with longer appointments a key policy. HOW HAS THE GP CRISIS CHANGED THIS YEAR? GPs in the UK have been suffering with growing workloads and concerns about the workforce shrinking for years. A poll in February found 42 per cent of NHS GPs said they intended to leave or retire within five years, up from less than a third (32 per cent) in 2014. The research by the University of Warwick found almost a fifth (18 per cent) said they would leave within two years. Terminally ill patients are missing out on ideal care, according to other research by the Royal College of GPs in February, with doctors saying they are too busy to look after dying people. Although 92 per cent of doctors said end-of-life care is an 'important' part of being a doctor, four out of five of them say they don't have enough time to do it well. And long appointment waits are still a problem for patients across England. Between January and March this year, 12.3million appointments were completed 15 days or more after patients had booked to see their doctor. This was a 14 per cent rise from the 10.8million during the same period last year, and represents one in six patients overall. Experts said the figures show how GPs' workloads are expanding as the number of appointments continues to grow but the number of doctors falls. Advertisement It also wants surgery networks to set up 'wellbeing hubs' to offer people other healthy living help on top of medical assistance. More reliance on digital and video technology will be used to communicate with patients, and artificial intelligence used to improve triage processes and highlight high-risk patients. To achieve all its goals the RCGP said at least 11 per cent of the NHS budget should be spent on general practice the figure is currently around 9.2 per cent. The organisation added more GPs need to be employed, existing doctors discouraged from quitting, and GP speciality training should be made longer. Professor Stokes-Lampard added: 'Things are incredibly tough at the moment for many working in general practice. 'But we have had promises of more funding, resources and GPs across the UK, a new five-year GP contract in England promising to ensure money gets to the front line of patient care, new contracts in Wales and Scotland, and new state-backed indemnity schemes in England and Wales. 'The pieces of the jigsaw are fitting together, and our vision should be the final piece.' An NHS spokesman said: 'The NHS Long Term Plan means an extra 4.5billion is being invested in primary and community care, alongside the recruitment of 20,000 physios, therapists and other health experts to offer patient more access to specialist care in GP teams, building on success in the last year alone which has seen GPs across the country free up an extra half-a-million hours of time for patients.' Research by Cambridge University found in 2017 that UK patients spend an average of 9.22 minutes with their doctor. This ranked just 29th out of 67 nations, with most other wealthy countries including the US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Japan having longer. Even countries such as Peru, Bulgaria, Latvia, Poland and Croatia had longer GP appointments than the UK, the study found. The longest was in Sweden, where average appointments are 22.5 minutes, and the shortest in Pakistan where patients got just one minute and 45 seconds. A man's colon burst after his 'perverted' friends put a compressed air pump into his anus and inflated it, a bizarre medical report has revealed. The 30-year-old was taken to hospital after the horrifying prank left him needing his entire bowel removed because of a 'rectal blowout', an injury caused by air pressure rising so high inside the rectum that it explodes. And his case, although extraordinary, wasn't unique doctors reported it in a journal article alongside reports of two other men with similar injuries. One had pressurised air sprayed into his backside in an alleged accident, while another suffered the agony at the hands of robbers whom he tried to stop. The experts warned air can be as damaging as solid objects and industrial machinery should be treated with care because of its dangers. Doctors warned people need to be properly educated about the dangers of using industrial machinery such as air compressors because they can produce levels of pressure 100 times higher than what would be considered safe for a colonoscopy (Pictured: The type of air compressor which caused the injuries and, left, part of the one which injured the man whose 'perverted friends' turned it on him) Doctors from the Maulana Azad Medical College in New Delhi and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Rishikesh wrote the report. They said the men suffered high-pressure injuries which were normally 'confined to battlefields'. Life-changing injuries sustained by the men came as a warning of the dangers of misusing industrial machinery. The air flow produced by an air compressor, the report authors wrote, are at least 100 times higher than what would be considered safe for a colonoscopy. The man whose friends subjected him to the injury had 'multiple colonic perforations' and doctors found faecal matter among his other internal organs. HOW CAN COMPRESSED AIR DAMAGE INTERNAL ORGANS? In a paper in the Journal of Medical Case Reports, doctors explained how air pressurised beyond a certain point 'forms a column that acts like a solid body'. A sudden inrush of air into the body can lead to injuries called barotrauma. Barotrauma, although rare, occurs when the pressure inside a bodily tissue is higher than the area outside it, which causes it to burst. Air pumped into the anus, for example, would travel straight into the bowel and inflate the organ like a balloon until it couldn't withstand the pressure any more and ruptured. If air was pumped in the same manner into the mouth it could have the same effect on the stomach or lungs. Researchers wrote in a paper in the Journal of Medical Case Reports: 'The amount of injury may vary from mucosal ulceration to full-thickness blowout, depending on air pressure, air flow velocity, anal resting pressure, and the distance between the source and anus. 'Management ranges from repair or resection with proximal enterostomy, because multiple other injuries may perforate later and have a delayed presentation.' Advertisement The report said the injury was 'caused by his perverted friends who put the nozzle of an air pipe (tire air pump) into his anus and inflated it'. In a separate case study, a 34-year-old man who worked at a petrol pump was taken to hospital with similar injuries after trying to stop a burglary. He had what doctors called a 'rectal blowout' and needed most of his colon removed and a colostomy bag fitted. The report said he had suffered 'an alleged compressed air insult by robbers while thwarting the robbery. The robbers had thrust the compressed air nozzle into his anus'. And in the third report, a 24-year-old man went to a hospital emergency department with an 'alleged history of accidental injury to the anus by compressed air jet'. The man said the air nozzle was about 25cm (9.8 inches) away from his backside and was only on for a second. He had a swollen, painful torso and the inside of his abdomen was covered with faeces and blood, the doctors said. Surgeons had to remove part of his intestine because of damage caused by the incident. 'Education regarding such machines and their safe use must be encouraged because most of these cases are accidental and due to ignorance,' wrote the doctors, led by Dr Lovenish Bains. Air, the experts said, could be just as damaging as a solid object. Highly pressurised air, they added, 'forms a column that acts like a solid body, forcing open the anal sphincter. The medics said: 'It takes only one or two [seconds] to deliver enough pressurized air to cause major damage.' The research was published in the Journal of Medical Case Reports. Prostitution should be decriminalised to make sex workers safer and less at risk of sexually transmitted infections, according to Britain's top nurses. The Royal College of Nursing has called for a change to the law on selling sex. There are around 72,000 prostitutes in the UK, nine out of 10 of whom are women, but most of the process of buying and selling sex is illegal. Decriminalising prostitution could lower the rate of STIs, the RCN said, as well as giving sex workers more control of their situation. However, the motion was decried by critics who said it would at the same time decriminalise pimping and an 'exploitative' industry. The Royal College of Nursing said prostitution should be decriminalised so sex workers can do their jobs and seek healthcare without fear of being prosecuted (stock image) The Royal College of Nursing, the UK's largest nurses' union with over 400,000 members, voted on its official position at a conference in Liverpool yesterday. It said it would begin lobbying governments in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to change the law. 'The political appetite to fund sexual health services targeting sex workers isnt there,' said the RCN's public health spokesperson, Helen Donovan. 'As nurses, we have a duty to ensure we serve the needs of societys most vulnerable.' The RCN said decriminalisation would give prostitutes better control of their work more able to demand customers use condoms or feel able to refuse work, for example because they could rely on protection from the law. Nurse Lou Cahill, from a branch of the RCN in Bristol, was the one who proposed the motion as 'a matter of fundamental human rights'. She said: 'Decriminalisation would mean that sex workers can better negotiate safer sex. HIV risk and other vulnerabilities can be greatly reduced. WHAT IS THE UK'S LAW ON PROSTITUTION? Prostitution laws in the UK are complex but, generally speaking, it cannot be done legally. The actual exchange of sexual services for money betwen adults is legal in England, Scotland and Wales, but much of the prostitution process is not. Soliciting sex in public that is, a sex worker or pimp advertising or offering sex to a customer is illegal. Kerb crawling, driving around looking for prostitutes, is illegal, as is controlling the business of selling sex (ie pimping or working in a brothel or escort agency). Paying for sex is completely illegal in Northern Ireland. Sources: Royal College of Nursing; Hodge Jones & Allen Advertisement 'Lending our voice to support a stigmatised and marginalised group was not only the right thing to do but will lead to improved health outcomes. 'Sexual exploitation and/or trafficking of persons will remain illegal.' In England, Wales and Scotland, the law currently makes exchanging sexual services for money legal but other parts of the prostitution process illegal. Soliciting sex in public the sex worker themselves or a pimp advertising or offering sex to potential customers is a crime. In essence, prostitution is only legal if the client already knows the sex worker and no discussion about it takes place outside of their home or brothel. In Northern Ireland paying for sex is completely illegal. Campaign group the English Collective of Prostitutes called the vote a victory. The ECP claims cuts to council services are driving growing numbers of single mothers to prostitution in order to feed their families. Spokeswoman Nikki Adams said: ' It is a really important move. Criminalisation drives people underground. 'That puts women at risk in terms of their safety. We hear of cases where women have been attacked or raped they report it to the police and then get prosecuted themselves. 'It also discourages them from seeking help from health services because they are worried they will have to give details about what they do and that will be reported to the police.' Prostitution was decriminalised in New Zealand in 2003 and, according to the ECP, has improved how safe sex workers feel in the country. The campaign group said 65 per cent of prostitutes now found it easier to refuse clients a key marker of exploitation and 70 per cent were more likely to report violence to the police. But the RCN's motion has sparked criticism from some corners of the union. Branches in the east of England and Northern Ireland feared decriminalisation would increase demand and trafficking. 'The sex industry is by its very nature exploitative, manipulative and based on coercion,' said eastern region spokeswoman Abigail Lawrence. 'The model not only decriminalises prostitution but also brothel owners, pimps and buyers.' A Minnesota mother has donated her kidney to a firefighter as a thank you for saving her daughter two years ago. Becca Bundy called 9-1-1 one night in August 2016 when her one-year-old, Hadley, had a shock seizure at home. Bill Cox, 66, a firefighter who trained in first aid, responded to the call, and managed to stabilize the child before an ambulance arrived. 'He seemed to care, it wasn't just another call,' Becca told KARE 11, a local TV network. Two years later, last October, Becca bumped into Bill at a local fundraiser, where he was tending the bar and wearing a bright green t-shirt that said: 'My Name is Bill. I'm in end stage KIDNEY FAILURE And in need of a KIDNEY.' Within minutes, they realized they shared the same blood type - and Becca didn't think twice. Becca Bundy and Bill Cox, who met in 2016 when Becca's daughter, Hadley, had a seizure, and Bill responded to their call with profound care and kindness. When Becca met him again at a fundraiser, and saw his t-shirt calling for a kidney donor, she immediately volunteered 'I couldn't get it out of my head,' she told KARE 11. 'I just said, 'I'm the one and I know it.'' In that conversation, reunited at the fundraiser, Bill explained that he was born with just one kidney, that one was failing, and that he had been on the transplant list since 2017. He was nearing the point that he would need to go on dialysis, an arduous and tedious, repetitive procedure to do the kidney's job: removing waste and salt. There are far more kidney transplants performed a year than other organs (21,167 a year in the US, compared to 8,250 livers, the second most common). Becca proved to be a match for Bill, and in February 2019 underwent surgery to give him one of her healthy kidneys. Bill was born with only one kidney, which is now failing. Given that he is 66, his prospects for survival on dialysis are low and he desperately needed a transplant But that does not mean the waiting list is speedy. Unlike other organ failures, kidney patients can use dialysis to survive the wait. And because most people are born with two, there's a stronger chance of getting a healthy person to donate one. Finding that willing person isn't easy, though, and then you have to guarantee that they're a match. Short of a volunteer, patients are forced to turn to the waiting list, which has 100,000 patients hoping for one of the roughly 21,000 donor organs a year available for transplant. Most wait around three to five years for a kidney on the list. Bill had made t-shirts in a desperate bid to broaden his search. It worked: Becca realized they were the same blood type, and volunteered on the spot to get tested to see if she could be his donor. Tests soon revealed she was indeed a match. 'I can remember us both crying - tears of joy of course - and Bill thanking me,' Becca told CNN. Bill and his wife now have drawings by Becca's daughter Hadley on their fridge at home Becca said Bill (pictured with his brother and fellow officer Creighton) responded to their call with the utmost care, it wasn't like any other job As explained in CNN's interview with Bill and Becca, dialysis is a taller order for older bodies. and in February 2019, they underwent the transplant surgery at the University of Minnesota Medical Center to give Bill one of Becca's healthy kidneys. 'She's my angel. She saved my life and I thought that would be an appropriate little gift for them,' Cox told CNN. Both are now recovering, and see each other as family. Bill has Hadley's drawings on his fridge, and carved an angel for Becca as a thank you. It is hoped the cash and time-saving online system will be rolled out more widely Men with prostate cancer can avoid long waits to see a doctor by getting their test results online sometimes even on the day their blood was taken. For three years, the NHS has trialled the scheme with 2,675 patients recruited six weeks to three years after finishing treatment for the disease. They can bypass up to four follow-up hospital visits a year, only attending if they have high PSA protein levels, which can be a sign of relapse. For three years, the NHS has trialled the scheme with 2,675 patients recruited six weeks to three years after finishing treatment for the disease [File photo] So far the system has been available at University Hospital Southampton, Royal United Hospitals Bath, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Dartford and Gravesham and St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals trust. The Daily Mail has called for improvements in prostate cancer diagnosis. Now it is hoped the cash and time-saving system will be rolled out more widely. Prostate Cancer UK tested it with Southampton University. A study funded by the Movember Foundation, published in journal BMC Cancer, found men coped well with abnormal results. They can also opt for a traditional letter sent directly to their home. A baby girl with a huge cancerous tumour covering her mouth is being flown to the UK for treatment. Ainul Mardhiah Ahmad Safiuddin has been receiving chemotherapy since she was three months old - but it has done little to slow the growth. The now nine-month-old is thought to have an extragonadal germ-cell tumour, which occurs when cells that ordinarily form sperm and eggs get misplaced in the womb. Ainul is due to travel from her home in the state constituency of Ayer Molek, in south-western Malacca State, Malaysia, to London for an MRI scan and subsequent treatment. Her father Ahmad Safiuddin Ahmad Razak, 24, has thanked those who donated towards his daughters' flight, adding the family are now just waiting for the tickets to be processed. Scroll down for video Ainul Mardhiah Ahmad Safiuddin has a huge cancerous tumour on her mouth (pictured) Pictured as a newborn, the youngster seemed healthy until the mass started to grow when she was around three months old. Despite reportedly undergoing chemotherapy, the treatment has not been able to prevent the tumour engulfing the now nine-month-old's jaw Two doctors from a private hospital in Malaysia will fly with the family to London, where another medic will reportedly greet them at the airport. Mr Razak said flying could prove 'risky' for his daughter due to her condition. He did not confirm which London hospital his daughter will be treated at. It is therefore unknown whether Ainul's therapy will be at a private clinic or on the NHS, which can cost to health visitors. The youngster will undergo an MRI scan in London before a decision is made on how to treat her. An MRI was also carried out in Malaysia but the results were reportedly inconclusive. Ainul's mother Nurul Erwani Zaidi, also 24, claims her daughter's tumour is continuing to grow despite her having chemotherapy since she was three months. The parents add their daughter has become increasingly less active and can no longer move her tiny body. Ainul's tumour is thought to be derived from germ cells, which ordinary develop into sperm and eggs. Germ-cell tumours are therefore most common in the ovaries or testicles. However, germ cells can occasionally be left behind in other parts of the body when a baby develops in the womb. Alternatively, the cancer may start in the ovaries or testicles and spread at a very early stage, with the original tumour either disappearing or being too small to find. Anil's tumour (seen left) has reportedly left the youngster unable to move. Her parents Ahmad Safiuddin Ahmad Razak (pictured on the right) and Nurul Erwani Zaidi (on the left) have thanked those who donated for her to fly from their native Malaysia to the UK for treatment Bacteria taken from the faeces of healthy people could be used to treat Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and cancer, researchers claim. Scientists have found strains of bugs that reside in the gut that appear to boost the immune system's response to diseases and infections. They hope the bacteria could one day replace potent drugs and treatments such as chemotherapy, which can cause a host of unwanted side effects. British scientists have now started the first trial to test whether taking the bacteria as a daily pill could benefit a range of diseases. Single strains of bacteria can be used to treat incurable conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease and cancer, scientists believe In the last decade, scientists have found the microbiome has far more influence on overall health than previously thought. Poor gut health is now linked to the development of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Crohn's, asthma, allergies, inflammatory bowel disorder (IBS) and diabetes. Researchers at Imperial College London last month began the experiment on 120 patients battling different forms of cancer. The participants will be given a strain of the bacteria Enterococcus gallinarum, called MRx0518, in the weeks before surgery. The bacteria is collected from the faeces of healthy people before being isolated and multiplied in a lab. It is then freeze-dried and given to patients in the form of a daily pill. The method is different to faecal transplants, where the entire microbiome is transferred to patients. WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF AN UNHEALTHY GUT? 1. Constipation - It can cause a build up of waste material and toxins in your system. Straining, hard or painful to pass stools, or not feeling 'empty' after a bowel movement are all signs of constipation. 2. Diarrhoea - If your stools are too loose and wet, it can be a sign that your gut is not functioning properly. 3. Feeling sluggish - If you're feeling rundown or tired, it could be because your digestive system isn't working properly. The digestive system helps to get rid of waste in the body however, if this natural toxin removal process slows down, toxins and waste to build up in the body which can cause you to feel sluggish. 4. Mental health issues - Stress, anxiety and depression might be related to gut bacteria as well. The intestines produce a large portion of the happy hormone serotonin however, lifestyle factors like excess alcohol consumption, change in diet or travel can cause changes to this delicate balance, in turn impacting hormone and neurotransmitter production. 5. Bad breath - Can mean an imbalance of good and bad bacteria in your gut. Advertisement After the tumours are removed, researchers will inspect the cancerous tissue to see whether the bacteria boosted the body's ability to fight the cancer. Scientists say it is the flagellin - the tail-like structure of the bacteria - is what triggers the increased immune response. Duncan Peyton, founder and CEO of British company 4D pharma, which launched the first trial, told The Telegraph: 'We always thought of bacteria as causing disease. 'Everyone has had some sort of food poisoning or skin infection but if they can seriously change how we feel for the worse, then clearly they could also have a positive effect. 'If you have a condition like asthma we want to dampen down the inflammatory effect, whereas in cancer we want to take the brakes off the immune system. And bacteria seem to be able to do that but without the side effects of a lot of drugs, as they are natural.' In June, six trials across Britain are due to start to find out if the bacteria MRx4DP0004 can help treat asthma. Recent research also suggests the 'microbiome' affect communication between brain cells and overall neurological health. Worldwide, interest is growing in the idea abnormal quantities of certain bugs may be responsible for triggering a variety of conditions. Scientists have linked some forms of intestinal bacteria to an increased risk of colorectal cancer. In two studies by the University of Sao Paulo (USP) in Brazil, researchers found higher levels of nearly 30 different types of bacteria in patients with the disease compared to healthy individuals. Some bacteria were commonly found in the mouth while others turned nutrients found in red meat and poultry into carcinogens. A mother's bacterial gut make-up may influence her child's risk of a host of conditions including autism, studies are also beginning to suggest. This is thought to occur via the 'gut-brain axis', which communicates through our nervous, hormonal and immune systems. It has been suggested an imbalance to an expectant mother's microbiome may affect her child's central nervous system, which could lead to autism. Human and rat studies have also shown altering the microbiome by introducing 'good bacteria' can reduce autism symptoms. A woman woke up with a black eye and swollen face after being scratched by her pet cat. Heidi Plamping, from Canada, had been trying to calm down her cat, Storm, who had been freaked by a large dog. As three-year-old Storm clambered on to her head for refuge, her claws caught Ms Plamping's skin, drawing blood. When the 42-year-old's eyes and hands started to swell three days later, she thought dust mites were to blame. But her face worsened over the next few days, to the point where it was covered in a rash. She was given pills by her doctor and sent home. However, they did not work and she needed to go to the hospital every day for four days to receive a drip of antibiotics to fight her swelling. Doctors warned her cat scratches can be very serious - cats carry and can transfer bacteria, which, in very rare cases, can lead to life-threatening complications such as sepsis. Heidi Plamping, 42, of Cochrane, Alberta, Canada, had been trying to calm down her cat, Storm, who scratched her face and arm as she clambered onto her head for safety Ms Plamping's face swelled and became covered in a rash that worsened over the course of a few days. Pictured, on May 8, six days after being scratched Ms Plamping had to go to hospital every day to receive a drip of antibiotics. Pictured on May 10 As three-year-old Storm clambered onto Ms Plamping's her head for refuge, her claws caught Ms Plamping's skin ten times. Pictured, cuts to her face CAN YOU GET AN INFECTION FROM A CAT SCRATCH? Cat-scratch disease (CSD) is a bacterial infection spread by cats. The disease spreads when an infected cat licks a persons open wound, or bites or scratches a person hard enough to break the surface of the skin. About three to 14 days after the skin is broken, a mild infection can occur at the site of the scratch or bite. The infected area may appear swollen and red with round, raised lesions and can have pus. The infection can feel warm or painful. A person with CSD may also have a fever, headache, poor appetite, and exhaustion. Later, the persons lymph nodes closest to the original scratch or bite can become swollen, tender, or painful. CSD is caused by a bacterium called Bartonella henselae. About 40% of cats carry B. henselae at some time in their lives, and it is more common in kittens. Although rare, CSD can cause people to have serious complications. CSD can affect the brain, eyes, heart, or other internal organs. These rare complications, which may require intensive treatment, are more likely to occur in children younger than five years and people with weakened immune systems. Advertisement Ms Plamping, a digital marketing consultant who lives in Cochrane, Alberta, had travelled to British Columbia at the start of May with Storm to stay and work with friends for the summer. When they arrived on May 2, Ms Plamping let Storm out on her lead as she had done countless times before when they've visited the unidentified friend. However, since their last visit, Ms Plamping's friend had got two Great Danes who were very friendly and excited to meet Storm. The large dogs scared her and she started to get tangled in her lead as she panicked to get away. Ms Plamping said: 'Their dogs are very friendly, but my cat hasn't met a dog before so when one of them showed up she freaked out.' Ms Plamping rushed to Storm's rescue and started to untangle her beloved cat as she climbed up her face to the safety of her head. Ms Plamping said: 'Eventually I picked her up so I could bring her inside. She was so scared she climbed my face to my head while I screamed murder and put her inside.' As a result, Ms Plamping had seven scratches on her face and three more on her hand and arm. When she woke up the next day with a black eye, Ms Plamping thought nothing more of her injuries. But by May 5, Ms Plamping had a swollen hand and eyes. Due to having sensitive skin, she thought that she could possibly be having a reaction to any dust that could have been present in her new surroundings. Storm, pictured, was freaked by a Great Dane dog at Ms Plamping's friend's house When Ms Plamping woke up the day after the scratches with a black eye (pictured), but didn't think much of her injuries But by May 5, Ms Plamping had a swollen hand and eyes (pictured). Due to having sensitive skin, she thought that she could possibly be having a reaction to dust mites On May 7, pictured, Ms Plamping's face was significantly more swollen and covered in rashes so she went back to the doctor she had seen the day before Ms Plamping said: 'When they had to order antibiotics that had to go into me through an IV, I knew it was serious'. Pictured, an IV line to administer the drugs She said: 'I haven't had a bad skin reaction in a long time but since high school I have had sensitive skin. 'I have had rashes off and on all my life from dust, detergent, perfumes and dyes.' The next day her symptoms were worse, and she went to a doctor where she was given pills and told to come back the next day if her condition deteriorated. On May 7, Ms Plamping's face was significantly more swollen and covered in rashes so she went back to the doctor who was shocked. Ms Plamping said: 'This time they were a bit freaked out by my face and informed me how bad cat scratches and bites can get. It can lead to sepsis and even death.' Cats carry bacteria, one of which, called Bartonella henselae, can cause infection in a human when it is transmitted through a deep cut or bite. About three to 14 days after the skin is broken, a mild infection can occur at the site of the injury, and then progress to become swollen, red and painful. Known as 'cat-scratch disease', it can become fatal if not treated quickly. The CDC and NHS are quick to assure people that the dangerous cases are generally rare. But other experts warn that cat bites and scratches can be 'devastating in terms of infection and permanent disability', if left untreated. Official figures suggest around 12,000 Americans get cat scratch disease each year. It is unsure how many Britons develop the infection. Ms Plamping, a digital marketing consultant, said it wasn't the first week in British Columbia she had been hoping for. Pictured, on May 13 when the swelling and rashes had almost gone Ms Plamping, pictured before the drama, said if she had to rescue Storm again, she would Ms Plamping has had Storm ever since she was four months old and said that this incident hasn't changed their relationship. Pictured together Ms Plamping was put on an IV and had to return every day for four days to get a new dose of antibiotics administered. She said: 'They said it is common for cat scratches or bites to cause infection. When they had to order antibiotics that had to go into me through an IV, I knew it was serious but was just thankful that we were heading in the right direction to make me better. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU'RE BITTEN BY AN ANIMAL? Clean the wound immediately by running warm tap water over it for a couple of minutes, even if the skin does not appear broken. Remove any dirt or foreign objects from the wound. Encourage the wound to bleed slightly by gentle squeezing (unless already bleeding freely). If there is heavy bleeding, place a clean pad or sterile dressing over wound and apply pressure. Dry the wound and cover with a clean dressing or plaster. Seek medical advice unless the wound is very minor. For severe wounds, go to A&E. Advertisement 'The next day, the swelling was going down but a rash was spreading on my arm. 'The doctor outlined my arm where the rash was and told me to go to the emergency room if it spread any further that night. Thankfully it didn't and once the hand swelling went down they finally gave me prednisone [a medication to calm the immune system] to help with the swelling and rash in my face.' The medication made Ms Plamping nauseous and sleepy, and she said: 'I started getting upset when my face was so tight and itchy. 'I knew it would get better, but I was growing impatient. So, it wasn't exactly the first week in British Columbia that I had pictured for myself.' Following her ordeal, animal lover Ms Plamping said that Storm looked at her funny for a few days whilst the swelling went down. But the two forgave each other instantly and Ms Plamping said she wouldn't hesitate to rescue Storm again if the situation arose. Ms Plamping has had Storm ever since she was four months old and said that this incident hasn't changed their relationship, but Storm is now more wary of going outside. 'Storm is very hesitant to leave the cabin. Back home in Alberta she freely goes outside. Here she is nervous about the dog,' said Ms Plamping. 'If I had to protect her again and pick her up, I would. I don't have kids. She is my baby. My fur baby. 'I wasn't aware that cat scratches were so infectious. If you get a cat scratch or bite, go to your doctor right away.' An Australian university has been forced to take back its claim elderberries could treat the flu because of a dubious arrangement with a pharmaceutical company. The University of Sydney published an article saying its research showed the berries had antiviral properties but later admitted it had no evidence to prove that. And the university has since been accused of overselling the research after taking money from Pharmacare, a multinational company selling elderberry health products. One expert said the way the university publicised the research was an 'appalling misrepresentation' of the science behind it. One expert said the way the university publicised the research, funded by Pharmacare, a multinational company selling elderberry health products, was an 'appalling misrepresentation' of the science behind it The claims of elderberries' ability to fight influenza was picked up by major news sites including Fox News and the Melbourne newspaper, Herald Sun. An original news article on the university's website has now been removed and a vice chancellor admitted staff 'should have been clearer' about its research. The blunder was revealed in an investigation by the Sydney Morning Herald. A claim elderberries could cure flu in sick people was based on tests done on human cells in a lab but it wasn't obvious that no human or mouse tests had been done, admitted acting deputy vice-chancellor Professor Laurent Rivory. Staff at the university allegedly told the Herald there was 'no evidence' to support the news article's claim. Trials on human patients would have been needed to confidently make the claims in the university's press release, Professor Rivory said. In a quote on the university website in April, one of the researchers, Dr Golnoosh Torabian, said: 'What our study has shown is that the common elderberry has a potent direct antiviral effect against the flu virus.' And lower down, the article said: 'For medicinal benefits, elderberry extract is available commercially in tablet or syrup form.' Pharmacare, which funded the research, makes a product called Sambucol. Sambucol is a black elderberry extract syrup which claims to provide 'strong immune system support' it is available worldwide and, in the UK, from Holland & Barrett and Waitrose for around 5. After questioning from the Sydney Morning Herald and Melbourne newspaper, The Age, the university admitted there was not enough evidence to prove its flu claims. A claim elderberries could cure flu in sick people was based on tests done on human cells in a lab but it wasn't obvious that no human or mouse tests had been done (Pictured: An archived view of the page from April 26, 2019) The article revealing the research has since been removed from the University of Sydney's website (Pictured: A view of the page today) The claim that elderberries could tackle flu was widely circulated online in the days after the research was published in April WHAT DID THE NEWS ARTICLE SAY? The news article posted on the University of Sydney's website on April 24, 2019, began with a sub-heading which said: 'A group of chemical and biomolecular engineers has determined that elderberries can help the fight against influenza, by reducing symptoms and severity of the virus.' The actual study paper, published in the Journal of Functional Foods, did not report any findings to suggest elderberries could reduce flu symptoms. It said its findings that an elderberry supplement could inhibit flu virus activity in human cells in a lab backed up past research which studied symptoms. The news article said elderberry could 'help strengthen a persons immune response to the virus'. The words echo promotional material for Sambucol, which claim it 'provides strong immune system support'. Later on in the article the university added: 'For medicinal benefits, elderberry extract is available commercially in tablet or syrup form.' At the end of the journal study the researchers declared they had received funding from Pharmacare, and said no animal or human testing had been done but neither caveat was repeated in the press release on the university website. Advertisement The university has now launched an investigation into the scandal and said it would in future make commercial funding more obvious to readers. 'This is an appalling misrepresentation of this Pharmacare-funded in-vitro study,' Ken Harvey, president of the Friends of Science in Medicine, told the Morning Herald. 'It was inappropriate and misleading to imply from this study that an extract was "proven to fight flu".' The University of Sydneys Professor Rivory said: 'The accurate reporting of our research is crucial. 'It should have been clearer in the media release that the research didnt involve the human consumption of elderberries and that more research was required before the full impact on humans could be determined. 'There was no attempt to hide the funding source from the media. 'The authors included Pharmacare among its financial contributors in the published paper, which is publicly available online and a link to this paper was included in the final media release.' He added Pharmacare's cash contribution to the research made up less than one per cent of the funding used. The research was published in the Journal of Functional Foods. MailOnline has contacted the University of Sydney and Pharmacare for comment. A mother-of-two had to have nearly half her skull removed when a brain aneurysm ruptured during a gym workout. Lisa Ross thought she just had a migraine while bending down to pick up weights during a body-pump class on March 2, 2017. With the pain soon becoming agonising, the now 35-year-old was rushed to A&E, where doctors detected a brain aneurysm behind her right eye had ruptured. Mrs Ross, of Cumbernauld, Lanarkshire, went under the knife to stop the brain bleed, only for the swelling to trigger a stroke just two days later. In an effort to save her life, doctors were forced to remove part of Mrs Ross' skull to ease the swelling. Two years on, Mrs Ross, who used to be a customer service agent for the Royal Bank of Scotland, has no peripheral vision and limited mobility in her left hand. Lisa Ross had to have nearly half her skull removed when she suffered a brain aneurysm during a gym workout. Surgery to stop the bleed triggered swelling that caused her to suffer a stroke just days later. She is pictured right during her ten-day stint in intensive care while unresponsive and left two years on from the ordeal at home in Cumbernauld, Lanarkshire Speaking of the ordeal, Mrs Ross said: 'It still baffles me to this day how I went from fine to nearly dying in one week. 'I was miserable for months afterwards but I really feel lucky now to still be here and it makes me cherish my family and the little things in life even more.' Following her gym workout, Mrs Ross tolerated her headache for two days before it became so severe she was taken to A&E at Monklands Hospital in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire. A CT scan revealed she had suffered a brain bleed and Mrs Ross was transferred to a special unit at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. Surgeons managed to stop the bleed, only for her to endure a second stroke days later. On March 10, Mrs Ross underwent a decompressive craniectomy, which involves removing a section of the skull to reduce the build-up of pressure in the head and minimise brain damage. This section of Mrs Ross' skull was then placed in her abdominal wall. Although it may sound bizarre, this procedure is often carried out to keep bones 'fresh'. Mrs Ross was then moved to intensive care, where she stayed, unresponsive, for ten days. WHAT IS A BRAIN ANEURYSM? A brain aneurysm is a bulge or ballooning blood vessel. This can leak, causing bleeding in the brain, which can be life threatening. Symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm include: Sudden, severe headache Nausea and vomiting Stiff neck Blurred or double vision Sensitivity to light Seizure Drooping eyelid Confusion Loss of consciousness An unruptured aneurysm may not have any symptoms and could not require treatment. The causes of brain aneurysms are often unclear. Risk factors include high blood pressure, smoking, heavy drinking and old age. Treatment may include surgery or medication to restore blood flow and relieve pain. Source: Mayo Clinic Advertisement Her mother Lorna Watson said: 'I can't describe the fear. It's something no parent wants to experience. 'Seeing Lisa lying there with all those tubes and wires and her head bandaged up just broke my heart' When Mrs Ross did come round, she did not even recognise her sons Kalvin, 11, and Connor, five. Unable to walk, talk or swallow, Mrs Ross was kept in hospital for nearly four months, with her husband Richard, also 35, visiting every day. 'Richard was incredible - he was there for the kids and Lisa in a way that no man would ever expect to be,' Ms Watson said. On April 3, a ventriculoperitoneal shunt was inserted to drain fluid from Mrs Ross' brain. This fluid went down via a tube to her abdominal cavity, where her body reabsorbed it. The section of her skull that was removed was then reattached on April 18. Mrs Ross was finally discharged on June 29 but the ordeal was far from over. 'I remember coming home and constantly thinking "why me?",' she said. 'There'd be endless days of sitting on the couch doing nothing. This low period lasted for months and months.' However, her eldest son eventually helped his mother see the positive side of the situation. 'Kalvin one day said out of the blue, "I'm so glad you made it through this mummy",' Mrs Ross said. 'That was my wake up call. It made me realise life doesn't stop after a brain injury - it's simply a new beginning. 'Realising the support network you have around you, and that you're not alone and have a purpose encourages you to keep going. 'My love and appreciation for Richard and the boys has never been greater and I now do everything I can to help others in the same situation.' Mrs Ross is now back at the gym and working with the charity Momentum Scotland, which provides training and employment services to people with disabilities. 'I now see a personal trainer who helps me with special exercises for my hand,' she said. 'I'm very proud of what I've achieved in my recovery which was only possible thanks to the support from my husband, friends and family. 'I am now focused on moving forward, helping people and cherishing what I have.' A head injury awareness day is taking place tomorrow. Find more information here. Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) may raise the risk of cancer in women - but not men, according to research. Greek scientists analysed data from 19,000 people to examine if there was a link between OSA and cancer. They found cancer was more prevalent in women with sleep apnoea than those without. The trend did not exist in men, however. The findings remained true when other cancer-causing factors, such as a high BMI, smoking status and alcohol consumption, were taken into account. Millions of people around the world have OSA, which can cause snoring. Snoring, feeling fatigued or having morning headaches could be linked to cancer, researchers in Germany have warned after conducting a study on more than 19,000 people Experts said the findings should not alarm people who snore, and warned it is not the first time the link to cancer has been made. Lifestyle changes can combat the condition, often caused by being overweight, smoking, or drinking too much alcohol. Obstructive sleep apnoea, where the airways narrow during sleep and interrupts normal breathing, can have a big impact on quality of life. HOW DOES SLEEP APNOEA AFFECT LIFE AND IS IT LINKED TO CANCER? People with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) may not be aware they have the condition, as the symptoms are normally spotted by a family member or partner first when they hear the person snoring. During an episode in the night, the lack of oxygen triggers your brain to pull you out of deep sleep either to a lighter sleep or to wakefulness so your airway reopens and you can breathe normally. These repeated sleep interruptions can make the person feel very tired during the day, causing problems with performance at their job or at school. Poorly controlled OSA may also increase the risk of developing high blood pressure (hypertension), having a stroke or heart attack, developing an irregular heartbeat such as atrial fibrillation, developing type 2 diabetes although it's unclear if this is the result of an underlying cause, such as obesity. Research has shown someone who has been deprived of sleep because of OSA may be up to 12 times more likely to be involved in a car accident. One study by researchers at the University of Sydney Nursing School found that people with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea could be 250 per cent more likely to develop cancer and more than three times more likely to die of the disease. Another study, of about 1,500 government workers in Wisconsin, showed that those with the most breathing abnormalities at night had five times the rate of dying from cancer as people without the sleep disorder, the New York Times reports. Source: NHS Advertisement It affects between four and ten per cent of people in the UK, and in the region of 22million in the US, according to estimates. The NHS states OSA could lead to high blood pressure, a stroke, heart attack, or developing type 2 diabetes. Researchers from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki led the study, using data of 5,789 women and 13,767 men. The study looked at how many times the volunteers experienced partial or complete airways closure per hour of sleep. The experts also looked at how many times during the night the blood oxygen levels of participants dropped below 90 per cent. The data showed that 388 people - two per cent - of the participants had been diagnosed with a serious cancer. This included 160 women, 2.8 per cent of the total women, and 228 men, which is 1.7 per cent of all men in the group. Scientists suggested a lower level of oxygen in the blood, caused by restricted breathing, could play a role in the development of cancer. Dr Athanasia Pataka, co-author of the study, published in the European Respiratory Journal, said: 'This area of research is very new. 'And the effects of gender on the link between OSA and cancer have not been studied in detail before. 'Our study of more than 19,000 people shows that severity of OSA is linked to a cancer diagnosis. 'This link was especially strong in the women that we analysed, and less so in the men.' She called for more trials to confirm the results. The researchers also cautioned that the results not prove that OSA causes an increased risk of cancer. Professor Anita Simonds, consultant in respiratory and sleep medicine at Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, was sceptical of the study. She said: 'In this study the overall cancer prevalence was low at just two per cent, therefore OSA patients should not be alarmed by this research.' Men with OSA are more likely to be sleepy, snore, or stop breathing in the middle of the night. Whereas women are more likely to feel fatigued, have insomnia, depression and morning headaches. A mother is warning about the dangers of mosquitoes after her seven-year-old daughter suffered terrifying seizures and hallucinations from an invisible bite. First-grader Lauren Zehner spent six days in hospital after she was bitten and was left unable to recognize her own parents for a short time. She was diagnosed with a rare condition called La Crosse encephalitis and received the treatment required for her to recover. The viral disease, which is spread by the eastern tree hole mosquito, can easily be misdiagnosed and can cause paralysis in extreme cases. Lauren Zehner, seven, was hospitalized for a week, Lauren, pictured (left) with her parents and brother, had no sign of a bite but had certainly contracted a mosquito-borne illness Little Lauren was transferred by ambulance to Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, where scans revealed her brain was swelling Holly Zehner, 33, a wellness advocate, became concerned about her daughter on August 16 when her fever spiked to 105 degrees. ER doctors initially diagnosed Lauren with a typical UTI, but when she returned home the typically sweet-natured child became angry and disoriented. While Holly nipped out to get a prescription her husband Jonathan Zehner, 39, became frightened by their daughter's condition. Holly said: 'As I pulled into the driveway, my husband came running out. He said something was really wrong with Lauren. 'When I went inside, she wasn't responding to me. She was confused. She didn't know who I was. 'She started to become angry. She was asking for water and when I brought it to her she threw the glass away. 'We called an ambulance and she was brought back to the same ER we had been to earlier that day. Holly Zehner, 33, a wellness advocate, became concerned about her daughter on August 16 when her fever spiked to 105 degrees While Holly nipped out to get a prescription Jonathan Zehner, 39, became frightened by their daughter's condition 'They couldn't believe she was the same child. She was so combative they had to sedate her just to do her blood work, which she had done so easily just hours before. 'She's a sweetheart usually, but she became out of her mind.' Little Lauren was transferred by ambulance to Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, where scans revealed her brain was swelling. The first grader was immediately admitted to the Pediatric ICU where she was tested for meningitis and treated with antibiotics and antivirals. Lauren was transferred to the Infectious Disease Unit after two days where she began to experience frightening seizures. Holly said: 'Her eyes were rolling back and her blood pressure skyrocketed. 'Lauren's neurologist came in later that evening and said that they were seeing seizures in many recent cases of La Crosse encephalitis. 'Many people haven't heard of it but it's a mosquito borne virus. 'To be honest we did not remember her being bitten. The incubation period for this virus is up to two weeks so it could have happened at any point. 'In some children it can present as a simple flu, but in others like Lauren it can be very serious and life-threatening.' Lauren suffered two more seizures over the course of two days and was prescribed anti-seizure medication as her body tackled the infection. Holly and Jonathan, a field work planner, were worried when Lauren's neurologists prepared them for the possibility that their daughter may have cognitive setbacks following the ordeal. Holly said: 'Lauren's neuropsychologist told us that the illness could leave her with developmental delays. 'She told us that children who go through illnesses like this one typically are a year behind cognitively. Lauren was transferred to the Infectious Disease Unit after two days where she began to experience frightening seizures 'I just was so grateful that she was alive that I didn't even care. I knew we were going to be okay.' Lauren was released from hospital on August 22, six days after she was first admitted. Holly said: 'I was so terrified about bringing her home. I don't think I slept for weeks. 'We bought a baby monitor because I was scared she would have a seizure in the middle of the night. 'The biggest thing was that when she came home she had a lot of anger issues. We discovered this was a side effect of her anti-seizure medication.' Since Lauren's illness, Holly has become an advocate for raising awareness about the La Crosse virus and the impact it has on American communities. According to the Centers of Disease Control an average of 70 cases of LAC encephalitis are reported each year in the United States but Holly reckons this figure is much higher. It is Holly's hope that the virus is taken as seriously by Ohio's Health Department as West Nile virus, another life-threatening mosquito borne illness. Lauren suffered two more seizures over the course of two days and was prescribed anti-seizure medication as her body tackled the infection. Pictured recovering in hospital, playing a game with her father Lauren was released from hospital on August 22, six days after she was first admitted - and now her family is sharing the story as a warning to others Holly, who is also mother to Colton, nine, and stepmother to Ayden, 17, said: 'I have been trying to highlight the need for La Crosse testing with the Ohio Department of Health. 'We need the necessary equipment to protect children. 'In Ohio, they test mosquitoes for West Nile and they send out local alerts if it is found in an area. 'The same practice is not carried out for La Crosse. 'I have an interest in essential oils so my kids are always protected in bug repellent in the evenings. 'This specific mosquito is dangerous though because they bite in the day time. 'We have this perception that mosquitoes only bite after dark. 'The eastern tree mosquitoes breed in trees and stagnant pools of water, like in old tires. 'They have very specific breeding habits and stay in the same area, which are called hot spots. 'I have been in contact with other moms in my direct area whose children have been impacted. 'Lauren's neurologist told us he had cared for eight children on his floor with the virus. 'It's something our health department needs to take seriously. 'A single mosquito bite could have a devastating impact on children. 'I feel like Lauren is 99.9 percent back to the way she was, but we got very lucky.' ABC foreign correspondent James Longman revealed he once considered taking his own life in a heart-wrenching interview on Life After Suicide. At just 32, Longman has risen and prominence as a journalist, covering everything from terror attacks to a subject closer to home: mental health. Longman endures episodes of depression, his father's and grandfather's suicides. And in his 20s, he found himself sitting on a London curb, barely able to hold himself back from throwing himself into the passing traffic. Since that dizzying moment on the verge of suicide Longman has become increasingly outspoken about suicide, investing its patterns in families and especially about the importance of speaking out to those who cope with suicidal thoughts. ABC foreign correspondent James Longman told Dr Jennifer Ashton on Life After Suicide (pictured) that he once came dangerously close to taking own life and has wondered if he's fated for suicide because his grandfather and father both died of suicide Being a member of a British family that has suffered at the hands of mental illness, and depression and suicide, Longman feared that it might be inevitable for his life to follow the same trajectory. His grandfather took his own life when Longman's father was in his 20s, and 20 years later, Longman's father died by suicide, too. Then, in his 20s, Longman found himself contemplating the same. 'I was at work, and I started just breathing really sharply at my desk,' Longman told Dr Jennifer Ashton on her podcast. It was his first panic attack, though Longman didn't recognize it for what it was in the moment. But he knew he had to do something, and called a non-emergency help line that directed him to a nearby clinic in London, where he's based. 'It was a very dramatic, kind of filmic moment, I was crying in the rain running through London,' he recalls. As a foreign correspondent now for ABC and formerly for the BBC, Longman has faced danger covering conflicts in Syria and reported around the world But when he reached the 'clinic' he was told at reception that it no longer existed. As Longman frantically tried to call other resources, the person working the desk 'told me to get out,' he says, 'because I wasn't allowed to make calls in the hallways where I was standing.' Defeated, he wondered back out into the rainy London day and sunk to the curb. 'For about 10 minutes, I seriously contemplated walking out into traffic,' Longman said. 'I've never felt that since, but in that moment...it really just seemed like the easiest thing to do.' The feeling passed, but Longman was left shaken. Despite his shining career, Longman says that depression short-circuits that knowledge, because it is an 'irrational' condition that 'drains the color' from the world he sees 'Ten minutes later, I felt sort of scared of how I had been feeling.' A friend came to his aid, and sat with him outside, just crying and talking, until he was a little calmer, when she took him to a doctor. 'I'm so lucky for her,' Longman says. The conversation with his friend that day became part of the most significant tool he's found in breaking the cycle of suicide and secrecy in his family: 'Talking,' he says. 'Talking, talking, talking. Talking, talking.' Longman's family kept his grandfather's death shrouded in mystery, with vague allusions to an illness, and his father died by suicide when Longman was just nine, growing up in London. But when the thought of suicide crept into Longman's own mind, he fought back by speaking out and reading up. He launched into research for a segment on the heritability of mental illness. Longman visited researchers at King's College London, where he learned that some 20 genes are associated with bipolar disorder and 108 are linked to schizophrenia, the disorder from which his father had suffered. A more recent National Institutes of Health study, conducted on 119 Americans who died by suicide and their family members further confirmed the familial pattern. Since things came to a head in his 20s, Longman has found satisfaction in researching suicide risks, and greater peace by opening up to his friends, partner, family and suicide survivors Suicide and social anxiety ran together in those families, and the link was strongest in those that also shared bipolar disorder. Akin to social anxiety, both Longman and Dr Ashton have looked into research on the role of guilt in suicide. 'Rather than getting angry at other people...we get angry and blame ourselves,' said Longman of those who suffer depression. Longman is acutely aware of how fortunate he is in many ways, but also of how little that has to do with the way that depression eats at the mind and mood. 'A lot of people that are high-achievers are really playing with fire that way,' he said. 'There's no reason or rationale [because] depression is an irrational feeling brought on by our own psychology and physiology, so to try to rationalize something that's not rational is futile.' Instead, Longman reaches out to his friends and to his long-term partner, Alex, and bonds with others that suffer depression and suicidal thoughts to try to see if his 'nurture' can overcome his 'nature' - the suicidality that may run in his genes. 'I try to talk to people who are trying to find ways to get out of their darkness without medication.' His answer is talking. 'It's like a magic trick,' he says. 'It doesn't even matter what the thing is you're saying, the act of talking itself is the [pressure release] valve.' A woman who was napping in the backseat of her friend's car woke up to find herself paralyzed from the chest down after a horrific car crash. In April 2008, Tammy Le, from San Jose, California, was asleep in the car when a driver cut her friend off, and the friend swerved to avoid colliding. The vehicle crashed into a concrete lane divider and when Le, then age 17, awoke, she was upside down and unable to move her arms or legs. In the hospital, doctors told her that she was paralyzed from the chest down and would spend the rest of her life as a quadriplegic. Le, now 28, says she has regained some movement in her arms during recovery and wants to encourage others that there is life after paralysis. Tammy Le, 28, from San Jose, California, was napping in the backseat of her friend's car when a driver cut them off, and the friend swerved to avoid a collision. Pictured: Le, left, wearing a halo brace and on a ventilator The car crashed into a concrete lane divider and Le (left and right) was rushed to the hospital. This is when doctors discovered two vertebrae were shattered and her spine required reconstruction At the time of the accident, Le was a high school senior - just two months away from graduation - and working two part-time jobs. 'Aside from hearing a lot of yelling in my deep sleep, I don't remember much,' Le said. 'I woke up upside down, with the car on top of my head and all the windows around me were shattered.' Le was rushed into emergency surgery, where doctors discovered that her C4/C5 vertebrae, which control the diaphragm and muscles in the upper arms, were shattered. Surgeons reconstructed her spine and inserted rods. Le spent three months in hospital as she came to terms with her new life as a quadriplegic. To move, the brain sends a signal to the spinal cord. Then nerve cells in the spinal cord control the muscles in the legs to move. When people are paralyzed, the neurons that receive signals from the brain are damaged, meaning they can't control the muscles. 'At first, I wondered why it felt so good to be paralyzed, but then I realized they had induced me with a lot of morphine,' Le said. 'The daunting moment when I realized the magnitude of my situation was when they told me I was unable to drink water or eat anything. I now have a deeper gratitude for food and I never thought that it would be a luxury to feed myself.' Doctors told Le she was paralyzed from the accident and would be a quadriplegic for the rest of her life. Pictured: Le during a rehabilitation center Le spent three months in the hospital and was told she needed to learn to eat by herself before she could be discharged. Pictured: Le during a workout session Le was slowly weaned off the ventilator and she had to learn to eat by herself again before she could be discharged. After she finally showed weight gain, she was allowed to go home - three days before her eighteenth birthday. Le was immediately put into physical therapy, and has since regained some movement in her arms and hands. 'I was doing core workouts, electrical stimulation as well as getting in walkers to practice walking in order to engage below my level of injury,' Le said. 'After that, it wasn't only physical rehabilitation I had to face, it was emotional and mental as well. It's still ongoing but I've accepted the ebb and flow of my life now, and this injury.' Le now does exercise at home by pushing around her manual wheelchair as well as using resistance bands and battle ropes. She credits her family and her friends with helping her maintain a positive attitude, but also that she recognizes when she needs 'alone time'. Currently, Le (left and right) exercises at home and uses resistance bands and battle ropes to help regains strength and movement. She also credits her family and her friends with helping her have a positive attitude Le has regained some movement in her arms and hopes her recovery provides hope to others. Pictured: Le with her caregiver's daughter Le says she hopes that her recovery inspires others who are in a similar situation to not give up hope. 'In the first few years following the crash, my strength and happiness were a facade because I felt like it was an obligation to look like I was okay,' she said. 'Now, for my own self-acceptance and sanity, I consciously breathe through every thought to wade off negative and critical ones. 'Sometimes we don't know, nor can we control what life throws at us, but it's important to remember that you always have a choice in how to respond and control the situation at hand. Where there's a will, there's a way.' An Arizona woman has become the first licensed pilot in the US without arms after she learned to fly a plane with her feet. Jessica Cox, 36, from Phoenix, was born with a rare condition that caused her to not develop her upper limbs in the womb. She learned to use her feet to do everything from play piano, drive a car, become a certified scuba diver and earn a third-degree black belt in taekwondo, reported CNN. But perhaps Cox's greatest accomplishment is becoming certified to fly a single engine plane, and she says she hopes to inspire others with disabilities by showing they too can accomplish anything. Jessica Cox, 36 (pictured), from Phoenix, Arizona, was born with no arms. Doctors have not been able to understand why she didn't develop arms in her mother's womb It's not been confirmed, but it's believed that Cox (pictured) was likely born with amelia, a rare condition in which one or more limbs doesn't form Cox told CNN that doctors were never been able to understand why she didn't develop arms in her mother's womb. No previous scans had showed something was wrong. 'My mom had a normal pregnancy,' she told the network. 'And then on the day of my birth, it was an absolute shock to both of my parents...when the doctor brought me over saying: "Your baby doesn't have any arms."' Although it has never been confirmed, Cox was likely born with amelia, a rare condition in which one or more limbs doesn't form. The cause is unknown but the limb formation process is usually prevented or interrupted very early, between 24 and 36 days after fertilization. It is unknown how many people have the condition because most affected infants are stillborn or die shortly after birth. Although it may be present as an isolated defect, amelia is associated with other malformations 50 percent of the time, according to the National Institutes of Health. This includes cleft lip and/or palate, internal organ protrusion, a herniated diaphragm, small kidney and lung defects. From a young age, Cox was incredibly active from taking tap dancing lessons to participating in Girl Scouts, though she often got stares and comments. Cox (left and right) was active as a child and took tap dancing lessons and participated in Girl Scouts. She does not like using prosthetic arms and prefers to use her feet She used to be petrified of airplanes until the pilot of a small plane invited her up to the cockpit. Pictured: Cox flying in a plane 'I wanted so much to be normal, and I was told too often that I couldn't do something or that I was handicapped,' she told CNN. 'I absolutely resented the word "handicap".' Despite learning how to use prosthetic arms, Cox said she didn't like using them and preferred to use her feet. Cox told CNN that she used to be incredibly frightened of airplanes until the pilot of a small plane invited her up to the cockpit. 'The pilot brought me to the front of the plane. The plane has dual controls,' she said. 'He took his hands off of the control and let me do the flying. Even if something is scary to you, it's important that we face it.' She decided she wanted to train to become a pilot after she graduated with a degree in psychology from the University of Arizona in 2005, CNN reported. Cox began training in 2005, which took three years and involved plane with dual controls that Cox flew with one foot on the yoke and the other on the throttle. Pictured: Cox with her plane In October 2008, Cox (pictured) became certified by the Federal Aviation Administration to fly an Ercoupe, a light aircraft with a single engine 'I had numerous flight instructors and contributors to my training to figure this out,' Cox told the network. 'So, it was a three-year process to figure out through trial and error what would work.' She also found a plane that would be comfortable for her to work with her feet: a light aircraft with a single engine known as an Ercoupe. 'There were a lot of questions. There were a lot of concerns. There were a lot of doubters on whether this was possible,' Cox said. Cox became certified by the Federal Aviation Administration in October 2008 to fly the plane, which she does with one foot on the yoke and the other on the throttle. She hopes she can become an inspiration for young children and encourage them to face their fears. 'Because I live my life the way I do, it has this tremendous impact on other people,' she told CNN. 'I've had role models and leaders. And because I've had that, now it's my responsibility to be the same for the next generation.' In a post on Instagram from March, Cox announced she had just passed her biennial flight review, and wrote in the caption: 'I'm a current pilot again!' When five-year-old Slade Thompson woke up from surgery to have his tonsils removed, he was in pain and crying. The little boy, from Renovo, Pennsylvania, wanted to see his mother, but she wasn't allowed to be in the room yet until his vitals were checked. So Slade asked one of his nurses, Annie Hager, if she would snuggle with him. She immediately said yes, and crawled into bed with him, giving him a tight hug. The sweet moment was captured on camera and has been shard more than thousands of times across social media. Slade Thompson, five, from Renovo, Pennsylvania, woke up crying for his mother after tonsil surgery last month. He asked one of his nurses, Annie Hager, 35, if she would snuggle with him. Pictured, left and right: Slade with Hager Hager cuddled Slade (pictured) for five to 10 minutes until he fell asleep, which is when Slade's mother was allowed to enter the room Slade and his mother, Layla Thompson, are no strangers to hospitals, but they can still be scary places for five-year-olds. Thompson, told DailyMail.com that her son has been visiting several hospitals and doctors since age two due to an unrelated medical condition. As a toddler, Slade began walking on his toes rather than putting his whole foot down on the ground. 'It was full-blown ballerina tip-toes,' Thompson said. 'It got to the point that he couldn't put his heel on the floor.' Doctors discovered he had an extremely tight Achilles tendon so, in January 2019, surgeons at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia lengthened the tendons in both legs. Slade was in a wheelchair for two months and had to learn to walk 'heel toe, heel toe,' according to Thompson. Then, on April 18, Slade was admitted to the UPMC Susquehanna for a tonsillectomy, a procedure to remove the tonsils, for breathing problems. The tonsils are two small glands that are located at the back of throat that help prevent viruses and bacteria from entering the nose and throat. Currently, about 20 percent of removals are for infection and 80 percent for obstructive sleep problems, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. A complete recovery typically takes between 10 days and two weeks. Thompson and her fiance were in the waiting room when Slade awoke but, before they could go see him, his nurses had to check his vitals. 'Kids are generally afraid when they wake up from surgery, they're in pain, and Slade wanted to see his mom,' Hager, the nurse, told DailyMail.com. 'I told him: "It's okay. Mom will be here soon." He said: "I really want to snuggle. Will you snuggle with me?" and I said: "Of course I will".' The photo has been shared on Facebook where it has more than 5,100 likes and more than 630 shares. Pictured: Slade in a wheelchair after surgery in January 2019 At a follow-up appointment a few days later, Slade brought flowers to Hager. She and Slade's mother have become friends and plan to get their kids together over the summer. Pictured: Slade bringing flowers to Hager, left, and in the hosptial, right So Hager climbed into bed with Slade and held him for about five to 10 minutes, during which time he fell asleep, which is when Thompson peeked around the corner. 'I knew right away that she had to be a mom,' Thompson said, and Hager does in fact have two children of her own. 'I turned the corner and he was sleeping. And I said: "Can I take your picture?" Slade must have heard my voice because that's when he woke up.' The photo, along with another of Slade and Hager, has been shared on Facebook where it has more than 5,100 likes and more than 630 shares. 'None of us were expecting us to get this reaction,' Hager said. 'It's just heartwarming to be there for the kids. Kindness is free, so why not give it out?' At a follow-up appointment a few days later, Slade and his mother brought flowers - which the boy picked out himself - for 'his Miss Annie'. 'He gave me a big hug and I just started to cry,' Hager, who works at UPMC Susquehanna Williamsport Regional Medical Center, said. Hager and Thompson have developed a friendship and plan on getting their kids together over the summer. 'Nurses, they're paid to take care for you, not to care about you,' Thompson said. '[Hager]was paid to take his vitals, not hold him. She could have just said: "No, mom's coming." But she didn't. She comforted him.' Rising costs are leading to millions of customers cancelling vital insurance policies they can no longer afford, leaving them financially vulnerable if things go wrong. A survey by finance provider Premium Credit has found that 38 per cent of people have cancelled one or more insurance policy over the past three years because they could no longer afford it. This includes car insurance - a legal requirement if you own and drive a car - and home insurance, which your mortgage lender will likely require you to have. Worryingly, in some 56 per cent of these cases, cancellations occurred in the past 12 months. A shocking one in five motorists in London have cancelled car insurance in the past three years The research also reveals that over the next 12 months, as many as 12 million people are considering cancelling one or more of their insurance policies. Respondents cited both a rise in the cost of insurance and a drop in income as their reason for cancelling. Premium Credit's strategy director Adam Morghem said: 'It is shocking to see so many people missing out on vital, sometimes legally necessary cover due to cost or concerns over payments. 'This is leaving millions exposed to unnecessary risks and potentially even greater costs further down the line.' Is insurance getting more expensive? The survey, which was commissioned by Premium Credit and carried out by research firm Consumer Intelligence, surveyed 1,198 people around the country. When asked, 40 per cent of respondents who had cancelled said they could no longer afford insurance because premiums have become too expensive, while 21 per cent said they cut back because they suffered a significant drop in income. Percentage of people cancelling insurance due to cost over the past three years Region Pet Travel Health Life Home Critical illness Car Motorbike East Midlands 10% 17% 13% 12% 18% 10% 13% 1% Eastern 15% 14% 9% 8% 11% 11% 5% 3% London 16% 18% 16% 22% 19% 9% 20% 4% North East 16% 15% 13% 7% 9% 15% 9% 5% North West 15% 12% 15% 13% 14% 10% 10% 1% Scotland 16% 7% 7% 6% 7% 12% 3% 0% South East 13% 17% 11% 11% 11% 8% 10% 2% South West 16% 7% 12% 13% 5% 13% 5% 1% Yorkshire And The Humber 4% 14% 6% 8% 11% 8% 6% 1% Wales 19% 15% 6% 4% 12% 12% 10% 0% West Midlands 18% 18% 15% 10% 17% 9% 11% 3% Source: Premium Credit / Consumer Intelligence However, most forms of insurance are actually getting cheaper for most policyholders. Car insurance has been dropping. The latest Association of British Insurers Motor Insurance Premium Tracker shows that the price paid for the average comprehensive motor policy now stands at 466, the lowest quarterly figure since the early months of 2017. Find cheap car insurance When buying car insurance, you can save money by finding the best deals on a price comparison site. If you've not done this before, it could save you hundreds of pounds on a renewal quote. This is a simple and easy way to compare prices and while results will broadly be the same across most sites, they may slightly differ, so it is worth checking a couple. Our recommendations of those to try are > Compare the Market > MoneySupermarket > Confused.com Some insurers don't appear on comparison sites and are worth checking directly. The main two are Direct Line and Aviva. This isn't the case in all regions, however. Confused.com found that the South East bucked the national trend in the first three months of the year, climbing by 8, or 1 per cent, compared to last year. And the research shows a staggering one in five motorists in London has stopped buying car insurance over the past three years. The Association of British Insurers says that a fall in motor insurance purchase in London could reflect the rise in alternative transport patterns, such as the rise in hiring vehicles, as opposed to owning a car. It could also be in part a response to London Mayor Sadiq Khan's introduction of the Ultra Low Emissions Zone, which has pushed up the cost of driving in some parts of the capital. Motor premiums are expected to continue to drop as government reforms come in, curbing how much critically injured claimants will receive in compensation. But this isn't a sure thing. Insurers have already dropped prices in anticipation of the rule changes, and some industry experts worry that if the reforms aren't as generous as they were expecting, they will have to put prices back up. Home insurance costs are also dropping. In the first quarter of this year, the average price paid for combined buildings and contents cover was at its lowest for two years, despite an increase in subsidence and escape of water claims. However, the cost of pet insurance is on the rise, according to Direct Line Pet Insurance - due to an increase in the cost of vet bills pushing up claims costs. Life cover cancellations Perhaps the most worrying response to the survey is the 12 per cent of people who cancelled their life insurance over the past three years. Again, London is especially hard hit, with an unbelievable 22 per cent of Londoners cancelling their life insurance cover since 2016. Life insurance is often one of the most important financial products a family can buy, as it acts as a backstop against losing a home or being overwhelmed by debt if a breadwinner passes away. And most life insurance premiums are guaranteed, which means a policy costs the same each month as when it was first taken out. As a policy can last decades, this means those cancelling are not doing so because new policies are getting more expensive. This could indicate that it may not be the cost of insurance, but the rising cost of living in general contributing to people cancelling their life cover. Malcolm Tarling, Association of British Insurers spokesman, said: 'We recognise of course that any trend in falling premiums does not mean that everyone will feel that insurance is affordable to them. 'Many of those on lower incomes for example, and in higher risk groups, such as young drivers, may find it harder to get affordable insurance. 'Shopping around of course is always worthwhile, especially as there are a variety of products to help people access affordable insurance.' More plan to cancel insurance Consumer Intelligence also asked the survey 1,198 respondents whether they were planning to stop buying insurance over the next 12 months. The responses were similarly gloomy: some 7 per cent are planning on cancelling their life cover; 6 per cent their critical illness cover; 5 per cent car; 5 per cent home; and, 8 per cent their health insurance. Percentage of people who say they will cancel insurance in the next 12 months Region Pet Travel Health Life Critical illness Car Motorbike East Midlands 14% 11% 10% 10% 2% 8% 5% Eastern 7% 7% 7% 7% 3% 7% 5% London 12% 11% 9% 12% 13% 8% 13% North East 9% 5% 16% 13% 2% 7% 2% North West 6% 5% 6% 6% 7% 4% 4% Scotland 7% 6% 7% 5% 0% 5% 5% South West 7% 8% 7% 7% 5% 5% 4% South East 6% 3% 6% 5% 4% 5% 3% Yorkshire And The Humber 4% 7% 6% 3% 3% 5% 6% Wales 10% 12% 10% 6% 2% 12% 2% West Midlands 8% 10% 9% 6% 4% 5% 4% Source: Premium Credit / Consumer Intelligence This doesn't necessarily mean that the overall number of insurance customers in the UK will go down. People's circumstances change, and there are always new customers in the market looking to either switch from an existing insurer or to take out a new type of cover. But the research could suggest that those who are financially insecure are increasingly viewing insurance as a cost they could do without. Malcolm Tarling, ABI spokesperson, said: 'Insurance provides invaluable financial protection and peace of mind to millions of households. 'Anyone thinking of cancelling their cover should think long and hard, as it could turn out to be a false economy should the worst happen. 'Shopping around in very competitive insurance markets can ensure the right cover at the best price, with a variety of policies available to cater for people on a tight budget.' What happens if you're caught without insurance? Lastly, Consumer Intelligence asked the respondents about their current situations. Some 28 per cent of those who had cancelled their car insurance admitted to still having a car. This doesn't necessarily mean they are still driving, but for those who are, driving without insurance can result in six points on your licence and a fixed fine of 300. If the case goes to court, you can face an unlimited fine. How to get cheaper life insurance This is Money has teamed up with Cavendish Online to offer our readers the cheapest life insurance quotes available on the market. You can get a fully underwritten quote online yourself, or speak to a fully qualified independent adviser who can compare life insurance and recommend the best option for you from a wide range of insurers. Find out more and see what it would cost you. If you cause a collision, the driver on the other end of it will have to claim through the Motor Insurers' Bureau. This is funded by insurers, and the cost from this passed down to the average driver is estimated at between 15 and 30 each year. Some 51 per cent who cancelled their home insurance admitted to having a mortgage, despite most lenders requiring mortgage holders to hold a home insurance policy. This means for example that if their house were to burn down, they would be left with a massive debt without the asset it was originally secured against, leaving them in a financial black hole. If the lender finds out, there could also be consequences even if nothing goes wrong. David Hollingworth of mortgage broker London and Country said: 'If the lender became aware then I expect that they would remind the customer of their obligation but in theory they could ultimately ask for the mortgage to be repaid if the breach was not rectified.' NatWest denied it was reneging on a five-year-old pledge to no longer offer teaser credit cards, as it announced it was re-entering the market. Bringing back a 0 per cent balance transfer credit card is a U-turn for the High Street banking giant. However, its head of personal banking said the March 2014 decision was 'right at the time', but the withdrawal 'left many of our customers without an option they found valuable'. NatWest's new 0 per cent offer lasts for 23 months before reverting to 19.9 per cent APR, and crucially is open only to existing customers transferring up to 20,000. It comes with no annual fee as well as 0 per cent on purchases for the first three months. Taxpayer owned NatWest pulled out of the balance transfer market in 2014, but now it's back - after it said there was demand from customers for the product The bank, and its stablemate RBS, pulled out of the balance transfer market five years ago in response to what chief executive Ross McEwan called 'absolutely abhorrent' teaser rates. Such credit cards are often seen as an effective way for customers to pay down their debts by taking advantage of an interest-rate freeze, but many don't manage to do this making the cards profitable for banks as they then slip onto rates approaching 20 per cent. The bank said at the time two-thirds of its balance transfer customers didn't pay their debts off before the introductory rate expired. The RBS boss recently announced that he would be stepping down, stating that he was leaving the bailed out bank in 'much stronger financial position' than when he joined over five years ago. NatWest claimed the new card 'represents a significant step forward' and had been 'launched in response to customer demand and developed in line with principles to ensure we help our customers take control of their finances'. As well as no balance transfer fees and not penalising customers for late or missed payments, NatWest said features launched alongside the card will help borrowers. These include a repayment calculator to show customers how to pay down their debts, the ability to lock and unlock the card and restrict certain types of spending, and 'regular check ins' and reminders of their financial health and outstanding balance over the 23 month period. Those who don't pay their balance off at the end of the 0 per cent introductory period will also be offered guidance on how to pay off their debt, the bank said. NatWest's personal banking chief executive Les Matheson told The Sunday Times 'What's different with our card is the focus on paying off the debt the reminders to pay it down so that customers don't get to the end of the interest-free period and they have forgotten'. The taxpayer-owned bank's re-entry into the market comes at a time when balance transfer offers are slowly shrinking, thanks principally to an FCA crackdown on credit card providers. RBS boss Ross McEwan recently announced that he would be stepping down In March, This is Money reported that the longest 0 per cent introductory term fell below 30 months for the first time since December 2013, with more than a quarter of zero interest deals disappearing in two years. Andrew Hagger, of personal finance website Moneycomms, said the move was 'an interesting U-turn from NatWest perhaps abstaining from the 0 per cent market has seen a drop off in revenue. He added: '23 months isn't going to trouble the best buys though, there are plenty of card deals offering 28 or 29 months on balance transfers. 'The battle in the 0 per cent market has cooled markedly having found its level again in the last three months, but I can't see rival card lenders getting too worked up over the NatWest about turn.' Currently the longest 0 per cent deal is 29 months, which is offered by Sainsbury's Bank. That card however charges a 1.5 per cent balance transfer fee with a minimum of 3, and comes with a 19.95 per cent APR. This flu season could be one of the worst on record, amid fears up to 4,000 Australians could die from the killer virus this year, health experts have warned. There have already been nearly 50,000 confirmed cases of influenza in 2019 - nearly three times the numbers recorded at this time in the last few years. According to ABS statistics, 1,255 people died from influenza in the horror 2017 season epidemic. Dr Richard Kidd, chair of the Australian Medical Association Council of General Practice fears this year's death toll could be much worse after an early start to the flu season. 'We could well see 4,000 Australians die from influenza or complications this year,' the Brisbane GP said. Nearly 50,000 Australians have been diagnosed with the flu this year, amid fears the death toll could rise to 4,000 nationwide this year Dr Kidd told Daily Mail Australia figures of hospitalisation and deaths were already above average in Queensland, and he expected these would continue to rise nationally. 'I know there have been higher than previous rates of admission to hospital and intensive care units,' he said. 'I think across the country, the figures will probably get worse,' he said. INFLUENZA BY STATE Influenza diagnoses from January 1 to May 15 by state: ACT - 312 NSW - 12,053 NT - 662 QLD - 10,506 SA - 12,885 TAS - 771 VIC - 4,627 WA - 2,420 TOTAL - 49,361 Advertisement 'With the data already to hand, [the rate of infection] is already two or three times higher than previous years.' Up to May 15, there have been 49,361 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza reported to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, and 88 influenza-related deaths. International flu expert and head of research at the National Centre of Immunisation Research Professor Robert Booy recently told the ABC the figures are among the worst on record for this time of year. 'It's shaping up to be a moderately severe flu season,' Professor Booy told Daily Mail Australia this week. 'Last year was a quiet season and as a result, not many people have experienced the latest flu strain. Time will tell but there is a long way to go to top the monster epidemic of 2017.' NSW Health released the first of its weekly Influenza Surveillance Reports for the year this week. The figures revealed an shows that the flu season began early, with 856 confirmed flu cases for the week ending May 12, higher than the 812 notifications in the previous week. 'Respiratory presentations to NSW emergency departments increased and remain above the usual range,' the report states. 'Influenza continued to circulate above the usual range seen for this time of year; influenza A strains predominated.' Western Sydney had the highest number of cases with 192, followed by northern Sydney (158) and south-eastern Sydney (120). 'We've seen abnormally high numbers of reported flu cases across Australia over the warmer months leading into winter,' NSW Health's Director of Communicable Diseases, Dr Vicky Sheppeard said in a statement. According to ABS data, 1,255 people died from influenza in the horror 2017 season epidemic The flu has already claimed 26 lives in Victoria this season, including three young children, which health minister Ms Mikakos described as unusual. The other fatalities were aged care residents. 'We are seeing a lot of communicable diseases spread through overseas travel, that's certainly been the case in terms of measles cases and flu cases,' Ms Mikakos told reporters. 'We have seen a very significant summer flu season this year as a result of people coming back from the northern hemisphere with the flu and that spreading in the community.' A spokesman from the Department of Health said there was an unusual increase in influenza from November 2018 - but this is not uncommon, especially in tropical regions, as the flu circulates year-round. 'Additionally, increases during the earlier part of 2019 may also be due to infected travellers returning from countries in the northern hemisphere where seasonal influenza epidemics were occurring,' he said. Dr Kidd said there were many variables in determining how bad each flu season would be, including whether high rates of influenza elsewhere in the world would be carried on to Australia through tourists, whether the disease mutated, and the level of immunisation. 'We can't control most of that, but we can control people getting getting vaccinated,' he said. 'Everyone who can should be getting the flu shot.' GP Richard Kidd said it's important everyone gets a flu shot, especially pregnant women who are most at risk of getting the potentially deadly infection Dr Kidd slammed anti-vaxxers for their 'ignorant' views and said the rise of anti-vaxx messaging on social media was 'quite distressing' for him to see. 'It distresses me there are, frankly, ignorant people out there giving false messages for no reason,' he said. 'It's going to cause some people real harm. 'They could turn someone who was going to get a shot against it, and [that person] could get sick and die.' Dr Kidd said the latest flu vaccine had two A and two B strains in it, which are expected to be the worst ones this year. 'For some people,' he said, 'that shot could be life saving.' He said pregnant women should especially consider having the flu shot if they had it before November, as the vaccine was new and more targeted to changing strains. 'If [pregnant women] get the flu they can get sicker than others and it can be disastrous for them and their unborn baby,' he said. The Brisbane GP said anyone displaying symptoms should isolate themselves or consider a face mask to stop the spread of the disease. 'Anyone who has got flu symptoms should stay home, because for some people, it's lethal,' he said. 'If you suspect someone in your office is displaying symptoms, keep a good metre or two from them, and maybe encourage them - if you can see they're runny nosed, bleary eyed and miserable, suggest they get a face mask, or you can get one too.' Jermaine Tramone Pressley, 43, shot his daughter Authorities in South Carolina say a Greenville man who mistook his daughter for a potential intruder and killed her has been arrested on drug charges. Greenville County deputies said officers responding to the early Sunday shooting found heroin and cocaine in the Greenville home of 43-year-old Jermaine Tramone Pressley. Sheriff's Office Lt. Jimmy Bolt said in a statement that Pressley heard someone trying to enter his home, so he shot through a door. The coroner's office says the gunfire fatally wounded 23-year-old Nadeja Jermainequa Pressley. An autopsy is set for Monday. She had discussed bringing food over earlier that day, and had let herself in with a key when tragedy struck. Jermaine Pressley is charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine. It wasn't known if he had a lawyer. Neighbor Regina Harvey was among those who heard the shots being fired. She said: I just heard two gunshots. (I) went out on the porch and I seen police everywhere, everywhere. Thats just a sad feeling. The investigation into the shooting is continuing. A former nurse charged with sexually assaulting an incapacitated woman who later gave birth at a Phoenix long-term care facility has appealed a court order requiring a test to determine if he has HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases. A lawyer for Nathan Sutherland says in an appeal filed last week that a lower-court order should be overturned because there is no evidence to suggest his client has a sexually transmitted disease. Attorney Edwin Molina says such a test would violate Sutherland's constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. The Maricopa County Attorney's Office, which is prosecuting Sutherland, declined to comment on the appeal. Nathan Sutherland has been charged with sexually assaulting an incapacitated woman who later gave birth at a long-term care facility in Phoenix Authorities say Sutherland, 37, was working as a licensed practical nurse at Hacienda Healthcare when he raped the 29-year-old victim, who has been in long-term care since age 3 after suffering a near-drowning Prosecutors have previously cited a state law that says people accused of sexual assault are subject to tests to determine whether they have a sexually transmitted disease. Such results are to be released to the victims. Authorities say Sutherland, 37, was working as a licensed practical nurse at Hacienda Healthcare when he raped the 29-year-old victim, who has been in long-term care since age 3 after suffering a near-drowning. She gave birth to a boy at the facility on December 29. Employees said they had no idea she was pregnant. The surprise birth triggered reviews by state agencies, highlighted safety concerns for patients who are severely disabled or incapacitated and prompted the resignations of Hacienda's chief executive and one of the victim's doctors. Sutherland (right) was arraigned in Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix on February 5 Investigators say Sutherland's DNA matched a sample from the woman's newborn boy, who is being cared for by her family. Sutherland has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual abuse and abuse of a vulnerable adult. Hacienda fired Sutherland after his arrest. He has since given up his nursing license. Advertisement The planes that dropped 24,000 American, British, and Canadian troops into Normandy on D-Day have taken to the skies once again to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the mission that laid the foundations for Allied victory over the Nazis. Twelves planes, including five C-47's bearing the black and white invasion stripes of Operation Overlord, left Connecticut on Sunday for their journey across the Atlantic to northern France. There, they will join 15 more planes to drop 250 D-Day paratroopers to reenact what was the largest seaborne invasion in history. On June 6, 1944, the planes dropped thousands of troops behind enemy lines in the middle of the night. The ensuing battle for Normandy ultimately helped pave the way for Hitler's defeat and bring the Second World War to an end. Scroll down for video A formation of C-47s flew down the Hudson River on Saturday as they readied before making the journey east to Europe 12 planes, including five C-47's that flew on D-Day in June 1944 are on their way to Europe from the United States. Three pilots are seen in Connecticut ahead of the trip Operation Overlord was the codename for the Battle of Normandy which saw 1,200-planes take part in an airborne assault followed by an amphibious assault involving more than 5,000 vessels. The US, British, and Canadian paratroopers landed on French soil shortly after midnight and came in either by parachute or by glider. 13,000 paratroopers from the U.S. 82nd and 101st Airborne divisions along with British paratroopers making for a total of about 24,000 combat jumpers landed in Nazi-occupied France. The mission for the C-47s and gliders towed by the planes was to dropped the soldiers behind the Germans' main lines with the objective of taking the town of St. Mere Eglise in order to secure key approaches to the beaches. By the end of that day, nearly 160,000 troops had crossed the English Channel and landed in Nazi-occupied France and laid the foundations of the Allies victory on the Western Front, but there were enormous casualties too. 1,500 U.S. paratroopers lost their lives that day - 338 were killed and 1,257 went missing. The C-47 That's All, Brother led the main airborne invasion of Normandy. The historic aircraft is part of the 'D-Day Squadron' that left Sunday for a weeklong, trans-Atlantic flight in preparation for the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of D-Day A C-47 plane with 'That's All, Brother' written on the side is seen before taking off on Operation Overlord which would pave the way for Allied victory over the Nazis in the Second World War One of the planes is seen before taking off on the mission on June 6, 1944. The planes dropped thousands of troops behind enemy lines in the middle of the night. The ensuing battle for Normandy ultimately helped pave the way for Hitler's defeat and bring the Second World War to an end. 'That's All, Brother,' that was discovered and restored in 2017 at Basler Turbo Conversions in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The plane carried the first paratroopers who stormed the beaches of Normandy during World War II The trip could be flown in at little as 15-17 hours, but the aircraft will have to make several stops to refuel in Goose Bay in Newfoundland, Canada; Narsarsuaq in southern Greenland; Reykjavik in Iceland and onto Prestwick on Scotland's west coast The Douglas DC-3 aircraft and C-47 Dakota transporters are on a week-long, trans-Atlantic flight culminating June 5 The planes will stop for fuel in Newfoundland, Greenland, Iceland, Scotland and England, retracing the route used when the planes were brought to Europe during World War II in 1944 Another one of the planes which is part of the squadron is pictures flying over a U.S. city before heading to Europe Historic Troop Carrier transports on the ramp at sunset during the Commemorative Air Force Wings Over Dallas WW II Weekend and Airshow. At left, the C47 'Southern Cross' and at right, the C-53 'D-Day Doll.' Placid Lassie, D-Day Doll, That's All, Brother and other planes from the D-Day Squadron departed from Waterbury-Oxford Airport in Connecticut to cross the Atlantic to take part in Daks Over Normandy. 'There have not been this many Dakotas crossing the Atlantic since the war,' said Steve Lashley, the director of communications for the D-Day Squadron told the New York Times. 'People are going to be able to look up and see something they've never seen before.' 'This is our last chance to honor the members of the greatest generation while they're with us,' Lashley said. 'The 80th will be too late.' 'That's why we're doing this mission, we're bringing history to life,' said Andy Maag, who is flying a C-47 named That's All, Brother. The trip across the pond could be flown in as little as 15-17 hours, but the aircraft will have to make several stops to refuel in Goose Bay in Newfoundland, Canada; Narsarsuaq in southern Greenland; Reykjavik in Iceland and onto Prestwick on Scotland's west coast. The journey should take about a week, depending on weather conditions. The planes in the D-Day Squadron, some of which started as DC-3 airliners that the military converted to troop carriers, are all owned by nonprofit organizations or individuals 12 planes are making the journey from the US to Europe. S-Day 1944 saw more than 800 Dakotas and other aircraft fill the sky The historic WWII C-53 Skytrooper plane D-Day Doll flies at the 2019 Chino Airshow in Chino, California D-Day Doll was built at the Douglas factory in Santa Monica, California, and was delivered to U.S. Army Air Forces on July 7, 1943. It was assigned to the 434th Troop Carrier Group and was stationed at various locations before arriving at Royal Air Force (RAF) Aldermaston in March 1944 The 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment gathered around C-47 plane 'That's All, Brother.' Airborne paratroopers are loaded onto the WWII C-47 plane 'That's All, Brother.' The international event will honor the soldiers of World War II who liberated France and fought on to victory over the following year. Next month's event will see a gathering of volunteer pilots, crews and historic planes all come together, culminating on June 5 with the paratroopers landing in the same drop zones that were used in the June 6, 1944 invasion according to the Hartford Courant. 'It's an extraordinary opportunity to honor our veterans and to teach new generations about America's place in the world,' Placid Lassie pilot Eric Zipkin of Middlebury said. The most important aircraft to support the airborne assault was formed by more than 800 Douglas C-47 Skytrains (Dakotas), the military version of the Douglas DC-3. These winged work horses carried the brunt of all men into battle across the English Channel with many calling them the 'Unsung Heroes' of the war. The planes and pilots will meet up with a dozen European Dakotas and together cross the English Channel to Normandy for the ceremony commemorating the June 6, 1944, military landing D-Day Doll was built at the Douglas factory in Santa Monica, California. It is one of 159 C-53Ds and was built in 1943 While most of the plane's flight controls are 1930s-technology, the latest navigation and communication equipment has been installed into the plane to ensure the journey goes as smoothly as possible The D-Day Squadron from Connecticut will see an entire squadron of Douglas DC-3/C-47 Dakotas head over to commemorate the anniversary in both the United Kingdom and France. When the war started, C-47s began rolling out of Douglas Aircraft's Long Beach, California plant in huge numbers. The planes were able to carry 28 fully armed soldiers or 6,000 pounds of cargo and were nicknamed Gooney Bird, Dakota and the Vomit Comet. Two Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp 14-cylinder radial engines producing 1,200 horsepower powered the plane. Last week, six of the the aircraft flew over Pratt's East Hartford and Middletown plants to honor the men and women who made the engines. The pilots of Betsy's Biscuit Bomber, a 1944 C-47 is also heading over to Europe. The plane has its original World War II interior The planes landed in Goose Bay on Sunday where there was a reception held for the planes which are now waiting for a good period of weather before starting the trans-Atlantic crossing Pilot Tom Travis, left, and crew member Ray Clausen turn a prop on the World War II troop carrier That's All, Brother The plane was found in a Wisconsin aviation boneyard and restored, the C-47 named will drop paratrooper re-enactors over the French coast in June marking the 75th anniversary of D-Day In just over two weeks time, the plan once again is for the skies over southern England and Normandy to be filled with the aircraft and hundreds of paratroopers. The plan is to follow in the footsteps of the Greatest Generation - boarding the aircraft in England before flying across the English Channel in formation before the parachute jump into the historic drop zones of Normandy. The paratroopers will be wearing WWII style Allied uniforms and will jump using military round parachutes - mimicking those used in 1944. The historic WWII C-47 plane 'That's All Brother' flying over the countryside of the United States The World War II aircraft that took part in the D-Day invasion in 1944 is returning to Europe for the 75th anniversary of the battle It could be the last great commemoration of the Allied battle to include D-Day veterans, many of whom are now in their 90s The interior of That's All Brother which can hold 28 paratroopers or 6,000lbs of cargo World War II vintage transport aircraft fly over the Washington D.C. area last weekend as they prepared to journey to Europe 92-year-old Franklin Payne, Ret US Army, C-47 Crew Chief, holds a photo of himself in his youth near 'Placid Lassie' in this May 12, 2019 The planes that make up the D-Day squadron are all privately owned by nonprofit organizations or individuals. The organizations behind each aircraft managed to raise enough money for the flight to Europe thanks to donations and contributions from businesses. The total cost of the voyage is estimated to be about $3 million, including fuel costs of about $2 million. While most of the plane's flight controls are 1930s technology, the latest navigation and communication equipment has been installed into the old cockpits to ensure the journey goes as smoothly as possible. Every aircraft it also equipped with life rafts and survival suits. 'This is dangerous,' said Len Roberto, a member of the board of directors of the Connecticut Air and Space Center told The Times. 'It is not an easy journey in a 75-year-old airplane.' In addition to honoring veterans, the squadron's goal is to inspire young people to learn about American history and aviation as well as encouraging youngsters to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Between June 2-9, 30 DC-3 and C-47 planes will come together at Duxford Airfield in the United Kingdom near Cambridge and then at Caen Carpiquet Airport in Normandy, According to the organizers of Daks Over Normandy, the June 5 commemorative flight 'will most probably be the very last large commemoration of this historic day,' while some of those who took part in the invasion are still alive. Jim Carrey has once again sparked outrage with a provocative drawing - this time depicting Alabama Governor Kay Ivey as an aborted fetus. The Ace Ventura actor was responding to Iveys signing into law on Wednesday of a controversial bill that banned all abortions except in cases of a medical emergency. On his Twitter account, Carrey posted a caricature showing Ivey as a fetus still attached to an umbilical cord. A large hypodermic needle is then inserted into Iveys head. Carreys image included the caption: I think If youre going to terminate a pregnancy, it should be done sometime before the fetus becomes Governor of Alabama. Jim Carrey (left) has once again sparked outrage with a provocative drawing - this time depicting Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (right) as an aborted fetus On his Twitter account, Carrey posted a caricature showing Ivey as a fetus still attached to an umbilical cord. A large hypodermic needle is then inserted into Iveys head. Carreys image included the caption: I think If youre going to terminate a pregnancy, it should be done sometime before the fetus becomes Governor of Alabama. The graphic tweet was met with an online backlash from social media users who said Carrey was suffering from poor mental health. Wow...Get help, tweeted one Twitter user. Another Twitter user asked: Are you okay...?? Not for a while now, responded another Twitter user. Liz Wheeler, a conservative commentator, tweeted: Thank you for the truly accurate (and therefore horrifying) portrayal of abortion... sucking out the brains of a PERSON because that person is inconvenient to you. You blessed the pro life movement with this. Lauren Surratt tweeted: This should be the end of your twitter activity. Period. If anyone else would have posted it, they would be deactivated. Shireen Qudosi tweeted: This is an incredibly vile illustration. Allie Beth Stuckey tweeted: 'I cant imagine how lonely, dark and miserable it is inside your troubled mind & empty heart. Will pray for you.' Liz Wheeler, a conservative commentator, tweeted: Thank you for the truly accurate (and therefore horrifying) portrayal of abortion... sucking out the brains of a PERSON because that person is inconvenient to you. You blessed the pro life movement with this. Ben Shapiro tweeted: 'This is a pretty great depiction of an abortion: clinically accurate, and wiping out an individual human life' Ted Cruz, the senator from Texas, tweeted: 'This is not OK. Today's Left: vicious, angry, and consumed by hate' 'Are you okay...??' tweeted one Twitter user 'Not for a while now,' another Twitter user responded Lauren Surratt tweeted: This should be the end of your twitter activity. Period. If anyone else would have posted it, they would be deactivated. Shireen Qudosi tweeted: This is an incredibly vile illustration. Someone who is truly woke, and has achieved a higher level of spiritual enlightenment, has expanded their consciousness, WOULD NOT ever produce this. You can be against abortion [without] resorting to this. Someone who is truly woke, and has achieved a higher level of spiritual enlightenment, has expanded their consciousness, WOULD NOT ever produce this. You can be against abortion [without] resorting to this. Allie Beth Stuckey tweeted: 'I cant imagine how lonely, dark and miserable it is inside your troubled mind & empty heart. 'Will pray for you.' Ben Shapiro tweeted: 'This is a pretty great depiction of an abortion: clinically accurate, and wiping out an individual human life.' In March, Benito Mussolinis granddaughter Alessandra Mussolini (right) slammed Carrey (left) after he tweeted a drawing of the hanging of Italy's wartime fascist leader and his mistress Carrey, whose drawings have been harshly critical of Trump, tweeted a caption which read: If youre wondering what fascism leads to, just ask Benito Mussolini and his mistress Claretta. Ted Cruz, the senator from Texas, tweeted: 'This is not OK. Today's Left: vicious, angry, and consumed by hate.' Missouri lawmakers passed a bill on Friday that prohibits women from seeking an abortion after the eighth week of pregnancy, days after Alabama's legislation was signed into law. Similar laws have been proposed in more than a dozen other states as Republican-controlled legislatures push to restrict the rights of women to terminate their pregnancies. Carrey has a history of drawing cartoons that have generated strong reactions. In March, the star actor enraged the granddaughter of the late Italian fascist wartime dictator Benito Mussolini. Earlier this year, Carrey drew a scathing cartoon of President Trump, blaming him for the New Zealand massacre at two mosques. It shows a meteor-like figure with Trumps head and hair in a flaming ball of streaking fire as it heads for Earth. A swastika is seen on Trumps forehead, Italian politician Alessandra Mussolini hit back at the star on Twitter, branding him a b*****d for drawing a sketch of her grandfather and his lover hanging upside down from a rafter. The Canadian-American actor, whose drawings have been harshly critical of President Trump, expressed his views on fascism by sharing the drawing with the caption: If youre wondering what fascism leads to, just ask Benito Mussolini and his mistress Claretta. His tweet generated more than 57,000 likes and 15,000 retweets but was slammed by Ms Mussolini who replied to Carreys sketch, writing: You are a b*****d. Ms Mussolini posted a number of angry tweets in response to Carrey, saying that he should draw images of Americas troubled past. Carrey has also drawn provocative cartoons, one of which depicts Trump and porn star Stormy Daniels having sex. During the act, Daniels pulls off Trump's hair Another cartoon depicts Trump kissing Russian President Vladimir Putin's naked bottom Carrey has attacked not only Trump with his paintings, but his cabinet members as well. One of his cartoons paints an unflattering portrait of White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders After scores of Muslims were slaughtered in a massacre at two mosques in New Zealand in March, Carrey drew a caricature blaming Trump for the carnage. The drawing shows a meteor-like figure with Trumps head and hair in a flaming ball of streaking fire as it heads for Earth. A swastika is seen on Trumps forehead, and his eyes are colored in all-white while his mouth is open. The caption in the tweet reads: Innocent people are now being slaughtered, families ruined and childrens lives destroyed. All in his name. If the Craven Republican Senate allows this vile miscreant to continue encouraging devisiveness, the Trump Presidency will become an EXTINCTION LEVEL EVENT. Carrey has also drawn provocative cartoons, one of which depicts Trump and porn star Stormy Daniels having sex. During the act, Daniels pulls off Trump's hair. Carrey has attacked not only Trump with his paintings, but his cabinet members as well. One of his cartoons paints an unflattering portrait of White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Another cartoon depicts Trump kissing Russian President Vladimir Putin's naked bottom. The Sydney Roosters have set their eyes on a 16-year-old boy as their long-term replacement for Cooper Cronk. Sam Walker, from Ipswich, flew from Queensland to Sydney with his father, former NRL star Ben Walker, to meet with the eastern suburbs club a fortnight ago, according to the Daily Telegraph. All eyes are on the young gun, with at least eight other NRL teams and the Australian Rugby Union also vying to sign him. Sam Walker, from Ipswich, flew from Queensland to Sydney with his father, former NRL star Ben Walker, to meet with the eastern suburbs club a fortnight ago Walker competes in union at school and for the Ipswich Jets under-18s league team in the Mal Meninga Cup on weekends. He was only 12 when he was signed to a development program with the Brisbane Broncos, which is due to expire this year. The Roosters anticipate Walker will be ready to slot in as first-grade halfback in 2021, aged 18. Cronk, 35, announced on Monday he would retire at the end of this season, leaving the Roosters with a one-year gap to fill at the position. The Canterbury Bulldogs have offered double the money tabled by the eastern Sydney club, and New Zealand Warriors recruiter Peter O'Sullivan flew to Brisbane to watch Walker play last month. Despite this, the teenager is reportedly leaning towards the Roosters due to coach Trent Robinson's reputation for mentoring young players. Cronk (with wife Tara Rushton), 35, announced on Monday he would retire at the end of this season, leaving the Roosters with a one-year gap to fill the position Current Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary was also at the meeting in a bid to get him to sign with the club. Walker's dad played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Manly Sea Eagles and the Brisbane Broncos. The teenager is expected to become the country's highest-paid 18-year-old sportsman, regardless of which code he decides to play. A primary school teacher will take police to court after she paid costly legal fees to fight allegations that she assaulted four students after being told she was 'no good' because she's 'not Muslim'. The southwest Sydney teacher, 58 - who cannot be named for legal reasons - was cleared of all charges that she mistreated her year three and four students on Monday after a judge slammed the evidence against her. She has been out of work since last May after she was accused of pinching, pushing and punching three boys and a girl, the Daily Telegraph reported. Magistrate Daniel Covington noted that police failed to interview adult witnesses who may have been in the classroom and that some of the evidence against the teacher was 'implausible'. He said that the children's accounts of the alleged assaults changed or became more detailed as they spoke to teachers and police. A primary school teacher (centre) will take police to court after she paid costly legal fees to fight allegations that she assaulted a number of students The western Sydney teacher, 58 (centre), who cannot be named for legal reasons, was cleared of all charges against the grade three and four students on Monday What's more, a boy who accused the teacher of spitting on him made no complaint to teachers on the day of the alleged incident. Mr Covington said the boy only made the claim when he was interviewed by police much later. The same boy also told the teacher on her first day that she looked like Donald Trump. The court heard during a hearing that a student also told the teacher, 'you're no good, you're not Muslim'. The teacher was later given the nickname 'Miss Trunchbull' after the nasty headmistress in the popular children's classic 'Matilda'. The boy also claimed to have witnessed the teacher scratch a student and draw blood. Mr Covington dismissed the evidence as either a 'fabrication or at best an exaggeration'. During the hearing, one eight-year-old schoolboy said the teacher pushed him hard against a wall and whispered 'f*** off' in his ear. The court heard the girl accuser was the only witness and Mr Covington dismissed the incident as highly unlikely to have happened. 'It is completely implausible in my view that no one else would have witnessed it,' he said. Mr Covington criticised police for failing to interview any adult witnesses and went on to dismiss the charges against the teacher. Her lawyer Ian Fraser told the magistrate police failed to properly investigate the matter and that his client would pursue them to cover legal costs. The case has been adjourned until next month for the court costs to be drawn up. The Department of Education said it would follow its own enquiries into the matter. 'It is not appropriate for the NSW Department of Education to comment on a court decision. 'Following court matters of this nature the department makes its own enquiries. 'This person has not been teaching at schools since the issue was first raised, with her future employment status pending the outcome of the court case and any subsequent investigation.' The teacher was later given the nickname 'Miss Trunchbull' (left) after the nasty headmistress in the popular children's classic 'Matilda' (pictured, a scene from the film based on the book) The daughter of a young mother who died in a house fire has penned a heartbreaking Facebook post. Mother-of-three Liliane Castillo, 37, was at home with her five-year-old son Jayden when her house went up in flames at 12.20am on Saturday. Firefighters broke down the door of the house in Paralowie in Adelaides north and managed to rescue Jayden but were not able to save the mother. Mrs Castillo's teenage daughter Kayla took to social media to speak of her grief hours after losing her mother. 'I miss you so much mummy,' she wrote. 'Please rest well no more suffering I love you so much.' Mother-of-three Liliane Castillo, 37, died when her Paralowie home went up in flames in Adelaides north at 12:20am on Saturday The house (pictured) is uninsured and the Castillo family need help to rebuild it Jayden suffered burns to his arm and upper body and is in a stable condition at the Womens and Childrens Hospital. Mrs Castillo's husband and her two other children were not at home when the fire broke out. A GoFundMe page has been set up to 'help Alex and his kids rebuild their home and lives' because their house was uninsured. 'They now need to re-build their family home, which was uninsured and replace all of their personal belongings,' the page said. 'Anyone who knows Alex would know that he is one of the most caring and genuine people you will ever meet. 'He is hardworking and would do anything for anyone, so now we would like to help him and his family in any way that we can.' Mrs Castillo (pictured right) tragically died in a house fire. She is survived by her husband and three children It is not known what caused the fire, which was contained to the front bedroom of the family home. Two neighbours were alerted to the fire when they heard Jayden screaming. They tried to break in through the front door but were met with intense heat. They then kicked in the back door and windows but were not able to reach the front bedroom because there was too much thick smoke and the house was falling apart. The local community laid flowers outside the house on Saturday morning. Police will prepare a report for the coroner. A six-metre python has been caught on camera regurgitating another snake after catching and eating it. The snake had swallowed a similar-sized python and was found idling near a residential house inside the Parry Creek Farm Tourist Resort and Caravan Park at Wyndham in Western Australia. The owner of the resort captured and bagged the python before releasing it close to a watering hole, about six kilometres from the property, on Monday. A six-metre python (pictured) has been caught on camera regurgitating another snake after catching and eating it The resort posted to their Facebook page that they relocate 'these big guys' so they don't eat their chickens. 'We saw he'd had a good feed of something (yes we counted the chooks it wasn't one of them) and safely bagged him,' it said. 'Once he was out of the bag he started to regurgitate, that's when we saw the tail! Thinking it was a black whip snake - WOW were we wrong! 'It all happened very quick and he was off again safe and sound. 'Sadly, he lost his lunch but we hope he grabs something else and the birds get his left overs.' The snake had swallowed a similar-sized python and was found idling near a residential house inside the Parry Creek Farm Tourist Resort and Caravan Park at Wyndham in Western Australia It is believed snakes vomit up their prey when they are stressed. Alice Skilton, an employee at the resort, said the owner and Amanda Jongedyk, who took the pictures, had gone to release the snake. 'They realised the python was regurgitated and decided to stay back,' Ms Skilton told Daily Mail Australia. The owner of the resort captured and bagged the python before releasing it close to a watering hole, about six kilometres from the property, on Monday Ms Skilton said this was the third python captured on the property in the last few months. 'Sighting of snakes on the property is normal as we have domestic animals here, but the regurgitating python was a great surprise. We move them to other locations as tourists don't want to see large snakes on the property,' she said. 'We are hearing that sometimes female pythons eat their mates if something goes wrong.' Twin brothers have claimed they spotted a huge black panther while walking near the Otway Ranges in southern Victoria on Sunday morning. Royce and Ben Chaffey, 43, said they also saw a large number of carcasses of various animals throughout the area, which is well known for large cat sightings. Royce and Ben Chaffey claimed to have spotted the 1.5-metre long panther on Sunday morning (file picture) 'It was not mistaken for something else, it was a large predator cat,' Royce Chaffey told the Geelong Advertiser. The twins said the panther was around 1.5 metres in length and jet black in colour. They claimed to have spotted it as they were standing in the middle of a walking track and tried to capture it on film. The brothers were walking near the Otway Ranges (pictured) when they reportedly spotted the large cat The panther disappeared into the bush a few seconds later. 'When we went down a bit further there was all these bones, a 50-metre kill zone of carcasses,' Royce Chaffey said. Big Cats Victoria, an organisation committed to investigating the existence of big cats, said the remains could be the work of feline predators. The twins say spotted numerous animals carcasses further along the track, indicating a large predator was in the area (file picture) The organisations's researcher, Simon Townsend, said carcasses similar to the ones the twins spotted were evidence of a large predator. 'These things can pull down a 150-pound kangaroo,' he said. There have been numerous reports of large cat sightings in the Otway Ranges. People have reportedly seen large cats in other areas of Victoria, such as the You Yangs, Lake Connewarre and along the Great Ocean Road. In December 2018, another sighting of a black panther was made near Gympie, Queensland. According to research using motion-activated camera traps and drones, one big cat has been reported every day in Australia over the past two years. Vincent Lambert, 42, has had his life support reinstated after a Paris court overruled a prior decision to end his treatment Doctors have been ordered to resume their treatment of a quadriplegic man, 12 hours after his life support was switched off against the wishes of his devout parents. Vincent Lambert, 42, has been in a vegetative state at Sebastopol hospital in Reims since a motorcycle accident in 2008. Earlier on Monday, medical teams stopped feeding Mr Lambert and began administering sedatives. His mother, Vivane, called them 'monsters.' But in a stunning twist, following a last ditch appeal by his parents in the courts and to President Emmanuel Macron, a Paris judge ordered Mr Lambert's life support to continue. The European Court of Human Rights had declared there was no violation of Mr Lambert's right to life in the medics' decision to stop treating him while the French president said the decision on Mr Lambert's fate did not rest with him. However, the Paris Appeal Court ruled that doctors must respect a May 3 request made by the U.N. Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to the French government that it prevent the euthanasia of Mr Lambert while his case is examined. The parents of Vincent Lambert, Pierre and Viviane Lambert, arrive with supporters at the Sebastopol hospital in Reims on Sunday Pope Francis tweeted on Monday: 'We pray for those who live with severe illness. Let us always safeguard life, God's gift, from its beginning until its natural end. Let us not give in to a throwaway culture' His parents had claimed they had not even been allowed to say goodbye to their son. Jean Paillot, their lawyer, said: 'It is shameful, they (the parents) could not even embrace their son.' The Pope intervened on Monday and condemned 'throwaway culture' and urged for life to be protected in comments aimed at Mr Lambert's doctors. Pope Francis said 'those who live with severe illness' should have life protected until 'its natural end.' 'We pray for those who live with severe illness,' the Pope tweeted. The Pope said in a message on Monday: 'Let us always safeguard life, God's gift, from its beginning until its natural end. Let us not give in to a throwaway culture.' Francois Lambert, the nephew of French quadriplegic Vincent Lambert, who has been in a deep vegetative state for more than a decade talks to the press outside the hospital in Reims on Monday Pierre Lambert arrives with two monks at the Sebastopol Hospital in Reims on Monday Another sign held by a support of Mr Lambert reads: 'Dear eternal, don't forgive them because they know what they are doing' In 2014, doctors backed by Mr Lambert's wife Rachel, five of his siblings and his nephew Francois, decided to stop his nutrition and hydration in line with France's passive euthanasia law. But his parents Pierre and Viviane Lambert, devout Catholics, and his half-brother and sister obtained a court order to block the move on grounds his condition might improve with better treatment. Earlier this year, a French court sided with Sanchez's decision to stop the care keeping Mr Lambert alive. The ruling was upheld last month by France's State Council which decides on the validity of laws and legal decisions. Vincent Lambert's parents Pierre and Viviane, who are devout Catholics, obtained a court order to block a move by other family members to withdraw life support in 2014 on grounds his condition might improve with better treatment France's Conference of Bishops added its voice to the controversy on Saturday, calling on authorities to wait on an opinion being worked on by the UN committee on disabled rights. 'Why this rush to lead him to death?' the clerics asked in a statement. The UN committee on disabled rights earlier this month asked France to suspend the decision to withdraw the life support, while it conducts its own investigation, which could take years. The former psychiatric nurse has almost no consciousness, but can breath without a respirator and occasionally moves his eyes. A member of Mr Lambert's support committee holds up a placard that reads 'Don't let Vincent starve to death' outside the hospital yesterday Euthanasia is illegal in France, but in 2016 a law was introduced giving terminally ill patients the right to be put into continuous deep sedation (CDS) by doctors until death. The law draws a distinction between euthanasia and CDS, making France the first country to legislate in such a way. Euthanasia is permitted in various forms in the Netherlands, Belgium, Colombia, Luxembourg and Canada, while assisted suicide, which involves a doctor helping a patient to end their own life, is permitted in several U.S. states. A mother forced her own children to pose for a porn shoot to please her paedophile husband before allowing him to rape her daughter, a court has heard. The woman, 29, from Charters Towers, south of Townsville, in QLD, escaped jail time for her offences which were only detected after lewd images of her kids were found online. Townsville District Court was told about a sickening photograph in which the mother was sprawled out on a sofa naked while her pervert husband stared at her youngest child. The woman's husband, 34, is already serving a 13 year sentence for his crimes, the Townsville Bulletin reported. The woman, 29, from Charters Towers, QLD, escaped jail time for her offences which were only detected after lewd images of her kids were found online Crown prosecutor Andrew Walklate said the husband told his wife he was attracted to children as young as five and that she should have seen the red flag. Prior to her sentencing, the mother's defence lawyer argued the mother was mortified by her past actions. Judge Kerry OBrien took all details into account and sentenced the mother to two years probation for indecent treatment of a child through exposure. A conviction was not recorded. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has praised billionaire Robert F. Smith's decision to pay off student loan debt for Morehouse College's 2019 graduating class, but says people should not have to depend on charity to finish college debt-free. During his commencement speech, Smith pledged to pay off the loan debt for some 430 students graduating from Morehouse on Sunday. His act of enormous generosity immediately made headlines and even prompted response from New York Democrat Ocasio-Cortez. 'This could be the start of whats known in Econ as a natural experiment. Follow these students & compare their life choices w their peers over the next 10-15 years,' Ocasio-Cortez tweeted on Monday. She followed that tweet up with another that read: 'Its important to note that people shouldnt be in a situation where they depend on a strangers enormous act of charity for this kind of liberation to begin with (aka college should be affordable), but it is an incredible act of community investment in this system as it is.' Scroll down for video Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has applauded billionaire Robert F. Smith's (right) decision to pay off student loan debt for Morehouse College's 2019 graduating class, but says people should not have to depend on charity to finish college debt-free His act of enormous generosity immediately made headlines and even prompted response from New York Democrat Ocasio-Cortez In the span of seconds, Smith, the CEO and Chairperson of Vista Equity Partners changed the lives of graduates from the all-male, historically black college in Atlanta. The total price tag of Smith's generosity will amount to approximately $40million. 'On behalf of the eight generations of my family who have been in this country, we're gonna put a little fuel in your bus,' Smith said. 'Now I've got the alumni over there. This is a challenge to you, alumni. This is my class, 2019. And my family is making a grant to eliminate their student loans.' Smith's gift will go a long way toward combating wealth disparity in these young black men's lives, according to analysis of yearly data compiled by the National Longitudinal Study of Youth 1997 Cohort. The cohort consists of a nationally representative sample of over 8,900 respondents who were interviewed nearly every year for the past 22 years, according to NBC. In a study titled 'Racial Disparities in Student Debt and the Reproduction of the Fragile Black Middle Class,' researchers examining data from those interviews concluded that nearly 25 per cent of the black-white wealth gap can be attributed to student debt. Smith (pictured) pledged to pay off all of the student loan debt for every member of Morehouse College's 2019 graduating class during his commencement speech on Sunday in Atlanta The total price tag of Smith's generosity will amount to approximately $40 million. Students are shown rejoicing after Smith's announcement Seated immediately behind the billionaire technology investor, the shocked faces of Morehouse College faculty, staff and administrators showed their acknowledgement at the tremendous barrier to success that had been lifted from the shoulders of these young men. One man mouthed the word, 'Wow!' before rising to his feet to give Smith and his incredibly generous announcement a standing ovation. Once the gravity of that sentence sunk in for everyone, the crowd erupted in cheers. In the weeks before graduating from Morehouse, 22-year-old finance major Aaron Mitchom drew up a spreadsheet to calculate how long it would take him to pay back his $200,000 in student loans. According to his calculations, if he allotted half of his monthly salary to the bill he could pay it all off in 25 years. In an instant, that number vanished. Mitchom, sitting in the crowd, burst into tears. 'I can delete that spreadsheet,' he said in an interview after the commencement. 'I dont have to live off of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I was shocked. My heart dropped. We all cried. In the moment it was like a burden had been taken off.' His mother, Tina Mitchom, was also shocked. Eight family members, including Mitchoms 76-year-old grandmother, took turns over four years co-signing on the loans that got him across the finish line. In the span of seconds, the CEO and Chairperson of Vista Equity Partners changed the lives of the 430-some graduates of the all-male, historically black college in Atlanta Smith's gift will go a long way toward combating wealth disparity in these young black men's lives, according to analysis of yearly data compiled by the National Longitudinal Study of Youth 1997 Cohort Morehouse College president David A. Thomas (center) said the gift would have a profound effect on the students futures.Robert F. Smith (left) laughs with Thomas and actor Angela Bassett (right) at Morehouse College on Sunday 'It takes a village,' she said. 'It now means he can start paying it forward and start closing this gap a lot sooner, giving back to the college and thinking about a succession plan' for his younger siblings. Morehouse College president David A. Thomas said the gift would have a profound effect on the students futures. 'Many of my students are interested in going into teaching, for example, but leave with an amount of student debt that makes that untenable,' Thomas said in an interview. 'In some ways, it was a liberation gift for these young men that just opened up their choices.' Student loan repayment is problematic for all races, with less than half of indebted students having paid even $1 toward the principal balance of their loans within five years of entering repayment, according to the Department of Education. But on average, the situation is far worse for black people, who pay their loans down at a rate of four percent each year while white student borrowers tend to pay their loans down at a rate of 10 per cent annually. As a result, it's estimated that 15 years after graduation, black adults are 185 per cent more indebted due to student loans than their white adult counterparts. Morehouse said it is the single largest gift the college has ever received since its founding in 1867 in the basement of Springfield Baptist Church in Augusta by the Reverand William Jefferson White. Smith, who received an honorary doctorate from Morehouse during the ceremony, had already announced a $1.5million gift to the school. He said he expected the recipients to 'pay it forward' and said he hoped that 'every class has the same opportunity going forward'. Both Smith and actress Angela Bassett received honorary degrees from the college on Sunday. Donald Trump's former fixer Michael Cohen has claimed the president's attorney suggested he tell lawmakers that the negotiations for Trump Tower Moscow halted months before they reallyt did. Cohen told the House Intelligence Committee that Jay Sekulow told him to say the negotiations had ended in January 2019 even though they continued for months after that. The House Intelligence Committee released two transcripts of closed-door interviews with Cohen from earlier this year on Monday, along with some exhibits from the testimony. Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's former personal attorney, stops to talk to a member of the media in New York on May 4 Cohen, who is serving a three-year prison sentence, pleaded guilty last year and admitted that he misled Congress by saying he had abandoned the Trump Tower Moscow project months earlier than he actually did. During the interviews, legislators repeatedly pressed Cohen for details on his false statement to Congress and tried to nail down whether he was directly told by Trump's legal team to mislead the committee, but the transcripts provide no slam-dunk evidence. Cohen offered no direct proof that Sekulow knew the January 2016 date we false, but Cohen claims Sekulow should have known because he had access to relevant emails and other communications as part of an agreement between defense attorneys to share documents. US President Donald Trump's attorney Jay Sekulow, who the president's former associate Michael Cohen claimed told him to lie about negotiations for a Moscow property deal Attorneys for Sekulow said Cohen's testimony is not credible. 'Michael Cohen's alleged statements are more of the same from him and confirm the observations of prosecutors in the Southern District of New York that Cohen's 'instinct to blame others is strong,' Sekulow's lawyers, Jane Serene Raskin and Patrick Strawbridge, said in a statement. 'That this or any Committee would rely on the word of Michael Cohen for any purpose - much less to try and pierce the attorney-client privilege and discover confidential communications of four respected lawyers - defies logic, well-established law and common sense.' Cohen claimed that Sekulow had told him US president Donald Trump knew that negotiations to build a Trump Tower in Moscow had continued after January 2016 Cohen said Trump also knew the negotiations had continued far beyond January 2016 and that Sekulow had seen his testimony in advance of submission. He also claimed that Sekulow edited the statement and that both Sekulow and Trump approved it. Cohen also provided documents to the intelligence panel that showed the editing process for the statement. When asked whether Trump had read his 'false written testimony,' Cohen replied: 'Mr. Sekulow said that he spoke to the client and that, you know, the client likes it and that it's good.' House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, a California Democrat, said l;ast week that Cohen's testimony raised 'serious, unresolved concerns about the obstruction of our committee's investigation' In addition to the questioning about his false testimony, much of the discussion during Cohen's interviews related to pardons and whether Trump or his lawyers were dangling them in front of Cohen as the government began to investigate him. Cohen told the intelligence committee that he was discussing the possibility of a pardon with Sekulow, up until Cohen abandoned their joint-defense agreement and publicly broke from the president in mid-2018. He said Sekulow was representing him, not the president, when he brought up the idea of a pardon during a May 2017 Oval Office meeting with Trump. The discussions continued after Sekulow became Trump's lawyer and Cohen retained other counsel, Cohen said. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report into claimed Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election linked Cohen to possible obstruction of justice Sekulow was 'dangling the concept of pardons' to keep people in Trump's inner circle in line, Cohen claimed. 'Mr. Sekulow stated that the President loves you, don't worry, everything is going to be fine, nothing is going to happen,' Cohen testified. Cohen said he only discussed the idea of a pardon with Sekulow, not Trump or anyone at the White House, but that he believes the discussions were done with Trump's knowledge and authority. He said Sekulow had brought up the possibility of a pardon to 'shut down the inquiries and to shut the investigation down.' Cohen became a key figure in congressional investigations after turning on his former boss and cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe. Mueller's final report, released in April, examined conduct related to Cohen as one of several possible instances of obstruction of justice by the president. Cohen was also convicted in federal court in New York of campaign finance violations for his role in buying the silence of two women who alleged they had affairs with Trump, as well as other crimes. He began serving a prison sentence earlier this month. The House Intelligence Committee's chairman, California Democrat Adam Schiff, said in a statement last week that Cohen's testimony this year, along with materials in the committee's possession, raises 'serious, unresolved concerns about the obstruction of our committee's investigation that we would be negligent not to pursue.' In an apparent attempt to deflect attention away from Cohen's testimony and its implication for Trump, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Doug Collins, released transcripts of interviews with former Attorney General Loretta Lynch and several other current or former Justice Department officials, including many who played key roles in the Hillary Clinton email investigation. The Intelligence committee is also seeking more information about Cohen's 2017 testimony from four lawyers for the Trump family. The lawyers who received the requests from the committee are Sekulow; Abbe Lowell, lawyer for Ivanka Trump, the president's daughter, and her husband, Jared Kushner; Alan Futerfas, lawyer for Donald Trump Jr.; and Alan Garten, lawyer for the Trump Organization. The Coalition's shock victory in the Federal Election has seen a surge in Australians considering moving to New Zealand. Ten times as many Australians as usual had been looking at the Immigration New Zealand website on Sunday and expressions of interest increased by more than 25 times on the same time the week before. More than 8500 people visited the New Zealand Now website the day after the election and 512 registered interest - the first step in the visa process - compared to about 20 registrations on May 12, Immigration New Zealand said. The Coalition's shock victory in the Federal Election has seen a surge in Australians moving to New Zealand. Pictured: Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his family on election night Ten times as many Australians as usual had been looking at the Immigration New Zealand website on Sunday. Pictured: Auckland Airport 'It is important to note these are purely registrations of interest in coming to New Zealand and does not necessarily translate to the number of people actually moving to New Zealand,' INZ general manager Greg Forsythe said. Australians do not require visas to move to New Zealand. Immigration New Zealand noted the statistics included anyone currently in Australia, not just Australian citizens. Since the Coalition's upset victory, social media has been abuzz with Australians claiming they were looking to move across the Tasman Sea. However University of Auckland politics professor Jennifer Curtin told Radio New Zealand the reaction was likely to fade as the realities of a move became more clear. Meanwhile, New Zealand's immigration minister, Iain Lees-Galloway, was grinning when asked about the spike. 'New Zealand is a wonderful destination full of possibilities. I'm not at all surprised,' he told reporters. 'If Australians are looking at us, that's great.' Columnist Jane Caro expressed her regret at saying she wished she was from New Zealand after Scott Morrison won the election. Ms Caro said she had been drinking alcohol before she tweeted her dismay at Mr Morrison's victory. Columnist Jane Caro (pictured) expressed her regret at saying she wished she was from New Zealand after Scott Morrison won the election Ms Caro said she had been drinking alcohol before she tweeted her dismay at Mr Morrison's victory 'Australia. If the LNP (Liberal-National Party) wins we have decided to be a backward-looking country in a backwater. I wish I was a New Zealander,' she tweeted. 'Well, Australia may be f**ked and the whole planet not far behind but I am at the best, most brilliant and cool wedding I have ever been to. So I shall just dance and get p**sed and stick two rude fingers up at all the truculent turds who voted to turn backwards.' Sunrise host David Koch hit back at Ms Caro and others who complained about the election result on Monday morning. 'One thing I am hating on social media is all the people bagging the Australian voters for making the decision,' Koch said. Countless Left-wingers called Coalition supporters 'racist, homophobic, and stupid' as they were left stunned by Scott Morrison's against-all-odds victory 'Get a grip. People wanting to move to New Zealand, go to New Zealand. 'The Australian public is pretty smart, they made their decision, you live with it whether you agree or not.' Politics lecturer Dr Zareh Ghazarian from Monash University said anger was common after elections - but this time it's worse because of the surprise result. 'None of us expected this to happen and that will add fuel to the fires of anger,' he told Daily Mail Australia. Desperate families are selling housing blocks on Gumtree as they face financial ruin in the property market downturn. Truck driver Sanghpreet Singh, 30, and his pregnant wife Reet Kaur paid $110,000 to settle a 624-square-metre block of land in Merrifield Estate in Mickleham in Melbourne's north. Mr Singh and buyers from the 'victims of Merrifield Estate' group are angry at the developers who are now offering discounted prices and rebates of $65,000, which they claim is affecting the value of their land. There are over 1,000 blocks of land for sale on Gumtree, many of which are housing developments in the city's emerging outer suburbs. Truck driver Sanghpreet Singh (pictured), 30, and his pregnant wife Reet Kaur paid $110,000 to settle a block of land in Merrifield Estate in Mickleham in Melbourne 's north Merrifield Estate (pictured) buyers are angry at the developers who are now offering discounted prices and rebates of $65,000, which may be affecting the value of their land Mr Singh and Mrs Kaur are expecting their first child and paid a $40,000 deposit on a $400,000 housing block in 2017 - when prices had surged by 30 per cent. But after the housing market crashed their home was valued at $350,000, resulting in a shortfall of $50,000 for the couple. An extra $40,000 was added to the bill when the bank doubled the deposit and another $20,000 was needed for stamp duty. In total the couple paid $110,000 just to settle their land. Mr Singh now has a tenuous relationship with Merrifield Estate and wants to sell the land but can't do so without losing $30,000 or more. He had one potential buyer who pulled out when he realised Merrifield Estate was selling an identical block of land for $370,000 with a $65,000 rebate. MAB Corp, which is developing Merrifield Estate, said discounted prices do not affect the value of land. 'Purchasers have complained that blocks of land at Merrifield are now being sold at a lower price and this is affecting their valuations,' MAB Corp chief operating officer David Hall told the AFR. 'That this is not possible as valuations provided by their financiers' valuers are determined by comparative sales in the catchment and that valuation practice is to exclude "off-the-plan" sales evidence. 'In other words, only sales or re-sales of existing [titled] vacant residential lots can be used by the valuers for determining the value.' There are over 1,000 advertisements (pictured) on Gumtree for blocks of land for sale in Melbourne, including some at Merrifield Estate Plots of land range from the low $200,000s to $1.3 million in Melbourne while prices at Merrifield are between $254,000 and $370,000 Mr Singh had to take a month off work in January because he was 'very stressed'. 'I've been stretched out of pocket and had to borrow from my family,' he said. 'That's money I could've invested into my business, gone down the drain.' Mr Singh said he was 'lucky' to settle while 40 others were not able to after covering the shortfall on top of their deposit. Those who could not settle lost their deposits - as much as $40,000. There are over 1,000 advertisements on Gumtree for blocks of land for sale in Melbourne, including some at Merrifield Estate. Prices range from the low $200,000s to $1.3 million in Melbourne while prices at Merrifield are between $254,000 and $370,000. Land title owners in other parts of Victoria like Geelong are also being affected. Sydney buyers are not facing a similar issue due to a more stable market. Samuel Glentworth, 19, is pictured arriving for work at the plant this morning, with some fearing they could have no job tomorrow Workers at British Steel are demanding answers as they fear being booted out tomorrow by amid the firm's potential collapse threatening 25,000 jobs. The Government says it will leave 'no stone unturned' amid calls to nationalise the company if a deal cannot be reached to avoid the firm going into administration. Trade union Unite said it would be an 'economic catastrophe' if it went out of business. Business minister Andrew Stephenson told the Commons the Government would do everything it could, within its legal parameters, to support the industry. 'I can reassure the House that, subject to strict legal bounds, the Government will leave no stone unturned in its support for the steel industry,' he said. There are fears that British Steel could go into administration if it does not receive financial help from the Government to secure its future. Almost 5,000 workers are employed by the company, mainly in Scunthorpe, with another 20,000 employed by firms in the supply chain. Hundreds of glum-looking British Steel workers were seen leaving the company's main plant in North Lincolnshire for what could be the final time this afternoon. Steel workers arrived for work at the Scunthorpe headquarters this morning, when the company had until the end of the day to come up with a rescue plan Employees traipsed through the front gate of the company's headquarters, with a number of workers describing the 'depressing' feeling inside the plant. Others said they had been 'left in the dark' about their futures. Contractor Callum Wright, a 30-year-old father of three, said: 'I'm worried for my job. There are a lot of rumours going around about about being made redundant, I think we could be gone by tomorrow. 'It's depressing coming into work at the moment, the atmosphere is rubbish. We're not really being informed about what's going on. 'I think everyone here knows the answer now though, people are preparing what to do next. 'It's going to be terrible for the town, everyone in Scunthorpe has a family member who works here so the effect will be huge. Pictured: The plant in Scunthorpe faces grave uncertainty as the government promised to 'leave no stone unturned' trying to save it 'I have children so I worry about providing for them, I haven't got a clue what I'd go and do next. The uncertainty is really frustrating.' Samuel Glentworth, a 19-year-old warehouse worker who only started at the plant five weeks ago, said: 'I've only just got this job and it would be a real struggle to find another one. 'I can't believe we could be out of work just like that, within a few days. The atmosphere on site has been bad because people don't know what's happening.' Many British Steel employees expressed particular concern that their futures are 'up in the air' and that company officials are unable to keep 'them in the loop'. One man, who gave his name only as Tony, leaned out his car window and said: 'The lack of information is the most frustrating thing. 'Nobody is telling us anything, we have to hear about what's happening on the news. At least if we had an idea we could start planning for the future, but we don't.' Despite the generally depressing feel among most workers making their home, some maintained hope of a happy resolution to the company's troubles. One man, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: 'We still haven't heard anything official yet so we just keep coming into work and doing our jobs until we're told not to, that's all we can do. 'We have to keep hoping and keep out fingers crossed for good news and that there's a future for British Steel. It's out of our hands unfortunately.' Scunthorpe Unite trade union official, Martin Foster, spoke outside the British Steel front gates this afternoon (21/5) to demand urgent answers from the government. He said: 'We need decisions right now. We have had problems before but this has a scary feel of finality to it. If British Steel's government talks fail it could mean 4,000 redundancies at the firm's large plant in Scunthorpe (pictured) and 20,000 others across the country 'This plant closing would mean thousands of people looking for jobs. The workers here give absolutely everything, they do everything that's asked of them and they deserve better. 'Their futures are in the hands of people who really have no understanding of their lives or what effect closing the plant would have on them.' Unite assistant general secretary Steve Turner said: 'While Unite is in continuing dialogue with British Steel and the UK Government, we are very clear that if a deal cannot be struck to secure the long-term future of the steelmaker under private ownership, that the Government must bring it under public control in the national interest. 'British Steel's success is key to any future UK industrial strategy. It is a strategically important business which supplies other UK steelmakers with product and provides 95 per cent of the UK's rail tracks. 'It would be an economic catastrophe if the worst were to happen and Government was to allow British Steel to collapse. It is a national asset supporting UK plc that cannot simply be left to the market.' Alasdair McDiarmid, operations director at the Community union, said it is vital for cool heads to prevail and British Steel owners Greybull and the Government continue to focus on finding a solution that maintains employment and keeps the business trading. 'The public should know that if British Steel were liquidated, on top of the devastation of yet more steel communities, the clean-up costs for the industrial sites could end up costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of pounds. 'Pragmatic decisions in the coming days could avert another industrial disaster. In that context we do not want to see British Steel becoming a political football, the stakes in this game are too high.' Manuel Cortes, leader of the TSSA rail union, said: 'British Steel has supplied Network Rail with more than half a million tonnes of high-quality rail over the past five years' - 95% of Network Rail's requirement. 'In September British Steel signed a two-year contract extension to supply Network Rail with a further 4,000km of rail.' Unite's Tony Brady said the union will carry on fighting for the future of British Steel Gill Furniss, shadow minister for steel, said: 'The UK steel industry is critical to our manufacturing base and is strategically important to UK industry. The Government must intervene. 'Administration would be devastating for the thousands of workers and their families who rely on this key industry in a part of the country which has not had enough support and investment from government over decades.' Ross Murdoch, national officer of the GMB union, said: 'Given this latest speculation, these are understandably extremely difficult times for our members. 'Yesterday the Government, alongside trade unions and employers, signed a UK Steel Charter at Westminster. They must now put their money where their mouth is.' British Steel had asked for a 75million package of support to tackle 'Brexit-related issues' and has been holding talks with the Government. Sources have told Sky the potential loan has been reduced to 30million, with today's deadline fast approaching. Shareholder Greybull had previously offered assurances on the company's future, promising it did have enough to continue operating. But unions were less convinced, with Unite national officer Tony Brady saying last week: 'Unite has been in dialogue with the company to ensure wages continue to be paid and orders fulfilled, in addition to talking to Government ministers to ensure the future of British Steel is secured. British Steel, its lenders and Whitehall officials have until Tuesday afternoon to agree a deal, at which point it could go into administration. File image used 'These are deeply unsettling times for our members and their families. Unite will continue to fight for the future of British Steel to ensure it continues to be a source of decent, well-paid jobs which sustains communities across the UK. 'We urge the Government and Greybull to agree a package which guarantees the long-term future of British Steel as quickly as possible to safeguard jobs and confidence in the company.' British Steel, Greybull and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy are yet to comment. In April, British Steel secured a 100million loan from the government to pay its EU carbon bill and avoid a hefty fine. The bloc's trading rules mean industrial polluters can pay for their previous year's emissions using carbon credits. Companies can also trade their credits to raise cash. The EU suspended UK businesses' access to free carbon permits - alowing the emission of 1,000kg of CO2 - until the ratification of a Brexit deal. The UK voted to leave the bloc in June 2016. Parliament voted to trigger legislation that set our departure date at March 29 this year. But Britain is now set to cease being a member on October 31 this year. British Steel's forerunner, the nationalised company of the same name, was privatised in 1988 by Margaret Thatcher. The company merged with Koninklijke Hoogovens and become Corus Group, which Tata bought in 2007. The Indian firm renamed it Tata Steel Europe in 2010. It sold off the 'long products division' to Greybull Capital three years ago. After saving more than 4,000 jobs, they rebranded it as British Steel, with sites in Scunthorpe and Teesside. Couple married in Las Vegas in July 2017 but are now in the process of divorce ngry texts about keeping the goods in her home Wife Claire Saidi-Bidokhti sent a ngry texts about keeping the goods in her home The married 33-year-old peddler stored hauls of illegal substances in his house Darius Saidi-Bidokhti, 33, was was jailed for six years and six months for masterminding a plot to flood Liverpool, Wirral and Wales with Class A and B drugs Angry texts from a long-suffering wife to her drug kingpin husband eventually brought him down after they were hacked by police and used as evidence. A series of text message rows between Darius Saidi-Bidokhti and his wife Claire Saidi-Bidokhti over the state of their Birkenhead home turned drug den were revealed as evidence in court. Saidi-Bidokhti was at the head of a widespread plot to flood Liverpool, Wirral and Wales with Class A and B drugs. The married 33-year-old peddler stored hauls of the illegal substances in every nook and cranny of his house - much to the annoyance of his wife. Detectives from Merseyside Police carried out secret surveillance into the activities of the Saidi-Bidokhtis. In one text exchange, in October 25, 2017, Claire railed against the state of their home in Woodchurch Road, Birkenhead. In an expletive-ladent rant, his wife raged: 'Get the s***[drugs] moved out of the living room by Friday. 'I'm sick of tidying up' 'If I have to repeat myself one more time I'm gonna f***ng explode, it's dangerous and the room looks like a sh**hole. 'Get the s*** moved out of the living room my Friday' wrote Darius Saidi-Bidokhti's wife Claire, whose angry texts about the state of the house were hacked by detectives 'I'm sick of tidying up after the s***[drugs] you bring home. 'This is meant to be a home not a grow shop.' Last week Saidi-Bidokhti was jailed for six years and six months for his part as the mastermind of the drug operation, and smiled as a judge handed down what he clearly thought was a lenient sentence. His 30-year-old wife admitted allowing her business accounts to be used to launder cash generated from the illegal activities of her husband which was used to fund the deposit of an address on Jessamine Road in Birkenhead, which was owned by her partner. The couple's home turned 'grow shop' in Tranmere, Birkenhead, which was used by a cannabis gang. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing at this address since On another occasion, she again rounded on Saidi-Bidokhti after he and an accomplice were seen moving items around in the garage on Woodchurch Road and she couldn't do the washing. The clearly-incensed wife messaged him: 'What, I can't get in the garage??? 'I need to do washing and I can't get past! What idiot leaves it like that?!' In another text to Saidi-Bidokhti she lamented: 'You make me sick, you only bother me when you want something. Weed first and me second as always.' Screen shots (left and right) from a contact named 'Hubby x' showed a stream of messages from the frustrated wife of the drug dealer after the drugs filled her home The couple married in Las Vegas in July 2017 but are now in the process of divorce. Mrs Saidi-Bidokhti was interviewed under caution on August 20, 2018. She accepted suspecting that her husband was involved in the supply of cannabis, but said she had no idea he was more heavily involved. Mrs Saidi-Bidokhtis, who avoided a prison sentence, said she did not know any monies transferred into her business account were criminal property. She said her finances were completely separate from those of her husband. Saidi-Bidokhti and his gang were jailed for a total of 30 years last week with five of nine defendants receiving custodial sentences. 30-year-old Claire admitted allowing her business accounts to be used to launder cash generated from the illegal activities of her husband but avoided a prison sentence One of those being investigated by police was Lee Atkins, 38, but earlier this month the Bootle dad-of-one was killed by a crossbow close to his home in Monfa Road, Bootle. He was behind the management of an address in Oak Street, Bootle, where 58 mature cannabis plants were discovered, prosecutors said. When police raided this property, Mr Atkins was there. Once, while being covertly watched, Mr Atkins was seen letting himself into the property whilst placing a rubber glove on his right hand. Along with the large cannabis seizures, hundreds of cannabis plants were also found. Neil McDonald was sentenced to seven years and nine months, Darius Saidi-Bidokhti was sentenced to six years and six months, Luke Francis was sentenced to five years, Tomas Morozovas was sentenced to four years, Thomas McCollum was sentenced to five years and nine months. Four others were given suspended sentences, community orders and unpaid work. All were sentenced for conspiracies to produce, or supply, cocaine and cannabis. A former member of the sex slave group DOS testified on Monday that Keith Raniere had been planning to build a dungeon to cage women just before he was arrested last year. Lauren Salzman, a co-defendant in the case who accepted a plea deal last month, spoke about the plans during her second day in the stand. She also read excerpts from a manual given to the women in the group. 'Your sole highest desire must be to further your Master from whom all good things come and are related,' said the text, which was allegedly written by Raniere and Allison Mack. That is why the dungeon was being built with a cage where women could be ocoked awaynuntil the master, Raniere, wanted to let them free 'The best slave derives the highest pleasure from being her Master's ultimate tool,' said Salzman while reading another passage from the manual. 'It doesn't matter what the command is, it matters that you obey. It doesn't matter that you understand the command, it matters that you obey.' Scroll down for video Testify: Lauren Salzman (above ion January) testified about how the sex slave group DOS worked in testimony on Tuesday Keith: She revealed that there were plans to build a dungeon where Raniere (above in a courtroom sketch last week) could cage sex slaves Salzman could prove to be a problematic witness given the fact that she herself helped Raneire keep a girl locked in her room for close to two years. She is also the daughter of Nxivm's co-founder, Nancy Salzman. Salzman also declared that it was Raniere who came up with the idea to brand women, despite Allison Mack previously claiming the two came up with the idea together,. Former member Marc Vicente testified last week that Raniere was involved with a number of women, most notably Mack and billionaire heiress Clare Bronfman. He encouraged the former to starve herself said Vicente, while the latter was ordered to wear a jock strap as punishment for her know-it-all attitude. Jurors also saw photos of the newly branded sex slaves in group, taken shortly after each was held down and mutilated with a cauterizing pen. Only the jurors were able to see those photos, which Vicente said were kept in a drop box that had been created by Allison Mack. That same drop box also had the collateral of each of the women, damning information that could be used against them as blackmail should they ever try and leave the group. Vicente said that all the women around him started getting drastically thinner around 2015, the same time DOS was created, prompting him to ask Raniere is he was concerned with the situation. He testified that Mack in particular seemed to be translucent and gaunt, prompting him to speak with Raniere. Vicente told Raniere that Mack seemed broken, prompting him to respond: 'Well, I'm trying to break her.' And in a truly bizarre moment, Vicente also recalled how Raniere once urged his wife to lick a puddle and run into a tree when they were having relationship issues. Raniere said this would help her with her boundary issues. Vicente testified that he was the person who alerted Catherine Oxenberg that her daughter India was becoming wrapped up in the group and rapidly losing weight, much to his concern. The starvation of Nxivm members has now played a key aprt in the testimony of the first two witnesses in the case. Sylvie, 32, said she had been a member of the group for 13 years, and was in the process of planning her sex slave branding ceremony when the group finally fell apart last year. Just as harrowing was her description of the extreme lengths she went to starving herself and exercising, allegedly at the direction of Raniere and Clare Bronfman. Sex slave: Sylvie (above on the stand) recounted how her weight dropped to just 88lbs after she was forced to starve herself and exercise for six hours a day She said that at one point she weighed just 88lbs, and was training six hours a day to be a competitive runner. That training ultimately resulted in her developing an abscess that became a fistula and required surgery. A medical professional told her to stop working out, but she said that Bronfman told her it was fine to exercise at the same rate so long as she was not in any pain. Sylvie later broke down in tears while speaking about an alleged unwanted sexual encounter with Raniere, who she had been ordered to seduce. 'I felt shame,' said Sylvie of the day she went to Raniere's home so he could perform oral sex on her. When it was over, he allegedly took a photo of her genitalia. Raniere has pleaded not guilty to charges including sex trafficking and child pornography, and his lawyer has argued that he never forced any women to act against their will. He faces life in prison if convicted. Sylvie told jurors how her involvement in Nxivm eventually led her to become a slave in DOS, where she submitted herself entirely to a 'master' named Monica. She recited a lifetime vow to obey her female master at a commitment ceremony and wore a necklace called a 'dog collar.' As was expected of slaves, Sylvie recruited other women to join DOS. She now lives in England with her husband, also a former Nxivm member, and testified under an immunity agreement with prosecutors. 'We were taught that women were self-absorbed, narcissistic,' she said. 'I feel like in some ways that was the worst part of it for me.' A couple infected during the tainted blood scandal had to sign over more than half their home to get support payments. Bryan Walton was dying from Aids when he and his wife Clair, who contracted HIV from him, were ordered to give 58 per cent of their detached house to the now-defunct Macfarlane Trust. When Mrs Walton tried to question the arrangement after the death of her 34-year-old haemophiliac husband in 1993, employees at the trust described her as wanting to have her cake and eat it, letters show. The correspondence is a startling example of the injustice faced by more than 7,500 patients infected with HIV and hepatitis at the hands of the NHS in the 1970s and 1980s. Bryan Walton was dying from Aids when he and his wife Clair, who contracted HIV from him, were ordered to give 58 per cent of their detached house to the now-defunct Macfarlane Trust Victims and their families have never been given formal compensation because the Government has not admitted liability. Instead they have been forced to jump through hoops to access discretionary support payments and meagre living allowances. Theresa May is under growing pressure to put in place a fair scheme for victims infected with hepatitis C or HIV during the scandal and for grieving families. With one victim dying every four days, campaigners and the leaders of seven opposition parties have appealed to the Prime Minister to act before many more patients die without receiving a fair deal. Mrs May's official spokesman said extra cash had already been provided to help victims, but said ministers had not ruled out further support. He said: 'The PM has been clear that the contaminated blood scandal was a tragedy causing unimaginable pain and hurt for both victims and their families.' The 57-year-old said the couple were desperate in 1989 when they called the Macfarlane Trust one of a series of charitable organisations set up by the Government to provide support Mr Walton was told he had HIV and Aids in 1985 after receiving infected clotting products in his youth. He went on to infect his wife with the virus after doctors said it was fine for them to try for a baby at a time when little was known about HIV. Mrs Walton is one of dozens submitting evidence to the long-awaited public inquiry, which will hear from victims in Belfast today. The 57-year-old said the couple were desperate in 1989 when they called the Macfarlane Trust one of a series of charitable organisations set up by the Government to provide support. Her husband had recently been diagnosed with cancer, as a result of his HIV, and told he had just 18 months to live. But instead of giving them a grant to cover their household bills, the trust said the only way they could help was with a loan of 50,000 in exchange for a 58 per cent share of the house in Warwickshire. 'There was no other option,' she said. 'We had very little money coming in. There was no negotiation. Mr Walton was told he had HIV and Aids in 1985 after receiving infected clotting products in his youth 'The trust put a man who was dying of Aids ... under extreme duress to sign over our home to keep a roof over our heads.' She said she was treated like dirt by officials who questioned her eligibility for assistance, pointing out that she did not have haemophilia or hepatitis C but had a house and was childless. 'That was like a punch to the face. I didn't have children because my husband had HIV and was dead,' she said. 'The overall management of the trust was abysmal and for some of us they were very cruel.' She said she was treated like dirt by officials who questioned her eligibility for assistance, pointing out that she did not have haemophilia or hepatitis C but had a house and was childless Internal documents obtained under data protection laws revealed that employees described her as 'a lady who wants to eat her cake and still have it'. Another letter, which was written to her, said: 'Give some consideration to the fact that you are but one of hundreds of people looking to us for assistance.' When the trust was shut down in 2017 her loan was switched to the Terrence Higgins Trust. It has now been written off 30 years on. Invincible elm trees which are immune to the deadly virus which caused their near-extinction are set to return with the help of actress Dame Judi Dench. Half a century ago Britains elm population stood at nearly 30 million but was massacred to fewer than 100 after Dutch elm disease spread across the country. Dame Judi, 84, addressed the RHS Chelsea Flower show about her passion for the trees and an initiative to plant new trees resistant to the disease called Ulmus New Horizon, The Times reported. Dame Judi, 84, addressed the RHS Chelsea Flower show about her passion for the trees and an initiative to plant new trees resistant to the disease called Ulmus New Horizon, The Times reported Recalling her life with her late husband, the actor Michael Williams, Dame Judi said: When Michael and I were first married we lived in Charlecote, outside Stratford [upon Avon], where there was a wonderful great brow of elm trees. And, of course, during that time [they were destroyed]. We did several recitals in order to raise money for these trees; not alas enough. This autumn Dame Judi will travel to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire to help plant 20 of the resistant trees. Nursery Hillier trees currently distribute the new breed and have 2,500 of them in their fields. Adam Dunnett, sales director for the company, said: This is a massively significant tree. It is unlikely many people in Britain under the age of 60 will recall seeing a stand of mature English elm trees. The original elm trees that do still stand remain vulnerable to the disease which is spread by beetles living under the bark. Shadow Minister for Agriculture Joel Fitzgibbon has hinted he may put his hand up for the Labor leadership in an underwhelming pitch on The Today Show. Following the shock federal election that saw Labor lose over the weekend, Bill Shorten has since resigned as Labor leader, prompting the MP for Hunter, north of Sydney, to step forward as a candidate for leadership. Mr Fitzgibbon has now said he may throw his hat in the ring to become leader of the Opposition, but only as a last resort if the other candidates fail to protect coal mining. Mr Fitzgibbon was grilled by The Today Show's Deborah Knight on Tuesday morning, who asked if he'd be willing to go for the top spot. Anthony Albanese (centre) announced his intentions for the role and said he would be a different Labor leader to Bill Shorten because of their different paths 'I am considering doing so, yes. I would much rather someone else do it, but if I need to do it to secure the new path, the new direction we need, then I certainly will,' Mr Fitzgibbon said. When asked if he wanted the job, the shadow minister said there were a whole range of viable candidates, but more needed to be done to target rural and regional Australia. 'What I am particularly interested is the policy direction and the message we send to the community particularly rural and regional Australia,' he said. 'Ideally I would like to see a leader who doesn't live in the capital cities.' 'I want a leader who stand up to say "I support coalmining industry and cheap gas out of the ground to fuel the manufacturing sector and create jobs and I do want a big seat at the table for regional Australia." If they are prepared to commit loudly and proudly I am happy to support that. If not I will run myself.' Mr Fitzgibbon believes the Labor party has drifted a little too far to the left, and says they need to get back to the centre and reconnect to the 'working class base'. The announcement comes shortly after Queensland Labor MP Jim Chalmers also hinted he would run for the leadership. When asked if he wanted the job, Shadow Minister for agriculture Joel Fitzgibbon (pictured) said there were a whole range of viable candidates The member for Rankin said on Q&A that he was talking to his colleagues and was considering a tilt at the leadership. 'I'm considering it. I'm talking to my colleagues about it. I don't think it's unreasonable that a few of us take some time to work out what we want to do,' he said on Monday night. The election loss on Saturday was 'heartbreaking' but wanted to play a substantial role in the party's future, he said. 'I want to play a substantial role in the rebuilding of our electoral fortunes, the rebuilding of our policies. The exact nature of the substantial role is to be determined.' Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen (pictured), also from the Labor right, is also running for the position of Labor leader Anthony Albanese announced his intentions for the role and said he would be a different Labor leader to Bill Shorten because of their different paths. LABOR LEADERSHIP RULES Labor leadership contenders need to have 20 per cent caucus support to nominate for the top job. Rank-and-file party members get a say in the leadership if there are more than two contenders. There is a 50 per cent weighting between the Labor caucus in federal Parliament and party members. Former prime minister Kevin Rudd introduced the rules in 2013, to avoid a repeat of a sitting PM being knifed for fellow Labor MPs. Advertisement 'I'm someone who comes from a different background,' he told ABC's 7:30 on Monday, after mentioning he was raised by a single mother in public housing in Sydney's inner west. 'I have had a range of jobs. I'm an economist by training. I've been in parliament for more than 20 years. 'I'm very much a consensus person, and people will judge me by who I am rather than by comparison to Bill Shorten or anyone else.' Mr Albanese is the only person to have confirmed he will contest the Labor leadership since Mr Shorten resigned on Saturday after his party's election loss. Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek will not try to fill the top job, despite receiving support from across the party. 'Now is not my time,' she said in a statement on Monday. 'At this point, I cannot reconcile the important responsibilities I have to my family with the additional responsibilities of the Labor leadership.' Queensland Labor MP Jim Chalmers (pictured left, Chris Bowen on the right) has hinted he will run for the leadership Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen, also from the Labor right, has announced that he will be running for Labor leader. Labor's national executive committee met on Monday to lay out the framework for the leadership ballot. The full Labor executive, comprising senior MPs and key party officials, will meet on Wednesday. The search for the next leader is expected to take about one month. Rank and file members will first cast their votes, followed by the federal Labor caucus, before the results are averaged out and a winner is crowned. Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek (right) will not try to fill the top job, despite receiving support from across the party Mr Albanese, who came second in the last leadership ballot in 2013, believes Labor needs to listen to people in the outer suburbs and the regions to understand why the party lost the election. Opposition frontbencher Mr Fitzgibbon believes the party has drifted too far to the left. 'We certainly have to get back to the centre and we have to reconnect to our working class base,' he told ABC Radio National. Doug Cameron, a leading figure in the Labor left who retired from the Senate at the election, disagrees. 'This is not the time to panic and move to the 'centre' as a proxy for abandoning progressive policies and capitulating once again to neoliberalism,' he tweeted. The Coalition has seized on Labor's 'hubris' by mocking a photograph of Bill Shorten and his team proclaiming they were 'ready' for government. Chris Bowen - who today announced his candidacy for the leadership - posted a well-lit photograph of Labor's core ministerial team prior to the party's defeat. 'We're ready,' Mr Bowen captioned an image of himself with Mr Shorten and key advisers Tanya Plibersek, Penny Wong and Jim Chalmers. Chris Bowen posted this Nine newspapers photograph of himself, Bill Shorten, Tanya Plibersek, Penny Wong and Bill Shorten Triumphant Liberal MP Alex Hawke used the post to mock the 'hubris' of the Labor party. Mr Hawke published the definition of the word to his Facebook page - that being 'extreme or foolish pride or dangerous overconfidence'. Mr Bowen's spokesman was approached for comment. Social media comments compared the post to those of US presidential election loser Hillary Clinton ('might have to rename him Hillary'). Her Twitter account described her as the 'future president', barely a week before she lost the election to Donald Trump. Mrs Clinton's critics mocked this post after surprise election loss in November 2016 Chris Bowen announcing his candidacy outside his parents' fibro home in Smithfield, western Sydney Like Mrs Clinton, the Labor party had some reason to think it was going to win the election, having won virtually every opinion poll since 2016, including the final surveys. Mr Bowen today announced he will run for the Labor leadership against Anthony Albanese, who he described as a 'friend of mine'. The 46-year-old would have been Treasurer in a Bill Shorten government and is closely associated with the party's franking credit and negative gearing policies. Mr Bowen said he was 'devastated' by the result at the weekend and the party's policies in the future are 'a blank canvas'. 'No political party ever takes to the next election, exactly the same policies they took to the last. That would be dumb. They all have to be reviewed. It's a blank canvas.' Triumphant Liberal MP Alex Hawke used the post to mock the 'hubris' of the Labor party But he said: 'What I didn't wake up thinking on Sunday morning is that all of a sudden, the tax system is now fair. 'I didn't wake up suddenly on Sunday morning thinking that we don't need to spend any more money on health and education. 'I didn't wake up on Sunday morning thinking that we should no longer need to worry about giving first home buyers a go.' Standing outside the weatherboard home where he grew up, Mr Bowen reflected on how his mother was a childcare worker and his father a shift worker at the NRMA. He said the party deserved a choice between him and Mr Albanese, who he described as a great friend. 'I think that the party deserves contest. I think that the party deserves choice. It deserves to hear competing ideas. 'I think it would be wrong of me not to provide that choice to the party. I believe in growth and opportunity, economic growth. 'I believe in reconnecting with the suburbs like this and the regions. I believe in connecting with people from all walks of life - manufacturing workers for example.' He's running: Chris Bowen (left) will today announce his tilt for the Labor leadership. Jim Chalmers (right) has also been named as a possible contender The race is on: Anthony Albanese (left, from the Left faction) and Chris Bowen (right, from the Right faction) will contest the Labor leadership Possible leadership contenders: Jim Chalmers (left) and Joel Fitzgibbon (right) Mr Bowen's announcement will come after Tanya Plibersek decided to run at the weekend but then changed her mind and ruled herself out of the race. 'Now is not the time,' Ms Plibersek said, citing her family responsibilities, including to her eight-year-old son. Ms Plibersek had already won a high-profile endorsement from former prime minister Julia Gillard and claims she had support to be leader. LABOR LEADERSHIP RULES Labor leadership contenders need to have 20 per cent caucus support to nominate for the top job. Rank-and-file party members get a say in the leadership if there are more than two contenders. There is a 50 per cent weighting between the Labor caucus in federal Parliament and party members. Former prime minister Kevin Rudd introduced the rules in 2013, to avoid a repeat of a sitting PM being knifed for fellow Labor MPs. Advertisement Mr Albanese is now the firm favourite for the job after Mr Shorten narrowly pipped him to the role in 2013. Mr Albanese said the party needs to have a look at its policies. 'There are issues that need re-examining,' he told ABC's 7:30 on Monday night. 'One of the things that I'm not going to do, if I'm elected as leader of the Labor Party, is to make policy on the run. I'll talk with the caucus, we'll consult.' Other possible leadership contenders include former Defence minister Joel Fitzgibbon and the party's finance spokesman Jim Chalmers. Mr Fitzgibbon, from NSW's Hunter region, said he may run. 'Some may say I'm getting a bit old but I won't rule myself out,' he said on breakfast television this morning. Meanwhile, Mr Chalmers said: 'I'm considering it. I'm talking to my colleagues about it.' Bill Shorten resigned as Labor leader on Saturday night immediately after it became clear he had led the party to a catastrophic defeat. The defeat was particularly shocking as Mr Shorten's party had won virtually every opinion poll since 2016. The Coalition was re-elected and is projected to have won a majority in the House of Representatives. Police have rescued more than 350 children from the clutches of county lines gangs in a major nationwide crackdown. Almost 600 people were arrested in a series of raids last week. In one instance, a missing 14-year-old girl from Cambridge was found in London, where detectives believe she was being sexually abused. In another raid, police smashed their way into a property in Coventry and arrested four, seizing a large amount of drugs and weapons including a makeshift spear This is the moment police smash their way into a home in Coventry as part of a crackdown on county lines drugs gangs around the country Officers found a large amount of drugs and cash inside, along with a makeshift 'spear' Teenage gang members were among those held, and police seized drugs, cash and weapons. They also helped 519 adults some of whom had seen their homes taken over by dealers. In the raids, officers discovered 364 vulnerable children involved in or at risk of being drawn into drug dealing, who were 'engaged for safeguarding purposes'. Police also held a number of teenagers, including a boy of 15 arrested in Huddersfield who is accused of being part of a gang known as the 'SJ line' supplying drugs in Blackpool. Suspected child drug runners aged 16 were also held in Staffordshire and Lincolnshire. At least 30 people, including many children, had been victims of modern slavery or people trafficking, police believe. The UK-wide crackdown coordinated by the National County Lines Coordination Centre is one of the biggest operations yet to dismantle the estimated 2,000 UK drug networks. Officers arrested 500 men and 86 women suspected of being involved in county lines drug dealing, which refers to the mobile phones used to buy and sell drugs. Almost 600 people were arrested in a series of raids last week. Teenage gang members were among those held, and police seized drugs, cash and weapons. A stock photo is used above for illustrative purposes only [File photo] That is almost three times the number of arrests made last October when the centre run by the National Crime Agency and the National Police Chiefs Council launched the first round-Britain crackdown. They also seized a fearsome cache of 46 weapons including four guns, swords, machetes, an axe, knives, samurai swords, and a crossbow. In the week-long operation, 312,649 in cash and a large quantity of drugs including cocaine worth 176,780, crack cocaine worth 36,550 and heroin with an estimated 17,950 value was recovered. A number of train stations were also targeted around the UK including Macclesfield in Cheshire, Walton in Surrey and Basingstoke in Hampshire where police seized cannabis, MDMA, a baton, a knife, and PAVA spray from a male suspect. In Bedfordshire, the suspected ringleader of a drugs line was arrested at a property where officers recovered 500 in cash, a large amount of Class A drugs, multiple phones and weapons. During another raid of a cuckooed property in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, a gang threw drugs from the building as they attempted to escape. Police have rescued more than 350 children from the clutches of county lines gangs in a major nationwide crackdown. A stock photo is used above for illustrative purposes only and the girl described is not the model pictured above [File photo] Four men were late arrested and approximately 15,000 of cash and 45,000 in assets were found. In Hampshire, officers made 48 arrests targeting networks that bring drugs into the region and the Isle of Wight. National Crime Agency County Lines lead and Director of Investigations Nikki Holland, said: 'Tackling county lines and the misery it causes is a national law enforcement priority and these results demonstrate the power of a whole-system response to a complex problem that we're seeing in every area of the UK. 'We know that criminal networks use high levels of violence, exploitation and abuse to ensure compliance from the vulnerable people they employ to do the day-to-day drug supply activity. 'Thanks to the hard work of law enforcement officers there are now fewer drugs on the streets, more vulnerable people safeguarded and the public can be reassured that collectively we are committed to tackling serious and organised crime offenders and safeguarding victims.' National Police Chiefs' Council lead for County Lines, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Duncan Ball, said: 'The past week has seen police forces work together across the UK to send a clear message that we will do everything possible to dismantle county lines gangs and protect the vulnerable being exploited by them. 'The large number of arrests and weapons seizures is testament to the hard work and dedication of officers across the country, the National County Lines Co-ordination Centre and the support of key partners like social care, the NHS, schools and the charity sector.' Victoria Atkins, Minister for Crime Safeguarding and Vulnerability said: 'As a government we are determined to crack down on County Lines, disrupt the networks devastating communities and put an end to the violence and exploitation of children and vulnerable adults.' ends The Mail has highlighted the UK's county lines cancer which enslaves 10,000 children. Charles Wright (pictured), 64, died from natural causes on Friday at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville A Tennessee death row inmate died in prison on Friday, nearly five months before his scheduled execution. Charles Walton Wright, 64, was pronounced dead of natural causes at 11.57am at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville, according to the Tennessee Department of Correction. Wright was convicted in the 1984 shooting death of two men in a Nashville park during a drug deal. He was sentenced to death for killing Douglas Alexander and to life in prison for killing Gerald Mitchell. Wright was scheduled to face execution on October 10, 2019. Assistant Federal Public Defender Kelley Henry had unsuccessfully sought compassionate release for Wright, saying the inmate was dying of cancer. 'He desperately wanted to one day touch the grass and eat his sister's cooking,' Henry wrote in an emailed statement on Friday afternoon. Henry said Wright had a 'large and loving family' that is heartbroken over his loss. She also said Wright had many friends on death row who took care of him after he became ill, including Donnie Johnson. Wright's death came less than 24 hours after his friend and killer, Johnson, was executed Thursday night. Johnson, 68, was executed for the 1984 suffocation of his wife, Connie Johnson. Wright was convicted in the 1984 shooting deaths of Douglas Alexander and Gerald Mitchell in a Nashville park during a drug deal, but died five months before his execution date at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution (pictured) Donnie Johnson (left), 68, was executed last Thursday for the murder of his wife Connie Johnson, (right), in Memphis. He suffocated her in 1984 by shoving a 30-gallon trash bag down her throat In his dying moments, the religious inmate uttered a long prayer, asking for forgiveness. He asked the warden if he could sing, and he sang two hymns. The last words observers could hear were 'no more dying here'. He was pronounced dead at 7.37pm. Henry was one of the witnesses to Johnson's execution. She said afterward that she believed gasping noises Johnson made during the execution indicated that he was suffering. Autopsies are planned for both Johnson and Wright. Courts have rejected challenges to Tennessee's midazolam-based lethal injection protocols, but Henry said claims about the pain the drugs cause are unrefuted. Two Tennessee inmates last year chose to die in the electric chair instead of by lethal injection, saying they believed it offered a quicker and less painful death. Tennessee is scheduled to execute two more inmates later this year. A modest two-bedroom home with an enclosed front verandah has hit the market for just $4,000 - but it comes with a huge catch. The 405-square-metre property on 38 Albert Street in Rockhampton in Central Queensland, features an open-plan lounge, dining room and an iron roof. But the weatherboard house, described as ideal for a '2nd farm house' or 'just cheap storage', is listed on realestate.com.au for removal - meaning it has to be picked up and taken to a new block of land by the new owner. The 405-square-metre property on 38 Albert Street (pictured) is on the market for just $4,000 A single bathroom, kitchen and pine floors are among the other features of the 6.8-metre by 12.2-metre home A single bathroom, kitchen and pine floors are among the other features of the 6.8-metre by 12.2-metre home. The listing states there is 'lots of good timber in this home', indicating the property had other useful purposes besides being used as a residence. The small measurements means the home 'would be easy to shift to a new location'. A dilapidated property in country New South Wales was sold for just $7,000 in May, but unlike the Rockhampton home, it came complete with the block of land. The Murray Street property in Hay, 700km west of Sydney, is cheaper than some used cars and $2,000 less expensive than some luxury handbags. Despite the reasonable price tag, the property boasts three bedrooms, one bathroom and one garage space, and is close to several schools - but it's in urgent need of renovation. In August 2004, the property sold for $48,000, and in June 2012 it was sold again for $30,000. The son of two pastors has been jailed over the sexual assault of a number of underage girls after one of the victim's mothers initially made a secret pact to protect his parents' church. Kairo Peter Nahi, 21, sexually assaulted four teenage girls while he was a member of Vibe Church, a Christian group based in Tweed Heads on the NSW far north coast, the court heard. Nahi used the connections at his church - his parents work as church pastors - to meet the girls between 2015 and 2017, Gold Coast Bulletin reported. Daily Mail Australia does not suggest Nahi's parents, David and Louise, knew of their son's actions. The court heard that at the time of the assaults, Nahi was a teenager and first sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl. Kairo Peter Nahi, 21, sexually assaulted four teenage girls while he was a member of Vibe Church, a Christian group based in Tweed Heads on the NSW far north coast, the court heard (pictured, Nahi's parents David and Louise, who work as church pastors. Daily Mail Australia does not suggest the parents were aware of their son's actions at the time) The court was told Nahi used the connections at his church - his parents work as church pastors - to meet the girls between 2015 and 2017 (pictured, Vibe Church at Tweed Heads along the NSW north coast) He sent a message to the victim saying, 'I have other girls your age who are 12 and 13 that I can do these things to', the court was told. The court heard the victim's mother learned of the assault through social media and came forward with the allegation. She spoke to church pastors and board members provided a character reference for Nahi. She decided to keep quiet for the sake of the church. 'An agreement was reached at church to keep them [the girl and Nahi] apart,' crown prosecutor Gary Churchill said. Outside of Southport District Court on Sunday, the mother said she regretted not going to the police. 'All the churchs support is for him and not the girls,' she said. 'I feel like my daughter and I are worth more.' Only months after the first incident, Nahi began to send sexually explicit images to an 11-year-old girl over Snapchat. He convinced her to send him a photo of her breasts, and arranged to meet with her after she turned 12. The court heard he inappropriately touched her and asked her to give him oral sex. He also inappropriately touched a 14-year-old girl in 2014 before he asked if he could touch her. The teenager refused and Nahi did not continue. Outside of Southport District Court (pictured) on Sunday, the mother said she regretted not going to the police Then in 2017, Nahi met with another girl in a garage before he kissed her and forced her to perform oral sex. The victim called her sister's boyfriend, who passed on the message to the girl's parents. They took the matter to police and Nahi was subsequently arrested and later pleaded guilty to 13 counts of indecent treatment of a child and one count of using the internet to procure and meet a child. He was sentenced to three years in prison, to be suspended after he served eight months. Judge Catherine Muir ordered him to serve 18 months probation following his release. As the temperatures get colder, plenty of Australians will be looking to get away to soak up some winter sun. Fortunately a series of cheap deals to destinations including Bali, Phuket and China are on offer - but you'll have to get in fast. The Click Frenzy Mayhem event begins Tuesday evening and promises exclusive deals to Australian holidaymakers and other customers. More than 250 retailers are participating in the sale which ends at midnight Wednesday, just 29 hours later. The Click Frenzy Mayhem event begins Tuesday evening and promises exclusive deals to Australian holidaymakers and other customers. Among the top discounted travel deals include, a trip to Bali. Perth customers can purchase flights and five nights at a four-star hotel from just $599. Among the top discounted travel deals include, a trip to Bali. Perth customers can purchase flights and five nights at a four-star hotel from just $599. Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane holidaymakers will have to pay $200 extra. The Flight Centre deal is for travel between May 15 and December 23. A similar deal on Flight Online for seven nights at a five-star hotel starts at $1229. Those planning to holiday in Phuket can also jump onto Travel Online, which is offering return flights and eight nights, including four free nights, at a resort from $1139. Webjet.com is offering a 13-day Thailand tour with a Phuket beach break, return flights, accommodation, daily breakfast and transportation from $1899. Flight Centre is offering seven nights in a deluxe seaview room and return flights from $1099. Customers can save up to 57 per cent on the total cost with this package. Flights to China are also discounted, with Webjet.com selling an 11-day package, which includes return international flights, all accommodation, daily breakfasts, transfers within China and English-speaking tour guides, from $799. Travel Online s offering return flights and eight nights, including four free nights, at a Phuket resort from $1139 Webjet.com is selling a 11-day package, which includes return international flights, all accommodation, daily breakfasts, transfers within China and English-speaking tour guides, from $799 A teenager jailed for raping and assaulting a five-year-old girl at a New Zealand campground is set to be released after serving just seven years in prison. Raurangi Mark Marino was 16 when he attacked the young girl in the Turangi campground, south of Auckland, as she and her brother were sleeping in a caravan. The horrific attack in December 2011 caused uproar in New Zealand. Marino was sentenced to 10 years jail, however, the parole board has reduced his classification to minimum risk. Raurangi Mark Marino was 16 when he attacked the young girl in the Turangi campground, south of Auckland, as she and her brother were sleeping in a caravan In March last year he was assessed by the parole board and deemed as having a high risk of violent offending and a moderate to high risk of sexual offending. However, later that year in October the parole board revised their decision and considered releasing him, according to the NZ Herald. 'In speaking to the Principal Corrections Officer... consideration may be given to reducing his classification to minimum by an override,' the board said. 'We are also advised that if Mr Marino has a release date then it will be possible for him to undertake guided releases into the community.' 'Mr Marino was imprisoned at age 16; he is now 23 years of age. He will simply not be familiar with the community and he needs to have a confidence that he can do the ordinary things.' It is understood he has been having guided releases into the community for the past few months in preparation to be released. His release into the community comes with 16 conditions including not to use alcohol or drugs, be monitored by a GPS tracker and probation officer, not to associate with gangs, and participate in a sexual offenders relapse prevention group. At his sentencing hearing, the court heard how Marino had a troubled background with both his parents involved in bikie gangs, and he was abused growing up. The campground on New Zealand's North Island where the attack was carried out A former Liberal Democrat Cabinet minister was yesterday accused of undermining his partys chances in the European elections by positing a picture of himself with George Osborne. Sir Danny Alexander, chief secretary to the Treasury in the Coalition government, tweeted the photograph of himself alongside his old friends, the Tory ex-chancellor and former Lib Dem leader Sir Nick Clegg. The Lib Dems are currently riding high in the polls, attracting the support of Remain supporters annoyed at Labours equivocal stance on Brexit. Sir Danny Alexander, chief secretary to the Treasury in the Coalition government, tweeted the photograph of himself alongside his old friends, the Tory ex-chancellor and former Lib Dem leader Sir Nick Clegg Last night Labour gleefully pointed out that Sir Dannys picture reminding voters of the Coalition years may not help the Lib Dems electoral prospects. The partys education spokesman Angela Raynor said: Excellent timing, Danny, just to remind people who were the architects of austerity in the awful Coalition government. I am glad you are delighted to see some old friends. Unfortunately those still living with the fallout from austerity are not so delighted to see you all again. Before he was elected to Parliament in 2005, Sir Danny was head of communications at the Cairngorms National Park Authority. The Lib Dems lost the support of many of their supporters when they joined the Tories in Coalition between 2010 and 2015, ushering in the age of austerity. Their abandonment of a manifesto promise not to introduce tuition fees sparked particular anger, and they were reduced to a rump of just eight MPs at the 2015 election. Last night Labour gleefully pointed out that Sir Dannys picture reminding voters of the Coalition years may not help the Lib Dems electoral prospects. Pictured: Jeremy Corbyn Sir Danny went on to work for the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Sir Nick - who stepped down as Lib Dem leader after the 2015 general election - now works for Facebook as its head of global affairs and communications. Mr Osborne faced criticism for taking on multiple jobs after he was sacked as chancellor by Theresa May in 2016. He is now editor of the London Evening Standard. Former colonel Bob Stewart said he was 'ashamed' of the Government's inaction Mrs May vowed in 2016 to end 'witch-hunts' of troops over historical incidents Theresa May was accused of 'cowardice' by one of her own MPs yesterday for failing to protect veterans of the Troubles. Tory backbenchers who served as soldiers rounded on the Prime Minister in the House of Commons, accusing her of being 'complicit' in a witch-hunt. Former Army captain Johnny Mercer said it was 'genuinely shocking' that Mrs May had said terrorists and veterans should be given 'equal' treatment. Theresa May was accused of 'cowardice' by one of her own MPs yesterday for failing to protect veterans of the Troubles. At the Tory party conference in 2016, Mrs May vowed to end 'witch-hunts' of troops over historical incidents His comments came in a debate triggered by a petition signed by 146,000 people, calling for soldiers to be granted immunity. Mr Mercer, who earlier this month said no longer 'shared the values or ethos' of the Tory Party under Mrs May, said: 'There has been a clear moral failure by this Prime Minister and the Northern Ireland Office to deal with this situation. Former Army captain Johnny Mercer said it was 'genuinely shocking' that Mrs May had said terrorists and veterans should be given 'equal' treatment 'The greatest worry is this will never end... until a government or a prime minister decides to show just a quarter of the courage we asked our men and women to show on a daily basis.' At the Tory party conference in 2016, Mrs May vowed to end 'witch-hunts' of troops over historical incidents but it emerged at the weekend that she blocked plans to scrap prosecutions for alleged crimes in a private letter to the Northern Ireland Office and the Ministry of Defence. In the letter, sent last year on Mrs May's behalf, she said a consultation on legacy issues 'should not contain' reference to an amnesty or statute of limitations, with veterans instead given 'equal, rather than preferential treatment'. Mr Mercer said yesterday: 'It is just pure cowardice to give a conference speech to rapturous applause that you are on the side of those who served, bravest of the brave, and in private say the complete opposite.' Former Army colonel Bob Stewart said he was 'ashamed' of the Government's inaction, adding: 'Our soldiers need protection. I'm ashamed that our governments are complicit in a witch-hunt.' Tory MP Richard Drax, also a former Army officer, said: 'It is so easy for politicians to say 'I condemn that man or woman'. What they fail to understand is the total picture... we cannot go on betraying our brave men and women.' The hospital where a family of alleged womb raiders appeared with a baby boy after allegedly cutting him from his mother's belly is facing increased scrutiny over why they did not call police when it was clear none of them had given birth. On April 23, Clarisa Figueroa arrived by ambulance at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Chicago, with a baby boy. She told doctors she had birthed him but showed no signs of labor. The 46-year-old was covered in blood when she arrived at the emergency room but police say it belonged to Marlen Ochoa-Lopez, the baby's 19-year-old mother who Clarisa and her daughter are accused of strangling to death. For weeks, Clarisa pretended the baby was hers and even set up a GoFundMe page asking for donations to help care for him. Clarisa Figueroa, 46, was the mastermind of the plot. She pretended she was pregnant for months and lured Marlen to her home after meeting her on Facebook, according to police Clarisa's 24-year-old daughter Desiree, left, is four months pregnant. She made a full confession to police including how she pulled Marlen's fingers away from her neck to stop her from fighting her mother as she strangled her with an electric cable. Piotr Bobak, 40, right, is Clarisa's boyfriend who is accused of helping them cover up the murder On May 7, police who had been looking for Marlen, went to the Figueroas' home. The family says they told them much sooner about it but that they were ignored. Once at the house, detectives spoke to Clarisa's daughter Desiree and found Marlen's car nearby afterwards. They then ordered a DNA test which, a week later, revealed that the boy was Marlen's baby. Christ Medical Center is facing criticism over how doctors and nurses did not think it was suspicious when Clarisa, a 46-year-old who previously had her Fallopian tubes tied, appeared in front of them. The Cook County Sheriff's Office, which was not handling Marlen's disappearance, said on Monday that the hospital should face investigation into its handling of the case. It plans to ask the state's child welfare agency to determine if a suburban Chicago hospital acted properly in the case. In the most recent photos shared by baby Yadiel's remaining family, he is shown recovering in the hospital in his father, Yovany's arms (left) and being treated by nurses (right). He will undergo more tests this week to determine his condition and brain function Marlen Ochoa-Lopez, 19, is shown carrying the baby. She was strangled to death on April 23 Cara Smith, chief policy officer at the sheriff's office, said if the state's Department of Family Services determines that Advocate Christ Medical Center violated the Abuse and Neglected Children Reporting Act, there would be an investigation. The Chicago Police Department and the state agency said over the weekend that the hospital never alerted them after determining in late April that the bloodied Clarisa Figueroa was not the mother. The hospital issued a statement last week saying that it was cooperating with local authorities but it has not given any other comment. Prosecutors contend that when Figueroa was brought with the baby to the hospital, she had blood on her upper body and face, which a hospital cleaned off and that the 46-year-old Figueroa was examined at the hospital and showed no physical signs of childbirth. The question for the state agency, Smith said, is if the hospital would have been legally required to alert police or the agency about the woman claiming to be the mother of a gravely ill child. Police say that no one from Advocate Christ Medical Center called them when the baby was presented to them on April 23 despite the suspicious circumstances. The hospital will not comment on the case but said it is helping police 'We will ask DCFS to advise if this unspeakable tragic set of facts was reportable,' she said in a statement. It was first reported over the weekend that the hospital did not immediately report what had happened on April 23 , the day Figueroa and the baby came to the hospital. The baby remains hospitalized in grave condition on life support and is not expected to survive. On Monday, photos emerged of him in his father's arms, opening his eyes and clinging to life. He will undergo more tests in the hospital this week to determine his condition. Yadiel is shown with one of eyes open in this photograph shared by friends on Monday Sunday's 'Game of Thrones' series finale was watched by a record number of viewers around the world, but fans of the show in China weren't among them thanks to the nation's growing trade war with the US and President Donald Trump. Instead of finding out who ended up sitting on the Iron Throne, Chinese 'Thrones' watchers received a message informing them of 'transmission medium problems.' The message was posted by Tencent Video, the subsidiary of Tencent Holdings Ltd, which has had exclusive streaming rights to the premium cable network's content in China since 2014. 'We will notify you of another broadcasting time,' Tencent said in a more detailed communique posted on its Weibo social media account one hour before the last episode was supposed to air. Chinese 'Game of Thrones' watchers received a message informing them of 'transmission medium problems' during the show's series finale on Sunday due to the country's intensifying trade war with the US President Trump (left) has ratched up his trade war rhetoric against China in recent weeks. Chinese president Xi Jinping (left) is reportedly preparing his country for a drawn-out trade war with the US HBO told the Wall Street Journal on Monday that the China Thrones blackout wasn't a technical issue on the company's part. An HBO spokesperson confirmed Tencent blocked transmission of the series finale. The Verge reports that thousands of Chinese Thrones fans have vented their frustrations on Weibo, China's largest social media company Many threatened to cancel their Tencent accounts if their monthly subscription fees weren't refunded. The debacle is the latest fallout in the intensifying battle over US trade tariffs placed on Chinese goods by the Trump administration. Tencent Video, the subsidiary of Tencent Holdings Ltd, reportedly blocked access to Sunday's 'Game of Thrones' finale due to China's trade war with the US. Tencent has had exclusive streaming rights to the HBO content in China since 2014 State-run broadcaster China Central Television's (CCTV-6) was supposed to air a red carpet gala, a Chinese sci-fi film, and a Chinese comedy film last week, but unexpectedly suspended its regular programming to show anti-US-themed war films, according to the Journal. The network said on social media that the movies reinforce that Chinese people are 'not afraid of strong enemies and can bravely fight.' Chinese consumers aren't the only ones being inconvenienced by the escalating trade dispute. The Atlantic reports that American consumers are expected to bear the brunt of the cost of the 25 percent tariff imposed on Chinese goods by the Trump administration last week. An open letter signed by 173 companies urged Trump to end the trade dispute, saying the policy would be 'catastrophic for our consumers, our companies and the American economy as a whole,' according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Marbridge Consulting managing director Mark Natkin told the Journal that blocking pop culture phenomena like 'Game of Thrones' is 'a good way to apply some additional pressure outside of the eye-for-an-eye tariffs framework.' 'It sends a message that China can also block market access for intangibles like film and TV content, which it can blame ostensibly on content guideline violations,' Natkin said. A 23-year-old model who vanished from a house party in the Hunter Valley was reportedly found shivering and alone in a remote property. Kate Delaney, from Sydney's North Shore, left the party in Howes Valley without her shoes or phone at 1.45am on Monday and failed to arrive home. After her family raised the alarm, she was found by police on Tuesday at a house nearby and was treated for sun exposure. Police say Miss Delaney did not know she was reported missing and there are no suspicious circumstances. According to her Facebook account, Ms Delaney went to Loreto Kirribilli private school and UTS Kate Delaney, from Sydney's North Shore, was last seen at the party in Howes Valley at 1.45am on Monday Miss Delaney was described as white, thin, about 170cm to 175cm tall. She was last seen wearing a red sarong A police source told the Daily Telegraph: 'She has been found alive and well, her parents has joined in the search and had become worried for her safety when she failed to call.' During their search, police did not rule out that she may have simply chosen to leave the party. According to her Facebook account, Ms Delaney went to Loreto Kirribilli private school and UTS. She worked as a ski instructor in Canada and dabbled in modelling. She has not been seen or heard from since Monday and her family and police are concerned for her welfare Australians have fallen for an international DNA test scam that saw them pay hundreds of dollars to uncover their family history but receive absolutely nothing in return. DNA test company Gentiqo allegedly scammed South-east Queensland resident Helene Pinter, who received a DNA test from the company as a Christmas present. Ms Pinter sent the company $300 and a saliva sample as requested but never received the results. DNA test company Gentiqo allegedly scammed South-east Queensland resident Helene Pinter (pictured) who sent the company $300 and a saliva sample but never received the results 'We saw all these videos popping up on TV, on Facebook, on everywhere of people getting their elaborate kits back,' Ms Pinter told 9News. Ms Pinter transferred the money to Gentiqo and sent her DNA but became concerned after she did not receive her results. She emailed the company and posted on their Facebook page but never got a response. 'They deleted my comments and blocked me immediately. I messaged my fiance straight away and I said, ''something's not right''.' Gentiqo's Facebook page has since been deleted and all their posts on Instagram have been removed. 9News reported Gentiqo used a Canadian address and business paperwork allegedly linked to a legitimate medical device manufacturer, DNA Genotek. DNA Genotek stated they do not conduct business with Gentiqo and have not given them permission to use their address or re-label their DNA kits. Ms Pinter warned other Australians to do their research and make sure the DNA test company is legitimate before proceeding. 'Really research it. We thought we had I'm pretty thorough with that stuff, but they looked so legitimate,' she said. Gentiqo have now deleted their Facebook page and removed all posts from their Instagram account NSW Fair Trading advised any customers who may have been scammed by Gentiqo to contact the company. If the issue isn't resolved, customers are advised to contact NSW Fair Trading. 'Fair Trading's advice to customers who are dissatisfied in their dealings with Gentiqo is to contact the trader and try to resolve the matter in the first instance,' NSW Fair Trading told Daily Mail Australia. 'Customers who are unable to resolve their issues with the trader are advised to lodge a written complaint with Fair Trading. 'Where customers have paid by credit or debit card, they should contact their credit provider and make enquiries about applying for a credit card charge-back. A time limit for charge-backs may apply.' Daily Mail Australia has reached out to the Therapeutic Goods Administration, The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and DNA Genotek for comment. Attorney General William Barr says he is fighting for the presidency and not President Donald Trump in a new interview published on Monday. Barr told the Wall Street Journal that his handling of Robert Mueller's report was fueled by his desire to protect the executive branch rather than personally supporting Trump. 'I felt the rules were being changed to hurt Trump, and I thought it was damaging for the presidency over the long haul,' Barr told the newspaper. 'At every grave juncture the presidency has done what it is supposed to do, which is to provide leadership and direction. 'If you destroy the presidency and make it an errand boy for Congress, we're going to be a much weaker and more divided nation,' he continued. Attorney General William Barr (left) said his handling of the Mueller report was fueled by his desire to protect the executive branch rather than personally supporting Trump The redacted Mueller report, released on April 18 by Barr, left some questions about the probe unanswered. Democrats have subpoenaed the unredacted report and the evidence Mueller relied on. Barr, who was appointed the 85th Attorney General by Trump on February 14, has refused to comply with the subpoena. The House Judiciary Committee voted on May 8 to recommend that the full House cite Barr for contempt of Congress. 'We are now in a constitutional crisis,' Jerrold Nadler, the committee's Democratic chairman, told reporters on Monday. The committee vote came hours after the White House asserted the seldom-used principle of executive privilege to keep the full Mueller report under wraps, even though Trump earlier allowed aides to speak with Mueller during his investigation. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, a Democrat, has also subpoenaed Barr for Mueller-related documents. After Barr disregarded the subpoena, Schiff said on Thursday the committee planned to take 'enforcement action'. The redacted Mueller report, released on April 18 by Barr, left some questions about the probe unanswered. Democrats have subpoenaed the unredacted report and the evidence Mueller relied on Last week, Barr traveled to El Salvador, where he directed his focus on the MS-13 gang. 'I'm trying to break away from Washington and do the real work of the attorney general,' he said ahead of his trip. According to the Justice Department, Barr met with US government officials in El Salvador 'to advance key Department priorities, including interdicting illegal narcotics, dismantling MS-13, the 18th Street Gang and other transnational criminal organizations, and combatting illegal migration and human trafficking'. Trump has made battling MS-13 and stopping illegal immigration a priority, and also has called for a cut-off in funds to El Salvador and other Central American nations who make up the bulk of would-be caravan migrants. On Friday, former FBI Director James Comey slammed Barr for 'sliming' on the Department of Justice after he assigned a federal prosecutor to look into how the Russian investigation started. Comey who was fired by Tump from his role in 2017 spoke out in a tweet as Barr appeared on Fox News with Bill Hemmer and said 'some strange developments took place' between Election Day and Inauguration Day. 'The AG should stop sliming his own Department. If there are bad facts, show us, or search for them professionally and then tell us what you found,' Comey posted on Twitter. 'An AG must act like the leader of the Department of Justice, an organization based on truth. Donald Trump has enough spokespeople.' Barr said on Fox News Friday about the probe into collusion between the Russians and Trump's campaign: 'I think there's a misconception out there that we know a lot about what happened. 'The fact of the matter is Bob Mueller did not look at the government's activities. He was looking at whether or not the Trump campaign had conspired with the Russians.' Barr added about obtaining permission to wire tap those suspected of spying: 'But he was not going back and looking at the counterintelligence program. 'And we have a number of investigations underway that touch upon it - the main one being the office of inspector general that's looking at the FISA warrants.' David and Joss Sackler, a fixture in New York's high society, have reportedly decided to flee the Big Apple and move to Florida after being shunned over their alleged role in the opioid crisis. David's family company, Purdue Pharma, makes the addictive narcotic OxyContin and the family are accused of deceiving patients and doctors about the risks of opioids and pushing prescribers to keep patients on the drug longer. And now, according to Page Six, the couple are selling their $6.5 million Upper East Side apartment and heading south as they relocate to Palm Beach, Florida. Scroll down for video So far, eight members of the Sackler family have been named in lawsuits brought in several states. Joss and David Sackler, Manhattan socialites are planning to flee to Florida. Pictured: Mortimer Sackler and Jacqueline Sackler in September 2006, and Joss Sackler and Alison Bruhn in September 2017 The Sacklers are reportedly selling their East 66th Street home The Sackler family owns Purdue Pharma, which makes the addictive narcotic OxyContin. The powerful narcotic has been directly tied to the opioid crisis. Pictured: Richard Sackler left, and Jonathan Sackler, right, children of the late Purdue Pharma co-founder Raymond Sackler 'Imagine if you had three young kids and were being accused of creating an opioid crisis . . . where would you rather live?' a source said to Page Six. 'They unfortunately symbolize all that is wrong with the epidemic. Their reputations are in the cesspool,' said a 'social insider' allegedly told The New York Post. 'There is a reluctance to hobnob and socialize [with] and openly stand next to the Sacklers. They aren't being invited to small dinners on Fifth Avenue.' According to a 2005 study from the Washington University School of Medicine, by 2004, OxyContin became the most prevalent abused prescription opioid (file picture) The Sacklers are one of the wealthiest families in the world, worth around $13 billion, in part because of sales of the drug. Purdue reportedly paid $4 billion to the Sackler family between 2008 and 2015. Until the scandal broke, the Sacklers were a highly respected family who mingled with the cream of New York society and fixtures on the city's social scene. The couple were big art patrons and donors to major museums including the Met, which named a wing after them. Joss also founded an activewear line and a wine club. Over the years, the Sacklers have gifted various institutions with generous donations and, in turn, have had their names stamped on buildings. There's the Sackler Institute at Columbia University, the Sackler Center for Arts Education at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and the Sackler Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art - and that's just in New York. But as Purdue Pharma and the Sacklers are getting dragged into more and more lawsuits, a growing number of institutions are refusing further donations - or cutting ties with the family altogether. A growing number of institutions are refusing further donations or cutting ties with the Sackler family altogether due to their link to the opioid crisis. Pictured: Dr Mortimer Sackler (left) and his wife Jacqueline Sackler attend The Winter Dance 2006 Desert Oasis in New York Founder of Sackler Center First Awards Elizabeth Sackler is pictured in 2016. The family gave money to the Brooklyn Museum's Sackler Center OxyContin was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1995 and made available in 1996. Drug manufacturer Edwin Thompson told CBS's 60 Minutes that when the FDA approved the drug, it was based on research that showed it was effective for 'short-term' use. But, in July 2001, the FDA changed the label and broadened OxyContin use for those with more moderate and long-term pain such as arthritis. According to a 2005 study from the Washington University School of Medicine, by 2004, OxyContin became the most prevalent abused prescription opioid. Meanwhile, the opioid epidemic has led to more than 200,000 overdose deaths and forced hundreds of thousands of children away from addicted parents and into foster homes. More than 47,000 people died from overdoses involving opioids in 2017. Thousands of lawsuits have been brought against Purdue Pharma, particularly in New York and Massachusetts. So far, eight members of the Sackler family have been named including Richard and Jonathan Sackler, sons of the late Raymond Sackler. His widow Beverly and his grandson David have also been named. Three children of the other founding brother Mortimer Sackler - Ilene, Kathe and Mortimer David Alfons - are all named as is his widow, Theresa. Insiders reportedly told the Post that many Sackler family members view themselves as disconnected from the opioid crisis. Yet, just earlier this year, it was revealed that Richard Sackler, then senior vice president of sales, told people when the prescription launched that it would be 'followed by a blizzard of prescriptions that will bury the competition'. Recent court filings suggest that David's late grandfather Raymond had strategized to place patients on high doses of opioids and beat down doctors' protests. The renovated home has four bedrooms and five bathrooms The Upper East Side apartment has plenty of entertaining space along with stellar views The home on East 66th Street is located on the 16th floor of the coveted central C-tower of the Manhattan House Condominium As deaths grew, David's father, Richard, passed the blame onto patients, calling them 'reckless criminals,' according to court papers, while Purdue allegedly explored marketing products for opioid addiction treatment. Author Michael Gross, told the Post that Sacklers are bound to face even further backlash, 'What you are seeing now is a much less forgiving environment for bad behavior,' said Gross, author of Rogues' Gallery: The Secret Story of the Lust, Lies, Greed, and Betrayals That Made the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 'The laundering of reputations through philanthropy used to be a frictionless process. Now it's a bumpy road and sometimes even detours lead to dead ends.' In March, the National Portrait Gallery refused a grant of $1.3 million from the Sacklers. And the Guggenheim, which has a wing with the family name on it, said it would no longer accept monetary gifts from the Sacklers. In February, protesters descended on the museum and rained hundreds of scraps of paper designed to look like 80mg prescriptions down the Guggenheim's central spiral The Tate Museum in London also said it would not longer be accepting contributions from the Sacklers. 'I wouldn't accept donations from them,' an anonymous member of 'multiple museum boards' told the Post. 'The name is definitely sullied. And deservedly so.' The Solomon R Guggenheim Museum, which has a wing with the family name on it, said it would no longer accept monetary gifts from the Sacklers In February, protesters descended on the museum and rained hundreds of scraps of paper designed to look like 80mg prescriptions down the Guggenheim's central spiral Even some family members have been trying to get out from under the shadow that the lawsuits have cast on the Sacklers. Elizabeth Sackler, whose father Arthur held a one-third option in Purdue said in a statement in January 2019 that the role her family's company played in the opioid crisis is 'morally abhorrent' in a January 2019 statement. She also argued that her father died in 1987, before OxyContin was produced, and that his option was sold to his younger brothers, the principal owners of Purdue Pharma a few months after his death. 'None of [Arthur's] descendants have ever owned a share of Purdue stock nor benefited in any way from it or the sale of OxyContin,' Elizabeth said. A teenager has been charged after he allegedly tried to rob a tobacco shop before throwing a knife at the shopkeeper's head. The 14-year-old entered the Cignall Specialist Tobacconist in Parramatta, Sydney, on Monday at about 8.40pm. He approached the counter before he started wielding the knife at the member of staff, who is a China born university student. A fight broke out and the accused allegedly threw the weapon, which became lodged in the 24-year-old woman's skull, just missing her eye. Witnesses claim the man met up with someone waiting outside the store before they both ran from the scene. A 14-year-old boy has been charged after he allegedly tried to rob a tobacco shop at knife point before throwing the knife at the shopkeeper causing it to embed in hear head The employee was treated at the scene for the stab wound to her head and was taken to Westmead Hospital where she remains in a stable condition after undergoing surgery to remove the knife. Investigations led police to a home in The Ponds at 1am the following morning where they arrested the alleged 14-year-old offender. He was taken to Riverstone Police Station and charged with robbery armed with an offensive weapon cause wounding and refused bail. Cignall Specialist Tobacconist owner Kelvin Wu told The Daily Telegraph his employee was just 'too tough' and had actually used a chair in an attempt to defend herself. 'It was under the eyebrow and nearly touched the eye but luckily, after the X-ray, they found the knife didnt touch the brain and the eyes, he told the publication. When he was asked about the possible motive of the teenager allegedly trying to rob the store Mr Wu blamed boredom. 'My own opinion its very bad because at the moment they dont know how to find something fun or something like that and have to find the electronic cigarette,' he said. The 14-year-old is due to appear in a childrens court on Tuesday. A man believed to be one of Australia's worst sex offenders has admitted to molesting children across south east Asia and keeping thousands of photos and videos of the abuse. For more than 16 years Melbourne man Boris Kunsevitsky, 52, abused up to 47 young boys across four countries in south-east Asia - many of them living in impoverished slums. Kunsevitsky was living in Singapore in 2016 but was being monitored by Australian police. When he returned home in 2017 officers seized his phone and found explicit child exploitation material, The Age reported. Over 16 years Melbourne man Boris Kunsevitsky (pictured), 52, abused up to 47 young boys across four countries in south-east Asia Kunsevitsky wasn't allowed to return to Singapore and police had his belongings shipped to Australia. When the horde arrived police found a laptop and two hard drives, containing thousands of horrific images of child sexual abuse. More than 3,300 pictures and videos were found dating back to 2001. From the evidence police were able to deduce that Kunsevitsky had abused or sexually assaulted up to 47 underage boys. Most were believed to be teenagers, but some victims were 12 years and under and many were living in impoverished slums. Among the victims was a Melbourne teenager who was abused continuously between 2004 and 2005. While living in Australia, Kusenvitsky groomed the 14-year-old boy online while pretending he was 19. He repeatedly abused the boy, and once he even abused the boy at him home when his parents were out. Kunsevitsky filmed the encounters and shared them online, before they were investigated by German police who alerted Australian authorities. The victim, now a man in his 20s, told the Supreme Court in Melbourne that Kunsevitsky made him believe he was was the only person who cared for him. Kunsevitsky was living in Singapore at the time, however when he returned to Australia to visit his family in 2017, police had been investigating him for a year He said he was left confused and distanced from everyone around him, so he turned to drugs and even tried to commit suicide when he was just a teenager. 'I lost almost everything and everyone in my life and this has been truly catastrophic,' he told the court. Many of the other young victims were from the Philippines, Singapore and one lived in Indonesia. Kunsevitsky had sex with at least 25 of the underage boys, while others performed sex acts on him and others. The 52-year-old has been classed one of the most serious child exploitation offenders in Australia and is facing decades behind bars. In addition to the 3,300 images and videos he collected himself, he also downloaded more than 37,000 child porn images. Kunsevitsky had sex with at least 25 of the underage boys, while others performed sex acts on him and others The court heard how Kunsevitsky would travel throughout south-east Asia for 'work' but was actually engaging in sex tourism. Prosecutor Krista Breckweg said the material often showed him engaging in sexual acts or instructing the boys to perform sexual acts on each other. Kunsevitsky pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including maintaining a sexual relationship with a child, 25 counts of engaging in sexual intercourse with a child outside Australia, 12 counts of inducing a child to engage in sex with a child and child pornography offences. Ms Breckweg said Kunsevitsky showed lack of remorse and the offences against the Melbourne victim were 'depraved and despicable'. Kunsevitsky has been remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced at a later date. An inconsolable mother broke down during her testimony on Monday at the death penalty trial of her ex-husband who is charged with killing their five young children. As part of her testimony, Amber Kyzer, read a letter she wrote to her oldest child, Merah Jones, who she had tried to comfort over the divorce and the pain of suddenly being in a broken home. 'You kids are my world and Mommy and Daddy were really blessed to have you,' Kyzer said, pausing, then burying her head in her hands on the witness stand and breaking into heaving sobs. 'Oh god. Oh god. My babies. My babies,' Kyzer cried as the judge rushed to get the jury out of the courtroom. Kyzer's ex-husband on trial for his life, Timothy Jones Jr, stood up and looked at her, but showed no emotion in footage of the trial being livestreamed from the courthouse. Scroll down for video Amber Kyzer (center), the mother of five young children broke down during her testimony on Monday at the death penalty trial of her ex-husband who is charged with killing their five young children As part of her testimony, Kyzer read a letter she wrote to her oldest child, who she had tried to comfort over the divorce and the pain of suddenly being in a broken home. 'You kids are my world,' Kyzer said before burying her head in her hands on the witness stand (pictured) Her ex-husband, Timothy Jones, is charged with five counts of murder for the deaths of eight-year-old Merah (bottom right), seven-year-old Elias (bottom left), six-year-old Nahtahn (top center), two-year-old Gabriel (top right) and one-year-old Abigail (top left) Kyzer testified in the sixth day of Jones' death penalty trial. Jones, 37, who is charged with five counts of murder, has plead guilty by reason of insanity. His lawyers don't dispute that he killed the children, but they are trying to have him found not guilty by reason of insanity. There are four possible outcomes in the trial: guilty, guilty by reason of insanity, not guilty by mental defect, or not guilty. Jones' (pictured on Monday) lawyers don't dispute that he killed the children, but they are trying to have him found not guilty by reason of insanity Prosecutors said he killed six-year-old Nahtahn in a rage after finding the boy, fascinated by electricity, had broken an outlet in their home near Lexington in August 2014. Jones then strangled eight-year-old Merah and seven-year-old Elias with his hands and two-year-old Gabriel and one-year-old Abigail with a belt, prosecutors said. After killing the children, authorities said Jones wrapped their bodies in plastic and put them in his SUV, driving aimlessly around the Southeast US for most of nine days before leaving their bodies on a hilltop in Camden, Alabama. Jones was arrested at a Smith County, Mississippi, traffic checkpoint, where an officer testified he recognized a strong odor coming from the car he recognized as 'the smell of death'. Prosecutors called the pathologist who did autopsies on the children to the stand Monday, but refused to show pictures of the bodies. Defense attorneys wanted them shown because it might aid in Jones' insanity defense to show how badly decomposed the bodies were in the back of the SUV, but Circuit Judge Eugene Griffith refused. Last week, prosecutors played Jones' confession to police. In it, he said he was angry at Nahtahn for breaking an electrical outlet and forced him to exercise for hours since he would not admit what he did and feared the six-year-old was plotting to kill him. Jones said he found his son dead several hours later, although the pathologist testified it appeared the boy was killed by some kind of violence she could not pinpoint. 'The voices started kicking in,' Jones recalled thinking after finding the boy dead. 'Saying 'you better do something, you are (expletive), Tim.'' Kyzer's testimony Monday started with tears as she told the prosecutor the full name and dates of birth for all five of her children. Prosecutor Suzanne Mayes asked her why it was her first time in the courtroom during the trial. 'I can't handle it,' Kyzer answered. Kyzer's testimony Monday started with tears as she told the prosecutor the full name and dates of birth for all five of her children Prosecutor Suzanne Mayes asked her why it was her first time in the courtroom during the trial. 'I can't handle it,' Kyzer answered She testified she fell in love with Jones because he was smart, accomplished and appeared to have his life together. But she said after they married, he became rigid in his religion and demanding on her. 'Women are to be seen and not heard. I was merely to take care of the children. To keep them out of his way,' Kyzer said. After they divorced, Kyzer couldn't afford a lawyer, so she agreed to joint custody with Jones having physical custody of the five children. Jones also had a job that paid $80,000 as an Intel computer engineer, and a car. Kyzer would get a ride to the Chick-fil-A in Lexington to see them every Saturday under Jones' watchful gaze. But on August 28, 2014, things took a turn for the worst. Kyzer told the court that she called Tim's phone as usual. When Jones answered the phone, she heard Nahtahn crying and asked the boy what was wrong. 'Mom, I didn't mean to,' Nahtahn told her just moments before Jones said in the background: 'You could have killed yourself son.' Kyzer testified that Jones sounded outraged and Nahtahn was dry heaving. Jones then asked her why she was always defending the kids and when she responded he told her to 'shut the f**k up' and hung up the phone. That was the last time she ever heard her son's voice. Prosecutors said he killed Nahtahn in a rage after finding the boy had broken an outlet in their home near Lexington in August 2014. Jones (left and right in 2014) then strangled Mera and Elias with his hands and Gabriel and Abigail with a belt, prosecutors said After killing the children at their home (pictured), authorities said Jones wrapped their bodies in plastic and put them in his SUV, driving aimlessly around the Southeast US for most of nine days Jones eventually left the children's bodies on a hilltop (pictured) in Camden, Alabama On Saturday, September 6, 2014, after no one had heard from her kids for nine days, Kyzer went to the restaurant as police watched. Jones never showed up. The trial took a 30-minute break after Kyzer's sobs, and defense lawyer Boyd Young asked her only a few questions. She said Jones was a good father while they were married, but he seemed to start having mental problems after they divorced. His lawyers said in their opening statement that Jones' mother has been in a mental institution for 20 years and he had undiagnosed schizophrenia. Then Jones' thin grasp on reality broken by his ex-wife's infidelity, the difficulty of raising five young children on his own and a feeling he was failing to live up to his religious beliefs. At the time Kyzer made the decision to leave the marriage when she became involved with her current husband, who she's been with for eight years. Jones' trial continues on Tuesday. A police officer who fired three fatal shots at a man armed with scissors during peak hour in Sydney's CBD says there was nothing else he could have done. Danukul 'Dan' Mokmool was shot dead after arming himself with the scissors and running at police on the packed Eddy Avenue concourse outside Central Station on July 26, 2017. 'I didn't want to (shoot him) but he really gave me no choice,' Senior Constable Frederick Tse told the NSW Coroners Court on Tuesday. Danukul 'Dan' Mokmool was shot dead after arming himself with the scissors and running at police 'I didn't want to (shoot him) but he really gave me no choice,' Senior Constable Frederick Tse said (pictured; the scene of the shooting) Snr Const Tse told the inquest into Mokmool's death he and three other officers had arrived 20 seconds earlier on the concourse to see an armed man pacing in a small florist shop and a big crowd of commuters watching on. 'He obviously realised we were police and said to me 'I'm not giving up',' Snr Const Tse said. 'The way he said it wasn't a plea or an aggression. It was like he was stating a fact, 'this is how it is'.' After police drew their guns and demanded Mokmool drop his weapons, Snr Const Tse said he saw one officer fire a jet of capsicum spray towards Mr Mokmool but it had no apparent effect. 'A second or so later, he looked at me and yelled 'I'm going to kill you',' Snr Const Tse said. 'His demeanour changed and he just charged... in the running posture but running with his blades.' Danukul 'Dan' Mokmool (left) with his brother and mother who are from Thailand Snr Const Tse said he moved about three paces back but realised the 30-year-old was quickly closing the seven-metre gap between them. 'He got within three metres, I let off three rounds. He fell to the ground,' he said. Snr Const Tse said Mokmool had 'basically pushed all other options out'. 'If I had more time, I could have tried a different tactic but there was really nothing else I could have done.' The inquest continues. If you need help call Lifeline 13 11 14 or beyondblue 1300 22 4636. A restaurant has been fined after greasy gas pipes and cockroach droppings were found in its kitchen and storage areas. TQR Vietnamese Restaurant in Nedlands, Western Australia, was inspected in February and March before its owners were slapped with a fine of $25,000. The restaurant is believed to have an 'extensive history' of not complying with food safety standards and has been issued several 'warning letters' and 'infringement' notices in the past. TQR Vietnamese Restaurant in Nedlands, Western Australia was inspected in February and March before its owners were slapped with a fine of $25,000. Food inspectors found cockroach droppings on the window sill in the dry store area, inadequate storage of cooking equipment and a build-up of oil underneath the gas hot plate fixture (pictured) A City of Nedlands spokesperson said food inspectors found cockroach droppings on the window sill in the dry store area, inadequate storage of cooking equipment and a build-up of oil underneath the gas hot plate fixture. 'TQR has an extensive history of non-compliances and these issues have regularly been brought to the attention of the proprietor throughout the previous three years, spanning back to 2016,' the spokesperson told The West Australian. 'Numerous compliance and enforcement initiatives have been required to address these recurring issues, including the issuing of several improvement notices, warning letters and infringement notices.' A restaurant employee said they have cleaned up the restaurant after the fine A restaurant employee, who identified herself as Anh Ta, told Daily Mail Australia that they were fined $25,000 for not keeping the restaurant clean. 'Everything is good now and the restaurant has been all cleaned up,' she said. An email was also sent to record their proper comments. Chicago's first black woman mayor Lori Lightfoot told aldermen and other city power brokers assembled at her inauguration Monday that she plans top-to-bottom reforms in the nation's third largest city. 'For years, they've said Chicago ain't ready for reform,' said Lightfoot, speaking minutes after her swearing-in at the Wintrust Arena. 'Well, get ready, because reform is here.' During the ceremony, Lightfoot stole a kiss from her wife, Amy Eshlema, and their 11 year-old adopted daughter, Vivian. She is also the city's first openly gay mayor. She spoke about curtailing some powers of city council members to lessen temptations for corruption and that structural changes to reduce gun violence would be among her top priorities. Hours later, she signed an executive order limiting aldermanic prerogative, a custom that allows each alderman to direct zoning and period decisions in their ward. Scroll down for video Lori Lightfoot (right) kisses wife Amy Eshleman after she was sworn in as Chicago's 56th mayor by Judge Susan E. Cox (left) during an inauguration ceremony at Wintrust Arena in Chicago Lightfoot waves to the crowds as she is officially sworn into office on Monday Lightfoot (center) and her wife, Amy Eshleman (center left) greet constituents during an open house at City Hall after Lightfoot's inauguration Monday afternoon Lightfoot made history in April when she defeated a longtime political insider to become the first black woman and openly gay person elected to lead Chicago Among her toughest challenges and perhaps the one most scrutinized by those outside the city will be overhauling the beleaguered Chicago Police Department. Lightfoot isn't the first incoming Chicago mayor to have pledged to overhaul a department accused for decades of abuses. But with a court-monitored plan, or consent decree, recently approved by U.S. District Judge Robert Dow, she has the best chance of actually getting it done. Lightfoot, who made history in April when she defeated a longtime political insider to become the first black woman and openly gay person elected to lead Chicago, signaled days before her inauguration that she's serious about transforming the 13,000-officer force by appointing top staffers with histories as strong police-reform advocates. Even with court backing, Lightfoot faces obstacles to enacting the meaningful changes that protesters sought after the 2015 release of video of a white officer shooting black teenager Laquan McDonald 16 times. She told those assembled at her inauguration that she meant what she said on the campaign trail about top-to-bottom reforms Mayor Lightfoot (right) kisses her daughter Vivian as her spouse Amy Eshleman (left) looks on During her innauguration speech, Lightfoot spoke about curtailing some powers of city council members to lessen temptations for corruption 'I believe she's a true reformer,' said Phil Turner, who like Lightfoot, is a former federal prosecutor in Chicago. 'But there's a difference between trying to reform police and reality. She is up against a lot of entrenched forces.' The fiercest resistance will come from rank-and-file officers and the union that represents them, which has been openly hostile to key provisions, arguing that many will tie officers' hands and make it impossible for them to do their jobs right. One requirement that the union singles out for criticism and that Lightfoot has heralded is that officers document each time they point their weapons at someone, even if they don't shoot. The union says it will cause police to hesitate, potentially putting them at risk. There's also no guarantee officers will fully comply with any new policies. Dow's ability to hold people in contempt if they don't adhere to reforms only goes so far, Turner said. She said structural changes to reduce gun violence will be among her top priorities Former mayor Rahm Emanuel and his wife former first lady Amy Rule (L) and new first lady Amy Eshleman attend the inauguration ceremony for Lori Lightfoot on Monday 'You can't hold entire entities, like officers on the street, in contempt,' he said. 'The person nominally in charge and who a judge can charge with contempt is the mayor. But she's a proponent of reforms.' The plan that Dow approved in January was a culmination of the scandal surrounding McDonald's death and came after a Justice Department investigation concluded that racial bias and poor training contributed to a pattern of abuse by police. Illinois' attorney general sued the city to force the court's supervision after years of inaction by the City Council, which dealt with systemic police misconduct in recent years by approving millions of dollars in lawsuit settlements. Lightfoot is likely to fill top posts in her administration with people who support the changes. Her chief of staff, named Wednesday, is Maurice Classen, a former prosecutor in Seattle, where he lobbied for 'systemic and deep reform' of city police. Lightfoot is expected to face fierce resistance for her police reform efforts from rank-and-file officers and the union that represents them, which has been openly hostile to key provisions, arguing that many will tie officers' hands and make it impossible for them to do their jobs right Cards with a picture of Mayor Lori Lightfoot are passed out to visitors at City Hall following Lightfoot's inauguration ceremony on Monday He later helped develop anti-violence and policing strategies in cities nationwide. He told the Chicago Sun-Times that Lightfoot's administration will be focused from her first days on the job on better management of city costs and ensuring that 'compliance with the consent decree is a high priority for the Police Department.' Money will be an issue. City officials recently said Chicago's 2020 budget shortfall was around $740 million, worse than previously thought. Some changes, including to police training, will require funds. But the consent decree doesn't spell out how much the city should spend something Lightfoot has criticized. Lightfoot's campaign platform called for changes that go beyond the consent decree, including the adoption of a policy in place in New York requiring that newly hired officers spend two weeks meeting residents in the neighborhood they will police. Among her other priorities is improving the percentage of homicide cases detectives solve from the current 20%. A specific proposal is for a mobile lab that can cut the time it takes to process ballistics evidence from days to just a few hours. During her Monday speech, Lightfoot repeatedly returned to the issue of violence, saying 'there is no higher calling than restoring safety and peace in our neighborhoods.' 'People cannot and should not live in neighborhoods that resemble a war zone,' she said, adding later that 'Public safety must not be a commodity that is only available to the wealthy.' House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler told former White House attorney Don McGahn in a letter Monday night to comply with the committee's subpoena, or else there would be 'serious consequences.' 'You face serious consequences if you do not appear,' Nadler warned McGahn in the letter. McGahn instead is obeying orders from the White House, and will not adhere to the congressional subpoena for his testimony, which was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday morning. One of McGahn's lawyers said he would follow President Donald Trump's directive and skip Tuesday's House Judiciary hearing, leaving the Democrats without yet another witness and a growing debate within the party about how to respond. Judiciary Democrats have already voted to move forward with holding Attorney General Bill Barr in contempt of Congress for refusing to hand over unredacted documents from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia report, which includes grand jury testimony. House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler said there will be 'serious consequences' if former White House Counsel Don McGahn does not appear for his subpoenaed testimony Tuesday morning McGahn's lawyers said they would follow a directive from the White House to defy the subpoena for testimony The House Intelligence Committee is expected to take a vote on a separate 'enforcement action' against the Justice Department this week after Barr declined a similar request for documents from that panel. The committee is now saying it will vote to hold McGahn in contempt of Congress as well, and take the issue to court. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is backing Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee. However, some in the party told Pelosi in a private meeting among top Democrats Monday evening that she should be more aggressive and launch impeachment hearings, making it easier to get information from the Trump administration, according to three people familiar with the conversations. After the redacted-version of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia report was released in April, many Democrats said there was enough evidence of obstruction of justice to begin impeachment proceedings against the president. The House Speaker has pushed back, noting the multiple committee investigations, and a successful court case where a federal judge ruled against Trump on Monday in a financial records dispute with Congress. Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin made the case launching an impeachment inquiry would consolidate the Trump investigations as Democrats try to keep focus on their other work, according to the sources. The witness chair in the House Judiciary Committee was supposed to hold McGahn in the seat beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday morning, but instead the committee is now moving forward to vote on holding the former White House lawyer in contempt of Congress McGahn's lawyer said in a letter to Nadler as a reason for not appearing that he is still 'conscious of the duties he, as an attorney, owes to his former client' Just before the start of the meeting, Democratic Representative David Cicilline tweeted: 'If Don McGahn does not testify tomorrow, it will be time to begin an impeachment inquiry of @realDonaldTrump.' In the hours after the discussion, Pelosi and Nadler met privately. Nadler said, after emerging from the meeting with Pelosi, that impeachment hearings are 'possible,' but noted that Democrats had won a court victory without having to take that step. 'The president's continuing lawless conduct is making it harder and harder to rule out impeachment or any other enforcement action,' Nadler said. McGahn's refusal to testify is the latest of several moves to block Democratic investigations by Trump, who has said his administration will fight 'all of the subpoenas.' McGahn's lawyer, William Burck, said in a letter to Nadler that McGahn is 'conscious of the duties he, as an attorney, owes to his former client' and would decline to appear. Still, Burck encouraged the committee to negotiate a compromise with the White House, saying that his client 'again finds himself facing contradictory instructions from two co-equal branches of government.' House Democrats have already have voted to hold Attorney General Bill Barr in contempt of Congress for refusing to turn over an unredacted version of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia report, including grand jury testimony McGahn was a key figure in Mueller's investigation, describing ways in which the president sought to curtail that federal probe. Democrats have hoped to question him as a way to focus attention on Mueller's findings and further investigate whether Trump did obstruct justice. Mueller's report found no evidence that Trump has conspired with the Kremlin to influence the 2016 elections, but did outlined 10 'episodes' that could be ground for obstruction. He left the final decision up to the attorney general and Congress. Trump says that the report fully exonerates him from allegations of obstruction of justice and collusion. If McGahn were to defy Trump and testify before Congress, it could endanger his own career in Republican politics and put his law firm, Jones Day, in the president's crosshairs. Trump has mused about instructing Republicans to cease dealing with the firm, which is deeply intertwined in Washington with the GOP, according to one White House official and a Republican close to the White House not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations. 'This move is just the latest act of obstruction from the White House that includes its blanket refusal to cooperate with this committee,' Nadler said in a statement. 'It is also the latest example of this administration's disdain for law.' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Nadler had a private meeting Monday evening, and, according to sources, Nadler said after the meeting that impeachment was 'possible' Administration officials mulled various legal options before settling on providing McGahn with a legal opinion from the Department of Justice to justify defying the subpoena. 'The immunity of the President's immediate advisers from compelled congressional testimony on matters related to their official responsibilities has long been recognized and arises from the fundamental workings of the separation of powers,' the department's opinion reads. 'Accordingly, Mr. McGahn is not legally required to appear and testify about matters related to his official duties as Counsel to the President.' A federal judge rejected a similar argument in 2008 in a dispute over a subpoena for Harriet Miers, who was White House counsel to George W. Bush. U.S. District Judge John Bates said it was an unprecedented notion that a White House official would be absolutely immune from being compelled to testify before Congress. Miers had to show up for her testimony, but still had the right to assert executive privilege in response to any specific questions posed by legislators, said the judge. But in 2014, under the Obama administration, the Justice Department issued an opinion arguing that if Congress could force the president's closest advisers to testify about matters that happened during their tenure, it would 'threaten executive branch confidentiality, which is necessary (among other things) to ensure that the President can obtain the type of sound and candid advice that is essential to the effective discharge of his constitutional duties.' The bodies of a three-year-old girl and woman aged in her 30s have been found at the bottom of popular lookout south of Sydney. Emergency services were called to Robertson's Lookout, on Mount Keira, near Wollongong, at about 1.50pm on Tuesday. A NSW police spokesperson said they received reports of a 'concern for welfare'. The bodies of a woman and a child have been found at the bottom of a cliff following reports multiple people had fallen from a popular lookout south of Sydney Distressed family members were seen being comforted by emergency services The bodies were found below the lookout and emergency services have begun the process to retrieve them. Wollongong Police District commander superintendent Chris Craner told the media the recovery mission would be dangerous, the Daily Telegraph reported. 'It's steep, it's hectic, we've got police coming in from the low side, police trekking down from the high side and the consideration of the helicopter,' he said. 'It's a treacherous, dangerous area we need to get to to respectfully get this people out.' Supt Craner extended his thoughts to the family and the emergency services working at the scene. 'It's going to be absolutely devastating for the community who don't know these people and hear this and what it's about,' he said. A visibly distressed man and woman were seen comforting each other at the scene, according to witnesses. Emergency services were called to Robertson's Lookout, on Mount Keira, near Wollongong, at about 1.50pm on Tuesday There is a large presence of emergency vehicles and a Toll helicopter is being used. Harry Graham Drive, which provides access to the lookout, has been closed. A crime scene has been established as officers from Wollongong Police District begin their investigations. The lookout is about 1.5 hours from Sydney and offers tourists and locals views of Mount Keira. For confidential support in Australia LIFELINE: 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au . Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 A French drug smuggler has been sentenced to death by firing squad for bringing a haul of meth and ecstasy into Indonesia. Felix Dorfin, 35, was sentenced to death by a panel of three judges even though the prosecution only sought a 20-year sentence at Mataram District Court on the island of Lombok, next to Bali, on Monday. Dorfin, from Bethune in northern France, was arrested when he was found with nearly three kilograms o methamphetamine worth $220,600 and 22 ecstasy pills in his suitcase at Lombok Airport in September 2018. He went on the run for ten days after he escaped jail with the alleged help of a female police officer before being captured at a forested mountain on Lombok island in January. Felix Dorfin (pictured), 35, was sentenced to death by firing squad for smuggling three kilograms of drugs into Indonesia at Mataram District Court in Lombok on Monday 'Dorfin was shocked,' the Frenchman's lawyer Deny Nur Indra told AFP. 'He didn't expect this at all because prosecutors only asked for 20 years.' The lawyer said he would appeal against the sentence, describing his client as a 'victim' who did not know the exact contents of what he was carrying in the suitcase. 'If he had known, he wouldn't have brought it here,' Indra added. 'The judge gave a heavier sentence because of the amount and kinds of drugs Dorfin was carrying.' 'He is legally and convincingly guilty of importing narcotics to Indonesia,' said Presiding Judge Isnurul Syamsul Arif. 'We found no reason to lighten his sentence.' The judges concluded that Dorfin had weakened the government's drug prevention program and could have a bad influence on young people. Dorfin's lawyer said he would appeal against the sentence, describing his client (pictured) as a 'victim' who did not know the exact contents of what he was carrying in the suitcase In Paris, the French foreign ministry said it was 'concerned' by the sentence and reiterated France's opposition to the death penalty. 'We will remain attentive to his situation,' the statement said, adding that seven French people faced the death penalty worldwide. Dorfin escaped from jail by sawing open his cell window and rappelling from the second floor using a sarong, an Indonesian dress, in January. He was recaptured near a forested mountain on Lombok island after spending 10 days on the run. A female police officer allegedly helped him for money and was arrested. Indonesia has extremely strict drug laws, and convicted smugglers are sometimes executed. More than 150 people are currently on death row, mostly for drug crimes. About one-third of them are foreigners. Australians Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, who were ringleaders of the Bali Nine heroin smuggling gang, were executed in 2015. The devastated father of two girls who were raped by their uncle has said their lives have been 'ruined and destroyed.' The children were among seven girls aged five to nine who were preyed on by the paedophile in Western Australia. The 45-year-old non-practicing psychologist used his young daughter to arrange sleepovers and play dates before abusing the girls. A father has been caught with over two million child porn images on his computer and used his own daughter to gain access to other young girls including his two nieces After the paedophile was jailed for ten years, the father of the man's nieces told Perth Now: 'My girls' lives have been ruined and destroyed. 'One of my daughters still wakes up in the middle of the night thinking he is going to get her. We have to convince her it's OK, that he can't. 'The other daughter is trying to deal with it in her own way by ignoring it.' The Western Australian man pleaded guilty to 38 offences against the girls this week. A court heard the man took pictures of some of them while they showered. On other occasions the man would remove some of the girls from his daughter's room while they were having a sleepover, take them to the lounge room, undress them and take photos. The worst of the man's crimes were carried out on four of the girls, of which two were his nieces. The court heard the father would wait until the children were asleep before he crept into his daughter's room or moved his victims to the lounge room, where he removed their clothes and sexually assaulted them. One of the attacks took place over three and a half hours. Evidence of the man's crimes against his victims was found on hard drives, including him performing a sick sex act too graphic to publish, after police executed a raid on the man's residence. The offending occurred between 2012 and 2016 with police obtaining a search warrant after some of the girls revealed the offending after learning they would be spending holidays with the man. 'Your conduct in taking advantage of those children was reprehensible,' said Judge Lemonis during sentencing. The maker of one of Australia's most iconic sausage rolls has been forced into liquidation. Ghostgum Marketing, which trades as Mrs Quick Foods, was handed the wind up notice by the Australian Tax Office on May 20. Based in Beaudesert, south-east Queensland, Mrs Quick Foods has been making the iconic Australian delicacy for over 20 years. Ghostgum Marketing, which trades as Mrs Quick Foods, was handed the wind up notice by the Australian Tax Office on May 20 Based in Beaudesert, south-east Queensland, Mrs Quick Foods has been making the iconic Australian delicacy for over 20 years. The company was forced into liquidation for owing an undisclosed amount of money, The Courier-Mail reported. This isn't the first time the company has had a wind-up order - it was first issued a wind-up notice in May 2011. However, according to ASIC records, the notice was dismissed the following April. 'An Australian favourite for twenty years, we select only the best quality ingredients for our hand made premium sausage rolls and pies,' the Mrs Quick Foods website says. The company was kickstarted in 1993 and claims to make the country's 'favourite' sausage rolls. The products have been found at Coles, Woolworths, IGA and their premium 3kg beef and chicken sausage rolls were sold only at CostCo. The illegitimate son of a wealthy aristocrat inherited a 50m country estate as a result of a brief fling, his mother's family has revealed - as the humble 180k childhood home where the young boy grew is pictured. Julie Adlard knew all along that aristocrat Charles Rogers who owned the Penrose Estate was the father of her son, Jordan Adlard. A DNA test revealed the former care worker was the son of wealthy landowner Mr Rogers, and the 31-year-old has now inherited the 1,536 acre Estate and manor house. Speaking to MailOnline, Julie's stepfather said she knew it was 'impossible' for anyone else to be Jordan's father and told her son of his parentage when he was eight years old and she felt he was old enough to deal with it. Recalling the time then 20-year-old Julie announced she was expecting, John Binns said: 'She just came home one night, said she was pregnant and was going to keep the baby. 'That was that. Nothing more was really said and the father was never ever involved although we all knew who he was.' Mr Binns who is the third husband of Julie's mother Barbara said she was not in a long-term relationship with Mr Rogers and said it was a 'very brief fling'. This is the humble childhood home where a young Jordan Adlard Rogers grew up wondering if he was the heir to the 50million sprawling estate a mile down the road The former care worker has swapped the cramped terraced property for a grand ancestral mansion (pictured) after a 30-year fight to prove the identity of his father Jordan Adlard Rogers has moved his partner, Katie Hubber (pictured together) and son Joshua, who was born last month, into the 50million 1,536-acre Penrose Estate in Cornwall Wheal Rose in Porthleven, Cornwall, which is where Jordan Adlard Rogers lived when he was six years old 'My wife met him once or twice but he was never involved with the baby,' he said. There was no support whatsoever. I don't think he paid any child support and wanted nothing to do with Jordan.' The family say that Mr Rogers was her first lover so he had to have been Jordan's father. Julie went on to have a daughter Queen, 31, but never married. Her son Jordan inherited the stately mansion after a DNA test proved his was Mr Roger's son and rightful heir. Jordan has said he knew when he was eight years old that Rogers might be his father but never pursued finding out the truth. A DNA test was only carried out after Rogers had died with a sample taken from his corpse. The result proved Rogers, who died a recluse aged 62, was his natural father. John said his grandson will make a success of the Penrose Estate. 'He has got his head screwed on the right way and will make a good go of it. He is a very sensible lad and we are very pleased for him.' Jordan described 2019 as the start of 'massive new beginnings' and shared images of a new Mercedes C63 outside his property, adding: 'Seeing if the Merc suits the house' He said Jordan's mum was in the process of moving to the grand manor house to live with her son. It comes after DNA finally revealed that the former care worker was the illegitimate son of wealthy landowner Charles Rogers, who died last year from a drug overdose. Despite modest beginnings, Jordan Adlard Rogers, 31, has moved his partner Katie Hubber and baby son Joshua into Cornwall's magnificent 1,536-acre Penrose Estate. His new lifestyle of wealth and comfort is in stark contrast to the modest council house we was raised in by his mother Julie, who had a secret relationship with Mr Rogers. The 180,000 two-storey home in Helston, Cornwall, is currently clad in scaffolding and surrounded by scruffy gardens and unkempt bushes. Jan Rogers - whose late husband, Michael, was an uncle to Charles - said she was 'over the moon' the 1,536 acre Penrose Estate and the manor house had been inherited by Jordan. Mrs Rogers, who is in her late 80s, said it was a 'shock' to discover she suddenly had a great nephew and to meet him face to face but she said she was absolutely delighted. She said: 'We never really went over to Cornwall so I never had any interest in the old house, it's not my sort of thing at all.' Mrs Rogers said the old house was a bit old and creaky, adding: 'I'm much happier where I am and I had no desire for it. 'I'm so glad it has gone to Jordan who is a thoroughly lovely man. He was a carer and it shows because he is so warm and friendly, just a lovely person really so I'm pleased.' She would not reveal who within the family had contested the inheritance but said: 'I can only tell you it wasn't a Rogers. I know it was contested but not on this side of the family. Jordan has been welcomed into the family with open arms by the Rogers. He is a Rogers through and through and he looks a lot like Charles, they're like two peas in a pod.' In images posted on Instagram, Jordan shows off the outdoor gym he has installed on the existing tennis court, which sits yards away from the historic mansion She said Jordan had already invited her to come and stay at the house with his partner Katie and their newborn son. 'It's a long way but he said he'd just come over and see me here. He's such a lovely boy but importantly he is also a village boy so he knows the area well and I think it is all in safe hands.' She said she discovered she had become a great-aunt shortly after Charles' death and was amazed. 'I can't remember who told me,' she said. 'But it is amazing and I'm delighted.' Mrs Rogers said Charles and her husband were not close and the last time she saw him was at a wedding around 40 years ago. She said Charles was 'hopeless drug addict' and the addiction had derailed his life. She said: 'I met him when he must have been in his early 20s and he was a likeable enough person but he was a bit useless really. 'He joined the army and served in Northern Ireland. We don't really know what went on there but he wasn't in it for very long and afterwards he didn't really do anything at all. 'I think he was a dreadful disappointment to his mother who worried for him. Well she would; he was the youngest.' Mrs Rogers said had met Jordan on two occasions and was looking forward to meeting him with his partner and young son soon. 'What I really want to say on behalf of the family is that we are all delighted to call him a Rogers. He's a lovely, caring, friendly young man and exceptionally polite. I'm sure he will do well.' Mr Rogers is pictured in a Facebook post in January with a cigar, a glass of wine and a pint, as he celebrates his newfound wealth Neighbours at their former home today recalled how Jordan was a 'lovely boy' who liked Mars Bars as a youngster, and had worked as a carer for a disabled man in town before his sudden windfall changed his life. As the rightful heir to his home, it is understood that Jordan has inherited the manor house after the Rogers family gifted the rest of the estate to the National Trust in 1974. As part of the arrangement, Jordan's grandfather negotiated that his ancestors would enjoy a 1,000-year lease giving them a right to live on the lands. Boasting that he 'doesn't need to work anymore', Jordan said he was now happy to simply live off the proceeds of the estate a reported 1,000 a week from rent and investments through stocks controlled by Rogers Family Trust. He has showed no hesitation in getting his feet under the table at his new home, installing a gym on the existing tennis court, just feet away from the historic mansion building. He described 2019 as the start of 'massive new beginnings' and shared images of a new Mercedes C63 outside the property, adding: 'Seeing if the Merc suits the house.' He also posted images that show him 'patrolling the lake' on the estate in a kayak and in another post, boasted that he wants to 'fish my lake'. The first known owner of the historic estate (pictured today) was John de Penrose, in 1281. It remained in the Penrose family until it was bought in the 1770s by Hugh Rogers for 11,000 However, he may not be aware that it was stipulated when the property was donated to the National trust that no activities are allowed on the water, meaning fishing, swimming and boating are banned. Former bar steward Derek Richards, 76, was a neighbour of Jordan's mother, Julie Adlard, at the childhood home. He said: 'They lived next door about 25 years ago, he was only about six then. He was a lovely boy, I used to give him Mars bars through the fence. 'He was a really nice boy, he was a carer for a disabled man in town. I don't know how he knew Charles was his father. I knew Charles too, he had his troubles. 'I heard he tried to get a DNA test done but to no success, that's all I know. I don't know where his mother went after she left here.' Jordan is also understood to have spent some time living with his grandparents who also own a mid-terrace house in Helston. It has been quite the turnaround for former Porthleven FC defender Jordan, who was living in a council house before swapping it for the stunning estate at Penrose. Jordan's father Charles Rogers is pictured in a photo (left). He was found dead in his car on the estate last August at the age of 62, and a test confirmed he was the father of Jordan (right) The family seem to be enjoying the high life following the sudden windfall, with Jordan and partner Katie enjoying a celebratory trip to New York in December (pictured) Jordan Adlard Rogers, 31, with his partner Katie Hubber, 30, and their newborn son Joshua The family seem to be enjoying the high life following the sudden windfall, with Jordan and partner Katie, 30, enjoying a celebratory trip to New York in December. Jordan announced his new life to friends on Facebook by changing his profile photo to that of Penrose Estate, prompting dozens of messages of congratulations. Addressing his followers, he said: 'Thanks everyone been hard three months or so fighting for what is truly mine. And closure on who my father was and family.' Labourer friends joked that the home needing a new roof and radiators in a bid for his custom, while one wrote: 'Lord Jordan will have a bloody cleaner now!' One friend said 'Christmas dinner at yours please, let your peasant family come over once in a while please' while another said 'Chuffed for you Lord Adlard. 'I reckon a nice MR2 turbo on the drive wouldn't go a miss.' Shown here is a satellite image of the mansion home, as well as the tennis courts sat to the north of the house where Jordan has installed a gym Jordan said he is immersing himself in his new way of life since moving into the stately home Posting to Instagram, Mr Rogers shared this image of a painting of his late father that hangs in the stately home. He captioned it: 'Dad, I love you' Jordan claimed he had spent several years trying to prove its previous owner, Charles Rogers, was his real father, but Mr Rogers refused to give a DNA sample. He claims he wrote several letters in his twenties with no reply, and came close to giving up. However last year he decided to write one more letter and enclosed a DNA kit, and was shocked to receive a reply from a lawyer explaining that Mr Rogers had died. The landowner was found dead in his car from a drug overdose on the estate in August at the age of 62 and a test was carried out that proved the pair were related. With Charles's mother and brother also having passed away, Jordan was left as heir to the grand estate. Despite tests proving that Jordan was related to the wealth landowner, he still faced objections from other members of the Rogers family that he should inherit the land. And now he will have someone to pass the lavish property onto one day after having a baby boy called Joshua last month with Katie. A video posted from inside the mansion shows a elderly relative of Jordan dancing along to a rap song along with the caption: 'Nan raving' It has been quite the turnaround for former Porthleven FC defender Jordan, who was living in a council house before swapping it for the stunning estate at Penrose. Mr Rogers said he had to deal with some obstructive family members but finally got the test Miss Hubber said on Facebook they were 'over the moon and feeling very lucky to have such a gorgeous little boy' and 'can't get over the feeling of love for him'. Jordan, who had suspicions since the age of eight that Charles was his father, said: 'He offered to do a DNA test when I was younger but it didn't happen. 'Then when I was 18, I knocked on his door and asked if I could have the test and he told me to do it through the solicitors. I was 18, so had other priorities.' He added: 'I'm now starting to get my feet under the table here. 'People say I'm lucky but I would trade anything to be able to go back and for Charles to know I was his son. Maybe then he might have taken a different path. 'I don't need to work any more so want to set up a charity and help the Porthleven and Helston communities. 'I've been at the point of worrying about the next bill and have had a tough start in life but now I'm here, I want to help people. 'I'm not going to forget where I've come from.' Jordan said he decided to speak out to give a fuller picture of his father's life before he died It's not the first time Jordan has found fame five years ago, an online video of him breaking his back during a trampoline stunt went viral. Penrose Manor House The Grade II listed manor has an irregular square plan and a small courtyard. It's current value is unknown but the estate as a whole is estimated to be worth 50million. The 17th-century country house was constructed for the Penrose family - probably for John Penrose who died in 1679. It was remodelled and extended from c. 1788 for John Rogers and c. 1832 for the Reverend John Rogers. It was again extended 1863 by William Webb for John Jope Rogers and then remodelled in 1867. A buttery was added in 1868 and the centre of the elevation towards Loe Pool rebuilt in 192728. Advertisement He drunkenly climbed a tree before jumping 20ft on to a trampoline, bouncing off and hitting a fence. An inquest last week heard how Charles Rogers who was made bankrupt six years ago after not paying his taxes had struggled with drug abuse for many years and died of an overdose in his car outside the Grade II-listed farmhouse on the estate. The inquest, held in Truro, heard that he was malnourished and neglected personal hygiene in the months before his death. Instead of living in his lavish home, he was sleeping in his car. The first known owner of the estate was John de Penrose, in 1281. It remained in the Penrose family until it was bought in the 1770s by Hugh Rogers for 11,000. Lieutenant Commander John Peverell Rogers, of the Royal Navy, donated the estate to the National Trust in 1974 but left conditions about how it should be treated. Within the estate lies the Loe Pool, the largest natural freshwater lake in Cornwall, and Lt Cdr Rogers insisted there should be no activities on the water, meaning fishing, swimming and boating are banned. He died seven years ago, leaving the estate to his son Charles. by Thanh Thuy The missionary's work began in the village of Phao ai in 1956. He was killed by those who feared the spread of Christianity. "It is thanks to Brother Pascal Viet that the seed of the Gospel bears fruit, said Mgr Pierre Nguyen Van Kham during the baptism. Ho Chi Minh City (AsiaNews) On the morning of 12 May, the small Catholic community of Rach Cau in the Diocese of My Tho welcomed 51 new Christians. In addition to baptism, 37 of them also received confirmation. The date marks the death of Brother Pascal Vo Van Viet. For the St Paul missionary centre, in Rach Cau parish, the anniversary provided an opportunity to see the fruit of Brother Pascals evangelising work. He was killed during the Vietnam War. Sent by his superiors in the Order of Christ the King, Brother Pascal went to the Phao ai community as a missionary in 1956. The latter was part of Rach Cau parish, and is now in Ganh, in the municipality of Tan Phu ong (Tien Giang province). It is from Phao ai that the work of the Saint Paul missionary centre is thought to have begun. Mgr Pierre Nguyen Van Kham, bishop of My Tho and general secretary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Vietnam, celebrated the solemn ceremony (pictures). In his homily (see video), the bishop addressed the catechumens saying: "Today is a special day for you. Through the sacrament of baptism, you become a member of a large family the family of the mission, of the parish and of the Catholic Church in which everyone is welcomed with love, sharing and mutual support. Therefore, please live and continue to proclaim the Good News of the Lord." The bishop of My Tho cited as an example of morality, the life of poverty and the work of Brother Pascal Viet in proclaiming the Good News and the love of Jesus at the mission centre. "It is thanks to Brother Pascal Viet that the seed of the Gospel bears fruit, Mgr Kham said. Hence, like today Many adults, young people and children have become Catholics and children of God. Brother Pascal took care of the children and visited the families of the village every day. Some elders in the Rach Cau parish still remember. "Every member of the community loved his way of living and his good example, they told AsiaNews. But at the time war was raging in Vietnam. Some people hated religion because they feared it. That's why he was killed on a dark night." The Diocese of My Tho is suffragan to that of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and has about 137,000 members, or just over 3 per cent of the areas 4 million residents. Rach Cau is one of 106 parishes in the ecclesiastical district founded in 1895. Today its congregation is 665-strong. Although small, the community is very active. Each year, the vicar organises four catechism courses: two for couples preparing for marriage and two for catechumens. Since the parish is located in a remote rural area, the community also opened a bookshop dedicated to catechism and a reading room for children and young people, Catholics and non-Catholics. Located about 20 kilometres from the Rach Cau parish, the St Paul missionary centre serves 350 Catholics. The vast majority of people living around this community is made up of Buddhists, Cao ai followers, Protestants and ancestor worshippers. (Photo credit: Giao phan My Tho). A former model who battled mental illness for up to 10 years hanged herself after she texted her boyfriend saying: 'I know I shouldn't, but it gives me so much release.' Jasmin Pritchard, 26, sent the message to Ben Murphy after he left her downstairs at their home in Widnes, Cheshire, to go to bed. Mr Murphy woke up to find the text and then found Miss Pritchard hanged. She died two days later in hospital. Tests showed Miss Pritchard had an alcohol reading of 196 milligrams of alcohol per litre of blood. The alcohol limit for driving in blood is 80mg. An inquest heard the sales assistant had a history of suicide attempts, with her mother saying she had 'lost count'. Jasmin Pritchard, pictured with her boyfriend Ben Murphy, took her own life at their home in Widnes, Cheshire, in November The former model, 26, had battled with mental illness for up to 10 years before the tragedy She was prescribed the anti-depressant Sertraline after complaining of pressures at university, but still suffered with suicidal thoughts, often threatening to kill herself. Miss Pritchard's mother Ellie Lee told the hearing: 'I couldn't say how many times she has tried to take her own life, because I have lost count.' But she added: 'She said in the days before how happy she was - she had a lovely wedding with her best friend. We thought that she had improved - she had a new job which she loved.' The tragedy occurred on November 22 after Miss Pritchard had been drinking with a friend at her home. Her friend left at 11pm and Mr Murphy went to bed shortly afterwards. Mr Murphy told the Warrington hearing that he had been with Miss Pritchard for four years and that she had previously spoken to him about her suicide attempts and suicidal thoughts. At an inquest in Warrington, Miss Pritchard's mother, Ellie Lee, said she had 'lost count' of her suicide attempts She was prescribed the anti-depressant Sertraline after complaining of pressures at university, but still suffered with suicidal thoughts, often threatening to kill herself Mr Murphy had been with Miss Pritchard for four years at the time of her death, and they lived together Speaking of the night she died, he said: 'I didn't sleep properly, so I woke up a couple of times and went out for a smoke and had a chat with her. 'She was OK on those occasions, she wasn't in a really good mood but she was talking to me, she wasn't withdrawn or anything. 'She messaged me with two old pictures of our cat when he was a kitten. When I woke up, I found a message which said something like: "I know I shouldn't, but it gives me release".' Miss Pritchard's GP Dr Miles Brindle detailed previous attempts and said she was put on Sertraline. She said in November 2017 a psychiatric assessment found she was suffering from emotionally unstable personality disorder, anxiety and depression. Coroner Heath Westerman recorded a conclusion of suicide. For confidential support call the Samaritans in the UK on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or click here for details. Nuclear officials have revealed that Iran quadrupled its uranium-enrichment production capacity amid tensions with the US over Tehran's atomic programme. The announcement came after US president Donald Trump and Iran's foreign minister traded threats and taunts on Twitter. Iranian officials stressed that the uranium would be enriched only to the 3.67% limit set under the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers making it usable for a power plant, but far below what is needed for an atomic weapon. Iran has quadrupled its ability to produce uranium meaning it could quickly exceed stockpile limits set under the nuclear deal, which it has threatened to tear up after US backed out (file) Experts warned of Iran's nuclear capabilities as Trump hit out at the country's leadership on Twitter, amid fears of a conflict However, by increasing production, Iran soon will exceed the stockpile limitations set by the accord. Tehran has set a July 7 deadline for Europe to set new terms for the deal, or it will enrich closer to weapons-grade levels. Spiralling tensions between the US and Iran has set the Middle East on edge, as Trump lashed out i a series of tweets described by Iran's foreign minister as 'genocidal.' Already this month, officials in the United Arab Emirates alleged that four oil tankers were sabotaged. Yemeni rebels allied with Iran launched a drone attack on an oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia, and US diplomats relayed a warning that commercial airlines could be misidentified by Iran and attacked, although this was dismissed by Tehran. The President warned Iran never to threaten the US before revealing the country has not yet entered into negotiations, despite increased sanctions On Sunday, a rocket landed near the US embassy in the Green Zone of Iraq's capital Baghdad, days after non-essential US staff were ordered to evacuate from diplomatic posts in the country. No-one was reported injured. Iraqi military spokesman Brig Gen Yahya Rasoul told the Associated Press that the rocket was believed to have been fired from eastern Baghdad, an area home to Iran-backed Shia militias. Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called Trump's Twitter outbursts 'genocidal' The Iranian enrichment announcement came after local journalists travelled to Natanz in central Iran, the country's underground enrichment facility. The state-run IRNA news agency quoted Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, as acknowledging that capacity had been quadrupled. He said Iran took this step because the US had ended a programme allowing it to exchange enriched uranium to Russia for unprocessed yellowcake uranium, as well as ending the sale of heavy water to Oman. Heavy water helps cool reactors producing plutonium that can be used in nuclear weapons. Mr Kamalvandi said Iran had informed the International Atomic Energy Agency of the development. Tehran long has insisted it does not seek nuclear weapons, though the West fears its programme could allow it to build them. Before Iran's announcement, Mr Trump tweeted: 'If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again!' An F/A-18E Super Hornet flies above the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea on Saturday His remarks reflect what has been a strategy of alternating tough talk with more conciliatory statements he says is aimed at keeping Iran guessing at the administration's intentions. He also has said he hopes Iran calls him and engages in negotiations. Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif soon responded by tweeting that Mr Trump had been 'goaded' into 'genocidal taunts'. Mr Zarif referenced both Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan as two historical leaders that Persia outlasted. 'Iranians have stood tall for a millennia while aggressors all gone,' he wrote. 'Try respect it works!' Mr Zarif also used the hashtag #NeverThreatenAnIranian, a reference to a comment he made during intense negotiations for the 2015 nuclear accord. Geoff Barton (pictured above) said the situation was a 'national shame' Headteachers across the UK have hit out at the government as they are increasingly tasked with feeding and clothing pupils. One teacher even stated that he had witnessed children stealing sachets of ketchup as they continue to grow hungry. It comes in the wake of a Human Rights Watch report which highlighted the growing number of children in the UK going without food. Former secondary school teacher Geoff Barton, who also leads the Association of School and College Leaders said the situation was a 'national shame' and that it was 'astonishing'. He said that in many areas, food poverty is becoming a key concern for headteachers as children continue to exhibit notable weight loss, with some schools having to provide breakfast clubs, food banks and even clothes for pupils. 'The most striking conversation I had last year was with a group of headteachers in Lancashire mostly secondary heads. 'I asked what the biggest issue they were facing was, and usually they say funding or recruitment and retention. But the number one issue they said was hungry children. They were spending the first half of the day making sure children had breakfast. It's shaming.' Not only are teachers having to step in to help feed children, there have also been reports of them washing their clothes for them Human Rights Watch has accused the UK government of breaching its international duty to prevent hunger by pursuing 'cruel and harmful policies', with no regard for those children living below the breadline. The report detailed that tens of thousands of families did not have enough to eat and that schools in Oxford were among the latest to have turned into food banks to feed their pupils. According to The Guardian, the government dismissed the findings, saying the example was misleading and wasn't representative of the whole country. Barton added: 'The fact you even have some schools having to provide something as basic as food and becoming surrogate food banks should leave us all with sense of national shame.' Many children are coming to school hungry and teachers have said they are having to open up breakfast clubs This is while headteacher Matthew Tate, who works at a secondary school Kent, told The Guardian that food poverty among pupils had become a huge problem in the past five years. 'I have worked in Lewisham, Medway and here [in Thanet] and I have seen issues in all three places, but my main concern is how rapidly it's worsened as a problem in the last five to six years, without question across the board'. Mr Tate highlighted how his school has worked with charities in order to feeds students. This included holding breakfast clubs in the morning and even opening for a few days during the summer break. 'We have 50 vouchers a week where a whole family can go and have a restaurant meal provided for by charities. 'We have students that we provide clothing for and it is not unusual for them to need to leave clothing at school so we wash it, sort it for them and they come in and change in morning. 'We are also working currently with opticians and dentists, so pupils can have dental treatment at school. From next year, we will have a food bank on site.' Mr Tate added that welfare cuts were the main driving force behind this problem. 'The current system and the punitive way it works means children are the ones who miss out.' Angela Rayner, pictured above said schools have been forced to step in because of Tory cuts He highlighted that a lot of people in the area also lived in temporary accommodation. '[Benefit cuts mean] people don't have that little bit of money. They have to focus on getting a roof over their head, and focusing on the essentials We have seen children stealing sachets of ketchup, losing weight. It is reasonably often obvious when a child is not getting the sustenance they need to thrive.' Commenting on the findings of the report, shadow education secretary Angela Rayner said she is hearing all too often that schools are now acting as a fourth emergency service. 'Forced to step in because the Tories have cut society's safety net to shreds. It is a scandal that, in one of the richest countries in the world, there are children struggling to learn because of poverty and hunger. 'Our schools have suffered from years of cuts and are themselves increasingly relying on donations from parents. Cuts to public services and social security have combined with low pay, insecure work and rising costs to leave too many families on the breadline. It's clear that, despite this prime minister's claims, austerity is far from over for our children.' In a statement, a government spokesperson said: 'We spend 95bn a year on working age benefits and we're supporting over 1 million of the country's most disadvantaged children through free school meals. Meanwhile, we've confirmed that the benefit freeze will end next year.' A two-year-old girl has been electrocuted in India after putting a phone charging cable into her mouth. The girl, named Shevar, had been taken to visit her grandparents in the village of Jahangirabad, near Delhi, on Friday. Mother Razia left the girl to play for a short time on Saturday, while the charging cable was plugged in nearby. The girl, named Shevar, was visiting her grandparents in the village of Jahangirabad at the weekend when she put the cable into her mouth and was electrocuted Another member of the family had been using the charger and had unplugged their phone, but left the power turned on. The girl put the cable into her mouth, causing her to be electrocuted. Akhilesh Pradhan, of Jahangirabad police station, told the Times of India: 'The family has not approached us with any police complaint, so a case has not been filed. 'However, if somebody approaches us for a complaint, it will be done according to the norms.' This is the adorable moment a mother cat pushes her kitten into a cardboard box after impatiently watching the newborn fail to make the jump. The amusing footage, thought to have been taken in Nanchang City, China, shows the newborn feline carefully assessing the drop - which seems to be only a few inches - from the edge of the cardboard container. But the little cat's three-year-old mother is seen watching impatiently as her baby fails to take the leap. She then gives the kitten a little push, which sends her tumbling into a padded tin container within the cardboard box. The kitten's three-year-old mother is seen watching impatiently as her baby fails to take the leap - before deciding to nudge her baby in herself Before the mother cat nudged her baby into the box, the person filming the incident can be seen adjusting the metal container, moving it closer to the kitten to soften the fall. The ginger and white mother watches from her miniature stool as the mostly ginger kitten meows while dangling from the edge of the box. A swift but seemingly gentle paw to the newborn's rear flips it over, sending the cat tumbling on to what appears to be a rolled-up flannel inside the tin container. The video was said to have been filmed in southern China's Jiangxi Province on May 14. Theresa May's Brexit deal was hanging by a thread last night as furious Tory MPs savaged her decision to open the door to a second referendum. In a dramatic gamble, the Prime Minister offered MPs a binding vote on a second EU poll if they backed her withdrawal deal at the fourth attempt next month. Mrs May pleaded with Parliament to finally approve her plan so Britain could avoid 'a nightmare future of permanently polarised politics'. Desperate to win over Labour MPs, she also suggested the agreement could be amended to include a temporary customs union. The move followed a fractious three-hour Cabinet meeting, in which at least two ministers are said to have hinted they might resign in protest at the concessions. Boris Johnson, who voted for Mrs May's deal at the third attempt, led the attacks on her latest offer, saying: 'Now we are being asked to vote for a customs union and a second referendum. The Bill is directly against our manifesto and I will not vote for it. We can and must do better and deliver what the people voted for.' Former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab, who is lining up against Mr Johnson to succeed the PM, said he could not support legislation 'that would be the vehicle for a second referendum or customs union'. Mark Francois led hardline Eurosceptic MPs in insisting Mrs May's concessions were 'dead on arrival'. Some Tory MPs even called on the PM to quit immediately. Jeremy Corbyn initially said Labour would 'look seriously' at the proposals. But he later warned: 'Theresa May's new Brexit deal is a rehash of her old bad deal and Labour cannot support it.' Theresa May made an emotional plea for MPs to get on board with her 'bold' package, saying they had 'one last chance' to get the UK's departure from the EU over the line before the chance 'slips away' The Prime Minister appeared to be on course for a crushing three-figure defeat as MPs from almost all sides rejected her proposals, with Brexiteers branding it a 'direct insult' and a 'dog's breakfast', while Labour and key Remainers said it did not go far enough. As the problems for the premier deepened, Jacob Rees-Mogg, the DUP and more moderate Tories publicly declared that they will vote against the Bill - putting it on track for a crushing defeat. Richmond MP Zac Goldsmith called for the Prime Minister to 'go', saying: 'I supported the PM's rotten deal last time as I felt we could then draw a line and select a new PM to pick up the pieces. 'But I cannot support this convoluted mess.' MP for Dover and Deal, Charlie Elphicke, said: 'I supported the Prime Minister in March as I thought it was our last chance to leave the EU. 'That's no longer the case and I'm afraid that this proposal is worse than before. This is not Brexit and I won't be supporting it.' Theresa May's ten pledges to woo MPs to vote for her deal By Jack Doyle for the Daily Mail Theresa May yesterday set out ten commitments in a last-ditch bid to win votes for her Brexit withdrawal agreement, including allowing a vote on a second referendum: Avoid the backstop Mrs May will enshrine in law a promise to try to find alternative arrangements designed to keep the Northern Ireland border open. This falls far short of the demands of Tory Brexiteers who want the backstop dropped entirely. Keep Northern Ireland's laws tied to Britain's A straight pitch to the Democratic Unionist Party which wants to limit, or stop entirely, divergence between the province and the mainland. A repeat of an earlier promise, it last night failed to satisfy the DUP. MPs to set the agenda Instead of the Government drawing up its plans for the next phase of the talks with the EU the future trading arrangement this 'negotiating mandate' will have to be approved by Parliament. Could help win over a small handful of Labour MPs at best. Follow EU worker rights Mrs May has promised a bill to ensure the UK adopts any employment laws passed by Brussels. This is a key Labour demand but Tory MPs fear extra red tape and pro-trade union laws. Preserve EU green rules Another offer to Labour that there will be no change in environmental protection after Brexit and a new green regulator. Doesn't meet Labour's demand that we follow all EU environment laws automatically and will alienate Tories who want the UK to set its own rules outside Brussels' orbit. Keep trade 'frictionless' Trying to mirror Labour's demands, Mrs May has pledged to keep trade barriers as low as possible while leaving the single market and ending free movement. Hard to see how it wins over significant numbers of MPs. Follow EU goods and agriculture rules Even after Brexit, the UK would follow EU rules to keep trade flowing smoothly. A slightly firmer promise than before. Works for Labour MPs but, again, alienates Tory Brexiteers. Customs plan options MPs will be offered a choice between Mrs May's proposal, which has many elements of a customs union but allows for trade deals, and a full customs union until the next election. Still the thorniest knot of the negotiations, and seemingly impossible to resolve. Second referendum Downing Street had repeatedly ruled out a second vote. Yesterday that position was ditched, with the PM saying the Withdrawal Bill will allow for a vote on a second national poll. Even making the offer enrages Tory MPs. If it passed the Conservative Party would implode. Legally binding changes A commitment to make changes to the political declaration part of the deal with the EU to make this offer a reality. She would then go back to the EU. However MPs would have to pass the Withdrawal Bill and this already looks highly unlikely. Advertisement Dominic Raab, a former Brexit secretary, who said: 'I cannot support legislation that would be the vehicle for a second referendum or customs union. Either option would frustrate rather than deliver Brexit and break our clear manifesto promises.' In a string of social media messages and interviews, around two dozen of the Prime Minister's backbenchers who had previously voted for her deal the last time, said they would no longer back her. Even Tory loyalist Andrew Percy, who had led support for Mrs May's deal on the backbenches, said he was no longer sure he could vote for it because of the promise to hold a vote on having a second referendum. 'I'm frustrated,' he told BBC News. 'I voted for this deal three times, because I think it is the only way we will get out. I really am concerned about the proposed possibility of a second referendum. 'People were told in the referendum, it was the final say on the matter for a generation it would be implemented.' However, several key Cabinet figures last night backed Mrs May's offer. Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd said: 'The Prime Minister is doing everything she can to ensure we leave the EU in a way that protects jobs, security and the Union. I support her and urge colleagues to back the deal. Once passed, business investment and confidence will surge, building on strong national employment.' Chancellor Philip Hammond said: 'Britain needs a Brexit that feels like a compromise; one that everyone can live with. Theresa May's new Brexit deal is a bold proposal and one I encourage all members of the House of Commons to get behind so we can settle this question once and for all.' And International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said it was 'crunch time.' In an passionate speech as dusk appeared to be falling on her time in power, Mrs May: Tried to reassure Brexiteers by saying the government is still seeking 'alternative arrangements' that could avoid the Irish border backstop ever coming into effect. Pitched to Labour MPs be committed to legal guarantees that workers' protections will be just as favourable in the UK as in the EU. Said MPs will be able to decide between a temporary customs union with the EU and the government's customs proposals. Offered a vote on a second referendum - but stopped short of saying Tory MPs would be allowed a free vote on the issue. In the hastily-arranged address, Mrs May warned that this was the last chance to avoid 'a nightmare future of permanently polarised politics'. She said: 'If MPs vote against the second reading of this Bill they are voting to stop Brexit. 'If they do so the consequences could hardly be greater - reject this deal and leaving the EU with a negotiated deal any time soon will be dead in the water and what would we do then?' Mrs May also delivered a stark message to Brexiteers that their hardline demands risked keeping the UK in the EU. 'Some suggest leaving without a deal,' she said. 'But whatever you think of that outcome Parliament has been clear it will do all it can to stop it. 'If not no deal, then it would have to be a General Election or a second referendum that could lead to revocation and no Brexit at all.' But MailOnline understands she was forced to water down her offer after a ferocious Cabinet revolt over the idea of giving MPs a free vote on a referendum - something that would have made it much more likely to pass. Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom and Transport Secretary Chris Grayling apparently threatened to quit during a fraught two-hour session in Downing Street on Tuesday morning. No10 said whipping arrangements for the vote have yet to be decided. But while Mrs May was still talking her own MPs were rejecting her deal. Tory Middlesbrough MP Simon Clarke said: 'I supported the PM at MV3, to try to get us out on 29 March. 'But this speech from the PM means there is no way I will support the Withdrawal Agreement Bill.' Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage delivers a speech to supporters during a rally at Olympia in London, today Mrs May delivers her new pitch to MPs in a speech in London. Remainers and Brexiteers united in fury against the deal this evening Labour demands for a second referendum crashed efforts to get a cross-party compromise on Brexit last week. Trying to win over Remainer MPs to her point of view, Mrs May said: 'I recognise the genuine and sincere strength of feeling across the House on this important issue. 'The Government will therefore include in the Withdrawal Agreement Bill at introduction a requirement to vote on whether to hold a second referendum and this must take place before the Withdrawal Agreement can be ratified.' But Mrs May's suggestion was dismissed as a 'con trick' by Labour MPs. The last time a whipped vote was held on a referendum, it was overwhelmingly defeated by 334 to 85 - and supporters do not believe the result would be different. During the fraught Cabinet meeting earlier, MailOnline understands that chief whip Julian Smith warned the PM that she is staring down the barrel of defeat. Theresa May appealed for politicians to get on board with her 'bold' package in a speech in Westminster this afternoon Change UK MP Chuka Umunna speaks during a European Parliament election campaign rally at the Manchester Technology Centre in Manchester, northwest England, today But she was prevented from making deeper concessions by objections from key Brexiteer ministers. Mrs May told her team: 'The Withdrawal Agreement is the vehicle which gets the UK out the EU and it is vital to find a way to get it over the line.' A Downing Street spokesman said: 'Cabinet discussed the new deal which the Government will put before Parliament in order to seek to secure the UK's exit from the EU. 'The discussion included alternative arrangements, workers rights, environmental protections and further assurances, in particular the integrity of the UK in the unlikely event the backstop is required.' The response to the latest move by Mrs May was vicious. The DUP's Westminster leader Nigel Dodds said: 'We will have to await the publication of the text of the Bill to see what the proposals actually mean but the fact is that the fatal flaws of the draft treaty remain.' Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith said there was nothing new in Mrs May's latest deal. 'The backstop is still there, it's a customs union in all but name and it puts Brussels firmly in control of our destiny,' he said. 'There's nothing new or bold about this bad buffet of non-Brexit options. 'At a time when people are deserting the main parties this is the PM's response, to do all she can to defy the result of the referendum. Mr Rees-Mogg tweeted: 'The Prime Minister's latest proposals are worse than before and would leave us bound deeply in to the EU. It is time to leave on WTO terms.' Conservative MP and Brexiteer Charlie Elphicke slammed the deal as a 'dog's breakfast' that he could not support, despite voting for Mrs May's deal last time. He said: 'This is even more of a dog's breakfast than the last deal, it is not Brexit and I won't be supporting it. 'The backstop customs union is still at the heart of the deal, preventing us from agreeing trade deals with the fasting growing economies in the world.' Theresa May pictured leaving No10 by the back door after intense talks with the Cabinet today Andrea Leadsom (pictured today) has hit back at the Chancellor Philip Hammond by saying that Britain must leave the EU on October 31 whatever happens Labour MP Wes Streeting tweeted: 'Lots of us have been very clear that the PM's deal can pass on the condition that the people get to decide through a referendum. 'That's not what the PM is promising I'm afraid. 'Will look at the detail first, but on that basis it's unlikely I'll vote for the Bill at Second Reading.' Jeremy Corbyn also made clear that he would order MPs to oppose the Bill. 'The Prime Minister's proposal tonight seems to be largely a rehash of the government's position in the cross party talks that failed to reach a compromise last week,' he said. Despite signing off the attempt to push the Brexit Bill through, Cabinet is already at war over what happens after Mrs May is ousted - with open leadership jostling. Philip Hammond is warning in a speech tonight that Brexiteer Tories have 'no mandate' for crashing out of the EU. May's emotional plea for MPs to back her Brexit Bill 'If MPs vote against the second reading of this Bill they are voting to stop Brexit. 'If they do so the consequences could hardly be greater - reject this deal and leaving the EU with a negotiated deal any time soon will be dead in the water and what would we do then?' 'This is a huge opportunity for the United Kingdom.... 'It is practical. It is responsible. It is deliverable. 'And right now, it is slipping away from us.' 'Some suggest leaving without a deal. 'But whatever you think of that outcome Parliament has been clear it will do all it can to stop it. 'If not no deal, then it would have to be a General Election or a second referendum that could lead to revocation and no Brexit at all.' 'My views on second referendum are well known. 'Look at what this debate is doing to our politics. Extending it for months more perhaps indefinitely risks opening the door to a nightmare future of permanently polarised politics. 'Look around the world and consider the health of liberal democratic politics.' Advertisement But Mr Leadsom hit back at the Chancellor in an interview by saying that Britain must leave the EU on October 31 at all costs. Downing Street is pinning its hopes on persuading Labour MPs in Brexit areas to rebel against Jeremy Corbyn. But with Tories switching sides, dozens would be needed to get the legislation past its first major parliamentary obstacle. Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay has said that the Government must now 'prepare for No Deal' if MPs throw out Mrs May's deal for a fourth time. Mr Barclay has the backing of new Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt and Leader of the House of Commons Ms Leadsom, who said today that a customs union demanded by Labour would not be acceptable to her and stressed the need to be prepared for a no-deal Brexit. She said she would only support the Bill 'so long as it continues to be leaving the European Union' - something she defined as being outside the single market and the customs union. Ms Leadsom told BBC Radio 4's Today: 'I continue to support the Prime Minister to get her Withdrawal Agreement Bill through. It is leaving the European Union and so long as it continues to be leaving the European Union, I continue to support it. 'What I do think is that for any negotiation to succeed, you have to be prepared to walk away.' She added: 'I would like us to have a deal but if we get to the end of October and it's not possible to get a deal, leaving the EU is the most important thing'. By contrast, Mr Hammond will tonight use a keynote speech to blast Tory leadership candidates including Boris Johnson, saying those advocating No Deal are 'hijacking the result of the referendum'. Rory Stewart, the new international development secretary, said No Deal must come off 'off the table' for god and so should a second referendum. Cabinet minister Amber Rudd (pictured today) has warned against the party lurching towards 'extremist forces' to combat the rise of the Brexit Party and is opposed to a No Deal ministers such as Liz Truss would Health Secretary Matt Hancock arrives with caramel waffles to attend the weekly meeting of the Cabinet Secretary of State for International Development Rory Stewart has said that No Deal should be taken off the table completely - Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt disagrees In a podcast for the ConservativeHome site, Mr Rees-Mogg was asked about his intentions in the looming Brexit vote. 'The reason for voting for it (the PM's Brexit deal) at the third go was so that we could leave broadly on time. That has been lost,' he said. Corbyn says he WON'T back PM's Brexit plan and labels it a 'rehash of the same old deal' Jeremy Corbyn blasted Theresa May's 'bold' New Deal Brexit as a 'rehash' tonight as her last-gasp attempt to ram an agreement through Parliament looked doomed to failure. The opposition leader, who last week broke off talks with the PM's top team after weeks of deadlock, branded it 'effectively a repackaging of the same old bad deal, rejected three times'. His brutal assessment came as Labour MPs from across the party looked set to condemn the new plan before it even gets put to a vote. A host of Jeremy Corbyn's backbenchers said they would not support it even though she made a host of concession designed to woo them into the aye lobby. Mr Corbyn said: 'On key elements - customs, market alignment and environmental protections - what the Prime Minister calls her new Brexit deal is effectively a repackaging of the same old bad deal, rejected three times by Parliament. 'We will of course look seriously at the details of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill when it is published. 'But we won't back a repackaged version of the same old deal - and it's clear that this weak and disintegrating government is unable deliver on its own commitments.' Advertisement Mr Rees-Mogg said Mrs May's deal was 'very bad'. 'As we have already delayed, it is hard to see any point in having a Bill which fails ro avoid the European election, fails to get us out in time, fails to get the process going in the way that might have worked with a new leader coming in.' The move is more evidence that Mrs May's support is slipping away, leaving her on track for an even heavier rejection than in March - when the third effort to get her deal was rejected by 58 votes. Mr Rees-Mogg said he had backed the Brexit package previously so the UK could get out 'broadly on time', but it would now be a 'weight around the neck' of the next Tory leader. Former Brexit Secretary David Davis has also announced he will oppose the Bill when it comes to a vote, expected to be on June 7. Boris Johnson has yet to say whether he will switch sides, with leadership rivals insisting the decision will be a 'massive test' of whether he is fit to take the top job. In a speech to the CBI tonight, the Chancellor will round on those who claim leaving without a deal is the only 'legitimate Brexit'. He will say: 'On the populist Right, there are those who claim the only outcome that counts as a truly legitimate Brexit is to leave with No Deal. 'Let me remind them the 2016 Leave campaign was clear that we would leave with a deal. 'So to advocate for No Deal is to hijack the result of the referendum, and in doing so, knowingly to inflict damage on our economy and living standards, because all the preparation in the world will not avoid the consequences of No Deal.' He will warn that if MPs do not pass a deal soon, there is a 'real risk' of the next PM 'abandoning the search for a deal, and shifting towards seeking a damaging No Deal exit as a matter of policy'. Fellow Cabinet minister Amber Rudd warned yesterday against the party lurching towards 'extremist forces' to combat the rise of the Brexit Party. She also took a thinly-veiled swipe at Mr Johnson and others countenancing a No Deal Brexit, saying: 'We must... take on the falsehoods that are presented as simple choices.' Miss Rudd was speaking ahead of the launch of the One Nation Caucus group of Tory MPs, which opposes candidates who back No Deal. Sir Nicholas Soames, another founder of the 60-strong group, said Tories must resist demands from the party's 'lunatic fringe'. During a Cabinet meeting today, ministers will debate whether to allow Labour's demand for the UK to continue to accept new EU laws on workers' rights and environmental standards after Brexit. Labour policy change a boost to EU polls LABOUR support would rise sharply at the European elections if it changed its policy to pro-Remain, it was claimed last night. New research predicts that Labour is currently on course to win 20 seats. But if they switched to an unambiguously pro-Remain policy including the promise to hold a second referendum this would rise to 35 seats and 38% share of the vote (up from 24%). According to the study - produced by Electoral Calculus using a ComRes survey of 4161 people - both Labour and the Tories would also make some gains if Jeremy Corbyn reached an agreement with Theresa May to modify her deal to leave the EU. In this scenario, Labour would improve from 20 seats to 22, and the Tories from six to ten. Pro-Remain activist Gina Miller, Founder of Remain United who commissioned the poll and analysis, said: Our research shows clearly that Mr Corbyns unwillingness to get off the fence on Brexit is causing real damage to his partys electoral prospects. By refusing unequivocally to change its official policy to back remaining in the EU, and promising to hold a second referendum on whether to stay in or leave the EU, he is massively out of step with his own Labour MPs, party members, supporters and crucially with Labour voters. Advertisement Yesterday, former work and pensions secretary Esther McVey became the first leadership candidate to make it clear she was willing to quit the EU without a deal. She said it was 'essential' that Britain left as scheduled, and insisted there must be 'no more backsliding', adding: 'If it means without a deal, we'll be out.' Her fellow candidates Boris Johnson, Dominic Raab, Andrea Leadsom and Liz Truss are also expected to confirm they are serious about the option of No Deal if the EU refuses to budge. Meanwhile, potential leadership hopefuls went head to head in a 'Future of the Party' debate. Liz Truss, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said she would 'maybe' run for the top job. She added that members should be 'proud' to be Conservative, claiming: 'If we don't look like a fun party, no one else is going to vote for us.' Health Secretary Matt Hancock refused to rule out running and said the Tories would be 'toast' if they called an election before Brexit. Former Brexit Secretary Mr Raab warned that this week's European election results would give 'a hint of what is to come if we don't understand what happens if you don't keep your promises'. Brexit minister James Cleverly told the group: 'The time you start running in a race is just after the starting gun, not just before.' Boris Johnson scrambles to ease Tory fears about his hard Brexit plans amid claims allies could SUE MPs if they block him from leadership battle Boris Johnson (pictured campaigning in London last week) is scrambling to ease Tory moderate fears about his hard Brexit plans Boris Johnson is scrambling to ease Tory moderate fears about his hard Brexit plans as the battle to succeed Theresa May heats up. The former foreign secretary hailed a set of 'One Nation Conservative' principles drawn up by dozens of moderate MPs, insisting on Twitter: 'Agree with all of this.' The intervention comes as a 'Stop Boris' campaign gathers pace in the Parliamentary party, with many MPs concerned that he would shift the Tories dramatically to the right. Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd - a key Remainer in the Cabinet - fuelled talk of a 'dream ticket' alliance with Mr Johnson by liking his tweet. A source in the One Nation Tory bloc told the BBC's Newsnight: 'We want candidates to work with us to shape policy moving forward. Not just on Brexit but on everything. 'The whole contest will be a big test for Boris to prove he actually can unite the party in the way he says he can.' Boris Johnson hailed a set of 'One Nation Conservative' principles drawn up by dozens of moderate MPs, insisting on Twitter: 'Agree with all of this.' Mr Johnson prospects could also have been boosted by a poll of Labour activists suggesting he is the opponent they most fear at the next election Mr Johnson prospects could also have been boosted by a poll of Labour activists suggesting he is the opponent they most fear at the next election. However, the rising Tory tensions were underlined by claims that allies of Mr Johnson are ready to launch a legal challenge if MPs block him from the final ballot. Under the contest's rules, MPs whittle the candidates down to two, with activists choosing the winner. But an ally of Mr Johnson told the Sun: 'We have legal advice that was drawn up for Boris that proves if members want a chance to vote on him in big numbers, MPs and CCHQ cannot stop that.' Aides to Mr Johnson denied any knowledge of the legal advice, saying it was 'total nonsense'. Around 60 Tory MPs have signed up to the One Nation principles, which were drawn up by Mrs May's former policy chief George Freeman. EXCLUSIVE: Jaswant Singh Chail uploaded the pre-recorded video of a hooded man threatening to assassinate the Queen (inset) to Snapchat (left) on Christmas Day, 24 minutes before a man was arrested by police in the grounds of Windsor Castle. The family of Jaswant, known as Jas to friends, said they are trying to figure out what has 'gone horribly wrong' with their son and that they have not had a chance to speak to him yet. Jaswant Chail was raised in a 500,000 semi-detached house located on a private estate in North Baddesley, Southampton (bottom right). His father, Jasbir Singh Chail, 57 is listed as the director of an IT company along with his mother, 51. He is also believed to have a sister aged 19 who still lives at the property. Known to friends as Jas, he is said to have used a filter to distort his voice and wore a hoodie and mask - an outfit thought to be inspired by Star Wars. He says: 'I'm sorry. I'm sorry for what I've done and what I will do. I will attempt to assassinate Elizabeth, Queen of the Royal Family. This is revenge for those who have died in the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre. It is also revenge for those who have been killed, humiliated and discriminated on because of their race. I'm an Indian Sikh, a Sith. My name was Jaswant Singh Chail, my name is Darth Jones.' A man who was fired after he refused to give his fingerprints to his boss as part of a new sign-in system has won a landmark unfair dismissal case. Jeremy Lee was sacked from Queensland sawmill company Superior Wood in February last year, after refusing to provide his employers with the data. 'It's my biometric data. It's not appropriate for them to have it,' he told RN's The Law Report. Mr Lee went on to win the first unfair dismissal decision of its kind in Australia, after representing himself before the Fair Work Commission, the ABC reported. Jeremy Lee was sacked from Queensland sawmill company Superior Wood in February last year after refusing to provide his employers with the data - saying it's inappropriate for them to have his sensitive information 'It's off the charts for a self-represented litigant dealing with very sophisticated legal issues to have such an outstanding result. That is a very unusual achievement,' Josh Bornstein from Maurice Blackburn lawyers said. Mr Lee said his employers 'tried to coerce' him into agreeing to the fingerprint scanning process but he didn't budge. Mr Lee was happy to undergo drug and alcohol testing at work but said giving his biometric data crossed the line, with fears it could be shared and possibly misused. 'If someone else has control of my biometric data they can use it for their own purposes - purposes that benefit them, not me. That is a misuse,' he said. Mr Lee said his employers 'tried to coerce' him into agreeing to the fingerprint scanning process but he didn't budge However his bosses maintained that the fingerprint scans allowed them to keep track of who was on the work site and who wasn't. But Mr Lee argued that using swipe cards could have been just as effective to track employees' movements. After he was fired Mr Lee and his pro bono lawyers began his unfair dismissal case, which was unsuccessful after being heard by only one commissioner at the Fair Work Commission. They sided with Mr Lee's employers, saying that the fingerprint scanning system was a reasonable policy, and that the company had a right to fire workers who didn't comply with it. Mr Lee then appealed against the Commission's decision and went on to argue his case without any legal representation in front of a full bench of the Fair Work Commission. He maintained what he had argued all along - that his biometric data is his and if someone wants to take it they must have his consent. At the beginning of May the Fair Work Commission found Mr Lee had in fact been unfairly dismissed and his employers violated the Privacy Act - after more than a year had gone by since he had been fired The Commission erred in support of Mr Lee - saying there was no valid reason to fire him. At the beginning of May it was found he had in fact been unfairly dismissed, after more than a year had gone by since he had been fired. Superior Wood was found to have violated the Privacy Act, which stares that when an employer wants to take sensitive information they have to give a sufficient notice period and allow for a process of informed consent. Despite the law clearing his name and acknowledging he was unfairly dismissed, his case didn't manage to set a legal precedent about the ownership of biometric data. A French mayor is offering free Viagra to couples in his town in order to boost the local birth rate. Jean Debouzy, the mayor of Montereau in northern France, issued a decree saying he was 'favourable to the distribution of the little blue pills'. He said he was taking action because the town's falling number of children meant that two local schools were threatened with closure. Couples who already live in the village and others who move there from elsewhere are eligible for the pills, The Local reported. The mayor of Montereau (pictured) in northern France has issued a decree saying he was 'favourable to the distribution of the little blue pills' 'A village without children is a village that dies,' the mayor said. A feeling of decline in provincial towns has helped to fuel the months of Yellow Vest fury at the government and French establishment, it is feared. However, the mayor said he had not yet obtained a supply of the drugs and would need the local council's approval. He acknowledged the move was intended to be eye-catching and draw attention to the plight of the local schools. Frenchmen normally need a doctor's prescription to get Viagra so it is doubtful whether Mr Debouzy can fulfil the promise, it is reported. France has long pursued a policy of encouraging a higher birth rate in order to ease the burden of an ageing population. The mayor said he had not yet obtained a supply of the drugs (stock photo) and would need the local council's approval The government in Paris provides large subsidies and tax breaks for families with children. There are also childcare services and parental leave is available until the child turns three years old. In a 2018 list, France's fertility rate - the average number of children born per woman in her child-bearing years - was 2.06. That made it higher than most developed countries, with the UK on 1.89, the United States on 1.87 and Germany way behind on 1.46. Nonetheless, the overall birth rate fell for a fourth year in a row in 2018. In Britain, Viagra is now available over the counter after the drug was reclassified by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Manufacturers said they hoped more men would seek treatment for erectile dysfunction as a result. Mr Crowther said he had been looking forward to the 5.25 milkshake, 'but I think it went on a better purpose' A call centre worker has been charged with common assault and criminal damage after Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage had a milkshake thrown at him in Newcastle, Northumbria Police said. The Brexit Party leader's suit was left covered in the drink following the incident at around 1pm on Monday and he was quickly hurried away from the scene by staff. This morning Northumbria Police said 32-year-old Paul Crowther had been charged with common assault and criminal damage. Crowther, of Throckley, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, will appear before magistrates in North Tyneside on June 18, police said. Describing the incident, a force spokesman said: 'At around 1pm, a 55-year-old man had a milkshake thrown at him in the city centre. 'A 32-year-old man was detained at the scene and arrested by police. Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage had a milkshake thrown over him yesterday on a visit to Newcastle during a whistle stop UK tour ahead of Thursday's European elections 'He has now been charged with common assault and criminal damage.' An empty Five Guys banana and salted caramel milkshake cup was left on the floor following the disturbance. Nigel Farage yesterday promised to press charges against his assailant, after saying 'radicalised Remainers' had made campaigning impossible. The Brexit Party leader vented fury at his security and political opponents after he was splattered with a 5.25 Five Guys banana and salted caramel dairy drink on his European election tour. Mr Farage was heard saying 'how did you not stop that?' as he was bustled away by security as he made the latest stop of his campaign in Newcastle. Mr Farage tweeted afterwards: 'Sadly some remainers have become radicalised, to the extent that normal campaigning is becoming impossible.' He later told reporters that the milkshake was 'yobbo flavoured' and he is understood to have made a statement to Northumbria Police. Members of Farage's security team pushed back after the man threw milkshake at the politician Paul Crowther, who was detained by police at the scene, said he threw the banana-and-salted caramel Five Guys shake to protest Farage's 'bile and racism' The Brexit Party leader was covered in the drink by a protester as he made the latest stop of his campaign Mr Farage tweeted afterwards that normal campaigning was becoming 'impossible' due to the dangers of protests Brexit minister James Cleverly immediately condemned the episode, insisting that people should debate rather than 'assault political opponents'. Tony Blair branded the attack 'horrible and ridiculous', while Jo Cox's widower Brendan Cox said it normalised 'violence and intimidation'. Downing Street said politicians had to be able to 'campaign without harassment, intimidation and abuse'. Mr Farage joins the list of candidates who have fallen victim to a 'milkshaking', including Ukip's Carl Benjamin and ex-English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson. Last week, police apparently ordered a McDonald's outlet near a Brexit Party campaign rally to stop selling milkshakes and ice cream. Protesters are thought to have switched to using the drinks as a weapon as they are easier to carry than eggs without arousing suspicion. A Chinese abbot's immense wealth has been under scrutiny after his flamboyant son was allegedly kidnapped in Canada in March after showing off his supercars and designer clothing on social media. The high-profile monk, who used to be a businessman, is said to be so rich he spent 375 million yuan (42.6 million) having a massive temple complex built on a tropical resort island. The controversial religious leader has also splurged 2.6 million yuan (300,000) on an 'online girlfriend' after chatting with her for 20 days, according to investigation by Chinese media. Taoist abbot Lu Wenrong (pictured) has sparked controversy in China for his enormous wealth In an interview in 2018, he said he spent his life savings, 375 million yuan (42.6 million), building Yuchan Palace (pictured) on the touristy tropical island of Hainan in southern China Abbot Lu Wenrong is the deputy director of the Chinese Taoism Association and the director of Hainan Taosim Association. He was pushed into spotlight in March after reports claimed he was the father of Lu Wanzhen, a 22-year-old student who was abducted in Ontario. Lu Wenrong's son, Lu Wanzhen (pictured), was allegedly kidnapped in Canada in March after showing off his wealth online The monk has also drawn controversy for leading a lavish lifestyle, including having a wife and eating meat which are frowned upon or banned depending on the school of Taoism. An article from Beijing News last week confirmed the relation between the two for the first time. In another report from Btime.com, a spokesperson from Hainan Taosim Association also confirmed the allegations, but claimed Wenrong and his family members' wealth had nothing to do with his religious activities. In China, monks are expected to live a simple, thrifty and low-profile life. Wenrong's son Wanzhen was said to be tasered and dragged into the back of a van by an armed gang of four in his car park in the city of Markham before being found alive four days later. The young heir, a business administration student at Yorkville University, allegedly has four luxury cars, including a Ferrari 488 GTB, a Lamborghini Huracan, a Rolls Royce Wraith and a Land Rover Range Rover Velar. He was said to be wearing a Gucci coat and Givenchy shoes when he was taken. He also owns an apartment in Canada which he bought for nearly C$583,000 (341,000) in cash in 2018, according to Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. China media have linked Wanzhen's kidnap with his posts on social media. Canadian police have not revealed the motives of the suspects, but said a ransom demand was made. Wenrong owns the Yuchan Palace (pictured), a temple with more than 20 structures on Wenbi Peak. He claimed in an interview last week the temple cost 60 million yuan (6.8 million) Hainan (pictured) is a tropical island in southern China renowned for its beaches and resorts According to a screen grab, Wanzhen apparently flaunted his high-end clothing and expensive cars in his Instagram account. The post have since been removed. His father Wenrong owns the Yuchan Palace, a temple with more than 20 structures on Wenbi Peak in a tourist-packed Hainan island. In an interview with the Hainan religious authority in 2018, Wenrong said he spent his life savings, 375 million yuan, building the monastery. He said construction took place between 2003 and 2006, and the temple was built to promote the southern-style Taoism and the Chinese culture. In an interview with Beijing News last week, Wenrong denied the allegations that his son had been showing off. He argued that it was cheap to rent luxury cars in the West. He was quoted saying: 'You just pay a few hundred Canadian dollars a month.' An Instagram screen shot circulating by media appears to show Wanzhen's lavish lifestyle before he was allegedly kidnapped. His Instagram posts have since been removed Wenrong also defended himself by saying the school of Taoism he belongs to allows followers to eat meat and having romantic relationships. Different from his own claims last year, he said in the Beijing News interview that his temple only cost 60 million yuan (6.8 million) because 'land was cheap in 1993' when he bought the plot. He revealed that his original intention was to build a zoo for exotic animals from Africa, instead of a temple. Wenrong was born into a less-fortunate family in Hubei and later became a businessman. It is unclear how he became a monk and what made him to do so. But one version suggested by Beijing News said he made the switch after failing to answer questions about classical Chinese literature, including Tao Te Ching, from a local during a trip to South Africa in 1995. It is said that Wenrong felt humiliated and decided to dedicate himself to Taoism. The report said Yuchan Palace could attract more than 20,000 people during the Chinese New Year holidays and bring millions of yuan to Wenrong and his family in admission every year. Hainan Taosim Association told the press they had launched an investigation into the source of Wenrong's wealth. Canadian police are still investigating Wanzhen's case. A mother and daughter who never got on are now locked in a 2.5million legal battle over the family's country estate. Lucy Habberfield, 51, was her late father Frank's 'blue-eyed girl' but 'never had a good relationship' with mother Jane, 82, London's Appeal Court heard. Following her father's death, Lucy insisted she should have been given a large share of the farm where she had worked long hours for 30 years. Appeal judges will now decide who should get what from the 220-acre family estate near Yeovil, Somerset, after the family failed to resolve the issue. Jane Habberfield, 82, and her daughter Lucy, 51 (right) are in a legal fight over the family farm Mother Jane is being backed by her eldest daughter Sarah, 53, who the court heard previously came to blows with her sister Lucy in a cowshed. The case is up on appeal after a judge last year ordered mother Jane to pay Lucy over 1.1m to compensate her for devoting her life to the farm and the cows. But Jane says her estranged daughter got far too much of the family wealth and wants her share cut to around 220,000, to be 'fair' to her other children. Daughter Lucy meanwhile claims her payout was not big enough and should be upped to about 1.6m. Mother Jane is backed by her elder daughter Sarah, who previously fought with Jane in a cowshed Mr Justice Birss found last year that Lucy had been promised the dairy farm would be hers by her parents and put in three decades of back-breaking work on the basis of their assurances. She began working on the farm when she left school in the early 1980s, earning just 40-50 per week. She worked up to 87 and a half hours and seven days a week, getting up at 4.30am, and had just five weeks' holiday in more than three decades. The mother-of-four carried on doing gruelling physical work for long hours with early starts when she was heavily pregnant or had young babies to care for. Lucy told the court 'she never had a good relationship with her mother'. But she was their late father Frank's 'favourite' and 'blue-eyed girl' because of their shared passion for dairy farming the judge found. The 'tension' between Lucy and big sister Sarah had 'gone on for a very long time' before they had a physical fight in the milk parlour at the farm, said the judge, adding that 'all the Habberfield family had a temper'. The milk parlour fight marked a turning point, the judge said, adding that it was 'impossible to say' whose fault it was, but that Lucy and her partner Stuart Parker left the farm the same day and had never returned since. 'Lucy clearly blames Sarah to a significant extent for all that has happened and conversely Sarah blames Lucy and Stuart,' the judge said. The farm (pictured) is just outside the pretty village of Yeovil Marsh in south Somerset Lucy was her father's favourite and eldest sister Emma described Lucy as her father's 'blue-eyed girl,' he added. 'I suspect part of the bitterness which is manifest in this dispute has been caused by long-running and deeply felt resentment about Lucy's position in relation to Frank as compared to her siblings,' the judge said. Richard Wilson QC, for Jane, told the Appeal Court that she accepts Lucy had been promised the farm in exchange for her devotion to the dairy herd. But Jane is now arguing her youngest daughter lost her rights when she refused a 2008 offer by her parents to take her into the farm partnership with them, with a view to her eventually being handed control. The family feud over the farm will be decided by judges at London's Court of Appeal Jane wants Lucy's payout slashed, claiming she should get little more than 220,000 to represent the 'underpayment' in terms of wages for her lifetime of work on the farm. Jane also begged the judges - if they refused to cut Lucy's payout - to order it to be paid out of her estate after her death, instead of now. Leslie Blohm QC, for Lucy, denied that refusing to go into business with her parents in 2008 had erased her right to the farm. Mr Blohm also argued that Lucy's payout should have been even bigger, saying the award she was handed didn't take into account the years of work done on the farm by her partner Mr Parker, the dad of her four children. Of her mum's plea to not be forced to sell the farmhouse, Lucy's QC said, if Jane had to sell her home, it would be because of debts to lawyers she ran up fighting her daughter. Lord Justice Lewison, Lord Justice Moylan and Lady Justice Rose reserved their decision on the case. It will be delivered at later date yet to be set. A young man who says he was strip searched at a festival before being booted out has claimed he was targeted simply because he had been chewing gum. Giammarco Celani, 22, had been with a group headed into the Midnight Mafia hardstyle music festival at Sydney Showground on May 11. As the group entered the festival, a police officer grabbed him by the arm and dragged him away, he claimed in a Facebook post. Mr Celani said he was accused of 'chewing his face off', and was then interrogated and strip searched but nothing was found. Giammarco Celani, 22, had been with a group headed into the Midnight Mafia hardstyle music festival at Sydney Showground on May 11 Mr Celani said he had not taken any illicit drugs and had simply been chewing gum at the time. 'I had just come from the local pub and had a few beers,' his Facebook post read. He said he had pulled out his gum to show the police officer but claims he was told he was 'obviously under the influence'. Despite police not finding any drugs, Mr Celani said he was told his ticket would still be voided. He said another police officer later told him he could buy another ticket and he would be able to enter the festival as he had been 'cooperative'. 'Just goes to show they are looking for a quota and don't care how they get it,' his Facebook post read. 'Don't chew gum or even look slightly off because they will use any excuse to search you and kick you out of the event,' his Facebook post read. Midnight mafia is a hard style electronic music event, it was held at Sydney's Showground on May 11 'Don't chew gum or even look slightly off because they will use any excuse to search you and kick you out of the event.' A New South Wales police spokesman told Daily Mail Australia they could not comment on the specific incident. 'Tickets are not automatically rescinded at the conclusion of a search. 'If drugs are suspected, that is enough reason to be searched, however, if nothing is found then typically that person would enter the venue as planned.' A 73-year-old Michigan man who served 45 years in jail for murder after a miscarriage of justice has won $1.5 million in state compensation. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel confirmed the award to Richard Phillips, who was the longest-serving US inmate on his release last year. Mr Phillips spoke exclusively to DailyMailTV in April 2018 following his release. Richard Phillips, 73, has been selling the watercolours he painted in prison to help support himself since his release Richard Phillips as a young father of two before his jailing on armed robbery and murder charges 'We have an obligation to provide compassionate compensation to these men for the harm they suffered,' Mr Nessel said in a statement. Mr Phillips, a father of two who worked as a clerk typist for Crysler, was convicted in 1972, along with co-defendant Richard Palombo, for the 1971 murder of Gregory Harris. But he was freed on March 28, 2018, after spending 45 years in prison. The Innocence Clinic at University of Michigan law school learned that a co-defendant in 2010 told the parole board that Phillips had absolutely no role. 'The attorney general's office made a decision to pay him every penny he's currently owed,' said Phillips' attorney, Gabi Silver. 'I am very happy with how things have turned out,' Exonerated convicts can claim up to $50,000 for every year they are wrongfully imprisoned. On that basis, Mr Phillips would appear to qualify for $2.25 million, but authorities subtracted 15 years for an armed robbery sentence that he was already serving when he was convicted of the murder. The freed man has been living on $500-a-month welfare payments plus $89 in food stamps. Richard Phillips, 73, following his release from prison in March 2018 He has been selling the watercolour artworks he painted in his cell to supplement that meagre income. In his first sit-down interview as a free man, Mr Phillips told DailyMailTV in April 2018 how he celebrated his release by going to a casino and 'pigging out' on the restaurant buffet. 'We don't get a lot of hot food in prison,' he expalined. 'I went to the casino, I won $35 dollars and pigged out on the buffet.' 'In prison most of the food we have is served cold so to get a hot meal is a real treat.' 'I missed out on a lot while I was locked up for 45 years for a crime I did not commit,' Mr Phillips said. 'I hadn't seen my kids and my mother died. Looking back on it, I don't know how I made it in prison,' added. 'I got up every day while in prison going through the motions, just trying to survive. I finally had to leave it God's hands and my prayers were answered.' Kalvin Chapman (pictured) took an overdose after buying the euthanasia drug in Mexico A lawyer and former Ukip candidate has become Britain's first known victim of Mexican suicide tourism after buying a euthanasia drug in the country. Kalvin Paul Chapman took a fatal overdose of a substance that is used to kill death row prisoners at his flat in Manchester. The 43-year-old bought it while on holiday after having been diagnosed with a cancerous tumour behind his eye and smuggled the drug, which is illegal in the UK, back to Britain. On the night of his death, he emailed Greater Manchester Police to request they collect his body. 'It will probably kill me in 20 minutes,' he wrote. 'Can you please send someone to pick up my body. My flat door is unlocked. Much appreciated.' He had left suicide notes addressed to the police and the coroner. Before he killed himself, the respected solicitor tweeted: 'Goodnight and fond farewell. It's been fun.' Less than a year before he died, Mr Chapman had posted a video online saying he was going to kill himself. He had a history of seizures and was taking strong painkillers before he died but still left in agony and battling depression. Mr Chapman emailed officers at 8.40pm on April 20 last year, Manchester Coroner's Court was told. Police tried giving Mr Chapman CPR at his Ancoats flat after arriving at around 9.27pm as they called for an ambulance. The former Ukip candidate tweeted this before he took the overdose and uploaded a video less than a year before his death But Mr Chapman was pronounced dead at 10.30pm. Police coroners' officer Benjamin Dobbs said the notes 'clearly expressed his intention to take his own life'. 'The three suicide notes addressed to the coroners and the police outlined the background to Mr Chapman and the mental issues previously shared,' he said. 'The notes clearly expressed the medication was obtained on holiday in Mexico he named his friend as the sole beneficiary and a copy of this receipt was retrieved with the notes. 'A large package addressed to Anita Rabar was found on the floor this package was opened and found to contain jewellery and cash. 'He had clearly planned this and these letters reference holidays he had taken prior to this to purchase the medication abroad which he had used to take his own life. Kalvin had previously intimated a desire to end his own life as recently as last July. 'Of note taken from his lap top were the suicide notes written on this device, a PDF on euthanasia, and poems by Henry Scott and Tennyson about death.' A coroner concluded Mr Chapman took his own life after deliberately taking an overdose. The commercial litigation specialist had a history of serious health problems, including a heart attack in 1995 which saw him have a pacemaker fitted the following year. He also suffered deep vein thrombosis and chronic lower back pain. Kalvin Chapman is pictured with Nigel Farage while campaigning for Ukip Mr Chapman - born Christopher Robin Greenley in Hull in 1974 and also known as Christopher Reeve before changing his name - posted a video on social media saying he was going to kill himself in July 2017. He later said could not remember uploading it and had been drinking heavily when officers visited and found him safe and well. A post-mortem and toxicology report found he had fatal levels of a sedative in his system, as well as a small amount of another drug and alcohol. His cause of death was given as drug toxicity. The police ruled out any third party involvement. Assistant coroner Jean Harkin recorded a conclusion of suicide, adding: 'It is clear Mr Chapman was in a lot of pain and had a lot of medical conditions and also mental health issues in the form of the depressions he was being treated for. 'However, it can also be seen he was a well-respected man and his colleague has told us not only does she think that but also the party he campaigned for.' Friend and party colleague Anita Arbar told the hearing she met Mr Chapman when they went leafleting together during the 2016 referendum, as well as visiting Brussels. He stood as a parliamentary candidate in Stretford and Urmston in 2015, and Manchester Central in 2017. Ms Arbar said it was clear 'something was bothering him', but said he 'seemed happy' and there was no indication he would hurt himself. She said Mr Chapman's death left family, friends and party colleagues 'devastated.' Ukip leader Gerard Batten tweeted two days after his death last year saying: 'I am very sad to hear this morning of the death of Kalvin Chapman, a loyal and committed Ukip member, branch officer, and candidate. 'He will be missed by us all. Our commiserations and sympathies go out to his family and friends. Rest in peace.' For confidential support call the Samaritans in the UK on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or click here for details. A teacher has been awarded over 7,000 in damages after he relocated 300 miles to a new job, only to be sacked five days later. Robert Burke moved from Oldham in Greater Manchester to work at a primary school in Aberdeen, and had been offered a relocation package of up to 8,000. However, he was dismissed after his first week and an employment tribunal has now ruled that there had been 'no evidence whatsoever' offered to justify his sacking or to prove any wrong doing on Mr Burke's part. Council officials made the decision to only take him on for maternity cover based on a reference they had received from Mr Burke's previous employer in Italy, the Westminster International School in Pisa. Robert Burke (pictured above) had moved to Aberdeen for a job, but was dismissed just one week later Judge Andrew Kemp awarded the teacher 7,272 in damages for the council's breach of contract and said in his ruling that the way he had been dismissed was 'at the least ambiguous' and 'at worst, misleading'. In September 2017 a tribunal heard that Mr Burke, had been offered the job at Auchenblae Primary plus a relocation package of up to 8,000. He passed all of the relevant checks and began the fixed-term-maternity cover post on October 2 2017, which was expected to run through to July the next year. The tribunal heard that after one week, his contract was terminated following a phone call with his previous employer at Westminster International School in Pisa. Mr Burke, had been offered the job at Auchenblae Primary (pictured above) plus a relocation package of up to 8,000 The council's HR adviser, Louise Fife, said it was 'normal practice' to approach previous employers to find out what level of pay they had been on. It is said that the conversation prompted 'serious concern' and the decision was taken to immediately dismiss Mr Burke. Three weeks later Mr Burke was then sent a contract which stated his fixed-term contract was only for a week - failing to mention he had been taken on as maternity cover. The council's solicitor, Robin Taylor, told the tribunal the contract had probably been 'generated automatically' and insisted it was not a direct attempt to falsify the document. But in his ruling, the judge said the termination letter sent to Mr Burke also gave him 'considerable concern' and added: 'It contradicts the reference to maternity leave. It was factually inaccurate in material respects.' Since the tribunal, which was held last May (2018), Mr Burke - who had called the dismissal a 'knee-jerk reaction - has been battling bowel cancer and has been unable to follow up the judge's suggestions of taking further action. Last night, he said the stress had been 'unbelievable' and that he was sure it had added to his ill-health. He added: 'I have never received any kind of apology from the council - they just get away with ruining people's lives.' A spokesman from Aberdeenshire Council said: 'We note the decision of the tribunal.' At least 13 people were injured after a car ploughed into pedestrians at a zebra crossing in south-east China today. Horrifying footage shows the white Mercedes-Benz waiting at a red light before suddenly ramming into dozens of people crossing the road in Guangzhou, Guangdong province shortly before 9am local time. Preliminary investigations showed that the 45-year-old driver was grabbing a water bottle from the back seat, causing her to lose control of the vehicle. Horrifying footage showed the white Mercedes-Benz waiting at a red light before suddenly ramming into dozens of people crossing the road in Guangzhou, Guangdong province shortly before 9am local time The 13 wounded pedestrians were taken to hospital and two of them sustained serious injuries A female motorist, identified as 45-year-old Ding, has been detained for investigations The pedestrians were sent hurtling backwards as the saloon smashed into them at the traffic lights. Aftermath footage released by Beijing News shows injured pedestrians lying on the ground as they awaited paramedics. The wounded pedestrians were taken to hospital and two of them sustained serious injuries, according to a statement released by Guangzhou security bureau on Weibo. A female motorist, identified as 45-year-old Ding, has been detained for investigations, police added. People were sent hurtling backwards as the saloon smashed into them at the traffic lights Aftermath footage shows injured pedestrians lying on the ground as they awaited paramedics In an updated statement released by the bureau, the driver told officers that she kept the was turning around and retrieving a water bottle from the back seat The accident happened at an intersection in Tianhe district, the police said. 'The car ran a red light, hit the pedestrians and collided with two other vehicles,' the statement said. In an updated statement released by the bureau, the woman told officers that she was turning around and retrieving a water bottle from the back seat. She had left the vehicle in drive gear. 'The improper operation caused the vehicle to lose control,' police said, adding the driver had been cleared of drink-driving and drug use, and further investigations are underway. A Nepali sherpa climbed Mount Everest a record 24th time, just a week after breaking his own record, saying he plans one last ascent before retirement. Kami Rita Sherpa, 49, reached the 29,035ft summit by the traditional southeast ridge route on Tuesday, tourism department official Mira Acharya said. But he revealed he has no plans to retire from working as a guide on the mountain which he first climbed in 1994. The route was pioneered by New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953 and remains the most popular snow trail leading to the highest point on Earth. Kami Rita Sherpa, 49, posing at the top of Mount Everest after climbing it for the 23rd time on May 15, breaking his own record. On Tuesday morning his successfully completed his 24th Kami waves as he arrives in Kathmandu, Nepal, in May last year in another successful climbing season Two other climbers, both sherpas, have scaled Everest 21 times each. They have both retired from mountaineering. Sherpas help tourists fulfill their dreams of climbing the world's tallest peak by guiding them through the dangerous terrain, carrying their kit and fixing ropes in the ice. 'I am still strong and want to climb Sagarmatha 25 times,' Kami said before leaving for his 23rd climb, referring to the Nepali name for Everest. He has now climbed the peak enough times to have made it to the stratosphere more than four times. He had achieved his 23rd climb earlier this month, with the middle of May ushering a short window for the best conditions on the icy peak. Kami checks oxygen cylinders and other supplies needed for climbing Mount Everest, in Kathmandu Kami prays at Bauddhanath Stupa shrine before he leaves for the Everest last month According to records some 5,000 people have made it to the summit since it was first conquered by Sir Edmund and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay. Every year around 1,000 will pay thousands in attempting the trek, with just a third making it to the top. The last year without recorded deaths on the mountain was in 1977. Boris Johnson (pictured campaigning in London last week) is scrambling to ease Tory moderate fears about his hard Brexit plans Boris Johnson had been told he must choose which side of the Tory party he 'p*sses off' over Brexit if he wants to be leader, after winning the backing of top Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg. The European Research Group chairman lined up behind the former Cabinet minister today - hours after Mr Johnson had publicly courted Conservative moderates. It came after the former foreign secretary last night hailed a set of 'One Nation Conservative' principles drawn up by dozens of moderate MPs, insisting on Twitter: 'Agree with all of this.' Critics of the former minister pointed out this came against a backdrop of his having voted in favour of Theresa May's Brexit deal when it last failed to be approved by MPs. With hardcore Brexiteers including Mr Rees-Mogg and ex-minister David Davis lining up to oppose the Prime Minister again over the Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB) in June a similar vote this time is unlikely to go down well with their supporters. A source on a rival leadership team told MailOnline: 'The WAB will be a massive test for Boris. 'He has to decide whether to vote against the Bill and p*ss off the One Nation crowd, or vote for the Bill and p*ss off the ERG.' It came as a 'Stop Boris' campaign gathered pace in the Parliamentary party, with many MPs concerned that he would shift the Tories dramatically to the right. Today the chances of the Brexiteer and Remain wings of the party looked distant as MPs traded insults on Twitter. Brexiteer Andrea Jenkyns kicked it off by posting on Twitter a link to a story in which Scottish Tory Victoria Atkins was mentioned. Boris leading the pack in latest Tory leadership odds Boris Johnson is currently leading the Tory leadership hopefuls in the betting. Here are the latest odds with Ladbrokes: Boris Johnson 7/4 Dominic Raab 4/1 Jeremy Hunt 10/1 Michael Gove 12/1 Andrea Leadsom 16/1 Sajid Javid 16/1 Matthew Hancock 20/1 Penny Mordaunt 20/1 Rory Stewart 20/1 Esther McVey 50/1 Advertisement Ms Jenkyns added the comment: 'Leadership contender Victoria Atkins! I won't vote for her; sneered when I took (her son) Clifford to an event after GE, & thinks it's acceptable for her staff to bad mouth me & Brexiteers in parliament email. She also said myself/ ERG to blame for no Brexit!' Brexiteer Telford MP Lucy Allan then added: 'Too entitled'. This prompted One Nation member Nicholas Soames to wade in. A fan of hashtags his reply was simply: '#absoluteBallsgetalife' Ms Jenkyns replied: 'How can you quantify it as ''Balls'' Mr Soames? You were not party to the incidents or conversations, other colleagues have told me of more incidents about this lady. And I am happy with my life thank you very much.' Another Remainer, Antionette Sandbach then piled in, saying: 'Andrea you tweeted the article saying you wouldn't vote for Victoria having not bothered to read the article in which she made it clear she was not standing. #getyourfactsright' This prompted Ms Jenkyns to hit back with: 'And here comes Ms Sandbach wading in as usual. I see the Stop Brexit MPs like to stick together!' Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd - a key Remainer in the Cabinet and also a One Nation Conservative figure - fuelled talk of a 'dream ticket' alliance with Mr Johnson by liking his tweet last night. 'This is not a reality TV show': Minister Tobias Ellwood blasts coy Tory leadership candidates Mr Ellwood seemed to suggest some people were considering a leadership bid for selfish reasons A Tory minister has blasted some party colleagues for not taking the leadership race more seriously, saying: 'This is not a reality TV show'. Defence minister Tobias Ellwood said some MPs 'toying' with entering the looming battle to replace Theresa May need to take the post of prime minister more seriously. Mr Ellwood, who has ruled himself out of the contest, appeared to suggest some people were considering a leadership bid for selfish reasons. He said continued talk about the leadership contest is a 'little bit self-indulgent and parochial' given the need to find a resolution to the Brexit deadlock in Parliament. Speaking at an event in Westminster, Mr Ellwood said: 'No, I'm not standing. Absolutely not. I do not have the experience. I don't have the rank to stand as leader. 'And, I wish some of my colleagues, with humility, would take the post a little bit more seriously. This is not a reality TV show. 'Ambition is good. It allows us to elevate ourselves and reach higher levels. But ambition on its own is purely selfish and trying to promote the individual. 'Leadership is the combination of ambition and vision. 'How does it look to a nation when we have got the biggest issue there, Brexit, and yet we have got so many - what is it, up to 20, 25... people - thinking, or toying, or denying being firm with the answer, to say, 'No, I'm not going to stand'. 'I have more respect for those who confirm that they rule themselves out, rather than playing with the media who love these questions.' Advertisement A source in the One Nation Tory bloc told the BBC's Newsnight: 'We want candidates to work with us to shape policy moving forward. Not just on Brexit but on everything. 'The whole contest will be a big test for Boris to prove he actually can unite the party in the way he says he can.' Today the chances of the Brexiteer and Remain wings of the party looked distant as MPs traded insults on Twitter. Mr Johnson prospects could also have been boosted by a poll of Labour activists suggesting he is the opponent they most fear at the next election. However, the rising Tory tensions were underlined by claims that allies of Mr Johnson are ready to launch a legal challenge if MPs block him from the final ballot. Under the contest's rules, MPs whittle the candidates down to two, with activists choosing the winner. But an ally of Mr Johnson told the Sun: 'We have legal advice that was drawn up for Boris that proves if members want a chance to vote on him in big numbers, MPs and CCHQ cannot stop that.' Aides to Mr Johnson denied any knowledge of the legal advice, saying it was 'total nonsense'. Around 60 Tory MPs have signed up to the One Nation principles, which were drawn up by Mrs May's former policy chief George Freeman. It came as ministers and backbench MPs began to set out their pitches in earnest for a leadership campaign expected to take place over the summer. The WAB will go to the Commons in early June, with defeat likely to hasten Mrs May's departure from Number 10. Brexiteer Commons leader Andrea Leadsom, who has said she could stand, insisted the UK had to be prepared to walk away from the EU without a Brexit deal. She said she would support the Bill, but warned that could change if its provisions were watered down. 'I continue to support the Prime Minister to get her Withdrawal Agreement Bill through,' she told BBC Radio 4's Today. 'It is leaving the European Union and so long as it continues to be leaving the European Union, I continue to support it. 'What I do think is that for any negotiation to succeed, you have to be prepared to walk away.' By contrast, Chancellor Philip Hammond will tonight use a keynote speech to blast Tory leadership candidates including Boris Johnson, saying those advocating No Deal are 'hijacking the result of the referendum'. Rory Stewart, the new international development secretary, said No Deal must come off 'off the table' for god and so should a second referendum. Boris Johnson hailed a set of 'One Nation Conservative' principles drawn up by dozens of moderate MPs, insisting on Twitter: 'Agree with all of this.' Mr Johnson prospects could also have been boosted by a poll of Labour activists suggesting he is the opponent they most fear at the next election Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd - a key Remainer in the Cabinet - fuelled talk of a 'dream ticket' alliance with Mr Johnson by liking his tweet Meanwhile, a survey of Labour activists by the grassroots LabourList site has found that most view Mr Johnson as the biggest threat to Jeremy Corbyn. Some 45 per cent said he would be the most difficult opponent to beat - with Rory Stewart way behind on just 7.6 per cent, Amber Rudd on 7.1 per cent and Michael Gove on 7 per cent. Esther McVey moves to woo 'blue collar' Tories in leadership pitch The pitch from Ms McVey is likely to go down well with Tory members who view the UK's foreign aid budget as excessive Former minister Esther McVey set out a leadership pitch calling for the party to use 7billion of foreign aid cash on buckling British police forces and schools. Launching a 'blue collar conservatism' campaign the Brexiteer MP, 51, said her party had 'lost the trust' of working people by failing to leave the EU already and must pursue 'radical conservative agendas' to win it back'. She said that keeping cash in the UK that is currently sent abroad would allow an increase of 4billion in spending on schools and 3billion for police, which are both demanding more money. And she declined to rule out doing a post-election deal with Nigel Farage - but said that if the Tories got the UK out it would mean that his Brexit Party would have no reason to exist. Aid spending in 2010 stood at some 8.5billion. Last year it topped 14billion. The aid target was a centrepiece of David Cameron's 'modernisation' of the Tory party. Under a law passed by the coalition government, ministers must spend 0.7 per cent of national income every year on foreign aid. Miss McVey, who quit the Cabinet last year over Mrs May's Brexit deal, said Labour had abandoned working class voters and the Tories needed to take on that mantle. She added that the next Tory leader 'has to be a Brexiteer because it has to be someone who believes in Brexit'. Miss McVey also described Nigel Farage as a 'tour de force' who has caught the 'mood of the moment', adding: 'We can win that mood back when we deliver Brexit.' The Tory MP, who recently announced her engagement to fellow Tory MP Philip Davies, told the event in Westminster that the UK stood 'on the brink of the abyss of the most destructive socialist government ever'. Advertisement A hero pastor said 'divine intervention' led him to discovered the place where an abducted girl was being held captive in Fort Worth. Jeff King, Pastor at Bear Creek Bible Church in Keller, helped tracked down 8-year-old Salem Sabatka after she was snatched while out walking with her mom in Fort Worth on Saturday. A man, named as Michael Webb, 51, reportedly grabbed Salem and pushed her into this car at around 6.30pm, sparking a massive police operation to try and find her. Scroll down for video Jeff King, Pastor at Bear Creek Bible Church in Keller, went out looking for Salem Sabatka after she was kidnapped on Saturday Eight-year-old Salem Sabatka (left) has been found safe after being snatched off the street while on a walk with her mother in Fort Worth, Texas, on Saturday evening. Her alleged abductor, 51-year-old Michael Webb (right). has been charged with aggravated kidnapping After King, a childhood friend of Salem's parents, heard about the shocking incident he and a friend started scouring the streets of Fort Worth searching for the suspect's car. 'I was sitting at home with my wife when a friend texted and said that our friends' daughter had been kidnapped. All I could think is what are we going to do to help?' King told NBC DFW. He and a friend searched until after midnight when they got a tip from someone that they should check out a hotel in Forest Hill. After searching the car park at the tip-off location they found no sign of the suspect's car. But, purely by chance, the pair then pulled into the Wood Springs Suites hotel nearby and saw one which fitted the description. 'God literally led us to this place. It was not on my itinerary, I was not trying to go there, we just drove by. It was divine intervention, 100 per cent,' he said. King called police and it was just a matter of time before they figured out Salem was inside of the hotel and they were able to rescue her. The kidnapper shoved Salem's mother out of the car before driving off as she frantically called 911, screaming: 'Help me please, someone call the police, my daughter just got kidnapped' King, a childhood friend of Salem's parents, found the suspect's car at the Wood Springs Suites hotel 'It was a crazy moment. I asked police, 'Did I hear that right? Did they find her? Is she safe?' he said. 'Then finally one officer said, 'Yes sir, they have her.' Police allowed King to be the one to call Salem's parents and tell them the little girl had been found alive. Heart-wrenching surveillance video showed Salem's mother jumping into the vehicle and desperately trying to save her daughter before the kidnapper shoved her out and drove off. The car sped off and the mother immediately dialed 911, screaming: 'Help me please, someone call the police, my daughter just got kidnapped.' Police thanked the public for spreading the information about the suspect, which ultimately allowed them to bring Salem home. Michael Webb, 51, has been arrested and booked on a charge of aggravated kidnapping. The map above shows the roughly eight miles between where Salem was abducted at approximately 6.38pm Saturday and where she was found hours later in a hotel room A furious lifeguard has been filmed brawling with a naked man on a beach in northern Cyprus after he refused to put his clothes on. The fight was recorded by sunbathers at the family beach who watched on as punches and kicks went flying. According to witnesses the lifeguard had approached the man and told him to dress himself before the situation turned violent. This is the moment a lifeguard began fighting with a naked man on a family beach in northern Cyprus because he refused to put his clothes back on In the clip, the lifeguard appears to be pointing his finger in the naked beach-goer's face before he starts pushing him. The nude man appears to use a stick he is holding to hit the lifeguard, as the two men start fighting. A third man then intervenes and pulls the naked beach-goer onto the sand before pinning him down. The lifeguard then repeatedly kicks the nude man, while the passerby also throws punches at him. According to local media, the offender was handed over to the police who took him to a nearby station for questioning. It is unclear if any further action will be taken against the nude man. A vision impaired passenger is furious after a heartless taxi driver demanded she dump her guide dog in the boot or find another ride. Cindy Barrett, who has only two per cent vision in her right eye, was attempting to get into the taxi at Townsville Hospital when she received the cruel ultimatum. 'It's like putting your child in your boot; you just wouldn't do it,' she told the Townsville Bulletin. Cindy Barrett was leaving Townsville Hospital after visiting her aunt when she tried to get into a Checker Cabs taxi, as she often uses public transport Ms Barrett and her dog Daisy were leaving the hospital in North Queensland after she visited her aunt. The driver refused to let Ms Barrett into the vehicle unless Daisy went in the boot for the 20-minute trip. Ms Barrett said the taxi company, Checkers Cabs, didn't get her initial complaint but was now investigating the incident. She said guide dogs were taught to sit between their owner's legs on public transport. 'It was very confronting. It's hard enough for us to get around as it is; our dogs are our sight and then to be discriminated against,' she told the paper. 'It's dangerous; the dog is not secured in the boot.' The driver refused to let Ms Barrett into the vehicle unless Daisy went in the boot for the 20-minute trip Ms Barrett told she had never been discriminated against before for having a guide dog She told Channel 7: 'She's my eyes. It's just not on'. Checker Cabs told 7 News it believes all people should have access to public transport. 'Checker Cabs investigates all complaints thoroughly and encourages any passenger who has experienced an incident in this regard to make contact with the administration section,' the statement read. The company said it was a clear breach to refuse Ms Barrett and Daisy service and that drivers who fail to adhere to guidelines would be disciplined. Ms Barrett told she had never been discriminated against before for having a guide dog. A wife was gang-raped at gunpoint before masked attackers doused her in acid and cut her hair off, police in Pakistan said. The 32-year-old victim was asleep with her children at their home in the town of Fatehpur in the Punjab when two masked attackers broke in. They held the mother hostage at gunpoint while raping her and cut her hair off before throwing acid over her back, right arm and legs. Her husband lives in Karachi and the suspects were able to escape. The 32-year-old victim was asleep with her children at their home in the town of Fatehpur when two masked attackers broke in [file photo] She was rushed to the local hospital, according to Dawn where she is in a stable condition. Investigation Officer ASI Muhammad Saleem said fingerprints had been gathered from the home and they were hunting for suspects. It is the latest shocking case to rock the country after a young woman was reportedly raped and murdered by hospital staff last month. Family members were informed she had died of an antibiotic reaction but post-mortem results revealed evidence of sexual assault and murder. Also in April, a woman who went to report having been gang-raped to the police says she was further raped by an officer. The assistant sub-inspector was arrested after he is said to have raped her in the police station under the pretence he was going to take a witness statement. A cigarette store employee underwent extensive surgery after a 14-year-old boy allegedly stabbed her in the face during an armed robbery. Police allege the teenager entered the Cignall Specialist Tobacconist in Parramatta in Sydney's west at 7:40pm on Monday night armed with a knife. He is alleged to have demanded 25-year-old employee Rachel Phan hand over cash, but instead she lunged for a chair to try to fight him off. Ms Phan suffered a stab wound only millimeters from her eye socket and brain, with the knife left lodged in her bone. He is believed to have demanded 25-year-old employee Rachel Phan (pictured) hand over cash in the store, but instead she lunged for a chair to try to subdue him Her boss, Kelvin Wu, told 9News the university student and part time worker was 'too brave' during the attack. Mr Wu said the teenager threw the knife at his employee after she tried to defend herself, and that nearby witnesses called an ambulance. 'The knife did not touch her brain and eyes. It only stopped on the bone,' he said. When asked about the teenager's possible motives, Mr Wu blamed boredom. 'My own opinion it's very bad because at the moment they don't know how to find something fun or something like that and have to find the electronic cigarette,' he said. A cigarette store employee and university student underwent extensive surgery after a 14-year-old boy allegedly stabbed her in the face during an armed robbery Kelvin Wu said the teenager threw the knife at his employee after she tried to defend herself, and that witnesses called an ambulance Ms Phan was treated at the scene for the stab wound to her head and taken to Westmead Hospital where she underwent emergency surgery to remove the weapon. She remains in a stable condition. NSW Ambulance Acting Inspector Joe Ibrahim said 'the knife was still in her eye socket when the paramedics got there... she was extremely lucky to have not lost her vision. A centimeter either way and she could've lost her eye.' Police allege the boy fled the scene with E-cigarettes after the incident with a man who was waiting out the front. They eventually traced him back to a home in The Ponds, in western Sydney, at about 1am. He was taken to Riverstone Police Station where he was charged with armed robbery resulting in wounding. The teen didn't apply for bail. Ms Phan suffered a stab wound only millimeters from her eye socket, with the knife left lodged in her bone A furious mother-of-two claims her family was served raw and mouldy food on a 1,600 TUI 'holiday from hell'. Francesca Henley paid for an all-inclusive week-long stay at TUI's Marina Parc Hotel in Arenal d'en Castell, Menorca, earlier this month. But the 33-year-old likened the meals to 'prison food', claiming the hotel regularly 'ran out of food and drink', forcing the family to eat 'crisps and bread rolls from a nearby supermarket'. Francesca Henley, her husband and two sons went on an all-inclusive week-long stay at the TUI hotel this month The mother-of-two claims the chicken was raw in the middle and the bread was 'mouldy' The family claim they were unable to use the pool and slides because they had not been cleaned Mrs Henley, from Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, also claims her son was 'electrocuted' by a hot drinks machine. She also claims the hotel water park was not fully open, with 'dirty slides', 'leftover water from last year' and 'human excrement in the pool.' Mrs Henley, from Weston-Super-Mare, described it as the 'holiday from hell' Footage filmed by Mrs Henley shows water coming out of the Coca Cola dispensers alongside pictures of chicken appearing to be raw in the middle. TUI UK said staff regularly audit their hotels in respect of health and safety, including hygiene. Mrs Henley, who was away with her husband Darren Henley and sons Logan Henley, eight, and Mason Henley, six, said: 'You wouldn't give a prisoner raw food like that - you'd get better food in prison than there. 'We hadn't been away on holiday in five years so it was supposed to be a nice treat but it's been ruined, I'm absolutely devastated. 'There was hardly any food there but most of the time we were served chicken, rice, some courgettes and potatoes that weren't cooked - that was the all-inclusive meal. 'It was either red on the outside and red on the inside or charred to the death on the outside and still raw on the inside. The family stayed at TUI's Marina Parc Hotel in Arenal d'en Castell, Menorca She said bars ran out of food, beer and the Coke machine was giving out water Mrs Henley said the hotel regularly ran out of food and bread, leaving guests hungry 'I thought there was some cooked chicken kebabs out and me and my son actually ate a bit, I then thought to double check inside it and it looked raw. 'The texture of it was just gristle, I spat it out straight away and told my little boy not to eat any more. We kept complaining every day to the reps. 'My husband is really laid back but even he admitted it could kill someone and said, "you see this on Watchdog all the time". I said, "yes but you don't expect to be in it". 'My son Logan was also electrocuted off the drinks machine. It was a holiday from hell.' She said bars ran out of food, beer and the Coke machine was giving out water. How TUI's Marina Parc Hotel in Arenal d'en Castell is advertised on the website The mother-of-two claims sunloungers were 'covered in bird droppings and mould,' while the slides were 'filthy' 'We got there as soon as it opened for breakfast at 8am and all we got was that boiled egg and a piece of bread with mould on it.' Because the family had opted for all-inclusive they hadn't budgeted for meals so had to make do with burgers and chip from the water park. Mrs Henley said: 'We just had enough for ice creams to buy out and some toys we wanted to get. Even if we did have the money there wasn't really anywhere around to eat as it was quite secluded. 'We had no facilities in the hotel to do anything so that week we lived off crisps and bread rolls, it was awful.' The mother-of-two claims sunloungers were 'covered in bird droppings and mould,' while the slides were 'filthy.' Just weeks ago James Collins, from Brighton, posted images on Facebook of 'undercooked meat' from evening meals at the Marina Parc Hotel. Mr Collins, a security officer at Gatwick Airport, also complained of 'mould in rooms, bar queues of 25 minutes, a lack of entertainment and rude staff.' The 27-year-old claims that he and his party spent some 1,000 on food, because they were unable to eat at the hotel. A TUI UK spokesperson said: 'A TUI UK spokesperson said: 'We are very sorry to hear of Ms Henleys experience at the Marina Parc Hotel in Menorca and thank her for bringing this to our attention. Wed like to reassure customers that we regular audit all of the hotels we feature in respect of health and safety, including hygiene. We will be in contact with the customer to apologise and look into this further.' This is the heartbreaking picture that Stacey shared of her sister, showing Lucy White brain stem dead after a cocktail of drugs A heartbroken daughter has revealed how drugs robbed her of both her 'golden student' sister and her mother within eight months of one another. Stacey Jordan, 29, shared heart-wrenching images of drugs charity volunteer Lucy White, 24, being kept alive with wires and tubes. The criminology student suffered a seizure at home after taking a cocktail of cocaine and powerful prescription drugs in May last year. She says her sister's death inspired their mother, Annabel White, to stop using the class A drug. But Ms White died aged just 51 in January this year, eight months after losing her daughter. Stacey, from Bristol, buried the pair's ashes in the same grave after finding heart-wrenching unsent letters in her mother's flat praising her and Lucy, both of whom spent part of their childhood in foster care. She said: 'I blame drugs for both of their deaths. If my mum hadn't been addicted to drugs then our lives could have gone a completely different way. 'My mum couldn't look after me and Lucy. Lucy struggled with the fact she wasn't with her mum. If she wasn't on drugs then Lucy wouldn't have taken them. Ultimately their deaths are the drugs' fault. 'My mum either got herself clean and then died anyway, or she had an overdose and died. Either way is pretty horrible. I don't know if she wanted to die. Lucy White (pictured, left) died aged 24 after taking cocaine and prescription drugs. Her sister Stacey Jordan (right) has spoken of her pain at the drug deaths of her sibling as well as her mother just months later 'I do blame her for Lucy's death. Obviously I know that she didn't force drugs into Lucy and she wasn't even present at the time [Lucy died]. 'The issue isn't that Lucy took drugs and passed away - it's because she had a whole connection with my mum. 'That's where it went wrong - once my sister accepted [my mum's addiction] and saw that she wasn't clean, she told her she just didn't want her to lie to her anymore. 'My mum said, "okay I won't, we will be straight up with each other". My mum started doing it in front of my sister. 'Lucy couldn't get away because she loved her so much and in the end it killed her. It's so hard to walk away from the peer pressure of your family and people you love. 'I am much more selfish than what Lucy would ever have been, and it's been beneficial to me. 'Lucy was the opposite - too kind, trying to make everybody better all the time and not looking after herself. She got sucked into the world my mum was in. 'My mum realised after. She had a lot of time on her own to deliberate. She paid the price in the end.' Stacey had previously tried to help her sister get clean in 2017 when she first found out she was taking drugs, but Lucy returned to narcotics. After suffering a seizure, Lucy's brain was starved of oxygen for 40 minutes and she was declared brain stem dead. Annabel White (right) died months after her daughter Lucy (left) and both were casual users of cocaine Stacey rushed to Lucy's bedside after receiving the terrible call in the middle of the night to find the once beautiful student being kept alive with wires and tubes. The security officer shared heart-wrenching images of her sister moments before her death as a warning to others about the dangers of drugs. The post went viral with more than 200,000 likes and shares as Stacey bravely told the world her sister, who had previously volunteered for drugs charities, was dead. She said: 'Anyone would have said Lucy was like a sunshine - her hair was bright blonde, and she was always smiling. She used to be terrified of getting into trouble. She didn't even drink that much. 'She tried to make a difference in everyone's life, she helped everybody - and she was just happy. 'I hate what happened to her so much. She was clever, and she had everything going for her until, obviously, she didn't.' In unsent notes addressed to Stacey and written after Lucy's death, their mother wrote: 'Thank you from the bottom of my heart, you have done our Lucy and me proud. 'Thank you for arranging everything I would not know where to begin. She looks beautiful in baby blue, Lucy's favourite colour, she looked like sleeping beauty. 'I only wish one kiss would wake her up, the best ones go first. I know she is shining down on us all, one of them stars is my Lucy Lu. I still have not got my head around it, why? RIP.' Stacey buried the ashes of her sister and mother together despite the anger she feels toward her mother for using drugs In another letter thought to be written before Lucy died, Annabel called her 'my love, my world' and her 'light at the end of the tunnel'. Stacey said: 'I did give my mum a funeral because once I went to her flat and saw those notes from her I realised there's not a chance in hell Lucy will not come back and haunt me, especially if I don't put my mum in [the same grave as] my sister. 'It's all Lucy ever wanted. She wrote to my mum when she was in care saying 'I love you so much, I know you can be a really good mum, I can't wait for us to be together'. 'My mum returned it saying, "I can't wait, we're going to be back together soon" and I was thinking - I cannot not put you together. It's morally wrong for them to not be together. Mum didn't want to live without Lucy. That was very, very clear.' Stacey was heartbroken to discover that her mum had always shown promise as a little girl, and only lost her way after she became addicted to drugs shortly after her elder daughter turned two. This heartbreaking note from Lucy to her mother shows how concerned she was about her parent's drug use In 2016, the mum's 27-year addiction had left her using dirty needles which put her at risk of arm amputation - before she had six skin grafts to cover the damage. However Stacey was informed that her mum had given up drugs, had applied for a mobility scooter and was making attempts to attend bingo over the road. Stacey claims Annabel missed Lucy but was inspired to try and turn her life around after her demise. She believes Annabel, who was type one diabetic, had been taking her insulin but had not taken her other 12 medications for nearly two weeks before her death on January 18. 'I was really angry with my mum at the beginning but as time has gone on and I've cleared her flat out, I feel less angry towards her,' she said. 'Obviously the circumstances to how she died, nobody deserves that. Regardless of what you've done. My mum was on the planet for 51 years and she didn't have one friend. 'I understand my mum picked drugs over her children continuously and caused so much pain for me and my sister, but she didn't start out like that. 'She never had an ambition to be like that. I wish I could have a time machine and go back to the point where she took drugs and find out what happened. 'Was she peer pressured? Was there a traumatic event that pushed her into it and she couldn't get out of it? 'People need to educate themselves. Addiction is a disease. If it was easy to stop it then you wouldn't have addicts, would you? 'I'm much less judgmental now. I'm much more open to everything now. I'm much less stressed about everything. The stress that I've been through compares to nothing in day-to-day life.' A 54-year-old man has choked to death on a slice of pizza in Italy. The man, from Naples, was taken to a hospital in the city after a piece of mozzarella cheese became lodged in his airway. According to reports in Italy, the man's skin had turned blue by the time he arrived in hospital on Saturday evening. Medics tried a Heimlich manouevre and attempted last-ditch surgery but were unable to save the patient's life, according to Fanpage Naples. A man from Naples died at the San Paolo hospital (pictured) in the city after a piece of mozzarella became lodged in his airway Italian media reports have pointed to a possible dispute between doctors once he arrived at the San Paolo hospital. The row is said to have taken place between an anesthesiologist and his medical colleagues. It is claimed that this argument may have wasted valuable time and delayed a medical procedure. Family members of the man, who has not been named, have reportedly spoken to Italian police. The national Carabinieri police force is said to be investigating the matter. The 54-year-old died after choking on a pizza on Saturday evening (stock photo) Last November a former boxer choked to death during a televised croissant eating contest in Argentina. Mario Melo, 56, collapsed behind the contest's announcer as he was choking on a medialuna, a traditional Argentine croissant. His sister said viewers thought he was pulling a prank, but he kept desperately gesturing to the announcer for help. Melo was a light heavyweight and heavyweight champion of South America in the 1980s and 1990s. Advertisement Portraits of actor Sir Ian McKellen and artist Grayson Perry have been shortlisted in an international photography prize. The British Journal of Photography and 1854 competition OpenWalls Arles is aimed at creating opportunities for emerging and established artists. This year's theme is Home and Away and urged participants to capture a sense of 'belonging, escapism and identity'. Photographer Frederic Aranda captured Sir Ian, who played wizard Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings series, wrapped in a large grey duvet while standing on a balcony overlooking the Thames. Richard Ansett captured cross-dresser Grayson Perry in his classic style looking into the distance while holding a baby and dressed in a pink and yellow laced frock. Images were taken at locations around the world, including Dublin, London, Krakow, Berlin and Seoul, and three finalists, Gregory Michenaud, Louise Hagger and Urszula Tarasiewicz, were chosen from the top fifty images. This portrait of Sir Ian McKellen, taken by photographer Frederic Aranda, has been shortlisted for the British Journal of Photograpy and 1854 competition OpenWalls Arles. The shot shows the Lord of the Rings actor wrapped up in a large grey duvet on a balcony overlooking the Thames. Mr Aranda has previously photographed the likes of Prince Philip, Margaret Thatcher and Rosamund Pike Another of the shortlisted shots, taken by Richard Ansett, shows artist Grayson Perry holding a baby while framed by pink sheer curtains and bunches of flowers. The competition is aimed at creating opportunities for emerging and established artists. This picture is thought to have been taken at Grayson's London home This year's theme is Home and Away and urged participants to capture a sense of 'belonging, escapism and identity'. Left: a woman breastfeeding, taken by Sanni Saarinen, a Finnish photographer. It is part of a series on 'Longing for roots', of which she said: 'I started to photograph my own toposphilia [strong sense of place] in 2015 when I returned to Finland, to my home country, after living more than a decade abroad. Soon after my daughter was born and as my spouse is Spanish, we still live part of the year in Spain. I started to think a lot about identity and roots, home and belonging.' Right: an elderly woman with rollers in her hair gazes at herself in a hand-held mirror in the bathroom at her home in Berlin, Germany, by Nina Roder. The colours of her dress, turquoise and beige, are the same as the wall and floor tiles. It forms part of a series called 'Mutters Schuhe' and separately shows three women of varying ages wearing the same outfit in the same room Images were taken at locations around the world, including Dublin, London, Krakow, Berlin and Seoul, and three finalists, Gregory Michenaud, Louise Hagger and Urszula Tarasiewicz, were chosen from the top fifty images. Pictured: a portrait of a woman standing in front of a table in an outfit that matches the table cloth. The image, taken by Yisook Sohn, is part of a series on middle class women living in a boomtown near Seoul, Korea. The photographer said of the portrait: 'However, women in the photographs are all different, but they look uniformly similar in some respects. People who have lost their character as they are disconnected from the past seem to be similar in mixed culture rather than being distinguished from others' Finalist Gregory Michenaud's entry features a prefab house in Krakow, Poland, filled with Hasidic Jews reading. The group appear very cramped inside as night falls. The shot comes from a series entitled 'Yibbum', which tells the 'story of a grand-son of a grand-son of a "Yibbum child" it means of a child coming from Jewish tradition of levirate marriage in the search of his identity' Finalist Urszula Tarasiewicz, from Krakow, Poland, photographed a dusty orange sofa bed in a room of the same colour. The walls are grimy and feature a faded circular outline that serves as reminded of a picture frame or mirror that used to hang there. The shot comes from a series documenting flats on Garden Street in the city of odz after around 150 tenants were evicted. The apartments were in the first residential complex for workers in the city, and were abandoned after a factory across the road from the building shut down The gallery exhibition will coincide with the 50th edition of Les Rencontres d'Arles, one of the world's most established photographic festivals. Pictured: two women playing together in Iceland. The picture is from a series by Tabea Simple called 'Alone no more' in which two people are pictured meeting and slowly getting to know each other. She said of the piece: 'The way out of loneliness is not always easy. It is a process and it takes time and patience to let go, to learn to trust again, to start over' The 50 shortlisted images will be displayed as part of a group show in the 17th century style gallery, situated in the cultural heart of Arles, Galerie Huit Arles, where they will be displayed until August 1. Diego Fabro, who was raised in Curitiba, Brazil, but moved to Dublin in 2006, took this shot of a man lit up from the glowing screen of his TV as he pets his dog. In the background, another man can be seen in front of the stove Aaron Waters, 26,(pictured alongside his partner Chay Wallace) was arrested at an underground garage in Manly, in northeast Sydney, on May 10 The grandparents of an accused drug dealer who was arrested after police allegedly uncovered a huge haul of drugs and cash in his garage are prepared to offer up the title deeds to their Queensland home to secure his bail. Aaron Waters, 26, was arrested at his underground garage in Manly, on Sydney's northern beaches, on May 10, following a two-month police probe. Police allegedly found cocaine, 1.3kg of MDMA, $104,000 cash and luxury Rolex watches in the garage - enough to charge him with large commercial drug supply. Waters, who previously flaunted his luxury lifestyle on Instagram, appeared via video link in Manly Local Court on Tuesday after he was charged with seven serious offences. In an affidavit handed to the court, his girlfriend Chay Wallace, 23, claimed she had been left 'dumbfounded' by the drug dealing allegations made against Waters. 'While he did have a bump in the road last year when he possessed a very small amount of cocaine (0.269 grams which was weighed with the packaging) this was the only time Aaron has ever fallen foul of the criminal law,' Ms Wallace said, according to the Daily Telegraph. Ms Wallace also offered up a $50,000 surety to help secure her partner's bail. Defence lawyer Jehane Ghabrial told the court Waters could hand over $60,000 through his swimming pool cleaning business 'Dee Why Superior Pool Care'. Ms Ghabria also said if the combined amount of money put down by Ms Wallace and Waters was not sufficient enough, Waters' grandparents were willing to deposit the title deeds to their home. Waters (pictured right) shared an image of a recent holiday he enjoyed to his social media account Aaron Waters, 26, (pictured) was arrested at an underground garage in Manly, in northeast Sydney, around 9.30am on Friday Police prosecutor Sergeant Adrian Walsh opposed giving Waters bail and rejected the initial offer of Waters and Ms Wallace's money. 'Some $104,000 in cash was found at the premises, what's being proposed is pretty much that sum, which I would submit is not a large amount for a person charged with large commercial supply,' Sergeant Walsh said. Instead he asked Magistrate Miranda Moody to consider 'some other form of surety' in the form of Water's grandparents' house. Magistrate Moody agreed with Sergeant Walsh and said Waters could be released on bail but only if his grandparents handed over the title deeds to their home in person at Tweed Local Court. Ms Wallace was also required to deposit the $50,000 sum. Magistrate Moody also noted bail could be granted because of Waters' 'strong community ties'. Sergeant Walsh said they had a 'very strong prosecution' including 'significant surveillance' and other evidence which police had obtained via a warrant. When Waters is let out on bail he must live at his home in Collaroy Plateau. He will only be allowed to leave the premises to either: attend court, attend work, or for ant medical matters in the company of immediate family members or Ms Wallace. Waters (pictured) had been very active on social media and has more than 24,000 followers on Instagram Waters (pictured), who previously flaunted his luxury lifestyle on Instagram, appeared via video link in Manly Local Court on Tuesday Waters is due to reappear in court in July. Prior to his arrest Waters had been very active on social media and has more than 24,000 followers on Instagram. In several images the bodybuilder can be seen soaking up the sun in a number of picturesque locations. While in other photographs Waters is seen dining on refined foods such as seafood and steak. The heavily-tattooed hunk is an avid gym-goer and often shared snaps of his workouts. Advertisement Author: Sepp de Giampietro sits (far left) with two comrades on a German tank. He was a member of Hitler's special forces unit during World War II and his memoirs have been translated into English for the first time These fascinating images reveal life and death in Hitler's feared special forces unit during World War II. The ruthless Brandenburgers were known for using captured uniforms and fluency in other languages to disguise themselves as enemy soldiers and carry out spy missions abroad. One such soldier, Sepp de Giampietro, wrote a first-hand account called Blood and Soil: The Memoirs of a Third Reich Brandenburger, which has now been translated into English for the first time. The book follows the young soldier through some of the war's most brutal conflicts on the Eastern Front and in the Balkans, including in Latvia where 90 per cent of the Jewish population was killed. His war ended when he was severely injured in an assault in Montenegro in December 1943. First published in German in 1984, de Giampietro's highly personal memoir is a vivid account of his experiences. In gruesome detail, he delves into the reality of life in the unit from everyday concerns and politics to training and involvement in Brandenburger missions. However, in the book's postscript de Giampietro describes how he came to realise the horror of the Nazis. 'The war bore no justification,' he writes in the postscript. 'As a soldier, I suddenly realised this truth, and all its implications, and I was filled with profound sadness. 'All those involved, Germans and Italians, must draw lessons from our tragic past, one caused by confusion, fanatic nationalism and their disastrous developments. 'It must not be that violence, hate and terror inform our lives. Instead it is a duty for us all to ensure that our shared homeland is grounded in civil and human rights, and this can only come about if we are committed to mutual tolerance, mutual respect and a willingness to strive for it.' Victory parade: The Brandenburger special forces unit celebrate victory in Athens on May 3, 1941. Seen in the front row from left are Lieutenant Grabert, Oberjager Slama, Private Burrer, Private Hass, and book author Private de Giampietro. Axis power Italy invaded Greece in October 1940 but Greek forces held back their advance and pushed them back into neighbouring Albania. However Germany pushed through Greek defences in April 1941 and had occupied the country three months later. German forces finally fled Greece in October 1944 as the Third Reich began to collapse Gathering the dead and wounded: Germans carry out grisly work after a battle in Bataysk, Russia. De Giampetro describes a disastrous Brandeburger mission there, the attempted capture of the bridge at Bataysk where half of his unit were killed, believed to be in July 1942. A Russian regiment liberated part of the city from German occupiers in February 1943, according to a local government website. Bataysk was also significant around the time of the 1941 Battle of Rostov, a port city close to Bataysk. Rostov was of strategic importance as a railway junction and a river port accessing the Caucasus Fallen: The graves of some of de Giampietro's comrades are seen on an unknown battlefield. They are all of a typical Wehrmacht design, of a steel helmet on top of a Christian cross. It is unclear if these are from the war in Russia but German graves from the Eastern Front are still being discovered. Last year Russian workmen laying a water pipe in Volgograd - formerly known as Stalingrad - stumbled on a mass grave containing the remains of almost 2,000 German soldiers Raise the flag: A Nazi swastika is hoisted above the Acropolis in Athens after a successful invasion. The Brandenburger special forces raised the emblem on Sunday, April 27, 1941, at 9.30 in the morning. The Nazis imposed a collaborationist government although Greek partisans continued to take on German forces across the country's mainland and many islands, particularly Crete. A huge number of civilians died from starvation during the German occupation, an estimated 40,000 in Athens alone The Brandenburgers had a ruthless attitude, exemplified in a speech to de Giampietro by Nazi lieutenant Siegfried Grabert when the young soldier raised questions about the 'honour' of wearing an enemy uniform during war. Grabert said: 'No, there is nothing dishonourable in what we are doing, if, well, if we are successful!' In one passage de Giampietro is tasked with ensuring the British forces cannot blow up a bridge to halt the German advance into Greece. Wearing Serbian uniforms, the Brandenburgers sneak on a bridge controlled by Allied forces in a mission under the noses of enemy soldiers. 'At this point, just about everything was chaos,' recalled de Giampietro. 'Everyone was running back and forth, away from everything and in all directions. Nobody knew what game was being played there. 'Civilians had vanished from the face of the earth. It was only we who acted, and we did so with purpose and skill. We actually welcomed the panic that had erupted. 'I ran up to the bridge. With wire cutters, we cut every wire we came across. While still running, we pulled our Serbian greatcoats off and chucked away the headgear. 'We grabbed hold of our own mountain caps from our belts and put them on so that we wouldn't kill each other. Once again, we were German soldiers.' Line-up: De Giampietro's unit reports for duty. The Brandenburgers were Hitler's Special Forces, a band of mainly foreign German nationals who used disguise and fluency in other languages to complete spy missions into enemy territory. De Giampetro's memoirs follow the young soldier through the deadliest conflicts on the Eastern Front and the Balkans. Eventually de Giampietro was severely injured in an assault in Montenegro in December 1943 and his war as a soldier ended Wreckage: The bridge of Maikop in the Caucasus after another bloody Brandenburger battle. Some of the battle's casualties are still lying on the ground. The date is unknown but the oil-rich Maikop region was a centre of fighting in the Caucasus between 1942 and 1944. Hitler's legions drove deep into the Russian heartland in the spring of 1942, threatening the oilfields of the Caucasus. But in January 1943 Soviet forces launched a decisive push back, decimating the German 6th Army and expelling German forces from the Caucasus Pictured left: A Nazi grave, made up of a cross with a damaged helmet on top, believed to be in Daugavpils, Latvia. The grave marker says that Wolfram Knaak 'died for Greater Germany' along with a number of his comrades on June 26, 1941, at military postcode 03271. It followed the German occupation of Latvia in 1941 in the throes of the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union. Pictured right: a photo of Siegfried Grabert, a member of the special forces who died in July 1942 Advance: German tanks are seen in a valley with soldiers walking alongside the battle formation. The elite Brandenburgers were often used to lead Third Reich attack. In one mission, they wore Serbian uniforms and sneaked on to a bridge controlled by Allied forces. Sepp de Giampietro recalls how 'civilians had vanished from the face of the earth' He also details the often foolhardy missions his unit was sent on, including the June 1941 seizure of bridges in Latvia and the attempted capture of a bridge at Bataysk in Russia where half of his unit were killed. Military historian Lawrence Paterson, who writes the book's foreword, explains: 'Of all the special forces that saw action during the Second World War, few are as misunderstood as Germany's Brandenburgers. 'A personal account such as this written by Sepp de Giampietro is invaluable to increasing our understanding of the Brandenburgers as a whole. 'This is an extraordinary book that has not been fictionalised to enhance its readability. Such an extravagance is not required. 'The pages turn willingly as the author takes us on his journey through the inferno of the Second World War as part of one of the most enigmatic special forces units of that time.' Sepp de Giampietro's translated Blood and Soil: The Memoirs of a Third Reich Brandenburger, published by Pen and Sword Books, is due for the release at the end of the month. Conquest: The bridge over the Daugava river in Daugavpils, Lithuania, is seen from the river bank with the city in the background on fire. The city, called Dunaburg by the Germans, was captured and secured at dawn on June 26, 1941 in a camouflage operation by the half-company Knaak, of the 8th Company of the Brandenburg special forces. The Nazis occupied it until 1944 when it was liberated but Latvia was re-absorbed into the Soviet Union Scene of triumph: The Vardar bridge near Axiopolis, Greece. This was the only bridge crossing the Vardar river which was taken undamaged by the Germans, during a camouflage mission led by Lieutenant Grabert of the Brandenburger special forces.Grabert was honoured with the Knight's Cross. For the author, de Giampietro, it was a baptism of fire in the special forces and he was decorated with the Iron Cross, Second Class Devastation: The remains of a captured vehicle in which the Brandenburger special forces, dressed in Russian uniform, had crossed a bridge in Daugavpils, Latvia. The vehicle overturned and fell over the embankment. Nearly 80,000 Jews, or 90 percent of Latvia's prewar Jewish population, were killed during the German occupation in 1941-42 Memorial: The graves of Siegfried Grabert and Oskar Huller at a bridge near Bataysk. They were the men who first led de Giampietro into battle but they were killed, as their grave markers show, in July 1942. Their ages and years of birth are not given on the plaque, but a Feldpostnummer - a type of postcode used for transporting items between members of the German armed forces - shows the location (numbered 03271) for both men's deaths The children of a bomb disposal expert killed in a blast in Syria last year have expressed anger at the state in which their father's body was returned to them. Andy Jones, 59, was working disarming bombs left by ISIS and Syrian forces last October when he was killed by an explosion in a building in Raqqa. His three children, Leigh, 31, Karl, 27, and Lucy, 26, are upset at the lack of information they received from his employer, US private firm Tetra Tech, and the incomplete body which was returned to them. They were informed the father's body was intact and bought a suit and shoes for him to be buried in. But they later discover his legs had been blown off in the blast and the fingers from his right hand were also missing. Andy Jones, one of Britain's most experienced bomb disposal experts, was killed in Syria Karl, from Penyffordd, Wales, said: 'His legs and fingers have not been recovered but were left to be eaten by rats and stray dogs. 'We also learnt that he was transported to Iraq completely naked with no respect at all for his dignity.' The siblings say they have be told little about the circumstances of their father's death, and only managed to find out some of the details from witness statements given to the UK coroner. Karl told the Liverpool Echo: 'Despite verbal assurances from Tetra Tech's family liaison officer that we would have a written incident report within two weeks of the incident happening, we still had nothing. 'The only account we have is from a witness statement that we obtained ourselves by request, through the coroner's office.' Terms and conditions in Mr Jones contract mean they are not entitled to a large payment he thought they would get if he was killed. His children Karl, Lucy, and Leigh, are angry at the state his body was returned to them in Mr Jones was working as a humanitarian in Raqqa, working to clean up the city so locals could move back after the city was liberated from ISIS. He had previously worked in Iraq and Northern Ireland and his family described him as a 'hard-working hero'. During a 40-year career in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, he completed two tours of duty in Northern Ireland. Following actions in 1990, was awarded a Queens Commendation for Brave Conduct. Since leaving the Army, he had worked in Oman, Kuwait, Kurdistan, the Congo, South Sudan, Mozambique, Iraq and Afghanistan training others to disarm mines. Tetra Tech have declined to comment. An inquest will be held later this year. Brian Couture, 40, pleaded guilty Monday to initiating a false report An Oregon father who stole his daughter's Girl Scout cookie earnings to pay for a $700 erotic massage has admitted staging a robbery at his home to cover his tracks. Brian David Couture, 40, called 911 on March 6 reporting that an intruder had entered his home in Forest Grove, near Portland through a sliding glass door. When officers arrived they found Couture unresponsive, his laptop damaged and the house ransacked. Some $700 was also missing from a jar containing the proceeds of his daughter's Girl Scout cookie sales. Couture was taken to hospital and later told police he had struggled with an intruder. The Washington County District Attorney's Office investigators found blood around the home and Couture is seen with a black eye in his mugshot. However, no suspects arose despite a search of the area and police quickly noticed multiple inconsistencies in Couture's version of events. One neighbor told KGW8 News at the time that the report of the burglary had sparked panic among local residents. Couture (pictured in court) was sentenced to community service and ordered to pay a fine after wasting police time by staging a robbery to hide the fact he had stolen his daughter's Girl Scout cookie money to pay for an erotic massage Brooke Gwin said: 'There were cops from all over, dogs, the forensic team, they had crime scene tape up everywhere. 'We put sticks in all of our doors and I started setting the alarm during the day because I was afraid to be home by myself during the day.' 'It's kind of really strange though, did he hit himself in the head. He went away in an ambulance.' The district attorney's office said the 40-year-old eventually admitted he had staged the robbery himself because he could not otherwise explain the missing money. Couture pleaded guilty on Monday to initiating a false police report. He was ordered to pay a $100 fine and given 80 hours of community service along with probation. Police carried out a search of the area but no suspect was located and Couture, who was taken to hospital, is said to have told officers he staged the attack The alleged staged burglary sparked concern among local residents who said there was 'cops from all over, dogs, the forensic team, they had crime scene tape up everywhere' A Girl Scouts spokeswoman said in a statement to Fox 12 that Couture is the father of a Girl Scout and that around $740 is unaccounted for in cookie sales in connection with this case. 'Since the March 18 arrest in this case, we have been in contact with the Forest Grove Police Department and are working with them to resolve the matter,' the statements reads. 'At this time, Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington is following our normal procedure to collect on funds owed. The stewardship of Girl Scout troop funds is a top priority for our organization, and that is our focus in this matter.' Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei today said the U.S. underestimated his company's capabilities after Washington blocked the Chinese telecom giant from using American suppliers and technologies amid a bitter trade war. The 75-year-old entrepreneur, worth $1.7 billion, said his company was fully prepared to face the ban from the Trump administration, but thanked his American business partners for helping Huawei grow along the years. The owner of the world's second largest smartphone maker however admitted that his family actually preferred the products from its competitor Apple as they use iPhones instead of Huawei handsets. Ren Zhengfei, 75, has spoken for the first time since his company Huawei was blocked from buying key parts and technologies from American suppliers by Washington amid a trade war Google, whose Android operating system powers most of the world's smartphones, also said it would cut ties with Huawei. This means new Huawei phones won't be able to use Android Ren made the remarks while speaking to a group of Chinese reporters in Huawei's headquarters in Shenzhen this morning. It is the first interview Ren has received since President Donald Trump last week issued orders to block Huawei and its 68 affiliations from buying key parts and components from American companies without special approval. Google, whose Android operating system powers most of the world's smartphones, has also said it would cut ties with Huawei as a result of the ban - a move that analysts say could spell 'the beginning of the end' for Huawei. The restrictions imposed on Huawei are the directly result of a tariff war between China and the U.S. Washington more than doubled tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese products earlier this month and Beijing retaliated by imposing higher tariffs on $60 billion of US goods The U.S. said yesterday it would delay implementation of the ban for 90 days. Previously, Washington has claimed that Huawei's gear could be used by China to spy on Americans - allegations Huawei has repeatedly denied. In addition, Ren's daughter Meng Wanzhou, the CFO of Huawei, was arrested in Canada in December and is facing criminal charges in the U.S. Meng, widely considered as Ren's heiress, is accused of using a Hong Kong shell company to sell equipment to Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. Huawei has denied the accusation. Ren's daughter Meng Wanzhou (pictured) is facing criminal charges in the U.S. Meng was arrested in Vancouver by Canadian police in December under the request of Washington Huawei has been under scrutiny in the West after Washington claimed that the firm's gear could be used by China to spy on Americans - allegations Huawei has repeatedly denied During today's interview, Ren said the situation with the U.S. should not fan up nationalism. He said 'conflicts' between Huawei and the U.S. were inevitable because 'both parties want to take the commanding point of the industry'. However, he admitted that he had expected the restrictions not to arrive for another two years. Ren assured that the ban would not affect the company's key product, 5G technology. He claimed that other companies wouldn't be able to catch up with their 5G technology in 'two or three years'. When asked about the move from Google, Ren revealed that Huawei had developed its own operating system, and claimed both Huawei and Google were trying to find ways to salvage the situation. He called Google 'a very good company'. Ren revealed that Huawei had developed its own operating system and claimed both Huawei and Google were trying to salvage the situation. He called Google 'a very good company' He confirmed that Huawei had its own backup supply of microchips and was capable of producing chips similar to those by American firms. Ren added that Huawei would not shun American suppliers and praised his competitor Apple. 'My family members still use Apple phones. Apple's operating system is very good,' said Ren according to state broadcaster China Central Television Station. Ren said Huawei would not shun American suppliers and praised his main competitor Apple He said his family owned iPhones and MacBooks and Apple had a 'very good' operating system 'When my family member went abroad, I even gave them MacBooks as presents. We cannot equate loving China to using Huawei phones,' he added. Ren also denied the reports of German chipmaker Infineon Technologies suspending its supply to Huawei. Ren was born in rural China to teacher parents and was a Communist soldier. He founded Huawei in 1987 at the age of 43 with 21,000 yuan (2,388) raised funds. His company beat Apple to become the world's second largest smartphone maker after South Korea's Samsung last August. The move against Huawei from Washington is the latest round of tariffs, sanctions and threats from President Trump and China's Xi Jingping who have failed to reach a trade deal The restrictions the U.S. put on Huawei are directly linked to an ongoing tariff war between Beijing and Washington. The trade war sprouted when US President Donald Trump criticised China's 'unfair' trading practices and launched an investigation into the Chinese trade policies in 2017. It intensified when Washington more than doubled tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese products earlier this month and Beijing retaliated by imposing higher tariffs on $60 billion of US goods. The two countries had attempted to ease the tensions through trade talks, but failed to reach an agreement. A man in China has been detained by police for smashing the window of a high-speed train to get some fresh air. The 30-year-old passenger, identified by his surname Xu, was caught on camera grabbing an emergency hammer and breaking the glass of the train door window. The man had been drinking and said he wanted to get off the train at the station for some fresh air but had failed to unlock the door, according to Chinese reports. The 30-year-old passenger, identified by his surname Xu, was caught on camera grabbing an emergency hammer and breaking the glass of the train door window in Jinan station The man had been drinking and said he wanted to get off the train at the station for some fresh air but had failed to unlock the door Photos of the damaged door window shows a large hole and shattered glass The G146 train travelling from Shanghai to Beijing last Tuesday was left stranded at Jinan West railway station in Shandong province due to mechanical failure, China News reported. The train had stopped at the station for 30 minutes before the passenger grew impatient and wanted to get off. Surveillance footage shows the frustrated man repeatedly pressing the green 'open door' button and pulling on the door handle. After failing to unlock the door, Xu went back to the carriage where he was sitting and grabbed the emergency hammer mounted on the wall The man struck the glass once before staff on the train stopped him and alerted police After failing to unlock the door, Xu went back to the carriage where he was sitting and grabbed the emergency hammer mounted on the wall. He struck the glass once in front of horrified passengers before staff stopped him and alerted police. Photos of the damaged door window shows a large hole and shattered glass. Xu later told police that he had been drinking Chinese baijiu and beer before boarding the train in Tai'an station in Shandong. Surveillance footage shows the frustrated man repeatedly pressing the green 'open door' button and pulling on the door handle. He smashes the glass after failing to unlock the door Passengers board a 'Fuxing' high speed bullet train on Beijing-Shanghai high speed railway line before it leaves the Cangnan railway station on November 20, 2017 'I smashed it once. I thought that would allow air to come in. I stopped after that,' he said. He was detained for intentionally damaging property, an offence that could lead to up to three years in jail. Police are conducting further investigations, the report added. A California teenager will plead guilty to stealing a lemur from Santa Ana zoo last year in the hope of keeping him as a pet, federal prosecutors said. Aquinas Kasbar, 19, from Newport Beach, allegedly broke into the zoo after hours on July 27 2018, and used bolt cutters to open an enclosure housing lemurs and capuchin monkeys. He then stole a 32-year-old ring-tailed lemur named Isaac - the oldest living member of its species in captivity in North America - according to the plea agreement filed on Monday. This undated booking photo provided by the Orange County District Attorney's Office shows Aquinas Kasbar, 19, of Newport Beach, California. Federal prosecutors say Kasbar has agreed to plead guilty to stealing a ring-tailed lemur from a Southern California zoo Although he originally intended to keep Isaac as a pet, Kaspar appeared to get cold feet as he left the animal outside a Newport Beach hotel the following day, prosecutors said. The animal was placed in a container with no ventilation, accompanied by a note saying: 'This belongs to the Santa Ana Zoo it was taken last night please bring it to police.' Media reported that Isaac wasn't hurt and was returned to the zoo. Kasbar's attorney, Brian Gurwitz, told NBC on Monday that the teenager 'quickly realized it was a bad decision' and 'took steps that night to ensure that it would be returned safely to the zoo.' This undated photo provided by the Santa Ana Zoo shows a ring-tailed lemur at the zoo. Aquinas Kasbar, 19, agreed to plead guilty to one misdemeanor count of unlawfully taking an endangered species 'It was a poor youthful decision made by a high school student,' Gurwitz added. Kasbar has agreed to plead guilty to one misdemeanor count of unlawfully taking an endangered species, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California said in a statement on Monday. He faces up to a year behind bars and a maximum fine of $100,000. The U.S. Attorney's Office said in a statement that the hole Kaspar cut in the zoo's enclosure allowed several other animals to escape - though they were all recovered. The incident reportedly cost the zoo almost $8,500. Kaspar is due to appear in court on May 28. The incident last July reportedly cost Santa Ana Zoo (pictured) almost $8,000 in total, as other animals escaped through the hole cut by Kasbar NBC reports that Kasbar is also facing multiple burglary charges in the Newport Beach area, with the estimated value of the stolen goods said to be 'in the several hundred thousands.' Kasbar has pleaded not guilty in that case and is free on bail, Gurwitz told the network. Ring-tailed lemurs are an endangered primate, partly due to the illegal pet trade. But lemur populations are under threat in the wild largely because of the destruction of their natural habitats. Madagascar has lost 90 per cent of its forests, leaving many of its native species on the brink of extinction. This is the skin-crawling moment a cockroach is found scuttling around inside a man's ear while a doctor tries to remove it. The man had arrived at a clinic in Bar Giant Province in Vietnam claiming there was an insect inside his ear that was causing him unbearable pain. After the doctor inspected the man, the cockroach was found crawling through his ear canal. Footage shows the cockroach moving around inside the man's ears and twitching his antennae. A cut can be seen on the inside of the man's ear, possibly caused by the cockroach that continues to run around inside. Reluctant to leave, the cockroach seems to deliberately ignore all of the doctor's attempts to get it out. The doctor tries to force the insect out by dragging it which a thin metal stick. When this continues to fail, he decides to try syringing the man's ear with salt water. It doesn't take long before the cockroach has had enough of the watery assault and decides to leave the man's ear. A man had arrived at a clinic in Bar Giant Province in Vietnam claiming there was an insect inside his ear that was causing him unbearable pain. The doctor found a cockroach scuttling around inside the ear canal and tried to remove it with a metal stick Cockroaches are attracted to human ears because they like the smell of earwax. According to The Verge, Coby Schal, an entomologist at North Carolina State University, said: 'Our earwax radiates cockroach-wooing chemicals'. They like small, warm, humid places so ears are the perfect habitat for them. However, the dangers from having a cockroach crawl into your ear come once the insect dies. After a few failed attempts with the metal stick, the doctor uses a syringe of warm saltwater to force the cockroach to finally leave The discomfort they create will no doubt result in the affected person scratching their ear and this usually ends up killing the cockroach. They are then left ruptured and oozing bacteria which can easily cause infection. Insects are known to cause great discomfort if they are in a person's ear because they can bite or sting the person. They can also create a buzzing or scraping sound from constantly moving around which can be distressing. A hero football fan hurled a pint glass at the London Bridge terrorists in a bid to stop them attacking more victims, an inquest has heard. Gerard Vowls shouted at the extremists and said, 'you cowards, come and get me', after he watched them stab Marie Bondeville, who was set upon during the attack. The 49-year-old said he just wanted them to 'concentrate on me and maybe leave the girl and try and save her life.' Mr Vowls had been in the area watching the Champions League final, and described seeing a man leaning against the wall on the opposite side of the road who said he had been stabbed and had a 'pain expression in his eyes and blood coming down his side.' Gerard Vowls (pictured above) took-on the terrorists at London Bridge and tried to distract them Daniel O'Neill (left) was stabbed by one of the attackers and Robert Piersant (right with his wife) had been stabbed in the face He recalls seeing people running from the direction of London Bridge and one man was shouting: 'There's terrorists, they're attacking everyone.' He went to find two British Transport Police officers - Wayne Marques and Leon McLeod - who confronted the men, armed only with their truncheons. As he went back towards the scene of the attack, he heard a scream. 'It was a young woman being attacked by the three terrorists. They were not human looking, the expression in their eyes was hatred. They were round in a circle. I could see them thrusting, many, many times, all three of them. Gerard Vowls (pictured above) tried to warn others that the attackers were moving down the roads 'The worst part that gives me nightmares, she kept saying, 'Help me, help me.' I remember one of them saying, 'This is for Allah.'' In an act of bravery, he tried to distract the attackers, but backed off when one of them ran at him. 'I didn't turn around till I got to the other side. I saw the guy come back and carry on stabbing that lady. After half a minute, less than that, they decided they wanted to move on.' Mr Vowls shouted: 'You cowards, you c**ts, come and get me,' but said: 'I don't think they took any notice of me, they headed past the buses. They were jogging, looking left and right for victims so they could attack them.' Gerard Vowls had been trying to distract the terrorists after he saw them attack Marie Bondeville (pictured above with her boyfriend Oliver Dowling) He started to warn others of their approach, shouting 'terrorists.' 'I was trying to warn as many people as I could,' he said. 'I think I may have been in the middle of the road, keeping my distance. I could see people coming from the left side. I was pointing and shouting and people were noticing what I was doing and could see they had knives in their hands and were turning back.' Daniel O'Neill (pictured above) had been enjoying a drink with friends when the terrorists confronted them One man walked straight into their path: 'I screamed at him, 'Run, run look around.' By the time he turned around, the terrorists stabbed him in the side.' Also at the inquest today was Daniel O'Neill, who was having a smoke with friends outside the Southwark Tavern, when he was stabbed by a Moroccan-looking man wearing all-black who cryptically told him: 'My family in Islam was a mistake.' 'I saw the knife was in his hand and he started to swing it towards me, aiming for my chest and at that second I twisted to the side and he stabbed me in the side,' he said. 'At that point there's a bit of a black out. I don't think I fell. I held my side and walked back into the pub and pulled up a chair and sat down and said I think I've been stabbed. 'Everybody was looking at me. I'm not sure why he didn't stab me again. ' The inquest also heard today how an American tourist was saved by a policeman and three off-duty doctors when his heart stopped beating after he was stabbed in the face during the London Bridge attacks. Robert Piersant, from Colorado Springs, was with his wife and son, visiting their daughter and had been sightseeing for the day before having dinner in the Elephant and Castle area. They planned to walk along the river, past the Golden Hind ship, back to their hotel, leaving London Bridge tube station after 10pm. The family had been in the London Bridge area on June 3, 2017, when terrorists struck, killing eight people and injuring 48. Robert Piersant (pictured above with his now ex-wife Joyce Piersant) arriving at the Old Bailey to give evidence in the ongoing inquest Police and members of the emergency services were pictured attending victims of a terror attack Mr Piersant told the inquest into the attack that he had noticed there had been no people on one side of the street and that he thought there would have been more traffic for the time of night, and due to the area they were in. 'I noticed there were no people on one side of the street. I thought at that time of night in a social neighbourhood like that there would be more traffic. 'I was looking back to make sure my wife was still with me because she was walking a little slow. As I rotated back forward I noticed a male who looked like he was leaning against a building. He had this funny, angry look, like, 'What are you doing?' 'As I continued to straighten myself out, that is when I was run into by another male. He ran at me, like a bull rush, enough to get you off balance but not knock you over. My first thought it's ten o'clock on a Saturday night near Borough Market, some drunk hit me.' He added that he pushed the attack away and called him a drunk, it was then he said he noticed a 'brownish red' item in his hand, which he referred to as a 'bowey knife'. 'As I pushed him back I'm looking at him, he had a bit of an angry look and that's all I can recall.' Dr Jonathan Moses (pictured above), who graduated a year-and-a-half before terrorists struck at London Bridge on June 3 2017 Yesterday the inquest heard how off-duty junior doctor Dr Jonathan Moses had apologised to victims for not being able to save them, after he was locked in a restaurant. He was eventually let out and managed to tend to Marie Bondeville, who survived 18 stab wounds, and Spanish banker Ignacio Echeverria, 39, who had tried to protect her with his skateboard before he was fatally wounded. Mr Piersant was stabbed in the base of his skull and across the lower lip and blacked out, and said he tried to pull himself up off the pavement. 'I kept trying to pull myself up. I don't know how long I was out but three doctors came out from the restaurants. I was trying to talk but I couldn't because my lip was gone and that's when I started to become conscious of the injuries.' 'I became aware of blood coming from the back of my head. Having seen a knife in his hands I made the assumption that he went nuts. I took my fingers and put them in the hole in the back of my head to stop the bleeding. 'One of the doctors ran off muttering very loudly we need a proper first aid kit and came back with blue paper towels.' The graphic above shows the various points in the London Bridge and the surrounding areas which were affected A police officer came up, and tried to settle him down and stop him getting to his feet. 'When I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, he said, 'Stay with me.' He did the majority of the CPR. 'There was gunfire from the direction of the market. I heard two bursts of gunfire and after one, the PC threw himself ontop of me, getting himself between the bullets and me.' He said the doctors and the police officer were frantically trying to call an ambulance and flag down an ambulance but the ambulances were driving by. The van (pictured above) which had been used by the terrorists during the attack, before they mounted the pavement Police officers (pictured above) attending the scene at London Bridge following the attacks in 2017 At one point he lost a pulse and CPR had to be administered, the inquest heard. 'It was like you see on TV. I heard, 'I don't have a pulse, I don't have breathing' and I recall flatlining twice. 'I have no evil thoughts or bad feelings. The people who did this are crazy, I know nothing about their background. 'I am upset about the state of the politics but stupid people do stupid things. You have to take it in your stride. 'I am very grateful to the state of the police department and their assistance especially PC Sam Philpot who never left my side. The doctors did great things putting me back together but if it wouldn't have been for that PC, I wouldn't have got to the hospital. Thank you,' he said. One of the knives used used by the London Bridge terrorists Khuram Shazad Butt, Rachid Redouane and Youssef Zaghba in the attack Pictured: terrorists Khuram Shazad Butt, Rachid Redouane and Youssef Zaghba His ex-wife Joyce Piersant was also stabbed and described in a statement how they were surrounded by the three killers. She said one of them had looked her in the eyes before hesitating, which she described as 'questioning eyes'. 'I think he was thinking through something. Then I felt a punch towards the chest, clavicle, on my right hand side. I recall seeing his fist around the handle and the thrusting motion - forward with a downward trajectory. 'I got the impression he thought it would be enough. I knew he wanted to kill me, I don't know why, it was in his eyes.' The victims of the attack (Top, from left) Christine Archibald, James McMullan, Alexandre Pigeard, Sebastien Belanger, (bottom, from left) Kirsty Boden, Sara Zelenak, Xavier Thomas and Ignacio Echeverria The men screamed and ran off, she said, adding: 'It was then I saw my husband down on the ground. I could clearly see that my husband was bleeding badly.' 'I recall feeling in shock, it doesn't happen to us, the words, 'I was stabbed by a terrorist' is not in my vocabulary. I do not want it to be sensationalised or cause any hate. The attackers are non-entities to me and they are dead.' The inquest also heard today how an Australian tourist was also stabbed in the face, before being offered a pint of beer after he made a miraculous escape to a nearby pub. Andrew Morrison had been watching the Champions League final with friends when he saw what he initially thought was a brawl on Borough High Street, on that fateful night in 2017. Mr Morrison came face to face with one of the attackers brandishing a kitchen knife, who he described as having a 'dark, middle eastern, Islamic appearance.' In a statement read to the inquest today Mr Morrison said he saw police brandishing batons screaming 'drop it,' as people lay motionless on the ground. Mr Morrison tried to flee the scene but was cornered by one the attackers holding a 30cm 'everyday kitchen knife' that 'appeared to be glowing pink.' 'I said, 'wow, wow, wow.' Then my instant reaction was to put my hands up to protect myself and attempt to duck and dive.' Mr Morrison managed to avoid most of the blows with the blood-soaked blade but the attacker was making a 'swinging motion' and stabbed him to the left side of his cheek and jaw. The Aussie told how he managed to escape the Jihadi terrorist by running towards a nearby pub. 'I saw my hands were covered in blood from my open wound and I realised my wound was quite big and deep. 'I didn't feel like I had been stabbed, it was more like I had been punched..' He then managed to make his way into a bar: 'A few strangers in a pub assisted me and sat me down. Another person offered me a beer. 'It was like they weren't sure what was happening - they kept drinking.' The inquest has heard how Khuram Butt, 27, Rachid Redouane, 30, and Youssef Zaghba, 22, mowed down and stabbed scores of bystanders Who were the victims of the London Bridge terror attack? Spaniard Ignacio Echeverria was stabbed to death as he tried to fight off the terrorist attackers with his skateboard. The 39-year-old had been in the UK for 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 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. Kirsty Boden Mr Echeverria was the youngest of five siblings and was a Catholic who went to mass every week. He could speak English, German and French fluently. Nurse Kirsty Boden was fatally stabbed 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 Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital and lived with her British boyfriend James Hodder in a flat in Hampstead. Mr Hodder said: '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.' Alexandre Pigeard Alexandre Pigeard was working as a waiter at Boro Bistro when he was attacked. The 26-year-old Frenchman had moved to London to further his ambitions as a dance music DJ. Minutes before he was fatally stabbed, he video-called his father Philippe during a break from work at the French restaurant. Mr Pigeard had planned to return to France in the autumn of 2017 to help open a restaurant in Nantes and to record an EP with his musician father. Mr Pigeard senior told the inquest: 'I'm present here as a devastated father who has lost a child in such circumstances - an inconsolable father.' James McMullan James McMullan was stabbed in the chest near the Barrowboy and Banker pub while he was celebrating getting financial backing for his online education company. The British-Filipino entrepreneur was watching the Champions League final with friends in the pub. The 32-year-old, from Hackney in East London, was attacked when he stepped outside to have a cigarette. He had dreamed of helping children without access to education through his e-learning company. Mr McMullan's father Simon described his son as 'funny, charming and clever' and said 'his fearlessness could never be underestimated'. Sebastien Belanger The mother of chef Sebastien Belanger said she does not forgive the terrorists who 'mutilated and killed him'. Her 36-year-old son was drinking at the Boro Bistro when he was stabbed repeatedly in the chest. His mother Josiane Belanger said: 'We miss him so much, his smile, his joie de vivre. I do not forgive what they did to him.' Originally from Angers in western France, Mr Belanger started work at the Coq d'Argent in the City and was promoted to the role of head chef. Australian au pair Sara Zelenak was on the 'trip of a lifetime' when she was stabbed to death while on a night out with a friend. Sara Zelenak Miss Zelenak's mother Julie Wallace said 'every sliding door' put her daughter in 'harm's way'. 'She was meant to be working and at the last minute she got the night off,' Mrs Wallace said. 'At 10pm Sara's phone rang and her friend said 'I've 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 UK in March 2017, Miss Zelenak 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. Xavier Thomas Xavier Thomas was walking over London Bridge with his girlfriend Christine Delcros when they were hit by the van. The 45-year-old father-of-two was catapulted into the Thames and his girlfriend suffered life-changing injuries. His body was recovered downstream three days later. Mr Thomas, who had arrived in London on the day of the attack, lived near Paris and worked for American Express. Miss Delcros said: 'Since Xavier disappeared in such tragic and traumatic circumstances our whole world has fallen apart.' Canadian tourist Christine Archibald told her fiance Tyler Ferguson she loved him seconds before she was mowed down. Christine Archibald Miss Archibald and Mr Ferguson were walking across London Bridge after dinning at a nearby restaurant when the atrocity unfolded. Her fiance said: '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 summer's 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. Nothing has ever been the same since.' Miss Archibald's engagement ring was lost during the attack, but later recovered from the bridge. Mr Ferguson now wears it on a chain around his neck. A tiny Messerschmitt bubble car found languishing in a barn after more than 40 years is set to sell for 7,000 at auction. The three-wheeled micro motor dates back to post-war Germany when the famous manufacturers of Luftwaffe fighter planes were banned from making aircraft. The rare survivor was found in a barn in Wiltshire - without its distinctive Perspex bubble canopy, and covered in rust. Messerschmitt bubble cars have become hugely collectable in recent years, and because this one has its original body, engine and gear box it is expected to generate a lot of interest. It is tipped to sell for 7,000 at auction. When fully restored it could be worth over 30,000. This tiny Messerschmitt bubble car was found in a barn in Wiltshire after rotting away for nearly 40 years The vehicle, one of 40,000 built by the famous manufacturers of Luftwaffe fighter planes were banned from making aircraft, could fetch up to 7,000 at auction When the car is fully restored and its distinctive Perspex bubble canopy returned, it could be worth 30,000. Pictured: a vintage advert for the Messerschmitt KR201 It is not known how or when the late owner came by the diminutive vehicle, a 1959 Messerschmitt KR200. Richard Bromell, from Charterhouse Auctioneers in Sherborne, Dorset, said: 'About 40,000 of these cars were made after the war because Messerschmidt were not allowed to make any more aircraft. 'This one has been in a barn for decades - between 30 or 40 years. It is covered in rust and needs some serious TLC. 'But it is complete apart from its dome cover. It has its original engine, body and gear box. It is a matching numbers machine which is what a lot of collectors like. The classic motor has the passenger seat immediately behind the driver (pictured) Because it is a classic car, it is MOT and tax exempt. The vehicle measures just 47.2 inches long, 111 inches tall and 48 inches wide 'It is being sold without reserve to the highest bidder, but probably will go for between 5,000 to 7,000. 'They are hugely popular and sought-after today. It has a 191cc engine and probably has just enough power to peel the skin off a rice pudding. 'But being a classic car, it is MOT and tax exempt so if the new owner can get it going there is no stopping them.' The vehicle measures just 47.2 inches long, 111 inches tall and 48 inches wide. It is two seater, with the passenger sat immediately behind the driver. Bubble cars of this kind were sold by Messerschmitt between 1955 and 1964. The company lost interest in micro vehicles after they were allowed to create aircraft again in 1956. It will be sold on June 23. Health chiefs have launched a probe into the death of a teenager who went into hospital 'laughing and singing' but then died during a 'routine' MRI scan. Alice Sloman, 14, went to Torbay Hospital to be checked for water on the brain but suffered a 'catastrophic' heart attack while inside the machine due to a lack of oxygen which shut down her organs. Doctors had given her a general anaesthetic for the scan last October after she became 'extremely anxious' and 'hypersensitive'. But they did not realise she had an undiagnosed heart condition which made the anaesthetic dangerous. She was transferred to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and put on life support but died three days later. The Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch is now investigating the incident after bosses at Torbay Hospital alerted them to the case. The Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch is investigating the death of Alice Sloman, 14, pictured with mother Sarah, after she had a massive heart attack during an MRI scan Alice, left and right, took growth hormones because she was small for her age but tests subsequently found it enlarged her heart. She also had an undiagnosed heart condition which meant being given anaesthetic was more dangerous While trying to save her life, doctors discovered Alice's heart was weaker than normal, which would have increased the risk of danger from anaesthetic because it affects heart rate and blood pressure. She had previously been given hormones for a growth defect which enlarged her heart to twice the size it should have been. The MRI scan was arranged to check if she had fluid on the brain because she was suffering from headaches and fluid was also a side effect of the growth hormone. Alice had a number of health problems including autism, being visually impaired and hypermobility. Her consultant suggested having an MRI scan for the headaches which she received on October 16 under general anaesthetic because she 'would not have been able to cope without it'. Her mother Sarah, of Torquay, Devon, said the hospital should have 'aborted' the procedure earlier. She said: 'The nurses pointed out to the doctors they were concerned about her hypertensive state. 'They didn't do enough homework in knowing who they were dealing with the day before.' Alice's mother Sarah said the hospital should have 'aborted' the procedure as soon as they realised something was wrong. She spent three days on life support following the heart attack but could not be saved Speaking last year, Mrs Sloman, who has three other children, said the loss had devastated the family. She said: 'She [Alice] went into hospital singing, laughing and being funny and then didn't come home. 'It's like waking up to a nightmare every single day. Being Alice's full-time carer I am completely lost. I'm trying to muddle through for the sake of our other children but it's so hard. Sometimes I just can't believe it's true.' For the past seven years Alice had been on growth hormones as she was small for her age, and her parents believe the side effects of the medication impacted on her health. Mrs Sloman said: 'Alice didn't produce growth hormone in her pituitary gland so she was given a growth hormone injection every day. Growth hormones don't just make a patient gain weight or height, it can grow every part of the body including internal organs.' A spokesman for Torbay Hospital confirmed it had alerted the HSIB to the incident. Her parents Sarah and Nathan, pictured, said losing Alice has left them 'waking up to a nightmare every day' Alice was transferred to Bristol Royal Hospital to Children and was put on life support but died three days later The spokesman said: 'We are expecting their report shortly and welcome the news that Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch has launched a national investigation.' A spokesperson for University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Bristol Children's Hospital and was responsible for Alice's specialist care, added: 'We are fully cooperating with this investigation and await the findings.' A post-mortem report by North Bristol NHS Trust said during the scan Alice suffered a very low heart rate until she became critically ill. It concluded that the general anaesthetic was the 'precipitating factor' in her death. An inquest into her death is due in December. Gerald Matovu is charged with murder after he and his lover allegedly drugged victims before stealing from them The daughter of a James Bond actor poisoned with a chemsex drug discovered his lifeless body after she unwittingly spoke to his killer on the phone, a court heard. Eric Michels, 54, was found dead at his home in Chessington, Surrey, after being given the drug by Gerald Matovu, 25, the day before, it is claimed. Matovu and his lover, Brandon Dunbar, 23, are on trial accused of drugging or spiking the drinks of Mr Michels and 11 other men to steal their valuables and use their bank cards. Matovu used a syringe to administer a fatal dose of GHB to Mr Michels before making off with his bank card and other belongings in August last year, the Old Bailey heard today. Mr Michels' 14-year-old daughter texted her father shortly after his death, asking if he would like to go for a meal before she went away on holiday. When he did not reply, she tried again and Matovu, allegedly impersonating Mr Michels, replied: 'Hello hun im a little busy talk soon', the court heard. The unfamiliar tone of the message alerted the teenager who rang up to find out what was happening. Matovu hung up after she told him who she was, the court heard. Actor Eric Michels, who had appeared in the Bond film Skyfall, died at his home in Surrey Concerned for her father's safety, she asked her mother to drive her to his house and found him 'lying motionless in bed with the duvet pulled up', prosecutor Jonathan Rees QC said. He added: 'She attempted to rouse him by shouting his name but to no avail. Her mother then entered the property and pulled the duvet off his face to reveal that Mr Michels had dried blood and green bile near his lips. He was not breathing.' An empty 3ml syringe without a needle attached was found on the floor beside the bed. DNA from the victim and defendant was identified on it as well as traces of GHB, the court heard. The Old Bailey has heard Mr Michels and his wife of 23 years divorced after he realised he preferred young males to women. Since coming out as gay, the victim, who worked on the leadership team of a large energy company, had a number of long-term relationships, the court was told. But more recently, he had become lonely and began going to Soho and using Grindr to find younger men, jurors were told. Mr Michels' body was discovered by his young daughter, the Old Bailey was told this afternoon On the evening of August 16, he visited Ku Bar and G-A-Y Bar in Soho before making contact with Matovu via Grindr, jurors were told. Mr Michels invited him to his place in south-west London for sex, the court heard. While there, it is claimed the defendant drugged Mr Michels and took photographs of his bank cards, driver's licence and other personal information while he was dead or unconscious. In the morning, Matovu set off in a taxi to Dunbar's address with a suitcase and bottles of alcohol, jurors were told. Mr Rees said Matovu took Mr Michels' MacBook, mobile phone, an initialled black case, American driving licence and various cards. Mr Michels was one of 12 men targeted by Matovu and his lover Brandon Dunbar, 23, over a 19-month period, it was claimed. Mr Michels was found at his home in Chessington, Surrey (pictured) in August last year Victim of drugging pair was found passed out in the street, court told One of the victims was found naked and snoring in the street after having a party drug injected directly into his bottom. The 28-year-old man, who had spent the evening scrolling through Grindr looking for dates, was bleeding from his nose when a woman found him collapsed on rubbish bags with a broken nose. The man was found in the Romford Road After finding a match he travelled to Dunbar's flat in east London, where he met Matovu and the nude tenant Dunbar lying on a bed. He was later found snoring and bleeding from his nose outside the flat, the court heard. A technique which usually rouses even the 'most intoxicated' patients failed to have any impact on the victim, the court heard. Advertisement Opening their trial, Jonathan Rees QC said: 'The prosecution say that the defendants, often working together, took advantage of hook-ups, dates, arranged with other gay men through apps, such as Grindr, to steal their property and take photographs of their bank cards and other identification documents for the purposes of fraud. 'In the course of their activities, a number of their targets were drugged to facilitate these dishonest activities and one of those, a 54-year-old male, was killed by an overdose of a substance called gamma hydroxybutyrate - GHB.' Nine of the twelve men met both Matovu and Dunbar and three only met Matovu alone but all twelve were the victims of dishonesty, Mr Rees said. 'Two of them had items stolen and photographs taken when they were in the shower with Dunbar while they were being distracted,' he continued. 'One of them took his trousers off to have sex, and while his trousers were off, photographs of documents were taken from inside the trousers.' One of the alleged victims, a 53-year-old man, whose full identity cannot be reported for legal reasons, asked both Matovu and Dunbar to visit his home in east London. 'He used a gay pick up site called Adam for Adam to invite two people to his house, which he was renting with his partner who was working that evening and wasn't himself at home,' Mr Rees said. 'Shortly after their arrival all three went upstairs to the bedroom. The complainant accessed some pornography on his laptop, and he was handed a drink by Gerry. 'He thinks it was either a Fanta or Coke. He then fell unconscious after taking the drink.' Matovu and Dunbar, both from London, now face a string of charges at London's Old Bailey Victim 'was drugged before pair stole from his parents' home' A 43-year-old man invited Dunbar and Matuvo over for sex when his parents were away and awoke the next morning to find they had vanished with three lap tops. Mr Rees told the court the alleged victim had only a single gin and tonic, before going upstairs to have sex. He passed out and woke up the next morning to find the computers had gone. The prosecutor said: 'He picked the men up from the railway station around 11pm and drove them to his home. 'They all went into his living room having alcohol drinks before going into the bedroom and despite having only one gin and tonic he began feeling intolerably hot. 'He had a carpet burn on his knee and it was plain to him that his drink had been spiked by the men. 'When he regained consciousness, the defendants had gone. He discovered every room had been entered and on the face of it had taken various items of property.' Advertisement Mr Michels, who was born in the USA before moving to Britain in the 1980s, worked in human resources as a company executive for the energy firm SEE. He was also a part-time actor who made brief appearances in the Bond film Skyfall and the Tom Cruise movie Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit. Both Matovu and Dunbar are charged with assaulting, poisoning, and using a syringe to sexually penetrate another man on 19 August 2018. Matovu, of Southwark, and Dunbar, of Ilford, each deny five counts of administering poison, one count of assault by penetration, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and a single count of theft. Motovu alone denies the murder of Mr Michels and a further count of administering poison and a count of possession with intent to supply 500ml of GBL. Dunbar denies six allegations of possession of articles for use in frauds, two counts of fraud by false representation, one of wrongfully retaining 300 in credit belonging to Mr Michels, and six counts of theft. The trial continues. Mississippi lawmakers gave New York-based Weight Watchers $1.5 million for a teacher voucher program that never appeared in any education funding bills because during that time earmarks were not being expressly spelled out in the annual education spending bill, but instead approved by key lawmakers, according to Mississippi Senate Education Chairman Gray Tollison (pictured) Mississippi lawmakers gave New York-based Weight Watchers $1.5 million for a teacher voucher program that never appeared in any education funding bills or state contracts, and kept the money flowing for years even though fewer vouchers were being issued than had been paid for. The payments were uncovered by the Clarion Ledger while it was investigating how state legislators funnel education funding to favored vendors. Weight Watchers collected about $300,000 per year from the state's education department between 2012 and 2016 while working with lobbyist Beth Clay. The money was spent without being documented in the legislative record because during that time earmarks were not being expressly spelled out in the annual education spending bill, but instead approved by key lawmakers, according to Mississippi Senate Education Chairman Gray Tollison. DailyMail.com is awaiting a reply from Tollison regarding who authorized the Weight Watchers voucher program, and an explanation as to why the program was funded through the state's education department. It's well known that Mississippi state public school teachers are among the lowest paid in the country, with a base salary of approximately $34,500 that they often must use to provide their own classroom necessities. In some schools, teachers find themselves bartering for credit on the copy machine, according to the Sun Herald. While this has been going on, Tollison said that up until 2016, through a process called 'budget notes' lawmakers could direct $20 million each year in education funding without disclosing how the money was being spent. This was because earmarks for specific programs were clarified only after the education spending bill was passed, which made information about spending more difficult to determine. Under this system, state agencies would ask key lawmakers who finalized budgets for clarification on how non-designated money could be spent and those legislators could direct them to use funds for specific projects or with certain vendors. Tollison said he stopped that process in 2016, when his committee began listing each earmark in the education appropriations bill. The details of the Weight Watchers program were laid out in a 2014 document outlining the MDE 'budget notes' appropriations for fiscal year 2015, before Tollison made the shift in process. The details of the Weight Watchers program were laid out in a 2014 document outlining the MDE 'budget notes' appropriations for fiscal year 2015, before Tollison made the shift in process The way the Weight Watchers voucher program worked, teachers and Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) staff could sign up for 15-week courses which would typically cost $150 Weight Watchers (logo shown) collected about $300,000 per year from the state's education department between 2012 and 2016 while working with lobbyist Beth Clay The way the Weight Watchers voucher program worked, teachers and Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) staff could sign up for 15-week courses which would typically cost $150. MDE employees would pay $60 of the cost, and MDE would pick up the remaining cost of $90. After the Ledger crunched the numbers, it realized that MDE also overpaid for the voucher system. MDE paid $1,494,205 to Weight Watchers from 2012 through 2016, which would have been enough to cover a total of 16,600 vouchers over the five-year time period. However, only 10,034 vouchers were issued to teachers and staff, according to reports Weight Watchers provided to MDE. That discrepancy resulted in an overpayment to Weight Watchers of approximately $600,000. Both Tollison and former House Education Chairman John Moore would have had oversight over the program. Moore resigned from office in December of 2017, citing health problems before it was reported by the Ledger that he was being investigated by the Mississippi House of Representatives for sexual harassment claims. Moore reported a campaign donation from Weight Watchers in the amount of $1000 in 2014. Moore could not immediately be reached for comment. Meanwhile, Weight Watchers paid lobbyist Clay $276,100 between 2010 and 2016. Both Tollison and former House Education Chairman John Moore (left) would have had oversight over the program. Moore resigned from office in December of 2017, citing health problems before it was reported by the Ledger that he was being investigated by the Mississippi House of Representatives for sexual harassment claims. Meanwhile, Weight Watchers paid lobbyist Beth Clay (right) $276,100 between 2010 and 2016 Clay, who runs her own policy strategist and lobbyist firm called The Clay Firm, did not immediately return a message left with her office. Weight Watchers did not immediately reply to DailyMail.com's request for comment. Senate Appropriations Chairman Buck Clarke told the Ledger that the program was ended when people started questioning what it was, why it was being paid for with education dollars and whether it was beneficial to MDE teachers and staff. 'That program probably would have been more appropriate going through the Department of Health,' Clarke said. Mississippi currently ranks near the bottom of the 50 states in per-pupil spending on public education. Police searched the motel room of a Texas man suspected of kidnapping an eight-year-old girl but didn't see the child there just two hours before she was found inside, according to authorities. Michael Webb, 51, is charged with aggravated kidnapping after authorities say he snatched Salem Sabatka as she walked with her mother Saturday night in Fort Worth. The child was found in the early hours of Sunday at the hotel in the nearby Forest Hill area. The Star-Telegram reports Forest Hill officers even questioned the man after a clerk at the hotel called police around five and a half hours after Salem was reported missing, but they left when they didn't see the child. They were said to have knocked on the door before eventually speaking with Webb through the door and gaining entry. Officers returned at about 2 a.m. Sunday after receiving another tip and found the girl inside the room. Forest Hill Police Chief Dan Dennis says the department is looking into the officers' handling of the earlier call. Michael Webb is charged with aggravated kidnapping after authorities say he snatched Salem Sabatka as she walked with her mother Saturday night in Fort Worth Authorities say police visited the motel room at the WoodSprings Suites where Salem was discovered but didn't see the child, who was eventually found safe about two hours later A release states: 'They [the clerk] said they saw him earlier and that he had a girl with him. 'She then directed them to Michael Webbs room on the third floor. Michael Webb was less than cooperative, but after several minutes, the officers were permitted to step into the room and look. 'Upon entry into the room, the officers made visual inspection of the areas of the room that appeared to be large enough to conceal the missing child. 'They did not locate any other occupants inside the room. With no one located and no other information available, the officers cleared the scene. 'The child was located with Michael Webb a short time later.' The suspect's vehicle was not spotted in the car park of the WoodSprings Suites hotel during the first search, authorities say. Forest Hill Police Chief Dan Dennis said: 'As with any major incident, were reviewing our handling of the incident and trying to determine if theres anything we could do better.' Heart-wrenching surveillance video from a nearby home showed Salem's mother jumping into the vehicle and desperately trying to save her daughter The map above shows the roughly eight miles between where Salem was abducted at approximately 6.38pm Saturday and where she was found hours later in a hotel room An Amber Alert issued after Salem's abduction described the suspect as a 'light skinned black male of skinny build' and the car as a dark gray four-door sedan with alloy wheels Jeff King, Pastor at Bear Creek Bible Church in Keller, went out looking for Salem Sabatka after she was kidnapped on Saturday The youngster had been out on a walk with her mother Saturday evening in Fort Worth's Ryan Place neighborhood when a man grabbed the girl and put her in his car. Heart-wrenching surveillance video showed Salem's mother jumping into the vehicle and desperately trying to save her daughter before the kidnapper shoved her out and drove off. An Amber Alert was issued for Salem, who is 4'5", shortly after her abduction, describing the suspect as a 'light skinned black male of skinny build' and the car as a dark gray four-door sedan with alloy wheels. The alert included a photo of Salem wearing the same shirt she had on when she was taken. The youngster had been out on a walk with her mother Saturday evening in Fort Worth's Ryan Place neighborhood when the suspect, pictured, is accused of grabbing the girl and putting her in his car Two citizens reported seeing a car that matched the Amber Alert description in the parking lot of the WoodSprings Suites hotel in Forest Hill and contacted authorities. Jeff King, Pastor at Bear Creek Bible Church in Keller, said 'divine intervention' led him to the motel. 'God literally led us to this place. It was not on my itinerary, I was not trying to go there, we just drove by. It was divine intervention, 100 per cent,' he said. King called police and it was just a matter of time before they figured out Salem was inside of the hotel and they were able to rescue her. 'I was sitting at home with my wife when a friend texted and said that our friends' daughter had been kidnapped. All I could think is what are we going to do to help?' King told NBC DFW. He and a friend searched until after midnight when they got a tip from someone that they should check out a hotel in Forest Hill. After searching the car park at the tip-off location they found no sign of the suspect's car. But, purely by chance, the pair then pulled into the Wood Springs Suites hotel nearby and saw one which fitted the description. 'It was a crazy moment. I asked police, 'Did I hear that right? Did they find her? Is she safe?' he said. 'Then finally one officer said, 'Yes sir, they have her.' Officers dispatched to the hotel determined which room the suspect was staying in and breached the door. Police allowed King to be the one to call Salem's parents and tell them the little girl had been found alive. Salem was reportedly found in good condition but was taken to a local hospital to be checked out, Officer Buddy Calzada said at the press conference early Sunday. The abduction took place at approximately 6.38pm Saturday. Surveillance video from a nearby home showed Salem's mother tumbling out of the vehicle after attempting to pull her daughter to safety. The car sped off and the mother immediately dialed 911, screaming: 'Help me please, someone call the police, my daughter just got kidnapped.' Police thanked the public for spreading the information about the suspect, which ultimately allowed them to bring Salem home. Advertisement Iran could deploy missiles, sea mines, drones and thousands of battle-hardened jihadist militias across the Middle East if Tehran's increased tensions with Washington descend into war. Iranian sea mines pose a constant threat in the Gulf, while their missiles are capable of striking US warships and raining down chaos in Saudi Arabia, Israel and the Gulf monarchies. Across the blood-soaked deserts they have battle-hardened jihadists ready for war with American troops in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. Last week, unidentified assailants struck Saudi oil assets and on Sunday others fired a rocket into Baghdads heavily fortified 'Green Zone' that exploded near the U.S. embassy. Iran denied any role in either incident. Iran's influence with jihadist militias stretches across the Middle East and their domestic weapons capabilities pose a constant threat to US allies in the Persian Gulf Flight deck of the U.S aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea on Monday - Washington has sent warships to the region amid mounting tensions with Iran Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at a fast breaking (iftar) dinner in Tehran on Saturday (left) - he has accused the US of subjecting Iran to 'economic war' with its sanctions. And US President Donald Trump (right) speaking outside the White House last week - he tweeted over the weekend: 'If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran' Meanwhile Iranian general Qassem Suleimani called for their allies in Iraq to 'prepare for proxy war,' and President Donald Trump has hit back. He warned this week Tehran should expect 'great force' if it attacked U.S. interests in the Middle East. At the weekend he tweeted: 'If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran.' The Iranian government has condemned Trump's remarks and U.S. deployments as provocative and called for respect and an end to a U.S. squeeze on Iran's oil exports aimed at forcing it to negotiate. Here is an outline of ways in which Iran could wage war on the United States, and its regional allies and interests, if their dispute escalated. THE GULF Revolutionary Guards commanders have long warned that in a war they could cut off Gulf oil supplies flowing through the Strait of Hormuz into the Indian Ocean. Iran holds one side of the strait, putting shipping in range of its forces from the sea or shore, and allowing it to lay mines. An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the 'Jolly Rogers' flies above the USS Abraham Lincoln over the Arabian Sea on Saturday A U.S. official has blamed Iran for last week's attacks on four vessels including two Saudi oil tankers in the Gulf, though Tehran has denied it. Iran could also strike directly at U.S. forces in the Gulf with missiles. The U.S. Combined Air Operations Center is based at al-Udaid airbase in Qatar. Its navy Fifth Fleet is based in Bahrain. The U.S. air force also uses al-Dhafra airbase in Abu Dhabi and Ali Al Salem airbase in Kuwait. The governments of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia say Iran planned attacks on security forces in Bahrain in recent years. Iran and Bahrainis accused of this have denied it. Missiles could target infrastructure in Gulf monarchies, including water and power plants, oil refineries and export terminals, and petrochemical factories. A 2012 cyber attack targeting Saudi oil giant Aramco and another two years earlier against Iran's nuclear programme point to new ways a conflict could play out. IRAQ Iran-backed Shi'ite groups gained strength in the chaos after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, and were incorporated last year into the security forces, underscoring their pervasive role despite the American presence. The strongest groups - trained, equipped and funded by Tehran - are Asaib Ahl al-Haq, Kataib Hezbollah, Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba and the Badr Organisation. A US Chinook helicopter is pictured above Baghdad's 'Green Zone' on Monday after a rocket came down close to the US embassy from an Iranian-backed terror group The United States says Iran was behind the deaths of at least 603 American armed service members since 2003. Some 5,200 U.S. troops remain in Iraq, located in four main bases, as well as Baghdad airport and the coalition headquarters in the Green Zone. Washington last week ordered a partial evacuation of its embassy. The militias have positions very near places where U.S. forces are stationed, and have powerful rocket and drone capabilities. YEMEN Yemen's Houthis chant 'Death to America, Death to Israel', daubing the slogan on walls and gluing it to their weapons. The U.S. has backed a Saudi-led coalition targeting the group since 2015. Iran and the Houthis have longstanding links, but both deny coalition claims that Tehran provides training and weapons. The U.N. says missiles fired at Saudi Arabia share design features with ones made in Iran. Newly recruited Shiite fighters, known as Houthis, parade as more fighters join battlefronts to fight pro-government forces in several Yemeni cities in January 2017 Since the war began, the Houthis have often used rockets and drones to attack Saudi Arabia, one of Washington's closest regional allies. One came down near Riyadh airport in 2017. U.N. experts say the Houthis now have drones capable of dropping bigger bombs at further range and with more precision than before. Last week, drones hit two oil pumping stations hundreds of kilometres inside Saudi territory. Houthi control over Yemen's old navy, with speed boats and sea mines, means the group could try to disrupt shipping in the Red Sea. SYRIA While backing President Bashar al-Assad during eight years of conflict, Iran has built a network of militias in government-held areas. These include Lebanon's Hezbollah, the Iraqi Nujaba group, and the mostly Afghan Fatemiyoun group. Hezbollah fighters stand near a four-wheel vehicle positioned close to the Lebanon-Syria border in July 2017 They have fought near the Syrian-Iraqi border, near the U.S. military base at Tanf, and near the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. A senior U.S. official said in February that Washington would keep about 400 troops in Syria after defeating Islamic State, down from about 2,000 before. They are located in the northeast area held by Kurdish-led forces and at Tanf, near the borders with Jordan and Iraq. Israel has struck Iran and its allies in Syria, seeking to drive them far from its frontier. In January it accused Iranian forces of firing a missile at a ski resort in the Golan Heights. LEBANON The U.S. blames Hezbollah for its military's bloodiest day since the Vietnam war: the truck bombing at a marine barracks in Lebanon in 1983 that killed 241 U.S. service members. It also accuses it of taking Americans hostage in Lebanon in the 1980s. The group, set up by Iran to resist Israel's occupation of south Lebanon, is today the most powerful in the country. Lebanon's Hezbollah supporters chant slogans during last day of Ashura, in Beirut, Lebanon in September 2018 - the group was set up by Iran to resist Israel's occupation of south Lebanon Israel, the U.S.' closest regional ally, regards Hezbollah as the biggest threat on its borders and launched a military incursion into Lebanon in 2006 in a failed bid to destroy it. Today, Hezbollah says it has a large arsenal of 'precision' rockets that could strike all over Israel, including its atomic reactor. It has threatened, in the event of war, to infiltrate fighters across the frontier. A pro-Hezbollah journalist, Ibrahim al-Amin, last week wrote in Lebanon's al-Akhbar newspaper that if Israel got involved in any war between the U.S. and Iran, striking at Tehran's proxies, it would 'become an actual target for allies of Iran'. AFGHANISTAN Western officials and analysts say they believe Iran gives some help to the Taliban, either in weapons or through finance and logistics, which could be increased. The Taliban control or influence more territory than at any point since their ouster at the hands of U.S.-led troops following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States; intense fighting continues. Afghan Taliban fighters listen to Mullah Mohammed Rasool, the newly-elected leader of a breakaway faction of the Taliban, in Farah province in November 2015 - Iran is thought to offer them strategic support A report by the U.S. Institute of Peace in March said that up to 50,000 Afghans have fought in Syria as part of the Tehran-backed Fatemiyoun group. It issued a statement two years ago, carried by Iranian news outlets, pledging to fight wherever Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei asked them to. About 14,000 U.S. troops remain in Afghanistan and Washington imposed sanctions on the Fatemiyoun in January. An Iranian official told Reuters that the U.S. used its presence in Afghanistan 'to threaten us from these bases'. Candess Peters, 36, is pictured outside Westminster Magistrates' Court last October A mother who posted a revenge porn photo of her teenage son's father online and damaged his BMW is facing jail. Candess Peters, 36, who lives in a 1.2million flat in Fulham, West London, rammed her Mercedes into James Doyle's vehicle and damaged a garage door in nearby Hammersmith. Peters was also accused of running over Mr Doyle in the car, but prosecutors dropped the charge after reviewing CCTV. The pair had a child together following a one night stand 15 years ago. Peters admitted one count of disclosing private sexual photographs and two counts of criminal damage at Isleworth Crown Court. She also admitted driving her car without a licence or insurance. Dangerous driving charges and assault charges were dropped after the Crown Prosecution Service gave no evidence. Kathryn Hovington, prosecuting, said: 'There were difficulties in accessing the CCTV. I have reviewed it, and we have arrived at the conclusion that it is not sustainable to proceed.' In a stinging rebuke, Judge Jonathan Ferris said: 'I don't understand how a case of this sort could get that far and there are fundamental differences when one views the CCTV evidence and the statements of some of the complainants. Peters admitted disclosing private sexual photographs and criminal damage at court 'I want to know the level of the reviewing lawyer, whoever made this decision in the first place, who failed to carry out that review.' Steve Carter, defending, told an earlier hearing that, according to Peters, Mr Doyle had posted the images of himself on social media and she just re-posted it. 'She accepts that she drove the vehicle there and she accepts that she posted the photo.' In a statement, Peters claimed she was attacked by Mr Doyle's sisters, Heather and Robyn. She said: 'Heather grabbed my arm and I had to get her off me.' Peters, who lives in this block in Fulham, West London, was granted bail ahead of her sentence 'Robyn grabbed an object and tried to hit me with it. I tried to drive away. Two people came at me aggressively. Robyn had broken the window of my car.' Peters was granted bail ahead of sentence at Isleworth Crown Court on June 10. She admitted two counts of criminal damage, one count of disclosing a private sexual photograph with intent to cause distress, driving a vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence, and driving a vehicle without third party insurance. But she denied causing grievous bodily harm, assault by beating and two of dangerous driving - and the prosecution offered no evidence for these charges. A man was charged with animal cruelty for allegedly tying a dog to fence, dousing him with flammable liquid and setting him on fire. Jyahshua A. Hill, 20, was arrested on Monday by U.S. Marshals over the horrific death of the brindle pit bull, which was named Tommie by animal rescuers. Tommie, who was around two-years-old, was found tied to a chain-link fence by units from the Richmond Fire Department at Abner Clay Park on February 10. Jyahshua A. Hill 20, (left), was arrested over the horrific death of a pit bull named Tommie, (right), who died after he was chained to a park fence and set on fire on February 10 Tommie was found chained to a fence at Abner Clay Park by units from the Richmond Fire Department. He suffered burns to 40% of his body and died five days after the incident He had been doused with a flammable liquid before being set ablaze, Richmond police said. Tommie suffered burns to 40% of his body and required intravenous fluids and a feeding tube for nutrition. He died five days later, having been cared for by staff at Richmond Animal Care and Control. A picture shared by the shelter showed Tommie covered in bandages and casts while snuggling a stuffed animal. They posted regular updates on his condition and his plight prompted a huge reaction from members of the public. A fund created to cover Tommies medical costs, which was later devoted to providing emergency care for other animals in need reached over $25,000, the Richmond Times Dispatch reported. Richmond Animal Care and Control posted regular updates on Tommie's condition, claiming that 'he stopped breathing and his body gave out' just before he died Public anger over the dog's death prompted Virginia lawmakers to pass legislation dubbed 'Tommie's Law' that made animal cruelty a felony in Virginia T-shirts were made emblazoned with the viral hashtag #teamtommie, while a huge memorial of flowers and cards were left at the site where he died. In a Facebook update at the time of his death, RACC wrote: 'I'm so very sorry to share that Tommie just passed away. 'He had just finished having his bandages changed and stopped breathing; his body simply gave out. 'Tommie was pain free and surrounded by people that loved him when he passed. Needless to say, we are all devastated and angry and sad and terribly disappointed.' Richmond Animal Care and Control staff are pictured with members of the Richmond Fire Department who helped rescue Tommie while he was being cared for in February Hill, (pictured), faces a felony charge that carries a punishment of up to five years in prison and a $2,500 fine. He lives just a few blocks from Abner Clay Park Hill, with an address a just short distance away from the park at the 1300 block of St. Peter Street, was arrested Monday by the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force. He faces a felony charge that carries a punishment of up to five years in prison and a $2,500 fine. Interim Police Chief William C. Smith told the Richmond Times Dispatch: 'There are a lot of people to thank, but Id like to single out all the citizens who contributed tips that pointed us in the right direction. 'That, plus the excellent job done by arson investigators who did the bulk of the work, major crimes detectives, forensics technicians and animal control officers who all built a strong case to present to the grand jury.' The case prompted a huge reaction from members of the public who left flowers and tributes at the scene where he was discovered at Abner Clay Park A fund created to cover Tommies medical costs which was later devoted to providing emergency care for other animals in need topped $25,000 Hill was indicted by a multi-jurisdictional grand jury earlier this month. Two attorneys were assigned to the case, according to police. One has expertise in arson cases and the other in animal cruelty prosecutions. He faces a felony charge which carries a punishment of up to five years in prison in addition to a $2,500 fine. Christie Peters, the Director of Richmond Animal Care and Control told 8News on Monday Tommie's case of animal cruelty is the worst she had seen in her 15 years of working in the sector. A small memorial plaque was placed at the scene of the incident in memory of Tommie She said Monday: 'It's the most evil, I would say, there's an element of evil and a sadness that have over taken all of the other cases we've dealt with. 'They said that it's an unbelievable case. That they've had more people from the community rally around this case than they have seen in a very long time.' Public anger over the dog's death prompted Virginia lawmakers to pass legislation dubbed 'Tommie's Law' that made animal cruelty a felony in Virginia. Before the legislation was passed, an animal had to die as a direct result of the torture or inhumane injury before a suspect faced a felony charge. Three people have denied falsely claiming more than 120,000 meant for Grenfell Tower fire survivors. Carmel Daly, 49, and Robert Kenneally, 51, appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court today accused of claiming a total of 47,802 in accommodation, goods and services. The couple, both of West Kensington, west London, each denied one count of fraud between June 14, 2017 and August 23, 2018. In a separate hearing, Daniel Steventon, 37, of Kilburn, north-west London, denied claiming handouts worth 74,225 between August 16, 2017 and May 4, 2018. Three people have denied falsely claiming more than 120,000 meant for Grenfell Tower fire survivors All three defendants sat together in the dock as the two cases were heard one after the other and spoke to confirm their names, dates of birth and nationalities. Daly, who is Irish, wore a black jacket and used a walking stick while Kenneally, who is her partner, wore a white shirt and said he was English. Steventon appeared wearing a dark suit and tie and gave his nationality as British. All three were bailed by District Judge Michael Snow ahead of an appearance at Isleworth Crown Court on June 18. Prosecuting, David Davies said it was likely their cases would be linked. Barnaby Joyce claims Labor lost the election because voters are more worried about keeping the power on than climate change. The former National Party leader claimed the Adani mine, which Labor promised to scrap, needed to be built to give Australians affordable power and local jobs. The ALP was handed a stunning defeat by the Coalition in large part due to it losing two seats in north Queensland, where the mine is to be built. Mr Joyce said he was elected with a massive 72 per cent of the vote because he understood power bills were at the forefront of people's minds. 'Climate change may be important, but more important than that is the dignity in people's lives,' he said during an angry rant on Sky News. He said more than 100,000 families couldn't afford to pay their increasingly expensive power bills and so had no electricity in their houses. Mr Joyce went on to claim that efforts by Labor and proponents of clean energy to tackle climate change would lead to power bills so high they would 'send people back to the time of candles'. Bill Shorten aimed for half of all new cars sold in Australia to be electric by 2030 as part of his policy to tackle climate change Barnaby Joyce claims Labor lost the election because voters are more worried about keeping the power on than climate change Despite Mr Joyce's assertions, the ALP's energy policy projected a reduction in power prices. 'We can't have kids coming home from school and not having so much as a toaster in the house because they don't have power,' Mr Joyce continued. 'They don't have a fridge, mate, they don't have a TV, they don't a washing machine, they don't have an electric heater. 'Because they don't have electricity because the wonderful spirits out there have said that there's something more important than dignity in your life, than these people being taken out of poverty. 'What right do we have to put these people back to the time of candles?' The ALP was handed a stunning defeat by the Coalition in large part due to it losing two seats in north Queensland, where the Adani mine, which it promised to scrap, is to be built Labor's energy policy Instead of new coal plants, Labor wanted to put solar panels on schools and spend $5 billion to upgrade transmission infrastructure. Renewables would be a focus, such as $141 million to fund $2,000 rebates for 100,000 households, earning less than $180,000 a year, to install home battery systems. It wanted renewable energy to provide half of power generation by 2030, just over double the current proportion. Australia's pollution would be slashed by by 45 per cent on 2005 levels by 2030 and bet at net zero pollution 20 years later. About 250 big polluting companies would be issued a cap on their emissions, which they would have to offset with carbon credits. Mr Shorten also aimed for half of all new cars sold in Australia to be electric by 2030. Advertisement Mr Joyce said he would fight for affordable power to be the main consideration when determining energy and climate policy under Scott Morrison's Government. 'That is the issue that should be at the forefront of our nation's debate, and put aside these other people of indolent purposes and excess money who prophesy what they want the world to be, while they go home to an electric blanket,' he said. Mr Joyce also hit out at $65 billion in coal being exported to Asia, where power is now cheaper than here, instead of being used to drive down prices in Australia. Labor's energy policy aimed to cut power prices by giving families rebates to install solar and battery power, drastically decreasing their costs. About $141 million would be spent to fund the $2,000 rebates for 100,000 households earning less than $180,000 a year. Labor claimed switching to 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030 would lead to cheaper power and create more than 70,000 jobs. Paul Hunt (pictured) has been slammed as a bully who doesn't like working with powerful women and is said to sport a mahogany suntan The man behind Jamie Oliver's food empire is arrogant, plagued by failure and has a problem working with strong women, sources close to the celebrity chef said before his food group went into administration today. The celebrity cook's brother-in-law, Paul Hunt, is said to have given a PA her own redundancy letter to type before she even knew she'd be out of a job. Married to Oliver's sister Anna-Marie, he was appointed to run Jamie Oliver Ltd in 2014 and is still listed as a director at the failing brand. In the same year he became a director of the Jamie's Italian chain and today it emerged than more than 1,000 of its restaurant staff are set to lose their jobs. Mr Hunt was one of five directors at Jamies Italian Ltd in its last available accounts, despite the brand losing 30million in that same year. The 2017 accounts revealed directors enjoyed an average of 140,000 in salaries and bonuses. But Mr Hunt has been described as a bully who made workers redundant on the spot one Christmas Eve and barked 'tea, tea' at a 'lovely PA' in her 50s when he wanted a drink. 'Paul Hunt is an arrogant, incompetent failure,' a source close to the TV chef told The Times in March last year. 'He knows virtually nothing about restaurants and even less about publishing...the day he resigns the staff should have a big party.' The former City trader (pictured, left, with his wife) allegedly made staff redundant on Christmas Eve and screamed 'tea tea' at his PA. Jamie Oliver (right, with wife Jools) defended him when claims of bullying emerged Mr Hunt previously worked for LIFFE futures and options exchange and was fined 60,000 in 1999 for insider trading while at Refco Overseas - the London arm of a US futures broker. Hunt was banned from trading for a year. The source that branded Hunt arrogant also said he has a 'problem' working with strong women and that his presence left staff 'desperate to leave'. She said that the PA he screamed at when he wanted tea found out she was losing her job when he told her type up a set of redundancies and she was on the list. Morale at the company is said to have become disastrously low after Mr Hunt, 54, was chosen to head up the culinary enterprise and introduced cost-saving measures. A female executive who recently left the company described Hunt as 'testosterone central' and 'a City boy from central casting' with a mahogany suntan. Pictured, left to right: Paul Hunt, his wife Anne-Marie, Jamie's wife Juliette Norton and, far right, Jamie Oliver And she said that he appeared pleased when she handed in her resignation. Another source described him simply as useless and questioned his rising pay amid his failures. One former employee said: 'He's always been more focused on cost cutting than quality. He's not tried to re-brand or do anything different.' But as his brand's former workers raged at the alleged incompetency on display, the TV chef hit out at critics on Twitter. 'For the last 14 years, Paul has been deemed as fit and proper to be the sole director of a Financial Conduct Authority-licensed company, before becoming CEO of Jamie Oliver Group in July last year,' he said last year. He dismissed 'nasty' claims that his brother-in-law and CEO of his business was a 'bully' who was destroying his empire. Mr Hunt (pictured with Jamie Oliver) was branded 'testosterone central' by a female who used to work with him 'First, let me say that the story is nonsense and I absolutely refute the picture they paint of Paul and my business,' he said. 'I've known Paul for years both as a loyal brother-in-law and loving father as well as a strong and capable CEO who I charged with re-shaping the business. 'He has radically transformed our business for the better it's now more successful, vibrant and creative than ever and now we able to focus on doing the same in our UK restaurant business. 'I'm incredibly grateful for what's been achieved in a fairly short time.' Some sacked staff said that they were told to leave the premises mid-shift and were given no notice. The Notting Hill branch of Recipease had Christmas Eve 2015 as its last day of trading. One member of staff said: Everyone here feels let down, particularly those like me who have worked a long time for Jamie and put everything into this shop. Christmas is the worst time to lose your job. The management have been ruthless. Sarah Kuteh was fired from her job at Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, Kent, in 2016 for repeatedly talking to patients about her faith A nurse who was sacked from the NHS after offering a bible to a cancer patient and encouraged him to sing The Lord is My Shepherd was fairly dismissed, a court has ruled. Sarah Kuteh was fired from her job at Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, Kent, in 2016 for repeatedly talking to patients about her faith and handing out a bible, in breach of Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) rules. A ruling, published last week by the Court of Appeal, stated that on June 3 2016 a patient at the hospital had complained about Ms Kuteh's conduct. The court heard how the patient likened the incident to a 'Monty Python skit', which he said was 'very bizarre' - in which she encouraged him to sing along with Psalm 23 with her. The ruling, which upheld a decision that she was fairly dismissed by the Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, stated: 'On 20 June 2016, the Complaints Department noted a call from a patient being treated for cancer concerning his assessment by the Claimant on 3 June 2016. 'He had replied 'open minded' to the question on the form concerning religion and alleged the Claimant had told him that the only way he could get to the Lord was through Jesus. '(She) told him she would give him her bible if he did not have one; gripped his hand tightly and said a prayer that was very intense and went 'on and on'; and asked him to sing Psalm 23 [The Lord is My Shepherd] after which he was so astounded that he had sung the first verse with her. 'He described the encounter as 'very bizarre' and 'like a Monty Python skit'. Sarah Kuteh, 50, from Erith in Kent, told a cancer patient at the only way he could get to the Lord was through Jesus The court documents also point to a number of other incidents, in which Ms Kuteh told a bowel cancer patient in April 2016 'that if he prayed to God he would have a better chance of survival' Another complaint, again in April 2016, came from a patient who said Ms Kuteh 'spent more time talking about religion than doing the assessment', and another, the same month, came from a patient who said they didn't want to see Ms Koteh as they 'didn't like preaching'. Miss Kuteh, a 50-year-old mother of three, was suspended from her job in June 2016 and sacked for gross misconduct in August the same year, with her dismissal upheld by an employment tribunal later the same year. She appealed the ruling of the tribunal in 2017, but failed in her bid to have her sacking overturned, but was allowed to work as a nurse again in July last year after her working restrictions were lifted by the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Ms Kuteh, however, appealed for a second time against her sacking to the Court of Appeal - saying the employment tribunal had 'failed to consider the correct interpretation of the NMC Code and the distinction between appropriate and inappropriate expressions of religious beliefs'. The appeal upheld the finding that Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, Kent, pictured, was right to dismiss its employee She also said the tribunal had failed to acknowledge that Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights - Freedom to manifest one's religion or beliefs - was 'applicable' and to 'consider the fact-sensitive distinction between true evangelism and improper proselytism'. Judges at the Court of Appeal, however, rejected the nurse's most recent appeal, saying she was not unfairly dismissed in a ruling published last week. The ruling, presided over by Lord Justice Gross, Lord Justice Singh and Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, stated: 'The Respondent employer [Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust] did not have a blanket ban on religious speech at the workplace. 'What was considered to be inappropriate was for the Claimant [Ms Kuteh] to initiate discussions about religion and for her to disobey a lawful instruction given to her by management. 'It is important that cases such as this should not become over-elaborate or excessively complicated. 'The essence of this case can be summarised as follows: 'The Claimant accepted that on at least some occasions she initiated conversations with patients about religion. Ms Kuteh outside her tribunal which the appeal ruled was 'plainly open' to rule the dismissal was fair 'On 11 April 2016 the Claimant gave an assurance to Ms Gill [the supervising matron] that she would not initiate such discussions. 'Despite that assurance, given in response to a lawful management instruction, the Claimant continued to do so. 'In particular the incident on 3 June 2016, which the patient concerned described as 'very bizarre' and 'like a Monty Python skit', was on any view clearly inappropriate. 'The Respondent conducted a fair procedure, by way of investigation, at the disciplinary hearing and at the subsequent appeal. 'The decision to dismiss the Claimant for misconduct was one which the Employment Tribunal (ET) concluded fell within the band of reasonable responses open to the Respondent in this case. 'Even having regard to the importance of the right to freedom of religion, it was plainly open to the ET to conclude that this dismissal had not been unfair. 'Similarly, the Employment Appeal Tribunal was plainly correct, in my view, to regard the appeal as having no reasonable prospect of success and therefore in dismissing it. 'For the reasons I have given I would dismiss this appeal.' The Christian Legal Centre - which represents Ms Kuteh - said she is currently in discussion with her legal team to consider her next step. Police are searching for a missing Oregon mother and her three-year-old son after they disappeared more than a week ago. Karissa Alyn Fretwell, 25, and son Billy were reported missing by her family on Friday after they had not heard from her in four days. Neighbors told KOIN 6 News that Karissa, who lived with her young son in Salem, was quiet but that they had 'heard a man and woman arguing incredibly loud' around two months ago. Robert Allen said: 'The man was swearing a lot and there was a kid crying in the background, and the woman was yelling at him to get out of her apartment. '[Her sister] came by a couple nights ago, pretty late in the evening, asking if we knew anything and stated that her sister had been missing for a while. [She] was pretty upset, concerned, really concerned. 'I have noticed that the television screen, it's been on the same screen for about a week, so obviously there's no one in the apartment.' Karissa is also said to have asked her friend about installing Ring, a security camera system, the last time they spoke on May 11. Karissa Alyn Fretwell and son Billy were reported missing by her family on Friday Karissa's family had not heard from the young mom, who lives in Salem, for four days after neighbors heard 'a man and woman arguing incredibly loud' two months ago Courtesy of KOIN Megan Harper, of McMinnville, told The Statesman Journal: 'I feel ill with worry about William. Last night, I held my daughter's hand so tightly while she slept and I couldn't sleep because my mind was going over all the possibilities of what could be happening to him.' She said she was supposed to watch Billy on May 17, but never heard from Fretwell, who works as a security guard and studies education at Western Oregon University. Harper added: 'She has a strong work ethic. She'd never miss work.' A car registered to Karissa is still parked in front of the apartment. The white Grand Am has a child's car seat in the back, according to reports. Another vehicle - a green Mercury Mountaineer - is also parked outside. There is a college financial aid application signed by Karissa on the passenger seat. Neighbor Alec Richards said: 'It was either Friday or Saturday at about four in the morning, my wife heard a knock at the door and I guess it was the Salem police. 'Just wanted to know if we knew the girl, the lady, that's missing.' A car registered to Karissa is still parked in front of the apartment. The white Grand Am, pictured, has a child's car seat in the back, according to reports Fretwell works as a security guard and studies education at Western Oregon University. Police say Karissa is 5 foot 9 and weighs 135 pounds, with blue eyes and blond hair that she dyes red. Billy is around three feet tall and weighs 30 pounds, with blond hair and blue eyes Police say Karissa is 5 foot 9 and weighs 135 pounds, with blue eyes and blond hair that she dyes red. Her son Billy is around three feet tall and weighs 30 pounds, with blond hair and blue eyes. Police have so far not released any details on whether any of Karissa's belongings are missing or if they think the pair are in danger. A police press release said: 'On May 17, 2019, the Salem Police Department was contacted by family members of Karissa Alyn Fretwell, age 25 of Salem, to file a missing persons report. 'Karissas family told police they had not seen or heard from her or her three-year-old son, William (Billy) Fretwell, since May 13.' DailyMail.com has contacted Salem police for comment. Anyone with information should call 503-588-6123 or 503-588-8477 at the tips hotline. Two teenage fast-food workers have been hailed as heroes after fending off an 'armed' gang 'in a late-night robbery attempt'. Dramatic CCTV footage shows 17-year-old Hannah Donnelly and 16-year-old Aaron O'Hagan facing off with a group of men who were said to have been demanding money at El Paso Burrito bar, Dungannon in Northern Ireland. One of the men reportedly said he was armed with a knife in the incident, which took place on May 11. School pupil Hannah, who was working the late night shift, said the group were not ordering anything so the teenagers told them to leave - but they kept saying, 'oh I want to talk to you'. Dramatic CCTV footage shows two teenage staff members facing off with a group of men who were said to have been demanding money at El Paso Burrito bar, Dungannon in Northern Ireland She told Belfast Live: 'Then one of the fellas came walking through to the staff only area and I told him to get out and that it was all being recorded on CCTV and police would be out.' One of the men reportedly asked to speak to Aaron after leaving the shop and coming back in. Hannah said: 'He said to me, ''Listen to me very carefully, I've a pen knife in my left pocket and if you don't open that till I'll gut like a fish'' or something along those lines. 'I turned round and said to him, ''You're hardly serious'' and he was ready for taking it out so Aaron told him to calm down and he ordered him to go to the till right now.' The teenager said she stood strong to protect Aaron - thinking the group would target him if the situation became worse. The group left the scene empty-handed before the police attended the scene Hannah said she had no feelings while the incident was unfolding but started shaking as soon as officers arrived The group left the scene empty-handed before the police attended the scene. Hannah said she had no feelings while the incident was unfolding but started shaking as soon as officers arrived. The El Paso Burrito Bar Dungannon Facebook page praised the teenagers' courage, claiming that the group made 'their way past the staff only area and asking for the money in the till'. The post said: 'Quick thinking and absolute brass balls from Hannah and Aaron seen them leave empty handed... and soon after, get caught up with by the local PSNI. 'I would like to take this opportunity to not only publicly commend my staff but to also make the faces known to the public!' PSNI received the report of an attempted robbery at commercial premises in the William Street area of Dungannon on the night of Saturday 11 May. The owner of the bar praised the teenagers' courage, saying: 'Quick thinking and absolute brass balls from Hannah and Aaron seen them leave empty handed' Inspector Ford said: 'It was reported, just before midnight, that three men entered the property, one making demands for money and threatening the use of a knife. 'When demands were refused, the three men left empty-handed. 'A short time after, police arrested two men on suspicion of attempted robbery. 'One man, aged 23, has since been released on police bail pending further enquiries. 'The other, aged 18, has been released to be reported to the Public Prosecution Service. 'Our enquiries are ongoing and I would appeal to anyone with information to get in touch on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 1631 of 11/05/19. 'Alternatively, information can be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.' A Florida elementary school teacher has been arrested, charged and fired over allegedly bringing a loaded gun and a six-inch knife into her classroom after she was informed her contract would not be renewed. Fourth grade teacher Betty Jo Soto, 49, had the gun in her bag and the knife in her pants pocket while at work at Starkey Elementary School in Seminole on Monday, authorities told the Tampa Bay Times. Soto also allegedly had a two-inch push knife in the strap of her backpack. The weapons were discovered after the school's principal noticed Soto exhibiting 'suspicious behavior' and called law enforcement, Pinellas school district spokesperson Lisa Wolf-Chason said. Florida elementary school teacher Betty Jo Soto, 49 (left and right), has been arrested, charged and fired over allegedly bringing a loaded gun and a six-inch knife into her classroom at Starkey Elementary School in Seminole on Monday Soto, who has a concealed weapons permit, was reported to law enforcement by Principal Audrey Chaffin after she found her carrying a backpack around campus to be unusual, Wolf-Chason said. 'The principal notified law enforcement and in the course of their investigation, discovered what was in her backpack,' she said. Soto was found to be carrying a loaded a Glock 9mm semiautomatic pistol and a six-inch Karambit fighting knife at around 11.30am Eastern, authorities said. Soto was found to be carrying a loaded a Glock 9mm semiautomatic pistol and a six-inch Karambit fighting knife (stock photo) at around 11.30am Eastern, authorities said Authorities said the gun, which contained seven bullets, was 'exposed' to students in Soto's classroom. A stock photo of a Glock 9mm semiautomatic pistol is shown Authorities said the gun, which contained seven bullets, was 'exposed' to students in Soto's classroom. Having a concealed weapons permit does not equate to having permission to carry such weapons on a public school campus. The school district had recently decided not to renew Soto's teaching contract for the upcoming academic year, Wolf-Chason said, though she did know when Soto was informed of that decision. Soto was immediately fired from her teaching position and has been charged with two misdemeanor counts of carrying a concealed weapon. She has been released on a $500 bond. Soto did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment. Two people were killed on Monday after a Taquan Air floatplane crashed off the coast of Ketchikan, Alaska the regional airlines second deadly accident within a week. A pilot and a passenger aboard the single-propeller Beaver floatplane were both killed when it crashed into the Metlakatla Harbor at 4pm yesterday, the Ketchikan Gateway Borough said. Neither of the two victims have been identified pending family notification, but officials say they were the only people on-board. The cause and circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation, but the weather was clear and visibility was optimum, according to Jerry Kiffer, Incident Commander for Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad. A pilot and a passenger aboard the single-propeller Beaver floatplane were both killed when it crashed into the Metlakatla Harbor at 4pm yesterday By the time rescue squad personnel arrived at the scene, the two people aboard the plane had already been removed and good Samaritans have secured the plane in the harbor It was a typical Ketchikan day, Kiffer told the Juneau Empire. Its our understanding that the aircraft was landing in the harbor [before it crashed]. Kiffer added that by the time rescue squad personnel arrived at the scene, the two people aboard the plane had already been removed and good Samaritans have secured the plane in the harbor. This is the second Taquan Air Beaver floatplane to be involved in a deadly crash in the last seven days. Its unusual, Kiffer said. We have had multiple fatal accidents before, but not in recent years. I dont recall there being something within a week. On May 13, six people were killed and 10 others injured when a Taquan Air flight collided in mid-air with a Mountain Air plane 3,300 feet above the skies of Ketchikan. Both of the aircrafts had been shepherding tourists from a cruise ship to the shore when the collision occurred. This is the second single-propeller Beaver floatplane crash for Taquan Air in less than a week (pictured: file photo of one of the aircrafts) Six people were killed on May 13 including four Americans, a Canadian, and an Australian. One of the crashed sea planes pictured above in the George Inlet near Ketchikan, Alaska Emergency crews pictured above transporting an injured passenger last Monday Retired fisherman Chuck Hanas was out on his boat with his wife Colleen when they saw the violent crash and the planes fall into the water. 'It was just me. I was at the right place at the right time,' Hanas said to the Today show. 'I got in close and saw people bobbing all over the place. I didnt know how many. And then they had seen me and one lady said "Help, Help!"' he added. They called the Coast Guard after seeing the plane horrifically crash and fall in the George Inlet in southeast Alaska. 'It was shocking to see an airplane hit the water that hard and rip the floats off and turn upside down at the same time. Im not sure anybody was even able to get out of there,' he said. 'I was kind of running on autopilot at that point. I didnt really think anything other than I was just trying to get the people out of the water,' he added. He said he saw an injured pilot with bloody lacerations to his face also scramble to get passengers to safety. 'He didnt speak but he did shake my hand,' Hanas recalled on working together to pull the passengers out of the icy water before hypothermia set in. Hero retired fisherman Chuck Hanas pulled victims of last week's sea plane crash in Alaska onto his boat after seeing the planes plunged into water and victims 'bobbing in the water' The two sea planes crashed midair at 3,300 feet after taking off from Ketchikan, Alaska. One plane then fell into the George Inlet Six people died in the collision including four Americans, a Canadian, and an Australian. Among those victims was a newly married couple ready to start a family, a pilot who used his family's savings to buy his own plane, a devoted family man from Australia and an office manager at an insurance company. There were a total of 14 passengers and two pilots on the two planes. The passengers were from the cruise ship Royal Princess that was on a seven-day trip in Alaska that offered the sea planes trip as an excursion off the port community of Ketchikan. Alaska State Troopers identified the passengers who died as 46-year-old Louis Botha of San Diego, 56-year-old Simon Bodie from Tempe, New South Wales, Australia, 62-year-old Cassandra Webb from St. Louis, 39-year-old Ryan Wilk from Utah and 37-year-old Elsa Wilk of Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. Also killed was the pilot of one of the planes, 46-year-old Randy Sullivan of Ketchikan. Simon Bodie was the sole Australian on the sea plane. He was a 56-year-old businessman from Tempe, New South Wales and was described by Australian media as a 'devoted family man' with two kids. Ryan and Elsa Wilk got married last year and they both worked in the tech center. They were planning to move from British Columbia to their new home in a Salt Lake City suburb with the hopes of starting a family. Wilk, 39 and from Salt Lake City Utah, was a cybersecurity expert and a vice president for the Canadian firm NuData Security, a division of MasterCard. 'I can tell you my brother was an amazing man, son, husband, brother and uncle. We are completely devastated,' his sister, Shannon Wilk, told Salt Lake City television station KSL. Ryan, 39, and Elsa Wilk, 37 got married last year and they both worked in the tech center. They were planning to move from British British Columbia to their new home in a Salt Lake City suburb with the hopes of starting a family at the time of the crash Randy Jason Sullivan, 46, was piloting the de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver (above) owned by Mountain Air Service that collided with a larger sightseeing plane last week He was a father of two and been a pilot with mountain Air since 2012, flying tour groups over the rugged wilderness of Alaska's Inside Passage, a popular cruise ship route 'Ryan was a very kind man with a fun personality. I loved how much we laughed together,' Daniela Veliz Llaguno, Wilk's first wife, told The Associated Press. Elsa Wilk, 37 and from British Columbia, was a fierce black belt taekwondo competitor and worked as a marketing director for different tech companies in Vancouver. She traveled around the world to compete in the sport. 'Everyone knew them as a wonderful couple, they were totally in love,' their friend Mark Pashley said. Elsa's brother Louis Botha of San Diego was also on board and died in the crash. Pilot Randy Jason Sullivan, 46, was a father of two and been a pilot with mountain Air since 2012, flying tour groups over the rugged wilderness of Alaska's Inside Passage, a popular cruise ship route. In an interview to the Los Angeles Times in 2015 he said he knows the perils of flying. 'The danger its on peoples minds. Always,' he said. His wife Julie said she kissed him before each flight as a gesture of good luck and love. A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew hovers while searching for survivors of May 13's crash The two accidents come as number of many others involving small planes in the US across recent months. However aviation experts say theyre not surprised at the alarming frequency of which these crashes seem to be occurring, as the level of regulation applied to planes operated by private pilots or small companies can often lack the stringency adopted by large commercial airlines. At the beginning of May two people were injured after a small plane crashed off the Gulf Coast of Alabama. A week earlier, two people were killed when another small aircraft crashed as it set off from La Center, Washington. Their deaths followed two others who died in Madera, California, in another small plane crash. Commercial planes are holding themselves out to be operating at the highest levels of safety, said National Transportation Safety Board member John Goglia to the New York Times. Thats not required of most others. And part of it has to do with the number of passengers. Taquan Air has not yet responded to a DailyMail.com request for comment. Advertisement A collection of First World War recruitment posters issuing passionate rallying cries for British men to join the fight against the Germans before conscription was introduced have emerged for sale. They were produced by the Parliamentary Recruiting Committee in 1915 to encourage British men to volunteer for front line service. The posters will go under the hammer at auction house Toovey's in Washington, West Sussex, tomorrow, and are expected to fetch 3,000. One powerful poster shows a woman rising from the sea clenching a sword with a sinking ship and drowning victims in the distance. It was produced shortly after the sinking of the British passenger ship Lusitania which was torpedoed off Ireland by the Germans, killing 1,198 people. A collection of First World War recruitment posters, created before conscription was introduced, are going under the hammer at Toovey's in Washington, West Sussex. This poster features the portly figure of John Bull, the personification of the UK, pointing towards the viewer asking 'Who's absent? Is it you?' Behind him are a number of men standing to attention while holding their guns, as a fire can be seen blazing in the far distance In this poster, the iconic skyline of London can be seen - including buildings such as the Elizabeth Tower and St. Paul's Cathedral - as a Zeppelin hovers above. During the First World War, Germany completed many Zeppelin raids over the country. They eventually stopped them and began using other aircraft in 1917 as they were incredibly vulnerable to explosive shells which could set alight the hydrogen that helped the ship fly. This poster reads: 'It is far better to face the bullets than to be killed at home by a bomb. Join the army at once & help to stop an air raid. God save the king' The posters were produced by the Parliamentary Recruiting Committee in 1915 to encourage British men to volunteer for front line service. This one features a grinning army officer in his uniform and cap, complete with the caption: 'He's happy & satisfied. Are you?' The portrait of this British soldier was repeatedly used in different posters, including one that says 'Make us as proud of you as we are of him!' The posters often featured romanticised views of the frontlines, such as this poster (left) showing a smartly-dressed soldier riding a horse with his sword drawn. It has the caption: 'Forward! Forward to victory, enlist now.' The recruitment drive was incredibly effective - in 1914, around 30,000 men were enlisting every day. The poster on the right features a woman rising from the sea clenching a sword with a sinking ship and drowning victims in the distance. It was produced shortly after the sinking of the British passenger ship Lusitania which was torpedoed off Ireland by the Germans, killing 1,198 people This example shows a British artilleryman stood on a map of Europe, with key cities including Calais and Boulogne in France and Ypres in Belgium pointed out. He is reaching out towards a civilian dressed in a smart suit and flap cap, urging him to 'come lad slip across and help'. The poster also points out Folkestone and Dover, where many British soldiers started their journey across the Channel Another poster, depicting a Zeppelin in a night sky above London, states 'it is better to face the bullets than to be killed at home by a bomb'. The portly figure of John Bull is shown in Union Jack attire with the slogan 'Who's absent, is it you', while Lord Kitchener urges men to 'enlist today'. One of the most striking posters shows a Tommy stood in France reaching his hand out towards a teenage boy back in Britain encouraging him to 'come lad, step across and help'. A British soldier on horseback gallops into action sword raised with the caption 'forward, forward to victory, enlist now', while another has a map of Britain as the centrepiece of a poster which states 'is your home here, defend it'. This map shows the different army regiments covering the country, and asks the viewer 'is your home here? Defend it!' The map also points out towns, which are also the headquarters of the regimental depots. Beneath the map is a list of the recruiting grounds of the regular army, and of the territorial force The collection of 15 posters have been consigned for sale by a collector whose ancestor worked in the printing press during wartime. This poster features an illustration of a group of military men on horseback as they react to an explosion going off in the foreground. It implores the reader: 'Every fit Briton should join our brave men at the Front. Enlist now' At the start of the WWI, Lord Kitchener became the Secretary of State for War. He was one of the only people to predict that the war would not be 'over by Christmas', and as such, organised a huge recruitment campaign. He became the face of the war for many, thanks in particular to another iconic poster that read: 'Lord Kitchener Wants You!' The collection of 15 posters have been consigned for sale by a collector whose ancestor worked in the printing press during wartime. They had been tucked away in a drawer in their home in West Sussex gathering dust for several decades. Auctioneer Nicholas Toovey said: 'The vendor has had the posters for many years and were passed them down by a relative who worked in a printers' during World War One. 'They had been kept in folio and tucked away for some time. These posters are very interesting examples of British propaganda and I particularly like the poster of Lord Kitchener and the one showing the Zeppelin.' The Parliamentary Recruiting Committee, chaired by prime minister Herbert Asquith, was set up following the outbreak of war in August 1914. The committee commissioned some 200 posters, which were mostly published before the introduction of conscription. The sale takes place tomorrow. During World War One, Britain asked its citizens to invest in war loans, eventually receiving a total of 91million. The loan was seen as an attractive investment as it was expected to give returns of 4 per cent over its lifetime. Here, this poster describes the cash lent by citizens as 'silver bullets' that would take out the Germans by funding the war effort Lord Kitchener featured in many of the posters issued before conscription was introduced. He originally aimed to recruit more than 500,000 volunteers for his New Army for action by mid-1916, but the war broke out before then and plans were sped up. Auctioneer Nicholas Toovey said: 'These posters are very interesting examples of British propaganda and I particularly like the poster of Lord Kitchener and the one showing the Zeppelin' Comedian Artie Lange has been arrested for violating the terms of his drug probation, law officials have confirmed. The 51-year-old was picked up without incident shortly after 7am on Tuesday morning at Freedom House, an addiction center and halfway house in Clinton, New Jersey, where he has been receiving treatment. Lange, who is best known for his time as a co-star on The Howard Stern Show, was taken into custody without incident, and is currently being held at Essex County Correctional Facility, the local prosecutor's office told DailyMail.com. Due to legal restrictions, the prosecutor's office was unable to specify what sparked the funnyman's arrest, however they did confirm that he had been 'non-compliant with his drug court requirements'. After being brought into the correctional facility, Lange posed for two mugshots that showed the devastating impact of his three-decade-long substance abuse, which has left him with a collapsed nose. Artie Lange pictured in his mugshot on Tuesday morning. The local prosecutor's office told DailyMail.com that he was picked up without incident at Freedom House in New Jersey Lange says his nose has 'been hideously deformed due to over three decades of drug abuse' Lange's long battle with drug addiction is well-known, and his current legal problems stem from a March 2017 arrest in his native New Jersey. At that time, officers discovered heroin and cocaine inside his luxury Range Rover. Just two months later, he was reportedly pulled over on the Garden State Parkway before officers found him 'with 81 decks of heroin, including a bag of heroin in his lap with a straw', New Jersey reported. He was sentenced to four years probation for that crime. However, Lange has struggled to keep up with court-ordered requirements, and in January of this year he was arrested after testing positive to cocaine while still under the terms of his probation. Two months later, he was detained yet again after testing positive for the substance. Lange spent three days in jail before he was ordered to complete a six-month drug court program, which he was undergoing at the time of Tuesday's arrest. Lange is pictured at left April 2017, before his partial nose collapse. He is pictured right in a March 2019 mug shot, after he was arrested for testing positive to cocaine Lange was seen at a gas station last week holding a copy of his former co-star Howard Stern's new book As part of the program, Lange has been required to collect trash and pump gas As part of the program, Lange has been required to pump gas and collect trash. Earlier this month, he was filmed working at a New Jersey gas station where he held up a copy of Howard Stern's new book. Lange famously appeared as a co-star on the shock jock's hit radio show from 2001 until 2008. In April, the trouble star was seen sporting a hi-vis vest as he went about collecting trash while hitched to the side of a garbage truck. One of Lange's representatives wrote above the post: 'Just heard from Artie. Someone snapped this video and it got back to him. He wanted everyone to know he's fine with it. Per Artie 'It's true i'm working to satisfy my drug court program. I work with great people. Nothing wrong with a little hard work. Love you all and can't wait to be back on stage'. Lange has been famously candid about his long battle with substance abuse. In December 2018, he shared a selfie to Twitter, saying his nose has been 'hideously deformed due to over three decades of drug abuse'. Despite his long-running drug problem, Lange has enjoyed a glittering career as a comedian. Prior to his association with Howard Stern, he enjoyed success as a stand-up comic and as a star on sketch comedy series Mad TV. He has also published three books, and most recently appeared as a recurring cast member on the hit HBO show, Crashing, produced by Judd Apatow. A gang member-turned-cooperating witness wiped away tears as he testified how he helped drag a 15-year-old boy out of a bodega before he was hacked to death with a machete after he was mistaken for a member of a rival gang. Kevin Alvarez on Monday took the stand in the murder trial of five young men accused of butchering Lesandro 'Junior' Guzman-Feliz in the Belmont section of The Bronx on June 20, 2018. Alvarez was one of the suspects caught on surveillance cameras following Feliz into the bodega, beating him, then pulling him onto the sidewalk where the teen was murdered. Alvarez, a 20-year-old college dropout, joined the Trinitarios Los Sures four months before the slaying because he thought it was 'a little cool'. He told the court how one of the gang leaders, Diego Suero, had issued an order to prey on members of the rival Sunset gang to avenge a recent shooting, PIX11 reported. Scroll down for video Star witness: Trinitarios gang member-turned-cooperating witness Kevin Alvarez (pictured in court in February, left) on Monday testified in the murder trial of five men accused of hacking to death 15-year-old Lesandro 'Junior' Guzman-Feliz (right) Alvarez is circled in red in a screenshot from a CCTV video showing him dragging Feliz out of a Bronx bodega to his death in June 2018 On the night of the bodega attack, Alvarez and more than a dozen other Trinitarios members were driving in four separate cars around the Belmont neighborhood 'hunting' for their enemies when they spotted Feliz talking on the phone on the sidewalk. Alvarez's companions began yelling Trinitarios slang at Feliz and asking him questions, and then got out of their cars. He looked surprised and scared and he started running, Alvarez told the court. The only thing I heard him say is that he wasnt Sunset. Thats when all the guys that were in front of him made a gesture like they were gonna hit him and he started running. Alvarez recounted how Feliz tried to run into St Barnabas Hospital where his mother worked, but he and the other Trinitarios blocked his way, forcing the boy to flee to the bodega across the street. Defendants (L-R at table) Jonakai Martinez Estrella, Jose Muniz, Manuel Rivera, Antonio Santiago Hernandez Rodriguez, Elvin Garcia appeared for a pre-trial hearing in the Lesandro Guzman-Feliz murder on April 2, 2019 Feliz's mother, Leandra, is pictured outside Bronx Supreme Court after heading Alvarez's testimony. The woman said he and the defendants knew her son was innocent but killed him anyway, 'just for fun' Once inside the store, Alvarez said Feliz dove behind the counter and cowered behind the owner of the store, who ordered the entire group to 'take it outside' because he said he did not want any problems. Alvarez tearfully admitted to punching the 15-year-old in the face and kicking him as Feliz desperately tried to remain within the relative safety of the convenience store, rather than being dragged into the street. Alvarez testified that gang leader Diego Suero (pictured in court last June) had issued an order to hunt down members of a rival gang called Sunset to avenge a recent shooting Hes trying to cling onto things inside the store so we dont drag him out, Alvarez said. He grabbed this rack thing with chips. He grabbed onto the door. He grabbed onto the fridge. Alvarez's emotional testimony echoed the horrifying video from inside the bodega showing Feliz's struggle. Despite his efforts, Feliz was overpowered and wrenched out of the store, at which time Alvarez said he saw defendant Jose Muniz brandish a machete. At that point I got scared just about what was about to happen, he testified. Alvarez, with tears running down his cheeks, said that as he ran back to his car, he turned around and saw his companions butchering Feliz, who was putting up a fight and begging for help. After the brutal attack, Feliz, clutching a gaping knife wound in the side of his neck, attempted to make his way to the nearby hospital, but collapsed and bled out on the sidewalk. A witness testified as the start of the trial that Feliz begged for 'water' with his dying breath. Alvarez was charged last year with second-degree murder, manslaughter and gang assault for his role in the killing, but took a plea deal a few weeks ago and agreed to testify against defendants Muniz, Antonio Rodriguez, Hernandez Santiago, Elvin Garcia, Jonaiki Martinez Estrella, and Manuel Rivera. Estrella is accused of slicing the victim's jugular vein with a knife towards the end of the assault. Alvarez said he saw defendant Jose Muniz (left) brandish a machete. Jonaiki Martinez Estrella (right) is accused of slicing the victim's jugular vein with a knife towards the end of the assault In addition to murder, the five suspects are being tried for manslaughter, conspiracy, gang assault and criminal possession of a weapon. They face life in prison if convicted. Lesandro's mother, Leandra Feliz, was in Bronx Supreme Court on Monday and later blasted Alvarez and the defendants, reported the New York Daily News. 'They killed my son,' she said. "My son was innocent... He said he wasnt a gang member, they knew. [Alvarez] knows he was not a gang member. They knew that, and anyway they killed him. Just for fun.' A Texas woman has been denied compensation by a city's authorities after a blocked sewage pipe left her entire house flooded with waste. Disgusting images captured by Erin Jackson, a local judge in Kennedale, Texas, showed her suburban home overflowing after the incident in March this year. Ms Jackson applied for compensation to cover the $50,000 worth of damage, but has now been denied by authorities in Kennedale - according to reports. After the dust had settled, Jackson found there was damage to her floors, baseboards, bathrooms, bedrooms and many of her appliances. Erin Jackson's bathtub filled with sewage after the blockage caused her home to fill with waste in March Jackson said she applied to the city for compensation but was offered an amount far less than the damage caused Investigators found the problem had been caused by a backed-up sewage line near her house. The cleanup reportedly cost Jackson $50,000. 'All of the wood in the whole house has to go. All of the baseboards have to be replaced, the master shower and quite frankly, I am never sitting in the bathtub. There's not enough bleach that will get me to sit in that bathtub again,' she said told NBC DFW. After applying to the city, however, she was told that they had no legal responsibility to pay out for the damage caused by the blocked pipe. Jackson recently got a call from the city informing her that they were denying her claim. Instead of paying her back for the cleaning costs, they announced they would offer $7,700 as a gesture of goodwill. She now says she plans to launch a legal challenge against the city. Pictured: Jackson's toilet overflowing with waste Jackson said that she rejected the city's gesture because she saw it as an insult. 'This is a giant economic burden for me,' she said. 'How can a consumer get stuck paying all of this? How can a citizen get stuck paying all of this when I did nothing wrong?' 'They have historic problems that they knew existed and did not take steps to fix,' Jackson said. She now says she plans to launch a legal challenge against the city to try and recover the money. Donald Tusk today infuriated voters after he took the extraordinary step of urging people to back Change UK on Thursday if they 'want Britain to stay in the EU'. The EU Council President, who said there is a 'special place in hell' reserved for people who promoted Brexit without a plan, has officially backed candidate Jan Rostowski claiming he would make a 'great MEP for London'. His decision has caused fury with British voters telling him to 'mind his own business' and 'stop meddling with democracy' ahead of the May 23 European elections. Polish born Tory MP Daniel Kawczynski tweeted: 'Never a good idea for an overseas politician to interfere in the domestic elections of a sovereign nation. Perhaps we will have to now mobilise the 1 million Poles living in GB to vote against Mr Tusk when he stands to be President of Poland next year'. Tusk's foray into British politics is the latest intervention from EU chiefs after European Parliament Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt turned up in London campaigning for the Liberal Democrats with Sir Vince Cable earlier this month. Donald Tusk today took the extraordinary step of urging people to vote for Change UK on Thursday if they 'want to stay in the EU'. He urged Londoners to back his friend Jan Rostowski, picture on the campaign trail this month Mr Tusk has used an official statement to back Mr Rostowski, his former deputy prime minister in Poland who has now settled in the British capital, where he was born. He said: 'Not only was he the best finance minister in Europe during the financial crisis, he is also a very dear friend who would make a great MEP for London, which I know he loves. 'I urge Londoners who want Britain to stay in the EU to vote for him.' Mr Tusk is staunchly pro-European and admitted his hope is that Britain will never leave the EU when Brussels agreed to extend Article 50 until October 31. His backing for Change UK has caused some disquiet in the UK. Carol Summers said: 'Donald Tusk can mind his own business' while another critic said the EU is 'getting so frightened of no deal they meddle in our democracy'. One critic tweeted: 'The hapless Change UK are a dying group, they're rather pathetic. If Tusk is idiotic enough to back them, all I can do is shrug my shoulders' Another said: 'We are leaving. Then they can say whatever they like after that - nobody will care'. Today Change UK, a party formed 13 weeks ago by MPs who want to reverse Brexit, welcomed the intervention by one of the EU's most powerful officials. Guy Verhofstadt canvassing with Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable in London ten days ago Carole Tongue, a former MEP for Labour who is also standing for Change UK in the election for the London region, said: 'I'm delighted that President Donald Tusk, whose knowledge of European politics and economics is unsurpassed, has recommended to Londoners that if they want to Remain in the EU they should vote for Change UK on Thursday. 'President Tusk worked with our candidate Jan Rostowski and is rightly attesting to his huge European political and economic competence.' In January the EU President said David Cameron never wanted to hold the EU referendum and hoped the Lib Dems would block it. He tore into former PM for his 'stupid' policy in an interview for a documentary. Meanwhile in Colorado, snow has continued to fall well into May, with 19 inches since Monday in some parts - the latest it has fallen in more than four decades, leaving houses and cars covered and roads coated in ice Already struggling farmers in Arkansas and Missouri are bracing themselves for more wet weather sweeping across the southern Great Plains, continuing to delay crucial corn and soybean planting across the region Advertisement Heavy rain, high winds and hail has swept across the central states, bringing devastation to the region during a brutally wet spring period, leaving 22 million people braced for more flash flooding. Four million residents were under a flash flood 'emergency warning' on Tuesday morning, including in Oklahoma, where as much as five feet of water entered homes in Hominy, to the northeast of the state. Some 22 tornadoes have been reported so far across Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and Missouri, while rescue crews in boats pulled at least 50 people from flood waters as heavy downpours inundated roads and homes, said Oklahoma Emergency Management Agency. No injuries have been reported. A woman in Oklahoma City had to hold onto a tree while she was bombarded by flood waters around North West 178th Street and Council Road. Tow rope was used to carry her out of the waters. Three random men helped save the woman, who went underwater at various points, KFOR reports. Heavy rain, high winds and hail have swept across Oklahoma, bringing devastation in the region. Four million residents were under a flash flood emergency warning on Tuesday morning, including in Tulsa, while as much as five feet of water entered some homes in Hominy, to the northeast of the state. One driver in Enid was forced to drive through high waters on Monday Colorado: Matt Smith returns to his stranded car north of Colorado Springs on Tuesday, 21 May. He slid off the road on his way back from dropping his girlfriend off at Denver International Airport. He was waiting for a tow truck to rescue him A woman in Oklahoma City had to hold onto a tree while she was bombarded by flood waters around North West 178th Street and Council Road Houses have been devastated and trees felled following the devastating flash flooding in Peggs, Oklahoma Tuesday Oklahoma: A house in Tulsa Oklahoma was crushed overnight by a falling tree uprooted by heavy winds and flash flooding Oklahoma: David Dick wades out of the water after checking on his flooded home in Sperry, Oklahoma. A tornado touched down near Tulsa International Airport amid storms in the Southern Plains that brought a deluge of rain and powerful winds Colorado: Jennifer Saultz sweeps the snow off her bushes outside her home on in Colorado Springs after seeing nearly 19 inches of snow since Monday. Snow has continued to fall well into May - the latest it has fallen in more than four decades, leaving houses and cars covered and roads coated in black ice Magnum, Oklahoma: Some 22 tornadoes have been reported so far, while four people were rescued by emergency services following flooding - there have been injuries reported so far. One of the twisters was captured on camera in Magnum, Oklahoma (pictured). This tornado occurred May 20 Colorado: 4x4 drives around a large tree limb blocking the lane in Colorado following 19 inches of snowfall in El Paso County Meanwhile in Colorado, snow has continued to fall well into May - the latest it has fallen in more than four decades, leaving houses and cars covered and roads coated in black ice. Already struggling farmers in Arkansas and Missouri are bracing themselves for more wet weather sweeping across the southern Great Plains, delaying crucial corn and soybean planting in the region. Residents were being rescued from their homes this morning following flash flooding in Stillwater, about 50 miles northeast of Oklahoma City. 'It's real dangerous,' said Ross Reuter, a spokesman for Canadian County, where 10 people were rescued. 'Motorists get out into the swift water, thinking they can get across and it ends up being deeper than they think.' Parts of the state have received six to eight inches of rain since Monday, and some 4 million people remained under a flash flood warning or watch in the region, the National Weather Service said. While, the twister near Tulsa International Airport was one of at least 22 that have ripped through the region since late Monday evening, with more expected to hit over the next 24 hours, according to the NWS. 'More tornadoes are on the way today,' said NWS forecaster Rich Otto. Steve Fairclough shovels through deep, heavy snow in Monument, Colorado. The heavy snow is the latest it has fallen in more than four decades, leaving houses and cars covered and roads coated in black ice, amid an already brutally wet spring period Oklahoma City: Multiple counties across Oklahoma are dealing with flash floods. Roads were closed and traffic brought to a stand still in low-lying areas around Oklahoma City. Many motorists had to be rescued as their vehicles became trapped by rising water. The flash flooding came on the heels of multiple tornadoes that touched down on Monday Houses in Oklahoma experienced as much as five feet of flooding following unusually heavy rainfall for this time of year Enid, Oklahoma: The underpass on north Grand is closed due to high water on Monday. The devastating weather has swept across the southern Great Plains is now headed to Arkansas and Missouri - causing chaos for farmers already struggling to get crops in the ground amid an unusually wet spring The NWS said it expected severe weather across Texas, Louisiana and into Alabama and as far north as Iowa and Nebraska throughout the day and into the night on Tuesday, as chaos spreads across the region. On Monday, the NWS said the risk of tornadoes in the region was higher than at any time in years. 'Flooding is still the big concern,' Otto said. 'Some areas could get another 2 inches (5 cm) of rain today, but that comes after another 5 to 10 inches (13-25 cm) some areas have already seen.' Kingfisher, Oklahoma: A truck is forced to turn around amid flooding on roads following devastating flash floods in the area Oklahoma: Water flows around an abandoned vehicle near US Highway 66 following heavy rains on Tuesday Oklahoma: The midday forecast from SPC has increased the tornado probabilities from 30 percent to 45 percent from northwest Texas into central Oklahoma. This means there's a 45 percent chance of a tornado forming within 25 miles of any spot in the area Millions of people in Oklahoma remain under a tornado watch as a dangerous storm system moves across the southern planes 'The whole area is in the bullseye, with more rounds of severe storms possible,' one forecaster predicted. Rob Hill, director of the city of Stillwater Emergency Management Agency, shared a live video on Facebook as a family was rescued from their flooded home. 'We got more rain just coming down on top of us. We have completely run out of barricades from our public works department,' Hill said in the video. For the first time in two years, forecasters have issued their most dire warning for the risk of catastrophic tornadoes.The target: parts of the Texas Panhandle and Oklahoma, which is also marking the sixth anniversary of a tornado that pulverized the city of Moore, killing 24 people Oklahoma: Vehicles drive through floodwater on US Highway 66 following heavy rains Tuesday 'Listen people, there are just so many areas of this town that are flooded right now, I'm begging you, please don't get out right now. Please just stay home.' Nowata, Dewey and White Oak in northern Oklahoma also had reports of flooding. The Great Plains and Midwest have been battered by storms this year, leaving the Mississippi River at dangerously high levels, causing record floods in Nebraska and Iowa. Oklahoma: Overnight storms brought heavy rain, causing flooding across the state. Several highways are closed due to flooding, including I-40 in Canadian County Oklahoma City opened its underground Multi-Agency Coordination Center on Monday afternoon as an information clearinghouse for emergency responses After being pummeled by tornadoes late Monday, multiple counties across Oklahoma are dealing with flash floods. Roads were closed and traffic brought to a stand still in low-lying areas around Oklahoma City on Tuesday morning Agriculture has been affected badly by the stormy weather. Missouri only has 62 percent of its corn planted, compared to 95 percent a year ago through May 19, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Soybean planting is also delayed, with only 9 percent of fields planted versus 58 percent a year ago. In Arkansas, only 31 percent of soybeans have been planted compared to 78 percent a year ago. A devoted pet dog stayed by his dying owner's side until his very last moments in a heartbreaking show of true loyalty. Luke McKoy, 28, was tragically killed in a horror crash after he attempted to take over another vehicle on the M1, near Nambour in South East Queensland on Sunday. His car veered off the road and hurtled 30metres down an embankment. Mr McKoy and his pet dog Major were left fighting for their lives for five hours until authorities attended the scene of the crash. Mr McKoy (pictured) and his pet dog Major were left fighting for their lives for five hours until authorities discovered the scene of the crash But in act of unwavering loyalty and love, Major stayed by Mr McKoy's side for the entire time they waited for the emergency services to arrive. Mr McKoy sadly passed away while Major suffered a dislocated and broken leg, but he has since been put down. Mr McKoy's sister Jasmine Nadin has since spoken out to pay tribute to her brother. 'He taught me so much in life and I had always looked up to him,' she told The Courier Mail. She also spoke of the bond Major and Mr McKoy shared. 'Major was Luke's first dog and his best friend,' Ms Nadin said. But in act of unwavering loyalty and love Major (pictured) stayed by Mr McKoy's side for the entire time they waited for the emergency services to arrive Mr McKoy sadly passed away while Major suffered a dislocated and broken leg, but has since been put down Ms Nadin said it was a 'miracle' Major had even survived the accident at first. She said sadly his injuries had been so severe he couldn't be saved and was later euthanised. At the time of the crash, police believe that Mr McKoy had been speeding. Mr McKoy is one of six motorists to be killed on Queensland roads between Monday and Friday. 'Last weekend was incredibly tragic with a number of serious crashes across the state, some of which have claimed innocent lives,' Acting Superintendent Neal White said. Acting Superintendent White spoke of the 'enormous impact' such tragic accidents would have on families, the wider services and emergency service workers. Police have urged motorists to be calm when driving on Queensland roads. Huawei has claimed it is the victim of 'bullying' following a U.S. trade ban that blocks American companies from selling to the Chinese technology giant. The trade ban issued last week prohibits Google from continuing to license its Android licensing system to Huawei, and other U.S. suppliers from doing business with the Chinese firm, saying it aides Chinese intelligence agencies and violated sanctions on Iran. 'Huawei is becoming the victim of the bullying by the U.S. administration. This is not just an attack against Huawei. It is an attack on the liberal, rules-based order,' said Abraham Liu, Huawei's representative to the EU institutions. 'Now it is happening to Huawei, tomorrow it can happen to any other international company,' Liu said on Tuesday. 'This is dangerous.' Liu said Huawei continued to talk with Google to minimize the impact on its smartphone users, most of whom are in Asia and Europe. 'They (Google) have zero motivation to block us. We are working closely with Google to find out how Huawei can handle the situation and the impact from the U.S. Department of Commerce decision,' Liu said. US tech stocks are rebounding after U.S. Commerce Department granted Google a 90-day extension to continue to work with Huawei, in an easing of stringent U.S. restrictions on the Chinese telecom equipment and phone maker. On Monday, the Commerce Department granted Huawei a license to buy U.S. goods until August 19, allowing Google to continue sending updates to Huawei phones until then On Monday, the Commerce Department granted Huawei a license to buy U.S. goods until August 19 to maintain existing telecoms networks and provide software updates to Huawei smartphones, a move intended to give telecom operators that rely on Huawei time to make other arrangements. US tech stocks rose on Tuesday on news of the grace period. Chipmakers rallied, with Qualcomm gaining 2.1 per cent. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite was up 1.2 per cent in mid-morning trading. Google shares were up 0.95 per cent, after opening down on Monday after news of the trading ban. Major European stock markets rose and Chinese indices gained more than 1 percent. In Europe, the tech sector rose 1.49 per cent after losing almost 3 per cent on Monday, as chipmakers AMS AG of Austria, Franco-Italian STMicroelectronics and Germany's Infineon all gained. Huawei is still prohibited from buying American-made hardware and software to make new products without further, hard-to-obtain licenses. China and the U.S. increased import tariffs on each other's goods over the past two weeks after President Donald Trump said China had reneged on earlier commitments made during months of negotiations. Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei on Tuesday told Chinese state media that the reprieve bore little meaning for the company as it had been making preparations for such a scenario. A five-day view of Google's share prices shows the price rebounding in Tuesday trading 'The U.S. government's actions at the moment underestimate our capabilities,' Ren said in an interview with CCTV, according to a transcript published by the Chinese state broadcaster. The U.S. controls 'will have no impact within this company' and none on development of next-generation telecom technology, Ren said. He said some low-end business might be affected. Chip experts have called out Huawei on its claims that it could ensure a steady supply chain without U.S. help, saying the technology it buys from American companies would be 'hard to replace'. Nearly 16 percent of Huawei's spending on components in 2018 went to U.S. firms including Qualcomm, Intel and Micron Technology, analysts said. Monday's temporary license is likely to allow companies such as Google to continue providing service and support, including software updates or patches, to Huawei smartphones that were available to the public on or before May 16. 'Keeping phones up to date and secure is in everyone's best interests and this temporary license allows us to continue to provide software updates and security patches to existing models for the next 90 days,' a Google spokesperson told CNBC in an email on Tuesday. The license also allows Huawei to engage in the development of standards for fifth-generation (5G) telecom networks. Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei (seen in file photo) said on Tuesday that the U.S. controls 'will have no impact within this company' American officials say Huawei and other Chinese telecom equipment vendors are a risk because they are beholden to the ruling Communist Party and act as arms of Chinese intelligence services. Huawei denies accusations it facilitates Chinese spying. The Trump administration's order last week steps up pressure on Huawei, which Washington says is a security risk, and threatens to hamper sales of network gear and other products. Huawei is the No. 2 global smartphone brand but relies on Google's Android operating system and U.S. components suppliers. China's government repeated its promise to defend Chinese companies abroad but gave no details of what Beijing might do. Huawei has developed its own chips for some smartphones and other products but relies on American suppliers for its most advanced components. Huawei and Google are discussing possible 'emergency relief measures' for its smartphone business, which might lose access to some of the American company's services, Ren said. He gave no details. Google, a unit of Alphabet Inc., said Monday its basic services still will work on Huawei smartphones, which use its Android operating system. Google gave no details of what services might be curtailed. But the company would be barred from transferring hardware or software directly to Huawei. That would affect maps or other services that require the American company's support. Huawei trails only Samsung of South Korea in global smartphone sales. Industry analysts say it might struggle to compete if it cannot line up replacements for Google services that run afoul of the U.S. curbs. 'I should say this impact will be very big, but Google is an extremely good company,' Ren said. 'We are discussing emergency relief measures.' A foreign ministry spokesman accused Washington of misusing 'state power' to hurt foreign companies and interfere in commercial markets. 'The Chinese government has determination and ability to safeguard its legitimate and lawful rights and interests,' said the spokesman, Lu Kang. Apple Inc., Huawei's main American rival in smartphones, makes a prominent potential target for Beijing. The company's iPhones are assembled in China and the country is its No. 2 market after the United States. Attacking Apple might be politically awkward for Chinese leaders who have accused Washington of mistreating Huawei. Business groups say Chinese officials are trying to reassure American companies they are welcome despite Beijing's tariff war with President Donald Trump. But regulators have an array of tools including tax and safety inspections that can hamper a company with no official acknowledgement it is targeted. Huawei's U.S. sales collapsed in 2012 after a congressional panel told phone carriers to avoid the company and its smaller Chinese competitor, ZTE Corp., as security threats. Despite that, Huawei's sales elsewhere have grown rapidly. The company reported earlier its global sales rose 19.5% last year over 2017 to 721.2 billion. Profit rose 25.1% to 59.3 billion yuan. Huawei smartphone shipments rose 50 percent over a year earlier in the first three months of 2019 to 59.1 million, while the global industry's total fell 6.6%, according to IDC. Shipments by Samsung and No. 3 Apple declined. Last week's order, however, threatens to disrupt Huawei's global business by limiting access to components for products sold everywhere, not just in the U.S. market. It will take effect after a 90-day grace period that will allow some transactions to allow telecom operators that depend on Huawei equipment for 'critical services' time to make other arrangements, the U.S. Department of Commerce said Monday in a notice on its website. Washington has tried to persuade U.S. allies to shun Huawei as a supplier of fifth-generation technology. Australia, Taiwan and some other governments have imposed curbs on use of Huawei technology, but Germany, France and other countries still do business with the company. A 17-year-old girl who was abducted from a Wendy's restaurant where she worked in Idaho has been found in Arizona with the man accused of taking her. Sandra Rios-Chavez was found unharmed in Surprise, just outside Phoenix, early Tuesday morning with 18-year-old Miguel Rodriguez-Perez. Police said they arrested Rodriguez-Perez for forcibly kidnapping the 17-year-old victim. An Amber Alert had been issued for Rios-Chavez after the suspect forced her from the Wendy's where she was working in Jerome, Idaho on Sunday night. Sandra Rios-Chavez, 17, was found unharmed in Surprise, just outside Phoenix, early Tuesday morning with 18-year-old Miguel Rodriguez-Perez Rio-Chavez had an order of protection against Rodriguez-Perez because he had threatened and assaulted her in the past. Police have not confirmed if they were in a prior relationship. Authorities warned that the victim was in danger and urged people not to approach them if they were spotted. Police said Rodriguez-Perez had contacts in Mexico and that he was traveling in a 2015 black Audi A4 with Idaho license plates. Authorities in Surprise had been made away of the Amber Alert and a possible travel route for Rodriguez-Perez after his phone pinged while going through the town of Kingman. Police spotted Rodriguez-Perez's black Audi in Surprise, Arizona, on Tuesday morning and chased him. They found the car abandoned (above) soon after and then located him and the victim nearby Police had warned the public that Rodriguez-Perez had contacts in Mexico and that he was traveling in a 2015 black Audi A4 with Idaho license plates. They released this surveillance image of his vehicle Police then spotted Rodriguez-Perez's vehicle early Tuesday morning while patrolling the area and attempted to carry out a traffic stop. Rodriguez-Perez fled in the car and led police on a short case. Officers found the car abandoned soonafter. The girl and suspect were found when police searched the immediate area. Police said Rodriguez-Perez was taken into custody without incident. The girl was waiting to be reunited with her family. Johnny Depp is firing back at his ex-wife Amber Heard in new court papers, claiming that he nearly lost his life to MRSA after she threw a bottle of vodka at him and severed his finger. One month after the Oscar nominee was hit with new abuse claims by Heard in response to the $50 million defamation lawsuit he filed against the actress, Depp is now detailing the injuries he allegedly suffered at his then-wife's hands. Court papers obtained by DailyMail.com reveal that Depp claims he severed his finger back in 2015 not because he was partying with friends, but rather because his wife was enraged that his lawyer had asked her to sign a post-nuptial agreement. Depp alleges that she was so angry she threw bottles at him, claiming one of those bottles hit a marble countertop and exploded, ripping off the tip of his finger in the process. He also claims he had to undergo multiple surgeries as a result of this attack and contracted MRSA three times, which nearly caused him to lose his life. Scroll down for video The first cut is the deepest: Johnny Depp claims in a declaration filed in his $50 million defamation lawsuit against Amber Heard that the actress is responsible for severing his finger (finger above) All wrapped up: Depp claims that Heard began throwing bottles at him in 2015 just one month after they were married when asked to sign a post-nuptial agreement (Depp leaving Australia in March 2015 just days after the injury on left and returning to work the following month on left) Scarred: The bottle exploded and tore off Depp's finger (above after surgery), and the actorsaid he had to undergo multiple surgeries and almost died after contracting MRSA three times JOHNNY SEVERS HIS FINGER: MARCH 2015 HE SAID 'While I was in Australia filming a movie approximately one month after I married Ms. Heard, on a day where my then-lawyer tried to discuss with Ms. Heard the need that she sign a post-nuptial agreement with me, she went berserk and began throwing bottles at me,' reads the filing. 'The first bottle sailed past my head and missed, but then she threw a large glass vodka bottle. The bottle struck the marble countertop where my hand was resting and exploded.' The filing goes on to state: 'The projectiles impact shattered the bone in my finger and entirely severed the tip of my finger.' A photo submitted with the filing show's just how severe the injury was, with Depp clearly missing a large chunk of his finger. 'I had to have 3 surgeries to reconstruct my finger and contracted MRSA three times,' states Depp in his declaration. 'I feared that I would lose my finger, my arm, and my life.' SHE SAID Heard had previously claimed in court papers that Depp cut off the tip of his finger during an argument while he was 'drunk and high on ecstasy.' He was angry at the actress because he believed she had been sleeping with Billy Bob Thornton, according to Heard. While I was in Australia filming a movie approximately one month after I married Ms. Heard, on a day where my then-lawyer tried to discuss with Ms. Heard the need that she sign a post-nuptial agreement with me, she went berserk and began throwing bottles at me. The first bottle sailed past my head and missed, but then she threw a large glass vodka bottle. The bottle struck the marble countertop where my hand was resting and exploded. The projectiles impact shattered the bone in my finger and entirely severed the tip of my finger ... I had to have 3 surgeries to reconstruct my finger and contracted MRSA three times. I feared that I would lose my finger, my arm, and my life.' -Johnny Depp in new Declaration Thornton and Heard both deny that claim. Depp did not have the finger treated until almost 24 hours after he sliced off the top of the digit, according to Heard, and doctors had to use a flap of skin from his hand to fashion a new tip. In photos taken a month after the incident when the pair returned to Australia, Depp and Heard are seen getting off a private jet with his finger wrapped in a scarf. Depp traveled back to the states to have what was described as an on-set injury treated by doctors after the incident. The film, which initially had a massive production budget of $250million, reportedly went over by $70million, costing $320million in total. Depp managed to deliver in the end however, with the film grossing $794 million worldwide. HE SAID He addressed Heard's claim in his declaration, saying: ' To conceal the fact that her domestic violence against me caused me grievous bodily injury, Ms. Heard has concocted various, shifting, false stories claiming that I cut off my own finger. 'First, in the midst of our divorce case, Ms. Heard caused to be leaked to the media a fake story that I cut off my finger by punching a hole in a wall. 'Now, Ms. Heard has crafted a new, but equally fake, story that I cut off my finger by smashing a plastic phone to smithereens while violently beating her in a three-day ordeal. Depp called both these stories false. Heard's lawyer Eric George responded to Depp's claims in a statement. 'The evidence in this case is clear: Johnny Depp repeatedly beat Amber Heard. The increasingly desperate attempts by Mr. Depp and his enablers to revive his career by initiating baseless litigation against so many people once close to him his former lawyers, his former managers, and his former spouse are not fooling anyone,' said George. 'In light of the important work done by the #TimesUp movement highlighting the tactics abusers use to continue to traumatize survivors, neither the creative community nor the public will be gaslit by Mr. Depps baseless blame-the-victim conspiracy theories.' Bruised: Depp also included images of his own bruised and battered face (above) following Heard's alleged attacks Proof: Depp also claims that Heard painted on bruises to seem like she was attacked, submitting security video that he says shows her without those injuries on he same day (above) HEARD'S APARTMENT IS TRASHED: MARCH 2015 Photos submitted back in April by Heard and her attorneys in response to Depp's defamation suit also showed a number of injuries that were allegedly caused during altercations between the pair. In one group of photos taken just days after the severed finger incident, broken clothing racks and scattered designer clothing, shoes and purses are seen covering the floors of the $3million Los Angeles penthouse where Heard kept her wardrobe and accessories. The evidence in this case is clear: Johnny Depp repeatedly beat Amber Heard. The increasingly desperate attempts by Mr. Depp and his enablers to revive his career by initiating baseless litigation against so many people once close to him his former lawyers, his former managers, and his former spouse are not fooling anyone. In light of the important work done by the #TimesUp movement highlighting the tactics abusers use to continue to traumatize survivors, neither the creative community nor the public will be gaslit by Mr. Depps baseless blame-the-victim conspiracy theories. -Eric George, Heard's lawyer It was one of the five connected penthouses formerly owned by the actor in the Eastern Columbia building in Downtown Los Angeles. The images were shared in text messages between an employee of the couple and a worker in the building. 'Good morning sir... So ... Um ... Johnny destroyed Amber's closet. And there's some other damage to PH5,' wrote the individual working for the couple. That person then added: 'You're the person I should talk to about that, correct?' Kevin, who worked for the building where Depp was living at the time, responds that he will deal with the situation, prompting the other individual to text: 'Insanity. Just f***ing insanity.' This happened on March 23, 2015, a month after Heard and Depp tied the knot on a private island in the Bahamas. Heard had asked the judge to dismiss the $50million defamation lawsuit filed by Depp in response to an op-ed she wrote for The Washington Post. That piece never once mentioned Depp by name but did reference Heard's tumultuous split from the actor, with the actress writing: 'I spoke up against sexual violence - and faced our culture's wrath.' Depp and his legal team claim that Heard caused further damage to his already declining career, which he accuses his ex-wife of derailing when she she first accused him of abuse in her 2016 divorce filing. Heard filed those papers just 15 months after the couple were married, and five years after they first began dating on the set of The Rum Diaries. This is one of the clumps of hair left on the ground after Johnny Depp tore it from Amber Heard during a December 2015 fight, she claims in new legal filings Their marital bed splintered under the weight of Depp's boot, she recalled in a nine page statement in the court documents Rashomon: 'On that date, I was at my penthouse and Ms. Heard screamed at me and then violently assaulted me, scratching my cheek, chin and nose' (Depp's alleged injuries from the December 2015 attack) DEPP AND HEARD BEDROOM BRAWL: DECEMBER 2015 SHE SAID Heard claims Depp picked a fight with her just before Christmas. In her April filing, Heard wrote: 'Hoping to avoid the violence, I tried to calm Johnny down, and then went upstairs to try to remove myself from the situation. Johnny followed me, hit me in the back of my head, grabbed me by my hair again, got in front of me on the steps, and then dragged me by my hair up the last few steps. 'At the top of stairs, Johnny shoved me twice, which made me fear I would fall. I told Johnny that he had broken my wrist in an attempt to get him to stop. 'Johnny kept hitting me, and each time he knocked me down, I chose to react by simply standing up and looking him in the eye. Johnny responded by yelling: "Oh, you think youre a f***ing tough guy?" 'He reeled back and head-butted me in my face, bashing my nose, which immediately began bleeding, sending searing pain through my face. I instantly started tearing up, and I thought that I would have to go to the hospital. 'I told Johnny I wanted to leave him, and that I would call the police if he ever touched me again. When I began to walk away toward the guest apartment, he responded by pushing me, then grabbed me and pulled me from one room to the next, gripping me by my hair. 'By the time Johnny had dragged me into the upstairs office, I told Johnny that I was leaving him, since I could not put up with his behavior any longer. Johnny reacted by grabbing me by my throat, pushing me down to the ground, and punching me in the back of my head. He grabbed me by my hair, slapping me in the face, and screaming at me something like: "I f***ing will kill you I'll f***ing kill you, you hear me?" There were chunks of my hair everywhere and indentations in the carpet where I was dragged. Heard said the fight continued on a bed, where Depp 'got on top of me with his knee on my back and the other foot on the bedframe, while repeatedly punching me in my head, and he screamedas loudly as Ive ever heard him scream "I f***ing hate you" over and over again. 'The bedframe splintered under the weight of the pressure of his boot. Johnny hit me with his closed fists, and I remember being unable to hear myself screaming because he had pushed my face into the mattress. I screamed as loudly as I could, hoping Johnny would realize he was severely hurting me. 'For a while, I could not scream or breathe. I worried that Johnny was in a blacked-out state and unaware of the damage he was doing, and that he could actually kill me.' Two friends found her, she said, and saw the hair on the ground. She does not remember how the fight ended, she said, but she thought Depp would kill her. HE SAID Depp tells a much different version of the same story in his declaration, with the building manager Kevin Murphy confirming some of the claims. Murphy previously testified that 'Heards face was utterly uninjured and unmarked, and appeared makeup free, as they spoke face to face and in good light the day after she alleged the brutal attack. ' He also stated that Heard showed him 'the clump of hair on the floor but not the place that hair was pulled from.' Then, upon viewing the hair image submitted to the court versus the one he saw, and photographed, Murphy said that he believed they were different clumps of hair. This was all concreted after Depp claims he was assaulted by Heard. 'On that date, I was at my penthouse and Ms. Heard screamed at me and then violently assaulted me, scratching my cheek, chin and nose. My security guard, a former long time LA Sheriffs Deputy, whom I called to pick me up the evening of December 15, 2015 insisted on taking photographs of my injuries, which are attached hereto as Exhibit C' wrote Depp. 'There was nothing particularly memorable to me about this incident, given the sheer volume of violent assaults and other abuse I endured from Ms. Heard during our relationship.' Depp also submitted images that he said supported his claim with his declaration. 'Unfortunately for Ms. Heard, her December 15 hoax has also been obliterated by two witnesses who have come forward -- her own stylist Samantha McMillen and our former Estate Manager Kevin Murphy - to provide sworn statements of their face to face interactions with a visibly uninjured Ms. Heard the following day, December 16, 2015,' stated Depp. 'Ms. McMillen testified that while styling a makeup-free Ms. Heard the day of December 16, 2015 to prepare her for an appearance that evening on the James Corden show, Ms. Heard had no injuries whatsoever to her face.' Depp scrawled a message for her in gold chalk which read: 'Why be a fraud? All is such bulls**t Heard claims she was scarred by broken glass which Depp broke and threw her into during their fights HEARD AND HER SISTER INCIDENT WITH DEPP: MARCH 2015 SHE SAID Another incident in March 2015 involved what she said was the only time she hit him in the face. The actress told how she and Depp were having one of their many fights which involved him beating her when he approached her sister, Whitney, on a landing between two staircases in their home in Los Angeles in March 2015. She feared he might push her so she hit him in the face, she said, adding that she would have done 'anything' to stop her sister coming to harm. In the video obtained by DailyMail.com last month, Heard is seen going red with emotion and fighting tears as she recalled the incident. It begins with Depp's attorney's and her own squabbling and Depp's attorney asking if she had ever hit him with a closed fist. 'One time Johnny was hitting me and he was hitting me hard and repeatedly and I was screaming. 'Security walks in and they don't do anything about it and they're, he, makes this motion when Jerry Judge yells "Boss", or Sean, I can't remember who it was. 'All we had was a little bit of separation and my sister runs down the stairs. We're on a landing in between two flights of stairs...' Depp's attorney then interrupted her saying: 'Miss Heard I must interrupt you because I asked you a yes or no question.' Heard's attorney fought back: 'Well you can't. Withdraw your question then because she is answering.' As the lawyers argued, she looked around the room, silently. Depp's lawyer pushed: 'I'm asking for a yes or a no answer.' Heard is seen looking at her lawyer, off camera, as he tells her: 'You don't have to answer it the way she wants you to answer it.' The actress nodded then continued with her description of the incident. 'He was about to push my sister down the stairs. She was attempting to break us up. I am protective over my baby sister. 'When he laid hands on her, I don't know what I did. But I know I jumped in between the actions which I saw could lead to a fatal injury for my sister. 'She was standing at the top of a flight of stairs. She has never hurt anyone in her life and she does not deserve to be pushed down a flight of stairs. It looked like she was about to be. 'I would have done what anybody who has a child or a sister would have done. I acted defensively in her life. 'I saw her standing at the top of a flight of stairs, trying to interrupt a fight between him and I. 'I don't know what part of my body I put in between me and her but I would have done anything. I would have done anything to prevent her from being pushed down a flight of stairs. She also told the lawyers that she hid the alleged abuse from everyone but her mother, initially, but that it became too difficult to conceal. 'My select group was starting to become more and more informed of it. At the very beginning I would only tell my mom who is somebody who understands this situation. 'I would tell her from almost at the very beginning. That's why I had pictures. 'I probably hid the first few instances but very soon into it I started to. Therapists until it became problematic,' she said. The actress became angry and emotional as she said she would have done 'anything' to stop him from hurting her sister in a 2016 deposition Also included in the legal documents is a lengthy description of a three-day episode in Australia in 2015 which involved Depp leaving scrawling messages to his then new wife on mirrors after allegedly beating her. They included this one taunting her about an affair with Billy Bob Thornton Amber Heard and James Franco are shown filming The Adderall Diaries, a movie which Johnny Depp did not approve of and taunted her for making, new text messages between he and Heard reveal The texts started the day after Depp allegedly hit and kicked Heard on board a private jet going from Boston to New York. She called him Steve in her phone and he had her number saved as Slim. He started by apologizing but when she did not reply within two hours, he became 'disappointed'. He was angry about her filming a love scene with James Franco for The Adderall Diaries. The pair were not yet married DEPP'S JEALOUSY OVER FRANCO: MAY 2014 SHE SAID Heard specifically describes one morning in May 2014 when she and a visibly intoxicated Depp clutching a bottle of champagne boarded a private jet from Boston to Los Angeles. She said that once they were on the flight, Depp ordered the flight attendants to give him an oxygen tank and continued to drink heavily. 'Johnny's handlers told me that he was upset that I was filming a movie with a romantic scene with James Franco the day before,' wrote Heard, who was filming The Adderall Diaries with Franco at the time. 'Soon, Johnny began to throw objects at me. Instead of reacting to his behavior, I simply moved seats. 'That didn't stop him. He provocatively pushed a chair at me as I walked by, yelled at me, and taunted me by yelling out the name "James Franco".' She continued: 'At some point, I stood up, and Johnny kicked me in the back, causing me to fall over. Johnny threw his boot at me while I was on the ground. 'Johnny continued to scream obscenities until he went into the plane bathroom and passed out locked in the bathroom for the remainder of the flight.' Heard claimed that Depp later apologized to her over text message, writing: 'Once again, I find myself in a place of shame and regret. Of course, I am sorry. I really dont know why or what happened. But I will never do it again. 'My illness somehow crept up and grabbed me I must get better . . . Again, I am so sorry, so sorry. I love you and I feel so bad for letting you down.' Heard also claimed that Depps assistant Stephen Deuters messaged her and claimed that the actor didn't remember what he'd done, saying he was 'appalled' when he learned about the incident. Deuters allegedly said: 'When I told him he kicked you, he cried. Hes a little lost boy. And needs all the help he can get.' He has claimed in the past that the texts were doctored and that he never had any such conversation with her. In other messages, sent in December 2014 after a different fight, he said: 'I've let it go' then called himself a f*****g savage These are the messages she exchanged with friend Rocky Pennington on December 21, 2015, days after a different alleged assault DEPP SEVERS HIS FINGER: MARCH 2015 SHE SAYS Heard claimed Depp had been up for days and partying in her first account of the severed finger story. The next morning, which marked the third day Depp had gone without sleep, Heard stated: 'I came downstairs to find numerous messages Johnny had written to me around the house, on the walls and on my clothes, written in a combination of oil paint and the blood from his broken and severed finger. Johnny also urinated all over the house.' Heard said Depp was hospitalized after the incident and she walked away with 'a busted lip, a swollen nose, and cuts all over my body'. She said many of those scars still haven't healed four years later. He later said that he didn't believe he broke his sobriety because his new wife hadn't 'explicitly forbidden' him from taking ecstasy. 'The argument heated up, and Johnny pushed me, slapped me, and shoved me to the ground before I retreated to a locked bedroom,' Heard wrote. The following morning Heard allegedly found that her new husband hadn't slept at all because he'd taken 'about eight MDMA pills' and was drinking again. 'We got into a fight that Johnny made physical, and I barricaded myself in one of the rooms. That didnt stop Johnny from busting through the door of the room I was in.' 'By nightfall, Johnny had hit me multiple times, shoved and pushed me to the ground, choked me, and spit in my face. 'Johnny then handed me a liquor bottle that he was drinking from, and asked me: "What are you going to do?" I threw the bottle on the floor. Johnny responded by starting to throw cans and unopened glass bottles at me.' An Indiana kindergartner was allegedly 'lunch shamed' at her elementary school after she didn't have enough money to pay for a $2.25 hot meal. Six-year-old Anya Howard, of Greenwood, was told to return her hot tray of food at the cafeteria on Friday after an aide discovered her student account was down to $0.10. The Southwest Elementary student was then allegedly 'shamed' by a teacher who told her to return to the back of the lunch line to wait all over again for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Anya says she had to walk past 20 students to the end of the line where several classmates laughed at her and made her feel 'sad', according to News 8. Indiana kindergartner Anya Howard, six, was allegedly 'lunch shamed' on Friday and told to return her hot tray of food when a cafeteria aide realized she had $0.10 in her student account, not enough to cover the cost of the $2.25 hot meal Anya says she had to walk past 20 students to the end of the line to receive a peanut butter and jelly sandwich instead, where several classmates laughed at her and made her feel 'sad' Now her grandfather Dwight Howard, a former teacher himself, is speaking out calling the 'cafeteria walk of shame' unnecessary and humiliating for a child. He's urging district administrators to review their cafeteria policies. 'When she was talking to me about it, she was more than sad. I mean, that's embarrassing for a little six-year-old,' he said. Her school sent her home with a note Friday noting that her student cafeteria credit had dipped to a balance of 10 cents. Howard claims the embarrassing incident was the school's fault because they failed to alert the family of her account status until it was too late - despite having a policy to issue payment reminders upon hitting a $5 account balance. Now her grandfather Dwight Howard (pictured), a former teacher himself, is speaking out calling the 'cafeteria walk of shame' unnecessary and humiliating for a child 'When she was talking to me about it, she was more than sad. I mean, that's embarrassing for a little six-year-old,' he said The school send Anya home with this note showing her meal account balance was at 10 cents 'They waited until there was a dime left, denied her the opportunity to eat the lunch that she had [been served and tried to pay for] and then she had to go to the end of the line to wait for a PB&J,' Howard said. 'It is not an uncommon occurrence for multiple students to be served the alternate lunch on any given day,' Dr. Kent DeKoninck, the Greenwood Community Schools superintendent, said on the incident. 'Any time this happens, our staff looks to handle all of these as discreetly as possible... We do allow elementary students to charge two hot meals before receiving the alternate meal,' he added. The school superintendent released this statement saying parents are notified when their accounts hit $5. The Howard family says they received no such notice Her school sent her home with a note Friday saying that her student cafeteria credit had dipped to a balance of 10 cents Contrary to his remarks, the payment reminder notice Anya brought home on Friday said the school would no longer allow students to charge any meals. 'Starting Monday 5/13/2019 we are no longer allowing any Cafe accounts to go into the negative. If there is not enough money in your child's account to cover the entire meal, they will be receiving a peanut butter sandwich and a milk,' the note said. Dekonick said that the Howard family didn't directly contact administrators about the incident. In Rhode Island public school district sparked outrage this month after it was revealed one school owed more than $40,000 from outstanding lunch payments, leading to the enactment of a new policy where student with any debts will only be served 'sun butter and jelly sandwiches'. A one-year-old girl has been hospitalized after she was struck and run over by Boston police patrol vehicle on Monday. The toddler suffered a broken collarbone in the frightening incident which occurred on Shawmut Avenue at 7pm yesterday. Surveillance footage captured from a near-by residents home shows the toddler emerge from behind her familys vehicle as the patrol car pulls out from a parking spot. Just moments later the little girl is struck by the rear-right wheel of the police car, knocked to the floor and dragged into the middle of the road. Surveillance footage captured from a near-by residents home shows the toddler emerge from behind her familys vehicle as the patrol car appears to pull out from a parking spot Just moments later the little girl is struck by the rear-right wheel of the police car, knocked to the floor and dragged into the middle of the road Witnesses and the childs family can be seen rushing to her aid, as her emotional mother charges towards the police car and leaps at the officer getting out of the drivers side in anger. The little girl manages to clamber back to her feet momentarily before falling back down to the asphalt, as a man races to scoop her up and cradle her in his arms. She was rushed to the Boston Medical Center where she stayed overnight in the childrens intensive care unit to be treated for a number of injuries, including a broken collar bone. The little girl manages to clamber back to her feet momentarily before falling back down to the asphalt, as a man scoops her up and cradles her in his arms The toddler suffered a broken collarbone from the frightening incident which occurred on Shawmut Avenue at 7pm yesterday The road remained closed for several hours afterwards, as police worked at the scene reconstructing the accident to determine exactly what happened (left). The victim's mother (right) said she is doing 'Okay' Shes doing okay, the girls mother told 7News, returning to the scene of the accident later on Monday night. Just asking for a speedy recovery, thats all. The road remained closed for several hours afterwards, as police worked at the scene reconstructing the accident to determine exactly what happened. An update on the girls condition has not been issued as of Tuesday morning. Police have confirmed the incidents occurrence but have declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding the collision while an investigation is underway. A 26-year-old British pilot has been named among those killed in a plane crash at Dubai airport. William Blackburn, from the Isle of Man, was killed alongside three other Britons and a South African when the Diamond Aircraft DA62 plane they were riding in came down on Thursday last week. Mr Blackburn's family described him on Tuesday as a 'beautiful soul' who told them a few days ago: 'If I die in flight then at least I'll die doing what I love.' William Blackburn, 26, from the Isle of Man, has been identified as one of three Britons killed when their DA62 plane crashed in Dubai (Mr Blackburn pictured with a DA62 plane) Mr Blackburn (centre, with his family) was described as 'a beautiful soul who touched many hearts', and who said that dying in a plane would mean 'dying doing what I love' The crash has been put down to a technical fault on board the plane, but the exact cause is still being investigated In a statement given to local station Manx Radio, the family said: 'We were blessed with the most beautiful soul and he touched so many hearts. 'We have all our amazing memories now to cherish, and so much support to get us through. The Island's community is just amazing. We have been lucky to have him in our lives.' Mr Blackburn was named a day after another British victim was identified as David Phillips, an ex-RAF wing commander from Newcastle. He served as an air traffic control examiner in the Air Force and had more than 3,000 hours of flying experience before he died. Tributes to Mr Phillips - who was affectionately known as 'Spot' - were paid online, including by the 83 St Georges Squadron Air Training Corps. A spokesman for the corps wrote: 'It's with heavy heart that we have to inform you of the death of our Commanding Officer Flt Lt David Phillips. David Phillips, a former RAF wing commander, has been identified as one of the three Britons killed in the UAE last week when their plane crashed near Dubai airport Mr Phillips was an air traffic control examiner, served as a Commanding Officer in the Air Training Corps and had more than 3,000 hours of flying experience The 83 St George's Squadron ATC paid tribute to Mr Phillips - who was affectionately known as Spot - following his death 'Our heartfelt condolences are with his family at this tragic time.' A third Briton and the South African who were killed have not been named. The crew, who were employed by Flight Calibration Services, based in Kent, were working to improve the runway at Dubai's airport when tragedy struck. Initial indications suggest the crash was the result of a technical malfunction, though an investigation is sill underway. The two-year-old aircraft had been operating out of the Middle East since October. Dubai's international airport is one of the world's busiest aviation hubs. The crashed aircraft, a Diamond DA62, pictured, was owned by Flight Calibration Services. The company won a competition to calibrate the navigation aids at Dubai Aiport in November The aircraft was calibrating navigation equipment at Dubai international airport, pictured A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: 'We are working closely with the Emirati authorities following reports of a small aircraft crash in Dubai.' US engineering and aerospace company Honeywell said it had hired Flight Calibration Services and the DA42 plane for work in Dubai. In a statement, Honeywell said: 'We are deeply saddened by todays plane crash in Dubai, and our heartfelt condolences are with the victims families.' Police are desperately searching for a 10-year-old girl who hasn't been seen by her friends and family for over 24 hours. The girl was last seen wearing a backpack on a busy road in Morayfield, north of Brisbane, at 10am on Monday morning. Due to her young age, police are concerned about her safety and are urging anyone with information to come forward. The girl was last seen on Morayfield Road, 44 kilometres north of Brisbane, at 10am The girl is Aboriginal with brown hair and brown eyes. She is described as being 157 centimetres tall with a slight build and was last seen wearing a purple jacket with a backpack and dark blue leggings. Anyone with information about her where the girl is has been urged to contact police on 131 444. A couple promised a hotel room 'oozing Greek chic and sophistication' have shared the dismal reality of what they actually received on their wedding anniversary trip. Peter Smith, 56, from Thurlton, Norfolk jetted off to Tingaki in Kos on Thursday, May 9 with his wife, Amanda, to celebrate their 28th wedding anniversary. They had been told their hotel room, included as part of their 1,800 all-inclusive Jet2 holiday, would include jazzy modern lighting and wall decorations. Peter Smith, 56, from Thurlton, Norfolk jetted off to Tingaki in Kos on Thursday, May 9 with his wife, Amanda, to celebrate their 28th wedding anniversary They had been told their hotel room, included as part of their 1,800 all-inclusive Jet2 holiday, would include jazzy modern lighting and wall decorations (such as the one pictured from the Jet2 brochure) When they arrived at the Gaia In Style hotel, however, they found their room looking more like a 'hostel' (pictured). Mr Smith claims he was later told it had been used as a 'cleaning store' But when they arrived at the Gaia In Style hotel, they found their room looking more like a 'hostel'. Mr Smith claims he was later told it had been used as a 'cleaning store'. Irritated at the situation, he took to the Jet2 Facebook page to post a picture of what he was promised, and a picture of the reality - complete with beige sheets, and a lack of atmospheric lighting. Mr Smith, who works as a health a safety manager, said: 'First picture is from your website and what I booked, second picture is what I got after apparently being "upgraded" to a sea view room. 'I know not all the rooms will be identical but our room is like a room in a hostel compared to the picture on the website. 'Spoke to customer service and the hotel, got nowhere. 'We are putting up in it as we're only sleeping in the room, but feel we have been tricked.' The Gaia In Style hotel where Mr Smith and his wife are currently celebrating their 28th wedding anniversary. Things got off to a rocky start, however, when they were handed a room which looked like a 'hostel' Mr Smith took to the Jet2 Facebook page to post a picture of what he was promised, and a picture of the reality - complete with beige sheets, and a lack of atmospheric lighting Speaking today, Mr Smith said: 'The hotel were adamant that this was their standard room and suggested the only difference was the colour.' Mr Smith, who described the rest of the hotel and Jet2's handling of his complaint as 'superb', added: 'It has been suggested by the Jet2 rep [it] was an old cleaning store room. 'It is quite unbelievable that the hotel could create and suggest that the first room is the same as the others. 'Jet2 noted that the first room must not be allocated to their customers.' A Jet2 spokeswoman said: 'Our team has been in touch with Peter and moved him to another room, which he is happy with. 'The images on our website accurately represent the different types of room available at this hotel.' The House Judiciary Committee Chairman on Tuesday issued a subpoena for longtime Trump press aide Hope Hicks, in the latest escalation of the battle for documents and testimony. The Democratic-led panel issued the subpoena hours after former White House counsel Don McGahn adhered to a White House directive and defied a subpoena to appear before the committee. Hicks, 30, joined Trump's campaign from the Trump Organization, than followed her boss to the White House, where she became communications director, putting her near the center of key decision points. Upon leaving, she landed a job at Fox Corporation, parent company to Trump's preferred network, Fox News. The House Judiciary has subpoenaed former White House Communications Director Hope Hicks seeking documents and testimony As part of the initial skeleton crew of Trump's campaign effort, she is privy to an array of business and political information, and interacted with key players including McGahn, longtime Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, and top campaign staff. The subpoenas seeks information as well as a June appearance from her. Hicks was among a group of 81 individuals and entities Nadler sought information from earlier this year as part of a sweeping investigation. A document request sought information about the Comey firing, former national security director Mike Flynn, the recusal of former attorney general Jeff Sessions, a Trump tower project in Moscow, the response to the infamous Trump Tower meeting with Russians, and other topics. Initial indications were that Hicks was complying. The panel also subpoenaed Annie Donaldson, who served as McGahn's chief of staff. Her notes provided memorable fodder for Special Counsel Mueller's investigators. She wrote of a 2017 internal meeting: 'POTUS in panic/chaos ... Need binders to put in front of POTUS. (1) All things related to Russia.' And after Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, Donaldson wrote: 'Is this the beginning of the end?' The committee last month voted to authorize subpoenas for Hicks, McGahn, former chief White House strategist Steve Bannon, former chief of staff Reince Priebus, and Donaldson. Rep. Jerold Nadler said Tuesday that Donald Trump's conduct detailed in the Mueller report 'constitutes a crime' and would be prosecuted were Trump not president. Hicks, 30, joined Trump's campaign from the Trump Organization, than followed her boss to the White House, where she became communications director Nadler, who has considerable influence over whether House Democrats go down the path of impeachment, made the stark statement Tuesday at a hearing where former White House counsel Don McGahn adhered to a White House directive and defied a subpoena to appear before Nadler's committee. With no witness present, Nadler read aloud passages from the Mueller report including passages describing when Trump told McGahn to contact deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein and tell him to push out Mueller, and then later draft a memo stating that Trump never told him to fire Mueller. 'I believe that each of these incidents documented in detail in the Mueller report constitutes a crime,' Nadler said, of the report's 10 instances of potential obstruction. Former White House counsel Don McGahn defied a House Judiciary Committee subpoena on Tuesday. Chairman Jerold Nadler vowed: 'We will not allow the president to prevent the American people from hearing from this witness' 'But for the Department of Justice's policy of refusing to indict any sitting president I believe the president would have been indicted and charged with these crimes,' he continued. Then he cited a letter from 900 former federal prosecutors who signed a letter saying Trump would be charged if it weren't for internal guidelines against a sitting president being charged. 'I believe that the president's conduct since the report was released with respect to Mr. McGahn's testimony and other information we have sought have sought has carried this pattern of obstruction and cover-up well beyond the four corners of the Mueller report,' Nadler said. 'The president has declared out loud his intention to cover up this misconduct. He told Mr. McGahn to commit crimes on his behalf. He told Mr. McGahn to lie about it,' Nadler added. President Trump hit back on Twitter, but not until late Tuesday afternoon. 'So even though I didnt have to do it with Presidential Privilege, I allowed everyone to testify, including White House Counsel Don McGahn (for over 30 hours), to Robert Mueller and the 18 Angry Trump-Hating Democrats, and they arrived ...at a conclusion of NO COLLUSION and NO OBSTRUCTION!' Trump wrote. 'The Dems were unhappy with the outcome of the $40M Mueller Report, so now they want a do-over.,' Trump wrote. Nadler's searing statement came as McGahn defied a House Judiciary Committee subpoena Tuesday failing to show up for a hearing after the White House directed him not to appear and stated his immunity from subpoena. Nadler blasted President Trump for efforts to 'intimidate' a witness, saying it was 'not remotely acceptable.' 'The witness must show up,' Nadler intoned. 'Our subpoenas are not optional.' 'If he does not immediately correct his mistake, this committee will have no choice but to enforce the subpoena against him,' Nadler said of McGahn at the start of the hearing, which continued without the witness present. Nadler said the panel would hear from McGahn 'even if we have to go to court to secure it.' 'We will not allow the president to prevent the American people from hearing from this witness,' he said. 'We will not allow the president to block congressional subpoenas, putting himself and his allies above the law,' Nadler added. 'We will hold this president accountable, one way or the other.' Ranking member Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia resonded, after Nadler read passages from the Mueller report based on McGahn's testimony including McGahn's efforts to prevent Trump from pushing out Mueller. VACANT: A name placard is displayed for former White House Counsel Don McGahn, who failed to appear despite a subpoena McGahn features prominently in the Mueller report, which describes phone calls he received at home from Trump. McGahn says Trump told him to contact the deputy attorney general and have him tell Mueller he couldn't be special counsel Nadler accused President Trump of intimidating McGahn from appearing Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, accused Democrats of not engaging in the 'accommodation process' and 'rejecting olive branches from the administration' Collins says Nadler left out that: 'There was no collusion. There was no obstruction charges. There's nothing here. After two years of doing this.' He accused Nadler of seeking 'drama' and headlines, rather than information. 'I cannot emphasize this enough. The track record demonstrates he does not actually want information. He wants the fight, but he does not want the truth.' He pointed to an incident when Attorney General Bill Barr refused to comply with a subpoena to appear, after Nadler insisted he be question by committee counsel about the Mueller report. The Democratic-run panel voted to hold Barr in contempt. Trump has said he is fighting 'all of the subpoenas.' On the committee's obstruction of justice inquiry, Collins said: 'That investigation was already done. Robert Mueller spent two years running it and then closed it,' he said. 'You know the one thing that we seem to avoid is Mr. Mueller himself, the one who wrote it,' said Collins. He claimed Democrats 'don't want to talk to the author.' Collins accused Democrats of not engaging in the 'accommodation process' and 'rejecting olive branches from the administration.' Mueller examined ten cases of potential obstruction, but made no determination. His report referenced the role of Congress, and Barr made his own determination not to prosecute two days after Mueller turned in his report. After Nadler and Collins spoke, the committee quickly voted to adjourn avoiding a prolonged hearing that might have lead to new talk of impeachment. The subpoena fight came as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is fending off an intensified push from fellow Democrats and Judiciary Committee members who want to push ahead with an impeachment inquiry of President Trump. The push comes after the White House has denied a series of requests for information including a Judiciary Committee subpoena of the un-redacted Mueller report and Trump's tax return information. It also follows Attorney General William Barr's refusal to attend a Judiciary Committee hearing on the Mueller report. The White House directed McGahn not to appear, citing Justice Department guidance that requiring a presidential advisor to appear is akin to forcing the president himself to appear, and therefore a violation of his own constitutional powers. It claimed his former role provides him 'absolute immunity' from being required to testify. 'The Department has long taken the position across administrations of both political parties that 'the President and his immediate advisers are absolutely immune from testimonial compulsion by a Congressional committee,' according to a letter from current White House counsel Pat Cippollone. McGahn rejoined his law firm Jones Day after leaving the White House. This gives the White House an additional point of leverage. The firm represents the Trump campaign. The Republican National Committee's top expense last month was $2 million paid to McGahn's firm. The Washington Post reported that were McGahn to testify, Trump has 'mused about instructing Republicans to cease dealing with the firm, which is deeply intertwined in Washington with the GOP' He rejoined his old firm in March, and now heads its government regulation practice. The issue came to head at a closed-door leadership meeting in Pelosi's office Monday. Lawmakers including Rep. Jamie Raskin, David Cicilline of Rhode Island, and Joe Neguse of Colorado are pushing to move ahead on an impeachment inquiry now. 'Those of who serve on the house Judiciary Committee have been exposed right up front and close to Presidential obstruction of justice and high crimes and misdemeanors for a long time now,' Raskin told CNN Tuesday morning. 'And we are at a certain point in our educational process that a lot of us think the logic may be inescapable not for impeaching or not impeaching but for launching an investigation into high crimes and misdemeanors so we can figure out what to do. The Constitution gives us a pathway through this crisis,' he said. Cicilline tweeted Monday: 'If Don McGahn does not testify tomorrow, it will be time to begin an impeachment inquiry of @realDonaldTrump.' During the hearing Tuesday, he tweeted that the witness 'is not present. I've made clear what this means for me.' Pelosi, meanwhile, has cautioned in public and in private on the need to allow the investigatory process put in place to proceed even amid White House defiance. She was able to point to a Monday court ruling where a federal judge ruled that an accounting firm must comply with a subpoena for Trump financial information. 'You want to tell Elijah Cummings to go home?' she told members, bringing up a House Oversight Committee investigation. The split came hours before the Judiciary Committee was to meet to hear testimony from former White House counsel Don McGahn, who didn't show up, after the White House determined he should not as a former advisor to the president. Photo: Contributed "Dairy is scary," say organizers of Kelowna's second annual VegFest. The May 26 festival at Immaculata Regional High School marks the final day of Vegan Awareness Week. More than 60 vendors will showcase plant-based food options, apparel and accessories, cruelty-free beauty and health products, and environmentally conscious merchandise. Five mobile plant-based fast-food trucks will also be in attendance. There will be free yoga and fitness classes and live musicians. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Numerous local restaurants will also have special promotions and discounts. The festival offers all things vegan, related to good health, a clean environment and compassion for animals. There will be speakers, workshops and cooking demonstrations throughout the day. The speakers include: independent animal advocate and investigator Geoff Regier, who has taken part in undercover investigations with Mercy For Animals; writer, journalist, and video producer Erin Janus, whose video 'Dairy Is Scary' has received over five million views; and Sheanne and Dan Moskaluk, vegan plant-based lifestyle health advocates who will share their story of recovery from obesity and terminal cancer. A mother took her two-year-old daughter and jumped to their deaths from a 100m cliff in a picturesque tourist hotspot, police suspect. Their bodies were retrieved from the base of the cliff below Robertson Lookout at Mt Keira, near Wollongong, on Tuesday night in a painstaking recovery operation. Police rushed to the area about 1.50pm on Tuesday after they received reports of a 'concern for welfare'. Detectives are understood to be treating the deaths as a murder-suicide by the 33-year-old mother and preparing a report for the coroner. Police have retrieved the bodies of a mother and her two-year-old daughter from the bottom of a 100m cliff after a suspected murder suicide Distressed family members were seen being comforted by emergency services A distraught man, believed to be a relative, was seen being consoled by paramedics and gesturing in dismay at the lookout's car park. A visibly distressed man and woman were also seen comforting each other at the scene, according to witnesses. Paramedics were winched down the steep cliff from the lookout until they reached the bodies in a slow and difficult hours-long recovery. Wollongong Police district commander Superintendent Chris Craner said the recovery mission would be dangerous. 'It's steep, it's hectic, we've got police coming in from the low side, police trekking down from the high side and the consideration of the helicopter,' he said. Paramedics were winched down the steep cliff from the lookout until they reached the bodies on Tuesday night, while paramedics comforted those at the scene (pictured) Their bodies were retrieved from the base of the cliff below Robertson Lookout at Mt Keira 'It's a treacherous, dangerous area we need to get to to respectfully get this people out.' Superintendant Craner extended his thoughts to the family and the emergency services working at the scene. 'It's going to be absolutely devastating for the community who don't know these people and hear this and what it's about,' he said. A crime scene is still in effect as Wollongong Police detectives continue their investigations. An eerily similar incident took place on April 18, 2002, where a woman jumped off the same cliff holding her five-year-old son. Two bodies were retrieved at the bottom of a cliff below Robertson Lookout at Mt Keira, near Wollongong, on Tuesday night in a painstaking recovery operation Police officers and paramedics responded to the incident which took place at about 1.50pm on Monday The young boy miraculously survived the fall as his mother's body absorbed most of the impact. The lookout is about 1.5 hours from Sydney and offers tourists and locals views of Mount Keira. For confidential support in Australia LIFELINE: 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au . Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 Japanese authorities have told tourists to stop vandalising their sand dunes for Instagram photos. Officials in Tottori prefecture say there has been a rise in foreigners writing messages in the 50ft-high dunes which are part of Saninkaigan National Park and are the only ones of their kind in Japan. In January a foreign couple were forced to clean up a message which said 'Happy Birthday Natalie' in 16ft-high letters on one of the tallest dunes. Officials in Tottori prefecture are warning tourists not to write in the sand dunes, after a foreign couple were forced to clear away a message that said 'Happy Birthday Natalie' in January Another message was found in April which read 'SEBASTiAN' with a face next to it. Defacing the dunes was banned ten years ago - along with littering and setting off fireworks - but officials believe foreigners are not aware of the rules. They have announced plans to invest in more foreign-language signs warning visitors against writing in the sand. The signs will be in English, Korean and Chinese and posted at the park's five entrances. But other options including more foreign-language training for staff so they can explain the rules once visitors are inside. Since the graffiti law was first passed in 2008, there have been 3,334 incidents in total - but more than 500 of those have come in the last two years as Japan becomes more popular with overseas tourists. The dunes attract more than 2million tourists each year, at least half of whom are foreign, and is popular with Instagram users (file image) The ever-changing appearance of the dunes has also drawn Instagram users looking for unique images of their travels, authorities believe. Around two million people are thought to visit the dunes every year, with around 50 per cent coming from overseas - compared to just 20 per cent a decade ago. The Tottori Sand Dunes were created by silt washed down from nearby mountains into the sea and then carried ashore by currents. They have existed for more than 100,000 years but have been shrinking thanks to a government reforestation programme that slowed erosion on the mountain. Barriers built to protect against tsunamis have also disrupted currents responsible for carrying the silt to shore. The mother of a boy who took his own life years after his brother was killed in a one-punch attack choked back tears while confessing she felt like she 'failed' as a parent. Kathy and Ralph Kelly lost both of their sons in tragic circumstances and are still searching for answers as to what they could have done to prevent their deaths. Stuart, 18, took his own life four years after Thomas, 18, died from a sickening, unprovoked punch during his first night out in Sydney party district Kings Cross. In a gut-wrenching appearance on Andrew Denton's Interview on Channel 7, Ms Kelly spoke of how Stuart's death hit her in a different way to the loss of Thomas. Kathy Kelly (left, with husband Ralph) choked back tears as she revealed she still felt guilt over the suicide of her youngest son Stuart in 2016 'What happened to Thomas was a horrendous part of our lives, but he was happy when he died. He was holding a girl's hand, he was going out for a night of fun,' Mrs Kelly said. 'But how did we fail our son (Stuart)? That's what it feels like every day. 'This beautiful boy that was the joy of our lives didn't want to live anymore, and didn't want to talk about it to us.' Mrs Kelly revealed how Stuart, who she described as the family 'clown', became introverted after one night at the University of Sydney's St Paul's College in 2016. The couple believe their youngest son had been the target of bullies at his new school, calling them asking for help the morning after his first night on campus. 'We drove in, he was sitting in the gutter with his head in his hands,' Mr Kelly said. 'When he got into the back seat of the car, he started to sob uncontrollably, which was completely out of character for him. 'That was really alarming because he was this young boy, starting the next stage of his life after school and suddenly it had just all completely disappeared.' Stuart Kelly (left) committed suicide in 2016, only four years after his brother Thomas (right) died on a night out in Kings Cross after being randomly punched from behind Kieran Loveridge (pictured) was jailed for four years over the brutal one-punch killing of Thomas Kelly Mr and Mrs Kelly said they heard their youngest son was pinned down and forced to drink alcohol. 'He asked the people holding him down to stop, but they didn't. Eventually he broke free, and basically he wasn't seen again until when we picked him up outside RPA medical centre at four o'clock the next afternoon,' Mr Kelly said. 'There is still a police investigation going on as we speak.' Stuart advocated for the introduction of Sydney's stringent lockout laws in the years after his brother's death and often spoke out against Australia's 'alcoholism culture'. But Mrs Kelly doesn't believe his cohort pouring alcohol down his throat was the extent of her son's woes that night. She knows for a fact he never slept in his bed that night, because it had been left untouched since she made it for him the day before. He refused to talk about what happened after in the months after - to friends or family - and often shut down entirely when asked about it. Stuart even threatened to 'cut a female friend off completely' if she ever brought up the night again. Ms Kelly (left) spoke of how Stuart's death hit her in a different way to the loss of Thomas - because he died alone and suffering while his brother was happy and holding a girl's hand Stuart advocated for the introduction of Sydney's stringent lockout laws in the years after his brother's death and often spoke out against Australia's 'alcoholism culture' 'There's this mystery, somebody knows where he was and what happened to him that night. It just seems to me that he was somewhere against his will, and whatever that entailed... 'I feel there was a level of... I don't think embarrassment is the word, but something along those lines that he couldn't live with. Shame, maybe, that he could never divulge to us.' Months after the incident, which he never spoke about with his parents, the 18-year-old took his own life. 'I kick myself now... I said all the wrong things,' Mrs Kelly told Andrew Denton while fighting back tears. Viewers moved by the interview took to social media to thank the Kellys' for their honesty and bravery in sharing their story. 'Ralph and Kathy, Im so emotional but equally inspired and respectful of you two incredible, resilient human beings turning inconceivable grief into positive change,' one woman wrote on Twitter. 'Losing two sons would be devastating & finding the strength to go on & spread kindness to others as a mission,is selfless beyond comprehension,' added another. 'After watching this show many times, all of a sudden those blue chairs look exactly like angel wings behind those remarkable human,' wrote a third. Several kilograms of plastic bags have been found inside the stomach of a dead whale that washed up on the shore of Sicily. Distressing footage shows endless plastic bags that were pulled from the dead sperm whale's stomach. Experts at the University of Messina's natural history museum found the plastic bags when they performed an autopsy on the dead creature which was found off the coast of Cefalu. Several kilograms of plastic bags have been found inside the stomach of a dead whale that washed up on the shore of Sicily Distressing footage shows endless plastic bags that were pulled from a dead sperm whale's stomach off the coast of Cefalu in Sicily. Carmelo Isgro (pictured) was involved in the autopsy and said that the plastic bags were the most likely cause of death According to David Attenborough, 'plastic is choking our rivers and seas'. And around nine million tonnes of plastic rubbish ends up in the ocean every year Carmelo Isgro was involved in the autopsy and told CNN: 'The plastic probably created a block that didn't let the food in. 'That's very likely to be the cause of death. We have not found signs that could indicate another possible reason. 'I'm still shocked because her belly was completely full, swollen with plastic.' He also added that the seven-year-old whale was so young that its teeth hadn't come out yet. Posting to his Facebook page, Mr Isgro is seen a video lifting up the plastic bags that were found inside the dead whale. In another horrifying video, Mr Isgro can be seen slicing into the sperm whale's stomach and revealing the plastic which fills the inside. Mr Isgro said: 'I'm still shocked because her belly was completely full, swollen with plastic'. Pictured is the inside of the bucket used to hold all of the plastic found inside the whale Greenpeace Italy shared the shocking images on their Facebook page and released a statement about the harrowing incident. Giorgia Monti, Greenpeace Italia campaign manager, said: 'What was found two days ago on the beach of Cefalu was a young sperm whale about seven years old. 'As can be seen from the images we spread, a lot of plastic was found in his stomach. 'The investigations have just begun and we do not yet know if he has died for this, but we cannot certainly pretend that nothing is happening.' According to David Attenborough, 'plastic is choking our rivers and seas'. And around nine million tonnes of plastic rubbish ends up in the ocean every year. More than 170 shoe retailers in the U.S., including Nike and Adidas, are urging President Donald Trump to reconsider placing tariffs on footwear imported from China and bring an end to the trade war. In a letter to the White House on Monday, the shoe companies warned that Trump's proposed 25 percent tariffs would have a 'catastrophic' effect on consumers, companies and the U.S. economy. The retailers urged Trump to immediately remove shoes from the list of products made in China that could face the additional tariff in the coming months. 'Your proposal to add tariffs on all imports from China is asking the American consumer to foot the bill. It is time to bring this trade war to an end,' the retailers wrote. More than 170 shoe retailers, including Nike and Adidas, wrote a letter to President Trump on Monday urging him to reconsider placing tariffs on footwear imported from China Nike, Adidas, ASICS, Clarks, Converse, Foot Locker, Reebok, JCPenney, Skechers, Sam Edelman and Steve Madden are among the 170 retailers who signed the letter. Trump proposed the higher tariffs last week as part of broader restrictions on $300 billion in Chinese goods. The shoe retailers warned that the additional tariff would add some $7 billion in additional costs for their customers each year, according to estimates from the Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America. 'This significant tax increase, in the form of tariffs, would impact every type of shoe and every single segment of our society,' the retailers wrote. 'We can assure you that any increase in the cost of importing shoes has a direct impact on the American footwear consumer.' The retailers described the tariff as a 'dramatic increase'. 'It is an unavoidable fact that as prices go up at the border due to transportation costs, labor rate increases, or additional duties, the consumer pays more for the product,' the wrote. They said that a higher footwear tariff would 'disproportionately' fall on working class individuals and families. In a letter to the White House on Monday, the shoe companies warned that Trump's proposed 25 percent tariffs would have a 'catastrophic' effect on consumers, companies and the U.S. economy 'While U.S. tariffs on all consumer goods average just 1.9 percent, they average 11.3 percent for footwear and reach rates as high as 67.5 percent,' they wrote. 'Adding a 25 percent tax increase on top of these tariffs would mean some working American families could pay a nearly 100 percent duty on their shoes. This is unfathomable.' The letter also addressed suggestions that all industries should quickly shift sourcing to countries other than China in the wake of the proposed tariff. 'While our industry has been moving away from China for some time now, footwear is a very capital-intensive industry, with years of planning required to make sourcing decisions, and companies cannot simply move factories to adjust to these changes,' they wrote. 'Any action taken to increase duties on Chinese footwear will have an immediate and long-lasting effect on American individuals and families. It will also threaten the very economic viability of many companies in our industry. 'On behalf of our hundreds of millions of footwear consumers and hundreds of thousands of employees, we ask that you immediately stop this action to increase their tax burden.' A chilling surveillance video has emerged showing a masked man armed with two knives walking into a police station in The Bronx and sparking panic. The suspect, identified as 27-year-old Montey White, entered the 40th Precinct in the Mott Haven section of The Bronx at 10.30pm on Saturday. Footage from inside the precinct shows him wearing a bright-yellow hooded sweatshirt, a red puffer vest, a black ski mask on his face and a large backpack. Scroll down for video Surveillance video from the 40th Precinct in The Bronx shows Montey White, 27, entering the police station wearing a ski mask and holding a dagger and a knife White was wearing a yellow hood and a red puffer vast, and carrying a shopping bag Police say White approached plainclothes cops processing a suspect, saying he wanted to die He was holding the two knives in one hand and a green plastic shopping bag in the other Police said White approached the front desk with the weapons and told officers he wanted to die, reported ABC 7 NY In the video, a handcuffed suspect in is seen scurrying away from White as two plainclothes officers draw their guns and point them at the masked intruder. Get him down! Get him down! one officer yells. What are you doing, man? Additional officers rushed towards White and managed to restrain him without firing a shot. Officers drew their guns and trained them on White as he pulled off his mask An officer ordered White to get down on the floor, exclaiming, What are you doing, man? White was restrained without incident and later charged with menacing police officers, criminal possession of weapons and obstructing government administration He was then taken to Lincoln Hospital for a mental health evaluation. White was jailed on charges of menacing police officers, criminal possession of weapons and obstructing government administration, reported the New York Post. White, whose criminal record lists eight prior arrests, including on charges of rape and weapons possession, was later released on his own recognizance without having bail set. The outcome of the incident had some within the NYPD grumbling that the Bronx District Attorneys Office should not have allowed White walk free. What if he had two guns? He could have shot cops up, one police source told The Post. The suspect is due back in court on July 16 to answer to the charges. Belgian monks have revived a medieval beer recipe last brewed in the 18th century. The Order of Canons Regular of Premontre at Grimbergen Abbey in Belgium have begun brewing the ale again after rediscovering the original 12th-century recipe and methods in their archives. But be careful if you get to try the new ancient brew - at 10.8 per cent alcohol content it's likely to blow your cassock off. Father Karel Stautemas, subprior of Grimbergen Abbey, holds up a glass of the new beer based on a rediscovered 12th-century recipe Tuesday's launch of the beer was the culmination of four years of research by the monks, also known as the Premonstratensian or Norbetine order or the White Canons, and volunteer linguists. Grimbergen Abbey subprior Father Karel Stautemas poured the first glass in the company of Grimbergen mayor Chris Selleslagh and some 120 journalists and brewing afficionados. The ancient brewing secrets of the white-robed friars were almost lost when French secular revolutionaries burned the abbey down in 1798. The recipe was only saved because the monks defied the republicans and knocked a hole in the library wall to smuggle out some 300 books. Father Karel Stautemas, subprior of Grimbergen Abbey, sips a glass of the rediscovered medieval beer in front of a stained-glass window symbolically depicting the phoenix 'We had the books with the old recipes, but nobody could read them,' Father Stautemas said. 'It was all in old Latin and old Dutch. So we brought in volunteers. 'We've spent hours leafing through the books and have discovered ingredient lists for beers brewed in previous centuries, the hops used, the types of barrels and bottles, and even a list of the actual beers produced centuries ago.' Father Karel Stautemas, subprior of Grimbergen Abbey, with a barrel of the new beer based on a medieval recipe But the new brew is not totally authentic, Father Stautemas admitted, only using selected brewing methods from the old manuscripts. 'I don't think people now would like the taste of the beer made back then,' he said. 'In those times, regular beer was a bit tasteless, it was like liquid bread,' The abbey's new master brewer Marc-Antoine Sochon explained. But the revived beer is brewed with all-natural ingredients, in wooden barrels and using the unique local soil. Grimbergen Abbey subprior Father Karel Stautemas poses with a glass of the monks' new brew 'What we really learned was that the monks then kept on innovating,' Father Stautemas said. 'They changed their recipe every 10 years.' But the monk warned beer fans not to overdo it with his potent brew. 'One or two is okay,' Mayor Selleslagh added. The dozen monks at the abbey will produce 1 million litres (1,760,000 pints) of the popskull beer every year. A Massachusetts man has been indicted on a federal criminal charge for allegedly sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman while on board an international flight from Japan to the U.S. George Seryogin, a dual U.S. and Russian citizen, met the woman on the plane where they sat in row 26 on the United Airlines flight from Tokyo to Dulles International Airport in Virginia last summer. While on the flight he began to touch the woman's knee then sexually groped her, according to the FBI affidavit as per NBC4. He then placed a blanket over her legs, 'making it difficult for other passengers to see him'. As the alleged assault took place, the victim was 'quietly crying with tears streaming down her face.' Massachusetts man George Seryogin has been indicted on a federal criminal charge for sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman sitting next to him aboard an international flight from Japan to the U.S. last summer. File image above Finally, she pushed his hands away. It's not clear what country the victim is a citizen of. He faces one count of abusive sexual contact aboard an aircraft in flight. Seryogin denies the allegations against him. He is due in court on Friday for his arraignment on the federal criminal charge and his case will be prosecuted at the federal court in Alexandria. He started by rubbing her knee then sexually groped her and covered her leg with a blanket so other passengers wouldn't see. She cried during the alleged assault and pushed his hands away. The flight was bound for Washington Dulles International Airport (above) from Toyko 'My client firmly denies the allegations against him,' his attorney Mary M. Nerino said. This isn't the first sexual assault allegation to be made while aboard a flight in the U.S. According to federal court records, there are at least four other sex assault cases aboard flights to Dulles or Reagan Washington National Airport since 2013. The FBI has posted warning signs on TV monitors at Dulles International warning that sex assaults aboard flights are federal crimes. A judge has ordered the arrest of a Canadian hacker who carried out a porn attack against his former employer before allegedly skipping the country. Evan Strukoff, 32, has admitted two charges relating to the attack on Experience Engine in Great Baddow, Essex, but disputes issues including whether his actions affected the firm's commercial operation. Judge Charles Gratwicke was due to hear a trial of issue to resolve the disputed matters on Tuesday but was told that the defendant boarded a flight from Heathrow Airport four days earlier. Strukoff worked for Experience Engine for five years and was head of IT before he was dismissed in October 2017, an earlier hearing was told. Evan Strukoff, 32, has admitted two charges relating to a cyber attack on his former employer Experience Engine in Great Baddow, Essex, in which he deleted material remotely and redirected website customers to porn. Pictured: Chelmsford Crown Court, where he was due to appear The attack happened nine days later, Essex Police said, with material remotely deleted and website customers redirected to 'graphic pornographic images'. Strukoff admitted the unauthorised modification of computer material and fraud during an earlier hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court. Judge Charles Gratwicke, pictured, ordered the arrest of the Canadian for allegedly skipping the UK ahead of the hearing He had been travelling between Canada and the UK for court hearings, last attending on Wednesday 15. He had indicated to the court that he planned to travel to Toronto in Canada to attend a developers' conference in relation to his work. Matthew Morgan, prosecuting, told Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday that passenger records showed Strukoff boarded a flight from Heathrow to Brussels at 6.50am on Friday, and may have been travelling on to Canada. Mr Morgan said a supplied medical note 'just expanded' on a consultation heard on the day Strukoff was last in court. He said Strukoff had left the country 'deliberately and wilfully'. Gavin Burrell, defending, said Strukoff was due to give evidence as part of the trial of issue. Judge Gratwicke, issuing a warrant for Strukoff's arrest, said: 'As soon as he sets foot in the UK he will be arrested and brought before this court and we will deal with it in those circumstances. 'If someone is prepared to go to Canada to attend a developers' conference, whatever on earth that means, he is quite clearly able to attend here.' New Coke, the soft drink revamp that caused a nationwide revolt 34 years ago is back with a vengeance, and the thanks or blame is owed entirely to Netflix. Coca-Cola drinkers will be given the chance to try the vintage beverage once more as part of a promotional campaign between the drinks company and Netflix, ahead of the upcoming third season of Stranger Things. The new season of the blockbuster series will take place in the summer of 1985, the same summer when Coke infamously tried change its original formula but was met with widespread backlash from angry consumers. Reaction to the so-called sweeter and smoother version of the drink saw sales figures plummet and the company received thousands of angry letters and phone calls to its Atlanta head office, demanding they revert the recipe back to a more familiar taste. Pulled from the shelves after just 79 days, New Coke has since been considered one of the biggest marketing blunders of all time. New Coke, the soft drink revamp that caused a nationwide revolt 34 years ago is back with a vengeance - and it's all thanks to Netflix's Stranger Things The new season of the blockbuster series will take place in the summer of 1985, the same summer when Coke infamously tried change its formula But 34 years on, the brains behind the drinks ironic 2019 relaunch are hoping the product will help to stir nostalgia among its consumers this time around, rather than resentment. When Netflix told us Season 3 was going to be set in the summer of 1985 with the tagline that one summer could change everything that rang so true for us, said Oana Vlad, director of Coca-Cola North America. The summer of 1985 did in fact change everything for us with the introduction of New Coke, which was also arguably one of the biggest pop culture moments of that year. Workers had to retrieve the New Coke recipe from the safe for the Stranger Things partnership. They also had to recreate the logo and original coloring of the first New Coke cans from over three decades ago. The project was considered top secret and took more than six months to complete. Beginning Thursday, Coca-Cola will release a 500,000 cans of of the disfavored drink as part of a Stranger Things promotional package. An upside-down Stranger Things-inspired vending machine will also pop up in select cities across the country this summer to dispense free cans of New Coke for a limited time, starting in New York. Workers had to retrieve the New Coke recipe from the safe for the Stranger Things partnership. They re-created it over six months, including the original design and coloring New Coke is considered a marketing flop and was replaced with the original recipe just 79 days after it was launched, following a plummet in sales figures But 34 years on, Coca-Cola will release a 500,000 cans of New Coke as part of a Stranger Things package - dividing opinion among Coca-Cola drinkers The partnership with Coke gives Netflix the opportunity to reach a massive audience via one of the most recognizable brands in the world in a deeply authentic way, said Netflix Head of Global Partner Marketing Barry Smyth. Netflix has teamed up with around 75 other companies to draw attention to Stranger Things and help enhance the shows authentic retro feel. The brands include the likes of Levis and Baskin and Robbins, who are set to release new flavors ahead of the upcoming season, slated for release on July 15. In another deal, H&M are also going to be offering a line of 80s-inspired clothing, including T-shirts, swimsuits, visors and flip-flops. Some of the items will have Stranger Things logos, but some will be made to replicate clothes worn by the characters. Reaction to New Coke's relaunch has been mixed, with many on Twitter recalling their 'traumatic' first sips of the drink back in 1985. However, some say they'd be willing to give it another try. 'This is pretty cool!,' exclaimed one tweeter. 'I'll buy a few so I can show my kids how awful it tasted.' 'Ugh,' said another. 'I still remember the taste after all these years.' Creators of the show, Matt and Ross Duffer, said New Coke was always going to play a part in the show, before any commercial agreements were even in place. It was one of the first ideas in our Season 3 brainstorm. It was the summer of 85, and when you talk about pop culture moments, New Coke was a really big deal, the Duffer brothers told the New York Times. It would have been more bizarre to not include it. Reaction to New Coke's relaunch has been mixed, with many on Twitter recalling their 'traumatic' first sips of the drink back in 1985 Netflix, which has 149 million subscribers, is inventing new revenue streams by bolstering corporate partnerships and merchandising deals. They collaborated with more than 70 other companies for the Stranger Things Series Barry Smyth, Netflixs head of partnership marketing concurred, revealing the idea came up during a board meeting in 2017 which was first presented as a flippant comment. We asked the question, What would really blow it out of the water for this campaign? Smyth recalled. [The Duffer brothers] joking said, Bring back New Coke. They thought it was a joke. We took it as a brief. Netflix, which has 149 million subscribers, is inventing new revenue streams by bolstering corporate partnerships and merchandising deals, to give themselves a different way to market its shows without interrupting them with commercials. However, the Duffer brothers say the use of iconic vintage brands and products is not a ploy to bolster the show's budget or their own wallets. They believer the inclusion of products such as New Coke are essential in giving Stranger Things the authentic feel of some of their own favorite movies from the 1980s. When we were kids, we were obsessed with those self-lacing Nikes in Back to the Future Part II, and, of course, we loved that Elliott baited E. T. with Reeses Pieces!, they said in a joint email to the New York Times. When we were kids, that simply made Elliott more relatable, more ordinary, more like us. Photo: Alberta gov't UPDATE: 8:30 a.m. Fire officials say the winds continue to be favourable as crews battle a large wildfire burning a few kilometres from a northern Alberta town. Nearly 5,000 people have cleared out of High Level and nearby reserves with flames licking at the southern edge of the community. Winds are forecast to be out of the southeast for the next several days, pushing the fire away from homes and other building. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says the fire is about five kilometres from the town. Earlier estimates said flames were within three kilometres. Kenney says no buildings have been damaged and the evacuation was orderly and without incident. ORIGINAL: 6 a.m. A northern Alberta town and a nearby First Nation are being evacuated due to the threat of an encroaching wildfire. Thousands of people are being told to leave High Level, as well as the Bushe River Reserve, via Highway 58 east of the communities since highways south and west have already been closed due to the blaze. The Chuckegg Creek fire has been burning for several days, but grew substantially from Sunday, when it covered about 25,000 hectares, to an estimated 69,000 hectares on Monday. At the time the evacuations were ordered, the flames were only about three kilometres from High Level. "The winds are pushing the smoke away from the Town of High Level. It looks very scary on the horizon, but in the Town of High Level the skies are blue and sunny and windy," Mayor Crystal McAteer told a telephone news conference on Monday afternoon. Reception centres for evacuees have been set up in High Prairie and Slave Lake, and officials are arranging transportation for residents who can't get out on their own. McAteer said the evacuation is being co-ordinated in zones. People should expect to be away for 72 hours. She said about 4,000 people from High Level were affected by the order, and another 750 from Bushe River. Earlier in the day, the town warned on its website that people should fill up their vehicles and collect important documents in case they were ordered to leave at short notice. Power has also been knocked out because of the fire, but was expected to be restored Monday evening. Mandatory evacuation orders for residents south and southeast of the town, and south of Bushe River, were issued early Monday. Provincial officials said the evacuation of High Level would take a maximum of eight hours, but since some people had already left, they said it could be completed sooner. Alberta Health Services said it had evacuated 20 patients from the Northwest Health Centre in High Level and relocated them to other communities. Scott Elliot, an incident commander with Alberta Wildfire, told the news conference that the wildfire was mostly headed away from High Level, but that city officials decided it was best for everyone to leave since the flames were so close. "If there was a subtle shift in the wind direction, that would increase the likelihood of rapid fire spread towards the community," Elliot said. Crews are using sprinklers on structures on the edge of the town closest to the fire. McAteer said people were complying with the evacuation order. "People are of course afraid because they remember the wildfires of Fort McMurray, but we talked to a lot of the residents and reaffirmed that we were being proactive," she said. Police in central China have detained three people in relation to a fake abduction of a four-month-old baby boy in a case that has gripped the nation's attention over the past week. The incident first came to light last Thursday when the infant was reported to have been taken from his mother, surnamed Liu, after she fainted near a park in Zhoukou, Hanan province. On Monday, it was revealed that the mother had staged her child's abduction in order to reunite the baby with his real father whom she had an affair with, Chinese media reported. Authorities in Zhoukou, Henan province last Thursday said the four-month-old infant was 'stolen' from his mother who had fainted on the street near a park at about 11:45am In a statement released on the day the child went missing, Zhoukou police offered a reward of 50,000 yuan (5,700) to anyone with information leading to the child's discovery as well as the suspect's capture. The boy's father, identified by his surname Zhu, accused the child snatcher of having 'poor conscience' and also offered a 100,000 yuan (11,300) reward for his son's return. The case generated widespread media coverage and triggered nation-wide efforts to locate the baby. On Sunday, police said in a statement that the child had been 'safely retrieved' in Zhengzhou city, more than 200 kilometres (124 miles) away from Zhoukou where he was taken. The location where the mother said her baby was taken (circled) was a blind spot and surveillance footage yielded no results, according to Beijing Youth Daily Officers could not identify a suspect after investigating the scene and interviewing witnesses According to Beijing Youth Daily, police officers could not identify a suspect after investigating the scene and interviewing witnesses. The location where the mother said her baby was taken was a blind spot and surveillance footage yielded no results. Chinese media also raised suspicions after police started to describe the incident as 'loss of baby' in their new statement rather than 'abduction of baby' as previously worded. On Monday, police revealed that Liu had orchestrated the abduction so that the baby could unite with his biological father, a man named Wang whom she had an affair with, Beijing News reported. The pair were reportedly high school classmates and started an affair after reconnecting with each other in 2017. While the report did not name the father, a statement released by the disciplinary committee of the Chuzhou Military Region in Anhui province said that one of their staff members, Wang Yidi, was a suspect in the abduction and was under investigation. Footage released by Chinese media last week purportedly shows an individual pushing the child in a pram across a road after taking him from his unconscious mother in Zhoukou, Henan. It was revealed on Monday that the mother staged her own son's abduction On Monday, police revealed that Liu had orchestrated the abduction so that the baby could unite with his biological father, a man named Wang whom she had an affair with Wang Yidi is a political officer of the People's Armed Forces Department in Langya district, the statement said. 'If the investigation confirms the allegations, we will not tolerate the behaviour and will hand out severe punishment,' it added. According to Beijing News, Wang took the baby from Liu's home and gave him to a woman named Li, a mutual friend. Li then handed the child to Wang's sister, who transported the child to her home in Zhengzhou. In the meantime, Liu orchestrated the abduction at the park and lied about her passing out and the baby being taken. The mother, who is still nursing her child, was not in police custody, but the mutual friend who was involved in the plot, the biological father and his sister, have all been detained. Police are carrying out further investigations, the report added. A Texas man has been jailed for nearly two years after being caught trying to smuggle migrants over the border by hiding them in furniture. Yabar Ayan Portes-Arevalo, 23, was sentenced on Monday to 21 months behind bars after pleading guilty to transporting illegal aliens. In December, he was stopped at the border checkpoint near Sarita, Texas, by agents who said he looked nervous. The man was stopped in Sarita, Texas, in December (shown) with the furniture strapped to his truck When they checked his vehicle, they found three men hiding in a dresser that was wrapped in plastic and strapped to his car. Another three people were found in a couch. The dresser had been nailed closed. It is unclear how long they had been hiding there when he was stopped. Portes-Arevalo is Mexican but he has a green card. He was taken into custody in Texas and pleaded guilty in February. Arevalo now also faces the prospect of losing his residency. Three women are accused of taking almost $900,000 in bribes, which they spent on fur coats, designer handbags and property in Florida, to help people snatch affordable New York apartments from thousands of families waiting on a list. Anna Treybich, 71, Irina Zeltser, 66, and Karina Andriyan, 38, were charged on Tuesday for allegedly carrying out the housing bribery scheme in Brooklyn over the past six years while they ran a housing corporation board. The three women were in charge of the process for which prospective buyers applied for high-demand cooperative apartments at the Luna Park Housing Corporation in Coney Island. The Brooklyn District Attorney's office said the women accepted a total of $874,000 in bribes - ranging from $10,000 to $120,000 from ineligible applicants. Scroll down for video Anna Treybich, 71, is seen outside court in handcuffs in Brooklyn, New York on Tuesday Karina Andriyan, 38, is seen outside court on Tuesday. She was arraigned on corruption and bribery charges Irina Zeltser, 66, center in black is lead into court ahead of Karina Andriyan, 38 ( wearing pink) on Tuesday The three women were in charge of the process for which prospective buyers applied for high-demand cooperative apartments (above) at the Luna Park Housing Corporation at Coney Island in Brooklyn The scheme involved 18 apartments and the market value of those properties is estimated to be about $5 million in total. The apartments were sold at prices significantly lower than market value and were in high demand. The scheme allowed the ineligible applicants to jump ahead of the thousands of people waiting patiently for an affordable apartment, prosecutors said. Some of the eligible applicants on the list had been waiting decades for an apartment in the five-building complex made up of studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments. Treybich and Zeltser served on the Board of Directors of Luna Park as the president and treasurer. Andriyan was the office manager and her job was to process the applications and maintain the waiting lists approved by the New York City Housing Preservation and Development Corporation. Applicants for the apartment complex fell into three categories: Internal applicants wanting to move from one apartment to another; external applicants who had no prior ownership; and applicants who lived with owners and were seeking successor ownership rights. The three women are accused of accepting a total of $874,000 in bribes, which they then spent on dozens of fur coats and designer handbags The designer bags, shoes, jewelry and clothing were seized by authorities when they executed search warrants on their homes Cartier rings and Chanel necklaces were among the items the women allegedly bought with the bribes they received from the housing scheme The applications were supposed to be maintained in the order they were received. In exchange for the bribes, prosecutors say the women prepared and submitted forged and fake documents to the housing department. Prosecutors say the housing department routinely approved all applications submitted by the Luna Park management office because they relied on their screening and application review. Some of those forged or fake documents included income verification and birth certificates to prove family relationships for those applying for successor ownership rights. Andriyan, 38, is seen speaking outside the court on Tuesday. The three women also allegedly purchased apartments in Florida with the bribes In one instance, Zeltser allegedly received a cash bribe of $93,000 to help an applicant buy a three-bedroom apartment in January 2013. Zeltser allegedly told the applicant she would need to apply as a successor tenant and claim the woman on record as the tenant was her sister. Prosecutors said the housing department approved the application after a fake birth certificate was handed over indicating the applicant and current owner were siblings. Treybich also allegedly solicited a $26,000 cash payment from an applicant in March 2015 to purchase a three-bedroom apartment. The applicant gave Treybich a birth certificate, a marriage certificate and a passport. Treybich is accused of altering those documents to falsely claim the buyer and tenant were brother and sister. In exchange for the bribes, prosecutors say the women prepared and submitted forged and fake documents to the housing department, including marriage and birth certificates They allegedly forged the documents so ineligible applicants could apply for successor ownership rights by claiming they were a relative Anna Treybich, 71, Irina Zeltser, 66, and Karina Andriyan, 38, were charged on Tuesday for allegedly running the housing bribery scheme in Brooklyn, New York over the past six years When authorities raided the homes of each of the women, they allegedly found dozens of fur coats, designer handbags and jewelry they had purchased with the bribes. The three women also allegedly purchased apartments in Florida with the bribes. Authorities started investigating in 2017 after receiving a tip from a member of the public. 'These defendants allegedly conspired to corrupt the process by which eligible prospective tenants could have access to affordable housing in Brooklyn, and then used their illegal proceeds to fund lavish lifestyles,' District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said. 'Their alleged greed cheated people who were entitled to apartments that instead went to those willing to pay bribes.' Treybich, Zeltser and Andriyan are charged with fourth and fifth degree conspiracy, second degree grand larceny, second degree forgery, first degree falsifying business records, first degree offering a false instrument for filing and first degree commercial bribe receiving. They will be arraigned in Brooklyn District Court on Tuesday. Zelsterand Treybich bought apartments in Hollywood Beach, Florida (above) with the proceeds of the alleged bribes Nicholas Rose (pictured in 2006) was convicted of killing Charlotte Pinkney, 16, in 2004 A scaffolder who murdered a 16-year-old schoolgirl has died in prison without ever revealing where he buried his victim. Nicholas Rose, 37, was convicted of killing Charlotte Pinkney in 2004 after attacking her when she spurned his sexual advances. The Ministry of Justice confirmed Rose died on Sunday at HMP Guys Marsh in Dorset, where he was serving a life sentence for the killing. Rose was convicted of murder at Exeter Crown Court in February 2005. He killed Charlotte in the early hours of February 28, 2004 in Ilfracombe, Devon after she rejected him. Her body was never found and Rose has always maintained his innocence. He was convicted of her murder through DNA, after Charlotte's blood was found in his car, among other evidence. Rose's death means that Charlotte's family may never find out what happened to her. In a statement the MoJ said: 'HMP Guys Marsh prisoner Nicholas Rose died in prison on May 19, 2019. 'As with all deaths in custody there will be an independent investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.' Rose was serving a minimum of 20 years before being considered for release. The jury at his trial in 2005 delivered a majority verdict after deliberating for 25 hours. They agreed Rose, a scaffolder, drove Charlotte to a deserted reservoir, killed her and dumped her body. Charlotte's body was never found and Rose's death means that her family may never find out what happened to her Judge Graham Cottle said Charlotte's family could not rest until Rose, aged 22 at the time of the killing, told them where he had disposed of his victim. In the lead up to her death Charlotte had been to a house party in Ilfracombe where she had met Rose. They left together at 4.30am and Rose killed her after an argument about sex. The prosecution said scratch marks on the defendant meant Charlotte had fought for her life. Her blood was found in the car Rose was driving, on the jump leads, the roof and one of his trainers. A button of the type used on her trousers was found in the vacuum he used to clean the car and black elastic consistent with a thong Charlotte was wearing was found under the passenger seat. Rose said he had dropped Charlotte off close to the party and was not responsible for her death. In 2006, Rose lost an appeal against his conviction. He claimed a number of witnesses had seen Charlotte in Ilfracombe after he was supposed to have murdered her. They also rejected his claims the judge had allowed prejudicial evidence. His mother, Kay Rose, said she was heartbroken by the news of his death. 'We are all heartbroken,' she said. 'We can't think straight. 'We are waiting for the post mortem to find out what happened. We know it wasn't suspicious and he didn't take his own life.' Reflecting on his murder conviction she said: 'We will still carry on fighting. We will still try to clear his name if we can. He maintained his innocence. It's just been such a hard fight.' An inquest will be held at a later date. She died eight months after the dismissal of a lawsuit where she claimed head injuries she sustained during wrestling career made her spiral into depression She was transported to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead She was found unconscious inside her Suffolk County, New York home Thursday The manner of WWE star Ashley Massaro's tragic suicide death on Thursday has been revealed as by hanging, according to sources The manner of WWE star Ashley Massaro's tragic death has been revealed as by hanging. The 39-year-old's death is being classified as 'non-criminal' after she died in an apparent suicide, according to TMZ sources. The manner of her death had not previously been publicly disclosed and the official cause of death is yet to be released. The wrestler was found unconscious inside her Suffolk County, New York, home early Thursday morning and was transported to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead. She will be laid to rest in Suffolk County. She is survived her 18-year-old daughter Alexa. The manner of WWE star Ashley Massaro's tragic suicide death on Thursday has been revealed as by hanging She died eight months after the dismissal of a lawsuit where she claimed head injuries she sustained during wrestling career made her spiral into depression The apparent suicide on Thursday came eight months after the dismissal of a lawsuit in which she claimed head injuries sustained during her wrestling career had caused her to spiral into depression. Upon news of her death the WWE put out a statement, saying: 'We are saddened to learn of the tragic death of former WWE Superstar Ashley Massaro. She performed in WWE from 2005-2008 and was beloved by her fellow Superstars and fans around the world. WWE offers its condolences to Ashleys family and friends.' The WWE honored her on Sunday with a full screen 'In Memory' slate during their Sunday 'Money in the Bank' event. 'She performed in WWE from 2005 to 2008 and was also a Playboy model She was found unconscious inside her $500,000 Suffolk County, New York, home on Thursday and was transported to a hospital where she was pronounced dead The wrestler was a WWE Superstar from 2005 to 2008, and rose to even greater notoriety among a mainstream audience after appearing on the cover of Playboy. Her daughter, Alexa Massaro, paid tribute to her mother in a heartfelt Instagram post. 'I wish i could have gotten more recent pictures,' Alexa reportedly wrote. 'I love you, mommy i want to wake up in your arms more than anything i want to give u a big hug please come back this cant be real.' The deceased wrestler's attorney, Konstantine Kyros, told the New York Post that her brain may now be analyzed by a top doctor for signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. While CTE can only be diagnosed after death, the degenerative brain disease is known to cause memory loss, confusion and personality changes, including depression and suicidal thoughts. Massaro had one daughter, Alexa (left), who will turn 19 years old in July She posted via Instagram: 'I wish i could have gotten more recent pictures' The doctor likely to examine Massaro's brain is Bennet Omalu, a prominent professor at the University of California Davis. Known as the 'Concussion doctor', he has previously diagnosed six former wrestlers with CTE by examining their brains following death. Massaro joined a class action lawsuit against WWE in 2016, in which she accused the company of concealing risks of injury known to cause neurological damage. The suit was dismissed in September 2018, but is pending appeal with a court date scheduled for next month. Today West Midland Police's chief constable Dave Thompson (pictured) said a 'number of criminal offences' have taken place outside a school in Birmingham embroiled in a row over LGBT inclusion lessons A police chief has slammed 'unlawful' protests that have 'no place' outside primary schools after recent clashes between LGBT campaigners and Muslim parents. Police were scrambled to the area outside Anderton Park Primary School in Birmingham on Sunday evening after reports of assault and criminal damage. LGBT activists reportedly attached banners to the school gates in support of its 'No Outsiders' lessons, before members of the Muslim community staged a counter-protest. Today West Midland Police's chief constable Dave Thompson said a 'number of criminal offences' had taken place outside the school late on Sunday. The force's chief constable has now stepped in to express his 'increasing concern' over the rhetoric of the protests. Mr Thompson said: 'In recent months some Birmingham primary schools have been subject to protests by parents concerning the schools' curriculum on equality. 'These protests have resulted in an ongoing protest outside Anderton Park Primary School. These protests have, to date, been lawful. 'West Midlands Police has been discharging our duty to maintain the public peace and where criminal offences are identified to act.' Police are pictured outside Anderton Park Primary School in Sparkbrook, Birmingham in March where protests over LGBT inclusion lessons are still going on Labour MP Jess Phillips (right) is pictured in a heated row with Muslim parent spokesman Shakeel Afsar (far left) outside Anderton Park Primary School in Birmingham Birmingham Yardley MP Jess Phillips gestures towards parent spokesman Shakeel Asfar The force received reports at 9.30pm on Sunday of assault and criminal damage in the area as well as reports of malicious communications received by the school on Thursday. Police were called to the school again on Monday after protesters claimed around 600 pupils were withdrawn from lessons. Speaking of the recent clashes between the two sides outside the school, Mr Thompson said: 'In the last 24 hours, a number of criminal offences have taken place that the force will investigate and seek to bring people to justice. 'As a citizen of this city, I have observed these protests and the rhetoric around them with increasing concern. West Midlands Police values and celebrates the diversity of this area. 'We believe the strength of this city is in tolerant and diverse communities. 'Sadly, this is not the image of Birmingham that these events are projecting around the country and the world.' Mr Thompson has now urged campaigners to consider the effect their protests are having on the reputation on the city of Birmingham. He said: 'It is very important all those involved in the dispute at Anderton Park recognise the adverse impact this is having on the reputation of the city, broader cohesion and, most importantly, the children at this school. 'Views are entrenching with a determination to win this argument. This is creating an environment where those who seek division will have cause to celebrate and to exploit. 'Frankly, a primary school is no place for the continuance of a large scale protest, however lawful.' School headteacher Sarah Hewitt-Clarkson says she has been told to resign and stop the equality lessons. Yesterday Labour MP Jess Phillips clashed with parent spokesman Shakeel Afsar outside the school gates. She called for an exclusion zone to ensure pupils were able to travel to and from school safely. The Birmingham Yardley MP accused the parents of 'damaging the reputation' of the Muslim community. Her colleague Roger Godsiff, the MP for Birmingham Hall Green today said he does not feel the No Outsiders lessons are always 'age appropriate'. He said four and five-year-olds could be too young for discussions on sexuality. Mr Thompson added: 'In this holy period of Ramadan, and as we celebrate Pride in our city, I urge those involved and those who can influence these events to think again and consider how they can come together to discuss these strongly held views and bring this protest to an end. 'West Midlands Police cannot solve this problem but we will support all involved in seeking a dialogue and a solution. Parents are pictured outside Anderton Park Primary School at an earlier protest in March 'Equally, we will act where people see to exploit these matters and break the law.' Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson, who supports the work of West Midlands Police, said: 'Teachers should be free to get on with teaching a full curriculum, that highlights and explains Britain's full diversity without fear of protests or threats. All forms of equality are equally important. 'As a former headteacher, I understand full well that schools need to work with parents and would encourage productive dialogue to continue. 'I must emphasise though that protests and threats have no place outside of the school gates and where there is evidence of criminality the police will be investigating thoroughly.' The No Outsiders lessons were first dreamed up by another Birmingham teacher called Andrew Moffatt. He created the scheme to teach children about the Equality Act and British values. Schools signed up to the programme have five of these lessons a year, covering areas outlined in the Act: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. Parents at schools in Birmingham, where a large number of pupils are Muslim, say they are 'aggressively promoting homosexuality' and constitute a breach of their religious values. A 24-year-old woman has drowned after she reportedly hit her neck on the edge of the bath paralysing herself before slipping under the water in a freak accident. The incident took place at the apartment where the victim, identified as Flavia Ioana, was living with her boyfriend and his family in the city of Deva located in the western Romanian country of Hunedoara. The young woman was said to be alone in the flat when the incident happened, and is believed to have been epilating her legs in the bath. Her boyfriend found her unconscious in the bathtub on returning to the flat. Flavia Ioana, 24, was found submerged in her bath tub after a freak accident left her paralysed He immediately called the emergency services who arrived on the scene and tried to resuscitate the 24-year-old, but to no avail. She was reportedly found without any signs of violence on her body and it is believed that she passed out in the bath. Police spokesperson Bogdan Nitu told local media: 'A criminal case has been opened and the circumstances behind the death will be established.' Speculation that she consumed an illegal substance before taking a bath have not been confirmed, and the autopsy results are expected to shed more light on her physical state at the time. Miss Ioana was living with her boyfriend`s family in Deva, Romania. She reportedly hit her neck on the edge of the bath and slipped under the water Her brother said on social media: 'I know you are all waiting for the results of my sister's autopsy. 'The conclusion of a preliminary investigation says that she drowned after sliding under the water surface. 'Her neck hit the edge of the bath and paralysis was caused by the damage to the nerve fibres in her spinal cord. 'She effectively drowned by herself without being aware or feeling any pain. God rest her soul.' The investigation continues. Jeremy Corbyn blasted Theresa May's 'bold' New Deal Brexit as a 'rehash' tonight as her last-gasp attempt to ram an agreement through Parliament looked doomed to failure. The opposition leader, who last week broke off talks with the PM's top team after weeks of deadlock, branded it 'effectively a repackaging of the same old bad deal, rejected three times'. His brutal assessment came as Labour MPs from across the party looked set to condemn the new plan before it even gets put to a vote. A host of Jeremy Corbyn's backbenchers said they would not support it even though she made a host of concession designed to woo them into the aye lobby. Mr Corbyn said: 'On key elements - customs, market alignment and environmental protections - what the Prime Minister calls her new Brexit deal is effectively a repackaging of the same old bad deal, rejected three times by Parliament. 'We will of course look seriously at the details of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill when it is published. 'But we won't back a repackaged version of the same old deal - and it's clear that this weak and disintegrating government is unable deliver on its own commitments.' Mr Corbyn (pictured campaigning in south London today) said Labour 'won't back a repackaged version of the same old deal'. The Prime Minister dangled a political carrot in the form of a temporary customs union until the next general election in front of Labour MPs today The Prime Minister dangled a political carrot in the form of a temporary customs union until the next general election, as well as a vote on a referendum in a bid to break the deadlock. But MailOnline understands she was forced to water down her offer after a Cabinet revolt over the idea of giving MPs a free vote on a referendum - something that would have made it much more likely to pass. And Labour MPs were not impressed. Former minister Dame Margaret Beckett said it was 'no more likely to succeed than her previous attempts'. The peer said Mrs May was trying to 'spice up the same old deal' without any guarantees of delivery and called for a People's Vote. She said: 'MPs will be rightly wary of offers from a Prime Minister who is about to resign and will probably be replaced by a hard-line successor. 'It would be very dangerous to vote through a deal to leave the European Union without any clear idea of our eventual destination - a blindfold Brexit that would only prolong uncertainty for families, businesses and Parliament. 'Rejecting this hotchpotch offer will show once and for all there is no stable majority for any form of Brexit without handing the decision back to the people.' Essex MP Wes Streeting, who backs a second referendum, said: 'Lots of us have been very clear that the PM's deal can pass on the condition that the people get to decide through a referendum. 'That's not what the PM is promising I'm afraid. Will look at the detail first, but on that basis it's unlikely I'll vote for the Bill at Second Reading.' His view was echoed by Sefton MP Bill Esterson, who said: 'So, MPs are offered a vote on whether there will be a final say public vote on her deal if we pass her Withdrawal Bill. 'That's very different to offering a public vote in return for passing her Bill. Struggling to see how the PM has really shifted her position.' Meanwhile one of Jeremy Corbyn's allies voiced concerns that a second referendum could might lead to a loss of faith in democracy, sparking a 'major crisis'. Shadow Cabinet Office minister Jon Trickett signalled that the party might not back a referendum - an issue which has divided the party. He said: 'Many voters have told me that their faith in politics is already at a low ebb. 'So, there's a risk in the idea of a second referendum because the whole political system could lose the people's consent. 'If that were to happen, the country would be faced with a major crisis.' Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made a public push Tuesday to begin impeachment proceedings of President Trump despite the obstacles, even as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi seeks to put the brakes on increased internal pressure to move ahead. 'We need to do our job & vote on impeachment,' she wrote in one of several tweets pushing that the House move ahead and begin an impeachment inquiry. The first-term lawmaker took on some of the chief arguments being put forward by Pelosi and her allies against jumping on the impeachment train. Pelosi has warned colleagues that even if the House were to impeach Trump, the effort would almost certainly fail in the Senate, where Republicans have rallied around the president on matters great and small. 'We need to do our job & vote on impeachment,' wrote Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Tuesday It also could potentially backfire politically, without necessarily removing Trump from office. 'Just as what happens in the House doesnt control Senate, what happens in the Senate shouldnt control the House,' Ocasio-Cortez wrote to her 4 million followers on Twitter. 'DoJ outlined ev of 10 criminal instances,' she wrote, referencing 10 areas of potential obstruction reviewed in the Mueller report. 'Pres is now obstructing legally binding subpoenas. We need to do our job & vote on impeachment. What Sen does is on them,' she continued, using abbreviations for president and Senate. Former White House Counsel Don McGahn defied a subpoena on Tuesday. House Judiciary Chairman Jerold Nadler held a scheduled hearing anyway, blasting Trump for 'intimidating' the witness, and saying: 'Our subpoenas are not optional.' Ocasio-Cortez also took on a key political argument coming from leadership that if Democrats are viewed as rushing to impeach rather than following the facts, Trump could use the issue against them and conceivably cost them control of the House and all the oversight power it gives them. 'It is just as politicized a maneuver to not impeach in the face of overwhelming evidence as it is to impeach w/o cause,' she wrote. 'Congress swore an oath to uphold the Constitution. That includes impeachment. We have a duty to preserve our institutions + uphold the rule of law,' she added. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made the case that a lack of support in the Senate should not impact the decision on impeachment Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., speaks to a reporter on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, May 21, 2019 President Trump 'is now obstructing legally binding subpoenas,' wrote Ocasio-Cortez McGahn features prominently in the Mueller report, which describes phone calls he received at home from Trump. McGahn says Trump told him to contact the deputy attorney general and have him tell Mueller he couldn't be special counsel She also brought up the 1998 impeachment of Bill Clinton, an effort that proved unpopular with the public and cost Republicans seats. 'Remember, Clinton was also impeached - that failed in Sen too,' Ocasio-Cortez wrote, again using abbreviations. 'Our institutions didnt suffer then, but they have been damaged greatly today w unwillingness to impeach. Whether its Dem fear or GOP recklessness, doesnt matter. Failure to impeach now is neglect of due process.' Her friend and ally Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) has been rounding up support for an impeachment effort. She brought up the impeachment of Bill Clinton, which Speaker Pelosi considers a cautionary tale Ocasio-Cortez argued not to defer to the Senate, where Republicans are in control and it would be exceedingly difficult to reach a two-thirds threshold on impeachment She argued it would be 'politicized' to avoid impeachment due to the potential costs Senior members also have been pushing the effort, amid a split among House Democrats. Lawmakers including Rep. Jamie Raskin, David Cicilline of Rhode Island, and Joe Neguse of Colorado are pushing to move ahead on an impeachment inquiry now. Cicilline tweeted Monday: 'If Don McGahn does not testify tomorrow, it will be time to begin an impeachment inquiry of @realDonaldTrump.' Other Democrats have made the case that without impeachment, future presidents might conclude they can get away with the same obstruction Trump is accused of committing. Pelosi heard from members in a closed-door leadership meeting Tuesday. The Caucus will work through the situation in a Wednesday meeting. Before the mid-terms that put Democrats in charge of the House, it was often Trump and his GOP allies who talked up the impeachment threat rather than Democrats, who tried to campaign on health care and a legislative agenda. Terry Allen Miles, 45, on Tuesday was sentenced to life in federal prison for kidnapping two sisters, aged 7 and 14, after their mothers's killing, and sexually assaulting the older girl A Texas man has been given life in prison for kidnapping two sisters from the house where he was living after he allegedly beat their mother to death with a flash light. Terry Allen Miles abducted the siblings, aged seven and 14, from their home in Round Rock, Texas, in December 2017, drove them to Colorado The 45-year-old also had a sexual relationship with the teen for five months. He was convicted in February of two counts of kidnapping, one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. He was handed a life sentence on Tuesday. 'We're very grateful that justice has finally caught up with Terry Miles. It's been a long time coming,' Assistant US Attorney Matthew Devlin said following the sentencing hearing. Authorities discovered the body of Tonya Ellen Bates during a welfare check at the home she shared with Miles in Round Rock near Austin in December 2017, after she didn't turn up to work. Miles whisked the two girls (left) to Colorado in early 2018 after police found their mother, Tonya Bates (right), beaten to death with a flashlight Terry Allen Miles is seen in an artist's sketch on May 21 at an Austin, Texas, federal court Investigators have said Miles fled with the girls, then aged seven and 14, and sheriff's deputies caught up with them a few days later in Colorado. They said Miles had been sexually assaulting the teenager for five months. Authorities believe Miles beat Bates to death with a flashlight, but he has not been charged in her death. On Tuesday, Miles' defense attorney argued that his client suffers from brain damage, which makes him impulsive, and asked the judge for a more lenient sentence of 30 years in prison. A prosecutor, however, described Miles as a manipulative child predator who has been inquiring about a 10-year-old girl from jail, adding, 'There is no rehabilitation for evil,' reported the station KXAN. When given a chance to speak, Miles echoed his lawyer's words concerning his brain damage and insisted that he would 'never hurt a fly.' The trio were caught on video traveling in Bates' stolen 2017 Hyundai Accent US District Judge Lee Yeakel ruled that the defendant will spend the rest of his days in federal prison but said he should be incarcerated in a correctional facility that would provide him treatment for brain damage. 'Round Rock is a safer place with Terry Miles scheduled to serve a well-deserved, lengthy prison sentence,' stated Round Rock Police Chief Allen Banks. 'While it wont reverse the harm done to these girls, it will allow them to continue the healing process without fear.' Co-workers called police in Round Rock, about 20 miles north of Austin, on December 30, 2017, to ask that they check on Bates when she had not shown up for work that day as expected. Officers went to the woman's home and discovered her lifeless body. Her 2017 Hyundai Accent was missing. A subsequent investigation revealed that Miles, who had lived with Bates and her two young daughters, kidnapped the girls. Bates death was ruled a homicide by blunt force trauma. Testimony at trial indicated that Miles likely killed Bates by bludgeoning her on the head with a heavy flashlight. DNA evidence indicated that Bates blood was found on one of Miles sneakers, but so far he has not been charged in the killing. Bates death was ruled a homicide by blunt force trauma. Miles has not been charged in her killing Police obtained cell phone information on the childrens two phones. One of the phones was located in a heavily wooded area near a Walmart in Round Rock. Surveillance video from the store showed Miles purchasing camping gear, including a 10-person tent, rope and tarps, and then driving off in Batess car. The Hyundai and a cell phone belonging to one of Bates' children were later traced heading to Colorado. Evidence from security cameras and phone records showed the route Miles took from Round Rock to southern Colorado. On January 3, 2018, deputies with the Las Animas County Sheriffs Office arrested Miles during a traffic stop near La Veta, Colorado. Bates' daughters were found with Miles in their mother's stolen sedan. Miles' semen was detected on the 14-year-old's underwear that she was wearing at the time that she was found. His semen was also found at the campsite where the trio had been hiding. The teenager testified during Miles' trial that the man, who has a son of his own from a previous marriage, repeatedly had sex with her over the course of five months. Miles, 45, was convicted in February of two counts of kidnapping.Seen in court on May 21 in an artist's sketch According to Louisiana court records, Miles was on probation from a 2015 domestic violence conviction and a 2014 conviction for possession of stolen goods. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso told the Austin American-Statesman that Miles had a history of domestic violence arrests and convictions. He was convicted two other times in 2009 and 2011 on domestic violence charges. Miles was also convicted twice in California with of injuring a spouse or cohabitant, in 1995 and 2002. 'Today justice was delivered to Terry Miles for his despicable crimes against children,' said US Attorney John Bash stated on Tuesday. 'Unfortunately this is only one particularly high-profile example of the sort of abuse happening in every community across our country. It wont stop until policymakers at all levels prioritize child safety.' Photo: The Canadian Press Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, speaks to media following a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Bains says the federal government will look to update the Privacy Act as part of an effort to build greater trust in the digital world. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains says the federal government will look to update the Privacy Act as part of an effort to build greater trust in the digital world. Bains made the commitment at Toronto's Empire Club of Canada as part of a rollout of a ten-point digital charter aimed at protecting privacy and personal control of data. He says that only through a foundation of trust will society be able to reach its full innovative potential. To reach that aim, Bains says the government will review private sector privacy laws and look to ensure the Competition Bureau has proper enforcement tools. He says the government will also review the Statistics Act and launch a new Data Governance Standardization Collaborative to better manage data governance standards in the country. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau first announced the digital charter last week, emphasizing the need to combat hate speech, misinformation and online electoral interference. Commuters are turning to a new tactic when tasked with being forced to hand over their cellphones to thieves aboard buses in Mexico City. The clever residents are now buying fake smartphones as they seek to combat muggers who demand their real handheld devices. Merchants are selling the 'dummies' that cost 180 to 800 pesos, approximately $10 to $40, in the historic city center. The devices are so sophisticated that they feature a startup screen and bodies that are dead ringers for the originals, and inside there is a piece of metal to give the phone the heft of the real article. Public transportation customers have found the fakes to come in handy when trying to fool trigger-happy bandits who regularly attack the buses, big and small, that ferry people from the poorer outlying suburbs to jobs in the Mexican capital city. Axel, a vendor at an indoor electronics market, shows his dummy mobile phones which people are now buying in Mexico City in the event they are forced to hand over their real phones to muggers A driver maneuvers through the village of San Miguel Teotongo. He was accompanied by two police officers who ride along to protect him and his passengers from armed robbery in Iztapalapa, a borough Mexico City. A cop stands at the back of the bus riding through the Mexico City borough of Iztapalapa. The local government launched a program this week to have the police ride the buses to prevent muggings The chilling robbery scenes have become viral on social media, courtesy of the surveillance cameras that many buses now carry that record the assaults, often late at night or in the early morning. Muggers tend to target sleepy passengers who are seen bouncing along in the jitneys when one or two of the men aboard suddenly pull masks over their faces. One will pull out a gun while his accomplice passes down the aisle, often with his own gun, demanding valuables. 'You're all screwed now! Don't move or you're dead! Cellphones and wallets!' barks a thief in one recent video. Time and again, those who resist or refuse are hit in the head with a pistol, or simply shot and left to bleed on the floor of the bus. Martha Patricia Rociles Estrada, a schoolteacher from the low-income suburb of Nezahualcoyotl, was robbed herself. Now, she says, most city residents make their daily commutes in fear. 'Getting on public transportation is now a risk,' Rociles Estrada said. 'You get on, but you never know if you're going to return.' 'Now you have to be careful to carry money, because if you don't, the thieves get angry and you run the risk that they'll shoot you if you're not carrying money.' There were an average of 70 reported violent muggings every day in Mexico City in the first four months of 2019. About two-thirds were committed against pedestrians, with the rest split almost evenly between bus passengers and assaults on motorists stopped at lights or caught in traffic jams. Between 2017 and 2018, such assaults rose by about 22 percent. But when Rociles Estrada was robbed at gunpoint several years ago, most people weren't carrying costly smartphones around with them. 'They just took whatever I had of value, my change purse, that was all,' she recalled The advent of smartphones changed all that. Now, many people carry a device worth hundreds of dollars in their pocket, and one that may also hold their bank or credit card information. That's where 'dummy' vendors like Axel come in. Axel says he sells three or four dummy phones a week out of his stall in a downtown electronics marketplace, next door to a colonial college building that dates to 1767. Passengers ride a public bus as a police officer safeguards them from the back in the Iztapalapa borough of Mexico City A public bus drives through the San Miguel Teotongo neighborhood in the Iztapalapa borough of Mexico City. Residents have been victimized as assaults and muggings has been amplified Axel, who asked his full name not be used for fear police would accuse him of selling fake merchandise, said all of his customers know they are buying fakes. 'It's useful for robberies, the large number of muggings happening in Mexico City,' said Axel. 'They say 'hand over your cellphone, give me everything', and people know now they have to hand over the phone quick, in a matter of seconds, so they hand over these phones and often the thieves don't realize it.' But Axel admits the victim would be in trouble if a thief caught them handing over a 'dummy' phone. 'Obviously there are problems, because if the criminals search it or find out ... there is going to be a problem.' Because of that, some try a different strategy, spending a little more to buy a cheap but real second phone. Gloria, who works at her own stall at another market across the street in a converted art-deco movie house, said the dummy trade started about 14 years ago, but for different reasons: Phone shops would buy dummies for their exhibition cases to protect against another type of crime, the so-called 'sledgehammer crews' who can clear out a jewelry or electronics store in seconds by breaking windows. 'Generally, the dummy is for a showcase, for people who sell real cellphones,' Gloria explained. 'Dummies have been sold here for about 14 years, for use in showcases, but nowadays people are buying them to protect their own cellphones.' Gloria sells an iPhone dummy for 300 pesos ($15), that would save a victim the 18,000 pesos ($900) a real iPhone would cost here. 'In most cases, people want to avoid getting their cellphone stolen, but also their data,' says Gloria, who also asked her last name not be used. There were an average of 70 reported violent muggings every day in Mexico City in the first four months of 2019, and between 2017 and 2018, such assaults rose by about 22% Vicious armed robberies have gotten so common aboard buses in Mexico City, that commuters have come up with a clever if disheartening solution: Many are buying fake cellphones, to hand over to thieves instead of their real smartphones A police officer stands (pictured) watch at the back door of a public bus in the Iztapalapa borough of Mexico City. The government of the eastern borough of Ixtapalpa launched a program this week to have police ride the buses to prevent robberies The paranoia about assaults and muggings has been amplified by the fact that so many of the robberies are now videotaped by surveillance cameras on public buses. The tapes are often shown on news programs, instilling terror in people. The government of the eastern borough of Ixtapalpa - one of the city's biggest and poorest precincts - launched a program this week to have police ride the buses to prevent robberies. But even as the program started up with fanfare and media photo ops, some residents were skeptical. Oscar Armenda, a transportation worker who was riding a bus in Iztapalapa around midday as police started climbing aboard, said, 'This is good in a way, but in a way it's not.' 'They should do this at the time of day when it's needed, at night, not now,' Armenda said. Humpback whales spent an hour inspecting a boat full of whale watchers off the Irish coast. The two humpback whales can be seen lifting their heads out of the water as they greet the members of Cork Whale Watch on May 17. A video by Derek McGreevy shows one of the whales pop its head out of the water as a man says: 'There he is. Good morning. Having a whale of a time'. Cork Whale Watch, which was running the expedition, said on Facebook the two whales 'stayed for almost an hour thoroughly inspecting the boat from every angle.' The two humpback whales lift their heads out of the water as they greet the members of Cork Whale Watch on May 17 During the 46-second video the 13-metre-long whale can be seen just under the water surface. It uses its fins to propel it through the water and out in to their air as its head pokes out to take a look at the whale watchers. As the group watch the mammals swim around their boat one man explains how humpbacks live in the southern hemisphere. During the 46 second video the 13-metre-long whale can be seen just under the water surface He goes on to explain the animals have short-range eyesight with 'tiny' eyes. Humpbacks use their tail fins, known as a fluke, to propel themselves through the water. They regularly leap from the water before landing with a splash, called 'breaching', but scientists are not sure why. U.S. defense forces have intercepted and escorted Russian war planes spotted near Alaskan air space. The North American Aerospace Defense Command says two of its F-22s intercepted two Tupolev Tu-95 strategic bombers inside the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone on Monday. A short time later, two additional Tu-95s and two Sukhoi Su-35 fighters were identified and intercepted by two other NORAD F-22s. A U.S. E-3 Sentry maintained overall surveillance on the operation. The Russian aircraft remained in international airspace. A NORAD F-22 (top) is seen intercepting and escorting a Tupolev Tu-95 strategic bomber (bottom) inside the Alaska ADIZ on Monday Two Tu-95s (top and bottom right) are seen after they were intercepted on Monday. Russia said it was conducting an observation flight in accordance with international law The ADIZ is a buffer extending beyond U.S. airspace within which all civilian aircraft must identify themselves. Russian military aircraft that cross through the ADIZ on a training mission are typically allowed to continue on once identified, as long as they do not attempt to enter U.S. airspace. 'Our ability to deter and defeat threats to our citizens and vital infrastructure starts with detecting, tracking, and positively identifying aircraft our airspace,' said General Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy, commander of NORAD, in a statement on Monday's incident. 'We are on alert 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year,' O'Shaughnessy said. The Alaska ADIZ (seen in crosshatch) extends well beyond US airspace. All civilian craft entering the zone must identify themselves. All military craft are monitored and intercepted A NORAD E-3 Sentry (like the one seen above in a file photo) provided surveillance for the US intercept of the two strategic bomber groups on Monday Russia's Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that its Tu-95MS bombers made an observation flight along the western coast of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands and were shadowed by F-22 fighter jets. 'Four Tu-95MS strategic missile carriers of the Aerospace Force performed planned flights in the airspace over the neutral waters of the Chukotsk, Bering and Okhotsk Seas, and also along the western coast of Alaska and the northern coast of the Aleutian Islands,' the ministry said in a statement, according to state-run TASS. The Tu-95MS strategic bombers spent over 12 hours in the air, the ministry said. Russia said that its long-range aircraft regularly perform flights over the international waters of the Arctic, the Atlantic, the Black Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Russia's defense ministry said that the flights are performed in strict compliance with the international rules of using the airspace, without violating the borders of other states. Two young children were 'miraculously' rescued from a Canadian forest after spending the night alone when their father left them to get help. A 6-year-old girl, her brother, 7, and their father fell down a 'steep, treacherous cliff' into a creek drainage area after getting lost on Mount Burke in British Columbia on Sunday. Search and rescue officials said the family, who were visiting from Georgia, were unfamiliar with the terrain and had been trying to go fishing at Munroe Lake but got lost. An image released by Coquitlam Search and Rescue shows a volunteer carrying the the 7-year-old-boy through tall grass to an awaiting ambulance after he was stranded overnight The children follow their father to a car after they are all released from hospital on Monday afternoon. The siblings spent Sunday night in a forested area after getting lost during a hike Despite being injured, the father left the children and made the uphill climb to raise the alarm. After walking approximately one to two kilometers, he found another hiker with a cell phone and called search and rescue officials. Members of Coquitlam Search and Rescue found the children just before 8.30am local time on Monday. They were airlifted to safety by a helicopter with a long line, with their father waiting with an ambulance to meet them. Before he left them, their father wrapped them up in warm clothes and told them to stay where they were. Crews searched for the children all night using drones and a helicopter after getting the father's call for help at around 7 pm on Sunday night. The family were walking from the site of an old ski lodge over to Munroe Lake, and in the process got off trail. Once off trail at some point they were walking and all fell into a gulley. Coquitlam Search and Rescue manager Ian MacDonald told CBC News that the father didn't want to risk bringing his children when he went for help as 'it was a dangerous situation.' The children are seen being airlifted to safety after a backpack and shoes led rescuers to find them at 8.30am on Monday. Their father had left them to go for help and didn't want to risk bringing them as he climbed back uphill to call for help Footage from CTV News shows rescuers wrapping the children in emergency blankets before being transported to hospital after suffering minor injuries He added: 'This was really a miraculous rescue and a really positive outcome. 'You can imagine, all of us [searchers], we've got kids. It was really elation. This is very rugged terrain where they were lost so we were just very, very thankful that they were found alive and uninjured. '[The father] was not that familiar with the terrain, it was not on a trail at all, so any landmarks and signposts were really not there.' He said the children were cold but alert and suffered only minor injuries. They were taken to Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster for a check-up. A volunteer carries the boy, 7, through long glass to an awaiting ambulance to hospital Search and rescue crews spent Sunday night trying to track the children down, using a drone and helicopter to help They were walking from the site of the old ski lodge over to Munroe Lake, and in the process got off trail. Once off trail at some point they were walking and all fell into the gulley He claimed that crews on the ground had spotted a backpack and some shoes, which were like a 'trail of breadcrumbs' that led them to the siblings. MacDonald added: 'It was kind of like Hansel and Grettel, we found some breadcrumbs along the way and one of those was the backpack.' Coquitlam RCMP Staff Sargent Paul Vadik said the father had made the 'difficult decision' to leave the children Sunday night, because he thought the climb would be too dangerous for them. Coquitlam Search and Rescue manager Ian MacDonald said the father didn't want to risk bringing his children along when he went for help as 'it was a dangerous situation' MacDonald added: 'The kids did a great job. And the dad did a great job of telling them, you know, "I want you to stay here." 'I suspect his reaction [to the rescue] is pretty emotional.' MacDonald said that the area around Munroe Lake is safe if hikers remain on the trail. However, he claimed it is not unusual for people to get lost. Bryan Moffatt and Brad Rennie, who both work with Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue, were part of the team that found the children. Rennie told CBC News: 'They were invisible, pretty much like a rock. They were hiding under a grey sweatshirt. 'After several calls, they actually responded and came out of the sweatshirt and gave us the A-OK.' Moffatt, who has children the same age, said the kids were 'very' happy to be found. He added: 'They were quite smiley.' Coquitlam Search and Rescue led the search effort and had assistance from North Shore, Ridge Meadows, Surrey and the Central Fraser Valley. A police dog, drone, and helicopter were also involved in the rescue effort. Their father is seen helping the children into a taxi when they were released from hospital on Monday afternoon McDonald claimed the area around Munroe Lake, (pictured), is safe so long as hikers stay on the trail, though it's common for people to get lost The childrens mother told CVT News that the children hike everywhere with their father. She called the effort by search crews 'amazing' and added that the family is 'very grateful' to rescuers. The childrens parents are originally from Georgia, but are currently staying in Coquitlam. In a tweet on Tuesday morning, Coquitlam Search and Rescue wrote: 'It was a long night for members of Coquitlam SAR and others searching for 2 lost children on Burke Mountain: a stressful search that ended on a happy note this morning. The niece of Syria President Bashar al-Assad who received 150,000 from relatives while studying in London has been forced to give up the contents of her UK bank account. Investigators found that Aniseh Chawkat, 22, who rented a flat in the capital for more than 60,000 per year, benefited from 56 cash deposits into her Barclays account in 2017 and 2018. The National Crime Agency discovered that the payments were made at branches of the bank across England, as a way of getting around EU sanctions to restrict funds from the Syrian regime. Chawkat's father Assef Shawkat was the Syrian deputy Minister of Defence between 2011 and his death in 2012, and both her mother Bushra al-Assad and uncle, the Syrian President, are subject to international sanctions. Investigators found that Aniseh Chawkat, 22, (pictured with brother and sister Bassel and Beshui) benefited from 56 cash deposits into her Barclays account in 2017 and 2018 Rob MacArthur, from the NCA's international corruption unit, said: 'Our investigation also gives some insight into the complexity of tackling illicit finance. 'Innocuous deposits into UK high street banks can ultimately be derived from wealth accumulated by individuals subject to international sanctions.' Chawkat's UK bank account, which contained 24,668.24, was frozen in November 2018 and on Tuesday at Westminster Magistrates' Court the NCA's application for her to forfeit the money was not opposed. The payments were made into her account at branches across England, getting around EU sanctions to restrict the availability of funds from the Syrian regime Aniseh Chawkat's father Assef Shawkat (top left with her mother Bushra) was Syrian deputy Minister of Defence between 2011 and his death in 2012, and she is the niece of President Bashar al-Assad. Bushra and Bashar al-Assad are both subject to international sanctions On Tuesday at Westminster Magistrates' Court, Chawkat did not oppose the NCA's application for her to forfeit the money The niece of President Bashar al-Assad received 150,000 from relatives while studying in London Chawkat's UK bank account, that contained 24,668.24, was frozen in November 2018 - though she was not personally accused of any wrongdoing She was not personally accused of any wrongdoing. Rachael Herbert, NCA head of threat response, said: 'Contravention of sanctions undermines the integrity of the UK financial system. 'The sum in this instance may not be vast, but our identification and pursuit of it underlines our commitment to supporting wider UK efforts against sanctions evasion.' A Barclays spokesman said: 'We have worked with and supported the NCA with this investigation and welcome the outcome of these proceedings.' Theresa May's bid to get a Brexit deal looks doomed to fail after she gave reluctant MPs 'one last chance' to back her plans in exchange for a vote on a second referendum. Mrs May today promised MPs another chance to vote on the possibility of another referendum - as long as they back her 'new' deal. But with very little enthusiasm on both sides of the House, the second reading of the EU withdrawal agreement looks like it could be the end of the road for the PM. That vote is set to go ahead on the week beginning June 3, with Friday June 7 the most likely date, so she can get Donald Trump's state visit out of the way first. The Prime Minister desperately called on her fellow politicians to compromise on Brexit, but the current state of play could mean she loses her next meaningful vote by 58. Mrs May delivers her speech on the future of Brexit in London today If she did manage to pass the bill however, it would mean a summer of even more uncertainty in Westminster with a second referendum on the cards. After the second reading stage, both the Commons and the Lords get to suggest amendments before it comes back to the Commons for a final vote. The Prime Minister seems to be offering a referendum vote to ratify her position at that point - before the bill gets Royal Assent and becomes law. Depending on the terms of the referendum this could mean an opportunity to halt Brexit - or send the UK closer to leaving without a deal. There is no indication about how long this would take but Mrs May would want to give MPs enough time to consider it properly. In that case a referendum could take months to organise and might require an extension to the October 31 Brexit date. Experts say a referendum would take 21 weeks. There are 23 weeks left until the Halloween deadline date, which means the PM would have just two weeks to spare. But this is all dependent on Mrs May getting the bill through the second reading stage, which tonight looked like a distant possibility. If Mrs May doesn't get through the second reading a summer of chaos would kick off with a Tory leadership contest. It could be a brutal competition, with Boris Johnson, Sajid Javid and Jeremy Hunt among the contenders. Here is how the drama could play out over the next few weeks and months. May 23 - European elections Mrs May never wanted the European elections to take place on May 23, having originally planned for the UK to be out of the EU by the end of March. And the vote is set to show why she hoped to avoid them - with the Tories on course for a drubbing at the hands of Nigel Farage's new Brexit Party. The picture is also likely to be grim for Labour when the results emerge on Sunday 26 and Bank Holiday Monday, as both main parties pay the price for years of chaos and inaction since the referendum in 2016. In an effort to limit the fallout, the government has sent MPs off on a long half-term recess break immediately after the election. However, keeping Tory politicians away from Westminster will not be enough to save the PM from a massive backlash. Thursday could also see the text of the Withdrawal Bill Agreement published to give MPs time to analyse it. Unveiling it this week would allow Mrs May to hold a second reading vote early in the first week back after recess, although she appears short of time to do it. The Tories on course for a European elections drubbing at the hands of Nigel Farage (pictured campaigning in Brentwood this week) and his new Brexit Party. June - Withdrawal Agreement Bill, Trump visit Mrs May has pledged to bring the WAB - before the Commons for a crucial vote in the week of June 3. The promise succeeded in buying her a few more weeks grace from an increasingly restive Cabinet and Tory MPs. But with her own restive MPs, Labour, the DUP and others lining up to kick her plan down, she appears to have little hope of winning the vote. If the situation was not fraught enough, the PM must also contend with the arrival of Donald Trump for a long-awaited and controversial three-day State Visit from June 3-5. The leaders are pictured together at Chequers last July A defeat would be the fourth time her deal with the EU has been rejected by MPs - and Brexit Secretary Steven Barclay has admitted the package would then be 'dead'. If the situation was not fraught enough, the PM must also contend with the arrival of Mr Trump for a long-awaited and controversial three-day State Visit. He has not been shy of voicing his disapproval for her Brexit deal, and is widely expected to throw some grenades into the debate. Downing Street is still holding out on naming the day of the planned vote, but it is thought to be at the end of the week, meaning he is likely to have done his throwing before it happens. The powerful Tory 1922 committee has told Mrs May that even if by some miracle the Commons vote on WAB is won, she must still immediately set out the timetable for handing over to another leader. June-July - Tory leadership contest The battle to succeed Mrs May as Tory leader should formally kick off early in June. Under the process, MPs will whittle what looks to be a crowded field of candidates down to two - with ordinary Conservative members voting to decide the victor. Mr Johnson is considered the front runner to take the top job, but historically such contests have thrown up surprises. Party chiefs hope that the first stage can be completed within a few weeks. The run-off could then either be rushed through in July, or take place over the summer parliamentary recess. They would want to have a new leader in place before the party conference and the by-then looming October 31 Brexit deadline. Boris Johnson (pictured at a business conference in Manchester last week) is considered the front runner to succeed Mrs May, but historically Tory contests have thrown up surprises September 29-October 2 - Conservative Party conference The Tory gathering in Manchester this autumn will be the natural time for a new leader to take the stage and try to unite the fractured party. Assuming no way has been found to force a Withdrawal Agreement through Parliament by this point, they will need to spell out how they intend to approach the Brexit process. Victory for a harder-line Brexiteer such as Mr Johnson could see the party vow to leave the EU in a matter of weeks, with or without a deal. They will also need to consider whether such a policy can be pushed through the Commons with the current batch of MPs - or whether a general election or another referendum has become unavoidable. There is also the matter of a 'stop Boris' campaign among MPs to stop him taking over, which means it may be left to someone else to deal with Brexit. October - Second Brexit referendum? If MPs defy expectations and passed the WAB in a fortnight a referendum could be held in mid-October. If the referendum backed the Brexit deal it would then be a relatively quick process to pass it into law by getting the Royal Assent from the Queen before it is then sent to all the heads of states of the European nations for ratification. October 31 - the new Brexit date The Brexit extension Mrs May thrashed out with the EU expires on October 31. Unless another postponement can be agreed, the UK is still scheduled to leave the bloc at this point. MPs have previously shown a willingness to do anything possible to avoid crashing out of the EU without a deal. However, the calculation for many Tory MPs might be changed by the mounting threat from the Brexit Party. With EU leaders such as France's Emmanuel Macron increasingly frustrated by the Brexit limbo, the Commons could be forced into a straight choice between revoking Article 50 - which would cancel the process altogether - or no-deal Brexit. Some hardline Brexiteers including leadership candidates Esther McVey and Andrea Leadsom have in recent days suggested that we should leave at this point with or without a deal, instead of seeking a further extension. An Uber driver in Pittsburgh has been accused of kidnapping a third woman on the same night that he was arrested for allegedly locking two women in his car and trying to drive them somewhere that was not the destination they requested. Richard Lomotey, a 36-year-old assistant professor at Pennsylvania State University, was arrested on Monday and charged with kidnapping, unlawful restraint, simple assault and reckless endangerment of another person, according to a court document obtained by DailyMail.com. The married father-of-two was first arrested on May 11 and booked on two counts each of kidnapping, false imprisonment and harassment for the incident involving two other women. A third woman came forward on May 16 after hearing about the other arrest and alleged in a criminal complaint that Lomotey tried to prevent her from leaving his car after she got in the front seat, that her 'her shirt and bra were ripped' during a struggle and she was forced to jump from the moving vehicle. The woman said Lomotey asked her about her relationship status, which is similar to what was reported by the first two women. Lomotey spoke out refuting the first two women's claims before he was arrested a second time on Monday, saying it didn't happen the way the first two women said it did and that the allegations are 'ridiculous.' Scroll down for video Richard Lomotey (left and right), a 37-year-old assistant professor at Pennsylvania State University, was arrested a second time on Monday in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for allegedly kidnapping a third woman on May 11 while driving for Uber. Lomotey was first arrested and booked on two counts each of kidnapping, false imprisonment and harassment. He allegedly tried to trap two female Uber riders in his car before they managed to escape out of the backseat and contact the police on the same day the third woman said it happened to her According to the third woman's account as reported by ABC, she had not ordered an Uber but instead got into Lomotey's car outside of a nightclub and offered Lomotey $10 to take her to her next destination. The criminal complaint said he asked her about her relationship status, and she said 'she was engaged and did not want to participate in any sexual activities with him.' After this, Lomotey is said to have kept locking the doors as she would unlock them, and gripped her wrist while driving. 'She was so afraid she opened the door and jumped from the moving vehicle at an unknown location' as the car drove away, police said. It was after hearing the report from the first two women that this third woman came forward. The first two women told police they were picked up early on May 11 by a male driver who commented on their appearance and 'did not follow the GPS directions to the requested address', according to Pittsburgh Police spokesman Chis Togneri. At some point in the ride the driver pulled over and put the car in park, telling the riders: 'You're not going anywhere.' He then attempted to lock the doors, but one of the woman was able to open a door and escape from the backseat, followed by the other woman. Police identified Lomotey via the Uber app and took him into custody, where he is awaiting a hearing scheduled for May 23. A third woman came forward on May 16 after hearing about the other arrest. Lomotey spoke out refuting the first two women's claims before he was arrested a second time on Monday, saying it didn't happen the way the first two women said it did and that the allegations are 'ridiculous' Lomotey is seen teaching at Penn State Beaver. Director of Campus Relations Kristen Doerschner called the allegations against the assistant professor 'deeply troubling' Following the first arrest, Lomotey spoke with KDKA and said the first two women's account was not accurate. 'It's just not logical. And more importantly it never happened the way it's been projected,' he said. 'I tap on the app to zoom in to see whether I should make a right turn, left turn or go straight. That's when I realized that the app was frozen. So I pulled over to the side of the road at the intersection. 'She opened the door and started screaming, '"Mia run!"' Lomotey said he was confused, but got a notification to pick up someone else and kept working until his wife called and told him the police had just left their house. Lomotey said he then drove right away to the Mount Lebanon police station and learned of his charges before a judge 12 hours later. Uber released a statement after the incident, calling the drivers alleged misconduct 'unacceptable'. 'The driver's access to the app has been removed and we stand ready to cooperate with law enforcement to support their investigation,' a spokesperson said. Lomotey could not immediately be reached for additional comment on the third woman's accusations. A spokeswoman for Penn State confirmed that Lomotey is an assistant professor of Information Science and Technology at the university's Beaver campus. Director of Campus Relations Kristen Doerschner called the allegations against Lomotey 'deeply troubling', and said the educator's access to the campus has been revoked pending an investigation. 'This is obviously a criminal matter and we cannot comment further,' Doerschner told CNN. Lomotey posted a $500 cash bond following his arrest on Monday. A Mississippi lawmaker has been arrested after he allegedly punched his wife in the face because she didn't undress quickly enough when he wanted to have sex. Republican state Rep. Douglas McLeod of Lucedale, 58, was arrested on Saturday on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge. McLeod, who has represented George and Stone counties since 2012, is running unopposed for re-election this year. According to the report, McLeod punched his wife in the face, leaving her with a bloody nose. Mississippi state Rep. Douglas McLeod, 58, was arrested on Saturday for allegedly punching his wife in the face because she didn't undress quickly enough when he wanted to have sex. Pictured left in his mug shot Saturday and right in an office portrait He was intoxicated and holding a glass of alcohol when deputies arrived to his home before 9pm Saturday to take him in, according to an investigative report filed with the George County Sheriffs Department as per the Sun Herald. When deputies arrived to his home, McLeod opened the door and said, 'Are you kidding me?' 'Mr. McLeod had slurred speech and walked slow in a zigzag pattern,' deputies reported. He was so drunk he needed to grab a hand rail to maintain his balance. Deputies found blood on the couple's bed and on the floor in the same room. His wife was found at the top of a stairwell in the home with another woman and appeared frightened, shaking and upset. The married lawmaker has three kids and runs a car tire company in Lucedale, Mississippi, has represented George and Stone counties since 2012 and is running unopposed for re-election this year His wife said McLeod was drunk when he 'just snapped' and hit her. The wife told another woman who was in the house at the time. Shocked to see McLeod's wife with blood on her face, the pair locked themselves in a room. McLeod then started banging on the door telling the women to open it. He threatened the other woman saying if she didn't open the door, he'd 'kill her f***ing dog'. McLeod was taken into custody and booked into George county jail by early Sunday morning but was released out of jail on $1,000 signature bond. His wife did not want to be taken to the hospital by ambulance following his arrest, but assured police she would have her daughter take her to get checked out. McLeod's office is yet to respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment. McLeod owns McLeod Tire Company in Lucedale and is married with three children. A Florida teenager has found herself in a prickly situation after police say she physically attacked her mother during a dispute over the custody of the family's pet hedgehog. On Sunday evening, police responded to a home in the 8300 block of 94 Avenue N in Seminole for a domestic violence report. According to an arrest affidavit, 18-year-old Emma Davisson was arguing with her 43-year-old mother over living arrangement and following directions when the daughter declared that she was packing her belongings and leaving. Apple of discord: Emma Davisson, 18, was arrested in Florida for allegedly attacking her mother after being told she could not leave with the family's hedgehog (stock photo) Davisson then informed her mother of her intention to take the family's hedgehog along with her, reported The Smoking Gun. Her mother put a damper on her plan, however, telling Davisson that she was not allowed to leave with the spiny mammal because it has been in the care of her younger siblings. When the 5-foot-3, 140-pound Davisson tried to enter her siblings' bedroom to grab the prickly critter, her mother blocked her way. According to the document, Davisson retaliated by pushing and hitting her mother several times in front of her younger brothers and sisters. When interviewed by police after having her Miranda rights read to her, the 18-year-old acknowledged pushing her mother, but insisted that it was only after the woman pushed and shoved her first. The physical altercation took place inside the family's home in the 8300 block of 94 Avenue N in Seminole, Florida (pictured) Davissons mother denied using any physical force against her teenage daughter. The teen, who according to the affidavit suffers from mental health issues, was booked into the Pinellas County Jail on a misdemeanour charge of domestic battery. She was released the next day on her own recognizance. A judge barred Davisson from having any contact with her mother. In accordance with the judges orders, the teen will be allowed a one-time visit to her familys home to collect her possessions, which will not include the hedgehog at the center of the family feud. This is the disturbing moment a lawyer was executed during a botched robbery attempt at his law firm in central Mexico. A CCTV camera captured the horrible scene that developed on April 27 when an assassin barged into the law firm office located in Cuautitlan, located in the Greater Mexico City area, and shot Enrique Villavicencio Cruz in the head. Cruz was accompanied by his assistant when the woman walked to answer the door. The surveillance video captured the frightened employee pacing back to her boss side while the gunman ushered Cruzs son into the office. WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT Enrique Villavicencio Cruz was assassinated at his law firm in Mexico on April 27 during a botched robbery attempt The killer appeared on a CCTV camera demanding the lawyers personal belongings The killer demanded the lawyers personal belongings but the Cruz defied the suspects orders and rose to his feet from behind his desk. The armed man is heard on the video telling the lawyer in Spanish, 'what are you looking at,' before he pumped the fatal bullet directly at Cruz's face. The security camera recorded the assailant firing two more shots, one of them which wounded Cruz's son. The attacker took off for the exit but turned back around and fired at the lawyer's son after he called him a 'coward'. After shooting the lawyer in the face, the suspect then turned his weapon and fired at the victim's son Enrique Villavicencio Cruz's son chases after the assassin at the Cuautitlan, Mexico, law firm Witnesses told authorities the gun-totting man hopped on his motorcycle and fled with three other men. The killing quickly raised concerns after residents spread rumors of assassins openly roaming the area and picking out their targets. However, the mayor of Cuautitlan, Mario Ariel Juarez Rodriguez said it was a job carried out by a single gunman and not armed commandos. The Mexico City Attorney General's office has not made any official announcements or offered any information of any arrests. The investigation into fake marriages is expanding. Some Christian pastors are also involved by issuing wedding certificates. The Chinese embassy warns against sensationalism, but is forced to admit that it blocked scores of visa applications. At least 700 women have been caught up in human trafficking in the past year alone. Islamabad (AsiaNews/Agencies) Two Pakistani women married off to unscrupulous Chinese men fled their husbands. Both are involved in running an illegal brothel in Lahore, disguised as a marriage agency. Both, and planned to sell their wives in China. Their case is the latest chapter is a major problem involving Pakistani women, Christian and Muslim, sold as brides to Chinese husbands and then forced into prostitution and victims of organ trafficking. The two women, Samina and Tasawur Bibi, come from Kot Momin, Punjab. They said they married two men whom they believed were Muslims, only to find out later that they were neither Muslim nor honest". Their story is not unusual. According to Pakistans Federal Investigative Agency (FIA) would-be Chinese husbands obtain fake religious certificates in order to convince Pakistani families to give away their daughters as brides. Since it first came to light, the affair has grown, exposing a human trafficking racket between the two countries, which are linked by strong economic agreements. Police sources report that, dozens of people have been arrested in recent weeks, including Christian clergymen working with criminals. The Catholic Church has already spoken out in the past against the blight of fake marriages between Pakistani women and Chinese men. Last week, the FIA detained two Chinese men and three Pakistani women waiting at Islamabad Airport to board a flight for China. For their part, Chinese authorities have rejected claims that a criminal enterprise is responsible for the buying and selling of brides. Chinas embassy in Pakistan has accused Pakistani media of making up stories and blowing the affair out of proportion. In a statement, Chinas diplomatic mission said that "it is essential to avoid sensationalism" and "sensitive matters should be reported only on the basis of established facts." Yet, the embassy later admitted that it had blocked at least 90 applications for a visa by Pakistani women. Activists note that the criminal racket is favoured by the extremely poor economic conditions in which would-be brides live. For them, China appears to offer the promise of a better future. Saleem Iqbal, a Christian human rights activist, said that at least 700 women, mostly Christians, have been involved in this business between Pakistan and China in the past year alone. Photo: Castanet Staff Jukka Laurio inside his Okanagan Falls cannabis store, Jan. 2018 Former Penticton pot shop owner and two-time mayoral candidate Jukka Laurio is taking his case to trial in the B.C. Supreme Court. Laurio appeared in court Tuesday to plead not guilty to one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking in relation to the May 2018 police raid on his cannabis store in OK Falls. He elected for a judge-alone Supreme Court trial. There is a story to be told. A social and political story that involves more than marijuana, Laurio said outside the courthouse. I was happy before the shop opened. I was very happy. I had a good life. I followed the directions, indications of other individuals that are supposed to be important and I trashed my life. Laurio operated an illegal cannabis store in Penticton between 2015 and 2017, in constant conflict with the city, eventually reaching an agreement to pay $15,000 in bylaw penalties and close down. He moved his store to Okanagan Falls, where it operated under the same name until police moved in, seized more than 100 pounds of cannabis and arrested Laurio. Laurio said he doesnt regret opening the Penticton store back in 2015 and making a political stand for legal cannabis, but admitted he was surprised when the police got involved and he was charged. That surprised me in the end. It was totally unrequired, he said, maintaining police never told him to close down his business. Laurio was, however, one of three shop owners in Penticton that received letters in 2017 from the Penticton RCMP ordering closure under the threat of arrest. Laurio waived Tuesday his right to a preliminary inquiry, telling the judge he may represent himself at trial. Hes back in court June 10 to fix a trial date. Three 15-year-old boys and a 19-year-old man who stabbed and battered another boy to death, filming him on Snapchat as he lay defenceless on the ground, were jailed for a total of 71 years today. Cemeren Yilmaz, 16, was murdered on the side of the road in Bedford, Bedfordshire, last September after he was set on by three members of a rival gang and their cousin. Sentencing the gang today for Cemeren's murder Mr Justice Bryan QC told them: 'It arises out of a sadly all too common back drop of gang rivalry and associated carrying and use of weapons with tragic consequences and the loss of a young life.' The judge said the attack on Cameren was launched by the four who considered he had brought shame on them that night. Cemeren Yilmaz, 16, bled to death as one of his attackers filmed the shocking incident on their mobile phone and uploaded it to Snapchat During the trial of the four at St Albans crown court earlier this year, the jury heard that Cemeren had told his brother just weeks before his death that he expected to be attacked by rival gang members because of the hostility between the two gangs in Bedford. Cemeren had told his brother if he was 'caught' by the other gang it would 'end badly.' He said 'People like this have no mercy' telling his sibling he expected to be the victim of a knife attack. Sadly his words came true when he was chased down and attacked after becoming involved in an altercation with members of the Black Tom gang. As he lay defenceless on the ground he was stabbed and beaten by a hammer. One boy even took out a mobile phone to film Cemeren for a Snapchat video as he lay bleeding and battered. It was later posted online. The Three younger boys had earlier posted a Drill music video on YouTube glorifying violence and weapons. Ramon Djuana (left), aged 15 years, was told he would serve 17 years detention at 'Her Majesty's Pleasure, minus the time he has been on remand. Aaron Miller (right), aged 20 years, was handed a minimum teen of 21 years imprisonments, less the time he has served in custody on remand Caleb Brown (left), aged 16 years, finally Brown was given a 17 year detention order less the time he has been in custody. Jacob Morgan (right), aged 15 years, was given 16 years detention 'during Her Majesty's Pleasure' less the time he has served on remand The three Jacob Morgan, 15, Ramon Djauna 15 and Caleb Brown who is now 16 - were linked to the 'Black Tom' gang. Nineteen year old Aaron Miller wasn't in the gang, but had been called to the scene by his cousin, Morgan. Cemeren Yilmez, has once himself been associated with the Black Tom gang but after a fallout with some of its members switched allegiance to the rival gang called the 'London Road' gang. Accordingly, there was said to be 'bad blood' between him and members of his former gang. At the start of the trial, Prosecutor Stuart Trimmer QC told the court: 'This is a case some might find grotesque and some might find shocking..' He told the court the background to what happened on the night of September 16 last year concerned the 'hostility' which existed between the two rival gangs. The jury was told it was something that worried Cemeren, who had spoken to his brother about his fears. On the evening of Sunday September 16 last year, Cemeren got a taxi from his home in the village of Harrold, Beds and travelled to a housing estate in Bedford. He met up with some friends and the group were later in Ashmead Road, Bedford. Also in the road that evening was Jacob Morgan from Winchester Road in Bedford who, with two other youths, was standing by a damaged motorcycle close to a park area. Mr Trimmer said shortly after 9pm, a CCTV camera in the street captured Cemeren and his group running towards the group by the motorcycle, causing them to flee. Moments later, the court heard, Cemeren was seen again on CCTV running away and clutching a bag. The prosecutor said it was this that may have motivated the 15 year old boy from Bedford and his co-defendants 'to exact revenge.' He said 'Here was Cemeren in their area, so their reaction was brutal revenge.' Shortly after 10pm that night, the defendant Aaron Miller - who was then aged 19 and now is 20 from Tavistock Street in Bedford - arrived in Ashmead Road having been phoned by Morgan. Cemeren, having made off earlier, was back on the street and, after exchanging punches with Miller, was chased down the street by the older man and the 15 year old who had been forced to flee earlier Having fallen to the ground, Cemeren was was kicked and punched by the pair before Morgan used large knife and stabbed him, causing a severe injury to his kidney. Yilmaz was brutally attacked in Bedford last September. Pictured: Near to the scene where Yilmaz was attacked Cemeren, who had inflicted a stab wound to Miller's back, managed to get up and make off, but was caught by the other two 15 year olds, Ramon Djauna 15 from Stanley Street in Bedford and Caleb Brown now 16 from Shadwell Drive, Northolt in Middlesex. They had brought a hammer to the scene, Cemeren was stamped on and suffered hammer blows to his head and face. The jury heard it was then, as blows rained down on Cemeren, that one of the teenagers, Djauna even filmed the attack using a Snapchat app on a mobile phone. Part of the video was played at the trial and, at one point, the victim was heard to say: 'I am going to die' followed by the sounds of him groaning. A 999 call from a witness was also played to the jury which had picked up the sound of one of the defendants as he carried out the attack saying: 'Oh yo young blood, cut cut, I'll say no comment all the way.' Cemeren died in hospital the following day, having suffered massive internal injuries and undergone surgery to remove a kidney. The court heard the stab wound had travelled almost through his body. He had suffered a fractured skull and brain damage as well as two cardiac arrests. At their trial in March, all four pleaded not guilty to the murder of Cemeren. Only Aaron Miller, now 20 could be named. The three 15 year old boys - two from Bedford and the third who lives in Stanmore in Middlesex can't be identified because of their ages. During the trial of the four the court heard the police had recorded a conversation between two of the defendants in a van after their arrest, which revealed the knife and hammer attack was a plan to 'end him off.' One of the defendants was heard to say: 'Cem done so much wrong like he done wrong to like our people, innit, and in the Bible it says defend your people, does it not? 'It says love your neighbour and my neighbour is my people, innit, so if I'm defending my people, it wasn't supposed to go that far.' He added: 'Just defending my people. It's not like I end him off for no reason.' Before sentencing the gang Judge Bryan was told Aaron Miller was not a member of the Black Tom gang and was 'very sad' Cemeren had lost his life. The 15 year old who inflicted the stab wound was said to have wielded the knife against Cemeren in a bid to protect Miller. The other 15 year old was said to 'bitterly regret' the fact that Cameron had died that night. And the teenager who has now turned 16 was said to have recognised the decisions he took that night were 'wrong'. Miller was told by the judge he must serve a minimum teen of 21 years imprisonments, less the time he has served in custody on remand. Morgan was ordered to serve 16 years detention 'during Her Majesty's Pleasure' less the time he has served on remand. Djauna was told he would serve 17 years detention at 'Her Majesty's Pleasure, minus the time he has been on remand. Finally Brown was given a 17 year detention order less the time he has been in custody. During the trial the three younger defendants hadn't been named because of reporting restrictions regarding juveniles appearing in court. However today Mr Justice Bryan took the unusual step of lifting the order which meant they could finally be named by the press. President Trump renewed an attack on Mexico on Tuesday, claiming the nation that shares a border with the U.S. 'is doing virtually nothing to stop' illegal immigrants from entering the U.S. He claimed that Mexico believes migrants 'should have the right to flow into the U.S. & that U.S. taxpayers should be responsible for the tremendous costs associated' with the costs of having them in the country. It was not immediately clear what Trump was referring in tweets that said: 'I am very disappointed that Mexico is doing virtually nothing to stop illegal immigrants from coming to our Southern Border where everyone knows that because of the Democrats, our Immigration Laws are totally flawed & broken. President Trump renewed an attack on Mexico on Tuesday, claiming the nation that shares a border with the U.S. 'is doing virtually nothing to stop' illegal immigrants from entering the U.S. 'Mexico's attitude is that people from other countries, including Mexico, should have the right to flow into the U.S. & that U.S. taxpayers should be responsible for the tremendous costs associated w/this illegal migration. Mexico is wrong and I will soon be giving a response!' Trump insisted Monday at a rally that the country is full and cannot accept illegal immigrants. He did not explain how he plans to accommodate legal immigrants, refugees and American-born children, if that's the case. 'Our country is full. We don't want people coming up here. Our country is full. We want Mexico to stop. We want all of them to stop. Our country is packed to the gills. We don't want them coming up,' he contended. The U.S. president has claimed for years that that Mexico will pay for his barrier along the southern border. The nation has steadfastly refused. Trump insisted Monday at a rally that the country is full and cannot accept illegal immigrants. He did not explain how he plans to accommodate legal immigrants, refugees and American-born children, if that's the case Now the country's new leader, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, wants the U.S. to foot the cost of aid for nations in Central America where most of the migrants are coming from. The request came after a U.N. Commission recommended a hefty investment in security spending and anti-corruption efforts that Obrador suggested the U.S. should pay for. 'It goes to the root of the problem,' Obrador said. 'People migrate out of necessity, for a lack of job opportunities or because of violence.' It carries a price tag of $10 billion, which Mexico suggests the U.S. put into economic development to discourage migrants from leaving their native countries instead of more security spending. Trump has threatened to cut Central American aid altogether but has been unsuccessful at totally ending it. Congress gets greenlight federal spending, and cuts to the State Department's budget have been frowned upon. A conman who allegedly convinced a woman he met on Match.com to marry him in less than a week before he scammed her out of $80,000 is wanted for arrest in Atlanta. Police are searching for John Martin Hill, 35, of Gwinnett County, who is charged with theft by deception after he reportedly posed as a millionaire and told his victim he wanted to buy a house with her following just a week of dating. The woman told police she met Hill on Match.com on March 27 and the two met in person later that day. Police have issued a warrant for John Martin Hill, 35, of Gwinnett County, who is charged with theft by deception after he reportedly posed as a millionaire and told his victim he wanted to buy a house with her following just a week of dating After what she thought was a whirlwind romance, Hill allegedly said the pair should live together and even took her house viewing in a bid to sell her on the fairy tale romance ending. 'During their short romance, he convinced her that they were in love and wanted to buy a house together,' Gwinnett spokeswoman Cpl. Michele Pihera said. 'They went house-hunting and selected a home they were interested in.' Within a week of knowing one another, Hill and the woman agreed to get married, Pihera said. She gave Hill more than $80,000 towards the supposed purchase of a house, but as soon as the money changed hands, Hill fled and ceased all contact, police say. 'Following the exchange of money, the suspect ceased all contact,' Pihera said. Hill is also suspected on defrauding women in four other states, authorities said. Investigators learned that Hill lives in an apartment in Duluth with another woman and a child. Authorities said Hill has changed his name more than five times in the past two and a half years and is suspected of committing similar acts in Virginia, Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey. Anyone with information on Hill's whereabouts is asked to contact Gwinnett detectives at 770-513-5300. Former Bachelor Chris Soules and his parents paid $2.5 million to the family of a 66-year-old man who was killed when the reality star rear-ended his tractor in Iowa in 2017, court records show. Farmer Soules, 37, who appeared on ABC's The Bachelor in 2015, pleaded guilty to fleeing the scene of an accident that left Kenny Mosher dead. Sentencing in the case was delayed Tuesday by a Buchanan County judge. In January, the Mosher family sought a $2.5 million settlement in a wrongful death case they brought against Soules and his parents, Gary and Linda. It was approved by a judge, weareiowa.com reports. The January 2019 settlement agreement states: 'For the total consideration of $2,500,000.00, Nancy Mosher, Matthew Mosher, Michael Mosher, and the Estate of Kenneth Mosher ("claimaints") hereby release and forever discharge Christopher Soules, Gary Soules, Linda Soules ... from any and all liability whatsoever ... arising out of an automobile accident that occurred on April 24, 2017.' Former Bachelor Chris Soules (pictured at a court hearing on Tuesday) and his parents have been ordered to pay $2.5 million to the family of Kenny Mosher, killed when the reality star rear-ended his tractor in Iowa in 2017 Iowa farmer Chris Soules, 37 (left), who appeared on ABC's The Bachelor in 2015, pleaded guilty to resolve the criminal charge against him related to a fatal crash from April 24, 2017 that took the life of 66-year-old Kenneth Mosher (right) Reality star Soules, insured by Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company, called 911 and waited for first responders, but he left before police arrived on April 24, 2017. He was initially charged with the Class D felony of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death - which Soules denied. But but when the charge was lowered to the aggravated misdemeanor charge of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury, he pleaded guilty. Soules' attorney made a point of noting that witnesses at the scene of the accident said 'there was no indication whatsoever that Mr. Soules was impaired.' He now faces up to two years in prison after Judge Andrea Dryer granted a request from both sides delaying sentencing on Tuesday. Soules lawyers said the presentencing report should not have included statements from Mosher's relatives. That led to both the prosecution and defense requesting a new pre-sentence hearing. Mosher, who had an estate worth over $3 million, had been driving a John Deere tractor on the night of April 24, 2017, which Soules admitted to crashing into from behind. Soules reported the accident to 911, identified himself, waited for paramedics and even administered CPR himself, but he left the scene in a separate vehicle before police arrived and headed to his Arlington, Iowa home which is against the law in Iowa. Reality TV star Chris Soules arrives in the courtroom Tuesday for his sentencing which was delayed by Judge Andrea Dryer after a request from both sides Soules, who became known as 'Prince Farming' during his 2015 appearance on 'The Bachelor' also appeared on 'The Bachelorette' and 'Dancing With The Stars' The law in question says, in part, 'a surviving driver shall promptly report the accident to law enforcement authorities, and shall immediately return to the scene of the accident or inform the law enforcement authorities where the surviving driver can be located'. Most states consider it a felony to leave the scene of an accident in which someone is injured or dies, but Iowa's law differs in that it has been interpreted to require the surviving driver to be present when law officers arrive. 'No other state has a comparable requirement,' Soules' attorneys said in previous court documents. State prosecutors contend the purpose of the law is to prevent drivers from evading liability for driving recklessly, driving while drunk or driving with a suspended or revoked license. Soules' attorney, Brandon Brown, noted in a statement that accompanied Soules' guilty plea that the tractor Mosher was driving was not illuminated on the 'dark, overcast night' of his death. 'Although Iowa law requires slow-moving tractors to display flashing amber lights, neither Mr. Soules nor the independent witness to the accident saw any lights on the tractor,' Brown said. 'Based on witness testimony, the tractor could have been traveling as slow as 6 miles per hour at the time of the accident. Mr. Soules was traveling under the speed limit at the time of impact. 'At these speeds, law enforcement and collision experts concluded Mr. Soules reacted reasonably given the closing speed and known reaction time to seeing the slow-moving tractor. Mr. Soules found himself in an unavoidable accident.' Brown said that Soules was the only person on the scene to administer CPR to Mosher until paramedics arrives, stopping only 'once the compressions caused blood to come from Mr. Moshers mouth.' Brown detailed how Soules talked with multiple people on the scene before leaving, which was before law enforcement arrived. 'All of the on-scene witnesses agreed there was no indication whatsoever that Mr. Soules was impaired,' Brown said. 'No one, even the individuals who knelt in close proximity to Mr. Soules while he administered CPR smelled any alcohol or had any belief Mr. Soules had been drinking.' Soules, who shot to fame as the star of the 19th season of The Bachelor, largely vanished from the public eye and social media after the incident, re-emerging with a post to his Instagram story in March, and not with an actual photo of himself until July 4 (pictured) Chris proposed to Whitney Bischoff at the end of the 2015, but they called off the engagement shortly after the finale aired He was subsequently arrested at his house in connection with fleeing the scene of an accident. The reality star didn't initially answer his door until he was served with a warrant, police said. Soules, who shot to fame as the star of the 19th season of The Bachelor, during which he proposed to Whitney Bischoff, a relationship which ended shortly after the finale aired. He largely vanished from the public eye and social media after the incident, re-emerging first with a post to his Instagram story in March, and not with an actual photo of himself until July 4. 'Happy Independence Day!' Soules wrote in the national holiday, adding the hashtag '#america.' He had last shared a photo of himself to the platform on April 20, 2017, just days before the crash that claimed the life of Mosher. Soules previously pleaded guilty to drunken driving in 2005 and was sentenced to one year of probation and a 60-day suspended jail sentence. In 2001, when he was 19, he twice pleaded guilty to underage possession of alcohol and also was fined for having an open container in a car. Soules, who became known as 'Prince Farming' during his 2015 appearance on 'The Bachelor' also appeared on 'The Bachelorette' and 'Dancing With The Stars'. Keith Raniere got far more than he bargained for last April while planning some group play at the Mexican hideaway where he and his harem of sex slaves decamped amid fears the cult leader might be indicted. Lauren Salzman testified on Tuesday that Raniere and the women who joined him in Mexico were planning to engage in an orgy when things suddenly took an unexpected turn and federal agents stormed the property. The Nxivm founder responded by hiding himself away in a closet said Salzman, while she and the other girls were left to fend for themselves as armed agents with bulletproof vests started to storm the property. 'My main concern was to protect Keith,' testified Salzman, who was on the stand for the third day. Scroll down for video New details: Keith Raniere hid in a closet while armed agents stormed his hideaway in mexico last year, Lauren Salzman (above in January) testified on Tuesday Away they go: Salzman said she gave up Raniere after federal agents (above) kicked down the door and drew guns on her, and noted she felt guilty for months about this Salzman said that the women - who included Nicki Clyne, Allison Mack and Loreta Graza - were planning to have a group session in which each of the women planned to perform oral sex on Raniere. On Tuesday, Salzman said she was not looking forward to this 'recommitment ceremony.' Salzman managed to avoid the ceremony in the end after federal agents stormed the property, located in Puerto Vallarta. She was in the house with Raniere at the time, and shocked at the scene that was unfolding in front of her eyes. 'I looked outside the window and all I could see was agents with machine guns all around the property,' said Salzman. 'But Keith refused to leave.' She tried to hold the agents at bay while Raniere fled and hid inside a closet, but eventually she shouted out his name when the men kicked in the door and drew their guns. 'For months after that I felt like such a failure for not being strong enough. I felt like I let him down,' said Salzman. Salzman, a co-defendant in the case who accepted a plea deal last month, spoke about the plans to build a sex dungeon during her second day on the stand. She also read excerpts from a manual given to the women in the group. 'Your sole highest desire must be to further your Master from whom all good things come and are related,' said the text, which was allegedly written by Raniere and Allison Mack. That is why the dungeon was being built with a cage where women could be locked away until the master, Raniere, wanted to let them free 'The best slave derives the highest pleasure from being her Master's ultimate tool,' said Salzman while reading another passage from the manual. 'It doesn't matter what the command is, it matters that you obey. It doesn't matter that you understand the command, it matters that you obey.' Close bond: Salzman's mother Nancy founded Nxivm with Raniere (above in a promotional video) in the 1990s Salzman could prove to be a problematic witness given the fact that she herself helped Raneire keep a girl locked in her room for close to two years. She is also the daughter of Nxivm's co-founder, Nancy Salzman. Salzman also declared that it was Raniere who came up with the idea to brand women, despite Allison Mack previously claiming the two came up with the idea together,. Former member Marc Vicente testified last week that Raniere was involved with a number of women, most notably Mack and billionaire heiress Clare Bronfman. He encouraged the former to starve herself said Vicente, while the latter was ordered to wear a jock strap as punishment for her know-it-all attitude. Jurors also saw photos of the newly branded sex slaves in group, taken shortly after each was held down and mutilated with a cauterizing pen. Only the jurors were able to see those photos, which Vicente said were kept in a drop box that had been created by Allison Mack. That same drop box also had the collateral of each of the women, damning information that could be used against them as blackmail should they ever try and leave the group. Vicente said that all the women around him started getting drastically thinner around 2015, the same time DOS was created, prompting him to ask Raniere is he was concerned with the situation. He testified that Mack in particular seemed to be translucent and gaunt, prompting him to speak with Raniere. Vicente told Raniere that Mack seemed broken, prompting him to respond: 'Well, I'm trying to break her.' And in a truly bizarre moment, Vicente also recalled how Raniere once urged his wife to lick a puddle and run into a tree when they were having relationship issues. Raniere said this would help her with her boundary issues. Vicente testified that he was the person who alerted Catherine Oxenberg that her daughter India was becoming wrapped up in the group and rapidly losing weight, much to his concern. The starvation of Nxivm members has now played a key part in the testimony of the first two witnesses in the case. Sylvie, 32, said she had been a member of the group for 13 years, and was in the process of planning her sex slave branding ceremony when the group finally fell apart last year. Just as harrowing was her description of the extreme lengths she went to starving herself and exercising, allegedly at the direction of Raniere and Clare Bronfman. She said that at one point she weighed just 88lbs, and was training six hours a day to be a competitive runner. That training ultimately resulted in her developing an abscess that became a fistula and required surgery. A medical professional told her to stop working out, but she said that Bronfman told her it was fine to exercise at the same rate so long as she was not in any pain. Sylvie later broke down in tears while speaking about an alleged unwanted sexual encounter with Raniere, who she had been ordered to seduce. 'I felt shame,' said Sylvie of the day she went to Raniere's home so he could perform oral sex on her. When it was over, he allegedly took a photo of her genitalia. Raniere has pleaded not guilty to charges including sex trafficking and child pornography, and his lawyer has argued that he never forced any women to act against their will. He faces life in prison if convicted. Sylvie told jurors how her involvement in Nxivm eventually led her to become a slave in DOS, where she submitted herself entirely to a 'master' named Monica. She recited a lifetime vow to obey her female master at a commitment ceremony and wore a necklace called a 'dog collar.' As was expected of slaves, Sylvie recruited other women to join DOS. She now lives in England with her husband, also a former Nxivm member, and testified under an immunity agreement with prosecutors. 'We were taught that women were self-absorbed, narcissistic,' she said. 'I feel like in some ways that was the worst part of it for me.' After unarmed Eric Garner died during a confrontation with New York City police in 2014, one officer involved in the struggle admitted he filed paperwork exaggerating the seriousness of the deceaseds suspected crimes. During the sixth day of Officer Daniel Pantaleos disciplinary hearing, his former partner, Justin DAmico, said he was the one who spotted Garner selling loose cigarettes on the corner of Victory Blvd and St. Marks Place in 2014. Shortly afterward, Garner was allegedly placed in a twenty-second chokehold by Pantaleo where he told officers he couldnt breathe before going into cardiac arrest and dying hours later. Prosecutors in the hearing, from the Civilian Complaint Review Board, pointed out a number of inconsistencies in DAmicos initial claims on Tuesday, first made shortly after Garners death. Garner was allegedly placed in a twenty-second chokehold by Officer Daniel Pantaleo where he told officers he couldnt breathe before going into cardiac arrest The video captured on July 17, 2014 sparked a national outcry about policing tactics, following Garner's death At the time of the incident DAmico, who coordinated NYPD investigations into the sale of untaxed cigarettes, claimed her hed observed Garner selling loose cigarettes from 200 feet away. However, prosecutors actually determined hed been more than 320 feet away from Garner, suggesting his view of the alleged criminal wrongdoing may have been skewed. DAmico then went onto testify that he was the officer who processed Garners arrest and initially charged him with a felony tax charge, which wouldve required someone to be in possession of at least 10,000 cigarettes, 22,000 cigars or 440 pounds of tobacco on hand in order to be prosecuted. Though as Garner lay breathless on the floor of Bay Street, he only found four sealed packs of cigarettes and one opened packed with 15 smokes inside and a Virginia tax stamp on the bottom. Under cross examination, DAmico admitted the charge was inaccurate and excessive. He also confessed that this wasnt his first encounter with Garner. Two weeks earlier he said he had caught him selling untaxed cigarettes but let him off with a warning. Daniel Pantaleos attorney says his client is being made a scapegoat in a politically charged atmosphere (Pantaleo pictured above) Officer Daniel Pantaleo's partner at the time, Justin DAmico, testified that he wrongly charged him with a felony tax charge for selling cigarettes - despite knowing the amount found on him failed to fit the bill Pantaleo, 33, has been assigned to a desk job since the deadly encounter on a sidewalk in the borough of Staten Island in 2014, when he and other officers tried to arrest Garner on suspicion of selling loose cigarettes On the fateful day in July 2014, DAmico said he believed Garner was armed, claiming to have seen a bulge in his left-side pocket. When shown a photograph of the scuffle between Pantaleo, DAmico said he believed his partners arm was around Garners body not his neck, as the prosecution claim. Another officer from the NYPDs 120th precinct William Meeks also took to the stand on Tuesday, according to Staten Island Live. He arrived on the scene on July 17 as tensions began to escalate between the two officers and Garner. Meeks said he wasnt sure if Garner appeared to be moving his body in an attempt to desperately get air during the altercation, when pressed by prosecutors. I dont know what he would be moving his body for, he was in the process of being arrested, Meeks told the courtroom. The last five days of the trial have painted a detailed picture of the events leading up to the video of Garners arrest, which went viral shortly after he died. Gwen Carr, pictured at the disciplinary trial on May 13, accused of officers of murdering her son, right. The city's Civilian Complaints Review Board (CCRB), which prosecutes certain violations of police rules, determined in 2017 that Pantaleo used excessive force The video sparked a national outcry about policing tactics and Pantaleo, 33, could be fired after the conclusion of trial at the New York Police Department's headquarters in Manhattan. Garner's mother and sister left the hearing room in tears last week as the man who captured the video, Ramsey Orta, testified from prison, where he is serving time for drug and weapon charges. Pantaleos attorney says his client is being made a scapegoat in a politically charged atmosphere. Attorney Stuart London says it's a misconception that the phrase I cant breathe was uttered when the officer's hands were around Garner's neck. He says it happened when officers were trying to handcuff Garner. In videos recorded on bystanders' cellphones, Garner, who had asthma, can be seen arguing with the officers before Pantaleo puts his arm around Garner's neck and brings him down to the sidewalk as other officers move in to restrain Garner. Garner, who was 43, can be heard saying 'I can't breathe' 11 times before suffered a heart attack in an ambulance and was later pronounced dead in hospital. The phrase became a rallying cry in the early days of the Black Lives Matter movement, which seeks to end the disproportionate use of deadly force against nonwhite people by U.S. police departments. Protesters gather outside of Police Headquarters in Manhattan to protest during the police disciplinary hearing for Officer Daniel Pantaleo on May 21 A Staten Island grand jury declined to bring criminal charges against Pantaleo later in 2014, prompting the U.S. Department of Justice to open a civil rights investigation into the death. Garner's family has criticized that investigation as it has stretched into its fourth year without resolution. Gwen Carr said: 'It has been five long years. Pantaleo and all those other officers who actually murdered my son that day, they are still collecting their salaries. 'They still go home every day and it's business as usual with them. But with me, we relive this every day.' The city's Civilian Complaints Review Board (CCRB), which prosecutes certain violations of police rules, determined in 2017 that Pantaleo used excessive force. Last July, the city said it would no longer wait for the Justice Department investigation to conclude before beginning the disciplinary trial. CCRB prosecutors will argue the case before a judge from the office of the police department's deputy commissioner of trials. 'We are confident that, once all the evidence has been presented, the Police Commissioner will find Officer Pantaleo guilty of misconduct and ultimately terminate him from the Department,' CCRB Chairman Fred Davie said in a statement earlier this month. Although New York City's chief medical examiner ruled that Garner was killed in part by a chokehold compressing his neck, Pantaleo's lawyer and his union have said it was not a chokehold as defined by the police department, which has long banned the maneuver. The city paid Garner's family $5.9 million in 2015 to settle a wrongful death claim. Pantaleos hearing will continue on June 5. Doria Ragland has been spotted back home in Los Angeles two weeks after the birth of her first grandchild. Meghan Markle's mother was seen walking her two dogs near her home on Tuesday. Ragland was dressed down for the casual stroll, sporting a gray long-sleeved top, gray cropped slacks, and gray sneakers. She gave her outfit a pop of color with a bright red crossbody bag and a multicolored scarf that covered her neck. Ragland, 62, has spent the last few weeks in London to help her daughter and Prince Harry with the arrival of their first child, Archie Harrison. Doria Ragland has been spotted back home in Los Angeles on Tuesday, two weeks after the birth of her first grandchild Meghan Markle's mother was spotted walking her two adorable pups near her home It was revealed last week that Meghan, 37, and Prince Harry had yet to hire a nanny, chef, or team of staff for their new family home Frogmore Cottage on the Queen's Windsor estate. Instead they relied on help from Ragland, with a source telling Grazia magazine that her help had been 'indispensable' to the couple. Ragland reportedly flew to England three weeks before Archie's birth to help Meghan through the final stages of her pregnancy. She was even given special mention in the official birth announcement from Buckingham Palace. Ragland was dressed down for the casual stroll, sporting a gray long-sleeved top, gray cropped slacks, and gray sneakers She gave her outfit a pop of color with a bright red crossbody bag and a multicolored scarf that covered her neck 'The Duchess's mother, Doria Ragland, who is overjoyed by the arrival of her first grandchild, is with their Royal Highnesses at Frogmore Cottage,' it read. Royal watchers said the mention was highly significant and indicated how important of a part Ragland would play in Archie's life. As indicated by her return this week, Ragland is not expected to entirely abandon her life in Los Angeles, where she teaches yoga and has many friends. However, a suite of rooms has been reserved for her at Frogmore Cottage, and sources say she'll be a 'frequent' visitor and a regular on the ten-hour flight to Heathrow. This is the first time Ragland has been home in weeks after flying to England to help the Duchess of Sussex with the final stages of her pregnancy and the birth of her first child Raglanbd was included in one of the precious first photos of baby Archie released by the Buckingham Palace last week Ragland was even given special mention in the official birth announcement from Buckingham Palace. Royal watchers said the mention was highly significant Ragland even reportedly enrolled for grandparenting lessons with Brandi Jordan, known as the 'Baby Sleep Fairy' among Hollywood moms. Jordan is renowned for her pearls of wisdom on childbirth and after-care, with a client list that includes Meghan Fox, Rosamund Pike, and Julia Stiles. She is flown to delivery rooms and nurseries around the world, commanding fees of nearly $4,000 a go. Speaking exclusively to the Mail, Jordan gave fascinating insight into the key role Meghan's mother is likely to play in Archie's early years. Meghan and Prince Harry appeared for a photo call with their baby son at St George's Hall two weeks ago Their son (pictured) whose full name is Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, is also Ragland's very first grandchild 'Some mothers want to forge their own path, and don't want grandmother to take a strong role in their parenting philosophy,' she said. 'Others find strength in grandma and lean on her to encourage, nurture and help them.' Ava Burrows, Ragland's stepmother, told Mail Online that she believes the yoga teacher will be a 'hands-on grandmother'. 'In some families in the US, grandma is a big deal,' she said. 'Historically, in our culture, the mother worked long hours and needed all the support with her kids that she could get.' 'Grandmas have all sorts of names - Mee-maw, Gran'maw - and usually live close together with the rest of the family, playing a big part raising their grandkids.' 'Doria is very important to Meghan, and vice-versa. So Im sure she wants to be a big part of her life, and her baby's life. She'll be a wonderful grandmother.' Nigel Farage last night boasted that his supporters will 'buy one get one free' when the Brexit Party's success tomorrow ends the leadership of Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn. Speaking to a crowd of about 3,000 at Kensington Olympia, west London, Mr Farage said both leaders would face the axe after the European elections. Mr Farage also called Mrs May's premiership a 'slow-motion betrayal' and said she had dragged the country through a 'constant abject humiliation'. Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage speaks during a Brexit Party campaign event in London today The final Brexit party rally ahead of the European elections was attended by 3,000 supporters He said: 'Not only will we get rid of Mrs May, but with the way we are smashing Labour in Wales a big Brexit Party win will mean getting rid of Jeremy Corbyn as well. 'This is now about more than leaving the EU and is now a fundamental question about democracy. 'Mrs May's constant abject surrender to the bully boys in Brussels has turned into a constant abject humiliation and I have had enough of it.' Every mention of the Conservative Party, including Boris Johnson, was met with resounding boos. Calls of 'traitor' and 'humiliation' rang out across the hall whenever the Prime Minister's name was mentioned. There were Trump-esque call-and-response segments throughout, with a mainly elderly crowd chanting 'Nigel! Nigel!' People queue outside Kensington Olympia in London ahead of Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage's European Election Rally Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage holds up a placard at today's Brexit Party campaign event in London When party chairman Richard Tice called, 'What do we want?' the crowd would shout 'Brexit'. Supporters queued for more than two hours as they waited for Mr Farage to appear, waving blue flags. Mr Farage came on stage to soft rock and the crowd rose to their feet, holding their phones aloft. Around 3,000 paid 2.50 to see him, and many raised their hands when Mr Farage asked if they paid the 25 supporters fee. 'This', said Mr Farage, 'is where our money comes from' a reference to last week's allegations over the party's funding. Last night Mr Farage said he would 'not even mention the yobbo' who attacked him with a milkshake on Monday. The incident was described by Mr Tice as 'a grave attack on Nigel and his family.' Mr Farage has said it was a symptom of the 'radicalisation' of Remainers in the EU. Farage boasted that his supporters will 'buy one get one free' when the Brexit Party's success tomorrow ends the leadership of Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn Mr Farage came on stage to soft rock and the crowd rose to their feet, holding their phones aloft He said they classed themselves as an elite who believed they were 'morally superior' to Brexit voters. Meanwhile, in an article for The Daily Telegraph, Mr Farage wrote: 'Talk from respected figures has stoked hostility and anger in our politics. It has helped to legitimise the radicalism of militant Remainers who do not hide their contempt for the demos the people and imagine that they can stop the march of a mass movement with a milkshake.' Mr Farage was joined on stage last night by former Tory Party grandee Ann Widdecombe, who is standing as an MEP. Miss Widdecombe warned the support for the Brexit Party would not end on Thursday. She said: 'Either let Britain leave the EU or we'll make sure you leave Westminster. 'Thursday is not the end. It's the beginning of bringing true democracy back to this country.' Calls of 'traitor' and 'humiliation' rang out across the hall whenever the Prime Minister's name was mentioned at the rally Mr Farage was joined on stage last night by former Tory Party grandee Ann Widdecombe, who is standing as an MEP Activists hold up Brexit Party placards ahead of an address by Farage ahead of the European elections She also joked about the spoilt ballots at the local elections, saying: 'We weren't even around for the local elections but people were already writing our names on the ballot paper.' She was joined by guest speaker Vaclav Klaus, the former Czech president and a lifelong Eurosceptic. Calling the audience his 'Brexit friends', Mr Klaus said the referendum result had given great hope to many in his country. He said: 'In the moment we first heard the referendum result in the Czech Republic, you could hear the opening of champagne bottles.' Mr Klaus, who served as president until March 2013, had his leadership marred by controversies. In 2007, he said: 'Environmentalism should belong on the social sciences, along with other 'isms' such as communism, feminism and liberalism.' He went on to say that global warming was 'a communist conspiracy'. A YouGov poll from yesterday saw the Brexit Party second place in London, three percentage points behind the Liberal Democrats. The Lib Dems were on 24 per cent, with the Brexit party on 21. Labour were on 19 per cent and the Conservatives were on ten. In a campaign where Internet fundraising has vaulted lesser-known candidates to prominence, Vice President Joe Biden has been hauling in campaign cash both online and at sleek fundraising events featuring fine dining, exclusive locales, and music. The former vice president has stressed his middle class roots and upbringing in hardscrabble Scranton, but has been relying on an old-fashioned network of wealthy donors to amass a fundraising advantage to match his poling lead over Democrats. One recent event in Los Angeles took him to the Exclusive Jonathan Club, which features 'luxurious accommodations' and 'incredible views,' according to its website. Vice President Joe Biden has been hauling in campaign cash both online and at sleek fundraising events featuring fine dining Another fundraiser was at the Gables Club Tower I in Coral Gables, Florida, where units are on sale for up to $6.5 million. A Biden fundraiser in Los Angeles was held at the home of former U.S. ambassador to Spain James Costos. Co-hosts included former Google chief Eric Schmidt, and Hollywood producer (and Obama backer) Jeffrey Katzenberg. That event featured a live jazz ban. Another had a menu that included langoustine and caviar, the New York Times reported. One event in Vegas featured desert and more from the kitchen of the Nomad Casino and hotel. The hotel serves such dishes as Baked Alaska Chocolate Mousse with Cookies and Craime Fraiche. Jim Murren, the CEO of MGM, told attendees to stick around for dessert and 'whatever else they serve at the Nomad' as the band kept playing following Biden's remarks. Having placed their bets on a front-runner, guests got notebooks covered in velvet when they left. The back page included a 'basic strategy for craps.' Details on the swank fundraisers are mainly available because Biden admits press pool reporters into the events where he asks donors to cut $2,800 checks to support his campaign. President Trump doesn't allow the access, and neither to some of his Democratic rivals. Presidential candidate Joe Biden and L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti visit a King Taco in the Pico-Union district during Biden's first visit to L.A. as a presidential candidate. Guests at closed fundraisers dined on other fare, including langoustine and caviar In this Thursday, April 25, 2019, photo former Vice President Joe Biden leaves his home in Greenville, Del. to attend a private fundraiser near Philadelphia. Biden relied on a combination of large and small donations to reach the biggest 24-haul of Democratic contenders One fundraising event featured langoustine, also known as Dublin Bay Prawns and Norway Lobster Biden stresses his working-class roots on the campaign trail, and his pitch includes an ability to win over independents while communicating with Republicans in the industrial midwest A Tuesday release from the Biden camp stressed smaller online donations, with 97 per cent of all donations coming in at under $200, according to the campaign. The release stressed donations from teachers, which it said were its largest group of benefactors, with 8,000 of them contributing so far, more than any other occupation. It didn't mention the network of large donors which could give Biden an edge in a crowded field where candidates are competing both for big donors and online appeals. 'We're continuing to build a robust digital operation that brings new voters to Team Joe and puts our campaign in a position of strength to take on Donald Trump,' said Biden digital adviser Brandon English. 'On Day One, a record-breaking 65,000 people found us online and donated to Joe Biden. These are people we didn't have email addresses for 24 hours earlier.' 'I don't want to hear anybody saying we're doing things in secret, O.K.?' Biden told attendees at one event, defending his open-to-the-press policy. At his event in Coral Gables Monday, Biden warned of the risks posed by China, after taking heat from Republicans for appearing to downplay the China threat at a public event. 'If we continue this battle going on the last three years for another four China is going to be in 5G. AI is going to be owned by them,' the former vice president said. 'They're spending billions of dollars and we're standing here with our thumb in our ear while the rest of the world is passing us by. So folks, it's time to remember who we are.' The Transpiration Security Administration is considering using $3million loose change left behind in security screening trays to help fund border operations, if Congress does not approve President Donald Trump's $1.1billion border security funding request. It comes as It comes as U.S. Homeland Security Department is considering tapping more than $230 million from the Transportation Security Administration to fund border operations, according to internal documents leaked to NBC News. The White House on May 1 asked Congress for $4.5 billion in emergency funds to address the rising number of people crossing the southwestern border with Mexico, with $1.1 billion set aside specifically for 'border operations.' The administration says that this money will be used for 'personnel expenses, additional detention beds, and operations combating human smuggling and trafficking.' The TSA is considering using $3million loose change left behind in security screening trays to help fund border operations. Pictured: A TSA checkpoint earlier this month In the event the request is not approved, DHS has apparently asked several of its agencies, including the TSA, to scrape together contingency funding to help secure the border. The leaked documents show that the TSA, in addition to the loose change, is considering re-directing $50 million set aside to buy advanced airport screening equipment and $64 million from a worker's compensation fund set aside for injured TSA employees in 2010. DHS spokesman Tyler Houlton said Tuesday in a statement the agency 'is considering all options to address the humanitarian and security crisis at our southern border. We will continue to work with our workforce to find dynamic solutions and funding to address this very serious problem.' Houlton said the agency was exploring 'fiscal mechanisms that will ensure the safety and welfare of both our workforce and the migrant population, which is also reflected in the supplemental request submitted to Congress.' Last week, TSA confirmed it planned to redirect staff to the U.S. southern border to assist with immigration duties and migrant flows. Illegal aliens line up to board a van which will take them to a processing center on May 16 in El Paso, Texas. Trump has requested $1.1billion in border operations emergency funds A TSA spokesman said the agency was looking for volunteers to support efforts at the border with Mexico, where the government has said it is grappling with record numbers of people. TSA staff will include 175 law enforcement officials, including air marshals, and as many as 400 security staff drawn from six unnamed U.S. cities but will not include airport screeners, CNN reported last week, citing two additional unnamed sources. Officers have apprehended nearly 99,000 people crossing the border with Mexico in April, the highest figure since 2007, the U.S. government reported earlier this month. More than two-thirds of those were children or people traveling as families. Earlier this month, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said it was deploying an additional 186 CBP officers to assist Border Patrol agents at sectors on the southwest border, after earlier shifting more than 300 officers from airports, northern border checkpoints and other locations. Photo: The Canadian Press Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction Bill Blair responds to a question during Question Period in the House of Commons Friday October 19, 2018 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld The federal government is boosting funding to help British Columbia police officers recognize drug-impaired drivers, months after it legalized recreational cannabis. Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction Minister Bill Blair announced funding of $10.1 million over five years to increase the number of officers trained in field sobriety testing and drug recognition. Blair told reporters at a news conference at the Vancouver Police Department that those who believe they aren't impaired after consuming cannabis are dangerously misinformed and they will be caught. The funding is part of $81 million announced by the Canadian government for provinces and territories to support road safety and other public initiatives. The Canadian Press has canvassed police forces across the country and many reported no noticeable spike in stoned driving since legalization, including the Vancouver Police Department. Many police departments have expressed wariness about using the only government-approved roadside test, the Drager DrugTest 5000, over concern about how its results will hold up in court. Drager has defended its test, saying it was never designed to test for impairment, but to identify the presence of THC, the chemical responsible for the high in cannabis, and it's just one tool of many that police use to assess road safety. Starbucks has been accused of using dangerous pesticides to control filthy conditions within multiple New York stores, according to class action lawsuits filed against the coffee chain. The two lawsuits filed in state and federal court on Tuesday allege that management at some Manhattan locations have exposed customers to a pesticide toxin that isn't meant to be deployed around food or people. The toxin named in the lawsuit is known as DDVP pesticide and it is contained in No-Pest Strips that have allegedly been used in some Starbucks locations. One of the lawsuits includes photos of the No-Pest Strips located in areas where food is stored, near air vents and close to food preparation equipment. Starbucks has been accused of using dangerous pesticides to control filthy conditions within multiple New York stores. The toxin named in the lawsuit is known as DDVP pesticide and it is contained in No-Pest Strips. Pictured above is an image from the lawsuit of a pest strip in a Starbucks stores The lawsuit claims that the strips are only supposed to be used in unoccupied buildings. Exposure to DDVP can cause loss of bladder control, muscle tremors, labored breathing, nausea, anxiety, diarrhea, muscle weakness, convulsions and paralysis, according to the suit. In the worst scenario, DDVP exposure can result in a coma, inability to breath and even death. Management at the Starbucks locations have allegedly ignored repeated warnings about the dangers, according to the lawsuits. Two pest control technicians and a former employee are among those behind the lawsuit. One of the lawsuits includes photos of the No-Pest Strips located in areas where food is stored, near air vents and close to food preparation equipment The lawsuit claims that the strips are only supposed to be used in unoccupied buildings and not be placed near food or people. Pictured is the strips near packaged coffee beans and a preparation area One ex-employee claims he was fired in February 2018 after complaining about the strips. The pest control technicians claim they had their contract terminated in June last year after they also complained. A Starbucks spokesman said the strips were being used against company policy and they were removed immediately after they became aware of the complaints. Starbucks said they hired an expert to investigate and later determine that no customers or employees had their health put at risk. 'The lawsuit filed by the plaintiffs and their attorneys lacks merit. Simply put it is an attempt to incite public fear for their own financial gain,' the spokesman said. Douglas H. Wigdor, a lawyer from one of the firms representing the case, said: 'New Yorkers deserve to know what they are putting in their bodies and we call upon Starbucks to explain, as we allege in the complaint, its failure to take appropriate care for its customers' well-being.' The lawsuit claims the strips were used to control filthy conditions within multiple New York Starbucks stores A moped driver who was killed by a speeding BMW in a horrific hit-and-run accident has been remembered as a 'kind-hearted person'. Umberto Williams, 32, was killed when a black BMW X3 crashed into his moped on Lutwyche Road in Windsor, Brisbane just before midnight on Saturday. The BMW then veered into oncoming traffic and struck a Subaru, killing a 23-year-old man behind the wheel. The BMW rolled and landed on its roof, before two people got out of the car and ran away. Mr Williams had moved to Brisbane from Italy and was working hard to apply for permanent residency before the fatal crash, his housemate Ammie Casey said. Umberto Williams, 32, was killed when a black BMW X3 crashed into his moped on Lutwyche Road in Windsor, Brisbane just before midnight on Saturday 'I sent him a text message asking if that was him as I thought I heard a moped pull up at home... but I never got a reply,' she told the Courier-Mail. 'He was a really kind-hearted person and this did not deserve to happen to him at all. He was the wrong person in the wrong place at the wrong time.' Mr Williams' friend Valentina Gullo, 32, said he was 'like few others'. 'A contagious joy and a great desire to live, do and realise oneself in life... A cruel destiny in a dream called Australia... to have known him was an honour and to know people so positive and pure is a fortune in our lives,' she said. Mr Williams worked as an assistant manager at restaurant Zeus Street Greek in South Bank, and colleagues said he had a 'sarcastic' sense of humour and would often try to cheer up others. Mr Williams worked as an assistant manager at restaurant Zeus Street Greek in South Bank, and colleagues said he had a 'sarcastic' sense of humour Another friend, Valentina Maruca, posted a tribute to Mr Williams on Facebook. 'Umby, we talked just a few days ago, and then discover... what happened to you,' she wrote. 'I want to [remember] you like the last time I saw you... smiling.' The Scripps National Spelling Bee is set to kick off in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, with America's brainiest students battling it out for a $50,000 prize. Ahead of the Bee, Merriam-Webster has revealed the words most likely to send students packing in the final round of the competition. The company partnered with language app Babbel to analyze a decade of data from previous Spelling Bees in order to uncover the most commonly misspelled words - and the results were surprising. In a press release, Merriam Webster's Peter Sokolowski revealed that words derived from the French language were most likely to eliminate contestants. Partnering with Babel, Merriam-Webster has revealed the words most likely to send students packing in the final round of the competition of the Scripps National Spelling Bee He explained: 'English has always borrowed words from other languages, and once they are found in our dictionaries they are considered to be English words'. While some French words on the list are the names of pastries, they're much much harder to spell than both baguette or croissant. Merriam Webster's list includes clafouti (a baked dessert consisting of a layer of fruit) and pissaladiere (a pastry topped with olives, onions and anchovies). Merriam Webster's list includes clafouti, which is a baked dessert consisting of a layer of fruit MOST COMMON MISSPELLED WORDS OF FRENCH ORIGIN Bourree: a ballet combination that consists of small crossing steps Clafouti: a dessert consisting of a layer of fruit (such as cherries) topped with batter and baked Gaillardia: any plant or flower of a genus of western American herbs having hairy foliage and long stalked flower heads with showy rays Paillasson: coarsely woven natural or synthetic straw used for hats Pissaladiere: an open-faced pastry topped with olives, onions and anchovies Reseau: a group of meteorological stations under common direction or cooperating in some common purpose Sarrusophone: a metal wind instrument with a double reed and a tube of wide conical bore played like the bassoon Zenaida: any bird of a genus of tropical American pigeons that has one species reaching the West Indies and formerly the Florida coast and one occurring in the southwestern United States SOURCE: Merriam-Webster Advertisement Meanwhile, words of a Germanic origin also undo many students who make it to the final round. Words that capture specific human emotions and that are of German origin, are often used in everyday conversation, including wanderlust and schadenfreude. But competitors have been booted after failing to accurately spell less frequently used words, such a bewusstseinslage (a feeling devoid of the senses) and schwarmerei (a feeling of excessive enthusiasm). Meanwhile, many of the most common dog breeds are also of German origin, and have been adopted into the English language. These include dachshund, schnauzer and doberman. But many contestants are unable to spell out the name of more rare breed of German dog - the drahthaar. The wire-haired pointer has sent several students home from the competition. Many contestants were unable to spell out drahthaar - a breed of dog originating in Germany MOST COMMON MISSPELLED WORDS OF GERMAN ORIGIN Bewusstseinslage: a state of consciousness or a feeling devoid of sensory components Drahthaar: a dog of a German breed of wire-haired pointers Hallenkirche: a Gothic church especially in Germany in which in place of the clerestory the aisles are extended to nearly the height of the nave Schefflera: any of several shrubby tropical plants that are cultivated for their showy digitately compound foliage Schwarmerei: excessive unbridled enthusiasm or attachment Schwyzer: a breed of large hardy brown dairy cattle originating in Switzerland Vitrophyre: rock having distinct crystals (as of feldspar, quartz or augite) in a relatively fine-grained glassy base SOURCE: Merriam-Webster Advertisement Britain is on the brink of making a big mistake by adopting a softer stance on cannabis, the head of the NHS has said. The warning from Simon Stevens in a speech to 300 doctors comes six months after the Government legalised medicinal cannabis. Since November, certain medical professionals have been allowed to prescribe the drug for conditions such as epilepsy and chronic pain. Mr Stevens is concerned it will pave the way for the substance to be legalised for recreational use just like in parts of the US and Canada. The warning from Simon Stevens in a speech to 300 doctors comes six months after the Government legalised medicinal cannabis (file image) Addressing the Royal Society of Medicine in London, he also warned of the dangers of cannabis. Two studies this year found it significantly increased the risk of the psychosis, which causes hallucinations, depression and suicidal thoughts. Mr Stevens, the chief executive of NHS England, said: I think we have to be careful, as we have a legitimate national debate on medical cannabis, that we dont look back in a decades time and wonder whether we inadvertently made a big mistake. Given the well-documented medical risks from so-called recreational cannabis, we dont want to be accidentally normalising drug use. Case that changed law Billy Cadwell has life-threatening epilepsy which can cause 100 fits a day at its worst It was the case of 12-year-old Billy Caldwell that led to a change in the law on prescribing the drug. Billy has life-threatening epilepsy which can cause 100 fits a day at its worst. In 2017, he became the first person in the UK to be prescribed medical cannabis by his GP in Northern Ireland. His mother Charlotte Caldwell says while Billy took the cannabis oil, which she got in Canada, he did not have seizures. But in June 2018, it was confiscated by customs officials. Billys seizures intensified and he was admitted to hospital. But Home Secretary Sajid Javid intervened and allowed medical marijuana to be reclassified so it could be prescribed from November 1, 2018. Advertisement That is in no sense to disregard the research that is needed to understand whether there are particular clinical uses for medicinal cannabis. Ten US states have now legalised the drug for recreational use. Most of them first allowed cannabis to be used for medical purposes, from the late 1990s. Mr Stevens also spoke of a recent trip to America where magazines on sale in the airport were pushing the business of cannabis production. He said: We must not be naive in pretending that there isnt a whole industry just waiting to expand their addressable market for drugs in this country. Here is Marijuana Business Magazine and one of their features is Is Europe The Next Promised Land? I certainly hope the answer to that is no. The largest US cannabis-producing companies each make between 150million and 400million a year and sell medical and recreational products, including chocolate. It isnt the first time the NHS boss has spoken out against legalising cannabis. Last June, he argued that relaxing the law would imply to teenagers that the drug was safe. Cannabis was reclassified in 2009 from a class C to a class B drug, which means higher jail sentences for possession. But several police chiefs are now urging officers to be more lenient on offenders. Dave Thompson, Chief Constable for the West Midlands, told MPs two months ago how his force was handing out fewer charges and warnings for cannabis possession so as not to harm youngsters life chances. But David Green, director of the Civitas think-tank, said: Experience of the tobacco industry shows that unscrupulous investors will exploit markets regardless of the harm to consumers. The NHS is already unable to meet the demand for mental health services and even a small increase in demand could create a crisis. Simon Stevens, the chief executive of NHS England, is concerned it will pave the way for the substance to be legalised for recreational use just like in parts of the US and Canada David Raynes, from the National Drug Prevention Alliance charity, said: Medical cannabis use is just a Trojan horse for recreational drug use. There are very grave dangers with its use and Simon Stevens is absolutely right. A Home Office spokesman said: Specialist doctors can now prescribe cannabis-based products for medical use where there is clinical evidence of benefit. However, the Government has no plans to legalise cannabis for recreational use. Our approach remains clear we must prevent drug use in our communities, support people through treatment and recovery and tackle the supply of illicit drugs. The Department of Justice says the House Intelligence Committee can access documents of their choosing from the special counsel investigation, if they drop a threat to take 'enforcement action' against Attorney General William Barr. House Intel Chairman Adam Schiff said he'd hold a vote on punitive measures for Barr at a Wednesday hearing. Lawmakers have already voted to hold Barr in contempt over his refusal to comply with a subpoena earlier this month. Schiff has said he'd be willing to charge Trump administration officials who defy demands for documents and testimony fines of up to $25,000 a day. In a letter to Schiff on Tuesday afternoon, DOJ proposed another option. An attorney for the department said committee members can have access to a priority list of documents - and a less redacted version of the Mueller report - if they back off Barr. The Department of Justice says the House Intelligence Committee can access documents of their choosing from the special counsel investigation, if they drop a threat to take 'enforcement action' against Attorney General William Barr House Intel Chairman Adam Schiff said he'd hold a vote on punitive measures for Barr at a Wednesday hearing Schiff had not responded to the request that DOJ sent in the form of a letter from an assistant attorney general on Tuesday. DOJ said the committee's initial document request was 'voluminous' but it would be willing to fast-track high-priority documents, provided the committee does not act against Barr while they are making a good faith effort to fulfill the agreement. A letter said, '[T]he Department is willing to expedite access to the prioritized information identified by the Committee, provided that the Committee confirms today that it will not pursue any vote on an "enforcement action," either on May 22, or while such good-faith accommodation measures continue.' Some of the documents may be redacted, just like the Mueller report itself, DOJ warned, in keeping with guidelines the law enforcement organization says it must follow to protect information associated with ongoing investigations and counterintelligence measures. 'Notwithstanding the concerns expressed above, the Department is willing to work with the Committee on a reasonable and realistic process to accommodate its request for information pertaining to counterintelligence and foreign-intelligence activities related to the Special Counsel's investigation,' the May 21 letter from DOJ states. Justice also offered to make a minimally redacted version of volume 1 of the special counsel report available to legislators. DOJ suggested a May 23 or May 24 meeting with committee staff to discuss the document production plan, provided that the committee does not vote to hold the attorney general in contempt. 'We regard our proposal here as essentially accepting the Committee's proposal in its May 14, 2019 letter, subject only to the necessary delay required by the Department to identify and review the relevant materials, a process that will be done as expeditiously as possible,' DOJ states. Democrats have said they want to see the entire Mueller report and all of the underlying evidence the special counsel collected. It was unclear if DOJ's latest offer - which it characterized as an 'extraordinary accommodation' for lawmakers - would be enough to draw down Democrats' hound dogs. President Donald Trump offered two Democrats spearheading investigations into him a new lease of life on Monday He claimed they could even be future presidential candidates, if they probe Hillary Clinton President Donald Trump also offered Democrats spearheading investigations into him a new lease of life this week, if they refocus probes into his connections with Russia and his alleged obstruction of justice. Trump said two nemeses, Schiff of California, and Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New Jersey, could be viable presidential candidates one day - they only need eat their own to open up new possibilities. 'Why are the Democrats not looking into all of the crimes committed by Crooked Hillary and the phony Russia Investigation? They would get back their credibility,' he mused in a tweet. 'Jerry Nadler, Schiff, would have a whole new future open to them. Perhaps they could even run for President!' While Schiff chairs the House Intelligence committee, Nadler leads the House Judiciary panel. Both Democrats and their respective committees are investigating him. Schiff said Sunday on 'Face the Nation' that Congress has been taking appropriate steps to hold Trump accountable, starting with voluntary requests for information and escalating the situation with subpoenas and contempt votes, when necessary. 'We may have to follow with impeachment,' he noted. He said that Republicans could join Democrats in rebuking Trump, if the effort reaches critical mass. 'And an increasing number of Democrats and maybe Republicans who feel this president's conduct is so incompatible with office, incompatible with our system of checks and balances that if the only way that we can do our oversight is through an impeachment proceeding then maybe we have to go down that road.' He concluded, 'But I think it'll be important to show the American people this was a decision made reluctantly.' A 20-year-old model who has worked for Calvin Klein among others has been accused of punching his father then going to his ex-girlfriend's home to violently retrieve a painting of a giraffe that they did together. Robert Spencer, 20, is accused of punching his father in the face after the argument at their apartment in Manhattan's Lower East Side in December after realizing he had given his ex, Georgia Lovas, the painting when she came round when he was not home. Furious, Spencer then allegedly went to his ex-girlfriend's apartment in the Financial District, snatched her cell phone out of her hand and entered, without her permission, to grab the painting. Robert Spencer, 20, attacked his father for giving his ex-girlfriend Georgia Lovas (right) a painting then attacked her three months later, police say Spencer allegedly went to his ex-girlfriend's apartment in the Financial District, snatched her cell phone out of her hand and entered, without her permission, to grab the painting. He is seen above during a fashion show in New York in 2016 Three months later, she claims he punched her while they were out on the Upper East Side at around 3.30am. Spencer has been indicted on nine counts of aggravated criminal contempt, criminal contempt, criminal obstruction of breathing (assault) and petite larceny. He has been freed on a $5,000 bond and is due back in court in July, according to The New York Post. It is unclear whether his father ever pressed charges against him or if all of the complaints come from Lovas. On Instagram, she promotes art to sell including personalized Louis Vuitton handbags and sneakers. During his first arrest, he told officers: 'There was an accident. 'I punched my father in the face because we got into an argument about how he gave back the painting that I did with my ex-girlfriend.' Spencer's former agent, Major Models, told DailyMail.com that he has not worked for them for three years. Robert Spencer is pictured above during New York Fashion Week: Men's S/S 2017 at Skylight Clarkson Sq in July 2016 A massive search for a model who went missing after a dance party in the Hunter Valley cost a whopping $30,000 and meant police could not respond to other jobs, it has been revealed. Kate Delaney, 23, was found at a remote property on Tuesday, almost 36 hours after she vanished from a house dance party in the Howes Valley area without her shoes or phone just before 2am on Monday. Worried friends raised the alarm after Ms Delaney, from Sydney's north shore, failed to arrive home. Sydney model Kate Delaney (pictured) was found on a remote property in the NSW Hunter Valley almost 36 hours she vanished from a dance party Following an extensive search that began at sunrise on Tuesday, the PolAir helicopter located Ms Delaney who was wandering around barefoot and wearing a red sarong 2.5 kilometres from where she was last seen While police are pleased with the outcome, the search meant officers were 'weren't able to respond to other jobs', The Daily Telegraph reported. The 20-strong team of local police, State Emergency Service volunteers, dog squad handlers, trail bike riders, medical staff and PolAir crew involved in the search is estimated to cost at least $30,000. Resources deployed in the widespread search for Ms Delaney (pictured) could have been better used elsewhere, police say 'This was a very expensive operation involving more than 20 police personnel and costing thousands,' Hunter Valley Superintendent Chad Gillies told the publication. 'Our priority is to make sure she is located safe and well. This highlights the risks of why it's important to inform police of events on private properties, so emergency services can get to anyone in need.' Found shivering and a little disorientated just before midday, Ms Delaney was treated for sun exposure and taken to Singleton Hospital, where she was later released. It's understood Ms Delaney was unaware her frantic friends had reported her missing. According to her Facebook account, Ms Delaney went to Loreto Kirribilli private school and the University of Technology, Sydney Police are exploring the possibility Ms Delaney left the property of her own accord. 'I think some alcohol had been consumed by the group at the campsite but we have yet to confirm exactly what happened,' Superintendent Gillies said. According to her Facebook account, Ms Delaney went to Loreto Kirribilli private school and the University of Technology, Sydney. She worked as a ski instructor in Canada, Aspen and Thredbo, and also dabbled in modelling. Jamie Oliver says he's 'devastated' by the closure of dozens of his Italian restaurants, writes Janet Street-Porter Jamie Oliver says he's 'devastated' by the closure of dozens of his Italian restaurants. Over 1,000 workers have lost their jobs without any warning - I don't imagine that they had much of a 'pukka' day either. This latest example of rampart egomania bringing down a celebrity chef has seen Jamie Oliver - the most famous cook in the world - face the unpalatable truth; diners don't love the cheeky chap from Essex as much as he imagined. Our hot love affair hasn't just cooled, it's the leftover lasagne at the back of the freezer. Jamie Oliver burst into our lives in 1999, riding a scooter, exuding madcap enthusiasm for a plate of simple Italian food cooked with high quality ingredients. This cheeky Essex lad (whose parents ran a pub) was never just a chef, though - he was determined to be the messiah of healthy eating, a bloke with just two GCSEs and severe dyslexia who wasn't interested in running for a political job but who passionately wanted Prime Ministers and Education bosses to sit up and listen when he pronounced on the state of the nation's health. Jamie was called 'anti-poor' and accused of 'fat-shaming' for complaining about obesity and its link to junk foods. He campaigned to improve school dinners, wanted supermarkets to stop placing chocolates and sweets by the checkouts and berated us to care about everything we ate. Meat had to be reared and slaughtered humanely and fish must be sustainable. In short, Jamie was an evangelist for decent food - at a time when most those in power couldn't see that obese people cost health services millions, and are destined to die before they should. Over 1,000 workers (group pictured outside Jamie's Italian in Piccadilly, London today) have lost their jobs without any warning - I don't imagine that they had much of a 'pukka' day either, writes Janet Street-Porter Although Jamie meant well, you could be forgiven for thinking it's fine for someone living in a 9million house near Hampstead Heath with 100 staff at his headquarters, a devoted wife and five lovely healthy children, to have such high standards. In the real world outside mansions full of children with names like River, some critics found Jamie's well-meaning pronouncements patronising and unrealistic. If working people have five kids, they will probably be earning the minimum wage, working shifts or receiving benefits. They will be pushed for time and many will be living in substandard accommodation without non-stick griddle pans, Jamie Oliver storage jars and a spice rack. In many of these homes children and parents have to eat at different times, not all sitting around a table gazing in wonder a bowl of perfectly cooked meat balls and home made pasta. Jamie Oliver's restaurant group was the main reason why his companies lost nearly 20million in 2018 - and yet he continued to trade, closing 12 restaurants and making 600 staff redundant. Staff outside Jamie's Italian in Piccadilly, London - they turned up for work this morning only to find the restaurant closed Since 2017, Jamie has put around 12.7million of his own money into the group, refusing to accept the inevitable. Rampant egomania? In one year alone, his business debts totalled 71.5 million- and the restaurants were threatening to drag down his lucrative publishing division, his profits from merchandising and TV programmes. Sadly, the one thing that made Jamie such a star - a tasty simple Italian dinner- has become his downfall. Now, he owns just three restaurants in the UK - and all the ones overseas are franchises. People have fallen out of love with food they could buy ready-made at half the price in their local supermarkets. Jamei's wife Jools Oliver is seen here for the first time today since the news her husband's restaurant empire had crumbled Food they could knock up at home in under thirty minutes (ironically, thanks to Jamie's best selling 30 minute meals cook book), food they could eat without having to put on decent clothes, get in the car, find a parking space or book a taxi to enjoy. Restaurant chains are closing in every high street as diners opt for basic home cooking or street food you can eat on the run, without having to book a table and make it a special occasion. Carluccio, Byron, Prezzo, Carluccio and Patisserie Valerie have all been hit as diners get more choosy and are willing to spend less. Another Celebrity Chef, Gordon Ramsay, has posted a 3.8million loss in May 2018 and before that his group only made a profit one year since 2012. Ramsay shut his flagship restaurant Maze, in Mayfair, and re-opened it as a themed 'asian' eaterie called Lucky Cat last month. People spending a lot of money for fine dining want an 'experience' they can talk about afterwards - the food is secondary. Despite his financial woes, Jamie recently splashed out 6 million on a 16th century Essex mansion, in a 70-acre estate Every night, popular television shows fronted by Jamie, Gordon and Co combine travelogues and cooking. While the middle classes buy designer ingredients (all those Moroccan spices that are just gathering dust at the back of the shelf), stuff like tahini, nduja and pomegranate molasses that sits and rots in the jars because you can't remember what to do with them. Research has revealed that although we buy plenty of cookery books (Jamie has sold over 40 million making him the best-selling chef in the world) - most people usually cook just five simple dishes. At the end of a long a hard day, we want something spicy and quick - so we buy jars of ready made sauce (made by Jamie and his pals) or we phone Deliveroo or Uber Eats. The cuisine of half the world can be delivered to our doors within half an hour. The notion of going out for a simple bowl of pasta in a room with annoying music, over-familiar staff and a big service charge on top of 20 per cent VAT has never been less appealing. Jamie has admitted he's 'f***ed up' around 40 per cent of his business ventures, but along the way he managed to make an estimated 150 million. Earlier this year, he splashed out 6 million for a historic mansion in Essex with 70 acres of land. So don't worry about Jamie's bank balance. It's his giant ego that's taken the biggest knock today. A Virginia man who weighs more than 900 pounds pleaded guilty to cocaine charges while lying down inside an ambulance on Tuesday. Kenneth Hicks entered his guilty plea in a federal cocaine conspiracy case during a hearing that was held in a courthouse loading dock as the defendant lay on a stretcher inside the rescue unit. US Magistrate Judge David Novak said the court engaged in 'some extraordinary procedures' to deal with Hicks' health issues and to 'protect his dignity'. Hicks, 48, stayed inside the ambulance and wasn't visible to several of his family members and reporters who attended the hearing. Scroll down for video Kenneth Hicks, 48, of Virginia, who weighs more than 900 pounds pleaded guilty to cocaine charges while lying down inside an ambulance (pictured) on Tuesday Hicks entered his guilty plea in a federal cocaine conspiracy case during a hearing that was held in a courthouse loading dock as the defendant lay on a stretcher inside the rescue unit He was visible to Novak and a prosecutor who sat at a table near the back of the ambulance. The hearing was postponed last week when Hicks was brought to a hospital for an unspecified health issue after he was taken from his home. Hicks, who lives in Emporia, was indicted along with 17 other people in a conspiracy to sell cocaine between 2013 and 2017. Three of the seven people charged have already pleaded guilty. Various court documents related to the conspiracy case have been sealed or redacted. He had his initial court appearance in March via video teleconference and was allowed to remain on bond in his home pending trial. Because of various health issues, including his morbid obesity, Hicks - through his lawyer - asked for help in being brought to the courthouse for his plea hearing. Court documents in the case described Hicks as being confined to his bed and unable to dress himself or be dressed by others. US Magistrate Judge David Novak said the court engaged in 'some extraordinary procedures' to deal with Hicks' health issues and to 'protect his dignity'. Hicks stayed inside the ambulance and wasn't visible to several of his family members and reporters who attended the hearing Novak approved a plan submitted by Hicks' defense lawyer and prosecutors to allow the US Marshals Service, the FBI and first responders to remove him from his home (pictured) Officials either placed him on a gurney and moved him through a doorway or cut open a large hole in a wall of his home in order to use a device capable of lifting his weight. Authorities have not disclosed how he was moved Novak approved a plan submitted by Hicks' defense lawyer and prosecutors to allow the US Marshals Service, the FBI and first responders to remove him from his home. Officials either placed him on a gurney and moved him through a doorway or cut open a large hole in a wall of his home in order to use a device capable of lifting his weight. Authorities have not disclosed how he was moved. His plea hearing was originally scheduled for May 13. That hearing was postponed when he was taken to a Richmond hospital. During Tuesday's hearing, Hicks told Novak that he has been transferred to another hospital, is being given insulin and is being treated for several health issues. Hicks faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years. Novak scheduled his sentencing hearing for September 4. Stand by! Man the braces! Look lively there! The Prime Minister is giving her tattered Brexit deal one final try. Thats right, that same unloved bill thats already suffered a hat-trick of heavy defeats in the Commons. The one thats already been repaired more times than Andy Murrays gammy hip bone. Yesterday, Theresa May was cranking it up for comeback No 4. Crikey, not even Elvis managed that many. This time, though, it comes with multiple sweeties attached. Something here for everyone, as those old cruise liner ads used to say. She made her announcement at City accountant PwCs head offices, a starchy, impersonal building off The Strand in central London. Sketchwriters, incidentally, strictly not invited. Prime Minister Theresa May delivers a speech detailing a new Brexit deal on May 21, 2019 in London, England There was a brief, unwarranted introduction from the firms chief bean-counter, Kevin Ellis, who let it be known it was an exciting week at PwC because they were opening their new Bradford offices. With such remarks, I dread to think what constitutes a dull week chez PwC. The PM strode to the podium with a slightly feline gait, sporting a newly-primped hairdo. For once, there was a dash of colour in her gills. Perhaps this was a result of that mornings Cabinet meeting where discussions were said, at times, to have become full and frank euphemistic politico-speak for screaming matches. So accustomed have we become to last-minute pleas from Mrs May in recent months, the language of her speeches is now strikingly familiar. I have tried everything I possibly can to find a way through... I have listened to concerns from across the political spectrum... What matters now is honouring the result of the referendum. But there was a more wounded tone than we have heard before. Delivering Brexit, she admitted, had proved far harder than she anticipated. Ive tried everything I possibly can to get this through, she said. Ive even offered to give up the job I love. Mrs May has never previously displayed much of an emotional repertoire, least of all self-pity. But here she deployed it to most powerful effect. Indeed, many people outside Westminster with whom I speak about Brexit believe she has made the best of an impossible job. Of course, considering she needs the votes of Labour MPs to get her deal though, she was careful not to insult them. Indeed, this was as much a pitch to them as it was to members of her own party. The Prime Minister announced that MPs will be able to vote on another referendum if they back the EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill Talks between the Government and Labour had failed to find a compromise, she admitted, but that does not mean we should give up. From the front of the audience there were loyal nods from ambitious young Brexit ministers James Cleverly and Robin Walker. Then came the meat and potatoes of her revised deal. There were sops galore to all those Remainers: a temporary customs union, a possible second referendum, guarantees on workers rights. You could almost hear excitable hard-Brexiteer bruiser Mark Francois MP headbutting his office wall in anger. Further pleas and compromises. Mrs May said this was our last chance of avoiding a nightmare future of permanently polarised politics. She ended with an upbeat pitch. Beyond her deal she foresaw a land of milk and honey. Friction-free trade; a common fisheries policy; no more annual payments to Brussels. Or, as she put it: A future where the people of the UK determine the road ahead for the country we all love. As speeches go, it was certainly one of the PMs better efforts, though she lacks that emotional throttle. She could really do with an injection of Hague wit or Heseltine passion. It doesnt help that at times her voice croaks as though shes speaking through a synthetic larynx. Then, no sooner had she turned from the stage, than hard-Brexit Tory MPs were rubbishing everything shed said. And an unseemly squabble broke out on Twitter between pro-Leave MP Andrea Jenkyns (Tory Morley and Outwood), who said the PM was subcontracting Brexit to Jeremy Corbyn, and several of her fellow backbenchers. I fear we are in for a long, hot summer. Photo: Alberta Wildfire Over 260 BC Wildfire Service firefighters are being sent to Alberta to help battle a large wildfire. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says the Chuckegg Creek fire is about five kilometres from a northern Alberta town. Starting Wednesday, the BC Wildfire Service is sending 267 personnel to Alberta. Of the 267, there will be 10 initial attack crews and 10 unit crews, three agency representatives, a 19-person incident management team and 14 supervisors. The fire has been burning for several days, but grew substantially from Sunday, when it covered about 25,000 hectares, to an estimated 69,000 hectares on Monday. Nearly 5,000 people have been told to leave High Level, as well as the Bushe River Reserve due to the blaze. The BC Wildfire Service recognizes the importance of sharing firefighting resources given the invaluable assistance Alberta has provided to B.C. during the last two wildfire seasons, which were the worst in the province's history, said fire information officer Kyla Fraser. Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, which co-ordinates the mutual sharing of firefighting resources between B.C. and other jurisdictions, requested the BC Wildfire Service's assistance. All associated costs are covered by the jurisdiction that requested the resources. An Ohio man is suing white supremacists and neo-Nazi protesters in federal court, saying he was severely injured during their deadly rally in Virginia two years ago. Bill Burke of Athens, Ohio, filed the lawsuit Friday in US District Court in Ohio and wants $3million for each charge made against the various defendants. He says he was struck by the car driven by James Alex Fields Jr., that also killed counterprotester Heather Heyer during the August 2017 protest in Charlottesville, and claims the defendants even discussed online what weapons they could carry and whether it was legal to run over counter-protesters. According to Burke, his physical injuries still require medical treatment and may be permanent, and he has experienced 'severe psychological and emotional suffering.' he suffered a concussion, injuries to his knee and arm, and his eye swelled shut. Scroll down for video Bill Burke claimed in a Friday lawsuit that he was severely injured on his knee and arm, suffered a concussion and his eye swelled shut (right) in the August 2017 Charlottesville rally People fly into the air as a vehicle is driven into a group of protesters demonstrating against a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville James Alex Fields Jr. Fields (left in a November 2018 court sketch and right)- the Unite the Right rally organizer who was convicted in the deadly car attack - is named in the lawsuit 'He continues to suffer deep debilitating psychological and emotional distress that prevents him from resuming his former life,' the lawsuit states. 'The physical injuries he sustained... required and continue to require extensive and expensive medical treatment.' In December, Fields was convicted of murder and other charges in state court, and pleaded guilty last month to federal hate crimes. He is awaiting sentencing. Burke claims in the lawsuit that Fields wore a Vanguard America uniform and shield during the Charlottesville Unite the Right rally. The plaintiff accuses the white supremacist group of battery, assault and terrorism. Burke also claims that someone he used to live with received threatening text messages from a number associated with the Honorable Sacred Knights what he refers to as a parliamentary wing of the Ku Klux Klan after he commented on an online post. An exchange shows the person being told: 'So maybe let him know he should just back off and stop spreading rumors.' To which the receiver replies: 'For commenting on a post? He didn't post the information. I just told him, he just laughed.' Burke says he has experienced 'severe psychological and emotional suffering since that day Charges include battery and assault after Burke was struck by James Alex Fields Jr. in car that also killed counterprotester Heather Heyer (pictured left and right) in August 2017 After stating that Burke doesn't not live with the person any more, the person allegedly texting from the number connected to Honorable Sacred Knights then writes: 'Probably best. You have a blessed day now.' But after the person receiving the alleged threats said in the exchange to text Burke adding 'if you knew him you would have his number', the person replies: 'Jusssr wanted him to know that we can get info too 'We have eyes everywhere. Let him know that we are your doctors lawyers police neighbors.We don't do Jew social media. But we do see.' The lawsuit names multiple other defendants from racist organizations, including president of Washington Summit Publishers and white supremacist think tank National Policy Institute, Richard Spencer, plus co-chair Nationalist Forum and leader of Traditionalist Worker Party, Matthew Heimbach. The lawsuit states the physical injuries Burke (left and right) sustained 'continue to require extensive and expensive medical treatment' Burke claims in the lawsuit that Fields (second left) wore a Vanguard America uniform and shield during the Unite the Right rally, and accuses the group of battery, assault and terrorism David Duke (former Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan) and far-right publisher Augustus Sol Invictus -previously known as Austin Mitchell Gillespie and a headline speaker at the rally are accused of civil conspiracy, inciting violence and soliciting or providing support for an act of terrorism. Jason Kessler, who organized the rally as well as the one that followed a year later, is accused in the filing of having 'negligently and recklessly incited, encouraged and participated in violent attacks' along with the others. The Daily Stormer website is also named in the lawsuit; specifically its founder Andrew Anglin and his father Gregory Anglin, as Burke accuses them of running a racketeer-influenced organization 'to incite terroristic violence'. They are among several associated businesses based in the Worthington area accused by Burke. 'They are neo-Nazis, Neo-Fascist, Klansmen, white supremacists and white nationalists,' the suit states. 'They embrace and espouse racist, anti-Semitic, sexist, homophobic and xenophobic ideologies.' Burke used screenshots to support claims that he was threatened via text message that a group has 'eyes everywhere', claiming they're his 'doctors lawyers police neighbors' Bill Shorten (pictured) has been accused of meddling in the Labor leadership contest Bill Shorten has been accused of meddling in the Labor leadership contest. The former leader apparently phoned MPs persuading them to back Labor deputy leader Tanya Plibersek before she dropped out, citing family reasons. Since then he has reportedly been calling members to make sure someone runs against left-winger and former deputy prime minister Anthony Albanese. 'He was initially ringing people around the country urging them to vote for Tanya,' a senior MP told the Sydney Morning Herald. 'He has also been actively lobbying people making sure someone runs against Albo. 'It's weird. As a former leader you have an opportunity to be above it. You get treated with a whole respect for making that choice.' Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen, the architect of many of Labor's unpopular policies, announced on Tuesday he will stand against Mr Albanese. It comes as federal Labor frontbencher Penny Wong looks set to endorse Mr Albanese as the 'best person' to become the party's next national leader. The South Australian senator is expected to make an announcement on Wednesday, a day after NSW right faction member Mr Bowen launched his bid for the role. Senator Wong 'genuinely believes he (Albanese) is the best person to take them to government in the next election', a friend told the Adelaide Advertiser. Frontbencher Tony Burke is also believed to be backing Mr Albanese over Mr Bowen. Mr Albanese and Mr Bowen are the only declared contenders to replace Mr Shorten, but it's not too late for others to put up their hand. Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen MP addresses the media outside his childhood home in Smithfield, Sydney to announce he is running to be Labor leader 'I think the party does deserve a contest,' Mr Bowen told reporters on Tuesday outside the house where he grew up in Smithfield in Sydney's west. Mr Bowen could face internal headwinds as the architect of Labor's plans to change the franking credits regime and crack down on negative gearing. The Coalition branded these 'new taxes' that would hurt retirees and mum and dad property investors, and the policies were key factors in Labor losing the May 18 election. Mr Bowen has signalled he would start with a blank policy slate if he becomes leader. 'No political party ever takes to the next election exactly the same policies they took to the last. That would be dumb,' he said. Mr Albanese has been campaigning for the leadership since confirming he'd make a second tilt at the top job on Sunday. His last attempt in 2013 ended in a loss to Bill Shorten, who resigned from the leadership after Saturday's election loss. Labour Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development Anthony Albanese speaks to the media to announce his bid for leadership 'We got the votes of one in three of every Australian on Saturday. We need to do much better,' Mr Albanese told reporters in Sydney. It is understood Labor's finance spokesman Jim Chalmers is being encouraged to run, but his thinking has been impacted by factional colleague Mr Bowen's announcement. Mr Bowen received a mix of positive and negative comments on his Facebook page on Tuesday, with many linking him with Labor's loss and calling for 'generational change' in the party. Ms Plibersek, also from the left faction, ruled herself out on Monday, saying it was not her time. The leadership will be decided by a vote of grassroots members and the federal parliamentary caucus, with each group given 50 per cent weight. Caucus will not be told the result of the grassroots vote before MPs make their decision. The United States sees signs the Syrian government may be using chemical weapons, including an alleged chlorine attack on Sunday in northwest Syria, the State Department said on Tuesday, warning that Washington and its allies would respond 'quickly and appropriately' if this were proven. 'Unfortunately, we continue to see signs that the Assad regime may be renewing its use of chemical weapons, including an alleged chlorine attack in northwest Syria on the morning of May 19,' State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement. 'We are still gathering information on this incident, but we repeat our warning that if the Assad regime uses chemical weapons, the United States and our allies will respond quickly and appropriately,' she said. Under fire: Idlib is the last rebel stronghold holding out against the Assad regime and despite a ceasefire in de-escalation zones, has seen repeated attacks, including this one on Tuesday May 14 in Jisr al-Shughour district Fresh damage: Russian airstrikes caused this crater in Kafranbel, part of Idlib province, on Monday. The Russian bombing was after Assad's forces attacked with shells and rockets Ortagus said the alleged attack was part of a violent campaign by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces violating a ceasefire that has protected several million civilians in the greater Idlib area. 'The regime's attacks against the communities of northwest Syria must end,' the statement said. 'The United States reiterates its warning, first issued by President Trump in September 2018, that an attack against the Idlib de-escalation zone would be a reckless escalation that threatens to destabilize the region.' President Donald Trump's administration has twice bombed Syria over Assad's alleged use of chemical weapons, in April 2017 and April 2018. In September, a senior U.S. official said there was evidence showing chemical weapons were being prepared by Syrian government forces in Idlib, the last major rebel stronghold in the country. The State Department statement accused Russia and Assad's forces of 'a continuing disinformation campaign ... to create the false narrative that others are to blame for chemical weapons attacks.' 'The facts, however, are clear,' the statement said. The Assad regime itself has conducted almost all verified chemical weapons attacks that have taken place in Syria - a conclusion the United Nations has reached over and over again.' Record: President Donald Trump's administration has twice bombed Syria over Bashar al-Assad's alleged use of chemical weapons, in April 2017 and April 2018. A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the Syrian government had a history of resorting to chemical weapons when fighting intensified. The official, however, was not aware of any confirmation of what substance was allegedly used, if at all, and said the U.S. government was still gathering information. There was no immediate comment from the Syrian government on the U.S. statement. In March, Syrian state media cited a hospital in government-held Hama as saying 21 people suffered choking symptoms from poison gas after rebels shelled a village. In January, U.S. national security adviser John Bolton warned the Syrian government against using chemical weapons again. 'There is absolutely no change in the U.S. position against the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime and absolutely no change in our position that any use of chemical weapons would be met by a very strong response, as we've done twice before,' Bolton said at the time. A clifftop that has become a crime scene after a mother and her two-year-old plunged to her death in a suspected murder-suicide has a dark history. A 33-year-old mother is believed to have jumped from the picturesque cliff near Wollongong, south of Sydney, on Tuesday afternoon, with her daughter in her arms. Their bodies were retrieved from the base of the cliff below Robertson Lookout at Mt Keira later that night in a painstaking recovery operation. In an eerie twist, it has now emerged that a 31-year-old woman jumped off the same cliff holding her five-year-old son Tom in April 18, 2002. The young boy suffered head injuries, a dislocated hip, a fractured wrist and scratches but managed to survive the fall as his mother's body absorbed most of the impact. Distressed family members were seen being comforted by emergency services Police have retrieved the bodies of a mother and her two-year-old daughter from the bottom of a 100m cliff after a suspected murder suicide In an eerie twist, it has now emerged that a 31-year-old woman jumped off the same cliff holding her five-year-old son Tom in April 18, 2002 A woman laid flowers on the road which allows entry to the lookout He waited for more than four hours in the dark until emergency services heard him crying, the Sydney Morning Herald reported at the time. This Tuesday, police rushed to the area about 1.50pm after they received reports of a 'concern for welfare'. Detectives are understood to be treating the deaths as a murder-suicide by the mother and preparing a report for the coroner. A distraught man, believed to be a relative, was seen being consoled by paramedics and gesturing in dismay at the lookout's car park. A visibly distressed man and woman were also seen comforting each other at the scene, according to witnesses. Paramedics were winched down the steep cliff from the lookout until they reached the bodies in a slow and long recovery. This Tuesday, police rushed to the area about 1.50pm after they received reports of a 'concern for welfare' Paramedics were winched down the steep cliff from the lookout until they reached the bodies on Tuesday night, while paramedics comforted those at the scene (pictured) Police rescue are seen at the road in front of the lookout on Wednesday Wollongong Police district commander Superintendent Chris Craner said the recovery mission would be dangerous. 'It's steep, it's hectic, we've got police coming in from the low side, police trekking down from the high side and the consideration of the helicopter,' he said. 'It's a treacherous, dangerous area we need to get to to respectfully get this people out.' Superintendant Craner extended his thoughts to the family and the emergency services working at the scene. Forensic services and police at the entrance to Roberton's Lookout on Wednesday Their bodies were retrieved from the base of the cliff below Robertson Lookout at Mt Keira 'It's going to be absolutely devastating for the community who don't know these people and hear this and what it's about,' he said. A crime scene is still in effect as Wollongong Police detectives continue their investigations. The lookout is about 1.5 hours from Sydney and offers tourists and locals views of Mount Keira. Roberton's Lookout walking track is 7.4 kilometres in distance and its altitude varies between 222 and 476 metres. Lifeline 13 11 14 Two bodies were retrieved at the bottom of a cliff below Robertson Lookout at Mt Keira, near Wollongong, on Tuesday night in a painstaking recovery operation The number of child slavery investigations in the UK has jumped nearly tenfold in just two years, figures reveal today. Police chiefs warn there are now 'just too many predators out there'. One in three probes into modern slavery now concern children after an explosion in 'county lines' drugs gangs preying on youngsters, their report says. About a third of those victims exploited by gangs had been reported missing to police before, analysis shows. The shocking figures, from the Modern Slavery Police Transformation Programme's annual report, show there were 475 police operations into child slavery in the UK last month, compared with 53 in April 2017. One in three probes into modern slavery now concern children after an explosion in county lines drugs gangs preying on youngsters (file photo) Experts say the rise has been fuelled by the growth of the county lines menace, whereby gangs use children and vulnerable adults to sell drugs, carrying them across county boundaries. The report warned that British minors being exploited by drugs gangs were the fastest growing group of victims reported to the National Referral Mechanism, which assesses cases of modern slavery. In the past five years, the number of youngsters being referred has rocketed by more than 2,000 per cent from just 63 cases in 2013. Yesterday Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer, who leads the National Police Chiefs' Council on modern slavery, described the number of children being targeted as 'staggering', adding: 'Our children are being criminally and sexually exploited in a way we did not comprehend before.' The number of modern slavery cases involving children in the UK has more than doubled from 676 in 2017 to 1,421 last year. An analysis of police records shows that of the 75,000 children reported missing to forces in 2017-2018, nearly 5,000 of the youngsters who were later found had been exploited in some way. But according to Mr Sawyer, the Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police, this is the tip of the iceberg. He said: 'There are just too many predators out there. There are predators online and there are predators in the digital space and in the physical space and sadly even in institutions.' The report warned that British minors being exploited by drugs gangs were the fastest growing group of victims reported to the National Referral Mechanism (file photo) He said those most at risk of being recruited by gangs were teenagers being passed between care homes or dumped in unregulated homes by local authorities and pupils excluded from mainstream schools. 'The highest-risk cohorts will be those who come from either a family home or a care system where they are not seen as a child, as being vulnerable in their own right, and are instead seen as a number or an inconvenience,' he said. 'We have stopped treating children as children.' Record numbers of criminals are now being jailed for trafficking and slavery, with 399 prosecuted last year. But Mr Sawyer said prosecutions will not solve the problem and parents have a responsibility to warn their children about the dangers they face. 'We are more concerned about putting a seatbelt on them in the back of a car than actually giving them the tools they need to exist in a digital space where they are exploited,' he said. Mr Sawyer said the reduction in the number of youth clubs and drop-in centres had left children more vulnerable. He said: 'The places where young people can go to be safe youth groups and drop-in centres unfortunately austerity has reduced those.' Natural England was accused by MPs yesterday of rolling over in the face of pressure by wildlife TV presenter Chris Packham to ban the shooting of pest birds. The countryside was thrown into chaos last month when the Governments conservation quango scrapped a 25-year-old system which allowed farmers and gamekeepers to cull crows, pigeons and other birds to protect livestock and crops. The decision on general shooting licences was made without consultation and was issued with just 36 hours notice in the middle of the lambing season without a new system in place. Chris Packham called for a ban of shooting pest birds. The decision on general shooting licences was made without consultation and was issued with just 36 hours notice in the middle of the lambing season without a new system in place The move came after a legal challenge by Wild Justice, a pressure group led by Packham and two other eco lobbyists. Yesterday at the Commons, Natural Englands bosses Marian Spain, acting chief executive at the time of the ban, and Lord Blencathra, acting chairman faced questions from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee. The panels chairman, former sheep farmer Neil Parish, told them he would have defied the law to shoot a crow if it had been pecking a lamb to death on the grounds of animal welfare. The Somerset MP told the bosses: Most of my constituents and country people in particular think you just got rolled over, and you didnt fight the corner hard enough. A lamb that had its tongue removed and was disembowelled by a carrion crow. The panels chairman, former sheep farmer Neil Parish, told them he would have defied the law to shoot a crow if it had been pecking a lamb to death on the grounds of animal welfare Lord Blencathra replied that Natural England had been left with no other legal option as a public body after receiving legal advice that the general licences were unlawful. Defending the decision to bring in the ban with just 36 hours notice, he insisted: If we got advice that what we were doing was unlawful we could not go to court and defend that case. Mr Parish told the one-off evidence session that a delay to bring in a new system was driving everybody crazy. A free smartphone app developed by Tokyo police to scare off would-be molesters by shouting 'stop it!' has been downloaded more than 237,000 times. Users of the Digi Police app can activate the alarm that blasts 'stop it' at top volume when a fellow passenger has groped them. A message will also be displayed on the screen which reads, 'There's a molester. Please help', that victims can show to people around them. Sexual molestation on packed rush-hour trains is a huge problem in overcrowded cities like Tokyo, with the crimes often going unreported. The app has an 'unusually high' amount of users for a public service app and its user-base is increasing by up to 10,000 people a month, police officials said. Scroll down for video A police smartphone app designed to scare off molesters by blasting 'stop it' at top volume on rush-hour trains has become a smash hit in Japan. Victims of groping can activate the Digi Police app, which either blasts out the voice at top volume or produces an SOS message The service allows passengers to discreetly report harassment and safety concerns on public transport, which police say is under reported because victims are often too scared to call out for help. Using the SOS message mode avoids this and allows them to notify other passengers about groping while remaining silent, according to police official Keiko Toyamine. There were nearly 900 groping and other harassment cases on Tokyo trains and subways reported in 2017, according to data from the Tokyo Police Department. 'But it's the tip of the iceberg,' Mr Toyamine said, with victims often hesitant to come forward. Offenders face up to six months in jail or fines of up to 500,000 yen (3,500). The potential jail sentence is increased to 10 years if violence or threats are used. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department launched the Digi Police app three years ago, initially aimed at elderly people to inform them of scams or prowlers. But the function to 'repel molesters' was added a few months after the launch. And an online conversation about the app - caused by a female pop idol being assaulted late last year - resulted in its sudden popularity. Sexual molestation on packed rush-hour trains is a huge problem in overcrowded cities like Tokyo, with the crimes often going unreported. The app has been downloaded more than 237,000 times, a high figure for a public service app, said police officials Yui Kimura, a 27-year-old beer shop employee on the nation's northern island of Hokkaido, says she is always worried about groping whenever she visits the capital. 'I tend to be vigilant on Tokyo trains as dodgy men can happen to be in front of me at any time,' Kimura said. JAPAN'S GROPING PROBLEM Some 2,000 complaints for groping are filed with Tokyo police every year. In a survey, four in five women report being molested on public transport. Some trains have women-only carriages. East Japan Railway brought in women-only carriages last year. According to police, since March, there have been at least eight cases in the Kanto region in which accused gropers jumped onto the tracks to escape. In 2017, a man accused of groping a woman aboard a train was hit and killed by a passing train Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, after he jumped onto the tracks, attempting to get away. Advertisement Reina Oishi, a 21-year-old university student in Tokyo, also said: 'I want to download the app as I have been groped so many times.' Experts agree that the app could be a boon for 'silent' victims. 'Molesters tend to target those who appear shy and reluctant to lodge a police complaint,' said Akiyoshi Saito, a certified social worker who supported some 800 former molesters during a rehabilitation programme. Groping on trains can occur in any country where trains are frequently crowded, Mr Saito said. 'But the idea that men are superior to women, which is Japan's traditional bias, may help sustain' sexual harassment on trains in the country, he added. Awareness of the issue has risen in Japan in recent years, with women exchanging tips in online forums on how to avoid the unwanted attention. East Japan Railway runs women-only carriages during rush hours and has set up security cameras on some lines notorious for a high rate of groping. Facebook may be sending the personal data of its users to network providers and phone manufacturers in the hope that they buy highly-personalised adverts. It is also claimed Facebook has helped at least one company direct its ads at users based on their presumed credit rating. Facebook has repeatedly given anonymised mass user data via its apps to around 100 partner companies in 50 countries in a move touted as enabling 'better business decisions' for its partners. The data sharing forms one arm of a broader program focused on improving network connectivity, Facebook claims. But the 'anonymous' data collected by Facebook contains an eyebrow-raising amount of personal detail - including user demographics, device specs, personal interests, use of video and information about your friends. It is this data that Facebook is said to have used to actively help the partner firms target adverts for example, at specific racial demographics, The Intercept reports. Documents from the 'Actionable Insights' project obtained by The Intercept suggest that the program could also be used to 'single out individual customers on the basis of creditworthiness' for example so adverts could be tailored to those with good or bad credit ratings. Scroll down for video Facebook may be gifting user data to network providers and phone manufacturers to encourage them to buy better targeted adverts from the social media firm (Stock image) Intercept writer Sam Biddle spoke with an anonymous Facebook source who disclosed confidential marketing documents from the 'Actionable Insights' program. The data Facebook is reportedly sharing includes technical information about user devices and Wi-Fi or mobile network use, as well as user interests, past locations and even social groupings gathered by the Facebook, Messenger and Instagram apps. Partners can use the free data to assess their position against competitors and also for more controversial applications like demographically targeted ads. 'Its exactly this sort of quasi-transactional data access thats become a hallmark of Facebooks business,' Mr Biddle wrote in his article. This approach, he proposed, allows the firm 'to plausibly deny that it ever sells your data while still leveraging it for revenue.' On their engineering blog, Facebook assert that the Actionable Insights program has been developed in accordance 'with the principles of privacy by design.' These include, they explain, the aggregation and de-identification of user information before it is shared with third parties. In spite of this, one Actionable Insights case study allegedly highlighted how an unspecified US mobile network provider used the program to target ads at a specific racial demographic. Another reported how Facebook data had been used to create 'lookalike audiences' to attempt to discriminate between users with good and poor credit ratings. Facebook is said to have applied user data to actively help partner firms target adverts for example, at specific racial demographics (Pictured: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, speaking during the keynote of the F8 Facebook Developer Conference in California on April 30, 2019) WHAT ARE LOOKALIKE AUDIENCES? A so-called 'lookalike audience' is a tool in digital marketing. It helps firms to identify new target customers. This is done by comparing potential customers with a reference demographic. Such references might be the company's existing client base, or an idealised new customer. The approach is often successful because it identifies people who are similar to customers who already use the firms services or buy their products. Advertisement Lookalike audiences help firms attempt to identify target customers based on apparent similarities to a reference demographic such as, for example, their existing consumer base. As Facebook themselves describe the concept, a lookalike audience 'is a way to reach new people who are likely to be interested in your business because they're similar to your best existing customers.' According to the Intercept, however, the Facebook documents highlighted how a client was helped to narrow the reach of its Facebook adverts based on predicted credit scores. By generating reference profiles of social media users with high and low credit scores, Facebook data scientists could target the ads at users whose profiles matched the desired reference profile. This approach could also be used to try and exclude certain demographics from particular advertisements and offers. The extent to which this process can successfully identify given demographics, however, is not certain. University of California, Berkeley privacy scholar Chris Hoofnagle told the Intercept that such an inscrutable, speculative approach to consumer rating has 'worrying implications'. 'Were going to move to a world where you wont know how to act,' Professor Hoofnagle said. Contradicting the anonymous source, a Facebook spokesperson told the MailOnline that: 'We do not, nor have we ever, rated peoples credit worthiness for Actionable Insights or across ads and Facebook does not use peoples credit information in how we show ads.' FACEBOOK'S PRIVACY DISASTERS April 2020: Facebook hackers leaked phone numbers and personal data from 553 million users online. July 2019: Facebook data scandal: Social network is fined $5billion over 'inappropriate' sharing of users' personal information March 2019: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg promised to rebuild based on six 'privacy-focused' principles: Private interactions Encryption Reducing permanence Safety Interoperability Secure data storage Zuckerberg promised end-to-end encryption for all of its messaging services, which will be combined in a way that allows users to communicate across WhatsApp, Instagram Direct, and Facebook Messenger. December 2018: Facebook comes under fire after a bombshell report discovered the firm allowed over 150 companies, including Netflix, Spotify and Bing, to access unprecedented amounts of user data, such as private messages. Some of these 'partners' had the ability to read, write, and delete Facebook users' private messages and to see all participants on a thread. It also allowed Microsoft's search engine, known as Bing, to see the name of all Facebook users' friends without their consent. Amazon was allowed to obtain users' names and contact information through their friends, and Yahoo could view streams of friends' posts. September 2018: Facebook disclosed that it had been hit by its worst ever data breach, affecting 50 million users - including those of Zuckerberg and COO Sheryl Sandberg. Attackers exploited the site's 'View As' feature, which lets people see what their profiles look like to other users. Facebook (file image) made headlines in March 2018 after the data of 87 million users was improperly accessed by Cambridge Analytica, a political consultancy The unknown attackers took advantage of a feature in the code called 'Access Tokens,' to take over people's accounts, potentially giving hackers access to private messages, photos and posts - although Facebook said there was no evidence that had been done. The hackers also tried to harvest people's private information, including name, sex and hometown, from Facebook's systems. Zuckerberg assured users that passwords and credit card information was not accessed. As a result of the breach, the firm logged roughly 90 million people out of their accounts as a security measure. March 2018: Facebook made headlines after the data of 87 million users was improperly accessed by Cambridge Analytica, a political consultancy. The disclosure has prompted government inquiries into the company's privacy practices across the world, and fueled a '#deleteFacebook' movement among consumers. Communications firm Cambridge Analytica had offices in London, New York, Washington, as well as Brazil and Malaysia. The company boasts it can 'find your voters and move them to action' through data-driven campaigns and a team that includes data scientists and behavioural psychologists. 'Within the United States alone, we have played a pivotal role in winning presidential races as well as congressional and state elections,' with data on more than 230 million American voters, Cambridge Analytica claimed on its website. The company profited from a feature that meant apps could ask for permission to access your own data as well as the data of all your Facebook friends. The data firm suspended its chief executive, Alexander Nix (pictured), after recordings emerged of him making a series of controversial claims, including boasts that Cambridge Analytica had a pivotal role in the election of Donald Trump This meant the company was able to mine the information of 87 million Facebook users even though just 270,000 people gave them permission to do so. This was designed to help them create software that can predict and influence voters' choices at the ballot box. The data firm suspended its chief executive, Alexander Nix, after recordings emerged of him making a series of controversial claims, including boasts that Cambridge Analytica had a pivotal role in the election of Donald Trump. This information is said to have been used to help the Brexit campaign in the UK. Advertisement The Actionable Insights program, presented as being primarily intended to address mobile connectivity issues, was announced by Facebook on a post on the social media firm's engineering blog, Code, on August 10, 2018. 'People connect to Facebook from many parts of the world,' Facebook spokesperson Vincent Gonguet wrote.' By analysing information from sources like Facebook, population density maps, LiDAR, or satellite imagery, we are able to help the ecosystem better understand the state of connectivity.' 'The analytics tools in Market Insights can help manufacturers and operators define product and service offerings for a particular audience,' Mr Gonguet wrote of the program's secondary component. 'Partners can use this to inform their ad campaigns, including ads on Facebook,' he added. According to the Intercept, Facebook assert that Actionable Insights is not gathering any data from user devices that wasn't already being collected. Instead, the program is just repackaging this data in new ways, they said. A robotic dog that can dance, do flips and jump has been created by a team of students - and they are encouraging people to build their own. The robo-dog senses when it is out of position and uses 'virtual springs' to pop upright with precision. It has been created with the goal of being reproduced by anyone and the team has published their designs and blueprints online to encourage people to make their own robots. Students from Stanford University robot club have created a dog-like robot (pictured) that can do all the tricks your furry friend can - and more Doggo's creators wanted to share their joy so much they have made the plans, code and a supply list all freely available on GitHub, a specialist platform for developers to share computer code. On the Stanford Doggo Project Github blog, the students describe themselves as undergraduate and graduate students in the Stanford Student Robotics club and part of the club's 'Extreme Mobility team'. The students wrote: 'We have been working on legged robots for the last year and a half. 'Our latest robot, Stanford Doggo, is a shoebox-sized quadruped robot that can walk, trot, pronk, and jump around.' Nathan Kau, a 20-year-old mechanical engineering major and lead for Extreme Mobility, said: 'We had seen these other quadruped robots used in research, but they weren't something that you could bring into your own lab and use for your own projects. 'We wanted Stanford Doggo to be this open source robot that you could build yourself on a relatively small budget.' Club members estimate the cost of Stanford Doggo at less than $3,000 (2,364), a figure they say includes manufacturing and shipping costs and that and nearly all the components can be bought directly online. The four legged robot has been designed to navigate different terrains with the help of motors that sense external forces and determine how much force and torque each leg should apply in response. The robot (pictured) can backflip, dance and jump using a special motor that senses external pressure and acts as a 'virtual spring', says its Stanford University (pictured in the background) student creators Doggo's creators have made the designs openly available online on Github, so that you can make your own pet robot too. The image shows Doggo with its creators in Stanford In addition to the normal dog tricks, Doggo can also trot, dance, hop, jump and perform the occasional backflip HOW DOES 'DOGGO' WORK? A team of students at Stanford has created a robotic dog that can dance, do flips and jump. It is a shoe box-sized four-legged robot that has been designed to navigate different terrains. Its motors sense external forces and determine how much force and torque each leg should apply in response. Computing at a speed of 8,000 times a second, it is the powerhouse behind the robot's 'spring'. Doggo is currently able to jump three and a half feet (1.1m) off the ground. The robot costs less than $3,000 (2,364), which includes manufacturing and shipping costs. Nearly all the components can be bought directly online, says its creators. The plans, code and a supply list to recreate your own robo-dog are freely available on GitHub. Advertisement By pushing the limits of the robot's software, Stanford Doggo increased its jumping range and is now able to jump three and a half feet (1.1m) off the ground, from two feet (0.61m) initially. The smart motor is also the power behind the robot's signature dance, says its creators. Its motor recomputes at a speed of 8,000 times a second and is the essential powerhouse to the bouncy 'boogie' that can be performed with no springs. Instead, the motors act like a system of virtual springs that rebound the robot into proper form whenever they sense it's out of position. 'This was when we realised that the robot was, in some respects, higher performing than other quadruped robots used in research, even though it was really low cost,' added Mr Kau. In order to make Stanford Doggo replicable for everyone else, the students built it from scratch. This meant spending a lot of time researching easily attainable supplies and testing each part as they made it, without relying on simulations. On their blog, the students wrote: 'Many of the custom pieces are either 3D printed or waterjet, which means you will only have to do post-processing work. 'For example, the primary links on each leg assembly (which are waterjet) require you to drill a hole for a set screw and then tap it.' Natalie Ferrante, 19, a mechanical engineering student and member of Extreme Mobility, said: 'It's been about two years since we first had the idea to make a quadruped. Many of the custom pieces that went into the robot uses cutting edge technology like 3D printing or waterjet cutting. The image shows Doggo doing a backfiip 'We've definitely made several prototypes before we actually started working on this iteration of the dog,' said. The Extreme Mobility is also collaborating with the Robotic Exploration Lab of Zachary Manchester, assistant professor of aeronautics and astronautics at Stanford, to test new control systems on a second Stanford Doggo. It hopes that one day, such a robot would have wider applications and even be used to replace people in dangerous scenarios. Patrick Slade, graduate student in aeronautics and astronautics, said: 'We're hoping to provide a baseline system that anyone could build. 'Say, for example, you wanted to work on search and rescue; you could outfit it with sensors and write code on top of ours that would let it climb rock piles or excavate through caves. 'Or maybe it's picking up stuff with an arm or carrying a package.' MIT has also developed a robot the size of a small dog can perform back-flips with the agility of a champion gymnast. The four-legged automaton (pictured) dubbed the 'mini cheetah', is virtually indestructible, according to its creators to this end the team has already finished constructing a robot twice the size of Stanford Doggo that can carry about 13 lbs (6kg) of equipment and has called called Stanford Woofer. Recently, MIT also developed a robot the size of a small dog can perform back-flips with the agility of a champion gymnast. The four-legged automaton, dubbed the 'mini cheetah', is virtually indestructible, according to its creators. It joins a number of similar projects that attempt to create nature inspired technology for human use, known as biomimetics, which also holds potential for military use in the future. The MIT robot walks at double the speed of an average person and can easily run over bumpy, uneven terrain. It has flexible metal limbs that provide stability and the robot can quickly pull itself up with a swing of its 'elbows' if it ever falls over. Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated on May 21, 28 years ago. Since his death until today, there are some controversial cases linked to the former PM. It has been 28 years but still, the ghost of these cases still comes to haunt Congress party and its leaders. In the five year tenure of BJP-led NDA government, Rajiv Gandhi and cases linked to him were dug out by the rival. It was as corrupt no1. On the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, here are five cases that still scare Congress and Gandhi, especially during elections: 1. 1984 Anti-Sikh riots statement - 'When a big tree falls, the earth shakes.' After former PM Indira Gandhis assassination in 1984, a statement from Rajiv Gandhi came in which he said, "When a big tree falls, the earth shakes." This statement of Rajiv Gandhi remained united with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He is considered responsible for the death of thousands of Sikhs. 2. Shah Bano case: Criticized for overturning the court's decision Shahbano case was the most controversial case related to Rajiv Gandhi. It is alleged that he reversed the court's decision to please the Muslim vote bank. A lawyer from Indore divorced his wife Shah Bano after 43 years of his life. He threw her out of the house with five children. Shah Bano demanded alimony from his husband every month. The High Court ruled in favor of Shah Bano but Shah Bano's husband challenged the verdict in the Supreme Court. In order to please Muslim men, Rajiv Gandhi introduced the Muslim Women's Bill in 1986 which became law after all. According to the law, after getting a divorce, a Muslim woman will get alimony for only three months. This law became the biggest disaster for Rajiv Gandhi's tenure. 3. December 3: Bhopal Gas tragedy: Escorting prime accused Anderson The Bhopal gas tragedy happened in 1984. around a month before the incident, Rajiv Gandhi became the Prime Minister of the country. Of the factory which had a gas leak, its owner was Warren Anderson. Anderson came to Bhopal after the accident. The people of Bhopal were angry following which Warren Anderson had to run away from Bhopal. He went to Rajiv Gandhi for help. The Bhopal administration told Rajiv Gandhi that they can not protect Anderson. On the directive of Rajiv, Home Minister PV Narasimha Rao gave a clear direction to the Arjun Singh government after that Anderson was safely released. The then collector Moti Singh has also written the truth about Anderson's release of Bhopal gas tragedy. He was also booked for the abduction of the accused. 4. Bofors scam: This a case that still haunts Congress In 1986, India had a deal with Swedish company AB Bofors. The price of the deal was Rs 1437 crores. Under the deal, the Indian Army had to get 400 Hovitzer guns. But Sweden Radio questioned the deal and claimed that the Swedish company gave a bribe of 60 crores to the big leaders and officials of India. This caused a storm in political corridors. Rajiv Gandhi had to lose his Prime Minister chair in 1989. After this allegation, Vishwanath Pratap Singh too attacked Rajiv. The same Bofors scam still comes to scare Congress and Gandhis. 5. Ram Mandir: Rajiv Gandhi started the election campaign Rajiv Gandhis image became bleak after the Shah Bano case. Muslim women were angry with him and 1989 elections were approaching. Then Rajiv Gandhi opened the temple lock to please the Hindu community. That's where he started his election campaign. After this, Rajiv Gandhi was seen as the leader of the vote bank politics. The BJP got the credit for the temple issue. Also read: Sonia Gandhi wanted to have this senior leader as PM after Rajiv Gandhi's assassination, not The origin of marijuana has finally been discovered and it dates back 28 million years to the Tibetan plateau, 10,700ft (3km) above sea level. Researchers analysed pollen fossils of the plant and found it slowly dispersed over millennia to Europe, China and India. It has long been known cannabis originated in Central Asia but its exact location had remained a mystery until now. Archaeological evidence of its use as a drug dates back to to 2,700 BC in the nearby Xinjiang region north west of China. Scroll down for video The origins of the cannabis plant has finally been traced to an area of the Tibetan plateau (pictured) 15, 000ft (3km) above sea level A team of researchers led by the University of Vermont in the US examined 155 existing fossil pollen studies from Asia in order to 'to reconstruct the evolutionary and human related history of Cannabis in Asia', said the authors in the report. By looking at genetic analysis and fossils of cannabis pollen, they pinpointed the origins of its growth to 28 million years ago to the area of Qinghai lake on the Tibetan plateau. They mapped the fossil data and found the oldest pollen fossil dates to 19.6 millions BC where it was likely cultivated by humans, given that both hem crop and fruits seeds fossils were also found at archaeological sites. The plateau in the southwest of China measures 14,800 ft (4,500 m) above sea level at its peak and the lake sits at 10,700ft (3km) up the range. The area overlaps with the first hunter and gatherer community that evolved in Asia, although no link has been made between the two. Based on their analysis, the researchers found evidence the cannabis strain of hemp first disseminated to Europe and then East to China followed by India due to tectonic movements in the Earth that caused land mass to move closer to each other. WHERE IS THE TIBETAN PLATEAU? Also called Tibetan Highlands or Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, it is a vast high plateau of southwestern China. It encompasses all of the Tibet Autonomous Region and much of Qinghai province and extends into western Sichuan province and southern Uygur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang. It has an area of about 965,000 square miles (2,500,000 square km), is a region of tangled mountains and uplands that are generally above 13,000 to 15,000 feet (4,000 to 5,000 metres) in elevation. Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, is the plateaus major centre of population, economic activity, culture, and air and land transportation. Advertisement The flowering tops of cannabis strains such as hemp plant produce cannabinoids, which have been used to make the cannabis drug. One reason the origins of the plant have been so hard to trace is because the leaves of cannabis plants - such as hemp - don't create very good print fossils, and only two collections of the plant fossil exist. In contrast, hundreds of pollen fossils have been found and analysed, which the current study reviewed. While widely known as a drug, the cannabis plant in fact had may functions for communities that used its plant fibres, for providing cordage and textiles, for example. Carbonised hemp fibres, found with silk and spinning wheels, date to 5,600 BC, in Henan Province, China. Researchers analysed studies of pollen fossils from the plant and showed that it disseminated over the millennia to Europe, China and then India. It has long been known the plant originated in Central Asia but its exact location on the Tibetan plateau around Qinghai Lake (shown on map) had remained a mystery Scientists also put down the appearance of cannabis elsewhere in the world down to tectonic movements of the earth, rather than humans migrating with it. The researchers wrote: 'Early floristic exchanges between India and Asia were shaped by plate tectonics,' the researchers wrote in their paper. 'As the Indian plate migrated towards the Asian plate, it made a 'glancing contact' with Sumatra 57 [million years ago], followed by Burma, and then a 'hard collision' with Tibet 35 [million years ago]. 'The glancing contact between continents resulted in floristic exchanges during the Eocene.' 'Cannabis holds significance in human history and life today as a triple-use crop. First, its fruits (seeds) provide valuable protein and essential fatty acids', wrote the researchers. Archaeological evidence in a food context dates back to 10,000 BC in Japan. The full report was published in the journal Vegetation History and Archaeobotany. An ancient collision between the moon and a dwarf planet left half the far side of the lunar surface heavily-cratered, scientists have suggested. The new research suggests that a collision between the moon and an object 'slightly smaller' than a dwarf planet in the solar system's early stages is the best explanation. The difference between the Earth-facing near-side of the moon and the scarred far side of the moon has been debated among scientists since the Apollo era. Previously, scientists had suggested that Earth had two moons billions of years ago which merged - creating the uneven surface of the far side that exists today. Measurements made by the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission in 2012 gave scientists more information about the structure of the Moon. Scroll down for video New research suggests the Moon (left) collided with the moon and an object slightly smaller than a dwarf planet (right) in the solar system's early stages. Here, an artists depiction of a collision between two planetary bodies These included how the moon's far side has a crust which is thicker than the near side and includes an extra layer of material while the near side boasts a thinner and smoother crust. 'The detailed gravity data obtained by GRAIL has given new insight into the structure of the lunar crust underneath the surface,' said Dr Meng Hua Zhu, a co-author of the study. Dr Hua Zhu and his team ran 360 computer simulations of different scenarios where impacts with the moon could result in the crust of today's moon. The topographic (A), crustal thickness (B), and thorium distribution of the Moon show a dramatic difference between the nearside and farside. The star on the nearside represents the center of the proposed impact basin. The black dashed lines represent the boundary of Imbrium (Im), Orientale (Or), and Apollo (Ap) basin, respectively. They found the best solution is a large body, about 480 miles (780 kilometers) in diameter, smacking into the near side of the moon at 14,000 miles per hour (22,500 kilometers per hour). The model shows the impact would have thrown up vast amounts of material that would fall back onto the moon's surface, burying the crust on the far side in 3 to 6 miles (5 to 10 kilometers) of debris. The model also provides a good explanation for the unexplained differences in isotopes of potassium, phosphorus and rare-earth elements like tungsten-182 between the surfaces of the Earth and Moon. Chinas ChangE-4 mission's Yutu-2 rover (pictured) has found presence of material from the moon's deep layers at its landing site on the far side of the moon. Scientists are hoping to add to their models with data from China's Chang'e4 mission 'Our model can thus explain this isotope anomaly in the context of the giant impact scenario of the Moon's origin.' the researchers write. 'This is a paper that will be very provocative,' said Steve Hauck, a professor of planetary geodynamics at Case Western Reserve University. 'Understanding the origin of the differences between the nearside and the farside of the Moon is a fundamental issue in lunar science. 'Indeed, several planets have hemispherical dichotomies, yet for the Moon we have a lot of data to be able to test models and hypotheses with, so the implications of the work could likely be broader than just the Moon.' Scientists are hoping to add to their models with data from moon missions, including China's Chang'e-4 mission, which landed on the far side of the moon in January. Analysis of data from the Chang'e-4 mission revealed substances from the moon's interior on the surface of the crater where the probe landed. This provides further evidence that an enormous collision occurred at least 3.9 billion years ago. The research was published in AGU's Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets. Pessimism is infectious among ravens. That's the conclusion of researchers who studied the birds in a bid to observe their intelligence and empathy, earlier this month. Staff from the University of Vienna performed a cognitive bias test on the Gothic-looking animals, which monitored their reactions to neutral stimuli. The findings show that, like humans and primates, they possess a level of emotional affinity and awareness. Empathy: Staff from the University of Vienna performed a cognitive bias test on the Gothic-looking animals, which monitored their reactions to neutral stimuli To test this, researchers denied one bird the promise of 'tasty' food. When a second bird was introduced to watch this, they showed a suspicion of other offerings - and erred on the side of cynicism. In other words, they shared empathy with other ravens and moderated their behaviour accordingly. 'To successfully and efficiently live in social groups, we need information about each others emotions,' the authors, Thomas Bugnyar and Jessie Adriaense, said. 'Emotional contagion has been suggested to facilitate such information transmission, yet it remains difficult to measure this in animals. 'Our findings suggest negative emotional contagion in ravens, and in turn advance our understanding of the evolution of empathy.' The report was featured in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Did you know? Ravens overcome territorial pairs by living in gangs or flocks until they become adult and acquire an area for themselves. WHAT ELSE CAN RAVENS DO? Members of the corvid family, ravens are among the most intelligent bird. A study from 2017 revealed that ravens even pre-plan tasksa behavior long believed unique to humans and their relatives. That was published in the journal, Science. Ravens can also use tools, solve problems, mimic voices, spot themselves in a mirror and recognise human faces for many years after they have seen them. Advertisement Previously, ravens have been shown to have far higher stress levels when flocking together in adolescent gangs than when living in territorial pairs as adults. In November 2018, researcher Johan Lind, associate professor in Ethology at Centre for Cultural Evolution, Stockholm University, analysed droppings and found increased levels of stress hormones among birds living in groups. Ravens overcome territorial pairs by living in gangs or flocks until they become adult and acquire an area for themselves. Scientists believe the maturing birds leave groups to form pairs as a direct result of stress. Researchers have identified how the human brain is able to determine the properties of a particular object from touch alone, a so-called inner pickpocket trait. This so-called inner pickpocket trait is inherent in all of us, they say, and is the reason a thief can pilfer a handbag and instantly pull out the most valuable item. It relies on the brain's ability to break up a continuous stream of information and turn it into smaller chunks. This manifests itself for professional pickpockets as being bale to interpret the sequence of small depressions on their fingers separate well-defined objects. 'Notably, the participants in our study were not selected for being professional pickpockets - so these results also suggest there is a secret, statistically savvy pickpocket in all of us,' said Professor Mate Lengyel from the University of Cambridge, who co-led the research. Scroll down for video Revealed: The brain can immediately both identify objects without the need for clear-cut boundaries or other specialised cues, and predict unknown properties of new objects (stock) The researchers, from the University of Cambridge, the Central European University, and Columbia University, found a similar phenomenon allows humans to anticipate what an object in a shop window will feel like just by looking at it. This involves a visual input and not a physical signal as the shopper's visual system but works in a similar way. Our ability to extract distinct objects from cluttered scenes by touch or sight alone and accurately predict how they will feel based on how they look, or how they look based on how they feel, is critical to how we interact with the world. The brain performs statistical analyses of previous experiences to immediately identify objects without the need for clear-cut boundaries or other specialised cues. It then turns these into predictions of the new object's properties. 'We're looking at how the brain takes in the continuous flow of information it receives and segments it into objects,' said Professor Lengyel. 'The common view is that the brain receives specialised cues: such as edges or occlusions, about where one things ends and another thing begins, but we've found that the brain is a really smart statistical machine: it looks for patterns and finds building blocks to construct objects.' Professor Lengyel and his colleagues designed scenes of several abstract shapes without visible boundaries between them, and asked participants to either observe the shapes on a screen or to 'pull' them apart along a tear line that passed either through or between the objects. Insight: Our ability to extract distinct objects from cluttered scenes by touch or sight alone and accurately predict how they will feel based on how they look, or how they look based on how they feel, is critical to how we interact with the world HOW SKIN SENSES Our touch experiences are already processed by neurons in the skin before they reach the brain for further processing. Researchers found that the skin actually calculates geometric data itself before sending signals to the brain. Previously, it has been thought that far more basic information was sent. Advertisement Participants were then tested on their ability to predict the visual (how familiar did real jigsaw pieces appear compared to abstract pieces constructed from the parts of two different pieces) and haptic properties of these jigsaw pieces (how hard would it be to physically pull apart new scenes in different directions). The researchers found that participants were able to form the correct mental image of the jigsaw pieces from just one of the inputs. 'These results challenge classical views on how we extract and learn about objects in our environment,' Professor said Lengyel. 'Instead, we've show that general-purpose statistical computations known to operate in even the youngest infants are sufficiently powerful for achieving such cognitive feats.' The results are reported in the open-access journal, eLife. After global backlash involving the use of gene-editing tool CRISPR on human embryos, China will further tighten regulation on manipulating the human genome. According to a report in Nature, a draft of new code in the country's civil law explicitly lists human genes and embryos as protected personal rights for the first time ever. Lawyers interviewed by Nature say that the law would make any doctor or scientist engaging in the editing of the human genome liable for the outcome of their experiments. China continues to tighten restrictions on editing human genomes after a controversial trial by one of the country's scientists last year 'The law makes clear that those who do research with human genes and embryos cannot endanger human health or violate ethics,' said Zhang Peng, a criminal-law scholar at Beijing Wuzi University to Nature. Nature reports that the draft of the code was submitted to China's top legislative body last month and will likely be ratified next year. The country's decision to codify rules surrounding the use of CRISPR to 'edit' humans' genes follows an incident last year in which a Chinese scientist claims to have edited the genomes of two twin babies to make the resistant to HIV. Researcher He Jiankui's announcement marked a precedent in science and medicine that many doctors around the world called unethical, citing the lack of peer-reviewed literature regarding the ultimate effects of such manipulation in humans. 'Unconscionable ... an experiment on human beings that is not morally or ethically defensible,' said Dr. Kiran Musunuru, a University of Pennsylvania gene editing expert and editor of a genetics journal told the Associated Press following the news. CRISPR is both simple an effective in editing genomes of humans and more. The tool effectively allows scientists to 'copy' and 'paste' within genes. This month, a group of bioethicists from China also called on the country to dramatically alter its approach to the field of human genomic experimentation. 'China is at a crossroads,' wrote researchers. 'The government must make substantial changes to protect others from the potential effects of reckless human experimentation.' While the law tighten's the country's grip on medical research involving the use of CRISPR to edit human genomes, the country's position on the practice stops well short of an outright moratorium. He Jiankui shocked the scientific world when he announced that, using a tool called CRISPR, he has genetically altered two human embryos to make them HIV-resistant. In March, China's legislature introduced regulations that would require scientists to receive approval from the country's top health agency before carrying out experiments that involve editing cells in the human body. The law would impose fines and penalties relating to eligibility of grant applications and reaffirms that unsanctioned use of gene-editing tools may criminally break national law. As both technologies like CRISPR and the research behind how the human genome functions expand, the prospects of being able to selectively edit human genes to achieve an outcome has become more and more of a reality. In an ideal scenario, technology could be used to guard against genetic diseases and benefit humans across the globe. Conversely, skeptics say the tool may also open the door to a host of other consequences including 'genetic inequality' where only those who can afford to enhance their genes are able to. Unknown ripple effects of editing just a single gene in someone's body have also been recorded. Babies altered during He Jiankui's genetic test may have inadvertently had genes relating to human cognition and memory unlocked according to MIT. NASA's next trip to the moon will entail 37 separate launches over a decade and culminate in the construction of a moon base by 2028, according to leaked documents that detail the agency's 'Artemis' plan. Information on the nascent mission come from documents obtained by Ars Technica, and, for the first time, show a detailed glimpse of America's first human-led mission to the moon since 1972. In a graphic, NASA breaks down a year-by-year guide of the construction of the 'Gateway' a space station and waypoint on the way to the moon, human test flights, and a lunar landing slated for 2024. Scroll down for video Leaked NASA documents like the one pictured above show an ambitious plan to return humans to the moon and eventually develop a long-term base there according to Ars Technica WHAT IS NASA'S LUNAR GATEWAY? Russia and the United States are cooperating on a NASA-led project to build the first lunar space station, codenamed the Lunar Gateway. The agreement, signed in September 2017, is part of a long-term project to send humans to Mars. The crew-tended spaceport will orbit the moon and serve as a 'gateway to deep space and the lunar surface,' NASA has said. The first modules of the station could be completed as soon as 2024. An international base for lunar exploration for humans and robots and a stopover for spacecraft is a leading contender to succeed the $100 billion International Space Station (ISS), the world's largest space project to date. Advertisement In the final stages of NASA's timeline, the graphic suggest the deployment of a 'lunar surface asset' which Ars Technica suggests may be the initial stages of an outpost on the moon where future crews will be able to stay for longer-term missions. As noted by Ars Technica, the documents do not show the cost of such missions which, given the revealed scope and complexity, may be astronomical. NASA has already asked for an additional $1.6 billion in funding per year and according to an unnamed source cited by Ars Technica, Artemis will cost about $6 to $8 billion per year on top of the agency's $20 billion budget. Funding for the project has already been a major political issue in the U.S. where the administration of President Donald Trump has proposed diverting the $1.6 billion needed to kickstart the mission from a reserve fund for federal Pell Grants. Pell Grants are a federal subsidy given to students in need of funding for college and according to data from College Board, 22.2 million students received money from the program between 2017 and 2018. The U.S. won't be alone in its push to develop a permanent base on the moon. Aiding the ambitious project will be an announcement from China this April that revealed plans to build a lunar base near the moon's south pole. The beginning parts of the base could reach the moon's surface as soon as 2020 according to a report from Space.com. NASA just announced the 11 companies who will be designing and studying prototypes of the various equipment and vehicles used in its mission this month -- among them are Boeing, SpaceX, Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman and more. Aerospace company Blue Origin, backed by billionaire Jeff Bezos, will be among the companies looking to contribute to NASA's next moon mission The U.S. won't be the only company vying to build a long-term base on the moon. This April, China also said it is eyeing a moon hub While the moon might not make a suitable environment for mass human colonization, the prospect of developing a base has tantalized space agencies around the world for several reasons. Among the potential benefits, say proponents, are access to resources like iron or uranium that may lie beneath the moon's surface, and the potential benefit to future launches into space -- theoretically it could be much easier and less expensive to launch spacecraft from the moon. By settling on the moon, even in relatively small numbers, humans would also gain unprecedented insight into human colonization of the solar system, the prospect of which has been considered with increasing seriousness as climate change and ever-expanding human populations cast a shadow over Earth's future. In a corner of the internet dominated by co-op shooters and open world exploration, a pastor with a knack for virtual reality has laid the roots for the unlikely intersection of religion and gaming. D.J. Soto has been running whats said to be the first virtual reality church, where gamers from all walks of life are invited to learn about God, faith, and science. It exists entirely in the virtual realm, offering hour-long streams every Sunday for an online congregation made up of equal parts robots and human avatars. And, its even become a place for those looking to be cleansed of their sins. A bizarre video shared this week by YouTuber Syrmor shows what its like to be baptized in VR, complete with an audience of cartoon characters and an anime girl immersed in divine love. Scroll down for video Pastor D.J. Soto has been running whats said to be the first virtual reality church , where gamers from all walks of life are invited to learn about God, faith, and science Soto, an ordained minister, has been conducting VR baptisms for roughly a year, he tells Syrmor and VRChat reporter, Drumsy. The conversation is set in the clouds, and the virtual sun can be seen setting in the distance behind an idyllic, pink-leafed tree. Apart from its whimsical setting and audience members, however, the baptism itself is as serious and thoughtful as any other. It really is a spiritual moment, Soto tells Drumsy, the pink-haired character receiving the cleansing, as the group shifts to an indoor virtual bathhouse. I think maybe some people think of it as maybe a religious ritual, and thats fine too, but this is something that has spiritual significance to it. While a typical baptism may be a hands-on experience, the person in this case is responsible for lowering their own body into the virtual water as Soto instructs from beside. They then remain submerged for a full minute. When you go underwater, that symbolizes that your spiritual cells are soaking in divine love and new life, and forgiveness and release of the old, Soto says during the virtual ceremony. Its not all serious though; there is an undeniable silliness unique to the VR experience that comes with this type of baptism. Moments after it all wraps up, for example, the bath disappears without warning, soaked up by another character who showed up as Spongebob. The versatility of characters and settings is something Soto fully harnesses during the weekly sermons on Mixer, allowing attendees to stand atop trees or futuristic buildings as they listen to him preach. Thanks to virtual reality, people from all over the world can attend what Soto has dubbed a new expression of church VR Church exists entirely in the virtual realm, offering hour-long streams every Sunday for an online congregation made up of equal parts robots and human avatars. And, its even become a place for those looking to be cleansed of their sins Each meeting includes roughly 30 minutes of worship before breaking off to announcements and a chance for attendees to mingle. Between the weekly services, Soto also streams hours of gameplay several days a week. Thanks to virtual reality, people from all over the world can attend what Soto has dubbed a new expression of church. Or, as his website puts it, We create worlds to experience God and the Bible like never before. Google said that it accidentally left some enterprise customers' passwords exposed on its servers for as much as 14 years. A 'small percentage of G Suite users' were affected by a bug in its system that meant their passwords were stored in plaintext, giving some Google employees unfiltered access to the data, according to Wired. G Suite is a product targeted for businesses that offers bundled access to Google services like Gmail, Google Drive, Calendar, as well as other enterprise features. The incident comes not long after fellow tech giants Facebook and Twitter disclosed their own privacy slip-ups, wherein they discovered some passwords were stored in plaintext. Scroll down for video A 'small percentage of G Suite users' were hit by a bug in its system that meant their passwords were stored in plaintext, giving some Google employees unfiltered access to the data WHAT SHOULD YOU DO NOW? Google said it has already begun notifying enterprises who were affected by the issue. The firm said it will also reset any impacted passwords that haven't been changed 'out of an abundance of caution.' Google recommended that users take advantage of two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security to their accounts. The firm said it provides G Suite administrators with security keys, which can help prevent bad actors from hacking into your account if they don't have access to the physical key. Advertisement With the bug only impacting G Suite users, it means that consumers don't need to worry about their account being affected by the issue. Google said it has begun notifying enterprise G Suite customers that some of their passwords were stored in plaintext. 'We have been conducting a thorough investigation and have seen no evidence of improper access to or misuse of the affected G Suite credentials,' said Suzanne Frey, vice president of engineering for Google's Cloud Trust. Typically, Google stores users' passwords by hashing them, which turns your password into a random string of characters. Each time someone signs in, Google verifies that their password is correct by comparing their hashed password with the one on its servers. When it's determined to be a match, they can proceed to sign in. As part of G Suite, domain administrators had the ability set and recover passwords, which proved to be helpful when onboarding new users. However, Google discovered that a bug in the admin console meant users' passwords were stored unhashed. While the passwords were in plaintext, Frey said they 'remained in our secure encrypted infrastructure.' The issue impacts G Suite users, which is an enterprise product that offers bundled access to Google services like Gmail, Google Drive, Calendar, as well as other business features The passwords were stored this way in the admin console since 2005, the firm said. Google has since removed this feature. The firm also made a separate discovery that, beginning in January, it had been storing a 'subset' of unhashed passwords in its encrypted infrastructure. This subset of passwords was stored in plaintext for 14 days, Frey explained. 'This issue has been fixed and, again, we have seen no evidence of improper access to or misuse of the affected passwords,' she added. Frey added that Google will continue to investigate the incident to ensure it's an isolated event. 'Here we did not live up to our own standards, nor those of our customers,' she said. 'We apologize to our users and will do better.' Count Facebook's ex-security chief among the group of those who think Mark Zuckerberg should step down from his role as CEO. Alex Stamos, who left his post as chief security officer in 2018, said Zuckerberg should 'give up some of that power' and make way for a new chief executive. Stamos even suggested Microsoft President Brad Smith to take over the role as CEO of Facebook. Scroll down for video Alex Stamos (pictured), who left his post as chief security officer in 2018, said Zuckerberg should 'give up some of that power' and make way for a new chief executive WHY DID ALEX STAMOS LEAVE FACEBOOK? Alex Stamos left his post as Facebook's security chief last year. Stamos had repeatedly clashed with top executives, including chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg, on how much information should be shared about Russia's manipulation of the social media giant to spread fake news and meddle in the 2016 election. Stamos was a strong advocate for revealing the full extent of the Russian influence, and to restructure to address some of the issues, while other top execs were keen to keep that information private, sources told the New York Times. He was persuaded to stay to oversee the transition of his role because some thought his exit would look bad, it said, citing current and former employees. His departure reveals an internal struggle in Facebook. Advertisement 'There is a legitimate argument that he has too much power,' Stamos said at the Collision Conference in Toronto, according to CNBC, which previously reported the comments. 'He needs to give up some of that power. If I was him, I would go hire a new CEO for the company.' Instead, Stamos argued, Zuckerberg should be focused on products, which is 'where his passion is.' Zuckerberg essentially began overseeing Facebook's products after Chief Product Officer Chris Cox left the company in March. 'Facebook needs to have an internal revolution on the culture of how products are built,' he explained. He put forth Smith as a potential candidate for the job, as Stamos believes he represents an 'adult who has been through this before.' '[Zuckerberg] should hire a CEO that can help signal both internally and externally that the culture has to change,' Stamos said. Smith helped steer Microsoft through its notorious antitrust battle with the U.S. government, in which officials argued the internet giant was abusing its power by bundling its Internet Explorer browser with its Windows software. Zuckerberg reportedly reached out to Smith for advice in the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal last March, when it was discovered that 87 million users' data had been harvested and shared with the Trump-affiliated campaign research firm. Stamos also touched on the ongoing debate around whether or not Facebook should be broken up. Stamos argued Zuckerberg should be focused on products, which is 'where his passion is.' Zuckerberg is essentially overseeing Facebook products after the departure of Chris Cox US lawmakers and consumer advocates have increasingly called for government regulation of tech giants, including the possibility of taking another look at Facebook's 2012 acquisition of Instagram. While Stamos believes there are 'legitimate arguments' breaking up Facebook, as well as Google and YouTube, doing so wouldn't address some of the underlying issues. Among the problems it wouldn't address are the spread of misinformation, as well as threats to user privacy. 'Theres a lot of excitement for antitrust because it feels good to be like I hate this company, so lets break it up,' Stamos explained. 'Having three companies that have the same fundamental problems doesnt make anything better.' Advertisement Winemakers in northern Italy have been setting their vineyards ablaze - but for a very good reason. Unseasonably frosty weather in the South Tyrol region has been threatening to destroy this year's crop of grapes. To save them, winemakers have been warming them up in dramatic fashion by positioning hundreds of flaming torches among the vines, making the landscape look like something out of a fairy tale. A sweeping shot of the Abbazia di Novacella monastery in South Tyrol in Italy, with hundreds of torches in its vineyards creating a magical landscape One winery that used the torches was the Abbazia di Novacella, a monastery that is among the oldest active wineries in the world. Here, temperatures dropped as low as minus nine degrees celsius last week - its lowest May temperature in 32 years. Stunning pictures show hundreds of torches amid its vines, creating a magical landscape. Andreas Huber, a winemaker from the South Tyrol region, told Ansa: 'Any more than one degree below zero and you're really in trouble.' Temperatures dropped as low as minus nine degrees celsius last week in northern Italy - its lowest May temperature in 32 years. Pictured are the anti-frost torches as Abbazia di Novacella One winemaker said that the lighting of 300 torches across one hectare of land could raise the temperature by up to three degrees However, he added that lighting 300 of the torches across one hectare of land could raise the temperature by three degrees - enough to salvage the crops. Wine expert Emily OHare, who contributes to Decanter magazine and used to be the sommelier at Michelin-starred restaurant The River Cafe, in London, told MailOnline Travel that placing torches among vines is a fairly common practice. She said: 'It's not such an unusual thing to do - in Chablis they have been using similar techniques for years. They suffer from late spring frosts and so will place "smudge pots" - oil burners - in between rows of vines to prevent temperatures from dipping into dangerously freezing temperatures that can cause great damage to young buds and shoots. 'In Siena the topic of conversation is the weather - and normally it is more food oriented. But it is a real shock this May, temperatures are low - the coldest May in 60 years I have heard, and rainfall is high. Though, as one winemaker pointed out to me, because the rainfall is so high, it is rather a blessing that the temperature has stayed consistently on the cooler side as there is at least no humidity, and the risk of rot that comes with that.' Despite the fiery efforts of wine-makers, Italian farmers union Coldiretti estimates that millions of euros worth of crops could still be destroyed due to the recent cold snap. The Abbazia di Novacella monastery makes 700,000 bottles of wine per year - 70 per cent of them are white wines and 30 per cent are red wines. It currently has 14 acres of vineyards as well as 30 acres of fruit orchards. Also belonging to the monastery are 1,700 acres of forest and 1,000 acres of Alpine pastures. A rainy holiday is always depressing. But one Italian island has decided to lift spirits that have been dampened by downpours, by promising to refund tourists the cost of their accommodation if the heavens open during their stay. Elba, off the coast of Tuscany, has launched the 'Elba No Rain' campaign for the month of May. The town of Portoferraio on the Italian island of Elba, off the coast of Tuscany. Hotels on the island are promising to refund tourists the cost of their accommodation if it rains during their stay To qualify for the deal, tourists on the island must be staying at an approved guesthouse or inn taking part in the campaign. If it rains for two consecutive hours on any given day, the cost of that night's stay will be reimbursed. The full cost of their accommodation bill will be refunded if it rains for more than two consecutive hours every day they are on the island. However, there is some small print to note - the offer only applies until May 31 and then again from September 15 to October 31. The rain must fall for two consecutive hours between the times of 10am and 8pm and the cost of breakfast and dinner is not included in the refund. So far this year, no holidaymakers have been entitled to a refund. The streets of Rio Nell'Elba on Elba. It is the third largest island located off the coast of Italy after Sicily and Sardinia Claudio Della Lucia, tourism coordinator for the island, told CNN: 'Tour operators tell us that weather forecasts of a rainy weekend can lead to a drop in bookings and attendance of over 20 per cent. 'The Elba No Rain initiative wants to be a concrete assurance to guests that, in the very rare case of a day with steady rain, they can still enjoy everything that the island has to offer without paying a euro for accommodation.' Elba is the third largest island located off the coast of Italy after Sicily and Sardinia. It is best-known for being the island where French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte spent 10 months after his exile from France. Tourists flock to visit its beautiful beaches, Napoleon's former home and to see its ancient ruins that date back to the Etruscan era. U.S. summer air travel will hit a new record this year despite the grounding of Boeing's 737 Max aircraft after two fatal crashes, a group representing major airlines has said. Airlines for America, the trade group representing major U.S. carriers, said it expects 257.4 million passengers to travel on U.S. airlines between June 1 and August 31 - up 3.4 per cent from last summer's record of 248.8 million passengers. Airlines are adding 111,000 seats daily to accommodate the extra 93,000 passengers expected per day, the group said, in what it forecast will be the 10th consecutive summer of increases in the number of U.S. airline passengers. U.S. summer air travel will hit a new record this year despite the grounding of Boeing's 737 Max aircraft after two fatal crashes Southwest Airlines and American Airlines have canceled flights because of the grounding of the 737 Max into August, while United Airlines has canceled flights into early July. Southwest has canceled 160 daily flights through August 5. It launched a service to Hawaii earlier this year but has had to defer flying there from San Diego and Sacramento because of the Max groundings. American has canceled nearly 115 flights daily until August 19, accounting for two per cent of its summer flight capacity. The U.S. Transportation Department said that July 2018 was the all-time busiest air travel month, with 75.8 million passengers. Boeing 737 Max aircraft have been grounded around the world, awaiting approval from U.S. and international regulators before they can return to service. Airlines for America, the trade group representing major U.S. carriers, said it expects 257.4 million passengers to travel on U.S. airlines between June 1 and August 31. Pictured is HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport - one of the busiest in the world The model was grounded in March following a fatal Ethiopian Airlines crash that killed all 157 on board just five months after a similar crash of a Lion Air flight of a 737 Max killed 189 people. The Federal Aviation Administration is meeting with aviation regulators in Texas on Thursday to update them on the various reviews of the aircraft. Boeing has not yet formally submitted its software upgrade and training revisions to the FAA for approval or completed a certification flight. Tourists in a Japanese city are being told not to eat food while walking in crowded areas to prevent the staining of other people's clothes. Kamakura, in the east of the country and famous for its Great Buddha statue, has issued official ordinance politely asking people to sit down while they eat. The ordinance describes eating while walking as a 'public nuisance' due to the potential for food to be spilled and comes amid tourist numbers of 60,000 a day in one area of the city - the Kamakura Komachi Dori Shopping Area. Tourist gather around the Great Buddha statue in Kamakura, Japan. The city has issued official ordinance politely asking people to sit down while they eat in public areas According to CNN, the signs have been posted to build awareness. There are no fines for anybody who flouts the request. Norikazu Takahashi, president of the store association of Kamakura, told the Japan Times: 'We cant ban the act of eating while walking. 'We want to make the street a place where both travellers and residents can feel good.' For many, the signs may seem a little overbearing, but for the Japanese, they are just reinforcing normal etiquette in their country, which is to sit down to eat so that food can be properly appreciated. Eating in the street is a no-no in other countries, too. Ordinance in Kamakura, pictured, describes eating while walking as a 'public nuisance' due to the potential for food to be spilled Last year, tourists in Florence were warned they could face fines of up to 450 for eating in the street. Laws now ban snacking in four streets in the Italian city's historic centre between the hours of 12 to 3pm and 6 to 10pm. Meanwhile in Venice each summer, a group of wardens, named the 'angels of decorum', tackle tourist behaviour they find uncouth. This includes eating in the street, being drunk and dipping toes or swimming in the city's famous canals. Fans have been eagerly awaiting the third season of Netflix's Stranger Things. And the wait is officially over with the streaming service revealing on Monday that it will return on Independence Day, July 4. In new series posters, the cast are all seen appearing shocked as they stand in front of fireworks, like that of the Fourth Of July. Shocked! Millie Bobby Brown had quite the stunned look on her face in the new Stranger Things season three series poster released on Monday 'One summer can change everything,' reads the teaser on each of the posters. Actress Millie Bobby Brown, who plays Eleven, led the stars wearing a casual T-shirt tucked into a pair of high-waisted trousers. Her newly grown back brunette hair is styled out naturally into waves and she has a hair elastic on her wrist, ready to tie-up her tresses at any moment. Season three: Winona Ryder opted for an oversized T-shirt while David Harbour looked all business in the posters Dressed smart: Mike, played by Finn Wolfhard dressed in a striped shirt and shorts Prepared: Sadie Sink was also in a striped shirt while Caleb McLaughlin appeared to be slightly concerned, opting for a sweatband to wipe away all the sweat Winona Ryder, known for her role as Joyce, also had a worried look on her face, turning side on for the shoot. She was in a long T-shirt and loose fitting trousers with her hair too untamed. Hopper, played by David Harbour, looked stern and ready for action. Dialing up: Gaten Matarazzo came prepared with a headset and monitor to get the attention of others when need be In character: Charlie Heaton and Natalia Dyer pictured in the posters Confidence levels low: Noah Schnapp didn't appear very confident with what's about to happen, posing with a worried look on his face No stress: Comparative to Noah, Priah Ferguson appeared completely calm and chill about what lies ahead Also appearing on the posters ahead of the series premiere was Finn Wolfhard (Mike), Priah Ferguson (Erica), Maya Hawke (Robin), Joe Keery (Steve), Natalia Dyer (Nancy), Charlie Heaton (Jonathan), Noah Schnapp (Will), Sadie Sink (Max), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas), Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin), and Dacre Montgomery (Billy). And in a new trailer also released on Monday, Cara Buono, who plays mom Karen Wheeler, is seen flirting up a storm with Billy. While the children play by the pool, she and her mom friends ensure they look spectacular in their one-pieces for when he, the lifeguard, walks on by. Here comes the drama! Dacre Montgomery tucked in his shirt while keeping h is hair out natural and a mustache on his face while Maya Hawke opted for a nautical theme with a striped shirt tucked into a skirt and vest Something the matter? Joe Keery appeared quite angry in the promo picture In the first promo for the series, the character of Billy is seen making the older moms sweat when he walks out topless to start his job as a lifeguard Flirting: Karen Wheeler, who's seen with her mom friends can't help but blush as Billy passes by After Billy comments about her great new costume, Karen is seen getting slightly hot and flustered towards the teenage boy. Season three will see eight episodes all go to air on Thursday July 4. 'Its 1985 in Hawkins, Indiana, and summer's heating up,' revealed Netflix's press release about the upcoming season. 'Schools out, theres a brand new mall in town, and the Hawkins crew are on the cusp of adulthood. Romance blossoms and complicates the groups dynamic, and theyll have to figure out how to grow up without growing apart.' They continued: 'Meanwhile, danger looms. When the towns threatened by enemies old and new, Eleven and her friends are reminded that evil never ends; it evolves. Now theyll have to band together to survive, and remember that friendship is always stronger than fear.' Popular HBO series Game of Thrones ended its eight-year run this week. And Australian TV host Grant Denyer marked the highly-anticipated season finale on Monday night by sharing a photo to Instagram of a bizarre DIY 'Iron Throne'. The 41-year-old comedian posted a picture of a toilet that had been spectacularly transformed with tin foil, alongside the caption: 'This is all I have left now.' Foil-ing around! Grant Denyer paid tribute to Game of Thrones' dramatic finale by sharing a photo of a TOILET that had been transformed into the Iron Throne While many fans assumed Grant had painstakingly wrapped his toilet in aluminium foil himself, he later revealed it wasn't his doing. A spokesperson for Grant's employer 2Day FM confirmed to Daily Mail Australia the photo had actually been sourced from a fan online. The impressive GOT tribute featured a backboard of swords, with foil completely wrapped over the entire toilet. That's dedication! While many fans assumed Grant had painstakingly wrapped his toilet in aluminium foil himself, he later revealed it wasn't his doing Pictured: The Iron Throne is a metonym for the fictional monarchy of Westeros as well as the physical throne of its monarch in Game of Thrones Game of Thrones has garnered a massive global audience since its debut in 2011. The HBO series recorded an astonishing 19.3 million viewers in the U.S. alone on Sunday evening. The first episode of Game of Thrones' final season was also a ratings smash for Foxtel in Australia, with more than one million people tuning in. End of an era: HBO series Game Of Thrones recorded an astonishing 19.3 million viewers in the US. alone on Sunday evening Meanwhile, Grant lives with wife Chezzi Denyer and their two daughters, three-year-old Scout and eight-year-old Sailor, on a 27-acre country estate in Bathurst. The 2Day FM radio presenter recently returned to TV to host quiz show Celebrity Name Game on Channel 10. He famously won the Gold Logie in 2018 for his work on Family Feud, which has since been cancelled. It's time for Drake fans to dig out their wallets. On Monday, it was reported that the rapper's old notebook is now up for sale for a whopping $35,000. The pages, which are filled with the 32-year-old's writings, are being sold through online memorabilia company Moments in Time. Stacks: On Monday it was reported that 32-year-old Drake's old notebook is up for sale for a whopping $35,000. Pictured in 2017 After being discarded, Drake's scribbles were found in a dumpster near his grandfather's furniture factory in Toronto, Canada. The notebook, which is from around 2000, featured a Lacoste sticker on the cover with the stage name of the Hotline Bling hitmaker - whose real name is Aubrey Graham - written above it in bold lettering. According to TMZ, inside the journal Drake wrote about buying a Lacoste jacket for $171 and listed another shirt and a hat by the fashion brand under his 'must-haves.' According to TMZ, inside the journal Drake wrote about buying a Lacoste jacket for $171 and listed another shirt and a hat by the fashion brand under his 'must-haves.' Pictured in 2015 Also making his wish list were a pair of Adidas sneakers and various items from Nike. On another page were lyrics to a song called "Smell P***y", which included some vulgar lines. This isn't the first famous notebook Moments in Time has put up for sale recently either. In March, Lil Wayne sent a legal letter to the company - who were selling his 1999 jotter for $250,000 - insisting he is the rightful owner of the collection of lyrics and the broker doesn't have permission to sell or transfer the book to anyone. Wayne's legal team argued he never abandoned the notebook - which was discovered in one of his old cars - as he just misplaced it and was thrilled to learn it had been found. Up for grabs: In March, Lil Wayne sent a legal letter to the company - who were selling his 1999 jotter for $250,000. Pictured in 2019 They accused the man who found it had 'absconded with the notebook' and deliberately concealed it for years in order to cash in. It was previously claimed the seller found the notebook when a dealership he worked for took ownership of one of Wayne's old cars and he rummaged through what had been left inside the vehicle. The book had some signs of water damage, which the man explained were due to it getting close to being destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. The unnamed man stored the notebook in a box in his garage and his home, which were severely damaged when the natural disaster hit in 2005. Drake's notebook sale follows his achievement in hitting a career milestone earlier this month at the Billboard Music Awards where he accepted the Top Billboard 200 Album for Scorpion. He ended up winning 12 awards in total on the night, of 17 nominations, which brings his all-time total to 27 Billboard Music Awards. That number makes Drake the talent with the most BBMA's of any artist ever. Successful night: Drake's notebook sale follows his achievement in hitting a career milestone earlier this month at the Billboard Music Awards where he accepted the Top Billboard 200 Album for Scorpion Drake also won Top Male Artist, beating out Post Malone, Travis Scott, Ed Sheeran and the late XXXTentacion. The Canadian rapper also won the coveted Top Artist award, along with Top Streaming Artist, Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Radio Songs Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Song Sales Artist, Top Rap Artist, Top Rap Male Artist, Top Streaming Song and Top Rap Album. Drake recently wrapped up his Assassination Vacation tour, where he revealed he's currently working on a new album. Sylvia Jeffreys joined the A Current Affair team in February, after being sacked as Today's newsreader late last year. And on Monday's episode of ACA, the reporter confronted Sydney tradesman Dylan Dahl over a fatal car crash that killed his 18-year-old friend in 2016. But it wasn't a successful shakedown for Sylvia, as Dahl failed to remove his wireless earbuds and completely ignored her questions. 'Why did you get behind the wheel that night?' Sylvia Jeffreys confronted Sydney tradie Dylan Dahl on Monday's episode of A Current Affair over a fatal crash that occurred in late 2016 'Sylvia Jeffreys from A Current Affair, I'd just like to ask you a few questions about the crash in Dapto,' she said while approaching Dylan. She continued: 'Why did you get behind the wheel that night?' Appearing confused by her presence, Dahl pointed to his earphones, which prompted Sylvia to say: 'If you, er, take your headphones out you'll be able to hear.' 'If you, er, take your headphones out you'll be able to hear': During the exchange, Dahl failed to remove his wireless earbuds and completely ignored Sylvia's questions New role: Sylvia joined the A Current Affair team in February, after being sacked as Today's newsreader late last year Dahl, 24, was high on drugs when he crashed his car into a tree on a stretch of road near Wollongong, an hour south of Sydney, in November 2016. Passenger Jayke Robinson, 18, burned to death in the fatal accident. The car had burst into flames, but a passing motorist was able to drag Dahl away from the wreckage to safety. In 2018, Dahl pleaded guilty to negligent driving, speeding at more than 100km/h in an 80km/h zone and admitting to having ice and ecstasy in his system. Horror smash: Dahl, 24, was high on ice and ecstasy when he crashed his car into a tree on a stretch of road near Wollongong, an hour south of Sydney, in 2016 Tragedy: Passenger Jayke Robinson (pictured) burned to death in the fatal accident. He was just 18 years old But he was found not guilty of dangerous driving because the judge said the poor road conditions and insufficient warning signs at the bend were partly to blame. While the judge did consider jail time, he only sentenced Dahl to pay a $250 fine and complete 200 hours of community service. He also imposed a four-year driving ban. The incident was featured on Monday episode of A Current Affair, with Jayke's mother Bec Hills saying she feels Dylan got off 'scot-free'. Rocketman wowed critics at it's Cannes premiere on Thursday night as they praised Taron Egerton's performance and the film's candid portrayal of Elton John's rise to fame. On Monday, the 'true fantasy' film made a star studded UK premiere in London and Kelly Osbourne was sure not to miss it. Osbourne, 34, hit the blue carpet looking fierce in with her boyfriend, 30-year-old model Jimmy Q. Cute couple: Kelly Osbourne linked arms with boyfriend Jimmy Q as they stayed close by each others' side on the blue carpet Osbourne opted for an all-black ensemble, pairing a black dress with an asymmetrical hem with a black leather jacket and sky high black heels. Even her toenails were painted black. The reality star wore a simple necklace and silver hoop earrings and rings and carried a black clutch with her. Her short lilac hair stood out against her black-on-black look while she sported rose gold eye shadow and pink lips. Flawless: Kelly opted for an all-black ensemble, with her lilac hair standing out next to her flawless visage Fierce: The reality star's short lilac hair stood out against her black-on-black look while she sported rose gold eye shadow and pink lips Her beau close a grey suit with a retro grey dress shirt underneath. The model donned two fistfuls of rings on his tattooed fingers while his neck, also covered in tattoos, was on full display. The new couple linked arms as they snapped photos on the carpet. This marks the second red carpet appearance for the new couple, the first being the LGBT Awards in London on Friday night. Group photo: Osbourne and Jimmy Q pose with Fat Tony at the UK premiere of Rocketman New beau: The new couple linked arms as they snapped photos on the carpet Osbourne and Jimmy Q were first spotted together in April, they posed together with friend Christopher Abrego for a photo he then shared on his Instagram. She was then spotted at a party with Jimmy Q and Eugene Hutz, which the latter captioned with: 'Too much fun this week la-nola-ny with da fun mob ... & till the next time migos xx.' Kelly and Jimmy Q have since put on several flirty public displays holiday hands and linking arms around Hollywood. Other attendees at the Rocketman UK premiere included Sir Elton John, Taron Egerton and Bryce Dallas Howard. Rocketman: Sir Elton John appeared on the blue carpet on Monday alongside Taron Egerton at the UK premiere of Rocketman Rocketman is a 'true fantasy' film that depicts the Sir Elton John's rise to fame in the 1970s. Director Dexter Fletcher called it 'Eltons magical retelling of his own life.' Early reviews from the biopic's premiere at Cannes has shown that the film is sure to be an even bigger hit than 2018's Bohemian Rhapsody. The movie is slated for release on May 22. A flamboyant display: Rocketman's official trailer gave fans a glimpse at the true fantasy's stunning costumes, sprawling musical numbers and Taron's singing She is 14 weeks pregnant with her first child. And Davina Rankin looked positively glowing on Tuesday when she took her dog, Dorito, for a morning walk in Brisbane. The former Married At First Sight star, 28, cradled her tiny bump during the stroll while covering up in a grey jumper. Scroll down for video Baby, it's cold outside! Pregnant MAFS star Davina Rankin looked positively radiant on Tuesday morning when she took a morning stroll with her dog in Brisbane Davina is set to welcome her first child with boyfriend Jaxon Manuel later this year, with the couple announcing the news earlier this month. During her brisk morning walk, the brunette showed off her toned legs in a pair of workout shorts and white sneakers. Davina appeared to sport minimal makeup for the occasion and styled her hair into a ponytail with a black velvet scrunchie. She's glowing! Davina appeared to sport minimal makeup for the occasion and styled her hair into a ponytail with a black velvet scrunchie She was all smiles while listening to headphones, and was also seen bringing in her wheelie bin after returning to her house. Davina, who was joined by her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel on a leash, also carried a plastic bag to clean up after her pet. In a video uploaded to YouTube on Monday, Davina explained that she initially suspected her baby will be a girl. Running errands: She was all smiles while listening to headphones, and was also seen bringing in her wheelie bin after returning to her house But after seeing her sonographer's reaction during a recent ultrasound scan, she now believes it could be a boy. Davina added: 'I already have a name for her and I'm calling it "her", like it is a her.' 'We're going to do a gender reveal, but we don't know the gender yet. We'll find out the same time as our family.' Happy family! She has been dating cafe owner Jaxon Manuel for over one year now, but says they are in no rush to get married Davina has been dating cafe owner Jaxon for over one year now, but says they are in no rush to get married. Instead, the couple are focusing on their new arrival and their plans to buy a house. She also hopes that becoming a mother will help people to realise she is a 'different person' to the impulsive young bride who appeared on MAFS last year. Davina had starred on the show's fifth season and found herself at the centre of a cheating scandal after plotting an 'affair' with fellow contestant Dean Wells. He launched his career in his 1980 breakout role on Blue Lagoon. But nowadays, Christopher Atkin, 58, is back in the spotlight for a very different gig - to play a stripper in the theatre show Ladies Night. He told The Daily Telegraph on Monday that he's not shy about getting his gear off. 'My whole career has been getting my gear off!': The Blue Lagoon star Christopher Atkins, 58, to perform as a stripper in Ladies Only theatre show. Pictured (left in 1980) and (right last year) 'As far as getting my gear off, no I'm not shy about that at all,' he said. 'My whole fricken career has been getting my gear off - I'm waiting for them to pay me to keep my clothes on!' The Blue Lagoon was Christopher's breakout role and turned him into an overnight sensation at age 18. Breakout role: The Blue Lagoon was Christopher's breakout role and turned him into an overnight sensation at age 18. While it was panned by critics, the film became a cult classic, and set the scene for his and Brooke Shields' (pictured) careers in the spotlight While it was panned by critics, the film became a cult classic, and set the scene for his and Brooke Shields' careers in the spotlight. In 2013, he told Oprah Winfrey's Where Are They Now? that he received overwhelming attention from female fans after starring in The Blue Lagoon. 'I mean, my hair was pulled, my shirt was ripped - it was the last thing that I ever in a million years thought that my life path would have gone,' he said. From beach maroon to Texan cowboy: Christopher worked Priscilla Presley on the set of Dallas While Brooke went on to thrive in Hollywood, Christopher has taken a break from Hollywood in recent years. He appears to spend lots of time in Australia, according to his Instagram. Ladies' Night kicks off around Australia on May 28. Fashion designer Alex Perry has made no secret of the fact he relies on fillers and Botox to achieve his unique appearance. And during an interview with The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Monday, the 56-year-old raised eyebrows when he displayed a noticeably puffy visage. After in-studio footage was shared to Instagram, KIIS FM listeners soon began accusing Alex of overdoing the cosmetic work and having one too many 'facelifts'. Scroll down for video 'How many facelifts has he had?' Fans have accused Alex Perry of having more plastic surgery, after he looked noticeably puffy during a radio interview on Monday (right). Left: Alex in 2018 'How many facelifts has he had?' one fan asked, prompting another to comment: 'He looks like an old sock.' It comes after a leading plastic surgeon accused the fashionista of 'excessive' use of anti-wrinkle injections last year. Dr. Randal Haworth observed that Alex looks remarkably different in before and after photos and may have taken things too far. The Beverly Hills-based surgeon also claimed that Alex's face now looks rather 'crowded' as a result of 'too much' filler. That's gotta hurt! After footage of Alex's interview with The Kyle and Jackie O Show was shared to Instagram, fans soon began accusing him of having one too many 'facelifts' Candid: Alex (pictured on Kyle and Jackie O) has made no secret of the fact he relies on fillers and Botox to achieve his unique appearance 'There is no denying that Mr. Perry has undergone significant change to his countenance,' Dr. Haworth said at the time. 'Compared to his younger self, his face is now "crowded", making his eyes appear smaller and closer set. 'Most likely, a generous recipe of injected filler and more than a drizzle of Botox in and around his forehead, brows and temples contributed to this look.' 'Compared to his younger self, his face is now crowded': Last year, plastic surgeon Dr. Randal Haworth criticised Alex's 'excessive' use of Botox and fillers. Pictured left: Alex in March 2002, and right:in September 2017 'Additionally, his mid-face (the area between his lower eyes and upper lip) has been amply plumped to attain the "apple cheek", a feature I feel is best left flatter in men,' he added. Dr. Haworth went on to say that it's hard to determine whether Alex's cosmetic work is permanent or temporary. 'Hopefully the fillers used to obtain Mr. Perry's current look are absorbable and therefore temporary,' he said. 'However, if fat was used (which is a permanent, living filler) his options, unfortunately, will be more limited.' Alex, whose celebrity fans include Rihanna and Kim Kardashian, told Yahoo Lifestyle in 2013 that he is not ashamed of using fillers and Botox. 'There is nothing not real, there are a few fillers and there is a bit of Botox but that's that. That's normal, right?... It's all real. It's all real,' he said. In 2016, the Australia's Next Top Model judge was criticised for his appearance by one of the show's contestants, Kassidy Ure. After Alex criticised one of her photos, she sniped back: 'At least my lips are real!' Meghan Markle reportedly asked TV personality Lizzie Cundy to help her find a 'famous British man', three years before she met Prince Harry. Lizzie, 50, claims she became friends with The Duchess of Sussex, 36, after the pair hit it off at a charity dinner together in 2013. 'We were having a girly chat and then she said, "Do you know any famous guys? Im single and I really love English men", so I said, "Well go out and find you someone", she told The Sun. Looking for love: Meghan Markle reportedly asked Lizzie Cundy to help her find a 'famous British man', three years before she met Prince Harry Lizzie said she showed the former Suits star, who had divorced first husband Trevor Engelson, 42, three months prior to her London trip, a picture of footballer Ashley Cole who she ruled out because of his bad reputation. Lizzie said the pair then met up again at the Global Gift Gala the following day: 'Meghans so relaxed, she liked a drink, great fun, I remember her asking about my boys, she was very interested and asking lots of questions.' The television personality added the pair kept in touch and was stunned when news broke of her relationship with Prince Harry. Love at first sight: In June 2016, Markle began a relationship with Prince Harry, whom she had met on a blind date set up by a mutual friend (pictured last year) 'I texted saying, "Oh my god, I heard about Harry". And she was like, "Yeah I know. Well try and hook up". But shortly after Lizzie said Meghan ghosted her, admitting she believes the actress was 'advised to end contact with people she befriended in the media'. Lizzie details many of her explosive superstar stories in her new book, Tales from the Red Carpet, which is available to buy now on Amazon. Piers Morgan also previously detailed how Meghan cut ties with him. The Good Morning Britain host said back in March: 'I got to know her quite well over two year period. We would message each other a lot, e-mail a lot.' Pals: Lizzie claims she became friends with The Duchess of Sussex, 36, after the pair hit it off at a charity dinner together back in 2013 Piers recalled a time the pair met up in London. 'I had a couple of pints of real ale and she had dirty martinis,' he said. 'She said afterwards in the cab "I had a great time. Love to see you again." It was purely platonic I hasten to add. 'She went in that cab that night to a party Prince Harry was at and the next night she went on the date with him. I never heard from her again. Ever. 'I don't like people that behave like that. It's kind of rude. It showed me that she, I'm afraid, is probably a bit of social climber.' Met her prince: Lizzie, 50, said : 'We were having a girly chat and then she said, "Do you know any famous guys? Im single and I really love English men" Piers finished his answer with a word of warning to Prince Harry. He said: 'Good luck to Harry. I hope he knows what he's doing. If it all goes wrong don't come try crying to me. Don't say I didn't warn you.' In June 2016, Markle began a relationship with Prince Harry, whom she had met on a blind date set up by a mutual friend. They wed in May last year at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. On May 6, 2019, and the Duchess gave birth to Archie Mountbatten-Windsor,who is seventh in line to the throne. She found herself in the centre of a love triangle on Sunday night's TOWIE. But Shelby Tribble flew solo as she headed to Lizzie Cundy's book launch Tales From The Red Carpet at Tramp nightclub in London on Monday night. The reality star, 26, flaunted her ample cleavage in a burnt orange knit bodysuit, which she tucked into light-wash ripped denim jeans. Stepping out: Shelby Tribble flew solo as she headed to Lizzie Cundy's book launch Tales From The Red Carpet at Tramp nightclub in London on Monday night Shelby cut a chic figure in her casual evening ensemble, shrugging a white form-fitting blazer over her shoulders. She amped up the glamour by adding a boost to her height with perspex heels and accessorised the look with a snakeskin print bag. Styling her brunette locks in crimped waves, the former beauty pageant queen enhanced her golden tan with a plump pink pout. Busty display: The reality star, 26, flaunted her ample cleavage in a burnt orange knit bodysuit, which she tucked into light-wash ripped denim jeans Shelby's appearance comes after Sam Mucklow revealed he had ignited their turbulent relationship on TOWIE on Sunday night. The Lothario, 27, dropped the bombshell that himself and Shelby had started texting again, causing his furious love rival Tom McDonnell to brand him 'slippery'. Revealing the news to Tom's best friend Harry Lee, Sam confidently said: 'Me and Shelby have just been chatting again, it's harmless flirting. She's not with Tom. Gorgeous: Styling her brunette locks in crimped waves, the former beauty pageant queen enhanced her golden tan with a plump pink pout 'She's being very vague about him and just said "it's early doors", so I don't see any harm in it.' To which Harry replied: 'Tom respects her. He's a lovely boy. I don't want to see him get mugged off.' Hinting that Shelby's affections towards the personal trainer weren't strong, he said: 'I don't want to be putting a spike in their relationship. 'My personal opinion is if she was proper into him she wouldn't be texting me.' Stylish: She amped up the glamour by adding a boost to her height with perspex heels and accessorised the look with a snakeskin print bag In a teaser clip for next Sunday's grand finale, it seems like Shelby hasn't been completely honest with Tom about her 'flirty' friendship with Sam. With the girls having a go at her for running back to the Lothario after he 'clicked his fingers', Shelby then decided to pull Tom to the side to tell the truth. News of their reignited romance is a far cry from when Sam revealed to MailOnline he refused to film with her after feeling she manipulated their Thailand argument to her benefit. He said: 'Im quite intelligent and I was very naive and played. But listen, Shelby is a one-trick pony, without a relationship or a man in her life what else is she bringing to the show? Nothing.' She has been hosting the Hughesy and Kate show from Bologna since moving her family to Italy earlier this year. But on Monday Kate Langbroek stunned her Hit network co-host Dave Hughes by making a surprise arrival at their Melbourne studio, after staging an elaborate prank. Kate, 53, returned over the weekend and set up a room at the other end of the radio station that looked exactly like her Italian studio. Surprise! Kate Langbroek stunned her co-host Dave Hughes by making a surprise arrival at their Melbourne studio after staging an elaborate prank on Monday Dave was none the wiser when the mother-of-four excused herself to go the bathroom during an ad break but did not return. 'If you're wondering where Kate is she has gone to the toilet and hasn't got back,' the comedian, 48, said before taking a dig at her recent high-profile interview. 'I don't know what's happening in Italy but if you get a big story in Stellar magazine...' he added before Kate burst into the studio. Clearly bemused by his co-host's antics, 'Hughesy' simply responded by saying 'that's weird' before remarking on the quality of the elaborate prank. Stunned: Clearly bemused by his co-host's antics, 'Hughesy' simply responded by saying 'that's weird' before remarking on the quality of the elaborate prank The two then shared a hug before Kate explained how she fooled Dave into believing she was still in Italy. 'So when I sent photos of you in the magazine and think you are on the other side of the world you're actually 300m away from me?' Dave said. Her surprise appearance comes after she revealed on Sunday she had been focusing more on her personal style since moving from Melbourne to Bologna. 'What an elaborate prank!' The two then shared a hug before Kate explained how she fooled Dave into believing she was still in Italy 'I think I've lifted my wardrobe game here a bit, because Italians are very sharp,' the 53-year-old told Stellar. 'You can see they know that we're not Italian, even when we're making an effort. 'We don't have that crisp look.' Kate, her husband Peter and their children have been living in Bologna since January. The couple are parents to Lewis, 15, Sunday, 14, Artie, 12, and Jan, nine. Having spent several years working as an executive at Channel Nine, few people are more qualified to discuss the disturbing truth behind reality TV than Rob McKnight. Speaking on his TV Blackbox podcast on Tuesday, McKnight warned that a 'tragedy is coming' unless networks begin taking better care of former reality stars. Responding to Sunday Night's expose of Married At First Sight, he said: 'We never know what is going to be the trigger point for someone... And I am just so thankful that in this country we have not had a tragic circumstance, but I think it's coming.' Scroll down for video Speaking out: Former Channel Nine executive Rob McKnight (pictured) spoke about the dangers of reality TV on his podcast, TV Blackbox, on Monday While McKnight agreed that morally questionable reality shows should be exposed, he said it was wrong for Channel Seven to launch an investigation without also examining its own programs, like My Kitchen Rules. In discussion with co-hosts Sarah Monahan and Steve Molk, the trio also claimed that certain shows are known to deprive contestants of sleep and ply them with alcohol in the hopes of creating heightened drama. But McKnight nonetheless said he has a hard time feeling sorry for reality stars, many of whom want to be famous and know exactly what they are signing up for. Dangerous territory: McKnight said he fears reality TV's suicide crisis could soon hit Australia. Pictured: Jessika Power and Mick Gould on Married At First Sight Tricks of the trade: McKnight claimed that some shows are notorious for depriving contestants of sleep and plying them with alcohol. Pictured: Grant Crapp and Tayla Damir on Love Island But whatever the circumstances, McKnight said that producers must always put the well-being of contestants first. He continued: 'Having said that, if you are in a position where you are basically being held hostage, being plied with alcohol and you do not feel comfortable - but you feel that you cannot walk away from that situation because you are under extreme pressure - let me tell you something: no channel has the right to hold you hostage. 'You can walk out of that situation any time you like. They will threaten you with contracts and legalities and all that kind of stuff, but no judge in the land is going to go in favour with a network, because no employer can force you to do something you don't want to do. There are laws in this country.' McKnight added that a network trying to sue a reality star would also result in a 'PR disaster', and no TV executive would want that on their hands. Duty of care: McKnight said that producers must always put the well-being of contestants first, whatever the circumstances. Pictured: Heidi Latcham on Married At First Sight Confronting: Ivan Krslovic struggled in the aftermath of Bachelor in Paradise, as he had to come to terms with some of the less flattering sides of his personality being shown on TV While McKnight acknowledged there are definitely 'editing tricks' used in reality TV, he said that many participants don't have a right to complain considering that they are in search of money, fame and attention. But when it comes to the mental health of contestants, regardless of how fame-hungry they appear to be, the networks still have a 'duty of care'. He then cited two recent cases in the UK of reality stars dying by suicide: Love Island's Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon. McKnight said that while Australia hasn't had any tragedies like these yet, he is concerned about the future of where reality TV is headed. She is known to flaunt her fabulous figure in an array of skin-flashing outfits on the red carpet. And Olivia Culpo turned heads at the star-studded Chopard Trophee dinner in Cannes, France on Monday night. The American model, 27, slipped into a glittering silver cut-out gown which showed off her toned abs and boasted a thigh-high split white satin skirt. Commanding attention: Olivia Culpo turned heads at the star-studded Chopard Trophee dinner in Cannes, France on Monday night Olivia drew attention to her ample cleavage in the bodice of the dress, which was encrusted with hundreds of gold and silver studs. Allowing the frock to take centre-stage, the Model Squad star elevated her tanned and toned pins with simple silver heels. The former Miss. Universe sported a glossy blowdry while her striking features were enhanced with a glamorous coat of make-up, that was applied by Laura Mercier Global Artistry Executive Jerry Johnson. Striking: The American model, 27, slipped into a glittering silver cut-out gown which showed off her toned abs and boasted a thigh-high split white satin skirt Jerry explained that the look focused on a flawless complexion, and the beauty pro first used the Laura Mercier Flawless Lumiere Radiance-Perfecting Foundation and the brand's Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Concealer to accentuate Olivia's 'naturally beautiful skin'. To set everything in place, Jerry used the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, and then added a stunning glow with the Face Illuminator Highlighting Powder. Her smokey eye was created with the Laura Mercier Caviar Sick Eye Contour in two different shades, while her lashes were given a major red carpet-ready makeover with the newly-launched Caviar Volume Panoramic Mascara. Et voila! The Trophee Chopard highlights the up-and-coming generation of the international film industry and rewards both a young actress and a young actor poised for a successful career on the silver screen. Trophee Chopard Laureates Francois Civil, 30, and Fighting With My Family star Florence Pugh, 23, posed together after being honoured at the star-studdeddinner. Francois is a French actor best known for playing the roles of Papillon in As Above and So Below and for his portrayal of Baraque in Frank. Wow: Olivia drew attention to her ample cleavage in the bodice of the dress, which was encrusted with hundreds of gold and silver studs Florence is an English actress who made her professional acting debut in the mystery film The Falling and had her breakthrough with a leading role in the independent drama Lady Macbeth. Actress Elle Fanning, French graphic novelist Enki Bilal and the Oscar-nominated director of The Favourite, Yorgos Lanthimos, will be among jury members during the annual event. Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu will preside over the panel that decides on prizes, including the top Palme D'Or award. The jury for the festival's 72nd edition will also include Pawel Pawlikowski, the Polish filmmaker and screenwriter named best director at Cannes last year for the impossible love story Cold War. Maimouna N'Diaye, who has directed documentaries and acted in films such as Otar Iosseliani's Chasing Butterflies will also sit on the panel, alongside two other female directors. If you'll recall, Liv and Digby decided last week that they'd like to go on a voyage of discovery in order to seek out Liv's forgotten libido. Last week she could not for the life of her find it. And everyone knew about it, Digby's masculine pride be damned. Her friends knew. Her mum knew. The vegan barista at Tom's Kitchen knew. But it seems that the problem has been solved purely by doing the self check-in on the Virgin Atlantic app because Liv is grinning like a Cheshire Cat and acting all randy before anybody's so much as been able to utter the words 'Grilled Springbok for me please!' Lothario: Jamie and Habbs make it their mission to distract her from him, which isn't always achievable when you're sleeping under the same roof in a foreign locale on Made In Chelsea That doesn't stop the clan nipping off to Cape Town to stay in a semi-glass villa. James is in attendance even though half of the vacationers hate him. Verity is STILL banging on about him. Jamie and Habbs make it their mission to distract her from him, which isn't always achievable when you're sleeping under the same roof in a foreign locale. Love-struck: Habbs brands her's and Jamie's mission 'Operation Erase James From Your Feelings'. Really rolls of the tongue doesn't it? Racy: If you'll recall, Liv and Digby decided last week that they'd like to go on a voyage of discovery in order to seek out Liv's forgotten libido Oh dear: Last week she could not for the life of her find it. And everyone knew about it, Digby's masculine pride be damned Raunchy: But it seems that the problem has been solved purely by doing the self check-in on the Virgin Atlantic app because Liv is grinning like a Cheshire Cat and acting all randy Habbs brands her's and Jamie's mission 'Operation Erase James From Your Feelings'. Really rolls of the tongue doesn't it? Back home, the ones that weren't allowed to go on the holiday are taking Instagram photos by the river in a rather tragic tableaux. Amelia doesn't like having her photograph taken. She reveals it's because she 'doesn't like herself'. First world problems: Miles can't concentrate on his acai bowl and he needs to hit 1500 Kcals by midday or he won't be allowed into the sauna at KXU Catching his eye: Anyway, turns out he inexplicably fancies Maeva again because he and her had a conversation last week where no one spat a French obscenity at the other one basically And so Angus and Maeva decide that the best way to overcome that is to take some time to regroup and breathe and learn to self-love. Only joking. Everyone knows the best way to learn to like yourself is to be validated in the eyes of someone else by getting back on the dating scene and letting a man absolutely obliterate your self worth completely. Sophie's got her breakfast buns out for the lads. Miles can't concentrate on his acai bowl and he needs to hit 1500 Kcals by midday or he won't be allowed into the sauna at KXU. Smooth talker: James is all over Eliza in Cape Town, obvs. Rosi didn't come on this trip because she's studying for her NQT or whatever Anyway, turns out he inexplicably fancies Maeva again because he and her had a conversation last week where no one spat a French obscenity at the other one basically. 'Schnaeva!' Sophie hisses, summing up the opinion of the nation. James is all over Eliza in Cape Town, obvs. Rosi didn't come on this trip because she's studying for her NQT or whatever. So this gives James free reign to bandy terms around to Eliza such as 'this is a couples holiday' and 'are we sharing a bed'. Confident display: Later, Eliza seems to have spilt white wine down herself and is getting a bit too sure of herself Later, Eliza seems to have spilt white wine down herself and is getting a bit too sure of herself. 'You're being naive if you think that has legs!' she snaps at Freddie who is trying to gently remind her that James is meant to be dating his dear friend Rosi. Eliza might be speaking the truth, but no-one likes a rowdy day-drinker on day one of the holiday. Maeva is using a man called Hugo to upset Miles. Not sure where she found him. Presumably under a moist stone in Belsize Park, but, regardless, here he is. Jealousy: Maeva is using a man called Hugo to upset Miles. Not sure where she found him. Presumably under a moist stone in Belsize Park, but, regardless, here he is She's decided to come to their date dressed as a Pearly Queen. Hugo remarks that he can see himself in the reflection of her blingy dress and for some odd reason Maeva seems to think this makes him seem a bit Christian Grey-esque. Ah yes, we all remember that scene in Fifty Shades when Christian stops tying Anastasia Steele to the bed post to tell her he likes a woman who isn't afraid to wear sequins. Hugo (correctly) deduces that Maeva has a 'ferocious' personality, to which she defiantly replies 'you don't know me' as if his assumption is not 100 per cent accurate. Back in Cape Town, James is fuming because Verity is going on a faux date with Jamie. 'She doesn't have any respect for me!' he declares to Eliza who has allowed half of her baggy top to fall loosely off her right shoulder in an attempt to entice him. But no! James is too furious about not getting the respect he - a man who has triple-timed three blondes to the point they are all becoming legitimately insane - deserves! Furious: Back in Cape Town, James is fuming because Verity is going on a faux date with Jamie Don't worry though everyone. Jamie's date with Verity isn't a proper one. It's merely used as a tool to help him realise that he'd quite like to date his best friend and apparently, out of nowhere, that is Habbs. At Maeva's champagne soiree, Sophie is batting away snails ('Escar-no!') while Amelia is talking with a fantastic husk to her voice. Maeva decides it's appropriate to announce in front of Sammy that she, Miles and champagne are 'a naughty combination' and that Miles basically would rather have come to the party on the arm of a bag of haggis than with Sammy. Yummy: At Maeva's champagne soiree, Sophie is batting away snails ('Escar-no!') while Amelia is talking with a fantastic husk to her voice Sammy's having none of this and storms out, but not before telling Maeva what she thinks of her. Maeva pretends she is innocent and that she didn't essentially set up the entire party as a way to entice Miles back into her oppressive French arms. Back on the holiday, they're BBQ-ing tentacles in an attempt to send James into anaphylactic shock. Speaking of tentacles, turns out Liv and Digby have finally had the sex and so the trip has been a resounding success. The way Liv is walking about with a very wide smile constantly affixed to her lips almost seems too false though and I wonder whether actually, when their bedroom door closed at night, these two got into the bath together, full-clothed, and wept. Jamie's got a secret - Habbs is his best friend! Translated, this means that Jamie has remembered that at Christmas 2013 he told Lucy Watson the same thing in a horse-drawn carriage and that seemed to work for her so he may as well give this tactic another bash. Sophie Turner has taken aim at 'disrespectful' Game of Thrones viewers who have signed a petition to remake the final season. The 23-year-old actress blasted fans who 'rubbish it because it's not what they want to see', after the campaign to redo season eight reached more than 1.3million supporters. Discussing the fate of Daenerys in particular, she told the New York Times that the popular character's dark turn in the final episodes 'shouldn't be such a negative thing for fans'. Her co-star Kit Harington also came to the show's defense, saying Emilia Clarke's Daenerys had 'done some terrible things' throughout the series and not just at the end. Firing back: With fans still processing the series finale of Game of Thrones series finale, series star Sophie Turner is taking aim at fans who created a petition to remake the final season Some disappointed viewers have said they felt Emilia Clarke's character deserved a better ending. Turner said: 'Daenerys becoming something of the Mad Queen - it shouldn't be such a negative thing for fans. It's a shock for sure, but I think it's just because it hasn't gone their way. 'All of these petitions and things like that - I think it's disrespectful to the crew, and the writers, and the filmmakers who have worked tirelessly over 10 years, and for 11 months shooting the last season. 'So many people worked so, so hard on it, and for people to just rubbish it because it's not what they want to see is just disrespectful,' she said. She also mentioned '50-something night shoots', referring to the epic Battle of Winterfell sequence that took 55 nights to film and set a record as the biggest battle sequence in film and television history. The petition to replace the final season had more than 1,350,000 signatures early on Tuesday morning. Disrespectful: 'So many people worked so, so hard on it, and for people to just rubbish it because it's not what they want to see is just disrespectful,' said Turner (pictured in role as Sansa Stark) The petition to remake the final season of Game of Thrones - featuring an image of the Night King - had more than 1.3million supporters by Tuesday morning Hosted on Change.org, it has the critical title: 'Remake Game of Thrones Season 8 with competent writers'. Its authors said: 'David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have proven themselves to be woefully incompetent writers when they have no source material (i.e. the books) to fall back on. 'This series deserves a final season that makes sense. Subvert my expectations and make it happen, HBO!' The series was based on novels by George R.R. Martin but the TV show has outpaced the books, meaning showrunners did not have the same source material to base the final season on. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Kit Harington said some of the audience was 'in denial' about Daenerys. He said: 'I think it's going to divide. But if you track her story all the way back, she does some terrible things. 'She crucifies people. She burns people alive. This has been building. So, we have to say to the audience: You're in denial about this woman as well. 'You knew something was wrong. You're culpable, you cheered her on.' King Bran: Sophie Turner, pictured in role as Sansa Stark, came to the show's defense after hundreds of thousands of viewers demanded a remake In Sunday's final episode Daenerys was stabbed through the heart by Kit Harington's Jon Snow, after she had burned Kings Landing to the ground in a murderous rage in the previous episode. One viewer said that 'I've always rooted for Daenerys and honestly that season finale broke my heart'. Another said on Twitter: 'My heart is broken, I demand justice for Daenerys, the only one true character of Game of Thrones'. 'Daenerys deserves so much better. I am so devastated,' posted another. Before the final episode, writer Stephen King defended the character's storyline, saying: 'I've loved this last season of GoT, including Dani going bugs*** all over King's Landing. 'There's been a lot of negativity about the windup, but I think it's just because people don't want ANY ending. But you know what they say: All good things...' He went on to praise the show's 'enthralling fantasy and human drama' and called it a 'groundbreaking' series. Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan said: 'Nothing sums up the snowflake generation more than this ridiculous petition to have the final season rewritten. 'If they don't get what they want, whether it's Trump, Brexit or a TV show, they lie on the floor screaming 'I REFUSE TO ACCEPT THAT - DO IT AGAIN!!!!!'. Husband and wife: Turner, who recently got married to Joe Jonas in a surprise ceremony in Las Vegas after the Billboard Music Awards, is gearing up for a big movie next month Turner's own character, Sansa Stark, ended the series as Queen in the North. She went on: 'People always have an idea in their heads of how they want a show to finish, and so when it doesn't go to their liking, they start to speak up about it and rebel.' Defending the show, she said there had 'always been crazy twists and turns' since the first season, beginning with Ned Stark's beheading. Turner also addressed the surprise reveal that her character's brother Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright) was named the new king of Westeros. She admitted it was 'unexpected', but insisted it 'made a lot of sense' and said she believed Bran would be an 'incredibly fair ruler'. Turner, who recently got married to Joe Jonas in a surprise ceremony in Las Vegas after the Billboard Music Awards, is gearing up for a big movie next month. The actress returns as Jean Grey in 20th Century Fox's highly-anticipated X-Men: Dark Phoenix, which is slated to hit theaters June 7. She also stars in Broken Soldier, alongside Ray Liotta, which doesn't have a release date at this time. George R.R. Martin has also offered his thoughts on the finale, saying cryptically: 'How will it all end? I hear people asking. The same ending as the show? Different? Well yes. And no. And yes. And no. And yes. And no. And yes.' Lily-Rose Depp left little to the imagination as she made her way through Los Angeles on Monday. Johnny Depp's 19-year-old daughter wore a tight blue shirt with no bra underneath while running errands. She added to the risque look with a short black mini skirt. Free as can be: Lily-Rose Depp, 19, left little to the imagination as she made her way through Los Angeles on Monday while running errands braless The actress rocked white sneakers with Velcro straps for the outing. And over her tiny blue shirt she also donned an open black cardigan. Her assets were easily seen as she accessorized with thin gold chain necklaces. In a hurry: Lily carried papers with her along with a water bottle, plastic shopping bag and tan purse Lily carried papers with her along with a water bottle, plastic shopping bag and tan purse. She wore her blonde hair pulled back into a braid as well. After picking up a few things, the A Faithful Man star dashed across the sidewalk, shielding her face from the sun with one hand. Got to go: After picking up a few things, the A Faithful Man star dashed across the sidewalk, shielding her face from the sun with one hand Coming up, the starlet will be seen in new movie, Dreamland. Appearing with Armie Hammer and Michelle Rodriguez, Lily-Rose will act in the film about a drug trafficker smuggling Fentanyl between the U.S. and Canada. The Vogue Cover Girl will also be seen in The King and Moose Jaws coming up. Lily-Rose is the eldest child of Vanessa Paradis, 46, and Johnny Depp, 55. They also share a 16-year-old son together, John Christopher Depp III. Since her parent's separation in 2012 after a 14 year relationship, Lily-Rose currently divides her time between Los Angeles and Paris. Princess: Lily-Rose is the eldest child of Vanessa Paradis, 46, and Johnny Depp, 55. Pictured at the 2019 Met Gala Vanessa is now remarried to Samuel Benchetrit after first meeting him on the set of Dog in 2018. As for Johnny, he also went on to date again and married Amber Heard in 2015 before their 2017 divorce and prior to both the women, he was wed to Lori Anne Allison from 1983 to 1986. His model and actress daughter is rumoured to be dating Oscar-nominated actor Timothee Chalamet, who went to the same Manhattan performing arts high school as Ansel Elgort. Lily-Rose and Timothee are currently working on The King together with Robert Pattinson. Timothee was asked about the rumoured romance at the Golden Globes, which he attended on the arm of his mother Nicole Flender. 'I'm here with Mom,' the Call Me By Your Name and Lady Bird said to Access Hollywood when they brought up the subject. He and Lily-Rose have more than their acting careers in common - each of them has one parent who was born in the United States and one from France. 'You ain't never had a friend like me,' is probably what James Corden was thinking to himself when he and Will Smith took to the streets on Monday. The duo, along with a full cast of actors and dancers, interrupted traffic momentarily to give drivers in Los Angeles a special treat. Smith, 50, donned a genie costume and Corden, 40 wore a monkey suit to surprise passers by with an Aladdin themed crosswalk musical segment. Free performance: Will Smith donned a genie costume while James Corden wore a monkey suit for an Aladdin themed musical in a crosswalk in Los Angeles on Monday Smith smiled while he carried a banana as the two headed out to the crosswalk, which is just around the corner from The Late Late Show studios in Los Angeles. The Men in Black actor wore an elaborate blue costume that included genie's red belt, gold cuffs and iconic ponytail. Corden clapped and made monkey noises behind Smith. The tail on his monkey costume wagged behind him while he sported Abu's classic red hat and vest. Bust a move: The Men in Black actor wore an elaborate blue costume that included genie's red belt, gold cuffs and iconic ponytail Fresh Prince Ali: Some of the photos feature dancers, animals and trumpets, similar to the scene where 'Prince Ali' is sung in the original 1992 film. From elephants to sword wielding Arabian men to our favorite characters like Jasmine, Aladdin and the flying carpet, this crosswalk musical pulled out all the stops. The segment, which has yet to air, typically features the biggest numbers from the shows they recreate, and Aladdin sure has quite a number to choose from. Some of the photos feature dancers, animals and trumpets, similar to the scene where 'Prince Ali' is sung in the original 1992 film. A Whole New World: Other photos feature the flying carpet, which is front and center during the songs 'A Whole New World,' and 'Never Had A Friend Like Me' See the resemblance? Abu and the magic flying carpet had their moment in the crosswalk musical (from the original 1992 Disney movie) Other photos feature the flying carpet, which is front and center during the songs 'A Whole New World,' and 'Never Had A Friend Like Me.' After the show, the crosswalk musical cast held hands and took a bow, as is tradition. And it appears their performance was well received, as Smith was seen bowing over a bouquet of red roses, seemingly thrown at his feet. 2019 Aladdin: The Corden version didn't forget to include the feathers (from the new 2019 live action Disney film) Song and dance: From elephants to sword wielding Arabian men to our favorite characters like Jasmine, Aladdin and the flying carpet, this crosswalk musical pulled out all the stops The new film will be released nationwide in just four days on May 24. The Fresh Prince actor has been making the rounds to promote Disney's live action version of Aladdin, in which he also plays the genie. The cast kicked off a promotional tour for the Disney live-action remake of Aladdin six days ago in Jordan. Never Had A Friend Like Me: The Fresh Prince actor has been making the rounds to promote Disney's live action version of Aladdin, in which he also plays the genie Take a bow: After the show, the crosswalk musical cast held hands and took a bow, as is tradition Encore: It appears their performance was well received, as Smith was seen bowing over a bouquet of red roses, seemingly thrown at his feet And just yesterday, Will Smith and his co-stars Naomi Scott and Mena Massoud touched back down in Los Angeles. Initially, Smith said he wasn't sure about taking on the iconic character of Genie that had been voiced by the inimitable Robin Williams in the 1992 animated version. 'Robin Williams smashed that role, you know?' Smith said. 'When you look at things like that you always try to find "What would you do differently? What would you add to that?"' Committed: Initially, Smith said he wasn't sure about taking on the iconic character of Genie that had been voiced by the inimitable Robin Williams in the 1992 animated version Not exactly Arabian Nights: While this musical was filmed in LA, to add authenticity to the story, parts of the new film were shot on location in Jordan Triple threat: 'It's singing, dancing, rapping - it's everything man,' Smith said. 'It's spectacular.' He explained that eventually he knew that could bring something distinct to the role that would make it different, instead of competing with Williams' portrayal. 'It's singing, dancing, rapping - it's everything man,' he enthused. 'It's spectacular.' To add authenticity to the re-telling of the story, parts of the film were shot on location in Jordan. She's a fashionista both on screen and off. And on Monday, Lucy Hale, 29, stepped out wearing trendy distressed jeans in Los Angeles. She then switched into something more comfortable and was spotted ready for the gym in workout apparel. Laid back: On Monday, Lucy Hale, 29, stepped out wearing trendy distressed jeans in Los Angeles For her chill day, Lucy wore light black and grey jeans that featured rips across her knees. The high waisted skinny pants had a lighter grey shirt tucked into them. She rocked worn out white sneakers and a black bomber jacket with white stripes over the look. Chill chick: She donned worn out white sneakers and a black bomber jacket with white stripes over the look Sweet: She wore her short brunette hair down and parted evenly in the middle Lucy also carried a green cross body purse. The eclectic style was added to with Hale's round Ray-Ban sunglasses. She wore her short brunette hair down and parted evenly in the middle. The Katy Keene actress smiled as she left a strip mall filled with nail salons behind her in Studio City. Happy babe: The Katy Keene actress smiled as she left a strip mall filled with nail salons behind her in Studio City Casual: Lucy appeared in good spirits as she ran errands around LA on Monday Later on, Hale got into something even more comfortable. The Pretty Little Liars' star changed into workout gear for the later hours of the day. She wore long hot pink leggings with a giant black hoodie and pulled her hair half back for her second trip out. Details: The eclectic style was added to with Hale's round Ray-Ban sunglasses Gym ready: wore long hot pink leggings with a giant black hoodie and pulled her hair half back for her second trip out Hale's new series Katy Keene is a musical comedy-drama about an Archie Comics character of the same name who originated in 1945 as the brainchild of cartoonist Bill Woggon. Hale plays the title character, an aspiring fashion designer, navigating her way through New York City. She befriends other struggling artists who are also trying to make it on Broadway, the runway and in the recording studio. The series also stars Ashleigh Murray, Camille Hyde, Jonny Beauchamp, Julia Chan, Lucien Laviscount, Zane Holtz and Katherine LaBasa. Hale is best known for her role as Aria Montgomery on the series Pretty Little Liars from 2010 to 2017. Grant Denyer has sensationally hit back at a story published by New Idea that suggested he has been lying about his recent back injury. On Monday, the magazine ran a series of photos showing Grant handling luggage at Sydney Airport, and claimed that 'people are wondering if there is more to the story'. Speaking on 2DayFM's breakfast show on Tuesday, the 41-year-old comedian insisted there was absolutely no truth to the report. Scroll down for audio Fake news! Grant Denyer has unleashed on New Idea magazine for suggesting that his recent health problems didn't just include a back problem. Pictured recovering in hospital 'This story is claiming that my injury is fake and I didn't have a back injury at all for six weeks, merely because I had to get some luggage off the carousel,' he said. The Celebrity Name Game host added that he was on his own at the luggage carousel and had no other option but to pick up the bags himself. Grant's co-host Ed Kavalee then pointed out that one of the photos showed Grant lugging a suitcase with a 'heavy' tag on it, prompting him to become defensive. Fabricated report: New Idea published a series of photos showing Grant handling luggage at Sydney Airport, and claimed that 'people are wondering if there is more to the story'. Pictured with his children, Sailor and Scout, while in hospital recovering from a torn disc Hitting back: 'This story is claiming that my injury is fake and I didn't have a back injury at all for six weeks, merely because I had to get some luggage off the carousel,' Grant said on 2Day FM 'It was heavy!' Grant snapped. 'This is the worst bit. I'm the only one there, there was no one to help me. I do have an injury, but the baggage carousel is 20 centimetres off the ground, all I've got to do is roll it off that,' he explained. 'The photographer stood behind me, didn't help and elected to take photos of me getting the bag rather than helping me take the bag!' Setting the record straight: Grant addressed the false story during his 2Day FM breakfast show on Tuesday. Pictured with co-hosts Ash London and Ed Kavalee Fellow 2Day FM host Ash London then pointed out that New Idea had spoken to a doctor, who advised people with back problems to be mindful of their injury and avoid heavy lifting. But Grant said he had never met with this particular doctor, and he therefore wasn't qualified to advise on his situation. Grant suffered a torn disc in March while working on his family's farm in Bathurst, which left him in hospital for weeks. The American Ballet Theatre held its 2019 Spring Gala on Monday at New York's Metropolitan Opera House. And stepping out alongside other famous faces were Olivia Palermo, 33, and her husband, Johannes Huebl, 41. Olivia turned heads in a bright red frock coming down to her ankles. Gorgeous pair: Stepping out at the American Ballet Theatre's 2019 Spring Gala in New York on Monday alongside other famous faces were Olivia Palermo, 33, and her husband, Johannes Huebl, 41 Going bold, Palermo matched the red carpet in a scarlet gown with a round neck and cape which she paired with black feathery heels. The socialite brought as her date her model husband of five years, Johannes, who wore black tie. His blue and red pocket square paired perfectly with his wive's ensemble. Night out: The socialite brought as her date her model husband of five years, Johannes, who wore black tie Olivia also added a variation of color with her gold, aqua blue and purple clutch. The businesswoman rocked winged eyeliner with a deep red eye shadow. These lovebirds have been married since 2014 after meeting through mutual friends. True beauty: The businesswoman rocked winged eyeliner with a deep red eye shadow The ABT Spring Gala raises funds for the Company, as well as American Ballet Theatre's education and outreach programs. Also in attendance for the night of the arts was Katie Holmes who wore a yellow ruffled, floral dress. The Dawson's Creek alum and ex-wife of Tom Cruise was accompanied to the gala by her mother Kathleen. Night out with mom: This year, the Dawson's Creek alum and ex-wife of Tom Cruise was accompanied to the gala by her mother Kathleen Also attending the fundraiser were Alec and Hilaria Baldwin. The couple put on quite a show with their formal fashion choices. The actor, 61, wore a classic tuxedo while his wife, 35, opted for a strapless black gown that showed off her cleavage. American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Misty Copeland, 36, showed up in a black and silver chequer board dress slit to the thigh and lots of diamonds. Posing: The couple, who wed in 2012 and share four children, kissed for the cameras The woman who Kim Kardashian helped get pardoned from a life sentence said she's proud of the reality star for continuing her criminal reform efforts, amid Kim's recently stated goal to become an attorney. 'What she's doing is incredible - and she is dead serious about it,' Alice Marie Johnson told TMZ Tuesday as she promoted her her new memoir After Life: My Journey from Incarceration to Freedom, which Kim wrote the foreword for. The 63-year-old New York native last year was pardoned from a life sentence stemming from a 1996 conviction on nonviolent drug charges, after the reality TV queen, 38, took up her cause with President Donald Trump and his son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner. The latest: Alice Marie Johnson, the woman who Kim Kardashian helped get pardoned from a life prison sentence, said she's proud of the reality star for continuing her criminal reform efforts amid Kim's recently stated goal to become an attorney. The pair was snapped last year Johnson praised Kim for her courage in putting her brand clout in danger amid her work with Trump and Kushner in her efforts to reform the criminal justice system, with the focus on non-violent drug offenders previously sentenced to life behind bars. 'Kim took a great risk, at the time, in terms of even going to the White House, in terms of her brand,' Johnson said. 'As you know, celebrities who were going were not being treated very well on social media.' Johnson said Kardashian was undaunted by the threat of professional blowback, however: 'Kim said she didn't care, she only wanted to see me free and whatever that took, she was going to do it.' Johnson also praised Kim amid her recent declaration that she was pursuing becoming a lawyer, with an eye on taking the bar exam in 2022. Her story: Johnson is promoting her her new memoir After Life: My Journey from Incarceration to Freedom, which Kim wrote the foreword for Legal eagle: Kim was snapped last year at the White House to discuss Johnson's case 'I'm so proud of her for following her passion,' said Johnson. 'My case has awakened something in Kim that was laying dormant the whole time - I was just a catalyst to wake it up.' Johnson said she's been emotionally moved by the foreword Kim penned for her forthcoming tome. 'I keep reading it every time, I can't help but cry when I read it,' Johnson said. 'It's from her heart, Kim's life might have been changed by me, but my life has been changed by her too.' After Life: My Journey from Incarceration to Freedom goes on sale Tuesday. Famous: Johnson hailed Kim's public work with President Donald Trump as courageous, noting that it could have impacted Kim's brand for the worse. Kim and Trump were snapped in 2010 in NYC Coming off his weekend full of performances at Hangout Fest 2019 in Alabama, Travis Scott is addressing the state's controversial abortion ban. On Monday night, Scott's girlfriend Kylie Jenner took to her Instagram story, sharing a new image that reveals Scott is donating to Alabama's planned parenthood organizations. 'Travis Scott is donating all his merch profits from Hangout Fest 2019 to planned parenthood organizations in support of women in Alabama,' her post read. Proud Kylie: On Monday night, Scott's girlfriend Kylie Jenner took to her Instagram story, sharing a new image that reveals Scott is donating to Alabama's planned parenthood organizations The photo came from an Instagram fan account, TravisScott.Astro, who also posted a video of Scott himself telling the fans that he was making this donation. 'I wanna just donate my net profits from my merch today to planned parenthood in this state,' Scott said, as the crowd started applauding and cheering. 'We feel for those out in Alabama. We love y'all. I just wanted you to know that love is the strongest feeling we have,' he said, Travis and Kylie: The photo came from an Instagram fan account, TravisScott.Astro , who also posted a video of Scott himself telling the fans that he was making this donation The festival took place over the weekend, just days after Alabama governor Kay Ivey signed into law the most restrictive abortion ban in the country, punishing doctors who perform abortions with life in prison Under the new law, abortion will only be allowed, 'to avoid a serious health risk to the unborn child's mother,' or if the 'unborn child has a lethal anomaly,' according to CNN. The state also shut down an amendment for an exemption for cases of rape and incest, as the new law aims to challenge the 1973 Roe V. Wade ruling that legalized abortions in all 50 states. Scott: While Scott didn't address donating his merchandise profits on any of his social media platforms, his girlfriend Kylie certainly seemed proud of him While Scott didn't address donating his merchandise profits on any of his social media platforms, his girlfriend Kylie certainly seemed proud of him. She shared the original post with a number of heart emojis under the original post, though she didn't comment on the donation any further. In related news, People is reporting that Kylie Jenner is fully moving on from her former friendship with Jordyn Woods. Kylie: In related news, People is reporting that Kylie Jenner is fully moving on from her former friendship with Jordyn Woods 'Although Kylie was very upset and disgusted by the Tristan situation, she didnt want to make any harsh decisions when it came to Jordyn,' said a source. 'While Jordyn did move out, she still had some belongings at Kylies house until recently,' the source continued. 'For a long time it seemed like Kylie wasnt sure what would happen with their friendship. It was very difficult for Kylie to just cut Jordyn out of life. Kylie was devastated at first. Jordyn was her confidant for so long. When Kylie was hiding her pregnancy from the world, Jordyn spent almost every day with her,' the source added. She has a leading role in the Netflix four-part drama When They See Us, about the infamous Central Park jogger case. And on Monday night, Vera Farmiga walked the red carpet at a special premiere for the series held at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York. The actress, 45, was all business in a black tuxedo suit with crisp white shirt and black pussy bow. All business: Vera Farmiga walked the red carpet at a special premiere for the Netflix four-part drama series When They See Us at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York, on Monday night Farmiga was accompanied to the event by her musician husband Renn Hawkey, 45, whom she wed in 2008. Hawkey went for a black pinstripe two-piece suit with a black shirt and black tie. When They See Us is directed and co-written by Ava DuVernay and tells the story of the five teens - four African-American and one Hispanic - who were convicted of the rape and attempted murder of a white woman in New York Citys Central Park on the night of April 19, 1989. Known as 'the Central Park Five', the youths served years behind bars until their convictions were ultimately vacated in 2002 after Matias Reyes, already serving a life sentence for rape and murder, confessed to the crime. Farmiga stars as the lead prosecutor in the case who secured guilty verdicts for all five over the course of two trials in 1990. Stylish: The actress, 45, looked great in a black tuxedo suit with crisp white shirt and black pussy bow. She carried a black and silver purse with bejeweled clasp Date night: Farmiga was accompanied by her musician husband Renn Hawkey, whom she wed in 2008. Hawkey went for a black pinstripe two-piece suit with a black shirt and black tie DuVernay, who became the first black female director to be nominated for an Academy Award for her 2014 film Selma, has labored on the series for Netflix since 2017. 'When They See Us humanizes them,' she said of the five men who were wrongly convicted during an interview with NBC Nightly News earlier this month. 'It asks who's the they and who's the us. It also asks the question, how does a black mother see her son and how does a police officer see her son-- how did New York City see these boys at the time,' she explained. DuVernay told Lester Holt that 'the goal of the project is to really expand our ideas, our notions, our beliefs of a criminal justice system as a whole.' Classy: When They See Us is directed and co-written by Ava DuVernay and the filmmaker, 46, looked lovely in a lavender gown with turtleneck and long sleeves True story: Joshua Jackson, 40, also has a role in the series that tells the story of the wrongful conviction of five teens for the rape of a woman jogger in New York's Central Park in 1989 Eye-catching: Niecy Nash, 46, who plays a relative of one of the Central Park Five, showed off her curves in a figure-hugging blue dress The series supporting cast includes Joshua Jackson, Niecy Nash, Storm Reid, Famke Janssen, Aurora Perrineau and John Leguizamo, who all attended the special screening. Not at the event was Felicity Huffman who has a significant roles in When They See Us. The former Desperate Housewives star pleaded guilty earlier this month to paying a proctor $15,000 payment to edit the answers on her daughter's SAT test. Prosecutors are recommending she be sentenced to four months in prison, followed by a full year of supervised release and pay a $20,000 fine. Netflix pulled a movie Huffman did with Angela Bassett and Patricia Arquette called Otherhood from its scheduled release in April as a result of the college admissions scandal. However, the streaming service is going ahead with the May 31 premiere of When They See Us. Supporting cast: Aurora Perrineau, 24, showed up in a colorful gown slashed to the waist, left, while Storm Reid, 15, chose a strapless monochrome patterned mini dress, right Law and order: Famke Janssen, 54, plays the Assistant D.A. who oversaw the re-investigation of the Central Park jogger case in 2002. She opted for a leggy look with a stylish mini dress There is no arguing that Lara Worthington (nee Bingle) is blessed with naturally striking features. And on Sunday, the 31-year-old model shared her beauty secrets at a Laura Mercier makeup masterclass in Eveleigh, Sydney. While attending the Meccaland festival at Australian Technology Park, Lara showed how a few simple strokes can totally transform one's complexion. That's how she does it! Lara Bingle (pictured) stunned in a yellow satin dress at the Meccaland festival in Eveleigh, Sydney on Sunday Lara, who is married to actor Sam Worthington, looked stunning in a yellow satin dress which she paired with gold strappy heels. She allowed her effortlessly chic outfit take centre stage, choosing to accessorise with just a small pair of earrings. Lara went makeup free as she stepped up to the podium, and was all smiles as she spoke briefly with the makeup artist before the tutorial. On stage: Lara also shared her beauty secrets at a Laura Mercier makeup masterclass She then sat on a metal chair as the Laura Mercier professional applied eye makeup and lipstick to her face. The mother-of-two looked glowing after the masterclass, with her eyes showing depth and colour after a few touches of the makeup artist's brush. Lara was more than happy to chat after the tutorial, and fielded questions from fans who had attended the event. Star attraction: Lara sat on a metal chair as the Laura Mercier professional applied eye makeup and lipstick to her face Gold standard: Lara allowed her effortlessly chic outfit take centre stage, choosing to accessorise with just a small pair of earrings New look! The mother-of-two looked glowing after the masterclass, with her eyes showing depth and colour after a few touches of the makeup artist's brush Lara arrived in Sydney on Wednesday after jetting in from Los Angeles. Earlier this year, she was announced as an ambassador for Sheridan bedsheets, a company that is committed using plastic-free packaging. She told Stellar magazine in April that she was proud to be doing 'as much as [she] can' in reducing the use of plastic. Lip service: After her makeover, Lara posed alongside a wall of beauty products Just stopping by! Lara arrived in Sydney on Wednesday after jetting in from Los Angeles She's the Australian actress who is one of Hollywood most in-demand stars. And on Monday, Margot Robbie has been officially announced as one of the new faces for Chanel perfumes. Taking to social media, the official Instagram page for Chanel made the announcement alongside a stunning picture of the 28-year-old beauty. 'It's a dream to represent such a timeless and iconic brand': Margot Robbie (pictured) has been announced as the new face for Chanel perfumes 'CHANEL is pleased to announce @margotrobbie as a new fragrance ambassador for the House of CHANEL. #ChanelFragrance,' the post read. Margot stunned in a checkered white-and-black top by the designer label, complete with glitzy buttons. Her makeup was kept neutral as she styled her short blonde locks in loose waves around her face. 'CHANEL is pleased to announce @margotrobbie as a new fragrance ambassador for the House of CHANEL,' the official Instagram for Chanel wrote on the platform. Margot pictured in February, 2019 In an official statement, Margot gushed: 'It's a dream to represent such a timeless and iconic brand. 'The history of the Chanel woman is so exciting and the brand has remained such a powerful feminine standard of style.' In her new venture, Margot has joined the likes of Kristen Stewart, Lily Rose Depp and Kiera Knightley as the luxury brand's ambassadors. 'It's a dream to represent such a timeless and iconic brand. The history of the Chanel woman is so exciting and the brand has remained such a powerful feminine standard of style,' Margot said in an official statement Margot was first revealed as the latest ambassador for Chanel in March last year. At the 2018 Oscar Awards, the I, Tonya actress wore a Chanel haute couture gown designed by the late Karl Lagerfeld. Margot secured her footing on the acting ladder when she got her first role in Neighbours from 2008 to 2011. The soap star became known as the schoolgirl Donna Freedman at the tender age of 17 after moving to Melbourne from the Gold Coast. Although she secured a supporting role in About Time in 2013, it wasn't until later that year Margot got her breakthrough part in the Wolf of Wall Street. She recently revealed she will no longer strip off for racy calendar shoots. Yet Ola Jordan, 36, still ensured she put on a sexy display as she joined her husband James Jordan, 41, at the launch of Lizzie Cundy's book Tales From The Red Carpet at Tramp nightclub in London on Monday night. The Strictly beauty suited up for the star-studded event in a black blazer mini which showcased her toned pins and black pointed heels to boost her petite frame while James looked smart in a grey suit and patterned shirt. Happy couple: Ola Jordan, 36, put on a chic display as she joined her husband James Jordan, 41, at the launch of Lizzie Cundy's book at Tramp nightclub in London on Monday night Nailing business chic, she showed off her lithe legs in the thigh-skimming blazer dress which she paired with sky-high black heels. Adding a pop of colour to the ensemble, she held on to a bright red Yves Saint Laurent handbag with gold hardware. Highlighting her natural looks, Ola modelled a radiant complexion which was dusted with bronzer and she applied a nude lipstick to her pout. The Polish native swept her golden locks into a side style that was elegantly curled on the ends which perfected the stunning ensemble. Chic: The Strictly Come Dancing beauty suited up for the star-studded event in a black blazer mini-dress that showcased her toned pins and black pointed heels to boost her petite frame Ever the dapper gentleman, James stepped out beside his wife in a charcoal grey suit and caught the eye with kooky blue shirt which was printed with a tiled print. The Dancing On Ice winner styled his hair in a relaxed style and sported stubble. Ola's display comes after she revealed she won't be posing for any more sexy calendars, leaving many of her fans disappointed. Explaining her decision to give up her annual sultry shoots, she told MailOnline that she feels her 'time is up' when it comes to stripping down for the camera. Stunning: The Polish native swept her golden locks into a side style that was elegantly curled on the ends The blonde feels her 'time is up' when it comes to stripping down for the camera, with insisted that you need to be aware of when to pull the plug on certain things, with James agreeing and claiming she should leave it to 'younger stars' instead. Ola made the admission at the start of November where she confessed she now feels 'too old' to release the annual stocking filler, which usually see her in an array of scantily-clad outfits and pulling provocative poses. Speaking to MailOnline, she said: 'I suppose I feel that I've had my time. There's a lot of Love Island people who are young girls, I'm 36 now.' Ola continued: 'I've had loads of emails and tweets from people saying that they can't believe I'm not doing it anymore and wives saying their husbands are going to be so disappointed - which is lovely, but you need to know when it's your time to do certain things.' Suave: Ever the dapper gentleman, James stepped out beside his wife in a charcoal grey suit and caught the eye with kooky blue shirt that was printed with a tiled print The couple first met at a dancing competition in Blackpool in 1999 and then wed four years later. The pair's date night was to celebrate Lizzie Cundy's new tell-all book Tales From The Red Capet. The book, which was released on Monday, spills the beans on Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Kim Kardashian as well as Al Pacino. Lizzie plans to leave celebrities quaking in their boots with her no-holds barred revelations about them. The beauty also told MailOnline: 'I want to help others with my book because I've really seen it all over the years and I've been through a lot. I've had dark times but I've come out of the other side, with a little help from my friends.' He was dubbed a 'hero of the people fighting inequality and discrimination all over the world' during the LGBT Awards on Friday, where he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement gong. And Stephen Fry appeared in good spirits after his accolade as he joined his husband Elliott Spencer at the star-studded Rocketman premiere in London on Monday night. The TV personality, 61, and the comedian, 32, put on a cosy display as they posed up a storm on the red carpet. Loved-up: Stephen Fry appeared in good spirits after his accolade as he joined his husband Elliott Spencer at the star-studded Rocketman premiere in London on Monday night Stephen looked dapper for the event in a navy blue suit with a white shirt and a bold pink tie with a funky pattern on it. Meanwhile, his husband Elliott, cut a more casual figure in black jeans, a matching coloured hoodie, a beige jacket and red trainers. The movie is a musical about the fantastical human story of Elton John's, 72, breakthrough years and is produced by both Elton and his husband David Furnish, 56. The couple's appearance comes after they attended the London LGBT Awards on Friday where Stephen was awarded the Lifetime Achievement gong. Strike a pose: The TV personality, 61, and the comedian, 32, put on a cosy display as they posed up a storm on the red carpet Smart: Stephen looked dapper for the event in a navy blue suit with a white shirt and a bold pink tie with a funky pattern on it Casual: Meanwhile, his husband Elliott, cut a more casual figure in black jeans, a matching coloured hoodie, a beige jacket and red trainers The QI host cut a dapper figure in a black tuxedo complete with black bow tie and a crisp white shirt which he teamed with a pair of smart dress shoes at the event. His beau Elliot also opted for a smart suit ensemble which consisted of a black two-piece suit and a shirt in the same hue, which he styled with a red tie. However the photographer and comedian opted to slightly dress down his red carpet look with a pair of relaxed red pumps. Plot: The movie is a musical about the fantastical human story of Elton John's, 72, breakthrough years and is produced by both Elton and his husband David Furnish, 56 (Taron Egerton as Elton from a film still) Special moment: The couple's appearance comes after they attended the London LGBT Awards on Friday where Stephen was awarded the Lifetime Achievement gong The couple, who married in 2015 amid much buzz, have kept a low profile during their relationship and their courtship is believed to have lasted about a year before they decided to wed. According to The Mirror sparks first flew between Stephen and Elliot when they met in 2012 after being introduced by mutual friends at a house party. They began dating shortly after meeting and were spotted spending time together often. They were seen at the Savoy Hotel in London and the Ascot racecourse in Berkshire, England. Stephen was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award on Friday for his lifelong record of championing LGBT+ rights and fight against mental health stigma. She's no stranger to wearing breathtaking outfits at glitzy red carpet events. And Lady Victoria Hervey dazzled in a jaw-dropping gold dress as joined a host of stars at the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival on Monday for the world premiere of La Belle Epoque on Sunday. The age-defying socialite, 42, looked glowing in the fabulous dress which was adorned with fragments of gold mirror in a mosaic style. Glamorous: Lady Victoria Hervey dazzled in a jaw-dropping gold dress as joined a host of stars at the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival on Monday for the world premiere of La Belle Epoque on Sunday The floor length semi-sheer gown featured a low back and certainly sparkled for the cameras as Victoria strutted the red carpet. The blonde beauty opted for an all gold ensemble, pairing a sparkling metallic clutch bag and earrings with the look. For makeup, the socialite opted to keep it bronzed and elegant to show off her radiant complexion with lashings of mascara, gold hued cheeks and glossy lips. She wore her blonde locks in a stylish up do as she graced yet another glitzy event. Glowing: The age-defying socialite, 42, looked glowing in the fabulous dress which was adorned with fragments of gold mirror Going for gold: The floor length gown featured a low back and certainly sparkled for the cameras as Victoria strutted the red carpet French film La Belle Epoque follows Victor, a disillusioned sexagenarian, who has his life turned upside down on the day when entrepreneur Antoine offers him a new kind of attraction. Victor then chooses to relive the most memorable week of his life: the one where, 40 years earlier, he met the great love. The movie is directed and written by Nicolas Bedos and stars Daniel Auteuil, Guillaume Canet and Doria Tillier. Stunning: The blonde beauty opted for an all gold ensemble, pairing a sparkling metallic clutch bag and earrings with the look Radiant: For makeup, the socialite opted to keep it bronzed and elegant to show off her radiant complexion with lashings of mascara, gold hued cheeks and glossy lips The 2019 Cannes Film Festival takes place at the iconic Palais des Festivals until May 25. Actress Elle Fanning, French graphic novelist Enki Bilal and the Oscar-nominated director of The Favourite, Yorgos Lanthimos, will be among jury members during the annual event. Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu will preside over the panel that decides on prizes, including the top Palme D'Or award. The jury for the festival's 72nd edition will also include Pawel Pawlikowski, the Polish filmmaker and screenwriter named best director at Cannes last year for the impossible love story Cold War. Flawless: She wore her blonde locks in a stylish up do as she graced yet another glitzy event Ethereal: Victoria stunned in her embellished gold gown which sparkled on the red carpet Maimouna N'Diaye, who has directed documentaries and acted in films such as Otar Iosseliani's Chasing Butterflies will also sit on the panel, alongside two other female directors. Kelly Reichardt, whose Wendy and Lucy starring Michelle Williams was a contender for Cannes' Un Certain Regard award in 2008, directed 2016's Certain Women. Italy's Alicia Rohrwacher won best screenplay at Cannes last year for her film Happy as Lazzaro, a satirical fable about a peasant family. French filmmaker Robin Campillo, who took Cannes by storm in 2017 with 120 BPM - Beats Per Minute, winning the Grand Prix for his movie about an AIDs activist, will complete the line-up. She reportedly moved into her boyfriend Kevin Clifton's London home, just weeks after confirming their romance. And Stacey Dooley and her new beau looked besotted with one another as they left his home in London recently. The Strictly Come Dancing champion, 32, and her ballroom dancer partner, 36, couldn't take their eyes off one another as they held hands during their first romantic display. Look of love: Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton looked besotted with one another as they left his home in London recently Close: The Strictly partners turned real life boyfriend and girlfriend were seen sweetly holding hands as they strolled Documentary maker Stacey was seen placing a loving hand on her hunky beau's arm as she stared into his eyes and smiled. The star kept her look casual as she left Kevin's home, clad in a baggy black jumper and straight leg jeans. Keeping the look comfortable, she slipped on black and gold brogues. Her flame-red tresses were styled in loose waves while her sparkling eyes were hidden behind edgy sunglasses. PDA; The Strictly Come Dancing champion, 32, and her ballroom dancer partner, 36, couldn't take their eyes off one another Close: Documentary maker Stacey was seen placing a loving hand on her hunky beau's arm as she stared into his eyes and smiled Ballroom sensation Kevin looked stylish in a black and teal two-tone jumper worn with navy joggers, a matching jacket and white trainers. The couple's outing came after claims that Stacey has moved in with Kevin 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.' 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.' Smile: The star kept her look casual as she left Kevin's home, clad in a baggy black jumper and straight leg jeans Romance: The pair looked happier than ever as they enjoyed one another's company Chic: Her flame-red tresses were styled in loose waves while her sparkling eyes were hidden behind edgy sunglasses Casual cool: Ballroom sensation Kevin looked stylish in a black and teal two-tone jumper worn with navy joggers, a matching jacket and white trainers 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. 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.' New romance: The pair looked happy as they chatted after their evening together Close: This marks the first romantic display from the new couple Looking good: The new couple were in great spirits as they enjoyed the day Good spirits: Kevin and Stacey snapped some pics as they walked along Laugh out loud: Kevin and Stacey cracked up as they walked along Radiant: Stacey looked delighted to be spending some quality time with her new beau Champions: Stacey and Kevin's romance blossomed after they competed in the 2018 series of Strictly Come Dancing 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. 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. '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. We cheered her on as the imperfect yet hilarious Bridget Jones who found herself torn between the honourable Mark Darcy and the charming Daniel Cleaver. And Renee Zellweger, 50, gave fans hope as she hinted a fourth Bridget Jones film could be on the cards when she appeared on Lorraine's Tuesday segment. The actress, who took a six-year break from Hollywood because she was 'bored' of herself, admitted Helen Fielding has already penned the next book. Scroll down for video She's back! Renee Zellweger teased FOURTH Bridget Jones movie to follow Helen Fielding's next book on Lorraine on Tuesday as she admitted she took an acting break because she was 'bored' Asked about the speculation, she said: 'I don't know. I know Helen's written the book. It means there's a possibility.' The latest movie Bridget Jones's Baby saw the character we've known and loved break up with her barrister beau (Colin Firth), have a one-night stand with an American tech mogul (Patrick Dempsey), have a baby and get back with Mark. Also the smooth and silver tongued Daniel was killed off after Hugh Grant bowed out of filming the movie but producers pulled off his absence perfectly. Could it be true? The actress, who took a six-year break from Hollywood because she was 'bored' of herself, admitted Helen Fielding has already penned the next book It's a long love: We cheered her on as the imperfect yet hilarious Bridget Jones who found herself torn between the honourable Mark Darcy and the charming Daniel Cleaver Fans loved the tongue-in-cheek funeral scene where all the women he had bedded could recite the very same poem he had wooed them with. Viewers had waited 12 years after the second film for the third installment which proved to be a great success. Renee first took on the role in 2001's Bridget Jones's Diary opposite Grant and Firth and three years later, the follow-up Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason hit screens. Fans related to Bridget as she fell madly in love with two very different men, made a few mistakes a long the way before she found her happily ever after with the decent human rights barrister. What's happening? Asked about the speculation, she said: 'I don't know. I know Helen's written the book. It means there's a possibility' Hilarious: The latest movie Bridget Jones's Baby saw the character we've known and loved break up with her barrister beau (Colin Firth), have a one-night stand w Los Angeles-based television personality Ross King claimed the Brits like to claim Renee as their own because of her iconic Bridget Jones role which saw her gain 30lbs for the role and master a British accent. The award-winning actress confessed it is always like a 'homecoming' when she returns to the role of Bridget and to the UK. She elaborated: 'I feel like it's a homecoming when I come back [to the UK]. I love it. Truth telling: The award-winning actress confessed it is always like a 'homecoming' when she returns to the role of Bridget and to the UK Happy: Renee first took on the role in 2001's Bridget Jones's Diary opposite Grant and Firth and three years later, the follow-up Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason hit screens Following her phenomenal success as an actress since breaking into the industry in 1996, the blonde bombshell took time away from the spotlight in 2010. The actress explained her six-year Hollywood hiatus She said: 'You reach a point doing a thing for a long time and I've had some extraordinary experiences. It's time to learn things. 'You can't be a good storyteller if you can't relate to other people's experiences because you've spent so long doing the same thing. Moved on: Following her phenomenal success as an actress since breaking into the industry in 1996, the blonde bombshell took time away from the spotlight in 2010 'I loved my work but I was bored with myself. I needed to evolve a little bit. You only live once.' In January last year, Renee enthused she would 'love' to reprise the part of Bridget because she is 'so much fun' and there is 'always going to be some drama'. She told The Daily Record: 'I really hope so. I do. I love her. Shes so much fun. I really like the place she is at in her life, but its Bridget and theres always going to be some drama. 'Shes so perfectly imperfect. It was really special to see her so welcomed and loved after such a long time away because it can go either way. This could have been the one I was finally found out on.' The mentors all want to win The Voice this year by choosing the best talent that they can. And on Tuesday's show, things sure got heated between Boy George, 57, and Kelly Rowland, 38. The pair got into a fiery spat when trying to convince contestant Madi Krstevski, 19, to join their team, with Kelly yelling at George, saying: 'Don't you put your finger in my face!' It's on! The Voice's Kelly Rowland slammed Boy George on the show on Tuesday as they fought over contestant Madi Krstevski (pictured) 'I'm encouraging you to be brave,' George told Madi, as Kelly tried to talk over the top of him, telling him off as they walked up to her. Kelly and George both turned their chair for Madi, with the spat starting after George reminded viewers that Madi was on Kelly's team last season. Fans of the show would remember that Kelly selected last season's eventual winner, controversial loop artist Sam Perry, over Madi. Low blow? Kelly and George both turned their chair for Madi, with the spat starting after George reminded viewers that Madi was on Kelly's team last season, with Kelly choosing eventual -winner, controversial loop artist Sam Perry, over her 'I don't have any pop acts,' George told Madi. 'But you need to be seen.' He told Kelly that Sam would have won the show with any judge, not just with her. Guy then added salt to the wound, saying: 'Madi, I just feel for you because you've sort of got someone who says, 'yeah, I don't care about pop,' and someone who rejected you.' He added: 'I just wish I turned, it would have been an easy decision.' Winner! Madi then chose to join George's team, saying: 'I love you, Kelly, and I was so happy to work with you last season' Madi then chose to join George's team, saying: 'I love you, Kelly, and I was so happy to work with you last season.' 'It was literally a dream come true. And George, God, you're amazing.' 'My decision... I'm gonna go with Boy George.' Afterwards, Kelly went and hugged Madi, sweetly saying that she will still 'cheer' her on through the competition. 'I'm gonna adore you and I'm still gonna cheer for you,' Kelly said. She recently revealed that she is looking for a man with a 'good sense of humour' following her divorce from Justin Theroux. But Jennifer Aniston put dating concerns to one side while pampering herself with a trip to a nail salon in Beverly Hills on Monday. The actress, 50, went incognito as she sneaked out of the venue and hopped into her car in a over-sized grey coat and camouflage trousers. Sneaky: Jennifer Aniston, 50, treated herself to a low-key trip to a nail salon in Beverly Hills in California on Monday Continuing her low-key look, the Friend's star hid her eyes behind dark sunglasses and sported comfortable white trainers. Jennifer's sun-kissed locks were left down in a relaxed style that was tucked into the collar of her jacket. The American beauty recently revealed that she is not dating anyone following her split with Theroux, however she already has an idea of what she wants in her next partner. Low-key: The actress appeared to want to go incognito as she sneaked out of the venue and hopped into her car in a over-sized grey coat and camouflage trousers Speaking to US Harper's Bazaar, she admitted to wanting a man with a strong personality. '[I like a man] to have a sense of humour. Strong sense of self-worth, confidence, kindness, generosity. Good people surrounding them,' said the star who was wed to Brad Pitt and also dated John Mayer. When asked if she is trying dating sites to find love, she said no way. 'Am I on OkCupid? No. I have zero time, to be honest,' admitted the A list actress. 'My focus has been on the show, so dating has not been one of my first priorities. 'I feel like whatever [romance] looks like, it will present itself, and it's not about seeking it out, you know?' The actress is currently working on new project First Ladies with co-star Tig Notaro. She also has Apple series The Morning Show with Reese Witherspoon coming out this year. Single: The American beauty recently revealed she is not dating anyone at the moment following her split last year Even though she is twice divorced, she is not giving up on love. After all, Elizabeth Taylor wed eight times - twice to the same man (Richard Burton). So why can't Jennifer have some fun too? 'When it comes knocking, it's going to be welcomed,' said the romantic comedy vet. 'I'm not like, "No, I'm done with that. That's never going to happen again." 'My time on this planet has been aboutIt hasn't looked a certain way. It's my way; it's what I've been given this round. But I would say I don't find any of my past has given me a reason to harden up and create a shell or a wall of "No more, that's it, I'm closed."' And the daughter of 85-year-old Days Of Our Lives actor John Aniston thinks that there is not just one love for someone, there can be many. 'I think we have many soul mates. I don't think there's one and one only. I think we have soul clusters. I've had some of my friends for 35 years. I think we've all made some sort of unconscious agreement. 'It's like when certain groups of people meet, they form a little soul clustera sort of common group of souls who have been put together.' She lashed out at keyboard warriors who branded her recent bikini snap 'frighteningly skinny' on Instagram. And Laura Anderson, 30, didn't let the comments dampen her high spirits when she enjoyed her sun-soaked break, in Dubai in recent days. The reality beauty, who recently confirmed her reunion with 2015 Love Island star Max Morley, looked fantastic in a nude bikini with a black patterned print. Incredible: Love Island's Laura Anderson amazed in a patterned bikini for fun beach day in Dubai on Tuesday after she hit back at cruel trolls who branded her 'frighteningly skinny' Her floral waist inking was visible as the blonde bombshell splashed around in the sea in a tiny two-piece while on a solo trip to the beach. The Instagram sensation added rectangular sunglasses and a sun fedora hat while she was catching rays in the red-hot temperatures. Seductively stretched out on the beach, the former air hostess was the picture of confidence as she put her slender figure well and truly on display. She's stunning: The reality beauty, who recently confirmed her reunion with 2015 Love Island star Max Morley, looked fantastic in a nude bikini with a black patterned print Laura's beach day comes after she hit back at cruel trolls who branded her 'frighteningly skinny' beneath a recent bikini snap. While she looked sensational in the shot, it was the blonde bombshell's leg that drew the eye as a prominent muscle meant critics slammed her frame. In the comments section, she preempted criticism by penning: 'Before anyone starts on my leg Im just hypermobile so I dunno why my limbs move abnormally right'. Cruel followers wrote: That leg tho far to skinny... Great pic but that leg... Looking frighteningly skinny but very beautiful x... Unfortunate: The Love Island star was forced to defend a recent bikini snap after trolls branded her 'frighteningly skinny' 'What is with that leg that wayyy to boney.. You need to chomp some chicken laura... Whats up with the leg to thin laura but u look lovely xx.' She explained that being hypermobile - or double jointed - is what means that parts of her body jut out at angles such as that in the picture. Hypermobility is described as: 'Hypermobility syndrome, Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder, or joint hypermobility syndrome is a heritable connective tissue disorder that affects the joints and ligaments in a person's body'. Stunner: The Love Island beauty shared a smouldering shot and while she looked sensational in the shot, it was her leg that drew the eye as a prominent muscle meant critics slammed her frame All the former Victoria's Secret Angels have been swooping into Cannes for the annual Film Festival. And Adriana Lima led the slew of glamorous models when she made her late arrival at the Martinez hotel, shortly after she flew into Nice Airport on Tuesday. The catwalk stunner, 37, was trendsetting in her double denim ensemble as she was spotted outside of her lavish hotel where she was staying with the A-list stars. Catwalk scenes: Adriana Lima set trends in a cool double denim ensemble as she joined chic Doutzen Kroes and Victoria's Secret Angels in Cannes on Tuesday With her light blue denim jacket draped over her shoulders, Adriana kept the chill at bay in a demure turtleneck long-sleeved top. The dark-haired model, who worked for the lingerie brand from 1999 to 2018, accentuated her slender frame as she hoisted her jeans in at the waist with an aqua B-Low the Belt design that had two buckles. While she opted for comfortable footwear, the magazine cover girl kept up her glam image with silver hoop earrings and chic sunglasses. So chic: With her light blue denim jacket draped over her shoulders, Adriana kept the chill at bay in a demure turtleneck long-sleeved top She's fantastic! Former Victoria's Secret Angel Doutzen Kroes put on an equally stylish display when she joined her fellow model at the Cannes Film Festival She's so stylish! The dark-haired model, who worked for the lingerie brand from 1999 to 2018, accentuated her slender frame as she hoisted her jeans in at the waist with an aqua belt that had two buckles Style credentials: While she opted for comfortable footwear, the magazine cover girl kept up her glam image with silver hoop earrings and chic sunglasses Former Victoria's Secret Angel Doutzen Kroes put on an equally stylish display when she joined her fellow model at the Cannes Film Festival. The Dutch supermodel had mastered the art of walking in enormous high heels, having walked for the lingerie brand from 2008 until 2014. Model and mother Doutzen kept up with the trends of the catwalk as she peered out of her oval-shaped micro-sunglasses. On the move: The Dutch supermodel had mastered the art of walking in enormous high heels, having walked for the lingerie brand from 2008 until 2014 Late arrival: The Brazilian model signed a slew of autographs when she arrived at the Nice airport as she headed to Cannes Cameras in Cannes: The model led the slew of glamorous models when she made her late arrival at the Martinez hotel Victoria's Secret Angels Josephine Skriver and Taylor Hill have already been treading the red carpet for the hottest movie premieres showing at Cannes. Their appearance at the Cannes Film Festival comes after the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show will be getting a huge makeover. The lavish event, featuring some of the world's top models strutting in its signature lingerie, will no longer air on network television amid plummeting television ratings and increased criticism. Strutting her stuff: All the former Victoria's Secret Angels have been swooping into Cannes for the annual Film Festival Model arrival: Doutzen later stepped out in a white blouse and beige trousers as she wore her second outfit of the day Keeping cool: Doutzen peeled off her leather jacket and sunglasses as she felt the warmth of the day set in Arranging it: The model fussed over her looks as she straightened out her trousers She's here! Victoria's Secret Angels Josephine Skriver (pictured) and Taylor Hill have already been treading the red carpet for the hottest movie premieres showing at Cannes Summer time! Josephine put on a very leggy display in a little pair of crocheted shorts but she opted for trainers for comfort Spotted: Their appearance at the Cannes Film Festival comes after the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show will be getting a huge makeover All the models have arrived! Coco Rocha showed off her flamboyant sense of style in a flowing striped ensemble Leggy lady: Cindy Bruna put her legs on parade in a thigh-grazing denim pleated minidress In a memo sent to employees, L Brands Chairman and Chief Executive Les Wexner said he 'decided to re-think the traditional Victoria's Secret Fashion Show'. According to The Wall Street Journal, Wexner wrote: 'Going forward we don't believe network television is the right fit.' 'For the past few months, we've said that we are taking a fresh look at every aspect of our business from merchandising, marketing and brand positioning, to our real estate portfolio, digital business and cost structure. 'Fashion is a business of change. We must evolve and change to grow.' Chic display: Doutzen ensured she was protected from the sun in a pair of oversized bug-eye sunglasses Having fun: She appeared in great spirits as she joined fellow Dutch model Valentijn de Hingh at the L'Oreal Paris studio She has modelled a number of fabulous red carpet and street style ensembles since she touched down in Nice for Cannes Film Festival last week. And Josephine Skriver once again wowed as she put on an pretty display as she stepped out in Cannes on Tuesday. The Victoria Secrets angel, 26, flaunted her catwalk worthy physique in a pair of white broderie anglaise shorts that featured a thigh-skimming hemline and went braless under a silk camisole adorned with elegant lace. Elegant: Josephine Skriver went braless under a silk camisole and put on a leggy display in broderie anglaise shorts in Cannes on Tuesday The statuesque star added a touch of comfort to her daytime look by sporting a pair of white Chanel trainers. Ensuring she had her essentials to hand, the Danish native slung a black quilted handbag over her shoulder that boasted the same French fashion house label as her footwear. The beauty, who has graced the covers of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and ELLE, sported a palette of natural make-up and left her honey locks down in a straight style. Prior to her angelic appearance, the elegant star wowed on the red carpet at the world premiere of La Belle Epoque at the iconic film festival on Monday. Glowing: The beauty, who has graced the covers of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and ELLE, sported a palette of natural make-up and left her honey locks down in a straight style Designer wares: The statuesque star added a touch of comfort to her daytime look by sporting a pair of white Chanel trainers The star appeared in her element as she worked the red carpet in the billowing scarlet dress, which had cape sleeves, ruffle detailing and a slash in the skirt. Adding to the drama of her red carpet look, she by donned a gold chunky necklace and wore her hair in a bouffant ponytail. The 2019 Cannes Film Festival takes place at the iconic Palais des Festivals from last Tuesday until May 25. Actress Elle Fanning, French graphic novelist Enki Bilal and the Oscar-nominated director of The Favourite, Yorgos Lanthimos, will be among jury members during the annual event. Work it! The model showed off her natural beauty as she posed up a storm Hair flick: The beauty flicked her hair to place it the desired style as she turnt around to show off the back of her outfit Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu will preside over the panel that decides on prizes, including the top Palme D'Or award. The jury for the festival's 72nd edition will also include Pawel Pawlikowski, the Polish filmmaker and screenwriter named best director at Cannes last year for the impossible love story Cold War. Maimouna N'Diaye, who has directed documentaries and acted in films such as Otar Iosseliani's Chasing Butterflies will also sit on the panel, alongside two other female directors. Kelly Reichardt, whose Wendy and Lucy starring Michelle Williams was a contender for Cannes' Un Certain Regard award in 2008, directed 2016's Certain Women. Italy's Alicia Rohrwacher won best screenplay at Cannes last year for her film Happy as Lazzaro, a satirical fable about a peasant family. French filmmaker Robin Campillo, who took Cannes by storm in 2017 with 120 BPM - Beats Per Minute, winning the Grand Prix for his movie about an AIDs activist, will complete the line-up. She's no stranger to wearing show-stopping outfits. And Isabelle Huppert looked sophisticated in a power suit and sheer blouse, which flashed her bra, as she attended the photocall for her new film Frankie at the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday. The glamorous French actress, 66, looked positively chic as she posed at the event in the black ensemble following a slew of red carpet appearances. Chic: Isabelle Huppert looked sophisticated in a power suit with a sheer blouse which flashed her bra as she attended the photocall for Frankie in the French Riveria in Cannes Tuesday The Greta star paired her structured suit with a sheer polka dot blouse which teased a glimpse of black lingerie. Proving she is a style queen, Isabella added a pop of colour with red strappy heels and a bright lip. She wore her signature auburn hair in loose curls and peered over a pair of statement black shades. Ready for her closeup: Isabelle looked flawless from head to toe in her chic look The fashionista finished the incredibly elegant ensemble with silver earrings and a black manicure on her nails. Isabelle's new film Frankie, which is due for release in France on August 28, stars Isabelle as the title character- an actress who gathers her family in an idyllic spot for a summer get together. The movie follows a single day in the family's Portugese retreat, unraveling drama about family, marriage, love and loss. Sophisticated: The glamorous French actress, 66, looked positively chic as she stormed the event in the black ensemble following a slew of red carpet appearances Stylish: The Greta star paired her structured suit with a sheer polka dot blouse which teased a glimpse of black lingerie Glamorous: Proving she is a style queen, Isabella added a pop of colour with red strappy heels and a bright lip Sensational: She wore her signature auburn hair in loose curls and peered over a pair of statement black shades Classy: The fashionista finished the incredibly elegant ensemble with silver earrings and a black manicure on her nails The actress attended the premiere of the American-French drama at Cannes on Monday night. The Greta star cut a sophisticated figure in a floor-length iridescent gown which hugged the actress' enviable curves. The auburn beauty's glittering dress was covered head-to-toe in hundreds of shimmering plastic beads which reflected the light around her. Stunning: The night before, Isabelle led the red carpet glamour at the world premiere of American-French drama She paired the stunning gown with bold silver earrings and opted to wear a matching ring on her left hand as she walked the red carpet. Isabelle left her auburn locks in loose curls around her shoulders and wore a flawless layer of makeup and a rose pink lip for the event. The actress, who stars as the titular character in Frankie, was joined by her co-star Jeremie Renier, 38, as she made her way into the venue. Sparkle: The auburn beauty's glittering dress was covered head-to-toe in hundreds of shimmering plastic beads which reflected the light around her Red carpet ready: She paired the stunning gown with bold silver earrings and opted to wear a matching ring on her left hand as she walked the red carpet Also in attendance was screenwriter Mauricio Zacharias, actors Ariyon Bakare and Pascal Greggory, and the film's director Ira Sachs. The 2019 Cannes Film Festival takes place at the iconic Palais des Festivals until May 25. Actress Elle Fanning, French graphic novelist Enki Bilal and the Oscar-nominated director of The Favourite, Yorgos Lanthimos, will be among jury members during the annual event. Flawless: Isabelle wore her auburn locks in loose curls around her shoulders and opted for a flawless layer of makeup and a rose pink lip for the event Co-star: The actress, who stars as the titular character in Frankie, was joined by her co-star Jeremie Renier, 38, as she made her way into the venue Plot: The film, which is due for release in France on August 28, stars Isabelle as Frankie - an actress who gathers her family in an idyllic spot for a summer get together Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu will preside over the panel that decides on prizes, including the top Palme D'Or award. The jury for the festival's 72nd edition will also include Pawel Pawlikowski, the Polish filmmaker and screenwriter named best director at Cannes last year for the impossible love story Cold War. Maimouna N'Diaye, who has directed documentaries and acted in films such as Otar Iosseliani's Chasing Butterflies will also sit on the panel, alongside two other female directors. Crew: Also in attendance was screenwriter Mauricio Zacharias, actors Ariyon Bakare and Pascal Greggory, and the film's director Ira Sachs Kelly Reichardt, whose Wendy and Lucy starring Michelle Williams was a contender for Cannes' Un Certain Regard award in 2008, directed 2016's Certain Women. Italy's Alicia Rohrwacher won best screenplay at Cannes last year for her film Happy as Lazzaro, a satirical fable about a peasant family. French filmmaker Robin Campillo, who took Cannes by storm in 2017 with 120 BPM - Beats Per Minute, winning the Grand Prix for his movie about an AIDs activist, will complete the line-up. She made a glamorous arrival to Cannes on Saturday, arriving via a helicopter and landing on top of a hotel building. And Kimberley Garner looked effortlessly chic as she stepped out of the Hotel Martinez on Tuesday. The former Made In Chelsea star, 29, went braless as she showcased her toned figure in a plunging white blazer with a Chanel belt to cinch in her waist. Chic: Kimberley Garner looked effortlessly chic as she stepped out of the Hotel Martinez on Tuesday Kimberley teamed the item of clothing with a pair of bleached skinny jeans and Gucci trainers. Sticking to her designer theme, the fashion designer completed her look with a grey Chanel tote bag. Kimberley styled her blonde locks into a sleek sweptback hairdo, she added a slick of glamorous make-up. The former reality star appeared delighted to be in the French Riviera as she beamed to photographers outside the Hotel Martinez. Braless: The former Made In Chelsea star, 29, went braless as she showcased her toned figure in a plunging white blazer with a Chanel belt to cinch in her waist Details: Kimberley teamed the item of clothing with a pair of bleached skinny jeans and Gucci trainers Designer: Sticking to her designer theme, the fashion designer completed her look with a grey Chanel tote bag Kimberley went on to meet a bunch of friends and models arriving via a speed boat to Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc. Only recently, the star bought a home in Miami, in a chat with MailOnline, the blonde admitted she flew to Florida after purchasing a dream home in the coastal city. 'I worked very hard last year and had even moved home for a few months to save money,' she explained. Tres glamorous: Kimberley went on to meet a bunch of friends and models arriving via a speed boat to Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc Ready for her close-up: Kimberley styled her blonde locks into a sleek sweptback hairdo, she added a slick of glamorous make-up Delighted: The former reality star appeared delighted to be in the French Riviera as she beamed to photographers outside the Hotel Martinez Impressive: Only recently, the star bought a home in Miami, in a chat with MailOnline, the blonde admitted she flew to Florida after purchasing a dream home in the coastal city 'I really had my head down working to concentrate on goals, but achieved it on New Years Eve, praise God, and flew over here. Completing the sale on the plane over.' Reflecting on her new home, the swimwear designer confessed it is a world away from her former busy life in London. 'Its right on the beach, and really is a dream come true,' she explained. Working hard: 'I worked very hard last year and had even moved home for a few months to save money,' she explained. She added: 'I really had my head down working to concentrate on goals, but achieved it on New Years Eve, praise God, and flew over here. Completing the sale on the plane over.' Chilled: Reflecting on her new home, the swimwear designer confessed it is a world away from her former busy life in London Girl gang: Kimberley went on to share this snap onto Instagram, she captioned it: 'Girls lunch @hotelducapedenroc...' 'I am over doing the interior design, going for a beachy chilled vibe for the place. 'I wont be moving here, as London is one hundred percent home, but really overjoyed and proud to have achieved it.' The 2019 Cannes Film Festival takes place at the iconic Palais des Festivals from Tuesday until May 25. Actress Elle Fanning, French graphic novelist Enki Bilal and the Oscar-nominated director of The Favourite, Yorgos Lanthimos, will be among jury members during the annual event. Dream come true: 'Its right on the beach, and really is a dream come true,' she explained In March, they set tongues wagging that they had a secret wedding, when he referred to her as 'Sarah Smith.' And on Tuesday, Kris Smith and personal trainer girlfriend Sarah Boulazeris, sparked engagement rumours when she showcased a diamond sparkler on her ring finger. Taking to Instagram, Sarah shared videos to her Story of a stunning 3.02-carat piece, writing: 'No words.' Wedding bells? Kris Smith and Sarah Boulazeris sparked engagement rumours on Tuesday as she showed off a stunning three-carat diamond sparkler on her ring finger She added a black love heart to the post and tagged the jeweller, Anton Jewellery. The diamond stood out on its own on a plain silver band. It comes after the pair set tongues wagging when Kris called Sarah, 'Sarah Smith.' Making headlines: It comes after the pair set tongues wagging when Kris called Sarah, 'Sarah Smith' Sharing a photo of a sweet delivery of pink peonies and lilies from her Myer model beau while he was away in the UK, Sarah showed the bouquet had been addressed to 'Sarah Smith.' The brunette beauty clearly showed the handwritten card had no mention of her surname Boulazeris - which she still uses on social media. She wrote across the image: 'I f**king love you!' Interesting! Sharing a photo of a sweet delivery of pink peonies and lilies from her Myer model beau while he was away in the UK, Sarah showed the bouquet had been addressed to 'Sarah Smith' 'With love from Manchester,' she added on the post, tagging her beau, and hiding the couple's address from her fans. The couple are going strong and welcomed daughter Mila together in December. Kris also shares son Ethan, eight, with ex Dannii Minogue. Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Sarah for comment in relation to this story. In January HBO announced Meryl Streep had signed on to portray Mary Louise Wright, Celeste Wright's (Nicole Kidman) mother-in-law on Big Little Lies season two. Now, Nicole, 51, has shared fresh details about how she managed to confinve three-time Oscar winner, 69, to star in the Emmy-winning. The Australian star told Foxtel Magazine (June edition) the hit show's author, Liane Moriarty specifically asked for Meryl to join the show. Getting their golden girl! 'Reese and I were literally screaming on the phone!' Nicole Kidman (left) convinced Meryl Streep (right) to star in Big Little Lies season two via text message Upon Liane's request, Nicole, who co-produces Big Little Lies with Reese Witherspoon, sent the award-winning actress a text message and insisted that she sign on for the second season. Meryl, however, only responded to Nicole's SMS after Big Little Lies won an impressive four Golden Globes last year. 'Reese [Witherspoon] and I said, 'We can't get you Meryl!' but then I sent Meryl a text and, when she responded after the Globes, Reese and I were literally screaming on the phone with each other!' Nicole said. Nabbing a superstar! 'Reese [Witherspoon] and I said, 'We can't get you Meryl!' but then I sent Meryl a text and, when she responded after the Globes, Reese and I were literally screaming on the phone with each other!' Nicole told Foxtel Magazine's June edition SMS: Upon Liane's request, Nicole, (left) who co-produces Big Little Lies with Reese Witherspoon, (right) sent the award-winning actress a text message and insisted that she sign on for the second season 'She (Meryl) wrote: 'Well, this just means I have to do it, huh?'' Nicole added. Late last year, Nicole applauded the 69-year-old for her role in the HBO series and hinted she will shake up the popular series. Speaking to The Sun-Herald in December 2018, Nicole, who won a Golden Globe for her role in the HBO show, said: 'You need a Meryl, someone to come in and shake us up.' 'She helps us get into the ramifications of how the first season ended. The weight of that is heavy. It has to be. There's no way around it.' 'You need a Meryl!' Nicole applauded Meryl for her role in Big Little Lies season two in an interview late last year. Pictured at the 79th Annual Academy Awards Meryl portrays Mary Louise, the mother-in-law of Nicole Kidman's character, Celeste Wright, who comes to town with questions about the death of her son Perry (Alexander Skarsgard). In the lead-up to the new season, Nicole revealed she thinks the HBO series is one of her greatest accomplishments career-wise. In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph this month, Nicole revealed she has 'never been in something' that has had such a huge global reach and insisted it was the huge demand from fans that led to another season. Big Little Lies, based on the book of the same name by author Liane Moriarty, follows the lives of six mothers living in California and the rivalries that form between them. Big Little Lies is set to return to HBO in June and will see the addition of Meryl Streep as Mary Louise, a woman determined to get to the bottom of a death that rocked the group in its inaugural season. She recently bid farewell to her Game Of Thrones character Sansa Stark as the series came to an end on Sunday. And Sophie Turner proved there's no rest for the wicked as she attended a photocall for upcoming superhero film X-Men: Dark Phoenix alongside co-stars Jessica Chastain, Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy in London's Hyde Park on Tuesday afternoon. The Another Me actress, 23, commanded attention as she slipped into a quirky strapless minidress, highlighting her enviably slender legs. Busy bee: Sophie Turner proved there's no rest for the wicked as she attended a photocall for upcoming superhero film X-Men: Dark Phoenix alongside co-star Jessica Chastain in London's Hyde Park on Tuesday Showcasing her incredibly toned figure, the screen star's ensemble featured a plunging purple bodice and a monochrome-style ruffled skirt. The wife of Joe Jonas upped the style ante with her choice of footwear as she sported a pair of pointed sparkly stilettos, while opting for minimal accessories. With her blonde tresses styled in a straight fashion, the TV and film star accentuated her stunning features with a smokey eyeshadow look, tied in with nude lipgloss. Molly's Game actress Jessica, 42, stood out from the crowd in a bright yellow maxi dress, embellished with a perilously low-cut neckline and waterfall-style sleeves. Working it! Also joined by Michael Fassbender (L) and James McAvoy (R), the Another Me actress, 23, commanded attention as she slipped into a quirky strapless minidress Wow-factor! Showcasing her incredibly toned figure, the screen star's ensemble featured a plunging purple bodice and a monochrome-style ruffled skirt Looking good: Molly's Game actress Jessica, 42, stood out from the crowd in a bright yellow maxi dress, embellished with a perilously low-cut neckline and waterfall-style sleeves (pictured with Simon Kinberg far right) Speaking recently to Lifestyle Inq, Sophie spoke enthusiastically about the film's female focus. She explained: 'All the female characters in this movie are the strongest characters. We have a female protagonist, a female antagonist, all while the female protagonist is also somewhat of an antagonist.'' 'Its all about her relationships, Jeans relationship with the females throughout this movie, which is really very interesting. None of the women in this movie are subservient to a man, which is incredible,' she continued. The film has a star-studded cast with the likes of Jennifer Lawrence and Nicholas Hoult also involved. Leading actress: The TV and film star plays Jean Grey who begins to develop incredible powers that corrupt and turn her into a Dark Phoenix End of the road: Sophie's outing comes after she shared a moving goodbye to her Game of Thrones character Sansa Stark (pictured) as the show came to an end on Sunday With a release date of June 7 in the USA and June 5 in the UK, the film tells the story of Jean Grey, played by Sophie, who begins to develop incredible powers that corrupt and turn her into a Dark Phoenix. The X-Men will have to decide if the life of a team member is worth more than all the people living in the world. Picking up in 1992, nearly a decade after the events of that film, the movie's final trailer finds Jean earning her mutant stripes after a rescue mission in deep space goes horribly wrong, resulting in her being engulfed by a powerful explosion that decimates her ship. Against the odds she survives unscathed, and stunned students at Xaviers School for Gifted Youngsters give the the name Phoenix a reference to her unique ability to quite literally rise from the ashes. She has strolled down many a catwalk since being discovered at the age of 16. And Cindy Bruna used the french pavement as her runway as she left the Hotel Martinez in Cannes on Tuesday. The Victoria Secrets model, 24, was sure to stop traffic with her very leggy display which was in full display thanks to her navy blue corset mini dress that featured a super short hemline. Wowsers: Cindy Bruna used the french pavement as her runway as she left the Hotel Martinez in Cannes on Tuesday Elongating her lithe pins, the beauty slipped her feet into black sky high stilettos and covered her shoulder with an over-sized black blazer. Cindy shaded her eyes from the sunshine in a pair of black sunglasses and carried a small white handbag that boasted a gold wire handle. She styled her brunette locks into a voluminous curly hairdo that she swept to one side. Knowing how to pose up a storm, the French Model worked all her best angles as she was snapped outside the luxury hotel. Leggy: The Victoria Secrets model, 24, was sure to stop traffic with her very leggy display which was in full display thanks to her navy blue corset mini dress that featured a short hem Proving that she knows her legs are one of her fantastic assets, the star wore another leggy ensemble when attending the 10th Annual Filmmakers Dinner hosted by Charles Finch, Edward Enninful and Michael Kors earlier in the week. Cindy showcased her pert posterior in a tiny thigh-grazing patterned corset dress. The model added height to her statuesque frame and toned legs with a pair of very high Christian Louboutin nude heels. Work it! Knowing how to pose up a storm, the French Model worked all her best angles as she was snapped outside the luxury hotel Adding some glamorous accessories, Cindy opted for an eye-catching diamond and rose gold choker necklace. Cindy joined the likes of Rita Ora, Liam Payne and Amber Heard - to name a few - at the star-studded bash. The 2019 Cannes Film Festival takes place at the iconic Palais des Festivals from last Tuesday until May 25. Actress Elle Fanning, French graphic novelist Enki Bilal and the Oscar-nominated director of The Favourite, Yorgos Lanthimos, will be among jury members during the annual event. Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu will preside over the panel that decides on prizes, including the top Palme D'Or award. Showstopper: Proving that she knows her legs are one of her fantastic assets, the star wore another leggy ensemble when attending the 10th Annual Filmmakers Dinner earlier in the week The jury for the festival's 72nd edition will also include Pawel Pawlikowski, the Polish filmmaker and screenwriter named best director at Cannes last year for the impossible love story Cold War. Maimouna N'Diaye, who has directed documentaries and acted in films such as Otar Iosseliani's Chasing Butterflies will also sit on the panel, alongside two other female directors. Kelly Reichardt, whose Wendy and Lucy starring Michelle Williams was a contender for Cannes' Un Certain Regard award in 2008, directed 2016's Certain Women. Italy's Alicia Rohrwacher won best screenplay at Cannes last year for her film Happy as Lazzaro, a satirical fable about a peasant family. French filmmaker Robin Campillo, who took Cannes by storm in 2017 with 120 BPM - Beats Per Minute, winning the Grand Prix for his movie about an AIDs activist, will complete the line-up. She was the picture of glamour as she threw her support behind her boyfriend Guillame Canet at the premiere of his film La Belle Epoque on Monday. And Marion Cotillard opted for a more dressed-down appearance as she stepped out for a casual stroll during the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday afternoon. The Big Fish actress, 43, cut a low-key figure as she rocked a navy anorak-style hooded jacket by Aigle, teamed with a trendy black mesh T-shirt. Low-key: Marion Cotillard opted for a dressed-down appearance as she stepped out for a casual stroll during the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday afternoon Injecting a touch of pazzazz into her look, the screen star donned a pair of lightly-distressed skinny jeans and pale grey pointed heels. The musician protected her eyes from the sun in a pair of square-framed mirrored shades during her walk around the French city. With her light brown tresses styled into loose waves, Marion complemented her striking beauty with light strokes of neutral-toned make-up. Off she goes: The Big Fish actress, 43, cut a low-key figure as she rocked a navy anorak-style hooded jacket by Aigle, teamed with a trendy black mesh T-shirt The French actress' outing comes after she graced the red carpet for the premiere of La Belle Epoque, where she stunned in a black co-ord, which teased a hint of her toned abs. Daring to be different, Marion opted for gothic glamour as she slipped into the shiny halterneck crop top and matching full length skirt. The 2019 Cannes Film Festival is taking place at the iconic Palais des Festivals until May 25. Actress Elle Fanning, French graphic novelist Enki Bilal and the Oscar-nominated director of The Favourite, Yorgos Lanthimos, are among jury members during the annual event. Standing tall: Injecting a touch of pazzazz into her look, the screen star donned a pair of lightly-distressed skinny jeans and pale grey pointed heels Radiant: With her light brown tresses styled into loose waves, Marion complemented her striking beauty with light strokes of neutral-toned make-up Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu currently presides over the panel that decides on prizes, including the top Palme D'Or award. The jury for the festival's 72nd edition also includes Pawel Pawlikowski, the Polish filmmaker and screenwriter named best director at Cannes last year for the impossible love story Cold War. Maimouna N'Diaye, who has directed documentaries and acted in films such as Otar Iosseliani's Chasing Butterflies also sits on the panel, alongside two other female directors. Wow-factor! The mother-of-two was the picture of glamour as she threw her support behind her boyfriend Guillame Canet at the premiere of his film La Belle Epoque on Monday His big moment: Since October 2007, Cotillard has been in a relationship with Guillaume, 46, and have two children; Marcel, eight, and Louise, two Kelly Reichardt, whose Wendy and Lucy starring Michelle Williams was a contender for Cannes' Un Certain Regard award in 2008, directed 2016's Certain Women. Italy's Alicia Rohrwacher won best screenplay at Cannes last year for her film Happy as Lazzaro, a satirical fable about a peasant family. French filmmaker Robin Campillo, who took Cannes by storm in 2017 with 120 BPM - Beats Per Minute, winning the Grand Prix for his movie about an AIDs activist, completes the line-up. Made In Chelsea's Sophie Habboo raised eyebrows with a recent Instagram post featuring her sitting on the edge of the bath. Followers noticed that in the shot - which is a sponsored post for a fake tan brand - the reality star, 25, perches in a pair of Calvin Kleins, with just a loosely buttoned white shirt wrapped around her torso. Comments on the image appeared, pointing out that the TV personality's already-little waist appears to have been shrunk even more - with the bathroom tile directly behind it wonky, in stark contrast to the rest of the wall. Habboo? Habb-noo! Made In Chelsea's Sophie Habboo raised eyebrows with a recent Instagram post featuring her sitting on the edge of the bath Habbs' followers honed in on the evident editing blunder, with one posting: 'Didnt realise tile walls were bent!! Ffs was honestly my fave MIC cast member but this is so fake. [sic]' Another remarked: 'She's edited this! Lol! [sic]' There was plenty of praise for the E4 star all the same, with many proving envious of her physique. MailOnline have approached Habbs' rep for comment. On Monday's MIC, the first signs of a blossoming romance with Jamie Laing, 30, appeared to be taking shape, as the cast hit Cape Town for a decadent weekend away. This follows Habbs' recent claims that she split from her co-star ex Sam Thompson, 26 - who is also Jamie's best friend - because he gave her too much attention. Oh dear: The blonde TV personality's already-little waist appears to have been shrunk even more - with the bathroom tile directly behind it wonky, in stark contrast to the rest of the wall No thanks: Habbs claimed she dumped 'great boyfriend' Sam Thompson because he 'doted on her too much' She told new! magazine: 'His best was that he doted on my hand and foot, but his worst was maybe that he doted on me too much. Some girls like that, I don't. For me, I don't like someone who's needy. Independence is key for me.' The television personality 'absolutely' ruled out a reunion with her 'faultless' ex as she insisted he wasn't Mr Right. Habbs also detailed the pair don't talk anymore and she revealed they cut contact because they didn't start out as friends. She added: '[I would] Absolutely not [go back out with him]. He treated me well, he was lovely to me and he was a great boyfriend. I couldn't fault him in any way but he wasn't right for me unfortunately. Is it love? On Monday's MIC, the first signs of a blossoming romance with Jamie Laing, 30, appeared to be taking shape, as the cast hit Cape Town for a decadent weekend away 'Me and Sam were never friends before we went out so there was no reason for us to be friends afterwards.' At the time of the interview, Sophie stated she did not have a boyfriend but she revealed she was 'open' to finding a new man. Sophie gave the interview to new! magazine before news emerged that she has been romancing Sam's BFF Jamie. Jamie, 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. Fallen out: Sophie gave the interview to new! magazine before news emerged that she has been romancing Sam's BFF Jamie Sam is said to be 'devastated' by Jamie's actions because the Candy Kittens entrepreneur knows how heartbroken he was after Habbs dumped him on-screen last year. 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, 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. They eventually found 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 as she said 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 the on-screen split had dented his confidence. He told 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. They are set to kick off their 20th anniversary tour on Wednesday. And the boys of Westlife - Kian Egan, Nicky Byrne, Shane Filan and Mark Feehily - are ensuring the show goes off without a hitch as they spoke exclusively to MailOnline alongside their manager Louis Walsh ahead of the comeback. The foursome have been devoting themselves to their fitness ahead of their UK, Ireland and Asia tour, with insiders revealing they have been hitting the gym, rehearsing endlessly and boosting their stamina with yoga sessions. Rock on: The boys of Westlife - Kian Egan, Nicky Byrne, Shane Filan and Mark Feehily - are ensuring the show goes off without a hitch as they spoke exclusively to MailOnline as well as their manager Louis Walsh ahead of the comeback Westlife are back with a bang as their first single in eight years hit airwaves in January, ahead of their reunion tour kicking off on Wednesday. The hit group soared to fame in 1998 when they were formed in Dublin, with the original line-up also featuring Brian McFadden, who later left in 2004. The group broke hearts of fans around the globe when they announced plans to disband in 2012 before all embarking on respective solo careers over the years. In October, Westlife announced their return - with both new music and an anniversary tour - as Shane delightedly revealed: 'We still have a lot that we want to achieve as a band and we want to bring our new music to fans all over the world'. Happy days: The foursome have been devoting themselves to their fitness ahead of their UK, Ireland and Asia tour, with insiders revealing they have been hitting the gym, rehearsing endlessly and boosting their stamina with yoga sessions Working it out: Westlife were seen checking out the finer details of the concert ahead of Wednesday's launch night Now, as the tour approaches, their long-time manager Louis told MailOnline: 'Westlife are back with a grown-up, mature sound and they are ready to give fans the best performance of their careers... 'Rehearsals have been going great. It would have been the easy option to just get back together with a comeback tour and no new material. But these guys dont take the lazy option and this is going to be bigger and better than ever... 'They have spent a fortune on the live show and brought in the guys behind Cirque Du Soleil in Las Vegas to design everything. The new tour is a visual extravaganza... Sensational: 'They have spent a fortune on the live show and brought in the guys behind Cirque Du Soleil in Las Vegas to design everything. The new tour is a visual extravaganza' Here come the boys! Now, as the tour approaches their long-time manager Louis (pictured with the group in 2004) told MailOnline: 'Westlife are back with a grown-up, mature sound and they are ready to give fans the best performance of their careers' 'People will be blown away on Wednesday when the tour starts. It is a different version to Westlife. The classic hits songs are still there but the are back with a classy new-look. It is an exciting time.' Kian, 39, Nicky, 40, Mark, 38, and Shane, 39, are said to be in the best shapes of their lives after working hard on their fitness ahead of the shows. Sources revealed: 'Theyre in the best shape of their lives, they look fantastic and are ready to put in energetic stage performances. They've been training together, putting in serious gym time and even yoga to build their pre-tour stamina... Stretching it out: Kian, 39, Nicky, 40, Mark, 38, and Shane, 39, are said to be in the best shapes of their lives after working hard on their fitness ahead of the shows Rock on: Westlife, who have accumalated a whopping 14 number one singles, say they are excited to be getting the tour underway 'Yoga has also helped them to relax and deal with a relentless rehearsal schedule to help them get familiar with old and new stage routines... 'Kian, Nicky, Shane and Mark are loving every minute of the comeback and cannot wait to be performing again throughout the summer.' Westlife, who have accumalated a whopping 14 number one singles, say they are excited to be getting the tour underway. Relentless: 'Yoga has also helped them to relax and deal with a relentless rehearsal schedule to help them get familiar with old and new stage routines' They said: 'The tour has everything. Heartfelt emotional songs and also great uptempos that are designed for our forthcoming stadium performances.. 'Were going to give the fans the best tour we have ever done. We are giving everyone the best version of ourselves - we like to call it Westlife 2.0"... 'We couldn't be happier with how the last few months have gone and we cannot wait for fans to hear the end results on Wednesday.' Westlife: The 20 Tour kicks off in Belfast on Wednesday It's about to be summer, and Khloe Kardashian is clearly ready to show off her bikini body. The reality star, 34, put her gym-honed torso on display while filming KUWTK in Calabasas with Scott Disick on Monday. Khloe was the picture of cool wearing a fluffy black crop top and statement-making silver hoop earrings. Top of the crops! Khloe Kardashian put her gym-honed torso on display while filming KUWTK in Calabasas with Scott Disick on Monday The star worked her magic in a pair of tight ripped jeans that further accentuated her fabulous figure. She slung a black purse on her arm. Khloe's blonde hair was slicked back and away from her complexion, putting her perfectly done-up complexion on display. She added a pop of color with her hot pink manicure, yet opted for a more neutral palette when it came to her makeup. Working it: Khloe looked incredible as she enjoyed a laid-back outing with Scott The mom-of-one brought out her natural radiance with a peachy hue of blush and nude lips. Scott, meanwhile, kept it casual in a windbreaker jacket, jeans, and white sneakers. The reality star appeared quiet as he followed Khloe inside the restaurant. Keeping it casual! Disick opted for a grey windbreaker jacket, jeans, and white sneakers The outing comes just days after Khloe's interview with Laura Wasser on her podcast Divorce Sucks. During the interview, Khloe revealed she's open to marriage again, but 'not even thinking about dating' as she's focusing on her 'mind, body and soul.' When asked whether she'd ever consider getting married again, TV personality Khloe simply responded: 'Yes.' The businesswoman went on to reflect on the painful aftermath of divorce while keeping a positive outlook on romance. 'What I've learnt from my first ex-husband is that you'll be OK', she said. 'I really think you should go through your feelings. [The divorce from] Lamar was so hard for me, it was the first time I had my heart broken and I put my all into my marriage. Her career has skyrocketed since appearing in Netflix's Stranger Things as the lead character, Eleven. And Millie Bobby Brown has revealed she was bullied at school in England when she was younger during a candid interview with Glamour UK and Orlando Bloom. The 15-year-old actress said that the bullying led to a lot of 'anxiety and issues' that she still deals with today. Candid: Millie Bobby Brown has revealed she was bullied at school in England when she was younger during a candid interview with Glamour UK and Orlando Bloom Yet despite Millie predominantly residing in LA now, the star admitted that she still has to deal with situations online, which are 'soul breaking'. Speaking to the magazine, she said: 'I was bullied at school back in England. So, its extremely important for me to speak out against bullying. 'I actually switched schools because of it, it created a lot of anxiety and issues that I still deal with today. 'I have dealt with situations both in real life and online that are soul breaking and it genuinely hurts reading some of the things people have said.' Speaking out: The 15-year-old actress said that the bullying led to a lot of 'anxiety and issues' that she still deals with today Millie added that she wants to protect children from violence and exploitation as well as negativity on social media. She said: 'Young peoples lives are increasingly under pressure. First of all, I want to make sure that children are protected from violence and exploitation. 'I also want to combat the negativity on social media I have experienced it its like a disease. 'Its negative hate that is genuinely so horrifying to me. Climate change is so important too.' Upsetting: Yet despite Millie predominantly residing in LA now, the star admitted that she still has to deal with situations online, which are 'soul breaking' In November, Millie was named as UNICEF's youngest-ever Goodwill Ambassador, thanks to her work on raising awareness of childrens rights and issues that may affecting them such as bullying. Talking about the honour, she said: 'Being named an ambassador honestly it was one of the craziest situations. I cant even put into words how I felt, but it was just so exciting.' Millie's interview comes after a new scene from season three of Netflix's Stranger Things was teased with characters Billy Hargrove and Mike's mother, Karen Wheeler, having a flirty moment. Talking about the third series, the actress said: 'Theres not much I can say. But I can say its one of the most important things in my life. Flirty: Millie's interview comes after a new scene from season three of Netflix 's Stranger Things was teased with characters Billy Hargrove and Mike's mother, Karen Wheeler, Turning up the heat: The two characters have a flirty moment by the swimming pool after having a connection in series two 'I am so excited about it because I worked really hard on it. Its like my baby. I shaved my hair off for it, so ever since then its become one of my favourite projects I have ever done.' On Monday, Netflix revealed that Stranger Things will return on Independence Day, July 4. In new series posters, the cast are all seen appearing shocked as they stand in front of fireworks, like that of the Fourth Of July. 'One summer can change everything,' reads the teaser on each of the posters. Actress Millie, who plays Eleven, led the stars wearing a casual T-shirt tucked into a pair of high-waisted trousers. Her newly grown back brunette hair is styled out naturally into waves and she has a hair elastic on her wrist, ready to tie-up her tresses at any moment. See the full feature in the May digital issue of Glamour UK, available online now. Pete Evans and his wife Nicola Robinson are currently enjoying a romantic holiday in Portugal. And on Tuesday the My Kitchen Rules judge, 46, sent his legion of online followers into a tizzy as he showed off an intriguing delicacy from the region. In an image shared to Instagram, Pete challenged fans to guess the 'Portuguese favourite,' which lay in the palm of his hand. Scroll down for video Can you guess what kind of meat this is? Pete Evans challenged fans to guess this 'Portuguese' delicacy (pictured) with some claiming it's flesh from the head of a hog 'Mmmmm. Guess what this is? A Portuguese favourite. So yummy,' Pete captioned the image. Fans were quick to respond to the post with some claiming the 'Portuguese favourite' is head cheese, which is typically made with flesh from the head of a hog or calf. 'Like head cheese?' one fan guessed in the comment section. Instaham? The My Kitchen Rules judge, 46, (pictured) sent his legion of followers into a frenzy as he showed off an intriguing delicacy from Portugal on Instagram this week Say what? Fans were quick to respond to the post with some claiming the 'Portuguese favourite' is head cheese, which is typically made with flesh from the head of a hog or calf Meanwhile some users declared the delicacy is Torresmos, or pork rind. 'Torresmos!!! That was my favorite thing before being vegetarian,' one fan wrote. Jamon serrano, Tripe and pig skin were some of the other suggestions from fans. The pig logo wrapping paper seen in the background of the image also indicates the delicacy is likely pork. Vacation: On Sunday, MKR judge Pete (right) shared a rare photo of himself and wife Nicola Robinson (left) to Instagram while on holiday in her ancestral home of Portugal Earlier this week, the MKR judge shared a rare photo of the pair while on holiday in Nicola's ancestral home of Portugal. In a photo shared to Instagram, the former Playboy model, 41, looked simply radiant as she displayed her perfectly smooth, wrinkle-free complexion. Nicola, who prefers to live a natural, chemical-free lifestyle, also showcased her plump lips and pleasingly arched eyebrows in the photo. Pete wrote in the caption: 'Portuguese beauty! Love that we're exploring your ancestors' lands together!' The couple married in 2016 at their family farm in northern New South Wales. It was reported earlier this year that her character Lisa Dingle would be killed off after she revealed she had a terminal heart condition. And Emmerdale star Jane Cox has now revealed she decided to leave the soap because she wants to 'do things [she] didnt have time to do.' The 67-year-old actress spoke candidly with the Daily Mirror on Tuesday, and said the six-days-a-week filming schedule meant she didn't 'have time in the evening' to do anything except learn her lines. It's time: Emmerdale star Jane Cox revealed on Tuesday that she decided to quit the soap so she can 'do things she didn't have time to do' after 23 years of playing Lisa Dingle She explained to the publication: 'It is long, long days and then you dont have time in the evening because you have lines to learn for the next day. 'I decided that this is going to be my time to do things I didnt have time to do. I still feel about 20-odd, but in 20 years I will be 87, and there are other things in life that I want to explore.' Admitting that if she hadn't 'left now [she] never would', Jane added: 'Life is such an exciting thing, you never know what is around the corner. It was a big decision but I know it is the right thing.' Busy schedule: Jane explained that the the six-days-a-week filming schedule meant she didn't 'have time in the evening' to do anything except learn her lines Jane has starred as the Dingle veteran on the hit ITV soap for 23 years after joining Emmerdale in 1996. Emmerdale fans were left heartbroken in March after they discovered that Lisa was being killed off after discovering she had a terminal heart condition. In the emotional scenes, which marked International Womens Day, Lisa met up secretly with her niece Charity Dingle in Scotland as she shared her devastating diagnosis. The heartbreaking episode saw Lisa ask Charity to prepare her eulogy as she made her promise that she would keep her terminal heart condition a secret. Lisa begged Charity to keep the news between them for the next few weeks, with the character's daughter Belle Dingle still unaware about the diagnosis. The new emotional storyline is part of the actress' return to the Yorkshire Dales ahead of her exit. Emmerdale legend: Jane Cox has starred as the Dingle veteran on the hit ITV soap for 23 years after joining Emmerdale in 1996 (pictured in 1999) Lisa will be joined by on-screen husband, Zak Dingle, played by Steve Halliwell - who has taken time off the soap in real life for a serious heart operation, as they integrate their characters back into the village. Talking about her shock exit and Lisa's final scenes at the time, actress Jane said: 'Lisa is so close to my heart as shes been such a huge part of my life for the past more than 23 years. 'So I know I will shed more than a few tears when it comes to filming her final scenes. 'But Im really looking forward to my return to the show to tell this story and to give the character of Lisa a deserving farewell. I will miss her.' Reunited: Lisa will be joined by on-screen husband, Zak Dingle, played by Steve Halliwell - who has taken time off the soap in real life, as they integrate their characters back into the village (pictured on the soap in 2016) Lisa's was last seen on Emmerdale in May 2018, for a special one-off episode, as she fled the village earlier in the year after she reported Liv Flaherty to the police after the teenager accidentally spiked her drink, causing a family feud. Prior to this, the character had already had a health scare in April when she suffered an angina attack due to stress, leading her to seek a more relaxed lifestyle in Scotland. In January, it was revealed that Steve Halliwell, who plays Zak, had been rushed hospital for a serious heart operation in September. The actor, 64, was forced to take five months off work to have the pacemaker fitted and to recover. Emmerdale continues on weeknights at 7pm on ITV. Advertisement They are among the world's top supermodels, known for sporting the finest couture on runways around the globe. And Doutzen Kroes Coco Rocha, Josephine Skriver and Karolina Kurkova dazzled as they led the models attending the Once Upon A Time In Hollywood premiere during the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday. Dutch supermodel Doutzen, 34, looked incredible in a dramatic fringed white leopard print Tom Ford gown with eye-popping cut-outs which flashed her decolletage Wow: Doutzen Kroes Coco Rocha, Josephine Skriver and Karolina Kurkova dazzled as they led the models attending the Once Upon A Time premiere during the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday The stunning gown teased the star's cleavage and taut midriff, while cinching in at her slender waist. Adding a touch of couture edge, the dress was overlaid with pearlescent shimmering tassels. Her platinum tresses were pulled into a sleek chignon with vampy eye make-up and scarlet lipstick accentuated her beautiful features. Work it: Dutch supermodel Doutzen, 34, looked incredible in a dramatic fringed white leopard print Tom Ford gown with eye-popping cut-outs which flashed her decolletage Glitz: Canadian model Coco, 30, commanded attention with dramatic eye make-up and a semi-sheer bejewelled gown as she hit the red carpet Sensational: Coco oozed 1920s chic with her stunning gown which she styled with swept back hair and drop earrings Wow: Her brunette tresses were styled in slick vintage curls, swept back off her face while edgy black feline flicks of shadow accentuated her sparkling eyes Canadian model Coco, 30, commanded attention with dramatic eye make-up and a semi-sheer bejewelled gown as she hit the red carpet. The star's gown featured a nude tulle body with strategically placed crystals adorning the sleeves, decolletage and waist. Flashing her underwear and lean legs, the garment flowed into a dramatic skirt adorned with silver sequins and jewels, which hugged her slender figure. Her brunette tresses were styled in slick vintage curls, swept back off her face while edgy black feline flicks of shadow accentuated her sparkling eyes. Leggy: VS Angel Josephine flashed her toned legs in a sparkling baby pink strapless gown with a soaring thigh split VS Angel Josephine flashed her toned legs in a sparkling baby pink strapless gown with a soaring thigh split. Teasing her ample cleavage in the low-cut gown, the star boosted her height with a pair of nude heels. Josephine, 26, wore her caramel locks in a voluminised up with strands framing her face while a rich palette of make-up enhanced her beautiful features. Glitter: Teasing her ample cleavage in the low-cut gown, the star boosted her height with a pair of nude heels Karolina, 35, went for a Princess inspired gown in a vibrant fuchshia pink adorned with emerald silk brocade detail. The strapless gown cinched in at her trim waist before flaring into a showstopping skirt. Czech beauty Karolina oozed elegance in a chic updo paired with sparkling drop earrings. Statement: Karolina, 35, went for a Princess inspired gown in a vibrant fuchshia pink adorned with emerald silk brocade detail Happy couple: The star posed with her husband Archie Drury at the premiere Vogue cover star Coco was without artist husband James Conran, who she married in June 2010. In March 2015, the devout Jehovah's Witness gave birth to the couple's first daughter Loni James Conran. In April of last year, Coco gave birth to their second daughter, Iver. Josephine recently enjoyed a romantic break with fiance Alexander DeLeon in Costa Rica, which saw them celebrate the hunk's 30th birthday. Wow: Winnie Harlow flashed her lean legs in a striking scarlet gown Siren; The star put on an extremely leggy display in the ruffled red gown Work! Winnie, real name Chantelle, showed off her modelling prowess on the red carpet Busty: The star flashed her cleavage through the semi-sheer fabric of the dress The lovebirds got engaged in November last year during a romantic break in Finland where they ticked off Josephine's bucket list wish to see the Northern Lights. Their star-studded paths first crossed in 2013. While former Victoria's Secret Angel and Vogue cover star Karolina is married to actor and producer Archie Drury and they have two sons - Tobin, nine, and Noah, three. Once Upon A Time In Hollywood sees Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt bring the golden age of Hollywood back to life. Playing Rick Dalton and his stunt double Cliff Booth, the actors revisit a simpler time in tinsel town as they transport us back to Los Angeles in 1969. Being a Quentin Tarantino film, his ninth to be precise, the teaser promises plenty of Hollywood throwbacks and a behind the scenes glimpse at a Western film. The ensemble cast starts to emerge in a trailer released earlier this year, with Margot Robbie making her debut as 60s icon Sharon Tate. Chic: Sara Sampaio wowed in a pastel orange feathered gown Other stars in the film include Al Pacino, Emile Hirsch, Damian Lewis, Bruce Dern, Dakota Fanning, Austin Butler, Lena Dunham and Margaret Qualley. In the film, the actors seem to be linked to each other in one way or another. Washed up Western star Dalton lives next door to Sharon Tate, one of Hollywood's greatest stars at the time. Martin Schwarz, played by Al Pacino, who is also Daltons agent, while Joanna Pettet, played by Rumer Willis, stars as a friend of Sharon Tate. Mike Moh plays Bruce Lee in a fight scene with Rick Dalton. Brad and Leonardo play a double act, and they joked about 'carrying the load' for each other in an interview that opens the first trailer. The movie is a character comedy/drama set in 1969 in Los Angeles, with multiple story lines paying tribute to what is widely known as Hollywood's 'golden age.' PDA; The star posed with her boyfriend Oliver Ripley at the premiere PDA; The model packed on the PDA with her hunky beau on the red carpet Gent: Oliver chivalrously lifted his girlfriend's train as they walked the red carpet The 2019 Cannes Film Festival takes place at the iconic Palais des Festivals from Tuesday until May 25. Actress Elle Fanning, French graphic novelist Enki Bilal and the Oscar-nominated director of The Favourite, Yorgos Lanthimos, will be among jury members during the annual event. Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu will preside over the panel that decides on prizes, including the top Palme D'Or award. The jury for the festival's 72nd edition will also include Pawel Pawlikowski, the Polish filmmaker and screenwriter named best director at Cannes last year for the impossible love story Cold War. Maimouna N'Diaye, who has directed documentaries and acted in films such as Otar Iosseliani's Chasing Butterflies will also sit on the panel, alongside two other female directors. Off she goes: Josephine posed up a storm as she was pictured at the Martinez hotel earlier in the day Kelly Reichardt, whose Wendy and Lucy starring Michelle Williams was a contender for Cannes' Un Certain Regard award in 2008, directed 2016's Certain Women. Italy's Alicia Rohrwacher won best screenplay at Cannes last year for her film Happy as Lazzaro, a satirical fable about a peasant family. French filmmaker Robin Campillo, who took Cannes by storm in 2017 with 120 BPM - Beats Per Minute, winning the Grand Prix for his movie about an AIDs activist, will complete the line-up. Katie Piper admitted she is 'feeling pretty rough' after being rushed to hospital with a bad infection. The philanthropist, 35, took to her Instagram stories on Tuesday on day three of her hospital stint and revealed she is 'not going home anytime soon' after falling ill over the weekend. Sharing her health woes with her followers, she said: 'I'm feeling pretty rough, my markers (infection) are still quite high so I don't think not going home anytime soon.' 'Not going home': Katie Piper, 35, admitted she is 'still feeling pretty rough' after being rushed to hospital with an infection Katie, who has undergone almost 300 operations, thanked her followers for their messages of support: 'I just wanted to say also thank you to everyone that's left comments and messages on my main grid. 'It's really kind, really nice of you all to send get well soon messages.' 'I'm in the best place to get better and hoping to get out by the end of the week.' Katie was rushed to rushed to hospital with the bad infection, and first revealed her woes on Sunday with a selfie. Health woes: The philanthropist took to her Instagram on Tuesday on day three of her hospital stint and revealed she is 'not going home anytime soon' after falling ill over the weekend She said her health issues as she revealed her health woes were a result of her 'ignoring some symptoms.' Proving to be in high spirits following the ordeal, she updated her followers: 'Ignored some symptoms because of being too busy and now I am in hospital with a bad infection! Moral of the story, always listen to your body.' Katie continued: 'I am being looked after by some fantastic NHS nurses and doctors as always.' Painful: Back in February, it was revealed that Katie had undergone painful facial surgery by Dr Muhammad Ali Jawad 'Listen to your body': Proving to be in high spirits following the ordeal, the philanthropist revealed her health woes were a results of her 'ignoring some symptoms' Back in February, it was revealed that Katie had undergone painful facial surgery by Dr Muhammad Ali Jawad. The Strictly Come Dancing star was left partially blind after her ex-boyfriend Daniel Lynch organised for Stefan Sylvestre to carry out an acid attack in London in March 2008. She still requires regular surgery and treatment as a result of her severe facial burns. Her acid attacker Stefan was released from jail in October last year, after officials decided he was no longer a danger to the public, despite being given a life sentence with a minimum six-year term in 2009. In a recent interview with Grazia, Katie enthused her confidence is at an all-time 'high' after her 'body took a battering' from the horrific incident. Katue admitted she previously felt uncertain over whether she'd ever get employed again, praised the shift in society's perception of individuals with disabilities, and championed the rise of unfiltered photoshoots. Upsetting: The Strictly Come Dancing star was left partially blind after her ex-boyfriend Daniel Lynch organised for Stefan Sylvestre to carry out an acid attack in London in March 2008 Following on from the traumatic incident, Katie insisted she now feels content about her body image, years after failing to 'look in the mirror'. 'I think my body confidence is high. My body has taken a battering, and it's always recovered and renewed. It's made me feel in awe of what it can endure. To not love your body after going through any of that what was the point of it? 'Not so long ago, people would say to me, 'You know what I like about you? You still wear make-up and you're still glamorous. 'It's like, how patronising, of course I still wear make-up! All these things, they're not vanity, they're not frivolous this is our armour, this is our tool kit and this is what makes us feel ready to face the world.' She recently revealed she has already picked out a wedding dress - even though she is not engaged. And Lydia Bright set pulses racing as she shared a fun and flirty snap on Instagram during her holiday in Mykonos on Monday. The former TOWIE star, 28, posted an image of herself posing topless in a pool in the idyllic setting - with just two pineapples strategically placed to cover her assets. Fruity: Lydia Bright, 28, set pulses racing by sharing a topless snap on Instagram during her holiday in Mykonos on Monday. Basking in the Greek sunshine, the blonde beauty flashed her pearly white teeth as she beamed in the snap and playfully raised her arms in the air. In the sizzling image, the TV personality showed off a golden tan as she dressed her body in nothing but a gold neck and bangle. The beauty hid her eyes behind brown tortoise framed sunglasses with her hair tied back to fully expose her nude frame. Prior the reality TV star's sexiest upload yet, the gorgeous Essex native shared another bikini snap where she looked positively jaw-dropping. Sizzling: the gorgeous Essex native shared another bikini snap where she looked positively jaw-dropping In the scorching upload, Lydia flaunted her washboard abs and perfect proportions as she reclined on a sun lounger in a black belted bikini, whilst holding a glass of Rose wine. Lydia continued her stylish poolside look by donning a pair of nineties style sunglasses. The star recently appeared on Good Morning Britain alongside her family. During her live television interview, the reality star admitted she has 'already got her wedding dress organised', even though she's not engaged yet. Lydia's mother, Debbie Douglas, 55, was discussing her decision to marry the TOWIE favourite's father, Dave Bright, after almost 40 years together. Close: The blonde reality star attributed her success on the ITVBe series to her close relationship with mum Debbie during an appearance on GMB She explained: 'We actually have spoke about it so many times, it's just that life's got in the way. We planned it and then we fell pregnant with Lydia, then we planned it again and an auntie died vert suddenly. Life got in the way. 'We discussed it when he come out of hospital because we had a health scare, we had a wake up call and thought, you know, let's just do something for us. As you get older you focus on what's important in life. We lost three people recently. Lydia admitted she had opted to be more involved in the wedding planning process because she's 'very organised', and revealed she's got her own nuptials already sorted - despite the small matter of her boyfriend Lee Cronin not having popped the question. She said: 'I hoped I would be doing a lot more, because I'm very organised. My mum's very chaotic, so I'm leaving it to her now. I've already got my wedding dress organised and I'm not even engaged!' Lydia bowed out of TOWIE in 2017 after seven years on and off on the show, with Debbie quitting days later. Her comments came after she confirmed she had reunited with ex-boyfriend Lee Cronin, three months after their split. Loved-up: Lydia recently revealed she's already picked out a wedding dress, despite not actually being engaged to boyfriend Lee Cronin (pictured) The former TOWIE star explained to Hello! magazine she had got back together with her garage owner former flame because he realised she was the 'best thing that had happened to him'. She said: 'We had some time apart and then he realised I was the best thing that ever happened to him.' Lydia and Lee met in a nightclub in Ibiza in the summer of 2017, but split just four months later. They eventually reunited and moved in together in January 2018, but called it quits exactly a year later in January 2019. She has already been nominated for one Oscar. And it certainly looks like Margot Robbie will be in the running to win one. The 28-year-old Australian actress already has many buzzing from her performance in just a short appearance in the first official full trailer for Once Upon A Time In Hollywood released Tuesday featuring fellow A-listers Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio. Blonde ambition: Margot Robbie was featured in the first official full trailer for Once Upon A Time In Hollywood released Tuesday as actress Sharon Tate who was murdered by the Charles Manson Family in 1969 The clip's release coincided with Once Upon A Time In Hollywood being screened for the first time at the Cannes International Film Festival in France on Tuesday. Margot put on her best bubbly personality in the two-and-a-half minute clip as she portrays young actress Sharon Tate, who was later murdered by the Charles Manson Family. The actress stole the trailer playing Tate who goes to the movies to watch herself in 1968 Dean Martin film The Wrecking Crew. Interesting: Robbie was not featured much in the teaser released two months ago as the new clip showcases more of her portrayal of rising actress Tate Proud: The 28-year-old Oscar-nominated actress puts on an impressive performance as the relatively bubbly Tate who goes to the movies to watch herself in 1968 Dean Martin film The Wrecking Crew Talented: She proudly tells the worker at the iconic The Fox Bruin Theater in Westwood, California ticketing booth window: 'I'm Sharon Tate. I'm in the movie. That's me. I play miss Carlson, the klutz' Dragon: One of the more interesting parts of the trailer was showing scenes of Sharon battling out with Bruce Lee (Mike Moh) who had actually trained and taught her martial arts so she could perform her own stunts in The Wrecking Crew Making a splash: She is also shown in a pool at one point She proudly tells the worker at the iconic The Fox Bruin Theater in Westwood, California ticketing booth window: 'I'm Sharon Tate. I'm in the movie. That's me. I play miss Carlson, the klutz.' One of the more interesting parts of the trailer was showing scenes of Sharon battling out with Bruce Lee (Mike Moh) who had actually trained and taught her martial arts so she could perform her own stunts in The Wrecking Crew. She is also shown in a pool at one point as she was only shown briefly in the first teaser released for the film back in March. Big role: Lena Dunham is shown as one of Manson's followers nicknamed Gypsy Another actress who was featured in the clip was Lena Dunham who could be seen for the first time in her role as a Charles Manson Family member named Gypsy. DiCaprio, 44, plays actor Rick Dalton while 55-year-old Pitt plays his longtime stunt double Rick Booth as the dynamic of their relationship is showcased a bit more. The two seem to be struggling with the changing Hollywood landscape as Booth later hangs out with notorious serial killer Manson and his 'family.' Leading men: Of course the two-and-a-half minute clip featured plenty of A-listers Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio At one point one of Manson's followers nicknamed Pussycat (played by Margaret Qualley) holds hands with Gypsy (Dunham) as she tells the stuntman: 'Charlie is really going to like you.' Later a shirtless Booth could be seen shirtless on a roof as he peers down on a long-haired man who slowly turns around to reveal himself as Charles Manson (Damon Herriman) before surprisingly flashing a big smile and waving toward him. The trailer starts with Dalton and Booth meeting with film producer Marvin Schwarzs (Al Pacino) who humorously mistakes Booth for Dalton's son. Interesting: At one point one of Manson's followers nicknamed Pussycat (played by Margaret Qualley) tells Rick Booth (Pitt): 'Charlie is really going to like you' Impressive: Later a shirtless Booth could be seen shirtless on a roof as he peers down on a long-haired man Friendly: The man slowly turns around to reveal himself as Charles Manson (Damon Herriman) before surprisingly flashing a big smile and waving toward him Schwarz goes on to say how much he loves the 'killing' in Dalton's films before a scene from one of his fictional movies is shown. Dalton is shown at at a Nazi war room screaming 'anybody ordered fried sauerkraut? Die you Nazi b******s!' before firing a flamethrower at a members of Hitler's German party. One of the biggest additions to the newer clip is Luke Perry who is seen for the first time in his final role. He died at age 52 on March 4, 2019 after suffering a massive stroke on February 27. Star-studded: The trailer starts with Dalton and Booth meeting with film producer Marvin Schwarzs (Al Pacino) who humorously mistakes Booth for Rick Dalton's (Leonardo DiCaprio) son Knows what he likes: Schwarz goes on to say how much he loves the 'killing' in Dalton's films before a scene from one of his fictional movies is shown Leading man: Dalton is shown at at a Nazi war room screaming 'anybody ordered fried sauerkraut?' Burning up: He then fired a flamethrower at a members of Hitler's German party to incinerate them 'Die you Nazi b******s!' Dalton looked overjoyed to kill the men as he screamed in victory Man of many talents: The fictional character Leo plays seems to be very versatile as a performer as she was shown dancing The movie is a character comedy/drama set in 1969 in Los Angeles, with multiple story lines paying tribute to what is widely known as Hollywood's 'golden age.' The ninth film from the writer-director Tarantino features a large ensemble cast and multiple storylines in a tribute to the final moments of Hollywood's golden age. Other stars in the film include Emile Hirsch, Damian Lewis, Bruce Dern, Dakota Fanning, and Austin Butler. Once Upon A Time In Hollywood will hit US theaters on July 26 and is set for a UK release on August 14. Final ride: As the top-billed stars have been seen in the teaser released in March, one of the biggest additions to the newer clip is Luke Perry who is seen for the first time in his final role Long Shot actor Seth Rogen got the GQ treatment, donning Dries Van Noten and other designers for a fashionable new spread shot by photographer Sebastian Mader. But the 37-year-old Emmy nominee seemed more proud of the fact that his beloved pet Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Zelda got to pose on the July cover alongside him. 'Zelda is on the cover of GQ!' the Canadian comedian tweeted Tuesday about his canine companion. 'I've never been more proud.' Beach bum: Long Shot actor Seth Rogen got the GQ treatment, donning Dries Van Noten and other designers for a fashionable new spread shot by photographer Sebastian Mader Squeee! But the 37-year-old Emmy nominee seemed more proud of the fact that his beloved pet Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Zelda got to pose on the July cover alongside him In the men's mag, Seth admitted that he and his wife Lauren Miller-Rogen have put off adopting a child of their own because family puts a strain on a lot of marriages. 'We have a dog. We like the dog a lot,' Rogen gushed. 'We very much like our lives, so we will continue to put it off, it seems like, for a little while...I've had my friends be like, "Yeah, it really was hard on our relationship." I'm not saying we couldn't overcome it, but, again, we really get along and have a very good dynamic. She works very hard, and a lot as well, so when we're together, we really try to enjoy each other and hang out.' The bearded funnyman inherited his sense of humor from his eccentric parents Sandy and Mark, whom he financially supported at age 17 while starring in NBC's Freaks and Geeks. The Canadian comedian tweeted Tuesday about his canine companion: 'Zelda is on the cover of GQ! I've never been more proud' 'We have a dog. We like the dog a lot': Seth admitted that he and his wife Lauren Miller-Rogen have put off adopting a child of their own because family puts a strain on a lot of marriages (pictured November 22) Rogen said: 'We very much like our lives, so we will continue to put it off, it seems like, for a little while...I've had my friends be like, "Yeah, it really was hard on our relationship." I'm not saying we couldn't overcome it, but, again, we really get along and have a very good dynamic' (pictured April 27) 'I remember my dad [who worked for the government] being like, "In this year you will make more money than I made my entire life,"' the Independent Spirit Award nominee recalled. 'I was happy to have enough money that everyone could have money.' Seth finds it hilarious that his grandmother gets uncomfortable about his father's habit of wearing cross-body purses. 'My grandmother hates when my dad wears a purse. And around her he still wears a purse but in more muted colors,' Rogen explained. Socialists who worked for the government: The bearded funnyman inherited his sense of humor from his eccentric parents Sandy and Mark, whom he financially supported at age 17 while starring in NBC's Freaks and Geeks (pictured December 1) 'My grandmother hates when my dad wears a purse!' The Independent Spirit Award nominee finds it hilarious that his grandmother gets uncomfortable about his father's habit of wearing cross-body purses (pictured in 2016 with Snoop Dogg) Seth explained: 'He'll wear pretty bright purses, generally speaking. He buys his own, like a Le Sportsac or Kipling purse. But then, recently, I found myself talking to my wife, like, "Man, I have too much s*** in my pockets, I wish there was a thing I had where I was able to keep this s***." And she's like, "You mean like a purse, you motherf***er?" This is how it happens' 'He'll wear pretty bright purses, generally speaking. He buys his own, like a Le Sportsac or Kipling purse. But then, recently, I found myself talking to my wife, like, "Man, I have too much s*** in my pockets, I wish there was a thing I had where I was able to keep this s***." And she's like, "You mean like a purse, you motherf***er?" This is how it happens.' And while the frat packer has made a name for himself playing stoned slackers, he writes, produces, directs, acts, runs Hilarity for Charity with Lauren as well as his own weed brand Houseplant. 'I really always worked hard, because I recognized from a pretty young age it was one of the only things I could control,' the pottery enthusiast said. 'I remember I did karate as a kid, at the Jewish Community Center, and when I started I was the worst in the class, I was the worst of 25 Jewish kids who were afraid of getting picked on. And then just because everyone else quit, three years later I was at the top of the class, and there were 25 Jewish kids who were worse than me. And that was always tangible: Just by not stopping I became the best one. It wasn't this, like, ferocious leap. I just kept going, and slowly [other] people stopped. Because a lot of people will stop.' 'It honestly was not a movie I would have gone out to go see': Of all his successes, Seth learned a lot when he had to promote his role as Matt Dillon's friend Neil in the Russo Brothers' dismally-reviewed 2006 comedy You, Me and Dupree Rogen recalled: 'I actually remember doing a radio interview, being like, "Yeah, go see it, it's great," and being like, Ugh. Never again do I want to have to tell people to go see a movie that I myself actually wouldn't see' (pictured April 30) But of all his immense successes, Seth learned a lot when he had to promote his role as Matt Dillon's friend Neil in the Russo Brothers' dismally-reviewed 2006 comedy You, Me and Dupree. 'It honestly was not a movie I would have gone out to go see...It's okay, the Russo brothers did fine [with Avengers: End Game],' laughed Rogen. 'I actually remember standing in my f***ing closet in my apartment on Hayworth, doing a radio interview, being like, "Yeah, go see it, it's great," and being like, Ugh. Never again do I want to have to tell people to go see a movie that I myself actually wouldn't see. It's hard enough to promote a movie. When you're also morally corrupting yourself, it's a real bummer.' The Singularity director added: 'I don't care if people think I'm f***ing smart or some genius or how hardworking they think I am. The fact that they don't think I'm lying to them to get them to go see my movies is something I appreciate.' The pro-choice activist will next voice slow-witted warthog Pumbaa in Jon Favreau's CG-animated reboot of The Lion King - hitting US/UK theaters July 19 - alongside Billy Eichner and Donald Glover. She has been dating Leonardo DiCaprio for nearly a year. And Camila Morrone shared the red carpet with another of her boyfriend's leading ladies, his The Beach co-star Virginie Ledoyen, as she supported him at the premiere for Once Upon A Time In Hollywood during Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday. The American model, 21, look ethereal as she arrived at the event in a stunning ivory strapless gown, which was cinched in at the waist with a satin ribbon belt, further accentuating her svelte physique. Proud as punch: Camila Morrone shared the red carpet with another of her boyfriend's leading ladies, his The Beach co-star Virginie Ledoyen, as she supported him at the premiere for Once Upon A Time In Hollywood during Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday The skirt of Camila's eye-catching dress flowed out into a billowing skirt, and was adorned with dramatic feathers around the hem as the finishing touch. The stunning brunette added touches of glitz to her ensemble with a dazzling statement necklace, which was adorned in layers of glittering diamonds. She slicked back her raven tresses into a sleek bun, while accentuating her model looks with a bronze pallet of make-up in nude tones. Wow! Looking equally as stunning was actress Virginie, who oozed elegance in a deeply plunging green strappy gown as she worked her angles for the cameras Ethereal: The skirt of Camila's eye-catching dress flowed out into a billowing skirt, and was adorned with dramatic feathers around the hem as the finishing touch Dazzling: The stunning brunette added touches of glitz to her ensemble with a dazzling statement necklace, which was adorned in layers of glittering diamonds Throwback! Virginie (right) starred alongside Leo (left) in the 2000 cult hit The Beach, which sees a young American backpacker Richard (Leonardo DiCaprio) arrive in Thailand in search of adventure and looking for something 'real', compared to his life in the U.S Hedonistic paradise: Once he arrives he is told about 'The Beach', which is sold to him as a mystical paradise perfect for the hedonistic lifestyle he is in search of, however things take a turn when he discovers the paradise is less than perfect This is the first time Camila has accompanied her boyfriend Leo at any red carpet events since they embarked on their romance. Looking equally as stunning was actress Virginie, who oozed elegance in a deeply plunging green strappy gown as she worked her angles for the cameras. The French star looked glamorous as she swept her dark locks back into a chic plait, while opting for a natural make-up look with a slick of eyeliner. She completed her look with a pair of statement drop earrings, which were encrusted with dazzling blue and red gem stones. Dapper: Camila was in attendance to support her beau Leonardo at his premiere Glowing: The French star looked glamorous as she swept her dark locks back into a chic plait, while opting for a natural make-up look with a slick of eyeliner Heading out: Once Upon A Time In Hollywood sees Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt bring the golden age of Hollywood back to life Radiant: She slicked back her raven tresses into a sleek bun, while accentuating her model looks with a bronze pallet of make-up in nude tones Virginie starred alongside Leo in the 2000 cult hit The Beach, which sees a young American backpacker Richard (Leonardo DiCaprio) arrive in Thailand in search of adventure and looking for something 'real', compared to his life in the U.S. Once he arrives he is told about 'The Beach', which is sold to him as a mystical paradise perfect for the hedonistic lifestyle he is in search of, however things take a turn when he discovers the paradise is less than perfect. This is the only time Virginie and Leonardo have shared a screen, and their reunion marks 19 years since the The Beach was released. Glam: She completed her look with a pair of statement drop earrings, which were encrusted with dazzling blue and red gem stones Time goes by: This is the only time Virginie and Leonardo have shared a screen, and their reunion marks 19 years since the The Beach was released Strike a pose! Camila was working her angles on the red carpet The first official full trailer has been released for Once Upon A Time In Hollywood which coincidences with the premiere at Cannes, and like the earlier teaser it features Brad Pitt, Leonardo, and Margot Robbie. As much of the plot has been kept under wraps, the trailer for Quentin Tarantino's ninth full length feature sheds more light on the relationship between Brad and Leo's characters, Robbie's portrayal of Sharon Tate, and how Charles Manson and 'family' will be featured in the film. The movie is a character comedy/drama set in 1969 in Los Angeles, with multiple story lines paying tribute to what is widely known as Hollywood's 'golden age.' Stealing the show: All eyes were on Camila as she made her way up the steps The ninth film from the writer-director Tarantino features a large ensemble cast and multiple storylines in a tribute to the final moments of Hollywood's golden age. Once Upon A Time In Hollywood will hit US theaters on July 26 and is set for a UK release on August 14. The 2019 Cannes Film Festival is taking place at the iconic Palais des Festivals until May 25. Actress Elle Fanning, French graphic novelist Enki Bilal and the Oscar-nominated director of The Favourite, Yorgos Lanthimos, are among jury members during the annual event. Advertisement Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie joined director Quentin Tarantino at the at the glitzy premiere for Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood on the red carpet before the film received a seven-minute standing ovation. The Revenant actor, 44, and Brad, 55, delighted fans as they shared a friendly embrace at the star-studded screening during the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday. The two actors were looking dapper in matching Giorgio Armani tuxedos as they attended the launch of Quentin Tarantino's latest film, with stars including co-stars Margot Robbie and Dakota Fanning in attendance. Pals: Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt delighted fans as they shared a friendly embrace at the star-studded premiere for Once Upon A Time In Hollywood at the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday Glamorous girls: Margot Robbie (left) and Dakota Fanning also opted for very contrasting looks as they led the star-studded arrivals at the event Once Upon A Time In Hollywood tells the tale of the golden age of Hollywood through the lens of two budding actors, at a time which also saw the shocking murder of actress Sharon Tate by killer Charles Manson. Leonardo, 44, and Brad, 55, both cut smart figures in matching black tuxedos as they made a suave arrival for the film launch, ahead of the first showing of the dark comedy. The pair were in extremely high spirits as they walked the red carpet with many of their co-stars. Here come the boys! Brad Pitt, Leonardo Dicaprio and Quentin Tarantino conjured the image of Reservoir Dogs as they took to the red carpet Similar: The actors and world renowned director appeared to have been inspired by the 1992 hit directed by Tarantino Quentin Tarantino received a lengthy standing ovation before the movie even started. #OnceUponATimeInHollywood #Cannes2019 pic.twitter.com/PPqTsZqbVJ Ramin Setoodeh (@RaminSetoodeh) May 21, 2019 Suave: Leonardo looked as suave as ever in his black Giorgio Armani suit as he arrived for the star-studded film event after appearing in his second Tarantino film Keep Schtum: Tarantino also pleaded with fans to avoid revealing any spoilers ahead of the film's official release, through a written message posted to the Once Upon A Time Twitter account It's no wonder the pair were in such a jubilant mood, as the film received glowing praise from the audience who stood for seven minutes once the credits rolled, according to Deadline. After the screening, Tarantino said: 'To my wonderful actors, producers and the studio that helped me make this movie. Thank you for being such a fantastic audience, for the first time we ever showed it to an audience. See you on the Croisette!' The screening marked 25 years to the day since Tarantino premiered his award-winning film Pulp Fiction during the film festival and Once Upon A Time is rumoured to be his last outing before retirement. Tarantino also pleaded with fans to avoid revealing any spoilers ahead of the film's official release, through a written message posted to the Once Upon A Time Twitter account. The message read: 'The cast and crew have worked so hard to create something original, and I only ask that everyone avoids revealing anything that would prevent later audiences from experiencing the film in the same way.' Once Upon A Time In Hollywood sees Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt bring the golden age of Hollywood back to life. Playing Rick Dalton and his stunt double Cliff Booth, the actors revisit a simpler time in tinsel town as they transport us back to Los Angeles in 1969. United: Both Leonardo, 44, and Brad, 55, were in high spirits as they walked the star-studded red carpet, ahead of the film's long awaited US release in July Mr charming: Oscar winner Leonardo plays television actor Rick Dalton in the film, who is supposed to be based on the late star Burt Reynolds Best of friends: The star was beaming as he reunited with Brad for the lavish event, which offered the first screening of the long-awaited film Leading men: It came as Sony also released another trailer for the film to coincide with the premiere, offering a glimpse of Leonardo and Brad in action as TV star Rick Dalton and stunt double Cliff Booth respectively (above) Suave: The pair were seen alongside co-star Margot Robbie - who plays Sharon Tate - and director Quentin Tarantino Exciting: Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is the first team-up for Leonardo and Brad on the big screen, and the second time Leonardo has appeared alongside Margot after 2013's The Wolf Of Wall Street Lavish: (L-R) Leonardo, Quentin, his wife Daniella Pick, producers David Heyman and Shannon McIntosh, Margot and Brad Pitt were all reunited for the lavish film launch Throwback: Once Upon A Time tells the tale of the Golden Age of Hollywood in 1969, in the shadow of the murder of actress Sharon Tate by serial killer Charles Manson Out soon: The film has already been tipped to be a huge hit at Cannes, ahead of its US release on July 26, and the UK release on August 14 Pals: Margot and Leo put on a friendly display behind the scenes at the star-studded screening Delightful: Fans have been eagerly awaiting this tale of Hollywood through a new lens, despite some criticism for a comedic take on Manson's brutal murders Dressed up: The stars certainly scrubbed up well for their latest red carpet appearance as they made a glamorous arrival for the film event Sophisticated: This will be both Brad and Leonardo's second collaboration with Tarantino, after appearing in 2009's Inglorious Basterds and 2012's Django Unchained respectively Pals: The cast put on a united display as they held hands and laughed together on the steps of the premiere Strike a pose: Leonardo, Margot and Daniela worked their angles for the awaiting paparazzi Having a moment: Leo, Margot and Daniela got the giggles before heading into the premiere of the film Star-studded: Margot, Leo and Brad made up the star-studded cast of Once Upon A Time In Hollywood Being a Quentin Tarantino film, his ninth to be precise, the teaser promises plenty of Hollywood throwbacks and a behind the scenes glimpse at a Western film. The ensemble cast starts to emerge in a trailer released earlier this year, with Margot Robbie making her debut as 60s icon Sharon Tate. Other stars in the film include Al Pacino, Emile Hirsch, Damian Lewis, Bruce Dern, Dakota Fanning, Austin Butler, Lena Dunham and Margaret Qualley. In the film, the actors seem to be linked to each other in one way or another. Washed up Western star Dalton lives next door to Sharon Tate, one of Hollywood's greatest stars at the time. Martin Schwarz, played by Al Pacino, is also Dalton's agent, while Joanna Pettet, played by Rumer Willis, stars as a friend of Sharon Tate. Quirky: Margot, 28, opted for the unusual combination of a delicate pink sequinned top with matching embellish black trousers as she made a stunning arrival on the red carpet Pretty: Margot cut a stylish figure as she embraced Quentin's wife Daniella on the red carpet, as they celebrated the launch of the much-anticipated film Best of friends: The pair seemed delighted to be reunited on the red carpet, after Israeli singer Daniella stunned in her own beautiful pale pink gown Chums: The cast appeared to get on very well off camera following reports that the film received a six minute standing ovation Jovial: The pair seemed happier than ever as they made their way along the red carpet at the lavish film launch event Flawless: Margot also accentuated her flawless complexion with multicoloured eye shadow that perfectly mimicked the look of her character Sharon Tate (right) Dressed to impress: The Oscar-nominated actress sparkled in the feminine ensemble as she happily posed for photographers at the event Glamorous girl: The star seemed to be taking inspiration from her character Sharon Tate with the 1960s-inspired ensemble Flawless: Margot plays the role of the actress who was brutally murdered by members of The Manson Family when she was eight months pregnant with her son Jovial: The star was beaming as she headed down the red carpet in her pretty and stylish ensemble Action shot: The camera caught the moment the cast made their way down the red carpet steps Jokers: Quentin Tarantino leaned into the ear of Brad to share a joke while posing for snaps Catching the eye: Brad appeared to be distracted by something in the distance Smouldering: Brad did his best Blue Steel impression as he took to the red carpet Bye! Margot headed home following the premiere but not before offering her fans a quick wave Margot Robbie opted for an unusually contrasting look to the glamorous gowns worn by many of the stars on the red carpet, as she arrived in a 1960s-inspired ensemble. The Australian actress, 28, sported a baby pink and black sequinned top with a delicate rose brooch, teamed with matching loose trousers and towering heeled boots. Margot plays actress Sharon Tate in the film, who was brutally murdered in 1969 by The Manson Family, when she was two weeks away from giving birth to her son. Stunning: Dakota Fanning, 25, opted for all-out glamour in a beautiful pale pink Armani Prive gown with a voluminous skirt as she made her arrival for the red carpet event A vision: The stunning star accentuated her trim waist by cinching in the dress with a matching yellow silk bow belt Wow: Dakota oozed Old Hollywood glamour during the premiere in her flowing ballgown Glamorous: Dakota also added some extra sparkled with some delicate flower jewelled earrings and a matching necklace Big night: The stars were out in force for the biggest premiere of this year's Cannes Film Festival so far Jovial: Leonardo and Quentin were also seen chatting as they waited to pose for snaps on the red carpet Well-dressed: Once Upon A Time In Hollywood also stars a slew of other big names including Damian Lewis, Bruce Dern and Lena Dunham Looking smart: The male stars were all appropriately suited and booted for the lavish film launch What's going on? Something appeared to have irked Dakota as she exited the screening Smiling again: However whatever had bothered the stunning actress didn't appear to last for long as she smiled moments later Dakota Fanning, 25, also exuded glamour in a beautiful pale pink Armani Prive gown with a voluminous skirt as she made a stunning arrival on the red carpet. The former child star accentuated her tiny waist with a yellow silk bow belt, which perfectly accentuated her alabaster complexion. Dakota added some extra sparkle to her look with a beautiful silver necklace and matching earrings, with her blonde tresses pulled back into a sleek bun. In the film the star plays Lynette 'Squeaky' Fromme who was a member of The Manson Family, who while not involved in their famous murders did try to assassinate US President Gerald Ford. Loved-up: Quentin Tarantino, 56, and his younger wife Daniella Pick, 35, were the picture of happiness as they hit the red carpet for the premiere Gorgeous: Daniella highlighted her incredible physique in the simple spaghetti strap dress which had a backless design Mr and Mrs: Tarantino and Pick met back in 2009 while the director was promoting his film Inglorious Basterds but didn't start their relationship until around 2016. They got engaged in 2017 and married one year later Director Quentin Tarantino, 56, was the picture of man in love as he arrived for the red carpet with wife Daniella Pick, 35, who highlighted her incredible physique in the simple spaghetti strap dress. The couple packed on the PDA as they strolled down the red carpet arm-in-arm, lovingly gazing into each other's eyes while posing for photographs. Tarantino and Pick met back in 2009 while the director was promoting his film Inglorious Basterds but didn't start their relationship until around 2016. Quentin and the singer then became engaged in 2017 after a year of dating, and enjoyed a star-studded engagement party in September that year. This is the Jackie Brown director's first marriage. He was previously linked to the likes of Ali Later and Kathy Griffin. Best of friends: It's been a collaboration many fans have waited years for, as two of Tarantino's biggest names appear in his ninth film together Big stars: Brad and Leonardo also sported appropriately slicked-back hairstyles to match with their smart suits Chatting: Leonardo and Quentin also appeared to be deep in conversation as they chatted on the red carpet Hard at work: The cast of the ensemble feature delighted fans with their appearance on the red carpet Smartened up: Margot look extra-chic in her sparkling ensemble as she stood next to her male co-stars Friendly: Brad and Leonardo opted for matching tuxedos as they arrived on the red carpet Icon: Leonardo was his ever-charming self in a smart black tuxedo, looking far younger than his years as he arrived on the red carpet To coincide with the film's premiere, Sony also released a full-length trailer for the film, which also gives fans a glimpse of star Luke Perry who will appear posthumously in the film. The Riverdale star died at age 52 on March 4, 2019 after suffering a massive stroke on February 27, as his pro-wrestler son Jack 'Jungle Boy' Perry later revealed it was a bit of a dream role for him. Of his father, the 21-year-old said on Chris Jericho's Talk Is Jericho podcast earlier this month: 'You know, he liked Riverdale, but it was like his job, kind of, but this, he told me, he said, 'This is like you getting to wrestle Chris Jericho.' 'And this is like the biggest thing. He said, 'If I never work again, I'm happy with it.''' Back together: Margot was also reunited with Leonardo at the film event, after they first appeared in her breakout film The Wold Of Wall Street in 2013 Funny: Quentin put on a more comedic display with Margot as they walked the red carpet together Off we go! As they headed into the screening, Margot waved alongside producer Shannon McIntosh Margot was not featured much in the teaser released two months ago, but the new clip showcases more of her portrayal of rising actress Sharon Tate who was murdered by Charles Manson and his 'family' in 1969. The 28-year-old Oscar-nominated actress puts on an impressive performance as the relatively bubbly Tate who goes to the movies to watch herself in 1968 Dean Martin film The Wrecking Crew. She proudly tells the worker at the iconic The Fox Bruin Theater in Westwood, California ticketing booth window: 'I'm Sharon Tate. I'm in the movie. That's me. I play miss Carlson, the klutz.' Wow! Brooklyn Beckham and Hana Cross made their red carpet debut at the Once Upon A Time In Hollywood premiere in Cannes on Tuesday afternoon Stunning: Their romance has been hotting up, despite engaging in a series of public rows earlier this year, and they made this apparent with a passionate display at the premiere which came as part of the 72nd Cannes Film Festival I'll be there for you... Brooklyn kept a tender hand on his stunning girlfriend as they attended the bash Appreciative! Brooklyn was astounded by his girlfriend as he larked around behind her Too lost in you! Despite being surrounded by a host of fellow guests, the duo ensured they shared a host of tender moments Model moment: Hana was proving herself to have all the model prowess of her peers as she preened and posed Out and about: The couple looked sharp as they remained inseparable on the red carpet It comes as Brooklyn Beckham and Hana Cross also made their red carpet debut at the star-studded event. Their romance has been hotting up, despite engaging in a series of public rows earlier this year, and they made this apparent with a passionate display at the premiere which came as part of the 72nd Cannes Film Festival. The stunning model looked incredible as she slipped into a sizzling leather gown with a racy slash along the length of the leg while the aspiring photographer, 20, looked incredibly smart in a tuxedo. Having attended a host of parties together, Hana and Brooklyn were making their first official appearance on the red carpet as they made sure they made an entrance in their stunning ensembles. A vision: Superstar offspring Brooklyn shunned his usual scruffy, indie style in favour of a sleek tuxedo yet kept the hallmarks of his favoured style with his piles of rings, a silver earring and a mussed hairstyle Check me out! Brooklyn was holding his girlfriend close as they stepped out in stunning style A vision: They looked every inch the celebrity couple as they preened and posed for cameras Hana proved she can keep things sleek and simple yet still put on a sensational display as she dazzled along the red carpet in the racy leather gown which featured a sizzling split along the length of the leg. Offsetting the racy style perfectly, she paired the look with a slick of red lipstick while her raven tresses were piled into a curly bun on top of her head with loose tendrils framing her face. Superstar offspring Brooklyn shunned his usual scruffy, indie style in favour of a sleek tuxedo yet kept the hallmarks of his favoured style with his piles of rings, a silver earring and a mussed hairstyle. Brooklyn and Hana have been dating Brooklyn since November 2018, where they were spotted enjoying a romantic date at Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland in London. But the couple have had a rollercoaster romance. Late last month, the pair were pictured having a tearful heated discussion while in Beverly Hills. And that same month, they appeared to be having yet another row, which saw Brooklyn's little brother Romeo, 16, in a bid to calm things down. The couple appear to be back on track in recent days though as they put on a very passionate display in Richmond Park earlier this month. Wow! Winnie Harlow was getting in on the action as she put on a breathtaking display in a blood orange gown Dare to be bold: Winnie Harlow, 24, rocked a very dramatic ensemble at the lavish premiere, but nearly suffered an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction Ooh-la-la: The supermodel commanded attention as she twirled along the red carpet in an over-the-top red veiled gown - suffering a wardrobe malfunction by flashing a bit too much in the process Standing tall: The Canadian-born beauty upped the style ante as she boosted her frame in a pair of silver strappy heels Beaming: Winnie appeared in great spirits as she displayed her modelling prowess at the star-studded premiere Added pop: Injecting even more pazzazz into her appearance, the brunette bombshell accessorised with a pair of diamond chandelier-style earrings, teamed with a selection of chunky gold bangles Working her magic: The former America's Next Top Model star struck a series of sultry poses during her time at the premiere Bold: She's no stranger to turning heads in bold ensembles on-camera and at high-profile events Alongside the cast, many other stars were also in attendance for the premiere, including model Winnie Harlow, 24. The supermodel, 24, commanded attention as she twirled along the red carpet in an over-the-top red veiled gown - suffering a wardrobe malfunction by flashing a bit too much in the process. Highlighting her incredibly lean legs, the catwalk queen's ensemble was embellished with dramatic ruffled material throughout, while nailing bridal chic with a puffy tulle veil. The Canadian-born beauty upped the style ante as she boosted her frame in a pair of silver strappy heels. Injecting even more pazzazz into her appearance, the brunette bombshell accessorised with a pair of diamond chandelier-style earrings, teamed with a selection of chunky gold bangles. Winnie swept her glossy tresses into a Swedish-inspired braid to reveal her jaw-droppingly stunning features, which were enhanced with shimmery orange eyeshadow, matte foundation and faint pink lipgloss. Jaw-dropping: Looking equally as stunning was actress Virginie Ledoyen, 42, who oozed elegance in a deeply plunging green strappy gown as she worked her angles for the cameras Amazing: The French star looked glamorous as she swept her dark locks back into a chic plait, while opting for a natural make-up look with a slick of eyeliner Glamorous in green: Virginie completed her look with a pair of statement drop earrings, which were encrusted with dazzling blue and red gem stones Looking equally as stunning was actress Virginie Ledoyen, 42, who oozed elegance in a deeply plunging green strappy gown as she worked her angles for the cameras. The French star looked glamorous as she swept her dark locks back into a chic plait, while opting for a natural make-up look with a slick of eyeliner. She completed her look with a pair of statement drop earrings, which were encrusted with dazzling blue and red gem stones. Virginie starred alongside Leo in the 2000 cult hit The Beach, which sees a young American backpacker Richard (played by Leonardo) arrive in Thailand in search of adventure and looking for something 'real', compared to his life in the U.S. Beautiful: Leonardo's girlfriend Camila Morrone,21, also came out to support her beau in a stunning ivory strapless gown Dazzling: The brunette added touches of glitz to her ensemble with a dazzling statement necklace, which was adorned in layers of glittering diamonds Wow: Michelle Rodriguez went for an ethereal style in a white gown with feathered details Sisters: Dakota was supported by her sister Elle, 21, who is on this year's judging panel, and opted for a stand-out look on the red carpet Flawless: The actress displayed her quirky sense of style in a navy tulle skirt and puff ball shirt, teamed with black court shoes and a giant lattice patterned hat Heading out: Once Upon A Time In Hollywood sees Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt bring the golden age of Hollywood back to life The 2019 Cannes Film Festival takes place at the iconic Palais des Festivals until Saturday May 25. Actress Elle Fanning, French graphic novelist Enki Bilal and the Oscar-nominated director of The Favourite, Yorgos Lanthimos, are among jury members during the annual event. Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu is presiding over the panel that decides on prizes, including the top Palme D'Or award. The jury for the festival's 72nd edition also includes Pawel Pawlikowski, the Polish filmmaker and screenwriter named best director at Cannes last year for the impossible love story Cold War. Smouldering: Josephine Skriver looked incredible in a pink gown with a slash along the leg that perfectly displayed her slim complexion Beautiful: Dutch supermodel Doutzen Kroes, 34, oozed glamour in a white leopard print gown with a fringed overlay. The cutouts at the front perfectly accentuated the fashion star's ample cleavage Dramatic: Sara Sampaio, 27, also turned heads in a strapless tulle gown in a gorgeous peach shade as she walked the red carpet Lovebirds: The star had her own fairytale moment as she shared a tender kiss with boyfriend Oliver Ripley on the red carpet Colourful: Karolina Kurkova, 35, added some extra colour to the event, with a fuchsia pink strapless gown with a green leaf print Dazzling: Canadian supermodel Coco Rocha, 30, displayed her amazing figure in a semi-sheer gown covered in an intricate silver beaded detailing Sensational: Coco oozed 1920s chic with her stunning gown which she styled with swept back hair and drop earrings Sizzling: Cristiano Ronaldo's girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez, 25, displayed her incredible figure in a semi-sheer black gown with mesh panels to accentuate her ample cleavage Wow: The world's media had turned out to watch the stars take to the red carpet Maimouna N'Diaye, who has directed documentaries and acted in films such as Otar Iosseliani's Chasing Butterflies also sits on the panel, alongside two other female directors. Kelly Reichardt, whose Wendy and Lucy starring Michelle Williams was a contender for Cannes' Un Certain Regard award in 2008, directed 2016's Certain Women. Italy's Alicia Rohrwacher won best screenplay at Cannes last year for her film Happy as Lazzaro, a satirical fable about a peasant family. French filmmaker Robin Campillo, who took Cannes by storm in 2017 with 120 BPM - Beats Per Minute, winning the Grand Prix for his movie about an AIDs activist, completes the line-up. Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood is set to be released on July 26 in the US, and August 14 in the UK. All white: Indian actress Sonam Kapoor looked incredible in a white suit-skirt combo with an amazing skirt and train I am here! The Bollywood superstar made a bold choice with the plunging co-ords and an statement skirt, which needed to be carried up the stairs by a member of her entourage Incredible: Sonam looked amazing in the unusual ensemble as she arrived for the film launch event She stars as Hollywood icon Sharon Tate in Quentin Tarantino's hotly-anticipated flick. And Margot Robbie joined a legion of A-listers who turned out to celebrate the release of Once Upon A Time In Hollywood at the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday. The Suicide Squad star, 28, paid homage to her character in a quirky 1960s-inspired ensemble as she joined her co-stars Brad Pitt, 55, and Leonardo DiCaprio, 44, on the red carpet. Gorgeous: Margot Robbie, 28, joined a legion of A-listers who turned out to celebrate the release of Once Upon A Time In Hollywood at the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday Margot opted for a quirky glittering pink tunic and bold sequinned black trousers as she arrived at the world premiere. The Australian beauty completed her throwback look with a pair of slingback heeled ankle boots and a statement black choker. She also channelled the model, who was murdered by the Manson Family in 1969, with a half-up, half-down do and wore bold 60s inspired eye makeup. Inspired: The Suicide Squad star paid homage to Sharon Tate in a quirky 1960s-inspired ensemble Throwback: The Australian beauty completed her throwback look with a pair of slingback heeled ankle boots and a statement black choker Role: The blonde beauty (left), who married director Tom Ackerley in 2016, stars as icon Sharon Tate (right) in the film, which explores the golden age of Hollywood Margot, whose outfit featured statement silver buttons down the back, was later spotted embracing director Quentin's wife Daniella Pick, 35, at the star-studded event. The blonde beauty, who married director Tom Ackerley in 2016, stars as icon Sharon Tate in the film, which explores the golden age of Hollywood. Once Upon A Time In Hollywood sees Leonardo and Brad play actors Rick Dalton and his stunt double Cliff Booth. Co-stars: Margot was joined by co-stars Brad Pitt, 55, and Leonardo DiCaprio, 44, on the star-studded red carpet Excited: The blonde beauty also posed with the film's director Quentin Tarantino at the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival Pretty: Margot cut a stylish figure as she embraced Quentin's wife Daniella Pick on the red carpet, as they celebrated the launch of the much-anticipated film The actors revisit a simpler time in tinsel town as they transport us back to Los Angeles in 1969. Other stars in the hotly-anticipated film include Al Pacino, Emile Hirsch, Damian Lewis, Bruce Dern, Dakota Fanning, Austin Butler, Lena Dunham and Margaret Qualley. In the flick, washed up Western star Dalton lives next door to Sharon Tate, one of Hollywood's greatest stars at the time. Martin Schwarz, played by Al Pacino, is Dalton's agent, while Joanna Pettet, played by Rumer Willis, stars as a friend of Sharon Tate. A-listers: Margot poses with director Quentin and her Once Upon A Time In Hollywood co-stars Leonardo and Brad Grin: The actress was spotted in an animated conversation with the acclaimed filmmaker Cast: Other stars in the hotly-anticipated film include Al Pacino, Emile Hirsch, Damian Lewis, Bruce Dern, Dakota Fanning, Austin Butler, Lena Dunham and Margaret Qualley Plot: Once Upon A Time In Hollywood sees Leonardo and Brad bring the golden age of Hollywood back to life (Pictured, Margot Robbie in the film) To coincide with the film's premiere on Tuesday, Sony released a full-length trailer for the film, which also gives fans a glimpse of star Luke Perry who will appear posthumously in the film. The Riverdale star died at age 52 on March 4, 2019 after suffering a massive stroke on February 27, as his pro-wrestler son Jack 'Jungle Boy' Perry later revealed it was a bit of a dream role for him. Of his father, the 21-year-old said on Chris Jericho's Talk Is Jericho podcast earlier this month: 'You know, he liked Riverdale, but it was like his job, kind of, but this, he told me, he said, "This is like you getting to wrestle Chris Jericho." Story: Playing Rick Dalton and his stunt double Cliff Booth, Brad and Leonardo revisit a simpler time in tinsel town as they transport us back to Los Angeles in 1969 Stars: Martin Schwarz, played by Al Pacino, is Dalton's agent, while Joanna Pettet, played by Rumer Willis, stars as a friend of Sharon Tate Sneak peek: To coincide with the film's premiere on Tuesday, Sony released a full-length trailer for the film 'And this is like the biggest thing. He said, "If I never work again, I'm happy with it.''' Margot was not featured much in the teaser released two months ago, but the new clip showcases much more of her portrayal of Sharon - who was murdered by Charles Manson and his 'family' in 1969. The Oscar-nominated actress puts on an impressive performance as the bubbly Tate who goes to the movies to watch herself in 1968 Dean Martin film The Wrecking Crew. Impressive: In a few clip, Margot puts on an impressive performance as the bubbly Tate who goes to the movies to watch herself in 1968 Dean Martin film The Wrecking Crew On going: The 2019 Cannes Film Festival is taking place at the iconic Palais des Festivals until May 25 Glowing: The blonde beauty stunned in her 60s-inspired ensemble as she posed on the red carpet Previous: The actress recently starred as Tonya Harding in I, Tonya alongside Avengers: Endgame actor Sebastian Stan Goodbye: The actress waves goodbye alongside producer Shannon McIntosh as she enters the iconic Palais des Festivals She proudly tells the worker at the iconic The Fox Bruin Theater in Westwood, California ticketing booth window: 'I'm Sharon Tate. I'm in the movie. That's me. I play miss Carlson, the klutz.' The 2019 Cannes Film Festival is taking place at the iconic Palais des Festivals until May 25. Actress Elle Fanning, French graphic novelist Enki Bilal and the Oscar-nominated director of The Favourite, Yorgos Lanthimos, are among jury members at the annual event. Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu currently presides over the panel that decides on prizes, including the top Palme D'Or award. Jury: Actress Elle Fanning, French graphic novelist Enki Bilal and the Oscar-nominated director of The Favourite, Yorgos Lanthimos, are among jury members at the annual event She has jetted to Cannes for the premiere of Quentin Tarantino's film Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, in which she plays 60s model Sharon Tate. And ahead of taking to the red carpet, Margot Robbie soaked up the sun on the beach at Eden Roc on Tuesday. Showing off her impressive diving skills, the actress, 28, slipped into a white one-shouldered swimsuit which exhibited her incredible bikini body. Time for a swim: Ahead of taking to the red carpet for Once Upon A Time In Hollywood premiere, Margot Robbie soaked up the sun as she hit the beach at Eden Roc on Tuesday The asymmetric one-piece hugged Margot's slender frame, while the high-rise cut on the bottoms made the most of her tremendous pins and peachy derriere. Making the most of the sunny climes, the Suicide Squad star dived into the water, displaying good technique as she hit the sea. Margot wasn't afraid to get her softly tumbled tresses wet during her idyllic swim and later dried off in a dove grey towel. Wow! Showing off her impressive diving skills, the actress, 28, slipped into a white one-shouldered swimsuit which exhibited her incredible bikini body Beach babe: The asymmetric one-piece hugged Margot's slender frame Tanned and toned: The high-rise cut on the bottoms made the most of her tremendous pins and peachy derriere Up and away: After diving into the water, Margot climbed out of the sea and ascended some stairs Fun in the sun: The Australian beauty looked thoroughly relaxed as she strolled along the coastline Relaxing: Margot wasn't afraid to get her softly tumbled tresses wet during her idyllic swim and later dried off in a dove grey towel The star then headed back to her hotel to glam up for the highly-anticipated premiere of Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. Directed by Quentin Tarantino, the film falls under the shadow of the murder of actress Sharon Tate by The Manson Family. Margot plays actress Sharon, who was brutally murdered when she was eight months pregnant. Exciting: The star then headed back to her hotel to glam up for the highly-anticipated premiere of Once Upon A Time In Hollywood Impressive: Making the most of the sunny climes, the Suicide Squad star dived into the water, displaying good technique as she hit the sea Daring: Margot displayed her amazing physique as she made a dramatic dive into the water Precarious: The Wolf Of Wall Street star leapt from an extremely high altitude into the crystal clear water below Going down: Margot's figure was also on display in the fitted white one-piece, as she enjoyed a quick dip before her red carpet appearance In an adjacent storyline, Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt bring the golden age of Hollywood back to life. Playing Rick Dalton and his stunt double Cliff Booth, the actors revisit a simpler time in tinsel town as they transport us back to Los Angeles in 1969. Being a Quentin Tarantino film, his ninth to be precise, the teaser promises plenty of Hollywood throwbacks and a behind the scenes glimpse at a Western film. Amazing: The Aussie beauty perfectly landed in the water creating barely a splash Big jumper: Margot looked almost like a pro as she launched herself into the water below Loving it: The star's blonde curls billowed behind her as she made her way into the ocean Red carpet ready: Margot glammed up for the premiere in a baby doll top and glittering trousers True story: Margot plays actress Sharon Tate, who was brutally murdered when she was eight months pregnant (pictured) Other stars in the film include Al Pacino, Emile Hirsch, Damian Lewis, Bruce Dern, Dakota Fanning, Austin Butler, Lena Dunham and Margaret Qualley. In the film, the actors seem to be linked to each other in one way or another. Washed up Western star Dalton lives next door to Sharon Tate, one of Hollywood's greatest stars at the time. Martin Schwarz, played by Al Pacino, is also Daltons agent, while Joanna Pettet, played by Rumer Willis, stars as a friend of Sharon Tate. Road to cell death mapped in the Alzheimer's brain GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (May 21, 2019) -- Scientists have identified a new mechanism that accelerates aging in the brain and gives rise to the most devastating biological features of Alzheimer's disease. The findings also unify three long-standing theories behind the disease's origins into one cohesive narrative that explains how healthy cells become sick and gives scientists new avenues for screening compounds designed to slow or stop disease progression, something existing medications cannot do. "We now have a better understanding of the molecular factors that lead to Alzheimer's disease, which we can leverage to develop improved and desperately needed treatment and prevention strategies," said Viviane Labrie, Ph.D., an assistant professor at Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) and senior author of the study, which appears in the May 21 edition of Nature Communications. "Alzheimer's is a major growing public health problem around the world. We need better options for patients and we need them soon." Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. and the most common cause of dementia worldwide. An estimated 5.8 million people in the U.S. and 44 million people worldwide have Alzheimer's. By 2050, those numbers are expected to rise to 14 million and 135 million respectively, due in part to a growing and aging global population. The findings center on genetic "volume dials" called enhancers, which turn the activity of genes up or down based on influences like aging and environmental factors. Labrie and her colleagues took a comprehensive look at enhancers in brain cells of people at varying stages of Alzheimer's and compared them to the cells of healthy people. They found that in normal aging, there is a progressive loss of important epigenetic marks on enhancers. This loss is accelerated in the brains of people with Alzheimer's, essentially making their brain cells act older than they are and leaving them vulnerable to the disease. At the same time, these enhancers over-activate a suite of genes involved in Alzheimer's pathology in brain cells, spurring the formation of plaques and tangles, and reactivating the cell cycle in fully formed cells -- a highly toxic combination. "In adults, brain cells typically are done dividing. When enhancers reactivate cell division, it's incredibly damaging," Labrie said. "The enhancer changes we found also encourage the development of plaques, which act as gasoline for the spread of toxic tangles, propagating them through the brain like wildfire. Taken together, enhancer abnormalities that promote plaques, tangles and cell cycle reactivation appear to be paving the way for brain cell death in Alzheimer's disease." Importantly, Labrie and her colleagues linked enhancer changes to the rate of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients. The study is the first comprehensive investigation of enhancers in human brain cells and in Alzheimer's disease, and included in-depth analysis of epigenetic, genetic, gene expression and protein data. Next, the team plans to develop new experimental systems to screen compounds that may fix dysregulation in enhancers and that have potential as new treatments or preventative measures. ### Other authors include Peipei Li, Ph.D., Lee Marshall, Ph.D., and Jennifer L. Jakubowski of VARI; Gabriel Oh, Ph.D., Daniel Groot and Arturas Petronis, M.D., Ph.D., of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; and Yu He and Ting Wang, Ph.D., of Washington University. Petronis also is affiliated with the Institute of Biotechnology at Vilnius University. This work was supported by the U.S. Army Medical Research Materiel Command through the Parkinson's Research Program under award no. W81XWH1810512 (Labrie). Opinions, interpretations, conclusions and recommendations are those of the author and are not necessarily endorsed by the U.S. Army. Research reported in this publication also was supported by the Brain Behavior and Research Foundation award no. 23482 (Labrie); Alzheimer's Society of Canada (Labrie); the Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation of Canada (Labrie); Canadian Institutes of Health Research award nos. MOP-199170, MOP-119451 and MOP-776689 (Petronis); National Institute of Mental Health award no. MH088413 (Petronis); the Krembil Foundation (Petronis); and Brain Canada (Petronis). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the granting organizations. ABOUT VAN ANDEL RESEARCH INSTITUTE Van Andel Institute (VAI) is an independent nonprofit biomedical research and science education organization committed to improving the health and enhancing the lives of current and future generations. Established by Jay and Betty Van Andel in 1996 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, VAI has grown into a premier research and educational institution that supports the work of more than 400 scientists, educators and staff. Van Andel Research Institute (VARI), VAI's research division, is dedicated to determining the epigenetic, genetic, molecular and cellular origins of cancer, Parkinson's and other diseases and translating those findings into effective therapies. The Institute's scientists work in onsite laboratories and participate in collaborative partnerships that span the globe. Learn more about Van Andel Institute at vai.org. This story has been published on: 2019-05-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. 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. She has been making the most of her time in Cannes. And in between glitzy film festival events, Blanca Blanco found the time to pose for another sultry beach-side photo shoot on Tuesday afternoon. The actress, 38, was sure to set pulses racing as she put on a busty display in a deeply plunging ice blue dress while soaking up the rays. Wow! In between glitzy film festival events, Blanca Blanco found the time to pose for another sultry beach-side photo shoot on Tuesday afternoon in Cannes The Fake News star highlighted her endless pins in the thigh-grazing garment, while adding inches to her statuesque frame with a pair of nude court shoes. Blanca's flowing dress was tied loosely around her svelte midriff with a knotted fabric belt, which further accentuated her svelte physique. She wore her chestnut locks in a bouncy voluminous style, as she put on a windswept display while lounging on a wall by the sandy shores. Sultry: The actress, 38, was sure to set pulses racing as she put on a busty display in a deeply plunging ice blue dress while soaking up the rays Blanca, who is dating John Savage, 69, accessorised with a pair of quirky statement earrings and oversized shades, while adding a pop of colour to her look with a slick of red lipstick. Following her impromptu shoot, Blanca heading to a nearby food stall to grab some refreshments in the blazing sunshine. Blanco had her first major role in the 2008 feature film Dark Reel. Candid: The Fake News star highlighted her endless pins in the thigh-grazing garment, while adding inches to her statuesque frame with a pair of nude court shoes She is best known for the films Fake News (2017), Torch (2017) and The Dog Of Christmas (2018). Before coming to Hollywood she was a student and has achieved two degrees. She graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and from Eastern Washington University with a Master of Social Work, in addition to studying Spanish in college. Break time: Following her impromptu shoot, Blanca heading to a nearby food stall to grab some refreshments in the blazing sunshine Doctor Who bosses have confirmed that The Judoon will be returning to the show for Series 12. The rhino-headed space police will be making an appearance opposite Thirteenth Doctor Jodie Whittaker, when the BBC sci-fi drama returns in early 2020. The Judoon first appeared on Doctor Who in 2007 when they transported a London hospital to the moon, and sparked the first meeting between the Tenth Doctor and his companion Martha Jones. They're back: Doctor Who bosses have confirmed that The Judoon will be returning to the show for Series 12 to battle against Jodie Whittaker's Thirteenth Doctor Bosses are staying tight-lipped as to how The Judoon will be returning to the show next year, but the episode will also feature a guest appearance by Neil Stuke. Neil, 53, has previously appeared in the legal drama Silk, as well as the 1990s series Game On. Showrunner Chris Chibnall said: 'No! Sho! Blo! The Judoon are storming back into Doctor Who in full force, and the streets of Gloucester arent safe. 'If anyone has anything to hide, confess now. The Judoon are taking no prisoners, and will stop at nothing to fulfil their mission! Back soon: Bosses have confirmed that the rhino-headed space police will return for the new series in early 2020, 13 years after their first appearance The writer added: 'The whole team on Doctor Who are delighted and scared in equal measure to welcome them back: one of many treats weve got in store for viewers next series. 'And were over the moon (with Judoon), to be welcoming the wondrous Neil Stuke as guest star. 'We cant wait to show you what happens when his path crosses with the Thirteenth Doctor.' Big name: Showrunner Chris Chibnall also confirmed that actor Neil Stuke (above in April 2018) will also made a guest appearance on the show The Judoon first appeared in the 2007 episode Smith And Jones, when they transported a hospital to the moon to hunt down a plasmavore who was disguised as an old woman. In typical Who fashion, the kidnap sparked the first meeting of medical student Martha Jones and The Tenth Doctor (David Tennant) with the pair eventually teaming up to travel the universe for the rest of the third series. The Judoon - known for their thuggish tactics and enormous rhino heads - also appeared in Series Four's The Stolen Earth, as The Doctor desperately tried to figure out the truth behind the disappearance of 27 planets from the sky. Brutal: The Judoon first appeared in the 2007 episode Smith And Jones, when they transported a hospital to the moon to hunt down a plasmavore Sinister: They also appeared on spin-off The Sarah Jane Adventures, and made several cameos during Matt Smith's era as the Eleventh Doctor They also appeared on spin-off The Sarah Jane Adventures, and made several cameos during Matt Smith's era as the Eleventh Doctor. Jodie earned a hugely positive reception when she became the first woman to play The Doctor in its 56-year history. The series has taken a year-long break and is set to return in early 2020, though an exact release date is yet to be confirmed. Katie Price has reportedly been blacklisted from a vet company after refusing to pay them 3,000 for their services amid her financial woes. According to The Sun, the former glamour model, 40, regularly took her farmyard animals to the Sussex Equine Hospital when they were ill, but has since been banned from the facility after narrowly avoiding bankruptcy last year. A source told the publication: 'Katies used the vets for a long time... but now shes informed them she wont be paying up.' Uh oh: Katie Price has reportedly been blacklisted from a vet company after refusing to pay them 3,000 for their services amid her financial woes Detailing the services provided to Katie's pets, the insider added: 'They were called out when her horse Wallis was ill, and even came out as an emergency when another of her horses had to be put down after he was hit by a car. 'Its a small business and its a lot of money to them. Theyve now blacklisted her and wont answer any of her calls to come to her house, even if its an emergency', they explained. Katie's representatives declined to comment when contacted by MailOnline. Money issues? According to The Sun , the former glamour model, 40, regularly took her farmyard animals to the Sussex Equine Hospital when they were ill, but has since been banned from the facility after narrowly avoiding bankruptcy last year Unfortunate: A source told the publication: 'Katies used the vets for a long time... but now shes informed them she wont be paying up' (pictured at the Horse of the Year Show in 2008) In December last year, the TV personality avoided bankruptcy after coming to an agreement over her tax bill and a close pal allegedly loaned the star 22,000 to bail her out. The High Court was told that the petition to make her bankrupt had been dismissed. Katie's case was heard at a specialist insolvency and companies court in Central London, which estimated her total debts ranged from 250,000 to 500,000. The reality star was not at the court for the hearing, which lasted less than two minutes. Financial woes: In December last year, the TV personality, who recently underwent a facelift, avoided bankruptcy after coming to an agreement over her tax bill Deputy Insolvency and Companies Court Judge Middleton said: 'This case has been dismissed after the parties concerned reached an out of court agreement. Court costs of 881 are to be paid in accordance with the terms of the IVO (Individual Voluntary Agreement).' Outside court, a spokesman for HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) added: 'We are not the lead creditors in this case, but we are happy with the agreement. I can't tell you who the other creditors are in this case at the minute. It's back! Meanwhile, the I'm A Celeb star is set to make a comeback to the small screen in a new series of her reality show My Crazy Life 'We don't have a specific date for the first payment and the amount has not been decided. Katie Price was not obliged to turn up to this court hearing today.' Meanwhile, the I'm A Celeb star, who recently underwent facelift, Brazilian bumlift and liposuction surgeries, is set to make a comeback to the small screen in a new series of her reality show My Crazy Life. The fly-on-the-wall series, which documented the mother-of-five's daily activities, is expected to return in the summer, with a spokesperson confirming to The Sun: 'The current series was split and will be returning in July on Quest Red.' They have been dating for two years. And as fans continue to speculate when Georgia Love, 30, and Lee Elliott, 35, will get engaged, the former Bachelorette has hinted that a proposal is imminent. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday to promote her inaugural Walk for Hope, Georgia said she feels content in her relationship with the mechanical plumber. Wedding bells? As fans continue to speculate when Georgia Love and Lee Elliott will get engaged, the former Bachelorette has hinted that a proposal is imminent 'We just came back from a big holiday in Africa, which we loved, and everyone was saying he was going to propose over there,' she said. 'I wasn't expecting it because we were there for a wedding. Everyone is busting to see the ring but I know we're in a good place... We're going really well.' The couple recently embarked on a safari holiday in Southern Africa and fans bombarded them with engagement questions on Instagram. 'Everyone is busting to see the ring but I know we're in a good place': The couple recently embarked on a safari holiday in Southern Africa and fans bombarded them with engagement questions on Instagram Steady on! During their getaway, fans urged the pair to 'hurry up and get married' 'I wasn't expecting it because we were there for a wedding': Georgia said she's content with her relationship and doesn't feel pressured to get engaged 'Oh God I can't take it any more. Just hurry up and get hitched,' one follower wrote. 'Get engaged already! it's the best love story ever,' another commented. 'You two are looking beautiful as usual... surely it's #ring time ....can't handle the cuteness anymore,' another noted. Hint: Lee previously said that when he is ready to pop the question, he will do it the 'old-school' way. 'I've got the right person... I am old school... I want to do it right,' he said Building memories: The couple moved in together in Melbourne last year Lee previously told BW magazine that when he is ready to pop the question, he will do it the 'old-school' way. 'I've got the right person... I am old school... I want to do it right,' he said. 'I will ask her dad [Dr Chris Love] for her hand in marriage and do something special,' he continued, with Georgia adding: 'We certainly both want to...' Last month, Georgia's ex-boyfriend Matty Johnson - who placed runner-up to Lee on The Bachelorette in 2016 - got engaged to his pregnant girlfriend, Laura Byrne. Former Teen Mom 3 star Mackenzie McKee defended herself Tuesday after Oklahoma animal control seized her 'neglected' Harlequin Great Dane Hank while she was away on vacation. Neighbors reported the 24-year-old mother-of-three on Monday because her dog 'had been crying for four days in a poop-filled pen outside without any decent cover from rain,' according to TMZ. The neighbors added a wood pallet so that Hank could avoid sitting directly in the mud as Mackenzie was celebrating her husband Josh's 26th birthday with a cruise to the Bahamas. 'Lies.... all lies!' Former Teen Mom 3 star Mackenzie McKee defended herself Tuesday after Oklahoma animal control seized her 'neglected' Harlequin Great Dane Hank while she was away on vacation (pictured July 6) Over the weekend, McKee (born Douthit) blissfully wrote that she 'never wanted to leave' her seaside holiday, but her mood changed dramatically after the dog debacle. The Body By Mac owner claimed that animal control only removed her canine companion due to the threat of tornadoes, and she stressed that Hank 'hates kennels' and 'will not sleep in a kennel.' 'I love hank more than words could ever describe. I paid 4K to have his fence installed 2 weeks before vacation and they stalled it out longer,' Mackenzie - who boasts 1.1M followers - tweeted. 'So for you all to pull the "don't pay for vacation if you can't afford proper care for your dog" bull**** is insane as well.' Neglected? Neighbors reported the 24-year-old mother-of-three on Monday because her dog 'had been crying for four days in a poop-filled pen outside without any decent cover from rain' (pictured July 6) Out of town: The neighbors added a wood pallet so that Hank could avoid sitting directly in the mud as Mackenzie was celebrating her husband Josh's 26th birthday with a cruise to the Bahamas (pictured Saturday) Tanning: Over the weekend, McKee (born Douthit) blissfully wrote that she 'never wanted to leave' her seaside holiday, but her mood changed dramatically after the dog debacle McKee wrote that she paid for her pet to be let out to run and play three times a day as well as being fed, watered, and cleaned up on. 'If you guys think that my neighbors were telling the truth, you are out of your mind,' the 16 and Pregnant alum snapped. 'They have had it out for us since we moved in in October and moving is in the near future.' Aside from Hank, Mackenzie and her rodeo bull rider beau are parents to seven-year-old son Gannon, five-year-old daughter Jaxie, and two-year-old son Broncs. 'We looked into all options': The Body By Mac owner claimed that animal control only removed her canine companion due to the threat of tornadoes, and she stressed that Hank 'hates kennels' and 'will not sleep in a kennel' Mackenzie tweeted: 'I love hank more than words could ever describe. I paid 4K to have his fence installed 2 weeks before vacation and they stalled it out longer' 'His poop was being cleaned out': McKee wrote that she paid for her pet to be let out to run and play three times a day as well as being fed, watered, and cleaned up on The 16 and Pregnant alum snapped: 'If you guys think that my neighbors were telling the truth, you are out of your mind. They have had it out for us since we moved in in October and moving is in the near future' Family dog: Aside from Hank, Mackenzie and her rodeo bull rider beau are parents to son Gannon, 7; daughter Jaxie, 5; and son Broncs, 2 (pictured April 21) The married couple of five years have had their ups and downs since they began dating in 2010, including a legal separation in early 2017 due to infidelity rumors. McKee's pet scandal came as MTV is searching for a replacement for Jenelle Evans, whom they fired May 7 after her husband David Eason gunned down their French Bulldog Nugget. The violent incident led to the troubled 27-year-old losing custody of all three of her children with different men - son Jace, 9; son Kaiser, 4; and daughter Ensley, 2. RIP: McKee's pet scandal came as MTV is searching for a replacement for Jenelle Evans, whom they fired May 7 after her husband David Eason gunned down their French Bulldog Nugget A three-year-old child is the youngest of 26 people whose deaths have been attributed to Victoria's early-starting flu season this year. The youngster, along with two others aged six and 11, were reported to the health department several weeks ago, acting Chief Health Officer Angie Bone confirmed on Tuesday. The majority of cases were aged-care residents, but there could be others who have died from the flu who had other conditions as the department is not notified of all deaths, she said. So far 10,683 confirmed flu cases have been reported since the current season started late last year, Dr Bone said. "It's certainly not showing any signs of tapering off, but it's not showing any signs of suddenly taking off with a massive increase," she told 3AW radio of the flu season. Health Minister Jenny Mikakos blamed the early season on people travelling when the flu is at its peak in the northern hemisphere. "We are seeing a lot of communicable diseases spread through overseas travel, that's certainly been the case in terms of measles cases and flu cases," Ms Mikakos told reporters. "We have seen a very significant summer flu season this year as a result of people coming back from the northern hemisphere with the flu and that spreading in the community." Ms Mikakos said the death of three children was unusual. "(Juvenile flu deaths) do tend to be associated with situations where there might be other illnesses and vulnerabilities involved with those children," she said. Authorities are urging Victorians to get a flu vaccine. The federal government has a program of flu vaccines for vulnerable people, expanded by the the state government, making it free for children under five years old. "We have put in an order for a record number of flu vaccines this year, two million flu vaccines for Victorians are available," Ms Mikakos said. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is going to Israel with a large contingent of business leaders - not surprisingly, especially as the GOP woos Jewish voters ahead of the 2020 presidential election. But DeSantis' plan to hold a meeting with his elected Cabinet while he's there has raised concerns about whether officials are violating the state's open-meeting laws. When DeSantis first announced the trade mission, he noted that his attorney general, chief financial officer and agriculture commissioner would accompany him, and that the Cabinet would hold a meeting at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem during the trip, which runs from May 25 to May 31. Democratic Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried had previously planned a trade mission to the country, but there was no apparent reason why the other two were going, except for the Cabinet meeting. "I see no reason to hold a Cabinet meeting in Israel," said Barbara Petersen, president of the open-government watchdog group First Amendment Foundation. "And we still don't have an agenda, so I don't know what they will be doing at that meeting." By law, the state has to post an agenda seven days before the independently elected Cabinet members meet, except during an emergency. As of Tuesday, the Cabinet website not only didn't list an agenda for the meeting, it didn't even have the meeting on the calendar. DeSantis' office isn't talking about his Israel plans, citing security issues. The Associated Press has made several requests to interview the governor about the trip by phone or in person, and his office said he wasn't available. FILE- In this March 5, 2019 file photo. Florida Gov. Ron Desantis gives his state of the state address on the first day of legislative session, in Tallahassee, Fla. DeSantis is going to Israel with a large contingent of business leaders. That's not surprising, especially as the GOP woos Jewish voters ahead of an important election year. But holding a meeting with the state's three independently elected Cabinet members while he's there has raised concerns about violating the state's open-meeting laws. (AP Photo/Steve Cannon, File) Even Cabinet officials said they didn't know what is on the agenda because the meeting is being organized by the governor's office. Fried speculated that it could be largely ceremonial. "To have all four of us going over to show our support for the state of Israel and economic development between the two countries I think is the bigger picture," she said. The Cabinet, which also includes Republican Attorney General Ashley Moody and Republican Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, is scheduled to meet in Tallahassee less than a week after the officials return home - another sign it will handle state business at home while focusing the meeting abroad on its support for and ties with Israel. Still, Cabinet meetings are supposed to be accessible for all. But unless they want to pay close to $2,000 for a round-trip airline ticket, not many regular Floridians will be able to attend - even if they can figure out when it's going to be held. The FLORIDA Channel, a state-funded video service run by WFSU-TV that covers state government meetings, plans to travel to Israel, but it is still working out details on how to get the content back to Florida. "They should have an agenda up and they should be telling people where and when it's going to be," Petersen said of the governor's office. "It's nuts." DeSantis isn't the first Florida governor to embark on a trade mission to Israel. Former Republican Govs. Jeb Bush, Charlie Crist and Rick Scott all did the same. The trip could help Republicans politically in a state that is closely divided in presidential politics and where the large Jewish population could be a deciding factor as President Donald Trump tries to win Florida's 29 electoral college votes. "There's no question it's going to help us," said Sen. Joe Gruters, who also chairs the Republican Party of Florida. "When people are criticizing members of the Jewish faith and Israel, you have a stark contrast in what Ron DeSantis is doing ... letting people know that we do care and that it is a priority for him and the state to be mindful and respectful of the Jews that are living here." Gruters sponsored a bill recently passed by the Legislature that prohibits anti-Semitism in Florida's public schools and universities. It's possible DeSantis will sign the bill into law while in Israel. Soon after taking office, the governor pushed for additional money for security at Jewish day schools. He also publicly criticized Airbnb for delisting properties in the disputed West Bank, saying it was a move against Israel, and he persuaded his Cabinet to put the company on a "scrutiny" list for state investments. Airbnb later reversed its policy. Before DeSantis was elected, he attended the opening of the new U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem. This trip will complete his campaign promise to make Israel his first trade mission. ___ This story has been corrected to show that the Cabinet meeting in Florida will be held less than a week after officials return, not six days afterward. By Beh Lih Yi TAIPEI, May 21 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Lesbians Chu Pei-syuan and Liang Tsung-hui will this week tie the knot for the second time - this time at home, after Taiwan became the first place in Asia to allow same-sex marriage. Taiwan's parliament legalised gay marriage last week, reinforcing its reputation as a beacon of liberalism in Asia, but the move has divided the self-ruled island. The bill, which offers same-sex couples similar legal protections for marriage to heterosexuals, will take effect on Friday and Chu and Liang will be among the first to wed under the new law. "Finally we are no longer strangers in the eye of the law - we will be recognised as a couple," 32-year-old Chu, a part-time retail worker, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in the capital Taipei. The pair, who met 12 years ago when they volunteered at an LGBT+ charity and fell in love, married in Canada in 2012, using up three years of savings to travel there. But the marriage was only "symbolic" as it was not recognised back home, said Liang, a 35-year-old social worker. This Friday, they will join about 200 gay couples who have booked to register their marriages on the first day of the law being in force, with mass weddings also planned. LIMITATIONS The bill passed just days before a deadline set by a top court which ruled in 2017 that Taiwan must legalise same-sex marriage by May 24 - and it was not without controversy. Two-thirds of voters in a November referendum voted to retain the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman under the current civil law. Same-sex marriage in Taiwan will be allowed under a separate new law - a move government said respected both the court ruling and the referendum results. Even then, conservative and religious groups tried to stage a last-ditch attempt last week for a watered-down version of the bill which offered less protections, but failed. There will be limitations under the new law, however. It allows same-sex marriages only between Taiwanese, or with foreigners whose countries recognise same-sex marriage. Same-sex couples will only be allowed to adopt children biologically related to at least one of them. "It's still a compromise version (of what we wanted) but it's the closest to our ideal expectations," said Jennifer Lu, the chief coordinator of the Marriage Equality Coalition Taiwan, an alliance that spearheads the gay unions campaign. "This is the best scenario for us at the moment," said Lu, who has a long-time lesbian partner, describing the move as "historic". A push for same-sex marriage has been slow elsewhere in Asia, where socially conservative attitudes still prevail. Thailand has drafted a civil partnership bill that would legally recognise same-sex couples as civil partners, but LGBT+ activists said it does not grant marriage equality. The same-sex marriage issue has become a political hot potato for Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, who campaigned on a promise for marriage equality in the run up to 2016 polls. It had become divisive even within her ruling Democratic Progressive Party, which suffered a poll defeat last year that was blamed partly on Tsai's reform agenda. The new measure could also undermine her bid to seek a second term in elections next year. The Coalition for the Happiness of Our Next Generation, which has campaigned against gay marriage, warned the public would "strike back" at the next general election in 2020. "The will of some seven million people in the referendum has been trampled," the group said in a statement. PINK ECONOMY But on the Aiguo East Road dubbed the "Bridal Street" in downtown Taipei, bridal shops welcomed the news, expecting an uptick in gay couples signing up for wedding photoshoot packages that can cost more than $3,000. LGBT+ group Marriage Equality Coalition Taiwan said legalisation could spur the "pink economy", with couples spending at least $23,000 on weddings. "Once it is legalised it will not be controversial any more and people will be much more open about their sexuality," said Fanny Pan, a manager at Lishe Wedding, one of more than 10 bridal shops on the street. "It really shows Taiwan does not discriminate against anyone," she said. Chu and Liang said they now felt their rights as a couple were protected. Chu recalled how when she was treated for depression a few years ago, Liang was not allowed to stay because hospital authorities did not recognise their relationship. On Friday they will join others at a mass wedding ceremony in the city centre, wearing tailor-made matching shirts. "We have married before, but this time it is for real," said Liang. (Reporting by Beh Lih Yi @behlihyi; Editing by Claire Cozens. 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) BUCHAREST, May 21 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press reports and events to watch which may affect Romanian financial markets on Tuesday. COURT CASE Romania's Supreme Court finalised the appeal of Social Democrat leader Liviu Dragnea against a prison sentence in a case in which he was convicted for inciting others to comit abuse of office. The court will announce the final verdict on May 27, one day after the country's European Parliament election. CONSTITUTIONAL COURT Romania's top court has postponed until June 5 a ruling on a challenge brought by the ruling Social Democrats against the Supreme Court. The Social Democrats have argued the court should have judge pannels specialised in corruption offenses. If the top court rules in favour of the Social Democrats, many ongoing court cases could be reset, including that of party leader Liviu Dragnea. It was the court's fourth postponement. DEBT TENDER Romania's finance ministry sold a planned 500 million lei ($117.25 million) of April 2026 treasury bonds on Monday, with the average accepted yield at 4.72%, central bank data showed. CEE MARKETS Central European stocks fell on Monday amid souring market sentiment after German chipmaker Infineon halted shipments to Huawei Technologies in the face of a U.S. crackdown on the Chinese firm, and Ryanair RYA.I issued a profit warning. For other related news, double click on: --------------------------------------------------------------- Romanian equities RO-E E.Europe equities .CEE Romanian money RO-M Romanian debt RO-D Eastern Europe EEU All emerging markets EMRG Hot stocks HOT Stock markets STX Market debt news DBT Forex news FRX For real-time index quotes, double click on: Bucharest BETI Warsaw WIG20 Budapest BUX Prague PX ------------------------------------------------------ By Dmitry Zhdannikov, Olga Yagova and Gleb Gorodyankin LONDON, May 21 (Reuters) - Hopes for a speedy resumption of oil exports from Russia to Poland and Germany along the Druzhba pipeline route are fading after plans to remove dirty oil from the pipeline had a major setback last week, three trading sources said. Russia halted oil flows along the pipeline to Eastern Europe and Germany in April because of contaminated crude, leaving refiners in Europe scrambling to find supplies. Under the restart plan, Total was due to take the lion's share of the dirty oil into its Leuna refinery in Germany to dilute and process it there, sources said. The plan, not previously reported, would allow the pipeline to restart clean oil shipments after its biggest ever outage, now in its fourth week. But last week the Leuna refinery had a major outage and had to stop many units after an equipment failure which sources said was possibly related to refining the dirty oil. The outage, which sources said could last for at least another week, has derailed the dirty oil evacuation plan. Some 8-9 million barrels of contaminated oil - worth $560-$630 million in normal circumstances - are still sitting in the pipeline. "The plan has collapsed. Someone needs to come up with plan "B"," said an industry source who is involved in discussions about dirty oil evacuation. "At the moment, there is no plan B. It is a deadlock". Total declined to comment. Russia's pipeline monopoly Transneft and top Russian oil suppliers along Druzhba, Rosneft and Surgut, did not respond to a request for comment. The Druzhba pipeline, built in Soviet times, can pump 1 million barrels per day or 1 percent of global output. The contaminated oil crisis has become the biggest ever supply outage for Russia, the world's No.2 oil exporter. The country has had only one other significant disruption when Moscow suspended shipments in 2007 for three days over a pricing dispute with Belarus. DEADLOCK The current crisis has escalated since Belarus told oil refiners and pipeline operators in Europe nearly four weeks ago that the crude heading down the 5,500 km (3,400 mile) Druzhba was heavily contaminated with organic chloride, which is used to clean oil wells and accelerate the flow of crude. Flows via Druzhba were halted, sending crude to a six-month high above $75 a barrel and tarnishing Russia's reputation as an exporter at a time of rising competition with the United States and Middle East. Organic chloride should be removed before oil enters the supply chain as it can damage refining equipment. The dirty oil needs to be removed from the pipeline and stored so it can be diluted with clean oil. Besides Leuna, Druzhba's northern spur supplies Germany's refinery Schwedt, which is co-owned by Rosneft, ENI and Shell. It also ships oil to PKN Orlen and Grupa Lotos refineries in Poland. "Schwedt will take a much more cautious approach in taking dirty oil after the Leuna outage," a second trading source said. A third trading source said Schwedt was not taking dirty oil. Rosneft, ENI and Shell declined to comment. PKN Orlen and Grupa Lotos also declined to comment on options for evacuating the dirty oil. PKN's chief executive said on Monday Poland would not be able to get clean oil from Russia until refineries agree how to divide tainted crude still in the system. Russia has repeatedly promised to restart clean oil flows towards Belarus, Poland and Germany "within days". But it has yet to happen and even when it happens it will not mean the crisis is over, traders said. "All this news about clean oil flows resumption is meaningless. Dirty oil is still blocking the pipelines," said the first industry source. Russian officials will meet with European pipeline firms and oil buyers later this week to discuss the impasse. A fourth industry source familiar with discussions said one of the suggestions for dirty oil evacuation was to reverse the pipeline and pump oil from Poland, Germany and Belarus back to Russia for storage and dilution. But the oil has already changed hands multiple times and the Russian government has collected taxes and customs duties after the oil crossed the border. All those payments would need to be reversed in a unprecedented move for the Russian government and the oil industry, the fourth source said. (Additional reporting by Olesya Astakhova, Alexander Ershov, Maxim Nazarov, Katya Golubkova, Felix Bate, Anna Koper; Writing by Dmitry Zhdannikov; Editing by Jane Merriman) That George RR Martin is not behind the last season of Game of Thrones is written all over the episodes. But in fact, did the writers actually go through the Ramayana and borrow the burning down of Lanka to visualise the annihilation of King's Landing? And come to think of that, we totally cant stop comparing virtuous Jon Snow with Lord Rama who doesnt get to sit on the throne, despite being the promised one. Lord Rama getting drowned in the Sarayu river and Jon Snow joining the Nightswatch are equally anti-climactic. What if, instead of all this, the following had happened? Daenerys Targaryen sits on the throne, Jon Snow by her side The Dragon Mother fought all her way to the Iron Throne. It was she who stitched the alliances and strategized the major part of the war both against the white walkers and Cersei. She, notwithstanding her rage, should have got the throne. The message would have been: the chain she wanted to break cant be broken. We are part of that chain. Do all the good men have to suffer? (Photo: DailyO) Jon Snow sits on the throne Yes, he was the rightful heir to the throne. He was a peoples person! He would have been more acceptable than Daenerys. Far more. So, the possible alternative sequence would be like this: Jon Snow kills Daenerys. Drogon sets him on fire instead of the Iron Throne. John Snow, being a Targaryen, emerges unscathed and everyone understands his true blood. Anybody kills Cersei, instead of those bricks! Jamie Lannister or Arya Stark or Daenerys killing Cersei would have given us the closure we needed. Cersei getting buried down under rubble is just poorly written Greek tragedy. Valar morghulis: All men must die This was a motif running throughout GoT. But in the end, we have a handful of idiots still alive. A better ending could have been everyone dying either in the battle with death (White Walkers) or in the battle at Kings Landing. But no, the writers apparently actually consulted our tale to punish the good guy and then to do something unexpected. Now, we will never get the redemption we deserved! Also Read: GoT Finale: 5 things we learnt from the Game of Thrones final show 4 hours ago US steps up probe into Hyundai-Kia engine failures and fires DETROIT (AP) U.S. auto safety regulators have stepped up a series of investigations into engine fires that have plagued Hyundai and Kia vehicles for more than six years. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says a new engineering analysis investigation covers more than 3 million vehicles from the 2011 through 2016 model years. Read Article PageGroup plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides recruitment consultancy and other ancillary services in the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and the Americas. The company offers executive search services under the Page Executive brand; recruitment services for qualified professional on permanent, temporary, and contract or interim basis under the Michael Page brand; recruitment services to organizations requiring permanent employees and temporary or contract staff at technical and administrative support, professional clerical, and junior management levels under the Page Personnel brand; and flexible recruitment outsourcing services under the Page Outsourcing brand. It also provides assessment, consulting, and talent services under the Page Assessment, Page Consulting, and Page Talent supplementary brands. The company was formerly known as Michael Page International plc and changed its name to PageGroup plc in June 2016. PageGroup plc was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Addlestone, the United Kingdom. Read More Fraport AG operates airports in Germany, rest of Europe, Asia, and the United States. The company primarily focuses on the operation of Frankfurt Main airport. It operates through four segments: Aviation, Retail & Real Estate, Ground Handling, and International Activities & Services. The Aviation segment operates landside and airside infrastructure, which covers the area of airport charges. The Retail & Real Estate segment engages in retail activities, including marketing of real estate properties and land. This segment also manages buildings and facilities, and parking and retail areas; and rents advertising space. The Ground Handling segment provides loading, baggage, and passenger services through airmail and luggage transport to freight handling. The International Activities & Services segment acquires, operates, maintains, develops, and expands airports and infrastructure facilities. This segment also offers integrated facility and corporate infrastructure management, airport expansion south, and information and telecommunication services. Fraport AG was founded in 1924 and is headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Read More 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. China Mobile Limited provides mobile telecommunications and related services in Mainland China and Hong Kong. The company offers local calls; domestic and international long distance calls and roaming services; and value-added services, such as caller identity display, call waiting, conference calls, and others. It also provides wireless Internet service, as well as digital applications comprising music, video, reading, gaming, and animation; wireline broadband services; and wireline voice services. In addition, it offers dedicated line and IDC services to corporate customers in a range of industry sectors; and basic corporate communication products comprising corporate VPMN and SMS, and tailor made solutions. Further, the company provides international telecommunications services, which includes IDD, roaming, Internet, MNC, and value added business services. Additionally, it offers telecommunications network planning, design, and consulting services; roaming clearance, IT system operation, and technology support services; value-added platform development and maintenance services; mobile data, and system integration and development services; network construction and maintenance, network planning and optimizing, and training services; electronic communication products design and sale of related products; and non-banking financial services. It also provides mobile cloud research and development services; call center services; e-payment, e-commerce, and Internet finance services; and mobile Internet digital content services, as well as operates a network and business coordination center. The company serves 950 million mobile customers and 187 million wireline broadband customers. The company was formerly known as China Mobile (Hong Kong) Limited and changed its name to China Mobile Limited in May 2006. The company was incorporated in 1997 and is based in Central, Hong Kong. China Mobile Limited is a subsidiary of China Mobile Hong Kong (BVI) Limited. Read More Royal Dutch Shell plc operates as an energy and petrochemical company worldwide. The company operates through Integrated Gas, Upstream, Oil Products, Chemicals segments. It explores for and extracts crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids; markets and transports oil and gas; produces gas-to-liquids fuels and other products; and operates upstream and midstream infrastructure necessary to deliver gas to market. The company also markets and trades natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), crude oil, electricity, carbon-emission rights; and markets and sells LNG as a fuel for heavy-duty vehicles and marine vessels. In addition, it trades in and refines crude oil and other feed stocks, such as gasoline, diesel, heating oil, aviation fuel, marine fuel, biofuel, lubricants, bitumen, and sulphur; produces and sells petrochemicals for industrial use; and manages oil sands activities. Further, the company produces base chemicals comprising ethylene, propylene, and aromatics, as well as intermediate chemicals, such as styrene monomer, propylene oxide, solvents, detergent alcohols, ethylene oxide, and ethylene glycol. Royal Dutch Shell plc was founded in 1907 and is headquartered in The Hague, the Netherlands. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Harsco: 21st Century Environmental Management of NV LLC, 21st Century Environmental Management of RI LLC, AERC Acquisition Corporation, AES Asset Acquisition Corporation, Accelerated Remediation Kinetics LLC, Advanced Remediation & Disposal Technologies of Delaware LLC, Allied Environmental Group LLC, Allworth LLC, Altek, Altek Europe Holdings Ltd., Altek Europe Limited, Altek LLC, Altek Melting Solutions Limited, AluServ Middle East W.L.L., Alusalt Limited, Assessment & Remedial Design Technologies Inc, Ballagio S.a.r.l., Burlington Environmental LLC, CEHI Acquisition LLC, CEI Holding LLC, Calrissian Holdings LLC, Carteret Asphalt Corporation, Chemical Pollution Control of Florida LLC, Chemical Pollution Control of New York LLC, Chemical Reclamation Services LLC, Clean Earth Dredging Technologies LLC, Clean Earth Environmental Services Inc., Clean Earth Environmental Services Inc., Clean Earth Environmental Solutions Inc., Clean Earth Holdings LLC, Clean Earth Inc., Clean Earth LLC, Clean Earth Mobile Services LLC, Clean Earth Specialty Waste Solutions Inc., Clean Earth of Carteret LLC, Clean Earth of Georgia LLC, Clean Earth of Greater Washington LLC, Clean Earth of Maryland LLC, Clean Earth of Michigan LLC, Clean Earth of New Castle LLC, Clean Earth of North Jersey Inc., Clean Earth of Philadelphia LLC, Clean Earth of Puerto Rico LLC, Clean Earth of Southeast Pennsylvania LLC, Clean Earth of Southern Florida LLC, Clean Earth of West Virginia LLC, Clean Earth of Williamsport LLC, Clean Rock Properties Ltd, Czech Slag- Nova Hut s.r.o., ESOL TOPCO LLC, Environmental Soil Management Inc, Environmental Soil Management of New York LLC, Environmental Solutions (ESOL) Business, Excell Africa Holdings Ltd., Excell Americas Holdings Ltd S.a.r.L., Faber Prest Limited, Gardner Road Oil LLC, GasServ (Netherlands) VII B.V., General Environmental Management of Rancho Cordova LLC, HLWKH 517 Limited, Harsco (Australia) Pty. Limited, Harsco (Beijing) Fertiliser Co. Ltd, Harsco (Gibraltar) Holding Limited, Harsco (Mexico) Holdings B.V., Harsco (Peru) Holdings B.V., Harsco (Tangshan) Metallurgical Materials Technology Co. Ltd, Harsco (Tangshan) Metallurgical Materials Technology Co. Ltd. - GuYe Branch, Harsco (Tangshan) Metallurgical Materials Technology Co. Ltd. - Leting Branch, Harsco (Tangshan) Renewable Resources Development Co. Ltd, Harsco (U.K.) Limited, Harsco (UK) Group Ltd, Harsco (York Place) Limited, Harsco APAC Rail Machinery (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Harsco Americas Investments S.a.r.l., Harsco Belgium SRL, Harsco Brazil Investments SRL, Harsco Canada Corporation Societe Harsco Canada, Harsco Canada General Partner Limited, Harsco Canada Limited Partnership, Harsco Chile Investments SRL, Harsco China Holding Company Limited, Harsco Defense Holding LLC, Harsco Environmental S.R.L., Harsco Europa B.V., Harsco Fairways Partnership, Harsco Finance B.V., Harsco Financial Holdings Inc., Harsco France S.A.S., Harsco Holdings Inc., Harsco India Metals Private Limited, Harsco India Private Ltd., Harsco India Services Private Ltd., Harsco Industrial Grating China Holding Co. Ltd., Harsco Infrastructure B.V., Harsco Infrastructure CZ s.r.o, Harsco Infrastructure Construction Services B.V., Harsco Infrastructure Group Ltd., Harsco Infrastructure Holdings Inc., Harsco Infrastructure Hong Kong Ltd, Harsco Infrastructure Industrial Services B.V., Harsco Infrastructure Services Ltd., Harsco Infrastructure South Africa (Pty.) Ltd., Harsco International Finance S.a.r.l., Harsco Investment Ltd., Harsco Investments Europe B.V., Harsco Leatherhead Limited, Harsco Luxembourg S.a.r.l, Harsco Metals (Ningbo) Pty. Ltd., Harsco Metals (Thailand) Company Ltd., Harsco Metals 373 Ltd, Harsco Metals 385 Ltd, Harsco Metals Argentina S.A., Harsco Metals Australia Holding Investment Co. Pty. Ltd., Harsco Metals Australia Pty. Ltd., Harsco Metals Belgium S.A., Harsco Metals CTS Prestacao de Servicos Tecnicos e Aluguer de Equipamentos LDA Unipessoal, Harsco Metals CZ s.r.o, Harsco Metals Chile S.A., Harsco Metals D.O.O. Smederevo, Harsco Metals Egypt L.L.C., Harsco Metals Emirates Partnership, Harsco Metals Germany GmbH, Harsco Metals Gesmafesa S.A., Harsco Metals Group Limited, Harsco Metals Guatemala S.A., Harsco Metals Holding LLC, Harsco Metals Holdings Limited, Harsco Metals Holland B.V., Harsco Metals Ilanga Pty. Ltd., Harsco Metals Intermetal LLC, Harsco Metals Investment LLC, Harsco Metals Limitada, Harsco Metals Luxembourg S.A., Harsco Metals Luxequip S.A., Harsco Metals Lycrete S.A., Harsco Metals Middle East FZE, Harsco Metals Norway A.S., Harsco Metals Oostelijk Staal International B.V., Harsco Metals Operations LLC, Harsco Metals Peru S.A., Harsco Metals Polska SP Z.O.O., Harsco Metals RSA Africa (Pty.) Ltd., Harsco Metals Reclamet S.A., Harsco Metals SRH Mill Services (Pty.) Ltd., Harsco Metals SRI LLC, Harsco Metals Saudi Arabia Ltd., Harsco Metals Slovensko s.r.o., Harsco Metals South Africa (Pty.) Ltd., Harsco Metals SteelServ (Pty.) Ltd., Harsco Metals Sweden A.B., Harsco Metals Transport B.V., Harsco Metals Turkey Celik Limited Sirkety, Harsco Metals VB LLC, Harsco Metals Zhejiang Co. Ltd., Harsco Metals and Minerals France S.A.S., Harsco Metals de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Harsco Metro Rail LLC, Harsco Mexico Holdings S.A. de C.V., Harsco Minerais Limitada, Harsco Minerali d.o.o., Harsco Minerals Arabia LLC (FZC), Harsco Minerals Deutschland GmbH, Harsco Minerals Europe B.V., Harsco Minerals Technologies LLC, Harsco Minnesota Finance Inc., Harsco Minnesota LLC, Harsco Mole Valley Limited, Harsco Nederland Slag B.V., Harsco Nova Scotia Holding Corporation, Harsco Rail Emirates Maatschap/Societe de Droit Commun, Harsco Rail Europe GmbH, Harsco Rail LLC, Harsco Rail Limited, Harsco Rail Ltda, Harsco Rail Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Harsco Rail Pty. Ltd., Harsco Rail Switzerland GMBH, Harsco Steel Mill Trading Arabia LLC, Harsco Sun Demiryolu Ekipmanlari Uretim Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Harsco Switzerland Holding GmbH, Harsco Technologies LLC, Harsco Technology China Co. Ltd., Harsco Track Machines and Services Private Limited, Heckett Bahna Co. For Industrial Operations S.A.E., Heckett Comercio de Rejeitos Industriais Importacao e Exportacao Ltda, Heckett MultiServ (FS) Pty Ltd, Heckett MultiServ Bahna S.A.E., Heckett MultiServ China B.V., Heckett MultiServ Far East B.V., Heckett Multiserv MV & MS CA, Hunnebeck Group GmbH, Iductelec Limited, Ilserv S.R.L., Luntz Acquisition (Delaware) LLC, MKC Acquisition Corporation, Mastclimbers Ltd, Metal Reclamation SPV (Pty.) Ltd., Minerval Metallurgic Additives B.V., MultiServ (Sweden) AB, MultiServ Finance B.V., MultiServ International B.V., MultiServ Limited, MultiServ Logistics Limited, MultiServ Oy, MultiServ Technologies (South Africa) Pty Ltd, Nortal Limited, Northland Environmental LLC, Nortru LLC, PSC Environmental Services LLC, PSC Recovery Systems LLC, Phillip Reclamation Services Houston LLC, Protran Technology LLC, Real Property Acquisition LLC, Republic Environmental Recycling (New Jersey) LLC, Republic Environmental Systems (PA) LLC, Republic Environmental Systems (Transportation Group) LLC, Rho-Chem LLC, SGB Holdings Limited, SGB Investments Ltd., SGB Scafform Limited, Shanxi TISCO-Harsco Technology Co. Ltd., Short Brothers (Plant) Ltd., Slag Processing Company Egypt (SLAR) S.A.E., Slag Reductie (Pacific) B.V., Slag Reductie Nederland B.V., Solvent Recovery LLC, Tosyali Harsco Geri Kazanim Teknolojileri Anonim Sirketi, and United Retek of Connecticut LLC. Andeavor Logistics LP operates as a diversified midstream company in the United States. The company's Terminalling and Transportation segment comprises the Northwest pipeline system, including a regulated common carrier products pipeline running from Salt Lake City, Utah to Spokane, Washington and a jet fuel pipeline to the Salt Lake City International Airport; a regulated common carrier refined products pipeline system connecting its refinery to its terminals in Anchorage, Alaska; tankage and related equipment at the refinery; and crude oil and refined products terminals and storage facilities in the western, and southwest and midwestern U.S. This segment also consists of marine terminals in California and Washington; a rail-car unloading and petroleum coke handling facilities; marine terminals; a manifest rail facility; an asphalt trucking operation; a petroleum coke handling and storage facility; asphalt terminalling and processing services; and other pipelines, which transport products and crude oil from its refineries to nearby facilities in Salt Lake City and Los Angeles. Its Gathering and Processing segment includes crude oil and natural gas, NGLs, and produced water gathering systems in the Bakken Shale/Williston Basin area of the Bakken Region, the Green River Basin, the Rockies Region, the Permian Basin System, and the Four Corners System, as well as crude trucking operations, and gas processing and fractionation complexes. The company's Wholesale segment consists of bulk petroleum distribution facilities and a fleet of refined product delivery trucks. Tesoro Logistics GP, LLC operates as the general partner of the company. The company was formerly known as Tesoro Logistics LP and changed its name to Andeavor Logistics LP in August 2017. Andeavor Logistics LP was founded in 2010 and is based in Findlay, Ohio. Read More There is not enough analysis data for Eaton Vance Senior Floating-Rate Trust. 4.0 Community Rank Outperform Votes Eaton Vance Senior Floating-Rate Trust has received 58 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes Eaton Vance Senior Floating-Rate Trust has received 40 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment Eaton Vance Senior Floating-Rate Trust has received 59.18% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about Eaton Vance Senior Floating-Rate Trust and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe EFR will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe EFR will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA engages in the traditional banking businesses of retail banking, asset management, private banking, and wholesale banking. It operates through the following segments: Spain, the United States, Mexico, Turkey, South America, and Rest of Eurasia. The Spain segment includes mainly the banking and insurance business that the group carries out in Spain. The United States segment consists of the financial business activity of BBVA USA in the country and the activity of the branch of BBVA SA in New York. The Mexico segment refers to banking and insurance businesses in this country as well as the activity of its branch in Houston. The Turkey segment reports the activity of Garanti BBVA group that is mainly carried out in this country and, to a lesser extent, in Romania and the Netherlands. The South America segment comprises of operations in n Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The Rest of Eurasia segment includes the banking business activity carried out by the group in Europe and Asia, excluding Spain. The company was founded in 1857 and is headquartered in Madrid, Spain. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Mohawk Industries: A&S Energie NV, A&U Energie NV, Aladdin Manufacturing Corporation, Aladdin Manufacturing Of New York LLC, Aladdin Manufacturing of Alabama LLC, Alsace Logistique S.A., Avelgem Green Power CVBA, Avon Pacific Holdings Ltd, B&M NV, BGE Mexico S. de R. L. de C.V., Berghoef GmbH, Berghoef-Hout B.V., Bienes Raices y Materiales del Centro S. de R.L. de C.V., C.F. Marazzi S.A., Canterbury Spinners Ltd, Carpet Foundation Ltd, Cevotrans BV, Ceramus Bahia S/A Produtos Ceramicos, DT Mex Holdings LLC, DTM/CM Holdings LLC, Dal Italia LLC, Dal-Elit LLC, Dal-Tile Chile Comercial Limitada, Dal-Tile Colombia S.A.S., Dal-Tile Distribution Inc., Dal-Tile Group Inc., Dal-Tile I LLC, Dal-Tile Industrias S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile International Inc., Dal-Tile Mexico Comercial S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile Operaciones Mexico S. De R.L. De C.V., Dal-Tile Peru SRL, Dal-Tile Puerto Rico Inc., Dal-Tile Services Inc., Dal-Tile Shared Services Inc., Dal-Tile Tennessee LLC, Dal-Tile of Canada ULC, Daltile, Daltile, Dekaply NV, Durkan, Dynea NV, Eliane Argentina Sociedad Anonima, Eliane S/A - Revestimentos Ceramicos, Emilceramica India Pvt Ltd., Emilceramica S.r.l, Emilgermany GmbH, Emilgroup Asia Ltd, Explorer S.r.l., F.I.L.S. Investments Unlimited Company, Feltex Carpets Ltd, Feltex Carpets Pty Ltd, Feltex New Zealand Ltd, Fibremakers Australia Pty Ltd, Flooring Foundation Ltd, Flooring Industries Limited S.a r.l., Flooring XL B.V., Floorscape Limited, Godfrey Hirst & Co Pty Ltd, Godfrey Hirst (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Godfrey Hirst Australia Pty Ltd, Godfrey Hirst Group, Godfrey Hirst NZ Ltd, Hytherm (Ireland) Limited, IVC BVBA, IVC Far-East Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., IVC France S.a r.l., IVC GROUP LIMITED, IVC Green Power NV, IVC Group, IVC Group GmbH, IVC Luxembourg S.a r.l., IVC Rus OOO, IVC US Inc., International Flooring Systems S.a r.l., International Vinyl Company - Vostok OOO, KAI Group, KAI Keramica Ltd, KAI Mining EOOD, KERAMA CENTER OOO, Kerama Baltics OOO, Kerama Export OOO, Kerama Marazzi OOO, Kerampromservis (LLC), Khan Asparuh - Transport EOOD, Khan Asparuh AD, Khan Omurtag AD, Koninklijke Peitsman B.V., Kraj Kerama OOO, MG China Trading Ltd., MI Finance SRL, MUD (Holding) Brazil Ltda., Management Co EAD, Marazzi Acquisition S.r.l., Marazzi Deutschland G.m.b.H., Marazzi France Trading S.A.S., Marazzi Group, Marazzi Group F.Z.E., Marazzi Group S.r.l., Marazzi Group Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Marazzi Iberia S.L.U., Marazzi Japan Co. Ltd., Marazzi Middle East FZ LLC, Marazzi Schweiz S.A.G.L., Marazzi UK Ltd., Mohawk Assurance Services Inc., Mohawk Australia Pty Ltd, Mohawk Canada Corporation, Mohawk Capital Finance S.A., Mohawk Capital Luxembourg SA, Mohawk Carpet Distribution Inc., Mohawk Carpet Foundation Inc., Mohawk Carpet LLC, Mohawk Carpet Transportation Of Georgia LLC, Mohawk Commercial Inc., Mohawk ESV Inc., Mohawk Europe BVBA, Mohawk Factoring II Inc., Mohawk Factoring LLC, Mohawk Finance S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Acquisitions S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Funding S.a.r.l, Mohawk Foreign Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Investments Inc., Mohawk Global Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Holdings International B.V., Mohawk Industries Inc., Mohawk International (Europe) S.a r.l., Mohawk International (Hong Kong) Limited, Mohawk International Capital N.V., Mohawk International Financing S.a.r.l, Mohawk International Holdings (DE) LLC, Mohawk International Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk International Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk International Netherlands B.V., Mohawk International Services BVBA, Mohawk KAI Luxembourg Holding S.a r.l., Mohawk KAI Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Capital S.A., Mohawk Luxembourg Financing S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Pacific S.a r.l., Mohawk Marazzi International BV, Mohawk Marazzi Russia BV, Mohawk New Zealand Limited, Mohawk Operaciones Mexicali S. de R.L. de C.V., Mohawk Operations Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk Pacific Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Resources LLC, Mohawk Servicing LLC, Mohawk Singapore Private Limited, Mohawk Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Mohawk Unilin Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk United Finance B.V., Mohawk United International B.V., Mohawk Vinyl Financing S.a r.l., Molber Beheer B.V., Monarch Ceramic Tile Inc., P.F. Onroerend Goed B.V., PF Beheer B.V., Pergo, Pergo (Europe) AB, Pergo Holding BV, Pergo India Pvt Ltd, Polcolorit S.A., Premium Floors Australia Pty Limited, RR Apex LLC, Rata International Pty Ltd, Recubrimientos Interceramica S. de R.L. de C.V., Riverside Textiles Pty Ltd, S.C. KAI Ceramics SRL, Sibir Kerama OOO, SimpleSolutions USA LLC, Soft Step (Australia) Pty Ltd, Spano Group, Spano Invest BVBA, Spano NV, Stroyagromekhzapchast ChaO, Stroytrans OAO Orelstroy, Summit Wool Spinners Ltd, The Flooring Federation Ltd, Tiles Co OOD, Unilin (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Unilin ApS, Unilin Arauco Pisos Ltda., Unilin BVBA, Unilin Beheer BV, Unilin Distribution Ltd., Unilin Distribution Ukraine LLC, Unilin Finland OY, Unilin Flooring India Private Limited, Unilin Flooring SAS, Unilin GmbH, Unilin Holding BVBA, Unilin Insulation BV, Unilin Insulation SAS, Unilin Insulation Sury SAS, Unilin Italia S.R.L., Unilin North America LLC, Unilin Norway AS, Unilin OOO, Unilin Panels SAS, Unilin Poland Sp.Z.o.o., Unilin SAS, Unilin Spain SL, Unilin Swiss GmbH, Unilin s.r.o., World International Inc., Xtratherm, Xtratherm Limited, Xtratherm S.A., and Xtratherm UK Limited. Bunker Hill Mining Corp., an exploration stage company, engages in the mineral exploration and development activities. The company focuses on exploring zinc, lead, and silver ores. It holds an option agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Bunker Hill mine, which includes 434 patented mining claims covering an area of 5773.825 acres located in Idaho. The company was formerly known as Liberty Silver Corp. and changed its name to Bunker Hill Mining Corp. in September 2017. Bunker Hill Mining Corp. was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Prudential Financial: 210-220 E. 22nd Street SSGA Owner LLC, AIG Edison, AIG Star, AREF Cayman Co Ltd., AREF GP II Pte. Ltd., AREF GP Ltd., ASPF II - Feeder Fund GmbH, ASPF II - Verwaltungs - GmbH & Co. KG, ASPF II Management GmbH, ASPF III (Scots) L.P., ASSURANCE, AST Investment Services Inc., Adlerwerke CB Investment LLC, Administradora de Fondos de Pensiones Habitat S.A., Administradora de Inversiones Previsionales SpA, Aoba Life Insurance Company, Asia Property Fund III GP S.a.r.l., Assurance IQ LLC, Assurance Intelligence LLC, BSC CP LP, Braeloch Holdings Inc., Braeloch Successor Corporation, Brazilian Capital Fund GP Limited, Broad Street Global Advisors LLC, Broome Street Holdings LLC, CB German Retail LLC, CLIS Co. Ltd., COLICO INC., Campus Drive LLC, Capital Agricultural Property Services Inc., Chadwick Boulevard Investment Holdings Co. LLC, Cibecue LLC, Coconino LLC, Colico II Inc., Columbus Drive Partners L.P., Commerce Street Holdings LLC, Commerce Street Investments LLC, Coolidge LLC, Coral Reef GP, Coral Reef L.P., Coral Reef Unit Trust, Cottage Street Investments LLC, Cottage Street Orbit Acquisition LLC, DHFL PRAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED, DICKENS AVENUE HOLDINGS VI LLC, DICKENS AVENUE PARTNERS VI (Ireland) L.P., DICKENS AVENUE PARTNERS VI (US) L.P., Don Cesar Investor LLC, Dryden Arizona Reinsurance Term Company, Dryden Finance II LLC, EVP II GP S.a r.l., EVP II Sweden Resi I GP S.a r.l., Edison Place Senior Note LLC, Essex LLC, EuroCore GP S.a r.l., European Value Partners GP S.a.r.l., Everbright PGIM Fund Management Co. Ltd., Flagstaff LLC, GA 1600 Commons LLC, GA 333 Hennepin Investor LLC, GA BV LLC, GA Bay Area GP LLC, GA Bay Area Investor LLC, GA Belden LLC, GA CLARENDON LLC, GA Cal Crossings LLC, GA Collins LLC, GA E. 22nd Street Apartments Holdings LLC, GA East 86 Street LLC, GA JHCII LLC, GA MENLO PARK INVESTOR LLC, GA Manor at Harbour Island LLC, GA Metro LLC, GA Mission LLC, GA TRITON INVESTOR LLC, GA W Paces LLC, GA/MDI 333 Hennepin Associates LLC, GIBRALTAR BSN HOLDINGS SDN BHD, GIBRALTAR INDIA SOLUTIONS LLP, Gateway Holdings II LLC, Gateway Holdings LLC, German Retail Income CP LP, Gibraltar BSN Life Berhad, Gibraltar International Insurance Services Company Inc., Gibraltar International Service LLC, Gibraltar Reinsurance Company Ltd., Gibraltar Universal Life Reinsurance Company, Glenealy International Limited, Global Portfolio Strategies Inc., Gold GP Limited, Gold II L.P., Gold L.P., Graham Resources Inc., Graham Royalty Ltd., Green Tree GP, Green Tree L.P., Greenlee LLC, Halsey Street Investments LLC, Hirakata LLC, IVP Fund GP LLC, Impact Investments Bridges UK S.a.r.l, Inter-Atlantic G Fund L.P., Inversiones Previsionales Chile SpA, Inversiones Previsionales Dos SpA, Ironbound Fund LLC, Jennison Associates LLC, Kyarra S.a r.l., Kyoei Annuity Home Co. Ltd., LINEUP LLC, Lake Street Partners IV L.P., MC GA COLLINS HOLDINGS LLC, MC GA COLLINS REALTY LLC, MC Insurance Agency Services LLC, Manor at Harbour Island LLC, Marble Canyon LLC, Maricopa LLC, Market Street Holdings IV LLC, Morenci LLC, Mulberry Street Holdings LLC, Mulberry Street Investment L.P., Mulberry Street Partners LLC, Mullin TBG Insurance Agency Services LLC, MullinTBG Insurance Agency Services, National Family Assurance Group LLC, New Savanna, Orchard Street Acres Inc., PAI Bay Farm LLC, PAI Bayrock Groves LLC, PAI Belvidere Farms LLC, PAI Big Cypress Farm LLC, PAI Corcoran 640 Ranch LLC, PAI DeKalb Farm LLC, PAI Delano 1500 Ranches LLC, PAI Flicker Orchard LLC, PAI Good Hope Farm LLC, PAI Hawk Creek Ranch LLC, PAI Hills Valley Ranches LLC, PAI Holly Hill Groves LLC, PAI Hunt Farm LLC, PAI Jackson Bayou Farm LLC, PAI Lake Placid Groves LLC, PAI Wallula Gap Vineyard LLC, PCP V Cayman AIV GP L.P., PEREF II Co-Invest 1 GP S.a r.l., PEREF II GP S.a r.l., PEREF II PV S.r.l, PFI EM-Tech Fund I LLC, PG Business Service Co. Ltd, PG Collection Service Co. Ltd., PGA Asian Retail Limited, PGA European Limited, PGI Co. Ltd, PGIM (Australia) Pty Ltd, PGIM (Hong Kong) Ltd., PGIM (Scots) Limited, PGIM (Shanghai) Company Ltd., PGIM (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., PGIM AVP IV GP S.a r.l., PGIM Advisory (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PGIM Agricultural Investments GP LLC, PGIM Agricultural Investors LP, PGIM Broad Market High Yield Bond Fund L.P., PGIM Broad Market High Yield Bond Partners LLC, PGIM Capital Partners Management (Feeder) VI LLC, PGIM Capital Partners Management Fund VI L.P., PGIM European Financing Limited, PGIM European Services Limited, PGIM Financial Limited, PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives Fund II L.P., PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives Fund L.P., PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives GP LLC, PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives II GP LLC, PGIM Foreign Investments Inc., PGIM Holding Company LLC, PGIM INDIA ASSET MANAGEMENT PRIVATE LIMITED, PGIM INDIA TRUSTEES PRIVATE LIMITED, PGIM Inc., PGIM International Financing Inc., PGIM Investments LLC, PGIM Japan Co. Ltd., PGIM Korea Inc., PGIM LTIF Berlin GP S.a r.l., PGIM LTIF Berlin MLP S.ar.l., PGIM LTIF GP S.a.r.l., PGIM Limited, PGIM Loan Originator Manager Limited, PGIM M Campus GP S.a r.l., PGIM Management Partner Limited, PGIM MetaProp Investor LP LLC, PGIM Netherlands B.V., PGIM Overseas Investment Fund Management (Shanghai) Company Ltd, PGIM Private Capital (Ireland) Limited, PGIM Private Capital Limited, PGIM Private Placement Investors Inc., PGIM Private Placement Investors L.P., PGIM REF EUROPE SCSp, PGIM REF Europe GP S.a r.l., PGIM REF Europe Member LLC, PGIM REF Intermediary Services Inc., PGIM Real Estate (Japan) Ltd., PGIM Real Estate (UK) Limited, PGIM Real Estate CD S.a.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Capital VII GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest L.P., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest SCSp, PGIM Real Estate Co-Invest Holdings LLC, PGIM Real Estate Debt GmbH, PGIM Real Estate Finance Holding Company, PGIM Real Estate Finance LLC, PGIM Real Estate France SAS, PGIM Real Estate Germany AG, PGIM Real Estate Global Debt GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate Inmuebles S. de R.L. de C.V, PGIM Real Estate Italy S.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Loan Services Inc., PGIM Real Estate Luxembourg S.A., PGIM Real Estate MVP Administradora IV S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Administradora V S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Inmuebles IV S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Inmuebles V S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate Management Luxembourg S.a.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Mexico S.C., PGIM Real Estate S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate U.S. Debt Fund GP LLC, PGIM Senior Loan Opportunities Management (Feeder) I LLC, PGIM Senior Loan Opportunities Management Fund I L.P., PGIM Strategic Financing LLC, PGIM Strategic Investments Inc., PGIM USPF VI Manager LLC, PGIM Warehouse Inc., PGLH of Delaware Inc., PIFM Holdco LLC, PIIC Limited, PIISC Holdings (UK) Limited, PIM KF Blocker Holdings LLC, PIM KF Blocker V Holdings LLC, PIM USPF V Manager LLC, PLA Administradora Industrial SRL, PLA Administradora LLC, PLA Administradora S. de R.L. de C.V., PLA Asesoria Profesional II S. de R.L. de C.V., PLA Asesoria Profesional S.de R.L. de C.V., PLA Co-Investor LLC, PLA Mexico Industrial Manager I LLC, PLA Mexico Industrial Manager II LLC, PLA Mexico Residential Manager I LLC, PLA Residential Fund III Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund III Limited Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund III Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund IV Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund IV Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund I Blue LP, PLA Retail Fund I LP, PLA Retail Fund I Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund I Red LP, PLA Retail Fund II Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II LLC, PLA Retail Fund II LP, PLA Retail Fund II Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II U.S. Carry/Co-Invest LP, PLA Services Manager Mexico LLC, PLAI Limited, PMCF Holdings LLC, PMCF Properties LLC, PPPF General Partner LLP, PR GA SCP Apartments LLC, PRAMERICA PRECAP VI GP (SCOTS FEEDER) LLP, PRAMERICA PRECAP VI GP LLP, PRECO ACCOUNT III LLC, PRECO ACCOUNT PARTNERSHIP III LP, PRECO Account IV LLC, PRECO Account Partnership IV LP, PRECO III GP LLP, PREFG Hanwha Manager LLC, PREI Acquisition I Inc., PREI Acquisition II Inc., PREI Acquisition LLC, PREI HYDG LLC, PREI International Inc., PRIAC Property Acquisitions LLC, PRICOA Management Partner Limited, PRISA Fund Manager LLC, PRISA II Fund Manager LLC, PRISA II Pooled Manager LLC, PRISA III Fund GP LLC, PRISA III Fund PIM LLC, PRREF II Fund Manager LLC, PRU 3XSquare LLC, PRUCO LLC, PRUDENTIAL CAPITAL ENERGY PARTNERS MANAGEMENT (FEEDER) LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP MEMBER LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP REIT LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP VENTURE 2 LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP VENTURE LLC, PT PFI Mega Life Insurance, Passaic Fund LLC, Pine Tree GP, Pine Tree L.P., Platinum GP Limited, Platinum II L.P., Platinum L.P., Pramerica (Hong Kong) Holdings Limited, Pramerica (Luxembourg) CP GP S.a.r.l., Pramerica (Scots) CP GP LLP, Pramerica Business Consulting (Shanghai) Company Limited, Pramerica EVP CP LP, Pramerica Financial Asia Headquarters Pte. Ltd., Pramerica Financial Asia Limited, Pramerica Fixed Income Funds Management Limited, Pramerica Fosun Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Pramerica General Partner LLP, Pramerica Holdings Ltd, Pramerica Insurance Agency (China) Company Ltd., Pramerica PRECAP I GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP II GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP III GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP IV GP LLP, Pramerica Pan European Real Estate (Scots) LP, Pramerica Property Partners Fund (Scotland) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital I (Scotland) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital I GP (Scots Feeder) LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital II (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital III (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV GP (Scots Feeder) LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV GP Limited, Pramerica Real Estate Capital V (Netherlands) GP LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital V (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital VI (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica SGR S.p.A, Pramerica Systems Ireland Limited, Preco III (Scotland) Limited Partnership, Pru 101 Wood LLC, Pru Alpha Partners I LLC, Pru Fixed Income Emerging Markets Partners I LLC, PruVen Capital Partners Fund I L.P., Pruco Assignment Corporation, Pruco Life Insurance Company, Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey, Pruco Securities LLC, Prudential 900 Aviation Boulevard LLC, Prudential Affordable Mortgage Company LLC, Prudential Agricultural Property Holding Company LLC, Prudential Annuities Distributors Inc., Prudential Annuities Holding Company Inc., Prudential Annuities Inc., Prudential Annuities Information Services & Technology Corporation, Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Captive Company, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Term Company, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Universal Company, Prudential Bank & Trust FSB, Prudential Capital Energy Opportunity Fund L.P., Prudential Capital Energy Partners L.P., Prudential Capital Energy Partners Management Fund L.P., Prudential Capital Partners Management Fund IV L.P., Prudential Capital and Investment Services LLC, Prudential Chile II SpA, Prudential Chile SpA, Prudential Commercial Property Holding Company LLC, Prudential Customer Solutions LLC, Prudential Equity Group LLC, Prudential Financial Securities Investment Trust Enterprise, Prudential Fixed Income Global Liquidity Relative Value Partners LLC, Prudential Fixed Income U.S. Relative Value Partners LLC, Prudential Funding LLC, Prudential General Services of Japan Y.K., Prudential Gibraltar Agency Co. Ltd., Prudential Global Funding LLC, Prudential Holdings of Japan Inc., Prudential Huntoon Paige Associates LLC, Prudential IBH Holdco Inc., Prudential Impact Investments Mortgage Loans LLC, Prudential Impact Investments Private Debt LLC, Prudential Impact Investments Private Equity LLC, Prudential Industrial Properties LLC, Prudential Insurance Agency LLC, Prudential International Insurance Holdings Ltd., Prudential International Insurance Service Company L.L.C., Prudential International Investments Advisers LLC, Prudential International Investments Company LLC, Prudential International Investments LLC, Prudential Investment Management Services LLC, Prudential Japan Holdings LLC, Prudential Legacy Insurance Company of New Jersey, Prudential Life Insurance Company of Taiwan Inc., Prudential Mortgage Asset Holdings 1 Japan Investment Business Limited Partnership, Prudential Mortgage Asset Holdings 2 Japan Investment Business Limited Partnership, Prudential Mortgage Capital Asset Holding Company LLC, Prudential Mortgage Capital Funding LLC, Prudential Mortgage Capital Holdings LLC, Prudential Multifamily Mortgage LLC, Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC, Prudential Newark Realty LLC, Prudential QOZ Investment Fund 1 LLC, Prudential Realty Securities Inc., Prudential Retirement Financial Services Holding LLC, Prudential Retirement Holdings LLC, Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company, Prudential Securities Secured Financing Corporation, Prudential Securities Structured Assets Inc., Prudential Seguros Mexico S.A. de C.V., Prudential Seguros S.A., Prudential Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., Prudential Structured Settlement Company, Prudential Systems Japan Limited, Prudential Term Reinsurance Company, Prudential Trust Co. Ltd., Prudential Trust Company, Prudential Universal Reinsurance Company, Prudential Workplace Solutions Group Services LLC, Prudential do Brasil Seguros de Vida S.A., Prudential do Brasil Vida em Grupo S.A., Prudential/TMW Real Estate Group LLC, Pruservicos Participacoes Ltda., QMA JP EM All Cap Equity Partners LLC, QMA LLC, QMA Wadhwani LLP, Quartzsite LLC, Residential Services Corporation of America LLC, Rio CP LP, Rock European Real Estate Holdings S.ar.l., Rock Global Real Estate LLC, Rock Kensington Limited, Rock Marty GP S.a r.l., Rock Oxford S.a r.l., Rock UK Real Estate Holdings S.ar.l., Rock UK Real Estate II S.a.r.l., Rockstone Co. Ltd., Rosado Grande LLC, Ross Avenue Energy Fund Holdings LLC, Ross Avenue Minerals 2012 LLC, SCP Apartments LLC, SENIOR HOUSING PARTNERS VI GP LLC, SENIOR HOUSING PARTNERSHIP FUND VI GP LLC, SHP IV Carried Interest LP, SHP V Carried Interest L.P., SMP Holdings Inc., SVIIT Holdings Inc., Sanei Collection Service Co. Ltd. (Kabushiki Kaisha Sanei Shuuno Service), Senior Housing Partners IV L.L.C., Senior Housing Partners V LLC, Senior Housing Partnership Fund IV L.L.C., Senior Housing Partnership Fund V LLC, Sterling Private Placement Management LLP, Stetson Street Partners L.P., Strand Investments Limited, TBG Insurance Services Corporation, TENSATOR HOLDINGS LTD, TF Proveedora S.C., TMW ASPF I Verwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG, TMW ASPF Management GmbH, TMW Management LLC, TMW Real Estate Group LLC, TMW Realty Advisors LLC, TMW USPF Verwaltungs GmbH, TRGOAG Company Inc., The Gibraltar Life Insurance Co. Ltd., The Keynes Dynamic Beta Strategy (US) Fund GP LLC, The Prudential Assigned Settlement Services Corp., The Prudential Brazilian Capital Fund LP, The Prudential Gibraltar Financial Life Insurance Co. Ltd., The Prudential Home Mortgage Company Inc., The Prudential Insurance Company of America, The Prudential Life Insurance Company Ltd., The Prudential Real Estate Financial Services of America Inc., The WMF Group, Thurloe Commercial Guernsey Limited, Times Square Center Associates, USPF V - Verwaltungs - GmbH & Co. KG, USPF V Carry LLC, USPF V Co-Invest LLC, USPF V Investment LP, United States Property Fund VI GP S.a r.l., Vailsburg Fund LLC, Vantage Casualty Insurance Company, Wabash Avenue Holdings V LLC, Wabash Avenue Partners V L.P., Wadhwani Capital Limited, Waveland Avenue Holdings I LLC, Waveland Avenue Partners I (Ireland) L.P., Waveland Avenue Partners I (US) L.P., Wellness Services Ecossistema De Bem Estar Ltda., Wellness Services SRL, Yamato Life, and Yavapai LLC. The following companies are subsidiares of Sonoco Products: 2103393 Ontario Inc., AMGH, APEI UK Limited, APEI Unlimited IOM, Associated Packaging Technologies Inc., Beteiligungen Sonoco Deutschland Vermogensverwaltungsgesellschaft mbh, CP Acquisition LLC, Can Packaging, Can Packaging SAS, Cap Liners Limited, Capseals Limited, Capseals Liners Limited, Cascades Sonoco Inc. (fka Cascades Conversion Inc), Clear Lam Flexible Films (Nanjing) Co. Ltd., Clear Lam Packaging Inc., Clear Pack Co., Clear Pack Company, Colombiana P.M. LLC, Conitex Sonoco (BVI) Ltd., Conitex Sonoco (Mexico) S. de R.L. de C.V., Conitex Sonoco Hellas S.A., Conitex Sonoco Holding B.V., Conitex Sonoco Inc., Conitex Sonoco India Pvt. Ltd., Conitex Sonoco N.V., Conitex Sonoco Shanghai Ltd., Conitex Sonoco Suzhou Co. Ltd., Conitex Sonoco Taiwan Ltd., Conitex Sonoco USA Inc., Convex Mold Inc., Corenso Holdings America Inc., Corenso North America, Corenso Richmond LLC, Corepak Limited, CorrFlex Graphics LLC, Demolli Industria Cartaria S.p.A., Engraph Inc., Engraph Puerto Rico Inc., Fair Lawn Packaging Services LLC, Friarsgate Studio Limited, Graffo Paranaense De Embalagens S.A., Graffo Paranaense de Embalagens S/A, Grove Mill Paper Company Limited, Gunther of America Inc., Hartsville Corrugating LLC, Hayes Manufacturing Group, Heathfield Reels Limited, Highland Packaging Solutions, Highland Packaging Solutions LLC, Industrial Machine Co. Inc., Inversiones Sonoco Limitada, Italtubetti SpA, Laminar Medica, Laminar Medica (CE) s.r.o., Laminar Medica Limited, Manufacturas Sonoco S.A. de C.V., Matrix Packaging Inc., Nathaniel Lloyd & Company Limited, OOO Sonoco Alcore (fka ZAO Sonoco Alcore), PT Conitex Sonoco, PT Papcor Asia Pacific, PT Papertech Indonesia, PT Sonoco Indonesia, Packaging Holdings Inc., Papcor (Dezhou) Packaging Material Co. Ltd., Papertech Dezhou Co. Ltd., Papertech SL, PenPack LLC, Peninsula Packaging Company, Peninsula Packaging LLC, Penpack S. de R.L. de C.V., Phoenix Packaging Corp., Plastique Holdings LTD, SAS Du Lagon, SCI Lagon Quest, SMB GmbH, SPC Capital Management Inc., SPC Liquidation LLC, SPC Management LLC, SPC Resources Inc., SR Holdings of the Carolinas LLC, Sebro Plastics Inc., Sonoco (Shanghai) Co., Sonoco (Taicang) Packaging Co., Sonoco (Weifang) Packaging Company Ltd., Sonoco Absorbent Technologies LLC, Sonoco Absorbent Technologies Limited, Sonoco Alcore - Demolli S.r.l., Sonoco Alcore AB, Sonoco Alcore GmbH, Sonoco Alcore N.V., Sonoco Alcore Nederland B.V., Sonoco Ambalaj Sanayi Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Sonoco Asia Holding S.a.r.l., Sonoco Asia L.L.C., Sonoco Asia Management Company L.L.C., Sonoco Australia Pty Ltd, Sonoco Board Mills Limited, Sonoco Bonmati S.A.U., Sonoco Canada Corporation, Sonoco Capseals Liners Limited, Sonoco Comercial S. de R.L. de C.V., Sonoco Consumer Products Dordrecht B.V. (fka Dorpak B.V.), Sonoco Consumer Products Europe GmbH (fka Weidenhammer Packaging Group GmbH), Sonoco Consumer Products Hellas S.A. (fka Weidenhammer Hellas S.A.), Sonoco Consumer Products Limited, Sonoco Consumer Products Mechelen BVBA (fka Weidenhammer Belgium BVBA), Sonoco Consumer Products Montanay SAS (fka Neuvibox SAS), Sonoco Consumer Products Poland Sp. Z.O.O., Sonoco Consumer Products SAS, Sonoco Consumer Products South Africa (PTY) Ltd., Sonoco Consumer Products Zwenkau GmbH (fka fka Weidenhammer Plastice Packaging GmbH), Sonoco Cores and Paper Limited, Sonoco D & P LLC, Sonoco D and P York LLC, Sonoco Deutschland GmbH, Sonoco Deutschland Holdings GmbH, Sonoco Development Inc., Sonoco Display and Packaging LLC, Sonoco Elk Grove Inc., Sonoco Embalagens Ltda. (fka Sonoco Embalagens S.A.), Sonoco Europe Limited, Sonoco Flexible Packaging Canada Corporation, Sonoco Flexible Packaging Co. Inc., Sonoco Graphics India Private Limited, Sonoco Hickory Inc., Sonoco Holdings Inc., Sonoco Holdings UK Limited, Sonoco Hutchinson LLC, Sonoco IPD France SAS, Sonoco Iberia S.L.U., Sonoco International Holdings GmbH, Sonoco JV GmbH & Co. KG, Sonoco Kaiping Packaging Co. Ltd., Sonoco Limited, Sonoco Luxembourg Holding S.a.r.l., Sonoco Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Sonoco Milnrow, Sonoco Netherlands Holding II BV, Sonoco Netherlands Holding III BV, Sonoco New Zealand Limited, Sonoco Operadora S. de R.L. de C.V., Sonoco Packaging Limited, Sonoco Packaging Tapes Limited, Sonoco Paper Mill & IPD Hellas SA, Sonoco Paperboard Group LLC, Sonoco Partitions Inc., Sonoco Phoenix LLC, Sonoco Pina S.A.U., Sonoco Plastics B.V., Sonoco Plastics Canada ULC, Sonoco Plastics Germany GmbH, Sonoco Plastics Inc., Sonoco Poland Holdings B.V., Sonoco Polysack A/S Inc., Sonoco Polysack Limited, Sonoco Products Company UK, Sonoco Products Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Sonoco Protective Solutions Inc., Sonoco Recycling - International Trade Group LLC (fka Reparco USA Inc.), Sonoco Recycling LLC, Sonoco Reels Limited, Sonoco Retail Packaging S. de R.L. de C.V., Sonoco S.A. de C.V., Sonoco SAS, Sonoco Saudi Limited Company, Sonoco Services LLC, Sonoco Singapore Pte. Ltd., Sonoco TEQ Holdings Ltd, Sonoco TEQ LLC, Sonoco TEQ Ltd, Sonoco TEQ Sp. Z.o.o, Sonoco Taiwan Ltd, Sonoco Thailand Ltd, Sonoco UK Leasing Limited, Sonoco Venezolana C.A., Sonoco Venture International Holdings GmbH, Sonoco Ventures UK Limited, Sonoco Wisconsin Rapids Core Plant LLC, Sonoco Wisconsin Rapids Inc., Sonoco Wisconsin Rapids Paper Mill LLC, Sonoco Yatai Pinghu Packaging Co Ltd, Sonoco de Colombia Ltda, Sonoco do Brasil Participacoes Ltda, Sonoco do Brazil Ltda, Sonoco of Puerto Rico Inc., Sonoco-Alcore AS, Sonoco-Alcore Ou, Sonoco-Alcore Oy, Sonoco-Alcore S.a.r.l., Sonoco-Alcore Sp. Z.O.O., Sonoco-Engraph Puerto Rico Inc., TPT Board Mills Limited, TPT Limited, Tegrant Alloyd Brands Inc., Tegrant Corporation, Tegrant International Inc., Tegrant Property Holdings LLC, Tegrant de Mexico S.A. de C.V., ThermoSafe Brands Asia PTE LTD., ThermoSafe Brands Europe Ltd., Thermoform Engineered Quality LLC, Trident Graphics Canada Corporation, Trident Graphics NA LLC, U.S. Paper Mills Corp., Unit Reels & Drums Limited, Weidenhammer Chile Ltda., Weidenhammer Packaging Group, Weidenhammer UK Ltd., and Wisenberg U.S. Inc.. Grand City Properties S.A. engages in the residential real estate business in Germany, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company invests in, manages, and rents real estate properties in North Rhine-Westphalia and Berlin; metropolitan regions of Dresden, Leipzig, and Halle; and the cities in the north of Germany, Bremen, Hamburg, and Hannover, as well as other urban centers, such as Nuremberg, Munch, Mannheim, Frankfurt, and London. Grand City Properties S.A. was founded in 2004 and is based in Luxembourg. Read More iShares Global Financials ETF's stock was trading at $51.93 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, IXG stock has increased by 54.3% and is now trading at $80.12. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. iShares S&P 500 Value ETF's stock was trading at $104.96 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, IVE stock has increased by 48.6% and is now trading at $156.00. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. The following companies are subsidiares of Kellogg: 545 LLC, AQFTM Inc., Afical - Industria e Comercio de Alimentos Ltda, Afical Holding LLC, Alimentos Gollek S.A., Alimentos Kellogg S.A., Alimentos Kellogg de Panama SRL, Argkel Inc., Austin Quality Foods Inc., BDH Inc., Bear Naked Inc., Bisco Misr, CC Real Estate Holdings LLC, Canada Holding LLC, Cary Land Corporation, Eighteen94 Capital LLC, Favorite Food Products Limited, Gardenburger LLC, Gollek Argentina S.R.L., Gollek B.V., Gollek Inc., Gollek Interamericas S. de R.L. de C.V., Gollek Servicios S.C., Gollek UK Limited, Illinois Baking Corporation, Instituto De Nutricion y Salud Kellogg A.C., Insurgent Brands LLC, K (China) Limited, K Europe Holding Company Limited, K India Private Limited, K-One Inc., K-Two Inc., KBAR SRL, KECL LLC, KELF Limited, KJAL Limited, KPAR Limited, KT International Finance SRL, KTRY Limited, Kashi Company, Kashi Company Pty Ltd, Kashi Sales L.L.C., Keebler Company, Keebler Foods Company, Keebler Holding Corp., Keebler USA Inc., Kelarg Inc., Kelcone Limited, Kelcorn Limited, Kellman S. de R.L. de C.V., Kellogg (Aust.) Pty. Ltd., Kellogg (Deutschland) GmbH, Kellogg (Japan) G.K., Kellogg (Osterreich) Gesellschaft GmbH, Kellogg (Schweiz) GmbH, Kellogg (Thailand) Limited, Kellogg Activation Services Company, Kellogg Argentina S.R.L., Kellogg Asia Inc., Kellogg Asia Marketing Inc., Kellogg Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Kellogg Asia Products Sdn.. Bhd., Kellogg Asia Sdn. Bhd., Kellogg Australia Holdings Pty. Ltd., Kellogg Belgium Services Company BVBA, Kellogg Brasil Inc., Kellogg Brasil Ltda., Kellogg Business Services Company, Kellogg Canada Inc., Kellogg Caribbean Inc., Kellogg Caribbean Services Company Inc., Kellogg Chile Inc., Kellogg Company East Africa Limited, Kellogg Company Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Kellogg Company Subsidiaries, Kellogg Company of Great Britain Limited, Kellogg Company of Ireland Limited, Kellogg Company of South Africa (Pty.) Ltd., Kellogg Costa Rica S. de R.L., Kellogg Ecuador C. LTDA., Kellogg El Salvador Ltda. de C.V., Kellogg Espana S.L., Kellogg Europe Company Limited, Kellogg Europe Finance Limited, Kellogg Europe Services Limited, Kellogg Europe Trading Limited, Kellogg Europe Treasury Services Limited, Kellogg European Logistics Services Company Limited, Kellogg European Support Services SRL, Kellogg Fearn Inc., Kellogg Funding Company LLC, Kellogg Group LLC, Kellogg Group Limited, Kellogg Group S.a.r.l., Kellogg Hellas Single Member Limited Liability Company, Kellogg Holding Company Limited, Kellogg Holding LLC, Kellogg Hong Kong Holding Company Limited, Kellogg Hong Kong Private Limited, Kellogg India Private Limited, Kellogg International Holding Company, Kellogg Irish Holding Limited, Kellogg Italia S.p.A., Kellogg Kayco, Kellogg Latin America Holding Company (One) Limited, Kellogg Latin America Holding Company (Two) Limited, Kellogg Latvia Inc., Kellogg Lux I S.ar.l., Kellogg Lux III S. ar L., Kellogg Lux V S.a.r.l., Kellogg Lux VI S.ar.l., Kellogg Management Services (Europe) Limited, Kellogg Manchester Limited, Kellogg Manufacturing Espana S.L., Kellogg Marketing and Sales Company (UK) Limited, Kellogg Med Gida Ticaret Limited SirketiI, Kellogg Netherlands Holding B.V., Kellogg North America Company, Kellogg Northern Europe GmbH, Kellogg Pakistan (Private) Limted, Kellogg Rus LLC, Kellogg Sales Company, Kellogg Services GmbH, Kellogg Servicios S.C., Kellogg Snacks Financing Limited, Kellogg Snacks Holding Company Europe Limited, Kellogg Superannuation Pty. Ltd., Kellogg Supply Services (Europe) Limited, Kellogg Talbot LLC, Kellogg Transition MA&P L.L.C., Kellogg Treasury Services Company, Kellogg U.K. Holding Company Limited, Kellogg UK Minor Limited, Kellogg USA LLC, Kellogg de Centro America S.A., Kellogg de Colombia S.A., Kellogg de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Kellogg de Peru S.R.L., Kellogg's Produits Alimentaires S.A.S., Kelmill Limited, Kelpac Limited, Klux A Sarl, Klux B Sarl, Mass Food, Mass Food International SAE, Mass Food SAE, Mass Trade for Trade and Distribution SAE, McCamly Plaza Hotel Inc., Multipro Consumer Products Limited*, Multipro Private Limited*, Multipro Singapore Pte. Ltd*, Nhong Shim Kellogg Co. Ltd.*, Nikko Industries*, Nordisk Kellogg's ApS, PRUX S.a r.l., Padua Ltda, Parati Group, Parati Industria e Comercio de Alimentos Ltda, Portable Foods Manufacturing Company Limited, Prime Bond Cyprus Holding Company Limited, Prime Bond Holdings Limited, Pringles, Pringles (Shanghai) Food Co. Ltd., Pringles Australia Pty Ltd, Pringles Hong Kong Limited, Pringles International Operations Sarl, Pringles Japan G.K., Pringles LLC, Pringles Manufacturing Company, Pringles Overseas Holdings Sarl, Pringles S.a r.l., Pronumex S de R.L. de C.V., RX Bar UK Limited, RXBRANDS Canada ULC, Ritmo Investimentos, Rondo Food Manufacturing S.A.E., RxBar, Saragusa Frozen Foods Limited, Servicios Argkel S.C., Shaffer Clarke & Co. Inc., Specialty Cereals Pty Limited, Specialty Foods L.L.C., Stretch Fibres*, Stretch Island Fruit Sales L.L.C., Sunshine Biscuits L.L.C., The Eggo Company, The Healthy Snack People Pty Limited, Trafford Park Insurance Limited, Uma Investments sp. z o.o., Vita+ Naturprodukte GmbH*, Wimble Manufacturing Belgium BVBA, Wimble Services Belgium BVBA, and Worthington Foods Inc.. The following companies are subsidiares of Ingersoll Rand: 211 E. Russell Road LLC, Air-Relief, Belliss & Morcom Brasil, Belliss and Morcom, Boardwalk Enterprises, Charm Merger Sub Inc., CompAir, CompAir (Hankook) Korea Co. Ltd., CompAir Acquisition (No. 2) Ltd., CompAir Acquisition Ltd., CompAir BroomWade Ltd., CompAir Canada, CompAir Finance Ltd., CompAir GmbH, CompAir Holdings Limited, CompAir Holman Ltd, CompAir International Trading (Shanghai) Co Ltd, CompAir Korea Ltd, CompAir South Africa (SA) (Pty) Ltd., CompAir UK Ltd, CompAir USA, Consolidated Distribution Holdings Ltd., DV Systems Inc., Emco Wheaton, Emco Wheaton GmbH Branch, Emco Wheaton Gmbh, Emco Wheaton UK, Emco Wheaton USA Inc, Enza Air Propriety Limited (South Africa), GD Aria Holdings #2 Limited, GD Aria Holdings Limited, GD Aria Investments Limited, GD First UK Ltd, GD German Holdings GmbH, GD German Holdings I Gmbh, GD German Holdings II GmbH, GD German Investments GmbH, GD Global Holdings, GD Global Holdings II, GD Global Holdings UK II Ltd., GD Global Ventures I B.V., GD Global Ventures II B.V., GD Global Ventures III B.V., GD Industrial Products Malaysia SDN. BHD., GD Investment KY, GD UK Finance Ltd., Gardner Denver (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Gardner Denver Austria GmbH, Gardner Denver Bad Neustadt Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Belgium NV, Gardner Denver Brasil Industria E Comercio de Maquinas Ltda., Gardner Denver CZ + SK sro, Gardner Denver Canada Corp, Gardner Denver Cyprus Investments II Ltd., Gardner Denver Cyprus Investments II Ltd. - US Branch, Gardner Denver Cyprus Investments Ltd., Gardner Denver Cyprus Investments Ltd. - US Branch, Gardner Denver Deutschland GmbH, Gardner Denver Engineered Products India Private Limited, Gardner Denver FZE, Gardner Denver Finance II LLC, Gardner Denver Finance Inc & Co KG, Gardner Denver France SA, Gardner Denver France SAS, Gardner Denver Group Services Ltd, Gardner Denver Group Svcs Ltd, Gardner Denver Hoffman, Gardner Denver Holdings, Gardner Denver Holdings Limited, Gardner Denver Hong Kong Investments Limited, Gardner Denver Hong Kong Ltd, Gardner Denver Iberica, Gardner Denver Industries Ltd., Gardner Denver Industries Pty Ltd., Gardner Denver Industries Pty Ltd. Branch, Gardner Denver International, Gardner Denver International Ltd., Gardner Denver Intl Ltd Middle East Regional Rep Office, Gardner Denver Investments, Gardner Denver Italy Holdings S.r.L., Gardner Denver Japan, Gardner Denver Kirchhain Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Korea, Gardner Denver Korea Ltd, Gardner Denver Ltd, Gardner Denver Ltd South Africa, Gardner Denver Ltd., Gardner Denver Ltd. Branch (Ireland), Gardner Denver Machinery (Shanghai) Co, Gardner Denver Machinery (Shanghai) Co., Gardner Denver Nash Brasil Industria E Comercio De Bombas Ltda, Gardner Denver Nash Deutschland GmbH, Gardner Denver Nash LLC, Gardner Denver Nash Machinery Ltd, Gardner Denver Nash Machinery Ltd., Gardner Denver Nederland BV, Gardner Denver Nederland Investments B.V., Gardner Denver Oberdorfer Pumps, Gardner Denver Oy, Gardner Denver Petroleum Pumps, Gardner Denver Polska Sp z.o.o., Gardner Denver Pte Ltd., Gardner Denver S.r.l., Gardner Denver Schopfheim GmbH, Gardner Denver Schopfheim Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Schweiz AG, Gardner Denver Slovakia, Gardner Denver SudAmerica S.r.l., Gardner Denver Sweden AB, Gardner Denver Taiwan Ltd., Gardner Denver Thomas, Gardner Denver Thomas GmbH, Gardner Denver Thomas Pneumatic Systems (Wuxi) Co., Gardner Denver Thomas Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver UK, Gardner Denver Water Jetting Systems, Garo Dott. Ing. Roberto Gabbioneta S.r.l., Hamworthy Belliss & Morcom, ILMVAC (UK) Ltd., ILS Innovative Labor Systeme, ILS Inovative Laborsysteme GmbH, Indonesia Foreign Trade Representative Office, LeROI, LeRoi International Inc, MP Pumps Inc., Mako Compressors, Nash, Nash Elmo, Oina VV, Oina VV Aktiebolag, Robuschi, Rotary Compression Technologies, Runtech Systems, Runtech Systems (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Runtech Systems Inc., Runtech Systems OY, Shanghai CompAir Compressors Co Ltd, Shanghai Compressors & Blowers Ltd., Syltone, TCM Investments, TIWR Real Estate GmbH & Co. KG, TODO AB, Tamrotor Marine Compressors AS, Thomas Industries, Thomas Industries Inc., Tri-Continent Scientific, Welch Vacuum Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zinsser Analytic, Zinsser Analytik GmbH, and Zinsser NA. The following companies are subsidiares of Marsh & McLennan Companies: 8WORKS INC., 8WORKS LTD, A. Constantinidi & CIA. S.C., A.C.N. 000 951 146 Pty Limited, A.C.N. 001 572 961 Pty Limited, A.C.N. 076 935 683 Pty Limited, A.C.N. 102 322 574 Pty Limited, ACE Insurance Agents Limited, ACE Insurance Consultants Limited, ACE Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers Limited, AD Corretora de Seguros, AFCO Premium Acceptance Inc., AFCO Premium Credit LLC, Access Equity Enhanced Fund GP LLC, Admiral Holdings Limited, Agnew Higgins Pickering & Co. (Bermuda) Ltd, Aldgate Investments Limited, Aldgate Trustees Ltd, Alexander Forbes Group Holdings Limited, Alpha Consultants Limited, Alta SA, Altius Real Assets (GP) LLC, Amal Insurance Brokers Limited (in liquidation), Anda Insurance Agencies Pte Ltd, AssetVal Pty Ltd, Assur Conseils Marsh S.A., Assurance Capital Corporation, Assurance Services Corporation, Australian Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd, Australian World Underwriters Pty Ltd., BBPS Limited, Barney & Barney Orange County LLC, Beaumonts (Leeds) Limited (in liquidation), Beaumonts Insurance Brokers Limited (in liquidation), Beaumonts Insurance Services Limited, Beneficios Integrales Oportunos SA, Benefitfocus Inc., Blue Marble Micro Limited, Blue Marble Microinsurance Inc., Bluefin, Bluefin Insurance Group Limited, Bluefin Insurance Services Limited, Boulder Claims LLC, Bowring (Bermuda) Investments Ltd., Bowring Marine Limited, Bowring Marsh (Bermuda) Ltd., Bowring Marsh (Hong Kong) Limited, Bowring Marsh Asia Pte. Ltd., Bowring Marsh Corretora de Resseguros Ltda., Bowring Marsh Limited, Broderick Piller Pty Ltd, Broker 2 Broker Limited, BuildPay LLC, Burke Ford Trustees (Leicester) Limited, C.T. Bowring Limited, CMC-Belgibo NV, CPRM Limited, CPSG Partners LLC, Carpenter Marsh Fac Chile Corredores de Reaseguros Limitada, Carpenter Marsh Fac Colombia Corredores de Reaseguros S.A., Carpenter Marsh Fac Peru Corredores de Reaseguros S.A.C., Carpenter Marsh Fac Re LLC, Carpenter Turner Cyprus Ltd, Carpenter Turner S.A., Cascade International Holdings C.V., Cascade Regional Holdings Limited, Central Insurance Services Limited, Charter Risk Management Services LLC, Chartwell Healthcare Limited, Chronos Insurance Brokers Pty Limited, Claims and Recovery Management (Australia) Pty Limited, Clark Thomson Insurance Brokers Limited, Client Provide Limited, Colombian Insurance Broking Wholesale Limited, Consultores 2020 C.A., Cronin & Co Insurance Services Limited, DVA - Deutsche Verkehrs-Assekuranz-Vermittlungs GmbH, Dawson Insurance, DeLima Marsh S.A. - Los Corredores de Seguros S.A., Dovetail Insurance Corp., Dovetail Insurance Corp., Dovetail Managing General Agency Corporation, Dovetail Technology Service India Private Limited, Draw Connect Limited, Draw Create Limited, Draw Group London Limited, Eagle & Crown Limited, Echelon Australia Pty Limited, Echelon Claims Consultants Sdn Bhd, Echelon New Zealand Limited, EnBW Versicherungs Vermittlung GmbH, Encompass Insurance Agency Pty Ltd., English Pension Trustees Limited, Epsilon (US) Insurance Company, Epsilon Insurance Company Ltd., Eustis Insurance & Benefits, Evolution Management Ltd, Exchange Insurance Services Limited (in liquidation), Exmoor Management Company Limited, Faulkner & Flynn LLC, Freedom Trust Services Limited, GC Genesis LLC, GCube Insurance Services Inc, GCube Underwriting Limited, Gama Consultores Associados Ltda., Gem Insurance Company Limited, Global Premium Finance Company, GrECo International Holding AG, Gracechurch Trustees Limited, Gresham Pension Trustees Limited, Group Promoters Pty Limited, Guy Carpenter & Cia (Mexico) S.A. de C.V., Guy Carpenter & Cia. S.A., Guy Carpenter & Co. Labuan Ltd., Guy Carpenter & Company AB, Guy Carpenter & Company Corredores de Reaseguros Limitada, Guy Carpenter & Company Corretora de Resseguros Ltda., Guy Carpenter & Company GmbH, Guy Carpenter & Company LLC, Guy Carpenter & Company Limited, Guy Carpenter & Company Limited, Guy Carpenter & Company Ltd./Guy Carpenter & Compagnie Ltee, Guy Carpenter & Company Participacoes Ltda., Guy Carpenter & Company Peru Corredores de Reaseguros S.A., Guy Carpenter & Company Private Limited, Guy Carpenter & Company Proprietary Limited, Guy Carpenter & Company Pty. Ltd., Guy Carpenter & Company S.A., Guy Carpenter & Company S.A. (Uruguay), Guy Carpenter & Company S.A.S., Guy Carpenter & Company S.r.l., Guy Carpenter (Middle East) Limited, Guy Carpenter Bermuda Ltd., Guy Carpenter Broking Inc., Guy Carpenter Colombia Corredores de Reaseguros Ltda., Guy Carpenter Insurance Brokers (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Guy Carpenter Japan Inc., Guy Carpenter Mexico Intermediario de Reaseguro S.A. de C.V., Guy Carpenter Reasurans Brokerligi Anonim Sirketi, HAPIP GP 2009 LLC, HAPIP GP LLC, HSBC Insurance Brokers International (Abu Dhabi) LLC (in liquidation), Hamilton Bond Limited, Hansen International Limited, Hayward Aviation Limited, INSIA Europe SE, INSIA SK s.r.o., INSIA a.s., INSURANCE BROKERS OF NIGERIA LIMITED, IRC Asia Insurance Brokers Limited, InSolutions Limited, Industrial Risks Protection Consultants, Ingeseg S. A., Ingeseg S.A., Insbrokers Ltda., InsurTech Alliance LLC, Insure Direct (Brokers) LLC, Insure Direct (Brokers) LLC [BAHRAIN BRANCH], Insure Direct - Jardine Lloyd Thompson Limited, International Catastrophe Insurance Managers LLC, International Loss Control Services Limited, International Risk Consultants (Asia) Limited, Invercol Limited, Irish Pensions Trust Limited, Isosceles Insurance (Barbados) Limited, Isosceles Insurance Company Limited, Isosceles Insurance Ltd, Isosceles PCC Limited, J&H Marsh & McLennan Limited, J.W. Terrill Benefit Administrators Inc., JI Holdings Limited, JIB Group Holdings Limited, JIB Group Limited, JIB Holdings (Pacific) Limited, JIB Overseas Holdings Limited, JIB UK Holdings Limited, JL Marine Insurance-Brokers GmbH & Co. KG, JLM Verwaltungs GmbH, JLT (Insurance Brokers) Limited, JLT Actuaries and Consultants Limited, JLT Advisory Limited, JLT Affinity Colombia Solutions SAS, JLT Agencies Limited, JLT Asesorias Ltda, JLT Asia Holdings BV, JLT Asia Shared Services Sdn Bhd, JLT Belgibo, JLT Benefit Consultants Limited, JLT Benefit Solutions Limited, JLT Benefit Solutions SA (Pty) Ltd, JLT Bermuda Ltd, JLT Brasil Holdings Participacoes Ltd, JLT Chile Holdings SpA, JLT Colombia Retail Limited, JLT Colombia Wholesale Limited, JLT Consultants & Actuaries Limited, JLT EB Holdings Limited, JLT EB Services Limited, JLT Employee Benefits Holding Company (PTY) LTD, JLT Employee Benefits SA (Pty) Ltd, JLT Financial Planning Limited, JLT France Holdings, JLT Group Services Pty Limited, JLT Holdings (Barbados) Ltd, JLT Holdings (NZ) Limited, JLT Independent Insurance Brokers Private Limited, JLT Insurance Agencies Limited, JLT Insurance Brokers Co. Limited, JLT Insurance Brokers Co. Limited ( Shanghai Branch), JLT Insurance Brokers Co. Limited (Beijing Branch), JLT Insurance Brokers Co. Limited (Guangzhou Branch), JLT Insurance Brokers Ireland Limited, JLT Insurance Brokers SA, JLT Insurance Group Holdings Ltd, JLT Insurance Management Malta Limited, JLT Intellectual Property Limited, JLT Intellectual Property [UK Branch], JLT Interactive Pte. Ltd., JLT Investment Management Limited, JLT LATAM (Southern Cone) Wholesale Limited, JLT Latin American Holdings Limited, JLT Life Assurance Brokers Limited, JLT Management Services Limited, JLT Marine (Pty) Ltd, JLT Mexico Holdings Limited, JLT Mexico Intermediario de Reaseguro S.A. de C.V., JLT Netherlands BV, JLT Norway AS, JLT PLA, JLT Pension Trustees Limited, JLT Pensions Administration Holdings Limited, JLT Pensions Administration Limited, JLT Peru Reinsurance Solutions Limited, JLT Peru Retail Limited, JLT Peru Wholesale Limited, JLT QFM Services Limited, JLT RE Brasil Administracao e Corretagem de Resseguros Ltda, JLT Re (French Branch), JLT Re (Northern Europe) AB, JLT Re Argentina Corredores de Reaseguros S.A.U., JLT Re Labuan Limited, JLT Re Limited, JLT Re Pty Ltd, JLT Reinsurance Brokers GmbH, JLT Reinsurance Brokers Limited, JLT Reinsurance Brokers Limited [French Branch], JLT Risk Management Limited, JLT Risk Solutions AB, JLT Risk Solutions AB Branch - Germany, JLT SA IB Holdings Company (Pty) Limited, JLT SCK Affinity Administracao e Corretora de Seguros Ltda., JLT SCK Corretora e Administradora de Seguros, JLT Secretaries Limited, JLT Sigorta ve Reasurans Brokerlii A.., JLT Singapore Holdings Pte. Ltd., JLT Specialty France, JLT Specialty Insurance Broker A/S, JLT Specialty Limited, JLT Specialty Limited [DUBAI BRANCH], JLT Specialty Pte. Ltd., JLT Towner Insurance Management (Anguilla) Limited, JLT Trust Services (Barbados) Ltd, JLT Trustees (Southern) Limited, JLT Trustees Limited, JLT UK Investment Holdings Limited, JLT Vantage Risk and Benefit Consulting Private Limited, JLT Wealth Management Limited, JLT do Brasil Corretagem de Seguros Ltda, JLTPCS Holdings Pte. Ltd., JMIB Holdings BV, JSL Securities Inc., Japan Affinity Marketing Inc., Jardine IBR Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson (Proprietary) Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Asia Pte Ltd, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Australia Pty Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Canada Inc, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group Ltd, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group plc, Jardine Lloyd Thompson India Private Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson India Private Limited (UK Branch Office), Jardine Lloyd Thompson Insurance Consultants Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers Inc., Jardine Lloyd Thompson Ireland Holdings Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Ireland Unlimited Company, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Korea Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Limited [Macao Branch], Jardine Lloyd Thompson PCS (Dubai) Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson PCS Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson PCS Pte Ltd, Jardine Lloyd Thompson PCS SA, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Private Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Pty Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Sdn Bhd, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Valencia y Iragorri Corredores de Seguros SA, Jardine Pension Trustees Ireland Limited, Jardine Risk Consulting Co. Limited, Jardine ShunTak Insurance Brokers Limited, Jardine ShunTak Insurance Brokers Limited [Macao Branch], Jardines PF- Consultoria Em Gestao De Risco Limitada, Jelf, Jelf Commercial Finance Limited, Jelf Financial Planning Limited, Jelf Insurance Brokers Limited, Jelf Limited, Jelf Risk Management Limited, Jelf Wellbeing Limited, John Lampier & Son Ltd, Johnson & Higgins (Bermuda) Limited, Johnson & Higgins Limited, KESSLER & CO AG, Kepler Associates Limited, Kessler & Co Inc., Kessler Consulting Inc., Kessler Prevoyance Inc., Key Underwriting Pty Limited, Kroll, Lambert Brothers Holdings Limited, Lambert Brothers Insurance Brokers (Employee Benefits) Limited, Lambert Brothers Insurance Brokers (Hong Kong) Ltd, Laterlife.com Limited (in liquidation), Lavaretus Underwriting AB, Lavaretus Underwriting AB (BRANCH - Denmark), Libra Insurance Services Limited (in liquidation), Lloyd & Partners Limited, Local Government Insurance Brokers Pty Limited, Lomond Macdonald Limited, Lynch Insurance Brokers Limited, M&M Vehicle L.P., M.P. Bolshaw and Company Limited, MAG JLT SpA, MERCER ALTERNATIVES LIMITED, MM Risk Services Pty Ltd (for dissolution), MMA Mid-Atlantic Employee LLC, MMA Securities LLC, MMB Consultores S.A., MMC (Singapore) Holdings Pte. Ltd., MMC 28 State Street Holdings Inc., MMC Borrower LLC, MMC Brazilian Holdings B.V., MMC Capital Inc., MMC Cascade Regional Holdings LLC, MMC FINANCE (EUROPE) LIMITED, MMC FINANCE HOLDINGS LTD, MMC Finance (Australia) Limited, MMC Finance (Singapore) Limited, MMC France Holdings (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., MMC GP III Inc., MMC Group Services sp. z o.o., MMC Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd, MMC Holdings (New Zealand) ULC, MMC Holdings (UK) Limited, MMC International Finance (Barbados) SRL, MMC International Holdings LLC, MMC International Limited, MMC International Treasury Centre Limited, MMC Middle East Holdings Limited, MMC Poland Holdings B.V., MMC Realty Inc., MMC Regional Asia Holdings B.V., MMC Regional Caribbean Holdings Ltd., MMC Regional Europe Holdings B.V., MMC Regional LATAM Holdings B.V., MMC Securities (Europe) Limited, MMC Securities LLC, MMC Treasury Holdings (UK) Limited, MMC UK Group Limited, MMC UK Pension Fund Trustee Limited, MMOW Limited, MMRC LLC, MOW Holding LLC, MPIP III GP LLC, MPIP IV GP LLC, MPIP V GP LLC, MPIP VI GP LLC, Mangrove Insurance Europe PCC Limited, Mangrove Insurance Solutions PCC, Mangrove Insurance Solutions PCC Limited, Manoel Management Services Ltd, Marchant McKechnie Insurance Brokers Limited, Marine Aviation & General (London) Limited, Marsh & McLennan (PNG) Limited, Marsh & McLennan Agencies AS, Marsh & McLennan Agencies Limited, Marsh & McLennan Agency A/S, Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC, Marsh & McLennan Agency Limited, Marsh & McLennan Agency Pty Ltd., Marsh & McLennan Argentina SA Corredores de Reaseguros, Marsh & McLennan Colombia S.A., Marsh & McLennan Companies Acquisition Funding Limited, Marsh & McLennan Companies Acquisition Limited, Marsh & McLennan Companies Asia Pacific Treasury Center Limited, Marsh & McLennan Companies BVBA/SPRL, Marsh & McLennan Companies Finance Center (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., Marsh & McLennan Companies France S.A.S., Marsh & McLennan Companies Holdings (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc., Marsh & McLennan Companies Regional Holdings S.a.r.l., Marsh & McLennan Companies Services B.V., Marsh & McLennan Companies UK Limited, Marsh & McLennan Europe S.a.r.l., Marsh & McLennan GP I Inc., Marsh & McLennan Global Broking (Bermuda) Ltd., Marsh & McLennan Holding GmbH, Marsh & McLennan Holdings (Canada) ULC, Marsh & McLennan Holdings Inc., Marsh & McLennan Incorporated (for dissolution), Marsh & McLennan Innovation Centre Holdings II, Marsh & McLennan Innovation Centre Holdings S.a.r.l., Marsh & McLennan Innovation Centre Limited, Marsh & McLennan Insurance Services Limited, Marsh & McLennan Ireland Limited, Marsh & McLennan Management Services (Bermuda) Limited, Marsh & McLennan Risk Capital Holdings Ltd., Marsh & McLennan Servicios S.A. De C.V., Marsh & McLennan Shared Services Canada Limited, Marsh & McLennan Shared Services Corporation, Marsh (Bahrain) Company SPC, Marsh (Beijing) Risk Management Consulting Co. Ltd., Marsh (China) Insurance Brokers Co. Ltd., Marsh (Hong Kong) Limited, Marsh (Insurance Brokers) LLP, Marsh (Insurance Services) Limited, Marsh (Malawi) Limited, Marsh (Middle East) Limited, Marsh (Namibia) (Proprietary) Limited, Marsh (Pty) Ltd, Marsh (Risk Consulting) LLP, Marsh (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Marsh A/S, Marsh AB, Marsh AG, Marsh AS, Marsh Advantage Insurance Holdings Pty Ltd, Marsh Advantage Insurance Pty Ltd., Marsh Africa (Pty) Ltd, Marsh Argentina S.R.L., Marsh Associates (Pty) Ltd, Marsh Austria G.m.b.H., Marsh Aviation Insurance Broking Pty Ltd (for dissolution), Marsh B.V., Marsh Botswana (Proprietary) Limited, Marsh Brockman y Schuh Agente de Seguros y de Fianzas S.A. de C.V., Marsh Broker Japan Inc., Marsh Broker de Asigurare-Reasigurare S.R.L., Marsh Brokers (Hong Kong) Limited, Marsh Brokers Limited, Marsh Canada Limited/Marsh Canada Limitee, Marsh Company Management Services Cayman Ltd., Marsh Compensation Technologies Administration (Pty) Ltd, Marsh Corporate Services (Barbados) Limited, Marsh Corporate Services Isle of Man Ltd, Marsh Corporate Services Limited, Marsh Corporate Services Malta Limited, Marsh Corretora de Seguros Ltda., Marsh EOOD, Marsh Egypt LLC, Marsh Emirates Consultancy LLC, Marsh Emirates Insurance Brokerage LLC, Marsh Employee Benefits Limited, Marsh Employee Benefits Zimbabwe (Private) Ltd, Marsh Eurofinance B.V., Marsh Europe S.A., Marsh FJC International Insurance Brokers Limited, Marsh For Insurance Services S.A.E., Marsh Franco Acra S.A., Marsh GSC Servicos e Administracao de Seguros Ltda., Marsh GmbH, Marsh Holding AB, Marsh Holdings (Pty) Ltd, Marsh India Insurance Brokers Private Limited, Marsh Insurance & Investments LLC, Marsh Insurance Brokers, Marsh Insurance Brokers (Macao) Limited, Marsh Insurance Brokers (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Marsh Insurance Brokers (Private) Limited, Marsh Insurance Brokers AO, Marsh Insurance Brokers Limited, Marsh Insurance Consulting Saudi Arabia (in liquidation), Marsh Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers LLC, Marsh Intermediaries Inc., Marsh International Broking Holdings Limited, Marsh International Holdings II Inc., Marsh International Holdings Inc., Marsh Investment B.V., Marsh Ireland Brokers Limited, Marsh Ireland Brokers Limited (UK Branch), Marsh Ireland Holdings Limited, Marsh Israel (1999) Ltd., Marsh Israel (Holdings) Ltd., Marsh Israel Consultants Ltd., Marsh Israel Insurance Agency Ltd., Marsh Israel International Brokers Ltd. (in liquidation), Marsh JCS Inc., Marsh Japan Inc., Marsh Kft., Marsh Kindlustusmaakler AS, Marsh Korea Inc., Marsh LLC, Marsh LLC Insurance Brokers, Marsh LLC [Ukraine], Marsh Lda., Marsh Limited, Marsh Limited [Fiji], Marsh Limited [New Zealand], Marsh Limited [PNG], Marsh Ltd. [Wisconsin], Marsh Management Services (Bahamas) Ltd., Marsh Management Services (Barbados) Limited, Marsh Management Services (Bermuda) Ltd., Marsh Management Services (Dublin) Limited, Marsh Management Services (Labuan) Limited, Marsh Management Services (MENA) Limited, Marsh Management Services (USVI) Ltd., Marsh Management Services Cayman Ltd., Marsh Management Services Guernsey Limited, Marsh Management Services Inc., Marsh Management Services Isle of Man Limited, Marsh Management Services Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Marsh Management Services Malta Limited, Marsh Management Services Singapore Pte. Ltd., Marsh Management Services Sweden AB, Marsh Marine & Energy AB, Marsh Marine Nederland B.V., Marsh Medical Consulting GmbH, Marsh Mercer Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd, Marsh Nest Inc., Marsh Oman LLC, Marsh Oy, Marsh PB Co. Ltd., Marsh Philippines Inc., Marsh Privat A.I.E., Marsh Private Client Life Insurance Services, Marsh Pty. Ltd., Marsh Qatar LLC, Marsh RE S.A.C. Corredores de Reaseguros, Marsh Rehder Consultoria S.A. (MRC), Marsh Rehder S.A. Corredores de Seguros, Marsh Resolutions Pty Limited, Marsh Risk Consulting B.V., Marsh Risk Consulting Limitada, Marsh Risk Consulting Ltda., Marsh Risk Consulting S.L., Marsh Risk Consulting Services S.r.L., Marsh Risk and Consulting Services (Pty) Ltd, Marsh S.A. Corredores De Seguros, Marsh S.A. Mediadores de Seguros, Marsh S.A.S., Marsh S.p.A., Marsh SA [Argentina], Marsh SA [Belgium], Marsh SA [Luxembourg], Marsh SA [Uruguay], Marsh SIA, Marsh Saldana Inc., Marsh Saudi Arabia Insurance & Reinsurance Brokers, Marsh Secretarial Services Limited, Marsh Semusa S.A., Marsh Services Limited, Marsh Services Spolka z.o.o., Marsh Sigorta ve Reasurans Brokerligi Anonim Sirketi, Marsh Spolka z.o.o., Marsh Szolgaltato Kft., Marsh Takaful Brokers (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Marsh Treasury Services (Dublin) Limited (in liquidation), Marsh Treasury Services Limited, Marsh Tunisia S.a.r.l., Marsh UK Limited, Marsh USA (India) Inc., Marsh USA Borrower LLC, Marsh USA Inc., Marsh Uganda Limited, Marsh Venezuela C.A. Sociedad de Corretaje de Seguros, Marsh Vietnam Insurance Broking Company Ltd, Marsh Zambia Limited, Marsh Zimbabwe Holdings (Private) Limited, Marsh d.o.o. Beograd, Marsh d.o.o. za posredovanje u osiguranju, Marsh for Insurance Services - Jordan, Marsh i-Connect (Pty) Ltd, Marsh s.r.o., Matthiessen Assurans AB, Mercer (Argentina) S.A., Mercer (Australia) Pty Ltd, Mercer (Austria) GmbH, Mercer (Belgium) SA-NV, Mercer (Canada) Limited/Mercer (Canada) Limitee, Mercer (China) Limited, Mercer (Colombia) Ltda., Mercer (Danmark) A/S, Mercer (Finland) OY, Mercer (France) SAS, Mercer (Hong Kong) Limited, Mercer (Ireland) Limited, Mercer (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Mercer (N.Z.) Limited, Mercer (Nederland) B.V., Mercer (Norge) AS, Mercer (Polska) Sp.z o.o., Mercer (Portugal) Lda, Mercer (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Mercer (Sweden) AB, Mercer (Taiwan) Ltd., Mercer (Thailand) Ltd., Mercer (US) Inc., Mercer Administration Services (Australia) Pty Limited, Mercer Africa Limited, Mercer Agente de Seguros S.A. de C.V., Mercer Asesores de Seguros S.A., Mercer Asesores es Inversion Independientes S.A. de C.V., Mercer Broking Ltd., Mercer Career Unipessoal Lda, Mercer Consultation (Quebec) Ltee., Mercer Consulting (Australia) Pty Ltd, Mercer Consulting (Chile) Limitada, Mercer Consulting (France) SAS, Mercer Consulting (India) Private Limited, Mercer Consulting B.V., Mercer Consulting Group Inc., Mercer Consulting Holdings Sdn. Bhd., Mercer Consulting Limited, Mercer Consulting Middle East Limited, Mercer Consulting S.L.U., Mercer Consulting Venezuela C.A., Mercer Corredores de Seguros Limitada, Mercer Corretora de Seguros Ltda, Mercer Danismanlik Anonim Sirketi, Mercer Deutschland GmbH, Mercer Employee Benefits - Medicacao de Seguros Unipessoal Lda., Mercer Employee Benefits Limited, Mercer Financial Advice (Australia) Pty Ltd, Mercer Financial Services Limited, Mercer Financial Services Limited liability company, Mercer Financial Services Middle East Limited, Mercer Global Investments Europe Limited, Mercer Global Investments Management Limited, Mercer HR Consulting Borrower LLC, Mercer HR Services LLC, Mercer Health & Benefits (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Mercer Health & Benefits Administration LLC, Mercer Health & Benefits LLC, Mercer Holdings Inc., Mercer Holdings Inc. [Philippines], Mercer Human Resource Consulting Ltda, Mercer Human Resource Consulting S.A. de C.V., Mercer ICC Limited, Mercer Investment Consulting Limited, Mercer Investment Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Mercer Investment Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Mercer Investments (Australia) Limited, Mercer Investments (Hong Kong) Limited, Mercer Investments (Japan) Ltd, Mercer Investments (New Zealand) Limited, Mercer Investments LLC, Mercer Ireland Holdings Limited, Mercer Italia Srl Socio Unico, Mercer Japan Ltd., Mercer Korea Co. Ltd., Mercer LLC, Mercer Limited, Mercer MC Consulting Borrower LLC, Mercer Master Trustees Limited, Mercer Mauritius Ltd., Mercer Oliver Wyman Holding B.V., Mercer Outsourcing (Australia) Pty Ltd, Mercer Outsourcing S.L.U., Mercer Pensionsfonds AG, Mercer Pensionsraadgivning A/S, Mercer Philippines Inc., Mercer Private Investment Partners IV General Partner S.a.r.l., Mercer Private Markets AG, Mercer Private Markets Advisers (US) AG, Mercer Services Poland Sp. z.o.o., Mercer Sigorta Brokerligi Anonim Sirketi, Mercer South Africa (Pty) Limited, Mercer Superannuation (Australia) Limited, Mercer Switzerland Inc., Mercer System Services LLC, Mercer Technology Acquisitions Limited, Mercer Treuhand GmbH, Mercer Trust Company LLC, Mercer Trustees Limited, Mercer WorkforcePro LLC, Mercury Insurance Services Pty Ltd, Moola Systems Limited, Mountlodge Limited, Muir Beddal (Zimbabwe) Limited, NERA Australia Pty. Ltd., NERA Economic Consulting GmbH, NERA Economic Consulting Limited, NERA S.R.L., NERA SAS, NERA UK Limited, NERA do Brasil Ltda. (for dissolution), National Economic Research Associates Inc., NetComp Insurance Corp., Neuburger Noble Lowndes GmbH, Normandy Reinsurance Company Limited, Northern Alliance Brokers Limited (in liquidation), OWL Marine Insurance-Brokers GmbH & Co.KG, OWL Marine Verwaltungs GmbH, Oliver Wyman (Bermuda) Limited, Oliver Wyman (Hong Kong) Limited, Oliver Wyman AB, Oliver Wyman AG, Oliver Wyman Actuarial Consulting Inc., Oliver Wyman B.V., Oliver Wyman Consulting (Shanghai) Ltd, Oliver Wyman Consultoria em Estrategia de Negocios Ltda., Oliver Wyman Energy Consulting Limited, Oliver Wyman FZ-LLC, Oliver Wyman Group KK, Oliver Wyman Inc., Oliver Wyman LLC, Oliver Wyman Limited, Oliver Wyman Limited Liability Company, Oliver Wyman Limited/Oliver Wyman limitee, Oliver Wyman Ltd., Oliver Wyman Pte. Ltd., Oliver Wyman Pty. Ltd., Oliver Wyman S. de R.L. de C.V., Oliver Wyman S.A.S., Oliver Wyman S.L., Oliver Wyman S.r.l., Oliver Wyman SNC, Oliver Wyman SPRL/BVBA, Oliver Wyman Sdn. Bhd., Oliver Wyman Services Limited, Oliver Wyman Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., Oliver Wyman sp. z o.o., Omega Indemnity (Bermuda) Limited, Organizacion Brockman y Schuh S.A. de C.V., Osbornes Insurances Oxford Limited (in liquidation), PFT Limited, PI Indemnity Company Designated Activity Company, PT JLT Reinsurance Brokers, PT Jardine Lloyd Thompson, PT Marsh Indonesia, PT Marsh Reinsurance Brokers Indonesia, PT Mercer Indonesia, PT Nexus Asia Pacific, PT Oliver Wyman Indonesia, PT Quantum Computing Services, PT Quantum Investments, PT Quantum Support Services, Pallas Marsh Servicos Ltda., Pavilion Alternatives Group (Singapore) PTE. Ltd, Pavilion Financial Corporation Holdings UK Limited, Pavilion U.S. Investments Holdco LLC, Pension Trustees Limited, Pensionsservice Benefit Network Sverige AB, Perils AG, Personal Pension Trustees Limited, Pet Animal Welfare Scheme Limited, Portsoken Trustees (No. 2) Limited, Portsoken Trustees Limited, Potomac Insurance Managers Inc., Premier Pension Trustees Limited, Premium Services Australia Pty Limited, Professional Claims Handling Limited (in liquidation), Profund Solutions Limited, Promerit AG, Promerit Hungary Kft, Promerit Schweiz AG, Pymetrics Inc., R G Ford Brokers Limited, R R B Beratungsgesellschaft fuer Altersversorgung mbh, R. Mees & Zoonen Holdings B.V., Renewable Energy Loss Adjusters LLC, Renewable Energy Loss Adjusters Limited, Resource Benefit Associates, Rightpath Reinsurance SPC Ltd., Risk Management Australia Pty Limited, Rivers Group Limited, Rockefeller Risk Advisors Inc., Rutherfoord International Inc., SAFCAR-Marsh, SBJ Holdings Limited, SCIB (Bermuda) Limited, SCM Global Real Estate Select GP LLC, SCM Infrastructure General Partner S.a r.l., SCM International Private Equity Select III GP LLC, SCM LT General Partner S.a.r.l., SCM PE General Partner S.a.r.l., SCM PE II GP Ltd., SCM PE II Scotland GP Ltd, SCM Strategic Capital Management (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., SICAR Marsh S.a.r.l., SME Insurance Services Limited, Sail Insurance Company Limited, Scalene Re Ltd, Seabury & Smith Borrower LLC, Seabury & Smith LLC, Secure Limited, Sedgwick (Holdings) Pty. Limited, Sedgwick Consulting Group Limited, Sedgwick Dineen Group Limited, Sedgwick Financial Services Limited, Sedgwick Forbes Middle East Limited, Sedgwick Group, Sedgwick Group (Australia) Pty. Limited, Sedgwick Group (Bermuda) Limited, Sedgwick Group (Zimbabwe) Limited, Sedgwick Group Limited, Sedgwick Internationaal B.V., Sedgwick Limited, Sedgwick Management Services (Barbados) Limited, Sedgwick Management Services (Singapore) Pte Limited, Sedgwick Noble Lowndes (UK) Limited, Sedgwick Noble Lowndes Group Limited, Sedgwick Noble Lowndes Limited, Sedgwick Overseas Investments Limited, Sedgwick Private Limited, Sedgwick Re Asia Pacific (Consultants) Pte Ltd (for dissolution), Sedgwick Trustees Limited, Sedgwick UK Risk Services Limited, Sedgwick Ulster Pension Trustees Limited, Settlement Trustees Limited, Shanghai Mercer Insurance Brokers Company Ltd., Shorewest Insurance Associates LLC, Sirota Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Sirota Consulting UK Limited, Smith Long Term Disability Management Group Inc., Societe d'Assurances et de Participation Guian SA, Software Underwriting Systems Limited (in liquidation), Southern Marine & Aviation Inc., Southern Marine & Aviation Underwriters Inc., Sudzucker Versicherungs-Vermittlungs GmbH, Sumitomo Life Insurance Agency America Inc., Sylvite Financial Services, TBX Solutions Limited, Talent Tech Labs LLC, The Benefit Express Holdings Limited, The Benefit Express Limited, The Carpenter Management Corporation, The Insurance Partnership Holdings Limited, The Insurance Partnership Services Limited, The Positive Ageing Company Limited, The Purple Partnership Limited, The Recovre Group Pty Ltd, Thomsons Online Benefits (HK) Ltd., Thomsons Online Benefits Inc., Thomsons Online Benefits Limited, Thomsons Online Benefits Pte Ltd., Thomsons Online Benefits S.R.L, Torrent Government Contracting Services LLC, Torrent Insurance Services LLC, Torrent Technologies, Torrent Technologies Inc., Tower Hill Limited, Tower Place Developments (West) Limited, Tower Place Developments Limited, U.T.E. AMG, U.T.E. Marsh - Caja Castilla La Mancha Junta de Comunidades, U.T.E. Marsh - Salvado Reus (in liquidation), U.T.E. Marsh - Salvado Reus 2012, U.T.E. Marsh - Salvado Vila-Seca 2010, UAD BB Marsh Lietuva, Vezina & Associes Inc., Vezina Assurances Inc., Victor Insurance Europe B.V., Victor Insurance Holdings Inc., Victor Insurance Italia S.r.l., Victor Insurance Managers Inc., Victor Insurance Managers Inc./Gestionnaires d'assurance Victor inc., Victor O. Schinnerer & Co. (Bermuda) Ltd., Victor O. Schinnerer & Company Limited, Victoria Hall Company Limited, Wellnz Limited, William M. Mercer (Canada) Limited/William M. Mercer (Canada) Limitee, William M. Mercer AB, William M. Mercer Comercio Consultoria e Servicos Ltda., Wortham Insurance & Risk Management, everBe SAS, and realright GmbH. The following companies are subsidiares of American International Group: AGC Life Insurance Company, AIG APAC HOLDINGS PTE. LTD., AIG Advisors S.r.l., AIG Aerospace Insurance Services Inc., AIG Asia Pacific Insurance Pte. Ltd., AIG Asset Management (Europe) Limited, AIG Asset Management (U.S.) LLC, AIG Assurance Company, AIG Australia Limited, AIG Brazil Holding I LLC, AIG CIS Investments LLC, AIG Canada Holdings Inc., AIG Capital Corporation, AIG Capital Services Inc., AIG Claims Inc., AIG Egypt Insurance Company S.A.E., AIG Employee Services Inc., AIG Europe (Services) Limited, AIG Europe Holdings S.a.rl., AIG Europe S.A., AIG Federal Savings Bank, AIG Financial Products Corp., AIG General Insurance Co. 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.. Nabors Industries Ltd. engages in the provision of platform work over and drilling rigs. It operates through the following segments: U.S. Drilling, Canada Drilling, International Drilling, Drilling Solutions, and Rig Technologies. The U.S. Drilling segment includes land drilling activities in the lower 48 states and Alaska, as well as offshore operations in the Gulf of Mexico. The Canada segment consists of land-based drilling rigs in Canada. The International segment focuses in maintaining a footprint in the oil and gas market, most notably in Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Argentina, Colombia, Kazakhstan, and Venezuela. The Drilling Solutions segment offers drilling technologies, such as patented steering systems and rig instrumentation software systems that enhance drilling performance and wellbore placement. The Rig Technologies segment comprises Canrig, which manufactures and sells top drives, catwalks, wrenches, drawworks, and drilling related equipment, such as robotic systems and downhole tools. The company was founded by Clair Nabors in 1952 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Read More Novan, Inc., a clinical development-stage biotechnology company, provides nitric oxide-based therapies to treat dermatological and oncovirus-mediated diseases. Its clinical stage dermatology drug candidates include SB204, a topical monotherapy for the treatment of acne vulgaris; SB206, a topical anti-viral gel for the treatment of viral skin infections; SB208, a topical broad-spectrum anti-fungal gel for the treatment of fungal infections of the skin and nails, including athlete's foot and fungal nail infections; and SB414, a topical cream-based gel product candidate for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. The company also develops SB207, an anti-viral product candidate for the treatment of external genital warts; WH602, a nitric oxide-containing intravaginal gel to treat high-risk human papilloma virus (HPV); WH504, a non-gel formulation product candidate to treat high-risk HPV; and SB019 for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2. Novan, Inc. has a license agreement with Sato Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; and a strategic alliance with Orion Corporation. The company was incorporated in 2006 and is headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina. Read More PetroChina Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in a range of petroleum related products, services, and activities in Mainland China and internationally. It operates through Exploration and Production, Refining and Chemicals, Marketing, and Natural Gas and Pipeline segments. The Exploration and Production segment engages in the exploration, development, production, and marketing of crude oil and natural gas. The Refining and Chemicals segment refines crude oil and petroleum products; and produces and markets primary petrochemical products, derivative petrochemical products, and other chemical products. The Marketing segment is involved in marketing of refined products and trading business. The Natural Gas and Pipeline segment engages in the transmission of natural gas, crude oil, and refined products; and sale of natural gas. As of December 31, 2020, the company had a total length of 31,151 km, including 22,555 km of natural gas pipelines, 7,190 km of crude oil pipelines, and 1,406 km of refined product pipelines. The company is also involved in the exploration, development, and production of oil sands and coalbed methane; trading of crude oil and petrochemical products; storage, chemical engineering, storage facilities, service station, and transportation facilities and related businesses; and production and sales of basic and derivative chemical, and other chemical products. The company was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Beijing, the People's Republic of China. PetroChina Company Limited is a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Procter & Gamble: "Procter & Gamble Services" LLC, "Procter & Gamble" LLC, Agile Pursuits, Agile Pursuits Franchising, Arbora, Arbora & Ausonia, Arborinvest, Billie, Braun (Shanghai) Co., Braun GmbH, Braun-Gillette Immobilien GmbH & Co. KG, Celtic Insurance Company, Compania Procter & Gamble Mexico, Compania Quimica S.A., Corporativo Procter & Gamble, Cosmetic Products Pty. Ltd., Detergent Products B.V., Detergent Products SARL, Detergenti S.A., Eurocos Cosmetic GmbH, FPG Oleochemicals Sdn. Bhd., Fameccanica Data S.p.A., Fameccanica Industria e Comercio Do Brasil LTDA., Fameccanica Machinery (Shanghai) Co., Fater S.p.A., Fountain Square Music Publishing Co., Gillette (China) Ltd., Gillette (Shanghai) Ltd., Gillette Aesop Ltd., Gillette Australia Pty. Ltd., Gillette Canada Holdings, Gillette Commercial Operations North America, Gillette Diversified Operations Pvt. Ltd., Gillette Egypt S.A.E., Gillette Group UK Ltd, Gillette Gruppe Deutschland GmbH & Co. oHG, Gillette Holding Company LLC, Gillette Holding GmbH, Gillette India Limited, Gillette Industries Ltd., Gillette International B.V., Gillette Latin America Holding B.V., Gillette Management LLC, Gillette Nova Scotia Company, Gillette Pakistan Limited, Gillette Poland International Sp. z.o.o., Gillette Poland S.A., Gillette U.K. Limited, Gillette del Uruguay, Giorgio Beverly Hills Inc., Hyginett KFT, Industries Marocaines Modernes SA, LLC "Procter & Gamble Novomoskovsk", LLL "Procter & Gamble Distributorskaya Compania", Laboratorios Vicks, Liberty Street Music Publishing Company, Limited Liability Company 'Procter & Gamble Trading Ukraine', Limited Liability Company with foreign investments Procter & and Gamble Ukraine, MDVIP, MERCK KGAA NPV, Marcvenca Inversiones, Modern Industries Company - Dammam, Modern Products Company - Jeddah, New Chapter, New Chapter Canada Inc., Olay LLC, Oral-B Laboratories, P&G Distribution Morocco SAS, P&G Hair Care Holding, P&G Industrial Peru S.R.L., P&G Innovation Godo Kaisha, P&G Israel M.D.O. Ltd., P&G K.K., P&G Northeast Asia Pte. Ltd., P&G Prestige Godo Kaisha, P&G Prestige Service GmbH, P&G South African Trading (Pty.) Ltd., PGT Health Care (Zhejiang) Limited, PGT Healthcare LLP, PPI ZAO, PT Procter & Gamble Home Products Indonesia, PT Procter & Gamble Operations Indonesia, Phase II Holdings Corporation, Procter & Gamble (Chengdu) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (China) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (China) Sales Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble (East Africa) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Egypt) Manufacturing Company, Procter & Gamble (Enterprise Fund) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Consumer Products Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Enterprise Management Service Company Limited, Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Health & Beauty Care) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Jiangsu) Ltd. China, Procter & Gamble (L&CP) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Procter & Gamble (Manufacturing) Ireland Limited, Procter & Gamble (Shanghai) International Trade Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Acquisition GmbH, Procter & Gamble Administration GmbH, Procter & Gamble Algeria EURL, Procter & Gamble Amazon Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Amiens S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Argentina SRL, Procter & Gamble Asia Pte. 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Ltda., Procter & Gamble Egypt, Procter & Gamble Egypt Distribution, Procter & Gamble Egypt Holding, Procter & Gamble Egypt Supplies, Procter & Gamble Energy Company LLC, Procter & Gamble Espana, Procter & Gamble Europe SA, Procter & Gamble Export Operations SARL, Procter & Gamble Exportadora e Importadora Ltda., Procter & Gamble Exports, Procter & Gamble Fabricacao e Comercio Ltda., Procter & Gamble Far East, Procter & Gamble Finance (U.K.) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Finance Holding Ltd., Procter & Gamble Finance Management S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Financial Investments LLP, Procter & Gamble Financial Services Ltd., Procter & Gamble Financial Services S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Finland OY, Procter & Gamble France S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Germany GmbH, Procter & Gamble Germany GmbH & Co. Operations oHG, Procter & Gamble GmbH, Procter & Gamble Grundstucks-und Vermogensverwaltungs GmbH & Co. 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(Ltd.), Procter & Gamble Sports and Social Club Ltd., Procter & Gamble Sverige AB, Procter & Gamble Switzerland SARL, Procter & Gamble Taiwan Limited, Procter & Gamble Taiwan Sales Company Limited, Procter & Gamble Technical Centres Limited, Procter & Gamble Technology (Beijing) Co., Procter & Gamble Trading (Thailand) Limited, Procter & Gamble Tuketim Mallari Sanayii A.S., Procter & Gamble UK, Procter & Gamble UK Group Holdings Ltd, Procter & Gamble UK Parent Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble Universal Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Verwaltungs GmbH, Procter & Gamble Vietnam, Procter & Gamble d.o.o. za trgovinu, Procter & Gamble de Venezuela S.C.A., Procter & Gamble de Venezuela S.R.L., Procter & Gamble do Brasil S/A, Procter & Gamble do Brazil, Procter & Gamble do Nordeste S/A, Procter & Gamble-Rakona s.r.o., Progam Realty & Development Corporation, Redmond Products, Richardson-Vicks Real Estate Inc., Richardson-Vicks do Brasil Quimica e Farmaceutica Ltda, Riverfront Music Publishing Co., Rosemount LLC, SPD Development Company Limited, SPD Swiss Precision Diagnostics GmbH, Scannon S.A.S., Series Acquisition B.V., Shulton, Surfac S.R.L., Sycamore Productions, TAOS - FL, TAOS Retail, Tambrands Inc., Temple Trees Impex & Investment Private Limited, The Art of Shaving - FL, The Dover Wipes Company, The Gillette Company, The Gillette Company LLC, The Gillette co., The Procter & Gamble Distributing LLC, The Procter & Gamble GBS Company, The Procter & Gamble Global Finance Company, The Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Company, The Procter & Gamble Paper Products Company, The Procter & Gamble U.S. Business Services Company, This is L., US CD LLC, Vidal Sassoon (Shanghai) Academy, Vidal Sassoon Co., WEBA Betriebsrenten-Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Walker & Company Brands, and iMFLUX Inc.. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, a diversified financial institution, provides various financial products and services to personal, business, public sector, and institutional clients in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through four strategic business units: Canadian Personal and Business Banking; Canadian Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; U.S. Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; and Capital Markets. The company offers chequing, savings, and business accounts; mortgages; loans, lines of credit, student lines of credit, and business and agriculture loans; investment and insurance services; and credit cards, as well as overdraft protection services. It also provides day-to-day banking, borrowing and credit, investing and wealth, specialty, and international services; correspondent banking and online foreign exchange services; and cash management services. The company serves its customers through its banking centers, as well as direct, mobile, and remote channels. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce was founded in 1867 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Read More FREDERICKSBURG From a wheelchair in her Louisa County home, Amy Withrow is encouraging other people who suffer with chronic pain to let their voices be heard. In recent years, patients such as Withrow, a 35-year-old mother of three with an assortment of auto-immune disorders, have had trouble getting their medicine as a result of the ongoing opioid epidemic. In an effort to reduce the number of painkillers used illegally, some doctors have stopped prescribing narcotics altogether and their actions have left millions of legitimate pain sufferers homeless in the medical community, Withrow said. Thats why Withrow has organized a number of protests in Richmond to get the word out about the other side of the opioid epidemic. Shes planning the fourth Dont Punish Pain Rally Wednesday on the steps of the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. We need to bring attention to ourselves, Withrow said. Thats why we continue to rally so frequently. Were suffering, but were not going to sit here quietly and suffer in silence. A resident of the town of Orange faces charges of rape, attempted murder and felony violation of a protective order in connection with a May13 report of an assault on a town woman. Cruz Humberto Gallegos Grajeda, 52, also was charged with burglary with intent to commit a felony and abduction in connection with the incident, according to the Orange County Sheriffs Office. Gallegos Grajeda previously was charged with assault and battery and abduction on April 23 and was released on bond April 30. The lastest charges were filed, Sheriffs Office investigators said, after a woman came to the Orange County Courthouse seeking help in enforcing a protective order violation. Authorities said the woman named her assailant and that the investigation turned up the previous charges against Gallegos Grajeda. Gallegos Grajeda is being held at the Central Virginia Regional Jail in Orange. 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. However, the incident raises questions about maritime security in the UAE, home to Dubai's Jebel Ali port, the largest man-made deep-water harbor in the world that is also the U.S. Navy's busiest port of call outside of America. From the coast, AP journalists saw an Emirati coast guard vessel patrolling near the area of one of the Saudi ships in Fujairah, some 130 miles (210 kilometers) northeast of Dubai on the Gulf of Oman. Fujairah also is about 140 kilometers (85 miles) south of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a third of all oil at sea is traded. The alleged sabotage caused jitters in global oil markets, as benchmark Brent crude rose in trading to over $71.50 a barrel Monday, a change of 1.3%. Al-Falih, the Saudi energy minister, said the attacks on the two Saudi tankers happened at 6 a.m. Sunday. He said "the attack didn't lead to any casualties or oil spill," though he acknowledge it affected "the security of oil supplies to consumers all over the world." However, thats not the only problem. Emergency Management also increased its spending to hire more staff to replace contractors. The money to hire the staff came largely from carryover funds available for one-time use only. How did the department expect to pay salaries and other continuing costs to keep those staff on the payroll? "Someone had to know this was not going to end well," said House Appropriations Committee Chairman Chris Jones, R-Suffolk. A spokesperson said the department was not given credit for some of the improvements its made. He also said much of its problem stems from declining federal aid and flat state financing, while at the same time the number of emergencies descending on Virginia hurricanes, tornadoes, crippling snowstorms are increasing. Theres a Catch-22: State lawmakers arent likely to approve more funding for the department unless they can be assured that the money is being spent efficiently. That might be said for all three agencies. Some of the most fundamental problems appeared in the smallest agency the Department of Fire Programs. Three employees of Jet Airways met S K Mishra, joint secretary of Ministry of Civil Aviation. (Photo: File) New Delhi: Employees of cash-strapped Jet Airways protested outside the Civil Aviation Ministry here on Tuesday, demanding revival of the airline and payment of their pending salaries. The protests come amid the State Bank of India-led consortium of lenders struggling to find a buyer for the airline which ceased operations around mid-last month due to acute liquidity crisis. Around 200 employees of Jet Airways demonstrated with banners reading "Hear our cry, let 9W fly", "We fly you around, don't let us be on ground", "We have dependents to feed, please don't let 9W bleed" and "A family helps each other for cleaning house". 9W is the flight code for Jet Airways. As the protesters moved towards the ministry, Delhi Police and CRPF personnel erected barriers to stop them. Three employees of the full-service carrier met S K Mishra, joint secretary of Ministry of Civil Aviation. Asish Kumar Mohanty, one of the employees who met Mishra, told PTI later, "We have given him an update about today's conditions within Jet Airways... We have not got salaries for the last five months. In between, our medical coverage has also been stopped as the management has told us that they have no revenue." "We told him about three important concerns for the airline -- employees' pending salaries, no management is there now to look after Jet Airways and expedition of SBI's bidding process," added Mohanty, who belongs to the airline's engineering department. Jet Airways' Chief Executive Officer Vinay Dube, Chief Financial Officer Amit Agarwal, Company Secretary and Compliance Officer Kuldeep Sharma and Chief People Officer Rahul Taneja had resigned from their respective posts on May 14. "The joint secretary said the government is very much concerned about the revival of Jet Airways. He said that the higher officers know about it and dialogue and meeting are going on. We told him that the dialogue and meeting have been going on for the last 3-4 months, but nothing has been done on paper as yet," Mohanty said. He said Mishra was told that aircraft of the airline are being de-registered and the primary concern is the pending salaries of employees. According to Mohanty, the joint secretary said he will tell his "top bosses" about the employees' concerns. He added that the central government would be given a petition on Tuesday itself. The lenders, whom Jet Airways owes over Rs 8,000 crore in debt, are offering 31.2 per cent-75 per cent stake in the company on a fully diluted basis. SBI Caps, the merchant banking arm of SBI, had on behalf of the consortium of 26 lenders invited expressions of interest between April 8-12, and received four preliminary bids. These 26 lenders own 51 per cent stake in the airline. After the first round of bids, private equity firms IndiGo Partners and TPG, Etihad Airways and the sovereign fund NIIF were shortlisted. Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways submitted its sealed bid to acquire a minority stake in Jet Airways with a lot of riders that involved finding more investors, leaving little hope for the airline's survival. The USD 20 billion diversified L&T Group has a market cap of about Rs 2.5 lakh crore at present. New Delhi: Larsen & Toubro's standalone market capitalisation (mcap) will touch Rs 3 lakh crore and revenue will reach Rs 2 lakh crore in five years as strategic initiatives like L&T NxT have helped in making giant strides, Group Chairman AM Naik said. The recently launched L&T-NxT initiative is a technology platform that focusses on artificial intelligence, internet of things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, geospatial solutions as well as cybersecurity. The USD 20 billion diversified L&T Group has a market cap of about Rs 2.5 lakh crore at present. "Five years from now, I expect L&T standalone market cap to be in the range of Rs 3 lakh crore from the present about Rs 2 lakh crore... L&T's revenue will then touch Rs 2 lakh crore from the present about Rs 1.4 lakh crore," Naik told in an exclusive interview. According to him, when he took over as L&T CEO, the combined market cap was around Rs 2,000 crore and it has now surged to Rs 2.5 lakh crore. He joined L&T in 1965 as a junior engineer and rose to the positions of CEO and MD in 1999 and chairman in 2003. In 2017, he stepped aside from executive responsibilities and took over as Group Chairman. "It has grown so much. The sales were about Rs 5,000 crore (when he took over) and today it is Rs 1.4 lakh crore." "I would say 88 per cent of today's L&T has been created by me from the clean slate. What we inherited, no longer exist today and in a year or two, it (share of the inherited businesses) will come down from 12 per cent to 2-3 per cent. Remaining we would have closed or sold," he said. Naik narrated how he aspired to be a manager in L&T and retire when he would get Rs 1,000 salary. "I used to say I will become a manager one day and will get a four figure salary of Rs 1,000, which I received in 1966 itself, purely out of sheer hard work and a lot of innovative things I did. "This went on...I gave stock options to all employees in 1999 and fortunately the stock went up...perhaps it is a record... it moved up 1,800 times which made almost 2,500 L&T employees millionaires and some even multi-millionaires," he said. Naik said since then the stock options have become worth a lot of wealth and he has been consistently giving away the same for charity, education and health. He said, once he aspired to work with L&T which only recruited from IITs but he was not an IITian. "Finally I was called for interview in November 1964 and joined L&T in March 1965. Now it is my 55th year with L&T...I have always worked 16 hours a day, 7 days a week," he said. Naik said L&T- NxT has been his brainchild and has propelled the company further on growth path and it is set for giant strides. "Through L&T-NxT I hope we will do better and do great things. ... in IT and engineering service, once we complete our acquisition of Mindtree, we will be a USD 3 billion company and our idea is in three to four years, we will take it to USD 5 billion," he said. "It was zero when I took over....application of new generation of technologies is now a major focus for us with L&T-NxT and I hope we will do a great job in this area." The infrastructure major has taken its shareholding in IT services firm Mindtree to 26.53 per cent. L&T is a major technology, engineering, construction, manufacturing and financial services conglomerate with global operations. PNB could start the process of taking control of the banks in the next three months, according to the sources, who declined to be named, as they are not authorised to speak to the media. (File pic) New Dlehi: Punjab National Bank is looking to merge with two or three government-owned banks that could include Oriental Bank Of Commerce, Andhra Bank and Allahabad Bank, two sources familiar with the situation told Reuters, as New Delhi tries to cut the number of state-owned lenders. This could be the one of the first decisions to be taken by the new government after election results are announced on May 23. Exit polls showed that the alliance led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi could win with a big majority. Banking sector reform is unfinished business from the last five-year term of Modis government as banks struggle under a huge debt pile than of more than Rs 9 lakh crore ($130 billion), or nearly 5 per cent of the gross domestic output. The proposal to merge PNB with two-three other banks would be put before the cabinet for its nod, according to a government source. Currently, there are 20 state-run banks following mergers of small banks with State Bank of India and Bank of Baroda. and takeover of IDBI Bank by state-owned Life Insurance Corporation. PNB could start the process of taking control of the banks in the next three months, according to the sources, who declined to be named, as they are not authorised to speak to the media. PNB shares fell as much as 4 per cent after Reuters reported the news. Its shares ended down 2.55 per cent at Rs 86.10 on National Stock Exchange on Tuesday. Allahabad Bank fell 2.6 per cent to close at Rs 45.15 a share, while Oriental Bank of Commerce ended down nearly 1 per cent at Rs 95.20 per share. PNB declined to comment, while the other banks did not immediately reply to an email from Reuters seeking further information. The Finance Ministry also declined to comment on the story. To revive the banking sector the government of India has injected about $36 billion of tax payers money in the last five years and also initiated an asset quality review of banks by the central bank. According to another official, the government is considering injecting another $7 billion into state-run banks to help them offer cheaper loans to their customers. The Modi government introduced new bankruptcy resolution rules in 2016 to help with faster resolution of bad loans, but litigation has tied down some big restructuring deals. Only about 5 per cent of the stressed assets of banks have so far been dealt with through the bankruptcy process. British Steel is asking for about 30 million pounds ($38 million) from the government and has warned that it will fall into administration without the support, according to a person familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified. The future of one of the UK's few remaining steel producers hangs in the balance as its private equity owners seek an emergency bailout from the government. British Steel is asking for about 30 million pounds ($38 million) from the government and has warned that it will fall into administration without the support, according to a person familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified. During a question and answer session in the House of Commons, the government said talks with the company are ongoing, but offered no details. "The government will leave no stone unturned in its support for the steel industry," Business Minister Andrew Stephenson said in Parliament. "We can only act within the strict bounds of what is legally possible under domestic and European law." Sky News reported the insolvency talks at the company earlier on Tuesday. The possible collapse of British Steel would put about 5,000 jobs at risk and leave the country with just one primary steelmaking site. The company's troubles underscore the difficulty facing European steelmakers in a market that's been flooded by cheap imports. UK producers have also been hurt by uncertainty around Brexit and high energy costs. British Steel was created in 2016, when private equity firm Greybull Capital LLP bought assets from India's Tata Steel Ltd. for a small fee and renamed them to invoke memories of the once-government-owned national champion. It runs two giant blast furnaces at Scunthorpe in northeast England, specializing in steel for construction and rail lines. Nic Dakin, the Labour Party lawmaker who represents Scunthorpe said that while he believes the government is focused on getting a resolution, "trying is not good enough frankly." "The situation is very serious," Dakin told Sky News. He said the government needed to "level the playing field" so that British-made steel can compete with global companies. "That still needs to be done so that this industry doesn't just lurch from one crisis to another," he said. British Steel makes 2.8 million tons of steel a year and products have been used in buildings including The Shard skyscraper in London, Hudson Yards in New York and Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur. Tata Steel's Port Talbot plant in Wales is the country's only other operating blast furnace site. The company received some government assistance in the form of a 120 million pound loan ($156 million) to cover costs related to the European Union's carbon trading program. But it wasn't enough. Just last week, British Steel was in talks for extra funding to solve a cash crunch caused by Brexit. On May 14, Japan dragged India to the WTO over the import duties imposed on certain electronic goods including telephones for cellular networks. New Delhi: Singapore and Canada have expressed interest in joining consultations in a case filed by Japan in the WTO's dispute settlement body against India's import duties on certain information and communication technology products, including mobile phones. According to a communication of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), both countries have stated that they have a substantial trade interest in information and communication technology (ICT) goods. On May 14, Japan dragged India to the WTO over the import duties imposed on certain electronic goods including telephones for cellular networks; machines for reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data; and parts of telephone sets. It alleged that imposition of import duties on these products by India infringes WTO norms as India has committed zero per cent bound tariffs on these products. While bound tariffs or duties refer to the ceiling over which a WTO member country cannot impose import duty, the applied tariff is the duty which is currently in place. In a separate communication, Singapore said it "desires to be joined in India's consultations with Japan". "This is because Singapore, as one of the world's largest exporters of ICT products, with export value of USD 120 billion annually, has substantial trade interest in this matter," it said. Similarly, Canada has said that during 2016-2018, India's imports from Canada of ICT products have aggregated at USD 28.7 million. "This reflected 31.2 per cent of India's total imports of ICT products from Canada. ICT is an important sector for Canada's economy which relies on access to global markets. "Over 2016-2018, Canada's global exports of all ICT products averaged USD 11.3 billion and accounted for 2.8 per cent of all Canadian exports," the north american country said in its communication. As per WTO rules, seeking consultation is the first step of dispute settlement process. If the bilateral consultations requested by the complainant with India do not result in a satisfactory solution, it can request the WTO to set up a dispute panel to pass a ruling on the matter. Singapore and Canada require approval from India and Japan to join the consultation process. A WTO member country can file a dispute if it perceives that another country's trade policies or actions are violating global trade norms. India's bilateral trade with Canada and Singapore stood at USD 7.23 billion and USD 17.7 billion respectively, in 2017-18. Chinese Taipei has also expressed interest in joining these consultations. Besides Japan, last month, the European Union (EU) too dragged India into WTO's dispute settlement mechanism over imposition of import duties on certain ICT products, alleging breach of global trade norms. Mumbai: Bharat's next song Turpeya is all set to release tomorrow. The song will be a part of Salman Khan's upcoming movie and will be sung by Vishal, Shekhar featuring Sukhwinder Singh. The upcoming song will be a groovy one with Sukhwinder Singh's rustic voice. Salman Khan shared this on his social media saying, "Meri Mitti. Mera Desh! #TurpeyaSongOutTomorrow" The next song will be another motivational track from Bharat which is already being a much awaited one amongst the fans. Turpeya will revive the love for your nation with its upbeat music and strong words. The actor has left no stones unturned for his upcoming movie Bharat. There are seven phases in the character's life and the actor took a lot of hardships in playing them with perfection. The film stars Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Tabu, Disha Patani, Sunil Grover and Jackie Shroff. It traces India's post-independence history from the perspective of a common man and follows his life from the range of 18 to 70 years of age, as a journey. Bharat is produced by Atul Agnihotri, Alvira Agnihotri, Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar under the banner of Reel Life Production Pvt Ltd. and Salman Khan Films, presented by T-Series. The film is an upcoming Indian Hindi-language historical period drama film written and directed by Ali Abbas Zafar. Mumbai: Actor Vivek Oberoi on Tuesday apologised for his tweet featuring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and deleted it later. On Monday, Vivek had tweeted a collage of three images featuring him, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, her husband Abhishek Bachchan, their daughter Aaradhya and superstar Salman Khan. The post referred to Salman and Aishwarya's relationship as the 'opinion poll', Vivek and Aishwarya's affair as the 'exit poll' and her current family with husband Abhishek and daughter Aaradhya as the 'final result.' "Sometimes what appears to be funny and harmless at first glance to one, may not be so to others. I have spent the last 10 years empowering more than 2000 underprivileged girls, I can't even think of being disrespectful to any woman ever," Vivek tweeted on Tuesday. Sometimes what appears to be funny and harmless at first glance to one, may not be so to others. I have spent the last 10 years empowering more than 2000 underprivileged girls, I cant even think of being disrespectful to any woman ever. Vivek Anand Oberoi (@vivekoberoi) May 21, 2019 "Even if one woman is offended by my reply to the meme, it calls for remedial action. Apologies. Tweet deleted," he added. Even if one woman is offended by my reply to the meme, it calls for remedial action. Apologies tweet deleted. Vivek Anand Oberoi (@vivekoberoi) May 21, 2019 While talking to ANI on Monday, Vivek had said that he doesn't see anything offensive in his tweet and will not apologise since he has not done anything "wrong." Also Read | Not sorry over Aishwarya-Salman tweet, says Vivek Oberoi; asks Sonam not to overreact "Those who are in the meme have no objection while scores of politicians are trying to politicise the issue. They don't work on issues but start their politics on such non-issues. There is a 'Didi' in West Bengal who puts people behind jail for a meme. Now, these people are demanding to put Vivek Oberoi behind bars. They were unable to stop my film and hence are now are trying to put me behind bars," Vivek said. Screenshot of Vivek Oberoi's deleted tweet. Refusing to tender apologies, Oberoi added: "People are asking me to apologise. I have no problem in apologising, but tell me what wrong have I done. If I have done something wrong, I will apologise. I don't think I have done anything wrong. What's wrong in it? Somebody tweeted a meme and I laughed at it." The National Commission for Women (NCW) had later issued a notice to actor Oberoi demanding explanation over his tweet on the exit polls. Rekha Sharma, the NCW chairperson, said "We would like him (Vivek Oberoi) to apologise on social media and personally also to the person concerned. If he doesn't do so, we will see what legal action we can take against him. We will be talking to Twitter to remove that tweet immediately." Tara Sutaria had bagged her second film a remake of RX 100, even before the release of her debut film Student Of the Year 2. The film that garnered a mixed reaction, failed to make an impression. However, RX 100 director Milan Luthria, has absolutely no doubts about Tara. Milan says, I havent read too many of the reviews. I have not seen her film but it was not really an author-backed role. A lot of people judge an actor through what they think is performance. You can only be as good as your character. Although the director has not watched Taras debut film, he is confident about the actress skills. I havent seen the film and I dont want to say much because it would be unfair, but she suits my character well and I am happy and have no doubts about her at all. Ahan and Tara have wonderful chemistry. I am sure we will see a side of her that is unexpected in this film, he adds. Tara and Ahan Shetty, who have begun workshops with Milan for the official remake of Telugu action thriller, will begin shooting for the film by July end in Mumbai. Milan, who has earlier directed films like Kacche Daaghe, The Dirty Picture, Deewaar among others, is launching an actor for the first time. Its good to see how eager they are to learn. They both are good looking and have trained for a long time in their acting skills, action and dance. They are looking for someone to hold their hand, said the Once Upon A Time In Mumbai director. We had reported that actor and filmmaker Sasikumar will be seen as an IT guy in his next with Nikki Galrani teaming up for the first time. Directed by Kathirvelu, a former associate of Sundar C, the family drama which went on floors in Pollachi has got a title now Raja Vamsam. Speaking about the film, the director says, Besides being a family entertainer, the film will impart an important message to the country. It will rekindle a vital issue, which we all have totally forgotten. Sasikumar has a dual dimensional role in it. Sundar C films will have an array of actors and it looks like Kathirvelu also follows his gurus pattern as he has roped in 49 artistes who are busy in the industry including Radha Ravi, Thambi Ramaiah, Yogi Babu , Rekha, Sumithra, Satish, Vijayakumar, Manobala, Ramesh Kanna, Nirosha, to name a few. Bankrolled by TD Raja, the films unit will move on to exotic locales of Bangkok for their next schedule. Sorry, njan Malayalathil fluent alla (I am not fluent in Malayalam) is one of the phrases frequently used by Malayalis who stay out of Kerala. There is a criticism that some people even consider it as a credit to say that they dont know their mother tongue. They say they never got a chance to learn it as they live far away from their homeland and English comes handy everywhere. This could be because some of them wouldnt have an idea of how to go about it as Malayalam is a complex language to understand, or some just dont find it important to learn their mother tongue. Naturally, the effort shown is zero. On the contrary, we have also heard about people from other states and countries trying to learn Malayalam as they genuinely love the language. Elizabeth Keyton, however, has a mix of reasons which persuaded her to learn Malayalam, the primary one being her Malayali husband and in-laws. But, wasnt it enough just to learn some frequently used words and get away with it? For Eliza, it was a no, because being a teacher herself she has always been open to learning things. The effort has paid off, with Eliza starting an Instagram page called eli.kutty, the tagline of which says, Njan oru Amerikkan pennaanu. Malayalam padikunu. Namuku onnichu samsaarikam (I am an American and I am learning Malayalam. Lets talk together.). There, she uses unique techniques and explanatory images to get the nuances of the language. She has basically made Malayalam learning easy for everyone who would like to give it a try. Born in the US and brought up in Georgia, Eliza is an English teacher who now lives in the U.A.E. with her husband Arjun, hailing from Kochi. Explaining how she got connected with Kerala and Malayalam, Eliza says, I met my husband online and we met in person after I returned from a long vacation to Australia. Before moving to the U.A.E., I had little knowledge of Kerala or even the diverse states of India. After moving here and meeting some friends from South India, I learned about Tamil and Malayalam. While meeting my husband, who is from Kochi, I decided to take a look at his language and try to learn it, as I have a hobby of learning languages and already know Spanish, Korean, and Japanese. Once I realised the unique nature of Malayalam, I accepted the challenge and decided to aim to be fluent one day. To begin with, Eliza approached a teacher who could help her learn the language. But she had a fair share of disappointment as well. I met my husband Arjun online and we met in person after I returned from a long vacation to Australia I was frustrated in my early efforts to learn Malayalam. Due to the U.A.E.s Skype ban, I was unable to continue lessons with my online teacher. I had done some research and found a grammatical analysis of Malayalam by Dr. Ravi Sankar Nair. I messaged him for more resources. At this point, I realised that Instagram could provide me the motivation to maintain regular habits. Once I started getting a small following, I got great feedback from native speakers and made some friends whom I could chat with regularly, she says, adding that her efforts are to help every person wanting to learn the language. Though an English teacher, Eliza now teaches Malayalam also and has a bunch of Malayali students coming to her to learn their mother tongue. I have always kept my Instagram page as a study guide so that others who are sharing my struggle can easily find and take my notes as their own. My initial intention was not to be a teacher, but to be that classmate who took really good notes! Again, with my language teacher training, I can connect the grammar points to my own language and make it easier to see the patterns involved with languages and present them in an easy-to-follow way, she says. Eliza is totally in love with the process of learning new and complex languages and constantly keeps updating herself. Asked to cite a memorable experience as a teacher who teaches various languages, especially Malayalam, she says, I love getting messages from people similar to me who are friends with or married to Malayalis and have been trying to find a way to learn their language. I equally love those in the Kerala Diaspora who have lost touch with the language and are finding it again through me. I feel strongly about preserving the mother tongue, especially in an age when English tends to dominate classrooms and offices. In America, many immigrants have felt shame and not taught their children their native tongue in order to boost their English, however, it is proven that being raised bilingual and multilingual is truly better for children. I dont want anyone to feel shame in not knowing their native language, but feel like they are able to study without fear and make mistakes comfortably. The American-born, Malayalam-loving English teacher hopes to start a YouTube channel in the near future, as well as push to publish materials to help those outside Kerala who want to get back to their roots. With this exposure, she hopes to reach some publishers who will help make this dream a reality. Eliza adds that she loves visiting Kerala and that she is mesmerised by the natural beauty of the state. As she types the email, Eliza rewinds the recipes of various dishes from Kerala that she is trying to learn yet another task that she hopes to accomplish very soon. In another case on Tuesday, Sathakathulla( 46) of Ramanathapuram who had arrived from Sharjah was intercepted. During his personal search, 443 grams gold valued at Rs.14.5 lakhs was recovered from him and the same was seized under the provisions of Customs Act, 1962. Chennai: The customs at Chennai international airport seized gold worth Rs 31 lakh from four passengers on Monday and Tuesday. Two persons, Mohamed Yasarapath( 25) and Jaheer Husain( 34) both from Ramanathapuram, who had arrived from Colombo by Indigo Airlines flight on Monday night were intercepted by officials on the suspicion of carrying gold. During their personal search, 340 grams gold valued at Rs. 11.10 lakh was recovered from their rectum. On Tuesday morning, the officials intercepted Basha Mohiddin( 35) of Kadapa, who arrived from Abu Dhabi by Etihad flight. Gold was found concealed inside the hollow pipe of a yellow coloured juice maker. Gold weighing 175 grams valued at Rs 5.42 lakh was recovered. In another case on Tuesday, Sathakathulla( 46) of Ramanathapuram who had arrived from Sharjah was intercepted. During his personal search, 443 grams gold valued at Rs.14.5 lakhs was recovered from him and the same was seized under the provisions of Customs Act, 1962. The passenger was arrested as he had previously committed the offence of smuggling of foreign currency amounting to Rs 10 lakh. Total 958 grams of gold valued at Rs 16.52 lakh was recovered and the same was seized under the provisions of Customs Act, 1962. Further probe is on. The patrolling team, comprising personnel from the DRG and the Special Task Force, was cordoning off a forest at a hill near Gogunda when the ultras triggered the IED blast, he said. (Photo: Representational) Raipur: Two District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel were injured on Tuesday when Naxals detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district, police said. The incident took place near Gogunda village, located around 500 km from here when a joint team of security men was out on an anti-Naxal operation, a senior police official told PTI. The patrolling team, comprising personnel from the DRG and the Special Task Force, was cordoning off a forest at a hill near Gogunda when the ultras triggered the IED blast, he said. This led to an exchange of fire between the two sides, he said. "Two DRG jawans received injuries in the blast," the official said. Reinforcement was rushed to the spot and the injured personnel were evacuated from the forest, he said, adding they will be airlifted to Raipur for treatment. Sajit Pathan, 31, an autorickshaw driver had gone for lunch with his friends at the outlet at FC Road on last Wednesday. (Representational Image) Pune: A complaint was lodged by a customer alleging that glass pieces were found in a burger at a Burger King outlet in Pune, reported IANS. A police official said that the matter is being investigated. We have registered a complaint by the customer last Saturday (May 18) against Burger King. We are awaiting medical reports from the hospital before taking further steps, investigating officer said. Sajit Pathan, 31, an autorickshaw driver had gone for lunch with his friends at the outlet at FC Road on last Wednesday. He had ordered burgers, fries and soft drinks for all his friends, but when he took a bite of the burger, he suddenly choked and spat out blood. His friends checked Pathans burger and allegedly found some broken glass pieces in it. They immediately rushed him to a nearby hospital for treatment but were advised to return the following day. The next day doctors assured that the pieces would naturally exit his body through excretion. The manager at Burger King outlet, however, denied any knowledge of the incident. According to police, the victims condition is now fine but investigations would continue. Police have also scanned the CCTV footage but prima facie suggests that there was no evidence of glass in the burger. An FIR has been registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others). Asked if the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) would be a part of the next Union cabinet formed by 'whichever party', Stalin had said, 'I can respond to this only after the conclusion of counting on May 23.' (Photo: File) Chennai: The ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu hit out at DMK chief M K Stalin on Tuesday for saying his party would decide on being part of the next Union cabinet formed by "whichever party" after the Lok Sabha results, asking what was his "hesitation" over standing firmly with ally Congress. Asked if the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) would be a part of the next Union cabinet formed by "whichever party", Stalin had said, "I can respond to this only after the conclusion of counting on May 23." Latching on to his statement, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) mouthpiece "Namathu Amma" pointed out that the DMK was an ally of the Congress and therefore, Stalin should have said his party would only be a part of the UPA cabinet. "If he was an honest leader and a politician who stood by his principles, shouldn't he have said that the DMK will not be part of any other (central) cabinet than the one headed by the Congress?," a write-up in the AIADMK mouthpiece asked. "What is the logic behind saying he will respond to this after counting," it added. Recalling state BJP chief Tamilisai Soundararajan's recent statement that the DMK was in talks with the saffron party, possibly for a post-poll alliance, the article said she had "exposed Stalin's double standards". Read: We will win, we are talking to DMK: Tamil Nadu BJP president "It is clear that Stalin is only keen on securing cabinet berths (for the DMK) and not following (coalition) principles," it charged. What was the "hesitation" on his part to declare that his party would be a part of only the Congress-led alliance and not any other grouping, it asked. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. Empty spaces in the city often turn into dumping spots, and this affects the neighbourhood. Those living nearby complain of stench and mosquitoes. Bengaluru: Those owing empty plots will have to ensure that they remain clean or be ready to cough up hefty fines. BBMP would identify plots, which are filled with weeds or garbage, and penalise the owners. Repeat offenders will be fined up to Rs 1 lakh. Empty spaces in the city often turn into dumping spots, and this affects the neighbourhood. Those living nearby complain of stench and mosquitoes. Residents complain that though they have brought it to notice of land owners, but nothing has been done. Now, BBMP will start identifying such places and issue notices to the owner and even impose a fine. The public can also complain to the BBMP about such empty plots that have turned into illegal garbage dumps. A senior BBMP officer said, This is a common practice in the city. If there is empty space or a vacant residential plot, people start throwing garbage. This was brought to our notice and we have decided to start penalising the land owner for not maintaining the place. He added that it is the owners duty to keep the empty plot clean and free from weeds. Everyone falsely assumes that it is the duty of the BBMP to clean empty residential plots. The owner should ensure that no garbage is dumped and the weeds removed frequently, he said. Another officer said they have started issuing a circular to all the BBMP offices and told them to take photographs of dark spots and send them to their superiors, who will identify the land owner and issue a notice, telling them to clear it in a stipulated time. If the place is not cleaned even after that time, then we will impose penalty of Rs 25,000 to and repeat offenders will be penalised up to Rs 1 lakh. We will soon start imposing fines. This way we can keep a check on garbage dumping in public spaces, the officer added. Kochi: The judicial first class magistrate court at Kakkanad has posted the bail petition of Aditya Valavi, arrested in connection with the forged church documents case, to Wednesday after recording his statement under section 164. Aditya, an alumnus of IIT Chennai, and currently doing research, allegedly had forged the documents linked to Cardinal George Alenchery, Major Archbishop of Syro-Malabar Church. He startled the court on Tuesday when he said that the police had tortured him for implicating two priests of the Syro-Malabar Church while in custody. The court then ordered his medical examination. After its completion, the court recorded his statement under section 164 lasting for nearly two hours. The court then asked the police to produce him in the court on Wednesday while considering his bail petition. The police produced him in the court on Tuesday seeking three days custody for further interrogation. The charges of custody torture may land the investigation team in trouble as a section of the Church leadership has already accused the police of falsely implicating the techie in the case. Aditya said he was beaten up in his feet and that the police officials threatened to pull-out the nails from his toes. According to him, the investigating team tortured him to make a statement against Fr. Antony Kallookkaran in the case. The police said Fr. Antony Kallookaran, vicar of Muringoor Sanjoe Nagar Church, had been included as the fourth accused in the case. According to the police, Aditya made the documents at the behest of Fr. Kallookaran. He approached the High Court on Tuesday seeking anticipatory bail in the wake of the police listing him as an accused in the case. The court is likely to consider the petition on Wednesday. The petition filed by Aluva DySP K. A. Vidyadharan seeking custody of Aditya stated that he had forged the documents in a computer at the shop owned by his father at Konthuruthi. The documents included transfer of Rs 16 lakh from the account of Alenchery to a hotel chain on September 21, 2016. Another document created by Aditya shows transfer of Rs 85,000 from the account of the cardinal to the same company on July 9, 2017. Another document shows Cardinal Alenchery is having investment in the same company. Case against Alenchery stayed: The Ernakulam district sessions court has stayed the proceedings against Cardinal Alenchery in the case connected with the controversial land deals of Syro-Malabar Church. The court stayed the proceedings in the suo motu case registered by the Kakkand magistrate court till the revision petition filed by the cardinal is disposed of. The land deal involves selling of three acres of the Church land for settling its dues. Although the land was to be sold for Rs 27 crore, in the records it was shown as sold for Rs 13.5 crore by a person identified as Saju Varghese, the middle man for the deal. Out of Rs 13.5 crore, the middle man paid only Rs 9 crore to the Church. The issue had snowballed into a major controversy with a section of the Church leadership alleging foul play. Chennai: A 38-year-old car driver was asphyxiated after sleeping in his car with the air conditioning turned on at Mudichur Main road near Tambaram. Police said Kumar( 38) a resident of Thiruvottiyur was found dead inside his car with all the windows and doors closed. The incident occurred when Kumar had parked his car on the Mudichur main road, Tambaram closed the windows, turned the AC and gone to sleep on Tuesday morning. At around 11 am, the locals grew suspicious and informed the police. Tambaram police rushed to the spot and found the ignition of the car was on and the air-conditioner running. They knocked on the doors but they didn't get any response from Kumar. A mechanic was called and the door was opened. Police rushed Kumar to the Chromepet GH were doctors informed that he died of suffocation. His body was sent to post mortem. Police examined the car and Preliminary inquiries revealed that Kumar might have fallen asleep inside the car keeping the air-conditioner and the car engine turned on. Police suspected that he might have died after inhaling carbon monoxide leaked through the air-conditioner. Police have sent the car for forensic examination to get more details. The forensic officials have collected samples from the car and sent them for lab test. Meanwhile, police sources said that Kumar was upset for the past few days and did not talk with the friends and family. police said they are awaiting Post mortem reports to know the exact reason for the death. Furthur probe is on. Chennai: Senior journalist and editor of Nakkeeran magazine Nakkeeran Gopal appeared before CBI office, Chennai, on Tuesday in connection with Pollachi sex scandal. He was summoned by CBI as a witness in Pollachi case. After attending the CBI inquiry, speaking to the press Nakkeeran Gopal expressed hope that soon many hidden names relating to Pollachi issue will be brought out by CBI. He also said that CBI was going in a right direction to bring you out the truth and the network behind the Pollachi issue. The Pollachi sex scandal came to light on February 24 ago after the four accused were arrested in February for allegedly blackmailing and sexually harassing a 19-year-old girl. The girl had lodged a complaint with Pollachi East Station police, alleging that her friends took her in a car and sexually abused her. They had allegedly sexually harassed and blackmailed 50 women across Tamil Nadu. The accused were arrested and remanded under the Goondas Act. Andhra Pradesh CM and TD president N. Chandrababu Naidu, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, Trinamuls Derek O Brien, DMKs Kanimozhi, CPIs D. Raja and other Opposition leaders come out after meeting the EC over their concerns about EVMs and the VVPAT machines in in New Delhi on Tuesday. (Photo: AP) New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a plea for simultaneous counting of all votes recorded by Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPAT) along with the electronic voting machines (EVM) counting. Observing that the court cannot come in the way of people electing their government, the vacation bench of Justices Arun Mishra and M.R. Shah said the matter had already been dealt with by a larger bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi. We cannot come in the way of people electing their government. Let the country elect its government, the bench told the lawyer appearing for NGO Tech for All. The CJI has dealt with the matter. The order was already there. A two-judge bench cannot override the order passed by a larger bench, Justice Mishra said while telling the lawyer that his plea could not be entertained. The court also asked the lawyer what were the new circumstances to bring the same plea before the court again. The lawyer said the order passed by the bench headed by the CJI on May 8 was prior to the conclusion of the polling, and now the polling was completed. While rejecting the plea, Justice Mishra described it as nonsense and said: Dont make a mockery of democracy. Meanwhile, the EC on Tuesday dismissed claims by the Opposition parties that EVMs were being moved around in the days ahead of the counting of votes. It also rejected allegations of discrepancies at the strongrooms where the EVMs have been kept prior to the election results on May 23. Several videos of the EVMs being stored and moved from one unauthorised storage house to another surfaced on Twitter and other social media platforms. Allaying concerns, the EC said: Election Commission of India would like to emphatically and unambiguously clarify that all such reports and allegations are absolutely false, and factually incorrect. The visuals seen viral on media do not pertain to any EVMs used during the polls. After the close of polls, all polled EVMs and VVPATs are brought under security cover to the designated strongrooms, which are sealed with double locks, in the presence of the candidates and in the presence of observers of the Election Commission. The entire process of storage and sealing of the strongrooms is covered under videography. It added that continuous CCTV coverage is done till completion of counting and each strongroom is guarded with round-the-clock security by Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). Besides, the candidates or their designated agents are present at the strongroom for 24X7 vigil at all times. The EC said that on the counting day, the strongrooms will be opened in the presence of the candidates/agents and observer under videography. Before the counting of EVMs commences, the counting agents are shown the address tags, seals and serial number of EVMs to satisfy themselves to the genuineness and authenticity of the machines used in the actual polls. The provisions and protocols have been explained to the political parties on multiple occasions, including in several of the 93 meetings held with them at the commission since announcement of elections. All chief electoral officers and district election officers have again been advised to brief the candidates, the EC said. NGOs provide fruits and food during the holy month with the prior permission of the Department of Prisons. (Representional Image) Hyderabad: In Ramzan, one of the most scorned sections of society is remembered by two organisations that provide seasonal fruits and dates for the Iftaar to the inmates of four city jails. Majlis Dawat-ul-Islam has been quietly arranging Iftaar food taken when the days fast is broken in the evening for the inmates of jails for 28 years, while Jamat-e-Islami is providing fruits for the last seven years, with the permission of the Department of Prisons and Correctional Services. Some 750 prisoners observe fast during Ramzan In Hyderabads jails. NGOs provide fruits and food during the holy month with the prior permission of the Department of Prisons. Some arrange a one-day Iftaar, while the two above mentioned organisations have been providing fruits for the entire month. According to the data available, in Cherlapalli prison about 450-500 inmates are observing the fast. In Chanchlaguda 200-250 prisoners, and in the Womens Prison 30-40 inmates and 25-30 in the Juvenile Home are observing the fast. These numbers are approximate as prisoners are released on completion of their term, new ones are added and under-trials get bail. President of Majlis Dawat-ul-Islam Khaja Ali Babar said they had informed jail authorities that many prisoners are observing the fast, but they were not getting sufficient fruits in Iftaar. Our organisation resolved to provide fruits to them. We decided to obtain permission from the department and since 1993 have been supplying fruits without interruption for the inmates of Central Prison Hyderabad (Chanchalguda), Central Prison Cherlapally, Special Prison for Women, Hyderabad, and Juvenile Home Saidabad. We spend about `3 lakh for this purpose, which is met by our members and friends, he said Earlier, the members of the organisation were allowed to enter the jail, our volunteers used to arrange Iftaar inside the jail, but from the last three years, our entry has been restricted and authorities have asked us to hand over the fruits at the jail gate to the superintendent or deputy superintendent of the jail, Mr Babar told this newspaper. Even more surprising, Mr Babar said that earlier they were allowed to deliver sermons during Jumma prayers during the holy months, but for the last three years, this too has been prohibited by the jail officials. If we are allowed to deliver sermons it will be beneficial for the prisoners in understanding the religious commandments which surely build their character and bring positive changes in their attitude and behaviour, Mr Babar pointed out. The Malakpet unit of the Jamaat-e-Islami is also providing fruits to Chanchalguda and Cherlapalli jails. Syed Abdul Quadar Nasir of the Jamaat said that last year the organisation was allowed to lead the Eid prayer in Chanchalguda and we hope this year also we will get permission for the same. President of the Jamat-e-Islami Moulana Hamid Mohammed Khan said one of the affiliated wings of the organisation Movement for Peace & Justice has provided finance for special arrangements for Sehri (pre-dawn meal) in jails. Kalaburagi: While dismissing the exit poll survey reports as a big golmal, veteran Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday contended that as per reports available to him, the Congress will fare much better than what has been projected in the surveys. During an interaction with the media here, Mr Kharge argued that exit poll surveys had given high figures to the BJP indicating the survey agencies were influenced by the saffron party. "Our future is now sealed in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Let us wait for a day to see the actual results. But various agencies have given different figures. Some say we will get six to eight seats in the state; our reports contradict the figures given by exit surveys. We are confident of winning in many places. If the surveys reports come true, then definitely it is an indication of manipulation of the EVMs", Mr Kharge opined. When his attention was drawn to reports which said he would lose in the Kalaburagi seat, Mr Kharge said he did not concur with the survey reports. "Based on my performance, I should get elected. If I lose, there should be a reason; let us wait for a day", Mr Kharge remarked. On the possibility formation of a Congress led government at the Centre, the veteran leader said a meeting will be held at Delhi after the announcement of the results. "Mrs Sonia Gandhi(UPA chairperson) will hold a meeting to stock of the situation and decide on the formation of government", he added. Mr Kharge flayed Mr Modi for posing in meditative posture at the Badarinath temple even as voting was taking place in the last leg of the election on May 19. Mr Modi is an expert at acting; he will enact any role for influencing voters. It's surprising that the EC dances to the tunes of the PM, Mr Kharge said. Guwahati: Two days before the counting of votes, heavily armed suspected NSCN-IM terrorists on Tuesday shot dead National Peoples Party (NPP) MLA Tirong Aboh, his son and nine others in broad day light at Bogapani in militant infested Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh. The militants also set ablaze his car. Mr Aboh was on his way back from Dibrugarh in Assam when heavily armed Naga rebels stopped his convoy of three vehicles near Bogapani, security sources said, adding that one of the cars was reportedly driven by his son. The militants, who were all in combat fatigue, opened indiscriminate fire from point blank range on the vehicles, security sources said, adding that militants also searched the vehicles before leaving the place unchallenged. The incident has raised serious question over the role of Assam Rifles, which is deployed in the area to maintain law and order and enforcing the grounds rule of the cease-fire agreement between NSCN factions and the Government of India. Pointing out that free-run of heavily armed Naga rebels of various factions is very common in the area, security sources said that Tirap and Changlang districts have become the safe sanctuary for Naga rebels Aboh represented the Khonsa-West seat in Arunachal Pradesh and was contesting the Assembly election from the seat. Expressing deep anguish over the killing of a legislator of his party, former minister and leader of NPP Waii Kumar told this newspaper that it seems to be a political murder. Mr Tirong was an influential leader of his area and his victory in the ensuing election was almost certain. We want a high level enquiry into his killing to unearth the conspiracy, said Mr Kumar while pointing out that this incident has raised many question over the peace and tranquility of the frontier state. He feared and warned that militant outfit should not be used to achieve political mileage. Union minister Kiren Rijiju who confirmed the killing of at least 11 person in ambush. I am shocked and saddened by the brutal attack and tragic killing of MLA Tirong Aboh and his son. Strongest action will be taken against those responsible for such dastardly attack. Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma also condemned the brutal attack and urged Union home minister Rajnath Singh to take action against the culprits. The NPP strongly condemns the brutal attack on Tirong Aboh and his son and his security personnel, Mr Sangma, who was on his way to New Delhi to attend the meeting of National Democratic Alliance, said in a tweet on the social media. He further said, The NPP is extremely shocked and saddened by the news of the death of its MLA Tirong Aboh (Arunachal Pradesh) and his family. We condemn the brutal attack and urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take action against those responsible for such attack. Meanwhile, security sources in the frontier state told this newspaper that both the faction of NSCN was not happy with Tirong, who was not only defying their dictates but also raising voice against the terrorist outfits. The attack came close on the heels of killing of another NPP worker and Tirongs supporter at a village in March this year. The suspected NSCN-IM terrorists had assaulted Jaley Anna and his friend Kham Nai Abhi, both NPP workers, at Kheti village in Tirap district. Jaley Anna died on the spot. New Delhi: Earlier, Mr Modi had also attended a Swagat aur Abhaar Milan hosted by BJP president Mr Shah at the party headquarters for the Union ministers. Mr Modi termed his election campaign as a pilgrimage and turned the completion of his governments tenure as a successful experiment. The Prime Minister also said the alliance should be further strengthened and congratulated his Council of Ministers. The meeting lasted for nearly two hours. At the NDA dinner, allies congratulated Mr Modi and his team for the development-oriented decisions to benefit the comman man and keeping in mind the regional aspirations. The resolution, proposed by Mr Paswan, mentioned how the Modi-led NDA played a key role in taking up issues like terrorism and money laundering at the global platform and showed its firmness on the national security issue. Mr Singh said India showed the world that it is no more a soft state when it comes to diplomacy and security. The resolution mentioned Indias efforts for UNs declaration of Masood Azhar a global terrorist and the global support the Modi government received for the anti-missile test. The resolution also condemned the political violence in states like West Bengal and Kerala, with Mr Modi expressing concern over it. He also expressed concern over how institutions like the EC, the CAG and the security forces, among others, have come under attack from the Opposition. The NDA leaders vowed to carry forward the development work initiated by the Modi-led government and to achieve inclusive, prosperous and developed India, which was the dream of freedom fighters by 2022 when the country will celebrate 75th anniversary of Independence. Mr Modi told NDA allies that instead of caste, creed, religion and other such issues, the narrative of a government should be how to benefit the poor and eradicate regional disparity. The resolution also hailed the Modi governments schemes and asserted that it earned global recognition for its initiatives to mitigate poverty showing faster results than previous regimes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah arrive for a meeting at BJP headquarters in New Delhi on Tuesday. (Photo: AP) New Delhi: Confident of retaining power at the Centre, the BJP-led NDA on Tuesday showcased its unity over dinner ahead of the counting of votes on May 23 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi terming his governments tenure as a successful experiment and hailing the ruling alliance as an organic entity and a strong pillar of Indian democracy. Addressing leaders of 36 parties, Mr Modi termed the Lok Sabha polls as a decisive moment in Indias democracy and stressed on the need to change the narrative from caste lines and orient it for the poor. The NDA unanimously passed a resolution describing itself as an alliance of dreams and aspirations of the country and hailed the vision of Mr. Modi The resolution also pledged to make India strong, developed, prosperous and inclusive by 2022 when it completes 75 years of its independence, Union minister Rajnath Singh said. Most exit polls have predicted that the NDA is likely to retaining power. On a day when the Opposition camp showed its strength on the EVM issue, BJP chief Amit Shah hosted dinner for NDA allies that was attended by Mr Modi and representatives of 36 parties, including JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar, Shiv Seans Uddhav Thack-eray, SADs Parkash Singh Badal, LJPs Ram Vilas Paswan. Expressing displeasure over the Oppositions stand on the EVM issue, Mr Modi said that when there should be efforts for global branding of the Indias electoral process, the Opposition is trying to project an adverse picture of it. Mr Modi also told NDA allies that neither votes nor forming a government was the ruling alliances aim but a New India. The NDA expressed confidence that the people will give the Modi-led government another chance based on its track record and vision and asserted that Mr Modi deserves another term. The NDA also condemned the vote bank politics of the Opposition and its old school thinking which is not acceptable to young voters if the 21st century. Pudukkottaia: A team of Archeological Research Forum of Pudukkottai led by its founder A. Manikandan has found strange stone rings at Sevalur panchayat forest area in Pudukkottai district, recently. Stone ring or stone circle is a circular alignment of standing stones, say archaeology experts. Mr. Manikandan said in a release here on Tuesday that they explored the 10-acre area and discovered seven megalithic era cairn rings, with dolmenoid cist structure. Mr. Manikandan who is also a research scholar in the department of Ancient Science, Tamil University, Thanjavur, said the cairn rings located at the Melachungadu forest, at the foothills of Nedumalai, Malayadippatti is worshipped by the locals with reverence. The tree temple is known as Mokkandi temple. The locals have dismantled and shifted the Megalithic stone rings and the flat stone slabs are used as the altar of the temple, he added. The other two stone rings left untouched and they remain in complete shape. Trees and other bush plants thrive inside the circle. This ancient structure is also worshipped by the locals. There are five more stone rings in the north and southern parts of the temple. Unlike the Northern districts, the southern districts do not have the practice of worshiping megalithic cairn rings. In Southern districts, people worship tree temples and spears, clay replicas. This makes the discovery even more important, that the local people have a culture preserved in time. Ancient Tamil Literature like Akanaanooru, Puranaanooru, Aingurnooru, refers to the stone rings and the way they are worshipped. Ancient Tamils honoured their leaders and men with great velour by erecting them a stone ring, he added. He stressed that it is important to study the findings through scientific methods like carbon dating and extensive genetic study. The world has a universal culture and custom during the megalithic era. The era is named as Megalithic era. Menhir, Hero stones and stone rings are part of this culture. Men with importance were buried in these stone rings. Ancient people used iron tools to shape the stones so these structures are also related to the Iron Age. The stone rings of England and Ireland dates back to 2,500 BCE to 1,500 BCE. In northeastern France, we have stone rings which date back to 5,000 BCE, he claimed. New Delhi: Vice Admiral Bimal Verma filed a fresh petition on Tuesday in the Armed Forces Tribunal seeking quashing of the government orders for designating Vice Admiral Karambir Singh as next Navy Chief and the last week rejection of his statutory complaint by the Defence Ministry. In his plea, Vice Admiral Verma has contended that the tribunal should call for the service records of both--him and Vice Admiral KB Singh -- and see if any "extraneous or irrelevant considerations" were placed before the competent authority to reject his case while the Navy Chief appointment was being made. The tribunal is expected to hear the plea on Wednesday. After the Defence Ministry rejected Verma's statutory complaint, his lawyer Ankur Chhibber had told ANI that "as per law we would be withdrawing the present petition with liberty to challenge the order issued by the government and request the tribunal to hear the matter before the new chief takes over." The first plea was filed by Verma on April 10. While rejecting his plea, Defence Ministry's Joint Secretary (Navy) Richa Mishra had clarified that though seniority is an important criterion while appointing services chiefs but it is not the "sole" criterion and has been dispersed within the past too while appointing Navy chiefs. The Defence Ministry also made it clear that being the seniormost officer, Vice Admiral Verma was also considered for the appointment to the post of Navy Chief but was "found unsuitable to the tenant the appointment of the Chief of Naval Staff." "Upon examination, the Central government is satisfied that the parameters for selection as evident from consistent practice were applied uniformly to all the officers in the zone of consideration and based on the assessment, Vice Admiral Bimal Kumar Verma being the senior most eligible officer was considered and found unsuitable to tenant the appointment of Chief of naval staff." "The Central government is also satisfied that no unsubstantiated frivolous, extraneous or irrelevant consideration has had a bearing on this said selection," Richa Mishra had said in her order rejecting the officer's plea. After the government overlooked him in appointing Navy Chief and designated Vice Admiral Karambir Singh as the next Navy chief, Verma who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command, approached the Armed Forces Tribunal. The government has named Vice Admiral Karambir Singh as next chief of the naval staff, succeeding Admiral Sunil Lanba who retires on May 31. While appointing the Army Chief in 2016, the Central government did not follow the seniority criteria. In the order, Defence Ministry also mentioned that the officer was not considered for being awarded the Param Vishisht Sewa Medal and was also not given the command of either the Eastern or the Western commands. The clarification by the polling officer comes after various rumours on social media regarding EVMs leading to tensions in some parts of the region. (Photo: File) Ghazipur/Jhansi: Election Commission of India on Tuesday quashed allegations of discrepancies in handling and storage of EVMs in some districts of Uttar Pradesh, terming the claims baseless. In Ghazipur parliamentary constituency, ECI said that there were issues regarding "candidates keeping a watch on polled EVM strong rooms ", which was resolved by conveying the poll commission's instructions. Reiterating the same, Ghazipur District Magistrate said that some candidates wanted more than the permissible number of people to keep watch on strong rooms, which was denied, thus leading to baseless allegations. "The reports that candidates are being prohibited from keeping watch on EVM strong room are untrue. We are issuing passes to candidates to assign one of their representatives at vantage points near EVM strong rooms. Some candidates wanted more number of representatives to be near the strong room, permission for which was denied keeping in view the security of the area," K Balaji, DM, Ghazipur told ANI. In Jhansi, ECI refuted questions being raised on storage of EVMs and said that the machines are stored in proper security by following protocol, in the presence of candidates. Shiv Sahay Awasthi, District Election Officer, Jhansi, said, "Some polling parties arrived late, however, all EVMs were put in place in the strong room by 7 am. The strong room has been sealed in presence of general observers and candidates under CCTV surveillance." ECI also denied any irregularities in Chandauli and Domariaganj. "In Chandauli frivolous allegation was made by some people. In Domariaganj agitation was unnecessary. They (protestors) were convinced by DM and SP. The matter is resolved. EVMs are safe and stored as per protocol", ECI said in a statement. ECI also reiterated that all polled EVMS and VVPATs were sealed properly in front of the candidates and added that the process was video-graphed. Congress party candidate from Mirzapur, Lalitesh Pati Tripathi has written to the observer of the Lok Sabha constituency requesting him to remove the reserve EVMs, kept at the counting venue, in front of political parties' candidate and their representatives, in front of cameras. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. Earlier on Monday, a BJP delegation led by Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Railway minister Piyush Goyal approached the EC and urged it to conduct re-polling in the constituencies where violence had taken place during all the phases of the Lok Sabha polls. (Photo: File) New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday ordered re-polling at a booth in Kolkata's Uttar parliamentary constituency. ECI declared void the poll held on May 19 at polling station number 200 of the Kolkata's Uttar parliamentary constituency. The re-polling will be conducted on Wednesday, May 22 from 7 am to 6 pm. BJP's Rahul Sinha, TMC's Sudip Bandyopadhyay and CPI(M)'s Kaninika Bose Ghosh are in the fray from Kolkata Uttar constituency. Earlier on Monday, a BJP delegation led by Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Railway minister Piyush Goyal approached the EC and urged it to conduct re-polling in the constituencies where violence had taken place during all the phases of the Lok Sabha polls. The delegation had also requested the EC to withdraw false cases made against BJP leaders in West Bengal. Large scale violence was reported from different parliamentary constituencies across West Bengal in all the seventh phase of the general elections with Trinamool Congress (TMC) and BJP blaming each other for the violence. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. 'You are kindly requested to take the required steps for ensuring safety and security of EVM Machines in the larger interest of democracy,' Deora said. (Photo: File) Mumbai: Mumbai Congress president Milind Deora on Tuesday urged the Election Commission to take the required steps for ensuring safety and security of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the larger interest of democracy. "You are kindly requested to take the required steps for ensuring safety and security of EVM Machines in the larger interest of democracy," Deora said in a letter to the EC, showing concerns regarding the possibility of EVM tempering at various centers in Mumbai. "After the Election being held on April 29, as the President of Mumbai Regional Congress Committee, I have received very shocking feedback about the possibility of tampering with EVM machines, which are being stored at various counting centers presently. Our Congress workers those who are constantly looking after these centers from outside have informed us about suspicious movements of few persons or few vehicles around these centers," he said. Urging the EC to increase vigilance and security at the counting centres, The Mumbai Congress president said: "On behalf of Mumbai Regional Congress Committee request your good self to kindly increase the vigilance, security etc at these counting centers, so that EVM machines should not get tempered in any manner whatsoever so that exact result should reflect on the day of counting to provide free and fair result." He also requested EC to allow volunteers to remain there outside these centers for safeguarding along with the security forces deployed there. This comes in the backdrop of a delegation of 21 opposition parties, scheduled to meet EC at 3 pm on Tuesday in the national capital, to press for their demand of tallying VVPAT slips with EVM figures in an entire Assembly constituency, in case a discrepancy is found in any polling booth. N Chandrababu Naidu, Ahmed Patel of Congress, Sharad Pawar of NCP, Satish Chandra Misra of BSP, Sitaram Yechury of Communist Party of India (Marxist), D Raja of Communist Party of India (CPI) and Derek O'Brien of the TMC are expected to meet the EC. Polling for seven-phased Lok Sabha elections started on April 11 and concluded on May 19. The much-awaited results of the general elections will be announced on May 23. Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Arun Jaitley, J P Nadda and Prakash Javadekar were among the key leaders from the BJP at the meeting. (Photo: Amit Shah twitter) New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met Union ministers from the BJP as well as allies at a meeting hosted by party president Amit Shah at its headquarters. The BJP described the meeting as an occasion to thank ministers for "their service to the nation" ahead of the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha election on May 23, following which a new government will assume charge. I congratulate Team Modi Sarkar for their hard work and remarkable achievements in the last 5 years. Let us keep this momentum going for a New India under the leadership of PM @narendramodi. Sharing pictures of Aabhar Milan of Union Council of Ministers at BJP HQ, New Delhi. pic.twitter.com/X2sgvJjJ5c Chowkidar Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 21, 2019 Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Arun Jaitley, J P Nadda and Prakash Javadekar were among the key leaders from the BJP at the meeting. Some ministers from BJP allies, including Ram Vilas Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party, Harsimrat Kaur Badal from the Akali Dal and Anupriya Patel of the Apna Dal, were also present. The saffron camp has expressed confidence that the NDA will emerge victorious, with the exit polls too forecasting a return of the Modi government. Shah is also hosting a dinner for BJP leaders and allies later in the evening. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. Thakur and seven other accused were acquitted by a court there in 2017 due to lack of evidence against them. (Photo: File) Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh government is planning to reopen an old murder case against BJP candidate Pragya Singh Thakur, a day after exit polls predicted a victory for her from Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency. The Congress-led government in the state will seek a legal opinion on reopening the murder case of ex-RSS pracharak Sunil Joshi, in which Pragya Singh was acquitted, state Law Minister P C Sharma said Tuesday. Joshi was shot dead in Dewas district on December 29, 2007. Thakur and seven other accused were acquitted by a court there in 2017 due to lack of evidence against them. The state government will appeal in a higher court to reopen the Joshi murder case, Sharma said. The Dewas collector has been asked to submit a report in connection with the case, the minister added. "We will seek a legal opinion on that report and then take a decision about moving a higher court," he said. Sharma claimed that the then district collector took a decision on his own to shut the case, instead of sending it to the law department for legal opinion. "The district collector should have sent the report to the law department instead of deciding that there was no need to move a higher court," he said. The BJP dubbed the move as revenge politics. "It looks like the MP government is going to take this decision because Pragya Thakur contested the election as BJP candidate against Congress' Digvijaya Singh. This is politics of revenge," state BJP spokesman Rajnish Agrawal said. An accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, Thakur is currently out on bail. Joshi, also known as Guruji, was shot dead by bike- borne assailants in Chuna Khadan area of Dewas. He was reportedly evading arrest for his alleged role in the murder of a Congress leader. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. Mumbai: Have you missed any news today? Here are the top national, international headlines of the day. Opposition is "frustrated", says Shah: "Protesting against EVM is disrespect of the people's mandate. The 22 opposition parties are frustrated with the defeat and tarnishing the image of our democracy by raising questions over it," Shah said in a series of tweets Read: 'Opposition is frustrated, blaming EVMs is disrespecting mandate,' says Amit Shah EC rejects Opposition concerns: The issue to change the protocol for counting was discussed by the Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora at his meeting with election commissioners Ashok Lavasa and Sushil Chandra. Read: VVPAT after EVM counting, EC rejects Opposition concerns Rahul vs Modi, who campaigned more?: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi addressed more than 140 rallies each in the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections, the opposition leader scoring a tad better in terms of voter outreach by also holding eight press conferences. Read: Election 2019: Modi addressed 142 rallies, Rahul 145 plus eight pressers Pawar takes lead to form non-BJP front: Nationalist Congress Partys Sharad Pawar has played a role of matchmaker between various parties for a non-BJP front. Pawar has reached out to YSR Congresss Jagan Mohan Reddy, Telangana Rashtra Samiti leader K Chandrasekhar Rao and Odishas Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Read: Pawar plays matchmaker, looks for new partners for a non-BJP front IAF Rafale office broken into in France: Unidentified persons broke into the Indian Rafale project management team office in France on Sunday night in a possible espionage attempt to steal data related to the aircraft critical to India's national security plans. Read: Indian Air Force Rafale office broken into in France Terrorists killed in Kashmir: Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists neutralized: Two Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists were neutralised in the encounter and huge cache of arms and ammunition were recovered from their possession, the police said on Wednesday. Read: 2 Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists neutralised in Kulgam encounter Paswan takes on opposition: Paswan lashes out ot oppn, calls them sore losers: Union Minister and BJP ally Ram Vilas Paswan on Wednesday dubbed the opposition "sore losers" and claimed that their "desperation" over the VVPAT issue was an indication of their defeat in the Lok Sabha polls. Read: Opposition sore losers, desperation over VVPAT issue indication of defeat: Paswan Chinese accuse Trump for deteriorating relations: Chinas ambassador to the United States said on Tuesday in an interview with Fox News that Washington repeatedly "changed its mind overnight" and sunk deals that could have ended the two countries' trade war. READ: 'US changed mind overnight': Chinese Ambassador blames Trump for sinking trade deal DNA test confirms death of Lanka attack mastermind: Sri Lankan authorities have confirmed through DNA tests that one of the two suicide bombers who died in the Shangri-La Hotel bombing during Easter Sunday attacks was Zahran Cassim, the leader of the local terror group National Thawheed Jammath (NTJ). READ: DNA test confirms death of Sri Lanka Easter blasts mastermind Sharad looking to make non-BJP front: Pawar has reached out to YSR Congresss Jagan Mohan Reddy, Telangana Rashtra Samiti leader K Chandrasekhar Rao and Odishas Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The functionary said K Chandrasekhar Rao confirmed to Pawar that his party would be open to supporting the United Progressive Alliance in the event of a hung Parliament. READ: Pawar plays matchmaker, looks for new partners for a non-BJP front Rahul Gandhi to party workers: Seeking to bolster the morale of his party's workers, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday asked them to not be disheartened by fake exit poll results and urged them to stay alert and vigilant. Read: Don't be disheartened by fake exit polls, Rahul Gandhi tells party workers TikTok star shot dead: A 24-year-old gym trainer and social media star was shot dead by three unidentified gunmen on Tuesday in outer Delhis Najafgarh. Read: TikTok celebrity Mohit Mor shot dead near Delhi Bhaichung Bhutia on Sikkim politics: Bhaichung Bhutia has been a prominent face of Indian football for over a decade. The Sikkim-born footballer is considered to be the torchbearer of Indian Football due to his remarkable playing career. However, Bhutia's journey took a different path when he ventured into politics. Now the big question is: Would he be able to score a magnificent goal in the field of politics too? Bhutia tells us in an exclusive interview with Deccan Chronicle. Read: Bhaichung Bhutia takes the field, has major goals for his Hamro Sikkim Party Naqvi attacks Congress: Attacking the Congress and other opposition parties for raising concerns about EVMs, senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Wednesday said they want to discredit democracy as they are unable to digest defeat of the dynasty. Read: Unable to digest 'defeat of dynasty', Opposition wants to discredit democracy: Naqvi ISRO launches radar imaging satellite: In a pre-dawn launch on Wednesday, Indian space agency ISRO scripted history by successfully launching earth observation satellite RISAT-2B that would enhance the countrys surveillance capabilities among others. Read: 'Cloud proof': ISRO launches radar imaging satellite RISAT-2B PM Modi comments on Narendra Singh Tomar's remark: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday told his ministerial colleagues that this Lok Sabha election was like a pilgrimage for him. Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said: "PM Modi said that he has seen many elections but this election's campaign did not seem like a campaign. He said it was like a pilgrimage for him." Read: 'This Lok Sabha election was like pilgrimage for me,' says PM Modi New Delhi: A delegation of 22 opposition parties met the Election Commission (EC) in the national capital on Tuesday to register their complaint concerning the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The Opposition has submitted a memorandum before the EC, requesting that the verification of VVPAT slips of randomly identified (05) polling stations should be done prior to the initiation of counting of votes and not after the completion of last round of counting. In the memorandum, the opposition leaders have also demanded that if any discrepancy is found during the VVPAT verification, 100% counting of paper slips of VVPATs at all polling stations of that assembly segment should be done. Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, "We raised these same issues in last one and a half months. We asked EC the reason for not responding. Strangely, EC heard us for almost an hour and assured us they'll meet again tomorrow morning to consider primarily these two issues." TDP's Chandrababu Naidu, DMK's Kanimozhi, BSP's Satish Mishra, Left' D. Raja and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal also attended the meeting. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. Priyanka also shared an image from the past in which she could be seen hugging Rajiv Gandhi. (Photo: Twitter) New Delhi: Congress general secretary in-charge Priyanka Gandhi on Tuesday paid tributes to her father and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 28th death anniversary calling him her "hero". She also shared an image from the past in which she could be seen hugging Rajiv Gandhi. Along with the picture the Congress leader also shared few stanzas from Harivansh Rai Bachchan's famous poem 'Agneepath'. "You will always be my hero", she wrote along with the image. You will always be my hero. pic.twitter.com/LYPciCD234 Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) May 21, 2019 Earlier in the day, United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka paid floral tribute to late prime minister on his death anniversary at Veer Bhumi here. In a tweet, Rahul remembered his father as a gentle person who taught him to forgive and never hate. "My father was gentle, loving, kind & affectionate. He taught me to love & respect all beings. To never hate. To forgive. I miss him. On his death anniversary, I remember my father with love & gratitude," he said. My father was gentle, loving, kind & affectionate. He taught me to love & respect all beings. To never hate. To forgive. I miss him. On his death anniversary, I remember my father with love & gratitude.#RememberingRajivGandhi pic.twitter.com/sYPGu5jGFC Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 21, 2019 Earlier on Tuesday, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. Tributes to former PM Shri Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary, tweeted PM Modi. This comes after PM Modi during an election rally in Uttar Pradesh called Rajiv Gandhi, bhrashtachari no 1 (corrupt number 1). Your father (Rajiv Gandhi) was termed Mr Clean by his courtiers, but his life ended as bhrashtachari no 1, PM Modi said while targetting Congress President Rahul Gandhi. Read: PM Modi, other leaders pay tribute to Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversay Born on August 20, 1944, Rajiv Gandhi had represented Uttar Pradesh's Amethi parliamentary constituency four times. A recipient of Bharat Ratna, Rajiv Gandhi served as the sixth Prime Minister of India from 1984 to 1989. He took office after the assassination of his mother, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984. Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suicide bomber during an election rally in Tamil Nadu's Sriperumbudur on May 21, 1991. He was cremated at Veer Bhumi, located on the banks of the river Yamuna. 'As far as his statement is concerned it is his individual personal opinion so you should ask him. It is not the party's opinion or assessment,' Karnataka Deputy CM G Parameshwara (Photo: PTI | File) Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday slammed Congress leader Roshan Baig for his claim that both state unit president Dinesh Gundurao and Congress Legislature Party CLP leader Siddaramaiah should be blamed for the "flop poll campaign" in the state. Parameshwara said that it is Baig's personal opinion and not the party's opinion or assessment. "As far as his statement is concerned it is his individual personal opinion so you should ask him. It is not the party's opinion or assessment," Parameshwara said while being asked about Roshan Baig's reported comments about Gundurao and Siddaramaiah. Baig, who is at loggerheads with the Congress party after not getting a ticket to contest the just-concluded Lok Sabha polls, slammed Gundurao and Siddaramaiah asserting that "these two leaders should be held responsible if Congress doesn't perform well in the general elections." Roshan Baig on Tuesday also called his party leader KC Venugopal a "buffoon". "KC Venugopal is a buffoon. I feel sorry for my leader Rahul Gandhi ji. Buffoons like Venugopal, the arrogant attitude of Siddaramaiah and the flop show of Gundu Rao...The result is this," he told the media in Bengaluru. Asked whether Congress should have given more thought before giving portfolios in the state, Baig said, "Portfolios were sold. How can I blame Kumaraswamy for it? He wasn't allowed to function. From day one Siddaramaiah said 'I'm going to be the Chief Minister'. You have gone to their doorstep to form the government." READ: K'taka Cong leader appeals Muslims to 'join hands' with BJP if need arises Amid all this, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has also cancelled his scheduled visit to Delhi. Later when a reporter questioned whether Siddaramaiah is responsible for the "collapse" of the government, Baig replied, "Yes. He is responsible." Baig further alleged that "no seats were given to Christians and only one seat was given to Muslims in Karnataka." "They were ignored. I am upset with this, we have been used," he said. Parameshwara further spoke about Congress general secretary KC Venugopal's visit to Bengaluru and said: "Venugopal is Karnataka Congress in-charge, he has to take stock of the political situation. There is a political development, everyone knows about it and there is nothing to hide. When results are out, he will discuss our options with senior leaders and take it forward from there." Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister further showed disappointment over the attitude of the Centre in handling drought situation in the state. "It is unfortunate that we have received just Rs 900 crore against Rs 4,000 crore allocated to Maharashtra. We have submitted a memorandum of Rs 2,600 crore. The Government of India is not treating Karnataka in a proper perspective," Parmeshwara said. Amidst the speculation of a rift between Congress and JD(S) alliance in the state, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has canceled his visit to New Delhi to meet Election Commission, along with the 21 opposition parties, over the issue of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM). Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analysis et al. Happy reading. Thiruvananthapuram: The BJP-propped Sabarimala agitation last year to allow women in the 12th Century temple may have got a favourable response from the Supreme Court but is unlikely to get votes for the central party. The state, which has witnessed major political battles between the Congress and the Left, found the Bharatiya Janata Party piggybacking last year on the Sabarimala issue to exploit religious sentiments. Exit polls, however, have shown that the vote share gap between BJPs K Surendran and Congress Anto Antony in Pathanamthitta -- the constituency under which the temple falls is sizeable. Having said that, it is true the BJP has managed to butt into the constituency coming second, with the Left Front third. Firstpost has reported that the BJPs vote share has increased to 16 per cent from 10 per cent during the 2014 Lok Sabha election. Thiruvananthapuram seems to be the only seat from where the BJP may win. The party stood as runner-up in 2014 in Thiruvananthapuram. The state president of the BJP, Kummanam Rajashekharan, has contested against Shashi Tharoor of the Congress these elections. As Firstpost reports, the projected victory of Rajashekharan is not attributed to the Sabarimala protests but to the overall rise of the BJP in the state. Actor and BJP leader Suresh Gopis constituencyThrissur has also seen an increase in the BJPs vote share. This is more because of Gopis stardom. The exit polls have not indicated any significant increase in the BJPs vote share. Palakkad, a constituency the BJP was confident of, has recorded a dip in its vote share of 3 per cent. The trend indicates that the BJP has not been able to gain the confidence of the Hindus of the state. The gain of the BJP has led to trouble for the Left front. The Left front was under the anticipation that the lower castes would continue to support it. But the Sabarimala issue has changed this equation. The Left front has recorded a fall in its voting percentage. The Mathrubhumi News-Geowide India exit poll results showed the Left Democratic Front (LDF) vote share coming down from 40 per cent in 2014 to 37 per cent in 2019. The Manorama News-Karvy Insights gave the LDF only 36 per cent votes this time. This shows that over five per cent additional votes that the BJP led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) garnered this time as compared to the 2014 Lok Sabha polls have come entirely from the Left and not the Congress led United Democratic Front (UDF). Also, the UDF has gained from the LDF voters as its vote share has increased from 42 per cent to 43 per cent. The LDF had increased its seats from four in 2009 to eight in 2014 when the BJP vote share saw a substantial increase from 6.44 per cent to 10.81 per cent. This was despite a marginal fall in the LDF vote share from 41.97 per cent in 2009 to 40.11 per cent in 2014. The LDF has been predicted to stand at the third position in Thiruvananthapuram and Pathanamthitta where the BJP has gained. Also, the LDF may have an easy win at Palakkad where the BJPs vote share has dropped to 12 per cent from 15 per cent. The exit polls indicate a division in the Hindu votes between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the UDF. Firstpost has reported that some Congress leaders believed that CM Pinarayi Vijayan had decided to implement the Supreme Court verdict allowing entry to women of all ages in Ayyaappa temple in a haste hoping that it will take their traditional Hindu votes to the BJP and help his camp indirectly. In 2014, the UDF won 12 seats while the LDF secured eight seats. The LDFs performance is attributed to the division in the minority votes that traditionally favored the UDF. The Left secured Muslim and Christian votes by projecting itself as its protector projecting the Congress as soft towards Hindutva. The equation has, however, reversed. Rahul Gandhis direct fight against the BJP has made Muslims and Christians show faith in the UDF. The BJPs rise in West Bengal has stripped the Left of its position in the state. The Left is skeptical of the same in Kerala. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. Hyderabad: It is common for politicians to dismiss exit polls when the predictions are not to their liking. But Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu may have a strong reason to not believe the exit polls. As per the initial calculation based on the field reports, the winnability factor of the candidates, caste equations and, importantly, the mony spent in the constituencies, the state intelligence department reportedly predicted that the YSRC would get 116 seats. But no sooner had the matter reached the higher ups in the department, a review was ordered. The figure, after the review, came down to 105 from 116. But this too was not satisfactory and another review was done and the number of seats given to Mr Jagan Mohan Reddys party was around 80, while the TD was projected to win around 90 seats and the same was conveyed to the powers-that be. It is not clear whether the reviews were done to please someone or they were genuine and the numbers arrived at were dependable. But as far as the Chief Minister is concerned, he is going by the final numbers given to him by the intelligence department. Like any Chief Minister, he too would like to trust his intelligence department which has much more clarity about the ground situation, sources in the know of developments told this newspaper, adding that the party leadership was all prepared with their own strategies once the election results are out on May 23. Various exit polls have predicted a sweep by the YSR Congress, both in the Assembly as well as the Lok Sabha elections. According to the India Today-Axis My India exit polls, YSRC will get between 118 and 135 seats while another agency, Centre for Psephology Studies (CPS) Foundation for Rural and Social Development predicted 133 to 135 seats for Mr Jagans party. Peoples Pulse has predicted 112 seats for the party. In comparison with exit polls, looks like the initial calculations of the Intelligence wing, giving 116 seats, looks believable, one official said. Be it the Government at the Centre or the state, all ruling parties rely on the calculations of their own intelligence agencies. It is based upon these calculations that politicos often prepare their strategies in the run up to the day when elections results are declared. In fact, the India Today-Axis My India exit poll suggests that Mr Naidus last minute sops to the electorate, a string of schemes worth Rs 30,000 crore, will not help the party retain power. In 2014 elections, TD had won 102 out of the total 175 assembly seats while the YSRC got only 67. The TD supremo still seems to be going by the calculations made by his own state Intelligence wing which is said to have given the yellow party around 90 seats while giving YSR Congress around 80 seats, which, if required, also gives scope for the yellow party to indulge in certain strategies once the election results are declared something the TD appears to be banking upon heavily. But whether or not it is known to Mr Naidu, the initial calculations by his core team had reportedly given YSR Congress 116 seats and it was after two reviews of their own calculations that they gave around 80 seats to YSR Congress. The original calculation (of 116 seats) seems not very far from what exit polls have predicted for Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddys party. Top sources told Deccan Chronicle that the political wing of the state Intelligence department had conducted its own survey by March but since the initial findings were not to the liking of some top officials, it was reviewed twice Bengaluru: Hours after Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy abruptly cancelled his visit to Delhi Tuesday, where he was expected to take part in a meeting of opposition leaders over the issue of EVMs, TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu met former PM and JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda at the latter's residence in Bengaluru. Emerging from the meeting, the AP CM asserted they discussed the issue of EVM tampering with the opposition parties demanding the verification of VVPAT slips before counting of votes. He claimed he did not discuss issues pertaining to the formation of a coalition government. When asked about whom the opposition parties will project for PM if they get a chance to form the government, he said this will be decided later. Naidu also saw nothing wrong in the JD(S) projecting Congress president Rahul Gandhi for PM. The exact reason why Kumaraswamy cancelled his visit to Delhi is not known. Naidu will on Tuesday have a meeting with the Karnataka CM, sources said adding that he is expected to discuss the post election result scenario and weigh all options in case of a hung Parliament. Speculation is rife in political circles that an adverse result for the Congress-JD(S) alliance in the Lok Sabha polls, would have its implications on the longevity of the Kumaraswamy government. The shroud of silence covering the content of the cross-country discussions that the tireless N. Chandrababu Naidu, Telugu Desam supremo and Andhra Pradesh chief minister, is pursuing must have a purpose. The timing of the run, before the results are declared and the veracity of numerous exit polls is tested, is also for a reason. Timing matters as never before. The near unanimous estimates by the exit polls that the BJP and its allies will win this race has been rejected by the leaderships of the regional parties as well as the Congress. On the assumption and the ground reports that these parties have collected, the exercise by Mr Naidu is critical to ensuring that the alliance that has no name and is not formally constituted is nevertheless in the reckoning, if the results reveal a hung Parliament. The only way of keeping one step ahead of the BJP is through the optics of a cross country-race that Mr Naidu is running. If the exit polls read the mood of the voter wrong, then the alliance will have to try and beat the BJP at its own game, by putting in a bid first. That will matter with this President, whose response to the misdemeanours of a governor endorsing his party during the election process has been so languid that it would be possible to describe the action, if anyone else were to mimic it, as that of a wimp. There are so many precedents on how Presidents in the past have handled the tricky business of deciding on who should form a government when there was no clear and simple verdict by voters. The problem is that the BJP and governors have successfully outsmarted the Congress and regional parties in the past five years to filch chief ministerships. In Karnataka, the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) went to court before the coalition could stake its claim to form the government and prove its majority on the floor of the Assembly. Mr Naidu has seen the shenanigans that precede government formation firsthand. The spectre that haunts the alliance that has many names Federal Front, United Alliance and nameless alliance is what will some regional parties do if the BJP under Narendra Modi woos them for votes in case there is a hung Parliament. Herding leaders of regional parties and their MPs in resorts is not as easy as herding MLAs; more so as managers of every party are beginning to man the gates. There is also the complicated arithmetic of stitching up a front of regional parties on the one hand and with the Congress on the other. This fiendishly difficult task has to grapple with the exit poll numbers, that are unverified till the results are out, but which nevertheless are the only guesses available. Getting the relative weights correct, down to the last grain, will be crucial to the formation of the alliance as each regional party has its own calculation of what it is worth. Not getting this right can mean the difference between relative stability and vertiginous volatility; between ceaseless assaults by the BJP and endless efforts to propitiate potential breakaways. If the exit polls are correct then there is a tectonic shift in the politics of West Bengal, for instance. The polls indicate that the ground has fallen from under Mamata Banerjees feet and the winds of change have heaped it under the BJP, raising its position to being a real challenge to the Trinamul Congress. If the Trinamul Congress loses heavily to the BJP, then Mamata Banerjees relative strength as principal sponsor of the United Alliance, as she now calls it, will change dramatically. If the exit polls have it wrong, then Ms Banerjee may have the third largest party in the Lok Sabha, after the BJP and the Congress, ousting the AIADMK from that slot. Entirely expectedly, she has trashed the exit poll estimates and articulated her suspicions on what the Election Commission is up to with the EVM machines. In other words, she has formulated a face-saving reason for the Trinamul Congress and herself, in case the BJP emerges as a strong challenger, with a substantial voteshare and lots of seats. If Mamata Banerjee has butterflies in her stomach, she has reasons. West Bengals voters can be brutal in their decisions. In 2009, the Trinamul Congress won 19 seats, dislodging the Communist Party of India (Marxist) from being the party with the most MPs from West Bengal in the Lok Sabha. In fact, the Trinamul Congress on its own won more seats in the Lok Sabha in 2009 than the combined Left Front, which won 15, of which the CPI(M) won nine. The movement that Mamata Banerjee led in West Bengal after 2006 was exceptional. She alone led the Trinamul Congress that brought the CPI(M)-led Left Front to its knees. In the bargain, she took over the Lefts rural base, wooed away the Muslim vote, won over liberals and intellectuals who were in the Left camp and galvanised sections of voters who had never fully felt themselves included in the politics of West Bengal. The BJPs garish, noisy and polarising mobilisation in West Bengal in no way comes even close to making the kind of social alliances that Ms Banerjee had forged after 2006. The BJP in West Bengal has not been able to wean even a single notable intellectual celebrity away from the Trinamul Congress and even the vastly depleted CPI(M). The Sangh Parivar has certainly proved itself an attractive alternative for disgruntled political leaders from other parties, including the CPI(M) and the Trinamul Congress Mukul Roy, but not his MLA son Subranshu, Barrackpore candidate Arjun Singh, Jadavpur candidate Anupam Hazra, Khagen Murmu. If the BJP does well, then maybe more than the 40 that Prime Minister Modi had announced would cross over may do so after May 23. That potential floor-crossers are keeping their options open in West Bengal is very revealing; nobody is certain that the BJP has finally transformed itself from an up-country Hindi heartland party into a native Bengali version. The logic of coalitions is it reflects and represents the extraordinary diversity of the population, which is diametrically different from the centrally-controlled, formidably hierarchical BJP. The exit polls have revealed a voter preference for a command and control politics. The results on Thursday will confirm or reject the bias. The writer is a senior journalist based in Kolkata The India-Pakistan relationship continues in its rocky, low-equilibrium, phase which it entered after the Pulwama terrorist strike in February, to which India retaliated through a deep incursion into Pakistani airspace at Balakot. The situation got complex when Pakistan counter-attacked the following morning. The bland external affairs ministry statement on Monday suggests it is unlikely that the presence of external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi at the meeting of foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Bishkek on May 21-22 will break the status quo. The two may exchange pleasantries, that is all. Balakot had just preceded the long election season in India, which began in March. Restarting a dialogue in this period was unthinkable. With the results due on May 23, realistically speaking, no movement of any kind may be expected before the new government in India settles down. In a recent interview, Pakistan PM Imran Khan indicated a better chance for resuming contacts if Narendra Modi returned to power. At any rate, Islamabad has named a new high commissioner to India, though New Delhi has not been informed of this officially. Its up to the incoming government here to react to this. Impetus has been imparted to regional political dynamics with fresh developments in Afghanistan and in Iran. In respect of Iran, a breakout of hostilities with the United States is deemed not improbable. In such a context, worthwhile diplomatic contact between India and Pakistan can be useful. Soon it will be loaves and fishes time when ministries will have to be distributed to accommodate personal aspirations. How many can partake in the feast is limited by the 91st Amendment. But does even this contribute to better governance? Perhaps this period of transition is just the time to consider the limitations of the 91st Amendment? On July 7, 2004, the 91st Amendment to the Constitution took effect. This meant that from that day on, the size of the councils of ministers at the Centre and in the states could not exceed 15 per cent of the numbers in the Lok Sabha or state legislatures. The logic underlying this amendment was quite obvious. The cost factor was not the issue, for in relation to the overall cost of government, expenditure on ministers is miniscule. The real problem is that with unlimited ministerships on offer, the destabilisation of governments was made easier. Unfortunately, there seems to be little realisation that too many cooks spoil the broth. Who can deny that our governments have so far only served up a vile and poisonous broth that has enfeebled the majority and kept the nation misgoverned? Even the National Committee to Review the Working of the Constitution (NCRWC), set up by the Atal Behari Vajpayee government, which recommended that the number of ministers be fixed at the maximum of 10 per cent of the total strength of the popular House of the Legislature, does not seem to have thought this matter through. But even its recommendation was tweaked a bit to fix the ceiling at 15 per cent, as we seem to have too many overly keen to be of greater service to the public by becoming ministers. It would seem that the only reason why the amendment was whisked through, and whisked through is the only description for it for it was hardly discussed in Parliament or in the media, was to afford political managers some protection against the clamor for berths in government. Like good politicians, they naturally expect to come out smelling of roses at the same time! But there could be an unstated reason as well, that might have to do with distribution of wealth. Too many thieves could reduce the individual take? That, and making ministerships too commonplace, only devalued the worth of the jobs. Whatever be the reason for the ceiling, good governance or management principles seem to have little to do with it. We have 543 MPs in the Lok Sabha, which means that we can have up to 81 ministers in New Delhi. With 787 MPs in both Houses, that means almost one in nine MPs can expect to be a minister. The states have in all 4,020 MLAs; opening up possibilities for around 600 ministerial berths for 4,487 MLAs and MLCs. Uttar Pradesh has the biggest Legislative Assembly, with 403 MLAs, while Sikkim at the other end of the spectrum has to make do with just 32 MLAs or just five ministers. Quite clearly, the persons who applied their minds to this amendment have not seen government as a responsibility that has to be sensibly shared and not as a basket of fruits to be distributed. No organisation that is meant to function can be designed on such a basis. Analogies are seldom entirely appropriate, but you will see what one has in mind when you consider the absurdity of limiting the number of functional responsibilities in a company to a function of the number of workers on the payroll. Management structures and hierarchies are based on assignment of responsibilities based on a division of work according to the technical and managerial specialisation of tasks. Thus a company might have heads for the production, marketing, finance, HRD, legal and secretarial, and research functions. In small companies, just one or two persons may perform all these functions, while in a large professionally-managed corporation there would be separate or even more heads of functional areas. But you just cant link th is to the number of workers. The important thing is that management structures apportion tasks and responsibilities according to specialisation. Obviously, the management of government is a much more complex, with an infinitely larger set of tasks than the biggest corporation, however professionally managed it may be. But to divide the management of the state into 39 functional responsibilities, as is the case now, is to exaggerate that magnitude and complexity. It is as if in an automobile company making and selling cars, the person responsible for making gearboxes is at the same level as the persons looking after the paint shop or procuring accessories. As if this was not bad enough, all these would then be at the same level as the head of production or marketing or finance. Yet this is how the Cabinet is organised. There is a minister for rural development and a minister for panchayati raj as there are ministers for irrigation and fertilisers, sitting on the same table as the minister for agriculture. We know that all agriculture is rural and everything in the rural world revolves around agriculture, and so the case for separating the two goes straightaway. Besides, agriculture is about water, fertiliser, food distribution, food processing, agro and rural industries. And who has heard of forests in the urban areas? Thus, instead of having one person responsible for improving the lot of our farmers and rural folk, we have nine departments headed by nine ministers. They often work at cross purposes. Even if the ministers are willing, it will be almost impossible to make the bureaucratic structures march to the same beat. And so if the rural sector continues to languish, no one is responsible. This was not the case 50 years ago. In Jawaharlal Nehrus first Cabinet there was only one minister for food and agriculture. The only agriculture-related function not with this minister was irrigation. Gulzarilal Nanda held the portfolio of planning, irrigation and power. But in those days additional power was intended primarily from hydel projects and it thus possibly made sense to have irrigation outside the food and agriculture ministry. Likewise, transport and railways was one ministry, while it has been broken up into five areas now. Some of them are ridiculously small. Take the ministry for civil aviation. Apart from Air India, Indian Airlines, Airports Authority of India and the DGCA, there is little to it. The first three are companies with full-time managers supposedly managing them. Since the ministry has little policy to make, it busies itself micromanaging the companies. And dont the ministers for civil aviation just love that? The need for new aircraft and infrastructure have attendant benefits. And what is the need for a ministry of information and broadcasting when that means little more than Akashvani and Doordarshan? Mercifully, there is little by way purchases in I&B. By now it should be quite apparent that the 91st Amendment is not good enough as it just does not address the problem. We now need a 92nd Amendment that will marginally change Article 74(1) of the Constitution to read there will be a council of ministers consisting of the ministers for home affairs, defence, foreign relations, agriculture . Article 75(1), that makes it incumbent for the President to appoint ministers on the advice of the Prime Minister, remaining as it is then makes the choice of the ministers entirely his or hers. While we are at it, we might want to look at Article 75(5) afresh and consider the merit of eliminating the stipulation of getting elected to either House of Parliament or legislatures. In this manner we could encourage Prime Ministers and chief ministers to induct professional and competent persons rather than be limited to professional politicians. But will the subject of a smaller and more functional government ever merit the politicians attention? The writer, a policy analyst studying economic and security issues, held senior positions in government and industry. He also specialises in the Chinese economy. Huawei, which is the worlds largest supplier of telecom networking equipment, is at the center of trade tensions between Beijing and Washington. (Photo: AP) Apple Face ID parts supplier Lumentum Holdings Inc followed Google on Monday in clamping down on the business it does with Huawei Technologies after US President Donald Trump imposed a ban on the Chinese firm on national security grounds. A source told Reuters on Sunday that Google had suspended business with Huawei that requires the transfer of hardware, software and technical services, except those publicly available via open source licensing. That was the first major outcome following Trumps decision late last week and sent shock-wave coursing through the chip industry globally, weakening shares of partners of the Chinese firm. While most US suppliers have yet to issue statements on their position on the Huawei ban, Bloomberg reported that Intel Corp, Qualcomm Inc, Xilinx Inc and Broadcom Inc have all now told their employees they will not supply Huawei until further notice. Xilinx said the company was aware of the Denial Order issued by the US Department of Commerce and is cooperating. Other companies did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment. Shares in the companies were lower across the board and analysts said the fallout was likely to exceed that around a ban last year on another big Chinese supplier, ZTE. The US companies have risk. We saw it with ZTE. Those with more exposure to Huawei are companies like Skyworks, Qualcomm, and Seagate, said Chaim Siegel, an analyst with Elazar Advisors. Theres risk ahead though not just for these companies but as China and the US take the gloves off, the rest of tech. Huawei, which is the worlds largest supplier of telecom networking equipment, is at the centre of trade tensions between Beijing and Washington. The United States has said its gear could be used by China to spy on Americans, allegations the Chinese company has repeatedly denied. Huawei said on Monday it would support its smartphones and tablets by providing security updates and services, after the ban by Google, owned by Alphabet Inc. But the firm did not say what would happen with phones it sells in the future, which are unlikely to have access to Googles popular services, including Gmail, YouTube and maps unless a special licence is obtained. Lumentum, seen in the industry as a major supplier of Apple Incs Face ID technology, said it was halting shipments to Huawei and cannot predict when it would be able to resume them. It said Huawei represented 18 per cent of its total revenue in its last reported quarter and cut its forecast for fourth-quarter revenue to between USD 375 million and USD 390 million from a previous USD 405 million to USD 425 million. Peers such as Neophotonics, Macom Technology Solutions Holdings Inc and Inphi Corp also get more than 10 per cent of their revenue supplying optical components for Huawei phones. If Chinas ZTE is not blacklisted by the US, vendors can shift to ZTE as a network equipment conduit to the China telecomms, D.A. Davidson analyst Mark Kelleher said. If ZTE is added to the list, the supply chain will be impacted. Almost half of the 208 million phones Huawei shipped in 2018 went outside mainland China, and Europe is the most important overseas market where its devices had a 29 per cent market share in the first quarter of 2019, technology research firm IDC says. The Google loss was likely to cost Huawei all of its smartphone sales outside China as device purchasing is now almost entirely driven by the ecosystem, said another industry analyst, Richard Windsor. Huawei will not lose access to Android itself, which is open source, but Android devices outside of China must offer access to Google services in order to have any prospect of being sold, Windsor added. Google said its Google Play app store and the security protections from Google Play Protect would continue to function on existing Huawei devices. As well as restrictions on the software running its devices, Huawei faces the prospect of losing access to some of the US hardware suppliers it needs to produce its technology. Founder and chief executive Ren Zhengfei said on Saturday that Huaweis growth may slow, but only slightly due to the US restrictions and that it would be fine even if Qualcomm and other American suppliers would not sell it chips. Huaweis chip arm HiSilicon had been secretly developing back-up products for years in anticipation of the unlikely scenario that Huawei may one day be unable to obtain advanced chips and technology from the United States, President He Tingbo said in a letter to staff dated May 17. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. A similar US ban on Chinas ZTE Corp had almost crippled business for the smaller Huawei rival early last year. Huawei Technologies founder and chief executive Ren Zhengfei said on Saturday the growth of the Chinese tech giant may slow, but only slightly due to recent US restrictions. In remarks to the Japanese press and reported by Nikkei Asian Review, Ren reiterated that the Chinese telecom equipment maker has not violated any law. It is expected that Huaweis growth may slow, but only slightly, Ren told Japanese media in his first official comments after the US restrictions, adding that the companys annual revenue growth may undershoot 20 per cent. On Thursday, Washington put Huawei, one of Chinas biggest and most successful companies, on a trade blacklist that could make it extremely difficult for Huawei to do business with US companies, a decision slammed by China, which said it will take steps to protect its companies. The developments surrounding Huawei come at a time of trade tensions between Washington and Beijing and amid concerns from the United States that Huaweis smartphones and network equipment could be used by China to spy on Americans, allegations the company has repeatedly denied. A similar US ban on Chinas ZTE Corp had almost crippled business for the smaller Huawei rival early last year before the curb was lifted. The US Commerce Department said on Friday it may soon scale back restrictions on Huawei. Ren said the company was prepared for such a step and that Huawei would be fine even if US smartphone chipmaker Qualcomm Inc and other American suppliers would not sell chips to the company. Huaweis chip arm HiSilicon said on Friday it has long been prepared for the scenario that it could be banned from purchasing US chips and technology and is able to ensure a steady supply of most products. The Huawei founder said that the company will not be taking instructions from the US government. We will not change our management at the request of the US or accept monitoring, as ZTE has done, he said. In January, US prosecutors unsealed an indictment accusing the Chinese company of engaging in bank fraud to obtain embargoed US goods and services in Iran and to move money out of the country via the international banking system. Rens daughter, Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, was arrested in Canada in December in connection with the indictment. Meng, who was released on bail, remains in Vancouver and is fighting extradition. She has maintained her innocence. Ren has previously said his daughters arrest was politically motivated. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Xiaomi gets most of its revenue by selling mobile handsets, but it also makes money from selling online ads. Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi Corp reported better-than-expected quarterly revenue on Monday due in part to steady growth in sales outside its home market. The results indicate Xiaomis overseas expansion and focus on markets such as India and Europe is paying off as the smartphone market in China, the worlds biggest, slows. Xiaomis revenue rose 27 per cent per cent in the quarter ended March from a year earlier to 43.8 billion yuan (USD 6.3 billion), beating an average estimate of 42.109 billion yuan in a survey of analysts polled by Refinitiv. Xiaomi gets most of its revenue by selling mobile handsets, but it also makes money from selling online ads and other types of consumer hardware - an approach is described as a triathlon business model when it listed in Hong Kong in 2018. Its adjusted net income for the first quarter rose to 2.1 billion yuan, versus 1.7 billion a year ago. According to data from Counterpoint Research, the overall smartphone market in China contracted 7 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2019. Xiaomis share of the domestic smartphone market shrank 21 per cent over the period, the same study shows, while rivals Oppo, Vivo, and Huawei each saw gains. Xiaomi has tried to compensate for the slowdown at home by expanding abroad aggressively. It remains the leading phone vendor in India and has grown steadily in Europe after launching across the continent throughout 2018. Xiaomi has also attempted to move upmarket and raise the price of its flagship devices while siphoning off its cheaper models into sub-brands. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Most western nations have recognised Guaido as the countrys rightful head of state. (Photo:AP) Caracas: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday proposed early elections for the National Assembly, which is headed by opposition leader Juan Guaido and is the sole body recognised as democratically legitimate by most Western nations. The opposition won a majority in the National Assembly in 2015 and the next congressional elections are currently scheduled for late 2020. Maduro did not give an exact new date, and he has previously said he would shift them earlier, without following through. In a speech at a pro-government rally, Maduro said we will legitimize the sole institution which has not been legitimised in the last five years. Also Read: 'Rise up again Maduro': Venezuelan General tells military Most western nations have recognised Guaido as the countrys rightful head of state, after Maduro won re-election last year in a vote widely deemed fraudulent, and stacked other state bodies with loyalists. Guaido invoked the constitution to assume an interim presidency in January, denouncing Maduro as a usurper whose failed state-led policies had plunged Venezuela into its deepest-ever economic recession. Maduro accuses Guaido of staging a U.S.-backed coup against his socialist administration and says he will face justice. Maduro retains control of state functions and the support of the militarys top brass, as well as allies Russia, Cuba and China. Members of the Bolivarian Militia and supporters of Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro particiapte in a rally outside Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, May 20, 2109. Maduro is celebrating the anniversary of his disputed re-election amid a growing humanitarian crisis and political upheaval. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) We are going to measure ourselves electorally ... we are going to bring forward elections of the National Assembly, Maduro told a crowd of red-shirted supporters on Monday. On April 30, Guaido attempted to rally Venezuelas armed forces to rise up against Maduro, but only a few dozen soldiers and one top government official defected while the military top brass reaffirmed their loyalty. Intelligence agents have detained several Guaido allies and the Supreme Court has accused 14 opposition lawmakers of crimes including treason and conspiracy, prompting most to flee abroad or take refuge in friendly embassies in Caracas. The Venezuelan oppositions envoy to the United States, Carlos Vecchio, said on Monday he had met Pentagon and State Department officials in Washington on Monday to discuss all aspects of the Venezuelan crisis. Vecchio said in a message on Twitter that the talks held at the State Department had been very positive but offered no further details. We continue to advance, he said. President Donald Trump and senior aides have not ruled out military action in the crisis-stricken South American country, repeatedly saying that all options are on the table. But Washington has made clear it prefers to exert continued economic and diplomatic pressure to push Maduro out, and many experts have said the US use of military force is unlikely. Tehran, Iran, May 21: Iran on Tuesday rejected negotiations with President Donald Trump unless the US shows respect by honouring its commitments under the disputed 2015 nuclear deal. The remarks come in response to Trump, hardening his rhetoric and issuing threats against Teheran. In an interview, foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told CNN that the US was playing a very, very dangerous game by sending the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Gulf. Having all these military assets in a small area is in and of itself prone to accidents, he told the US broadcaster. He accused the US of walking out first on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, the deal limiting Irans nuclear capabilities in return for the lifting of sanctions. We acted in good faith, he said. We are not willing to talk to people who have broken their promises. The deal was signed by the US, Iran, Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia. Trump had earlier said Teheran should be calling me up. But on Sunday, he tweeted, If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran, Never threaten the United States again!" Mr Zarif asserted that Iran would not bow to these threats. Iran never negotiates with coercion, he told the CNN. You cannot threaten any Iranian and expect them to engage. The way to do it is through respect, not through threats. He said there will be painful consequences if there is an escalation but also added that Tehran was not interested in escalation. He called for an immediate end to the economic warfare waged by the US on Iran, saying that sanctions were depriving citizens of their means of livelihood. New Delhi: Walter J. Lindner, German Ambassador has called on for India to have a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council. He stressed that Indias presence is vital for the body and that its absence hurts the credibility of the United Nations Security Council. On his trip to India, he said that India being a nation of 1.4 billion people is wanted to be on the list. Its practically unheard of seeing a nation that big to not have a permanent seat. United Nations: The listing of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN Security Council has been termed as a significant achievement by the member nations in holding perpetrators, organisers and sponsors of acts of terrorism accountable. The 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the powerful Security Council blacklisted Azhar on May 1 after veto-wielding permanent member China lifted its technical hold on the proposal by the US, the UK and France to list him. It was a huge victory for India after a decade of relentless efforts to ban the mastermind of several terror attacks against India, including the deadly Pulwama attack against Indian security forces. The listing subjects Azhar to an assets freeze, travel ban and an arms embargo. We are pleased that this month, the 1267 Committee designated Masood Azhar, leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed, and ISIL-Khorasan, a dangerous ISIS affiliate operating in Afghanistan and Pakistan, for UN sanctions, Ambassador Jonathan Cohen, Acting Permanent Representative of the US to the United Nations said at a Security Council semi-annual briefing here Monday by Chairs of subsidiary bodies of the Security Council. Azhars listing shows that the international community can and will hold terrorists accountable for their actions, he said. Last week, the 1267 Sanctions Committee sanctioned ISIL-Khorasan, a terror group also known as ISILs South Asia Branch, formed in 2015 by a former Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan commander, that has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The designation of ISIS-Khorasan demonstrates the Committees commitment to ensuring that ISIS affiliates do not take up the mantle of a diminished ISIS core. In this vein, it is important that the Committee designate other ISIS affiliates who seek to replicate the destructions wrought in Iraq and Syria in new corners of the world. We commend our Security Council colleagues for supporting these important designations, Cohen said. Germany and Poland, who had also co-sponsored the proposal to blacklist the JeM chief, termed the listing of Azhar as a significant achievement by all members of the Security Council. It was a good signal, good sign for the work of this Committee that we were able earlier to have the listing of Masood Azhar. It was difficult for some but I think it was very important that we were able to overcome the obstacles, German Ambassador to the UN Christoph Heusgen said at the meeting. Polands Permanent Representative to the UN Joanna Wronecka, without naming Azhar, said that she would like to underline a significant achievement made by all Security Council member states which allowed listing of a person responsible for a deadly terrorist attack in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, a reference to the Pulwama terror attacks masterminded by Azhar. We welcome progress achieved and encourage all States to work together in order to hold perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of acts of terrorism accountable, she said. Chinas representative Yao Shaojun said the 1267 Sanctions Committee represents an important counter-terrorism sanctions mechanism of the UN and the Security Council. It plays a significant role in assessing terrorist threats and strengthening sanctions measures. He said that Beijing supports the 1267 Committee in working under Council mandates, closely communicating with the countries concerned and bolstering cooperation with regional and sub-regional counter-terrorism mechanisms with a view to making greater contribution to international counter-terrorism efforts. We hope that the Committees work such as listing, exemption and de-listing will strictly abide by the relevant Council resolutions and the norms guiding the work of the Committee, uphold the principle of objectivity, impartiality and professionalism and base its work on solid evidence and consensus among parties so as to safeguard the authority and effectiveness of the sanctions mechanism, he said. Following the UNSC designation of Azhar, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang had said in Beijing that China lifted the technical hold after it found no objection to the listing proposal following a careful study of the revised materials. Cohen added that the 1267, 1373 and 1540 Committees play a crucial and complementary role in assessing and countering global threats and they are invaluable in the fight against terrorism. ISIS and Al Qaida are dynamic organisations, evolving with the pressure the international community brings to bear on them. The 1267 Committee must continue to keep up its pace to adapt to the evolving threat, he said. Azhars listing came on the first day of Indonesia assuming the Presidency of the Council for this month. Indonesias Ambassador to the UN and Chair of the 1267 Committee Dian Triansyah Djani Dian, speaking in his national capacity at the Security Council briefing, said it must be acknowledged that there have been encouraging developments in advancing common goals with regards to the mandates of the three Committee. We believe that continued collaboration and unity of the Committee is a prerequisite for further development of our future works. We need the Committee to be united more than ever before he said adding that Indonesia commends the members of the Committee for their efforts shown during last few months to preserve credibility and sanctity of the Committee. Indias Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin had specifically thanked Djani for ensuring that the process went smoothly in his video statement issued after Azhar was listed by the Sanctions Committee. Police have made contact with the climber but do not yet know why he began his ascent up the iron beams. (Photo:AP) Paris: The Eiffel Tower was evacuated on Monday after a man was seen climbing up the iconic Paris landmark, one of France's biggest tourist draws, the operating company said. "A climber has been spotted. It's the standard procedure. We have to stop the person, and in that case, we evacuate the tower," an official with the SETE operator told AFP. The esplanade underneath the monument was also evacuated, as was a large section of the adjacent Champ de Mars park. Also Read: Who burned Notre Dame? Brussels goes after fake news as EU election nears "We kindly advise our visitors to postpone their visit," SETE added on Twitter. Police have made contact with the climber but do not yet know why he began his ascent up the iron beams, a police source told AFP. A rescue worker, top in red, climbs the Eiffel Tower while a climber is seen below him between two iron columns Monday, May 20, 2019 in Paris. The Eiffel Tower has been closed to visitors after a person has tried to scale it. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) At around 5:30 pm (1530 GMT) firemen were trying to reach the climber, dressed in a black jacket, by rappelling down from the third-floor observation deck near the top. Crowds of tourists remained in the area, hoping the tower will reopen soon. "We're really disappointed, we're only here for a week and this messes with our whole programme," said Sylvie and Celine Forcier from Quebec. Justin and Karen Smith, from Los Angeles, had celebrated their wedding Sunday in front of the tower but were hoping to get to the top Monday. "We're disappointed," he said. A climber is pictured between two iron columns of the Eiffel Tower Monday, May 20, 2019 in Paris. The Eiffel Tower has been closed to visitors after the man has tried to scale it. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) The tower is regularly the target of rogue free-climbers hoping to scale one of the world's most famous structures, often for bragging rights. But police have also been called in several times in recent years to try to thwart suicide attempts. In October 2017, a young man ventured out on one of the beams and threatened to jump before police were able to convince him to come back. In 2012, a British man managed to climb to the very top of the 324-metre-high tower before plunging to his death. Police prevent tourists from entering the area of the Eiffel Tower Monday, May 20, 2019 in Paris. The Eiffel Tower has been closed to visitors after a person has tried to scale it. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) Nearly seven million people a year visit the tower, which last week celebrated its 130th anniversary. The first two floors can be reached by either elevator or stairs, but only elevators whisk people to the top observation deck. That did not stop the French urban free climber Alain Robert from making it one of his first targets in his campaign to scale the world's biggest buildings with no technical climbing gear. He got to the top -- not including the antenna-- in the mid-1990s. Earlier this month, officials in the United Arab Emirates alleged that four oil tankers were sabotaged. (Photo:AP) Tehran: Iran quadrupled its uranium-enrichment production capacity amid tensions with the US over Tehrans atomic program, nuclear officials said on Monday, just after President Donald Trump and Irans foreign minister traded threats and taunts on Twitter. Iranian officials made a point to stress that the uranium would be enriched only to the 3.67 per cent limit set under the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, making it usable for a power plant but far below whats needed for an atomic weapon. But by increasing production, Iran soon will exceed the stockpile limitations set by the accord. Tehran has set a July 7 deadline for Europe to set new terms for the deal, or it will enrich closer to weapons-grade levels in the Middle East that is already on edge. The Trump administration has deployed bombers and an aircraft carrier to the region over still-unspecified threats from Iran. Also Read: Iran works to counter US sanctions; says it can hit US warships in gulf 'easily' Earlier this month, officials in the United Arab Emirates alleged that four oil tankers were sabotaged; Yemeni rebels allied with Iran launched a drone attack on an oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia; and US diplomats relayed a warning that commercial airlines could be misidentified by Iran and attacked, something dismissed by Tehran. A rocket landed on Sunday near the US Embassy in the Green Zone of Iraqs capital of Baghdad, days after non-essential US staff were ordered to evacuate from diplomatic posts in the country. No one was reported injured in the attack. Iraqi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasoul told The Associated Press that the rocket was believed to have been fired from eastern Baghdad, an area home to Iran-backed Shiite militias. The Iranian enrichment announcement came after local journalists travelled to Natanz in central Iran, the countrys underground enrichment facility. There, an unidentified nuclear scientist gave a statement with a surgical cap and a mask covering most of his face. No one explained his choice of outfit, although Israel is suspected of targeting Iranian nuclear scientists. The state-run IRNA news agency later quoted Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, as acknowledging that capacity had been quadrupled. He said Iran took this step because the US had ended a program allowing it to exchange enriched uranium to Russia for unprocessed yellowcake uranium, as well as ending the sale of heavy water to Oman. Heavy water helps cool reactors producing plutonium that can be used in nuclear weapons. Kamalvandi said Iran had informed the International Atomic Energy Agency of the development. The Vienna-based U.N. nuclear watchdog did not respond to a request for comment. Tehran long has insisted it does not seek nuclear weapons, though the West fears its program could allow it to build them. Before Irans announcement, Trump tweeted: If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again! Trumps remarks reflect what has been a strategy of alternating tough talk with more conciliatory statements he says is aimed at keeping Iran guessing at the administrations intentions. He also has said he hopes Iran calls him and engages in negotiations. He described his approach in a speech Friday, saying, Its probably a good thing because theyre saying, `Man, I dont know where these people are coming from, right? But while Trumps approach of flattery and threats has become a hallmark of his foreign policy, the risks have only grown in dealing with Iran, where mistrust between Tehran and Washington stretch four decades. While both sides say they dont seek war, many worry any miscalculation could spiral out of control. Also Read: Saudi blame Iran for drone strikes; want US to launch 'surgical strike' on Tehran Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif soon responded by tweeting that Trump had been goaded into genocidal taunts. Zarif referenced both Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan as two historical leaders that Persia outlasted. Iranians have stood tall for a millennium while aggressors all gone, he wrote. Try respect it works! Zarif also used the hashtag #NeverThreatenAnIranian, a reference to a comment he made during intense negotiations for the 2015 nuclear accord. Trump campaigned on pulling the US from the deal, which saw Iran agree to limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. Since Trump withdrew America from the pact a year ago, the US has re-imposed previous sanctions and come up with new ones, as well as warning other nations they would be subject to sanctions as well if they import Iranian oil. British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt told journalists in Geneva that Iran should not doubt the US resolve, warning that if American interests are attacked, they will retaliate. We want the situation to de-escalate because this is a part of the world where things can get triggered accidentally, Hunt said. Meanwhile, Omans minister of state for foreign affairs, Yusuf bin Alawi, made a previously unannounced visit to Tehran on Monday, seeing Zarif, the state-run IRNA news agency said. Alawis visit comes after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called Omans Sultan Qaboos bin Said last week. Oman long has served as a Western backchannel to Tehran and the sultanate hosted the secret talks between the US and Iran that laid the groundwork for the nuclear deal negotiations. In Saudi Arabia, the kingdoms military intercepted two missiles fired by the Iranian-allied Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen. The missiles were intercepted over the city of Taif and the Red Sea port city of Jeddah, the Saudi-owned satellite channel Al-Arabiya reported, citing witnesses. The Saudi Embassy in Washington later confirmed the interceptions. Hundreds of rockets, mortar rounds and ballistic missiles have been fired into the kingdom by the rebels since a Saudi-led coalition declared war on the Houthis in March 2015 to support Yemens internationally recognized government. The Houthis Al-Masirah satellite news channel denied the rebels had any involvement with this round of rocket fire. Between the two targeted cities lies Mecca, home to the cube-shaped Kaaba toward which Muslims pray. Many pilgrims are in the holy city for Ramadan. Early Tuesday, Saudi Arabia said the Houthis targeted civilian infrastructure in the kingdoms border city of Najran, without elaborating. The Houthis did not immediately acknowledge such an attack. Dozens of surrendering Tamils, including senior Tiger political leaders and their families, had been shot dead by soldiers. (Photo:AP) Colombo: This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide and the 10th year since the Tamil genocide in Sri Lanka. While the 1994 Rwandan genocide has become part of the worlds collective memory, the 2009 Tamil genocide has not. Mullivaikkal Genocide Remembrance Day on May 18, named after the village that was the site of cataclysmic violence, is a day to remember those who died in the Sri Lankan conflict. Mullivaikkal commemoration events have been taking place around the world this month. However, 10 years and a series of United Nations reports and resolutions have made little progress toward truth, accountability or reparations for the survivors of atrocity crimes in Sri Lanka. In the aftermath of the recent Easter Sunday bombings, the spectre of ethnic violence has resurfaced. The Rwandan genocide offers important lessons for Sri Lanka. Tutsis slaughtered An estimated 800,000 Tutsis and politically moderate Hutu were killed in just 100 days in 1994. Thousands more were subjected to sexual violence and tortured in a systematic campaign by the Hutu ethnic majority. Fifteen years later, another slaughter unfolded this time in northern Sri Lanka. The protracted civil war between the national government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was coming to a catastrophic end. The goal of an independent state for the minority Tamils was slipping away. (Photo:AP) Throughout the conflict, both sides failed to respect human rights and international humanitarian law. Unlawful killings and enforced disappearances carried out by the Sri Lankan security forces were daily occurrences. The LTTE was condemned for its suicide bombings and forcible recruitment of child soldiers. For most of the 2000s, the LTTE was operating as a de facto state in the north and east. By early 2009, military losses had gradually crushed the LTTEs civil administration of these areas. The LTTE and an estimated 330,000 Tamil civilians were trapped in a small piece of land on the northeast coast in the Mullaithivu District. The government ordered the UN to evacuate their last few international workers from the region while international media were excluded and local journalists silenced. Carnage unfolded Transatlantic cellphone photos and a few video clips had begun circulating with images of the unfolding carnage. Hospitals on the front lines were systematically shelled, as were food distribution lines and even Red Cross ships attempting to evacuate the wounded. Within a few months, a brutal siege of the officially declared safe zone and the indiscriminate shelling of Tamil civilians concentrated there brought the war to an end. The Sri Lankan government celebrated its successful humanitarian rescue operation. In fact, it was genocide. By August 2009, Britains Channel 4 News was broadcasting gruesome footage of summary executions and rape perpetrated by Sri Lankan soldiers. Dozens of surrendering Tamils, including senior Tiger political leaders and their families, had been shot dead by soldiers as they walked out of the safe zone hoisting white flags. (Photo:Pixabay) In 2012, the UN Secretary General estimated that 40,000 civilians were killed over the final five months of the conflict. The exact number, as in many conflict situations, remains contested and is likely higher. Once the conflict ended, hundreds of thousands of Tamils were interned in squalid camps in the northern Vanni region. Even today, thousands of Tamils remain displaced in their own country. War without witness If the Rwandan genocide was a genocide foretold, yet no action was ever taken by the international community, then the Tamil genocide was deliberately hidden and dubbed the war without witness. In both cases, the UN and the European Union had direct warnings but opted against taking action. The international communitys inertia in Rwanda and Sri Lanka has been acknowledged as grave failures. The establishment of an international criminal tribunal was an explicit attempt to grapple with Rwandas past. Convictions were secured in the cases of 61 ringleaders. A groundbreaking decision on sexual violence as an act of genocide was among its many rulings. Local gacaca courts conducted some two million trials. A truth commission continues efforts to promote reconciliation between the Hutu and Tutsi peoples. Also Read: Safeguarding women after disasters: visible progress, but room for improvement While highly imperfect, these transitional justice mechanisms have generated a record of what really happened and why it happened. In contrast, Sri Lanka has repeatedly reneged on pledges to investigate and prosecute war-time atrocity crimes. Abductions, torture in custody and sexual violence remain rampant amid a long history of failed promises. Occupied land not returned The harassment of Tamil activists as well as targeted violence against the Muslim community continue. Commitments to demilitarize and return occupied land are unfulfilled. Weak state structures, the lack of an independent judiciary and a culture of impunity remain significant obstacles. As Harvard University scholar Martha Minow suggests, the relentless repetition of atrocity requires a pathway between too much forgetting and too much memory, between vengeance and forgiveness. In Sri Lanka today, memory and memorialization are radical counterpoints to official state narratives that resist accounting for the past. So long as impunity and the failure to address the root causes of atrocity crimes continue in Sri Lanka, lasting peace will remain elusive. Acknowledging the past must be a precondition to meaningful reconciliation. A poem in Cherans anthology In a Time of Burning evokes the challenge of closure in the wake of mass violence: there is neither sea nor wind for us to dissolve the ashes proclaim an end and close our eyes. This article appeared in 'The Conversation-Global Perspective' Sources in Pakistan say the Bangladesh High Commission visa section in Islamabad has been closed since Monday afternoon. (File Photo) Dhaka: Igbal Sobham Chowdhary, advisor to Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina confirmed that Bangladesh has taken firm steps to restrict Terror elements from using their land for nefarious activities. On a phone conversation with Times Now, Chowdhary told that India, being a close friend has regularly exchanged information regarding Terror organistions backed by Pakistanis trying to use Bangladeshi soil. He said due to the close India-Bangladesh friendship, it will always firmly act against Pakistan and ensure they are isolated. Bangladesh, in its first step to isolate Pakistan from the international community, has restricted visa issuance for Pakistanis. This, however is a precautionary approach and not a full fledged permanent ban. Also Read: Aggressive diplomacy needed for Pak to exit FATF grey list: official Sources in Pakistan say the Bangladesh High Commission visa section in Islamabad has been closed since Monday afternoon. Strict rules and instructions are placed to scrutinise each and every applicant before handing out visas. This is also applicable for few other countries as well. Bangladesh PM Advisor also alleged that since India and Bangladesh are practically neighbours and share a border, they are extra cautious of people entering Bangladesh particularly in regions bordering India. PM Hasinas office and MOFA has already informed their Home department to make sure no shady activities take place in Bangladeshi soil. Diplomats in Pakistan are already lobbying hard to exit FATF greylist and this decision from Bangladesh could add further salt to their wounds. Sri Lankan detectives say the National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ), local militants blamed for the attacks. (Photo:AP) Colombo: One month after the Sri Lanka suicide attacks that killed more than 250 people, investigators have told AFP the bombers used "Mother of Satan" explosives favoured by the ISIS group that are a new sign of foreign involvement. Detectives said the back-pack bombs used in the April 21 attacks on three churches and three hotels were manufactured by local jihadists with ISIS expertise. They named the explosive as triacetone triperoxide, or TATP, an unstable but easily made mixture favoured by ISIS militants who call it "Mother of Satan". Also Read: Catholic schools safe to re-open; says Sri Lankan Army It was also used in the 2015 attacks in Paris, by a suicide bomber who hit the Manchester Arena in England in 2017 and attacks on churches in Indonesia one year ago. ISIS has claimed the Sri Lankan bombers operated as part of its franchise. But Sri Lankan and international investigators are anxious to know just how much outside help went into the attacks that left 258 dead and 500 injured. "The group had easy access to chemicals and fertiliser to get the raw materials to make TATP," an official involved in the investigation told AFP. Sri Lankan detectives say the National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ), local militants blamed for the attacks, must have had foreign help to assemble the bombs. "They would have had a face-to-face meeting to transfer this technology. This is not something you can do by watching a YouTube video," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity. Investigators had initially believed that C4 explosives -- a favoured weapon of Tamil Tiger rebels -- were used, but forensic tests found TATP which causes more burning than C4. Police have also confirmed that 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of explosives found in January in the island's northwest was TATP. They are checking the travel records of the suicide bombers as well as foreign suspects to see when and where bomb-making lessons could have been staged. "It looks like they used a cocktail of TATP and gelignite and some chemicals in the Easter attacks. They were short of the 100 kilos of raw TATP that were seized in January," said the investigator. Sri Lankan security forces have staged a series of raids since the bombings. Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said Sunday that 89 suspects are in custody. Army chief Mahesh Senanayake said last week that at least two suspects have been arrested in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, underscoring the international link. On April 26, six militants, three widows of the suicide bombers and six of their children were killed at an NTJ safe house near the eastern coastal town of Kalmunai. Police found large quantities of chemicals and fertilizer there that was probably meant to make bombs, authorities said. The government has admitted that Indian warnings of the looming attacks in early April were ignored. But President Maithripala Sirisena has said eight countries are helping the investigation. A US Federal Bureau of Investigation team is in Sri Lanka and Britain, Australia and India have provided forensic and technical support. China offered a fleet of vehicles to bolster the mobility of the security forces tracking down militants. The Sri Lankan who led the attacks, Zahran Hashim, was known to have travelled to India in the months before he became one of the suicide bombers. Moderate Muslims had warned authorities about the radical cleric who first set off alarm bells in 2017 when he threatened non-Muslims. He was one of two bombers who killed dozens of victims at Colombo's Shangri-La hotel on April 21. Army chief Senanayake said Hashim had travelled to Tamil Nadu state in southern India and been in contact with Islamists there. Hashim, one of seven bombers who staged the attacks, also appeared in an ISIS group video that claimed responsibility for the attacks. Another bomber who was meant to have hit a fourth hotel, has been named as Abdul Latheef Jameel who studied aviation engineering in Britain and Australia. Authorities in the two countries are investigating whether he was radicalised whilst abroad. Jameel blew himself up when confronted at a hideout after the attacks. Sri Lankan authorities have confirmed through DNA tests that one of the two suicide bombers who died in the Shangri-La Hotel bombing during Easter Sunday attacks was Zahran Cassim, the leader of the local jihadi group NTJ. Zahran, the mastermind behind the Easter blasts, led the attack on the Shangri-La hotel and was accompanied by a second bomber identified as Ilham Ahmed Ibrahim. He was killed inside the luxury hotel where he blew himself up. A senior analyst at the Government Analyst's Department said that the DNA tests were done using the blood samples of Zahran's wife, his daughter, and a brother have proved that he died in the suicide attack on Shangri-La Hotel. Nine suicide bombers carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and as many luxury hotels on April 21, killing more than 250 people and injuring 500 others. The ISIS terror group claimed the attacks, but the government blamed the local Islamist extremist group National Thawheed Jammath (NTJ) for the bombings. The victims included over 40 foreigners, 10 of whom were Indians. Zahran was one of the two suicide bombers at the Shangri La Hotel where 36 people including 12 foreigners died. The hotel's CCTV footage showed the two bombers with heavy backpacks arriving at the hotel's restaurant on the third floor. Zahran's wife and the four-year-old daughter survived the suicide bombings carried out five days after the Easter Sunday at a terror group hideout. Some 15 people, including Zahran's father and two brothers, were killed at an eastern province hideout of the NTJ terror group. They exploded bombs after an exchange of gunfire with the troops during a raid of the safehouse on a tip-off. Zahrans wife and daughter were pulled out of the blasted house with burn injuries by the troops the following morning. The analysts report was to be presented to the police's criminal investigations department on Tuesday. The department is scheduled to hand over the finalised reports regarding the attacks on Cinnamon Grand, Shangri-La, Zion Church in Batticaloa and Dehiwala Tropical Inn, to the CID. The suicide bombers of the other churches such as Kochchikade and Katuwapitiya have also been identified. The Congress in Goa on Tuesday joined the national rhetoric questioning the findings of numerous exit polls, demanding that poll agencies who put dubious exit poll results in the public domain should be banned. Addressing a press conference at the Congress state headquarters in Panaji, Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Chandrakant Kavlekar also demanded a probe into the sudden disappearance and mysterious re-appearance of a rape victim who in 2016 had accused Atanasio Monserrate, the Congress candidate for the Panaji Assembly bypoll, of rape just around the time of the Panaji Assembly bypoll. There are exit poll agencies whose findings have repeatedly failed to provide accurate predictions during past elections. Such exit polls create doubts in the minds of the people and vitiate the post-poll atmosphere. These agencies should be banned from conducting exit polls in the future, Kavlekar told reporters at a press conference. He also expressed surprise at several exit polls predicting a Bharatiya Janata Party victory in both Lok Sabha seats in Goa. Even the BJP in Goa has conceded defeat as far as the South Goa Lok Sabha seat is concerned. If this is the case, how have these exit polls slotted both seats for the BJP? Kavlekar said. Kavlekar also demanded a probe by the Election Commission of India into the sudden disappearance of a rape victim during the Panaji assembly bypoll poll campaign, in which the person who she has accused of rape in 2016, was contesting on a Congress ticket. He said that the controversy surrounding the victimss disappearance had an impact on the voters mind and had allegedly been engineered by the BJP to discourage voters from casting ballot in favour of the Congress. We are demanding that the Election Commission should conduct a probe into how the victim mysteriously disappeared and mysteriously appeared before and after the Panaji assembly bypoll, Kavlekar told Deccan Herald. In 2016, Monserrate was arrested for alleging raping the victim, then a minor, and was chargesheeted last year. After disappearing on April 28, the victim was traced at a woman friends house in North Goa District by the police, a day after the Panaji Assembly bypoll. Terry Howerton, founder and partner at TechNexus, said his team chose the group from more than 100 potential participants based on the likelihood of the commercial viability of their products. Unlike the typical accelerator model, Emerge participants didn't give up equity in exchange for funding, nor did they move to Chicago, he said. TechNexus and other partners have rights to invest down the line if they choose. Movement of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) in some eastern Uttar Pradesh districts on Monday night triggered a massive controversy with the opposition parties alleging attempts to tamper with the same even as the Election Commission (EC) rejected the charges. Reports of movement of EVMs came from Varanasi, Chandauli, Mirzapur and Ghazipur districts. Video clippings of vehicles containing EVMs also went viral on the social networking sites. A large number of Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP) workers created ruckus at Pahadia Mandi in Varanasi alleging that EVMs had been changed. They have embarked on a dharna near the Mandi office. The EVMs from Chandauli Lok Sabha constituency were kept there. BSP candidate from Ghazipur LS constituency Afzal Ansari also sat on dharna before the Mandi Samiti office at Jangipur in the district alleging that EVMs were being transported out. Afzal Ansari, the brother of mafia-turned politician Mukhtar Ansari, candidate for the Mahagathbandhan from Ghazipur was said to be questioning the local police regarding EVM safety. ''We will be sitting here till the counting of votes is over,'' Ansari, who contested against union minister Manoj Sinha, said. Similar protests took place at Chandauli, Mirzapur, and Doomeryaganj in the state, reports said. EC sources here categorically rejected the allegations saying that at some places the unused EVMs were transported from the concerned LS constituency. The opposition leaders alleged that 35 EVMs had been brought from outside and kept with the used EVMs in the strong room in Ghazipur. They relented only, when the officials removed the 35 EVMs from there, sources said. EC officials said that the rooms where the EVMs had been kept were sealed and there also were CCTV cameras. ''The allegation of tampering is baseless,'' said a senior official here. Ever since the introduction of EVMs in the Indian electoral system, they have been at the centre of controversy. There have been a lot of accusations of tampering with EVMs by either side of the political spectrum. Without any comment, an EVM video from Chandauli, UP. pic.twitter.com/Gmwj638mdo Ravi Nair (@t_d_h_nair) May 20, 2019 A report from Live Hindustan has claimed that the Congress party, as well as the Mahagathbandhan, had karyakartas stationed in the strong room to keep an eye on the EVMs. The EVMs had been placed there following the end of the polling. The reports also suggest that Prabhubnarayan Yadav from the SP Sakaldiha Legislative Assembly constituency accused the BJP of being responsible for moving the EVMs. Major elections in West Bengal have a peculiar love affair with violence and the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections was no exception. At least three people have died including one Congress worker getting killed in the Murshidabad district during the third phase of the election. Even as post poll violence continues to ravage the North Kolkata, the opposition parties in the South and North 24 Paraganas districts have alleged that the state may witness severe violence on May 23 in case the results are not favorable for the ruling Trinamool Congress(TMC). With BJP gaining ground in the state, the clashes between the saffron party and TMC during and after the polls is drawing more media attention. But political violence in Bengal is not exclusive to the TMC regime beginning in 2011. Three people were killed in the state due to political violence during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections and several injured. The state witnessed seven political murders during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. At least 20 people were killed during the Panchayat elections last year in Bengal. While Opposition parties in Bengal have frequently targeted TMC over political violence during the last panchayat elections, the later sought to counter it by referring to bloodshed during the 34 years of Left Front rule in the state. Earlier this month,TMC MP and national spokesperson Derek O Brien in a tweet claimed that 400 people were killed in poll violence in the 1990s in CPI(M) rule. 2003: 40 dead. In August 2010, Left Front chairperson Biman Basu claimed that 269 CPI(M) workers were killed in West Bengal since the 2009 Lok Sabha elections. However, the current political violence in Bengal is not only confined to the CPI(M) and TMC, with BJP being the latest addition. It was Congress and the Left Front which came to blows in the 1980s. This became evident in the statistics of political violence presented in the State Assembly by the then Chief Minister of West Bengal Jyoti Basu. According to the figures presented in 1980, about 85 political activists were killed in the state due to clashes between the political parties. Political observers are of the opinion that violence has become a tradition where the political parties believe that without violence and muscle power they cannot survive. Lack of employment is also forcing the educated youths of the state to become the source of muscled power for the political parties. Violence in West Bengal is an important weapon to suppress the opposition. It is used not only strategically but in a structured way and has become a means to control the political system, Biswanath Chakraborty, a Kolkata based political observer told DH. Will the AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu, led by Edappadi K Palaniswami survive or will the state plunge into a political crisis yet again? The question is set to be answered on the afternoon of May 23, when the votes polled in 22 Assembly constituencies that went to bypolls are set to be counted. The AIADMK government, which is surviving on a wafer-thin majority, needs to win at least five Assembly constituencies to continue in power. The Opposition DMK will have to emerge victorious in 21 of the 22 seats that are going to bypolls if it has to snatch power from its arch-rival, with the latter looking highly unlikely. If either of the above scenarios don't pan out, it could lead to a hung Assembly, where no political party has the required number to form a government. Then, there is a high possibility of the government losing the majority and the political action then shifting to resorts, either within or even outside Tamil Nadu. AIADMK, whose strength in the house is 114, including the Speaker, needs five more seats to reach the magic number of 118. Even then, this might not be enough given that at least three MLAs now owe allegiance to rebel leader T T V Dhinakaran and one legislator, who belongs to a different party but won on the party symbol of Two Leaves, is siding with the DMK. The government can expect smooth sailing only if it wins anywhere between five and 10 seats in the bypolls. And this time, Speaker P Dhanapal may not be able to disqualify rebel MLAs and bring down the strength of the Assembly to ensure the survival of the government, since the Supreme Court has already struck his notice issued to three MLAs. The 'resort politics' would be inevitable if candidates belonging to AMMK, led by Dhinakaran, win the polls they can easily be poached since they will be considered independent MLAs, as their political party is yet to be registered. Since the whip will not apply to the MLAs who win on the 'gift pack' symbol, the anti-defection law will not be applicable to them and hence, these MLAs will be vulnerable to AIADMK, given it has the political might and tacit support from the BJP. Tamil Nadu witnessed 'resort politics', a new phenomenon for the state, twice in 2017 in February, when the then chief minister O Panneerselvam rebelled against V K Sasikala and in September that year, when the Speaker disqualified 18 MLAs who sided with Dhinakaran. MLAs were then lodged in resorts in Mahabalipuram, Puducherry and Kodagu in Karnataka to ensure that they are not poached by the other side. As US-Iran tensions rise in West Asia, Irans Foreign Minister Javad Zarif was in New Delhi last week for discussions with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to seek Indias support in the ongoing crisis with Washington. India seems to have conveyed that any decision on oil purchase from Iran will have to wait for the new government in Delhi. While Zarif described his talks with India as excellent and blamed the US for escalating the situation in the region, New Delhi was circumspect about the outcome. India ceased buying Iranian oil this month after the US refused to extend waivers on its oil trade with Iran. India was the second largest buyer of oil from Iran after China, and Iranian oil exports have come down to less than 1 million barrels per day (bpd) from a peak of 2.8 million bpd last year, with suggestions that it is likely to decline to as low as 500,000 bpd from this month. The Trump administrations decision to lift sanctions waivers from eight countries that import Iranian oil so as to bring Irans exports down to zero is an attempt to cripple the Iranian economy. Washington has ratcheted up economic sanctions on Iran to force Tehran to give up regional influence and scale back its military activities. In this, it has the backing of the Arab Gulf states and Israel. Against this backdrop, the US suggested last week that it had received intelligence that Iran was planning some kind of attack against US forces in West Asia. It has been reported that at the direction of John Bolton, Trumps national security adviser, Washington has revised its military plans, which envision sending as many as 120,000 troops to the region should Iran attack American forces or accelerate work on nuclear weapons, though falling short of a full-fledged land invasion. In response, Iran made it clear that it would stop complying with some aspects of the nuclear deal it signed in 2015 and has given Europe two months to help it skirt American sanctions or risk Tehrans shift on its atomic programme. The Iranians, however, recognise that there is very little they have to gain by getting out of the nuclear deal because it would only put them under greater pressure from Europe and others around the world who might be in a position to help support them. The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made an unscheduled trip to Brussels earlier this week to discuss the Iranian situation with European leaders who remain worried that tensions between Washington and Tehran could boil over, possibly inadvertently. Last week, the US sent an aircraft carrier, a Patriot missile battery and a squadron of B-52 bombers to the Persian Gulf in a show of force to counter what the Trump administration believes is a growing threat from Iran. Iran, for its part, is likely to move short-range ballistic missiles and cruise missiles aboard boats in the region as well. Over the weekend, Tehran issued an explicit threat to the USS Abraham Lincoln, which transited through the Suez Canal, by suggesting that while in the past a US aircraft carrier would be a threat, now it is a target. The regional situation is getting tense by the day, as exemplified by attacks on oil tankers over the weekend near the Strait of Hormuz. Two Saudi Arabian oil tankers were attacked over the weekend near the Strait of Hormuz, the kingdoms energy minister said, sending oil prices higher. These tankers included two from Saudi Arabia as well as ships from Norway and the United Arab Emirates, which were in the Gulf of Oman off the UAEs eastern coast, as they prepared to cross into the Persian Gulf. Though Iran has not been called out for these attacks directly, some Iranian officials have threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz in response to the sanctions. At the UAEs request, the US is now working to establish who was behind the sabotage. As tensions escalate in West Asia, sabre-rattling from all sides is at an all-time high, which increases the danger of miscalculation of an accident. Both sides are signalling at the moment but there is no easy resolution in sight. Countries like India face the risk of being caught in this US-Iran crossfire. Caught in a fix As bilateral tensions between the US and Iran threaten to embroil the entire region, the consequences for India will be quite serious. This would pertain to not only managing its energy security, for which it depends on regional stability in West Asia but would also be about Indias ability to navigate ties between the Arab world and Israel on the one hand and Iran on the other. Iran is an important part of Indias energy security matrix, supplying around 10% of its total oil requirement. Moreover, given the concessionary terms offered by Tehran, Iranian oil is cheap and replacing it with alternative sources may lead to pressures on the Indian exchequer. Indias investment in the Chabahar port bears testimony to its strategic requirements in Afghanistan. At a time when ground realities are rapidly evolving in Afghanistan, Indias ties with Iran remain an important bulwark against Pakistani shenanigans. The access that Iran provides India to Afghanistan and the larger Central Asian region is critical for the Indian strategic footprint in the region. But Iranians are tough negotiators and New Delhi has often found it difficult to get its voice heard in Tehran. Now that Iran feels increasingly isolated, with the European Union unable to come up with an alternative and China relatively mute, given its own troubles with the US, India has emerged as an important partner. It is an opportunity that New Delhi would do well to exploit to its own advantage. While Iran is important, India has equally significant stakes in the Arab Gulf states as well as the US. (The writer is a Distinguished Fellow at Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi, and Professor of International Relations, Kings College, London) In a development that has raised eyebrows in political circles, JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda and his son, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy skipped a key meeting of Opposition parties to discuss issues surrounding EVM-VVPAT in New Delhi on Tuesday. The father-son duo had booked their flight for the visit, but they cancelled last minute. Sources said by cancelling the visit the JD(S) leaders had sent out a strong message to its coalition partner Congress, especially in the backdrop of their strained relationship. This could also be read as the partys posturing - that it is keeping its options open if Kumaraswamy is made the scapegoat for the defeat of the Congress-JD(S) coalition. A section of JD(S) leaders is learnt to have advised Kumaraswamy to explore the possibility of joining hands with the BJP, but this view has been met with stiff resistance. Sensing the looming danger, AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka KC Venugopal rushed to Bengaluru and held talks with Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara and state party president Dinesh Gundu Rao. All of them later visited Kumaraswamy and reiterated their assurance that the coalition will remain safe. Sources also pointed out that the JD(S) leadership wants to mount pressure on the Congress so as to keep the coalition government safe regardless of the Lok Sabha election outcome. It is widely believed that the Lok Sabha election results would have a bearing on the survival of the Congress-JD(S) coalition government. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who has been anchoring efforts to stitch up an anti-BJP front met Deve Gowda and HD Kumaraswamy at his Padmanabhanagar residence on Tuesday night. Over thousand employees belonging to institutes under the Rajya Vokkaligara Sangha have taken their protest to another phase. On Tuesday, the protesters will symbolically donate blood to cancer patients at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology. These employees have been on a protest for over a week now seeking better pay and changes in the administration. The protest by Vokkaligara Sangha Employees Association is taking place at the Kempegowda Institue of Medical Sciences premises. They have been seeking the implementation of the sixth pay commission. From September 25, the Association members claim to have sent six letters to Ashokananda, administrative officer, demanding sixth pay commission implementation and extra employees but to no effect.They have claimed that none from the administration have approached them so far. R Rangaraju, a member of the Vokkaligara Sangha Employee Association, who is also leading the protest said that none of the services were affected in the hospital due to their protest. He also claimed that 95 per cent of practising doctors are granted the NPA (Non-Practicing Allowance) which amounts to three crores which was misused. This factor has caused a huge loss to the employees working here Reacting to this, D S Betta Gowda, President of Rajya Vokkaligara Sangha said, "The decision to stage the protest was not acceptable. It is the government that has appointed the administrator to the Sangha. We cannot interfere in it now untill the next person is appointed." He also said that implementation of the sixth pay commission meant an additional expense of RS 25 crore to the Sangha. "There is no source of income that can generate this large an amount now. It will not be possible to consider their demand. Also, only about four employees have been instigating others into protesting. Many have confessed that they are part of the protest unwillingly," Gowda said. States in the Midwest and along the East Coast are more populous than those out west, offering greater potential for long-term growth among cannabis companies, according to the report. Their marijuana programs have so far limited the number of licenses issued to operators. That has created a fertile environment for scale and consolidation, and added value for big-time investors, according to the report. MEDIA Questions posed by residents related to parking remain a frequent subject. Council had definitive action which addressed the issues and the Olive Street municipal garage in particular. The board approved a contract award just short of $1 million for current and future work at the three-level garage. High Concrete, also doing business as Structure Care, was selected for work which was listed in the agenda as Design/Build Maintenance Plan and Implementation. Councilman Paul Robinson, Chair of the Properties, Public Works and Fire Committee, took the lead on explaining the work in three phases which totals $966,850. The company will focus on structural elements, although council continues to stress the garage is sound. The overall goal is to provide whatever work is necessary to extend its life another 25 years, Robinson said. The choice of this firm was enhanced by its comprehensive approach of taking full responsibility for the work, rather than employing subcontractors; assigning one project manager with whom the borough can deal directly; and have vested interest in the outcome since it is also taking on maintenance. All of this increased our confidence in the company and the work, said Robinson. Two of the Republican candidates for council, on the ballot for the May 21 primary, have been consistently attending councils meetings. They have also consistently been raising parking matters. The county-owned Orange Street property from Front to Third Street was questioned, as was the Baltimore Avenue/Orange Street, borough-owned surface lot. The latter has been identified as a possible site for a multi-level lot. Aside from the Olive Street garage, projects are on hold until the borough sees plans from Delaware County on its office/parking construction. Finance Committee Chair Peter Williamson said the parking issue had a lot of moving parts. Williamson, Robinson and President Brian Hall concurred the countys plans must be assessed before moving forward, especially considering the cost of a garage is based on the industry estimate of $20,000 per space. In other business, council approved a license agreement for use of the boroughs right-of-way at 117 Veterans Square. Architect Bob Linn said the license would be needed for an upgraded canopy in connection with construction at the former Towne House. As a result of discussion, council amended the agreement to include existing use sidewalk area. Council was as interested in Linn giving an update on the major renovation project. He anticipated several months of interior and exterior construction with the potential of opening a portion of the restaurant in late summer. Linn also said he was impressed by the renderings he had seen of the interior dining space being created by a high end design firm in New York. No new images were available at this time. RIDLEY TOWNSHIP As police try to identify a suspect caught on video defacing the front glass doors and a side brick wall of Notre Dame deLourdes Catholic Church with pro-choice graffiti, a church family announced a $500 reward. The image of a lone white male in dark clothing was captured at 3:17 a.m. Sunday, when he is seen crouching to his knees at the front of the church in the 900 block of North Fairview Road with an apparent spray can in his hand. Hours later, a man arrived at Our Lady of Peace rectory and alerted the pastor, the Rev. Joseph Devlin, to the vandalism. Painted on the three glass front doors of the church were the words, You do not have the right to decide what people can do, #ProChoice. Spray painted on the side brick wall of the church were the words, # ProChoice. Devlin then reported the vandalism to the Ridley Township Police Department. Police were dispatched to the church shortly after 9 a.m. Sunday. Photographs of the vandalized areas of the building were taken, as well as a formal report. Though both areas of the vandalism had surveillance cameras, there was no one immediately available to assist with the camera system. By Monday, the school principal was able to bring up video from the security cameras of the vandalism in progress. The video was shared with police. Deacon James Basilio, who served at Notre Dame before that parish merged with Our Lady of Peace parish several years ago, continues as a deacon at OLP. He said it is sad to see someone take out their anger in the way they did by vandalizing Notre Dame. The gospel of St. John says we have to love one another, Basilio said. Youve got to pray for them. The deacon commented that he wonders what the late benefactor Helen North, who donated the etched glass doors, would think of the black spray paint that desecrated the front doors of the church as well as some of the brick walls. He said he went over to Notre Dame when he heard about the vandalism and observed volunteers scrubbing the paint off the doors and walls. By Sunday afternoon, parishioners removed the graffiti. The vandalism comes as battles on both sides of the abortion issue rage across the country. Last week, Alabamas Republican governor approved the most stringent abortion law in the nation making performing an abortion a felony in nearly all cases unless necessary for the mothers health. There is no exception for incidents of rape and incest. Alabama is part of a wave of conservative states seeking to mount new challenges to Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide. Governors in Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio and Georgia have approved bans on abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can happen as early as the sixth week of pregnancy. A similar heartbeat abortion ban is also proposed in Louisiana. In Pennsylvania, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf said in a video posted on Twitter that he was appalled by legislation in Alabama, Georgia, and even here in Pennsylvania that limits a womans right to choose. Ill veto any anti-choice bill that lands on my desk. I wont let our commonwealth go backward on reproductive rights, Wolf wrote. Michael Kusner is a longtime Notre Dame parishioner and was at Sundays 10 a.m. Mass and saw the vandalism. Its a shame. Everyone has their own opinion and their own voice. But to do something so destructive there are other ways to protest, he said. Joseph and Maureen Hackett, also longtime Notre Dame church members, are offering a $500 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction of the vandal. While they are both longtime law enforcement officers, the couples gesture is personally motivated. Joseph Hackett announced the reward on Twitter. To the #spineless #ProChoice spray painters, we will pray for you in the meantime my #family will give $500 #cash for the #arrest AND #conviction of the #Doer! reads his tweet. Anyone with information is asked to contact Ridley Township detectives at 610-532-4002. Mass is still celebrated at 10 a.m. Sundays at Notre Dame Church and at 8 a.m. Fridays for the children who attend Notre Dame deLourdes School. Occasionally weddings and funerals are held at the church. WASHINGTON More Democrats including Delaware Countys U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon are calling for impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump after his latest defiance of Congress by blocking his former White House lawyer from testifying on Tuesday. Scanlon, D-5 of Swarthmore, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, issued a statement Tuesday after Don McGahn was a no-show before her panel. Trump had told him to ignore a subpoena from the panel. Congress has patiently tried to work within traditional means to get to the bottom of this extraordinary situation, Scanlon said. But, we have reached an inflection point. The presidents refusal to produce evidence or permit witness testimony defies not only the rule of law but the basic protections of our Constitution. No one is above the rule of law. The time has come to start an impeachment inquiry because the American people deserve to know the truth and to have the opportunity to judge the gravity of the evidence and charges leveled against the president. She was quickly joined later Tuesday afternoon by another freshman legislator, Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-4 of Montgomery County. Given countless opportunities to work with Congress a co-equal branch of government responsible for oversight on behalf of the American people -to get to the truth, President Trump and his administration have obstructed justice over and over again, leaving us no choice: We must open an impeachment inquiry into the President of the United States, Dean said in a statement. The presidents outrageous disregard for the law his cruel and constant corruption cannot go unanswered. It will not go unanswered. The American people deserve the truth on the presidents ongoing obstruction of justice, corruption, and abuses of power. It is the right time for the committee to launch a formal impeachment inquiry in parallel with ongoing oversight to give that to them. I take no pleasure in calling for this historic action, and yet I do so with an American sense of optimism that our government of, by, and for the people is far stronger than a singularly amoral president. A growing number of rank-and-file House Democrats, incensed by former McGahns empty chair in the Judiciary Committee hearing room, are confronting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and pushing her and other leaders to act. Their impatience is running up against the speakers preference for a more methodical approach , including already-unfolding court battles. Pelosi summoned some of them still a small fraction of the House Democratic caucus to a meeting of investigators Wednesday to assess strategy. Some other Democratic leaders, while backing Pelosi, signaled that a march to impeachment may at some point become inevitable. We are confronting what might be the largest, broadest cover-up in American history, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told reporters. If a House inquiry leads to other avenues including impeachment, the Maryland Democrat said, so be it. Scanlon stressed her decision was not an impulsive one, or one that was easy to make. This is by no means an easy decision, nor should it be, the freshman congresswoman said. We took an oath to uphold our constitution and the presidents efforts to cover up his acts, and those of his campaign and administration, threaten the foundation of our democracy. It has been nearly two months since Special Counsel Robert Mueller sent his long-awaited report to the Attorney General, a report that detailed both an expansive effort by the Russian government to influence the outcome of the 2016 Presidential, and efforts by the president to undermine that investigation. The report detailed multiple acts of obstruction of justice by the president and sought to refer the matter to Congress for further action. At every turn, the president, with the active assistance of Attorney General Barr, has engaged in a massive campaign to mischaracterize and suppress both the evidence and conclusions of the Mueller report. And those efforts continue. The president has instructed the Department of Justice not to release the full report to Congress and the American people, blocked access to the underlying evidence collected by the special counsel, and blocked witnesses under subpoena by Congress from testifying through a combination of intimidation and nonsense legal claims. She becomes the second member of Congress from southeastern Pennsylvania to push for impeachment proceedings. Rep. Dwight Evans, D-Philadelphia, also has said he supports impeachment. Reps. Joaquin Castro of Texas and Diana DeGette of Colorado added their voices to the impeachment inquiry chorus. There is political risk in doing so, but theres a greater risk to our country in doing nothing, Castro said in on Twitter. This is a fight for our democracy. Tweeted DeGette: The facts laid out in the Mueller report, coupled with this administrations ongoing attempts to stonewall Congress, leave us no other choice. One Republican congressman, Justin Amash of Michigan, has called for impeachment proceedings. He said Tuesday he thinks other GOP lawmakers should join him but only after reading special counsel Robert Muellers report carefully. Republican House leader Kevin McCarthy dismissed Amash as out of step with House Republicans and out of step with America. And Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said wryly of Amashs position, I dont think its going to be a trend-setting move. As Democrats weigh their options, Trump is almost taunting them by testing the bounds of executive power in ways few other administrations have. The White House contends that even former employees like McGahn do not have to abide by subpoenas from Congress. A short time later the Nadler issued subpoenas for more Trump administration officials former White House communications director Hope Hicks and Annie Donaldson, a former aide in the White House counsels office for documents and testimony. Trumps former White House counsel is the most-cited witness in Muellers Trump-Russia investigation report, recounting the presidents attempts to interfere with the probe. And that makes his silence all the more infuriating for Democrats. House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler gaveled open Tuesdays hearing with a stern warning that McGahn will be held in contempt for failing to appear. Our subpoenas are not optional, Nadler said. We will not allow the president to stop this investigation. However, Rep. Doug Collins, the ranking Republican on the committee, spoke scornfully of Nadlers position, calling the session a circus and saying the chairman preferred a public fight over fact-finding. Democrats are trying desperately to make something out of nothing, Collins said, in the aftermath of Muellers report. Nadler said the committee would vote to hold McGahn in contempt, though thats not expected until June, after lawmakers return from the Memorial Day recess. Democrats are encouraged by an early success in the legal battles, a Monday ruling by a federal judge against Trump on in a financial records dispute with Congress. Trumps team filed notice of appeal on Tuesday. But Pelosis strategy hasnt been swift enough for some lawmakers. In particular, several members of the Judiciary panel feel they must take the lead in at least launching impeachment proceedings. They say a formal impeachment inquiry could give Democrats more standing in court, even if they stop short of a vote to remove the president. I think thats something a lot of members of the committee and more and more members of the caucus think is necessary, said Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee. I think an inquiry, as the Senate Watergate hearings were, would lead the public to see the misdeeds of this administration. Others, though, including some from more conservative districts, said they prefer the step-by-step approach. We want to make sure that were following all the legal processes, everything weve been given, to truly make the best decisions, said Rep. Lucy McBath of Georgia, a freshman on the Judiciary panel. With a 235-197 Democratic majority, Pelosi would likely find support for starting impeachment proceedings, but it could be a tighter vote than that margin suggests. Some lawmakers say voters back home are more interested in health care and the economy. Many come from more conservative districts where they need to run for re-election in communities where Trump also has support. For Pelosi, its a push-pull exercise as she tries to raise awareness about Trumps behavior without moving toward impeachment unless she knows the public is with Congress. Weve been in this thing for almost five months and now were getting some results, Pelosi told lawmakers Monday night. Weve always said one thing will lead to another as we get information. Scanlon said the move would send a message to the White House. An impeachment inquiry will send a message that Congress will proceed with its constitutional obligation with or without the presidents cooperation and those who choose to ignore it, by impeding this valid investigation by Congress, may find themselves complicit in the efforts of this president to hide the truth, Scanlon said. At least one of our Republican colleagues has reached the same conclusion after reading and analyzing the special counsels report himself, instead of repeating the presidents misleading spin. No one who has read the report believes that is says no obstruction, no collusion. The president cannot be trusted by Americans and the world. Having the courage to not only think about the long-term consequences of this administration, including our position in the world, the foundation of our republic, and the rule of law should not be partisan. It is the courage that we as Americans must have, together. BRIGHAM CITY A woman died and another person was injured in a crash in Brigham City on Monday morning, troopers said. The accident occurred when a westbound vehicle on 1100 South crossed over the northbound off-ramp and went airborne, the Utah Highway Patrol reported about noon. The car landed upside down in the road's gorge area, according to troopers. Sammi Jo Revilla-Fernandez, 29, of Brigham City, died in the crash. Another person in the car was taken to a Brigham City hospital, troopers said. Additional details about that person's injuries were not immediately available. SALT LAKE CITY Covering Salt Lakes food scene isnt Stuart Mellings full-time gig. (He does marketing for a company in the U.K.) Still, he estimates that Gastronomic SLC, the online food magazine he launched in 2007, occupies his time for a few hours every day. In the 12 years since its launch, Gastronomic SLC has become a fixture in Utahs food scene. The site regularly posts a variety of local food content, and Melling estimates its monthly page views are usually between 40,000 and 50,000. Then theres SLC Menu, an online hub for local restaurant menus that Melling also launched. That site does even better Melling said it hit 80,000 monthly page views earlier this year. It definitely took me by surprise, he told the Deseret News during a recent phone interview. Gastronomic is a huge amount of time and effort and brainpower. And SLC Menu is just putting a menu on the internet. Its not very hard. But people seem to find it useful. Melling told us about the two websites, how Salt Lakes food scene has changed since he moved here from England and some of the misconceptions people have about his eating habits. How Salt Lake food has changed Growing up in England, Melling met his wife, Wendi, in an internet forum for British rock band The Verve. Wendi lived in Utah, and Melling moved here five years later once they got married. In the years since, Melling has watched Salt Lakes food scene go through numerous changes. What we have seen a lot less of, interestingly, is fine dining. Less fancy white tablecloths, he said. I dont really know if its that, or if fine dining is making itself in a new image. I think millennial culture is driving a slightly more casual attitude, but that doesnt mean its any less intelligent or sophisticated an experience. When (and where) he eats out I limit myself these days to about once a week, if that, because I like to cook at home, Melling said. Because when you get barraged with requests, it kind of becomes too much. Melling wasnt always this way. He did freelance food coverage for the Salt Lake Tribune for years, but theres only so many times you can write about a hamburger, or a Thai restaurant, he said. Gastronomic focuses more on local food news events, which restaurants are opening/closing, etc. than actual reviews. I dont go out anywhere near as much as people think, he continued. So when I do go out, I like to just be relaxed, cool, casual. More often than not, youll find me having a gyro from Mad Greek, or curry from Saffron Valley. I dont want to go out and critique every dish for four hours. I like casual and easy and simple. What started Gastronomics sister site, SLC Menu When Melling began putting local menus online about a decade ago, the reason was simple: hed find menus that just didnt exist on the internet Normally, kind of mom-and-pop places, its all they can do to struggle to keep the restaurant open. They dont feel they have time to do a website, he said. From there, people started sending him menus, and the web traffic quickly increased. Melling said SLC Menu now features more than 450 menus. Its like Pokemon, Im trying to catch em all, he joked. Why SLC Menu has been so successful With a website like Yelp, Melling explained, users get bombarded with ads. Additionally, Yelps search tool is pretty flawed Youll search for Thai restaurants, and then a bunch of Chinese restaurants come up. By comparison, the ads on SLC Menu are pretty minimal, and the site uses a few handy search filters (price, location, food type, etc.) to help users find exactly what theyre looking for. The sites landing page also shows its most-searched menus from the last seven days. Cupbop and Takashi usually occupy the top two spots, since the popular eateries dont have online menus elsewhere. And food trucks can have quite the blips, because they may turn up at a huge event a thousand people are trying to get this food truck, and theyre all standing in line trying to figure out whats on the menu before they get to the front of the line, Melling explained. Why he welcomes other food writers Every month, Melling publishes a roundup on Gastronomic, which features links to all the new local food coverage hes seen that month. It includes a variety of sources everything from more established publications to smaller food blogs. Melling doesnt view these food writers as competition. In his mind, a rising tide lifts all ships. As I look at it, the more people who are excited and interested in the food scene, then fantastic. Its not a zero-sum game. If I read your reviews, Im not going to stop, Im going to read more. President Trump does not want an Iran war. The presidents detractors among them some of our European allies have characterized Trumps decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal and reimpose sanctions on Irans ayatollahs as the opening salvo of another catastrophic war in the Middle East. In this narrative, National Security Advisor John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo are cast as neo-con villains taking a page out of the Iraq war playbook. And the president is cast as a hapless and incompetent buffoon who has lost control over Iran policy. Such fears are misplaced. Trump owes much of his popularity for breaking with the Washington establishment over the invasion of Iraq. He knows that as a maverick candidate, he clinched the Republican nomination and even the presidency on the force of his rejection of endless wars in the Middle East. Trump knows that an Iran war will harm his base and sink his presidency. On Wednesday, Trumps anti-war platform got a boost from an unlikely quarter. With the dispatch of an aircraft carrier group and the withdrawal of U.S. embassy staff out of Iraq raising fears of an impending war with Iran, Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, came to the Presidents defense. Speaking to reporters at the Capitol on Wednesday, Romney, chairman of the Senates subcommittee on the Middle East, put to rest the notion that Republicans are warmongers: Its close to inconceivable that the president, the administration, would consider a war with Iran. Romney stated that: The president made it clear when he ran for president that one of the worst foreign policy mistakes in American history was the decision to go to war with Iraq. He added: And that we would repeat that (is) unthinkable and something I cant imagine the president or his senior staff would consider. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, was even more direct. I think its important that the administration know that they do not have the permission of Congress to go to war with Iran. The Constitution is very clear. Congress must declare war. Perhaps no senator, Republican or Democrat, has considered the risks of an Iran war, or expressed his opposition to such a war, more eloquently than Orrin Hatch. On Sept. 10, 2015, Hatch warned that the Iran deal was a bad deal that made war more, not less, likely. Neither I nor any of my colleagues seek a war with Iran; as I stated before, the Iranian people are not our enemies. They are our friends. No people have paid a higher price for the regimes record of terrorism, mass murder, corruption, and duplicity than Iranians. The prospect of inflicting collateral damage on our long-suffering friends further counsels against any course of action that leads to war. The truth of the matter is that both Republicans and many Democrats, Speaker Nancy Pelosi included recognize that an Iran war would be a gift to Irans supreme leader. It is a bait America and its allies should not take. As with the Iran-Iraq war, the ayatollah will consider the martyrdom of another generation of Iranian youth by foreign powers a divine blessing an opportunity to resurrect the fundamentalist myth of the United States as the Great Satan. What will seal the fate of fundamentalism in Iran and its threats beyond is neither an Iran war nor diplomacy premised on offering the ayatollah a bigger or better Iran deal. As Trump stated in his historic speech to more than 50 Muslim nations gathered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: The Iranian regimes longest-suffering victims are its own people. Iran has a rich history and culture, but the people of Iran have endured hardship and despair under their leaders reckless pursuit of conflict and terror. He concluded by offering the Iranian people another vision of their future. He prayed for the day when the Iranian people have the just and righteous government they deserve. Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has ruled the Iranian state since 1988 for over three decades by virtue of 60 votes cast by a council of cronies. Far from representing the will of the Iranian people, the ayatollah leads what Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has aptly called a kleptocracy": a theocracy founded on force, fraud and fear. Rather than imitate President Obama by striking a deal with Americas sworn enemies or falling into the trap of an Iran war that will resurrect the myth of the United States as the Great Satan, it is time for Republicans and Democrats to call for an end to the ayatollahs war on our friends: the Iranian people. Let us call for an end to their hostage crisis. That is the only Iran deal worthy of the American and Iranian people. New figures from the University of Minnesota are disturbing. The number of uninsured children is growing nationwide, including in Utah, where it remains above the national average. The analysis covers 2017 and compares it to the prior year, so voters decision to pass Medicaid expansion last fall, and lawmakers subsequent decision to overrule that and approve something much less, had nothing to do with the results. Utah's Proposition 3 would be mostly irrelevant to this trend anyway, considering virtually all children up to age 18 in Utah are eligible for some sort of subsidized health coverage regardless of whether their parents qualify. But the reason many children remain unenrolled may have much to do with perceptions. Parents may assume their children dont qualify an impression that might have gone away with full Medicaid expansion. Or, more likely, the parents themselves are uninsured, which translates into little health care for themselves or their children. Its time Utah and other states spent more of their resources making sure children get the care they need. The reasons ought to be obvious. They speak to the soundness of the states welfare and economy. The old adage, If you dont have your health, you dont have anything, has much truth to offer. Adults who are unhealthy cannot work, which often means they cannot maintain the health insurance they need to cover medical costs. When it comes to children, poor health translates into an inability to develop properly, physically and mentally, as well as the inability to attend school consistently. A direct correlation exists between health and self-reliance, something healthy, insured and gainfully employed adults often take for granted. A direct correlation exists between health and self-reliance, something healthy, insured and gainfully employed adults often take for granted. Perhaps of more immediate importance, uninsured children are less likely to become immunized. As demonstrated by the recent outbreak of measles in some parts of the country, this could have an impact on the overall health of the population. In 2017, the study found that Utah had 67,134 uninsured children. This represented a rate higher than the national average, especially among Hispanic children. In Utah, 6.9 percent of children are uninsured, compared to about 5 percent nationwide. But 15.5 percent of Hispanic children in Utah fell into this category, compared with only 7.8 percent nationally. That is significant, considering children in the non-white racial category actually were were tallied as having a better uninsured rate than the national average, 4.1 percent compared to 4.6 percent. The Hispanic population often acts as a separate subgroup of American culture, and their behaviors may be affected more by the immigration policies of Washington than are other groups, even among those who reside in this country legally. Also disturbing, the study found that almost 15 percent of the children of parents who have only a high school diploma or less were uninsured, compared to 8.3 percent nationwide. At the very least, these figures argue the need for a greater awareness as to the coverage options current available. The group, Voices for Utah Children, has a campaign to do just that, but it would be helpful to have a more concerted effort from the state, including public service ads on various media outlets. The welfare of children the nations future adults and decision-makers ought to concern everyone. SALT LAKE CITY Its been on the air for almost 20 years, but 90.1 KUERs flagship RadioWest program is taking the summer off. This will be the first extended break the show has ever taken, and KUER will be running temporary programs during the shows normal 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. slots, instead of running RadioWest reruns as was done during previous breaks. The temporary programming includes the BBC news program BBC OS (9 a.m.) and The New Yorker Radio Hour (7 p.m.). The hiatus is scheduled to begin on May 27, but no official return date has been announced yet. In a letter posted on the RadioWest website on Monday, host Doug Fabrizio explained the decision. Weve been doing the show for 18 years now and I like to think weve maintained a level of quality that has kept you listening, Fabrizio wrote. But, I think its always a good idea every once in a while to step back and look closely at the work youve been doing, just to make sure youre getting it right. Thats what well be doing asking ourselves questions about whats working and whats not. In the letter, Fabrizio said listeners will continue to get updates via email and social media, and that informal gatherings and listening sessions will be hosted throughout the summer to get listener feedback. Station manager Maria OMara told the Deseret News that the hiatus is not a ratings-driven decision at all. This is a decision for the sake of the creative energy of the show. Keep in the mind, this has been an hour of daily radio for 18 years, she added. At that pace, its difficult to keep up while youre also taking the kind of time and energy to sort of rethink that show. SALT LAKE CITY Thirteen people were arrested last week, and more arrests are expected following an undercover operation by the Internet Crimes Against Children task force. But rather than child pornography, this operation targeted adults who were preying on children online. "The 13 people we arrested were actively seeking to either rape or sodomize children," task force commander Jessica Farnsworth said at a Monday press conference. "We would rather get them before they get our children." The group were all charged in 4th District Court Monday on a total of 48 counts that include criminal solicitation, attempted rape of a child, attempted sodomy on a child, attempted aggravated sexual abuse of a child and dealing in harmful materials to a minor. Eleven of those charged thought they were talking online with, and were going to meet, a child between the ages of 11 and 13, Farnsworth said. Even though this operation was held in Utah County, she noted, "We could do it in any county and probably get the same results." Undercover officers used Whisper, Kik, Grindr, Craigslist and other apps to find online predators. Sometimes they posed as young children. Other times, the agents posted as adults offering money for men to "teach" their young daughter about sex, according to charging documents. Among those arrested were: Timothy Lavell Dickerson, 29, of Taylorsville; Steven Bruce Holmberg, 60, of Springville; Tysen Aric Toone, 20, of Orem; Tylor Normand Berube, 27, of Layton; Matias Ignacio Kandalaft-Ruminot, 29, of Orem; Lehi Spencer Santiago-Lastra, 38, of Provo; Kelly Glen Herring, 33, of Magna; Jared Richard Park, 28, of Provo; Carlos Portillo, 48; Alberto Andrade, 31, of Provo; and Adam Peter Friel, 31, of Provo. Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes said operations like this are both good and bad. Good because it results in the arrests of predators. But he said he's "deeply troubled" that the problem with online predators seems to be getting worse in Utah. "We are seeing a terrible trend in our state right now. We are seeing an increase in online activity and our children being targeted for the purposes of sexual assault," Farnsworth said. In 2018, the Internet Crimes Against Children team received 916 referrals from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, conducted more than 12,000 investigations and made 226 arrests, she said. In just the last three months of this year, the task force has received 807 referrals, conducted 512 investigations and arrested 104 people, according to Farnsworth. "This is a very bad year. Not a lot of good signs looking forward right now from what we've seen in the first quarter," added Leo Lucey, chief of investigations for the Utah Attorney General's Office. Reyes said the increase may be due to more people reporting these types of crimes. Or it could be there are just more predators online, he said. "A lot of people know we're out there, but they still come. And they're still targeting kids online," Farnsworth said, while adding that the age of the victims keeps getting younger. Reyes said parents need to be watching what apps their children are on, and educate them about not engaging in conversations with people they don't already know. The attorney general's office has alist of appson its website that parents should be educated on. Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. BEAVER A passenger in an SUV died Monday after the vehicle skidded and rolled on I-15 during a hailstorm, troopers said. At 3:56 p.m., the northbound Dodge Durango "skidded out of control" during what troopers described as an "isolated hail storm" between Beaver's two exits, the Utah Highway Patrol said. The vehicle skidded off the right shoulder and hit a large freeway sign, according to troopers. The sign crushed the Dodge's roof. The female passenger, whose name and age were not immediately released, died in the crash. The driver sustained minor injuries and was taken to Beaver Valley Hospital, troopers said. Both occupants were wearing seat belts at the time, troopers said. The vehicle had been "traveling too fast for the conditions on the slushy road," according to the UHP. SALT LAKE CITY The wife of a man who killed a University of Utah student in 2017 while attempting to steal his car pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of theft by receiving stolen property. Kathleen Elizabeth Rose Boutain, 25, was originally charged in 3rd District Court with three counts of criminal solicitation and an additional count of theft by receiving stolen property, according to court documents. Sentencing on the second-degree felony charges is scheduled for July 8. The violent series of events for Austin "AJ" Boutain, 25, and Kathleen Boutain started in Golden, Colorado, on Oct. 27, 2017, after a night of partying with Mitchell Bradford Ingle, 63. Austin Boutain allegedly became enraged that the man was flirting with his wife and is accused of killing Ingle by slitting his throat, stealing his truck and driving to Utah with Kathleen Boutain. Police say the couple drove to the foothills above the University of Utah to hide out. On Oct. 30, the Boutains devised a plan to either carjack someone in Red Butte Canyon and drive to Tennessee, or kill someone and take their car, according to charging documents. But the Boutains got into a fight over picking the right person to attack, the charges state. Eventually, Austin Boutain approached ChenWei Guo, 23, in his car. But police say he became enraged when Guo wouldn't roll down his window and tried to drive away. Boutain shot five times until his gun was empty, killing Guo. A woman who was with Guo escaped. Austin Boutain pleaded guilty last September to aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder and aggravated kidnapping in the Utah case. As part of the plea deal, Boutain was immediately sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Editor's note: Deseret News reporter Tad Walch is in the South Pacific reporting on the impact of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the current trip of the faith's leader, President Russell M. Nelson, in six island nations. CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand The first gunshots sounded like firecrackers to the man who stands up to bullies. He remained kneeling on the floor in prayer next to the prayer hall door along with more than 80 other worshipers. Then he saw a shotgun appear in the window at the front left of the hall, a blast shatter the glass and a shot strike a man in the head. The man by the door sprang up, grabbed a credit card machine off a table and ran out the door to confront the attacker. "That was the heaviest object I could see. Everything else was shoes" removed by the worshipers, said Abdul Aziz, 47, a native of Afghanistan. Aziz is relentlessly positive, but he paused once Tuesday as visitors walked through the story of the March 15 attack on his house of worship and another mosque that ended with 51 dead and 46 injured here in Christchurch, New Zealand. He looked down at the ground. The silence began to stretch. "Sometimes it hits you really hard," he said finally. "Sometimes you can still hear the sounds of the shotgun and remember seeing those who died here, the loved ones that we lost and those who were injured." It is in moments like this that members of other faiths in Christchurch want to be present to mourn with their neighbors, as they have since March 15, sitting with them in their pain, helping widows with food and providing other aid, knitting a new fabric of solidarity across beliefs. Shortly after Aziz spoke on Tuesday, the leaders of Christchurch's two mosques were 670 miles north in Auckland to meet with President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who presented them with a check for $100,000 from the church to help their communities press forward. "The coward wanted to divide us," Aziz said of the gunman, "but he only united us more and more. I wish all the world was united like we are here now. At the end of the day, we are all brothers and sisters. We are all sons and daughters of Adam and Eve. We are the same." Major donation "Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the world over were heartbroken when we heard of the deadly attacks on innocent worshippers in the Al Noor and Linwood mosques of Christchurch on March 15," President Nelson said Tuesday, reading from a letter he presented to Dr. Mustafa Farouk, the president of the Islamic Associations of New Zealand, in the Relief Society room of the Redoubt Stake Center in Auckland. "Our prayers, love and support are with you and all others affected by these senseless tragedies." Shagaf Khan was at work when he received news that there was a shooting at the Al Noor Mosque, which he manages as president of the Muslim Association of Canterbury. "The first question in my mind was how am I going to handle this," he said. "How are we going to rebuild our community? How are we going to start the mosque again?" The church's donation will help. "When someone comes from overseas and shows his love for us, it is really heart-touching," he said. "We can feel their sacrifice." The leader of the Linwood Mosque, where Aziz worships, does not like to recall the attack, but he does dwell on the outpouring of support he witnessed. "The love shown to us right away from the New Zealand government and New Zealand as a whole and the whole world, irrespective of faith and beliefs, took 50 percent of the horror, the trauma out of us," Imam Alabi Lateef Zirullah said. President Nelson called it incomprehensible that anyone could harm another human being. "So what can we do?" he asked. "We can pray, we can love, we can minister, we can give a donation. They appreciate it all. They appreciate the fact that we care." 'I will stand up' Aziz also cannot stand to see one person harm another. "If I see any innocent life in danger, I will act," he said. "In the Koran, Allah said if you save one innocent soul, you save humanity. If you take one innocent soul, you kill humanity. It doesn't say one Muslim, it says one soul, and like I said, we are all the same. "If anyone bullies anybody, I will stand up. I hate bullying. I will not tolerate it." So on March 15, Aziz dashed up the driveway and to the front of the mosque. There he found a father, mother and son lying dead in the gravel after arriving late for prayers. Farther ahead, the gunman ran up the long, narrow driveway to the car he'd parked to block the entrance. Still carrying his makeshift defense weapon, Abdul Aziz followed, though at first he thought the attacker was a soldier. When he saw the man reach into the car for an assault weapon, Aziz fired the credit card machine at him. "Suddenly, he started shooting at me," Aziz said Tuesday as he recreated the scene for a visitor. "The first bullet went past my head like this," he added, his finger tracing a line past his right ear. "I ducked between two of the cars parked along the side of the driveway." Then two of his four sons who had been praying with him came out of the mosque. "Daddy, daddy," they yelled. "Please come inside." "You guys go inside," Aziz said. "I will be all right." New Zealand Police Constable Jason Keeys was part of the protection detail posted at the mosque on Tuesday. He and Aziz are now friends. "He showed a complete disregard for his own life that day," Keeys said. "The bravery he showed that day without any training is remarkable." "My life wasn't important," he said. 'We're not divided' Differences in beliefs haven't been as important since that day, said Matthew Gardner, acting chair of the Canterbury Interfaith Society and a Roman Catholic. Help for the Muslims has come from Christchurch residents who are Hindu, Hare Krishna, Buddhist, Sikh and different Christian groups such as Anglicans, Presbyterians, Methodists and Latter-day Saints. All of it is needed, two months later. And the need will persist. "To me something is pretty evident," Gardner said. "They have lost a sense of security, a sense of safety, a sense of wellbeing in their community. I've also seen that feeling spread to other minority communities." Fortunately, he said, a lot of people "have come out of the woodwork" to help. In fact, the Muslim community has been overwhelmed. On Tuesday, people gazed at the Al Noor Mosque, where 44 died, from across the street. Others walked onto the property to snap photos with cellphones. Others laid flowers outside. He said the interfaith groups have provided financial support, but the main thing they want to show their Muslim brothers and sisters is solidarity, to show that faiths are working together, not opposing each other. "We are not divided like the world wants to say we are," he said. "We're not fighting, we're not divided like people think we are." Toward love On Tuesday afternoon, 20 men knelt shoulder to shoulder on a new blue carpet in the Al Noor Mosque, repeating "God is Great" in Arabic again and again during afternoon prayers. They'd arrived a few minutes earlier, after an unseasonably cold fall morning in the Southern Hemisphere had turned in to a gorgeous blue-sky day. Toward the right of the row, one man sat in a plastic green chair, unable to kneel. Adeeb Sami, 53, is recovering from two gunshot wounds he suffered March 15. When the attacker left the room, a man next to him asked if he'd been shot, then promised to help him. But the gunman returned and murdered the would-be helper. "If you hit a dog while driving, no way you come back and hit it again," said Sami, an International business consultant from Dubai. "No way. He did that. This was hate." The attacker left Al Noor and drove to the Linwood Mosque, where he began firing on Aziz after Aziz threw the machine at him. Aziz spotted a gun dropped by the attacker, picked it up and squeezed the trigger. It was empty. But when the attacker went back to his car for another weapon, Aziz went after him again, throwing the empty gun at the car, shattering a window. The attacker may have thought the window had been shot out. He drove off with Aziz chasing him down the street. Police stopped and arrested the man shortly after. The outpouring of help began immediately. Aziz arrived home to food and flowers and hugs. While Sami spent 19 days in the hospital, his wife couldn't pay for parking when she came to visit. Bystanders, seeing she was Muslim, rushed forward to pay for her. Before the mosques reopened, volunteer laborers from around Christchurch installed new carpet and made repairs. Local members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provided rides for victims' families so they could see their loved ones in the hospital, helped them access legal help and provided food. This week, The Church of Jesus Christ is also giving $6,515 to the Lady Khadija Charitable Trust, which is run by some who sit on the Canterbury Interfaith council with Latter-day Saints. The church is also working to provide 100 "Baskets of Love," food baskets for 100 Muslim victims' families during the month of Ramadan. The local Latter-day Saint leader, President Jared Ormsby of the Christchurch Stake, said the Muslim survivors are examples of great faith. "Their response has been great. They have an unwavering, abiding faith. They continue to have that commitment." Sami said the response has impressed the world. "Everyone, including in the Middle East, is talking about how the New Zealand community has been," he said. Church News editor Sarah Weaver contributed to this story. And any move toward recognizing socioeconomic class instead of race takes fire from some voices on the right, like the Manhattan Institutes Heather Mac Donald, author of The Diversity Delusion: How Race and Gender Pandering Corrupt the University and Undermine Our Culture. She blasted the adversity score as a backdoor to racial quotas by the College Board, which she said is under relentless pressure from the racial-preferences lobby and the anti-meritocratic ideology of diversity. WEST JORDAN They were best friends in junior high who spent much of their time at a neighbor's house in the mid-1980s. They didn't know until last year that he had abused them both repeatedly in his Sandy home. That was the testimony Monday of two men whose decades-old reports of misconduct led to criminal charges against their former neighbor, a longtime youth orchestra leader. After hearing their separate accounts, 3rd District Judge Dianna Gibson ruled there is enough evidence for Brent E. Taylor, 71, to stand trial on two counts of sodomy upon a child, a first-degree felony, and two counts of sexual abuse of a child, a second-degree felony. "Honestly, my thought is other kids. If it'll help somebody else, if it'll stop him from hurting somebody else, fine," one of the men, Scott, said after the hearing. "This wasn't my fault," he continued. "I don't have to hold on to this burden of shame anymore." Taylor, who retired in June 2017 after more than four decades with the Utah Valley Youth Symphony, faces another criminal count in Utah County where prosecutors say he engaged in sexual behaviorwith a then-teenage musician from 2002-06. Each charge follows a 2018 Deseret News report detailing allegations of misconduct against Taylor from six different men, including the two who testified Monday. Over the course of his career, some 3,000 to 5,000 students played in the symphony, Taylor's former attorney has said. The organization's leaders have previously told the Deseret News they condemn sexual misconduct and hadn't heard any such accounts firsthand. On Monday, Scott and his childhood neighbor Jeff who later worked for Taylor on a symphony work crew identified Taylor as their abuser. Sporting a black suit and red tie, Taylor did not speak at Monday's preliminary hearing and declined comment afterward. His attorney, Cara Tangaro, asked the judge to enter pleas of not guilty on her client's behalf. "He maintains his innocence," Tangaro said. Her client has worn a court-ordered ankle monitor at his home in Denver and as he commutes to Utah for court appearances. The Deseret News does not typically identify those who come forward as victims of sexual abuse, but Scott and Jeff agreed to use their first names. On Monday, they testified separately that at first, Taylor gave them back rubs and messages. "From there, it blossomed," Scott said. Both men said the physical contact eventually progressed into Taylor touching their genitals and performing oral sex on them. Scott told police that Taylor, his Sunday school teacher for a time, began abusing him when he was 12 or 13 years old and continued "over the course of a couple years." Taylor introduced him to pornography, encouraging him to walk around or watch television naked, charges say, and Scott "felt he and Taylor were in a relationship." Scott first got to know Taylor through Jeff and would hang out at Taylor's home while his friend worked in the yard, he recalled. Jeff, a former employee of the symphony, said he began mowing Taylor's lawn as a child after Taylor moved in across the street. He estimated their sexual encounters happened weekly from the time he was 13 to 18 years old, but couldn't recall exactly when they began. They had happened multiple times, however, before he became an Eagle Scout the spring following his 14th birthday, he testified. He was born in late December. Jeff recalled a time when he said Taylor touched him sexually in a motor home parked in Taylor's driveway. Scott was present, but Jeff didn't believe his friend saw what happened. "I assumed was either half asleep or half awake," Jeff said. Scott also testified he did not believe Jeff ever spotted Taylor touching him. Though close as children, the friends fell out of touch and hadn't spoken in a decade until their accounts were published in the Deseret News, Jeff added. Police first took Jeff's report in 2005 and calculated that the statute of limitations had timed out, but prosecutors reviewed the case anew and filed charges in December. Taylor's defense homed in on the timeline, noting Jeff would have to be 13 or younger in order for Utah's child abuse laws to apply and for the clock to remain ticking on the statute of limitation. He "cannot narrow down his age, and that's a very significant piece of this case," Tangaro said. "I take your argument that it gets a little bit murky between 13 and 14," Gibson replied. Even so, there's probable cause for Taylor to stand trial, she said. Jeff said after the hearing that telling his story has been liberating. "The reality is that it happened and they're going to fight the statute of limitations, and we're just going to present the truth," he said. In Utah County, the former teen musician came forward in April 2018, disclosing that other youth musicians "were involved in these sexual activities sometimes," court documents say. Taylor is next due in court June 10 to answer the charge of forcible sodomy, a first-degree felony. SALT LAKE CITY It's unclear what the White House will do with the results of a 16-part survey that was shared on Twitter last week that asked participants if they've had their social media accounts censored due to their political views. While some believe the survey is the Trump administration's genuine endeavor to understand how social media companies police content, others think the survey is a ploy to collect voter information and to fuel a narrative of anti-conservative bias in the tech industry. Social media platforms should advance freedom of speech. Yet too many Americans have seen their accounts suspended, banned, or fraudulently reported for unclear violations or users policies, reads the White House tweet, which had more than 45,000 likes and 7,200 comments as of Monday. No matter your views, if you suspect political bias caused such an action to be taken against you, share your story with President Trump. The survey comes three weeks after President Donald Trump had a one-on-one meeting with Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey (in October, Trump accused the site of removing many of his followers) a couple weeks after Facebook banned far-right leaders including Alex Jones, Paul Nehlen and Milo Yiannopoulos, and the same week the administration opted not to join an international pact to combat online extremism, citing free speech concerns. The survey asks respondents to submit screenshots of social media posts and actions taken against those posts in addition to other evidence of bias from four social media sites: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. It also asks respondents to provide their name, zip code, phone number, email, social media profile and citizenship status before agreeing to a sweeping user agreement that gives the federal government "license to use, edit, display, publish, broadcast, transmit, post, or otherwise distribute" any responses or information collected. White House spokesman Judd Deere said the administration created the online forum to hear from all Americans, regardless of their political leanings, Aarti Shahani of NPR News reported. But the administration has not shared how the results will be analyzed. "The surveys vague questions and subjectivity might make it difficult to turn the responses into a quantifiable report," Molly McHugh wrote for The Ringer. "The best course of action is to refrain from taking the survey altogether; self-censorship seems safer than agreeing to the White Houses conditions," added McHugh, who expressed concerns that the information could be edited and misrepresented for political purposes. The success and growth of Internet companies depends upon a broad user base regardless of party affiliation or political perspectives. Michael Beckerman, the president of the Internet Association The survey is an "indication of the president's complicated relationship with social media platforms," she said. Despite being a frequent Twitter user, Trump has repeatedly accused social media companies of censoring Republican content, for example, accusing Twitter of "shadow-banning" conservatives or hiding their posts. Last year, Vice News reported that some Republican officials werent showing up in automatic search results on Twitter. In 2016, Gizmodo interviewed a former Facebook journalist who said workers at Facebook suppressed news stories of interest to conservative readers. However, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube have long professed political neutrality. The success and growth of Internet companies depends upon a broad user base regardless of party affiliation or political perspectives," Michael Beckerman, the president of the Internet Association, a Washington-based group that represents tech companies, told the Washington Post. "Is (the survey) a way for the White House to fuel the narrative that social media companies are unfairly censoring people and look into whether thats the case? Sure, maybe," Emily Stewart wrote for Vox. "But its definitely a way for them to also build out their voter database and gather information to contact people later." Deere declined to answer questions about what the White House will do with the data but said the information will absolutely not be shared with Trumps reelection campaign, the Washington Post reported. The questionnaire however, asks if users want to sign up to the White Houses email newsletter, allowing them to be updated on Trumps fight for free speech ... without relying on platforms like Facebook and Twitter." "The larger issue is that the survey will likely court biased responses," wrote McHugh. Katharine Trendacosta, a policy analyst at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, told The Ringer that groups of people who feel marginalized or threatened by the government are less likely to respond to the survey and offer personal information. Thousands of comments on the Wednesday tweet expressed support for the White House's initiative. An excellent idea long overdue--we are sending our experiences with censorship on Facebook and Twitter. #1stAmendment @MicheleBachmann Jan Markell (@OliveTreeMin) May 16, 2019 Many of the citizen journalists I follow on YouTube, Twitter and Instagram have either had their channels removed, their content taken down and/or I have been unsubscribed to their channels. It has definitely been my experience that political bias is at work in this censorship. JMadsen618 (@JMadsen618) May 17, 2019 People who submit stories about their content being taken down are angry, Trendacosta said. So you end up with a very self-selecting group of people telling their stories, which doesnt give an accurate or full picture of the problem of content moderation or online censorship or any of the sort of buzzwords around this topic." The user agreement The White House survey user agreement says the responses will become public record and the government can do, essentially, anything it wants with them. "You grant the U.S. Government (including, but not limited to the Executive Office of the President) a license to any 'Content' (including but not limited to the photographs, information, text, or otherwise) you post or submit on this site," the agreement reads. "You should not post any information that you do not wish to become public." Marc Rotenberg, president of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, told Politico the information the White House is requesting, including contact info, zip code and citizenship status, is very sensitive and warned that there is no indication that the White House has given any thought to the privacy risks of providing this personal data to the federal government. I think the fact that they want to edit it and they dont want to ask your permission for the final form is kind of telling, Trendacosta told The Ringer. David Schultz, a political science and law professor at Hamline University in Minnesota told The Ringer that Trump's office could potentially take responses and edit them to present positions that are opposite of what was intended. "You turn over all of your rights to let the government use your comments any way it pleases, Schultz said. Twitter users also criticized the less-than-high-tech way the survey asks respondents to confirm they are human: fill in the year the Declaration of Independence was signed. So clever! Who would ever think to program a bot to answer "1776"? Only the best folks. All you qanon boomers out there, this is just another scam (like you care) pic.twitter.com/IUoddY1DCJ AltUSARC (@AltUS_ARC) May 17, 2019 From the actual code of this page. Wow, you really are the best at "the cyber." pic.twitter.com/iLJnqZ1QBC Shannon Scott (@drshannonscott) May 15, 2019 Trump's concerns On multiple occasions, Trump has suggested that something should be done to combat perceived liberal bias on social media. Last August, the president's top economic advisor suggested the White House is taking a look at regulating Googles search results. In March, Trump pledged to do something about allegations that Facebook, Google and Twitter are censoring conservatives. And after Facebook recently removed a set of right-wing users from its site that it deemed dangerous, Trump said he would monitor social media. Twitter SHADOW BANNING prominent Republicans. Not good. We will look into this discriminatory and illegal practice at once! Many complaints. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2018 According to an article David French wrote for the National Review, human moderators are tasked with policing all of Facebook's questionable posts. These moderators must apply ever-changing policies that French called "often utterly incoherent and sometimes made up 'on the fly.'" "Censors can behave in unpredictable, arbitrary, and capricious ways and no one has a sufficient monopoly on truth to serve as philosopher king over speech and debate," French wrote. In 2016, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg met with an exclusive group of conservative leaders to discuss how the social network handles conservative content. The social media site has even partnered with right-leaning outlets as fact-checkers. Last year, Dorsey and Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg took part in a congressional hearing about alleged bias. "Platforms such as Facebook and Twitter say that when they block or censor users, its because theyve violated their policies, not because of some secret liberal political agenda. Whats more, platforms can block and censor content however they choose. Its within their legal rights. The federal government owes you free speech. Google doesnt," Stewart wrote for Vox. Recode co-founder Kara Swisher wrote for the New York Times that social media companies can ban users who violate their policies, and that they can change those policies whenever and however they want. They can even be "wildly inconsistent in how they enforce them." But Jillian C. York, the director for international freedom of expression at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, told the Washington Post that even though social media companies aren't legally required to monitor content in an equitable and consistent way, they should anyway. Companies have become so big. ... They should, and have, a moral responsibility to take human rights into account," York said. WASHINGTON Pressure is mounting for Congress to pass a law that would let banks and credit unions serve marijuana-related businesses without running afoul of federal money laundering laws. The latest push came from the National Association of State Treasurers, which published a resolution Friday calling for "common sense laws and regulations" for marijuana banking. The message comes as the cannabis industry descends on the nation's capital this week to lobby Congress about eliminating the conflict between states that have legalized marijuana and federal laws that criminalize cannabis. Some 43 states have legalized marijuana either for medical or recreational use. Utah voters supported legalization of medical cannabis in November and the state Legislature approved a growing, processing and dispensing framework that is anticipated to be fully operating early next year. The looming deadline has state treasurer David Damschen, who is president of the national association, concerned about how banks can comply with state and federal laws if they service entities involved in the state's medical marijuana program. That would include state and local health agencies dispensing medical marijuana products. Cash is pretty dumb in our line of work. You want to get away from cash as much as you can for accounting reasons, for safety and security reasons, and efficiency reasons. David Damschen, state treasurer "That definitely complicates things for the banking industry that has typically banked those (government) institutions," Howard Headlee, executive director of the Utah Bankers Association, said earlier this year. Damschen, a former banker, understands the industry's aversion to federal penalties for serving customers engaged in what would be an illegal drug trade under federal law. He and his counterparts in other states also want to avoid the hazards of businesses operating on a cash-only basis because they have no place to bank their earnings. "Cash is pretty dumb in our line of work," he told the Deseret News in January. "You want to get away from cash as much as you can for accounting reasons, for safety and security reasons, and efficiency reasons." The resolution he signed on behalf of the association reiterated the safety concerns of dealing in cash: "Cash-based systems are inefficient, expensive, and opaque, making illicit activity more difficult to track and posing a significant risk to public safety by increasing the likelihood of violent crime," the document stated. Tales of robberies, kidnappings, murder and other violent crimes against the owners and employees of marijuana businesses were told at a congressional hearing in March on a bill that would shield banks serving marijuana-related businesses from federal laws and regulations. Before that hearing, Damschen wrote Utah's congressional delegation in March urging them to support legislation that would give marijuana-related businesses easier access to banking services, and let states decide how to manage cannabis within their borders. The Utah Legislature passed a resolution urging Congress to address the issue. That was followed by Utah Commissioner of Financial Institutions Ed Leary joining regulators from 25 states asking House and Senate leadership to support marijuana banking legislation, Forbes reported. Earlier this month, attorneys general from 33 states, including Utah, wrote a similar letter, according to the Denver Post. And the Marijuana Moment, which first reported the treasurers assocation action, said a group of 17 state treasurers had sent a letter earlier this month to congressional leaders on the issue. The letter writing campaign appears to be having some effect. The hearing in March was the first for the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act, which was introduced six years ago by Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Colo. It passed the House Financial Services Committee and is awaiting a vote from the full House. Among the bill's 182 co-sponsors are 20 Republicans from states where marijuana is legal. None of Utah's delegation is a co-sponsor, but Rep. Ben McAdams, a Democrat, voted for the bill in committee. Addressing the issue is less certain in the Senate, where a companion bill has 28 sponsors, according to Marijuana Moment. That bill has the endorsement of the American Bankers Association. In addition to pressuring Congress to act, the treasurers association's resolution also urges the Trump administration to keep in place existing federal guidelines that have effectively stopped federal banking regulators from strictly enforcing the law against financial institutions operating in states where marijuana is legal. SALT LAKE CITY Heres a look at the news for May 21. Gunshots shatter a day of prayer but give rise to interfaith resolve in New Zealand Chief of staff with 'Midas touch' is stepping down and likely to run ex-boss' gubernatorial campaign. Which is better for families traditional, religious gender roles or secular ones? Hearing on allegations of racist taunts pits two Utah high schools against each other. Utah, other Pac-12 members received average of $31.3 million in league distributions for 2017-18, financial reports indicate 5 Food Thoughts: Gastronomic SLCs founder, Stuart Melling, is a menu master The wife of a man who killed a University of Utah student in 2017 pleads guilty to theft charges A look at our education coverage: A look at our top-read stories: News from the U.S. and world: US eases some restrictions on Chinas Huawei, reportedly halting Googles plans to cut access | CNBC Federal judge sides with Congress in legal fight over Trump's financial records | CBS News Michael Cohen tells Congress that Jay Sekulow knew Cohen's testimony on Trump Tower was false | CNN 'God has smiled on me': Morehouse grad had $100K in student loans, billionaire will pay it off | USA Today Tornadoes Pass Through Oklahoma and Texas, but the Region Is Largely Spared | The New York Times SALT LAKE CITY A West Valley man who was convicted of not paying state income taxes because he declared himself as a sovereign nation, then skipped his sentencing hearing only to be rearrested 10 days later, is going to prison. On Monday, Dennis Kay Iverson, 62, of West Valley City, was sentenced to 1 to 15 years at the Utah State Prison for his conviction on seven counts of tax evasion, a second-degree felony, and six counts of tax evasion, a third-degree felony. Investigators from the Utah State Tax Commission say Iverson owes more than $25,000 in back taxes. During trial, he represented himself. A jury convicted him after deliberating just three minutes, according to court records. Iverson filed a series of odd motions and declarations with the court, claiming he was not subject to Utah's laws and thus, did not have to pay taxes. "Essentially, I am providing notice to the court that I do not voluntarily consent to be subject to this matter, except under common law," he wrote. "Additionally, this court has no authority whatsoever to force, intimidate, threaten, or otherwise use deceitful tactics to trick or attempt to trick me, to accept any jurisdiction other than common law, as government in this matter." In another court filing, Iverson informs the court that "I am a sovereign, living man, dwelling on the land and soil of the Utah Republic, and pursuant to my revocation, I have no federal income tax liability and thus, no tax liability to the state of Utah either." In another filing, Iverson referred to 3rd District Court as a military court "operating under emergency war powers." After his conviction, Iverson failed to show up for sentencing and a $50,000 warrant was issued for his arrest. He was rearrested 10 days later, on May 10. During his sentencing on Monday, Iverson again asserted in court that this is an emergency war powers court and I order you to release me. I will accept no form of punishment," according to a statement from the tax commission. Iverson also is refusing to pay any restitution, the commission stated. Iverson has 30 days to appeal his conviction and sentence. SALT LAKE CITY A Kearns man charged in the crackdown on drug dealing as part of Operation Rio Grande will spend more than 10 years behind bars after admitting to carrying a gun and methamphetamine. Two members of the Operation Rio Grande Drug Task Force stopped Christopher Eugene Hooper, also known as Messy, in the area of North Temple and Redwood Road in February 2018. A three-count federal indictment returned in March 2018 charged him with possession of a firearm and ammunition after a felony conviction, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking offense. Hooper, 30, admitted in court to a having a Sig .380 handgun with a loaded magazine and about 38 grams of methamphetamine he intended to sell. Federal prosecutors agreed to drop one of the gun charges as part of a plea deal. U.S. District Judge Dale Kimball sentenced Hooper to 130 months in prison. "Convicted felon drug traffickers carrying loaded firearms is a recipe for disaster," said U.S. Attorney John W. Huber. "Getting these criminals out of our neighborhoods and into federal prison makes our neighborhoods safer for all of us. SALT LAKE CITY Hundreds of Utahns spanning a range of ages, genders, religions and political leanings gathered on Tuesday to protest recent laws limiting or banning abortion across the United States. "Stop the Bans" events in Salt Lake City and Provo were two of more than 400 demonstrations organized nationwide in opposition to laws passed in state legislatures this year, including a law signed by Alabamas governor that bans nearly all abortions without exceptions for rape and incest. While several hundred protesters chanted and held signs in the state Capitol in Salt Lake City, a smaller group assembled in Provo to call state legislators. In Utah and around the country, the publicized laws in Alabama and elsewhere have galvanized opponents into organizing protests and taking other forms of political action, sometimes for the first time. Nationally, the laws have similarly energized some members of the anti-abortion movement, though for different reasons: If taken up by the U.S. Supreme Court, the laws could open up the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision for reconsideration. But research shows that when it comes to abortion, Americans views are often less black and white than might be assumed and in Utah, where the influence of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its stance on abortion adds an additional layer of nuance to the conversation, debate surrounding the countrys strictest abortion laws may play out differently than in other states, observers say. "Utah as a general rule has seen and reflected that nuance" in its abortion laws, said William Duncan, director of the conservative Sutherland Institutes Center for Family and Society. "So I believe Utah sort of approaches the issue differently than other states do." The law in Alabama, which allows abortion only in cases where the mother's life is at risk, follows new laws in four states Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia, and Mississippi outlawing abortion after a heartbeat can be detected, which typically occurs after about six weeks of gestation. A bill passed by the Missouri Legislature banning abortion after eight weeks is headed for the governor's desk. None of the laws have taken effect, and all will likely be blocked while legal challenges play out. Under the Alabama law, doctors who perform an abortion could face up to 99 years in prison, though women who undergo an abortion would not be criminally punished. The Georgia law would also prosecute doctors, though it's less clear whether women who undergo an abortion would be exempt from punishment. Salt Lake resident Elizabeth Miller, the initial organizer of the rally at the Capitol Tuesday, said she was inspired to take action out of concern that women who miscarry could be investigated or punished under new abortion laws elsewhere, a worry with personal significance. She saw a post on social media Saturday calling for "Stop the Bans" rallies around the U.S., and promptly registered a Salt Lake event online. Miller, who experienced two miscarriages herself, described the process of organizing the event as "outside my comfort zone." It was her first time taking on a leadership role in such an effort, she said. After registering the rally, Miller was contacted by Planned Parenthood representatives, who then helped her line up speakers and organize the event. "With all the laws that have been passed recently, I felt like I had to do something," Miller said. "I had to channel my anger and passion into something productive." Speakers included state Rep. Angela Romero, D-Salt Lake City, representatives from Planned Parenthood, American Civil Liberties Union of Utah Executive Director Brittney Nystrom, and two local high school students. "Right now it feels like were in a race to the bottom," Nystrom told the crowd, referring to the series of new laws limiting or banning abortion. "But just because the battleground for abortion today is wider and more treacherous than it was a few years ago, we cannot stop fighting for what we believe in." For the ACLU of Idaho, that battleground includes its home territory. The organization recently filed a lawsuit against the state of Utah, arguing that a law passed this year by the Legislature is unconstitutional. The Utah law bans abortions after 18 weeks with exceptions for rape, incest, life or permanent impairment of the mother, and fatal fetal defects or severe brain abnormality. While abortion is increasingly thought of as a partisan issue, Cindy Creed of Park City, who said she had considered herself a Republican until the Alabama ban passed, described herself as in support of abortion rights. I am not a liberal Democrat, Creed said. But Alabamas finished it for me. Ive had it. Creed, 70, noted that she is old enough to remember the era before Roe v. Wade and to remember a friend who died from complications from an illegal abortion. It was in part to honor that friend that she and her husband, Luther, showed up to the Salt Lake rally on Tuesday, she said. Kristen Carney, a Salt Lake native and student at Northern Arizona University, said she and her friends Reilly Eder and Lauren Cid went to the rally to raise local awareness of the laws in other states. "We've been upset about what's going on," Carney said, carrying a sign bearing a drawing of a coat hanger and the words "Never Again." "We don't want that to happen here, so we want to bring attention to it." Eder, who held a sign that said Keep church and state separate, said she is grateful that the Utah law doesnt go as far as the laws in Alabama, Georgia and other states. But I definitely think the more limited abortion is, the closer it is to regulating womens bodies, she said. Any regulation of my body is unacceptable. While one state senator told the Deseret News last week he suspected there would be support in the Utah Legislature for a law similar to Alabamas, the states majority Latter-day Saint population and legislative history suggest that Utahns who consider themselves anti-abortion may be less receptive to an outright ban than some abortion rights voters in other parts of the country, according to Duncan. The law passed by the Utah Legislature this session includes exceptions for cases where factors such as rape and incest are involved, more closely aligning with the churchs stance on abortion. The church allows the procedure in cases of rape, incest, and serious harm to the life or health of the mother. "Its a very pro-life state, and I dont see that changing," Duncan said. "But I think (Utahns) also recognize that there are situations where it is appropriate to look at the broader context of what an individual family experiences. So Utahs laws have always been more sensitive to (nuance) than perhaps some other states have been." Some participants in the telethon event in Provo on Tuesday brought up the church's stance on abortion as a talking point in phone calls with lawmakers, according to the event's organizer, BYU graduate student Jorden Jackson. The telethon was the fifth event hosted by the Provo chapter of the nationwide Women's March, and was a reaction to abortion laws passed this year in Utah and elsewhere, Jackson said. The event drew both religious and non-religious participants, with a total of about 20 people. "It was a good mix of people from different backgrounds and different experiences," Jackson said. As Jackson urged telethon participants to keep calling their state representatives to talk about reproductive rights in the coming days and weeks, speakers at the Salt Lake protest encouraged attendees to continue to rally against laws limiting or banning abortion. Going forward, public demonstrations like the rallies on Tuesday are unlikely to sway the opinions of Utahns who support the laws in Alabama and elsewhere, said Josh Ryan, an assistant professor of political science at Utah State University. But as states grapple with what could be a new era of abortion legislation, a visible show of public support or opposition could help determine where a state falls on the spectrum of regulation, while raising awareness of the conversation. "What they're doing is they're getting people active, they're getting people thinking about the issue," Ryan said. "Theyre going to be aware that these type of things are happening in these states." SALT LAKE CITY An Ohio man was charged Tuesday in connection with a 2016 crash in Utah that killed one of his passengers. Richard Johnson, 39, of Springfield, Ohio, was charged in 3rd District Court with DUI causing death, a third-degree felony. On June 14, 2016, a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado rolled on I-80 near 5500 West after going off the side of the road and overcorrecting, according to charging documents, went across two lanes of the freeway and overcorrected a second time. "As the vehicle rolled, the driver side tire was punctured and broke off the axle. The vehicle continued to roll three more times," the charges state. A 16-year-old in the back seat was ejected, according to court documents. He was taken off life support after several days. A second passenger in the backseat was also ejected, according to the charges. A blood test taken of the driver, Johnson, "showed 2 nanograms of THC and 8 nanograms of THC metabolite present," the charges state. Charging documents do not state why the charges were filed nearly three years after the crash. SALT LAKE CITY A 16-year-old baby sitter has been criminally charged with causing the death of an infant girl he was watching. The teenage boy, who prosecutors say tossed the baby in the air repeatedly before she stopped breathing earlier this month, faces a single count of child abuse homicide, a first-degree felony, in 3rd District Juvenile Court. West Valley police said 5-month-old Adalyn Monson was taken off life support May 10 after she was critically injured three days earlier. When her parents picked her up from the sitter's house on May 7, the teen, a distant family member, was holding the unresponsive child, according to charging documents. The boy told police that "the baby was not acting right" that day and had sent his parents a video of the child that showed her limp and with labored breathing, court documents say. They sent a friend to check on the child. The Deseret News has chosen not to name the boy at this time. He was not present at a brief court hearing Tuesday, when a judge ordered a doctor's report on his mental health. The teen later told officers he had thrown the girl into the air before she lost consciousness because she "was not being responsive, was crying, would not take a bottle, and had not had a dirty diaper all day," charging documents state. Tossing and catching the child was something he did "all the time over and over again," investigators wrote, adding that he told police that the girl's "breath would be lost," she would be dizzy and her "head would jostle around." Outside the courtroom, Donna Dearth recalled how her daughter Adalyn smiled often during her brief life. "No mother should have to go through this," she said. The teen had been watching the child for several weeks while she worked a customer service job for a lawn care company and her husband also went to work, she said. "If he couldn't have handled her, he could have just put her down and told me, 'I can't do it,'" she said. "He's a great kid. He is. I just think he got too overwhelmed and didn't communicate with me and my husband." Adalyn's obituary includes a picture of her smiling in a pink T-shirt, noting she "taught us how precious life can be." In an interview with police, the teen mentioned an earlier time when the child and her 2-year-old brother were being "difficult," and the girl passed out after he threw her into the air, charging documents state. The teen said he then "pushed on her chest a couple times and gave her a few breaths" but she was not the same after that. On May 7, when police arrived at the Shadowbrook Apartments, 3852 S. 1845 West, they found the infant was "gray in color." Doctors indicated she had head trauma consistent with abuse, according to the charges. An autopsy revealed the baby died of severe brain trauma and had a bruise on her head that had not been visible while she was in the hospital, prosecutors say. Her parents told police the baby was healthy earlier that day and had never been dropped or shaken. In the interview with police, the boy told officers he watched the child in order to "work off his community service hours," the charges state. He was sentenced to community service and probation after he was charged with drug possession in January, juvenile court records show, in a case that followed earlier drug possession and theft charges. Each count was a class B misdemeanor. Turn to a bully and ask if theyre OK and they wont know what to do with you, he told Rebecca. Remember that youre bigger than they are, that you have a bigger heart, and to try to find a way to show that. And to remember that theres a person in there too, probably a person whos been hurt in some way, which is why theyre turning around and hurting you. Samsung, Nokia, OnePlus, Huawei, Lenovo, Xiaomi, HTC, Vivo, Sony, LG - practically all smartphone makers are gearing up to launch 5G-ready smartphones in 2019. Here's what you can expect. 5G or the fifth generation of network technology has been in testing for the past few years and looks like 2019 will finally see smartphone manufacturers launch devices that can hook up to ultra-fast 5G networks. 5G is expected to bring lower latency to networks, which means online gaming, for one, will become much more faster. Streaming will become a breeze and connectivity in general will improve dramatically. 5G phones are expected to support super speeds of up to 10 Gbps and the network is touted to be 100 times faster than 4G. So naturally, 5G smartphones are all the rage right now and a race of sorts has emerged in the smartphone industry as to who will launch the first 5G-ready device in the market. Throughout 2018, weve been hearing from smartphone OEMs about their plans to launch 5G devices. Here, we compile that list of upcoming 5G smartphones, ones that you can also expect to land in India. Take a look. OnePlus 7 Pro 5G The OnePlus 7 Pro is the company's most premium phone manufactured to date, and the flagship smartphone also has a 5G variant that will be launched this year in the UK in partnership with EE, the telecom provider that is supposedly introducing 5G connectivity in Europe in 2019. The company is yet to disclose the official pricing and availablility of the 5G flagship, and neither do we know if there's any change in hardware (although you can't go beyond 12GB RAM presently which the OnePlus 7 Pro already comes in. EE is gearing up to provide 5G coverage in 16 UK cities including London, Cardiff, Manchester, and the likes. Huawei Mate X Huawei is one of the biggest proponents of 5G technology. The company has been perhaps the biggest names when it comes to the development of 5G network equipment and chips, with hundreds of engineers dedicated towards the efforts. Its first 5G ready smartphone is the foldable Huawei Mate X, which was launched at MWC and is expected to come to India by the end of 2019. Huawei has also conducted 5G trials in India, in partnership with Airtel. Huawei and Bharti Airtel successfully conducted 5G network trials under a test set-up in India. The 5G trial was conducted at Airtel's Network Experience Centre in Manesar (Gurugram). During the test trial, a user throughput of more than 3Gbps was achieved. Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G Xiaomi launched its first 5G smartphone in the form of the Mi Mix 3 5G. The smartphone features Qualcomms Snapdragon X50 5G modem and runs on the Snapdragon 855 chipset. It is priced at 599 euros. You can read more about the Mi Mix 3 5G here. Oppo Reno 5G The Oppo Reno flagship smartphone that launched in China earlier this month has a 5G variant as well. The device is powered by a Snapdragon 855 processor paired with the Snapdragon X50 5G modem. The phone's highlight however, is the 10X zoom the triple-camera unit can achieve. It also has a cool shark-fin pop-up unit that houses the front camera. The Oppo Reno 5G will be available in select European countries and 5G service will be delivered by a partnership with EE. Nokia In February, Qualcomm announced that it has partnered with 18 OEMs, including HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, to launch 5G-ready smartphone in 2019. The 5G smartphone from Nokia will be running on the Qualcomms X50 5G modem. In a demo of the X50 5G modem, Qualcomm was able to establish a 5G connection with greater than gigabit per second download speeds. We dont know much about which Nokia phone will get 5G support first, but we do know that Nokia is testing the technology internally. Vivo Vivo also recently fitted the Qualcomm X50 modem in the Nex S smartphone. According to Vivo, the test completed the first phase of protocol. The company now needs to develop an actual 5G phone and it says its goal is to launch the first batch of commercial 5G devices by 2019. According to the company, China Mobile and Qualcomm have been key partners in the 5G rollout so China could be the first country to get 5G smartphones. But given the China trickle down effect, we expect the 5G smartphone to come to India as well. HTC HTC is not done with the smartphone business just yet. Even though the company has considerably reduced staff, according to its Senior RF designer Kevin Duo, HTC is also sampling the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 and the Snapdragon X50 5G-ready modem. This means that the company could be looking to launch a 5G smartphone as well next year. Lenovo and Moto Lenovos Vice President, Chang Cheng recently claimed that the company is ahead of the others on the 5G curve. The executive has claimed on Chinese micro-blogging website Weibo that the worlds first 5G phone will be from the house of Lenovo and it will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chipset. However, that did not happen since Samsung already launched the Galaxy S10. If Lenovo is readying a 5G smartphone, it is safe to assume that Moto is also working on a 5G device too. In fact, Motos 5G Moto Mod with the built-in Snapdragon X50 5G modem has already been successfully tested. However, we highly doubt that the two companies will be first to bring the tech to market. Samsung Galaxy S10 5G and Galaxy Fold Samsung launched two 5G phones at mwc 2019 - The Galaxy S10 5G and the foldable Galaxy Fold smartphone. Both phones run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 platform paired with the companys X50 modem. While there is no information on whether the devices will make it to the Indian shores, if they do, they are is most likely to run on the company's Exynos 9820 SoC, which might be again paired with the X50 modem. LG LG launched its V50 ThinQ at MWC 2019. The phone not only offers 5G connectivity but also supports a second screen. It is powered by the Snapdragon 855 SoC coupled with the Snapdragon X50 5G modem for 5G connectivity, the V50 ThinQ is the companys first smartphone with 5G connectivity that is slated to be launched in select markets. The device features a 6.4-inch QHD+ OLED display with 19.5:9 aspect ratio and HDR10 support. It sports pogo pins to which one can attach a secondary display thats sold separately as a case. More and more smartphone makers are opting to feature 48MP camera sensors in their devices. Heres a list of all the new and upcoming 48MP camera phones in India. After Sony and Samsung both announced 48-megapixel sensors, smartphone vendors are increasingly adopting them in all price brackets. Both 48MP camera sensors from Sony and Samsung are similar, with 0.8m pixels and an overall size of 1/2.0 inches. Whiles Sonys IMX 586 and Samsungs GM1 sensors are similar, the Sony sensor uses a quad-Bayer design. This means that the adjacent 2x2 pixels are of the same colour, and the data from them is combined into one pixel. You can head here to read in detail about how these sensors work and the advantages they offer over competition. In this article, we will list all the new and upcoming smartphones that bring 48MP cameras with them. The Xiaomi Redmi K20 and the K20 Pro are Redmi's most premium offering so far. Between the two, the major difference lies in the chipsets that power them. The Redmi K20 is powered by the Snapdragon 730 while the Redmi K20 Pro has the Snapdragon 855 inside. Otherwise, both phones tout a triple rear camera setup led by a 48MP primary sensor with f/1.8 aperture, followed by a 13MP ultra-wide lens with f/2.4 aperture and an 8MP telephoto lens with 2X optical zoom and f/2.4 aperture. On the front is a 6.53-inch AMOLED panel with HDR certification stretching edge-to-edge thanks to a 20MP pop-up camera that lights up as it rises up. The Realme X looks more premium than its price would suggest and it also packs some high-end features. This includes the 48MP Sony IMX586 sensor which is coupled with another 5MP depth sensor. On the front is all screen thanks to a pop-up module housing a 16MP selfie snapper. The Realme X is powered by the Snapdragon 710 SoC along with up to 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. The Galaxy A80 may be priced a little too high, but it's also one of the most uniquely designed smartphones by Samsung. The Galaxy A80's bright and vivid AMOLED display stretches all the way to the edges which is not because of a pop-up module. Instead, it's the rear camera setup that swivels over to the front to click selfies. Every time you want to click a seflie, the top portion of the phone rises up and the rear camera flips over to the front, and the whole process looks pretty cool. The rear camera setup comprise of a 48MP shooter with f/2.0 aperture and an 8MP wide-angle camera with f/2.2 aperture. There's also a ToF sensor that assists in depth-mapping and making animojis. Inside is a Snapdragon 730G Soc coupled wit 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. The Asus 6z also works similar to the Galaxy A80 with one key difference. The rear camera in this phone also flips over to the front but in this case, you can control the angle of the flip camera. The Asus 6z also has a Sony IMX586 48MP camera along with a 13MP wide-angle camera, both of which are on offer when taking a selfie. Apart from that, there's the Snapdragon 855 under the hood along with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage and a massive 5,000mAh battery with support for 18W fast charging. The OnePlus 7 Pro is the company's most premium with a price-tag that breaches the Rs 50,000 mark for the top-end variant. The phone is packed with features that scream premium -- QHD+ display with HDR10+ certification and 90Hz refresh rate, pop-up cameras and a triple-camera setup on the back. The primary camera in that triple-camera setup is a 48MP sensor made by Sony. The Sony IMX586 sensor has a 1/2-inch sensor size and offers 12MP output by default. OnePlus makes good use of the 48MP sensor in taking excellent photos in the day when the light is optimum. The dynamic range and detail retention has improved over the OnePlus 6T. Buy this product on Amazon. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7S belongs to the same Redmi Note family and apart from a 48MP camera on the back, the Redmi Note 7S has little to differentiate in every other department, be it the design or the harwdare under the hood. But the major reason to buy the phone is for the 48MP camera on the back. With a starting price of Rs 10,999, the Redmi Note 7S becomes the most affrodable smartphone to offer the 48MP sensor. But this isn't the same 48MP sensor that's there on the Redmi Note 7 Pro. Instead, Xiaomi has used the Samusng ISOCELL GM-1 sensor to cut down the cost. The Samsung 48MP sensor shares a lot of similarities like a 1/2-inch surface area, 0.8-pixel pitch and four-in-one pixel binning. Buy this product on Amazon. The Honor View 20 was the first phone in India to launch with a 48MP camera. The smartphone was also first to bring the punch hole camera design in the country. It runs on the companys flagship Octa-core Kirin 980 chipset. The device also features GPU Turbo 2.0 technology which is aimed at boosting graphics and performance. The phone gets a a 6.4-inch Full HD+ All-View display that has a 2310x1080p resolution. A 4.5mm circular cutout on the top-left corner houses the 25MP front-facing camera on the phone. At the back, the phone houses the 48MP Sony IMX586 CMOS primary sensor. A second Time-Of-Flight (TOF) 3D sensor is also placed at the back for capturing depth information. You can read our review of the Honor View 20 here. Buy this product on Amazon. Unlike the Redmi Note 7 that sells in China with a 48MP camera setup, in India, the Redmi Note 7 Pro gets the new camera sensor. The smartphone is equipped with a Sony 48MP rear main camera accompanied by a 5MP secondary sensor. The primary camera features an aperture of f/1.79 and Xiaomi says that by default, the Redmi Note 7 Pro's camera captures 12MP images and to get a 48MP image, users will need to navigate to the Pro mode in the camera app of the Note 7 Pro. You can read more about the phone here. Buy this product on Amazon. Oppo just launched the Oppo F11 Pro in India. The smartphone houses a Sony 48MP rear camera along with a 5MP depth sensor to offer portrait photos. Just like the Redmi Note 7 Pro, the F11 Pro from Oppo shoots 12MP photos by default but an Ultra-HD mode can be turned on to shoot at native 48-megapixels. The phone also features a 16MP pop-up selfie camera. In terms of other specs, the Oppo F11 Pro comes bearing a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display and the MediaTek Helio P70 SoC. There is 6GB of RAM and 64GB of storage on the device.The phone features a 4,000mAh battery which supports VOOC 3.0. charging. Buy this product on Amazon. The Vivo V15 comes in at Rs 28,990 and features a 6.32-inch screen with a 19.5:9 display aspect ratio. It comes equipped with an in-display fingerprint sensor and is the first handset in India to launch running on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 platform. The phone gets 6GB RAM with 128GB of internal storage. On the camera front, it is Vivo's first V-series phone to feature a triple camera setup. It comes bearing a 48MP main camera, an 8MP super wide-angle camera that can capture 120-degree images and a 5MP sensor that enables bokeh shots. The 48MP camera uses 4-in-1 pixel binning to deliver better quality images even in low-light conditions. There is also a 32MP pop-up selfie camera on the front and the device is backed by a 3700mAh battery that supports dual-engine fast charging. You can read more about the Vivo V15 Pro here. Buy this product on Amazon. Moto Z4 Play (rumoured) The Moto Z4 Play is not yet official, but details of the phone were leaked a few days back. Leaks say that the smartphone will feature a 48MP camera sensor and an in-display fingerprint sensor. The phone is rumoured to ditch Sony and Samsungs 48MP sensor in favour of China-based Q Technologys S5KGM1SP module. Under the hood, the phone is expected to feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 chipset. It could be powered by a 3,600mAh battery. Related Reads: Upcoming 5G mobile phones in India Subscriber content preview By DAMIAN J. TROISE and ALEX VEIGA AP Business Writers Chipmakers and other technology companies pulled U.S. stocks lower Monday, extending the market's losses into another week. The U.S. decision to ban technology sales to China's Huawei hammered the tech sector, particularly chipmakers. About one-third of Huawei's suppliers are American chipmakers and investors are worried that the action against Huawei could crimp sales for companies with revenue heavily tied to China. . . . Subscriber content preview By FRANK BAJAK and JOE McDONALD Associated Press Huawei could quickly lose its grip on the No. 2 ranking in worldwide cellphone sales after Google announced it would comply with U.S. government restrictions meant to punish the Chinese tech powerhouse. The Trump administration's move, which effectively bars U.S. firms from selling components and software to Huawei, ups the ante in a trade war between Washington and Beijing that partly reflects a struggle for global economic and technological dominance. . . . You have to know the quality of the CBD thats going in. In New York, (a news organization) took some CBD from different stores and the internet, and they found that some of them contained lead. Some of them contained pesticides, and the concentrations didnt match. Some of them didnt contain CBD at all, she said. With so many companies trying to profit from the CBD trend, there are going to be companies that are not legitimate and not having legitimate CBD. Arguably one of the most breathtaking locations in the world is Fjadrargljufur canyon located in the south east of Iceland. Want to go see it? Too bad the park rangers have just banned all tourists from seeing it and its Justin Biebers fault. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hat Shot Adventures (@hatshots) on Apr 10, 2019 at 9:22am PDT The lush green vertical mountains that stand at 100m tall snake for 2 kilometres and was featured in Justin Biebers music video, Ill Show You. Since then hoards of Beliebers have been making the pilgrimage to the location to follow in the cult leaders pop stars footsteps. The issue, according to local ranger Hanna Johannsdottir, is that the narrow gravel road and vulnerable landscape can no longer sustain the intense influx of visitors. For the moment, Icelands priority is to protect their volcanic landscape where soil can form slowly and erode quickly. For this reason, Johannsdottirs team had to erect fences and signs to deter visitors. Even on her watch Johannsdottir says that shes had tourists offering her bribes in exchange for the ultimate selfie. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Guide to Iceland (@guidetoiceland) on May 15, 2019 at 8:58am PDT Food from peoples home country is the most common bribery, says Johannsdottir. Her most recent bribe however was a free trip to Dubai. She declined the offer. Beibers music video has been viewed by more than 440 million times on YouTube since 2015. Environment Minister Gudmundur Ingi Gudbrandsson was reluctant to put all the blame on Bieber though and said that all famous or influential visitors should consider the consequences of exposing such a delicate environment to their followers. In Justin Biebers defence, the canyon did not, at the time he visited, have rope fences and designated paths to show what was allowed and what not, Gudbrandsson said. Rash behaviour by one famous person can dramatically impact an entire area if the mass follows, he added. In other words, streets closed pizza boy take your map and backpack elsewhere. Read Next Indian Coast Guard seizes Pakistani fishing boat with 100 kg heroin The Indian Coast Guard today seized a Pakistani fishing vessel with 100 kg of heroin that was being illegally brought to India. Coast Guard vessel Arinjay on petrol off the Indo-Pak international maritime border intercepted the suspect vessel Al Madina off the Jakhau coast at about 0915hrs today, about eight nautical miles inside Indian waters. The Coast Guard vessel Arinjay swung into action on receiving information of a suspicious vessel likely to be engaged in drug trafficking in area off Indo-Pak international maritime border line (IMBL) off the Gujarat Coast. Similar inputs were also received from Directorate of Revenue Intelligence on 20 May 2019. ICG Ship Arinjay on patrol off the Indo-Pak IMBL was alerted about the suspect vessel. Two additional Interceptor boats, C-437 and C-408, were also tasked from Jakhau and Okha to augment the search for the suspect vessel. ICG Dornier aircraft was also launched from Porbandar on 20 and 21 May 2019 for aerial recce in the area. Coast Guard Ships and aircraft maintained extensive search in the area for intercepting the suspect vessel. ICG ships classified various contacts in the area and kept them under constant surveillance. During search one fishing boat was observed to be suspicious and Coast Guard ships in area shadowed the suspect vessel during the dark hours of 20 May 2019 night. The suspect vessel with first light on 21 May 19 crossed the IMBL towards Indian side and started moving towards the Jakhau coast. The suspect vessel Al Madina was kept under surveillance and intercepted at about 0915 hrs on 21 May 2019 about eight nautical miles inside Indian waters by ICG ship Arinjay. During boarding the vessel was found to be a Pakistani fishing boat Al Madina registered at Karachi with six Pakistani crew. Initial search of the fishing boat by Indian Coast Guard boarding party revealed 194 packets of suspected narcotics substance. The vessel is being escorted to Jakhau harbour for detailed investigation and rummaging. Recently, during a similar operation on 24 March 2019, ICG ship Rajratan in joint operation with ATS, Gujarat seized about 100 kg of heroin from a suspected Pakistani Dhow off the coast of Gujarat apprehending nine Iranian crew of the vessel. Indian Coast Guard Director General Rajendra Singh said that the Coast Guard has been at the forefront in anti-narcotics and anti-smuggling operations and since inception has seized contraband worth of more than Rs5,000 crore. Excerpt from Once Upon a Curfew Excerpted from Once Upon a Curfew by Srishti Chaudhary, published by Penguin Random House A couple of days later, the clouds were beginning to clear up and the sun was already high in the sky. The usual heat descended on the city. At home, Indu wandered around the house, lounging on the sofa her mother loved so much, which she had had made especially after seeing something similar at Shashi uncles house. Indu had a view of the kitchen from her seat and looked on as vegetables were chopped for the dinner tonight with Amita didi and Govind bhai. That night, the topic of Number 7 came up when they were all seated at the table. Your father and I have come to a conclusion about it, Govind bhai said to Amita and Indu, clearing his throat, as everyone turned to look at him. In his usual formal manner, he put his spoon on the table and took a swig of water before speaking. You know, this is an opportune time in the industry. We have to strike the iron now, and as your father says, a good decision at the right time can make a huge difference, he said, smiling around the table. Indus father shook his head, laughing. Govind, you can make such a show of things. Indu stared at her father without blinking. What are you talking about? Well, weve decided that Govind will set up an office there. Govind bhai nodded in agreement, turning to Amita. Crunching on a piece of carrot, he said, There has never been more demand for nails and now we really need a sales office. Number 7 is in the centre of the city, its big and it will be perfect. Remembering her mothers advice, Amita said, But its a private flat, in a private building. These things can always be sorted out, her father said, waving a hand in dismissal. Indu looked quickly at her parents. Her mother was staring at her husband with raised eyebrows. So, he hadnt discussed it with her mother either, otherwise he would have known how she felt about the matter. No, Indu said, and everyone turned towards her. Govind bhai looked surprised that she had uttered such a loud and clear no. Indus heart began thumping as she was on the verge of saying what had been going on in her head for the past few days. Ever since her mother had taken her and her sister to Number 7, she could not get the image of that flat out of her head. She couldnt stop imagining what it could be. When she had walked around college the other day, it had started making even more sense. What do you mean, Indu? her father asked. Indu stared at him and then at Amita, who blinked back at her. I need that flat, Indu said. Her mother stared at her quizzically. What in the world for? Indu made her face more resolute. Ive been thinking of doing something, she said, ignoring the ire on Govind bhais face. I mean, Rajat will be away for two years. I want to make something of my time till then. How about a finishing school? Govind bhai suggested, and Indu threw him a look so dirty that her mother had to clear her throat loudly so she could divert her attention. What are you talking about, Indu? Indu told her father, I want to set up a library there. Govind bhai put his glass down noisily. Amita turned to her sister. A library? Like, with books? Govind asked Indu. Yes, Govind bhai, that is the main feature of a library, Indu said, trying to hide her testiness in her laugh. But why? her father asked her. Its something that I really want to do, she said. It will be a private library. Ive been thinking about it, but I didnt know how to do it until today. Number 7 is perfect. Its empty, spacious, has the perfect energy, and all those books! I can put them to good use. Indu, but, we have already decided, Govind bhai said, looking at her father. We need it for an office. I am sure we can find another place for your, uh, library. Indu gave him a cold stare, avoiding looking at her sister. Daddy, is it set in stone? Its something that I want to do, and all those books are there already. I have an equal right to be given the chance. Her father pushed his plate away, scratching his head. I mean, of course, we didnt know that you wanted to do something with it, but Indu, its too valuable a place. I dont know what you mean by a library... What, is a library not a valuable place? Indu asked. Come on, daddy, itll be my own project. I want to make it a library for girls. Govind bhai sputtered as he drank water. Girls? he asked her, trying not to laugh. What kind of girls? Like, poor, I mean, underprivileged girls? Like a charity project, you mean? Indu looked thunderously at her sister, who murmured to her husband not to be so crude, and he held up his hands. We will talk about this later, Indus mother said forcefully. Who wants ice cream, now? I found a very good brand. They import it directly from Switzerland. Indu gave her mother a sullen look as Amita nodded eagerly. Indu madame, hold dum laga ke yes, like this! She stood surrounded by professional lights and reflectors, being ordered around by a photographer whom she obeyed only reluctantly. The cheap material of the salwar-kameez made her sweat more than usual, but more than anything else, the ribbons in her hair increased her irritation by the minute. She had hated tying her hair with ribbons all throughout school, and this ad campaign was making her revisit that feeling. To be fair, it had come at an opportune time: Shashi uncle had suggested her name for the spokesperson of the Beti hee jaan hai, Beti hee shaan hai campaign, and when Lata had heard that it was about education for girls, she had encouraged Indu to go for it. It will give you greater credibility if you are already speaking for the education of girls, for the library. It was the perfect arrangement. The daughter of one of the Chief Advocates of the Cabinet, whose name was incidentally also Indira, setting up a library for girls, a champion for the cause of education for girls under the Prime Ministers special campaign, who understood the injustices felt by women...except for the hideous, red hair ribbons. Smile, please, Indu madame, but not too much! You have to look happy, but also not too happy. You have the burden of making your family proud! The photographer took pictures from various angles of Indu holding a set of books in her arms, and when he was finally done, she asked him what processing he would do on the pictures. Im an expert, dont you worry, madame, he replied smugly, packing his camera into the bag with care. I hope you are, Indu said to him with a dangerous smile. If I dont come out looking good, you, sadly, wont have many chances to make your family proud. He had nodded with a nervous gulp as Indu packed up and left for home. Rewinding to the '70s Srishti Chaudhary studied creative writing from University of Edinburg and English Literature at Lady Shri Ram College for Women. Previously, she had a series of short stories published by Juggernaut Books. Her articles have been published by BBC, Vice, Nat Geo India and the Hindu Businessline, amongst others. In this interview with Swetha Amit, Chaudhary talks about her inspiration behind her book, freedom and women empowerment. What was the inspiration behind Once Upon a Curfew? How did the idea of writing on this theme in the '70s happen? I was actually keen on writing on romance set in the past, which has a different kind of charm. This includes writing letters and long periods of courtship. In those days giving your heart to someone almost certainly implied marriage. These days it's more instant gratification. People tend to talk a lot more due to instant messaging or presence of social media. Can you imagine just waiting for days together to hear from your near and dear ones? Seems impossible today. Also, when the emergency was declared, it was a very turbulent time politically. Barring a few, not many books in the fiction genre has been set in the '70s. So, my intention was to capture an old-world charm in a new age way. You have written a series of short stories before this which were published individually by Juggernaut. How did you find the experience of writing a full-fledged novel? A full-fledged novel is very different from short stories. In a short story, your universe is much smaller. At best, you can have two main characters to drive the plot and a couple of scenes. Your story ends here. A novel is far more complicated. There are subplots to a plot and at least five or six characters doing the heavy lifting. There are so many scenes, which are fillers and which are tough to write because they are not very inspiring. Moreover, a novel is written over a much longer period of time, so you often tend to forget what happened in the previous chapters. For instance, in my entire novel, I mixed up the names of two characters, Lata and Supriya, which confused my editors! You have to keep a close check of the past and at the same time plan actively for the future of the story. You have chosen an interesting concept of library as the central theme in your book. Considering how the concept is diminishing these days due to the advent of technology, what made you come up with such a theme? When I started writing this book, I used to sit in the library of my university in Edinburgh. We had a fantastic library, which overlooked some beautiful hills and a huge public park. I spent a lot of time there writing and relaxing. I think the idea must have cropped up sometime then. I thought that a library was a good space to work on your mind and learn a lot. More than the time spent in the library, I drew inspiration from Virginia Woolfs A Room of Ones Own, which talks about the need for private space. I feel that we should all have that kind of space. A place which is just for ourselves and where we can delve in our creative thoughts. Your book takes us back to the '70s and a crucial time when the Emergency was declared. What kind of research was involved in capturing the authentic instances in your book? Did you interview many people? Well, I did factual research for a scene. It was basically a Google search about the kind of cameras that people used in the '70s. However, for specifics about an area or a city, I had to dig deep as such details were not available on google. Another important aspect with regards to the camera was to find out what kind of a camera could a classic family in Delhi afford in the 1970s. For this I had to interview people from that era. I also watched movies made in the '70s and made a note of some details that caught my eye. For instance, in the song in Sapno Ki Rani song from the movie Aradhana,I saw Sharmila Tagore travelling alone in a train, reading a book. It isnt conclusive of course but it made me think subtly that probably women did have the freedom to travel alone even in those days. Once Upon a Curfew also sees an era where marriage was the ultimate goal for women. Do you feel things have changed and that women have more freedom today? I feel that women definitely have more freedom to make their own choices today. However, there is a lot more to be achieved with regards to equal rights. Women should be able to make a choice for themselves without succumbing to societal prejudices and pressures. As Robert Frost wrote: "And miles to go before I sleep". Since the original idea of your book deals with freedom, what does "freedom" mean to you as a writer? Its tough to put it in as many words. But for me freedom is the ability and privilege to be able to truly make my own choices, regardless of the demands of society. I should be able to get out of the pressure even if I happen to succumb to it. Like what they say in Game of Thrones: the freedom to make my own mistakes was all I ever wanted! What more books do you have in the pipeline? A writer cannot ever stop writing. I am quite excited about my next book, which is again based in India. This time the plot is set around a small town and will showcase the adventures of an unlikely couple. It is still in its early stages. Also see: Excerpt from Once Upon a Curfew) First of all, a very topical question. On 25 April you were one of four experts invited to the Pompidou Centre to reflect on the future of Notre Dame. What is your point of view? I am rather worried about the direction in which the debate is moving. The very strong reaction to the fire is undoubtedly related to the enormous symbolic value of Notre Dame (as a religious symbol, an urban icon, etc...), but also to the state of very strong urban emotionality which has been generated in Paris by a series of tragic and destructive events, beginning with the terrorist attacks in 2015. Furthermore, the need to intervene, to re-design one of the most important monuments in the country, re-kindles a series of questions on national identity. What image do we want to give to France through actions on its patrimoine, its constructed heritage? In my opinion, we need to move away from ideas of urgency and take on the matter from a more analytical point of view. In this moment, the debate should be on the actual need for reconstruction, more than the shape it may take. Is it really necessary to reconstruct the spire? Will its reconstruction really help to express its memory better than its absence? In 2014, you won the competition for the restoration of another important Parisian landmark, the Grand Palais. How are you taking on this project, which is exception in terms of scale, value of the building on which you are working, and media attention? For years, we have been reflecting on the idea of a form which could go beyond the purpose for which it was constructed, a form which is not the state of a moment, but rather a movement. The Grand Palais is an example of this independence, this resilience in form. Over time, it has served the widest possible range of functions (the motor show, a wartime hospital, horse races, offices) modifying its spaces without substantially changing its fundamental intelligence. First of all, we presented the jury with an interpretation of the form of the Grand Palais, which in reality is conceived as a city (because its three architects first of all agreed on its system of distribution, the roads) and it is already characterised with that wealth of incidental spaces (more than 40, each one different, independent but at the same time connected and open to unification) which many other contemporary museums try to recreate, from the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Copenhagen, to the Musee du Quai Branly in Paris, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi. The reading of these spaces and their optimisation for contemporary use is, in fact, our project for the Grand Palais. Milford local electoral area - three seats Candidates: John O Donnell (Ind) Maria Doherty (SF) Eimer Friel (FG) Noel McBride (FG) Charlie McGinley (Ind Ian McGarvey (Ind) Liam Blaney (FF) Dermot Hardy (Aontu) Declan Meehan (Ind) The Milford local electoral area was created by the Local Electoral Boundary Committee last year. With a population of under 14,000 it is by far the smallest local electoral area in Donegal and is the only three-seater. Elected councillors will sit in the Letterkenny-Milford municipal district comprising of the Letterkenny and Milford local electoral areas. The new area has the largest population per member in the county at 4,590. There are three sitting councillors defending the seats they won in the Letterkenny electoral area in 2014: Fianna Fails Liam Blaney and independents John ODonnell and Ian McGarvey. The changes to the boundaries mean Cllr Michael McBride, who is from Kilmcrennan, decided to fight for his seat in the Letterkenny electoral area. The three seats will be hard-fought with Fine Gael keen to take a seat in Deputy Joe McHughs backyard. Former county mayor Noel McBride is attempting to take back a seat he lost in 2014. The party is also running Eimear Friel, a first-time candidate. Fianna Fails Liam Blaney topped the poll with first preferences in 2014 and will be expected to get across the line first this time out. Sinn Fein will also be keen to have representation in the area and Maria Doherty, daughter of former party vice president Pat Doherty, has been selected to run. Kilmacrennan-based Independent John O'Donnell will be under scrutiny after he was filmed for the RTE Investigates programme holding discussions with an undercover reporter purporting to be a wind farm investor. The Standards in Public Office Commission found against him and he has been called on to resign by fellow councillors. The focus of national media attention, he has said he will be judged by the electorate. He will have been helped by Michael McBride deciding to run in the Letterkenny LEA and with 1,692 first preferences last time, albeit in a different electoral area, it would take a huge collapse in his vote to see him lose out. Irelands oldest councillor, Ian McGarvey, will be facing a battle to retain his seat but he has proved his doubters wrong in the past. Aontu is running Dermot Hardy and it will be interesting considering Donegals No vote in the Eighth Amendment referendum last year to see whether the party will take votes from Fine Gael and Sinn Fein in particular. I could say it was a blast from the past, but I dont recall much of a blast and quite frankly, when a writer from New York City asked me last week of details regarding an interview Id had with a convicted con artist from Canada/Germany/Florida/Arkansas/Missouri -- oh heck, lets just say a convicted con artist and leave it at that well, I needed her to remind me of some details because, as I told the writer, I have not only slept since then but I often have trouble finding where I had laid down my keys the night before. Thanks to the writer, author Tori Telfer, I began re-hashing some of the story that included her mother, a German countess, and an abusive father who has associated with German Fuhrer Adolph Hitlers military, as well as Hackneys criminal activities, the least of which was not her falsifying her mothers death so that she could claim her assets. In fact, she had attempted to run over her mother and her mothers boyfriend. Ebony's test kitchen, an elaborately designed and historically significant space in the magazine's former headquarters at 820 S. Michigan Ave., finally has a new home. It'll be moving to the Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD for short) in Brooklyn, in New York, where it will be featured in the museum's new exhibit, African/American: Making the Nations Table. That exhibit will travel around the country, meaning the Ebony test kitchen will go on the road. Houston County District Judge Benjamin Lewis appointed attorney Shawn McGhee to represent a Dothan man facing multiple charges, including second-degree assault on a law enforcement officer. Bobby Stanley Jr., 52, of Dothan, was arrested May 16. He is charged with drug trafficking methamphetamines, unlawful possession of controlled substance-crack cocaine, unlawful possession of a controlled substance-synthetic marijuana, attempting to elude, and second-degree assault charges. Friday, May 16, at approximately 11 p.m., deputies with the Houston County Sheriffs Office stopped a vehicle in Ford Country near Third Avenue and East Selma streets. As deputies approached the vehicle they identified Stanley as the driver, and Stanley attempted to flee by putting his vehicle in drive, said Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza. As Stanley fled the scene, he struck on one of the deputies with the vehicle, at which time the deputy discharged his firearm, Valenza said. Stanley continued to flee until he lost control of his vehicle in the 1600 block of Galaxie Drive. Stanley is currently in the Houston County Jail on bonds totaling $1,050,000. A preliminary hearing is set for June 7. Follow Michele Forehand on Twitter @micheleforehan1 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. Over 20 years ago when I was a legislator, the state trooper assigned to my county asked if he could come visit with me. Of course, I said. When he came he had a somber look on his face. I thought maybe he had a serious personal problem or had lost a loved one. He began, This may not sound like a major highway problem, but one of the things that causes a good many accidents and incidents on our roads is people driving slow in the left lane and not moving over. I never pursued legislation to this effect. However, he made me aware of the need to remedy this problem. Well, finally, a legislator has taken up this legislation. Rep. Phillip Pettus, a Republican from Lauderdale County, who by the way retired as a captain in the Alabama State Troopers after a 25-year career, has passed legislation to remedy this problem. He calls his bill, The Anti-Road Rage Act. 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. Brown went on two group dates and a one-on-one helicopter date on Mondays episode. On the first group date, some of her 22 suitors competed for the title of Mr. Right by showing off their best model walk in a skimpy bathing suit and some sort of talent. None of the three guys with Chicago-area ties participated in the pageant date. Book smart: Using term times to your advantage when booking family holidays With holiday season fast approaching, everyones scrambling to find the best deals online. With comparison websites and last-minute deals abound, it can be tempting to just click on them and assume they are giving you the best deal. But the truth is that the cheapest deals are often found by checking at the right time. Should you book as early as possible to snag those deals? Or are you brave enough to risk waiting till the last minute to save your hard-earned money? Depending on your circumstances, there are a few different techniques you can use to bag the best holiday bargains. Take a look through our guide and find out the best tips and tricks to seal a holiday deal. If you have children Attendance fines rose by a staggering 93 per cent in 2017/18, with nearly 223,000 penalty notices issued to parents. Of these notices, the most common cause was unauthorised family holiday absence, the BBC reported. So, while booking a term-time holiday can seem tempting given the lower prices, the impact of this fine quickly closes that route off. But there are other, far less problematic ways to book a holiday for you and the kids without breaking the bank! Going abroad? Leave it to the end of the school holiday According to T3, the best time to book a long-haul package family holiday is the last week of the school holidays. For 2019, Englands school summer holiday starts 15th July and ends 6th September. We put this to the test. Our sample family of two adults and two children (under 17 years old) are looking for a holiday to Spain for around a week in the summer holidays, flying from London. We took a look at the same destination, for the same duration, for the first week of the school holidays compared to the last week of the school holidays: Destination: Dates: Board: Price: Total: Port Fiesta Park 15/07-22/07 (7 nights) All inclusive 596.95pp 2,387.81 Port Fiesta Park 30/08-06/09 (7 nights) All inclusive 566.69pp 2,266.77 Hotel Taurito Princess 15/07-22/07 (7 nights) All inclusive 799.79pp 3,199.17 Hotel Taurito Princess 30/08-06/09 (7 nights) All inclusive 774.02pp 3,096.06 Sol Barbados 15/07-22/07 (7 nights) All inclusive 836.01pp 3,344.03 Sol Barbados 30/08-06/09 (7 nights) All inclusive 875.69pp 3,502.74 H10 Atlantic Sunset 15/07-22/07 (7 nights) All inclusive 1,147.93pp 4,591.70 H10 Atlantic Sunset 30/08-06/09 (7 nights) All inclusive 924.05pp 3,696.18 (Data from https://www.tui.co.uk, correct as of 17th April 2019) Only one of our destinations proved to be more expensive during the last week of term. The other three options were all cheaper when booked during the last week of the summer holidays. It certainly pays to compare the prices of your desired destination from the start of the school holidays and the end! Staying in the UK? Check the areas term times One of the many reasons parents take their children out of school to go on holiday during term time, despite the risk of fines, is that holiday prices increase during the school holidays. Plus, with everyone raring to go, resorts and destinations can be incredibly busy, which might not be the relaxing experience families wanted. But there is a clever way around this dilemma. If you decide to go on a staycation within the UK, check your destinations council website for a list of school holiday times. For example, Scotlands term times are usually a little different from Englands. In 2019, English schools have an October half term break from 21st October to 1st November. For Scottish school, October half term break is from 7th October to 25th October. Scottish families may find savings to be had across the border between the 7th and 20th then, when English destinations often have lower prices running before the English schools break up for half term in order to compensate for lower local demand during school time. Lets take our example family on a UK staycation then! Firstly, well compare a family holiday in Northumberland with a family holiday in X: Destination: Dates: Total: Northumberland cottage (Millers Hill, Breamish Valley) 05/10 12/10 (7 nights) 765.00 Loch Lomond cottage (Eagle Mountain View Lodge, 05/10 12/10 (7 nights) 919.00 Both cottages feature private hot tubs, with Millers Hill sleeping up to six people where Eagle Mountain View Lodge sleeps up to four. For a Scottish family, a short trip across the border during their childrens school break will allow them to benefit from the cheaper term time prices of their neighbours! This is a trick that English families can also use in reverse: take a look at some Scottish destinations during their term time when your kids have broken up from school for a week and make the most of the lower prices. Theres no need to risk an attendance fine from your childs school with these tips and tricks, youll find it can actually be cheaper to take your children on holiday with you during the designated school holiday dates! CARSON CITY, NEV. Nevada lawmakers are bucking a national trend of restrictive abortion laws by voting to repeal requirements that physicians document a pregnant woman's marital status and tell her about the "emotional implications" of an abortion. Democrats in the Assembly passed the bill in a largely party-line vote on Tuesday, the same day protesters across the country decried actions in other statehouses that toughen abortion laws. Nevada has the first overall female-majority Legislature in the country. "When the rest of the country may feel hopeless, may feel bleak, they should look to Nevada as the shining beacon that we are for women's rights," Democratic Sen. Yvanna Cancela told dozens of bill supporters who rallied outside the Nevada Legislature before the vote. Some supporters at the rally held pink signs that said "protect safe, legal abortion." The legislation also removes a criminal penalty for anyone who supplies a woman with medication to induce an abortion without the advice of a physician. That criminal statute also extends to anyone who uses an "instrument" to terminate a pregnancy without the advice of a physician. Despite the Nevada bill, Cancela described actions by lawmakers in other states the last few weeks as "awful" in the push for reproductive rights for women. "We're here today fighting a national fight and getting to see Nevada move forward," she told the crowd. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey last week signed the most stringent abortion legislation in the U.S. and made performing an abortion a felony in nearly all cases. The bill spurred hundreds to protest in Alabama. Governors in other states, such as Mississippi, Georgia and Ohio, have approved bans on abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected. Supporters of the Nevada legislation argue it will modernize the state's informed consent laws and reaffirm a woman's reproductive rights. Republican lawmakers on Tuesday argued against a portion of the bill that mandates a physician to document a pregnant woman's age. Assemblywoman Alexis Hansen, a Republican, argued the possibility of a negative emotional impact from an abortion should be part of the informed consent process. "This bill is a slippery slope that (will) leave women and children less informed and more susceptible to exploitation," she said. The legislation cleared the Senate last month in a 12-9 vote. Cheryl Bruce, executive director of the Nevada Senate Democrats, said the bill now must receive a passing voice vote from the Senate before going to the desk of Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak. His office did not immediately return a message seeking comment on whether he would sign the bill. Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. 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Senior executives from Nike, HSBC and H&M will join big names from across a wide variety of textile and apparel businesses in taking to the stage at the sustainable textile summit. The 10th edition of Planet Textiles will take place on 22nd June at the heart of the giant ITMA textile exhibition in Barcelona. The show is expected to attract up to 120,000 visitors from 147 countries and, this year, Planet Textiles delegates will receive special discounted access to ITMA but registration remains open for a limited time. The full agenda for Planet Textiles 2019 is available here. This years event will be kicked off by a keynote address from Pascal Brun Head of Sustainability for the H&M brand. Subsequent plenary sessions will see Susanna Wilson, HSBCs global head of sustainable networks, John Rydzewski of Nike's Global Water Program, and Omar Kuri from Mexican firm Vertical Knits take to the podium. Register HERE to receive your Planet Textiles 2019 ticket. What to expect in 2019 In a one-of-a-kind session, three leaders of the worlds largest textile chemical and dyestuff producers will take to the stage together to discuss the state of the industry and what the future - both immediate and long term - will look like. Xander Wessels, CEO of Archroma, Eric Hopmann, CEO of DyStar, and Rohit Aggarwal, president of Huntsman Textile Effects, will take part in the panel debate moderated by founder and editor of Ecotextile News, John Mowbray. A further breakout session will focus on the progress made as a result of the SACs Higg Index. This will feature panellists Jason Kibbey, CEO of newly-formed Higg Co., Amina Razvi, SAC interim executive director, and Lewis Perkins from the Apparel Impact Institute. The session will be moderated by Linda Greer, a global fellow at the Beijing-based environmental NGO the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs. Returning after a hugely popular debut in Vancouver last year is the Pitch for the Planet session. This year hosted by Georgia Parker, innovation manager at Fashion for Good, the interactive session that will feature brief pitch-style presentations of new technologies before questions are opened up to the floor. A sustainable denim panel will be moderated by Andrew Olah, CEO of Olah Inc. and founder of the Kingpins denim event series. Olah will be joined by Alberto Candiani, CEO of Candiani Denim, Sanjeev Bahl, founder and CEO of Saitex International, Miguel Sanchez, an independent expert who has been involved in the denim sector for 30 years, and Mike Kininmonth, project manager for denim at Lenzing. The Innovation Zone, a platform to showcase the latest breakthroughs from across the apparel and textile sectors will be open to delegates throughout the days proceedings. This will offer visitors the chance to hold in-depth discussions with exhibitors to gain a better understanding of the latest industry developments that could directly improve their organisations environmental credentials. 2019 also sees the launch of an updated Green Guide. MCL News & Medias four flagship titles: Ecotextile News, T.EVO, Knitting Trade Journal and Sustainable Nonwovens have collaborated to produce an A5 pocket-sized guide, designed specifically for visitors to ITMA. Copies will be distributed free of charge to visitors at the MCL booth in Hall 3, Stand C102 and to Planet Textiles delegates. Planet Textiles 2019 will take place on 22 June at Fira de Barcelona. Register now to avoid disappointment! Web: planet-textiles.com Description The summer bridge program is the beginning of a full one year, evidence-based and comprehensive academic program. Program modules are well structured, integrated, and comprehensive that include discussions on scientific literacy, critical thinking & study skills with activities that promote cognitive processing of information and problem-solving strategies with the goal of strengthening independent learning. In addition, during the four weeks period, students will attend intensive classes in Biology, Chemistry and Math. They will be encouraged to attend first year orientation and will be trained in the various online learning platforms students encounter as first year students. Furthermore, given that they register for fall classes at ECSU, at the completion of the summer bridge program, each participant will receive a stipend of $1250. Academic year support includes five-hour-per-week tutorial and a tiered mentorship by undergraduate peers, graduate students and faculty. Regular workshops will be organized during the academic year to encourage and prepare students for summer research experience at ECSU and elsewhere, a key component of student preparedness for a career in the sciences but especially so to those who intend to join graduate programs. The Journal Star in Peoria reports Monday that the archdiocese has filed another petition arguing that Sheen is the prime and paramount determiner of his final resting place. Five days before his death in 1979, Sheen signed a will seeking burial in the archdioceses graveyard, Calvary Cemetery. He is interred at St. Patricks Cathedral. The College Boards plan to expand a program thats designed to help colleges see students SAT performance more fairly, by scoring students high schools and neighborhoods by level of disadvantage, has rattled college counselors and reignited decades-old debates about how college admission decisions are made. As soon as news broke last week that 150 colleges and universities would pilot the testing organizations Environmental Context Dashboard next fallthree times the number that used it in 2018-19counselors were juggling phone calls from parents and jumping into debates on Twitter and Facebook. The conversations took on an added charge since they come at a time when parents and counselors are particularly on edge about fairness in admissions. Persistent underrepresentation of black, Latino, and low-income students on elite campuses, a trial that showcased preferences for the children of alumni and big donors in Harvards admission policies, and a spectacular college-admissions bribery prosecution have all turned up the volume on the debate. Some counselors had supportive words for the College Boards program, which scores students high schools and neighborhoods level of disadvantage on a scale from 1-100. But criticism and skepticism far outweighed applause. If they are admitting that we need this adversity score, and that they are only rolling it out to 150 colleges next year, then why are we still using this test? Stacey Cunitz, the director of college counseling at the Crefeld School, a private school for grades 7-12 in Philadelphia, said on a listserv for college counselors. She, and many others, worried that wealthier parents will try to outsmart the system. Are we now going to have rich parents buying houses in poor zip codes so their kids can get a higher adversity score? she said in an interview. Cristiana Quinn, who founded College Admission Advisors in Providence, R.I., which provides college counseling for students and families, wondered whether the new dashboard would encourage better-off students to choose the ACT. That companys CEO, Marten Roorda, wrote Friday afternoon that the ACT would not follow suit with a similar system. If the SAT is going to start identifying students on level of adversity, or grit, or what-have-you, and ACT is not, does that mean the ACT is going to become a better test for more affluent students to take so theyre not identified as low adversity? she said. The level of panic, as one college admissions official called it, was so high on social media that the College Board scrambled to issue a what you need to know document about the dashboard. Resourcefulness and Other Student Qualities The disadvantage level scores are part of a project the College Board began developing in 2015 at the request of colleges. The resulting dashboard presents admissions officers with information about students neighborhoods and high schools, such as the poverty level and the availability of challenging coursework, to help them see students SAT scores in context of where they live and go to school. Admissions officials can evaluate ACT performance with the tool also, because the College Board built ACT score equivalents into its system. Those kinds of conversions, known as concordances, are widely criticized as inaccurate, however. College Board CEO David Coleman said the project is meant to encourage colleges to recognize student qualities that the SAT cant capture, such as resourcefulness. Essays, letters of recommendation, and the profiles most high schools post sometimes capture the challenges and circumstances students face, he said, but in many cases, colleges must dig to find those things out, or simply do without that information. Without a tool like the dashboard, he said, the SAT could be misleading. To warrant that the playing field is now level isnt right or just, Coleman said. In the America we live in the vast majority of students are working with a lot less than the top third. To then say that the SAT is enough to reflect what you can do, no, it isnt. College-admissions representatives whove been piloting the dashboard said theyve found it useful. Scott Verzyl, the dean of admissions at the University of South Carolina, said that in each of the two years the institution has been using it, his team has admitted about 125 students we probably would not have considered otherwise into its entering freshman classes of about 6,000. It helps us find students from underrepresented high schools, first-generation and low-income students, and students whove done well achieving academically despite being in an environment thats stacked against them in some ways, Verzyl said. Joy St. John, the director of admissions at Wellesley College, said the dashboard has helped her team get a more detailed picture of applicants coming from regions of the country that dont typically send many students to the Massachusetts school. Knowing, for instance, that an Oklahoma student lives in a remote rural community helps an admissions officer see how she could bring a potentially enriching perspective to campus, St. John said. Sometimes students dont know whats most unique about them, she said. It might be something really special and would inform their academic work, and their interactions in the classroom and on our campus. Its another form of diversity we want to be able to consider. The dashboard is based in part on research by Michael N. Bastedo, a University of Michigan scholar who focuses on college access. He has found that low-income students are more likely to be admitted to college when admissions officers review contextual information about their circumstances. But the College Boards program caused enough uproar last week that Bastedo himself took to Twitter, posting a long stream of tweets to clarify what the program does and doesnt do. Its not just one adversity score, he wrote. The [dashboard] is not a panacea. Applicants will have other stressors and adversities in their lives (disabilities, death of parent, many things) that have to come through the rest of the application. Thats holistic review. This [new tool] is only trying to improve one part. Strivers Tool Scrapped This isnt the first time the College Board has considered using socioeconomic and other data to round out the perceptions of students SAT scores. In 1999, the Educational Testing Service, which designs the SAT questions, created a strivers tool that would have identified students who scored higher than expected based on racial, socioeconomic, and other data. Race, class, and parental education have long influenced students SAT scores, causing widespread mistrust of what those scores reflect. The strivers program emerged from worry that the U.S. Supreme Court might ban affirmative action. Several states had already done so. But colleges freaked out about the news, and the College Board shut down the program, said Anthony Carnevale, who led the strivers project for ETS 20 years ago. The reaction to the College Boards new dashboard drew comments online that showed its power to reignite old affirmation-action debates. A woman who identified herself as Carol Ambrose9 posted on Twitter: do U want a person who got into school because of a high #adversity score performing surgery or making life & death decisions 4 U or do U want someone who actually has the ability and intelligence 2 get into school. Really just #affirmativeaction renamed. She ended her post with vote @realDonaldTrump. Others who jumped into arguments on social media sounded resigned and grudgingly supportive of the new level of disadvantage scores. If theyre going to continue to push testing as a factor in the admissions process, then they might as well give us more data to put those numbers into context, said one participant in a private Facebook group for college counselors. Others were suspicious of the College Boards motives for building the new tool, at a time when the list of colleges that now make the SAT or ACT optional has grown to more than 1,200. Could the new tool be a bid to stop more from jumping ship? David Quinn, an International Baccalaureate coordinator in Lynnwood, Wash., got this text from a colleague: [College Board President] Coleman is gonna hand out shirts at [the next counselors conference] that say: The College Board! Were Still Relevant! Many counselors felt caught in a bind. They knew theyd have to explain to parents how the additional score might affect their children, and they didnt have enough information yet. Some posted notes to colleagues on social media, asking if anyone knew which 150 colleges would pilot the system next year because parents were already asking. Legal Battles Looming? Jill Madenberg, the founder of Madenberg College Consulting, in Lake Success, N.Y., said that she got a call from one parent of a 9th grader and a 7th grader. She was questioning the SAT versus the ACT in light of this, Madenberg said. I told her its way too early to make that call. Joseph Miller, the associate director of college counseling at St. Agnes Academy, a Roman Catholic high school for girls in Houston, was troubled that colleges would substitute an electronic tool for a nuanced, personal inquiry into applicants lives and circumstances. If Im a university, I should take the opportunity to find out, Oh, this is a school in rural Alabama, where we dont get many applicants. Lets find out more. That onus is on the institution, and on us, as college counselors. Thats what we do. We make colleges aware of our students and where they come from, Miller said. Veteran counselors predicted a period of confusion and anxiety in the shortage of information about the College Boards new system. Counselors will be asking, how will this child be measured? And at least initially, they wont have much clarity, said Scott Griggs, who worked as a college counselor and principal in private schools before assuming leadership of the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest, which accredits private schools. It will add a layer of confusion to an already complicated process. Many who reacted to the College Boards new plan were uneasy that students and counselors wouldnt get to see the disadvantage scores, learn how the factors in it are weighted, or check their accuracy. If school counselors and students are not told the score, what happens when it is inaccurate in some way? Who is checking? Cunitz said. Some saw legal battles looming. Jon Boeckenstedt, the associate vice president for enrollment management at DePaul University in Chicago, and an outspoken critic of admissions testing, posted on Twitter that students wont see their disadvantage scores [u]ntil the parents of some rich, white boy at a New England prep school sues, claiming the Adversity Index unfairly penalizes the boy for being rich and white and from a New England prep school. Error, group does not exist! Check your syntax! (ID: 17) The Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR), Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, hosted the National Spatial Development Framework (NSDF) Indaba on 12 April 2019 at Gallagher Estate, Midrand under the theme: Moving South Africa forward, towards the desired Spatial Future. Addressing the delegates, she said that spatial planning is important in a young democracy. As a young democracy, we have inherited a fractured spatial plan and, therefore, we need to address this spatial inefficiencies and inequalities. We need to use this NSDF as a transformative tool to deal with the triple challenge of poverty, unemployment and inequality by bringing key stakeholders from the various sectors of society together, to share knowledge and exchange learning. The DRDLR, in collaboration with the Department of Planning Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME), are working together to develop the first NSDF for the country, to respond to the challenges of efficiently managing resources, land and driving and accelerating spatial change and transformation. The NSDF will enable a changing course by providing a new spatial and development vision and logic. It is not only about fixing the past but having a strategic handle on shaping the future, she said. It will inform and energise the posture of a developmental and capable state to lead society in changing the course towards a new desired spatial future. The drive for spatial transformation in South Africa is a huge undertaking that can only be driven by a capable developmental state. Spatial planning can only be relevant and effective as part of a conscious developmental state transformation programme. After we have gone into rigorous planning there must be implementation, concluded the Minister. The indaba also gave the department an opportunity to update stakeholders on the NSDFs progress and share the work done with regard to its development. The platform was also used as part of the legally required consultation process to solicit inputs from leaders within community-based organisations (CBOs), non-government organisations (NGOs) and the private sector. Opening the Indaba, the acting director general, Rendani Sadiki, said the National Development Plan (NDP) signalled the beginning of a different approach to rectifying the past and creating a different future for all who call South Africa home. The NDP identified a key area to attend to, i.e. the preparation of a national spatial framework. It recognised that such a national spatial framework is required for the realisation of the progressive social and economic development objectives as espoused in government driven policy, she said. The DRDLR Department of Rural Development and Land Reform responded to the call in the NDP, and made provision for the preparation of a NSDF in its 2013 Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act, also known as SPLUMA. After four years of hard work in collaboration with the departments of Planning Monitoring and Evaluation, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, and National Treasury, together with extensive research and many workshops, we stand here today to witness history in the making with the first Draft NSDF, she said. The NSDF requires a radical and decisive change in the way investment and spending have been planned, budgeted for and done in the national space, as well as in the provincial and municipal space. While these changes will not always be easy, and entail very different ways of engaging, collaborating and investing and spending in space, the rewards of doing so will far outweigh the sacrifices a peaceful, prosperous and truly transformed South Africa by 2050, whereby we move South Africa forward towards our desired spatial future, not just for us but, more importantly, for our future generations, Sadiki concluded. Contact Fhatuwani Mutangwa, DRDLR, fhatuwani.mutangwa@drdlr.gov.za Related Articles Manx Labour calls changes to benefits 'assault on the poor' Changes to employed persons benefits, set to go before Tynwald today, have been labelled an assault on the poor by the Manx Labour Party. If approved, working families with low-to-moderate incomes would have to take on more hours to qualify for the allowances as of June 2020, though couples would be able to combine their totals. Richard Halsall of the Manx Labour Party (MLP) describes these as callous and cruel changes that will force people into competing for low-paying, insecure employment. Hes blasted the measures, which be believes are driven by a right-wing ideology that worships the wealthy and punishes the poor. Whats proposed? Currently a lone parent needs to work at least 16 hours a week to qualify for employed persons allowance (EPA). For couples, one or more must work at least 30 hours a week. At present these hours cannot be combined, regardless of the childs age. More than 1,200 workers claim EPA, and the government estimates up to 50 lone parents, and up to 100 couples with children will be affected by the changes. Mr Cannan has proposed the following changes to qualify for the benefit: Couples with a child under six will be able to combine their hours, but must work at least 35 hours in total. Couples with their youngest child over six will be able to combine hours, but must work at least 48 hours a week. Lone parents with an only child aged over 13 must work at least 24 hours a week. Treasury states exceptions for disabilities, caring responsibilities, sickness, pregnancy and bereavement are provided for. A commitment has also been made as part of these proposals to offer training and transitional arrangements, to ensure no one is poorer for working additional hours. Mr Cannan says: We will actively engage with affected families to provide whatever they may need to help secure the additional work necessary. If that involves having to train or re-train, they will be able to continue to claim EPA for up to 52 weeks while this is undertaken. Treasury Minister has Alfred Cannan dismissed the MLPs criticism, and says the party hasnt offered alternative solutions to the Islands problems, bar tax rises. Defending his record in supporting low-income families, hes listed a rise in personal allowances of 3000 in three years, increases in child benefit, and other welfare incentives. Mr Cannan believes jobs are there for those seeking to increase their hours to qualify for EPA, despite respondents to a consultation on the changes expressing concern about what posts are on offer. He spoke to Local Democracy Reporter Ewan Gawne: Media Cannan The baby arrived at the hospital by ambulance on April 23 along with a woman who said she had just given birth at her Southwest Side home. But an examination found no evidence of that. Even so, the hospital did not notify the state Department of Children and Family Services until May 9, two days after police contacted the hospital about the case. Pictured: Manx pilot who died alongside three others when their plane crashed in Dubai A Manx pilot has been named as one of four people who died when a light aircraft crashed near Dubai International Airport on Thursday. 26-year-old William Blackburn from Douglas was on board the Diamond DA42 aircraft when it crashed near Mushrif Park at around 7.30pm. The aircraft was owned and operated by UK firm Flight Calibration Services (FCSL) and was evaluating navigation aids at Dubai International Airport. Shoreham-based FCSL specialises in calibrating and inspecting ground-based navigation aids like radar and instrument landing systems. The elder Figueroa is accused of strangling 19-year-old Ochoa-Lopez, who was nine months pregnant, removing the baby from her abdomen, then calling paramedics to report that the baby was not breathing. She continued to claim the infant as her own after the April 23 slaying, even seeking money on a crowdfunding site for the boy, who was hospitalized in grave condition. 11 Daesh terrorists killed in Iraq By late 2017, the Iraqi army with the help of a US-led military coalition had recovered most if not all lost territories from the notorious terrorist group. Iraqi forces killed 11 Daesh militants in a security operation in northern Iraq, according to the defense ministry on Tuesday. ELEVEN DAESH TERRORISTS KILLED The operation in the Saladin province resulted in the destruction of three tunnels and the seizure of two-car bombs and 13 explosive belts, the ministry said in a statement. The ministry said the operation aimed at "imposing security and stability" in the area. In mid-2014, Daesh overran roughly one third of Iraq, including the northern city of Mosul. Although officials in Baghdad say Daeshs presence in the country has been largely eradicated, the terrorist group has continued to stage sporadic attacks in Iraq's Nineveh, Kirkuk, Diyala, Saladin and Anbar provinces. FETO suspects arrested over exam irregularities bid According to the reports, FETO members were landed jobs in Turkish Foreign Ministry after cheating in exams for 4 consecutive years. At least 111 suspects from Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) have been arrested on Monday as part of an investigation into irregularities in staff recruitment exams for the Foreign Ministry. ARREST WARRANT According to the prosecutors office in capital Ankara, arrest warrants were issued for 249 suspects as part of the investigation which let FETO members take posts in the ministry via exams held in the years 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. The suspects are sought for being member of a terror organization, aggravated fraud, and forgery with terror aims. A search operation has been launched in 42 provinces, the office added. 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. 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. Arrest warrants out for above 214 FETO-linked terror suspects 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 prosecutors have issued arrest warrants for 214 people with suspected links to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind the 2016 defeated coup, a judicial source said Tuesday. 214 FETO SUSPECTED ARRESTED Arrest warrants were issued for the suspects as part of a probe for 140 suspects into the terror group's clandestine network in the Turkish Armed Forces, a statement by the prosecutors in the capital Ankara said. Among the suspects, who were found to have communicated with FETOs covert imams a senior FETO member via pay phones, were 41 on active-duty soldiers in the Land, Air and Naval Forces, the statement added. Separately, Istanbul prosecutors issued arrest warrant for 74 more suspects with alleged links to FETO, judicial sources said. Security forces carried out operations in 18 provinces for 92 different addresses. Turkey 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. European Union opens worlds second largest mission in Kenyan The EU on Tuesday opened its second-largest embassy in the Kenyan capital Nairobi. The embassy was officially opened by EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini who held a joint news conference with Kenyan Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma. THE SECOND LARGE EMBASSY HAS BEEN OPENED EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said that unveiling of the new embassy is proof of Kenya's pivotal role as a regional hub and gateway to East and Central Africa. Speaking to local media, Mogherini said: We see Kenya as not only a gateway to the region and to Africa but also as an important hub. I was pleased to inaugurate our new EU embassy here in Nairobi; it is the second largest in the world and this is not by coincidence. She noted that during her meeting with Juma they discussed trade, blue economy and regional security matters. Mogherini arrived in Nairobi following a visit to Mogadishu, Somalia. France to work with Cyprus to expand naval base Cyprus defense minister stated that France is assisting Cypriot authorities in upgrading a naval port on the east Mediterranean islands southern coast to allow it to receive large warships. Cyprus and France have stated their intention in writing to cooperate in strengthening Cypriot naval capabilities and for a broader strategic cooperation between the two naval forces. "STRATEGIC COOPERATION FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE NAVAL FORCES" French Defence Minister Florence Parly and her Cypriot counterpart Savvas Angelides held discussions in Paris. Savvas Angelides said on Thursday that he has signed a statement of intent with his French counterpart affirming bilateral defense cooperation that allows authorities to proceed with the next phase of planning for the upgrade at Evangelos Florakis Naval Base. According to the reports, the two countries will co-fund the building of a new docking area at the Evangelos Florakis naval base in Mari to allow larger warships to dock. Work has already started to upgrade the naval base. The operational centre of the French warships will be the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle which is patrolling the Eastern Mediterranean. Houthis launch drone attack on Saudi military airport Last week, Saudi Arabia said Houthi rebels had carried out drone attacks on two oil pump stations on the East-West pipeline, which carries Saudi oil from the eastern province to Yanbu port. Yemen's Houthi rebels launched a bomb-laden drone attack in southwestern Saudi Arabia, according to the Saudi-led coalition on Tuesday. DRONE ATTACK The attack targeted a civilian infrastructure in the city of Najran, coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said in a statement cited by the official SPA news agency. The spokesman, however, did not elaborate about casualties or damage caused by the attack. The Houthi group, meanwhile, said the drone attack targeted a military airport and arms depot in the city, according to the group's Al-Masirah television. Saudi Arabia is leading an Arab military coalition that has been pounding Houthi positions in Yemen since 2015, one year after the rebel group overran much of Yemen, including capital Sanaa. New Zealand police file countrys first terrorism charge The charge was the first under New Zealands terrorism suppression legislation, introduced in 2002, after Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the United States. New Zealand police have charged the man accused of murder in shootings at two Christchurch mosques in March with engaging in a terrorist act, the first time such a charge had been brought in the countrys history, they said on Tuesday. TERRORIST FACES A TOTAL OF 51 CHARGES OF MURDER In an attack broadcast live on Facebook, a lone gunman armed with semi-automatic weapons targeted Muslims attending Friday prayers on March 15, killing 51 worshippers and wounding dozens of people. Tuesdays charge under terrorism suppression legislation was filed against Brenton Tarrant, police said. The charge will allege that a terrorist act was carried out in Christchurch, Commissioner of Police Mike Bush said in a statement. An additional charge of murder and two more charges of attempted murder have also been filed against Tarrant, so that the suspected white supremacist faces a total of 51 charges of murder and 40 of attempted murder. In their 23-page filing, prosecutors said the information and testimony provided over the years by Zambada-Niebla disrupted a major pipeline of illegal drugs flowing into the U.S. and helped lead to the convictions of dozens of cartel members including Guzman himself. Prosecutors described him as a model cooperator, sitting for more than 100 debriefings over the years and detailing his firsthand knowledge of the inner workings of the narco world. PKK targets were destroyed in N.Iraq Turkish jets destroyed terrorist weapons positions, shelters, and ammunition depots in Avasin-Basyan region. Turkish fighter jets continued hitting PKK terrorist targets on second day in northern Iraq, the National Defense Ministry said on Tuesday. PKK IS RESPONSIBLE FOR 40.000 DEATHS The Turkish airstrikes destroyed weapon positions, shelters, and ammunition dumps used by PKK terrorists in the Avasin-Basyan region, the ministry said. On Monday, the airstrikes had pounded on PKK terrorist installations in the Hakurk region. In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and the EU has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women and children. Rouhani: Resistance is our only choice Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said he favors talks and diplomacy but not under current conditions. Today's conditions are in no way terms of negotiations but conditions of resistance and struggle, Irans president said Monday. "US WANTS WAR" In the past 40 years, "the people of the White House" have been working against Iran and planning to combat the country with pressure and weapons, Rouhani told a meeting with Shia clergymen in Tehran, adding that all these elements culminated in what is happening today. "The enemy constantly wanted Iran to start the tension, but we did not do it," he said. There is no disagreement between the people and those who manage the country against US sanctions, he said, and stressed he is personally in favor of negotiations and diplomacy, but in no way accepts talks under the current conditions. He said the US State Department has called for negotiations eight times. "THAT WILL BE THE OFFICIAL END OF IRAN" Donald Trump denied reports Washington is seeking to establish negotiations with Iran. "Iran will call us if and when they are ever ready," Trump said on Twitter. "In the meantime, their economy continues to collapse - very sad for the Iranian people!" The remarks strike a much different tone than comments Trump delivered Sunday where he warned Iran if it pursues conflict with the US, "that will be the official end of Iran!" "Never threaten the United States again!" he said, without specifying what threat, although a rocket landed earlier in the day in Baghdad's Green Zone where the US embassy is located. Earlier Monday, Iran's Ambassador to the UN Takht Ravanchi sent an appeal letter to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the Security Council, urging the launching of "regional diplomatic dialogue" to ease the current alarming security situation" in the Gulf region and he implored the international body to not "remain indifferent." "Iran will never choose war, but if war is imposed on us, Iran will vigorously exercise its inherent right to self-defense," he said. He suggested that if a possible crisis arises, the problem will go beyond the region and threaten international peace and security. Russia criticizes US pledge to sanction Nord Stream 2 The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project has come under fire from US. The Kremlin said on Tuesday that US sanctions on Russias Nord Stream 2 pipeline to Germany would be an act of unfair competition that would be seen as unacceptable in Moscow and some European capitals. EU'S RELIANCE ON RUSSIAN GAS US Energy Secretary Rick Perry said earlier on Tuesday in Kiev that a sanctions bill putting onerous restrictions on companies involved in the Nord Stream 2 project would come in the "not too distant future". The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project has come under fire from the United States and several eastern European, Nordic and Baltic Sea countries which fear it will increase the European Unions reliance on Russian gas. "This acts of unfair US competition is unacceptable not only for us, but also for many European Union countries," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call. Turkish EP candidate: Brexit will make reforms possible in trade Neva Kadoglu-Novaky, a conservative and the only Turkish origin Briton running for an EP seat in this week's elections, said Brexit will pave way for a possible reform in trade between Turkey and UK. Relations between Turkey and the UK will further develop after Brexit, a Turkish-British candidate for the European Parliament said. TURKEY AND UK RELATIONS WILL FURTHER DEVELOP AFTER BREXIT "The present EU-Customs Union agreement between Turkey and the bloc necessitates Turkey to open its markets to a third country if the EU signs a trade deal with that country but that country does not have to open its markets to Turkey," Neva Kadoglu-Novaky explained. "Turkish-origin people in the UK contributed to the economy and society in this country. British citizens with Turkish background such as myself are a bridge between the two countries," she said. Speaking about the negative use of Turkey and Turkish citizens in the Brexit campaign prior to the 2016 referendum, Novaky said she believed that "our focus should be the future instead of the Brexit referendum campaign which took place 2 years ago." Leave campaign had used Turkeys possible EU membership as a threat to the UK and unjustifiably said more than 70 million Turks would pour into the country if the UK remained as a member, in a claim widely rejected as groundless. She said: "The rising votes of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) and far-right parties make me sad. This is a matter of concern. However, the reason for their rising vote now is their firm stance in the Brexit issue. Their rise is not related to Islamophobia but their demand to depart from the EU." Underlining that the far-right defends the departure from the EU at all costs, Novaky said: "The Conservative Party attaches importance to a Brexit that would protect citizens rights and economic interests." Novaky said it is easier to be a young female Turkish politician in the UK than being one in the EU. She said: The Turkish community in the UK, unfortunately, has not been active in the Conservative Party and involved in politics in general terms." "Thats why there has not been an MP from the Turkish community yet. I hope this will change in the coming years. But I would like to emphasize that my Turkish identity has never been a negative factor in the British political arena." Turkish vice president meets Volodymyr Zelenskiy The meeting came after the inauguration ceremony of Zelensky at the parliament building in Kiev, which was attended by heads of state, presidents of parliament and ministers from various countries. Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay met with Ukraine's newly elected President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in a closed-door meeting Monday in Kiev. BILATERAL RELATIONS WERE DISCUSSED AT THE MEETING The two countries reached a consensus on signing a Turkey-Ukraine free trade agreement for achieving a trade target of $10 billion. Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay also expressed Turkey's concern regarding the annexation of Crimea. Eastern Ukraine has been wracked by conflict since March 2014 after Russias annexation of the peninsula. Pro-Russian separatists living in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions declared independence in a move not recognized by the international community, including Turkey. Oktay also met Romania's Deputy Prime Minister Ana Birchall during his visit to Ukraine, he said on Twitter. The two exchanged views on the meeting of the Turkey-Romania Joint Economic Committee planned to be held this year, he added. In a Twitter post, Birchall said: "Honored to meet the Vice President of #Turkey @fuatoktay06, welcoming positive developments in bilateral relations especially in the #economic field & in-depth dialog on sectoral #cooperation initiatives within our #StrategicPartnership, as well as regional & multilateral formats." Romania's Deputy Prime Minister Ana Birchall and Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay Meanwhile, Oktay received Gagauz Turks, Ahiska Turks and Crimean Tatars living in Ukraine at Turkey's Embassy in Kiev. In the meeting, Oktay stressed that Turkey's support will continue. Additionally, he met with representatives of Turkish civil society and business residing in Ukraine. On Turkey's commitment to increase its trade volume with Ukraine, Oktay said trade volume between the two countries is around $6 billion. Turkey aims to increase it to $10 billion. During his swearing-in, Zelensky announced that he was dissolving parliament. According to the Ukrainian Constitution, parliamentary elections must be held within 60 days after this occurs. UN confirms reviewing N. Korean letter on US-seized vessel The UN on Tuesday said that the letter sent by N.Korea over the US seizure of its cargo ship is under review. The UN confirmed on Tuesday that it is reviewing a North Korean request over the US's seizure of its cargo ship. "TRANSFERRING COAL AND MACHINERY" Spokesman of the UN chief Stephane Dujarric said a letter from North Korea to review the US seizure had been "distributed and circulated", Seoul-based Yonhap news agency reported. The US Justice Department had announced on May 8 that it seized a North Korean cargo ship on suspicions of "transferring coal and machinery" in violation of UN and US sanctions imposed on Pyongyang. However, Pyongyangs top envoy to the UN Kim Song wrote to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last week seeking "urgent measures" against the move. Kim criticized the move as "unlawful and outrageous". "We are, obviously, studying the letter as it relates to the issue of sanctions on the DPRK and actions taken in the implementation of those sanctions," Dujarric said. "The questions relating to possible sanctions evasion and member states' implementation of Security Council resolutions are a matter for member states to address," he added. US lawmakers call on spy chief to rein in spread of hacking tools US govt wants the State Department and intelligence community to help rein in the sale of surveillance tools by private companies to repressive regimes. US lawmakers demanded the intelligence community and the State Department control the spread of surveillance technology in other countries, according to letter signed by a bipartisan group of congressmen released Monday. WE SHOULD NOT SELL TECHNOLOGY TO SPY COUNTRIES The letter, led by Democrat Tom Malinowski and sent to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats on Friday, referenced two separate occasions where US or foreign companies sold technology to countries that used them to spy on journalists, dissidents and Americans. One such incident was with Pegasus, an Israeli surveillance software sold to Saudi Arabia and reportedly used to spy on Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. US resident and columnist for The Washington Post, was killed by Saudi nationals after entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. After initially saying he had left the consulate alive, the Saudi administration later admitted he was killed there, blaming the killing on rogue Saudi operatives. The letter also highlighted the case of the American company, Cyberpoint, which reportedly provided intelligence officers to a United Arab Emirates (UAE) hacking unit and targeted militants, human rights activists, and journalists in the Middle East, including US citizens. Lawmakers emphasized concern "about these and other reported instances in which foreign governments with troubling human rights records," or entities that operate on the interests of those governments, exploiting the intelligence training of individuals trained in US national service. The letter recommends Washington should "enhance its ability" to stop former US intelligence officials from using their expertise to become mercenaries for foreign governments. The State Department is in charge of approving any potential cyber offensive product sales to foreign governments under certain circumstances. "Capabilities that the United States and our allies developed to catch terrorists should not be sold on the open market to help dictatorships catch dissidents, or spy on ordinary Americans," Malinowski said in a statement. "We need new rules to control the spread of these emerging surveillance technologies." The letter was signed by House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Eliot Engel, as well as Adam Schiff, Mike Gallagher, Jason Crow, Will Hurd, Colin Allred, Abigail Spanberger, Andre Carson and Eric Swalwell. He was found guilty of trafficking 16-year-old Desiree Robinson, who authorities said was killed by a man who had answered a sex ad posted by Hazley on the now-shuttered site Backpage.com. Hazley was also convicted of pimping two other girls on Backpage as well as taking one of them to Ohio and Indiana to have sex for money. On April 23 at 9:09 p.m. local time, residents of Aguas Zarcas, a small town in Costa Rica, saw a large 'fireball' in the sky. The reported fireball was a meteor about the size of a washing machine. As it entered Earth's atmosphere, it broke apart and rained hundreds of meteorites in and around the small Costa Rican town, including a two-pound rock that crashed through the roof of a local house, smashing the dining room table below. While meteorite falls happen around the world on a regular basis, early reports indicated that this meteorite belongs to a special group called 'carbonaceous chondrites' that are rich in organic compounds and full of water. "Many carbonaceous chondrites are mud balls that are between 80 and 95% clay," says Laurence Garvie, who is a research professor in the School of Earth and Space Exploration and a curator for ASU's Center for Meteorite Studies. "Clays are important because water is an integral part of their structure." From these early reports, the race was on to collect samples and bring them back to labs around the world for scientific analysis. "These had to be collected quickly and before they got rained on," explains Garvie. "Because they are mostly clay, as soon as these types of meteorites get wet, they fall apart." Fortunately, meteorite collectors had five rain-free days in the region to collect samples from the fall. About 55 pounds of meteorites (collectively the size of a large beach ball) have been recovered so far. As of last week, ASU has acquired several meteorite samples from the Aguas Zarcas fall, which were donated by meteorite collector Michael Farmer. Farmer traveled to Costa Rica immediately after the meteorite fall to purchase and collect the meteorites from residents of Aguas Zarcas. A private donor has also provided funds for ASU to purchase additional meteorite samples from this fall. ASU leads the classification of the Aguas Zarcas meteorite fall Once Garvie had the donated samples, he rushed back to the lab on ASU's Tempe Campus to run the analyses needed to determine the classification of the meteorites. He is now leading an international classification effort. "I was in the lab by five a.m. the next morning after picking up the samples to get them ready for the initial analyses" said Garvie. "Classification of new meteorites can be like a race with other institutions, and I needed ASU to be first so that we'll have the recognition of being the collection that holds and curates the type specimen material." ASU's Center for Meteorite Studies has a specialized curatorial facility for meteorites, one that rivals many other international facilities. In particular, ASU has nitrogen cabinets for storage of particularly air-sensitive meteorites where the nitrogen atmosphere preserves the meteorites and stops their degradation. "If you left this carbonaceous chondrite in the air, it would lose some of its extraterrestrial affinities," explains Garvie. "These meteorites have to be curated in a way that they can be used for current and future research, and we have that ability here at ASU." For the meteorite classification process, Garvie is working with Karen Ziegler from the Institute of Meteoritics at the University of New Mexico. In her lab, Ziegler analyzed the samples for their oxygen isotopes, which helps determine what characteristics this meteorite shares with other carbonaceous chondrites. Garvie is also working with ASU School of Molecular Sciences' professor emerita Sandra Pizzarello, an organic chemist known for her work with carbonaceous chondrite meteorites. Pizzarello's analysis is helping to determine the organic inventory of the sample, which may provide insights into whether these types of meteorites provided the ingredients for the origins of life on Earth. Ultimately, the meteorites will be approved, classified, and named by the Meteoritical Society's nomenclature committee, an international team of 12 scientists who approve all new classified meteorites. This approval is the first and most important step of an in-depth scientific analysis. Nature has said, "here you are!" Because of their water-rich composition, carbonaceous chondrites can provide insights into how we may be able to extract water from asteroids in space as a resource beyond Earth. "Having this meteorite in our lab gives us the ability, with further analysis, to ultimately develop technologies to extract water from asteroids in space," says Garvie. Garvie and his team, as well as scientists around the world, will be analyzing these meteorites, for years to come, for new insights about water extraction from meteorites as well as insights into the origins of the solar system and the organic process. "Nature has said 'here you are' and now we have to be smart enough to tease apart the individual components and understand what they are telling us," says Garvie. Carbonaceous chondrites The Costa Rican meteorite comes from an asteroid that was an early planet (planetesimal) that had water and organic materials. "It formed in an environment free of life, then was preserved in the cold and vacuum of space for 4.56 billion years, and then dropped in Costa Rica last week," explains Garvie. By happenstance, the last carbonaceous chondrites meteorite fall of this significance happened 50 years ago in 1969, and was curated by another ASU professor and founding director of ASU's Center for Meteorite Studies Carleton Moore, who is now an ASU emeritus Regents' Professor. The meteorite fell to Earth near Murchison, Australia in 1969 and is one of the most studied meteorites in the world. "Carbonaceous chondrites are relatively rare among meteorites, but are some of the most sought-after by researchers because they contain the best-preserved clues to the origin of the solar system," says Center director, Meenakshi Wadhwa. "This new meteorite represents one of the most scientifically significant additions to our wonderful collection in recent years." The other ASU connection with this recent Costa Rican meteorite fall is that the samples closely resemble what scientists are discovering on the OSIRIS-REx mission to the asteroid Bennu, on which ASU has the Phil Christensen-designed Thermal Emissions Spectrometer (OTES). This instrument is making mineral and temperature maps of the asteroid Bennu, which is thought to be composed of a remnant carbonaceous chondrite planetesimal. Sample on display and open to the public at ASU Samples from this meteorite fall, and many others, are on display for the public on the ASU Tempe Campus in the Center for Meteorite Studies collection on the second floor of the Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building IV. ### ASU's Center for Meteorite Studies is home to the world's largest university-based meteorite collection, with over 40,000 individual specimens representing more the 2,100 distinct meteorite falls and finds. The collection is actively used for geological, planetary, and space science research at ASU and throughout the world. About Arizona State University Arizona State University has developed a new model for the American Research University, creating an institution that is committed to access, excellence and impact. ASU measures itself by those it includes, not by those it excludes. As the prototype for a New American University, ASU pursues research that contributes to the public good, and ASU assumes major responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of the communities that surround it. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) look at large populations to find genes that contribute to common, multi-gene traits like height or obesity. These comprehensive studies frequently turn up large numbers of tiny genetic variations that occur more often in people who are tall, obese, etc. But this association doesn't mean the variant actually helps cause the trait; it could just be going along for the ride. So which genes should scientists investigate further? While numerous computational algorithms are available to help distill GWAS results, it's been hard to know which one to pick. Reporting May 2nd in the American Journal of Human Genetics, researchers describe what they believe is an effective, unbiased method for choosing the best algorithm for the job, called Benchmarker. Most methods that have been used to evaluate the algorithms can bias investigators toward genes that are already well-characterized, steering scientists away from opportunities to discover something truly new. Other methods require access to independent reference data that aren't always readily available. "We have different prioritization algorithms, but we don't actually know how to decide which one is best," says Rebecca Fine, a PhD candidate at Harvard Medical School who has been working on this problem with Joel Hirschhorn, MD, PhD, chief of endocrinology at Boston Children's Hospital, who also directs the metabolism program at the Broad Institute. "We didn't want to have to rely on a previous 'gold standard' or bring in anything other than the original GWAS data." Borrowing from machine learning Borrowing the machine-learning concept of "cross-validation," Benchmarker enables investigators to use the GWAS data itself as its own control. The idea is to take the GWAS dataset and single out one chromosome. The algorithm being benchmarked then uses the data from the remaining 21 chromosomes (all but X and Y) to make predictions about what genes on the single chromosome are most likely to contribute to the trait being investigated. As this process is repeated for each chromosome in turn, the genes that the algorithm has flagged are pooled. The algorithm is then validated by comparing this group of prioritized genes with the original GWAS results. "You train the algorithm on the GWAS with one chromosome withheld, then go back to that chromosome and ask whether those genes were actually associated with a strong p-value in the original GWAS results," explains Fine. "While these p-values don't represent the exact 'right answers,' they do tell you roughly where some true genetic associations are. The end product is an evaluation of how each algorithm performed." Benchmarking Benchmarker Putting this approach through its paces for 20 separate traits, Fine, Hirschhorn and colleagues conclude that combining multiple strategies often gives the best results. They also found evidence that certain algorithms perform best when looking for genes for certain traits. "We expect that many more algorithms will be developed to answer the key next question after GWAS: which genes and variants are causally related to human traits and diseases," says Hirschhorn. "The Benchmarker approach can be a great help as an unbiased way to figure out which algorithms to use to answer this question." ### The study was supported by the NIH National Human Genome Research Institute (F31HG009850 and T32 HG002295), the NIH National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R01DK075787 and R01DK105154), the Lundbeck Foundation (R190-2014-3904), the Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF18CC0034900), and the NIH National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (1R01AR063759-01A1). See the paper for a full list of authors. About Boston Children's Hospital Boston Children's Hospital, the primary pediatric teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, is home to the world's largest research enterprise based at a pediatric medical center. Its discoveries have benefited both children and adults since 1869. Today, more than 3,000 scientists, including 8 members of the National Academy of Sciences, 18 members of the National Academy of Medicine and 12 Howard Hughes Medical Investigators comprise Boston Children's research community. Founded as a 20-bed hospital for children, Boston Children's is now a 415-bed comprehensive center for pediatric and adolescent health care. For more, visit our Vector and Thriving blogs and follow us on social media @BostonChildrens, @BCH_Innovation, Facebook and YouTube. Promising and exciting. Those are the words used by Dr. Stephanie McGrath to describe findings from a pilot study to assess the use of cannabidiol, or CBD, for dogs with epilepsy. McGrath, a neurologist at Colorado State University's James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital, led a small study with 16 pet dogs to assess the short-term effect of CBD on seizure frequency. Based on her research, McGrath found that 89 percent of dogs who received CBD in the clinical trial had a reduction in the frequency of seizures. Nine dogs were treated with CBD, while seven in a control group were treated with a placebo. The research took place from 2016 to 2017, and results are published in the June 1 issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Idiopathic epilepsy, which occurs with no known cause, affects up to 5.7% of the pet dog population worldwide, making it the most common canine neurologic condition. Dogs enrolled in the clinical trial were randomly assigned to the treatment or placebo group. Those in the treatment group received CBD oil for 12 weeks. All of the dogs were required to stay on standard anticonvulsant drugs, including phenobarbital and potassium bromide. The dogs' owners and CSU medical staff did not know if the animal received CBD or a placebo until the study was complete. The CBD product used in the study was derived from a hemp plant, which has 0.3 percent or less of the psychoactive component of cannabis, THC. The compound is not considered marijuana and can be used for research purposes based on the 2014 United States Department of Agriculture Farm Bill. Findings highlight effect of CBD oil on seizure reduction In addition to the distinct reduction of seizures in the group of dogs that received CBD oil, McGrath saw a significant association between the degree of seizure reduction and the amount of CBD concentration in the dog's blood. "We saw a correlation between how high the levels of CBD were in these dogs with how great the seizure reduction was," McGrath said. This finding led the neurologist to adjust the dose of CBD oil for dogs in a current clinical trial, which was launched in January 2018 and aims to enroll 60 client-owned dogs with epilepsy. McGrath described the ongoing research as exciting and important. "It's really exciting that perhaps we can start looking at CBD in the future as an alternative to existing anticonvulsive drugs," she said. ### The published study was funded by Applied Basic Science Corporation, the company that produced the CBD-infused oil evaluated in the study. McGrath has a 5% ownership in the company. The new clinical trial is funded by the AKC Canine Health Foundation. McGrath hopes to launch another study later this year to better zero in on the optimal dose of CBD to treat epilepsy in dogs. X-rays reveal an extinct mouse was dressed in brown to reddish fur on its back and sides and had a tiny white tummy Menlo Park, CA - Researchers have for the first time detected chemical traces of red pigment in an ancient fossil - an exceptionally well-preserved mouse, not unlike today's field mice, that roamed the fields of what is now the German village of Willershausen around 3 million years ago. The study revealed that the extinct creature, affectionately nicknamed "mighty mouse" by the authors, was dressed in brown to reddish fur on its back and sides and had a tiny white tummy. The results were published today in Nature Communications. The international collaboration, led by researchers at the University of Manchester in the U.K., used X-ray spectroscopy and multiple imaging techniques to detect the delicate chemical signature of pigments in this long-extinct mouse. "Life on Earth has littered the fossil record with a wealth of information that has only recently been accessible to science," says Phil Manning, a professor at Manchester who co-led the study. "A suite of new imaging techniques can now be deployed, which permit us to peer deep into the chemical history of a fossil organism and the processes that preserved its tissues. Where once we saw simply minerals, now we gently unpick the 'biochemical ghosts' of long extinct species." The research team, which includes scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, used X-ray beams from SLAC's Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL) and the Diamond Light Source (DLS) in the U.K. Painting a picture of the past Color plays a vital role in the selective processes that have steered evolution for hundreds of millions of years. But until recently, techniques used to study fossils weren't capable of exploring the pigmentation of ancient animals that is pivotal when reconstructing exactly what they looked like. This most recent paper marks a breakthrough in the ability to resolve fossilized color pigments in long-gone species by mapping key elements associated with the pigment melanin, the dominant pigment in animals. In the form of eumelanin, the pigment gives a black or dark brown color, but in the form of pheomelanin, it produces a reddish or yellow color. Building the foundation Until recently, the researchers had focused on the traces of elements known to be associated with eumelanin, which in previous experiments revealed dark and light patterns in the feathers of the first birds, including Archaeopteryx the famous fossil that first offered a clear link between dinosaurs and birds. In 2016, co-author Nick Edwards, scientist at SLAC, led a study that demonstrated the potential to differentiate between eumelanin and pheomelanin in modern bird feathers. That work provided a chemical benchmark for this most recent paper, which for the first time showed it's possible to detect the elusive red pigment, which is far less stable over geological time, in ancient fossils. "We had to build up a strong foundation using modern animal tissue before we could apply the technique to these ancient animals," Edwards said. "It was really a tipping point in using chemical signatures to crack the coloring of ancient animals with soft tissue fossils." To reveal the fossil patterns in the mighty mouse, the Manchester team used SSRL and DLS to bathe the fossils in intense X-rays. The interaction of those X-rays with trace metals found in pigments allowed the team to reconstruct the reddish coloring in the mouse's fur. "The fossils used in this study preserve amazing structural detail, but our work emphasizes that such exceptional preservation may also lead to extraordinary chemical detail that changes our understanding of what is possible to resolve in fossils," said Manchester professor of geochemistry Roy Wogelius, who co-led the study. "Along the way we learned so much more about the chemistry of pigmentation throughout the animal kingdom" Adding a new dimension The key to their work was determining that trace metals were incorporated into the fossilized mouse fur in exactly the same way that they bond to pigments in animals with high concentrations of red pigment in their tissue. "As you do research in a particular area, the scope of your techniques might evolve," says Uwe Bergmann, co-author and a distinguished staff scientist at SLAC who led the development of the x-ray fluorescence imaging used in this research. "The hope is that you can develop a tool that will become part of the standard arsenal when something new is studied, and I believe the application to fossils is a good example." The effort, which involved physics, paleontology, organic chemistry and geochemistry, informs the scientists what to look for in the future. "Our hope is that these results will mean that we can become more confident in reconstructing extinct animals and thereby add another dimension to the study of evolution," Wogelius says. ### The team also included researchers from the Fujita Health University in Japan; the Stanford PULSE Institute; the College of Charleston in South Carolina; the Children's Museum of Indianapolis; the University of Southampton in the U.K.; and the Joint Paleontology Foundation in Spain. The fossils were made available to the study by the University of Go?ttingen in Germany. SSRL is a DOE Office of Science user facility. Funding was provided by the U.K. Natural Environment Research Council. SLAC is a multi-program laboratory exploring frontier questions in photon science, astrophysics, particle physics and accelerator research. Located in Menlo Park, California, SLAC is operated by Stanford University for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science. To learn more, please visit http://www.slac.stanford.edu. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is supported by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit science.energy.gov. UPTON, NY--Materials scientist Mircea Cotlet of the Center for Functional Nanomaterials (CFN)--a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science User Facility at Brookhaven National Laboratory--has been named one of seven "Inventors of the Year" by the global science and technology organization Battelle. In collaboration with Stony Brook University, Battelle manages Brookhaven Lab through the company Brookhaven Science Associates. The annual awards recognize individuals who have made significant scientific or engineering contributions with important societal or financial impacts. Cotlet, a member of the CFN Soft and Bio Nanomaterials Group, was recognized for his research in applying self-assembly methods to control the interfaces between nanomaterials and other components that interact with light, such as proteins and polymers. Self-assembly refers to the mechanism by which molecules, particles, or other components in a system spontaneously assemble into ordered structures according to the intrinsic interactions among the different components. The materials Cotlet focuses on are low-dimensional semiconductors, including graphene and other 2-D materials, 1-D nanowires (thin but very long nanostructures), and tiny 0-D nanocrystals called quantum dots. "When you transition from bulk to atomically thin materials, you get into what is known as low-dimensional physics," explained Cotlet. "At these low dimensions, strong light-matter interactions occur. In my research, I combine low-dimensional semiconducting materials together through self-assembly and look for emerging properties, or properties that do not exist in nature." Cotlet's main interest is the interfacial phenomena--including charge and energy transfer processes--that exist in these "nanohybrid" materials. To characterize these processes down to the single-molecule level, Cotlet has developed high-sensitivity and high-resolution optical imaging and probing techniques, including one that can be used to distinguish between the two interfacial processes. By first understanding the interfacial phenomena and then devising approaches to control them, Cotlet seeks to engineer next-generation materials with enhanced optical and electronic properties for solar harvesting, solid-state lighting, plasmonics, and sensing applications. His research has led to patents on self-assembly methods for improving the responsivity of photodetectors, the energy-conversion efficiency of solar cells, and the transparency of solar panel windows. Cotlet obtained a PhD in physical chemistry from Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven in Belgium in 2002, and master's and bachelor's degrees in physics from Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi in Romania in 1996 and 1995, respectively. He was a visiting postdoctoral researcher In the Chemistry Department at Harvard University before becoming a director's postdoctoral fellow and then a technical staff member at DOE's Los Alamos National Laboratory. In 2007, he joined Brookhaven Lab as an assistant scientist at the CFN, which had just opened. By 2014, he had been promoted to scientist with indefinite appointment. Since 2010, he has also served as an adjunct professor in the Materials Science and Chemical Engineering Department at nearby Stony Brook University. Over his career, Cotlet has co-authored nearly 80 peer-reviewed articles, mostly in high-impact journals, and several of his articles have been featured on journal covers. He has presented more than 50 invited talks, organized and chaired several local and national conferences, and serves on the editorial board of the Wiley journal Particle & Particle System Characterization. "I feel honored to have my contributions to the field of low-dimensional nanomaterials recognized, to show the nanoscience community that interfacial phenomena in these nanohybrid materials can be controlled in a successful way toward a given property or application," said Cotlet. "Brookhaven Lab and the CFN are places with talented colleagues where great ideas can be nurtured, and transformative science can be done." Cotlet and the other six Inventors of the Year were honored during Battelle's annual Celebration of Solvers Event on April 12 at the Columbus Museum of Art in Ohio. ### Brookhaven National Laboratory is supported by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit science.energy.gov. Follow @BrookhavenLab on Twitter or find us on Facebook. Sophia Antipolis, 21 May 2019: Imaging provides a more precise diagnosis of a heart attack that can be used to individualise treatment. That's the main message of an expert consensus paper published today1 in European Heart Journal, a journal of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), and presented at EuroPCR in Paris, France.2 Heart attacks are diagnosed and treated using coronary angiography, an invasive procedure which provides an X-ray outline of the arteries supplying blood to the heart. Invasive imaging of the arteries gives more detail but there has been controversy over when to use it. This document seeks to resolve that debate. It promotes the adoption of intracoronary imaging in two major areas: 1) acute coronary syndromes including heart attack and 2) when diagnostic information from angiography is unclear. Which patients and lesions merit imaging? For acute coronary syndromes, advice is given on atypical presentation, complex lesions, and non-obstructive coronary artery disease. The paper provides criteria for assessment of the arteries, interpretation of images, choice of treatment, and guidance during stent insertion (percutaneous coronary intervention; PCI). In the past it was thought that most acute coronary syndromes were caused by ruptured plaque. Intracoronary imaging has identified plaque erosion and eruptive calcified nodules as other causes which may benefit from different treatment. In addition, intracoronary imaging clearly shows thrombus, which angiography may miss or misidentify. "Imaging is more accurate, helps guide decisions and facilitates tailored therapy, especially in younger heart attack patients who more frequently have plaque erosion or non-atherosclerotic coronary artery disease," said senior author Dr Giulio Guagliumi, of the Ospedale Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy. Coronary angiography is often ambiguous during heart attacks which lack an identifiable culprit lesion or have multiple culprit lesions. Intracoronary imaging provides clarity before and during PCI. An ageing population and rising levels of diabetes mean that more lesions causing heart attacks are calcified, which is difficult to detect using angiography and more challenging for PCI. In addition, angiography may be hazy for certain anatomies such as tortuous vessels and aneurysms. Patients referred for PCI increasingly have comorbidities and complex coronary artery disease. Dr Guagliumi said: "Intracoronary imaging is particularly useful in complex patient and lesion scenarios and the paper states settings where it would provide maximum benefit - for instance patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes, calcified vessels, long lesions or in-stent restenosis. This ties in with the realities of healthcare, where there is no appetite to spend time and money imaging simple lesions." Dr Guagliumi noted that imaging companies have mainly focused on improving image quality. "More attention should be devoted to making imaging systems more user friendly for clinicians, with automated analysis and classification. There is more to gain clinically through developments in these areas." He concluded: "The role of intravascular imaging to diagnose acute coronary syndromes, select treatment, and guide PCI will continue to grow. With it we expect to achieve superior long-term outcomes." The document was written by a panel organised by the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI) and is part 2 of a series on the clinical use of intracoronary imaging. Part 1 focused on stent selection and optimisation criteria.3 Both documents discuss intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). ### Authors: ESC Press Office Tel: +33 (0)4 8987 2499 Mobile: +33 (0)7 8531 2036 Email: press@escardio.org Follow us on Twitter @ESCardioNews Funding: None. Disclosures: See the paper. Notes References 1 Johnson TW, Raber L, di Mario C, et al. Clinical use of intracoronary imaging. Part 2: acute coronary syndromes, ambiguous coronary angiography findings, and guiding interventional decision-making: an expert consensus document of the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions. Eur Heart J. 2019. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehz332. 2 The paper will be presented on Tuesday 21 May at 16:45 CEST during the lecture "Clinical use of intracoronary imaging - EAPCI expert consensus". The lecture is in the session "Continuous LIVE demonstration from Hospital Universitario Clinico San Carlos - Madrid, Spain", held 13:15 to 17:00 CEST in the Main Area / Level 1 of the Palais des Congres in Paris. 3 Raber L, Mintz GS, Koskinas KC, et al. Clinical use of intracoronary imaging. Part 1: guidance and optimization of coronary interventions. An expert consensus document of the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions. Eur Heart J. 2018;39:3281-3300. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehy285. About the European Society of Cardiology The European Society of Cardiology brings together health care professionals from more than 150 countries, working to advance cardiovascular medicine and help people lead longer, healthier lives. About the European Heart Journal The European Heart Journal is the flagship journal of the ESC. It is published on behalf of the ESC by Oxford Journals, a division of Oxford University Press. Please acknowledge the journal as a source in any articles. About the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions The European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI) is a branch of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) representing over 9,700 healthcare professionals. Its aim is to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease through percutaneous cardiovascular interventions. Scientists of Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU) and Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (FEB RAS) have developed an effective technology for the synthesis of protein from amaranth grains and mushroom mycelium to enrich a stock-raising feed. To do this, they used genetic engineering methods, inserted into the fungus strain an element of amaranth DNA containing a storage protein. Amaranth is one of the oldest grain crops, which is closest to the ideal protein theoretically calculated. Mushroom mycelium has the ability to grow quickly. It is unpretentious to the conditions and is well absorbed in the body of animals. Scientists decided to combine these valuable functional properties. They inserted a plasmid (a type of DNA molecules) includes the amaranth gene into the strain of mycelial fungus and turned the mushroom culture into a kind of "incubator" for the targeted production of feed protein. "The applying of recombinant strain-producer of mushroom mycelium during biosynthesis allows obtaining a large amount of functional analog of A1 protein, biologically equivalent to the storage protein A1 isolated from amaranth. The strain is not pathogenic and non-toxic to warm-blooded animals, and recombinant protein A1 of amaranth seeds fully complies with the natural protein", said Oksana Son, project manager, Associate Professor at the Basic Department of Bioeconomy and Food Security of the FEFU School of Economics and Management (SEM). "The amino acid composition of the amaranth A1 storage protein is created by nature itself. This is the best alternative for obtaining the most amino acid-balanced protein by the recombinant method", went on Lyudmila Tekutyeva, a participant of the development process, Head of the Basic Department of Bioeconomy and Food security, SEM. Among the features of the new technology is the fact that waste from a plant growing, woodworking and pulp and paper industry is used for microscopic fungi cultivating. This allows one to solve a related task, i.e. to dispose of waste materials which can pollute the environment. The development was supported by a grant under Decree No. 218 of the Government of the Russian Federation, which calls for to use the universities potential for the modernization of domestic industrial plants. The output of the new microbiological feed proteins is to begin in 2020 at the "Kormbiosynthesis" plant. The new cattle feed will be applied on the Nadezhdinskaya advanced development territory in Primorsky Krai, Russia. In the development project took part researchers from FEFU, as well as the Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences Larisa Balabanova, Yury Shkryl, Anna Podvolotskaya, Lyubov Slepchenko, Yulia Yugai. A related patent was issued. ### Food insecurity, meaning inadequate or insecure access to food because of a lack of money, has worsened in Nunavut communities since the introduction of the federal government's Nutrition North Canada program in 2011, found research published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). Even before the introduction of Nutrition North Canada, food insecurity was a widespread problem in Nunavut communities, with some of the highest rates of food insecurity in Canada. "Our study raises serious concerns about the federal government's continued focus on food subsidy initiatives to improve food access in the North," says lead author Andree-Anne Fafard St-Germain, Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario. Nutrition North Canada is a retail subsidy focused mainly on nutritious, perishable foods such as fruit and vegetables, milk and other food items. It is provided to food suppliers in southern Canada and retailers in the North, who are expected to pass on lower costs to shoppers. "Food insecurity is an experience of material deprivation strongly influenced by household income, but high food prices are also considered an important contributor in Canada's North," says Fafard St-Germain, a doctoral candidate who works with Valerie Tarasuk, a University of Toronto professor and senior author on the paper. The researchers used an 18-item Household Food Security Survey that asks about whether households worry about running out of food, eat less or have gone an entire day without eating because of a lack of money. In 2010, just before the program was launched, food insecurity in Nunavut communities affected 33% of households, and by 2014, when the program was fully implemented, food insecurity had increased to 46%. Even after accounting for changes in several household characteristics over time, the researchers found that food insecurity worsened. "Food insecurity is an important determinant of health, and effective policy actions are urgently needed to address the high rates of food insecurity in Canada's North," says Fafard St-Germain. Other factors, such as a reduction in traditional food harvesting, a population increase and harvest restrictions for wildlife species, may have contributed to the increase in food insecurity, suggest authors in a related commentary. "Despite our more cautious interpretation of the result of the linked research, we share [the authors'] concerns over the effectiveness of Nutrition North Canada in improving food access in Nunavut," writes Dr. James Ford, Priestley International Centre for Climate, University of Leeds, Leeds, Yorkshire, United Kingdom, with coauthors. "The absence of price caps, program accountability and transparency, and limited responsiveness to community needs, have been noted to undermine the ability of the program to meet its goals, along with a neglect of traditional foods and their cultural significance in Nutrition North Canada's support mechanisms." ### "Food insecurity in Nunavut following the introduction of Nutrition North Canada" is published May 21, 2019. "The safety of our school communities is the district's highest priority and we are grateful the teacher was not physically harmed during the encounter, spokeswoman Emily Bolton said in an emailed statement. The district is working with the Chicago Police Department to provide additional vigilance in the surrounding area and ensure all safety measures and protocols are as strong as possible, and the district has made supports available to the teacher." Management of people with heart failure in the UK has shortcomings in screening, continuity of care, and medication doses, which disproportionally impact women and older people, according to a study led by Nathalie Conrad and Kazem Rahimi of The George Institute for Global Health at the University of Oxford, UK, published May 21 in PLOS Medicine. Findings suggest that screening and follow-up are sub-optimal, and these problems could be due, at least in part, to poor record-keeping in primary care and inadequate information exchange between hospitals and primary care. Heart failure is common--affecting about 2% of the population in high-income countries--and can lead to disability and death. Effective treatment usually involves a complex process of investigations, step-wise initiation of medicines, and dose-adjustments, which can sometimes be challenging to follow. In the past decade, the UK has introduced programs to evaluate and improve heart failure management in primary and secondary care, but patients' care trajectories across different healthcare settings have not been studied. In this retrospective study, Rahimi and colleagues used electronic health records from 93,074 people who were diagnosed with heart failure in the UK between 2002 and 2014 to investigate the medical care they received from diagnosis to 1 year later. The authors examined five indicators of care: (i) diagnosis setting (inpatient or outpatient), (ii) post-hospitalization follow-up in primary care, (iii) diagnostic investigations, (iv) prescription of essential drugs, and (v) drug treatment doses. The study suggests that patients were more likely to be diagnosed with heart failure in hospital than by their general practitioner, received insufficient follow-up after hospital discharge, and were prescribed medications at insufficient doses. The average daily dose prescribed was below guideline recommendations (42% for ACE-I or ARB, 29% for beta-blockers in 2014) and remained largely unchanged beyond the first 30 days after diagnosis, despite guideline recommendations to regularly up-titrate doses. Rates of outpatient diagnoses and follow-up in primary care were low, and even declined over time (from 56% in 2002 to 36% in 2014, RR 0.64 [0.62, 0.67] and from 20% to 14%, RR 0.73 [0.65, 0.82], respectively). Gaps in care were more common in women, individuals older than 75 years, and to some extent in socioeconomically deprived individuals. The authors call for additional research to explore the reasons behind these disparities, saying that further improvements are likely to require broader approaches to health services design that support appropriate care at every level of the patient journey. In an accompanying Perspective, Nicholas Mills and colleagues at the University of Edinburgh, UK, discuss the need for high-quality implementation science (the study of strategies to integrate and embed research advances into clinical practice) and large-scale analysis of routinely-collected healthcare data. They argue that real-time collation of healthcare data across primary and secondary care, and robust methodologies to evaluate changes in clinical practice and policy, are essential to successfully overcome these disparities and gaps in care. To ensure the highest standards of patient-centered care and best resource allocation, Mills and colleagues argue for a linked, anonymized healthcare informatics platform for sharing data between care settings that is granular enough to facilitate meaningful evaluation of current practice. ### Research Article Funding: NC is supported by the British Heart Foundation. KR, DC, and FDRH are supported by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre. KR further receives grants from the Oxford Martin School, as well as the PEAK Urban programme from the UKRI's Global Challenge Research Fund - Grant Ref: ES/P011055/1. AJ is supported by the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at the University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Bristol. FDRH further acknowledges support from the NIHR School for Primary Care Research (SPCR), and the NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Research in Health and Care (CLARHC) Oxford. JOD acknowledges the support of the RCUK Digital Economy Programme. The funders of the study had no role in study design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation, or writing of the report. Competing Interests: I have read the journal's policy and the authors of this manuscript have the following competing interests: NC's work is funded by a research grant from the British Heart Foundation. AJ has received consultancy fees from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and has held advisory board positions (which involved receipt of fees) from Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., outside of the submitted work. JT declared funding for scholarships and grants from Rhodes Trust, Clarendon Fund, and British Research Council. JGFC has received honoraria or research support from Amgen, Bayer, Medtronic, Novartis, and Servier. FDRH has received occasional funding from Novartis in relation to speaking or consultancy on heart failure in the past 3 years. KR receives a stipend as a Speciality Consulting Editor for PLOS Medicine and serves on the journal's Editorial Board. Citation: Conrad N, Judge A, Canoy D, Tran J, O'Donnell J, Nazarzadeh M, et al. (2019) Diagnostic tests, drug prescriptions, and follow-up patterns after incident heart failure: A cohort study of 93,000 UK patients. PLoS Med 16(5): e1002805. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002805 Image Credit: sbtlneet, Pixabay Author Affiliations: The George Institute for Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom Bristol National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, Musculoskeletal Research Unit, University of Bristol, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, United Kingdom Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, United Kingdom 4National Institute for Health Research Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom Deep Medicine, Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom Collaboration Center of Meta-Analysis Research, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom 4Robertson Centre for Biostatistics and Clinical Trials, University of Glasgow and National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom Oxford University Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom In your coverage please use this URL to provide access to the freely available paper: http://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1002805 Perspective Funding: NLM is supported by the Butler Senior Clinical Research Fellowship from the British Heart Foundation (FS/16/14/32023). AGJ is supported by a National Research Scotland Clinician Scientist Award. MSA and AGJ are supported by a Catalytic Grant from the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorate (CGA/19/01). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Competing Interests: I have read the journal's policy and the authors of this manuscript have the following competing interests: NLM has received honoraria and the University of Edinburgh has received research grants from Abbott Diagnostics and Siemens Healthineers, who manufacture diagnostic tests for heart failure. MSA and AGJ have no competing interests. Citation: Anwar MS, Japp AG, Mills NL (2019) Heart failure and healthcare informatics. PLoS Med 16(5): e1002806. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002806 Author Affiliations: BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom In your coverage please use this URL to provide access to the freely available paper: http://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1002806 PCR statement on the clinical use of intracoronary imaging: An EAPCI expert consensus Paris, France, 21 May 2019. Intra-coronary (IC) imaging has been available for over two decades. Technological advances, with the development of new modalities and improvements in the software to facilitate "real-time" analysis and decision making, have seen an increased use for both diagnostic assessment and the guidance of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). However, significant regional and institutional differences in the use of IC imaging have been observed. In an attempt to provide the interventional community with guidance, the EAPCI has generated consensus statements detailing the clinical utility of IC imaging, based on existing clinical evidence and contemporary best practice. The first document focused on the role of IC imaging for PCI guidance and optimisation as well as the important function it plays in understanding the mechanisms of stent failure. These indications have subsequently gained strengthened recommendations in the ESC revascularisation guidelines. The second document focuses on the role of IC imaging in clarifying angiographic ambiguity, delineating the extent of coronary artery disease and guiding decision making on lesion severity. The following statements outline the consensus: Complex patients (e.g., diabetes, ACS) and lesion subsets (e.g., left main stem, long lesion, CTO) benefit from IVUS guided PCI with reduced MACE, primarily driven by a reduction in TVR. Recent randomised data confirming clinical benefit from IVUS guided approach. IVUS assessment of LMS facilitates assessment of functional significance with an ML<4.5mm2 requiring consideration for revascularisation and an MLA>6mm2 supporting a conservative therapy approach with OMT. Left main stem intervention benefits significantly from IC-imaging-based guidance to understand the anatomical complexity, plan and optimise PCI. IC imaging pre-PCI is essential to understand the underlying lesion substrate and guide appropriate lesion preparation/stent selection concerning size and length. Imaging facilitates characterisation of calcification - calcific arc >180 with thickness >0.5mm and longitudinal length >5mm is predictive of stent under-expansion. There is an expanding role for IC imaging to assess and guide modification strategies for high-burden calcification. Equivalence of IVUS and OCT has been confirmed in 2 rigorously designed RCTs (OPINION & ILUMIEN III) Challenging angiographic assessment - aneurysmal/ectatic disease, aorto-ostial lesions and cardiac allograft vasculopathy - can be overcome by use of IC imaging. IC imaging can delineate the aetiology of ACS where the angiographic assessment is uncertain. Excluding an atherosclerotic cause can impact future treatment and advice for patients. IC-imaging-based lesion and patient level risk stratification may guide intensification of treatment and minimise future events. Stent failure should mandate an IC-imaging-guided approach to defining aetiology of failure and guide repeat intervention. ### NOTES TO EDITORS Key information Clinical use of intracoronary imaging: an EAPCI expert consensus presented by Tom Johnson Palais des Congres Porte Maillot - Paris, France Tuesday 21 May 2019 - 16:45 - Main Arena EuroPCR 2019 The World-Leading Course in interventional cardiovascular medicine and the official annual meeting of the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI) will take place from 21 to 24 May 2019 at the Palais des Congres - Paris, France. The detailed Course Programme is available on: https://www.pcronline.com/Courses/EuroPCR About PCR The mission of PCR is to serve the needs of each individual patient by helping the cardiovascular community to share knowledge, experience and practice. PCR offers a large range of many other educational meetings and resources for the continuing education of the interventional cardiovascular community. These include major annual Courses across the globe, e-Learning with high-profile PCR Webinars, Courses specifically dedicated to valvular heart disease, tailor-made PCR Seminars on specific topics, online resources and medical publications such as EuroIntervention, the official journal of the EAPCI. Gateways to all PCR activities are available on http://www.pcronline.com For further information, please contact Celia Vila: cvila@europa-group.com PSU's Mark O. Hatfield School of Government will serve as the lead academic partner for a newly awarded USAID Strengthening Provincial Capacity (SPC) contract to support economic and political governance reform in Vietnam. Chemonics International, Inc., an international development organization in Washington, D.C., will serve as prime contractor for the 5-year, $13.3 million award, in a partnership that also includes J.E. Austin Associates, Inc. of Arlington, Virginia. The Hatfield School team played a lead role in the highly-competitive proposal process, with a focus on identifying local partners with the potential to scale up Vietnamese governance successes throughout the country. The PSU team, which will receive close to $1 million for its work, will be led by Principal Investigator Prof. Marcus Ingle from the Center for Public Service and Program Manager, Julia Babcock, from the National Policy Consensus Center. In Vietnam, the team will co-produce governance improvements with three premier partner institutions: the School of Government of the University of Economics (UEH) in Ho Chi Minh City; the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) in Hanoi; and the Startup Vietnam Foundation (SVF) in Ho Chi Minh City. "This USAID contract affirms the long-standing partnerships and innovative engagements of the Vietnam Oregon Initiative (VOI) that Oregon Governor Kate Brown and the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched in 2015," says Ingle. "VOI is founded on an extensive network of mutually-beneficial public and private sector relationships building on the legacy of Senator Hatfield's public service." The Hatfield School was sought out early in the proposal process by partners in both Vietnam and the U.S. because of its 15-year history as a change agent and convener of multi-sector partnerships and robust public leadership programs in Vietnam. VOI activities range from strengthening STEM education through the Building University Industry Learning and Development through Innovation and Technology (BUILD-IT) program to enhancing emergency management and resilience through the State Partnership for Peace administered by the Oregon National Guard. The Vietnam Oregon Initiative also works to highlight and promote sustainability and technology initiatives in partnership with many Oregon public and private entities including Metro, Port of Portland, Intel, Nike and Columbia Sportswear. "VOI promotes compelling engagements of both the heart and mind," adds Julia Babcock. "The award provides a unique opportunity to scale up Vietnamese successes where there are long-standing relationships and proof of concept for meaningful collaborations." ### Russian scientists have discovered a previously unknown mechanism of influence of salts migration on the degradation of gigantic intra permafrost gas (methane) hydrate reserves in the Arctic Shelf. The results of their study were published in Geosciences journal. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas and one of the major global climate change drivers. Following many years of observation in the Arctic region, Russian scientists have eventually found that the East Siberian Arctic Shelf is one of the largest sources of methane emissions, which do not only expedite global warming and upset the Earth's carbon balance, but also cause accidents hindering economic activity in the Arctic ? one of the most promising hydrocarbon production regions. So it comes as no surprise that RAS President Alexander Sergeyev has placed high priority on exploring the reasons for methane emissions from the East Siberian Arctic Shelf. A large part of methane escapes into the atmosphere due to the decomposition of gas hydrates ? crystalline compounds formed from gas and water at low temperature and high pressure. Clusters of gas hydrate crystals resemble an ice mass that can just barely be considered a gas in solid state, with a unit volume of gas hydrate containing up to 160-180 volumes of pure gas. Gas hydrates that formed thousands of years ago under favorable natural conditions may start dissociating into gas and water (or in other words, "thawing") if the natural environment is no longer conducive to their sustainable existence. Scientists from Skoltech, Tomsk Polytechnic University, and the Pacific Oceanological Institute of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) found that one of the reasons for extensive methane release from the bottom sediments of the East Siberian Arctic Shelf is the destabilization of underwater permafrost gas hydrates that interact with the salt solutions (sea water) migrating into the thawing submarine permafrost. The authors of the paper were the first to prove experimentally that gas hydrates become unstable and start to decompose when interacting with salts even under permafrost conditions. "We conducted experiments focusing on the interaction between frozen rocks containing relict methane hydrates and salt solutions at different negative temperatures. We found that salt migration to the frozen hydrate-containing rocks intensifies the pore gas hydrates dissociation and accelerates their thawing," says the Leading Research Scientist at the Skoltech Center for Hydrocarbon Recovery Evgeny Chuvilin. "Since these processes intensify the release of methane from frozen hydrate-containing rocks, which is important for understanding the mechanism of massive methane discharge from bottom sediments, we used the results of the experiments to build a model of the interaction of the hydrate- saturated permafrost with sea water on the Arctic Shelf." These findings explain the reason for the upward movement of the methane front that the authors discovered on the East Siberian Arctic Shelf based on a suite of geophysical and biogeochemical studies (Shakhova et al., Nature Communications, 2017; https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms15872) ### Cannabidiol (CBD) reduced cue-induced craving and anxiety in individuals with a history of heroin abuse, suggesting a potential role for it in helping to break the cycle of addiction, according to research conducted at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and published May 21 in the American Journal of Psychiatry. The study also revealed that CBD tended to reduce physiological measures of stress reactivity, such as increased heart rate and cortisol levels, that are induced by drug cues. The wide availability and use of heroin and prescription opioid medications in the United States during the past decade has resulted in an unprecedented epidemic involving more than 300,000 deaths. Despite this staggering toll, limited non-opioid medication options have been developed. Two of the current options, methadone and buprenorphine, are opioid substitution therapies which work on the same opioid receptors (mu receptors) as heroin and other potent opioid agonists. These medications, however, carry a stigma as well as their own addiction risk, are mired in tight governmental regulation, and therefore are underutilized by the millions of people diagnosed with opioid use disorder. Such a treatment gap highlights the urgent need to develop novel therapeutic strategies that do not target the mu opioid receptor. "To address the critical need for new treatment options for the millions of people and families who are being devastated by this epidemic, we initiated a study to assess the potential of a non-intoxicating cannabinoid on craving and anxiety in heroin-addicted individuals," says Yasmin Hurd, PhD, the Ward-Coleman Chair of Translational Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Director of the Addiction Institute at Mount Sinai and first author of the study. "The specific effects of CBD on cue-induced drug craving and anxiety are particularly important in the development of addiction therapeutics because environmental cues are one of the strongest triggers for relapse and continued drug use." Previous preclinical work conducted by Dr. Hurd and her lab team at Mount Sinai, in animals with a history of heroin self-administration, demonstrated that CBD reduced the animals' tendency to use heroin in response to a drug-associated cue. To determine whether the preclinical work could be translated to humans, her lab then conducted a series of clinical studies that demonstrated CBD was safe and tolerable in humans. The current study used a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled design to explore the acute (one hour, two hours, and 24 hours), short-term (three consecutive days), and protracted (seven days after the last of three consecutive daily administrations) effects of CBD administration on drug cue-induced craving and anxiety in drug-abstinent individuals with heroin use disorder. Secondary measures assessed participants' positive and negative affect, cognition, and physiological status. Through the study, 42 drug-abstinent men and women were randomly assigned to receive either 400 mg or 800 mg of an oral CBD solution or a matching placebo. Participants were then exposed to neutral and drug-related cues during the course of three sessions: immediately following administration, 24 hours after CBD or placebo administration, and seven days after the third and final daily CBD or placebo administration. Neutral cues consisted of a three-minute video showing relaxing scenarios, such as scenes of nature, while drug-related cues included a three-minute video showing intravenous or intranasal drug use and exposure to heroin-related paraphernalia like syringes, rubber ties, and packets of powder resembling heroin. Measures of opioid craving, anxiety, positive and negative affect, and vital signs (skin temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation) were obtained at different times during the sessions. The study team found that CBD, in contrast to placebo, significantly reduced both the craving and anxiety induced by drug cues compared with neutral cues in the acute term. CBD also showed significant protracted effects on these measures seven days after the final short-term exposure. In addition, CBD reduced the drug cue-induced physiological measures of heart rate and salivary cortisol levels. There were no significant effects on cognition, and there were no serious adverse events. The capacity of CBD to reduce craving and anxiety one week after the final administration mirrors the results of the original preclinical animal study, suggesting that the effects of CBD are long-lasting, even when the cannabinoid would not be expected to be present in the body. "Our findings indicate that CBD holds significant promise for treating individuals with heroin use disorder," says Dr. Hurd. "A successful non-opioid medication would add significantly to the existing addiction medication toolbox to help reduce the growing death toll, enormous health care costs, and treatment limitations imposed by stringent government regulations amid this persistent opioid epidemic." Dr. Hurd's research team is working on two follow-up studies: one delves into understanding the mechanisms of CBD's effects on the brain; the second paves the way for the development of unique CBD medicinal formulations that are likely to become a significant part of the medical arsenal available to address the opioid epidemic. ### About the Mount Sinai Health System The Mount Sinai Health System is New York City's largest integrated delivery system, encompassing eight hospitals, a leading medical school, and a vast network of ambulatory practices throughout the greater New York region. Mount Sinai's vision is to produce the safest care, the highest quality, the highest satisfaction, the best access and the best value of any health system in the nation. The Health System includes approximately 7,480 primary and specialty care physicians; 11 joint-venture ambulatory surgery centers; more than 410 ambulatory practices throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and 31 affiliated community health centers. The Icahn School of Medicine is one of three medical schools that have earned distinction by multiple indicators: ranked in the top 20 by U.S. News & World Report's "Best Medical Schools", aligned with a U.S. News & World Report's "Honor Roll" Hospital, No. 12 in the nation for National Institutes of Health funding, and among the top 10 most innovative research institutions as ranked by the journal Nature in its Nature Innovation Index. This reflects a special level of excellence in education, clinical practice, and research. The Mount Sinai Hospital is ranked No. 18 on U.S. News & World Report's "Honor Roll" of top U.S. hospitals; it is one of the nation's top 20 hospitals in Cardiology/Heart Surgery, Gastroenterology/GI Surgery, Geriatrics, Nephrology, and Neurology/Neurosurgery, and in the top 50 in six other specialties in the 2018-2019 "Best Hospitals" issue. Mount Sinai's Kravis Children's Hospital also is ranked nationally in five out of ten pediatric specialties by U.S. News & World Report. The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai is ranked 11th nationally for Ophthalmology and 44th for Ear, Nose, and Throat. Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Mount Sinai St. Luke's, Mount Sinai West, and South Nassau Communities Hospital are ranked regionally. For more information, visit http://www.mountsinai.org/, or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Astronomers at the University of Bonn and their colleagues from Moscow have identified an unusual celestial object. It is most likely the product of the fusion of two stars that died a long time ago. After billions of years circling around each other these so-called white dwarfs merged and rose from the dead. In the near future, their lives could finally end - with a huge bang. The researchers are now presenting their findings in the journal Nature. The extremely rare merger product was discovered by scientists from the University of Moscow. On images made by the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) satellite they found a gas nebula with a bright star in its center. Surprisingly, however, the nebula emitted almost exclusively infrared radiation and no visible light. "Our colleagues in Moscow realized that this already argued for an unusual origin", explains Dr. Gotz Grafener from the Argelander Institute for Astronomy (AIfA) at the University of Bonn. In Bonn, the spectrum of the radiation emitted by the nebula and its central star was analyzed. In this way, the AIfA researchers were able to show that the enigmatic celestial object contained neither hydrogen nor helium - a characteristic typical for the interiors of white dwarfs. Stars like our Sun generate their energy through hydrogen burning, the nuclear fusion of hydrogen. When the hydrogen is consumed, they continue burning helium. However, they cannot fuse even heavier elements - their mass is insufficient to produce the necessary high temperatures. Once all helium is used up, they cease burning and cool down turning into so-called white dwarfs. Usually their life is over at this point. But not for J005311 - this is how the scientists named their new find in the constellation Cassiopeia, 10,000 light-years from Earth. "We assume that two white dwarfs formed there in close proximity many billions of years ago," explains Prof. Dr. Norbert Langer from AIfA. "They circled around each other, creating exotic distortions of space-time, called gravitational waves." In the process, they gradually lost energy. In return, the distance between them shrunk more and more until they finally merged. Only five of these objects in the Milky Way Now their total mass was sufficient to fuse heavier elements than hydrogen or helium. The stellar furnace started burning again. "Such an event is extremely rare," stresses Grafener. "There are probably not even half a dozen such objects in the Milky Way, and we have discovered one of them." An extreme stroke of luck. Nevertheless, the researchers are convinced that they are right with their interpretation. For one, the star in the center of the nebula shines 40,000 times as bright as the sun, far brighter than a single white dwarf could. In addition, the spectra indicate that J005311 has an extremely strong stellar wind - this is the stream of material that emanates from the stellar surface. Its engine is the radiation generated during the burning process. Only, at a speed of 16,000 kilometers per second, the wind of J005311 is so fast that this factor alone is not enough to explain it. However, merged white dwarfs are expected to have a very strong rotating magnetic field. "Our simulations show that this field acts like a turbine, which additionally accelerates the stellar wind," says Grafener. Sadly, the resurgence of J005311 will not last long. In only a few thousand years the star will have transformed all elements into iron and fade again. As its mass has increased to more than 1.4 times the mass of the Sun in the merger process, it will suffer an exceptional fate. The star will collapse under the influence of its own gravity. At the same time, the electrons and protons building up its matter will fuse into neutrons. The resulting neutron star has only a fraction of its previous size, measuring only few kilometers in diameter, while it is weighing more than the entire solar system. J005311, however, won't leave without a final salute. Its collapse will be accompanied by a huge bang, a so-called supernova explosion. ### Publication: Vasilii V. Gvaramadze, Gotz Grafener, Norbert Langer, Olga V. Maryeva, Alexei Y. Kniazev, Alexander S. Moskvitin & Olga I. Spiridonova: A massive white-dwarf merger product before final collapse; Nature, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-019-1216-1 Contact: Dr. Gotz Grafener Argelander Institute for Astronomy at the University of Bonn. Tel. +49-228-733651 E-mail: goetz@astro.uni-bonn.de Prof. Dr. Norbert Langer Argelander Institute for Astronomy at the University of Bonn. Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy Tel. +49-228-733656 E-mail: nlanger@astro.uni-bonn.de Researchers have identified how the human brain is able to determine the properties of a particular object using purely statistical information: a result which suggests there is an 'inner pickpocket' in all of us. The researchers, from the University of Cambridge, the Central European University, and Columbia University, found that one of the reasons that successful pickpockets are so efficient is that they are able to identify objects they have never seen before just by touching them. Similarly, we are able to anticipate what an object in a shop window will feel like just by looking at it. In both scenarios, we are relying on the brain's ability to break up the continuous stream of information received by our sensory inputs into distinct chunks. The pickpocket is able to interpret the sequence of small depressions on their fingers as a series of well-defined objects in a pocket or handbag, while the shopper's visual system is able to interpret photons as reflections of light from the objects in the window. Our ability to extract distinct objects from cluttered scenes by touch or sight alone and accurately predict how they will feel based on how they look, or how they look based on how they feel, is critical to how we interact with the world. By performing clever statistical analyses of previous experiences, the brain can immediately both identify objects without the need for clear-cut boundaries or other specialised cues, and predict unknown properties of new objects. The results are reported in the open-access journal eLife. "We're looking at how the brain takes in the continuous flow of information it receives and segments it into objects," said Professor Mate Lengyel from Cambridge's Department of Engineering, who co-led the research. "The common view is that the brain receives specialised cues: such as edges or occlusions, about where one things ends and another thing begins, but we've found that the brain is a really smart statistical machine: it looks for patterns and finds building blocks to construct objects." Lengyel and his colleagues designed scenes of several abstract shapes without visible boundaries between them, and asked participants to either observe the shapes on a screen or to 'pull' them apart along a tear line that passed either through or between the objects. Participants were then tested on their ability to predict the visual (how familiar did real jigsaw pieces appear compared to abstract pieces constructed from the parts of two different pieces) and haptic properties of these jigsaw pieces (how hard would it be to physically pull apart new scenes in different directions). The researchers found that participants were able to form the correct mental model of the jigsaw pieces from either visual or haptic (touch) experience alone, and were able to immediately predict haptic properties from visual ones and vice versa. "These results challenge classical views on how we extract and learn about objects in our environment," said Lengyel. "Instead, we've show that general-purpose statistical computations known to operate in even the youngest infants are sufficiently powerful for achieving such cognitive feats. Notably, the participants in our study were not selected for being professional pickpockets -- so these results also suggest there is a secret, statistically savvy pickpocket in all of us." ### The research was funded in part by the Wellcome Trust and the European Research Council. In recent years, numerous studies have shown that people who don't get enough sleep are at greater risk of stroke and heart attack. A new University of Colorado Boulder study, published in the journal Experimental Physiology, helps explain why. It found that people who sleep fewer than 7 hours per night have lower blood levels of three physiological regulators, or microRNAs, which influence gene expression and play a key role in maintaining vascular health. The findings could potentially lead to new, non-invasive tests for sleep deprived patients concerned about their health, the authors said. "This study proposes a new potential mechanism through which sleep influences heart health and overall physiology," said senior author Christopher DeSouza, a professor of Integrative Physiology. Despite recommendations by the American Heart Association that people get 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night, about 40 percent of adults in the United States fall short. Overall, the average American's sleep duration has plummeted from 9 hours nightly to 6.8 hours nightly over the past century. In another recent study, DeSouza's group found that adult men who sleep 6 hours per night have dysfunctional endothelial cells - the cells that line blood vessels - and their arteries don't dilate and constrict as well as those who get sufficient sleep. But the underlying factors leading to this dysfunction aren't well known. MicroRNAs are small molecules that suppress gene expression of certain proteins in cells. The exact function of circulating microRNAs in the cardiovascular system, and their impact on cardiovascular health is receiving a lot of scientific attention, and drugs are currently in development for a variety of diseases, including cancer, to correct impaired microRNA signatures. "They are like cellular brakes, so if beneficial microRNAs are lacking that can have a big impact on the health of the cell," said DeSouza. For the new study, which is the first to explore the impact of insufficient sleep on circulating microRNA signatures, DeSouza and his team took blood samples from 24 healthy men and women, age 44 to 62, who had filled out questionnaires about their sleep habits. Half slept 7 to 8.5 hours nightly; Half slept 5 to 6.8 hours nightly. They measured expression of nine microRNAs previously associated with inflammation, immune function or vascular health. They found that people with insufficient sleep had 40 to 60 percent lower circulating levels of miR-125A, miR-126, and miR-146a, (previously shown to suppress inflammatory proteins) than those who slept enough. "Why 7 or 8 hours seems to be the magic number is unclear," said DeSouza. "However, it is plausible that people need at least 7 hours of sleep per night to maintain levels of important physiological regulators, such as microRNAs." Research is now underway in DeSouza's lab to determine whether restoring healthy sleep habits can restore healthy levels of microRNAs. Ultimately, he said, it's possible that microRNAs in blood could be used as a marker of cardiovascular disease in people with insufficient sleep, enabling doctors to glean important information via a blood test rather than current, more invasive tests. For now, DeSouza says, the takeaway message for those burning the midnight oil is this: "Don't underestimate the importance of a good night's sleep." ### The evolutionary use of colour for mammal's survival in the wild is evident from, red foxes, to zebras. Today an international team, led by researchers from The University of Manchester, publish research revealing the evidence of colourful pigments from ancient mouse remains. Colour plays an important role in the evolution of life on Earth, it has also played a role in the selective processes that have steered evolution for hundreds of millions of years. The paper, 'Pheomelanin pigment remnants mapped in fossils of an extinct mammal' is published in the journal Nature Communications. The work marks a major scientific breakthrough in our ability to define fossilised colour pigments in long extinct species for the first time. This new study applied X-ray imaging to several 3 million year old fossils in order to untangle the story of key pigments in ancient animals and reveal how we might recognise the chemical signatures of specific red pigments in long extinct animals to determine how they evolved. Professor Phil Manning, the lead palaeontologist on the paper explained: "The fossils we have studied have the vast potential to unlock many secrets of the original organism. We can reconstruct key facets from life, death and the subsequent events impacting preservation before and after burial. To unpick this complicated fossil chemical archive requires an interdisciplinary team to combine their efforts to crack this problem. In doing this, we unlock much more than just palaeontological information." Professor Roy Wogelius, co-author and geochemist said: "This was a painstaking effort involving physics, palaeontology, organic chemistry, and geochemistry. By working as a team, we were able, for the first time, to discover chemical traces of red pigment in fossil animal material. We understand now what to look for in the future and our hope is that these results will mean that we can become more confident in reconstructing extinct animals and thereby add another dimension to the study of evolution." The new research reveals that not only may chemical traces of dark black pigments be present within exceptionally preserved soft tissues, but that traces of the much more elusive red animal pigment may be resolved. The chemical residue of black pigment, which colours such animals as crows, was first resolved by this team in a previous study nearly ten years ago. But the red pigment, characteristic of animals such as foxes, is far less stable over geological time and proved much more difficult to detect. Professor Wogelius went on to say: "We had data which suggested red pigment residue was present in several fossils, but there was no useful data available to compare this to in modern organisms. So we needed to devote several years to analysing modern tissue before we could go back and review our results from some amazing fossil specimens. In the end, we were able to prove that detailed chemical analysis can resolve such pigment residue, but along the way we learned so much more about the chemistry of pigmentation throughout the animal kingdom." To unlock the fossil patterns, the Manchester team collaborated with scientists at some of the brightest sources of light on the planet, using synchrotron radiation at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (USA), and also at the Diamond Light Source (UK) to bathe the fossils in intense x-rays. It is the interaction of these x-rays with the chemistry of these fossils that enabled the team to be the first to recognise the chemistry of red (pheomelanin) pigmentation in fur from exceptionally well preserved 3 million year old mouse fossils. The key to their work was identifying trace metals incorporated by ancient organisms into their soft tissues, and comparing these to the modes of incorporation into living species. The chemistry shows that the trace metals in the mouse fur are bonded to organic chemicals in exactly the same way that these metals are bonded to organic pigments in animals with high concentrations of red pigment in their tissue. The scientists have also translated the chemical findings into sound waves so people are able to hear frequencies of sound associated with differing pigment colours present in the fossils. In order to make absolutely sure of their findings, modern comparison standards were analysed both by synchrotron radiation and by specialists in pigment chemistry based at the Fujita Health University in Japan. Prof. Manning finally added: "Palaeontology offers research that is more than relevant to our everyday life. Information gleaned from the fossil record is influencing multiple fields, including; climate research, the burial of biowaste and radwaste, the measure of environmental impact of oil spills on living species with techniques developed on fossil organisms. Whilst our research is firmly anchored in the past, we set our sights on its application to the future." ### Improved air quality in the Los Angeles region is linked to roughly 20 percent fewer new asthma cases in children, according to a USC study that tracked Southern California children over a 20-year period. The findings appear in the May 21 Journal of the American Medical Association. The research expands on the landmark USC Children's Health Study, which a few years ago found that children's lungs had grown stronger in the previous two decades and rates of bronchitic symptoms decreased as pollution declined throughout the Los Angeles region. "While the findings show a clear benefit of lower air pollution levels, there must be continued efforts to reduce pollution in our region," said first author Erika Garcia, a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Preventive Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. "We're not in a place where we can stop and say, 'Hey, we've arrived'." Los Angeles remains the nation's most-polluted region, but air quality improvements between 1993 and 2006 cut nitrogen dioxide pollution by 22 percent and fine particulate matter by 36 percent. Nitrogen dioxide can cause airway inflammation and airway hyper-responsiveness. Particulate matter (tiny particles of soot, smoke dust, etc.) can penetrate deep into lungs and cause serious health problems. To assess new-onset cases of asthma, USC scientists used data from 4,140 children in nine California communities: Alpine, Lake Elsinore, Lake Gregory, Long Beach, Mira Loma, Riverside, San Dimas, Santa Maria and Upland. Parents or guardians completed questionnaires regarding the children's health. New-onset asthma was defined as a newly reported physician-diagnosed case of asthma on an annual questionnaire during follow-up. Researchers looked at rates of new-onset asthma alongside air pollution data collected from monitoring stations in each of those communities during three different periods, 1993-2001, 1996-2004 and 2006-2014. Using statistical methods, they separately examined four air pollutants and found that two were associated with reductions in new-onset asthma. They estimated that the nitrogen dioxide reductions achieved between 1993 and 2006 led to a 20 percent lower rate of asthma, while fine particulate matter reductions led to a 19 percent lower rate. The findings add to the increasing scientific evidence supporting the role of air pollution in the development of new cases of asthma. Asthma is the most common chronic disease in children, affecting about 14 percent of children around the world, and a major contributing factor to missed time from school and work. "This is encouraging news as it shows the number of new cases of asthma in children can be reduced through improvements in air quality," said Kiros Berhane, a professor of preventive medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and one of the study's authors. "This is very likely a direct result of the science-based environmental policies that have been put in place." ### In addition to Garcia and Berhane, the study's other authors are Talat Islam, Rob McConnell, Robert Urman, Zhanghua Chen and Frank Gilliland, all of the department of preventive medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. The research was supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (grants P30ES007048, P01ES009581, R01ES021801, and R01ES025786), the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (grant R01HL118455), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (grants R826708 and RD831861), and the Hastings Foundation. Clearly, the Republicans have decided that this issue is one in which they can ride to success in 2020, and they are going to continue across the country and in their state legislatures to pass statutes that limit or eliminate the possibilities of choice, Preckwinkle said. This is not a time in which we can stand on the sidelines. BURLINGTON, VT -- When it comes to inpatient treatment of a range of mental health and mood disorders -- from anxiety and depression to schizophrenia, suicidality and acute psychotic episodes -- a new study suggests that physical exercise is so effective at alleviating patient symptoms that it could reduce patients' time admitted to acute facilities and reliance on psychotropic medications. "The general attitude of medicine is that you treat the primary problem first, and exercise was never considered to be a life or death treatment option. Now that we know it's so effective, it can become as fundamental as pharmacological intervention," explains David Tomasi, a lecturer at the University of Vermont, psychotherapist and inpatient psychiatry group therapist at the University of Vermont Medical Center and lead researcher of the study. Practitioners at inpatient psychiatric facilities -- often crowded, acute settings in which patients experience severe distress and discomfort -- typically prescribe psychotropic medications first, rather than natural remedies like physical exercise, to alleviate patients' symptoms such as anger, anxiety and depression. In fact, Tomasi estimates that only a handful of inpatient psychiatric hospitals in the U.S. provide psychotherapist-supported gym facilities exclusively for these patients. Instead, practitioners rely on classical psychotherapeutic and pharmacological frameworks to treat psychiatric symptoms, which they monitor to determine when a patient is ready to be discharged from the facility. Tomasi, in collaboration with UVMMC's Sheri Gates and Emily Reyns, built a gym exclusively for roughly 100 patients in the medical center's inpatient psychiatry unit, and led and introduced 60-minute structured exercise and nutrition education programs into their treatment plans. The psychotherapists surveyed patients on their mood, self-esteem and self-image both before and after the exercise sessions to gauge the effects of exercise on psychiatric symptoms. Patients reported lower levels of anger, anxiety and depression, higher self-esteem, and overall improved moods. Tomasi, Gates and Reyns found an average of 95 percent of patients reported that their moods improved after doing the structured exercises, while 63 percent of the patients reported being happy or very happy, as opposed to neutral, sad or very sad, after the exercises. An average of 91.8 of patients also reported that they were pleased with the way their bodies felt after doing the structured exercises. "The fantastic thing about these results is that, if you're in a psychotic state, you're sort of limited with what you can do in terms of talk therapy or psychotherapy. It's hard to receive a message through talk therapy in that state, whereas with exercise, you can use your body and not rely on emotional intelligence alone" explains Tomasi. "The priority is to provide more natural strategies for the treatment of mood disorders, depression and anxiety," he adds. "In practice, we hope that every psychiatric facility will include integrative therapies -- in our case, exercise in particular -- as the primary resource for their patients' psycho-physical wellbeing." ### Tomasi, Gates and Reyns' research, "Positive patient response to a structured exercise program delivered in inpatient psychiatry," was published in the "Global Advances in Health and Medicine" journal on May 21. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (May 21, 2019) -- Scientists have identified a new mechanism that accelerates aging in the brain and gives rise to the most devastating biological features of Alzheimer's disease. The findings also unify three long-standing theories behind the disease's origins into one cohesive narrative that explains how healthy cells become sick and gives scientists new avenues for screening compounds designed to slow or stop disease progression, something existing medications cannot do. "We now have a better understanding of the molecular factors that lead to Alzheimer's disease, which we can leverage to develop improved and desperately needed treatment and prevention strategies," said Viviane Labrie, Ph.D., an assistant professor at Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) and senior author of the study, which appears in the May 21 edition of Nature Communications. "Alzheimer's is a major growing public health problem around the world. We need better options for patients and we need them soon." Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. and the most common cause of dementia worldwide. An estimated 5.8 million people in the U.S. and 44 million people worldwide have Alzheimer's. By 2050, those numbers are expected to rise to 14 million and 135 million respectively, due in part to a growing and aging global population. The findings center on genetic "volume dials" called enhancers, which turn the activity of genes up or down based on influences like aging and environmental factors. Labrie and her colleagues took a comprehensive look at enhancers in brain cells of people at varying stages of Alzheimer's and compared them to the cells of healthy people. They found that in normal aging, there is a progressive loss of important epigenetic marks on enhancers. This loss is accelerated in the brains of people with Alzheimer's, essentially making their brain cells act older than they are and leaving them vulnerable to the disease. At the same time, these enhancers over-activate a suite of genes involved in Alzheimer's pathology in brain cells, spurring the formation of plaques and tangles, and reactivating the cell cycle in fully formed cells -- a highly toxic combination. "In adults, brain cells typically are done dividing. When enhancers reactivate cell division, it's incredibly damaging," Labrie said. "The enhancer changes we found also encourage the development of plaques, which act as gasoline for the spread of toxic tangles, propagating them through the brain like wildfire. Taken together, enhancer abnormalities that promote plaques, tangles and cell cycle reactivation appear to be paving the way for brain cell death in Alzheimer's disease." Importantly, Labrie and her colleagues linked enhancer changes to the rate of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients. The study is the first comprehensive investigation of enhancers in human brain cells and in Alzheimer's disease, and included in-depth analysis of epigenetic, genetic, gene expression and protein data. Next, the team plans to develop new experimental systems to screen compounds that may fix dysregulation in enhancers and that have potential as new treatments or preventative measures. ### Other authors include Peipei Li, Ph.D., Lee Marshall, Ph.D., and Jennifer L. Jakubowski of VARI; Gabriel Oh, Ph.D., Daniel Groot and Arturas Petronis, M.D., Ph.D., of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; and Yu He and Ting Wang, Ph.D., of Washington University. Petronis also is affiliated with the Institute of Biotechnology at Vilnius University. This work was supported by the U.S. Army Medical Research Materiel Command through the Parkinson's Research Program under award no. W81XWH1810512 (Labrie). Opinions, interpretations, conclusions and recommendations are those of the author and are not necessarily endorsed by the U.S. Army. Research reported in this publication also was supported by the Brain Behavior and Research Foundation award no. 23482 (Labrie); Alzheimer's Society of Canada (Labrie); the Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation of Canada (Labrie); Canadian Institutes of Health Research award nos. MOP-199170, MOP-119451 and MOP-776689 (Petronis); National Institute of Mental Health award no. MH088413 (Petronis); the Krembil Foundation (Petronis); and Brain Canada (Petronis). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the granting organizations. ABOUT VAN ANDEL RESEARCH INSTITUTE Van Andel Institute (VAI) is an independent nonprofit biomedical research and science education organization committed to improving the health and enhancing the lives of current and future generations. Established by Jay and Betty Van Andel in 1996 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, VAI has grown into a premier research and educational institution that supports the work of more than 400 scientists, educators and staff. Van Andel Research Institute (VARI), VAI's research division, is dedicated to determining the epigenetic, genetic, molecular and cellular origins of cancer, Parkinson's and other diseases and translating those findings into effective therapies. The Institute's scientists work in onsite laboratories and participate in collaborative partnerships that span the globe. Learn more about Van Andel Institute at vai.org. Symbiotic algae living inside corals provide those animals with their vibrant color, as well as many of the nutrients they need to survive. That algae, and other microbes within the bodies of corals, have been extensively studied--yet until now, researchers have largely ignored the microbial communities just outside of the coral colonies. A new study from scientists at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) has begun to describe and catalogue microbes that live just a few centimeters from the surface of corals, laying the groundwork for future studies. The researchers' work will be published May 21 in the journal Limnology and Oceanography. "Microbes are everywhere on reefs. There's roughly a million of them in a single milliliter, which is about 20 drops, of seawater. But we don't yet have a good sense of the microbial population that exists right next to corals," says Laura Weber, lead author of the study and a PhD student in the joint WHOI-MIT program. "There's some evidence from previous studies that corals may be surrounded by unique microbial cells, but many questions are still unanswered. Do these cells differ with coral species or reef site? How might they function?" she says. To begin to chip away at those questions, Weber and her colleagues focused on sampling the seawater surrounding Caribbean corals across multiple reefs. Weber thinks that microbes immediately next to the corals could play a role in breaking down waste products from the colonies, introducing new nutrients and potentially letting symbiotic algae or pathogens into the corals themselves. Along with her PhD advisor, Amy Apprill, Weber traveled to a protected coral reef system called the "Jardines de la Reina," located amid a string of remote islands near the southern coast of Cuba. Once there, Weber teamed with local Cuban scientists Patricia Gonzalez-Diaz and Maickel Armenteros to dive on the reefs and collect dozens of small samples from the water near five different species of coral. "The Cuban reefs provided a perfect opportunity for this study. Because they're so remote, there's limited impact from human activities," says Apprill, a coral reef ecologist at WHOI and senior author on the paper. A majority of the reef system was established as a marine protected area by the Cuban government in 1996, so fishing is prohibited and diving tourism is restricted. "The Cuban scientists we collaborated with are also doing research that complements our own. They have extensive knowledge of their marine environment, and provided access to research permits, which was a clear advantage when planning sites for cruises," Apprill adds. Once the samples were back in the US, Weber analyzed the genetic material of the microbes inside them to figure out which species were present. She found that different types of coral did indeed have different microbial communities living near them. "We started finding cool species-specific trends," Weber says. "I didn't think we would see any differences at all--but it turned out that in some areas, the bacterium Endozoicomonas, which lives symbiotically with corals, was actually enriched in the seawater closer to corals compared to the surrounding reef water. That means the region adjacent to corals could be important for attracting symbionts to a coral's surface, or it could represent a region where corals shed their symbionts." In addition to understanding which microbes are living next to corals, Weber and Apprill also looked at the microorganisms' potential ecological functions. They found that the seawater microbes contained genes that let them interact with the coral surface, suggesting that there may be important interactions between seawater microorganisms and the coral surface. "Scientists have been working for a while now to understand the role of microorganisms in reef environments and within coral colonies. But now we have evidence that demonstrates a possible relationship between seawater microbes and coral symbionts. That gives us some clues to how they find and infect coral colonies, and how they might impact the health of the corals. It's very exciting," Weber says. This project was funded by the Dalio Explore Fund, which supports scientific research at WHOI. The fund is part of Dalio Philanthropies' larger commitment to ocean exploration and discovery, including the new OceanX initiative. "We are thrilled to support WHOI's scientific research efforts through the Dalio Explore Fund," said Vincent Pieribone, Vice Chairman, OceanX. "The findings from this mission will help reveal the secret lives of coral, how their microbiome - similar to ours - supports good health, and how, when they are at an imbalance, corals, like humans, can become sick." ### The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is a private, non-profit organization on Cape Cod, Mass., dedicated to marine research, engineering, and higher education. Established in 1930 on a recommendation from the National Academy of Sciences, its primary mission is to understand the oceans and their interaction with the Earth as a whole, and to communicate a basic understanding of the oceans' role in the changing global environment. For more information, please visit http://www.whoi.edu. this news is not available Tuesday, May 21, 2019 A weak forensic opinion helps win a case. You have hired a forensic examiner to analyze evidence for your civil case. After a thorough examination of the evidence, the forensic examiner delivers a weak forensic opinion toward favoring your theory of the case. Will the examiners weak opinion help you in trial? When the opinion fails to show a preponderance of evidence, can you still prevail at trial? In 2016 I was retained by the plaintiff in this civil wrongful death case in San Diego County: Zahau v. Shacknai. Previously, the county coroner ruled the decedent committed suicide. Her family believeed she was murdered by Adam Shacknai. My retention was to compare the writing on a door inside the Spreckels Mansion with the handwriting of the victim, Rebecca Zahau, and with the handwriting of the accused, Adam Shacknai. The hand printed message was SHE SAVED HIM CAN YOU SAVE HER. The scope of my work was determining whether either Ms. Zahau or Mr. Shacknai had written the words on the door. Several other examiners were retained to examine other technical aspects of the case. These included a knot expert, a medical pathology expert, a forensic psychiatrist, and others. The handwriting on the door was done in block printed text. This meant the exemplars also must be handprinted block letters. Cursive writing could not be used for comparison. A generally accepted practice in handwriting comparison is handwriting must be compared with the same type of writing. The only examples I had of Mr. Shacknais handwriting were six verification pages that he had signed. Typically, a signature is not a valid exemplar for hand printing. Fortunately, Mr. Shacknai wrote his signature as handprinted block letters. Therefore, I had writing to compare with the writing on the door. This limitation led to a weak forensic opinion as to authorship. Exemplars of Ms. Zahau that contain block print were application forms, immigration forms, and other documents on which she had handprinted. The exemplars were written in different physical locations between 2002 and 2009. These documents also contained Ms. Zahaus signature. The defense objected on foundation whether these forms were written by Miss Zahau. I had compared the signatures on these documents with Ms. Zahaus known signatures. The result was the signatures on the exemplars were authenticated as having been written by Ms. Zahau. The block printing on the exemplars was compared to determine whether the exemplars were all written by the same person. The exemplars were written by the same person. They had also been signed by Ms. Zahau. Using the signatures as foundation for the exemplars, the documents were admitted into evidence as having been handprinted by Ms. Zahau. Comparing of the handwriting on the door with both Mr. Shacknai and Ms. Zahau required comparing letters in the handwriting that were common to both people and the writing in question on the door. Only two letters were common among all three writings. These were the letters A and M. I extracted these letters from photographs I had taken of the door, and digital scans of the exemplars. The photographs of the door were taken at the inspection in the San Diego crime laboratory. A comparison sheet was made for each common letter to show whether the writing of each person comports with the writing on the door. The lack of exemplars, and having only two letters in common among the writings posed a difficulty with arriving at an unqualified opinion on whether either Ms. Zahau or Mr. Shacknai had written the text on the door. These constraints led to a weak forensic opinion that there are indications Mr. Shacknai wrote the text on the door. It was inconclusive whether Ms. Zahau had written text on the door. These opinions were relative to all potential writers. An accepted standard used by forensic document examiners for expressing opinions is published by the Scientific Working Group for Document Examination, SWGDOC. The standard defines indications as: indications (evidence to suggest)a body of writing has few features which are of significance for handwriting comparison purposes, but those features are in agreement with another body of writing. This is a weak forensic opinion. It does not meet the preponderance of evidence requirement in a civil case. In document examiners standard terms, an opinion needs to show it is more likely the handwriting is either written by the suspected writer or not written by the suspected writer. Two basic tenets of handwriting comparison are that no two people write alike and person writes exactly the same way twice. Handwriting examiners use exemplars to establish a range of variation in the way a person writes. When the opinion was limited to only these two people, the comparison of their handwritings to the handwriting on the door lead to an opinion it was more likely the handwriting of Mr. Shacknai than the handwriting of Ms. Zahau. Because my opinion was weak, the defense requested an evidentiary hearing for the court to determine whether my testimony would assist the jury. Could my testimony allow the jury to arrive at a decision there was a preponderance of evidence Mr. Shacknai wrote the words on the door? The evidentiary hearing was held the first morning of my testimony. The Court ruled that I may testify before the jury. The reason I could testify was because when compared with only two people, rather than all potential people, I demonstrated it was more likely the handwriting was of Mr. Shacknai than Ms. Zahau. My testimony before the jury lasted almost a day and a half. The defenses document examiner offered no input regarding authorship of the handwriting on the door. The document examiner testified, I concluded that collecting additional known writing would not be of assistance. Although he was retained by the defense, he never obtained any exemplars from Mr. Shacknai. He never performed a comparative handwriting examination. Yet, he arrived at an opinion that it is inconclusive whether Mr. Shacknai, or any other person could be identified as the writer of the words on the door. The opposing document examiner testified, This is just not suitable for comparison. After a month-long trial, the jury returned a verdict in a few hours. Their verdict favored the plaintiff. The verdict was Ms. Zahau was murdered by Mr. Shacknai. In this case, an initially weak forensic opinion was a valuable asset for the plaintiff. When the evidence was limited to two suspects, rather than all people, the weak opinion became a much stronger opinion. Plaintiffs attorney, Keith Greer, presented jury with compelling evidence to support his case. The defense tried unsuccessfully to exclude exemplars of Rebecca Zahaus handwriting. Over the defenses objections, Mr. Greer successfully laid the foundation for admitting this evidence. When the jury was able to use the demonstrative exhibits to visually compare Ms. Zahaus handwriting and Mr. Shacknais handwriting, the agreed there is a preponderance of evidence it was Mr. Shacknais handwriting on the door. When your forensic examiner delivers a weak forensic opinion as defined by their standards, examine your options. You may be able to reframe the opinion using legal standards to support your case. In this case where the opposing side offered no evidence to refute their claim that Mr. Shacknai did not write the words on the door, plaintiffs attorney was able to frame weak evidence into preponderance of evidence that Mr. Shacknai wrote the words on the door. San Francisco hedge fund Voce Capital Management has dropped its proxy fight with Argo Group International Holdings, the specialty insurance company that has its U.S headquarters in San Antonio. Voce blamed Argo for lobbying two state insurance departments to revoke previously granted approvals for Voces dissident campaign to get five of its nominees elected to Argos board. Argo countered that Voce abandoned its campaign because it didnt have votes for its five board nominees. Voce still is calling on Argo shareholders to vote against Argos five nominees for the board. Voce has been critical of Argos corporate governance, financial performance and expense levels. RELATED: CPS Energy considering rate increase Argo holds its annual meeting in Bermuda on Friday, when the vote results will be released. Representatives for both Argo and Voce had no comment beyond a statement each company issued today. In its statement, Voce said five states insurance departments gave their approval for its proxy solicitation to proceed prior to Voce filing its definitive proxy statement last month. Two of those states Illinois and Virginia subsequently reversed course and rescinded their approvals in letters to Voce, the company said. The San Antonio Express-News contacted both states insurance departments to obtain the letters, but has yet to receive them. Virginia withdrew its approval Monday after receiving additional materials from Argo, Voce said. Argos actions are reprehensible, Voce said. At every step of the way, Argo seems to have expended enormous amounts of time, effort and shareholder capital in what appears to be desperation to prevent any independent oversight or outside observation of its practices. What is Argo hiding? Illinois threatened to pursue injunctive relief and/or to seek the voiding of any proxy votes cast, Voce added. RELATED: Paid sick leave ordinances stand in Texas Voce said it is evaluating potential legal remedies for this situation. Argo said it has not seen the letters from Illinois and Virginia, but said it appears Voce may have failed to take all steps to disclose all information required by the departments of insurance in a timely fashion. These matters have at all times been within the exclusive control of Voce, not Argo, Argo responded. Argo employs about 200 people in San Antonio. Patrick Danner is a San Antonio-based staff writer covering banking and civil courts. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | pdanner@express-news.net | Twitter: @AlamoPD A potential rate increase for CPS Energy customers appears to be looming larger after the city-owned utilitys CEO said Monday that a hike may be necessary. Paula Gold-Williams told CPSs board of trustees that there is more and more pressure for a rate increase given the power companys finances. Its tougher and tougher to manage finances, she said. OnExpressNews.com: Solar, covered parking part of new CPS program Last year, CPS saw net income of $139 million. But projections for the 2019-2020 fiscal year, which started on Feb. 1, show the utility bring in earnings of $43.7, less than one-third of last years total. The projection depends partly on $15 million in cost savings, which includes renegotiating contracts with vendors and delaying maintenance projects. Earnings could be lower than expected if all the savings arent realized. In any case, the situation is expected to get worse in the 2021-2021 budget year with the utility potentially running a deficit of $39 million. The projected drop in net income this year and next stems from CPS not being able to sell as much energy to the Texas power grid, which is managed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, as the utility has in the past. Last year, CPS made large profits by selling excess energy from its generation fleet. But closing the twin-unit, coal-fired Deely power plant at the end of 2018 cut the amount of excess power it has available to sell, said Gary Gold, CPSs vice president of corporate services and assistant treasurer. The utility has a capacity of 6,418 megawatts at its remaining facilities and projects a peak power demand this summer of 5,386 megawatts of power. It cant sell all that excess power, however, because it needs to maintain reserves. The last time the utility raised rates was 2014, when the price of electricity and natural gas went up 4.25% A rate hike would first have to be approved by the five-member CPS Board of Trustees which includes San Antonio mayor Ron Nirenberg. It would then have to be approved by the city council. OnExpressNews.com: San Antonio's CPS Energy chief talks electricity rates, clean energy and Luby's Gold-Williams told the board of trustees that CPS Energy would not file a rate increase until absolutely necessary and she offered no timetable. She said at the point the utility determined it was it needed a rate increase, it would present a business plan for the rate increase to the board of trustees. CPSs five-person board, which includes Mayor Ron Nirenberg, would need to approve any proposed increase. The matter would then go to the City Council for a vote. The last increase went in to effect in February 2014, three months after the council approved it 8-2. Trustee Ed Kelley, retired president of the USAA Real Estate Company, has been calling for a rate increase for months, saying at the April board meeting that the city-owned utility needed to be run like a business. The board also approved a plan Monday pushed by Nirenberg to begin live-streaming the monthly CPS board meeting and to allow for public comment at the meetings. The details still need to be worked out, and CPS staff is expected to present a plan to the board next month. randy.diamond@express-news.net The three-engine plane continued to rise, its wings level, despite the nearly 13,500 pounds suddenly missing from its left side. But as it reached 300 feet, the plane slowed and rolled left until it began to overturn, its nose tipping down. Texas education officials has let three more elected trustees take their seats on the Edgewood Independent School District board, continuing its transition out of state control. Joseph Guerra, who won election in 2016, and Stella Camacho, elected last November, were sworn in Tuesday evening during the boards regular meeting. James Hernandez, also elected last year, was unable to attend and will be sworn in sometime in June, officials said. The state took control of the district in 2016 after months of board dysfunction and began the transition back to local control a year ago. RELATED: Land-swap deal could bring Hays Street saga to a close The Texas Education Agency also will appoint a conservator to assist with the transition, itself a strong measure of state oversight. That will be routine for districts moving out of state control, and does not reflect concerns with the Edgewood transition, its board or the district in general, Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath told the board in a letter dated Friday. In previous statements, Morath has said the full transition at Edgewood should be complete by May 2020. Guerra is a former board president. Before her election, Camacho was among the five members of a board of managers Morath appointed in 2016 to replace an elected board that had been paralyzed for months by infighting. One state-appointed manager was removed to keep the board at the required seven members, a TEA spokeswoman said. Morath thanked Richard Santoyo in a letter Friday, telling him the board had resolved the issues that led to the takeover and adding, As one of the longest serving members on the board of managers, you have faithfully fulfilled your duties as a board member. Board president Richard Roy Soto welcomed the new trustees and complimented Guerra for attending board meetings and staying current during the years when he wasnt allowed to take office. A policy against media interviews by any board member except the president, put in place when the state-appointed board took office in 2016, remained unchanged after Tuesdays swearing in. Since the state takeover, candidates have run for election to the board without knowing if or when they would take office. For the past year, Moraths choices have resulted in a shifting mix of appointed managers and elected trustees. The new changes will result in a board of five trustees and two managers. While still a manager, Santoyo ran for a seat on the board but lost in November to Dina Serrano, who has yet to be placed on the board. On ExpressNews.com: Edgewood ISD board fills a vacancy with a sideways move In May of 2018, Morath chose elected trustees Marth Castilla and Edward Romero as the first to make the transition. But three months later, Romero resigned and the board appointed Timothy Payne, who was one of Moraths original manager picks. In his letter to the Edgewood board, Morath said the appointment of a conservator to advise the board is a practice that will occur with boards of managers returning to local control. The new step is intended to further promote stability. A conservator will attend board meetings, including executive sessions, and oversee the financial management, governance and general administration of the district. Krista Torralva covers several school districts and public universities in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | Krista.Torralva@express-news.net | Twitter: @KMTorralva He was a pioneer in the industry, said Jim Mack, who was president of Frankel for 10 years and continued as president and CEO after the 2001 sale of the company to French advertising company Publicis Groupe. He was really looked at as one of the founders of the sales promotion business. He took an industry that was primarily focused on displays and turned it into a marketing, branding and strategy agency. A politically connected Mexican businessman pleaded guilty Monday in San Antonio to conspiracy to launder drug money, formalizing a deal that turned the former high-value fugitive into a government informant. Juan Manuel Mono Munoz Luevano, who is from Coahuila, Mexico, was extradited to San Antonio in March from Spain, where he was arrested in 2016 on allegations of importing drugs through one of the European countries busiest ports. Munoz, the owner of a chain of gas stations in northern Mexico, was indicted in San Antonio in 2015 with four counts related to the import and distribution of cocaine into Texas, a money laundering conspiracy count and conspiracy to possess a firearm during drug trafficking. Munoz pleaded guilty only to the money laundering conspiracy charge after Assistant U.S Attorney Russell Leachman, under seal, replaced the indictment with a document called a criminal information that left only the money laundering conspiracy charge intact. Leachman declined comment afterward. After the hearing, Munozs lawyers, Jose Puig of Florida and Roy Barrera Jr. of San Antonio, declined to answer most questions, as they accompanied by Munozs Mexican lawyers entered the U.S. Marshals offices inside the federal courthouse to speak with their client. Asked about news reports in the Mexican media that said Munoz has provided a list of at least 80 corrupt Mexican officials to U.S. agents, Puig said they are lies but would not answer questions about his clients cooperation. On ExpressNews.com: Mexican businessman extradited to San Antonio in Zetas investigation At the hearing, Senior U.S. District Judge David Ezra, who took Munozs plea, talked in circular fashion, careful to not reveal any of the details that have made Munoz such a high-value target for U.S. prosecutors, who have been investigating some Mexican politicians and government officials, including a former governor of Coahuila, in a money-laundering case spanning several years. Munozs plea deal, which would include a factual basis within it that would provide more detail, is sealed and the judge kept it that way, over objections from a reporter with the San Antonio Express-News. The judge cited federal rules, which give prosecutors discretion in sealing portions of the court file and deciding when they can be made public. Many cases like Munozs have ended with the plea deals remaining sealed indefinitely. Puig also told the judge he is seeking bond for his client, and prosecutors, who normally oppose such requests in cases of fugitives that have to be extradited, remained silent when Puig broached the issue. The judge left that matter to be taken up at a later unspecified date. Media reports in Spain and Mexico said law enforcement in Spain heard Munoz on wiretaps calling from his residence in a suburb of Madrid back to Mexico to threaten or extort others or to order beatdowns and killings. He reportedly also has close ties to Coahuila political figures, and to prosecutors, ex-prosecutors, mayors, congressional lawmakers and judges from various Mexican states. On ExpressNews.com: Coahuila businessman charged with drug trafficking, money laundering Among those he was close to, the reports said, is Humberto Moreira, who was governor of Coahuila from 2005 to 2011. Moreira went on to become the national president of one of Mexicos prominent political parties, the PRI, until he resigned amid controversies related to the debt of Coahuila, which rose from $27 million to $2.8 billion under his tenure. Federal agents in San Antonio have been investigating Moreira for several years in connection with money laundering allegations here, but he has not been charged and denies any wrongdoing. One of Moreiras former Cabinet members, Hector Javier Villarreal Hernandez, treasurer of Coahuila from 2008 to 2010, has told investigators of the ties, according to El Pais newspaper in Spain, which cited investigative documents about Villarreals statements to Spanish authorities. Villareal has been free on bond since pleading guilty here in September 2014 for laundering, in real estate in San Antonio and South Texas, millions of dollars stolen from Coahuilas coffers. He had also been a fugitive before striking a deal with the feds here and being released on bond a path Munoz is seeking. In Mexico, Munoz appeared to be caught in a war among cartels and was in Spain to handle affairs for Los Zetas in Europe, according to media reports. In 2013, during a war between the Sinaloa and Los Zetas drug cartels, a number of Munozs gas stations were attacked and set on fire, the Mexican news magazine Proceso reported. Presumed members of the Sinaloa Cartel hung banners accusing Munoz of laundering money and buying stolen gasoline from the Zetas, according to Proceso. The charges in San Antonio against Munoz stem from alleged drug activity here dating to 1999 through his indictment in January 2015, but prosecutors have never publicly revealed details. In court, prosecutor Leachman told the judge that Munoz knowingly conducted illegal financial transactions with currency from unlawful drug trafficking. The maximum punishmet is 20 years in prison, though an agreed sentence is part of the sealed plea deal, the judge noted. Sentencing is set for Nov. 25. Guillermo Contreras covers federal courts in San Antonio and international legal issues. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | gcontreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @gmaninfedland Commissioners in Bexar and Kendall counties are taking the rare step of trying to remove elected constables one who hasnt shown up to work in two years and another who is accused of shaking down residents for cash at a Bexar County park on Easter Sunday. In Kendall County, officials are about two weeks away from filing a petition in Boerne to remove Constable Don White, who has not shown up to work since January 2017, according to Bill Ballard, general counsel for Kendall. Reached by email, White declined to comment. In Bexar County, County Judge Nelson Wolff has asked District Attorney Joe Gonzales to brief commissioners today on the removal process. Wolff said Monday that his request was spurred by the recent behavior of Constable Michelle Barrientes Vela, who allegedly shook down a family for cash at Rodriguez Park on Easter. She required them to pay her $50 an hour for security despite the availability of peace officers already funded by the county. Its due to a number of issues that have evolved out there with her, Wolff said. This is the latest and probably the most serious. Vela declined to comment Monday. Elected officials in Texas may be removed for incompetency, official misconduct or intoxication on or off duty, according to state law. Any county resident may file a petition for removal, but a district judge must also grant an order citing the official. Officials may be removed only after a jury trial. Its very similar to a lawsuit, said Ballard, who is involved in the effort to remove White. Its not a lightly undertaken thing. If the judge feels its unwarranted, thats the end of it. Theres no appeal. Efforts to remove elected officials in Texas typically occur fewer than a dozen times a year, and only about half succeed, said Scott Brumley, county attorney in Potter County in West Texas and an expert on removal lawsuits. It would be fair to say it is rare, Brumley said. Obviously, you hear about it because its generally a matter of significant public interest. Its the only real process of undoing an election. Such efforts seem to disproportionately target justices of the peace and constables, Brumley said. One possible explanation for the focus on constables is their relative lack of experience, he said. A constable doesnt have to be a peace officer when they run for office, Brumley said. So often those officers havent gained the experience of a seasoned peace officer, knowing what is and isnt appropriate for an officer to do. Once elected, a constable has 270 days to acquire a peace officer license. Brumley said the qualifications for running for constable are outdated. Its archaic legally, and its archaic in a point of common sense, where you really want somebody whos going to assume a position in law enforcement to have experience in law enforcement, he said. At least a dozen states have abolished the position of constable. Doing so in Texas requires passing a constitutional amendment. In 1995, Texans voted to abolish constable offices in three small counties Mills, Reagan and Roberts in the same constitutional amendment election that abolished the state treasurers job. The official duties of constables are to serve civil papers and provide bailiff support for justices of the peace in their precincts. White has served as constable in Kendall County for more than 22 years. He first took office in January 1997 but wasnt granted a peace officer license until more than a year later on Feb. 28, 1998, according to Texas Commission on Law Enforcement records. Since January 2017 the start of his most recent term White hasnt shown up to work once, Ballard said. Officials also are investigating at least two instances of alleged misconduct by White. Ballard declined to specify the allegations. Nobody really knows where he is, Ballard said. Hes a no-show. White was paid a salary of $51,043 in 2017. The constable also collects more than $13,500 a year in benefits. Last year, Kendall County commissioners voted to cut Whites salary to $26,000 and divert the remainder to fund a deputy sheriff to do the constables job, said County Commissioner Christina Bergmann. The commissioners also voted to file the petition against White. In Bexar County, Vela also is accused of misconduct. Local resident Jesus Reyes said he reserved a pavilion on Easter in Rodriguez Park on the West Side a year in advance, just as he had done for more than a decade. This year, Vela appeared in uniform and told him the pavilion was reserved for her family. When Reyes refused to move, Vela required him to pay her and her chief deputy $50 an hour for security. The county already had arranged to pay peace officers to provide security at all county parks on Easter Sunday at a rate of $38 an hour. Nonetheless, the 48-year-old truck driver shelled out cash to Vela and her chief deputy for the rest of the day until he paid $300 and ran out of money. Vela was granted a peace officer license in 2009. She took office as constable in 2017 and earns a salary of nearly $94,000. It costs the county about $1.5 million a year to operate each of its four constable offices. CORRECTION: This article has been updated to correct Bill Ballards title. Brian Chasnoff is an investigative reporter based in San Antonio. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | bchasnoff@express-news.net | Twitter: @bchasnoff AUSTIN The Texas House on Monday tentatively approved the so-called Save Chick-fil-A religious freedom bill spawned by San Antonio City Councils refusal to let the food chain open an airport location because of the companys support for groups that oppose same-sex marriage. The bills progress, despite welled eyes and emotional stories from members of the House LGBTQ Caucus who thought they had succeeded in killing it earlier in the session, likewise was cheered and panned in San Antonio, where the dropping of the fast food restaurant from consideration for a city contract became an issue in the mayors race. Im thrilled about it, said Greg Brockhouse, who is in a runoff election June 8 in his challenge of Mayor Ron Nirenberg. The Legislature has essentially said the city council has violated your constitutional rights and Chick-fil-A should be back in. Nirenberg, whose 3-percentage-point May 4 election edge over Brockhouse had been tighter than expected, said of the House bill: The idea that we have to decide between our faith and treating people with dignity is a false choice. The only purpose of this bill is political theater and divisiveness. Senate Bill 1978 would bar Texas government agencies from punishing people and companies for affiliating with or donating to a religious organization. The bill passed on a 79-62 vote largely along partisan lines, with Democrats voting against it, joined by Rep. Sarah Davis, R-Houston. The government should not be able to take an action against you for something you do in private, something you donate to, something you affiliate with and are associated with, said Rep. Matt Krause, R-Fort Worth, who sponsored the bill in reaction to the city councils decision in March to keep Chick-Fil-A out of San Antonio International Airport. For subscribers: Texas Senate revives Save Chick fil-A bill that House LGBTQ Caucus killed Several members of the Houses LGBTQ Caucus who managed to kill an earlier version of the bill spoke against it again, saying the measure is personal to them and fighting back tears. It sends a message that Texas is not welcome and open to all, said Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Carrollton, Nothing new is accomplished by this bill. Ashley Smith, a member of Nirenbergs LGBTQ advisory committee, said conservative lawmakers embrace of the issue was partly intended to let the LGBTQ community know that Texas is still not a state that embraces equality. The stance against gay marriage equality taken by Chick-fil-A founder and CEO S. Truett Cathy, and the companys financial support for Christian organizations that oppose gay marriage, for years have made the restaurant chain both a target and a hero for partisans of that debate. It was the reason City Councilman Roberto Trevino pushed the council to keep the company out of the airport and the reason other council members joined him. Nirenbergs rationale for his own vote for the ban, saying the companys policy of closing on Sundays would inconvenience airport patrons and cost the city money, failed to keep Brockhouse from mobilizing religious conservatives around the issue in the mayors race. Brockhouse, whose campaign was battered by pre-election media reports that police had responded to two separate calls alleging domestic violence by a former wife in 2006 and his current wife in 2009, said the Chick-fil-A issue has made for a galvanizing talking point with his supporters. I dont know that it necessarily diverts attention from those allegations my wife and I deny them, and they are false but, frankly, it is the number one issue out there, he said of the councils restaurant vote. I dont think one issue is enough to tip the election for me, but its enough to rile up the voters. And that also means faith-based Hispanics and independents. Even Democrats are e-mailing me and saying this (council action) is ridiculous. The company has said it has no specific anti-LGBT agenda and neither do the groups it supports, which include the Marriage & Family Legacy Fund, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the National Christian Foundation. Trevino on Monday called it extremely disappointing that the state legislature cares more about an out-of-state chicken company than their own community. The measure requires a final vote of approval from the House on Tuesday and one further vote from the Senate in the next week before it can be sent to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott for his approval. There are now two different versions of the bill, which provide different enforcement mechanisms. The Senate bill would allow the Texas attorney general to bring action against a governmental entity, officer or employee to enforce compliance. The House amended the bill to remove that provision. Organizations and people who believe they were punished for their affiliations would then be able to sue the government entity either to overturn a government decision or test whether it breaks the law and could be entitled to court costs and attorneys fees. If a version is passed and signed by Abbott, the legislation would take effect Sept. 1. San Antonio City Councilman Manny Pelaez, who voted to keep Chick-fil-A out of the airport, said Monday that he doubted the House bill would do what some of its supporters believe. I worry that the words save Chick-fil-A have created the expectation that SB 1978, if signed into law, would result in forcing the city to sit down with Chick-fil-A (or a franchisee) to work out a contract for the airport, Pelaez said. It wont, he said. Bruce Selcraig is a staff writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read his stories on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | BSelcraig@express-news.net AUSTIN An effort to stop San Antonio and other cities from forcing private businesses to offer employees paid sick leave sputtered out in the Legislature this week, dealing a blow to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and the business community, which made the issue a priority. We are very, very disappointed that this legislation didnt pass because it leaves business owners at the whim of really any city council in the state, said Annie Spilman, Texas state director for the National Federation of Independent Business. My members are extremely fearful about the uncertainty they face in Texas. We are supposed to be a business-friendly state, and its not that way anymore. The bills that foundered would have blocked cities from requiring businesses to offer employees certain benefits or paid time off for holidays, vacations or sick days. San Antonio is among a handful of Texas cities that adopted ordinances requiring private employers to offer paid sick leave, though at least one such local law has been put on hold after a legal challenge. Texas Take: Get the latest news on Texas politics sent directly to your inbox every weekday Enforcement of San Antonios paid sick leave ordinance is expected to begin Aug. 1. A committee composed of five City Council members and a larger citizens ad hoc commission are exploring how to best implement that new law. San Antonios policy requires private employers with 15 or fewer employees to provide them with at least six days of paid time off a year. Larger businesses will have to provide at least eight days, while small businesses with less than five employees are off the hook until August 2021. Employees will accrue an hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours of work. Employers who violate the ordinance will have the opportunity to take corrective action before facing a $500 fine. City Council adopted the measure last year after a group of activists led by the Texas Organizing Project helped collect the required number of signatures to place it on the November ballot. The city ultimately adopted the paid sick leave ordinance outright so it didnt have to go on the ballot. OnExpressNews.com: Texas Senate approves bill to strike down local paid sick leave ordinances But some business owners protested the one size fits all policy. Theyve expressed concerns it could force them to cut other perks, such as health benefits, retirement benefits or pay. Theyve also raised questions on how the new law will affect employees who travel for work or how the mandate will be enforced. Louis Barrios, president and CEO of Los Barrios family restaurants, opposes San Antonios ordinance. He predicted the new requirements will force restaurants to change their business models or keep such businesses from expanding, which could mean fewer employment opportunities for workers ranging from 16 to 24 years old. It makes it very difficult for restaurants to sustain a profitable enterprise, Barrios said Monday night. What government is supposed to do is create an environment so business can grow. And when they pass mandates like this, theyre destroying the economy and the environment where businesses will grow. Elected officials are working in a space that theyre not experts in Its not part of the city charter for them to start mandating (benefits) to businesses. Richard Perez, the San Antonio Chamber of Commerces president and CEO, could not immediately be reached for comment Monday night. Texas Organizing Project expressed encouragement that proposed legislation seeking to halt paid sick time ordinances failed. But the group will remain vigilant until the end of the legislative session, TOP executive director Michelle Tremillo said. If this holds up, 354,000 San Antonians will be expecting their local elected officials to ensure that enforcement of paid sick time for all begins on Aug. 1, Tremillo said. If the ordinance remains intact when the state Legislature adjourns, we will focus on making sure that we follow through at home, she said. The council committee and citizens commission exploring how to implement San Antonios new law are looking ahead to Aug. 1, the date that enforcement is supposed to begin, said City Councilman Manny Pelaez, who chairs the first panel. And there are other uncertainties as well. Weve all got our eyes on whats going to happen at the Supreme Court level, Pelaez said Monday night. Weve all got our eyes on whether or not the governor is going to call a special session. Weve also got our eyes on Bexar County Courthouse to see whether or not anybody files suit to challenge the ordinance the way that it was challenged in Austin. Sen. Brandon Creighton, a Conroe Republican who authored the failed legislation, said it was needed to prevent a patchwork of regulation that varies city by city. Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, said hes sympathetic to that argument, but noted that local officials should have the power to decide. For many working families that dont have the luxury of having a job with paid sick policies, they deserve to be heard as well, he said. Initially backed by the business industry, the legislation became marred by controversy after warnings by LGBTQ advocates that it could undermine cities anti-discrimination ordinances that protect gay, lesbian and transgender Texans in the workforce. Listening to those worries, tech giants Apple, Google and Facebook joined a business coalition that criticized the bills over the potential for discrimination. Creighton, however, argued that those concerns were unwarranted, and the Senate passed the bills over Democrats objections. The measures, however, were not scheduled for a vote on the House floor before the deadline to pass legislation this session. The failure to act on a package of the most pro-business bills this session will undoubtedly hurt Texas small businesses, Creighton said in a statement. The only hope now is that the courts reverse these costly and burdensome regulations and restore the predictability and common-sense policies Texas business needs to thrive. Spilman said politics sank the bills, which she said should have been a slam dunk. The Texas AFL-CIO and the Texas Freedom Network, which opposed the legislation, said they are cautiously watching the Legislature for the final week to make sure the measures arent revived. But the failure of these bills is good news for hundreds of thousands of workers and their families who live in cities with ordinances guaranteeing earned paid sick time and protecting against unfair discrimination, said Dan Quinn, spokesman for Austin-based Texas Freedom Network, which advocates for civil liberties. Thats a win for public health, economic justice and equality for all. Carlos Jasso/ASSOCIATED PRESS MEXICO CITY Mexican authorities have found 18 plastic bags and vessels containing human remains on a farm in a crime-ridden part of the country, prosecutors said Friday. We are currently not totally certain about how many bodies are on that estate, Jalisco state Attorney General Gerardo Octavio Solis said, adding that forensic experts were examining the remains. Which makes this a good time for the left to step back and ask whether it was ever a good idea to urge such sweeping powers on unelected judges. The benefit of going the judicial route is that you can occasionally achieve outcomes you could never obtain through legislatures; that is how America, a center-right nation, got one of the most liberal abortion regimes in the world. The problem with going the judicial route is that it short-circuits public debate and forces the opposition to take radical action like, say, a decadeslong project to fill the courts with right-leaning judges to amend that "settled law." How disappointing to learn one of the main standard-bearers for our Second Amendment right, the National Rifle Association, is allowing CEO Wayne LaPierre to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for his own personal needs and desires. I am canceling my membership and encouraging others to do so until LaPierre, and the board, gets the boot! David Saenz Expanding creativity Re: Applauding the arts community, Another View, Thursday: Huge thanks to Lainey Berkus for her commentary on local arts and support. When I moved to San Antonio 22 years ago, the theater community was much smaller. There was no equity company, which surprised me. Since then, the Vexler at the Jewish Community Center, the Classic Theatre, the Overtime and others have sprung up. The old San Pedro Playhouse (now the Public Theater of San Antonio) has evolved into a professional venue. We have houses that feature musicals, dark comedies, original pieces and classics. The community colleges have all produced some excellent work. My own community theater in Boerne has grown into a robust organization with its own building and plans to expand. Others from Kerrville to New Braunfels to Bulverde are also thriving. Most of these theater companies have youth programs, too. We all appreciate your support as we work to help the greater San Antonio area become a world-class city. Christine M. Crowley, Boerne For wrong reason Re: City funding will be sought to help with migrant influx, front page, Thursday: Silvia Foster-Fraus article was reality. Mayor Ron Nirenberg said assisting the migrants is the right thing to do, is right, but it is all for the wrong reasons. If Democrats in the U.S. House would correct the loopholes in our immigration laws and Mexico would do its duty by keeping illegal immigrants from passing through that country, then we would not have these problems. Since these illegal aliens have a court date, they have a convoluted legality, but since many will not show up for their court date, all concerned should be arrested and deported. Of course, this will not happen because the Democrats want to have them vote for the hell of the urban poverty plantations they want to keep in exchange for those votes. What a sick way to change the most fair and generous capitalist republic into the next Venezuela just for a vote when the dictators who will eventually control our nation are just waiting to take over. Doing this one right thing is for the wrong reasons of power and control. Durand C. Waters, Windcrest Define hate sites Regardless of pledges from government, Facebook, Google, et al., to attempt to block hate speech, hate sites and so forth from social media, that function has become difficult. A lot of folks believe terms such as MAGA, NRA, pro-Israel, Christian, nationalist and Chick-fil-A all represent reprehensible sources for hate, while equally large numbers view LGBT, ACLU, Muslim and socialist as promoting intolerably objectionable hateful, dangerous positions. It is difficult to comprehend any software or bureaucratic algorithms that will resolve these deep divisions in worldview so we know who is allowed to speak and who is not. John S. Aldridge, Bandera GREENWICH Cabot the great white shark who earned many fans and followers in Greenwich and beyond has moved out of Long Island Sound. OCEARCH, a maritime research and educational organization that has been tracking Cabot, said the latest track for the nearly 10-foot shark was off the southern coast of Long Island. That would mean the great white, whose tracking device sent out a ping off the coast of Greenwich on Monday morning, has moved out of the Sound and into the Atlantic Ocean. Great whites can move fast, able to travel 100 to 150 miles per day. Its likely that the shark followed food sources seals or fish into the Sound, marine scientists said. The big fish was tagged with a tracking device off Nova Scotia last year, and it has been previously traced to the waters off Florida and Maryland in recent months. OCEARCH named the shark Cabot, after explorer John Cabot. The Greenwich Police Department weighed in on the brief appearance of the shark off the towns shoreline and issued a statement that it was not a risk to the public. More Information How many reported shark attacks have there been in The Sound? Only three, according to a data base of sharkattackdata.com None of the attacks were fatal. All of them occurred in August. Aug. 24, 1960. Clyde Trudeau, 38, was free diving off Seaside Park in Bridgeport at around 1:30 p.m. Trudeau received a superficial laceration of the left arm. Aug. 26, 1933. Helen Clark was swimming in the Mystic River in Mystic when her foot was bitten by a shark. Aug. 9, 1890: Raymond Odell was treading for clams in Bridgeport when he was bitten by a shark. He received a severe lacerations to left arm. How many shark attacks have there been in U.S. waters between 1900 and 2017? 1,513, according to sharkattackdata.com How many people were killed by starts in U.S. Waters between 1900 and 2017? 144. How many people have been bitten -or killed - by sharks in waters of neighboring states? New York: 13 attacks, three deaths. All fatal attacks happened when people were swimming. New Jersey: 20 attacks, five deaths. Four deaths were in the summer of 1916 in Matawan Creek, 10 miles from the sea in Monmouth County. All five happened when people were swimming. Massachusetts: Four attacks, three deaths. Two fatal happened while people were fishing, one while swimming. Rhode Island: Three attacks, two deaths. The two deaths happened when people were swimming. See More Collapse This is a good time for Long Island Sound and the communities that line it. We are fortunate to live and work along its shorelines. Cabot reminds us that nature is all around us and we should take a moment to stop and enjoy what it has to offer, the departmental statement said. Cabot does not pose a significant risk to people on the Sound. Shark attacks on people, while sensational when they happen, are very rare. Like any other wild animal if you see Cabot watch and enjoy this magnificent creature from a distance. The curator of a shark exhibit at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, Kate Dzikiewicz, called the appearance of the 533-pound subadult shark an exciting occasion. I thought it was pretty amazing, but in some senses, not that surprising. Weve always suspected that great white sharks occasionally visit Long Island Sound, so this was something of a confirmation, she said Tuesday. While many are afraid sharks, Dzikiewicz noted, people should be aware that Long Island Sound is completely safe to swim in. She agreed that the visit by Cabot was a positive sign that the waters of the Sound are sustaining a wide variety of sea life. Its a great sign for the health of our water, she said. The global population of great white sharks have been in overall decline for decades. Around the United States, they are starting to experience a comeback. But they are vulnerable, it is important we protect these animals, said Dzikiewicz. It may be another few years before we see another great white visiting like Cabot did, she added. OCEARCH, the research organization that tracks the sharks, places GPS transmitters on their dorsal fins. They only ping a monitoring satellite when they are close to the surface, however, so the sharks typically disappear from the trackers for months at a time. Dave Sigworth, a spokesman for the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, said its unusual to spot a great white in the Sound. The local waters are home to four native species of sharks: sand tigers, brown sharks (also known as sandbar sharks) and two species of dogfish. But great whites are fairly common in Block Island Sound, Sigworth said. Its all about food theyll eat other types of fish, and seals, he said. Whos to say one wouldnt stick his toe in Long Island Sound once in a while? Only three shark attacks have been reported in the Sound from 1890 to 2016, according to a database of sharkattackdata.com: *Aug. 24, 1960. Clyde Trudeau, 38, was free diving off Seaside Park in Bridgeport when he suffered a superficial laceration of the left arm by a shark bit. *Aug. 26, 1933. Helen Clark was swimming in the Mystic River in Mystic when her foot was bitten by a shark. *Aug. 9, 1890: Raymond Odell was treading for clams in Bridgeport when he was bitten by a shark and received a severe lacerations to his left arm. But Greenwich Harbor Master Ian Macmillan said the public shouldnt be alarmed, though kite-surfers around Tods Point might want to exercise some extra vigilance. Not a problem, Macmillan said. I think its probably well-fed. As an educator with a background in paleontology, Dzikiewicz said it was always inspiring to have sea creatures and the ocean environment get attention and exposure. The most important thing is people are excited by sharks, and not terrified, said the curator of the shark exhibit, running through Sept. 1. rmarchant@greenwichtime.com BRIDGEPORT Detectives continue to actively work on the case of the citys most recent homicide from Sunday, officials confirmed Tuesday. Police spokesman Terron Jones said the Bridgeport Police Departments Detective Bureau is actively working on this incident. No updates. Miguel Lopez, 55, died Sunday night after being assault on the East Side. That night, police were called to Mambo Grocery at 731 Noble Ave. around 9:30 p.m. for a reported assault. Responding officers found Lopez lying on the floor in the store, according to Police Capt. Brian Fitzgerald. When police found Lopez, he wasnt able to community with them. Lopez was taken by medics to Bridgeport Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 10:45 p.m. as a result of the injuries from the assault, Fitzgerald said. The captain said the assault might have happened because of a dispute involving money owed to the assailants. Three Hispanic male suspects were seen on surveillance video chasing Lopez, Fitzgerald said. One of the men attacked Lopez with a long wooden bat or stick while a second man kicked Lopez repeatedly. Lopez was the citys eighth homicide of 2019, and the second of the year that wasnt the result of a shooting. Before Lopezs death, the city hadnt seen a killing since March 10. More for you Police ID man beaten to death in Bridgeport Anyone with information about this homicide, including the identities of the assailants depicted in the video, are asked to contact Detective Heanue at 203-581-5242. Hearst Connecticut Media file photo MONROE The towns Memorial Day Parade is scheduled for Sunday and will begin at 2 p.m. The parade participants will assemble on Elm Street south of Route 111. According to a release from the Monroe Police Department, when the parade begins it will travel north on Monroe Turnpike up to the Town Green, where a memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony will take place. That shouldnt be a surprise. Trump campaigned for the presidency on a promise to end Americas long, costly wars. He enjoys thumping his chest remember when he warned North Korea of fire and fury like the world has never seen but the bluster is intended to jump-start negotiations, a pursuit at which Trump believes he has no peer. Fairfield, MT (59436) Today Clear to partly cloudy. Low near -10F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low near -10F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. A tractor running in the field across the road woke me this morning. As an ex-farmer, I was looking forward to sleeping another hour, but it was a good sound. As an alarm clock, it was a month late. Wheels are finally turning in Ohio. Some slabby tillage was done around here in northeast Ohio on Thursday, but mostly activity picked up on Sunday and Monday after we sneaked through some forecasted rain. If it feels like we have been too wet for too long, that feeling is confirmed by the Monday USDA Planting Progress Report. Ohio has the smallest percentage of corn planted of any state, at 9%. It is tied with South Dakota for soybean planting, at 4%. South Dakota! If they werent busy getting the sugar beets planted, which is their money crop, they would be ahead of us, too. Looking at the forecast is encouraging, if still a mixed bag. Most days this week have a 30 to 40% rain forecast, except for Thursday. There we are now bumped to 60%. So, we may squeeze through, or maybe not. Yesterday Squeeze and I drove through sprinkles on the way to Ashtabula. Black clouds hung overhead, but no real rain ever developed. Heres hoping that trend continues this week. National planting picture The Monday morning Russell conference call with my fellow associates is always revealing. Across the Midwest, farmers are depressed about planting progress, which varies greatly. One area of south central Minnesota is 85% planted for corn and soybeans. Not that far away in southwest Minnesota is a 10,000-acre farmer who hasnt put one seed in the ground. Iowa is making good progress, with large areas virtually done, and the state almost three-quarters done officially. Then there is the Eastern Corn Belt. Besides Ohio at 9%, we have Indiana at 14 and Illinois at 24% planted. Ohio is up from just 4% last week, so thank God for little green apples. This time last year we had 69% planted after a slow start. Normal is 62%. At the same time, the entire U.S., or at least the 18 major states, have now 49% planted, just 1% under the trade guess. Last week the nation was at 30%, but the average is 80. Based on comments on the conference call, many areas expect rain and little planting progress this week. Now what. The delayed planting and the expectation of further delays, has finally been reflected in the markets. We made a hard low last Wednesday, May 13, after the Chinese trade deal collapsed and escalated into an actual trade was with more tariffs on both sides. We added in the Friday USDA reports which predicted a record corn crop. By Wednesday, however, the spec funds started to reverse themselves with the reality of a crop significantly lower than forecast. The reality of really delayed planting is that acres will be reduced by either prevented planting for a switch to soybeans. Yields will be reduced more than a bushel a day for agronomic reasons. The return to a new reality meant that December corn futures gained sharply six days in a row. We have bounced 46 cents off the awful 3.63 3/4 low to a high this morning of 4.09 3/4, up over 5 cents for the day so far on this Tuesday morning. At the same time, the market seems to be shaking off the knee-jerk reaction that delayed corn planting means more beans. Farmers are doing the math and thinking about prevented planting insurance payments instead. And, traders are being more realistic about what late bean planting will do to expected yields. As a result, the November soybean futures have rallied almost 50 cents of the low to a high just under 8.70 this morning. Another payment Added to the bright side of the ledger is the fact that our president has ordered Secretary Perdue to come up with a plan to help farmers not be a victim of the failed trade talks as they drag on or even come to a stop. Current talk is that $20 billion in payments would go to farmers. There is discussion about how much of this should go to soybean producers and how much should go to other farmers who are also being hurt by the backlash to critically slow soybean export to China. They have been the nations second biggest export to China, after aircraft and parts. There is also talk of how to decide the acres compensated for. Initially it was thought it would be based on 2019 acres, but there is a realization that it might need to be based on several years of crop history because just using 2019 would hurt those already devastated by prevented soybean planting. A farmer has been ordered to pay out nearly 30,000 after an employee fell through the fragile roof of a milking shed on the farm. Mold Magistrates Court heard how on 19 July 2018 self-employed contractor David Alan Rees, 56, was fatally injured whilst he was clearing out the valley gutter from a ladder. An ambulance was called to the farm but he died of his injuries later in hospital. Investigators found that farmer Robert Latham of Knolton Farm, Overton, near Wrexham, failed to plan the work at height and did not have any suitable equipment available to do the work safely. The 64-year-old admitted a health and safety charge following the incident last year. He was fined 26,000 and has also been ordered to pay costs of 3922.60 and a surcharge of 170. Health and Safety Executive (HSE), who prosecuted Mr Latham, said there are 'no winners in this tragic case'. HSE inspector, Mhairi Duffy said: Those in control of work have a responsibility to devise safe methods of working and to provide the necessary information, instruction and training to their workers and contractors in the safe system of working. If a suitable safe system of work had been in place prior to the incident, the death could have been prevented. The Scottish government has been urged to ensure farmers receive full compensation based on actual losses suffered in the event of a livestock worrying incident. The number of livestock-worrying incidents across Scotland has more than doubled over the last decade. In 2007/8, there were 81 offences recorded under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953. This increased to 170 in 2017/18, according to official statistics. It comes as farmers across the country respond to a consultation for a proposed Members Bill on livestock worrying, brought forward by Emma Harper MSP. The consultation calls for additional powers for Police Scotland, including the ability to issue Dog Control Notices. It also supports the extension of the definition of livestock within the legislation to all farmed livestock, to take into account camelids and other farmed species. Harsher penalties NFU Scotland, responding, reiterated the need for harsher penalties, including options for community payment orders and custodial sentences for those people who let their dogs attack livestock. The union also stated that the financial costs to victims are often understated and the real cost of this problem is likely to be much higher than published figures suggest. Over the last five years NFU Scotland has stepped up its activities to tackle livestock worrying, including a 12-month national campaign. This was launched in February to educate dog owners on their responsibilities, including having clear signage in place, and ensuring fences and hedges are in good order. The campaign also informs dog walkers about letting go of their dogs if attacked by cows and to avoid fields with livestock. The union has worked closely with politicians, including Ms Harper, to raise the issue further and seek changes to the law to further protect farmers, crofters and those affected by livestock worrying. 'Blight on the countryside' Charlie Adam, Vice President, said farmers have spent 'considerable time, effort and resource on this blight on the countryside' in recent years. Efforts have been focussed on awareness raising amongst dog owners of their responsibilities, raising awareness amongst livestock keepers of their rights and lobbying local authorities and Police Scotland to use control mechanisms available to them. Current penalty levels do not act as enough of a deterrent to prevent dog owners from allowing their dogs to carry out livestock attacks. Increasing financial penalties would send a strong message that it is unacceptable to allow a dog to worry livestock. He added: Additional investigative powers are also welcomed as this could assist in increasing the number of prosecutions that occur. A video has been posted on social media showing an altercation in a Balmoral Show bar tent, triggering an investigation by show organisers and police enquiries. The video, which has been viewed over 100,000 times on Facebook, shows security staff trying to break up the fight which involved around a dozen people. There were no reports of anyone suffering serious injuries, according to Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RAUS). The organisers of Northern Ireland's largest agricultural show are now investigating the incident. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) are also making enquiries. A RUAS spokeswoman said: There was an altercation at the bar area, which was quickly brought under control by the event security personnel and we believe no one was seriously injured. It is sad that a few people resorted to this behaviour when tens of thousands of people enjoyed a fun family day out. The society will be fully investigating this matter and appropriate action taken. This years Balmoral Show ran from 15th to 18th May at Balmoral Park, Lisburn. A record number of people attended, over 120,000 visitors throughout the four days. How does the College Board define, and purport to assign a precise number to, adversity? It gathers data on factors ranging from the poverty level and crime rate in a students neighborhood, to the information about the high school that the student attends. Data about the students environment, some of it drawn from community census data and some of it from sources the College Board hasnt identified, includes a neighborhoods median family income, percentage of households on food stamps, percentage of single-parent families and so on. The data yields an overall disadvantage level of between 1 and 100. Scores above 50 indicate students who come from disadvantaged environments. Under 50 indicates students who come from a place of privilege. A new strategy outlines ways different farming sectors can continue to progress the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Northern Ireland. The five-year strategy highlights that there has already been an overall reduction in the livestock sector of 40 per cent between 2013 and 2017. The poultry and pig sectors have seen dramatic reductions in antibiotic use with a 79 per cent decrease between 2012 and 2016 and 53 per cent between 2015 and 2017 respectively. The Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) says farmers are playing their part when it comes to the fight against antimicrobial resistance. However, it recognise there is more work to be done and the industry 'cannot become complacent'. UFU president, Ivor Ferguson said the strategy is a 'positive next step' in ensuring 'vital lifesaving drugs continue to be effective.' Antimicrobial resistance is a global issue and we all have a duty to ensure antibiotics are used responsibly. This five-year strategy is a positive next step in ensuring these vital lifesaving drugs continue to be effective, he said. Mr Ferguson said the reductions were a testament to farmers and their industry partners and showed a firm commitment to tackling AMR. The aim is to reduce, refine and, where possible, replace antibiotic use. The sections in the strategy that relate to agriculture focus on planning ahead to prevent disease wherever possible, keeping livestock healthy and ensuring appropriate and responsible use of antibiotics only where necessary to treat disease and protect animal welfare. There is also a focus on improving availability of data to allow producers to monitor progress and to make informed management decisions. These are all reasonable and achievable objectives on farms, he said. Northern Irish farmers have also supported the decision to include AMR training as standard within the NI beef and lamb Farm Quality Assurance (NIFQAS) scheme. The industry has already witnessed the successful roll-out of this training within the pig and dairy sectors. Including it in the beef and lamb (NIFQAS) will see an additional 12,000 farmers receive this training over the next three years. The UFU says the focus areas within the action plan are already central to the individual sector targets developed by the RUMAs Targets Task Force in 2017. As an industry, we are already making a concerted effort to target and eliminate disease through improved use of screening and vaccines, which will undoubtedly increase animal health, said Mr Ferguson. He added that farmers are pleased the discussion around AMR has moved away from one of blame between veterinary and human healthcare. We all need to work together. The risk of antibiotic resistance is a medical, veterinary, environmental, food and business challenge we all share, he said. We are now working far more closely with colleagues in other disciplines which is positive and will help to deliver further progress. 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. 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. Matthew Korman (left), of Fennville, and Keith McCann, of Fair Haven (right), are two of Ferris State University's six competitors who took medals in the SkillsUSA Michigan Leadership and Skills Conference, April 5-7, in Grand Rapids. Korman was a gold medalist in Diesel Equipment Technology, while McCann was a silver medalist in that event. (Photo courtesy miskillsusa.org) Matthew Korman (left), of Fennville, and Keith McCann, of Fair Haven (right), are two of Ferris State University's six competitors who took medals in the SkillsUSA Michigan Leadership and Skills Conference, April 5-7, in Grand Rapids. Korman was a gold medalist in Diesel Equipment Technology, while McCann was a silver medalist in that event. (Photo courtesy miskillsusa.org) Students from Ferris State Universitys College of Engineering Technology demonstrated their technical abilities at the SkillsUSA Michigan Leadership and Skills Conference, in Grand Rapids, with six competitors participating in early-April events organized by the national nonprofit organization. CAD Drafting and Tool Design Technology Professor Dan Wanink said each of the universitys participants took home a medal from the state competition, with Zach Heemstra of Morley, in Technical Drafting, and Matthew Korman, of Fennville, in Diesel Equipment Technology, winning gold medals. Heemstra and Korman will join Wanink at the National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, Kentucky June 24-28. Ferris has a tradition of showing its knowledge and skills when pitted against other post-secondary competitors at this event, Wanink said. Our students did an outstanding job demonstrating their abilities to the rest of the state. Heemstra was joined by fellow Ferris students Gabriel Lacomte, of Grand Rapids, and Matthew Dow Van Arnam, of Big Rapids, in the Technical Drafting competition, where they earned silver and bronze medals, respectively. Keith McCann, of Fair Haven, was a silver medalist in Diesel Equipment Technology, while Nathan Emmrich, of Bay City, was a silver medalist in Architectural Drafting. Wanink said a dozen members of the College of Engineering Technology faculty and staff lent their support to the Ferris SkillsUSA competitors preparations, and the universitys Admissions office also used the Michigan Leadership and Skills Conference as an opportunity to recruit competitors from high schools and intermediate school districts. Jessica Davison, the communications and social media coordinator for Admissions, was on hand in Grand Rapids, Wanink said. We appreciate her willingness to connect with students considering Ferris, and our alumni. More than 18,000 students, instructors and are expected to participate in the 55th annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, in Louisville. Here at Fethiye Times, we receive a lot of enquiries asking whether there is a bus service that operates from Fethiye to Dalaman airport. The answer is yes, there are two great value bus services linking Fethiye with Dalaman Airport. From Fethiye the services run from the Fethiye bus station (Otogar). Havas bus The official airport bus for passengers of Turkish Airlines (THY) and other domestic flights is run by Havas. Havas buses are easily identified by the livery. Anyone can use their service. The bus departures are timed with the arrival of domestic flights. There are flights more or less throughout the day so it is pretty good coverage in the summer season. The service runs all year. Please click here for the Havas bus timetable Muttas bus The regional council run a bus between Dalaman Airport and Fethiye every day. This service is run by Mugla Buyuksehir Belediyesi (Regional Council) and is operated by the Muttas company. These buses can also be easily identified by the livery as seen in the photograph below. Please click here for the Muttas bus timetable Great value Travellers will be pleased to learn that the journey will be good value too as fares are less than 20TL each way (prices correct at the time of publication). Will the Service be Right for You? That question depends on a number of things. Where you are going to, when will your flight arrive or depart and how many are in your group. Certainly for singles or couples who are travelling independently, are arriving or departing during the service times and dont mind taking a dolmus to their final destination once in Fethiye then this service could be ideal. However, for families who are staying in a villa off the beaten track a private transfer or car hire are probably still the most practical and best value. So it all depends on travellers circumstances. Please note all times are subject to change and you should always check with the operator on times. Other Ways to Get to and From Dalaman Airport Please see our comprehensive article Getting from Dalaman Airport to Your Turkish Holiday Destination Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category Some of Mayor Lori Lightfoots priorities are to restore faith in City Hall and fill the hole in the city budget. However, she is outsourcing some security jobs traditionally filled by Chicago police officers. This means adding people to the payroll, and likely these new jobs will offer pensions or some other benefits. So instead of looking within the Police Departments talent pool for someone already on the payroll, whose pension will not cost the city and its residents more money, Lightfoot has chosen to dig a different hole that will need to be filled. This is hardly a step in restoring confidence in government. I thought with this last election, the machine had finally been broken, but apparently the parts are just being oiled. Though the Rebel Star isn't among us anymore, his presence continues to be felt. Yesterday, the much-awaited mythological film Kurukshetra's teaser released. The film has several actors, and late star Amabreesh is one of them. Kurukshetra turned out to be this great actor's last film. However, his bit in the teaser is much appreciated by the fans. And now, we have learned another interesting about his role in the film. You would be shocked to know about Ambareesh's remuneration for this big budget film! The producer of Kurukshetra, Muniratna recently held a press meet, in which he revealed many details about Ambareesh and his association with the film. Apparently, Ambi did not agree to take up the role as he thought he will not be able to do justice. However, after days' of convincing, he agreed to play the role of Bhishma. Muniratna further revealed details of Ambareesh's remuneration. He said that the senior actor agreed to be a part of the film for free! Unfortunately, he took his last breath before seeing himself on the screen for the last time. He even called the producer and informed him that he was willing to do the dubbing. The makers however told him to wait until the film was completed. Despite that, Ambareesh went on to dub for two days. Kurukshetra Trolled For 'Horrible Graphics'; Angry Fans Request Darshan To Not Work With Muniratna! Muniratna told at the press meet that he and his team are deeply saddened to be releasing the film Dr Ambareesh's absence. Mammootty Among all the messages that have been pouring in for Mohanlal on the special day, it is definitely Mammootty's birthday wishes for Mohanlal, which have won the hearts of everyone. On the special day, Mammootty took to his Facebook account to wish Mohanlal and has also sent out a lovely photo of the complete actor. Prithviraj Prithviraj Sukumaran, who directed Mohanlal in the recent blockbuster movie Lucifer had a very special message for Mohanlal. While wishing the actor on the big day, he thanked him for giving Lucifer, Stephen and AK. Nivin Pauly Nivin Pauly who shared screen-space with Mohanlal in last year's blockbuster movie Kayamkulam Kochunni also sent out a very inspiring message on the big day of Mohanlal's birthday. Unni Mukundan Young actor Unni Mukundan, who worked with the master actor in the film Janatha Garage, has sent out an inspiring message in Malayalam wishing Mohanlal a very Happy Birthday. Jayasurya Actor Jayasurya, along with wishing Mohanlal on his birthday, has also tagged this special day as Actor's Day. MTV reality show Ace Of Space's first season was hosted by Vikas Gupta. The first season was a success due to the unique tasks and choice of contestants. The show had 18 contestants fighting out for six rooms for space and win hearts. Divya Agarwal was declared the winner, while Pratik Sehajpal was runner-up of the show. Post the show, Divya and Varun Sood opened up and revealed that they are dating. The show also hit the headlines as one of the contestants Danish Zehen, who was a popular YouTuber died in a deadly accident. Post the success of the first season, the makers are planning to come up with the second season. There were reports that Yeh Hai Mohabbatein actor Karan Patel will be replacing Vikas as the host. But at the launch of Pearl V Puri's song, Vikas told IWMBuzz, "If Karan is replacing me then I think it is fantastic news as he is one of the most amazing personality on-screen. It is a good thing but I don't think it is happening. None the less, I won't be able to share anything about it. Ace of Space was the biggest hit for MTV hence the expectations are really high." According to TOI report, the makers are considering Baahubali actor Rana Daggubati to host the show. It is also being said that if everything falls in place, Rana shall shift to Mumbai for the show. Other actors who have been considered to host the show are Kubra Sait and Vidyut Jammwal. It seems that the makers are contemplating a new face to head the show. Most Read: Hina Khan Was Disheartened With Unpleasant Comment; Says She Can Never Play Victim! SAN SEBASTIAN, Spain, May 20, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Opinionated About Dining announced their authoritative Top 100+ European, which saw Restaurant Frantzen secure first place. Newly adorned with their prestigious third star from 2018 - a first for Sweden - this only further affirmed their presence in the world of gastronomy. The unveiling of this year's list remained equally dispersed across Europe, with no single country dominating the prestigious top 10. Schloss Schauenstein, Switzerlandnarrowly missed out on coming first for a second year running sliding into second place. Asador Etxebarri, Spainon the other hand, held firmly onto their third best spot from 2018, proving that the simple but refined art of grilling. L'Arpege from France and Restaurant Quique Dacostafrom Spain are yet to be seen absent from the top 10 since the first ever 2013 list and their incredible achievements have been recognised by this year's Five Consecutive Years in the Top 10 awards. Newcomers have likewise been given the spotlight this year with Restaurant Barr from Denmark being crowned Best New Restaurant. Lido 84 Italy and Daniel Berlinfrom Sweden made huge leaps from 2018, jumping from 21st and 29th to 10th and 5th place respectively, Noma from Denmark have also made a bold comeback with Noma 2.0's first appearance on the lists by landing in ninth place this year. Others on the top 10 include: La Marine from France andLe Calandrefrom Italy. Steve Plotnicki, OAD founder, says 'From the acknowledgement that Bjorn Frantzen's restaurant deserves to be named the number one restaurant in Europe despite being open for a mere 18 months, to the long list of wonderful new restaurants making their debut on the list, the OAD reviewers have once again demonstrated that they are at the forefront of the European fine dining scene." Images of the event 20th May: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Tr2tY5v3VK-JcxHgDzHaE9n7Cy-dNNyI The top ten restaurants in Europe, OAD 2019: Restaurant Frantzen, Sweden Schloss Schauenstein, Switzerland Asador Etxebarri, Spain Restaurant Quique Dacosta , Spain Daniel Berlin , Sweden Le Calandre , Italy L'Arpege, France La Marine, France Noma 2.0, Denmark Lido 84, Italy The full list of the OAD's top 100 here: http://www.opinionatedaboutdining.com/2019/eu.html About OAD: Each year, OAD shares lists of the top restaurants within various global regions, as voted for by the website's knowledgeable reviewers. Based on reviews by over 6,000 voters, the list is the only global restaurant guide that considers a diner's background and reviewing experience, as well as the quality of restaurants they visit. @OADTOP100 www.opinionatedaboutdining.com Contact: Michelle Mclaughlin - michelle@mpeachandco.com Telephone Number: + 44 7825732900 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/890093/OAD_Top_100_2019.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/833925/Opinionated_About_Dining_Logo.jpg Synaptic Business Automation enables operational excellence by connecting all systems in an organization and integrating business and domain knowledge using digital automation, finds Frost & Sullivan SANTA CLARA, California, May 20, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- As process industries across the world become more connected, networked, and integrated, there has been a consistent surge in the volume of data generated across the manufacturing value chain. The high-fidelity data that is generated by sensors and other wireless devices, however, currently yields inadequate insights for value creation. This makes a case for digitalizing plant operations in a way that meticulously leverages the plant's digitized sensor data. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/889989/Converging_Big_Data_with_Plant_Artificial_Intelligence.jpg Frost & Sullivan finds that less than 5% of a plant's generated data is used. The primary reasons for this gap are improper data management strategy, limited application expertise, missing data, and a sheer lack of resource availability. As customers realize the benefits of co-relating different types of data using combinational analytics, they can achieve new outcomes. This will encourage process industries to significantly increase their digital spending. Already, more than 50% of customers claim they will invest two times more in analytics over the next two to three years. Frost & Sullivan's unique thought leadership paper, Yokogawa's Synaptic Business AutomationTM -Converging Intelligent Sensing with Plant AI, will assist you in unpacking the value levers of digital transformation, understanding the power of melding sensing with plant artificial intelligence (AI), and evaluating high-potential application areas. To download the complimentary white paper, please visit: http://frost.ly/3gu "The blurring of traditional automation boundaries is steering the development of innovative business models. Edge computing platforms are resulting in democratization of analytics and near-real-time interfaces with sensing systems," said Muthuraman "Ram" Ramasamy, Automation & IIoT Industry Director at Frost & Sullivan. "The industry understands the imperatives of digital, but the challenge resides in the 'how' of digital. This will require customers to partner with accomplished domain experts who can not only help structure a digital roadmap but also have strong AI application capabilities over plant data and comprehensive expertise over a manufacturing value chain." Yokogawa delivers solutions that support improved productivity across the plant life cycle, from the management level to the operations level. Its industrial automation (IA) business concept, Synaptic Business Automation, leverages the company's business and domain knowledge to drive sustainable value creation by blending intelligent sensing and advanced analytics. The shift from sensing to sensemaking allows customers to realize a closed loop from data extraction to value creation, fully utilizing the gathered high-fidelity plant data. Yokogawa's practical approach of Observe, Orient, Decide and Act (OODA) improves customers' outcomes from data that is captured from the plant. Currently, more than 90% of plant data contains noise, which obscures patterns that could otherwise be discovered in the raw data. However, analyzing these large volumes of raw data is not cost-effective and, alone, does not provide new information. A clear understanding of the plant can emerge only by focusing on the most relevant data and understanding plant processes. This can be achieved by: Understanding the principles of physics and the AI algorithm to interpret the data and reveal the plant's problems. to interpret the data and reveal the plant's problems. Synaptically synthesizing diverse elements such as people, systems, data, services and supply chains. such as people, systems, data, services and supply chains. Nurturing a relationship between OT, IT, business, and domain knowledge to achieve true digital transformation. About Yokogawa Founded in 1915, Yokogawa engages in broad-ranging activities in the areas of measurement, control, and information. The industrial automation business provides vital products, services, and solutions to a diverse range of process industries including oil, chemicals, natural gas, power, iron and steel, and pulp and paper. With the life innovation business, the company aims to radically improve productivity across the pharmaceutical and food industry value chains. The test & measurement, aviation, and other businesses continue to provide essential instruments and equipment with industry-leading precision and reliability. Yokogawa co-innovates with its customers through a global network of 113 companies spanning 61 countries, generating US$3.6 billion in sales in FY2018. For more information, please visit www.yokogawa.com. About Frost & Sullivan For over five decades, Frost & Sullivan has become world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion Contact: Francesca Valente P: +1 210 348 10 12 E: Francesca.Valente@frost.com http://ww2.frost.com Based on completeness of vision and ability to execute, the company improves position in its second consecutive showing Anaplan, Inc. (NYSE:PLAN), a pioneer in Connected Planning, today announced that leading global research and advisory firm Gartner named Anaplan a Leader in its Magic Quadrant for Sales and Operations Planning Systems of Differentiation1 (S&OP Magic Quadrant). The company believes the recognition in the Leaders quadrant is because of its high customer satisfaction and the impressive capabilities of its supply chain solution. Click here for a complimentary copy of the report. Customers across industries around the world, including Circle K, Flinn Scientific, Healthy Generation, and Sonos, are leveraging the Anaplan platform to bring a Connected Planning approach to transform their supply chain business planning processes. With Anaplan, customers are experiencing significant returns by advancing their S&OP process maturity to close the loop between sales, product innovation groups, finance, and trade partners. Circle K, an international chain of convenience stores, uses Anaplan to align and connect core processes within its fuel supply chain. "One of my objectives has been to connect the dots in the supply chain, as it became an imperative to find efficient ways to make real-time and forward-looking decisions," said Magnus Tagtstrom, Senior Director Supply Chain Optimization, Global Fuels at Circle K. "With one platform, we can monitor performance, make forecasts, and manage scenarios. Because of Anaplan, Circle K now has greater collaboration and an accurate, aligned 18-month rolling forecast." Gregg Dvorak, the Chief Operating Officer at Flinn Scientific, a leader in science and laboratory chemical safety, leverages Anaplan to bring S&OP data together on a single, cloud-based platform. "Prior to the implementation of Anaplan, we did not have a good indication of inventory health and performance relative to our targets. Now, we have data-driven insights that show actual performance against targets-and that gives our business a competitive edge." For the S&OP Magic Quadrant, Gartner analysts evaluated completeness of vision and ability to execute. Additionally, the company states that "an S&OP SOD should include 13 key capabilities that are required to support a Stage 4 maturity S&OP process." These capabilities include "collaboration support, hierarchy/translation management, process management, tight integration to SCP SORs, integration to other SODs, supply chain modeling to support creating scenarios, scenario planning and management, solution configurability, support for global deployments, financial impact analysis and planning, performance management and analytics, simple user interface (UI), and project planning."2 Earlier this year, Anaplan announced it was named a Leader in Gartner's Magic Quadrant for Sales Performance Management3 for the third consecutive year. Last summer, Anaplan was named a Leader in Gartner's Magic Quadrant for Cloud Financial Planning and Analysis Solutions also for the second consecutive time.4 "We feel very proud to be positioned in the Leaders quadrant after tremendously improving our position compared to the previous report," said Frank Calderoni, Chairman and CEO of Anaplan. "From our view, our placement in this S&OP Magic Quadrant with our other Gartner positioning as a Leader* speak to the impressive value and results experienced by our customers with our platform for Connected Planning. We are very proud to be one of the most strategic core platforms for some of the largest, most complex organizations in the world. They trust and rely on Anaplan to help them make better decisions, especially when it comes to company-wide transformation efforts." *1,2Gartner, "Magic Quadrant for Sales and Operations Planning Systems of Differentiation," Tim Payne, Amber Salley, Alex Pradhan, 7 May 2019. 3Gartner, "Magic Quadrant for Sales Performance Management," Melissa Hilbert, Adnan Zijadic, 14 January 2019. 4Gartner, "Magic Quadrant for Cloud Financial Planning and Analysis Solutions," Christopher Iervolino, John E. Van Decker, 24 July 2018. The report was previously titled Magic Quadrant for Cloud Strategic Corporate Performance Management Solutions. Gartner Disclaimer Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. About Anaplan Anaplan (NYSE: PLAN) is pioneering the category of Connected Planning. Our platform, powered by our proprietary HyperblockTM technology, purpose-built for Connected Planning, enables dynamic, collaborative, and intelligent planning. Large global enterprises use our solution to connect people, data, and plans to enable real-time planning and decision-making in rapidly changing business environments to give our customers a competitive advantage. Based in San Francisco, we have over 20 offices globally, 175 partners, and more than 1,100 customers worldwide. To learn more, visit anaplan.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190520005848/en/ Contacts: Caitlin Tridle caitlin.tridle@anaplan.com New research from the Institute for the Future of Work and Opinium shows that worker optimism has fallen, with a 5th of workers becoming more pessimistic about their career prospects than last year (22%). The research also shows that only a quarter (26%) of workers trust the Government to provide assistance if they find themselves unemployed. Findings from 3,000 workers, weighted to be nationally representative of the UK workforce, show that 60% think it would be difficult to find a new job if they lost their current job, and 32% believe they would have to take a less senior job if they became unemployed. This pessimism is more stark outside of London: whilst 52% of London workers say they would struggle to find a new job if made redundant, this is significantly higher at 61% for workers outside of London. This is likely related to the amount of job choice available in the capital, with 51% of London workers believing they would have a lot of job options to choose from, compared to only 38% of non-London workers. These figures come on the back of recent ONS employment statistics showing the highest employment rates since 1974, showing that despite record levels, worker optimism is in decline. The findings also show confidence in the welfare state is low. While National Government was rated highest for who should be primarily responsible to provide support in the event of someone's unemployment, only 26% of people said that they expected Government to actually offer support. Nearly 80% of people said they'd expect their family to help them whilst 68% said they'd look to friends and 32% to their religious community. This polling comes as The Institute for the Future of Work launches its 'Good Work Charter', which calls on employers to ensure that their jobs offer dignity, fair pay and the opportunity to develop their skills and future employability through learning and development. This polling is part of The Institute for the Future of Work's rolling programme of research and advocacy to promote 'good jobs' and harness the Fourth Industrial Revolution for all. Anna Thomas, Co-founder Director of The Institute from the Future of Work said: "These findings show that British workers especially those living outside London are rightly anxious about job change and prospects through the 'double disruption' of Brexit and the 4IR. Confidence in support for worker transition Britain's next big challenge is low. We need to broaden the conversation about 'good work' and how we get there. The Good Work Charter will embed a 'people-first' approach to transition and reassure workers that technologists, employers, investors and government prioritise future good work. The Charter's principles-based approach will endure fast-paced change and help build on common ground." The polling will be launched at the Institute for the Future of Work conference today where speeches will be heard from the Secretary of State for Health, Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP; the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Tom Watson MP; Chair of the Government's AI Council Tabitha Goldstaub and Naomi Climer CBE, the first female president of the Institution of Engineering and Technology. A special message will be sent to the conference from both Philip Alston, UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights and Sir Angus Deaton, Nobel Laureate in economic sciences. ENDS Notes to Editors: About The Institute for the Future of Work The Institute for the Future of Work is an independent charity with a mission to shape a future in which work is better and fairer. We seek out the most pressing challenges and seize opportunities to (i) advance education into changes to the world of work and (ii) prevent and relieve in-work poverty through the Fourth Industrial Revolution ('4IR'). Our organisation has grown out of the Future of Work Commission. Our Good Work Charter is a framework for practice and policy orientation designed to encourage fresh thinking to protect the fundamentals of good work through the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The Co-Chairs of the Trustee Board are: Nobel Prize winning, Sir Christopher Pissarides who is the Regius Professor of Economics at the London School of Economics and Naomi Climer CBE, the first female president of the Institution of Engineering and Technology. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190520005579/en/ Contacts: For media enquires Martha Dalton Martha.dalton@lodestonecommunications.com +44 7971138459 Casey Calista Casey.calista@lodestonecommunications.com +44 7419989055 Participants from 15 countries and regions vying for recognition across 11 categories HONG KONG, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The JNA Awards, one of the most prestigious and coveted awards programmes in the international jewellery and gemstone industry, received close to 100 entries from more than 60 companies and individuals across 11 award categories. Organised by Informa Markets, the JNA Awards strives to recognise and celebrate excellence and innovation in the industry. Since its inception in 2012, the Awards has been dedicated to sharing its core values with the trade, inspiring the gemstone and jewellery industry to thrive and advance as a whole by sharing best business practices and encouraging high standards. Letitia Chow, Chairperson of the JNA Awards, and Director of Business Development - Jewellery Group at Informa Markets, remarks, "It has always been the intention of the Awards to widen its participant scope and attract new companies from different markets. This year, we are thrilled to receive such high number of entries, with more than 50% of them being first-time entrants, and their submissions account for almost half of the total entries. It is encouraging and promising to see that the benefits and purpose of the Awards are being recognised and valued by more and more members of the trade. "We also continue to attract a diverse international group of companies from 15 countries and regions, namely Mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Russia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Vietnam and, for the first-time, Belgium." Industry Innovation of the Year continues to be the category with the most number of entries, while Young Entrepreneur of the Year (age 40 and below) category is the second. JNA Awards 2019 is supported by Headline Partners Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, the Shanghai Diamond Exchange, and DANAT, together with Honoured Partners KGK Group, China Gems and Jade Exchange, and Guangdong Land Holdings Limited. The Honourees or shortlisted entrants will be announced on 20 June 2019 at the June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair. For more information, visit http://www.JNAawards.com/ or contact: JNA Awards Marketing Informa Markets +852 2516-2184 marketing@jnaawards.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/774742/JNA_Awards_logo_2019_CMYK_Logo.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/889672/Informa_Markets_1Line_Indigo_Grad_RGB.jpg Her proven experience in the beauty industry, particularly within the L'Oreal Group, will be a key asset in DEINOVE's innovation approach This appointment underlines the importance of the bioactive compounds and the cosmetics market in the Company's strategy Regulatory News: DEINOVE (Paris:ALDEI) (Euronext Growth Paris: ALDEI), a French biotech company that uses a disruptive approach to develop innovative antibiotics and bio-based active ingredients for cosmetics and nutrition, announced the appointment of Anne ABRIAT-HEMMENDINGER as a member of the Board of Directors. Anne ABRIAT-HEMMENDINGER has more than 30 years of experience in product development for the beauty industry, for brands with an international outlook. She is highly competent in the development of ingredients for the cosmetic, food, nutrition and wellness industries. She has worked for various prestigious brands, notably within the L'Oreal and Coty Groups where she has led numerous innovation projects. In 2012, she founded The Smell Taste Lab, a consulting company specialized in innovation and marketing for cosmetics, nutrition and well-being. Anne ABRIAT-HEMMENDINGER holds a Master's degree in Organic Chemistry from ESCOM (Ecole Superieure de Chimie Organique et Minerale). The Shareholders' Meeting of DEINOVE, held on May 20th, ratified the appointment of Anne ABRIAT-HEMMMENDINGER as a member of the Board of Directors, replacing Mr. Michael CARLOS. She will hold office for the remainder of her predecessor's term of office, i.e. until the general meeting called to approve the financial statements for the 2019 financial year. Anne ABRIAT-HEMMENDINGER is a member of the Swiss Women Directors' Circle and APIA Switzerland (Associate Independent Professional Directors). Anne ABRIAT-HEMMENDINGER said: "I am very interested in DEINOVE's extremely innovative approach to create new active ingredients from the untapped potential of bacteria. I am delighted to put my expertise at the service of the Company's ambitions. " ABOUT DEINOVE DEINOVE is a French biotechnology company, a leader in disruptive innovation, which aims to help meet the challenges of antibiotic resistance and the transition to a sustainable production model for the cosmetics and nutrition industries. DEINOVE has developed a unique and comprehensive expertise in the field of rare bacteria that it can decipher, culture, and optimize to disclose unsuspected possibilities and induce them to produce biobased molecules with activities of interest on an industrial scale. To do so, DEINOVE has been building and documenting since its creation an unparalleled biodiversity bank that it exploits thanks to a unique technological platform in Europe. DEINOVE is organized around two areas of expertise: ANTIBIOTICS, new-generation anti-infective agents : DEINOVE is preparing to enter a first antibiotic candidate into Phase II. The Company is also pursuing the systematic exploration of biodiversity to supply its portfolio with new leads, drawing notably on partnerships with Naicons, bioMerieux, Proteus and Institut Pasteur (AGIR program supported by Bpifrance). : DEINOVE is preparing to enter a first antibiotic candidate into Phase II. The Company is also pursuing the systematic exploration of biodiversity to supply its portfolio with new leads, drawing notably on partnerships with Naicons, bioMerieux, Proteus and Institut Pasteur (AGIR program supported by Bpifrance). BIOACTIVES, Active ingredients of natural origin with cosmetics as the first market and potential in nutrition and health: DEINOVE already markets a first innovative active ingredient, a second in partnership with Greentech, while two others are in development with Oleos (Hallstar Group). It also runs a program in animal nutrition with Groupe Avril. Several other partnerships are also being planned. Within the Euromedecine science park located in Montpellier, DEINOVE employs 62 employees, mainly researchers, engineers, and technicians, and has filed more than 260 patent applications internationally. The Company has been listed on EURONEXT GROWTH since April 2010. Visit www.deinove.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190520005710/en/ Contacts: Investors Coralie Martin Communication, Marketing and Investor Relations Ph.: +33 (0)4 48 19 01 60 coralie.martin@deinove.com Media ALIZE RP Caroline Carmagnol Aurore Gangloff Catherine Megelas Ph.: +33 (0)1 44 54 36 66 deinove@alizerp.com AMSTERDAM, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Fastned B.V. ("Fastned" or the "Company"), the charging company that is building a European network of fast charging stations for fully electric vehicles, publishes a listing prospectus today for its intended listing on Euronext Amsterdam. The listing is expected to take place on 14 June 2019. Furthermore, Fastnedannounces that it reached EBITDA[1]break-even over the first quarter of 2019 on an operating level, excluding expansion related costs. This means that in that period Fastned's direct operating costs related to the stations, as well as indirect operating costs related to the ongoing operations of the existing network, were covered by its gross profit. Rationale for the listing on Euronext Amsterdam and the publication of a listing prospectus Fastned aims to build a European network of fast charging stations. A listing on Euronext Amsterdam is a logical next step in the development of Fastned as it will create additional funding flexibility and broaden Fastned's access to the capital markets to help implement its growth strategy. In addition, it will further enhance Fastned's profile and brand recognition with investors, business partners, customers and employees. Fastned intends to list on Euronext Amsterdam on 14 June 2019. As announced on 9 April 2019, Fastned aims to actively use its Euronext Amsterdam listing for the issuance of new depositary receipts for shares to help fund the capital expenditures associated with its ongoing roll-out and implementation of its growth strategy. The timing of such issuance is subject to economic and market conditions, speed of the roll-out of the Company's growth strategy and market demand. The Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (Stichting Autoriteit Financiele Markten, the "AFM") has approved the prospectus for Fastned's listing on Euronext Amsterdam, which is now available on Fastned's website (ir.fastnedcharging.com), subject to securities law restrictions in certain jurisdictions. Publication of the listing prospectus marks a new step towards realising the Euronext listing and will be used to provide more information to investors about the company and the industry in which it operates. Fastned is currently listed on the trading platform Nxchange in the Netherlands. On 9 April 2019 Fastned terminated its agreement with Nxchange. The agreement will expire at the expiration of a six month notice period. Trading remains possible on Nxchange as long as Nxchange facilitates this option on its platform. Fastned will inform holders of depository receipts who wish to migrate from Nxchange to Euronext Amsterdam on its website (ir.fastnedcharging.com) and via the Nxchange messaging system, on how such holders can migrate from Nxchange to Euronext Amsterdam. Michiel Langezaal, CEO of Fastned: "I'm excited that we've now set a date for our intended listing on Euronext Amsterdam. The listing will create additional funding flexibility and will offer more investors the possibility to invest in Fastned. Fastned is growing fast and we're proud to have achieved operational company EBITDA break-even over the first quarter of this year. We're well positioned to benefit directly from the transition to full electric vehicles, because our fast charging stations are designed to scale with the expected increase in demand for public fast charging." Operational company EBITDA break-even excluding expansion related costs Fastned announces today that it has reached the operational company EBITDA break-even level in the first quarter of this year. This means that Fastned's gross profit in the first quarter of 2019 covered all direct operating costs (the costs that are directly related to the stations, such as grid fees, rent and maintenance), as well as the indirect operating costs that can be attributed to the ongoing operations of Fastned's existing network, which primarily includes salaries and other costs related to network operations, such as office rent, general costs, customer service and administration. The operational company EBITDA break-even level is based on Fastned's current split of operational expenditures, whereby 25% of its indirect operating costs (excluding depreciation) in the first quarter of 2019 was attributable to the ongoing operations of the existing network, whilst the other 75% was related to expansion of the network.[2] Determination of the fair value of options granted under Fastned's employee option plan Fastned makes use of an equity settled option plan to incentivise its employees by further improving the alignment of interest between its employees and the holders of its depositary receipts. As part of its annual financial reporting, Fastned determines the fair value of any options granted in such year under its employee option plan in accordance with IFRS requirements as per the grant date. For such determination, Fastned took into account the application of the Black Scholes option pricing model as well as other relevant factors, such as the imperfection of the underlying assumptions of the Black Scholes model, the market price of the depositary receipts and the illiquidity of the depositary receipts, all as at the grant date of the relevant options. On the basis of all of these factors, Fastned concluded in its 2018 annual report that the weighted average fair value of the options outstanding under its employee option plan granted in 2015, 2017 and 2018 was zero. In this press release, Fastned wishes to clarify the manner in which Fastned has determined the fair value of any options granted under its option plan in the past. A determination of the fair value of the options at their grant date by exclusively applying the standard Black Scholes model would produce option values of 7.65 (for the options granted in 2015), 3.95 (for the options granted in 2017) and 5.63 (for the options granted in 2018). However, Fastned is of the view that the options had nil or no significant value as at their grant date, because (i) the Black Scholes model assumes perfect liquidity, which was not the case on Nxchange at the relevant grant date, (ii) the absence of a financing program to support employees in the acquisition of depositary receipts upon exercising their options made it challenging for employees to exercise a significant number of options, (iii) the extreme illiquidity on Nxchange made it difficult - if not impossible - for employees to exercise a significant number of options without depressing the market price of the depositary receipts, (iv) at the relevant grant date, the exercise price had been significantly higher than the market price for a substantial period of time and (v) the options are non-transferable. Further details on the valuation of the options granted under Fastned's employee option plan can be found in the listing prospectus. Leadership team and governance Fastned currently has 51 employees, working in Amsterdam and at its offices in Cologne, Paris, London, and Ghent, the vast majority of which are focused on the growth of the Company's operations. The management board of Fastned will, as of the listing on Euronext Amsterdam, comprise two members being Michiel Langezaal, one of the founders and Chief Executive Officer, and Niels Korthals Altes, the Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Funding. Both are experienced professionals in this young but rapidly growing industry. Further, as of the listing on Euronext Amsterdam, Fastned will have a supervisory board in place, consisting of Bart Lubbers as Chairman (Bart is one of Fastned's founders) and Hans Streng (Vice-Chairman) and Hans Michels as independent members. All shares in the capital of Fastned are held by the Fastned Administratie Stichting (a foundation), which in turn issued depository receipts for these shares to investors. This structure was implemented on 7 March 2014 and will remain in place upon completion of the Euronext listing. Availability of the listing prospectus The listing prospectus has been approved by the AFM. The prospectus, which includes a Dutch language summary, is available electronically via the website of Fastned (ir.fastnedcharging.com), subject to securities law restrictions in certain jurisdictions. In addition, copies of the listing prospectus are available free of charge at Fastned's offices (James Wattstraat 77-79, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, telephone +31 (0)20 715 53 16) during normal business hours from the date of the prospectus until at least the actual listing date. Earlier announcements related to the listing On 9 April 2019, Fastned announced its intention to list on Euronext Amsterdam. The press release is available on the website of Fastned (ir.fastnedcharging.com). About Fastned: Fastned is a charging company that is building a European network of fast charging stations where fully electric vehicles can charge as fast as possible. The stations are located at high traffic locations along highways and in cities, where electric cars charge in an average of about 20 minutes. This will give drivers of fully electric vehicles the freedom to drive across Europe. As of today, Fastned has 97 stations operational in the Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom, and is working on expanding its fast charging network to the rest of Europe. Fastned is currently simultaneously building fast charging stations in the Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom, and preparing for building its first stations in other countries, with a focus on Belgium, Switzerland and France. More information: fastnedcharging.com Important Legal Information This announcement is for information purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy the securities of the Company (the Securities). The Securities have not and will not be registered under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the US Securities Act) and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. This press release contains inside information within the meaning of article 7 (1) to (4) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (Market Abuse Regulation). The financial information contained in this press release has not been audited or reviewed by an external auditor and are provided 'as is'. Fastned or any of its affiliates do not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of the information and materials and expressly disclaim liability for any errors or omissions. This announcement may include forward-looking statements, which are based on the Company's current expectations and projections about future events and speak only as of the date hereof. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future whether or not outside the control of the Company. Such factors may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, no undue reliance should be placed on any forward-looking statements. The Company operates in a rapidly changing environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties, nor to assess the impact that these factors will have on the Company. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update, review or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which such statements are based unless required to do so by applicable law. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. [1] EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, which is a non-IFRS measure [2] In the calculation of its operational company EBITDA, Fastned has also taken into account the application of IFRS 16 to its lease, rental and leasehold agreements, as applicable as of 1 January 2019, by using the standard's modified retrospective approach. PRN NLD As I stand here today, Georgia is also on my mind, as is Alabama and every other state that is enacting laws intended to deprive women of our rights, Lightfoot said. We must stand with women all across our country who fear for their basic rights and feel powerless in the face of the hateful legislation designed to control our bodies, our choices. We cannot go back not in Chicago, not as a nation. We will join together and we will fight. Dassault Systemes and Arts et Metiers ParisTech sign Memorandum of Understanding to accelerate the adoption of new industry practices Initiatives include 6,000 3DEXPERIENCE platform users and a center of expertise for professional training 3DEXPERIENCE platform is at the heart of engineering education that is helping to drive the transformation of industry with new skills Dassault Systemes (Paris:DSY) (Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) and Arts et Metiers ParisTech, the largest engineering school in France, today announced the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding to leverage their collaboration in educating engineers for the "Industry of the Future," the French government's strategic push for industrial modernization, and to train professionals in implementing this transformation. Under the MoU, the two partners have embarked on a range of training and learning initiatives leveraging Dassault Systemes' 3DEXPERIENCE platform, to accelerate the adoption of new industry practices, with a specific focus on small and midsized enterprises. Small and midsized enterprises play an integral role in the transformation of industry currently underway, where new categories of industrial firms are emerging to create new solutions for new customers. A key success factor in this Industry Renaissance is the ability to empower a workforce with knowledge and know-how for implementing new innovation methods. The 3DEXPERIENCE platform integrates the digital technologies and capabilities to accelerate this. As part of the joint plan, Arts et Metiers ParisTech will provide 6,000 members of its ecosystem with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to connect users having various roles, and to support collaborative, multidisciplinary practices. Professional training co-designed by Arts et Metiers ParisTech and Dassault Systemes will offer these businesses an array of practical tools to spur innovation, with a digital innovation platform used by industries worldwide, and roll out best practices for the Industry of the Future. The two partners will set up a center of expertise to bring together the knowledge and skills associated with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, working closely with Arts et Metiers ParisTech's facilities in France and internationally. This center will provide training and validate new practices for companies, especially small and midsized ones, but also for academic institutions wishing to enrich and expand their course offerings. In addition, a specific program has been set up for small and midsized businesses employing Arts et Metiers ParisTech students to explore and validate Industry of the Future practices as part of their internships. "We want to give our students the technical and soft skills they need to make the best decisions for their future employers," said Laurent Champaney, President, Arts et Metiers ParisTech. "The 3DEXPERIENCE platform enables this convergence of expertise across disciplines, and we're keen to share it with businesses and other academic institutions." "This agreement with Arts et Metiers ParisTech is a milestone in preparing the workforce of the future as part of the Industry Renaissance," said Valerie Ferret, Vice President Learning Experience, Dassault Systemes. "Many employers will gain the expertise they need to seize the opportunities this transformation will bring. The 3DEXPERIENCE platform enables companies of all sizes as well as educational leaders to prepare for this fundamental evolution of business, society and education." Social media: Share this on Twitter: France's largest engineering school @ArtsetMetiers @Dassault3DS @3DSAcademy partner to boost knowledge know-how IndustryRenaissance 3DEXPERIENCE Connect with Dassault Systemes on Twitter Facebook LinkedIn YouTube For more information: Dassault Systemes in academia: https://academy.3ds.com/en Dassault Systemes' 3DEXPERIENCE platform, 3D design software, 3D Digital Mock Up and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions: http://www.3ds.com About Arts et Metiers Arts et Metiers is a leading French engineering school and a founding member of the Alliance Industrie du futur ('Industry of the Future Alliance'), with eight campuses and three institutes across France. Arts et Metiers provides undergraduate and postgraduate taught and research programs for engineers and managers in industry and public services, as well as lifelong learning, and expertise and support for socio-economic organizations. More than 6,000 students attend the school each year, taking courses from undergraduate level to PhD. Through its high-quality academic programs, 14 laboratories and partnership-based research, Arts et Metiers is committed to making a significant contribution to industrial innovation in France and across Europe. Learn more: https://artsetmetiers.fr/en/ About Dassault Systemes Dassault Systemes, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, provides business and people with virtual universes to imagine sustainable innovations. Its world-leading solutions transform the way products are designed, produced, and supported. Dassault Systemes' collaborative solutions foster social innovation, expanding possibilities for the virtual world to improve the real world. The group brings value to over 250,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, in more than 140 countries. For more information, visit www.3ds.com. 3DEXPERIENCE, the Compass logo and the 3DS logo, CATIA, SOLIDWORKS, ENOVIA, DELMIA, SIMULIA, GEOVIA, EXALEAD, 3D VIA, BIOVIA, NETVIBES and 3DEXCITE are registered trademarks of Dassault Systemes or its subsidiaries in the US and/or other countries. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005195/en/ Contacts: Dassault Systemes Press Contacts Corporate France Arnaud MALHERBE arnaud.malherbe@3ds.com +33 (0)1 61 62 87 73 North America Suzanne MORAN suzanne.moran@3ds.com +1 (781) 810 3774 EMEAR Virginie BLINDENBERG virginie.blindenberg@3ds.com +33 (0) 1 61 62 84 21 China Grace MU grace.mu@3ds.com +86 10 6536 2288 India Santanu BHATTACHARYA santanu.bhattacharya@3ds.com +91 124 457 7111 Japan Yukiko SATO yukiko.sato@3ds.com +81 3 4321 3841 Korea Hyunkyung CHAE hyunkyung.chae@3ds.com +82 2 3271 6653 AP South Magdalene TAN magdalene.tan@3ds.com +65 9487 1206 Scandinavian telecommunications provider to resell IMImobile's cPaaS offering, IMIconnect, to enterprise customers LONDON, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IMImobile, a global communications software provider, has signed a partner agreement with Telia Norway, with an option to extend to the wider Telia Company - the leading telecom operator in the Nordic/Baltics. The partner agreement will enable Telia to resell IMImobile's cloud products, including its enterprise cPaaS (Communications Platform as a Service) offering, IMIconnect, to its enterprise customers. IMIconnect enables businesses to rapidly launch and orchestrate two-way, trigger-based customer communications across 10+ channels. Driven by the changes in person to person communications, consumers now expect interactions with businesses to be personalised, relevant, contextual, interactive and conducted in real time. IMImobile is helping Telia to keep pace with changing consumer expectations and offer innovative communications solutions for its enterprise customers. Telia will also be looking into using IMIconnect itself in order to create interactive customer journeys. Telia recognised IMImobile's experience in providing connected customer communication solutions and being a trusted technology partner for global enterprises and mobile operators such as EE, MTN, O2 and Vodafone. In addition, Telia required a partner which offered local language capabilities as well as new communications channels such as Apple Business Chat and WhatsApp Business to provide its customers with the ability to communicate over their preferred channel. Jon Christian Hillestad, Vice President Business of Telia Norway, said: "Telia aims to bring the world closer together through technology, empowering people, companies and societies to stay in touch with everything that matters on their own terms. By working closely with IMImobile we can innovate to meet the growing demand from customers who prefer to communicate with businesses over more interactive channels. As the world keeps changing, we need to stay relevant for our customers and IMImobile's products help to enable that." Jay Patel, Group Chief Executive of IMImobile, commented: "We are delighted to have signed a partner agreement with Telia to resell our market leading customer communication products. Our scalable Enterprise cPaaS platform, IMIconnect, will enable Telia's customers to rapidly deliver innovative new customer journeys - increasing automation and improving customer experience." About IMImobile IMImobile is a communications software provider whose solutions enable enterprises to automate digital customer communications and interactions to improve customer experience and reduce operating costs. IMImobile's enterprise cloud communications software platform manages over 42 billion messages a year across the world. Organisations that trust us to deliver smarter digital customer engagement include Hermes, Centrica, AA, O2, EE, BT, Foxtons, Pizza Hut, Vodafone, MTN, three of the major retail banks in the UK and public-sector organisations globally. IMImobile is headquartered in London with offices in Hyderabad, Toronto, Little Rock, Dubai and Johannesburg and has over 1,100 employees worldwide. IMImobile is quoted on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market with the TIDM code IMO. www.imimobile.com About Telia We're Telia Company, the new generation telco. Our approximately 20,400 talented colleagues serve millions of customers every day in one of the world's most connected regions. With a strong connectivity base, we're the hub in the digital ecosystem, empowering people, companies and societies to stay in touch with everything that matters 24/7/365 - on their terms. Headquartered in Stockholm, the heart of innovation and technology, we're set to change the industry and bring the world even closer for our customers. Increases Land Position by over 50% Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 21, 2019) -DELREY METALS CORP. (CSE: DLRY) (FSE: 1OZ) (OTC: DLRYF) ("Delrey" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its news release on March 21, 2019 and subsequent clarification of that news release dated March 22, 2019, it has entered into a definitive property option agreement (the "Definitive Agreement") with respect to the right and option to acquire an 80% interest (the "Option") in and to certain mineral licences which comprise the Four Corners Project, as more fully described below (the "Project"), from Triple Nine Resources Ltd. (the "Optionor") and to establish a joint venture therewith (the "Joint Venture"). Highlights of the Four Corners Project Strong drill defined vanadium mineralization at the Keating Hill East Zone, with a potential strike length in excess of 4.5 kilometers, as well as four other Fe-Ti-V mineralized zones on the Project which have never been drill tested. Global firm SRK Consulting (US) Inc. (" SRK ") report notes positive vanadium recoveries of >90% in preliminary metallurgical tests. ") report notes positive vanadium recoveries of >90% in preliminary metallurgical tests. The Burgeo Highway provides access to an ice-free deep water port within 40 km of the Project, as well as a commercial airport and industrial service centre at Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador, which could act as a potential brownfield site for primary and secondary processing. Low exploration and development costs with no need for helicopter or camp support, and an additional rebate of up to 50% of select exploration expenditures from the Newfoundland and Labrador government under the Junior Exploration Assistance Program . . Newfoundland and Labrador consistently rated as one of the top mining jurisdictions in the world by the Fraser Institute. Work in 2012 by SRK noted a highly favourable hillside mining architecture exists on the project. Excellent community relations with strong support for the development of the Project. 2019 field season will include drilling aimed at expanding Fe-Ti-V mineralization at the Keating Hill East Zone, as well additional exploration over the four other target zones on the Project. Morgan Good, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, commented: "Finalizing the Definitive Agreement with Triple Nine Resources on The Four Corners Project, and the increase in the overall land package, cements Delrey's position within the strategic energy metals sector. We recently completed a visit to the Project and had the opportunity to spend time with not only Vic French and the Triple Nine Resources team, but also several senior government officials from the Department of Natural Resources. Newfoundland and Labrador is a world class mining and exploration jurisdiction abundant with opportunities within the natural resource space. We have a plan in place to move quickly on unlocking the projects value through systematic exploration, while taking advantage of the excitement and increased interest within the vanadium and iron ore sectors. The Keating Hill East Zone in particular, as well as the four other high priority target zones on the property, will be the exploration focus for the 2019 season." Land Position Increase By Over 50% The Company is also pleased to announce it has acquired two additional claims, totaling 2576.7 hectares, bringing the overall contiguous land package to 7655.0 hectares. The new claims now capture the entirety of the roughly 4km x 4.7km Four Corners magnetic anomaly, and the Bullseye magnetic anomaly which has a coincident historic selective outcrop sample which assayed 48.18% Fe 2 0 3 , 8.93% Ti0 2, and 0.327% V 2 O 5 1. This overall land package at The Four Corners Project now provides Delrey with further opportunity to add value to the asset through regional exploration around the company's flagship Keating Hill East Zone. About the Project The Four Corners Project now comprises 7655.0 hectares with the recent acquisition of the new claims increasing the contiguous land package by 51%. It is located in southwestern Newfoundland and Labrador, 25km east of the town of Stephenville. The Project is host to vanadium enriched titaniferous magnetite (iron) mineralization which shows encouraging historical evidence for significant and consistent vanadium accumulations across the five main target zones. The Project also boasts excellent infrastructure and is transected along its entire length by the Burgeo Highway (Route 480) and a 33 megawatt powerline. It is located only 40km (along Route 480), east of the deep-water ice-free Port Harmon Complex. Newfoundland and Labrador is consistently rated as being one of the top mining jurisdictions in Canada and worldwide by the Fraser Institute. The flagship target, the Keating Hill East Zone, was mapped by the Geological Survey of Canada to be at least 4,500m in length with variable widths between 400m to 1,100m and extending from surface to 590m depth, where it remains open, representing a very large potential target. An airborne EM (electromagnetic) survey conducted in 2011 by Geotech Ltd. greatly added to the potential of the Project with the identification of four new targets, increasing the potential mineralized strike length to greater than 16km. Preliminary surface sampling confirms the same style of mineralization found at the Keating Hill East Zone is producing the geophysical anomalies and follow-up work is planned for 2019. Selective samples across the mineralized strike length assayed >40% Fe, 5% Ti, and 0.30% V 2 0 5 with individual assays returning as high as 56.92% Fe, 15.13% Ti, and 0.39% V 2 0 5 . SRK completed preliminary magnetic characterisation work which returned very encouraging metallurgical results. The Standard Davis Tube results from a vanadium rich titaniferous magnetite 2010 drill core sample assayed 29.1% Fe, 9.8% Ti, and 0.232% V 2 0 5 with concentrate samples returning an impressive 0.643% V 2 0 5 (initial runs producing a concentrate with an equally impressive >90% recovery of Vanadium). Terms The commercial terms of the Definitive Agreement are summarized below. Cash Payments In order to exercise the Option and acquire up to an 80% interest in the Project, the Company has agreed to pay the Optionor an aggregate cash payment of $450,000 (the "Cash Payment") as follows: (a) a non-refundable $25,000 cash deposit (the "Deposit") which was paid upon entry of the term sheet on March 18, 2019; (b) $25,000 on or before the effective date of the Definitive Agreement (the "Effective Date"); (c) $50,000 on or before the first anniversary of the Effective Date; (d) $50,000 on or before the second anniversary of the Effective Date; (e) $50,000 on or before the third anniversary of the Effective Date; and (f) $250,000 on the earlier of (i) the date that is on or before the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date or (ii) within 30 days of completion of an exploration program as approved by the Technical Committee (as defined below). Share Issuances In addition to the Cash Payment, the Company has agreed to issue the Optionor an aggregate of 12,000,000 common shares in the capital of the Company (each, a "Share") as follows: (a) 1,200,000 Shares on the Effective Date; (b) 2,600,000 Shares on or before the first anniversary of the Effective Date; (c) 3,600,000 Shares on or before the second anniversary of the Effective Date; (d) 2,600,000 Shares on or before the third anniversary of the Effective Date; and (e) 2,000,000 Shares on or before the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date. Exploration Expenditures Additionally, the Company has agreed to incur an aggregate of $5,000,000 in Exploration Expenditures (as defined below) as follows: (a) $1,000,000 in exploration and development activities on or in relation to the Project (the "Exploration Expenditures") on or before the first anniversary of the Effective Date; (b) $2,000,000 in Exploration Expenditures on or before the second anniversary of the Effective Date; (c) $1,000,000 in Exploration Expenditures on or before the third anniversary of the Effective Date; and (d) $1,000,000 in Exploration Expenditures on or before the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date (the "4th Year Exploration Program") and delivery of a prefeasibility study with respect to the Project by the Company at the Company's cost in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and CIM Standards on or before 12 months from receipt of exploration results from the 4th Year Exploration Program. Optionor Participation Right The Optionor shall have the right to maintain its proportional equity interest in the Company, subject to certain conditions and exempted issuances, for the period from the Effective Date until the later of:(a) the exercise of the Option; (b) the termination of the Definitive Agreement; and (c) such date that the Optionor ceases to hold at least 10% of the Company's total issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis. Joint Venture Upon the exercise of the Option, the Joint Venture will be formed. The Joint Venture will be governed in accordance with the terms of a joint venture agreement (the "Joint Venture Agreement"), the form of which has been attached to the Definitive Agreement. In addition to customary joint venture terms, the Joint Venture Agreement includes the following rights and obligations: (a) the Company will initially have a participating interest in the Project of 80% and the Optionor will initially have a carried interest in the Project of 20% until the date that is 120 days after the delivery of a feasibility report on the Project, following which the Optionor's interest will automatically convert into a participating interest in the Project of 20%; (b) after conversion of the carried interest, the Company and the Optionor will each bear their respective proportionate share of all costs and liabilities arising under the Joint Venture Agreement in proportion to their respective interests in the Project; (c) subject to certain exceptions, the Company and the Optionor will each have the right to appoint two representatives to the management committee for the Joint Venture and has agreed to together jointly appoint one additional third party representative for a total of five representatives; and (d) the Company shall be the initial operator of the Joint Venture until it resigns, is removed in accordance with the Joint Venture Agreement, or its interest in the Project falls below 50%; and Net Smelter Royalty Following exercise of the Option, the Optionor will retain a 3% net smelter royalty (the "NSR") on the Project. The Company will have the right to purchase 0.5% of the NSR for a payment of $1,000,000 within 10 days of delivery of a feasibility study with respect to the Project in accordance with NI 43-101 and a further 0.5% of the NSR for an additional payment of $2,000,000 within 30 days of making a production decision with respect to the Project (repurchase of 1.0% and payment of $3,000,000 in the aggregate). About Delrey Delrey is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral resource properties, specifically in the strategic energy minerals space. The Company has an option to earn a 80% interest in the Four Corners Project located in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Four Corners Project is a Fe-Ti-V exploration project with positive historical drilling, metallurgy, and development economics. The Company also wholly owns the Star, Porcher, Peneece and Blackie Fe-Ti-V properties located along tidewater in western British Columbia. Delrey will continue to review and acquire projects showing potential for materials used in the energy storage and electric vehicle markets. The Company is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, and is listed on the CSE under the symbol "DLRY". Qualified person Scott Dorion, P.Geo., is the designated Qualified Person of the Company as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this release. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF DELREY METALS CORP. "Morgan Good" Morgan Good President and Chief Executive Officer For more information regarding this news release, please contact: Morgan Good, CEO and Director T: 604-620-8904 E: info@delreymetals.com W: www.delreymetals.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this news release, constitute "forward-looking information" as such term is used in applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information is based on plans, expectations and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and is subject to certain factors and assumptions, including, but are not limited to, general business and economic uncertainties. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause plans, estimates and actual results to vary materially from those projected in such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause the forward-looking information in this news release to change or to be inaccurate include, but are not limited to, the risk that any of the assumptions referred to prove not to be valid or reliable, which could result in delays, or cessation in planned work, that the Company's financial condition and development plans change, delays in regulatory approval, risks associated with the interpretation of data, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits, the possibility that results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, as well as the other risks and uncertainties applicable to mineral exploration and development activities and to the Company as set forth in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis reports filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader should not place any undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information or statements, other than as required by applicable law. Historical information contained in this news release cannot be relied upon as the Company's Qualified Person, as defined under NI 43-101 has not prepared nor verified the historical information. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44919 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 21, 2019) - MAX RESOURCE CORP. (TSXV: MXR) (OTC Pink: MXROF) (FSE: M1D1) ("Max" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company is participating in the upcoming London 121 Mining Investment Conference to enhance global exposure. Mr. Brett Matich, Chief Executive Officer of Max will be presenting about the recent and ongoing exploration activities on the North Choco Gold-Copper and its adjacent Choco Gold-Platinum projects in Colombia. The 121 Mining Investment Conference hosts 100 mining companies joined by over 400 sophisticated investors for pre-arranged, targeted 1-2-1 investment meetings. This year's event is being held on May 20 and 21, 2019 at County Hall in London, England. The Company is also meeting with UK based law firms in addition to European IR groups as part of a larger investor awareness strategy. North Choco Gold-Copper and Choco Gold-Platinum North Choco Gold-Copper (500 sq. km) is located 80 km SW of Medellin, Colombia and is contiguous to properties held by AngloGold Ashanti and Continental Gold and includes rights to exploration and exploitation over the 72 sq. km mining area. AngloGold Ashanti identified pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite and arsenopyrite, in a matrix of quartz and calcite and copper porphyry prospects from the Mining Area in 2005. Recent channel sampling results include: 0.3m at 262.0 g/t gold + 0.57% copper + 941 ppm cobalt 2.0m at 29.1 g/t gold 1.6m at 20.7 g/t gold + 592 ppm cobalt 0.1m at 49.3 g/t gold + 11.4% copper + 502 ppm cobalt Max cautions investors it has not yet verified the Andagueda sampling data. North Choco is 47 km SW of AngloGold's 2005 Nuevo Chaquiro copper porphyry discovery which contains inferred resources of 604Mt at 0.65% copper and 0.32g/t gold with a contained metal content of 4Mt of copper and 6Moz of gold. This is one of five known porphyry centres within a 15 sq. km area. Max cautions investors mineralization on the Nuevo Chaquiro property is not necessarily indicative of similar mineralization on North Choco. The Nuevo Chaquiro Resource is disclosed in the AngloGold presentation "Discovery and Geology of the Nuevo Chaquiro Cu-Au (Ag-Mo) Porphyry Deposit. The Company's 10-week exploration program on the North Choco is now underway with a 60-man field crew. The exploration methodology of the program will be similar to the effective program AngloGold Ashanti utilized to make the Nuevo Chaquiro discovery. First results expected very soon. Choco Gold-Platinum (2.140 sq. km) is located contiguous and SW of North Choco and covers or is adjacent to historic production of 1.5Mozs gold and 1.0Mozs platinum. Free gold was observed from hard-rock conglomerates taken from surface in February of 2019. A follow up Long Wave InfraRed (LWIR) survey identified multiple conglomerate zones spread over 1,000 sq. km area. Test work is currently assessing the fine gold within the conglomerates. Exploration is ongoing. Source for Choco: R.J. Fletcher and Associates (2011) Review of Gold and Platinum Exploration and Production in Choco Province Colombia Part 3. Private Report for Condoto Platinum Ltd.) Gachala Copper Gachala Copper (535 sq. km) is located 60 km SE of Bogota, Colombia and covers 60-line kms of the 250km by 120km belt of Devonian through Cretaceous rocks in a geological setting conductive to sedimentary deposits, believed to be analogous to the Zambia Copper Belt of Africa. Historic 1999 sampling by Rio Tinto included 12 samples returning values in excess of 1 per cent copper, ranging from 1.6 per cent to 7.82 per cent. Source: E.E. Vargas Ruiz, 1999; Exploracion Geoquimica Chivor Colombia Rio Tinto Mining and Exploration Ltd. Max has entered into a Definitive Agreement, whereby Universal Copper Ltd (TSXV: UNV) proposes to issue a total of 6,000,000 UNV common shares to Max, for seven of the 30 Gachala Copper mineral license applications covering 132 of 535 sq. km. About 121 Investment 121 Mining Investment events gather senior investors from institutional funds, private equity groups, family offices and sector analysts to meet with carefully selected mining company management teams in the world's leading financial hubs. Featuring cash-generating producers, near-production development companies, project generators and exciting exploration projects, 121 Mining Investment events offer investors the perfect forum to seek out their next big mining investment opportunity. 121 Mining Investment events are held annually in Hong Kong, London, Cape Town, New York and Singapore and focus on two-days of 1-on-1 meetings tailored to match the right level of mining projects with the right investment capital. Alongside the 1-2-1 meetings, delegates are able to enjoy a two-day agenda of investor-led panel discussions providing market insights, analysis and each participating mining company presenting their latest updates. About Max Resource Corp. Max is a mineral exploration company focused on the development and acquisition of prospective projects in the rich mineral belts of Colombia. The Company has established significant exploration infrastructure and local community support for its three prospective projects: Choco Gold and Platinum, located 100 km south of Medellin, which covers or is adjacent to historic production of 1.5Mozs gold and 1.0Mozs platinum, North Choco Gold-Copper located 80 km southeast of Medellin and adjacent to AngloGold Ashanti and Continental Gold properties, and the Gachala Copper Project, is located 60 km east of Bogota. The Company is led by a seasoned management team with a track record of significant discovery and exploration success. Source for Choco: R.J. Fletcher and Associates (2011) Review of Gold and Platinum Exploration and Production in Choco Province Colombia Part 3. Private Report for Condoto Platinum Ltd.) For more information visit: https://www.maxresource.com/ For additional information contact: Max Resource Corp. Tim McNulty E: info@maxresource.com T: (604) 290-8100 For Max Resource's French inquiries: Remy Scalabrini, Maricom Inc. E: rs@maricom.ca T: (888) 585-MARI 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 Except for statements of historic fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates 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 statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the TSXV. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the commercialization plans for Max Resources Corp. described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44898 Pre-Stabilisation notice 21 May 2019 Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful. Commerzbank AG Fixed rate preferred senior Notes due 2024 Pre-Stabilisation Notice Commerzbank AG (contact: Daniela Olt-Farrelly; telephone: +49 69 13623492) hereby announces, as Stabilisation Coordinator, that the Stabilising Managers named below may stabilise the offer of the following securities in accordance with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU Regulation 596/2014). The security to be stabilised: Issuer: Commerzbank AG Guarantor (if any): none Aggregate nominal amount: tbc Description: Senior preferred fixed rate notes due 28 May 2024 Offer price: tbc Other offer terms: settlement 28 May 2019, denoms 1k/1k, listing Frankfurt under the issuer's 40 million MTN programme Stabilisation: Stabilisation Coordinator: Stabilising Managers: Commerzbank AG ABN Amro BayernLB Deutsche Bank Natixis Stabilisation period expected to start on: 21 May 2019 Stabilisation period expected to end on: no later than 30 days after the proposed issue date of the securities Existence, maximum size and conditions of use of over-allotment facility. The Stabilising Managers may over-allot the securities to the extent permitted in accordance with applicable law. Stabilisation trading venue: Frankfurt SE, regulated market In connection with the offer of the above securities, the Stabilising Manager(s) may over-allot the securities or effect transactions with a view to supporting the market price of the securities during the stabilisation period at a level higher than that which might otherwise prevail. However, stabilisation may not necessarily occur and and any stabilisation action, if begun, may cease at any time Any stabilisation action or over-allotment shall be conducted in accordance with all applicable laws and rules. This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of the Issuer in any jurisdiction. This announcement is not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any other jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful. END Data Supports Continued Dose Escalation and Further Investigation in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (mRCC) EXUMA Biotechnology and affiliate Shanghai PerHum Therapeutics announced today interim results of two first-in-human solid tumor CAR-T products in subjects with recurrent or refractory stage IV metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). The data, presented at the Association for Cancer Immunotherapy (CIMT) 2019 Annual Meeting, continues to support the feasibility, comparative safety and pharmacokinetics of dose escalation of two CAR-T products, CCT301-38 (AXL) and CCT301-59 (ROR2), in a single patient population. The umbrella clinical trial design being run at SPHCC (Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center) under the direction of lead investigator Tongyu Zhu, M.D., examines the first two CAR-T products in human clinical trial to use AND logic gate control technology. The logic gate design leverages the tumor microenvironment (TME) turning the growth inhibitory acidic TME into an activating signal thereby minimizing the potential of on-target, off-tumor activity. One trigger of the logic gate is the TME, and the other is the target antigen (AXL or ROR2, depending on the product). Some of the key highlights presented include: No dose-limiting toxicities have been observed to date with no indications of on-target, off-tumor toxicity attributed to either product. CAR-T product blood exposure up to 80,000 copies/ g observed at the 1 x 10 6 /kg dose level. /kg dose level. Early radiologic evidence of antitumor activity, with stable disease as best response. In this heavily pre-treated patient population, 6 out of 7 subjects are alive with a median follow-up of 140 days. These interim results continue to support the potential of the company's conditionally active biologics (CAB)-CAR-T technology to increase the safety profile of CAR-T therapeutics in mRCC and potentially other target-positive solid tumors. "The cell processing feasibility, cell exposure and preliminary comparative safety of the two novel products support the potential of CAB-CAR-T technology for solid tumors," said Wendy Li, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of EXUMA Biotechnology. "We look forward to the complete data set from these ongoing clinical studies with collaborators and to bringing these programs forward into multicenter studies in the future." The full abstract is now available on the annual CIMT meeting website (Abstract #123) and the poster will be presented on May 21, 9:00-11:30 am EST. About EXUMA Biotechnology EXUMA Biotechnology, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing CAR-T solutions for the solid tumor markets in Asia, was formed in April 2016 as a Cayman Special Economic Zone Company with capitalization and exclusive technology licenses from F1 Oncology, Inc. Its wholly owned subsidiaries, EXUMA Biotechnology Hong Kong Ltd. and Shanghai EXUMA Biotechnology Ltd., oversee the development, manufacturing, quality, clinical, regulatory, and commercial operating units located in Shanghai and Shenzhen, PRC. EXUMA Biotechnology was formed to maximize the development and commercialization of enabling products and technology from F1 Oncology in the Greater China markets. Learn more at exumabio.com. EXUMA Biotechnology and F1 Oncology were founded and co-funded by Gregory Frost, Ph.D., co-founder and former CEO of Halozyme Therapeutics Inc., and current Managing Director of F1 BioVentures, LLC, a biotechnology-focused investment vehicle. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005207/en/ Contacts: Frannie Marmorstein +1 305-567-0821 frannie.marmorstein@rbbcommunications.com Adds Veteran Investment Banker Maarten Meurs William Blair, a premier global boutique with expertise in investment banking, investment management, and private wealth management, today announced the hiring of Maarten Meurs as a managing director. Mr. Meurs joins the firm's Financial Sponsors Group, where he will team with William Blair's various industry sector experts to continue the firm's strong growth in the Benelux region. "We have expanded our European presence by more than doubling the size of our team over the past five years and now have more than 85 investment banking team members based in Europe," said Anu Sharma, head of European investment banking. "We have a long history of serving Benelux clients with exceptional outcomes, and are excited to continue the strong transaction momentum with Maarten focused on the region." Mr. Meurs, with more than 16 years of industry experience, joins William Blair from ABN AMRO Bank in Amsterdam. Most recently, he was executive director of corporate finance leading M&A transactions. Prior to that, he held various positions with the Royal Bank of Scotland and its predecessor ABN AMRO Bank within its investment banking department. Mr. Meurs earned his M.Sc. in economics from the University of Groningen. "Maarten brings a breadth of capabilities and senior-level private equity market expertise, making him a great addition to William Blair's talented Financial Sponsors Group," said Brandon Lower, global head of the Financial Sponsors Group. "He has a long track record of successfully working with financial sponsors and providing trusted advice and innovative solutions." "William Blair is a highly respected leader in M&A advisory, and I am honored with the opportunity to serve the Benelux financial sponsor community. I believe the firm is well positioned to continue expanding its global client base through its world-class advisory services," said Mr. Meurs. In 2018, William Blair was the No. 1 advisor to sponsor-related deals for transactions under $2 billion. Over the past five years, William Blair has been one of the most active M&A advisors in Benelux, completing 30 advisory engagements with a total aggregate transaction value of more than 6.4 billion. About William Blair William Blair is a premier global boutique with expertise in investment banking, investment management, and private wealth management. We provide advisory services, strategies, and solutions to meet our clients' evolving needs. As an independent and employee-owned firm, together with our strategic partners, we operate in more than 20 offices worldwide.* For more information, please visit williamblair.com. *Includes strategic partnerships with Allier Capital, BDA Partners, and Poalim Capital Markets. Mergermarket 2018 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005241/en/ Contacts: Tony Zimmer William Blair Company, L.L.C. 312-364-8611 tzimmer@williamblair.com LONDON, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Russell Reynolds Associates, a leading global leadership advisory and search firm, today announced that it has appointed Lorcan Lennon as a leader in its Public Sector Practice. Lennon will be a key member of the firm's team, focussing on clients in the non-profit space, working with mission-led organisations to recruit, develop and assess their leadership talent. Based in London, Lennon will bring his extensive experience in stakeholder alignment and management consulting to advise clients across the globe and in all areas of non-profit activity. Prior to joining Russell Reynolds Associates, Lennon was a Director at KPMG for more than 12 years, most recently as Chief of Staff to the Vice Chairs. Previously, he had led the company's delivery of consulting work for a range of central government clients. James Roome, UK Country Manager for Russell Reynolds Associates, said, "With his wealth of experience working with the public sector, Lorcan brings valuable expertise to our non-profit team. His track record of working with organisations and developing bespoke solutions to their unique leadership challenges is something that we know will prove valuable to our clients. We're delighted to welcome him to the firm." Lennon's early career was in KPMG's government practice as a Management Consultant. Following that, he was seconded to be Chief of Staff to the Director-General of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). He holds a BA in finance, accounting and management from the University of Nottingham. For more information, please contact: Russell Reynolds Associates Lauren Taylor EMEA Marketing Manager Lauren.taylor@russellreynolds.com 020 7198 1885 About Russell Reynolds Associates Russell Reynolds Associates is a global leadership advisory and search firm. Our 425+ consultants in 46 offices work with public, private and nonprofit organizations across all industries and regions. We help our clients build teams of transformational leaders who can meet today's challenges and anticipate the digital, economic and political trends that are reshaping the global business environment. From helping boards with their structure, culture and effectiveness to identifying, assessing and defining the best leadership for organizations, our teams bring their decades of expertise to help clients address their most complex leadership issues. www.russellreynolds.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/890031/Russell_Reynolds_Associates_Lorcan_Lennon.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/491408/Russell_Reynolds_Associates_Logo.jpg With no experience in printing, Amad Hassan has made a successful transition from employee to franchisee thanks to Minuteman Press and his dedication to the community OXFORD, England, May 21, 2019 owner Amad Hassan knows the value of his design, marketing, and printing business for his clients. He explains, "Basically, we can design and print everything for them. I have received phone calls from new customers asking for one of our products such as printed banners. I ask how they heard about us and they say either positive Google reviews or direct referrals from another customer. That makes me feel like our customer service sets us apart. Strong word of mouth builds your brand." Another element of his printing business that makes Amad and his team stand out is that Minuteman Press provides a wide variety of customised products and services . Amad says, "We do more than printing. We do custom designs, promotional products, branded apparel. When we pack any order, we include brochures about banners, signage, promotional products. We let our clients know what we can do and they tend to respond well to that." Being part of the Minuteman Press International franchise system, Amad's business is independently owned and operated. Like any business owner, he prides himself on being active in the community and making a positive difference. Amad says, "I strongly believe that working in the community is the backbone of our business. If there is a community event, we support it. People know us and we generate a lot of business doing this. I do a lot of charity work, work with schools, anything I can to help." One of the best aspects of working in the printing industry is that print is universal, meaning that clients come from all different industries. Amad says, "When we started, we noticed a lot of restaurants coming to us. We also work with charities, schools and colleges, training companies, and many small businesses around us. We have a lot of variety and that's how we've built the business." Prior to franchising with Minuteman Press, Amad Hassan worked in the automotive industry. He says, "I worked in the BMW mini plant in Oxford for 10 years. I also drove a taxi part-time as well. I didn't know the printing industry when I started, and Minuteman Press gave me the training and support I needed for this transition." In addition to the training and ongoing local support that he receives right here in Oxford, Amad saw a few other benefits of franchising with Minuteman Press. He explains, "The first benefit that was huge is that Minuteman Press has a royalty incentive program. Having a cap on royalties is a big deal. Also, when I inquired online about owning a Minuteman Press franchise, they contacted me right away and were very efficient. They took me to the different centres and the whole process was very straightforward." Amad adds, " Minuteman Press works for me . When I started I didn't know anything and they taught me everything. They gave me the support and my local Area Manager Mark Jones has been a huge help. My own initiative and their support is a winning combination. Minuteman Press shows you the door but you have to go through it and execute. They also offer an Internet marketing program and that helps as well in expanding our online presence and giving a platform to get Google Reviews from our customers." Ultimately, after nine years, Amad truly appreciates the rewards of this venture. He states, "I appreciate being profitable and the time and flexibility I have with my life." His advice for others who are thinking of owning a business or franchise is this: "Invest in the business at the right time. Get the best staff and the right equipment. Be loyal with the customer. Don't upset the customer, and do right by them every time." Lastly, Amad says, "Make sure you market the business. That's the key to everything." Amad Hassan's Minuteman Press franchise is located at 16-17 Hollybush Row, Oxford 0X1 1JH. For more information, call Amad and his team at 01865 247 010, email oxford@minutemanpress.com , or visit their website: https://www.oxford.minutemanpress.co.uk About Minuteman Press International Minuteman Press International is the number one rated business marketing and printing franchise that offers world class training and unparalleled ongoing local support. Started in 1973 by Roy Titus and his son Bob, Minuteman Press began franchising in 1975 and has grown to nearly 1,000 business service franchise locations worldwide including the U.S., Australia, Canada, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Minuteman Press is ranked #1 in category by Entrepreneur 28 times and 16 years in a row, including 2019. Independent franchisee satisfaction firm Franchise Business Review has also named Minuteman Press International to its 2019 Top Franchises, 2018 Top Franchise Leaders, Top Franchises for Women, and Top Franchises for Veterans lists thanks to positive reviews from our owners. At Minuteman Press, We Are The Modern Printing Industry providing high quality products and services that meet the needs of today's business professionals and go way beyond ink on paper. Today, our franchises offer innovative branding solutions and produce custom designs, promotional products, branded apparel, direct mail marketing, large format printing (banners and posters), signs and graphics, and much more. Prior experience is not necessary to own and operate a successful Minuteman Press franchise. To learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and speak with one of our experienced franchise representatives at no obligation, call 0800 756 6332. Continue your franchise research, watch exclusive owner videos and access Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.co.uk Contact: Minuteman Press International Franchise Opportunities, 0800 756 6332 https://minutemanpressfranchise.co.uk or Media: Chris Biscuiti cbiscuiti@mpihq.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4e619eb0-0389-4354-b08c-837db2a81eeb LONDON, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- On 18 June 2019, a large international symposium on the impact of sustainability standards takes place in The Hague. In which way do standards have a positive impact on economic, social and environmental issues? What is effective and what is not? Experts will engage the government, business community and civil society in a conversation on the lessons we can learn from existing sustainability initiatives and how can we incorporate these into concrete actions. In recent years, a great deal of information has emerged about the manner in which sustainability standards can contribute to a fair and sustainable world. This information shows that quality standards are capable of effecting positive change; however, the impacts vary across contexts. During the 'Global Sustainability Standards Symposium', experts and stakeholders will discuss how to improve the effectiveness of market-driven solutions. In his keynote speech, Arjen Boekhold of Tony's Chocolonely and Game Changer UnLtd will discuss the extent of sustainability issues and how to set priorities. Darrel Webber of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil will outline the current state of affairs and share his vision on the course we need to embark upon. Other speakers include Laura Jungmann, sustainability manager at Albert Heijn, Andreas Kratz from Fairtade International and Sophie Persey from the Rainforest Alliance. During breakout sessions and discussions, they will share their experiences and expertise on the effects and effectiveness of quality standards on sustainability policy. The 'Global Sustainability Standards Symposium' is an initiative of the ISEAL Alliance, a membership organisation for credible sustainability standards, and is supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The attending speakers represent global sustainability standards, governments, academia and the business community. Find out more about speakers at the symposium. New website sharing impacts evidence and information The symposium closes with the launch of a new website, Evidensia. This site contains credible research into the effects and impact of sustainability supply chain tools and approaches. As a key source of evidence and information, Evidensia aims to lead to more informed action and decisions based on credible evidence. Global Sustainability Standards Symposium The 'Global Sustainability Standards Symposium' will take place in Madurodam, The Hague, on 18 June. Participation is recommended to anyone from the business community, NGOs, governments and knowledge institutes that are involved in the development and implementation of sustainability policies or quality standards. More information about the symposium and the registration process is available on the ISEAL website. About ISEAL ISEAL is the global membership organisation for sustainability standards and its mission is to strengthen these standards for the benefit of people and the environment. Its membership is open to multi-stakeholder sustainability standards and international accreditation bodies that demonstrate their ability to meet the ISEAL Codes of Good Practice and accompanying requirements and commit to learning and improving. ISEAL members cover social and environmental sustainability issues - from labour rights and sustainable livelihoods to biodiversity conservation - and are active across a diverse range of sectors. Members include the Aquaculture Stewardship Council, Fairtrade International, Alliance for Water Stewardship, Marine Stewardship Council, Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), Rainforest Alliance and Responsible Jewellery Council. Visit the ISEAL website for a full list of ISEAL members. Lightfoot spokeswoman Anel Ruiz confirmed that Smith was working for Lightfoot in that security capacity. She did not respond to questions about whether its appropriate for the person running the mayors security detail to be married to a corporate lobbyist. Lightfoot campaigned on a pledge to end the influence of political insiders at City Hall. AUCKLAND, New Zealand, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The recent Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations has not just helped various civilizations flourish through dialogues and exchanges, but also driven China's national brands to integrate into the world with stronger cultural confidence. On 18 May, Zhang Shuofu, Secretary of the CPC Guangzhou Municipal Committee, led a delegation to Auckland, New Zealand, for Tripartite 2019 for Guangzhou, Auckland and Los Angeles. Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Holdings Limited (GPHL) also joined in the delegation and established an overseas scholarship in partnership with University of Auckland. In Tripartite 2019 with the health industry as one of the topics, GPHL expressed its view on the future trend of the health industry. "Life science is also a philosophy of life. The mainstream of global health in the future will focus not only on life science, but also the philosophy. The concept of preventive treatment of disease, valued by the traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) sector, is expected to go mainstream worldwide. I believe that the integration of Chinese and Western medicine will contribute more to global health," said Li Chuyuan, chairman of GPHL, in his speech on Tripartite 2019. In this New Zealand trip, GPHL joined hands with the Confucius Institute in Auckland to launch a series of activities themed "in dialogue with the world through TCM culture". On 20 May, GPHL granted the Confucius Institute with the title of Shennong Caotang TCM Culture Communication Center. Going forward, the two parties will strengthen cooperation in areas like core talents training, R&D and TCM education to speed up the mutual-learning between TCM and global health philosophies, in ways to grant the globalization of TCM with a more solid foundation of talents, science and technology. The company also signed the agreement with the University of Auckland to set up the Wang Lao Ji Auspicious Culture Ambassador Scholarship to fund students for their internships in Guangzhou. This effort will help cultivate ambassadors to spread TCM and auspicious cultures, and enhance the innovative development of TCM. "'Ji' in Chinese, meaning the pursuit for a better life and serving as the key to all the beautiful things, equals to 'auspiciousness' in English. We are committed to bringing more auspiciousness to the world and sharing the healthy auspicious culture and products of China," explained Li Chuyuan. GPHL's support in the overseas communication and academic development of the TCM culture would attract more young faces to learn Chinese culture, ensuring integrated growth of diverse cultures, said Yao Zaiyu, president of the Confucius Institute in Auckland. The exhibition of New Zealand TCM Auspicious Culture, hosted by Wang Lao Ji, also took place at the University of Auckland, attracting a large audience, with many expecting to gain a deeper understanding of the excellent traditional Chinese culture. As the world's biggest production base of Chinese patent medicine, GPHL is home to 10 China Time-honored Brands including Wang Lao Ji, each with a history of more than 100 years, with its sales volume of 116 billion yuan in 2018. Inheriting the essence of traditional Chinese cultural values, the company will further empower its products and embrace the world with culture, in ways to push forward the exchanges and mutual-learning among civilizations. Image Attachments Links: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=336553 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. ALBANY, New York, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The global aquaculture market is fragmented and competitive, says Transparency Market Research (TMR) based on a recently published report. The key players in the global aquaculture market include Cooke Aquaculture Inc., Bakkafrost Holding, Nippon Suisan Kaisha Ltd., Tassal Group Limited, and Norway Royal Salmon ASA. These farmers and harvesters are investing on advanced technologies to improve the growth of the aquatic plants and animals. They are also investing on better feed without pesticides to grow quality and hygienic products to capture over the competitive market of the global aquaculture market. Rising demand for sea food across the globe is projected to drive the global aquaculture market to grow at a healthy rate. The global aquaculture market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.3% over the forecast period 2019 to 2027. The global aquaculture market is projected to reach an estimated value of US$173.3 Mn by the end of 2019 as compared to 2018. Request a Sample of Global Aquaculture Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=773 On the basis of geography, the global aquaculture market is projected to be ruled by North America during the forecast period. It is expected to be the most attractive market for aquaculture during this tenure. The growth can be attributed to growing aquaculture activities and market. The global aquaculture market is segmented into fish, molluscs, seaweeds, and crustaceans on the basis of product type. However, the fish segment is projected to dominate the global aquaculture market from 2019 to 2027. Demand for Canned Sea Food to Surge Global Aquaculture Market Due to rising demand for convenience, packed food, and processed fish products are likely to surge the global aquaculture market. Such increasing demand for ready to eat products are predicted to come from developed and developing countries. Alternatively, the governments are supporting aquaculture farming in fresh water or marine water. The reason for supporting aquaculture farming is to save endangered species from extinction. Request For Multiple Chapters: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=MC&rep_id=773 Moreover, increased purchasing power among consumers is predicted to boost the global aquaculture market to grow at a healthy rate. Continuous advancements in technologies in fisheries and sustainable solutions in farming and harvesting aqua animals and plants also have contributed to the growth of aquatic plants and animals. Furthermore, the farmers and harvesters feed these aqua animals with organic feed. Thus, the global aquaculture market is expected to grow at a steady rate during the forecast period. Export Production to Boost Growth in Global Aquaculture Market The farmers and harvesters are using closed harvesting and farming system to increase export production. Increase in export production is will directly surge the overall market. This acts as another factor that will drive the global aquaculture market during the forecast period. Increasing number of retail chain stores, restaurants, and fast food service providers are likely to meet the immediate demand for sea food cravings. Hence, the global aquaculture market is anticipated to expand in the upcoming years. Request For Discount On This Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=773 The factors that are projected to restrain the global aquaculture market are high cost to establish technological advancements. Small players in the market may not be able to bring in the latest technology in aquaculture farming. Additionally, changes in climatic conditions such as hurricanes, storms, and cyclones are also projected to restrain the global aquaculture market during the forecast period. Despite the restraints, the global aquaculture is projected to grow due to governments support and investments in various aquaculture farming and harvesting projects across the globe. Hence, the global aquaculture market is anticipated to grow at a healthy rate in the upcoming years. Browse Press Release: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/aquaculture-market.htm This review is based upon the TMR report titled, "Aquaculture Market (Culture Type - Marine Water, Fresh Water; Product Type - Fish, Molluscs, Crustaceans, Seaweed)) - Global Industry, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Forecast, 2019-2027." The global aquaculture market is segmented into: Culture Marine Water Fresh Water Product Fish Molluscs Crustaceans Seaweed Region North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany France U.K. Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India Rest of Asia Pacific Latin America Brazil Rest of Latin America Middle East & Africa Gulf Country Council Saudi Arabia UAE Rest of Middle East Browse Food & Beverages Market Research Reports Popular Research Reports by TMR: Processed Food & Beverage Preservatives Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/processed-food-beverage-preservatives-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/processed-food-beverage-preservatives-market.html Aquafeed Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/aquafeed-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/aquafeed-market.html Aquaculture Additive Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/aquaculture-additive-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/aquaculture-additive-market.html Organic Aquaculture Product Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/organic-aquaculture-product-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 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 21, 2019) - EMX Royalty Corporation (TSXV: EMX) (NYSE American: EMX) ("EMX" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the execution of a purchase agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") to acquire royalty interests from Corvus Gold Inc. (TSX: KOR) (OTCQX: CORVF) ("Corvus") in Alaska's Goodpaster Mining District for $350,000 (all dollar amounts in CDN unless otherwise specified), and an equity investment of $900,000 in Corvus through a private placement financing (the "Private Placement"). EMX's acquisition of the Corvus royalty property interests will complement the Company's recent acquisition of royalty property interests from Millrock Resources Inc. ("Millrock")1. The Goodpaster District hosts the Pogo Mine which has produced 3.8 million ounces of gold since startup in 20062. The Company's investment, which totals $1.25 million, will combine equity upside in Corvus and royalty interests covering highly prospective ground in an under-explored, high grade gold mining district that is attracting revitalized interest. Please see the attached map. Overview of Commercial Terms. At closing, under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, EMX will acquire the following net smelter return ("NSR") royalty interests from Corvus for $350,000: West Pogo WPX Claim Block - EMX will acquire two thirds of Corvus's 3% NSR royalty on precious metals and 1% NSR royalty on base metals. Corvus has retained the remaining one third of its royalty on the West Pogo WPX claim block. The precious metals royalty is subject to a buy down of 1% for US $2 million, and a buy down of an additional 1% for US $5 million, both of which will be shared proportionately by EMX and Corvus. LMS Project - EMX will acquire Corvus's 3% NSR royalty on precious metals and 1% NSR royalty on base metals. The precious metals royalty is subject to a buy down of 1% for US $4 million. Goodpaster District - EMX will acquire all of Corvus's rights to a 1% NSR royalty on properties staked within a defined area of interest ("AOI") pursuant to a 2015 agreement with Millrock. The AOI expires July 21, 2020, and Millrock may purchase one-half of these royalties (i.e., 0.5% NSR royalty) for US $2 million. Chisna Project - EMX will acquire all of Corvus's 1% NSR royalties on precious and base metals. Also at closing, under the terms of the Private Placement, EMX will invest $900,000 to purchase 500,000 common shares of Corvus at a price of $1.80 per share. The shares will be subject to hold periods required under applicable securities laws. Closing is conditioned upon receipt of approval by the Toronto Stock Exchange for the issuance of the Corvus shares, and a title curative matter relating to the Chisna royalty. Overview of EMX's New Royalties. EMX's new royalty interests purchased from Corvus, combined with the royalty interests recently acquired from Millrock, will consolidate a substantial royalty package in Alaska's prolific Goodpaster District. The Pogo Mine is operated by Northern Star Resources Limited ("Northern Star"), and EMX's royalty properties are especially compelling given Northern Star's recent successes in drilling its nearby Goodpaster prospect and developing the Central Zone discovery. The properties covered by the Goodpaster royalties to be acquired from Corvus include: West Pogo WPX Claim Block. The WPX claim block royalty property complements the West Pogo royalties acquired from Millrock, and will fill in EMX's royalty interests immediately west of the Pogo mine property. The underlying WPX claim block holder and West Pogo project operator is Millrock. West Pogo is along trend of, and has similar geological characteristics to the nearby Pogo Mine. The WPX claims include the Tourmaline Ridge gold prospect. LMS Project. The LMS royalty property is situated along the Shaw-Eagle-LMS Trend, where EMX already had a substantial royalty property position that was acquired from Millrock. The gold mineralization at LMS is hosted in low-angle, siliceous breccias developed in metamorphic rocks cut by higher grade stockwork vein systems. Goodpaster AOI Royalties. The AOI royalties will cover the recent Millrock claim acquisitions funded by EMX on the West Pogo project, East Pogo project, and Shaw-Eagle-LMS Trend. EMX will hold a combined 1.5% NSR royalty interest on these claims (i.e., Corvus 1% plus Millrock 0.5%). EMX will also acquire royalty interests from Corvus covering the Chisna properties in the Chistochina Mining District of south-central Alaska. The projects host copper-gold porphyry targets, and are 100% controlled by Millrock. Overview of EMX's Corvus Investment. EMX's equity investment in Corvus will provide significant upside from Corvus's North Bullfrog and Mother Lode gold (silver) projects in Nevada's Walker Lane Trend. From a 2018 positive Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA"), open pit constrained gold resources for the combined Mother Lode - North Bullfrog Projects include oxide and sulfide mill resources of3: Measured - 9.3 million tonnes averaging 1.59 g/t and containing 475 thousand ounces of gold, Indicated - 18.2 million tonnes averaging 1.68 g/t and containing 988 thousand ounces of gold, & Inferred - 2.3 million tonnes averaging 1.61 g/t and containing 118 thousand ounces of gold. In addition, the Project contains oxide, run of mine ("ROM"), heap leach gold resources of: Measured - 34.6 million tonnes averaging 0.27 g/t and containing 305 thousand ounces of gold, Indicated - 149.4 million tonnes averaging 0.24 g/t and containing 1,150 thousand ounces of gold & Inferred - 78.7 million tonnes averaging 0.26 g/t gold and containing 549 thousand ounces of gold. Corvus has been actively drilling and expanding the gold mineralized zones at the Mother Lode deposit during 2019. About EMX. EMX is a precious and base metals royalty company. EMX's investors are provided with discovery, development, and commodity price optionality, while limiting exposure to the risks inherent to operating companies. The Company's common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and the NYSE American Exchange under the symbol EMX. Please see www.EMXroyalty.com for more information. Mr. Michael P. Sheehan, CPG, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and employee of the Company, has reviewed, verified and approved the disclosure of the technical information contained in this news release. -30- For further information contact: David M. Cole President and Chief Executive Officer Phone: (303) 979-6666 Email: Dave@EMXroyalty.com Scott Close Director of Investor Relations Phone: (303) 973-8585 Email: SClose@EMXroyalty.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. Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain "forward looking statements" that reflect the Company's current expectations and projections about its future results. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding perceived merits of properties, exploration results and budgets, mineral reserves and resource estimates, work programs, capital expenditures, timelines, strategic plans, market prices for precious and base metal, or other statements that are not statements of fact. When used in this news release, words such as "estimate," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "will", "believe", "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which, by their very nature, are not guarantees of the Company's future operational or financial performance, and are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company's actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and factors may include, but are not limited to: unavailability of financing, failure to identify commercially viable mineral reserves, fluctuations in the market valuation for commodities, difficulties in obtaining required approvals for the development of a mineral project, difficulties in obtaining required regulatory approvals, increased regulatory compliance costs, expectations of project funding by joint venture partners and other factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release or as of the date otherwise specifically indicated herein. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified in this news release, and other risk factors and forward-looking statements listed in the Company's MD&A for the quarter that ended on March 31, 2019 (the "MD&A"), and the most recently filed Form 20-F for the year that ended on December 31, 2018, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. More information about the Company, including the MD&A, the 20-F and financial statements of the Company, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the SEC's EDGAR website at www.sec.gov. EMX Royalty Properties - Goodpaster District, Alaska (following closing with Corvus, May 2019) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1508/44889_5e84a67ff4bc9bb7_002full.jpg ____________________ 1 See EMX news release dated April 24, 2019. 2 Through mid-2018. See Northern Star ASX Announcement dated February 12, 2019. 3 See Corvus news release dated November 1, 2018 and SEDAR filed report titled "Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Integrated Mother Lode and North Bullfrog Projects, Bullfrog Mining District, Nye County, Nevada", with an effective date of September 18, 2018. The PEA is based upon a US$1250/oz gold price, a mill cutoff of 0.63-0.78 g/t gold, and a ROM cutoff of 0.06-0.10 g/t gold. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44889 Fruitful fruit-based solution takes RTE cereals to the next-level GIVAT HAIM, Israel, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Fruitlift, the real-fruit based solution to replace refined sugars in RTE cereals, is advancing into the next phase of its go-to-market plan following its launch in March this year. Gat Foods will install a lab-scale extrusion plant to integrate Fruitlift into various breakfast cereal applications and fully assess its integration into large-scale cereal production processes. The pilot plant replicates a large industrial production belt on a smaller lab scale. The company designed a high-quality custom extrusion plant machinery after researching several models to assess the necessary specifications required to fully fit Frutlift's solution into the unique production flows of cereals manufacturers The base already has successfully completed its initial round of trials in a pilot lab in the UK. "Since its launch two months ago, Fruitlift has inspired enthusiastic interest from food companies globally," says Michal Katzir Emek, International Marketing Director for Gat Foods. "We decided to install a full-scale pilot lab to give us more complete expertise and flexibility to better collaborate with our clients throughout the entire product development cycle, from concept through trials, to final product. We anticipate this will further our application of the Fruitlift solution into additional food formulations." Fruitlift is an all-natural, liquid based ingredient - composed of 90% fruit components and designed to be injected into the flour mix of puffed cereals to replace white refined sugar, which until now has been a significant component in RTE cereals. The real challenge was to integrate a wet fruit solution into a dry product to bring breakfast cereals to consumers in a more natural and better-for-you format. Fruitlift delivers a mild sweetness, with or without a fruity flavor in a range of fruits to choose from. The pilot plant incorporates a full lab-scale extrusion line, including extruder machinery, a coating drum, oven, and mixers. It also includes all the lab equipment necessary for the assessment of final products to ensure their adherence to specific product criteria encompassing essential organoleptic parameters of taste, texture, crispiness and sweetness. The facility also allows for continuous on-site optimization of manufacturing procedures for RTE cereals, as well as a full assessment of the unique requirements of individual cereal manufacturers. Gat Foods' patent-pending technology provides a tailor-made solution to food companies. The fruit base is offered in a choice of fruits and can be customized to fit any manufacturing process, or formulated to fit any type of flour mixture. It can be injected either as a base or a coating and the dose can be adjusted to desired sweetness levels and taste preferences, whether the company is seeking a pronounced fruit flavor or to have the solution blend in with the brand's signature flavor. Gat foods will showcase the innovative Fruitlift ingredient on June 3-5 at the IFT Expo in New Orleans, and demonstrate how Fruitlift can replace refined sugars in various samples of puffed cereals, including whole grain cereals laced with the fruit base solution in its various formats. Visit them at the IFT EXPO in New Orleans, booth no.5132 at the New Exhibitors Area About Gat Foods Gat Foods is a wholly owned subsidiary of Central Bottling Company Group, Ltd. (CBC Israel). Since 1942, the company has developed, produced, and marketed innovative fruit solutions for beverage manufacturers, providing value-added ingredients that help create customized beverages with proven success. The company is now expanding its expertise to incorporate its innovative ingredients into food formulations as well. For further information, please contact: Company contact Gat Foods Michal Katzir Emek International Marketing Manager Email: michalk@gat.co.il Tel: +972-4-6368858 Web: www.fruitliftsolution.com Press Contact NutriPR Liat Simha Tel: +972-9-9742893 E-mail: liat@nutripr.com Web: www.nutripr.com Twitter: @NutriPR_ Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/890421/Gat_Foods_Pilot_Lab.jpg Annual General Meeting of Kuros Biosciences approves certain resolutions Schlieren (Zurich), Switzerland, May 21, 2019 - Kuros Biosciences (SIX:KURN) today announced that its Annual General Meeting approved certain resolutions proposed by the Board of Directors. Three proposed resolutions relating to amendments of the Articles for potential capital increases did not reach the required 2/3 majority. Joost de Bruijn (CEO) reported that with the proceeds of the December 2018 capital increase the Company is advancing its pipeline, in particular the Phase II clinical study of its proprietary KUR-113 product in spinal fusion, and is progressing the commercialization of MagnetOs in the U.S. and selected geographics in Europe. The Annual General Meeting approved the Annual Report, the Annual Financial Statements, and Consolidated Financial Statements for the year 2018 and took note of the Reports of the Auditors. Shareholders discharged the Board and the Executive Committee, voted in favor of the proposed appropriation of the Annual Results and approved the compensation for the members of the Board and the Executive Committee. Clemens van Blitterswijk was re-elected as Chairman and Leanna Caron, Gerhard Ries, Joost de Bruijn, Jason Hannon, Scott P. Bruder and Oliver Walker were re-elected as members of the Board. Dr. Ries and Mrs. Caron were re-elected as members of the Compensation Committee. The law firm Keller KLG, Zurich was elected as independent Proxy. PricewaterhouseCoopers were confirmed for another one-year term as the Company's auditor. The required 2/3 majority on an increase and adjustment of the authorized share capital (up to 4,000,000 registered shares with a nominal value of CHF 1.00 each) and the conditional share capital for Employee Participation (up to 2,248,389 registered shares with a nominal value of CHF 1.00 each) was not reached. The increase and adjustment of the Conditional Share Capital for bonds and similar debt instruments (up to 4,000,000 registered shares with a nominal value of CHF 1.00 each), and corresponding changes to the Articles of Incorporation also did not reach the required 2/3 majority. The Annual General Meeting took place at the Company's headquarters in Schlieren. It was attended by 28 shareholders. 5,534,412 shares or 36.7% of a total of 15,058,611 shares were represented. For further information, please contact: Kuros Biosciences AG LifeSci Advisors Michael Grau Hans Herklots Chief Financial Officer Media & Investors Tel +41 44 733 47 47 +41 79 598 7149 michael.grau@kurosbio.com hherklots@lifesciadvisors.com About Kuros Biosciences AG Kuros Biosciences is focused on the development of innovative products for tissue repair and regeneration and is located in Schlieren (Zurich), Switzerland, Bilthoven, The Netherlands and Burlington (MA), U.S.A. The Company is listed according to the International Financial Reporting Standard on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the symbol KURN. Visitwww.kurosbio.com (http://www.kurosbio.com)for additional information on Kuros, its science and product pipeline. Forward Looking Statements This media release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You are urged to consider statements that include the words "will" or "expect" or the negative of those words or other similar words to be uncertain and forward-looking. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements include scientific, business, economic and financial factors, Against the background of these uncertainties, readers should not rely on forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no responsibility for updating forward-looking statements or adapting them to future events or developments. - Raffles Shenzhen and Raffles Maldives Meradhoo continue the Raffles tradition of setting new standards for luxury hospitality in sought after markets around the world - PARIS, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Raffles Hotels & Resorts , renowned for bringing old world elegance, first class travel experiences and genuine charm to the world's most fascinating cities and desirable holiday hot spots since 1887, is pleased to announce the opening of two important new landmark hotels, Raffles Shenzhen and Raffles Maldives Meradhoo. Both hotels opened in early May and are now accepting reservations at raffles.com . Known as havens for royalty, film stars, writers and artists, many remarkable stories and cultural moments have taken place within the plush confines of Raffles hotels and resorts. "The Raffles collection now includes 14 properties across 12 countries, with a carefully curated list of distinguished addresses in leading markets around the world," said Chris Cahill, Deputy CEO, Accor. "With a storied history spanning more than 130 years, Raffles is currently experiencing a renaissance, with a robust project pipeline that will see the portfolio add an additional 8-10 hotels over the next few years." Raffles Shenzhen brings the height of luxury and bespoke service to the shining modern metropolis of Shenzhen. An extraordinary urban oasis discreetly perched on the top floors of a 72-storey tower in the prestigious One Shenzhen Bay complex, Raffles Shenzhen is the epitome of glamour and refinement. With 168 spacious guestrooms, as well as a selection of serviced residences, well-travelled guests will be enchanted by the exquisite dining venues, spectacular views of Shenzhen Bay and Hong Kong, and of course, the famous Raffles Butlers and the warm, graceful and personalized service for which they are known. On the remote southern tip of the Maldives archipelago, Raffles Maldives Meradhoo is as removed from the rhythm of everyday life as can be. Surrounded by crystalline Indian Ocean waters and unspoiled reefs, the resort is a rare haven of 21 island beach villas and 16 ocean overwater villas. Guests take a domestic flight and are transported by speed boat to the pristine and private oasis of Meradhoo, where they receive the gentle and intuitive attentions of the legendary Raffles Butlers, along with an exclusive Marine Butler service, Children's Butlers and private chefs. "With the doors now officially open at Raffles Maldives Meradhoo and Raffles Shenzhen, we are delighted to invite guests to experience the impeccable service, intuitive charm and extraordinary adventures upon which the Raffles legend has been built," said Jeannette Ho, Vice President, Raffles Brand & Strategic Partnerships. "The next few years will be very exciting for our guests and global ambassadors as we continue to expand our illustrious hotel collection, bringing Raffles to the most fascinating, attractive and culturally rich regions of the world." COMING SOON TO RAFFLES Adding to the recent openings in China and the Maldives, Raffles has also developed a smart and strategic growth plan which will see the luxury brand add a number of new and exciting hotels, resorts and mixed-use projects to its global portfolio over the coming years. Highlights include: Scheduled for opening in 2020, 101-room Raffles Udaipur will be the brand's first hotel in India . Modelled after a palace, the hotel is set on a private island on the Udaisagar Lake in this stunning and romantic region known as the " Venice of the East". With spectacular vistas of lake, hillside and a neighbouring 400-year old temple, Raffles Udaipur is truly set to be an oasis for the well-travelled. . Modelled after a palace, the hotel is set on a private island on the Udaisagar Lake in this stunning and romantic region known as the " of the East". With spectacular vistas of lake, hillside and a neighbouring 400-year old temple, Raffles Udaipur is truly set to be an oasis for the well-travelled. Raffles Jaipur, set to open by 2022, is a 55-room hotel being built at Kukas in the city of Jaipur, near popular tourist destinations such as Amer Fort , Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh Fort and Jal Mahal palace. Secluded private residences and courtyards will join a larger complex that presently houses a hotel - Fairmont Jaipur - from one of Raffles' sister brands, Fairmont Hotels Resorts. The development is planned as a discreet destination where guests will feel pampered and privileged. , Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh Fort and palace. Secluded private residences and courtyards will join a larger complex that presently houses a hotel - Fairmont Jaipur - from one of Raffles' sister brands, Fairmont Hotels Resorts. The development is planned as a discreet destination where guests will feel pampered and privileged. Raffles The Palm Dubai, with its 125 hotel rooms and suites, will enjoy a coveted position at the tip of the Palm archipelago, providing 360 degree views of the Jumeirah coast and the Arabian Gulf. With planned opening in 2021, the hotel will be the tallest structure on Palm Jumeirah at almost 260 meters high. The property will also offer 359 branded residences. Scheduled to open in 2021, Raffles Boston Back Bay Hotel & Residences is shaped by the creative and intellectual spirit of Boston , one of the most captivating cities in the United States. Located in the historical heart of the city, it promises to be a welcoming oasis of refined elegance in a striking new 33-story building. The project includes a distinctive 147 room hotel as well as 146 exquisitely appointed branded residences. , one of the most captivating cities in the United States. Located in the historical heart of the city, it promises to be a welcoming oasis of refined elegance in a striking new 33-story building. The project includes a distinctive 147 room hotel as well as 146 exquisitely appointed branded residences. Currently under development, Raffles London will reside within the Old War Office building on Whitehall. The property is being transformed into a flagship Raffles hotel featuring 125 rooms and suites, restaurants, spa and 85 private residences. About Raffles Raffles Hotels & Resorts boasts an illustrious history and some of the most prestigious hotel addresses worldwide. In 1887, Raffles Singapore set the standard for luxury hospitality, introducing the world to private butlers, the Singapore Sling and its enduring, legendary service. Today, Raffles continues this tradition in leading cities and lavish resort locales, enchanting travellers with meaningful experiences and service that is both gracious and intuitive. Connoisseurs of life choose Raffles, not merely for its aura of culture, beauty and gentility, but for the extraordinary way they feel when in residence with Raffles. Each Raffles, be it Paris, Istanbul, Warsaw, Jakarta or the Seychelles, serves as a venerated oasis where travellers arrive as guests, leave as friends and return as family. Raffles is part of Accor, a world-leading augmented hospitality group offering unique and meaningful experiences in 4,800 hotels, resorts, and residences across 100 countries. raffles.com | group.accor.com Press Contacts: Line Crieloue, Senior PR Manager, line.crieloue@accor.com, +33 1 45 38 18 11; Estelle Wimel, Communication Manager, estelle.wimel@accor.com, +33 1 45 38 18 29 Seattle, Washington--(Newsfile Corp. - May 21, 2019) - CFN Media Group ("CFN Media"), the leading agency and financial media network dedicated to the North American cannabis industry, announces publication of an article on Gabriella's Kitchen Inc. (CSE: GABY) (OTC: GABLF). The company is a cannabis and hemp consumer packaged goods (CPG) company with a dual channel sales strategy, meaning it sells into the regulated dispensary channel as well as the mainstream retail and grocery channel. The inspiration came from the efforts of two sisters, Gabriella and Margot Micallef, following Gabriella's dire cancer diagnosis. Their success in exponentially prolonging Gabriella's life now forms the foundation of GABY. The company already offers healthy prepared meals, many containing hemp hearts and seeds, in over 3,400 mainstream retail stores. Now, GABY has taken the lessons learned from traditional CPG and expanded aggressively into the cannabis industry with its acquisition of new product lines and distribution networks focused on CBD- and THC-derived products. By marrying the nutritional food products with the wellness and lifestyle cannabis brands, the company is now demonstrating significant and growing revenues in key markets. As the legal cannabis market matures across North America, the story is slowly turning from potential to reality. Companies are being examined more closely than ever to gauge which ones have staying power, which ones are executing on long-heralded plans, and which ones are actually creating revenue from whatever it is they are selling. There are enough consumers in enough legal markets now to make real revenues, products, infrastructure, and growth reasonable measuring sticks. Click Here to receive corporate updates on GABY California is the Focus California has a long history with the cannabis industry, dating back to the earliest days of marijuana prohibition and continuing through today where it comprises the largest legal cannabis market in the world. The state is still catching up to its own legalization efforts as it wrangles the deeply entrenched black market, with regulatory confusion and a sluggish licensing process slowly giving way to a robust and healthy legal environment. Companies with their licenses, infrastructure, and processes in place at this stage may have a leg up on less-developed hopefuls looking to enter the still-constrained marketplace. GABY took its place in the California cannabis market by acquiring Sonoma Pacific Distribution earlier this year. Sonoma Pacific holds cannabis manufacturing and distribution licenses, selling its own brands as well as a wide variety of third-party brands throughout the state. The company's mission is to represent California's conscious cannabis products, brands, and cultivators with integrity. Sonoma Pacific has deep relationships across the state's cannabis supply chain which should prove invaluable as GABY looks to quickly penetrate the market with its own lines of cannabis-derived and infused products. The acquisition is accretive to GABY, as Sonoma Pacific brings with it significant and growing metrics reporting Q1 2019 sales of CAD$9.8 million. Based on updated projections for the balance of the year, GABY now is expecting its yearly revenues for FY 2019 to end up somewhere around CAD$35 million. In the very near term, Sonoma Pacific's existing business makes up a large chunk of GABY's revenue. But GABY sees a much larger and more profitable opportunity as a result of the acquisition. By leveraging the existing Sonoma Pac infrastructure and supply chain, the company anticipates the continued expansion of its own value added branded cannabis edibles across the state. This infrastructure enables GABY to get its products to market more quickly than prior to the acquisition. The acquisition also has the potential to improve Sonoma Pac's financials, as augmenting its portfolio with higher margin proprietary products could eventually result in higher margins for the combined company. In a recent interview, GABY CEO Margot Micallef stated, "Even though we own our manufacturing facility and we own our distribution license and logistics, we are not a manufacturing company and we are not a distribution company. We use that infrastructure to support our brands, and to get our brands to market in a quality way and expeditiously." Click here to see the full CEO Interview with Margot Micallef. Cannabis and Wellness, Combined While the Sonoma Pacific acquisition represents a major leap forward for GABY, especially in terms of California and cannabis-derived products, the company is already fairly established in the health and wellness market across North America. Through the development and marketing of its Gabriella's Kitchen line of healthy food products, the company boasts over 3,400 distribution points throughout Canada and the United States. This mainstream network consists of outlets like grocery stores, health food stores, and co-ops. GABY is planning to introduce hemp-derived CBD wellness products through this channel in 2019. To that end, the company has launched a line of CBD infused and flavored olive oils, and has entered into several joint ventures to produce hemp-derived CBD products including a line of CBD infused coffee beverages and a line of topicals. GABY most recently announced an agreement to acquire a manufacturer of healthy CBD infused chocolates that are already being sold in 250 mainstream retail outlets. This diversity of products is an indication of the types of products in the pipeline. The strategy is to meet consumers "wherever, however and whenever they want to consume cannabis or hemp products," says Margot Micallef. To this end the company will continue to evolve its product line to accommodate the changing tastes of consumers. In the regulated cannabis channel, according to the Marijuana Policy Group, Leeds School of Business, the majority of products sold are still primarily flower and concentrates, at around 75% of sales. GABY's sales in this channel reflect this trend and as COO Jamie Fay says, "While we want to introduce novel and unique products, we don't want to get too far ahead of the consumer. With our deep CPG experience we continually analyze where the market is and manage the product mix at a state, county and store level accordingly. In the mainstream channel we are introducing hemp-derived CBD edibles, beverages, topicals, and tinctures because that is what consumers in that channel are looking for," he concluded. By combining the upward trends of wellness products and cannabis, and by focusing on the crucial California market, Gabriella's Kitchen has positioned itself at the intersection of some major retail thoroughfares. Keep an eye on the company as it executes on key growth initiatives throughout the balance of the year and beyond. Click Here to receive corporate updates on GABY Please follow the link to read the full article on CFN Media: http://bit.ly/2HryDMm 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 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/ Margot Micallef - CEO IR@gabriellas-kitchen.com 1-800-674-2239 Frank Lane 206-369-7050 Flane@cannabisfn.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44905 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 21, 2019 / GenTech Holdings, Inc. (OTC PINK: GTEH) ("GenTech" or the "Company"), an emerging leader in the CBD marketplace, is excited to announce its line of high-end CBD products set to be offered in the launch of its new "The Healthy Leaf" CBD brand over coming weeks. The initial products to be offered under "The Healthy Leaf" brand will include: High-End CBD-infused Box of Chocolates Premium CBD-infused Skin Cream CBD-infused Artisan Teas CBD-infused Artisan Coffees Premium CBD Wellness Snack Bar High-End CBD-infused Pet Treats 250ml Bottle of Premium CBD "We are laser-focused on differentiating ourselves from the herd as we launch The Healthy Leaf," commented David Lovatt, CEO of GenTech. "The health and wellness space is a culture. By focusing on a holistic lifestyle branding process, we are lining ourselves up with that culture, and with our target market. Everything flows from that idea." To assist with the launch, the Company has retained the services of Oxygen Graphics, a premier International Design Company. Oxygen will be tasked with logo design and the creation of the graphic representations that will define the brand, including business cards, kiosk and delivery truck insignias, product packaging design and graphics, labels, and web graphics. In addition, as part of the primary launch, the Company will be launching its new web presence in the form of a sophisticated customer-facing website, which will include an e-commerce engine preview and a 3D walk-thru model of its physical store design. The site should be live in two weeks. "This market is exploding with potential right now," continued Mr. Lovatt. "Growth estimates for the CBD market continue to ratchet higher. That matches what we are seeing from a boots-on-the-ground perspective as well. We have a very disruptive vision and we want to mobilize it as fast as possible. But the details need to be addressed with proper care. To that end, the Oxygen team brings professionalism, talent, and a wealth of experience to the table." Mr. Lovatt visited Miami, FL last week to scout out the Company's first Florida location. He will be in Brooklyn, NY this week to survey the Company's first Northeast location. About GenTech Holdings, Inc. GenTech Holdings, Inc. is a publicly traded company under the symbol GTEH. The company is creating a national chain of Hemp Centric Coffee Shop Retail Spaces where patrons can relax, drink CBD infused Teas and Coffees, try various own-brand products and experience holistic education and classes. The company is also building an extensive outreach program working with medical practitioners across the country in their own locations to educate their patients and increase awareness of the benefits of THC free CBD Products. All of this is offered under the brand 'The Healthy Leaf'. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including information about management's view of GenTech, Inc.'s future expectations, plans and prospects. In particular, when used in the preceding discussion, the words "believes," "expects," "intends," "plans," "anticipates," or "may," and similar conditional expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Any statements made in this news release other than those of historical fact, about an action, event or development, are forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the results of GenTech, its subsidiaries and concepts to be materially different than those expressed or implied in such statements. Unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on GenTech's future results. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. GenTech cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Finally, GenTech undertakes no obligation to update these statements after the date of this release, except as required by law, and also takes no obligation to update or correct information prepared by third parties that are not paid for by GenTech. Corporate Contact: invest@gentech.group www.gentechholdings.com Press & Media Inquiries: EHC Branding Agency Info@EHCBrandingAgency.Com (626) MJ-BRAND SOURCE: GenTech Holdings, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/546029/GenTech-Readies-Launch-of-The-Healthy-Leaf-High-End-CBD-Brand STOCKHOLM, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- In just one month, appx. 20,000 people have said goodbye to their single-use cotton swabs and replaced it with the reusable LastSwab in a stunning Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign by a Danish design trio. Following a flying start, the Danes have accepted an invitation from Indiegogo.com to continue campaigning whilst setting their sights on global retail. Press release, Frandsen & Aagaard ApS: Every single day, 1,500,000,000 cotton swabs are produced. Frighteningly, these are just the tip of the iceberg of billions and billions of other single-use plastic products that humans consume on a daily basis. But recently, three Danish designers Nicolas Aagaard, Isabel Aagaard and Kare Frandsen gave their bid on a solution to combat the problem by launching the reusable cotton swab LastSwab on the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter.com - a campaign, which as of Thursday, May17 had raised a staggering USD700,000: "This started as quite the passion project and a way to test whether people are willing to replace simple single-use products with reusable ones and they sure are! It has been an overwhelming success and the feedback has been extremely positive. We now know that this concept works and that many people are looking for ways to reduce their plastic pollution, while still being able to use everyday products," says Isabel Aagaard about the success. The tip of the cotton spear Now that the three Danish designers have struck a nerve among responsible consumers, who want to change their habits in a more environmental friendly direction, LastSwab have accepted an invitation from Indiegogo.com to continue campaigning whilst setting their sights on global retail. Meanwhile, the Danish trio state that the reusable cotton swab is only the first of many products that will be transformed from single-use to reusable: "This is only the beginning of a larger dream and plan. LastSwab has just been the tip of the spear for opening people's ears towards changing how we view and consume reusable products. We plan on a wide array of products which will be sold around the world at major retailers - and while working towards this, we continue our campaign on the renowned crowdfunding platform Indiegogo so that everyone else will be able to replace polluting plastic products with reusable ones that keeps the ocean free from plastic", states Isabel Aagaard, who says that the price difference for two LastSwab's will only be few percent off from the original Kickstarter campaign price. Single-use plastic EU ban from 2021 But LastSwab and their backers aren't the only ones who want to put an end to single-use plastic products and start saving the over 1,000,000 million sea creatures who are estimated to be killed every year by plastic in the ocean. Just this spring, the EU parliament passed legislation to ban single-use plastic items like straws, cutlery and cotton swabs by 2021. Something that LastSwab sees as clear indicator of how the times are changing: "The fact that this kind of legislation has been passed so quickly by the EU shows how urgent the problem is. At LastSwab, we truly believe that single-use plastic is a thing of the past and something our grandchildren will laugh at in disbelief. And the overwhelming success of something as seemingly indifferent as a reusable cotton swab shows how willing people are to change this bad habit of resource waste", ends Isabel Aagaard, adding that the LastSwab campaign on Indiegogo will run until July 15, 2019. - Frandsen & Aagaard ApS, 20/5/19 This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com The following files are available for download: The proposed amendment was passed by the Senate on May 1 on a 40-19 straight party-line vote, exceeding the required three-fifths majority. Before going to voters for final approval on the November 2020 ballot, the amendment must pass by the same margin in the House, where Democrats hold 74 seats. With Republicans unified in opposition, theyll need all but three of their members to vote in favor of the amendment, which would do away with a constitutionally mandated flat tax. NEW YORK, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- A global leader in online multi-asset trading services and currency data and analytics, OANDA has partnered with the prestigious Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences to identify ways to reduce the cost of trading during periods of high market volatility. The partnership aims to provide more accurate foreign exchange volatility predictions, enabling OANDA to better hedge their positions and manage risk, resulting in tighter spreads for clients, especially during critical market events. Conducted at a recent Fields-China Industrial Problem-Solving Workshop in Shanghai, phase one of this partnership examined the relationship between volatility regimes, market events, and changes in volume. In particular, the study aimed to provide insights into the dynamics of FX volatility and the reaction to known market events, because knowledge of both the emergent patterns and future state of volatility can improve hedge effectiveness, adding value to client offerings. Neil McDonald, OANDA's Head of Trading, said, "While OANDA has long been committed to tight spreads and transparent pricing, the markets can experience extreme volatility at times, which obviously impacts the prices we quote. As a result, we're pleased to work with The Fields Institute to identify ways we can better predict market volatility, with a view to enabling us to offer the tightest spreads possible and reduce the cost of trading on our institutional-grade platform, even during major events." In the coming months, OANDA will further build on their relationship with the Fields Institute, partnering with Matheus Grasselli and Thomas Hurd of McMaster University, and Sebastian Jaimungal of the University of Toronto to establish a new Systemic Risk Analytics lab as part of the Institute's Centre for Quantitative Analysis and Modelling (Fields-CQAM). Director of CQAM, Huaxiong Huang, said, "Fields-CQAM collaborates with innovative companies to utilize mathematical research to benefit the private and public sectors. As such, we are pleased that OANDA will join the Fields family and play a significant role in promoting advanced research and training at CQAM." About OANDA Founded in 1996, OANDA was the first company to share exchange rate data free of charge on the Internet, launching an FX trading platform that helped pioneer the development of web-based currency trading five years later. Today, the firm provides online multi-asset trading, currency data and analytics to retail and corporate clients, demonstrating an unrivalled expertise in foreign exchange. With regulated entities in six of the world's most active financial markets, OANDA remains dedicated to transforming the business of foreign exchange. For more information, please visit oanda.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook or YouTube. About the Fields Institute The Fields Institute is a non-profit center for mathematical activity, based at the University of Toronto. As a hub that provides a supportive and stimulating environment for mathematics innovation and education, the Institute's mission is to bring together mathematicians from across the globe to develop the mathematics that will shape the future. To learn more about the Institute's programs, please visit www.fields.utoronto.ca About Fields-CQAM Fields-CQAM is a network of academic-industry laboratories, their international collaborators, student trainees, and the industrial partners able to efficiently commercialize applied mathematical research for the benefit of the broader economy. These province wide innovation clusters address the expanding need for data analytics in modern industry, and transfer talent, challenges, and solutions between Fields-CQAM and its broader receptor community. Their vision? To make Ontario the international leader in developing and deploying advanced mathematical methodologies for the emerging knowledge economy. COGNAC, France, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- On 17 May 2019 Maison Martell unveiled Martell the Journey, an interactive and immersive visitor experience at its historic Gatebourse site in Cognac. Once again, the oldest of the great cognac houses is demonstrating its ability to move with the times, interpreting its 300-year legacy of audacity, integrity and excellence with true vibrancy and modernity. The opening of Martell the Journey - which complements the Fondation d'Entreprise Martell and the Indigo by Martell rooftop bar, officially inaugurated in 2018 - will make Maison Martell a must-see destination for visitors to Cognac. To view the Multimedia News Release, please click: https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8548251-martell-the-journey/ With Martell the Journey; visitors can map out their personal voyage of discovery according to their own interests and inclinations. Three themes - Heritage, Savoir-Faire and Part des Anges - offer different and complementary perspectives on Maison Martell. The Heritage pathway, richly illustrated with archive materials, traces the history and international development of the House since it was founded by Jean Martell in 1715. Savoir-Faire offers an encounter with the artisans whose specialist skills contribute, not only to the creation of Martell cognacs, but to the House's worldwide reputation for excellence and expertise. Finally, Part des Anges is a multi-sensory pathway whose novel, interactive installations enable visitors to explore cognac in an entirely original way. Martell the Journey is a reinvented visitor experience with a contemporary scenography conceived by leading exhibition designer Nathalie Criniere. Visitors are by turns spectators and actors, as state-of-the-art digital installations are used to enhance the immersive and interactive dimensions of the itinerary. The human dimension is also a key element of the experience, with Martell experts on hand to accompany visitors in their discovery, answer their questions and share additional information and anecdotes. By the end of their Martell journey, visitors will have gained a fascinating insight into the 300-year-old House: the legacy of its founder Jean Martell; the specificities of terroir, distillation and ageing which produce the unique taste of Martell cognacs; the intriguing words, aromas and even sounds of the cognac-making process - not to mention the myriad ways in which cognac can be enjoyed. From the start, the audacity to set new standards The starting point of Martell the Journey is naturally the house of the founder Jean Martell, whose audacity set new standards in cognac. The house is situated in the courtyard of the Gatebourse site, for which he acquired the first plots of land as early as 1750. The subsequent development of the site is charted here, as are the nine generations of the Martell family who presided over the destiny of Maison Martell. A video animation spotlights such outstanding figures as Rachel Martell, the wife of the founder, who successfully expanded the business after his death, and Edouard Martell, her great-grandson, who created the iconic Martell Cordon Bleu. Here, too, visitors can discover treasures from Maison Martell's 5 kilometres of archives, many of which have never been displayed before. As their journey unfolds, they will see records of the House's first shipments to distant destinations, vintage photographs and advertisements, and mementos of the historic occasions on which Martell cognac has been served. Authentic testimonies from the artisans of Martell cognac From here, the itinerary continues into a succession of former cognac cellars, which retain evocative traces of their past life - sturdy beams, concrete floors, oak barrels and lingering aromas. There is no better place to discover Maison Martell's savoir-faire, and no better spokespeople than the House's long-standing partners: a winegrower, a distiller and a cooper talk with sincerity and authenticity about their work in life-size video installations, as if they were engaging visitors in face-to-face conversation. Ever since Jean Martell travelled on horseback across the Charente region to meet the finest artisans, Maison Martell has valued these enduring partnerships - a point made by Martell Cellar Master Christophe Valtaud, who explains his role as that of an orchestral conductor, blending individual expertise into the overall harmony of Martell cognacs. A 360 exploration of the Cognac region From ancestral skills to cutting-edge technology, as visitors are invited to step into a spectacular circular space for a 360 immersive experience. Projected in the centre of the space is the Martell swift emblem. By taking the bird in their hand, then simply moving it upwards or downwards, visitors can rise above the rooftops of Cognac to view Martell landmarks, or else explore the region's terroirs with their different landscapes and characteristics. From the rolling hills of Grande Champagne to the gentle slopes and groves of trees of Maison Martell's signature Borderies cru, this installation brings vividly to life the House's lasting attachment to the land. A multi-sensory revelation of cognac Another innovation of Martell the Journey is the way it conveys the sensorial appeal of cognac. One of the highlights of the experience is a large sculptural installation evoking the twisted form of a vine stock, which presents an array of interactive workshops. Here, visitors can, for example, discover the different colours of cognac, compose a melody with the sounds of the cognac-making process, or create their own Martell cocktail recipe. The natural continuation of this sensorial experience, and the culmination of Martell the Journey, is a tasting in the boutique, where visitors can sample one of three emblematic products: Martell VSOP Aged in Red Barrels, Martell Noblige or Martell Blue Swift. Ahead of the unveiling of the reinvented visitor experience, Cesar Giron, CEO of Maison Martell, underlines the importance of the initiative for the House and for the wider community in Cognac and beyond: "For more than 300 years, Maison Martell has had the audacity to do things differently and to set new standards. This initiative, which opens up the House as never before, proves our ability to constantly renew and refresh that vision. Equally important is the fact that Martell the Journey pays tribute to the work of our partners, many of whom have accompanied us for generations, and spotlights an ancestral savoir-faire that is vital to the region and recognised throughout the world." Martell the journey Located at 16, Avenue Paul Firino Martell in Cognac Open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. from May 2nd to October 31st Cost: 20 per person Online booking: www.martell.com Contact Martell: visites@martell.com or 05-45-36-34-98 Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/889720/Martell_The_Journey.jpg Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFoJfKL2cWc TSX-V: GRAT TORONTO, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Gratomic Inc. ("GRAT" or the "Company") (TSX-V: GRAT) (FRANKFURT:CB81, WKN:A143MR) is pleased to announce the offering of a non-brokered private placement of up to 30,000,000 working capital units (the "WC Units") for up to $1,500,000 (the "Offering"). Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/890194/Gratomic_Gratomic_Announces_Non_Brokered_Private_Placement.jpg Each WC Unit is priced at $0.05 and consists of one (1) common share and one (1) common share purchase warrant ("WC Warrant"). Each WC Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one (1) common share (a "WC Warrant Share") at a price of $0.10 per WC Warrant Share until the earlier of: (i) three (3) years following the Closing of the Offering; and (ii) in the event that the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange is at least $0.30 for twenty (20) consecutive trading days, and the 20th trading day (the "Final Trading Day") is at least four (4) months from the Closing of the Offering, the date which is thirty (30) days from the Final Trading Day. Eligible Finders may receive 7% of the value of proceeds of the sale of WC Units in cash and 7% of the number of WC Units sold in the form of broker warrants ("Broker Warrants"). Each Broker Warrant issued in respect of the sale of WC Units entitles the holder to acquire one (1) common share of the Company at $0.05 for a period of three (3) years from the Closing of the Offering. The Company expects to close the Offering on or before June 14, 2019, or such other date as is agreed between the Company and the subscribers. All securities issued under the Offering are subject to a statutory four month hold period. Insiders of the Company may subscribe for up to 25% of the Offering. The insider private placements are exempt from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 ("MI 61-101") by virtue of the exemptions contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1) (a) of MI 61-101 in that the fair market value of the consideration for the securities of the Company which may be issued to the insiders does not exceed 25% of its market capitalization. About Gratomic Inc. Gratomic is an advanced materials company focused on mine to market commercialization of graphite products most notably high value graphene based components for a range of mass market products. We are collaborating with a leading European manufacturer of graphenes to use Aukam graphite to manufacture graphene products for commercialization on an industrial scale. The company is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol GRAT. "Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release." FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedar.com). For more information: visit the website at www.gratomic.ca or contact: Arno Brand, Co-CEO, +1 416-561-4095 , E-mail inquiries: abrand@gratomic.ca Press Release 21 May 2019 Espoo, Finland - The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Nokia Corporation is being held today, Tuesday 21 May 2019 in Helsinki, Finland. In addition to addressing the company's 2018 financial performance and Group Annual Accounts, at the AGM, Rajeev Suri, President and CEO of Nokia Corporation, speaks on environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters and provides an update on one of the most radical technology transitions ever as 4G begins to give way to 5G. Nokia also emphasizes today (https://www.nokia.com/blog/investing-equality) efforts undertaken to eliminate, by July 2019, any statistically significant pay gap in the company that cannot be explained by factors such as performance, experience, job grade, or location. Nokia will become one of a small handful of companies that have taken such action. During the past year, Nokia has also continued to work hard to contribute to making a healthier, connected, sustainable planet. Nokia recently launched the industry's first-ever liquid-cooled base station, emitting 80 percent less CO2 emissions than previous generations of products, and sought innovative ways to use its connectivity technology where it is most needed. For example, in the Philippines, the Red Cross was provided with Nokia drones and portable networks to improve first response in areas struck by disaster. Comments on the 5G market Nokia's strategy is to lead in high-performance end-to-end networks for operators, expand to select vertical markets that need high-performing secure networks, build a strong standalone software business and create new licensing opportunities. The 5G-driven spending cycle that is now building momentum supports Nokia's end-to-end, full-portfolio strengths. Consequently, end-to-end sales as a percentage of sales pipeline are now at the highest point ever. Nokia President and Chief Executive Officer Rajeev Suri says: "5G is not the future anymore. It is here, and Nokia is leading it. We are winning deals and rolling out some of the world's first 5G networks. We now have 37 5G commercial contracts - 20 with named customers including T-Mobile, AT&T, STC, and Telia - and more than half of them include wider portfolio elements that our competitors cannot match. We have some amazing technology. In fact, in pretty much every network where Nokia products are deployed, we are the performance leader. This doesn't just happen on its own. It happens because we focus on excelling in the technology that matters the most. 5G is now accelerating and the power of Nokia's end-to-end portfolio is being recognized." About Nokia We create the technology to connect the world. We develop and deliver the industry's only end-to-end portfolio of network equipment, software, services and licensing that is available globally. Our customers include communications service providers whose combined networks support 6.1 billion subscriptions, as well as enterprises in the private and public sector that use our network portfolio to increase productivity and enrich lives. Through our research teams, including the world-renowned Nokia Bell Labs, we are leading the world to adopt end-to-end 5G networks that are faster, more secure and capable of revolutionizing lives, economies and societies. Nokia adheres to the highest ethical business standards as we create technology with social purpose, quality and integrity. www.nokia.com (http://www.nokia.com) Media Inquiries: Nokia Communications Phone: +358 10 448 4900 Email: press.services@nokia.com (mailto:press.services@nokia.com) FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS It should be noted that Nokia and its businesses are exposed to various risks and uncertainties and certain statements herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect Nokia's current expectations and views of future developments and include statements regarding: A) expectations, plans or benefits related to our strategies and growth management; B) expectations, plans or benefits related to future performance of our businesses and any expected future dividends; C) expectations and targets regarding financial performance, results, operating expenses, taxes, currency exchange rates, hedging, cost savings and competitiveness, as well as results of operations including targeted synergies and those related to market share, prices, net sales, income and margins; D) expectations, plans or benefits related to changes in organizational and operational structure; E) expectations regarding market developments, general economic conditions and structural changes; F) our ability to integrate acquired businesses into our operations and achieve the targeted business plans and benefits, including targeted benefits, synergies, cost savings and efficiencies; G) expectations, plans or benefits related to any future collaboration or to business collaboration agreements or patent license agreements or arbitration awards, including income to be received under any collaboration or partnership, agreement or award; H) timing of the deliveries of our products and services, including our short term and longer term expectations around the rollout of 5G and our ability to capitalize on such rollout; and the overall readiness of the 5G ecosystem; I) expectations and targets regarding collaboration and partnering arrangements, joint ventures or the creation of joint ventures, and the related administrative, legal, regulatory and other conditions, as well as our expected customer reach; J) outcome of pending and threatened litigation, arbitration, disputes, regulatory proceedings or investigations by authorities; K) expectations regarding restructurings, investments, capital structure optimization efforts, uses of proceeds from transactions, acquisitions and divestments and our ability to achieve the financial and operational targets set in connection with any such restructurings, investments, capital structure optimization efforts, divestments and acquisitions, including our current cost savings program; L) expectations, plans or benefits related to future capital expenditures, temporary incremental expenditures or other R&D expenditures to develop or rollout new products, including 5G; and M) statements preceded by or including "believe", "expect", "expectations", "commit", "anticipate", "foresee", "see", "target", "estimate", "designed", "aim", "plan", "intend", "influence", "assumption", "focus", "continue", "project", "should", "is to", "will" or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. These statements are based on management's best assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it. These forward-looking statements are only predictions based upon our current expectations and views of future events and developments and are subject to risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. Factors, including risks and uncertainties that could cause these differences include, but are not limited to: 1) our strategy is subject to various risks and uncertainties and we may be unable to successfully implement our strategic plans, sustain or improve the operational and financial performance of our business groups, correctly identify or successfully pursue business opportunities or otherwise grow our business; 2) general economic and market conditions and other developments in the economies where we operate, including the timeline for the deployment of 5G and our ability to successfully capitalize on that deployment; 3) competition and our ability to effectively and profitably invest in existing and new high-quality products, services, upgrades and technologies and bring them to market in a timely manner; 4) our dependence on the development of the industries in which we operate, including the cyclicality and variability of the information technology and telecommunications industries and our own R&D capabilities and investments; 5) our dependence on a limited number of customers and large multi-year agreements, as well as external events impacting our customers including mergers and acquisitions; 6) our ability to maintain our existing sources of intellectual property-related revenue through our intellectual property, including through licensing, establish new sources of revenue and protect our intellectual property from infringement; 7) our ability to manage and improve our financial and operating performance, cost savings, competitiveness and synergies generally, expectations and timing around our ability to recognize any net sales and our ability to implement changes to our organizational and operational structure efficiently; 8) our global business and exposure to regulatory, political or other developments in various countries or regions, including emerging markets and the associated risks in relation to tax matters and exchange controls, among others; 9) our ability to achieve the anticipated benefits, synergies, cost savings and efficiencies of acquisitions, including the acquisition of Alcatel-Lucent; 10) exchange rate fluctuations, as well as hedging activities; 11) our ability to successfully realize the expectations, plans or benefits related to any future collaboration or business collaboration agreements and patent license agreements or arbitration awards, including income to be received under any collaboration, partnership, agreement or arbitration award; 12) Nokia Technologies' ability to protect its IPR and to maintain and establish new sources of patent, brand and technology licensing income and IPR-related revenues, particularly in the smartphone market, which may not materialize as planned, 13) our dependence on IPR technologies, including those that we have developed and those that are licensed to us, and the risk of associated IPR-related legal claims, licensing costs and restrictions on use; 14) our exposure to direct and indirect regulation, including economic or trade policies, and the reliability of our governance, internal controls and compliance processes to prevent regulatory penalties in our business or in our joint ventures; 15) our reliance on third-party solutions for data storage and service distribution, which expose us to risks relating to security, regulation and cybersecurity breaches; 16) inefficiencies, breaches, malfunctions or disruptions of information technology systems, or our customers' security concerns; 17) our exposure to various legal frameworks regulating corruption, fraud, trade policies, and other risk areas, and the possibility of proceedings or investigations that result in fines, penalties or sanctions; 18) adverse developments with respect to customer financing or extended payment terms we provide to customers; 19) the potential complex tax issues, tax disputes and tax obligations we may face in various jurisdictions, including the risk of obligations to pay additional taxes; 20) our actual or anticipated performance, among other factors, which could reduce our ability to utilize deferred tax assets; 21) our ability to retain, motivate, develop and recruit appropriately skilled employees; 22) disruptions to our manufacturing, service creation, delivery, logistics and supply chain processes, and the risks related to our geographically-concentrated production sites; 23) the impact of litigation, arbitration, agreement-related disputes or product liability allegations associated with our business; 24) our ability to re-establish investment grade rating or maintain our credit ratings; 25) our ability to achieve targeted benefits from, or successfully implement planned transactions, as well as the liabilities related thereto; 26) our involvement in joint ventures and jointly-managed companies; 27) the carrying amount of our goodwill may not be recoverable; 28) uncertainty related to the amount of dividends and equity return we are able to distribute to shareholders for each financial period; 29) pension costs, employee fund-related costs, and healthcare costs; 30) our ability to successfully complete and capitalize on our order backlogs and continue converting our sales pipeline into net sales; and 31) risks related to undersea infrastructure, as well as the risk factors specified on pages 60 to 75 of our 2018 annual report on Form 20-F published on March 21, 2019 under "Operating and financial review and prospects-Risk factors" and in our other filings or documents furnished with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Other unknown or unpredictable factors or underlying assumptions subsequently proven to be incorrect could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent legally required. This announcement is distributed by West Corporation on behalf of West Corporation clients. The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: NOKIA via Globenewswire New Agreement Supports Imcon's Rapidly Expanding Global Growth ATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / May 21, 2019 / Imcon International Inc., the developer of the Internet Backpack, an immediate connectivity solution that allows users to be able to communicate from almost any location on the planet, has partnered with Alliance Financing Group Ltd., and its wholly owned technology subsidiary, Teck Capital. The new agreement enables Imcon to access short and longer term debt and equity financing that will support its fast-growing expansion into global markets from Africa to Latin America to South Asia and Oceania. Alliance is also developing an innovative leasing program that allows Imcon's customers the option for an attractively priced alternative to direct purchase of products and related services. "The worldwide response to our Internet Backpack connectivity solution has been tremendous," said Rob Loud, CEO, Imcon International, Inc. "At this critical juncture in our growth, it is imperative that we take the necessary steps to ensure we can scale up, meet demand and provide a high level of service to our growing customer base now and going forward. Alliance and Teck Capital are perfectly aligned to deliver the necessary resources for us to access capital, offer our customers multiple options and increase sales." "We recognized immediately the revolutionary impact of Imcon's immediate connectivity solutions, including the Internet Backpack, a proprietary technology with the potential to change the lives of the half of the world's population not currently connected to the internet," said Bernie Shimkovitz, CEO, Alliance Financing Group. "We are thrilled to be in a position to help Imcon grow and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial partnership." Imcon recently announced a partnership with Universal Tree for distribution and manufacturing rights for the Internet Backpack in India and all of Oceania, including Australia and New Zealand. Other recent deals include a collaboration with School of Information Studies (iSchool) at Syracuse University that is launching with a project with the Republic of Liberia to digitally transform Liberia. Imcon also recently launched Imcon Latin America with a regional hub in Costa Rica. Deployment of backpacks has already begun in the region. About Alliance Financing Group Ltd. & Teck Capital Alliance Financing Group, founded in 1989, is a comprehensive commercial finance company to small and mid-size businesses. Teck Capital is a preferred financing partner providing working capital technology companies operating in SAAS, HAAS, IoT, and digital media. About Imcon Imcon International, Inc., is an immediate connectivity solutions provider with the ability to provide mobile Internet connections on over 90% of the globe. The Internet Backpack is a remote connectivity solution which allows users to be able to communicate and have computing resources from almost every location on the planet. The Internet Backpack also allows users to create internal wireless networks with large coverage areas. Imcon is developing edgeware solutions providing users the ability to harness the power of the Internet in the most remote places and extreme of conditions. Please visit http://imconintl.com for more information. Contacts: For Imcon International: Rob Loud Imcon International, Inc. rob@imconintl.com 470-210-0760 Alan Winnikoff Sayles & Winnikoff Communications alan@sayleswinnikoff.com 212-725-5200 x111 SOURCE: Imcon International View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/546023/Imcon-International-Announces-Partnership-with-Alliance-Financing-Group TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 21, 2019 / Rockcliff Metals Corporation ('Rockcliff' or the 'Company') (CSE: RCLF) (FRANKFURT: RO0, WKN: A2H60G) is pleased to announce assay results from its recently completed Phase Two winter drill program on the Company's Bur Zinc Property located in central Manitoba. The Bur Zinc Property hosts the high-grade historical Bur Zinc Deposit and is strategically located 22 kilometres by road from Hudbay Minerals Inc.'s ('Hudbay', HBM:TSX;NYSE) copper-zinc concentrator centered in the Snow Lake camp. Rockcliff is a major junior landholder in the Flin Flon-Snow Lake greenstone belt which is the largest Paleoproterozoic Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (VMS) district in the world hosting mines and deposits containing copper, zinc, gold and silver. Rockcliff's Phase Two drill results intersected high-grade mineralization including: RBUR 015: yielded 8.5% ZnEq across 4.62 metres including 12.20% ZnEq across 2.84 metres RBUR 016: yielded 17.95% ZnEq across 5.70 metres including 24.51% ZnEq across 3.83 metres RBUR 021: yielded 20.09% ZnEq across 2.66 metres including 37.13% ZnEq across 1.28 metres RBUR 022: yielded 15.03% ZnEq across 4.42 metres including 33.98% ZnEq across 1.65 metres RBUR 027: yielded 14.98% ZnEq across 1.71 metres including 20.74% ZnEq across 1.19 metres Rockcliff's President and CEO Ken Lapierre commented: 'Our drilling confirmed significant extensions south of and above the high-grade historical Bur Zinc Deposit. The deposit is one of the highest-grade undeveloped zinc-copper rich VMS deposits in the belt and is open along strike and at depth. The Bur property is located within the known 8,000 metre long Bur VMS Horizon. Continuing to expand the existing limits of the deposit as well as defining new areas of mineralization within this favorable horizon will be the focus of our future exploration programs at Bur.' Significant assays from Rockcliff's Phase Two drill program are tabled below. Hole # From (m) To (m) Length (m) Zinc % Copper % Lead % Gold g/t Silver g/t ZnEq* RBU012 108.07 109.20 1.13 6.33 2.85 0.05 0.03 14.34 13.92 includes 108.32 109.03 0.71 9.61 4.33 0.03 0.00 20.50 20.97 RBU014 129.00 130.35 1.35 6.13 1.76 0.04 0.00 14.09 10.91 RBU015 182.60 187.22 4.62 1.06 0.89 3.60 0.11 83.60 8.50 includes 182.95 185.79 2.84 1.49 1.01 5.73 0.16 129.27 12.20 RBU016 65.67 71.37 5.70 12.23 2.02 0.09 0.06 20.23 17.95 includes 66.61 70.44 3.83 17.11 2.74 0.08 0.05 16.17 24.51 RBU018 78.03 80.20 2.17 1.50 1.27 0.39 0.07 26.13 5.76 RBU019 55.05 55.84 0.79 8.96 1.18 0.00 0.05 10.80 12.27 RBU020 73.12 74.86 1.74 8.81 1.40 0.00 0.02 8.82 12.56 includes 73.63 74.56 0.93 12.41 1.78 0.00 0.03 10.45 17.16 RBU021 74.95 77.61 2.66 15.71 1.58 0.09 0.03 12.23 20.09 includes 75.96 77.24 1.28 31.61 2.00 0.07 0.05 15.54 37.13 RBU022 82.73 87.15 4.42 10.49 1.63 0.13 0.05 10.64 15.03 includes 83.44 85.09 1.65 27.17 2.49 0.03 0.11 15.18 33.98 RBU023 136.00 136.73 0.73 2.75 1.19 0.01 0.04 12.38 6.11 RBU024 164.45 167.76 3.31 1.97 0.58 0.17 0.04 11.12 3.90 RBU025 66.74 68.52 1.78 5.17 1.34 0.05 0.04 14.07 8.98 RBU026 65.04 66.57 1.53 2.10 1.78 0.05 0.05 13.32 9.11 RBU027 103.67 105.38 1.71 6.78 3.04 0.09 0.03 19.48 14.98 includes 104.19 105.38 1.19 9.73 4.11 0.11 0.04 24.27 20.74 RBU028 79.41 81.54 2.13 1.08 0.62 0.13 0.03 7.37 2.96 RBU029 71.00 73.04 2.04 0.85 0.94 0.04 0.19 23.13 4.12 (m) = metres represents down the hole thickness as true thicknesses are not currently known, % = percentage, g/t = grams per tonne, *ZnEq = zinc equivalent value used US$1.20/pound zinc, US$3.00/pound copper, US$1.00/pound lead, US1400/ troy ounce gold and US$20 /per ounce silver, 100% metal recoveries were applied, Zinc Equivalent calculation is: ZnEq = Zn grade + (Cu grade%/100*2204.6 x Cu price) + (Pb grade%/100*2204.6 x Pb price) + (Au grade/32.15/1000 x Au price) + (Ag grade/32.15/1000 x Ag price)/Zn price/20. The numbers may not add up due to rounding. Holes numbered RBUR011, 013, 017 did not return significant values. Additional drill hole information from Rockcliff's Phase Two drill program is highlighted below: HOLE # UTM-E UTM-N AZIMUTH DIP LENGTH RBUR011 454460 6088491 130 -70 194.0 RBUR012 456865 6090057 123 -60 149.0 RBUR012A 456870 6090065 130 -60 29.0 RBUR013 456893 6090047 130 -45 113.0 RBUR014 457224 6090488 130 -60 167.0 RBUR015 457224 6090488 130 -80 275.0 RBUR016 457482 6090675 130 -58 131.0 RBUR017 457889 6091060 130 -62 110.0 RBUR018 457938 6091132 130 -65 102.5 RBUR018A 457948 6091127 130 -65 52.0 RBUR019 458030 6091210 130 -69 93.0 RBUR020 457814 6090993 130 -71 95.0 RBUR021 457728 6090912 130 -68 101.0 RBUR022 457530 6090729 130 -61 128.0 RBUR023 457116 6090351 130 -65 170.0 RBUR024 457116 6090351 130 -75 203.0 RBUR025 457158 6090320 130 -68 105.0 RBUR026 458082 6091281 130 -65 138.0 RBUR027 457070 6090292 130 -50 143.0 RBUR028 456959 6090109 130 -62 104.0 RBUR029 456753 6089918 100 -52 114.0 A report was prepared on the Bur Zinc Property in 2007. Rockcliff is treating the estimate of mineral resources on the Bur Deposit Report as an 'historical estimate' under NI 43-101 and not as a current mineral resource. Historical Resource, Bur Zinc Deposit, Snow Lake, Manitoba: Resource Tonnes Zn (%) Cu (%) Ag (g/t) Au (g/t) Indicated 1,050,000 8.6 1.9 12.1 0.05 Inferred 302,000 9.0 1.4 9.6 0.08 ____________________________________________________________________________Notes: 1. CIM definitions were followed for the estimation of mineral resources. 2. Mineral resources are estimated at a zinc equivalent cut-off of 5%. 3. Cut-off grade was based on a zinc price of US$1.15 per pound and a copper price of US$2.35 per pound. 4. Given the tonnage, grade and orientation of the deposit, AMEC considered the Bur Deposit to be reasonably amenable to extraction using underground mining methods. 5. Specific Gravity measurements used to estimate the mineral resource tonnes ranged from 2.64 to 3.74 with an average of 3.16. 6. A minimum mining width of 3 metres was used. 7. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. 8. The deposit was documented in a report dated October 1, 2007 and titled 'Bur Project, Snow Lake Manitoba, Canada NI 43-101 Technical Report' (the 'Bur Deposit Report'). The report was prepared for Hudbay by AMEC and was filed on Hudbay's SEDAR profile on January 31, 2008. Historical estimates of grade and tonnage given in this press release are viewed as reliable and relevant based on the information and methods used at the time. The 2007 NI 43-101 Bur Deposit Report was prepared in compliance with resource definitions under NI 43-101 but must be considered only as historic resources as neither Rockcliff nor its Qualified Persons have done sufficient work to classify the historic estimate as a current mineral resource under current mineral resource or mineral reserve terminology and are not treating the historic estimate as a current mineral resource. The historic resource should not be relied upon. Additional work including surface geophysics, drilling and bore hole geophysics will need to be completed to upgrade the historical resource to current. The Bur Zinc Deposit is a stratiform, distal, massive sulphide VMS deposit that occurs within a narrow turbidite assemblage of interbedded metagreywacke, metasiltstone and graphitic meta-argillite in a basinal area situated between two granitic intrusions. The northeast striking deposit dips 60-70 degrees northwest, ranges from <0.3 metres up to 5 metres thick with a known lateral extent of approximately 4,500 metres. Historical drilling encountered disseminated, semi-massive and massive sulphide mineralization below overburden to a vertical depth of 950 metres. Mineralization consists of sphalerite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, pyrite, galena and arsenopyrite. The Bur Zinc Deposit contains up to 20% felsic or cherty nodules consisting of wall rock and late quartz fragments displaying a brecciated texture to the mineralization. The Bur Zinc Deposit remains open in all directions. Rockcliff can earn a 100% interest in the Bur Zinc Property from Hudbay. Please refer to the Company's news release dated September 26, 2016 for specific terms of the option agreement. Quality Control and Quality Assurance Samples of half core were packaged and shipped directly from Rockcliff's field office to TSL Laboratories (TSL) in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. TSL is a Canadian assay laboratory and is accredited under ISO/IEC 17025. Each bagged core sample was dried, crushed to 70% passing 10 mesh and a 250g pulp is pulverized to 95% passing 150 mesh for assaying. A 0.5g cut is taken from each pulp for base metal analyses and leached in a multi acid (total) digestion and then analyzed for copper, lead, zinc and silver by atomic absorption. Gold concentrations are determined by fire assay using a 30g charge followed by an atomic absorption finish. Samples greater than the upper detection limit (3000 ppb) are reanalyzed using fire assay gravimetric using a 1 AT charge. Rockcliff inserted certified blanks and standards in the sample stream to ensure lab integrity. Rockcliff has no relationship with TSL other than TSL being a service provider to the Company. Ken Lapierre P.Geo., President and CEO of Rockcliff, a Qualified Person in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements as set out in NI 43-101, has read and approved the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for the disclosure contained in this press release. About Rockcliff Metals Corporation Rockcliff is a well-funded Canadian resource development and exploration company with approximately $29.0M in its treasury, a fully functional +1000 tpd permitted leased processing and tailings facility as well as several advanced stage high-grade copper, zinc and gold dominant VMS deposits in the Snow Lake area of Manitoba, Canada. The Company is continuing the permitting process for its 100% owned Tower copper project which it expects to be completed by Q4 of this year. Rockcliff is a major junior landholder on the Snow Lake side of the Flin Flon-Snow Lake greenstone belt which is home to the largest Paleoproterozoic VMS district in the world. The Company's extensive portfolio of VMS and gold properties totals over 4,200 square kilometres and includes eight of the highest-grade undeveloped VMS deposits and 5 lode-gold properties held by Goldpath Resources Corp, Rockcliff's wholly owned gold subsidiary, including the historic Rex-Laguna gold mine, Manitoba's first and highest-grade gold mine. For more information, please visit http://rockcliffmetals.com. Twitter: @RockcliffMetals Facebook: Rockcliff Metals Corporation For further information, please contact: Rockcliff Metals Corporation Ken Lapierre, P. Geo President & CEO Cell: (647) 678-3879 Off: (416) 644-1752 ken@rockcliffmetals.com CHF Capital Markets Cathy Hume, CEO Off: (416) 868-1079 ext. 231 cathy@chfir.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This news release includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from the historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements contained in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward-looking. Although Rockcliff 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. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. SOURCE: Rockcliff Metals Corporation View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/545966/Rockcliff-Drills-Near-Surface-High-Grade-Massive-Sulphides-at-Bur-1795-ZnEq-Across-57-Metres-and-1503-ZnEq-Across-442-Metres JACKSONVILLE, FL / ACCESSWIRE / May 21, 2019 / Duos Technologies Group, Inc. ("Duos" or the "Company") (OTCQB: DUOT), a provider of intelligent security analytical technology solutions, recently hosted a number of rail industry experts and leaders as part of its two-day 2019 Rail Solutions Summit, which was held on May 15-16, 2019 at The Lodge and Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. Michael O'Malley, President RSI discussing RSI's many initiatives With several technology and rail industry experts presenting, including Keynote Speaker, Michael O'Malley, President of Railway Supply Institute (RSI), attendees were given unique insights into the impact artificial intelligence (A.I.) and machine learning will have on the rail industry. David Ponevac presenting AI Among the many presenters was David Ponevac, CTO of Duos' main operating subsidiary Duos Technologies, Inc., who provided a deep exploration of the latest techniques in A.I., machine learning, and neural networking as well as their respective applications within the rail industry. Scott Carns, Duos SVP of Solutions and Innovations unveiled the upcoming Duos product roadmap, which included several new intelligent, automated inspection solutions under development for both the freight and passenger rail markets. These technologies have the potential to leverage A.I.-based algorithms to automate the entire federal inspection processes. Duos upcoming Product Roadmap Duos Chairman and CEO Gianni Arcaini chaired the event and led several interactive question and answer sessions with attendees: "We were very happy with the turnout and quality of discussions at our first Rail Solutions Summit. The rail industry is embracing new technologies which are expected to significantly improve operational efficiencies and rail safety. This was an opportunity for representatives of the freight and transit rail industry to learn about disruptive technology developments, understand how artificial intelligence and machine learning will impact future rail operations, particularly the mechanical inspection process at all levels, and discuss a wide range of positive changes expected to come to market very soon. We look forward to hosting an even larger group next year." CSC/Wesco, Dell's machine vision/AI team, and First Vision, a machine vision imaging systems distributor, also displayed their latest technologies at the event. To receive additional information, please contact Duos at tlh@duostech.com or 904-652-1601. 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. CONTACT: Contacts: Duos Technologies Corporate Tracie Hutchins Duos Technologies Group, Inc. 904-652-1601 Investor Relations Matt Glover or Tom Colton Gateway Investor Relations 949-574-3860 DUOT@gatewayir.com SOURCE: Duos Technologies Group, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/546004/Duos-Technologies-Recaps-2019-Rail-Solutions-Summit Rockefeller Capital Management today announced that its asset management business, Rockefeller Asset Management, is now offering its long-standing equity investment capabilities that fully integrate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) research to European investors with the launch of a UCITS regulated fund structure. The first UCITS funds, seeded by prominent, long-term European institutional investors, are the Rockefeller Global ESG Equity Fund and the Rockefeller U.S. ESG Equity Fund (the "Funds"). The Funds are available to institutional and retail investors, featuring a founders' share class for larger early-stage investors, and are available for passporting into many European countries. With investment roots in the U.S. dating back over 135 years and more than 30 years of experience in global equity investing, Rockefeller is a pioneer in combining a global investment view with a framework of rigorous fundamental research that incorporates ESG analysis. Rockefeller's history with sustainability and impact investing dates back to the 1970s when several of the Firm's patrons contended that investment decisions have environmental, social and financial dimensions. Today, a core differentiator of Rockefeller's investment approach is its well-established practice of shareholder engagement that seeks to drive long-term value creation across portfolios, while improving ESG standards globally. Over the years, Rockefeller Asset Management's investment team has partnered with some of Europe's largest asset owners to co-engage and create positive change in its investment holdings. "We have long held the view that ESG integration and deep engagement can enhance alpha generation and identify risks and opportunities that traditional fundamental analysis alone may not uncover," said David Harris, Chief Investment Officer of Rockefeller Asset Management and co-portfolio manager of the Funds. "In response to market demand and a secular shift toward sustainable research as a critical part of investing, Rockefeller will enable European investors to access its strategies through commingled funds offering liquidity and regulatory oversight of the UCITS framework for the first time." Rockefeller's Global and U.S. ESG Equity strategies are actively managed by co-portfolio managers, David Harris and Jimmy Chang, supported by a team of equity and ESG analysts based in the U.S. who have worked together over many years. The Rockefeller Global ESG Equity and Rockefeller U.S. ESG Equity strategies seek to outperform their benchmarks the MSCI ACWI-Net and Russell 3000, respectively over a full market cycle defined as 3-5 years. Rockefeller Capital Management UCITS ICAV is an Irish collective asset-management vehicle constituted as an umbrella fund with segregated liability among sub-funds and managed by Carne Global Fund Managers (Ireland) Limited. Northern Trust's Global Fund Services business is supporting the newly-launched UCITS funds, acting as administrator, depository, custodian and transfer agent. Rockefeller Co. LLC is the distributor, Hyde Park Investment (London) and Archipelago Partners (Stockholm) are the funds' sub-distributors, and Matheson acts as legal advisor as to the Irish law. About Rockefeller Capital Management Rockefeller Capital Management is a leading independent, privately-owned financial services firm offering global family office, asset management and strategic advisory services to ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, institutions and corporations. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005506/en/ Contacts: Media: Stephen Cohen, Teneo stephen.cohen@teneo.com + 1 (212) 886-9332 Fund Information: Chip Montgomery, Rockefeller Capital Management cmontgomery@rockco.com + 1 (212) 549-5315 In a Recent Interview, Founder Colan Scheidenhelm Discussed His Personal Successes Using CBD Oil as Well as What Helps Front Range Organics to Stand Out from the Competition FOR COLLINS, CA / ACCESSWIRE / May 21, 2019 / Colan Scheidenhelm, one of the founders of Front Range Organics, is pleased to announce that he recently took part in an interview about his company. During the interview, he discussed a number of topics, including how Front Range Organics got started, as well as his own personal successes using CBD oil. To learn more about Front Range Organics and check out their line of high quality CBD oil products, please visit https://www.frontrangerelief.com/cbd-softgels/. As Scheidenhelm told the interviewer, now that the country is a few years removed from the frenzy of states legalizing medical and/or recreational marijuana, CBD products are also becoming commonplace in American society. As he noted, consumers can find cannabinoid oil (CBD oil) anywhere from cannabis dispensaries to friends selling it on social media. The draw of this oil is that it could potentially be a more natural treatment than traditional pharmaceutical drugs for a variety of ailments. As he noted, it seems that alternative medicine in general is gaining traction through the wave of the opioid epidemic and new fears surrounding "big pharma". When asked if these alternatives, including CBD oil, are really helping people find a more natural relief from their symptoms, the founder of Front Range Organics answered with a resounding "Yes." As he told the interviewer, Scheidenhelm began using CBD oil in 2017 to treat pain and headaches that he would have previously remedied with over-the-counter painkillers. When he noticed how well CBD oil worked for him, he wanted to share this new knowledge with everyone. Scheidenhelm and a group of other Fort Collins, Colorado individuals had so much faith in the new alternative that they decided to team up and build a business around CBD. With the group all having previous business ownership experience, starting a business wasn't new to them. However, the industry was. Scheidenhelm explained that the mountain of regulations surrounding CBD surprised them a bit and each step of the process took longer than normal. However, he said, it was all worth it now that they get to see firsthand how their products benefited people. For Scheidenhelm, "That's what it's all about." Scheidenhelm believes that really anyone can benefit from their products, but advises that thorough research on CBD and its various forms should be conducted by each individual before trying it. Individuals with prescriptions should also consult their doctors on potential interactions CBD may have with their medications. As he told the interviewer, many clients of Front Range Organics use the softgels and extracts to help with sleep, anxiety, muscle soreness, and more. The company offers both capsules and extracts of CBD in varying strengths to fit different needs. Consumers can currently find CBD products on the market in the form of tinctures, capsules, vape liquid, topical creams, gummies, and other edibles. Front Range Organics focuses on providing high-quality products to the customers and hopes to expand their line of CBD treatments in the future. One feature that helps Front Range Organics stand out amongst competitors is that their products are sourced from an organic local Colorado farm. Scheidenhelm says, "Everything we do is done with organic in mind. That means that our growing, manufacturing, production, bottling, etc. is done with the organic concept in front of our mind." Front Range Organics holds themselves to OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) standards and is continually reviewing their own extraction process. According to their website, they also subject their products to five separate tests to ensure safety and quality for consumers. Scheidenhelm admits that there are some CBD oil companies providing poor products, which misinforms the masses on CBD. The general population still has work to do in regards to separating CBD from the stigma of cannabis, and as he noted, horror stories surrounding poor quality CBD aren't helping. Although CBD is derived from a typical cannabis plant, the oil itself contains less than 0.3 percent THC, which is the psychedelic compound most people associate with cannabis. In short, Scheidenhelm explains, CBD cannot get a person high. He says with Front Range Organics offering transparent information on the production and sale of their products, hopefully consumers can move past their initial fears or rejection of CBD in order to find a more natural solution to their pain. When asked about the exciting trends in the industry that consumers can look forward to, Scheidenhelm said that big box stores are becoming more open to shelving CBD oil and shoppers may find it at a few prominent locations very soon. He also was excited about the flood of recent research behind CBD being positive and affirming what he has known for the past year and a half-that CBD can be a legitimate alternative to treating a variety of symptoms. When it comes to the future of Front Range Organics, Scheidenhelm assures consumers, "That we will continue to give you great CBD Oil products and push the envelope to make sure you are getting the best products around." About Front Range Organics: Front Range Organics was founded in 2019 by a group of Fort Collins, CO individuals who have a passion for wellness and healing. They started using CBD for a variety of ailments and issues, and they love the therapeutic benefits they believe it offers. For more information, please visit https://www.frontrangerelief.com/. Contact: Sammy Baker admin@rocketfactor.com (949) 555-2861 SOURCE: Front Range Organics View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/546031/Not-Just-Another-CBD-Company-An-Interview-With-One-of-the-Founders-of-Front-Range-Organics Now at 1.75 MW of equipment with 90% dedicated to Bitcoin Boden, Sweden--(Newsfile Corp. - May 21, 2019) - Hydro66 Holdings Corp. (CSE: SIX) (OTCQB:HYHDF) ("Hydro66" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has purchased an additional 0.5 MW of ASIC crypto equipment to operate in its award-winning data center. Prior to this purchase, the company had been operating 1.25 MW of ASIC and GPU equipment. Hydro66 selectively purchases GPU and ASIC equipment as algorithm difficulty and pricing of computing equipment, combined with in-house analysis, suggests a substantial opportunity to generate cash flow. The Company recently identified such a window and was able to make this additional purchase of equipment just prior to the significant upward move in Bitcoin price. Hydro66 anticipates that the investment will have a rapid payback and will generate substantial positive cashflow over the investment horizon. Hydro66 also provides colocation facilities for wholesale crypto customers and has seen an uptick in new inquiries, along with the resumption of mining from existing customers. The Company has built a 19.2 MW data center facility with the ability to expand to 40 MW and an option for an additional 40 MW on an adjacent site. The power cost is among the most competitive in the EU and the facility has been designed and built with efficiency in mind, boasting an industry leading Power Usage Efficiency (PUE) of 1.07. The Company is employing a three-pronged strategy consisting of Enterprise colocation for High Performance Computing and both direct and wholesale cryptocurrency operations. Alex Johnstone, incoming CFO, commented, "Hydro66 are delighted to be able to make the investment to expand our ASIC capacity and to take this step reaffirming our commitment to the sector." FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Paul Morrison Chief Commercial Officer of Hydro66 UK Limited paul.morrison@hydro66.com or Jason Atkinson Director of Corporate Development Jason.atkinson@hydro66.com About Hydro66 Hydro66 owns and operates an award-winning colocation data center in Sweden specializing in High Performance Computing ("HPC") hosting. The Company hosts third party IT infrastructure, utilizing 100% green power, at amongst the EU's lowest power prices and within an ISO27001 accredited facility. Hydro66 is uniquely positioned to capitalize on opportunities in blockchain infrastructure as well as the traditional Enterprise colocation data center market. The Company provides truly green power at a leading price, purpose-built space and cooling, telecoms, IT support services and 24/7 physical security in their facility in Boden, Sweden. www.hydro66.com Forward-Looking Information Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial position, business strategy, use of proceeds, corporate vision, proposed acquisitions, partnerships, joint-ventures and strategic alliances and co-operations, budgets, cost and plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. A number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results or performance to materially differ from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions and dependence upon regulatory approvals. Certain material assumptions regarding such forward-looking statements may be discussed in this news release and the Company's annual and quarterly management's discussion and analysis filed at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities laws. 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 news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44887 In the essay, Emanuel, whose critics around Chicago often called him Mayor 1 Percent, said the national college admissions scandal has added fuel to an ongoing middle-class revolt against the elites that has larger political implications for the 2020 election. This middle-class revolt is the most important barrier standing between Democrats and the White House, he wrote. Presentation will be Thursday May 30, 2019 at the Convene Meeting Center in New York, NY Los Angeles, California--(Newsfile Corp. - May 21, 2019) - Versus Systems Inc. (CSE: VS) (OTCQB: VRSSF) (FSE: BMVA) ("Versus Systems" or the "Company") announces that Matthew Pierce, CEO, will be presenting at the Ladenburgh Thalmann Technology Expo on May 30th at the Convene Meeting Center in New York, New York. "In 2019 Versus Systems has expanded our game and prizing partners leveraging our WINFINITE platform and has been awarded our first patent. We are excited to share our progress and financial results with attendees of the Ladenburg Thalmann Technology Expo," said Matthew Pierce, Founder and CEO of Versus Systems. "The WINFINTE platform is providing real-world prizes to gamers, connecting brands with players while driving engagement for our partners, and we couldn't do it without our investors." Matthew Pierce and Craig Finster, Versus Systems' CEO and CFO, will be available to provide an update on the Company and its current business opportunities. The Company will also conduct one-on-one meetings with investors throughout the day. To register for the conference and for one-on-one meetings, please contact your Ladenburg Thalmann representative or visit https://conference.ladenburg.com/. Ladenburg Thalmann 2019 Technology Expo Thursday, May 30, 2019 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET Convene Meeting Center 101 Park Avenue New York, NY 10178 Watch the livestream at 9:30 a.m. ET here: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2068/30586 About Ladenburg Thalmann Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. is a publicly-traded diversified financial services company based in Miami, Florida. Ladenburg's subsidiaries include industry-leading independent advisory and brokerage (IAB) firms Securities America, Triad Advisors, Securities Service Network, Investacorp and KMS Financial Services, as well as Premier Trust, Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management, Highland Capital Brokerage, a leading independent life insurance brokerage company and full-service annuity processing and marketing company, and Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., an investment bank which has been a member of the New York Stock Exchange for over 135 years. The company is committed to investing in the growth of its subsidiaries while respecting and maintaining their individual business identities, cultures, and leadership. For more information, please visit www.ladenburg.com. About Versus Systems Versus Systems, Inc. has developed WINFINITE - a proprietary in-game prizing and promotions engine that allows game publishers and developers to offer in-game prizing across various platforms including mobile, console, PC games, and streaming media. Brands pay to place products in-game via WINFINITE, and gamers compete for those prizes. For more information, please visit www.versussystems.com. For more information on Versus Systems' new platform, WINFINITE, visit www.versussystems.com or visit Versus Systems official YouTube channel. For Versus Systems, contact: Matthew Pierce press@versussystems.com (424) 242-4150 The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44904 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 21, 2019) - GoldSpot Discoveries Corp. (TSXV: SPOT) (the "Company" or "GoldSpot") is proud to announce that it will be showcasing at Collision Conference - North America's fastest growing tech conference. Now in its fifth year, Collision (https://collisionconf.com/) brings together the people and the companies redefining the global tech industry. 25,000 attendees from 120 countries will congregate in Toronto for three days to connect and hear from some of the biggest players in the industry. Including: EV Williams (Founder and CEO, Medium), Tobias Lutke (CEO, Shopify), Ryan Holmes (Founder, Hootsuite), Michael Katchen (Founder, WealthSimple) and many more. Collision boasts more than 3,750 CEOs, 68% senior management, and more than 750 journalists in attendance for three days. As one of the only technology companies attending with a mining sector focus, GoldSpot believes this will be a great opportunity to educate technology investors on the mining industry and to germinate enthusiasm for a brand-new approach in discovery. GoldSpot's participation in Collision is part of its strategy to captivate a new audience and potential investors. To date, the Company has primarily focused its efforts in traditional channels of the mining community. GoldSpot will be exhibiting at booth E233 in Exhibit Hall B, with a visual display of the big data opportunity in mining. The mining industry is ripe with data, yet there are few companies harnessing the power of AI to tackle the challenges in the industry today. The GoldSpot exhibit aims to introduce the technology audience to the various types and challenges in the data unique to the industry, as well as tease the imagination on the opportunities available in the industry. In line with the debut at Collision, GoldSpot will resume trading on the TSX Ventures exchange on May 21. Further to its press release of May 10, 2019, the Company has filed its interim financial statements, management's discussion and analysis and related certifications (the "Interim Financial Materials") for the three and nine-month period ended February 28, 2019 and, urges investors to recognize that highlights from this period were not highlighted in this press release because the reporting schedule does not and will no longer align with past and future reporting periods for the company. The recent cease trade order has allowed GoldSpot to assess and implement additional checks and balances, ensuring that the financial and the legal teams have the added depth of support required for future success. About GoldSpot Discoveries Corp. GoldSpot is a technology company that leverages machine learning to reduce capital risk, while working to increase efficiencies and success rates in resource exploration and investment. GoldSpot combines proprietary technology with traditional domain expertise, offering a front-to-back service solution to its partners. GoldSpot's solutions target big data problems, making full use of historically unutilized data to better comprehend resource property potential. GoldSpot has developed a monetization strategy into multiple verticals of the mining and investment industry, including service offerings, staking and royalty acquisition, and the development of its own artificial-intelligence driven trading platform. For further information please contact: Denis Laviolette, President, CEO and Director GoldSpot Discoveries Corp. 647-992-9837 Cautionary Statement on Forward -Looking Information Neither the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. This news release contains 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 includes, but is not limited to, uncertainty over the outcome of any litigious matters, the Company's objectives, goals or future plans, statements regarding exploration results and exploration plans. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates, the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, changes in equity markets, inflation, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, and 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44922 Worldwide Tour to Host More Than 130 Events Across Americas, Europe, Middle-East, Africa and Asia-Pacific Qlik today announced the start of its Qlik Analytics Tour, which will host 130 events worldwide involving 90+ Qlik partners to showcase the power of analytics to turn raw data into powerful insights that helps organizations lead with data. Leading organizations are investing in analytics to more easily discover and leverage key insights through data that can enable strategic action across their entire organization. Through the Qlik Analytics Tour, attendees will learn how an end-to-end data strategy that includes analytics can transform their business and create opportunity for business outcomes. Qlik will be on tour across North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East from May 20 through early June. "There's a lot of talk about AI in the market, and on this Tour we'll show AI in action as part of Qlik's powerful analytics platform," said Robert Fleming, Qlik Senior Vice President of Global Field and Partner Marketing. "Qlik is enabling organizations to get from raw data to deep insights quickly and easily, and we're excited to facilitate the sharing of ideas and showcase best practices from our customers." Over the course of the Tour, Qlik will be demonstrating new elements of its end-to-end platform and exciting new feature releases and updates to Qlik Sense. These include the market's broadest multi-cloud deployment options, with the recently debuted full SaaS deployment capabilities through Qlik Cloud Services, along with new augmented intelligence capabilities native to the Qlik platform such as Associative Insights, which combines Qlik's associative and cognitive engines to suggest hidden insights in data, directly expanding a user's data literacy by augmenting their intelligence as they explore their data. Attendees will hear a variety of customer success stories from organizations and have the chance to meet key industry leaders, network and leave the event with a fresh perspective on how to utilize analytics and data. Attendees will also have the chance to build their own customized, powerful analytics applications during hands-on workshops. Interested parties are encouraged to find a Qlik Tour event in their area at https://go.qlik.com/QAT_2019. About Qlik Qlik's vision is a data-literate world, one where everyone can use data to improve decision-making and solve their most challenging problems. Only Qlik offers end-to-end, real-time data integrationand analytics solutions that help organizations access and transform all their data into value. Qlik helps companies lead with data to see more deeply into customer behavior, reinvent business processes, discover new revenue streams, and balance risk and reward. Qlik does business in more than 100 countries and serves over 50000 customers around the world. 2019 QlikTech International AB. All rights reserved. All product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005098/en/ Contacts: Media: Derek Lyons Email: derek.lyons@qlik.com Phone: 617-658-5310 Top speakers will address some of the most difficult socio-economic issues the world is facing as a result of climate change - including people trafficking, conflict and spread of disease OXFORD, England, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Elsevier and the Glasgow Caledonian University Centre for Climate Justice are pleased to announce a partnership that will provide the platform to discuss the impacts of climate change on weather forecasting, people trafficking and growing spread of mosquito-borne malaria, among other topics, at the first World Forum on Climate Justice, June 19-21, 2019 at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU). This inaugural conference brings together an outstanding line-up of international speakers, led by Mary Robinson, Kerry Kennedy and Professor Tahseen Jafry. Difficult conversations around the current and future impact of climate change on the world's societies and economies will be explored, to aid further promotion and collaboration about the latest science and thinking as to how these issues can be tackled. Around one hundred short talks will cover the diverse challenges posed by climate change: from the impact on fair access to food and water to the spread of diseases like malaria; the growing vulnerability of communities to extreme weather events; and the resulting challenges on migration and population displacement. This Forum brings a diverse range of expertise in the emerging field of Climate Justice together for the first time to consider the impact climate change is already having on people and their communities across the world. Mary Robinson's international leadership, through her Foundation, has done much to raise the profile of Climate Justice. She was among the first to recognize the droughts, floods or sea-level rise linked to climate change will affect every country on the planet, but not everyone will be impacted in the same way. Her opening address will highlight the ever-more disproportionate burden on the poorest and the politically and socio-economically marginalized. "We cannot place our faith in future technologies to fix this problem," said Conference Chair and Director of GCU's Centre for Climate Justice, Professor Tahseen Jafry. "Addressing this widening disparity and the resulting climate injustice requires a concerted, collaborative effort across disciplines and I believe this Forum will help deliver that. "I am excited to bring together so many leading researchers from the international scientific community and NGOs. We have been overwhelmed by the interest in this new event and it will be an important platform for fostering collaboration, networking and wider engagement in climate justice." Keynote speakers include: Mary Robinson , Mary Robinson Foundation - Climate Justice, Republic of Ireland Talk: Climate Justice: The way to accelerate ambition for a safe world , Mary Robinson Foundation - Climate Justice, Penelope Endersby , Chief Executive, Met Office, UK Talk: Contributing to climate justice through accurate predictions and in-country capacity development , Chief Executive, Met Office, UK Patrick Bond , Professor of Political Economy, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa Talk: Conceptual and strategic conflicts within climate justice Professor of Political Economy, University of the Witwatersrand, Kerry Kennedy , Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, USA Talk: Title to be announced , Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, Benjamin K. Sovacool , Professor of Energy Policy, University of Sussex, UK Talk: Decarbonisation and its discontents: A critical justice perspective on four low-carbon transitions , Professor of Energy Policy, University of Yifat Susskind , Executive Director, MADRE, USA Talk: Weathering the storm, Seeding the future: A women's vision for climate justice , Executive Director, MADRE, Kevin Bales , Professor of Contemporary Slavery, University of Nottingham, UK Talk: Slavery in the Anthropocene: the vicious cycle of slavery, ecocide, climate change, and supply chains , Professor of Contemporary Slavery, University of Kristie L. Ebi , Professor of Global Health, University of Washington , USA Talk: Health risks of a changing climate can increase climate injustice Full program information can be viewed via the conference page at www.elsevier.com/events/conferences/world-forum-on-climate-justice/programme. Notes for editors Press passes are available to credentialed journalists upon request; please contact Nina Cosgrove at n.cosgrove@elsevier.com or +44-1865-843-297. About Glasgow Caledonian University Centre for Climate Justice The Centre for Climate Justice conducts research and educational activities on climate justice with the goal of promoting challenging conversations on the societal impacts of climate change, gaining deeper insights of climate inequality and changing the narrative on climate action to incorporate more human-centered approaches. Founded five years ago in partnership with the Mary Robinson Foundation for Climate Justice as part of Glasgow Caledonian University's Common Good mission, the multi-disciplinary team is led by Director, Professor Tahseen Jafry. The Centre is conducting ground-breaking international research and is increasingly influential in shaping policy at a Scottish and UK level. www.gcu.ac.uk/climatejustice About Elsevier Elsevier is a global information analytics business that helps scientists and clinicians to find new answers, reshape human knowledge, and tackle the most urgent human crises. For 140 years, we have partnered with the research world to curate and verify scientific knowledge. Today, we're committed to bringing that rigor to a new generation of platforms. Elsevier provides digital solutions and tools in the areas of strategic research management, R&D performance, clinical decision support, and professional education; including ScienceDirect , Scopus , SciVal , ClinicalKey and Sherpath . Elsevier publishes over 2,500 digitized journals, including The Lancet and Cell , 39,000 e-book titles and many iconic reference works, including Gray's Anatomy . Elsevier is part of RELX Group , a global provider of information and analytics for professionals and business customers across industries. www.elsevier.com Media contacts Nina Cosgrove, Press pass requests Elsevier +44-1865-843-297 n.cosgrove@elsevier.com Rob Flett, Speaker interviews & climate justice background information Glasgow Caledonian University +44-141-331-8901 +44-7764-335-793 rob.flett@gcu.ac.uk Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/754760/Elsevier_Logo.jpg CPR Cell Phone Repair (CPR) will serve as Motorola's Authorized Out-of-Warranty (OOW) Repair Center across 500 stores in the United States and Canada INDEPENDENCE, OH / ACCESSWIRE / May 21, 2019 / CPR Cell Phone Repair (CPR) is now serving as Motorola's Authorized Out-of-Warranty Repair Center across 500 stores in the United States and Canada. Giving consumers more trustworthy options to repair their smartphones is a key goal of Motorola Mobility. With help from CPR, Motorola consumers now have a Walk-In repair option for out-of-warranty smartphones. To learn more about CPR Cell Phone Repair, please visit: http://www.cellphonerepair.com/. To ensure CPR Cell Phone Repair services are aligned with Motorola standards, CPR will use genuine Motorola parts to treat Motorola smartphones and CPR engineers will receive certified Motorola training. This will ensure that the Motorola quality that consumers expect is reflected in their repair service. The collaboration with CPR is the second addition to Motorola's third-party repair offerings. In late 2018, Motorola and iFixit offered a "fix-it-yourself" option for hands-on owners. Continuing their dedication to put consumers first, Motorola was the first smartphone manufacturer to supply OEM parts to the company. "We believe safe, quality and diverse repair options are an important piece of a consumer's smartphone journey," says Motorola's Nelson Caraballo, VP of Motorola Quality and Services. "By working with CPR Cell Phone Repair, our customers have a face to face, trusted source to help them when problems arise." Consumers with OOW smartphones can find their nearest CPR store by visiting Motorola's Online Return and Repair Center. Motorola customers can also send a damaged device directly to Motorola. About CPR Cell Phone Repair: CPR Cell Phone Repair is one of the largest mobile repair franchises in the world, with more than 750 locations globally. They specialize in fast, affordable repairs to smartphones, tablets, laptops, game systems and other electronics. For more information, please visit http://www.cellphonerepair.com/. About Motorola: Motorola Mobility LLC was acquired by Lenovo Group Holdings in 2015. Motorola Mobility is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lenovo, and is responsible for designing and manufacturing all Moto and Motorola branded mobile handsets. Contact: Jeff Gasner jeff@cellphonerepair.com 8778565101 SOURCE: CPR Cell Phone Repair View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/546034/Motorola-Increases-Smartphone-Repair-Options-with-CPR-Cell-Phone-Repair Financialnewsmedia.com News Commentary PALM BEACH, Florida, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent industry report on the future of the CBD market, had higher than expected revenue figures than expected. An article focusing on northeastern U.S said: "Other owners of tens of thousands of acres of preserved agricultural land are betting on a bill that's working its way through the state Legislature that will allow them to join a business that's expected to be worth $22 billion by 2022... The demand for CBD products is exploding. At the moment the demand is far outpacing the supply," said Heather Darby, a hemp expert at the University of Vermont Extension who has advised agricultural officials and prospective hemp cultivators in Massachusetts. "Farmers and businesses are scaling up production quickly and moving from producing an acre to producing 50 acres... About 1,500 to 2,000 hemp plants can be grown per acre generating between $40,000 and $50,000, according to information provided by Brightfield Group, a Chicago-based cannabis research firm. Active Companies from around the market with current developments this week include:Marijuana Company of America, Inc.,Medical Marijuana, Inc., Kona Gold Solutions, Inc., CV Sciences, Inc., PotNetwork Holdings, Inc. Marijuana Company of America, Inc. (OTCQB:MCOA) BREAKING NEWS: Marijuana Company of America, an innovative hemp and cannabis corporation, today reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019.A fewFirst Quarter 2019 Financial and Operational Highlights: Total revenues were $114,810 for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 , compared to $19,010 for the same period prior year, representing a 504% increase year-over-year. The increase was driven by growth in demand and sales of its hempSMART products in conjunction with the Company's global expansion program. for the quarter ended , compared to for the same period prior year, representing a 504% increase year-over-year. The increase was driven by growth in demand and sales of its hempSMART products in conjunction with the Company's global expansion program. Gross profit for the first quarter of 2019 increased to $74,932 , compared to $8,564 for the same period prior year. Gross margins expanded to 65.3% in the first quarter of 2019, compared to 45% from the first quarter of 2018. , compared to for the same period prior year. Gross margins expanded to 65.3% in the first quarter of 2019, compared to 45% from the first quarter of 2018. Total operating expenses for the first quarter of 2019 were $989,037 , compared to $302,872 for the same period prior year, as a result of increases in SG&A associated with the growth of the Company's dedicated associate sales program for its hempSMART sales. , compared to for the same period prior year, as a result of increases in SG&A associated with the growth of the Company's dedicated associate sales program for its hempSMART sales. Net loss from operations was $4.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 , compared to net income of $4.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 . The previous year's income was essentially due to gain in derivatives. for the quarter ended , compared to net income of for the quarter ended . The previous year's income was essentially due to gain in derivatives. Usage of cash flow from operations decreased year-over-year to $207,098 for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 , from a cash usage of $497,250 for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 . for the quarter ended , from a cash usage of for the quarter ended . Total assets were $2,143,188 for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 , an increase of 12% from $1,919,782 for the quarter ended March 31 , 2018. The increase of total assets is due to an increase in cash, inventory and long-term investments that the Company made in the quarter. for the quarter ended , an increase of 12% from for the quarter ended , 2018. The increase of total assets is due to an increase in cash, inventory and long-term investments that the Company made in the quarter. Total liabilities were $8,087,340 for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 , compared to total liabilities of $5,053,887 for the quarter ended March 31 , 2018. The increase of liabilities has largely to do with derivative liabilities increasing by $2.7 million and convertible notes issued during the quarter. "Our first quarter results demonstrate our focus on laying the foundation and investments to establish our presence in the high-growth cannabis, hemp and CBD markets," said Mr. Don Steinberg, Chief Executive Officer of Marijuana Company of America. "During the quarter, we successfully prelaunched our hempSMART line of products in the United Kingdom and promoted them at Super Bowl LIII. Our hempSMART Brain product was also issued a U.S. Patent, followed by the exciting news of our engagement with Natural Plant Extract of California to form a joint venture to operate a cannabis delivery service. Our passion from the beginning has been on our hempSMART wellness products, which continue to successfully generate demand and interest worldwide. As a result, we have significantly expanded our hemp research and growth business. With our powerful consortium of partners and joint venture relationships, we believe we are strategically positioned to vertically integrate our operations and further increase our revenue potential."Read this and more news for MCOA at:https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-mcoa/ In the industry developments and happenings in the market this week include: Medical Marijuana, Inc. recently announced that its subsidiary Dixie Botanicals has released a new orange-flavored cannabidiol (CBD) Isolate Tincture. Each 1 oz. bottle of Dixie Botanicals CBD Isolate Tincture contains 250 mg of CBD, medium chain triglycerides (MCT) oil, and an all-natural orange flavor for a refreshing taste. This tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-free tincture is designed for consumers on-the-go because of its compact size and convenient dropper. "Dixie Botanicals continues to bring consumer-friendly, great-tasting CBD products to the market with the intent of making it as easy as possible for people to nourish their endogenous cannabinoid system," said Medical Marijuana, Inc. CEO Dr. Stuart Titus. "We hope that the large variety in products that this brand offers can help us reach many consumers with a variety of flavor and delivery method preferences." PotNetwork Holdings, Inc. through its wholly-owned subsidiary PotNetwork Media Group is at the forefront of a new revival of print journalism, according to a recent article published on SmallCap Network. As per the piece, the Company's recently launched PotNetwork Magazine, which went into circulation this past February, is one of a select few successful publications to have grown out of the cannabis boom of the past few years. PotNetwork Magazine has "[established] itself as a vital part of a new sector of the media industry," according to SmallCap Network. "We're extremely proud of our PotNetwork Media Group division and the business opportunities that is has afforded us," said Kevin Hagen, CEO of PotNetwork Holding, Inc. "To see such growth in such a short amount of time is a testament to our coordinated strength as a Company." CV Sciences, Inc. recently announced that its industry-dominating PlusCBD OilTM products were used in the first study to date examining the clinical benefit of CBD for the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The study, published in The Journal Of Alternative And Complementary Medicine in April 2019, examined the effect of oral CBD administration on symptoms of PTSD in a series of 11 adult patients at an outpatient psychiatry clinic. CV Sciences provided various PlusCBD Oil products for the study; delivery systems and usage were determined by patient and provider preference. The published study can be viewed at the following link: Cannabidiol in the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A case Series. CV Sciences was not involved in the data collection, data interpretation, the preparation of the article, or the decision to submit for publication. Kona Gold Solutions, Inc. recently announced it has signed an LOI to lease warehouse space in Greer, South Carolina, right outside of Greenville. The warehouse encompasses 30,000 square feet, in which the Company will acquire 15,000 square feet with the option to lease the additional 15,000 square feet within two years. The new warehouse space will operate as Kona Gold's distribution hub, where all product will be stored and shipped to distributors around the country. The location will also serve as a new Gold Leaf Distribution hub as the Company expands Gold Leaf's distribution footprint in new markets. Gold Leaf is currently targeting potential distribution acquisitions to expand its territories and product offerings. Kona Gold moved into its new 5,000 square foot Corporate headquarters one year ago and has already maxed out its capacity to store product at that location as the Company continues its rapid growth. The Florida offices will continue to serve as the Corporate headquarters for the Company. DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates Financialnewsmedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM's market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM expects to be compensated forty six hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press release issued by Marijuana Company of America, Inc. by a non-affiliated third party. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE. This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected," "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company's annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements. Contact Information: Media Contact email: editor@financialnewsmedia.com +1(561)325-8757 Houston, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - May 21, 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 Global Demand for CBD Products Creating a $1.1 Billion Market A recent QY Research report titled, "Global CBD Hemp Oil Market Insights Forecast to 2025," notes the global market value of CBD hemp oil could reach $1.1 billion by the end of 2025. The research notes that the global market for CBD is rising thanks to higher frequencies of chronic diseases, rising expenditure on health, and escalating awareness among patients regarding depression and sleeping disorders. In addition, the rising usage of the CBD hemp oil in the form of tincture, spray, and vape is expected to boost the demand for CBD hemp oil as well. Rising concerns for various neurological disorders, increasing number of chronic diseases such as diabetes, and growing awareness for depression and stress have led to increasing the usage of the CBD hemp oil in healthcare sector, as also noted. In addition, according to analysts at Reports and Data, the CBD market will grow from $1.04 billion in 2018 to $16.32 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 27.7% as the global community sees an increase in the usage of cannabidiol, in medical application, supplements, and skin care. The Yield Growth Corporation Expands into China The Yield Growth Corporation just announced that its cannabis product line Wright & Well has a planned launch in Oregon this June 2019. The brand will offer nine wellness products that incorporate the highest quality CBD, THC, hemp root oil to support a healthy lifestyle. The Wright & Well line is being distributed in Oregon by Nova Paths, an Oregon-based distributor that has established relationships with over 400 licensed cannabis retail stores. The initial products include Be Chill Sleepy Time Tincture, Be Better CBD Full Spectrum Tincture, Be Bette CBD Extra Strength Tincture, Be Friendly MS Capsules, Be Nimble Arthritis Capsules, Be Able Chronic Pain Capsules, Be Relieved Analgesic Pain Gel, Be Free Pain Balm, and Be Loved Massage Oil. In addition, the company just announced that its Urban Juve products have shipped to China for sale through the luxury PopSquare kiosk, which will rotate through six different high traffic destinations in Hong Kong. This first shipment of products will allow for direct and efficient e-commerce fulfillment as Urban Juve expands into the Asian market. "The advanced technology in the PopSquare kiosk makes it possible for us to leverage data in a brick-and-mortar setting-bringing the advantages of e-commerce shopping to physical locations," explains Penny Green, CEO of Yield Growth and Urban Juve. "In effect, we're creating a unified experience across every point of purchase." The PopSquare kiosk will launch in T.O.P. Mall, with subsequent stops at other high-traffic shopping malls and technology hubs, including Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Science Park, Park Yoho, Cyberport and Olympian City Mall. 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/44925 New drill intercept in Idaho #1 Vein assays 46.3 gpt gold / 1.07 m (1.35 oz per ton / 3.5 ft) within broader interval assaying 9.4 gpt gold over 5.94 m New intercept ~600 m downdip of Idaho 2400 level, the lowest level of exploration on Idaho #1 Vein, confirming exploration target for the Idaho #1 Vein with dimensions of 600 m x 600 m and remaining open-to-depth Recent drilling and re-interpretation of prior drill hole I-19-13 suggest an additional major exploration target on the Idaho #2 Vein with dimensions of 1,000 m x 1,400 m Assays pending for drill holes I-19-14 & I-19-14A Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 21, 2019) - Rise Gold Corp. (CSE: RISE) (OTCQB: RYES) (the "Company") is pleased to announce additional assay results from on-going diamond core drilling at the Idaho-Maryland ("I-M") Gold Project. The exploration drill program at the Idaho-Maryland continues to intercept high-grade gold mineralization in multiple vein structures downdip from historic workings. Recent drilling intersected the Idaho #1 Vein ~600 m downdip of the Idaho 2400 level. The new intercept from drill hole I-19-12B confirms a large exploration target on the Idaho #1 Vein with dimensions of approximately 600 m on strike and 600 m downdip. TABLE 1 - New Drill Hole Intercept I-19-12B Hole From (m) To (m) Gold (gpt) Intercept Length (m)* Vein Idaho #1 Vein I-19-12B 1367.27 1373.22 9.4 5.94 Idaho #1 Including 1367.27 1370.11 18.5 2.83 Idaho #1 Including 1369.04 1370.11 46.3 1.07 Idaho # 1 Including 1369.74 1370.11 111.5 0.37 Idaho #1 *The Company is not able to estimate true widths for the intersected mineralization until further drilling is completed. High-grade gold mineralization was encountered in drill hole I-19-12B which assayed 46.3 gpt gold over 1.07 m (1.35 oz per ton over 3.5 feet), including a higher grade interval of quartz veining with visible gold assaying 111 gpt gold over 0.37 m (3.24 oz per ton over 1.2 ft). The high-grade mineralization was included within a broader zone of gold mineralization assaying 9.4 gpt over 5.94 m (0.27 oz per ton / 19.5 ft). Rise Gold has interpreted this intercept to represent a down-dip extension of the historic Idaho #1 Vein. Similar to the geology of the historic Idaho #1 Vein, the mineralized zone encountered in I-19-12B is located between a diabase dike on the hanging wall and the ankeritized serpentinite unit in the footwall. It differs from the historic vein in that it is composed of a group of closely spaced narrow quartz veins hosted in volcanic andesite approximately 25 meters from the serpentinite contact whereas the historic vein was noted to be directly on the contact. This contact appears to be an important ore control for the Idaho #1 Vein mineralization. A large exploration target on the Idaho #1 Vein is now defined by: Historic mining of high-grade mineralization above the Idaho 2000 level. Historic mapping and sampling of high-grade gold mineralization on both the Idaho 2400 west and east levels. Both levels were noted to be in mineralization at the mine's shutdowns in 1942 and 1955. Previous drill hole I-18-11 which intersected significant gold mineralization above and to the west of drill hole I-19-12. New drill hole intercept I-19-12B, located ~600 m downdip from the Idaho 2400 level The target remains open-to-depth. The Idaho #1 Vein was the most productive and highest-grade vein of the I-M Mine. Historic production from the Idaho #1 Vein is estimated at 935,000 oz of gold with an average head grade of 38.7 gpt (1.12 opt) gold. Total historic production from the combined Idaho veins is estimated at 1,621,000 oz of gold with an average head grade of 28.4 gpt (0.74 opt) gold. Two holes were wedged from the previous drill hole I-18-12. Drill hole I-19-12A was prematurely abandoned due to the larger than expected depth to the target; drill hole I-19-12B was wedged and drilled at a more favorable orientation and successfully intersected the Idaho #1 Vein. A summary of drill hole assay results from I-19-12B on the Idaho #1 Vein target are presented in Table 1. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the recent drill intercepts with respect to the Idaho vein targets. FIGURE 1 - Idaho Veins Intercepts and Exploration Target - Long Section Looking NE To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2255/44908_574a0ccee49d989a_002full.jpg FIGURE 2 - Idaho #1 Vein Intercepts and Exploration Target - Isometric View To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2255/44908_574a0ccee49d989a_003full.jpg Idaho #2 Vein - Reinterpretation of intercepts from I-19-13 and I-19-13A The Company previously disclosed high-grade gold mineralization in drill holes I-19-13 & I-19-13A by news release dated March 19th, 2019: The vein in I-19-13 assayed 5.5 gpt gold over 5.12 m (0.16 opt / 16.8 ft). The vein in I-19-13A assayed 90.4 gpt gold over 4.27 m (2.64 opt / 14.0 ft). https://www.risegoldcorp.com/uploads/content/Mar19RiseGoldIntersects90gptgoldover4.3metersatIdahoMaryland.pdf Subsequent drilling has revealed that these intercepts are on the Idaho #2 Vein rather than on the Idaho #1 Vein. Recent drill holes I-19-14 & I-19-14A both intersected significant quartz veining and alteration in association with the Idaho #2 Vein system. Assays for these holes are pending and will be released as received. The reinterpretation of the mineralization in drill holes I-19-13 and I-19-13A as the Idaho #2 Vein has important implications for exploration and resource potential: The Idaho #2 Vein and the 52 Vein are now interpreted to be the same vein structure making it a more significant exploration target than previously believed. Drilling and historic mapping indicate a strike length of the Idaho #2 Vein of up to 550 m at the elevation of holes I-19-13 & I-19-14. Rise Gold's drill holes through this area have consistently intersected the Idaho #2 Vein along this strike length. These results were previously disclosed as the 52 Vein with assays as high as 149 gpt over 6.8 meters. https://www.risegoldcorp.com/uploads/content/Dec13RiseGoldIntersects149gptgoldover6.8metersatIdahoMaryland.pdf https://www.risegoldcorp.com/uploads/content/Dec13RiseGoldIntersects149gptgoldover6.8metersatIdahoMaryland.pdf Previous deep intercept from Rise drill hole B-18-05, which assayed 23.7 gpt gold over 4.5 m, may represent a downdip extension of either the Idaho #2 Vein or possibly the Idaho #3 Vein. The intercept in B-18-05 would be ~1,400 m downdip from a projection of the Idaho #2 Vein. https://www.risegoldcorp.com/uploads/content/Aug7RiseIntersectsHighGradeGoldover1kmbelowIdahoMarylandMine.pdf https://www.risegoldcorp.com/uploads/content/Aug7RiseIntersectsHighGradeGoldover1kmbelowIdahoMarylandMine.pdf The Idaho #2 Vein in conjunction with the Idaho #3 presents an exploration target of ~1,000 m along strike and ~1,400 m downdip. This is exclusive of the Idaho #1 target previously discussed. The untested Idaho #5 Vein is parallel and behind the Idaho #3 Vein and could likely be tested with the same holes targeting the Idaho #3 Vein. Figure 3 displays recent drill intercepts on the Idaho #2 Vein, the possible correlation with drill hole B-18-05, and the exploration target for the Idaho #2 and Idaho #3 veins. FIGURE 3 - Idaho #2 Vein Intercepts and Exploration Target - Isometric View To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2255/44908_574a0ccee49d989a_004full.jpg Cymoid Loops and New Linking Vein on Idaho #1 Recently drilling has revealed changes in the structural relationships of the Idaho veins at depth. Current interpretations indicate that the Idaho Mine is comprised of a series of linked veins or "cymoid loops". This is a common structural feature in Grass Valley gold deposits and important for discovery and definition of the high-grade gold ore shoots. The Idaho #3 ore shoot was discovered in 1929 by following the Idaho #2 (Dorsey Vein) into the footwall of the #1 Vein. The sequence of Idaho veins in the historic production levels can be followed in order from the Morehouse to the Idaho #5 Vein as shown in Figure 4. FIGURE 4 - Idaho Vein Structures at Upper Level of Historic Mining - Plan View To view an enhanced version of Figure 4, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2255/44908_574a0ccee49d989a_005full.jpg Recent drilling has revealed that the Idaho #2 Vein has become a major mineralized structure at depth and is no longer a linking vein between the #1 and #3 Veins. Deep drill holes in the Idaho #1 suggest that there may be a new linking vein structure which may join the Idaho #1 Vein to the Idaho #3 or #5 Vein, as shown in Figure 5. Historic mapping on the lowest level of the mine supports this interpretation with the Idaho #5 Vein shown moving behind the Idaho #3 Vein. The Idaho #5 Vein has not been tested to-date but there is potential for major ore shoots to form on this structure in addition to the targets on the Idaho #1, #2, and #3 Veins. Continued exploration drilling will further develop the relationships between the multiple mineralized structures at the Idaho-Maryland Mine, lead to the discovery of new mineralized ore shoots, and further outline the overall resource potential of the property. FIGURE 5 - Idaho Vein Structures at Depth - Plan View To view an enhanced version of Figure 5, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2255/44908_574a0ccee49d989a_006full.jpg Quality Control and Assay Methods Richard Lippoth, M.Sc, Reg. SME, the qualified person for the exploration drill results disclosure contained in this news release, has studied the drill core discussed in this news release and has reviewed the analytical and quality control results. Mr. Lippoth has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical contents of this news release. Benjamin Mossman, P.Eng, CEO of Rise Gold, is the qualified person for the historic production disclosure contained in this news release. Historic production at the Idaho-Maryland Mine is disclosed in the Technical Report on the Idaho-Maryland Project dated June 1st, 2017 and available on www.sedar.com. Rise has implemented a quality control program for its drill program to ensure best practice in the sampling and analysis of the drill core. This includes the insertion of blind blanks, duplicates and certified standards. HQ- and NQ-sized drill core is saw cut with half of the drill core sampled at intervals based on geological criteria including lithology, visual mineralization, and alteration. The remaining half of the core is stored on-site at the Company's warehouse in Grass Valley, California. Drill core samples are transported in sealed bags to ALS Minerals analytical assay lab in Reno, Nevada. All gold assays were obtained using a method of screen fire assaying. This procedure involves screening a large pulverized sample of up to 1 kg at 100 microns. Any +100 micron material remaining on the screen is retained and analyzed in its entirety by fire assay with gravimetric finish and reported as the Au (+) fraction result. The -100 micron fraction is homogenized and two sub-samples of 30-50 grams are analyzed by fire assay with AAS finish. If the grade of the material exceeds 10 gpt the sample is re-assayed using a gravimetric finish. The average of the two results is taken and reported as the Au (-) fraction result. All three values are used in calculating the combined gold content of the plus and minus fractions. About Rise Gold Corp. Rise Gold is an exploration-stage mining company. The Company's principal asset is the historic Idaho-Maryland Gold Mine located in Nevada County, California, USA. Past production of the Idaho-Maryland for the period from 1866 to 1955 is estimated at 2,414,000 oz of gold at an average mill head grade of 17 gpt gold. Historic production at the Idaho-Maryland Mine is disclosed in the Technical Report on the Idaho-Maryland Project dated June 1st, 2017 and available on www.sedar.com. Rise Gold is incorporated in Nevada, USA and maintains its head office in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. On behalf of the Board of Directors: Benjamin Mossman President, CEO and Director Rise Gold Corp. For further information, please contact: RISE GOLD CORP. Suite 650, 669 Howe Street Vancouver, BC V6C 0B4 T: 604.260.4577 info@risegoldcorp.com www.risegoldcorp.com The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions related to certain factors including, without limitation, obtaining all necessary approvals, meeting expenditure and financing requirements, compliance with environmental regulations, title matters, operating hazards, metal prices, political and economic factors, competitive factors, general economic conditions, relationships with vendors and strategic partners, governmental regulation and supervision, seasonality, technological change, industry practices, and one-time events that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information contained in this release. Rise undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements or information except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44908 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 21, 2019) - Eric Sprott announces that on May 18, 2019, 8,333,334 common share purchase warrants ("Warrants") of Latin American Minerals Inc. (held by 2176423 Ontario Ltd., a corporation he beneficially owns) expired unexercised representing a decrease in holdings of approximately 5.3% of the outstanding common shares on a partially diluted basis. Prior to the expiry of these Warrants, Mr. Sprott beneficially owned and controlled 35,333,334 common shares and 10,333,334 Warrants representing approximately 26.2% of the outstanding common shares on a non-diluted basis and approximately 31.5% on a partially diluted basis assuming the exercise of all Warrants. As a result of the Warrant expiry, Mr. Sprott now beneficially owns and controls 35,333,334 common shares and 2,000,000 Warrants representing approximately 26.2% of the outstanding common shares on a non-diluted basis and approximately 27.3% on a partially diluted basis assuming the exercise of all Warrants. The Warrants expiry resulted in a partially diluted beneficial ownership change of greater than 2% and the filing of an early warning report. The securities noted above are held for investment purposes. Mr. Sprott has a long-term view of the investment and may acquire additional securities including on the open market or through private acquisitions or sell the securities including on the open market or through private dispositions in the future depending on market conditions, reformulation of plans and/or other relevant factors. Latin American Minerals is located at 502-211 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5B 1M4. A copy of the early warning report with respect to the foregoing will appear on the company's profile on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval ("SEDAR") at www.sedar.com and may also be obtained by calling Mr. Sprott at (416) 362-7171. 2176423 Ontario Ltd. 200 Bay Street, Suite 2600 Royal Bank Plaza, South Tower Toronto, Ontario M5J 2J1 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44924 Maybe for a moment Wednesday, out of the corner of her eye, Catherine Suh glanced at the relatives of the man she contrived to kill. When Cook County Criminal Court Judge John E. Morrissey asked the former fugitive to turn around and face the family, she only stared straight ahead. Any glimpse would've come when Suh--a woman with a taste for luxury cars, free-spending boyfriends and clothes with exclusive labels--was led in jail scrubs from a Cook County courtroom, marking the official end of her vacation from justice as well as the psychological end of the family's grief. "I can start remembering Robbie and feel good that justice has prevailed," Margaret Nolan said, referring to her son, Robert O'Dubaine, and the effort to put his killer behind bars. It was a moment deferred. Suh, 27, was ordered by Morrissey to immediately begin serving the life sentence she earned for orchestrating the 1993 murder of O'Dubaine. She was convicted and sentenced for the crime last October in her absence, after disappearing the month before from a high-price life in Chicago to one of similar leisure in Hawaii. On the run and mentally fatigued after she was featured in a segment of "America's Most Wanted" in January, Suh finally gave herself up to the FBI on March 8 in Honolulu. "She kept us hanging by a thread for the last 2 1/2 years," said Kim Lewis, 32, O'Dubaine's sister. "Today, Judge Morrissey cut the string." Before fleeing Chicago, Suh drove a Jaguar, lived at Lake Point Tower and shopped at tony North Michigan Avenue boutiques. After landing in Hawaii, she quickly found a boyfriend and persuaded him to move to a more stylish condo. It was this kind of lifestyle that prosecutors say Suh coveted when she had her brother, Andrew, a 21-year-old college student, shoot O'Dubaine in their Bucktown apartment in September 1993. Suh was hoping to collect on O'Dubaine's $250,000 life-insurance policy, prosecutors say. She already had inherited hundreds of thousands of dollars--and raised the suspicions of police--when her mother was killed. "She was always a money-hungry person," said O'Dubaine's stepfather, Tom Nolan, standing in the hallway of the Cook County Criminal Courts Building. "We always had a funny feeling about her; something wasn't right. But we would never tell Robbie that, because he would have taken it the wrong way." Both Suhs were convicted in the murder, with Andrew now serving a 100-year sentence. Their mother, Elizabeth, was killed in 1987, stabbed 37 times in her Evanston dry-cleaning shop. The brother and sister inherited $800,000 from their mother's life-insurance policy. Although a prime suspect at the time, Suh was never charged with the murder because O'Dubaine told police she was with him at the time it took place. Afterward, she shared the wealth with O'Dubaine and began a life of fun and glamour. Reflecting on the case outside of Morrissey's courtroom, O'Dubaine's mother said that Suh's whole life seemed to smack of arrogance. "Catherine is incapable of respecting anyone or anything," said Margaret Nolan, 56, a nursing supervisor from the west suburbs. In court, that hubris seemed to have long-ago drained from her as Judge Morrissey asked a nervous Suh to pay her respects to Nolan and the rest of the family. "You may want to say goodbye to Robert's family," Morrissey said to Suh, motioning in the direction of a dozen of the clan who had stood up upon the judge's instruction. "You missed them last time--when you were on vacation." But Suh wouldn't pay penance to the family members, who filled three rows of benches in the courtroom. Looking gaunt, she only fidgeted as she was led away, after Morrissey agreed with prosecutors to drop additional charges stemming from her flight so Suh would go directly to prison. "But she saw us, you know, out of the corner of her eye as she was being led away. She knew we were there," said Nolan, who was surrounded by family members outside the courtroom. "One of the bailiffs told me that. I am so elated. In order for me to have closure, I needed to see them haul her away from the courtroom." She described a nightmare period that began after Suh was first charged in 1993. Suh had made bond and moved to Lake Point Tower, an expensive high-rise beside Navy Pier. She kept trolling for rich boyfriends and tried to re-invent herself, introducing herself to neighbors as Kasia Kane, a real estate consultant. "That really upset all of us when she was out on bail, that she was still able to live the good life, and Robbie was dead," Nolan said. The beginning of the end came in March, when the Nolans got the call letting them know Suh had turned herself in after living under an assumed name with a surfer in an expensive Honolulu condominium. The family didn't get to see Suh when she made a brief appearance in Cook County court following her extradition from Hawaii earlier this month. So Wednesday became the day when the family could get a small sense of justice. "This finally represented closure for us," said Tom Nolan. Added his wife: "Now she can no longer go to Bloomingdale's, Nieman Marcus. Nothing." Want more? Discuss this article and others on Show Patrol's Facebook page. PALM BEACH, Florida, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Cannabis cultivation operations are exploding in both Canada and the U.S. due the projected demand and potential shortages if operations are not increased. Farming operations are blossoming all over Canada and the west coast of the U.S., but the rest of the U.S. is looking to expand acreage also. An article on new operations said: "Other owners of tens of thousands of acres of preserved agricultural land (in northeastern U.S.) are betting on a bill that's working it's way through the state Legislature that will allow them to join a business that's expected to be worth $22 billion by 2022. The demand for CBD products is exploding. At the moment the demand is far outpacing the supply," said Heather Darby, a hemp expert at the University of Vermont Extension who has advised agricultural officials and prospective hemp cultivators in Massachusetts. Farmers and businesses are scaling up production quickly and moving from producing an acre to producing 50 acres. About 1,500 to 2,000 hemp plants can be grown per acre generating between $40,000 and $50,000, according to information provided by Brightfield Group, a Chicago-based cannabis research firm. Active Companies from around the Cannabis markets with current developments this week include:GTEC Holdings Ltd. (TSX-V: GTEC) (OTC: GGTTF), Choom Hldgs Inc. (CSE: CHOO) (OTC: CHOOF), Aurora Cannabis Inc. (TSX: ACB) (NYSE: ACB), Terra Tech Corp. (OTC: TRTC), The Supreme Cannabis Company, Inc. (TSX: FIRE) (OTC: SPRWF). A couple of recent articles painted a rosy picture for hemp cultivation in the next few years. An article on Marijuana Moment said: "Industrial hemp production significantly increased in the U.S. in 2018, with farmers cultivating three times as many acres of the crop as compared to the previous year. Farmers grew more than 78,000 acres of legal hemp last year, the advocacy group VoteHemp reported. In 2017, they grew about 26,000 acres and in 2016, the total was just under 10,000 acres. But while those are impressive gains-the product of a growing number of state-level reform policies that expanded the pool of farmers licensed to grow hemp. expect another massive surge in 2019 thanks to hemp's outright legalization through the new Farm Bill. The legislation is a game-changer in terms of production estimates, advocates say. GTEC Holdings Ltd. (TSX-V: GTEC) (OTCQB: GGTTF) BREAKING NEWS:GTEC Holdings is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary Grey Bruce Farms (the "Facility") has completed its build-out and submitted its Affirmation of Readiness and Video Evidence Package (the "Evidence Package") to Health Canada. The Evidence Package submission is the final step required in order to demonstrate and confirm to Health Canada that the Facility is fully built, operationally ready and in compliance with the Cannabis Act and Regulations, prior to being issued its Standard Cultivation License. Grey Bruce's initial phase of 15,000 sq. ft., is estimated to produce 1.64 million grams annually. With the completion of Grey Bruce, the Company's current annual estimated output is approximately 4 million grams. In addition to the existing Standard Cultivation license at Alberta Craft Cannabis in Edmonton, and the recently completed Tumbleweed Farms (currently awaiting its Standard Cultivation License) in Chase BC, Grey Bruce is the third facility that GTEC has completed in order to produce, market and distribute its premium indoor flower. The Company's 2019 planned cultivation facilities are expected to span a total of 120,000 sq. ft., across three Provinces (BC, Alberta and Ontario), with the anticipation of reaching an estimated annual output of 14,000 kg of indoor flower in late 2019 (through the completion of GreenTec Bio-Pharmaceuticals and 3PL, both in BC). "With the recently announced changes to Health Canada's licensing system, we remain confident that Grey Bruce will be issued its Standard Cultivation license in a timely manner," said Norton Singhavon, Founder, Chairman and CEO of GTEC. "We would like to thank our stakeholders for your continued support as we work diligently to increase our overall production and sales over the course of 2019."Read more about GTEC by visiting:https://www.gtec.co/investors/ In the industry developments and happenings in the market this week include: Choom Hldgs Inc. (CSE: CHOO) (OTCQB: CHOOF) is pleased to announce that Specialty Medijuana Products Inc. ("SMP"), of which Choom Holdings Inc. is a 9.8% equity stakeholder, has received a cultivation license on an additional and contiguous site in Sooke, B.C. The license was issued and effective on May 17, 2019. "As a stakeholder in SMP, we are thrilled to see SMP receive an additional license from Health Canada." states Chris Bogart, President and CEO of Choom. "As a cannabis retailer, we cannot be more excited to have another craft focused cultivator from B.C. available in the market in the coming months. With the nation-wide cannabis shortage we're experiencing in Canada, the addition of a licensed production facility focused on craft grown product for the legal market benefits us as a retailer immensely." Aurora Cannabis Inc. (TSX: ACB) (NYSE: ACB) and Radient Technologies Inc. announced laste week that Aurora has taken delivery of Radient's first commercial batch of finished cannabis derivatives, from Radient's proprietary extraction platform. With this first batch, Radient has proven its enhanced ability to produce cannabinoid derivatives at commercial scale, and will continue to scale up production at Radient's cannabis facility in Edmonton, reaching an expected eventual annual throughput of approximately 300,000 kg of cannabis biomass at this single location. The partnership between Radient and Aurora was established in 2017 after the completion of a Research Joint Venture that validated Radient's MAPTM extraction technology was capable of superior cannabinoid extraction at commercial scale. Terra Tech Corp. (OTCQX: TRTC), a vertically integrated cannabis-focused agriculture company, today announced that it has launched a legal cannabis delivery service, operating from its state licensed Blum dispensary in Santa Ana, CA, as of Tuesday, May 14, 2019. Through its Blum Santa Ana dispensary, Terra Tech is now a major supplier of medical and adult-use cannabis to Santa Ana and the surrounding cities, such as Irvine, Laguna Beach and Newport Beach. All of the aforementioned cities suffer from a scarcity of existing cannabis dispensaries. The Supreme Cannabis Company, Inc. (TSX: FIRE.TO) (OTCQX: SPRWF) and Blissco Cannabis Corp. recently announced that they have entered into a definitive arrangement agreement under which Supreme Cannabis will acquire, by way of a court-approved plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act, all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Blissco not already owned by Supreme Cannabis. The Arrangement is an all-stock transaction with a total value of approximately C$48 million. "Supreme Cannabis is the best positioned company in the cannabis space to help Blissco achieve its ambition of delivering innovative, quality assured full-spectrum cannabis products to the world," said Damian Kettlewell, CEO of Blissco. DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates Financialnewsmedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. 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Contact Information: Media Contact email: editor@financialnewsmedia.com +1(561)325-8757 Financial services industry veteran to lead overall strategy and execution for the region Wells Fargo Company (NYSE:WFC) announced today that John Langley has been named as the new regional president for Europe, Middle East Africa (EMEA), effective July 1. In his new position, Langley will be based in London and report to Walter Dolhare and Lisa McGeough, co-heads of Wells Fargo International. Langley also will be head of Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) in EMEA and report to Rob Engel, Dolhare and McGeough, co-heads of CIB. Langley's appointment is subject to regulatory approval. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005091/en/ John Langley, Regional President for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Wells Fargo (Photo: Business Wire) "We are delighted to welcome John to Wells Fargo, as he brings a wealth of commercial knowledge and expertise," said Dolhare. "His extensive leadership and global banking experience will support our efforts in strengthening Wells Fargo's platform in delivering a premium level of service to our customers and stakeholders in the region." McGeough said, "Frank has been a highly respected team member for more than two decades; over the last four years, under his stewardship, he has worked tirelessly to lead the EMEA region. We are very grateful for the energy and commitment he has shown and we wish him well with his retirement." Langley succeeds Frank Pizzo, who retires as EMEA regional president at the end of June. With more than 1,500 team members in EMEA, Wells Fargo is focused on enabling global businesses. Taking a disciplined and considered approach, Wells Fargo aims to deepen its stakeholder relationships by serving its customers such as U.S. and global corporates, financial institutions and institutional investors within a strategic and regulatory compliant framework. The company's five core businesses in EMEA include CIB, Commercial Capital, Commercial Real Estate, Middle Market Banking and Asset Management. As regional president, Langley will lead the overall strategy and execution for the EMEA region, and he will have regional responsibility for the CIB business in EMEA. In addition, Langley will have regional oversight, alongside the global line-of-business heads, for all businesses operating in EMEA. He also will work with Wells Fargo's business leaders to serve regional customers by leveraging the company's global network and capabilities. Langley retired from Barclays in 2017 after an 11-year tenure; most recently, he was responsible for Global Capital Markets and a member of the Banking Executive Committee. Prior to Barclays, Langley held senior leadership roles at Merrill Lynch for more than a decade as well as senior trading positions at Banque Paribas and Chase Manhattan Bank. Langley received an M.A. in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge. Wells Fargo's International Group operates from 31 countries outside the U.S., from locations including the Cayman Islands, Dublin, Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Luxembourg, Paris, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo and Toronto. About Wells Fargo Wells Fargo Company (NYSE: WFC) is a diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.9 trillion in assets. Wells Fargo's vision is to satisfy our customers' financial needs and help them succeed financially. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through 7,700 locations, more than 13,000 ATMs, the internet (wellsfargo.com) and mobile banking, and has offices in 32 countries and territories to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 262,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo Company was ranked No. 26 on Fortune's 2018 rankings of America's largest corporations. News, insights and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005091/en/ Contacts: Adaora Anunoby adaora.n.anunoby@wellsfargo.com /+44 (0)203 942 9563 Indo-MIM, The World's Largest MIM Company, Has Reached Agreement with Desktop Metal to Deploy Metal 3D Printing At-Scale with the Production System Desktop Metal, the company committed to making metal 3D printing accessible to manufacturers and engineers, announced today a strategic partnership with Indo-MIM, the global leader and world's largest supplier of Metal Injection Molding (MIM) precision-engineered products with over 100 million metal parts produced annually for leading global OEMs. Together, Desktop Metal and Indo-MIM will offer innovative solutions to enable companies around the world to design and produce metal additively manufactured parts at scale and shorten time to market. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005489/en/ Powered by Single Pass Jetting, the Production System is the world's first and only metal 3D printing system for mass production that delivers the speed, quality, and cost-per-part needed to compete with traditional manufacturing processes. (Photo: Business Wire) As one of the first companies to deploy the Desktop Metal Production System in its state-of-the-art factories, Indo-MIM will draw upon its renowned expertise in design, tooling, sintering, materials, and its full range of finishing and assembly operations, to deliver high-precision metal 3D printed parts to companies spanning the automotive, aerospace, medical, industrial machinery industries and more. As a strategic partner, Indo-MIM will become a full-service manufacturing partner for Desktop Metal, providing companies looking for a wide range of mass production with quantities of high-quality metal parts, ranging from tens of thousands to one million. Indo-MIM will also offer customers consulting services around downstream manufacturing and finishing processes key to going to production with metal additive manufacturing. "This is a major step forward in the progress of additive manufacturing," said Krishna Chivukula, Jr., CEO of Indo-MIM. "As the world's largest MIM house, we know our customers in automotive, aerospace and other key industries will reap the benefits of this new mass manufacturing technology. We are excited to partner with Desktop Metal to bring metal additive manufacturing closer to those companies looking to achieve the speed, cost, and quality benefits to their businesses. With the Production System now joining our state-of-the-art factories, we will be fully integrated to provide customers with a one-stop resource for the manufacturing of complex precision components and sub-assemblies with additive manufacturing." Powered by Single Pass Jetting technology, the Production System is the world's first and only metal 3D printing system for mass production that delivers the speed, quality, and cost-per-part needed to compete with traditional manufacturing processes. More than four times faster than any binder jet competitor, the system offers a 100 times speed improvement over any laser-based system. The Production System, which is designed to print a broad range of alloys, including reactive metals such as titanium and aluminum, enables the use of metal powders that are 80 percent lower cost than laser powder bed fusion metals, delivering parts at 1/20th the cost. Designed around the MIM chemistry and powder supply chain, the Production System allows access to a large and established ecosystem of low-cost, high-quality alloys with a mature supply chain and well-studied controls. "The synergies of our companies are profound -- both Desktop Metal and Indo-MIM are deeply rooted in MIM technology and we share an unbridled commitment to accelerate the availability of industrial additive manufacturing technologies," said Ric Fulop, CEO and co-founder of Desktop Metal. "This collaboration with Indo-MIM will help deliver the power and promise of our Production System to companies with diverse manufacturing needs and to shift the paradigm from prototyping to include full scale metal manufacturing." Indo-MIM will install the Production System in its San Antonio, Texasfactory this summer and begin working with customers as early as fall 2019. For more information, interested companies can visit desktopmetal.com or call 734-834-1565. About Indo-MIM Indo-US MIM Tec. Pvt. Ltd., global leader in supplying precision-engineered products using Metal Injection Molding (MIM) as the core manufacturing technology. Since the time the company's first part was molded in 1998, Indo-MIM has grown to become a leading global supplier of Metal Injection Molded products. The MIM process combines the design flexibility of plastic injection molding with the strength and integrity of wrought metals to offer cost effective solutions for highly complex part geometries. Today, Indo-MIM has achieved a leadership position in the field of MIM, providing precision-engineered products to customers in more than thirty countries in the Americas, Europe and Asia. Indo-MIM is a fully integrated MIM parts producer with capabilities and proficiency in design, tooling, materials and a full range of finishing and assembly operations. About Desktop Metal Desktop Metal, Inc., based in Burlington, Massachusetts, is accelerating the transformation of manufacturing with end-to-end metal 3D printing solutions. Founded in 2015 by leaders in advanced manufacturing, metallurgy, and robotics, the company is addressing the unmet challenges of speed, cost, and quality to make metal 3D printing an essential tool for engineers and manufacturers around the world. Since its inception, the company has raised $438 million in financing with a portfolio of strategic partners and investors including Ford Motor Company, GV (formerly Google Ventures), GE Ventures, BMW iVentures, Koch Disruptive Technologies, Lowe's, New Enterprise Associates (NEA) and more. Desktop Metal was selected as one of the world's 30 most promising Technology Pioneers by the World Economic Forum and named to MIT Technology Review's list of 50 Smartest Companies. For more information, visit www.desktopmetal.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005489/en/ Contacts: Lynda McKinney lyndamckinney@desktopmetal.com 978-224-1282 GlobalSign's cloud-based Digital Signing Service makes it easy to build advanced electronic signatures that comply with 2014/55/EU BOSTON, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- GMO GlobalSign ( www.globalsign.com ), a global Certificate Authority (CA) and leading provider of identity and security solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT), today announced that its popular Digital Signing Service (DSS) supports 2014/55/EU, the newly implemented European Union directive regarding electronic invoicing. The directive defines a common standard for e-invoices to reduce the complexity and legal uncertainty around e-invoicing and make cross-border trade relations easier. As a result of the new regulation, which came into force on April 18, all EU public sector contracting authorities are required to receive and process e-invoices that comply with the standard. In Europe, the need to guarantee "authenticity of origin" (i.e., the identity of the invoice issuer) and "integrity of content" (i.e., the content of the invoice has not been changed from the moment of issuance) for e-invoices was first established in EU Directive 2006/112/EC on Value Added Tax (VAT). Per the regulation, all VAT registered entities had to meet the requirement in order to maintain compliance. The "VAT Directive" specified advanced electronic signatures as one method for meeting this. Advanced electronic signatures guarantee authenticity and integrity of content by uniquely identifying the sender of the invoice, as well as creating a tamper-evident seal on the invoice contents, such that any changes made to the document after it was signed will be detectable. "DSS provides the throughput, availability, and fault tolerance needed to support high volume electronic invoice generation. With it, we are easily able to meet the new requirements in the EU. In addition, DSS makes it easy to build advanced electronic signatures directly into existing e-invoice generation workflows without requiring significant development time, PKI expertise, hardware investment or ongoing management," said Lila Kee, General Manager, Americas, GlobalSign. "Global companies need to plan ahead and apply thought around their current invoicing standards moving forward should there be a requirement to meet cross-border standards into Europe." To learn more about GlobalSign's electronic invoicing capabilities, visit https://www.globalsign.com/en/lp/e-invoicing-directive-dss/. About GMO GlobalSign GlobalSign is the leading provider of trusted identity and security solutions enabling businesses, large enterprises, cloud-based service providers and IoT innovators around the world to conduct secure online communications, manage millions of verified digital identities and automate authentication and encryption. Its high-scale PKI and identity solutions support the billions of services, devices, people and things comprising the Internet of Things (IoT). The company has offices in the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit https://www.globalsign.com About GMO Cloud KK GMO Cloud K.K. (TSE: 3788) is a full-service IT infrastructure provider focused on cloud solutions. Established as a hosting company in 1996, the company has managed servers for more than 130,000 businesses and now has 6,500 sales partners throughout Japan. In February of 2011, the company launched GMO Cloud to enhance its focus on cloud-based solutions. Since 2007, the company has also grown its GlobalSign SSL security brand through offices in Belgium, U.K., U.S., China and Singapore. For more information, visit https://ir.gmocloud.com/english/ About GMO Internet Group GMO Internet Group is an Internet service industry leader, developing and operating Japan's most widely used domain, hosting & cloud, ecommerce, security, and payment solutions. The Group also includes the world's largest online FX trading platform, as well as online advertising, Internet media, and cryptocurrency related services. GMO Internet, Inc. (TSE: 9449) is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. For more information, please visit https://www.gmo.jp/en/ Media Relations Contact: Amy Krigman GlobalSign Public Relations Manager Phone: 603-570-7091 Email: amy.krigman@globalsign.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/443588/GlobalSign_Logo.jpg Accomplished technology and telecommunications executives bolster Kymeta Corporation's senior leadership Kymeta-the communications company that is completing the connectivity fabric for everything, everywhere-announced that S. Douglas Hutcheson is joining the Kymeta Board of Directors and will be named Executive Chairman and Walter Z. Berger has been hired as President, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and Chief Operating Officer (COO). Hutcheson serves as Senior Advisor of Technology, Media and Telecom for Searchlight Capital and on several boards, both public and private. Previously, as CEO of Leap Wireless for nearly a decade, he oversaw the company's operations and managed its eventual sale to AT&T. He brings extensive telecommunications and technology experience, having held several senior leadership positions at Leap after serving as an executive with Qualcomm. "Kymeta is leading the industry in hybrid communication solutions, and I'm excited to come on board as Executive Chairman," said Doug Hutcheson, Kymeta Executive Chairman. "The telecommunications industry has made major strides over the last 25 years, and I believe Kymeta is well positioned to deliver on the promise of mobile connectivity around the world." Berger most recently served as COO and CFO of Nuvectra, a neuromodulation medical device platform company. Before joining Nuvectra, he served in senior executive positions at AppDynamics, a next-generation application intelligence company, which was acquired by Cisco. He also held senior executive positions at SoftLayer, a cloud computing company, which was acquired by IBM, and Leap Wireless. Additionally, he has held several executive operating, financial, and general leadership roles in various industry verticals and brings extensive experience as a senior business leader ranging from Fortune 500 companies to private equity and venture capital invested companies. He has also served on multiple for-profit and non-profit boards. "Kymeta is connecting the world with hybrid telecommunications systems," said Walter Berger, Kymeta President, CFO, COO. "I'm thrilled to be joining this dynamic organization at a time when there is so much opportunity for growth." Hutcheson and Berger join Kymeta at a pivotal time for the company. "We couldn't be happier to bring Doug and Walter on board," said Rodi Guidero, Director and outgoing Chairman, Kymeta Board of Directors. "They both bring valuable experience and perspective that will launch Kymeta into its next phase of growth." About Kymeta Kymeta is unlocking the potential of satellite connectivity, combined with cellular networks, to satisfy the overwhelming demand for global ubiquitous mobile connectivity. The company's flat-panel satellite antenna, the first of its kind, and Kymeta KALO connectivity services provide revolutionary mobile connectivity on satellite and hybrid satellite-cellular networks to customers around the world. Backed by U.S. and international patents and licenses, the Kymeta terminal addresses the need for lightweight, slim, and high-throughput communication systems that do not require mechanical components to steer toward a satellite. Kymeta makes connecting easy for any vehicle, vessel, or fixed platform. Kymeta is a privately held company based in Redmond, Washington. For more information, visit kymetacorp.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005291/en/ Contacts: Business Inquiries for Kymeta: Sam Christensen Head of Marketing and Communications Kymeta Corporation +1 425.658.8703 schristensen@kymetacorp.com Media Inquiries for Kymeta: Melanie McBride Vice President, Content and PR The Summit Group +1 801.990.8464 mmcbride@summitslc.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 21, 2019) - OSPREY GOLD DEVELOPMENT LTD. (the "Company" or "Osprey") (TSXV: OS) (OTCQB: OSSPF) is pleased to provide an update on ongoing exploration at its five historically producing gold projects in Nova Scotia, Canada. The Company holds the right to acquire a 100% interest in all of its projects and is focused on exploring for disseminated mineralization within the host sediments, around historically mined high grade veins, similar to the style of mineralization found at the deposits making up Atlantic Gold's Moose River Consolidated Project. Based on Osprey's recent and previous work, three key target areas have emerged as priorities for immediate follow-up drill testing. Each of these past producing projects holds the potential to host significant mineralization, and is integral to the consolidated district opportunity. Drilling is currently planned for: The Goldenville Zone (Goldenville Project) , Osprey's most advanced project and Nova Scotia's largest historic gold producer with a current NI 43-101 Inferred Resource of 2,800,000 tonnes at 3.20 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold for 288,000 ounces of gold (2,800,000 tonnes at 4.96 g/t gold for 447,000 ounces of gold uncapped). The deposit is open to the east and northwest, and significant infill opportunities exist on the south limb. , Osprey's most advanced project and Nova Scotia's largest historic gold producer with a current NI 43-101 Inferred Resource of 2,800,000 tonnes at 3.20 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold for 288,000 ounces of gold (2,800,000 tonnes at 4.96 g/t gold for 447,000 ounces of gold uncapped). The deposit is open to the east and northwest, and significant infill opportunities exist on the south limb. The Mitchell Lake Zone (Goldenville Project), is located approximately 3.5 kilometres ("km") west of the Goldenville resource area where significant mineralization was encountered in Osprey's previous drill program. Highlighted results includes hole MIT97-01 which intersected a broad zone of gold mineralization; 30.50 m of 0.70 g/t gold, including 8.10 m of 1.10 g/t gold, and 9.40 m of 1.02 g/t gold. MIT97-02 intersected 20.2 metres of 1.33 g/t. is located approximately 3.5 kilometres ("km") west of the Goldenville resource area where significant mineralization was encountered in Osprey's previous drill program. Highlighted results includes hole MIT97-01 which intersected a broad zone of gold mineralization; 30.50 m of 0.70 g/t gold, including 8.10 m of 1.10 g/t gold, and 9.40 m of 1.02 g/t gold. MIT97-02 intersected 20.2 metres of 1.33 g/t. The Elk Zone (Caribou Project), located 8 km north of Atlantic Gold's Touquoy Mine and Moose River Consolidated mill site and completely surrounded by Atlantic Gold claimholdings; All three of these target areas are easily accessible via existing roads and drill contract discussions are underway. "We're pleased to see the hard work of our neighbors Atlantic Gold validated and congratulate their management team on the recent $802 million takeover offer by St Barbara," said Company President Cooper Quinn. "Importantly, the recently announced proposed transaction presents a 'proof of concept' for open pit gold mining in Nova Scotia, and the style of mineralization being explored and expanded within Osprey's current portfolio of projects. Looking at historic mining districts in favorable jurisdictions, with extensive mineralization endowments, coupled with modern exploration tools has proven time and again to be a potential path to successful mining operations. Moose River Consolidated is showing that this thesis can be successful in Nova Scotia and Osprey is committed to advancing multiple similar assets in the region." Figure 1 - Osprey's projects across the gold-bearing Meguma Terrane are all accessible by existing roads, and are near existing infrastructure. It is approximately 100 km from Gold Lake to Lower Seal Harbour directly. Historically, it's high grade veins were mined underground. To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5059/44918_a9fc327184d0fb65_001full.jpg Upon inception in 2017, Osprey utilized local expertise to select a highly prospective portfolio of property assets that combine high-grade gold vein systems, historic production, and exploration potential for multiple styles of near-surface mineralization around existing infrastructure. Several of these projects are situated within the same geological environment as Atlantic Gold's Moose River Consolidated Project. These projects have been advanced by Osprey through a series of work programs comprised of surface sampling and mapping, geophysical surveying, and diamond drilling. Evaluation and interpretation of all available datasets is being used to define a drill plan for the next phase of drilling to test the host sediments surrounding high grade veins on several priority targets within the Company's portfolio. The Goldenville Property Osprey's most advanced project, Goldenville, was Nova Scotia's largest historic gold producer, and is located approximately 3 km by paved highway from the town of Sherbrooke, NS. Goldenville hosts a current NI 43-101 Inferred Resource of 2,800,000 tonnes at 3.20 g/t gold for 288,000 ounces of gold (2,800,000 tonnes at 4.96 g/t gold for 447,000 ounces of gold uncapped). Since this resource was completed by Osprey, the Company has drilled an additional 3,044 metres ("m") on the project, including 3 holes approximately 3.5 km to the west of the resource at the property's Mitchell Lake Zone, where significant mineralization was discovered including hole MIT17-01 which intersected a broad zone of gold mineralization; 30.50 m of 0.70 g/t gold, including 8.10 m of 1.10 g/t gold, and 9.40 m of 1.02 g/t gold. The Mitchell Lake area is identified by the Company as a priority exploration area for additional work and follow-up drilling in 2019, because of the broader gold intercepts and lack of historic drilling that left large sections of untested potential. Visit the Goldenville Project Page on the Company's website for a location map and full project details. The Caribou Property Caribou is strategically located, 8 km north of Atlantic Gold's Touquoy Mine and Moose River Consolidated mill site and completely surrounded by Atlantic Gold claimholdings. Historic reports indicate approximately 108,250 ounces of gold production occurred on the property at an average mined grade of approximately 13 g/t, with local areas of 68 g/t according to records. Osprey has identified several targets at Caribou, including surface mineralization at the Elk Zone similar in grade to Atlantic Gold drill intercepts and mill head grade. Another priority target for the Company is the distinctive zones of stockwork veining hosted within the anticline, like the B/C Zone. These contain high grade gold in zones broader than the stratabound veins normally seen in the terrane, and historic drill results include 11.2 metres grading 10.86 g/t gold in Hole CM-98-01 and 9.8 m grading 12.2 g/t gold in Hole SB-88-11. While the scale of the stockwork zones is currently unknown, the grade/thickness combination could allow for more cost efficient underground mining. Visit the Caribou Project Page on the Company's website for a location map and full project details. An historical technical report prepared for Scorpio Gold Corporation by Guy Mac Gillivray, P.Geo. of W.G. Shaw and Associates Limited dated October 8, 2008 (the "Historical Report") provides an inferred historic resource of 94,763 ounces of gold in 350,305 tonnes grading 8.81 g/t gold, uncut (the "Historic Estimate"). Using a grade cap for gold of 47.0 g/t the Historical Estimate for the Caribou Gold Property is 350,305 tonnes grading 5.83 g/t gold, or 67,425 ounces of gold. (The reader is cautioned that a qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify this Historical Estimate as current resources and Osprey is not treating this Historical Estimate as a current mineral resource. While this estimate was prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 and the "Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Definition Guidelines" in effect at the time, there is no guarantee that it would be consistent with current standards and it should not be regarded as consistent with current standards. The Historical Estimate is relevant to obtain a reference to mineral potential present on the property. The Company has not undertaken any verification of the historical data upon which the historical estimates are based on.) About Osprey Osprey is focused on exploring five historically producing gold properties in Nova Scotia, Canada. Osprey has the option to earn 100% (subject to certain royalties) in all five properties, including the Goldenville Gold Project, Nova Scotia's largest historic gold producer. All five properties in Osprey's current portfolio have a history of high-grade gold production. A copy of the Company's technical report titled "Technical Report on the Goldenville Property, Guysborough County, Nova Scotia Canada" prepared by David G. Thomas, M.Sc., P. Geo. and Neil Pettigrew, M.Sc., P. Geo. is available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Perry MacKinnon, P.Geo, Vice-President of Exploration of Osprey and a 'Qualified Person' under NI 43-101. Mr. MacKinnon has reviewed and approved the technical content of this release. Additional information regarding Osprey and the Goldenville property is available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com and at www.ospreygold.com. ON BEHALF OF OSPREY GOLD DEVELOPMENT LTD., "Cooper Quinn" Cooper Quinn, President and Director For further information please contact Osprey at (778)986-8192 or cooper@ospreygold.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. All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to Osprey within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Osprey provides forward-looking statements for the purpose of conveying information about current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. By its nature, this information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to exploration findings, results and recommendations, as well as those risks and uncertainties identified and reported in Osprey's public filings under Osprey's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Although Osprey has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Osprey disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44918 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 21, 2019) - Goldsource Mines Inc. (TSXV: GXS) (OTCBB: GXSFF) (FWB: G5M) ("Goldsource" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an exploration update for the high-grade Salbora discovery ("Salbora"), which includes the results from the reprocessing and re-interpretation of the 2007 airborne magnetic and radiometric surveys. Also, a second diamond drill conractor is being mobilized to increase drilling at Salbora, located approximately 1.5 kilometres northwest of the main Eagle Mountain Gold Project deposit ("Eagle Mountain" or "Project"). Yannis Tsitos, President, commented, "Given the positive airborne geophysics and the recently announced high-grade drill results, we are increasing our understanding of the geological potential of the Salbora area. The re-interpretation of the 2007 airborne magnetic and radiometric surveys suggest that Salbora is located within a corridor of strong structural control with several subparallel structures indicating the potential for multiple mineralized zones related to these structures. With a direct relationship of sulphide content to gold grade at Salbora, we have decided to deploy a ground IP survey to cover approximately five square kilometres to help identify sulphide-rich zones within 250 metres from surface. In addition, the Company will continue step out drilling from recently announced high-grade Salbora intercepts for additional diamond core drilling. The Company is targeting a drill program of between 4,000 to 5,000 metres and hopes to have this completed by end of Q3, 2019." Interpretation of Previous 2007 Airborne Geophysical Survey The Company has recently completed a re-interpretation of a 2007 airborne magnetic and radiometric geophysical survey completed by IAMGOLD Corporation, previous owner of Eagle Mountain. Geophysics One Inc. of Ontario performed this work using the data package and the Company's current in-house geology, to determine regional and local structures and lithologies for exploration targeting. Attached to this news release are the following figures showing selected maps: Figure 1 - Summary geophysical interpretation map, showing the current Salbora discovery area and the outline of the ground IP survey. Figure 2 - First vertical derivative of reduced-to-pole magnetic map with interpretation map. Figure 3 - Measured horizontal gradient map in the cross-line direction. Key exploration information from this re-interpretation study are as follows: Steeply dipping non-mineralized dolerite dykes appear to be associated with strong linear magnetic responses, trending mostly North-East. A distinct NW-SE trend consisting of multiple subparallel lineaments effectively crosscuts the dolerite dykes. The Salbora discovery is located within this zone. This suggests the presence of a 400 to 500 metre wide by 3 kiliometre long structurally controlled zone oriented approximately 110 degrees. 3D magnetic modelling suggests that an intrusion is present at a depth of several hundred meters beneath the northern part of this zone. Various granitoid and mafic volcanic intrusions appear to be associated with most of the radiometric anomalies. Several are known and appear on the Company's geological maps. At least two new intrusives have been identified in the Salbora area, which may be related to gold mineralization. The Company plans to follow up on priority geophysical anomalies with ground IP and high resolution ground magnetics in Q2, 2019. The proposed surveys will be completed by Matrix Geotechnologies Inc. of Ontario and will cover approximately five (5) square kilometres over the Salbora area (see survey area on Figure 1). The geophysical survey will consist of: Approximately 45-line kilometres of Gradient Time Domain Induced Polarization ("TDIP")/ Resistivity survey, at 100 metres line spacing, and focus to explore the top 250-300 metres of ground. Approximately 55-line kilometres, including baselines and tie-lines of high-resolution ground magnetic survey over the same grid at 12.5 metres spacing. Approximately 30% of the entire grid and based on identified targets/anomalies by the TDIP and ground magnetics, will be covered by detailed IP profiles in the form of Pole-Dipole and Dipole-Dipole IP techniques. The data will be compiled and used to determine drill hole targets during the remainder of Q2, 2019. Drilling Update To date, Goldsource has completed 11 diamond core holes (1,423 metres), 14 sonic shallow core holes (161 metres), 113 shallow auger drill holes (436 metres) and 11 horizontal and vertical trenches (928 metres) at Salbora. Please refer to the Company's 2018 news releases dated May 24, July 12, October 25 and the 2019 news releases dated January 23, and March 6, for previous results on Salbora, including the first six diamond drill holes. All results with gold mineralization are considered near surface and several drill holes ended in gold mineralization. Results for five core holes are pending assays and compilation with results to be reported in due course. Previously planned diamond core drilling at Salbora (approximately 2,000 metres) has now been increased to between 4,000 and 5,000 metres (25 to 35 additional holes) of drilling over the next four months. The Company has engaged Orbit Garant Drilling Inc., a Canadian mining drilling company with extensive experience in Guyana, to assist with the increased drilling that is planned for the Company. The Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for this news release is N. Eric Fier, CPG, P.Eng, Executive Chairman and Chief Operating Officer for Goldsource, who has reviewed and approved its contents. ABOUT GOLDSOURCE MINES INC. Goldsource Mines Inc. (www.goldsourcemines.com) is a Canadian resource company working aggressively to develop its advanced-stage, 100%-owned Eagle Mountain saprolite and hard-rock gold project in Guyana, South America. From 2016 to 2017, through a gravity pilot plant initiative, the Company completed testing on gravity-only gold production and both dry and wet mining open-pit techniques. Goldsource is now focused on delivering feasibility studies to achieve large-scale gold production at Eagle Mountain. Goldsource is led by an experienced management team, proven in making exploration discoveries and in project construction. Ioannis (Yannis) Tsitos President Goldsource Mines Inc. For Further Information: Goldsource Mines Inc. Contact: Ioannis (Yannis) Tsitos, President Fred Cooper, Investor Relations Telephone: +1 (604) 694-1760 Fax: +1 (604) 357-1313 Toll Free: 1-866-691-1760 (Canada & USA) Email: info@goldsourcemines.com Website: www.goldsourcemines.com 570 Granville Street, Suite 501 Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3P1 CAUTIONARY STATEMENT AND FORWARD-LOOKING DISCLAIMER This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements concern Goldsource's strategic plans, timing and expectations for the Company's exploration and drilling programs at Eagle Mountain, including the Salbora area; and information regarding high grade areas projected from sampling results and drilling results. Such forward-looking statements or information are based on a number of assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: conditions in general economic and financial markets; accuracy of assay results and availability of mining equipment; availability of skilled labour; timing and amount of capital expenditures; performance of available laboratory and other related services; and future operating costs. The actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the risk factors including: the timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties; the interpretation of drilling results and other geological data; the uncertainties of resource estimations; receipt, maintenance and security of permits and mineral property titles; environmental and other regulatory risks; project costs overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; availability of funds and general market and industry conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this news release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law. Neither TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Figure 1 - Summary geophysical interpretation map, showing the current Salbora discovery area and the outline of the ground IP survey. To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4977/44915_GXS NR 2019-5-16 Figures Final-1.jpg Figure 2 - First vertical derivative of reduced-to-pole magnetic map with interpretation map. To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4977/44915_GXS NR 2019-5-16 Figures Final-2.jpg Figure 3 - Measured horizontal gradient map in the cross-line direction. To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4977/44915_GXS NR 2019-5-16 Figures Final-3.jpg To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44915 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 21, 2019) - Transcanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) (XETR: TH8) ("TransCanna" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the execution of a non-binding Letter Of Intent dated May 17, 2019 (the "LOI") with Lyfted Farms, Inc. ("Lyfted"), of Modesto, California to acquire the business and assets of Lyfted (the "Proposed Acquisition"). Lyfted Farms is a state licensed producer of high quality indoor grown cannabis. The three permanent state licenses that Lyfted owns are for cultivation (nursery), cultivation (grow), and distribution. "The Proposed Acquisition includes an exceptional brand, with a range of high-end flower, growing revenues, fifty exotic and unique genetic strains and a team that's been a staple in the Modesto valley with over two decades of cultivating experience. In short, this is another example of an ideal acquisition candidate for TransCanna that offers SKU velocity, growing revenues and branded products that differentiate from others in the marketplace," stated Jim Pakulis, CEO of TransCanna. "Being a premier cultivator, we thrive on new, cutting edge processes to generate superior results. We're extremely excited about joining forces with the team at TransCanna," stated Bob Blink, President of Lyfted Farms. "The acquisition by TransCanna would allow us to solve our biggest current challenge, which is the limited cultivation space at our indoor facilities. We're already the number one selling vendor of products among the top seven dispensaries locally. It's now time for us to scale throughout the state. TranCanna's impressive facility in Modesto, not far from our present location, and their vertically integrated strategy, including distribution, will enable us to achieve that." On closing of the Proposed Acquisition, Lyfted will receive total consideration of US$5.5 million in cash and one million shares. The Company will pay US$2.75 million at closing and issue a 12 month, unsecured, interest only note for $2.75 million at 7% interest p.a. (the "Note"). The Note is repayable by the Company in part or in full anytime during its 12 month term. The Company is paying a non-refundable deposit of US$50,000 in cash, which is deductible from the total consideration payable under the terms of the Proposed Acquisition . The Proposed Acquisition is subject to completion of due diligence, execution of a definitive asset purchase agreement, which is to be completed within 45 days of the date of the LOI, and relevant regulatory approvals. There can be no assurances that the completion of the Proposed Acquisition will occur on the terms set forth above or at all. For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.transcanna.com. About TransCanna Holdings Inc. TransCanna Holdings Inc. is a Canadian-based company focused on providing integrated branding, transportation and distribution services, through its wholly-owned California subsidiaries, to a range of industries including the cannabis marketplace. For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.transcanna.com or email the Company at info@transcanna.com. Media Contact TransCanna@talkshopmedia.com 604-738-2220 On behalf of the Board of Directors James Pakulis Chief Executive Officer Telephone: (604) 609-6199 The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward looking statements. These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to: the expected purchase of Lyfted, the terms of the Asset acquisition" the ability of the Company to secure financing and the acquisition of appropriate licenses. Any number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements as well as future results. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward looking statements or otherwise. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Corporate Communications: NetworkWire (NW) New York, New York www.NetworkNewsWire.com 212.418.1217 Office Editor@NetworkWire.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44916 ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC - Result of AGM ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC RESULT OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Royal Dutch Shell plc announces the poll results on the resolutions at its Annual General Meeting held on Tuesday May 21, 2019 at the Circustheater, Circusstraat 4, 2586 CW The Hague, The Netherlands. Resolutions 1-21 were carried and resolution 22 (Shareholder resolution) was withdrawn. In accordance with the Listing Rules, a copy of all resolutions other than resolutions concerning ordinary business at the Annual General Meeting, will be submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will be available for inspection at: www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/nsm RESOLUTION VOTES FOR % VOTES AGAINST % VOTES TOTAL % of ISC VOTED VOTES WITHHELD 1 Receipt of Annual Report & Accounts 4,888,788,718 98.91 54,067,363 1.09 4,942,856,081 60.91% 33,130,377 2 Approval of Directors' Remuneration Report 4,357,260,297 89.93 488,139,305 10.07 4,845,399,602 59.71% 130,596,261 3 Appointment of Neil Carson 4,879,143,638 98.56 71,436,470 1.44 4,950,580,108 61.00% 25,363,428 4 Reappointment of Ben van Beurden 4,897,629,173 99.86 6,881,678 0.14 4,904,510,851 60.43% 71,465,739 5 Reappointment of Ann Godbehere 4,897,814,423 99.87 6,444,309 0.13 4,904,258,732 60.43% 71,716,441 6 Reappointment of Euleen Goh 4,849,735,526 98.89 54,482,821 1.11 4,904,218,347 60.43% 71,758,225 7 Reappointment of Charles O. Holliday 4,751,345,450 97.02 145,944,143 2.98 4,897,289,593 60.34% 78,687,788 8 Reappointment of Catherine Hughes 4,893,051,881 99.77 11,201,051 0.23 4,904,252,932 60.43% 71,723,808 9 Reappointment of Gerard Kleisterlee 4,688,091,360 96.69 160,664,973 3.31 4,848,756,333 59.75% 127,216,800 10 Reappointment of Roberto Setubal 4,892,879,339 99.88 6,080,891 0.12 4,898,960,230 60.37% 77,016,200 11 Reappointment of Sir Nigel Sheinwald 4,891,416,377 99.75 12,499,456 0.25 4,903,915,833 60.43% 72,018,691 12 Reappointment of Linda G. Stuntz 4,896,206,714 99.84 7,951,175 0.16 4,904,157,889 60.43% 71,807,931 13 Reappointment of Jessica Uhl 4,881,237,953 99.53 22,888,407 0.47 4,904,126,360 60.43% 71,841,123 14 Reappointment of Gerrit Zalm 4,891,550,569 99.76 11,851,499 0.24 4,903,402,068 60.42% 72,551,391 15 Reappointment of Auditors 4,922,753,927 99.41 29,308,046 0.59 4,952,061,973 61.02% 23,840,636 16 Remuneration of Auditors 4,939,317,235 99.77 11,623,526 0.23 4,950,940,761 61.01% 24,963,931 17 Authority to allot shares 4,879,436,071 98.60 69,044,043 1.40 4,948,480,114 60.98% 27,478,481 18 Disapplication of pre-emption rights* 4,902,893,603 99.09 45,096,760 0.91 4,947,990,363 60.97% 27,918,886 19 Adoption of new Articles of Association* 4,934,052,009 99.76 11,928,722 0.24 4,945,980,731 60.94% 29,972,303 20 Authority to purchase own shares* 4,875,558,964 98.54 72,478,843 1.46 4,948,037,807 60.97% 27,928,427 21 Authority to make certain donations and incur expenditure 4,656,329,555 96.70 158,754,057 3.30 4,815,083,612 59.33% 160,870,758 22 Shareholder resolution* RESOLUTION WITHDRAWN * Special resolution Please note that a 'vote withheld' is not a vote under English Law and is not counted in the calculation of the proportion of the votes 'for' and 'against' a resolution. May 21, 2019 Anthony Clarke Deputy Company Secretary Royal Dutch Shell plc ENQUIRIES Shell Media Relations International, UK, European Press: +44 20 7934 5550 Shell Investor Relations Europe: + 31 70 377 4540 United States: +1 832 337 2034 LEI number of Royal Dutch Shell plc: 21380068P1DRHMJ8KU70 Classification: Additional regulated information required to be disclosed under the laws of a Member State. News release from Vestas Wind Systems A/S Aarhus, 21 May Following the launch of the EnVentus platform in January, including the V162-5.6 MW and V150-5.6 MW turbines, Vestas today introduced the V138-3.0 MW turbine at AWEA WINDPOWER in Houston, Texas. Based on the scalable EnVentus platform architecture, the V138-3.0 MW's 138m rotor provides a large rotor-size-to-generator-rating ratio, strengthening Vestas' portfolio of turbines through superior park level energy production, higher certainty in performance, and reduced levelised cost of energy. The V138-3.0 MW is globally applicable but purposely designed to maximise performance under market specific constraint conditions. By combining the V138-3.0 MW turbine's 138m rotor with an 83m tower, the new turbine offers the industry's largest swept area under 152.4m (500ft), a relevant height constraint in the United States. At the same time, the turbine's leading sound power levels makes it highly suitable for low wind sites in sound sensitive markets such as France. Chris Brown, President of Vestas' sales and service division in the United States and Canada says: "The V138-3.0 MW underlines Vestas ability to continuously innovate and lead the industry in developing customisable and sustainable energy solutions that meet our customers' needs. This turbine is a perfect match for the North American market where higher certainty in Annual Energy Production at park level will become increasingly important for our customers to secure project financing and ensure profitability in a post-PTC market". As wind energy continues to expand globally and increase its share of the energy mix, the energy market is transforming. EnVentus is designed to meet the challenges our customers are facing in this environment, including changing energy policy and grid requirements. Through increased standardisation of components while ensuring turbine optimisation, the EnVentus variants thus help efficiently ensure our customers' competitiveness in a wide range of market conditions, including markets driven by auction and forward-selling. Anders Vedel, Vestas Chief Technology Officer, says "With the introduction of the V138-3.0 MW, we take another step forward in versatility and scalability of functional systems, demonstrating modular product development's huge potential and how it supports our vision to become the global leader in sustainable energy solutions.I'm proud that, by utilising many of the same components as the first two turbines, we can introduce the V138-3.0 MW to meetcustomer requirements while lowering the levelised cost of energy and optimising the value chain". With the introduction of the V138-3.0 MW, EnVentus now covers an unprecedented wide spectrum of turbine generator ratings and rotor sizes, underlining the scalability of EnVentus' platform architecture. Prototype installation is expected by the second half of 2020, while serial production is scheduled for the first half of 2021. For more information, please contact: Anders Riis Head of Communications Tel: +45 4181 3922 Mail: ANPRR@vestas.com About Vestas Vestas is the energy industry's global partner on sustainable energy solutions. We design, manufacture, install, and service wind turbines across the globe, and with more than 102 GW of wind turbines in 80 countries, we have installed more wind power than anyone else. Through our industry-leading smart data capabilities and unparalleled more than 87 GW of wind turbines under service, we use data to interpret, forecast, and exploit wind resources and deliver best-in-class wind power solutions. Together with our customers, Vestas' more than 24,500 employees are bringing the world sustainable energy solutions to power a bright future. For updated Vestas photographs and videos, please visit our media images page on: https://www.vestas.com/en/media/images . We invite you to learn more about Vestas by visiting our website at www.vestas.com and following us on our social media channels: www.twitter.com/vestas (http://www.twitter.com/vestas) (http://www.twitter.com/vestas) www.linkedin.com/company/vestas (http://www.linkedin.com/company/vestas) (http://www.linkedin.com/company/vestas) www.facebook.com/vestas (http://www.facebook.com/vestas) (http://www.facebook.com/vestas) www.instagram.com/vestas (http://www.instagram.com/vestas) (http://www.instagram.com/vestas) www.youtube.com/vestas (http://www.youtube.com/vestas) Attachment Andersen Global today announced its first collaboration agreement in Bahrain with independent consulting firm Awael Al Bahrain Management Consultancy (Awael). Andersen Global is committed to building a strong and effective practice in the Middle East and the collaboration with Awael is the next step in this process. Abbas Radhi founded Awael in 2014 as an alternative to the Big Four consulting firms. Awael's growing team of professionals serves a wide range of business clients including owner-managed businesses. Due to the quality of the Awael professional team, larger businesses are starting to approach Awael for the provision of services. The firm's practice areas include accounting, tax, litigation support, corporate governance, independent directorship of listed and family owned companies, enterprise risk management, risk consulting, corporate finance, feasibility studies, family business support, management consulting, and corporate governance assessments. "Providing service of the highest level of quality and integrity is top priority for us and has been a key contributor to our success," said Abbas, Office Managing Director at Awael. "Collaborating with Andersen Global strengthens our ability to deliver the most efficient, seamless, and successful solutions to our clients and offer our clients further support through access to a global organization of highly skilled professionals." "The environment in Bahrain is changing, especially with the implementation of VAT earlier this year. We were highly selective about who we would bring on in that market, and we believe we found a great match in Awael. We both believe that we should give our clients the best-in-class service they anticipate, but deliver even higher," said Mark Vorsatz, Andersen Global Chairman and Andersen Tax LLC CEO. Andersen Global is an international association of legally separate, independent member firms comprised of tax and legal professionals around the world. Established in 2013 by U.S. member firm Andersen Tax LLC, Andersen Global now has more than 4,500 professionals worldwide and a presence in over 141 locations through its member firms and collaborating firms. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005045/en/ Contacts: Megan Tsuei Andersen Tax 415-764-2700 21 May 2019 Publication of Report on Payments to Governments Cadogan Petroleum plc (the "Company") Consolidated report on payments to governments Cadogan Petroleum plc presents below its consolidated report on payments to governments for the year ended 31 December 2018, for activities related to exploration, development and extraction of oil and gas resources. The Company has prepared the following consolidated report in accordance with DTR 4.3A of the Financial Conduct Authority Disclosure and Transparency Rules and in compliance with the Reports on Payments to Governments Regulations 2014 (SI 2014/3209), as amended by the Reports on Payments to Governments (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/1928). Basis of preparation The Company discloses below payments made to governments of the Group's subsidiaries involved in extractive activities. The term 'government' includes a department, agency or entity that is controlled by the government authority. Reporting currency Where payments have been made in currencies other than the reporting currency (USD), the exchange rate existing at the time the payment is made has been used. Payment types disclosed at project level "Project" is defined as "operational activities governed by a single contract, licence, lease, concession or similar legal agreements and form the basis for payment liabilities with a government". Where multiple such agreements are substantially interconnected, this was considered a project for the purpose of this report. The payments are presented on a cash basis, net of any interest and penalties on late tax payments or on underpaid tax. There were no payments in kind made to a Government during the year. The following payment types are disclosed for legal entities involved in extractive activities for the year ended 31 December 2018: Production taxes Payments to governments in relation to revenue or production generated under licence agreements. Excluded amounts Taxes levied on consumption such as value added taxes, personal income taxes, sales taxes, property and environmental taxes have not been included in this report. Payments summary Payments to governments made during the year ended 31 December 2018: Production taxes Total Governments $'000 $'000 Ukraine State treasury: State budget 2,149 2,149 Total Ukraine 2,149 2,149 Grand Total 2,149 2,149 Payments to governments by project type made during the year ended 31 December 2018: Production taxes Total $'000 $'000 Ukraine Debeslavetska Production licence area 676 676 Monastyretska licence area 1,339 1,339 Cheremkhivska Production licence area 134 134 Total Ukraine 2,149 2,149 -ENDS- For further information, please contact: Regulatory News: The combined annual general meeting of Arkema's (Paris:AKE) shareholders was held on 21 May 2019 at Theatre des Sablons in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, under the chairmanship of Thierry Le Henaff, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The shareholders approved all the resolutions recommended by the Board of Directors, including inter alia the approval of the 2018 financial statements and distribution of a dividend of 2.50 per share which will be paid from 29 May 2019; the re-election as directors for a four-year term of Victoire de Margerie, Helene Moreau-Leroy and Laurent Mignon; the appointment as director for a four-year term of Ian Hudson; the compensation policy of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, as well as the components of compensation due or awarded to him for the year ended 31 December 2018; and the authorization granted to the Board of Directors, for a period of 38 months, to grant performance shares. Following this annual general meeting, the Board of Directors continues to comprise 13 members. Helene Moreau-Leroy becomes senior independent director and Ian Hudson joins the Audit and Accounts Committee. This annual general meeting was an opportunity to review the achievements and announcements made in 2018, as well as last year's excellent financial performance and solid start to 2019. It was also an opportunity to review the Group's long-term strategy and ambition and highlight the strong actions taken by Arkema in the areas of Corporate Social Responsibility and innovation. Thierry Le Henaff also commented the planned acquisition of ArrMaz, a major US-based player in specialty surfactants, a deal which confirms the Group's commitment to strengthen its specialty businesses. The full results of the vote will be available in the coming days on the Company's website www.arkema.com A designer of materials and innovative solutions, Arkema shapes materials and creates new uses that accelerate customer performance. Our balanced business portfolio spans high-performance materials, industrial specialties and coating solutions. Our globally recognized brands are ranked among the leaders in the markets we serve. Reporting annual sales of 8.8 billion in 2018, we employ approximately 20,000 people worldwide and operate in close to 55 countries. We are committed to active engagement with all our stakeholders. Our research centers in North America, France and Asia concentrate on advances in bio-based products, new energies, water management, electronic solutions, lightweight materials and design, home efficiency and insulation. www.arkema.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005626/en/ Contacts: INVESTOR RELATIONS Sophie Fouillat, +33 1 49 00 86 37 sophie.fouillat@arkema.com Arie Taieb, +33 1 49 00 72 07 arie.taieb@arkema.com Peter Farren, +33 1 49 00 73 12 peter.farren@arkema.com Beatrice Zilm, +33 1 49 00 75 58 beatrice.zilm@arkema.com Washington, D.C.--(Newsfile Corp. - May 21, 2019) - The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced it has obtained a court order halting an ongoing $30 million Ponzi scheme targeting more than 300 investors in the U.S. and Canada. The SEC complaint unsealed Monday charges South Florida-based Argyle Coin, LLC, a purported cryptocurrency business, and its principal Jose Angel Aman with using investor funds to run a Ponzi scheme. On May 20, the Honorable Judge Robin L. Rosenberg of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida granted the SEC's request for a temporary restraining order and temporary asset freeze against Aman, Argyle Coin and other companies charged by the SEC as relief defendants. The court also appointed Jeffrey D. Schneider as a Receiver over Argyle Coin. The SEC's complaint alleges that Aman operated Argyle Coin as a Ponzi scheme -- it used new investor funds to pay prior investors their purported returns. As alleged, this fraud is a continuation of a scheme Aman orchestrated with two other companies he owns, Natural Diamonds Investment Co. (Natural Diamonds) and Eagle Financial Diamond Group Inc (Eagle). According to the complaint, Aman engaged in unregistered offerings of securities in Natural Diamonds and Eagle as early as May 2014, falsely promising investors that the companies would invest in whole diamonds to cut down and sell for huge profits. Aman was assisted by Harold Seigel and Jonathan H. Seigel, who also have interests in Natural Diamonds and Eagle. According to the complaint, in October 2017, Aman and Jonathan H. Seigel continued the scheme by luring investors to invest in Argyle Coin, falsely claiming the investment was risk-free because it was backed by fancy colored diamonds, and promising to use investor funds to develop the cryptocurrency business. Instead, according to the complaint, Aman, Natural Diamonds, Eagle, and Argyle Coin, misused or misappropriated more than $10 million of investor funds to pay other investors their purported returns and for Aman's personal expenses, including rent on his home, purchases of horses, and riding lessons for his son. "As alleged, Aman operated a complicated web of fraudulent companies in an effort to continually loot retail investors and perpetuate the Ponzi schemes as well as divert money to himself," said Eric I. Bustillo, Director of the SEC's Miami Regional Office. "The SEC's diligent investigative work uncovered the Ponzi schemes and our goal is to bring justice to the harmed investors." The SEC's complaint charges Natural Diamonds, Eagle, Argyle Coin, Aman, Harold Seigel and Jonathan H. Seigel with violations of the securities registration provisions and also charges Natural Diamonds, Eagle, Argyle Coin and Aman with violations of the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws. The SEC's complaint seeks disgorgement of allegedly ill-gotten gains and prejudgment interest from Natural Diamonds, Eagle, Argyle Coin, Aman, Harold Seigel, and the relief defendants, and financial penalties against Natural Diamonds, Eagle, Argyle Coin, Aman, Harold Seigel and Jonathan H. Seigel. The SEC's investigation was conducted in the Miami office by Linda S. Schmidt with assistance from Kathleen Strandell, under the supervision of Glenn S. Gordon and Elisha L. Frank. The litigation is being led by Amie Riggle Berlin. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. KINGSPORT, Tenn., May 21, 2019 - Eastman has been identified by Forbes as one of its 2019 America's Best Large Employers (https://www.forbes.com/best-large-employers/#1e1151e1fb3e). The company was ranked 133rd out of the 500 large employers, which are defined as companies with more than 5,000 U.S. employees. This is the second consecutive year Eastman has made the list, ranking 232nd in 2018. Companies are selected based on the opinions of American workers. The most important factor in determining a company's ranking on the list comes from the likelihood of current employees recommending their company to friends or family. "This recognition reflects the fact that our people matter," said Mark Costa, Board Chair and CEO. "Our team members are the key to Eastman's success and to fulfilling our purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way. The significant gain that we made on the list this year is an indication that we are pursuing a mission and a vision that our team believes in and finds meaningful. For any company, that is the greatest reward." In collaboration with analytics firm Statista (http://www.statista.com/), Forbes asked 50,000 American employees working for large firms or institutions to rate - on a scale of 0 to 10 - their willingness to recommend their own companies. In addition, participants were requested to evaluate other employers that stood out either positively or negatively in their respective industries. The employees who took part in the survey were consulted anonymously through several online access panels, not through their employers. The mix of respondents (gender, age, region, and ethnicity) in the sample represents American employees. Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company's innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end-markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive and diverse company, Eastman employs approximately 14,500 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2018 revenues of approximately $10 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. For more information, visit www.eastman.com (http://www.eastman.com/). # # # Media Contact: Tracy Kilgore Addington tracy@eastman.com (mailto:tracy@eastman.com) / 423.224.0498 This announcement is distributed by West Corporation on behalf of West Corporation clients. The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: Eastman Chemical Company via Globenewswire Nokia Corporation Stock Exchange Release May 21, 2019 at 17:30 (CET +1) Resolutions of the Nokia Annual General Meeting 2019; the Board of Directors resolved to distribute EUR 0.05 per share as the first instalment of dividend Espoo, Finland -The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Nokia Corporation was held on May 21, 2019. The AGM approved all the proposals of the Board of Directors (Board) to the AGM. The AGM adopted the company's financial statements and discharged the members of the Board of Directors and the President and Chief Executive Officer from liability for the financial year 2018. In addition, the AGM adopted the following resolutions: Distribution of funds The AGM decided that no dividend is distributed by a resolution of the AGM and authorized the Board of Directors to resolve on the distribution of an aggregate maximum of EUR 0.20 per share as dividend from the retained earnings and/or as repayment of capital from the fund for invested unrestricted equity. The authorization is valid until the opening of the next Annual General Meeting and it can be used to distribute funds in four instalments during the validity of the authorization, unless the Board decides otherwise for a justified reason. The Board makes separate resolutions on the amount and timing of each distribution with preliminary record and payment dates stated below. The Company announces each Board resolution separately and confirms the relevant record and payment dates in such announcements. Preliminary record date Preliminary payment date May 23, 2019 June 6, 2019 July 30, 2019 August 8, 2019 October 29, 2019 November 7, 2019 February 4, 2020 February 13, 2020 Each instalment will be paid to the shareholders that are registered in the Company's Register of Shareholders maintained by Euroclear Finland Oy on the record date of the relevant instalment. In an assembly meeting that took place after the AGM the Board resolved under the authorization by the Annual General Meeting to distribute a dividend of EUR 0.05 per share from the retained earnings. The dividend record date is on May 23, 2019 and the dividend is expected to be paid on or about June 6, 2019. The actual dividend pay date outside Finland will be determined by the practices of the intermediary banks transferring the dividend payments. Following this announced distribution, the remaining distribution authorization of the Board is EUR 0.15 per share. Members of the Board of Directors and Board Committees elected The AGM resolved to elect ten members to the Board. The following members of the Board were re-elected for a term ending at the close of the next Annual General Meeting: Sari Baldauf, Bruce Brown, Jeanette Horan, Edward Kozel, Elizabeth Nelson, Olivier Piou, Risto Siilasmaa, Carla Smits-Nusteling and Kari Stadigh. In addition, Sren Skou was elected as a new member of the Board for the same term. The qualifications and career experience of the elected Board members are available at http://www.nokia.com/en_int/investors/corporate-governance/board-of-directors/meet-the-board (http://www.nokia.com/en_int/investors/corporate-governance/board-of-directors/meet-the-board). In an assembly meeting that took place after the AGM, the Board elected Risto Siilasmaa as Chair of the Board, and Sari Baldauf as Vice Chair of the Board. The Board also elected the members of the four Board committees. Carla Smits-Nusteling was elected as Chair and Jeanette Horan, Edward Kozel, Elizabeth Nelson and Olivier Piou as members of the Audit Committee. Bruce Brown was elected as Chair and Sari Baldauf, Elizabeth Nelson, Sren Skou and Kari Stadigh as members of the Personnel Committee. Risto Siilasmaa was elected as Chair and Sari Baldauf, Bruce Brown, Carla Smits-Nusteling and Kari Stadigh as members of the Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee. Edward Kozel was elected as Chair and Bruce Brown, Jeanette Horan, Olivier Piou and Risto Siilasmaa as members of the Technology Committee. The AGM resolved the following annual fees to be paid to the members of the Board for the term ending at the Annual General Meeting in 2020: EUR 440 000 for the Chair of the Board, EUR 185 000 for the Vice Chair of the Board and EUR 160 000 for each Board member. In addition, the AGM resolved that the Chairs of the Audit Committee and the Personnel Committee will each be paid an additional annual fee of EUR 30 000, Chair of the Technology Committee an additional annual fee of EUR 20 000 and other members of the Audit Committee an additional annual fee of EUR 15 000 each. The AGM also resolved to pay a meeting fee of EUR 5 000 per meeting requiring intercontinental travel and EUR 2 000 per meeting requiring continental travel for Board and Committee meetings to all the other Board members except the Chair of the Board. The meeting fee would be paid for a maximum of seven meetings per term. The AGM resolved that the members of the Board of Directors shall be compensated for travel and accommodation expenses as well as other costs directly related to Board and Committee work. In addition, the AGM resolved, in line with Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines, that approximately 40% of the annual remuneration will be paid in Nokia shares purchased from the market, or alternatively by using treasury shares held by the Company. The members of the Board shall retain until the end of their directorship such number of shares that corresponds to the number of shares they have received as Board remuneration during their first three years of service in the Board. The meeting fee and costs directly related to Board and Committee work will be paid in cash. Auditor The AGM elected PricewaterhouseCoopers Oy as the auditor for Nokia for the fiscal year 2019 and Deloitte Oy as the auditor for Nokia for the fiscal year 2020. In addition, the AGM resolved that the auditor elected for 2019 and for 2020 be reimbursed based on the invoice of the auditor and in compliance with the purchase policy approved by the Audit Committee. Other resolutions of the Annual General Meeting The AGM authorized the Board to resolve to repurchase a maximum of 550 million Nokia shares. Shares may be repurchased to be cancelled, held to be reissued, transferred further or for other purposes resolved by the Board. The shares may be repurchased otherwise than in proportion to the shares held by the shareholders (directed repurchase). The authorization is effective until November 21, 2020 and it terminated the corresponding repurchase authorization granted by the Annual General Meeting on May 30, 2018. The AGM also resolved to authorize the Board to issue a maximum of 550 million shares through issuance of shares or special rights entitling to shares in one or more issues. The authorization may be used to develop the Company's capital structure, diversify the shareholder base, finance or carry out acquisitions or other arrangements, settle the Company's equity-based incentive plans, or for other purposes resolved by the Board. Under the authorization, the Board may issue new shares or shares held by the Company. The authorization includes the right for the Board to resolve on all the terms and conditions of the issuance of shares and special rights entitling to shares, including issuance of shares or special rights in deviation from the shareholders' pre-emptive rights within the limits set by law. The authorization is effective until November 21, 2020 and it terminated the corresponding authorization granted by the Annual General Meeting on May 30, 2018. The authorization did not terminate the authorization by the Extraordinary General Meeting held on December 2, 2015 granted to the Board for issuance of shares in order to implement the combination of Nokia and Alcatel Lucent. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS It should be noted that Nokia and its businesses are exposed to various risks and uncertainties and certain statements herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect Nokia's current expectations and views of future developments and include statements regarding: A) expectations, plans or benefits related to our strategies and growth management; B) expectations, plans or benefits related to future performance of our businesses and any expected future dividends; C) expectations and targets regarding financial performance, results, operating expenses, taxes, currency exchange rates, hedging, cost savings and competitiveness, as well as results of operations including targeted synergies and those related to market share, prices, net sales, income and margins; D) expectations, plans or benefits related to changes in organizational and operational structure; E) expectations regarding market developments, general economic conditions and structural changes; F) our ability to integrate acquired businesses into our operations and achieve the targeted business plans and benefits, including targeted benefits, synergies, cost savings and efficiencies; G) expectations, plans or benefits related to any future collaboration or to business collaboration agreements or patent license agreements or arbitration awards, including income to be received under any collaboration or partnership, agreement or award; H) timing of the deliveries of our products and services, including our short term and longer term expectations around the rollout of 5G and our ability to capitalize on such rollout; and the overall readiness of the 5G ecosystem; I) expectations and targets regarding collaboration and partnering arrangements, joint ventures or the creation of joint ventures, and the related administrative, legal, regulatory and other conditions, as well as our expected customer reach; J) outcome of pending and threatened litigation, arbitration, disputes, regulatory proceedings or investigations by authorities; K) expectations regarding restructurings, investments, capital structure optimization efforts, uses of proceeds from transactions, acquisitions and divestments and our ability to achieve the financial and operational targets set in connection with any such restructurings, investments, capital structure optimization efforts, divestments and acquisitions, including our current cost savings program; L) expectations, plans or benefits related to future capital expenditures, temporary incremental expenditures or other R&D expenditures to develop or rollout new products, including 5G; and M) statements preceded by or including "believe", "expect", "expectations", "commit", "anticipate", "foresee", "see", "target", "estimate", "designed", "aim", "plan", "intend", "influence", "assumption", "focus", "continue", "project", "should", "is to", "will" or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. These statements are based on management's best assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it. These forward-looking statements are only predictions based upon our current expectations and views of future events and developments and are subject to risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. Factors, including risks and uncertainties that could cause these differences include, but are not limited to: 1) our strategy is subject to various risks and uncertainties and we may be unable to successfully implement our strategic plans, sustain or improve the operational and financial performance of our business groups, correctly identify or successfully pursue business opportunities or otherwise grow our business; 2) general economic and market conditions and other developments in the economies where we operate, including the timeline for the deployment of 5G and our ability to successfully capitalize on that deployment; 3) competition and our ability to effectively and profitably invest in existing and new high-quality products, services, upgrades and technologies and bring them to market in a timely manner; 4) our dependence on the development of the industries in which we operate, including the cyclicality and variability of the information technology and telecommunications industries and our own R&D capabilities and investments; 5) our dependence on a limited number of customers and large multi-year agreements, as well as external events impacting our customers including mergers and acquisitions; 6) our ability to maintain our existing sources of intellectual property-related revenue through our intellectual property, including through licensing, establish new sources of revenue and protect our intellectual property from infringement; 7) our ability to manage and improve our financial and operating performance, cost savings, competitiveness and synergies generally, expectations and timing around our ability to recognize any net sales and our ability to implement changes to our organizational and operational structure efficiently; 8) our global business and exposure to regulatory, political or other developments in various countries or regions, including emerging markets and the associated risks in relation to tax matters and exchange controls, among others; 9) our ability to achieve the anticipated benefits, synergies, cost savings and efficiencies of acquisitions, including the acquisition of Alcatel-Lucent; 10) exchange rate fluctuations, as well as hedging activities; 11) our ability to successfully realize the expectations, plans or benefits related to any future collaboration or business collaboration agreements and patent license agreements or arbitration awards, including income to be received under any collaboration, partnership, agreement or arbitration award; 12) Nokia Technologies' ability to protect its IPR and to maintain and establish new sources of patent, brand and technology licensing income and IPR-related revenues, particularly in the smartphone market, which may not materialize as planned, 13) our dependence on IPR technologies, including those that we have developed and those that are licensed to us, and the risk of associated IPR-related legal claims, licensing costs and restrictions on use; 14) our exposure to direct and indirect regulation, including economic or trade policies, and the reliability of our governance, internal controls and compliance processes to prevent regulatory penalties in our business or in our joint ventures; 15) our reliance on third-party solutions for data storage and service distribution, which expose us to risks relating to security, regulation and cybersecurity breaches; 16) inefficiencies, breaches, malfunctions or disruptions of information technology systems, or our customers' security concerns; 17) our exposure to various legal frameworks regulating corruption, fraud, trade policies, and other risk areas, and the possibility of proceedings or investigations that result in fines, penalties or sanctions; 18) adverse developments with respect to customer financing or extended payment terms we provide to customers; 19) the potential complex tax issues, tax disputes and tax obligations we may face in various jurisdictions, including the risk of obligations to pay additional taxes; 20) our actual or anticipated performance, among other factors, which could reduce our ability to utilize deferred tax assets; 21) our ability to retain, motivate, develop and recruit appropriately skilled employees; 22) disruptions to our manufacturing, service creation, delivery, logistics and supply chain processes, and the risks related to our geographically-concentrated production sites; 23) the impact of litigation, arbitration, agreement-related disputes or product liability allegations associated with our business; 24) our ability to re-establish investment grade rating or maintain our credit ratings; 25) our ability to achieve targeted benefits from, or successfully implement planned transactions, as well as the liabilities related thereto; 26) our involvement in joint ventures and jointly-managed companies; 27) the carrying amount of our goodwill may not be recoverable; 28) uncertainty related to the amount of dividends and equity return we are able to distribute to shareholders for each financial period; 29) pension costs, employee fund-related costs, and healthcare costs; 30) our ability to successfully complete and capitalize on our order backlogs and continue converting our sales pipeline into net sales; and 31) risks related to undersea infrastructure, as well as the risk factors specified on pages 60 to 75 of our 2018 annual report on Form 20-F published on March 21, 2019 under "Operating and financial review and prospects-Risk factors" and in our other filings or documents furnished with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Other unknown or unpredictable factors or underlying assumptions subsequently proven to be incorrect could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent legally required. About Nokia We create the technology to connect the world. We develop and deliver the industry's only end-to-end portfolio of network equipment, software, services and licensing that is available globally. Our customers include communications service providers whose combined networks support 6.1 billion subscriptions, as well as enterprises in the private and public sector that use our network portfolio to increase productivity and enrich lives. Through our research teams, including the world-renowned Nokia Bell Labs, we are leading the world to adopt end-to-end 5G networks that are faster, more secure and capable of revolutionizing lives, economies and societies. Nokia adheres to the highest ethical business standards as we create technology with social purpose, quality and integrity. www.nokia.com (http://www.nokia.com) Media Enquiries: Nokia Communications Tel. +358 (0) 10 448 4900 Email: press.services@nokia.com (mailto:press.services@nokia.com) Jon Peet, Vice President, Corporate Communications Investor Enquiries: Nokia Investor Relations Tel. +358 4080 3 4080 Email: investor.relations@nokia.com (mailto:investor.relations@nokia.com) This announcement is distributed by West Corporation on behalf of West Corporation clients. The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: NOKIA via Globenewswire Knight Aerospace's upcoming facility allows increased production of specialized medical transport units as well as passenger modules that swiftly transform the uses of aircraft. SAN ANTONIO, TX / ACCESSWIRE / May 21, 2019 / Knight Aerospace is relocating to an industrial facility at Port San Antonio where it will grow its capacity to build sophisticated aircraft interior units that are increasingly sought by the U.S. military and an array of other customers in more than 25 countries around the world. Launched in San Antonio in 1992, the company is a global leader in the design and fabrication of specialized self-contained units-modular and palletized systems that can be quickly rolled into an aircraft to transform its functionality. http://www.portsanantonio.us/Webpages.asp?wpid=592 Among Knight's marquee products are medical modules that are loaded onto large cargo airplanes. The units are fully functional emergency rooms and Intensive Care Units that allow doctors to immediately stabilize and begin treatment of patients while in flight. By providing a wide range of advanced medical functionality, including the ability to perform surgeries, the modules are credited with enhancing care and saving lives of soldiers wounded in combat as well as injured victims who are evacuated from disaster areas. Knight Aerospace's units can be quickly loaded and quickly transform the interior and uses of heavy cargo aircraft. Other innovations led by Knight include enclosed passenger units to transport world leaders or command and control personnel as well as systems with rows of seats, also known as palletized seating kits, similar to the configuration of a commercial airliner and which can include lavatories, galleys and luggage areas. The company's engineers are also able to customize the various units to meet the individual requirements of each client. In addition to passenger comfort, Knight Aerospace provides support equipment for maintenance and repair of aircraft mechanical systems. Rendering of one of the company's specialized products- medical units that allow aircraft to function as emergency rooms / ICU's that stabilize and treat patients as they are being evacuated. Knight's products are especially important to the military and humanitarian relief organizations since they can be installed in aircraft that are able to reach areas where temporary or compromised runways cannot accommodate traditional commercial aircraft. The units are in use in C-130, C-17, A400M, KC-390, KC-46, A330MRTT, CN235 and C-27J/G222 aircraft, among others. Knights products convert an array of popular aircraft, including military C-130 cargo planes, which an land in unimproved runways. (Photo: U.S. Air Force) "We are proud of our team's hard work over many years to develop a wide range of products that add tremendous value to our clients-from increasing passenger capacity of an aircraft to converting that airplane into a life-saving space," said Knight President and CEO Bianca Rhodes. "With our upcoming facility at the Port, we will have the necessary room, flexibility and strategic support to build upon this success, meet our clients' needs and tap into a world of new opportunities." Palletized seats allow cargo aircraft to be converted for passenger use. Rhodes also indicated that the increased demand for its products will require a growth more than double of its current workforce. The company expects to have 100 employees at its new operation at the Port by the end of 2020. "We are honored to have one of San Antonio's leading aerospace pioneers call our campus home," said Port San Antonio President and CEO Jim Perschbach. "We will be an engaged partner to the Knight team as it pursues ambitious growth plans. Here they will find a flexible platform and the full support of our team to help them make important connections-from connecting to our community's talent and innovators to connecting with clients across the nation and around the world." "This is another huge win for San Antonio, as we're retaining and growing an important player in one of our key industry sectors," said San Antonio Economic Development Foundation CEO Jenna Saucedo-Herrera. The Foundation was instrumental in supporting Knight's long-term growth plans, including identifying the new location at the Port. "And it is especially gratifying to have been a partner in supporting an enterprise that has deep roots in San Antonio," added Saucedo-Herrera. "Knight's ability to continue growing here is a testament to the talent of our people and to our community's longstanding record of excellence as a center of aviation innovation." Later this year, the company will occupy approximately 80,000 square feet of space at 3604 SW 36th St. at the Port, where it will have a combination of fabrication, design, Research and Development, and office spaces. Among the advantages of its new location on the 1,900-acre campus, Knight will also have quick access to Port San Antonio's industrial airport at Kelly Field, where the completed units can be loaded onto aircraft for testing and delivery to clients across the world. MEDIA CONTACTS: Port San Antonio - Paco Felici (210) 260-3218 / paco.felici@portsanantonio.us Knight Aerospace - Bianca Rhodes (210) 413-7776 / brhodes@knightaerospace.com San Antonio EDF - Jamie Bloodsworth (210) 482-9213 / jbloodsworth@sanantonioedf.com SOURCE: Port San Antonio View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/545579/Aerospace-Innovator-Grows-at-Port-San-Antonio-as-It-Captures-New-Global-Opportunities DETROIT, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Stratview Research announces the launch of a new research report on Aerospace & Defense Composite Ducting Market by Aircraft Type (Commercial Aircraft, Regional Aircraft, General Aviation, Helicopter, Military Aircraft, and Others), by Pressure Type (Low-Pressure Ducts and High-Pressure Ducts), by Reinforcement Type (Glass Composites, Carbon Composites, and Other Composites), by Matrix Type (Epoxy Composites, Phenolic Composites, Thermoplastic Composites, and Other Composites), by Application Type (ECS, APU, Avionics Ventilation, and Others), by Manufacturing Process Type (Mandrel Layup, Rotation Molding, and Others), and by Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World), Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2019-2024. This strategic assessment report, from Stratview Research, provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today's aerospace & defense composite ducting market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period of 2019 to 2024. The report segments and analyzes the market in the most detailed manner in order to provide a panoramic view of the market. The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for the market stakeholders and investors in the identification of low-hanging fruits available in the market as well as to formulate the growth strategies. Composite Ducting Market in the Global Aerospace & Defense Industry: Highlights As per Stratview Research, the global aerospace & defense composite ducting market is projected to reach US$ 864.7 million in 2024. Increasing production rates of major aircraft programs, such as A320 family, A350XWB, B737, and B787; upcoming aircraft and introduction of variants of the existing aircraft platforms, such as C919, MC-21, B737 Max, and A320neo; continuous shift from metal ducts to composite ducts to achieve greater fuel efficiency; advancement in the ducting technology; and growing aircraft fleet size are some of the major growth drivers of the market. The research's findings suggest that commercial aircraft is expected to remain the growth engine of the market during the forecast period. The aircraft segment is also expected to witness the highest growth over the next five years, driven by increasing production rate of key aircraft programs, such as B737, A320, B787, and A350, and continuous shift from metal ducts to composite ducts in both low-pressure and high-pressure applications. Regional aircraft is also projected to witness impressive growth during the same period. Click Here and Run Through the Detailed TOC of the Report Low-pressure applications currently dominate the market. Composite ducting is widely preferred in low-pressure applications throughout the entire breadth of fixed and rotary wing aircraft types and offers several advantages, such as lightweight, excellent strength, thermal resistance, and ability to mold complex shapes. In terms of reinforcement type, glass fiber is the most widely used in the market and is expected to remain the largest reinforcement type over the next five years as well. The fiber type is highly preferred in low-pressure applications, such as cabin air recirculation and cabin sidewall riser, as it offers good mechanical performance at a relatively low cost. Epoxy, phenolic, and thermoplastic resins are used along with the glass fibers to manufacture ducting. However, ducting with carbon fiber is likely to witness the fastest growth over the next five years. Click Here and Register for the Free Sample of the Report As per the study, North America is expected to remain the largest market for composite ducting over the next five years. This region is the manufacturing hub of the advanced composites industry with the presence of several large to small part fabricators and prepreggers, and raw material suppliers. Boeing, Bombardier, and Lockheed Martin are the major aircraft manufacturers in North America. However, Asia-Pacific is likely to experience the highest growth during the forecast period, driven by demand for composite ducting in upcoming commercial and regional aircraft, such as Comac C919 and Mitsubishi MRJ. Major composite ducting manufacturers for the aerospace & defense industry are Senior Aerospace, Triumph Group, ITT Corporation, Parker Hannifin Corporation, Arrowhead Products, AIM Aerospace, and Stelia Aerospace. New product development, formation of long-term contracts, and collaboration with OEMs are the key strategies adopted by the major players to gain competitive edge in the market. Report Features This report provides market intelligence in the most comprehensive way. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights on the market dynamics and will enable strategic decision making for the existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key features of the report: Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis. Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter's five forces analysis, SWOT analysis. Market trend and forecast analysis. Market segment trend and forecast. Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, product portfolio, product launches, etc. Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities. Emerging trends. Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players. Key success factors. This report studies composite ducting market in the global aerospace & defense industry and has segmented the market in seven ways, keeping in mind the interest of all the stakeholders across the value chain. Following are the seven ways in which the market is segmented: Global Aerospace & Defense Composite Ducting Market by Aircraft Type: Commercial Aircraft Regional Aircraft General Aviation Helicopter Military Aircraft Others Global Aerospace & Defense Composite Ducting Market by Pressure Type: Low Pressure Composite Ducts High Pressure Composite Ducts Global Aerospace & Defense Composite Ducting Market by Application Type: Environment Control System (ECS) Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) Avionic Ventilation Others Global Aerospace & Defense Composite Ducting Market by Reinforcement Type: Glass Fiber Composites Carbon Fiber Composites Other Fiber Composites Global Aerospace & Defense Composite Ducting Market by Matrix Type: Epoxy Composites Phenolic Composites Thermoplastic Composites Other Composites Global Aerospace & Defense Composite Ducting Market by Manufacturing Process Type: Mandrel Layup Process Rotational Molding Others Global Aerospace & Defense Composite Ducting Market by Region: North America Europe Asia-Pacific Rest of the World Stratview Research has number of high value market reports in the global aerospace & defense industry. Please refer to the following link to browse through our reports: Click Here for Other Reports from Stratview Research in the Aerospace & Defense Industry Some of our other related market reports in the aerospace & defense industry: Aerospace & Defense Ducting Market by Aircraft Type (Commercial Aircraft, Regional Aircraft, General Aviation, Helicopter, Military Aircraft, and Others), by Duct Type (Rigid, Semi-Rigid, and Flexible), by Application Type (Airframe, Engine, and Others), by Pressure Type (Low-Pressure and High-Pressure), by Material Type (Nickel & Alloys, Titanium & Alloys, Stainless Steel & Alloys, Composites, and Others), and by Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW), Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2019-2024. Aerospace & Defense Fluid Conveyance Systems Market by Aircraft Type (Commercial Aircraft, Regional Aircraft, General Aviation, Helicopter, Military Aircraft, and Others), by Application Type (Fuel, Air, and Hydraulic), by Product Type (Hoses, Low-Pressure Ducts, and High-Pressure Ducts), by Material Type (Nickel & Alloys, Titanium & Alloys, Stainless Steel & Alloys, Composites, and Others), and by Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World), Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2019-2024. About Stratview Research Stratview Research is a global market intelligence firm providing wide range of services including syndicated market reports, custom research and sourcing intelligence across industries, such as Advanced Materials, Aerospace & Defense, Automotive & Mass Transportation, Consumer Goods, Construction & Equipment, Electronics and Semiconductors, Energy & Utility, Healthcare & Life Sciences, and Oil & Gas. We have a strong team of industry veterans and analysts with an extensive experience in executing custom research projects for mid-sized to Fortune 500 companies, in the areas of Market Assessment, Opportunity Screening, Competitive Intelligence, Due Diligence, Target Screening, Market Entry Strategy, Go to Market Strategy, and Voice of Customer studies. Stratview Research is a trusted brand globally, providing high quality research and strategic insights that help companies worldwide in effective decision making. For enquiries, Contact: Stratview Research E-mail: sales@stratviewresearch.com Direct: +1-313-307-4176 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660595/Stratview_Research_Logo.jpg BH Global Limited - Notice of AGM BH Global Limited (a closed-ended collective investment scheme established as a company with limited liability under the laws of Guernsey with registration number 48555) (The "Company") LEI Number: 549300BIIO4DTKEMXV14 21 May 2019 NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Notice is hereby given that the 2019 Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held at the offices of Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited Trafalgar Court, Les Banques, St Peter Port, Guernsey on 21 June 2019 at 1.00pm. The Notice of AGM has today been posted to shareholders, the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2018 were sent to shareholders on 17 May 2019. In accordance with Listing Rule 9.6.3, the Notice of Annual General Meeting, proxy form and accounts have been submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will shortly be available for inspection at: www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/NSM Enquiries: Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited The Company Secretary Trafalgar Court Les Banques St Peter Port Guernsey GY1 3QL Tel: 01481 745001 END LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / May 21, 2019 / HSBC (NYSE: HSBC) (contact: 'synd manager'; telephone: +44 207 992 8066) hereby gives notice, as Stabilisation Coordinator, that the Stabilisation Manager(s) named below may stabilise the offer of the following securities: The securities: Issuer: HSBC Holdings plc Guarantor (if any): na Aggregate nominal amount: GBP Benchmark Description: Fixed due May 2030 (call date May 2029) Offer price: tbc Other offer terms: Stabilisation: Stabilising Manager(s): HSBC Bank Stabilisation period expected to start on: 21st May 2019 Stabilisation period expected to end no later than: 28th June 2019 Existence, maximum size & conditions of use of over-allotment facility[1]: 5% of the aggregate nominal amount Stabilisation Venue(s) Over the counter (OTC) In connection with the offer of the above securities, the Stabilisation Manager(s) may over-allot the securities or effect transactions with a view to supporting the market price of the securities at a level higher than that which might otherwise prevail. However, there is no assurance that the Stabilisation Manager(s) will take any stabilisation action and any stabilisation action, if begun, may be ended at any time. Any stabilisation action or over-allotment shall be conducted in accordance with all applicable laws and rules. This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of the Issuer in any jurisdiction. In addition, if and to the extent that this announcement is communicated in, or the offer of the securities to which it relates is made in, any EEA Member State that has implemented Directive 2003/71/EC, as amended (together with any applicable implementing measures in any Member State, the "Prospectus Directive") before the publication of a prospectus in relation to the securities which has been approved by the competent authority in that Member State in accordance with the Prospectus Directive (or which has been approved by a competent authority in another Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Member State in accordance with the Prospectus Directive), this announcement and the offer are only addressed to and directed at persons in that Member State who are qualified investors within the meaning of the Prospectus Directive (or who are other persons to whom the offer may lawfully be addressed) and must not be acted on or relied on by other persons in that Member State. This announcement and the offer of the securities to which it relates are only addressed to and directed at persons outside the United Kingdom and persons in the United Kingdom who have professional experience in matters related to investments or who are high net worth persons within article 12(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 and must not be acted on or relied on by other persons in the United Kingdom. [1] Please note that the existence and the maximum size of any greenshoe option, the exercise period of the greenshoe option and any conditions for exercise of the greenshoe option must also be disclosed, if such option exists. In addition, the exercise of the greenshoe option must be disclosed to the public promptly, together with all appropriate details, including in particular the date of exercise and the number and nature of securities involved 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 rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com. SOURCE: HSBC Holdings PLC View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/546051/HSBC-Holdings-PLC-Announces-Pre-Stabilisation-Notice LONDON, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 17th, 2019, Kmind Consulting (Kmind), China's benchmark competitive strategy consulting firm, was invited to attend the 2019 London Business School China Business Forum (CBF). Kmind is CBF's strategic partner in the region, the first partnership of its kind between a Chinese-based consultancy and a student-led thought leadership event platform. The LBS China Club (the "Club") is one of the largest regional clubs at London Business School with more than 2,700 members, including current students, exchange students and alumni. The Club aims to act as a bridge between China and UK to foster cross-cultural communication, and to promote mutual understanding and collaboration. It is one of the most active student clubs on-campus, with flagship events such as the annual China Business Forum, China Culture and Investment Treks, PE/VC Trek, and numerous cultural and educational events. During the forum, Kmind's chairman and co-founder Xie Weishan met with London Business School's Dean Francois Ortalo-Magne (pictured) The London Business School China Business Forum (CBF) gathers annually as one of the largest student-led China-focused business forums in Europe. It is committed to showcasing the latest business trends and providing a platform for discussing potential opportunities with the world's top industry leaders. This year's forum was themed "Vitalizing the Business Landscape - Connecting the Eurasia Continent", setting the perfect stage to welcome Xie Weishan to deliver his keynote speech on contemporary competitive strategy. His speech compared and contrasted ideas and approaches; old and new, east and west. Xie asserts that a marriage between these methods is the key to navigating dynamic business markets both today and in the future. The China Business Forum is an annual event that showcases expert opinions and provides insight into the latest issues faced by global businesses to drive progress in the dynamic Eurasian market. With four years of experience in the market and over 20 years, combined expertise of the founders in helping Chinese enterprises gain a competitive edge internationally, Kmind Consulting intends to apply its unique strategy through to allow for more integrated co-operations between the two markets, which will cover numerous verticals, including the views on dynamic competitions globally; Sino-British trade; and the effect of that the Belt and Road Initiative on market relations. Commenting on the forum, Yuhe Gou, co-president of China Club, London Business School, said "The partnership encompasses integration with the UK market and Asian market in a move never seen before. Partnering LBS China Business Forum provocative programs with Kmind's unique position in combining Western business practices with Chinese philosophy and thought will help to drive forward greater opportunities for students, closer integration and better business outcomes." Xie's keynote speech, "Navigating Global Challenges: The Eastern Wisdom", provided an intuitive perspective on in-depth competitive strategy in modern business as a whole. Referencing Sun Tzu's The Art of War, he provided an insightful perspective on the ideology of "winning without fighting" through the lens of modern business, marketing, and management case studies. "As a locally-based consulting company, Kmind provides a unique methodology that allows the founders to contribute to the world's Oriental business wisdom. The new partnership with CBF will now enable us to take that expertise in the opposite direction as we help businesses to understand and engage better with the Chinese market," said Xie, Kmind Consulting. Kmind is no stranger to the UK market and brings a proven track record in empowering business growth in the region. A key client includes Bosideng, the world's second largest manufacturer of duck-down clothing by revenue, for which Kmind has provided strategic counselling for several years as the business expanded outside of its China home market. Bosideng now boasts the relaunch of its London flagship store with a coveted address in the luxury shopping district of Mayfair. Today, Kmind is a powerhouse within the business management industry, providing unique perspectives in consulting expertise domestically and abroad. With this strategic partnering, Kmind and London Business School China Business Forum will act to connect the China and Western markets holistically, and with purpose, to define the business world in years to come. About China Business Forum The LBS China Club (the "Club") is one of the largest regional clubs at London Business School with more than 2,700 members, including current students, exchange students and alumni. The Club aims to act as a bridge between China and UK to foster cross-cultural communication, and to promote mutual understanding and collaboration. It is one of the most active student clubs on-campus, with flagship events such as the annual China Business Forum, China Culture and Investment Treks, PE/VC Trek, and numerous cultural and educational events. About Kmind Consulting Founded in 2010, Kmind Consulting is a strategy consulting firm. Our core business is to steer enterprises to identify and formulate corporate competitive strategies in the spirit of transforming client's strategies from product-based to customer brand-based, resulting in brands realizing high premium-power and high pricing-power, to lead to business growth. As the first consulting firm in China providing corporate competitive strategy services, our unconventional consulting-metrics help our clients distinguish market trends and offer result-driven services ensuring our clients become the first choice of customers. For more information, please visit http://en.kmind.com.cn/ Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/890537/Kminds_chairman_co_founder_Xie_Weishan.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/890538/Xie_Weishan_delivers_speech_at_Forum.jpg SpendEdge, a leading provider of procurement market intelligence solutions, has announced the completion of their inventory management study for an apparel company This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005755/en/ Inventory management study for an apparel company. (Graphic: Business Wire) Project background The company wanted to gain a competitive edge in the market by improving its stock management, store operation, and logistics capabilities. The key objectives they aimed to achieve through this engagement are mentioned below. Objective 1: The company sought to increase the efficiency of its inventory management system. The company sought to increase the efficiency of its inventory management system. Objective 2: They also wanted to deploy a system that could abide by guidelines issued by the European Fashion Council and Textile Regulation. They also wanted to deploy a system that could abide by guidelines issued by the European Fashion Council and Textile Regulation. Looking for more information? Request a free demo and know how our solutions can help you to improve your inventory management system. "An effective inventory management system is crucial for companies to implement changes in the product mix and improve the process efficiency," says a procurement expert from SpendEdge. Key findings and solutions offered In partnership with SpendEdge, the client a European apparel company - enhanced the shopping experience for both customers and teams by encoding EPC tags with Serialized Global Trade Item Numbers to every product at the time of manufacturing. The solution offered helped them to: Obtain real-time information regarding the delivery of items at distribution centres. Improve the bottom line by reducing labor costs significantly and updating the inventory of certain products. Wondering how inventory management impact the bottom line? Request a free proposal and access our complete portfolio of inventory management solutions today! Outcome: The solution offered by experts at SpendEdge helped the clothing and accessory manufacturer to categorize fast-moving products and devise a system to update the inventory of such products after they reach below a designated level. This helped the client to gain and share information of products across all warehouse departments in real time and improve the inventory accuracy. The solution offered boosted their bottom line and provided them with the scope to expand their presence in different countries in Europe. To access the complete case study on how we helped an apparel company improve their inventory management system and expand their business horizons, get in touch with our experts 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. Want to gain detailed insights? We're here to help you out! Tell us more about your business challenges. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005755/en/ Contacts: SpendEdge Anirban Choudhury Marketing Manager US: +1 630 984 7340 UK: +44 148 459 9299 https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us Regulatory News: LUMIBIRD (Paris:LBIRD) is announcing the launch of a capital increase for approximately 20 million euros through a private placement via an accelerated book-building. The net proceeds from the capital increase are intended primarily to contribute towards financing potential external growth operations1, notably with a view to acquiring new laser technologies. If external growth projects are not carried out, the Company will use all or part of the net proceeds from the capital increase for internal investments in research and development projects. The operation consists of a private placement, in accordance with Articles L.225-136 of the French commercial code and L.411-2-II of the French monetary and financial code, and will be carried out with a waiver of preferential subscription rights. In accordance with the 16th and 18th resolutions from the Combined General Shareholders' Meeting on April 27, 2017, the number of new shares will be limited to a maximum of 10% of the Company's share capital and the issue price for the new shares will as a minimum be equal to the average closing price recorded over a period of 10 consecutive trading days during the three months prior to the issue. Esira, which in concert with Eurodyne holds 54.33% of the Company's capital and 55.46% of the Company's voting rights, has indicated that it intends to place an order for approximately 2 million euros to subscribe for the capital increase. For reference, the companies Esira and Eurodyne, which are directors of the Company, are also controlled by Mr Marc Le Flohic, the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The private placement will be carried out via an accelerated book-build, following which the number and price of the new shares issued will be determined. The accelerated book-building is starting immediately and is expected to end before the start of trading on May 22, 2019. LUMIBIRD will announce the results of the private placement as soon as possible following the closing of the order book in a press release, which will notably indicate the final number of new shares issued and the issue price. Settlement-delivery for the new shares issued in connection with the capital increase is expected for May 24, 2019. MidCap Partners is acting as Lead Manager and Book Runner for the private placement. LUMIBIRD is one of the world's leading specialists in lasers. With 50 years of experience and a mastering of solid state laser, laser diodes and fiber laser technologies, the Group designs, manufactures and markets high performance lasers for scientific (laboratories and universities), industrial (manufacturing, defense, Lidar sensors) and medical (ophthalmology) markets. Born from the combination of Keopsys Group with Quantel in October 2017, LUMIBIRD has more than 500 employees and over 100 million of revenues and is present in Europe, America and Asia. LUMIBIRD shares are listed on the Euronext Paris B Compartment. FR0000038242 LBIRD www.lumibird.com DISCLAIMER LUMIBIRD ("the Company") would like to draw readers' attention to: The fact that, in accordance with Article L.411-2 of the French monetary and financial code and Article 1.5 of European Parliament and Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of June 14, 2017, the operation will not be the subject of a prospectus receiving a visa from the French financial markets authority ("AMF"). The risk factors presented in section 9 of the 2018 registration document, filed with the AMF on April 26, 2019 under number D.19-0423; if all or part of these risks were to occur, this could have an adverse impact on the LUMIBIRD Group's business, financial position and results or its ability to achieve its objectives. The following main specific risks for the capital increase: The market price of the Company's shares could fluctuate and fall below the subscription price for the new shares; As a result of stock market fluctuations, the volatility and liquidity of the Company's shares could vary significantly; Company shares could be sold on the secondary market following the capital increase, and this could have an adverse impact on the Company's share price; With regard to the use of the proceeds from the issue with this capital increase, the Company has a certain level of leeway regarding the use of the funds raised and could use them in a way that the shareholders might not support or that might not increase the value of their investment in the short-term; If the Company makes new securities issues, after the capital increase has been carried out, this would result in additional dilution for investors. Detailed information concerning LUMIBIRD, and specifically its business, its results and the risk factors that it is exposed to, is provided in the 2018 registration document, which can be consulted, along with the other regulatory disclosures and all the press releases, on LUMIBIRD's website (www.lumibird.com This press release is intended exclusively for information. This press release does not constitute and cannot be considered to constitute a public offering, an offer for subscription, an offer for sale or a solicitation of public interest with a view to an operation through a public offering of securities in any country whatsoever. Securities can only be offered or sold in the United States of America after registration in accordance with the amended U.S. Securities Act of 1933 ("U.S. Securities Act"), except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirement. The Company's securities subject to this press release have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act, and the Company does not intend to make a public offering of the securities subject to this press release in the United States of America. The publication or distribution of this press release in certain countries may be prohibited under applicable laws. The information contained in this press release does not constitute an offer of securities in France, the United States of America, Canada, Australia or Japan or any other country. This press release is not intended to be published, released or distributed, directly or indirectly, in the United States of America, Canada, Australia or Japan. This document does not constitute an offer for sale or a public offering for LUMIBIRD shares in the United States of America or any other country. 1 To date, the Company is not committed to any external growth projects that are underway. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005760/en/ Contacts: Groupe LUMIBIRD Marc Le Flohic Chairman and CEO Tel. +33(0) 1 69 29 17 00 info@lumibird.com Groupe LUMIBIRD Pierre Vallalta Chief Financial Officer Tel. +33(0) 1 69 29 17 00 info@lumibird.com Calyptus Mathieu Calleux Investor Relations Tel. +33(1) 53 65 37 91 lumibird@calyptus.net Midcap Partners Kevin Rolland Company advisor Tel. +33 (0)1 55 04 04 56 contact@midcapp.com Procedures for obtaining preparatory documents for the General Meeting Regulatory News: GenSight Biologics (Paris: SIGHT) (Euronext: SIGHT, ISIN: FR0013183985, PEA-PME eligible), a biopharma company focused on discovering and developing innovative gene therapies for retinal neurodegenerative diseases and central nervous system disorders, announced that it will hold its Annual General Meeting on June 11, 2019 at 9:00 am CET at the company's headquarters, 74 rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75012 Paris (France). The notice containing the agenda and draft resolutions was published in the French BALO on May 6, 2019. The notice confirming the time and place of the meeting will be published in the French BALO and in a legal gazette on May 27, 2019. The preparatory documents for the General Meeting listed in Article R. 225-73-1 of the French Commercial Code are posted on the company's website (www.gensight-biologics.com) in the Investors, Documentation section. The preparatory documents for the General Meeting will also be made available to shareholders as of the convening of the meeting. Thus, in accordance with applicable regulatory provisions: All registered shareholders may, until five days (included) before the meeting, request by email that the Company sends the documents referred to in Articles L. 225-115 and R. 225-83 of the French Commercial Code. For holders of bearer shares, the exercise of this right is subject to the provision of a certificate of participation in the bearer share accounts held by the authorized intermediary; Any shareholder may consult the documents referred to in Articles L. 225-115 and R. 225-83 of the French Commercial Code at the company's headquarters. About GenSight Biologics GenSight Biologics S.A. is a clinical-stage biopharma company focused on discovering and developing innovative gene therapies for retinal neurodegenerative diseases and central nervous system disorders. GenSight Biologics' pipeline leverages two core technology platforms, the Mitochondrial Targeting Sequence (MTS) and optogenetics to help preserve or restore vision in patients suffering from blinding retinal diseases. GenSight Biologics' lead product candidate, GS010, is in Phase III trials in Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), a rare mitochondrial disease that leads to irreversible blindness in teens and young adults. Using its gene therapy-based approach, GenSight Biologics' product candidates are designed to be administered in a single treatment to each eye by intravitreal injection to offer patients a sustainable functional visual recovery. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005851/en/ Contacts: GenSight Biologics Thomas Gidoin Chief Financial Officer tgidoin@gensight-biologics.com +33 (0)1 76 21 72 20 RooneyPartners Media Relations Marion Janic mjanic@rooneyco.com +1-212-223-4017 Solebury Trout US Investor Relations Chad Rubin crubin@troutgroup.com +1-646-378-2947 James Palmer Europe Investor Relations j.palmer@orpheonfinance.com +33 7 60 92 77 74 Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - May 21, 2019) - Critical Control Energy Services Corp. (formerly TSX: CCZ; CCZ.PR.A) today reported its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2019. "Improved operational results in Q1 2019 compared to 2018 are early indications of success from the reorganization commenced in 2018 and completed in early 2019," said Alykhan Mamdani, CEO of Critical Control. "Given the continued uncertainty in the Canadian oil and gas industry, it is critical for us to continue execution of our focus to penetrate our software into the US market and manage costs aggressively." Revenue Key strategic cloud based software generated $1.9 million in the first quarter of 2019 consistent with the comparative period in 2018. Industry associated declines in Canada were offset by penetration of the Corporation's client base in the United States ("US"). Software based services revenue decreased by 10% compared to the prior period comparison due to shut in wells, competitive pricing pressures, and the completion of a large software implementation for a client in 2018. Measurement services revenue decreased by 8% compared to the prior period due to an increasingly competitive market in the US for measurement services work. Equipment and other revenue generated $1.0 million in the first quarter of 2019, consistent with the comparative period in 2018. Over 90% of this revenue is based in the US. It fluctuates from period to period depending on demand and is viewed as non-recurring in nature. Gross margin Gross margin in Software improved from 60.5% in 2018 to 63.4% in 2019 despite a strong competitive environment in Canada. Gross margin from Field Services was 18.8% in 2019 compared to 10.3% in 2018. The Corporation focused on restructuring its Field Services business and consolidating operations across the US in order to operate more efficiently, offsetting the impact of competitive pricing pressures. Net loss and adjusted EBITDA The Corporation had a loss of $0.8 million in 2019 (2018: $0.1 million). The increased loss is attributed most significantly to foreign exchange and non recurring employment termination charges. Adjusted EBITDA was $1 million for the first quarter of 2019 compared to $0.2 million for 2018. The increase from the prior comparative period is attributed most significantly to reduced operating expenses and the adoption of IFRS 16 which transfers lease costs out of operating expenses Outlook and Guidance The price of oil fell below $10 per boe in Canada in Q4 2018, resulting in a material contraction for the Corporation's Software in Canada. The Corporation partially offset this decline with successful penetration of its Software in the US. During the second half of 2018, the Corporation undertook a reorganization to operate in an environment in Canada which is expected to continue to contract and an environment in the US which is expected to be increasingly competitive. The Corporation's strategy for 2019 and onwards is to leverage its Field Services customers in the US to adopt the Corporation's Software. The Corporation is rebuilding its Field Services business to differentiate an increasingly commoditized offering with cost savings based on adoption of Software. Management's expectation of growth is based upon continued penetration of the Corporation's Software by its US customers and may be impacted as the industry continues investment in automation attracting the entry of new competitive products to the Corporation's Software. Growth of the Corporation's cloud based software revenue in the US during 2018 and early 2019 is a reflection of the success of the Corporation's strategy to convert its measurement services to automation based on software. Management is optimistic that the continuation of this strategy in the remainder of 2019 will accelerate adoption of the Corporation's cloud based software in the US which will offset the risk inherent in the Canadian market place. About Critical Control Critical Control provides solutions for the collection, control and analysis of measurement and operational data related to oil and gas wells across North America. We provide services to capture the data, cloud based software to visualize and manage it and the business intelligence to make quicker and more informed operational decisions. For further information Alykhan Mamdani President & CEO Tel (403) 705-7500 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44944 By Tracy Rucinski CHICAGO (Reuters) - American Airlines Group Inc has filed a lawsuit against two unions representing its mechanics, asking the court to halt what it called an illegal slowdown that it said on Monday threatened to disrupt U.S. By Tracy Rucinski CHICAGO (Reuters) - American Airlines Group Inc has filed a lawsuit against two unions representing its mechanics, asking the court to halt what it called an illegal slowdown that it said on Monday threatened to disrupt U.S. summer travel. The lawsuit, filed in the Northern District of Texas federal court, accuses the mechanics unions of directing a slowdown aimed at disrupting operations to improve their position in labour talks, which began in 2015. The unions did not immediately return a request for comment. American, the world's largest airline by passenger traffic, said the mechanics' action had intensified in recent weeks after causing 650 flight cancellations and more than 1,500 maintenance delays since February. "American estimates that, for each day that the slowdown continues into the summer, it will disrupt the travel plans of approximately 3,400 additional passengers per day," the airline said in the filing. American said it has offered the Transport Workers Union of America and the International Association of Machinists an industry-leading proposal in all key respects, including pay and benefits. The unions have complained that American is trying to outsource more maintenance jobs, a move American has indicated is necessary to cover increased wages. Fort Worth, Texas-based American last year asked the National Mediation Board to help negotiate an agreement with the mechanics unions, but it said discussions were paused after the last session on April 25. Since then, it said union action had caused 14 flight cancellations per day, versus an average eight daily union-related cancellations previously. The airline is also in contract talks with unions representing its flight attendants and pilots, whose contracts become amenable in 2019 and 2020 respectively. Low-cost rival Southwest Airlines Co recently reached an agreement in principle with its mechanics union after the Federal Aviation Administration warned that their prolonged contract dispute could pose safety concerns. Shares in American closed 2.46 percent lower on Monday at $30.96. (Reporting by Tracy Rucinski; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Rosalba O'Brien) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Senior advocate Harish Salve appearing for ArcelorMittal also accused Ruias, former Essar Steel promoters, of creating hurdles in the resolution process of the bankrupt steelmaker. New Delhi: Global steel major ArcelorMittal on Monday told the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) that it would pay Rs 42,000 crore, including a minimum of guarantee of Rs 2,500 crore as working capital, for acquiring debt-laden Essar Steel under the insolvency process. Senior advocate Harish Salve appearing for ArcelorMittal also accused Ruias, former Essar Steel promoters, of creating hurdles in the resolution process of the bankrupt steelmaker. According to him, there have been eight attempts by Ruias to create hurdles in the insolvency resolution process of Essar Steel. The NCLAT is hearing a batch of appeals filed by several stakeholders challenging NCLT's approval to ArcelorMittal's resolution plan for Essar Steel. Countering the allegation of Standard Chartered bank overvaluation of Essar Steel, Salve submitted that the liquidation value of Essar Steel was Rs 15,800 crore and ArcelorMittal India is paying almost three times, which is "fair", "reasonable" and "adequate" to meet the interest of the stakeholders. Salve contended that during the resolution period, Essar Steel had a profit of Rs 3,500 crore and the company is already providing Rs 2,500 crore as working capital. "As ArcelorMittal has assured a working capital of Rs 2,500 crore, a profit of Rs 3,500 crore means that ArcelorMittal will make available a sum of Rs 43,000 crore to the creditors of the company," Salve said adding that "Rs 42,000 crore is the frozen figure". He further said that ArcelorMittal would also infuse Rs 8,000 crore additionally in the company after the takeover. Over distribution of Rs 42,000 crore between financial and operational creditors of Essar Steel, Salve suggested there should be equitable distribution" of the money coming from ArcelorMittal. However, he also said that it was not on ArcelorMittal to decide over the distribution of the fund. On being asked from the NCLAT bench over it, Salve said, "It should be finally decided by NCLT and you (NCLAT)." During the proceedings, Salve alleged Ruias are creating hurdles in the insolvency resolution process of the company and made several attempts. "Ruias are trying to create hurdles," he said referring to the recent allegations by the Essar Steel Asia Holdings Ltd, a shareholder of Essar Steel Ltd. Salve also refuted contentions of Essar Steel Asia Holdings Ltd (ESAHL), which sought rejection of ArcelorMittal's resolution plan alleging that its chairman and CEO L N Mittal suppressed his links with defaulting firms run by his two brothers intentionally to bypass the ineligibility criteria under section 29 (A) of the Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code (IBC). "The Supreme Court has clearly said that nothing beyond KSS Petron and Uttam Galva and these people have gone much beyond that," he told the tribunal. He further said the NCLAT does not even have jurisdiction to reopen the issues that have been looked at, decided by the Supreme Court. "Some people are manufacturing hurdles," Salve said, adding "Their conduct is under contempt ... they come and raise the issues again." Salve said that Essar Steel Offshore, a step-down firm of Essar Steel to buy Trinity Coal, should not be a crying wolf. "In our estimate, the value of the asset is $25-30 million. Their estimate is USD 640-45 million. I am saying them to give us USD 600 million for the asset," he said, adding that it should be left for the conjecture, where the erstwhile promoters "use the money for buying yachts or planes." Essar Steel has given a bank guarantee for the step-down firm. Trinity Coal has filed proceedings under chapter 11 in the US Bankruptcy Court for South District of West Virginia. "Therefore the purported valuation of Trinity Coal as presented by Standard Chartered Bank, in the course of its arguments is questionable and asset of negligible value to the Essar Steel," said Salve. Meanwhile, over the matter of Orissa Slurry Pipeline Infrastructure (OSPIL), Salve said that there was no secret settlement with the lenders regarding it. It is a separate transaction and the Cuttack bench of NCLT has already admitted insolvency proceeding against it. A two-member NCLAT bench headed by Chairman Justice S J Mukhopadhaya would continue to hear the Essar Steel insolvency case on Tuesday. By Brendan Pierson NEW YORK (Reuters) - A former Credit Suisse Group AG banker pleaded guilty on Monday to a U.S. charge that she helped launder money from a kickback scheme involving $2 billion in loans to state-owned companies in Mozambique. By Brendan Pierson NEW YORK (Reuters) - A former Credit Suisse Group AG banker pleaded guilty on Monday to a U.S. charge that she helped launder money from a kickback scheme involving $2 billion in loans to state-owned companies in Mozambique. Detelina Subeva, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering conspiracy before U.S. District Judge William Kuntz in Brooklyn, New York. Subeva is one of three Credit Suisse bankers charged by U.S. prosecutors in January with taking part in the scheme. Credit Suisse has said that the defendants hid their contact from the bank. Subeva, a Bulgarian citizen, said that in 2013 her boss, Andrew Pearse, told her he had received a $1 million kickback in connection with a $372 million loan to a Mozambican state-owned company. She said the kickback came from Privinvest, an Abu Dhabi-based company that contracted with Mozambican state-owned companies. Subeva said Pearse transferred about $200,000 of the kickback to a her bank account. "I agreed to accept and keep these monies knowing that they were the proceeds of illegal activity," Subeva said. Subeva, who came to New York from London to face the charges voluntarily, was released on bail. There was no mention at the hearing of an agreement by Subeva to cooperate with prosecutors. Subeva's lawyer declined to comment. Pearse, who was head of Credit Suisse's Global Financing Group, is also charged in the case, along with another former Credit Suisse banker, Surjan Singh. Both are fighting extradition to the United States from the United Kingdom. Their lawyers could not immediately be reached for comment. Seven people have been charged in the case, including former Privinvest head salesman Jean Boustani, who is in U.S. custody, and former Mozambique Finance Minister Manuel Chang, who is fighting extradition from South Africa. Prosecutors say that between 2013 and 2016, Mozambican state-owned companies borrowed more than $2 billion through loans guaranteed by the government and arranged by Credit Suisse and another investment bank, which was not named. Apart from Credit Suisse, the Russian lender VTB also arranged financing for Mozambique's state-owned companies. Mozambique - one of the most indebted countries in the world - admitted in 2016 that it had guaranteed loans it had not disclosed. The revelation prompted foreign donors to cut off support, triggering a currency collapse and a default on its sovereign debt. U.S. prosecutors said at least $200 million was diverted to the defendants and other Mozambican government officials. (Reporting By Brendan Pierson in New York; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. The exercise to close these companies was also an attempt to simplify the complex structure at IL&FS IL&FS has reportedly closed 45 of its 347 group firms that were allegedly round-tripping loans and funds, and has almost halved its workforce to 8,000, a media report said. According to Mint, 42 of these firms were registered overseas. The report added that the exercise to close these companies was also an attempt to simplify the complex structure at IL&FS. The firm has reportedly brought down permanent staff strength to 2,500 from earlier 5,000. The crisis at IL&FS, which is estimated to have a debt burden of over Rs 94,000 crore, came to light last year after some group companies defaulted on debt repayments. IL&FS has initiated a digital forensic investigation into the alleged fraud at the firm and is looking to rope in an expert investigator, The Economic Times said, citing sources familiars with the matter. The report added that the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) and a private investigator "will scan company servers and the desktops, laptops, tablets and mobile phones of senior company executives for evidence of any wrongdoing." Meanwhile, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs has asked its officials to take action against India-based subsidiaries of IL&FS in order to recover dues, Bloomberg Quint reported. Last week, it was reported that independent directors of various IL&FS companies were under the scanner of the corporate affairs ministry for alleged lapses in carrying out their duties as financial problems continued to brew at the diversified group. The sources said independent directors of various group companies were under the ministry's lens, including individuals who were on the boards of blue-chip firms. The role of auditors, credit rating agencies and some former officials entities was being looked into by the ministry, which had superseded the IL&FS board in October 2018. Earlier in the month, a senior government official had said the group's auditors had "many questions to answer" prima facie as they were supposed to act as "gatekeepers" and detect widespread irregularities. "What is the gravity of the offence whether it is dereliction of duty, total negligence, collusion with management or abetting the crime and the extent of public interest involved will determine the quantum of action. It will be premature to pass any judgment on this at this stage," the official was quoted as saying by PTI. In April, the SFIO arrested former vice chairman of IL&FS Hari Sankaran for fraudulent conduct and causing wrongful loss to the company and its creditors. He was arrested on the grounds of abusing his powers in IL&FS Financial Services Ltd through fraudulent conduct and in granting loans to entities that were not credit-worthy or were declared as non-performing accounts. --With inputs from agencies Last week, there were reports that lenders to Jet Airways and Etihad Airways had reportedly reached out to Hinduja Group offering a stake in the grounded airline It seems the crisis of Jet Airways may be over soon as Hinduja Group is reportedly planning to initiate the bidding process for the temporarily grounded airline, said media reports. Moreover, the business group and Etihad Airways are expected to meet this week to explore ways to revive the cash-starved airline. The Hinduja Group reportedly received the approval of the major stakeholders of Jet Airways such as its founder Naresh Goyal and Etihad Airways to go ahead with the bidding process, which may be initiated this week alone, said a report in The Economic Times. As part of the bidding process, the Hinduja Group, which has over two-decade-long friendly relations with Goyal, engaged investment bankers led by SBI Capital Markets for due diligence, said the report quoting sources in the know of the matter. Meanwhile, Hinduja Group and Etihad Airways are expected to meet in Abu Dhabi on 23 May in a bid to explore ways for reviving Jet Airways, said a report in Business Standard. In the crucial meeting, senior officials of State Bank of India (SBI) will also be present, said the report. Last week, there were reports that lenders to Jet Airways and Etihad Airways had reportedly reached out to Hinduja Group offering a stake in the grounded airline. Besides this, the SBI-led lenders' consortium had decided to start another round of search for investors in the absence of any major bidders coming up for the stake in Jet Airways, which had temporarily suspended its entire operations on 17 April following severe liquidity crunch. Early this month, the lenders to Jet Airways planned to approach unsolicited bidders after its strategic partner Etihad Airways declined to hike its stake beyond 24 percent. Etihad Airways offered to infuse close to Rs 1,400 crore in Jet Airways and was keen to maintain its stake in the debt-laden airline at the current level of 24 percent. Earlier, two unsolicited bidders of Jet Airways approached Etihad Airways apparently showing interest to partner with the UAE-based airline, according to media reports. Lakshay Uttam, which is part of the consortium that also includes British entrepreneur Jason Unsworth, and AdiGro Aviation, part of the AdiGroup, had approached Etihad Airways to join in the revival bid of Jet Airways. On 15 May, top management of lesser-known Darwin Group, which was one of the unsolicited bidders for Jet Airways met officials of SBI Caps to discuss its proposal. The Group offered Rs 14,000-crore deal to the lenders for acquiring the grounded airline, its CEO Rahul Ganpule said. Darwin Platform Group of Companies claims it has investments across various sectors including oil and gas, hospitality and realty, among others. Last month, an employees' consortium of Jet Airways proposed to take over the airline with at least Rs 3,000 crore expected from outside investors for the bid. This is the first time that employees have come together with a proposal to run the more than 25-year-old Jet Airways. Two associations representing pilots and engineersSWIP and JAMEVAhave written to State Bank of India (SBI) Chairman Rajnish Kumar proposing that they would take over the airline and can bring in up to Rs 7,000 crore. The Society for Welfare of Indian Pilots (SWIP) and the Jet Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Welfare Association (JAMEVA) have written a letter to the SBI chief asking the lead lender to consider "employee consortium" as an intending bidder for the carrier. While SWIP has around 800 members, there are about 500 employees with JAMEVA. The sudden exodus of top executives at Jet Airways last week virtually shattered the lenders' hopes for a while to revive the airline at a time they were busy scouting for majority stakeholders in the debt-laden airline. Six top-level executives quit the airline in a span of two days including its CEO Vinay Dube citing personal reasons. On 16 May, Senior Vice President (Finance) Ravichandran Narayan and Senior Vice-President (Network and Revenue Management) Raj Sivakumar reportedly resigned from their positions. On 14 May, the cash-starved carrier announced the exit of four executives Dube, deputy CEO Amit Agarwal, Company Secretary Kuldeep Sharma, and Chief People Officer Rahul Taneja. Jet Airways shares have ended in the green for the second session in a row on the bourses New Delhi: Shares of grounded Jet Airways surged nearly 15 percent on Tuesday after diversified Hinduja Group said it is evaluating the opportunity to invest in the airline. The airline's scrip jumped 14.73 percent to close at Rs 150.75 on the BSE. On the NSE, the stock ended at Rs 148.40, gaining 12.94 percent, over the previous close. After opening at Rs 135 a unit, its shares touched an intra-day high of Rs 154.80. Its shares have ended in the green for the second session in a row on the bourses. On the BSE, its intra-day high was marked at 153.85. "Hinduja Group is evaluating the Jet Airways opportunity," the group said in a statement on Tuesday. The grounded carrier shuttered its operations on 17 April and the lenders, led by SBI, are still scouting for investors to revive the airline, which has a debt burden of more than Rs 8,000 crore. Shares of SpiceJet shed 2.24 percent to end the day at Rs 126.65 apiece on the BSE. The scrip is not listed on the NSE. InterGlobe Aviation, the parent of IndiGo, rose 1.31 percent to close at Rs 1,475.90 on the BSE. It gained 1.86 percent to close at Rs 1,482 on the NSE. McDonald has also taken Maaza beverage off the list, a fruit-based drink brand from Coca-Cola New Delhi: US-based fast food McDonald's has dropped many items - like McAloo and Grilled Chicken Wrap - from the menu of the 13 stores, which it has reopened in Delhi-NCR after its agreement with partner Vikram Bakshi to acquire Connaught Plaza Restaurants Pvt Ltd (CPRL). The company has also taken Maaza beverage off the list, a fruit-based drink brand from Coca-Cola. "To ensure a more consistent McDonald's India experience across the different regions, we have permanently removed some of the least popular items including the McAloo Wrap, Chicken McGrill, Egg Wrap, Grilled Chicken Wrap, and Maaza beverage. The rest of the menu remains the same," Barry Sum, director of corporate relations for Asia at McDonald's told PTI. Besides, the menu boards, tray mats, and packaging have a new design to be consistent with McDonald's simple, modern brand identity, he added. "Paper packaging and wooden utensils are also Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified to support McDonald's global commitment to sustainability," Sum added. According to the company, customers visiting the 13 re-opened stores will experience an enhanced service experience with more customised hospitality, refreshed menu boards, merchandising and packaging. CPRL, after its agreement with estranged partner Vikram Bakshi to transfer his share in the JV to the US-based firm, had temporarily shut down its 160 stores. On Sunday, CPRL, which is now controlled by McDonald's, announced re-opening of 13 restaurants in Delhi-NCR. The company plans to re-open the rest stores "over the coming days and weeks", McDonald's India had said in a statement. PNB could start the process of taking control of the banks in the next three months, according to the sources, who declined to be named, as they are not authorised to speak to the media. New Delhi: Indias Punjab National Bank could take control of two or three small public sector banks (PSBs), that could include Oriental Bank Of Commerce, Andhra Bank and Allahabad Bank, two sources familiar with the situation told Reuters. The government has been trying to merge smaller regional state-run banks with better-managed larger government-owned lenders as one way to reduce bad loans that stand at more than Rs 9 lakh crore ($130 billion), or nearly 5 percent of the nations gross domestic output. Last year, the government engineered state-owned Life Insurance Corps takeover of IDBI Bank, a step to ensure that the bank with one of the highest levels of bad loans on its books is well capitalised. PNB could start the process of taking control of the banks in the next three months, according to the sources, who declined to be named, as they are not authorised to speak to the media. PNB shares fell as much as 4 percent after Reuters reported the news. Its shares ended down 2.55 percent at Rs 86.10 on National Stock Exchange (NSE) on Tuesday. Allahabad Bank fell 2.6 percent to close at Rs 45.15 a share, while Oriental Bank of Commerce ended down nearly 1 percent at Rs 95.20 per share. The government is seeking to consolidate the nations debt-burdened state banking sector. PNB declined to comment, while the other banks did not immediately reply to an email from Reuters seeking further information. The finance ministry also declined to comment on the story. (Reuters) - Slack Technologies Inc, the owner of the workplace instant messaging app, said on Monday it expects to raise $196.5 million in direct listing of its class A common shares on the New York Stock Exchange. Slack is the latest tech company looking to go public this year, following the market debuts of Uber Technologies Inc, Lyft Inc, Pinterest Inc, and Zoom Video Communications. (Reuters) - Slack Technologies Inc, the owner of the workplace instant messaging app, said on Monday it expects to raise $196.5 million in direct listing of its class A common shares on the New York Stock Exchange. Slack is the latest tech company looking to go public this year, following the market debuts of Uber Technologies Inc, Lyft Inc, Pinterest Inc, and Zoom Video Communications. The company has registered about 117 million of its Class A shares, which is an estimate for the number of shares that will be needed when the stock begins to trade. Slack has opted for direct listing instead of an IPO, which has been the traditional route to the public markets for companies like Google parent Alphabet and Facebook Inc. Slack, which said in April it was looking to raise up to $100 million, also changed its ticker symbol to "WORK" from "SK". (Reporting by Nivedita Balu in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Karen Freifeld and David Shepardson (Reuters) - The U.S. government on Monday eased some restrictions imposed last week on China's Huawei, a sign of how the prohibitions on the telecommunications company may have far-reaching and unintended consequences By Karen Freifeld and David Shepardson (Reuters) - The U.S. government on Monday eased some restrictions imposed last week on China's Huawei, a sign of how the prohibitions on the telecommunications company may have far-reaching and unintended consequences. The U.S. Commerce Department will allow Huawei Technologies Co Ltd to purchase American-made goods in order to maintain existing networks and provide software updates to existing Huawei handsets. The company is still prohibited from buying American parts and components to manufacture new products without license approvals that likely will be denied. The roll back, which is in effect for 90 days, suggests changes to Huawei's supply chain may have immediate, far-reaching and unexpected consequences. "It appears the intention is to limit unintended impacts on third parties who use Huawei equipment or systems," said Washington lawyer Kevin Wolf, a former Commerce Department official. "It seems they're trying to prevent network blackouts." Huawei did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On Thursday, the U.S. Commerce Department added Huawei and 68 entities to an export blacklist that makes it nearly impossible for the Chinese company to purchase goods made in the United States. Huawei is now on a list of entities that are banned from doing business with U.S. companies without licenses that will be extremely difficult to obtain. Reuters reported Friday that the department was considering the temporary move to allow time for companies and people who have Huawei equipment to maintain reliability of their communications networks and equipment, citing a government spokeswoman. Monday's posting said the reprieve was created as a temporary general license, in effect until Aug. 19, that allows Huawei to purchase goods to maintain existing networks an equipment and provide software updates to existing Huawei handsets. The entities list identifies companies believed to be involved in activities contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States. Reuters reported Sunday that Alphabet Incs Google suspended business with Huawei that requires the transfer of hardware, software and technical services except those publicly available via open source licensing, citing a source familiar with the matter. (Reporting by Karen Freifeld and David Shepardson in Washington; Additional reporting by Diane Bartz in Washington; Editing by Lisa Shumaker) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. BSE Odisha Class 10th (Matric) Result 2019 Date: The Odisha board declared the results of HSC or Class 10 results. Students can check bseodisha.ac.in. BSE Odisha Class 10th (Matric) Result 2019 Declared: The Board of Secondary Education (BSE) Odisha announced the results of High School Certificate (HSC) or Class 10 board examination today (21 May). Nearly 6 lakh students appeared for this year's HSC Class 10 exams that were held at about 3,000 examination centers across the state from 22 February to 8 March. The evaluation of answer sheets ended in April. BSE sources said the result booklets were given last-minute touches when Cyclone Fani battered the state. "Publication of results slightly got delayed because of complete breakdown of power and telecom connectivity in the state due to the devastating storm", the sources said. Once declared, students can access their scores through the board's official website such as bseodisha.ac.in and orissaresults.nic.in. Steps to check BSE Class 10 result 2019: Step 1: Visit the official website: bseodisha.ac.in and orissaresults.nic.in. Step 2: Click on the link that says BSE Class 10th Results 2019 Step 3: Enter your name and registration number and click on the Submit button Step 4: Your results will be displayed on the screen. Step 5: Download the result from a relevant link and take a printout of it for future reference. In 2018, the Odisha board had released the Class 10 results on 7 May. The overall pass percentage stood at 76.23 percent. Among districts, Baleswar emerged top-scoring district with 88.25 percent. About Board of Secondary Education, Odisha (BSE): The Board of Secondary Education, Odisha was formed under the Odisha Education Act 1953. It controls and maintains all the secondary education related affairs in the state. Today's top stories: BJP chief Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet BJP ministers, NDA leaders today; an Opposition team will knock on the EC's doors again with complaints on EVM tampering; the Maharashtra women's panel has called Vivek Oberoi's tweets disrespectful; and more. BJP ministers to hold meeting with Shah, Modi Following an almost unanimously predicted exit poll edge, Union ministers belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party will meet party president Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 4 pm on Tuesday. The meeting is expected to be followed by a dinner for leaders of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. Bihar chief minister and Janata Dal (United) president Nitish Kumar, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Lok Janshakti Party head Ram Vilas Paswan are likely to attend the meeting, Opposition delegation to meet EC over EVM trouble A delegation of Opposition party leaders will once again take up the issue of EVM tampering with the Election Commission, in a meeting at 3 pm on Tuesday. Among those in the delegation will be Congress' Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Ahmed Patel, Nationalist Congress Party's Sharad Pawar and Majeed Memon, Aam Aadmi Party's Sanjay Singh, Communist Party of India's D Raja, Communist Party of India (Marxist)'s Sitaram Yechury, Bahujan Samaj Party's Satish Mishra, Telugu Desam Party's Chandrababu Naidu, Trinamool Congress's Derek O'Brien and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's TKS Elangovan. The leaders, it has been reported, will seek recounting if VVPAT slips and EVM machine tallies do not match. Many parties like DMK, AAP and Congress have already formed vigilance groups and teams to monitor strong rooms, in an effort to ensure that EVMs are untampered until 23 May. Congress general secretary in charge of Uttar Pradesh (east), Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday sent an audio recording to her party workers, urging them not to believe in the survey and "remain alert in the strong rooms and counting rooms." Pakistan appoints Moin ul Haque as India High Commissioner Pakistan on Monday announced the name of career diplomat Moin ul Haque as its new High Commissioner to India. "New Delhi, India, is very important...After consultation, I have decided to appoint Moin ul Haque, the current ambassador in France, who will be sent to (New) Delhi, and I hope that he (Haq) will deliver," Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said in a video statement. Haq was appointed after Sohail Mehmood left the High Commissioner's post to join as Pakistan's foreign secretary, reported Express Tribune. Qureshi has expressed hope that Haq would perform his "new job with the best of his abilities." Sushma to attend two-day meet at Bishkek External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will attend a two-day meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), in Kyrgyzstan's capital of Bishkek, during which several pressing issues including the threat of terrorism are expected to be discussed. She will, in the course of the meet, also come face to face with Pakistan's foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. Facebook pulling user information from smartphones, finds report A new report released by The Interceptor details about a confidential Facebook document which shows that the social media company is pulling information about Facebook members devices such as use of Wi-Fi and cellular networks and is then offering this information to carriers and smartphone makers in over 50 countries. The company is also pulling users' past locations, interests, and even their social groups. L&T buys 73,953 shares of Mindtree, hikes shareholding to 26.53% Infrastructure major Larsen and Toubro (L&T) on Monday acquired 73,953 shares of Mindtree from the open market, taking its shareholding in the IT services firm to 26.53 percent, according to a regulatory filing. "Larsen and Toubro Ltd has acquired 73,953 equity shares (with a face value of Rs 10 each) of Mindtree Ltd on 20 May 2019," a Mindtree filing said. After the latest transaction, L&T's shareholding in Mindtree stands at 26.53 percent. The latest stock purchase was made at Rs 979.99 apiece. Earlier this month, L&T purchased around 20 percent stake of V G Siddhartha and Cafe Coffee Day in Mindtree through a block deal for about RS 3,210 crore, and has since topped that up with share purchases from open market. Maharashtra women's panel calls Vivek Oberoi's tweet 'disrespectful' Maharashtra State Women's Commission (MSWC) found Vivek Anand Oberoi's tweet on exit polls "disrespectful" and plans to take action against the actor, it said on Monday. "We have studied the tweet and it is prima facie found to be objectionable. We shall serve him notice on Tuesday to explain himself," MSWC chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar told a news agency. Vivek shared a meme that showed a set of three photos, one referring to an "opinion poll" with a picture of Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai, next an "exit poll" depicting himself with the actress and the third showing Aishwarya Rai Bachchan with her husband Abhishek Bachchan and their seven-year-old daughter Aaradhya. The meme was originally shared by someone else on Twitter, but Vivek retweeted it with this comment: "Haha! Creative! No politics here just life! Firstpost Editor's Picks: Chandrababu Naidu's efforts after exit polls, Niki Lauda passes away, Big Bang Theory finale; today's must-read stories Chandrababu Naidu shows commendable gusto in keeping Opposition flock together despite exit poll disaster Chandrababu Naidu is still dead serious about having a go at forming an alternative government, despite projections of a comfortable NDA victory. That's not surprising. Exit polls in the past had a habit of going awfully wrong. To anybody who asks him about it, Naidu gives the ready example of what happened in 2014 when exit polls predicted a victory for the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) led by Jaganmohan Reddy while, in the end, TDP won. Even before Sunday, Naidu told his party leaders not to trust exit polls. Lok Sabha Election 2019: Murder of PDP's Mohammad Jamal Bhat allegedly for casting vote underlines Kashmir's grim political crisis Since the new age insurgency struck the imagination of youth in the south Kashmir after the killing of Burhan Wani, more than a dozen mainstream political workers, cutting across the political spectrum, have been killed. Most of these killings have been blamed on separatist militants. The fear had displaced thousands in a clear sign of shrinking space for mainstream politics in Kashmir. Most of these political workers are from south Kashmir districts of Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian which have emerged as the epicentre of the ongoing turmoil in Kashmir. Three-time F1 champion Niki Lauda leaves behind a mourning paddock but also towering legacy defined by comebacks Niki Lauda may be no more but he leaves behind a towering legacy. After debuting with March Racing in 1971, he won his first race in 1974 with Ferrari and world titles with the team in 1975 and 1977. Lauda took a three-year break from F1 at the end of 1979 to focus on his commercial interests and follow his passion for aviation. True to his reputation as the king of comebacks, Lauda returned to F1 in 1982 with Mclaren and went on to win a third and final world title in 1984. Brahmaputra dredging: Mega project is superficial answer to drainage congestion, flood management The authorities have stated that the main purpose of dredging the Brahmaputra is to prevent high flows from inundating its banks, which result in floods. Dredging seems to be a superficial answer to the challenge of drainage congestion and managing floods. Proper planning and a detailed study of the basic aspects of this government project are needed. A critical analysis of the data on both sediment input and dredging depth, together with a far better idea of the bed load, is necessary before starting this mega project. The Big Bang Theory finale: After 12 years, geekdom bids farewell as Sheldon and Amy take home the Nobel With each passing season, evolving storylines were written for every character and the show, which had kicked off as your run-of-the-mill three camera set-up, live-audience series, became the longest running sitcom in the history of American television. So much so that Stage 25 in the Warner Bros studios in Los Angeles is now officially known as The Big Bang Theory Stage. The Christian fisherfolk community in Kanyakumari is seeking a re-election in the Lok Sabha constituency, alleging a conspiracy to silence them through mass deletion of names of voters from fishing villages, for protesting against the BJP-led Central government's scheme to develop the coastline under the Sagarmala project 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 *** Kanyakumari: In Tamil Nadu, a state that cast aside national parties very early, Kanyakumari is a rare case of a direct fight between the BJP and Congress. In the last parliamentary elections, the BJP had made a comeback in the state after almost 15 years with the solitary seat of Kanyakumari held by Pon Radhakrishnan. Considered a bellwether constituency, over the past five years, the Centre has earned a lot of ill-will in southern constituency, especially among the fisherfolk communities. There are as many as 47 fishing villages dotted along the district's coast, populated primarily by Christian fisherfolk. Relegated to the periphery of the society, the fishing industry here is facing several threats ecological, political and developmental. The last three years have seen multiple protests by fishing communities mainly against the local projects slated to be developed under the ambitious, pan-India Sagarmala project, which looks to unlock the potential of the countrys coastline and inland waterways to drive industrial development. The National Perspective Plan for the scheme was released in April 2016 and lists 150 initiatives with a total outlay of 4 lakh crores. Soon after, the Enayam International Container Trans-shipment Terminal (EICTT) was mooted, stretching 12 kilometres along the coast and including a four-lane highway and railway line. But this also meant displacement of 20,000 fishing families from eight villages in this district. The proposed location had already been moved for reasons unknown from Colachel, known for its natural harbour and is just 10 kilometres away. After sustained protests, the port terminal was cancelled in late 2017 and moved to a new location in the same district, nearer to Kovalam. Despite authorities assuring that displacement and land acquisition for the project will be considerably less, concerns over loss of agricultural land and waters for fishing, and drastic changes to the local coastal landscape persist. Given the administrations record on rehabilitation, the people here are understandably worried about being forced to move away from their livelihood. "What about their jobs?" asks Manikandan S, a local fisherman. A fisherman cant do anything but fishing. But you are removing him from the coast? What about alternate employment for him? Will the government give them jobs? If they are ready to give two or even one jobs per household, we can ask them to move." There are also concerns that the port, and the subsequent naval traffic, will destroy the rich breeding grounds around Kanyakumari and affect the quality and quantity of the catch. S Joslin, who might have to move if and when the port gets underway, says, About a couple of years ago, when we heard that a port was going to be built in the village of Enayam in Kanyakumari, the people here came together strongly and protested until the plans for the port were called off," she remembers. "Now they have decided to build a port in another part of Kanyakumari. This decision from the Central government has worried us. We are afraid that we will be removed from the land our ancestors lived in and be forced to become refugees. So, no one in Kanyakumari wishes that the port come here," adds Joslin. In fact, the common gripe here is that the government doesnt consider the community an important stakeholder in its development plans even though one of the four components of Sagarmala is the upliftment and development of fishing communities. Consider the proposed shipping corridor along the entire coast of India that was to be exclusively used by ships. Fisherfolk associations along the western coast up till Kanyakumari held a protest last October, furious at not being consulted on the position and provision of the corridor, something that would directly impact their livelihoods. That, and the alleged apathy shown by the Centre and the local administration during the Ockhi Cyclone in 2017. Fisherfolk activists claim that their fishermen were "punished" for their opposition to several government projects and the several hundred fishermen who were caught in the cyclone, were simply allowed to die. Despite the visit of Union Minister of Defence Nirmala Sitharaman, who promised every effort towards the rescue of these men, they claim the Naval and Coast Guard operations were half-hearted and perfunctory. Their MP never visited them during the whole time they were mourning, protesting and trying to call national attention to their plight. Missing voters It is in this backdrop that Kanyakumari went to polls on 18 April along with the rest of Tamil Nadu. But as the day unfolded, it emerged that more than 45,000 names, mainly of those belonging to coastal villages, had been deleted from the list. In some cases, even those who had a voting slip were not able to cast their vote and were turned away. This led to a huge outcry in Kanyakumari both by the Opposition and the missing voters, who suspect a deliberate deletion of names targeted at a certain community that had been vocal in their displeasure with the Centre. This, however, isnt the first time. Both in 2014 and 2016 several fisherfolk found themselves unable to exercise their franchise, though not in this scale. Father Churchill, the General Secretary of the South Asia Fishermen Association, said, "When we compared the voter list of last legislative Assembly election to the current Lok Sabha election, we found that 45,000 fishermens names have been left out. There should be a separate commission instituted to inquire into this and necessary action has to be taken. We are going to file a complaint in court regarding this and ask for severe action against the officials involved in this conspiracy." Another association has already approached the court. The Tamil Nadu Fishermen Association has a filed a Public Interest Litigation in the Chennai High Court, highlighting the large-scale deletion of voters in five of the six Assembly constituencies within Kanyakumari. "We have demanded that this election should be voided and re-election must be ordered for this constituency, says advocate Rajini who has filed the case on the behalf of the fisherfolk. The High Court has issued a notice to the Election Commission demanding their response, adds Rajini, terming the incident a huge injustice to the fisherfolk community, who are Christian minorities and living in the margins of the society. "Their votes have been snatched away," she adds. Tamil Nadu Chief Election Officer Satya Prakash Sahoo, however, contests the allegations. "In the 2016 voters chart of Kanyakumari Lok Sabha constituency, there were 14.47 lakh voters. Later, 7,671 voter names were removed. Then 18,791 voter names were added in the list and 2,371 removed. From September 2018 till 5 April, 10,000 voter names have been removed for the following reasons: the voter has died or the voter's name has been printed twice. Now, the government has issued an order to all district election officials to investigate whether any particular booth was involved in this issue." While the EC and the courts wait on this, the Tamil Nadu Election Commission had recommended re-polling in ten booths were booth capturing and voter deletion by ruling alliance was alleged. Would Kanyakumari also get this chance and would it even matter? This year, the BJP had no hesitation in re-nominating the sitting MP to contest against Congress H Vasanthakumar, a businessman who is the fourth richest candidate in the fray, according to the Association of Democratic Reforms. Vasanthakumar, who is also a sitting MLA from Nanguneri in Thoothukudi district, had contested and lost against Pon Radhakrishnan in 2014. There is a key difference this time around though. In 2014, the AIADMK, DMK, BJP, Congress, CPM and the rest were all competing against each other. The BJP won comfortably with a margin of more than 1.2 lakh votes. This time, however, it is a straightforward two-party contest, which brought big names down here for their campaigns. While addressing a rally in Kanyakumari before the elections, Rahul Gandhi assured that once the Congress comes to power, a separate ministry for fishing will be instituted at the Centre. His candidate Vasanthakumar has promised he wouldnt allow the setting up of any ports in the district while Radhakrishnan has clearly stated that the Sagarmala is critical for the government and it will go full-steam ahead once elected into power again. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had also dropped by to campaign for the BJP, claimed their government had released at least 1,900 Tamil Nadu fishermen from various international prisons after they came to power in 2014. He says NDA will build more harbours which are being implemented with a focus on the next generation. The author is a Chennai-based freelance writer and a member of 101Reporters The Election Commission of India launched the Suvidha app ahead of the Lok Sabha elections to facilitate political parties and their candidates to seek its permission before conducting any public meetings, rallies, etc In the last few years, the Election Commission of India has been making use of digital technology in an effort to bring transparency and accountability in the electoral process. As part of its initiative, the poll body launched the Suvidha app for candidates and political parties ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. According to the Election Commission, Suvidha facilitates political parties and their candidates to seek its permission before conducting any public meetings, rallies, etc. Suvidha application was first deployed ahead of the Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal in 2016. The app is currently available on Google Play for download on Android phones version Ice Cream Sandwich and above. Permissions within 24 hours According to the Election Commission, the app allows candidates to check the status of their nominations, permissions and media applications filed via Suvidha portal. The Election Commission is working towards easing the procedure for filling nomination, permissions and media certification during election period", the apps summary on the Google Play store adds. Contesting candidates can apply for permissions through the app or by visiting suvidha.eci.gov.in. The candidates need to enter their registered mobile number. They also need to enter the One-Time Password (OTP) before accessing the system. Only those candidates whose nomination application have been submitted to the Returning Officer and agents of political parties who are registered with the Suvidha portal will be able to use the application. The mobile application has two main modules nomination and permission. The app allows candidates to view the affidavit and receipt relating to their nomination. Candidates can also check the status of their permission as well as the total count of such requests. Through the app, a candidate can seek permission for holding meetings, processions and rallies. The candidate or the agent can also seek permissions for using loudspeakers, opening of temporary party office, utilising helicopters and helipad, stage and barricades. Since candidates cannot float advertisements without permission from the poll body, the app acts as a single window system to apply for necessary media certification. The poll body has directed officials to give the required permissions to candidates within 24 hours of receiving the request. As per a report in the Hindustan Times, the poll panel had granted more than 50,000 such permits during the campaign season. The app will also help candidates remain updated during the counting of votes. According to reports, candidates will be able to track the vote figures after every round of counting on 23 May. Other initiatives of the EC In the ongoing elections, the Election Commission has already launched a number of apps to help the common man participate in the electoral process. In order to provide real-time information, the Election Commission of India released Voter Turnout app, also available on Google Play store for Android phones. The Voter Turnout app will provide citizens with the estimated voter turnout at a particular point of time. According to the Election Commission, the app is designed to provide not only the estimated voter turnout for every Lok Sabha constituency but also for the Assembly segments under it. Before launching the Voter Turnout app, the poll body had released the CVigil app, which helps a person to secretly send geo-tagged videos and photos of illegal money being distributed or a hate speech being made during polls. The app works only when the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is in place in a poll-bound state. As per an April 2019 report, Kerala recorded the highest number of complaints regarding poll code violations, followed by Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. Bundelkhand witnesses the highest rates of migration in the country, with at least 50 to 70 percent of rural households having at least one annual or permanent migrant. On polling day in Banda, a blazingly hot day in the fifth phase of our endless great Indian election, we saw not one, but five auspicious Blue Jays, or Indian Roller birds: the ones that foretell the victory of good over evil, Ramas victory over Ravana. It was as important to come back, as it would be if someone at home was gravely ill and dying: a one-time communist, Ambedkarite, BSP mobiliser and farmer from Chitrakoot said recently that this election a call would be put for all the workers who migrated from Bundelkhand to come home and vote. Bundelkhand witnesses the highest rates of migration in the country, with at least 50 to 70 percent of rural households having at least one annual or permanent migrant. In this scenario, both contesting political parties and the ruling administration ran campaigns and mobilising teams urging voters to return. Besides this pull exerted by the political and bureaucratic system, is there something that urged a migrant worker to come home, all to vote? We went back to see if the wise old man's words were true, the day Bundelkhand's most important seat, Banda, went to vote. And indeed, people had returned, taking flights from Saudi Arabia, packed themselves and their babies into unreserved train compartments, left daily wage-labour jobs and thriving businesses to come home to vote. Did this all add up? In the Banda-Chitrakoot Lok Sabha seat, with 12,99,291 registered voters, and more than 47 percent of Bandas rural families reporting casual or seasonal migration, 60.79 percent voting was recorded. What is the weight of a vote here? Khabar Lahariya asked migrant voters what hopes they carried, if any, when they pressed the button on the electronic voting machine. Jamal Mohammad, a painter working in Saudi Arabia who returned to his village in Banda just to vote, said unhesitatingly: I dont come for all elections. But I came back this time because its important to change the government, which has only deceived the people, especially farmers and the youth. For others, its not so much of a choice. Guddan, a brick kiln labourer in Gwalior, travelled by train with several toddlers in tow. She and her husband Soni, admitted to being intimidated into voting. They were told their family's Aadhaar cards would be cancelled and they would be rendered ineligible for government schemes if they did not vote. Soni hopes that with the new government, all the broken roads of their gully would be repaired and their families would be deemed eligible for funding under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Sampat, another brick kiln worker in Gwalior, claimed the village pradhan asked her to vote for Modi when calling her family members to return for voting day. For decades, many such families in Nehari village, Naraini block of Banda, who migrated en masse, have been carving out a life of sorts in the kilns of Gwalior. Most belong to the Kumhaar community. Urmila, another brick kiln worker, migrated 20 years ago, right after getting married. She talked of how her children have grown up without schooling, having to accompany them to work. She also came because of the pradhans notice, but claimed she voted according to her own choice. With the new government, she hopes that all the brick kilns will be shut down and better employment options will be provided closer to home, where her children can also study. Chotu Prajapati, a semi-skilled worker who was pooh-poohed when we spoke to him amidst a crowd, later told us at his home that the vote in the village cannot be swayed away from the powerful upper caste who own 60 percent of land, who have been benefited considerably by the governments policies. "The other 40 percent, including communities like ours, dont have land, homes, education, and so we work away from here and dont reap the benefits. But our votes wont change anything," Prajapati said. Whether or not that is true, it seemed that there was an urgency to mark their presence. It was deeply upsetting then, when labourers like Mamta and her husband did not find their names on the voter lists after making the tedious trip from Gwalior. The same pradhan who called them washed his hands off the affair. She complained that their names havent been added to the Awas Yojana too, and are hoping that the next government will do so. Many from their extended family have not found their names on the lists of those eligible for the Awas yojana. Their group of 10 to 15 people, all brick kiln workers, had travelled by train from Gwalior, without sitting, carrying children on their shoulders. Mamtas brother-in-law Kejriwal wishes for a change in government, one that will examine the problems faced by more than 20 lakh brick kiln workers who migrate and are not able to educate their children. He talked about how he wasnt swayed by the pradhans intimidation tactics, and genuinely believes in his duty to vote. He hopes for a change in government. For many migrants, casting a vote may have been a painful and costly exercise, but others said it has been a straight road to affirming their approval of the regime. Shatrugan Shukla, a businessman in Kanpur, returned to his village in Banda to vote: This time, I voted for the nations security, development, and Modis integrity. What did he mean by security? Now, Pakistan is given a firm reply whenever they attack us, which was not the case with previous governments. Now the army enters houses of Pakistani terrorists and gets them killed, he said. He vehemently disagreed when the development that has happened in the district is questioned, and pointed to a nearby electric pole. He also said that for vikaas to reach all areas, it will take more than five years, which is why he wants the government to continue. Annu Tiwari, the brother of the village pradhan who was indisposed denied that the migrants were bribed or intimidated into returning to vote. As for the critical question of why so many people had to travel far in search of a livelihood he said, There has been a lot of NREGA work going on since December. The more pertinent reason is because people are given higher daily wages at the kilns, than the Rs 175 given from NREGA. Regarding the cement concrete roads, pucca houses and other facilities being denied, especially to certain communities and their bastis in the village he said, In bastis with narrow lanes, it is not possible to put cement concrete roads. Only seven houses are yet to get Awas. Otherwise cement concrete roads have been laid in many villages in this panchayat due to the current government." This claim did not hold up in Hussainpur Kala village in the same block. Mohammed Siddiqui, a migrant labourer who works in Mumbai, pointed to the rundown lanes that lead to his home, which has broken down many times during rains. Though back to vote on the request of a higher authority, he too nursed hope for change, like every migrant voter in Banda. Khabar Lahariya is a women-only network of rural reporters from Bundelkhand. Some names have been changed to protect identities Eleven people, including National People's Party (NPP) MLA Tirong Aboh and his son, were shot dead by suspected NSCN militants in Arunachal Pradesh's Tirap district Eleven people, including National People's Party (NPP) MLA Tirong Aboh and his son, were shot dead by suspected NSCN militants in Arunachal Pradesh's Tirap district, according to several media reports. Aboh, the sitting MLA from the Khonsa West Assembly seat, was seeking reelection in Arunachal Pradesh's Assembly polls. The shooting took place in Bogapani village in the Khonsa circle of Tirap district, while the lawmaker was on his way to his constituency from Assam. His convoy of four vehicles was stopped around the 12 Mile area around 11.30 am and then NSCN rebels opened fire, Director General of Police (DGP) SBK Singh told PTI. Of the 15 people in the convoy, 11 were killed on the spot, two have been admitted to a hospital with serious injuries and two others escaped unhurt. The bodies have been sent to a district hospital for post-mortem, he said. The deceased included some family members of Abohs, his personal security guards and polling agents. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh termed it as an "outrageous attempt" to disturb peace and normalcy in the Northeast. Shocked and anguished by the killing of MLA Tirong Aboh ji, his family & others in Arunachal Pradesh. It is an outrageous attempt to disturb peace and normalcy in the North East. The perpetrators of this heinous crime will not be spared. My condolences to the bereaved families. Chowkidar Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 21, 2019 Army units have launched massive combing operations in the area to nab the perpetrators, Singh said. Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma condemned the incident on Twitter: The NPP is extremely shocked and saddened by the news of the death of its MLA Shri Tirong Aboh (Arunachal Pradesh) and his family. We condemn the brutal attack and urge @rajnathsingh and @PMOIndia to take action against those responsible for such attack. Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) May 21, 2019 Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu said such "barbaric act" is not acceptable. Extremely shocked by unfortunate incident of killing of Khonsa MLA Tirong Aboh along with several others by insurgents. Strongly condemn this barbarous act. Action will be initiated to hunt down the perpetrators. My heartfelt condolence & may soul of those departed Rest In Peace. Chowkidar Pema Khandu (@PemaKhanduBJP) May 21, 2019 In March, an NPP worker was killed by a suspected NSCN(IM) member at a village in Arunachal Pradesh. With inputs from PTI The possibility of a new Indian government or a fresh version of the old one coming back to power has ostensibly resulted in Pakistan sitting up straight. The country has now appointed a new High Commissioner to India and is attempting to appoint an NSA. It was only two months ago that foreign ministries of countries across the world were releasing statements of concern on the tensions between India and Pakistan. A terrorist attack in Kashmir, a retaliatory air strike in Pakistan, a captured pilot, his release, and then a global listing for Pakistan-based terror mastermind Maulana Masood Azhar had offered daily twists as both nations went through one of their most taut periods. But then came the Lok Sabha election. While India's relationship with Pakistan became an important poll plank, so consuming was the nearly two-month-long process that for a while the actual lack of ties between the two parties remained forgotten. However, Pakistan has remained a keen watcher of the process. Not only did Prime Minister Imran Khan say that he would prefer Narendra Modi to return to power, Pakistan's foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has even reacted to Modi's now infamous comment on clouds keeping Indian Air Force planes off the Pakistani radar. "Two planes were shot down on a day when (Pakistan's) radars were not working, so I would like to ask Modi ji what he thinks would happen on a day when the radars would work," laughed Qureshi after a committee meeting of the National Assembly on Foreign Affairs. A new high commissioner The possibility of a new government or a fresh version of the old one coming back to power has ostensibly resulted in Pakistan sitting up straight. The country has now appointed a new High Commissioner to India its current ambassador to France, Moin ul Haque. While doing so, the same Qureshi who had mocked Modi's cloud-radar line, acknowledged that "New Delhi is very important" and that the appointment came after rounds of consultation with Imran. "I hope that he (Haque) will deliver," Qureshi said in a video statement. The Indian Express has reported that Haque has served twice in the Pakistan foreign secretary's office, between 1997 and 1999 as deputy director and then as director between 2005 and 2007. The report notes that Haque's first stint coincided with the May 1998 nuclear tests and during his second, bilateral dialogues had resumed between the two countries. Speaking to Dawn on Haque's appointment, Qureshi said, "A new engagement between Islamabad and New Delhi could be started." A new national security adviser? It is not just Indian media which is concerned with the outcome of the election. In Pakistani papers like the Express Tribune, speculations are afoot as to whether the Imran government's active efforts to appoint a national security adviser (NSA) is a pinpointed step towards the revival of backchannel diplomacy with India. The paper has quoted official sources close to those in Pakistan's defence department as having said that the Pakistan government is considering options on how to resume talks with India, one of which is a dedicated NSA. In 2015, Pakistani NSA Lt General (retd) Naseer Khan Janjua and his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval were instrumental in breaking the ice, notes PTI. The two had held meetings in Bangkok, leading to the agreement between the two foreign ministers, for the resumption of composite dialogue. NSAs, most often retired military officials in Pakistan, may prove useful in holding shotgun meetings with their counterparts, in relatively innocuous locations something the government's top leaders cannot do. From de-escalation of tensions to discussions on ground realities, an NSA can prove to be an essential addition to Imran's repeated attempts at fruitful dialogue. A face-t0-face meeting On Tuesday, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will attend a two-day meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), in Kyrgyzstan's capital of Bishkek, during which several pressing issues including the threat of terrorism are expected to be discussed. She will, in the course of the meet, also come face to face with Shah Mehmood Qureshi. The last time such a meeting between the two foreign ministers could have taken place was the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meet at Abu Dhabi, where India had been invited to address the gathering for the first time. However, that was March and ties were so fraught between the two nations that Quereshi boycotted the plenary. Sushma, in her address, had asserted that the war against terrorism, which was destabilising regions and putting the world at great peril, was not against any religion. There are no bilateral talks scheduled between India and Pakistan. Sputnik International quoted a diplomatic source who said the interaction will be limited to issues like terrorism and the Afghanistan peace process. While it is unlikely that potential talks whether official ones or those held 'on-the-sidelines' between Sushma and Qureshi in the backdrop of the SCO meet will result in any major changes in the equation between the two countries, it does set the stage for a government heads' meeting of the SCO in the middle of June, where Imran Khan and whoever is the head of the Indian government then will meet. Six activists of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha were arrested for allegedly celebrating the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse at a temple in Surat's Limbayat area on Sunday, police said. Six activists of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha were arrested for allegedly celebrating the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse at a temple in Surat's Limbayat area on Sunday, police said. According to reports, the men Hiren Mashru, Vala Bharwad, Viral Malvi, Hitesh Sonar, Yogesh Patel and Manish Kalal have been arrested under IPC sections 153 (provocation with an intent to cause riot), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups, doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) and 153B (making assertions prejudicial to national integration). The Hindu Mahasabha members had organised the celebration in the premises of the Suryamukhi Hanuman temple in Limbyayat, which was allegedly helmed by Hiren Sumra alias Hiren Mashru, a member of the Hindu Mahasabha who is also a priest at the temple. According to The Indian Express' report, about 15 youths attended the event which was filmed by the cameraperson of a local television channel which then aired the event, and video clips were circulated on social media following which the men were arrested on Monday. Surat Police Commissioner Satish Sharma told PTI, "During the celebration of Godse's birth anniversary, these Hindu Mahasabha members lit up diyas around Godse's photo, exchanged sweets and sang bhajans in the temple premise. They even made videos and took photographs of the event. Their act of revering Godse, who had killed Gandhiji, deeply hurt the sentiments of citizens. It was an attempt to incite people and disturb the peaceful atmosphere." Speaking to The Indian Express before his arrest, Sumra said: We have celebrated the birthday of Godse, we have done nothing wrong. Like other peoples feelings are attached to Mahatma Gandhi, our feelings are attached to Godse, and we have shown this by celebrating his birthday. This is the first time that we celebrated his birthday. Meanwhile, condemning the act of the Hindu Mahasabha, BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya said criticising Gandhi was like "spitting at the sky", adding that such celebrations were being carried out by "immature people who do not have the vision to understand the Mahatma's teachings". Gujarat Minister for State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja said the state government would not tolerate such celebrations, and claimed that prompt instructions by the government to the police led to all six members being arrested. Deputy chief minister Nitin Patel also condemned the act and reiterated that "BJP does not believe in any criticism of Gandhi, his works or thoughts". The Congress, however, attacked the ruling dispensation over the issue. "The BJP must tell the nation whether they endorse Mahatma Gandhi's ideology or that of Godse. Be it Anant Kumar Hegde or Pragya Singh Thakur, BJP leaders are busy promoting Godse's ideology. This is a matter of serious concern," said Gujarat Congress spokesperson, Manish Doshi, adding that the saffron party's "double standards" have been exposed. Further, in a memorandum to the district administration, Babubhai Rayka, president of the Surat Congress unit, alleged that the event was intentionally held at a temple to divide society and incite those who are followers of Gandhi and asked for the Hindu Mahasabha members to be driven out of the city, The Indian Express' report said. Meanwhile, a similar incident was reported in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh where Hindu Mahasabha members celebrated Godse's 109th birthday by organising a 'havan' (holy pyre), as per a report by The New Indian Express. According to the report, Hindu Mahasabha's state vice president Gajendra Pal Singh said that Godse would always be revered as a great leader by the Hindu Mahasabha and his temples and statues will be established across the country in coming days, a claim the Hindu Mahasabha has made previously as well. Thus, is it not the first time the Hindu Mahasabha has raked up a controversy involving Godse, earlier in January on Gandhi's 71st death anniversary the general secretary of the Hindu Mahasabha recreated Gandhi's assassination by shooting at an effigy with a toy gun. On 15 November, 2017, the Hindu Mahasabha had installed a 32-inch bust of Godse at its Gwalior office, which the administration later removed, News18 reported. Godse was born on 19 May in 1910 in Pune's Baramati, which was then part of the Bombay Presidency. Earlier in May, BJPs Bhopal candidate Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur had sparked a massive controversy by calling Godse a patriot. She drew ire from across the political spectrum for her statement and was asked to apologise by party president Amit Shah following which she rendered an apology and said that she has "a lot of respect" for Gandhi. Pragya was responding to actor-politician Kamal Haasan's remark terming Godse as the "first Hindu terrorist" of independent India. Rajiv Gandhi death anniversary: Modi's tweet remembering Rajiv Gandhi comes days after he dubbed Rajiv as 'bhrashtachari no 1' (corrupt no 1) at an election rally in eastern Uttar Pradesh earlier this month. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday took to Twitter to pay tribute to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 28th death anniversary. "Tributes to former PM Shri Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary," Modi tweeted. Rajiv was assassinated by a suicide bomber during an election rally in Tamil Nadu's Sriperumbudur town on this day in 1991. Several leaders, including former prime minister's family, tweeted their tributes on the former prime minister's death anniversary. Tributes to former PM Shri Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary. Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 21, 2019 Modi's tweet remembering the former prime minister comes days after he dubbed Rajiv as "bhrashtachari no 1" (corrupt no 1) at an election rally in eastern Uttar Pradesh earlier this month. At a rally in Pratapgarh, responding to Congress' corruption charges against him, Modi said, "Your father was termed Mr Clean by his courtiers, but his life ended as Bhrashtachari No. 1." He was referring to the Bofors scandal that broke during Rajiv's tenure as the prime minister. There were allegations that Swedish defence manufacturer Bofors had paid huge kickbacks to Rajiv and others for the sale of its artillery gun to India. Taking to Twitter, Congress president and Rajiv Gandhi's son Rahul Gandhi said: Modi Ji, The battle is over. Your Karma awaits you. Projecting your inner beliefs about yourself onto my father wont protect you. All my love and a huge hug. Rahul Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 5, 2019 Rajiv's daughter Priyanka, who is also Congress in charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh also tweeted, "The one who asks for votes in the name of martyrs has now insulted the martyrdom of a righteous and holy man in his unbridled craze yesterday. Reply will be given by the people of Amethi for whom Rajiv Gandhi gave his life. Yes Modiji this country never forgives treachery." ?????? ?? ??? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ?? ??????? ???? ???? ???????????? ?? ?? ???? ?????? ??? ??? ?? ??? ?? ??? ????? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ????? ???? ????? ?? ???? ???? ????? ??? ????? ????? ?? ???? ??? ??? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ????????? ?? ??? ??? ???? ????? Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) May 5, 2019 The war of words between Modi and Rahul came a day before voting for fifth phase of Lok Sabha election, with Rahul's own constituency, Amethi, going to polls as well. In a bitterly fought election campaign, Modi's attacks on the late prime minister did not stop there. After the "corrupt no 1" remark, the prime minister in another rally, slammed his former counterpart for using naval warship INS Viraat as his "personal taxi" for a holiday when he was at the helm. Modi went on to ask Congress why it fumed when he exposed the "misdeeds" of its leaders in whose name it often sought votes. Modi was addressing his first poll rally in Delhi ahead of the 12 May elections for all its seven seats. "Ever imagined that a premier warship of the Indian armed forces could be used as a taxi for a personal holiday? One dynasty did it," Modi said. The claims made by the prime minister snowballed into a huge controversy and witnessed Navy veterans giving contradicting statements on the incident which happened in 1987. Modi's claim was challenged by former navy chief Admiral Laxminarayan Ramdas and the officer who captained the vessel, Vice-Admiral Vinod Pasricha, both of whom asserted that Rajiv Gandhi was aboard INS Viraat in an official capacity. Pasricha told Firstpost in an interview that the contention that Rajiv and his family misused the ship was "completely false." Following their comments, two other officers issued statements to the contrary. However, there were navy officials who backed the prime minister's claim. 09:59 (ist) How to check UK Board Class 10, Class 12 Result 2019: Step 1: Visit the official websites ubse.uk.gov.in or uaresults.nic.in and click on the link 'Board Results' Step 2: Click on the link that says "10th Class Examination Result 2019" for Class 10 results and "12th Class Examination Result 2019" for Class 12 results. Step 3: Fill in your admit card details as required. Step 4: Your results will appear in a new window. Step 5: Download the results and take a printout for future reference. WBBSE Madhyamik Result 2019 Declared: The West Bengal board declared the Class 10 results today. They will be available on official websites wbbse.org or wbresults.nic.in at 10 am. West Bengal WBBSE Madhyamik Result 2019 | The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) declared the results of the West Bengal Madhyamik Results 2019 or Class 10 results today (21 May). The results will available for students to check on the official websites wbbse.org and wbresults.nic.in at 10 am. The Class 10 examinations were conducted from 12 to 22 February this year. While students can download and take printouts of their scorecard, they must get the original marksheets from their respective institutes. The board, in a notification, said that the marksheets will be distributed to the principals of schools from 10 am on 21 May. Follow LIVE updates here Steps to check West Bengal Madhyamik Result 2019: Step 1: Visit the official page wbbse.org or wbresults.nic.in Step 2: Click on the 'Results' link Step 3: Fill in the required details such as roll number and date of birth Step 4: The results will be displayed on the screen Step 5: Download it and take a printout for future reference Students can also check their results right here on Firstpost by entering their details below: Apart from the official websites, students can also check scores at exametc.com, indiaresults.com, jagranjosh.com and results.shiksha. Results can also be obtained over SMS by pre-registering roll number and mobile number on exametc.com. Additionally, a Google mobile application called Madhyamik Results 2019 can also be checked for scores. In 2018, the West Bengal board Class 10 result was announced on 6 June. Last year, the overall pass percentage was 85.49 percent with the pass percentage of boys standing at 44 percent and girls at 56 percent. More than 11 lakh students had appeared for the tests last year. Re-checking or re-evaluation facility is offered by the West Bengal Board. Students can apply for it in case she or he feels the need to. Any change in the final mark tally would be updated in the original mark sheet. West Bengal board is the state educational board responsible for conducting the examinations of class 10th at the state level. WBBSE came into existence in the year 1951. Birthday wishes Call 281-422-8302 or email david.bloom@baytownsun.com to wish someone a happy birthday. We will print your birthday wish on Page 2 of The Sun. Happy Birthday Wishes 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 West Bengal Madhyamik Result 2019 Declared | The West Bengal board (WBBSE) announced the Class 10 results today. Students can check wbbse.org and wbresults.nic.in. West Bengal Madhyamik Result 2019 Declared | The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) declared the results of the madhyamik Class 10 results 2019 today (21 May) at 9 am. They will be available on the official websites wbbse.org and wbresults.nic.in at 10 am. Students can download and take printouts of their scorecard. However, they must get the original marksheets from their respective institutes. In case the official website is not working, candidates can also check their scores on examresults.net or indiaresults.com. The Class 10 examinations were conducted from 12 to 22 February, 2019 this year. Follow LIVE updates here Steps to check West Bengal Madhyamik Result 2019 on official websites: Step 1: Visit the official page wbbse.org or wbresults.nic.in Step 2: Click on the 'Results' link Step 3: Fill in the required details such as roll number and date of birth Step 4: The results will be displayed on the screen Step 5: Download it and take a printout for future reference Students can also check their results right here on Firstpost by entering their details below: Marksheets can be collected from Camp Offices from 10 am on 21 May. Results can also be obtained over SMS by pre-registering roll number and mobile number on exametc.com. Additionally, the WBBSE Class 10 result will also be available on an Android mobile application called Madhyamik Results 2019 available for free download on Google Play Store. In 2018, the West Bengal Board 10th result was announced on 6 June. The topper of 2018 West Bengal Madhyamik exam was Sanjivani Debnath of Suniti Academy in the north Bengal district of Cooch Behar. Last year, the overall pass percentage was 85.49 percent with the pass percentage of boys standing at 44 percent and girls at 56 percent. More than 11 lakh students had appeared for the tests last year. Re-checking or re-evaluation facility is offered by the West Bengal Board. Students can apply for it in case she or he feels the need to. Any change in the final mark tally would be updated in the original mark sheet. West Bengal board is the state educational board responsible for conducting the examinations of Class 10 at the state level. WBBSE came into existence in the year 1951. On 23 may, besides the 542 Lok Sabha seats, counting of votes will also take place for the bypolls in 46 Assembly constituencies spread across the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Nagaland, Puducherry, West Bengal, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu On 23 May, 74 days after the schedule for the general elections to Lok Sabha were announced, 1.3 billion Indians will know the results of the 17th Lok Sabha elections. The world's attention is centred around the 542 Lok Sabha constituencies (voting in Vellore Lok Sabha constituency was cancelled on 16 April due to massive recovery of cash), which will get their new MPs on 23 May. However, amid the anticipation over the formation of the next Lok Sabha, 46 Assembly constituencies across 13 states too will be getting new representatives on the same day. The 46 Assembly seats, which are spread across the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Nagaland, Puducherry, West Bengal, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, are undergoing by-elections for various reasons. These Assembly constituencies voted over multiple phases between 11 April and 19 May. Ahead of the results on 23 May, here is a rundown of the process of by-elections and their significance in the present scenario. RPA, 1951, holds the key to bypolls The Representation of the Peoples Act, 1951, lays down the rules for holding a by-election for any vacant seat in the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Legislative Assemblies and State Legislative Councils. Death or resignation of the sitting member are the most common reasons for vacancies. Disqualification of the sitting member due to a criminal offence or under the Anti-Defection law are also other reasons that have led to vacancies in a state Assembly. A bypoll is also necessitated if a candidate is elected from more than one seat as well. As per the rule, a candidate needs to resign from one of the seats. Such a scenario is likely to take place in Sikkim and Odisha, where chief ministers Pawan Chamling and Naveen Patnaik are contesting from two Assembly constituencies. As per Section 150 of the Representation of the Peoples Act, 1951, which deals with vacancies in the state Assembly, the Election Commission will issue a notification in the Official Gazette in order to fill the vacancy. Section 151A of the Act deals with the conduct of such by-elections at the state or national level. According to the Act, a bypoll needs to be held within six months of the vacancy. However, it also suggests that the Election Commission may choose to not conduct the by-election in a constituency if the term of the Assembly ends in less than a year. Alternatively, the poll body may choose to not hold a by-election in a constituency too. "The Election Commission in consultation with the Central Government certifies that it is difficult to hold the by-election within the said period," the Act suggests. Recently, the Election Commission cancelled the by-election in Thiruvarur in the aftermath of Cyclone Gaja in Tamil Nadu. The process of filling a vacant seat is similar to the one adopted during a general election to the Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha. Once the Election Commission announces any bypoll, the Model Code of Conduct comes into effect in that particular constituency. Mini Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu As mentioned earlier, 46 Assembly seats across 13 states will get new representatives on 23 May. While the Election Commission announced bypolls for 33 Assembly seats on 10 March the day general elections were announced itself, 13 other seats were added to the list during the course of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Among the different by-elections this season, the results of those happening in Tamil Nadu will be closely watched by political pundits. By-elections for 22 Assembly seats will decide the fate of the E Palaniswamy government in Tamil Nadu. While 18 seats voted on 18 April, four voted on 19 May. The "mini Assembly elections" have been necessitated after 18 MLAs belonging to the AIADMK were disqualified by the Madras High Court last year, upholding Speaker P Dhanapal's decision to cancel their membership under the anti-defection law. These disqualified MLAs had expressed no confidence in Chief Minister Palaniswamy and backed rebel leader TTV Dhinakaran. The AIADMK government needs to win at least eight seats to retain a simple majority in the Assembly. If it fails to do so, Tamil Nadu may once again experience the political instability witnessed in the aftermath of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa's death. At present, the AIADMK has the support of 110 MLAs (including the Assembly Speaker). The DMK has the support of 98 MLAs, while Dhinakaran claims to have the backing of three MLAs. The bypolls for Panaji in Goa and Agra North in Uttar Pradesh have been necessitated due to the deaths of sitting BJP MLAs Manohar Parrikar and Jagan Prasad Garg, respectively. While the by-election in Uttar Pradesh is unlikely to have any impact on the government, the results of the Panaji bypoll may determine the stability of the BJP-led alliance in Goa. Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath is contesting from his pocket borough of Chhindwara in order to enter the state Assembly. Five Assembly constituencies voted on 19 May after their incumbent MLAs defected to different parties to contest the Lok Sabha elections. The five seats that voted in the final phase are Islampur, Habibpur, Nowda, Kandi and Bhatpara. Modi Tuesday expressed concern over the 'needless controversy' created by the Opposition over EVMs at a meeting of NDA leaders, even as the ruling alliance laid out its agenda for the next five years New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday expressed concern over the "needless controversy" created by the Opposition over EVMs at a meeting of NDA leaders, even as the ruling alliance laid out its agenda for the next five years if it is elected to power again. At the BJP-led ruling alliance meeting, which was attended by 36 parties, a resolution was passed, terming the 2019 general election decisive for the country and pledging to make India "strong, developed, prosperous and inclusive" by 2022 when India completes 75 years of its independence, party leader and Union minister Rajnath Singh told reporters. In his address, Modi stressed on the need to change the narrative from caste lines and orient it for the poor, Singh said. The prime minister expressed concern over the Opposition making "needless controversy" over electronic voting machines, the home minister said. The resolution was proposed by BJP ally and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister EK Palaniswami were among the BJP allies who attended the dinner-meeting hosted by BJP president Amit Shah. Chandrababu Naidu is still dead serious about having a go at forming an alternative government, despite projections of a comfortable NDA victory Before the exit poll results were out on Sunday, there was some talk of Sonia Gandhi hosting a dinner for top Opposition leaders on 23 May. She was thought to be the perfect hostess to preside over government-formation confabulations on the evening of the counting day if the BJP fell short of numbers. Diehard loyalists of the Nehru family sang paeans to Sonia's skills in stitching up an alliance faster than a cobbler on a Connaught Place footpath would repair a shoe. They cooed that her elegant charm, political acumen and heart-melting spirit of sacrifice would dazzle the dinner guests into signing up for an alliance even before they picked up their desserts. But not many were bursting with enthusiasm to accept the invitation, because they said that everything as we are tired of hearing by now would depend on the results that would come on Thursday. And after the exit poll results, the only dinner being talked about is the one that BJP president Amit Shah will host for NDA leaders on Tuesday. Yet there is one man who hasnt forgotten Sonia's feast: Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader has taken it upon himself to round up as many leaders as possible for the meeting at 10, Janpath just like a teacher might drag reluctant kindergarten students into class. In other words, Naidu is still dead serious about having a go at forming an alternative government, despite projections of a comfortable NDA victory. That's not surprising. Exit polls in the past had a habit of going awfully wrong. To anybody who asks him about it, Naidu gives the ready example of what happened in 2014 when exit polls predicted a victory for the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) led by Jaganmohan Reddy while, in the end, TDP won. Even before Sunday, Naidu told his party leaders not to trust exit polls. This sparked speculation on whether he had some advance information on what the polls would say. And while Prime Minister Narendra Modi disappeared into a Kedarnath cave along with a camera crew, Naidu had an idea of what the Opposition must do. While TV channels exploded with predictions of a historic second victory for Modi, Naidu didn't lose hope. The polls that forecast a sure victory for Modi must have been heartrending for Naidu, but what raised his hope was the NewsX projection of 242 for NDA (including 202 for the BJP) and 164 for the UPA. If this comes true, with the error margin pushing the real figure even lower, the BJP could be in trouble. In such a scenario, possible if not probable, Naidu's calculation is simple, of course. The Opposition must rustle up an alliance to stake claim to form government before Modi puts on a designer kurta and heads for Rashtrapati Bhavan. Naidu had first attempted a pre-poll alliance and failed. Then he tried for a pre-exit-poll alliance and failed. Now he is trying for a pre-results alliance. He is still not succeeding, despite crisscrossing the country and meeting Mayawati, Akhilesh Yadav, Sharad Pawar, Mamata Banerjee, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the last few days. Naidu first got Mayawati to agree to meet Sonia, but she later backed down. Meeting on EVMs Naidu had been suggesting a meeting of Opposition leaders in Delhi on 21 May to discuss a pre-results alliance. That meeting materialised on Tuesday but ended up only talking about the alleged manipulation of EVMs and a complaint on it to the Election Commission. It only served two purposes. First, it shifts the reason for Modi's victory from his undoubted popularity to the tampering of EVMs. Secondly, the meeting served the additional purpose of keeping the Opposition flock together for the time being, even if it meant no more than a photo-op. The best the Congress is hoping for is a repeat of 1996 or 2004. In 1996, the party won 140 seats and BJP, 161. It then supported a United Front government first led by HD Deve Gowda and then by IK Gujral. And in 2004, the Congress won 145 seats and formed the UPA-I government with support from others. But unlike in 1996 and 2004, the issue of leadership could be a stumbling block in 2009 if a similar situation arises. Who becomes the Opposition prime minister will surely depend on who gets how many seats, but the process of arriving at a consensus is much tougher than before, considering the ambitions of Mayawati, Mamata, Sharad Pawar among others. And nobody knows what Rahul Gandhi wants. The party first said he wasn't a prime ministerial candidate and then said he was. There was a similar volte face last year, but in reverse order. First, he declared himself to be a prime ministerial candidate and then, not long after that, said something like, "Oops, really? Did I say that?" The second flip-flop this year call it a flop-flip, if you will has left nobody in doubt about Rahul's and his party's confusion about not only the prime minister's post, but even providing an alternative to Modi. The irony of all this is that while Naidu has picked up the gauntlet on Rahul and Sonia's behalf, he must contend with confusion of his own, caused by the Congress. Naidu versus KCR Even as Naidu was confabulating with Opposition leaders, the Congress last week began its own talks with Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) and his friend in Andhra Pradesh, Jagan, among others. KCR hopes to win all or most of Telangana's 17 Lok Sabha seats. He might. And Jagan appears confident of winning close to 20 of the 25 seats in Andhra Pradesh. The Congress is KCR's main rival in Telangana. And Naidu's chief enemy in his state is Jagan. Even if KCR and Jagan or at least one of them is part of a non-BJP grouping, the question of how Naidu too can rub shoulders with them has no answers. The other big question is how many Lok Sabha seats Naidu himself will win in Andhra Pradesh, if Jagan walks away with most of them according to exit polls. The author tweets @sprasadindia Follow all the latest updates from the Lok Sabha election here A delegation of 21 opposition parties along with Andhra Pradesh chief minister and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu will knock the doors of Election Commission of India (ECI) at 3 pm on Tuesday, pressing their demand of tallying VVPAT slips with EVM figures in an entire Assembly constituency, in case a discrepancy is found in any polling booth. New Delhi: A delegation of 21 opposition parties along with Andhra Pradesh chief minister and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu will knock the doors of Election Commission of India (ECI) at 3 pm on Tuesday, pressing their demand of tallying VVPAT slips with EVM figures in an entire Assembly constituency, in case a discrepancy is found in any polling booth. Ahmed Patel of Congress, Sharad Pawar of NCP, Satish Chandra Misra of BSP, Sitaram Yechury of Communist Party of India (Marxist), D Raja of Communist Party of India (CPI) and Derek O'Brien of the TMC are expected to meet the EC. On 18 May, Naidu urged the Election Commission to count votes through Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) instead of EVMs during counting for the Lok Sabha polls. On 7 May, the Supreme Court turned down a review plea by 21 opposition parties seeking a direction to increase random physical verification of VVPAT from five to at least 50 percent of EVMs. The review petition was filed after the Supreme Court on 8 April directed the ECI to increase physical counting of VVPAT slips to 5 random EVMs in each constituency. Earlier, only VVPAT slips from one EVM in every Assembly segment or constituency was subjected to physical verification. Leaders representing 22 Opposition parties met the Election Commission in Delhi on Tuesday, demanding that the counting of VVPAT slips at five polling stations be done before the counting of votes Leaders representing 22 Opposition parties met the Election Commission in Delhi on Tuesday, demanding that the counting of VVPAT slips at five polling stations in every Lok Sabha constituency be done before the counting of votes in EVMs. The delegation comprised of Congress Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ashok Gehlot and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagams Kanimozhi, Trinamool Congress Derek OBrien, Aam Aadmi Partys Arvind Kejriwal and Telugu Desam Partys N Chandrababu Naidu. In a memorandum submitted to the EC, the leaders discussed their demands, which included counting VVPAT slips in five polling booths of each Lok Sabha constituency before beginning the counting of votes and not after the completion of the last round of counting. In the meeting that lasted for over an hour, the second demand posed before the poll body was that if any discrepancy is found during the VVPAT slip counting, all the paper slips of VVPAT at all polling stations of the Assembly constituency be counted. After the meeting, Azad said that the EC assured them that they will discuss the issue on Wednesday morning among themselves with an open mind. Meanwhile, Singhvi said, "In the past 1.5 months, we have raised the same issues in writing. Now we have asked the EC that why they haven't responded. We are only asking for counting of 100 percent of VVPATs if there's a problem. Why should you have them as decorative pieces after finding a sample problem? Azad also said that they raised the issue of moving around of EVMs around strong rooms. Naidu said that the Opposition leaders have asked the EC to "respect the mandate". He went on to say that the tallying of EVMs and VVPAT slips was like taking a blood sample for the body to check if there is any "pollution" in the body. He also added that if the blood reports aren't acted upon then there will be "cancer". Ahmed Patel, BSPs Satish Chandra Misra, CPMs Sitaram Yechury, CPIs D Raja, RJDs Manoj Jha and NCPs Majeed Memon were a part of the meeting. In their memorandum, the parties claimed that EVM guidelines were flouted during the Lok Sabha election and demanded VVPAT verification. The EC had issued a statement on the same day that reports of EVM movements in strong rooms are false. "Complaints of alleged movement of EVMs, purportedly to replace polled EVMs in strong rooms, are doing rounds in sections of media. We would like to unambiguously clarify that reports are absolutely false. Visuals seen viral on media do not pertain to any EVMs used during the polls," the poll body clarified. Earlier on Tuesday, Opposition leaders met in Delhi, two days before the Lok Sabha election results, to discuss the possibility of a non-NDA alliance. "On VVPATs and the EVM tally, the EC is yet to come out with a procedure in case there is a mismatch, Yechury said. Former president Pranab Mukherjee had lauded the poll panels roll in conducting the Lok Sabha elections "perfectly" on Monday. However, on Tuesday, he issued a statement saying that ensuring institutional integrity, specifically the security of EVMs in this case, is the ECs responsibility. "There can be no room for speculations that challenge the very basis of our democracy. People's mandate is sacrosanct and has to be above any iota of reasonable doubt, Mukherjees statement read. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday ordered re-polling at a booth in Kolkata's Uttar parliamentary constituency. ECI declared void the poll held on 19 May at polling station number 200 of the Kolkata's Uttar parliamentary constituency. New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday ordered re-polling at a booth in Kolkata's Uttar parliamentary constituency. ECI declared void the poll held on 19 May at polling station number 200 of the Kolkata's Uttar parliamentary constituency. The re-polling will be conducted on Wednesday, 22 May from 7 am to 6 pm. BJP's Rahul Sinha, TMC's Sudip Bandyopadhyay, and CPI(M)'s Kaninika Bose Ghosh are in the fray from Kolkata Uttar constituency. On Monday, a BJP delegation led by Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Railway minister Piyush Goyal approached the EC and urged it to conduct re-polling in the constituencies where violence had taken place during all the phases of the Lok Sabha polls. The delegation had also requested the EC to withdraw false cases made against BJP leaders in West Bengal. Large scale violence was reported from different parliamentary constituencies across West Bengal in all the seventh phase of the general elections with Trinamool Congress (TMC) and BJP blaming each other for the violence. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday dismissed claims by Opposition parties that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are being moved around unprotected ahead of the counting of votes for the ongoing Lok Sabha election 2019 on 23 May. It also rejected allegations of discrepancies at the strong rooms where the EVMs have been kept prior to the announcement of the results on Thursday. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday dismissed claims by Opposition parties that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are being moved around unprotected ahead of the counting of votes for the ongoing Lok Sabha election 2019 on 23 May. It also rejected allegations of discrepancies at the strong rooms where the EVMs have been kept prior to the announcement of the results on Thursday. The Returning Officer (RO) of the Ghazipur constituency in Uttar Pradesh said rumours have spread in the media that candidates were being prevented from guarding the EVM strong rooms. Meanwhile, he issued instructions to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate to allow every candidate to keep a watch at three vantage points for eight hours each, appointing an agent each for the purpose. However, he added that the administration has declined permission for several persons to watch over the strong room at a time. The apprehensions regarding EVMs are baseless. EVMs are in strong room with 247 CISF security. And candidates have been allowed to post their agents to monitor the strong room. Ghazipur_admin (@AdminGhazipur) May 21, 2019 The poll panel also dismissed allegations made by Opposition leaders that trucks carrying EVMs were caught in another Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh's Chandauli. After protests erupted in Domariyaganj, EC claimed that the voting machines were kept under proper security and all protocols were being followed, and the demonstrators were persuaded by police officers to abandon the agitation. Similar complaints were received from Jhansi but the poll panel refuted them all. It, in fact, assured that all the machines were sealed properly in front of the political parties candidates in videography and in the presence of CCTV cameras. On Monday evening, a group of Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Congress workers had protested at Navin Krishi Mandi Sthal in Chandauli alleging that EVMs were being changed at the instance of BJP, the Hindustan Times reported. But District Election Officer Naveen Singh Chahal said that the EVMs being transported were unused. Thirty-five additional unused EVMs were kept at the Sakaldiha tehsil. These couldnt be transported on Sunday due to logistical issues and were brought from Sakaldiha on Monday to be stored in a different place," he clarified. Meanwhile, Additional Chief Electoral Officer BDR Tiwari said the district administration held a meeting with leaders of all political parties to resolve the matter. Similar protests were lodged by Opposition parties in Ghazipur and Domariyaganj. In Domariyaganj, SP-BSP workers had alleged that they had caught a mini-truck full of EVMs being driven out of the compound of a storage room, according to an NDTV report. The workers claimed this was evidence of the BJP trying to tamper with EVMs, however, the administration said these were extra EVMs they received before polling began. Allegations also cropped in Mirzapur, Madhya Pradesh's Jhansi, Mau, and parts of Haryana, Punjab and Bihar's Mahrajganj and Saran as well. Meanwhile, a political furore has erupted over the EVM 'tampering' issue. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav tweeted: Visuals and claims of sudden movement of EVMs observed across the north India! Why is it so? Who is transporting these EVMs & Why? What is purpose and objective of this exercise? In order to avoid any confusion & misconception, Election Commission must issue a statement ASAP. Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) May 20, 2019 However, RJD's allegations were refuted by the administration claiming that the machines were for training, the NDTV report stated. Mumbai Congress chief Milind Deora also raised a complaint with the ECI on Tuesday requesting the poll commission to ensure safety and security of EVM machines. According to an order by the Election Commission in December last year, all EVMs that were used for voting and reserve EVMs "shall be under cover of armed police at all times" after polling process is over. The order says "reserve EVMs should also be returned at the same time when the polled EVMs are returned at the receipt centre". Former president Pranab Mukherjee also took notice of the matter and issued a statement saying that it was the responsibility of the Election Commission to put to rest the allegations surrounding the mishandling of EVMs. The ECI, however, stated that it would like to "emphatically and unambiguously clarify that all such reports and allegations are absolutely false and factually incorrect" and the viral visuals do not pertain to any EVMs used during the polls, it said in an official press release. Here's the full text of the ECI's statement: Certain complaints of alleged movement of EVMs, purportedly to replace the polled EVMs in the strongrooms, have been doing the rounds in sections of media. Election Commission of India would like to emphatically and unambiguously clarify that all such reports and allegations are absolutely false, and factually incorrect. The visuals seen viral on media do not pertain to any EVMs used during the polls. After the close of polls, all polled EVMs and VVPATs are brought under security cover to the designated strongrooms, which is sealed with double locks, in the presence of the candidates and in the presence of Observers of the Election Commission. The entire process of storage and sealing of the strongroom is covered under videography. Continuous CCTV coverage is done till completion of counting. Each strongroom is guarded with round-the-clock security by Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). Further, the candidates or their designated agents remain present at the strongroom for 24X7 vigil at all times. On the counting day, the strongrooms are opened in the presence of the candidates/agents and Observer under videography. Before the counting of EVMs commences, the counting agents are shown the address tags, seals and serial number of the EVMs to satisfy themselves to the genuineness and authenticity of the machinesused in the actual polls. The provisions and protocols have been explained to the political parties on multiple occasions including in several of the 93 meetings held with them at the Commission since announcement of elections. All Chief Electoral Officers and District Election Officers have again been advised to brief the candidates on the elaborate counting arrangements. As can be appreciated, the detailed administrative protocols, security framework and procedural guidelines mandated by the Commission completely foreclose and pre-empt the possibility of any mischief or manipulation in the polled EVMs and VVPATs stored in the designated strongrooms under the 24X7 watch of the CAPF as well as the candidates. The aspersions in clips being used in media merely pertain to the storage or movement of Reserve unused EVMs. However any case of lapse even in handling of Reserve EVMs is thoroughly investigated and disciplinary action taken against the officers responsible. An EVM Control Room 011- 23052123 will also be functioning at Nirvachan Sadan for handling any EVM related complaints till the completion of counting. This will become operative from 11am on 22.5.2019. Amid poor numbers given by exit polls to the Congress in the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections, senior Congress leader Roshan Baig Monday dropped hints of quitting the party, and appealed to Muslims to compromise with the situation, if NDA returns to power. Bengaluru: Amid poor numbers given by exit polls to the Congress in the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections, senior Congress leader Roshan Baig Monday dropped hints of quitting the party, and appealed to Muslims to compromise with the situation, if NDA returns to power. "Well if NDA is coming back to power, I humbly appeal to Muslim brothers to learn to compromise with the situation," he told a section of media. Asked if that means Muslims should join hands with BJP, Baig said if the need arises, they must, as the Congress had given just one ticket to a Muslim leader in Karnataka. "If needs be, (Muslims) must join hands. We must not remain loyal to one party. What happened to Muslims in Karnataka? The Congress gave just one seat," he said. Asked if he will take a decision to quit Congress in coming days, Baig said if needs be, he would do it. "If needs be, I will do it because we (Muslims) cannot remain in a party with disgrace. We live our lives with grace and dignity. Where we will not get respect, we will not want to remain there. If someone makes us sit with love and affection, we will sit with them," he said. Asked whom would he blame for the present condition of the Muslims in Karnataka, Baig pointed fingers at KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao for conducting a "flop poll campaign" and also attacked CLP leaders including Siddaramaiah for the same. "I hold Dinesh Gundu Rao for conducting a flop poll campaign. Moreover, CLP leaders who were flying high in the sky should come to terms with ground realities," he added. Baig said he was not surprised by exit poll numbers as from the very beginning he knew Congress will not get good numbers because of the "flop poll campaigning" of the party. Karnataka deputy chief minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday slammed Congress leader Roshan Baig for his claim that both state unit president Dinesh Gundurao and Congress Legislature Party CLP leader Siddaramaiah should be blamed for the 'flop poll campaign' in the state. Parameshwara said that it is Baig's personal opinion and not the party's opinion or assessment. Bengaluru: Karnataka deputy chief minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday slammed Congress leader Roshan Baig for his claim that both state unit president Dinesh Gundurao and Congress Legislature Party CLP leader Siddaramaiah should be blamed for the "flop poll campaign" in the state. Parameshwara said that it is Baig's personal opinion and not the party's opinion or assessment. "As far as his statement is concerned it is his individual personal opinion so you should ask him. It is not the party's opinion or assessment," Parameshwara said while being asked about Roshan Baig's reported comments about Gundurao and Siddaramaiah. Baig, who is at loggerheads with the Congress party after not getting a ticket to contest the just-concluded Lok Sabha polls, slammed Gundurao and Siddaramaiah asserting that "these two leaders should be held responsible if Congress doesn't perform well in the general elections." While speaking to ANI earlier today, Baig reiterated he is upset with the fact that no seats were given to Christians and only one seat to Muslims in Karnataka. "No seats were given to Christians and only one seat was given to Muslims in Karnataka, they were ignored. I'm upset with this, we have been used," he said. Parameshwara further spoke about Congress general secretary KC Venugopal's visit to Bengaluru and said: "Venugopal is Karnataka Congress in-charge, he has to take stock of the political situation. There is a political development, everyone knows about it and there is nothing to hide. When results are out, he will discuss our options with senior leaders and take it forward from there." Karnataka deputy chief minister further showed disappointment over the attitude of the Centre in handling drought situation in the state. "It is unfortunate that we have received just Rs 900 crore against Rs 4,000 crore allocated to Maharashtra. We have submitted a memorandum of Rs 2,600 crore. The Government of India is not treating Karnataka in a proper perspective," Parmeshwara said. Amidst the speculation of a rift between Congress and JD(S) alliance in the state, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has canceled his visit to New Delhi to meet Election Commission, along with the 21 opposition parties, over the issue of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM). Kumaraswamy had canceled his visit after expressing concern over the vulnerability of EVMs on Monday. Polling for seven-phased Lok Sabha elections started on 11 April and concluded on 19 May. The much-awaited results of the general elections will be announced on 23 May. Mr. Huss is one of the many stalwart veterans in our community whose good deeds cannot truly be measured, said Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin. His time in combat had a direct impact on his decision to serve his community when he returned home. It is an honor to have him represent all who served and lead our annual Memorial Day Parade. Since the new age insurgency struck the imagination of youth in the south Kashmir after the killing of Burhan Wani, more than a dozen mainstream political workers, cutting across the political spectrum, have been killed. Zangalpora, Kulgam: The militant diktat had kept almost all the villagers away from the polling booths on the day of elections in this nondescript village of south Kashmir. But one family of Zangalpora chose to defy the poll boycott call and exercise their democratic right. By the end of the day, only seven people had voted here. Five of them were family members of Mohammad Jamal Bhat. That is the reason, villagers said on Monday, suspected militants barged into the home of Jamal, an activist of the Peoples Democratic Party, on Saturday evening and fired five bullets on him. He took the risk and voted. That is the reason he was killed. Why else would they kill him? He paid the price for upholding Indian flag in Kashmir, said Suhail Ahmad Bhat, 31, son of Jamal Bhat. There is no other reason. Bhat, 65, was a long time worker of the PDP, a political outfit that relies heavily on south Kashmir areas for its electoral fortunes. Now, with surging militancy and deteriorating ground situation, the partys leaders cant even visit homes of grassroots workers. Militant threats and anger against the party leaders have grown manifold in recent years. As the situation started taking dangerous turns in recent times, Bhat changed his address on many occasions, only because he was working for a mainstream political party who have been targeted by militants with eerie regularity in the past three years. He had finally found a home in Zangalpora village of Kulgam district. A single storied, half furnished house in the village illustrates the modest life of Bhat. The junior Bhat said his father was having dinner when the suspected militants barged in and opened fire at his father inside their house. The son lives next to his fathers house. I saw my father in a pool of blood. When I looked at his wound, I knew he will not survive, Suhail said. Since the new age insurgency struck the imagination of youth in the south Kashmir after the killing of Burhan Wani, more than a dozen mainstream political workers, cutting across the political spectrum, have been killed. Most of these killings have been blamed on separatist militants. The fear had displaced thousands in a clear sign of shrinking space for mainstream politics in Kashmir. Many have taken refuge in well-guarded hotels in Srinagar, the capital. Most of these political workers are from south Kashmir districts of Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian which have emerged as the epicentre of the ongoing turmoil in Kashmir. The blood of mainstream political workers, says PDPs Najmu Saqib nourishes the tree of democracy in Kashmir. The volatile Kulgam district, which is part of Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency, recorded just 10.32 percent turnout amid large-scale mobilisation of security personnel and sporadic stone-throwing incidents near the polling booths. Kulgam is one of the most highly affected districts in south Kashmir by militancy and many political workers and their families here have faced the brunt of the militants. He was not an informer. He was not a killer. He never asked anyone for money, said Suhail. Is the freedom movement so weak that by casting a vote, someone will have to pay with his life? he asked. Initially, there was no contest on the Anantnag parliamentary seat as Mehbooba Mufti, the president of the Peoples Democratic Party, looked poised to win the seat. But a late entry by Congress state chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir and the boycott of the partys main voting block pushed her into the corner. In the last two weeks, two Peoples Democratic Party workers have been killed by unknown gunmen. The National Conference also has lost its workers to bullets of unknown gunmen in southern Kashmir region. In April, following the Pulwama suicide bombing, the states home department had ordered the withdrawal of security cover of over 900 people. But after protests by many, the security cover was restored. However, while some privileged politicians and their activists may feel secure in the company of states gun-toting men, it is impossible for the government to provide security to all political workers, especially those living in the villages who are more vulnerable to militants threats. Early this month, Gull Mohammad Mir was campaigning for his colleague and BJPs candidate for southern Kashmirs Lok Sabha seat, Sofi Mohammad Yusuf when suspected militants stormed his house. He was shot him multiple times from point blank range. Mir was the fourth BJP worker to be killed in the south over the past 18 months. It is a price we are paying for the sake of democracy, Sofi Mohammad Yusuf, BJP candidate from Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency, said. At a time when the Election Commission is under fire from Opposition parties for being biased, former president Pranab Mukherjee on Monday lauded the role of the poll panel saying the 2019 Lok Sabha polls were conducted 'perfectly'. New Delhi: At a time when the Election Commission is under fire from Opposition parties for being biased, former president Pranab Mukherjee has lauded the role of the poll panel saying the 2019 Lok Sabha polls were conducted "perfectly". The former Congress man's regard for the poll panel has resulted in appreciative tweets, mostly from Bharatiya Janata Party leaders like Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, MJ Akbar, Smriti Irani, Major Surendra Poonia and Poonam Mahajan. Congress spokesperson PL Punia, however, has said that he did not think that the former president was "aware" of the incidents of the poll panel giving a clean chit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for every alleged violation. "The Election Commissions, over time, have always done a good job...but this Election Commission has given a clean chit to the prime minister on almost every violation...Today 21 parties will be meeting the Election Commission and we hope that they take cognizance of the matter... I don't think former president Pranab Mukherjee is aware of most of the incidents," he told News18. Speaking at a book launch event in New Delhi on Monday, he said that right from the first election commissioner Sukumar Sen to the present election commissioners, the institution is working very well. He said all the three commissioners are appointed by the executive and they are doing their job well. Mukherjee said, "You cannot criticise them. It was a perfect conduct of elections." "If democracy has succeeded, it is largely due to perfect conduct of elections by election commissioners, starting from Sukumar Sen to the present election commissioners," Mukherjee said at the launch of the book 'Defining India: Through Their Eyes' by NDTV's Sonia Singh. His remarks come a day after Congress president Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Election Commission's "capitulation" before Prime Minister Narendra Modi is obvious and the poll watchdog is not feared and respected anymore. The poll panel has been criticised by the Opposition parties for being allegedly biased towards the BJP. The Opposition stepped up its criticism of the poll panel after Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora stating he will be recusing himself from EC meetings as his dissent was not being recorded on clearances given by the poll panel to the prime minister and BJP chief Amit Shah over alleged poll code violations. With inputs from PTI Press Trust of India South Korean auto major Hyundai Tuesday forayed into high selling compact SUV segment in India with the launch of new model 'Venue', priced in the range of Rs 6.5-11.1 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Venue comes with three engine options 1 litre turbo and 1.2 litre petrol powertrains besides 1.4 litre diesel engine and sits below the Creta in terms of price and positioning. The petrol variants are priced between Rs 6.5-11.1 lakh, while the diesel trims are tagged between Rs 7.75-10.84 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The model would compete with the likes of current market leader Maruti Vitara Brezza, Tata Motors Nexon, Ford EcoSport and Mahindra XUV300, that are priced between Rs 6.48-11.99 lakh. The compact SUV segment is the fastest growing vertical in the domestic market. "The Indian market is at the centre of Hyundai's global growth plan and the launch of Venue will strengthen our commitment to this market," Hyundai MD and CEO S S Kim told reporters here. The company said it has invested USD 100 million (over Rs 690 crore) on the development of the model over a period of four years. Hyundai Venue comes with various India-specific connected features including a panic button for distressed situations. The company's BlueLink technology comes with 33 artificial intelligence and connected features, of which 10 have been specially designed for the Indian market. The model comes with various features including an electric sunroof, wireless phone charging, air purifier, cruise control, among others. Safety features on the model include six airbags, speed sensing auto-door lock, vehicle stability management, among others. As per the company, 1-litre petrol variant with manual transmission will deliver a fuel efficiency of 18.27 km/litre. The automatic trim with seven speed transmission would deliver a fuel efficiency of 18.15 km/litre. The 1.2-litre petrol variant comes with fuel efficiency figure of 17.52 km/litre while the 1.4-litre diesel trim would deliver a fuel efficiency of 23.7 km/litre, Hyundai claimed. The compact SUV would also be launched in various international markets including the US, Canada and Australia. Reuters Accounts tagged #hatetrump and #ihatetrump are part of a coordinated campaign to undermine US President Donald Trump that has emerged on social media site Instagram, an independent study has revealed. The photo-sharing app Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, said it was investigating the report and had already removed some of the profiles it highlighted. Malign online attacks against Trump's opponents have been well documented, most notably in the 2016 presidential election campaign, when Russian trolls allegedly flooded social media sites to undermine the Democratic challenger Hillary Clinton. Italian analytics firm Ghost Data says the US president is now facing similar illicit tactics, albeit on a limited scale, with false profiles being created and coordinated online attacks organised to spread a virulent anti-Trump message. "We have uncovered a small operation that is very likely part of something bigger," said Andrea Stroppa, the head of research at Ghost Data, which has previously published reports on online counterfeiting and malicious botnets. "I get the feeling that someone out there is experimenting. Testing the waters. They know what they are doing." Some of the accounts appeared to have broken Instagram's rules, the study said, for example by using pictures stolen from other people or by acting in tandem with other accounts to spew out vitriolic messages. A spokesperson for Instagram told Reuters: "We are investigating the accounts in question and have already removed those that we've found to violate our policies. Accounts used to manipulate or mislead the public are not allowed on Instagram and we will take action if we find additional violations." Facebook says it is working hard to root out malpractice on its platforms and has shuttered hundreds of accounts this year that display what it terms "coordinated inauthentic behaviour". The US giant has come under fire over the last two years for its self-admitted sluggishness in developing tools to combat extremist content and propaganda operations. Memetic Warfare Stroppa said his research had identified some 52,000 accounts on Instagram which were generally anti-Trump, using such hashtags as #impeachtrump. Many of these were genuine profiles that mixed personal and political messaging. Drilling down, some 350 "suspicious accounts" emerged which were almost entirely devoted to deriding the U.S. president. Of these, 19 accounts stood out, appearing to be interlinked and waging incessant "memetic warfare", using a battery of manipulated images and videos to belittle the Republican leader. The 350 anti-Trump accounts have put out some 121,00 posts since the first of them was created in October 2016, generating a total 35.2 million so-called interactions, which includes people 'liking' the item or making a comment. The smaller subset of 19 accounts started to emerge last August and have since posted around 3,250 times, generating 440,000 interactions -- more than half of them since March. "Their goal seems to be to infiltrate into (social media) networks that are much bigger," said Stroppa. One block of five, interconnected anti-Trump accounts were created on the same day last August. Then they all went quiet at the end of that same month. New accounts soon popped up. An independent report released last December by the US Senate Intelligence Committee said the Russian government's Internet Research Agency created some 133 Instagram accounts in the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign and used them to try foster distrust in the US political system. "Instagram was perhaps the most effective platform for the Internet Research Agency," said the report arguing that although posts on the site reached fewer users than on Facebook, people interacted much more on the photo-sharing app. Stroppa said it was almost impossible to say where the 19 accounts he identified as especially suspect originated from and he had no evidence of Russian interference. "What you can say is that this digital campaign against Trump uses some of the same methods that were used to attack Hilary Clinton in 2016," he said. The accounts were split into four groups that sometimes shared similar names. They often put out the same material, near simultaneously. One of the accounts bought advertising space on Facebook, using the name of an unregistered political movement. "This is a campaign of hate speech not one of reasoned political opposition. The tone is often very vulgar and rude," said Stroppa. Imaging software showed that one of the accounts purporting to have been set up by a young US woman was actually using the profile photo of a Russian woman taken from a Russian social media site. Another account used the image of a Ukrainian woman. Instagram has more than a billion users, making the accounts reviewed by Ghost Data a tiny fraction of the whole. But analysts say even small numbers of users can prove heavily influential if they manage to get their messages amplified. "Our assessment is that Instagram is likely to be a key battleground on an ongoing basis," social media analysts New Knowledge wrote in their 2018 report for the US Senate. tech2 News Staff The Google Pixel 3a and the Pixel 3a XL (review), courtesy of its stellar camera, has certainly impressed us, but things haven't been great for a number of users who've already bought the phones. According to numerous reports on Reddit, some users have started to experience random shutdowns from both the Pixel 3a and 3a XL. As per a report by Android Police, a hard reboot (sometimes requiring the user to hold the power button for up to 30 seconds) appears to be the only way to bring the phone back on. One Redditor faced with the problem said, "I had two shutdowns yesterday, including overnight, causing me to miss my wake alarm." The user claims to have also tried using the phone "in 'Safe Mode' to eliminate any chance of a third party app causing it." In this instance, the issue continued, which led the user to believe the problem is hardware related. However, another Reddit user on a separate thread on the same problem noted that the issue only seems to occur when their device is connected to WiFi, and that "Leaving the phone with wifi off seems to prevent the crashing altogether." Others noted that Google was informed about the issue and that the tech giant advised a factory reset of the phone, which has so far proven an effective solution. Many others, meanwhile, have opted to return or exchange their phones. Google has yet to publicly acknowledge the shutdown problem, so it's unknown whether it plans to issue a firmware update to resolve it. To recall, the search giant's existing flagship, the Google Pixel 3 (review), was also plagued with early bugs, however, they were eventually fixed in a security update. tech2 News Staff At an event in London, Honor has launched two new smartphones the Honor 20 and Honor 20 Pro. The devices succeed last year's Honor 10 series, and their highlight is a quad-camera setup, with the primary sensor being a 48 MP one. Honor 20 and Honor 20 Pro: Price and availability The Honor 20 and Honor 20 Pro come in two variants each that offer different RAM and storage options. The Honor 20 Pro will be priced at 599 for the 8 GB RAM + 256 GB storage variant while the Honor 20 will be price at 499 for the 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage version. The Honor 20 Pro, on the other hand, comes in an 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage option. Honor 20 Pro comes in a Phantom Blue and Phantom Black, colours while the Honor 20 comes with Sapphire Blue, Midnight Black and Icelandic White colours. Availability of Honor 20 and Honor 20 Pro in India has not been revealed yet. Honor 20 and Honor 20 Pro: Specifications and features The Honor 20 and Honor 20 Pro essentially differ on the RAM and storage option, and the battery on offer. Besides that both Honor 20 and Honor 20 Pro feature a 6.26-inch 1080 x 2340 LCD display. The two models have capacitive fingerprint sensors on the side which is similar to the Galaxy S10e along with facial recognition technology. Under the hood, the smartphones are powered by a HiSilicon Kirin 980 chipset. While the Honor 20 Pro is fuelled by a 4,000 mAh battery, the Honor 20 is backed by a 3,750 mAh one. For photography, the Honor 20 and Honor 20 Pro sport a quad-camera setup at the rear with the combination of a 16 MP f/2.2 aperture super wide lens + 48 MP f/1.4 aperture primary lens + 8 MP telephoto lens + 2 MP macro focus lens. For selfie, both the phones come with a 32 MP shooter. As for the OS, Huawei has confirmed that its devices that are being announced on 21 May won't be affected by Google's recent decision. Besides, Google has also temporarily lifted the ban for the next three months too. Apart from that Honor has also announced the Honor Lite smartphone retailing at a price of 299. Agence France-Presse Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei has shrugged off US attempts to block his company's global ambitions, saying the United States underestimates the telecom giant's strength. Zhengfei spoke to Chinese media days after President Donald Trump issued orders aimed at thwarting Huawei's business in the United States, the latest salvo in a months-long effort to stop the company's charge to the top of the leaderboard in next-generation 5G technology. "The current practice of US politicians underestimates our strength," Ren Zhengfei said, according to transcripts from state-run media. "Huawei's 5G will absolutely not be affected. In terms of 5G technologies, others won't be able to catch up with Huawei in two or three years," he said. Last week, Trump declared a "national emergency" empowering him to blacklist companies seen as "an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States" a move analysts said was clearly aimed at Huawei. At the same time, the US Commerce Department announced an effective ban on American companies selling or transferring US technology to Huawei. 'Can't be isolated' US internet giant Google, whose Android mobile operating system powers most of the world's smartphones, said this week it was beginning to cut ties with Huawei in light of the ban. The move could have dramatic implications for Huawei smartphone users, as the telecoms giant will no longer have access to Google's proprietary services which include the Gmail and Google Maps apps a source close to the matter told AFP. But the Commerce Department on Monday issued a 90-day reprieve on the ban on the transfer of technology by allowing temporary licences. "The US 90-day temporary licence does not have much impact on us, we are ready," Ren said. Huawei has sought to ease customers' concerns over the Google announcement. Zhengfei Ren said Huawei and Google are discussing how to respond to the ban, calling the US firm a "highly responsible company". A company spokesman in Australia said the US actions "will not impact consumers" with a Huawei tablet or smartphone in the country, or those planning to buy a device in the future. As for Huawei's access to key components, Zhengfei Ren said half of chips used in the company's equipment come from the United States and the other half it makes itself. "We cannot be isolated from the world," Zhengfei Ren said. "We can also make the same chips as the US chips, but it doesn't mean we won't buy them," he added. Ask Trump, not me The Huawei confrontation has been building for years, as the company has raced to a huge advantage over rivals in next-generation 5G mobile technology. US intelligence believes Huawei is backed by the Chinese military and that its equipment could provide Beijing's intelligence services with a backdoor into the communications networks of rival countries. For that reason, Washington has pushed its closest allies to reject Huawei technology, a significant challenge given the few alternatives for 5G. While Australia has also banned Huawei from its 5G plans, the US has struggled to sway some countries, with Britain having reportedly approved a limited role for the Chinese company to help build a 5G network in the country. Canada has been dragged into the battle. Its arrest of Zhengfei Ren's daughter, Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, in December on a US extradition bid linked to Iran sanctions violations was followed by the arrest in China of two Canadians, including a former diplomat. The battle over Huawei has added to tensions in a trade war that has escalated between the world's top two economies, with both sides exchanging steep increases in tariffs as negotiations have faltered. China's envoy to the European Union, Zhang Ming, called the move against Huawei "wrong behaviour", adding "there will be a necessary response". Asked how long Huawei may face difficult times, Zhengfei Ren said: "You may need to ask Trump about this question, not me." Read more on the Huawei banning saga: Huawei's Android license has been revoked: Here's what Huawei has to say about it Huawei's Android licence revoked: What it means for existing Huawei and Honor phone users Intel and Qualcomm join Google in cutting off ties with Huawei following Trump ban After Huawei blacklist, 'Boycott Apple' campaign gaining steam in China: Report German chipmaker Infineon suspends shipments to Huawei after US trade blacklist Huawei is reportedly releasing its own Android alternative called IndeoenOS this fall Huawei accuses US of bullying, says working with Google to respond to ban Huawei doesn't mention Android at its new Honor 20 series smartphone launch event Huawei's trade ban by the US could advance local Chinese chip suppliers Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei claims the US's 90-day reprieve does not bear 'much impact' Some Huawei Mobile users are considering a switch after Google suspension Devika Agarwal The SC has recently issued a notice to the Delhi government in a petition filed against the Delhi's government's order to install CCTV cameras in school classrooms and make the footage accessible on a real time basis to parents of children studying in the schools. The petition has been filed on grounds that it violates right to privacy and gives rise to stalking and voyeurism. The petition also argues that CCTV installation in classrooms will result in psychological pressure and trauma to adolescents. CCTV surveillance in schools and public spaces in Delhi Taking cognisance of incidents of a murder of a 7 year old child in Ryan International (Gurgaon) and the rape of a 5 year old at a Delhi school, the Delhi Government in September 2017 directed all government and private schools in Delhi to install CCTV cameras covering the entire school premises included classrooms. In January 2018, it was reported that the Delhi government had directed the process of installation of CCTV cameras to begin in three months. In April 2018, the Delhi government sanctioned Rs 800 crore for CCTV installation in Delhi. This is not the first time that the Delhi governments decision to install CCTV cameras in schools has been challenged. In July 2018, a PIL was filed by Daniel George in the Delhi HC, seeking a direction to the Delhi government to shelve its plans of installing over 1.4 lakh CCTV cameras in government schools; the petitioner questioned the rationale behind the governments decision and raised concern that in the absence of any regulatory oversight, it would result in indiscriminate distribution of the CCTV footage. In response, the Delhi government stated that the CCTV footage would be password-protected and the password would only be given to parents. In September 2018, the Delhi HC dismissed the petition, rejecting the privacy argument on grounds that there was nothing private done in classrooms, and that there was a need to balance privacy and safety concerns. A contentious issue is the lack of a standard operating procedure (SOP) to access, control and handle data in case of CCTV cameras installed by public and private authorities. In May 2018, following allegations by Congress of irregularities in the Delhi governments tendering process related to commissioning of CCTV cameras, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Ajay Baijal constituted a panel to draft an SOP for CCTV cameras; the Delhi government had criticised this move, arguing that any CCTV installation in the Indian capital would replicate the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) SOP model. Subsequently, the Delhi government announced that NDMC, which had been installing CCTV cameras in residential colonies for citizenssafety, had stopped further CCTV installation. The Delhi governments installation of CCTV cameras can be traced to the manifesto of Aam Admi Party (AAP) for the Delhi general elections in 2015, wherein, AAP proposed to install 10-15 lakh CCTV cameras for the safety of women. When the Delhi government announced the installation of CCTV cameras in school classrooms in its 2015 budget, senior BJP leader, Vijay Jolly, condemned the decision as spying on teachers. Constitutionality of installing CCTV cameras in classrooms The petition in the instant case has challenged the installation of CCTV cameras in classrooms. For the governments decision to stand the privacy challenge, it will have to satisfy the test laid down in the Puttaswamy judgment, namely- the measure has to be backed by legislation (legality), necessary to achieve a state objective (necessity) and proportional to the objective sought to be achieved (proportionality requirement); it seems difficult that the government will be able to meet this test because it is more likely that any crime against children will be committed in secluded spaces in schools (to preclude detection & witnesses to the crime) and not in classrooms which are generally not empty during school hours. . Cases of bullying too are more likely to be committed outside of the classroom, for instance on a playground. This, however, does not rule out the possibility that incidents of corporal punishment or humiliation of a student by the teacher may take place in a classroom, or that crimes against a child may be committed in an empty classroom Even if there is a legitimate concern of the government that in the absence of video surveillance, crimes may be committed in the classroom, the decision to install CCTV cameras has to be balanced with the other fundamental rights at issue, namely, privacy and right to freedom of speech and expression of children and teachers. A 2008 study by the Association of Teachers & Lecturers (ATL) in the UK found that some teachers objected to the general monitoring of staff and preferred that the video surveillance be disabled in classrooms so that the teachers do not feel conscious while teaching. CCTV cameras in schools may also lead to teachers not being able to express their opinions freely if they feel that they are under surveillance, this will severely impact dissemination of ideas. It is also conceivable that a childs personality will be curbed if they are constantly under surveillance; it is possible that a parent might impose their own ideas on their child and prevent them from interacting with students of another gender or community. Schools should allow children to develop as individuals which may not be possible if they are monitored throughout by parents and school authorities, when children otherwise follow the schools rules and regulations. The fact that in limited circumstances, such as when a classroom is empty, a crime may be committed against a child in the classroom, cannot by itself be a reason to install CCTV cameras and provide the live feed to parents. By the same logic, a crime can also be committed in an empty school washroom, does this mean that the government should also install audio recording devices in school washrooms to prevent crime? A less intrusive measure to protect children in such cases would be to ensure that classrooms or spaces in schools which are not under video surveillance (for instance, washrooms) should be locked outside of school timings. Surveillance in school classrooms in other countries News reports indicate that facial recognition cameras have been installed in classrooms in Hangzhou Number 11 High School in China which scan faces of students in a classroom every 30 seconds to determine whether the child is attentive in class; the results are available along with the names of the children to the teacher to help them gauge students attentiveness; such surveillance has been denounced by the schools students. Last year in France, a private catholic-run school proposed that its pupils carry Bluetooth tracking devices to enable teachers to take attendance instantly and track whether a student was playing truant; the school proposed fining students who forgot or misplaced the tracking device. The debate on ensuring safety in school classrooms through surveillance technology in the US is motivated by recent incidents of school shootings; it is not clear, however, whether cameras are also proposed to be installed within classrooms. States such as Texas, West Virginia and Georgia allow installation of CCTV cameras in special education classrooms to enable detection of violence against specially-abled children in cases where they are unable to report abuse. Under the Texas law, a video recording installed in a special education classroom is confidential and can be viewed only if there is a report of abuse, neglect or sexual assault as defined under the Texas state family code. Further, there is an obligation to inform individuals that they are being recorded and if the video shows the images of children (other than the one suspected to be a victim of abuse), such images are to be redacted. One could argue that the Texas law is a model worth emulating for the Delhi government, i.e. instead of making the video recording of classrooms available to parents at all times, the government should restrict the accessibility of the CCTV footage collected and make it available only during legal proceedings. However, the problem with this approach is that in the absence of a data protection law in India, there is a possibility that this data may fall into the wrong hands and be misused. Under the proposed Personal Data Protection Bill in India, guardian data fiduciaries (which include the State) are barred from profiling, tracking or undertaking any other processing of personal data that can cause significant harm to the child; significant harm means harm that has an aggravated effect having regard to the nature of the personal data being processed, the impact, continuity, persistence or irreversibility of the harm; this may include psychological harm due to constant CCTV surveillance. CCTV installation in classrooms may be distinguished from installing CCTV cameras in public spaces like public transport systems; in the latter case, the CCTV footage of a person is limited, which is not true for CCTV surveillance of a child in a classroom. The government should be wary of the privacy and data protection challenges involved and without any comprehensive study into the benefits of installing CCTV cameras in classrooms abstain from such a move. Devika Agarwal writes on technology policy & holds a Master of Law degree from Cambridge. Reuters By Julia Love MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico's Finance Ministry on Monday laid out plans to withhold tax from drivers for ride-hailing and food delivery firms such as Uber Technologies Inc and Rappi, part of a push to improve tax collection in Latin America's 2nd largest economy. Mexico's government has vowed not to create new taxes, but is looking for other ways to increase income, arguing public revenues have been low relative to other nations in the region. "With this new scheme, Uber will be able to calculate, withhold and pay directly to the Mexican tax authorities the amount of income tax and VAT that its drivers and delivery drivers owe every month," Uber said in a statement. The monthly value-added tax (VAT) withholding rate will be 8% and income tax rate will range from 3% to 9% once the measures are put it place on June 1, Uber said. In theory, the new program will not change drivers' employment status, a key issue for the technology company, since Mexican law allows for retention of taxes without an employment relationship. Uber has mostly successfully beaten back attempts around the world to compel it to treat drivers as employees, arguing that its main business is a platform that brings riders and drivers together. Other than Uber, the companies that have agreed to the new tax scheme include Cabify, Bolt, Beat, Cornershop, Rappi, Sin Delantal and Uber Eats, the Finance Ministry said. The scheme "does not represent new or additional taxes, its objective is to simplify compliance with tax obligations," the ministry said. Earlier on Monday, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said he was planning to end a practice of debt forgiveness for large companies that he called "white collar theft" and estimated had cost the treasury $20 billion in the past 12 years. (Writing by Anthony Esposito; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel and Rosalba O'Brien) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. tech2 News Staff An unsecured database containing the private contact information of as many as 50 million Instagram influencers, including those of celebrities and official brand accounts, has been found online by a security researcher this week. According to a report by TechCrunch, security researcher Anurag Sen found the database hosted on an Amazon Web Services (AWS) server without any password protection on the data, leaving it completely open for anyone to access. Having discovered the database, the security researcher reached out to the publication for help trying to track down the owner of the database so it could at least be secured if nothing else. TechCrunch traced the database to a Mumbai-based social media marketing company, Chtrbox, that pays influencers to post their clients' sponsored content on their accounts. Further digging revealed that the database contained publicly available information found on Instagram, such as names, pictures and the phone number of followers, but it also had details on the accounts that aren't made public by Instagram, like phone numbers and email addresses used to set up the account. The database also contains information about the "worth" of Instagram influencers, calculated by Chtrbox taking into account the number of followers, total shares, favourites, and other metrics. This data would then help the social media marketing company gauge how much to pay to have the influencer push their clients' sponsored content. Further reviewing the database entries, several influencers in the database were contacted at random and asked if the phone numbers and email addresses in the database were theirs. At least two influencers responded to the inquiries and verified that the email addresses and phone numbers were the ones they had used to set up their accounts, and both said that they were not involved with Chtrbox at all. This, obviously, raises further questions about how the phone numbers and email addresses were obtained by Chtrbox in the first place? The database was taken off the AWS server shortly after Chtrbox was reached out to, and the founder and CEO of the firm, Pranay Swarup, did not respond to any question questions about the database or how the company obtained the information it contained. Facebook, which owns Instagram, in a statement, said, "We're looking into the issue to understand if the data described including email and phone numbers was from Instagram or from other sources. Were also inquiring with Chtrbox to understand where this data came from and how it became publicly available." But restrictions could apply to some of the residents in the Wayside residential program who are registered sex offenders. The facility has accepted those offenders for a while, but with the recent notoriety given to the Kokoraleis situation, there has also been attention on Wayside for housing sex offenders. Agence France-Presse Shares in Samsung Electronics climbed nearly three percent Tuesday on the back of its chief rival Huawei's mounting problems, including a decision by Google to sever ties with the Chinese mobile phone maker. It is the latest in the months-long saga between Huawei and the United States analysts warn could see Chinese semiconductor demand fall, threatening a nascent Asian recovery in the industry. US internet giant Google, whose Android mobile operating system powers most of the world's smartphones, said this week it is cutting ties with Huawei to comply with an executive order issued by President Donald Trump. The move could have dramatic implications for Huawei smartphone users, as the firm will no longer have access to Google's proprietary services -- which include the Gmail and Google Maps apps. Investors bet Huawei's loss could benefit Samsung, the world's biggest smartphone maker which has been facing increasing competition from its Chinese rival, sending its shares up 2.7 percent at closing on Tuesday. Analysts say the US ban will damage Huawei's ability to sell phones outside China, offering Samsung a chance to consolidate its position at the top of the global market. "If you are in Europe or China and couldn't use Google map or any Android services with a Huawei smartphone, would you buy one?" MS Hwang, an analyst at Samsung Securities, told Bloomberg News, adding: "Wouldn't you buy a Samsung smartphone instead?" Samsung accounted for 23.1 percent of global smartphone sales in the first quarter of this year, according to industry tracker International Data Corporation, while Huawei had 19.0 percent. But Huawei's troubles may be a double-edged sword for Samsung -- also the world's biggest chipmaker -- if it leads to a plunge in demand for semiconductors. China dominates purchases from Asian chip makers and bought 51 percent of their shipments in 2017, Bloomberg reported citing a Citigroup analysis. Including Hong Kong, it accounted for 69 percent of South Korea's chip production. "In our view, China's restocking efforts for electronic goods will likely weaken and be delayed if the tensions and the ban stay longer, which likely will hurt overall demand," the report said. Last week, Trump declared a "national emergency" empowering him to blacklist companies seen as "an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States" -- a move analysts said was clearly aimed at Huawei. The US Commerce Department announced a ban on American companies selling or transferring US technology to Huawei, with a 90-day reprieve by allowing temporary licenses. Read more on the Huawei banning saga: Huawei's Android license has been revoked: Here's what Huawei has to say about it Huawei's Android licence revoked: What it means for existing Huawei and Honor phone users Intel and Qualcomm join Google in cutting off ties with Huawei following Trump ban After Huawei blacklist, 'Boycott Apple' campaign gaining steam in China: Report German chipmaker Infineon suspends shipments to Huawei after US trade blacklist Huawei is reportedly releasing its own Android alternative called IndeoenOS this fall Huawei accuses US of bullying, says working with Google to respond to ban Huawei doesn't mention Android at its new Honor 20 series smartphone launch event Huawei's trade ban by the US could advance local Chinese chip suppliers Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei claims the US's 90-day reprieve does not bear 'much impact' Some Huawei Mobile users are considering a switch after Google suspension Reuters WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has warned U.S. firms of the risks to company data from Chinese-made drones, according to a notice reviewed by Reuters on Monday. The notice titled "Chinese Manufactured Unmanned Aircraft Systems" warned that U.S. officials have "strong concerns about any technology product that takes American data into the territory of an authoritarian state that permits its intelligence services to have unfettered access to that data or otherwise abuses that access." DHS did not immediately comment on the notice, reported earlier by CNN. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Reuters The US government on Monday temporarily eased some trade restrictions imposed last week on Chinas Huawei, a move that sought to minimise disruption for the telecom companys customers around the world. The US Commerce Department will allow Huawei Technologies Co Ltd to purchase American-made goods in order to maintain existing networks and provide software updates to existing Huawei handsets. The company is still prohibited from buying American parts and components to manufacture new products without license approvals that likely will be denied. The US government said it imposed the restrictions because of Huaweis involvement in activities contrary to national security or foreign policy interests. The new authorization is intended to give telecommunications operators that rely on Huawei equipment time to make other arrangements, US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said in a statement. In short, this license will allow operations to continue for existing Huawei mobile phone users and rural broadband networks, Ross added. The license, which is in effect until 19 Aug., suggests changes to Huaweis supply chain may have immediate, far-reaching and unintended consequences for its customers. The goal seems to be to prevent internet, computer and cell phone systems from crashing, said Washington lawyer Kevin Wolf, a former Commerce Department official. This is not a capitulation. This is housekeeping. Huawei, the worlds largest telecommunications equipment maker, declined to comment. The Commerce Department said it will evaluate whether to extend the exemptions beyond 90 days. On Thursday, the US Commerce Department added Huawei and 68 entities to an export blacklist that makes it nearly impossible for the Chinese company to purchase goods made in the United States. The government tied Huaweis addition to the entity list to a pending case accusing the company of engaging in bank fraud to obtain embargoed US goods and services in Iran and move money out of the country via the international banking system. Huawei has pleaded not guilty. Reuters reported Friday that the department was considering a temporary easing, citing a government spokeswoman. The temporary license also allows disclosures of security vulnerabilities and for Huawei to engage in the development of standards for future 5G networks. Reuters reported Sunday that Alphabet Incs Google suspended business with Huawei that requires the transfer of hardware, software and technical services except those publicly available via open source licensing, citing a source familiar with the matter. Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new authorization. Out of $70 billion Huawei spent buying components in 2018, some $11 billion went to US firms including Qualcomm Inc, Intel Corp and Micron Technology Inc. I think this is a reality check, said Washington trade lawyer Douglas Jacobson. It shows how pervasive Huawei goods and technology are around the globe and if the U.S. imposes restrictions, that has impacts. Jacobson said the effort to keep existing networks operating appeared aimed at telecom providers in Europe and other countries where Huawei equipment is pervasive. The move also could assist mobile service providers in thinly populated areas of the United States, such as Wyoming and eastern Oregon, that purchased network equipment from Huawei in recent years. John Neuffer, the president of the Semiconductor Industry Association, which represents US chipmakers and designers, said in a statement that the association wants the government would ease the restrictions further. We hope to work with the administration to broaden the scope of the license, he said, so that it advances US security goals but does not undermine the industrys ability to compete globally and remain technology leaders. A report on Monday on the potential impact of stringent export controls on technologies found that US firms could lose up to $56.3 billion in export sales over five years. The report, from the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, said the missed opportunities threatened as many as 74,000 jobs. Wolf, the former Commerce official, said the Huawei reprieve was similar to action taken by the department in July to prevent systems from crashing after the U.S. banned Chinas ZTE Corp, a smaller Huawei rival, from buying American-made components in April. The U.S. trade ban on ZTE wreaked havoc at wireless carriers in Europe and South Asia, sources told Reuters at the time. The ban on ZTE was lifted 13 July after the company struck an agreement with the Commerce Department that included a $1 billion fine plus $400 million in escrow and replacement of its board of directors and senior management. ZTE, which had ceased major operations as a result of the ban, then resumed business. Read more on the Huawei banning saga: Huawei's Android license has been revoked: Here's what Huawei has to say about it Huawei's Android licence revoked: What it means for existing Huawei and Honor phone users Intel and Qualcomm join Google in cutting off ties with Huawei following Trump ban After Huawei blacklist, 'Boycott Apple' campaign gaining steam in China: Report German chipmaker Infineon suspends shipments to Huawei after US trade blacklist Huawei is reportedly releasing its own Android alternative called IndeoenOS this fall Huawei accuses US of bullying, says working with Google to respond to ban Huawei doesn't mention Android at its new Honor 20 series smartphone launch event Huawei's trade ban by the US could advance local Chinese chip suppliers Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei claims the US's 90-day reprieve does not bear 'much impact' Some Huawei Mobile users are considering a switch after Google suspension tech2 News Staff Xiaomi announced a new entry into the Redmi lineup on 20 May which was the Redmi Note 7S which started at a price of Rs 10,999. The main feature of the device is that it offers the 48 MP Sony IMX 586 sensor that was also seen on the Redmi Note 7 Pro (Review). However, this leaves a bit of a quandary for the Redmi Note 7 which happens to be selling at Rs 9,999 but doesn't have the 48 MP camera. Xiaomi is now fixing this situation. In a tweet, the company has informed that the Redmi Note 7 will be discontinued and its place will be taken by the Redmi Note 7S. The Note 7 will get phased out and soon Xiaomi will only sell the Note 7S as a cheaper alternative to more powerful Redmi Note 7 Pro. Head of Marketing for Xiaomi India, Anuj Sharma hinted in a tweet that the Redmi Note 7 sold out faster than expected which would make the Note 7S launch ideal this around. The Redmi Note 7S be available in two storage variants3 GB+32 GB and 4 GB+64 GB variants, priced at Rs 10,999 and Rs 12,999 respectively. Redmi Note 7S, features 6.3-inch Full HD+ and a resolution of 2340 1080 pixels with a Dot Notch Display. The phone is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, both front and back. The Redmi Note 7S runs on octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 clocked at 2.2 GHz. It comes with a battery capacity of 4,000 mAh with type-C and Quick Charge 4 support. On the camera front, the smartphone is equipped with 13 MP selfie camera and 48 MP + 5 MP dual rear camera that features PDAF and EIS. Both the rear camera and front camera come with AI Portrait Mode. Sri Lanka authorities have confirmed through DNA tests that one of the two suicide bombers who died in the Shangri-La Hotel bombing during Easter Sunday attacks was local NTJ leader Zahran Cassim Colombo: Sri Lankan authorities have confirmed through DNA tests that one of the two suicide bombers who died in the Shangri-La Hotel bombing during Easter Sunday attacks was Zahran Cassim, the leader of the local jihadi group National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ). Zahran, the mastermind behind the Easter blasts, led the attack on the Shangri-La hotel and was accompanied by a second bomber identified as Ilham Ahmed Ibrahim. He was killed inside the luxury hotel where he blew himself up. A senior analyst at the Government Analyst's Department said that the DNA tests done using the blood samples of Zahran's wife, his daughter and a brother have proved that he died in the suicide attack on Shangri-La Hotel. Nine suicide bombers carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and as many luxury hotels on 21 April, killing more than 250 people and injuring 500 others. The Islamic State terror group claimed the attacks, but the government blamed the local Islamist extremist group NTJ for the bombings. The victims included over 40 foreigners, 10 of whom were Indians. Zahran was one of the two suicide bombers at the Shangri La Hotel where 36 people including 12 foreigners died. The hotel's CCTV footage showed the two bombers with heavy back packs arriving at the hotel's restaurant on the third floor. Zahran's wife and the four-year-old daughter survived the suicide bombings carried out five days after the Easter Sunday at a terror group hideout. Some 15 people, including Zahran's father and two brothers, were killed at an eastern province hideout of the NTJ terror group. They exploded bombs after an exchange of gun fire with the troops during a raid of the safehouse on a tip off. Zahran's wife and daughter were pulled out of the blasted house with burn injuries by the troops the following morning. The analysts' report was to be presented to the police's crime investigations department on Tuesday. The department is scheduled to hand over the finalised reports regarding the attacks on Cinnamon Grand, Shangri-La, Zion Church in Batticaloa and Dehiwala Tropical Inn, to the CID. The suicide bombers of the other churches such as Kochchikade and Katuwapitiya have also been identified. MANAGUA (Reuters) - The Nicaraguan government said on Monday it had begun the process of freeing another 100 political prisoners after threats from the opposition it could abandon talks aimed at ending a political crisis and push for a general strike. The government said the release was part of a plan to free almost 300 political prisoners by June 18, and it made its announcement soon after the opposition issued its threats. MANAGUA (Reuters) - The Nicaraguan government said on Monday it had begun the process of freeing another 100 political prisoners after threats from the opposition it could abandon talks aimed at ending a political crisis and push for a general strike. The government said the release was part of a plan to free almost 300 political prisoners by June 18, and it made its announcement soon after the opposition issued its threats. "We have issued 100 (release) orders for people (...) detained for committing crimes against public security and public order," the interior ministry said in a statement. The government arrested hundreds of people during violent clashes that first erupted in April 2018 when President Daniel Ortega tried to cut welfare benefits. The protests soon spiralled into a broader resistance movement and became the sharpest test of Ortega's authority since the former Marxist guerrilla returned to office in 2007. In contrast to previous prisoner releases, the government said that several delegates of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) participated as observers. Nicaragua's opposition has made the release of political prisoners a condition of dialogue with the government. The list of 300 prisoners was agreed between Ortega's government and the opposition earlier this year. However, the opposition and the government differ on how many political prisoners there are. Ortega has called the protests an illegal plot by his adversaries to oust him, while critics have accused him of human rights abuses in the crackdown on dissent. Since the protests against Ortega's government began last year, more than 324 people have died and another 60,000 have gone into exile, according to human rights organizations. (Reporting by Ismael Lopez; Editing by Sandra Maler) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday said he disagreed with a federal judge who ruled against his attempt to block a House of Representatives committee from seeking his financial records and told reporters he would appeal the decision. Lawyers for Trump and his company had argued the House Oversight Committee's demand for financial records from his accounting firm exceeded Congress's constitutional limits. (Reporting by Steve Holland; Writing by Makini Brice; Editing by Tom Brown) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. The listing of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN Security Council has been termed as a 'significant achievement' by the member nations in holding perpetrators, organisers and sponsors of acts of terrorism accountable. United Nations: The listing of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN Security Council has been termed as a "significant achievement" by the member nations in holding perpetrators, organisers and sponsors of acts of terrorism accountable. The 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the powerful Security Council blacklisted Azhar on 1 May after veto-wielding permanent member China lifted its technical hold on the proposal by the US, the UK and France to list him. It was a huge victory for India after a decade of relentless efforts to ban the mastermind of several terror attacks against India, including the deadly Pulwama attack against Indian security forces. The listing subjects Azhar to an assets freeze, travel ban and an arms embargo. "We are pleased that this month, the 1267 Committee designated Masood Azhar, leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed, and ISIL-Khorasan, a dangerous ISIS affiliate operating in Afghanistan and Pakistan, for UN sanctions, Ambassador Jonathan Cohen, Acting Permanent Representative of the US to the United Nations said at a Security Council semi-annual briefing on Monday by Chairs of subsidiary bodies of the Security Council. "Azhar's listing shows that the international community can and will hold terrorists accountable for their actions," he said. Last week, the 1267 Sanctions Committee sanctioned ISIL-Khorasan, a terror group also known as 'ISIL's South Asia Branch', formed in 2015 by a former Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan commander, that has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan. "The designation of ISIS-Khorasan demonstrates the Committee's commitment to ensuring that ISIS affiliates do not take up the mantle of a diminished ISIS core. In this vein, it is important that the Committee designate other ISIS affiliates who seek to replicate the destructions wrought in Iraq and Syria in new corners of the world. We commend our Security Council colleagues for supporting these important designations, Cohen said. Germany and Poland, who had also co-sponsored the proposal to blacklist the JeM chief, termed the listing of Azhar as a significant achievement by all members of the Security Council. It was a good signal, good sign for the work of this Committee that we were able earlier to have the listing of Masood Azhar. It was difficult for some but I think it was very important that we were able to overcome the obstacles, German Ambassador to the UN Christoph Heusgen said at the meeting. Poland's Permanent Representative to the UN Joanna Wronecka, without naming Azhar, said that she would like to "underline a significant achievement made by all Security Council member states which allowed listing of a person responsible for a deadly terrorist attack in the state of Jammu and Kashmir," a reference to the Pulwama terror attacks masterminded by Azhar. "We welcome progress achieved and encourage all States to work together in order to hold perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of acts of terrorism accountable, she said. China's representative Yao Shaojun said the 1267 Sanctions Committee represents an important counter-terrorism sanctions mechanism of the UN and the Security Council. It plays a significant role in assessing terrorist threats and strengthening sanctions measures. He said that Beijing supports the 1267 Committee in working under Council mandates, closely communicating with the countries concerned and bolstering cooperation with regional and sub-regional counter-terrorism mechanisms with a view to making greater contribution to international counter-terrorism efforts. "We hope that the Committee's work such as listing, exemption and de-listing will strictly abide by the relevant Council resolutions and the norms guiding the work of the Committee, uphold the principle of objectivity, impartiality and professionalism and base its work on solid evidence and consensus among parties so as to safeguard the authority and effectiveness of the sanctions mechanism," he said. Following the UNSC designation of Azhar, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang had said in Beijing that China lifted the technical hold after it found no objection to the listing proposal following a careful study of the "revised materials." Cohen added that the 1267, 1373 and 1540 Committees play a crucial and complementary role in assessing and countering global threats and they are invaluable in the fight against terrorism. "ISIS and Al Qaida are dynamic organisations, evolving with the pressure the international community brings to bear on them. The 1267 Committee must continue to keep up its pace to adapt to the evolving threat, he said. Azhar's listing came on the first day of Indonesia assuming the Presidency of the Council for this month. Indonesia's Ambassador to the UN and Chair of the 1267 Committee Dian Triansyah Djani Dian, speaking in his national capacity at the Security Council briefing, said it must be acknowledged that there have been encouraging developments in advancing common goals with regards to the mandates of the three Committee. We believe that continued collaboration and unity of the Committee is a prerequisite for further development of our future works. We need the Committee to be united more than ever before he said adding that Indonesia commends the members of the Committee for their efforts shown during last few months to preserve credibility and sanctity of the Committee. India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin had specifically thanked Djani for ensuring that the process went smoothly in his video statement issued after Azhar was listed by the Sanctions Committee. 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 Since its launch, Meyer said, the program has become such a success other communities are looking to it as a model. The decision was made officially a year ago to focus entirely on early learning. And on Jan. 1, the board changed its funding model so that now local United Way money goes only to organizations that assist families with children between the ages of birth to 5 years old. Shares of Devon Energy (NYSE:DVN) have been on fire this year. They're up nearly 35% so far in 2019, blowing past the 13.5% gain in the S&P 500. And this short-term outperformance appears to be only the beginning. That's because Devon's transformation into a U.S. oil growth company is just starting to pay dividends. That's evident from the comments of CEO Dave Hager on the company's first-quarter conference call, where he provided four reasons the "new" Devon should continue producing strong returns for investors. 1. "Our go-forward asset base is delivering top-tier operating results" Hager led off his prepared remarks on the call by stating that: "The first quarter was absolutely an outstanding one for 'new Devon.' As we revealed last quarter, we are transforming Devon to a U.S. oil growth company, allowing us to focus on our world-class oil assets in the Delaware Basin, STACK, Eagle Ford, and Powder River Basin." The numbers back up those claims. Total production at "new" Devon -- which includes its position in those four regions -- rocketed 24% compared with the year-ago period. And output was 9.6% above the midpoint of the company's guidance range thanks to exceptional drilling results, especially in the Delaware Basin. As a result, Devon increased its full-year production growth forecast from 15% to 17%. Hager added that: "if well productivity from our development program continues to outperform expectations, there is certainly additional upside to our growth rates in 2019. Importantly, we are delivering this incremental production growth within the confines of our original capital budget of $1.8 [billion] to $2.0 billion, and this view is backstopped by our strong capital efficiency in Q1." 2. "Our cost reduction efforts are trending ahead of plan" Next, Hager noted that "a key area of emphasis is the aggressive reshaping of our organization with the singular focus on supporting our U.S. oil portfolio in the most cost-efficient manner possible ... We expect our U.S. oil business to achieve at least $780 million in sustainable annual cost savings by 2021 versus our 2018 baseline." That focus on reducing costs will further improve the company's profitability in the long term. Hager, however, pointed out that "with our strong cost performance year to date, we are now on track to achieve more than 70% of our targeted $780 million in annual cost savings by year end." That early success in the company's cost-cutting efforts sets Devon up to generate an even bigger gusher of free cash flow this year thanks to higher oil prices. 3. "Our portfolio transformation is on track to be completed by year end" The last phase of Devon's portfolio reshaping initiative will be to exit its positions in Canada as well as the Barnett Shale. Hager noted that in Canada, the company has "made substantial progress advancing the exit of these assets from our portfolio." It's already "having discussions with multiple parties regarding an outright sale at valuations consistent with our view of the intrinsic value of the asset." Meanwhile, it recently launched the sales process for its position in the Barnett Shale. That has the company on "track to have these assets exit our portfolio by the end of 2019." The company plans to use the proceeds from these asset sales to pay off another $3 billion of debt. That will not only further strengthen its balance sheet but will also reduce its annual interest expenses by about $130 million, or roughly 45%. 4. "We are delivering on our promise to return cash to our shareholders" Hager stated that his "final key message is that we remain unwavering in our commitment to capital discipline and increasing cash returns to shareholders." He reiterated that the company wouldn't use the cash windfall from higher oil prices to increase its drilling budget. Instead, that money "will be returned to our shareholders." Hager pointed out that the company is already on track to "reduce our outstanding share count by more than 25% by year end, and owners of our stock will also benefit from our recently raised dividend that is 50% higher than just a few years ago." Both trends appear poised to continue, given the company's promise to return its growing cash-flow windfall to investors. The dawn of a new era Devon Energy has spent the past several years repositioning its portfolio to thrive at lower oil prices. That transformation is starting to pay dividends, which was evident in the company's first-quarter report. However, with more progress on the way, this oil producer appears as if it will have the fuel to continue outperforming. That makes it among the top oil stocks to buy these days. Sometimes you are a hero and sometimes you are a zero. Well, I picked up the F350 that has the 6.4 in it yesterday. The thing about buying sight unseen other than a few pictures is you never know. I bought the wife's '14 Cadillac sight unseen except for a few pictures and it was a great buy. I bought a '04 F350 sight unseen and drove to Minnesota from KC to get it. Again it was a great bargain once I got it back and made some repairs. I bought the rust free F250 2WD with a 6.4 at a good price and the 6.4 just needed the exhaust bolts drilled out and replacement manifold gaskets. That 6.4 is going into a F550 cargo truck I purchased that I knew had engine problems. This truck is a 09 F350 4X4 with a 6.4 and a good title. It was a bank repo and the title verifies it so no salvage here. The bad part of a repo is some owners will strip good parts and replace with junk parts. That was the case with the tires and wheels, radio, and steering wheel. The steering wheel is pure junk including the airbag (not blown but rough as hell). The steering wheel was loose as they didn't even bother to tighten the center bolt. The body has some hail dents and minor damage that is not unrepairable. Anyway, after spending $150. to have pats keys made and programmed to the truck it wouldn't start. It cranks evenly so I don't believe any weak cylinders are a issue. It doesn't build high pressure fuel pressure. I'm still looking for something that the previous owner might have done to it before it was repo'd. Anyway, it is what it is and I can still recover if I have to. The biggest downside about bidding on a Copart site are the fees. I got this truck for $2300.00 bid. The buyer, lot, and internet bidder fees were an additional $650.00 so it was $2950.00 out the door. So, out of my last 3 purchases of 6.4 trucks I came out with one good engine. The cargo truck runs but knocks like crazy so I may be able to use the block off this bad fuel pump motor to make a good one by combining the two. I have a lot of projects for the summer now. Anyways, if I can't figure out the high fuel pump pressure issue I will have another crew cab truck to part out. Or, I can pull the cab from this 4X4 and put the good engine in the frame and reinstall the perfect 2wd cab I have. Either way it's gonna be a lot of work and a long summer. I'm looking forward to it. JMO... Scooters Coffee Adds Eighth Location to Des Moines Metro Area New Store in Johnston to Celebrate with Grand Opening Week of Specials May 21, 2019 // Franchising.com // Johnston, IA - Scooters Coffee, the Midwest-based coffee franchise that has experienced tremendous growth over the past year, added its eighth location to the Des Moines metro area with the companys latest opening in Johnston, IA, at 6001 Merle Hay Rd.To celebrate, the location will be hosting a Grand Opening Week May 28 31. We see an immense amount of opportunity for specialty coffee in the Des Moines area, stated Mike Rogers, Chief Operating Officer of Scooters Coffee. This drive-thru location in Johnston is in the perfect spot for customers looking for a convenient, world-class cup of coffee, and we are already seeing an enthusiastic response from the community. During the Grand Opening Week, customers can expect to receive a variety of offers that include: Tuesday, May 28 Half Off Caramelicious Wednesday, May 29 Half Off Fruit Smoothies Thursday, May 30 Half Off Turtle Latte Friday, May 31 Buy One Drink, Get One Free On Friday, May 31, in addition to the BOGO offer, customers will have the opportunity to receive giveaways throughout the day: 10 a.m. First 100 customers will receive a free $5 gift card with purchase 1 p.m. First 50 customers will receive a free Scooters Coffee tumbler with purchase 4 p.m. First 50 customers will receive a free Scooters Coffee t-shirt with purchase We became familiar with Scooters Coffee through our time living in Omaha, stated Brenda. We were very impressed with the power of the brand and the quality of the product. As residents of Johnston, we have watched as the demand for quality coffee has grown across the region. We saw a void that needed to be filled in our community. What better company to fill that void, than Scooters? Were excited to bring amazing coffee and smiles to the Johnston community. Scooters Coffee, which currently has 25 locations in Iowa, is a drive-thru franchise that has been serving world-class coffee for 20 years. It roasts only the finest beans, making that first morning sip both convenient and rewarding for its customers across the nation. Scooters Coffee has more than 200 locations in 14 states and has over 175 franchise commitments to build new stores. To find out why Scooters Coffee is among the best coffee franchises in the nation and to learn more about franchise opportunities, visit ownascooters.com. About Scooters Coffee Founded in 1998 by Don and Linda Eckles in Bellevue, Nebraska, Scooters Coffee roasts only the finest coffee beans in the world at its headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. In more than two decades of business, Scooters Coffees success is simple: stay committed to the original business principles and company core values. The Scooters Coffee Brand Promise, often recited to franchisees, customers and employees is: Amazing People, Amazing Drinks Amazingly Fast! It represents the companys business origins from 1998 and reflects a steady commitment to providing an unforgettable experience to loyal and new customers. Scooters Coffee specializes in hand-tamped espresso drinks, fruit smoothies, baked-from-scratch pastries and features its signature drink, the Caramelicious. The company also serves a line of hot and iced organic teas, single-origin coffee and the original Cold Brew & Cream. This year, one of Scooters Coffees drink innovations includes Red Bull Infusions. Scooters Coffee is at the dawn of a strategic growth phase in the Midwest and nationwide. The U.S. coffee market is an estimated $48 billion a year recession-resistant industry, and Scooters Coffee is striving to become the #1 drive-thru coffee franchise in the nation. Visit ownascooters.com to learn more about the benefits of owning a franchise of a well-established company. For more information, visit scooterscoffee.com, facebook.com/scooterscoffee, ownascooters.com or call 877-494-7004. SOURCE Scooters Coffee ### Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus Wayback Burgers Launches Newest Location in Canada Burger Lovers in Manitoba are in for a Treat as Mike Brown Opens Americas Favorite Hometown Burger Joint in Winnipeg. CHESHIRE, CONN. (PRWEB) May 20, 2019 - Wayback Burgers, Americas Favorite Hometown Burger Joint and one of the worlds fastest-growing burger franchises, opened a new location in Canada. Wayback Burgers newest location opened in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on May 18 - marking the fast-growing burger chains 11th international restaurant, and the first in Canada. The new Wayback Burgers, located at 1255 St James St., will be owned and operated by Mike Brown. As a resident of Winnipeg, Brown understands the local community and the excitement a fresh burger concept like Wayback will bring. After attending discovery day, trying the delicious food and seeing the new design, I knew that we needed a Wayback Burgers in Winnipeg. And, I wanted to be the first to open one in Canada. Also, after meeting with Rick De Dominicis, Master Franchisee for Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and seeing his drive to succeed and the support that he was offering, I knew I was in good hands. Brown will be partnering with the Boys and Girls Club of Canada as well as local clubs every month. He also will reach out to other local groups, like the Special Olympics of Manitoba and Alzheimers Society of Manitoba, to see what support he can offer them. Wayback Burgers offers delicious, cooked-to-order burgers, available as a single, classic double, triple and triple-triple (nine patties). Also rich, thick milkshakes made the old-fashioned way, by hand, using only whole milk and hand-dipped ice cream. All served in an environment that hearkens back to a simpler place and time - when customer service meant something and everyone felt the warmth of the community. Going way beyond the burger, Wayback Burgers offers crispy and grilled chicken sandwiches, veggie burgers, fresh salads and delicious sides, including fries, onion rings and House Made Chips. Wayback Burgers is growing quickly internationally, so we are pleased to announce this latest expansion in Canada, said Jason Murawski, Vice president of International Development of Jakes Franchising LLC. Its our franchisees passion and commitment to their communities that makes Wayback Burgers successful. We are confident Mike Brown and his team will continue that commitment in Winnipeg with their first Wayback Burgers restaurant. For more information about franchising and Wayback Burgers, visit https://franchise.waybackburgers.com/. About Wayback Burgers Founded in 1991 in Newark, DE, Wayback Burgers is a Connecticut-based fast-casual franchise with a reputation for fresh, never frozen, cooked to order burgers and thick, hand-dipped milkshakes, served in an environment that hearkens back to a simpler place and time - when customer service meant something, and everyone felt the warmth of the community. Wayback Burgers currently operates in 30 states with over 166 locations nationally and internationally in, Brunei, Sudan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Pakistan, the Netherlands, and Malaysia. Through its executed master franchise agreements, Wayback Burgers plans to open in 38 provinces/countries in the Middle East, Northern Africa, South Africa, Pakistan, Brunei, Bangladesh, Ireland, Alberta, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Canada and the Netherlands, with a pending letter of intent sent out to Germany. For more information about Wayback Burgers, please visit https://waybackburgers.com/. For franchising information about Wayback Burgers, please visit https://franchise.waybackburgers.com/. Media Contact: Graham Chapman Wayback Burgers +1 919-459-8157 SOURCE Wayback Burgers ### Add to Request List Added Request Information Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus Both cybersecurity and health research play a central role in Fraunhofer research and are of great importance for the global economy and society. Cybersecurity is a future issue of critical importance and a prerequisite for a functioning digital industry, economy and society. The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft's health research aims to apply the latest technologies to develop effective methods and products to improve the diagnosis, prevention, therapy, care and rehabilitation of patients. In addition to Prof. Reimund Neugebauer, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Prof. Asher Cohen, President of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Dr. Susanne Wasum-Rainer, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, numerous other high-ranking representatives from science, politics, industry and society took part in the festive opening of the two project centers at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Science knows no borders and international cooperation has long been a cornerstone of today's cutting-edge research. By cooperating with excellent partners around the globe, we are strengthening the transfer of knowledge and setting new impulses for Germany and our international partners, explains Prof. Reimund Neugebauer, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. We look forward to continuing our close cooperation with our Israeli partners in two strategically important research areas. The new collaborations in the fields of cybersecurity and health research will soon have positive effects for all those involved thanks to their complementary competences. Dr. Susanne Wasum-Rainer, German Ambassador to Israel, says: New technologies and the digitalization regarding all aspects of life provide coexisting chances and challenges. It is crucial to handle them responsibly and I am convinced that this obligation is in good hands at the Hebrew University and at the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. Security Innovations and New Strategies for Cybersecurity The Fraunhofer Project Center for Cybersecurity at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem will serve as a bilateral R&D platform for companies and form the core of a network of excellence in the field of cybersecurity. The Project Center is to become an international hub for security innovation and is located at the Faculty of Computer Science at Hebrew University. In the collaboration between scientists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Secure Information Technology SIT and Hebrew University, new strategies are to be developed to protect data, IT systems and critical infrastructures from unauthorized access. Israel is one of the most innovative nations and the Hebrew University is one of the world's leading research universities. With this Project Center for Cybersecurity, the Hebrew University and the Fraunhofer SIT are pooling their expertise, says Prof. Michael Waidner, director of Fraunhofer SIT and Co-Director of the Project Center. I am optimistic that the Project Center will quickly become the top address for application-oriented and industry-oriented cybersecurity research in Israel. HUJI President Professor Asher Cohen praised the partnership, adding, We work hard to strengthen the link between scientific research and its applications in real life and industry. Today, were taking the next step towards this goal and are honored that Fraunhofer chose us to be their academic partner. Hebrew Universitys Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering is excited by the potential for excellence in this partnership, shares Prof. Danny Dolev, Chair of HUJIs Rachel and Selim Benin School of Computer Science and Engineering. The Project Center will open new avenues for research and provide us a united force with which to tackle critical cyber challenges. Research into a new generation of drugs The Fraunhofer Project Center for Drug Discovery and Delivery is a cooperation between the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB and scientists from the Institute for Drug Research of the Faculty of Pharmacy at Hebrew University. The aim of the Project Center is to use innovative and efficient methods to identify lead structures and nanocarriers for new drug candidates in order to make them accessible for the treatment of infectious diseases, inflammatory processes and autoimmune diseases. To this end, various innovative technologies are combined to support pharmaceutical companies in the development of new active substances in the preclinical phase as well as to discover new active substances and bring them to the target location by means of targeted formulations. As Prof. Gershon Golomb at HUJIs Institute for Drug Research explains, The Fraunhofer Project Center for Drug Discovery and Delivery at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is a wonderful outgrowth of the close cooperation between the IGB (Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering) and the IDR (Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, HUJI). Dating back to 2012, our transnational research collaboration focuses on infections (herpesviridiae, herpes simplex virus), inflammation and innate immunity. In the years to come, we hope to develop and evaluate new immuno-modulators using computational chemistry and to examine targeted delivery systems for genes and drugs, mainly nano-medicines. Further, Golomb shares, the contributions of individual research groups functions like a complementary feeding model: each partner depends on the expertise of the other, and only by working together will we succeed. I am delighted that the successful cooperation between the Fraunhofer IGB and the Institute for Drug Research at Hebrew University is now being continued at a new level. In this way, we are jointly positioning ourselves as an international research partner in the field of drug development for pharmaceutical companies from all over the world, says Dr. Markus Wolperdinger, Director of the Fraunhofer IGB. Thanks to the unique combination of complementary expertise, the Project Center for Drug Discovery and Delivery will develop into a highly visible innovation center for new active ingredients and novel formulations, adds Prof. Steffen Rupp, who heads the Project Center on the German side. Added value through international collaboration International collaborations with excellent research partners promote the innovative strength of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and provide direct access to the most important present and future scientific and economic regions. Therefore, in view of globally networked value chains, bilateral or multilateral collaborations are an important prerequisite for long-term success in global competition. Research collaborations in an international context are successful and lasting if the expertise of the partners complement each other and thus generate added value as well as new scientific added value. About the Hebrew University The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel's leading research institution and ranks among the world's 100 leading universities. Our goal is to foster the next generation of public, scientific, educational and professional leaders and to expand the boundaries of knowledge for all humanity. Further information For further information and interviews with the German partners, contact: Janis Eitner, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, presse@zv.fraunhofer.de, +49 89 1205-1333 For Interviews with the Israeli partners, contact: Tali Aronsky, taliaron@savion.huji.ac.il or ++972-55-666-4371 THE 2018 IVYACHIEVEMENT COMPUTER SCIENCE RANKINGS BY : ADMIN JAN, 30 2018 0 COMMENTS Introduction Most students who pursue computer science do so for one simple reason: to prepare for a career in computer science. Deciding where to apply and where to enroll are crucial decisions at the beginning of such a career. But where should you apply? How important is the decision? Many students and parents rely on computer science rankings to help them decide which schools to apply to. Some influential rankings, such as U.S. News & World Report, enter a sort of collective consciousness in admissions. People often assume the good schools are at the top, and inversely, that schools ranked low cant be good schools. This assumption is misguided, especially when rankings are based on factors that applicants and parents dont care about. Companies that provide computer science rankings are transparent to various degrees with their methodologies, but the major rankings share one thing in common: none are based on real-world industry employment outcomes. U.S. News, for example, uses one single metric: a survey of education professionals working at universities asking them to rate the other universities. Other rankings, such as Times Higher Education computer science rankings and the QS computer science rankings, incorporate employer reputation metrics in addition to metrics of academic quality. In doing so, the common sense about which institutions are good schools for computer science is reinforced. Because none of the other metrics use real-world employment outcomes,misconceptions are amplified year after year. Also, none of the available rankings include liberal arts colleges for computer science. We thus endeavored to create our IvyAchievement Computer Science Rankings. Our goal was to rank schools based on data that is both relevant and reliable. Our rankings are based on two factors: placement in high-paying tech jobs and starting salaries for graduates. All schools awarding computer science degrees were eligible for our rankings, and our rankings include private research universities, public universities, online universities, and liberal arts colleges (including the best womens colleges for computer science). Our initial ranking includes colleges and universities only in the United States, but we provide basic information on Canadian schools as well. Want to skip our analysis and just see our results? Click here to jump down! Click here to see our Canadian results. Data sources IPEDS The Integrated Post-Secondary Education Data System (IPEDS) is maintained by the United States Department of Education and contains a wealth of information on undergraduate admissions, demographics, course offerings, school resources, degrees awarded, and more. We collected data on over 250 schools, starting with a set of schools that awarded at least five computer science degrees in 2016, the most recent year for which data was available. LinkedIn LinkedIn is a professional networking site. Recruiter is a premium LinkedIn product that allows very specific searches. As its name suggests, its purpose is to allow professional recruiters to find job candidates with specific qualifications and experiences. We were able to use it for a different purpose: figuring out which colleges graduates are best represented in the software industry. Search parameters can be found below in notes. PayScale PayScale is a website that collects and reports salary data for various industries. Last year, PayScale partnered with U.S. News and World Report to provide starting and mid-year salary data for graduates of various majors within colleges. PayScale claims to have surveyed millions of users, we are unsure of the reliability of the data, especially for schools with small sample sizes. Still, we found the PayScale data to be sensible, and even if not a great indicator of absolute salary expectations due to self-selection bias, an excellent gauge of relative performance of graduates in the job market. Method The IvyAchievement Computer Science Rankings have two components: Relative Employment and Median Starting Salary. In each case, scores were normalized with the highest given a score of 1 and the lowest a score of zero. The final weighted average was then itself normalized to 1 to generate a Computer Science Employment Index (CSEI). Relative Employment (50%) = Number of LinkedIn users graduating 2012-2017 reporting CS-related positions in top companies divided by [the number of computer science degrees school awarded 2013-2016. Median Starting Salary (50%) = Median PayScale reported starting salary for computer science. If computer engineering data was available, we calculated a weighted average of the PayScale figures for computer science and computer engineering based on the respective number of degrees offered. American colleges and universities awarding over 1,500 degrees: These institutions, according to data provided by the U.S. government, awarded more than 1,500 computer science and computer engineering degrees from 2013 to 2016. Not all are equally represented among high-paying tech companies. The poorest showing among these came from Western Governors University, a not-for-profit online university. George Mason University in Virginia, the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, and the University of Central Florida, all non-flagship state schools, also graduate a lot of students who do not end up at top tech companies. Indiana University-Bloomington, a flagship state school, does poorly as well, especially compared to in-state rival Purdue. UT Austin outperforms UT Dallas, sending around the same number of graduates to high-paying tech jobs, but awarding fewer degrees. Stanford and the University of Washington-Seattle, schools in tech hubs (Stanford is in Silicon Valley and Seattle is home to Microsoft and Amazon), have some of the best employment prospects in terms of placement. The ratio is for reference to compare institutions; it does not represent the proportion of graduates in high-paying tech jobs, as the data is for different date ranges (degree data from 2013-2016 and employment data for 2012-2017 graduates). The search parameters also do not capture all high-paying tech jobs, but are meant to be a representative sample. American colleges and universities with the most graduates in high-paying tech jobs: The 18 schools listed here returned over 1,000 hits using our LinkedIn search parameters. If the LinkedIn results are representative, then graduates of these 18 schools alone account for about 40% of all employees at high-paying tech jobs. (66,628 total search results vs. a cumulative 26,521 search results for these 18). The University of California-Berkeley, located not far from Silicon Valley, has by far the most employees at high-paying tech jobs in proportion to the number of graduates. Qualifying institutions with the highest reported starting salaries: Computer science is one of the few majors that make paying full price for college a good fiscal investment. Unsurprisingly, most of the schools that produce graduates with the highest computer science starting salaries are also very expensive, costing well over $60,000 per year. One school whose graduates earn good starting salaries, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is relatively more affordable. (Note that the price is not the full cost of attendance; this includes only tuition, required fees, room, and a meal plan. We recommend adding $5,000-$10,000 to estimate total cost of attendance.) Results The IvyAchievement CS Employment Top 40: Results of the analysis were striking. People tend to think of rankings as linear: going from 1 to 10 is the same as going from 20 to 30 or from 40 to 50. Our rankings are anything but: The top-ranked schools have a huge employment advantage. When we charted the CSEI against the rank, we saw a rapid drop in employment prospects through the top 40, a plateau from 40-60, and then a steady decline. Here are the top 40 schools labeled so you can see how they stack up against one another and to schools ranked below 40. The IvyAchievement CS Employment Top 40 contain a mix of types of schools. Just over half (21) are private research universities (Caltech, Stanford, Duke, Carnegie Mellon, Dartmouth, UPenn, Princeton, MIT, Cornell, USC, Yale, Columbia, Brown, Rice, Santa Clara, Northwestern, Seattle University, Harvard, WPI, RPI, and Tufts); there are also public schools (Berkeley, University of Washington, UCLA, Georgia Tech, UCSD, UT-Austin, UC-Davis, Cal Poly, UIUC, San Jose State, the University of Florida, Penn State, Michigan, UVA, and Texas A&M); co-ed liberal arts colleges (Harvey Mudd and Pomona) and womens liberal arts colleges (Wellesley and Mount Holyoke). The top 20 schools issue at most 15% of all computer science degrees in the Untied States, but if our LinkedIn data is representative, their graduates account for around 30% of all high-paying tech jobs. Graduates of these top 20 schools also make a lot more money: The average reported median starting salary (non-weighted) for schools in the top 10 was $92,748. The top 20 stay above $90,000 on average. The average median starting salary for the IvyAchievement CS Employment Top 40 was $83,802. For schools ranked 41-60, the average median starting salary was $71,721, over $12,000 lower. For schools ranked 81-120, it was even lower at $65,935. (We should note that this is still higher than the median income in the United States.) Here is a plot of our two factors (Relative Employment and Median Starting Salary) on separate axes. This is where things get really interesting: Weve chosen to label several popular schools outside the Top 40. Taking a look at how schools are grouped (especially within the Top 40), we see some interesting features: Caltech, Berkeley, Stanford, and Harvey Mudd, all located in California (Berkeley and Stanford in the San Francisco Bay Area; Caltech and Harvey Mudd in Los Angeles County), stand far above all others. This was visible in the linear plot above, but this plot makes the advantage even more stark. All the Ivy League schools except Harvard are in the same area on the plot. This suggests employers dont discriminate among the Ivies. Of the Ivies, Princeton, Penn, and Dartmouth have a slight edge in salary, while Columbia, Cornell, and Yale have a slight edge in job placement. MIT graduates have high starting salaries but are not as represented at top tech companies. This is probably not because they cant get jobs at the top companies, but because they go to smaller, less established companies. Harvard, Tufts, Wellesley, and WPI, which are all in the Boston area, are also in the same general range on both axes. Relative employment is not high, but salaries are comparable to top schools elsewhere in the country. Several California public schools (UCSD, UC-Davis, Cal Poly, and SJSU) fare similarly in our computer science employment rankings. Berkeley and UCLA, usually considered the most prestigious California public schools, have a huge advantage in job placement, but only Berkeley grads enjoy an appreciable advantage in salaries. There is similar performance among graduates of Johns Hopkins, the University of Maryland-College Park, UVA, and Virginia Tech, all located in the same general geographical area. Only UVA makes our Top 40. UT-Dallas and UT-Arlington fare similarly to each other and very poorly in comparison with flagship campus UT-Austin. As noted earlier, UT-Dallas places many graduates at top tech companies, but a smaller proportion of their computer science graduates gets hired. Several public schools (the University of Washington, UCLA, Georgia Tech, the University of Florida, Penn State, Texas A&M, ASU, UCSB, Purdue, and North Carolina State) have relatively weaker starting salaries relative to their job placement compared to their peers. This is likely due to graduates taking lower-paying jobs at top companies and/or geographic areas with lower salaries. Graduates among private-public rivals USC/UCLA and Rice/Texas perform nearly identically in the job market. Employment outcome need not be a factor in deciding between these rivals. Speaking of rivalries, Duke far outperforms its local rivals UNC and North Carolina State University in high-paying tech job placement. There may be a research triangle , but there is no jobs triangle. Duke is the indisputable No. 1 in North Carolina for computer science employment. Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) graduates also perform nearly identically to each other. (This does not do much to help students considering RPI vs. WPI, but may assure them that they wont go wrong.) Coincidentally, they also perform similarly to the California Polytechnic State University. Comparison with Other rankings Below is a table comparing IvyAchievement Computer Science Rankings with other computer science rankings, namely: Examining the IvyAchievement Top 40, our rankings correlate quite well with Times Higher Educations, followed by U.S. News: (This does not include schools outside the IvyAchievement CS Top 40, some of which are ranked highly by others.) U.S. News U.S. News & World Report has been ranking colleges for several decades. They provide computer science rankings only for graduate schools. There is only one metric for the U.S. News computer science rankings: a survey of academics asking to rate institutions other than their own. The graduate school exclusivity means that liberal arts colleges are not ranked at all by U.S. News for computer science, and the methodology means that research universities without a national reputation or with a heavier emphasis on undergraduate education are likely to be ranked lower, if at all. This is the correlation between the Computer Science Employment Index for our CS Top 40 and the raw reputation scores for U.S. News for the same schools: It is notable that despite completely different methodology, all but two of the IvyAchievement CS Top 40 schools are in the U.S. News top 52, if they are ranked. Schools in the IvyAchievement CS Employment Top 40 not ranked by U.S. News include two co-ed liberal arts colleges (Harvey Mudd and Pomona College); womens liberal arts colleges (Wellesley and Mount Holyoke); two state universities in California (San Jose State and Cal Poly); and two private universities in major tech hubs (Santa Clara University and Seattle University). Because these schools are not ranked by U.S. News, we believe they are overlooked by aspiring computer science applicants, especially international applicants who may be less familiar with non-flagship state schools and liberal arts colleges. A few notable differentials between the IvyAchievement Computer Science Rankings and the U.S. News rankings were Dartmouth (#9 in our ranking vs. #40 for U.S. News); MIT (#12 vs. #1); UIUC (#29 vs. #5); Tufts (#24 vs. #70); Worcester Polytechnic Institute (#33 vs. #90); and the University of Michigan (#36 vs. #13). MITs relatively low ranking was a bit surprising. As seen above, it takes a hit because of its job placement statistics. Four schools appearing in the U.S. News top 34 were outside our top 60: Ohio State, UNC Chapel Hill, University of Minnesota Twin-Cities, and Rutgers. All are large state schools whose average salaries are likely lower than those in states with more tech firms. UNC Chapel Hills relatively poor showing (#75) is one of the most surprising results, putting it just below rival North Carolina state and well below Duke. Times Higher Education Times Higher Education (THE) ranks 300 universities based on 13 performance indicators including research citations, reputation, and teaching environment. For individual fields such as computer science, the methodology has been recalibrated to suit the individual fields, although it is unclear precisely how. The Times Higher Education rankings correlate well with the IvyAchievement Computer Science Rankings Top 40: Removing four outliers (Harvard, Dartmouth, UIUC, and RPI), we get an excellent correlation: The industry Income metric at first glance would seem to suggest employment outcomes, but it only weakly correlates with the IvyAchievement Computer Science Rankings: There is even less correlation if median starting salary is placed on the x-axis: THEs rankings are well researched and impressive in their scope, but there are some very conspicuous omissions:Times Higher Education does not rank Yale, Duke, UC-Berkeley, UCLA, Northwestern, the University of Michigan, or Johns Hopkins for computer science. These are major institutions to which most top students consider applying. Although we laud THE for not ranking schools where sufficient data was unavailable, this makes their computer science rankings much less helpful to those choosing schools based on employment prospects. THE also does not rank liberal arts colleges, smaller research universities such as Tufts and the University of Rochester, or several public schools in California (including UC-Davis, Cal Poly, and SJSU). Twenty-four of our IvyAchievement Top 40 were ranked by Times Higher Education. Of all the rankings we examined, THEs rankings correlated with ours the most closely. Similarly to the U.S. News results, none of our Top 40 were ranked lower than #56 in the United States by THE. Notable discrepancies with THE include Dartmouth (IvyAcheivement #9 vs. THE #29); the University of Wisconsin-Madison (#47 vs. #15); the University of Chicago (#49 vs. #18); the University of Maryland (#56 vs. #15); Purdue (#65 vs. #20); and UNC-Chapel Hill (#72 vs. #25). Thus, as with the U.S. News results, a few large state schools underperform in our rankings. QS World University Rankings Quacquarelli Symonds, a higher-education marketing company, publishes Computer Science and Information Systems specific rankings. Metrics they use include Academic Reputation, Employer Reputation, Citations Per Paper, and H-Index (which tries to measure academic citation impact). For Employer Reputation, employers are asked to identify up to 10 domestic institutions and 30 international institutions they consider best for recruiting graduates, and QS gives more weight to regions with which the respondents are familiar. The QS World University Rankings survey is based entirely on opinion and not real-world employment outcomes. When plotted against the IvyAchievement Computer Science Employment Index, there is only a weak correlation: Particularly notable is that Harvard earns the highest score in the QS computer science reputation survey where it clearly falls short of its peers in computer science job placement, and Carnegie Mellon graduates far outperform their colleges reputation. This is likely due to the international nature of the QS survey, as people assume Harvard must mean good. Of our top 50, QS omits the same schools as U.S. News does, including liberal arts colleges and regional colleges/universities. Thus, the QS rankings are of limited value to those interested in computer science education and employment outcomes. CSRankings.org CSRankings.org is maintained by UMass-Amherst computer scientist Emery Berger. The site draws on DBLP, on-line reference for bibliographic information on major computer science publications. The scores and rankings generated by CSRankings.org reflect publications per institution by faculty that have appeared at the most selective conferences. Thus, the ranking reflects those who are employed by universities, not by tech companies. We include this ranking for comparison because students may wish to apply to and enroll in a university with strong research for intellectual curiosity or in contemplation of pursuing academia. Ideally, CSRankings.org could be used to calculate the number of publications per faculty member, but this is more difficult than it seems. CSRankings.org reports number of faculty, but determining the relevant number is difficult, as faculty are distributed across departments, and departments are organized differently from university to university. (For example, MIT and Berkeley have departments of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, whereas many other schools have separate departments.) Our attempts to include a computer science faculty-to-student ratio ran into these difficulties. We would have liked to include this figure in our rankings, but we were unable to come up with statistics and were consistent and fair from school to school. Given the IvyAchievement Computer Science Rankings and the CSRankings.org figures, there is clearly a group of all-around leaders in computer science that excel in both academic output and job placement: The schools highlighted above are the best all-around choices for computer science in the United States and will provide the best opportunities for a career in computer science, whether professionally or doing research. They are the only schools in the top 25 of both IvyAchievement Computer Science Rankings and the CSRankings.org. They are also in the top 25 of U.S. News, Times Higher Education, and QS rankings for American schools. Why not UIUC? UIUC clearly has an excellent computer science department with world-leading research and recruitment by the hottest tech companies. It is without doubt an academic powerhouse. However, its graduates employment outcomes arent as good as some private colleges and several of of its state-school peers. This may be affected by its Midwestern U.S. location, away from big tech hubs. The Best Canadian Schools for Computer Science Employment The IvyAchievement Computer Science Rankings include only schools in the United States. We would like to rank Canadian schools as well, but we dont have access to all the same data points and salary data would not be directly comparable. Here are the LinkedIn search results and some basic analysis: The University of Waterloo reports just over 3,000 enrolled students. Assuming the University has graduated 3,000 students 2013-2016, this yields a Relative Employment score of .41, around the same as Washington State University and Rutgers University (and slightly higher than MIT!). Please contact us below if you can provide statistics on the number of computer science degrees awarded by Canadian schools. Our search parameters are for mostly American companies, so it makes sense that a large proportion of the overall results indicate employment in the United States. Waterloo, UBC, McGill, and Queens University all had the majorityof their search in the United States. Conclusion We hope you have found our computer science rankings and analysis informative and helpful. To our knowledge, this is the most in-depth look at computer science outcomes and rankings available to the public. We welcome questions, comments, input, and feedback. We feel our rankings are well researched, but they are not set in stone, and we are eager to correct any errors. We would especially like to hear from you if you are: Orange Downtown Alliance will hold a ribbon cutting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, for its office's new location in the former Alcova Mortgage space at 113 Chapman St. Weve been in the location for a while, Charlotte Cole, ODAs new director, said in an article that ran in The Free LanceStar March 31. While its on West Main, its on the second floor, and its a little challenging to get to for our stakeholders. We wanted to be in a street-level property not destined for retail. The ceremony will be followed by the ODA's first "Merchant Mingle" at 6 p.m. at the new location. It is open to business owners and managers. ODA is a member of Virginia Main Street and Main Street America. Its main mission, according to its website, "is to encourage community involvement and economic growth, develop strong partnerships, host local events and promote the town of Orange to help create a strong model of sustainable growth and a prosperous community in which to live, work, and visit." 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. Pocketknives were also used to dig the Vienna sausages out of their cans. Crackers were a must with Vienna sausages and New York chefs would have frowned on any man who ate a weenie without a saltine. Today, Armour makes a good can of Vienna sausage, but years ago, there was a regional brand called Plee-zing that made the absolute best Vienna sausages in the world. Nothing I have tasted since can compare to that brand. Some stores had those big rolls of bologna and the storekeeper would cut you off a slice for lunch, allowing the customer to determine the thickness. I would always get a slice about a quarter-of-an-inch thick and then, using my old pocketknife (which I just wiped across my pants leg to clean), I would cut it into quarters, each of which would fit nicely between two crackers. Cheese, cut from a big old wheel, would also make a good lunch, again placing a small piece between two crackers. Of course, if you were really hungry, you could get a can of Spam. But there was a lot of meat in a can of Spam (this can was opened along the side by using a key that came with it) and it was more of a meal for two people rather than just one. And it was hard to find two people in the same work crew that liked Spam. The man then went to the police. The Secret Service and local police investigated all night and into the morning. Afterward, the Secret Service said they were satisfied there was nothing to it, but local police had dealt with this man before, on two occasions. On both occasions, he had proved a reliable witness who provided information leading to arrests and convictions. They instructed him to go ahead with the 11 p.m. meeting and then report back. By 1 a.m., the informant had failed to show up. The police went looking. With tips from people who knew him, they tracked him down at a house 7 miles away in Spotsylvania County, where he tried to run from police out the back door and said he was afraid to go through with the meeting. He was placed in jail until the president left. Despite continued questioning, the man stuck to his story. Some sleepy Fredericksburg residents were surprised to hear the police knocking on their doors in the middle of the night. They confirmed the descriptions of the two men who allegedly approached the police informant in the Paris Inn, but no one had seen him talking to them. Residents near the monument were instructed not to let any strangers in their houses, and extra police were called in. The former president and treasurer of the Mountain View Fire and Safety Association in Stafford pleaded guilty Tuesday to stealing from the organization. Steven Craig Boutchyard, 54, was convicted of three felony counts of embezzlement in Stafford Circuit Court. As part of a plea agreement, 21 charges were dropped. Boutchyard will be sentenced July 29. Judge Victoria Willis granted a request to allow Boutchyard to remain free on bond at least until his sentencing. According to the evidence presented by prosecutor Michael Hardiman and court records, Boutchyard was suspended from the fire association in December 2017 after an internal audit showed discrepancies. A Virginia State Police investigation eventually determined that at least $50,000 worth of items purchased with Mountain View funds were not for the organizations use. Those items included major appliances, electronics, gift cards and French doors. Hardiman said Boutchyard also cashed checks intended for the organization and kept the money. Some of the stealing dated back as far as 2011. The suit was filed last June by the Center for Reproductive Rights, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the law firm OMelveny & Myers, and local counsel for the ACLU of Virginia. Plaintiffs include various abortion care providers, including the Falls Church Healthcare Center, the Whole Womans Health Alliance, the Virginia League for Planned Parenthood, and Dr. Jane Doe. Ruling on a pretrial motion earlier this month, Hudson tossed out the requirement that first-trimester abortions be carried out by a physician. But last week he rescinded the order, ruling that he wanted to hear more evidence on the question of whether the physicians-only law presents an undue burden to Virginia women who seek an abortion. The first witness in the case for the plaintiffs, Dr. Mark Nichols, took the stand shortly after the trial opened Monday. Nichols testified that since the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, abortions have become far safer. He said that one in four American women will have an abortion, that 90 percent of abortions occur within the first 13 weeks of pregnancy, and that 2 percent happen after 20 weeks. Last week, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a measure to bar most abortions in that state. In Missouri, lawmakers last week sent Gov. Mike Parson a measure that would ban abortions at eight weeks. Only two foals have been documented so far this year on the Shackleford Banks, in part because there are lots of places where the "critically threatened breed" of wild horses can hide on the southern Outer Banks island. A rare moment of one of the two found at play was captured May 15 by a National Park Service volunteer at Cape Lookout National Seashore and posted on Facebook. The 20-second video, taken with a telephoto lens, shows the bucking colt racing around its mother, which is trying her best to eat in peace. It has been viewed 30,000 and shared nearly 900 times in 24 hours. "His mother is keeping an eye on him and turns her head to keep him in sight, but is more interested in eating the new spring grass," the park service wrote with the video. Karen Duggan, acting chief of interpretation at Cape Lookout, told the Charlotte Observer that capturing scenes of the foals at play is tough, because they are wary of humans. "Had the volunteer who took the video not used a telephoto and tried to get closer, the foal would have stopped his play and Mom would have undoubtedly gone into protective mode," Duggan told the Observer. The job would smooth out communication and planning among the departments of Defense, Justice and Health and Human Services, as well as DHS. But that role was never contemplated as one outranking the DHS Secretary; rather the person would work in a complimentary role. In April, more than 100,000 migrants were taken into custody for the second consecutive month, and the numbers in May are on pace to go even higher. But some in the administration fear that there will be too many power players fighting to wrest control over an immigration agendawith White House adviser Stephen Miller already chafing officials at DHS. One White House adviser said Cuccinelli is likely to advocate for the White Houses aggressive position at the agency. Miller has argued to Trump that others within DHS are trying to stall him. At the Republican Party convention in 2016, Cuccinelli protested the petty, tyrannical rules and threw his convention badge on the floor in protest of Trumps nomination. He was a strong supporter of the presidential bid by Sen. Ted Cruz, RTexas, who has since become one of Trumps most ardent defenders. TONIGHT, we renew our resolve that America will never be a socialist country, President Donald Trump announced in his State of the Union address in February. As he had hoped, his base cheered him on for setting himself up as foil to Bernie Sanders and Alexandria OcasioCortez. In the three months since, though, Trump has doubled down on his own socialist policy proposals. On trade and immigration, hes 21st-century Americas most stridentor most empowered, anywayadvocate of an indispensable tenet of state socialism: central planning of the economy by the government. Trump wants the government to control what you buy and who you buy it from. Thus, his trade wars with Canada, Mexico, the European Union, and China, powered by tariffs intended to advantage Made in America goods (and their politically-connected makers) over others. Now hes announced a plan for merit-based government control of immigration under which bureaucrats in Washington decide how many, and which, immigrants the American economy needs, instead of leaving such decisions to markets and individuals. Under the legislation, not only would there be additional counselors, those counselors would spend at least 80 percent of their work time seeing students. Any time-consuming administrative work for which they are responsible would have to fall on someone else. Boosting the ranks of counselors requires the state Board of Educations Standards of Quality to be revised, and that requires legislation and the necessary funding to make it happen. Things were looking pretty good, especially for the Senate bill sponsored by Sen. Rosalyn Dance, DPetersburg. After passing easily in the Senate, it crossed over to the House, won approval there, and was signed into law by the governor in March with the $36 million allocation intact. Meanwhile, as work proceeded on the House version, sponsored by Del. Delores McQuinn, DRichmond, the assemblys budget drafters decided they could come up with only $12 million for additional counselors. The House bill with the new amount was approved and sent to Northam. Because the actual budgeted figure takes precedence, and he wouldnt settle for the lesser, inadequate amount, Northam rightly vetoed the House bill. Del. Thomas is positive leader for 28th District Its time to praise the Honorable Robert M. Bob Thomas. He is truly the representative of the constituents in the 28th District. Newly elected, he reached out and sought citizens input on critical issues. He went to Richmond to work on those citizen priority subjects: health insurance for those in desperate need; education with teacher pay raises the collateral objective; transportation and highway improvement funding; and tax relief . His strong leadership and positive extra effort have been applauded and recognized throughout the 28th District. He should be proud as he continues to address his successes and the next steps in his campaign. His opponent has decided to conduct a negative campaign. I hate to go to my mailbox every day and find campaign flyers filled with innuendo, half-truths and downright misleading statements. Certainly Mr. Milde cant believe that his path to the State House is paved with these malodorous flyers. What is his platform? What does he stand for? I see nothing in his campaign that is viable. Galveston, TX (77553) Today Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low near 70F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low near 70F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. An official video showcasing the performance of Sony's next-gen console compared to the PlayStation 4 Pro has been posted online. Recorded and uploaded on Twitter by Wall Street Journal reporter Takashi Mochizuki, the video shows the PlayStation 4 Pro taking precisely 8.10 seconds to load an area in Marvel's Spider-Man, while the work-in-progress PlayStation 5 loads the same area in 0.83 seconds. It also highlights the next-gen system's ability to more efficiently and quickly render game worlds, and shows the in-game camera smoothly zipping though Insomniac's digital version of Manhattan at breakneck speed. The clip lines up with details shared by system architect Mark Cerny earlier this year. Speaking to Wired, Cerny revealed the next-gen device -- which isn't officially called the PS5, but c'mon -- will support 8K graphics, 3D audio, and crucially include a specialized solid-state drive (SSD) that will dramatically reduce load times. Cerny specifically noted that the inclusion of an SSD had been requested by a bunch of developers, and it's easy to see why when you check out the footage below. Sony has detailed its next-gen platform strategy, and it looks like backwards compatibility and cloud streaming tech will be integral to the company's plans. Outlining its approach to 'generational transformation' during a recent investor presentation, the company explained it intends to "harness the power of new technology" to offer "transformative and immersive" next-gen experiences. Although Sony was keen to plug the capabilities of its next-gen console, which is capable of super-fast load times and rendering thanks to the inclusion of an SSD, it also explained it would leverage backwards compatibility to transition the PlayStation community to next-gen hardware "faster and more seamlessly than ever before." The company hopes that transitional strategy will provide a stable environment for content creators, and envisions the PlayStation 4 will remain the "engine of engagement and profitability" for at least the next three years -- implying there'll be some crucial overlap with the (unofficially named) PlayStation 5. As the slide below shows, the console maker also considers game streaming a major part of its next-gen strategy, and intends to leverage streaming tech to create "a massively enhanced PlayStation community where experiences can be seamlessly enjoyed independent of time and place -- with or without a console." It's a sentiment not too dissimilar to the one shared by Microsoft, which is rather appropriate given the two companies recently joined forced to develop cloud tech with the goal of supporting their individual game and content streaming platforms. Speaking briefly bout that partnership, Sony said it hopes the two companies can work together to "achieve growth and scale faster than ever before." 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. SPECIAL EVENTS THURSDAY, MAY 23 Music in the Park: 6-8 p.m., Philomath City Park, 299 S. 23rd St., free concert, Philomath High School and Philomath Middle School bands, food, refreshments available for purchase, library bookmobile, childrens activities, local art, hosted by Philomath Park Advisory Board. Good Food, Bad Food: Agriculture, Ethics and Personal Choices: 6:30 p.m., Marys River Grange, 24707 Grange Hall Road, free admission, conversation with expert Kristy Athens, part of Oregon Humanities Conservation Project, 541-829-2907, marysrivergrange@gmail.com. SATURDAY, MAY 25 Philomath Memorial Day Flag Placement Ceremony: 10 a.m., Mount Union Historical Cemetery, 2987 Mount Union Ave., all invited to help place flags, flowers on gravesites of veterans; flag ceremony and program. TUESDAY, MAY 28 Philomath Town Hall Meeting on Citys Water: 7 p.m., Philomath Scout Lodge, 660 Clemens Mill Road, panel of water experts with information on citys water supply and if time permits, answers to questions submitted in advance (email to ruth.post@philomathoregon.gov. SCHOOLS WEDNESDAY, MAY 22 PMS Band Concert: 6:30 p.m., Philomath High School, 2054 Applegate St., sixth grade band, jazz band and seventh and eighth grade band to perform in that order. FRIDAY, MAY 24 Robotics Game Night: 4-8 p.m., Philomath High School, 2054 Applegate St., library/media center, all invited for game night, free admission, concessions available for purchase. TUESDAY, MAY 28 PMS Choir Concert: 7 p.m., Philomath High School, 2054 Applegate St., sixth, seventh and eighth graders perform. ORGANIZATIONS FRIDAY, MAY 24 Grange Game Night: 7-11 p.m., Marys River Grange Hall, 24707 Grange Hall Road. LIBRARY WEDNESDAY, MAY 22 Rise & Shine Storytime: 10-10:45 a.m., Philomath Community Library, 1050 Applegate St., program for children ages 2-4, 541-929-3016. LEGOs at the Library: 3:30-4:30 p.m., Philomath Community Library, 1050 Applegate St., building challenges, Legos provided, grades K-5, drop in, 541-929-3016. FRIDAY, MAY 24 Teen Book Club: 12:30-1:30 p.m., Philomath Community Library, 1050 Applegate St., discuss Nimona by Noelle Stevenson, books, snacks provided, open to middle school and high school students, 541-929-3016. TUESDAY, MAY 28 Wiggly Wobbler Storytime: 10-10:30 a.m., Philomath Community Library, 1050 Applegate St., program for children up to age 24 months, 541-929-3016. WEDNESDAY, MAY 29 Rise & Shine Storytime: 10-10:30 a.m., Philomath Community Library, 1050 Applegate St., program for children ages 2-4, 541-929-3016. SUPPORT GROUPS WEDNESDAY, MAY 22 Narcotics Anonymous: 7 p.m., New Life Fellowship, 1412 Applegate St., 877-233-4287. THURSDAY, MAY 23 Alcoholics Anonymous: 6:30 p.m., New Life Fellowship, 1412 Applegate St., 541-967-4252, www.aa-oregon.org. Celebrate Recovery: 6:30-9 p.m., Philomath Community Church, 145 N. 14th St., Christ-centered 12-step program to deal with all hurts, habits and hang-ups, light supper provided, babysitting available, 541-760-8531. SUNDAY, MAY 26 Alcoholics Anonymous: 7:30 p.m., College United Methodist Church, 1123 Main St., 541-967-4252, www.aa-oregon.org. TUESDAY, MAY 28 Alcoholics Anonymous: 6:30 p.m., open meeting, New Life Fellowship, 1412 Applegate St., 541-967-4252, www.aa-oregon.org. Neighbor to Neighbor Soup Kitchen: 5:30-6:30 p.m., College United Methodist Church, 1123 Main St. WEDNESDAY, MAY 29 Narcotics Anonymous: 7 p.m., New Life Fellowship, 1412 Applegate St., 877-233-4287. 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. A Lebanon man has died in the custody of the Oregon Department of Corrections, according to a news release from the agency. Ovid John Teixeira, 55, was in hospice care in the infirmary at the Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem. Teixeira was sentenced to 30 months in prison in January 2018 after pleading guilty to second-degree robbery in Linn County Circuit Court. Kyle Odegard can be reached at kyle.odegard@lee.net, 541-812-6077 or via Twitter @KyleOdegard. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Once again, the Corvallis City Council battled its way through a session dominated by parking. On Monday night's agenda were a pair of community requests, both of which would have added territory to Parking District C between the Oregon State University campus and downtown. Paradoxically, also on the agenda was a resolution that called for a halt to parking district expansions pending a city parking study and a possible overhaul of the current city expansion process. Ward 9 Councilor Andrew Struthers noted that it was odd to be voting on approving district expansions right before a vote that could shut the door on further districts. Struthers, it should be noted, is in his first term on the council. A veteran would know that logic doesnt always apply to the Corvallis parking dilemma. In the end, during a meeting that was entering its fourth hour as the Gazette-Times deadline loomed, councilors voted down, on 8-1 and 6-3 votes, both proposed district expansions and voted 9-0 to back the hiatus. The votes came after 61 minutes of community comments. Ten of the 13 speakers addressed the parking issue, but in many respects the testimony roiled the waters rather than provided clarity. A series of OSU students testified with divergent views on the parking situation. One noted when asked about OSUs parking policies that they are not truthful and that the university is a private organization run by the federal government. City transportation services supervisor Lisa Scherf was on hand to provide some interpreting services as she fielded a question from Ward 6s Nancy Wyse on the logic of the testimony. Parking is very personal, Scherf said. What time of day you need to park matters. How far it is for you to go to work. Everybody speaks about their own situation. The first expansion proposal affected only the Park Plaza and other apartment buildings just west of the library and north of Monroe Avenue. Amid concerns that the plan could bring a veritable blizzard of 270 new permit-holders into the equation, councilors squashed it on an 8-1 vote, with only Wyse voting in favor. The second proposal involved properties to the south and west bounded by Southwest Ninth Street, Southwest 10th Street, Southwest Adams and Southwest Washington Avenue. This addition would have added only 30 or so permit-holders, but the momentum was running against expansion. The plan failed on a 6-3 vote, with Wyse, Barbara Bull (Ward 4) and Ed Junkins (Ward 8) backing the expansion plan. The debate on the hiatus then zigged and zagged through a couple of amendments, one that changed the end date of the hiatus to match the fiscal year and the other that added another clause mandating community input in the new process to come. When the ensuing discussion dipped into deviations on how the city study might be conducted, Mayor Biff Traber reminded councilors that the issue under review was the hiatus only and councilors responded with a 9-0 vote to freeze expansions. For now. In other action, councilors unanimously approved a community-developed plan to place a bronze statue of Dustee the READ (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) dog in the childrens area of the main library branch. In the program, dogs listen as children read aloud to them. Dustee died in June after more than 14 years serving thousands of students in Corvallis and Albany schools. Backers of the plan previously received unanimous approvals of three city committees and the Library Foundation Board before bringing the issue to the council. The OKs are required as part of the citys public art selection process. With the approval in hand, backers now will start raising the approximately $13,000 it will take to bring the project to fruition. Artist Terri Malec of the Eastern Oregon town of Joseph has been selected to cast the statue. Backers hope to have the statue honoring Dustee to be in place by this winter. Those wishing to participate in the fundraising campaign can do so at www.DollarsForDustee.com. 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 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. October 31, 1944 May 15, 2019 Ed Leslie, 74, of Albany, passed away unexpectedly on May 15, 2019, of a cerebral hemorrhage. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Carol. Born October 31, 1944, in Brownwood, Texas, to Otto Leslie and Lily Jeanette "Jean" Driskill, Ed was raised in Coos Bay and Gold Beach, Oregon, by his mom and stepfather, Osborne "Ozzie" Nulf. He is also survived by his mother, Jean Nulf; children, Paula Leslie, Dale Leslie, David (Jill) Leslie, and Waael (Melinda) Jared; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He also has two brothers, Charles (Sarah) Nulf and William H. Nulf. He was preceded in death by stepdad, Ozzie; and brother, Ray Nulf. Ed joined the Army at the age of 17 and served two years in Korea as a communications specialist. Upon his return, he settled in the Willamette Valley where he was hired at Oregon State University. He began his career as an electricians helper and retired after 30 years as a journeyman electrician and inspector. Prior to retiring from OSU, he became a licensed massage therapist and then worked through Evergreen Hospice for about 10 years. Ed was a master tinkerer, spending time in his shop working on restorations of a Sunbeam Tiger and a Sunbeam Rapier. As members of the Pacific Tiger Club, he and Carol attended rallies around the northwest. A few years ago, they bought a travel trailer and took trips to Minnesota and Texas to visit relatives. They met on a dance floor and continued to love to dance with each other. He fancied himself a bit of a farmer and spent hours working in the yard and helping his mother grow dahlias. He grew Marionberries, tayberries and delicious blueberries, which he shared generously. His friends considered him generous with his time and knowledge. He enjoyed finding out the whys of malfunction and ways to fix or improve the whatever. With five others, Ed and Carol are founding board members of the Alliance For Recreation And Natural Areas (AFRANA). A service will be held at a later date and will be published by Fisher Funeral Home. Online condolences for the family may be posted at www.fisherfuneralhome.com. The Oregon National Guard and Corvallis public safety agencies are participating in a career event at 4:30 p.m. Friday at the Boys & Girls Club of Corvallis, 1112 NW Circle Blvd. Representatives of the Corvallis Police Department and the Corvallis Fire Department will be on hand to discuss their professions and meet with teens at the club. National Guard members also will be present to discuss their mission, benefits and training. SALEM Up to 30,000 Oregon workers may no longer automatically support their union as concerted national efforts to trim the political power of unions gain steam. A change in an obscure federal rule may pose a financial threat to one of Oregons largest public sector unions while also crimping the ability of home care workers to save for retirement. The federal agency overseeing public health care for elderly and low-income people earlier this month moved to ban certain voluntary deductions from federally funded paychecks for home care workers. The new rule may mean that about 30,000 Oregon workers cant have union dues and retirement savings automatically taken from their paychecks. But Oregon and four other states are contesting the move. The rule creates a financial roadblock for one of the most active unions in Oregon politics. Service Employees International Union Local 503 represents the workers who care for about 20,000 Oregonians. Home care workers help elderly people and people with disabilities with bathing, dressing and other daily activities. The service is paid for through Medicaid and the new rule says such money cant be diverted out of paychecks to third parties even if a worker is willing. The change impacts American workers who have only recently organized for better wages and other benefits, many of them women and people of color, the unions representing them say. Oregon home care workers, considered public employees, have relied on collective bargaining since 2001. Since then, the average home care worker, once not even required to be paid minimum wage, has received a roughly $12 per hour pay bump, according to SEIU Local 503. But those workers arent considered full public employees: they dont receive a public pension, for example. There are other ways the union could collect dues to pay the costs of collective bargaining, including credit cards and bank drafts, said Ben Morris, a spokesman for SEIU Local 503. But he said the rule change is a politically motivated attempt to undercut the union. The goal of doing something like this is youre hoping people dont follow through to that new system and that you lose revenue, Morris said. Dues to SEIU Local 503 are 1.7 percent of monthly salary plus $2.75, according to U.S. Department of Labor records. The union collected about $28 million in dues in 2018, according to the federal reports. The change could also affect retirement savings for home care workers. Many have opted in to OregonSaves, a new state program that provides a retirement savings account for people who dont get one at work. State Treasurer Tobias Read, a Democrat, has criticized the federal rule change for preventing payroll deductions for retirement plans. Home care and personal support workers were one of the key groups who fought for the creation of the program because they have no other retirement option through their employers, Read said in a statement. The rule is an overt attack on the home care workers union, SEIU. In recent years, right-to-work groups have moved to undercut the political power of public employee unions, which typically donate significantly to liberal causes and Democrats. And the U.S. Supreme Court has weighed in, handing down two major decisions that affect unions ability to raise money. In 2014, the court said unions couldnt compel membership or fair share fees for public workers like home care workers. And last year, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with Illinois child support specialist Mark Janus in his case against another union, concluding that no public workers could be forced to pay those fees. The Freedom Foundation, an Olympia, Wash., group that advocated for the rule change, said its motivated to protect the civil liberties of workers. What we object to is the coercive practices weve seen that all rely on payroll deduction as a method of dues collection, said Maxford Nelsen, director of labor policy at the Freedom Foundation. The Freedom Foundation said in a news release that it started calling on the federal government in 2017 to stop allowing the automatic deductions. The move is the latest development in a multiyear effort by the Freedom Foundation to stop unions from taking advantage of home caregivers on the West Coast and throughout the nation, said Ashley Varner, the foundations vice president of communications and federal affairs. The foundation was formed in 1991 by former Washington gubernatorial candidate Bob Williams as the Evergreen Freedom Foundation. It has recently expanded to Oregon and California. The Guardian reported in 2016 that in a speech that year to Americans For Prosperity funded by David Koch and Charles Koch, brothers and well-known donors to conservative causes the Oregon coordinator of the Freedom Foundation told the audience that the groups No. 1 stated focus is to defund the political left. Labor groups, and particularly public employee unions, are active political donors in Oregon. In 2018, the Service Employees International Union gave $3.9 million to state political campaigns in Oregon, according to the National Institute on Money in Politics. SEIU Local 503 spent $2.2 million on political activities and lobbying last year, according to the organizations annual report, maintained by the U.S. Department of Labor. Reporter Claire Withycombe (cwithycombe@eomediagroup.com or 971-304-4148) is a reporter for the East Oregonian working for the Oregon Capital Bureau, a collaboration of EO Media Group, Pamplin Media Group, and Salem Reporter. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 1 LINN COUNTY SHERIFF Stolen tools About 10:19 a.m. Sunday, a caller in the 37000 block of Crabtree Drive reported a shop building was entered overnight and more than $2,500 worth of tools and a four-wheeler were taken. Missing mail About 10:34 a.m. Sunday, a caller in the 38000 block of First Creek Drive reported mail was taken from her back porch. Arrested About 4 p.m. Sunday, Richard Ogbin, 59, was arrested and charged with first-degree burglary and third-degree theft. The crimes allegedly occurred on Sunday in the 38700 block of Palmyre Drive in Lebanon. Damaged mailboxes About 7:49 p.m. Sunday, a caller in the 38000 block of Northeast Third Avenue, Scio, reported that an unknown vehicle struck three mailboxes. SWEET HOME POLICE Broken vehicle window About 10:22 a.m. Saturday, a caller in the 4000 block of Long Street reported someone broke out a window on her vehicle. Broken house window About 11:10 a.m. Saturday, a caller in the 700 block of 12th Avenue reported someone had broken a window on the front of her residence. LINN COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT From Monday afternoon Domestic violence James Jeffrey McDaniel, 23, of Lebanon, was charged with felony fourth-degree assault (domestic violence). The crime allegedly occurred on Saturday, and the victim was a female, according to the charging document. The Lebanon Police Department investigated the case. Vehicle theft Jacqueline Victoria Martinez, 30, of Albany, was indicted on charges of unauthorized use of a vehicle, two counts of identity theft and two counts of second-degree theft. The crimes allegedly occurred in January 2018. In a separate case, Martinez was charged with two counts of fourth-degree assault. Those crimes allegedly took place on Sunday. The Albany Police Department investigated both cases. BENTON COUNTY SHERIFF Truck crash Shortly after 8 a.m. Friday, deputies were dispatched to Highway 34 near Hayden Road in Alsea, where a 1998 Kenworth log truck had crashed into a ditch. Driver Robert Alen Phinney, 65, of Siletz was taken to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis with non-life-threatening injuries. Phinney said the steering wheel locked up and he was unable to maintain control of the truck. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Jerry Duerksen enjoyed river rafting. He enjoyed a lot of things fishing, his family, working his property management business and helping out in the community. His son, Steve, his usual rafting partner, remembers a time late in his fathers life when he and Jerry were going through the boulder patch on the Siletz River. And he told me, Steve said, you know, I could just let go and bounce all the way down. Most people get nervous about a situation, but he would never show it. Thats because he always had a plan and the patience to know how to carry it out. He always had a plan, remembers his wife, Beckie. And a backup plan and a third plan. He always did that. He kept thinking about all the details to determine which one was going to work best. And he was very enthusiastic for his ideas, she said. Sometimes he would come up to me and say I got the best brainstorm this morning." And Jerry, who died last week at the age of 72, had the patience to wait. To wait for others to speak. To wait for any contentions to expire. And then he would speak. He would try to make everybody comfortable and let everybody have their say. Then he would put his spin on it and say maybe we can do something about it. " Beckie said. Steve said, he always wanted to make sure other people felt good at the end of the meeting. Group formed Then there was the Jan. 29, 2013 meeting at the library. More than 150 people crammed into the room to discuss housing issues. People were yelling and gesticulating and throwing things at the walls. Tenants were complaining about the conditions of rental housing. The city was talking about an expensive mandatory inspection protocol. Landlords were livid. Then, the last of the 23 speakers came to the microphone. It was Jerry Duerksen. He suggested, quietly but firmly, that landlords and property managers could regulate themselves. And he promised to put something together. Jerry kept his word. The Corvallis Rental Property Management Group, although it wasnt called that yet, began holding informal meetings at Jerrys office. The meetings soon moved to the Elks Lodge, where Jerry paid for lunch and his daughter-in-law, Dawn Duerksen, produced the agenda, put together an email list of 170 people and moderated the lunch sessions. The sessions attracted as many as 100 people, with programs led by the Corvallis Police Department, the Corvallis Fire Department, city housing officials, Oregon State University officials, Republic Services and more. Participants briefed the group on legislation affecting the industry. Folks brought up information on training opportunities. And things started to change. A key program was a cooperative effort in which the Corvallis Police Department agreed to inform the property manager every time they paid a call on a rental. Dawn Duerksen said when she gets an email from the Police Department, sometimes she is in touch with the tenants before they even wake up. Theyre knocking on the door at 9 a.m. and talking to tenants and thats powerful, said Corvallis Police Chief Jonathan Sassaman. We can write tickets all day long, but at the end of the day its just a ticket, and nowhere near as powerful a message as an eviction notice or a school suspension. In 2012, Sassaman said, his officers were answering more than 2,000 calls per year for livability offenses such as disturbances, fights, alcohol violations and loud parties. Its now around 1,000 per year, with OSU helping by holding students accountable for off-campus behavior. It was Duerksen and OSU saying we have to have a way to hold people accountable, Sassaman said. Theyre the ones who helped change the culture. Duerksen had the clout to make it happen because his company, Duerksen & Associates, controls a big chunk of the rentals in the city with a few more sprinkled in Philomath and Albany. The business made him and his family rich. Which made the family want to give the money away, particularly to causes affiliated with youth. The Duerksens are longtime contributors to the Old Mill Center for Children and Families and they gave $500,000 to the campaign for a new teen center at the Boys & Girls Club of Corvallis. He really liked to see everybody succeed, Dawn said. Graduating and finding jobs and going to college. It made him happy. He really wanted people to give more. He would have loved to have been a professional fundraiser, but it was hard to figure out how to do that and still run our business. The giving was all local. Thats where we got it from and thats who we should be giving it back to, Steve said. Dawn said that famed investor Warren Buffett was one of Jerry's personal heroes because he tried to get more rich people to give. A bit of history Jerry lived a full and interesting life before he got into real estate in the late 1970s. He was a graduate of Valsetz High in the Coast Range lumber town, which no longer exists and was a four-year Navy veteran who was in Vietnam for the 1968 Tet Offensive. A licensed pilot, he once recalled in an interview a flight in a Piper Cub in 1967, when an hour in the air cost $3 for the instructor and $2 for the plane. He worked as a commercial fisherman in Newport and Coos Bay. And he came within 12 hours of completing work on a degree in fish and wildlife from OSU. Late in his life Jerry told Steve Ive done everything in my life that I ever wanted to do. I dont have a single regret. I think he mentioned that to all of us, Dawn said. During a recent interview with the Gazette-Times, Dawn was taking notes, assembling word choices that fit Jerry. Calm, giving, loyal, unimpeachable integrity, loving, trust and patience, she said. Integrity, repeated Beckie. That was the strongest thing. He never wanted anyone to think that he didnt have integrity. Gazette-Times reporter Bennett Hall contributed to this report. Love 9 Funny 2 Wow 1 Sad 5 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. Google's ban on Huawei will also affect sales in Europe and India, says experts News oi-Priyanka Dua This also means that Huawei will lose access to Google apps like Maps, Gmail, Search and Assistant. Chinese smartphone maker Huawei has said that it will continue to provide security updates and after-sales services to all existing Huawei and Honor smartphone and tablet products. "We will continue to build a safe and sustainable software ecosystem, in order to provide the best experience for all users globally," Huawei said in a statement. The response comes a day after Google has decided to block Huawei's access to its Android operating system and apps as Trump administration officially added Huawei to a trade blacklist "Huawei has made substantial contributions to the development and growth of Android around the world. As one of Android's key global partners, we have worked closely with their open-source platform to develop an ecosystem that has benefitted both users and the industry," the company said. Faisal Kawoosa, founder analyst of TechArc said, "For the existing customers, it might not be much of a change. However going forward, Huawei shall have to develop the entire software stack by themselves including the OS which they are already on." "This, while not a big challenge for Huawei because of tech competencies, but it is difficult from a consumer adoption point of view," he said. In fact Google, through its Android's twitter page, said that for Huawei users' questions regarding our steps to comply with the recent US government actions: We assure you while we are complying with all US governments's requirements, services like Google Play & security from Google Play Protect will keep functioning on your existing Huawei device. Meanwhile Prabhu Ram, Head, Industry Intelligence Group, CyberMedia Research (CMR), said that "The Android ban is a death sentence for Huawei-Honor's growth aspirations in India. While the ban may not impact Huawei in China or the US, it will have a global impact, especially in markets such as Europe and India." "The ban will accelerate Huawei's efforts to gain self-reliance. Huawei has been focused on developing its software and app assets along the lines that it has done with its chipset business," he added. This also means that Huawei will lose access to Google apps like Maps, Gmail, Search and Assistant from its upcoming phones. Navkendar Singh, research director, client devices and IPDS, IDC told Gizbot, "They have been growing and that is going to impact a lot." Best Mobiles in India Vodafone partners with Hyundai arm, for connected car services News oi-Priyanka Dua The partnership will enable Hyundai cars, starting with SUV Hyundai VENUE with Advanced Connected Car Functionality. The country's largest telecom operator Vodafone has signed an agreement with Hyundai Motor Group's subsidiary, Hyundai AutoEver, for connected car services. The partnership will enable Hyundai cars, starting with SUV Hyundai VENUE with Advanced Connected Car Functionality. Vodafone Idea's expertise in automotive connected Technology will help Hyundai deploy a strong, first-of-its-kind, connected solution in the Indian market with the integration of eSIMS with Voice, 3G/4G data, SMS, Secured APN service and API integration. The solution will empower Hyundai to locate its cars, enable real-time exchange of data and power a whole range of connected car services will allow Hyundai to manage Vodafone M2M operations. As a part of this exclusive deal, Vodafone Idea will also work as a digital partner for Hyundai AutoEver India (HAEI) to manage the connectivity life cycle of the car. "Connected cars are set to change the way we commute and interact with our vehicles. It is true digital disruption. Vodafone Idea Business Services has spent the last 18 months working closely with Hyundai AutoEver India to make connected cars a reality for Hyundai in India," Nick Gliddon, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at VIL, said. The Hyundai VENUE has been launched in India today with the Global Blue Link Technology. The Hyundai Blue Link powered by Vodafone Idea India has 33 features out of which 10 features are specific for the Indian market. Some of these features are Auto Crash Notification, SOS Assistance, Road Side Assistance, Panic Notification, Stolen Vehicle Tracking, Climate Control, Find My Car, Maintenance Alert, Live Traffic Information, Location Sharing, and English Voice Recognition among others. Oh Woo Jin, Managing Director, Hyundai AutoEver India said, "We are extremely glad about our partnership with Vodafone Idea. We are sure that both the companies will collaborate and bring synergies in their efforts to provide seamless connected car experience to our Indian Customers. Our Blue Link Connected technology is making its debut in Hyundai's SUV - VENUE making it India's first smart connected car." 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 Britain announces overhaul of espionage, treason laws Iran Press TV Mon May 20, 2019 05:45PM The British government is preparing parliamentary legislation to overhaul the country's espionage and treason laws. UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid said on Monday that the new laws would make it difficult for foreign agents acting in the UK in political capacity to carry out spying activities. Speaking to a group of security officials in central London, Javid said that under the new laws, agents representing the interests of foreign powers in a "political or quasi-political capacity" will be required to disclose their relationship with their government in full details and also give information about related activities and finances. The new requirements are quite similar to a system in the United States where authorities can expel key figures from the country in response to alleged hostile state activity. "We have to ensure that we have the necessary powers to meet current and evolving threats to the UK, both domestically and overseas," said Javid. Javid said Britain's current treason laws will also be updated to include British nationals who operate on behalf of a hostile nation. The introduction of the new laws comes more than a year after Britain became locked in a dispute with Russia over a poisoning attack on a former Russian spy and his daughter in Salisbury, in southern England. London has accused the Russian government of carrying out the attack although it has yet to come up with clear evidences supporting its claims. Javid said the need for new espionage and terrorism laws evolved after government examined various dimensions of the attack in Salisbury. However, he said the new laws are not only meant to respond to what UK authorities call the increasing threats from Russia. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Jailed in the US, Russian Maria Butina Launches Legal Defense Fundraiser Sputnik News 22:00 20.05.2019 Maria Butina, a Russian national and gun rights activist who was imprisoned in the US after being accused of acting as a foreign agent, is seeking financial support for her legal costs, which include mounting an appeal of her charges. Butina, 30, was sentenced last month to 18 months in a US prison on charges of conspiring to act as a foreign agent in the United States. Butina pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy, believing she was bargaining for a plea deal, but a last-minute shift by the judge in how her sentence was evaluated led to her receiving a much longer sentence than she had been led to believe would be the case. Butina sought a sentence of time served and immediate deportation back to her native Russia, but was instead sentenced to another nine months behind bars in addition to the nine months she'd already spent in US custody. With good behavior, she could be released as early as November 5, Sputnik reported. The Russian Foreign Ministry slammed the decision as a "disgrace for the US judicial system," accusing the court of carrying out a "clear political order," Sputnik reported. After she was arrested in July 2018, Butina spent 67 days in solitary confinement, which far exceeds the 14-day maximum advised by international standards, after which the UN special rapporteur has stated the treatment becomes torturous. Now, however, Butina is appealing her case and is looking for sympathetic people to help her pay the costs. She took to the Russian social media site VKontakte to find some funds. In the post accompanying the video, someone wrote on Butina's behalf, "Greetings to you, dear friends! I conveyed to Masha [Maria] all the words of support that you wrote to her in private messages and in comments. Now it is especially important for her: this week, lawyers appealed to the US court in her case. At the moment, Masha is in a distribution center in Oklahoma and is waiting for her turn to be transferred to a federal prison. Audio/video calls and email are now available to her. " The post also links to a website with Butina's story, photos of the activist and of course, a place for supporters to donate to her fund. "It feels that I'm again back to [the] modern age. We have internet here," Butina says in the video, recorded at the federal transfer center in Oklahoma City. "As you know, my attorneys have filed an appeal, and we intend to fight against injustice that's happening with me right now and with all the Russian citizens [in the US]," Butina told her VK viewers. "I am just a manifestation of the current reality." "Any sum plays a major role," Butina said, citing an old Russian soldiers' motto: "Russians don't surrender!" Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Sunday on Russian television that "we aren't financing a lawyer, but we are doing everything so that she will be afforded all rights as a Russian citizen." Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address MI5, MI6 Briefed on Trump Dossier Before He Knew of Its Existence Report Sputnik News 15:31 20.05.2019(updated 15:32 20.05.2019) The dossier, compiled by former MI6 spy Christopher Steele, additionally contained allegations of Russian interference in Trump's election campaign. In April, a report by Special Counsel Robert Mueller concluded that there was no collusion between the US president and the Kremlin. The heads of the UK's MI5 and MI6 spy agencies were secretly briefed on a "dirty dossier" of 17 memos about US President Donald Trump's alleged ties to Russia before he even knew the document existed, The Telegraph reports. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Trump ostensibly having relations with Russia wrapped up last month and found no evidence of the US president colluding with Moscow. As for the "dirty dossier", it was created by former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele who also told UK Prime Minister Theresa May's top security advisors about his memos in the weeks after Trump's presidential election victory in 2016. Trump himself learned of the document in January 2017 when he was alerted by the FBI shortly before he took office. The dossier included allegations that Trump hired prostitutes to perform "degrading sex acts" in a Moscow hotel, something that was dismissed by him as a "failing pile of garbage". Trump also claimed that "sick people put that c**p together", slamming the dossier as a "fake" and "phoney" document. He argued the memos were deliberately leaked by US secret services in order to tarnish his reputation before the 2017 inauguration ceremony. "Does anyone believe that? I'm a germophobe", Trump said in response to the dossier's allegations about "golden showers" with Moscow prostitutes. Additionally, the document contained allegations of Russian interference in Trump's 2016 election campaign. Last month, however, Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential elections found no evidence of collusion between any member of the Trump campaign and Russia. Shortly after the release of the Mueller report, Trump reacted by saying in an interview with Fox News that it "was an attempted overthrow of the United States government". He drew parallels between the Mueller investigation and the Watergate scandal, which occurred between 1972 and 1974 and which finally led to then-US President Richard Nixon's resignation. Russia, in turn, has repeatedly denied any claims of interference in US politics, stressing that the allegations were made up to excuse the election loss of Trump's opponent, as well as deflect public attention from actual instances of election fraud. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Nation hopes US envoy respects facts on Tibet: FM Global Times By Zhang Hui Source:Global Times Published: 2019/5/20 21:53:40 China welcomed Terry Branstad, the US Ambassador to China, to visit Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, and hopes he could draw his own conclusions based on facts without prejudice, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday. Branstad is to see and understand the significant changes in the society, economy and people's lives in Tibet after the peaceful liberation some 60 years ago, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said at a routine press conference on Monday. Lu said that he hopes Branstad could draw his own conclusions based on respecting facts without prejudice, instead of being deluded or disturbed by hearsay or speeches, especially on the protection of culture, religion and promotion of history. Branstad was scheduled to visit Tibet and its neighboring Qinghai Province from Sunday to Saturday, Reuters reported on Monday. "This visit is a chance for the ambassador to engage with local leaders to raise longstanding concerns about restrictions on religious freedom and the preservation of Tibetan culture and language," Reuters quoted a spokesperson of the US embassy as saying in an emailed statement. Branstad's visit could serve as an opportunity for US officials to have a correct understanding of Tibet, change their improper policies on Tibet, and pave the way for improving ties between China and the US, 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. After seeing Tibet's development, US officials could have a comprehensive understanding on China, and realize that taking China as an enemy and suppressing China through ways like a trade war will never succeed, Zhu said. The visit, the first to the region by a US ambassador since 2015, came after the US Congress passed a bill in 2018 denying the entry of Chinese officials involved in restricting foreigners from visiting Tibet. Some US officials have accused China on Tibet's religious, cultural and other policies, and criticized China for banning them from visiting the region. Even if some US politicians use the opportunity to attack China on its Tibet policies, China would not care as the overall situation and future development of Tibet are in the hands of the Chinese people and could not be shaken by outside forces, Zhu said. Lu said at a press conference in December 2018 that nearly 40,000 US people have visited Tibet since 2015. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Agency plans for 1.4 billion EUR in upcoming business opportunities NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation By Communications Team 5/20/2019 The NATO Communications and Information (NCI) Agency is planning to release 1.4 billion EUR in business opportunities in the next 18 months. As NATO's tech and cyber leader, the Agency works to deliver technology and services to NATO Nations and Commands. During these next 18 months, the Agency plans to issue bids for, or award contracts in areas such as cyber security; joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and satellite communications. The Agency holds open competitions through Invitations for Bid, or IFBs. You can read more about the process here. Industry leaders will learn more about these opportunities over the next three days at NITEC. The Agency's annual flagship industry conference kicks off on 20 May 2019 in Oslo, Norway. Satellite Communications: The Agency plans to contract out 189 million EUR in satellite communications transmission services for the space, ground and control resources to support NATO operations from 2020 to 2034. Cyber Security: 129 million EUR is planned for refreshing and optimizing the security technology for NATO's communications and information systems. Deployable Communications and Information Systems (CIS): Through several other projects, the Agency is also planning to contract out 153.2 million EUR on deployable CIS and capability enhancements. Nuclear Command and Control Services: NATO plans to make investments in the order of 15-to-20 million EUR to ensure a safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent in the face of new technologies and threats. These funds will be used to develop software and procure IT equipment, among other things. Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Functional Services: NATO also plans to invest 10 million EUR in this area to develop software, replace certain ageing tools and support command and control of CBRN assets. Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance: The Agency plans to issue a bid worth 17 million EUR in the area of Joint ISR, to provide additional intelligence collecting and sharing capabilities to NATO Commands. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Carney Completes Formidable Shield 19 Navy News Service Story Number: NNS190520-15 Release Date: 5/20/2019 3:02:00 PM By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Fred Gray IV , U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) completed her support of the U.S.led multinational integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) exercise Formidable Shield (FS) 19, May 17. FS is a U.S. 6th Fleet-hosted exercise, conducted by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO). The 2019 exercise included 13 ships, more than 10 aircraft, and approximately 3,300 personnel from 12 countries, nine of which sent ships and aircraft. "The exercise was a great opportunity for partner nations to come together and coordinate engagement strategies," said Cmdr. Tyson Young, commanding officer of Carney. "This exercise allows us all to come together for the common goal of a more secure global environment." The exercise consisted of multiple training evolutions that included electronic warfare, surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and air defense. The air defense portion included live missile engagements by the Standard Missile (SM)-2, Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles, Aster 15, and Aster 30. Missiles were fired upon various targets, including subsonic Banshee and Firejet targets and air-launched supersonic drone targets. "It was a powerful feeling being able to push that button," said Fire Controlman (Aegis) 2nd Class Brendan Hall, from Westport, Massachusetts, on being the one to fire Carney's SM-2 missile during a live-fire portion of the exercise. "I have trained for this 'once-in-a-lifetime' moment since joining the Navy." Carney is scheduled to return to Rota, Spain, the ship's homeport, following a successful FS 19. U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PP19 Concludes Vietnam Mission Stop Navy News Service Story Number: NNS190520-07 Release Date: 5/20/2019 8:52:00 AM By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tyrell K. Morris, Pacific Partnership 2019 Public Affairs TUY HOA, Vietnam (NNS) -- Senior mission leadership, host nation and partner nation participants attended the closing ceremony of the sixth Pacific Partnership 2019 mission stop in Vietnam at April First Square, May 17. "Throughout our time here, we have strengthened existing friendships and created new ones," said Capt. Randy Van Rossum, Pacific Partnership 2019 mission commander. "It is clear that the U.S., Vietnam, and our partner nations have a strong desire to grow as a team." This year marked a decade that Pacific Partnership has been invited to Vietnam, but the first time the mission was hosted in Phu Yen Province. During their time in Vietnam, the PP19 team collaborated with their respective Phu Yen counterparts to complete five humanitarian and disaster response (HADR) events, four engineering projects, 12 host nation outreach events, nine band concerts, and 18 medical subject matter expert exchanges. Medical personnel from the U.S., Peru, and South Korea worked side-by-side at Phu Yen General Hospital and several clinics. Significant knowledge exchanges, that increase our collective capacity between partner nations, included topics such as pharmaceutical care, nursing, nutrition, infection control, blood and physical therapy. "During this mission stop we gained a better understanding of how critical it is to work well with our partner nations and how much we can learn from each other working side-by-side to combine our knowledge and experiences," said U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Avallone, an optometrist assigned to the Pacific Partnership team. Pacific Partnership began in response to one of the world's 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 an operation focused on enhancing partnerships through host nation subject matter expert and civil-military exchanges. U.S. Navy Seabees and U.S. Army engineers completed four construction and renovation projects at Vo Thi Sau Elementary School, Hoa Xuan Tay Commune Clinic, Chu Van An Elementary School and Hoa Phu Commune Clinic. The PP19 team also completed a groundbreaking ceremony at Kim Dong Primary School, facilitated by the Naval Facilities Engineering Command. "We were able to complete several projects to help build community resilience, which was rewarding for our team," said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Megan Rogers, officer in charge of the 84th Engineer Battalion team attached to Pacific Partnership 2019. The U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard also worked alongside local Vietnamese government organizations conducting HADR seminars. "Pacific Partnership acknowledges the complexity of disaster response operations and the leading part civilian organizations have," said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Gavin McBean, HADR team lead. "Working alongside the organizations has enabled the HADR team to learn from our partner nations, and given us the opportunity to build relationships." Pacific Partnership, now in its 14th iteration, is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Each year, the mission team works collectively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase stability and security in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 3 Haqqani militants arrested in Afghan capital: gov't People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 13:58, May 20, 2019 KABUL, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Three members of the Haqqani militant group have been arrested in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, the government said on Monday. "The National Directorate of Security (NDS) personnel launched an operation in Police District 8 of Kabul. As a result three members of Haqqani terrorist group were arrested," Presidential Information Coordination Center (Tawhid Center) said in a statement. The statement did not disclose the exact time of the operation conducted by the NDS, the primary intelligence agency of the country. As a Taliban-linked militant group, the Haqqani network, operating mostly in eastern provinces and the capital Kabul, has been responsible for many high-profile attacks against security forces. On Sunday night, a police officer was wounded after unknown men hurled a hand grenade on a security checkpoint in Dough Abad, an area in Police District 7 of Kabul, police spokesman Ferdous Faramarz confirmed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Qatar not invited to emergency summits in Saudi Arabia: Official Iran Press TV Mon May 20, 2019 06:03PM Qatar has not received an invitation to take part in two regional summits called to discuss attacks on Saudi oil assets inside the Arab kingdom and off the coasts of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a Qatari Foreign Ministry official says. "Qatar, which is still isolated from its neighbors, did not receive an invitation to attend the two summits," the director of the Qatari Foreign Ministry Information Office said on Twitter on Monday, citing State Minister for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi. Back in June 2017, Saudi Arabia cut its own ties with Doha, with Egypt, the UAE and Bahrain followed Riyadh's suit. The so-called Quartet accused Doha of sponsoring terrorism. Qatar strongly denied the charges. However, Saudi Arabia and its allies released a 13-point list of demands, including the closure of the Al Jazeera television network and the downgrading of relations with Iran, in return for the normalization of diplomatic relations with Doha. Qatar also rejected those demands, saying it was being targeted because of the independent policies which it pursued. Meanwhile, the Egypt-based League of Arab States said in a statement that its secretariat had on Sunday "circulated the invitation issued by (King Salman) to Arab leaders to convene an emergency Arab summit in Mecca." Arab leaders and heads of other Muslim countries are already due to convene in the Saudi holy city at the end of May for a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The Qatari Foreign Ministry's comment on the summits came two days after Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz proposed holding a summit of Persian Gulf Arab rulers and a larger meeting of all Arab leaders in the Saudi holy city of Mecca on May 30 to discuss last week's drone attacks on oil installations in Saudi Arabia and the "sabotage" inflicted on four vessels, including two Saudi oil tankers, off the coast of UAE's Fujairah port. Iran has already described the attack on vessels, including two Saudi oil tankers, an Emirati ship and the Norwegian tanker Andrea Victory, as "lamentable" and "worrying" and called for thorough investigations. Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of being behind the sabotage acts, an allegation strongly denied by Tehran. The UAE, a significant ally of Riyadh in its war on Yemen, said on Sunday said that the current "critical circumstances" in the region required a "unified Arab and [the Persian] Gulf stance." Riyadh has also accused Iran of "ordering" Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah fighters to conduct drone attacks on May 14 on two Saudi oil pumping stations in the towns of Dawadmi and Afif, which lie in the Najd region west of the capital Riyadh. Both Iran and Ansarullah have dismissed the allegation, with the latter saying that the Houthi movement, a significant ally of the Yemeni army, had conducted the attacks without receiving orders from any country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Algeria's army chief hails elections as best way out of crisis Iran Press TV Mon May 20, 2019 05:49PM The chief of Algerian armed forces says elections are the best way to overcome the country's political crisis and avoid a constitutional vacuum following the ouster of long-time leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Speaking on state television on Monday, Lieutenant-General Ahmed Gaed Salah also called for more speed in forming a committee to supervise the election, without specifying a date for the vote. Algerian authorities have announced that the presidential election is scheduled for July 4 but a source said on Friday it might be postponed. Under pressure from protesters and the army, Bouteflika quit last month after two decades in power but demonstrations are still pushing for political reforms and the departure of all figures associated with his regime. The North African country has been shaken by protests, mostly by young Algerians, demanding an end to the dominance of the elite that has been in charge since independence from France in 1962 as well as the prosecution of people they see as corrupt. On Friday, Algerian protesters gathered again in the capital Algiers to call for the resignation of the interim president, Abdelkader Bensalah, and Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui, appointed by Bouteflika days before he stepped down. Bouteflika announced his resignation on April 2 following weeks of protests against his rule that erupted over his decision to seek a fifth term. The 82-year-old had been in power for the past 20 years but was reportedly in poor health and had rarely appeared in public after suffering a stroke in 2013. Upon resignation, Bouteflika promised that elections would be held after 90 days as part of a transition he said would usher in a new era. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Algeria's parliament appoints interim president, students protest Iran Press TV Tue Apr 9, 2019 12:07PM Algeria's parliament appointed its upper house chairman as interim president following the resignation of ailing Abdelaziz Bouteflika in the face of weeks of mass demonstrations against his rule. Although Abdelkader Bensalah's appointment on Tuesday is in keeping with Algeria's constitution, protesters, who want sweeping reforms, oppose figures like Bensalah, a close associate of Bouteflika who dominated Algeria for almost 60 years. Shortly after the announcement in parliament, hundreds of mostly student protesters gathered in central Algiers, chanting slogans against Bensalah. Police used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators. Algeria's powerful military, long seen as a kingmaker in Algerian politics, is yet to react to Bensalah's appointment, but Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Gaid Salah carefully managed Bouteflika's exit after six weeks of mostly peaceful demonstrations. Salah has also expressed support for protesters. Upon resignation, Bouteflika promised that elections would be held after 90 days as part of a transition he said would usher in a new era. Under the Algerian constitution, Bensalah will remain interim president until new elections are held. "We must work to allow the Algerian people elect their president as soon as possible," the interim president told parliament. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Fresh Saudi strike leaves four civilians dead, nearly dozen injured in Yemen Iran Press TV Mon May 20, 2019 02:55PM At least four civilians have been killed when Saudi military aircraft carried out an airstrike on Yemen's northwestern province of Hajjah as the Riyadh regime presses ahead with its bombardment campaign against its southern neighbor. Saudi fighter jets conducted the aerial assault against a vehicle as it was traveling along a road in the Mustaba district of the province on Monday afternoon, leaving four people dead and eleven others injured, unnamed local sources told Yemen's Arabic-language al-Masirah television network. Earlier in the day, two people lost their lives and a child girl sustained injuries when Saudi-backed militiamen loyal to Yemen's former president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi shelled a house in the Qa'atabah district of the southwestern Yemeni province of Dhale. The development came only a few hours after Yemeni soldiers and allied fighters from Popular Committees struck a battle tank belonging to Saudi-paid militiamen in the same Yemeni district, killing scores of the mercenaries in the process. Yemeni troops and their allies have launched a major offensive to retake the town of Qa'atabah from the grip of Saudi-sponsored forces. A Yemeni military source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the operation has led in the recapture of more than 70 percent of the town, destruction of dozens of cars and armored vehicles belonging to Saudi mercenaries as well as deaths and injuries of more than 150 militiamen. Saudi Arabia and a number of its regional allies launched a devastating campaign against Yemen in March 2015, with the goal of bringing the government of Hadi back to power and crushing the Houthi Ansarullah movement. The US-based Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), a nonprofit conflict-research organization, estimates the the Saudi-led war has claimed the lives of over 60,000 Yemenis since January 2016. The war has also taken a heavy toll on the country's infrastructure, destroying hospitals, schools, and factories. The UN says over 24 million Yemenis are in dire need of humanitarian aid, including 10 million suffering from extreme levels of hunger. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Palestinians will not attend US-sponsored conference in Bahrain: Minister Iran Press TV Mon May 20, 2019 02:34PM Palestine's Minister of Social Development Ahhmed Majdalani says Palestinians will not participate in an economic conference sponsored by Washington in Bahrain next month as US President Donald Trump will unveil the first part of his so-called "deal of the century" to end the Palestine-Israel conflict during the summit. "There will be no Palestinian participation in the Manama workshop," he said at a cabinet meeting on Monday. Majdalani, who is also a member of the executive committee of the umbrella Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), said "Any Palestinian who would take part would be nothing but a collaborator for the Americans and Israel." Earlier in the day, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said that his government had not been consulted about "the reported workshop, neither over the content, nor the outcome, nor timing." Remarks by Majdalani and Shtayyeh came just a day after the White House announced that the first part of Trump's so-called "peace plan," which is spearheaded by his son-in-law Jared Kushner, would be unveiled in Bahrain's capital, Manama. The US will host the economic conference on June 25 and 26 to purportedly encourage investment in the occupied West Bank, and the besieged Gaza Strip. Relations between the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the US took an unprecedented dip in late 2017, when Washington recognized Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's "capital." Since then, Palestinians have shown little interest in discussing a plan that they anticipate will fall far short of their core demands. The Trump administration has said that its secret plan, which has been dismissed by Palestinian authorities even before being unveiled, would require compromise by both sides. The PA, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, is facing steep aid cuts. Since being shunned by Palestinians, the White House has slashed hundreds of millions of dollars to humanitarian organizations. Palestinians want the West Bank as part of a future independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem al-Quds as its capital. However, Israel insists on maintaining the occupation of Palestinian territories. Also reacting to news of the upcoming conference, Bahrain's main opposition group, the al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, has described the US "deal of the century" as a plan to sell Jerusalem al-Quds and Palestine, slamming it as "high treason." The group criticized the ruling Al Khalifah regime for hosting the conference, saying that is a departure from all national, Islamic and humanitarian principles. Trump has time and again called his plan as "The Deal of the Century," but it is coincidentally the title of a 1983 comedy, which features a bunch of hapless arms dealers competing to sell a weapon, called the Peacemaker, to a South American dictator. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Palestinian cabinet not consulted on US-led Bahrain summit, PM says Iran Press TV Mon May 20, 2019 10:41AM Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh says his government has not been consulted about an economic conference that the United Stated will hold in Bahrain next month. The White House announced on Sunday that the first part of President Donald Trump's so-called "peace plan," which is spearheaded by his son-in-law Jared Kushner, will be unveiled in Bahrain's capital, Manama. The US will host the economic conference on June 25 and 26 to purportedly encourage investment in the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. "The cabinet wasn't consulted about the reported workshop, neither over the content, nor the outcome, nor timing," Shtayyed told Palestinian ministers in the presence of reporters on Monday. Relations between the Palestinian Authority and the US took an unprecedented dip in late 2017, when Washington recognized Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's "capital." The Trump administration has said that its secret plan, which has been dismissed by Palestinian authorities even before being unveiled, would require compromise by both sides. 'We don't trade our political rights' The Palestinian Authority is facing steep aid cuts. Since being shunned by Palestinians, Trump's administration has slashed hundreds of millions of dollars to humanitarian organizations. "The financial crisis the Palestinian Authority is living through today is a result of the financial war that is being launched against us in order to win political concessions," Shtayyeh said. "We do not submit to blackmail and we don't trade our political rights for money," he added. Palestinians want the West Bank as part of a future independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem al-Quds as its capital. However, Israel insist on maintaining the occupation of Palestinian territories. 'High treason' Also reacting to news of the upcoming conference, Bahrain's main opposition group, the al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, has described the US "deal of the century" as a plan to sell Jerusalem al-Quds and Palestine, slamming it as "high treason," the Arabic-language Lualua television network reported. The group criticized the ruling Al Khalifah regime for hosting the conference, saying that is a departure from all national, Islamic and humanitarian principles. Al-Wefaq further said the Bahraini people are opposed to the "desecration" of their country and efforts for converting it into a "station" to sign a new version of the Balfour Declaration - the document that led to Israel's creation. The group noted that the Al Khalifah regime's move to host the "disastrous project" is no surprise, adding Manama's recent rapprochement with the Israeli regime comes as it "lacks popular legitimacy" and seeks international support in an attempt to sustain its legitimacy. Al-Wefaq called on all Bahrains and "free governments" to reject the initiative and stop the "dangerous development" from proceeding. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Satellite images show major damage to Saudi oil sites as Yemen vows to attack 300 targets Iran Press TV Mon May 20, 2019 09:22AM Satellite imagery has revealed the extent of damage to Saudi Arabia's oil facilities caused by Yemen's drone strikes last Tuesday, which forced the kingdom to temporarily stop oil flow in a major pipeline. The Qatari television network Al Jazeera reported on Sunday that the attacks had caused significant damage to Saudi energy giant Aramco's Pump Station 8. The drone strikes reportedly caused a 4-meter rupture in one of the station's main oil pipes, causing severe leakage in an area of around a thousand square meters. The Yemeni army, in coordination with the Houthi Ansarullah movement, announced last Tuesday that they had launched drones to attack "critical facilities" deep inside Saudi territory. Hours later, Saudi officials confirmed that two oil pumping stations in Dawadmi and Afif provinces in the Riyadh region had been targeted and that oil flow in the east-west oil pipeline, which carries between 3 and 5 million barrels a day, had been brought to a halt. The attacks have been regarded as the beginning of a new era in the years-long deadly war, which has so far killed thousands of Yemeni civilians and plunged the impoverished country into a growing humanitarian crisis. War enters new stage Afif and Dawadmi are located about 850 kilometers from Sa'ada, Yemen's northernmost city. The attack bears extra significance at this stage of the war because it indicates that Yemeni forces were able to fly their armed drones a long distance and carry out precision strikes and then fly them back while evading Saudi defenses all along. The long-range drones open unlimited possibilities for Yemeni resistance forces, which have already surpassed all expectations by surviving the massive Saudi onslaught and mounted a potent response with an arsenal of ballistic missiles. A source within the Yemeni Ministry of Defense said on Sunday night that the oil facilities attacked on May 14 were only two of the 300 critical targets that the resistance forces were planning to attack in the near future in retaliation for the Saudi aggression. The targets include military bases and other vital infrastructure across Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates -- the two main perpetrators of the war, the unnamed official said, adding the positions of Saudi mercenaries inside Yemen were also on the list. The source asserted that the war had entered a "new chapter" and "substantial developments" were expected in all areas. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sudan's junta and protest leaders fail to reach deal, agree to hold more talks Iran Press TV Mon May 20, 2019 05:45AM Sudan's junta and protest leaders have ended another round of negotiations without any agreement on the structure of an interim government to rule the country following the ouster of president, Omar al-Bashir, with more talks planned on Monday. After hours of negotiations through the night, the Transitional Military Council and the Alliance for Freedom and Change failed to finalize the makeup of the interim government that would rule for a transitional period of three years, media reported on Monday. The ruling military council announced the talks would resume at 9:00 p.m. local time (1900 GMT). "The structure of the sovereign authority has been discussed," Lieutenant General Shamseddine Kabbashi, spokesman of the military council, told reporters. "It's agreed to resume negotiations today (Monday) evening... hoping to reach a final deal." The Sudanese Professional Association the group that initially launched the protest campaign against Bashir in December said Monday that it was in no rush to finalize the deal. "We are not in a hurry for the crucial victory... whatever be the outcome, it will be a step forward," it wrote on Twitter without elaborating. The junta and protest leaders have been at loggerheads on the leadership of the new governing body. The junta leaders are insisting that the new body be military-led; however, the protest leaders say they are determined to have a majority civilian body led by a civilian. The country's new ruling body must be "led by a civilian as its chairman and with a limited military representation," the Alliance for Freedom and Change representing protesters had said in a statement before the talks. The existing military council is headed by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the generals insist that the overall new body be led by the army. Cleric Mohamed Ali Jazuli said at a protest rally on Saturday in a warning to the military council that, "If you consider handing over power to a certain faction, then we will consider it a coup." Before talks were suspended earlier this week, the generals and protest leaders had agreed on several key issues, including a three-year transition period and the creation of a 300-member parliament, with two thirds of lawmakers to come from the protesters' umbrella group. But those talks were marred by violence after five protesters and an army major were shot dead near the ongoing sit-in outside the military headquarters in central Khartoum, where thousands have camped out for weeks. Initially, the protesters had gathered to demand Bashir resign due to the dire economic situation in the country, but they have stayed put after Bashir's ouster to exert pressure on the junta to step aside. The protesters had also erected roadblocks on some streets in the capital to put further pressure on the generals during negotiations, but the junta demanded that they be removed and protesters duly took the roadblocks down in recent days. The protesters, however, said they will put the roadblocks back if the army fails to transfer power to a civilian administration. Saudi 'aid' Saudi Arabia has deposited $250 million in Sudan's central bank as part of what it claims to be an aid package announced following Bashir's ouster. "The ministry of finance has deposited 937.5 million Saudi riyals into the central bank of Sudan," it said in a statement Sunday. In April, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates announced three billion dollars in financial "aid" for Sudan. The UAE said on April 28 it was depositing $250 million in Sudan's central bank. Such packages are, however, being viewed as an attempt to prop up Sudan's military rulers who are facing mounting pressure from protesters to cede power to a civilian government. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US warship sails in disputed South China Sea amid escalating trade tensions Iran Press TV Mon May 20, 2019 04:45AM The US military says its warships have sailed close to the islands claimed by Beijing in the disputed South China Sea, in a move that angered China, which is already engaged in trade tensions with Washington. A US military spokesman, Commander Clay Doss, said Sunday that the guided-missile destroyers Preble sailed near China's man-made islands on Monday. The warship sailed "within 12 nautical miles of Scarborough Reef in order to challenge excessive maritime claims and preserve access to the waterways as governed by international law," said Doss. Beijing which claims almost all of the South China Sea is yet to react to the operation, the second such activity this month. Reacting to the move, China's Foreign Ministry said it "strongly urges US to stop such provocative actions." The ministry's spokesman Lu Kang made the comment at a daily news briefing in Beijing on Monday. 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. 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. It has also urged the US on numerous occasions to stop meddling in Beijing's territorial disputes with its neighbors, which have competing sovereignty claims to the strategic waters. The US, however, has been taking sides with several of China's neighboring countries. 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. The latest move by the US military came as Washington has escalated its trade dispute with Beijing over the past weeks, raising speculations that tensions could even extend beyond the trade sphere and affect other areas of contention, including Taiwan as well as the South China Sea. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Armenian PM Calls For Radical Justice Reforms As 'Second Phase Of Revolution' By RFE/RL's Armenian Service May 20, 2019 Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has called for a radical reform of the country's judiciary -- contending that many courts have lost their legitimacy and too many judges are beholden to the country's former authorities. Pashinian said in a speech at a conference attended by Armenia's military, judicial, and political leaders on May 20 that while the country had formed legitimate executive and legislative branches of power in the last year, the judicial system remained under the influence of the former "corrupt government." He described his plan for judicial reform as the "second phase" of the bloodless revolution that swept him to power a year ago. Pashinian said that all judges whose rulings were found unlawful by the European Court of Human Rights must be dismissed and that he was willing to consider constitutional amendments to bring about the necessary reforms. "The time has come for a surgical intervention," he said, a day after calling on citizens to block the entrance to courts to protest the release from custody of bitter foe and former President Robert Kocharian, who is facing corruption and coup charges. Pashinian, who came to power after leading a wave of nationwide protests last spring against longtime leader Serzh Sarkisian, said that all judges must now be subjected to a "vetting process" that will reveal whether they can serve as independent justices. "I cannot and do not want to make judgments on the legality and validity of the decisions made by the judiciary. This is not within my powers. Regardless, it's obvious that the decisions of the judiciary are deeply mistrusted by the people," he said. "The people of Armenia still view the judicial authorities as a remnant of the former corrupt system where conspiracy is constantly being planned and implemented against the people," Pashinian said. "To what extent this presumption is realistic and well-grounded, is another matter, but the fact that the judiciary doesn't have the trust of the people means that it also doesn't have an enough legitimacy to operate," he added. Armenia's leading opposition forces have denounced the blockading of the courts, saying the move violates an article of the constitution that bans any outside interference in the work of the judiciary. "If [Pashinian] is politically disappointed with some people, he must not express that by exerting pressure on the courts and by disrupting and paralyzing the work of the courts," Gevorg Petrosian, a senior representative of the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK), the second largest in parliament, told RFE/RL's Armenian Service. The 64-year-old Kocharian went on trial earlier this month on charges of overthrowing the constitutional order during the final weeks of his decade-long rule, which ended in April 2008. During the protests that erupted in March 2008, eight protesters and two police officers were killed after Kocharian sent in security forces to disperse the demonstration. Kocharian's order came after he declared a three-week state of emergency. Before serving as Armenia's president from 1998 to 2008, Kocharian was the leader of Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenian-backed separatists seized control of the mainly Armenian-populated region from Azerbaijan during a war in the early 1990s that killed some 30,000 people, and diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict have brought little progress. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/armenians-heed- call-to-block-courts-pashinian-to-speak-on-second-phase -of-revolution/29952220.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 Main Serbian Party Wins By Landslide In Northern Kosovo Mayoral Poll By RFE/RL's Balkan Service May 20, 2019 PRISTINA -- Candidates from the main Kosovo Serb party took more than 90 percent of the vote in snap mayoral elections that were held in four predominantly ethnic Serb municipalities in northern Kosovo, according preliminary official results and independent monitors. Electoral authorities said that nearly 25,000 people had cast ballots in the May 19 elections, taking the turnout to 42.4 percent. The polls were called after the four mayors of North Mitrovica, Zvecan, Leposavic, and Zubin Potok resigned in November 2018, days after the government in Pristina imposed a 100 percent tax on Serbian and Bosnian products. Serbia's former province of Kosovo declared independence in 2008, and is recognized as a sovereign state by well over 100 countries but not by Belgrade. Kosovo's Central Election Commission said that Serbian List head Goran Rakic swept to victory in North Mitrovica with 90.1 percent of the vote, Srdjan Vulovic in Zubin Potok with 94.5 percent, Zoran Todic in Leposavic with 96.6 percent, and Vucina Jankovic in Zvecan with 94.7 percent. Democracy in Action (DnV), a coalition of nongovernmental organizations that monitored the election process, also reported that the Serbian List candidates had garnered more than 90 percent of the vote in each of the four municipalities. The Serbian List was the only party representing ethnic Serbs that contested the snap elections. Two ethnic Albanian parties, the Democratic Party of Kosovo and Self-Determination (Vetevendosje), also ran candidates. Kosovo's authorities said that the election process ran smoothly and without any problems, but DnV observers reported some irregularities during election day. "Family voting [more than one person in the voting booth] was noticed in 23 polling stations, complaints about voting lists in six cases, voting outside the booth was noticed in five cases, and an attempt to vote more than once was noticed in two cases," DnV said in a statement. Kosovo's government said the tax that triggered the resignations of the four mayors was in retaliation for what it said were Belgrade's attempts to undermine its statehood, such as spearheading a campaign to scupper Pristina's bid to join Interpol and blocking it from UN membership. The move drew angry reactions from Belgrade and Sarajevo and calls from the European Union and the United States to revoke the measure. With reporting by Balkan Insight Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/main-serbian- party-wins-by-landslide-in-northern-kosovo- mayoral-poll/29953228.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 Austrian Far-Right Ministers Leave Government Amid 'Russian Video' Scandal May 20, 2019 Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPO) says that all its ministers will step down from the coalition government amid a corruption scandal. The political crisis was triggered last week by a 2017 video purportedly showing FPO leader Heinz-Christian Strache offering contracts to a potential Russian benefactor in exchange for political donations. Strache stepped down as vice chancellor on May 18, and Chancellor Sebastian Kurz on May 20 called on the president to dismiss Interior Minister Herbert Kickl, saying that the FPO minister stood in the way of a transparent investigation into the scandal. The FPO retaliated by withdrawing the rest of its ministers from the government, leaving Kurz without ministers for foreign affairs, defense, labor, and infrastructure. President Alexander van der Bellen called for early elections to be held in September. In the video published by German media on May 17, the woman speaks Russian and identifies herself as the niece of a wealthy Russian businessman. Another FPO official is shown translating from German into Russian. The encounter allegedly took place on the Spanish island of Ibiza in July 2017, three months before the elections that brought the FPO into the coalition government and made Strache vice chancellor. The Kremlin shrugged off suspicions of involvement in the scandal. "It does not concern the Russian Federation, nor its president, nor its government," Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "We do not know who this woman is, whether she is Russian or not." In 2016, the FPO signed a cooperation agreement with Putin's United Russia party. Based on reporting by dpa, the BBC, and TASS Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/austrian-far- right-ministers-leave-government-amid-russian -video-scandal/29953264.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 Maduro Proposes Early Elections For Opposition-led National Assembly - Report Sputnik News 23:06 20.05.2019(updated 23:33 20.05.2019) The country's opposition, headed by self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido, won a majority in the National Assembly in the 2015 vote. The next congressional elections are currently scheduled for late 2020. Legitimate president of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro proposed on Monday early elections for the National Assembly, Reuters reported. Meanwhile, Carlos Vecchio, Guaido's envoy to the US, has reportedly held meetings with Pentagon and US State Department officials following Guaido's "request" of support from US military forces in the ongoing political and humanitarian crisis inside the South American country. Earlier in April Guaido made an attempt to depose Maduro, staging a demonstration in front of La Carlota military base in Caracas. However, the attempt has "failed completely," as the Venezuelan government has put it. Following the failed coup attempt, Guaido's National Assembly deputy, Edgar Zambrano, was jailed for treason, conspiracy and civil rebellion. Another Americo de Grazia reportedly took refuge in the Italian embassy in Caracas, while a third Luis Florido fled Venezuela for neighbouring Colombia. Venezuela has been embroiled in a political standoff, which escalated after opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself the country's interim president in late January, in a move immediately supported by the US and its allies. Maduro accused Guaido of being a "puppet", while blasting Washington for orchestrating a coup in the Latin American country. The US Treasury has imposed several rounds of sanctions on Venezuelan state companies since January. The total damages from US sanctions against Venezuela have already reportedly exceeded $100 billion dollars. Russia, China, Cuba, Bolivia, Turkey and a number of other countries have voiced their support for Maduro as the only legitimate president of Venezuela. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Saudi Air Defence Intercepts Two Houthis Missiles in Mecca Province - Report Sputnik News 22:12 20.05.2019(updated 22:50 20.05.2019) Saudi Arabia's air defence system has reportedly intercepted two Houthi missiles in the Mecca province, Reuters reported, citing a statement from the kingdom's embassy in Washington DC. The Houthi faction has denied Saudi media reports of an attack, according to Reuters. A spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen reported that the Saudi air defence neutralized "aerial targets" flying over areas in the Jeddah and Taif provinces, Reuters reported. This is not the first time the Saudi military has reported a missile interception over their territory. Earlier, local media reported that Yemen's Shia Houthi rebels intended to attack some 300 critical infrastructure facilities in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The SABA news agency reported at the time that the Houthis would attack 299 additional targets, including military and strategic facilities in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The report followed drone attacks against Saudi Arabia's oil facilities on Tuesday. Yemen has been engulfed in an armed conflict between the government forces led by President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and the Houthi rebels for several years. The Saudi-led coalition has been carrying out airstrikes against the Houthis at Hadi's request since March 2015. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Qatari Broadcaster Shows Alleged Satellite Images of Damaged Saudi Oil Sites Sputnik News 18:16 20.05.2019(updated 18:18 20.05.2019) Two Saudi oil facilities located along a major pipeline were hit in a drone attack on Tuesday, which prompted Riyadh to temporarily shut down the pipeline and carry out retaliatory airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen. Qatar's Al Jazeera broadcaster has shared what it calls satellite imagery showing the damage dealt to a Saudi oil station in a Houthi drone attack. According to Al Jazeera, the images were taken one day after the attack on Saudi Aramco's pumping station 8, located some 330 kilometres west of the kingdom's capital, Riyadh. Satellite image analysis is said to have shown a four-metre fracture in the tube, which resulted in crude oil leaking over an estimated area of 1,000 square meters. It is understood that the precision of the attack, which apparently hadn't affected the nearby administrative and residential buildings, rules out claims that the pipeline hit was coincidental. While Riyadh is yet to comment on the images, Saudi officials confirmed last Tuesday that pumping station 9 was also targeted in the drone attacks. The two stations sit along the key East-West pipeline, which stretches across the entire peninsula from the Abqaiq oil field in the east to the Yanbu oil terminal on the Red Sea coast. Riyadh claimed that the attacks were ordered by Iran and carried out by Houthi militants, who are fighting against the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. Iran rejected the accusations, while the Houthis claimed responsibility for the operation. Yemen's Houthi-run Almasirah TV channel quoted a military spokesman as denying that Iran directed the strike and said that the rebel movement was manufacturing drones locally. The attack came "in response to the continued aggression and blockade of our people and we are prepared to carry out more unique and harsh strikes," the official said, according to Almasirah. The strike did not disrupt oil production or exports, but led Saudi Arabia to temporarily halt pumping crude oil via the pipeline. Days later, the coalition said in a statement via a Saudi broadcaster that it had struck military bases, facilities and weapons storage sites with the aim of "neutralising the ability of the Houthi militia to carry out acts of aggression". Prior to the attack on the oil facilities, two Saudi oil tankers were damaged in what Gulf officials described as an "act of sabotage". The Houthis have repeatedly targeted military and oil facilities inside Saudi Arabia with rockets, but have been increasingly utilising drones as well. According to Yemen's state-run SABA news agency, the rebels plan to attack another three hundred targets, including Saudi and Emirati military and strategic sites. Since early 2015, Yemen has been in the grips of an armed conflict between government forces led by President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and the Houthi movement. The Houthis have taken control over swathes of the country, including the capital Sanaa, forcing the internationally recognised president to flee and later request military assistance from the Arab League, which ultimately resulted in a Saudi Arabia-led operation against Houthi positions in Yemen. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Venezuela Oil Output in April Drops to 16-Year Low - US Energy Department Sputnik News 17:54 20.05.2019 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Venezuela's oil production hit a 16 year low in April as a result of mismanagement as well as US sanctions against the nation's energy sector, the Energy Information Administration said in a report on Monday. In April, Venezuela's crude oil production averaged 830,000 barrels per day (b/d), down from 1.2 million b/d at the beginning of the year," the report said. "This average is the lowest level since January 2003, when a nationwide strike and civil unrest largely brought the operations of Venezuela's state oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA), to a halt." Widespread power outages, mismanagement of the country's oil industry and US sanctions directed at Venezuela's energy sector and PDVSA have all contributed to the recent declines, the report said. The document also predicted that oil production would continue falling and possibly accelerate throughout 2019 as sanctions-related deadlines pass. The deadlines include provisions that third-party entities using the US financial system halt transactions with PDVSA by 28 April and that US companies, including oil service companies and companies involved in the oil sector must cease operations in Venezuela by 27 July, the report said. The situation in Venezuela has been tense since January when US-backed opposition leader Guaido illegally declared himself the country's interim president after disputing Maduro's re-election. The United States and 54 countries have recognized Guaido. However, Russia, China, Cuba, Bolivia, Turkey and a number of other countries have said they recognize Maduro as the only legitimate president of Venezuela. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Indian Army Warns Pakistan Against Any Misadventure Along the Border Sputnik News 16:05 20.05.2019(updated 21:03 20.05.2019) The latest warning by the Indian Army comes amidst existing sourness in Indian-Pakistan relations, triggered by the Pakistan-based terror group attacking Indian security personnel and India avenging it through air strikes on Pakistan-based alleged terror camps. New Delhi (Sputnik): The Indian Army on Monday warned Pakistan to keep away from the Line of Control (LoC), the border dividing the two neighbouring countries. Speaking to media, the Indian Army's Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, said: "They [Pakistani forces] dare not try and come anywhere across the Line of Control to carry out any kind of actions. Our deterrence and the articulation of our military strategy has been absolutely clear. Should there be any misadventure by the Pakistan armed forces, they shall always be given a befitting reply." "I wish to assure you, the Indian armed forces have the capability, the resolve and operational plans absolutely geared up to take on any challenge from Pakistan whenever it arises," the army officer told reporters. He also slammed Pakistan, accusing it of indulging in a proxy war with their cross border mischiefs. "The security situation in Jammu & Kashmir is under control. Across the Line of Control, Pakistan has continued with its activities which are mainly anti-India. With promoting cross border infiltration, ceasefire violations, drug-trafficking, narcotics and circulation of fake Indian currency, they are working towards ensuring that the proxy war by them against India continues." "But I must assure you that our efforts to thwart each of these actions by them are in place and Pakistan is not able to succeed in their designs," he added. Pakistan has time and again denied the allegations by India of waging a proxy war, terming them baseless. Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh further asserted that the check on militancy in Jammu and Kashmir was vindicated by the fact that the Indian Parliamentary elections in the region, were held in a largely peaceful manner with no serious mishappening. "There wasn't any major violence during this period. While we have been able to ensure peaceful elections, we have continued with our effort towards neutralisation of terrorists based on very hard specific intelligence that led to surgical operations (against militants)." Last month, Pakistan had warned India against testing to resolve of its military, saying it had the capability to protect its citizens. Pakistan's military spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor accused India of relying on false claims about the Indian Air Force's air strike on alleged terror camps in Balakot region of Pakistan, which happened subsequent to the terror attack on Indian security forces in Pulwama region of Jammu and Kashmir by a Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist that left 40 security personnel killed. The Pakistani military spokesperson urged India to be a more responsible nuclear power. "In your rhetoric, you keep using nuclear power as a threat," Ghafoor said. "Nuclear powers are not a threat, they are a weapon of deterrence that should not be mentioned lightlyDo not test our resolve." Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese Navy Warns US Destroyer Sailing in S China Sea as Trade War Reaches Peak Sputnik News 08:36 20.05.2019(updated 12:26 20.05.2019) The disputed South China Sea is just one of a number of flashpoints in the US-China relationship, which also include a raging trade war, with Washington imposing new tariffs and Beijing responding with tit-for-tat measures last week, as well as the US blacklisting Huawei tech giant. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman has accused the US of violating Chinese sovereignty as a US destroyer sailed in the South China Sea against the backdrop of spiralling tension between the world's two largest economies. According to Lu Kang, navy vessels of China's People's Liberation Army identified the destroyer and issued a subsequent warning. "I must emphasise that the actions of the American vessel violated the sovereignty of China, as well as threatening peace, security and order in the waters concerned." China has condemned this act and expressed strong protest in this regard, the official added. "The United States ignores the will of countries of the region to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. They claim the right to freedom of air and sea navigation as a pretext to endanger peace and stability in the region." "We strongly urge the United States to put an end to such provocations. China will continue to take all necessary measures to protect its national sovereignty and security, as well as maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea," he concluded. Earlier in the day, the US military said in a statement that the US guided-missile destroyer Preble had sailed near the disputed Scarborough Shoal, claimed by China in the South China Sea. "Preble sailed within 12 nautical miles of Scarborough Reef in order to challenge excessive maritime claims and preserve access to the waterways, as governed by international law," Commander Clay Doss, a spokesman for the Seventh Fleet, told Reuters. The US military operation was the second of this kind within the span of a month and the latest attempt to counter what Washington sees as Beijing's efforts to limit freedom of navigation in the strategic waters, where Chinese, Japanese and some Southeast Asian navies operate. The US has also voiced concern over China's construction of industrial outposts and military facilities on artificial islands in the South China Sea, with Beijing saying that it has the sovereign right to send troops to any part of its territory, and defending its construction as vital for self-defence. China has repeatedly accused the US of carrying out provocations in the South China Sea, warning the country against sending vessels and warplanes close to the islands and reefs claimed by Beijing, urging its economic rival to "stop actions that undermine China's sovereignty and security interests". China claims almost all of the strategic South China Sea and frequently rails against the United States and its allies over naval operations conducted near Chinese-claimed islands. Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia and Taiwan all have competing claims in the region as well. The disputed South China Sea is just one of a growing number of flashpoints in the US-China relationship, which also include a trade tug-of-war. In response to new US tariffs announced by President Donald Trump amid trade talks, China has adopted a more tough stance in its trade war and slapped the United States with tit-for-tat measures, stating the resumption of talks between the two economies would be pointless unless Washington revised its course. In addition to this, last week the United States announced telecoms equipment maker Huawei Technologies Co Ltd would be placed on a blacklist that could make it extremely difficult for the company to do business with the US in a move slammed by Beijing. Nevertheless, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang, when asked about state media reports suggesting there would be no more trade negotiations, responded that China always sought to resolve disputes with the United States via dialogue. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sudan's Military Council, Opposition Resume Talks in Khartoum Sputnik News 06:38 20.05.2019 CAIRO (Sputnik) - The Sudanese Transitional Military Council (TMC) and the opposition Forces for the Declaration of Freedom and Change resumed talks in Khartoum on Sunday after a three-day break, according to the TMC statement. "A new round of negotiations has started at the presidential palace between the military council and Forces for the Declaration of Freedom and Change," the statement said. Sudan has experienced months of anti-government protests, which culminated in a military coup on April 11. The TMC came to power and pledged to hold a new election within two years. Then-President Omar Bashir, who had been in power for 30 years, was overthrown and then imprisoned. However, the protests have continued, with the demonstrators demanding that the military hand power to a new civilian government. As a result of the talks on Wednesday, the TMC and the opposition reached an agreement on a three-year transitional period in the country. The negotiations were supposed to continue on Thursday, but the TMC announced that it had decided to take a three-day break in the talks and remove all barricades erected by protesters in Khartoum, reportedly criticizing the demonstrators for blocking off roads and bridges in the capital. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hunger in Yemen: WFP considers aid suspension in face of repeated interference by some Houthi leaders 20 May 2019 - The UN emergency food relief agency said on Monday that without full access and "freedom to decide" who receives lifesaving aid, in Houthi rebel-controlled areas of Yemen, it could be forced to implement a "phased suspension". In a statement, Senior Spokesperson for the World Food Programme (WFP), Herve Verhoosel, said that after more than four years of brutal conflict between Houthis and a Government-led coalition for control of the country, "our greatest challenge does not come from the guns" but instead "the obstructive and uncooperative role of some of the Houthi leaders in areas under their control." He said humanitarians working in Yemen were being denied access to the hungry, with aid convoys blocked, and local authorities interfering with who gets food. 'This has to stop' He said after repeated warnings to stop diverting food, progress with violators now needed to be made. "This phased suspension of WFP operations will be taken as a last resort and we will do everything within our powers to ensure that the weakest and most vulnerable especially children do not suffer." He added that relief efforts which "directly target malnourished children and women will continue, in order to mitigate any regrettable impact that a partial suspension may have on their health and well-being. We owe this to the people of Yemen and our international donors who support our operation." The Senior Spokesperson noted that some of the Houthi leaders had made "positive commitments" and were working closely with WFP to allow a "fully independent humanitarian process of selecting the most needy" to become a reality. But others had "unfortunately broken assurances they gave us". He said a previous impasse with the Saudi-led coalition in 2017, had been successfully resolved over their refusal to allow new cranes and vital aid shipments into the crucial port of Hudaydah: "The coalition leaders listened and in time, the cranes were delivered, and the port was reopened to aid." WFP still hopes that good sense will prevail and a suspension will not happen", said Mr. Verhoosel. "The ultimate responsibility for the welfare of their people lies with the Yemeni leadership. If WFP is allowed to deliver an operation that meets minimum international standards, we are still ready to play our part and to ensure a better future for the millions of Yemenis who are struggling to feed their families." Around 360,000 children in Yemen are suffering severe acute malnutrition, and UN relief chief Mark Lowcock, told the Security Council last week that the "spectre of famine still looms", with a resurgence of deadly cholera sickening 300,000 Yemenis this year alone. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cambodia: Giving back to UN peacekeeping 20 May 2019 - It's an overcast morning, in South Sudan's capital Juba, and growling thunder announces the start of some light rain. Standing in the drizzle in his military police uniform, is Colonel Channy Vongvannak, the commander of the Cambodian Force Military Police at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). He is inspecting a water purification plant within the Cambodian quarters where his troops process potable water for their daily use. "Every day in our water treatment plant, we produce about 10,000 litres of clean, drinking water," says Colonel Vongvannak, water which is available to all staff at the mission. It's not the responsibility of the Cambodian contingent to process the water for UN colleagues, but it is an indication of a cooperative and collegial approach to peacekeeping, which is born of a recent historical link. "Cambodia received peacekeeping troops in 1993, and we feel that we have to contribute in the same way as other countries did when they worked in the UN mission in our country," remembers Colonel Vongvannak. "So, we understand that countries and people suffer during conflict - and they need help." UN peacekeepers from around the world were deployed to Cambodia between February 1992 and September 1993 as part of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) which was established to ensure implementation of a political settlement of the conflict in the south-east Asian country. In South Sudan since 2012 Cambodia has sent seven contingents to South Sudan. The Cambodian Military Police have been deploying to UNMISS since 2012. This is Colonel Vongvannak's fourth rotation. The current contingent numbers 70 personnel including ten women, deployed in several locations across the eastern African country. To date, some 550 personnel including 48 women have served under the blue flag at UNMISS. Colonel Vongvannak first deployed to South Sudan as Deputy Commanding Officer just before December 2013 when the country plunged into conflict as fighting erupted between rival factions. Crisis Working around the clock during the conflict was normal according to Colonel Vongvannak. "During the crisis, we had been tasked to guard the perimeter of the protection of civilians camp 24 hours a day. This was a challenge because we are not trained to deal with civilians," he said. Working with other UNMISS contingents, "we provided internal security, we carried out search operations, cordoned off areas identified as dangerous, and where weapons were being smuggled." Traffic regulations As the Colonel walks around the Cambodian compound, he encounters four military police officers or MPs who are on the way to inspect the cargo of troops leaving the country. "Exporting indigenous wood, animal parts like elephant tusks, are prohibited," says, Chief Warrant Officer, Heang Sokly as she begins the cargo check. The MPs also monitor vehicle speeds within the UNMISS compound. Speed-guns, bright red cones, whistles, indicator sticks, radios and white gloves are the tell-tale signs that they are at work. The MPs stop a few drivers exceeding the speed limit, and those not wearing seat-belts, who are politely reminded about traffic regulations. Sometimes, they also breathalyze staff who are suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol. A colleague, Captain Mon Sinang adds, "we are not here to penalize, but to remind staff of their safety." Road accidents involving UN staff in Juba can increase with new arrivals who are unused to the general driving conditions in the city. In addition to enforcing UNMISS traffic regulations, the MPs work to ensure law and order prevails amongst civilian and military and police personnel, conduct accident investigations and are sometimes called in to assist the mission's Special Investigations Unit. In addition to contributing to UN peacekeeping operations in South Sudan, Cambodia currently also has personnel deployed in UN missions in the Central African Republic, Mali, Lebanon and Abiyei. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Coast Guard Gives US New Tool in Disputed South China Sea By Ralph Jennings May 20, 2019 A rare U.S. Coast Guard exercise in the South China Sea this month shows that the United States is broadening its reach in a disputed waterway, a new pressure point between Washington and the sea's chief claimant Beijing. On May 14 the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Bertholf joined two Philippine coast guard vessels for training in "maritime security" and "law enforcement capabilities" in the sea, the U.S. Indo Pacific Command said in a statement. They spotted two Chinese vessels in a disputed area of the South China Sea that day near Scarborough Shoal west of the Philippine island of Luzon, Philippine media reported. China and the Philippines dispute sovereignty of the shoal, which Chinese vessels took in 2012. China claims about 90 percent of the whole surrounding sea, including tracts that five other governments including the Philippines call their own. While U.S.-Philippine joint exercises are routine, the Coast Guard seldom gets involved, maritime experts say. The last U.S. Coast Guard vessel in the Philippines, a treaty ally since 1951, visited more than seven years ago. The U.S. sent its cutter last week to diversify resistance against Chinese expansion in a sea where Washington has multiple allies and China is becoming more sophisticated toward defense, scholars believe. "That's about interoperability, that's about increasing their capabilities," said Stephen Nagy, senior associate politics and international studies professor at International Christian University in Tokyo. "That's a message to Beijing that the United States is engaging in the region at four or five different levels, not just a military level." More than the navy The United States makes no claim to the 3.5 million-square-kilometer South China Sea, but it wants to keep the waterway open internationally. The U.S. Navy routinely has sent vessels into the sea 11 times since President Donald Trump took office in 2017. The most recent sailing came Sunday (May 20) when the USS Preble passed within 12 nautical miles (22.2 kilometers) of Scarborough Shoal. A broader, Navy-plus strategy began showing in 2016 when the U.S. government lifted a ban on selling certain weapons to Vietnam. In March this year, two pairs of U.S. B-52 bombers flew over the disputed sea. Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam claim all or parts of the sea. They value mainly it for fisheries and undersea fossil fuel deposits. China has alarmed the other governments since 2010, when it began reclaiming land to expand tiny islets for military installations. China operates Asia's strongest armed forces. Law enforcement U.S. officials may have sent the coast guard vessel to stress "law enforcement" and head off any fears of naval conflict, said Jonathan Spangler, director of the South China Sea Think Tank in Taipei. China and Taiwan send their own coast guard vessels for law enforcement, he added. Among the would-be crimes: drug traffic and illegal fishing. "It would be reasonable to try and frame any sort of operations in the South China Sea or any sort of cooperation with South China Sea littoral states as cooperation on law enforcement rather than cooperation on maritime defense," Spangler said. U.S. officials in turn see Chinese forces as more than a navy, said Alexander Huang, strategic studies professor at Tamkang University in Taiwan. They follow its navy, coast guard and armed fishing boats that can be used for Chinese government-sponsored work, he said. "I think the use of the United States Coast Guard is part of dealing with the low intensity, short of naval engagement, but involving the Chinese maritime militia or the Chinese fishing boats or weaponized fishing boats," Huang said. Why the Philippines The cutter reached port in Manila on Wednesday to "share experiences" on maritime law enforcement, the U.S. Indo Pacific Command statement added, quoting the vessel's commanding officer. The Philippines, like other Southeast Asian claimants to the sea, lacks the military strength of China. But decades of bilateral agreements plus six years of joint naval exercises with the United States, a former Philippine colonizer, give Manila support. A world arbitration court backed the Philippines in 2016 by rejecting the legal basis for China's maritime claims. China, however, still keeps ships at Scarborough Shoal. Over the past half year, scores of Chinese fishing boats have passed near another disputed islet that the Philippines is building up. The Philippine government is making a "coordinated effort" to balance foreign policy between the superpowers, said Herman Kraft, a political science professor at the University of the Philippines. Philippine defense officials are handling the U.S. side of that equation, including coast guard ties, he said. "What's actually interesting is the extent to which they've fundamentally allowed the Department of Defense to nurture the relationship with the U.S. military and auxiliary forces," Kraft said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address USS Preble Sails Near Scarborough Shoal in South China Sea By VOA News May 20, 2019 The United States military said one of its warships in the South China Sea sailed Monday near the disputed Scarborough Shoal claimed by China and the Philippines. "USS Preble sailed within 12 nautical miles of Scarborough Reef in order to challenge excessive maritime claims and preserve access to the waterways as governed by international law," a spokesman for the Seventh Fleet, Commander Clay Doss said. It was the second U.S. military freedom of navigation exercise in the region in the last month. Speaking at an international security conference in Singapore Wednesday, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson said "routine" freedom of navigation operations will proceed with transparency, consistency and predictability. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Egyptian Forces Kill 12 Suspected Militants in Raids By VOA News May 20, 2019 Egypt's interior ministry said security forces killed 12 suspected militants during raids Monday near Cairo. A ministry statement linked the militants to Hasm, an armed affiliate of the Muslim Brotherhood, and said authorities found explosives, weapons and ammunitions at two different raid sites. The operation came a day after a roadside bomb hit a tourist bus near Egypt's Giza pyramids. That blast wounded 17 people. There was no claim of responsibility for the bomb attack, and the interior ministry did not link Monday's raids to the blast. Officials said the bus was carrying 28 people, most of them South African tourists. Videos circulating online show the bus windows blown out or shattered. South African Ambassador Vusi Mavimbela and his team in Egypt are visiting victims in hospitals, officials said. The explosion took place near the Grand Egyptian Museum, which is under construction near the Giza pyramids. A statement issued by the antiquities ministry said the explosion caused no damage to the museum. In December, three Vietnamese tourists and one Egyptian guide were killed when a bomb hit their bus near the Giza pyramids. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Populists Barnstorm Across Europe With Straightforward Message By Jamie Dettmer May 20, 2019 The return of Britain's Mr. Brexit, the breezy, barnstorming Nigel Farage, to frontline politics epitomizes the challenge established centrist parties are facing across the 28-member European Union as they struggle to curtail fiery populism in the final days of campaigning in EU parliamentary elections. In an era when social media is driving politics and traditional political allegiances are waning, the populist agenda of nationalist pride and cultural grievance is trumping the much more bland and less adventurous managerial problem-solving of the establishment parties. Farage can rightly claim to be the man behind Brexit. It was his agitation that prompted then Prime Minister David Cameron to call a referendum on whether Britain should remain in the EU, hoping to take the sting out of the electoral tail of Farage's UK Independence Party. On the campaign trail, Farage, a former city-slicker who was educated at a top private boarding school, presents himself as a man of the people. He offers nothing in the way of detailed policies, saying he'll do so after the European parliamentary elections on May 22. His newly formed Brexit Party hasn't even offered a written manifesto. Farage's message His message, on campaign stops and TV studios, is simple: the British people have been betrayed by a conniving, greedy political elite which has failed to deliver on the Brexit vote. Like Italy's Five Star Movement, Farage is seeking to transcend the traditional left-right divide, after dumping his former far-right party, the UK Independence Party. And the simple betrayal narrative is fueling his new party's lead in the polls before this week's European Parliament elections, helped by the pro-EU vote split between several parties. The opinion polls forecast the Brexit Party will top the election in Britain with 34 percent of the vote. The ruling Conservative Party is predicted to secure just nine percent of the vote, placing fifth. If accurate it would be the storied party's worst electoral performance. Farage is focusing now more on the Labour Party's working-class, post-industrial heartlands of the north of England and south Wales, where globalization has brought few obvious benefits, although the rust-belt manufacturing and mining towns that powered Britain's industrial rise in the 19th century have scooped up plenty of EU development funds a point Farage glosses over when challenged by reporters. Many traditional Labour voters thrill to Farage's message of the people versus the elite. "I've come to realize that with our existing political system we are never going to get the Brexit that we voted for," he told a crowd Saturday in the town of Merthyr Tydfil, a Welsh town that was home to one of the founders of the Labour Party. "They are trying to build a coalition of the politicians against the people," Farage said. Impact on continent A similar message of betrayal can be heard across the European continent, although in the other 27 EU states Brexit isn't a factor and neither is following Britain to the exits. Britain's Brexit mess appears to have put off even euroskeptic Europeans from contemplating departures. Last September a survey across the bloc found 62 percent of respondents saying EU membership was a good thing. Even so, populists, whether running national governments or not, are finding an electoral message of grievance playing well for them, whether it be a full-throated targeting of those perceived as being the elite or calls for the protection of ordinary people from the disruption of globalization or impact from migration. Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini leads the far-right Lega party, he has been only partly successful in persuading Europe's nationalist populists to run coordinated campaigns, but also has a simple electoral message. Salvini calls for tougher borders and the protection of European culture and for a looser EU where Brussels and EU institutions are subordinated to national governments. Saturday nearly 100,000 supporters attended a Salvini rally in Milan with European nationalists, including France's Marine Le Pen, and Holland's Geert Wilders. leader of the Dutch party PW (Party of Freedom). "The political elites in Brussels cannot be trusted. They want to impose their orders on us. They want to take away our identity and our security," Wilders said at the rally. European populists A fourth of Europeans consider themselves populists, according to a recent poll. Pollsters predict they will capture a third of the seats in the 721-seat EU Parliament. "Certain far-right populist partiesnotably those in western and northern Europehave proved able to tailor their message to extend support beyond their secure voting base," according to Daphne Halikiopoulou, a politics professor at Britain's University of Reading. "Far-right populists normalize exclusion: they offer solutions to voters' multiple insecurities by using a rhetoric that excludes a variety of population groups on the basis that they are a purported threat to society's value consensus, and hence to stability and prosperity," she argued recently. But analysts also say the populist parties have significant ideological divisions, including migration and relations with Russia. Their biggest challenge may come after the elections when they might find unity difficult to achieve. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zuma Seeks Dismissal Of Corruption Charges By VOA News May 20, 2019 Former South African president Jacob Zuma is in court Monday, fighting to have corruption charges against him dismissed. The charges, stemming from a 1990s arms deal, were dropped a decade ago, shortly before Zuma became president. The reinstatement of the 16 charges in 2016, Zuma says, was politically motivated. The charges include fraud, racketeering, corruption and money laundering. The charges relate to kickbacks Zuma allegedly received in connection with a European arms deal undertaken by South Africa. A representative for the French arms dealer Thales SA is facing charges that are similar to Zuma's. Zuma was deputy president at the time of the deal. The former president and Thales have denied any wrongdoing and both are seeking a permanent stay of prosecution. The ruling African National Congress forced Zuma to step down from the presidency last year. His term in office was marred by scandals, allegations of corruption and an economic slowdown. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Latest Deportation, Disappearances Rattle Thai Dissident Diaspora By Zsombor Peter May 20, 2019 Yammy and her friends sleep in shifts. They venture out of the house they share only every few days to stock up on food, and have stopped their live webcasts so as not to give away their location. Together they comprise the band Faiyen, Cold Fire, whose blistering lyrics bashing Thailand's constitutional monarchy and military government have put them at dangerous odds with the country's ruling junta. Like the dozens of other Thai dissidents who have exiled themselves to Laos in recent years for fear of attack or arrest back home, the forced repatriation and disappearance of four fellow Thai activists in recent weeks have left them rattled. "It's made us more certain that we are wanted by the Thai government," Yammy, the stage name of Romchalee Sombulrattanakul, told VOA by phone Saturday. "We now take turns sleeping so that there is always someone awake around the clock," she said. "We don't leave our place unless it's necessary, only to buy food, and we buy food that can last us for two, three days." The added caution follows unconfirmed reports that three Thai activists living in Laos were arrested in Vietnam and tuned over to Thai authorities on May 8, and the forced repatriation of another Thai activist from Malaysia two days later, confirmed by her lawyer. The woman deported from Malaysia was being held at Bangkok's central women's prison and faces charges of sedition and joining a secret organization, her lawyer told VOA Thursday. Thailand's security czar, Prawit Wongsuwan, told reporters the week before that the government did not have the three who went missing in Vietnam, though rights groups fear the junta may be holding them in secret. Dissidents in Laos have been on heightened alert at least since December, when Surachai Danwattananusorn, who ran an online radio show from the country critical of the Thai junta and monarchy, went missing. The following month, two of his colleagues, Chatcharn Buppawan and Kraidej Luelert, turned up dead; their bodies were found in the Mekong River stuffed with concrete. In a letter addressed to the Thai government in March, a group of U.N. envoys noted that the activists were wanted and all tied to the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), a political movement affiliated with ousted Prime Minister and junta foe Thaksin Shinawatra. "Given the active arrest warrants and their involvement with the UDD, it is believed Thai officials may be responsible," they said. The military has reportedly said it had no information about the bodies. Spokesmen for the government and police did not reply to multiple requests for comment last week. A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said she had no information about the latest cases or any recent efforts to bring wanted dissidents back to Thailand, but added that the government followed all applicable laws and procedures. But activists and rights groups say the latest repatriation and disappearances may portend more to come and have made dissidents in neighboring countries ever more vigilant. "The Thai government has stepped up pressure more and more, and it seems that now it has reached the point that neighboring governments surrender," said Sunai Phasuk, a senior researcher for Human Rights Watch. "We have learned that the remaining activists in Lao have received warnings that there could be a new round of attempts to arrest them by Thai authorities. They have been told to move their location. As for activists in Cambodia, they have been told to lay low and stop any political activity," he said. The number of self-exiled dissidents in the region is hard to pin down. While some keep a high profile online, others choose to keep quiet. Sunai said there were likely more than 20 in Laos, about half of them with open cases for lese majeste, sedition or security related crimes. Yammy put the number at over 30. Snea Thinsan, founder of the U.S.-based Thai Alliance for Human Rights, said there may be more than 100 in Laos, along with a handful in Cambodia, Malaysia and Vietnam. He said the news of the past few weeks has sent them deeper underground and scrambling to find asylum farther afield, especially the most outspoken among them. "All these vocal ones, the...active ones, know that their lives are in danger, they could be the next victim," he said. "So that means, especially now, they are doing every way they can to really leave the country, leave Laos." Those who can are trying to leave the region altogether, worried that nowhere in Southeast Asia is safe any longer. Malaysia deported Praphan Pipithnamporn on May 10 even after she had applied for asylum with the UNHCR, the U.N.'s refugee agency; her lawyer said the country accorded her none of the due process she was owed under its international treaty obligations. Snea said a prominent Thai activist in Cambodia left for the Middle East a few weeks ago after a senior Cambodian official told him his government could not resist mounting pressure from Thailand to send him back much longer. Yammy said she and her band mates were recently told by a senior official with an international organization in Bangkok that they may be targeted this week, and that they were working with a team of lawyers to land asylum in Europe. While many of the activists are UDD members, some support and promote the Organization for Thai Federation, which would like to turn Thailand into a federated republic shorn of its constitutional monarchy. Even questioning the monarchy's position is a high-risk gamble in Thailand, where tough lese majeste laws place the royal palace beyond reproach. The junta's top leaders have branded group members separatists and "traitors" and a threat to national security. But Sunai said their modus operandi has been peaceful. "They haven't committed any act of violence at all, so therefore this is still within the bounds of free expression," he said. Before fleeing to Malaysia in January, Praphan had been arrested for wearing a T-shirt bearing the Organization for Thai Federation's logo and handing out leaflets at a Bangkok shopping mall. Snea said a few dissidents in exile have espoused more extreme tactics but added that all should be afforded due process. "They may have [made] mistakes, they may have done something illegal, OK. When you catch them, then bring them to justice, fair trial, open trial," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Osprey Aviation Tilts from Green to Blue Navy News Service Story Number: NNS190521-10 Release Date: 5/21/2019 12:22:00 PM By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Nicholas Boris, USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) Public Affairs ARABIAN SEA (NNS) -- Since 1963, the Navy has used the C-2A Greyhound, known as the carrier onboard delivery (COD), for transportation of personnel and cargo from shore to at-sea aircraft carriers. But the aircraft's inactive production line and other limitations had the Navy looking for a more versatile option. That replacement didn't come in the form of an advanced, new platform. It's been hiding in plain sight in the form of the U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey. The Osprey brings flexibility to a strike group, said Navy Capt. Bill Reed, commander, Carrier Air Wing 7, currently embarked aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). According to an article published on Naval Aviation News, the Navy's version of the MV-22, the CMV-22B, makes loading and unloading cargo at night easier, has longer-range radio capability, increased fuel capacity, vertical takeoff and landing capability, and can carry cargo of 6,000lbs for more than 1,100 nautical miles. "It gives us that agility and flexibility the Navy looks for going forward into the future," said Reed. The transition could be as simple as painting "NAVY" on the side of an already existing platform, except for one detail, the Navy currently does not have any Osprey Squadrons.. Although not as easy as a paint job, the Navy has started training its pilots to fly the new aircraft. Naval aviators have been receiving qualifications at Marine Corps Air Station New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Once the pilots complete the course of instruction there, they are embedded with a Marine air combat element deployed on a Navy amphibious ship on deployment and fly MV-22s in real-world operations. Lt. Thomas Hendricks, a Naval aviator attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 264, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), is one of the first Sailors to fly the Marine aircraft. Hendricks recently flew an MV-22 from Kearsarge to Lincoln during joint operations in the Arabian Sea. "There are exciting times and there are frustrating times being the first at anything," said Hendricks, who flew 1,300 miles in one day piloting the Osprey. "But I think ultimately this will be good for the Navy." The Navy plans to transition from using the C-2A to the CMV-22B starting in 2020, and expects to have more than 20 fully integrated into the fleet by 2026. Once the new Osprey has started its service in the Navy, the Greyhound will be transitioned out. Kearsarge is the flagship for the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). Lincoln is the flagship for Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (CSG). The Kearsarge ARG and Lincoln CSG are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemenis launch retaliatory drone attack on Saudi arms deport at Najran airport Iran Press TV Tue May 21, 2019 05:24AM Yemeni armed forces, led by the Houthi Ansarullah movement, have launched a drone strike on an arms depot at an airport in Saudi Arabia's southern Najran region in retaliation for the kingdom's bloody military aggression against the impoverished country. The Houthi-run al-Masirah TV channel has reported that the attack was carried out by a Qasef-2K combat drone on Tuesday, causing a fire at the airport. Also on Monday, the air defenses of the Yemeni army and the popular committees shot down a hostile Saudi spy drone in the Hais district of the western Hudaydah Province. The Saudi-led coalition has claimed that a civilian facility in Najran was targeted with an explosives-laden drone in Tuesday's strike. In a statement carried by the state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA), coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Maliki said the Houthis were posing "a real threat to regional and international security by targeting civilian objects and civilian facilities." He did not, however, give further details of the drone attack, which came a week after Yemeni drones targeted the East-West pipeline in the heart of Saudi Arabia, forcing the state oil giant Aramco to temporarily halt pumping oil on the vital pipeline. The Houthi movement, which both runs Yemen's state affairs and defends the country against the Saudi-led aggression launched in March 2015, said the drone attacks were in response to the regime's crimes against the Yemeni nation. On Sunday, Ansarullah warned that the strikes targeting the oil pipeline were the start of operations against 300 vital targets in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Maliki on Monday claimed that the Houthis had fired two ballistic missiles toward the cities of Mecca and Jeddah, but that both had been intercepted by the Saudi air defense. The Yemeni fighters, however, rejected the claims, stressing that they would never target the Muslim holy sites. "The Saudi regime is trying, through these allegations, to rally support for its brutal aggression against our great Yemeni people," Yemen's armed forces spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Sare'e said in a Facebook post. Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam also stressed that the Riyadh regime has "fabricated the lie" about targeting Mecca to divert attention from what is happening in Yemen. Following Tuesday's retaliatory raid, Saudi warplanes conducted airstrikes on the Abs district of Yemen's northwestern Hajjah Province. The aerial assault hit a Yemeni car, killing three civilians and wounding four others. Saudi Arabia and its allies launched the war against Yemen in an attempt to reinstall the Riyadh-allied former regime and crush the Houthi Ansarullah movement -- objectives that have failed to materialize thanks to the stiff resistance put up by Yemeni fighters. The Western-backed military aggression, coupled with a naval blockade, has killed tens of thousands of Yemenis, destroyed the country's infrastructure and led to a massive humanitarian crisis. Yemeni fighters regularly target positions inside Saudi Arabia in retaliation for the protracted offensive. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Nearly every school has an improvement plana document thats supposed to guide academic and other decisions that principals and their staff members make. But what do educators really think about those blueprints and do teachers and principals believe they will make their schools better over time? The answer depends on whether youre asking principals or teachers, according to a recent brief from RAND Education and Labor , which polled its American Educator Panels on their views of school improvement plans and their opportunities to improve schools. Principals expressed much more positive views of school improvement plans and their potential than teachers. Thats not an unsurprising finding since those plans are largely composed by principals and members of their school leadership teams, and they hold more weight for them in how they are evaluated. Fewer than half of teachers polled44 percentsaid their schools improvement plan led to changes in their teaching practices, compared to 67 percent of principals. And theres also a big gap between how teachers and principals expected such plans to improve schools in the long run: 81 percent of principals expected the plan to make their school better over the next five years, while only 62 percent of teachers thought so, according to the survey. Real-world school leaders said that level of skepticism from teachers is a distressing sign. It would be disappointing if only 44 percent of my teachersless than halfsaid this plan is meaningful to me and its actually made a change in my practice, said Hannah Nieskens, the principal of Whitehall Middle and High school in Whitehall, Mont. That, to me, is like having a failing grade. That would mean that it was the wrong plan; or I did not support the plan correctly; or I did not implement it with the teachers correctly; or I did not get the buy-in; or they dont have some tools that they need to implement itwhether thats training or an actual resourceI would be horrified if this were my school. I cant imagine that you can think you are being effective if less than half of your teachers are impacted, she added. Its not having a great enough effect. Principals and teachers on the RAND educators panel, who do not work in the same schools, were asked whether they were familiar with the major points of their buildings school improvement plan, whether it had led to any changes in their teaching practices, and whether they thought the plan would lead to a better school in five years. Nearly all principals said they were familiar with the major points in their school improvement plans, while 75 percent of teachers did so. Three principals who spoke with Education Week said they would expect that principals know more about their schools improvement plans than teachers. But, the principals said, if teachers are included in developing the document, that would guarantee more knowledge of the plans and co-authorship. That, they said, would increase teachers buy-in. If teachers were part of creating the plan and were provided with the resources they needed to make it work, they were also more likely to believe that it would change their teaching practices, the principals said. Howard Fields, the principal of Steger Sixth Grade Center and Givens Elementary School in the Webster Groves school district in suburban St. Louis, said principals ought to have favorable views of their schools improvement plans. Thats because in many cases, a principals job literally depends on accomplishing the goals set out in the document, he said. He noted that schools are always likely to have a certain percentage of teachers who may not be able to articulate the plan if asked about it, but who are nonetheless taking the necessary steps to make it work, he said. They are just taking care of business, Fields said. "[They say]...'tell me what to do. I dont have to understand it, and it is what it is. And there will almost always be a handful of teachers who dont believe in the plan. In those cases, and principals must have frank conversations with them about their hesitance, he said. Creating a Shared Vision But familiarity with the major points in the plan also had a bearing on whether teachers thought they worked, according to RAND. Among teachers who had knowledge of their schools improvement plan, 72 percent said they believed it would help make their school better in the next five years, and 55 percent said it had led to changes in teaching practices. In comparison, among teachers who said they didnt know about the major tenets of the plan, just 30 percent said it would make their school better and 12 percent said it had changed their classroom practice. The results, according to RAND suggest that a lack of teacher knowledge may be one major impediment to proper [school improvement plan] use. Nieskens, the principal from Whitehall, Mont., said she was taken aback by the low percentage of teachers who said the school improvement plan had not led to changes in teaching practice. Both principal and teacher share that responsibility, she said. While principals have the vision, they also have to be the ones that are making sure that all the pieces come together and that the teachers are motivated and are following the plan and have all the tools and resources necessary to implement the plan, Nieskens said. If the principal isnt actively doing that, there is a good chance that some piece of that just gets left out or the teachers dont see the principal as actually valuing the plan. Why should they value it if the principal is not at least as invested as they are or even more invested? Once a principal has worked with teachers to develop a plan, they should share data to reinforce why specific goals and targets are necessary, make sure theres good professional development, educational opportunities, and other resources to accomplish what the plan asks of them, and provide examples of accomplishments from previous plans, the principals interviewed said. The plan must also have actionable steps, who is responsible for taking those steps, and how the school will measure progress, the principals said. Doing so creates an environment in which the plan is not just the principals vision for the school but also teachers, Nieskens and others said. Nieskens creates an individual plan for each staff member with specific measurable goals that are tied to the buildings overall plan. Sometimes... there are great goals, theres a great action plan, and there are people working towards those things, but then the school never really measures or compares and contrasts between pre-plan and after-plan, she said. Thats really discouraging for teachers, I would think. You dont get to see the fruits of your labor, so to speak, if youre not revisiting your data and saying hey, this is working, this is improving, this is making a difference. You have to do that piece to keep staff morale high and to keep people invested in whats happening, and the purpose for it, and keeping that goal in sight. RAND said that the quality of the school improvement plans and whether the school is capable of ability to accomplish its goals may be two of the reasons why teachers have such low expectations. Chasing the New, Shiny Object The principals interviewed by Education Week said that it may have a lot more to do with the environment in which educators work and less of a value statement about school improvement plans themselves that so many teachers and even principals did not think the plans would lead to better schools in five years. Five years is an eternity for both teachers and principals, said Fields. And some of the teachers who were surveyed could be influenced by having experienced lots of leadership turnover, as well as many discarded school improvement plans along the way. There is a large majority of principals that wont be around in that same building in the next five years, he said. Thats an element that we have to acknowledge. The same may be true for teachers. Additionally, the constant change in state and federal education policies, what Eric Cardwell, the president of the National Association of Elementary School Principals and a Michigan school leader calls the new, shiny object syndrome, means that educators often have to change course and scrap well-crafted plans. If we have sustainability, I fully believe that teachers will change their teaching practices; right now its kind of like a Yo-yo, with one initiative one year and another the next, Cardwell said. I do think its the lack of sustainability in a lot of the plans that leads to the cynicism that its not going to change practice because the goals are all going to change. There is always this newest and greatest thing thats coming along, he said. Instead, schools should focus on doing what they are doing well. Still, for school improvement plans to work, both the teachers and principals must treat the plan as a living document, Cardwell and others said. I think it should be viewed as the guiding document for the school, and its not something thats an event thats held once a year to complete, Cardwell said. Rather its a living, breathing document that the staff revisits together, periodically, throughout the year to gauge growth on their goals. Its kind of like taking the pulse. Or if you are not making any progress, lets retool some of the activities associated with that goal to get to where you want to be. Image: Getty US Jets Intercept Russian Bombers During Scheduled Flight Along Alaska - NORAD Sputnik News 19:41 21.05.2019 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Four US Air Force F-22 stealth fighter jets intercepted two Russian bombers and two Su-35s as they carried out sorties in international airspace off the coast of Alaska earlier this week, the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) said in a statement on Tuesday. "NORAD fighters intercepted Russian bombers + fighters entering Alaskan ADIZ May 20. 2x Tu-95s were intercepted by 2x F-22s; a second group of 2x Tu-95+2x Su-35 was intercepted later by 2 more F-22's; NORAD E-3 provided overall surveillance. The aircraft remained in int'l. airspace," NORAD said via Twitter. Earlier on Tuesday, the Russian Defence Ministry said four Tu-95MS strategic missile carriers were followed by US F-22s as they made scheduled sorties over the neutral waters of the Chukotka, Bering and Okhotsk seas, as well as along the western coast of Alaska and the northern coast of the Aleutian Islands. The ministry said the four Russian aircraft were "escorted" by the F-22s as they conducted their mission, which lasted for more than 12 hours. Russian strategic and long-range aircraft regularly carry out flights over the Arctic region, the Atlantic Ocean,the Pacific Ocean and the Black Sea. The Russian Defense Ministry has repeatedly said that all flights of Russian military aircraft are carried out in full accordance with international law, and the rules for the use of airspace over neutral waters. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pompeo Claims 'Quite Possible' Iran Was Behind Latest Attacks on UAE Ships Sputnik News 18:42 21.05.2019 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said it was possible that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was responsible for recent attacks on shipping vessels in the Persian Gulf and on Saudi oil pipelines. Asked whether he believed the IRGC was behind the attacks, Pompeo said, "We haven't formed a definitive conclusion that we can speak about publicly, but given all the regional conflicts that we have seen over the past decade and the shape of these attacks, it seems like it's quite possible that Iran was behind these, and we'll continue to develop the situation." Pompeo said the United States would continue taking actions aimed at protecting American interests and deterring Iran's "misbehavior in the region." The top US diplomat also warned that Iran's actions carried the risk of escalating tensions or destabilizing oil prices, a development he said Iran would view as "advantageous." Earlier this month, two Saudi oil tankers and two other vessels were targeted in a mysterious attack in the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) exclusive economic zone. No casualties or environmental damage were reported after the incident. In addition, Yemeni Houthi rebels carried out drone attacks against a Saudi oil pipeline, causing fire and minor damage. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack on the oil tankers yet, but the United States reportedly believes that Iran might have orchestrated the sabotage. In recent weeks, the United States has stepped up its military presence in the Middle East in what National Security Advisor John Bolton has called a "clear and unmistakable message" to Tehran. The United States has recently deployed an aircraft carrier strike group, Patriot missiles, B-52 bombers and F-15 fighters to the region, according to the Pentagon. Responding to the US actions, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Tehran would continue to resist Washington but that there would be no war. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Plans to Have 355 Battle Force Ships in About 10 Years - Vice President Pence Sputnik News 12:22 21.05.2019(updated 12:44 21.05.2019) MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United States Navy is planning to add 60 more battle force ships to its fleet, bringing the total to 355 ships in slightly more than a decade thanks to the largest shipbuilding request in 20 years, US Vice President Mike Pence said. "Actually, the request from the budget of our budget would give the United States Navy the resources to buy 12 new battle force ships. We'll fund 55 ships over the Future Years Defense Program, and we'll bring the United States Navy to 355 battle force ships in a little bit more than a decade", Pence said during his meeting with service members, as quoted by the White House late on Monday. The US Navy currently has 289 deployable battle force ships. The statement comes as the vice president paid a visit to US Naval Air Station Jacksonville, situated in the southernmost US state of Florida. The Trump administration has requested that $750 billion be allocated for defence spending in the 2020 budget, which is $34 billion more than this year. The proposed defence budget project, in particular, includes funds to purchase 12 battle force ships. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Bulgarian Defence Minister Calls Price of US F-16 Fighters Unreasonably High Sputnik News 08:21 21.05.2019 Bulgaria is likely to halt negotiations with the US for the purchase of Lockheed Martin's F-16 Block 70 fighter jets, according to Bulgaria's defence minister, instead, turning to Sweden or Italy for new combat aircraft. Bulgarian Defence Minister Krasimir Karakachanov, following talks with the United States, has shared his opinion on the NOVA television network saying that the US-proposed price for F-16s was unreasonably higher than that expected by Sofia. To make the situation clear the minister of defence used the example of a price of a cup: "When you are told that something costs five levs but in fact, it costs three levs, it's alright to ask the question: Fellas, there is no logic in that, where does the price come from?" Karakachanov said. According to the minister, Bulgaria wants to reduce the cost of fighters not at the expense of armaments, but at the expense of other components for which it makes no sense to pay. "One such example is language learning. The pilots we send have already taken language courses and been trained in the USA. Does it make sense for the country to pay again for language training, which will largely be something formal?" the minister noted. Karakachanov also reiterated that Bulgaria is continuing negotiations on payment in several parts, because a one-time payment would jeopardise the refurbishment of existing equipment and the decision to raise the salaries of servicemen. "I gave an instruction to look for such an option so that Bulgaria does not make payments for the entire amount in a lump-sum", Karakachanov said. The defence minister previously said that if the negotiations with the United States fail, Bulgaria could return to considering proposals for the acquisition of fighters from Sweden or Italy. Former Defence Minister Nikolay Nenchev expressed doubts that Bulgaria wants to buy American fighters at all. In his opinion, the negotiations "were doomed to fail from the very beginning" while Sofia really wants to buy Swedish aircraft. The decision to acquire the F-16s was made in December. The Interdepartmental Commission, as part of Bulgaria's tender to acquire 8 new fighter jets for its Air Force to replace aging Russian MiG-29 fighters with a Western-made aircraft, also considered purchasing the Swedish Saab JAS 39 Gripen and the pre-owned Italian Eurofighter Typhoon. Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, for his part, has called the procedure for choosing aircraft a "game of democracy" and a "triumph of lobbying". Some opposition parties in the country have sharply criticised the government's choice. Initially, the cost that the country was willing to pay for the American fighters was 1.8 billion levs (around 920 million euros), but then the parliament agreed that more money could be allocated for the purchase. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Houthi Drone Targets Civilian Facility in Saudi Province of Najran - Report Sputnik News 05:00 21.05.2019(updated 05:20 21.05.2019) On Sunday media reported that the Yemeni Shia Houthi rebels were going to attack some 300 critical infrastructure facilities in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The Houthi faction's drone, carrying explosives, tried to target a civilian facility in Saudi Arabia's Najran province, Reuters reported, citing a statement from the Saudi-led military coalition. According to Reuters, no casualties were mentioned in the initial report by the Saudi Press Agency. Earlier it was reported that Saudi Arabia's air defence system had intercepted two Houthi missiles in the Mecca province. Houthis denied Saudi media reports of the attack, according to Reuters. Yemen has been engulfed in an armed conflict between the government forces led by President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and the Houthi rebels for several years. The Saudi-led coalition has been carrying out airstrikes against the Houthis at Hadi's request since March 2015. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ex-White House Counsel Defies House Subpoena to Testify on Russia Probe By Ken Bredemeier May 21, 2019 Former White House Counsel Donald McGahn defied a subpoena Tuesday from the House Judiciary Committee to testify about his conversations with President Donald Trump ordering him to oust special counsel Robert Mueller in the midst of Mueller's investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. The Democratic-controlled House panel left an empty chair and a nameplate at the witness table for McGahn. But the 50-year-old Washington attorney, now in private legal practice again, adhered to White House instructions to not testify, and a Justice Department legal opinion that Congress cannot force him to appear. Congressman Jerrold Nadler, the committee chairman, assailed McGahn's refusal to testify, threatening to go to court in an effort to force McGahn to testify. "Our subpoenas are not optional," Nadler said. He said McGahn's testimony was essential after the Mueller report recounted that Trump directed McGahn to get rid of Mueller and then, when a news account appeared about his directive, asked him to publicly lie to deny the story, which McGahn refused to do. Mueller's investigators interviewed McGahn for 30 hours about his interactions with Trump. "We will not allow the president to stop this committee's investigation," Nadler said. The committee two weeks ago overrode Republican objections as it voted to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress after he refused to turn over an unredacted copy of Mueller's 448-page report on his 22-month investigation. The leading Republican on the panel, Congressman Doug Collins, attacked Democrats for staging the short hearing absent McGahn, calling it "a circus." "The Democrats," Collins said, "are trying to make something out of nothing," noting that Mueller concluded that Trump did not collude with Russia to help him win the White House. Mueller reached no decision whether Trump obstructed justice by trying to thwart the investigation, but Barr and then Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein subsequently concluded that obstruction charges against Trump were not warranted. Nadler accused Trump of trying to "run out the clock" to prevent hearings about his alleged misconduct. Nadler said Trump's conduct in directing McGahn to get rid of Mueller and then to deny that he had done so were "not remotely acceptable." Nadler further dismissed the opinion from the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel against McGahn's testimony, saying it was "entirely unsupported by the case law" related to the testimony of White House aides. McGahn's attorney, William Burck, on Monday said his client "remains obligated to maintain the status quo and respect the president's instruction. In the event an accommodation is agreed between the committee and the White House, Mr. McGahn will of course comply with that accommodation." White House press secretary Sarah Sanders explained in a statement that the Justice Department "has provided a legal opinion stating that, based on long-standing, bipartisan, and Constitutional precedent, the former Counsel to the President cannot be forced to give such testimony, and Mr. McGahn has been directed to act accordingly." The Justice Department, in its legal opinion, said, "We provide the same answer that the Department of Justice repeatedly provided for five decades: Congress may not constitutionally compel the President's senior advisers to testify about their official duties." Trump said of the legal opinion, "They're doing that for the office of the presidency for future presidents. They're not doing that for me." "I think we've been the most transparent administration in the history of our country," Trump replied to a reporter asking why not just let McGahn testify so the public can have full answers to executive action regarding the Russia investigation. "We want to get on with running the country." In a letter to Nadler, the current White House counsel, Pat Cipollone, said that Trump had directed McGahn not to appear at Tuesday's hearing. "This long-standing principle is firmly rooted in the Constitution's separation of powers and protects the core functions of the presidency, and we are adhering to this well-established precedent in order to ensure that future presidents can effectively execute the responsibilities of the Office of the Presidency," Cipollone wrote. One Democrat on the Judiciary Committee said beforehand that if McGahn defied the panel's subpoena an impeachment inquiry against the president should be started. "We simply cannot sit by and allow this president to destroy the rule of law, to subvert the Constitution," Congressman David Cicilline of Rhode Island said during an interview on U.S. cable news network MSNBC. McGahn's name is mentioned on more than 65 pages of the Mueller report. Monday's pushback by the Justice Department and the White House is the latest instance of the executive branch trying to challenge for power the legislative branch of government with Trump betting the third branch the judiciary will back him up with rulings by federal judges, including the Supreme Court. On Monday, however, a federal judge in Washington rejected Trump efforts to block another House committee's subpoena for his financial records from a private accounting firm that has handled some of his business affairs. Within hours, Trump's lawyers appealed the ruling, with the president calling the decision "totally wrong." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China completes first successful liquid rocket engine trial Global Times By Li Sikun and Yang Kunyi Source:Global Times Published: 2019/5/18 16:45:16 The first 80-ton liquid-oxygen methane engine in China, named "Tianque" (TQ-12), completed successfully its trial test on Friday, Landspace, an emerging private Chinese rocket company, told the Global Times. This marks the first successful test of a liquid rocket engine in China's private aerospace industry, making "Tianque" the third liquid-oxygen methane engine to finish a full system trial test worldwide, following the SpaceX Raptor engine and the BE-4 engine from Blue Origin in the US. The "Tianque" engine was independently developed by Landspace. The engine was tested four times last week, with the longest test lasting 20 seconds. According to the company, the engine started and shutdown smoothly, keeping within stable parameters and performance of the engine fulfilling design requirements. The "Tianque" engine is the most powerful double-cylinder liquid rocket engine in China. It is non-toxic and environmentally friendly, giving high performance at low cost. It also operates easily and can be reused. The ground-type engine is designed with a sea level thrust power of 67 tons and a vacuum thrust of 76 tons, and the vacuum engine has a vacuum thrust of 80 tons. The engine can be equipped to the full range of rockets from small and medium rockets to the large "Zhuque" series of rockets. "This engine can cover a small rocket with a single engine down, and can cover medium-sized rockets and large rockets," said Ge Minghe, general manager of the R&D Department of Landspace. "The business value is large and the development difficulty is moderate, so the input-output ratio is high." The success of the test demonstrates that private enterprises in China can carry out independent research and design of engines. With Landspace being the first company to complete the test process, Zhang Changwu, CEO of Landspace, said it marks a key technological breakthrough for the company, and also will help promote China's ability to compete in the space industry. China is now the second country in the world to master large-thrust liquid oxygen methane rocket engine technology after the US, Xing Qiang, an expert from the Small Rocket Studio, told the Global Times. After SpaceX and Blue Origin, Landspace is the third private enterprise in the world to successfully develop a large-thrust liquid oxygen methane rocket engine. In the engine field, this marks the momentous moment China entered the top echelon of the world, Xing said. In addition to Landspace, another private rocket company in China, iSpace, has also been making progress. The company's first carrier rocket has completed final assembly and will launch in early June, the company told the Global Times. The carrier rocket has a total length of 21 meters and a take-off mass of 31 tons, carrying seven payloads. It will be a carrier rocket with the biggest capacity ever independently designed by a Chinese private enterprise. A successful launch will mark the first orbital launch by Chinese private enterprises. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Advanced rocket engine ready for space mission People's Daily Online (China Daily) 11:00, May 20, 2019 A company in China has become the third in the world, after two others in the United States, to have developed a new type of rocket engine at the cutting edge of space propulsion, its maker said. LandSpace, a private startup in Beijing, announced on Friday that its TQ-12 methane rocket engine successfully underwent a 20-second trial run at the company's test facility in Huzhou, Zhejiang province. It is the world's third high-performance methane engine after SpaceX's Raptor and Blue Origin's BE-4. The engines use liquid methane as a fuel and liquid oxygen as an oxidizer. They are reusable and are central to the development of reusable launch vehicles. SpaceX and Blue Origin, both space giants in the US, have allocated considerable resources to the research and development of such engines. LandSpace conducted four trial runs of the TQ-12 last week and all were successful, the company said in a statement. With a maximum thrust of 80 metric tons, the engine can be used on all types of carrier rockets and features good profitability, according to the statement, quoting Ge Minghe, the company's head of research and development. Zhang Changwu, founder and CEO of LandSpace, said that mass production of the TQ-12 engine and the ZQ 2 carrier rocket, which will be the first to use the new engine, will begin later this year at the company's plant in Huzhou. The plant is the first privately owned carrier rocket factory in China and the largest of its kind in Asia. The Huzhou facility will be able to produce about 15 ZQ 2 rockets and 200 TQ-12 engines starting in 2022, Zhang said, adding that the first flight of the ZQ 2 is set for 2020. LandSpace launched its first carrier rocket - the 19-meter, solid-fuel ZQ 1 - in late October at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China to place a minisatellite into orbit. The mission failed because of technical malfunctions during the flight. Zhang said the company is now focusing on the development of the ZQ 2, calling it "the largest and most powerful carrier rocket to be designed and built by a Chinese private rocket company". The 48.8-meter ZQ 2 will have a diameter of 3.35 meters, the same as most of China's Long March rocket series, and a liftoff weight of 216 metric tons. It will be capable of placing a 1.8-ton payload into a sun-synchronous orbit 500 kilometers above the Earth or a 4-ton spacecraft into a low-Earth orbit with an altitude of 200 kilometers, according to LandSpace. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Indian Air Defences Mistakenly Downed Own Military Helicopter - Reports Sputnik News 19:36 21.05.2019(updated 19:43 21.05.2019) On 27 February, the daily newspaper Kashmir Vision reported that a combat Mi-17 V5 helicopter of the Indian Air Force crashed in the Budgam area in the state Jammu and Kashmir. India's NDTV broadcaster reported Tuesday that the Mi-17 V5 helicopter that crashed in the state Jammu and Kashmir earlier this year was in fact downed by India's own air defence forces deployed in Srinagar. The broadcaster added that an investigation into the incident will be concluded in 20 days. According to the report, the helicopter got off the ground at the very moment of a harsh dogfight between Indian and Pakistani aircraft, some 200 kilometres away from the battle. The Indian air defence forces, which were in a state of high alert at the time, noticed a target flying low above the ground and decided to down it. The investigation is clearing up whether the recognition system was functioning when the incident occurred. Tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi simmered earlier this year after at least 40 Indian security personnel were killed in a terrorist attack in Pulwama, India. Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a Pakistan-based terrorist group, claimed responsibility for the attack and the Indian government accused Islamabad of harbouring and sponsoring the Islamist terrorist outfit a charge which Pakistan has denied. In response, India conducted the 26 February airstrike on alleged terror infrastructure targets in Pakistani territory; the following day, Pakistan retaliated by conducting airstrikes targeting Indian territory; the ensuing dogfight reportedly downed two aircraft. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran Air Force commander visits Bushehr, Bandar Abbas, Isfahan bases ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Mon / 20 May 2019 / 15:59 Tehran (ISNA) - Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF), Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh visited Bushehr, Bandar Abbas and Isfahan air bases. During his visit to the bases, the commander said, "IRIAF has an active presence in defending people and national security and it is appropriately prepared". Visiting capacities and operational plans of Bushehr, Bandar Abbas and Isfahan air bases, Brigadier General Nasirzadeh told pilots and technical staff, "Iran Air Force has an active presence in all stages to defend people and national security and always enjoys mental and martial readiness". Praising the pilots' mental and martial readiness, the commander insisted on maintaining and consolidating awareness in confronting enemies. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address No power higher than Iran's nation, young generation: President Rouhani ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Mon / 20 May 2019 / 09:46 Tehran (ISNA) - Speaking in a cordial meeting with a number of students and the young, Iran's President said, "May 19 is the reminiscent of the Iranian nation and the young generation's massive turnout in elections". Dr. Hassan Rouhani said, "People's presence at the ballot box means that a country is determined to renew and reconstruct the country and the society". "On that day, people did a great job in spite of some hardships and problems," he said, adding, "During the past 2 years, the Iranian nation has taken great steps despite all hardships, and wherever the young generation was present, we could overcome the hurdles more easily". The President said, "We are a nation that got out of the tight circle that the enemies had built around us, through the power of our elite diplomats". "It was People's presence at the ballot box that cancelled the chain of 7 Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter in only one day by the same organization that had implemented them," he continued. Dr. Rouhani added, "There are only a few countries that have achieved two consensus resolutions to the benefit of its own nation". Stating that, "Dialogue among Civilizations was registered in the United Nations as the intellectual gift of the Iranian nation," he said, "The Government of Prudence and Hope proposed World Against Violence and Extremism (WAVE) in the United Nations to the name of the Iranian nation, and it was approved by consensus". "We proved that we are a nation that can prove our logic," said the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He continued, "95,000 damaged houses in quake-hit areas were reconstructed within only 14 months," adding, "The recent floods were managed with the least fatalities and the most amount of prevention". "Youth NGOs have increased to 2600 from 100 in this government. NGOs had a great role in helping the flood-hit people," he continued, saying, "The pouring of the floods into Lake Urmia was the result of previous planning and dredging. Dams played the main role in harnessing 70 billion cubic metres of water". Dr. Rouhani added, "We supported 4400 knowledge enterprises, which created jobs and 60 trillion tomans of turnover," saying that in recent years, 70,000 jobs were generated in the tourism sector. "In this government, all villages that had over 10 families were provided with electricity, and 3000 villages were connected to the nationwide gas system every year," continued Rouhani. Stating that, "connecting to the cyberspace created a great development in villages," he said, "At the beginning of this government's term of office, farmers used to sell 4 million tonnes of wheat, but today, they are selling 13 million". President Rouhani added, "Today, the government approved a bill to support start-ups and technology-related businesses and enterprises, and this is very good news for the young generation". The President also went on to say, "In the past two years, 1130 of our high-ranking educated people have returned to the country" adding that, "The business atmosphere has become more vital despite hardships". He continued, "The mean net employment rate in this government has been approximately 500,000 people a year," saying, "Graduation must be accompanied with a skill in a field". Emphasizing that, "There is no power higher than our nation and the young generation," the President said that the best way for quicker development is empathy". "The presence of the young generation and attempting to tap the unused potentials of the Constitution is the way to resolve the issues," he continued. Dr. Rouhani also said, "Our brave people and young generation are the potentials of the Constitution to resolve all problems". End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran says doesn't approve of talks under status quo Iran Press TV Mon May 20, 2019 10:03PM President Hassan Rouhani says despite championing dialog, he absolutely rules out the possibility of such engagement with the United States under the current circumstances. "I, myself, am in favor of negotiation and diplomacy, but do not approve of it under the current circumstances at all," the president said on Monday, meeting with a number of religious scholars and personalities in the capital Tehran. Rouhani reminded how the country had rejected a proposal for talks made by five world leaders during his visit to the United Nations' headquarters in New York last year. Also last year, Tehran likewise ignored eight separate offers for negotiation with Washington, which had been forwarded by the US State Department, he added. "The circumstances of the day are not [such that would be appropriate] for negotiation at all. Today, our situation is [one characterized by] resistance and steadfastness," the chief executive stated. There Iranian people and authorities see perfectly eye to eye on the premise of resistance against the United States and its sanctions, Rouhani said. He, however, asserted, "I do not perceive the road ahead to be a dead-end one at all," adding that in order for the country to surmount the obstacles in its way "all have to realize that we are in conditions of economic war, and should help one another out." The president hailed that Iran was never the one to start matters in its standing conflict with the US. He was referring to the US's remarkably stoking tensions with Iran last year by leaving a multi-lateral nuclear agreement with Tehran, and then returning the sanctions that had been lifted under the deal. Iran warns UN Also on Monday, the contents were published of a letter addressed by Iran's UN envoy Majid Takht-e Ravanchi to the world body's secretary-general, warning about the "alarming security situation in the broader Persian Gulf region." The letter cautioned that "certain [extra-regional] circles" were trying to escalate the already-sensitive state of affairs in the region. The caution echoed one raised by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who told Fox News last month about a dangerous path, which has been taken by the B-Team. Zarif identified the posse as the markedly hawkish US National Security Advisor John Bolton, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Washington has been enlisting the assistance of its regional allies in implementing US President Donald Trump's trademark policy of "maximum pressure" against Iran. Recently, it said that it would target every country potentially buying Iran's oil as of May 2 with "secondary sanctions." Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates immediately reported that they would be making up for potential shortages of the Iranian crude. Those circles, the envoys said, were trying to do so using "fabrications, disinformation, fake intelligence, and fake news," and also by "relying on the support of their allies in the Middle East as well as dispatching naval forces to the region." The US has also dispatched an aircraft carrier strike group, a bomber taskforce, and an assault ship to the Persian Gulf, citing an alleged likelihood that Iran could target American interests in the region. Following the departure of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, The Guardian cited one report, which had showed "information passed on by Israeli intelligence contributed to the US threat assessment." "Iran has always rejected and continues to reject conflict and war," the letter read, and urged that the international community in general, and the United Nations in particular, to refuse to remain indifferent with regard to addressing the root causes of the current situation. It proposed "a win-win approach" through active engagement and dialog among the Persian Gulf's maritime states. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, meanwhile, said, "We are concerned about the rising rhetoric," urging "all parties to lower the rhetoric and lower the threshold of action as well." Oman FM in Iran Separately, it was reported that the foreign minister of Oman, which in the past has taken an intermediary role between Washington and Tehran, visited Tehran on Monday. Meeting with Zarif, the two top diplomats addressed regional and international issues. Iraq has also proposed to intercede amid the high-stakes situation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hawkish US senator warns Iran of 'overwhelming military response' Iran Press TV Mon May 20, 2019 06:13PM US Senator Lindsey Graham, a long-time war hawk, has accused Iran of carrying out the recent attacks on oil pipelines and tankers around the Persian Gulf, and warned Tehran to expect "an overwhelming military response" if it harms US interests in the Middle East region. "Just received a briefing from National Security Advisor [John] Bolton about escalating tensions with Iran," the South Carolina Republican wrote on Twitter on Friday. "It is clear that over the last several weeks Iran has attacked pipelines and ships of other nations and created threat streams against American interests in Iraq," he added. The hawkish senator made a similar warning on his website on Friday after "sabotage attacks" were carried out last week against commercial ships near the territorial waters of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). According to some independent analysts, the bombing of Saudi oil installations was a false flag operation carried out by US intelligence agencies in order to start another conflict in the Middle East. According to the Foreign Ministry of UAE, the incident occurred near the emirate of Fujairah, one of the world's largest bunkering hubs that lies just outside the Strait of Hormuz, which is a vital oil and natural gas corridor for the global energy market. The cause of the explosions has not been ascertained and there has been no claim of responsibility, but speculations range from drone or missile attacks from Yemen, to possible dropping of bombs by US forces to ignite tensions in the region. Iran on Monday voiced concern about "adventurism by foreign players" to disrupt maritime navigation in the Persian Gulf region, describing the incident as "lamentable" and "worrying" and calling for thorough investigations. "I don't want a war, but if there's any effort by the Iranians to come after American interests, that would be a hostile act," Graham said in a statement on his website. "I like the fact that we're moving military assets forward, that we're putting bombers in the region, we're sending in an aircraft carrier, as a warning to Iran that if you come after American interests we're going to hold you accountable," Graham said. Graham said Iran is "challenging" the president as are North Korea, China, Syria and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, he noted. US President Donald Trump and his hawkish foreign policy advisers such as John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have been stepping up pressure against Iranians in the wake of Trump's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal. Trump has also tightened economic sanctions against Tehran and blacklisted the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC). Nonetheless, Trump said he did not want to go to war with Iran, according to a New York Times report on Thursday. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK sides with US amid rising tensions, threatens Iran with 'retaliation' Iran Press TV Mon May 20, 2019 03:14PM The British government, which has on several occasions endorsed Washington's anti-Iran rhetoric amid heightened tensions between the two countries, has once again taken sides with Washington by brazenly threatening the Islamic Republic that in case US interests were attacked in the region, there would be retaliation. Britain's Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt on Monday warned the Islamic Republic against provoking the United States as tensions escalate between Tehran and Washington over the US deployment of an aircraft carrier, a bomber task force, and an assault ship to the Persian Gulf to counter alleged threats posed by Iran. "I would say to the Iranians: Do not underestimate the resolve on the US side," Hunt told reporters on the sidelines of the World Health Assembly in Geneva on Monday, adding, "They don't want a war with Iran. But if American interests are attacked, they will retaliate. And that is something that the Iranians need to think about very, very carefully." The administration of US President Donald Trump said the deployment of US forces in the Middle East was a "defensive" move against Iran, claiming it had received reliable evidence from various sources that showed Tehran was is conspiring to attack the US interests and those of its allies in the region. Also on Sunday night, Trump took to his official Twitter page, threatening that the Islamic Republic would be destroyed if it attacked US interests. "If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again," he added. Elsewhere in his remarks, the British foreign minister said the solution to avoid conflict was that Iran refrained from what he described as "destabilizing activities throughout the region." Iranian authorities have frequently announced that the allegations raised by Washington regarding Iran's threat to conduct attacks on US interests and wreak havoc in the region were based on "fake intelligence." The British foreign minister had noted earlier this week that his country "shared the same assessment of the heightened threat posed by Iran." The deployment of US special forces to the Persian Gulf came following a series of attacks on oil tankers off the coast of United Arab Emirates. Iran has warned that such sabotage operation may be part of a general ploy to target Iran amid increasing regional tensions. Several senior American politicians have warned that Iran hawks in Trump's team are cooking up intelligence in order to convince Trump that Iran is indeed a threat, putting Washington on the same path that lead to the ill-fated invasion of Iraq back in 2003. Iran has dismissed the possibility of war despite the US military deployment to the Persian Gulf. The US president has also reportedly ordered his administration to avoid a military confrontation with Iran. Since its inauguration, the Trump administration has been leading a policy of "maximum pressure" against Iran. The policy has Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as its alleged mastermind and National Security Adviser John Bolton as the person who is trying his best to escalate it into a military conflict. Under the policy line, the US left a multi-lateral nuclear deal with Iran, which also has the UK and others as its signatories, last year. Washington has also been trying to reduce Iran's oil exports to "zero." UN expresses concern over rising US-Iran tensions In another development on Monday, the United Nations expressed concern about the rising tensions between the United States and Iran, calling on both sides to tone down their remarks. "We are concerned about the rising rhetoric," said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, adding, "We would ask all parties to lower the rhetoric and lower the threshold of action as well." Dujarric also noted that UN officials are holding contacts with the US and Iran at various levels to try to calm the situation, but he did not provide details of those talks. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump says no war, but won't let Iran have nuclear weapons Iran Press TV Mon May 20, 2019 04:15AM US President Donald Trump has said he does not want to go to war with Iran, but would not allow Tehran to have nuclear weapons -- a goal the Islamic Republic has never pursued. "With all of everything that's going on, and I'm not one that believes -- you know, I'm not somebody that wants to go into war, because war hurts economies, war kills people most importantly -- by far most importantly," Trump told Fox News on Sunday. "I don't want to fight. But you do have situations like Iran, you can't let them have nuclear weapons -- you just can't let that happen," he added. Tensions mounted between Tehran and Washington last May, when Trump pulled his country out of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and re-imposed harsh sanctions against the Islamic Republic in defiance of global criticism. In the interview, Trump touched upon his withdrawal from the deal, claiming it had some major impacts on Iran's economy. "I ended the Iran nuclear deal, and actually, I must tell you -- I had no idea it was going to be as strong as it was. It totally -- the country is devastated from the standpoint of the economy," he said. Trump has once again threatened to destroy Iran if the Islamic Republic attacked its interests in spite of Tehran saying that it was not seeking war. His most recent tweet appears to be a shift in tone just days after he said he was interested in diplomacy and wanted to avoid war. Trump and his hawkish advisors such as National Security Advisor John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have been stepping up pressure against Iranians since last May. He has also tightened economic sanctions against Tehran and blacklisted the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC). The tensions saw a sharp rise on the first anniversary of Washington's exit from the deal as the US moved to ratchet up pressure on Iran by tightening its oil sanctions and sending military reinforcements, including an aircraft carrier strike group, a squadron of B-52 bombers, and a battery of patriot missiles, to the Persian Gulf region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zarif: Trump's 'Genocidal Taunts' Won't End Iran By RFE/RL May 20, 2019 The Iranian foreign minister has dismissed what he called Donald Trump's "genocidal taunts" and warned the U.S. president not to threaten Iran. Amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran, Trump tweeted early on May 20, "If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran." "Never threaten the United States again!" he wrote, hours after a rocket was fired into the heavily fortified Green Zone in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, and landed about 500 meters from the U.S. Embassy. There was no claim of responsibility for the rocket attack, which caused no casualties or significant damage. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif quickly responded to Trump's warning, tweeting: "Iranians have stood tall for millennia while aggressors all gone. Economic Terrorism & genocidal taunts won't 'end Iran'." "Never threaten an Iranian. Try respect -- it works!" Zarif wrote. The remarks came amid concerns about a potential military conflict between the United States and Iran. Washington has ordered a beefing up of U.S. military assets in the Middle East and Persian Gulf, citing " imminent threats" from Iran, and ordered the evacuation of personnel from the U.S. Embassy in neighboring Iraq Tehran has dismissed the U.S. allegations, and accused Washington of an "unacceptable" escalation of tensions. Both sides have said they do not want a war. Trump later on May 20 said that if Tehran wanted to negotiate, it would have to take the first step. "Iran will call us if and when they are ever ready. In the meantime, their economy continues to collapse -- very sad for the Iranian people!" the U.S. president tweeted. In Geneva, British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said that Iran should not doubt the United States' resolve, warning that "if American interests are attacked, they will retaliate." Hunt told journalists on May 20 that Britain wanted "the situation to deescalate," and urged Iran "to pull back from the destabilizing activities it does throughout the region." Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said on May 19 that Riyadh also did not want military conflict with Iran, but added, "if the other side chooses war, the kingdom will fight this with all the force and determination and it will defend itself, its citizens, and its interests." Saudi Arabia, a U.S. ally and Iran's regional rival, has accused Tehran of ordering last week's drone strikes on oil installations in the kingdom that was claimed by Yemen's Shi'ite Huthi rebels. Relations between Iran and the United States plummeted a year ago when Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal which curbed Iran's nuclear program in exchange for relief from crippling sanctions. Since then, Washington has stepped up its rhetoric and reimposed sanctions. In announcing the U.S. pullout from the nuclear agreement, Trump said the terms were not tough enough to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and did not address Iran's missile program or Tehran's support for militants in the region. Iran denies it supports insurgent activity, including in Yemen, and has said its nuclear program is strictly for civilian energy purposes. Iran's state media reported on May 20 that the country had increased by fourfold its production of low-enriched uranium, which was limited to a 300-kilogram stockpile by the 2015 nuclear agreement. Atomic Energy Organization spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said Iran would "go beyond the 300-kg limit in the not too distant future." "If they want us to maintain this limit, it would be better for European countries to take the measures they want to implement as soon as possible," he added. Earlier this month, Iran said it was suspending several commitments under the nuclear pact, and threatened to step up uranium enrichment if European countries did not act to protect it from the effects of the U.S. sanctions. With reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/zarif -trump-genocidal-taunts-won-t-end iran/29953055.html Copyright (c) 2019. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump, Saudi Arabia Issue New Threats To Iran May 20, 2019 U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a new threat to Iran, saying a conflict would be the "official end" of the Islamic republic. Trump's remarks on May 20 came as Saudi Arabia, a key U.S. ally, warned it was ready to respond to Tehran's alleged provocations with "all strength." The warnings came amid concerns about a potential military conflict between the United States and Iran. Washington has beefed up U.S. military assets in the Middle East and Persian Gulf, citing possible threats from Iran, and has ordered the evacuation of all nonessential personnel from the U.S. Embassy in neighboring Iraq. A rocket landed in Baghdad's Green Zone near the U.S. Embassy compound on May 19 but caused no casualties or significant damage. There were no claims of responsibility. "If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again!" Trump said in a tweet on May 20. In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Trump had been "goaded" into "genocidal taunts." "Economic terrorism and genocidal taunts won't 'end Iran'," Zarif tweeted on May 20. Saudi Arabia has accused Tehran of ordering last week's drone strikes on two oil pumping stations in the kingdom, an attack claimed by Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen. Last May, Trump pulled the United States out of the 2015 nuclear deal that curbed Iran's nuclear program in exchange for relief from crippling sanctions. Since then, Washington has steadily stepped up its rhetoric and reimposed sanctions. Based on reporting by Reuters and AP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump- saudi-arabia-issue-new-threats -to-iran/29952391.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 Tehran Increases Uranium Enrichment Fourfold Amid Iran Deal Suspension Report Sputnik News 20:23 20.05.2019 The hike comes after Tehran announced on 8 May that it had partially discontinued some of its commitments under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, giving the other signatories 60 days to ensure Iran's interests were protected under the agreement. Iran's uranium enrichment rate has increased fourfold more than a week after Tehran suspended some of its obligations in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, the Tasnim news agency cited an unnamed official in the Natanz nuclear facility as saying. The statement, related to Iran's low-enriched uranium, follows Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif confirming last week that Iran remains committed to its obligations under the Iran deal, also known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in the face of the unilateral US exit from the agreement in 2018. "We believe that escalation by the United States is unacceptable and uncalled for. We exercise maximum restraint in spite of the fact that the United States withdrew from [the] JCPOA last May", Zarif underscored. On 8 May, Zarif announced that Tehran would not be carrying out "some [of its] voluntary commitments" to the JCPOA, as the EU and other states had failed to resist pressure from the US, who pulled out of the accord last year and re-imposed sanctions on Iran. He also claimed that Tehran's actions do not violate the nuclear deal and stressed that the country is not exiting the deal. Tehran gave the other JCPOA signatories 60 days to ensure Iran's interests were protected under the agreement; otherwise, the Islamic Republic is ready to take further steps on scrapping the deal. Earlier, Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said that the Islamic Republic would continue uranium enrichment in line with the JCPOA despite the US decision to leave the accord and slap sanctions on Iran's export of the product. "Under the JCPOA, Iran can produce heavy water [] and based on the agreement, we have not carried out anything in violation of it. Therefore we will carry on with enrichment activity. You can either buy it or not," Larijani pointed out. The JCPOA stipulates that Tehran is limited to keeping 300 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 3.67 per cent. As part of the Iran deal, Tehran is allowed to sell any enriched uranium above that threshold on international markets in exchange for natural uranium. On 8 May 2018, Trump announced his decision to withdraw from the JCPOA and reinstate wide-ranging sanctions on Tehran, including secondary sanctions targeting businesses and financial institutions of countries that have commercial relations with the Islamic Republic. Iran, China, Germany, France, Russia, the UK and EU reaffirmed their commitment to the deal after the US' exit. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK Warns Iran of US Retaliation if Washington's Interests 'Attacked' Sputnik News 14:29 20.05.2019(updated 15:04 20.05.2019) Earlier in the day, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif lashed out at US President Donal Trump after the latter said that Iran would see its "official end" should it put up a fight against the United States. Commenting on the recent verbal duel between Washington and Tehran, UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said that Iran should pull back from what he called "destabilising activities" in the region. The senior official noted that US interests were attacked and Washington would retaliate, and Iran needs to think very carefully about its next move. "I would say to the Iranians: Do not underestimate the resolve on the U.S. side," Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt told reporters on the sidelines of the World Health Assembly in Geneva. Earlier in the day, Zarif compared Trump with bellicose rulers of the past such as Genghis Khan and Alexander the Great, saying that Iranians "have stood tall for millennia while aggressors all gone". The statement came immediately after Donald Trump warned the Middle Eastern country in his Tweet that it would be "official end of Iran" if Tehran "wants to fight". Furthermore, the Sun outlet reported that British Special Forces had flown to the Middle East in the framework of a top secret mission to rebuff possible Iranian attacks on merchant ships. Tensions between the US and Iran have escalated earlier this month, when the US imposed more anti-Iranian sanctions and sent an aircraft carrier strike group, a squadron of B-52 bombers and Patriot interceptors to the Middle East to grapple with what Washington describes as a threat emanating from Iran. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran Quadruples Uranium Enrichment By VOA News May 20, 2019 Iran said Monday it has quadrupled its uranium enrichment capacity as the war of words between Tehran and Washington shows little sign of cooling off. Iranian officials say the uranium will be enriched for civilian energy uses, far below weapons grade as spelled out in the 2015 nuclear agreement. Enriching uranium means concentrating the element's radioactive component. Natural uranium has less than one percent U-235, while uranium for electric power production is around four percent pure and weapons-grade material is refined to contain about 90% of this active ingredient. Iran could soon exceed the amount of material it is allowed to stockpile under the deal. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced two weeks ago he is pulling out of some parts of the six-nation nuclear deal, including the condition that Iran sell excess amounts of uranium to other nations. Rouhani has threatened to move Iran closer to weapons-grade enrichment unless it sees promised economic relief from the deal by early July. President Donald Trump pulled out of the nuclear agreement deal one year ago. He re-imposed sanctions on Tehran and has threatened other sanctions on countries that still do business with Iran. Trump's decision has made the Iranian economy, already in tatters, even weaker. Trump's moves have helped set the stage for the current increased tensions between the United States and Iran. Trump tweeted Sunday, "If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again!" Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif responded to what he called "genocidal taunts" by reminding Trump that "Iranians have stood tall for a millennia while aggressors all gone," including Genghis Kahn and Alexander the Great. "Try respect. It works," Zarif tweeted. Senior Trump administration officials plan to brief Congress Tuesday about the military threat it says Iran poses in the Middle East. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said Monday that after a briefing from national security adviser John Bolton, "It is clear that over the last several weeks Iran has attacked pipelines and ships of other nations and created threat streams against American interests in Iraq." Graham tweeted, "The fault lies with the Iranians, not the United States or any other nation. If the Iranian threats against American personnel and interests are activated, we must deliver an overwhelming military response. Stand firm Mr. President." Monday in the Senate chamber, Democratic Senator Tim Kaine said, "It would be absolute lunacy for the United States to get involved in another war right now in the Middle East. I think it would be devastating to be in a war with Iran and, in my view unconstitutional to be in a war with Iran at a president's say-so. It's Congress that declares war, not the president. It's not for a president to say it and start it. It's not for a president to, by a series of provocations, blunder us down the path where war becomes inevitable." Later, Democratic Senator Chris Murphy tweeted: "No one should defend the actions Iran has taken they've been out of control for years but dumb wars start when each party mistakenly believes that the other party's defensive or reactive actions are actually offensive and proactive." The U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet said it has increased maritime patrols and exercises in the Arabian Sea that highlight the "lethality and agility to respond to threat." The Pentagon has already sent bombers to the region. Iranian leaders say they do not want war, but have shown no interest in talks with the U.S. Meantime, Saudi Arabia said Monday it intercepted two missiles it says were fired by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. One missile was stopped over the city of Taif and the other over Jiddah. The Houthis deny involvement. The Saudis have said they do not want war, but will fight to protect their interests. The Saudis also blame the Houthis for a drone attack on two Saudi oil-pumping stations last week, and the U.S. says it suspects Iran was behind the sabotage that damaged four tankers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates last week. Two of the tankers were Saudi. Saudi Arabia is leading a coalition helping the Yemeni government fight the Houthi rebels. Iran has not denied supporting the Houthi cause, but has said it does not supply weapons to them. Michael Bowman of Capitol Hill contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zarif Suggests Trump 'Try Respect' Instead of Threats By VOA News May 20, 2019 Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif suggested Monday that U.S. President Donald Trump "try respect" instead of issuing threats. He was responding to a Twitter post Sunday in which Trump said: "If Iran wants to fight, that will the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again!" Zarif said Trump, under pressure from a group that includes his National Security Adviser John Bolton and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is hoping to achieve what "other aggressors failed to do.'" "Iranians have stood tall for millennia while aggressors all gone," Zarif wrote. "Economic terrorism and genocidal taunts won't 'end Iran.'" Last week, Trump appeared to be backing away from his apparently hawkish stance against Iran, saying he would be open to talks. When asked by a reporter at the White House on Thursday if the United States was going to war with Iran, Trump replied, "I hope not." But there has been no apparent let up in the tensions between the United States, its regional allies and Iran. The State Department says a "low-grade rocket" fell inside the green zone in Baghdad, less than a kilometer from the U.S. embassy Sunday. No injuries or damage were reported. U.S. Central Command spokesman Capt. Bill Urban said the Pentagon was aware of an explosion outside the embassy, adding, "There were no U.S. or coalition casualties, and Iraqi Security Forces are investigating the incident." A State Department spokesman says the U.S. will not tolerate such attacks and that it will hold Iran responsible "if any such attacks are conducted by its proxy militia forces." Saudi Arabia is blaming Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen for a drone attack on two Saudi oil-pumping stations last week. The U.S. also suspects Iran was behind the sabotage of four oil tankers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates last week. Two of the damaged tankers were Saudi. The Saudis also say they will not tolerate Iranian aggression. "The kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not want war in the region and does not strive for that," foreign affairs minister Adel al-Jubeir said Sunday. "But at the same time, if the other side chooses war, the kingdom will fight this will all force and determination and it will defend itself, its citizens and its interests." Saudi King Salman has called for emergency summits with Gulf and Arab leaders on May 30 to discuss what the kingdom's official news agency describes as "aggressions and their consequences." An Iranian news agency quotes Iran's Revolutionary Guard head Hossein Salami as saying the country does not want war, but is "not afraid" of it. A statement from the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet Sunday spoke of increased maritime patrols and exercises in the Arabian Sea that highlight the "lethality and agility to respond to threat" The Pentagon has already sent bombers to the region. The increased tensions with Iran began brewing a year ago when Trump pulled the United States out of the six-nation nuclear deal with Iran. Under the agreement, Iran limited its uranium enrichment program in exchange for the end of sanctions and economic relief. The limitations were meant to ensure Iran does not develop nuclear weapons, something Iran denied it had been doing. Trump, in an interview with Fox News recorded last week and broadcast Sunday, said he does not "want to fight" but that when it comes to Iran, "you can't let them have nuclear weapons." The reimposed U.S. sanctions have left the Iranian economy in tatters and Iran complains it has yet to see the promised economic benefit from the countries that are still part of the nuclear deal Britain, China, France, Germany, and Russia. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced two weeks ago he was pulling out of part of the nuclear deal and would restart some uranium enrichment if there were no economic benefits by early July. Nike Ching at the State Department and Carla Babb at the Pentagon contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran not to bend towards bullying powers: President IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Orumieh, May 21, IRNA -- The Iranian nation will resist the pressures, but it will not bend towards bullying powers, President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday. He made the remarks in a ceremony held to celebrate inauguration of a new water management project in West Azarbaijan. Due to their wishful thoughts, the enemies supposed that they can undermine Iran's prowess, but in the difficult days of sanctions, the country's economy is blooming and everyday a new economic project is inaugurated, President Rouhani added. He pointed to the the US officials' retreat from threatening Iran to war and said that this issue proves the powerful stance of Iran in the world. The US sanctions and pressures have made the life of Iranian people difficult, but it cannot break their resistance, the president added. 9191**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address All authorities unanimous about resisting US sanctions: President Rouhani ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Tue / 21 May 2019 / 12:23 Tehran (ISNA) Iran's President described the role of the clergy in defending the national interests of the country and the World of Islam remarkable, saying, "The clergy have always had a valuable role in religion, science and culture, as well as guiding people and reducing discords in the society". Speaking in a cordial meeting with clerics and seminarians, President Hassan Rouhani said, "The valuable role of the clergy in fighting colonialism and exploitation has been very critical during stages like fighting Britain's colonialism and during the Constitutional and Islamic movements". "During the past 40 years after the victory of the Islamic Revolution, clerics have carried the burden of responsibility of managing the society," he said. The President stressed, "Major world powers knew that in case of the victory of the Islamic Revolution, their interests in the region and the world would be endangered". On the current complicated conditions, he said, "Those at the White House have been acting against the Islamic Republic of Iran since 40 years ago, considering pressure and war the way to confront our country; today, all of these people have gathered in one place in the White House". Dr. Rouhani also went on to stress that fortunately, people believe that we were not the one who started the tensions, saying, "The enemies have always wanted us to be the beginner, and this will be recorded in history". "Of course, some inside the country were trying to get us withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with some reasons and reasoning; standing against this was also a hard job," he continued. If we withdrew from the nuclear deal under the provocations of the United States, defending the government's efforts and work would be harder today, President Rouhani said, adding, "In such an atmosphere, the United Nations would implement sanctions in addition to those of the US". The President also said that the government is fully aware of the hard economic conditions of lower income classes, saying, "The government has always tried to help these classes, and we have allocated 500 billion tomans to address their issues". He also referred to the decrease in government's income and limitations with regard to banking relations, saying, "87 per cent of the world's financial work is done with dollar, and today, trade with dollar is under sanction in a unilateral, illegal way". Today, we are self-sufficient in production of many basic goods, including wheat, and we do not need to import them, said the President, adding, "Although we are self-sufficient in our basic goods, some are increasing the price of other imported products to gain profit". "Although today, people are facing hardships, the government has not let them feel any shortage in basic goods," he added. Dr. Rouhani also said, "Today, we need to focus our power and decision makings to manage the current conditions better". "We have never had such hardships and hurdles in in banking relations and oil sales that we have today, therefore, we all need to focus and feel that we are at an economic war," he said. The President added, "Fortunately, today we all agree that we need to stand up to the United States and sanctions, and there is no disagreement in this regard among people and the authorities". "I favour negotiation and diplomacy, but I do not consider it right in the current conditions, said Rouhani," continuing, "In my last year visit to the United Nations, 5 well-known world leaders approached us to mediate a negotiation with US President. Their State Department also sent requests to us 8 times, but today is not the time of negotiation at all, but resistance and steadfastness". "To reach our high goals and reduce problems, we all need to be united and unanimous and feel that we are at an economic war in which we need to help each other," added the President. He said, "Despite all hardships and problems we are opening a great project in West Azerbaijan Province with a credit of around 4 billion tomans, and other great project will be opened after Ramadan to help us develop our country in spite of sanctions". End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran not looking for war but if it is imposed, we will vigorously defend: Takht-Ravanchi ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Tue / 21 May 2019 / 10:25 Tehran (ISNA) - Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Majid Takht-Ravanchi said in a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that Iran is not looking for war and conflict but if war is imposed on Iran, the country will vigorously defend its nation. Here is the full text of Takht-Ravanchi's letter to Guterres: Excellency, I am writing to you with regard to the recent alarming security situation in the broader Persian Gulf region. There are indications that certain circles from outside of this region through fabrications, disinformation, fake intelligence and fake news, relying on the support of their allies in the Middle East as well as dispatching naval forces to the region are pursuing their illegitimate interests by sowing further division and creating more mistrust between regional countries in the Persian Gulf, as well as fomenting insecurity and escalating the already high tension in this volatile region. If unchecked, the current situation might sooner or later go beyond the perimeter of control and thereby lead to another unnecessary regional crisis. The Islamic Republic of Iran has repeatedly warned about the mischievous intentions of such circles, and the wide-ranging regional and international ramifications of their objectives. In turn, Iran has always rejected and continues to reject conflict and war. Iran will never choose war as an option or strategy in pursuing its foreign policy. It should, however, be obvious that if war is imposed on us, Iran will vigorously exercise its inherent right to self-defense in order to defend its nation and to secure its interests. In light of the above and at a time when the region is in turmoil with no bright prospect in sight, the international community in general, and the United Nations in particular, cannot and must not remain indifferent with regard to addressing the root causes of the current state of affairs. If the issues are not thoroughly addressed, the eruption of any possible conflict will soon cross over from the regional level and will definitely have serious and extensive implications on international peace and security. Inactiona lose-lose approachis not an option and can lead to a disaster that must be avoided. The only solution is in fact the adoption of a win-win approach through active engagement. Accordingly, in view of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the current complex security environment in the region can be eased and ultimately addressed exclusively through constructive engagement and dialogue between the littoral States of the Persian Gulf. Such a regional dialogue should be based on mutual respect as well as generally recognized principles and shared objectives, notably respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of all states; inviolability of international boundaries; non-interference in internal affairs; peaceful settlement of disputes; impermissibility of threat or use of force; and the promotion of peace, stability, progress and prosperity in the region. As has been stated by H.E. Mr. Mohammad Javad Zarif, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the establishment of a collective forum for dialogue in the Persian Gulf region to facilitate engagement is long overdue. By promoting understanding, regional dialogue can lead to agreement on a broad spectrum of issues, including confidence- and security-building measures; combating terrorism and violent extremism; and ensuring freedom of navigation and the free flow of energy. It eventually can include more formal non-aggression and security cooperation arrangements. In this context, and recalling that paragraph 8 of Security Council resolution 598 (1987) has entrusted the Secretary-General to examine "measures to enhance the security and stability of the region"; your Excellency, by operationalizing this paragraph, could furnish the necessary international umbrella for launching such a regional dialogue. It would be highly appreciated if you could have the present letter issued as a document of the Security Council. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iranian nation will not bow to bullies: Rouhani Iran Press TV Tue May 21, 2019 03:09PM President Hassan Rouhani asserts that the Iranian nation may be under pressure, but will not "bow its head in the face of bullies." Rouhani made the remarks on Tuesday in the country's northwestern West Azerbaijan Province, where he inaugurated eight developmental projects, including two dams. "Holding onto premature perceptions, they had thought they would be able to shatter Iran's grandeur," he said, adding, however, that "we have been witnessing prosperity across this land every day in this tough time and under sanctions." "This is a very decisive response to the White Houseand to those who reckon they can make the great nation of Iran buckle under their pressures," the president noted. Rouhani underscored how Washington regularly walks back its threats against Iran shortly after issuing them. "The White House announces that the people of Iran should be wary of an attack: however, [no longer than] two hours later, under pressure from the Pentagon," the US president declares that Washington was not after launching any attack against Iran," he said. "This is the very power of the Iranian nation," Rouhani stated, noting that the enemies cannot stand the country's endeavor towards progress and self-reliance. The US remarkably stoked tensions with Iran last year by leaving a multilateral nuclear agreement with Tehran, and then restoring the sanctions that had been lifted under the deal. The US has also dispatched an aircraft carrier strike group, a bomber taskforce, and an assault ship to the Persian Gulf, citing an alleged likelihood that Iran could target the American interests in the region. On Monday, US President Donald Trump tweeted, "If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran." Soon afterwards, though, he downplayed what he has been trumpeting as "Iran's threat" to the region and the US interests. "We have no indication that anything's happened to or will happen," he claimed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraq Seeking To Help Calm Iran-U.S. Tensions May 21, 2019 Iraq will send delegations to Washington and Tehran to help "end tension" amid concerns of a possible military conflict between the United States and Iran, the Iraqi prime minister has said. Adel Abdul Mahdi said on May 21 that Iraq, which has close ties to both Iran and the United States, is "playing a role to calm the situation but it is not a mediation," according to state-run Iraqi media. Relations between Tehran and Washington have plummeted since the United States a year ago pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal that curbed Iran's nuclear program in exchange for relief from crippling economic sanctions. Since then, Washington has stepped up its rhetoric and reimposed sanctions. Washington has ordered a beefing up of U.S. military assets in the Middle East and Persian Gulf, citing "imminent threats" from Iran, and ordered the evacuation of personnel from the U.S. Embassy in neighboring Iraq. Tehran has dismissed the U.S. allegations. Mahdi said that Iranian and U.S. officials have informed Baghdad that they have "no desire in fighting a war." There are no Iraqi groups that wanted to push toward a war, the Iraqi prime minister added, two days after a rocket was fired into the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad and landed about 500 meters from the U.S. Embassy. No one has claimed responsibility, but U.S. government sources were quoted as saying that Shi'ite militias with ties to Tehran were suspected to be behind the attack. Mahdi said he will visit Kuwait on May 22 to discuss regional issues, including the tensions between Washington and Tehran. Based on reporting by Reuters, dpa, and AP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iraq- seeking-to-help-calm-iran-u-s- tensions/29954893.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 Pentagon Chief Claims US Has Put Iranian "Threat" on Hold With Its Actions Sputnik News 20:13 21.05.2019 The US recently increased its military presence in the Middle East, sending an aircraft carrier strike group to the Persian Gulf and reportedly deploying a regiment of B-52 bombers to the region amid growing tensions between Washington and Tehran. Acting US Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan told journalists on 21 May that Washington's actions towards Iran have had an effect and that although the "threats" from Tehran persist, they have been put "on hold", without elaborating further. "That doesn't mean that the threats that we've previously identified have gone away. Our prudent response, I think, has given the Iranians time to recalculate", Shanahan said. The acting defence secretary expressed hope that "Iran is listening" and understands the motive behind the recent American actions, going on to explain that the US is not going to war with Tehran, but that its moves have been aimed at addressing regional issues. He went on to say that previously, the US had focused its efforts on making sure that there were "no miscalculations by the Iranians". Shanahan's statements come amid heated verbal exchanges between US President Donald Trump and Iranian officials. Trump recently called Iran "hostile" and repeatedly has warned it against attacking the US or its interests in the Middle East, threatening that it would be "the official end of Iran", as Washington would respond to aggressive moves with "great force". His statements were preceded by the deployment of an American aircraft carrier strike group in the Persian Gulf region, which was reportedly joined by a regiment of B-52 bombers and Patriot missile defence systems in the Middle East amid intensifying tensions between the two states. Tehran slammed the US military deployments, calling Trump's tirade "genocidal taunts". At the same time, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei insisted that his country doesn't seek war with the US, but will resist it vehemently until Washington is "forced into a retreat". The two states' bilateral relations have been worsening since the US withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal on 8 May 2018, which was signed in 2015 by a group of states to ensure the peaceful character of the Iranian nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions being lifted. Washington unilaterally re-imposed the sanctions in November 2018, threatening the existence of the deal. On 8 May 2019, Tehran announced that it would withdraw from some of its "voluntary" commitments under the nuclear deal, citing the failure of other parties to the accord to cope with US pressure. Tehran has repeatedly slammed the EU's efforts at establishing a mechanism to bypass the American sanctions, called INSTAX. The signatories to the Iran nuclear deal expressed regret at Tehran's decision, with Russia and China blaming the US policy for the country's move. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Military Assets Deployed in Gulf 'Prone to Accident', Iran Warns Sputnik News 18:11 21.05.2019(updated 18:20 21.05.2019) US President Donald Trump said earlier in the day that there's no indication that Iran is preparing to take action against American interests in the Middle East, but added that any provocation would be met "with great force". In a televised speech, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said that the US administration is made up of "novice politicians with naive ideas", claiming that his American counterpart Donald Trump had scaled back on his threats after military aides advised him against a war with Iran. "Right after threatening Iran, they were forced to say they do not seek a war. Iranians will never bow to a bully", he said, adding that the unity of the Iranian nation had changed Trump's decision to wage war. The country's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, in the meantime, told CNN that Iran would not return to the negotiating table unless the Trump administration shows respect for Tehran by honouring its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the 2015 nuclear deal. "We are not willing to talk to people who have broken their promises. Iran never negotiates with coercion. You cannot threaten any Iranian and expect them to engage. The way to do it is through respect, not through threats", he said. The foreign minister continued by blasting Washington for sending a carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Gulf, and added that the US was playing a "very, very dangerous game" by increasing its military presence in the region. "Having all these military assets in a small waterway is in and of itself prone to accident, particularly when you have people who are interested in accidents. So extreme prudence is required and the United States is playing a very, very dangerous game", he said. While noting that there "will be painful consequences if there is an escalation", Zarif stressed that the country is "not interested" in adding to already existing tensions. Earlier in the day, Trump told reporters that Iran has been "very hostile", but noted that he was interested in engaging in talks with Tehran when it's "ready". "We have no indication that anything has happened or will happen, but if it does, it will be met obviously with great force. We'll have no choice", he said. Tensions between Iran and the United States flared up last year after Washington unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement and reinstated all sanctions against Tehran. Exactly a year after the US pull-out on 8 May 2019 Rouhani announced that Iran would partially suspend its obligations under the deal, having given the five remaining signatories France, Russia, the UK, Germany, and China a 60-day deadline to take measures towards ensuring Tehran's interests amid US sanctions. Washington upped the ante two weeks ago by deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Gulf to send a "clear and unmistakable message" to Iran. Most recently, Trump fired off a tweet in which he wrote, "if Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran". In response, Zarif publicly rebuked Trump on his own Twitter account, saying that "economic terrorism and genocidal taunts won't 'end Iran'". Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iranian Presidential Aide REVEALS Tehran's Strategy Toward US Sputnik News 17:18 21.05.2019(updated 18:36 21.05.2019) MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Iran's strategy to confront US hostile measures is based on a "no to war, no to sanctions" principle, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's cultural adviser, Hesameddin Ashena, told Tasnim News Agency on Tuesday. "Firstly, we would not allow a war to take place in the region, and secondly, we will not brook remaining under sanctions Our response to the United States is no to war and no to sanctions", Ashena said. The comment comes in pursuit of a statement issued earlier in the day by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, saying that the United States had requested negotiations with Tehran at least eight times. Rouhani added, however, that he did not consider the talks right in the current situation. The note was issued hours after US President Donald Trump told reporters that there were no signs Iran was preparing actions against US interests in the Middle East, adding that any provocation by Tehran would be met "with great force". Nevertheless, the US president noted that he was willing to have talks with Tehran when the latter is "ready." In recent weeks, the United States has stepped up its military presence in the Middle East in what National Security Advisor John Bolton has called a "clear and unmistakable message" to Tehran. The United States has recently deployed an aircraft carrier strike group, Patriot missiles, B-52 bombers and F-15 fighters to the region, according to the Pentagon. Responding to the US actions, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Tehran would continue to resist Washington but that there would be no war. US-Iranian tensions initially flared up last year when the United States unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and started reinstating sanctions against Tehran. On May 8, Iran announced its own decision to partially discontinue its obligations under the nuclear agreement. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Balochistan Militants Issue Threat to Chinese President, Pakistan - Report Sputnik News 12:57 20.05.2019(updated 12:58 20.05.2019) China is investing over $60 billion in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that extends from Xinjiang Province in China to Gwadar in Pakistan's Balochistan province. Pakistan has already deployed an army division for CPEC security. New Delhi (Sputnik): The Majeed Brigade of Balochistan Liberation Army's (BLA) has warned China and Pakistan of repercussions if they fail to withdraw their projects from Balochistan Province in Pakistan, reports India's ANI news agency. The BLA reportedly urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to leave Balochistan or face retaliation. "President Xi Jinping, you still have time to quit Balochistan or you will witness retaliation from Baloch sons and daughters that you will never forget," ANI quoted a BLA commander as saying in a video. The Majeed Brigade is also known as the "self-sacrificing squad" of the BLA. On 11 May, four Majeed Brigade fighters attacked a 5-star hotel, Pearl Continental, in Balochistan's port city of Gwadar and engaged Pakistani forces for 26 hours, raising serious questions about the security cover existing for Sino-Pakistan development projects, including a deep-sea port. Eight days after the deadly attack against the Gwadar hotel, the Majeed Brigade released the video threatening the Chinese president and the government of Pakistan. "China you came here without our consent, supported our enemies, helped Pakistani military in wiping our villages. But now it's our turn," the BLA commander in the video added. Adding to his anti-Sino-Pak tirade, the commander in the video is heard describing the motive of the Gwadar hotel attack and its aims. "The motive of our attack was to inflict heavy losses upon both Pakistan and China." "It is a simple and clear message to China and Pakistan to withdraw immediately from Balochistan. This warning to China and Pakistan was also given by our leader Gen Aslam Baloch. But China failed to pay heed. We once again make it clear that Gwadar and the rest of Balochistan belong to Balochistan. It is our duty to protect our land and our sea," the Indian news agency quoted him as saying. Meanwhile, Pakistan has deployed an army division to protect interests in Sino-Pakistan development projects including those in the Balochistan region. Pakistan has been facing an insurgency in Balochistan since 1947, with Baloch nationalist organisations struggling to create an independent state. The Balochi is also a major ethnic minority in Iran and Afghanistan. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistani PM May Get National Security Advisor to Settle India Issues Reports Sputnik News 12:36 20.05.2019 It is expected that a former military official will be appointed to the position regardless of the outcome of the Indian general election. Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan believes, however, that there may be better chances of peace talks with India if the current prime minister retains power. The Pakistani government is "actively considering" the appointment of a national security adviser to revive backchannel diplomacy with India, The Express Tribune reports citing senior government sources. Islamabad t is reportedly still considering candidates for the sensitive post but it will likely be occupied by a retired military official. Pakistani sources were quoted as having a positive outlook for the resumption of talks with India; diplomats believe that whoever wins India's general election will come back to the negotiating table. India is currently holding a general election with the overall result to be announced on 23 May. Exit polls predict a victory for Modi over the rival Rahul Gandhi and his Congress Party. It is understood, however, that a national security adviser will be appointed regardless of who wins. The position has been vacant since the resignation of former army general Nasser Janjua last June, who was instrumental in building trust with Afghanistan and breaking the ice in re-engagement talks with India. Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan previously stated that New Delhi had rejected his peace overtures several times, but he explained this reluctance by electoral reasons. Narendra Modi campaigned on a pledge to strip India-controlled-Kashmir from its autonomous status, removing its residents' decades-long special rights and privileges, which ban outsiders from buying immovable property or getting a state job. "There will be two Narendra Modis; one before the election, one after," Imran Khan said last month. He argued that an agreement on the disputed Kashmir would be more likely if Narendra Modi stayed in power, because the opposition would be too scared to engage in negotiations due to potential backlash from Indian nationalists. Prospects for the peace process have been damaged by a recent escalation of tensions between the two nuclear-armed rivals after India launched an airstrike on a supposed terror camp inside Pakistan, which belonged to a jihadist group responsible for the February deadly suicide attack on security personnel in Indian-administered Kashmir. The airstrike was followed by an aerial dogfight above Kashmir, which ended with the downing of an Indian airplane; an Indian pilot was captured and subsequently released. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China delivers first overhauled JF-17 fighter jet to Pakistan: report Global Times By Liu Xuanzun Source:Global Times Published: 2019/5/21 17:14:40 The close cooperation between China and Pakistan was highlighted by the recent delivery of the first overhauled JF-17 fighter jet under a project that experts said on Tuesday will benefit Pakistan's aviation industry. Changsha 5712 Aircraft Industry Co Ltd under the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) reassembled the overhauled JF-17 and delivered it to its Pakistani client in March, China Aviation News revealed on Monday. This is also the first time AVIC has overhauled a made-for-export third generation fighter, or fourth generation according to another widely used standard, the report said. "The first [JF-17] overhaul marks an important milestone [in the JF-17 project]," Fu Qianshao, a Chinese air defense expert, told the Global Times on Tuesday. The first overhaul represents the trial-and-error phase of the project and provided experience in establishing standards for other JF-17 overhauls in the future, according to Fu. Jointly developed and manufactured by China and Pakistan, the single-engine multi-role light fighter jet JF-17 made its maiden flight in 2003. The first JF-17s were delivered to Pakistani clients in 2007 and a number of them were later commissioned by the Pakistan Air Force. After a decade of use, it was time for the first JF-17s to undergo overhauls, military analysts said. A contract was signed in 2016 and the first overhaul started in November 2017. The overhauled aircraft made its first test flight in October 2018, reports said. An overhaul includes major maintenance featuring repairs and replacement of old components including the airframe and engine, said Fu. While standard, regular maintenance could be done by the military, an overhaul usually needs to be conducted by a designated and more capable supplier due to higher complexity, he said. Such an overhaul can ensure flight safety after years of use, Fu said. It might also equip the aircraft with newer technologies that enhance its capability, or prolong the aircraft's lifespan, he said. The experienced overhaul team at AVIC used a reliability-oriented maintenance model, keeping the maintenance cycle short and costs low, the China Aviation News report said. Pakistan sent dozens of trainees to China, who had close communication and built deep friendships with Chinese engineers during the overhaul process, the report said. Fu said since procedures and standards for the overhaul have been established, future overhauls on other JF-17s could be done by Pakistani personnel. "Under the framework of China-Pakistan cooperation, Pakistan's aviation industry will continue to develop," Fu noted. A Block 3 variant of the JF-17 is under development, which is expected to be much more powerful than the previous two blocks thanks to a new China-developed active electronically scanned array radar, reports said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Fighters Escort Russian Strategic Bombers Over Alaska - Russian MoD Sputnik News 16:31 21.05.2019 American reconnaissance drones routinely fly along Russia's borders, mostly in the west and in south-west, as well as along the Syrian coast, where Russian military bases are located. Such flights have become quite regular since relations between the US and Russia became strained in 2014. Four Russian Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic bombers conducted a scheduled flight along the western coast of Alaska and Aleutian Islands, the Russian Ministry of Defence reported on 21 May. On certain parts of their route they were escorted by American F-22 fighter jets, the ministry added. In total, the strategic bombers flew for over 12 hours and apart from Alaskan coast, passed over the Bering, Chukchi, and Okhotsk seas. Such flights are a common practice with the Russian defence ministry emphasising that they are conducted in accordance with international laws regulating flights over neutral waters. Such flights take place amid US reconnaissance drones regularly being spotted in close proximity to Russia's borders in the Baltics, near Crimea and Ukraine, as well as to military bases in Syria. Their appearance became more frequent following the start of the downward spiral in bilateral relations between Washington and Moscow. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Military, Techmash Agree on Rocket Supply for Tornado Launchers Sputnik News 05:17 21.05.2019 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian Defence Ministry and ammunition manufacturer Techmash signed a long-term contract on the supply of rockets for Tornado S rocket launchers until 2027, Deputy CEO of Russia's Techmash ammunition manufacturer Aleksander Kochkin told Sputnik. "The Defence Ministry introduced a practice of long-term contracts. We signed a contract with the [Russian] military for the first time last year on the supply of missiles for Tornado S rocket launchers, [the contract] works till 2027. This allows us to plan cooperation beforehand [and], set long-term plans", he said. Tornado is Russia's newest universal multiple rocket launcher. Russian Ground Forces are its sole operator. According to the manufacturer, three types of missiles were developed for the Tornado-G and the Tornado-S. The first type is designed to destroy enemy personnel and unarmored vehicles. This is an unguided missile with a detachable high-explosive head. It has a firing range of 5 to 20 kilometers (3 12 miles). The second armor-piercing type is designed to defeat armored vehicles with armor up to 100 millimeters (3.9 inches) thick. The power of this missile is in its cluster warhead, which is stuffed with shaped-charge fragmentation submunitions. A missile with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead was also developed for the Tornado MLRS. The warhead contains 34.5 kilograms (76 pounds) of explosives. There are more than 1,000 6-millimeter submunitions and more than 2,000 9-millimeter submunitions in it. The Techmash concern is Russia's largest ammunition manufacturer specializing in the development and production of supplies for weapons for the Russian Armed Forces. Techmash is part of Russian state corporation Rostec. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia repels missile attack by militants on its main airbase in Syria's Latakia Iran Press TV Mon May 20, 2019 01:09PM The Russian Defense Ministry says its surface-to-air missile systems have managed to foil an attack by militants from the Jabhat Fateh al-Sham terrorist group, formerly known as al-Nusra Front, on its main air base in Syria's western coastal province of Latakia. The ministry announced in a statement on Monday that militants positioned in the de-escalation zone of Syria's northwestern province of Idlib had fired six missiles at the strategic Hmeimim airbase at around 8 p.m. (1700 GMT) the previous day. The statement added that Russian air defense systems destroyed all the projectiles before they could strike the site. The Russian Defense Ministry further noted that multiple launch pads from where Jabhat Fateh al-Sham terrorists had fired the missiles at the airbase, were detected and destroyed. The development came only two days after Syrian air defense systems thwarted a drone and missile attack on Hmeimim airbase. Syria's state-run television network reported at the time that foreign-sponsored militants positioned in Qardahah village, which overlooks the coastal town of Latakia, as well as Jablah district had fired the projectiles at the base. Russia has been helping Syrian forces in ongoing battles across the conflict-plagued Arab country. The Russian military assistance, which began in September 2015 at the official request of the Syrian government, has proved effective as Syrians continue to recapture key areas from Daesh and other foreign-backed terrorist groups across the country with the backing of Russian air cover. Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since March 2011. The Syrian government says the Israeli regime and its Western and regional allies are aiding Takfiri terrorist groups that are wreaking havoc in the country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia: Syrian army declares unilateral truce in Idlib Iran Press TV Mon May 20, 2019 08:38AM Russia says Syrian government forces have suspended their operations against foreign-backed Takfiri militants in the northwestern province of Idlib as part of a "unilateral" ceasefire. "From 00:00 on May 18, Syrian armed forces unilaterally ceased fire in the Idlib de-escalation zone," Russian Defense Ministry's Center for Syrian Reconciliation said in a statement on Sunday. The demilitarized zone surrounds Idlib and also includes parts of the adjacent provinces of Aleppo and Hama. The statement said despite the ceasefire, "firing targeting government forces' positions and civilians in the provinces of Hama, Latakia and Aleppo continues." The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said the army launched a retaliatory attack on Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) positions after the terrorist group fired rockets and mortar shells at the northern part of Hama province. HTS, which is a coalition of different factions of terror outfits largely composed of the Jabhat Fateh al-Sham Takfiri terrorist group, holds a large part of the province and the zone. The army has ratcheted up its operations in Idlib to counter numerous flagrant terrorist violations of an earlier de-escalation agreement. Under the agreement signed between Russia and Turkey last year, Takfiri groups in Idlib had to withdraw from areas bordering Syrian government-controlled territory, but they have refused to do so. During a UN Security Council meeting on Friday, Iran's Ambassador to the UN Majid Takht-Ravanchi warned that continued terrorist presence in the Syrian territory is endangering civilian lives. The Iranian envoy described the situation in Idlib as critical, saying terrorist groups were using "over two million civilians as human shields". Syria's UN Ambassador Bashar al-Ja'afari also called for a halt to foreign support for terrorists operating in the province. "Ending the suffering of Syrians in Idlib requires stopping hypocrisy and politicization and investment in terrorists and manipulating peoples' destinies and lives," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Air Force Repels Terrorist Attack on Hmeymim Airbase - MoD Sputnik News 11:50 20.05.2019(updated 12:16 20.05.2019) The day before, the Russian Centre for Reconciliation in Syria reported that militants had violated the ceasefire regime in Idlib de-escalation zone 13 times in one day, injuring 3 Syrian servicemen. The Russian Defence Ministry said Monday that al-Nusra Front terrorists fired six missiles at Russia's Hmeymim base in Syria on May 19. The ministry added that no casualties, nor damage had been registered following the attack. "Despite the fact that the armed forces of the Syrian Arab Republic ensured full ceasefire starting midnight, May 18, Nusra terrorists continued provocations and shelling in the Idlib de-escalation zone. Thus, in the evening of May 19, 2019, Nusra terrorists made an attempt to attack Russian Khmeimim air base using multiple launch rocket systems At around 8 p.m. on Sunday [17:00 GMT], terrorists fired six missiles from the Idlib de-escalation zone at the Russian Khmeimim air base in Syria. The air defense forces of the base on duty destroyed all the projectiles," the statement read. The Russian Aerospace Forces has destroyed Nusra's multiple launch rocket system in Idlib, as well as two drones, the ministry went on to say. The statements come day after the Russian Centre for Reconciliation in Syria said that the Syrian Army unilaterally ceased fire in Idlib starting from May 18. Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed ceasefire violations by militants operating in Idlib de-escalation zone with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Previously, the head of Russia's Reconciliation Centre in Syria said that militant groups acting in the Idlib de-escalation zone haven't ceased their attempts to attack Russia's Hmeymim base and Syrian government troops, adding that the terrorists attempted to shell Hmeymim airbase using multiple-launch rocket systems as well as drones twelve times over the past month. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address What Is Behind Protests Against US-Backed Forces in Eastern Syria? By Sirwan Kajjo May 20, 2019 For three consecutive weeks, residents in parts of the eastern Syrian province of Deir el-Zour have been protesting against U.S.-backed forces that recently defeated Islamic State in its last stronghold there. With help from the U.S., Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led military alliance, has controlled large parts of eastern Syria after removing IS militants from the region. But rising food prices, lack of services and arbitrary arrests of IS suspects have forced many frustrated locals to take to the streets in protest of the new administration, local news reported. "In addition to those factors, there is a growing discontent among local Arabs against Kurdish rule in Deir el-Zour," said Rami Abdulrahman, director of Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor that has researchers across the country. He told VOA that such protests were expected, given the demographic and political composition in the Syrian province. Ethnic tensions Deir el-Zour is an Arab-majority province where Kurdish forces now are mostly in charge of security and other services. But parts of the oil-rich province are controlled by Syrian troops and allied militias. Analysts warn that continued tensions in Deir el-Zour could risk military gains recently made against IS. "Any ethnic tensions between Kurds and Arabs could create a vacuum in the area, which would lead to the reemergence of IS or other groups," said Omar Hossino, a Syria policy expert based in Washington. "There have been ethnic tensions in many areas controlled by the SDF for some time now, as many Arabs have been excluded from power-sharing. And the economic situation is making it worse," Hossino told VOA. He added, "It's not only Arabs. Many other Kurdish political and civil society groups have also been excluded from power-sharing from the SDF." SDF officials said they have been working to defuse the situation by holding talks with influential tribal leaders. "Some people indeed would like to turn this into a Kurdish-Arab conflict, but it isn't," said Sinam Mohamad, an SDF political representative in Washington. "We have reached out to Arab tribal leaders and told them that our administration is not exclusive to ethnic Kurds. We're not trying to understate these protests. In fact, we are trying to resolve it soon," she told VOA. 'Winning the hearts of locals' Some experts suggest that the SDF could assert its rule in the post-IS period by supporting the local Arab population with sustainable economic projects. "If the SDF wants to present itself as a better alternative in eastern Syria, then it should be genuine about winning the hearts of locals in these Arab areas," said Radwan Badini, a politics and journalism professor at Salahaddin University in Irbil, Iraq. "The SDF needs to be more effective in terms of providing services and addressing economic grievances of the local residents in these areas that have been devastated after years of IS rule," he said. SDF said IS still poses a threat to many parts of Deir el-Zour, where their security operations continue to target remnants of IS. "Twenty (IS) terrorists and a large quantity of armament were captured, and two tunnels were found in the security operation by our forces in (the) village of as-Shuhail (in Deir el-Zour)," Mustafa Bali, an SDF spokesman, said in a tweet on Wednesday. Despite being defeated militarily, IS still has sleeper cells across eastern Syria, SDF officials charge. "We believe some of the recent demonstrations were instigated by those elements of IS, the Syrian regime and other regional powers," said Mohamad, the SDF political representative in Washington. This week, Syria called on the U.N. Security Council to stop what it called "attacks and treasonous actions of the SDF militias, which are backed by the U.S. and some Western states" in Deir el-Zour. US oil sanctions Since late last year, the U.S. Treasury Department has imposed a number of sanctions against entities and individuals involved in oil dealings with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. What is happening in Deir al-Zour "is a product mainly of the oil sanctions which the Trump administration put into effect on Syria in the last few months, including the sanctions on SDF entities trading in oil with the regime last year, and the sanctions on the Assad regime's oil imports which really went into effect on Jan. 3," Hossino said. "The economy in these areas is very much integrated with the regime areas, which is having a major impact," he added. SDF officials said they are seeking to normalize the local economy in eastern Syria after more than four years of economic chaos under IS. "When IS was in control of these areas, big families and tribes were producing oil primitively and selling it on their own," Mohamad said. "But because we now want to organize oil dealings, some people find that threatening their interests." Hossino said one option to improve economic conditions in areas recently liberated from IS is for the U.S. to use its leverage to make the SDF less dependent on the Syrian government. "The U.S. needs to continue to work to peel away the SDF economically from the regime economy," he said. "If that is the case, the SDF is going to have nowhere else to economically integrate, other than with other Syrian opposition areas, Iraqi Kurdistan, and Turkey." VOA's Saleh Damiger contributed to this story. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Militants Violate Ceasefire in 2 Syrian Provinces in Past 24 Hours Russian MoD Sputnik News 02:21 21.05.2019 MOSCOW (Sputnik) Militants have violated the ceasefire in the Syrian provinces of Hama and Latakia over the past 24 hours, the head of the Russian Defence Ministry's Centre for Syrian Reconciliation, Maj. Gen. Viktor Kupchishin, said on Monday. "Over the past 24 hours, militants shelled settlements in the Latakia province and the Hama province", Kupchishin said at a press briefing. Militants have reportedly intensified attacks on settlements in northwestern Syria. The government forces, in turn, started targeting terrorists in Idlib, which remains their last stronghold in Syria. Kupchishin noted that within last 24 hours the reconciliation centre had held a humanitarian action in the province of Hama, with local residents having received 1,000 food kits. Kupchishin added that on Sunday 208 refugees had left the US-controlled Rukban camp, with the total number of people who left the facility had reached some 13,000. Russia, alongside Turkey and Iran, is a guarantor of the ceasefire in Syria. Moscow has also been assisting Damascus through supporting the struggle against terrorist groups, providing humanitarian aid to local residents and facilitating the return of refugees. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Rejection of Taiwan to WHA shows wide acceptance of one-China principle: FM Global Times Source:Global Times Published: 2019/5/21 19:08:40 Rejecting the Taiwan region's participation in the annual session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) shows that the one-China principle is widely welcomed by the international society, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday. This is the third consecutive year for the assembly to refuse Taiwan. The 72nd WHA is scheduled to be held in Switzerland from May 21 to 28. The WHA General Committee on Monday again decided to leave out the proposal of "inviting Taiwan to participate in the WHA as an observer," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang said at a routine press conference on Tuesday. "The Taiwan region's participation at international activities must and can only be handled in accordance with the one-China principle," Lu said. He reiterated that the decision shows that the one-China principle is embraced by international society. Christian Lindmeier, spokesperson of the World Health Organization (WHO), said in an email response to an interview request from the Global Times, that in 1972, the WHA recognized the government of the People's Republic of China as the "only legitimate representative of China to the WHO" through resolution WHA 25.1. The WHA is the decision-making body of WHO. It is attended by delegations from all WHO member states, currently at 194 countries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK Royal Navy Leads Its LARGEST Task Force in Europe in Decades Sputnik News 10:42 21.05.2019(updated 10:43 21.05.2019) The British Defence Ministry said last month that the multinational war games, dubbed Baltic Protector, underlined the "importance of protecting Europe at a time of increased threat" amid ongoing tensions with Russia. The UK Royal Navy is spearheading its largest task group in over 15 years for a two-month-long mission, Baltic Protector, involving nearly 2,000 British personnel alongside roughly 1,000 sailors and troops from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands. "I am really proud of the work my team has completed to prepare HMS Albion for this unique and exciting deployment. This represents the largest UK-led operational deployment of a military force in Europe for decades and demonstrates our ability to react quickly and decisively to any crisis in the world", Captain Peter Laughton, the Commanding Officer of HMS Albion, said. The so-called high-readiness Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) stated that its mission can cover a wide range of tasks, including combat operations, detrrrence, or humanitarian support independently or in coordinartion with NATO, the United Nations, the EU, or the Northern Army Group. The mission will kick off in the western Baltic before joining the US-led exercise Baltops, and then a NATO Maritime Group; after that, the task group will reportedly carry out amphibious operations within the eastern Baltic, on Russia's doorstep. According to media reports citing the Royal Navy, the ships and landing forces will "conduct a series of raids" in the area. The UK-led multinational task force has been deployed amid London's ongoing tensions with Moscow: Gavin Williamson, the now-disgraced ex-defence minister, announced last year that the UK was purchasing a squadron of US-made P-8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft to deter what he claimed was an "increasing threat" from Russia. Relations between Russia and the UK hit an all-time low following the poisoning of former GRU operative Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the British city of Salisbury in March 2018. Immediately after the incident, UK officials claimed that the two had been exposed to the Novichok nerve agent, and accused Moscow of being behind the attack an allegation which Moscow has vehemently denied. Despite Moscow's denial and offer to launch a joint investigation into the matter, London ordered the expulsion of dozens of Russian diplomats, prompting many other nations around the world to follow suit. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Children in crisis-torn eastern Ukraine 'too terrified to learn' amid spike in attacks on schools 20 May 2019 - Schoolchildren are bearing long-lasting mental and physical scars of eastern Ukraine's conflict, the head of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Monday, as the agency warned of an "alarming" increase in attacks on schools during the first four months of 2019. Since the start of eastern Ukraine's five-year conflict, more than 750 educational facilities on both sides have been damaged or destroyed, UNICEF said, explaining that there has been a four-fold increase in attacks on schools during the first four months of the year, compared to the same period in 2018. Between January and April, there were 12 attacks on schools, compared to three incidents during the same period last year. The alarming increase is reminiscent of the violence experienced by schoolchildren and teachers in 2017, when there were more than 40 attacks on education facilities. "Daily life at school is disrupted by shelling and shootings, forcing children to take cover in school basements and underground bomb shelters. In many cases, children have become too terrified to learn," said Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director. "Destroyed classrooms surrounded by sandbags to protect children from stray bullets are no place for a child to learn. All parties to the conflict must protect schools and keep children safe," Ms. Fore said. UNICEF called for an immediate end to the fighting and the protection of children at all times. The agency also urged all governments, including Ukraine, to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration, an intergovernmental political commitment to take concrete measures to protect students, educators and educational facilities from deliberate and indiscriminate attack during armed conflict. Next week, the government of Spain will host the third International Conference on Safe Schools, an opportunity for states to highlight the progress they have made in implementing the Declaration. UNICEF said it is working with partners across eastern Ukraine to provide much-needed counselling, psychosocial support, and information on the risks of mines to hundreds of thousands of children, youth and caregivers affected by the conflict. The agency is also providing support to education facilities so that repairs to damaged schools and kindergartens can be made, and education supplies such as educational kits, furniture and sport equipment can be replaced. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN Security Council Rejects Russian Request For Ukraine Meeting By RFE/RL May 21, 2019 The UN Security Council has rejected a Russian request to hold a meeting on a new language law in Ukraine. Russia managed to garner only four votes -- from China, South Africa, Equatorial Guinea, and the Dominican Republic -- out of the nine it needed from the 15-member council. The United States and five other countries -- France, Germany, Britain, Belgium, and Poland -- voted against and four other countries -- Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Kuwait and Peru -- abstained. The May 20 vote was held on the same day that Ukraine's new president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, was sworn in. Jonathan Cohen, the acting U.S. ambassador, called Moscow's request "a clear attempt by Russia to distract from the peaceful, democratic transfer of power happening today in Ukraine." France's ambassador to the UN, Francois Delattre, told the council ahead of the vote that the Russian move was "not intended to have a constructive discussion" but to "put the new president of Ukraine in the worst light." Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, passed the law in April. Under the new legislation, Ukrainian-language TV and radio programming is increased and all citizens have the obligation to speak Ukrainian, which becomes compulsory for civil servants, doctors, teachers, and lawyers, under the threat of fines. Russian, which is also widely spoken in the country, is permitted in personal communications. Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya said that the Russian language was being "pushed out" of Ukraine and accused the council of "censorship." He said that the vote to refuse the meeting was "a blatant demonstration of double standards" by members who approved other meetings. Ukrainian Ambassador Volodymyr Yelchenko said it was "not a coincidence" that Russia had asked for the council to meet on the day of Zelenskiy's inauguration. Zelenskiy said after his inauguration that his main goal was to bring peace to eastern Ukraine. Russia seized control of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and fomented unrest in eastern Ukraine, where the conflict between government forces and Moscow-backed separatists has killed some 13,000 people and continues despite a cease-fire and peace deal known as the Minsk accords. Moscow's attempt "to send a very powerful message to the new leader from the Security Council" ended up instead being a message for Russia, Yelchenko said. With reporting by AP and AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/29953773.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 Ukraine's Zelenskiy Sets Snap Parliamentary Elections For July 21 By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service May 21, 2019 KYIV -- A day after his inauguration, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy issued a decree to dissolve parliament and set snap parliamentary elections for July 21. Zelenskiy also appointed on May 21 a new chief of the General Staff to head the Ukrainian military amid its conflict with Russia-backed separatists who hold parts of eastern Ukraine. Earlier in the day, Zelenskiy held discussions on his plan to disband the legislature with Verkhovna Rada speaker Andriy Parubiy and leaders of parliamentary factions at the presidential administration building in Kyiv. Zelenskiy said after the meeting that he decided to dissolve parliament and call early elections because there had been no ruling coalition in the Rada since 2016. "The main reason to dissolve the parliament is citizens' very low [level of] trust in that institution -- just 4 percent. That is the assessment of the parliament's work and the most important reason to end its authority," he said. Zelenskiy said that as president and "guarantor of the constitution," he "must safeguard the rights of Ukraine's citizens," and added that the "judicial reason" for the dissolution of parliament is that "there has been no coalition since 2016." The ruling European Ukraine coalition was established in November 2014 and consisted of the party of Zelenskiy's predecessor President Petro Poroshenko, Poroshenko's Bloc, the People's Front, Samopomich (Self-Reliance), Batkivshchyna (Fatherland), and the Radical Party. The latter three political parties quit the coalition in 2015-2016. The People's Front announced its decision to quit the coalition last week, after which Parubiy announced that coalition was dissolved. Zelenskiy announced in his inaugural address that he was disbanding the Rada, Ukraine's unicameral parliament, and the consultations are part of the process. He is expected to sign a decree dissolving parliament after the talks. Under the constitution, new parliamentary elections must be held within two months of the decree. A comedian and actor with no previous political experience, Zelenskiy defeated incumbent Petro Poroshenko by a wide margin in a presidential runoff vote on April 21. The 41-year-old ran for president without the support of a political party and has no formal backing in parliament now. The next parliamentary elections had been set for late October. As he starts a five-year term, early elections are a chance for Zelenskiy to strengthen his position and sideline allies of Poroshenko. Opponents have questioned whether Zelenskiy has the authority to disband parliament under the constitution because of the timing of his inauguration, but there has been little sign of vocal resistance to his plan since he announced it on May 20. Hours after Zelenskiy was sworn in, Prime Minister Volodymyr Hroysman said he will resign on May 22 and suggested that he will run in the snap elections. "I proposed to the president and the parliament that we together form a new agenda and very quickly begin to make decisions that would make Ukraine stronger," Hroysman said. "The president has chosen a different path." Zelenskiy has taken the helm of a country of 44 million that faces deep-seated corruption, economic challenges, and a deadly conflict with Russia-backed militants who hold parts of the eastern provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk. Zelenskiy on May 21 promoted Lieutenant General Ruslan Khomchak to be the chief of Ukraine's General Staff after dismissing Viktor Muzhenko, according to a presidential decree. Muzhenko had served as the head of the country's armed forces since 2014. The war in the region known as the Donbas has killed some 13,000 people since April 2014 and Russia continues to control Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula it occupied and seized the same year. Zelenskiy also appointed on May 21 his legal adviser Andriy Bogdan as the head of the presidential administration. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/zelenskiy-meets -with-leading-lawmakers-on-parliament- dissolution-plan/29954284.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 MURFREESBORO, May 20, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Grills are out of hibernation across Tennessee, and the Tennessee Beef Industry Council is celebrating by offering a free leaflet to the states grilling enthusiasts. Brought to you by the team that introduced the Beef. Its Whats For Dinner. campaign, Grill to Perfection contains recipes, ideas and tips for making the most of the 2019 grilling season, and turning any grilling enthusiast into the toast of the neighborhood. Nothing says summer like a grill that is fired up and cooking the perfect steak or burger, according to Valerie Bass, Executive Director of the TBIC. The ideas in this brochure not only provide knowledge for better grilling, they feature mouth-watering meals and suggestions that will induce many smiles and happy taste buds. Among the recipes in the booklet are for Grilled Steak and Watermelon Salad and Grilled T-Bone Steaks with BBQ Rub, with a fool-proof formula for making a delicious Smoky Paprika Rub. Grill-perfect beef cuts are illustrated, while recommendations for cooking your steak (including tests for doneness) are also explained. A description for firing up the grill gets the entire process off on the right foot. As king of the grill, beef plays a key role in summertime meals, says Karman Meyer, Director of Communications. Were thrilled to offer these additional ideas for making the most of your family and neighborhood grilling get-togethers. For a free copy of Grill to Perfection, call the Tennessee Beef Industry Council office at 615-896-5811 or send an email to kmeyer@tnbeef.org. Bundles of 50 brochures are also available to organizations or groups that are hosting beef-focused grilling events this summer in Tennessee. Attachment DALLAS, May 20, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DGSE Companies, Inc. (NYSE American:DGSE) (DGSE or the Company), a leading wholesale, retail and recommerce dealer of jewelry, diamonds, fine watches, precious-metal bullion and rare-coin products, today announced that it began 2019 with a first-quarter profit. The Dallas-based Company reported revenues over $16 million and a net income of $354,635 for the three months ending March 31, 2019. Our customers love the ability to buy, sell and trade. The recommerce business is strong, and we continue delivering profits, quarter after quarter. said Scott Mosley, Vice President and Director of Operations for DGSEs Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange since 2017. Over 40 years ago, DGSE began offering customers the ability to buy, sell and trade. And over two years ago, we returned to these roots to make recommerce our core business strategy. We continually strive to anticipate our customers needs and fine tune our services to meet them. Were currently evaluating how best to bring buy-sell-trade to even more customers, through potential new locations or online services. DGSE consumers save money on their purchases and really appreciate having a positive impact on the environment through reuse, added Mosley. We seek to expand and pursue new opportunities in recommerce because we believe it will create value for our shareholders, said John Loftus, DGSEs President, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since December 2016. The Company is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and its common stock trades on the NYSE AMERICAN exchange under the symbol DGSE. This press release includes statements that may constitute forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the potential future success of business lines, strategies and acquisitions. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that would cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, market conditions and other risks detailed in the Company's periodic report filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. By making these forward-looking statements, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release except as required by law. DGSE Companies, Inc. Corporate Office Free translation for information purposes only Public Limited Company Share Capital of EUR 1,009,897,173.75 Company Registered Office: 29, boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris 552 120 222 R.C.S Paris May 21, 2019 INFORMATION DOCUMENT MADE AVAILABLE TO EMPLOYEES AND RETIRED EMPLOYEES OF THE SOCIETE GENERALE GROUP ON THE OCCASION OF A CAPITAL INCREASE REPRESENTING A MAXIMUM OF 12,118,400 SHARES RESERVED FOR EMPLOYEES AND RETIRED EMPLOYEES OF ENTITIES ADHERING TO SOCIETE GENERALES GROUP SAVINGS PLANS THE GROUP EMPLOYEE SHARE OWNERSHIP PROGRAMME (2019 GESOP) This information document can be consulted at Societe Generales administrative office (17 cours Valmy, 92972 La Defense Cedex) is also available online on its intranet website and is released in accordance with Article 221-3 of the General Regulation of the French Securities Regulator, the Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF) MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CAPITAL INCREASE RESERVED FOR ELIGIBLES EMPLOYEES AND RETIRED EMPLOYEES OF ENTITIES ADHERING TO SOCIETE GENERALES GROUP SAVINGS PLANS Issuer Societe Generale, a public limited company under French Law, with a bank status (hereafter, Societe Generale ). Securities Offered The maximum global nominal value of the capital increase is set at EUR 15,148,000 corresponding to the issue of 12,118,400 shares to be subscribed in cash. The capital increase is subdivided into three (3) tranches using distinct investment vehicles, respectively accessible to entities or groups of distinct entities. The Societe Generale shares to be issued will be of the same category as and can be assimilated to the Societe Generale shares already admitted to negotiations on Euronext Paris (Compartment A). Purpose of the offer The 2019 GESOP is part of the employee shareholdings retention policy of the Societe Generale groups, in France as well as outside of France, in order to better involve its employees and retired employees in the results of the Group. Terms for Subscription Method for determining the Subscription Price The subscription price is EUR 21.69, equal to the average quoted prices of the Societe Generale share on Euronext Paris during the twenty (20) trading sessions preceding May 21, 2019 (date of the Chief Executive Officers decision acting upon sub-delegation of the Board of Directors), minus a 20 % discount. The subscription period will start on Monday, June 3rd 2019 at 9h00 Paris time and will end on Monday, June 17th 2019 at 23h59 Paris time. Custody of the shares The first two (2) tranches are subscribed through a collective employee shareholding fund (Fonds Commun de Placement dEntreprise, FCPE) as part of company or group savings plans. Only the third (3rd) tranche can be directly subscribed to by the employees as part of the International Group Savings Plan. Beneficiaries of the offer This offer is reserved for employees having a three (3) months seniority under an employment contract in force by the end of the subscription period, split in: - for the 1st tranche, the beneficiaries of Societe Generale Company Savings Plan and of the Group Savings Plan to which the companies of Societe Generale Group adhere, whose headquarters are located in France or in French overseas countries (Departement et region d'outre-mer - for the 2nd tranche, the beneficiaries of Credit du Nords Company Savings Plans, its subsidiaries and its branches, providing for the possibility of subscribing to Societe Generales reserved capital increase operations; - for the 3rd tranche, the beneficiaries of the International Group Savings Plan to which adhere (i) the companies of Societe Generale group whose headquarters are located outside France or outside the French Overseas Collectivities (Departement et region doutre-mer) and (ii) the Group representative offices and branches established outside France or outside the French Overseas Collectivities (Departement et region doutre-mer). Concerning the first two tranches, ex-employees having left their company due to retirement, including those benefiting from early retirement and having kept assets in the company or group savings plans can participate in this reserved capital increase. Subscription ceiling In accordance with article L. 3332-10 of the French Labour Code, the total amount of payments made by a Beneficiary (including all payments made under other savings plans) cannot exceed 25 % of his or her gross annual remuneration received in the year of the subscription, or, for a Beneficiary whose employment contract is suspended and who did not receive any remuneration with respect to the year of the subscription, 25 % of the annual ceiling determined under article L. 241-3 of the French Social Security Code. The Board of Directors also decided on February 6, 2019 that the individual subscription total amount (which can be composed of a voluntary contribution, including arbitrage of available assets, as well as profit sharing premiums net amounts, of labor dividend and the matching contribution) per Beneficiary cannot exceed EUR 20,000. Employer Contribution Employer Contribution rules are specific to each company or group savings plan and to each adhering entity. Calendar The subscription period will be opened from Monday, June 3rd 2019 at 9h00 Paris time to Monday, June 17th 2019 at 23h59 Paris time. The capital increase is expected to be on August 1st 2019. Listing of the new shares Listing location Societe Generales shares are listed on Euronext Paris (deferred settlement market, continuous trading group A, ISIN code FR0000130809). Listing of the new Shares The admission of the new shares on Euronext Paris shall be requested immediately after the completion of the capital increase (the admission is expected to become effective on or around August 5th 2019). General information on the new shares which admission to negotiations is requested Rights attached to the issued shares The new shares shall be, as soon as they are created, subjected to all the provisions of the Company by-laws and shall have dividend entitlement from January 1st, 2019. Consequently, they shall be entirely assimilated with older shares and shall give right to the usual legal prerogatives of shareholders of a public limited company. Notably, they shall give the right to property in the company assets and to liquidating dividends in a proportion equivalent to the fraction of the share capital they represent. Similarly, the dividend is distributed to shareholders in proportion to their share capital ownership. A double voting right, relative to the fraction of the share capital the shares represent, is granted to all registered shares paid-up in full that have been entered in the name of the same shareholder for at least two years from January 1st, 1993 as well as to new registered shares that have been granted free of charge to a shareholder, in the event of a capital increase by incorporation of reserves, profits or share premiums on the basis of shares already benefiting from this entitlement. It is to be noted that, in addition to the legal obligation to report Societe Generale the holding of certain fractions of the share capital and/or of voting rights and to make any consequent declaration of intention in accordance with legal provisions, any shareholder, acting either alone or jointly, who would directly or indirectly hold at least 1.5% of the share capital or voting rights of the Company, is required to inform the Company within 15 days of the day they crossed this threshold and give, in this declaration the number of securities held that ultimately give access to the share capital. The management companies of FCPs (Fonds Communs de Placement) are required to provide this information for the total amount of the Company shares held in the funds they manage. Above 1.5 %, every incremental threshold crossing of 0.50 % of the share capital or of the voting rights also requires a report to the Company in the conditions provided above. The non-compliance of this obligation is sanctioned, in accordance with legal provisions, at the request (which has to be recorded in the minutes of the Shareholders General Meeting) of one or more shareholders holding at least 5% of the share capital or voting rights of the Company. Any shareholder, acting alone or jointly, is also required to inform the Company within 15 days when the percentage of share capital or voting rights they hold becomes inferior to the thresholds determined in the present paragraph. Negotiability of the shares No statutory clause limits the free negotiability of the shares comprising the share capital of Societe Generale. Only the regulations related to the holding of shares as part of a company or group savings plan shall limit the negotiability of the said shares. Nature and type of the shares Except in the occurrence of an early exit event, at the end of the legal lock-up period applicable to units and shares held directly as part of a company or a group savings plan, the shares will be eligible for either bearer or registered form. Lock-up Period The shares held directly by the Beneficiaries as well as the units of the FCPEs, as the case may be, will be unavailable for a period of 5 years, except in the occurrence of an early exit event in accordance with the provisions applicable in the respective company or group savings plan. Regarding the 3rd tranche, it has to be noted that in some countries and in compliance with local legislation, early exit events may not be available to employees. LONDON, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IMImobile, a global communications software provider, has signed a partner agreement with Telia Norway, with an option to extend to the wider Telia Company the leading telecom operator in the Nordic/Baltics. The partner agreement will enable Telia to resell IMImobiles cloud products, including its enterprise cPaaS (Communications Platform as a Service) offering, IMIconnect, to its enterprise customers. IMIconnect enables businesses to rapidly launch and orchestrate two-way, trigger-based customer communications across 10+ channels. Driven by the changes in person to person communications, consumers now expect interactions with businesses to be personalised, relevant, contextual, interactive and conducted in real time. IMImobile is helping Telia to keep pace with changing consumer expectations and offer innovative communications solutions for its enterprise customers. Telia will also be looking into using IMIconnect itself in order to create interactive customer journeys. Telia recognised IMImobiles experience in providing connected customer communication solutions and being a trusted technology partner for global enterprises and mobile operators such as EE, MTN, O2 and Vodafone. In addition, Telia required a partner which offered local language capabilities as well as new communications channels such as Apple Business Chat and WhatsApp Business to provide its customers with the ability to communicate over their preferred channel. Jon Christian Hillestad, Vice President Business of Telia Norway, said: Telia aims to bring the world closer together through technology, empowering people, companies and societies to stay in touch with everything that matters on their own terms. By working closely with IMImobile we can innovate to meet the growing demand from customers who prefer to communicate with businesses over more interactive channels. As the world keeps changing, we need to stay relevant for our customers and IMImobiles products help to enable that. Jay Patel, Group Chief Executive of IMImobile, commented: We are delighted to have signed a partner agreement with Telia to resell our market leading customer communication products. Our scalable Enterprise cPaaS platform, IMIconnect, will enable Telias customers to rapidly deliver innovative new customer journeys increasing automation and improving customer experience. About IMImobile IMImobile is a communications software provider whose solutions enable enterprises to automate digital customer communications and interactions to improve customer experience and reduce operating costs. IMImobile's enterprise cloud communications software platform manages over 42 billion messages a year across the world. Organisations that trust us to deliver smarter digital customer engagement include Hermes, Centrica, AA, O2, EE, BT, Foxtons, Pizza Hut, Vodafone, MTN, three of the major retail banks in the UK and public-sector organisations globally. IMImobile is headquartered in London with offices in Hyderabad, Toronto, Little Rock, Dubai and Johannesburg and has over 1,100 employees worldwide. IMImobile is quoted on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market with the TIDM code IMO. www.imimobile.com About Telia Were Telia Company, the new generation telco. Our approximately 20,400 talented colleagues serve millions of customers every day in one of the worlds most connected regions. With a strong connectivity base, were the hub in the digital ecosystem, empowering people, companies and societies to stay in touch with everything that matters 24/7/365 - on their terms. Headquartered in Stockholm, the heart of innovation and technology, were set to change the industry and bring the world even closer for our customers. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- East Africa Metals Inc. (TSX-V: EAM) (East Africa or the Company) is pleased to announce the receipt of government approval of mining licenses for the Mato Bula Gold Copper and Da Tambuk Gold Deposits (the Adyabo Project) at the Companys 100% owned Adyabo Project located in the Tigray National Regional State of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (Ethiopia). With the acquisition of the Mato Bula and Da Tambuk mining licenses, East Africas assets now include four, fully permitted gold and base metal mining projects in Africa with total indicated and inferred resources of 2.8 million gold and gold-equivalent ounces and exploration upside (see news releases May 15, 2012, April 30, 2018). The mining license agreements for Mato Bula and Da Tambuk have been formally approved by the Ministry of Mines Petroleum and Natural Gas (the MoMPNG), the Prime Ministers Office and the Council of Ministers. The Company will now focus on closing its previously announced Project Financing (refer to the Companys news release dated February 8, 2019) and proceed with the development of the Ethiopian Projects. Andrew Lee Smith, East Africas C.E.O. stated, The awarding of the Mato Bula and Da Tambuk mining licenses marks an important milestone for East Africa, the Government of Ethiopia and the MoMPNG. East Africas management will now focus on negotiations with development partners to advance all of the Companys assets in Ethiopia and Tanzania and engage further exploration programs to continue the growth the Companys mineral resources and shareholder value. PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS Preliminary Economic Assessments (See East Africa news release: April 30, 2018) Mato Bula Gold Copper Project: Post-tax NPV of US$56.6M for base case using US$1,325 /oz Au, US$3.00/lb copper and US$17.00/oz silver, at an 8% discount rate. Payback of pre-production capital in 3 years from start of production. C1 cash operating cost of US$412/oz Au including all on-site costs and AISC cost of US$620/oz Au calculated with all on-site and off-site costs, TCRC charges, sustaining costs and net of by-product credits. Average annual metal production of 34,750 ozs. gold, 1.67 million pounds copper and 4,780 ozs. silver. Pre-production capital cost of US$54.2M million including contingency of 38% on direct costs and 26% on total of direct and indirect costs. Open pit mining utilizing drill blast, trucks and shovels, waste stripping ratio of 9/1. Processing rate of 1,400 t/day using conventional crush/grind comminution, gravity concentration and flotation to produce a copper-gold concentrate. In addition, a gold bearing pyrite concentrate will be produced and treated off-site by Carbon in Leach (CIL) technology. Life-of-mine metal recoveries of 86.4% for gold, 87.4% for copper, and 50% for silver. Concentrate grades average 132 g/t gold, 25.5% copper and 28 g/t silver. Minimum 8-year mine life based on proposed open pit depth of 190 metres. Significant potential exists to extend mine life as drilling has identified mineralization along strike and to 370 metres down dip. Da Tambuk Gold Project: Post-tax NPV of US$13.0 M and IRR of 28.6% for base case using US$1,325 /oz Au and US$17.00 /oz silver, at 8% discount rate. Payback of pre-production capital in 1.9 years from start of production. C1 cash operating cost of US$420/oz Au including all on-site costs and AISC cost of US$642/oz Au calculated with all on-site and off-site costs, TCRC charges, sustaining costs and net of by-product credits. Average metal production of 24,000 ozs. gold per year and 6,000 ozs. silver per year. Pre-production capital cost of US$34.1 M including contingency of 36% on direct costs and 26% total of direct and indirect costs. Underground trackless mining utilizing ramp access, cut and fill and open stope mining. Processing rate of 550 tonnes per day using crush/grind comminution, gravity concentration and CIL technology. Average life-of-mine metal recoveries of 93% for gold and 50% for silver. Minimum 4-year mine life based on mining plan depth to 200 metres below surface. Excellent potential to extend mine life as drilling has intersected significant mineralization to 260 metres down dip. Andrew Lee Smith, P.Geo and CEO of the Company, a Qualified Person under the definitions of National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release. More information on the Company can be viewed at the Companys website: www.eastafricametals.com . On behalf of the Board of Directors: Andrew Lee Smith, P.Geo., CEO For further information contact: Nick Watters, Business Development Telephone +1 (604) 488-0822 Email investors@eastafricametals.com Website www.eastafricametals.com Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "forecast", "project", "budget", "schedule", "may", "will", "could", "might", "should", indicate or variations of such words or similar words or expressions. Forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions that have been made by the Company as at the date of such information and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: closing of the Tibet Huayu Transaction; obtaining all required approvals for the Tibet Huayu Transaction; the ability of Tibet Huayu to develop and operate the Ethiopia Projects and Properties within the required laws and agreements; the outcome of the arbitration case with the Developer; if the arbitration case is successful that the Company can occupy the site and advance the Tanzanian projects; if the arbitration is successful the Tanzanian Definitive Agreement payments are not refundable; recoverability of the Ethiopian and Tanzanian VAT receivable; early exploration; the ability of East Africa to identify any other corporate opportunities for the Company; the possibility that the Company may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service its planned operations and may be force to take other options; the risk the Company may not be able to continue as a going concern; the possibility the Company will require additional financing to develop the Ethiopian Projects into a mining operation; the risks associated with obtaining necessary licenses or permits including and not limited to Ethiopian Government approval of EAM Mineral Resources extensions for the Companys Ethiopian Properties and Projects; risks associated with mineral exploration and development; metal and mineral prices; availability of capital; accuracy of the Companys projections and estimates, including the initial and any updates to the mineral resource for the Adyabo, Harvest and Handeni Projects; realization of mineral resource estimates; interest and exchange rates; competition; stock price fluctuations; availability of drilling equipment and access; actual results of exploration activities; government regulation; political or economic developments; foreign taxation risks; environmental risks; insurance risks; capital expenditures; operating or technical difficulties in connection with development activities; personnel relations; the speculative nature of strategic metal exploration and development including the risks of contests over title to properties; and changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, as well as those risk factors set out in the Companys listing application, East Africas financial statements and managements discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2018, and East Africas listing application dated July 8, 2013. 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, sociopolitical, marketing, or other relevant issues. The quantity and grade of reported inferred mineral resources as the estimation is uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define any inferred mineral resources as an indicated or measured mineral resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in upgrading inferred mineral resources to an indicated or measured mineral resource category. The contained gold, copper and silver figures shown are in situ. No assurance can be given that the estimated quantities will be produced. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to the price of precious and base metals; the demand for precious and base metals; the ability to carry on exploration and development activities; the timely receipt of any required approvals; the ability to obtain qualified personnel, equipment and services in a timely and cost-efficient manner; the ability to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner; and the regulatory framework including and not limited to license approvals, social and environmental matters, 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 information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. The Company does not update or revise forward looking information even if new information becomes available unless legislation requires the Company to do so. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information contained herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. 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. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Corvus Gold Inc. (Corvus or the Company) - (TSX: KOR, OTCQX: CORVF) announces it has entered into an agreement with EMX Royalty Corporation (EMX) (TSX-V: EMX, NYSE American: EMX) for a CAD $900,000 private placement in Corvus (the Private Placement) and sale of royalties to EMX for CAD $350,000. Pursuant to the Private Placement, the Company will be issuing 500,000 common shares at a price of CAD $1.80 per share to EMX for gross proceeds to the Company of CAD $900,000. No warrants will be issued and no commission paid. Additionally, four non-core Alaskan royalty interests owned by Corvus will be sold to EMX for a purchase price paid to Corvus of CAD $350,000 bringing the total transaction with EMX to CAD $1.25M. Proceeds of the financing are expected to fund an expanded exploration program at both the Mother Lode and the North Bullfrog projects in Nevada. The general terms of the Alaskan royalty package sale include: Chisna project 1% Net Smelter Return Royalty (NSR) LMS project 3% NSR Goodpaster District 1% NSR West Pogo (WP) project 2% NSR. Corvus has retained a 1% NSR in the WP project which is immediately west of the operating Pogo mine in the Goodpaster District of Alaska. Upon closing, with this addition the treasury of Corvus will total approximately CAD $5.5M which the Company expects to fully fund an expanded 2019-2020 fiscal year budget. Jeff Pontius, President and CEO of Corvus, said, We are pleased to have the EMX group as a new strategic investor in Corvus. The additional funding will complete our needs for our expanded fiscal year 2019-2020 exploration program at the expanding Mother Lode deposit as well as the new discovery drill program at the North Bullfrog property. This funding will provide key development capital with favorable terms, maintained upside royalty exposure to a core Alaska property as well as adding an important new long-term investor to the share register. Our 2019-2020 exploration program offers our shareholders exposure to an expanding Mother Lode resource base as well as the discovery of new deposits in this very productive new Nevada gold District. The common shares issued in the Private Placement are subject to minimum hold periods as required under applicable securities laws. Conditional approval by the Toronto Stock Exchange to the issuance of the common shares under the Private Placement is pending. The foregoing securities have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended or any applicable state securities laws and may not be offered or sold absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the foregoing securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About the North Bullfrog & Mother Lode Projects, Nevada Corvus controls 100% of its North Bullfrog Project, which covers approximately 86.6 km2 in southern Nevada. The property package is made up of a number of private mineral leases of patented federal mining claims and 1,057 federal unpatented mining claims. The project has excellent infrastructure, being adjacent to a major highway and power corridor as well as a large water right. The Company also controls 445 federal unpatented mining claims on the Mother Lode project which totals approximately 36.5 km2 which it owns 100%. The total Corvus 100% land ownership now covers over 123.1 km2, hosting two major new Nevada gold discoveries. The combined Mother Lode and North Bullfrog Projects contains a Measured Mineral Resource for the mill of 9.3 Mt at an average grade of 1.59 g/t gold, containing 475 k ounces of gold and Indicated Mineral Resources for the mill of 18.2 Mt at an average grade of 1.68 g/t gold containing 988 k ounces of gold and an Inferred Mineral Resource for the mill of 2.3 Mt at an average grade of 1.61 g/t gold containing 118 k ounces of gold. In addition, the project contains a Measured Mineral Resource for oxide, run of mine, heap leach of 34.6 Mt at an average grade of 0.27 g/t gold containing 305 k ounces of gold and an Indicated Mineral Resource for, oxide, run of mine, heap leach of 149.4 Mt at an average grade of 0.24 g/t gold containing 1,150 k ounces of gold and an Inferred, oxide, run of mine, heap leach Mineral Resource of 78.7 Mt at an average grade of 0.26 g/t gold containing 549 k ounces of gold. Qualified Person and Quality Control/Quality Assurance Jeffrey A. Pontius (CPG 11044), a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101, has supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release and has reviewed and approved the disclosure herein. Mr. Pontius is not independent of Corvus, as he is the CEO & President and holds common shares and incentive stock options. Carl E. Brechtel, (Nevada PE 008744 and Registered Member 353000 of SME), a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101, has coordinated execution of the work outlined in this news release and has also reviewed and approved the disclosure herein. Mr. Brechtel is not independent of Corvus, as he is the COO and holds common shares and incentive stock options. The work program at Mother Lode was designed and supervised by Mark Reischman, Corvus Golds Nevada Exploration Manager, who is responsible for all aspects of the work, including the quality control/quality assurance program. On-site personnel at the project log and track all samples prior to sealing and shipping. Quality control is monitored by the insertion of blind certified standard reference materials and blanks into each sample shipment. All mineral resource sample shipments are sealed and shipped to American Assay Laboratories (AAL) in Reno, Nevada, for preparation and assaying. AAL is independent of the Company. AALs quality system complies with the requirements for the International Standards ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 17025:1999. Analytical accuracy and precision are monitored by the analysis of reagent blanks, reference material and replicate samples. Finally, representative blind duplicate samples are forwarded to AAL and an ISO compliant third-party laboratory for additional quality control. Mr. Pontius, a qualified person, has verified the data underlying the information disclosed herein, including sampling, analytical and test data underlying the information by reviewing the reports of AAL, methodologies, results and all procedures undertaken for quality assurance and quality control in a manner consistent with industry practice, and all matters were consistent and accurate according to his professional judgement. There were no limitations on the verification process. Mr. Scott E. Wilson, CPG (10965), Registered Member of SME (4025107) and President of Resource Development Associates Inc., is an independent consulting geologist specializing in Mineral Reserve and Resource calculation reporting, mining project analysis and due diligence evaluations. He is acting as the Qualified Person, as defined in NI 43-101, and is the primary author of the Technical Report for the Mineral Resource estimate and has reviewed and approved the Mineral Resource estimate and the Preliminary Economic Assessment summarized in this news release. Mr. Wilson has over 29 years of experience in surface mining, resource estimation and strategic mine planning. Mr. Wilson is independent of the Company under NI 43-101. Mr. Wilson, a qualified person, has verified the data underlying the information disclosed herein, including sampling, analytical and test data underlying the information by reviewing the reports of AAL, methodologies, results and all procedures undertaken for quality assurance and quality control in a manner consistent with industry practice, and all matters were consistent and accurate according to his professional judgement. There were no limitations on the verification process. Metallurgical testing on North Bullfrog and Mother Lode samples has been performed by McClelland Analytical Services Laboratories Inc. of Sparks Nevada (McClelland), McClelland is an ISO 17025 accredited facility that supplies quantitative chemical analysis in support of metallurgical, exploration and environmental testing using classic methods and modern analytical instrumentation. McClelland has met the requirements of the IAS Accreditations Criteria for Testing Laboratories (AC89), has demonstrated compliance with ANS/ISO/IEC Standard 17025:2005, General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, and has been accredited, since November 12, 2012. Hazen Research Inc. (Hazen), an independent laboratory, has performed flotation, AAO testing and cyanide leach testing on samples of sulphide mineralization from the YellowJacket zone and Swale area of Sierra Blanca, and roasting tests on Mother Lode flotation concentrate. Hazen holds analytical certificates from state regulatory agencies and the US Environmental Protection Agency (the EPA). Hazen participates in performance evaluation studies to demonstrate competence and maintains a large stock of standard reference materials from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Canadian Centre for Mineral and Energy Technology (CANMET), the EPA and other sources. Hazens QA program has been developed for conformance to the applicable requirements and standards referenced in 10 CFR 830.120 subpart A quality assurance requirements, January 1, 2002. Pressure oxidation test work on Mother Lode concentrate samples was performed by Resource Development Inc. of Wheatridge, CO. For additional details, see technical report entitled Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Integrated Mother Lode and North Bullfrog Projects, Bullfrog Mining District, Nye County, Nevada, dated November 1, 2018 and amended on November 8, 2018, with an effective date of September 18, 2018 on the Companys profile at www.sedar.com . On behalf of Corvus Gold Inc. (signed) Jeffrey A. Pontius Jeffrey A. Pontius, President & Chief Executive Officer Contact Information: Ryan Ko Investor Relations Email: info@corvusgold.com Phone: 1-844-638-3246 (toll free) or (604) 638-3246 Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Horsens, 21 May 2019 PRESS RELEASE NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO OR TO ANY PERSON LOCATED OR RESIDENT IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO ANY U.S. PERSON (AS IN THE CONSENT SOLICITATION MEMORANDUM). AX V Nissens ApS Senior Secured Floating Rate Bonds due 2022 (ISIN DK0030400890) (the "Bonds") AX V Nissens ApS (Registration Number (CVR) 38647571) (the "Issuer") announces that it is soliciting consents (the "Consent Solicitation") from holders of the Bonds (the "Bondholders") to amend certain terms and conditions of the Bonds as set out in the consent solicitation memorandum dated 21 May 2019 (the "Consent Solicitation Memorandum"). The Issuer has engaged Nordea Danmark, Filial af Nordea Bank Abp, Finland and Nykredit Bank A/S as co-solicitation agents (the "Solicitation Agents") and Nordea Danmark, Filial af Nordea Bank Abp, Finland as tabulation agent (the "Tabulation Agent") in connection with the Consent Solicitation. The Issuer has also engaged Nordea Bank Abp and Nykredit Bank A/S as lead managers for a tap issue of Bonds in an amount of up to EUR 25,000,000 (Subsequent Bonds). Consent Solicitation As more fully set out in the Consent Solicitation Memorandum, the Issuer is soliciting consents (the "Consents") from the Bondholders to certain amendments (the "Proposal") to the terms and conditions of the Bonds (the "Terms and Conditions") including subject to certain conditions set out in the Consent Solicitation Memorandum: a permission for the Issuer to upstream: (i) the proceeds from certain Subsequent Bonds that is contemplated to be issued, and certain other funds to its indirect holding company, AX V Nissens II ApS, to, inter alia, prepay a loan made available to it in part or in full, and (ii) provided that at the relevant time the Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Terms and Conditions) (pro forma including the effects of the upstreamed cash) does not exceed 3.5x, up to a maximum amount of DKK 180,000,000, to its indirect holding company, AX V Nissens II ApS, to, inter alia, prepay in part or in full a loan made available to it and/or redeem and or make distributions in respect of certain new equity injections into AX V Nissens II ApS; and a delay from 29 June 2019 to 29 June 2020 of the date at which the Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Terms and Conditions) component of the Incurrence Test (as defined in the Terms and Conditions) is reduced from 5.0x to 4.5x. The Proposal also includes authorizations by Bondholders to Nordic Trustee A/S to, if the Proposal is approved and as further described in the Consent Solicitation Memorandum, to amend and restate the Terms and Conditions and the Intercreditor Agreement (as defined in the Terms and Conditions). Fees A Bondholder who delivers a valid Voting Instruction (as defined in the Consent Solicitation Memorandum) to the Tabulation Agent in favour of the Proposal before 16:00 CET on 3 June 2019 (the "Early Consent Fee Deadline") will be eligible to receive an early consent fee of 2.25 per cent. in respect of the Bonds for which a vote in favour of the Proposal has been cast (the "Early Consent Fee") if the Proposal is approved by Bondholders and the Issuer, in its sole discretion, decides to issue Bonds up to EUR 25,0000,000, in each case on or prior to 15 July 2019. In addition, Bondholders who deliver a valid Voting Instruction to the Tabulation Agent, whether in favour of or against the Proposal, before 16.00 CET on 14 June 2019 (the "Final Consent Deadline") will be eligible to receive a base consent fee of 0.25 per cent. in respect of the Bonds for which a vote has been cast (the Base Consent Fee). Payment of the Early Consent Fee and the Base Consent Fee will only occur if the Proposal is approved and the Issuer, in its sole discretion, decides to issue Bonds up to EUR 25,0000,000, in each case on or prior to 15 July 2019. Bondholders' Meeting The Bondholders meeting to consider the Proposal (the "Bondholders' Meeting") will be held at the premises of Nordea Markets at Grnjordsvej 10, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark at 09:00 (CET) on 17 June 2019. In order for the Proposal to be passed at the Bondholders Meeting a quorum of Bondholders representing at least 50% of the Adjusted Nominal Amount (as defined in the Terms and Conditions) must be represented at the Bondholders' Meeting. The Proposal will be approved if a majority of not less than two thirds (2/3) of the Adjusted Nominal Amount represented at the Bondholders' Meeting is voted in favour of the Proposal. Voting Instructions may be submitted to the Tabulation Agent at the following email address: NordeaLiabilityManagement@nordea.com . Bondholders who vote in person or represented by proxy (other than the Tabulation Agent) at the Bondholders' Meeting or the Second Bondholders' Meeting (as defined in the Terms and Conditions), if there is one, will not be eligible to receive the Early Consent Fee or the Base Consent Fee. Bondholders are advised to carefully read the Consent Solicitation Memorandum for full details of and information on the Proposal and the procedures for participating in the Consent Solicitation. This press release is for information purposes only and is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. The Consent Solicitation is being made solely pursuant to the Consent Solicitation Memorandum. If any Bondholder is in any doubt as to the contents of this press release, the information contained in the Consent Solicitation Memorandum or the action it should take, such Bondholder should seek its own financial and legal advice, including in respect of any tax consequences, immediately from its broker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant or other independent financial, tax or legal adviser. To receive copies of the Consent Solicitation Memorandum or for questions relating to the consent solicitation, please contact the Solicitation Agents using the following contact details. Nordea Danmark, Filial af Nordea Bank Abp, Finland Nordea Liability Management Grnjordsvej 10 DK-2300 Copenhagen S Denmark E-mail: NordeaLiabilityManagement@nordea.com Telephone: +45 55 46 90 82 / +45 55 47 58 95 Nykredit Bank A/S Advisory and DCM Kalvebod Brygge 1-3 DK-1780 Copenhagen V Denmark E-mail: liabilitymanagement@nykredit.dk Telephone: +45 44 55 20 31 English French Leading Austrian-based business aircraft interior manufacturer F/LIST will establish and support key interior capabilities at Bombardiers Biggin Hill Service Centre New deal with F/LIST will offer customers full spectrum of offerings from touch-ups to full cabin refurbishments Enhanced Biggin Hill Service Centre will modify close to 3,000 sq. ft. into new interior repair and refurbishment shop With continued high demand for OEM services in the region, enhancements will further support customers in Europe New interior shop operational readiness planned in the coming months and will add 20 local jobs over the next several years GENEVA, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bombardier is pleased to announce that its service centre at London Biggin Hill Airport is adding enhanced interior repair and refurbishment activities to the facility, providing customers in the region with extended maintenance and support capabilities. Austrian-based F/LIST, one of the most respected global manufacturers of high-end interiors for business aircraft, will partner with Bombardier on the development of the enhanced interior shop, which will significantly enhance support and service operations for customers in the region. With targeted operational readiness in the coming months, the enhanced interior shop will feature a full spectrum of in-cabin repairs available via the F/LIST worldwide Mobile Repair Team while adding up to 20 new local jobs over the next several years. The development of the enhanced interior shop at the Biggin Hill Service Centre builds on the existing long-standing relationship between F/LIST and Bombardier. The Austrian-based firm is well-versed with Bombardiers business aircraft programs, having installed significant components such as flooring, veneers, cabinetry and showers on various aircraft platforms for more than a decade. We are very pleased to be working with F/LIST to provide enhanced interior repair and refurbishment capabilities at the Biggin Hill Service Centre, offering even more service and support options for our European-based customers, said Jean-Christophe Gallagher, Vice President and General Manager, Customer Experience, Bombardier Business Aircraft. Customer satisfaction is always a top priority at Bombardier and the new interior shop will enhance reliability and expectations, further strengthening our support to our customers. The new interior shop will feature up to 3,000 sq. ft. of repair and refurbishment capabilities, including cabinetry repair and soft-goods refurbishment. This key partnership also establishes an opportunity for future expansion of interior repair capabilities at the service centre. We are proud to be Bombardiers partner in Biggin Hill to provide the highest quality interior services from small on-board repairs through cabin interior upgrades to the integration of floorings and other innovative products to their customers, said Katharina List-Nagl, CEO of F/LIST. This collaboration is an enormous, important milestone for F/LIST, not only in the aftermarket segment but also for our partnership with Bombardier. Bombardier has a strong footprint in Europe and continues to grow its customer service and support presence worldwide. In addition to its Service Centre in Biggin Hill, UK, Bombardier boasts seven line maintenance stations and 11 ground support vehicles across Europe in addition to a dedicated Mobile Response Team Challenger 300 aircraft, which supplements the shipping of parts out of Bombardiers European parts distribution hub in Frankfurt. About F/LIST F.LIST GMBH from Thomasberg Lower Austria, is a globally active provider of interiors for business jets, yachts and residences and employs more than 800 employees at nine locations in Europe, the Middle East and the Americas. Passion, reliability and visionary spirit determine every step of this Austrian family-run business. Its services range from planning and development to engineering and manufacturing of exclusive interiors. About Bombardier With over 68,000 employees, Bombardier is a global leader in the transportation industry, creating innovative and game-changing planes and trains. Our products and services provide world-class transportation experiences that set new standards in passenger comfort, energy efficiency, reliability and safety. Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Bombardier has production and engineering sites in 28 countries as well as a broad portfolio of products and services for the business aviation, commercial aviation and rail transportation markets. Bombardier shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, Bombardier posted revenues of $16.2 billion US. The company is recognized on the 2019 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World Index. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier . Notes to Editors To receive our press releases, please visit the RSS Feed section. Follow @Bombardierjets on Twitter to receive the latest news and updates from Bombardier Business Aircraft. Bombardier and Challenger 300 are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries. For information Matthew Nicholls Bombardier Aviation + 1 514-243-8214 matthew.nicholls@aero.bombardier.com Dublin, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Medical Cannabis Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2019-2024" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global medical cannabis market size was estimated to reach a value of US$ 13.4 Billion in 2018. The market is further expected to reach value of US$ 44.4 Billion by 2024, exhibiting a CAGR of 22.9% during 2019-2024. Cannabis is a psychoactive drug which is derived from the cannabis plant of the Cannabaceae family. It has been used medicinally for several years in ancient Indian, Chinese, Egyptian and Islamic cultures. Nowadays, cannabis finds application in the treatment of a wide range of diseases and symptoms including cancer, chronic pain, depression, arthritis, diabetes, glaucoma, migraines, epilepsy, MS, AIDS, ALS, Alzheimer's, PTSD, Parkinson's, Tourette's, etc. Owing to its therapeutic benefits, cannabis has been approved for medical use in numerous countries, with varying degrees of legal restriction. Some of these countries include Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, etc. Global Medical Cannabis Market Drivers: Cannabis is safer and has less severe side effects in comparison to other treatment options. It also finds usage along with other treatments either to enhance their effect or to combat negative side effects. For instance, cannabis is very effective in reducing nausea and increasing appetite among the chemotherapy patients, making the agonizing treatment more tolerable. Similarly, it is also used in combination with traditional opioid painkillers, which enables patients to significantly reduce the dosage and frequency of opioids, and also imparts greater pain relief. A steadily rising ageing population has also played an significant role in driving the demand for medical cannabis as geriatric patients are more likely to develop chronic illnesses and require more physician visits. Clinical trials, R&D activities and commercialization of cannabis-based indications are further expected to catalyze the growth of the market. Although expenditure on health products are less susceptible to fluctuations in consumer's expenditure, the uptake of medical marijuana is liable to changes in disposable income due to its unconventional nature. As a result, we expect increasing disposable incomes to create a positive impact on the demand of medical cannabis. Breakup by Species: On the basis of species, the market has been segmented as Indica, Sativa and hybrid. Currently, Indica dominates the market, holding the largest share. It is often used in the treatment of insomnia, relaxing the muscles, relieving body pains, headaches and migraines. Breakup by Derivatives: Based on derivatives, the market has been divided into Cannabidiol (CBD), Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and others. CBD is majorly used for medical purposes due to its non-psychotic effect and low levels of toxicity, whereas, THC is utilised to reduce the side-effects of AIDS and cancer treatment. Breakup by Application: The market has also been divided on the basis of application, wherein, cancer represents the leading category. Other major applications of cannabis include arthritis, migraine, epilepsy, etc. Breakup by End-Use: On the basis of end-use, the market has been segregated into the pharmaceutical industry, research and development centers, and others. Currently, the pharmaceutical industry represents the biggest end-user. Breakup by Route of Administration: Based on route of administration, the market has been categorized into oral solutions and capsules, smoking, vaporizers, topicals and others. Oral solutions and capsules represent the biggest segment, accounting for the largest market share. Regional Insights: On a geographical front, North America enjoys the leading position in the market. Recent legalization of cannabis in North America for both recreational and medical purposes has been a major driver of the market growth. Other key regions include Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa. Competitive Landscape: The report has also examined the competitive landscape of the market. Some of the major players include: Canopy Growth Corporation GW Pharmaceuticals Aurora Cannabis, Inc. Aphria Inc. MedReleaf Corporation Insys Therapeutics, Inc. CanniMed Therapeutics, Inc. Cara Therapeutics, Inc. United cannabis Corporation Key Questions Answered in This Report: How has the global medical cannabis market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years? What are the key regions in the global medical cannabis market? Which are the popular species in the global medical cannabis market? What are the key derivatives in the global medical cannabis market? What are the various applications of medical cannabis? Who are the major end-user industries for medical cannabis? What are the major routes of administration in the global medical cannabis market? What are the various stages in the value chain of the medical cannabis industry? What are the key driving factors and challenges in the global medical cannabis industry? What is the structure of the global medical cannabis industry and who are the key players? What is the degree of competition in the global medical cannabis market? Key Topics Covered: 1 Preface 2 Scope and Methodology 2.1 Objectives of the Study 2.2 Stakeholders 2.3 Data Sources 2.3.1 Primary Sources 2.3.2 Secondary Sources 2.4 Market Estimation 2.4.1 Bottom-Up Approach 2.4.2 Top-Down Approach 2.5 Forecasting Methodology 3 Executive Summary 4 Introduction 4.1 Overview 4.2 Key Industry Trends 5 Global Medical Cannabis Market 5.1 Market Overview 5.2 Market Performance 5.3 Market Breakup by Species 5.4 Market Breakup by Derivative 5.5 Market Breakup by Application 5.6 Market Breakup by End-Use 5.7 Market Breakup by Route of Administration 5.8 Market Breakup by Region 5.9 Market Forecast 5.10 SWOT Analysis 5.10.1 Overview 5.10.2 Strengths 5.10.3 Weaknesses 5.10.4 Opportunities 5.10.5 Threats 5.11 Value Chain Analysis 5.11.1 Input Suppliers 5.11.2 Collectors 5.11.3 Manufacturers 5.11.4 Distributors 5.11.5 Exporters 5.11.6 Retailers 5.11.7 End-User 5.12 Porters Five Forces Analysis 5.12.1 Overview 5.12.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers 5.12.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers 5.12.4 Degree of Competition 5.12.5 Threat of New Entrants 5.12.6 Threat of Substitutes 5.13 Key Success and Risk Factors 6 Market Breakup by Species 6.1 Indica 6.2 Sativa 6.3 Hybrid 7 Market Breakup by Derivative 7.1 Cannabidiol (CBD) 7.2 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) 7.3 Others 8 Market Breakup by Application 8.1 Cancer 8.2 Arthritis 8.3 Migraine 8.4 Epilepsy 8.5 Others 9 Market Breakup by End-Use 9.1 Pharmaceutical Industry 9.2 Research and Development Centres 9.3 Others 10 Market Breakup by Route of Administration 10.1 Oral Solutions and Capsules 10.2 Smoking 10.3 Vaporizers 10.4 Topicals 10.5 Others 11 Market Breakup by Region 11.1 North America 11.1.1 United States 11.1.2 Canada 11.2 Europe 11.2.1 Germany 11.2.2 Italy 11.2.3 France 11.2.4 Netherlands 11.2.5 Spain 11.3 Latin America 11.4 Asia Pacific 11.5 Middle East and Africa 12 Overview of Clinical Research Suggesting the Benefits of Medical Cannabis Across Various Indications 12.1 Alzheimer's Disease 12.2 Autism 12.3 Cancer 12.4 Chronic Pain 12.5 Epilepsy 12.6 Migraine 12.7 Digestive Disorders 12.8 Multiple Sclerosis 12.9 Schizophrenia 12.10 Others 13 Competitive Landscape 13.1 Market Structure 13.2 Key Players 14 Key Player Profiles For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ag6jfa Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. TORONTO, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fintech Select Ltd. (Fintech Select or the Company) (TSX-V: FTEC) is pleased to announce that it has signed a five years definitive Joint Venture Agreement (the JV Agreement) with Raseed (Raseed), a Libyan company, and a provider of innovative financial payment solutions in Libya. Raseed is a well-established leader in financial payment services, serving government, local banks, and telecom companies and aims to help modernize the countrys financial services and telecom sectors by bringing such up to international standards. With the ability to leverage Fintech Selects wide spectrum of payment capabilities, including prepaid card, e-wallet services along with bill, mobile, online and international payments, Raseed will be able to offer a full suite of fintech solutions to its local customers. We believe that there is tremendous opportunity in the Libyan market including unprecedented growth prospects for Fintech Select through its partnership with Raseed. With this partnership we are able to open up new revenue opportunities. stated Mohammad Abuleil, President and CEO of Fintech Select. Dr. Omar Shuran, CEO of Raseed, added Raseed is very excited to be partnering with Fintech Select to provide innovative financial payment technology solutions to our strategic customers in Libya, and we look forward to monetizing various opportunities in the pipeline with Fintech Select. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Mohammad Abuleil, President & CEO or Shelley Alliet @ - Investor@fintechselect.com About Fintech Select Ltd. Fintech Select is a provider of robust and disruptive Pre-Paid Card programs and mobile banking solutions. Fintech Select has enabled these core assets which operate through separate divisions to work together harmoniously to create a new and ubiquitous environment for consumers and businesses alike. Fintech select also operates an international call centre that provides fulfillment and customer service support to customers across all three platforms mentioned. Our mission is to provide customers with choice, convenience and cost-effective ways to facilitate traditional and crypto financial transactions. Follow us on: https://www.facebook.com/FintechSelect https://twitter.com/fintech_select https://www.instagram.com/fintechselect https://www.linkedin.com/company/fintechselect/ 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. TORONTO, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Make-A-Wish Rope for Hope , the national signature fundraising event for Make-A-Wish Canada , is back for another thrilling and adrenaline-fuelled summer, in support of children with critical illnesses. Wish children often face lengthy hospital stays, multiple surgeries and strict medication schedules, but continue to display their remarkable strength, courage and bravery each day, says Jennifer Klotz-Ritter, president & CEO, Make-A-Wish Canada. Rope for Hope encourages participants to find their brave and rappel to help create life-changing wishes for these children. When a wish is granted, a child replaces fear with confidence, sadness with joy and anxiety with hope a powerful combination that may lead to better health outcomes. Rope for Hope participants are required to raise a minimum of $1,500 to help grant wishes for local children, in exchange for the opportunity to rappel down a city skyscraper. Rope for Hope events are scheduled to take place in 12 Canadian cities in 2019, starting this week. Events are open to the general public. Spaces are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Brian Velosos son, Owen, received his wish to be a firefighter in 2012. For the eighth consecutive year, Brian will rappel at Rope for Hope Toronto to help raise money for Make-A-Wish. He has personally raised more than $25,000 since the event first launched in 2012. Brian explains why he participates each year with a video message . 2019 National Fundraising Contest All Rope for Hope registered participants who raise $3,000 or more by Sept. 30, 2019 will be automatically entered in a draw to win an incredible getaway to Costa Rica, courtesy of Monograms and WestJet valued at $6,000! Click here for more information. There are a variety of ways to participate in Make-A-Wish Rope for Hope: as an individual, on a team, or by sponsoring a participant. For more information and to register for an event in a city near you, visit ropeforhope.ca . Special thanks to National Partners and Sponsors: WestJet Cares for Kids, Sony Canada Charitable Foundation, Captivate, Pita Pit Canada, Globus family of brands (Monograms), and local supporters. New This Year Rope for Hope participants across Canada will have the chance to use Fotaflo a social marketing tool that captures photos for event participants and delivers them in real time so friends and family can experience the excitement of the event instantly via social media. Fotaflo is sponsored by Sony Canada Charitable Foundation. About Make-A-Wish Canada Make-A-Wish creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We are on a quest to bring every eligible child's wish to life, because a wish is an integral part of a child's treatment journey. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Make-A-Wish is the worlds leading childrens wish-granting organization, serving children in every community in Canada, and in more than 50 countries worldwide. Together, generous donors, supporters, staff and more than 1,100 volunteers across the country grant more than one wish per day, on average. Since 1983, Make-A-Wish Canada has granted more than 8,000 wishes across the country; 655 last year alone. For more information about Make-A-Wish Canada, visit makeawish.ca . Media Contact: Deborah Waines-Bauer Manager, Marketing & Communications Make-A-Wish Canada Tel: 1-888-822-9474 ext. 6111 deborah.wainesbauer@makeawish.ca A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bfb1f560-f1c4-475c-ab9b-4ef097ae958a COVINGTON, Ohio, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marias Technology, a provider of software testing and implementation services to the insurance industry, announces plans to expand its headquarters in Covington, to open a new coffee shop, and to help develop downtown Covington for a number of mixed-use purposes. Marias is a Covington business through and through, said R. Christopher Haines, President and CEO of Marias. We chose to grow our business here. We choose to keep our business here. And we choose to invest in the community thats made so much possible for us. With its present building stretched to capacity, Marias will remain there and invest in necessary improvements. Marias acquired seven other adjacent properties, will demolish six of them deemed unsalvageable, and will construct a 26,000 sq. ft., three-story building on the site, of which Marias will occupy 17,000 sq. ft. That building also will contain 6,500 sq. ft. of first-floor retail space. Marias also will create space for Glacier View Coffee. While Marias will own and operate Glacier View, the shop will be supported by and offer products from Boston Stoker. Glacier View will occupy more than 2,000 sq. ft., and the first floor of that building will contain another 4,000+ sq. ft. of retail space. We want to recognize everyone who contributes to the good of Covington, Haines said. Mayor Ed McCord; Village Administrator Mike Busse; the members of the Village Council; and every employee of the Village of Covington. Our schools are strong thanks to Superintendent Gene Gooding, the Covington Board of Education, and all the principals, teachers, and staff members. Covington is safe thanks to the Covington Police Department and Covington Fire & Rescue. Well forego tax abatements on our project in hopes that a portion of our property taxes will provide low- or no-interest loans to our downtown business neighbors. Whats good for Covington is good for all of us. Marias hopes to break ground in the early spring of 2020. About Marias Technology Marias Technology, headquartered in Covington, Ohio, a privately held company, offers insurance technology services to property/casualty insurance companies. Services range from system testing and implementation, to gathering requirements and defining specifications. For more information, please visit www.mariastechnology.com , email info@mariastechnology.com , or call 866-611-2212. Media Contact: JoAnna Bennett 860-333-5009 joanna@obriencg.com Fargo, North Dakota, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aldevron, a leader in the production of plasmid DNA, proteins, mRNA and antibodies, has expanded its leadership team by appointing Michelle Berg President of its GMP nucleic acids business unit. She will report to Michael Chambers, Aldevrons founder and CEO. In this senior leadership role, Berg will oversee Aldevrons strategy to provide GMP plasmids and mRNA for gene editing, gene therapy, and cell therapy applications. She will work closely with the companys operational team to meet the requirements of these growing fields, while supporting the clinical and commercial efforts of Aldevrons clients. Aldevrons GMP plasmid facility, located in Fargo, N.D., is the largest in the world. Michelle was one of our original hires. She helped to build Aldevron and is the ideal leader for the GMP business unit said Chambers. Michelle brings an impressive mix of patient advocacy, gene therapy experience, and a deep knowledge of Aldevron and our culture. Berg joins Aldevron with over 20 years of experience and leadership in the biotechnology sector. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Patient Affairs and Community Engagement for Abeona Therapeutics, a company focused on developing novel gene and cell therapy approaches for treatment of people affected by rare diseases including Epidermolysis Bullosa, Sanfilippo syndrome, and Batten disease. Prior to that, Berg held a variety of roles with increasing reach and responsibility at Aldevron for 16 years, seeing it through several pivotal growth and expansion cycles. Im exceedingly proud of the company that Aldevron has become and the significant contributions made to numerous sectors through high quality deliverables and relationship-driven focus that remain core to our values, said Berg. Its an honor to return in this newly created capacity to lead the service of these transformational fields and ultimately accelerate success for those who are awaiting it most the patients. Berg earned a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology from North Dakota State University (NDSU), Fargo, N.D., which will open Aldevron Tower on campus Q1 of 2020. She is a contributing author and speaker on patient-focused programming, rare disease advocacy, and accessible education on genetic medicines. In addition to her roles with Abeona and Aldevron, she has performed research on behalf of the Department of Plant Sciences at NDSU. About Aldevron Aldevron serves the biotechnology industry with custom production of nucleic acids, proteins, and antibodies. Thousands of clients use Aldevron-produced plasmids, RNA and gene editing enzymes for projects ranging from discovery research to clinical trials to commercial applications. These products are critical raw materials and key components in commercially available drugs and medical devices. Aldevron is known for inventing the GMP-SourceTM quality system, and for specializing in GMP manufacturing, operating the worlds largest facility at its Company headquarters are in Fargo, North Dakota. Aldevron has additional facilities in Madison, Wisconsin, and Freiburg, Germany. To learn more, visit www.aldevron.com. Attachment Dublin, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Zimbabwe - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report provides a comprehensive overview of trends and developments in Zimbabwe's telecommunications market. The report analyses the fixed-line, mobile and broadband sectors. Revenue from Zimbabwe's telecom sector has come under pressure from a number of recent regulatory measures and taxes imposed by the cash-strapped government. Nevertheless, the sector shows some promise for the coming years, particularly from the mobile segment where active mobile penetration has increased rapidly, reaching 93% by early 2019. The three mobile network operators Econet Wireless, NetOne and Telecel Zimbabwe continue to invest in network upgrades to support data services and their fast-expanding m-commerce and m-banking facilities. The government in April 2019 outlined its plans to merge TelOne and NetOne and sell off a majority stake in the operator as part of a wider plan to offset state debt. Limitations in international bandwidth for the landlocked country for many years held back the development of the internet and broadband sectors, but this has changed since fibre optic links to several submarine cables were established via neighbouring territories. The expansion of 3G and LTE-based mobile broadband services have meant that more than half of the population now has access to the internet. Investment in fixed broadband infrastructure has also resulted in a slow but steady growth in the number of DSL connections, as also in fibre subscriptions. Key Developments: Telcos agree to the government's infrastructure sharing policy TelOne providing satellite broadband with Avanti Communications The government enforces m-money interoperability on MNOs, changes m-money tax basis NetOne refreshes m-money service Regulator confirms no room for a fourth mobile licensee Regulator drafts framework on MVNO licences Government begins $250 million investment to build 500 mobile towers to serve rural areas Econet expands m-commerce Government considers merging TelOne with NetOne and selling a majority stake in the two Draft legislation issued to repeal Post and Telecommunications Act Regulator proposes to create a new Virtual Network Operator (VNO) license category Report update includes the regulator's market data to December 2018, telcos' operating and financial data to August 2018, Telecom Maturity Index charts and analyses, recent market developments Key Topics Covered: 1. Key statistics Country overview 2. Telecommunications market Historical overview Market analysis Regional Africa Market Comparison TMI vs GDP Mobile and mobile broadband Fixed and mobile broadband 3. Regulatory environment Sector Reform Policy 1996 Posts and Telecommunications Act 2000 Telecom sector liberalisation SNO licence Privatisation Regulatory authority Licence fees ICT Strategy 2010 ICT Strategy 2015 National Policy for ICT Act 2016 International gateways, interconnection Value-added tax (VAT) Universal Service Fund (USF) Subscriber registration Infrastructure sharing Converged Licensing Framework (CLF) 4. Fixed network operators TelOne Fixed-line infrastructure Wireless Local Loop (WLL) National fibre backbone TeleAccess Zimbabwe Afritell 5. Telecommunications infrastructure Overview of the national telecom network Smart grid infrastructure International infrastructure TelOne Liquid Telecom (Econet) Other carriers Data centres Internet Exchange Point (IXP) 6. Broadband market Introduction and statistical overview Market analysis Broadband statistics Zimbabwe Internet Exchange (ZINX) National Broadband Project Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) Networks ISP market Fibre-to-the-Premises (FttP) Other fixed broadband services WiMAX Wi-Fi Satellite broadband 7. Digital economy E-commerce E-learning E-health 8. Mobile communications Market analysis Mobile statistics Mobile infrastructure 4G (LTE) 3G Satellite mobile Mobile data Mobile broadband Regulatory issues SIM card registration Fourth mobile licence Mobile Number Portability (MNP) Network sharing Spectrum auction Spectrum Allocation Plan Major mobile operators Econet Wireless Zimbabwe (EWZ) NetOne Telecel Zimbabwe Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) Mobile content and applications Money transfer, m-banking M-commerce Companies Mentioned Africa Online Afritell Aptics Aquiva Broadlands Networks ComOne Dandemutande (uMax) DataOne Econet Econet Wireless Ecoweb iWay Africa (MWEB) Liquid Telecom NetOne Powertel Communications Telco Internet TeleAccess Telecel Telecontract TelOne Zimbabwe Online (ZOL) For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/7i4xv8 Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. English French MONTREAL, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Humane Society International/Canada, Friends of HSI, and HSI global with the generous support of the Eric S. Margolis Family Foundation are partnering with the Montreal SPCA to seize animals rescued from a roadside zoo in St-Edouard-de-Maskinonge, Quebec. HSI will provide all on-site care, transport and placement for approximately 100 animals. The owner of the unaccredited facility has been arrested and charged neglect and cruelty to animals under the Canadian Criminal Code. If convicted, the accused could face a five-year prison sentence and a lifetime ban on having custody or control of an animal. Media is invited to attend an on-site press conference at 1pm EDT today. WHAT: Roadside zoo animal rescue, including transportation and placement of animals. WHEN: May 21, 2019 press conference at 1pm EDT. WHERE: St-Edouard Zoo, 3381 Rang des Chutes, Saint-Edouard-de-Maskinonge, QC J0K 2H0. Click here for the Google map. WHO: Rebecca Aldworth, Executive Director - HSI/Canada Ewa Demianowicz, Senior Campaign Manager - HSI/Canada Sophie Gaillard, Animal Advocacy Director - Montreal SPCA Dana Margolis, Executive Director - Eric S. Margolis Family Foundation Photos and video will be made available prior to the press conference. Media Contact: Christopher Pare, Director of Communications o: 514-395-2914 x 206, c: 438-402-0643, email: cpare@hsi.org Humane Society International/Canada is a leading force for animal protection, with active programs in companion animals, wildlife and habitat protection, marine mammal preservation, farm animal welfare and animals in research. HSI/Canada is proud to be a part of Humane Society International which, together with its partners, constitutes one of the world's largest animal protection organizations. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty worldwide - on the Web at www.hsicanada.ca. Friends of HSI is a registered charitable organization working to protect animals through public education and awareness, rescue, sheltering, provision of veterinary services and other direct care programs. We are proud to be part of the Humane Society International family of global affiliates, which together comprise one of the largest and most effective animal protection groups in the world. On the Web at friendsofhsi.ca The Eric S. Margolis Family Foundation was born out of a love of animals, humanity and nature. The foundation has been established to support and nurture these vital elements, with a threefold mandate: 1) to support organizations worldwide, who provide a natural sanctuary for abused, neglected and abandoned animals, both wild and domesticated, 2) to support the advocacy work of organizations worldwide, who rally for more stringent animal cruelty laws and subsequent penalties, and 3) to support organizations worldwide, whose main focus is to help animals, both wild and domesticated, who may be in immediate distress. Eric and Dana Margolis share a passion for animals and their wellbeing. This passion forms the basis of the Eric S. Margolis Family Foundation. NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vemanti Group, Inc. (OTC PINK:VMNT), a technology-driven multi-asset company, today announced that its portfolio company, Fvndit, Inc. (Fvndit), has launched a $10M USD digital security offering. Proceeds from the raise will be used to further propel Fvndits business objectives as the market-leading SME-focused funding platform in Vietnam. The Company current holds 20% interest in Fvndit. Fvndit is a California- and Vietnam-based fintech company, focused on solving the short-term working capital problem for SMEs. Its using technology to re-build core parts of the business funding infrastructure and make the underwriting and financing seamless for small businesses. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, eLoan, JSC (eLoan), is the market-leading online Peer-to-Peer (P2P) lending platform for SMEs in Vietnam. Just in its second year of operations, its already experiencing double-digit growth in month-to-month revenue with over $1M USD per month in loan disbursement. Digital Security Offering (DSO) and Security Token Offering (STO) are terms used interchangeably to describe offerings of digitized securities and tokenized securities respectively. It is an innovative, transparent, and efficient capital raise method for private companies to reach as many investors as possible quickly and globally. This is a US-compliant offering pursuant to applicable Regulation D (506c) and Regulation S exemptions of the SEC, open to both US and non-US investors. The newly issued digital securities (aka security tokens) are linked to direct ownership stake in Fvndit through a designated preferred equity class and entitle holders to financial rights and ongoing dividends. Further details can be found at https://fvndit.com and its official blog site: https://medium.com/fvndit-inc Tan Tran, CEO of Vemanti Group, who has recently been appointed as Fvndits new CEO, stated, Were hugely excited about this new capital raise approach and very optimistic about future prospects of Fvndit as well as for our shareholders. We trust that investors will find this a tremendous opportunity to be a part of a fast-growing company in one of the worlds hottest economies. As the business model has already been proven and with the first-mover advantage on our side, now is the time to scale it up. Additional capital will strengthen Fvndits position as the de facto business financing platform. About Vemanti Group, Inc. Vemanti Group , Inc. (OTC PINK:VMNT) is a technology-driven multi-asset company that seeks to be active in high-growth and emerging markets. Our core strengths are in technology development and investment. We drive growth through acquisition and investment in disruptive and foundational technologies by targeting early-stage companies that have market viable products or by starting a new subsidiary of our own. Strategically, we focus mainly on fintech applications combined with other emerging technologies, including blockchain and machine learning/AI. About Fvndit, Inc. Fvndit , Inc. (Fvndit), pronounced like Fund it, is a California- and Vietnam-based fintech company, focused on solving the working capital problem for SMEs using technology. The team is comprised of engineers, designers, data scientists, trade finance and banking veterans across 2 locations: Irvine, CA and HCMC, Vietnam. Its using technology to re-build core parts of the business funding infrastructure and make the underwriting and financing seamless for small businesses. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, eLoan, JSC (eLoan), operates an online P2P funding and investing marketplace in Vietnam, its current local market. About eLoan, JSC. eLoan , JSC (eLoan) is a peer-to-peer (P2P) lending marketplace that allows investors to lend money directly to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. eLoan is the first peer-to-peer lending company and one of the few fintech firms in Vietnam focusing purely on serving SME clients with short-term loans. Its platform is run on a proprietary AI-driven decision-making and credit-rating system. The company is a legal entity registered under the laws of Vietnam and is not affiliated with E-LOAN, Inc. and http://eloan.com , a Division of Banco Popular de Puerto Rico. Legal Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27a of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and section 21e of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Those statements include the intent, belief or current expectations of the company and its management team. Forward-looking statements are projections of events, revenues, income, future economics, research, development, reformulation, product performance or management's plans and objectives for future operations. Some or all of the events or results anticipated by these forward-looking statements may not occur. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Accomplishing the strategy described herein is significantly dependent upon numerous factors, many that are not in management's control. Contact Information Vemanti Group, Inc. Investor Relations (800) 768-1288 ir@vemanti.com VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AsiaBaseMetals Inc. (the "Company") (TSX-V: "ABZ") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Josko Vukic to the Advisory Board of the Company and provide an update on its activities in both the mining and cannabis sectors. Mr. Vukic, an entrepreneur with over 25 years of hands-on experience in business, in Canada and Croatia/Europe, in both the construction and agriculture industries, currently manages and operates his two successful construction companies in Vancouver and the Lower mainland, British Columbia, Canada. Mr. Vukic also continues to focus on his land holdings and agricultural business activities in Croatia, a member country of the European union (EU). A native of Croatia, Mr. Vukic has strong economic and political relationships within Croatia, especially in the agriculture, medical/health and security industry sectors, both at the regional and national levels. Mr. Vukic has in-depth knowledge and understanding of both the civic and national governing bodies of Croatia. Mr. Vukic, prior to immigrating to Canada in 2004 was also a Croatian military employee in the special forces under NATO from 1996 through to 2004. Mr. Vukic founded an educational enterprise Tulipan, a non-profit pre-school educational Centre within Croatia to give back to the community of his origin. Raj Chowdhry stated, It is my pleasure to welcome Mr. Vukic to the Advisory Board of AsiaBaseMetals Inc. Joskos extensive experience, knowledge and insight into social, political, economic and business environment changes in Europe, especially in Croatia, make him an ideal choice to provide guidance to the Companys team. His addition to the Advisory Board comes as the Company, as previously announced (news release dated May 8, 2019), is pursuing opportunities in the Cannabis sector, within Croatia and the European Union (EU). Mr. Vukic joins the Companys already impressive Advisory Board, comprised of Mr. Joe Piekenbrock, Mr. Bob Jacko, Mr. Carl Herring, Mr. Yuvraj Solanki, Mr. Tunaye Sai, Mr. Sorin Posescu, Mr. Stephen Leahy, Mr. Andrew Bowering, and Mr. Rafael Ovallos. The Cannabis Sector The Company, upon review of the cannabis sector and markets, has commenced identifying and pursuing opportunities in Europe which is the largest up and coming cannabis market in the world. It is interesting to note that in the cannabis sector, the largest market within western cultures is represented by Europe, having an approximate population of 740 million people (with EU representing approximately 512 million), when compared to North America having an approximate population of 579 million (with USA representing approximately 327 million). The Company will consider opportunities and acquisitions in the cannabis sector only in fully legal jurisdictions, " stated Raj Chowdhry, CEO. Mining Sector Gnome Project (Zinc/Cobalt) (100% owned): The Company has commenced the process to organize and execute its planned 2019 exploration and drill program. The program is expected to complete by September 30, 2019. The Gnome Zinc Project, 100% owned by AsiaBaseMetals Inc. located in the province of British Columbia, Canada, encompasses approximately 5,868 hectares (12 mineral claims including the 613.91 hectares recently staked) in the heart of the area that is home to Zincx Resources Inc.s flagship 100% owned Akie Project hosting the Cardiac Creek SEDEX Zn-Pb-Ag deposit, and Teck Resources Limited (Teck) & Korea Zinc s (KZ) joint ventured (T-KZ JV- 50% each) Cirque deposit and the Pie, Cirque East and Yuen properties. All properties discussed are in the same geological belt, NE of Williston Lake, in the Kechika trough geological belt within the southernmost part (Kechika Trough) of the regionally extensive Paleozoic Selwyn Basin. The Selwyn Basin is one of the most prolific sedimentary basins in the world for the occurrence of SEDEX zinc-lead silver and stratiform barite deposits and was discovered in the heyday of northern B.C., Canada, Pb-Zn-Ag exploration (late 1970s and early 1980s). Mineralization hosted on the Cirque and Cardiac Creek (Akie Project) Properties is not indicative of the mineralization hosted on the Companys Gnome Zinc Project at its current stage of exploration. The Gnome project, located 35 km SE along trend from Cirque and 15 km SE of the Akie Property, was the subject of two previously prepared technical reports, with the latest being in 2012 (reports available on the Companys website). Thazi Project: The Company is awaiting the grant of exploration permits for lithium pursuant to a submitted application. The Company intends to design its initial work program to explore for both hard-rock and salar-type (continental salts and brines) deposit potential, using modern field techniques with International Organization for Standardization-approved mineralogical studies and analytical methods. The Thazi Mineral Claims are located in the Hlaing Det area in the Meiktila District, known as the main Feldspar-producing area of Myanmar. The Thazi Mineral Claims are accessible by road via the Meiktila-Thazi-Taunggyi highway, the main highway from central Myanmar to Shan State in the east, which eventually leads to the border of Thailand, and by train which runs through the central portion of the Thazi Mineral Claims. Power also runs along the highway and is available in the Hlaing Det area. Raj Chowdhry, CEO, stated, The opportunity to advance the Gnome Project, a project adjacent to the Cardiac Creek Deposit (hosted within the Akie Project) where ZincX announced (June 20, 2018) robust results of a Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA"), towards drilling of the project is very exciting. Afzaal Pirzada, P.Geo., a Consultant to the Company, is an Independent Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the information of a scientific or technical nature contained in this news release. About AsiaBaseMetals Inc. AsiaBaseMetals Inc., a company focused on advancing its projects in the mining sector andevaluating opportunities in the cannabis sector, is led by an experienced and successful business and mining team. The Company is exploring opportunities in the cannabis sector, with emphasis in Europe, and advancing its 100% owned Gnome Zinc Project and its 100% owned Jean Iron Ore Project in world-class mining districts in Canada, one of the safest and mining friendly jurisdictions in the world. In addition, the Company is seeking to further diversify its portfolio, with special attention directed to advanced acquisition targets in the Americas, Asia and Africa for base metals [Copper (Cu)], alkali metals [Cobalt (Co) / Lithium (Li)] and precious metals [Gold (Au) / Silver (Ag)]. The Company is in an advanced stage of reviewing mining projects for acquisition in Asia. The Company intends to retain business and commodity focus as projects are identified and acquired by plan of arrangement spin-out transaction(s) in the same manner as when AsiaBaseMetals Inc. was originally formed. For more information please email info@asiabasemetals.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. The PEA is considered preliminary in nature and includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves have not yet demonstrated economic viability. Due to the uncertainty that may be attached to mineral resources, it cannot be assumed that all or any part of a mineral resource will be upgraded to mineral reserves. Therefore, there is no certainty that the results concluded in the PEA will be realized. Mineralization hosted on the Cirque and Cardiac Creek (Akie Project) Properties is not indicative of the mineralization hosted on the Companys Gnome Zinc Project at its current stage of exploration. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain disclosure in this release, including statements regarding the grant of the Thazi Mineral Claims, the Companys plans for future exploration programs in Myanmar and expected outcomes, the Gnome Project, possible acquisitions and spin-out transactions and the Companys exploration and other plans, may constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding the expected timing of assay results and the advancement of the Companys projects. In making the forward-looking statements in this release, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable, including that the Company will obtain the necessary regulatory approvals for the grant of the Thazi Mineral Claims, exploration in Myanmar and the proposed exploration on the Gnome Project, the Company will obtain the necessary approvals for possible acquisitions and spin-out transactions, the Company will be able to carry out future exploration or work programs as planned and that the Company will obtain any required financing. However, 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 uncertainties and risks include, among others, financing risks, delays in obtaining or inability to obtain required regulatory approvals, the Company's ability to secure possible acquisitions and spin-out transactions and changes in the Companys plans. 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. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. 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. SCOTTSDALE, AZ, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AMMO, Inc. (AMMO) (OTCQB: POWW), a technology leader and premier American ammunitions manufacturer, today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Jagemann Munition Components (Jagemann), has expanded its product line to compliment AMMO, Incs growth strategy within the defense marketplace. AMMOs Global Tactical Defense Divisions innovative line of match grade hard armor piercing incendiary (HAPI) rounds, branded as TAC-P precision tactical munitions, are the centerpiece of the Companys strategy to address the unique needs the armed forces community demands are met by their equipment. Following AMMOs acquisition of Jagemanns brass casings business in March, the Company has aligned its manufacturing operations to support the large caliber demand from military personnel, such as the 12.7mm and .50 caliber BMG configurations. Jagemann is accepting orders for these high-quality brass casings to interested parties. Fred Wagenhals, CEO of AMMO, Inc. commented, It has been clear to us since our first interactions with the Jagemann team that we possessed very complimentary businesses and I am excited to demonstrate this alignment operating as a singular organization that can deliver industry leading innovations that helps save lives. The development and manufacturing of these large caliber rounds has been a year in the making, and we expect our vertical integration to support our ongoing efforts to further expand the portfolio to include other large caliber rifle rounds as well. We are uniquely positioned to respond to demand in the marketplace and the combination of our manufacturing platforms are allowing us to strengthen the service we provide to customers globally. About AMMO, Inc. AMMO designs and manufactures products for a variety of aptitudes, including law enforcement, military, hunting, sport shooting and self-defense. The Company was founded in 2016 with a vision to change, innovate and invigorate the complacent munitions industry. AMMO promotes branded munitions, including its patented STREAK Visual Ammunition, the Jesse James line of munitions and accessories, /stelTH/ subsonic munitions, O.W.L. Technologies, TAC-P Tactical Precision Defense munitions, and OPS (One Precise Shot), a lead-free frangible tactical line of munitions for self-defense. The Companys corporate office is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, and operates a munitions manufacturing facilities in Payson, Arizona, as well as a brass casings manufacturing facility in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. For more information please visit: www.ammoinc.com Forward Looking Statements This document contains certain forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including, but not limited to, any projections of earnings, revenue or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies, goals and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning proposed new products and services or developments thereof; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; any statements or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Forward looking statements may include the words may, could, estimate, intend, continue, believe, expect or anticipate or other similar words, or the negative thereof. These forward-looking statements present our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this report. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates on which they are made. We do not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the dates they are made. You should, however, consult further disclosures and risk factors we include in Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Reports filed on Form 8-K. In our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, references to AMMO, Inc., AMMO, the Company, we, us, our and similar terms refer to AMMO, Inc. and its wholly owned operating subsidiaries The Enlight Group (d/b/a Jagemann Munition Components), SNI, LLC and Ammo Technologies, Inc. Investor Contact: Jeff Sonnek ICR, Inc. Phone: (646) 277-1263 jeff.sonnek@icrinc.com Media Contact: Mark Hanish President of Global Commercial Sales & Marketing Phone: (480) 530-2827 mhannish@ammo-inc.com Revenues in the First Quarter of 2019 by Itself Were 2.4 Times Larger Than Our Entire 2018 Revenue Results. First Quarter non-GAAP Net Loss Reduced by 25% Compared to Prior Year Period. Las Vegas, NV & Hong Kong, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 12 ReTech Corporation (OTC: RETC), announced today that it has filed its annual Form 10-Q with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission for the period ended March 31, 2019. The results were filed yesterday on May 20, 2019. These financial results represent the combined operations of 12 Hong Kong, Ltd., 12 Japan, Ltd., 12 Europe AG and Emotion Fashion Group, Inc., Red Wire Group, LLC (RWG) and Rune NYC, LLC (Rune). For the 3-month period ended March 31, 2019, the Company reported gross sales of $221,129 vs $8,942 for the same period in 2018. This represents an increase of $212,187 or 2,372.9%. These results represent a dramatic improvement in the operations of the Company and are consistent with the expectations of Company management for the newly acquired RWG and Rune operations in the first months of 12 ReTechs ownership. Angelo Ponzetta, CEO of 12 ReTech commented, RWG and Rune have performed consistently through the ownership transition so far, where we have made operational improvements that have lowered expenses so that both subsidiaries have become cash flow positive. Going forward, we are now focusing on revenue growth while keeping overhead expenses stable. We expect both RWG and Rune to grow substantially during the rest of the year and beyond. To better understand the growth that we are looking for, readers should understand that 12 ReTechs 1st quarter revenues are 2.4 times larger than the revenues for the entire prior year. The Company generated $73,231 worth of Gross Profit on $221,129 in Gross Sales in the quarter realizing a Gross Margin of 33.1%. Management is targeting a low 40s gross margin percentage level going forward for the intermediate future as the current business mix mostly comes from our consumer brand platform. As the Company expands its 12 Technology Suite - Software as a Service business, Management would expect to see larger gross margins generated. Angelo Ponzetta, continued, We are pleased with Gross Margins at this level of business and think that we can maintain and perhaps expand these levels at a higher output level, which we are working towards For the 3-month period ended March 31, 2019 the Company's GAAP Net Loss increased to $1,703,607 compared to $870,230 for the same period in 2018. This represents a substantial increase in the GAAP Net Loss when measured against last years comparable period. Management indicates that the larger net loss is due to various non-cash financing costs incurred during the first quarter of 2019. These non-cash financing costs include among other categories, Amortization of debt discount and Loss on derivative liability. When excluding the non-cash financing expenses from both periods, the non-GAAP Net Loss decreased to $597,573 from $747,111 in the prior period or improved by 25%. The non-cash financing expenses are related to debt and equity financing that occurred in the first quarter as the Company raised working capital at a slower rate than in prior periods. Angelo Ponzetta, continued, Shrinking our non-GAAP Net Loss over the prior years first quarter is definitely a good step in the right direction. I am expecting to see additional improvements in our future financial reports, as we grow our operational businesses and expect them to contribute to the continued shrinkage of the enterprises net losses. In addition, recent cost cutting in our European subsidiary should reduce our enterprise expenses by another $125,000 per quarter or better in upcoming reporting periods. Angelo Ponzetta reiterated, In addition to the expansion of our 12 Technology Suite operations, our consumer brand platform business plan for 2019 includes the profitable expansion of our EFG, Rune and RWG operations. In order to break even in 2019, we are expanding our existing operations while working on additional acquisitions. New targeted acquisitions will complement what we are doing today, have a good profitable book of business and offer strategic synergy for our future plans in both consumer-brand platform and retail technology. Look out for both operational expansion and acquisition announcements in the coming months. Please note that any references regarding figures or data from the Form 10-Q are limited or summaries for discussion purposes. For accurate and complete figures, data, and disclosures, reference is made to the actual Form 10-Q on file with the SEC and available to be read at www.sec.gov. Angelo Ponzetta added, On the acquisition front, we have been busy working on potential transactions that will give us substantially larger scale quickly and would give us an immediate opportunity to put our 12 Technology Suite into a North American based retail operation. We would look to jump start our retail technology plans and demonstrate its effectiveness for helping retailers to effectively compete against the likes of Amazon and Walmart. Angelo Ponzetta commented, We continue to work hard on executing our 12 Technology Suite business model which has been recording revenues in Asia, adapting our software technology to the European and North American markets, introducing new proprietary software products and applications to merchant clients and executing the acquisitions of microbrands previously announced over the course of last year. About 12 ReTech Corporation: At our core, we are a software company whose technology allows retailers to combat the dual threats of Walmart and Amazon both online and in physical stores. Our microbrand rollup acquisition strategy allows us to demonstrate the effectiveness of our software, devise and test new products, while providing shareholder value through immediate revenue and earnings growth. The Company operates through our subsidiaries on three continents: 12 Hong Kong, Ltd., 12 Japan, Ltd., 12 Europe A.G., 12 Retail Corporation (and its subsidiaries in North America, including Emotion Fashion Group, Inc., Red Wire Group, LLC and Rune NYC, LLC). For more information please visit our website at www.12ReTech.com . 12 Retech Corporation is publicly listed on the OTC Markets under the symbol RETC. Safe Harbor: This document contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainty, including without limitation, the ability of the Company to successfully implement its turnaround strategy, changes in costs of raw materials, labor, and employee benefits, as well as general market conditions, competition and pricing. Although the Company believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this letter will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as representation by the Company or any other person that the objectives and plans of the Company will be achieved. In assessing forward-looking statements included herein, readers are urged to carefully read those statements. When used in the Annual Report on Form 10-K, the words "estimate," "anticipate," "expect," "believe," and similar expressions are intended to be forward-looking statements. Investor Relations Contacts: Mark Gilbert Magellan FIN, LLC mgilbert@magellanfin.com 317-361-2392 (USA) MANALAPAN, N.J., May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sun Pacific Holding Corp. (Other OTC: SNPW) announces that it has achieved several new milestones in its progress towards the development of the Companys Rhode Island medical waste to energy project and with Street Smart Outdoor advertising operations. Medrcycler-RI, Inc updates: Identified, negotiated, and executed 10-year lease with 10-year option on an approximately 48,000 square foot facility for the Medical Waste to Energy project in West Warwick, RI. Phase One initial manufacturing of casings and other elements of the plant equipment for the Medical Waste to Energy plant was ordered and manufacturing is underway, along with payment of an initial deposit of approximately $1.7M. Completed initial Medical Waste to Energy plant layout, engineering and architectural design work. Applied for and received Township of West Warwick, RI approvals to commence office buildout in the Medical Waste to Energy facility. Initiated multi-year contract discussions with several national haulers to receive up to 70 tons per day of plant feed stock. Street Smart Outdoor updates: Installed 60 new advertising benches under the Tallahassee, Florida contract. Received 20 solar powered bus shelters, which are being deployed under the Rhode Island contract. Added additional sales personnel and improved lead generation call center capabilities with the intent of improving advertising utilization and revenue generation. Nicholas Campanella, CEO of Sun Pacific Holding Corp, stated, We are pleased with the progress we are making on many fronts as we attempt to improve the outlook for the Company and drive improved financial metrics. We are making progress with our Medical Waste to Energy project as we work through the various approvals and details to establish the facility in West Warwick, RI. We continue to opportunistically look for ways to improve our Street Smart Outdoor Advertising operations and are pleased to have expanded our advertising benches by 60 in Florida and prepare to put into commission 20 solar powered bus shelters in Rhode Island. We look forward to keeping our stakeholders updated with our progress. About Sun Pacific Holding Corp. Sun Pacific Holding Corp. (OTCQB: SNPW) uses management's knowledge and experience to serve its customers and now its shareholders through quality service and equipment, working to keep customers satisfied, and by doing our part in protecting the environment with smart green technology. For more information, visit www.sunpacificholding.com . Safe Harbor and Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains statements that involve expectations, plans or intentions (such as those relating to future expansion or financial results) and other factors discussed from time to time in the Company's OTC Markets filings. These statements are forward-looking and are subject to risks and uncertainties, so actual results may vary materially. You can identify these forward-looking statements by words such as "may," "should," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "plan" and other similar expressions. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors not within the control of the company. The company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The company disclaims any obligation subsequently to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events. IR Contact Sun Pacific Holding Corp 215 Gordons Corner Road Manalapan, NJ 07726 Phone: +1 (888) 845-0242 Email: ir@sunpacificholding.com VANCOUVER, CANADA, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- QUEST WATER GLOBAL, INC. (OTC Pink: QWTR) ("Quest" and/or the "Company"), an innovative water technology company and developer of the solar-powered AQUAtap water purification, desalination, and distribution technology and the WEPSTM WaterMaker Atmospheric Water Extraction and Purification System, announced today that the Company has entered into a multi-year Strategic Partnership Agreement with Dikembe Mutombos American Venture Group (AVMA), and Kalo Products SARL (Kalo) of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Strategic Partnership between AVMA, Kalo, and Quest, which the parties refer to as the Oasis Community Water Partnership, further expands the Companys presence within Africa. The agreement establishes a trilateral partnership whereby Quest will work jointly with AVMA and Kalo to install and operate AQUAtapTM systems, to be co-branded AQUAtapTM Oasis Community Water Centers, in underserved rural communities throughout the DRC. A multi-million-dollar project, the partnership initially will install 50 AQUAtapTM Oasis Community Water Centers commencing with the Provinces of Tanganyika, Lualaba, Sud Ubangi, and Kasai. Each AQUAtapTM Oasis Community Water Center is rated to produce 80,000 liters of clean, safe water per day which will be sold to residents at affordable, socially responsible prices. Kalo is a Congolese company that works primarily in the food & beverage industry. Built on the values of integrity, innovation, and professionalism, Kalo has been able to penetrate the Congolese food & beverage industry by marketing Oasis mineral water, which is one of the top 5 bottled water brands in the capital city of Kinshasa. Kalo is committed to addressing social issues and to giving back to the community through a program called "Oasis Cares", whose objective is to provide drinking water to remote, disadvantaged, and underserved areas. Kalo successfully launched its Oasis Cares brand bottled water in the United States on World Water Day, March 22, 2019. A portion of the profits will be used to acquire Quests AQUAtapTM systems for deployment into underserved rural communities within the DRC. The AQUAtapTM Oasis Community Water Centers will bring about positive social change within these communities, explained Isaac Kalonji Jr., Kalos CEO & Managing Director. We are excited at the prospects of this Strategic Partnership and to working with Quest and AVMA as they have both been so supportive of our goal of giving back to those in need within the DRC. The AQUAtapTM Oasis Community Water Centers will be funded in part by proceeds from the sale of Oasis Cares bottled water within the United States along with donations from charitable organizations and individuals. Corporate donors and sponsors will also play a significant role in the funding of this project through the inclusion of funds from Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. The DRC government has given the project a green light and has also committed to providing logistical support to the AQUAtapTM Oasis Community Water Centers. The relationship with Kalo, Congolese native Dikembe Mutombo, and his AVMA group represents a powerful opportunity for Quest to expand our business into the DRC, a vibrant and very important market. Isaac Kalonji Jr. and Dikembe Mutombo have jointly demonstrated their ability to apply their considerable resources and expertise to enter the Congolese market with the AQUAtapTM Oasis Community Water Centers, said Peter Miele, Quests Executive VP and Managing Director. Isaac and Dikembe both believe that giving back to the community is a moral obligation of every individual. We look forward to assisting in meeting the objective of deploying the AQUAtapTM Oasis Community Water Centers to provide a clean, safe source of water to the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. About Quest Water Global, Inc. Quest Water Global, Inc., through its wholly-owned operating subsidiary Quest Water Solutions Inc., is an innovative water technology company that provides sustainable and environmentally sound solutions to water scarce regions. We use proven technologies to create economically viable products that address the critical shortage of clean water in water-scarce regions and developing nations. Quests goal is to address the vital issue of water quality and water supply by providing an alternative, sustainable source of pure water at the smallest possible environmental cost, while becoming a leading provider of decentralized, turnkey solutions using alternative energy for the production, purification, desalination, and distribution of clean, potable water. For more information, visit our website at www.QuestWaterSolutions.com Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements This press release contains projections and forward-looking statements, as that term is defined under applicable securities laws. Statements in this press release, which are not purely historical, are forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks which may cause actual results and the Company's plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information, including: negative results from the Company's operations; the effects of government regulation on the Company's business; risks associated with the Company's ability to obtain and protect rights to its intellectual property; risks and uncertainties associated with the Company's ability to raise additional capital; loss of management; and other factors beyond the Company's control. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity or performance. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and, except as required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors and to assess in advance the impact of such factors on the Company's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Readers should also refer to the risk factor disclosures and other disclosures outlined in the Company's periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR at www.sec.gov and with the British Columbia Securities Commission on SEDAR at www.sedar.com . Jacqueline McClure, Corporate Communications Quest Water Global, Inc. +1 604 565 1103 jmcclure@questwatersolutions.com Isaac Kalonji Jr., President Kalo Products SARL US +1 559 724 7386 DRC +243 820 770 608 i.kalonji@kaloproducts.com www.kaloproducts.com Richard Hoffman, CEO & Co-Founder American Venture Group LLC +1 602 373 4479 richard@avma.com www.avma.com Source: Quest Water Global, Inc. Notice is hereby given of the annual general meeting of Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA (EMGS or the Company). The annual general meeting will be held at the Companys offices in Karenslyst Alle 4, 1st floor, 0278 Oslo, Norway on 13 June 2019 at 12:00 local time. The calling notice is attached to this stock exchange notification, and will, together with all appendixes and the Companys annual report for 2018 be published on the Companys webpage www.emgs.com. For further information, please contact: Hege Veiseth, CFO, +47 99 21 67 43 About EMGS EMGS, the marine EM market leader, uses its proprietary electromagnetic (EM) technology to support oil and gas companies in their search for offshore hydrocarbons. EMGS supports each stage in the workflow, from survey design and data acquisition to processing and interpretation. The Company's services enable the integration of EM data with seismic and other geophysical and geological information to give explorationists a clearer and more complete understanding of the subsurface. This improves exploration efficiency and reduces risks and the finding costs per barrel. EMGS operates on a worldwide basis with offices in Trondheim, Oslo, Houston, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro and Kuala Lumpur. For more information, visit www.emgs.com This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act Attachment HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Morien Resources Corp. ("Morien" or the "Company") (TSXV:MOX), is pleased to announce that it has received notice from Kameron Collieries ULC (Kameron), the owner and operator of the Donkin Coal Mine (Donkin or Mine) in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, that it has been granted approval by the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education (LAE) for a revised ground control procedure which allows for the continuation of mining and development operations at Donkin. Kameron announced in early January 2019 that LAE had rescinded its approval of the existing ground control procedure at Donkin due to a fall of ground. No workers were injured nor equipment damaged. Kameron submitted a revised ground control procedure and mine plan to LAE in late January and was subsequently granted approval to recommence mining on a limited scale. Since that time, Kameron has operated on a limited basis at a reduced capacity using the interim ground control plan. With the re-commencement of normal operations at Donkin, Kameron currently has two fully operating coal sections. These include one section with a recently installed flexible conveyor train, which is a continuous haulage, mobile conveyor belt that replaced the shuttle car fleet in that section. The second coal section is using a traditional shuttle car fleet. Both coal sections are actively developing the Mines main underground infrastructure and first production panel. Morien owns a gross production royalty for the Mine of 2% on the revenue from the first 500,000 tonnes of coal sales per calendar quarter, net of certain coal handling and transportation costs, and 4% on the revenue from any coal sales from quarterly tonnage above 500,000 tonnes, net of certain coal handling and transportation costs. The royalty is payable to Morien on a quarterly basis over the anticipated 30+ year mine life. Moriens royalty payments from Kameron increased from $4k in Q2 2017, when production at Donkin commenced, to $298k in Q4 2018. During Q1 2019, while production was temporarily suspended and while Kameron operated at a reduced capacity, Moriens Donkin royalty decreased to $169k. At full production of 2.75 to 3.0 million saleable tonnes per year (1,2), and using a wide range of coal pricing (CAD $60 to $120 per tonne), royalty payments to Morien could be in the order of CAD $5.0 to $9.0 million annually (2). In January 2019, it was reported that Provincial Energy Ventures Ltd. (PEV) is proceeding with the first phase of its $75 million expansion of its export facility in Sydney, Cape Breton. PEV is located approximately 30 kilometres from the Mine and is currently responsible for handling all of the exported coal from Donkin. Once complete, the PEV port will be capable of accommodating larger vessels and is expected to have the capacity to export up to 3.0 million tonnes of Donkin coal annually. A new, dedicated coal haul road that will by-pass certain communities along the current truck route between Donkin and PEV is expected to be complete during the first half of 2019. Footnotes: (1) The above technical disclosures are consistent with the information in the technical report titled Technical Report, Donkin Coal Project, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada dated November 2012, found on Moriens SEDAR profile. (2) These values are only estimates based on assumptions Morien management consider reasonable, as of Q2 2019, and would only be achieved if and when Donkin reaches permitted production levels. Actual results and royalties received, if any, subject primarily to production rates and coal pricing, may vary from those estimated by Morien. Morien incurs general and administrative expenses in respect of the administration and preparation of filing of regulatory filings as a public company, collection of revenues from the aforementioned royalties and seeking and acquiring new mineral projects. Qualified Person Dawson Brisco, P.Geo. (Nova Scotia), President and CEO of Morien, is a Qualified Person as that term is defined in National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. About Morien Morien is a Canada based, dividend paying, mining development company that holds royalty interests in two, long life, world class, tidewater accessed projects. The Donkin Coal Mine commenced production in 2017 and the Black Point Aggregate Project was permitted in 2016 and is progressing toward a development decision. Moriens management team exercises ruthless discipline in managing both the assets and liabilities of the Company. The Companys management and its Board of Directors consider shareholder returns to be paramount over corporate size, number or scale of assets and industry recognition. Morien has 53,793,864 issued and outstanding common shares and a fully diluted position of 57,220,614. Further information is available at www.MorienRes.com. Forward-Looking Statements Some of the statements in this news release may constitute "forward-looking information" as defined under applicable securities laws. These statements reflect Morien's current expectations of future revenues and business prospects and opportunities and are based on information currently available to Morien. Morien cautions that actual performance will be affected by a number of factors, many of which are beyond its control, and that future events and results may vary substantially from what Morien currently foresees. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties described in Moriens annual information form filed with the Canadian Securities regulators on SEDAR ( www.sedar.com ) on April 26, 2016. Morien cautions that its royalty revenue will be based on production by third party property owners and operators who will be responsible for determining the manner and timing for the properties forming part of Moriens royalty portfolio. These third party owners and operators are also subject to risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted herein including: volatility in financial markets or general economic conditions; capital requirements and the need for additional financing; fluctuations in the rates of exchange for the currencies of Canada and the United States; prices for commodities including gold, coal and aggregate; unanticipated changes in production, mineral reserves and mineral resources, metallurgical recoveries and/or exploration results; changes in regulations and unpredictable political or economic developments; loss of key personnel; labour disputes; and ineffective title to mineral claims or property. There are other business risks and hazards associated with mineral exploration, development and mining. Although Morien believes that the forward-looking information contained herein is based on reasonable assumptions, readers cannot be assured that actual results will be consistent with such statements. Morien expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information in this news release, whether as a result of new information, events or otherwise, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. All dollar values discussed herein are in Canadian dollars. Any financial outlook or future-oriented financial information in this news release, as defined by applicable securities laws, has been approved by management of Morien as of the date of this news release. Such financial outlook or future-oriented financial information is provided for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such outlook or information should not be used for purposes other than for which it is disclosed in this news release. 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 more information, please contact: Dawson Brisco, President & CEO Office: (902) 423-6419 Mobile: (902) 403-3149 dbrisco@MorienRes.com or John P.A. Budreski, Executive Chairman Phone: (416) 930-0914 www.MorienRes.com NEW YORK, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Greystone , a leading commercial real estate lending, investment, and advisory company, announced it has provided $71,920,000 in financing for the acquisition and refinance of a 874-bed skilled nursing facility portfolio spanning North Carolina and Kentucky. The financing was originated by Fred Levine, Managing Director at Greystone. Greystone provided short-term bridge financing for the seven total skilled nursing properties, six of which are located in North Carolina. The bridge loan terms include a 24-month payment period with two six-month extensions, and no pre-payment penalty. The Borrower intends to transition the short-term bridge financing to permanent, low- and fixed-rate FHA-insured financing through Greystones bridge-to-HUD process. Our flexible bridge program coupled with our position as the #1 HUD lender in the country provides borrowers with more certainty of execution than they require to succeed. We are thrilled to have helped our client complete this transaction to expand their SNF portfolio, said Mr. Levine. About Greystone Greystone is a real estate lending, investment, and advisory company with an established reputation as a leader in multifamily and healthcare finance, having ranked as a top FHA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac lender in these sectors. Our range of services includes commercial lending across a variety of platforms such as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, CMBS, FHA, USDA, bridge and proprietary loan products. Loans are offered through Greystone Servicing Company LLC, Greystone Funding Company LLC and/or other Greystone affiliates. For more information, visit www.greyco.com . PRESS CONTACT: Karen Marotta Greystone 212-896-9149 Karen.Marotta@greyco.com Media Release 2019 Annual General Meeting WISeKey Shareholders Approve All Agenda Items Zurich, Switzerland, 21 May 2019 - WISeKey International Holding Ltd (WISeKey or the Company) (SIX: WIHN) a leading global cybersecurity, Blockchain and IoT company, today announced that its shareholders approved all items on the agenda of WISeKey's 2019 Annual General Meeting held today in Zurich, Switzerland. Among other things, shareholders re-elected all serving members of the Board of Directors who stood for re-election. Carlos Moreira was re-elected as Chairman of the Board. David Fergusson, Philippe Doubre and Maryla Shingler Bobbio were re-elected as members of the Nomination & Compensation Committee. Shareholders of WISeKey also approved all other proposals submitted by the Board, including: 2018 Annual Report and the 2018 audited consolidated and statutory financial statements of the Company; The carry forward of the Company's accumulated net earnings; The discharge of all members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Management from liability for their activities during the fiscal year 2018; 2018 compensation report, and the Board of Directors' and Executive Management's total compensation (in an advisory vote), as required under Swiss law and the Articles of Association for the period until the 2020 AGM; and, Re-election of BDO SA as the Company's audit firm for an additional one-year period. Carlos Moreira, Chairman of the Board, stated, I would like to thank our valued shareholders for their continued trust, support and the confidence they have placed in us. I would also like to thank all members of our board for their commitment and dedication to WISeKey. About WISeKey WISeKey (SIX Swiss Exchange: WIHN) is a leading global cybersecurity company currently deploying large scale digital identity ecosystems for people and objects using Blockchain, AI and IoT respecting the Human as the Fulcrum of the Internet. WISeKey Microprocessors Secures the pervasive computing shaping todays Internet of Everything. WISeKey IoT has an install base of over 1.5 billion microchips in virtually all IoT sectors (connected cars, smart cities, drones, agricultural sensors, anti-counterfeiting, smart lighting, servers, computers, mobile phones, crypto tokens etc.). WISeKey is uniquely positioned to be at the edge of IoT as our semiconductors produce a huge amount of Big Data that, when analyzed with Artificial Intelligence (AI), can help industrial applications to predict the failure of their equipment before it happens. Our technology is Trusted by the OISTE/WISeKeys Swiss based cryptographic Root of Trust (RoT) provides secure authentication and identification, in both physical and virtual environments, for the Internet of Things, Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence. The WISeKey RoT serves as a common trust anchor to ensure the integrity of online transactions among objects and between objects and people. For more information, visit www.wisekey.com. To receive WISeKey's latest news, visit the WISeKey Investors Corner. Press and investor contacts WISeKey Company Contact: Carlos Moreira Chairman & CEO Tel: +41 22 594 3000 info@wisekey.com WISeKey Investor Relations (US) Contact: Lena Cati The Equity Group Inc. Tel: +1 212 836-9611 lcati@equityny.com Disclaimer: This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning WISeKey International Holding Ltd and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of WISeKey International Holding Ltd to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. WISeKey International Holding Ltd is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and it does not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of article 652a or article 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or a listing prospectus within the meaning of the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of WISeKey and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on ass, a promise or representation as to the future performance of WISeKey. HALIFAX, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF-Canada) and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) are pleased to recognize the outstanding conservation collaboration and accomplishments of Nova Scotias Raymond Plourde with the Glen Davis Conservation Leadership Prize. Thanks to decades of dedication, Plourde and a team of hard-working conservationists have increased the amount of protected land and water in the province by 50 per cent. About the prize The Glen Davis Conservation Leadership Prize awards $10,000 to individuals who have played a key role in bringing meaningful protections to identifiable land or aquatic ecosystems in Canada, or led a foundational initiative regarding species or spaces that leaves Canada measurably better off. This is the third year the prize has been awarded. Previous recipients include Anne Sherrod of B.C. in 2017, and Grand Chief Herb Norwegian of N.W.T. in 2018. The prize honours the late Glen Davis, a Toronto-based conservation philanthropist, who died tragically in 2007. Glen loved wild country and generously supported those trying to protect it. The award was established by WWF-Canada and CPAWS in 2017 on the 10th anniversary year of his death and is awarded annually. About winner Raymond Plourde Plourde is Wilderness Coordinator for the Halifax-based Ecology Action Centre. Along, with groups such as CPAWS Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Nature, he has delivered nationally significant land and water protections in a province where such achievements are particularly challenging. Only 30 per cent of the Nova Scotia landscape is publicly owned and conservation progress requires working collaboratively with governments, private landowners and resource industries. A former advertising executive, Plourdes conservation roots go back to the 1990s, when he volunteered to lead a successful campaign for the Nova Scotia Salmon Association to stop the construction of an open-pit gold mine in the headwaters of the Margaree River. Mentored by the late Colin Stewart, who worked for CPAWS Nova Scotia and also served as the provinces Endangered Spaces Coordinator, Plourde played a key role in bringing together forest industry executives and conservationists to develop a plan to protect 12 per cent of Nova Scotia and to encourage the province to adopt this target. Plourde and other dedicated conservationists and groups have since worked to deliver on this goal, increasing the amount of protected land and waters in Nova Scotia by 50 per cent, moving the total from eight per cent to more than 12 per cent of the entire province. As a result, important ecological areas throughout the province are now protected, including the upper Margaree River, Fourchu Coast, Medway Lakes and many others. Ray Plourde, Glen Davis Conservation Leadership Prize winner, says: Im truly humbled by this special recognition. Glen Davis was a real Canadian conservation hero, so to receive an award in his name is a real honour We all know that nature is in serious trouble worldwide and Im just pleased to have been able to work on saving at least some of it in our little corner of the world, knowing that it contributes to the greater global effort. Ive also had the privilege of working with hundreds of amazing individuals and groups across Nova Scotia in advancing wilderness conservation here and it is to them I dedicate this award, in particular, my conservation mentor, the late Colin Stewart. Alison Ronson, interim national executive director of CPAWS, says: "CPAWS is pleased to recognize an individual who has played such an important role in conservation and the creation of protected areas in Nova Scotia. Ray's work, which is directly inspired by Glen Davis, has left a lasting legacy for both current and future Nova Scotians and is an example for others who are working for nature in challenging landscapes." Monte Hummel, president emeritus of WWF-Canada, says: Protected areas dont appear overnight. They often require years, even decades, of commitment, advocacy and collaboration. Ray has dedicated decades to this painstaking and often frustrating work and the result is the protection of essential habitat for wildlife and people in Nova Scotia. Glen Davis understood the challenge and sacrifice involved in creating protected areas. It is fitting that this award go to an individual who, working with partners and under the mentorship of the late Colin Stewart, has played such an important role in moving the yardstick on conservation in Nova Scotia. About World Wildlife Fund Canada WWF-Canada creates solutions to the environmental challenges that matter most for Canadians. We work in places that are unique and ecologically important, so that nature, wildlife and people thrive together. Because we are all wildlife. For more information, visit wwf.ca . About the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is Canadas only nationwide charity dedicated solely to the protection of our public land, ocean and freshwater, and ensuring our parks and protected areas are managed to protect nature. In the past 56 years, we have played a leading role in protecting over half a million square kilometres an area bigger than the entire Yukon Territory. Our vision is to protect at least half of Canadas public land and water in a framework of reconciliation for the benefit of both wildlife and humans. For more information about CPAWS and the work we do to safeguard Canadas natural heritage, visit cpaws.org. Attachment SUWANEE, Ga., May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- SANUWAVE Health, Inc. (OTCQB: SNWV) reported financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2019 with the SEC on Monday, May 20, 2019. The Company will also host a conference call today, May 21, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Highlights from the first quarter and last few weeks: Placed 16 dermaPACE Systems in the United States, on track for at least 35 placed by end of the second quarter. Systems in the United States, on track for at least 35 placed by end of the second quarter. Over 99% participation in warrant exercise May 1, 2019, providing growth capital to the Company. Engaged Alira Health to explore the European wound market for strategic alternatives and partnerships. Added new sales managers in the Carolinas (North and South), Pennsylvania, and Texas during April and May. Initial billing of claims began in select markets and will accelerate throughout the year. Sponsoring an initial case series to quantify the level of increased perfusion and oxygenation during and after treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFUs) with the dermaPACE System. Launched a study in Poland to observe how DFUs respond to the dermaPACE System treatment in conjunction with standard of care in three different dosage regimens that use a higher number of shockwaves when compared to the U.S. Phase III study. Major presence at tradeshows and symposium in the four months following first quarter Modern Wound Care Management, Greensboro, NC (April 26 - 27, 2019) Symposium of Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) Spring, San Antonio, TX (May 7 -11, 2019) International Symposium of the Diabetic Foot (ISDF), The Hague, The Netherlands (May 22 25, 2019) European Wound Management Association (EWMA), Gothenburg, Sweden (June 5 7, 2019) The National American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), Salt Lake City, UT (July 11 14, 2019) Modern Wound Care Management, Greensboro, NC (April 26 - 27, 2019) Symposium of Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) Spring, San Antonio, TX (May 7 -11, 2019) International Symposium of the Diabetic Foot (ISDF), The Hague, The Netherlands (May 22 25, 2019) European Wound Management Association (EWMA), Gothenburg, Sweden (June 5 7, 2019) The National American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), Salt Lake City, UT (July 11 14, 2019) Expanded our patent portfolio as follows: U.S. patent number US 10,238,405 entitled Blood Vessel Treatment with Intracorporeal Pressure Shock Waves European patent number EP 3,117,784 entitled Usage of Intracorporeal Pressure Shock Waves in Medicine SANUWAVEs focus during 2019 remains placing devices with qualified clinicians in six target states. To that end we exceeded our goal for the first quarter and are comfortable raising full year placement guidance by 10% to 110 devices by year end. First quarter revenue was lower due to timing of orders from our domestic partners, which will be up full year over full year. These orders may be lumpy on a quarter to quarter basis as the roll out proceeds, and until we gain critical mass on the recurring per procedure revenue. Revenue growth is expected to accelerate dramatically later in the year as devices move from placement to revenue producing. We are being very deliberate and balanced on this initial roll out, and once we gain reimbursement coverage in specific markets we will then accelerate growth in those geographies, stated Kevin Richardson, CEO. SANUWAVE President, Shri Parikh comments, The feedback from initial placements is positive and extremely encouraging. Patients share excitement because of their week to week improvements and clinicians appreciate the ease of use and delivery of the treatment in their DFU patients. The SANUWAVE team is confident our increased dermaPACE placements will result in continued positive activity, supporting reimbursement and ultimately expanding our coverage and DFU treatment well beyond our currently targeted markets. Goals for 2019 110 dermaPACE system placements (up from prior guidance of 100) and 300 certified users Finish with at least 10 million covered lives for insurance reimbursement Launch 2-3 domestic clinical studies Add 3-4 new countries Add additional advisors to our scientific board Add other key senior management positions 2019 sets the stage for SANUWAVE to shift from a clinical research company to a rapidly growing commercialization company. The process involves placing devices, training clinicians, gaining reimbursement, and supporting the infrastructure with more clinical research, published articles, and case studies. The method will allow SANUWAVE to achieve the goal of delivering a dermaPACE system anywhere and everywhere a DFU is treated. This allows SANUWAVE to accomplish the vision of providing a positive impact on life and the environment, one shock at a time. First Quarter Financial Results Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were $177,963, compared to $344,272 for the same period in 2018, a decrease of $166,309, or 48%. Revenue resulted primarily from sales in Europe of our orthoPACE devices and related applicators, sales in the United States of our dermaPACE applicators and upfront distribution fee from our Southeast Asia distribution agreement with Johnfk Medical Inc. (FKS). The decrease in revenue for 2019 is primarily due to a decrease in sales of dermaPACE devices in the United States as we had our initial order of dermaPACE devices from Premier Shockwave in February 2018, a decrease in sales of orthoPACE devices in Asia/Pacific and the European Community, as compared to the prior year. Operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were $1,944,542, compared to $1,300,066 for the same period in 2018, an increase of $644,476, or 50%. Research and development expenses increased by $22,525. The increase was due to an increase in temporary wages as a result of contracting for temporary services and increased study expenses related to our new dosage study in Poland. Selling and marketing expenses increased $106,124. The increase was due to an increase in hiring of trainers and salespeople and increased travel for placement and training related to the commercialization of dermaPACE. General and administrative expenses increased $512,487. The increase was due to an increase in salary and benefits related to new hires in 2018, increased legal costs associated with SEC filings and patent issuance and maintenance, increased consulting expenses related to our insurance reimbursement strategy for the commercialization of dermaPACE in the United States and one-time expense related to email spoofing cyber security breach. Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $2,197,317, or ($0.01) per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $5,856,655, or ($0.04) per basic and diluted share, for the same period in 2018, a decrease in the net loss of $3,659,338, or 62%. The decrease in the net loss was primarily a result of a decrease in other income (expense), partially offset by an increase in our operating expenses as described above. Cash and cash equivalents decreased by $265,603 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and decreased by $575,979 for the three months ended March 31, 2018. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, net cash used by operating activities was $1,285,551 and $1,848,565, respectively, primarily consisting of compensation costs, research and development activities and general corporate operations. The decrease of $563,014 in the use of cash for operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019, as compared to the same period for 2018, was primarily due to the increased accrued operating and payroll related expenses and increased receivables in 2019. Net cash used by investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, consisted of purchase of property and equipment of $22,054 and $7,720, respectively. Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $1,044,400, which consisted of $319,867 from the exercise of warrants, $698,333 from the issuance of short term notes payable and $26,200 from an advance from related parties. Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $1,279,371, which consisted of $12,000 from advances from related parties, $13,528 from exercise of warrants, $1,159,785 from the issuance of convertible promissory notes and $94,058 from issuance of note payable, product. Conference Call The Company will host a conference call on Tuesday, May 21, 2019, beginning at 9AM Eastern Time to discuss the first quarter 2019 financial results, provide a business update and answer questions. Shareholders and other interested parties can participate in the conference call by dialing 844-602-0380 (U.S.) or 862-298-0970 (international) or via webcast at https://www.investornetwork.com/event/presentation/49197 . A replay of the conference call will be available beginning two hours after its completion through May 28, 2019, by dialing 877-481-4010 or 919-882-2331 and entering PIN #49197 and a replay of the webcast will be available at https://www.investornetwork.com/event/presentation/49197 until August 21, 2019. About SANUWAVE Health, Inc. SANUWAVE Health, Inc. ( www.sanuwave.com ) is a shockwave technology company initially focused on the development and commercialization of patented noninvasive, biological response activating devices for the repair and regeneration of skin, musculoskeletal tissue, and vascular structures. SANUWAVEs portfolio of regenerative medicine products and product candidates activate biologic signaling and angiogenic responses, producing new vascularization and microcirculatory improvement, which helps restore the bodys normal healing processes and regeneration. SANUWAVE applies its patented PACE technology in wound healing, orthopedic/spine, plastic/cosmetic and cardiac conditions. Its lead product candidate for the global wound care market, dermaPACE, is CE Marked throughout Europe and has device license approval for the treatment of the skin and subcutaneous soft tissue in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In the U.S., dermaPACE, is currently under the FDAs Premarket Approval (PMA) review process for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. SANUWAVE researches, designs, manufactures, markets and services its products worldwide, and believes it has demonstrated that its technology is safe and effective in stimulating healing in chronic conditions of the foot (plantar fasciitis) and the elbow (lateral epicondylitis) through its U.S. Class III PMA approved OssaTron device, as well as stimulating bone and chronic tendonitis regeneration in the musculoskeletal environment through the utilization of its OssaTron, Evotron and orthoPACE devices in Europe, Asia, and Asia/Pacific. In addition, there are license/partnership opportunities for SANUWAVEs shockwave technology for non-medical uses, including energy, water, food, and industrial markets. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements relating to financial results and plans for future business development activities, and are thus prospective. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not statements of historical fact regarding intent, belief or current expectations of the Company, its directors or its officers. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Companys ability to control. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Among the key risks, assumptions and factors that may affect operating results, performance and financial condition are risks associated with the regulatory approval and marketing of the Companys product candidates and products, unproven pre-clinical and clinical development activities, regulatory oversight, the Companys ability to manage its capital resource issues, competition, and the other factors discussed in detail in the Companys periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement. For additional information about the Company, visit www.sanuwave.com . Contact: Millennium Park Capital LLC Christopher Wynne 312-724-7845 cwynne@mparkcm.com SANUWAVE Health, Inc. Kevin Richardson II Chairman of the Board 978-922-2447 investorrelations@sanuwave.com or Kevin.richardson@sanuwave.com (FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW) SANUWAVE HEALTH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS March 31, December 31, 2019 2018 ASSETS (Unaudited) CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 98,946 $ 364,549 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $24,400 in 2019 and $33,045 in 2018 139,840 234,774 Due from related parties 2,699 1,228 Inventory 328,384 357,820 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 196,561 125,111 TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 766,430 1,083,482 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net 91,452 77,755 RIGHT OF USE ASSETS 437,363 - OTHER ASSETS 23,504 16,491 TOTAL ASSETS $ 1,318,749 $ 1,177,728 LIABILITIES CURRENT LIABILITIES Accounts payable $ 1,780,108 $ 1,592,643 Accrued expenses 753,394 689,280 Accrued employee compensation 577,220 340,413 Contract liabilities 129,264 131,797 Lease liability - right of use 164,521 - Advances from related parties 26,200 - Line of credit, related parties 895,967 883,224 Accrued interest, related parties 1,391,469 1,171,782 Short term notes payable 2,611,731 1,883,163 Convertible promissory notes, net 2,756,427 2,652,377 Notes payable, related parties, net 5,372,743 5,372,743 Warrant liability 195,310 1,769,669 TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 16,654,354 16,487,091 NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES Contract liabilities 42,612 46,736 Lease liability - right of use 315,730 - TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 358,342 46,736 TOTAL LIABILITIES 17,012,696 16,533,827 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT PREFERRED STOCK, par value $0.001, 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding - - PREFERRED STOCK, SERIES A CONVERTIBLE, par value $0.001, 6,175 designated; 6,175 shares issued and 0 shares outstanding in 2018 and 2017 - - PREFERRED STOCK, SERIES B CONVERTIBLE, par value $0.001, 293 designated; 293 shares issued and 0 shares outstanding in 2018 and 2017 - - COMMON STOCK, par value $0.001, 350,000,000 shares authorized; 160,322,580 and 155,665,138 issued and outstanding in 2019 and 2018, respectively 160,323 155,665 ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL 101,731,430 101,153,882 ACCUMULATED DEFICIT (117,520,434 ) (116,602,778 ) ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (65,266 ) (62,868 ) TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT (15,693,947 ) (15,356,099 ) TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT $ 1,318,749 $ 1,177,728 SANUWAVE HEALTH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (UNAUDITED) Three Months Ended Three Months Ended March 31, March 31, 2019 2018 REVENUES Product $ 64,565 $ 238,568 License fees 106,250 84,116 Other revenue 7,148 21,588 TOTAL REVENUES 177,963 344,272 COST OF REVENUES Product 65,112 125,594 Other 28,741 39,872 TOTAL COST OF REVENUES 93,853 165,466 GROSS MARGIN 84,110 178,806 OPERATING EXPENSES Research and development 261,002 238,477 Selling and marketing 158,083 51,959 General and administrative 1,517,101 1,004,614 Depreciation 8,357 5,016 TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 1,944,542 1,300,066 OPERATING LOSS (1,860,432 ) (1,121,260 ) OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) Gain (loss) on warrant valuation adjustment 32,359 (2,973,682 ) Interest expense (148,261 ) (1,555,756 ) Interest expense, related party (219,687 ) (189,211 ) Loss on foreign currency exchange (1,296 ) (16,746 ) TOTAL OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET (336,885 ) (4,735,395 ) NET LOSS (2,197,317 ) (5,856,655 ) OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Foreign currency translation adjustments (2,398 ) 935 TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS $ (2,199,715 ) $ (5,855,720 ) LOSS PER SHARE: Net loss - basic and diluted $ (0.01 ) $ (0.04 ) Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted 157,112,875 139,754,044 SANUWAVE HEALTH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT (UNAUDITED) Preferred Stock Common Stock Number of Number of Accumulated Shares Shares Other Issued and Issued and Additional Paid- Accumulated Comprehensive Outstanding Par Value Outstanding Par Value in Capital Deficit Loss Total Balances as of December 31, 2017 - $ - 139,300,122 $ 139,300 $ 94,995,040 $ (104,971,384 ) $ (43,783 ) $ (9,880,827 ) Net loss - - - - - (5,856,655 ) - (5,856,655 ) Cashless warrant exercises - - 1,023,130 1,023 117,815 - - 118,838 Proceeds from warrant exercise - - 175,666 176 13,352 - - 13,528 Shares issued for services - - 551,632 552 78,448 - - 79,000 Warrants issued with convertible promissory notes - - - 808,458 - - 808,458 Beneficial conversion feature on convertible promissory notes - - 709,827 - - 709,827 Warrants issued with promissory note - - - - 36,104 - - 36,104 Beneficial conversion feature on promissory notes - - - - 35,396 - - 35,396 Foreign currency translation adjustment - - - - - - 935 935 Balances as of March 31, 2018 - $ - 141,050,550 $ 141,051 $ 96,794,440 $ (110,828,039 ) $ (42,848 ) $ (13,935,396 ) Balances as of December 31, 2018 - - 155,665,138 155,665 101,153,882 (116,602,778 ) (62,868 ) (15,356,099 ) Net loss - - - - - (2,197,317 ) - (2,197,317 ) Cashless warrant exercises - - 704,108 704 (704 ) - - - Proceeds from warrant exercise - - 620,000 620 52,580 - - 53,200 Conversion of short term notes payable to equity - - 3,333,334 3,334 263,333 - - 266,667 Reclassification of warrant liability to equity - - - - 262,339 1,279,661 - 1,542,000 Foreign currency translation adjustment - - - - - - (2,398 ) (2,398 ) Balances as of March 31, 2019 - $ - 160,322,580 $ 160,323 $ 101,731,430 $ (117,520,434 ) $ (65,266 ) $ (15,693,947 ) English French TORONTO, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Restaurants Canada welcomes the national tourism strategy unveiled today in Montreal by the Honourable Melanie Joly, Canadas Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie. Building on commitments made in the 2019-20 federal budget, the strategy emphasizes the critical role of culinary tourism for promoting the Canadian brand at home and abroad and supporting the advancement of Canadas tourism industry. Foodservice is not only the number one source of tourism jobs, were an integral part of every Canadian hospitality experience, said Shanna Munro, President and CEO of Restaurants Canada. As the voice of the Canadian foodservice community, Restaurants Canada is thrilled to now have a national tourism strategy that recognizes the significance of our role at the table. Creating Middle Class Jobs: A Federal Tourism Growth Strategy aims to empower communities of all sizes through short- and long-term measures by: providing $58.5 million through the Canadian Experiences Fund to enhance Canadas tourism products and experiences in five categories, including culinary and farm-to-table experiences; developing tourism investment groups where all levels of government will collaborate to invest more efficiently while meeting local priorities and identifying ways to raise private investment; and creating a new Tourism Industry Economic Strategy Table to provide a platform for government and industry leaders to collaborate on overcoming sector challenges. The strategy, which represents a culmination of effort at many levels, will take a whole-of-government approach to addressing barriers to growth in the tourism and hospitality sector, such as lack of investment coordination and labour shortages. Restaurateurs are key contributors to the diversity and well-being of communities across the country when they thrive, so do the communities they serve, said David Lefebvre, Restaurants Canada Vice President, Federal and Quebec. We appreciate all of Minister Jolys efforts to help us champion their unique challenges and look forward to doing so through the framework of this new strategy. For further information: Marlee Wasser, Communications & Policy Specialist, Restaurants Canada, 1-800-387-5649 ext. 4254, media@restaurantscanada.org. About Restaurants Canada Restaurants Canada represents a growing community of more than 30,000 businesses, advancing their potential through services, research and advocacy. Canadas foodservice sector is an $89 billion industry, directly employs 1.2 million Canadians, is the number one source of first jobs and serves 22 million customers every day. NEW YORK, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Mueller Water Products, Inc. (Mueller Water Products or the Company) (NYSE: MWA). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at rswilloughby@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 9980. The investigation concerns whether Mueller Water Products and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. On April 27, 2017, in connection with its second quarter 2017 financial and operating results, Mueller Water Products disclosed that certain radio products produced by the Companys Technologies segment between 2011 and 2014 had been failing prematurely, resulting in a $9.8 million warranty charge. On this news, Mueller Water Products stock price fell $1.43 per share, or 11.28%, to close at $11.25 per share on April 28, 2017, on unusually heavy trading volume. Then, on August 6, 2018, in connection with its third quarter 2018 financial and operating results, Mueller Water Products reported a $14.1 million warranty charge. On this news, Mueller Water Products stock price fell $0.75 per share, or 6%, to close at $11.74 per share on August 7, 2018, on unusually heavy trading volume. The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com CONTACT: Robert S. Willoughby Pomerantz LLP rswilloughby@pomlaw.com English French Lions, tigers, zebras, camels, kangaroos, bears and many other animals to be cared for, transported and placed by HSI affiliates ST-EDOUARD-DE-MASKINONGE, Quebec, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Humane Society International/Canada, Friends of HSI, and HSI global--with the generous support of the Eric S. Margolis Family Foundation--are working alongside the Montreal SPCA in the seizure of animals from a roadside zoo in St-Edouard-de-Maskinonge, Quebec. The owner of the unaccredited facility has been arrested and charged with neglect and cruelty to animals under the Canadian Criminal Code. If convicted, the accused could face a five-year prison sentence and a lifetime ban on having custody or control of any animal. Experts from HSIs Canadian and global affiliates will provide specialized care for more than 100 wild and exotic animals comprising dozens of different species as of the date of the seizure, as well as transport of all wild animals to a network of partner sanctuaries throughout North America. A number of the animals are listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Rebecca Aldworth, executive director of HSI/Canada, stated, We are pleased to play a critical role in getting these deserving animals to safety, with the incredible support of the Eric S. Margolis Family Foundation. It was disturbing to see this facility. Many of the animals were confined in dark, barren, dilapidated enclosures. Others were living with entirely inadequate shelter with minimal protection from the elements. Some of the animals did not even appear to have access to water or proper food and appeared to be suffering from a variety of medical conditions. Some of the animals were showing signs of significant psychological distress including compulsive, constant pacing. Notably, dead and ill animals have been removed or seized from this property in recent months. This case underscores the importance of strong animal welfare provisions in Canadas Criminal Code, particularly as they apply to situations of gross neglect. Eric Margolis, founder of the Eric S. Margolis Family Foundation, said, Our foundation supports organizations that provide care for abused, neglected and abandoned animals, both wild and domesticated. We will always support the work of organizations like HSI/Canada and Friends of HSI, who defend those who cannot defend themselves." HSI/Canada has campaigned for over a decade to achieve meaningful improvements to the animal welfare provisions in Canadas Criminal Code. One of the primary deficiencies in the Criminal Code is the need for enforcement authorities to prove willfulness on the part of neglectful owners before they are able to lay criminal charges and seize animals. This results in protracted suffering and can prevent appropriate application of the Criminal Code in situations of neglect. This crucial work was made possible through the generous support of the Eric S. Margolis Family Foundation, which has worked in partnership with Friends of HSI and HSI/Canada for years to rescue thousands of animals from situations of cruelty and neglect. FACTS HSI has decades of experience in mass animal rescue, care and placement, including with wild and exotic animals. The care, transport and placement of wild and exotic animals is highly specialized and HSI/Canada, Friends of HSI and our global affiliates will carry this work out over several weeks. The roadside zoo in question has a long history of warnings and charges from the provincial government. The Montreal SPCA performed its first inspection of the facility in August 2018. In addition to noting several offenses regarding the physical state of the animals and their living conditions, SPCA officers seized two alpacas in particularly poor condition as well as the bodies of four animals found deceased on site, including two tigers. This intervention led to the criminal charges. The owner was charged with two counts of criminal animal neglect and cruelty, covering the timeframe 2016-2018. According to the Montreal SPCA, this is the first time in Quebec that animal welfare charges have been laid by way of indictment, a type of prosecution reserved for the most serious offenses and which opens the door to more serious penalties. For photos and video: click here , then select "create account" at the top of the page; fill out your information, and an administrator will approve you right away. If you encounter any difficulties, do not hesitate to reach out to the media contact below. Media Contact: Christopher Pare office: 514 395-2914 x 206 / cell: 438 402-0643, email: cpare@hsi.org Humane Society International/Canada is a leading force for animal protection, with active programs in companion animals, wildlife and habitat protection, marine mammal preservation, farm animal welfare and animals in research. HSI/Canada is proud to be a part of Humane Society International which, together with its partners, constitutes one of the world's largest animal protection organizations. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty worldwide - on the Web at www.hsicanada.ca Friends of HSI is a registered charitable organization working to protect animals through public education and awareness, rescue, sheltering, provision of veterinary services and other direct care programs. We are proud to be part of the Humane Society International family of global affiliates, which together comprise one of the largest and most effective animal protection groups in the world. On the Web at friendsofhsi.ca The Eric S. Margolis Family Foundation was born out of a love of animals, humanity and nature. The foundation has been established to support and nurture these vital elements, with a threefold mandate: 1) to support organizations worldwide, who provide a natural sanctuary for abused, neglected and abandoned animals, both wild and domesticated, 2) to support the advocacy work of organizations worldwide, who rally for more stringent animal cruelty laws and subsequent penalties, and 3) to support organizations worldwide, whose main focus is to help animals, both wild and domesticated, who may be in immediate distress. Eric and Dana Margolis share a passion for animals and their wellbeing. This passion forms the basis of the Eric S. Margolis Family Foundation. English French MARKHAM, Ontario, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC) welcomes the successful lifting of U.S. Section 232 steel tariffs and all Canadian countermeasures. This effort negotiated by the Government of Canada will allow the Canadian steel industry, as well as those employed by it, to succeed and freely grow. With the removal of the U.S. steel tariffs, Canadas downstream steel construction sectors and steel fabricators are once again able to operate and bid on construction projects without contractual risk and uncertainty. Our Canadian steel industry can remain globally competitive, providing quality steel products and structures on both sides of the border. Were pleased to see such a positive resolution for the removal of the U.S. steel tariffs. Canadian steel companies and their employees deserve a fair chance to succeed and this negotiation has given them an opportunity to do so once again, says Ed Whalen, President & CEO of the CISC. We congratulate our federal government for their unwavering efforts in protecting the interests of Canadians in this matter and successfully implementing fair trade with the U.S. In a joint statement, the Government of Canada announced the elimination of the 25 per cent steel tariffs imposed by the U.S., citing Section 232, as well as Canadas countermeasure actions. As part of the agreement, Canada and the U.S. will work together to develop a process that will monitor steel trade among them, as well as from countries outside of North America, to prevent subsidized and/or dumped steel entering both countries. We urge the Canadian government to maintain the same active approach in protecting the Canadian market from dumped and/or subsidized fabricated structural steel. It is imperative that we continue to uphold the Canadian International Trade Tribunals (CITT) ruling on anti-dumping duties in order to give more construction projects to Canadian companies, create steel industry jobs, keep the Canadian economy growing and strengthen the Canadian middle class. The CISC will remain active in supporting the needs of Canadas vibrant steel construction industry. We will continue to work closely with the Canadian government to advocate fair trade, as well as the interests of the Canadian middle class. ABOUT CISC The Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC) is Canadas voice for the steel construction industry, providing leadership in sustainable design in construction, advocacy, efficiency, quality and innovation. The CISCs efforts aim to advance the use and benefits of steel, increase Canadian market share, as well as advocate for a diverse community made up of manufacturers, fabricators, service centres, erectors, consultants, detailers, industry suppliers, owners and developers. The Canadian steel construction sector is a vibrant $5 billion industry, which employs over 130,000 people in its supply chain. A federal trial involving a legal challenge to Virginia abortion laws began in Richmond on Monday with testimony from a witness for the plaintiffs. The first witness, an expert in obstetrics and gynecology, began testifying shortly after 9 a.m. The trial is before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson, and not before a jury. On Monday, the judge noted that 5,000 to 7,000 pages of documents had been filed in the case. Hudson said he expects to hear 10 days of testimony and that attorneys will return June 6 for closing arguments, with each side getting two hours. I understand this case is important, but I want to wrap this up as scheduled, Hudson said. The plaintiffs are taking aim at the physician-only rule for first-trimester abortions. Other issues in the case include whether Virginias second-trimester hospital requirement, informed consent requirements and criminal penalties for violations of restrictions impose an undue burden on the right to abortion under the 14th Amendment. State licensing requirements, including first-trimester abortion facility licensing requirements, are also being challenged by the plaintiffs, who see them as onerous. The suit was filed in June 2018 by the Center for Reproductive Rights, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the law firm OMelveny & Myers, and local counsel for the ACLU of Virginia. Plaintiffs include various abortion care providers, including the Falls Church Healthcare Center, the Whole Womans Health Alliance, the Virginia League for Planned Parenthood, and Dr. Jane Doe. Ruling on a pretrial motion earlier this month, Hudson tossed out the requirement that first-trimester abortions be carried out by a physician. But last week, he rescinded the order, deciding that he wanted to hear more evidence on the question of whether the physicians-only law presents an undue burden to Virginia women who seek an abortion. The first witness in the case for the plaintiffs, Dr. Mark Nichols, took the stand shortly after the trial opened Monday. Nichols testified that since the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, abortions have become far safer. He said that one in four American women will have an abortion, that 90 percent of abortions occur within the first 13 weeks of pregnancy, and that 2 percent happen after 20 weeks. Last week, Gov. Kay Ivey, R-Ala., signed a measure to bar most abortions in that state. Lawmakers last week sent Gov. Mike Parson, R-Mo., a measure that would ban abortions at eight weeks. LENORE, W.Va. Donna Branham was grilling steaks in her backyard when she felt the tremors. She was two miles away from the coal mine, but she could feel the blasts. Oh my god, not again, she thought. In 2017, blasting at the surface mine had cracked her ceiling, her mirrors and her fireplace. When the mine was shut down amid complaints that its waste was encroaching on crayfish, a threatened species, she thought she had caught a break. Now the mine is back in business, due to the intervention of Trump appointees at the U.S. Department of the Interior and West Virginia officials who allowed the resumption of drilling at Twin Branch and about a half-dozen other mines under a June 2017 policy, according to documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). President Donald Trumps pro-coal stance is not surprising, but the documents offer a rare glimpse into how state and industry officials have tapped the presidents political appointees to advance their economic interests over the objections of the agency charged with protecting endangered wildlife in this case, two crayfish species that help keep the states creeks and rivers healthy. A United Nations panel warned in a recent report that human activities have pushed one-eighth of the worlds species to extinction and urged governments to protect them. Meanwhile, the emails show that the Trump administration has moved in the opposite direction: Federal, state and industry officials bypassed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to win approval for operations near sensitive habitat. Championed by Landon Tucker Davis, an Interior Department official who used to represent the states coal industry, a 2017 directive that paved the way for mine permits illustrates how environmental rollbacks enacted at the start of the administration are reshaping the nations landscape in ways that could harm threatened species. Jason Bostic, vice president of the West Virginia Coal Association, and other coal executives say federal Fish and Wildlife officials were not providing guidance quickly enough on how mines could operate. He also expressed skepticism that crayfish face serious jeopardy. We are talking about a crayfish that survived the Industrial Revolution, in one of the most rugged, isolated and hard-to-operate places in the country, Bostic said in a phone interview. It was somewhat an affront to us to believe that modern mining was a threat to them. A crustacean resembling a miniature lobster, crayfish remain a fixture in many rural West Virginians childhood. They burrow under rocks to build their homes and extensive tunnels, said Zachary Loughman, a West Liberty University biology professor. They go by many names : crawdads, crawdaddies and, in some cases, mudbugs. Besides helping to clean creeks and rivers, the animals serve as prey for sport fish. And the very activities that threaten their habitat can affect local residents water supplies. In April 2016, the Interior Department under President Barack Obama placed two species of crayfish the Guyandotte River and Big Sandy, named for the rivers they inhabit on the federal endangered species list. It identified logging and coal mining, which deposits sediment and chemical runoff into streams, as primary threats. Once a species is listed, federal officials are required to identify critical habitat for its survival and provide guidance so the government does not authorize activities that could cause further harm. Once Trump was elected, Interiors approach to the crayfish shifted. Environmentalists argue that federal officials have failed to establish legally required protections and properly oversee state environmental officials, who have permitted mines under less-stringent requirements. Now the Center for Biological Diversity and other advocacy groups are preparing to sue the Interior Department for failing to protect the crustaceans from activities such as those at Twin Branch mine. The centers senior scientist, Tierra Curry, who helped qualify the two species as endangered, laid out her argument as she watched a coal truck make its way recently to a mining operation permitted under Trump policy. The law says you cant jeopardize an endangered species, and the science says sediment and pollution from coal mines is going to jeopardize the species, she said, referring to the Endangered Species Act. So the law and the science are both clear. So are the countervailing political head winds: Trump won the state in 2016 by nearly 42 points, and nine months later, Gov. Jim Justice a coal tycoon switched his party registration from Democrat to Republican. While Sen. Joe Manchin III, D-W.Va., retained his seat during last years midterms, he is the outlier in what has become a solidly Republican state. And there is bipartisan agreement that the coal industry needs protection, even if miners and loggers combined make up just 3% of its workforce. A problematic situation Bostic said industry and state officials appealed to top appointees at the Interior Department after they could not get specific guidelines from the Fish and Wildlife Service. Without the guidelines, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection could not permit new mine operations in areas occupied by the two crayfish listed under the Endangered Species Act. We were confronted with this listing, and nobody could tell us what to do, he said, adding that state and industry officials felt like they could make a case to Interior Department officials once President Trump took office. We felt like we had an audience. It was time to voice our opinion. The West Virginians achieved their objective, according to documents released under a FOIA lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity. In October 2016, Fish and Wildlife officials launched plans to block dumping of mining waste into the watersheds sustaining the endangered Guyandotte River crayfish, whose range had shrunk 92 percent, and the threatened Big Sandy crayfish, which had experienced a 62 percent decline. But in February 2017, Trump signed legislation nullifying the stream protection rule, which had barred mining firms from dumping waste within 100 feet of a stream. Without that protection, Fish and Wildlife officials began to retool the plan to reconcile coal mining with saving the crayfish. Then, West Virginia and mining officials who opposed listing the crayfish in the first place began weighing in with Interior Department leaders. On March 8, 2017, Austin Caperton a former coal lobbyist who serves as Cabinet secretary for the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, wrote then-Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke about a problematic situation. Caperton complained that the federal Fish and Wildlife Service had unilaterally imposed protective measures that raised costs for the coal industry and delayed mining activities. As negotiations dragged on, Fish and Wildlife experts fretted about the fate of the Guyandotte River crayfish. I mean lets face it, this is not going to stop mining from proceeding here, whether legally or illegally so we will need to do some of our best strategy ever to increase the odds of averting a hopefully avoidable extinction, one official wrote in an exchange with other career employees on May 11, 2017. West Virginia officials repeatedly objected to the agencys proposed restrictions. In a May 23 email, Harold Ward, the director for mining and reclamation at the state Department of Environmental Protection, called Fish and Wildlifes proposal unnecessarily over reaching. Several top Interior Department staffers backed West Virginia officials in the dispute. They included Aurelia Skipwith, who helps oversee fish, wildlife and parks, and Davis, who served as the West Virginia director for Trumps 2016 campaign and was a longtime booster for the coal industry before joining the Interior Department as a policy adviser for the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. In a June 6 email, a Fish and Wildlife Service official referred to Davis as an Interior political and said Davis had complained the agency was holding up permits. Davis repeatedly served as a liaison between West Virginia and coal industry representatives and Interior officials, according to public records, relaying West Virginias concerns to Skipwith and urging her to address the permitting holdup. Davis also questioned other department efforts to monitor minings impacts. Explaining why it had abruptly canceled a study into coal minings effects on the health of nearby residents, he said, Science was a Democrat thing, according to notes by the Interior Departments Office of Inspector General. On June 28, 2017, the industry got what it wanted. Vincent DeVito, the Interior Departments energy-policy counselor at the time, sidestepped the Fish and Wildlife Service and issued a new directive. It required mining firms to draft a protection plan if their projects were within 500 meters of a known crayfish stream, but only if a company survey found a crayfish listed under the Endangered Species Act. A short time later, when Skipwith questioned whether Fish and Wildlife was holding up a permit for the Twin Branch mine, another official reassured her that the operation had been approved under then new policy. Tucker is satisfied, the official wrote Skipwith. On July 3, Ward, the state mining official, shared the directive with coal industry executives, telling them, Get the permits moving along in the process. To Bostic, the coal industry leader, it was a great relief. Excellent work fellers, Bostic replied to the West Virginia regulator. Demand doesnt equal job growth Bostic estimated that hundreds of permits in four counties could have been blocked without the directive because companies need new permits as they move onto new areas. This problem was amplified given that crayfish habitat, whether actual or alleged, lies right in the heart of central Appalachias metallurgical coal fields, he said. In an interview, Bostic said the DeVito guidance was critical for extracting metallurgical coal, a low-sulfur coal that is used in industrial manufacturing instead of electricity generation. Demand for metallurgical coal exports has remained strong even as the market to sell coal to U.S. power plants has contracted. Although the United States recorded an estimated 39-year low in coal consumption last year, the price of Appalachian coal shot up some 40 percent as China, India and other countries demanded more metallurgical coal for the steel undergirding their growing cities, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Overseas demand for West Virginia coal has not yet translated into local coal job growth. Coal production in Appalachia has dropped 59 percent from its peak in 1990, the Institute of Energy Economics and Financial Analysis reported, and state figures show the number of direct mining employees dipped slightly between the third quarters of 2017 and 2018. But DeVito was ready to celebrate on July 6, 2017, sending an email to the Interior Departments communications director at the time with news that a mine in southern West Virginia had received a permit to operate. Need to figure something for Z to own this success, he wrote, referring to Zinke. The Berwind mine has been idle and they went to work yesterday, only 5 days after I approved a guidance document. Three more companies should have plans for getting to work later this/early next week. The Interior Department issued a news release Aug. 1, 2017, hailing the mines reopening. The Berwind Mine is the first of many projects that demonstrate the Trump administrations commitment to coal country and to good government, Zinke said. DeVito left the department a year later, with Zinke praising him for having helped set the course for energy dominance in the first term of this administration. Within a month, he took a job as executive vice president and general counsel for Cox Oil Offshore, a drilling firm operating in the Gulf of Mexico. A crayfish rescue mission In March, Branham felt the first blasts as the Twin Branch mine cranked up its operations. Raised above a coal tipple, where companies ship out their coal, Branham watched as her parents had to abandon her childhood home after the well water was polluted by the nearby strip mine. You know, I have three good wells on my property, plus a lot of springs, and Ill fight to the end to try to protect it, said Branham, a 65-year-old with steely blue eyes who boasted that her propertys creek was still clean enough to hunt for crayfish. Fish and Wildlife officials declined to comment, citing the Center for Biological Diversitys lawsuit against the agency over its disclosure of public records and its failure to designate critical habitat for the two species. The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection did not respond to a request for an interview. Booth Energy, which owns the Twin Branch mine, did not respond to requests for comment. Most residents welcome Trumps regulatory changes even as they try to diversify the local economy. Highway signs promote off-road-vehicle tourism in the mountains and local trails, such as the one retracing the steps of the feuding Hatfield and McCoy families. Nancy Hatfield, the great-great-granddaughter of her familys patriarch, Devil Anse, has embraced the tourist economy. She operates a lodging business in the town of Gilbert and has opened a distillery in the hills above her house where she, her daughter and son-in-law make moonshine based on the original Hatfield and McCoy recipes. Hatfields father was a coal miner, along with her late husband and her current one, who suffers from black-lung disease. She grew up playing in the creeks, just like Branham, and knows mining can take a toll. Pollutions real, you know. Its real. But what can we do about it? We have to eat, she said, sitting in her modest home filled with photos of her famous clan and multicolored bottles of moonshine perched on shelves in the living room. We dont have a whole lot here, and Gods been good to us, you know. Hes really been good to us. Near the Virginia border, Fish and Wildlifes White Sulfur Springs National Fish Hatchery has embarked on a rescue mission. Four pregnant Big Sandy crayfish their shells boasting brilliant shades of turquoise and red hues burrow beneath flat, brown rocks. Hatchery officials have spent more than a year learning how to raise more common crayfish and tending to ones Loughman, the West Liberty biology professor, and his students collected in the wild. I think we can absolutely bring these animals back, Loughman said. Curry, who grew up in a Kentucky hollow surrounded by mountaintop-removal mining, is less optimistic. Although Fish and Wildlife scientists were allowed to make minor tweaks to DeVitos guidance in March, Curry argues that it fails to protect the species. We can see right here that mining waste toxic mining waste is running directly into endangered species habitat, she said, pointing to a mine that drains into Clear Fork, one of the two creeks where the Guyandotte River crayfish survives. And nobodys doing anything about it. And under this guidance the Trump administration put into place, nobodys even required to do anything about it. A 20-year-old Richmond man has been charged with animal cruelty in connection with the death of a pit bull, named Tommie by rescuers, after the dog was tied to a fence and set on fire. Jyahshua A. Hill, of the 1300 block of St. Peter Street, was arrested Monday by the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force. He faces a felony charge that carries a punishment of up to five years in prison and a $2,500 fine. The dog, a male brindle, was found by units from the Richmond Fire Department in Abner Clay Park around 7:05 p.m. on Feb. 10. He had been tied to a chain-link fence and doused with a flammable liquid before being set ablaze, Richmond police said. Tommie, the name Richmond Animal Care and Control staff gave the pup while they cared for him, had burns over 40 percent of his body. He made a brief recovery, but died five days after he was discovered in the park. "His body simply gave out," RACC posted to Facebook the morning the dog died. The case sparked outrage, and generosity from the public. T-shirts were made emblazoned with the viral hashtag #teamtommie. A fund created to cover Tommie's medical costs and later, when it became clear that those bills would be surpassed, also devoted to providing emergency care for other animals in need topped $25,000. More than 6,000 people signed up to attend a public memorial service for Tommie held at the shelter. "There are a lot of people to thank, but Id like to single out all the citizens who contributed tips that pointed us in the right direction," said interim Police Chief William C. Smith. "That, plus the excellent job done by arson investigators who did the bulk of the work, major crimes detectives, forensics technicians and animal control officers who all built a strong case to present to the grand jury." Hill, who lives in Gilpin Court just a few block north of the park where Tommie was found, was indicted by a multijurisdictional grand jury earlier this month. He was arrested shortly before 3 p.m. Monday without incident, police said. The commonwealths attorneys office has assigned two attorneys to the case, according to police. One has expertise in arson cases, and the other in animal cruelty prosecutions. The General Assembly passed a law that goes into effect later this year that updated the animal cruelty code section, upgrading any charge from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a Class 6 felony. Because Tommie died, Hill was charged with a felony as an aggravating factor under the current law. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Lt. B. Dalrymple at (804) 646-5421 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000 or at www.7801000.com. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones may also be used. All Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous. GREENSBORO, N.C. A Summerfield man who shot himself during a standoff with deputies died Saturday. The Guilford County Sheriff's Office announced the death of 39-year-old Tyson Dolan Williams on Monday morning. Sheriff's office spokesman Max Benbassat said Monday in a news release that deputies had no further information about Williams' death. Williams led multiple agencies on a crime spree around both Guilford and Rockingham counties Friday before ending up at his house in Summerfield where a scared woman locked herself in a closet and called 911. "He tried to kill me," the woman said to a 911 operator. "The other day." But before that call, Williams already was a suspect Friday in two Greensboro Police Department cases: a kidnapping and a robbery. Three hours after those crimes he led a trooper on a chase through Rockingham County before the trooper lost him on Thomas Harrington Highway in Eden. But then Williams was found again before 8:30 p.m. at 4808 Oak Forest Drive in Summerfield. The 911 caller whispered inaudibly her address to operators several times before hanging up. She called back again. "Tyson Williams is here," she whispered with the volume rising in her voice. "And he has a gun," she added. The woman told deputies to look for Williams near a shed in the house's backyard. And that's where they found him. Sheriff Danny Rogers said Friday that deputies started to approach the shed and heard a gunshot. Rogers said deputies set up a perimeter around the property and called in the N.C. Highway Patrol to use a helicopter in case Williams fled on foot. Greensboro Police responded because of their earlier cases. Rogers said the woman who called 911 was escorted off the property to safety. Williams told deputies he had a hostage inside the shed, Rogers said. Deputies later determined that Williams' statement was untrue. Deputies spent hours negotiating with Williams. Then they heard another gunshot. This time, Williams had shot himself. Paramedics took Williams to a nearby hospital where he died. Williams had outstanding charges in Guilford County for felony possession of a stolen motor vehicle and possession of heroin and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia and carrying concealed gun. He was also wanted by the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office. Contact Danielle Battaglia at 336-373-4476 and follow @dbattagliaNR on Twitter. TORONTO, May 21, 2019 - First Cobalt Corp. (TSX-V: FCC, ASX: FCC, OTCQX: FTSSF) (the "Company") and Glencore AG ("Glencore") have signed a memorandum of understanding to supply cobalt feedstock and financing to recommission the First Cobalt Corp. Refinery in Ontario, Canada. Upon execution of definitive agreements, First Cobalt Corp. and Glencore will collaborate on final flowsheet design with a view to accelerating the restart of North America's only primary cobalt refinery. Highlights Glencore intends to provide feedstock for the refinery which is expected to result in annual production of approximately 2,000 to 2,500 tonnes per annum of cobalt in sulfate from the refinery Glencore will evaluate making a loan to fund the capital requirements to recommission the refinery and will enter into a tolling agreement with First Cobalt Corp. The refinery could be operational in 18-24 months and discussions are underway with provincial government officials to identify opportunities to streamline and accelerate the permit amendment process Trent Mell, First Cobalt Corp. President & Chief Executive Officer, commented: "The partnership announced today will help First Cobalt Corp. achieve its stated objective of providing ethically-sourced battery grade cobalt for the North American electric vehicle market. As the world's leading producer of cobalt, Glencore is an ideal partner for First Cobalt Corp.. Our shareholders will benefit from Glencore financial backing, technical support and opportunities for regional synergies with their Sudbury and Rouyn-Noranda operations. "This announcement marks the culmination of one year's work, bringing First Cobalt Corp. closer to generating cash flow and reducing reliance on the equity markets to fund future advancement of our North American primary cobalt assets in Idaho and Ontario." The memorandum of understanding (the "Agreement") between Glencore and First Cobalt Corp. outlines the terms of a partnership to produce refined cobalt for the North American market. Under the Agreement, which remains subject to due diligence and definitive documentation, Glencore will provide First Cobalt Corp. with feedstock material, a loan to cover the estimated capital requirements to recommission the Refinery and technical support. A final decision on whether to put the First Cobalt Corp. Refinery back into production has not been made at this time and any decision is contingent on the outcome of the ongoing discussions and studies. The Company has not completed a study of the economic viability of operating the Refinery. Any decision to restart the Refinery will not be based on anticipated development of any of the Company's current projects. At this time, the Company does not anticipate that its current projects will provide a source of feedstock for the Refinery. The First Cobalt Corp. Refinery is the only permitted primary cobalt refinery in North America. The Company recently completed testing of third party cobalt hydroxide as a potential source of feed, confirming that the existing processes in the First Cobalt Corp. Refinery are capable of producing a high purity, battery grade cobalt sulfate (see April 3, 2019 press release). With no cobalt sulfate production in North America today, the First Cobalt Corp. Refinery has the potential to become the first such producer for the American electric vehicle market. The Company has signed confidentiality agreements with several automotive companies interested in securing cobalt for the North American market. The First Cobalt Corp. Refinery is a hydrometallurgical cobalt refinery in the Canadian Cobalt Camp, approximately 600 kilometres from the U.S. border. The First Cobalt Corp. Refinery has the potential to produce either a cobalt sulfate for the lithium-ion battery market or cobalt metal for the North American aerospace industry or other industrial and military applications. A study completed in 2018 by Primero (see October 10, 2018 press release) estimated that under a 24 tonnes per day (tpd) base case scenario, the refinery could be recommissioned for approximately US$30 million. The study also considers an expansion scenario of up to 50 tpd within the footprint of the current building structure. The study does not comment on the economic viability of operating the Refinery, and instead is an estimate of the costs associated with recommissioning. A copy of the study is available on SEDAR and the Company's website. A corporate video featuring the First Cobalt Corp. Refinery in Ontario, Canada is available on the Company's website at http://www.firstcobalt.com/investors/media-gallery/videos/. About First Cobalt First Cobalt Corp. is a Canadian-based pure-play cobalt company and owner of the only permitted primary cobalt refinery in North America. The Company is exploring a restart of the First Cobalt Corp. Refinery in Ontario, Canada, which could produce 2,500 tonnes of cobalt sulfate or metallic cobalt per year. First Cobalt Corp.'s main cobalt project is the Iron Creek Cobalt Project in Idaho, USA, which has Inferred Mineral Resources Ltd. of 26.9 million tonnes grading 0.11% cobalt equivalent, or an alternative underground-only scenario of 4.4 million tonnes grading 0.3% cobalt equivalent. For further information regarding the resource estimate for the Iron Creek Cobalt Project, readers are encouraged to review the technical report prepared for the Company, dated effective September 18, 2018 (as amended), a copy of which is available on SEDAR and on the Company's website. On behalf of First Cobalt Corp. Trent Mell President & Chief Executive Officer Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Estimates of Resources Readers are cautioned that Mineral Resources Ltd. are not economic mineral reserves and that the economic viability of resources that are not mineral reserves has not been demonstrated. The estimate of Mineral Resources Ltd. may be materially affected by geology, environmental, permitting, legal, title, socio-political, marketing or other relevant issues. The mineral resource estimate is classified in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum's "2014 CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources Ltd. and Mineral Reserves" incorporated by reference into NI 43-101. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred Mineral Resources Ltd. may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies or economic studies except for Preliminary Economic Assessment as defined under NI 43-101. Readers are cautioned not to assume that further work on the stated resources will lead to mineral reserves that can be mined economically. An Inferred Mineral Resource as defined by the CIM Standing Committee is "that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. Geological evidence is sufficient to imply but not verify geological and grade or quality continuity. An Inferred Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources Ltd. could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources Ltd. with continued exploration." Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "plans", "expects', "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance and opportunities to differ materially from those implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements are set forth in the management discussion and analysis and other disclosures of risk factors for First Cobalt Corp., filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although First Cobalt Corp. believes that the information and assumptions used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed times frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, First Cobalt Corp. disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE First Cobalt Corp. 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. Lance Horozewski leads Rock County's public agency that connects families and children to the support services they need. One difficult element of his work requires connecting particularly vulnerable kids to residential care centers where they can safely receive treatment for complex mental and emotional health needs.In an ideal world, Horozewski and the county's Division of Children, Youth and Families would find local facilities. In a less ideal but still acceptable scenario, he would look to place children within a short drive from their homes in southern Wisconsin. In reality, though, Horozewski is forced to send many children more than 600 miles south to a facility outside of Memphis, Tennessee."Definitely, it's a problem," Horozewski said. And it's a problem that extends beyond Rock County.Horozewski's department began having more difficulty placing children with complex mental health needs in facilities in Wisconsin around 2015. It has become especially difficult to secure beds for kids who require the most complex care, he said, including children with aggression and who are at high risk for suicide.Many of the children from Rock County requiring complex care have been sent to Youth Villages near Memphis. While Horozewski is satisfied with the care they've received there, he said the sheer distance children are being sent from their homes in Wisconsin can create a barrier for lasting change."They're very disconnected," Horozewksi said, whether it be from their families or from local treatment and transition services. Louisiana Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards signaled this week his support for an anti-abortion bill that his state legislature is close to fully passing."My position hasn't changed. In eight years in the Legislature, I was a pro-life legislator," Edwards told reporters Thursday during a press conference in Louisiana. "When I ran for governor, I said that I was pro-life. And so that's something that's consistent."Senate Bill 184, sponsored by Democratic state Sen. John Milkovich, prohibits abortion as soon as a heartbeat is detected -- similar to so-called fetal heartbeat bills in Mississippi, Ohio, Georgia, Kentucky and, most recently, Missouri. That can be as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, when many women don't yet know for certain that they're pregnant. A spokeswoman with Edwards' office told CNN on Saturday the governor is "inclined" to sign the bill should it reach his desk -- a position that is generally at odds with the Democratic Party."He's said he's inclined to sign it," said Christina Stephens, deputy chief of staff for communications and special projects. "Certainly he wants to see the final bill first. This is very much in line with his previous pro-life votes and actions." Gov. Jared Polis has signed legislation allowing for the import of Canadian prescription drugs, a change Democrats say could slash prices, if the federal government goes along with it.Senate Bill 5 is one of several health care bills made into law this week that will require federal approval before the Colorado legislation can have an effect. However, the Canadian drug law has an apparent ally in President Donald Trump, who has spoken to Polis about importing drugs and praised a similar plan in Florida.The law, signed Thursday, tasks the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing with creating a plan for safely importing Canadian drugs and presenting a proposal to U.S. Health and Human Services by September 2020."As a pharmacist, I know there are many Coloradans who are having to choose between feeding their families or the life-saving drugs they depend on," said Rep. Jaquez Lewis, a Boulder-area Democrat who sponsored the bill. "We've seen drug price increases of nearly 500 percent. That's unacceptable, and those prices are drowning patients."The bill come with significant caveats. There's no guarantee Health and Human Services will approve the proposal Colorado crafts and there is skepticism among some that importing drugs will change drug prices. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar has called it a gimmick.The new law is expected to cost state coffers $3 million in the next two years. If approved by the federal government, Colorado's importation program will create a list of drugs that can be brought here safely and in a way that lowers costs for Coloradans. Vendors will be paid by the state to bring drugs to Colorado. Those drugs must meet U.S. Food and Drug Administration standards.SB 5 made its final passage through the General Assembly on the second-to-last day of session. The House passed it 41-22 with a few Republicans joining all Democrats in favor. The Senate passed it 20-15 with Sen. Larry Crowder, R-Alamosa, joining all Democrats in favor.Colorado Republicans criticized the bill as an approach that will cost taxpayers millions of dollars and may not work."There's a reason why medications, or any product, are sold at different prices globally," said Sen. Jim Smallwood, a Parker Republican, on the Senate floor March 25. "To think that we can somehow do an end-around on this and gimmick the system -- candidly, I'm just skeptical."Sen. Owen Hill, a Colorado Springs Republican, said Colorado should "give the middle finger to the FDA" and say "Colorado's going to do things our way" as it did on marijuana."The FDA and Big Pharma have far too much in common in how many of these decisions are made," Hill said."What this (bill) says is, we're going to take money from the people -- we're going to take millions of dollars -- and we're going to ask government to do a government study to petition the other government to see if government can solve this problem," Hill said. "Friends, government is the problem."SB 5 was one of several bills Polis signed this week that may require federal approval. On Friday, he signed House Bill 1168, creating a plan for reinsurance, which helps insurance companies cover the costs of their most expensive patients to keep overall premiums lower.Polis also signed House Bill 1004, concerning a government health insurance option that will compete with private insurance options on a health insurance exchange. The law tasks the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing with submitting a proposal to state lawmakers, who will then decide whether to create the public option and seek federal approval."Too many Coloradans have to make tough decisions when it comes to health care, but we've worked to provide them much needed relief, especially those who live in rural communities with few options, little competition, and high prices," Sen. Kerry Donovan, a Vail Democrat and prime sponsor of both the reinsurance bill and the public option bill, said in a release. Bevins Unpopularity The Democratic Vote Splits The Republican Advantage Heading into Tuesdays primary, Gov. Matt Bevin looked potentially vulnerable for reelection this year, despite Kentuckys strong Republican voting habits. Hes still favored in the fall, but his weak showing makes him look beatable.Against three opponents, Bevin took just 52 percent of the GOP primary vote, which was open only to Republican voters. His relatively little-known lead challenger, state Rep. Robert Goforth, took 39 percent of the statewide vote, outpacing the incumbent in more than 30 counties.Bevin will face state Attorney General Andy Beshear, who came out on top of a four-way Democratic primary. Beshears father, Steve, preceded Bevin in office. As attorney general, the younger Beshear has already clashed with Bevin, suing the governor repeatedly."We did something we're going to do in November," Beshear said during his victory speech Tuesday. "We got more raw votes than Matt Bevin."A weak showing by an incumbent among voters of his own party can be a real danger sign. Last year, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner took just 51.5 percent of the primary vote on his way to being crushed by Democrat J.B. Pritzker in the fall.Of course, Illinois is a much bluer state than Kentucky, which gave President Trump a 30-percentage point winning margin in 2016. Trump was prominently featured in Bevins advertising and tweeted his support for the governor on Tuesday, attesting that hes done a fantastic job.Declaring victory, Bevin said that Beshear is too liberal for the state and that the race will showcase a night and day difference between the candidates, notably on abortion.By choosing Andy Beshear as their nominee, Kentucky Democrats have embraced a liberal politician and insider who thinks hes entitled to the states highest office just because of his last name, Amelia Chasse Alcivar, communications director for the Republican Governors Association, said in a statement.Bevin ranks as the least popular governor in the country in Morning Consults gubernatorial approval polls . Last month, only 33 percent of Kentucky voters approved of Bevins performance. He often draws boos when he appears in public -- even at the televised trophy ceremony at the Kentucky Derby in May.He really dodged a bullet not getting a first-tier challenger in the primary, says Scott Lasley, a political scientist at Western Kentucky University who is active in Republican politics.In 2015, soon after failing in a primary bid against U.S. Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell, Bevin made a surprise late entrance in the gubernatorial race. His two primary opponents did him the favor of attacking each other mercilessly. In the end, Bevin was the man left standing, winning the nomination by just 83 votes. Polls showed him losing to Democrat Jack Conway that fall, but Bevin won easily.Since taking office, Bevin has been a polarizing figure, even within his own party. He unabashedly disparages his opponents. Both this year and last, Bevin suggested that children were sexually assaulted because teachers were on strike.He not only has clashed with the Democrats, as one might expect from a conservative Republican governor, but hes clashed with Republican leaders in the state legislature as well, says Stephen Voss, a University of Kentucky political scientist. Some of them have openly criticized him.Republican legislators, for instance, were unhappy when Bevin vetoed a bill last month meant to relieve government agencies of rising pension costs.He has not followed the conventional norms in terms of engaging legislators and building those relationships, says Lasley, the Western Kentucky professor.Bevin is least popular among more moderate Republican voters. Goforth sought to position himself as more conservative than Bevin on abortion, which made him a less-than-perfect choice among that faction of GOP primary voters.Still, Bevins weak showing point on Tuesday shows that he has not succeeded in winning over a substantial share of the voters within his own party.The fact that Bevin fell well below 60 percent of the primary vote will get peoples attention, says Lasley.Beshear enjoyed consistent leads in polling and name recognition among Democrats. Nevertheless, the primary exposed some vulnerabilities.Bevin knocked Beshear for failing to break the 40 percent mark in his primary. Beshear took 38 percent, compared with 32 percent for state House Minority Leader Rocky Adkins and 28 percent for former state Auditor Adam Edelen.Adkins carried more than 60 mostly rural counties, dominating his home base of Eastern Kentucky. Adkins -- who voted for three out of four anti-abortion bills passed by the legislature this year succeeded in his effort to appeal to the states once-dominant conservative Democrats.But Beshear carried both Jefferson and Fayette counties, which include Louisville and Lexington, respectively. He had to split the more progressive urban vote with Edelen, who attacked Beshear with increasing fervor as the vote neared.Edelen ads pointed out that Beshears first deputy attorney general, Timothy Longmeyer, pleaded guilty to soliciting more than $200,000 worth of bribes. Beshear countered that he appointed the special prosecutor who convicted Longmeyer. A super PAC supporting Edelen -- funded largely by his running mate -- also ran an ad targeting Beshear for representing, as a private attorney, a Boy Scout leader accused of abuse.While countering Edelens attacks, Beshear kept his focus trained on Bevin. Some Democratic voters said they had soured on Edelen because of the negative turn hed taken.Still, he opened up lines of attack that Bevin can exploit in the fall. Bevin has already spent more than $1 million in state money on legal fees to investigate alleged corruption in Steve Beshears administration.Conversely, American Bridge, a Democratic political action committee, released an ad Tuesday claiming that its Bevin who is too corrupt for the Commonwealth, citing examples of tax breaks that went to his campaign donors. Beshear and Bevin have openly feuded over the past four years. The attorney general has sued the governor at least six times, claiming Bevin overstepped his authority in several areas, including higher education and pensions. Beshear has prevailed in the cases decided thus far. He claims this shows he knows how to beat Bevin and can do the same in the political arena.Suing me is not beating me, Bevin said Tuesday night.The governor has the advantage of running on an improved economy. Kentuckys unemployment rate is 4 percent, down from 5.3 percent when he took office. Bevin claims that the right-to-work legislation he signed has helped attract $17 billion worth of investment and create 49,000 jobs.There are still more Democrats than Republicans registered to vote in Kentucky, but their edge has eroded in recent years. In Kentucky, as well as many other states, rural voters are increasingly supporting the GOP, including many who remain registered as Democrats.In 2016, Republicans won control of the state House for the first time since 1920. It was the last chamber Democrats controlled anywhere in the South. The GOP currently has a 61-39 majority in the Kentucky House.That same year, Trump carried 70 percent of the vote in Eastern Kentucky's Elliott County , which had never before voted Republican in its entire 147-year history. It was the Democratic Partys longest winning streak in presidential voting anywhere in the country -- and it came to a crashing halt.To beat Bevin this year, Democrats will need to win back at least some of the vote in places like Elliott County, which is Adkins home base.For that reason, some observers in Kentucky thought that Adkins could have presented a stronger general election challenge against Bevin than Beshear, although its unlikely that progressive voters would have been excited about him.If Bevin is beatable in a red state, it may well have more to do with his own weaknesses than who his opponent is. Bevin will still be favored to win in November, but his odds have gotten shorter.A lot of voters here vote Republican in national elections but dont think of themselves as Republicans, says Voss. They wish they had Democrats they could justify voting for. Gov. Asa Hutchinson says he plans to hire an Indiana company to manage five state youth prisons, even though lawmakers voted against the $15.8 million contract on Friday.Arkansas Legislative Council members voiced concerns about for-profit Youth Opportunity Investments LLC of Carmel, Ind., because of recent troubles the company had managing Michigan juvenile lockups, as well as issues some of its executives had overseeing facilities in Indiana and Arkansas years ago when they were with different firms.Lawmakers said that state officials failed to carefully review Youth Opportunity's past when deciding if it met the requirements of a request for proposals to run the Arkansas juvenile lockups.At Friday's meeting, legislators voted 9-5 to not review the contract, meaning they didn't approve. Thirteen members were absent. The council meets when the General Assembly is not in session. Wyoming lawmakers have a decision to make: either keep a 30-year-old computer system running code designed in 1959 or shell out millions for an upgrade.The Revenue Information System (RIS) holds data such as voter registration, driver records and license information and its operating system is COBOL, which was most recently updated in 2014. The Joint Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Interim Committee heard from state leaders about the outdated system earlier this month in Gillette, Wyo.Representatives from the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) gave an estimate of $68 million to install a new system and train staff over 10 years. Currently, the state spends $1.3 million annually to maintain RIS due to a lack of COBOL expertise among personnel.WYDOT is working with the Wyoming Department of Enterprise Technology Services (ETS) to identify which agencies within the state use the RIS, such as county clerk offices handling voter registration. Both departments are also looking at other antiquated computer systems statewide that could be upgraded with a RIS replacement. The two entities will explore whether Wyoming should buy a successor to the RIS from a private company or build one in house.Chief Information Officer Gordon Knopp , who heads ETS, said the collaboration with WYDOT is still in its infancy.We are in the initial phases of looking into the current system and options, so I am unable to answer the questions [have proposed at this time, Knopp said. Perhaps later this fall we will know more Knopp told the committee that while designing an in-house system would reduce the approximated $68 million cost, it comes with its own set of challenges. Ensuring there is continued institutional knowledge and the upkeep of the program are two potential problems Knopp listed to the committee.Committee members discussed a few options to fund a replacement to the system. The state could pay for the new system out of the general fund with the cost spread across the budget allocations for the agencies using RIS, which would reduce the overall toll. Lawmakers also talked about the possibility of increasing fees for car registrations and driver's license renewals or charging entities using the replacement to the RIS. Route choices A delicate balance Hunt for funding (TNS) Hoping to finally realize a transportation initiative that has been in the planning stages for a number of years, city officials are moving toward implementing a bus rapid transit system.But dropping a faster, more efficient people mover into the middle of a densely developed city will be a daunting challenge. With little capacity to expand streets, Madison will have to make hard choices about whether to trade some on-street parking or regular traffic lanes for dedicated bus routes.It will also be costly. An initial route roughly from East Towne to West Towne malls will require a capital outlay of $80 million to $100 million plans call for much of that to come through federal funding and could cost about $3 million annually to run.On the benefit side of the ledger, supporters say, BRT would boost capacity for Metro Transit, cut travel times, serve as a catalyst for economic development, contribute to energy and carbon reductions, and provide a more equitable transit system because low-income people and minorities are most affected by long travel times.Bus rapid transit, or BRT, is a high-frequency, high-capacity, limited-stop service that would run on city streets and dedicated lanes. It would use snazzier, 60-foot-long buses that bend at the center and have low floors, three doors and technology to extend green lights and other traffic signal improvements. Stations would be equipped with concrete platforms, shelters, benches and lighting, ticket vending machines, real-time bus information, bike racks and perhaps heating.We need to find a way to meet everyones transit needs, said Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, who urged quick action on the project during her campaign. The best way to do that is through BRT.City leaders, who hope to open the initial east-west route by 2024, are preparing to seek federal funding that could cover up to 80% of capital costs while also exploring how to fund operations in a tight city budget thats constrained by state levy limits.In the last five years, Madison has approved 14,000 dwelling units that will create an additional 120,000 daily trips, city transportation director Tom Lynch said. And in the last three years, the city has approved 3.3 million square feet of office space, generating 60,000 more daily trips, he said.The citys population is projected to grow from 255,200 in 2017 to 292,500 in 2050 or up to 355,000 if growth continues at the same rate as from 1990 to 2017, Lynch said. Dane County is projected to grow from 536,000 in 2017 to 638,000 over that period, or more than one million if growth mirrors the last 27 years, he said.But the citys main arteries, such as East Washington and University avenues and Park Street, have scant prospects for expansion, officials said.We are growing. It is our desire to grow, said David Trowbridge, the citys principal transportation planner. (But) we dont have the roadway capacity.Starting in 2011, the Madison Area Transportation Planning Board began shaping a long-term vision for BRT and officials have been methodically pursuing a system ever since.In East Madison, the route would run from East Towne along East Washington Avenue with a jog to Madison Area Technical College then returning to East Washington Avenue to Downtown.There are two Downtown route options. One would hug Capitol Square, which would be fastest but require moving some local bus routes off State Street and having BRT buses on at least a part of the Square during the Dane County Farmers Market and 70-plus annual events.Wed like BRT on the Square, Lynch said. Its the obvious place where youd like your premium transit service.The second option would run to the south of the Square using streets a block or more away, which would serve stations close to State Street, Monona Terrace and the City-County and Madison Municipal buildings, but require changes to Henry Street and removal of parking on Broom Street.There are two choices for West Madison. The first would go from University Avenue through the Hill Farms area to Whitney Way to Mineral Point Road past West Towne, which would be fastest and use existing dedicated bus lanes but may require relocation of the West Transfer Point. The alternative would also go from University Avenue through Hills Farms to Whitney Way but continue to Odana Road and on to West Towne. It would serve Market Square and Westgate malls, provide better service to UW Research Park and West Towne, and allow expansion of the West Transfer Point at or near its current location, but have no dedicated bus lanes on Odana Road.In some places, such as Mineral Point Road, the city has dedicated bus lanes that would be ideal for BRT. But many other corridors East Washington Avenue, University Avenue and Odana Road dont have those.That could mean eliminating a lane of vehicle traffic or parking, or devising ways to let BRT buses get around traffic at stoplights. For example, the buses could use a short priority lane at stoplights to pass stopped cars and get their own green signals before other vehicles.Accommodating the buses means weighing trade-offs.On East Washington Avenue, for example, converting an existing lane of traffic to a BRT lane would make the bus trip between Blair Street and East Towne 30% faster, but it would cause regular vehicle traffic to run one and a half to two times slower. Removing a parking lane between Blair and First streets for a BRT lane would make the bus trip 20% faster and wouldnt slow regular traffic but would force parking onto side streets. Allowing the buses to jump the queue at stoplights or creating bypass lanes would eliminate some parking while making the bus trip 20% faster with no impact on regular vehicle times.Its kind of a delicate balance, Trowbridge said.Rhodes-Conway said it would be absolutely critical for the city to get the system right.That does mean were going to have to dedicate right of way, she said. What that looks like depends on the corridor.Another reason to get it right: Its harder to reroute BRT than a normal bus line, especially Downtown. Riders would pay fares at the stations, which will be located one-third to a half-mile apart and would be far more substantial and expensive than regular bus shelters.The city doesnt expect to acquire private property for the system and will only have to cut into street terraces for about 5% percent of the route for lanes or stations, Lynch said.BRT will complement, not compete with, Metros regular bus system, but there will be changes to local routes, Lynch said.It does mean well have to change, he said. Well have to make hard choices.And theres no getting around the cost.The estimated $80 million to $100 million in initial costs would cover the east-west route for the longer electric buses, stations, and modifications to roads, Lynch said.The city will seek grants from the Federal Transit Administration to cover up to 80% of capital costs, he said. The grants are non-competitive, meaning the city will get the money if it meets certain criteria, which include a justification for the project and some local funding.At the same time, the city faces other major capital costs for Metro, including $57 million for repairs at its sprawling bus garage at 1101 E. Washington Ave., and $15 million to $30 million for a satellite bus storage facility, a precursor to BRT. The city is negotiating with owners of the former Oscar Mayer facility on the East Side to buy part of the property for that use.The bigger challenge, however, may be the roughly 5%, or about $3 million, annual increase in Metros operations budget BRT would bring, officials said.The Republican-controlled state Legislature has opposed establishment of Regional Transit Authorities, which would have the capacity to levy taxes.As an alternative, the city is looking at a mix of sources including more transit funding in the state budget, revenues from an expected 10% to 15% increase in ridership, vehicle registration fees, regional partnerships, and a newer concept called Local Transportation Options, which work like an RTA but provide benefits to communities without transit systems.The city has sponsored well-attended public meetings to kick off the east-west BRT planning study and share preliminary alternatives, the latter session attended by more than 100 people Wednesday. A third public meeting will be held in July. To learn more, or to participate in a survey and provide other suggestions, visit go.madison.com/brt The city will submit its federal grant application in the fall of 2020. If successful, the first phase of could be completed as soon as 2024.We are growing. It is our desire to grow. (But) we dont have the roadway capacity. David Trowbridge, principal transportation planner for city of Madison The future of cashless shopping could have us all simply scanning our hands as we hurry out of the store, with no need for paper or plastic. At least thats the future that Japanese company Fujitsu is envisioning.With the companys new palm vein system, users register their palm print when they enter a store. Then when they have their items and are ready to check out, they just have to hover their hand over a scanner to pay. The company claims this is faster than other current forms of biometric identification, and it could even be used on vending machines. Scanning the palm is also more accurate than the face as palm prints are less susceptible to change over time.Fujitsu recently demonstrated its technology at the Fujitsu Forum show in Japan, and some banking security services are already using it. The company expects to start bringing it to the countrys supermarkets soon. (TNS) A cyberattack that closed Coventry Local Schools on Monday and compromised the district's computer system has drawn the attention of the FBI, Superintendent Lisa Blough said.Blough said in a phone interview that the FBI reached out to the district on Monday. She spoke with an agent who gave her details on the TrickBot malware infecting the district's computer system."He shared with me that the goal of the virus is to get banking information or money from those that are attacked," Blough said. "One of the first computers infected was in the treasurer's office."A couple of employees believe their Amazon accounts were infiltrated, Blough said.Initially, officials in the 2,000-student district were unsure of a connection, but it now seems likely."As we have been going throughout the day we're seeing definitely that this virus has reached this level of penetration," Blough said.Blough said IT personnel became aware of the problem late last week and have been working since then to counter the attack. FBI experts now on location are expected to help evaluate the extent of the infiltration."We actually became aware of the extensive damage that was being done late Friday afternoon," Blough said. "Our first steps were to try to assess how much damage was being done."The staff also moved to disconnect all devices connected to the Internet. They worked through the weekend.Blough said IT personnel noticed unusual activity, but antiviral software being used didn't track it."When they were scanning the machines," Blough said, "they were showing no threats."NEOnet, an information technology center used by most school districts in Summit County, also alerted the school system."Once they saw the number of machines being impacted, they quarantined [us] from the network," Blough said.The superintendent said the virus affected several operations, including the phone and HVAC systems."Our [HVAC] system was on the network," she said. "It shut down our heating and cooling system."Blough didn't have an early estimate of the financial impact of the attack, but said the costs would be significant.In addition to any devices that will have to be replaced, some employees will need to work summer hours."I do know that we are going to be looking at having [some] staff work in the summer," Blough said.Blough said the district at no time suspected a student in the cyberattack despite its occurrence before the last school day for seniors. The FBI, too, suspects something more sinister."[The FBI] said organized crime is behind this virus," Blough said.The TrickBot malware affecting Coventry is described by cybersecurity professionals as a banking Trojan that targets Window-based systems and steals data and credentials.According to F-Secure, a cybersecurity website, the operators behind TrickBot distribute it as a file attached to spam email messages. It often infects Microsoft Excel and runs tasks to acquire credentials and account information.Blough said she's aware of other local school districts that have experienced cyberattacks, but not at this level.In January, a cyberattack took the city of Akron's 311 system offline and caused havoc with its email system. An Ohio National Guard unit that specializes in cybercrime was sent to help thwart the attack and the FBI opened an investigation. The city has not released results from the investigation or issued updates on its progress.Blough advised students to update and improve passwords and to use care with emails."You can never be too careful," she said. "Always err on the side caution." Jean Todt says Zandvoort's return to Formula 1 next year is "great" for the sport. The Netherlands' beachside circuit last hosted the Dutch GP in 1985, and it was the late Niki Lauda's final F1 win. FIA president Todt visited Zandvoort last weekend for the Jumbo Racedagen event, where local hero Max Verstappen demonstrated an F1 car. "Zandvoort is a real old-school circuit and it's great that more history has been included on the Formula 1 calendar," Todt told De Telegraaf newspaper. The Frenchman admitted he was surprised to witness the frenzied support of Verstappen by the local Dutch people. "I see such enthusiasm here with almost everyone wearing Red Bull clothes," Todt said. "That is why it is good that the Dutch GP is coming back." Todt also praised Verstappen. "He has the genes of his father and of his mother, so he is very talented and has the passion that comes with a great driver," he said. "He is great for the sport. Given Max's popularity, I am sure that the fans will come to the race at Zandvoort en masse." Pat Deklotz was in her first year as superintendent when the Kettle Moraine (Wis.) school district board unanimously approved this charge: Transform the educational delivery system to better and more efficiently meet the needs of all students. The board then stepped back; it was Deklotzs job to figure out how. A former business leader in her first stint as a superintendent, Deklotz remembers feeling certain about just one thing: that she herself did not have the answers. But she had a pretty good idea who might. Across the country at Vista Unified school district in exurban San Diego, in the midst of executing a whole-district transformation plan initiated by former Superintendent Devin Vodicka, Assistant Superintendent Matt Doyle also recalls feeling certain about one thing: that Vista Unified would not get the all-in commitment, risk-taking, and shared vulnerability it needed from the teachers in its cohort of transforming schools if they were still subject to the tradition-bound requirements of the districts evaluation system. So, he thought: What if they were not? Today, the Kettle Moraine school district is nationally recognized for the sustained power of its transformation effort and the way that its superintendent brought it about: by establishing a districtwide culture of teacher and school leader empowerment, protected risk-taking, and deeply supported follow-up. The district now provides a range of learning-design choices at all school levels, including four district-authorized charters and three schools-within-schools, all of them designed from the ground up by teams of Kettle Moraine educators. Vista Unified, meanwhile, guaranteed the teachers it was asking to transform teaching and learning that it would shift the annual evaluation system to a five-year process that provided the time and space to reimagine their practice without the fear of someone looking over their shoulder while they tested out new learning strategies. This move is one element in a widely praised, many-faceted, opt-in effort to transform adult and student roles, school culture, and learning practices, all toward better preparing Vista Unified graduates to thrive in the 21st century. There are 20, 50, hundreds of additional stories, large and small, to tell about these districts and how they are orchestrating the changes they want to see. They are part of a small set of six school districts identified by the nonprofit initiative Next Generation Learning Challenges (NGLC) as practitioners of an emerging new discipline, one that NGLC is calling: Transformation Science. These six districts (Kettle Moraine and Vista Unified, plus Lindsay and Arcadia in California; St. Vrain in Colorado; Henry County in Georgia) are using language and strategies that they have cooked up themselves or adapted from others over the five to 10 years since they committed to this ambitious level of change. But they are all operating on a similar, foundational premiseone that sounds deceptively simple but that in fact challenges literally everything about the ways they conduct their business and pursue their mission. Here it is: Whats envisioned for the students tomorrow must already be true for adults and schools today. Think about it. There is gathering momentum in the U.S. and internationally toward far deeper, broader, richer definitions of student success visions of personal capacity that draw deeply on the complex demands of the 21st-century economy and just as deeply on advances in learning and social science. Can the agile, self-initiating, super-collaborative, problem-solving lifelong learners depicted in these definitions really emerge from organizations rooted in the mindsets and operating cultures of top-down, compliance-driven, dehumanizing bureaucracies? Answer: no. At least: not as an expression of a New Normal, where every childnot just those sorted into the most accelerated layers of public educationhas the opportunity and the support to develop those capacities. The kind of transformation required to bring about that New Normal calls for nothing less than the development of a parallel universe of mindset and practice, one marked by the same degree of supreme internal consistency as the one that has defined public education in the U.S. since the early 20th century. The Old Universe and the New One Prevailing Model Emergent Model What is valued Efficiency and order Humanity and relationships What motivates people (adults and children alike) Carrots and sticks Purpose, autonomy, mastery, fulfillment, service How we organize Top-down, compliance, command and control User-outward, enabling, collectively Student learning For too many and too much of the time: Sit n get Experiential, personalized, collaborative, authentic, student-driven Adult learning See student learning, above Experiential, personalized, collaborative, job-embedded, teacher-driven Where we focus Gaps and deficits Strengths and contributions What constitutes success Proficiency on traditionally defined academic goals and metrics Self-efficacy with true and agile capability Classroom artifact Worksheet Work product Assessment philosophy Whats measured is what matters How can I improve? Resulting mindset Is it on the test? What problem can I tackle next? Outcomes Sorting, primarily by income and race All students fulfilling their highest potential (aspirational) In the prevailing model, the actions and structures of the organizations, agencies, and policies shaping K-12 public education reflect the assumptions about incentives and organizational design that developed alongside industrialization. These assumptions have been reflected in their entirety by prevailing classroom practice, which has been dominated by one methodologydirect instruction. The complete coherence and profound consistency of this model from state and federal offices down through district bureaucracies to 1st grade classrooms is what has enabled it to literally eat all efforts to significantly change it and convert those efforts into benign (meaning: nonthreatening) food groups. In the emergent model, leaders like Pat Deklotz and Matt Doyle understand that compliance-driven cultures cannot catalyze agency-driven learners. They also understand that they work inside an industry that reflectsstill!factory-floor structures and mentalities more pervasively than many 21st-century manufacturers do. And so they are developing and piloting and embracing a set of strategies designed to establish a New Normal within their organizations. NGLCs study of their districts and others like them has led us to propose the following five hallmarks of Transformation Science, within the context of public education: Transformation Science supports the deliberate, informed act of fundamental self-disruption. It is born from the recognition that doing a better job of what youre currently doing wont get you to where you know you need to go. It begins when examining the root causes behind social failure prompts a reassessment of everythinggoals, assumptions, strategies, cultures, desired outcomes, and their truest indicators. In this way, though it may incorporate many aspects of Improvement Science process, its terrains of inquiry and practice extend far beyond Improvement Sciences normal scope, defined as it is by close attention to currently prevailing indicators. Transformation Science is more about humans than systems. It is fueled by the recognition that we tend to build systems that reinforce prevailing mindsets and practices. The systems then become more important than the humans working inside them. The only way to fundamentally change the practices (and thereby, the outcomes) is to confront those systems with the one force capable of taking them down, which is the power of humanity assembled around shared purposes. (Margaret Wheatley has written widely on this idea.) This is easy to sayand profoundly challenging to do successfully. It requires the empowering of change-agent leaders to meet or circumvent pushback from the systems that surround them, in part through their empowering of colleagues and stakeholders working and living within those systems. Transformation Science demands that organizations be the change. Problem identification, solution framing, testing, measuring, and refiningthe core tactics of Improvement Scienceare important but insufficient when transformation is the goal. Genuinely transformed practice requires the equally genuine transformation of organizational structures, cultures, habits, and mindsets in ways that reflect the tenets of the envisioned practice. Leaders practicing Transformation Science understand the importance of leading from behind, rather than leading from out front. The story of transformation is more about the community than its leadership. The pace of transformation moves at the speed of trust plus agencyand not a bit faster. Transformation Science embraces wider ideas of science. The processes that comprise Western ideas about science and scientific methodse.g., repetitive experimentation to produce identical outcomescan have a narrowing effect that has strong value in some contexts (say, addressing underperformance within highly controlled environments) but is inhibiting in others (addressing underperformance where root causes are only partially understood, participant decisionmaking is unpredictably complex, and even the outcomes and key indicators are in flux). Deliberate efforts to deeply transform within contexts marked by deep complexity benefit from holistic, collectivist, context-rich, narrative, interdependent, inclusive, and culturally responsive thinking. Practitioners of Transformation Science tend to cast the work as an opportunity to think and act differently, rather than as a problem to be solved. Transformation Science is at once deeply local and broadly connected. Local history, capacities, populations, cultures, and operating conditions must fundamentally shape transformation strategy in order to ensure widespread personal ownership, not just buy-in. What works in one set of contexts will likely not work in the same way in a different context. At the same time, never-ending openness to learning from others (both within the field and the relevant work of people and organizations in other fields) is crucial for success. So are strong external learning communities of collaborative peer transformers, along with wider social networks. This work is too difficult to try to accomplish alone. Are we reaching too far in declaring the establishing of a new science? Perhapswithin the context of traditional Western academic thinking. But at its core, Transformation Science is more of a verb than a noun and more of a state of mind than a set of accepted, evidence-based practices. NGLC will complete its 18-month R&D project to explore these ideas in March 2020, and expects to publishwith the active participation of the six districts, a number of change-management experts and contributions from a corollary network called the Deeper Learning Dozen its findings and recommendations for districts seeking to learn from those that have gone before them. We are under no illusions that simply publishing the findings will enable dozens or hundreds of districts to move significantly forward. To walk its own talk, Transformation Science will need to embody all of the principles it espouses, which (to our minds) suggests more investment in networks and relationships than in case studies and web-based toolsets. But the time is right. The need is clear. If young Americans are going to emerge from our public schools ready to tackle the profoundly complex challenges of the 21st century, those who serve them need to tackle the equally profound challenge of enabling that readinessby transforming ourselves and the systems that have shaped our actions for close to five generations. American Battery Solutions, Inc. (ABS) emerged from stealth-mode with engineering, testing and manufacturing services enabled by an agreement to acquire of high-voltage manufacturing and testing assets from Robert Bosch Battery Systems. The terms of the sale will not be disclosed. Under the proposed agreement with Robert Bosch Battery Systems, ABS will acquire the testing lab assets for high-voltage battery systems and will lease 40,000 sq. ft. space for prototype battery pack assembly and offices located in Lake Orion, Mich. In addition, ABS will acquire the 172,000 sq. ft. facility located in Springboro, Ohio, where Robert Bosch Battery Systems has assembled lithium-ion battery packs for use in the automotive industry since 2009. ABS is backed by a $50-million committed investment from KCK Group, a principal investment firm with global offices in London, New York, Bay Area and Dubai. ABS will develop, design, test and manufacture modular battery solutions for underserved transportation, industrial and commercial markets, primarily in North American and Europe, according to Subhash Dhar, Founder, chairman and chief executive officer of ABS. ABS brings an experienced team of world-class battery professionals and automotive experts with an entrepreneurial mindset together with world-class development and manufacturing facilities. Were a new start, not a start-up. Subhash Dhar The company is founded by KCK Group and Dhar. ABSs leadership team includes Dr. John Warner, chief customer officer; Ivan Menjak, vice president, business development and Arun Kumar, director, electronics. ABS will focus on the middle of the spectrum of battery systems value chain, concentrating on module production, pack assembly and customer integration. Subhash Dhar ABS will work with OEMs, system integrators and battery manufacturers to supplement and extend their brands with a combination of engineering, testing and manufacturing services. The venture will partner with leading cell suppliers to offer a variety of chemistries and cell form factors. Target applications will include: Business Korea reports that sales of Hyundai Motors Nexo hydrogen fuel cell vehicle this year reached 1,075 units on May 17, exceeding the 949 units sold for the whole of last year. This marks the first time Hyundai has sold more than 1,000 hydrogen cars annually since 2013. Of the 1,075 units sold so far this year, 767 were sold in Korea and 308 abroad. Domestic sales of the Nexo hit 363 units in April alone, a monthly sales record. The sales volume is expected to further rise thanks to the Korean governments subsidiary program this year. Last year, Hyundai sold 727 Nexo units is South Korea and 222 overseas. Including 17 units of the Tucson ix, a discontinued first-generation hydrogen model, Hyundai Motor sold 966 hydrogen cars last year. The Nexo was awarded the highest rating in the Euro NCAP test, a European car safety assessment program, and the Nexos hydrogen fuel cell powertrain was included in the list of the 2019 Top 10 Engines by Wards Auto. In the UK, the Hyundai NEXO Fuel Cell vehicle has been named as a game changer at the annual Autocar awards, in recognition of its trail-blazing zero emissions hydrogen fuel cell technology. NEXOs fuel cell electric powertrain offers increased performance over its ix35 Fuel Cell predecessor. An on-board electric motor produces 163PS, drawing power from an under-hood fuel cell stack, which combines oxygen from the surrounding air with hydrogen from NEXOs high-pressure storage tanks. With full tanks of hydrogen on board, NEXO is capable of travelling 414 miles (WLTP), before being able to refuel in just a few minutes. Outside of its environmentally friendly powertrain, NEXO also has an advanced air purification system which filters 99.9% of very fine dust (PM 2.5 ). The vehicle shows the exact amount of air purified on the display panel in the car. NEXO has also been independently awarded the UL Bio Environmental Seal for the use of bio fibers from sugar cane waste and vegetable plasticizers in the headliner and carpet areas, bioplastics from sugar cane and corn waste in door, seat, pillar and console trims and biopaint extracted from rapeseed and soybean oils for the dashboard and center console. Hyundai Motor expects the Korean governments policy to expand green cars in Korea to boost Nexo sales to around 5,000 units this year. I think I first encountered the story on my first reading of William Chafe's "Civilities and Civil Rights," an essential book for making sense of Greensboro's history during the 1950s and 1960s. Because I was writing about K-12 education at the time, I think I paid more attention to his account on the drawn-out process of public school desegregation. I learned more about the May 1969 events when I covered the higher ed for the first time in the early 2000s. (I'm now on my second tour of the higher ed beat; true story.) In 2000, A&T had gotten money from a state higher ed bond issue to replace its largest but by-now obsolete dorm. Scott Hall had been the home away from home for generations of Aggie men. The sit-ins had been argued about and planned in Scott Hall. And Scott Hall was ground zero for the three-day gun battle that raged on campus in May 1969. By the time I started writing about local colleges and universities, A&T leaders were talking about what they would build in its stead the four buildings of Aggie Village and a reflecting pool are there now and how it would preserve the bullet wall. Wait, what?! What exactly is a bullet wall, and why would A&T have one on its campus? How did it get there? Who put it there? And why is it important to keep it? The Village 8 p.m. (WXII) Katie (Grace Van Dien), Sarah (Michaela McManus) and Nick (Warren Christie) come together in the wake of an unexpected event in this new episode. Else-where, Patricia (Lorraine Toussaint) tries to come to grips with her diagnosis. The Kids Are Alright 8:30 p.m. (WXLV) Peggy (Mary McCormack) discovers that Lawrence (Sam Straley) is secretly moving in with a girlfriend shes never met in this season finale. Set in suburban L.A. in the 1970s, this comedy follows a working-class Irish-Catholic family. Blood & Treasure 9 p.m. (WFMY) When a terrorist kidnaps his mentor, brilliant antiquities expert Danny McNamara (Matt Barr) enlists the help of art thief Lexi Vaziri (Sofia Pernas) in this premiere. During their daring rescue mission, they encounter a number of unscrupulous people. Fosse/Verdon 10 p.m. (FX) Gwen (Michelle Williams) challenges Bobs (Sam Rockwell) dark approach to the musical Chicago as she fights to assert her own creative vision in this new episode. This drama explores the personal and professional relationship between two dance icons. Find extended listings and daily grids at www.greensboro.com/tv_week and every Friday in the TV Week section in the News & Record. A raccoon found on Westbourne Grove Court in Colfax has tested positive for the rabies virus, the Guilford County Department of Health and Human Services said in a news release. This is the fifth confirmed case of animal rabies in 2019. North Carolina law requires that all domestic pets (cats, dogs and ferrets), age four months or older be vaccinated for rabies. For more information on rabies prevention or to schedule an educational program, please contact Guilford County Animal Services at 336-641-2506 or visit www.guilfordcountync.gov/our-county/animal-services. A week before the shooting incident, two of the three teenagers accused in the case broke into a mans house, stole 10 guns and later took his Chevrolet Impala, search warrants said. Two of the teens were 15 at the time and one was 14, according to arrest warrants. Cross was linked to the crime through an anonymous woman who called Winston-Salem police and told investigators that one of the teenagers and Cross had something to do with the horse shooting. Police started watching Cross house. They also started watching the teenagers house, where they saw two different teens walk out and get on bicycles, search warrants said. The two were later seen in the parking lot of a shopping center on Peters Creek Parkway. A Winston-Salem police detective reported seeing one of the teenagers tampering with a car while the other served as lookout. Winston-Salem police took the two teens into custody, and one of them talked to Winston-Salem police, also giving them a picture from his Snapchat social-media account. The picture showed the inside of the Impala, with a double-barreled shotgun visible. Sikorskys latest contract to build a dozen new CH-53K King Stallion helicopters for the U.S. Marine Corps may mean added jobs in the state, but to CEO Dan Schultz its a bit more personal. For me this is full circle, he said, recalling his days as a marine pilot flying the King Stallions predecessor the CH-53E Super Stallion, which has been a part of the Marine Corps fleet since 1981. Schultz said he was also present for the first pickup of the Super Stallion for the military branch. To work on something like the (CH-53K) to replace it is a huge honor, he said. Sikorsky recently was awarded $1.1 billion contract, part of a larger order of 200 King Stallions to replace the Marine Corps outdated fleet. The Pentagon will award the money in stages to Sikorsky and parent Lockheed Martin, including $509 million for the current fiscal year and $617 million in the following year. Under the terms of the contract, known as Low Rate Initial Production, Sikorsky will begin deliveries of a dozen CH-53K helicopters in 2022 and provide spare parts and support. The contract serves as a confidence boost for the Stratford-based company, Schultz said, adding that a manufacturer would normally be commissioned for a couple of helicopters rather than a bulk order. You can see the scalability in their confidence in us, Schultz said. The King Stallion is designed as a heavy-lift cargo and troop transport that can fly higher and farther than existing helicopters already in use in the Department of Defense, and with far heavier cargoes. Sikorsky delivered an initial model of the aircraft to the Marines roughly a year ago as part of a 2013 contract awarded to the company. Ultimately, a strong performance during the companys test program helped lead to the billion-dollar contract, according to Schultz. When tested, the helicopter was flown at more than 230 miles per hour while banking at sharp angles, attaining an altitude of 18,500 feet and lifting an external load weighing 18 tons. This is just the beginning, Schultz said. Sikorsky and its suppliers have invested millions into its Stratford-based factory to prepare for production, which is expected to begin this summer. The company invested roughly $96 million in structural modifications last year to upgrade crane systems and a rig area for testing water-tightness, and rearranged utilities to support the King Stallion workload. Along with improving facilities, machinery and tooling, Schultz said Sikorsky has also invested in workforce training to ramp-up production required for the CH-53K program. What it means for us in Connecticut is this will fill our factory, Schultz said, adding that it will also mean an increase in jobs for the state. The manufacturer has 20 other helicopters in different stages of production. According to spokesperson Erin Cox, the company will have a better idea of its hiring plans during the summer once production of the King Stallions is underway. Jordan.grice@hearstmediact.com BURLINGTON A bear was killed after it attacked and killed a dog in Burlington, according to state police. The incident occurred on Bradley Road about 1:44 p.m. Monday afternoon, when a resident called state police saying a black bear had attacked and killed her dog. When police arrived the homeowner told them that when she let her two dogs out, one was immediately attacked and killed by a large aggressive black bear, state police said in a prepared statement. The bear then became aggressive toward police, so it was shot and killed. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection was notified and responded to the scene, police said. Black bear sightings are becoming increasingly common in Connecticut, according to DEEP. Yesterday, Derby police posted on Facebook asking residents to avoid feeding or harassing a bear sighted several times on the citys west side. Last week a bear was suspected of killing a lamb in Plainfield. Last month in Burlington, a bear killed five goats. On April 29, Grazin' Goats Farm reported that the bear had climbed over the six-foot high kennels and killed five goats named Inky, Ginger, Stitch, Junior and Frost. In October 2018, a Prospect man shot a bear that got into a goat pen. The goat sustained severe injuries and later died. And in November 2017, a small female black bear was killed after it attacked two miniature horses on a Southbury farm. The bear killed one of the horses before environmental police were able to euthanize the animal, which weighed around 150 pounds. Late last year, I attended Pitchfest in New Haven where some of Yale Universitys most innovative life science faculty competed for startup grant money from the Blavatnik Fund. It was a day spent packed into a ballroom and it was electrifying. One by one, members of Yales rock star faculty got up and gave eight-minute descriptions of their mind-bending breakthroughs that could eventually save lives. As I watched, something struck me their accents. Close to half were foreign-born. They were immigrants. That shouldnt be that all that surprising. Studies have found that nearly half of the founders or co-founders of Fortune 500 corporations are immigrants or the children of immigrants, and last year 51 percent of domestic private companies valued at $1 billion or more unicorns had at least one immigrant founder. These companies employ millions. Related: 5 Important Lessons from Immigrant Entrepreneurs Think Alexander Graham Bell, who was born in Scotland, or Sergey Brin, the Google co-founder, who came here as a child with his family from the Soviet Union, or Elon Musk, the Tesla founder, who was born in South Africa. Would we prefer that any one of these entrepreneurs have founded their companies somewhere else? I think not. As the debate begins in Washington over Presidents Trumps immigration proposal, it is imperative that business and government leaders who are concerned about economic growth press even harder to get this resolved. We need to get beyond arguing about the wall and detention policies and figure out how to get immigrants here who can create jobs and help us fill a labor shortage across the land. It is crazy for us to continue to educate increasing numbers of foreign-born PhDs in science and engineering, then make it hard for them to stay and force them to reluctantly say goodbye to start businesses in Canada, China or Cameroon. Related: Immigrant Entrepreneurs Flock to Franchising Opportunities More H-1B visas are not enough The H-1B visa program is the traditional way immigrants with at least a bachelors degree are allowed to stay and work in this country. However, this specialized group is capped at 85,000 a year. True, there is an exception to the cap that allows any venture that both open an office on university premises and engages in collaborative projects with that university such as joint research and development, and entrepreneurship to sponsor as many H-1B applicants as needed. This exemption allows innovation-focused communities near universities to access highly-skilled talent from around the world at any time during the year. It would spur economic growth for academic-entrepreneurial ventures, help retain foreign talent from local universities and attract foreigners desperately looking for the next ecosystem that welcomes and encourages their entrepreneurial spirit. But it is a slow process and not nearly enough universities are participating to address the crying need of foreigners who would like to work and create jobs in this country. We need to keep more immigrant talent Connecticut, like many parts of the United States, is suffering a brain drain. Right now, it is estimated Connecticut has 20,000 jobs we cannot fill because we dont have sufficiently skilled labor. Nationally, the US economy has more than 7 million jobs going unfilled and not nearly enough people looking to fill them. Unskilled immigrants, if they were allowed to, could fill retail, hotel, and restaurant jobs and help supercharge our economy. Related: True Grit: How Immigrants and Veterans Are Reshaping American Entrepreneurship Business leaders, economic policy thinkers, and legislators need to do a better job of explaining how foreign talent is vital to the future success of our communities. The truth is San Francisco, New York, and Boston have loads of immigrants and they are growing stronger with their help. Now the rest of America needs to acknowledge that we need them, too. And who knows, maybe one of these immigrants creates the next Tesla, Sikorsky, or Google right in your backyard. Related: Ship Built With World Trade Center Steel Docks in Manhattan for 31st Annual Fleet Week My Top 4 Takeaways From This Year's Annual TED Conference Report: Justice Department to Block T-Mobile-Sprint Merger Copyright 2019 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved As Georgia, Ohio and Alabama have passed laws drastically restricting access to safe, legal abortion or even banning it outright, women's health care and rights have jumped to the forefront of our nation's political conversation once again. As a doctor, the leader of the most trusted reproductive health organization in the country and a mother, I am outraged and disgusted by the rhetoric that devalues women and the attacks that will cost us our freedoms, our health and our lives. But I also think President Donald Trump and his allies have grossly overreached and made a huge political mistake. This is now a fight we can and will win, if Americans are ready to act on their convictions and make women's health a priority. And by doing so, we will not only protect women's health care and rights for this generation and generations to come, but we will also shine a spotlight on Trump's disastrous overall agenda and cynical political style in a way that will resonate through the 2020 elections. For those of us who have been watching closely, the events of the past few weeks were expected. Trump promised his base that he would pack the federal courts with extreme judges, and he has done that. Politicians who have been plotting for years to ban abortion in the United States have promised to move outrageous and unconstitutional laws through their states to challenge Roe v. Wade, and they've done that, too. And now opponents of Roe, a decision that has been settled law for nearly 50 years, are prepared to take these state laws to a Supreme Court that Trump has swung to the right in anticipation of this very moment. While this has been happening, Trump has been riling up his campaign crowds with lies and misinformation. Politicians pretending to be medical experts and scientists demonstrate daily, on TV and in legislative chambers, just how little they actually know. This is the typical playbook from this president. But I don't think he anticipated that Americans would focus on how extreme these policies are, and how damaging that would be for him politically. When rape survivors stood up to share their stories in Alabama, people across the country watched in horror as 25 male senators ignored them and passed a law that would ban all abortions, without exception for rape or incest, and place providing abortion care in a class of felonies that includes murder and kidnapping. When thousands of women started sharing their personal stories online with the hashtag#YouKnowMe, the fact that nearly a quarter of American women will have an abortion before the age of 45 was brought to the national consciousness like never before. When doctors started sharing stories of women they treated in the days before Roe was passed who were hurt or killed by illegal and unsafe abortions, more and more people were reminded that making abortion illegal doesn't make it go away - it just hurts women. Now is the moment in the United States when people are paying attention, and we can't let that moment slip by. Whether or not you think women's health care is the most important issue, prioritizing it is just good strategy: We can use this moment to make this battle the fight of the next 18 months, and we can win not just the fight for reproductive rights but also the fight against this presidency and everyone who supports its extreme agenda. Trump has elevated a position that is clearly and strongly opposed by most Americans. According to an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll last year, 71% of Americans think Roe should not be overturned, including 52% of Republicans; that's the highest level of support for Roe in that poll's history, dating to 2005. Only 23% want to see the settled precedent discarded. According to the 2016 Cooperative Congressional Election Studies, not a single state in the country has majority support for banning abortion in all circumstances. Trump has been known to reverse course depending on the political winds. But no matter what happens next, he owns this attack on American women. He has packed the courts with the intention of overturning Roe, and no amount of fearmongering or distancing from specific laws should distract people from that fact. This is why we must make women's health care and rights the line to draw in the sand and defend until November 2020. This is the fight. The stakes are clear. The views of the electorate are solid. And if opponents of Trump's agenda stay focused and determined, then this can be the battle that brings him, his agenda, his allies and his lies down. - - - Wen, a physician, is president of the Planned Parent Action Fund and president and CEO of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. If you got your eyes on the Huawei and Honor phones but didn't want to dig deep into your pockets for a full-fledged flagships like the Huawei P-series or the recently announced Honor 20-series, the Chinese vendor is offering the Honor 20 Lite - an even more affordable alternative to the P30 Lite. The phone was launched about a month ago in Russia but this is the first time we get to see it in person, and it will finally reach the rest of the European market. It's a fashionable smartphone with a cool-looking back with gradient colors - Phantom Blue, Phantom Red, and Magic Night Black. But as you've probably guessed it by now, it's not made of premium materials - the body is all plastic. That's just one of the compromises to keep the cost low. However, the phone does feel sturdy in hand despite the use of plastic. And the rear-mounted fingerprint sensor is placed just within reach. Speaking of, it's pretty fast and reliable - no complaints here. Departing from the rest of the Honor 20 devices, the Lite comes with a teardrop notch instead of a punch-hole for the front-facing shooter. And it kind of looks better in our opinion. It seems like it takes less space than the current implementation of the punch-hole on the Honor 20, 20 Pro and the View 20. The screen itself is a 6.21" and incorporates a standard IPS LCD panel with 1080 x 2340 pixels resolution and 19.5:9 aspect ratio. It looks good in person except for the excessive motion blur visible when scrolling, for example. Honor 20 Lite from the sides Huawei's mid-range Kirin 710 sits behind the wheel coupled with Mali-G51 MP4 GPU, 4GB of RAM and a generous amount of internal storage - 128GB. In terms of cameras, the Honor 20 Lite wants to play with the big boys. It has three on its back - 24MP main one with f/1.8 aperture, 8MP ultra wide-angle lens with f/2.2 and 2MP depth sensor. A 32MP f/2.0 unit sits on the notch. The battery inside is 3,400 mAh and but unfortunately, doesn't support fast charging, so it defaults to 10W. Luckily, the Honor 20 Lite runs the latest EMUI 9 based on Android 9.0 Pie. As of now, updates to a newer Android version are highly unlikely in view of the US ban on providing technology and services to Huwei and its subsidiaries. Still, you are certain to get security updates and The biggest downside of the Honor 20 lite is its pricing, or rather the fact that it isn't as aggressively priced as its siblings - the Honor's 20 and 20 Pro. The Honor 20 lite will cost the equivalent of 300 across Europe. Here's hoping the price will go down sooner rather than later. Sony held its Corporate Strategy Meeting laying out its plans going forward. The mobile division, in particular, is long away from its glory days and was merged with the TV, audio and camera divisions two months ago in hopes to bring it back to profitability. The aim is to leverage the brands recognition across sectors like gaming, music and TVs to bolster smartphone appeal and according to Sony, the Xperia 1 is the first example of this approach. Now the company announced its planning to cut operational costs by 50% and will pull out of several markets in order to focus on a smaller client base. The focus regions include Japan, Europe, Taiwan and Hong Kong. At their expense, Sony is pulling out of India, Australia, Canada, South America, Mexico, Africa, and the Middle East. The main goal is to have the smartphone business profitable starting with the 2020 financial year. Sony is trying to stay afloat and this plan showcases a slow but certain strategy to do so. Source | Via Haiti - FLASH : The judicial system paralyzed in the 18 jurisdictions of the country Monday, as announced last week by Jean Wilner Morin, the President of the National Association of Haitian Magistrates (ANAMAH), the Judges began a week-long strike in all jurisdictions of the country, a movement also supported by the Professional Association Magistrates (APM) and the Association of Judges of Peace (AJUP). By this action the magistrates want to force the Government to satisfy their demands among others : the payment of salary arrears for the standing magistrates; the improvement of working conditions, the transfer of powers from the Ministry of Justice to the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSPJ) in accordance with the agreement of October 2017; the transfer to the CSPJ of the investment fund to be used to build, to repair the courts (currently under the control of the Ministry), the cessation of any form of interference of the Executive in the Judiciary which compromises the independence of Justice https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-27746-haiti-news-zapping.html , a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the appointment of judges until their retirement and the amendment of the law of November 2007 so that prosecutors and magistrates remain irremovable. Wando St Villiers President of the APM, who denounces the poor working conditions in which judges have been evolving for several years, recalls that several negotiations took place with the Ministry of Justice on this subject, but that the promises of the Executive have not been kept. He was delighted that the first day of strike was respected in the 18 jurisdictions of the country. At the end of these five days of work stoppage, judges consider other strategies if they do not obtain satisfaction in order to force the executive to respond positively to their demands. Moreover, we learn that the Associations and unions of clerks, announced a work stoppage on May 23 and 24. So far, the central authorities have not yet reacted to this work stoppage, which could paralyze the judicial system indefinitely if nothing is done quickly. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-27746-haiti-news-zapping.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-27633-haiti-news-zapping.html PI/ HaitiLibre Haiti - 216th : The young archelois represented with brio and pride our two-colored On Saturday, May 18th, Edwing Charles, Minister of Youth at the head of an impressive delegation, participated in the celebration of the 216th anniversary of the creation of the flag at Arcahaie. Taking charge of the cultural component, Minister Charles presented the central theme of the celebration "Anba drapo n, Ann dyaloge pou peyi n chanje" through the traditional parade animated by hundreds of young archelois, parades of cheerleaders and exhibitions on the Place du Drapeau who in their ways participated in the call for dialogue of the Head of State, under the supervision of the Minister and his team. "Since the beginning of the Haitian Nation, we have been talking to each other. Thus the first caciques, the Amerindians organized political life and it is through dialogue that the heroes of our history realized our independence" summed up the narrators in support of a theatrical performance of several dozens young people who occupied the stage. This service, calling constantly for dialogue, echoed the speech of President Jovenel Moise delivered after the show https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-27764-haiti-216th-of-the-flag-me-your-servant-i-am-an-accident-of-this-system-dixit-jovenel-moise.html Me Edwing Charles, who spared no effort in providing all its support for the preparation of this representation https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-27717-haiti-politic-d-6-haiti-and-elsewhere-we-are-preparing-to-celebrate-the-216th-anniversary-of-our-two-color.html has been awarded a satisfactory, from the official stand in front of the quality of this theatrical representation rich in colors, which has takes the spectators back in time through the positive recesses of the Haitian past. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-27764-haiti-216th-of-the-flag-me-your-servant-i-am-an-accident-of-this-system-dixit-jovenel-moise.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-27717-haiti-politic-d-6-haiti-and-elsewhere-we-are-preparing-to-celebrate-the-216th-anniversary-of-our-two-color.html HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - FLASH : Artisans and tourists victims of racket at the artistic village of Noailles The inhabitants and some 200 artisans of the artistic village of Noailles (Commune of Croix-des-Bouquet, West Dept.), famous for its cut metal art works, live under threat and fear for more than a week . Members of a gang of Remy impose their law and ransom craftsmen but also tourists. The population has tried to oppose by creating a brigade, but without weapons this people's brigade is powerless to stop these rackets. According to the testimonies of terrorized merchants, they are harassed daily by armed men who demand 10,000 gourdes or more daily depending on the circumstances and beware of those who do not pay at the end of the day, violence is at the rendezvous and we count already 5 deaths among residents for a week... The population of Noailles who saw police intervene for the first time Friday, denounce the slow response of the National Police of Haiti (PNH) to restore order and peace although the authorities are informed of the situation. For its part, the PNH acknowledges being aware of what is happening in Noailles and explains its delay on the ground because the gangs had received reinforcements and had to review plans for interventions to avoid endangering the lives of citizens. However, the PNH indicates that Friday afternoon it made 5 arrests in Noailles and that it is only a beginning... TB/ HaitiLibre Havre Fire Chief Mel Paulson laughs as the Havre City Council discusses Monday the accidental donation of a fire truck to the wrong department at City Hall in Havre. In a lighthearted meeting, the council retracted the donation of a truck to Kremlin and corrected their mistake by approving the donation to Rudyard. Havre City Council Monday rescinded the donation of a fire truck to the Kremlin Volunteer Fire Department then donated the truck to Rudyard Volunteer Fire Department - and poked some fun at Havre Fire Chief Mel Paulson in the process. "If this wouldn't have been on the agenda there wouldn't have been anything there," Council Member Eric Meis said. "It gave us a reason to be here," Council Member Denise Brewer said. Rescinding the donation to Kremlin and donating the fire truck to Rudyard were the only items on the agenda. The fire department decided after it acquired its first new fire engine in 26 years, a Pierce Arrow XT fire engine, last July to prospect for departments interested in its oldest engine, a 1973 Howe fire engine that was sitting unused. Havre Daily News/Ryan Berry Boy Scout Jackson Siemens of Troop 1438 salutes as he leads the City Council in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance Monday at City Hall in Havre. People from several fire departments, including at Dodson, Kremlin and Rudyard, all contacted Paulson, all by telephone. Paulson said Monday he was talking to so many people by phone he mixed up who was with what department. The council also heard from Bear Paw Development Corp. Executive Director Paul Tuss, who presented the economic development agency's annual report to the council. Tuss noted that Havre is an original member in Bear Paw, which is Montana's oldest economic development agency and is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. "You guys were a charter member way back when," he said. The council had a special guest, with Mayor Tim Solomon inviting Boy Scout Jackson Siemens of Troop 1438, who was there to observe the meeting, to lead the room in the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of the meeting. "Sun's Out Tongue's Out" by Jessie Graveley, Powell County High School, medium: acrylic paint, is Montana's 2019 Congressional Art Competition Winner and will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol. From the office of Rep. Greg Gianforte WASHINGTON Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Mont., praised Monday the artists who entered the 2019 Congressional Art Competition, and congratulated Jessie Graveley, a student from Powell County High School, as Montanas winner. Every year, Im impressed with the talent of our high school artists. Every piece submitted was unique and showed a different aspect of our state. Thank you to all of the students who entered this years competition, Gianforte said. Courtesy photo "Banks of the Yellowstone" by Battista Eaton, homeschool, medium: Charcoal and Chalk, Montana's 2019 Congressional Art Competition People's Choice Winner and will be displayed in Rep. Greg Gianforte's Washington D.C. office. With great color and joy, Jessies painting captures a moment many Montanans see every day, Gianforte added. The Congressional Art Competition is an annual contest to recognize and encourage young artists in each congressional district. The winning artwork will be on display in the U.S. Capitol for one year where hundreds of thousands of visitors can view it. The winner will receive complimentary airline tickets to Washington, D.C. to attend the exhibit opening in June. Four submissions were chosen as honorable mentions in this years competition, and will be on display in Gianfortes Billings, Great Falls, Helena, and Washington offices. Montanans assisted in the judging by voting for the Peoples Choice on Gianfortes Facebook page, available at http://bit.ly/30yHALa For more information on the Congressional Art Competition, visit Gianfortes website at https://gianforte.house.gov/services/congressional-art-competition/. Holly Haas sits in an empty room while participating in a conference call during a Perkins V public hearing Monday at the Brockman Center on the Northern campus in Havre. Educators from across Montana spoke on the importance of career and technical education and the issues facing the program as well as education systems across the state Monday in Havre. Montana State University sponsored the second public hearing for Perkins V where educators from across the state communicated in a conference. Montana State University-Northern Montana Career Pathways, Dual Enrollment and Perkins Coordinator Holly Haas said the meeting was to ask questions and to provide input to the state about what the Perkins V program should look like on a state level. Educators, administrators and members of the public were invited to the event, at the Brockman Center at Northern but no one appeared at the hearing. The Perkins grant is a federal education program that invests funds and resources for secondary and post-secondary Career and Technical Education programs across the country. Perkins IV was reauthorized in 2006. The three focus points of Perkins IV were to provide an increased focus on the academic achievement of CTE students, strengthen connections between high school and careers and improve state and local accountability to CTE efforts and initiatives. "You can get just as good of a job with an apprenticeship, a certificate, a two-year education as you can with a four year degree or better," Haas said during the teleconference. "There's opportunities out there for everybody. ... Not all trades fields are bad. We have opportunities that are available to you right here and now." A representative from Billings said that administrators and advisors in high schools across the state are enforcing the negative stereotype the CTE program is primarily for troubled youth. She added that administrators use CTE as a "dumping ground" for students with behavioral issues rather than encouraging CTE to all students as a rigorous and effective way to have a skilled and knowledgeable workforce. She said that many of the issues facing the program is outside of what is covered in the Perkins V program. A teacher from Billings added that the state is facing a shortage of qualified, trained teachers for CTE programs. "It's nice to do all these things for the kids but if you don't have a teacher, you're going to have a problem," he said. Haas said after the hearing that it had a lot more input than the previous hearing, with more discussion and exchange of ideas from other high schools and colleges from across the state. "CTE or what people see for CTE - the trades fields - they're dying because most people are pushing four-year education," she said. She added that students have a range of career opportunities that they are overlooking within the state and within their own communities. At Northern, Perkins V keeps the school updated on technology and CTE fields and allows high schools and colleges to better prepare students to enter the workforce, she said. Perkins V will also be incorporating more STEM fields, and will be putting an emphasis on technical training rather than vocational, such as civil engineering technology and nursing. Perkins V will also set up funds for dual enrollment programs so students can earn college credits while in high school, she said. "They are getting the same content and the college knows that if they take the class at the high school, it's going to be what they need to know, the same objectives that they are meeting," Haas said. High school students need a math, communication and writing course for most degrees or certifications, she said, and dual enrollment classes allow students to achieve their general education credits in high school that would fit in the CTE aspect. "We are looking for this skill, this trade, working with business and industry not only post secondary but secondary collaboration between education and the workforce to provide students options," she said. Perkins V can also reach students as young as sixth grade, she said. Students sixth grade and up will have the opportunity to shadow professionals in their field of interest and have other opportunities to explore career paths. The state has its own guidelines for Perkins V separate from federal guidelines, however, they have to work in tangents with each other, she said. President Donald Trump last July signed the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act - Perkins V - which reauthorized the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Educations act of 2006. The new law will go into effect July 1 with the first year considered as a transition year. Institutions which use the Perkins program will submit a one-year transition plan in the spring of 2020 that will be in effect from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2024. Perkins V's goal is to build upon the program by also improving alignment to in-demand industries, putting a strong emphasis on quality by requiring measures of progress and focusing on equality by increasing federal funds that states have available - primarily in low-income areas. Perkins V also works to encourage students of various backgrounds to look into CTE programs and integrates Science, Technical, Engineering and Mathematics programs to adapt to more technical industries. The public hearing document says that when Perkins funding is re-authorized, each state receives guidelines for the grant, but are required to ask for stakeholder - or industry partner - input on the aspects of the implementation of the program. "Career and Technical Education is an educational option that provides learners with the knowledge and skills they need to be prepared for college and careers," the document said. "CTE gives purpose to learning by emphasizing real world skills and practical knowledge within a selected career focus. Haas said that funding from Perkins can be used for a number of items, with the majority of the funding allocated to secondary education. Some of the program's funding can be used for is purchase new equipment, provide guest lectures for students both high school and college, job shadowing and apprenticeship programs. From Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services As Montanans look to enjoy the outdoors this spring and summer, state and local public health officials urge everyone to follow a few simple steps to prevent tick bites and their illnesses: Limit, repel, and inspect. Exactly how severe the tick season will be is unpredictable. However, each year thousands of people in the United States are bitten by ticks and become infected with a tick-borne illness. To avoid becoming a victim of a tick bite, people should be aware that ticks could be in the areas where they live, work and play, said DPHHS Director Sheila Hogan. Officials say the best way to prevent tick-borne disease is to prevent tick bites. Public health departments in Montana investigate reports of tick-borne illnesses every year and monitoring trends closely as tick-borne diseases are on the rise in the US. Over the past two decades, several new tickborne diseases that can cause illness have been identified in the United States. Recently identified tick-diseases in the US include Heartland and Bourbon virus. While these new illnesses have not been reported in Montana to date, we do receive reports of many others. Commonly reported tick-borne diseases in Montana include, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease, tickborne relapsing fever, tularemia, and Colorado tick fever. In recent years, cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia have increased in Montana. The most common tickborne illness acquired in Montana is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, with an average of six cases reported each year. The tick that causes Lyme disease, Ixodes scapularis, has not been found in Montana. To date, all but a single case of Lyme disease reported in Montana have been associated with travel to other areas of the United States and are not believed to have been acquired in Montana. Other reported tick-borne illnesses believed to be acquired out-of-state include ehrlichiosis and babesiosis. All diseases listed previously can cause serious illness. Public health officials emphasize a three-step approach to prevent tick bites: LIMIT: Ticks live in wooded, brushy, or grassy areas so walk in the center of trails and mow your property where you and your pets spend time. REPEL: Wear long, light-colored pants and socks to spot ticks more easily and use insect repellents. Those repellents containing up to 30 percent DEET can be used on the skin or clothing. Repellents with lower DEET concentrations might need to be applied more frequently. Repellents containing permethrin can be used on clothing, but not on skin. One application to pants, socks, and shoes may be effective through several washings. INSPECT: Check your skin carefully for ticks after returning from outdoor activities especially if you were in wooded, brushy, or grassy areas. Common hiding places for ticks are the scalp, beard, back of the knees, armpits, groin, back of the neck, and behind the ears. De-ticking clothing is best done by throwing clothes into a drier on high for 10 minutes, even before washing. The most common symptoms of tick-borne infections include fever and chills, aches and pains, rash, and fever of varying degrees. Although most are easily treated with antibiotics, these diseases can be difficult for physicians to diagnose. Early recognition and treatment of the infection decreases the risk of serious complications. Individuals should see their healthcare provider immediately if they have been bitten by a tick and experience symptoms. If a tick is found and is attached, follow these steps to safely remove the tick. Use fine-tipped, pointy tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skins surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Dont twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove the mouth-parts with tweezers. If you are unable to remove the mouth easily with clean tweezers, leave it alone and let the skin heal. After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water. Do not use folklore remedies such as painting the tick with nail polish or petroleum jelly or using heat to make the tick detach from the skin. These methods are not recommended and may cause the tick to burrow deeper into the skin. For more information about tick-borne illnesses, protection and detection efforts, visit the DPHHS website at https://dphhs.mt.gov/. McGrady's craft beer bill cruises RALEIGH A move to ease restrictions for N.C. craft brewers who want to distribute their own beer is on the verge of becoming law. The N.C. Senate in a 38-3 vote on Monday passed the Craft Beer Distribution and Modernization Act, the result of a compromise among mid-sized craft brewers and the N.C. Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association. Co-sponsored by state Rep. Chuck McGrady, R-Hendersonville, the measure passed the N.C. House in April by a 104-8 vote. It now goes to the governor. That bill, House Bill 363, maintains the current three-tier system producers, wholesalers, and retailers and adds a new, mid-level classification of brewers to state law. Brewers, under the proposal, could self-distribute 50,000 barrels of their products, as opposed to the current 25,000. The legislation also gives growing brewers more flexibility in choosing where and how to distribute their beers around the state. Breweries that exceed 50,000 would not lose the ability to self-distribute, although the new law would affect only those breweries that sell fewer than 100,000 barrels of beer per year. Now, if a brewer sells 25,001 barrels per year, by state law, every barrel produced including the first must go through a third-party wholesaler/distributor. Lawmakers, distributors, and brewers have publicly cheered the bills progress. But the bills path has been anything but clear, as lobbying efforts and legal battles have served to sidetrack similar measures for the better part of a decade. In the end, it may have taken a lawsuit. More than a year ago, some North Carolina craft brewers took on in court the states Alcoholic Beverage Control system and a well-funded and entrenched network of wholesalers and distributors. The brewers complaint filed in Wake County last year by Craft Freedom LLC, The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery LLC, and NoDa Brewing Co. says the distribution cap and franchise laws injure and threaten to impose additional damage on the brewers. The current legislation, brewers attorney Drew Erteschik has said, puts the lawsuit on hold, though Superior Court Judge Allen Baddour ruled the lawsuit could proceed to trial. This historic proposed legislation would end the lawsuit if adopted, Erteschik said in the March news conference. This legislation would be basically the reconciliation of any differences these parties have had and there would be no need to continue. The beer measure has an excellent chance of finally becoming law, although efforts to raise the distribution threshold have been, well, brewing for some time now. Since Ive come here weve had this conversation, Sen. Rick Gunn, who has served in the General Assembly since 2011, said before Mondays vote. Gunn, R-Alamance, commended lawmakers for pushing the bill forward. House Bill 500, which Gov. Roy Cooper signed into law last year, originally included a provision allowing craft breweries that produce more than 25,000 barrels of beer a year to self-distribute, if they chose to do so. That provision, along with one making it easier for breweries to terminate their contract with distributors, was stripped from the bill after fierce objections from the N.C. Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association. This year's bill writes into state law the settlement of the craft brewers' lawsuit. "So H363 is a cousin to H500 and represents a significant modernization of our alcohol beverage laws for craft brewers," McGrady said in a text message. Before that, lawmakers introduced bills to increase the cap to between 60,000 barrels and to as many as 200,000 barrels. Those efforts failed. In a joint statement Monday, Tim Kent, executive director of the N.C. Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association, and Suzie Ford, a founder of NoDa Brewing Co. in Charlotte, says H.B. 363 is a collective win for all parties involved. The overwhelming majority support of the passage of the Craft Beer Distribution & Modernization Act is an important step forward for the beer industry adding to existing opportunities for brewers in North Carolina, the statement says. H.B. 363 provides greatly-expanded legislative support for the states beer franchise law and the three-tier system. As North Carolinas breweries continue to grow, we welcome todays regulatory achievement. Laurel Park hires manager with connection to Jump Off Christopher Todd starts on July 15. LAUREL PARK Laurel Park has a new town manager, one with a meaningful connection to the Town on a Mountain. The Laurel Park Town Council on Tuesday officially hired Christopher Todd, a former Henderson County planner who is now administrator for the town of Sawmills, near Lenoir. During an interview with town council members, Todd disclosed that he had proposed to his wife, Victoria, on Jump Off Rock. After an extensive interview process, Mr. Todd rose above 29 other applicants and all of these closed sessions and special meetings had to do with interviews, Mayor Carey OCain said. It was a lengthy process. We are glad to have you here. OCain thanked interim town manager Mike Morgan, who took over towns administrative duties after Alison Alexander left to take a county government job in Lancaster, South Carolina. Todd, who will make an annual salary of $82,000, starts on July 15. A Florida native, Todd earned a bachelors degree in geography from Appalachian State University in 2012 and dual masters degrees in geography and public administration, also from ASU, in 2017. He was employed as a land planner with Henderson County until 2015. He has also received professional growth training at the UNC School of Government and is pursuing a budget officer certification through the N.C. Local Government Budget Association. I believe that Christopher will be a strong leader for our community and will be comfortable working with all the citizens of Laurel Park, OCain said in a statement. Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy has said people should be "excited" about a future of co-living where they will have "less space for less rent". Mr Murphy told the National Housing Conference at Dublin Castle the plans, which have been criticised, should be welcomed. "As we all did when we were younger, we sacrificed less space for less rent," he said. "This isn't about allowing for high-density bedsits but a new accommodation that's been very successful around the world." Those who may be interested in co-living were "a generation with a different approach", he added. "We must recognise some young people are starting off in their careers, they don't necessarily want to live in a four-bed semi-D or in the isolation of a flat, and co-living has been so well received in London and New York." Co-living would allow "new opportunity, new choice, where people don't have choice", he added. "Co-living is appealing but the key thing is to make sure this is not abused. "We looked at good practice in London and New York. We can work with the public and private sector to bring them into reality. "I think people will be very excited by this." Ladder Last week, charity Threshold labelled co-living as "21st-century bedsits with a glossy makeover" and said they should not be viewed as a solution to the crisis. Mr Murphy also admitted social housing policy had "failed" in the past and different models would have to be used in future. The minister pledged to bring in an affordable housing scheme and shared ownership schemes, which would allow more families a place on the housing ladder. He also pledged to stop landlords evicting tenants from their rental homes after six years. New rental legislation would prevent the current practice which allows landlords to evict tenants after six years without having to provide the tenant with a reason. "That's not working for a lot of people, so we're going to get rid of that. We are going to allow tenancies of indefinite duration," he said. A taxi driver who sexually assaulted three young women within two weeks has been jailed for five years. Mansoor Uddin (41), a married father-of-three, of Castleway, Adamstown, Lucan, pleaded guilty on the morning of his trial last February at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to sexual assault on January 30, 2016, and two sexual assaults on February 16, 2016. Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain sentenced Uddin to three years' imprisonment for each count of sexual assault. She said the sentences on the latter two counts will run concurrently with each other, but consecutive to the earlier count of sexual assault. Strict The judge also suspended the final year of the sentences for counts two and three for two years on strict conditions, for an effective operating sentence of six years' imprisonment with one year suspended. She also gave Uddin credit for time already spent in custody. The court heard at a sentence hearing last month that Uddin sexually assaulted two of the women on the same night after demanding that one of them get out of his taxi when he saw her trying to get a photo of his identification. This 18-year-old victim had also called a friend while in the vehicle and gave her Uddin's name and some of his taxi number. She tried to take a photograph of Uddin but he stopped her. At the hearing in April, Garda Sergeant Aoife Cronin told Sinead McMullan BL, prosecuting, that gardai used CCTV footage, a database of registered public service vehicles and a computer-generated likeness from the first victim to help identify Uddin. As part of the investigation, officers also used GPS co-ordinates from a taxi app, which confirmed that Uddin had travelled the three routes the women had outlined to gardai. Yesterday, Seamus Clarke SC, defending, said his client had been provided with documentation to surrender his tenancy, but that his wife and children would be allowed to remain in new accommodation once it is ready. Mr Clarke said that a psychological report showed Uddin as being someone with low levels of intellectual function. The judge said the case was aggravated by Uddin abusing his position as a taxi driver; his being aware of the vulnerability of the injured parties; his refusing to stop the taxi in two of the three cases; the timing of the offences being at night; his touching one of the women on her bare skin under her clothing, and the somewhat planned targeting of the third woman. She said the mitigating factors were his guilty plea; his losing his livelihood; the loss of his tenancy; his difficulties in early life; his mental health difficulties; his previous good character, and his lack of previous convictions. Ian Bailey has described the decision to prosecute him in Paris for the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier as "a tragedy for the truth". Mr Bailey (60) was commenting as Ms Toscan du Plantier's son, Pierre Louis Baudey-Vignaud (37), issued an emotional appeal in west Cork for Irish support in the impending Paris trial. The Manchester-born journalist said he believed he had already been convicted in France, with a bitter extradition battle now looming between Ireland and French judicial authorities. Dreadful "It is a most dreadful and frightening position to be in," he said. Mr Bailey said he was convinced that, once they secure a conviction, French authorities will demand his extradition. A French bid to have him extradited was rejected by the Supreme Court in 2012. Expand Close Murder victim Sophie Toscan du Plantier / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Murder victim Sophie Toscan du Plantier "It is a nightmare - but it has been a nightmare for the past 22 years," he said. Ms Toscan du Plantier was beaten to death on December 23, 1996, aged 39, after she apparently tried to flee from an intruder at her isolated holiday home at Toormore, west Cork. She was found just off a laneway to the property, and had suffered horrific injuries. No one has ever been charged with her murder in Ireland, despite one of the biggest garda investigations ever mounted. Mr Bailey, who insisted he never met the French woman, has consistently protested his innocence. He was twice arrested for questioning but released without charge. The DPP ruled out any prosecution against him more than a decade ago. Mr Bailey has also claimed "sinister" attempts were made to frame him for the crime. He claimed there were people in authority in Ireland who know he is innocent but are prepared to stay silent while he is convicted in France based on evidence already rejected here. "These people are prepared to see me convicted and sacrificed to public opinion in France," he said. Mr Baudey-Vignaud urged support for the Paris trial, which opens in the Criminal High Court next Monday. "Sophie fought like a lioness against the most atrocious violence there is," he said. "I come back here every year because it is the only way for me to defy this violence and destroy it. Betray "For 20 years I have trusted you. Do not betray me. Do not betray yourselves. You know as well as I do who killed my mother." The trial will take place before three judges and is expected to last at least a week. Under French law, prosecutions can be taken against individuals not within French jurisdiction and for alleged offences overseas. Fine Gael TD Maria Bailey was holding items in both of her hands when she fell out of a swing, a hotel she is suing over the incident claims. Ms Bailey (43) has sued the Dean Hotel in Dublin for damages of up to 60,000 over injuries she alleges she suffered to her head, back and hip. The Dun Laoghaire TD says she fell backwards out of an indoor swing while having her photo taken during a night out with friends in 2015. In circuit court proceedings, she accused the hotel of negligence, saying the swing was "unsupervised" and there were no signs to instruct patrons how to safely use it. Pain Ms Bailey claimed she can no longer sit or stand for long periods without experiencing pain or discomfort. She also said she used to run 70km a week before the fall, but has had to reduce this to less than 20km. The hotel is denying liability, saying that if any injury was suffered, this was due to Ms Bailey's own negligence or contributory negligence. In defence papers filed with the court, the hotel alleged she failed to use the swing in a proper manner and held items in both hands, restricting her ability to balance and preventing her from holding rope grips properly. The indorsement of claim filed in court by Ms Bailey's solicitors makes no mention of her holding anything in her hands when she fell. Details of the case have emerged at a time when there is considerable political focus on personal injury awards and high insurance costs. Ms Bailey's case was briefly mentioned before the County Registrar at Dublin Circuit Civil Court yesterday. Grainne Berkery BL, for Holtend Limited, trading as the Dean Hotel, told the registrar that on consent Ms Bailey had six weeks to file an affidavit of discovery. It is understood this is to satisfy a request for medical and dental records for the three years prior to the alleged incident. Discovery is a routine part of such cases. Ms Bailey was not in court. She is being represented by Madigan Solicitors, a law firm run by a brother of Culture Minister Josepha Madigan. Ms Madigan, a solicitor, stepped away from the firm after becoming a TD. In her action, lawyers for Ms Bailey, of Woodside Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18, said she was at the trendy Harcourt Street hotel with a group of friends on July 13, 2015. They said that at around 9pm, her party went to the top floor, where there was "a swing unit". Her solicitors said she was sitting on a swing "unsupervised", having her photo taken by friends, "when she was caused to fall backwards". She struck the ground, with her hip, lower back and head taking the brunt of the impact, according to the claim. The trial of a service officer in the offices of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) who is accused of breaking the Official Secrets Act will hear evidence from two more of his interviews with detectives. Jonathan Lennon (35), of Clonee, Dublin 15, denies disclosing information connected to criminal proceedings resulting from the 2013 murder of dissident republican Peter Butterly. Mr Lennon, who worked in the mail room in the offices of the DPP, is accused of disclosing information without authorisation about the arrest of a suspect on September 7, 2017 and the following day. A suspect was arrested on September 8, 2017, and gardai believed he had been alerted beforehand. Mr Lennon's trial began last Tuesday before Judge John Hughes at Dublin District Court. Sinister Judge Hughes heard yesterday that evidence from the remaining two garda interviews has to be heard following closing speeches by counsel for the prosecution and the defence. The case will resume tomorrow. In total, Mr Lennon was interviewed eight times, Judge Hughes heard. On Friday, the trial heard that in one of his garda interviews, Mr Lennon admitted he read files about people or incidents known to him. When asked to deliver a file, he would have a quick read and put it away, "nothing sinister". The civil servant also saw some of the Butterly file but claimed he only read the introduction. He said he did not tell anyone outside work about what he read. He told gardai he only discussed matters that were already in the public domain. Even if U.S. producers do pick up some of the slack when tariffs staunch the flow of imported goods, it may reduce output in other sectors of the economy. Chairs and other goods require labor, buildings, machines and other resources to produce. If U.S. companies redirect these resources toward producing substitutes for vanishing Chinese imports, they generally have to take the resources away from some other enterprise, thus reducing production of something else. An exception is when the economy is in a slump, so idle workers and factories are sitting around waiting for something to do. But this doesnt really describe the current situation the U.S. labor market is quite healthy. And there are also plenty of ways that import restrictions can harm GDP growth instead of helping it. The clearest way is by raising prices for U.S. producers. Tariffs on capital goods and intermediate inputs make it harder for American factories to get the machinery and the inputs they need to operate. That causes them to cut production, which hurts growth. Its important to note that the bulk of Trumps tariffs have fallen mostly on these sorts of goods. So there are many ways that import reductions can hurt growth. Trade warriors who naively assume that there are idle American factories and workers standing by, itching to spring into action to replace lost Chinese imports, should realize how improbable this scenario is. Its much more likely that tariffs are forcing American factories to reduce production, leading American consumers to lower consumption. The effect has probably not been large enough to hurt the economy so far, but if the trade war drags on, the losses could mount. Smith is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He was an assistant professor of finance at Stony Brook University, and he blogs at Noahpinion. Wounded man ordered to serve six years in 2018 Hagerstown gunfight A Hagerstown man charged in a 2018 gunfight in the city entered an Alford plea to first-degree assault and was ordered to serve six years in prison. The Danish Cultural Center and the Royal Danish Embassy recently co-hosted a talk bringing together best-selling Danish author Leonora Christina Skov and Chinese film director Yang Mingming to talk about the theme of mother-daughter relationships as reflected in their latest works. The event was held last Thursday at the Danish Cultural Center in Beijing's 798 Arts District. The Chinese cinema release of Yang's most recent film "Girls Always Happy" took place on May 15, after being premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival (usually known as the Berlinale) and gaining several awards on the international film circuit. Skov's sixth novel, with the working English title "The Quiet Sense of Something Lost," was published last year, and has since sold 120,000 copies, winning the 2018 Golden Laurel, Denmark's most prestigious literary prize. It has been at the top of Denmark's best-seller list for 16 months, and has also been published in Swedish and Serbian. The dialogue was moderated by Li Wenjie, professor of literary translation, comparative literature and Hans Christian Andersen studies at Beijing Normal University's School of Foreign Languages and Literature. It is part of the Danish Cultural Center's ongoing "year of gender" and was billed as revolving around the themes of "love and injury, confrontation and acceptance between mother and daughter," which is embodied in these most recent works by the two artists. A true-life tale of family loss Skov read an extract from the first scene of her autobiographical novel in English translation, related to the final days of her mother's life. In the opening pages, the audience discovers that she has been estranged from her parents for many years, and that her mother cannot offer her acceptance or forgiveness, even while dying of cancer. Skov explained that the book focuses on her life growing up in small-town Denmark, until she came out as a gay woman at the age of 21. Her parents disowned her and burned all her things and her mother later blamed her for the fact that she had developed cancer. The rest of the book is about her efforts to rebuild her life in Copenhagen, where she moved with her partner at the age of 21 to study and start over again. Her novel, she said, tells the truth about an unhappy woman and a troubled relationship that was never mended. According to her, a mother's love should be unconditional, but sometimes that doesn't happen. As for Yang, she said: "I'm not sure if unconditional love exists in this world." She made the point that not all women are capable of being good mothers, and it should be a careful decision for a woman whether or not to have children. Reflecting family life in the hutongs The trailer for Yang's film was screened at the event, giving the audience a sample of her latest creative work. Set in the hutongs of Beijing, with herself in the starring role, it explores the tumultuous relationship between a fictitious daughter and mother locked in a battle of wills and continue to hurt each other as they fight for control of their own lives. In the end, however, they find a path to a little more acceptance and empathy. Yang explained that the film is not autobiographical, but was influenced by her own experiences, as well as her observations of people around her, especially growing up in the hutongs of Beijing. She described her own relationship with her mother as complicated, revealing that, when her mother saw the trailer for her new film, her only comment was that she didn't like the dialogue. However, Yang stressed, she respects her mother because she raised her as a single parent. Discovering universal themes Reception of both artists' works have exceeded their expectations. Yang was afraid her film was so grounded in traditional Chinese culture that audiences abroad wouldn't be able to relate to it. "It's a black comedy," she noted. "It's funny and it's painful. It's funny because it's painful." She said audiences in North America and Europe laughed during the parts she thought were the most tragic, but she still felt that they related to the characters, and she has now become convinced such themes are actually universal. As for her book, Skov said she had thought it would only appeal to a small community of readers in Denmark. "The way people have responded to the book has been overwhelming," she said. "I didn't expect this to happen." From the more than 5,000 letters she received, many sharing their own stories, Skov has seen how many people identify with the kind of challenges she writes about. In the end, like Yang, she has realized that her personal story of struggle contains universal elements. Thousands of readers relate to the idea of starting over after hardship or loss, and about finding your own way in the world. Healing through storytelling Both artists had much to say about how the role of women in their families can create unhealthy dynamics. Skov explained that her father was the sole decision-maker and breadwinner, so her mother discovered how to use guilt to get her way. Yang echoed this, saying that the mother character in her film similarly learned to use her pain "as a weapon" to cause feelings of guilt and shame in her daughter. However, Skov said, feminism and psychotherapy provide an avenue to deal with difficulties in a healthy way -- by talking about them. Speaking out as a strong woman has been essential to her, helping her to learn to always be honest with herself, and to face her problems head-on, and she hopes her book will encourage others to do the same. Both artists concluded that both Chinese and Western societies lack cultural narratives about parents, especially mothers, struggling in their role as parents. That's why it was important to tell these stories and get people talking about it, so that they don't feel alone. When the moderator turned the questions to the audience as well, several attendees offered their own personal stories and asked the two artists for advice. Yang concluded that people can't choose their parents; what matters is what they choose to do with their own lives. Skov said the best thing she did was choosing to get away from the traumatic situation and find a supportive community that would accept her for who she was. She felt she was born to write books, and believes it is her destiny to share stories with other people. On the subject of sharing her story more widely, Skov said in an interview with China.org.cn that her book, like most Danish literature, has not been translated into English -- a fact that she hopes will change. She said that after the publicity tours and readings for her current novel are finished, she'll begin work on a follow-up book that tells more of her own life story. Skov is representing Denmark at the 4th EU-China International Literature Festival, now underway in Beijing through May 22. She came to China for the first time in 2014, when she wrote half of one of her previous books during a four-month writer's residency in Shanghai. Directors, writers and actors are coming together to bring theater arts to Daliangshan, a mountainous region in Sichuan province, with the inaugural Daliangshan International Theatre Festival which is due to open in November. The festival will take place from Nov 19 to Dec 1 in Xichang, capital of the Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture. With China's largest community of ethnic Yi people, the region has a long history and well-preserved folk culture. Ten artists from across the globe helped found the festival, including Chinese veteran actor Pu Cunxin, writer Alai, director Wang Xiaoying, Israeli director Noam Semel and American director Michael Leibenluft. "Coming to Daliangshan, we hope to add modern theater arts to the beauty of this region. We hope that theater arts in Daliangshan will be more beautiful, more modern, more international and of higher quality," Wang said at a press conference on May 15. 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Learn more here Grand Prize Winner: Donna Rickey Blog Winners: A Song for her Enemies by Sherri Stewart: Mary Ann Hake Spies & Sweethearts by Linda Shenton Matchett: Connie Ruggles Sword of Trust by DebbieLynn Costello: Brenda Walters Justice for Julia by Donna Schlachter: Natalya Lakhno Party Prize winners: Sherri Stewarts Winners A Song for her Enemies: Angie Pool Bottle of Dutch Syrup: Carol Koch Alscheff Corrie ten Boom book: Deb Gramie Burgess Linda Shenton Matchetts winners: $5.00 gift card to online retailer or choice (Kobo, B&N, AppleBooks, Amazon): Karen Hadley A Bride for Seamus: Carol Osterhouse Wotring DebbieLynn Costellos winners: Sword of the Matchmaker: Melissa Planas Sword of Forgiveness: Paty Hinojosa Gomez Shattered Memories: Charlene Zall Capodice Sword of the Perfect Bride: Licha Haney Donna Schlachters winner: Leather Journal: Lisa Turley GIVEAWAY RULES Winners must leave their email address and will be notified by email and the winners name will be announced in the days comments. No one under 18 can enter our giveaways. No purchase is necessary. All winners have one week to claim their prize. USA shipping only. Offer void where prohibited. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. Departmental leaders are among the most qualified public servants in the Federal Government. They are dedicated to ensuring the guidance and management necessary to support the health and well-being of the nation. Learn more about the Department's leadership: Secretary and Deputy Secretary The next government in India will face several foreign policy challenges as the international order copes with a shifting balance of power and mutating competitive strategies of its primary determinants. One of the main challenges will be to deal with the contradictions in the US-Russia- China relationships, and in Indias relations with each of them. In terms of comprehensive national interest, the relationship with the United States (US) remains critical for India. At $140 billion, it is our largest trading partner, and recipient of bulk of our Information Technology services exports. Despite being an overall trade deficit country, we have a nearly $25 billion surplus with it. It also hosts the largest number of Indian students (200,000) in foreign universities, the largest single country presence of Indian origin diaspora (4 million). It has an investment stock of around $28 billion in India, while Indian companies have invested around $18 billion in the US, especially over the past decade. Defence trade has risen from close to zero in 2008 to $18 billion today, and interoperability has been increased through regular bilateral and trilateral (Malabar, with inclusion of Japan) exercises, and signing of agreements providing for logistics support (LEMOA), and communications compatibility (COMCASA). Technology and co-production partnerships are being worked upon. It has supported and piloted Indias aspirations in multilateral export control regimes such as Nuclear Suppliers Group, Missile Technology Control Regime, Australia Group, and Wassenaar Arrangement. The US, however, remains a difficult partner. It expects others to accept its foreign policy choices, often driven by its own domestic compulsions and preferences. Following political fatigue with two decades of post-Cold War unilateral military interventions, it has increasingly weaponised economic policies, variously sanctioning individuals, entities, governments and countries. Its partners are expected to follow, either on account of support they have received or may need, or in light of cost-benefit analysis, factoring in the deeper linkages with the US economy and society. Indias energy import bills will be higher on account of US sanctions on Iran and Venezuela. Russia is another critical partner. Despite the post-1990 diversification, it still accounts for around 60% of our defence inventory. It has provided vital political support since the 1950s, including at the United Nations. However, it has become increasingly linked to China for energy and finance on account of difficulties in its relationship with the US and Europe. It has initiated military exercises and supplies to Pakistan. Its outreach to the Taliban in Afghanistan has not been in sync with Indias being in lock step with the Afghan government. Unless the US-Russia relationship moves to a more cooperative and less adversarial plane, India will be subjected to policy choices that could cause negative reactions in the US, Russia or both. The US domestic Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act provisions, which make Indias acquisition of S- 400 missile defence system from Russia sanctionable, is one indication. There is some convergence in the US and Indian approach to the Indo-Pacific, where the region is coping with the consequences of the economic and military rise of China, its militarisation of some features in the South China Sea, and its growing military and economic footprint in South Asia and the Indian Ocean. India has its own particular difficulty on account of the Chinese pressures on the unresolved border, its support for Pakistan, huge imbalance in trade, and security implications of potential penetration in technology sectors, including 5G. China has also repeatedly weaponised its economic policies. Japanese companies faced boycotts when differences with Japan over Senkaku islands reached a pitch. Korean company Lotte had to shut down its operations in China when it made land available for deployment of US THAAD missiles. European countries have been subjected to similar pressures, often successfully, when their leaders have met the Dalai Lama, or they have sought to honour Chinese dissidents. At the same time, India would benefit from enhancing elements of cooperation and interaction in the otherwise inevitably competitive relationship with China. This would lessen the sharpness in the adversarial aspects, create uncertainty in Pakistans calculus about Chinese support on every occasion, and widen options for India. Since India strives for strategic autonomy in a multipolar world, relations with Japan, Australia, countries in South, Central and West Asia, Europe, Asean, Africa, Latin America, and in the Caribbean and the Pacific, would need to be further consolidated focusing on trade, investment, connectivity and emerging technologies. There would have to be better implementation of Indias plans and commitments, a constant refrain from our partners. Another challenge will be managing the relationship with Pakistan. While maintaining the firmness of message on terrorism, the balance between engagement and alienation will need to be constantly reassessed so that others do not find this a continuing opportunity to exploit to their purposes, and we are not faced with a constant India-Pakistan hyphenation. There is a limit beyond which Pakistan cannot be isolated, reflected now in the progress in its negotiations for next IMF loan despite being on the Financial Action Task Force grey list, and praise from the US for facilitating its dialogue with the Taliban. Our economic relations with other countries will need a fresh approach. So far, our political-strategic relations, and the economic relationship, have essentially been pursued in silos. There is no regular mechanism in the government to take a coordinated look at the economic and strategic aspects of our external relationships. There needs to be a strategic approach to the economic relationships. More engagement will increase mutual leverage. At the same time, too much dependence on any one major player would expose us to potential economic pressures. Economic relations with the US, Russia and China should be enhanced, so that they also get a stake in Indias success. This should be balanced by consolidation with Europe and Japan, they have so far not shown proclivity or capacity for unilateral economic measures. Our outreach to others in Asean, South and West Asia etc should be similarly influenced. The next five years and beyond will be a challenging time for Indian diplomacy. The global balance of power is shifting. There is a new growing adversarial power in our neighbourhood. A paradigm shift in technology is imminent. Contradictions in our relationships with friends, as with adversaries, would need to be managed to maximise the space for autonomy of our decision making. Arun K Singh is former Indian ambassador to the United States The views expressed are personal Actor Mallika Sherawat, a regular at the Cannes, walked the red carpet at the prestigious film festival on Monday. Wearing a Tony Ward couture gown in grey and black, Mallika was a picture of poise and confidence. She attended the screening of the film La Belle Epoque at the 72nd edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, on Monday. Mallika also shared a picture and a video clip on her Instagram page. The video clip also featured her young nephew. Long before her red carpet appearance, she had started prepping for the prestigious gala. The actor had taken to Instagram to share photographs and videos of herself gearing up for the festival, which began in Cannes on Tuesday and will run till May 25. Mallika Sherawat at Cannes Film Festival in France on May 20, 2019. (AFP) Mallika shared the video and captioned it: Preparations begin for the Cannes film festival. Tony Ward couture, Festival de Cannes. In one video, she can be seen twirling in a stunning off-shoulder powder blue gown. Mallika also shared Instagram stories giving her followers a sneak peek into all of the outfits she is trying on for Cannes 2019. Also read: Sophie Turner says Joe Jonas broke up with her a day before their wedding This is not her first at time at the gala. Mallika wore an embellished ivory trailed gown by Lebanese fashion designer Georges Hobeika in 2017. Last year, Mallika garnered enough praise for her bold entry in a semi-sheer creation, spangled in feather patterns Tony Ward gown on day one. On the second day, clad in a shell pink off-shoulder number featuring semi-sheer black patterns on it by Yolancris, she stole the show with her look. In 2018, she did her bit to ensure the issue of human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children is heard on a global platform. Mallika is known for her films such as Murder, Dirty Politics and Khwahish. This year too she is working with an NGO called Free A Girl India, which raises awareness about the issues of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children in India, according to a report in Mid Day. Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Kangana Ranaut, Diana Penty, Huma Qureshi and Deepika Padukone were some of the Bollywood A-list celebrities who were seen dazzling at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival red carpet. (IANS and ANI inputs) Follow @htshowbiz for more Filmmaker-actor Arbaaz Khan hosted a family dinner on Monday evening at a Mumbai restaurant where everyone from girlfriend Giorgia Andriani to brother Sohail Khan along with his wife, sister Arpita Khan Sharma, her husband Aayush and son Ahil were in attendance. Arbaazs parents Salim Khan, Salma Khana and Helen were also spotted at the dinner party. However, Salman Khan who missing from the family party. Arbaazs son Arhaan was also seen at the dinner party. Coincidentally, it was also Giorgias birthday. Check out pictures from the family outing the Khan daan had: Arbaaz has been dating Giorgia for some time. He and ex-wife Malaika Arora Khan separated a few years ago but continue to co-parent Arhaan. If I had to hide my affair, I would not have brought it in open. I unhesitatingly admit that Giorgia is there in my life at this point in time. Somebody who I have at his time in my life is a friend who I am also dating. Where it is going to go? Only time will tell. Yes, undoubtedly, we are together, Arbaaz had said about Giorgia some time ago. Arbaaz and Giorgia are often spotted in town going on dinner dates and the likes. When you are living alone then you tend to take life casually. You can either change for the better or probably for the worst. You can get addicted to a bottle or you may think that there is nothing left in your life. Fortunately, I was not in that mindset and my partner encourages me to remain positive and go ahead in life, he added. Arbaaz is currently hosting online chat show, Pinch, where he talks to celebs about social media. Kareena Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Kapil Sharma, Katrina Kaif and Sunny Leone are among the celebs who have appeared on the show. (Photos: Varinder Chawla) Follow @htshowbiz for more Actor Arjun Kapoor is gearing up for his next release, Indias Most Wanted, which is releasing on May 24. While Arjun has been busy promoting his film, his personal life is constantly in the news. Rumoured to be in a relationship with Malaika Arora, Arjun recently said, in an interview, that he is not getting hitched any time soon and joked that marriage makes men go bald. The speculation about his marriage to Malaika has been doing the rounds since March this year. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Arjun said that he has no plans on marriage at the moment. He said: I have no qualms about saying that I am not getting married. People go bald after getting married, he joked. Marriage is definitely not going to happen now. Im happy on both, the personal and professional fronts. I have always been open. Be assured that I will not shock you all. If there is something to be spoken about, I will inform you all and make you a part of it. Arjun Kapoor and filmmaker Raj Kumar Gupta during Indias Most Wanted promotions. (IANS) Despite speculations, Arjun and Malaika have constantly rubbished such rumours. In fact, the actors father Boney Kapoor has also denied it. However, both Arjun and Malaika keep making public appearances together. She was recently at the screening of Indias Most Wanted, meant for Arjuns family and friends. Also read: Aishwarya Rai brings drama to Cannes red carpet in elaborate white gown, Deepika Padukone sends her all the love Indias Most Wanted is the story of the capture of one of the most dreaded terrorists by a group of undercover RAW officers without using a single bullet. The film has been directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, known for his films like Raid, No One Killed Jessica and Aamir. Follow @htshowbiz for more The Delhi government has allowed 59 private schools to increase their tuition fees by 5% to 10% after an audit of their accounts by the directorate of education (DoE). The requests of another 177 schools who had applied to increase the fee have been rejected by the DoE after finding sufficient funds in their accounts. The private schools built on the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) land need prior approval from the DoE to increase their fee. There are 301 such schools in the city. Of them, 266 had applied to the government requesting permission for a fee hike. According to a DoE official, the directorate has audited the accounts of 236 private schools after receiving a request for fee hike. The permission to increase the tuition fee by 5% to 10% has been granted to 59 private schools because they had insufficient funds in their possession. This permission is confined to tuition fee alone, a senior DoE official said. Among the schools that have been allowed to revise their fee, was the Heritage School in Rohini, Crescent Public School in Pitampura, Indraprastha World School in Paschim Vihar and Mayur Public School in Patparganj. School officials said the increase granted by the DoE was insufficient. Manit Jain, chairperson of the Heritage Schools, said that they have been allowed to increase the fee by 5%. We are not satisfied with this increase and we are going to file an appeal with the directorate of education to consider revising it, he said. The school has not changed its fee structure since 2016. Officials of the other schools refused to comment on the issue. The private schools built on government land have been at the loggerheads with the DoE over fee hike. The schools have been demanding that they needed to increase their fees to enable them to implement the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission on salaries for teachers and other employees. The action committee of private schools, an association of 300 private schools built on government land, had moved the Delhi High Court challenging the DoEs circular that had stopped these schools from revising their fee. The court had in March quashed the DoEs circular and allowed the schools to revise the fee. The order was later challenged by the DoE and it is still subjudice. Kamal Gupta, lawyer of the action committee of private schools built on government land, said these 59 schools have already started revising their fee. The 59 schools that have been permitted by the DOE, after an audit for 2017-18, to increase their fee, have gone ahead to effect that increase and rightly so. Further, for the years 2018-19 and 2019-20, there is no stay by any court on enhancing the fee, he said. The directorate of education also ordered the district education officers to conduct a brief scrutiny in case complaints of unnecessary fee hike are received against the schools built on private land. In cases of schools on private land and those on government land (without condition for DoEs prior approval for fee hike), officers should conduct a brief scrutiny and if necessary, issue show cause notices to the schools concerned, the official said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A sub-inspector in the Delhi Police died after he was allegedly assaulted on a street near his house in East Delhis Vivek Vihar Sunday night by a man who is involved in at least 21 cases of robbery, assault and stalking, police said Monday. Though the 58-year-old policeman, identified as Raj Kumar, a cardiac patient, collapsed while riding a scooter about 30 minutes after the alleged assault by his neighbour Vijay Bhuri, police suspect that his death is linked to the incident. Bhuri has been charged with murder and arrested. Bhuri was apparently angry because he believed the sub-inspector had shot a video which may have implicated him for bootlegging, police maintained. According to Kumars family, he left his house in Vivek Vihars Kasturba Nagar around 9pm for an after-dinner stroll. Dr LK Verma, a physician who runs a clinic near the sub-inspectors house, said Kumar came to his clinic, where they were sitting and discussing the national elections. Kumar and I have been friends for over two decades. He, Pawan Kumar, who runs a shop next to my clinic, and I, were talking. Around 9.30pm, I had just packed up my things and we were about to leave, when Vijay Bhuri came in and accused Kumar of making a video of him, the doctor said. He said Kumar and Bhuri got into a heated argument. When I saw people crowding the place, I left. I did not realise that the spat would turn violent, he added. Pawan Kumar was also injured in the scuffle. Pawan, who witnessed the incident, told me that in order to escape, Kumar tried to climb a staircase but was dragged down and thrashed. My brother also sustained injury on his arm. He said, since locals started to gather, Bhuri fled the scene, Pawans brother Saurabh said. According to family members, Kumar returned home around 9.50pm. My elder sister told me he had a cut on his chin, Kumars youngest of three daughters, Vaishali, said. She added that Kumar insisted on filing an FIR and took out his scooter to go to Vivek Vihar police station. My sister Shalu went with him. They had barely gone for half a kilometre when my father fell unconscious. My sister took an auto-rickshaw and took him to a nearby hospital. My father was further referred to Max Hospital, Patparganj, where the doctors pronounced him dead on arrival, Vaishali said. Meghna Yadav, deputy commissioner of police (Shahadra), said prima facie, the medical examination has found a superficial cut on Kumars chin and a blunt injury mark on the chest, she said. Following initial probe, we raided Bhuris house and arrested him for the murder. Witnesses told us that Bhuri attacked Kumar with a pair of scissors. However, Kumar was also a heart patient and was under treatment. We are waiting the post mortem report to ascertain the cause of death, Yadav said. The DCP also said that Bhuris allegation of Kumar recording his video is being looked into. We are yet to check Kumars phone and ascertain if there is such a video, DCP Yadav said. According to police, Bhuri is involved in 21 criminal cases. Kumar, who was posted in Delhi Polices communications unit, had joined the force in 1990 as a head constable wireless operator. He has served in many departments such as traffic police and the special branch of Delhi Police. The Delhi High Court has directed the customs department to pay 94 lakh to a Kenyan woman for selling off nearly four kilograms of gold seized from her even while the proceedings in the case were pending. A bench of Justice S Muralidhar and Justice I S Mehta ordered the compensation be given to the woman by June 30, failing which the department will have to pay 6% simple interest per annum on the said sum for the period of delay. The courts decision comes while hearing the plea of the woman who had challenged an order passed by the commissioner of customs (airport and general) confiscating the seized gold and imposing 18 lakh penalty on her. According to the woman, she had arrived at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport from Nairobi on January 5, 2015 and was carrying the gold which she wanted to be used for making jewellery in India and then sell it in Kenya. However, when she was exiting the green channel (There are two channels of customs clearance for arriving passengers; the green channel is where passengers not having any dutiable goods or other items for which declaration is not required), she was intercepted near the exit gate. She was taken to a room and the gold was confiscated. Later, it was sold by the customs department. When the gold was not returned to her and a show cause notice (SCN) was not issued, she filed a petition in the High Court in April 2018. On May 17, when the court was informed that the proceeds collected during the auction were equal to the value of the gold, it directed the department to refund it to the Kenyan national. The court also questioned the custom officials as to why they had disposed off the gold even when the metal was neither perishable nor hazardous. In the present case with the seized material not being perishable, being gold bars, there was no reason for the Respondents to have hurriedly disposed it off and that too without notice to the petitioner (woman), it said. Terming it to be unsustainable in law, the bench said that the woman was not given any notice before passing the order of imposing penalty on her as well as before selling off the gold. The court noted that the authorities disclosed for the first time, its counter affidavit filed in February this year, that as per available records, the case property has been already disposed of but no details were given as to when the seized gold was disposed of. The court also said that even the order imposing penalty on the woman was illegal as the Commissioner passed the same ex-parte without the SCN having been actually served. After a day-long strike by doctors at the Hindu Rao Hospital over non-payment of their salaries by the North Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the civic agency on Monday evening said that they have received an amount of Rs. 206.5 crore from the Delhi government. The civic agency said the money would temporarily help the corporation tide over its current financial crisis. Resident doctors at the Hindu Rao Hospital on Malka Ganj Road -- who completely shut down work on Monday for not getting salaries for three months -- said they would continue the strike till their salaries are credited into their accounts. After holding pen down strikes for few hours last week, around 450 junior doctors and senior doctors -- all contractual staff -- sat down on a dharna on Monday . They raised slogans and waved placards against the corporation and Delhi government. The hospital administration managed to keep the hospital functional by diverting 500 medical officers and specialists from other departments to the out-patient departments (OPDs) which run from 9 am to 1 pm. Nurses at the hospital had also gone on strike on May 10 as their salaries were pending for two months. An amount of Rs. 206.5 crore has been transferred to our (north municipality) account by the Delhi government as the Basic Tax Assignment (BTA). We have released the money for the doctors salaries, and the hospitals Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) shall distribute the same at the earliest, said Varsha Joshi, commissioner, North Municipal Corporation of Delhi. We will wait and see what happens, said Dr. Rahul Choudhary, president, Resident Doctors Welfare Association (RDA), Hindu Rao Hospital. Resident doctors from the Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) also came to express solidarity with the agitating doctors on Monday. The authorities must realise that healthcare service is not voluntary or charitable but professional. Their working conditions are anyway very poor and now, with salaries being held back, their living condition is deteriorating. They dont have money to pay for rent and food now, said Dr. Harjeet Singh Bhatti, a resident doctor at AIIMS. On Monday, patients suffered as chemists at the hospital deemed prescriptions from agitating doctors who held a parallel OPD for incoming patients invalid. I got my wife checked from these doctors who are holding an OPD under a pink tent. But the chemist told me the prescription is invalid and I must go to the official OPD to get subsidised medicines, said Ramesh Kumar. Security outside the house of the Delhi Police sub inspector Raj Kumar, who died after being allegedly assaulted by a man in east Delhis Vivek Vihar, on Sunday night, was stepped up after his family members alleged that they have received threats. Kumar was allegedly thrashed for fighting bootlegging in Vivek Vihars Kasturba Nagar by an alleged criminalVijay Bhuri who has 21 cases against him, police said. Bhuri has been arrested. Kumars younger daughter, Vaishali said they have been receiving threats from Bhuris friends. She said on Tuesday night some policemen were deployed near their house after she approached Vihar police station on Monday night. DCP (Shahdara) Meghna Yadav said, We have deployed staff at a police post close to Kumars house. Customs officials at Delhis Indira Gandhi International airport on Sunday arrested a woman from Turkmenistan who was allegedly trying to smuggle into the country gold jewellery worth over 25 lakh. Police said the woman had concealed the jewellery in her footwear. According to customs officers, the woman arrived at terminal 3 of the Delhi airport on Sunday from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Following a tip-off, a team of customs officers intercepted the woman and asked her to cooperate for detailed frisking and baggage check. During checking, we found something suspicious about her footwear. When the footwear was checked with a metal detector, it indicated to some concealment in it. We cut open the footwear and recovered seven gold chains and five gold bracelets concealed in it, said a customs officer who wished not to be named. Amandeep Singh, additional commissioner customs (IGI airport), said the recovered gold is worth 25.13 lakh. The woman was arrested and the gold was seized, Singh said. Another customs officer said they were finding out if the woman was previously involved in such incidents. The name of the woman cannot be disclosed as our investigations are in progress. We are also looking whether she is a part of some smuggling syndicate or was being used by smugglers as a carrier, the officer said. The number of cash and gold smuggling cases busted at the Delhis Indira Gandhi International airport has been increasing every year, according to data from the customs department. India, Japan and Sri Lanka have jointly agreed to develop the Colombo port, according to a report in Nikkei Asian Review on Monday. The tripartite work to begin next March would be on the newly expanded East Container terminal. This development will obviously be seen as a joint India-Japan counter to the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), especially with the second Belt and Road Forum having concluded recently. But that is not the most important part of the story. A number of steps taken by the Sri Lankan government in the recent past show how much the island country itself wants to loosen the Chinese grip. After having surrendered the control of Hambantota port to a Chinese firm, Sri Lanka became an exemplar of all that could go wrong with BRI investments. Colombos insistence that the port will not be used for military purposes by the Peoples Liberation Army wasnt taken too seriously. So last month, Sri Lanka used the Chinese-controlled Hambantota port to host a joint naval exercise with the United States. This was Colombos message to Beijing and the rest of the world that Sri Lankas sovereignty cannot be taken for granted. Earlier, Sri Lanka has also invited Airports Authority of India to operate the China-built Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport in Hambantota. Infamously dubbed as the worlds emptiest airport, it is one more among the Chinese projects that did not yield any return for the host country. This newspaper has held that BRI has many problems but not so many alternatives. Sri Lanka shows that there are countries out there looking for alternatives to BRI. Bangladesh has also indicated an interest in sources of funding other than the predatory loans being offered by China. India and Japan can together provide an alternative. The idea of Asia-Africa Growth Corridor is, therefore, very promising. And this latest collaboration on the Colombo port is exactly the kind of project in which India and Japan should pool their resources to the benefit of less-endowed countries in the region. While common in the days of the East India Company, corporations these days rarely wage war against governments. Hence the curiosity over the defiant statement of Chinese telecom hardware giant, Huawei, that the United States underestimates its strength in its imposition of sanctions on the firms 5G equipment. Huaweis statement is a proxy for a larger struggle between the United States (US) and China over who will set the global standards for 5G telecom and its attendant cluster of technologies. The 5G struggle is further evidence, if this was needed, that a new Cold War has been declared where the preferred weapons are silicon chips and optic fibres. Washington has concluded that the widespread technology theft that China has carried out for years is no longer acceptable. In part, this is because China has used it to grow itself to a geopolitical challenger to the US and partly because US firms are less invested in the Chinese market. The telecom equipment of Huawei and similar firms also offer a security risk, though one that is currently more theoretical than real. The Chinese counternarrative is that the US is arm-twisting them only because of their success. That is almost certainly the case. But Beijing has not helped its case by practising an aggressive foreign policy that has sought to undermine the US across Asia, making itself less attractive to foreign investors and turning the clock back on their political development. The US already blocks almost all technology-sensitive mergers and acquisitions by Chinese firms and has now expanded this to include financial investment in US technology firms and even some university research. More ambitious is Washingtons talk of decoupling breaking the supply chains for electronics manufacturing that crisscross the globe. Even a partial disruption would impose considerable economic costs on both producers and consumers. India, like many third countries, has remained ambiguous about where it stands in this technology struggle. But New Delhi quietly imposes unofficial bans on Chinese investments in critical infrastructure and technology that mimic those of the US. While this would seem to put India in the US camp, the fact remains that the alternative to Chinese hardware, especially at Chinese price points, is not evident. New Delhi needs to do more to explore its 5G options. What would be preferred is the diversion of these supply chains to India, the development of a home-based electronic capability and, eventually, an ability to set ones own technology standards. This requires an even greater commitment to economic reforms on the part of the incoming government than has been shown by any Indian regime so far. The 16th China International Small and Medium Enterprises Fair (CISMEF) will be held in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, in June, an official said Monday. As of Monday, 31 countries and regions as well as international organizations had confirmed their participation in the fair, slated for June 24-27, Wang Jiangping, vice minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said at a press conference. To better serve small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), this year's CISMEF will feature new sections for targeted business negotiations and innovation services promotion, according to Wang. Themed "Intelligence, Wisdom, Smart Manufacturing and Energy Conservation," the fair will showcase new technologies in fields including big data, industrial internet and smart manufacturing, encouraging SMEs to seek new opportunities in integrated development, Wang said. Wang added that an online exhibition platform for this year's fair would be put into use, and more efforts are being made to realize online transactions in the future. Launched by the Chinese government in 2004 to promote SMEs' development, the fair aims to enhance exchanges and cooperation between Chinese SMEs and their foreign counterparts. The Haryana government, on Monday, sanctioned the funds required to bring back the body of mountaineer Ravi Thakur, who died last week at South Col of Mount Everest after successfully scaling the peak, said chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar. Hindustan Times had reported on Monday that Thakurs family in Sonepat was unable to afford the amount. Khattar said his government has asked the Indian High Commission to get the recovery operation started. We will bear all the expenses required for the search-and-recovery operation and also the evacuation. The state will ensure the payment for all the arrangements required for the same. I am wishing his family strength and peace at this time of grief, he said. An amount of 30.80 lakh has been sanctioned, said officials. Earlier on Saturday, the mountaineering firm had sent the Thakur family, via the High Commission, a bill amounting to $44,000 for deploying a team of Sherpas (a Himalayan tribe known for their climbing skills) with 12 bottles of oxygen and six sets of masks and a helicopter for evacuation. The officials familiar with the matter said that the evacuation process has started and it will take approximately four days. If successful, the body will be brought to Camp 2 on May 22. Thereafter, the body will be airlifted to Kathmandu. Mahesh Thakur, the deceaseds father, had said on Sunday that he could not afford to pay the amount for the search-and-recovery operation. I have spent all my savings for my childrens education. Recently my younger daughter has completed her engineering. Ravi was financially supporting me as it is difficult to make both ends meet with just my salary. My son has made the country proud. So I have requested the state government to help us bring Ravi back, he said. He further said that he was hopeful that once his sons body is recovered, he could be revived. The deceased worked as a software engineer at a private company in Gurugram. Ravis friends told me that government has sanctioned the amount and they will bear all the expenses. I was under immense pressure and had given up all hope to bring back my son. Someone from deputy commissioners office had come to us today to inform us regarding the matter, the deceased mountaineers father told Hindustan Times on Monday. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Actor Johnny Depp in newly submitted court documents has described a sick prank, in which he alleges that ex-wife Amber Heard defecated on his bed and said that was the final straw in their volatile relationship. After it, he says, I resolved to divorce Ms Heard. Depp and Heard have been involved in an acrimonious and well-publicised legal battle ever since they announced their separation in 2016, with Heard alleging that Depp physically assaulted her before and during their 18-month marriage. Depp on Monday filed new documents, details of which have been reported by USA Today, in which he said that allegations against him were fabricated and categorically false. He also alleged that photos shared by Heard previously showed painted on bruises instead of real ones. Heard had shared multiple pictures of herself, allegedly showing the injuries shed sustained at the hands of Depp, whom she said had an alter ego they called The Monster. Amber Heard, left, and Johnny Depp arrive at the 27th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala. (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Depp has now said that while mixing prescription amphetamines and non-prescription drugs with alcohol Heard hit, punched, and kicked me. She also repeatedly and frequently threw objects into my body and head, including heavy bottles, soda cans, burning candles, television remote controls, and paint thinner cans, which severely injured me. He also submitted photos of a black eye and scratches. Detailing one incident in particular, Depp said, As a result of the years of domestic abuse I had suffered at the hands of Ms Heardmost recently the April 21 physical attack and defecation on my bed sometime before she and her friends left the next morningI resolved to divorce Ms Heard. Depp had filed a $50 million defamation suit against Heard following an op-ed shed written in the Washington Post, alleging that shed lost out on work because Depp campaigned against her in Hollywood. Heards lawyer has called the latest filing desperate. He said, in a statement to USA Today, In light of the important work done by the #TimesUp movement highlighting the tactics abusers use to continue to traumatize survivors, neither the creative community nor the public will be gaslit by Mr Depps baseless blame-the-victim conspiracy theories. Follow @htshowbiz for more 2 SAP personnel injured in encounter with Maoists Jamshedpur, May 20 (PTI) Two Special Auxiliary Police (SAP) personnel of Jharkhand were injured during an encounter with Maoists in Seraikela-Kharswan district on Monday, a senior police officer said. Deputy Inspector General of Police (Kolhan range) Kuldeep Dwivedi told PTI that the injured SAP personnel were airlifted to Ranchi. Their condition was stated to be out of danger, he said. The Maoists opened fire on the security personnel when they were patrolling the naxal-affected areas under Kharswan Police station, Dwivedi said. In the retaliatory action that followed, the Maoists retreated into a jungle. Security personnel led by Superintendent of Police (Seraikela-Kharwan district) Chandan Kumar Sinha cordoned off the jungle near Hiragada village and launched a massive search operation to trace the Maoists. Claiming that some rebels were also injured in the encounter, Dwivedi said, We have spotted blood stains on the path taken by the Maoists. PTI BS PVR MM MM In December 2018, in a bazaar in Uttar Pradeshs Pratapgarh, a Thakur villager was angry. He blamed the Narendra Modi government for betraying its voters. The reason: the government had restored provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act that had been diluted by the Supreme Court, after nationwide Dalit protests. It was three weeks after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had suffered a setback in the assembly polls of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. In 2019, we will teach them the same lesson, said the Thakur villager. But upper castes were not the only ones upset. So were the farmers, who across castes, had voted for the BJP in large numbers in both 2014 (general election) and 2017 (UP assembly election). They blamed the Yogi Adityanath state government for what came to be known as the stray cattle menace. The zealous cow protection drive, crackdown on slaughterhouses, and lynching of Muslims on the mere suspicion that they possessed beef had broken the symbiotic relationship between Hindus and Muslims. There was now no way to dispose off unproductive cattle. They were left out in the open; and farmers then had to stay up all night to protect farms from destruction. In other states, they were upset by low incomes. It was in this climate that the campaign for the 2019 elections began. A jubilant Congress, riding high on its assembly poll successes; a grand alliance of the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in UP possessing a formidable caste arithmetic; and a BJP that suddenly appeared to be vulnerable. For complete coverage of Lok Sabha Elections 2019, click here The BJP Campaign Based on ground feedback, the BJP first focused on addressing the discontent. By introducing a constitutional amendment for the reservation for economically weaker sections which would end up benefiting upper castes it hoped to neutralise the anger of its core voter. And by announcing a direct income assistance of 6,000 for farmers in its last budget, it hoped to tackle agrarian distress and rural anger partly if not wholly. The BJP was then ready with its broad political message for the elections. But as leaders admitted in private conversations, an emotional element was missing. Then the February 14 Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 soldiers happened. From the very next day, Modi spoke of how he had given a free hand to the security forces. He raised expectations. And with the Balakot strikes, India said it had gone deep into Pakistani territory to hit terror camps. Pakistan hit back the next day and captured an Air Force pilot, but Islamabad soon released him. India claimed this was because of sustained diplomatic pressure. The campaign thrust now changed. The BJP narrowed down on its key themes for the polls. It began with nationalism and how Modi led a strong government that could give Pakistan a robust response, in comparison to all the weak governments of the past. This was supplemented with claims of benefits to the poor housing, toilets, gas cylinders, rural electrification. The political message revolved around how, on one hand, there was a clear leader, Modi, and how on the other, there was a messy coalition with no leader and parties that had fought against each other for much of recent history. And finally, this was laced with a strong anti-corruption message, with Modi leading the charge. As the campaign progressed, the BJPs campaign became more bitter and personal, particularly against the Nehru-Gandhi family. It also assumed a strong majoritarian tone, with the PM and party chief Amit Shah mocking Congress president Rahul Gandhis choice of Wayanad (his second seat in Kerala apart from Amethi in UP) because it was minority dominated. This was most stark when Pragya Thakur a terror accused was given the ticket for Bhopal. In West Bengal, the Citizenship Amendment Bill was used, and a strong sense of Hindu victimhood was encouraged. But at the core of the campaign was the persona of Modi. It was like he was fighting from all the constituencies himself. And with this image, the BJP apparatus pushed all messages dear to them. Also Read | Ahead of counting day, BJP hosts show of strength The Opposition Campaign The Congress began the year confident that it had found the recipe to stop the Modi juggernaut. Two issues the party felt had resonated deeply in the assembly polls: agrarian distress and unemployment. A few days before the budget, Rahul Gandhi announced in Chhattisgarh that the Congress, if elected to power, would provide a basic minimum income to the poorest Indians. Over the next few weeks, this policy announcement was fleshed out. And the party finally announced Nyay a promise of providing 72,000 to 20% of Indias poorest families. The plan was hailed as a possible game changer. To address unemployment, the Congress also promised it would fill over two million government posts within a year, create an additional million government jobs, and provide encouragement to start-ups. The Congresss other campaign message revolved around the Rafale jet deal and the slogan Chowkidar Chor hai, in a direct attack on the prime minister. Gandhi also critiqued the PM for encouraging crony capitalism and destroying institutions. The Congress, however, carefully stayed away from the secularism-communalism debate for the fear of being labelled anti-Hindu. It initially also kept away from the nationalism issue for fear of being portrayed as anti-national or pro-Pakistan, but eventually put out former prime minister Manmohan Singh who claimed that his government had conducted multiple surgical strikes too. The message however came too late in the campaign to have any impact. Also Read | Lok Sabha elections 2019: Opposition lays ground to make quick claim if NDA tally falls short In terms of tactics, the party focused on alliances in key states Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra but did not strike alliances in UP, Delhi, Bengal and Haryana. It also decided that if it could convert the election into 543 local elections, or 29 state elections, rather than one national election, it had a better chance of defeating the BJP. The party also brought in Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as general secretary in charge of eastern UP this was long considered to be the Congresss ultimate weapon. Priyankas entry enthused cadres but whether it would translate into votes and seats in this election remains to be seen. As Modi dominated media space, Gandhi broadened his media outreach in the final phases of the campaign by expanding beyond the print media and giving interviews to television and digital platforms. But he refused to be drawn into a direct fight with Modi on the question of leadership, by suggesting that only the people would decide the PM on May 23. Regional parties ran their own campaigns. The states of UP and West Bengal stood out in this regard. Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav focused on quietly getting their organisations to work together, did their first rally in Saharanpurs Deoband only days before the first phase of polls, and made symbolic appearances together to show to their voters that past acrimony was now forgotten. Mamata Banerjee ran a strong but many argue semi-violent - campaign in West Bengal taking on Modi and Shahs allegations on how her government victimised Hindus and appeased Muslims. As campaign ends, it is clear that all parties invested tremendous energy it also got extremely ugly and vicious at times in this election. It is now time to hear the verdict of the Indian electorate. Also Read | To bolster support for anti-BJP bloc, Sharad Pawar works the phone lines A day after protests broke out in some parts of Uttar Pradesh over the alleged movement and tampering of electronic voting machines (EVMs), the Election Commission stepped in to allay the apprehensions of opposition parties. On Monday night, protests had erupted in parts of Ghazipur, Chandauli, Dumariyaganj and Kannauj after some videos purportedly showing the movement and tampering of EVMs went viral on social media. A video clip of EVMs being off-loaded and put in a room inside the counting centre in Chandauli went viral. In another video, alliance candidate from Ghazipur Afzal Ansari is seen having a heated exchange with a police officer alleging that the administration was trying to change the EVMs. In Mirzapur, Congress candidate Lalitesh Pati Tripathi alleged that at the instance of BJP leaders, the district administration had kept around 300 additional EVMs in a room adjacent to the strongroom at government polytechnic. CEO REJECTS CHARGES OF EVM CHANGE Chief electoral officer (CEO), UP, L Venkateshwar Lu said the EVMs used in polling are safe in sealed strong rooms under security with CCTV cameras installed around the strong rooms. Lu added that the premises where the strong rooms exist were also under surveillance of poll contestants. Countering allegations by opposition parties that EVMs are being changed before counting of votes on May 23, Lu said there is no possibility of changing EVMs. He urged the public and leaders of political parties not to panic and have faith in the poll body. The EVMs and VVPATs are kept under three-tier security, he asserted. Addressing a press conference in Lucknow, the CEO said unused EVMs were being transported from polling booths to store rooms in various constituencies and ignorant about this fact, candidates were expressing apprehension. He added: These unused EVMs were unloaded in store rooms before agents of political parties. They were also shown the sealed doors of the strongrooms. Lu said four complaints regarding EVMs were reported from Jhansi, Ghazipur, Domariyanganj (Siddharthnagar) and Chandauli. A report was sought from district magistrates of these districts and forwarded to the Election Commission, he said. Terming the allegation of SP-BSP candidates that EVMs have been tampered with as baseless, Lu said that to clear the confusion district magistrates held talks with the candidates and representatives of political parties. It was found that the candidates had fallen prey to misunderstanding. After they were told the facts and were convinced, they withdrew their agitation, he said. The BSP candidate from Ghazipur seat had demanded that five representatives of his party be allowed to keep vigil on strongrooms. The district election officer granted the demand and the candidate and his supporters withdrew the agitation, Lu said. In Chandauli, unused EVMs were unloaded in the store located on the Mandi Parishad premises (where strong rooms also exist) after informing representatives of all political parties. Suddenly, the representatives of a political party raised objection. They demanded that unused EVMs should be kept in the district collectorate. Later, the EVMs were shifted to the collectorate premises with representatives of all political parties present during the shifting, he said. In Domariyaganj, unused EVMs and VVPATs were transported to other constituencies after the conclusion of polling. Representatives of some political parties objected to the transportation and the district magistrate took the representatives to the strongroom for inspection. They expressed satisfaction. The list of EVMs and VVPATs that were transported were also provided to political parties, the CEO said. Lu said in Jhansi, unused EVMs were transported in the vehicle of city magistrate to the store. Representatives of political parties were informed about the transportation. They were present when the EVMs were unloaded. The candidates expressed satisfaction. The DM also briefed the media about the matter and steps taken by administration to keep the EVMs secure, he said. A report was also sought from DM of Mau after similar allegations of political parties. The allegation was found baseless, Lu said, and added the media should counter rumours by bringing the facts before the people. He added that the EC was committed to ensuring free and fair elections. SP-BSP WORKERS KEEP CLOSE WATCH IN AZAMGARH, MIRZAPUR In Azamgarh, the SP-BSP activists have deployed a team of 15 workers to keep a watch on the old warehouse of the Food Corporation of India where the EVMs have been kept after voting. A team of eight workers are keeping a vigil at the storehouse in rotation. The district administration has issued passes to 15 members of SP and BSP. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is contesting from Azamgarh against Bhojpuri actor-turned-politician Dinesh Lal Yadav Nirahua of the BJP. SPs Azamgarh unit president Hawaldar Yadav said, There are clear instructions to party workers to remain vigilant and inform senior leaders if any activity related to EVMs takes place at the storehouse. In Mirzapur, Congress candidate Lalitesh Pati Tripathi alleged that at the instance of BJP leaders, the district administration had kept around 300 additional EVMs in a room adjacent to the strong room at government polytechnic. Tripathi said, When the additional EVMs were brought to government polytechnic on Sunday night, I spoke to deputy district election officer UP Singh and asked him not to store the EVMs close to the strongroom but he did not pay heed to my demand. Tripathi also wrote to the election observer on Monday demanding that the additional (unused) EVMs should be removed from the polytechnic. He said he had also written to the Election Commission in this regard. District magistrate, Ghazipur, Anurag Patel said the Congress candidate was levelling false allegations. Additional EVMs have been stored in a building 100 metres off the strong room. We have ensured tight security at the strongroom, he said. Congress workers also staged a dharna for a brief period on Monday night but they called off their protest after district authorities asked them if they wanted to guard the EVM strong room, they would be allowed to do so. The district administration has allowed four Congress workers to keep a watch at the strongroom. In Varanasi, strong room has been created in Pahadia Mandi where EVMs have been kept under three-tier security. Officials said paramilitary forces and UP police personnel were guarding the strongroom Bihar chief minister and Janata Dal (United) president Nitish Kumar on Tuesday said that the special category status for the state remains a key concern and the party is committed to pursue the matter despite the Centre declaring it a closed chapter on the basis of 14th Finance Commission recommendations. It has remained an important agenda for us, since 2006. The demand has been unanimously endorsed by both houses of the state legislature. Over one crore people have signed in support. The demand has been raised strongly and in a logical manner before the 15th Finance Commission. We have a clear view that a state like Bihar has a fit case, Kumar said shortly before leaving for Delhi to attend a meeting of NDA leaders ahead of parliamentary poll results. By raking up the matter, Kumar has signalled that the JD (U) was keeping its gun powder dry for leveraging the issue during assembly elections slated for next year. Bashistha Narain Singh, president of the Bihar unit of the JD(U) had raised the issue on Monday saying ensuring special category state status for Bihar will remain the main agenda for JD (U) during ensuing assembly elections. The party will strive for getting necessary amendments for facilitating it. Kumar had walked out of Grand Alliance in 2017 on the issue of corruption and had rejoined the BJP in the interest of the state. Questions were raised then, whether the wily politician had been able to extract a promise or a commitment from the BJP leadership on the subject or not. The special status category has become relevant once again after the JD (U) prevailed in extracting equal seat share (17-17) from the BJP despite having only two MPs in 16th Lok Sabha. Also read: Lok Sabha elections 2019: Impact of JD (U)s special status demand Nitish Kumar indicated that his party may be part of the Union government this time. Whatever may be the outcome of exit poll, we were optimistic of the return of Narendra Modi government. And it is a given that allies will be part of the NDA government, he said. Pre-poll alliance partners are likely to discuss issues during the meeting, the chief minister said. He also quelled apprehension of a possible confrontation between the JD(U) and the BJP over their divergent stance on Article 370, Uniform Civil Code and Ayodhya Temple. There is no contradiction. Our stand is clear, ever since we entered into an alliance in 1999. We stick to our stand that Article 370 need not be scrapped or Uniform Civil Code be foisted. Similarly, Ayodhya issue has to be resolved either through mutual consent or courts decision, he said. As a political outfit BJP was free to follow its own programme. But in an alliance, every party has to be consulted and accommodated before the actual governance agenda is set, the chief minister explained. The chief minister also dismissed the Oppositions charge of EVM manipulation. The technology has ushered transparency in the poll process. I am all for it. The Election Commission has clarified its position. When Opposition smells a defeat, it starts raising question, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday hit back at BJP leader Vijay Goel, who had said the CM should have the personal security officer of his choice if he doubts him, saying it is Modi Ji who wants to get me killed, not my PSO. Kejriwal on Saturday claimed he will be assassinated by his personal security officer, like former prime minister Indira Gandhi. He said the Bharatiya Janata Party is after his life and will kill him one day. Also read | Chandrababu Naidus plan doesnt take off at Mamata Banerjee meet, focus back on EVMs BJP would get me murdered by my own PSO one day like Indira Gandhi. My own security officers report to BJP, Kejriwal had told a news channel in Punjab. Hitting out at him, Goel said it is sad Kejriwal is doubting his PSO. Also read | Perfect elections: Pranab Mukherjee hails Election Commission amid Opposition criticism It is sad that by doubting your PSO you have besmirched the reputation of Delhi police. You should choose your own PSO and if you need any help in this regard let me know. I wish you have a long life, Goel said in a tweet. Responding to it, Kejriwal said on Twitter it is not my PSO but Modi ji who wants to get me killed. PTI UZM ABH ABH The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a petition by former Kolkata police commissioner Rajeev Kumar who wanted a special bench to hear his request to extend his arrest shield. The top court had last week withdrawn its protection from arrest extended to the senior Bengal officer earlier in connection with the Saradha chit fund case but given him a week to approach other courts for relief. Rajeev Kumar, who is seen as a confidant of Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, had rushed back to the top court on Monday to seek an extension. Kumars lawyer had cited two grounds for his request to a vacation bench of justices Indira Banerjee and Sanjiv Khanna on Monday: the ongoing lawyers strike in Kolkata, and the Election Commission of Indias refusal to sanction him leave for more than two days. But the two judges told him that he will have to approach the Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi since the one-week breather was given to him by a bench comprising three judges. Also read | 21 Oppn parties to meet poll panel in Delhi today to demand EVM tracking On Tuesday, Chief Justice Gogoi rejected the request to set up a special bench for his case and effectively ended any hopes of stretching the protection from arrest beyond Friday. The top court had on February 5 restrained CBI from arresting Kumar in the Saradha chit fund case. Kumar was directed to appear before CBI and cooperate. Later, CBI moved an application before the Supreme Court asking it to withdraw the protection from arrest given to Kumar. In his petition, Kumar has complained against the Election Commission of India for denying him leave so that he can go to Kolkata and filed an appropriate plea before a competent court. Kumar said the poll panel sanctioned him a two-day leave after the ministry of home affairs forwarded his request to it. The former Kolkata Police chief joined MHA on May 16, a day after the election commission gave a report against him in connection with the pre-poll violence that broke out in Kolkata and transferred him to the ministry. Also read | Chandrababu Naidus plan doesnt take off at Mamata Banerjee meet, focus back on EVMs Haryana Police on Monday claimed to have arrested Vinod Mitathal, one of the most wanted and dreaded criminal, from Churu district in Rajasthan. With over 48 criminal cases registered against him in Haryana and Rajasthan, Vinod also carried a cash reward of 3 lakh and had been absconding for the past nine years. The criminal, a resident of Mitathal village in Bhiwani, was wanted for several heinous crimes, including murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping and ransom. The court has already sentenced him in 12 different cases out of 49 registered against him, a police spokesperson said. A cash reward of 2 lakh was announced on his head by Bhiwani Police and 50,000 each by Rohtak and Jhajjar police. Police have also recovered three 9mm pistols, six cartridges and nine cartridges of .315 bore, a police spokesperson said. Acting on the instructions of Bhiwani superintendent of police Ganga Ram Punia, a joint team of the anti-vehicle theft and cyber cell, Bhiwani, on specific inputs nabbed the accused with the help of Rajasthan police from Dudlasar village in Rajasthan. Haryana director general of police (DGP) Manoj Yadava congratulated SP Bhiwani and his team and described the arrest of the most-wanted criminal as a significant achievement. The arrested criminal had come out on parole after he was sentenced to life imprisonment in a case. The accused had propagated a false drama of his kidnapping in 2010 to avoid being jailed. Police said that during preliminary interrogation, Vinod confessed to his involvement in nine cases of crime after absconding from parole. Police said Mitathal along with his associates had allegedly kidnapped and killed Dr KL Bawa in 2016. He was also involved in kidnapping of Hanuman Prasad, a trader in 2018, snatching of a Creta car from Biran-Bapora road in 2019 and attempt to murder of Jaibir. Police also arrested Praveen, a close aide of Vinod Mitathal from Bhiwani. A week after a 19-year-old housemaid was found dead in her employers house in Panipat, police arrested the employers wife for murder. The accused has been identified as Mamta Wadhera, wife of textile mill owner Yogesh Wadhera, who has also been booked in the case. Police had initially suspected that the victim, identified as Pooja, had committed suicide but post-mortem revealed that she was choked to death. The incident dates back to May 12 when the victims father received a call from Yogeshs house, informing him that Pooja was found dead in her room. When we reached there, we saw that her body was lying on the floor and a scarf was tied around her neck, the victims father, Angad Singh, told the police in his complaint. Angad also said that hours before her death, Pooja had called him and told him that Mamta was beating her. He added that earlier too, Mamta had beaten up his daughter over trivial matters. Pooja had been working with the family for the past three years. She was scheduled to get married in June. Based on Angads complaint and the post-mortem report, police have registered a case under Sections 302 (murder), 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 3 of the SC/ST Act against Mamta and Yogesh. Panipat DSP Vijender Singh said Yogesh is yet to be arrested and police teams are conducting searches to nab him. Mamta was arrested from the industrial area of Panipat on Sunday night. On Monday, she was produced in court and sent to two-day police remand. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Ren Zhengfei, founder and CEO of Huawei Technologies [Photo/Xinhua] Ren Zhengfei, founder and CEO of Huawei, said on Tuesday that the US government's 90-day extension "doesn't mean much", adding that the company was ready to deal with the ban. Ren's comments came after the US Commerce Department said on Monday that it gave Huawei a 90-day license to purchase US technologies to maintain existing networks and provide software updates to existing Huawei handsets. That marks a delay of the ban on US technology exports to Huawei. Ren said in an interview with Chinese media in Shenzhen on Tuesday that "We are very grateful to the US companies. They have made a lot of contributions to us. Many of our consultants are from American companies such as IBM. "We can make chips as good as those made by US companies, but it does not mean that we will not buy chips from them," Ren added. He said the company will not exclude US chips. "Instead, we should grow together. But if there is a supply shortage, we have a backup. In the "peace period", half of our chips are from the US companies and half from Huawei. We cannot be isolated from the world." Ren also highlighted that Huawei's 5G plan will not be affected by the US ban. "Others will definitely not be able to catch up with Huawei in 5G technologies for two or three years," he said. Ren said Europe maintains close communications with Huawei and some features of 5G are very suitable for the rollout of the superfast technology in Europe. For instance, 5G capacity is 20 times that of 4G, and its power consumption 10 times less. "We also use materials that will not corrode for decades, and these characteristics are very suitable for Europe." Ren said the US technologies are still worth learning in both their depth and width. Many small US companies have super-precision products. "But in our business (5G), Huawei is at the forefront, though when it comes to comparison between countries, we are still far behind the United States,"Ren added. "We will not go through an extreme shortage of supplies. We have made sound preparations," Ren said, adding that the company's employees are working overtime to prepare for such situations. Ren said the current difficulties can spur China to develop the electronics industry in a down-to-earth manner. Pouring in money is not enough to develop the semiconductor industry. Instead, talent, including mathematicians and physicists, is needed to grow the chip sector. "Global talent is also needed. It is very difficult to rely solely on China's independent innovation to succeed. Why can't we embrace the world and rely on global innovation?" Ren added. Congress president Rahul Gandhi and general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra paid their tributes to their father and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 28th death anniversary on Tuesday. My father was gentle, loving, kind & affectionate. He taught me to love & respect all beings. To never hate. To forgive. I miss him. On his death anniversary, I remember my father with love & gratitude, Rahul Gandhi tweeted. Priyanka Gandhi also posted her tribute on Twitter with her photograph as a child with Rajiv Gandhi and a poem by Harivansh Rai Bachchan. You will always be my hero, she wrote. Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a Sri Lankan rebel group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suicide bomber Dhanu on May 21, 1991, in Sriperumbudur near Chennai during an election rally. He was 46 years old. Rahul Gandhi, his mother and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi also went to his memorial, Veer Bhumi, in Delhi. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh and former president Pranab Mukherjee were among other senior party leaders who were present at the memorial. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted his tributes to Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary, which is also observed as anti-terrorism day. Anil Ambanis Reliance Group has decided to withdraw 5,000-crore civil defamation suits filed in an Ahmedabad court against Congress leaders and the National Herald newspaper over their statements and an article on the Rafale fighter jet deal. The suits are being heard in the court of city civil and sessions judge PJ Tamakuwala. Reliance Groups lawyer, Rasesh Parikh, said on Tuesday that they have communicated to the defence about the intention to withdraw the suits, once the court reopens after vacation. The decision is based on the fact that Rafale fighter deal case is ongoing in the Supreme Court. A Reliance Group spokesperson said: We believe that the defamatory statements by certain individuals and corporate bodies with regard to the offset agreement between the Reliance Group and Dassault Aviation were made for political purposes in the run up to the Lok Sabha election 2019 that have concluded on Sunday, 19 May, 2019. Besides, the subject matter is pending for adjudication before the Supreme Court. Therefore, the group has decided to withdraw the defamation suits filed against individual and corporate bodies. In August 2018, the Reliance Group filed a defamation suit against the National Herald, saying an article published in the newspaper regarding the Rafale fighter deal was libellous and derogatory. A suit was also filed against some Congress leaders. The Congress has maintained that the new deal struck by the NDA government, which replaced an old deal negotiated by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance, entails buying the fighter jets at a higher price. The Centre has denied this. The SC also said that it doesnt see the need for a court-monitored probe into the deal and it is convinced that due process was followed. The top court is hearing a review petition on the matter. Four students were killed after a car they were travelling in lost control and rammed a stationary mini-truck on the Eastern Peripheral Expressway near the Baghpat-Ghaziabad border on Tuesday, police said. A fifth person who was with the group was critically injured. All five were studying medicine at Sharda University in Greater Noida and were coming back from a holiday in Himachal Pradesh when the accident took place in western Uttar Pradeshs Baghpat district. The four students died on impact as the car was badly damaged. One of the eyewitnesses at the spot said the car was travelling at a speed of about 120-130kmph. Suddenly, the driver applied brakes, probably after the driver saw a mini-truck parked on the left, said Umesh Roria, station house officer (SHO), Chandinagar police station. Though the driver applied brakes about 50 metres from the vehicle, the SHO added, the car lost control. The car overturned, skidded and rammed the rear of the truck. The car was badly damaged. Our response vehicle was nearby and rushed to the spot, but four students died on the spot. The fifth student, a woman who sustained severe injuries, was admitted to a hospital in Delhi, he said. Police identified the deceased as Karishma Dhingra from Delhi, Kant Dhingra from Ludhiana, Shoaib from Uttar Pradeshs Rampur, and Abhishek Soni from Ganga Nagar in Rajasthan. The injured student was identified as Anchal Rana from Moradabad, whose father is a police inspector posted at the Rampur crime records bureau, police said. Our personnel from the Chandinagar police station rushed to the spot, which is close to Ghaziabad district, and pulled out the injured students They were probably returning from a holiday from Himachal Pradesh and were headed from Kondli towards Ghaziabad when the accident took place, said Kumar Ranvijay Singh, additional superintendent of police, Baghpat. The driver of the mini-truck fled soon after the accident. Police have seized the vehicle. The management of Sharda University said all five were third-year MBBS students. While Anchal Rana and Abhishek Soni lived at the varsitys Indira Hospital premises, the three others lived in a PG accommodation. They had not informed the university management about their journey. On Tuesday, we received information about the accident and we immediately sent a team to Baghpat to facilitate the process, Ajit Kumar, joint registrar and public relations officer at Sharda University, said. We are extending all support to the families of the students, he added. A Rohtak man who lost lakhs in betting on the recently concluded Indian Premier League was arrested along with his juvenile son for killing his father, a prominent furniture trader. The victim had refused to loan his son more money. The accused strangled his father at the latters shop on May 10 earlier this month. The traders of Kalanaur market, where the shop is situated, had called a bandh for the next few days to protest the murder. Police said the accused had lost a lot of money in betting on IPL matches. To pay off his debt, he asked his father for money, and killed him when the latter refused to help. After killing his father, the accused called his juvenile son who helped him dispose of the body near the sugar mill in Rohtak. The next day, the accused filed a missing persons complaint of his father at the police station. He took a search party of his neighbours to find his father and deliberately took them to sugar mill area where he had disposed the body. The police said they had registered a case of murder against unidentified persons, but got suspicious of the victims sons role when he gave contradictory statements during investigation. He later confessed to the murder under sustained interrogation SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Indian Air Force (IAF) has removed the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Srinagar Air Base, the senior-most officer of the base, for circumstances related to the crash of an Mi-17 helicopter near Srinagar on February 27 after it came under friendly fire, even as a Court-of-Inquiry (CoI) continues to investigate the matter. A final report is yet to be submitted. An IAF spokesperson declined comment on the matter. On February 27, even as Indian and Pakistani jets were engaged in a dogfight in the Nowshera sector, a Russian-made Mi-17 helicopter of IAF crashed. All six airmen on board the helicopter were killed. The helicopter was downed by a surface-to-air missile of IAF which mistook the aircraft to be hostile, initial inquiries have revealed. As the inquiry nears completion, IAF is considering whether or not it should slap criminal charges against those found lacking. There will be no tolerance of lapses, said a senior defence ministry official who asked not to be named. Culpable homicide not amounting to murder is one of the charges that IAF is contemplating pressing against those found guilty by the CoI. Unprecedented as it might be, IAF leadership is clear that such lapses are not repeated, the official added. The AOC has been removed because the incident happened on his watch. The preliminary inquiry into the accident has allegedly indicated several lapses leading to the tragic accident. For instance, the air traffic control called the helicopter back even as air engagement between Indian and Pakistani fighters intensified. Ideally, the helicopter should have been sent away to safer zone instead of it being called back to the base, said a second senior defence ministry official who did not want to be named. The incoming helicopter should have been vectored into the pre-designated zone meant for friendly aircraft to hold till the alert was called off, the official added. All bases have designated airspace for friendly aircraft in case of an air-defence-alert. Air defence platforms such as missile systems, air defence guns etc. are kept free; they are free to engage any aircraft which doesnt identify itself as a friendly either through the IFF or by remaining confined to the airspace designated for friendly aircraft, the second senior officer added. In this case, the Identification of Friend or Foe (IFF) a transponder-based identification system that informs the air defence radars whether incoming aircraft is friendly was switched off, against the laid down protocol. After a near-air-miss incident in Jammu and Kashmir in 2018 between a C-130 J, a US-made transport aircraft, and a Russian-made Su-30 fighter aircraft, IAF Headquarters directed all aircraft coming into land to have their IFF systems on. Surprisingly, the Srinagar Air Base had issued contradictory orders. Had the IFF system been on, air defence radars would have at least identified Helicopter as a friendly aircraft, the second senior defence ministry official said. The Mi-17 helicopter one of the sturdiest in its category under the command of squadron leader Siddarth Vashistha took off from Srinagar airbase at about 10 am. The air intrusion alert was sounded almost at the same time as Indian fighters took on Pakistani Air Force fighters over Nowshera. The helicopter crashed around 10.10am over Budgam. In addition to the six IAF personnel, a civilian was killed on the ground. The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking 100 per cent matching of voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) slips with electronic voting machines (EVMs) during the counting of general election votes on May 23. A vacation bench of justices Arun Mishra and MR Shah refused to entertain the PIL on the ground that a larger bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi, had already dealt with the matter. The PIL was filed by a Chennai-based organisation, Tech 4 All. The CJI has dealt with this matter. Why are you taking [a] chance before a two-judge vacation bench? We will not list any such case for urgent hearing. We cannot override the CJIs order... This is nonsense, justice Mishra said, refusing an urgent hearing on the matter. Before dismissing the PIL, the bench observed: We would not entertain such a plea over and over again cant come in the way of people electing their representatives. Let the country elect its government. On May 7, the CJIs bench had dismissed a review plea filed by 21 opposition leaders, led by Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, to increase the random matching of VVPAT slips with EVMs to 50%. According to the opposition leaders, the system of 2 per cent random matching was inadequate and did not inspire confidence among voters. The leaders had wanted the court to review its April 8 order directing the election commission to increase cross-checking of VVPAT slips with EVMs from one to five polling booths in every assembly segment for the Lok Sabha elections. The SC had said that such an increase would better satisfy both political parties and the people. According to the PIL filed by the Chennai-based organisation, the EVM model for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections was being tried out for the first time and there were reports about their malfunctioning across the country.Till the third phase of the elections, 49 of 303 constituencies had suffered due to EVM malfunctioning, the petition added, listing several such incidents reported in Odisha and Goa. As technocrats, we submit, in the long term the EVM should be replaced by Optical Ballot Scan machine which upholds the tangible secret ballot system, verifiable even by a common man coupled with cost effectiveness, the petition said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid his tributes to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, who was assassinated 28 years ago by an LTTE suicide bomber in Tamil Nadu. Tributes to former PM Shri Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary, PM Modi tweeted. Rajiv Gandhi was killed by suicide bomber Dhanu of Sri Lankan rebel group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on May 21, 1991, in Sriperumbudur near Chennai during an election rally. Modis has come under criticism for his comments against the Congress leader after he said Rajiv Gandhis life ended as bhrashtachari (corrupt) number 1 and that he used the Indian Navys warship INS Viraat as a personal taxi for a ten-day vacation with his family. Rajiv Gandhis son and Congress president Rahul Gandhi had responded to the Prime Ministers corrupt no 1 remark by saying he was sending his love and hug. His daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had said the people of Amethi will give a befitting reply to Modi. Opposition leaders had also condemned the statement, saying it was inappropriate of the Prime Minister to make statements about a dead predecessor, who was assassinated by terrorists. Six personnel of the Tripura State Rifles 12th Battalion, including its commandant, have been suspended for their alleged involvement in assaulting a colleague over a duty-related dispute, officials said on Tuesday. Naib subedar Bipul Ranjan Dey, havildars Kamal Paul and Raju Dhar, (H), and naiks Maheswar Das and Satyabrata Sinha were accused of assaulting rifleman Bhojveer Singh Chauhan on May 12. The five accused were suspended of Sunday. Commandant Rati Ranjan Debnath reportedly didnt take any action regarding it and was suspended on Monday evening. A notice from deputy secretary of state government Animesh Das said, .... in exercise of powers conferred by Clause (a) of Sub-rule (1) of Rule -3 of the All India Service (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969 hereby places the said Shri Rati Ranjan Debnath, IPS under suspension with immediate effect. The commandant of TSR 6th Battalion, Jitendra Debbarma, has been given the additional charge of 12th Battalion, according to the notice. Disciplinary proceedings against them has been initiated. Chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb ordered the DGP and chief secretary to take strong action regarding this, Debs officer on special duty Sanjay Mishra said. In November 2017, the commandant of Tripura State Rifles 2nd Battalion Tapan Debbarma was arrested in connection with the murder of senior journalist Sudip Datta Bhowmik. Bhowmik was allegedly shot at by Debbarmas personal guard, who was also arrested. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Only last week Nepali mountain guide Kami Rita Sherpa set a new record by climbing Everest a 23rd time. On Tuesday for good measure he did it again, expedition organisers said. This is historic. He made his record climb this morning, guiding a team of Indian police, Mingma Sherpa of Seven Summit Treks told AFP. A guide for more than two decades, Sherpa first summited the 8,848-metre (29,029-foot) peak, the worlds highest, in 1994 while working for a commercial expedition. In the 25 years since, the 49-year-old has made 35 summits on five 8,000-metre peaks, including the worlds second-highest mountain, K2 in Pakistan. Last year he ascended Everest for the 22nd time, breaking the previous record of 21 summits he shared with two other Sherpa climbers, both of whom have retired. Returning last week to a colourful welcome at base camp after his 23rd climb, Sherpa had already said that he wanted to go up for a second time this season. I am very happy and proud, I think I might go up the mountain again this season, he had said over a crackly phone line after his descent. The accomplished climber has often said he did not intend to make records, but accumulated his summits in course of his work as a guide. I did not climb for world records, I was just working. I did not even know you could set records earlier, he said last month before setting off for Everest base camp. With their unique ability to work in a low-oxygen, high-altitude atmosphere, ethnic Sherpa guides are the backbone of Nepals climbing industry, helping clients and hauling equipment up Himalayan peaks. Mountaineering has become a lucrative business since Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay made the first ascent of Everest in 1953. Nepal has issued a record 381 permits costing $11,000 each for this years spring climbing season, sparking fears of bottlenecks en route to the summit if poor weather cuts down the number of climbing days. Most Everest hopefuls are escorted by a Nepali guide, meaning over 750 climbers will tread the same path to the top in the coming weeks. And at least 140 others are preparing to scale Everest from the northern flank in Tibet, according to expedition operators. This could take the total past last years record of 807 people reaching the summit. Many Himalayan mountains -- including Everest -- are at peak climbing season, with the window of good weather between late April and the end of May. The death toll is already mounting, however. An Indian climber died on Everest last week while a search continues for an Irish mountaineer who slipped and fell close to the summit. Six other foreign climbers have died on other 8,000-metre Himalayan peaks while two are missing. A case of alleged trafficking has surfaced in Churu district where two women have filed a police complaint saying that they were sold and sexually assaulted. The anti-human trafficking cell of Churu superintendent of police (SP) office is investigating the charges. Police inspector and in-charge of the anti-human trafficking cell, Mahendra Dutt Sharma said, A case was registered at the Siddhmukh police station under section 370 (sexual exploitation, forced slavery) of Indian Penal Code on Saturday evening. The statements of the victims were recorded in front of a judicial magistrate. Further investigation is on. One of the complainants is 24-year-old and native of Mumbai, while the other is 21-year-old and native of Sahibganj district in Jharkhand. In her complaint, the Mumbai woman stated that for last one year she was living with her stepmother in Kishangarh town of Ajmer district. She was persuading her stepmother for her marriage. Around 20 days back, a man, Nikki, native of Adampur Mandi town of Hisar district in Haryana asked her stepmother to send her with him to his place, saying that he will a find a groom for her and send her back to Ajmer after 15 days. The stepmother agreed to the mans proposal and the two visited his place. On May 6, Nikki and the older woman took the complainant to an unidentified person in Rajgarh town of Churu district. Later, Nikki and her mother returned leaving the complainant behind. In Rajgarh, a man, Dileep, who is also the native of Adampur Mandi, allegedly sold her to Gopal Jat, native of Sardarpura town in Churu district at 70,000. At Jats home, she met another woman, who was allegedly trafficked from Jharkhand five years ago when she was a minor. The Jharkhand woman told her that she was raped multiple times by Jat and later sold to a man, Sanjay, native of Gurera village in Bhiwani district at 85,000. However, when the alleged buyer tried to rape her, the Jharkhand woman resisted her attempt, following which Sanjay dropped her back to Jats house. The woman also came to know that Jats brother, Jaipal, has kept many girls hostage and is involved in trafficking of girls. After that both the women decided to expose them. Somehow they managed to escape Jats house and lodged an FIR against the accused, said Sharma, adding that spot inspection has been done in the case and further investigation is on. China Eastern Airlines confirmed to news outlet The Paper on Tuesday it has officially lodged claims with Boeing for losses caused by the 737 MAX's grounding and late delivery, adding the two companies will stay in communication over the issue. The move makes China Eastern Airlines the first airline in China to ask Boeing for compensation, as the 737 MAX suffered worldwide suspensions after two deadly crashes which took more than 300 lives in six months. Fourteen Boeing 737 MAX jets under China Eastern Airlines have been grounded since March 11. Boeing stressed that it refused to talk about any communications with its clients. Bloomberg cited people with knowledge of the matter last Wednesday, saying Air China Ltd, China Southern Airlines Co and China Eastern Airlines Corp are in preliminary talks to seek compensation from Boeing for the disruption from the 737 MAX stoppages. At present, the report has not yet been verified. According to a China Eastern representative previously quoted by The Paper, the issue has had a limited and controllable effect on the company, and it has had more of an impact on the whole industry. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar believes the NDA is going to get a second term when votes are counted this week. And this time, the Janata Dal (United) chief, who had switched sides in 2017 to return to the BJP-led national coalition, hinted his party would be part of this government. Kumars party had stayed out of Prime Minister Narendra Modis government when he dumped Bihars early version of the grand alliance comprising Lalu Yadavs party and the Congress and teamed up with the BJP again. It helped that the JD (U) which had contested the 2014 national elections on its own had only two lawmakers in the Lok Sabha. The JD (U) had been no match for either Narendra Modi-led BJPs campaign which had cornered 22 of Bihars 40 seats or its other two rivals from the state. Also Read | Opposition lays ground to make quick claim if NDA tally falls short Shortly before he flew down to New Delhi for the dinner hosted by BJP chief Amit Shah, Nitish Kumar spoke about the special package that had once been his partys key talking point before it was pushed in the deep freezer. Whatever may be the outcome of exit poll, we were optimistic of the return of Narendra Modi government, Kumar said. And it is a given that allies will be part of the NDA government, Kumar said on his party participating in the next government. Nitish Kumar isnt the only NDA ally to drop hints about his partys wish-list. Tamil Nadus AIADMK, which had rejected exit poll predictions that favoured its rival DMK, on Tuesday insisted that the poll projections at a national level reflected the mindset of Indian people. Also Read | At NDA meeting, PM Modi expresses concern over needless controversy on EVMs That they want to give a second term for BJP-led NDA, said Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, the AIADMK leader who has acknowledged that he patched up with Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on the advice of PM Modi. O Panneerselvam, or OPS as he is popularly known, told reporters that the AIADMK would decide on joining the NDA government predicted by exit polls only after the votes are counted. While the results are coming out on May 23, we have a party meeting in our office to decide about joining the NDA cabinet if the BJP-led alliance gets to rule a second term, he told reporters before leaving for Delhi for the NDA meet. In Mohankal village, Sudhanshu Das, a paddy farmer said he voted for Narendra Modi. The family had faced some difficult days when his uncle, Kumud Chandra Das, 68, had to spend a year in detention after he was declared a foreigner by the Foreigners Tribunal in March 2018. The uncle challenged the order in the High Court, which granted him bail. Earlier this year, the tribunal declared him a foreigner of the 1966 to 1971 stream, which means that he will be eligible for citizenship in 10 years when he will be 78 years. Das thinks the Congress is responsible for this, and Modi will solve it. In his rallies here [Modi], he promised that, we Bengalis do not need to worry and he will bring the Bill. There is rasta [road], current [electricity], and he has given houses to the poor, Das said. For Das, the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill is one of the main reasons for voting for the BJP. In Silchar, the bill a poll promise of the BJP has found support among the Bengali-speaking Hindus. The bill offers citizenship to Hindus, Sikh and Buddhist immigrants from neighbouring countries, and excludes Muslim immigrants. Most migrants in the Barak Valley in the district are Hindu migrants from Bangladesh. According to locals, they form the majority of the over 200,000 names excluded from the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Cachar district. The NRC in turn, aims to revisit the list Indian citizens of Assam, made following the 1951 Census and up to the midnight of 24 March 1971 (the date before Bangladesh was formed), to reportedly catch illegal migration. A draft list released in July 2018 left out over 4 million people out of a total pool of applicants numbering 32.9 million. Political experts say that the NRC and the CAB may have resulted in a polarisation of the Hindu votes, something that will only be borne out on May 23, when the results are announced. The constituency, one of the 14 in the state, voted on April 18 in the second phase of the general elections. Among the 17 candidates in the fray in Silchar, the main fight was between the BJPs Rajdeep Roy, a doctor, and the Congress Sushmita Dev, the sitting member of Parliament, who had won in 2014 bucking the Modi wave. Her father, Santosh Mohan Dev, who had passed away a few months before the 2014 polls, was elected five times from the constituency. Imaduddin Bulbul, a local lawyer said he voted for the Congress, as it stands for, a secular India in its actions and its deeds. The polarisation has increased since Modi became the Prime Minister. We do not appreciate the vocabulary the BJP uses, he said. Muslims constitute 35-37% of the population; the rest comprise Bengali-speaking Hindus, Tea Tribes and other tribal groups. Silchar definitely voted communally, Joydeep Biswas, an economics professor at Cachar College and a political commentator, said. The BJP has won Silchar only thrice. Where earlier, the Hindu votes would be divided between the Congress and BJP, this time around, the Hindu votes seem to have been consolidated in favour of the BJP. And one of the big reasons for this is the Congress stand towards the Citizenship Amendment Bill. The BJPs dogged determination to push the bill through without discussion during the winter session of the parliament, sparked Congress protests against the lack of discussion over the bill. However, in Silchar, the dominance of Bengali-speaking Hindus has meant that the bill has largely found support. Rashtirya Lok Janshakti Party (RLSP) chief and former union minister Upendra Kushwaha on Tuesday warned of bloodshed in Bihar if the government tries to steal the peoples votes (EVMs) even as asked Grand Alliance supporters to carry arms, if needed, into counting centres on May 23. People across Bihar are massively apprehensive of theft of their votes sealed in the EVM machines currently lying in the protection of the state and Central forces. Earlier, we used to hear that booths have been looted. Nowadays, under the NDA regime, peoples votes are being looted. I want to caution the state and the union government that the people are highly worried about the safety of their votes. If there is any attempt to sabotage or steal their votes, there could be bloodshed on the streets, Kushwaha said, while addressing a Grand Alliance (GA) press conference in Patna. Kushwaha went on to appeal to the Grand Alliance workers and leaders to converge in large numbers at all the counting centres on May 23 to prevent any attempt by the ruling parties to mess up with the EVM machines, and if at all the need arises, they should also carry arms. As one carries arms to protect his life, the Grand Alliance voters should do the same to protect their votes. They ought to alert and prompt in taking any step to safeguard their future sealed in the EVMs, he said, while vehemently negating the exit poll findings by various media houses describing them as a conspiracy to create conducive atmosphere for the NDA, especially the BJP. Also read: Lok Sabha elections 2019: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav fails to vote. BJP says it knows why Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahni also said the voters should protect their votes themselves. Its time, the poor and oppressed populace rise up from slumber and become chowkidars to protect their votes, he said. On whether he intended to incite people to violence during the counting day, Kushwaha said, As a citizen of the country and responsible politician, it is my duty to caution the administration on the angst pervading the peoples minds and the possible outcome. After all, its a matter of the poor, dalit, Muslims and extremely backward class peoples votes. Late Karpuri Thakur had also suggested that people should protect their votes. We being his disciples are only following him, he said, as other GA leaders seated next to him in the joint press conference nodded in affirmation. The RLSP leader, who after switching sides from NDA to GA ahead of the polls, has been in the news for his controversial statements against the CM and other NDA leaders. Recently, he had claimed there was a threat to his life from the Nitish government. State Congress president Madan Mohan Jha also rubbished the exit poll findings. The exit poll findings on Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh assembly polls had proved to be a miserable failure. Its my belief that the media is creating a suitable atmosphere for the BJP, but eventually the opposition will have the last laugh, Jha said. RJD state president Ram Chandra Purve too dismissed the exit poll results and said his party totally disagrees with them. I can confidently claim that we are winning no less than 25 seats, he said. Former President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday hailed the Election Commission for perfectly conducting the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and said democracy succeed in India due to perfect conduct of polls by various Election Commissioners. If democracy has succeeded, it is largely due to perfect conduct of elections by Election Commissioners starting from Sukumar Sen to the present Election Commissioners, he said at a book launch jere. His remarks came at a time when role of the commission is being heavily criticised by the opposition parties. On occasions, the BJP also slammed it for its role in West Bengal during the Lok Sabha polls where violence took place during every phase. Also read | Getting ready for next step: Akhileshs loaded remark after Mayawati meet Mukherjee said all the three Commissioners are appointed by the executive and they are doing their job well. You cannot criticise them, it was a perfect conduct of elections, he said. The Commission faced a lot of criticism during the polls this year for its little action on most of the complaints filed with it regarding the violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Some of the opposition parties even accused the Election Commission of favouritism towards the BJP. Also read | Chandrababu Naidus plan doesnt take off at Mamata Banerjee meet, focus back on EVMs Election commissioner Ashok Lavasa, who did not agree with the Election Commission of Indias (ECI) decisions to clear Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah of charges of violating the so-called Model Code of Conduct (MCC), broke his silence in an interview with Hindustan Times and said he has no axe to grind. I have no axe to grind. My concern is to have a system of disposal of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) violation cases in a timebound, transparent, and non-discriminatory manner, Lavasa said ahead of an important election commission meeting on Tuesday. The rift within the three-member commission came into the open after Hindustan Times reported on May 18 that Lavasa recused himself from all meetings to discuss MCC issues. The election commissioner insisted that he would be a part of meetings only after dissent notes and minority decisions were included in the orders of the commission. Minority decisions recorded by me in several cases continue to be suppressed in a manner contrary to well-established conventions observed by multi-member statutory bodies, Lavasa said to the Chief Election Commissioner, Sunil Arora, on May 16 in a letter one of the three he is believed to have written on the subject. In a press statement issued on May 18, Arora said, The three members of the EC are not expected to be template or clones of each other. There have been so many times in the past when there has been a vast diversion of views as it can and should be. EC officials also said that its legal department was of the view that the dissenting opinions cannot be recorded in MCC cases as they are not quasi-judicial proceedings. Lavasa, however, insists otherwise. In all multi-member bodies, be it a court or a tribunal, dissent is included in the order, he told HT. Defending his right to dissent, Lavasa added: My reasons for dissent are as per the provisions of the MCC and advisories issued by the Election Commission. It will inspire greater public confidence in a constitutional body like the Election Commission. Earlier, in a letter on May 4, Lavasa wrote: The main objective of the MCC is to ensure free and fair elections by providing a level playing field to all political parties and candidates and also to maintain a certain degree of decorum in the political discourse during electioneering. Lavasa did not attend any MCC meeting after May 4. In the letter, he enforced the importance of the MCC, saying it draws its strength and sanctity from the strict, prompt and non-discriminatory enforcement therein. Clean chits were given to Modi and Shah on various speeches, including the PMs speech in Nanded in Maharashtra on April 6 where he referred to the majority being a minority in Wayanad. In another speech in Varanasi, Modi said 42 terrorists were killed to avenge the death of 40 troopers in Pulwama. Shah was let off for his remarks in an election rally in Kerala where he purportedly said that it was difficult to make out if Wayanad is in India or Pakistan. Arora has called for a full meeting of the commission on Tuesday, to discuss dissent and other issues. In his statement on May 18, Arora said: in the last meeting of the Commission on 14.05.2019, it was unanimously decided that some groups shall be formed to deliberate the issues, which arose in the course of conduct of Lok Sabha elections, 2019, just as it was done after Lok Sabha elections of 2014. Out of the 13 issues/areas which were identified, Model Code of Conduct is one. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON As part of his efforts to unite the opposition, Andhra Pradesh chief minister and Telugu Desam Party leader N Chandrababu Naidu held a meeting with his West Bengal counterpart, Mamata Banerjee, at her Kolkata residence in Kalighat, on forming a non-Bharatiya Janata Party government at the centre in case of a hung verdict. Meanwhile, a day after exit polls offered mixed predictions for the SP-Bahujan Samaj Party alliance in Uttar Pradesh suggesting a wide range of between 33 and 68 seats SP president AkhileshYadav called on BSP chief Mayawati at her residence in Lucknow on Monday. Yadav also telephoned Banerjee during the day and discussed the strategy of the Mahagathbandhan, news agency Press Trust of India reported. Naidu had a 45-minute meeting with Banerjee on the future strategies of the mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance), during which he discussed the possibilities of forming a non-BJP government, which would include regional parties, with the support of the Congress. Neither Naidu nor Banerjee spoke to the media after their meeting. Banerjees nephew and Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, who was the partys candidate from Diamond Harbour, and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, were also present at the meeting. The leaders reportedly also discussed a common minimum agenda, PTI reported. It was decided at todays meeting that a detailed discussion will be held among other political players of Mahagathbandhan in the event of a hung verdict after the poll results are declared on May 23, highly-placed sources told PTI. Naidu also briefed Banerjee regarding his meetings with Congress president Rahul Gandhi, United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar and Communist Party of India-Marxist general secretary Sitaram Yechury, on Sunday. I met all so that a collective decision is taken. I will continue my efforts till May 23, Naidu said before leaving for Kolkata. In Lucknow, Yadav and Mayawati met at the latters residence, where the leaders made a constituency-wise assessment of their performance. Yadav posted a photograph of the meeting on Twitter, stating, Now, getting ready for the next step. We will talk after the results on May 23. I maintain my stand that the gathbandhan is winning 56 seats in UP, he said. People familiar with the matter in the SP said the two leaders would now make courtesy phone calls to the non-Congress leaders like West Bengal CM Banerjee or NCP chief Sharad Pawar. On Saturday, Naidu had visited Lucknow and met both Yadav and Mayawati, separately. He invited them to the May 21 opposition meeting in Delhi. However, according to a senior SP leader who spoke on condition of anonymity, both were non-committal about the meeting. He said that Yadav and Mayawati were not keen to participate in any formal opposition meeting before May 23, as they wanted to adopt a wait and watch approach. (With inputs from PTI) Come counting day, you will no longer need to solely rely on the Election Commissions website or news channels to know whos ahead. The poll watchdog has released an app called Voter Helpline that will allow users to keep up with real-time trends and results from 8am on May 23. Poll officials said that among the features of the app will be one where the user can bookmark a candidate to be informed of their performance routinely. With the app, people will be able to keep pace with regular updates without depending on the returning officers updates. The app, which was released on May 12, is among a dozen such digital initiatives of the EC, which include round-wise updates on its website and huge interactive auto-scrolling panels at its office at the Nirvachan Sadan in Delhi as well as state Chief Electoral Office premises. Other initiatives include a mobile app where candidates can ask for permissions from the poll body in real-time, another for poll observers to register cases of violations of Model Code of Conduct (MCC), and a third where poll officers can report on Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) management. EC officials said there were 12 such applications and technologies, of which six were for candidates and six for voters. Among these, the cVigil app was designed to encourage citizens to complain of MCC violations. Poll officials said that 1,40,000 such complaints were received till May 19, the last date of polling. Another app had real-time voter turnout data and allowed people to apply for voter registration through their smart phones. EC officials say that by the time the Lok Sabha elections came to a close, over 150 million people had downloaded the app, with 200,000 people applying on it to be on the electoral rolls. In addition to that, the Samadhan app, which is an integrated web portal where people can register complaints even when there are no polls, 120 million people registered complaints. On another app, Suvidha, on which candidates and political parties could apply for permissions for campaign-related activities, the poll panel granted more than 50,000 such permits. For poll observers, apart from an app to track vehicular movement, the poll body has designed an EVM Management System which is used to randomise EVMs. In addition to that is an election monitoring dashboard that will have turnout data and information on incidents in polling booths, which can be accessed by the poll bodys countrywide managerial network. A day after Himachal Pradesh registered a record turnout during Lok Sabha polls on Sunday, strategist of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, the two main political parties in the state, went into huddle to analyse the voting trend and post-poll projections. The state witnessed 72.25% polling, surpassing the previous highest turnout of 65.3% in 1998, when the Congress won the Shimla seat and the BJP emerged victorious in Mandi, Kangra and Hamirpur. The votes will be counted on May 23 and the two parties exuded confidence about the result, which both claimed would be in their favour. In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP had won all the four seats in the state. The BJP has convened meeting of its in-charges for the four parliamentary constituencies to discuss the voting trend and exit poll predictions which indicated another term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We are assessing the situation on the ground and also gathering reports from block units, said partys state general secretary Chander Mohan Thakur . Exit polls reflect the popularity of Modi and his vision, said chief minister Jai Ram Thakur. Exit polls have proved that Modis tenure has overshadowed 60-year regime of the Congress, he added. Thakur, who was camping in Kangra after the polling concluded on Sunday, made an unscheduled visit to New Delhi. It is likely that Thakur will apprise the party high command about polling trend in Himachal Pradesh. State BJP chief Satpal Singh Satti expressed the hope that the party would win all the four seats in Himachal. The BJP will win all the four seats in Himachal by huge margins. This has become possible due to the hard work of our party workers, he added. Congress leaders claimed that that the party had put up a spirited fight against the BJP in the state. The Congress will perform well in the elections. We fought unitedly against the BJP, which has lowered the political narrative in the state. Every citizen believes in building a strong nation rather than involving in divisive politics and people have voted for a secular government, said state Congress chief Kuldeep Singh Rathore. Senior Congress leader and former chief minister Virbhadra Singh said the increase in polling percentage showed that people had faith in democracy. I am confident that people of the state have voted for the Congress as it was secular and did not believe in divisive politics, he added. What poll analyst says Head of political science department in Himachal Pradesh University Harish Thakur said heavy polling usually indicated a strong response of voters to anti-incumbency factors. Heavy polling normally indicates the mood against the establishment. However, voters sometimes turn out more in number over sensitive issues. It seems that national security and transparency in governance have contributed to heavy turnout, he said. Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh chief electoral officer (CEO) Devesh Kumar said 38,01,793 people cast their votes in the four parliamentary constituencies in the state. The state has 52,62,126 registered voters. This time, the overall turnout in the state stood at 72.25% which is 07.80% higher than 64.45% in 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Kumar said. He said Kangra witnessed 70.49% with 9,90,758 voters4,70,156 male, 5,20,599 female, three third gender electorsexercising their franchise. In Mandi, 9,30,562 people4,60,850 male, 4,69,710 female and two third gender electorscast their votes, he said, adding that the overall turnout was 73.39%. Kumar said 9,71,961 people 4,58,029 male, 5,13,929 female and three third gender electors exercised their franchise in Hamirpur. The overall turnout in the constituency was 72.64%, he added. Shimla recorded 72.65% polling with 9,08,512 voters exercising their franchise. They included 4,75,351 male, 4,33,154 female and seven third gender voters, he added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON As part of his efforts to unite the opposition, Andhra Pradesh chief minister and Telugu Desam Party leader N Chandrababu Naidu held a meeting with his West Bengal counterpart, Mamata Banerjee, at her Kolkata residence in Kalighat, on forming a non-Bharatiya Janata Party government at the centre in case of a hung verdict. Meanwhile, a day after exit polls offered mixed predictions for the SP-Bahujan Samaj Party alliance in Uttar Pradesh suggesting a wide range of between 33 and 68 seats SP president Akhilesh Yadav called on BSP chief Mayawati at her residence in Lucknow on Monday. Yadav also telephoned Banerjee during the day and discussed the strategy of the Mahagathbandhan, news agency Press Trust of India reported. Naidu had a 45-minute meeting with Banerjee on the future strategies of the mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance), during which he discussed the possibilities of forming a non-BJP government, which would include regional parties, with the support of the Congress. Neither Naidu nor Banerjee spoke to the media after their meeting. Banerjees nephew and Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, who was the partys candidate from Diamond Harbour, and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, were also present at the meeting. The leaders reportedly also discussed a common minimum agenda, PTI reported. It was decided at todays meeting that a detailed discussion will be held among other political players of Mahagathbandhan in the event of a hung verdict after the poll results are declared on May 23, highlyplaced sources told PTI. Naidu also briefed Banerjee regarding his meetings with Congress President Rahul Gandhi, United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar and Communist Party of India-Marxist general secretary Sitaram Yechury, on Sunday. I met all so that a collective decision is taken. I will continue my efforts till May 23, Naidu said before leaving for Kolkata. In Lucknow, Yadav and Mayawati met at the latters residence, where the leaders made a constituency-wise assessment of their performance. Yadav posted a photograph of the meeting on Twitter, stating, Now, getting ready for the next step. We will talk after the results on May 23. I maintain my stand that the gathbandhan is winning 56 seats in UP, he said. People familiar with the matter in the SP said the two leaders would now make courtesy phone calls to the non-Congress leaders like West Bengal CM Banerjee or NCP chief Sharad Pawar. On Saturday, Naidu had visited Lucknow and met both Yadav and Mayawati, separately. He invited them to the May 21 opposition meeting in Delhi. However, according to a senior SP leader who spoke on condition of anonymity, both were noncommittal about the meeting. He said that Yadav and Mayawati were not keen to participate in any formal opposition meeting before May 23, as they wanted to adopt a wait and watch approach. Congress MLA Roshan Baig who embarrassed the partys Karnataka unit on Tuesday after he blamed the state leadership following the exit polls which predicted a poor showing for the Congress-JD(S), remained defiant after being served a notice for his statements. I have been directed by the PCC president to ask you to show cause within a week why disciplinary action should not be initiated for anti-party activity for making such public statements against the beliefs of the party, said the notice issued by Karnataka Congress General Secretary VY Ghorpade. Baig dismissed the notice in a series of tweets criticising the leaders and claimed that he had not said anything against the party. Ive received the show-cause notice sent to me by the KPCC. Im not even going to [bother] to read it because its clearly sent by the orders of the same people whose incompetencies were highlighted by me, he said. I've received the show-cause notice sent to me by the KPCC. I'm not even going to btoher to read it it because it's clearly sent by the orders of the same people whose incompetencies were highlighted by me. (1/n) Roshan Baig (@rroshanbaig) May 21, 2019 Baig said the state leaders arrogance was immeasurable, claiming that they had sold ministerial portfolios at exorbitant rates even while attacking the opposition of horse trading. The incumbent [government] is being man-handled by the state [Congress] leaders as well, he said. Baig also responded to the charge that he had not brought up these issues internally before going to the press. He said that he had highlighted several instances of murky ongoings with the Congress high command, but that these were ignored. Be assured several grievances were raised by me internally before going on public record, he added. Leadership defines a party and Ive hit out at the leaders, unfortunately, attacks at the leadership turns into an attack at the party. There are several senior leaders who were capable of running the party but were sidelined, said Baig. Earlier in the day, Baig suggested that he wouldnt be surprised if the exit polls results turned out to be true. He had expressed unhappiness with the partys decision to field only one Muslim candidate in the 21 seats that the Congress contested in Karnataka. He went on to say that the Muslim community must stop behaving like a vote bloc and support the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) if need be. All Im saying is that the community elders should sit and discuss. How long will be treated like this, like a vote bank? Even if the BJP wins 18 seats (out of 28) in the state isnt it a slap on the face of the party that it couldnt do anything despite being in an alliance [with Janata Dal (Secular)]? I hold this flop show president of the party [Dinesh Gundu Rao] responsible for this, Baig said. He said it wasnt just Gundu Rao but also Congress Legislature Party chief Siddaramaiah and AICC general secretary KC Venugopal, who should share the blame. The exit polls on Sunday predicted that the BJP will win majority of the 28 seats in Karnataka. Baig, a seven-time MLA, reserved the harshest words for Congress general secretary KC Venugopal and called him a joker. Asked if he would quit the Congress, he said, Lets see what happens on May 23. Congress leaders were surprised by Baigs comments and said he hadnt expressed these views to party leaders before. He has been influenced by the exit polls. I think he should not count his chickens before they hatch. It is pure political opportunism and nothing else, Karnataka Congress chief Dinesh Gundu Rao said. Venugopal was scheduled to hold discussions with chief minister HD Kumaraswamy and senior Congress leaders about the likely outcome of the Lok Sabha polls. We will take action at our own convenience. Definitely it will be discussed with Venugopal, Gundu Rao said Deputy chief minister G Parameshwara said that one of the reasons for Baigs outburst was because he was not named as the Congress candidate for the Bengaluru Central constituency. You are here: China China has unveiled a guideline to enhance the country's food safety with a phased plan to build a modern governance mechanism in the field. More than 97 percent of the country's major produce should pass quality and food safety test by 2020, while over 98 percent of food should pass spot checks, according to the guideline released by central authorities. By 2035, China should have a world-leading set of food safety standards, marked drop in illegal practices driven by profit-seeking, and globally advanced risk control capabilities. Utmost efforts should be made in developing standards, conducting regulation, imposing penalties and seeking accountability, the guideline said. The guideline called for joint contribution from all stakeholders including governments, enterprises and consumers. Questioning the long-drawn polling in intense heat conditions, Bihar chief minister and Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar has suggested that Lok Sabha elections should be held in two or three phases and preferably in February-March or October-November period. Such a long-drawn election should not be held under an intense heat condition. This is not appropriate time for holding elections. It must be either held in February-March or October-November in two to three phases in our country, Kumar said in Patna on Sunday. He also maintained that elections should be held in minimum phases so that voters should not have any problems in casting their votes. The final round of voting in the seven-phase Lok Sabha polls concluded on Sunday. The states eight constituencies that went to polls on Sunday recorded 53.76% turnout against over 60% average polling recorded in six of the eight states where voting was held in the last phase. Temperature in Bihar touched 44 degrees Celsius on Sunday even as many polling booths lacked proper shade creating inconvenience for voters. There should be unanimity among people that there should be constitutional arrangement that whenever there is election, it should be held at aforementioned time (Feb-Mar or Oct-Nov) and should not be held in so many phases, the CM said. Ideally, elections should be held in one phase across the country but since the country is so big it should be held in two or three phases keeping in mind the hilly areas of north-east states and Jammu and Kashmir, he said. After the elections are over, I, as a president of my party, will write letters to the presidents of all political parties for discussion on the issue despite the fact that we have so many differences. Kumars view found support from another National Democratic Alliance ally, the Lok Janshakti Party. LJP president and Union minister Ramvilas Paswan felt political parties should take this issue seriously. Every political party should think seriously on the issue that Lok Sabha/assembly elections should be held in November or February. This helps in campaigning; voter will vote with comfort; voting percentage will increase and this will strengthen the democracy, Paswan tweeted. The Bharatiya Janata Party is not averse to the idea. If it is decided by all parties, we dont have any objection if polls are held in fewer phases in Bihar, said Bihar BJP chief Nityanand Rai. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The differences in the Karnataka unit of the Congress came to the fore on Tuesday after a party lawmaker blamed the state leadership as the exit polls predicted a poor showing for the Congress-JD(S). Congress MLA R Roshan Baig suggested that he wouldnt be surprised if the exit polls results turned out to be true. He had expressed unhappiness with the partys decision to field only one Muslim candidate in the 21 seats the Congress contested in Karnataka. Also read: Exit polls say NDA leads Congress-JD(S) in Karnataka He went on to say that the Muslim community must stop behaving like a vote bloc and support the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) if need be. All Im saying is that the community elders should sit and discuss. How long will be treated like this, like a vote bank? Even if the BJP wins 18 seats [out of 28] in the state isnt it a slap on the face of the party that it couldnt do anything despite being in an alliance [with Janata Dal (Secular)]? I hold this flop show president of the party [Dinesh Gundu Rao] responsible for this, Baig said. He said it wasnt just Gundu Rao but also Congress Legislature Party chief Siddaramaiah and AICC general secretary KC Venugopal, who should share the blame. WATCH | #ElectionsWithVikram: Decoding the Exit Polls The exit polls on Sunday predicted that the BJP will win majority of the 28 seats in Karnataka. Baig, a seven-time MLA, reserved the harshest words for Congress general secretary KC Venugopal and called him a joker. Asked if he would quit the Congress, he said, Lets see what happens on May 23. Congress leaders were surprised by Baigs comments and said he hadnt expressed these views to party leaders before. He has been influenced by the exit polls. I think he should not count his chickens before they hatch. Its pure political opportunism and nothing else, Karnataka Congress chief Dinesh Gundu Rao said. Venugopal is visiting state capital Bengaluru later in the day to hold discussions with chief minister HD Kumaraswamy and senior Congress leaders about the likely outcome of the Lok Sabha polls. We will take action at our own convenience. Definitely it will be discussed with Venugopal, Gundu Rao said Deputy chief minister G Parameshwara said that one of the reasons for Baigs outburst was because he was not named as the Congress candidate for the Bengaluru Central constituency. Representatives of 21 opposition parties may meet Election Commission (EC) officials on Tuesday two days before counting begins for the 2019 national polls, to make a host of demands including tracking of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and extensive use of voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT). Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, who is mobilising the parties for the meeting along with Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, said, The EC is yet to come out with a procedure in case there is a mismatch between the VVPAT and the EVM tally. We want that even for a single mismatch in the VVPAT samples picked for counting and EVMs, all VVPATs in that assembly segment must be counted. This is important to maintain integrity of the electoral process. Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, Naidu, Yechury, Congress leaders Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Ahmed Patel along with representatives of other parties were expected to be part of the meeting before the results come out on May 23. Also read | Perfect elections: Pranab Mukherjee hails Election Commission amid Opposition criticism Efforts are also on to include senior leaders from the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in our delegation, said an Opposition strategist. Trinamool Congress will also join the delegation. Singhvi, who was involved in the plea before the Supreme Court (SC) seeking directions to the EC to compulsorily tally VVPAT count with EVMs during the May 23 counting, said, The 21 opposition parties, who represent 75% of the electorate, had signed the affidavit in that case. And now, all these parties will go together to the EC on five major issues, signalling our political intent to not give up the fight. He maintained that despite the ECs assurance to the apex court, the poll watchdog has not come out with any guideline or rule on what to do if there is a discrepancy between VVPAT and the EVM counts. On April 8, the SC told the poll watchdog to match the paper slips of at least five EVMs in all assembly segments of a Lok Sabha seat to ensure higher transparency. This is for the first time that VVPATs were used in all Lok Sabha seats. Opposition parties have been sceptical about EVMs. They have often said the polling machines can be tampered with, even as the EC has ruled out any such possibilities. The EC even threw a challenge to the political parties to prove their claims. Also read | Chandrababu Naidus plan doesnt take off at Mamata Banerjee meet, focus back on EVMs The parties will also demand that the EVM machines should be tracked so that they can be identified with their numbers and location of use. An apprehensive Congress feels it is very important to track the EVMs to better understand the logic of replacement of machines. Suppose in one booth the Congress seemed to be ahead of the BJP in the first half but then the machine is suddenly changed and in the new machine we see the BJP getting most of the votes. From our experience we have seen things like this happening. So if there is a dispute, we must know which machine was used in which booth, said Singhvi. The opposition leaders would also demand tighter security of the EVMs after counting. Naidu on Monday again voiced his concern about the alleged manipulation of EVMs, and claimed that political parties were protecting the machines as there were rumours that their data was being changed. The Telugu Desam Party chief claimed manipulating an EVM was as easy as tapping a phone and reiterated his demand for 50% VVPAT verification. Meanwhile, the Congress is conducting courses for its counting agents to appraise them of the counting process, especially the VVPATs as the party continues to have sceptical about the EVMs. In an internal note, accessed by HT, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal has asked state leaderships to deploy only reliable and trustworthy people as counting agents. It has also asked them to demand VVPAT counting in case of discrepancies. Also read | Getting ready for next step: Akhileshs loaded remark after Mayawati meet The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday hosted a mega dinner for its allies in a bid to project confidence and a united front ahead of the Lok Sabha election results on May 23. After the dinner, attended by 36 allies, a resolution was passed that said by 2022, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will endeavour to fulfil the dreams of freedom fighters and give shape to the strong, prosperous, developed and inclusive India that they dreamt of. The NDA stands as a tall bulwark against the vote bank politics and old school political thinking of the opposition, whose 20th century politics has not cut ice with the young voters of the of the 21st century, read the resolution moved by Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ram Vilas Paswan adopted at the end of the meet. I congratulate Team Modi Sarkar for their hard work and remarkable achievements in the last 5 years. Let us keep this momentum going for a New India under the leadership of PM @narendramodi. Sharing pictures of Aabhar Milan of Union Council of Ministers at BJP HQ, New Delhi. pic.twitter.com/X2sgvJjJ5c Chowkidar Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 21, 2019 According to people aware of developments, Modi expressed concern over the Oppositions complaints about electronic voting machines (EVM) and said efforts were being made to undermine the Election Commission. He tweeted, Our alliance represents Indias diversity and our agenda is Indias progress. We are best suited to address regional aspirations and enhance national progress. Union home minister Rajnath Singh said, NDA is an alliance of Indias dreams and aspirations. The PM has taken historical decisions and for fulfilling regional aspirations, the NDA has become a principal pillar. The home minister said three allies not in attendance Tiwa Jatiya Oikya Manch, Mizo National Front and United Democratic Party -- had sent their support in writing. Parkash Singh Badal of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Uddhav Thackeray of the Shiv Sena, O Pannerselvam of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam were among the NDA leaders in attendance. Earlier in the day, Modi met several Union ministers as well as senior members of the allies at a meeting hosted by party president Amit Shah at the BJP headquarters. He compared his Lok Sabha campaign to a pilgrimage. According to a functionary aware of developments, the PM said this election stood out from other polls. I have seen many elections but this one was beyond politics. The public was fighting them. I have campaigned in assembly elections and undertaken political tours for the party in different elections. When I toured during these polls, it seemed that I was on a pilgrimage, the PM was quoted as saying by PTI. I congratulate Team Modi Sarkar for their hard work and remarkable achievements in the last 5 years, party chief Amit Shah tweeted. Panic prevailed at the Bhagwant Institute of Technology in Meerapur area here on Monday when students attending class were assaulted by 15-20 assailants. Ten students pursuing BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) course, including a girl, were injured in the assault by the unknown intruders who managed to flee after the incident, said sources at the institute. The incident was a fallout of some student rivalry, they added. On getting information, a police team from Meerapur police station arrived on the campus and sent the injured to a community health centre at Jansath. According to sources, 15-20 unknown youths arrived at the institute in a jeep and forcibly entered the classroom that had about 40 students. The assailants started assaulting the students with sticks, which caused panic on the campus. Most of the students managed to escape through the doors and windows, said sources. The episode continued for about 10 minutes. Those injured included a girl student Zoobi Zaidi, Ravindra, Mehtab, Shakeel, Vikas, Naveel, Somveer, Akshay, Salman and Sakib. Assistant director of the college, Raghav Mehra informed the police. Soon, cops arrived on the campus and sent all the injured to the CHC. Inspector Pankaj Tyagi of Meerapur police station said deputy registrar of the college, Mukul Jain, filed a written complaint against six youths suspected to be involved in the assault and their 15 unknown accomplices. The police registered a case under sections 147,148, 352, 323, 504 and 506 of the IPC and launched a search for the assailants, he added. About a month ago, a dispute had taken place among the students of the college but the matter was settled after intervention of college authorities, stated college sources. A few days back, a faculty member was also beaten up by some youths of Kasampur Khola village and college authorities had informed the Meerapur police about the incident, they added. The Maharashtra unit of the Congress has hinted it will go for social engineering to appoint the leader of the state legislature and leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, ahead of the Assembly elections to be held later this year. All India Congress Committee general secretary and Maharashtra in-charge Mallikarjun Kharge said the party may appoint members from marginalised or minority communities as leader of the Opposition and state legislature, in a bid to present a united front. These posts were left vacant after Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil resigned. After presiding over a meeting of Congress legislators of both houses of the state legislature at Vidhan Bhavan on Monday, Kharge said, Legislators feel the party should go for social engineering. Theyve decided to stand united for Assembly polls. The appointment will be announced after the Lok Sabha results are out on May 23, he said. At the meeting,the party unit unanimously passed a resolution according all the rights to appoint the leader of the state legislature to party chief Rahul Gandhi. State Congress units deputy leader, Vijay Wadettiwar; Mumbai unit MLAs Arif Naseem Khan and Varsha Gaikwad reportedly emerged as the front-runners for the post along with senior leader Balasaheb Thorat. The resolution was moved by Wadettiwar and seconded by Khan, Yashomati Thakur and Sharad Ranpise. Kharge heard more than 50 legislators individually. Wadettiwar is one of the front-runners for the post of Opposition leader. He belongs to OBC community and is serving his fifth term in the lower house. He is assumed to be an aggressive leader. He is from Vidarbha...if we win sizeable seats from there, it may prove in his favour. Our legislative council leader [Sharad Ranpise] is a dalit. By appointing an OBC or minority leader, the party attempts to send out a message ahead of Assembly polls, said a party leader. Party legislators have urged the leadership to appoint an aggressive leader who would be loyal to the party. Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao on Monday signed an ordinance promulgated by the state government that upholds admissions given to students under the Maratha quota in postgraduate medical and dental courses. The ordinance is good news for 253 students whose seats were confirmed under the quota. However, parents of students in the open category said they will take the issue to court again. The state issued the ordinance after the Supreme Court upheld a ruling of the Nagpur bench of the Bombay HC. The HC said reservations under the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Act, for PG medical courses, will not apply this academic year. This cancelled admissions given to students under the quota and necessitated fresh admissions. Last week, the state cabinet cleared a draft ordinance in a meeting and sent it to the governor for a final approval. The Maharashtra State Reservation (of seats for admission in educational institutions in the state and appointments in public services and posts under the state) for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) Amendment and Validation Ordinance, 2019, makes way for 16% reservation for students from the Maratha community in the current academic year. This reservation will apply to all postgraduate and undergraduate courses that require taking the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) or any other national entrance test. However, despite the ordinance, Maratha students who have been agitating against the HC court ruling continued their stir at Azad Maidan in Mumbai. One of the protesting students, Shivaji Bhonsale, said they are protesting as they have not received a copy of the ordinance. We have not got any intimation from the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) either. Until they put it up on their website, we will continue our agitation, he said. The students have been agitating for the past 15 days. The state government has also sought an additional 213 medical and dental seats from the centre. The state cabinet has also given an in-principal nod to provide scholarships for students from the general category, whose admissions would be affected by the reservation. The government has not yet formalised a policy for this, or budgeted for the decision. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Those planning to pursue accounting and finance, management studies and hospitality after Class 12 can rejoice, as colleges affiliated to the University of Mumbai (MU) are looking to add more seats to these courses. Contrary to the proposed new institutes, which will mostly have new divisions for traditional BA, BCom and BSc programmes, a large number of existing institutes have sought to add new divisions for self-financed courses such as BCom Accounting and Finance (BAF), BCom Banking and Insurance (BBI), Bachelor of Management Studies, Bachelor of Mass Media and BSc Hospitality Studies and BSc Computer Science. Self-financed courses are specialised job-oriented courses, for which colleges dont get any grant from the government. Colleges recover the expenses by charging higher fees from students. Topping the list of eligible proposed new divisions in existing colleges is BAF and BMS two of the self-financed, specialised courses in commerce. As many as 30 colleges affiliated to the MU are proposed to get additional divisions for BAF, while two of the proposed new colleges will offer the course in the new academic year. If all these proposals are approved by the state government, the overall intake for the course will increase by 1,920. Similarly, there could be 17 new divisions for BMS in MU-affiliated colleges, with the number of available seats growing by 1,020. It is all about demand and supply. The students are tired of traditional courses such as BCom and are increasingly opting for self-financed courses. The colleges are responding to this demand, said AA Rashid, principal, Kamala Mehta College, Andheri. Courses for the hospitality sector such as BSc Hospitality Studies and BA Culinary Arts also got a boost, with 12 and five new proposed divisions, respectively. Until now, only a few colleges offered these programmes. The hospitality industry is growing. Theres a requirement in the industry, as new hotels are coming up in Mumbai. Besides, the new generation is passionate about cooking, said Shankarayya Ganechari, principal, Thakur Polytechnic, Kandivli. With the fintech and finance boom, courses such as BAF are becoming more popular these days. Students believe they offer high-paying jobs, said Lily Bhushan, principal, KES Shroff College, Kandivli. Academicians are, however, divided over whether self-financed courses actually offer an edge over traditional programmes. We have seen that students pursuing BAF and BMS are placed faster than BCom students, said Chaitali Chakraborty, principal, Thakur College of Science and Commerce, Kandivli. However, Bhushan said self-financed courses may not necessarily provide better jobs. Employment opportunities largely depend on the knowledge, and not the course, she said. There are other factors for colleges to add more seats for self-financed programmes. These courses involve less rote learning and dependence on textbook and more hands-on learning. Colleges want to adopt that practical approach, said Rashid. Self-financed courses are financially beneficial to colleges. Many aided colleges opt for self-financed courses, so they can charge higher fees than aided courses. They merely appoint a coordinator and hire some temporary staff for these courses, said the principal of a college from the western suburbs. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Exit polls aired on Sunday have brought cheers to the BJP-Shiv Sena camp and increased the worries in the Opposition Congress-NCP camp. Most exit polls have predicted victory for the BJP-Sena combine in Maharashtra and less than 15 seats for the Congress-NCP. Maharashtra has 48 Lok Sabha seats. One of the exit polls even predicted that the Oppositions tally will be less than six seats they had won in the 2014 elections. Different exit polls have predicted seats in the range of 35-40 for the NDA and eight to 14 for the UPA. Leaders of the ruling parties, especially the BJP, are expecting 35 to 40 seats. Many in the Opposition camp say they are expecting their tally in the range of 15 to 20. The results on May 23 will show who got it right. But for now, the unease in both the camps is quite visible. In a nutshell, the exit polls indicate that the BJP-Sena alliance is dominating the outcome in Maharashtra. It would mean Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to get votes for the BJP in the state and also the partys decision to forge an alliance with Shiv Sena has clicked. Both these facts would be good news for the BJP, as it prepares for the Assembly elections to be held in five months. If the Congress-NCP get stuck around 10-12 seats, it wont be easy for the two Opposition parties to wrest power in the state from the BJP-Sena alliance. With winning more than two third of Lok Sabha seats in the state, the saffron combine will be in a better position to retain power in the state. Also Read | Will win more seats than predicted by exit polls: Shiv Sena The outcome of the Lok Sabha election is also significant in Maharashtra in the context of local leadership. If the saffron combine wins more than 30 seats in the state, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis stature will grow in the BJP and he will emerge as a frontline leader of the party with potential for a role at national-level politics. The exit polls also indicate that the Sena will lose more seats than the BJP in case there is a drop in the tally of seats won by the two parties in 2014. That would not amuse the Sena. A section of the Sena leaders are wary that the BJP may not agree for equal share in power at the state-level if Modi government returns to power with a strong majority. That would reduce Senas bargaining power. Will it lead to another confrontation like it happened ahead of 2014 assembly elections? The Sena would be uneasy, but with Fadnavis wielding clout in the BJP, its leadership would prefer to continue the alliance. For NCP chief Sharad Pawar, this years two elections are crucial to regain partys strength. The exit polls indicate that the NCP is doing better than the Congress, but the increase in its tally could be marginal. In 2014, the NCP managed to win four Lok Sabha seats while the Congress was reduced to two. However, Pawars aim is to take back the control of the state from BJP-Sena in the Assembly elections that are to be held in September-October. For that, the Opposition will have to set the tone by restricting the NDA below 30 seats. Is that happening? Majority of the exit polls indicate otherwise. Congress may turn out to be biggest loser in the elections. If its tally remains restricted to below 10, its leaders would have to seriously think what is going wrong. The infighting within the party, reluctance of senior leaders to take on the BJP government, absence of the party network in several parts of the state and above all, failure to connect with voters would continue to haunt the party in Maharashtra. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON With most exit polls predicting that the dominance of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Shiv Sena will continue in Maharashtra, the Sena said that it will win more seats than has been predicted. As per the exit polls, the Sena may lose more seats than the BJP in the state. Most of the results of exit polls released on Sunday showed the BJP-Sena combine bagging around 35-36 seats in Maharashtra. The Sena is projected to win 11 to 13 seats, which is a considerable drop from its 2014 tally. In 2014, the BJP and Sena had won 23 and 18 seats, respectively. With state Assembly elections just four months away, a drop in its numbers could mean less political relevance for the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena. The party welcomed the predictions for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), but said that it would bag more seats than the predictions show. The numbers look good for the NDA. I have been saying that the NDA will form the next government at the Centre. Our (Shiv Senas) tally will be better than what the exit polls suggest, said Sena leader Sanjay Raut. On Sunday, two exit polls released the number of seats BJP and Sena are projected to win in Maharashtra. According to the India TV-CNX exit poll, the BJP may bag 20 of the 25 seats it contested from in Maharashtra, while Sena may win 14 of 23 seats. ABP News-Nielsen projected the BJP and Sena would win 17 seats each. Sena functionaries said the decision to ally with the BJP for the Lok Sabha elections may have impacted their numbers, but maintained that the final results would overtake the predictions. Shiv Sena spokesperson Neelam Gorhe issued a statement, saying, There have been some exit polls before the results on May 23. We expect that Narendra Modi would become the prime minister. Uddhavji has travelled across the state to spread the word about the alliances work. The exit polls show that NDA alliance will get success. We would like to say that better success will come for the Sena and the BJP [in the final result]. Whatever mandate we get from the people, we will humbly accept it. Meanwhile, Raut said the results of the Lok Sabha elections would not impact the Senas bargaining power during the upcoming Assembly elections in Maharashtra. First, it will help install a Modi government at the Centre and then we will see about the Maharashtra elections, Raut said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON China's southern tech hub Shenzhen on Monday piloted the use of the 5G wireless network to transmit a huge volume of data from the subway train to the station. The test on the Line 11 saw a train, after arriving at the terminal Futian Station, transmit 25 GB of data to the station's control room in just 150 seconds. Wan Jian, a director with the Shenzhen Metro, said that in the past, workers had to manually download data from the train's hard disk after a trip finishes, due to low speed of the wireless network. The speedy transmission of data, including the train's operation information and surveillance video, is thus expected to boost subway efficiency and support futuristic tech applications such as automatic searches for lost luggage. "In times of emergency, the 5G train-station communication will work with facial recognition and intelligent behavior analysis to locate dangerous people and behaviors in the train," said Ren Bo, a manager with Shenzhen Metro's communication center. "In the future, the technology will also help realize functions such as alerts for lost luggage and searching for missing passengers," Ren said. The inquiry report of the Savitribai Phule Pune Universitys (SPPU) refectory agitation carried out by students over poor quality and worms been found in the food will be submitted in next 8 days, said the committee head Dr R S Mali, former vice chancellor of the Kaviyatri Bahinabai North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon. Mali is heading the high level committee of six members formed by the SPPU vice chancellor Dr Nitin Karmalkar to evaluate the ongoing issues at the SPPU refectory. We have not yet submitted the report to the SPPU, till now we completed taking the statements of all the parties in this case 12 agitating students, refectory staff and owner, security guards, SPPU officials of refectory advisory committee and other people related to it. It is a very sensitive matter and so we do not want to let anything go and check all the facts very minutely. Also we are checking the videos which were taken on that day, said Dr Mali. Now our preliminary discussions with all the parties in this case have completed, but still we need more time to submit the final report. We had asked the students to give their suggestions about the case, but none of them have given any suggestion or input to the committee. According to the time of the other committee members we will come together and final report will be made. he added. Starting from March 17, 19, 20 and 23 series of incidents happened in which worms were found in the vegetable. So on March 30 SPPU administration issued a circular with various new rules to be implemented from April 1. It was decided to close down the coupon system at the refectory which was creating additional pressure on refectory management. While on April 1 students from various political parties, groups and unions protested at the refectory, after which SPPU lodged police complaint against 12 agitating students. So SPPU formed a six member high-level committee after this protest to analyse and evaluate the ongoing issues at SPPU refectory. Actor Prabhas upcoming magnum opus Saaho, the multilingual action thriller which also stars Shraddha Kapoor and Neil Nitin Mukesh, will release worldwide on August 15, its makers announced via a poster on Tuesday. The films release will clash with Akshay Kumars Mission Mangal and John Abrahams Batla House. The new poster features Prabhas gazing seriously and sporting what appears to be peculiar-looking shades. Saaho, which has been directed by Sujeeth, has been in the making for close to two years. The film has been predominantly shot abroad on a big budget and features some high-octane action sequences. One of the major schedules of the film has been shot in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Saaho has music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and cinematography by Madhie. Also read: Sophie Turner says Joe Jonas broke up with her a day before their wedding The film, which will be released in Telugu, Hindi and Tamil, also stars Arun Vijay, Jackie Shroff and Mandira Bedi in pivotal roles. The project marks the southern debut of Shraddha Kapoor, who will be seen in an action-packed role. Neil Mukesh has been roped in as the prime antagonist and he had said in one of his interviews that Saaho will the biggest action film this country would have ever seen. A powerful true story of ordinary people with extraordinary dreams, on an unheard of mission to achieve the impossible. #MissionMangal will come alive on 15th August, 2019. See you at the theaters. @foxstarhindi Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) November 13, 2018 Neil had said, Saaho is a larger-than-life film and, post Baahubali, the entire nation is rooting for Prabhas. And where there is a mega hero, there will always be a mega villain too. My character has many shades like every other character in the film. Its quite an exciting project, Sujeeth has a great vision. Saaho will be the biggest action film of 2018. Follow @htshowbiz for more ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop There was more behind Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner and pop star Joe Jonas wedding in Las Vegas earlier this month. The couple was married by an Elvis impersonator in the presence of their families and close friends, including brothers Nick Jonas and Kevin Jonas, and Priyanka Chopra. Sophie has now revealed that she and Joe ended their relationship a day before their shock wedding. In an interview to UKs The Times, she said, It was the worst day of our lives. For a second we both had cold feet, then 24 hours later we were both, like, Never mind. Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner at Oscars. (REUTERS) Sophie and Joe were with Nick, Priyanka, Kevin and his wife Danielle at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards right before they got married. The actor, who has been open about her mental health issues, hinted that the break-up had to do with them. I was going through this phase of being very mentally unwell. He was, like, I cant be with you until you love yourself, I cant see you love me more than you love yourself. That was something, him doing that. I think he kind of saved my life, in a way, she said. WATCH: Joe Jonas, Sophie Turner marry at a surprise ceremony in Las Vegas Joe took to Twitter to congratulate Game of Thrones actors after the series finale on Sunday. When you realize @GameOfThrones is over vibes. Congratulations to everyone that worked on this incredible show! life changing television. I have you to thank for introducing me to the incredible @SophieT long live the QUEEN OF THE MF NORTH, the pop star said. Sophie and Joe got married in April and will host another ceremony in France later this year. Sophie played Sansa Stark on the popular show. Pedro Almodovars hotly anticipated Pain and Glory, was a wee bit disappointing. Unlike his earlier works like Volver, All About My Mother, Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down, his latest outing looked insipid. The movie had the colours all right, bright and loud, but never garish or vulgar. What seemed missing was the Almodovar energy that lighted up his cinema and took us all on a lovely ride through the plot, which was nearly always personal. However, we have to understand that Pain and Glory came from a man who was ageing and had almost thought that he would not be able to work anymore. So, why not we give him a concession? With this mood prevailing here at Cannes, backed a top rating from critics, 2019 may well be the year when Almodovar cliches the top prize. The Spanish master has never won the Palm dOr, but Pain and Glory could move the jury, headed by Mexican helmer Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu. Penelope Cruz in a still from Pain and Glory. This is, of course, not to say that Pain and Glory is his best work. As one writer aptly said: It lacks both the mad energy of his early countercultural work and the ravishing melodramatic pleasures of the critical darlings from his prestige period (including All About My Mother, which was heavily favoured to win, but didnt, in 1999). Also read: Cannes 2019 zooms in on street battles and corporate cruelty with Le Miserables and Sorry, We Missed You My favourite has always been Volver about death and remorse with a brilliant opening shot showing dozens of young widows cleaning the graves of their husbands on a wind-swept morning. There is also a famous freezer scene with a dead body dumped in, one that has been recently copied in a Tamil movie! Pain and Glory is far less dramatic than Volver or Almodovars other outings. It is a story of an ageing master, painfully reminiscing on his days of glory. And Almodovar uses his favourite actor, Antonio Banderas, to play this part; he has been the directors regular, much like Soumitra Chatterjee was to Satyajit Ray. Both Banderas and Chatterjee could be seen as their helmers alter-egos. Also read: Sophie Turner says Joe Jonas broke up with her a day before their wedding Banderas is a great performer, and he has been with Almodovar since the start. In fact, both began their life in cinema at the same time. And Banderas, like Almodovar, has been dashing and debonair. Not though in Pain and Glory, where the actor sheds this image. He does not have his usual swagger or his devil-may-care attitude. These are set aside to portray a neurotic director bogged down by failures and physical ailments - and living with the memory of his celebrated days. Antonio Banderas is Salvador Mallo, as an ageing cinema director. Said to be his most personal and autobiographical work, Pain and Glory has some of the auteurs trademarks - bold colours, passionate embraces and references to his favourites from Fellini to Elizabeth Tailor all wrapped up in Alberto Iglesias haunting score. With Penelope Cruz (another Pedro constant) playing the directors mother in his younger days, and Banderas as the helmer himself, the film runs through the pain and glory of the man with the megaphone. Reminded me about Guru Dutts Kaagaz Ke Phool, where the master director walks down memory lane wistfully thinking about his grand times. In Pain and Glory, Banderas is Salvador Mallo, a cinema director who has not made anything for years and is now bogged down by aches and a tendency to choke on food. He is depressed, and it then that he meets an old friend, Alberto, who helps the master reconnect with a former star. The two had quarrelled and parted ways. Mallo finds an old script and asks the star to perform on stage. And the production brings back Mallos old pals, and he finds a new energy and meaning to live. Despite a deeply poignant plot, there was something lacking in Pain and Glory. It did not quite connect with me emotionally. And I was disappointed - all the more, because it was an Almodovar work, the man who had given a fantastically new meaning to Spanish cinema, nay world cinema. (Gautaman Bhaskaran has been covering Cannes close to three decades.) Follow @htshowbiz for more ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop Pakistan informed India directly and through its friends it would be dangerous to climb the escalation ladder when the two countries came close to firing missiles at each other during a standoff in February, former Pakistani foreign secretary Riaz Khokhar has said. Khokhar, who served as Pakistans envoy to India, the US and China, and continues to be connected to the foreign policy establishment in Islamabad, said there is no option for the South Asian neighbours but to sit at the table and talk to address their differences and reduce tensions. As reported by Hindustan Times, India and Pakistan came close to firing missiles at each other on February 27, after Indian Air Force pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was captured when his jet was shot down during an engagement along the Line of Control. Tensions between the two sides were then at a high following the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) suicide attack at Pulwama that killed 40 troops. Our information was that it was India [that was] preparing a missile attack on two or three cities of Pakistan and our only reaction was to not only inform India directly but also inform India through its friends that we would be climbing the escalation ladder, which we should avoid under all circumstances, Khokhar said in an interview on the margins of the Astana Economic Forum. We are clear that if the chips are down, then there is no holds barred [but] this is utter madness, he added. At his recent election rallies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India warned Pakistan of serious consequences and asked Islamabad to ensure the safety of Varthaman. He also said an official of the United States had remarked that New Delhi was prepared to launch 12 missiles in the aftermath of a February 26 operation of the India Air Force (IAF) targeting a terror camp in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan. Though Khokhar didnt mention any other countries, there have been reports that the US, the UAE and Saudi Arabia played a role in reducing India-Pakistan tensions. Khokhar said there is concern among people on both sides of the border over the bad turn in India-Pakistan ties. We do hope once the Indian elections are over, the temperature would go down and they would realise that there is no other option but to engage in a serious dialogue, he said. The two countries havent had any serious dialogue since 2008 and both sides are responsible for ensuring the resumption of contacts, he said. In a way, the responsibility rests on India because it is a big country and the problems are of such nature that India has to take the initiative, he said. We are ready, our approach is that we have to talk. War is not an option for either India or Pakistan. Khokhar pointed to the potential for India and Pakistan to boost trade and transit ties with Central Asia if they improved bilateral ties and the situation in Afghanistan improved. The only way Central Asia can be linked to South Asia is through Pakistan and Afghanistan... Unless Afghanistan really settles down, Central Asia cannot open up. The shortest route from South Asia to Central Asia is through Pakistan and Afghanistan, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The International Tracing Service in Germany has uploaded more than 13 million documents from Nazi concentration camps, including prisoner cards and death notices, to help Holocaust researchers and others investigate the fate of victims. Established by the Western Allies in the final days of World War II and initially run by the Red Cross, the ITS also announced Tuesday it was changing its name to Arolsen Archives - International Center on Nazi Persecution. The archive in Bad Arolsen says with help from Israels Yad Vashem, documents with information on more than 2.2 million people are now available online. Work is still being done to improve searchability. Archive director Floriane Azoulay says with survivors dying out, it is so important that the original documents can speak to coming generations. (The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text, only the headline has been changed.) Quick-thinking North Carolinian took command at a crucial point at Spotsylvania Court House By 6 a.m., on May 12, 1864, news began to arrive in quick succession, some by telegraph and some by courierthe plan had worked. Major General Winfield S. Hancocks 2nd Corps, Army of the Potomac, had smashed into the protrusion jutting out from the Confederate lines near Spotsylvania Court House, Va. Each report painted an even more devastating picture: The Rebel earthworks had been breached, Union troops were pouring into the salient, and thousands of prisoners had been captured, including two generals. Union Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grants staffers could not contain their jubilation. Great rejoicing now burst forth. Some of Grants Staff were absurdly confident and were sure [Confederate General Robert E.] Lee was entirely beaten, remarked Colonel Theodore Lyman of Army of the Potomac commander Maj. Gen. George G. Meades staff. Lyman, however, was less sanguine than his associates: My own experiences taught me a little more skepticism. While the situation was critical for Lees army, Lymans reservations proved well-founded. By the time the fighting for the salient, called the Mule Shoe, ended nearly 24 hours later, a number of Confederate officers had distinguished themselves fighting to contain the breach in the Confederate lines. Colonel Bryan Grimes, commander of the 4th North Carolina Infantry, was one of those men. Not only did his quick action at a critical moment play a role in saving Lees army that disastrous day, it expedited the upward trajectory of his military career. The second bloody battle of Grants 1864 Overland Campaign started on May 8. By the fourth day, Lees Confederate forces were established behind defensive earthworks north of the courthouse. Major General Richard Andersons First Corps held the right side of the line, with Lt. Gen. Richard Ewells Second Corps holding the center. The Third Corps, commanded by Maj. Gen. Jubal Early (in place of ill Lt. Gen. A.P. Hill), curled back on the eastern extremity of the line. The most prominent feature was the salient that extended some 900 yards from Ewells position. The exposed positions vulnerability eventually tempted Grant into a small-scale assault on May 10. Despite success by part of the Union force, a lack of coordination doomed the attack. That failure convinced Grant that a larger and better coordinated attack could destroy the Confederate protrusion and open a gap in Lees entire line. Therefore, he ordered a second, and much larger, assault to begin in the predawn hours of May 12. The plan appeared simple: Mass the 2nd Corps in the woods behind the Brown home, roughly three-quarters of a mile from the head of the Confederate salient, then unleash the men across the open field separating the two points. If all went as planned, other Union forces, including the 9th Corps attacking the eastern base of the salient, would prevent Rebel reinforcements from shoring up the exposed bulge in their lines. With luck, the Confederate lines would be cleaved open. The salient was manned by the divisions of Maj. Gen. Edward Johnson, Maj. Gen. Robert Rodes, and Brig. Gen. James H. Lanes Brigade of Maj. Gen. Cadmus Wilcoxs Division. Brigadier General John B. Gordons Division was positioned across the base in reserve. The rain-soaked Confederates were at first unaware of the danger. Lee, in fact, was so convinced the Union forces were withdrawing that he pulled artillery from the salient. When Johnson received reports of troops on his front, he requested the guns be returned, but it was too late. Shortly after 4:30 a.m., Hancocks men crashed out of the woods north of the Brown house and into the open field before the Confederate defenses. Although some of Johnsons troops heard the preparations and were waiting to see what developed, the darkness and low fog obscured their view. Even worse, they were unable to fire an effective volley because the rain had soaked much of their powder. Within 90 minutes, the Federals had breached the Rebel line and captured Johnson and 2,000 of his men, including one of his brigade commanders, Brig. Gen. George H. Steuart. It was this news that caused the excitement at Grants headquarters. The moment was critical: If the attack couldnt be stopped and the breach sealed, Lees army would be split in two. After the devastation of Johnsons Division, Rodes moved his brigades to meet the Union troops pouring deeper into the narrow Confederate position. Gordon launched a counterattack, which stabilized parts of the original Confederate positions, leaving Rodes to drive the enemy from the western portion of the salient. Rodes pulled Brig. Gen. Stephen D. Ramseurs Brigade from its place down his line and ordered an attack on the increasingly disorganized Federals. Ramseur ordered his men to keep the alignment, not to fire, to move slowly until the command Charge, and then to move forward on the runand not to pause until they had retaken the Confederate lines. Before Ramseur could give the order, however, he was wounded and temporarily incapacitated. Realizing that speed was essential and there could be no delay in launching the attack, the 35-year-old Grimes took action and yelled Charge! in his commanders place. When Ramseur returned to command after recovering, he was quick to praise Grimes initiative at exactlythe right time. The counterattack succeeded in pushing Hancocks men to the opposite side of the earthworks. For the next 20 hours, the two sides slugged it out. Finally, after 3 a.m., Lee ordered Rodes, Gordon, and the remnants of Johnsons Division to fall back. By that time, the Mule Shoe was a ghastly scene of piled bodies. One of Grants officers was appalled: Rank after rank was riddled by shot and shell and bayonet thrusts, and finally sank, a mass of torn and mutilated corpses. As the exhausted Confederates staggered back to their new lines, General Lee rode down in person to thank the brigade for its gallantry, telling Grimes men they deserved the thanks of the country for saving his army. But Grimes quick decision provided only temporary salvation. Grant simply shifted to the east, forcing Lee to do the same, inching ever closer to Richmond. Five weeks after the Mule Shoe, Grimes was promoted to brigadier general, dating to May 19. Although his Spotsylvania feats finally led to his generals commission, thered been calls for his promotion since the previous year. The last 11 months of the war, Grimes continued his solid leadership, notably in the 1864 Shenandoah Valley Campaign. In February 1865, he was promoted to major general (the last such appointment in Lees army) and was there at the end at Appomattox Court House, leading a skeletal division in the Second Corps. James Robbins Jewell writes from Coeur dAlene, Idaho. The Foreign Ministry and a military spokesman called out the United States Navy on Monday for violating China's sovereignty and disturbing peace and security in the South China Sea. On Monday morning, the destroyer USS Preble sailed within 12 nautical miles of China's Huangyan Island without the Chinese government's permission, Senior Colonel Li Huamin, spokesman for the Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army, said on Monday in an online statement. In response, the command mobilized air and maritime forces to identify and warn the US ship in accordance with laws and regulations, Li said. "The situation in the South China Sea is calming thanks to joint efforts by China and ASEAN countries," he said, adding that actions by the US Navy ship put the safety of ships, aircraft and personnel from both countries at risk, and undermined China's sovereignty and security. "This violates the basic principles of international relations, and damages regional peace and stability," Li said, adding that China has undisputable sovereignty over the islands and its surrounding waters in the South China Sea. "We resolutely oppose the provocative actions by the US warship," he said. "Troops in the Southern Theater Command will remain at high-alert and take all necessary actions to safeguard national sovereignty and security, as well as the peace and stability in the region." Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said in a news briefing on Monday that China strongly urges the US side to "immediately cease such provocative actions". Lu said China consistently respects and upholds various nations' freedom of navigation and flight in the region in accordance with international law. "But we resolutely oppose any country using freedom of navigation as an excuse to undermine the sovereignty and security interests of China and other countries in the region," he added. The US has disregarded the joint aspiration of countries in the region to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, Lu said. The constant disturbing of peace in the area "will not win over hearts". China will continue to take all necessary measures to protect its national sovereignty and security, as well as maintain peace and stability in the region, he added. Years after the climactic Pennsylvania battle, Doubleday continued to defend his actions and denigrate his superiors The Battle of Gettysburg stood supreme in its ability to spark postwar controversies among officers in both the Confederate and Union high commands. Infighting among former generals of the Army of Northern Virginia has garnered the most attention from historians, resulting in a sizable literature that features James Longstreet playing villain to Jubal A. Early and other Lost Cause warriors who sought to absolve Robert E. Lee of all responsibility for defeat. J.E.B. Stuart, Richard S. Ewell, and A.P. Hill held supporting roles in these long-running debates that filled many pages in the Southern Historical Society Papers, personal memoirs, and other publications. On the United States side, Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Sickles decision on July 2 to abandon his position on Cemetery Ridge and occupy a line stretching from the Klingel Farm along the Emmitsburg Road to Devils Den generated the most acrimony. Congress helped fuel the fires among Union generals because the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War solicited and published testimony from many of the key actors. Few officers on either side nursed a deeper sense of grievance than Maj. Gen. Abner Doubleday. New York-born and a graduate of West Point in 1842, he fought as an artillerist during the war with Mexico. During the secession crisis, he served under Major Robert Anderson as a captain in the 1st U.S. Artillery stationed at Fort Sumter. He commanded the 2nd Division in Maj. Gen. John F. Reynolds 1st Corps at Fredericksburg and, in the spring of 1863, took charge of the 3rd Division in that corps and led it at Chancellorsville (his troops played insignificant roles in both battles). Still head of the 3rd Division on July 1 at Gettysburg, he assumed corps command after Reynolds wounding and led it for the rest of the day. That evening, based largely on 11th Corps commander Maj. Gen. Oliver Otis Howards reporting to Winfield Scott Hancock that Doubledays command gave way during the chaotic late- afternoon fighting, army commander George G. Meade placed the 1st Corps under John Newton. Seething at what he considered unfair treatment (Newton was junior to him in rank), Doubleday returned to the 3rd Division for the rest of the battle but soon left the Army of the Potomac. He never held another field command during the war, spending much of his time on courts-martial in Washington, D.C. Howard and Meade had incurred the New Yorkers enduring wrath, a fact made evident in Doubledays Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Written as part of Scribners Campaigns of the Civil War series and published in 1882, the book bristled with criticism of the pair. Especially upset with Howards unfair insinuation that the 1st Corps collapsed prior to the retreat of the 11th Corps on July 1, Doubleday observed: General Howard hastened to send a special messenger to General Meade with the baleful intelligence that the 1st Corps had fled from the field at the first contact with the enemy.[T]his astounding news created the greatest feeling against the corps, who were loudly cursed for their supposed lack of spirit and patriotism. Doubleday also averred that Reynolds, rather than Howard, deserved credit for selecting Cemetery Hill as a position of great strength. As for Meade, Doubleday portrayed him as timid and eager to abandon the field after the second days action. At night a council of war was held, he wrote with clear malice, in which it was unanimously voted to stay and fight it out. Meade was displeased with the result, and although he acquiesced in the decision, he said angrily, Have it your own way, gentlemen, but Gettysburg is no place to fight a battle in. The armys new chief, added Doubleday, had been rattled by the fierce Confederate attacks on July 2 and thought it better to retreat with what he had, than run the risk of losing all. Doubleday buttressed his version of events with a long footnote that acknowledged a public discussion about Meades intentions on the night of the 2nd. There is no question in my mind, he reiterated in the note, that, at the council referred to, General Meade did desire to retreat. The aftermath of Picketts Charge, Doubleday suggested, similarly showed Meades indecisiveness. At the critical moment at Waterloo, the Duke of Wellington had ordered, Up, guards, and at them! In contrast, General Meade had made no arrangements to give a return thrust. Howard surely knew about Doubledays vituperative comments but chose not to respond in his own memoirs. Published in two thick volumes in 1907 as Autobiography of Oliver Otis Howard, Major General United States Army, they mentioned Doubledays actions at Gettysburg in purely descriptive passages. After chronicling hard pressure on both the 1st and 11th Corps after 3:30 p.m. on July 1, Howard stated simply that with firing growing worse and worse he determined that the front lines could not hold out much longer. I will not attempt to describe the action further, he continued. The order I sent to Doubleday then was this: If you cannot hold out longer, you must fall back to the cemetery and take position on the left of the Baltimore Pike. Meade reacted with more emotion. Doubledays testimony before the Joint Committee, which anticipated criticisms he leveled in Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, spurred Meade to complain to his wife in early March 1864 about the explosion of the conspiracy to have me relievedin which the Committee on the Conduct of the War, with Generals Doubleday and Sickles, are the agents. The two-volume edition of Meades letters, published in 1913, included as an appendix a newspaper article by Sickles printed in The New York Times on April 1, 1883, that detailed Meades Proposed Retreat on the Night of the 2nd of July. Another appendix offered a stinging reply to Doubledays version of events, pronouncing General Meades actions utterly inconsistentwith any such intention as that ascribed to him by General Doubleday. Impartial observers can find admirable and self-interested behavior and statements from Doubleday, Meade, and Howard regarding Gettysburg. Modern visitors to the battlefield will find statues to all three men that face resolutely toward the enemy. AJTMH tipsheet for May 2019 California Study Warns Obscure Q Fever a Bigger Threat Than Once Believed In Bolivia, Mass Treatment Associated with Near Elimination of Parasitic Worm Disease California Study Warns Obscure Q Fever a Bigger Threat Than Once Believed Chronic disease and deaths from infections with Q fever, a little-known disease caused by a bacterium carried by livestock, may be far more likely than previously believed, according to a new study in Southern California published today online in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Researchers from Loma Linda University examined the experience of patients who were diagnosed with acute Q fever at their hospital between 2000 and 2016. They found that of 20 patients who had acute disease, three went on to develop chronic Q fever and two died. Acute cases of Q fever are often mild, with just flu-like symptoms, and treatable with antibiotics. But the study notes chronic cases can cause dangerous heart and blood vessel infections and have a poor prognosis. While they were looking at a relatively small number of infections, the scientists found a much higher proportion of patients with acute illness progressing to chronic Q fever and a higher case fatality rate than the national average. They note that while other studies have found cases of Q fever rarely progress to chronic infection, in their study 15% of acute cases worsened to chronic infections. And the 10% case fatality rate in their study was five times the rate (2%) for Q fever cases reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But they note their study is probably not capturing the total number of infections in their region because many people infected with the bacterium don't get sick enough to seek treatment. They also point to a lack of international consensus on distinguishing acute from chronic infections and evidence that there may be different types of chronic infections, with some more likely to produce deadly heart problems than others. Q fever infections can be caused by either direct contact with livestock that harbor the bacterium Coxiella burnetii or by inhaling bacterial spores that can be carried long distances by dust and wind. The patients in the study lived in an area of Southern California where dusty, dry, windy conditions form an "ideal climate for the propagation and spread of the disease," the researchers said. The study cites previous research finding that Q fever is underdiagnosed and under-reported in the U.S. Abstract (embargoed until 5 p.m. EDT May 20): https:/ / www. ajtmh. org/ content/ journals/ 10. 4269/ ajtmh. 18-0283 In Bolivia, Mass Treatment Associated with Near Elimination of Parasitic Worm Disease Wielding an affordable, safe, and effective drug, the Bolivian Ministry of Health has used a mass drug administration (MDA) campaign to all but eliminate a debilitating human infection from a parasitic worm in a region where it was once found in up to a quarter of the population, according to a new study. Researchers from Bolivia's FUNDERMA, Institute of Health and Environment, and SEDES La Paz found infections with human fascioliasis, a condition caused by ingesting a parasitic worm that contaminates fresh water and freshwater plants, were practically undetectable following an eight-year MDA campaign with triclabendazole, which is lethal to the worms. The authors of the study initially had planned to conduct a treatment trial in Bolivia's Altiplano (high plain) region to further explore the effectiveness of triclabendazole against the Fasciola hepatica worms, also known as liver flukes. This region bordering Lake Titicaca is believed to have the world's highest rate of human fascioliasis infections, which start out causing fever and abdominal pain before progressing to a chronic condition that can produce nausea, jaundice, and bacterial infections. But the scientists say they were surprised when they "found it impossible to identify sufficient subjects." In one area, where in 1999 about 27% of the population was infected, in 2017 only 0.7% was infected. The study could find no other examples of using a mass treatment strategy--in which all accessible members of a large population are treated regardless of symptoms or signs of infection--with triclabendazole to combat fascioliasis. The researchers note that, by contrast, the traditional strategy worldwide has involved diagnosis via stool samples followed by treatment of those infected. But they note that the Bolivian government's mass treatment strategy in communities at high risk of infection was much less costly and much more efficient and effective. ### About the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, founded in 1903, is the largest international scientific organization of experts dedicated to reducing the worldwide burden of tropical infectious diseases and improving global health. It accomplishes this through generating and sharing scientific evidence, informing health policies and practices, fostering career development, recognizing excellence, and advocating for investment in tropical medicine/global health research. For more information, visit astmh.org. About the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Continuously published since 1921, AJTMH is the peer-reviewed journal of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, and the world's leading voice in the fields of tropical medicine and global health. AJTMH disseminates new knowledge in fundamental, translational, clinical and public health sciences focusing on improving global health. Contact: Bridget DeSimone, +1 301.280.5735, bdesimone@burness.com Preeti Singh, +1 301.280.5722, psingh@burness.com This story has been published on: 2019-05-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. The 90-day temporary general license for Huawei "bears little meaning" and Huawei is fully prepared, said Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei on Tuesday. Ren made the statement in a group interview with China Media Group, adding Huawei is grateful for U.S. enterprises' contributions to them, and many of his counselors are from U.S. companies such as IBM. Huawei's CEO Ren Zhengfei speaks to Chinese media on Tuesday, May 21, 2019. [Photo: CGTN] Focus on our own business What the U.S. government intends to do is beyond our control, and for Huawei, what counts is to make sure the job is properly done, Ren told reporters. "We received entity control from the U.S. a year ago, but this has no close bearing on U.S. companies, U.S. politicians are the ones to blame, and their actions underestimate our strength," said Ren. Ren also expressed confidence in Huawei's 5G competence, saying it will not be affected by the restrictions. He predicted that no other parties would be able to catch up with the company in 5G technology in the next two to three years. U.S. chips still Huawei's choice The CEO stressed the company will not rashly or narrowly exclude the use of U.S. chips, and at the same time appealed for the common development of chip technology. He said Huawei makes half of its chips itself, while the other half come from the U.S., adding that Huawei will not be isolated from the world. "We can make the same chips like the U.S. counterparts. However, that doesn't mean we will not buy U.S. chips." "We do need to learn from U.S. technology in terms of width and depth. But in the 5G area, Huawei is at the forefront, although it can't be denied that there is still a huge gap between China and (the) U.S. on the whole," he noted. "We sacrifice ourselves and families in the pursuit of a dream to stand on top of the world, which would clash with (the) U.S. sooner or later," Ren said. Do not incite nationalist sentiment There are currently two main attitudes towards Huawei, Ren said: some bolster the company driven by patriotism, while others deem that Huawei is holding society's patriotic feelings hostage. Ren urged against inciting nationalist sentiment, arguing that buying Huawei's products should not be tied simply to patriotism. Flanked by snow-capped mountains bordering Myanmar in southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dulongjiang Township, named after the Dulong River that winds through it, used to be one of the poorest areas in China. The township is home to people of the Derung ethnic group, one of the ethnic minorities in China that has the smallest population. Before the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1949, the Derung people still lived an insulated and primitive life. It was not until 1999 that a road was built linking the area to the outside world, making it the last township in China to be connected by road. Access to the township was still blocked by snow for almost six months a year until a tunnel was completed in 2014. One of the smallest and most isolated minorities, with less than 7,000 people, the Derung ethnic group shook off poverty in 2018. On April 11, the people in Dulongjiang received a letter from President Xi Jinping, congratulating them. "Making it possible for people of all ethnic groups to have a good life has been my aspiration as well as our common goal," Xi wrote in his letter. Yunnan, which borders Myanmar, Laos and Viet Nam, has 25 ethnic minorities. The vast mountainous areas in the province have been identified as a major target for the government's poverty alleviation. Paving the way Gao Derong, 65, the former head of the township and a key figure in leading local people out of poverty, read the letter from Xi to his fellow townspeople and could not hide his excitement. "The life of the Derung people in recent years has changed dramatically," Gao said. "The president encouraged us to build a good homeland, guard the border and create a better future in his letter. We will keep this in mind and work harder on reaching greater goals." After graduating from a normal school in Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, Gao returned to his hometown, worked as a teacher in a primary school and helped wipe out illiteracy. Gao is one of the few people of his generation in his hometown to have gotten an education. In 1984, he started to serve in the township government with the ambition of lifting the local people out of poverty. Even after he was promoted to higher positions in Gongshan Dulong-Nu Autonomous County, to which Dulongjiang is subordinated, and higher Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, Gao still spent most of his time working in Dulongjiang. "Before the founding of the PRC, people in my township lived by hunting and slash-and-burn agriculture," Gao said. "No Derung people could speak Mandarin and people still used knot-tying to keep records." His relative, Kong Zhiqing, was the first around them to learn Mandarin and go to school. In 1952, as the head of Gongshan Dulong-Nu Autonomous County, Kong went to Beijing to attend a conference. There, he met then Premier Zhou Enlai, who decided to make Derung the official name of the ethnic group based on Kong's suggestion. When Gao served in the government, there were no roads, no regular schools and no businesses in the township. The rolling hills and harsh climate made it difficult to even build a road. School-aged children would have to slide along a steel wire above the roaring Dulong River to get to county schools. Landslides, avalanches, wild animal attacks and traffic accidents made life extremely harsh. As a witness to the township's transformation from longtime poverty, Gao concluded that there were three major phases that were crucial to the township's development. The first was the founding of the PRC, which led the township from a primitive society to a socialist one. The second was when the road to the township was constructed in 1999, and the latest phase, which began after 2010, was when the government of Yunnan launched a project to lift the Derung people out of poverty. A visitor surnamed Wang from Beijing visited the township in 2007. He still remembers a notice he found pasted on the wall in the township during the Spring Festival. "It said that someone donated 10,000 yuan ($1,470) to the township and that the township decided to divide the money among all the residents. It meant in the end, each person got less than 2 yuan ($0.29)," Wang told Beijing Review. "It was the Spring Festival, the most important of all Chinese holidays, and each person only received that small amount of money. It was astonishing." Under such harsh conditions, Gao meticulously explored methods to increase local income. As he saw it, the advantage of the township was its superb ecological environment, with more than 95 percent forest coverage, as well as rivers, waterfalls, deep valleys and mountains. Thus, ecological protection was made a top priority. "A well-preserved ecological environment is the great treasure passed down to us by our ancestors," Gao said. "We will spare no efforts to protect it." Eventually, he found a way to bring both economic benefits to the locals and do no harm to the environment: They started planting amomum tsao-ko, a spice and medicinal herb, which is well-suited for the local climate. Gao set up a base offering free training to the townspeople and in order to encourage more of them to learn the process, he also provided free accommodations and meals. This created a sharp rise in locals' income. So far, there are more than 4,000 hectares of amomum tsao-ko farmland in Dulongjiang. "The market for amomum tsao-ko has been growing in recent years, which has led to a boom in locals getting involved in the business," said Zhang Jun, Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of Gongshan. "In addition, we have developed planting of paridis, another medical herb, and beekeeping, along with cow and chicken breeding, which have all greatly expanded locals' income sources." Zhang said that in 2018, the average income of local people was 6,122 yuan ($900), an increase of 23.5 percent from 2017. Amomum tsao-ko alone brought in 7.43 million yuan ($1.09 million). Furthermore, the forestry department in Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture has made all the people from 195 impoverished Derung households ecological rangers, providing them with an income for protecting the forests in their native land. In the process, various levels of government support has offered a boost. In 2010, the provincial government implemented entire village advancement projects as well as pilot projects for the improvement of entire townships, with Dulongjiang included. Financial aid and related programs from the government put the town's development on a fast track. During the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20), the Central Government set the target of achieving an annual gross regional product growth of over 8 percent in ethnic minority regions. In 2017, China demarcated three regions and three prefectures as the poorest areas in the country. The three regions are located in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, four areas in south Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and Tibetan-inhabited regions in Qinghai, Sichuan, Yunnan and Gansu provinces in northwest or southwest China. The three prefectures are Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture in Gansu Province, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province and Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province. More resources have been allocated to these areas. In addition, developed regions in the country's east, including the metropolis of Shanghai, have provided targeted aid for construction projects, industrial development and personnel training. Promising future As a result, Dulongjiang now has a brand new look. Many new houses have been erected along the road, as residents living in uninhabitable conditions have been relocated to new houses. The 4G network covers the entire township and is accessible to quite a few delivery service providers. In the early 2000s, a school covering six years of elementary and three years of secondary education was set up in the township. Children don't have to slide along a wire to attend schools further away anymore. Moreover, the improvement in transportation has brought tourists to the township, leading some local people to renovate their houses into restaurants and inns to increase their income. Gao said that there are two directions for the township's future progress: One is to develop the ecological economy and the other is to develop rural tourism. Tang Xiaocong, a 28-year-old local, runs a restaurant with his wife in Maku Village. Their average income each month is about 6,000 yuan ($882). "We were relocated three times before we settled down in Maku," Tang said. "The houses we lived in before were made of either bamboo or wood. They were freezing in winter and leaked when it rained. Our house now is built of bricks and is steady and firm with three bedrooms and a spacious kitchen. My parents said they never dreamed of living in a house like this." Tang received his education outside Dulongjiang and served in the army for several years before returning to his hometown. These experiences broadened his horizons. In 2014, he came back to his village and opened up a restaurant. "It has not been just the road and tunnel that have connected the township with the outside world," Tang said. "The 4G network has also linked it up. A growing number of locals are selling their agricultural products on online business platforms." Tang Jiajia, who also runs a restaurant in the township, is from Lijiang, a city in Yunnan. She followed relatives to Dulongjiang 11 years ago, seeking business opportunities. She started as a food vendor with her mother, and although the business was not that profitable back then, Tang Jiajia chose to stay because the locals were all very nice people. Shops in Dulongjiang enjoy a tax-free policy and rent is inexpensive. Thus, she decided to settle down in the township and married a local man. Her business has since developed into a restaurant. "Now we can easily earn 100,000 yuan ($14,700) a year," Tang Jiajia said. "With more tourists visiting in the future, we believe the business will get better." Following the Derung people, two more ethnic groups from Yunnan, the Deang and Jino people, also declared that they had successfully climbed out of poverty. Huang Yunbo, head of the provincial office of poverty alleviation and development in Yunnan, said a total of seven ethnic minority groups will be removed from the poverty list this year and in 2020, the number is expected to increase to 11. "Just as President Xi said in his letter, poverty eradication is only the first step, and better days are yet to come," Gao said. "We will work hard to make the better days arrive sooner." Renovation 21 May 2019 All eyes will be set on Atlanta this June as The Whitley, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Atlanta Buckhead, owned by Host Hotels & Resorts, officially unveils its multi-million-dollar transformation to reclaim the hotel's standing amongst the most luxurious hotels in the country. The Whitley's renovation includes a redesign of all 507 rooms (including 56 spacious suites) and a remodeled reception and lobby area that reflects a traditional Southern front porch. In addition, a 5,000-square-foot Legacy Ballroom has been recently added with space for 300 guests, Trade Root Restaurant and Lounge has been renovated and its menu updated to include more Southern-inspired dishes and handcrafted cocktails, and The Spa is being restored to enhance the guest experience with the addition of a Himalayan salt room and expanded dressing areas. Located in Atlanta's coveted Buckhead neighborhood, a hub for world-class shopping, art galleries, and live performances, The Whitley began renovations in Fall 2018 which will debut in June 2019. Formerly The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead, the hotel reopened its doors in late 2017 as The Whitley, paying homage to Buckhead's legendary founder and trailblazer, John Whitley, a farmer, hunter, and tradesman who migrated to the area in the 1800s seeking a place for gathering, conducting business, and sharing ideas. Whitley settled on the side of the Chattahoochee River where he mounted the area's namesake "buck's head." The Whitley Lobby Greets Guests with Southern Hospitality Visitors seeking a break from the buzzing energy of Buckhead will be greeted like neighbors when they step inside The Whitley. The expanded lobby includes millwork panels and a blue ceiling above the registration desks modeled after a Southern home in addition to areas for reading, learning, relaxing or mingling. These designated areas include: the Hearth Lounge, where guests can share the day's news with a drink by the fire; the Front Porch Lounge, symbolic of quintessential Southern hospitality and sense of community; the Explorers Library, filled with unique artifacts and literature detailing the local history; and the Sanctuary Lounge, a cozy, chic sitting area with a life-size buck sculpture by local artist Kevin Chambers. The Whitley's Design Concept Captures Nature with Indigenous Flair In re-envisioning the new Whitley, the Boston-based interior design firm, Parker-Torres Design, Inc., sought to capture the "wild" land of Buckhead prior to becoming the metropolis it is today. The firm used refined furnishings accented by organic touches as a nod to the farming heritage of the land, and cool muted Earth tones of taupe, soft greens, and grey balanced by black. In addition, thoughtful metal and craft-artisan details are reminiscent of Whitley's blacksmithing forge. The design also incorporates art and custom wall coverings, as well as glass and metal antique chandeliers from Currey & Company and custom sconces by Alger Triton. With the transformation underway for all guest rooms and suites, which range in size from 720 to 1,800 square feet, every room will offer guests the opulent comforts of a luxurious living area and marble bathroom. Visitors can enjoy sweeping city views from the hotel's spacious rooms, elegantly appointed with rich mahogany hardwood floors, Italian marble vanities, luxury Frette linens, Byredo bath products, refreshment centers, honor bars and The Luxury Collection feather beds with 400-thread-count linens. Club-level rooms and suites have access to The Whitley Club Lounge where guests can enjoy chef-created breakfasts, hors d'oeuvres, desserts, cocktails, wine and beer. Guestrooms include a modern porch-like theme with woven raffia headboards, contemporized dogwood emblems, blue ceilings, and flora and fauna accents. As the local Buckhead neighborhood is an interconnected network of parks, trails, and green spaces, nature is reflected in the playfully curated bird artwork on the guestroom walls. The rooms also feature sketches of local notable figureheads that were brought to life and curated by Parker-Torres Design, with the assistance of SoHo Myriad Art Consulting. The guestroom corridor features discreet buck racks in the lighting scones as an homage to the area's namesake. The carpet's "filtered light" design represents sunlight peeking through Georgia pines. Meeting Spaces Abound at The Whitley on Peachtree Road The Whitley maintains Buckhead's historic purpose as a meeting space, serving as the premier location for business, leisure, meetings and events. Boasting 40,000 square feet of customizable event space with 31 versatile set-ups, The Whitley presents the perfect backdrop for intimate corporate retreats or large group meetings as well as memorable weddings, galas and lively social gatherings. Chief among the enhancements is the recent addition of a 5,000 square-foot Legacy Ballroom with space for 300 guests, featuring 14-foot ceilings, crystal chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling windows and a private al fresco terrace. R&RThe Whitley Way Guests can melt away distractions in the tranquility of The Spa, an award-winning holistic haven, featuring a selection of treatments ranging from massages and facials to body scrubs and salon services. Following the renovation, The Spa will also include one of the only Himalayan salt rooms in an Atlanta hotel, a 75-square-foot space custom-designed by Salt Chamber. The Spa amenities also include a state-of-the-art fitness center, junior-Olympic sized indoor pool and whirlpool, relaxation lounge, nail salon, couple's suite, sauna, and luxurious product lines like Eminence Organics Skin Care, Farmhouse Fresh, Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare and Kneipp. Southern Flavors at Trade Root Restaurant and Lounge Visitors seeking a taste of Southern cuisine can try Trade Root Restaurant and Lounge, led by Executive Chef Marc Suennemann. Trade Root embraces local tastes and sources regional ingredients, celebrating Southern-inspired cuisine with seasonal dishes and handcrafted cocktails. Diners can enjoy Crab Cake Benedict, Fried Chicken & Waffles, Trade Root Farm Egg Frittata, and Lemon Poached Georgia Trout, to name a few. Guests can also indulge in 24-hour room service or head down to the lobby in the evening to enjoy a pecan bourbon tasting for an authentic Southern stay. About The Whitley Newly rebranded and situated in the heart of Atlanta's urban chic Buckhead neighborhood, The Whitley pays tribute to historic trailblazer and Buckhead founder, John Whitley, introducing a luxurious space for gathering and idea sharing to the thriving, metropolitan hub. The Whitley intertwines timeless and chic to captivate guests with authentic Southern hospitality, cosmopolitan style and luxurious experiences, with some of the world's best shopping and nightlife just minutes away. The luxury hotel's 507 rooms, including 56 spacious suites, feature sweeping views of the Atlanta skyline and thoughtful appointments, capturing the essence of Buckhead sophistication and the hotel's characteristic charm. Maintaining Buckhead's historic purpose as a meeting space, The Whitley is also a superlative setting for gatherings of all kinds, with 31 diverse event spaces covering 40,000 sq. ft., including the 5,000 square foot Legacy Ballroom with outdoor patio. Visit http://thewhitleyhotel.com. Pipeline 21 May 2019 an Pacific Hotels Group will introduce its signature Pan Pacific brand into Europe next year with the opening of Pan Pacific London in the United Kingdom. Designed by international design firm Yabu Pushelberg, Pan Pacific London will offer 237 keys in the heart of London's financial district at One Bishopsgate Plaza, a five-minute walk from Liverpool Street station, a major railway and underground station in central London. With this flagship opening in London, Pan Pacific Hotels Group will join a select handful of Asia-based hotel companies to enter the Europe luxury hotel space, and introduce its brand of sincere hospitality for the first time to a mature and sophisticated market. Pan Pacific London will provide unmatched scale and quality in the area. The Signature Suite of the hotel on the 18th floor is an epitome of luxury complete with spectacular views of city landmark, The Gherkin. Housed within the luxurious Pan Pacific London will be the Square Mile's first smart ballroom, capable of accommodating up to 370 guests in a banquet seating along with six meeting venues. An indoor lap pool with views of the street, calming spa treatment rooms and a modern fitness centre make up this sanctuary, while a dedicated Studio Lounge provides a comfortable space for early arrivals and late departures. Appointment 21 May 2019 The Danish hotel chain, Zleep Hotels, has since the 1st of May had the great pleasure of welcoming Allan Dean Andersen into the chain's sales department. Allan Dean Andersen is new Sales Manager with primary responsibility for outreach sales, follow-up and support for the chain's many current and future business customers on Zealand. Allan Dean Andersen has previous experience from the airline- and hotel industry from Marienlyst Strandhotel, First Hotels A/S and Cimber Air. Zleep Hotels is a Deutsche Hospitality brand. It provides quality and design at an affordable price in Denmark and Sweden. Appointment 21 May 2019 Marcus Hotels & Resorts, a nationally recognized hotel owner and management company and division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), today announced that Joe Jackson has been promoted to vice president of food and beverage. In his new position, Jackson will oversee Marcus Hotels & Resorts' catering, banquets and more than 40 signature restaurants, bars and lounges across the company's 21 properties. A seasoned hospitality industry veteran, Jackson began his tenure with Marcus Hotels & Resorts in 2016 as interim general manager of Mason Street Grill, located adjacent to the company's flagship property, The Pfister Hotel, in Milwaukee. In 2017, he was promoted to Marcus Hotels & Resorts corporate director of food and beverage where he played a critical role in creating seasonal drink and dining promotions for the company's restaurants and bars, developed new event experiences for various Marcus Hotels & Resorts restaurants, and implemented new food and beverage service standards. Prior to joining the company, Jackson spent 23 years with Hyatt Hotels Corporation in various leadership roles, including four years as corporate director of food and beverage. In this role, he oversaw food and beverage operations at the company's full-service hotels, as well as created new food and beverage concepts for various properties across the portfolio. Marcus Hotels & Resorts remains committed to providing an exceptional experience at all of its distinctive nationwide establishments ranging from casual and fine dining to contemporary lounges and creative concepts. Under Jackson's leadership, the company's veteran food and beverage team brings world-class culinary knowledge and expertise to every part of a patron's dining experience. From cuisine and cocktails to ambiance and vibe, Marcus Hotels & Resorts' restaurants offer the freshest, seasonal ingredients, wine programs that have earned 36 Wine Spectator awards over the past decade, popular craft beverages and locally inspired dishes. Such attention to unparalleled quality and service has been nationally recognized with numerous Certificate of Excellence Awards by TripAdvisor and local accolades across the company's portfolio of restaurants and lounges. Press Release 21 May 2019 Melia Hotels International, the leading Spanish hotel group, today announces to deepen the strategic partnership with Ctrip and to launch a flagship store on the leading online travel agency's Chinese website and mobile app. Advertisements Bernardo Cabot, the Regional Vice President of Melia Hotels International in Asia Pacific, said, "We are honoured to maintain our partnership with Ctrip, the market leader in China. To collaborate with top local companies is one of the key pillars of our growth strategy. This new agreement with Ctrip marks yet another milestone for Melia and further consolidates our partnership. Together with Ctrip's support and the group's Chinese-friendly program 'Pengyou by Meila', we aim to constantly enhance our guest experience from the booking process to our hospitality service for Chinese travelers." China is one of the most important foreign markets for Melia Hotels International. With the expertise in the "bleisure" (business and leisure) segment, collaborating with leading local companies with over 10 years of development in the region, the company currently has four hotels operating in China, including Shanghai, Xi'an, Zhengzhou and Jinan with an additional five properties in the pipeline under three of its most prestigious brands: Gran Melia Hotels & Resorts, Melia Hotels & Resorts and INNSiDE by Melia. Ctrip dominates the online travel market in China and its partnership with Melia Hotels International dates back to 2016. The latest collaboration indicates the Melia flagship store on Ctrip's website and mobile app will enable 300 million plus Ctrip users to gain access to exclusive membership offers and benefits from nearly 400 hotels managed by the hotel group across the globe. Meanwhile, Ctrip users could score stay points along with additional benefits from MeliaRewards, the hotel group's loyalty program. In addition to such benefits, Melia Hotel International will also offer flight and hotel packages for Ctrip users. Furthermore, in the near future, the two companies will also launch a membership tier-matching program, where all tiers of Ctrip members could join MeliaRewards through the Melia Flagship store, and be corresponding tiers of MeliaRewards. In recognition of the importance of delivering a one-stop shopping experience for Chinese travelers from both companies, the Melia flagship store on Ctrip platform will further elevate the hotel group's presence in China by offering additional products and services. This collaboration leverages Melia Hotel International to more opportunities and exposure in the China market while being featured on the Ctrip platform. David Zhou, the Chief Business Officer of Ctrip Accommodation Business said, "We are excited to jointly establish the exclusive flagship store of Melia Hotels International on our Ctrip platform. Such agreement will ensure that Ctrip will continue to drive better customer experience and enhance value to all of our partners." With strong support from Ctrip and other key local partners, Melia Hotels International is confident that this will further bolster the group's presence both inside and outside of China, creating more values and opportunities for both partners. Supplier News 21 May 2019 TYSONS, Va. -- Cvent, a market-leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider, today released its annual lists of Top Meeting Hotels for meetings and events worldwide. The list was compiled by analyzing meeting and event booking activity through the Cvent Supplier Network (CSN), one of the world's largest venue sourcing platforms. More than $16 billion and more than 42 million room nights were sourced through the CSN in 2018. Cvent's Top Meeting Hotels lists rank hotels based on group business performance according to various criteria, including total requests for proposals (RFPs) and conversion rate. "The hotels featured on this year's lists are elevating their group business strategy through innovative digital marketing and quick and complete online responses to RFPs-which is exactly what event professionals want," said Chris McAndrews, vice president of marketing for Cvent Hospitality Cloud. "Our Top Meeting Hotels lists are consistently used by event organizers to find great hotels and by hoteliers looking to set themselves apart to increase their property's group business revenue." "Being recognized as the highest-ranking hotel on this year's list is a testament to our team and our continued dedication to providing exceptional service and amenities that event organizers and attendees look for," said Tod Roadarmel, Area Director of Sales & Marketing, Omni Nashville Hotel, which took the number one position in the U.S. this year. "With three properties in the Top 10 from Nashville, we are proud to be leading the list and to support Nashville's position as a prime destination for meetings and events." To address increased demand and buyer preferences, Cvent unveiled additional Top Meeting Hotel lists which segment hotels further based on commonly searched attributes including meeting space square footage and region-specific locales. These lists include: Top 25 Independent Meeting Hotels in the United States, Top 25 Meeting Hotels in Australia, and Top 50 Meeting Hotels in Germany, among others. Top 10 Meeting Hotels by Region BusinessWire U.S. List Highlights Five new properties have broken into the Top 10: Fairmont Austin (Ranked 4 th ) Renaissance Nashville Hotel (Ranked 6 th ) Hyatt Regency Atlanta (Ranked 7 th ) Hilton Austin (Ranked 8 th ) The Diplomat Beach Resort Hollywood (Ranked 10 th ) Newcomers to the Top 100 list include: Boca Raton Resort and Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, The Westin Charlotte, Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown, Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa, Omni Louisville Hotel, Sheraton Atlanta, and Hotel del Coronado Curio Collection by Hilton to name a few. Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt (in that order) are the top three hotel chains represented on the Top 100 list. View the full 2019 list of Top 100 Meeting Hotels in the U.S. Europe List Highlights Hilton Pragueretained its number one position as the Top Meeting Hotel. Hilton properties took four of the top 10 spots for generating the most group business in Europe: Hilton Prague, Hilton Barcelona, Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona, and Hilton London Metropole in that order. Seven unique countries make up the top ten rankings: Austria, Czech Republic, England, France, Italy, Netherlands, and Spain. Spain and Germany represent the largest selection of hotels on the list with 12 and 8 respectively, in the Top 50, including the following chains and brands: AccorHotels, Hilton, IHG, Marriott International Hotels, Melia Hotels International, NH Hotel Group, and Radisson Hotel Group. Marriott, Hilton, and IHG (in that order) are the top three hotel chains represented on the Top 50 list. View the full 2019 list of Top 50 Meeting Hotels in Europe. Middle East and Africa List Highlights JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai retained its number one position as the Top Meeting Hotel. Seven other properties in Dubai round out the Top 10, highlighting the continued interest in hosting meetings and events in the Dubai area: InterContinental Dubai - Festival City (ranked 2 nd ) Grand Hyatt Dubai (ranked 3 rd ) Conrad Dubai (ranked 4 th ) Fairmont Dubai (ranked 5 th ) Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Waterfront (ranked 6 th ) Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai (ranked 9 th ) The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre (ranked 10 th ) Newcomers to the Top 25 list include: Movenpick Hotel Mansour Eddahbi & Palais des Congres Marrakech, InterContinental David Tel Aviv, The Meydan Hotel, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, and Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino to name a few. Marriott, AccorHotels, and IHG are the top three hotel chains represented on the list. View the full 2019 list of Top 25 Meeting Hotels in Middle East and Africa. Asia Pacific (APAC) List Highlights Hyatt Regency Sydney retained its number one position as the Top Meeting Hotel. Five new properties have broken into the Top 10: Grand Hyatt Singapore (ranked 2 nd ) Grand Hyatt Seoul (ranked 3 rd ) Grand Hyatt Hong Kong (ranked 4 th ) ANA InterContinental Tokyo (ranked 9 th ) Marina Bay Sands Singapore (ranked 10 th ) There are 15 new properties to the Top 50 list including: Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen's Park, Millennium Seoul Hilton, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney, Resorts World Sentosa Singapore, and Grand Hyatt Tokyo among others. Hilton and Hyatt are the top two hotel chains represented on the Top 50 list with five properties each. View the full 2019 list of Top 50 Meeting Hotels in APAC. BusinessWire Methodology Cvent evaluated hotel properties that generated business through the Cvent Supplier Network from January 2018 through December 2018. The properties were ranked according to various criteria, including total requests for proposals (RFPs), awarded RFPs, total room nights, awarded room nights, major metropolitan area (MMA) market share, conversion rate, response rate, and the hotel's unique profile visits in the Cvent Supplier Network. The criteria are designed to provide the most accurate reflection of the top meeting hotels in the U.S., Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific regions. About the Cvent Supplier Network Featuring more than 260,000 hotels, resorts and special event venues, the Cvent Supplier Network (CSN) is one of the world's largest and most accurate databases of detailed venue information. Cvent sourced more than $16 billion in meetings and events through its marketplace and more than 42 million room nights in 2018. The CSN contains listings of hotels and other venues in more than 175 countries that can be searched and filtered based on approximately 200 meetings and events attributes. The Network is part of the Cvent Hospitality Cloud, which partners with hotels and venues to help them drive group and corporate travel business. To find venues, request quotes, and book event space on the Cvent Supplier Network, visit https://www.cvent.com/venues. Press Release 21 May 2019 Due to a rich mix of cultures within Western Europe, each individual country is known for specific dishes, or entire cuisines. This attracts Chinese tourists who want a varied gastronomical experience, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. Advertisements GlobalData's latest report: 'Destination Market Insights: Western Europe' reveals that 67% of Chinese tourists typically take gastronomical holidays. Destinations such as Italy and Austria are set to experience a rapid growth in Chinese visitor numbers over the next four years. Diversifying their gastronomy product should be a tourism strategy that both countries should be focusing on. Ralph Hollister, Travel & Tourism Analyst at GlobalData, comments: ""The number of Chinese tourists to Austria is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5% between 2019 and 2023. Numbers to Italy are expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% during the same period. Western European countries can utilize their gastronomy offering to spread Chinese tourist numbers around different regions. This will help to avoid over-tourism in hotspots such as Salzburg and Rome." GlobalData Western Europe attracts different types of gastronomy tourists such as Foodies, Adventurers and Traditionalists due to the presence of a range of countries, which have varying relationships with their culinary heritage. Gastronomy tourists will often travel to Western Europe to experience unique cuisines that are famed for dishes that have achieved global success. Italian food is a prime example; Chinese tourists want to sample authentic pizza and pasta, allowing for them to be culturally submerged in the process. Hollister concludes: "The key challenge surrounding gastronomy tourism is that it is mainly restaurants which receive the economic benefit. DMO's need to encourage all food tour companies to take travellers to real, authentic food suppliers where they can taste local dishes and interact with locals from different parts of the supply chain. Encouraging this strategy within gastronomy tourism will assist in spreading the economic benefit of this niche type of tourism. International tourists will gain a more authentic experience, creating a culturally enriching experience." Notes to Editors Opinion Article 21 May 2019 INTRODUCTION SMS is one of the most personal communication channels and by far the fastest one. It would seem only logical, therefore, that highly-personalised service providers like hotels would use this type of communication to ensure their guests have a great stay. Surprisingly though, most hotels don't use SMS at all to interact with their guests. We have been working with hotels and implementing data management solutions and guest engagement solutions for years, and today we want to share some tips on how to improve the guest experience, engagement, and loyalty. Photo: LoungeUp FACT #1: 82% OF SMS ARE READ WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF RECEIVING According to the myth, in December 1992 Neil Papworth was simply a 22-year-old test engineer for Sema Group (since re-branded to ATOS). But things were about to change forever once he sent his boss two simple words: "Merry Christmas". This Holiday greeting changed the history of communication as we know it, and it is universally recognised as the first SMS ever sent. Fast-forward to a quarter of a century later and SMS play an ever-increasing central role in our lives. Yet, surprisingly, most businesses are not using this medium as they could. This may be a case of entrepreneur myopia, and a severe one. Photo: LoungeUp For messages that are sent concerning a guests' stay (as opposed to promotional messages), SMS open rate is four times higher than that of emails, and open rate is 82% within the first 5 minutes after being received. So, with 8 out of 10 customers reading text messages almost in real-time, why are so many companies still not integrating SMS in their engagement strategies? Photo: LoungeUp FACT #2: 2.8 MESSAGES PER STAY IS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL RATE FOR HOTELS One of the reasons is that SMS is perceived as an expensive and intrusive marketing tool. If not developed correctly, this may very likely be the case. But SMS can, on the other hand, be a perfectly scalable solution for any hotel, and it can, not only before and after their stay, but throughout each phase of their journey. SMS can assist hotels to engage with their guests at many levels. Due to its history that spans over 25 years, it is the most universally accepted medium of instant messaging, more used than Messenger, WhatsApp or WeChat. That being said, SMS - as with any other communication channel - should be used with care, with the sole goal of increasing guests' engagement to improve their experience, rather than to spam them with promotional messages and impersonal offers. We ran several A/B tests and results shown that 2.8 messages per stay is the most successful rate for hotels. This number varies according to hotel type and length of stay: a one-night-stay would likely just need a pre-arrival and an express check-out message, while longer stays can be sent different messages in distinct moments of the guest journey. Photo: LoungeUp Message received from guest prior to arriving at hotel Photo: LoungeUp FACT #3: OVER 70% OF THE WORLD POPULATION HAS THE ABILITY TO SEND AND RECEIVE SMS SMS, more than any other messaging platform, is a personal, rather than a commercial mode of communication, and it should be treated as such. Message redundancy, for example, should be avoided at all costs. While not mandatory, we suggest hotels use a Guest Engagement platform that can avoid double messages and other bad practices which will disturb guests rather than help them. Let's say, for example, that your guests already received an email with instructions and suggestions for their upcoming stay. In this case, you do not want them to receive the same information via SMS. Therefore you'll need a system that can track if the guest has opened the email and, if not, send them that important message by SMS. This may be tricky when done manually, but it is critical that one filters all the customers who have already received or read a message from you on a different platform, as bothering your guests over and over with the exact same information on different media is a marketing deadly sin. Even if you don't have an advanced Guest Engagement system and can only afford a manual method, SMS should still be an essential part of your guest engagement strategy. According to GSMA Intelligence, 5 billion people have the ability to send and receive SMS. And, if this figure is not convincing enough, consider that a study by the Pew Research Center found out that SMS is the most common method of communication among Americans younger than 50. Timing is critical to a good guest engagement company, this is where we suggest you to define clear scenarios which will trigger the right message at the right time. As an example, let's take a message sent by a hotel on the arrival date of the guest, containing just the hotel's address and asking if they have any special needs on arrival. This simple message with no attempts to sell or promote anything in particular is part of creating great guest engagement. The proof is that 62% of SMS messages received from guests are positive, 35% neutral and only 2% are negative. Photo: LoungeUp Message received from a hotel guest Photo: LoungeUp FACT #4: 86% OF SMSs RECEIVED BY HOTELS ARE RELATED TO ARRIVALS LOGISTICS Now, let's take a closer look at how you can use all this potential to interact with your guests and boost their experience. Here are some of the best practices we found extremely effective: 86% of SMSs received by hotels are related to arrivals logistics: (check-in data, luggage drop-off info, parking, public transport, etc.) so simply sending your guests your address a few hours before their arrival would be of great help to them. Most smartphones will automatically convert that to a Map link with directions. A day before arrival, send more information about their upcoming stay, such as alternative transport availability, car rental, parking options, and a link to an FAQs page. Ask for any special needs or requests before arrival so it is ready by the time they get there. Provide your guests with Wi-Fi user and password after they check in, so that they can easily connect without the need to remember complicated passwords. Inform guests that their room is ready in case they haven't checked-in by 2PM or whenever the check-in time is. Enabling two-way communication so that they can order room service or ask to have their room cleaned with just a text message. Offer a late check-out or an express check-out the evening before in order to create a fast and smooth check-out experience, while also upselling at the same time. Handling possible complaints as they happen (and before they turn into pesky reviews), thanks to mid-stay SMS surveys, helping guests and improving your reputation. Send the happy guests a discount code they can share with their friends who can book directly. Message sent to guest on the day of check-in Photo: LoungeUp These are just some examples and results from our experiences with hotels worldwide, but by observing the type of inquiries and requests you regularly receive at the Front Desk you can gain many more ideas to build a rapid and direct relationship with your guest and make their stay as comfortable and pleasant as possible. Photo: LoungeUp CONCLUSION: TEN SMS GOLDEN RULES Of course, this does not mean that SMS should replace your current communication platforms. SMS should always work alongside other channels, to generate the right communication and engagement with your guests. But in order to achieve that, make sure you understand how SMS works. In order to help you, we've written up our ten "golden rules" for a good SMS strategy: Rule #1 - SMS Is Conversational: do not bother your customers with too many offers. SMS is not a promotional channel, it is an engagement channel. Rule #2 - SMS Has Its Own "Rhythm": you have to find the right time to send SMS. Remember? 82% of text messages are read within 5 minutes, so you don't want to send some important information while your guests are sleeping. If you are unsure, use a platform that can send messages at the right time for your guests. Rule #3 - SMS Is Not One-Size-Fits-All: While a resort with long stays can benefit from sending multiple messages to their guests, business hotels with shorter stays should limit to fewer messages. Rule #4 - SMS Should Work With Your Other Channels, Not Against Them: if your guests have already opened and read an email from you, do not annoy them with the same information via SMS. Rule #5 - SMS Is Not Expensive: SMS cost about 7 cents/message. For a 50-room hotel, this means less than 150.00/month (sms and platform fee) and, with an estimated open rate of almost 98.2%, this is probably the safest investment you can make. Rule #6 - SMS Is Easy To Use: while many OTAs do not provide guests' email addresses, they are not so strict with mobile phone numbers, so you can get in touch with guests that otherwise you wouldn't be able to reach. Rule #7 - SMS Is Universal: platforms such as WhatsApp or Messenger often require an SMS or email to begin a conversation. Start the conversation on SMS and shift to other platforms as needed. Rule #8 - SMS Tools are Connectable: if you choose a guest engagement platform, it must integrate with your PMS via API so you can initiate conversations automatically based on highly personalised scenarios and keep track of conversations in your CRM. Rule #9 - SMS Is A Human Platform: (if done well) SMS can humanise guest relations, as it creates an open communication between two humans. With a good platform SMS can be redirected to a staff if not answered within a certain time span. Rule #10 - SMS Can Fix Problems Before They Escalate: thanks to SMS, guests can easily contact the hotel in case they have a problem. Solving such issues during the guests' stay the hotel can reduce unhappy guests leaving the hotel, and negative reviews being posted. Americans confidence on the economys performance six months from now increased 0.8 percent points in May, after rising 0.9 percent points in April. e-forecasting.com earliest offered monthly U.S. consumer confidence rose in May. Derived from the largest in scope and size national consumer survey, conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, Americans confidence on the economys performance six months from now increased 0.8 percent points in May, after rising 0.9 percent points in April. "The early bird's news about future consumer spending, which is about two-thirds of GDP, lead to the prediction that the United States' business-cycle will be in its expansion phase six months from now," said Evangelos Otto Simos, professor at the University of New Hampshire and editor of the U.S. Consumer Confidence Digest. Adjusting the consumer confidence index to the economy's long-term trend, its co-movement with U.S. monthly GDP results in predictive intelligence for what economists call classic business cycle analysis, which is used officially to define the booms (expansions) and busts (recessions) for the economy. The long-trend adjusted measure of the U.S. consumer confidence rose 12.5% in May, following an increase of (+13%) in April. About e-forecasting.com e-forecasting.com, a USA private, international research and predictive intelligence consulting firm, provides its clients sophisticated, scientifically-modeled and disruptive predictive analytics for what's next. About Prosper Insights & Analytics Prosper Insights & Analytics provides business intelligence services based on data integration analytics from over hundreds of thousands of data series. Using an advanced insight platform, Prosper creates unique analytics in high-tech business areas, retail, mobile, media and finance. Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hotel News Resource In his new position, Jackson will oversee Marcus Hotels & Resorts catering, banquets and more than 40 signature restaurants, bars and lounges across the companys 21 properties. Marcus Hotels & Resorts, a division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), today announced that Joe Jackson has been promoted to vice president of food and beverage. In his new position, Jackson will oversee Marcus Hotels & Resorts catering, banquets and more than 40 signature restaurants, bars and lounges across the companys 21 properties. A seasoned hospitality industry veteran, Jackson began his tenure with Marcus Hotels & Resorts in 2016 as interim general manager of Mason Street Grill, located adjacent to the companys flagship property, The Pfister Hotel, in Milwaukee. In 2017, he was promoted to Marcus Hotels & Resorts corporate director of food and beverage where he played a critical role in creating seasonal drink and dining promotions for the companys restaurants and bars, developed new event experiences for various Marcus Hotels & Resorts restaurants, and implemented new food and beverage service standards. Prior to joining the company, Jackson spent 23 years with Hyatt Hotels Corporation in various leadership roles, including four years as corporate director of food and beverage. In this role, he oversaw food and beverage operations at the companys full-service hotels, as well as created new food and beverage concepts for various properties across the portfolio. With more than 30 years of experience, we are confident that Joe will continue to enhance our ability to provide industry-leading food and beverage programming throughout our owned and managed properties. Joe has been a thoughtful and innovative leader in every aspect of the companys food and beverage business. We look forward to his continued success in this new role, said Gregory S. Marcus, president and CEO of The Marcus Corporation. Marcus Hotels & Resorts remains committed to providing an exceptional experience at all of its distinctive nationwide establishments ranging from casual and fine dining to contemporary lounges and creative concepts. Under Jacksons leadership, the companys veteran food and beverage team brings world-class culinary knowledge and expertise to every part of a patrons dining experience. From cuisine and cocktails to ambiance and vibe, Marcus Hotels & Resorts restaurants offer the freshest, seasonal ingredients, wine programs that have earned 36 Wine Spectator awards over the past decade, popular craft beverages and locally inspired dishes. Such attention to unparalleled quality and service has been nationally recognized with numerous Certificate of Excellence Awards by TripAdvisor and local accolades across the companys portfolio of restaurants and lounges. Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hotel News Resource GLo Kanata Ottawa West Hotel Opens Best Western Hotels & Resorts this week celebrated the Canadian arrival of its boutique brand, GLo. This is the first GLo hotel to begin welcoming guests in Canada. An opening event was held to celebrate the innovative brand's arrival with brand executives, local dignitaries, friends and families. GLo offers an iconic experience that connects guests with state-of-the-art technology and modernized designs. Designed with today's traveler in mind, the addition of digital keys, a digital concierge, and communal workspaces position the GLo brand as a powerful innovator in the growing upper-midscale market. Already open in Asheville, North Carolina and DeSoto, Texas, GLo hotels are set to light up premier destinations across North America including Brooklyn, New York and Nashville, Tennessee. "We're excited to welcome this new, travel-centric and energetic brand to Ottawa, Canada," said Brad LeBlanc, Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer for Best Western Hotels & Resorts. "It's wonderful to see GLo continue to flourish as a refreshing and unique concept that stands out in the market. GLo is designed for today's connected, savvy traveler who expects the best in value and design, and we're thrilled to introduce the first property in Canada." Travelers will immediately be drawn to the warmth of GLo Kanata Ottawa West with its welcoming lobby for unwinding or networking with colleagues and friends, meeting space, state-of-the-art 24-hour fitness center, and guestrooms uniquely designed with a contemporary ambiance. Guests will wake refreshed after a restful sleep on gel-topped signature mattresses, enjoy stylish bath amenities and start their day with a complimentary full hot breakfast. Located in the capital city of Canada, just a few miles away from the Canadian Tire Center, home to the NHL's Ottawa Senators, this 69-room property is ideal for travelers visiting for sporting events and concerts. The boutique hotel is also in close range to the downtown area, where travelers can indulge in an array of activities such as shopping, nightlife, and dining. Guests are a short ride away from the Rideau Canal, Parliament Hill, Canadian Museum of History and ByWard Market, popular must-sees in the area. Ottawa is a suburban area with grand Victorian architecture and museums ideal for this upper-midscale brand, which has a strong pipeline of properties in secondary markets, complementing the urban locations of its sister brand, Vib. "We are pleased to be able to welcome this new brand, GLo, to the bustling city of Ottawa, " said Arif B. Shariff, President and CEO of NazNab Group of Companies. "We are eager to showcase our hotel which has been designed with today's connected traveler in mind. I am confident GLo Kanata Ottawa West will be a welcome addition to the community and a desired accommodation for visitors to the Ottawa area." Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hotel News Resource Raffles Hotels & Resorts announce the opening of two new landmark hotels, Raffles Shenzhen and Raffles Maldives Meradhoo. Raffles Hotels & Resorts announce the opening of two new landmark hotels, Raffles Shenzhen and Raffles Maldives Meradhoo. Both hotels opened in early May and are now accepting reservations at raffles.com. Known as havens for royalty, film stars, writers and artists, many remarkable stories and cultural moments have taken place within the plush confines of Raffles hotels and resorts. "The Raffles collection now includes 14 properties across 12 countries, with a carefully curated list of distinguished addresses in leading markets around the world," said Chris Cahill, Deputy CEO, Accor. "With a storied history spanning more than 130 years, Raffles is currently experiencing a renaissance, with a robust project pipeline that will see the portfolio add an additional 8-10 hotels over the next few years." Raffles Shenzhen brings the height of luxury and bespoke service to the shining modern metropolis of Shenzhen. An extraordinary urban oasis discreetly perched on the top floors of a 72-storey tower in the prestigious One Shenzhen Bay complex, Raffles Shenzhen is the epitome of glamour and refinement. With 168 spacious guestrooms, as well as a selection of serviced residences, well-travelled guests will be enchanted by the exquisite dining venues, spectacular views of Shenzhen Bay and Hong Kong, and of course, the famous Raffles Butlers and the warm, graceful and personalized service for which they are known. On the remote southern tip of the Maldives archipelago, Raffles Maldives Meradhoo is as removed from the rhythm of everyday life as can be. Surrounded by crystalline Indian Ocean waters and unspoiled reefs, the resort is a rare haven of 21 island beach villas and 16 ocean overwater villas. Guests take a domestic flight and are transported by speed boat to the pristine and private oasis of Meradhoo, where they receive the gentle and intuitive attentions of the legendary Raffles Butlers, along with an exclusive Marine Butler service, Children's Butlers and private chefs. "With the doors now officially open at Raffles Maldives Meradhoo and Raffles Shenzhen, we are delighted to invite guests to experience the impeccable service, intuitive charm and extraordinary adventures upon which the Raffles legend has been built," said Jeannette Ho, Vice President, Raffles Brand & Strategic Partnerships. "The next few years will be very exciting for our guests and global ambassadors as we continue to expand our illustrious hotel collection, bringing Raffles to the most fascinating, attractive and culturally rich regions of the world." COMING SOON TO RAFFLES Adding to the recent openings in China and the Maldives, Raffles has also developed a smart and strategic growth plan which will see the luxury brand add a number of new and exciting hotels, resorts and mixed-use projects to its global portfolio over the coming years. Highlights include: Scheduled for opening in 2020, 101-room Raffles Udaipur will be the brand's first hotel in India. Modelled after a palace, the hotel is set on a private island on the Udaisagar Lake in this stunning and romantic region known as the "Venice of the East". With spectacular vistas of lake, hillside and a neighbouring 400-year old temple, Raffles Udaipur is truly set to be an oasis for the well-travelled. Raffles Jaipur, set to open by 2022, is a 55-room hotel being built at Kukas in the city of Jaipur, near popular tourist destinations such as Amer Fort, Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh Fort and Jal Mahal palace. Secluded private residences and courtyards will join a larger complex that presently houses a hotel - Fairmont Jaipur - from one of Raffles' sister brands, Fairmont Hotels Resorts. The development is planned as a discreet destination where guests will feel pampered and privileged. kiev.natashaescort.com Raffles The Palm Dubai, with its 125 hotel rooms and suites, will enjoy a coveted position at the tip of the Palm archipelago, providing 360 degree views of the Jumeirah coast and the Arabian Gulf. With planned opening in 2021, the hotel will be the tallest structure on Palm Jumeirah at almost 260 meters high. The property will also offer 359 branded residences. Scheduled to open in 2021, Raffles Boston Back Bay Hotel & Residences is shaped by the creative and intellectual spirit of Boston, one of the most captivating cities in the United States. Located in the historical heart of the city, it promises to be a welcoming oasis of refined elegance in a striking new 33-story building. The project includes a distinctive 147 room hotel as well as 146 exquisitely appointed branded residences. Currently under development, Raffles London will reside within the Old War Office building on Whitehall. The property is being transformed into a flagship Raffles hotel featuring 125 rooms and suites, restaurants, spa and 85 private residences. Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hotel News Resource Improving the management process of internal operations is one of the most important goals of every modern hotelier. With so many tasks, responsibilities, and technologies that you have to juggle with on a daily basis, the simple act of listening might come across as too basic. But actually paying attention to what your guests have to say is the key to improving not only your hotels reputation but also the internal operations that you struggle with. Improving the management process of internal operations is one of the most important goals of every modern hotelier. With so many tasks, responsibilities, and technologies that you have to juggle with on a daily basis, the simple act of listening might come across as too basic. But actually paying attention to what your guests have to say is the key to improving not only your hotels reputation but also the internal operations that you struggle with. On the other hand, its easy to see why, as a traveler, you wouldnt want to deal with any complications during your trip. Swinging back and forth between departments or not having anyone to solve any possible issues is definitely frustrating. As a hotelier though, you know just how complex a hotels structure is and how hard it is to constantly maintain operations at an optimal, satisfactory level. Although technology has begun to take over so many aspects of life, the human touch is still needed and will continue to be so. And with human touch come human errors - theres no denying it. However, when referring to hospitality and mainly hotels, there are ways of making sure that technology is always at its best and employees are provided with easy-to-use and highly effective means of doing their job. With the aid of technology, operations are now easier and more effective than ever Due to more recent advancements in technology, hotel operations are easier and more effective now than they were in the past and the majority of the mandatory systems, such as CRM and PMS, are becoming more affordable. Also, APIs make seamless connections between different systems, to make sure that data is easily transferred between them and any member of the hotel staff is able to make operations as frictionless as possible. At the end of the day, this determines a big part of the overall guest satisfaction, which leads to a better reputation, more bookings, and increased revenue. However, when it comes to guest relations, communication, and overall satisfaction levels, there is still room for improvement. With this in mind, we started 2018 with a brand new guest feedback platform, as you might have heard by now. Because we understand the complexity of all the hotel operations and the need for efficiency, as well as having a single, all-in-one tool, our TrustYou guest feedback platform is now improved by the new review marketing module and the guest messaging one. This means that, besides collecting and analyzing guest reviews, as well as providing easy-to-use means of replying to them, the TrustYou platform goes even further, by enabling hoteliers to keep communication opened during the entire guest journey and create personalized and 100% customizable guest surveys, for the post-stay phase of their journey. Keeping the lines of communication opened during the entire guest journey is crucial nowadays As Tnooz mentioned, Improving the quality of staff interaction in hotels has never been as important as it is today. Ping-pong communication between departments is, sadly, more the norm than the exception and, in order to stay competitive, hotels will have to review their workflows. For hoteliers, being able to constantly communicate with their guests and receive feedback even during the on-stay stage of their journey is vital nowadays. Its one of the best ways of improving guest satisfaction and dealing with any possible issues on the spot, decreasing the chances of them turning into negative reviews, which can influence many other travelers in the future. By using TrustYou Messaging, hotel representatives cannot only exchange useful information with guests but also delegate tasks and properly divide them between staff members, in order to avoid that unprofessional back-and-forth. Hotel employees can share one complex, yet user-friendly Inbox, which gathers all the guest messages and they can make sure that the right person answers each request. Also, in case any issue is reported, a task can be created and assigned to the appropriate employee and/or department. All that is needed to make sure that operations run smoother, faster and with better results so that hotel-guests communications are more efficient and more personalized than ever. Live chat enables a new and effective way of communicating with guests, in real-time and with a minimum effort The TrustYou Messaging module does not stop here, though. A new study revealed that your hotels website is the most important factor in a successful hotel marketing campaign. It has proven to be even more influential than word of mouth, OTAs, search engines and review sites. And whats better than improving your own website with a live chat plugin, to allow potential guests to communicate with you right away, even before their actual stay? Since live chat has been on the rise lately, we also incorporated such a feature into TrustYou Messaging. The brand new live chat widget can be incorporated in any hotels webpage, wifi login page or any other website, in order to provide guests with the option of easily getting in contact with hotel representatives, via chat. All the messages received through the live chat widget go straight to the TrustYou Messaging Inbox, where, once more, they can be divided and conquered by the hotel staff. Plus, since we reached a phase in human history in which we can carry a message to any distance, and through a multitude of channels, with nothing more than our own voices TrustYou Messaging now pairs with Amazon Echos Alexa! We recommend checking out this post, in order to find out exactly how voice messaging through AI can improve operations management at your hotel and keep the modern traveler satisfied! Guest feedback provides valuable insights, which hoteliers can use to make internal and operational adjustments Also, lets not forget about guest surveys, which make hotel operations a lot easier and the entire process of gathering feedback faster and more straight-forward. It has been proven that asking for feedback from guests results in better reviews and more positive scores since travelers see genuine interest from a hotels part. Plus, as we emphasized many times in the past, more reviews = better visibility, which can lead to more future bookings and ultimately, more revenue. While asking for guest feedback though, its important to rely on a strategy, to have a clear structure and process in mind and the best way of doing this is, once again, through an all-in-one platform. TrustYous guest feedback platform allows hoteliers to create 100% customizable guest surveys, which can also be pushed to Google or TripAdvisor. In the long run, constantly receiving feedback from guests can improve operations in a hotel, since the personal opinions and impressions of a past guest provide valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses that hoteliers need to acknowledge. After going through an introspection, based on guest feedback and reviews, making proper changes and even staff and procedural adjustments comes a lot easier. Last, but not least, keep in mind that guest surveys can be linked to guest records and a hotels PMS system, which makes operations easier since there is more important data in one place. The TrustYou platform not only gathers reviews and semantically analyzes them, but also provides the option of marketing them, for further benefits, such as visibility, improved reputation, direct bookings. Keep in mind that the Analytics feature of the TrustYou platform gathers guest reviews from hundreds of online sources, including the personalized survey and all of this data is stored in one Inbox. For hoteliers, this automatically makes operations more effective, since it becomes easier to monitor, track, analyze and reply to a large number of guest reviews from one place, instead of wasting valuable time signing in to different platforms. The ultimate goal is to improve the overall guest experience, and acknowledging the many different types of travelers out there, as well as enabling them to communicate via their preferred medium, is something that hotel can only benefit from. It is also important to constantly strive to ease internal operations, merge different systems, keep as much data as possible in one place and make processes easier, faster and frictionless. If you are interested in improving operations at your hotel and want to enjoy a complete, complex, and easy-to-use platform, in order to enhance guest satisfaction, get more bookings and a stronger ROI, make sure to get in touch! You can also sign up for a demo or start a free trial! Laura Badiu Laura is a passionate bookworm and a gifted writer. Since joining TrustYous marketing team, she has embraced topics in the travel and hospitality sector with enthusiasm. Using her degree in Journalism, Laura creatively weaves words into insightful stories with a focus on reputation management. About TrustYou TrustYou, the worlds largest guest feedback platform, empowers hotels with solutions to drive more bookings and improve their hotel product. Through each phase of the guest journey, hotels can utilize guest feedback to enhance review marketing and achieve operational excellence. Guest feedback influences 95% of booking decisions. TrustYou Meta-Review, which incorporates hundreds of millions of hotel reviews, surveys, and social posts for over 500,000 hotels worldwide, powers guest reviews on dozens of travel sites, including Google, Kayak, and Hotels.com.* These reviews also generate actionable insights for hotels to improve their presence along each step of the guest journey, from booking and pre-stay search queries, to real-time guest requests and messages, to post-stay feedback in the form of survey responses and reviews. Through the TrustYou partner program, PMS, CRM, IBE and other hotel software providers can integrate TrustYous guest feedback platform into their products to help their hotel clients positively influence bookings and revenue. Find more information on TrustYou and the guest feedback platform on www.trustyou.com. *TrustYou Meta-Reviews only contain verified reviews and do not include reviews from TripAdvisor Press contact Katharina Sickora katharina.sickora@trustyou.com +49 89 55 27 35 - 116 Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hotel News Resource Political families, more often than not, birth dynasties. Take the Roosevelts, the Kennedys, the Clintons, THE BUSHES - plus there's no way for us to overlook those Rockefellers. This time however, it's Donald Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., who's attempting to follow in the footsteps of his father. Rumour has it that the eldest child of the President would like to run for mayor. Of where you may ask? Well, where other than New York City? The New York Post's gossip column, Page Six, reports Tuesday that the President's son is considering a bid to replace Bill de Blasio as New York City mayor. Though he's attempting to fulfill his father's lifelong dream of getting his name on the mailbox at Gracie Mansion, the time may have passed for a Trump to steer New York City's city government. The Trump name is now one and the same with the Republican Party, and NYC isn't likely to elect a Republican, no matter which name follows the "R" on the ballot. M. Von Holden/FilmMagic/Getty Images Donald Trump Jr. would have to win the race to become mayor of New York City to cause problems for Bill de Blasio who is, inexplicably, out on the trail campaigning for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, despite his lack of acclaim in his own city. De Blasio's campaign, has been centered on attacking Donald Trump, and according to Politico, while that's doing very little to attract people to his cause, it is sparking the flames of a feud between de Blasio and the White House. Im a New Yorker. Ive known Trumps a bully for a long time. This is not news to me or anyone else here, de Blasio states in his campaign video. And I know how to take him on. Trump, after taking notice, took to Twitter to send out a clear message mocking the mayor: "The Dems are getting another beauty to join their group. Bill de Blasio of NYC, considered the worst mayor in the U.S., will supposedly be making an announcement for president today. He is a JOKE, but if you like high taxes & crime, hes your man. NYC HATES HIM! Donald, Jr.'s brother, Eric, got involved too, getting into a pretty heated exchange with de Blasio on Twitter last week over claims that de Blasio's "Green New Deal" was designed largely to punish successful corporations, fining companies like the Trump Organization millions to pay for a scheme of socialist environmental policies. Though De Blasio claimed the green deal wasn't personal, his office tweeted out a list of NYC-based Trump properties and how much each would be charged to finance the mayor's new plan. This lead the exchange to get so heated, the President eventually got involved, retweeting his son's responses to de Blasio, including a tweet where Eric Trump accused de Blasio of letting New York City "go to sh*t." Portland Trail Blazers center Enes Kanter continues to use his platform to speak out against the Turkish government and president Reccip Tayyip Erdogan, regardless of how many death threats he receives. The 27-year old big man recently told ESPN's Tim Keown, "I have a voice, and I'm trying to use it to be the voice for all the innocent people who don't have one." Because of all the threats he receives, Kanter made a point to meet with Portland's FBI agents upon signing with the Blazers in February. After the meeting, agents installed a panic button next to Kanter's bed, and he was encouraged to press it if he ever believes there's a real threat. https://twitter.com/_/status/1130471270443831296 According to the report by ESPN's Tim Keown: He [Kanter] says the agents listened and wrote down Kanter's words and asked a few more questions. Not once did they ask if he was taking the threats seriously, and before they left, they installed a device next to his bed. "If you're uncomfortable with anything, just push that button," they told him. "If you hear something you don't like or have a reason to believe there's a threat, push the button and someone will be here within minutes." Kanter, who would be arrested if he ever returned to Turkey, has told the FBI he has no intentions of toning down his criticism of Erdogan even as it puts his family in danger. Per Tim Keown: "I will never stop talking," he says. He laughs again, at the absurdity of that statement, and the need to employ it. "I understand my mother and father and sister are in Turkey, but if I stop talking, who is going to speak for the thousands and thousands of innocent people in jail? People are getting tortured and killed, so I have to talk about these issues. I'm not a journalist or a politician, so this is my platform." Kanter and the Blazers will look to avoid elimination tonight in Portland, as the Warriors hold a commanding 3-0 lead. Game 4, airing on ESPN, is scheduled to tipoff at 9:00pm ET. There's drama on the set of The Chi and it's not in front of the camera. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Straight Outta Compton actor Jason Mitchell is at the center of allegations of misconduct. The publication states that Mitchell has been fired from Showtime's The Chi and an upcoming film Desperados that's set to premiere on Netflix. In addition, Mitchell's agent and manager have also dropped him as a client. THR says that actress Tiffany Boone, who plays Mitchell's girlfriend on the Showtime drama, is just one of several actresses who have complained about Mitchell. He's been accused of sexual harassment as well as making Boone feel unsafe when they've filmed scenes together. Boone's fiance, Marque Richardson of Netflix's Dear White People, reportedly had to come to set when Boone was forced to work one-on-one with Mitchell. When THR asked Boone to comment on the allegations, she declined. The publication goes on to report that Boone told producers that she would no longer work with the actor so, at her request, she was released. However, apparently, there were complaints from other actresses as well, culminating to Mitchell's team cleaning house. Sources told THR that his Desperados co-stars Nasim Pedrad, Anna Camp, and Robbie Amell, complained about him, too. Mitchell had not yet filmed Desperados and has been replaced by New Girl actor Lamorne Morris. As we know, Alice Marie Johnson is the former prison inmate who was granted clemency after Kim Kardashian went to the White House to speak with Donald Trump about prison reform. Alice was the first person Kim got released and since then she's helped at least 17 inmates with low-level offenses see the light of day. Karwai Tang/Getty Images TMZ recently spoke with Alice Marie Johnson about Kim and how she's received backlash since announcing her plans to become a lawyer. As we assumed, Alice is nothing but proud of Kim for everything she's done and is about to do. "Kim took a great risk at the time, with going to the White House in terms of her brand. As you know, celebrities who were going were not being treated very well on social media," Alice explained. "But Kim said she didn't care, she always wanted to see me free and whatever that took she was going to do it. I'm so proud of her for following her passion. My case has awakened something in Kim." Alice further explains how her case was a catalyst to wake up Kim's true passion, something she's very serious about. Alice's memoir After Life: My Journey From Incarceration To Freedom is now available with a passage written by Kim herself. Warning: Spoilers Ahead. Check out the previous episode's recap here. In this week's Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta episode, Che Mack finds out the truth about her baby daddy's whereabouts, Sierra attempts to squash the beef with Tokyo, Spice and Akbar V and much more... TURN UP IN TRINIDAD Karlie Redd and Spice were featured on Young Joc's morning show. Herein, Spice announced that she was still moving forward with the black hypocrisy agenda and would be taking a trip to Africa soon. In addition to the aforementioned trip, the rapper also surprised the cast with a trip to Trinidad with all expenses covered. Karlie was excited by the idea of revisiting her home country. While Joc hesitated at first, considering the drama between Kendra and Karlie, a heartfelt discussion with his girlfriend later changed his mind. As of yet, the invited guests are Rasheeda, Kirk, Joc, Kendra, Shekinah, Karlie, Tokyo, and Spice. SIERRA THE MEDIATOR Sierra attempts to mediate a conversation between her friends: Akbar V, Tokyo Vanity, and Spice. As we may recall from the last episode, the three got into it after Akbar V's timely rap diss at a talent show. Akbar clearly felt a way about the other female rappers whom she claimed "flew here" while she "grew here." Though she meant well, Sierra found it hard to facilitate the conversation and things quickly went left. Akbar V walked out of the not-so-amicable session, cursing out everyone including Sierra. https://www.instagram.com/p/BxtJcTKnecB Aside from the drama, Sierra admitted to still be hurt by Pooh's antics with her former bae, BK. Despite this, she emphasized the importance of moving on and revealed to have received flowers from a secret admirer. As of yet, the flowers may have been sent by ladies man Scrapp DeLeon whom she met during a charity event. However, only time will tell. KARLIE SHOWS THE RECEIPTS With Karlie still in the crosshairs with Pooh, she has managed to keep things smooth with her fiance, Mo. As recently announced, the reality star would be embarking on a marvelous journey to her home country of Trinidad with her peers. And though her fiance wants her to enjoy the trip, Mo wants to ensure she doesn't have too much fun. As such, Karlie's future husband set a 2 AM curfew for her to respect. Although Redd was not a fan of it, she agreed to it as one of the many compromises which come with marriage. Moreover, Karlie revealed to Mo' that she had receipts that proved Pooh was lying about their sexual encounter. A recording of Pooh's husband Hiram was retrieved, wherein the music producer denied ever touching Karlie. POOH CAN'T STOP, WON'T STOP The previous episode consisted of nothing but drama for Pooh Hicks and this week's episode does not differ. Pooh showed up to Sierra's salon where Mimi, Tokyo, and Sierra were amidst a full-on bashing session about her. As Pooh tried to explain herself to Sierra with regards to the ordeal about BK, the two bumped heads. And because Pooh's communication skills tend to fail her at times, a specific insult resulted in her expulsion from the hair shop. Shortly afterward, Pooh sat down with Mimi to understand why she didn't have her back. Because she felt bad, Mimi decided to invite Pooh to Trinidad. Evidently, such a decision can only lead to trouble as Karlie is also attending. https://www.instagram.com/p/BxptEBQHst0 Much later, Hiram comforted his wife Pooh and revealed his phone call with Karlie. Accordingly, the producer shared that Karlie had her daughter on the line which is why he denied having sexual relations with her. The former made Pooh livid and further hinted that the Karlie and Pooh drama has just begun. KIRK'S NO CONTACT RULE Couple Kirk & Rasheeda left their drama-filled couple's retreat behind and brought their focus back to business. With numerous stores in different cities, the couple is now planning on opening up a restaurant in Atlanta. As such, a lot of planning is to be done which leaves no time for the two to meddle in personal affairs. Though a visit from Kirk's daughter, Kelsey, brought the couple to reconsider their ways. https://www.instagram.com/p/BxtG92jnLZF Kelsey came to announce that Canon, Kirk's love child with castmate Jasmine, was sick and would not be able to spend time with his father this week. While Kirk was displeased with the news, his daughter nabbed the opportunity to discuss their current arrangement. Precisely, Kelsey no longer wants to be the middle man between Kirk and his baby mother, Jasmine. And the former is understandable considering the ensuing back and forth. In response, Kirk revealed to have agreed to a no-contact rule with Rasheeda, herein which he would not contact Jasmine directly. CHE MACK GETS CHEATED ON An urgent call to Shekinah from Che Mack led to a saddening revelation. Che Mack found condoms in the bedroom she shares with her baby father. Considering the two no longer use condoms, it did not take much to figure out what was going on. Shekinah urged Che Mack to leave him and so she did. Moreover, in following the girl code, Shekinah pulled up on a studio session with Tokyo and Che Mack's baby daddy, Made Man. Shekinah immediately confronted him and happily announced that Che Mack had left him. https://www.instagram.com/p/BxsEv8djCuk SCRAPP DELEON'S GOOD DEEDS Scrapp DeLeon gave back to the community through some charity work. The ex-con partnered up with a pastor to help cover the bail payments of incarcerated folks and free them from jail. While the focus of the episode was not on Scrapp's storyline, the pastor did give him advice about finding and securing a good woman. As such, we may expect another lady lover to come into Scrapp Deleon's life. Moreover, Scrapp met Sierra for the first time, thanks to Akbar V. The two chatted it up and Scrapp shared his motivations behind the charitable acts. Surprisingly, the rapper somewhat put his uncle Stevie J on blast by telling Sierra that he did time because Stevie had failed to show up in court and speak favorably of him. To help celebrate his 41st birthday, rapper Max B released his first song in eight years. The Harlem artist linked up with friend and collaborator French Montana to deliver "Hold On" early Tuesday morning, a track that pays homage to Sade's "Nothing Can Come Between Us." Fans haven't received any new music from Max since his 2011 effort Vigilant Season, but it looks as if there will be more to come as the year rolls on. The rapper has been incarcerated at the East Jersey State Prison since 2009 after being found guilty of nine counts including murder conspiracy and robbery. He was sentenced to 75 years in prison. Authorities alleged that Max ordered his ex-girlfriend and his stepbrother to rob two men at a New Jersey hotel. One man was ambushed in the room and restrained with duct tape while the thieves awaited the man's partner to return. When he did, he was reportedly shot execution-style in the head. Max, his ex-girlfriend, and his stepbrother were all arrested and charged a week later. Back in April, French Montana suggested that Kim Kardashian wanted to help get Max out of prison. "Me and Kim was talking about getting Max B home from jail," he explained. "'Cause she's doing the whole thing with...So, like for her to even reach out and do that I felt like that was powerful." Quotable Lyrics You know that sound different through the speakers Talkin' 'bout the way the game need us It was an emotional day in court on Monday for Tanisha Foster, the mother of Nipsey Hussle's 10-year-old daughter Emani Asghedom. There has been an ongoing custody case over Emani between Nipsey's sister Samantha Smith and Foster, and on Monday a judge ordered that the child should remain in the custody of her aunt. Smith previously stated in court documents that she wants "to ensure the continued stability for Emani and ensure that she will be able to maintain her current and ongoing relationship." Foster accused Smith of basically kidnapping Emani, saying that she unlawfully took the minor and as of this date, despite objectors demand, refused to return the minor to Objector. There is another court date set for July and Larry Lewellyn, Foster's lawyer, told TMZ he's working with Nipsey's family on a visitation schedule. According to the publication, Foster began crying in front of a judge after sharing that she hadn't seen her child in months. The judge allowed the mother and daughter 20 minutes together. Following Monday's ruling, a cameraman caught Foster leaving the courthouse. "I'm pissed off," she tells the paparazzo while keeping her cool and repeatedly saying "God bless" to him. He hounds her for a response before letting her be on her way. A Brooklyn family has been making some serious allegations against the New York City Police Department lately. Based on reports from the New York Post, the Santiago family were disturbed by "six or seven" officers in their Bushwick apartment for a surprise raid. Lucia Santiago was precisely taking a nap when she woke up and noted the officers. She recalls: "When I opened my eyes I saw . . . six or seven police [officers] in my room. They told me, 'Get out of the bed." Shortly thereafter, the officers placed Lucia, her son, and grandson in cuffs as they raided the home. The raid itself was fuelled by a tip which proclaimed that one of Lucia's grandson was involved in a gun sale. As such, the officers kept requesting to know where "the guns and drugs" were. Drew Angerer/Getty Images As the search led to the cremated ashes of Lucia Santiago's husband, who had died years ago of natural causes, the authorities snagged the capsules because they believed it contained heroin. "I said, 'That's the ashes of my husband," further adds Santiago, to which an officer responded: "No, that's drugs." Quickly afterward, all present members of the Santiago family were charged with possession of a controlled substance and ammunition. Though, the charges were since dismissed. The family then tried to get the ashes back but were told it was possibly discarded. To make matters worse, it's been a full year now and the family's next course of action is to hit up the district attorney's office in hopes the ashes from the city's property. Of course, that is considering they are still there. Evidently, the NYPD messed up really badly. [Via] Oprah Winfrey proved yesterday, that you better have all your facts in check before you try to come for her. The beloved media tycoon delivered the commencement address for the graduating class at Colorado College on Sunday, where she shook hands with all the students who received diplomas, and gave them all copies of her new book. https://www.instagram.com/p/BxqhFYyBDzc The 65-year-old billionaire celebrated the special day on Instagram with a snap from the graduation ceremony, which showed her celebrating with one particularly animated student. Winfreys participation at the commencement ceremony seemed to have garnered some insults from some social media observers, however. Critics took to drawing comparisons between Winfreys generous gift to the graduating students at Colorado Colleges, and the gesture made by billionaire Robert F. Smiths over the weekend, who announced in a speech made at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, that he would pay off the student loans for the entire Class of 2019. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxp1nGvBgcW Should have paid off their student debt, one Instagram user snidely remarked in a comment on Winfreys post (see below). Apparently, the remark was not something the star was willing to ignore, and Winfrey shot back with some facts. Already paid 13m in scholarships. Have put over 400 men through Morehouse. The critic's comment was quickly deleted as Winfreys fans quickly came to her defense and pointed out her many past charitable efforts including recently paying $10,000 for one of her students' wedding dress. https://www.instagram.com/p/BxqpWlFFGdT I gather even Tyler couldn't have predicted what would inevitably transpire over his weekend trip. Don't think for a second Tyler's excursion in the UK wasn't intentionally planned to coincide with the expiration of a travel ban, news of which hit the press in an overlapping timeframe. Tyler has issued the ban in 2015, without any incident. https://twitter.com/_/status/1129682696765038592 Apparently, British authorities were concerned his presence in the country would incite mischief and foul play. Enough time has come to pass for us to forget the root cause of the stipulations. But according to our records, the powers-that-be had taken issue with homophobic remarks he'd made in a song(s). With the ban lifted, Tyler assumed the mood "around the office" had changed, with respect to his antics - but alas he was dead wrong. Venue security, as mandated by local authorities shut down his most recent gig at the Bussey building in Peckham, at the slightest sign of teenage angst. What was originally conceived in two parts on Twitter, become one all-encompassing Instagram post: a picture pose where Tyler dressed up in the Florida Gators color scheme, and his return to Brixton, all in one neatly-pleated memo. As the following tweet clearly delineates, tickets are now on sale for Tyler's make-up recital at the Brixton Academy in London. Take a page out of the Drill notebook, it's not easy making a living as a brash, outspoken rapper in the city of London, much less from the perspective of a visitor. https://twitter.com/_/status/1130445154060513281 https://twitter.com/_/status/1130444580770459648 The last week has been unforgettable thanks to the thoughtfulness of the parent company of china.org.cn, the China International Publishing Group, who kindly invited me not only to attend the first Conference on the Dialogue of Asian Civilizations (CDAC) in Beijing, but also to a follow up Belt and Road Media and Think Tank Exchange Event (MTTE) in Nanjing. CDAC has been extensively reported on in various media. To me, the best dialogues were of the informal people-to-people variety with folks one would not normally encounter: a Hebrew-speaking Beijinger who taught in Tel Aviv; a current Pakistani senator who heads the Foreign Affairs Committee in his parliament; an 88 year old Japanese former U.N. undersecretary-general who helped broker a peace accord in the former Yugoslavia and knew all the players both heinous and heroic; and so on. My favorite though was a dignified Afghan lady of a certain age who had not known peace for decades and who owned and operated a radio station in a politically unstable region, where doing so might easily have led to her assassination. She told me that her biggest joy at CDAC was attending the Asian Culture Carnival. Not because the performance was spectacular, which it was, but because she had never attended such an event, as it would be potentially suicidal to organize such an event, let alone attend it in her war-torn country. For a first effort, CDAC was extremely well-organized, especially coming on the heels of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and the Beijing Horticultural Expo days earlier. However, as with most things in this world, it could be improved. There could have been more structured networking opportunities, especially as people gathered the night before the opening. Although billed as a dialogue, it was a succession of consecutive speeches and presentations with little or no time for genuine discussion. The MTTE was a much more intimate event, so it should come as no surprise that it was also well run. While there was ample time and opportunity for informal discussion, the MTTE could have allowed more time for formal discussion and debate. There were two concurrent sessions. The think tank session participants discussed how to build closer partnerships, and develop new thinking on high quality development and cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The media session discussed how to enhance dialogue among civilizations along the Belt and Road, as well as media cooperation. For once, I wished I could have cloned myself so as to be able to participate in both, but I attended the media session. My own presentation focused on the newly-created Belt and Road News Network (BRNN) designed to enhance news coverage along the routes and focus on telling intriguing and emotion-filled stories, while promoting better understanding of what it is and how it can improve the lives and livelihoods of people in the many participating countries. According to its charter, BRNN aims to "enhance multilateral cooperation among its members, promote integration of resources, convergence of channels, combination of advantages, information aggregation, and marketing collaboration, as well as facilitate personnel exchanges, mutual assistance in reporting, content exchanges, technology exchanges, and mutual sharing of experiences." It will also, through extensive consultations, organize mutual visits among its members for better understanding and cooperation. It will hold BRI-themed media cooperation forums and dialogues, arrange relevant activities such as joint reporting trips, and organize seminars, workshops and other training programs. The purpose is "to promote dialogue and exchange of ideas, encourage media innovation, and to jointly combat the everyday challenges of the media industry." I have every confidence that like BRI and the Belt and Road Forums for International Cooperation, future Conferences on the Dialogue of Asian Civilizations will also have complete success in building a community of shared futures for all humanity. Harvey Dzodin is a senior fellow at the Center for China and Globalization. Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. If you would like to contribute, please contact us at opinion@china.org.cn. A key selling point when free-standing emergency rooms got their start in Houston a decade ago was they would offer full-service emergency care and pick up the overflow from congested traditional hospitals. But new research from Rice University economists shows that the walk-in emergency centers appear to have had little effect on the length of wait, treatment time, or over-crowding in the emergency rooms of the states biggest cities. In fact, the Rice study suggests that the rise of freestanding facilities has increased the publics overall use of emergency care - often an inappropriate choice for routine illnesses and injuries and usually the most expensive option. Its clear free-standing emergency rooms are not working as a substitute for overcrowded hospitals and that was a claim that was made, said Vivian Ho, a health economist at Rices Baker Institute of Public Policy and co-author of the research that appears online this month in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine. Im concerned that any ER visit has a higher price, and these are contributing to the overall costs of health care in Texas. On HoustonChronicle.com: It cost what? Medical pricing shrouded in secrecy, leaving patients in the dark The Texas Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers, the industrys trade group, came to an entirely different conclusion from the Rice study, blaming insurance companies for contributing to crowding in traditional, hospital-based ERs by steering patients away from their walk-in centers, many of which are not in insurers networks. Freestanding ERs exist to provide greater access to patient carewhether in Texas largest cities or more rural parts of the state, the group said in a statement. When compared with hospital-based ERs, the wait times are shorter, the cost of care is comparable to, if not less, and the resulting hospital admission rates are roughly 20 percent less. Overall emergency room wait times have dropped in recent years across Texas hospitals, according to federal data. But Ho said her study found that the presence of a nearby free-standing emergency center in the states urban areas had little or no impact on waiting times. In Houston, a patient with a broken bone can wait from just under one to three hours to receive pain medication in an ER, according to recent federal data. The total time in some Houston hospital emergency rooms before being sent home can stretch to more than six hours, more than double the national average, statistics show. Rice researchers, however, found that in smaller communities wait times at hospitals were apparently decreased by the introduction of a free-standing emergency room in their area, either hospital-affiliated or independently owned. Texas has more than 300 free-standing emergency rooms, and the health care phenomenon is starting to spread to other states. On HoustonChronicle.com: Hundreds laid off or reassigned as Cypress Fairbanks Med Center converts to free-standing ER Free-standing emergency rooms have recently come under heightened scrutiny as patients complain of high facility fees and unclear insurance coverage. Often, for-profit free-standing facilities are outside major insurance networks, which can lead to unsuspecting patients being left with staggering bills that their insurer would not pay. The proliferation of the centers in urban areas without a return on a promise to ease over-burdened city hospitals is troublesome, the researchers said. Our results imply that free-standing (emergency departments) are increasing utilization of emergency care, said Yingying Xu, who also authored the research, Whether this additional care is beneficial to patients has not been shown. The research relied on from federal statistics, the American Hospital Association, and state free-standing emergency room location and licensing information between 2010 and 2016. jenny.deam@chron.com twitter.com/jenny_deam Rex and Isabella Quiles play a game when theyre in the car running errands with their parents. The 8- and 10-year-old siblings challenge one another to see who can spot the most Mini Murals. The Quiles parents, Noah and Elia Quiles, founded Mini Murals in 2015, a public art project that taps local artists to paint traffic signal control boxes with colorful murals. There are now about 220 Mini Murals (minimurals.org) throughout Houston. The project recently expanded to Austin, with the first four Mini Murals in the state capital being completed this month. ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Delta Spirit frontman finds his happy place in Texas Its sort of like a treasure hunt, Noah Quiles says of a self-guided tour families can take to find Mini Murals. If we happen to be in a community that has a lot, we literally shout them out. Its like a game who can see them first the best is finding one we havent seen before. Last fall, the Quiles released free maps for download that detail the location of Mini Murals in areas including downtown, Northside and East End. The maps make it easier for a family to cover an area by foot, bike or car to take pictures with their favorite Mini Murals, Elia Quiles says. Intersection of life and art On their quest, a family will find utility boxes painted to resemble a music speaker, mosaic tiles, papel picado, a rocket ship, book-lined shelves and a light switch. Many of the murals are a nod to things found in nature, including a series of four boxes near the Houston Zoo covered with a zebra, frog, eagle and elephant. Others depict recognizable figures, including Martin Luther King Jr., Frida Kahlo and Malala Yousafzai. The Willie Nelson mural by GelsonD.Lemus (also known by the artist name asw3r3on3), located at 34th and Ella, is the mural most often posted on Instagram, Noah Quiles says. The Quileses were inspired to start the mural project after becoming aware of utility-box art in Auckland, New Zealand, and Dublin, Ireland. The project is about creating art in unexpected places, Noah Quiles says. The most recent Mini Mural was unveiled this month. In partnership with District C, a box at West 43rd and West T.C. Jester in Oak Forest is a tribute to the late first lady Barbara Bush. Keeping an eye out Jill Jarvis, mom of four, says her kids keep their eyes peeled for traffic-box murals when theyre in the car because they know I will stop. The murals make for a fun photo op, she says. You can find them everywhere you go, she says. They take something boring, or even ugly, and make it beautiful. Currently, the familys favorite is a Lego character traffic light mural in the Westchase District. The mural is not part of the Mini Murals project. Local artist Anat Ronen has painted several Mini Murals. The process usually takes about two days, she says, and when shes painting, drivers honk and shout to show their appreciation. ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Experimental musician Peter Brotzmann makes rare Houston stop Ronen, a full-time artist who primarily paints large-scale murals, says a utility-box mural can be as daunting as a mural that covers an entire exterior wall of a building. The level of detail is more time-consuming when the canvas is smaller, she says, because the art will be encountered from up close and from afar. When she completed a Mini Mural on South Gessner with a wood-grain background and a raccoon peering out of a dark hole, the scene was so realistic she heard accounts of minor fender benders. They went nuts for it, she says. It really does its job. Her utility-box murals that have a little bit of interaction and humor are the biggest draw for children, she says, including one that looks like an open box of crayons, which she says was inspired by Houstons diversity. Another of her favorites is located at Bissonnet and Wilcrest and makes viewers feel they are peering through the glass of an aquarium. I enjoy the fact thats its a close encounter with the public, she says of the small work that she describes as approachable. Its a great way to spread public art or art period, Ronen says. Its art in the open. Art for everybody. Allison Bagley is a Houston-based writer. PREVIEW: Get experts picks for concerts, kids stuff, fine arts, movies and more delivered to your inbox weekly. The piece: North to South and Back The artist: Lina Dib Where: Space HL, 1303 Cullen Blvd.; noon-5 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays, through June 9 Art openings usually feel like parties, so Lina Dib was pleasantly surprised a few weeks ago to find a room full of people reverent and silent when her show North to South and Back opened at Space HL, Paul Middendorfs new gallery a few blocks east of the University of Houston campus. The space is blackened from floor to ceiling, and theres nothing to look at, really, other than 20 small, round speakers that dangle from the ceiling in dim light. Dib has created an isolation chamber, a bubble within the ruckus of the city, where visitors focus on listening, not seeing. They might first think they are in the woods or out on the Katy Prairie. The 20-minute sound loop contains the calls of migratory birds the crackety-crack of sandhill cranes, the soft ta-too-too-too-too-too of a white-throated sparrow, the unreal gulpy echo of the American bittern, the buzzing wings of a ruby throated hummingbird, the high-pitched ch-ch-ch-ch-ch of a chimney sweep, the tweets of a bobolink, the trills of a Bewicks wren. ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Mini-Murals make a big impression across Houston A boys voice recites the names of birds, adding gentle humor. Listeners may not realize it, but the boy, Siddharth, is an immigrant. Dib also layers in sounds made by other migratory humans, including herself (she came to Houston a decade ago from Montreal). There are people mimicking bird songs, using bird whistles or doing indiscernible people things. For example, Dib digitally deconstructed a few notes from an electric guitar to create bass notes that help define the space and provide a moment of clumsiness to remind listeners she is manipulating their experience. She and Rebecca Novak, another sound artist, also added what might be an exotic bird sound by tapping an egg around the inside of a cup. Dib sets up the opposing forces wild vs. man-made in a choreographed call and response that spins between the speakers. Although its hard to tell the difference unless you really, really know your birds. The sound comes in calming waves, never a cacophony, with brief, silent intermissions that give you time to think. If the speakers, which use magnetic energy, were not secured with wire, their backs would all turn to face north. Birds are a bit like that too: Many species have iron in their beaks, which helps them track with magnetic fields when they migrate. They also follow celestial bodies another thing the dark space suggests. Dib, who teaches classes in art and the environment at Rice, says she didnt know much about birds before she started this project, which began with a smaller piece last year at Lawndale Art Center and will grow larger this fall with a Sculpture Month show at the Silos. She learned to soar before she could drive, riding gliders. More recently, she was enthralled by the haunting, melodic song of the last Kauai Oo, a now-extinct Hawaiian species, as it calls for a mate, that she first heard on Cornell Universitys ornithology website. It acts as the warning sound, or a flute, she says. It wasnt a migratory bird but it has so much to say I wanted to bring him back. The Kauai Oos last song is included in North to South and Back, along with other bird calls from the Cornell site and bird songs Dib recorded from her front porch. ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Ariana Grande says 'thank u,' Houston for skipping the 'Game of Thrones' finale Birds are cute but so resilient, fragile but also strong, and also witnesses to so much change, she says. Some species fly the equivalent of to the moon and back. Its so epic, really moving. And there are the ones that wait a long time and mate for life and have these fascinating social relationships. Or the smaller ones that have to flap all the time and cross the Gulf of Mexico. They take these micro naps, so they can sleep while theyre flying. She can share so much about all she is learnning, but the installation isnt didactic. She also wanted to create space for visitors to do nothing but sit and let their minds wander. To cultivate that is really important, Dib says. If we listen here, well notice more outside, including how many birds there are. molly.glentzer@chron.com PREVIEW: Get experts picks for concerts, kids stuff, fine arts, movies and more delivered to your inbox weekly. Nameless Sound As duos go, saxophone and pedal steel guitar is a fairly rare one, even in the world of avant-garde improvisational music. Yet Houston this weekend gets a rare visit from Peter Brotzmann, the storied German saxophonist whose Machine Gun is a cornerstone of experimental music and recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. I believe the last time Brotzmannwas in Houston was six years ago, when he was did a solo show and a duo event with guitarist Keiji Haino, both brought to town by Nameless Sound, the progressive music organization that evolved out of Pauline Oliveros Deep Listening Institute. In the center of Anita Schillers dragonfly-ring-clad hand, a dragonfly nymph is scooting around. The dedicated naturalist and entomologist is explaining how the insect (which is a water-dwelling dragonfly with gills before it grows wings) expels water from its posterior in a squirting fashion. She laughed and called it fart propulsion. Schiller is leading a team of four from the Harris County Precinct 4s Biological Control Initiative through a man-made flood control site at the corner of Spring Cypress Road and Telge Road. They are releasing dragonfly and damselfly nymphs into the water, along with carnivorous plants, to help reduce the infectious mosquito population. What were bringing in will help stack the deck against mosquitoes, Schiller, director of the initiative, says. Mosquito suppression is built into the design of the project. On ReNewHouston.com: Are you simply sleepy, or fighting fatigue? The Biological Control Initiative started in 2012 with a mission to find native agents to benefit from the locally adapted phenotype to counter the mosquito population. More Information Prevent mosquito bites 1. Use EPA-registered insect repellants DEET Picaridin IR3535 Oil of lemon eucalyptus Para-menthane-diol 2-undecanone 2. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants 3. Use screens on windows and doors 4. Dump out standing water from tires, buckets, planters, pools, birdbaths, flowerpots and trash containers. 5. Plant citronella, a citrus-scented geranium whose leaves have some ability to discourage mosquitoes. Source: Centers for Disease Control See More Collapse So, what exactly does that mean? The agency rears human-friendly biological agents, such as dragonflies, damselflies and carnivorous plants, in a lab to be released into the wild to control the blood-sucking and potentially diseased mosquitoes that afflict Southeast Texas year round. Dragonflies are robust, while damselflies are more dainty-looking. But both are ferocious eaters as adults and gleaning eaters as nymphs. Introducing native and naturally flood-resistant plants into wetlands and areas of unavoidable standing water gives a larger return-on-investment than just a pesticide approach, Schiller says. The plants also dont require regular maintenance. The initiative has also garnered attention for its introduction of mosquito assassins in the Houston area. These mosquitoes, which are typically larger than other native species, do not feed off humans and instead work to eliminate the dangerous mosquitoes, such as Asian tiger (Aedes albopictus), southern house (Culex quinquefasciatus) and yellow fever (Aedes aegypti) mosquito larvae. The mosquito assassin, or predatory tree-hole mosquito, is native to heavily treed areas of Harris County and can be domesticated in a laboratory-setting. Mary Allen, rearing specialist, and Ari Fike, rearing technician, try to emulate the mosquito assassins natural environment in the lab. The life cycle of the assassin is 24 hours to hatch from its egg; two weeks in a larval state; 4.2 days as a pupa (stage betwen larva and adult); two months for full-grown adult females; and two weeks for full-grown adult males, Allen says. If we inundate an environment with mosquito assassins, they will lay eggs where they instinctively know food is, Allen says. In this case, their food source is the larva of other mosquito types. The theory is that the mosquito problem is reduced, or eradicated, before its even a problem. The initiative began producing mosquito assassins for release in 2015, and since then the agency has been able to streamline production and increase releases, Schiller says. A study targeting yellow fever mosquitoes in Louisiana revealed that the most effective way to suppress the mosquito population is to release mosquito assassins after ultra-low-volume adulticide (spraying) is activated, she says. On HoustonChronicle.com: Pick fruits and vegetables that are in season for the best nutrition In addition to the initiative, Harris County Public Health sets traps in various neighborhoods to detect what types of mosquitoes are in that area. The three major mosquito species being monitored can carry West Nile Virus, dengue fever, Zika virus and other diseases. Once the mosquitoes are caught in the traps, theyre brought to a lab and diagnosed, says Dr. Mustapha Debboun, director of mosquito and vector control for the county. If they are one of the dangerous types, that area will be on the list for adulticide (spraying). We spray in the areas where the mosquitoes are trapped, collected and diagnosed with a virus, Debboun says. The county is also collaborating with Mosquito Mate, a company that will insert a Wolbachia bacteria into male Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which renders them infertile. The males are reintroduced into the population to mate with females, but the eggs do not hatch, he said. The Wolbachia bacteria was approved by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2017. The male mosquitoes do not bite humans, according to Mosquito Mate. Here are the other ways local governments are tackling mosquito season before it starts: HARRIS COUNTY Educational programs like Skeeter School, Wiggle Tales and community presentations are presented at area school districts, libraries, civic association and community groups by request. Call the Harris County Public Health Mosquito Control Division at 713-440-4800 for more information. FORT BEND COUNTY The Mosquito Mayhem mobile app is a game to teach young people about the dangers of infectious mosquitoes. It teaches kids about breeding areas and preventive actions in a series of short games. GALVESTON COUNTY The Galveston County Health District provides community outreach events and health fairs. For more information, call 409-938-7221. Julie Garcia is a features reporter focusing on health, fitness and outdoors. Follow her on Facebook or Twitter, and send her tips at julie.garcia@chron.com. Keep up with the latest health news and tips from Houston's newest source for healthy living by subscribing to our ReNew Houston newsletter. MISSION MOON: Nearly 50 years have passed since Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the moon. Our special Apollo 50 anniversary coverage explores how the country came together to fulfill President John F. Kennedys goal of reaching the lunar surface by 1970, NASA's bold missions - and crippling tragedies - since that historic day, and the future of space exploration and Houston as America's "Space City. *** Billionaire Elon Musk envisions a future where his company would see astronauts resume launches from U.S. soil, where people would colonize other celestial bodies, and where a constellation of satellites would provide the Earth with broadband internet. That future is coming, but perhaps not as quickly as the SpaceX founder promises. Musk has both a track record for launches having successfully launched more than 70 rockets and landed more than 35 rocket boosters, flying many of them a second or third time and for having an overly optimistic timeline. Its all part of the pizzazz that Musk brings to space and his quest for humans to become a multi-planetary species. Some of Elon Musks ideas are a little ambitious, shall we say, but he gets people listening, said David Alexander, director of the Rice University Space Institute. And if he hadnt had the successes to back it up, itd be a different story to tell. ELON MUSK, Handout / AFP/Getty Images The adventure begins Musks 17-year-old space company started in the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and Australia. The young companys employees did a little bit of everything. One workers job was to prepare the launch pad and help integrate the rocket, but he also captained the 40-foot catamaran that ferried employees to and from the island where launches would occur. The first three launches March 2006, March 2007 and August 2008 did not reach their intended orbit. But in September 2008, a predecessor to the Falcon 9 rocket (named for the Millennium Falcon spacecraft in Star Wars) became the first privately developed liquid fuel rocket to reach Earths orbit. Development continued and received some assistance from NASA, which was searching for commercial rocket companies that could deliver cargo to the International Space Station. Between 2006 and 2012, the year SpaceX sent the first private spacecraft to the space station, NASA provided technical expertise and $396 million toward developing the Falcon rocket and Dragon spacecraft. The Dragon was reportedly named for the Puff the Magic Dragon song in response to critics skepticism that Musk was high if he thought it could work. LOOKING FOR A MOON VACATION? Billions being invested in burgeoning space tourism industry SpaceX contributed $454 million as its part of the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services Space Act Agreement. Its first cargo contract was worth $1.6 billion, according to a NASA report on the COTS program. SpaceX would later receive a second cargo-specific contract. And it would be trusted with a more delicate haul. In September 2014, NASA awarded SpaceX a $2.6 billion contract to ferry U.S. astronauts to the International Space Station. The government has relied on Russia to take its astronauts to and from the space station, at a cost of $82 million per seat, since the space shuttle program was shuttered in 2011. Launching astronauts is among the most immediate future for SpaceX. On March 3, its Crew Dragon spacecraft developed to carry astronauts successfully docked with the space station, though there was no one on board during the test. Delays just part of the race The first launch with astronauts was, most recently, expected for this year. But a mishap during engine testing in April destroyed a spacecraft and could further delay the company. Hans Koenigsmann, vice president of mission assurance for SpaceX, said he hopes the company can still launch astronauts in 2019. Yes, there will be delays, said Scott Hubbard, adjunct professor in Stanford Universitys Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics and former director of NASAs Ames Research Center. But I dont expect it to keep this industry from developing. SpaceX milestones 2002: SpaceX is founded. March 2006: SpaceX launches its first rocket. It did not reach its intended orbit. September 2008: Falcon 1 becomes the first privately developed liquid fuel rocket to reach Earth's orbit. December 2008: NASA awards SpaceX a $1.6 billion contract to deliver cargo to the International Space Station. June 2010: Falcon 9 rocket takes its first flight. May 2012: Dragon becomes the first private spacecraft to visit the International Space Station. April 2014: The first stage of a Falcon 9 rocket lands in the Atlantic Ocean. September 2014: NASA awards SpaceX a $2.6 billion contract to fly astronauts to the International Space Station. December 2015: The first stage of a Falcon 9 rocket delivers satellites to orbit and then lands vertically on the ground. March 2017: The first stage of a Falcon 9 rocket is flown for a second time. February 2018: Falcon Heavy, the world's most powerful operational rocket, takes its first flight. March 2019: The Crew Dragon, a spacecraft designed to carry astronauts, docks with the International Space Station. No astronauts are on board the test mission. Source: SpaceX See More Collapse Commercial companies such as SpaceX are expected to take over operations closer to Earth, freeing up NASA to focus on the moon, Mars and beyond. In addition to rocket launches, SpaceX is licensed to operate more than 11,000 satellites to provide broadband internet to the Earth. But dont expect SpaceX to remain close to Earth. Musk first unveiled plans in 2016 to eventually colonize Mars. To get there, SpaceX launched the worlds most powerful operational rocket in February 2018 the Falcon Heavy, which also carried a cherry-red Tesla Roadster into space. Its now developing an even more powerful spacecraft and rocket combination, the Starship and Super Heavy Rocket, thats expected to surpass NASAs Saturn V rocket used to take astronauts to the moon. SpaceX is developing and testing an early Starship prototype at Boca Chica beach near Brownsville. The test vehicle has completed several milestones, including its first tethered hop in April where it lifted slightly off the ground. Going to the moon And while the Starship and Super Heavy Rocket are ultimately destined for Mars, the companys more immediate destination will be the moon. Musk announced in September that Japanese entrepreneur Yusaku Maezawa would fly around the moon during a weeklong journey in 2023. And hell be taking six to eight artists to capture the beauty. GOING UP? Futuristic space elevator could make going into space a lot easier for a price Humanity landing on the moon, man, that was maybe the greatest thing ever, Musk said at a press conference earlier this year, according to The Atlantic. I hope we go back to the moon soon, he said. We should have a base on the moon, like a permanently occupied human base on the moon. And send people to Mars, and build a city on Mars. Thats what we should do. andrea.leinfelder@chron.com Flash The Security Council on Monday rejected a Russian request to discuss the enactment of a Ukrainian language law. In a procedural vote, only five of the 15 members of the council voted in favor of the Russian request. Nine votes are required for the adoption of a contended provisional agenda item of the Security Council. After the announcement of the provisional agenda, Francois Delattre, French ambassador to the United Nations, voiced objection, prompting the procedural vote. The French objection was backed up by Germany, the United States and Poland in their representatives' statements before the vote. France, Germany, the United States, Poland as well as Britain and Belgium voted against the Russian proposal, and four other members abstained, effectively blocking the meeting. In his remarks, the French ambassador said Russia's request for the meeting, which coincides with the inauguration of new Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, "clearly does not intend to contribute to the resolution of the Russia-Ukraine crisis," but to "put the new president of Ukraine in the worst light." In his remarks before the vote, Russia's UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia argued that the new Ukrainian law "violates the spirit and letter of the Minsk Agreement, which the Security Council approved." "We are talking about a violation of decisions by the Security Council," he said. China voiced regret over the Security Council's rejection of the Russian request. "We regret that the meeting was not able to be held as scheduled. We hope that members of the council will respect one another, maintain unity, and effectively fulfill the council's obligation of maintaining international peace and security," said Ma Zhaoxu, China's permanent representative to the United Nations. As a member of the Security Council, Russia requested a meeting and proposed the timing for the meeting. That was in line with the Security Council rules of procedure, said Ma in an explanation of China's Yes vote for the Russian request. China believes that the Security Council should play a constructive role in creating a favorable external environment for the proper settlement of relevant issues, promoting peace, stability and development in Ukraine, and achieving harmonious coexistence among the various ethnic groups in Ukraine and the peaceful coexistence of Ukraine and other countries in the region, said the Chinese ambassador. The Ukrainian language bill was approved by Ukraine's parliament on April 25, and was signed into law by then President Petro Poroshenko on Wednesday. The law institutes Ukrainian as the official language of the country, requiring that it be used in the public sector. MONTOURSVILLE, Pa. - President Donald Trump mocked former Vice President Joe Biden for his views on trade and focus on foreign policy, taking aim Monday at the Democrat leading the polls in the state Biden has made his proving ground for defeating Trump next year. He touted an economic turnaround on his watch, saying Pennsylvania now has historically low unemployment that no political competitor could best. "Sleepy Joe said that he's running to, quote, 'save the world,' " Trump said to laughter from supporters at a campaign rally here. "Well, he was: He was going to save every country but ours!" Trump's "Make America Great Again" rally at an airport hangar in this small north-central Pennsylvania town was nominally a show of support for Republican state Rep. Fred Keller, the heavy favorite in a special election Tuesday to fill the congressional seat vacated in January by Tom Marino, a Republican who had just been reelected to his fifth term. Penn State professor Marc Friedenberg, who lost to Marino in 2018 by 32 points, is also the Democratic candidate this time. Trump won the district by 36 points in 2016. With Keller's victory in this solidly Republican area all but assured, Trump's visit was more about leveraging his strong support in the Republican midsection of Pennsylvania, where his overwhelming victory in 2016 powered him to a statewide victory with a margin of less than 1%. Trump will need to repeat or best that performance in 2020 to again take a state that voted Democratic in the six presidential elections immediately preceding 2016. Pennsylvania, with 20 electoral college votes, is considered one of the best chances for a Democratic reversal in 2020. "We gotta win this state," Trump said to cheers. "We did great last time. Remember the fake polls they put out last time? Suppression - they call them suppression polls, 'Pennsylvania will go for Hillary Clinton!' " Trump said, making an unfounded accusation that polls predicting his defeat here were orchestrated to help his opponent. "Unfortunately for them, it didn't happen." The crowd responded with a long chant of "Lock her up!" To which, Trump responded: "We have a great new attorney general who's going to give it a very fair look." Trump also repeated his false rhetorical claim that "our country is full." "We don't want people coming up here," Trump said to cheers and chants of "Build that wall!" Trump called a pan-Asia trade deal backed by Biden "a disaster" for Pennsylvania and singled out remarks Biden recently made about charting a new course with China. "Remember, he said a week ago, 'China's not a competitor.' China's not a competitor?" Trump exclaimed. "Hey, look. What they've done to us is indescribable, economically," he said. "Our leaders allowed it to happen. Well, it's not happening anymore. I ran, and we have made America great again, and we are going to keep America great." Biden has staked much of his early campaign message on the theory that he can deny Trump a repeat victory here. A native of working-class Scranton, more than an hour to the east, Biden inaugurated his 2020 campaign in Pennsylvania and is using Philadelphia as his campaign headquarters. "Biden deserted you," Trump said. "I guess he was born here, but he left you, he left you for another state." In the last of his kickoff speeches, on Saturday in Philadelphia, Biden spoke of the birth of American democracy in that city and toggled between attacks on Trump and calls for unity and civility. "If the American people want a president to add to our division, lead with a clenched fist, closed hand, a hard heart, to demonize the opponents and spew hatred, they don't need me," Biden said. "They've got President Donald Trump." Biden lived in Pennsylvania for 10 years before moving with his family to Delaware, a state he represented in the U.S. Senate for 36 years. Pennsylvania carries more Electoral College votes than any of the contested industrial Midwest states that Trump won last time. "How many different ways can you say 20?" joked Franklin & Marshall College political science professor and Pennsylvania pollster Terry Madonna, referring to the state's Electoral College vote total. Biden is prioritizing Pennsylvania as he tries to argue that he is in a unique position to deny Trump a victory among more socially conservative Democratic voters who abandoned the party in 2016, Madonna said. Biden led Trump by double digits in a poll of Pennsylvania voters released last week that also had Biden swamping his next-nearest competitor for the Democratic nomination, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., by more than 25 percentage points. The Quinnipiac University poll showed Biden with 53% to Trump's 42% in a hypothetical head-to-head matchup. The survey of 978 registered Pennsylvania voters was conducted May 9-14 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.2 percentage points. More than half of Pennsylvania voters say they are better off financially than they were in 2016, the poll found. But despite strong U.S. economic performance, 54% of Pennsylvania voters overall disapprove of Trump's job performance while 42% approve, the poll found. Trump dismissed the polling Monday. "I think we're doing very well in Pennsylvania. We won it last time. The polls had us losing Pennsylvania last time, and we won," he told reporters as he left the White House for the rally. There was little sign of disapproval on the crowded streets of this town. At a decaying mall where rallygoers boarded shuttle buses, vendors hawked T-shirts that read "Border Wall Construction Company" and "Build the Wall, Deport Them All," alongside the usual "Make America Great Again" and "Trump-Pence" wares. Trump won surrounding Lycoming County in 2016 with 69.6% of the vote, to Democrat Hillary Clinton's 25.4%. The rally had a festive feel, with chants of "U-S-A" and a prespeech playlist that ranged from the Rolling Stones to Luciano Pavarotti. Donald Trump Jr. was the principal warmup act, mocking Biden and Biden's son Hunter, among other Democrats. The crowd cheered with delight when the campaign broadcast the voice of an air traffic controller tracking the approach of Air Force One. Shortly after he began speaking, Trump spotted a supporter in the crowd wearing a suit in a brick-wall print. Trump brought the man onstage with a whoop. "This is a very Republican area, and people are looking forward to the visit. I think most people in this area feel pretty positive" about the president, Montoursville Mayor Stephen Bagwell said in an interview before the visit. Trump's overall economic message plays well here, Bagwell said. "I would not think that most people in this area have really had a significant change in the last few years, but people do feel pretty positive." Bagwell said he has not heard concern among his neighbors about potential price hikes on consumer goods or other items as a result of the president's escalating tariff war with China. Unemployment here was 4.3% in March, slightly above the state figure of 3.9% but down from roughly 6% at the start of Trump's presidency. - - - The Washington Post's Felicia Sonmez in Washington contributed to this report. Misdemeanor courts will now convene in Harris Countys criminal courthouse downtown, almost 21 months after flooding from Hurricane Harvey made most of the building uninhabitable. The change will put the majority of the top 11 floors in use, consequently filtering more people through the already clogged skyscraper. Clearly, the entire facility is not back to 100 percent like it used to be, said Joe Castillo, chief of planning and delivery for the county engineer. Weve made some concessions to allow some of these courts to come in and operate on what I would call a temporary basis. The 16 Harris County Criminal Courts at Law will be held in temporarily assigned courtrooms between the 10th and 15th floors and will maintain staggered dockets, according to court management. After Harvey hit in August 2017, most operations for the misdemeanor courts were moved to the Family Law Center, although people in custody since the hurricane remained in the criminal courthouse for their dockets. The changes took place May 20, already creating a notable difference for some. Lines are long to the courthouse because several elevators to the upper floors are still not operating, and lobby waiting space is limited with the sheer amount of people that visit the courts every day, said Doug Murphy, president of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association. Security lines are additionally troublesome, he said. The building didnt work before the flood for similar reasons, he said. The 20-story courthouse has been largely unoccupied since the storm. Flood damage at the building, 1201 Franklin, forced the relocation of hundreds of attorneys and staffers to buildings across the city. Dozens of courts moved to other buildings, essentially doubling up with courts that werent damaged and congesting docket schedules. Officials have said that the underground flood doors for the courthouse and the underground Jury Assembly Building held during Harvey, but large amounts of standing water seeped into the underground walls. The highest floors of the courthouse became inundated when water in the basement shorted out electronics controlling the buildings gauges. The pumping system sent massive amounts of water through the building, bursting water pipes on most floors. Several of the top floors had already been repaired and reopened, making room for state district judges to share the courtrooms for daily docket calls on a rotating basis. But the additional misdemeanor courts in the building mean that space is more limited, Murphy said, adding that several lawyers are concerned about the crowded lobby creating a safety hazard. Stairwells arent always accessible from each floor, which Castillo said is because of security reasons and still within fire code. So far, the building seems to look like more of the same, Murphy said. Why are they moving us back in the building if they havent done anything? he asked. The county recently approved repair work on the elevators and on floors two through 20, and officials are moving forward with design plans for an $86 million building restoration project, Castillo said. The project would expand the lobby areas, add elevators and move critical building machinery out of the basement, officials have said. Courtrooms that are currently being used are in parts of the building that werent as affected by the flood, Castillo said. The concern continues to be there, he said. With some limited resources of the building, such as elevators, we had to go at this a little strategically. Its still very much an ongoing construction scene. samantha.ketterer@chron.com A driver died Monday night after crashing into a large light pole along the Gulf Freeway. Witnesses told Houston police officers that the man was swerving from lane to lane in the southbound lanes of the Gulf Freeway near South Loop 610 around 10:30 p.m., according to Metro Video. At some point, he left the roadway and slammed into a downed light pole that was set to be erected along the main lanes. He died on impact, according to Metro Video. An autopsy by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences will determine if alcohol was a factor, Metro reported. No other injuries were reported. Jay R. Jordan covers breaking news in the Houston area. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan | Email him at jay.jordan@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message The Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association on Tuesday asked Mayor Sylvester Turner to enter arbitration to settle its ongoing labor dispute with the city to secure pay raises for firefighters. The request comes less than a week after a state district judge ruled Proposition B unconstitutional and void. The charter amendment approved by voters last November granted firefighters the same pay as police of corresponding rank and seniority. Turner made clear Tuesday that he does not intend to accept the unions request. "The City of Houston is willing to return to the table for collective bargaining which would be the regular course of business, the mayor said in a written statement. Immediately after last weeks ruling, Turner said he would like to negotiate a pay raise for firefighters "that the city can afford." Fire Fighters Association President Marty Lancton said the mayor had yet to contact the union about sitting down to negotiate anew. Turner spokeswoman Mary Benton said the union knows how to reach the mayor, and repeated Turners statement that his door is open and he is ready and willing to meet with the fire union. Lancton made the formal arbitration request in a letter sent to Turner Tuesday. "Again, recent developments present you with an opportunity to end your political and legal war on Houston firefighter families and negotiate a firefighter contract in alignment with the will of the 298,000 Prop B voters," Lancton said, referring to the number of Houstonians who voted in favor of the referendum. jasper.scherer@chron.com Mayor Sylvester Turner used his fourth annual State of the City address Monday to announce a plan aimed at drawing private investment to city parks in underserved areas, while casting the state of the city as "strong, resilient and sustainable," a depiction his mayoral opponents swiftly rejected. Turner, who is up for re-election in November, also renewed his call for a multimodal transit system with rail and bus rapid transit, urging residents to give Metro borrowing authority for its long-term plan in November. The agency is expected to put a multi-billion-dollar bond request on the ballot. "This is not the city of the 1990s," Turner said. "This city has changed. The region is changing. People are demanding multimodal options, and we have to give it to them." During his speech and subsequent "fireside chat" with H-E-B president Scott McClelland, Turner largely rehashed points and ideas he already has floated, including ones used at early stops on the campaign trail. Speaking to a packed crowd of elected officials, city staff and the business community, the mayor pitched Houston as a prime location for technology startups, touting steps the city has taken to expand its tech presence. He acknowledged that "Silicon Bayou" has played catch-up to other cities that were faster to attract talent. "It makes no sense why the (tech) ecosystem in Houston should not be No. 1 in the world," Turner said, pointing to the citys large medical center, multiple universities and reputation as the worlds energy capital. Several minutes into his address, delivered at the Marriott Marquis hotel downtown, Turner announced a "50-for-50" plan aimed at revitalizing city parks "primarily in communities that have been underserved." Under the plan, Turner said, 50 companies would each "partner" with a city park, volunteering to "take ownership" of the park and maintain it for about five years. McClelland, who chairs the Greater Houston Partnership, committed onstage to participate in the program. Alan Bernstein, a spokesperson for Turner, said the mayor does not intend to require companies to spend a specific amount of money on the parks. Participating firms would have input on which park they improve, Bernstein said. After Turners address, two of his mayoral opponents, Tony Buzbee and Bill King, held their own speeches in response. Two floors down at the Marriott Marquis, Buzbee said that while crime has dipped as shown in data compiled by city police Houston remains "one of the most dangerous cities in the United States." "We don't have enough police, and the way we police is out of date. We're reactionary, we're not anticipatory," Buzbee said at his event, which he dubbed "The Real State of the City." He said property and violent crime rates here remain higher than the national average. The Houston Police Department recorded double-digit decreases in homicides, robberies and aggravated assaults in 2018, Police Chief Art Acevedo said in January. Burglaries, thefts and auto thefts declined by a combined 2.8 percent, he said. Turner, who has called for an expanded police department, noted during his speech that the budget he proposed for the 2020 fiscal year includes funding for five police cadet classes. Buzbee, who has promised to self-fund his campaign, also said the business community had been running this city through Turners administration, a notion the mayor has denied. The Greater Houston Partnership hosted the event Monday. Im putting them on notice, Buzbee said. The residents of this city are going to run this city again, not the Greater Houston Partnership. Not Houston First. In his response, King said Turner "avoided all of the tough subjects that show the real failure of this administration in so many ways." He also said the city does not have enough police, while casting doubt on the data Turner used to say that violent crime is down in Houston. King also said Turner should have been more specific about his next steps to negotiate raises with firefighters. He criticized Turner for the citys operating budget deficit, which the mayor has proposed to close in part by dipping into the citys reserves. "The solution is not more revenue, the solution is to get control of how we spend the money," King said, pledging to use zero-based budgeting to root out possible inefficient spending. When rolling out his budget proposal, Turner said his administration scrubbed every department in search of places to trim costs. Turners Monday address came less than a week after a state district judge ruled Proposition B unconstitutional and void. The voter-approved charter amendment required the city to grant firefighters the same pay as police of corresponding rank and seniority, which Turner said would have cost the city $79 million next fiscal year. During his speech, Turner said he is "prepared to come to the table and work with firefighters" to negotiate a pay raise. He repeatedly has said the city could not afford the cost of Prop B. "They are deserving of a pay raise," Turner said. "There's only one qualifier, and that is, regardless of what the employee group is, they are deserving of a pay raise that the city can afford." The Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association announced Monday that it plans to hold a news conference Tuesday to respond to Turner. Fire union President Marty Lancton has said the union always has been open to negotiating with the mayor. On Monday, Turner otherwise fueled anew the prospect of an "Astroworld-like theme park," citing the re-emergence of the idea thanks to Houston rapper Travis Scott. He did not reveal details about how the park would be funded or when and where in the city it would be built. Turner also called for a "paradigm shift" in how the federal government responds to natural disasters, lamenting the slow flow of aid after Hurricane Harvey. "It does not make sense, and people do not understand, why 19 months after a disaster, we're still waiting on infrastructure dollars," Turner said. "They don't understand it, it's hard to explain it, and quite frankly, I don't understand it." jasper.scherer@chron.com A teenager has been charged with capital murder in the death of a beloved southwest Houston grandmother who he is accused of stabbing after she was unable to help him fix his truck, according to police. The broken-down vehicle across from Etta Nugents home and the 19-year-old living in it over the weekend had caught the attention of the tight-knit neighbors on tree-lined Neff Street next to the St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church soccer field. Sunday was when Ninfa Palazzolos husband first saw him, she said. The suspect, identified by police as Marco Cobos, stood out among the mass of cars parked along the church property for a baptism ceremony. My husband saw him sitting in a truck with the car door open, and he saw him again yesterday, said Palazzolo, who had lived near the Nugents for three decades. IN FEDERAL COURT: Houston rapper convicted of using teenage girl for sex trafficking Court records show Cobos was born in Mexico and homeless. The truck he had been sleeping in had been reported stolen, police said. Cobos sought help from 75-year-old Nugent to fix his vehicle but she was unable to "because of her age," police said. The 6-foot, 230-pound suspect then forced his way into her longtime home and stabbed her to death. Police did not say when Cobos broke into the home. Another neighbor, Sharon Shanahan, said she last saw Nugent on Sunday. Nugent had been home alone for most of May as her husband recovered from a medical procedure at a convalescent care facility, Shanahan said. She was supposed to visit her husband on Monday morning but never showed. Calls to her phone went unanswered. 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 Her son found her around 1:30 p.m. that afternoon when he went to check on her. The back door was open and her car had been stolen, Shanahan said. As detectives wrapped up the investigation at the Nugent residence, and while neighbors and members of the media were still gathered outside the home, Cobos tried returning to the scene of the crime in the woman's stolen car, police said. He was apprehended around 8:30 p.m. at Mary Bates Boulevard and Neff Street, a few doors down from Nugent's home. The suspect stared blankly at police officers from the back window of a police vehicle soon after his arrest. The teen later confessed to killing Nugent, police said. He was scheduled to appear in court early Wednesday morning. Nugent was a retired parish secretary at Holy Ghost Catholic Church and attended St. Francis across the street from her home. She is survived by three children and six grandchildren, according to neighbors. David Witt lowered his voice and leaned forward to whisper his troubles to his mother: There was a guard harassing him and he was scared. Through the visiting room glass, Rosemary saw the cut on his head and the fear in his eyes, but she didnt know what to do. She wrote the Darrington Unit warden but she doesnt know if he ever received her letter. They tortured him there, she said. And my hands were tied. A few months later, Witt was dead. Now, former Texas prison Sgt. Lou Joffrion is set for trial in coming months for aggravated assault, nearly two years after prosecutors say he slammed the handcuffed 41-year-old prisoner into the concrete floor so hard it killed him. At the time, Joffrion had just finished six months of disciplinary probation for a previous incident in which he allegedly slammed Witt to the ground, according to state officials. The fatal use of force was caught on video, paving the way to a rare felony indictment against a prison guard. But family members didnt learn the circumstances of his death for months officials did not tell them or the media what had happened and initially did not note it in monthly reports as a homicide or accidental death. Prison officials Monday condemned the ex-guards actions but also offered possible reasons for the violent exchange, chalking it up to the presence of a potent painkiller in the slain prisoners blood. While the use of force was deemed excessive in the investigation, said Texas Department of Criminal Justice Executive Director Bryan Collier, an autopsy of offender Witt did find the presence of fentanyl, an extremely powerful synthetic opioid, which could explain the actions which prompted the use of force. But its not clear whether the drug was smuggled illicitly into prison or given as treatment at the hospital, where Witt underwent surgery before he died. Prison officials did not clarify. Meanwhile Connie Williams, the attorney representing Joffrion, said his client followed protocol. There are some suggestions that he slammed him too hard, Williams said. But there was no intent to kill anybody. Related: Huntsville prisoner allegedly killed by guard was handcuffed during deadly use-of-force Even before he went into the Texas prison system, Witt had mental health problems, his family said. Growing up in North Texas, he was a quiet kid but he struggled with depression and other issues. For a few years, he worked at a peanut factory and found a girlfriend. According to state records, he racked up a few minor charges, including drunk driving and criminal mischief. Then he went through a bad break-up and, in 2004, caught an aggravated robbery charge. According to his mother, he stole a car and robbed a gas station a crime that netted him 20 years behind bars. The first few years of his bid he was in and out of the systems psychiatric prisons, his mother said. Sometimes, shed show up to visit and he wouldnt know who she was. Other times, he wouldnt know who he was. But overall, he made do until he went to Darrington, the Rosharon lockup Rosemary still refers to as the bad prison. He was such a sweet man, Rosemary said, and prison destroyed him. Over time, he began to look like hed lost weight and his clothes were often dirty. A few months before his death, his mother said, he showed up with a cut on his head and dried blood. Around that time, prison officials confirmed, Joffrion was suspended without pay for six days and given six months of disciplinary probation for use of excessive force in another incident involving Witt. That probation ended in July 2017 the month before Witts death. Related: Toothless Texas inmates denied dentures in state prison On the morning of Aug. 16, 2017, Witt allegedly refused to leave the day room and go back to his cell, according to prison spokesman Jeremy Desel. He was acting erratically and took off his clothes, put them back on, and pulled an ice cooler off the table. At first, he allowed himself to be handcuffed but then, officials say, he began resisting. Sergeant Lou Joffrion, a 24 year old black male, then came from behind the offender wrapped his arms around his lower legs, picked him up and forced him down to the ground, Desel said in a statement. Witts hands were restrained behind his back which caused his head to strike the ground first. A custodial death report posted online by the Texas Attorney Generals Office describes the violent outburst differently, saying that Witt was lifted off his feet and slammed to the concrete floor. It was enough force that Witt eventually had to be Life Flighted to the hospital in Galveston, though first he was sent to the prison infirmary and then a local hospital. Finally, after two hours of emergency surgery, he died of internal bleeding from a lacerated liver, prison officials said. Two days later, Joffrion was recommended for termination, but he instead chose to resign, Desel said. Officials referred the case to investigators, who handed it over to prosecutors. Joffrion was indicted in Brazoria County in early December and released on $35,000 bond, court records show. The core values of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice are paramount and any violation of the public trust will not be tolerated, Collier said. TDCJ fully supports the Office of the Inspector General and the District Attorney of Brazoria County prosecuting former Sergeant Joffrion to the fullest extent of the law. On HoustonChronicle.com: Texas prisoner sues guards who allegedly planted screwdrivers in his cell Rosemary found out her son was gone when a chaplain called her at her home in Pottsboro north of Dallas. But, from the explanation she got, it wasnt clear what happened. I thought that another inmate had killed him, she said. The September 2017 Emergency Action Center report that notes major incidents and inmate deaths doesnt show any homicides or accidental deaths for that month. It wasnt until later that year, once the full autopsy was completed, that officials added a single homicide to the month of August. The family eventually obtained the autopsy, according Witts older sister, Naoma Denman. But she and her mother didnt understand the terminology and officials still werent offering more information. The chaplain was the only call we got until we got a call from the prosecutor saying that they had picked up our case because they had found out that there was evidence, Denman said. They had a video. Questions raised Its not clear how often corrections officers get indicted for prisoner deaths in Texas. Last year, an Estelle Unit guard DAndre Glasper was charged with aggravated assault in connection with the death of a handcuffed inmate at the Huntsville-area prison, Desel said that such incidents were exceedingly rare. Glaspers case is pending. Joffrion was also charged with aggravated assault instead of murder in part because its an easier case to prove but carries the same sentencing range. I want to make sure theres accountability, Brazoria County District Attorney Jeri Yenne said. Its the same level as murder, a first-degree felony. Get Informed Text "Houston" to 77453 to receive HoustonChronicle.com alerts on your phone. See More Collapse But, in addition to maintaining that his client was acting under protocol, Joffrions attorney raised the possibility that he may not have caused Witts death. There was, he said, an indication in prison records of some type of altercation on the way to the hospital and the slain prisoner had previous injuries and health problems that could have played a role. We know he had other ailments, Williams said. But what is a mystery is what happened after this occurred and how those previous injuries relate to his death, and we have been unable to determine what happened during his transport. Now, his case is set for trial in September, and Witts family plans to be there. But Rosemary knows she wont stay for all of it. I will leave the court when they show the video, the 72-year-old said. Since her sons death, shes been having nightmares and watching the footage is more than she can handle, she said. I just cant see it. keri.blakinger@chron.com AUSTIN Legislation that could allow property owners to retroactively appeal years-old tax bills is on the verge of becoming law, raising alarms for county appraisers who warn it would wreak havoc on the budgets of Texas cities and school districts. If property owners win reductions, local governments could be forced to issue refunds long after they set their budgets and collect taxes, county appraisers say. The result could be financially ruinous, especially for small counties where one or two large properties make up a substantial portion of the tax base, said Kirk Swinney, an Austin-area attorney who represents roughly 70 appraisal districts. It creates a powerful, powerful tool in the hands of large property owners to basically bring the local taxing units to their knees with a threat of review for many years in arrears, he said. The bill to loosen restrictions on appeals easily cleared the House and Senate and now is on Republican Gov. Greg Abbotts desk. His office didnt respond to questions about whether he would sign or veto it. Texas Take: Get the latest news on Texas politics sent directly to your inbox every weekday Reforming the property tax system is top of mind this session, as Abbott and top Republican leaders seek to rein in homeowners soaring bills by capping what cities and counties can raise in revenue each year without an election. This bill, however, received little attention. Rep. Charlie Geren, a Fort Worth Republican who filed it, disagrees his legislation will let property owners file retroactive protests. Geren said the bill simply gives people an opportunity to go back and correct mistakes in a protest if they didnt check the right box. The current laws lets appraisal districts dismiss a protest over procedural errors, without ever considering the merits, he said. He said the appraisal districts are being whiny about House Bill 380. The appraisal districts never liked the bill, he said. They didnt even come and talk to me about it. Swinney and chief appraisers did raise concerns during public hearings in the House and Senate. They argue the bill goes far beyond Gerens stated goal and could effectively eliminate the deadlines for contesting a property appraisal. Jim Popp, a prominent Austin tax attorney who represents businesses and homeowners protesting their property values, said he would have liked it to be a little more clearly written for the courts direction, so we wouldnt be speculating about what the bill meant. Popp said he agrees property owners shouldnt have their protests dismissed over technicalities, but those who miss the deadlines shouldnt have the right to come back years later and file a challenge. The system needs finality and rules, he said. Currently, property owners must protest within 30 days of receiving notice or by mid-May. Once an appraisal review board issues a decision, property owners have 60 days to file an appeal in district court. The possibility of property owners protesting their current values in future years means cities, counties and school districts will have an impossible time setting their budgets and tax rates, said Brent South, chief appraiser at Hunt County Appraisal District and a past president of the Texas Association of Appraisal Districts. It does away with the deadlines, South said. The importance of those deadlines in the property tax code is because it gives certain finality to the taxing units. By extending the time frame for filing appeals, the bill could also expand a tax provision that has helped big businesses knock billions of dollars off their property values. So-called equity appeals cut tax bills by a total of nearly $1 billion in the states five biggest counties last year, an analysis by Hearst Newspapers found. Though any property owner can file an equity appeal, businesses with the financial means to file lawsuits year after year have made most use of the 22-year-old tax clause, records show. Efforts to reform the tax provision this session failed to gain traction. The bills Senate sponsor, Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, wasnt available for comment. In the public hearing, he said the bill gives the property owner a much easier path, rather than being kicked out simply for a minor error on a piece of paper. District judges would have the power to give property owners a chance to fix any mistakes, which appraisers said could include not filing a timely protest. But how the courts might interpret the policy, if it becomes law, remains to be seen. Swinney, who represents appraisal districts, said he has no reason to exaggerate the bills effects. This helps me. I am in the business of defending local taxing units, and the Legislature created a bunch new avenues to sue them. I am probably going to have to hire help, he said. But as a matter of public policy, its just lunacy. Allie Morris covers politics and policy in Austin. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | amorris@express-news.net | Twitter: @MorrisReports You are here: World Flash New Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced in his inaugural speech on Monday the dissolution of the Ukrainian parliament, paving the way for early parliamentary elections. The snap elections will be held in two months, according to a statement on the presidential website. However, the official decree on the dissolution of the parliament has not yet been unveiled. The leader of the "Samopomich" parliamentary faction Oleg Berezyuk told the local media that consultations on the parliament's dissolution will be held on Tuesday. Zelensky, 41, was elected with over 73% of the vote as president of Ukraine on April 21 for a five-year term. The next parliamentary elections had been originally set for Oct. 27. 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. Human vs. Machine - Business travellers choose technology over people when booking travel and managing trip disruptions Research by CWT shows that travelers prefer to manage their travel transactions digitally, via an app or browser. 69% of business travelers prefer to book their flights digitally rather than have human interactions. That continues to rise for hotel reservations (78%), ground transportation (71%), and checking-in for flights (68%). However, travelers are more receptive speaking to a person face-to-face when checking into their hotel (46%) and checking out (51%). Technology is becoming more and more dominant in the travel ecosystem, said Andrew Jordan, CWTs Chief Product and Technology Officer. Digital interactions are taking over, so the travel industry must keep evolving to offer companies and their employees the experience they want and expect. Overall, Asia Pacific travelers are more likely to choose technology over personal contact 73% prefer to book their flights digitally, versus 71% of Americas travelers and 61% of Europeans. Meanwhile, 84% of Asia Pacific travelers prefer to book hotels digitally, versus 77% of those from the Americas, and 70% of Europeans. When it comes to checking in for their flights, travelers from the Americas are most inclined to use technology over personal contact: 73% said they prefer technology, versus 66% of Europeans and 65% of Asia Pacific travelers. Smartphones Catching Up With Computer Screens CWTs research also shows that a significant percentage of travel is still booked through a computer screen 45% in 2019 versus 53% in 2018 and 52% in 2017. But smartphones are catching up: 41% in 2019 versus 34% in 2018 and 32% in 2017. Tablets rank third with 11%, while only 2% of business travelers claim to get help from a person. The data reveals that European travelers are most inclined to book their travel on a desktop or laptop (55%), followed by travelers from the Americas (49%) and travelers from Asia Pacific (36%). In contrast, 53% of travelers in Asia Pacific prefer to book travel on their smartphones, compared to 40% of Americas travelers and only 26% of Europeans. European travelers are most inclined to use their tablets (16%) or speak to a person (3%) than travelers from the Americas and Asia Pacific, who both scored 9% and 2% respectively. When asked how they prefer to deal with disruptions or changes, 33% of travelers overall say using a mobile app is the most effective way to do so 37% of travelers from Asia Pacific feel that way, versus 31% of travelers from the Americas and 30% of Europeans. The study also revealed that eight out of ten business travelers have used technology instead of physically traveling for business in the past year, with a quarter using technology five or more times instead of traveling. With 29% of travelers from the Americas answering five times or more, they beat Europeans (26%) and Asia Pacific travelers (22%). The modern business traveler wants to be able to make decisions immediately at their convenience, said Jordan. Companies need to empower their employees to have this control and give them the needed tools, such as mobile apps, to best equip them on their journey. About the survey The survey was created by CWT and conducted by Artemis Strategy Group between 29 January and 9 February, 2019. Responses were collected from more than 2,700 business travelers who traveled for business four or more times in the previous 12 months. Respondents were from the Americas (Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and the United States), Europe (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the UK), and Asia Pacific (Australia, China, India, Japan, and Singapore). Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest all industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hospitality Trends Prefabricated building has doubled in size over the last five years, but it's not without its challenges This article originally appeared on JLL Real Views. Regions across the U.S. faced their snowiest, coldest and warmest February in history this year, with volatile weather disrupting the flow of life across the country. That included construction projects. Yet there was one setting where the unpredictable winter didnt slow down work the vast indoor spaces where firms have increasingly been creating homes, offices and hotels. The method of modular construction where pieces of buildings are manufactured in one place, and then delivered to construction sites for assembly has boomed in recent years. The business in the U.S. has doubled in size to US$8 billion over the last five years, according to Tom Hardiman, executive director of the Modular Building Institute which is a non-profit trade association based in Charlottesville, Virginia. There are about 225 modular manufacturers in North America, including the companies that do single family modular homes. And the sector is still growing, Hardiman says, adding that about 50 manufacturers act as their own contractors on projects, while the rest provide building modules to contractors. Made for uniformity Modular construction lends itself to projects where uniformity is the norm, such as chain hotels; student, senior and affordable housing; or office buildings. With ground-up construction, you take into consideration the architecture of the city and the neighborhood, says Carlos Serra, managing director of JLLs Project & Development Services. Modular buildings require a standardization in design. They have to be boiler plate, which limits the level of customization. Hotel companies in particular have found benefits to working in such a way. They like the quality control aspect, says Bruce Greenfield, a principal at California-based Architects Orange. Factories know how to build to a hotel brands standards, and that saves training a new crew of field people every time. Architects Orange was behind the design and architecture of the new Marriott TownePlace Suites and Courtyard Hotel in Hawthorne, California, which opened in 2018. The 354 rooms were constructed, furnished and decorated in Boise, Idaho. They were then trucked into Hawthorne. While an efficient mode for uniform buildings, Serra cautions against modular construction being viewed as end to all construction nightmares, saying that execution can be difficult. It has to be driven more by repetition than by one-off projects, he says. It works best when a developer can say heres a mock up, now push out hundreds or thousands of these in standard finishes. Thats where we will see the savings. But developers may be getting something that is less architecturally or aesthetically pleasing. Speed and cost Modular construction can accelerate timelines by up to 50 percent, because various parts of a project are undertaken simultaneously, Hardiman says. As the site is being prepped for construction, for example, the actual building and inspections can take place offsite. Cost advantages depend on a number of factors. In a recent study by FMI Corp., most general contractor firms reported that they expected to save 5 to 10 percent of field labor costs by switching to modular. In reality, the most common savings level reported was 0 to 5 percent, demonstrating the inherent challenge in adopting new technology. In high cost labor markets, it might make more sense to shift that work to an offsite modular factory that utilizes fewer labor hours per project due to an industrialized and streamlined process of assembly, Serra says. In other markets, it may not. Challenges to overcome Challenges to rolling modular construction out more widely remain. Chief among them are a lack of understanding and transparency. Modular construction requires greater communication and coordination before the project begins, says Hardiman. To mitigate problems down the road, he advises that developers and contractors heavily research the modular manufacturers they are considering collaborating with. The biggest challenge to overcome: The stigma attached to the construction type. There is still that thinking that if a building is modular, it should be of a lower value, says Serra. The perception is that it is worth less needs to be disrupted for this mode of construction to fully thrive. Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest all industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hospitality Trends Flash Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman announced on Monday that he would submit his resignation this week, local media reported. "I decided to resign immediately after the next government meeting on Wednesday," Groysman was quoted as saying by Interfax-Ukraine news agency. Groysman said that he will focus on the preparation for the parliamentary elections after leaving the post of the prime minister. Earlier in the day, new Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took the office, urging the current Ukrainian government to resign. Zelensky also announced that he is dissolving the parliament. The snap parliamentary elections will be held in two months, according to a statement on the presidential website. However, the official decree on the dissolution of the parliament has not yet been unveiled. The Ukrainian Constitution stipulates that the resignation of the prime minister results in the resignation of the entire cabinet. Music WorX Startup Accelerator Opens Applications Music WorX Accelerator 2019, the start-up funding program of the German Ministry of Culture and the Media and the Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft, is accepting applications. Music WorX Accelerator helps music and music tech founders from all over Europe. In this accelerator program, up to four start-up teams are supported for three months. In addition to financial support, they are given the opportunity to take part in consultations and workshops with music industry experts and others start-ups. The Music WorX Accelerator runs from mid-August to early November 2019. The program ends with a pitch event at which the founders present their business model to a professional audience and potential investors and pitch for a jury prize of 5,000 euros. The application phase for the autumn 2019 program runs until 16 June 2019. Dr. Carsten Brosda, Senator for Culture and Media: With Music WorX we are showing that Hamburg is a good place for people with a spirit of entrepreneurship. It pays to implement innovative business models in the music industry here, and we support that. At the same time, we are networking the Hamburg-based players in the music and creative industries with new, clever minds and building bridges to international markets. Egbert Ruhl, Managing Director of Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft: Music WorX was launched in 2013 as a local support programme for pioneers of the music industry. Year after year, the offer has developed further. It has been expanded and is now also open to start-ups from outside Hamburg. In 2019, we are looking specifically for new licensing models, fan services, innovative business models, data analysis tools and other technology-based innovations throughout Europe that offer real added value for the industry. 2019 Applications The application phase for this year's Accelerator Programme runs until Sunday, 16 June 2019. More at kreativgesellschaft.org/musicworx. Share on: The School Committee is one short after no one ran for a vacant seat in the last election. Adams-Cheshire Committee Still Seeking Adams Representative CHESHIRE, Mass. The School Committee is still one member short after no one ran for a vacant seat in the last election. On Monday, the Adams- Cheshire Regional School Committee reorganized to elect Adam Emerson as a new chairman and Michael Mucci as a vice chairman but it will have to advertise for the seat left by former Chairman and longtime member Paul Butler. "I would just like to get that seat filled as soon as we can," member Regina Hill said. Not one Adams resident pulled papers for the vacant position and there was not a conclusive write-in campaign during the election earlier this month. There was a similar issue in Cheshire when member Peter Tatro decided not to seek re-election. No one in Cheshire decided to run so Tatro launched a write-in campaign that he won. The district will reach out to Massachusetts Association of School Committee and how it can go about advertising the position to solicit interest from the public. After reorganizing the committee heard from members of Adams-Cheshire Teachers Association and its President Cheryl Ryan read a prepared statement about the proposed 1 percent wage increase. "As a staff, we have made difficult financial decisions in past contract cycles in order to preserve services and maintain staffing levels often at a significant cost to ourselves," Ryan read. "This year we are presented with a take it or leave it 1 percent wage offer that feels unconscionable given the demands that we are under as well as in comparison to our municipal counterparts." She added that if wages continue to stagnate, the standards the communities expects will fall and many teachers will go to other districts. The School Committee did not respond but does plan to hold a meeting with the negotiations subcommittee and ACTA in the near future. In other business, Superintendent John Vosburgh said he recently discussed changing the status of the district from the turnaround plan to a district improvement plan with the state. The turnaround plan was put into place a few years ago in response to low performance on the state's standardized testing and in conjunction with state Department of Education requirements. Vosburgh said the DOE was hesitant to make any changes because the turnaround plan has been quite successful in the school district. "They thought it was good stuff and they did not want to see us scrap those plans since it had produced some positive results and growth," he said. Vosburgh said he told the education officials the school district still wants to adhere to the plan but simply change the district's status. He said the district will begin forming a district improvement plan that will contain elements of the turnaround plan. Sea heroes: Working side by side with indigenous and small-scale fishers by Indre Anskaityte For many small-scale fishers and coastal indigenous communities, fish means much more than food: their relationship with the sea plays a vital role in maintaining their distinct livelihoods. These communities are facing significant threats from climate change and industrial fishing, which risk cutting the ancient ties between indigenous peoples and the oceans. On the last day of Slow Fish, three guests from the Netherlands, Finland, and South Africa shared their experiences of working with their local indigenous and small-scale fishing communities. Marielle Klein Lankhorst is a Dutch photographer with a passion for travel. Her most important journey has turned into a long-term project around Europes coasts, including the Netherlands, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Ireland, where she met small-scale fishers, and told their stories through pictures. Everyone knows what a fisher is and everyone is aware of the crisis in fisheries. However, the story often lacks nuance, so I share more colorful light on small-scale fishing as a livelihood. What I have learned is that fishers are extremely passionate about what they do. It is not just their job; it is their way of life. Through her observations of small-scale fishers, Klein Lankhorst has learned about the daily obstacles that small-scale fishers face in Europe. She noticed that despite having a generally optimistic nature, fishers tend to become melancholic when discussing the future. The European Union creates regulations for fishing, but these rules dont reflect reality. Small-scale fishers face a lot of competition from industrial fishing and other businesses which use the same resources, the same space, and which also apply for EU funding. Fishers are less well-organized than these businesses, have less time and do not know how to approach governments. Klein Lankhorst called the current situation threatening, and drew attention to the shocking contrast in the statistics: 80% of fishing boats in Europe are small-scale, yet they account just 14% of the total value of the catch. Loubie Rusch from South Africa works side by side with local communities to promote their products. She told the Slow Fish audience about a new project in Cape Town, ABALOBI, which works with small-scale fishers. It is a series of five applications that we have developed along the entire supply chain. In South Africa small-scale fishers are marginalized, completely invisible, and the quotas give preference to industrial fishing. This application has enabled small-scale fishers to collect their data and gave them direct access to chefs. The project has also developed a QR code, which is used by partnering chefs and their restaurants. By scanning the QR code on the menu, customers can read about who caught the fish and how it was caught. It also provides further information on the sustainability rating of the fish and a detailed description of the species. It is an incredibly empowering tool which is benefiting small-scale fishers, said Rusch, who is planning to introduce fishers to indigenous coastal foods which could be either harvested wild or brought into cultivation. This is another layer that could contribute to the fishers livelihoods. Lauri Hamalainen is a Finnish fisher from North Karelia, and a member of Snowchange, an organization that works with indigenous communities in the north of the country. Over the years Snowchange has become an essential scientific reference point in the debate on climate change and traditional fishing techniques in the region. In recent years, winters have become very warm and secure ice, a central requirement for seining, today comes a few months later and starts melting a few months earlier than it used to be. Often fishers take risks by working on unsecure ice. In the North, we are clearly witnessing climate change in action, and its effect on our fishing tradition. 2019 Copyright Slow Fish 2019 Theme(s): Communities and Organisations. New tilapia farming techniques help meet growing demand for coastal and freshwater fish in Fiji May 14,2019 | Source: SPC What started off as a daring venture many years ago to try and earn a decent income for her family has turned into an inspiration for tilapia farmers across the Fiji Islands. Mrs Katarina Baleisuva, who operates Kaybees farm on the outskirts of the Capital Suva, is the first tilapia farmer in the country who is now able to produce and supply only male cultured fingerlings to the commercial and semi-commercial tilapia farmers in Fiji. Just two years ago, Mrs Baleisuva was one of five people selected and sent for specialized tilapia culture training in Thailand through support from the Pacific Community. Mrs Baleisuva explains Male culturing is where you are able to produce only male fingerlings and this is done as the male tilapia grows at a faster rate and grows bigger than the females. It took several months of fine tuning and experimenting with different feeds for the fish and through technical assistance from SPC, I can say now it is working very well. Twenty years ago when I first started my small scale tilapia farm, I never thought that I would eventually achieve this milestone. Being able to put into practise what I learnt, coupled with lots of hard work and personal sacrifices, I am happy to now be able to supply fingerlings on a regular basis and the farmers will not have to be solely dependent on the Fisheries Ministry. Mrs Baleisuvas success has been an eye opener for tilapia farmers who recently visited her farm as part of ongoing capacity building training being provided through SPC. 26 tilapia farmers and Ministry of Fisheries officials attended the week long Feeds Formulation training held at the Naduruloulou Research Station. This module of the training specifically helps the farmers explore ways to improve fish feeding methods and teaches the participants on best practices to ensure nutritional feed is provided at low costs using various local ingredients. One of the participants Jone Radike from Savusavu says It is amazing what Mrs Baleisuva has managed to achieve. Ive been having to spend a lot of money on fish feed and now I will be able to use local ingredients to formulate my own feed based on what I have learnt and I am sure this will help me and I would be able to purchase more fingerlings from Kaybees farm and grow my business. Adi Akisi Naiduki, a self-funded farmer from Korovou in Tailevu, says The workshop has been very beneficial and the highlight was our visit to Mrs Baleisuvas farm. Its really encouraging like in most cases as now we have another reliable source for fingerlings. I also hope to set up my incubators and start producing male cultured fingerlings like Mrs Baleisuva. Mrs Arun Lata from Vuci Road, Nausori is in the process of establishing her own male culturing farm. We learnt something I never considered before. What we cant eat, the fish cant eat, what the fish eat, only the fish decide and this is how Mrs Baleisuva has been doing it. She is great and I really adore her. I want my business to be like hers and one main issue is the cost of feed, so this workshop has really given me more confidence, that if Kata can do it, so can I. SPCs Aquaculture Officer Mr Avinash Singh is working closely with the Ministry of Fisheries and tilapia farmers, providing training opportunities and technical assistance. The farm visit to Kaybees enables the participants to actually see for themselves how Mrs Baleisuva is running and managing her farm and how she continuously explores way to reduce overhead costs, especially fish feed. Mr Singh added There is a realization that aquaculture, in particular tilapia farming can help fill the demand gap as the local demand for coastal and freshwater fish continues to increase. It is also having a positive trickle effect with the creation of employment opportunities at the farms, increase in income and better opportunities for the farmers and their families. SPC continues to work with tilapia farmers in Fiji and other member countries to provide Business and financial literacy training, technical capacity development and providing capacity for technology transfer to accelerate and improve the opportunities within the aquaculture sector in the region. Theme(s): Fisheries Development and Aquaculture. Days after Cyclone Fani hit Odisha coast, quest for livelihood pushes fishermen to migrate to faraway lands by Rishika Pardikar When cyclone Fani - one of the strongest storms to batter the Indian subcontinent - made landfall on the coast of Odisha this month, in the rubble of destruction that it left behind was the livelihood of an entire fishing community. According to initial government estimates, about 6,389 traditional marine fishing boats, 7,240 nets, 2,524 fish ponds of area 587 hectare, three fishing harbours, six fish landing centres and five fish farms have been damaged in the storm. However, according to Debashish Shyamal, Secretary of National Fishworkers Forum (NFF), a trade union of fishermen, the ground assessments about the impact of loss are usually far from accurate. Speaking about those affected, Sudarshan Chhotoray, director of the Focus Odisha foundation said that there are about 50 fishing settlements in Odisha that comprise of about 1,50,000 traditional fishermen who have no alternate source of livelihood. Whats more is that the lives of fishermen in districts like Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara are routinely ravaged by cyclones, Chhotoray pointed out, as he drew a reference to storms like Titli and Phailin that hit the Odisha coast in the past. Generally, a fishing net costs about Rs 40,000 and the price of a fishing boat ranges between Rs 60,000 and 1, 50,000. According to News18 sources, the government has announced that 50% of Rs 80,000 will be provided for a new FRP [Fibre Reinforced Plastic] boat and 50% of Rs 20,000 for net will be provided. The exact calculation behind the figures of 80,000 and 20,000 remains unclear. The other aspect which remains unclear is whether such compensation would be provided only in case of destroyed boats or for damaged boats as well. In addition to this, Shyamal said, was the fact that the fishing communities were not compensated in accordance with the extent of damage and destruction they suffered during cyclones before this. Suffering repetitive blows to their livelihoods, the fishermen in the region are migrating to neighbouring states in search of work. However, this too, is not empty of challenges for them as not all states are effectively able to provide employment opportunities. Govind Panda, Secretary of the Odisha-based United Artists Association (UAA) that heads Samudram, a state-level federation of women fish workers organisations, said that the troubles of the fishing community were further aggravated because Fani hit Odisha during the monsoon season. The Odisha government imposes a ban on mechanised fishing from April to June considering that it is the breeding season for fish and anything apart from manual fishing might severely impact breeding patterns. So, the scope to earn a living wage by means of fishing is curtailed. Additionally, lives of fisherwomen who are involved in processing and allied fishing activities are also impacted. Since a similar ban also exists across the coastline from West Bengal to Tamil Nadu, the community cannot hope to make a decent living from fishing activities in these states either. And so, traditional fishermen are migrating out of Odisha in search of work other than fishing, like construction work in states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. In addition to natural disasters, the dominance of mechanised fishing and companies that own the required techniques and resources have greatly contributed to the marginalisation of small fishermen all over India. These companies have engaged in overfishing, Shyamal said, noting that this has depleted fish populations and this is why fishermen migrate to other places. Both Shyamal and Panda were of the opinion that an effective implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) in the state could help alleviate the troubles of the fishing community in the region. However, the problem is much bigger. The fishermen who are most vulnerable to the after effects of cyclones in Odisha are small fishermen. And this, Shyamal explained, is true across Indias coastline, where those who go out to sea on foot with a net on their shoulders are the most affected. Nothing is being done to resolve the problem in the long term considering such climate conditions will only get worse in the next few years, Shyamal added. Developing climate resilience strategies for vulnerable areas like coastal cities could help alleviate such problems. Detailing the need for such mitigation strategies, Tarun Gopalakrishnan, Deputy Programme Manager, Climate Change, and Centre for Science and Environment explained that generally, climate resilience is discussed in terms of improving the quality of infrastructure like housing and public infrastructure. And these are largely driven by policies made by the central government, he added, But what is required is the encouragement of planning within these communities. This would entail giving vulnerable communities a mandate to make their own coastal resilience plans and also provide them with sufficient finances, Gopalakrishnan explained, adding that such plans should include detailed mapping of the vulnerabilities in these communities because the impacts of climate change are not uniform. Migration is inevitable. But what it could look like is extremely uncertain because countries around the world have not yet engaged with questions surrounding climate change-related migrations. So, we need to prepare a strategy for such mass movements, he said. Theme(s): Communities and Organisations. Flash Iran has started to increase its stockpile of 3.67% enriched uranium by four times at its central Natanz nuclear plant, Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), announced on Monday. The decision to increase the stockpile of low-grade enriched uranium is a reaction to the "inaction" of the Europeans to save Iran's interests amidst the U.S. withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear deal and reimposition of its economic and energy sanctions on Tehran, Kamalvandi was quoted by official IRNA news agency as saying. The Iranian official did not specify the current reserves or the target amount of the low-grade enriched uranium. Following the U.S. quit from the nuclear deal last year, "the Islamic republic waited long enough (for the parties to protect Iran's interests) and the current step that Iran is taking is based on its own rights," he said. The International Atomic Energy Agency has already been informed about Iran's move to increase the stockpile of 3.67% enriched uranium, he added. On May 8, Iran announced that the Islamic republic upholds its rights to stop implementing some parts of its obligation under the 2015 nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in line with protecting the national interests. Iran also gave Europe 60 days to ensure that Iran's interests were protected under the agreement. Otherwise, Tehran said it was ready to take steps towards suspending further commitments under the deal. Iran says its moves to withdraw from parts of its nuclear obligations are reactions to the U.S. quit of the JCPOA last year, as well as a reaction to the Europeans' slow measures to protect Iran's economic interests under the accord. Flash The European Union (EU) is preparing for the worst Brexit scenario, a no deal exit of the United Kingdom from the bloc, EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said on Monday. "We have offered all options to the United Kingdom, from the Single Market to the Customs Union or a Free Trade Agreement. We are now waiting for clarity from the United Kingdom. In the meantime, we keep preparing for a no deal. This is not and will not be the EU's choice. It is for the UK to take its responsibilities," Barnier said after talks with Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides. Barnier's talks in Nicosia came as the deeply divided British parliament is preparing to vote on a reported new bill to deal with Brexit. "Today, the fundamental choices in front of the United Kingdom remain the same: deal, no deal, no Brexit," Barnier said. "Whatever happens and whatever the political situation in the UK, the issues and solutions remain the same," he added. Barnier said that if the United Kingdom still wants to leave, ratifying the withdrawal agreement is the only way to secure a transition period to sort out its negotiations position. "This transition period would also give time to both sides to figure out what specific arrangements are necessary in relation to the Northern Irish border on top of the overall EU/UK relationship," he said. Barnier also met with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades discussing possible arrangements for the areas of Cyprus which constitute British military bases. Britain has under its control two areas totaling 254 square kilometers or 3% of Cypriot territory, which are technically British soil, creating a condition very similar with that in Ireland in case of a no deal Brexit. Christodoulides said that what Cyprus wants is to safeguard that the existing arrangements on the bases which have no visible frontiers will not change and that the life of those residing or working in the British areas will not deteriorate. Barnier said that the common objective is to preserve the status quo and avoid disrupting the life of the people living in the bases, adding that all necessary measure will be taken to achieve this objective. Barnier also met with the parliamentary foreign affairs committee, telling the Cypriot parliamentarians that EU will stand in solidarity with Cyprus to deal with all possible effects of a no-deal Brexit. Committee President Giorgos Lillikas told reporters that what he got out of the meeting is that EU has prepared for all possible Brexit scenarios. Flash Among the many enthusiastic fans snapping shots from behind the thick glass window of the panda house in the Schonbrunn Zoo Monday afternoon, an old lady seemed rather different. She just sat there quietly, watching the panda with a tender, loving smile, for a long time. Her name is Bertha. She and her husband drove 60 kilometres to see the new panda, and it is the second time that they came to visit the panda house this year. "I love this one, he is very handsome," she said. The said panda is called Yuan Yuan, a 19-year-old male who has been in Vienna since mid-April and quarantined for a month before visitors could take a look at him. The zoo hopes that he would build a family with the 18-year-old female Yang Yang, who has been living here since 2003 but without a companion as her previous partner, Long Hui, died of cancer in 2016. Yuan Yuan was officially handed over to the zoo in a grand ceremony held in the Kaiserpavillon on Monday morning. Speaking at the event, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen said the Chinese-born pandas have "a certain diplomatic mission" to fulfil as he regarded them a "symbol of friendship" between the two countries. "We really appreciate it, Yuan Yuan is in good hands here." The Austrians adore pandas, said Van der Bellen. There are two million visitors to the zoo every year, and many of them are fascinated by this rare and magnificent animal. "Kids adore them -- not just kids, all Austrians do -- they would wait in queues just to have a look at the pandas. But they are not tall enough to have a better view. So they would come again," said the president. In April last year, Van der Bellen and Chancellor Sebastian Kurz asked for a new partner for Yang Yang during their state visit to China. In December 2016, the president also visited the zoo to personally say goodbye to the panda twins before they left for China. He was very pleased that the Austrian panda success story could now continue. "I am very happy about the panda addition in Schonbrunn. I hope Yuan Yuan will feel comfortable with us." Minister of Economy Margaret Schrambock was also very pleased with the arrival of Yuan Yuan. "China not only connects us with strong trade relations, but also our common love for giant pandas," she said at the ceremony. "The unexpected death of our panda male Long Hui in December 2016 was very sad, so we are all the happier that we now get a new panda male with Yuan Yuan." "The high quality of panda care is known far beyond our borders and is ensured by the excellent work of the zookeepers of the Schonbrunn zoo. I am convinced that Yuan Yuan will feel at home with us and become a magnet for many visitors from near and far," she added. In addition to the studbook number, birth place and time, the documents handed over to the minister also include the personalities of the male panda: gentle and clever. He had settled in well since his arrival and gained some weight, according to Zoo Director Dagmar Schratter. The pair already eyed each other up through a glass. "He was very interested, but it will take a while until they can get together," said the minister. Since 2003, the Schonbrunn Zoo has been one of the few zoos in the world where giant pandas live. The endangered bears are the symbol of species protection par excellence. In Schonbrunn there have already been four offsprings, always the natural way. In 2016, there were even twins. "With Yang Yang and Long Hui, our Chinese colleagues had chosen a very harmonious couple back then. We are very grateful that once again, with such care, a male has been chosen that fits genetically and in terms of age perfectly with Yang Yang and also has breeding experience," said Schratter. "I saw the cubs a few years ago. They were so huggable," said Bertha. "I hope the new pair will be successful in building a family in Vienna." Imperial Valley News Center Proclamation on World Trade Week, 2019 Washington, DC - Free, fair, and reciprocal trade is essential to American and global prosperity. During World Trade Week, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to ensuring that our Nations farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and entrepreneurs are able to sell their goods and services in the global market on a level playing field. We also celebrate mutually beneficial and balanced trade between nations and pledge to continue pressing those countries that persist with one-sided trade polices to abandon them. Our Nation is benefiting from a booming economy that is improving the lives of hardworking Americans and their families. Since my election, we have witnessed the creation of more than 5.8 million new jobs, including approximately 500,000 new manufacturing jobs. American gross domestic product grew at nearly 3 percent last year, and at a rate of 3.2 percent in the first quarter of this year. As a result, wages are rising at the fastest pace in a decade. This economic success is a testament to the effectiveness of my Administrations tax, regulatory, and tariff and trade policies. With a level playing field, American workers and producers can compete with any nation in the world. In recent years, however, our prosperity has been hampered by the growing economic aggression and unfair trading practices of other countries. Nations that do not share our free market values have used dumping and industrial subsidies, discriminatory non tariff barriers, forced technology transfers, excess capacity, cyber and hacking attacks, and other forms of economic aggression to gain unfair competitive advantages over American workers and producers. My Administration is using every available tool to confront these burdensome, market-distorting trade practices. We are aggressively enforcing the well-established trade laws of the United States, and we are negotiating new trade agreements to address unfair trade practices and remove barriers to the export of our goods and services. My Administrations leadership in strongly pursuing fair trade is enabling our Nations firms to compete on a more level, fair playing field. We are working to modernize and improve our agreements, negotiating new trade deals that protect our national security and are based on fairness and reciprocity. For example, we revised one of our most significant trade deals, the United StatesKorea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS), to make it far more beneficial to American workers. In addition, with the signing of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), I delivered on my promise to renegotiate the outdated and unbalanced North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Once approved by the Congress, the USMCA will help address longstanding trade imbalances by granting American businesses across all sectors of our economy greater freedom to sell their goods and services throughout North America. The successful conclusion of both KORUS and USMCA shows that new trade deals that work for all Americans and not just some are possible. My Administration is also actively engaged in negotiations with the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Japan to secure broader market access for American products and services. The United States and our trading partners benefit greatly from free, fair, balanced, and reciprocal trade. This week, we renew our commitment to addressing persistent trade imbalances, breaking down trade barriers, and providing Americans new opportunities to increase exports. Greater transparency in global trade and predictable business climates in economies that adhere to high standards for trade and investment will bring greater prosperity to our Nation and the world. NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 19 through May 25, 2019, as World Trade Week. I encourage Americans to observe this week with events, trade shows, and educational programs that celebrate the benefits of trade to our country. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-third. DONALD J. TRUMP Imperial Valley News Center Former CIA Officer Sentenced to Prison for Espionage Washington, DC - Kevin Patrick Mallory, 62, of Leesburg, Virginia, was sentenced Friday to 20 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release after being convicted under the Espionage Act for conspiracy to transmit national defense information to an agent of the Peoples Republic of China. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney G. Zachary Terwilliger for the Eastern District of Virginia and Assistant Director in Charge Nancy McNamara of the FBIs Washington Field Office made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III. Former U.S. Intelligence officer Kevin Patrick Mallory will spend the next 20 years of his life in prison for conspiring to pass national defense information to a Chinese intelligence officer, said Assistant Attorney General John Demers. This case is one in an alarming trend of former U.S. intelligence officers being targeted by China and betraying their country and colleagues. This sentence, together with the recent guilty pleas of Ron Hansen in Utah and Jerry Lee in Virginia, deliver the stern message that our former intelligence officers have no business partnering with the Chinese, or any other adversarial foreign intelligence service. Mallory not only put our country at great risk, but he endangered the lives of specific human assets who put their own safety at risk for our national defense, said. U.S. Attorney Terwilliger. There are few crimes in this country more serious than espionage, and this office has a long history of holding accountable those who betray our country. As the Chinese continue to attempt to identify and recruit current and former members of the United States intelligence community, those individuals should remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the appropriate security officials. This case should send a message to anyone considering violating the publics trust and compromising our national security by disclosing classified information. We will remain steadfast and dogged in pursuit of these challenging but critical national security cases. U.S. Government employees are trusted to keep the nation's secrets safe, said Assistant Director in Charge McNamara, and this case shows the violation of that trust and duty will not be accepted. The targeting of former U.S. security clearance holders by foreign intelligence services is a constant threat we face, and the FBI will continue to preserve and combat these threats head on. I would like to thank the men and women of the FBI, and our counterparts at the Department of Justice, for their years of hard work to investigate and prosecute this case. Mallory was found guilty by a federal jury in June 2018 of conspiracy to deliver, attempted delivery, delivery of national defense information to aid a foreign government and making material false statements. The district court subsequently ordered acquittal as to the delivery and attempted delivery of national defense information counts due to lack of venue. According to court records and evidence presented at trial, in March and April 2017, Mallory, a former U.S. intelligence officer, travelled to Shanghai to meet with an individual, Michael Yang, who held himself out as a Peoples Republic of China think tank employee, but whom Mallory assessed to be a Chinese Intelligence Officer. Mallory, a United States citizen who speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese, consented to an FBI review of a covert communications (covcom) device he had been given by Yang to facilitate covert communications between the two. Analysis of the device, which was a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, revealed a number of communications in which Mallory and Yang talked about classified information that Mallory could sell to the PRCs intelligence service. FBI analysts were able to determine that Mallory had completed all of the steps necessary to securely transmit at least five classified U.S. government documents via the covcom device, one of which contained unique identifiers for human sources who had helped the United States government. At least two of the documents were successfully transmitted, and Mallory and Yang communicated about those two documents on the covcom device. Evidence presented at trial included surveillance video from a FedEx store in Leesburg where Mallory could be seen scanning documents classified at the Secret and Top Secret level onto a micro SD card. Though Mallory paid to have the paper copies of the eight documents shredded, FBI agents found a carefully concealed SD card containing those documents during a search of Mallorys home, the day of his June 22, 2017 arrest. A recording was played at trial from June 24, 2017, where Mallory could be heard on a call from the jail asking his family to search for the hidden SD card. Mallory has held numerous positions with various government agencies and several defense contractors, including working as a covert case officer for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and an intelligence officer for the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). As required for his various government positions, Mallory obtained a Top Secret security clearance, which was active during various assignments during his career. Mallorys security clearance was terminated in October 2012 when he left government service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Gibbs and Colleen E. Garcia, and Trial Attorneys Jennifer Kennedy Gellie and Evan Turgeon of the National Security Divisions Counterintelligence and Export Control Section prosecuted the case. Imperial Valley News Center Man Pleads Guilty To Running Apple Empty-Box Fraud Scheme San Jose, California - Van-Seyla Mork pleaded guilty in federal court in San Jose to wire fraud and money laundering, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett. In pleading guilty, Mork admitted to perpetrating a refund fraud scheme against Apple, Inc. Specifically, Mork admitted that he initiated fraudulent complaints to Apples customer service department, each complaint alleging, on behalf of Apple customers, that a purchased Apple product had not been mailed to an Apple customer as it should have been, but that instead only an empty Apple box had been mailed to the Apple customers mailing address. Mork further admitted that at the time he submitted these complaints, he knew these assertions were false and that Apple had, in fact, mailed the purchased products to the individual purchasers. Through this fraudulent scheme, Mork admitted that he caused Apple to issue $1,000,000 in refunds for undelivered Apple products that had, in fact, been delivered. Moreover, Mork admitted that he transferred the proceeds of this fraudulent scheme through various bank accounts with the intent of concealing the nature and location of these wire-fraud proceeds. Mork, 25, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, was charged by an Information filed on November 30, 2018. He was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349, five counts of wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343, and four counts of money laundering, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1956(a)(1)(B)(i). Under the plea agreement, Mork pled guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. Mork was released on bond. Bail was set at $50,000. Morks sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 21, 2019 at 1:30 before the Honorable Edward J. Davila, U.S. District Court Judge, in San Jose. The maximum statutory penalty for each count of wire fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343 is 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000, plus restitution and each count of money laundering in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1956(a)(1)(B)(i) is 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $500,000, plus restitution. However, any sentence will be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. 3553. Jeff Schenk is the Assistant U.S. Attorney who prosecuted the case with the assistance of Tong Zhang. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Imperial Valley News Center Man Pleads Guilty to Running Down U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer with His Car Santa Ana, California - An Aliso Viejo man pleaded guilty to federal charges stemming from a vehicular assault that severely injured an employee of U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the federal building in Laguna Niguel. Geoffrey Donald Rickner, 48, pleaded guilty to one count of assault on a federal employee by use of a dangerous and deadly weapon and inflicting bodily injury, a felony offense that carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Rickner admitted driving his Mercedes-Benz sedan into CBP Security Specialist Jose Gutierrez on March 3, 2016 at the Chet Holifield Federal Building, which is commonly known as the Ziggurat Building. Mr. Gutierrez, who was in a well-marked crosswalk and wearing his federal employee identification card, suffered permanent and life-threatening injuries including head trauma, broken ribs, internal bleeding and badly damaged legs that put him in the hospital for nearly three weeks and continue to cause him pain and physical impairment. When Rickner struck Mr. Gutierrez, the vehicle was travelling at such a high rate of speed that it continued traveling into the Ziggurat, going through a metal garage door, and stopping only when it struck a concrete wall inside the building. Rickner had been behaving suspiciously in the hours leading up to the assault on Mr. Gutierrez, prompting building security personnel at one point to detain him, during which he made comments about owing money to the Internal Revenue Service, according to documents previously filed in this case. Rickner pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge James V. Selna, who scheduled a sentencing hearing on October 7. The investigation in this case is being conducted by the FBI and the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. Keenan of the Santa Ana Branch Office. Semiconductor Engineer Arrested on Charges that He Netted Large Profits in Illegal Insider Trades Santa Ana, California - A former engineer at Skyworks Solutions, Inc. surrendered to law enforcement Friday on a federal criminal complaint alleging he obtained his employers non-public financial results without authorization and then illegally used the confidential information to purchase large amounts of Skyworks securities prior to the information being made public. Yuh-Yue Chen, 52, of Taiwan, formerly of Irvine, has been charged with one felony count of insider trading. Chen is scheduled to make his initial court appearance this afternoon in United States District Court in Santa Ana. According to an affidavit filed with the criminal complaint, Chen worked as an electrical principal engineer from 2003 until his termination in September 2014 at Skyworks, a publicly traded, Woburn, Massachusetts-based semiconductor company with a branch office and design center in Irvine. As a Skyworks employee, Chen received regular warnings from the company against engaging in insider trading, and as an engineer he was barred from having access to the companys non-public earnings reports before they were publicly released. On July 14, 2014, Chen ignored these warnings and gained unauthorized access to the Skyworks finance area on four occasions, according to the affidavit. On July 15, using non-public Skyworks financial information, Chen allegedly purchased 1,300 Skyworks $48 call options which gives a securities buyer the right to buy certain stock within a specified time frame at an average price of $1.90. On July 17, Skyworks, which closed at a price of $46.34 per share, released its quarterly earnings report after markets closed. On July 18, Skyworks shares opened at $50.11 per share a per-share gain of $3.77 in response to the earnings announcement. On the same day, Chen sold his Skyworks calls for an average price of $3.36, resulting in profits of approximately $484,645, the affidavit states. Shortly after 9 p.m. on September 15, 2014, two Skyworks employees in the parking lot outside the companys Irvine office caught Chen rifling through documents in the restricted accounting and finance office, the complaint alleges. When one of the employees entered the building and asked Chen to stop, Chen allegedly ran out of the office through a side door and escaped, running through nearby bushes. Chen did not return to Skyworks after this encounter, the affidavit states. Five days later, Chen flew from Los Angeles International Airport to Taipei, Taiwan without informing anyone at Skyworks, court documents state. Chen was fired on September 30, 2014 for his actions 15 days earlier and after Skyworks had conducted an investigation where Chen was deemed to have been evasive. When Chen returned his work laptop computer by mail to Skyworks, the computer did not have any files or documents on it, the affidavit states. Law enforcement interviewed Chen at LAX on March 29, 2019, where he confessed to committing insider trading, the complaint states. If convicted, Chen faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Chen also faces civil charges in a lawsuit filed last month by the Securities and Exchange Commission that alleges insider trading. A complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L. Waier of the Santa Ana Branch Office. Proclamation on Adjusting Imports of Steel into the United States Washington, DC - Proclamation on Adjusting Imports of Steel into the United States: 1. On January 11, 2018, the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) transmitted to me a report on his investigation into the effect of imports of steel articles on the national security of the United States under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1862). The Secretary found and advised me of his opinion that steel articles were being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States. 2. In Proclamation 9705 of March 8, 2018 (Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States), I concurred in the Secretarys finding that steel articles, as defined in clause 1 of Proclamation 9705, as amended by clause 8 of Proclamation 9711 of March 22, 2018 (Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States), were being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States, and decided to adjust the imports of these steel articles by imposing a 25 percent ad valorem tariff on such articles imported from most countries. 3. As stated in the Proclamation dated May 16, 2019 (Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States), the Secretary has now advised me that the domestic industrys capacity utilization has improved to approximately the target level recommended in the Secretarys report. This target level, if maintained for an appropriate period, will improve the financial viability of the domestic steel industry over the long term. 4. In Proclamation 9705, I further stated that any country with which we have a security relationship is welcome to discuss with the United States alternative ways to address the threatened impairment of the national security caused by imports from that country, and noted that, should the United States and any such country arrive at a satisfactory alternative means to address the threat to the national security such that I determine that imports from that country no longer threaten to impair the national security, I may remove or modify the restriction on steel articles imports from that country and, if necessary, adjust the tariff as it applies to other countries, as the national security interests of the United States require. 5. The United States has successfully concluded discussions with Canada and Mexico on satisfactory alternative means to address the threatened impairment of the national security posed by steel articles imports from Canada and Mexico. The United States has agreed on a range of measures with Canada and Mexico to prevent the importation of steel articles that are unfairly subsidized or sold at dumped prices, to prevent the transshipment of steel articles, and to monitor for and avoid import surges. These measures are expected to allow imports of steel articles from Canada and Mexico to remain stable at historical levels without meaningful increases, thus permitting the domestic industrys capacity utilization to continue at approximately the target level recommended in the Secretarys report. In my judgment, these measures will provide effective, long-term alternative means to address the contribution of these countries imports to the threatened impairment of the national security. 6. In light of these agreements, I have determined that, under the framework in the agreements, imports of steel articles from Canada and Mexico will no longer threaten to impair the national security, and thus I have decided to exclude Canada and Mexico from the tariff proclaimed in Proclamation 9705, as amended. The United States will monitor the implementation and effectiveness of these measures in addressing our national security needs, and I may revisit this determination as appropriate. 7. In light of my determination to exclude, on a long-term basis, Canada and Mexico from the tariff proclaimed in Proclamation 9705, as amended, I have considered whether it is necessary and appropriate in light of our national security interests to make any corresponding adjustments to such tariff as it applies to other countries. I have determined that, in light of the agreed-upon measures with Canada and Mexico, it is necessary and appropriate, at this time, to maintain the current tariff level as it applies to other countries. 8. Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, authorizes the President to adjust the imports of an article and its derivatives that are being imported into the United States in such quantities or under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security. 9. Section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483), authorizes the President to embody in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) the substance of statutes affecting import treatment, and actions thereunder, including the removal, modification, continuance, or imposition of any rate of duty or other import restriction. NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, section 301 of title 3, United States Code, and section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, do hereby proclaim as follows: (1) Proclamation 9705, as amended, is further amended by revising clause 2 to read as follows: (2)(a) In order to establish certain modifications to the duty rate on imports of steel articles, subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS is modified as provided in the Annex to this proclamation and any subsequent proclamations regarding such steel articles. (b) Except as otherwise provided in this proclamation, or in notices published pursuant to clause 3 of this proclamation, all steel articles imports covered by heading 9903.80.01, in subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS, shall be subject to an additional 25 percent ad valorem rate of duty with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, as follows: (i) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on March 23, 2018, from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, South Korea, and the member countries of the European Union; (ii) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on June 1, 2018, from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Brazil, and South Korea; (iii) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on August 13, 2018, from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Brazil, South Korea, and Turkey; (iv) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on May 20, 2019, from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, South Korea, and Turkey; and (v) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on May 21, 2019, from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and South Korea. Further, except as otherwise provided in notices published pursuant to clause 3 of this proclamation, all steel articles imports from Turkey covered by heading 9903.80.02, in subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS, shall be subject to a 50 percent ad valorem rate of duty with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on August 13, 2018, and prior to 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on May 21, 2019. All steel articles imports covered by heading 9903.80.61, in subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS, shall be subject to the additional 25 percent ad valorem rate of duty established herein with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on the date specified in a determination by the Secretary granting relief. These rates of duty, which are in addition to any other duties, fees, exactions, and charges applicable to such imported steel articles, shall apply to imports of steel articles from each country as specified in the preceding three sentences. (2) The Article description for heading 9903.80.01, in subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS, is amended by deleting of South Korea, of Brazil, of Turkey and inserting of Brazil, of Canada, of Mexico, of South Korea, of Turkey. (3) The modifications made by clauses 1 and 2 of this proclamation shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on May 20, 2019, and shall continue in effect, unless such actions are expressly reduced, modified, or terminated. (4) The Proclamation dated May 16, 2019 (Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States), is amended by revising clause 5 to read as follows: The Article description for heading 9903.80.01 in subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS is amended by replacing of South Korea, of Turkey with of South Korea.. (5) Any imports of steel articles from Canada and Mexico that were admitted into a U.S. foreign trade zone under privileged foreign status as defined in 19 CFR 146.41, prior to 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on May 20, 2019, shall not be subject upon entry for consumption made after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on May 20, 2019, to the additional 25 percent ad valorem rate of duty as imposed by Proclamation 9705, as amended. (6) Any provision of previous proclamations and Executive Orders that is inconsistent with the actions taken in this proclamation is superseded to the extent of such inconsistency. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this nineteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-third. DONALD J. TRUMP GozNym Cyber-Criminal Network Operating out of Europe Targeting American Entities Dismantled in International Operation Washington, DC - A complex transnational organized cybercrime network that used GozNym malware in an attempt to steal an estimated $100 million from unsuspecting victims in the United States and around the world has been dismantled as part of an international law enforcement operation. GozNym infected tens of thousands of victim computers worldwide, primarily in the United States and Europe. The operation was highlighted by the unprecedented initiation of criminal prosecutions against members of the network in four different countries as a result of cooperation between the United States, Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova, Germany, Bulgaria, Europol and Eurojust. United States Attorney Scott W. Brady of the Western District of Pennsylvania made the announcement at Europol, located in The Hague, Netherlands, along with his international partners. The operation was conducted by the United States Attorneys Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania and the FBIs Pittsburgh Field Office, along with the Office of the Prosecutor General of Georgia, Prosecutor Generals Office of Ukraine, Office of the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Moldova, Public Prosecutors Office Verden (Germany), the Supreme Prosecutors Office of Cassation of the Republic of Bulgaria, Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, National Police of Ukraine, General Police Inspectorate of the Republic of Moldova, the Luneburg Police of Germany and the Republic of Bulgarias General Directorate for Combatting Organized Crime with the significant assistance of Europol and Eurojust. International law enforcement has recognized that the only way to truly disrupt and defeat transnational, anonymized networks is to do so in partnership, said U.S. Attorney Brady. The collaborative and simultaneous prosecution of the members of the GozNym criminal conspiracy in four countries represents a paradigm shift in how we investigate and prosecute cybercrime. Cybercrime victimizes people all over the world. This prosecution represents an international cooperative effort to bring cybercriminals to justice. Earlier today, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania unsealed an Indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh charging 10 members of the GozNym criminal network with conspiracy to commit computer fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. An eleventh member of the conspiracy was previously charged in a related Indictment. The victims of these crimes were primarily U.S. businesses and their financial institutions, including a number of victims located in the Western District of Pennsylvania. This takedown highlights the importance of collaborating with our international law enforcement partners against this evolution of organized cybercrime, said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Robert Jones. Successful investigation and prosecution is only possible by sharing intelligence, credit and responsibility. Our adversaries know that we are weakest along the seams and this case is a fantastic example of what we can accomplish collectively." According to the Indictment, the defendants conspired to: infect victims computers with GozNym malware designed to capture victims online banking login credentials; use the captured login credentials to fraudulently gain unauthorized access to victims online bank accounts; and, steal money from victims bank accounts and launder those funds using U.S. and foreign beneficiary bank accounts controlled by the defendants. The defendants reside in Russia, Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova and Bulgaria. The operation was an unprecedented international effort to share evidence and initiate criminal prosecutions against members of the same criminal network in multiple countries. At the request of the United States, Krasimir Nikolov, aka pablopicasso, salvadordali, and karlo, of Varna, Bulgaria, was searched and arrested by Bulgarian authorities and extradited to the United States in December 2016 to face prosecution in the Western District of Pennsylvania. Nikolovs primary role in the conspiracy was that of a casher or account takeover specialist who used victims stolen online banking credentials captured by GozNym malware to access victims online bank accounts and attempt to steal victims money through electronic funds transfers into bank accounts controlled by fellow conspirators. Nikolov is named as a GozNym conspirator in the newly unsealed indictment, although he is charged in a related Indictment filed in the Western District of Pennsylvania. Nikolov entered a guilty plea in federal court in Pittsburgh on charges relating to his participation in the GozNym conspiracy on April 10, 2019. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 30, 2019. Five of the named defendants reside in Russia and remain fugitives from justice. However, to overcome the inability to extradite the remaining defendants to the United States for prosecution, an unprecedented effort was undertaken to share evidence and build prosecutions against defendants in the remaining countries where they reside, including Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova. The prosecutions are based on shared evidence acquired through coordinated searches for evidence in Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova and Bulgaria, as well as from evidence shared by the United States and Germany from their respective investigations. The GozNym network exemplified the concept of cybercrime as a service. According to the Indictment, the defendants advertised their specialized technical skills and services on underground, Russian-language, online criminal forums. The GozNym network was formed when these individuals were recruited from the online forums and came together to use their specialized technical skills and services in furtherance of the conspiracy. According to the Indictment, Alexander Konovolov, aka NoNe, and none_1, age 35, of Tbilisi, Georgia, was the primary organizer and leader of the GozNym network who controlled more than 41,000 victim computers infected with GozNym malware. Konovolov assembled the team of cybercriminals charged in the Indictment, in part by recruiting them through the underground online criminal forums. Marat Kazandjian, aka phant0m, age 31, of Kazakhstan and Tbilisi, Georgia, was allegedly Konovolovs primary assistant and technical administrator. Konovolov and Kazandjian are being prosecuted in Georgia for their respective roles in the GozNym criminal network. Gennady Kapkanov, aka Hennadiy Kapkanov, flux, ffhost, firestarter, and User 41, age 36, of Poltava, Ukraine, was an administrator of a bulletproof hosting service known by law enforcement and computer security researchers as the Avalanche network. This network provided services to more than 200 cybercriminals, including Konovolov and Kazandjian, and it hosted more than 20 different malware campaigns, including GozNym. Kapkanovs apartment in Poltava, Ukraine was searched in November 2016 during a German-led operation to dismantle the networks servers and other infrastructure. Kapkanov was arrested for shooting an assault rifle through the door of his apartment at Ukrainian law enforcement officers conducting the search. Through the coordinated efforts being announced today, Kapkanov is now facing prosecution in Ukraine for his role in providing bulletproof hosting services to the GozNym criminal network. Alexander Van Hoof, aka al666, age 45, of Nikolaev, Ukraine, was a cash-out or drop master who provided fellow members of the conspiracy with access to bank accounts he controlled that were designated to receive stolen funds from GozNym victims online bank accounts. Eduard Malanici, aka JekaProf, and procryptgroup, age 32, of Balti, Moldova, provided crypting services to cybercriminals. Malanici crypted GozNym malware in furtherance of the conspiracy to enable the malware to avoid detection by anti-virus tools and protective software on victims computers. Malanici, along with two associates, is being prosecuted in Moldova. Victims of the GozNym malware attacks include: An asphalt and paving business located in New Castle, Pennsylvania; A law firm located in Washington, DC; A church located in Southlake, Texas; An association dedicated to providing recreation programs and other services to persons with disabilities located in Downers Grove, Illinois; A distributor of neurosurgical and medical equipment headquartered in Freiburg, Germany, with a U.S. subsidiary in Cape Coral, Florida; A furniture business located in Chula Vista, California; A provider of electrical safety devices located in Cumberland, Rhode Island; A contracting business located in Warren, Michigan; A casino located in Gulfport, Mississippi; A stud farm located in Midway, Kentucky; and A law office located in Wellesley, Massachusetts; Five Russian nationals charged in the Indictment who remain fugitives from justice include: Vladimir Gorin, aka Voland, mrv, and riddler, of Orenburg, Russia. Gorin was a malware developer who oversaw the creation, development, management, and leasing of GozNym malware, including to Alexander Konovolov. Konstantin Volchkov, aka elvi, age 28, of Moscow, Russia, provided spamming services to cybercriminals. Volchkov conducted spamming operations of GozNym malware on behalf of the conspiracy. The spamming operations involved the mass distribution of GozNym malware through phishing emails. The phishing emails were designed to appear legitimate to entice the victim recipients into opening the emails and clicking on a malicious link or attachment, which facilitated the downloading of GozNym onto the victims computers. Ruslan Katirkin, aka stratos, and xen, age 31, of Kazan, Russia, resided in Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine, during the time frame of the charged conspiracy. Katirkin, like Krasimir Nikolov, was a casher or account takeover specialist who used victims stolen online banking credentials captured by GozNym malware to access victims online bank accounts and attempt to steal victims money through electronic funds transfers into bank accounts controlled by fellow conspirators. Viktor Vladimirovich Eremenko, aka nfcorpi, age 30, of Stavropol, Russia, and Farkhad Rauf Ogly Manokhin, aka frusa, of Volgograd, Russia, were cash-outs or drop masters on behalf of the GozNym criminal network. Like Alexander Van Hoof, Eremenko and Manokhin provided fellow members of the conspiracy with access to bank accounts they controlled that were designated to receive stolen funds from GozNym victims online bank accounts. Manokhin was arrested at the request of the United States while visiting Sri Lanka in February 2017. Following his arrest, Manokhin was released on bail but was required to remain in Sri Lanka pending the outcome of his extradition proceedings to the United States. In December 2017, Manokhin unlawfully absconded from Sri Lanka and successfully fled back to Russia prior to the conclusion of the extradition proceedings. Other agencies and organizations partnering in this effort include the United States Secret Service, the National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance (NCFTA) in Pittsburgh and the Shadowserver Foundation. The Justice Departments Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance throughout the investigation and spearheaded the efforts to enable the United States to request searches, arrests, and extraditions in the foreign countries as well as the sharing of evidence with those countries through Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty requests. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles A. Tod Eberle, Chief of National Security and Cybercrime for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Former South African president Jacob Zuma appeared in the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg on Monday to face corruption charges. Former South African President Jacob Zuma looks on in the High Court in Pietermaritzburg, on May 20, 2019 during his trial for alleged corruption. [Photo: Pool/AFP/Jackie Clausen] During the four-day proceedings, a full bench of judges will hear Zuma's application for a permanent stay of prosecution. Zuma's advocate Muzi Sikhakhane argued in court that the case against his client is "politically motivated" and therefore must be dismissed. Sikhakhane said what Zuma had been accused of didn't justify his treatment with less humanity and outside the bounds of the Constitution. Zuma was being targeted because society didn't like what he had been accused of, Sikhakhane said, calling this mob justice. A crowd of people gathered outside the court to show support for Zuma. Zuma addressed the crowd after the first day of proceedings wrapped up. "There is no case against me and there never will be. They failed for 15 years to charge me and they can't. It's clear this is politically motivated," Zuma said. He said his lawyers have argued that what has happened to him is like the way people were charged in the apartheid era. "You can't build a respectable case and in the other hand conspire to charge an innocent citizen like Zuma," Zuma said. In March last year, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) reinstated corruption charges against Zuma, which had been dropped in the early 2000s and paved the way for Zuma to become president in 2009. The charges are related to a multi-billion-rand arms deal with European countries in the late 1990s, which Zuma has completely denied. The prosecution alleges that Zuma took advantage of his position in the government to help businessman Schabir Shaik in his commercial dealings. Shaik was convicted in 2008 to 15 years in prison for his involvement in facilitating a bribe for Zuma from French arms manufacturer Thint in exchange for political protection during the investigation into the arms deal. Zuma's supporters argued that the initial decision to scrap the charges against Zuma was correct and should have been upheld. Flash Sudan's ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) and an alliance of opposition forces on Tuesday vowed to work together to reach an "urgent agreement" as their negotiation continues. The TMC and the Freedom and Change Alliance centers still differ on the representation of the military and the civilians in the transitional sovereignty council as well as the chairmanship of the new ruling body, the two sides said in a joint statement. The TMC, which is tasked with running the country following the ouster of former President Omar al-Bashir, and the opposition have recently agreed on the powers of the sovereignty council, the council of ministers and the legislative council. They also agreed that the duration of the transitional period would be three years, with the first six months to be allotted for achieving peace all over Sudan and the legislative council is to comprise 300 members, 67 percent of whom are from the Freedom and Change Alliance. Presidential Message on Cuban Independence Day Washington, DC - I send my sincere greetings to all those commemorating Cuban Independence Day. Today is both a cause for celebration and a time to remember and honor the brave men and women who fought in the name of Cuban liberty. We pay tribute to the many sacrifices of Cubas freedom fighters, and we will continue to stand with the people of Cuba as they seek democracy, peace, and freedom. The Cuban people deserve a government that upholds democratic values and promotes economic and religious liberties. Heroes like Jose Marti and Antonio Maceo gave their last breaths in the cause of securing a government worthy of the Cuban people, one that protects the rights and dignity of its citizens. Together, we continue to fight for a free and democratic Cuba. To the proud people of Cuba and to Cuban Americans, Melania and I send our warmest wishes as you observe this momentous day. Let us recommit to achieving a prosperous future for the Cuban people. Court Finds RM Broadcasting Must Register as a Foreign Agent Washington, DC - U.S. District Court Judge Robin L. Rosenberg has ruled that a Florida-based company, RM Broadcasting LLC (RM Broadcasting), was acting as an agent of a foreign principal and must register as such under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (FARA). The Department of Justice contended in a civil counterclaim that RM Broadcasting has been acting as an agent of the the Federal State Unitary Enterprise Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency (Rossiya Segodnya), a Russian state-owned media enterprise created by Vladimir Putin to advance Russian interests abroad. The litigation marked the first FARA civil enforcement action since 1991. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers and U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan for the Southern District of Florida made the announcement. The American people have a right to know if a foreign flag waves behind speech broadcast in the United States, said Assistant Attorney General Demers. Our concern is not the content of the speech but providing transparency about the true identity of the speaker. This case shows that the Department can and will utilize all of its tools to bring transparency to efforts by foreign entities to influence the American public and our government, and demonstrates our renewed effort to enforce FARA rigorously. While the right to free speech remains paramount to our democracy, U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan said. FARA ensures that the American public is fully cognizant of the true source of the messages broadcast in the United States. Armed with full information, Americans may properly evaluate the value of the speech they hear. As such, FARA is a fundamental tool in our continuing efforts to defend our democracy. In November 2017, RM Broadcasting and Rossiya Segodnya entered into a services agreement pursuant to which RM Broadcasting would provide for the broadcast of Rossiya Segodnyas Sputnik radio programs on AM radio channel 1390 WZHF in the Washington, D.C. region. Under this agreement, RM Broadcasting could not alter Rossiya Segodnyas radio programs in any way. As the services agreement established Rossiya Segodnyas direction and control over RM Broadcasting, the FARA Unit of the National Security Division informed RM Broadcasting that it was acting as a publicity agent and an information-service employee of Rossiya Segodnya and was required to register as an agent of a foreign principal. RM Broadcasting initiated the proceeding in the Southern District of Florida seeking a declaratory judgment that it did not have to register as an agent of a foreign principal. The Department responded by filing a counterclaim seeking an injunction to require RM Broadcasting to register. Earlier this week, the court granted the Departments motion for judgment on the pleadings. A final judgment directing RM Broadcasting to register under FARA is expected. This case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. Feeley and Trial Attorney Nicholas Hunter of the National Security Divisions Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. About FARA The purpose of FARA is to protect the national defense, internal security, and foreign relations of the United States by requiring public disclosure by persons engaging in political activities and other activities for or on behalf of foreign governments, foreign political parties and other foreign principals so that the Government and the people of the United States may be informed of the identity of such persons and may apprise their statements and actions in the light of their associations and activities. Justice Department and Louisiana Supreme Court Reach Agreement to Provide Language Assistance for Individuals Not Proficient in English Washington, DC - The Department of Justice has reached an agreement with the Louisiana Supreme Court (LSC) that recognizes the LSCs commitment to work with the Louisiana Judiciary to phase-in a language access program that will provide oral and written language assistance services at no cost to limited English proficient (LEP) individuals in all state court proceedings and operations. I commend the Louisiana Supreme Court for its commitment to work with all state courts in Louisiana to ensure meaningful access for LEP individuals, said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. The collaborative relationship between the Department of Justice and the Louisiana Supreme Court will only strengthen ongoing Louisiana Supreme Court efforts to ensure equal access to justice for all. This agreement is a partnership to ensure that all people, no matter their national origin, can fully and fairly access Louisiana state courts, said U.S. Attorney Peter Strasser. My office is committed to preventing Title VI discrimination, in all forms, in the Louisiana Judiciary. This agreement resolves a Department of Justice investigation of a complaint alleging that Louisiana state courts failed to provide language access for LEP individuals, including a failure to provide LEP individuals with qualified interpreters in civil proceedings, in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its regulations (Title VI). The agreement is a commitment by the LSC to work with the Department of Justice to ensure the consistent delivery of language assistance services in the Louisiana Judiciary. During the course of the investigation, LSC began taking steps to improve language services in state courts by retaining a Language Access Coordinator responsible for continuing to improve the LSCs efforts and initiatives to comply with Title VI. LSC also developed technical assistance tools and provided trainings to Louisiana state court judges about how to address encounters with LEP individuals. Among other commitments in the agreement, the LSC will conduct an assessment of the Louisiana Judiciary to further inform the development of a more robust language access program. The LSC will also work with the Department of Justice to create a statewide language access plan that will include a template so that each state court can develop its own plan. This matter was jointly investigated by attorneys Dylan Nicole de Kervor and Michael Mule of the Civil Rights Divisions Federal Coordination and Compliance Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Howard Sinkman of the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Maggie Winters Gaudaen shot her first wedding when she was 16 years old. Her then-boyfriend, Steven Gaudaen, was also photographing the event. She fell in love with the process. The pair continued the lucrative hobby through college, but after graduation, Winters Gaudaen began to find it both exhausting and tedious. Traditional weddings tended to consume her entire weekend, and, she felt, were overly choreographed and cookie-cutter. There was an exception: The smallest weddings, involving just family and a couple friends, seemed more spontaneous and light, and mercifully devoid of stress. They weren't quite elopements, but they felt a little rebellious. Winters Gaudaen loved them. She decided it wouldn't be a big leap for her and Steven to start producing full packages for tiny weddings on weekends by adding a couple extra services to their photography, like bringing a cake and going to the courthouse for the wedding certificate. The couple founded Pop! Wed Co. in 2013 in Washington, D.C., and managed their first wedding the following February. Since then, the company has gained considerable momentum, conducting about 50 weddings and generating $140,000 in revenue last year. Turns out, the founders had discovered a mostly neglected sweet spot in the wedding market: people who don't want or can't afford an opulent event, but want a more inspiring start to their union than waiting in line at City Hall. "Wedding planning is not fun for many people--but they still want to get married," Winters Gaudaen says. "You don't have to have a giant wedding instead of making a down payment on a house. You don't have to go into debt." For example, for Pop! Wed's first wedding, the founders secured a venue by bribing a guard to let them inside a gate at Blind Whino, a former church in Southwest D.C. that had been painted in Technicolor and turned into an arts collective. Tiny weddings can have up to 15 guests and include a ceremony performed by Steven Gaudaen, a certified officiant who also handles all the paperwork for the couple's nuptials. Additionally, Pop! furnishes the photography, a small cake with a topper, and, afterward, a photo book. The total cost is between $2,900 and $3,200. The company also does larger gatherings that include an hour-long after-party, for $4,500. Pop! dubs these huge, because they can include up to 35 people. The huge parties often require a venue--and Pop! gets creative about that. Some of their favorites are a thrift-and-antique store, neighborhood parks, breweries, yoga studios, and, one time, the Salon Dore at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. (Venues cost $400 an hour and up. Couples often arrange their own after-parties, at local bars, restaurants, or home.) Expansion Plans Pop! Wed clients Robin Sawyer and Olaf Zerbock had been together for years and wanted to get married but disliked all the pomp associated with a traditional wedding. "For the longest time, we called 'getting married' 'going to the dentist,'" Sawyer says. "We just wanted to get it over with." They considered eloping before stumbling onto the company's website. "I thought it was incredibly cool--they do all the work for you. We just had to show up," she adds. The couple got married in a Georgetown park in November 2014. By 2015, the founders knew they'd hit on a great formula. One year after the Blind Whino wedding, the pair returned to the scene and held their own ceremony, with just 10 guests. Afterward, they decamped to see a musician they loved play a show. It was the only one of more than 200 weddings Pop! has produced that Gaudaen did not officiate. Much of the past five years has involved tinkering with plans for managing and scaling the business--which is a challenge, because Winters Gaudaen still is holding her day job at a creative agency, simply because she loves it. "I just really love to work!" she says. Stephen Gaudaen, too, works full-time as a programmer. Over the past few years, the duo has experimented with variations of the core concept, including running their operation out of a sort of an updated, hip, Vegas-style wedding chapel. But that didn't resonate with couples--no one wanted their ceremony to look or feel just like the one before it. They scrapped the idea. "I'm a big believer in testing the market and growing from nothing," Winters Gaudaen says. The next step for the business is national expansion. The founders expect to launch in a new city, or perhaps two, this year. They expect it will be simple: just book a few local contractors, including a marriage officiant, a planner, and a photographer, to work with every couple having a Pop! wedding. The test will be whether Winters Gaudaen can truly keep her day job through the business's growth. Winters Gaudaen isn't as concerned about fast growth of the business as she is of mindfully spreading awareness of the product--and the accessibility of tiny weddings. "The mission has been to offer this brand-new way to get married," she says. "This should be an option for everyone who thinks the wedding isn't the priority--the marriage is." EXPLORE MORE Rising Stars COMPANIES If you own a device powered by Amazon's virtual assistant, Alexa, you probably use it mostly for things like checking the weather or controlling your home's smart lights. In the near future, however, Amazon says Alexa will be able to not only handle more complex requests but also answer questions you didn't even ask. That's according to Rohit Prasad, head scientist of Alexa A.I., and Toni Reid, VP of Alexa experience, who spoke at the Wall Street Journal Future of Everything Festival in New York on Monday. Prasad says that Amazon is working on improving Alexa's ability to engage in transfer learning, which refers to the process of applying learned behaviors to new and different scenarios. Prasad offers the example of a child who touches a candle flame and gets burned; she might quickly learn that yellow-orange objects are hazardous, but will learn to distinguish that, say, a light bulb is a threat but a flower is not. "This is the kind of learning humans are great at," Prasad says, "but A.I.'s are still in the early innings." Soon, this type of learning will allow Alexa--which is built into more than 100 million devices worldwide--to anticipate requests. If you live in New York and ask your Echo for next week's weather in Boston, for example, it will anticipate that you have an upcoming trip and follow up on its answer by asking if you'd like to hear flight or hotel options. "What Alexa is great at right now is completing transactional requests," Prassad says. "In the next few years you'll find it adds more and more utility, more and more functionality, and more and more fun. It will become more conversational." One of the challenges, of course, is gathering the huge amounts of data Amazon needs to improve its artificial intelligence while also ensuring customers that it's protecting their privacy. The company faced significant criticism last year when an Echo device recorded a couple's conversation, then emailed it to a someone on their contact list. (Amazon said the device had misinterpreted parts of the conversation as commands to do so.) Reid pointed out that Alexa has added new features in recent years, like a wake-up sound that plays when Alexa begins eavesdropping, or a mute button that prevents the device from listening while pressed. She also points out that the company has made it easier to delete Alexa's chat history. Still, records of conversations that are deleted by users do still exist within Amazon's subsystems, according to a report from CNET earlier this month. While Amazon's ability to improve its A.I. depends largely on its ability to collect real-world conversations, Reid contested that Amazon's goal is never to overstep. The following is an edited excerpt from Startup Money Made Easy: The Inc. Guide to Every Financial Question About Starting, Running, and Growing Your Business (HarperCollins Leadership), by Inc. editor-at-large Maria Aspan, who will be discussing her book on Tuesday at Inc.'s Fast Growth Chicago event. Creating jobs. Paying salaries and/or hiring contractors. Retaining, promoting, and giving raises to employees. Providing health insurance, retirement plans, paid vacation and family leave, and all the perks you can afford. These are just some of the practicalities--and expenses--of growing your business beyond the early startup days. Hiring more employees is a crucial part of most growing businesses' success. So if you want to maintain your growth, you'll need to ensure that your workers feel fairly compensated. The good and bad news is that employee compensation isn't just about money. (It might be simpler if it were!) But a lot of it comes back to money, even if it's not being spent directly on employee salaries and benefits. Here are four key questions to consider as you hire and promote employees and set their pay: 1. Are you hiring salaried employees or contract workers? And are you sure you're classifying your hires correctly? If you stick to classifying your employees as salaried, instead of contractors, you'll avoid the legal and headline headaches that have plagued Uber, Lyft, Handy, Instacart, and many another "gig economy" employers. Also, when deciding how to compensate your workers, it's a good idea to err on the side of decency--it will both help you attract better talent and serve as a competitive advantage. 2. Are you abiding by all federal, state, and city laws about minimum wages, paid sick time, paid leave, and other benefits? In the past few years, several changes have been enacted at both state and local levels, so consult a lawyer if you're unsure about what you're obligated to provide workers. 3. Are you being fair, transparent, and equitable about promotions, wages, and pay? Avoid the gender pay gap, help morale, and avoid more of those negative headlines by being transparent about your salaries, and by working to redress any discovered inequities. Your business will reap the benefits of retaining employees longer and seeing their productivity increase. Several experts recommend making salary data fully transparent to all employees, to help prevent the appearance of a gap, and to develop and share a formula for promotions and raises. 4. Do you want to provide employees with equity in your company? In 2016, AngelList, a site for investors and job seekers in such companies, provided data to Inc.'s Jill Krasny showing that 80 percent of job postings from U.S. startups involve some equity. If you think you want to give your employees a chance to share in ownership of your company, educate your workers up front about how they can cash out their shares and what happens if they leave the company. (And do get expert advice from your accountant and lawyers before trying to set up an employee equity plan.) The first trailer for Quentin Tarantino's new film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood has been released, ahead of the movie's premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt feature respectively as struggling actor Rick Dalton and his stunt double Cliff Booth. Margot Robbie is seen playing Sharon Tate, who was killed in her home during the Manson family murders on 8-9 August, 1969 around which time the film is set. The clip, which lasts just under two minutes, doesn't provide much detail as to the film's plot, but rather gives a flavour of Pitt's and DiCaprio's characters as Tarantino's trademark style is revived onscreen. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is premiering in Cannes on Tuesday, 25 years after Tarantino debuted Pulp Fiction on the French Riviera. Best films of 2019 (so far) Show all 49 1 /49 Best films of 2019 (so far) Best films of 2019 (so far) The Favourite Macabre and fraught though The Favourite gets, this isnt so much a film about sex or power as it is about plain mischief. Its a hilarious, buffoonish pleasure, right down to the sets and costume design, and a breeze to spend 120 minutes with. Christopher Hooton Fox Searchlight Pictures Best films of 2019 (so far) Beautiful Boy Casting Chalamet as Nic was a very clever move. The young actor from Call Me by Your Name and Lady Bird has a natural charm and charisma. He still engages an audiences curiosity and sympathy even when his behaviour is at its most selfish and erratic. Geoffrey Macnab Amazon Studios Best films of 2019 (so far) The House by the Sea Guediguians storytelling style is deceptive. At first, it seems as if this is low-key social realism in the Dardennes or Ken Loach mould, albeit set on the French Riviera. Gradually, though, we realise how stylised and theatrical his approach really is. Geoffrey Macnab Best films of 2019 (so far) Stan & Ollie Director Jon S Baird, whose previous film was scabrous Irvine Welsh adaptation Filth, wrings every last drop of pathos he can from his material. This is very much a case of the tears of the clowns. Geoffrey Macnab Entertainment One Best films of 2019 (so far) Vice Vice is bravura storytelling. McKay isnt only taking us through Cheneys life and career but is giving us a whistle stop tour through US politics from the Nixon administration almost right to the present day. Geoffrey Macnab Annapurna Pictures Best films of 2019 (so far) Can You Ever Forgive Me? Playing Lee Israel, McCarthy manages something very special: she makes a character who is odd, obnoxious, difficult and alcoholic seem lovable and even heroic. The rest of the world is at fault, not Lee. Geoffrey Macnab Fox Searchlight Pictures Best films of 2019 (so far) Green Book "Green Book flatters the audience about its own good sense and tolerance. It deals with racism and homophobia but still has a fairytale, fantasy feel to it. Whatever humiliations Don endures on their road trip, we know no real harm will ever come to him as long as Tony is at his side. Geoffrey Macnab Universal Pictures Best films of 2019 (so far) Velvet Buzzsaw The golden age of bonkers horror movies is gloriously evoked by Netflixs latest feature length presentation. Beginning as a satire of the arts world, Velvet Buzzsaw swiftly and gleefully descends into a savage splatter-fest, smeared in paint, viscera and garishly-bright blood. Ed Power Netflix Best films of 2019 (so far) If Beale Street Could Talk The setting is New York in the 1970s. Anyone who has watched Martin Scorseses Taxi Driver knows this was an era of violence, corruption and sleaze on a monumental level, but [Barry] Jenkins somehow makes the city seem like a modern-day Eden. Geoffrey Macnab Annapurna Pictures Best films of 2019 (so far) All Is True Written by Ben Elton and directed by its star Kenneth Branagh, the film plays so fast and loose with the playwrights final years that they neednt have bothered fitting Branagh with a prosthetic nose accuracy is clearly not the priority here. Alexandra Pollard Sony Pictures Classics Best films of 2019 (so far) The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part "The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part is the doomed progeny of a celebrated genius brilliant but slightly stunted by the knowledge they will never live up to their predecessor. Clarisse Loughrey Warner Bros. Pictures Best films of 2019 (so far) Piercing Nicolas Pesces sleek and stylish horror comedy is repulsive and funny by turns. In adapting Ryu Murakamis cult novel, Pesce strikes just the right balance between humour and Grand Guignol-style shock tactics. Geoffrey Macnab Universal Pictures Best films of 2019 (so far) Capernaum "The best moments here are remarkable. Labaki elicits an astonishing performance from her young lead. Hes an irrepressible figure with such an inbuilt sense of moral decency the film seems upbeat and optimistic, even at its darkest moments. Geoffrey Macnab Sony Pictures Classics Best films of 2019 (so far) The White Crow "Ralph Fiennes combines thriller elements with poetic flashbacks to ballet legend Rudolf Nureyevs childhood and keeps a tight focus on the dancer. When he is most at risk, Nureyev makes decisions with his artistic future more in mind than his personal safety. As Fiennes reminds us again and again in what is his best film yet as a director, the 'white crow' will do anything to put himself in the limelight, the one place he is convinced he belongs." StudioCanal Best films of 2019 (so far) Border "Border reverses the perspective taken by most other horror films. In more conventional genre fare, Tina and Vore would be portrayed as malevolent outsiders, but in the world conjured up by director Ali Abbasi, the humans are the monsters. Tina is the innocent a visionary who hardly understands her own powers but who can sense human venality and corruption wherever it appears." TriArt Film Best films of 2019 (so far) Fighting with My Family "Certain scenes feel very trite and predictable but the film gets you in a choke hold early on and wont let you go. It is far more gripping than its subject matter might suggest. Who ever would believe a story about a wrestling family from Norwich could have quite such heart and resonance?" James Field Best films of 2019 (so far) Us "Doppelgangers abound in Jordan Peeles weird, creepy and ingenious new horror film. As in his Oscar-winning 2017 feature Get Out, Peele leavens matters with ironic humour but the joking becomes increasingly uncomfortable once the main characters come face to face with dark shadows of themselves which wish them extreme harm." AP Best films of 2019 (so far) Avengers: Endgame "The Avengers cycle comes to a rich and very satisfying conclusion with Endgame, surely the most complex and emotional superhero movie in Marvel history. At 181 minutes, this is a veritable epic, but with so many characters and plot strands, it fully warrants its lengthy running time." AP Best films of 2019 (so far) Eighth Grade "Its a rare and precious feeling when a film completely dismantles you. Eighth Grade the directorial debut of US comedian Bo Burnham breaks down every delusion we have about ourselves and burrows deep into those parts weve made such an effort to lock away. You may cry. You may shudder as every awkward social interaction thats kept you up at night replays in your head all at once. You may feel the sharp pain associated with those moments when you feel completely isolated from the world. Burnham may have crafted a simple story about the most ordinary of teenage girls, but it speaks with the emotions of a true cinematic epic." A24 Best films of 2019 (so far) Vox Lux "Natalie Portman gives her fiercest, most memorable performance since Black Swan in Brady Corbets enjoyably subversive satire about a troubled pop star whose loss of innocence mirrors the fall from grace of the US itself. Portmans character, Celeste, is certainly one of the most objectionable figures she has played: a pampered, hard-drinking drug-taking floozy whose appearance and high-handed behaviour rekindle memories of Liz Taylor and Joan Crawford at their monstrous worst." Neon Best films of 2019 (so far) High Life Robert Pattinson gives one of his most striking performances as Monte, the death-row criminal in outer space, tricked into making a voyage described at one stage as a class-one suicide ride. The former Twilight star makes his shaven-headed, gaunt-faced character seem hyper naturally sensitive and feral at the same time. A24 Best films of 2019 (so far) Amazing Grace Amazing Grace is as uplifting a film as you will see all year. Its a concert movie filmed over two nights and featuring Aretha Franklin, the first lady of soul, performing gospel standards in a church in Los Angeles in 1972, with a huge backing choir and an enthusiastic congregation. Neon Best films of 2019 (so far) Aladdin Disneys live-action remake of its 1992 animated feature is a rip-roaring, old-fashioned matinee-style spectacle that turns out far better than we had any right to expect. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Best films of 2019 (so far) Booksmart Olivia Wilde is a visually inventive director, who keeps the tempo here so brisk that we hardly notice how glib the storytelling sometimes becomes. We can tell exactly how the film will end, but it still feels original both in its screwball energy and in the deft way it continually reverses stereotypes and gender cliches. Geoffrey Macnab Annapurna Pictures Best films of 2019 (so far) Late Night Late Night is a caustic satirical comedy that turns into an unlikely tearjerker. Its by turns snide and uplifting, and often very funny too. Its writer/producer/star Mindy Kaling makes vicious observations about the inanity, narcissism and corruption of the mainstream US media at the same time as she celebrates the professionalism of many of those who work within it. The film has a glorious performance from Emma Thompson and a very sly one from Kaling. Thompson is at her most imperious as Katherine Newbury, a legendary entertainer, the only female in a male-dominated field, but one whose career is beginning to slide. Geoffrey Macnab Amazon Studios Best films of 2019 (so far) Gloria Bell Gloria Bell is somewhat exhausting both unbearably intimate and at a constant remove but it is endlessly pulled back into focus by Moore, who has a firm understanding of the delicate balance between contentment and yearning, joy and pain, recklessness and spontaneity. In a remake that could have felt indulgent in the hands of people less skilled, she more than justifies its existence. Geoffrey Macnab Curzon Best films of 2019 (so far) Toy Story 4 "The brilliance of the new film lies in the surefooted way it caters both for children too young to have seen its predecessors and for adults whove grown up (or grown older) watching the previous instalments. It takes some kind of genius for the Pixar animators to give such a searing emotional charge to a story in which one of the main characters is a single use plastic spork retrieved from the trash." Pixar/Disney Best films of 2019 (so far) In Fabric In Fabric feels like Peter Strickland at his most free and playful, drawing as much from the British sense of humour dry and morbid to a fault as from Italian glamour. Curzon Artificial Eye Best films of 2019 (so far) The Flood "Perhaps The Flood isnt quite the urgent, profound film a crisis of this scale deserves, but in a culture where refugees are so rarely shown any empathy in mainstream media, maybe this is the film we need right now." Best films of 2019 (so far) Midsommar "Ari Aster's follow-up to Hereditary serves up much of the same: its a break-up movie wrapped up in pagan horror. Its also bound to be one of this years most memorable films, proving that Aster is far from a one-hit wonder." A24 Best films of 2019 (so far) The Lion King "The Lion King is undoubtedly a technological marvel that, much like Avatar, will come to be viewed as a milestone in special effects history, yet its just as interesting to see how all this innovation has been employed." AP Best films of 2019 (so far) Varda by Agnes "For a film thats almost entirely narrated by Agnes Varda's own voice, it doesnt feel driven by ego, but by pure intellectual and emotional curiosity." Best films of 2019 (so far) Animals "Animals treats its subjects with patience and generosity. Youll find no life lessons here. Its main characters are free to pursue their desires, to whatever end." Best films of 2019 (so far) Blinded by the Light "Blinded by the Light offers not only a reminder of Springsteens lyrical genius, but of how hes always served as a beacon for the disenfranchised." Warner Brothers Best films of 2019 (so far) Good Boys Lined up against some of this years other more heartfelt offerings, including Booksmart, Good Boys offers further proof that putting a little humanity in our comedy always gets the best results. Best films of 2019 (so far) Hustlers "Hustlers is an electrifying response to the deluge of stories weve had over the years about very rich, very bad dudes. Finally, we can turn the tables on every film thats used women, specifically strippers, as decorative accessories to drape over businessmen as they conduct their illicit backroom meetings. Or, failing that, to shake their out-of-focus tits in the background of a shot." AP Best films of 2019 (so far) For Sama For Sama is one of the most profoundly intimate depictions of the Syrian conflict ever put to film. Its the push to help those on the outside process something so incomprehensible in the depth of its horrors. Republic Film Distribution Best films of 2019 (so far) Ad Astra The real drama here is not whether or not apocalypse can be avoided but whether Brad Pitts character can reconcile himself with his father and overcome his own extreme emotional repression. In other words, in spite of all the jargon and the hardware, this is an intimate family melodrama at heart. Thanks to Pitts performance and Grays delicate direction, it turns into a very moving one. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Best films of 2019 (so far) The Farewell Wrapped up in all the intricacies of immigrant identity and family politics, The Farewell is a comedy of warmth and bracing honesty. Simply put, its one of the best films of the year. A24 Best films of 2019 (so far) Judy This is Renee Zellwegers Judy. It doesnt belong to Rupert Goold, its director. Nor does it belong to Tom Edge, its screenwriter. Its a performance of such overwhelming force that it wrests authorship from every other hand that guided the films creation. Pathe Best films of 2019 (so far) Ready or Not As absurd and self-indulgent as Ready or Not can get, it doesnt mess around with its social commentary. The class system is the game we never asked to play, dont get a fair chance at, and have no hope of winning. Its a timeless metaphor. 20th Century Fox Best films of 2019 (so far) A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon Despite its mouthful of a title, A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon is an utter delight proof that good storytelling and strong craft are what matters, however familiar the packaging. Studio Canal Best films of 2019 (so far) The Beach Bum Clearly, Harmony Korine is steered by his attraction to the theatrical, the absurd and the grimly nihilistic. The Beach Bum is all of that and absolutely none of it, too a leisurely, neon-soaked stroll through chaos and hazy bohemia, full of slapstick and pathos. It is as much Korines most mature film as it is his most juvenile. Neon/Vice Best films of 2019 (so far) The Last Black Man in San Francisco Its a beautiful, frightening and tragic vignette of the urban nightmare, though The Last Black Man in San Francisco isnt really an angry film. Its less of a rallying cry against gentrification than a rumination on the kind of pained acceptance those who suffer its effects must face. A24 Best films of 2019 (so far) The Irishman Scorseses signature camerawork goes down like a glass of fine whisky, as smooth and as elegant as youd expect. The violence arrives in short, sharp shocks. Steven Zaillians screenplay even nails the mobster patter, with arguments about fish, tardiness, and business shorts that feel destined to one day be quoted to death. Netflix Best films of 2019 (so far) Le Mans '66 The films greatest trick is saved for its final reel. For much of its running time, youd be easily fooled into thinking Mangold had made a grand ode to the American dream. Its a film about an immigrant worker who, through perseverance and toil, gains the respect of one of the richest men in the country. And then the rug is pulled right out from underneath you. Le Mans 66 may relish in the high life, but its final moments feel devastatingly hollow. AP Best films of 2019 (so far) Marriage Story The film never loses its sense of humour and absurdity. Somehow, in spite of the bleakness of the subject matter, it feels more redemptive than despairing. Best films of 2019 (so far) The Report Adam Driver plays Jones, Annette Bening Senator Feinstein, and director Scott Z Burns captures the events in a cold, rigorously factual, and largely dispassionate manner. But thats the point. The Report chooses to value the truth over bombastic displays of morality. AP Best films of 2019 (so far) Knives Out Casting an ensemble film is a little like perfecting a cocktail blend, balancing flavours until they sing together in harmony. Knives Out hits the mark here: the actors all feel well-suited to their roles and they bounce off each other with ease. Lionsgate Pulp Fiction went on to win the Palme d'Or in 1994. His latest film is expected to cause the biggest frenzy of the festival, bringing DiCaprio, Pitt and Robbie to the Cannes red carpet. Tarantino issued a statement to festival audiences imploring them not to spoil Once Upon a Time in Hollywood for future moviegoers. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Its theatrical release is planned for July in the US and August in the UK. Additional reporting by agencies World Goth Day takes place on 22 May, an occasion for the pale and morbidly-inclined to emerge squinting into the sunlight to celebrate their individuality. Goths in black hoodies, band t-shirts, panda eye shadow and even Victorian funeral weeds and moderate fetish wear are a common sight in market town centres across the country these days. Most people now understand that the look is nothing to be intimidated by, not necessarily a symptom of depression and much more than just a phase that teenagers drawn to occultism and pagan symbols will grow out of. Wearing black is actually a clear indication of a melancholic personality type as old as the Elizabethan malcontent and Goth turns out to be a healthily inclusive tribal movement that shuns prescribed gender expectations and unrealistic physical ideals, placing an unfashionable premium on reading. All reasons its adherents, predominantly middle class and white, deserve respect rather than ridicule. Primarily an offshoot of the punk era although there were pre-1977 proto-Goths such as Screaming Lord Sutch and Alice Cooper and plenty of rockabilly groups toying with graveyard motifs bands like The Damned, Siouxsie and the Banshees and Misfits all adopted Halloween dressing-up box aesthetics for shock effect. The first Goth song proper is generally agreed to be Bela Lugosis Dead by Bauhaus, a nine-minute ode to the Hungarian actor so famous for playing Dracula that he was buried in his costume cape in 1956. The piece is known to many from its ominous use at the beginning of The Hunger (1983), Tony Scotts vampire movie starring Catherine Deneuve and David Bowie. Peter Murphy of Bauhaus in The Hunger (MGM/UA/Kobal/Rex/Shutterstock) Subsequent bands took the style in different directions throughout the 1980s, from the scary antics of garage rockers The Birthday Party and The Cramps to the gloom pop of The Sisters of Mercy and The Cure. Killing Joke and Depeche Mode led matters in an industrial direction culminating in Nine Inch Nails and the cybergoth rave scene, while others pushed on into dark metal territory, hence Cradle of Filth and Marilyn Manson. Gliding swiftly past My Chemical Romance, Panic! At The Disco and the genuinely horrifying world of Emily the Strange merchandise, a track like Jenny Hvals dreamy Female Vampire from 2016 shows what can still be achieved within the confines of the genre. Before the punks, cinema had long catered to the same taste for the macabre, from Universals monster pantheon of the 1930s to the atomic age American B-movies of the 1950s, Hammer Horror, Italian giallo and the suburban slasher films of the 1970s. Tracks like I Was a Teenage Werewolf by The Cramps or Night of the Living Dead by Misfits directly referenced the key films that informed these Goth taste-makers. Lux Interior of The Cramps on stage in 2004 (Getty) (Getty Images) Tim Burton subsequently picked up the megaphone, himself hugely influenced by the shlock disasterpieces of Ed Wood and Roger Cormans series of Edgar Allan Poe adaptations starring Vincent Price. His early films, notably Beetlejuice (1988), Edward Scissorhands (1991) and particularly The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), are all Goth favourites, their melancholy protagonists obsessed by their own outsider status, a mood he made the subject of two Batman features. Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Neil Gaimans Sandman (1989-96) and James OBarrs The Crow (1989-) graphic novels are required reading. The central characters of Morpheus, the Lord of Dreams, in the former and undead avenger Eric Draven in the latter were both modelled on the gaunt figure and pronounced cheekbones of Peter Murphy, frontman of Bauhuas, AKA the Godfather of Goth. Theres room for humour in all of this, incidentally. Goths are drawn to the morosely funny artwork of Edward Gorey and Charles Addams, the TV and film spin-offs of the latters New Yorker cartoons, re-runs of The Munsters (1964-66) and novelty records like Bobby Boris Picketts Monster Mash. Even Nick Caves The Birthday Party, whose heroin-fuelled gigs earned notoriety at the turn of the 1980s, sent themselves up riotously on Release the Bats. Or how about Jonathan Richmans affectionate spoof Vampire Girl?: Does she cook beans? Does she cook rice? Is she into ritual sacrifice? Anjelica Huston as Morticia Addams in Addams Family Values (1993) (Paramount/Kobal/Rex) Prior to its late blooming in 20th-century pop culture, the Gothic really emerged as an aesthetic in the Romantic literature, architecture and painting of the 18th and 19th century. Bram Stokers Dracula (1897) is, obviously, the ur-text of modern Goth but the subcultures roots go back further to the stories of Robert Louis Stevenson, Poe and Sheridan LeFanu and the haunted summer of 1816 when Mary Shelley conceived the central idea for Frankenstein during an evening of ghost story recitals on Lake Geneva with her poet husband Percy Bysshe Shelley, Lord Byron and Dr John Polidari, whose own tale that stormy night, The Vampyre, would directly influence Stoker. Even before this, there was Horace Walpoles The Castle of Otranto (1764), Matthew Lewiss The Monk (1775), William Beckfords Vathek (1786) and the supernatural mystery novels of Ann Radcliffe (1764-1823), works satirised by Jane Austen in Northanger Abbey (1817). Walpole, an MP and the son of prime minister Sir Robert Walpole, was so enraptured with the Gothic that he had his own mansion built in order to live it, a lavish vanilla Viennetta of battlements and spires known as Strawberry Hill in Twickenham. His influence sparked a fashion that continued throughout the following century when many of Londons most recognisable landmarks, from the Palace of Westminster, London Bridge and St Pancras Station, were constructed. Walpoles taste was neo-Gothic, strictly speaking, drawing on an architectural movement that first flourished in continental Europe between the 12th and 16th centuries, characterised by cavernous masonry, rib vaults, pointed archways and stained glass. The Basilica of St Denis and Chartres Cathedral in Paris are two fine surviving examples. Henry Fuselis The Nightmare, painted in 1781 (Detroit Institute of the Arts) None of this has anything much to do with the historical Goths, by the way. These were the East Germanic people, divided into Visigoths and Ostrogoths, who fought the might of the Roman Empire. The term Gothic has been applied to architecture retroactively, thought to be because of the melancholy connotations associated with these tribes as harbingers of darkness for the Romans, responsible for the sun setting on the early superpowers dominance of Western Europe. There was no coherent Gothic movement in painting per se but the German landscape painter Caspar David Friedrich (1774-1840), a specialist in misty ruins and lone figures adrift in the sublime, certainly fits the bill: I have to stay alone in order to fully contemplate and feel nature. The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters by Francisco Goya (The Art Archive/Rex/Shutterstock) Other artists who exorcised their personal demons on canvas long before there was a name for it include Henry Fuseli (1741-1825), best known for his disturbing and erotic The Nightmare (1781), and Francisco Goya (1746-1828), whose etching The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters (1799) externalises the inner torment many feel but struggle to express. A style as deathless as its heroes, Goth is an entirely positive movement because it enables its followers to find solace in the like-minded, who are clearly demarcated by their outfits, and because the genre is loaded with stone-cold bangers like This Corrosion by The Sisters of Mercy. And everyone looks good in black. Or, as Dwight Pullen put it: You really look sharp wearing sunglasses after dark. The thing about Years and Years (BBC1), Russell T Daviess short guide to an unstable near future, is that it is all too plausible. And, thus, engaging and terrifying, in equal parts. Not just the idea of a President Pence (with Trump still pulling the strings), who is referred to in passing; or a Farage-style populist winning elections (Emma Thompsons icy charlatan Viv Rook); or that America and China might come close to an all-out nuclear war. But also that the adolescents of the future, will be part-human, part Huawei smartphone. This is because their mobiles are so much a part of them, as we see now, that they actually start to have the components, called skinplants, installed in their bodies. So that the internationally recognised gesture people do to indicate being on the phone becomes a reality, with a thumb as the earpiece and little finger as a mic. Still, I guess that means no one can ever nick it. Even the primitive love robot, Keith, who we met in the first episode last week was believable, though his sexual technique probably needed refinement. Im looking forward to seeing how Keith 2.0, the next generation, gets on with pleasuring his master. The story of the 2020s is told through the extended Lyons family, already introduced to us at some length in the opening episode. Baby Lincoln is still too young to be able to take much interest in whats going on, but his uncles and aunties certainly do. Take Auntie Edith (Jessica Hynes), an eco-warrior who, from a beach in Vietnam, witnesses the detonation of a thermonuclear device that Donald Trump lobs at Hong Sha Dao in the final days of his second term of office. This is one of those artificial islands the Chinese are building in the South China Sea for purposes of projecting power, intimidating its smaller neighbours and territorial expansion. (Put like that I suppose you can sympathise with Trump, but Id better let that thought rest there.) The rest of the world doesnt agree with Trump and hits the US with unprecedented sanctions for its aggression, with consequences that will soon be visited upon the Lyons family. Its all told with the usual devices of made-up television news reports and the like. And, after Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Libya and all the rest, the Years and Years team have plenty of recent archives of devastation to draw upon. Edith survives, but, sailing close to the centre of the blast (it leaves 45,000 dead), she picks up some radiation exposure, something she tries to hide from her family but fails. Earnest and sincere, and much as we might admire her bravery, she is a bit of a two-dimensional figure, so far. In a TV interview, Edith pleads with some passion, for the economic sanctions on America, and for a future of a planet we know is dying: The world keeps getting hotter and faster and madder, and we dont pause, we dont think, we dont learn, we just keep racing to the next disaster. And I keep wondering where are we going, whens it gonna stop? Well, where we are going, is that the sanctions Edith is so keen on, mean that her brother Stephens (Rory Kinnear) job with an investment bank disappears, as do the banks. His family loses their home and all of their money in a 2008-style financial crash. Actually, 1929-style, given that they lose everything and there is no government bailout. Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up His partner Celeste (TNia Miller), by the way, has already seen her work as an accountant replaced by artificial intelligence, while daughter Bethany (Lydia West) seems to have given up on going transhuman and converting herself into a laptop. Anyhow, now homeless, they dont quite share Ediths trendy anti-Americanism. As I say, it all looks perfectly possible from the vantage point of 2019. The other depressingly realistic theme is the persecution of Viktor (Maxim Baldry), boyfriend of Daniel Lyons (Russell Tovey). Shopped by Daniels ex to the immigration authorities for working in a petrol station, Viktor is summarily deported back to a land, Ukraine under Russian occupation, USSR-style, where his sexuality is only tolerated if he behaves discreetly. Soon to be presiding over this broken Britain is Viv Rook. She wins a by-election when the MP for the Northern Powerhouse is accidentally and symbolically decapitated by a giant delivery drone, the Pride of Manchester. She and her Four Star Party, with the slogan: I couldnt give a f***, have already cast a spell over the habitual Labour-voting Rosie Lyons (Ruth Madeley), but I fear violent disappointment is only a matter of months away. If Years and Years has a fault, it isnt so much its wide geopolitical horizons or its playful visions of sweeping new technologies, but the sheer vastness of the Lyons family every one of them, played by brilliant established or emerging actors. I just cant remember whos related to who, and how. Its worse than the House of Windsor in its sprawling complexity. It is as if Mr Davies and producer Karen Lewis didnt quite know when to say stop when the casting director was pouring this cornucopia of dramatic talent into their goblets. That said, like any journalist, I want to see what happens next. Coca-Cola is bringing back New Coke on Thursday - 34 years after the product spectacularly failed. On Tuesday, the company announced its decision to bring back the beverage in honour of the Netflix show Stranger Things - which features the drink and is debuting its third season in July. The latest season of the show is set in the summer of 1985, the same summer that that Coca-Cola launched its new beverage to almost-instantaneous backlash. According to the Coca-Cola website, the new formula was the first time the beverage had been changed in 99 years - and it spawned consumer angst the likes of which no business has ever seen. In addition to country-wide protests, Coca-Cola fans filled their basements with cases of Coke after New Coke was released. Stranger Things 2 in pictures Show all 5 1 /5 Stranger Things 2 in pictures Stranger Things 2 in pictures Netflix Stranger Things 2 in pictures Netflix Stranger Things 2 in pictures Netflix Stranger Things 2 in pictures Netflix Stranger Things 2 in pictures Netflix Although the new recipe was such a failure that the company pulled the product from shelves just 79 days after it was first launched, the soda company and the Stranger Things creators believe the second time around will be more successful. Recommended People are baffled by Milk Coke According to senior vice president of marketing for Coca-Cola North America, Stuart Kronauge, who spoke to CNN, the campaign is a way to not take ourselves too seriously. The marketing campaign will make it possible for consumers to purchase New Coke, made from the same recipe as the 1985 version, for a limited time as part of a bundle. To get the 12-ounce can, consumers must also buy at least two limited-edition Stranger Things Coke-Colas in eight-ounce glass bottles. The soda will go on sale online at 5pm ET Thursday at cokestore.com. Free cans will also be available via upside-down Stranger Things-inspired vending machines in certain cities, starting in New York City on Thursday. According to Oana Vlad, director of Coca-Cola Trademark, Coca-Cola North America, the decision to launch the campaign stemmed from the shows tagline: One summer could change everything." When Netflix told us Season 3 was going to be set in the summer of 1985 - with the tagline that one summer could change everything - that rang so true for us, Vlad told USA Today. The summer of 1985 did in fact change everything for us with the introduction of New Coke, which was arguably one of the biggest pop culture moments of that year. Barry Smyth, Netflixs head of global partner marketing said: The partnership with Coke gives Netflix the opportunity to reach a massive audience via one of the most recognizable brands in the world in a deeply authentic way. It also gives Stranger Things fans the chance to expand their engagement with the show into their lives like never before. Since the announcement New Coke would be returning after more than three decades, the reaction on social media has been mostly confusion - and concern. New Coke was terrible, one of the greatest blunders a company ever made, one person wrote. Another said: But, it was gross back then. Why would it be any good now? However, others are excited to try the despised beverage. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Im totally going to buy New Coke and pretend its 1985, someone tweeted. Flash Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz on Monday announced his decision to dismiss Minister of Interior Herbert Kickl of right populist Freedom Party (FPO), a move that would lead to the complete withdrawal of FPO ministers in his cabinet. He will propose the dismissal to Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, and "have told the Minister of the Interior personally and party leader Norbert Hofer on the phone," Kurz told a press conference in the evening. Kurz once again spoke of the need for complete transparency and investigation of an alleged corruption video that led to the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache of FPO and snap elections. Since Kickl was General Secretary of the FPO when the video was shot, this could not guarantee a transparent investigation, said Kurz. Kurz said he had decided with federal President, if all other FPO ministers resign following Kickl's dismissal, to fill the open ministerial posts with experts and top officials. "This ensures stability and ability to act at European level," he said. It was a secretly recorded video two German news outlets the Spiegel and the Suddeutsche Zeitung published on Friday that broke hell loose. In the video, Strache had a conversation with an alleged relative of a Russian "oligarch". The woman offered the FPO support, in return Strache promised to award her state orders. Van der Bellen approved on Saturday the proposal of holding snap elections after Strache resigned over an alleged corruption video and effectively led to the collapse of the coalition government. Even for something as notoriously volatile as bitcoin, the cryptocurrency's recent price fluctuations have been extraordinary. Its value surged from $4,000 at the start of April to $8,000 by mid May, before yoyo-ing between $7,000 and $8,000 over the last few days. Cryptocurrency experts have attempted to explain the rollercoaster market, citing a combination of recent good news in the crypto space and short term traders attempting to capitalise on uncertainty. But a recent crash that wiped $1,000 off bitcoin's value in less than an hour can seemingly be explained by a single trade. On the morning of Friday, 17 May, the sale of 5,000 bitcoin on the Bitstamp exchange worth around $40 million at the time of the trade resulted in a flash crash that wiped more than $10 billion bitcoin's market capitalisation in just 20 minutes. Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Satoshi Nakamoto creates the first bitcoin block in 2009 On 3 January, 2009, the genesis block of bitcoin appeared. It came less than a year after the pseudonymous creator Satoshi Nakamoto detailed the cryptocurrency in a paper titled 'Bitcoin: A peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System' Reuters Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Bitcoin is used as a currency for the first time On 22 May, 2010, the first ever real-world bitcoin transaction took place. Lazlo Hanyecz bought two pizzas for 10,000 bitcoins the equivalent of $90 million at today's prices Lazlo Hanyecz Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Silk Road opens for business Bitcoin soon gained notoriety for its use on the dark web. The Silk Road marketplace, established in 2011, was the first of hundreds of sites to offer illegal drugs and services in exchange for bitcoin Screenshot Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures The first bitcoin ATM appears On 29 October, 2013, the first ever bitcoin ATM was installed in a coffee shop in Vancouver, Canada. The machine allowed people to exchange bitcoins for cash Reuters Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures The fall of MtGox The world's biggest bitcoin exchange, MtGox, filed for bankruptcy in February 2014 after losing almost 750,000 of its customers bitcoins. At the time, this was around 7 per cent of all bitcoins and the market inevitably crashed Getty Images Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Would the real Satoshi Nakamoto please stand up In 2015, Australian police raided the home of Craig Wright after the entrepreneur claimed he was Satoshi Nakamoto. He later rescinded the claim Getty Images Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Bitcoin's big split On 1 August, 2017, an unresolvable dispute within the bitcoin community saw the network split. The fork of bitcoin's underlying blockchain technology spawned a new cryptocurrency: Bitcoin cash Reuters Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Bitcoin's price sky rockets Towards the end of 2017, the price of bitcoin surged to almost $20,000. This represented a 1,300 per cent increase from its price at the start of the year Reuters Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures What goes up... Bitcoin price crashes spectacularly, losing half of its value in a matter of days Getty Images Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Bitcoin plunges The cryptocurrency eventually bottoms out below $4,000 in 2019 before slowly rebuilding momentum to outperform more traditional assets Getty Images Analysts say the huge impact of this trade illustrates the fundamental issues that still exist for the nascent commodity. "The bitcoin price is a game for 'whales' the largest traders to wreck the smaller players," cryptocurrency author David Gerard wrote in a blogpost analysing the market dip. "This was a huge dump... This keeps happening, and has done for the past few years a pile of short or long positions on the price will be blown by someone manipulating the price. Mr Gerard claims the cryptocurrency market is "rife with insider trading" and that a number of so-called whales "have colluded for years". The borderless and semi-anonymous nature of bitcoin means it is difficult to police such instances of market manipulation, while the lack of regulation compared to other commodity markets mean a handful of bad actors are able to exploit it for financial gain. Bitcoin has fluctuated wildly in price over the last week, shooting up above $8,000 before crashing back below $7,000 (CoinMarketCap) The Bitstamp exchange launched an investigation into the trade within hours of the crash taking place, though few details were given. "Our system behaved as designed, processing and fulfilling the client's order as it was received," the exchange tweeted. "We closely examine every event that causes large-scale movement in our order book and have started an immediate case investigation." Other cryptocurrency experts claim such market fluctuations should not detract from the underlying value of bitcoin as both an investment asset and a currency. Ana Bencic, foudner of cryptocurrency firm NextHash, believes the price of bitcoin will continue to rise in the long-term, despite the recent crash. "Bitcoin has been enjoying firmly positive market sentiment recently, so I am sure that the price will soon recover," she told The Independent. "The ease of use, transparency and potential for rapid returns make cryptocurrency investment very attractive." The price of bitcoin has been unusually volatile in recent weeks (Getty Images/iStockphoto) But according to Mr Gerard, it is only a matter of time before similar market manipulation takes place again. "The market's structure is terrible, trading on the exchanges is thin, and all the incentives are still there," he wrote. "Anyone who claims the bitcoin price is in any way organic, or follows real-world events, is simply talking nonsense. We've seen how it works, live in action, in front of us." Chinese technology giant Huawei has been granted a 90-day temporary license to maintain its networks and continue dealing with US companies, scaling back the restrictions imposed last week when the company was added to a blacklist by the White House. The US Commerce Department will allow Huawei to purchase US-made goods in order to maintain existing networks and provide software updates to existing Huawei handsets. The company is still prohibited from buying American parts and components to manufacture new products without license approvals that likely will be denied. The new authorisation is intended to give telecommunications providers that rely on Huawei equipment time to make other arrangements, US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said in a statement. Huawei is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world, beating Apple in phone sales last summer and falling second behind Samsung. The ban came in response to the belief that Huawei and other Chinese companies allow the country's government to install backdoors into their systems, making reliance on Huawei products a national security risk. Last February, the heads of major US intelligence agencies urged American citizens not to use Huawei or ZTE phones. Huawei has maintained that this fear is unfounded. Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China Show all 20 1 /20 Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China An employee enters a train in the Huawei's Ox Horn campus at Songshan Lake in Dongguan Reuters Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China A worker cleans a waterway as office buildings are seen at Huawei's new Ox Horn Research and Development campus in Dongguan, near shenzen Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China An area of Huawei's Ox Horn campus modelled after Cesky Krumlov in Czech Republic Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China The real Cesky Krumlov in Czech Republic Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China Employees sleep in their cubicle in the research and development area after lunch at the Bantian campus in Shenzhen Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China An area of Huawei's Ox Horn campus modelled after Heidelberg in Germany Getty Images Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China Employees play basketball on a court within the staff housing complex at the end of the workday at the Bantian campus in Shenzhen Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China A replica of the Karl Theodor Bridge in Huawei's Ox Horn campus Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China The real Karl Theodor Bridge in Heidelberg, Germany Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China Huawei's Ox Horn campus at Songshan Lake in Dongguan Reuters Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China Employees ride the bus home at the end of the workday from the company's Bantian campus in Shenzhen Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China Huawei workers eat their subsidised lunch in one of many large cafeterias at the company's Bantian campus in Shenzhen Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China Reception staff walk in front of a large screen showcasing different technologies in the foyer of a building used for high profile customer visits at the campus in Shenzen Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China An employee reads in the staff library on a break at the company's Bantian campus in Shenzhen Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China An area of Huawei's new Ox Horn campus modelled after a European City Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China Servers are seen inside Huawei's factory campus in Dongguan Reuters Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China The conductor waits for a train in the Huawei's Ox Horn campus at Songshan Lake in Dongguan Reuters Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China A general view shows the research and development centre at Huawei's Ox Horn campus AFP/Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China Employees works on a mobile phone production line at Huawei's factory campus in Dongguan Reuters Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China An office building on the Huawei campus in Dongguan AFP/Getty Google has already stated that they have pulled Huawei's Android licence, though Huawei will still have access to the Android Open Source project. The Temporary License will last until August 19, after which it is unlikely to be renewed. Next year it will be 10 years since GoFundMe was founded in San Diego, California. Since then our simple, powerful fundraising platform has become synonymous with people helping other people online. In a world where the internets more negative elements tend to dominate the headlines, GoFundMe shows the best of humanity - campaign by campaign, donation by donation. Thats why, when my team in the UK suggested we team up with The Independent for this years Happy List, we said yes immediately. The Happy List is a life affirming collection of powerful, inspiring stories which celebrate the very best of what brings people together. Personal connection, empathy, solidarity: each year, the Happy List has us crying and laughing and beaming with joy all at once. The same is true of what we see every day at GoFundMe. Weve built the worlds largest fundraising platform with over 5 billion raised for people and causes around the world. Every single one of those campaigns has its own remarkable story. With hundreds of thousands of campaigns attracting millions of donors between them, the scale is absolutely extraordinary. Sometimes they simply raise money when its needed most. Often, they change lives forever. Two women photographed smiling together (Getty Images) Take the case of Jamal, the young Syrian boy who was filmed being bullied at school. The video shocked the UK, and then the world, and within 24 hours kind-hearted strangers had raised over 150,000 for him and his family to build a new life. The idea came from one person moved by the story; the energy and support came from thousands of people sharing and donating from more than 20 countries. Our world-class product, industry-leading support and safety teams made sure the money got safely to Jamals family. In this case and millions of others, GoFundMe has become the worlds take action button. At its best, the internet fosters connection and kindness that unites the on and offline worlds - and none more so that the incredible story of Ross Coniams GoFundMe campaign. In 2018 Rosss baby daughter Nora passed away nine hours after being born. In a feat of remarkable strength, he pledged to take part in nine major challenges in 2019 to benefit the charities who helped him and his family cope with their unimaginable loss. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events He wore his #Nine4Norah hoodie to Wembley for the FA Cup final, was spotted by TV presenter Jake Humphrey who found Rosss GoFundMe page and shared it with his followers. In the following days, people across the UK and beyond donated more than 40,000. The simple act of taking the time to understand more about another persons life led to something incredible. These are just two cases that The Independent readers may know, but every minute of every day someone shows kindness to someone else on GoFundMe. This may seem like the simple act of giving money, but its so much more than that. Its about standing shoulder-to-shoulder with people going through a tough time; its about helping a friend, family or a stranger in need. Its about saying when someone needed me - I was there. I hope you enjoy the 2019 Happy List and that together, we can spread a little more happiness. The Happy List 2019 Now in its 11th year, the Happy List shines a light on the great Britons whose extraordinary efforts are for no personal gain, and who often go unrecognised outside their own communities. To enter someone you know click here Jada Pinkett Smith has revealed she once had a little porn addiction before she was in a relationship with actor Will Smith, to whom she has now been married for 22 years. The American actor spoke about her unhealthy relationship with pornography on the latest episode of her Facebook Watch series, Red Table Talk, which she hosts with her daughter Willow and mother Adrienne. Pinkett Smith explained that she began watching a lot of pornography during a period when she was trying to practise abstinence. When Willow, 18, asked whether or not the compulsion came from an emotional place, Pinkett Smith said that it did and added that it felt like it she was filling an emptiness by watching porn. But its actually not, she continued, and reading some of the effects of pornography, like the idea that it gives you false expectations I can definitely see that with men". CNN accidentally airs porn Show all 5 1 /5 CNN accidentally airs porn CNN accidentally airs porn Twitter CNN accidentally airs porn Twitter CNN accidentally airs porn Twitter CNN accidentally airs porn Twitter CNN accidentally airs porn The three women went on to discuss some of the damaging myths pornography can perpetuate about sex and sexuality. A woman should always be willing and ready, he should be ready to have sex however he wants and you should enjoy it no matter what, Pinkett Smith said. In pornography youre never tired. Adrienne added that porn is unnatural, but went on to explain that watching it had been beneficial for her. Recommended Jon Ronson on the porn industry after PornHub I grew up in a household that created a lot of shame. So theres something about [watching porn] that was freeing. Pinkett Smith went on to explain how watching pornography that prioritises womens needs could provoke important social change. I dont really think we know culturally what women like in regards to sex, because women have not been allowed to explore in the same way as men," she said. "Were just getting to the point where were even giving ourselves the opportunity to explore. You can watch the full episode of Red Table Talk here. Millie Bobby Brown has revealed that she endured soul-breaking bullying when she was in school, which led to a lot of anxiety and issues. The Stranger Things actress spoke to Orlando Bloom in an interview with Glamour for the magazines digital May issue about what she hopes to accomplish as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and how her own experiences led her to where she is now. Discussing social issues facing young people today, the 15-year-old said it is extremely important for her to speak out against bullying, after revealing that she was bullied at school in England. According to Brown, she switched schools because of the bullying she faced, but it still created a lot of anxiety and issues that I still deal with today. I have dealt with situations both in real life and online that are soul-breaking and it genuinely hurts reading some of the things people have said, she added. Stranger Things 2 in pictures Show all 5 1 /5 Stranger Things 2 in pictures Stranger Things 2 in pictures Netflix Stranger Things 2 in pictures Netflix Stranger Things 2 in pictures Netflix Stranger Things 2 in pictures Netflix Stranger Things 2 in pictures Netflix To combat bullying, the actress wants to make social media a happy place - by focusing on the positives. Millie Bobby Brown discusses being bullied in interview with Orlando Bloom (Glamour) Social media is one of the best places in the world and one of the worst - it counteracts itself, she said. It sends such amazing messages; it raises awareness of situations that need to be heard. Nobody should say it isnt a platform for positivity and change. But then there are some really heartbreaking things to happen on social media and I have dealt with a lot of bullying online. During the interview, Brown also said she wants to protect children from issues such as violence and exploitation. The Godzilla 2 star, who was named the youngest-ever UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in November, has previously discussed bullying, and the impact it can have on youth. In June, the actress took a moment to address online negativity while accepting an award via video during the MTV Movie & TV Awards, reminding viewers that if they dont have anything nice to say just dont say it. There should be no space in this world for bullying, and Im not going to tolerate it, and neither should any of you, she said. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events You can read the full interview with Millie Bobby Brown here. Oprah Winfrey has responded to an Instagram user's comment that she should help students pay off their debts, assuring them she has already donated millions of dollars towards college education. On Sunday, the media mogul delivered a commencement speech at a Colorado College graduation ceremony. The next day, Winfrey shared a photograph on Instagram of herself with a graduate of the college taken during the celebrations. "I don't know who this guy is but he sure is happy to graduate! I shook hands with all 571 members of @coloradocollege's Class of 2019 and gave them a copy of The Path Made Clear," Winfrey wrote in the caption. While many of Winfrey's followers praised the picture, one person left an accusatory remark in the comment section. "Should have paid off their student debt @oprah lol @morehouse1867," they wrote, referencing technology investor Robert Smith's recent offer to pay off loans worth $40m (31.4m) for graduates of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. Winfrey promptly responded, stating: "Already paid 13m in scholarships. Have put over 400 men thru @morehouse1867 [sic]." In 1989, while giving a commencement speech at the historically black Morehouse College, the talk show host announced that she would be making a $1m (0.79m) donation to the academic institution. According to Morehouse College, Winfrey has donated approximately $12m (9.42m) in total to the university. World University Rankings 2018: The top 10 Show all 11 1 /11 World University Rankings 2018: The top 10 World University Rankings 2018: The top 10 1 The University of Oxford holds the top spot globally for the second year in a row Getty World University Rankings 2018: The top 10 2 The University of Cambridge jumps to second from fourth place in 2017 thanks to a perceived improvement in teaching quality Andrew Dunn World University Rankings 2018: The top 10 =3 Beaten by Cambridge this year, the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) falls to third Canon.vs.nikon World University Rankings 2018: The top 10 =3 Stanford University ties in third place with Caltech King of Hearts World University Rankings 2018: The top 10 5 Massachusetts Institute of Technology - the private research institute in Cambridge, US, retains its position in 5th place Madcoverboy World University Rankings 2018: The top 10 6 Harvard University remains in 6th place for another year Wikipedia World University Rankings 2018: The top 10 7 Princeton University retains 7th place for 2018 Quantockgoblin World University Rankings 2018: The top 10 8 Imperial College London retains its position as 8th best in the world, according to the rankings Vinceesq World University Rankings 2018: The top 10 9 The University of Chicago rises one place this year to ninth Ibrahim Old World University Rankings 2018: The top 10 =10 ETH Zurich Swiss Federal Institute of Technology falls to joint 10th place Roland zh World University Rankings 2018: The top 10 =10 The University of Pennsylvania makes a surprise entry into the top 10 this year, jumping forward three places WestCoastivieS Several of the philanthropist's Instagram followers came to her defence in the comment section of her most recent post. "She shut that down real quick better do your research before coming for her," one person wrote. "Oprah is the GOAT of giving," another added. "Shame on anyone who questions the impact she's had on countless lives. Do your homework!" Oprah Winfrey's famous 'You get a car' clip In 2004, Winfrey famously gave away a new Pontiac G-6 sedan to all 276 members of her studio audience during an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show. Pamela Anderson has written an essay on her website in defence of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who is currently facing detention from Swedish prosecutors over a rape allegation first made against him in 2010. Anderson has been vocal about her support for Assange, who she described as an innocent person when she visited him in prison earlier this month, wrapped in a grey free speech blanket. Now, the former Baywatch star has used her own experience of sexual assault to further her defence of Assange and insist that she would never defend a rapist. Today, I want to speak out as a woman, Anderson begins. A woman who has survived rape and sexual abuse. A woman who knows how cruel men can be, and how deep the wounds in a womans soul. To this day, I remember the excruciating pain. To this day, I can feel the agony. To this day, their faces keep haunting my sleep a fate shared by countless women worldwide. 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 In 2010, two women separately accused Australian-born Assange of rape and sexual assault in Sweden. He denied the allegations and insisted he had consensual sex with both accusers. The sexual assault inquiry against Assange was dropped in 2015 when the statute of limitations passed. On 13 May, Swedish prosecutors announced they'd be reopening the rape case, which was shelved in 2017 because Assange had taken refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London to avoid extradition to Sweden and the prosecutors were unable to formally notify him about the allegations, which was necessary in order for the case to proceed. Ecuador withdrew its asylum in April and Assange was promptly taken to Westminster Magistrates' Court and sentenced to almost a year in prison for skipping bail in 2012. If Sweden's request for detention is approved, it would be the first step in a process to have the 47-year-old extradited from the UK. In her essay, Anderson urges readers to never forget the danger of error, and the power of false accusations before describing Assange as a friend whom I love dearly whose health, she says, is crumbling as a result of the accusations he faces. Anderson goes on to describe the ongoing investigation as grotesque, adding, this is not about justice for rape. This is about the rape of justice. Later in the essay, she touches on the need for an ethical discussion on the legitimacy of leaking government secrets, and on related questions of privacy, safety and national security. But then lets create a proper forum, invite everybody and talk about it, she adds before urging people to pause and think before drawing their own conclusions about the Assange investigation. The alleged victims lawyer, Elisabeth Massi Fritz, said her client was deeply grateful for the Sweden's decision to reopen the case. Julian Assange: Swedish prosecutors reopen investigation into rape allegation made against Wikileaks co-founder Today we got great news, Fritz told reporters, adding, no one stands above the law [and] the legal system in Sweden doesnt give a special treatment to anyone. Sarah Green, co-director of the End Violence Against Women coalition, has criticised those who portray Assange as a victim. Hes always benefited from his cult hero status, painting himself as a victim and being very righteous," she told The Guardian. "Yet this is about rape, its what he is accused of. Its extremely serious. Moses Obama, 17, was living in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, when war broke out in 2016. He fled to his family home in the countryside, where he discovered that his father had been murdered and his mother was missing. An anti-government group called In Opposition (IO) had taken control of the village. Alone, grief-stricken and starving, he waited for his mother to return. But the prospect of a new family, not to mention a hot meal, was too hard to resist. With nothing left to lose, he joined the thousand-strong child army of the bush. New recruits like Moses are separated from the rest of the group and taught the skills they need in military warfare and close combat to enable them to steal, maim and kill on demand. The children must then complete their initiation: they are forced to execute a stranger, at point-blank range with a rifle. Often, recruits are made to kill a parent or a best friend. Moses was one of the lucky ones. He was rewarded with an AK47 machine gun. Over the next two years, Moses rose up the ranks. I had to kill so many people, innocent people from my country, I just stopped counting so many, he says. Close Trump turns on Fox News during Pennsylvania rally Donald Trump has lost a lawsuit seeking to stop his accounting firm handing over financial records to a US House of Representatives committee, just as the investigation into his connection to Russian meddling has heated up in Congress. US district judge Amit Mehta said it was "simply not fathomable that a constitution that grants congress the power to remove a president for reasons including criminal behaviour would deny congress the power to investigate him for unlawful conduct". Accountants Mazars LLP have been ordered to comply with a House of Representatives Oversight Committee subpoena within seven days. The ruling came as the US president hit the campaign trail for a rally in Montoursville, Pennsylvania, where he joked about serving five terms in the White House. "Now we're going to have a second time," he told supporters. "Maybe if we really like it a lot and if things keep going like they're going, we'll go and we'll do what we have to do. We'll do a three and a four and a five." 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 Meanwhile, House Democrats have issued subpoena for some key former White House advisers to testify, including former communications director Hope Hicks and the former chief of staff to Don McGahn, who previously served as the White House counsel. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Mr McGahn made some news of his own, too, when he refused to honour a subpoena from House Democrats leading to threats from the group as they seek to perform constitutional oversight on the president. Mr Trump had asked his former White House counsel not to testify. A man has been arrested after a brick was thrown at Tommy Robinsons campaign van in Preston. Robinson is currently touring north-west England ahead of Thursdays European elections, in which he is standing as an independent candidate. A 36-year-old man from Preston was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and given an adult caution, a spokesperson for Lancashire Constabulary said. Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, described the attack to his followers in a message on his Telegram channel. Yesterday in Preston another far left labour support threw a half house brick at us, it missed us but smashed our screen, he said. "Stephen Yakult Lennon" - The British public vs Tommy Robinson Show all 7 1 /7 "Stephen Yakult Lennon" - The British public vs Tommy Robinson "Stephen Yakult Lennon" - The British public vs Tommy Robinson Covered in a milkshake... While out on the campaign trail for the European Elections in Warrington, a man threw a milkshake in Tommy's face. Frame 1: Man throws milkshake. Frame 2: Robinson & Co beat man. Frame 3: Robinson covered in milkshake. @AzTheBaz/Twitter "Stephen Yakult Lennon" - The British public vs Tommy Robinson ...the day after being covered with a milkshake The day before in Bury, a suspected child threw a milkshake over Robinson before running away Paul Ryder/Youtube "Stephen Yakult Lennon" - The British public vs Tommy Robinson Confronted for his racism... Back in 2014, Robinson was not warmly received in his home town of Luton... ABC "Stephen Yakult Lennon" - The British public vs Tommy Robinson ...falls over while cowering away ...In attempting to back away from the three advancing men, he fell over a curb ABC "Stephen Yakult Lennon" - The British public vs Tommy Robinson Slapped in Luton The slap came as then-EDL leader was trying to drive away directly after making the subtitled comment Round8ere/Youtube "Stephen Yakult Lennon" - The British public vs Tommy Robinson Shouted down in Salford When trying to spread his message to the streets of Salford, this woman told him where to get off Beth Redmond/Twitter "Stephen Yakult Lennon" - The British public vs Tommy Robinson "You're not as famous as you think you are" A judge at Peterborough County Court explained this to Robinson as she dismissed his discrimination case against the police. Robinson had claimed that he was ejected from a pub on account of his beliefs, however the officer didn't recognise him and was ejecting him on account of his drunken behaviour PA He provided no evidence the person who threw the brick was a Labour Party supporter. The far-right activist was hit with milkshakes twice in two days earlier this month in Bury and Warrington. On Monday he alleged that the assaults had led to further violence against his campaign. I have since had the following escalations on my election campaign, he claimed. Multiple death threats, punched in the face twice grabbed by the throat, our van windows smashed, and driver intimidated. On Saturday counter-protesters fought with Robinsons supporters in Oldham, Greater Manchester. Police officers came under a hail of eggs and bricks during the clashes, in which two police vehicles were damaged. People...turned to violence, throwing objects including eggs and bricks, Chief Superintendent Neil Evans said. We understand that many of those involved were not from Oldham. Whoever is responsible, this behaviour will not be tolerated by [Greater Manchester Police], our partners or the people of Oldham. Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt and damage as only caused to vehicles. A video from the Muslim Defence League showed a counter-protester at the event saying he had travelled to Oldham from Halifax, in West Yorkshire. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Robinson claimed that a group of over 100 Muslim thugs wearing masks and balaclavas...[armed with] bricks was responsible for the violence. Milkshakes have also been thrown at Nigel Farage and UKIP candidate Carl Benjamin in the days after one was thrown over Robinson. Mr Benjamin has now had milkshakes thrown at him four times in the last week. It started off with milkshakes, then it became eggs, and now its bricks, Robinson said on Monday. The activist is bidding to be elected to the European Parliament as an independent representative for the UKs North West region. Government ministers have been accused of utter complacency to adequately prepare fire and rescue services for major incidents following the Grenfell Tower fire. Two years on from the blaze that killed 72 people, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) warned of a postcode lottery of preparedness across the country. It accused the government of repeatedly misleading the public and for grasping neither the severity nor the basic details of the risk. There is currently no real national oversight, it warned. Nick Hurd, the minister for policing and the fire service, has repeatedly claimed that fire services are ready for a Grenfell-type fire, but the FBU said only three of the 48 fire and rescues services outside of London had been contacted directly by the Home Office with information about such an incident. Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Show all 18 1 /18 Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Kitchen in flat 16 where the fire started Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began The kitchen from flat 16 ReutersGrenfell Tower Inquiry/Reuters Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began The kitchen from flat 16 PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Hallway in flat 16, leading to the kitchen where the fire started Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began The kitchen from flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began The kitchen from flat 16 PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Bedroom in flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Living room in flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Toilet in flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Living room in flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Bedroom 2 of flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/Reuters Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Bedroom in flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Bedroom 2 of flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/Reuters Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began The kitchen from flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Kitchen in flat 16 where the fire started Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Door to flat 16 from the lobby on floor 4 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Living room in flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Hallway in flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA A further eight had been contacted by the National Fire Chiefs Council and one by the Welsh government, according to the FBU. Figures gathered by the union show that pre-determined attendance the number of fire engines that would initially be sent to a highrise fire varied across the country from as few as one water-pumping fire engine up to seven. Forty fire engines were sent to Grenfell Tower on the night of the fire. The FBU said data it had collected showed that resources outside of London were so stretched that fire and rescue services would not be able to mobilise anywhere near that scale in the event of a similar blaze. The union said the government had done nothing in the two years since Grenfell to address the concerns of residents and had failed to launch a national review of the stay put policy, as previously demanded by the FBU. Were shocked at the utter complacency of the fire minister, said FBU general secretary Matt Wrack. Seventy-two people died at Grenfell Tower, a fire for which London Fire Brigade had not planned. Yet the minister still does not grasp the severity, or even the basic details, of the risk across the country. Its no longer possible to claim that fire like Grenfell is unforeseeable. Firefighters were placed in an impossible situation that night. But two years on, the government still has not provided the planning and resources necessary to prepare firefighters for what are now completely foreseeable risks. It is extremely worrying that as part of their pre-determined attendances, some services only plan to send two engines to a fire in a highrise building. That is nowhere near enough to tackle a blaze which occurs when compartmentation fails, like it did at Grenfell. The FBU said Mr Hurd appeared oblivious to one of the key factors at Grenfell Tower the failure of compartmentation, the principle whereby buildings are built divided into fire-resistant compartments, and had failed to assess the risk of the failure of compartmentation, putting both firefighters and the public at risk. Fire and rescue services are clearly basing their pre-determined attendances upon a situation where compartmentation works. But at Grenfell it was the failure of compartmentation that caused the fire to spread so rapidly and virtually none are prepared for such an incident, Mr Wrack added. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Even with this optimistic assumption, the levels of attendance are mostly utterly inadequate. The difference in pre-determined attendances is also deeply worrying there is no reason why which part of the country a building is located in should determine the safety of its residents. A government spokesperson said: We are determined to do all we can to ensure the devastating tragedy of the Grenfell Tower fire can never happen again. Fire and rescue services have the resources they need and we are encouraged that the number of fire safety audits carried out on purpose-built flats of four or more storeys more than doubled to nearly 6,600 in 2017-18, compared with the previous year. We have banned combustible cladding and are fully funding its replacement on highrise residential buildings in the private and social housing sectors. We have also accepted all of the principles of the independent Hackitt Review and will be consulting on proposals ahead of legislation. A man pelted the London Bridge attackers with chairs, glasses and bottles while calling them terrorist cowards in a desperate attempt to save lives, a court has heard. Inquests into attack were played CCTV footage showing Gerard Vowls following the three knifemen as they stabbed anyone in reach on 3 June 2017. He broke down as he told the Old Bailey he saw them attack a young woman as she pleaded for help. I heard one of them say, 'this is for Allah', Mr Vowls said, describing the terrorists as not human-looking. The inquest heard he shouted "you cowards, you c***s. Come and get me" while finding items to throw on Borough High Street. London Bridge Terror Attack Show all 16 1 /16 London Bridge Terror Attack London Bridge Terror Attack Armed police on Borough High Street as police are dealing with a "major incident" at London Bridge PA London Bridge Terror Attack Armed Police talk to members of the public outside London Bridge Hospital as police are dealing with a "major incident" at London Bridge PA London Bridge Terror Attack Police Officers outside the Barrowboy and Banker Public House on Borough High Street as police are dealing with a "major incident" at London Bridge PA London Bridge Terror Attack Armed Police talk to members of the public outside London Bridge Hospital as police are dealing with a "major incident" at London Bridge PA London Bridge Terror Attack Armed police on Borough High Street as police deal with a 'major incident' at London Bridge PA London Bridge Terror Attack Emergency services near the scene of the incident Screengrab London Bridge Terror Attack People run down Borough High Street as police are dealing with a "major incident" at London Bridge Reuters London Bridge Terror Attack Emergency services arrive at the scene near Borough market at London Bridge Carl Court/Getty Images London Bridge Terror Attack Emergency personnel on London Bridge as police are dealing with a "major incident" at London Bridge PA London Bridge Terror Attack Police sniffer dogs on London Bridge as police are dealing with a "major incident" at London Bridge PA London Bridge Terror Attack A second helicopter lands on London Bridge as police are responding to three incidents in the capital, amid reports that a vehicle collided with pedestrians on London Bridge, Scotland Yard said. Officers are dealing with reports of stabbings in Borough Market, where armed officers attended and shots were fired. They are also at an incident in the Vauxhall area PA London Bridge Terror Attack Police attend to an incident on London Bridge in London REUTERS London Bridge Terror Attack Police attend to an incident on London Bridge in London, Britain Reuters London Bridge Terror Attack A police officer escorts members of the public to safety at London Bridge Getty Images London Bridge Terror Attack Police attend to an incident on London Bridge in London, Britain Reuters London Bridge Terror Attack Police attend to an incident near London Bridge in London, Britain Reuters I started shouting, 'terrorists'. I was pointing at them, going 'run'. I was just trying to warn as many people as I could, Mr Vowls recalled. CCTV images showed him following the attackers, picking up a restaurant chair, and throwing it towards ringleader Khuram Butt. He said he hoped to get the men away from the people they were attacking and into an area where they could be shot by armed police. "When I got to the Wheatsheaf pub, there was a couple of barrels outside, pint glasses and bottles, Mr Vowls said. "I shouted at them again, 'terrorist cowards,' and just started throwing pint glasses and bottles at them - everything that was there. "They sort of turned around but because I had a few drinks I was getting near but missing every time." He then tried to warn people inside the Black and Blue restaurant before gesturing through the glass, but then saw more victims being stabbed including Roy Larner a Millwall fan who fought the terrorists. "I thought, 'we need to get the police, there's nothing I can do'," Mr Vowls said, describing how he found two unarmed police officers before hearing gunshots that killed the attackers. The inquests have heard remarkable tales of bravery from victims and witnesses, including a man who was stabbed to death after beating the terrorists with his skateboard and a nurse murdered as she tried to help an injured man. The 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 (PA) Two unarmed police officers were among injured victims who fought the knifemen, and they were still being pelted with bottles, chairs and bread crates seconds before they were shot dead. One survivor described how people in one pub couldnt fathom what was going on and kept drinking after he ran inside with a stab wound. Andrew Morrison, from Australia, was knifed in the face before bursting into the Globe Tavern in Borough Market. "I knelt down on the floor and asked for help, he said, describing how strangers sat him on a stool. "They told me to calm down and that my stab wound wasn't that bad, and another person offered me a beer. Mr Morrison, who like many victims had been watching the Champions League final nearby, said he thought the attack was a street fight before hearing police screaming get running and get down. "Once I realised there were people and bodies lying on the ground, I knew something was not right, he added. He said he was stabbed after coming face-to-face with one of the attackers. A diagram showing the route the London Bridge attackers walked and ran while stabbing people (Metropolitan Police) An American tourist who was stabbed in the back, head and face told the Old Bailey that he first thought he had been barged into by a drunk when he was approached by a terrorist. As I pushed him back, I'm looking at him. He started looking back towards me. He had an angry look, he said. When he took a step towards me, I took a step back. That's when I felt something at my left waist and that's when I blacked out. In an emotional tribute to those who came to his aid, Mr Piersant singled out a Metropolitan Police officer who never left his side and the doctors who saved his life after his heart stopped beating. Butt, Rachid Redouane and Youssef Zaghba were shot dead after charging at armed police while wearing fake suicide vests. They murdered eight people and injured 48 more in a 10-minute rampage that saw them plough a van into pedestrians on London Bridge, before crashing and launching a stabbing spree using 12ins kitchen knives. Their victims were Xavier Thomas, 45, Christine Archibald, 30, Sara Zelenak, 21, Sebastien Belanger, 36, James McMullan, 32, Kirsty Boden, 28, Alexandre Pigeard, 26, and Ignacio Echeverria, 39. The inquest continues. Additional reporting by PA The governments flagship probation policy is driving up the prison population and trapping people in an endless cycle of low-level offending, a report has suggested. As justice secretary, Chris Grayling said radical changes introduced in 2014 would bring down stubbornly high reoffending rates. Five years on, HM Inspectorate of Probation found there had been no tangible reduction in reoffending as freed prisoners commit further crimes costing the economy up to 10bn a year. The government is renationalising the supervision of offenders after private companies failed to properly monitor them. But the probation watchdog said the long called-for change would not be a silver bullet to stop prisoners committing more crime on release. Grayling's biggest failings Show all 8 1 /8 Grayling's biggest failings Grayling's biggest failings Banning books for prisoners Then Justice Secretary Grayling introduced a ban on sending books to prisoners in November 2013. The ban was later deemed unlawful by the High Court PA Grayling's biggest failings Knocking a cyclist off their bike Transport Secretary Chris Grayling knocked a cyclist off their bike by opening his car door in 2016. The footage was released by the recording cyclist a few months after the incident when Grayling complained about London's cycle lanes Guardian Grayling's biggest failings Train timetables fiasco After an Office for Road and Rail report found that nobody had taken charge during a major change to train timetables that left more than one in ten trains being late or cancelled on Northern and Thameslink, Transport Secretary Grayling insisted he was not to blame PA Grayling's biggest failings Unlawful cuts to legal aid The cuts to legal aid for certain categories of prisoner that Grayling introduced as Justice secretary in 2013 were found to be unlawful by the High Court PA Grayling's biggest failings Private probation reversal Theresa May's government has opted to renationalise the supervision of former prisoners after a part-privatisation program begun by Grayling in 2014 was found to be putting the public at risk PA Grayling's biggest failings Ferry contract for a company with no ferries Grayling handed a 14 contract to Seaborne Freight to deliver goods from Ostend to Ramsgate in the event of a no deal Brexit. The contract fell through after the Irish company that Seaborne was relying on to carry out the shipping pulled out PA Grayling's biggest failings Criminal courts charge In 2015, then Justice Secretary Grayling introduced a policy whereby convicted criminals would have to pay from 150-1200 towards the cost of their case. The policy was criticised for compelling defendants to plead guilty and led to protests by magistrates. The policy was scrapped by Michael Gove when he became Justice Secretary later that year PA Grayling's biggest failings Cyclists not road users As Transport Secretary, Grayling once failed to recognise cyclists as road users PA It found that almost two-thirds of people freed from prison sentences of under one year reoffend, and the problem is being worsened by homelessness and difficulties accessing benefits. A report warned that the introduction of a years post-release supervision for all offenders, even those jailed for just weeks, was driving an expensive merry-go-round in and out of jail. Dame Glenys Stacey, the chief inspector of probation, said the changes had increased the prison population amid a crisis with record levels of violence, self-harm and rife drug abuse. A good number of people are being recalled to prison because they miss appointments we saw one individual recalled after three days, she told The Independent. Prisons are spending time and public resource receiving people and releasing them a short time later. The government said it would keep one key aspect of Mr Graylings Transforming Rehabilitation policy, which extended post-release supervision to around 40,000 extra offenders a year. Officials hailed the change a success when announcing reforms last week, but Dame Glenys said the one size fits all approach was causing more people to be needlessly jailed for violating conditions. She called for a more tailored approach that takes into account peoples circumstances, addictions, family circumstances and mental health needs. There needs to be a more holistic and system-wide approach for people with chaotic lifestyles and complex needs, Dame Glenys said. Michael Portillo calls Chris Grayling 'most incompetent minister of all-time' The standard supervision for some of these people is just not enough. Analysis by the Prison Reform Trust found that since the reforms were introduced, the rate of people being recalled to prison had risen by 29 per cent for men and 166 per cent for women. Head of policy Mark Day said: While the reforms appear to have had no discernible impact on reoffending, recall rates have rocketed, disrupting lives and placing unnecessary pressure on an already overcrowded and overstretched prison system. The justice secretary has signalled his willingness to follow the evidence by bringing offender management back into the public sector. He should now follow the advice of his chief inspector by ending the unfair and disproportionate mandatory supervision of short-sentenced prisoners. The Howard League for Penal Reform said the changes had not made the public any safer. Chief executive Frances Crook added: It has trapped tens of thousands of people in the criminal justice system for even longer than necessary. This has blighted lives and put an intolerable strain on prisons, and it should be abandoned immediately. Almost one in three people being released from prison are homeless, and 83 per cent of homeless ex-offenders monitored by inspectors committed more crime. Officials believe some are being jailed for stealing food. The inspectorate said that universal credit can only be claimed after people are released from prison, and with great difficulty if they do not have a permanent address, documentation and internet access. The lack of accommodation and money make the first days following release particularly difficult, Dame Glenys added. Those leaving custody after a short sentence are very likely to need early help and are likely to return to prison promptly without it. Judges and magistrates are not being given reports on offenders before they jail them (Getty) She called for the government to mount a strategy to tackle the lack of accommodation, barriers to claiming universal credit, and better access to mental health and substance misuse services, adding: Those things can be looked at regardless of what the government does with the future model of probation. The Ministry of Justice has announced a consultation on changes that will see offender supervision handed to the public National Probation Service in spring 2021. Under the new model, 11 probation regions across England and Wales will commission private companies to provide unpaid work, substance misuse programmes, training courses, community service and housing support. David Gauke has called for prison sentences of under six months to be scrapped in favour of community punishments, but Dame Glenys said the measure would be pointless if supervision and rehabilitation is not improved. Inspectors found prisoners were being poorly prepared for release in some areas, and the National Probation Service was failing to provide court reports on offenders health and circumstances. It is plainly unacceptable for magistrates and judges to sentence a person to custody without the benefit of essential information and advice on why they offended, their current circumstances and any alternative sentence options, Dame Glenys said. A system-wide approach as well as much more purposeful probation supervision is needed. Without it, individuals are locked in an expensive merry-go-round of criminal justice processes and the public are left at undue risk. Mr Gauke said: I am determined to have a more effective probation system that commands the confidence of the courts, rehabilitates offenders and ultimately better protects the public. That is why just last week we set out our future vision for probation bringing all offender management under the National Probation Service and harnessing the skills of voluntary and private providers to boost rehabilitation. I want to move away from often ineffective short prison sentences and towards robust community alternatives which turn offenders away from crime and ultimately reduce reoffending. We will now carefully consider the recommendations in this report as we develop our future plans. As a furious battle gets under way at the top of the Conservative Party for influence over the future of Brexit, chancellor Philip Hammond is to issue a warning of the dangers of a pivot to no-deal. The chancellor will tell industry bosses that, despite the collapse of cross-party talks with Labour, the government must keep pressing for a Brexit deal compromise that a majority in parliament and the country can accept. His warning comes as Cabinet gathers on Tuesday to finalise a new Brexit package which Theresa May hopes will secure her legacy, at the fourth time of asking, as the prime minister who took the UK out of the European Union. The new bold offer promised by Ms May is expected to contain legislative measures to protect workplace and environmental safeguards, as well as pledges of concerted government action to ensure a technical solution to customs issues on the Irish border is in place before the much-criticised backstop comes into effect at the end of 2020. Cabinet will also decide whether to give MPs a chance to take part in indicative votes on key issues such as ruling out no-deal or a second referendum before the Withdrawal Agreement Bill package comes before the Commons next month. In one-to-one meetings with key ministers ahead of the meeting, Ms May is believed to have argued that if her deal falls, it would make a no-deal Brexit, a second referendum or a general election more likely. With a timetable for the PMs departure expected within weeks, rival factions are avidly setting out their visions for the party when she is gone. Leave-supporting Esther McVey made her pitch with a declaration that the new Tory leader must be a Brexiteer who believes in Brexit, while her successor as work and pensions secretary Amber Rudd a former Remain campaigner vowed to take on extremists who offer falsehoods that are presented as simple choices. Esther McVey said the new leader must be a Brexiteer who believes in Brexit (PA) In his speech to the CBI, Mr Hammond is expected to warn of the dangers of the populism of both right and left and say that the current focus on the risks of a pivot to no-deal must not obscure the even greater risks of a government led by Jeremy Corbyn. Despite the breakdown of cross-party talks, he will say that no solution is sustainable unless it has a parliamentary majority behind it. Meanwhile, international development secretary Rory Stewart, who has already declared himself a candidate for the leadership, cautioned the party not to try to out-Farage Nigel Farage by pursuing a dangerous no-deal outcome, which he said would make Britain poorer. Their comments will be seen as part of a concerted drive by former Remainers in Ms Mays cabinet to fend off a lurch towards no deal by possible successors such as Boris Johnson or Dominic Raab. Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Show all 9 1 /9 Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Boris Johnson Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson has long been hopeful, he previously stood in the leadership contest that followed the Brexit vote and has at many times since been thought to be maneuvering himself towards the goal. He remains a darling of the party's right wing, particularly those in the ERG, and is the most popular choice among Tory voters but his leadership bid would be fiercely opposed by many MPs PA Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Michael Gove Environment secretary Michael Gove is another member who has long wanted to be leader. He has lately been known for rousing his party in the commons, his recent speeches on the Brexit deal and Labour's no confidence motion have overshadowed the Prime Minister's. He has been loyal to the Prime Minister, partly to shed his reputation as a backstabber who abandoned Boris Johnson to stand against him in the 2016 leadership election Getty Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Dominic Raab Former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab has emerged as a favourite to be the Brexiteer candidate in a contest to succeed to Ms May. He displayed a grip on detail in his role as Brexit secretary. When asked recently if he would like to become prime minister he replied "never say never" Getty Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Rory Stewart International development secretary Rory Stewart is pitching himself as the sensible candidate, promising to rule out both a second referendum and a no-deal Brexit. He was only recently promoted to the cabinet, previously serving as prisons minister, where he caught headlines with a pledge to resign if he could not reduce levels of violence within a year PA Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Esther McVey The former work and pensions secretary announced that she will be standing for the leadership when May leaves. McVey is the first to explicitly state that she intends to stand. She resigned from the cabinet in protest over May's Brexit deal AFP/Getty Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Sajid Javid Home secretary Sajid Javid is said to have a plan in place for a leadership race. He made headlines over Christmas when he declared that people smuggling over the English channel was a "major incident" and more recently when he revoked the citizenship of ISIS bride Shamima Begum. Son of a bus driver, he wants the Conservatives to be seen as the party of social mobility PA Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Jeremy Hunt Foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt was recently thought to be the favourite in the event of a leadership race as he could sell himself as the man to unite the party. Critics worry that his long stint as health secretary could return to haunt him at a general election. He has reportedly been holding meetings with Tory MPs over breakfast to promote his leadership PA Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Andrea Leadsom Following the Prime Minister's second defeat over her Brexit deal, Leader of the house Andrea Leadsom hosted a dinner party at which "leadership was the only topic of conversation", The Times heard. Leadsom ran against Theresa May in the 2016 leadership election before dropping out, allowing May to become Prime Minister AFP/Getty Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Priti Patel Former international development secretary Priti Patel is thought to be positioning herself as a contender. One MP told The Independent "she knows she's from the right of the party, the part which is going to choose the next leader, so she's reminding everyone she's there." Patel left the government late in 2017 after it emerged that she had held undisclosed meetings with Israeli officials PA Offering her backing to a new One Nation caucus of centrist Tory MPs, Ms Rudd appeared to take a swipe at Mr Johnson by denouncing politicians who are more interested in soundbites than sound debate. She called for a moderate, pro-business, low-tax Conservative Party able to deliver a pragmatic Brexit. Moderates must hold our ground in the face of inroads made into the Tory vote by Mr Farages Brexit Party, she said. Mr Stewart warned that if the Tories actively pursue no-deal, they will be saying goodbye to younger voters, people in cities, people in Scotland. But Ms McVey, who has declared herself a contender in the upcoming contest, said there should be no more backsliding on the UKs exit, even if it means leaving without a deal on 31 October. EU says it can't do anything to help on Brexit talks: 'London talks to London' Asked whether her call for Ms Mays successor to be a Brexiteer ruled out foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt, who supported Remain in the referendum but has since garnered a degree of support among MPs by adopting an increasingly Eurosceptic position, she replied: I said it has to be a Brexiteer who believes in Brexit It has to be somebody who believes, who has got the passion to drive it forward. Health secretary Matt Hancock dodged the question of whether he would stand for the leadership, but told the BBC that Ms Mays successor must put the absolutely four-square in the centre-ground of British politics. Theresa Mays last-ditch attempt to salvage her Brexit plan looked doomed to failure as angry Tory MPs deserted her and opposition parties gave a cold shoulder to efforts to woo them. The prime minister launched an audacious bid to win support for her new deal with a string of concessions specifically tailored to win over Labour MPs, Remainers, Brexit hardliners and Ulster unionists. Among them were a Commons vote on whether a Final Say referendum should be held before ratification, a promise to safeguard European standards of workplace and environmental protections, and a choice on the future customs arrangements the UK should pursue with the EU. But there was no promise of a free vote for Tory MPs on the fresh public vote and no guarantee that Remain would be an option on the ballot paper. Jeremy Corbyn immediately announced his party could not support the EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill package. The DUPs Nigel Dodds said the proposals described by the PM as a bold new approach to Brexit retained fundamental flaws of earlier plans unchanged. At least a dozen former Tory rebels who switched to back the PM in the third meaningful vote in March, keeping her margin of defeat down to 58, said that they would vote against the new deal. Among them was leadership hopeful Dominic Raab, who said: I cannot support legislation that would be the vehicle for a second referendum or customs union. Either option would frustrate rather than deliver Brexit. Boris Johnson - who backed the PM in March - said: "The Bill is directly against our manifesto - and I will not vote for it. We can and must do better - and deliver what the people voted for." Ms May outlined her deal at the Charing Cross offices of consultancy firm PWC in London, after an extended three-hour cabinet meeting at which robust opposition to a second referendum was offered by ministers including Andrea Leadsom and Chris Grayling. Describing it as a new offer to find common ground in parliament, the PM said she had tried to respond to concerns from all sides of the house and reach out to every single one of my colleagues to make the very best offer I can. She warned that a second referendum would risk opening the door to a nightmare future of permanently polarised politics. And outright rejection of her deal would mean an orderly negotiated Brexit any time soon was dead in the water. Theresa May promises parliamentary vote on second referendum in desperate bid to force through exit plan In a direct appeal for support in the withdrawal agreement bill vote which will determine her fate in the first week of June, she said: I say with conviction to every MP of every party I have compromised. Now I ask you to compromise too. But Mr Corbyn said that on the key issues of customs, market alignment and environmental protections, Ms May was offering no more than a repackaging of the same old bad deal, rejected three times by parliament. And Mr Dodds said: Many of the proposals on the backstop serve as an attempt through domestic law to mitigate a bad deal, whereas the focus should be on getting a better deal. The PM faced a hail of scorn from Tory backbenchers who had switched to back her in March, including Charlie Elphicke, who dismissed her package as a dogs breakfast, and former leader Iain Duncan Smith, who called it a bad buffet of non-Brexit options. Key concessions included: A legal obligation to seek technological solutions to the Irish border issue by the end of 2020, to avoid the need for the controversial backstop, together with a commitment that mainland Britain will remain aligned with Northern Ireland under any backstop arrangement; A right for MPs to approve negotiating objectives for future relations with the EU; A Workers Rights Bill to guarantee protections no less favourable than in the EU; No changes to levels of environmental protection after Brexit; As close to frictionless trade as possible with the EU outside the single market; and An MPs vote on the compromise offer of a temporary customs union. Aides said that the PM intends to have key votes completed in time to go to the European Council summit in Brussels on 20 June to renegotiate elements of the political declaration on future relationships agreed in November. But they were unable to give a timetable for a second referendum if MPs back the Final Say option. Previous estimates suggest a public vote would take months to organise, almost certainly forcing a further extension of the Brexit deadline of 31 October. Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Show all 9 1 /9 Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Boris Johnson Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson has long been hopeful, he previously stood in the leadership contest that followed the Brexit vote and has at many times since been thought to be maneuvering himself towards the goal. He remains a darling of the party's right wing, particularly those in the ERG, and is the most popular choice among Tory voters but his leadership bid would be fiercely opposed by many MPs PA Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Michael Gove Environment secretary Michael Gove is another member who has long wanted to be leader. He has lately been known for rousing his party in the commons, his recent speeches on the Brexit deal and Labour's no confidence motion have overshadowed the Prime Minister's. He has been loyal to the Prime Minister, partly to shed his reputation as a backstabber who abandoned Boris Johnson to stand against him in the 2016 leadership election Getty Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Dominic Raab Former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab has emerged as a favourite to be the Brexiteer candidate in a contest to succeed to Ms May. He displayed a grip on detail in his role as Brexit secretary. When asked recently if he would like to become prime minister he replied "never say never" Getty Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Rory Stewart International development secretary Rory Stewart is pitching himself as the sensible candidate, promising to rule out both a second referendum and a no-deal Brexit. He was only recently promoted to the cabinet, previously serving as prisons minister, where he caught headlines with a pledge to resign if he could not reduce levels of violence within a year PA Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Esther McVey The former work and pensions secretary announced that she will be standing for the leadership when May leaves. McVey is the first to explicitly state that she intends to stand. She resigned from the cabinet in protest over May's Brexit deal AFP/Getty Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Sajid Javid Home secretary Sajid Javid is said to have a plan in place for a leadership race. He made headlines over Christmas when he declared that people smuggling over the English channel was a "major incident" and more recently when he revoked the citizenship of ISIS bride Shamima Begum. Son of a bus driver, he wants the Conservatives to be seen as the party of social mobility PA Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Jeremy Hunt Foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt was recently thought to be the favourite in the event of a leadership race as he could sell himself as the man to unite the party. Critics worry that his long stint as health secretary could return to haunt him at a general election. He has reportedly been holding meetings with Tory MPs over breakfast to promote his leadership PA Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Andrea Leadsom Following the Prime Minister's second defeat over her Brexit deal, Leader of the house Andrea Leadsom hosted a dinner party at which "leadership was the only topic of conversation", The Times heard. Leadsom ran against Theresa May in the 2016 leadership election before dropping out, allowing May to become Prime Minister AFP/Getty Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Priti Patel Former international development secretary Priti Patel is thought to be positioning herself as a contender. One MP told The Independent "she knows she's from the right of the party, the part which is going to choose the next leader, so she's reminding everyone she's there." Patel left the government late in 2017 after it emerged that she had held undisclosed meetings with Israeli officials PA Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable said his party would not back the bill without a guarantee of a referendum, while Final Say-backing Green MP Caroline Lucas said Ms May had done no more than put lipstick on a pig. The interim chief executive of the Best for Britain campaign for a Final Say vote, Naomi Smith, rejected Ms Mays offer as a trap and a pretty transparent one at that, adding: Remainers from all parties should not be fooled; they must still vote this terrible deal down. "On the populist right, there are those who now claim that the only outcome that counts as a truly legitimate Brexit is to leave with no deal. "Let me remind them: the 2016 Leave campaign was clear that we would leave with a deal. "So to advocate for no deal is to hijack the result of the referendum, and in doing so, knowingly to inflict damage on our economy and our living standards. "Because all the preparation in the world will not avoid the consequences of no deal. "So I will continue to fight, in the face of this polarisation, for a negotiated Brexit - an outcome that respects the British people's decision to leave, while recognising that there is no mandate for a no-deal exit, and that we have an absolute obligation to protect Britain's jobs, businesses and future prosperity. "But we need to be clear that if we do not resolve this issue in the next few weeks, there is a real risk of a new prime minister abandoning the search for a deal, and shifting towards seeking a damaging no-deal exit as a matter of policy... to protect an ideological position which ignores the reality of Britain's economic interests and the value of our union." The Brexit Party has refused to rule out joining a new alliance far-right parties in the European Parliament, fuelling concerns that Nigel Farage could link up with extremist parties once safely re-elected. Matteo Salvini, leader of Italys extreme-right League party, invited Mr Farages new outfit to join his group at the weekend, saying he was waiting for the arch-eurosceptic. Brexit Party did not respond to repeated requests by The Independent to clarify whether it would be joining the alliance, which would see it sit alongside Mr Salvini, Marine Le Pen, and other extreme-right parties from across the continent. Mr Farage previously claimed that he had founded The Brexit Party to escape Ukips increasingly extremist direction. The new outfit is leading in the polls ahead of this weeks European Parliament election despite so far having left voters in the dark about what its policies are on issues beyond EU membership. I'm waiting for Nigel Farage. We can work together, I hope, Mr Salvini told the BBC on Saturday, responding yes when asked if he wanted the Brexit Party to join his group. The Italian interior minister, whose party has provoked controversy with proposals to ban critical academic textbooks and make migrants homeless, added that he would like to link up with the Brexit Party on the issues of immigration and economics. Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliament's Brexit coordinator, told The Independent: It is time for Mr Farage to come clean and rule out a coalition of hate with Mr Salvini and his gang of proRussian puppets, who have benefitted from Russia's special war against the West and are a threat to our security and our traditional values. Salvini, Farage and their proKremlin extreme right have consistently opposed EU sanctions against Russia. Farage even voted against a European Parliament resolution in March criticising the Kremlin for the Skripal attacks in Salisbury. The British people need to know the truth about their sordid plans for our continent. Italian far-right leader Matteo Salvini and Hungary's authoritarian prime minister Viktor Orban in Budapest (AP) Mr Salvini launched the new group in April to unite popular and far-right groups from across the continent in a single group in the Parliament, with the stated objective of taking control of the EU institutions. French far-right leader Ms Le Pen said at the time that said she wanted the largest group possible and that Mr Farage was "welcome" in the alliance. French far-right leader Marine Le Pen (EPA) Projections based on polling from the EUs 28 member states suggest that populist, eurosceptic, and far-right groups would form the largest group in the parliament if they united together but they have so far remained splintered due to political differences and personal rivalries. 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 Italian leader has already recruited the anti-Islam Danish Peoples Party, Marines Le Pens National Rally (formerly National Front), and Germanys AfD parties into his group, with more expected to follow. It is unclear whether other parties such as Viktor Orbans Fidesz will join the Hungarian prime minister currently sits in the mainstream conservative EPP group, though his party has been suspended. Mr Farage's Brexit Party MEPs would give the group a substantial boost to its numbers, owing to the size of the UK and the number of MEPs it elects. A larger group would give it more power to get members on influential European Parliament committees and influencing EU policies during the crucial post-election period and beyond. Theresa May has refused to commit to holding a fresh Brexit referendum even if MPs vote for it, as she made a last-gasp bid to rescue her deal. The prime minister announced she would allow a Commons vote on the controversy if MPs give initial approval to the withdrawal agreement bill but immediately cast doubt on whether a public vote would follow. What the House of Commons will be saying is what they want to see in the final bill, Ms May said, declining to say she would legislate for a Final Say referendum. Labour MPs immediately protested that the compromise proposal fell far short of their demand for a cast-iron commitment on the face of the bill. Its like the PM really does think we are all daft, tweeted Stella Creasy, a Labour supporter of another referendum. Recommended EU opens investigation into Nigel Farage gifts from millionaire tycoon Another, Peter Kyle, said he wanted a clean, simple confirmatory public ballot, adding: The prime minister promised a strange, complex, Commons process. This is not leadership and not good enough. And a third Labour MP, Hilary Benn, warned: The government will have to commit to support a confirmatory referendum if they want to get the Bill through. Otherwise, all the signs are that it wont pass. It is believed that Ms May proposed a free vote on a second referendum at a stormy cabinet meeting, but was challenged implying she would whip against it, if the Commons vote takes place. That looks unlikely as pro-Brexit Tories also lined up to attack what the prime minister called her new Brexit deal, as she delivered a speech in central London. Andrew Percy, who had supported the deal in earlier votes, was among several who announced they were switching sides pointing to even the possibility of a second referendum. People were told in the referendum, it was the final say on the matter for a generation it would be implemented, he warned. During the speech, Ms May made clear her opposition to a referendum was undiminished, saying: I have made my own view clear on this many times. I do not believe this is a route that we should take. Downing Street also indicated there would be no requirement in the bill for Remain to be an option on the ballot paper, if a referendum was staged. Ms May also offered little incentive for Labour MPs to come to her by refusing to hold a vote on a permanent customs union instead offering only a temporary arrangement. And she ducked questions about her likely resignation if the bill is rejected at the start of June, saying: That was last weeks news. Last week, under pressure from the 1922 Committee of backbench Conservatives, the prime minister agreed to set out a timetable for leaving by the summer, if her gamble fails. The good news for Change UK members canvassing in Liverpool on Tuesday was that no milkshakes were thrown. In a European election build up where the dairy drink has become the protest missile of choice against Brexiteers and bigots, the most dispiriting thing chucked at this new progressive pro-Remain party has perhaps been the recurring question: who? Which brings us to the bad news. Despite bringing some of their big(ish) guns though no Chuka, no Anna, no Heidi to this stringently pro-European city, Change UK was met with what might generously be called indifference. During 20 minutes of canvassing in the centre and around the Royal Albert Docks, there was almost zero recognition of either the partys two attendant MPs, Mike Gapes and Chris Leslie, or its regional MEP candidates, Andrea Cooper and Arun Banerji. Few people allowed themselves to be engaged beyond accepting leaflets. At a small rallying event afterwards held in a conference room of a Jurys Inn only a dozen or so people turned up. They were outnumbered by customers sat downstairs in the hotel bar. And this was 4pm. Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises Show all 15 1 /15 Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises Nigel Farage has spent his political career campaigning for the UK to leave the EU. Twitter/Led By Donkeys Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises Boris Johnson's support for Brexit took many by surprise before the EU referendum. Twitter/Led By Donkeys Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises The UK and EU are yet to agree on a withdrawal deal. Twitter/Led By Donkeys Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises This was taken from a 2012 speech delivered by Mr Davis. He does not currently support a second Brexit referendum. Twitter/Led By Donkeys Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises Boris Johnson now supports a hard Brexit and resigned from the cabinet in 2018 over Theresa May's strategy. Twitter/Led By Donkeys Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises The US recently issued trade negotiation objectives for future talks with the UK. The country made clear that it expects access to the UK's agriculture industry, reviving the debate about chlorinated chicken. Twitter/Led By Donkeys Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises Nigel Farage does not support the current campaign for a second Brexit referendum. Twitter/Led By Donkeys Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises Despite this quote, in February 2019 Boris Johnson said a no deal Brexit "may yet be the best option for the UK". Twitter/Led By Donkeys Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises The UK and EU are yet to begin negotiating a deal regarding their future relationship. Twitter/Led By Donkeys Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises Theresa May announced that the UK would be leaving the Single Market in her Lancaster House speech in January 2017. Twitter/Led By Donkeys Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises Theresa May triggered Article 50 on 29 March 2017. Her withdrawal deal is yet to be passed. Twitter/Led By Donkeys Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises A classic from the 2015 general election campaign. David Cameron resigned on 24 June 2016, following the EU referendum result. Twitter/Led By Donkeys Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises David Davis resigned from his post as Brexit secretary in July 2018 after disagreeing with Theresa May's negotiation strategy. Twitter/Led By Donkeys Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises Michael Gove was one of the most influential Leave voices during the EU referendum campaign. Twitter/Led By Donkeys Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises Jacob Rees-Mogg, a prominent backbencher, does not support a second Brexit referendum. He has called the use of this quote "fundamentally dishonest" as it was taken from a 2011 speech discussing the option of referendum before David Cameron entered negotiations with the EU. Such a vote was never held. Twitter/Led By Donkeys When I told one such drinker what was happening on the floor above, he seemed unbothered. Never heard of them, mate, he noted. He had, for what its worth, heard of the Brexit Party. Were a small party and we dont expect to make an immediate breakthrough, said Mr Gapes when asked about this apparent lack of interest. But we are planting our flag and were not going away. I think of this like a start-up business and it comes with all the opportunities and challenges of a start-up business. So, we dont have the party machinery of the Labour and the Tories because were starting something new and fresh. But that brings possibilities. Its hard work but its exciting. This is the most exciting thing, politically, Ive ever been part of. Both Labour and the Tories took years to be properly established, his colleague Mr Leslie pointed out, flyers in hand. By comparison, were up and running in a little over five weeks. I call that a success. Yet, in Liverpool at least, the optimism of the movements early days when eight Labour and three Tory MPs quit their respective parties to form The Independent Group seemed a long way off. Back then, there was talk that more parliamentarians would join them and that this nascent group created with the twin aims of pushing for a second EU referendum and taking the political centre ground could change the course of both Brexit and British political history. It was, its twin spokespeople Anna Soubry and Chuka Umunna repeatedly said, the natural home of Britains 16.1 million Remainers. Today, 24 hours before voting booths open for European elections, it is polling, nationally, at just 3 per cent. A third of people asked by YouGov do not even know that Change UK wants to stay in the EU. Which may be especially galling because, strictly speaking, staying in the EU is the only real policy it has so far. So perturbed by this lack of progress was David Macdonald, their lead candidate in Scotland, that last week he told supporters to back the Lib Dems to shore up the Remain vote. Another of their better-known names Rachel Johnson was just as blunt in a Times interview at the weekend: the rat that jumps on the sinking ship, is how she described her decision to join the party. Even party leader Heidi Allen seems unconvinced by what is happening. In a Radio 4 interview on Monday she appeared to throw doubt on whether there would even be a Change UK by the time of any new general election: the format might be slightly different, she said when asked if she would stand for the party at such a contest. Independent Minds Events: get involved in the news agenda And yet, despite all these setbacks challenges appears to be the shorthand used by those involved there remained a sense that these elections are far from lost during Tuesdays campaigning in Liverpool. Being involved with this has been the best month of my life, said Andrea Cooper, a youth charity strategy manager who is the partys lead candidate in the northwest. And I think we might be surprised on Thursday. When Ive been out and about across the region, the people I speak to are consistently saying they get what were about, that they support what were doing. Were winning the arguments. They recognise Chuka, and like him. But, of course, the party is just five-weeks-old so when were on the street, we dont have the same brand recognition as Labour or the Tories. It would be unreasonable to think we could. The fact that Nigel Farages Brexit Party also just five-weeks-old already has huge recognition and is polling at 33 per does not concern her. Nigel Farage started his campaign 30 years ago, she said. Thats not really a new party. Andrea Cooper speaks during a European Parliament election campaign rally at the Manchester Technology Centre (AFP/Getty Images) Of equally little concern is the mockery the party has received for its bizarre symbol, four lines of black and white that looks not entirely unlike a redacted document. Indeed, as we spoke, I noticed she was wearing a top with a somewhat similar pattern. I bought it especially, she said. I saw it and thought I have to have that. She herself decided to stand, despite having no political experience, because she felt so passionately that being part of Europe is better for the future. I deal with young people every day for work they are struggling to get on the housing ladder and to find good jobs, and being out of Europe is only going to make that worse, she said, adding: A second referendum on the terms of any agreement will give the country a chance to turn away from this act of self-harm. Her wannabe MEP colleague, Arun Banerji, is a 27-year-old junior doctor one who was present at the Manchester Arena attack who says that staying in Europe is vital for public services to continue functioning. Voting Change UK is the only way to ensure that happens, he told me. As it happens, one person who turned up to the event at the Jurys Inn had already done just that. Suzanne Butler, a community nurse from Liverpool, cast her ballot when postal voting opened earlier this month. The 2016 referendum was a vote without the full facts and we need a new one, she said as the days canvassing came to an end. I take my hat off to this party because all these MPs, theyve risked their political careers for what they believe in, which is the right thing. And I think theyll do better than people think. I think this country likes people with principles, which is exactly what they have. Even if they dont do brilliantly this time round, the country needs a party like this. Indifference may have dominated this campaign but the future, it seems, could still be bright for Change UK. Fears about chlorinated chicken in UK shops after Brexit have been dismissed by a US food official as he revealed poultry is now being washed in acetic acid instead. American food safety standards are more advanced and more modern than the old-fashioned EU approach, Ken Isley of the US Department of Agriculture insisted, in a combative interview. Criticism has grown in the UK that ministers will bow to US pressure to accept chlorine-washed chicken if Britain does leave the EU, in their desperation for a trade deal with Washington. The US mood was more upbeat last week when Liam Fox, the international trade secretary, argued it was no threat to food standards and could be impossible to ban, under World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules. Now Mr Isley has condemned myths, adding: I think the concerns and fear are unfounded. I would stack US food safety and our food safety record against anywhere in the world. Chlorinated chicken is an example. That practice and processing is very, very limited in the US now and is being phased out, not for food safety reasons, but because newer technologies become available. 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 Asked, ahead of a food convention in Chicago, what new technology exists, he replied: Theres acetic acid, is one of them. Attacking practices in the EU, food official added: In a lot of ways, it [the EU approach] is old-fashioned, its based on traditions, not based on modern science and technology. The comments were quickly criticised by the consumer group Which?, highlighting how foodborne disease in the US is around 10 times higher than in Britain. The problem with chlorinated chicken and similar treatments is that they are too often used as a desperate attempt to make up for widespread safety problems in the US food production process, which can leave bacteria like salmonella to run rampant, said Caroline Normand, its director of policy. Brexit is an opportunity to design a joined up food and farming policy that ensures food is produced to the highest standards the nations health needs must not be used as a bargaining chip that could be given away to facilitate trade. The row follows the publication of the USs negotiating objectives, which would remove barriers on sanitary and phytosanitary standards in order to sell chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-pumped beef, critics said. Last week, Mr Fox said: Theres been no argument about food safety on chlorine-washed chicken its been an argument about animal welfare, he told an event. So, its not been about food standards per se, so thats a slightly different debate and much more difficult to quantify because the legal definitions about it at the WTO are much less. The comments directly contradicted Michael Gove, the environment secretary, who asked nearly two years ago if chlorine-washed chicken would be allowed in replied simply: No. Millions of EU citizens are demanding urgent action to stop them being turned away from polling booths at the European elections because of red tape. The government has been accused of failing to make clear that EU nationals in this country must fill in an additional form in order to vote on Thursday. Now a support group is calling for them to be allowed to sign a statement at the polling station confirming their vote will only be used in the UK to avoid being disenfranchised. An official complaint to the Electoral Commission accuses the watchdog of having reneged on a commitment to avoid a repeat of the same problems at the last EU elections, five years ago. The controversy comes as EU citizens are expected to flock to the voting booths, to make clear their anger at the handling of Brexit and the threat to their future rights in the UK. Recommended Everything you need to know about European Parliament elections The3million support group highlighted the case of a Dutch couple living in Theresa Mays Maidenhead constituency, who did return forms only to be told they had not been received and they could not vote. 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 It is a basic human right to vote, the couple, who did not wish to be identified, said. Having had no say in Brexit this vote was extremely important to us. More than 30 MPs from all parties with the exception of the Conservatives have signed a parliamentary motion demanding ministers act to rescue the situation. Local authorities are urged to make the additional form that EU citizens need to complete in order to declare they are not voting in another EU member state the UC1 form available at all polling stations on 23 May. Nicolas Hatton, the chief executive of the3million group, said the commission was in danger of breaching EU law requiring citizens to be informed in good time and in an appropriate manner of the conditions and detailed arrangements for the exercise of the right to vote. He also protested that some councils had failed citizens by sending out false advice and sending the required extra form too late for it to be returned on time. The combined effect of the Electoral Commissions insufficient guidance and local authorities inconsistency effectively undermines equal access to voting rights, Mr Hatton said. The commission denied that it had been late in communicating with EU citizens about the two-step process, arguing it wrote to councils as early as 4 April before the prime minister confirmed they would go ahead. We advised EROs [electoral registration officers] to identify such electors and send them a declaration form. It said any request for a change in the process would require a change in the law and was a matter for the government. The European Parliament has formally opened an investigation into claims that Nigel Farage failed to declare nearly half a million pounds in gifts from an insurance tycoon under investigation by the National Crime Agency. A source close to European Parliament president Antonio Tajani confirmed to The Independent that the Brexit Party leaders case had been referred to the advisory committee that scrutinises financial matters. It comes as the UKs own Electoral Commission visited the partys offices on Tuesday as part of a probe into its finances. It was claimed last week that the Brexit Party leader has been given as much as 450,000 in kind by Arron Banks, including a chauffeur-driven car, rent and bills on a 4.4m Chelsea home, and lavish trips to the United States to meet with right-wing politicians. But none of the gifts, detailed in invoices seen by Channel 4 News, were declared on Mr Farages register of interests with the European parliament, which is designed to prevent MEPs from keeping their conflicts of interests secret. The Independent revealed at the weekend that one of the legislatures quaestors senior MEPs responsible for the bodys financial and administrative matters had called on Mr Tajani to investigate these apparent contraventions as a matter of urgency. The launch of the inquiry comes days before British voters are set to go to the polls for the European parliament elections, with Mr Farages Brexit Party thought to be heading for a runaway victory with an anti-EU, anti-establishment message. The quaestor, Catherine Bearder, a Lib Dem MEP, had cited parliamentary rules governing conflicts of interests, including Article 6(1) covering the renumerated attendance of events. Under European parliament rules, Mr Farage could be fined up to around 10,000 (8,800) through withholding of his subsistence allowance if he is found to have broken the rules. He could also be suspended from all or some of the activities of parliament for a period of between two and 30 days though his right to vote cannot be removed. Responding to the news that the investigation had been opened, Ms Bearder told The Independent: I look forward to seeing the verdict of the Conduct Committee and I expect President Tajani to implement their decision fully. Farage bangs on about people losing trust in politicians, but can the people trust him to declare his financial support correctly? Mr Farage told Channel 4 News no comment on their investigation, but later told the BBC: Whatever happened after the referendum I was leaving politics, it happened mostly in America, it had nothing to do with politics, nothing to do with the Brexit Party, it was purely on a personal basis. I was looking for a new career and a new life its got nothing to do with anything, its a purely private matter. 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 However, Mr Farage remained an MEP and continued to draw his MEPs salary throughout the whole period, meaning the gifts would likely have had to have been declared under transparency rules. Asked if he had declared the money with the European parliament authorities, he said: Of course not, its a purely private matter, non-political in absolutely every way. Mr Banks said: Channel 4s attempts to smear myself and Nigel come at a time when the Brexit Party is riding high in the polls, so it should come as no surprise to anyone. The Electoral Commissions separate investigation is into a different issue: the nature of donations taken by the party. A spokesperson for the Electoral Commission said if there was evidence that the law may have been broken by the party, it would consider it in line with our enforcement policy. A rare great white shark has been spotted in the Long Island Sound on the northwest US coast. The 9ft 8in predator was found just off the shore near Greenwich in Connecticut, according to ocean research company Ocearch. As far as we know, its unusual for white sharks to visit the area, the firm tweeted. Ocearch has been tracking the fish, which is not yet fully grown, since 2018. The company said on Monday that it was tracking a great white shark in the Sound for the first time ever. Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program Show all 15 1 /15 Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program Campaigners in Australia have today released photographs showing sharks in snared in hooks placed as part of the Queensland governments Shark Control Program HSI/AMCS/N McLachlan Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program Operating in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, the program is intended to reduce the threat of attacks in Queenslands waters by capturing sharks with nets and drumlines, permanent fishing hooks buoyed off coast HSI/AMCS/N McLachlan Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program A diagram showing the drumlines used by the Queensland government to catch sharks Queensland Government Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) and Humane Society International (HIS) are calling for the immediate removal of the drumlines HSI/AMCS/N McLachlan Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program Though Queensland has seen a decline in fatal attacks since the program launched in 1962, campaigners argue that control measures are not proportional to the threat posed by sharks and lament the programs devastating effect on certain shark populations HSI/AMCS/N McLachlan Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program For example, nearly 9000 tiger sharks have been caught since the program was launched HSI/AMCS/N McLachlan Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program Their numbers have dropped by up to three quarters says Dr Leonardo Guida, senior shark campaigner at Australian Marine Conservation Society HSI/AMCS/N McLachlan Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program Citing the findings of the recent official Australian Shark Report Card, Dr Guida continues numbers will keep dropping unless we make major improvements to the way they are managed HSI/AMCS/N McLachlan Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program The government should not be sanctioning the culling of a species in such perilous decline HSI/AMCS/N McLachlan Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program The release of this footage comes weeks before the implementation of a law that would make its capture illegal HSI/AMCS/N McLachlan Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program The Queensland Governments Fisheries Amendment Bill 2018 outlaws being within 20 metres of shark control equipment on the grounds of public safety, but campaigners view it as a way to hide the impact of the Shark Control Program HSI/AMCS/N McLachlan Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program Nicola Beynon, head of campaigns at HIS says not only does the Queensland Government insist on slaughtering sharks, but it has recently passed legislation making it illegal to document the horror. The public has a right to see true cost of its Shark Control Program HSI/AMCS/N McLachlan Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program A diagram showing the nets used by the Queensland government to catch sharks Queensland Government Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program Tiger sharks are a particular concern for campaigners HSI/AMCS/N McLachlan Sharks in Great Barrier Reef threatened by government program Tiger sharks are a particular concern for campaigners HSI/AMCS/N McLachlan But chairman Chris Fischer told News 12 Connecticut that it was not unheard of for the species to be seen in the region. Nonetheless, he said, we were quite surprised to see this one so far to the west. Indeed, Ocearch tweeted in September 2016 that it had tracked a smaller great white named Montauk in the same body of water. Mr Fischer told ABC News on Monday: I think its a really great sign for the Sound because these white sharks only go where theres an abundant amount of life, where the water is in pretty good shape. Thats a real positive sign. A baby boy, cut from his mother's womb after her murder last month, opened his eyes for the first time on Tuesday as he fights for his life in a Chicago hospital. The mother, 19-year-old Marlen Ochoa-Lopez, was nine months pregnant when she was killed last month. Clarisa Figueroa and her daughter Desiree Figueroa have been arrested as suspects. According to police, the pair had lured Ochoa-Lopez to their home under the pretext of offering her baby clothes. After strangling Ochoa-Lopez, the two allegedly cut the unborn baby out of her womb. Police said that they believe the elder Figuaroa had hoped to raise the child as her own after the recent death of her own son. Both Figueroas have been arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Clarissa's boyfriend, Piotr Bobak, has also been arrested and charged with concealing a homicide. The baby, who was removed from the womb almost two months premature, has been fighting for his life ever since. Recommended Chilling details surrounding pregnant murder victim in Chicago emerge Sunday however, a picture emerged of the little boy in the arms of his father, Yovany Lopez, apparently taken shortly after he had opened his eyes for the first time, CNN reported. "We were just praying and praying and he opened his eyes, and his dad said, 'Oh my God, he opened his eyes!'" Cecilia Garcia, a student pastor who is assisting the family and is the one who took the photo, told CNN. Garcia, said she was horrified when she first heard about the killing, but believes that the country has united in support of the family. "She's evoked the whole nation of people, pouring their love out for this family," Garcia said in reference to Marlen. "He's a single dad now, and we're praying this baby makes it." Alleged sex cult leader Keith Raniere expected his female followers to be as obedient as hungry dogs whether he wanted nude photos on demand, or food paid for out of their pockets, his trial has heard. Former devotee Lauren Salzman told a New York City jury that members of secret master-slave society Nxivm were brainwashed to respond at all hours when asked for acts of care. Among the written instructions for those in the sorority were: You should be a hungry dog for your master. Mr Raniere, 58, a purported self-help guru, sometimes ordered the women to paddle each other if they disobeyed his rules, Ms Salzman said. Her testimony came in the second week of a trial in which Mr Ranieres lawyers have claimed his contact with Nxivms members was consensual and intended to help with their personal growth. The world of Cults: in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 The world of Cults: in pictures The world of Cults: in pictures The Collective - London, UK Aravindan Balakrishnan, known as Comrade Bala within the women-only collective he founded 40 years ago, carried out a brutal campaign of sexual degradation against the women over several decades. In this picture, he stands with some of his cult followers including his daughter. Rex/words by Hardeep Matharu The world of Cults: in pictures The Collective - London, UK Balakrishnan brainwashed the cult into thinking he had God-like powers and that he could read their minds, as a means of subjecting them to years of abuse. Metropolitan Police/words by Hardeep Matharu The world of Cults: in pictures The Collective - London, UK Katy Morgan-Davies, 33, formerly known as Rosie Davies, who was kept as a prisoner by her father Aravindan Balakrishnan. Revealing her real identity, Miss Morgan-Davies said that waiving her anonymity was an important step to retrieve the identity the cult tried to steal from me. During his trial the judge said he had treated his daughter like an experiment. She said: Your treatment of her from her birth to the age of 26 was a catalogue of mental and physical abuse. She was slapped with slippers or a stick from a McDonald's balloon you kept for the purpose. PA/words by Hardeep Matharu The world of Cults: in pictures The Collective - London, UK Evidence picture showing the bedroom of the imprisoned daughter of Aravindan Balakrishnan. She was banned from leaving the house unaccompanied and routinely psychologically and physically abused. As a child, she became so lonely she would talk to the taps in the bathroom, and tried to make friends with the rats and mice that scuttled into the kitchen. After 30 years of being kept as a slave, she managed to escape in 2013 after memorising the number for an anti-slavery charity she saw on the news. Rex/words by Hardeep Matharu The world of Cults: in pictures The Collective - London, UK Boarded up windows in Peckford Place, Brixton, south London. Aravindan Balakrishnan was jailed for 23 years in 2016. To keep his devotees in check, Balakrishnan invented 'Jackie', which he said could kill or trigger earthquakes if anyone went against his will. He claimed that a challenge to his leadership resulted in the 1986 space shuttle disaster and Jackie, an invisible war machine, was responsible for the election of Jeremy Corbyn as Labour party leader. PA/words by Hardeep Matharu The world of Cults: in pictures The Peoples Temple - Guyana, South America Jim Jones, founder of the Peoples Temple sect in Jonestown, north Guyana, in 1978. Believers of the Peoples Temple of the Disciples of Christ followed Reverend Jones to Guyana in the Seventies, hoping to create a utopia in the jungle. Jonestown was envisaged as a rainbow family of all ages and races, the preacher had promised them: Divine principles. Total equality. A society where people own all things in common, where there is no rich or poor, where there are no races. AP/words by Adam Lusher The world of Cults: in pictures The Peoples Temple - Guyana, South America Reverend Jones wanted to create a glorious sacrifice, a defiant act of revolutionary suicide that would echo through history. Some disciples willingly colluded, cheering as he exhorted them to kill themselves and their children. But the bodies found with bent needles in their arms testified to the fact that some refused and were forcibly injected. Rex/words by Adam Lusher The world of Cults: in pictures The Peoples Temple - Guyana, South America When they finally counted the bodies after what would become known as the Jonestown massacre of 18 November 1978, the total came to 918, of whom 304 were children. They had been persuaded to drink the Kool-Aid, Flavor Aid, used to mask the bitter taste of cyanide, mixed with a dash of Valium. AP/words by Adam Lusher The world of Cults: in pictures Freemasonry cult - France Maude Julien, now 60, was forced to hold onto an electric fence for without showing feeling as a child. The ritual was considered to be a test of her willpower by her father, who wanted to make her superhuman. She says she was subjected to 18 years of controlling and manipulative behaviour by her father Louis Didier, an alcoholic who belonged to an esoteric lodge of Freemasonry which believed in the occult. He reportedly believed his daughter had been chosen as his protector, so sought to indoctrinate her and make her withstand torment by making her participate in cruel experiments. She says she was locked overnight in a rat-infested cellar to meditate about death. He forced her to drink whiskey before making her walk in a straight line, which she says led to the liver damage she lives with to this day. Didier adopted a 6-year-old girl, who he groomed to become his wife. The three lived in a remote mansion in northern France, which Ms Julien was forbidden to leave for a decade. YouTube/librairie mollat The world of Cults: in pictures Rajneesh movement Indian guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, also known as Osho, and the free-love community which was built up around him in Oregon in the 1980s. Rajneesh, who died in 1990, was a charismatic Indian guru (who relocated to the US after the Indian government frowned upon his activities). His disciples gave huge amounts of cash to their figurehead and lost contact with their families. Netflix Ms Salzman, 42, took the stand as part of a plea deal in which she admitted keeping a lower-ranking member of the upstate New York group captive in a bedroom for two years as a form of discipline. Allison Mack, an actor best known for her role as the friend of a young Superman in the Smallville series, has also pleaded guilty to collecting of embarrassing material referred to as collateral used to blackmail slaves into silence about the societys practices. It remains unclear if Ms Mack will testify in the trial. Ms Salzman said the collateral included nude photos with forced smiles that the women took of themselves when they met three times a week in their sorority house. Mr Raniere would sometimes demand they reshoot the photos if they did not turn out the way he wanted, she said. The elephant in the room was that he was having sex with lots of these people, Ms Salzman said. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The women were branded as part of the initiation into the group, but only senior members were allowed to know the brand represented Mr Ranieres initials, she added. She and others expressed concerns about keeping members in the dark about the meaning of the brands, Ms Salzman said, but Mr Raniere told them it shouldnt matter and that we were making problems. Ms Salzman has previously told the court Mr Raniere would would hold meetings during which he would sit fully clothed in a chair and give lectures on philosophy while female slaves sat naked on the floor around him. The women were instructed to make sure their branding was visible and that they looked happy, the court heard. Additional reporting by agencies Close Multiple tornados and funnel clouds spotted across Oklahoma Swathes of Oklahoma and Arkansas remain under the threat of tornadoes on Tuesday, forecasters have warned, with one confirmed twister already spawning over Tulsa airport. "A bowing line of thunderstorms with embedded ... vortices will continue to pose a damaging-wind and tornado threat, with isolated large hail, as it crosses the watch area through the morning," the National Weather Service said. A tornado-watch area extends over eastern central and northeast Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas, with forecasters urging residents to be prepared. It follows days of extreme weather with dozens of the storms touching down. Please allow a moment for the live blog to load A 16-year-old boy from Guatemala has died at a US migrant detention facility in Texas, the fifth death of a migrant child since December. The boy, Carlos Hernandez Vasquez, was initially apprehended by US Border Patrol agents on May 13 when he crossed over border into the United States with a group of 70 others. He was then held in processing facility where he initially fell ill before being moved Sunday to Border Control station in Weslaco, Texas. He was found unresponsive in his cell on Monday morning and nurses diagnosed that he was suffering from the Influenza A virus, similar to the Bird and Swine flues. Vasquez died a few hours later, before being brought to a hospital, CBS News Reported. The men and women of US Customs and Border Protection are saddened by the tragic loss of this young man and our condolences are with his family, said John Sanders, acting commissioner, of the US Customs and Border Protection agency, in a statement. However, the Guatemalan government and human rights agencies are calling for an investigation. Migrants clash with authorities as they seek to cross the US border Show all 23 1 /23 Migrants clash with authorities as they seek to cross the US border Migrants clash with authorities as they seek to cross the US border A group of migrants climb the US border fence in Tijuana AFP/Getty Migrants clash with authorities as they seek to cross the US border A group of migrants cross the dried up Tijuana river AFP/Getty Migrants clash with authorities as they seek to cross the US border Mexico police emerge from a cloud of tear gas Reuters Migrants clash with authorities as they seek to cross the US border Mexico police work to keep migrants from getting over the border with the US AP Migrants clash with authorities as they seek to cross the US border US border patrol agents stand guard as migrant seek to cross the border at Tijuana Reuters Migrants clash with authorities as they seek to cross the US border Adults help a child over the US border fence AFP/Getty Migrants clash with authorities as they seek to cross the US border Migrants near the US border in Tijuana Reuters Migrants clash with authorities as they seek to cross the US border Migrants climb the US border fence in Tijuana AFP/Getty Migrants clash with authorities as they seek to cross the US border Migrants clash with riot police as they near the US border in Tijuana Reuters Migrants clash with authorities as they seek to cross the US border A migrant is detained by US border patrol officers after illegally crossing the border Reuters Migrants clash with authorities as they seek to cross the US border A group of migrants cross the dried up Tijuana river Reuters Migrants clash with authorities as they seek to cross the US border Tear gas is deployed at the border Reuters Migrants clash with authorities as they seek to cross the US border A group of migrants make their way to the US border fence Reuters Migrants clash with authorities as they seek to cross the US border A migrant man wears a homemade gas mask Reuters Migrants clash with authorities as they seek to cross the US border Migrants stand on the banks of the Tijuana river opposite the US border fence Reuters Migrants clash with authorities as they seek to cross the US border A group of migrants cross the Tijuana river Reuters Migrants clash with authorities as they seek to cross the US border Migrants gather at the border crossing in Tijuana AP Migrants clash with authorities as they seek to cross the US border Tear gas is fired by border police to deter migrants EPA Migrants clash with authorities as they seek to cross the US border A migrant covers his face as tear gas surrounds him Reuters Migrants clash with authorities as they seek to cross the US border Migrant families seek to cross the US border at Tijuana Reuters Migrants clash with authorities as they seek to cross the US border Mexico police try to stop migrants from crossing Reuters Migrants clash with authorities as they seek to cross the US border Migrants force their way through the border fence at Tijuana Reuters Migrants clash with authorities as they seek to cross the US border Reuters "The Guatemalan government regrets the death of this Guatemalan boy, presents his condolences to the family and urges that the US authorities urgently rule on the cause of death and deduct the responsibilities that merit the case," the consulate said. There must be an independent investigation into this childs death, Ashley Houghton, tactical campaigns manager at Amnesty International USA, said in a statement. It is dangerous and cruel to detain people, particularly children, in crowded and unsanitary conditions for seeking protection. The administration must respect human rights by ending detention of children. The tragic case sheds light on the physical hardship migrants go through in border patrol custody and while on route to the United States. Recommended US Border agent accused of hitting migrant with truck Less than a week ago another Guatemalan migrant, a 2-year-old, died after weeks in a hospital. Barely a month before that, another 16-year-old Guatemalan migrant died after being placed by Border Patrol in a facility for unaccompanied migrant children. Two children, ages seven and eight died in border patrol custody in December and on Thursday, Mexico's National Institute of Migration announced that a 10-year-old Guatemalan girl had died in Mexico. Border Patrol officials said that the FBI, local police, and the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General are investigating Vasquez's death. Massive protests opposing a series of bans against abortions have continued for several days after one of the most stringent abortion laws in the nation was signed into law in Alabama last week. Crowds of demonstrators on Capitol Hill were joined by prominent womens rights activists and politicians on Tuesday, including 2020 presidential hopeful Kirsten Gillibrand, for a rally titled #StopTheBans. Our democracy only works when the people of this country stand up and demand it, the New York senator said to cheers. Do not allow this moment to pass without putting everything you have behind it organise, advocate and vote. Across the country, Americans from all walks of life marched in major cities and small towns to oppose bans like the one in Alabama, which makes performing an abortion a felony in nearly all cases. The bill, signed by Republican Governor Kay Ivey, is effectively designed to set up a lengthy legal battle that could result in the Supreme Court revisiting a decades-old decision for Roe v. Wade, which deemed abortion a Constitutionally-protected right. 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 To the bills many supporters, this legislation stands as a powerful testament to Alabamians deeply held belief that every life is precious and that every life is a sacred gift from God, the governor said in a statement while signing the bill on Wednesday. Hundreds of demonstrators then marched to the Alabama Capitol on Sunday to protest the states newly approved abortion ban, chanting my body, my choice! and vote them out! In a statement addressing the cheering crowd, Planned Parenthood Southeast President Staci Fox said Banning abortion does not stop abortion. It stops safe abortion. Governors in Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio and Georgia have also approved bans on abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can happen as early as the sixth week of pregnancy. But none of the laws have actually taken effect, and all are expected to be blocked by the courts as the legal challenges play out with an ultimate eye on the Supreme Court. Marchers have said the measures are energising supporters of legalised abortion, and they say they are digging in for a legal and political fight. Along the route they took, the protesters passed by scattered counter-demonstrators raising signs against abortion. The Alabama law would make it a felony, punishable by up to 99 years or life in prison to perform an abortion. There would be no punishment for the woman receiving the abortion. But the protest outside the Alabama Capitol on Sunday occurred in a state where a majority of voters recently agreed to put anti-abortion language in the Alabama Constitution. Fifty-nine per cent of state voters in November approved the constitutional amendment saying the state recognises the rights of the unborn. Donald Trump, while not mentioning Alabamas law, wrote in a weekend tweet that he is strongly pro-life but favours exceptions. As most people know, and for those who would like to know, I am strongly Pro-Life, with the three exceptions - Rape, Incest and protecting the Life of the mother - the same position taken by Ronald Reagan, The president wrote in a series of tweets. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Alabamas abortion ban would go into effect in six months if it isnt blocked by legal challenges. Additional reporting by AP A federal trial opened on Monday with activists challenging four state laws that restrict abortion, including requirements that clinics meet stringent licensing standards, that patients get an ultrasound at least 24 hours before an abortion and that only doctors perform the procedure in the first trimester. Abortion is a relatively safe procedure for the woman, carrying less risk than a colonoscopy, plastic surgery or tonsillectomy, an expert witness testified for activists bringing the suit. Even some dental procedures pose greater danger. It is one of the safest medical procedures that exists, Mark David Nichols, who performs abortions in Oregon, testified in a bench trial before US District Judge Henry Hudson. But under cross-examination, Dr Nichols acknowledged that there is no formal program to train midwives, nurse practitioners or physician assistants to perform abortions. In other states, they get what the states lawyer called on-the-job training, learning informally from a doctor but then going off to work unsupervised and perhaps train others. Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Show all 8 1 /8 Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Campaigners intervene after police try to lead away one of the three women (centre with sunglasses) who publicly took an abortion pill during a demonstration outside Belfast's Crown and High Courts, where counter-demonstrations were held by both sides of the Northern Irish abortion argument. PA Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Police officers watch on from close by as abortion rights campaign group ROSA, Reproductive Rights Against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity hold a protest in Belfast Getty Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Eleanor Crossey Malone takes an abortion pill as abortion rights campaign group ROSA, Reproductive Rights Against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity distribute abortion pills Getty Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Ruth Coppinger TD addresses the crowds outside Belfast's Crown and High Courts where counter-demonstrations were held by both sides of the Northen Irish abortion argument. PA Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Eleanor Crossey Malone displays an abortion pill packet after taking a pill Getty Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Protestors dressed as hand maidens stand as abortion rights campaign group ROSA, Reproductive Rights Against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity distribute abortion pills from a touring bus Getty Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills An unidentified woman takes an abortion pill as abortion rights campaign group ROSA, Reproductive Rights Against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity distribute abortion pills from a touring bus Getty Images Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills A robot drone delivers abortion pills as abortion rights campaign group ROSA, Reproductive Rights Against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity distribute abortion pills Getty That seemed to catch Judge Hudson by surprise. Isnt there a prepared curriculum and an established standard of competency? the judge asked. Dr Nichols said there was not. While a spate of states have recently made access to abortion more difficult, advocates in Virginia are trying to make it easier. The case is being heard in an election year when Republicans are trying to keep their razor-thin control of the General Assembly and when abortion politics dormant for the past few cycles probably will be prominent. Earlier this year, Delegate Kathy Tran caused an uproar when she filed a bill seeking to loosen restrictions on late-term abortion. During a hearing, she said the measure would allow abortion up to the moment of birth. Ms Tran later said she misspoke, but Republicans called her failed bill extreme. Recommended Prosecutors refuse to enforce abortion ban in US state Governor Ralph Northam, a Democrat, added to the furore with comments on a radio show that Republicans, including President Donald Trump, said was an endorsement of infanticide. A paediatric neurologist, Governor Northam called the infanticide charge disgusting. He appeared to be talking about end-of-life care for a baby that is not viable, but he has never clarified his remarks. President Trumps re-election campaign invoked Mr Northams comments as recently as last week on Twitter: Democrat Ralph Northam on late-term abortion: The infant would be delivered. The infant would be kept comfortable. The infant would be resuscitated if thats what the mother and the family desired. And then a discussion would ensue between the physicians and the mother. The case in federal court in Richmond comes after Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi and Ohio banned abortions after doctors can detect a foetal heartbeat, about six weeks before many women realise they are pregnant. And Alabama has made performing abortions a felony unless a pregnancy seriously risks a womans health, with no exceptions for rape or incest. In Virginia, Delegate Bob Thomas, facing a primary challenger from the right, said last week that he would like the General Assembly to follow Alabamas lead if Republicans can maintain control of the legislature. Mr Northam responded swiftly. My veto pen is ready and full of ink, he tweeted. Bobby Singleton gives tearful speech after Alabama passes bill banning abortion: 'What you just said to my little girl that it's ok for a man to rape you' Despite the political drama regarding the issue, the lawsuit unfolded as a staid affair, without a single protester in sight. Lawyers skipped opening statements and jumped right into questioning Dr Nichols. The doctor acknowledged under cross-examination that he typically orders an ultrasound before abortions even though the test is not mandated in Oregon. He also said some of his patients have backed out of planned abortions after seeing an ultrasound image of the foetus. Judge Hudson, appointed by President George W Bush, agreed with plaintiffs two weeks ago that first-trimester abortions are simple and safe enough to be performed without a physician. It was the first time a federal judge had come to that conclusion. But a week later, he vacated his own order to allow non-doctors to perform most abortions in Virginia, saying the issue should be decided in the trial, which is scheduled to last until 6 June. The lawsuit was brought by a coalition of abortion rights groups, including the Centre for Reproductive Rights, the Virginia League for Planned Parenthood and several clinics across the state. The state Department of Health and the office of Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring, a Democrat, are defending the rules. The case has put Justice Herring in an awkward position as both an advocate for abortion rights and the state official tasked with defending Virginia law. He did not formally recuse his office from the case but hired a private firm, Hirschler Law, saying he did not have enough staffers to handle it. Sam Bee offers sex ed lesson to the men behind the new abortion laws Representing the plaintiffs, Sean Trainor of the Washington firm OMelveny spent the trials opening hours questioning Dr Nichols about the safety of abortion. Under cross-examination by Hirschler President Courtney Paulk, Dr Nichols said 16 states allow non-doctors to dispense medications used to induce abortions in the earliest stages of pregnancy, up to 10 weeks. Five allow non-doctors to perform a procedure based on suction, which is typically used up to 16 weeks. No state allows non-doctors to perform the procedure known as dilation and extraction, which can be used up to the point of viability. The Washington Post Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is ramping up pressure on her fellow Democrats to begin impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump, saying that she and her colleagues have a duty to hold the president accountable. "We have to move forward on impeachment," Ms Ocasio-Cortez said on Tuesday during an interview with CNN. She continued, paying respect to speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who has so far pushed back on impeachment calls. I trust the speaker's taking a measured approach to ensure that were moving everyone forward," Ms Ocasio-Cortez said. Being a speaker is hard, and holding this party together is a difficult task, she added, but I think we have to move forward. In a separate tweet, Ms Ocasio-Cortez also shot back at arguments that impeachment would be a politically fraught effort with less than two years to go until a presidential election. Not impeaching, she said, is political, too. 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 It is just as politicized a manoeuvre to not impeach in the face of overwhelming evidence as it is to impeach without cause, Ms Ocasio-Cortez wrote. She continued: Congress swore an oath to uphold the Constitution. That includes impeachment. We have a duty to preserve our institutions + uphold the rule of the law. The statement came in response to a fellow Democrats call for impeachment in light of former White House counsel Don McGahns decision to refuse a congressional subpoena on Tuesday to testify before the House related to the Mueller report on Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Mr McGahn is frequently cited in that report saying that Mr Trump attempted to derail the investigation, which has led Democrats to claim the president obstructed justice. Stonewalling Congress on witnesses and the unredacted Mueller report only enhances the Presidents appearance of guilt, and as a result, he has pushed Congress to a point where we must start an impeachment inquiry, that Democrat, Mark Pocan, wrote on Twitter. Bernie Sanders is standing in as a special guest at this years Walmart annual shareholders meeting, where he is expected to introduce a shareholders proposal to give hourly workers a seat on the companys board. The Vermont senator is expected at that meeting in early June, when he will continue his advocacy for workers with the major retailer that has included frequent calls for Walmart to raise wages and to provide better working conditions. These workers need and deserve a seat at the table, Mr Sanders told The Washington Post of the proposal he will introduce. If hourly workers at Walmart were well represented on its board, I doubt you would see the CEO of Walmart making over a thousand times more than its average worker. The measure Mr Sanders is introducing would require the retailer to consider more than just the wealthy executives currently on the board when nominating new candidates to the board, with the 1.5 million hourly US employees having a say in the decisions at the top. 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 At a time of deepening racial and economic divide and insecurity, hourly associates can guide a more fair, inclusive and equitable corporate ecosystem that bridges differences, the proposal, which was filed by employee Cat Davis, says. The senators plans come as he continues his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, and as he trails former vice president Joe Biden in recent polls. Mr Sanders has sought to portray himself as a champion of working class people on the campaign trail, and is finding himself in competition with several other candidates for that mantle. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events That competition includes Mr Biden himself who, although he is the highest profile candidate and has attracted significant big money backers in major American industries, has leaned on his background as a boy from Scranton, Pennsylvania, to try to attract the very same voters that helped elect Donald Trump in 2016 over Hillary Clinton. Mr Sanders has frequently introduced legislation aimed at improving working wages, including a bill in November titled Stop Walmart Act which would have prohibited companies from buying back their own stock, which drives up share prices and benefits shareholders older employees unless those companies pay workers at least $15 an hour and provide other benefits. Bill de Blasio shot down harsh criticism of his decision to run for president in 2020, saying in a new interview hes unbothered by the jokes unleashed from late-night hosts shortly after his announcement. The latest Democratic presidential hopeful said Tuesday that being the butt of jokes as the 24th candidate to launch a bid for the White House was like a walk in the park compared to his tenure as mayor of New York City. I think this is something to understand about me and my candidacy mayor of the largest, toughest city in America. I have been for six years, Mr de Blasio said on Tuesday. To me, thats like a walk in the park, he continued. I didnt even notice that because I deal with really tough issues every single day Late-night comics dont bother me. His comments arrived after popular late-night hosts derided the mayor for announcing a presidential run last week, with Jimmy Fallon saying his campaign was the beginning of a brand-new comedy and Stephen Colbert joking: Yet another new Democratic candidate pushed his way into the clown car. Im talking about New York City Mayor and Frankensteins monsters lawyer Bill de Blasio. 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 As the mayor of a city that also has one of the largest press hubs in the country, Mr de Blasio also pushed back on Tuesday from conservative outlets admonishing his candidacy. Fox News and New York Post, youre going to get a definite reaction because I have challenged them plenty of times, he said. The mayor took the jokes in good humour, however, chuckling during his interview on CNN when the network played a series of late-night hosts roasting his candidacy. Thats what they do for a living, its normal, he added. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Mr de Blasio faces an uphill battle: the mayor must prove he can carry his own state against frontrunners Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders, while maintaining support from a growing progressive base that has embraced diverse candidates like Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg, among others. The mayor has launched a campaign focusing on Americas working class, promising to build the country on a foundation of progressive principles as he has sought to accomplish across his hometown. He currently holds a 14 per cent favourable rating among Democrats and 35 per cent unfavourable rating in the latest polling. House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler has reportedly issued subpoenas for Hope Hicks and Annie Donaldson two key figures at the core of Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. While Ms Hicks served as the presidents former White House communications director, Ms Donaldson was former chief of staff to ex-White House counsel Donald McGahn. Ms Donaldsons notes were critical to a section of the special counsels report on Russian interference that pertains to the presidents potential obstruction of justice. Ms Hicks also played a crucial role in Mr Trumps response to explosive news reports about the infamous Trump Tower meeting with Russian operatives. The House Judiciary Committee reportedly issued the subpoenas on Tuesday demanding documents and testimony from both women as part of their investigation into Mr Trumps supposed obstruction of justice. The committee has requested Ms Hicks to speak at a public hearing about her experience working in the Trump administration and on the presidents 2016 campaign. Ms Donaldson has been called in for a private deposition. 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 Announcement of the subpoenas arrived after Mr McGahn defied his own subpoena on Tuesday by failing to show up to the committee to testify on Tuesday. The president had reportedly instructed the former White House counsel not to appear at the event. The special counsels report outlined how Mr Trump sought to restrict and at times outright halt the federal investigation through first-hand accounts like that of Mr McGahn, one of the reports key figures. Mr Trump has vowed to fight all of the subpoenas issued by Congress. The move to subpoena the former top White House officials arrived as a growing number of Democrats have called for impeachment proceedings against Mr Trump after ordering Mr McGahn not to testify. Meanwhile, Doug Collins, the ranking Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, has claimed Democrats were trying desperately to make something out of nothing. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Mr Nadler said that if Mr McGahn doesn't "immediately correct his mistake" in not showing, the committee will have to enforce the subpoena. Additional reporting by AP North Koreas official news agency has weighed in on the 2020 Democratic primary, calling Joe Biden a snob bereft of elementary quality as a human being in a comment piece attacking the presidential candidate for his university grades and composure as vice president. He is self-praising himself as being the most popular presidential candidate. This is enough to make a cat laugh, the agency, KCNA, wrote. The attacks are odd for an American presidential primary, and come as Donald Trump has fostered a seemingly warm relationship with North Korean leadership since becoming president. That includes holding the first-ever face to face meeting between a sitting US president and the leader of the Korean country. Mr Biden has frequently criticised Mr Trump, and has been relatively tough on North Korea during his decades in public service. The news agency also called Mr Biden a fool of low IQ, and said Mr Biden had the temerity to insult the supreme leadership. 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 comment continued to note that the North Korean regime would never pardon someone who insulted the country in that way. Mr Biden has emerged as the leading candidate in the 2020 Democratic primary, and regularly polls 10 points or higher than his leading competitors. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events As the leading candidate, he has frequently found himself in the line of fire from Mr Trump, who has weighed in on the 2020 Democratic primary frequently. A Fox News host privately lobbied Donald Trump to give presidential pardons to accused war criminals, according to a new report. Pete Hegseth, a former military officer, tweeted a link to a Daily Beast news report on Tuesday that said he had pressed the president to support the accused and convicted servicemen as part of a months-long lobbying campaign. Without confirming or denying the context of the news report, Mr Hegseth added three hashtags #FreeEddie, #FreeMatt and #FreeClint likely referring to Navy SEAL platoon leader Edward Gallagher, Major Mathew Golsteyn and Army 1st Lieutenant Clint Lorance. News of the pairs multiple conversations dating back to March about pardoning accused war criminals arrived after it was reported over the weekend that the president was preparing the paperwork for a slate of related pardons. Mr Trump publicly called for a lessening of the restrictive confinement Mr Gallagher was receiving on Twitter in late March, writing, In honour of his past service to our Country, Navy Seal #EddieGallagher will soon be moved to less restrictive confinement while he awaits his day in court. The president then tagged Fox News morning show, Fox and Friends. Most shocking remarks made by Trump at campaign rallies Show all 7 1 /7 Most shocking remarks made by Trump at campaign rallies Most shocking remarks made by Trump at campaign rallies Doctors and mothers killing babies At a rally in Wisconsin in April 2019, Mr Trump made this extraordinary claim. The baby is born, the mother meets with the doctor, they take care of the baby, Mr Trump said. They wrap the baby beautifully and then the doctor and the mother decide whether they will execute the baby Getty Most shocking remarks made by Trump at campaign rallies "China rapes our country" At a rally in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 2016, Mr Trump said this in reference to the US trade deficit with China: "we cant continue to allow China to rape our country and thats what theyre doing. Its the greatest theft in the history of the world" Getty Most shocking remarks made by Trump at campaign rallies "EU formed to take advantage of US" At a rally for the midterm elections in October 2018, Mr Trump called the EU a "brutal" alliance that "formed to take advantage of us" AFP/Getty Most shocking remarks made by Trump at campaign rallies "I will build a wall and Mexico will pay for it" Mr Trump first made this claim at the launch of his presidential campaign back in 2015: "I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will have Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words" AFP/Getty Most shocking remarks made by Trump at campaign rallies "Horrible, horrendous people" At a Republican rally in Pennsylvania on August 3 2018, President Trump deemed all journalists in attendance "horrible, horrendous people". He later denounced the "fake, fake, disgusting news" for falsely reporting that he was late to his meeting with the Queen when visiting Britain AFP/Getty Most shocking remarks made by Trump at campaign rallies "I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody" Mr Trump said this in reference to his popularity during a rally in Iowa in 2016 AFP/Getty Most shocking remarks made by Trump at campaign rallies "I wish I could punch him" Mr Trump said this in reference to a protester who was escorted out of his rally in Las Vegas on 22 February, 2016. There was often violence between protesters and supporters at Trump's campaign rallies AFP/Getty A source with direct knowledge of the comment also reportedly told the Daily Beast that Mr Trump called Mr Gallaghers supposed treatment total bulls*** within more recent weeks. The White House has requested information from the Department of Justices Office of the Pardon Attorney on a number of cases involving military personnel and a Blackwater defence contractor, the New York Times reported. The president plans to pardon some or all of the accused war criminals in question before or on Memorial Day, reports indicate. If it happens, the slate of pardons would occur just weeks after Mr Trump pardoned Lieutenant Michael Behenna, who previously served five years of a murder sentence over the shooting death of an Iraqi bombing suspect. Mr Gallagher has been accused of shooting civilians and beheading a suspected terrorist, while Matthew Golsteyn has been accused of killing an Afghan who was armed at the time. Among the group of pardons Mr Trump is reportedly considering includes several Marine Scout Snipers seen in a video urinating over Taliban soldiers who had been killed, as well as a defence contractor convicted of shooting unarmed Iraqis in 2007. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Mr Trump has displayed an affinity for Fox News throughout his presidency, considering and often appointing former Fox News contributors, hosts and executives for top-level government positions. Hes responds in real-time to reports and demands coming from the conservative news outlet, tweeting public declarations and even calling in to various programmes. A federal judge on Monday denied President Donald Trump's bid to quash a House subpoena for years of his financial records from his accounting firm and stayed his order seven days to give the presidents lawyers time to appeal. The ruling handed an initial defeat to Trumps vow to defy subpoenas by House Democrats and came in one of the first courtroom challenges to a series of lawmakers investigative demands for his bank records, accounting statements and tax returns. District Judge Amit Mehta of Washington refused to block the records request to Mazars USA from the House Oversight and Reform Committee while litigation continues. Attorneys for Mr Trump and associated businesses filed suit 22 April, arguing that Congress is not entitled to investigate his past personal financial dealings for potential corruption. So long as Congress investigates on a subject matter on which legislation could be had, Congress acts as contemplated by Article I of the Constitution, Judge Mehta said in a 41-page opinion. Mr Mehta ruled that the committees assertions that Trumps records will help it consider strengthening ethics and disclosure laws and enforce a constitutional ban on acceptance of foreign gifts by a president were facially valid, saying, It it is not for the court to question whether the Committees actions are truly motivated by political considerations. In court, Douglas Letter, general counsel of the House of Representatives, has charged that the lawsuit would dismiss Congress constitutional oversight powers as a nuisance . . . getting in (Trumps) way while hes trying to run the country. Most shocking remarks made by Trump at campaign rallies Show all 7 1 /7 Most shocking remarks made by Trump at campaign rallies Most shocking remarks made by Trump at campaign rallies Doctors and mothers killing babies At a rally in Wisconsin in April 2019, Mr Trump made this extraordinary claim. The baby is born, the mother meets with the doctor, they take care of the baby, Mr Trump said. They wrap the baby beautifully and then the doctor and the mother decide whether they will execute the baby Getty Most shocking remarks made by Trump at campaign rallies "China rapes our country" At a rally in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 2016, Mr Trump said this in reference to the US trade deficit with China: "we cant continue to allow China to rape our country and thats what theyre doing. Its the greatest theft in the history of the world" Getty Most shocking remarks made by Trump at campaign rallies "EU formed to take advantage of US" At a rally for the midterm elections in October 2018, Mr Trump called the EU a "brutal" alliance that "formed to take advantage of us" AFP/Getty Most shocking remarks made by Trump at campaign rallies "I will build a wall and Mexico will pay for it" Mr Trump first made this claim at the launch of his presidential campaign back in 2015: "I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will have Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words" AFP/Getty Most shocking remarks made by Trump at campaign rallies "Horrible, horrendous people" At a Republican rally in Pennsylvania on August 3 2018, President Trump deemed all journalists in attendance "horrible, horrendous people". He later denounced the "fake, fake, disgusting news" for falsely reporting that he was late to his meeting with the Queen when visiting Britain AFP/Getty Most shocking remarks made by Trump at campaign rallies "I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody" Mr Trump said this in reference to his popularity during a rally in Iowa in 2016 AFP/Getty Most shocking remarks made by Trump at campaign rallies "I wish I could punch him" Mr Trump said this in reference to a protester who was escorted out of his rally in Las Vegas on 22 February, 2016. There was often violence between protesters and supporters at Trump's campaign rallies AFP/Getty Meanwhile, Trumps private attorney Jay Sekulow said when the lawsuit was filed that the presidents team will not allow Congressional Presidential harassment to go unanswered. An appeal would test decades of legal precedent that have upheld Congress right to investigate, arguing the novel theory that a presidents past dealings are irrelevant to the legislative branchs fundamental job of writing bills. The legal battle comes as House Democrats seek to probe Trumps finances, his campaign and allegations he sought to obstruct justice in special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. Donald Trump, his three eldest children and companies raised similar arguments in a bid to block a subpoena by the House Financial Services Committee for Mr Trumps bank records issued to Deutsche Bank and Capital One, which a federal judge in Manhattan will hear Wednesday. The White House is also resisting House demands for former White House counsel Donald McGahns records and testimony pertaining to federal investigations of Trump, as well as by testimony by Mr Mueller himself over his recently concluded report on Russian interference in the 2016 US election. Democrats have said the lawsuits are long-shot bids to delay the unearthing of politically damaging information about Mr Trump until after the 2020 election, and to obscure from the public ongoing conflicts of interest by officials charged with executing the nations laws. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events President Trumps attorneys say Democrats true goal is not governance but political advantage, to expose the Trumps private financial information for the sake of exposure, with the hope that it will turn up something that Democrats can use as a political tool against the President. In the Mazars case, Judge Mehta cut down Mr Trump lawyers arguments that the oversight committees inquiry into whether Donald Trump misled his lenders by inflating his net worth violated the Constitutions separation of powers, by having Congress assume the Justice Departments powers to investigate dubious and partisan allegations of private conduct. Washington Post Indonesias president Joko Widodo has been re-elected for a second term, official results confirmed, as his strongman, ultra-nationalist opponent said he would launch a legal challenge in the courts. Final results gave Mr Widodo 55 per cent of the vote compared to the 45.5 per. cent of his challenger, the former General Prabowo Subianto, roughly in line with an early count that was released shortly after the close of voting in the 17 April election. Those initial results had prompted Mr Subianto to threaten to mobilise people power on the streets if he was denied the victory that he claimed was subverted by cheating in the poll. Thousands of soldiers and police were deployed on high alert as the final results were confirmed - but in the end the general told reporters he would pursue legal efforts in line with the constitution to defend the mandate of the people. In a video released after results were announced Tuesday, Mr Subianto refused to concede defeat but called on supporters to refrain from violence. Mr Widodo, a progressive leader whose first election was seen as breaking the hold on power of Indonesias political and military elite, said he appreciated his rivals decision to follow a process in accordance with the constitution and the law. The incumbents campaign highlighted his progress in poverty reduction and improving Indonesia's inadequate infrastructure with new ports, toll roads, airports and mass rapid transit. Mr Subianto, on the other hand, ran a fear-based campaign that focused on what he saw as Indonesia's weakness and the risk of exploitation by foreign powers - particularly China - or disintegration. Subianto campaign official Sufmi Dasco Ahmad said a legal challenge to the results would be filed in the Constitutional Court within the mandatory three days. Mr Subianto, who also lost to Mr Widodo in 2014 and unsuccessfully contested that result, has alleged massive election fraud in the world's third-largest democracy but hasn't provided any credible evidence. Votes are counted publicly and the commission posts the tabulation form from each polling station on its website, allowing for independent verification. The Election Commission said Mr Widodo won in 21 of 34 provinces and got 85.6 million votes compared with about 68.5 million for Mr Subianto. A Sherpa mountaineer has extended his record for successful climbs of Mount Everest with his 24th ascent of the worlds highest peak. Kami Rita reached the 29,035-foot peak earlier this week. It was his second time on the summit in a week. He climbed to the top on 15 May then returned to base camp, before climbing it again. Nepal Department of Tourism official Mira Acharya said Mr Rita reached the summit on Tuesday, along with several other climbers taking advantage of favourable weather. There are 41 teams with a total of 378 climbers permitted to scale Everest during the spring climbing season. An equal number of Nepalese guides are helping them to get to the summit. Jake Meyer: youngest Briton to climb Mount Everest Show all 10 1 /10 Jake Meyer: youngest Briton to climb Mount Everest Jake Meyer: youngest Briton to climb Mount Everest Jake Meyer climbed Everest, aged 21 years and four months Jake Meyer Jake Meyer: youngest Briton to climb Mount Everest Team climbing at 7400m on K2 Jake Meyer Jake Meyer: youngest Briton to climb Mount Everest Ottalie and Poppy (with Daddy on the front page) Jake Meyer Jake Meyer: youngest Briton to climb Mount Everest Camp 4 on K2 - 7650m Jake Meyer Jake Meyer: youngest Briton to climb Mount Everest Jake on way to summit Jake Meyer Jake Meyer: youngest Briton to climb Mount Everest Climbing though the glacier Jake Meyer Jake Meyer: youngest Briton to climb Mount Everest Jake at summit of K2 Jake Meyer Jake Meyer: youngest Briton to climb Mount Everest Ottalie, Jake and Saskia at Heathrow as Jake arrives home Jake Meyer Jake Meyer: youngest Briton to climb Mount Everest K2 Summit Ridge Jake Meyer Jake Meyer: youngest Briton to climb Mount Everest Basecamp panorama K2 on left, Broad Peak on right Jake Meyer Several climbers have already reached the top, while dozens are expected to make their attempt this week. Only a few windows of good weather each May allow climbers the best chance of climbing to Everests summit. Hie latest climb brings Mr Rita closer to his target of 25 ascents of Everest before he retires from high mountain climbing. The 49-year-old's two closest peers have climbed the peak 21 times each, but both of them have retired from mountain climbing. Recommended The stunning tale of a woman who scaled Everest and inspired a nation Mr Rita first scaled Everest in 1994 and has been making the trip nearly every year since. His father was among the first Sherpa guides employed to help climbers reach the summit, and Rita followed in his footsteps. In addition to his nearly two dozen summits of Everest, Mr Rita has scaled some of the other highest mountains, K-2, Cho-Oyu, Manaslu and Lhotse. Sherpa tribespeople were mostly yak herders and traders living deep within the Himalayas until Nepal opened its borders in the 1950s. Their stamina and familiarity with the mountains quickly made them sought-after guides and porters. Reuters The mayor of a French village is hoping to reverse the decline of its population through an unusual method handing out free Viagra. Jean Debouzy, mayor of Montereau, hopes the proposed policy will help start a baby boom, producing enough children to keep the communitys local school open. The 650-person village, in the Loiret department south of Paris, has suffered from a dwindling population of children, threatening the viability of its schoolhouse, which educates around 30 children. A village without children is a village that dies, Mr Debouzy told news website The Local. The pills will be distributed to couples between the ages of 18 and 40 in order to give them the chance of conception and thus preserve the schools of the two villages [Montereaus and a neighbouring one]. Recommended Viagra now available over the counter without prescription in UK The anti-erectile dysfunction pills would be available to existing residents, as well as anyone who decided to move to the village. But the legality of the policy is unclear, because the drug is only available on prescription in France. In the UK, a variant of the drug recently became available over the counter without a prescription. The mayor admitted he did not have a stock of pills available, and told the news website that the tongue-in-cheek proposal was more about grabbing attention to keep the local school open. Iran has quadrupled its production of low-grade uranium enrichment amid increased tensions with the United States, nuclear officials have said. Iranian officials stressed the uranium would only be enriched to the 3.67 per cent limit set by the 2015 nuclear deal, making it suitable for civilian nuclear power generation but well below the 90 per cent purity required to make atomic bombs. However, by increasing production Iran will soon exceed the stockpile limit of 300kg. This is part of Irans pushback strategy against the Trump administrations maximum pressure campaign, Sanam Vakil, a Chatham House expert on Iran, told The Independent. This is their effort at building up various portfolios that can then be used as leverage or bargaining positions if and when they come back to the negotiating table. Tehran has set a deadline of 7 July for Europe to set a new terms for the deal after US president Donald Trump withdrew from the deal. It has warned it will enrich to medical grade levels of 20 per cent, closer to the 60 per cent needed for a dirty bomb or the 90 per cent for nuclear war head, if no deal is reached. Revolution in Iran: In pictures Show all 11 1 /11 Revolution in Iran: In pictures Revolution in Iran: In pictures A demonstration against the Shah in 1979 Getty Revolution in Iran: In pictures Armed women on guard in one of the main squares in Tehran at the beginning of the Iranian Revolution Getty Revolution in Iran: In pictures Demonstrators hold a poster of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in January 1979, in Tehran, during a demonstration against the Shah AFP/Getty Revolution in Iran: In pictures Iranian rebels pose with a U.S. flag they bayonetted upside down on trees at Sultanabad Garrison northeast of Tehran on February 12 2019 AP Revolution in Iran: In pictures A gun battle in Khorramshahr during the revolution, 1979 Getty Revolution in Iran: In pictures Ayatollah Khomeini's supporters demonstrate in the streets of Tehran against the Shah among tear gas. The "black friday" caused the death of 200 people according to the Iranian government, 2000 according to the opposition, September 8 1978 AFP/Getty Revolution in Iran: In pictures Women wearing the traditional Chador demonstrate in the streets of Tehran against the Shah on September 7 1978 AFP/Getty Revolution in Iran: In pictures Demonstrators in Tehran calling for the replacement of the Shah of Iran during the Iranian Revolution, 1979. They carry placards depicting Ayatollah Mahmoud Talaghani, one of the leading revolutionaries Getty Revolution in Iran: In pictures Ayatollah Khomeini's supporters demonstrate in the streets of Tehran against the Shah. The "black friday" caused the death of 200 people according to the Iranian government, 2000 according to the opposition, September 8 1978 AFP/Getty Revolution in Iran: In pictures Thousands of the Ayatollah Khomeini's supporters on the streets of Tehran calling for the religious leader's return in January 1979 Getty Revolution in Iran: In pictures The Iranian Islamic Republic Army demonstrates in solidarity with people in the street during the Iranian revolution. They are carrying posters of the Ayatollah Khomeini, the Iranian religious and political leader Getty Ms Vakil said said Iran would probably breach the deals stockpile limit in 60 days, sending a message to Europe and Russia and China that its compliance cant be taken for granted anymore. Former US director of national intelligence James Clapper, speaking to the BBC, played down the uranium announcement, saying I dont know that its necessary to go into the panic mode yet. He warned about the danger of accidental escalation, particularly as both US and Iranian vessels patrol in close proximity in the Strait of Hormuz. The thing I would be concerned about is some inadvertent incident that could go incendiary, he said. Tensions in the Middle East have flared after officials in the United Arab Emirates alleged four oil vessels including two Saudi Arabian oil tankers were sabotaged and Houthi rebels allied with Iran launched a drone attack on an oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia. Iran has denied it was behind any of the attacks. The US has ordered B-51 bombers and an aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf after warning of unspecified threats from Iran. US president Donald Trump warned on Monday Iran would be met with great force if it attacked US interests in the Middle East, after a rocket landed near the US Embassy in the Green Zone of Iraqs capital Baghdad. No one was reported injured in the rocket attack, which happened days after nonessential US staff were ordered to evacuate from diplomatic posts in the country. Mr Trump told reporters: I think Iran would be making a very big mistake if they did anything. If they do something, it will be met with great force but we have no indication that they will. The attacks all followed Mr Trumps decision to attempt to cut off Irans oil exports, roughly a year after he withdrew from the 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and six major powers. Iran Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says Iran is 'not seeking war with US' Iranian president Hassan Rouhani rejected any talks with the US on Tuesday and called for the government to be given more power to run the sanctions-hit economy in an economic war. Todays situation is not suitable for talks and our choice is resistance only state news agency IRNA quoted Mr Rouhani as saying. Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif criticised the US for sending its aircraft carrier and bombeer group to the region. Having all these military assets in a small area is in of itself prone to accidents, he told CNN. Extreme prudence is required and the United States is playing a very, very dangerous game. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Iraq will send send delegations to Washington and Tehran to help halt tension amid fears of a confrontation between the two powers in the Middle East, Iraqi prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi announced on Tuesday. He said officials from both countires had informed Iraq they have no desire to fight in a war and Iraq is playing a role to calm the situation. At least 500 flights have been cancelled and many others delayed as a result of a 24-hour strike by Italian aviation workers. Alitalia, the national airline, began grounding flights on Monday evening, and has axed more than 300 departures. A dozen UK flights have been cancelled today by Alitalia six flights between London City and Milan, four between Heathrow and Rome, and a single round trip between Heathrow and Milan Linate. In addition, the first Wednesday morning departure from Heathrow to Rome is cancelled. The Italian airline is telling passengers: Alitalia has taken special measures to mitigate customer inconvenience by operating bigger aircraft on domestic and international routes, in order to rebook passengers affected by cancellations onto the first available flights on the same day. World's safest airlines 2019 Show all 19 1 /19 World's safest airlines 2019 World's safest airlines 2019 Eva Air Getty Images World's safest airlines 2019 Austrian Airlines Getty Images World's safest airlines 2019 KLM Getty World's safest airlines 2019 Qatar Getty Images World's safest airlines 2019 Lufthansa Getty Images World's safest airlines 2019 Hawaiian Airlines Getty Images World's safest airlines 2019 Alaska Airlines Getty Images World's safest airlines 2019 SAS Getty Images World's safest airlines 2019 Finnair Getty Images World's safest airlines 2019 Emirates Getty Images World's safest airlines 2019 Cathay Pacific Getty Images World's safest airlines 2019 British Airways Getty Images World's safest airlines 2019 Singapore Airlines Getty Images World's safest airlines 2019 All Nippon Airways Getty Images World's safest airlines 2019 Air New Zealand Getty Images World's safest airlines 2019 Swiss Getty Images World's safest airlines 2019 American Airlines Getty Images World's safest airlines 2019 United Getty Images World's safest airlines 2019 Virgin Atlantic and Australia Getty Images Alitalia says that 60 per cent of affected passengers will be able to take other flights on Tuesday. At least 4,000 British Airways passengers have seen their flights cancelled. Six departures between Heathrow and Rome and a further six between Gatwick and Venice have been axed. BA has also cancelled two round trips from Gatwick to Verona, and other services to Bologna, Milan, Pisa and Turin. A spokesperson for the airline said: We are monitoring the situation and encourage all customers to provide contact details in their bookings so that we can keep them up to date with the latest information regarding their flights. Thirty flights to and from Italian airports have been cancelled by easyJet. A spokesperson for the UKs biggest budget airline said: We are doing all possible to minimise any disruption as a result of the industrial action. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events We recommend to all customers departing from an Italian airport on Tuesday 21 May to allow extra time to pass through airport security as queues may be longer than usual. The industrial action is the latest blow for passengers and also a serious financial hit for airlines. Besides losing revenue from cancelled flights, they are responsible for providing meals and, if necessary, accommodation for disrupted passengers. Earlier in May, striking French air-traffic controllers caused the cancellation of more than 500 flights. Last week, Belgian controllers staged a wildcat strike. And problems with the fuelling system at Manchester airport on Sunday triggered around 100 cancellations. Malta has won the title of best destination for LGBT+ holidaymakers for the fourth year in a row. The island nation topped the Europe Rainbow Index, beating 48 other countries to the number one spot. The country scored 90 per cent in the index thanks to its LGBT+ friendly laws, policies and lifestyle acceptance. Malta leads the pack by a sizeable margin, with the number two country, Belgium, scoring 73 per cent. The annual index, compiled since 2009 by ILGA-Europe, ranks countries based on how their laws and policies impact on the lives of LGBT+ people. Places you won't believe are in England Show all 12 1 /12 Places you won't believe are in England Places you won't believe are in England Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, Cornwall the Minack Theatre could have been hewn by ancient civilisations but in reality was built by a local theatre-loving woman, Rowena Cade, in the 1930s. Visit Britain Places you won't believe are in England Pedn Vounder Beach, Cornwall This sweeping beach with its turquoise water and white sand could be a Greek or Caribbean island, but is actually at the very tip of Cornwall. Visit Britain Places you won't believe are in England Cheddar Gorge, Somerset Cheddar Gorge is a natural rock formation in the Mendip Hills and is Britains highest inland limestone cliffs, rising 450ft. Visit Britain Places you won't believe are in England Rathfinny Wines, Alfriston, Sussex Sussex is perhaps not the first place you would associate with wine production, but this vineyard in the South Downs produces exemplary English sparkling wines thanks to a lucky combination of chalk soil, temperate climate and south facing slopes. Visit Britain Places you won't believe are in England Wastwater, Lake District, Cumbria This spectacular lake is half a mile wide and 260 feet deep, the deepest of all the lakes in the area. Visit Britain Places you won't believe are in England St Ives harbour, Cornwall Although this may look somewhere in the Mediterranean, it's actually in Cornwall's artistic hub, St Ives. Getty Places you won't believe are in England The Roman Baths, Bath, Somerset Set alongside a temple dedicated to the healing goddess Sulis-Minerva, the baths now form one of the world's best-preserved ancient Roman spas, and are encircled by beautiful 18th- and 19th-century buildings. Visit Britain Places you won't believe are in England The Painted Hall, Greenwich, London The Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich reopened in March after a two year conservation project to bring its magnificent ceiling back to life. The room has been referred to as the Sistine Chapel of the UK. Visit Britain Places you won't believe are in England Lavender fields, Gloucestershire It might look like the rolling hills of Provence, but these lavender fields are actually in Gloucestershire. Visit Britain Places you won't believe are in England Bowfell mountain, Lake District, Cumbria A casual observer could mistake the snowy peaks of Bowfell mountain for somewhere in the Alps. Visit Britain Places you won't believe are in England Cliftonwood, Bristol, North Somerset Just outside the centre of Bristol is Cliftonwood, an up-market enclave where many of the houses are painted in bright colours. Visit Britain Places you won't believe are in England Royal Pavilion, Brighton, Sussex This building wouldnt look out of place in India, but was actually built as a seaside retreat for George, Prince of Wales, later George IV, in the late 18th and early 19th century. Visit Britain Equality, family issues, hate speech, legal gender recognition, freedom of expression and asylum rights all contribute towards the rankings too. The Maltese have a reputation for kindness and excellent hospitality, and this is absolutely reflected in how they welcome all travellers to the island, including the LGBT+ market, said Peter Vella, director UK and Ireland of Malta Tourism Authority. Recommended 10 of the best LGBT holiday destinations Malta holds a unique combination of traditional and historical culture with a contemporary and welcoming mindset towards LGBT+ travellers and our people continue to set an impressive example for other European countries to follow. Same-sex marriage is legal in Malta, and gender-neutral passports were introduced last year. At the other end of the spectrum, Azerbaijan, which hosts the Europa League final next week, scored the lowest of the 49 countries (3 per cent). ILGA-Europe says that a score of 0 per cent would indicate gross violations of human rights and discrimination. The UK just makes the top 10, scoring 62 per cent per cent to land in ninth place. Best destinations for LGBT+ travellers Malta (90 per cent) Belgium (73 per cent) Luxembourg (70 per cent) Finland (69 per cent) Denmark (68 per cent) Norway (68 per cent) Portugal (66 per cent) France (63 per cent) UK (62 per cent) Sweden (62 per cent) Worst destinations for LGBT+ travellers Azerbaijan (3 per cent) Turkey (5 per cent) Armenia (6 per cent) Russia (10 per cent) Monaco (11 per cent) San Marino (13 per cent) Belarus (13 per cent) Lichtenstein (14 per cent) Moldova (14 per cent) North Macedonia (16 per cent) A passenger has been charged with sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman on a flight. George Seryogin of Massachusetts was accused of groping the woman during a United Airlines flight from Tokyo, Japan to Dulles, Virginia. The woman, who was sitting next to him, was also quietly crying, with tears streaming down her face", according to an FBI affidavit. Seryogin allegedly started by touching her knee, before placing a blanket over her leg so that others could not see what he was doing. He then began sexually groping her, according to the affidavit, before she pushed his hands off. Seryogin has been indicted by a grand jury on a federal criminal charge: one count of abusive sexual contact onboard an aircraft in flight. Recommended Experts recommend ways to stay safe from sexual assault on flights His case will be prosecuted at the federal court in Alexandria. My client firmly denies the allegations against him, Seryogins attorney, Mary M Nerino, told News4. At least four other sex assaults have been recorded on flights to Dulles and Reagan Washington National Airport since 2013, and the FBI has even put out warnings at Dulles airport that sexual assault onboard a flight is a federal crime. Virgin Atlantic has become the latest airline to seek to capitalise on the grounding of the Indian carrier, Jet Airways, by relaunching its link from Heathrow to Mumbai. Jet Airways ended all flights on 11 April. The carrier is technically still a going concern, because it has not formally filed for bankruptcy. The airline founded by Sir Richard Branson first flew to Indias biggest city in 2005, but withdrew amid intense competition. The Heathrow-Mumbai link was restored in 2012 but dropped again three years later, when Virgin Atlantic entered a codeshare agreement to put passengers on Jet Airways twice-daily service on the route. At the start of the winter schedules, on 27 October 2019, a daily service using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner will begin, complementing the airlines long-established route between Heathrow and Delhi. Airlines that went bust Show all 12 1 /12 Airlines that went bust Airlines that went bust Air Berlin Air Berlin, which operated flights to and from Berlin Tegel, went bankrupt in 2017 Getty Airlines that went bust Small Planet Lithuanian airline Small Planet filed for insolvency at the end of 2018 Igor Dvurekov Airlines that went bust Monarch Airlines The airline ceased operations in October 2017 AFP/Getty Airlines that went bust VLM Antwerp-based VLM went bankrupt in September 2018 Flo Weiss Airlines that went bust Germania German airline Germania filed for insolvency in February 2019 Getty Airlines that went bust Kingfisher Founded in 2005 ceased flying in October 2012 AFP/Getty Airlines that went bust Cobalt Cobalt, based in Larnaca, Cyprus, stopped flying in October 2018 Steve Lynes Airlines that went bust Mexicana An airline that had been in operation since 1921, went bust in August 2010. It was Mexico's largest airline AFP/Getty Airlines that went bust WOW Air Icelandic Wow Air ceased operation in March 2019 Getty Airlines that went bust Primera Primera, known for its cheap transatlantic fares, went bust in October 2018 Getty Airlines that went bust Transaero A privately-owened airline founded in Russia, 1990 lasted until October 2015 Getty Airlines that went bust Malev After 66 years, Hungary's national airline went stopped flying in 2012 AFP/Getty Juha Jarvinen, executive vice-president commercial at Virgin Atlantic, said: Since Jet Airways has sadly suspended its operation, we now have an opportunity to provide alternative options for our customers and meet this demand. Not only are we providing an increased offering to the thriving Indian market, but together with our partners at Delta, we can offer unrivalled choice and more seamless connections to the USA via Heathrow. The flight will depart from Heathrow at 10.15am, with a flying time of around 10 hours and arrival scheduled for 12.40am the next day. The inbound service is uncomfortably timed to depart from Mumbai at 2.55am, but arrives at Heathrow at 7.35am, which is good timing for business travellers heading for London and passengers transferring to transatlantic flights. In June, British Airways will scrap its daytime South Africa flights to cash in on the collapse of Jet Airways, adding an extra flight to Mumbai. Rumours circulating in India suggest that the billionaire brothers, Gopichand and Srichand Hinduja, may be interested in taking over Jet Airways, along with its debts of around 1bn. Planning how to cover Eurovision might not seem like a natural part of my job, as international editor. But when it was clear the contest was to be held in Tel Aviv organisers initially wanted to host it in Jerusalem it was inevitable that our desk would have to get involved. Like it or not, Eurovision is political, by its very nature. Yes, ostensibly its just a singing competition a glorious celebration of all that glitters, and the worst end of the spectrum of Europes collective fashion and music tastes. But its that and so much more. It has been described as a kill switch for Huaweis ambitions to supplant Samsung at the top of the smartphone charts (its currently in second place, with Apple running third). Googles suspension of business activities with the Chinese tech giant which affects the transfer for hardware and software and the provision of key technical services has dealt its thriving smartphone business a heavy blow. The decision was taken to comply with Americas decision to put the firm on whats known as the Entity List, meaning Google would need to obtain a license to sell products to it. A new poll has shown that members of the general public back the Latin-quoting Billy Bunter figure called Boris Johnson as the future leader of the Conservative Party. What on earth is wrong with people? He is the man who lied about 350m extra a week for the NHS on that famous bus. He is the man who masquerades as a member of the old elite, while playing the buffoon for the hoi polloi. He is the man who defied the usual traditionalism by crying F*** business. He is the man who joined Michael Gove in attacking the CBI for its warnings about the dangers to our economy inherent in Brexit. Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Show all 9 1 /9 Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Boris Johnson Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson has long been hopeful, he previously stood in the leadership contest that followed the Brexit vote and has at many times since been thought to be maneuvering himself towards the goal. He remains a darling of the party's right wing, particularly those in the ERG, and is the most popular choice among Tory voters but his leadership bid would be fiercely opposed by many MPs PA Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Michael Gove Environment secretary Michael Gove is another member who has long wanted to be leader. He has lately been known for rousing his party in the commons, his recent speeches on the Brexit deal and Labour's no confidence motion have overshadowed the Prime Minister's. He has been loyal to the Prime Minister, partly to shed his reputation as a backstabber who abandoned Boris Johnson to stand against him in the 2016 leadership election Getty Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Dominic Raab Former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab has emerged as a favourite to be the Brexiteer candidate in a contest to succeed to Ms May. He displayed a grip on detail in his role as Brexit secretary. When asked recently if he would like to become prime minister he replied "never say never" Getty Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Rory Stewart International development secretary Rory Stewart is pitching himself as the sensible candidate, promising to rule out both a second referendum and a no-deal Brexit. He was only recently promoted to the cabinet, previously serving as prisons minister, where he caught headlines with a pledge to resign if he could not reduce levels of violence within a year PA Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Esther McVey The former work and pensions secretary announced that she will be standing for the leadership when May leaves. McVey is the first to explicitly state that she intends to stand. She resigned from the cabinet in protest over May's Brexit deal AFP/Getty Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Sajid Javid Home secretary Sajid Javid is said to have a plan in place for a leadership race. He made headlines over Christmas when he declared that people smuggling over the English channel was a "major incident" and more recently when he revoked the citizenship of ISIS bride Shamima Begum. Son of a bus driver, he wants the Conservatives to be seen as the party of social mobility PA Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Jeremy Hunt Foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt was recently thought to be the favourite in the event of a leadership race as he could sell himself as the man to unite the party. Critics worry that his long stint as health secretary could return to haunt him at a general election. He has reportedly been holding meetings with Tory MPs over breakfast to promote his leadership PA Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Andrea Leadsom Following the Prime Minister's second defeat over her Brexit deal, Leader of the house Andrea Leadsom hosted a dinner party at which "leadership was the only topic of conversation", The Times heard. Leadsom ran against Theresa May in the 2016 leadership election before dropping out, allowing May to become Prime Minister AFP/Getty Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Priti Patel Former international development secretary Priti Patel is thought to be positioning herself as a contender. One MP told The Independent "she knows she's from the right of the party, the part which is going to choose the next leader, so she's reminding everyone she's there." Patel left the government late in 2017 after it emerged that she had held undisclosed meetings with Israeli officials PA In April, one of his Conservative colleagues, Steve Norris tweeted Everybody likes him except the people who know him. Yet 39 per cent of the Tory membership, recently polled, are still, apparently, sufficiently blinkered to want to lumber the entire UK with this self-seeking poseur. If ever there was an example of too many Tories assuming some sort of God-given right to rule, this is it. Geoff Hinchliffe Norfolk The Brexit Party The Brexit Party spin sheet is almost as curious as Nigel Farage. Its election communication claims include putting Trust, Honesty and Integrity at the heart of our democracy. The fact that it does so on the strength of a corrupt referendum that represented just 37 per cent of the people is clearly too deep for the party to think about. Farage boasts that this isnt just about Brexit anymore, its about what kind of country we are obviously in the firm belief that theres something pleasant about turning away people in need. The not very impressive line of as wells on the Brexit Party bigot bulletin include CEO Richard Tice co founder of Leave.EU with Aaron Banks, Ben Habib, CEO of First Property PLC whose drive to capitalise on market opportunities, and education at Rugby and Cambridge, clearly makes him an everyday man of the people. Of course, Annunziata Rees-Mogg gets a mention. Joel Chilaka is there too, clearly looking to build on previous work as an advocate of free speech by aligning himself to a party that declares a second vote to be a crime against democracy in a way that a corrupt vote is not. Who are you speaking for, Farage? Do Leavers actually have access to the internet? Michael Cunliffe Ilkley No-deal Brexit or no Brexit deal Your headline that the Tory Party would split if Boris Johnson pursues a no-deal Brexit policy can surely be reversed if a Remain-supporting candidate was to succeed. The Conservatives are irrevocably divided on this issue and, going forward, I cannot see how they can survive as one party. JM Seagrave Wellingborough Corbyn and Marxism I keep hearing that Jeremy Corbyn is a Marxist (John McNeill, Letters, 18 May). Am I wrong in thinking that, pre Margaret Thatcher, Corbyns policies were part of the mainstream left? It is not that he is dangerously radical, but that the political landscape is now so right wing that any policies to really help the poor and marginalised are seen as a threat and a red menace. Joanna Pallister Address supplied America, champion of the extreme On this side of the pond many are vigorously polishing xenophobia, Islamophobia and being led by the nose over an economic cliff by characters who would have been laughed out of public office just a couple of decades ago. However, I note with interest the success of the extreme right in America in rolling back womens rights and shockingly, the stumbling and fumbling of Donald Trumps judicial nominees when questioned by Senator Richard Blumenthal over Brown v the Board of Education (in short the judgement that outlawed segregation in schools). It was as if Senator Blumenthal had asked them whether they thought it a bad idea to kick frail old people and they couldnt come up with a decent answer. So, in the competition for the worst of all possible worlds decent folk in the UK may have to concede defeat. They trumped us, so to speak. With bad apple Brett Kavanaugh lodged in the craw of the Supreme Court there is a very strong possibility that these new nasty seeds planted in the judicial soil of America could bear very strange fruit indeed. Amanda Baker Edinburgh Climate change and the customs union If we leave the EU customs union and make our own deals with New Zealand, Australia and America, instead of our neighbouring European countries, we will be greatly increasing our carbon footprint. As the government has announced a climate change emergency, should this not be considered? Staying in the EU customs union would also have the added advantage of laying to rest the Irish border problem. Janina Doroszkowska Marlow We arent a democratic nation I often stand up and cheer when I read Tom Pecks articles. But I have to take issue with one statement of his this week (Friday 17 May) He says: We are, very obviously, a democratic nation. Independent Minds Events: get involved in the news agenda Its true that we (still) have many of the freedoms of democracy, and we all have a vote. But theres more to it than merely being allowed to vote. The vote also has to have a meaning. And for many of us the first-past-the-post voting system causes our vote to mean very little; we often have to second-guess our fellow voters in order to merely avoid electing our least-favoured candidate. A government can have a great majority of seats with less than 30 per cent of the vote. Then the executive can ride roughshod over parliament. In that sense our polity is certainly not democratic. The priority of many prime ministers has been, and is, the wellbeing of their party rather than that of the country. I would suggest that it is this undemocratic power-seizing by the executive that has landed us in our current mess. Susan Alexander South Gloucestershire The University of Oxford has become the latest higher education institute to attempt to remedy its eltisit reputation, by announcing plans to provide places to talented school-leavers from disadvantaged backgrounds who lack the required grades. It is promising that by 2023, one in four undergraduates will be from the UKs most underrepresented backgrounds, with the University implementing this drastic change via two new access schemes: Opportunity Oxford and Foundation Oxford. These include initiatives such as a free year of study for financially-challenged students, and a residential study programme for school-leavers who require additional support. Oxford follows in the footsteps of Cambridge University, which, for the first time this summer, is participating in the UCAS system of adjustment" which allows students who have achieved higher grades than expected on results day, to be reconsidered by other institutions. And Warwick University also announced plans this month, to spend 10m on a program called Warwick Scholars, which is aimed at recruiting underprivileged talent from within a 30-mile radius of its campus. World University Rankings 2018: The top 10 Show all 11 1 /11 World University Rankings 2018: The top 10 World University Rankings 2018: The top 10 1 The University of Oxford holds the top spot globally for the second year in a row Getty World University Rankings 2018: The top 10 2 The University of Cambridge jumps to second from fourth place in 2017 thanks to a perceived improvement in teaching quality Andrew Dunn World University Rankings 2018: The top 10 =3 Beaten by Cambridge this year, the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) falls to third Canon.vs.nikon World University Rankings 2018: The top 10 =3 Stanford University ties in third place with Caltech King of Hearts World University Rankings 2018: The top 10 5 Massachusetts Institute of Technology - the private research institute in Cambridge, US, retains its position in 5th place Madcoverboy World University Rankings 2018: The top 10 6 Harvard University remains in 6th place for another year Wikipedia World University Rankings 2018: The top 10 7 Princeton University retains 7th place for 2018 Quantockgoblin World University Rankings 2018: The top 10 8 Imperial College London retains its position as 8th best in the world, according to the rankings Vinceesq World University Rankings 2018: The top 10 9 The University of Chicago rises one place this year to ninth Ibrahim Old World University Rankings 2018: The top 10 =10 ETH Zurich Swiss Federal Institute of Technology falls to joint 10th place Roland zh World University Rankings 2018: The top 10 =10 The University of Pennsylvania makes a surprise entry into the top 10 this year, jumping forward three places WestCoastivieS But these moves are nothing short of overdue. Universities have long resisted attempts at reform and modernisation, whilst simultaneously positioning themselves as change-makers at the forefront of societal progress. With astronomical tuition fees, declining applicants, and mounting calls from students to decolonise their curriculum by including texts and teaching beyond the white and western intellectual tradition, perhaps institutions are finally realising that staying relevant and full means attracting a diverse range of talent, and shedding their antiquated reputations. Theres a whole host of evidence to suggest that higher education institutions really do perpetuate privilege and discrimination. A 2018 study found that black students are 1.5 times more likely to drop out of university than their white and Asian counterparts, with further research reported by this paper, showing that Oxford, Warwick and Bristol admit fewer than 3 per cent of poor white students. Durham University offers places to just 4 per cent. Additionally, a 2016 survey of 600 black teaching professionals by the University and College Union found insidious forms of racism are common in higher-education. Bias towards minority students exists at the very top level when students are interviewed, and upon acceptance of an offer lingering over them around for three years like a persistent cold. Last year, the Sutton Trust found that Oxford and Cambridge recruit more students from eight, mainly-private schools, than almost 3,000 other UK state schools put together. So its maddeningly frustrating and borderline ludicris to hear that the super-privileged are concerned that these new access schemes will somehow detract opportunities away from the wealthiest, most well-connected students in the country. And its just as infuriating that some believe that with the arrival of these new schemes, theres nothing more to be done. Anthony Wallersteiner head of Stowe School (where day fees for boarders start at 9,128 per term), revealed that many of his parents are now worried about admission chances for private school pupils. Wallersteiner likened positive access schemes to social engineering and believes that the criticism of private school pupils is similar to antisemitic abuse yes, you read that correctly. But we need more radical measures from universities to reform higher education if we want to affect real change. Independent Minds Events: get involved in the news agenda Name-blind applications, school-blind applications and a target-driven quota system to admit a certain proportion of disadvantaged and minority students per year, would be a start. Cambridges decision to participate in adjustment is a step in the right direction, but its hardly ground-breaking: theyre offering just 100 places under the new scheme, and its only for students who have already gone through their interview process. Cambridge also refuses to participate in clearing which is the process that allows students who didnt get in to a university to take up spare places after they receive their exam results. Other top Universities that shun clearing include: the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, Durham University and the University of St Andrews. The recent initiatives at Oxford, Warwick and Cambridge are a much-needed start, but if universities want to reflect the communities they serve, and retain their reputations as bastions of change, they need to continue to strive for greater inclusion. And this will ensure national standards are raised, not lowered. Theresa Mays last stand took place in the glass atrium of an accountancy company. Her small audience towered above her, spread over several floors. It meant that she spoke with her neck inclined at an impossibly high angle, glancing up at the distant daylight, like a young Bane, stuck in The Pit prison, dreaming a hopeless dream of a life beyond. There can be no true despair without hope. Whether Theresa May has given up on hope cannot be known. No actual, real, human emotion has ever escaped her. Not even a pheromone of one. But it must, alas, be reported that on a technical level, she has not given up on her withdrawal bill. That will have one last push. And this speech was its midwife. Seeking common ground in parliament, was its tagline, stencilled on a white backdrop above her head. This isnt how it was meant to be. The saboteurs were all meant to have been crushed by now, and yet they are uncrushed. It might even be intimated it is they who are crushing her. Its best to think of the withdrawal bill as it now exists, as a kind of Triggers broom thats been rammed up a particularly mutant scarecrow. The same bill, but its had 14 new amendments, 18 new clauses, 20 new promises, and a commitment to exploring solutions for the frictionless movement of partridges in pear trees. This was the Theresa May version of Oprah Winfreys great car giveaway. You want a commitment to matching EU environmental protections and more? You got it! You want a commitment to exploring technical customs solutions at the Irish border? You got it! Stormont lock? You got it! You want a second referendum? You got it! (Well, youve got a vote on whether to have a second referendum, and youve already had one, and you voted no, but anyway, you got it!) Trouble is, though, routes out of the Brexit mess are not like cars. Not everyone can just jump in the one they like, drive it out the car park and into the sunset. Mainly, what people want, is to make sure their opponent doesnt get what he wants. Actual, workable solutions are as vanishingly non-existent as they have always been. The prime minister had scarcely finished speaking by the time Jacob Rees-Mogg announced the new withdrawal bill was worse than the deal had been before. WTO terms is now the only way. A softish Brexiteer by the name of Andrew Percy, who has voted for Theresa Mays deal three times now, said he wont be voting for it any more. Thats it then. The end. Seeking common ground, the ground slipped away beneath her. The Duchess of Cornwall is shown a loom during a visit to Avoca Mill in Co Wicklow (Neil Hall/PA) The Duchess of Cornwall has told well-wishers in Co Wicklow that the newest member of the royal family is still very little. Camilla was greeted by a crowd of around 30 eager fans as she toured Irelands oldest working mill in Avoca Village, Co Wicklow, on Tuesday. Expand Close A crowd of around 30 people were on hand to welcome the duchess (Neil Hall/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A crowd of around 30 people were on hand to welcome the duchess (Neil Hall/PA) Well-wisher Jo Wallace was accompanied by her grandchildren, who handed over flowers to the duchess. She passed on her congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex over their first child, Archie, who was born on May 6. An embroidered blanket has been gifted to baby Archie, son of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle by Avoca Mills in Co. Wicklow on the visit of the Duchess of Cornwall. She described the baby to well wishers today as: Still very little. pic.twitter.com/XwjZeSRTSg aoife moore. (@aoifegracemoore) May 21, 2019 Camilla replied: Yes, the new one, indeed, hes still very little. Inside the mill, the duchess enjoyed demonstrations by master weavers showcasing the weaving process, and what goes into making a famous Avoca throw. As part of the visit, master weaver Martin Kenny, who has worked at the mill for almost 30 years, handed the loom over to Camilla, who got involved in the unique process. Afterwards, she noted that you wouldnt need to go to the gym after operating the loom. Expand Close The Duchess of Cornwall accepts flowers from well-wishers (Neil Hall/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Duchess of Cornwall accepts flowers from well-wishers (Neil Hall/PA) Mr Kenny said he was delighted to meet the duchess, who said she admired the family generations involved in weaving, and the dedication people have to their craft. Following the tour, Camilla joined a celebratory lunch reception featuring dignitaries from Tourism Ireland, Failte Ireland and Wicklow Tourism, along with past and present Avoca employees. Also in attendance were representatives and members from one of Avocas charity partners, Camphill Communities of Ireland. Expand Close The label on the blanket for the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs son Archie that was given to the Duchess of Cornwall (Neil Hall/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The label on the blanket for the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs son Archie that was given to the Duchess of Cornwall (Neil Hall/PA) Camphill provides residential and day services for people with learning disabilities through a unique model of community living, as well as providing weaving workshops. During the royal visit, artwork created by the community members was presented to the duchess. Avoca also hosted a banquet-style lunch for guests to enjoy. Expand Close The duchess also received her own personalised throw (Neil Hall/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The duchess also received her own personalised throw (Neil Hall/PA) At the end of her visit, Camilla was presented with an Avoca throw with her title embroidered on it. Accepting the gift, she said the label would come in helpful because now no-one can steal it from me. Another throw, embroidered with the name of the new royal baby Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor was given to the duchess to pass on to new parents Harry and Meghan. The Government has been heavily criticised in the Dail over its backing of ludicrous co-living apartment schemes. Labour leader Brendan Howlin said it demonstrated the Governments mind-numbing lack of ambition on housing. The criticism came after Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy was quoted in the Irish Times on Monday describing the prospect of co-living as an exciting choice for young workers. Expand Close Eoghan Murphy (Niall Carson/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Eoghan Murphy (Niall Carson/PA) At one proposed development in Dublin, 42 people would be required to share a communal kitchen. During Leaders Questions on Tuesday, Mr Howlin described co-living schemes as ludicrous and an attempt to normalise cramped living conditions and erode public housing standards. The Minister for Housing has become an apologist for those who wish to push down the quality of housing, he claimed. We are going backwards now. We are reducing standards so that people can live on top of one another. Mr Howlin said Mr Murphys backing of co-living proposals showed Fine Gael was out of touch with the reality of the lives of the vast bulk of working people who needed affordable housing. In response Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said co-living was only one part of the Governments housing policy and that it was important to put the developments in context. He said there could be as few as half a dozen co-living schemes this year and next year. Expand Close Leo Varadkar (Brian Lawless/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Leo Varadkar (Brian Lawless/PA) He added that the solution to the countrys housing issues did not lie in any particular model. We need new housing of all different types and sorts, and lots of it, he told the Dail. But Mr Howlin said: The Taoiseachs reply is just mind-numbing in its lack of ambition. If we had gone into government in 2011 with that attitude to the economic crisis, we would still be in the morass. Solidarity TD Mick Barry said Fine Gael deserved a hammering at the ballot box in Fridays local and European elections for its failure to solve the homelessness crisis. He claimed Fine Gael was a party of landlords and was not going to act against its own class interests. This Friday voters will have a chance to deliver a verdict on the Governments performance on housing, he said. The Taoiseach said it was up to the people to decide who to vote for on Friday. Fianna Fail has called on the Government to come clean and tell the public the truth over its big spending commitments. Finance spokesman Michael McGrath accused Leo Varadkars Government of not having the money to back up its large-scale projects. He said the National Broadband Plan and the spiralling cost overruns of the new National Childrens Hospital alone would leave a very big hole in the states finances He told the Dail that between the two projects the Government would need to find an extra 900 million euro over the next three years. He claimed that figure would rise to 2 billion euro over the lifetime of the National Development Plan up to 2027. Expand Close Leo Varadkar (Brian Lawless/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Leo Varadkar (Brian Lawless/PA) He called on the Taoiseach during Leaders Questions to explain how he was going to fund the shortfall. You are committing money you simply do not have. These commitments are essentially unfunded, he said. The Cork South Central TD added that the figures he was citing were not Fianna Fail calculations, but numbers from the Governments spending watchdog. Mr Varadkar said he was confident the Government would be able to fund the projects. He said Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe would publish the summer economic statement next month with an update on financial projections. Expand Close Paschal Donohoe (Brian Lawless/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Paschal Donohoe (Brian Lawless/PA) He cited the latest CSO labour force survey, published on Tuesday, as evidence that the economy was doing well. He said it showed 2.3 million people at work in Ireland more than ever before. He said if the positive economic figures continue and were not blown off course by a hard Brexit, the Government would be in a very good position to put together a budget in September. Mr McGrath said: The money is simply not there. It will not be there in the summer economic statement next month and its about time you came clean with people and told them the truth. Mr Varadkar said he could not accept Fianna Fail trying to put on a mask of economic prudence and economic competence. Last time Fianna Fail was in government it quadrupled the national debt and we have reduced it, he said. British Prime Minister Theresa May has made the shock move of offering MPs a vote on a second Brexit referendum. In her latest attempt to get backing for her beleaguered Brexit deal, Mrs May also made a fresh round of political commitments aimed at shoring up cross-party support for the agreement. Expand Close Theresa May / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Theresa May When is this second referendum taking place? It may never happen. Mrs May only committed to allowing MPs vote on whether they should have another referendum or not. But it is likely the House of Commons will vote down such a proposal. In a speech today, Mrs May said she was personally against having another referendum but understood some politicians had genuine and sincere feelings on the issue. So what else is she offering? She said she would align UK workers rights with those of EU citizens post Brexit. She also said she would maintain the same environmental standards as the EU and keep the same regulations on goods and products to ensure trade is not disrupted. She said she will ensure there is near frictionless trade with the EU once the UK leaves the single market but she will end free movement of people. Expand Close Theresa May. Photo: PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Theresa May. Photo: PA How is she addressing her party members concerns over the Irish border and the backstop? The Prime Minister told MPs she would make a legal commitment to completing negotiations on alternatives to the Northern Ireland backstop by December 2020. She also said she would align Northern Ireland and British rules and regulations should the backstop come into force. The EU has insisted a time limit cannot be put on the backstop as it is an insurance policy to ensuring a hard border does not return on the island of Ireland. Did she offer anything else? She also said the parliament would be able to vote on any future customs union the UK might have with the EU. She also said she would pursue changes to the political declaration which accompanies the Brexit withdrawal deal she agreed with the EU. Will any of this work? All will depend on how the House of Commons votes next month when he puts the deal to the parliament. However, Labour Party Leader Jeremy Corbyn already said his MPs will be instructed to vote against the Prime Ministers deal as he believed the new pledges were repackaging of the same old bad deal. Hardline Tory Brexiteer Jacob Rees Moog also said the new offer was unquestionably worse than before. What does all this mean for Ireland? Ms Mays new Brexit commitments would not require the Withdrawal Agreement to be renegotiated so the Government and the EU have no issue with what is being proposed. In Dublin, Government officials said they were watching and studying what was happening in Britain and were hoping the deal would be passed. However, there is no great expectation that the Prime Minister will convince MPs to back her deal. In a sign of the pessimism in Government, Tanaiste Simon Coveney told Cabinet members today that the threat of Britain crashing out of the EU is greater than ever. The Irish agri sector needs to restore public trust as climate change is the single biggest issue across Irish doorways in the run up to the EU elections, EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan has said. Commissioner Hogan stated in Kilkenny yesterday that the EU has reached a turning point and that its citizens are demanding action and that the Irish agri food sector needs to do more in the climate and environment space. The simple fact is that we urgently need to tackle climate change and the degradation of our ecosystems if we want to preserve the planet for future generations. It is clear in this year's local and European elections that climate change is now one of the biggest issues on doorways across Ireland, and indeed across Europe, the Commissioner told those at the launch of the Precision Agriculture Centre of Excellence in Kilkenny. Our agri-food sector needs to do more to restore public trust in relation to its capacity to deliver healthy, safe and nutritious products in an environmentally friendly manner. I have been consistent in calling on the Irish agri-food sector to do more in the climate and environment space, and precision agriculture will be absolutely critical for success in this key area. He pointed out that only 53pc of rural areas in the EU have access to fast broadband which is an important obstacle the development of new businesses, jobs and prosperity in rural areas. He said the EU is working hard to close the digital gap. Making sure that our farming sector and rural communities get the full benefit from the digital revolution is a strong priority for me and indeed for the European Commission as a whole. Calls have been made for compulsory purchase orders (CPO) to be used for graveyards as farmers ramp up prices for land. Fianna Fail councillor Malachy Noone has expressed concern that landowners were looking for too much money. The Galway County Council representative also suggested that the council embarks on the compulsory purchase of lands for graveyards in situations where no agreement can be reached with landowners. Cllr Noone made the suggestion at a meeting of Athenry-Oranmore Municipal Council when it was said that the graveyards in Claregalway and Annaghdown were close to being full and needed to be extended. He pointed out that the land where Claregalway Cemetery is located was acquired back in the late 1960s by a CPO and there was no reason why this process could not be used again. "Some of the landowners are looking for money that would be close to development prices and that is not sustainable," he added. "The council cannot pay exorbitant prices for land so there is nothing wrong with going down the route of issuing a CPO in order to extend a graveyard." Independent councillor James Charity was in agreement with embarking on the CPO process. He said: "We have a crisis situation. There is no doubt about that. "But the council also has to be realistic in its approach to acquiring lands to extend graveyards." The often lethal dangers associated with farm activities was highlighted by a coroner at an inquest into the death of a 50-year-old Co. Mayo farmer who was pinned beneath a slab of concrete which collapsed upon him while he was demolishing an outhouse. Gerard Naughton, Killeen, Ballindine instantly while singlehandedly knocking down an old farm shed on January 9 last. His body was discovered by his wife, Ann Marie, when she returned from collecting one of her children, Emma, from a school bus. In a statement to gardai which was read at an inquest into her husbands death in Castlebar, Mrs. Naughton explained that as they reached home she asked Emma to get out there and see if there is any sight of your dad. Continuing her statement, Mrs. Naughton said she then saw a flash of yellow which she recognised as Gerrys wellington. At that stage Emma turned around to me and said: Mammy, hes under it. Mrs. Naughton said they both began calling Gerrys name but there was no response and she raised the alarm by ringing a relative. Mr. Naughton, who was regarded in his community as a hardworking and progressive farmer, died at the scene despite efforts to revive him. Dr. Fadel Bennani, consultant pathologist at Mayo University Hospital, gave the cause of death as positional asphyxia due to chest compression due to the collapse of a wall. Responding to a question from Mr. Naughtons widow, Dr. Bennani said there was nothing that could be done to save her husband even if she and others were standing right beside him at the time of the structural collapse. After returning a verdict of accidental death in accordance with the medical evidence, the coroner noted that unfortunately there is a phenomenon in this country of many farmers being killed due to accidents on their properties. The coroner said he hoped that lessons from the tragedy would be learned by other farmers. Minister Flanagan said An Garda Siochana have advised that "lurching" is not provided for in legislation and therefore does not appear as an incident type or category of PULSE. Stock picture Gardai cannot categorise 'lurching' as a crime on its Pulse system, the Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan has confirmed. It comes following a spate of incidents in recent months, with farmers maintaining their farms and homes are being targeted by groups of individuals trespassing on their land with lurcher dogs. Farmers have claimed that while these individuals say they are hunting, in reality, they're casing out their property. The Irish Farmer's Association (IFA) has raised concerns that if farmers identify people trespassing on their land, it is not considered a criminal offence. In September, a Dublin farmer suffered a violent and attack when he confronted a number of men who were trespassing on his land. Father-of-three Pat Walsh (47), from Lispopple, Swords, suffered four cracked ribs, a dislocated shoulder and needed stitches to his face after he was kicked repeatedly on the ground about 150m from his home. However, last week, Minister Flanagan said An Garda Siochana have advised that "lurching" is not provided for in legislation and therefore does not appear as an incident type or category of PULSE. Fianna Fail spokesperson on Justice, Jim OCallaghan, has said that Irelands trespass laws must be reviewed and brought under the criminal justice system to protect businesses and landowners. Deputy OCallaghan said At present, illegal trespassing is dealt with solely under our civil law system. It is not treated as a criminal issue." Fianna Fail said it believes that this needs to be changed so that some serious forms of trespass can be categorised as crimes. "This is necessary to deal with those types of trespass which are for the purpose of gathering information about property that can be then be used to commit theft and burglary. "That type of premeditated trespass can have a very damaging impact on farmers, landowners and businesses. He also said to deal with the scourge of rural crime, other changes are needed. He said bail laws must be changed to ensure that repeat offenders cannot get bail as easily as they can at present and that rural Garda stations must be reopened. "We need to see more Gardai working in the hearts of communities across rural Ireland. What many people are deeply frustrated with is the failure to properly roll out Garda-controlled CCTV schemes. This needs to change to give rural dwellers more confidence," he said. A PROPOSED 100m redevelopment of one of Ireland's oldest shopping centres has been given the green light. An Bord Pleanala (ABP) approved the massive redevelopment of the Wilton Shopping Centre after the granting of planning permission by Cork City Council last year had been appealed by a local residents group and others. A total of 22 conditions have been imposed on the redevelopment project - many in respect of traffic management at the complex which is located directly across the road from Cork University Hospital (CUH). The conditions were imposed following a detailed environmental impact study of the project. Wilton Road Residents Association (WRRA) and others had appealed the decision by Cork City Council to approve the project. They claimed it would have an adverse impact on the area which was already heavily congested. However, ABP ruled that, in overall terms, the project would make a positive contribution to both Wilton and the entire Cork city area. The extensive redevelopment will involve the partial demolition of the existing complex and the construction of a 870 bay multi-storey car park, multi-screen cinema complex and a 190 bedroom hotel. The expanded shopping centre will extend to between two and seven storeys in height - with anchor tenants Tesco and Penneys. Also include in the blueprint is a cafe and restaurant and a special plaza. The project also involves around 4,400 square metres in office space. ABP addressed congestion concerns by insisting that the development includes an internal roadway between the multi-storey car park and a shopping centre exit. The board also found that, in its design and aims, the project complies with the existing Cork City Development Plan. The current shopping centre - which opened in 1979 - has around 60 shops and employs more than 500 people. It was the focus of a major expansion in the early 2000s largely focused on its Tesco outlet. Wilton has ranked for over three decades as one of the most successful shopping centres outside Dublin. KBC Bank has apologised for the tracker loss cases at the bank and committed to learning the lessons from the scandal. More than 3,700 customer accounts have been impacted. The bank told members of the Oireachtas Finance Committee the tracker probe is a top priority for it. New chief executive Peter Roebben said KBC was determined to right the wrongs experienced by its customers. He said he did not expect the numbers of customers impacted by the tracker-loss scandal to rise. The 1bn tracker scandal blew up at 15 lenders as banks did not allow people who originally had a tracker to return to the attractive rate after being on a fixed rate for a period, or did not make it clear to customers what they would lose by signing off on a tracker. Mr Roebben told the committee: We would like to again acknowledge our errors in relation to the administration of tracker mortgages and can I, as a newly appointed CEO, add my sincerest apologies, to that of my predecessors, to those affected. Can I also publicly commit us to taking on board the lessons learned on behalf of our customers. The bank said 96pc of customers impacted by the tracker issue at the bank have now received full redress and compensation. Paying refunds and compensation has cost the bank 120m. This is way up from the 4.4m the bank had set aside in 2016 to cover the cost of tracker redress. At the start of the year the bank identified 661 extra cases of people wrongly denied tracker mortgages. There are no further customers impacted by a loss of a tracker, subject to discussion between the bank and the Central Bank, the bank told the committee, which is chaired by Fianna Fail TD John McGuinness. KBC is one of six banks that are expected to be fined by the Central Bank due to their denial of trackers to customers. Mr Roebben said the bank was a positive force for choice in the Irish market. It was not planning sales of non-performing residential mortgages, with the remainder of residential arrears cases in the bank to be dealt with internally. Last August the bank sold a 1.9bn portfolio of non-performing loans Goldman Sachs. When it comes to the issue of non-performing loans and arrears, I believe that we should continue to tread carefully. We must remain conscious of the vulnerability of those who find themselves in difficulty and behave accordingly. The KBC boss said that in around 90pc of its arrears cases borrowers have agreed a resolution option with the bank. In December, the bank hit headlines when it moved to repossess a farm in Strokestown, Co Roscommon, in a high-profile case that attracted controversy. MICHAEL O'Leary was characteristically blunt with analysts yesterday. "The pricing environment is s**t," he said, commenting on how downward pressure on air fares is proving a challenge for Ryanair and other carriers. Its fares (the average was 37 in the last financial year) are now the same as they were back in 2010, but the carrier is still far more profitable. He said the low air-fare environment is good for Ryanair. "We're the lowest-cost operator," said Mr O'Leary. "We have no intention of stepping back our capacity growth because we're adding capacity that is fundamentally lower cost [than rivals']." The airline chief has again predicted the demise of other airlines in Europe as jet fuel prices remain high and fares low. He singled out Norwegian and Thomas Cook as being stressed, but claimed a clutch of other carriers in Europe are also under pressure, from Portugal's Tap to Poland's Lot. "We're back to this famous [Warren] Buffet maxim: 'It's only when the tide goes out that you see who's swimming with trunks and who's swimming naked'," he said. "The industry is moving inexorably towards a consolidated outcome, as it has in North America in last four or five years," added Mr O'Leary. "Air fares in Europe are materially lower than they are in North America, with a higher cost base. That will, over the medium term, work itself out of the system." RYANAIR is in talks with Boeing regarding potential compensation after the grounding of 737 Max jets around the world, according to CEO Michael O'Leary. But he declined to say how much the carrier could seek from the aircraft maker. Mr O'Leary also warned that any significant further delays with the recertification of the jet by safety authorities which result in the aircraft being unavailable for summer 2020 would mean "a year of historically, by our standards, very low traffic growth". Ryanair has a firm order for 135 Max 8 jets, and an option on 75 more. "We are in an ongoing dialogue with Boeing," said Mr O'Leary. "I'm sure we will work something out with Boeing, whether that's compensation or something on the price of the aircraft - not sure yet. "That's a discussion that we are having with our partners at Boeing, but not one we'd comment on publicly." Boeing 737 Max jets have been grounded since soon after a deadly crash of one of the aircraft in service with Ethiopian Airlines in March. That followed a fatal crash last October of a Max jet operated by Indonesia's Lion Air. An anti-stall system used on the jets played a key role in both crashes. Mr O'Leary said he still expects to have 50 of the aircraft in service for next summer, with deliveries likely to start in the autumn. He also said he thinks any residual passenger concerns about the aircraft's safety will quickly dissipate once they're back in service. "Our sense is, and the growing sense within the industry is, that the Max will be back flying in North America probably by the end of June or sometime in July," he said, adding that other agencies including the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, will "probably" take another month to recertify the jet. Ryanair will use a variant of the aircraft that has two extra doors. "We've notified Boeing that we're not taking these aircraft until the end of October-November," said Mr O'Leary. He added that some of the jets will probably be in service by the winter with Ryanair. Mr O'Leary was speaking as Ryanair blamed lower fares for a 29pc slump in profit to 1.02bn for the 12 months to the end of March. Profits are likely to be flat this year. Revenue for the period was 6pc higher at 7.6bn as Ryanair's passenger numbers rose 7pc to 139.1 million. The airline benefited from strong ancillary revenue growth, which was up 19pc at 2.4bn. Shares in Ryanair tumbled more than 5.3pc in early trading, even as it announced a 700m share buyback. "The shares are very lowly priced," said Mr O'Leary. They're down more than a third in the past year. "This is not a time when anybody else should be buying shares," he said. "I would ask you to wait until we've completed our share buyback before you start placing your orders." Management solutions group Carne is to create 250 jobs in Ireland over the next three years. The group is expanding in a bid to further strengthen its offering in the investment fund governance solutions sector. It is recruiting 50 highly-skilled people to work at a new financial services centre which it is opening in Wexford. Carne is hiring for multiple positions within risk management, compliance and operations and is also looking to recruit IT developers, IT architects, data miners, cyber security experts, financial crime specialists and business analysts. The remaining 200 roles will be split between Wexford and its office in Kilkenny, where it currently employs 50 staff. John Donohoe, CEO of Carne, said: The demand for our next generation technology and risk driven asset management solutions continues to drive rapid growth across the entire group. The expansion of our Kilkenny financial services centre and the opening of our new financial services centre in Wexford reflects this. Our ambition is to support our asset management clients to revolutionise their businesses and our experience is that regions such as Kilkenny and Wexford have a rich pool of talent that can help us achieve this. The expansion is supported by the Department of Business, Enterprise, and Innovation, through Enterprise Ireland. A little over a year has passed since Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg was hauled in front of the US Congress in Washington DC to answer questions about the company's role in the Cambridge Analytica fallout and Russian interference in the 2016 US Presidential elections. To say that the event was a damp squib is an understatement. At times the hearing stumbled uncomfortably from being a cringeworthy exercise in explaining how the internet works to your granddad to a mismatched spectacle of a cunning fox being savaged by a dead sheep. In the intervening period, Facebook and its boss have rarely strayed too far from the headlines. From refusing a request to discuss fake news and data privacy in front of UK and Canadian government officials, persistent data breaches, more fake news, the prospect of major fines running into billions of dollars, misleading advertising or, more recently, the live streaming of tragic events such as the mass murder of 51 people in New Zealand, it's more than fair to say that Zuckerberg and the company he founded have stumbled from one PR crisis to another. Facebook's case hasn't been helped by a number of people who played a key role in the early days. These include its founding president Sean Parker, who, last year, lambasted the company for exploiting vulnerabilities in human psychology through its in-baked social-validation feedback loop. Then there is Roger McNamee, whose Elevation VC fund was one of the early investors in Facebook and was quite close to Zuckerberg and his team in the early days. In his recently published book, Zucked: Waking Up to the Facebook Catastrophe, McNamee credits Facebook for its major role in the creation of a "dystopian technology future which society and democracy wasn't ready for". He also had a go at the company for its perceived threat to democracy worldwide. As he noted in his book: "Facebook has managed to connect 2.2 billion people and drive them apart at the same time." But Zuckerberg's 'Et tu, Brute' moment came last week when Chris Hughes turned his guns on the company he co-founded in a Harvard dorm with Zuckerberg. Writing in an op-ed piece in the New York Times, Hughes admitted that he felt both angry and responsible for creating the monopolistic behemoth that is Facebook today. Unlike McNamee or Parker, Hughes was very close to Zuckerberg from day one and is in a very strong position to make judgements about his character, his strengths and weaknesses and what makes him tick and a daily basis. "Mark's influence is staggering, far beyond that of anyone else in the private sector or in government ... Facebook's board works more like an advisory committee than an overseer, because Mark controls around 60pc of voting shares," Hughes said. "Mark is a good, kind person. But I'm angry that his focus on growth led him to sacrifice security and civility for clicks. I'm disappointed in myself and the early Facebook team for not thinking more about how the News Feed algorithm could change our culture, influence elections and empower nationalist leaders. And I'm worried that Mark has surrounded himself with a team that reinforces his beliefs instead of challenging them." Every time Facebook messes up, Hughes adds, "we repeat an exhausting pattern: first outrage, then disappointment and, finally, resignation". But he reserves some of his strongest criticisms for Facebook's monopoly in the social media market, how it stifles competition, innovation and, ultimately, consumer choice. Now is the time for the FTC to break up the company, a task, he admits, that will be fraught with difficulties. This has not gone unnoticed in the parallel universe that is the real world. As the USA heads into another presidential election campaign in 2020, one of the leading Democratic contenders, Elizabeth Warren, has placed the break up of 'Big Tech', including Facebook, at the centre of her political agenda. Breaking up Big Tech will, of course, come with considerable challenges. While tighter and more effective legislation might be the preferred option, particularly in Silicon Valley, breaking up digital companies that essentially use data to underpin their business models is a whole new territory for legislators around the world. The reality is that practically all the anti-trust legislation caters for the analogue world of companies that make physical goods, have clearly defined territories, market share and sell products or services to consumers. How do you apply this to companies like Facebook or Google? While breaking up Big Tech might indeed be a good thing or make for a good political sound-bite, as the old crooner Neil Sedaka noted, breaking up is hard to do. Doubling down in Dublin Sprout Social, the Chicago-headquartered provider of social media marketing and analytics tools is expanding its Irish operations and hopes to add an additional 60 staff by the end of 2020. The firm, which employs 42 staff in Dublin and 500 worldwide, services over 4,000 customers in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. According to the company more than 161m was spent in Ireland on social media advertising and marketing in 2018, an increase of 31pc on 2017. Getting creative at JWT There has been a lot of movement on the creative front in terms of new hires amongst agencies in recent months. The latest to jump ship are Jonny Cullen and Keith Lawler who have moved to become creative directors at JWT Folk. Lawler, meanwhile, has been with the agency for the past two years and his new role is a promotion for the creative who has also worked for agencies like Saatchi and Saatchi in Dubai and TBWA in Dublin. Shareholders at Independent News & Media (INM) will consider the proposed 145.6m acquisition of the company by Belgian-Dutch newspaper publisher Mediahuis next month. The High Court made directions yesterday for the convening of the meeting scheduled for June 26 at the Carlton Dublin Airport Hotel. INM shareholders are being circulated details of a proposed scheme of arrangement, a mechanism to complete a corporate transaction even if not all shareholders agree. In INM's case this means that if holders of 75pc of shares accept the Mediahuis offer, then remaining shareholders can be forced to sell to ensure a full takeover. Mediahuis already owns 29.9pc of INM, having bought shares from Denis O'Brien and Dermot Desmond, previously the biggest shareholders. The meeting will deal with the proposed scheme of arrangement and is expected to be immediately followed by an EGM where a number of resolutions will be put to shareholders. These include resolutions to approve the scheme of arrangement and to approve the cancellation of ordinary shares in INM. The deal will require High Court approval as well as approval from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and the Communications Minister. Mr Justice Robert Haughton agreed to an application from INM for the matter to be entered on the Commercial Court list. In support of the application, Brian Kennedy SC, for INM, said the company was relying on the size of the transaction and the need for commercial certainty, having regard to a relatively short time frame to comply with takeover rules. The High Court is due to be updated on the outcome of the meeting on July 4. Directions will then be sought by INM for a final hearing date. Mr Kennedy said this would be contingent on the timing of regulatory approval and may need to take place during August or September. INM is the country's largest independent media company and the publisher of the Irish Independent. It employs around 800 people and had revenues of 191m in 2018. In an affidavit, INM chief executive Michael Doorly said a draft circular containing the proposed scheme of arrangement had been submitted to the Irish Takeover Panel. He said as part of the proposed acquisition, Mediahuis will acquire the entire issued ordinary shares in INM and will end up with 100pc control. Mr Doorly said INM's board, having been advised by Lazard, considered the deal to be fair and reasonable. He said that where employees have existing rights, including compensation and pension rights, these would be safeguarded following the scheme becoming effective. Google and Huawei say that hundreds of thousands of Irish Huawei smartphones will not stop working overnight because of new sanctions. The tech giants have responded to a new US ruling that means Google will stop providing the Chinese phone giant with crucial technology, including access to its 'Play Store' where all Android apps are downloaded. If followed through, the move will be a disaster for Huawei, which is the third biggest phone brand in Ireland and the second largest in the world. It would cripple Huawei smartphones, leaving owners unable to access everyday apps such as YouTube, Gmail, Google Search and Google Maps. Huawei says that the move is due to kick in with future models and upgrades, although a question mark hangs over whether current Huawei phones can be updated without losing access to all of their apps. The issue has arisen as part of a trade war between the US and China. US President Donald Trump issued the order targeting Huawei against the backdrop of worsening industrial relations between the two superpowers. However, both Huawei and Google say that access to Google apps and its app store will remain in place for the time being. But the US sanctions mean that the next version of the Android operating system won't be allowed on new Huawei phones. It is not yet clear whether that means current users cannot upgrade without losing access to apps or whether it only affects new models purchased after the new Android version is released. "While we are complying with all US government requirements, services like Google Play and security from Google Play Protect will keep functioning on your existing Huawei device," said Google in a statement. It also remains unclear whether other popular US tech services, such as Facebook, WhatsApp and Netflix, will also be banned from providing services to Huawei under the same trade war sanctions. Hardware providers such as Intel and Qualcomm have also been told they must stop providing equipment to the Chinese telecoms company. Half of Huawei's phone sales are in China, where Google is not allowed to provide its full Android service. Meanwhile, the broadband provider Siro, which is a joint venture between the ESB and Vodafone, has said that the Huawei tech trade sanctions will not disrupt its rollout plans in big Irish towns despite its use of Huawei networking equipment. "Our network has not been impacted by recent developments and is not dependent on third-party software updates," said a spokesman. The outlook for global trade fell sharply in the first quarter and is at its weakest level since 2010 with the prospect of worse to come, according to the World Trade Organisation - a development that could spell trouble for the economy here. The World Trade Outlook Indicator fell to a reading of 96.3 on a scale where 100 and above indicates expansion, while below that number indicates a contraction. The closely-watched indicator was published after US President Donald Trump ramped up his tariffs on imports from China last week, extending a trade war that could dent economic growth. While he deferred a decision on car tariffs that could hit the EU, he kept the threat open. "The outlook for trade could worsen further if heightened trade tensions are not resolved or if macroeconomic policy fails to adjust to changing circumstances," the World Trade Organisation said in its monthly assessment of the prospects for trade. The decline in the WTO's outlook was led by lower readings for international air freight, car production and sales (92.2), and agricultural raw materials (92.4) . The threat of a trade war between the United States and European Union over cars would hit Ireland hard, as it is the most exposed to trade with America of any EU state. Data released last week showed exports from here surged 12pc in the first three months of the year, the biggest increase in the EU apart from Luxembourg. While Mr Trump's announcement that a decision on whether to impose car tariffs of up to 25pc would be made after six months, it also set up the prospect of a prolonged period of uncertainty. The twists and turns of the relationship with China have been driven by the President's Twitter feed and until just over a week ago, expectations had been for a negotiated deal to end the conflict. In its April trade forecast WTO director general Roberto Azevedo estimated that merchandise trade volume growth would fall to 2.6pc this year and the body's economists forecast that if a global trade war were to start this year, it would cut global economic growth by almost 2pc by 2022. For comparison, that figure is just shy of the 2.1pc contraction in global output in the financial crisis in 2009. President Trump has pressed ahead with his tariffs despite mounting evidence that they are damaging, rather than helping the US economy. A study by the New York Federal Reserve last month said the tariffs were costing US consumers $1.4bn a month. Further evidence came yesterday in a damning assessment from the National Bureau of Economic Research, the top economic research body in the US. It said Mr Trump's trade protection measures do not increase "but will instead reduce manufacturing employment" and that those losses would grow if there was retaliation from other countries. In the event of a full-blown trade war between the US and EU, those losses will escalate, according to the research paper published on Monday. "Under the US and EU tariff trade wars, all involved countries will lose, meaning that the US cannot gain employment from trade protection measures," three economists, Chunding Li, Jing Wang, and John Whalley wrote. "Comparatively, the US will lose more manufacturing employment than the EU," the report said. Talks between Washington and Brussels are stuck as the US is pressing the EU to open agricultural markets, something that officials here say was not on the agenda. A fourth instalment in the popular John Wick franchise has been announced (Ian West/PA) A fourth instalment in the popular John Wick franchise has been announced and will be released in 2021, distributor Lionsgate said. John Wick 3 is in UK cinemas now and sees Keanu Reeves reprising his role as the titular assassin seeking brutal revenge on his enemies. The film has been a hit with critics and holds a rating of 88% on review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes. Expand Close Keanu Reeves stars in John Wick: Chapter 3 Parabellum (Ian West/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Keanu Reeves stars in John Wick: Chapter 3 Parabellum (Ian West/PA) A sequel was announced on Monday in a text sent to fans who had been receiving updates from Lionsgate. It read: You have served. You will be of service. John Wick: Chapter 4 is coming May 21, 2021. No further details were available. Reeves first took on the role of Wick in the franchises opening film in 2014, with the second chapter following in 2017. John Wick: Chapter 3 Parabellum also stars Halle Berry. Spicing it up for 2019, are from left: Geri Horner, Melanie Chisholm, Emma Bunton and Melanie Brown With just three days to go, it is almost time for the Spice Girls to kick off their 2019 stadium tour in Croke Park in Dublin. Before you get into the groove by listening to Wannabe and Say Youll Be There we have everything you need to know ahead of Fridays concert. How long it has been: The Spice Girls, without original fifth member Victoria Beckham, will be the first girl group to ever perform in Croke Park. It will be their first concert on Irish soil in 21 years and their first concert in general since their celebrated performance at the 2012 Olympic Games. Times: If you already have your tickets, come early and be prepared to queue up, albeit briefly, at the individual entrances. The doors will open at 6pm, with supporting act Jess Glynne kicking off the show at 7pm. The main act is due to kick off at 8:15pm and they will play a full two hour set. While you should try to be early, Gardai stress that they strongly discourage any overnight queuing or partying around the premises out of respect for local residents. Tickets: Promoters MCD also state that Croke Park will sell out on Friday night, but due to some changes in staging and production requirements, they will release an undisclosed number of additional tickets before the full 75,000 are reached. Gardai advised concertgoers to only to buy tickets from credited sources in order to avoid scams or unfair prices. So far, about 20pc of the tickets have been sold to countries outside of Ireland, with some fans travelling all the way from Taiwan or Brazil. Overall the concert will create around 41 million in additional revenue for the city of Dublin, with organisers calling the blessing a fourth All Ireland final. Video of the Day How to get there: Due to the lack of parking spaces around Croke Park, organisers are urging people not to come by car. They advise fans to use public transport or to walk to the venue from the city centre. In and around Croke Park a system of coloured routes will lead the fans to their individual stands. Additionally, Gardai and stewards have a crowd management plan ready to get people to and from the venue smoothly. Security: Garda will have around 150 personell in and around Croke Park, with further security staff supporting them in their efforts. Event Controller for promoters MCD, Eamon Fox, advises fans that only bags of A4 size or smaller will be allowed inside the venue. There will not be a cloackroom or storage facilities and bags must not be left at entrances or surrounded areas. For those who do drive and park locally, Inspector Tony Gallagher urges fans to leave no valuables in their cars and to only take essentials with you to the concert. Garda units from the areas surrounding Croke Park will manage the security around the local public transport and walking routes. Will Mel B perform? When news emerged last weekend that Mel B had been left "totally blind" following laser eye surgery there were fears she would not make the tour. However, she is well on the road to recovery and will perform with her fellow Spice Girls on Friday night. Age Restrictions: Children under 14 will not be allowed on the pitch accompanied or unaccompanied. All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. Weather: Early weather forecasts predict a dry and warm evening for Friday. So far, it looks like the ideal weather to party with your favourite girl group. App: The EVNTZ app is available to download for Apple or Android, with up-to-date information exclusive for the Dublin gigs, including traffic and weather updates. So thats it, then. After eight years, 72 episodes, many rapes, innumerable shocking and surprising deaths, a handful of epic battles and mass slaughters, thousands of gallons of fake blood spilled, untold millions of dollars spent and hundreds of internet memes about a coffee cup, its Game Over for Game Of Thrones. I was going to say over bar the shouting, except theres been plenty of shouting about the eighth and final season already. About how big, important story arcs that had spanned the entire series (particularly the onward march of the terrifying Night King and his hordes) fizzled out with a whimper instead of a bang. About how the writers betrayed some of the strongest female characters. Daenerys was transformed, in a single episode, from a hero to a paranoid, power-crazed headcase who incinerated thousands of innocent men, women and children for what seemed to be no reason at all, while the previously ruthless, heartless Cersei suddenly turned into a whimpering damsel in distress, pleading with her brother/incestuous lover Jaime to protect her. About how the standard of writing dropped once the series deviated from the sacred text of George RR Martin, whos still not finished writing the penultimate novel in the series. Given its been eight years since the last book, readers must be wondering if hell ever conclude the saga. Mostly, the shouting was about how season eight was too short, and felt thin and rushed, with plenty of action and spectacle, but not much in the way of character depth or consistency, and plot holes big enough to fly a dragon through. The cynical opinion is that showrunners David Benioff and DB Weiss, knowing theyd already landed the biggest gig in Hollywood overseeing the next Star Wars trilogy just wanted to wrap Game Of Thrones up as quickly as possible. But if you ignore the million or so permanently infantilised idiots whove petitioned HBO to remake the entire eighth season using different writers, it would appear that, following last nights finale, Game Of Thrones fans are simply too exhausted at this stage to do any more shouting. As someone whos not a hardcore Game Of Thrones fan, but whos been paying close attention over the last few weeks to the reactions of those who are, the finale appears to have been greeted with a weary, defeated shrug. Read More The majority consensus is that the final episode was for reasons Im not going to go into here in case youve not yet watched it a disappointment, but a disappointment they were prepared for. Forewarned is forearmed, as they say. Video of the Day Given the dogs dinner that was season eight as a whole, nobody realistically expected Benioff and Weiss would be able to wrap the whole thing up satisfactorily in one 90-minute instalment. The pair did themselves no favours with scripts that were frequently sloppy, yet you have to wonder if any showrunner(s) could have delivered a finale that did complete justice to the epic story. The truth is, whether its a novel, a cycle of novels, a film or a TV series, the ending is always going to be the hardest part of the story to get right. Even Stephen King, one of the most successful, prolific and beloved authors the world has ever seen, sometimes struggles with endings. His epic novels It and The Stand are two of his masterpieces, yet in both cases, the climax is the weakest element of the book. But both are such gripping, rewarding and otherwise brilliantly crafted reads that you can overlook that little stumble at the final hurdle. Game Of Thrones may have fluffed the finale, but it was by no means as bad as those of Lost and Dexter, which were insultingly awful. Ultimately, even those of us who are GoT agnostics owe it a lot for reviving something wed thought had been rendered extinct in an era of streaming services and binge-watching: the notion of television as a global communal experience. Its hard to imagine any other series that could have done that. A five-year-old boy is recovering in hospital after he was trapped in a pipe and had to be dug out by fire crews. The youngster, who sustained only minor injuries, was left stuck in the pipe for about 30 minutes with only his head and shoulders above the ground before he was safely freed by firefighters. The alarm was raised at around 5.30pm yesterday when emergency services were alerted to the incident at Brookfields, in Shannon, Co Clare. An ambulance and gardai responded to the incident initially however, despite the best efforts of paramedics, they were unable to free the boy from the pipe and requested assistance from the fire service. It is understood that one of the child's legs bent backwards after he accidentally stepped into the pipe and this left him wedged inside the pipe and unable to move. Three units of the fire brigade from Shannon town attended the scene. On arrival, fire service personnel could only see the child's head and shoulders above the ground. They erected a protective screen around the scene as they decided how best to release the boy. Fire crews used shovels to dig earth from around the pipe and were then able to remove the pipe in sections. Once free, the young boy was handed into the care of National Ambulance Service paramedics to be assessed and treated. As a precaution, he was brought to University Hospital Limerick for treatment for what are believed to be minor injuries. "This family is not from here but have lived here for a while. "They're lovely. I don't remember noticing that hole there before so I wasn't aware it was an issue. Luckily it wasn't deeper," one local said. "Kids play in there all the time. I don't know how it didn't happen before. "The emergency services were very professional and just got on with it. Thank God the young fella is all right." Meanwhile, fire crews made the hole safe by filling it with sand. Tragic: Schoolgirl Ana Kriegel (14) was killed in May of last year, and her body was found in an abandoned house in Lucan, Dublin A boy accused of murdering Ana Kriegel initially refused to call for her but agreed to do so after his co-accused repeatedly said to him "please, please, please", a trial heard. Boy B told Garda interviewers that he and Boy A were in his bedroom chatting when Boy A asked him to call for Ana. This was on the day that Ana disappeared, the court heard. "At first I said 'no'," he said, "but then he started saying 'please, please, please'." "At last I agreed," Boy B said. The two youths, aged 13 at the time, have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ana Kriegel (14) at Glenwood House, Laraghcon, Clonee Road, in Lucan, Dublin, on May 14 last year. Expand Close Traumatic: Geraldine and Patric Kriegel, parents of schoolgirl Ana Kriegel, leaving court yesterday. Photo: Collins Courts / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Traumatic: Geraldine and Patric Kriegel, parents of schoolgirl Ana Kriegel, leaving court yesterday. Photo: Collins Courts Boy A has also denied a charge of aggravated sexual assault. The jury has begun to hear the first interview which gardai conducted with Boy B at Finglas garda station. Inspector Damien Gannon told the Central Criminal Court that Boy B was arrested by appointment at 8.02am on May 24, 2018 and detained for questioning. Present during the first interview were Boy B, his mother, his solicitor David Powderly, Detective Garda Donal Daly and Detective Sergeant (now Inspector) Damien Gannon. Asked by gardai if he could explain the difference between right and wrong, Boy B said good was giving a homeless man money and bad was taking money from a homeless person. Asked if he could explain the difference between truth and a lie, Boy B said if you did something the truth was "what happened exactly in the story", while a lie was if you were telling a fake story or you weren't there or you weren't present. Gardai then showed Boy B an aerial photograph, and he pointed out a number of places on it, including the gates to the park, the spot where he met Boy A, the changing rooms where he got water from an outside tap and where he saw Ana when he was walking out of the park. Boy B told Garda interviewers that he said hello to Ana but she "looked really sad" and didn't say anything in response. He walked on a bit and when he looked back she was gone. Asked by gardai about the abandoned house, Boy B said he didn't know the name of it and he and his friends just called it "the abandoned house". He said there used to be some animals in it and it had burnt down and been destroyed. He had been exploring with his friends, including Boy A, he added, when they saw the abandoned house. This was "a couple of months ago", adding "some time last year, I think". Gardai then asked Boy B to tell them what had happened on Monday, May 14 - the day Ana disappeared. This was Boy B's opportunity to tell the truth, gardai said. Boy B told gardai he woke up, put on his clothes, ate his breakfast and then brushed his teeth. He went to school, and when school finished he came home and changed his clothes. He then went into the bathroom. It was around 4pm, he said. When he was in the bathroom Boy A called for him. They went into his room so they could chat. Boy B said it was around this time that Boy A asked him to call for Ana Kriegel. He refused but Boy A started saying "please, please, please" and he eventually agreed. He then did some chores and left the house about 4.55pm. The jury will continue to hear the interviews with Boy B this morning. Earlier, forensic scientist Marce Lee-Gorman said a black vest top found in the room near Ana's body was stained with semen which matched the DNA profile of Boy A. Ms Lee-Gorman said there was semen staining on the back hem area and the upper right shoulder area of Ana's black vest top. She also said the black top was damaged. It was torn completely along a side hem, the right shoulder strap had been stretched and pulled and the left shoulder strap was torn in two pieces, one of which was still attached. Ms Lee-Gorman cut out samples of the areas to further examine them under the microscope for any DNA. She found two main contributors and one trace contributor in the sample. The trace contributor sample was not suitable for interpretation, she said. She said she had looked at two possibilities, that either the mixed DNA profile was a match for Ana Kriegel, Boy A and an unknown or that the DNA was a mix of three unknown people unrelated to Ana. Ms Lee-Gorman said her finding was that it was a thousand million times more likely that the DNA was a match to Boy A, Ana and an unknown. She said that she could not determine when the semen was deposited, but it had happened since the top was last washed. Ms Lee-Gorman also examined a white bra. The fabric joining both cups and the band below the cups was torn. The bra was "quite sturdy" and it would take a lot of manipulation and "pulling and tugging" to tear it apart, she said. Ms Lee-Gorman said there was blood staining on the bra, and the DNA matched Ana's. The trial continues. A Fine Gael TD was holding items in both her hands when she fell out of a swing, a hotel she is suing claims. Maria Bailey (43) has sued the Dean Hotel in Dublin for damages of up to 60,000 over injuries she alleges she suffered to her head, back and hip. The swings on the 5th floor outside Sophies Bar in the Dean The Dun Laoghaire TD says she fell backwards out of an indoor swing while having her photo taken during a night out with friends in 2015. In circuit court proceedings, she has accused the hotel of negligence, saying the swing was unsupervised and there were no signs telling patrons how to safely use it. Ms Bailey claims she can no longer sit or stand for long periods without experiencing pain or discomfort. She also says she used to run 70km a week before the incident, but has had to reduce this to less than 20km. The hotel is denying liability, saying that if any injury was suffered, this was due to Ms Baileys own negligence or contributory negligence. Expand Close Denies liability: The Dean Hotel on Harcourt Street, Dublin, where TD Maria Bailey fell off an indoor swing. Photo: Fergal Phillips / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Denies liability: The Dean Hotel on Harcourt Street, Dublin, where TD Maria Bailey fell off an indoor swing. Photo: Fergal Phillips In defence papers, the hotel alleges she failed to use the swing in a proper manner and held items in both hands, restricting her ability to balance and preventing her from holding rope grips properly. The endorsement of claim filed in court by Ms Bailey's solicitors makes no mention of her holding anything in her hands when she fell. Details of the case have emerged at a time when there is a considerable political focus on personal injury awards and high insurance costs. The Government is introducing legislation to allow judges to recalibrate guideline award levels. Ms Bailey's case was briefly mentioned before the County Registrar at Dublin Circuit Civil Court yesterday. Grainne Berkery BL, for Holtend Limited, trading as the Dean Hotel, told the registrar that on consent Ms Bailey had six weeks to file an affidavit of discovery. It is understood this is to satisfy a request for medical and dental records for the three years prior to the alleged incident. Discovery is a routine part of such cases. The court heard the hotel, which has lodged a full defence, was to get its costs for the motion. Ms Bailey was not in court. She is being represented by Madigans Solicitors, a law firm run by a brother of Culture Minister Josepha Madigan. Ms Madigan, a solicitor, stepped away from the firm after becoming a TD. In her action, lawyers for Ms Bailey, of Woodside Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18, say she was at the trendy Harcourt Street hotel with a group of friends on July 13, 2015. They say that at around 9pm her party went to the top floor where there was "a three-swing unit" in the corridor close to a restaurant. Her solicitors say she was sitting on a swing "unsupervised", having her photo taken by friends, "when she was caused to fall backwards". They say she struck the ground, with her hip, lower back and head taking the brunt of the impact. Ms Bailey's action lists 18 different particulars of alleged negligence or breach of duty by the hotel, including that it allowed the swing to be fitted in an unsafe and insecure manner and failed to employ a suitable person to supervise use of the swing by patrons. Her solicitors say she woke up with a severe pain in her back the next morning which prevented her from getting out of bed. After she attended A&E, she was diagnosed with soft-tissue injuries and contusions and advised to attend physiotherapy. Her solicitors say she was also diagnosed with concussion. They say Ms Bailey was running for election as a TD and could not take time off to rest. In the court filing, her solicitors say her orthodontist had to remove a pre-fitted permanent retainer as it was "out of alignment" after the incident. In a defence filing, the hotel admits Ms Bailey sat on the swing unsupervised, but denies any negligence or breach of duty. It says Ms Bailey failed to exercise a reasonable level of care, exposed herself to risk of injury and was reckless or careless about her own safety. Lee Byrne, of Raleigh Square, Crumlin, Dublin pictured at the Four Courts for a Circuit Civil Court action. Pic: Collins Courts FIVE friends have settled a defamation case they had brought against a restaurant for accusing them of leaving without paying for a buffet meal. The five had claimed they were wrongly accused of failing to pay the 200 bill after eating at a restaurant in Liffey Valley Shopping Centre. They had sued Cosmo restaurant, claiming to have been deeply shaken and upset at this incident and the gross slurs" on their good name. The case was brough by Lee Byrne (19) of Raleigh Square, Crumlin, Lee Gibson (20) of Knocknarea Avenue and Jordan Dunphy from Mourne Road, both in Drimnagh, as well as Corrie Colgan (30) of Dolphin House, Rialto and Ashford Coughlan (22) of Hanover Reach, Forbes Street, Hanover Quay. The action was taken at Dublin Circuit Civil Court by the five against Great Dublin Capital Ltd, the owners of the restaurant over an incident on February 8, 2017. The case was settled on terms including the reading of an apology out to court in which the restaurant owners said they sincerely apologised for what was a mistake after the five paid for the meal in full, including a tip. Judge Raymond Groarke struck out the proceedings. According to the plaintiffs claim papers, submitted to the court, they ate from the buffet on the day and left a tip of about 10 to 15. When they had finished their meal, they requested the bill which came to over 200. The plaintiffs paid in cash, including an additional service tip and it was collected by one of the waiting staff, the documents stated. The five then left the premises. As they waited at the elevator to go down to the ground floor of the shopping centre, they were approached by a waitress in uniform, who blocked their access to the elevator with her hand. The waitress spoke in a loud and accusatory manner, the document stated, adding that in full view of the public she said you did not pay for the food. The plaintiffs told her she was mistaken and she repeated: you did not pay for the food. The documents stated the plaintiffs said again she was mistaken and ultimately the waitress allowed them to leave. The five were in the car park when they heard someone shouting in their direction. The restaurant manager spoke in a loud and accusatory manner, the documents continued. In full view of the public, he said: lads, lads, come back, you didnt pay. The plaintiffs remonstrated with the manager that they did pay and had left a generous tip, but the manager continued to address them in an accusatory manner. The manager insisted that (the plaintiffs) return back upstairs to the restaurant to sort the matter out. The documents stated the plaintiffs felt they had no choice and returned to the restaurant, where they were told to stand at the door and it was clear to members of the public that they were being accused of leaving without paying their bill. Counsel for the plaintiffs told the court matters had been settled between the parties on terms including the reading of an apology to the court. A barrister for the defendants then read out the apology, saying that on February 8, 2017 the five plaintiffs had attended the defendants restaurant. As a result of an error on the part of staff, it was thought they had left the restaurant without paying. All ad in fact paid in full and left a tip, the apology continued. The defendant sincerely apologises to the plaintiffs for the mistake, the barrister said. Judge Groarke struck the proceedings out. A 52-year-old security manager, who claimed he was falsely accused of stealing a mop, has lost a 75,000 damages claim for defamation in the Circuit Civil Court. Paul Donohoe claimed that in November 2013 he bought several items, including a mop, on the top floor of Dunnes Stores on Henry Street, Dublin. Donohoe told barrister Shane English, counsel for Dunnes Stores, that he asked the cashier to put a store sticker, as a proof of purchase, around the mop which was too big to be put in a Dunnes paper bag. He said he then picked up grocery items in the basement area of the store and started to scan them at a self-scan checkout. He had left his previous purchase and a plastic carrier bag on the floor while he was scanning the grocery items. He claimed that a Dunnes employee approached him and told him make sure you scan the mop. He said he explained to her that he had already purchased the mop and he then proceeded to buy his grocery items. The court heard that when he was about to leave, he was stopped by the same employee who told him you never paid for the mop. Donohoe, of Canon Lillis Avenue, Dublin, said he felt he was being accused of stealing. He had been upset and concerned that other customers were looking at him. He sued the store for defamation. Dunnes Stores, which had entered a full defence to Donohoes claim, denied the incident happened in that manner. It claimed the employee had been concerned that someone had forgotten their items, as they were a metre away from Mr Donohoe and that the plastic carrier bag left on the floor constituted a tripping hazard. Mr English, who appeared with Nathaniel Lacy & Partners solicitors, said Mr Donohoe became irritated when the employee approached him and asked if the items lying on the floor belonged to him. Donohoe had answered yes, I paid for those upstairs, I have a receipt for that. He had then approached himself the employee, with a receipt in his hand. Judge Karen Fergus, dismissing Donohoes claim, said she was satisfied that he had overreacted to the employees legitimate enquiry. TWO brothers who had their 38,000 personal injury claims thrown out in 2015 after a judge found they were likely involved in a staged accident have appealed the decision to the High Court. Martin and John Gerard Corcoran, originally from Galway but now believed to be living at a halting site in London, had their claims dismissed in the Circuit Civil Court after the judge found Aviva Insurances evidence about links between a Romanian group and Travellers to be compelling. Costs were awarded against the Corcoran brothers but they later appealed the decision to the High Court, with the case this week being adjourned until July 1. The appeal process has taken close to four years and Aviva says substantial costs are being racked up defending the case. Expand Close Mr Justice Raymond Groarke previously said the damage to Neagu Alexandru's car was not consistent with the damage to the vehicle the Corcoran brothers were travelling in / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mr Justice Raymond Groarke previously said the damage to Neagu Alexandru's car was not consistent with the damage to the vehicle the Corcoran brothers were travelling in The pair alleged they were involved in a crash at a roundabout near Blanchardstown, Dublin in July 2012. Romanian Neagu Alexandru was alleged to have driven his Honda Civic into the back of the Ford Galaxy people carrier in which the Corcoran brothers and five of their cousins were travelling. It is Avivas case that the accident was fraudulently staged or had never taken place. Mr Justice Raymond Groarke said that from the evidence presented by Aviva it was an inescapable conclusion there was liaison between members of the Irish Traveller and Roma communities to set up staged accidents and claims to defraud insurance companies. Mr Groarke said there was no damage whatsoever on the Galaxy which was consistent with the damage to the Honda. He also described Mr Alexandru as someone who is experienced, dare I say, in fraudulent activities. Mr Groarke said there was a considerable question mark about the veracity of the evidence given by the Corcoran brothers, describing parts of it as astonishing. Aviva previously applied to the court to rule that the brothers should have to provide security for the costs of an appeal should their claim be dismissed in the High Court. However, Ms Justice Eileen Creedon ruled they were not required to provide security for costs. "Although this case was adjourned, Aviva will continue to defend our position despite the ongoing financial costs of doing so, said Rob Smyth, investigations manager. "Unfortunately, this is another example of where claimants simply roll the dice and appeal in anticipation of the insurance company settling their claim for smaller monies. This will not be happening and we will also take the necessary steps to recover our costs and we will always leave the final decision to the courts." A taxi driver who sexually assaulted three young women within two weeks has been jailed for five years. Married father-of-three Mansoor Uddin (41), of Castleway, Adamstown, Lucan, pleaded guilty on the morning of his trial last February at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to sexual assault on January 30, 2016, and two sexual assaults on February 16, 2016. Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain sentenced Uddin to three years' imprisonment for each count of sexual assault. She said the sentences on the latter two counts will run concurrently with each other, but consecutive to the earlier count of sexual assault. Judge Ni Chulachain also suspended the final year of the sentences for counts two and three for two years on strict conditions for an effective operating sentence of six years' imprisonment with one year suspended. She also gave Uddin credit for any time he has already spent in custody. The court heard at a sentence hearing last month that Uddin sexually assaulted two of the women on the same night after demanding that one of them get out of his taxi when he saw her trying to get a photo of his identification. This 18-year-old victim had also called a friend while in the vehicle and gave her Uddin's name and some of his taxi number. She tried to take a photograph of Uddin but he stopped her. At the hearing in April, Sergeant Aoife Cronin told Sinead McMullan BL, prosecuting, that gardai used CCTV footage, a database of registered public service vehicles and a computer-generated likeness from the first victim to identify Uddin. Yesterday, Seamus Clarke, defending, said his client had been provided with documentation to surrender his tenancy, but that his wife and children would be allowed to remain in new accommodation once it is ready. Mr Clarke said that a psychological report showed Uddin as being someone with low levels of intellectual function. Judge Ni Chulachain said the case was aggravated by Uddin abusing his position as a taxi driver, his being aware of the vulnerability of the injured parties, his refusing to stop the taxi in two of the three cases, the timing of the offences being at night, his touching one of the women on her bare skin under her clothing and the somewhat planned targeting of the third woman. She said the mitigating factors were his guilty plea, his losing his livelihood, his losing of his tenancy, his difficulties in early life, his mental health difficulties and his lack of previous convictions. This frightening photograph of five knives shows the dangerous weapons that gardai have taken from young people in north county Dublin alone in the last week. Two kitchen knives, a folding hunting knife, a box-cutter and a scalpel, as well as a hammer, were all taken from youths during searches, meaning many more teenagers could be carrying weapons that have not been detected. Gardai have posted the image on Facebook as a warning to parents to make sure they keep their children safe and know what they are up to. The gardai also advised parents to report any sightings of dangerous weapons to gardai so that other knives can be taken off the streets. Concerns are mounting that knife crime is rising rapidly, and that more and more teenagers are carrying knives either as weapons to inflict harm or weapons they perceive they can use to protect themselves. However, the sad reality is that a knife produced in a dispute for what a person might describe as protection can easily end up in someone elses hand and be used to do harm or kill. When contacted over the seizure, a spokesperson for the gardai said all the items seized were during high-visibility patrols due to community concerns in the Balbriggan garda district area. "All items were seized from teenagers and young adults. A 'flick knife' as pictured in centre is always illegal. Other knives/ offensive weapons cannot be carried without reasonable excuse," the spokesperson said. Figures released by gardai to Fianna Fail justice spokesman Jim OCallaghan recently show a 66pc increase in knife seizures since 2016. Some 2,000 knives were seized in 2018 compared to 1,600 in 2017 and 1,200 in 2016. Gardai have said most of the weapons were taken from young people during stop-and-search operations. The increased seizure of knives reveals that many young men think it is acceptable to carry knives. It is important that people are aware that carrying knives for no lawful purpose is not permitted and will be severely punished, said Deputy OCallaghan. At present, the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 imposes a maximum sentence of five years and/or a fine for carrying a knife that is intended to incapacitate or injure another person. The maximum sentence needs to be increased so that there is a real deterrent for carrying knives in public, he added. I will be seeking the approval of the Fianna Fail parliamentary party to increase the maximum penalty in order to respond to what is a developing problem. We should not wait for further atrocities before seeking to act. said Mr OCallaghan. The Central Statistics Office has not routinely recorded information on knife crime in Ireland because it says the relevant incidents were not being recorded in a reliable manner on the garda Pulse computer system. The information has proved unreliable because some stations recorded incidents in different ways, which is why we have not published statistics on it, said a CSO spokesman. Recorded Crime statistics are based wholly on the administrative records of crime incidents recorded by An Garda Siochana on the PULSE system. The CSO has no role in recording crimes reported to An Garda Siochana. Deputy Jim OCallaghan fears the lack of data on knife crime could affect how gardai tackle the issue. He fears we will not be able to tackle knife crime effectively due to a lack of data on the issue. Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has said he wrote to the Garda authorities in February 2019 to seek an update on the recent work of An Garda Siochana in tackling knife-related crime, and in particular the progress being made by Gardai to improve the quality of knife crime statistics recorded on the PULSE system. He also said a working group set up within An Garda Siochana will continue to monitor the prevalence and frequency of individuals carrying a knife and knife-like instruments on their person, whilst devising a strategy to tackle assaults against the person, including assaults involving the use of a knife. The working group is expected to present a draft strategy to the garda executive for consideration by July. Knife crime among teenagers came to prominence most recently when south Dublin teenager Azzam Raguragui (18) in a park in Dundrum on May 10. He was attacked as a group of youths gathered in the park. Gardai are continuing to investigate the fatal attack on Azzam, as well as an alleged knife attack in Rathfarnham a short time later which left a teenager with a leg injury. It is not known if the incidents are related. Azzams killing was raised in the Dail by Labour leader Brendan Howlin, who said knife crime Garden theme: Alanna Martin (10, right) and Lauren Halligan (10), from St Brigids NS, Killester, Dublin, with their project at the Junior Entrepreneur event at the RDS. Photo: Damien Eagers Eco-friendly lunch bags, a cushion for your stiff school chair, and garden ornaments made from recycled plastic - these were just a few of the creative projects on show at the Junior Entrepreneur Programme All-Ireland showcase yesterday. The girls of Scoil Bheinin Naofa Cailini in Duleek, Co Meath, received the Creative Pioneers award for their detail bracelets. Wearers of the high-tech bracelets can store a raft of information from emergency phone numbers to details of allergies or other important medical information. Meanwhile, INM Editor-in-Chief Fionnan Sheahan presented the award to the Top Team, Gaelscoil Durlas Eile in Co Tipperary, for their bilingual board game Get Up and Go - Bi ag Bogadh, which encourages children to leave their iPads at home and get active. It seems that 13 is indeed an unlucky number as it is the year most couples run into difficulties in their relationship, according to the Catholic marriage care service Accord. And Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy said further data from Accord shows that the average age of couples coming to the agency for help is mid-40s. Speaking ahead of Friday's referendum on divorce, Dr Leahy said there had been "all too little discussion" about it. "Generally, people do not run into a divorce lightly. It is a very painful experience for many," he said. He added the referendum is "an occasion to acknowledge that we value marriage" and it would be "a shame if we simply ticked a box without taking the chance to reflect on the social context under analysis". The bishop suggested that consideration be given to establishing a State agency dedicated to supporting marriages in trouble, similar to State agencies for children, for family and for youth. Meanwhile, Bishop Denis Nulty, chair of the Council for Marriage and Family of the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference, warned that the objective of the referendum is not to support marriage, rather to liberalise divorce. The would-be voter is extremely polite, but also quite immovable. "I was very involved in politics - but now I'm just too disillusioned. In fact, I'm fed up. There is just no integrity left in Irish politics," he tells the canvassers. It is mid-morning in a rather nice housing estate on the fringes of Navan in Co Meath. Peadar Toibin, the former Sinn Fein TD who less than four months ago launched his new national party Aontu, is knocking doors with his sister, Emer Toibin, who is standing for Meath County Council in this Friday's election. The Toibins are pretty upbeat at news that the fledgling party, with few resources and little media attention, has registered 2pc in weekend polls from the survey company, Red C. Seen in context, it is a reason to be encouraged - many commentators made much of the Green Party, which has been on the go since 1981, hitting 7pc in that same opinion poll. Mr Toibin, who in February 2011 had become the first Sinn Fein TD elected in Meath since Liam Mellows in 1918, definitively ended 21 years of party membership last November and launched his 32-county party in late January. His main point of contention was changes to the ban on abortion, but he insists that failure to respect his personal conviction was also a symptom of a wider malaise across mainstream Irish political parties. Now on the canvass trail, he takes a few moments to give a resume of his party's aims and goals to the man on the doorstep. "I understand what you're saying. The problem is that politics is now being done by trying to find what the public mood is via market research and then trying to give them what they want. There is very little integrity," he tells him. Emer Toibin explains why she is standing for the council flying the Aontu colours. The pair grew up in a house of seven children, where everyone debated the politics of the day and stayed abreast of current affairs, while their mother, Margaret, encouraged them to think for themselves. Ms Toibin holds a degree in French and German and a masters in business studies. After a wide variety of jobs, including teaching autistic children, she began working with her brother in 2013 after he first broke with Sinn Fein. When the new party was launched, it seemed logical that she would stand for Meath County Council. Six outgoing councillors are contesting seven seats in the Navan electoral area, and Ms Toibin is among nine other candidates. She is hopeful that even those who disagree with their opposition to repealing the Eighth Amendment will support her because of the new party's principled stand and policies of equality, justice and unity. She will campaign for a Navan-Dublin rail link to help people who commute up to three hours per day and says "people power", which saved Navan Hospital some years ago, can triumph to redress neglect of this huge commuter town. THE Irish workforce is bigger than it has ever been after rising to over 2.3 million people at the start of the year. New figures show there was a 3.7pc increase in the number of people with jobs with 81,200 extra in employment in the year to March. This compares with an increase of 2.9pc or 62,400 people in employment in the previous 12 months. Irelands employment rate is now higher than the EU average, according to the Central Statistics Offices latest Labour Force Survey. However, senior statistician Edel Flannery pointed out that the size of the workforce reflects population growth and employment rates have been higher in the past. Employment has now been on the increase since the second half of 2012. Economist Dan OBrien, who attended the launch of the findings in Dublin this morning, said he was pleasantly surprised at the growth levels given the looming threat posed by Brexit. It is surprisingly good news given the concerns around Brexit and the original deadline of March 31 that would have been expected to prompt companies to hold off on hiring, he said. This is really strong growth, although I would say well see it drop back in the next quarter. The biggest growth was in the transport and storage sector, where employment grew by over 11pc or 10,800 people. This was followed by over 10pc growth in administrative and support service activities. But the largest rate of decrease was in agriculture, forestry and fishing, where the numbers at work fell by over 8pc or 9,500 people. In addition, while the number of employees grew by over 5pc to 1.9 million the number of self employed workers fell by 4pc to 323,900. The survey also shows that the number of women getting jobs outpaced men. There were over a million women at work by the end of March this year a hike of 5pc or 50,400 women. In comparison, the number of men in employment grew by 2.5pc or 30,800 to 1.2 million. The number of full time workers grew by 3.5pc or 62,600 while the number of part timers rose faster by over 4pc or more than 18,600 workers. However, more than a fifth of part timers were underemployed or did not have enough work. There were 106,900 people in this category at the start of the year although the figure has fallen by 6,900 or 6pc in the last year. The figures also show that the number of people in the labour force which includes those without jobs was up 2.7pc to 2.4 million. The number not in the labour force was 1.4 million, up almost 1pc or 9,900 from a year earlier. Long term unemployment has fallen, with the rate down from 2.1pc to 1.7pc. The number of people classified as long term unemployed is now 40,900 down over 18pc. Meanwhile, the portion of those aged 15 years or over in the workforce the so called participation rate rose from 61.6pc last year to 62pc. Statistician Jim Dalton said the rise in employment between the first three months of last year and this year is a key finding of the latest Labour Force Survey. He said when adjusted for seasonal factors, employment increased by 1.5pc or 35,200 between the end of last year and the first three months this year. There were 114,400 people unemployed at the start of the year, down 14pc or 18,600 in the last 12 months. A senior government minister has suggested a commission of inquiry is needed to look into claims Sinn Fein and the IRA sought to cover up sex abuse with a 'kangaroo court'. Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty said she fully supports victim Paudie McGahon, who has called for an investigation into the alleged cover-up. Mr McGahon was raped by alleged IRA man Seamus Marley and he claims that Sinn Fein and the IRA tried to prevent the crime being reported to gardai. Marley was recently jailed for seven years for abusing Mr McGahon and another boy two decades ago. Mr McGahon (44) waived his anonymity to speak out in an Irish Independent interview. He told how an IRA kangaroo court was convened in 2002 after the victims first brought their abuse allegations to the attention of Louth Sinn Fein councillor Pearse McGeough. Both Mr McGeough and Sinn Fein have insisted both victims were advised to go to gardai at the time. Mr McGeough - who is a candidate in the local elections - has previously denied that he was involved in the kangaroo court. Last night, Mr McGahon claimed that Sinn Fein "knew all about our allegations against Marley in 2002". He said: "The IRA told us that they believed our allegations, but still didn't bother to tip off the authorities that he was a risk to children." Mr McGahon said this "just makes no sense at all and they have a lot of questions to answer about that". He claimed that Sinn Fein representatives "are guilty of outrageous hypocrisy when they accuse the Church of wrongdoing and covering up for paedophiles when they refuse to confront their own skeletons". Ms Doherty praised Mr McGahon for the courage he has displayed. She claimed Sinn Fein has "done nothing to assist victims of IRA atrocities and crimes to get answers". She said she believes Mr McGahon should be provided with "full and frank information" on any attempts to cover up what she said was "this horrendous sex abuse". She suggested a commission of inquiry into the issue would be a way to do this and added: "An independent probe is the only way to uncover the truth." Labour senator Ged Nash said that Mr McGahon's treatment by Sinn Fein was "unforgivable". He claimed that Sinn Fein had "put the party before the victim" and said that no amount of "carefully crafted spin and empty statements" from the party will "undo the damage done". IRA abuse victim Mairia Cahill said Mr McGeough should "absolutely not be running in any type of election". She accused him of failing to report Marley to gardai himself when the victims approached him in 2002. Ms Cahill referred to Mr McGeough's statement from the weekend. Mr McGeough said on Sunday that the party's advice at the time was to bring the allegations of abuse to gardai and added that "as adults that decision was for the victims". Ms Cahill argued that regardless of the victims being adults at the time, Mr McGeough had a "moral responsibility" to report the abuse to gardai. Ms Cahill was raped as a teenager by an alleged IRA man and was later forced to face her abuser at a kangaroo court. The PSNI brought a case against the alleged rapist, but it subsequently collapsed. Neither Sinn Fein nor Mr McGeough responded to the criticism last night. At the weekend, a Sinn Fein spokesperson commended the victims in the Marley case for their courage in bringing the abuser to justice. A statement said: "The abuser is now in jail, where he should be. We hope the victims and their families get the closure they deserve. Sinn Fein's advice was to bring the allegations of abuse to gardai." Mr McGeough said on Sunday the testimony of the victims was harrowing and he commended them for pursuing the matter. Killer Patrick Quirke has been transferred to a prison closer to his family just three weeks into his life sentence for the murder of Bobby Ryan. The Irish Independent has learned that the 50-year-old farmer was escorted from Mountjoy Prison in Dublin on Sunday. He was taken to Limerick Prison in the south-west of the country, where he is now housed on the jail's C Wing. Sources said the move was done to facilitate visits for his family and is standard procedure for prisoners. Earlier this month he was handed a life sentence for the murder of part-time DJ Bobby Ryan (52), who was also known as 'Mr Moonlight'. In the three weeks since his conviction sources said he has been "quiet as a mouse" and did not come to adverse attention of prison officials. It has also emerged that he shared the C1 landing in Mountjoy with an associate of the Kinahan cartel. Quirke was placed in the same area as a male in his 50s who has been locked up in relation to a multi-million euro drug and firearm seizure linked to the international organised crime gang. Quirke's former landing mate is a close associate of Declan Brady, known as Mr Nobody, who is a senior figure within the Kinahan crime gang. The C1 landing is mainly comprised of offenders who do not pose a risk within the prison service. "He would not have been in long enough to either make acquaintances or enemies but it is a small landing and he did share it with a man linked to the Kinahan cartel," a source said. "He was in the Mountjoy bakery but this will not extend to Limerick and he will have to build up credit again in his new home." While being held in Mountjoy, Quirke was visited by his wife Imelda as well as other family members. However, his family will now have to travel just over 40km to visit the convicted killer, compared to the 400km round trip to see him in the Dublin lock up. It is now expected that Quirke will serve the rest of his life sentence in Limerick Prison. The 'love rival' killer, now known as prisoner 107243, spent the first days of his prison term on suicide watch as is standard with people in the system for the first time. He has not come to the attention to prison officials since being jailed and has been described as a model prisoner. His trial at the Central Criminal Court heard that Quirke killed Mr Ryan because he was jealous of his relationship with Mary Lowry, who had just ended an affair with Quirke. Just 200 childminders out of a potential 30,000 working in Ireland have registered for the National Childcare Scheme (NCS), with just five months to go before it is implemented in October. That's according to Early Childhood Ireland, which says the low numbers registering for the scheme will heap further pressure on creche places as well as working parents. The scheme will pay a direct subsidy to parents to help pay a childminder - but that person has to be registered with family and children's agency Tusla. As the clock ticks down on the new regulations, it is understood only a tiny fraction of childminders have come on board the initiative, meaning the subsidy could be denied to countless working parents. According to Teresa Heeney, CEO of Early Childhood Ireland (ECI), this will put "more pressure on creches" as the number of private childminders may dwindle as a result. "Most parents who use childminders may not be able to access the scheme because their childminder isn't regulated. "So what we wouldn't want to see happening is if someone has a childminder and is very happy with them, we wouldn't want them to uproot their baby from that arrangement. "We would not want that parent and that family to stop that arrangement just to access the subsidy," she said. But she said many childminders are excluded from registering with Tusla under the current arrangements which state they must mind at least four pre-school children. "If they only mind two children, for example, they can't register," she said. "We already have a problem with the number of childcare places, but apart from all that, if the existing arrangement is good for that child, that should be our priority and our vision. "What we don't want to see happening is a parent uprooting the baby and going looking for a place in a centre-based service instead of continuing with an arrangement they're happy with." She cited the Government's First 5 strategy, unveiled last November, as an ideal model to follow when it comes to planning for future childcare needs in Ireland. However, she said there has to be a comprehensive approach to the issue if the growing crisis is to be adequately addressed. There must be significant capital expansion twinned with staffing expansion and it needs to be done at the same time. Parents are grappling with a growing childcare crisis in Ireland, which means that some are having to postpone their return to the workplace after having a baby. As revealed in the Irish Independent yesterday, the success of the separate Government-funded Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme has put the emphasis on the over-threes. This has had a knock-on effect of squeezing out babies and toddlers from childcare facilities. It has also sparked a staffing issue within the childcare sector, given the model is changing to the ECCE, meaning lots of services shutting down for the summer, forcing workers to sign on the dole for two months. Childcare workers are also paid the same basic wage of between 11 and 12 an hour, with no significant shift in salary between a FETAC level 6 employee or a recent graduate. This has made it increasingly hard to retain experienced staff in the sector, with a higher proportion of childcare workers needed to run baby and toddler rooms in creches. The ratio is one-to-three for baby rooms, rising to one-to-eight for older children. Deemed a huge success, there has been a 97pc rate of uptake in the ECCE scheme among pre-schoolers. This is pushing back the age of children starting school as they avail of the two pre-school years, which gives parents 15 hours of childcare a week free of charge. Monica Hudson Announces Launch of Fifth Book, 'The Adornments of Man' Author and Owner of Publishing Company Hosted Book Launch on May 10th NEWS PROVIDED BY Hudson Publishers May 21, 2019 PINE BLUFF, Ark., May 21, 2019 /Standard Newswire/ -- Monica Hudson announces the release of her book entitled The Adornments of Man. Described as non-fiction, inspirational and spiritual, this latest work is the fifth and final book in her Sleeper Awake Series. The general public was invited to her official book launch, which was held Friday, May 10, 2019 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Inretrospec, 1201 South Center Street in Little Rock, AR. Music and refreshments added to the festivities of the event. The theme was "Amnesia: Who Are You in Christ?" A native of Pine Bluff, Hudson revealed what her book is all about. "My new book is an inner journey about growing in spiritual maturity, following the Word of God that leads us to our identity finding his Son, Jesus Christ," she says. "Finding our purpose, using our gifts and talents for the Kingdom this is a battle cry to remind those growing in spiritual maturity and having a faith filled life that all things are possible through Christ." Hudson, who also owns Hudson Publishers, says she wants readers to gain increased knowledge of their identity as Christians. "We are living in a world that is quickly taking away the privileges that we so easily take for granted," she shared. "As a believer in Jesus Christ, we have a responsibility to be reminded of who we are in Christ. It is important that we acknowledge to the world our true identity as followers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that we may not get lost in the world but be the salt in the world to shine for Christ. It is the hope that my book will bring empowerment, encouragement and education to those reading. They have been equipped for the journey in this life to not only shine, but to also be a force of power in this dark world." Hudson's pursuit of journalism began when she started writing in high school. She has authored five books and four journal style books. She is a member of the American Christian Writers Association. Hudson's church book tour began on May 12, 2019 at Bethel A.M.E. Church in Little Rock, her home church. The tour will include the following stops: May 17-18, 2019 National Christian Writers Conference in Hanover, Maryland May 24-25, 2019 Women's Retreat of the 13th District Women A.M.E. in Ministry in Murfreesboro, Tennessee June 1, 2019 Arkansas Writers Conference in Little Rock June 7-8, 2019 Southern Christian Writers Conference in Tuscaloosa, Alabama August 17, 2019 Fragrance Conference 2019 being held at Embassy Suites in Raleigh Durham, North Carolina October 10-13, 2019 CPE International 2019 Church of God Women's Convention at the Sheraton Myrtle Beach Hotel and Convention Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina October 2019 A variety of church conferences The Adornments of Man can be purchased on Hudson's website, www.2cdivineanswers.com, Amazon.com, Faith Writers and in most independent bookstores. Her ebook will be available by May 31, 2019 at Amazon, Apple Books, Baker and Taylor, Google Play, Bookshop, Love and other ebook distributors as they list their titles. The marketing of Hudson's book may be heard during the month of June on the Christian radio station, New Praise Radio, anchored by Voice One Media and Marketing. Her radio interview is also set to air in June on Little Rock's KABF Gospel segment. Her book trailer debuted on May 10, 2019 to commemorate the book. For more information about The Adornments of Man or Hudson's church book tour, call 501.541.8931 or email pmmqa@aol.com. SOURCE Hudson Publishers CONTACT: Monica Hudson, Author and Owner of Hudson Publishers, 501-541-8931, pmmqa@aol.com Related Links www.2cdivineanswers.com THE State agency charged with solving the housing crisis is set to turn an historic 19th century Georgian house into a co-living space. Chairman of the Land Development Agency (LDA) John Moran has said the building in Limerick could hold up to eight people "who are happy" to share a kitchen and living room. He said this would be the first of its kind in the city. Georgian buildings in Dublin have been used for 'shared living' before, although in more impoverished circumstances in the 1800s and 1900s. In the latter part of the last century, many Georgian buildings were sub-divided into flats and bedsits, and were popular amongst students and people looking for cheaper places to rent. Speaking about the 'co-living' model of today, Mr Moran told Independent.ie that the proposed premises could cater for up to eight people. His comments came after Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy said people should be excited about co-living and having "less space for less rent". Georgian houses by their nature tend to be too large for single unit homes, but what theyre perfect for is being sub-divided into purpose built co-living spaces," Mr Moran said. Every room can be as large as 35sqm with its own en suite; the rest of the house can be used as a shared kitchen and living space. Our builders havent finished our one yet, but its not the same model that weve seen heavily criticised in recent days. Speaking at the National Housing Conference at Dublin Castle today, Mr Moran acknowledged that co-living wont work for everyone, but believes people need more choices in the way they live. In theory, you could have a series of Georgian houses to revitalise a city where each unit serves as one individual community. And behind all of these houses, you could have facilities that work for all of them, such as a creche and gym. For some people this won't work, but as were becoming more urbanised, we need to offer more choices to people. The LDA chairman added that co-living isnt just for young professionals, but for people who dont want to live on their own. People tend to not like going into restaurants where theres no one inside. For a lot of people, its nice coming home at the end of the day and having someone to talk to, while having the freedom to grab a book and chill out by yourself in your bedroom. Lots of other countries do this and it can actually be a more fun way to live. Earlier this month, a development of 208 shared-living homes in Dun Laoghaire came in for criticism. If the Bartra Capital Property application is approved, more than 40 people would share a kitchen and living space, but with their own bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms. Responding to the application from Bartra, Green Party councillors have called for a rewriting of residential guidelines, given the "Dickensian" nature of the developer's proposals. Bartra Capital Property intends to develop a five-storey, co-living building at the site of the former school house on Eblana Avenue in the town's centre. Each en-suite bedroom will be 16.5sqm and include a pull-down bed and kitchenette. This is the moment a woman was bundled to the ground by four security guards at a popular Dublin Penneys store. Witnesses said the woman was accused of shoplifting from the Mary Street Store moments before this clip was captured. In the footage, filmed on Monday afternoon, she can be seen pushing a shop worker before she is dragged to the ground at the shop entrance. Dozens of shoppers watched on as the drama unfolded and the woman can be heard screaming at the staff. At least four security guards were filmed holding her down at the entrance to the shop. One man told the camera-woman to stop filming the incident. Read More A witness said: The girl was embarrassed the way she was treated in front of everyone tourists friends and all. A garda spokesman confirmed that a 23-year-old woman was arrested in relation to an incident at the store. A woman was arrested shortly after 3.30pm on Monday and charged under the theft act. She was bailed to appear in court at a later date. A spokesperson for Primark, the international brand of Penneys, said: Primark has investigated the incident that occurred at its Mary Street store yesterday. As is usual practice, Primark notified the Gardai and the matter is now in their hands. Primark takes the safety and security of our customers and staff extremely seriously. Visit of the Prince of Wales to the National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh, Co. Wicklow. The Prince of Wales with (l-r) head gardener Seamus O'Brien, Andrew Doyle TD and Kevin 'Boxer' Moran TD. Picture; Gerry Mooney The Prince of Wales chats with tourist Beth Dempsey from Phoenix Arizona as he visits a Monastic settlement at the Wicklow Mountains National Park at Glendalough. Pic Steve Humphreys. 21st May 2019 The Prince of Wales in a jovial mood as he visits a Monastic settlement at the Wicklow Mountains National Park at Glendalough. Pic: Steve Humphreys 21st May 2019 Prince Charles and Camilla have thanked the public for their wellwishes on the arrival of grandchild Archie - as they explored Wicklow for the second day of their trip to Ireland. Camilla spoke about Harry and Meghans baby when she met wellwisher Jo Wallace, who handed the duchess a bouquet of flowers at the mill. Ms Wallace, who was with her own grandchildren, said: Congratulations on your grandchild, the new one, as the pair shook hands. Camilla replied: Yes, the new one indeed, hes still very little. Meanwhile Charles met a group of local children who were cataloguing moths caught overnight on the shores of the Glendaloughs upper lake. Aaron Conway, 12, said: He was saying about how he likes the environment and that it was really fascinating all the different moths we were identifying. The prince was also taken with a mountain rescue dog called Rowan, a three-year-old collie cross, who was with his handler Sheelagh OMalley, from Glen of Imaal Wicklow Mountain Rescue. The British royal went solo to the ancient monastic site, while his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall paid a visit to Avoca. Glendalough is the countrys largest National Park. At the upper lake, he met with staff who work in nature conservation and education programmes. On his arrival, The Prince was greeted by the Secretary General of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Katherine Licken,and other officials of the Department. He also met with a number of schoolchildren from Scoil Chaoimhin Naofa in Glendalough who are participating in one of the many Education programmes run in the National Park. The Education programme concentrates on Nature Awareness, for all ages, providing age-specific activity days for school groups, taking children and students into nature to learn about our plants, animals, habitats and ecology. Other members of the NPWS team in the area were present to greet The Prince and talk about their work. They presented His Royal Highness with an oak seedling grown from an acorn collected from the Oak woodlands in Glendalough to mark his visit. During The Princes tour of the Upper Lake, he also met members of the two local Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue Team and the Dublin Wicklow mountain rescue team who have a close working relationship with the National Park. At the monastic site he was met by head tour guide Joan Power and Guide Information officer, Pat Ross. A large crowd of tourists had gathered outside the Glendalough Hotel and called over Hi Prince Charles. He immediately went over to meet them. Beth Dempsey from LA, on her first trip to Ireland and whose father originally came from Dublin said she was blown away to meet the Prince and to shake his hand. You watch everything on the news and you never imagine! she enthused. He was very Prince like, she added. And I was decked out in my finery, right, she said with irony, of her casual hiking gear. He was then brought on a tour of the site by guide George McClafferty, who also showed Michelle Obama around Glendalough during the US Presidential Visit. The prince was very interested in the ancient stone roof of the 12th century nave-and-chancel church known as St Kevins Kitchen, marvelling at its construction. Is it always locked, the Prince asked, and was told that it was. Close by, George stopped to examine the grass verge but after a moment, said regretfully: I wanted to show you the shamrocks that were here but theyve all been strimmed away for your visit. He then showed the Prince the early medieval Deer Stone, telling him of the legend surrounding it. It is said that the wife of one of St Kevins workmen died giving birth to twins. The workman came to the saint to ask for help and St Kevin set about solving the problem, praying to God for help. A doe came from then on every day, shedding milk into a hollow in a stone while the workman sat on a nearby boulder. Legend has it that the mans finger prints caused the hollow in the boulder which was hence forth known as the Deer Stone. Some Australian tourists nearby were delighted to meet the Prince and he called over to them, saying: Enjoy the rest of your visit. Are you from Sydney? he asked them and when told they were from Melbourne, he replied: Ah, Melbourne. Another woman congratulated him on the recent birth of his new baby grandchild and he replied: youre very kind. You havent got any yet, he inquired, adding: youre too young looking. The Prince of Wales also met with mountain rescue teams and members of the national parks and wildlife service in Glendalough. On the second day of his official visit, Prince Charles visited the Wicklow Mountains National Park where he was given a tour and introduced to staff who work in nature conservation and education programmes. He spoke with a group of school children from Scoil Chaoimhin Naofa in Glendalough who said after the meet and greet that he offered them advice on friendship and asked them about their plans for their careers. Sixth class student Oscar Stakem said after meeting Prince Charles: Ill never wash my hand again. I was rattling and my legs went from under me. I thought I was going to faint. Students Aine Duffy and Katelynn Byrne said he asked them how many tests they did every week and asked them what they planned to do when they left school. He is due to travel to Eniskillen this afternoon for a cross-border themed garden party which will be attended by around 1000 people including the Tanaiste Simon Coveney. During his trip to Glendalough, Prince Charles also spoke with Sheelagh OMalley who was there alongside her her three year old rescue dog Rowan. The regional manager of the National Parks and Wildlife Service Wesley Atkinson was also among the welcoming party. The NPWS manages Irelandss nature conservation responsibilities as well as managing Irelands 6 National parks and 78 Natures Reserves. Other members of the NPWS team in the area were present to greet The Prince and talk about their work. They presented him an oak seedling grown from an acorn collected from the Oak woodlands in Glendalough to mark his visit. Prince Charles also spoke with a number of tourists from America and Germany. A balloon flies over the city of Brno at sunset, with the cathedral seen in silhouette As someone who grew up in a 'second city', I know what it feels like to be a tad overlooked. So when an opportunity came to visit the lesser known cities of the Czech Republic, I jumped at it. Not that I'm really suffering from an inferiority complex or 'second city syndrome' but I genuinely find that cities outside the capital of any country are often prettier, friendlier and easier to get around, so what's not to like. Prague is a beautiful city but so are other cities in Czechia. I had never heard of any of them before but I won't forget them in a hurry. They are all easily accessible by train and bus as Czechia is much the same size as Ireland. Hiring a car is another option - and the roads are good. We were travelling in Moravia and Bohemia. The very names sound exotic and conjure up pictures of medieval castles and fairy tale scenes. And we weren't disappointed. We started our adventure in the industrial city of Ostrava, in the west, near the Polish border. In 1828 Archbishop Rudolf built a blast furnace and paid for it himself. The ironworks was subsequently bought by the famous Rothschild family and expanded as time went on. The works were responsible for the manufacture of the rivets used on the Eiffel Tower and Sydney Harbour Bridge. They closed in 1998 but instead of pulling them down, it was decided they should be rebuilt as a vast technical monument. Expand Close Large historical centre of Olomouc / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Large historical centre of Olomouc The industrial architecture is amazing. A glass structure called Bolt Tower is built on top of a blast furnace. It's named after Usain Bolt who has visited Ostrava many times, and if you have a head for heights, the trip to the top is well worth it for the views alone, but there's a lovely cafe near the top as well. The whole industrial park houses lots of interesting conversions. The old gas tank is now 'The Gong', a multifunctional hall. There are two interactive museums with all sorts of wonderful ways to educate and entertain kids for hours on end. Music festivals, catering for 50,000 people, are a regular occurrence here - The Cure are just one of many acts booked for this summer. The city itself is full of surprises. The Ostravice river takes pride of place. It is said that, some time ago, if you ran out of nail varnish remover you could just dip your hands in the water and because the toxins were so bad you'd be ready to apply a fresh coat in no time. Not today. People swim happily in its pristine waters. From vast murals on walls to a magical performance from the Fairytale Clock, there's a surprise around every corner of Ostrava. Another great vantage point is the top of the New City Hall. It's a massive building with an impressive tower. We were able to see Poland when we reached the top - 73m from the ground. Olomouc is just down the road. It's a small city, and almost a quarter of its population is made up of students. Lonely Planet has included Olomouc as one of the most beautiful but less well-known European cities. Columns and fountains abound in the squares (actually most of them are irregular or triangular) all boasting beautiful buildings with elegant facades reminiscent of cities like Vienna. St Maurice's Church is home to the biggest church organ in Central Europe. There are also some amazing stained glass windows and an outdoor staircase housed in a cage. The Town Hall clock draws a crowd at midday when the bell sounds and figures leap into action. They are not the original figures though. The originals were saints but under the communist regime these were replaced by peasants. They are big into their bells and clocks in Czechia. We lunched at Long Story Short, a hostel and cafe like no other. My memory of a hostel in my youth was that of a grimy, flea-infested dive. This, on the other hand, was a work of art, brewing its own beer and serving up delicious corn soup and a chicken and quinoa dish to die for. The 11 bedrooms were pristine and funky ranging from dorms to private rooms, with or without en suite. Brno is the jewel in Czechia's crown. The second largest city in the country, it positively buzzes. We stayed at the lovely Hotel Grandezza, ideally located at the edge of Cabbage Market Square or Zelny Trh. We explored the labyrinth that criss-crosses under the market and its surroundings. There's the wine cellar under the theatre where patrons used to go for drinks, the cosy tavern - and then there's the torture chamber. A Fifty Shades of Grey vibe. Freedom Square is just around the corner where another daily market creates an atmosphere of bonhomie. Expand Close An evening view Brno city in Morawia, Czech Republic / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp An evening view Brno city in Morawia, Czech Republic During the Thirty Years War in the 17th Century, Brno was the only city to defend itself against the marauding Swedish invaders. The Swedes laid siege to Brno for three months until the Swedish commander, Lennart Torstenson, issued an ultimatum: "Tomorrow we shall make our last attack on the city. Before the bells on Petrov strike noon, Brno must be ours. If not, we shall retreat." On the day of the battle, Brno's citizens fought bravely to defend the city. But at 11am when they finally began to break down the walls, Brno's commander, Jean-Louis Raduit de Souches, ordered the bell ringer to strike 12 o'clock in St Peter's Cathedral. Upon hearing the bell, the Swedes ceased fighting and were gone before nightfall. Since then, the Petrov bells have always struck noon at 11 o'clock to commemorate how the city was saved. A somewhat phallic structure stands proudly in Freedom Square. It's meant to be a bullet and it is there to commemorate the victory. At 11 o'clock every day, balls the size of a squash ball are released and wind down the column. There are four apertures and if you're lucky you can retrieve one and keep it as a souvenir. It appears one family is obsessed with this and a family member turns up every day. Nightlife in Brno is hopping. Every second building is a cocktail bar. Prices are very reasonable. We bounced from 4pokoje (4 rooms) to Bar Ktery neexistuje (the bar that doesn't exist) to the famous Super Panda Circus and indulged in cocktails containing anything from mango to curry to fried onion. My book club read a book called The Glass Room by Simon Mawer some years ago and we all loved it. It was based on a house built in a very futuristic style nearly a hundred years ago. I became weak with excitement when I realised that the Villa Tugendhat on the outskirts of the city is the said same house. It was built in the functionalist style and designed by German architect Mies van der Rohe for textiles magnate Fritz Tugendhat and his wife Greta. 'Less is more' was the theme. The Nazis occupied it during the war and the Communists after. It has been recently restored and opened to the public. Kutna Hora is a charming medieval town about 50 miles south east of Prague. Beautiful buildings abound. St Barbara's Cathedral, a stunning Gothic structure, is visible from far and near. Twelve side chapels each has its own story and the art nouveau-style stained glass windows are fabulous. Poor St Barbara had a rough innings. Her father wanted her to marry a pagan king and when she refused, he chopped her head off. Our guide told us that St Barbara is the patron saint of 'suddenly dying people' and of miners too. Silver mining became synonymous with Kutna Hora when deposits were found here in the 13th Century. The Italian Court which houses the mint is a palace so named because of the Italian experts who were involved. Nowadays you can take a tour of the silver mine equipped with a mining tunic, helmet and a lamp. Food and drink are always very high on my priorities when visiting another country and Czechia didn't let me down. The local wines, both red and white, were lovely and the beer was divine. Traditional Czech food is hearty. Vepro-knedlo-zelo, the national dish, consists of roast pork, bread dumplings and stewed cabbage. Goulash is also a staple. Smazeny Syr, or deep fried cheese, is on every menu and is really lovely. There were lots of appealing looking dishes that I never got to try but I'll be back to Czech them out. Take Two: Top attractions Raise your glasses Expand Close Microbreweries are every where / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Microbreweries are every where Beer is very popular in Czechia. Microbreweries abound. I tried both orange- and cherry-flavour beers, and they were sublime. Some restaurants do a tasting selection of six small beers with your meal. Villa Tugendhat Expand Close Villa Tugendhat / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Villa Tugendhat Way ahead of its time with open-plan living and large glass windows, it's an architectural triumph. Finished in 1930, it was the first private home in Europe to be built from steel and reinforced concrete. Getting there Both Aer Lingus (aerlingus.com) and Ryanair (ryanair.com) fly daily from Dublin to Prague. Ostrava, Olomouc, Brno and Kutna Hora can all be reached by direct trains from Prague. The average price for a one-way train ticket is 5-15. For details about transport in Czechia visit idos.cz. For more information about Czech cities visit czechtourism.com. NB: This feature originally appeared in The Sunday Independent. The Peruvian government has taken the decision to build a new international airport for Machu Picchu. It will allow direct flights from major cities across Latin America and the USA, straight to the doorstep of this ancient site. "To my mind, this appalling and irresponsible decision could be a defining moment in tourism," says Justin Francis, CEO and co-founder of Responsible Travel. "In the future, when we look back at what went wrong with the tourism industry, this will be the story that sums it all up. "The idea that tourism growth can be infinite here dramatically collides with the hard fact that most destinations have a finite capacity, and none more so than a 15th century Inca hilltop citadel." Machu Picchu is already receiving double the number of visitors Unesco recommends as a sustainable limit. A staggering 1.5 million visited in 2017. "I believe the decision to pile even more pressure on this destination will be a disaster that destroys one of the world's great wonders," he says. "Unesco will have no option but to remove Machu Picchu's World Heritage Site status. A sacred place will become a sad theme park for day trippers. Its cachet for higher-spending tourists who stay longer and create genuine economic benefit for the local community will be reduced. Less - rather than more - money, will be the result. "It's not just Machu Picchu itself which will suffer. The airport is being built in Chinchero, at the gateway to the Sacred Valley, once the heartland of the huge Inca civilisation. Bulldozers are already tearing up the landscape, and the finished development will annihilate an ancient built landscape, shaped by the Incan people with terraces and routes. "Critics also suggest that planes flying low over nearby Ollantaytambo and its large archaeological park could cause incalculable damage to the Inca ruins there, and destroy the peace and beauty of the area." Francis doesn't criticise local people for seeing the new development as a way out of poverty. Some have been persuaded by the promise of 2,500 construction jobs, others have sold off small pockets of farming land to the developers. Most dramatically, the Yanacona, one of Chinchero's three indigenous communities, has sold virtually all its land to the state for about $35m, and with that transaction, "lost their heritage and any future income from it", he believes. "The real problem is that tourism in Peru is all about the country's one mega attraction - Machu Picchu - but encouraging more people to visit it, and helping them to do that in a single day with a handy airport, threatens to kill the goose that laid the golden egg, and rob the planet of one of its most sacred and fascinating sites. "Instead, Peru should focus on developing and marketing its remarkable heritage into a wider offer, to spread the tourists and their money more widely. It should market more locally, too, to reduce carbon emissions from aviation. And in kind, we as travellers should think about where we travel, and resist the temptation to simply build our personal brand on the back of a photo at a famous site." Note: Justin Francis is the CEO and co-founder of Responsible Travel. The company is launching a petition to signal their concern about the new airport at Machu Picchu. Sign it at change.org. WITH the news that Donald Trump could touch down in Ireland in June, the preparations are already under way. Normally, the imminent arrival of an American president would involve senior politicians carefully crafting their welcoming statements and making sure they were invited to all the important functions. In this instance, however, the trip has already been overshadowed by the unusual sight of public squabbling over the appropriate venue for any meeting (to Doonbeg, or to not Doonbeg?), reports of divisions in the Cabinet over the best way to handle what could be an unmitigated public-relations disaster, as well as Leo Varadkar's baffling assertion that, had he been eligible, he would have voted for Hillary Clinton instead. That's hardly going to come as a surprise, although many observers were left scratching their heads as they wondered why the Taoiseach would potentially provoke the irritation of the notoriously thin-skinned president. Travel arrangements are normally kept private, as indeed are the personal views of a sitting Taoiseach ahead of such a visit. But while the protesters prepare themselves, and loftily think they can speak on behalf of the whole country when they say he isn't wanted by the people of Ireland, his visit also coincides with far more ominous developments overseas. There is an inevitable degree of Trump fatigue with many people. He seems to lurch from one self-created crisis to another, to such an extent that it is hard to keep up with each new Twitter announcement or policy pivot. But we would be misguided to view his latest rumblings against Iran as just more of the same old bluster. Quite simply, the world is sleepwalking into the most dangerous situation we have seen since the 1980s, and it's nothing short of terrifying. The Americans and the ayatollahs have a four-decade history of visceral loathing and enmity that is normally conducted in the shadows. But developments in the past few weeks now threaten to push the situation to explode, quite literally, into the daylight. It is impossible to overestimate just how catastrophic the current Middle Eastern sabre-rattling could become. Since Trump appointed John Bolton as national security adviser, this hawkish relic from the Bush era has been increasing the pressure on the Iranians in a region already teetering on the edge. In a disturbing parallel with events leading up to the invasion of Iraq, Bolton has been accused of cherry-picking intelligence sources to justify a military campaign, and the decision to send another aircraft carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln, and more B-52 bombers into the area has been denounced as a needlessly provocative move designed to counter a threat which simply doesn't exist. Senior American intelligence sources, as well as their British allies, have expressed their alarm at this ramping up of both the rhetoric and the military presence, and perhaps the most damning indictment of Trump's handling of the affair is that the Iranians have, up to now, emerged as the more sensible of the two sides. The former first sea lord of the royal navy, Admiral Lord West, is one of many experts who have warned that the Americans are seemingly hell-bent on a path to war; a war which he estimates would require a million extra American troops on top of the 120,000 who were recently mobilised. Admiral West then called Bolton and Trump "idiots", before taking the unprecedented step of warning that either America does more to diplomatically engage with the Iranians or "we face the prospect of a nuclear war in the Middle East". Any hopes that calm heads might begin to prevail took a blow on Sunday when a missile was fired at the American embassy in Baghdad. The US has recently withdrawn all non-essential personnel from the Iraqi capital in anticipation of such an occurrence and they were quick to blame the Iranians, with Trump tweeting shortly after the attack on the embassy that: "If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again." That prompted the Iranians to denounce his remarks as "genocidal", but they are merely an echo of previous announcements from the White House that Trump was prepared to engage in a full-scale conflict with the Islamic republic. When we see senior figures such as Admiral Lord West openly mentioning the apocalyptic prospect of a nuclear exchange in the region, it's impossible not to be dragged back to the darkest days of the Cold War, when people lived under the permanent threat of global annihilation. In many ways, it almost seems as if the past few decades never happened and the fact that an American invasion of Iran was once a common fictional device for nuclear war dramas during the 1970s and 1980s is a rather chilling reminder that some things never change, merely the people involved. Is Trump engaging on this apparently insane course of action to deflect attention from his domestic problems? The Mueller investigation may not have found a smoking gun involving the allegations of collusion with Russia, but he is by no means out of the woods yet, and he wouldn't be the first American president to use a foreign escapade to distract the voters from problems closer to home. But that analysis fails to take account of the fact that he ran on the firm promise of not sending any more young Americans to die for foreign causes. His public position has always been one of economic isolationism and military non-intervention. But while those of us who live outside the United States have the luxury of simply judging him by his tone or his comments, the economically deprived towns of the Rust Belt that delivered his election are also the towns which provide many of the soldiers, and his call for "no more caskets" was warmly received. Far from bolstering his domestic popularity, a dramatic escalation in tensions such as we are seeing now would be regarded by many of his voters as a profound betrayal of one of his core pledges. In further addition to the already febrile mood in the region is the fact that Russia provides many of Iran's nuclear scientists. Moscow has warned that any injury to their citizens would be seen as an act of aggression. More ominously again, China has been urging restraint, while offering quiet support to the Iranians. In many ways, observing Trump has become something a parlour game. The president who doesn't play by the rules, simply because he doesn't seem to know those rules, still hasn't been quite the disaster many predicted. The fact that he has a good chance of winning re-election is testament to that fact. But by bringing old warhorses such as Bolton into his inner circle, he has managed to drag the world to the brink of a truly catastrophic conflict without many people even realising it. Many of Trump's previous comments have infuriated some people and amused others. But these latest developments should be enough to terrify every one of us. BUSILY competing for "nimby" votes in this week's local elections, every canvasser at my door has been promising me more affordable and social home-building. Canvassing offers councillors an excellent chance to assess and respond to the distinctive housing needs of their local area. Only by addressing real needs can we deliver homes that are appropriate, and not crazy concepts such as "co-living". Have you heard of this cool new trend called co-living? It's a bit like co-working, except instead of sharing an office with a bunch of strangers, you share your home with a bunch of strangers. Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy insists tiny rooms and shared kitchens are part of the solution to the housing crisis. Writing in the Irish Independent on Saturday, he said: "The State is very deliberately inserting itself directly into the provision of housing as it rebuilds a sector destroyed in the crash - from the type of homes being built, to their location and even price." The dream of owning your own home is well and truly broken for a growing number of us, but we can't allow the Government to shoehorn us into rabbit hutches. Is this how hopeless our housing crisis has got - that an entire generation is to be condemned to living in overpriced rented bedsits, robbed of the joy of ever having friends over for tea or sprawling out on the settee after a day's work? The idea is that all the young professionals can get together - living in tiny bedrooms with showers and sharing communal spaces with others - is a sick joke. For a start, communal living is hardly a departure from tradition - it's a return to the dark days of tenement life. And the truth is that young people all over Dublin are already doing this, living in small spaces, in shared homes, where the landlord has often converted a living room into an extra bedroom. A planning application has been lodged for a development of more than 200 co-living homes in south Dublin. If approved, the building in Dun Laoghaire will be the largest such development in the country. Co-living has only recently been included in planning regulations and each en suite room will be 16.5 sq m, with a pull-down bed. More than 42 people would share a kitchen. There is a very fine line between innovation and desperation. Promoting the trend of "co-living" space as the new, wonderful and inevitable lifestyle for young people seeking to enter our impossibly expensive housing market isn't good enough. I've spent the past decade in enough house shares to know that sharing with strangers rarely works out well. I've lived with the always-homer, the milk-robber, the party animal and an assortment of oddballs. All I have ever wanted is my own space and a front door to close behind me, not a cruel and cynical reimagining of Soviet Russia's housing, except with interiors that Instagram nicely. Very few people I know want to live in a place where there's no room to swing a cat, let along raise a child. We need to find genuine alternatives and solutions to our housing crisis. We need to build decent housing that is suitable for human living. If more homes were available to rent and buy, there would be no housing crisis. We also need to revitalise rural Ireland so that everyone doesn't have to cram into Dublin. A study by Future Analytics Consulting, for Dublin City's Housing Observatory, said the population of the city could rise by 7.5pc to as much as 11.5pc, depending on Brexit's impact. The number of people added by 2022 versus the 2016 census would be more than 150,000, a worrying expansion for a city that does not have enough houses for the current population. But the Government's agenda seldom cares for the local shops, the bars and post offices, the schools and GAA clubs and the care centres - all the things that keep rural Ireland's heart beating. The poverty rate in rural Ireland is 4.5 percentage points higher than in urban Ireland as young people flock to the cities and towns, chasing education and job opportunities. The Government has launched a 1bn fund for investment in rural towns and villages with a population under 10,000 over the next 10 years, but change needs to happen now. We need rural broadband and we need to invigorate rural Ireland, for all ages. We need to consider a lower tax rate for rural dwellers, to encourage more people to live and work in the countryside. We should pilot a 5pc reduction in this year's Budget. Thousands of people marched through Dublin on Saturday over the rising homeless figures and the housing crisis in a rally organised by a coalition of trade unions, political parties and community groups. The latest figures from the Department of Housing show there were 10,305 people registered as homeless in Ireland in March. The protest heard demands for the right to housing to be formally inserted into the Constitution, but I'm not convinced that would radically change the Government's actions. Co-living is a deceptively cruel concept by our Government to put us into ever- tinier flats and justify market prices. Nobody should be condemned to live with strangers, sharing kitchens and living rooms for decades, because successive governments failed to deal with a housing crisis. If we let them get away with micro-flats now, they'll be selling us coffins as a cool lifestyle alternative next. Actress Jessica Alba of "Dark Angel" arrives at the 27th Annual People's Choice Awards January 7, 2001 in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by Chris Weeks/Liaison) Actress Jessica Alba attends the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce hosting EXPERIENCE: East Meets West event at Crustacean on February 5, 2014 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Rodrigo Vaz/FilmMagic) Jessica Alba visits "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" at Rockefeller Center on August 25, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for NBC) Jessica Alba visits "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" at Rockefeller Center on August 25, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for NBC) Jessica Alba arrives for the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 24, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by JB Lacroix / AFP) Jessica Alba "stopped eating" so much so she wouldn't "preyed upon". The 'Sin City' actress has spoken out about her issues with body image, and she admitted during her early days working in the movie industry she was urged by her family to hide her body from men. Speaking at the Goop health summit in Los Angeles, the 38-year-old star said: "I was meant to feel ashamed if I tempted men. Then I stopped eating a lot when I became an actress. I made myself look more like a boy so I wouldn't get as much attention." Jessica revealed her family told her not to wear jeans which emphasised her "voluptuous" body and "booty", while she explained how she felt "preyed upon" by men. Expand Close Actress Jessica Alba of "Dark Angel" arrives at the 27th Annual People's Choice Awards January 7, 2001 in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by Chris Weeks/Liaison) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Actress Jessica Alba of "Dark Angel" arrives at the 27th Annual People's Choice Awards January 7, 2001 in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by Chris Weeks/Liaison) She added: "Nothing about being successful in this business is easy. You can't be bitter." Meanwhile, she has opened up in the past about her insecurities as an actress because she didn't attend theatre school,haye but she has insisted she has more "confidence" in herself nowadays, which she says has helped her become "successful in life". The Golden Globe award winner - who has Honor, 10, and Haven, seven, and Hayes, 16 months, whom she has with her husband Cash Warren - previously said: "I even felt inferior saying I was an actress without being classically trained. It took me a while to find my confidence. "I may not be the best actress ever, but do I have my moments? Definitely. And don't underestimate street smarts - all of that hustle and life experiences. You have to roll with the punches - that's how you're going to be successful in life." She launched The Honest Company - a consumer goods company that emphasises ethical household products - back in 2011, and has said she's only just begun labelling herself as "smart", because she used to believe that not having a "conventional" education made her less intelligent. She added: "When I was younger, I thought I wasn't smart. I didn't have a conventional or higher education. Now, after starting a business, I feel OK with identifying myself as smart." Expand Close Cash Warren (L) and Jessica Alba arrive for the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 24, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by JB Lacroix / AFP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Cash Warren (L) and Jessica Alba arrive for the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 24, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by JB Lacroix / AFP) By Mu Xuequan, Xinhua | May 16, 2019 China's Hainan Airlines on Wednesday began a direct flight service between Beijing and Norway's capital city Oslo, which is the first non-stop service between China and the Nordic country. The route between Beijing and Oslo will be operated by an Airbus A330-300 with a capacity of 292 passengers, according to Norway's state-owned operator of civil airports Avinor. Hainan Airlines will operate the route three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Norway's Minister of Trade and Industry Torbjorn Roe Isaksen and Minister of Fisheries Harald T. Nesvik were present to mark the opening of the route at Oslo airport, Avinor said in a press release. "The direct route between China and Norway will be of great significance for Norwegian trade and industry, and for trade relations with China in general," Isaksen was quoted as saying. "It ties our countries closer together and opens for more collaboration and contact between Norwegian and Chinese trade and industry," he said. Norway is the country in the Nordics with a high proportion of Chinese tourists, and more and more Chinese are choosing Norway as a destination. Meanwhile, demand for Norwegian seafood is great in China, and this route will also be important for delivering fresh Norwegian salmon to the Chinese market quickly and efficiently. Hainan Airlines believes this route will have great significance for the relations between Norway and China. "We are building a strong network between China and Europe and are very happy that we today have added Oslo to our network," said Bao Qifa, chairman of HNA Aviation Group. "This new route will certainly intensify relations between the two countries, thus stimulating the development of prosperous economic ties for China and Norway, as well as the Nordic region," he said. The photo shows lightning striking a building in the Philippines (Nathan Daniel Sison/PA) An amateur photographers remarkable pictures have captured the moment a bolt of lightning struck during a heavy storm in the Philippines. The moment was captured on a mobile phone by university professor Nathan Daniel Sison as he looked out of his apartment in Mandaluyong, near the capital Manila. Expand Close The lightning bolt strike in Mandaluyong, Philippines (Nathan Daniel Sison/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The lightning bolt strike in Mandaluyong, Philippines (Nathan Daniel Sison/PA) Mr Sison told the Press Association: It was taken unintentionally. I was just snapping the view. Expand Close A flash after the lightning bolt struck (Nathan Daniel Sison/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A flash after the lightning bolt struck (Nathan Daniel Sison/PA) Only moments before, Mr Sison had captured an image showing the sunset when it suddenly rained. Expand Close This photo was taken just moments before the lightning strike (Nathan Daniel Sison/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp This photo was taken just moments before the lightning strike (Nathan Daniel Sison/PA) The subsequent pictures, taken at 7pm local time on Tuesday, showed the bolt striking a building before creating a dramatic flash. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz faces a no-confidence vote in parliament next week after his governing coalition collapsed over a corruption scandal. Speaker Wolfgang Sobotka, a member of Mr Kurzs conservative Peoples Party, set a special session of the legislature for Monday. Opposition parties wanted it held this week, but Mr Sobotka said he wants to give space to the EU election campaign, the Austria Press Agency reported. Austria elects MEPs on Sunday. The opposition Now party has drawn up a no-confidence motion seeking to oust Mr Kurz before an early national election expected in September. Let us not forget that there has been a massive betrayal of trust as a result of this disturbing image of immorality from IbizaAustrian President Alexander Van der Bellen Mr Kurz called for that election after far-right Freedom Party leader Heinz-Christian Strache, who was his vice chancellor, resigned. Mr Strache was shown on video appearing to offer favours to a purported Russian investor during a meeting two years ago on the Spanish island of Ibiza. Mr Kurzs party holds only 61 of the 183 seats in parliament. It is not yet clear whether the second- and third-biggest parties, the centre-left Social Democrats and the Freedom Party, will vote to remove him depriving the 32-year-old of the advantage of going into the national election as the incumbent. That would leave President Alexander Van der Bellen to name an interim chancellor. Expand Close Alexander Van der Bellen would have to appoint an interim chancellor if Kurz leaves office (AP Photo/Michael Gruber) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Alexander Van der Bellen would have to appoint an interim chancellor if Kurz leaves office (AP Photo/Michael Gruber) While Mr Kurz remains in office Mr Van der Bellen has asked him to propose interim ministers to replace the Freedom Party politicians who have left the government including the interior, defence and labour ministers. The president said foreign minister Karin Kneissl, who was nominated by the Freedom Party but is not a party member, has agreed to stay on. Mr Van der Bellen, a liberal whose position puts him above the cut-and-thrust of politics, said the interim ministers will have to be impeccable experts. Let us not forget that there has been a massive betrayal of trust as a result of this disturbing image of immorality from Ibiza, he said after meeting Mr Kurz. Mr Strache has said he was set up through illegal surveillance but conceded his behaviour was stupid, irresponsible and a mistake. On Tuesday, he sounded a combative note. We will find the people behind the criminally produced video and the dirty campaigning and I will prove my innocence! Mr Strache wrote in a Facebook post. Direct hit: Brexit Party leader Nigel walks away after a protester struck him with a milkshake during a campaign walkabout in Newcastle. Photo: Reuters/Scott Heppell FORMER British prime minister Gordon Brown has called for an investigation into the finances of Nigel Farage and the Brexit Party. Mr Brown said democracy would continue to be undermined if payments to the party were not declared. Expand Close Concerns about finances: Former UK prime minister Gordon Brown. Photo: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Concerns about finances: Former UK prime minister Gordon Brown. Photo: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire He challenged Britain's Electoral Commission and the European Parliament to indicate whether they are investigating the party, or say whether questions over dubious payments had been answered. Mr Brown said: "We have the potential for underhand and under-the-counter payments being made. Leave.EU, Nigel Farage and Aaron Banks's campaign, is now under criminal investigation. "Aaron Banks, the lead funder of Leave.EU and the friend of Nigel Farage, has been under investigation - he has made contacts with Russia. We don't know where his money comes from. "And yet we find out last week that he has given 450,000 (512,000) in payments to support Nigel Farage, while Nigel Farage was in a public office in the European Parliament, who should have been declaring the payments that he was receiving from anyone to avoid any conflicts of interest." Mr Brown raised concerns over the method of payment used to process donations by supporters of the party. He said: "Now we find the Brexit Party that has been formed is not a party, it's actually a private company. It doesn't have members, it has shareholders." Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth has expressed support for EU integration during a historic meeting with German diplomats, a declassified account shows. A diplomatic cable written by ambassador Rudiger Freiherr von Wechmar after a meeting with Elizabeth in 1988 says she left "no doubt that the future of Britain lies in Europe". The account of the meeting, reported by German's Der Spiegel, sheds light on the private views of the monarch, who has made an effort to keep out of politics - including in the Brexit debate. There have long been rumours that the queen privately supports European integration: she raised eyebrows at the state opening of parliament in 2017 - the first after the referendum - when she turned up wearing a blue jacket and hat with yellow flowers in a pattern resembling the EU flag. Elizabeth is said in 1988 to have told the outgoing ambassador that "some have not realised" yet that the UK belongs in Europe - referring to her subjects. According to the account, she is said to have noted that many British people did not yet have an understanding of the single market, and said it was "about time" for a government education campaign to explain the union to voters. Nigel Farage after he was doused in milkshake during a campaign walkabout in Newcastle (Tom Wilkinson/PA) Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage gestures after being hit with a milkshake while arriving for a Brexit Party campaign event in Newcastle, Britain, May 20, 2019. REUTERS/Scott Heppell Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage gestures after being hit with a milkshake while arriving for a Brexit Party campaign event in Newcastle, Britain, May 20, 2019. REUTERS/Scott Heppell Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage gestures after being hit with a milkshake while arriving for a Brexit Party campaign event in Newcastle, Britain, May 20, 2019. REUTERS/Scott Heppell Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage gestures after being hit with a milkshake while arriving for a Brexit Party campaign event in Newcastle, Britain, May 20, 2019. REUTERS/Scott Heppell Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage gestures after being hit with a milkshake while arriving for a Brexit Party campaign event in Newcastle, Britain, May 20, 2019. REUTERS/Scott Heppell Nigel Farage after he was doused in milkshake during a campaign walkabout in Newcastle. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday May 20, 2019. Tom Wilkinson/PA Wire A man has been charged with common assault and criminal damage after dousing Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage with a Five Guys banana and salted caramel milkshake. Paul Crowther, 32, has been charged with common assault and criminal damage after the incident in Newcastle, Northumbria Police said. The Brexit Party leader became the latest victim of a protest which has seen other European election candidates such as Ukips Carl Benjamin and ex-English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson suffer similar attacks. Mr Farage was led away by security as the thrower was dragged away by a Police Community Support Officer and was later seen in handcuffs. Crowther, from Throckley, Newcastle, said it was a 5.25 Five Guys banana and salted caramel milkshake. Speaking before his charge, he said: I didnt know he was in town, I thought this is my only chance. Expand Close Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage gestures after being hit with a milkshake while arriving for a Brexit Party campaign event in Newcastle, Britain, May 20, 2019. REUTERS/Scott Heppell / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage gestures after being hit with a milkshake while arriving for a Brexit Party campaign event in Newcastle, Britain, May 20, 2019. REUTERS/Scott Heppell Mr Crowther said he saw there was a Brexit Party event in the city centre, thought it was an MEP and then saw Mr Farage. He explained: Its a right of protest against people like him. Expand Close Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage gestures after being hit with a milkshake while arriving for a Brexit Party campaign event in Newcastle, Britain, May 20, 2019. REUTERS/Scott Heppell / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage gestures after being hit with a milkshake while arriving for a Brexit Party campaign event in Newcastle, Britain, May 20, 2019. REUTERS/Scott Heppell The bile and the racism he spouts out in this country is far more damaging than a bit of milkshake to his front. Standing in handcuffs outside the Waterstones book shop, Mr Crowther said he did not regret his actions. Expand Close Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage gestures after being hit with a milkshake while arriving for a Brexit Party campaign event in Newcastle, Britain, May 20, 2019. REUTERS/Scott Heppell / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage gestures after being hit with a milkshake while arriving for a Brexit Party campaign event in Newcastle, Britain, May 20, 2019. REUTERS/Scott Heppell He denied an allegation that someone was cut, saying he only threw liquid on the politician. Of his milkshake, he ruefully said: I was quite looking forward to it, but I think it went on a better purpose. He declined to say what he did for a living. Earlier, Mr Farage had been interviewed by the BBC then walked down Northumberland Street, the main shopping street in Newcastle. He was hit by the milkshake in the shadow of Earl Greys monument and was then walked away by security and into a taxi. The politician has been touring the country ahead of polling day on Thursday. In footage shot shortly after the incident, Mr Farage could be heard saying how did you not stop that? as his staff ushered him away from the scene. Mr Farage tweeted: Sadly some remainers have become radicalised, to the extent that normal campaigning is becoming impossible. For a civilised democracy to work you need the losers consent, politicians not accepting the referendum result have led us to this. Last week, police apparently ordered a McDonalds outlet near a Brexit Party campaign rally to stop selling milkshakes and ice cream, according to the restaurants staff. Brussels is left looking on at the chaotic political picture in the UK, with little progress having been made since the Brexit deadline was extended to October 31. Photo: PA BRITISH Prime Minister Theresa May's senior ministers will discuss whether to offer MPs a menu of Brexit options in an effort to break the Commons deadlock over the process of leaving the European Union. Today's cabinet meeting is expected to consider the possibility of holding indicative votes to find something the Commons can back. The legislation for the Brexit deal - the Withdrawal Agreement Bill - is due in the Commons in the week beginning June 3 and faces stiff opposition following the failure of cross-party talks. Brussels is left looking on at the chaotic political picture in the UK, with little progress having been made since the Brexit deadline was extended to October 31. "It's clear we are in a situation where London talks to London, so there is nothing that we can do at this stage," European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas said. The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier again stressed an "orderly withdrawal remains the best basis of trust for the future" and Brussels is "ready to be more ambitious in the Political Declaration" setting out the future UK-EU relationship. The Austrian government was plunged further into crisis yesterday when the far-right FPO party resigned its ministerial posts en masse after the chancellor sacked the interior minister over a Russia-linked corruption scandal. Sebastian Kurz fired Herbert Kickl, the FPO interior minister, after a video emerged of Heinz-Christian Strache, the party's leader, offering state contracts to a woman posing as a wealthy Russian oligarch in return for illicit financing. Mr Kurz made clear he did not believe it was appropriate that Mr Kickl should be in control of the police while investigations take place into the corruption allegations, particularly as he was party treasurer when the video was secretly recorded in 2017. "In the conversations that I had with him [Kickl] and with others in the party I had the impression that he did not fully appreciate the ramifications of the accusations," Mr Kurz said. In response, the FPO followed through on a threat to withdraw its ministers from cabinet. Mr Kurz had responded to the scandal on Sunday by calling early elections. ( Daily Telegraph, London) The London markets rose as investor sentiment was buoyed as trade tensions between the US and China appeared to ease. The FTSE 100 closed the day up 18.04 points at 7,328.92 points. Stocks across Europe rallied on the back of news that the US has granted Huawei a 90-day extension before its ban will be implemented. David Madden, market analyst at CMC Markets UK, said: This is seen as a sign the US administration dont want to turn up the heat on China just yet, but the ball is in Beijings court. The trade standoff is still very much alive, but this appears to be a slight reduction in hostilities, and some traders are taking the opportunity to snap up equities. Optimism spread across the continent, as European stocks took the move as a positive signal regarding the future of the long-running trade dispute. The German Dax jumped by 0.85% and the French CAC rose by 0.5%. The pound jumped higher on the back of Theresa Mays announcement that MPs will be offered a vote on a second referendum. Sterling had slumped to its lowest since January earlier on Tuesday, but recovered after the Prime Minister offered the possible Brexit reprieve. The pound rose 0.08% to 1.273 versus the US dollar and increased 0.12% to 1.141 versus the euro. In stocks, high street stalwart WH Smith rose marginally after its boss Stephen Clarke revealed plans to step down at the end of October after six years at the helm of the retailer. He will be replaced as group chief executive on November 1 by Carl Cowling, who is currently managing director of the groups high street arm. Shares in the retailer rose by 4p to 2,032p. Halfords remained flat after it reported lower annual profits, as the retailer warned that a transformation plan would take longer than expected amid current levels of consumer uncertainty. Profit before tax dropped 24% to 51 million at the business, with lower motoring sales, high investment and weak sentiment in the run-up to Christmas all contributing to the decline. Halfords shares closed at 239p after holding firm. Builder Galliford Try surged in value after it revealed plans to axe up to 350 jobs amid an overhaul of its under-pressure construction business. Shares in Galliford Try jumped by 82.5p to 619p. Majestic shares rose on its confirmation that a number of potential buyers are circling its retail business, after it kicked off a sale process last month. Shares in the wine retailer rose 14p to 280p. The price of oil remained fairly subdued, falling marginally as political tensions between the US and Iran continue to heat up. The price of a barrel of Brent crude oil fell by 0.3% to 71.8 US dollars. The biggest risers on the FTSE 100 were Sainsburys, up 9.3p at 207.1p, Coca-Cola HBC, up 97p at 2,769p, Persimmon, up 62p at 2,108p and Taylor Wimpey, up 4.35p at 175.8p. The biggest fallers on the FTSE 100 were Rolls Royce, down 23.2p at 918p, Pearson, down 15.4p at 785.2p, IAG, down 9.2p at 493.2p, and Paddy Power Betfair, down 58p at 5,756p. The founder of Huawei has said US restrictions on sales to the Chinese tech giant will have little impact, and confirmed the company is talking with Google about the possible effect on its smartphone business. Ren Zhengfei told Chinese reporters the firm has supply back-ups if it loses access to American chips and other technology under last weeks order issued by the Trump administration. Washington has said Huawei poses a security threat, and imposed restrictions on technology sales to the company. Expand Close Ren Zhengfei claimed the move would have limited impact on his company (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ren Zhengfei claimed the move would have limited impact on his company (AP) The US Commerce Department later announced a 90-day grace period for the company. Mr Ren said the US controls will have no impact within this company, but conceded some low-end business might be affected. He said Huawei and Google are discussing possible emergency relief measures for its smartphone business, which might lose access to some of the American companys services. Google said it would comply with the restrictions, which are aimed at punishing the Chinese tech giant. Huawei could quickly lose its grip on the number two worldwide rank in mobile phone sales as a result of the move by the Trump administration. The restrictions effectively bar US firms from selling components and software to Huawei, and up the ante in a trade war between Washington and Beijing that partly reflects a struggle for global economic and technological dominance. The Commerce Department confirmed the grace period on Monday night. Google said it would continue to support existing Huawei smartphones but future devices will not have its flagship apps and services, including maps, Gmail and search. Only basic services would be available for future versions of the Android operating system on Huaweis smartphones. Expand Close The move ups the ante in the US trade war with China (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The move ups the ante in the US trade war with China (AP) Washington claims Huawei poses a national security threat, and its placement on the so-called Entity List by the Trump administration last week is widely seen as intended to persuade resistant US allies in Europe to exclude Huawei equipment from their next-generation wireless networks, known as 5G. Huawei will likely use its own, stripped-down version of Android, whose basic code is provided free of charge by Google. But the California company said Huawei would not be authorised to use other Google software and services if the sanctions go forward as announced. Google could seek exemptions, but would not comment on whether it planned to do so. Gartner analyst Tuong Nguyen said 48% of Huaweis phone shipments last year were outside of China and the company will need to scramble not to lose market share. Samsung led global smartphone sales in the first quarter of this year with a 23.1% share. Huawei was second with 19%, followed by Apple at 11.7%, according to IDC. Huaweis smartphone sales in the US are tiny and the Chinese companys footprint in telecommunications networks is limited to smaller wireless and internet providers so any impact on US consumers of a Google services cutoff would be slight. Hardware suppliers led by Qualcomm, Broadcom and Intel would also be forced to halt shipments to Huawei under the Commerce Department rule, which requires all US technology sales to the company to obtain government approval unless exceptions are made. In a report, the global risk assessment outfit Eurasia Group said that if the sanction process helps persuade European carriers to shun Huawei equipment, a full ban on purchases of US technology products and services could be avoided. Expand Close The new Huawei P30 Pro (Martyn Landi/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The new Huawei P30 Pro (Martyn Landi/PA) Google, a unit of Alphabet, said it was complying with and reviewing the implications of the requirement for export licences for technology sales to Huawei. For users of our services, Google Play and the security protections from Google Play Protect will continue to function on existing Huawei devices, it added. The US government says Chinese suppliers including Huawei and its smaller rival, ZTE, pose an espionage threat because they are beholden to Chinas ruling Communist Party. But American officials have presented no evidence of any Huawei equipment serving as intentional conduits for espionage by Beijing. Huawei, headquartered in the southern city of Shenzhen near Hong Kong, reported earlier that its worldwide sales rose 19.5% last year over 2017 to 721.2 billion yuan (81.8 billion). Profit rose 25.1% to 59.3 billion yuan (6.73 billion). Huawei smartphone shipments rose 50% in the first three months of 2019 to 59.1 million, compared with a year earlier, while the global industrys total fell 6.6%, according to IDC. Shipments from Samsung and Apple both declined. Huawei defended itself on Monday as one of Androids key global partners. The company said it helped to develop a system that benefited both users and the industry. It added: We will continue to build a safe and sustainable software ecosystem, in order to provide the best experience for all users globally. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said China will monitor the development of the situation but gave no indication how Beijing might respond. The US order requires government approval for all purchases of American microchips, software and other components globally by Huawei and 68 affiliated businesses. Huawei said that amounted to 11 billion dollars (8.6 billion) in goods last year. That could create some collateral damage for US companies. Jamies Italian is the latest in a string of casual dining brands to suffer from a devastating couple of years for the sector. The move to call in administrators to the celebrity chefs restaurant empire follows chains such as Carluccios, Prezzo, Byron Burger and Gourmet Burger Kitchen closing outlets amid rising costs from higher wages and property taxes and heavy competition in the casual dining market. The administration comes after sales at Jamies Italian dived by nearly 11% last year to 101 million as it closed 12 of its 37 restaurants and made about 600 staff redundant. Shares in Wildwood and Dim T owner Tasty also tumbled earlier this year after it revealed widened annual losses and warned there would be no let-up in tough trading in 2019. Tasty has closed eight sites since the start of 2018 and said it would keep its estate under review in 2019, putting new openings on hold as it focuses on overhauling its estate and boosting profits. Last year 10,000 workers in Britains restaurants lost their jobs, amounting to 30 people a day, research for the Press Association revealed late last year. Costs have increased for restaurants, with a rise in the minimum wage and a fall in the value of the pound since the referendum on Britains membership of the European Union, driving food prices higher. Competition has also increased with a raft of new chains backed by private equity firms opening across the UK. Property taxes for restaurants paid through businesses rates in England and Wales rose 23% to 564.7 million for the 2018 financial year, a two-year hike of 106.64 million since rates were revalued in April 2017, according to property advisory group Altus. Chancellor Philip Hammond cut business rates by a third for small retailers, including restaurants, in England which have a rateable value of less than 51,000 for two years from April. The next revaluation will take place in 2021. However, Altus noted that help for restaurants operated by chains is likely to be limited due to a 200,000-euro (180,866) three-year state aid cap from the EU. The Centre for Retail Research has forecast that a further 10,950 jobs will be lost across the casual dining sector in 2019, with independent restaurants being hit the hardest. Founder and Vice Chairman Vernon Hill II with his dog Duffy, outside the newly opened Metro Bank branch in Holborn, central London. Metro Bank staved off calls from advisory bodies to reject founder Vernon Hills election at its annual general meeting (AGM), but shareholders raised their frustrations over executive pay. More than 20% of votes were cast against the firms remuneration report, days after the challenger bank was forced to raise more funds on the back of an accounting blunder in January. Metro Bank secured 375 million from investors last week, following the loans blunder which left it short of the capital it needed to grow and led to a steep fall in share value. A fifth of shareholders registered their anger by voting against executive pay plans which will give chief executive Craig Donaldson a 750,000 pay packet, CFO David Arden a 405,000 packet and Mr Hill a 385,000 packet. The remuneration report passed with 79.3% of votes in its favour at the meeting on Tuesday afternoon. Shareholders in the bank, including its largest European backer Legal & General Investment Management, publicly announced plans to vote against Mr Hill. However, only 12.3% of the 71,260,810 total votes were against the re-election of Mr Hill, who started the high street bank in 2009. Shareholders vented greater frustration against directors Stuart Bernau and Gene Lockhart, who each saw around 28% of shareholder votes made against their re-election. Prior to the meeting, shareholder advisory group ISS highlighted that accountability for the loans error sat with the pair, as well as Mr Hill and Mr Donaldson. Last week the lender was also forced to quash rumours of fresh financial trouble after warnings spread across social media. The bank branded the rumours false after concerned customers rushed to branches in London to withdraw cash and safe deposit boxes. Shares in the company jumped 7.5% to 705.5p at the close of trading on Tuesday. 'Over the past two years, Trumps threats have often been read as the opening salvos in negotiations.' Photo: Reuters/Carlos Barria Talk of war with Iran seemed to subside in Washington over the past week. As is his wont, US President Donald Trump lambasted media coverage of his administration's moves against the regime in Tehran. But in doing so he also seemed to push back against an aggressive agenda set by his national security adviser John Bolton. Then on Sunday, possibly goaded by a segment on Fox News, Trump launched another broadside on Twitter, warning that conflict between the two countries would mark "the official end of Iran". The atmospherics are making many officials in Washington and capitals elsewhere nervous. On Sunday, a rocket landed near the US Embassy in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone, adding to the jitters felt in Iraq - a nation where Iran retains outsize influence. A series of sabotage attacks on oil tankers and facilities in the region were linked to Iran, but experts suggested they were calibrated so as not to justify an American escalation. The US had sent an aircraft carrier group and bombers to the Persian Gulf. Instead, the news of those deployments elicited a diplomatic backlash against the Trump administration, with allies both in Europe and the Middle East urging caution and insisting they don't want war. Washington's perceived sabre-rattling drew unfavourable parallels to the reckless build up to the 2003 American invasion of Iraq. Rather than galvanising a united front around countering Iran's problematic role in its neighbourhood, the US efforts seemed to only deepen the impression that it was veering down a lonely, provocative path. Late last week, Trump suggested to reporters that Iran had "great potential" and he would be interested in cutting a deal with the Islamic Republic. He chided Bolton, an inveterate hawk, and quipped to aides "we'd be in war everywhere if it was up to this guy". The results of Trump's mixed messaging have yet to fully materialise. On the one hand, the apparent dissonance between the anti-Iran zeal of senior officials within his administration and his own stated desire to disentangle the US from the Middle East's conflicts grows louder by the week. On the other, Trump's bellicosity and his administration's "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran is laying the powder for a possibly explosive escalation. "We've come full circle though, with Washington's attention span so violently short now, that it's possible to dispute intelligence, debate war plans, threaten a full-scale conflict, and then back off the entire idea, just inside of one working week," noted CNN's Nick Paton Walsh. Walsh pointed to the instincts of officials such as Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, both of whom have in the past called for military action against Iran. "They lurch forwards, and for a week like this one you can genuinely feel like it's 2002 again, and history repeats always more as tragedy than farce," he wrote. "But then the true nature of the Trump presidency emerges - forged on isolationism, on ending wars about places that his base does not understand or care for." The uncertainty has only raised fears of a calamitous clash that neither side may actually want. Over the past two years, Trump's threats have often been read as the opening salvos in negotiations. He lobbed insults at North Korean leader Kim Jong-un before meeting him at two summits and expressing great personal affection for the totalitarian despot. The Iranian regime, like North Korea, may be hoping to call Trump's bluff, shrugging off Trump's tweets with the assumption that neither he nor American military planners are seriously considering a real intervention. U.S. President Donald Trump reacts as he addresses a Trump 2020 re-election campaign rally in Montoursville, Pennsylvania, U.S. May 20, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Barria U.S. President Donald Trump addresses a Trump 2020 re-election campaign rally in Montoursville, Pennsylvania, U.S. May 20, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Barria President Donald Trump arrives to speak to a campaign rally, Monday, May 20, 2019, in Montoursville, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) U.S. President Donald Trump looks at supporters before boarding Air Force One after addressing a Trump 2020 re-election campaign rally in Montoursville, Pennsylvania, U.S. May 20, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Barria US president Donald Trump has taken a fresh swipe at one of his leading Democratic rivals in the 2020 election, telling a rally in Pennsylvania that native son Joe Biden had abandoned them by representing Delaware in the senate. In fact, Mr Biden moved to neighbouring Delaware with his family when he was a boy, and later represented the state in the senate for more than three decades. He maintained ties to Pennsylvania over the years. Mr Trump's Pennsylvania visit, intended to boost Republican congressional candidate Fred Keller over Democrat Marc Friedenberg in a special election for an open House seat, had as much to do with helping his own re-election prospects as it did with pushing Mr Keller over the line. "We've got to win tomorrow, Fred," Mr Trump told a cheering crowd at a hangar in Williamsport Regional Airport. Expand Close U.S. President Donald Trump looks at supporters before boarding Air Force One after addressing a Trump 2020 re-election campaign rally in Montoursville, Pennsylvania, U.S. May 20, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Barria / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp U.S. President Donald Trump looks at supporters before boarding Air Force One after addressing a Trump 2020 re-election campaign rally in Montoursville, Pennsylvania, U.S. May 20, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Barria The president's visit to the key battleground state came two days after former US vice president Mr Biden held a campaign rally in Philadelphia. Mr Trump told the crowd: "He left you for another state, and he didn't take care of you." He also referred to the former vice president by the nickname he has coined for him: Sleepy Joe. "Sleepy Joe said that he's running to, quote, 'save the world,'" Mr Trump said. "Well, he was. He was going to save every country but ours." Expand Close U.S. President Donald Trump reacts as he addresses a Trump 2020 re-election campaign rally in Montoursville, Pennsylvania, U.S. May 20, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Barria / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp U.S. President Donald Trump reacts as he addresses a Trump 2020 re-election campaign rally in Montoursville, Pennsylvania, U.S. May 20, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Barria Mr Biden said in Nashville, Tennessee, that he is running on a pledge to restore the soul of America. He has frequently spoken on the campaign trail about the president's divisive rhetoric and said another four years of Mr Trump would "fundamentally change the character of this nation". The president uses his campaign rallies to disparage various Democratic rivals for the presidency, but he has been heavily focused on Mr Biden, suggesting he may be worried about the possibility of facing off next year against the long-serving politician. The president, who spoke in the open air with Air Force One behind him, highlighted the American economy's performance under his leadership and suggested those numbers make him virtually unbeatable. "Politics is a crazy world, but when you have the best employment numbers in history, when you have the best unemployment numbers in history ... I don't know, how the hell do you lose this election, right?" Mr Trump said. The current unemployment rate of 3.6% is actually the lowest since 1969, when it stood at 3.5%. Unemployment was even lower than that in the early 1950s, and much lower - under 2% - during three years of the Second World War. Mr Keller himself offered a rousing endorsement of Mr Trump, saying he wants to go to US congress to be a vote for the president. Mr Keller told the president that the people of Pennsylvania "have been behind you since Day One, and, Mr President, our support for you is as strong today as it ever was". He added: "In 2016, Pennsylvania put Donald Trump over the top. And in 2020, we're going to do it again." Mr Biden is making a big play for his native Pennsylvania, opening his presidential bid in Harrisburg and capping a three-week campaign rollout with Saturday's event in Philadelphia, the city where he also established his campaign headquarters. In the fight to deny Mr Trump re-election, no places will matter more than Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, three states the Republican president carried by razor-thin margins in 2016. Mr Trump campaigned in Michigan and Wisconsin earlier this year. Law enforcement in Cabarrus County ran for miles, carrying the Flame of Hope Torch, which will ultimately end up in Raleigh in time for the 2019 North Carolina Special Olympics Summer Games. On Thursday, Concord police officers and the Cabarrus County Sheriffs deputies ran nearly 10.5 miles before handing the torch off to Kannapolis police officers at the Cloverleaf Plaza. The Kannapolis officers then continued the relay into Rowan County. Concord Det. Sgt. Brian Schiele, who has been running with the torch for the Special Olympics for 20 years, said all legs of the relay will converge in Raleigh to light the torch for the Special Olympics Opening Ceremony on May 31. The statewide torch run involves more than 2,500 North Carolina law enforcement officers and more than 200 agencies. The month-long run covers more than 2,000 miles. Supporting the athletes is by far the best part of the torch run experience, Schiele said. These athletes train hard all year long in preparation for the Summer Games, and the Law Enforcement Torch Run helps generate awareness for Special Olympics. Hundreds of thousands of race fans will be zooming into Cabarrus County this week for NASCARs longest race the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Jen Thompson, with the North Carolina Department of Transportation, said plans for traffic around the speedway were started well in advance. She said traffic control is a team effort between the NCDOT, highway patrol, Charlotte Motor Speedway and city of Concord. We have planning meetings with those agencies about two months out, Thompson said. We are constantly working to revise our traffic management plans to see if it can be tweaked and made more efficient. Leading up to the race and on race day, we are constantly talking to one another. Our ultimate goal is to make sure folks get out of the track safely. The roadways and highways may be jammed by motorists wanting to attend Sundays race, or events surrounding it. Officials are prepared for the increased in traffic. I am an outdoors columnist and a freelance photographer. If you have read this column more than a couple of times, you know I like to reminisce about days in the past while getting to the point of my story. Simple things is all I try to remind people of. Simple things and simple times. Those are usually what makes up the fabled good ole days. You know, things like punching holes in the top of a mason jar. Last year I was hoping to catch something that only happens this time of year. Not catching a fish, but an event. A natural event at that. However, the timing fell in place where that event coincided with another epic experience in which my wife, kids and even a few of my dogs headed to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. I love the national parks and I love that we as humans saw the need to have preserved land so we can experience things the way they once were. One of my goals when heading west last year was to capture an image similar to famed legendary photographer Ansel Adams of the Snake River and the Tetons. I was fortunate enough to come really close to doing so, and shot it from the exact spot that Adams captured his image from nearly 70 years ago. When we say it's a woman's world, we mean it. Today, women are setting benchmarks and instead of making all of it look like a competition, women are growing together and making this world a better place to live. After ruling and rocking the red-carpet in Cannes, Priyanka Chopra took no buffer time and seamlessly slipped into another shoes for fulfilling yet another important role. Instead, she flew away to Ethiopia for a very important cause. She took to social media to update all her fans that she is visiting Ethiopia as she is working on a child empowerment project as a part of UNICEFs Goodwill Tour. PC, who is fondly known as the 'Global Star' is now busy fulfilling her duties as UNICEFs Goodwill Ambassador. Instagram/Priyanka Chopra After France, PC reached Addis Adaba, the Ethiopian capital, on Tuesday morning and she had some important and relevant messages for her fans. Apart from her interaction with the Gender Club, a team that works towards preparing students to counter harmful practices, she also met Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde, who is the first female president of the country. Sharing some important details from the first day her first day on the trip, Priyanka had written, "Day 1: My first visit was to the Sibiste Negasi Primary School in Addis Ababa. In Ethiopia, primary school enrollment between 2000 and 2017 has TRIPLED. This is because of the Ethiopian government's investment in education and its dedication to the future of the country... but there is still so much work to do. 2.6 million children of primary and secondary school age are out of school, and 50% of children attending school drop out by grade 8. Because of poverty, children are responsible for much more than just learning, like caring for siblings, walking miles to collect water and other house hold chores...things that should not be a child's responsibility at any age." PC has always been admired and respected and admired for her contribution to social causes and especially her dedication towards causes related to children has always been laudable. After being UNICEF for almost a decade, PC was appointed as a UNICEF National Ambassador in 2010. She has been actively involved in promoting child rights and adolescence. As an integral face of UNICEF, she has also featured in several videos and advertisements for building awareness for child rights and the need to create healthy environments for children. PC's work trips are not just about work but the way she gets involved with people and spend time with them only shows that she is a heartwarming person who has her heart in the right place. Earlier, Priyanka Chopra had also visited Bangladesh to spend time with Rohingya children. She also made a special visit to Zimbabwe. Technology is a beautiful thing, dont get me wrong. There are so many technological advances we can credit with doing things such as improving our lives and prolonging our lifespans, but on the flip side to this, some technology we have is downright terrifying, in addition to being completely harmful. Lets take a look at 4 of the most terrifying technologies that currently exist right now. Its pretty safe to assume that any piece of technology can be hacked, and probably will be at some point (regardless of whether its yours or not). Your smart home is no exception. By next year, the analyst firm Gartner anticipates that 20.4 billion smart home devices will be used by consumers. Were already starting to see cases of devices were using for security being hacked, such as alarms, locks, and even baby monitors. Computer scientists from The College of William & Mary recently released a study in which they outline smart home devices that can be hacked, and a lot of them you probably wouldnt have thought twice about. Lightbulbs and smart plugs can even be hacked, and you definitely didnt consider that, did you? Smart home devices are essentially all controlled via one central app. If a hacker can get in there and switch your settings (which is conceivably in the realm of possibility), they can easily do things such as control your entire alarm system if its on the same network. Anything on your smart home network can potentially communicate with another smart home device you have. If a hacker can access your WiFi network via your smart home devices, thats just a whole new nightmare. They could even access your bank account or credit card information that you enter online if things go that far. Since smart home devices are manufactured at scale, its not that difficult for someone to purchase a device, figure out how to hack it, and then go do that to anyone that owns the device. You kind of have to stop and think that anything you have on a smart home device could potentially be accessed by someone else, and decide if you feel comfortable or not with that. DNA testing seems like all fun and games. You spit into a tiny tube, send it out, and discover a whole new world of connections or genetic predispositions you didnt know about. Well, youre not just giving away a little bit of spit when you hand this over to DNA testing companies.youre also handing over your entire genetic code. Companies promise up and down that theyre not just giving away this valuable information or selling it, but the reality is they can. And they do. That agreement you signed when you gave your sample away? I bet you didnt read it all, let alone understand it. Regardless, companies dont have to follow the agreements you sign, and the chances of you knowing that they never followed it are slim to none. Now if you did sign, youre giving these companies full permission to sell all the data surrounding your DNA to whatever third party they want to. Then its anyones guess what is being done to your personal information. 23andMe recently struck a $300 million dollar deal with GlaxoSmithKline in which they sold them genetic data from their consumers. Lets also just talk about the fact that these DNA testing companies can get hacked. Now all this precious data surrounding pretty much the most valuable thing you own (your DNA) can be shared with potentially anyone. Drones are already used in a military capacity, and their overall increase in popularity is making it look like drone delivery is going to be pretty widely accepted and used quite soon. Drones are also readily available to consumers, which is great if you just plan on flying them around to take amazing photos. Unfortunately, the ease of being able to purchase a drone means that people can use them for bad thing too, such as creating a weapon that can easily target a person or a group of different people. YouTube recently came under fire for allowing videos to be posted on their platform that show how easy it is to assemble these kinds of killer drones. Paul Scharre, a former US Army Ranger and Pentagon defence expert told spoke to SunOnline about this very topic Its a terrifying reality that were going to have to confront. People can build simple autonomous weapons and carrier weapons for terrorist attacks from their garage. Were all already pretty well aware that you can use your car as a deadly weapon, right? Well, things could potentially hit a whole new level now that hackers can access cars. Bluetooth and even the internet are coming as standard options nowadays, and those two things are already hackable enough before you put them into vehicles. The CIA has been looking into hacking cars, and WikiLeaks has said that if a hacker was able to take over your car and cause you to crash, nobody would really be able to detect that. In a statement, WikiLeaks said the following: As of October 2014 the CIA was also looking at infecting the vehicle control systems used by modern cars and trucks. The purpose of such control is not specified, but it would permit the CIA to engage in nearly undetectable assassinations. The FBI has even issues a Public Service Announcement saying that: The analysis demonstrated the researchers could gain significant control over vehicle functions remotely by exploiting wireless communications vulnerabilities. While the identified vulnerabilities have been addressed, it is important that consumers and manufacturers are aware of the possible threats and how an attacker may seek to remotely exploit vulnerabilities in the future. Third party aftermarket devices with Internet or cellular access plugged into diagnostics ports could also introduce wireless vulnerabilities. Just two days ago, 100m record holder and winner of two Asian Games silver medals Dutee Chand revealed that she is in a same-sex relationship with a girl from her home town. The 23-year-old is thus the first Indian sportsperson to admit to being in a same-sex relationship. Chand revealed that she has been in a relationship with the girl for the past three years. While the couple had not thought of it as a long-term affair, the historic Supreme Court verdict in September 2018 that decriminalised same-sex relationships between consenting adults provided the impetus for them to arrive at a decision of spending their lives with each other. Dutee Chand's confession sparked a lot of reactions, mostly positive. Everyone is lauding her courage to come out, without risking anything at all. (Also read: 'Shocked' Family May Expel Dutee Chand After Knowing That She's In A Same-Sex Relationship) Two days after her confession, Hollywood's popular comedian and talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres has reacted and expressed her opinion on the same. Sharing Dutee's story, she shared a post on Instagram where she wrote how proud she is of sprinter Dutee Chand. Instagram Sharing an image of Chand kissing her medal that she won at the Asian Games 2018. DeGeneres wrote, "Shes the 100m record holder and the first openly gay sportsperson in India. I guess she knows a thing or two about being first. Im so proud of her.(sic)" Just to jog your memory a little, DeGeneres herself came out of the closet and revealed that she is homosexual, over two decades ago on national TV. She uses her voice for several important reasons and she has been one of the most fervent supporters of the LGBTQ community and their rights. In fact, she has time and again made relevant points on her popular talk show. On the work front, DeGeneres is busy hosting the sixteenth season of her popular comedy talk show The Ellen Show. In another heinous crime, an 8-year-old girl was allegedly abducted, raped and killed by two men in Nawada district in Bihar. Police have detained two suspects. The girl was abducted from her hut where she was sleeping with her family, her uncle after noticing that she was missing, lodged the complaint. Reuters/Representational Image The local Bhim army nabbed one suspect who told where they had dumped the dead body of the victim and he also revealed the identity of the second suspect. The Bhim army handed over the accused to the police. The Hindustan Times reported that the accused told police during investigation that they were under the influence of alcohol when they abducted, raped and strangulated the girl to death. The names of the two accused are Sonu Kumar and Gorelal Rajvanshi. The rape was confirmed after post-mortem. Reuters/Representational Image We have registered an offence of rape with murder and also added sections of the Protection of children from sexual offences Act (POCSO), said SDPO Vijay Kumar Jha. A polling team in Arunachal Pradesh was ambushed and the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) among other equipment was snatched by 500 National Peoples Party (NPP) supporters. The team was heading to the Nampe polling station in Kurung Kumey district and the incident took place near Langbang on Sunday afternoon. The Arunachal Times reported the incident and the police told the newspaper that 500 masked men armed with sticks, daos and guns including AK-47 assault rifles, ambushed the team and snatched EVMs and other equipment. BCCL/Representational Image Rido Tarek, the magistrate, Nampe sector lodged an FIR at the Koloriang police station and told the miscreants ambushed our team at around 5 pm. While doing so, they indiscriminately fired several rounds of bullets with sophisticated weapons, which included AK-47 assault rifles, Tarak said. The magistrate also told that the parliamentary forces accompanying the polling team didnt resort to crossing fearing the casualties on both sides. The NPP candidate, however, couldnt be contacted for comment. One platoon of CRPF and two sections of IRBn were escorting the polling equipment to the Nampe polling station, when the ambush was laid. Outnumbered by the armed goons, the security forces and the poll team surrendered the EVMs to them, said a police officer from Koloriang. The police is now investigating how these people obtained those weapons. The poll team has safely returned to Koloriang from Langbang, the district election officer (DEO) said. BCCL/Representational Image The DEO also fresh poll to be conducted on Tuesday and said that an alternative team has been sent from different route to Nampe and said the team might have already reached the said polling station. The re-poll notification was issued the Election Commission of India for polling to be conducted in Nambe on Tuesday after scrutiny. NPP is an ally of BJP and holds 16 out of the 60 seat assembly of the state. Over the weekend, Google announced it was revoking its Android licence from Huawei. Yesterday, other chip makers chimed in saying they were backing out of Huawei partnerships as well. Luckily for the Chinese smartphone maker, they've just caught a bit of a break. The US government has now temporarily eased some of the trade restrictions it imposed on Huawei last week as part of its trade war with China. At the time, the idea was to mess with Huawei's business, either in order to truly hurt them, or just as a show of American economic force. Now, the US Commerce Department says it will allow Huawei Technologies to purchase American-made goods in order to maintain existing networks, as well as provide software updates to existing handsets. However, they've still being barred from buying American parts and components that would go into new units. The switch in tactics seems to be aimed at giving telecom operators that rely on Huawei's hardware enough time to make alternative arrangements. It's not exactly good news for Huawei, it's just keeping American companies in mind. Google hasn't yet made an official comment post this order, but an internal source told the Wall Street Journal that the company might indeed be halting plans to sever ties with Huawei. More often than not, we tend to forget the people who make our lives easier ever day - the people who clean our offices, who work in the pantry and peons who serve us tea. Well, a school in Pune is setting an example. SVS high school which is one of the oldest in Khadki, decided to raise money and organise the wedding of one of their colleagues - Ankush Bhosale - who had been working with the school for the past two years as a peon. Unsplash The school principal Gowri Santhanam told him that the school will help him with the wedding, and that gave Ankush some hope as he was not sure that hed be able to get married because of limited resources. 24-year-old Ankush got married to Pratibha Adgale in a nice simple ceremony that happened in the school premises itself. My mother died eight months ago from blood cancer. Before her death, she kept urging me to get married. She was worried there would be nobody to take care of me after her. But due to her illness and medical expenses, it was not possible for me to get married, said Ankush. His father passed away five years ago and his three sisters are already married. TWITTER Ankush also added that, I was not sure if I would ever be able to get married, since I didnt have the means for it. He is our colleague and thats why we have rallied around him, said Santhanam. "The school did the best it could," said Francis David, who heads the Tamil Association that runs the school. The pandal was free of cost for Ankush and lunch was arranged for around 300-400 guests which included retired teachers and former principles of the school. S A Kanaraj, the General Secretary, said that such gestures go a long way in uniting different communities and creating a positive atmosphere in society. It is a gesture worth emulating, he said. Ayla Kirstine from Norway has a very special skill - one that will leave you feeling a little confused. She can run on all fours, literally, like a horse. Kirstine has become a sensation on the Internet and people refer to her as 'pferdmadchen', which roughly translates to 'horse girl (or woman)' in German. The video shows Kirstine walking along a dirt road on all fours, galloping around a field with a dog and there are many who found it slightly unsettling. Take a look: Ayla Kirstine who is a little sensitive by nature wasn't comfortable with the popularity, as negative comments kept pouring in. In an interview with the Daily Star she said, "There are quite a few who find it strange, I try not to think about it and just do what I like." "I wonder if i should delete my Instagram profile..." she wrote. "I do not know and do not intend to do it yet! So take it easy and calm down..." Ayla Kirstine running on her fours is a skill and a personal choice and people have no role to play in it, nor have the right to pass mean comments about it. Clearly, she's harming no one. It appears Kirstine isn't the only person to hone this unique skill, an account called __jumping.like.a.horse__ shows other woman who has been at it for six years. Anna Salander, who was 10 when this video was first published, showcased her abilities. No one wants to spend their weekend in the hot sun mowing the lawn, but an unmowed lawn ended up costing this man his home. A man in Florida, United States, has been slapped with a fine of Rs 20,90,796 ($30,000) because he failed to keep his grass levelled at what is allowed by the city. Institute Of Justice Jim Ficken is at the risk of losing his home because he couldnt pay the fines as he was away in South Carolina for nearly two months last summer, The Washington Post quoted in its report. The fine was imposed to the 69-year-old was because his grass had grown longer than 10 inches, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Its an excessive fine, and everyone Ive spoken to says its outrageous, Ficken said while addressing a press conference outside his house. In his lawsuit, Ficken said that while he was away, he hired somebody to mow his grass, but the man suddenly died. He further claimed that when he returned he couldnt mow the grass himself as the lawn mower broke down. Institute Of Justice The case is still underway. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal (left), Bharatiya Janata Party Punjab president and Indian Parliament member Shwait Malik (2nd right) and BJP candidate from Amritsar Hardeep Singh Puri (right) gesture during BJP's Vijay Sankalp rally, in Hoshiarpur on May 10, 2019. (Narinder Nanu/AFP/Getty Images) Irrfan Khan is in top form and will be seen playing a character that will be "very memorable" in "Angrezi Medium." (IANS photo) The Kashmiri mother (left) of Qaiser Hamid, 16, sits alongside his body during his funeral in Srinagar on Nov. 5, 2016. The teenager died in hospital in Srinagar on Nov. 4, after alleged torture by police while in custody. (Tauseef Mustafa/AFP/Getty Images) ASX-listed Galaxy Resources Ltd has received a capital expenditure schedule totalling Australian dollar (A$) 7m ($4.89m*) from General Mining Corp Ltd, the operator of its Mount Cattlin spodumene and tantalum project near Ravensthorpe, Western Australia (WA), where it intends to restart operations this quarter. The A$7m figure includes purchase orders for plant equipment, fabrication, engineering and installation services that had been made as of 31 December 2015. Mount Cattlin is expected to reach fines circuit commissioning in March and coarse circuit commissioning in June before making its first shipment of concentrate in July and achieving full optimisation in December this year. Orocobre Ltd called a trading halt on 20 January ahead of the completion of a placement of A$85m on 22 January. The company issued around 40,500 shares to domestic and international institutional and sophisticated investors at an issue price of A$2.10/share. The funds will be used primarily to finance its Olaroz project in Argentina, where it is currently ramping up lithium carbonate production, including principal and interest payments due in March and September this year. Also listed on the ASX, Lithium Australia NL has "completed the formalities" of an A$4m placement to Lanstead Capital LP, which represents part of an A$6.55m placement package at a price of $0.14/share announced earlier this month. . Lithium Australias CEO, Adrian Griffin, noted that Lanstead is now the companys first institutional investor. Separately, the company said it is set to commence exploration work at its Ravensthorpe project in southwest WA. The Ravensthorpe project is situated on the Cocanarup pegmatite field, 20km outside the town of Ravensthorpe, and covers an area of 70km2, including a 20km-long structural trend the company has described as "highly prospective" for lithium pegmatites. Metalicity Ltd has begun lithium exploration at its Pilgangoora South project in the Pilbara region of WA, comprising the Turner and Stannum projects. The company said that exploration work was sufficiently funded by A$5m cash held in the bank. In Tanzania, ASX-listed Liontown Resouces Ltd has intersected high-grade lithium and tantalum mineralisation during trenching work at its Mohanga project in the central part of the East African country. The company said that the results confirm the potential of the project to host "significant lithium mineralisation" and have given it the confidence to progress exploration activities. Mohanga was acquired by Lionstown last year and contains a number of historical pegmatite-hosted lithium occurrences, the only reported in Tanzania. Outside of Australia, meanwhile, AIM-listed Bacanora Minerals Ltd, currently developing the Sonora lithium project in northern Mexico, has entered into a consultancy agreement with a private company to investigate procurement options for the companys lithium products. The 18-month agreement will cost Bacanora a quarterly fee of 57,000 ($81,320) and 1m share options, which can be exercised for a price of 0.77. TSX-V-listed Nevada Sunrise Gold Corp. has entered into a letter agreement to grant a 50% working interest in its Gemini lithium project in Esmeralda County, Nevada to Eureka Resources Inc. Under the agreement, Eureka will gain the right to acquire a 50% stake in the project by reimbursing Nevada Sunrise for 50% of the sites acquisition costs of around $85,000 and by issuing it 500,000 common shares. Nevada Sunrise acquired the site through purchases in November and December 2015. Durango Resources Inc. has entered into a right of first refusal on a hot spring property in northern British Columbia, Canada, which it said holds historic lithium values. The site has been given the moniker "The Force Awakens" and is located near to Durangos Mayner's Fortune property. "The project is in an area that the Company is very familiar with and allows for easy low cost sampling and exploration so Durango is looking very closely at this lithium property," Durangos CEO, Marcy Kiesman, said Dajin Resources Corp., listed on the TSX-V and Frankfurt exchanges, said that a preliminary structural study has now been completed at its Teels Marsh project in Mineral County, Nevada. The study, which made use of gravity, magnetic and geochemical data already collected, involved the development of a new structural model of the basin and identified drill targets to test favourable aquifers that may contain lithium-rich brines, the company said. TSX-V-listed Pure Energy Minerals Ltd said it had successfully drilled a well to 1,500 feet (456 metres) during the winter drill programme at its Clayton Valley South lithium brine project in Esmeralda County, Nevada. Samples from the programme, which used a rotary coring technique, have been sent for geochemical analyses to better understand lithium content of the solids infilling the basin and porosity testing to better understand the fluid content of the sediments while drilling has commenced on another well. In downstream news, Japanese automotive manufacturer Nissan Motor Co. Ltd has said it will produce its future generation electric vehicle (EV) batteries from its plant in Sunderland, UK, in an investment valued at 26.5m. Nissans Sunderland-based lithium-ion battery production facility is the largest of its type in Europe. It will now provide battery modules for the companys Nissan LEAF hatchback and e-NV200 electric van. Nissan sold 43,651 units of the LEAF model worldwide in 2015, with Europe accounting for 15,630 units. *Conversions made January 2016. A Cameroonian househelp, Leudjoe Koyemen Joel, has been sentenced to death for stabbing his boss, Dayo Adeleke, to death at her home in Parkview estate on December 2016. Dayo(32) was engaged and preparing for her wedding when her life was shockingly cut short by her own househelp. According to him, he killedbDayo because she refused to grant him the 2-weeks salary advance he requested for. Justice Adedayo Akintoye in his judgement on Tuesday ruled that Joel is guilty by hanging. Read the below statement by Dayos family On the night of 20th December 2016, we received the news that our daughter, sister, and friend Dayo Enioluwa Adeleke, was brutally slaughtered in cold blood whilst defenceless and in the solace of her own home by her Cameroonian domestic Joel Ledjou. Words cannot and utter devastation and sorrow that her senseless murder has caused in our lives. Joel had just been employed two months to the murder of Dayo. Dayos usual empathy and the need to help a poor refugee as described by the pastor who referred him to Dayo from Mountain of Solution Ministries, led to her employing him. Its ironic that the person she employed, out of her compassion, turned round and snuffed out her life in one senseless act of greed. Her supposed offence to warrant being murdered by him was that she had not obliged him a two-week salary advance which he requested earlier that morning. The reward for Dayos kindness was death! Joel robbed Dayo of marriage, motherhood and longevity, a painful fact that still hurts us as a family each and every day. The Nigeria Police worked tirelessly in investigating the matter and the Ministry of Justice, Lagos State, in turn, has worked diligently in prosecuting the matter in court. Today, Tuesday, May 21, 2019, two years and five months after the murder, Justice Akintoye, sitting at the Criminal Division of Court of Lagos State delivered her judgment and found Joel Ledjou guilty of murder and sentenced him to death by hanging. This murderer robbed Dayo of marriage, motherhood, and longevity. Though still heartbroken over the loss of Dayo, we are somewhat consoled that justice has finally been served. Our beloved Dayo can now rest peacefully in the knowledge that her perpetrator received the full weight of the Law for her murder. Dayo, our light, you will never be forgotten. You are always and forever in our hearts. Your legacy lives on through all of us who remain. Reports had it that the 33-year-old Joel stabbed Dayo who at the time was preparing for her wedding due to the deceaseds refusal to grant him the 2-weeks salary advance he had requested. Justice Adedayo Akintoye, while delivering judgement in the case today May 21st slammed Joel with a death sentence. Dayos family in a statement released today said; On the night of 20th December 2016, we received the news that our daughter, sister, and friend Dayo Enioluwa Adeleke, was brutally slaughtered in cold blood whilst defenceless and in the solace of her own home by her Cameroonian domestic help, Joel Ledjou. Words cannot adequately describe the complete and utter devastation and sorrow that her senseless murder has caused in our lives. Joel had just been employed two months prior to the murder of Dayo. Dayos usual empathy and the need to help a poor refugee as described by the pastor who referred him to Dayo from Mountain of Solution Ministries, led to her employing him. Its ironic that the person she employed, out of her compassion, turned round and snuffed out her life in one senseless act of greed. Her supposed offence to warrant being murdered by him was that she had not obliged him a two-week salary advance which he requested earlier that morning. The reward for Dayos kindness was death! Joel robbed Dayo of marriage, motherhood and longevity, a painful fact that still hurts us as a family each and every day. The Nigeria Police worked tirelessly in investigating the matter and the Ministry of Justice, Lagos State, in turn, has worked diligently in prosecuting the matter in court. Today, Tuesday, May 21, 2019, two years and five months after the murder, Justice Akintoye, sitting at the Criminal Division of the High Court of Lagos State delivered her judgment and found Joel Ledjou guilty of murder and sentenced him to death by hanging. This murderer robbed Dayo of marriage, motherhood, and longevity. Though still heartbroken over the loss of Dayo, we are somewhat consoled that justice has finally been served. Our beloved Dayo can now rest peacefully in the knowledge that her perpetrator received the full weight of the Law for her murder. Dayo, our light, you will never be forgotten. You are always and forever in our hearts. Your legacy lives on through all of us who remain. President Muhammadu Buhari spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, has revealed that the National Leader of the ruling All Progressive Congress(APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, met with Buhari in Mecca yesterday where they have iftar together. Garba Shehu added that they discussed the inauguration of Buharis second term which is scheduled for 9 days from now. He revealed that part of his comments was that Nigerians should try as much as possible to stay away from trouble on the said day. He equally added that he advised Nigerians to desist from getting angry with PDP but assist them to overcome their colossal defeat in the February 2019 elections. He wrote: Asiwaju Tinubu said the Peoples Democratic Party is reputed for saucy and distractive statements, urging Nigerians not to be angry with the opposition party, but assist them to overcome their colossal defeat in the February 2019 elections. Controversial Nollywood actor, Uche Maduagwu, has asked actress Tonto Dikeh to look for a poor guy to marry as all hardworking husband material in Nigeria are 40 seconds men. According to Uche who spoke via his Instagram page, he said poor men channel their strength to sex while the rich ones channel their strength to making money. What he wrote: @tontolet Every hardworking HUSBAND material in Nigeria is a 40 seconds man so if you want MARRIAGE, POOR guys are still available Oh yes, poor men invest STRENGTH in SEX, while RICH men channel theirs into making MONEY @tontolet If you can MOCK a man who gave you a very HANDSOME and HEALTHY son like KING a 40 seconds man, dont you think it would be nice to go for POOR husband materials? @tontolet There is nothing morally wrong in a man asking a SINGLE mothers hand in marriage, even when she has had a BROKEN marriage in the past, but which caring and loving MOTHER in Nigeria today will sit back and watch her WEALTHY son marry a woman who continuously MOCK, insult and ridicule the FATHER of her only child on social media? Is that a sign of HEALING process or PROGRESS for such woman or a red flag for prospective suitors to run away? @tontolet men are not FOOLS in Naija, and we support each other, any woman who can go as far as labeling the father of her child, a 40 seconds man is not only mocking Go but also DISRESPECTFUL to her son, because such alleged 40 seconds is what produced him. So @tontolet Which hardworking husband material in Nigeria will propose marriage after seeing all this? Hollywood actress Jessica Alba, 38, has opened up on how she curbed her eating habit as she feared she would end up with curves that will tempt men. Alba, who was raised as a Catholic in a conservative home, also revealed her parents warned her against wearing Pepe Jeans as she was voluptuous and had a booty. The actress also revealed she was blamed by her youth pastor every time any man showed an interest in her. He would state that the way she dressed, even though she dressed decently, was the reason for this. Alba made all of this known while appearing on Gwyneth Paltrows Goop health summit as a fellow lifestyle guru. I was meant to feel ashamed if I tempted men. Then I stopped eating a lot when I became an actress. I made myself look more like a boy so I wouldnt get as much attention. Nothing about being successful in this business is easy. You cant be bitter. Alba also said she left the Catholic church due to their beliefs conflicting with hers on a number of issues, to include gay rights, premarital sex, and for making her feel it was her fault that men desired her and a thing she should be ashamed of. Alba is, however, still a big believer in God. The presidential candidate of the Youth Progressives Party(YPP) in the last presidential election, Kingsley Moghalu has urged youths in the country to persevere no matter what they are going through. Moghalu was reacting to the recent surge in the suicide rate among young Nigerians. According to the former presidential candidate, he is aware that many youths are hopeless about the state of the country but should never consider suicide as an option. Moghalu states further that suicide is not a crime but also a sin And that the youths must organize rather than agonize. He tweeted: The spate of suicides in our country is worrying. I know many youths are hopeless about the state of Nigeria today. But suicide is not an option. Its a sin and a crime. We must organize rather than agonize. Hold governments to account. Vote for competent leaders. #SayNoToSuicide The said Alhaji Musa reportedly misled the mob causing them to lynch and burn a driver alongside his vehicle in Kawo axis of the metropolis. He did this to escape being arrested by policemen from the Lagos state command over fraud. Reacting to the incident via an audio clip sent to newsmen late Monday night, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Yakubu Sabo said; One Alhaji Musa who was granted bail for a case of fraud in Lagos, while attempting to escape justice, raised false alarm, prompting the mob to lynch the visitors who came in from Lagos at about 8:30am on May 20, 2019, said DSP Sabo. Some operatives from Lagos Command came in respect of one Alhaji Musa in a fraud case. They came with some sureties who are his business associates who stood bail for him in Lagos. They tried to convince him to come to Lagos for his case but he was evading justice so they came looking for him in Kaduna. While the Police where putting together their papers, the three friends or sureties decided to track and put a tab on him. They met him and told him to follow them but he refused and decided to take his children to school. While they were following him, when they got to Kawo bridge, he came out and started shouting that they were kidnappers tailing him, that was how the driver trapped in the vehicle was lynched. One of them was wounded in the head and fell into gutter, the other two escaped and were sheltered in a nearby filling station. The police came later and rescued them but were resisted by the thugs who became agitated when the police wanted to evacuate the suspects. They started throwing stones at the police and the suspects and that is why the police had to use force to evacuated the suspects. Normal by law, the police is saddled with protection of lives, and will not hand over suspects to mobs to be lynched, so with the reinforcement from the army, we were able to evacuated the suspects. Another Nigerian student has reportedly ended his own life According to reports, the young man, a 300 level medical student of the Niger Delta University, NDU, committed suicide after failing his MBBS examination. The deceased identified as Uzakah Timi Ebiweni died after he plunged into Amassoma River in Bayelsa State. Many according to reports failed the MBBS exams, with 169 students in his class, 50 failed. Timi allegedly gave hints of ending his life via his WhatsApp stories. He allegedly first shared the photo of candlelight before changing to a photo of a candle with its light blown off. This is coming after media personality Betty Irabor revealed she also tried to take her own life once. The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) has berated a national leader of the All Progressives Congress(APC) Bola Tinubu for travelling all the way to the Holy Land to gossip with president Muhammadu Buhari. This was in reaction to a statement made by the former Lagos state governor that Nigerians should rather than attack the opposition party, should pity them for their colossal defeat in the just concluded election. Dont be angry with PDP. Assist them to overcome their colossal defeat in the 2019 elections. Dont blame them. They are handicapped by the traumatic feelings of the defeat at the polls. You should help them to manage the trauma, Tinubu had said after a meeting with Buhari in Saudi Arabia on Monday. However, a statement by the PDP on Tuesday said the self-styled APC national leader has shown that he has nothing to offer. Read part of the statement below The PDP berates the self-styled leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, for resorting to hauling insults against the PDP to curry political relevance, ostensibly for his selfish pecuniary interests. The party says by travelling to faraway Mecca, at this Ramadan period, just to meet President Buhari and engage in gossips, invectives and diatribes against the PDP, Asiwaju Tinubu has further demonstrated that he has nothing to offer towards the development of our nation. It is atrocious that at the time other leaders are in the Holy Land offering prayers and supplications for our nation, Asiwaju Tinubu is in Mecca for photo-ops, playing dirty politics and hauling insults at other Nigerians just to curry relevance before President Buhari The party noted that nothing but sheer hypocrisy would push Asiwaju Tinubu to engage in unholy praises of a failed administration in desperation to avert the purported threats by certain agents of the Buhari Presidency to expose him. The party cautioned Asiwaju Tinubu to call himself to order, particularly as Nigerians, including members of his party, the APC, have seen through his power-grabbing antics and are now determined to give him the back seat treatment. Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has said that Popular Nigerian cross-dresser, Bobrisky, would soon accuse him of being partial with the rate at which people are accusing him. Reno Omokri made this comment after a follower accused him of favouring the female sex more than male with his daily nugget. He made this known via his Twitter handle today, 21st May. He wrote: Women accuse me of favouring men, and now men accuse me of favouring women. You cant please people. What do you want of me? Soon Bob Risky will accuse me of being partial! His tweet: The cause of death of former WWE star Ashley Massaro has been revealed. According to TMZ, sources confirmed that Ashely was found hanging in an apparent suicide. Ashely was found unconscious inside her home in Suffolk County, New York, last week. She was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead. The former wrestlers death has been tagged non-criminal. She was survived by her daughter. Wrestler and UFC fighter CM Punk in an interview last week said he had heard that Massaro killed herself. He then urged people battling depression to seek help. Tremendously sad way to go, Punk said, adding that thoughts obviously go out to her family, especially her daughter. Its May. Its Mental Health Month if youre depressed and things arent going your way, theres no reason to feel alone, Punk added. Just reach out to somebody. Text a friend. Call somebody. Theres hotlines. Theres ways you can get help. Alexa Massaro, the deceaseds 18-year-old daughter, shared a tribute to her mom on line which read thus; I wish i could have gotten more recent pictures, Alexa wrote on Instagram, reported the New York Post. I love you, mommy i want to wake up in your arms more than anything i want to give u a big hug please come back this cant be real. Exploring options for natural low sugar dairy Natural sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit extracts may be one route to clean label dairy, but ingredient suppliers and researchers have developed a range of natural options beyond sweeteners. Consumers continue to be concerned about added sugar in foods and beverages, while also turning away from artificial sweeteners. In the UK, for example, a Food Standards Agency survey found in May 2018 that 55% of consumers were concerned about the amount of sugar in their food and drink, up from 39% in 2010. And across five European countries France, the UK, Italy, Sweden and Germany a quarter of adults seek out low-sugar products, according to a 2016 Sensus survey. The market research organisation also found that 60% of respondents said they monitored their sugar intake. Enzymes, cultures, colours and flavours can all be useful for cutting sugar With this in mind, Chr Hansen has recently released a yoghurt culture that boosts the natural sugars in milk by converting some of the lactose to sweeter-tasting glucose, thereby reducing the need for added sugars. The company claims it is the first to use a culture to produce this effect, providing a clean label solution for manufacturers looking to respond to consumer demand for naturally healthy, lower sugar dairy products. Meanwhile, enzymatic solutions have been used successfully to reduce sugar for several years. Enzyme companies like Novozymes and DSM traditionally marketed lactase for the production of lactose-free dairy products, as it breaks lactose into glucose and galactose. Now, they also are promoting the enzyme for its ability to increase the sweetness in yoghurts and other dairy products without the need for added ingredients. Because glucose is sweeter than lactose, the approach can allow for a sugar reduction of 20-50%. A range of more unusual solutions is also available, including changing the colour of the packaging or of the yoghurt itself. According to research led by neuroscientist Professor Charles Spence at the University of Oxford, orange and red colours may boost consumer perception of sweetness, meaning manufacturers theoretically could reduce sugar content without impacting taste, simply by changing the colour of their product. Flavours could be another useful solution for cutting sugar in dairy. Analysts at Leatherhead Food Research have suggested that some flavours are so closely associated with sweetness that they boost sweetness perception without actually being sweet in themselves. Strawberry esters and vanilla, for example, work in this way, as the sweet smell of foods and flavours at the back of the nose enhances the sweet taste perceived in the mouth. 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. Gallagher Bassett has recruited Simon Wilson to take up the role of general manager of consulting services for Australia. Based in Brisbane, Wilson will take charge of driving the growth and development of the companys consultancy, corporate injury management offerings, and emerging mental health and wellbeing services. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) alleged AMP breached its obligations under the Corporations Act, claiming AMP should have known about the rewriting conduct, which occurred between 2013 and 2015, and that it failed to adequately deal with the problem. Read more: AMP faces federal court action over insurance 'rewriting' ASICs case argued that AMP, one of Australias largest financial institutions, failed to ensure its financial planners acted in the best interests of their clients as well as other contraventions of the law, said Daniel Crennan, ASIC deputy chair, in a Brisbane Times report. AMP has now admitted to all of these contraventions and ASIC will ask the court to make declarations of contravention and order AMP to pay a penalty. A two-week hearing will be held in June to determine a penalty for AMP. When the case was launched, ASIC said breaches of this type could attract a maximum penalty of $1 million for each contravention. An AMP spokeswoman said the company has enhanced its monitoring and supervision to ensure clients are protected from this type of behaviour. AMP has been cooperating with an ASIC investigation of the matter, which commenced in 2014 shortly after AMP terminated the financial adviser at the centre of the matter and reported him to the regulator, the spokeswoman told Brisbane Times. The company launched the refreshed brand, logo and website in conjunction with the launch of a new brand-awareness advertising campaign. Our new visual identity builds on our storied history and strengths, but breaks out to reflect AXISs bold actions and future, said Albert Benchimol, president and CEO of AXIS Capital. It represents the transformation underway at AXIS and the specific actions were taking to unlock our potential. Our refreshed logo and branding are designed to help communicate that were breaking down boundaries within AXIS and the industry, and were embracing change as our company and our industry evolve, said Michiko Kurahashi, AXIS Capital chief marketing officer. They help convey were a company focused on applying a forward-looking, innovative and agile approach to todays challenges. In 2011, Bronnon and his co-conspirators started a scheme to defraud insurers by claiming on homes and vehicles they had purposefully damaged. According to information presented in court, the scheme involved purchasing low-value property through a straw purchaser who was also named as a defendant in the case. Several weeks after a down payment had been made Bronnon or an associate of his would intentionally damage the home, either through water or fire damage. Bronnon and his associates managed to pull off a total of nine fraudulent fire claims, three fraudulent water damage claims, and two fraudulent theft claims, each filed with different insurance companies on nine different addresses. They managed to defraud about $1.7 million in insurance payments. Port Arthur News reported that as part of his plea, Bronnon has agreed to a sentence of 15 years in federal prison. Winters was most recently head of specialty products. In his new role, he will report to Zurich North America US commercial insurance head Paul Horgan and Winters specialties underwriting teams will also be integrated into US commercial insurance. He initially joined Zurich North America in 2007 and, prior to leading the specialties business, he was part of Zurichs customer and distribution management team where he oversaw large commercial customer relationships, broker relationships, and marketing activities. Winter also led Zurichs casualty practice which includes domestic, excess and international casualty operations and strategic risk solutions functions. Before joining Zurich, Winters served in underwriting and broker relations roles at XL Catlin, Kemper, Travelers and AIG. Horgan commented that the appointment of Winters will help strengthen [Zurichs] relationships with customers and brokers, adding that the newly integrated commercial insurance business unit will improve collaboration and expedite decision making. Prior to joining Beazley, Spessard served as director of claims and litigation services for WCD Group, an environmental risk management specialist. He has also held a number of senior claims roles at AIG. The quality of our claims service is a big reason clients and their brokers choose Beazley for environmental liability protection, said Jayne Cunningham, Beazleys environmental focus group leader. Cals deep knowledge of pollution legal liability insurance products and practical experience resolving complex construction and environmental site-remediation issues will help us deliver even better support for our insureds. Beazley has seen major growth in environmental liability in recent years. The space accounted for more than $100 million in premiums last year, the company said. Massachusetts health officials say a seafood restaurant worker has tested positive for hepatitis A and are warning customers they may have been exposed to the disease. The state Department of Public Health and local health officials are urging customers who ate cold or uncooked food at Roy Moores Fish Shack in Rockport between April 21 and May 12 to contact their health care providers and receive treatment for possible exposure to hepatitis A. Officials are also urging those customers to be thorough in washing their hands before preparing food to prevent further spread of the disease. A posting on the restaurants Facebook page on Saturday said the restaurant has temporarily closed for disinfecting and to ensure no other workers have the disease. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Massachusetts Restaurant Nigeria increased the minimum capital requirement for insurers more than threefold as the industry regulator seeks to to improve the sectors risk management. Existing companies must comply by June next year, while it is effective immediately for the issue of new licenses, the Abuja-based National Insurance Commission said in an emailed statement. The regulator planned to introduce the new requirements last year, but the measure was challenged in court. Insurers wanting to combine life and property and casualty businesses are required to have capital of at least 18 billion naira ($50 million), up from 5 billion naira, while the minimum for property and casualty business is 10 billion naira compared with 3 billion naira. The requirement for life insurance is 8 billion naira versus 2 billion naira and that for reinsurance is 20 billion naira compared with 10 billion naira. The recapitalization will enable insurance firms take on bigger risks, Lagos-based CSL Stockbrokers said in a emailed statement. We expect that this will lead to mergers, acquisitions and capital-raising activities that should stir activities in the equity market. Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Topics Carriers Missouri lawmakers have given final approval to a measure that could relax a pair of roadway safety provisions. The legislation sent to Gov. Mike Parson on Friday would do away with the need for vehicle safety inspections on an estimated one million vehicles that have less than 150,000 miles and are no more than 10 years old. It also would repeal Missouris helmet requirement for motorcycle riders who are at least 18 years old and have health insurance. Some lawmakers have been trying for a long time to repeal the helmet requirement. They passed a bill to do so in 2009 but it was vetoed by then-Gov. Jay Nixon. This years bill also would raise fees for getting vehicle and drivers licenses. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Legislation Auto Missouri Remember Google Glass? The vaunted debut of the companys computerized eyewear six years ago was one of Silicon Valleys more spectacular flops. Deemed too awkward and pretentious, early users were disparaged as glassholes by a critical public. Parent company Alphabet Inc. quickly retired the product. Now it seems it was just a case of wrong time, wrong place. If consumers arent quite ready to sport eyewear that uses voice commands to browse the internet or hold video conferences, workers on the factory floor are. Alphabet, along with Microsoft Corp. and a slew of startups, are bringing so-called wearables back as part of a push to make warehouses and manufacturing more efficient with the help of technology.The hands-free aspect is whats really revolutionizing our approach here, said Michael Kaldenbach, head of digital realities for Royal Dutch Shell Plc. Were shifting from the speed of your thumb to the speed of speech. Wearables whether taking the form of eyewear, wristwear or headgear boost productivity by giving multi-tasking employees more flexibility to do their jobs without juggling a handheld iPad or laptop. The computer-powered accessories give workers a significant advantage. Lockheed Martin Corp. recently adopted Microsofts HoloLens for manufacturing spacecraft. Donning what looks like a pair of heavy duty safety goggles with a black band wrapping around the head, a technician can use images projected onto the lenses to mark the locations for 309 fasteners to be attached to a curved panel. When the technician or the panel moves, the computer adjusts. The $3,500 HoloLens reduced the task to a two-and-a-half hour job, down from at least two days when using traditional measuring tools, said Shelley Peterson, who leads Lockheeds emerging technologies division. Were seeing a return on investment in the first use, she said. The key to commercial success, say product developers, is to augment reality, not replace it. Users can still see the real world while referencing the virtual world whenever they need it. Once workers become comfortable with even reliant on wearable computers on the job, theyll carry them over into their everyday lives as well, is the bet. Qualcomm Inc. makes computing chips that power the hands-free devices made by startup Realwear, which just sold 10,000 of its product to Finnish telecom company UROS Group. Over the next decade, the technology will become compact and powerful enough to replace smart phones as the indispensable piece of personal technology, said Hugo Swart, who heads Qualcomms extended reality division. In the long run, the consumer will drive the volume, he said. That will be the day when I may not even need my smart phone anymore. My smart phone becomes these glasses. Theres still a ways to go before that happens, said Nehal Chokshi, an analyst with Maxim Group, who has studied the wearables sector and covers product developer Vuzix Corp. Right now, were in the very, very early innings, he said. Still Limited Current devices are still cumbersome and lack the ability to be truly immersive, which limits their usefulness, Chokshi said. Makers are ramping up production to deliver thousands of the gadgets, but Chokshi sees potential for sales exceeding the 200 million personal computers sold every year, and eventually comparable to the 1 billion smart phones purchased annually. Three years from now, theres a good chance the industry will produce a product that will have the form factor as well as the usability and immersiveness that can tip it toward that inflection point, he said. Like a lot of technology, wearables got started in the military. Members of Special Forces wanted to replace the laptops they lugged around and pushed for a wearable computer that resembled sunglasses, said Paul Travers, chief executive officer of Vuzix. He cobbled together his company in the 1990s from makers of computer headgear, including a clunky device that resembles a helmet with opaque ski googles attached. Advances in the sensors, software, screens, batteries and other elements has finally caught up to the vision. Vuzix now sells the Blade: basically, a pair of glasses with a floating screen on one of the lenses. The software has gotten to be cookie cutter, the hardware has gotten to be much more reliable, the form factors are better, Travers said. All of that stuff adds up to where this is becoming super viable. Google has now relaunched its computerized eyewear for commercial use. On Monday, it announced a second version, dubbed Glass Enterprise Edition 2, which can be used to access checklists or instructions, send photos and conduct video calls. Google says the updated glasses, which also use the Qualcomm chip, sport an improved camera, more choice of frames and longer battery life. Glass customers so far include include Sutter Health, DHLs supply-chain unit and farm-equipment maker Agco Corp., according to Jay Kothari, who leads the project. Companies using Glass report efficiency gains of between 20% and 50%, Kothari said. Some product makers are targeting their wearables for heavy industrial users. After field-testing 40 ruggedly designed Realwear devices in its operations around the world, Shell has decided to deploy thousands more at 24 sites in 12 countries. The gadget costing about $2,000 apiece before bulk discounts resembles a heavy-duty phone headset to be worn around the neck or clipped to a hardhat. A small screen can swivel in front of one eye, projecting an image comparable to a 7-inch screen. But it weighs three-quarters of a pound significantly heavier than a normal pair of glasses. Still, wearables are a huge improvement for field technicians who no longer have to balance a tablet on their knees or take their gloves off each time they need to type out a message to a colleague, said Shells Kaldenbach. One example: Workers can use the headgear to video call experts for a consultation on fixing broken equipment in the field the expert can see through the eyes of the onsite worker, and even project drawings on to the workers eyeglass screen.Its no longer fluff, Kaldenbach said. Its actually a practical solution. Related: Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday gave Merck & Co. a new opportunity to avoid lawsuits accusing the company of failing to properly warn patients of debilitating thigh-bone fractures from taking its osteoporosis drug Fosamax, throwing out a lower court decision that had revived the litigation. The nine justices unanimously directed the Philadelphia-based 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider its decision to let the lawsuits proceed even though the Food and Drug Administration had rebuffed Merck when the company sought to add a warning to Fosamaxs label about fracture risk. Mondays ruling added clarity to a powerful defense employed by drug makers that product liability claims brought under state law are preempted by the actions of a federal agency, because federal law generally trumps state law under the U.S. Constitution. Merck argued that it cannot be penalized for failing to issue a warning that the FDA had blocked. Merck in 2008 submitted data to the FDA suggesting Fosamax might be linked to certain bone fractures, but the FDA denied its warning label proposal. After a task force further studied the issue, the FDA in 2010 ordered manufacturers to revise labels to include a warning, which Merck did. The plaintiffs contend that the FDA rejected only Mercks proposed language for the warning that focused on relatively minor stress fractures rather than the more serious fractures they suffered. In a decision written by Justice Stephen Breyer, the Supreme Court said a drug manufacturer must show it fully informed the FDA of the need for a warning before it was rebuffed and that judges, not juries, must decide whether such lawsuits are preempted, as Merck has claimed. Lower courts now must revisit the case reflecting the Supreme Courts guidance. Mercks shares were flat on Monday. Fosamax helps prevent and treat osteoporosis, a condition that can lead to bone fractures, in women who have gone through menopause. But it may increase the risk of fractures in the thigh bone or just below the hip joint, often requiring surgical intervention. FULLY COMMITTED In a statement, Merck said it was pleased with the decision and remains fully committed to defending these cases going forward and will continue to present evidence that it acted appropriately at all times in regard to the potential risk of atypical femur fractures. David Frederick, an attorney for the Fosamax users who sued Merck, said Mondays decision reaffirms patients ability to hold drug companies accountable. This opinion protects access to justice for injured patients, Frederick said. Sales of Fosamax, also available as a generic drug, totaled $209 million in 2018, according to New Jersey-based Merck. Fosamax users sued Merck, alleging the drug caused them to sustain serious thigh bone fractures and that the company failed to warn of the risk. The number of cases has swelled to more than 1,000. A federal trial court in New Jersey threw out the cases, but in 2017 the 3rd Circuit allowed the claims to proceed to trial, ruling that a jury could find that the FDA had objected only to Mercks phrasing of the proposed warning label. On Monday, three justices John Roberts, Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh agreed with the outcome of the case but did not join Breyers decision. In a separate opinion, Alito signaled sympathy for Merck, noting the FDA had long been aware of the issue and was communicating with drug manufacturers, and noted that President Donald Trumps administration also backs Mercks position. (Reporting by Andrew Chung; Editing by Will Dunham) Topics USA Drugs Brian Winters has been appointed head of Sales and Distribution, U.S. Commercial Insurance, for Zurich North America. Zurich said the appointment is part of its effort to strengthen relationships with customers and brokers. Toward that end, Zurich is also integrating its distribution and regional management teams into its U.S. Commercial Insurance business. Winters, who previously was head of Specialty Products, will report to Paul Horgan, head of U.S. Commercial Insurance. The specialties underwriting teams, which had reported to Winters, will be integrated into U.S. Commercial Insurance. Winters joined Zurich North America in 2007. Before leading the specialties business, he led Zurichs customer and distribution management team overseeing large commercial customer relationships, broker relationships and all marketing activities. He has also led Zurichs casualty practice, including domestic, excess and international casualty operations, as well as strategic risk solutions functions. Before joining Zurich, Winters held underwriting and broker relations roles at XL Catlin, Kemper, Travelers and AIG. Topics USA Commercial Lines Business Insurance The United States Postal Service is going to put mail on self-driving trucks. Starting on Tuesday morning, letters and packages moving between Phoenix and Dallas will travel on customized Peterbilt trucks run by TuSimple, an autonomous startup based in San Diego. There will be five round trips between the two cites, with the first haul leaving from Phoenix this morning. Its the first time that the Postal Service has contracted with an autonomous provider for long-haul service. This pilot is just one of many ways the Postal Service is innovating and investing in its future, the USPS said in a press release that cited the possibility of using a future class of vehicles to improve service, reduce emissions and save money. After the initial trial, which is expected to last about two weeks, the Postal Service will assess whether to continue working with TuSimple. Two years ago, the USPS Office of Inspector General outlined a step-by-step approach for the adoption of autonomous vehicles, and then earlier this year put out a request for ideas on using autonomous technology in its delivery fleet. While self-driving mail trucks are still yearsif not decadesaway, autonomous long-haul trucking might be realistic much sooner. The Postal Service spends more than $4 billion per year on highway trucking services through outside contractors. Those costs have been rising due to a national shortage of drivers. Self-driving trucks could save hundreds of millions by eliminating human drivers and the hours-of-service rules that keep them from driving round the clock. For now, however, TuSimple will have a safety driver behind the wheel for the 1,000-mile trip between Phoenix and Dallas, as well as an engineer in the passenger seat monitoring the autonomous systems. In the future, the startup aims to provide depot-to-depot service without drivers. When the vehicle can operate truly driverless, it will be much more efficient, said Chuck Price, chief product officer at TuSimple. We think we complete a coast-to-coast run in two days, where today it takes five. TuSimple has raised $178 million in funding since its founding in 2015. For its most recent round in February, the company was valued at $1 billion. Its trucks have been carrying cargo for customers in Arizona since last year. Price said that drivers who encounter a TuSimple truck on the interstate between Phoenix and Dallas probably wont notice: Its polite. It uses turn signals. It merges properly. It does all of the things that a professional driver is trained to do. And TuSimple, he added, would rather that nobody knows about the robot driver. We are actually trying to minimize marking, Price said, because we find that people tend to either get distracted in amazement or distracted in the devious way and try to mess with us. Related: Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Topics USA Trucking Autonomous Vehicles Hiscox has enhanced its Security Incident Response (SIR) product to provide additional protection for business integrity risks including corruption and fraud. The new SIR policy also includes cover for expenses incurred by a business when dealing with an insured event. SIR originally launched in 2017 supports businesses in the management of a range of security and crisis events from the impact of terrorism, through to extortion risks. The addition of business integrity risks to the policy is a response to the growing threat to multi-national businesses from risks such as bribery, agent misconduct, contract and procurement fraud, embezzlement, social engineering and money laundering. As well as business integrity risks, the revised wording for SIR now also provides reimbursement for expenses incurred during a crisis; this could include temporary physical security measures or the deployment of staff to an incident location. The cover also includes a new, fourth trigger, which responds on the allegation of an insured event having occurred. This complements the pre-incident response that SIR provides to clients, enabling them to use the policy to mitigate an incident at its earliest stages, or even to help avoid an insured event altogether. SIR also provide clients with access to crisis management consultancy Control Risks. According to Gareth Bateman, product director for SIR, enhanced product provides cover for 19 additional insured events, with a focus on business integrity risks such as bribery and corruption, embezzlement, and financial statement fraud. Security Incident Response (SIR) helps businesses protect their people, operations, brand, and reputation by complementing existing business security resources or, where necessary, acting as a standalone security function. SIR is available to organizations of any size from small and medium sized businesses up to larger multi-nationals with incident response, crisis management, strategic advice and recovery services for a wide range of threats including criminal, political, terrorism, political violence, and business integrity risks as well as information risks, kidnap, detention and extortion risks. It also provides the resources to help businesses build sophisticated resilience programmes to prevent incidents occurring. The policy provides exclusive access to leading global risk consultancy Control Risks and includes cover for all of Control Risks costs to help businesses manage a crisis, including the deployment of response consultants and technical experts, as well as post-incident reporting and remediation to ensure a smooth return to business as usual. Hiscox is a global specialist insurer, headquartered in Bermuda offering a range of specialist insurance for professionals and business customers as well as homeowners. After urging the Trump administration for over a year to release billions in long-awaited disaster relief funding to Texas and other disaster-affected states to no avail, Texans in Congress are now taking more aggressive measures. This week, U.S. Reps. Randy Weber, R-Friendswood, and Lizzie Fletcher, D-Houston, introduced the Bipartisan Disaster Recovery Funding Act, which would direct federal agencies to release $16 billion in disaster funds to different states and territories including more than $4 billion to Texas within 60 days. The bill drew 13 other co-sponsors from Texas, mostly from the Houston area, as well as supporters from other communities waiting on the funding, including Louisiana, South Carolina, Florida and Puerto Rico. The bill comes as the official start to hurricane season looms on June 1 and after areas of Houston still recovering from Hurricane Harvey two years ago recently experienced flooding from strong storms. Texas and other communities have been waiting for more than a year for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Office of Management and Budget to set guidelines for use of grant funds for projects meant to bolster resiliency in communities impacted by recent disasters. Earlier this year, state leaders including Gov. Greg Abbott and Land Commissioner George P. Bush publicly urged the federal government to establish the rules quickly. In early 2018, Congress approved $16 billion in disaster funding for various areas impacted by disasters. Texas and Puerto Rico were slated to receive the most funds. More than a year later, the recipients are still waiting on HUD to publish rules governing how those grant funds may be used. A major reason for the delay, according to multiple media reports, appears to be the Trump administrations resistance to providing more aid to Puerto Rico, which is still recovering from hurricanes in 2017. After Harvey hit, I fought alongside the Texas delegation to secure additional funds for Harvey survivors, U.S. Rep. Mike McCaul, an Austin Republican and co-signer on the bill, said in a statement Thursday. Unfortunately, the agencies tasked with distributing these funds did not respond with the same urgency. Although HUD Secretary Ben Carson testified before Congress last year that his department would release the rules by May 1, it still has not. Once HUD has followed through, there could still be months of bureaucratic hurdles before local governments can put the funding to use. Hurricane season starts in two weeks, Fletcher, Weber and more than a dozen other members of Congress said in a joint press release. Our communities continue to wait for the funds needed to recover and rebuild from past storms, funds that should have gone toward rebuilding and preparing for the next storms in Texas, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, and Puerto Rico. Fletcher and Weber picked up the bill in the House after a similar measure was introduced in the U.S. Senate on May 9 by U.S. Sens. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, and Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat. The Disaster Recovery Funding Act comes after the House passed a bill earlier this month from Fletcher and U.S. Rep. Pete Olson, R-Sugar Land, that would require HUD to publish its long-delayed rules within 14 days of enactment. Texas has already received billions of dollars for Harvey recovery, but each bucket of money is designated for a specific purpose. The $4.3 billion that Congress approved for Texas last February is part of a HUD grant program designed to help cities, counties, and States recover from Presidentially declared disasters, especially in low-income areas. This story originally ran in The Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2019/05/17/texans-congress-push-release-billions-harvey-aid-approved-more-year-ag/. The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans and engages with them about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Topics Texas USA Hurricane The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) has filed an action to stop Georgia-based Aliera Healthcare from selling health insurance in Texas without a state license. The public hearing will begin at 9 a.m. May 28 at the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) in Austin. Aliera claims to be running a health-sharing ministry and therefore exempt from TDI regulation and reporting requirements. Texas law requires health-sharing ministries to be non-profit organizations. TDI alleges that Aliera is a for-profit corporation and is using only 20 percent or less of the money it collects from consumers to pay health claims. Earlier this week, the Washington Insurance Commissioner ordered Aliera to stop selling health insurance in that state. And the New Hampshire Department of Insurance issued a consumer warning that the company may be operating illegally. Aliera is believed to have more than 17,000 customers in Texas and 100,000 nationwide. Aliera health plans sold in Texas remain in effect until after the hearing and a ruling by the Texas Insurance Commissioner. TDI encourages consumers to talk to their agents and research the company to help determine if they have adequate health coverage. Source: TDI Topics Texas Georgia State Farm has reduced its homeowners insurance rates by an average of 14.4 percent in Florida for current and future home insurance customers. The new rates went into effect May 15, 2019 for new business and July 1, 2019 for renewals. The total state-wide expected savings impact for State Farm customers by this rate decrease in Florida will be approximately $95.9 million, according to the insurer. Stable non-catastrophe loss trends, improving expenses and losses, along with State Farm Florida Financial strength were important factors, among many, that supported our decision to make this rate change, said Dan Krause, State Farm senior vice-president. Overall changes in premiums for individual homeowners will vary depending on the specific details of an individual customers policy and chosen coverages, the company said. Customers with questions can contact their local State Farm agent to discuss their individual situation. In addition to this rate reduction, State Farm agents can review with new and existing customers opportunities for additional discounts that may apply to an individuals circumstances. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto and home insurance in the United States. Its nearly 19,000 agents and approximately 65,000 employees serve approximately 83 million policies and accounts approximately 81 million auto, fire, life, health and commercial policies and approximately 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. Source: State Farm Topics Florida Homeowners This content is from: European Union Taxpayers are relieved the public accepted the governments tax reform proposal, but some are considering whether staying in Switzerland is worth it as the tax system becomes more rigid and costs rise. May 21, 2019 (Investorideas.com Newswire) The results of the European elections have been largely priced-in for the Pound. It is what happens next with the Conservative leadership contest that will determine if Sterling will prolong its run of losses. This is the bold observation from Nigel Green, CEO and founder of deVere Group, one of the world's largest independent financial advisory organizations, with more than $12bn under advisement. It comes as millions of citizens across the UK and the rest of the European Union head to vote this week in the pan-European elections. Mr Green affirms: "Voters are likely to deliver a bloody nose to the UK and EU hierarchy in these European elections. "In the UK, due to the ongoing Brexit chaos, it can be expected that voters will move away from the two big parties, Conservative and Labour, and towards the Brexit Party, the Liberal Democrats, Change UK and The Green Party. This will dramatically change the political landscape. "In normal times, this would cause the Pound to lose value against the Euro. But these are not normal times. "The groundswell has been building for sometime and the markets have largely priced-in this result, meaning there should not be a significant further drop in Sterling against the Euro." He continues: "The impact could be offset by a similar drop in the Euro if, as expected, populist parties across the eurozone do well at the polls. "Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally party in France, Matteo Salvini's The League in Italy and Gert Wilders' Freedom Party in The Netherlands, amongst others, have all openly expressed scepticism regarding the Euro." However, it is what happens in the UK after the European elections that will determine the Pound's trajectory. Mr Green explains: "Whether the Pound will prolong its longest run of losses against the Euro since the single currency's introduction will depend on who imminently takes over from Prime Minister Theresa May. "Should, as expected, The Brexit Party, led by Nigel Farage, do well at the European Elections, the chances are higher that whoever takes over from Mrs May following a leadership contest would push for a no-deal Brexit. "This would cause more downward pressure for the Pound. "Boris Johnson, a frontrunner in the Conservative leadership contest to be the next Prime Minister, has in the past pushed for a no-deal exit from the bloc." The deVere CEO concludes: "The European elections might cause a minor knee-jerk reaction in the currency markets. "But all eyes should be on the battle for the Conservative leadership." deVere Group is one of the world's largest independent advisors of specialist global financial solutions to international, local mass affluent, and high-net-worth clients. It has a network of more than 70 offices across the world, over 80,000 clients and $12bn under advisement. More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. 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Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp Discount retail chain Dealz has brought a High Court challenge to a decision which prevents it from continuing to operate from a retail park near the Liffey Valley Shopping Centre in Dublin. Poundland Ltd, which trades as Dealz, wants an order quashing a June 2018 Bord Pleanala decision that the use of a unit at Fonthill Retail Park, Fonthill Road, as "a discount store for sale of small scale convenience goods" was not exempted development. It has operated a store from the park for a number of years under a lease from the owners, the PKB Partnership. An Bord Pleanala, Ireland, the Attorney General and South Dublin Council, who are defendants, oppose the action. The PKB Partnership is a notice party. Poundland also seeks declarations including that the original 1998 planning permission for the Fonthill unit permitted the premises to be used as a shop where retail goods could be sold. Poundland says its use of the unit is consistent with planning and development regulations and does not constitute a change of use. It, therefore, does not require planning permission to continue, it is claimed. It says the board had no entitlement to reformulate the issue of its right to operate so as to create "an entirely different question" that the use of a permitted retail warehouse for a discount store was not exempted development. The issue referred to the board by the PKB Partnership, after South Dublin Council had refused permission for change of use, was that not only was the use permitted by the original permission but that a subsequent decision that only "bulky goods" could be traded from the premises was not relevant or enforceable. PKB argued that in its 17-year history the granting of permission for several other retail outlets had set "a pattern and a precedent" at this location. Those other outlets include Lidl, Aldi, Londis, Eurasia, Homestore and More, Powercity, Smyth's Toys, Cash and Carry Kitchens and Homebase. Some of those businesses and several other individuals and organisations wrote to the council supporting Dealz while the small retailers' association, RGDATA objected. Poundland, in its legal action, says An Bord Pleanala was also required to notify it (Poundland) that it had reformulated the issue of the type of permission the premises enjoyed and did not do so. It seeks a declaration that its constitutional rights were breached because of this. The case came before Mr Justice Seamus Noonan today for mention. He adjourned it to next month. All parts of the country are benefitting from more jobs, but the damaging over-concentration of employment in the greater Dublin region persists, leading economists have said. This, as Government ministers hailed CSO figures that 81,200 jobs had been created in the past year and that employment had set another new record, of 2.3m in the first quarter. The Business Minister, Heather Humphreys, said employment outside Dublin increased 60,200 in the year and had risen by 150,000 since 2016. The Government had already well-exceeded the target it had set itself three years ago, of creating 200,000 jobs by 2020, she said. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said that, at 4.6%, unemployment was the lowest since late 2005, displaying the strength of Irelands labour market. However, economists said that while the CSO figures showed that all regions had seen an increase in jobs, the huge gap in economic activity and employment between the Dublin region and the rest of the country had not been narrowed. Edgar Morgenroth, economics professor at the DCU Business School and former associate professor at the Economic and Social Research Institute (where he wrote numerous reports on the mismatches between the Dublin and wider economy), said the figures showed little improvement in the concentration of the Irish economy to the major cities. Senior economist Jim Power said that while all regions had benefitted, Dublin and the surrounding counties were still the engines of jobs. It is clear that Dublin and the mid-east account for nearly half the jobs, Mr Power said. And it is not getting better at a pace that will help imbalances any time soon. Mr Morgenroth told the Irish Examiner that his analysis of the 81,200 additional jobs showed that Dublin accounted for a quarter of them, while the closest commuting counties around Dublin grabbed a further 29% share. His analysis showed that Dublin made up of four local city authorities had a 26% share of the growth; the mid-east counties, of Meath, Kildare, and Wicklow, had a 29% share of the additional jobs; the border region, of Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan, as well as Louth, had a 7% share; the west, which includes Galway, Roscommon, and Mayo, accounted for a 6% share; the mid-west, of Limerick, Clare, and North Tipperary, had a 5% share; the south-east, which includes Tipp South, Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, and Wexford, had 7% share; the south-west, of Cork and Kerry, claimed a 16% share of the new jobs; while the midlands, of Longford, Westmeath, Laois, and Offaly, grabbed only a 4% share. Mr Morgenroth said his separate analysis of the increases in jobs showed that the mid-east accounted for the biggest increase in the year. If the Government is suggesting there is no regional imbalance then it is totally wrong, Mr Morgenroth said. The share of jobs in Dublin had not changed since 2016 and the concentration had actually increased, he said. You can genuinely claim that there has been growth everywhere. The figures show that. But there is no evidence of rebalancing, he said. There is an issue of concentration and the data show that the growth rates of employment are not the same across the country, Mr Morgenroth said. Greenpeace activists blocked the entrance to BPs London HQ yesterday, demanding one of the worlds biggest energy companies ends all new oil and gas exploration or goes out of business. The move comes as proposed legislation, here, aimed at banning all future oil and gas drilling in Irish waters moves through the Oireachtas. Greenpeace activists encased themselves in specially designed containers to block all of the main entrances. A team of activists abseiled from the top of the building and placed huge letters over the windows reading Climate Emergency. BP is fuelling a climate emergency that threatens millions of lives and the future of the living world, said Paul Morozzo, a Greenpeace activist. The science is clear, we must stop searching for new oil and gas if we want a liveable planet. BP must clean up or clear out. BP said impeding safe entry and exit from the building is dangerous and clearly a matter for the police to resolve as swiftly as possible. We welcome discussion, debate, even peaceful protest on the important matter of how we must all work together to address the climate challenge, it said. BP is due to hold its annual shareholders meeting today in the Scottish oil city of Aberdeen. Greenpeace said it would keep the London HQ closed for at least a week. At their AGM, BPs [CEO] Bob Dudley has a choice: he can end oil exploration and start switching to 100% renewables or wind down the company, said Mr Morozzo. BP has backed a resolution, being put to investors today, for it to be more transparent about its emissions, link executive pay to reducing emissions from BPs operations, and show how future investments meet the 2015 Paris climate agreement to limit global warming. Reuters and Irish Examiner A bad month is getting worse for US and European semiconductor stocks. While the sector has been one of the biggest casualties of the escalation of trade tensions between the US and China, news that some Huawei suppliers are said to have halted shipments to the Chinese company sent shares in chipmakers plummeting. Shares in industry heavyweights Qualcomm, which has a major base in Cork, and Broadcom fell more than 5%. Xilinx, which also has a Cork base, Micron Technology, Skyworks Solutions, Qorvo, and Analog Devices also tumbled. All five were highlighted by Morgan Stanley last week as stocks that may see their sales at risk from the Huawei ban. Kerry Co-op Ltd (Kerry Co-operative Creameries Ltd) has held a number of meetings in the last week regarding the proposed redemption of co-op shares. Many Kerry suppliers and indeed former suppliers were shareholders in the original Kerry Co-op and of course may also hold shares in Kerry Group plc. Over the years the ownership of Kerry Co-operative has become more diluted vis a vis members who are no longer active farmers. The dilution of the members of the co-op has typically arose where farmers may simply have stopped farming and leased out their land or where the farmer dies and leaves their shares to other family members no longer involved in farming or where the farmer retires are retains ownership of his shares with the successor not becoming a shareholder of the co-op. Kerry co-operative and indeed many members want to offer a scheme to allow members access the value of their shares. Typically co-operatives all around the country tend to have redemption funds to allow the co-op repurchase shares from any inactive or deceased members. For most co-ops, shares are redeemed at their nominal value, usually 1 per share. The advantage to the co-op and to existing members is that by redeeming shares the ownership of the co-op will be concentrated amongst active farmer suppliers, which in turn coincides with the stated objectives of most co-ops. A private grey market has been operating but shareholders have typically not received full value for their shares and sellers are dependent on other private individuals to buy their shares. The value of Kerry Group PLC has risen dramatically with the share price rising meteorically from 19 per share in 2008 to a current value of about 106 per share. From humble beginnings in 1986 the plc has risen in value to a company with a market capitalisation of a whopping 18bn as of last week. Kerry Co-op has a 13.6% share in the PLC meaning the value of the PLC shares owned by the co-op exceeds 2.5bn. It is estimated that the value of each co-op share is exceeds 600 based on the value of the PLC. The issue for the co-op is that redeeming the shares is very expensive work to buy back just one share from a non-active supplier would cost 600 at these prices. It is estimated that there at over 13,300 shareholders who together have an average value tied up in the PLC of over 180,000 each. To make any meaningful dent in reducing the number of inactive shareholders the co-op is proposing to sell PLC shares in order to provide funds for the redemption. From a tax perspective, the default position is that the payments by a company to its shareholders for the purchase of its own shares is treated as a distribution, meaning such payments are treated as income for income tax purposes no differently than, say, dividend income. The reason behind this rule is simple imagine a private individual owns 100 shares in his own company rather than taking a dividend each year which would be subject to income tax, he or she instead sells one share per year back to his/her company which is in turn cancelled and treats each sale as a capital gain liable to tax at 33%. Although the person loses one share per year, effectively they will still own 100% of the company i.e. after the first year they own 99 shares of a total of 99 shares in issue (the redeemed share having been cancelled). Kerry, Global Technology and Innovation Center, Kildare If the tax rules did not stipulate that the redemption of shares is by default an income tax event, then every Tom, Dick and Harry would very quickly be redeeming shares in their own companies and thereby avoiding income tax upon the extraction of profits instead opting for the more preferential capital gains tax treatments. Historically, in Ireland, we have had precedent of shares in PLCs being transferred to co-op members in exchange for parting with Co-op shares so called spinouts. Unfortunately, it seems the door is closed to allow Kerry Co-op swap PLC shares for its co-op shares on a tax neutral basis a so-called paper for paper exchange. This is because it is reputed that Kerry Co-op no longer satisfies the criteria of having at least 50% of its members involved in husbandry as required by Section 133 of the Taxes Acts. The fact that members will face tax rates of up to 50% on a deemed distribution arising from the redemption of shares will definitely leave a sour taste. What is agreed is that members of the Co-op should be allowed some mechanism to access the value of their shares. Whether the current scheme will be rejected or whether some alternative mechanism can be found even if that requires legislative changes remains to be seen. The Justice Minister denies the country is "sleepwalking" into legalising cannabis. Proposals to ease the law around possession of drugs for personal use are due before the Cabinet in the coming weeks. Under the plans, someone caught with a small amount of a drug such as cannabis would be referred to an addiction or counselling service. Yesterday, a group of senior doctors Read More: The Cannabis Risk Alliance said the Government is sleepwalking towards legalising the drug for medicinal purposes without considering the harms associated with the drug. However, Minister Charlie Flanagan says they have been considering the issue for a number of months. "Over the past number of months, we have been engaged at cross-departmental level and I believe the report, when published, will be balanced," said Mr Flanagan. "But I'm not going to preempt its findings until it goes before Government which I would expect to happen in the next three to four weeks." Traders in Cork city centre have called for open, clear and honest consultation before any decisions are made on the location of a supervised drug injection centre. It follows the revelation by the Irish Examiner today of a study which has identified several quaysides and nearby streets as drug injecting blackspots and as possible sites for a supervised injecting facility (SIF). A SIF is a clean, safe environment where people can inject drugs, obtained elsewhere, under the supervision of trained health professionals. Health and addiction experts say SIFs can play a key role in reducing both street injecting and the risk of drug-related deaths. The research on potential Cork SIF sites involved interviews with 51 intravenous drug users and the use of GPS technology which combined mapped out the locations of where injecting and overdoses are concentrated in the city centre. Conducted by John Aidan Horan of Arbour House, HSE Addiction Services, Cork, and Marie Claire Van Hout, who is attached to the Public Health Institute of Liverpool John Moores University, it details the locations of 58 fatal overdoses and 47 non-fatal overdoses in the city. Three main clusters of fatal overdoses and injecting sites were identified, including Merchants Quay/Andersons Quay/Andersons St; on the Grand Parade; and in the North Main St/Kyrls Quay area across to Grenville Place/Henry St. Other identified clusters were around Wellington Rd/Summerhill North/Lower Glanmire area; Popes Quay, and Richmond Hill. The users suggested three main areas for a SIF, including Oliver Plunkett St Lower; Grand Parade and Grenville Place/Henry St, but they also suggested locations at Popes Quay and Horgans Quay. Lawrence Owens, the chief executive of the Cork Business Association, said business owners accept there is a drug problem in the city centre, as is the case in most cities of its size, that must be addressed. Lawrence Owens, the chief executive of the Cork Business Association But he said it must be addressed through open and honest consultation not just with business owners in the potential SIF locations, but with residents in these areas as well. "As a society, we have to deal with the drug problem but individuals and business have to be consulted, he said. They have to be told about whats being proposed, how it will be managed, staffed and resourced so that they can be convinced or reassured that these facilities are workable. The last thing they need is for a facility like this to just be landed on them. But he said SIFs alone wont deal with the problem. Its not just a security issue, with gardai moving people on, and displacing the issue to other areas. It requires a multi-agency response and treatment, he said. Following a major shift in Government policy, a decision was made in 2015 to establish a pilot SIF in Dublin but it has yet to open. The Cork Local Drugs and Alcohol Task Force and the HSE has expressed interest in developing a SIF in Cork, with public health experts describing it as a fantastic public health tool that will save lives. But the HSE has said the future of any such centre in Cork depends on the success or otherwise of the pilot SIF in Dublin. The 51 injectors interviewed for the study during the summer of 2017 ranged in age 20-55 and 43% of them were homeless. Of the 58 fatal overdoses, 36 were in a private home, 11 in a public building and a further 11 in the open or on the street. A 42-year-old man was put on trial for possession of mescaline for sale or supply but the defence claimed that the material could be derived from a cactus bought legally at any plant shop in Cork for 35. Alexander Rojas Rey pleaded not guilty to charges of possession of mescaline and possession of the substance for sale or supply contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act at his apartment at River Towers, Lee Road, Cork, on January 23, 2018. A lot of the facts of the case were not disputed between the parties. The key issue was whether the substance was a proscribed drug. Dermot Sheehan, prosecution barrister, submitted to the jury: The prosecution case is that there is no view available to you other than that the mescaline is in the powder. It was dry plant material and that it is a substance containing mescaline. And Mr Sheehan said that mescaline was a proscribed drug and was on the list of such drugs. Peter OFlynn, defence barrister, reminded the jury that the defence was able to go into any plant shop and buy such a cactus. He said they had done so and bought a cactus for 35, which was brought to Cork Circuit Criminal Court. The defence barrister said the States expert witness said the plant contained mescaline. Mr OFlynn said the State could remedy the situation simply by adding to the list of prohibited substances any cactus containing mescaline but had not done so. The defence barrister said the defendant stated that he drinks a tonic made from hot water and the material with which he was found. Mr OFlynn said: There has been no evidence of him profiting in any way from being in possession of this plant material. I say you have to have a doubt about him being in possession of a controlled drug. Judge McCourt brought the jury out to clarify: The accused admits he was in possession of a substance. His defence is that the substance was not a controlled drug within the meaning of the law. A man on the jury was discharged as he was unable to return to Cork Circuit Criminal Court for the trial yesterday. By agreement of all parties the case proceeded before a jury of 11 seven men and four women. Minister of State at the Department of Finance with special responsibility for Financial Services and Insurance, Michael DArcy has Mr DArcy told Newstalk Breakfast that the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau will guide Garda divisions which means gardai will be chasing insurance fraudsters in every county in the country. A dedicated Insurance Fraud Unit would likely have been based in Dublin which would have focused on larger cases, he said. This issue needs to be tackled throughout the length and breadth of the country. People making false and exaggerated claims need to be pursued. He denied that a dedicated Garda Insurance Fraud Unit had been Government policy. It was a matter for the Garda Commissioner who had decided that the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau will guide Garda divisions and provide training in the investigation of insurance fraud, he said. The Government does not tell the Garda Commissioner what to do. In real politik if the Government started telling the Garda Commissioner how to deploy his force, there would be trouble. When asked about the findings of the report of the Personal Injuries Commission, in which Mr Justice Kearns called for the establishment of a Garda fraud investigation bureau along the lines of the Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department in the UK, Mr DArcy said that the UK was different and what had worked there would not necessarily work in Ireland. It isnt easy to prosecute insurance fraud claims or to prove exaggerated claims, he said. There is a need to tackle the culture behind such claims. Peter Boland Director of the Alliance for Insurance Reform, said he was disappointed by the decision by the Minister for Justice, adding that a dedicated insurance fraud unit was vital for prosecutions and to provide a chilling effect on people deciding to make fraudulent claims. There is a culture of fraudulent claims in insurance. It is a specialist, technical area, the gardai are not resourced or trained. Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has denied the country is sleepwalking into the legalisation of cannabis. Proposals that aim to soften punishments around possession of drugs for personal use are due before the cabinet in the coming weeks. Under these new plans, someone caught in possession of a small amount of a drug such as cannabis will be referred to an addiction or counselling service rather than being prosecuted. The new laws will stop short of full decriminalisation, however, as some criminal sanctions are expected to remain in place. Divisions remain within the Government as to the merit of the proposals, which have yet to be finalised. Some Cabinet ministers are deeply uncomfortable with the idea of liberalising the current rules around the use and possession of cannabis. At a Fine Gael canvass in Dublin, Mr Flanagan defended the new proposals while responding to a group of senior doctors who raised concerns over the legalisation of the drug. Those doctors, who treat patients with cannabis-related issues, sent a letter to The Irish Times claiming that Ireland is sleepwalking into the legalisation of cannabis, based on misinformation. The Cannabis Risk Alliance, a group of 20 senior doctors from across the medical community, has said cannabis is now the most common illegal drug involved in new treatment episodes in the countrys addiction centres and psychiatric hospitals. The minister said: Over the past number of months, we have been engaged on a cross-departmental level and I believe the report, when published, will be balanced. "But Im not going to pre-empt its findings until such times as it goes before government which I would expect to happen in the next three to four weeks." Catherine Byrne, the Minister of State for the National Drugs Strategy, is currently considering the findings of a working group set up in 2017 to consider alternative approaches to handling drug possession for personal use. She is expected to produce the findings in Cabinet in the coming weeks. The group was unable to produce an agreed report. Health Minister Simon Harris has sought to address the concerns of medics by insisting there are no plans for the general legalisation of cannabis. His department is to announce an access programme for medicinal cannabis in the coming weeks. Doctors will no longer have to receive a licence from the minister before prescribing cannabis for patients with certain conditions. Although some patients have received permission to use externally sourced products, it is expected that the department will shortly announce the first Irish supply. Responding to the doctors warning, Gino Kenny of People Before Profit described their comments as an insult to those campaigning for access to medicinal cannabis. He said that the prohibition of the drug has failed and said it is nonsense to suggest that cannabis is a gateway drug to more harmful drugs. It is more than two years since the Government announced that a medicinal cannabis access programme was to be established, but significant delays have occurred. Problems finding a quality assured supplier of cannabis and a supplier that can export its products to Ireland have been the primary cause of delay. The number of non-European Economic Area (non-EEA) nationals coming to Ireland to study almost doubled in a recent five-year period. That is according to research from the European Migration Network. It shows that the number of people coming to this country to study increased by 45% between 2013 and 2017. China is the top country of origin of full-time, non-EEA students in State-funded higher education institutions. The report found that the majority of students are enrolled in health and welfare courses, representing 31% of all full-time non-EEA enrolments. However, some of the non-EEA students have had problems with immigration registration delays. Some students have reported difficulties scheduling appointments to register or renew their residence permits at the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS). Students have said the delays can cause stress and anxiety in relation to their legal status, which negatively impacts their academic experience in Ireland. Sarah Groarke, a policy officer with the network, says Ireland fares well compared to other European countries. "The report shows that Ireland ranked seventh out of all EU member states in terms of the total number of students arriving each year. "And looking particularly at where these students come from and what programme they're interested in, more specifically, China is the top country of origin of full-time students over the last few years and this is followed by Malaysia and the United States." A radical overhaul of the fees system for the nursing home sector will see residents charged according to their needs and the type of care facility for the first time. A scaled level for fees will apply according to a residents dependency needs, as well as the homes quality of services. Residents or their families would not face higher charges under proposed changes. Budget talks later this year will need to factor in the reforms. The Irish Examiner understands the recommendations in the National Treatment Purchase Fund-led report are expected to be published in the next fortnight. The previous government in 2015 promised to review the fees system for nursing homes. Consultants DKM also advised the Department of Health that the system was not fit for purpose. A review of the fees private and voluntary nursing homes can charge under Fair Deal has recommended significant reforms. It is understood that the report recommends a new formula should calculate prices based on local costs incurred by the nursing home. The current system only caters for a county-wide average rate. Minister of state with responsibility for older people Jim Daly said he is aware of details of the report, which will be submitted to several ministers this week. Since my appointment I have been been pushing for a tiered system of payment when it comes to nursing home care, he said. This is the only way that we will be in a position to meaningfully deal with high-dependency residents, particularly those who are cognitively impaired and suffering from dementia, and make a meaningful contribution towards building a system that will offer the resident the highest standard of care. The current system of charging that operates a one size fits all is no longer fit for purpose. We need to work towards developing a 1-5 scale of dependency that will entitle the patient or resident to extra services as they require them. Currently, prices for nursing homes under Fair Deal average around 12,000 a year. Nonetheless, they are not set according to facilities or different locations or on a residents dependency needs. It is understood residents would not face higher costs under the proposed changes and would continue to pay 80% of their income or 7.5% of their assets. Instead, the HSE and Fair Deal would pay extra costs. Nursing Homes Ireland chief executive Tadhg Daly said there is a lack of clarity around Fair Deal contributions, which need to change An evidence-based cost model on how fees are calculated is better for the industry and for residents too, as it will reflect their care needs, he said. And with more scaled fees, that remuneration will be there for their care plan. Age Action head of advocacy Celine Clarke said a system bringing more clarity to Fair Deal fees is welcome. The Department of Public Expenditures top civil servant looks likely to snub an Oireachtas broadband investigation until after the local elections. The communications committee has asked secretary general Robert Watt to appear after he raised serious concerns around the cost of the National Broadband Plan. Mr Watt has been asked to come before the committee tomorrow, but has yet to respond to the invitation. A spokesperson said Mr Watt will appear before a committee. Engagement is under way with the Oireachtas to determine which one. Minister [Paschal] Donohoe will be before the budget oversight committee next Tuesday, said the spokesperson. Despite written warnings from Mr Watt, the Government has decided to press ahead with the rollout of rural broadband to more than 500,000 homes and businesses and Cabinet approved a consortium, led by Granahan McCourt, as the preferred bidder for the project last month. A cross-party investigation into the 5bn plan will also look at the best way to roll out a high-speed network to rural Ireland. Mr Watt is one of the first witnesses who TDs and senators want to question about the project when they meet tomorrow. The communications committee last week agreed that an inquiry into the Governments broadband plan will take six weeks. It will then take another two weeks to write up a report which will include identifying the best options to roll out broadband to rural areas. Fianna Fails Timmy Dooley said he wants more analysis of Granahan McCourts 220m equity investment in the plan as against the taxpayers contribution of 3bn. Mr Watt refused to appear before a number of Oireachtas committees earlier this year, including the health committee to discuss the overspend at the National Childrens Hospital. Mr Watt did come before the public accounts committee to answer questions on the spiralling costs of the hospital but was accused of playing games with Oireachtas committees by Sinn Feins Pearse Doherty. Health committee chairman Michael Harty said the secretary general had shown disrespect by refusing to come before them. Mr Watt said it would have been impractical for him to appear before the health committee and said officials from individual departments are responsible to relevant committees. The Rehab Group say support services for up to 3,000 people with disabilities are at serious risk due to underfunding. It says unless it gets an extra 2m from the government, services at RehabCare will be forced to close. The group is meeting with the Health Minister Simon Harris later today in a final bid to secure the funding. Ms O'Meara said rising costs are to blame. She highlighted "the cost of insurance, which this year is costing the Rehab Group almost 2m. "Also the rising cost of meeting our obligations under HIQA, our compliance and our governance requirements... And we're happy to do that but it comes at a cost." Ms O'Meara also highlighted "the rising cost" of staff and services as issues. She said they hope a resolution can be found at a meeting with Mr Harris. "We're hopeful that today, and indeed the Minister himself has said that he is hopeful, we can come to a resolution, said Ms O'Meara. "But there is no doubt - this is our third meeting - that today is the final meeting. Today it's crunch time. "And we have to come to that agreement today. "So I'm hopeful, on behalf of all the people using our services - their families, our staff and all those communities right across Ireland - that we will reach that resolution today." Drug services in Cork City have noticed increases in dangerous injecting practices among drug users, according to new research. This includes injecting into the groin and neck, as well as injecting alone and in the open. The study said there is also concern around the growing issue of visible drug littering and of needle-stick injury among the non-drug-using population. Researchers said it is against this background that they identified where drug-injecting occurs in Cork City and the sites of non-fatal and fatal overdoses. Based on interviews with 51 drug-injectors, the study identified 58 fatal overdoses and 47 non-fatal overdoses and mapped possible locations for any future supervised injecting facility (SIF). Following a landmark government decision in December 2015, a pilot SIF in Dublin city centre was awarded to Merchants Quay Ireland. It is going through a lengthy planning process. The Cork Local Drugs and Alcohol Task Force and the HSE have expressed interest in examining such a facility in Cork, but the HSE has indicated it will depend on the success, or otherwise, of the Dublin pilot. The new study was conducted by John Aidan Horan, of Arbour House, HSE Addiction Services, Cork, and Marie Claire Van Hout, attached to the Public Health Institute of Liverpool John Moores University. The aim of the study was to map the location of current injecting practices of people who inject drugs (PWID) in Cork and to document the related high-risk behaviours, ahead of a planned supervised injecting facility, the report said. It said that, according to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, 78 SIFs operate in eight European countries. They are aimed at tackling dangerous injecting practices, including groin and neck injecting, unhygienic and dangerous environments, and overdose and blood-borne viruses, such as HIV and Hepatitis C. The study, published in the journal Heroin Addiction & Related Clinical Problems, said a 2017 cost-benefit analysis estimates that for every US dollar spent on a SIF, $2.33 would be saved. Almost 60% of those interviewed said they had previously overdosed, with nine out of ten recalling an emergency services response. The research identified 58 fatal overdoses, 36 of them occurring in private accommodation, 11 in a public building, and a further 11 in the open/on the street. Of the 47 non-fatal overdoses, 20 were in private accommodation, 15 in a public building, and 12 on the street. Many homeless people inject in their homeless emergency accommodation, which is classed as private accommodation. Nine out of ten respondents know of someone who has died from an overdose. The research results emphasise the importance of consulting PWID in locating possible SIF sites. The findings are intended to inform SIF location, it said. Ultimately, the benefits of this mapping study are to inform the new national drugs strategy. This could improve treatment for persons who inject drugs and reduce waiting times for those wishing to access treatment. Three out of four primary teachers agree that some primary school pupils felt extremely anxious about standardised tests. The claims are part of a new study, which also found differing opinions on whether the tests were a valid way of measuring achievement. A report by the Institute of Education at DCU and the primary teachers union, INTO, got the opinions of 1,500 primary school teachers about standardised tests such as the Drumcondra test. Schools are required to facilitate the maths and reading tests in second, fourth and sixth class. The research was undertaken by Professor Michael O'Leary from DCU's Institute of Education who said the tests act as a benchmarker. "The big advantage of standardised assessments is that they allow schools and teachers to benchmark performance in an individual class and in an individual school against national standards," said Prof. O'Leary. A number of teachers reported pupils feeling anxious about the tests, which retired principal Frank Shortt says it might be because some parents are taking them seriously. "Maybe different schools need to just talk to parents at the start of the school year...and say exactly what this is for," said Mr Shortt. "It's not put on some national database." It also recommends changing the timing of the tests from the Summer to Autumn as a way of alleviating pressure. The "danger" of a no-deal Brexit is the highest it has been in over two years, Tanaiste Simon Coveney told his Cabinet colleagues today. As British prime minister Theresa May scrambles to persuade MPs to back a new initiative on the Withdrawal Agreement, Cabinet here discussed the Brexit impasse. Mr Coveney reiterated to ministers that the Government would not accept a reopening of the deal. But he said that Ireland must continue to prepare for a disorderly Brexit. Government sources confirmed that Mr Coveney had warned that the danger of a no-deal had not been greater over the last two-and-a-half years" than now. The Tanaiste will also update Cabinet next month on staffing an extra 1,100 officials at ports and custom points, as efforts continue to plan for Brexit. Cabinet heard today how the Government is planning a fresh public awareness campaign over Brexit fears. This will include a new round of seminars, advertising and awareness around Brexit preparations, both in the public and private sectors. It will also include making businesses aware that they must register with Revenue to trade with British companies after Brexit. In a statement, Mr Coveney said: There is no grey space here, if a company trades with the UK after Brexit it will need its EORI number from Revenue. "We are doing everything we can to avoid a no-deal Brexit but the impasse at Westminster means the possibility is still there for the UK to leave without a deal at the end of October. The chief executive of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has expressed concern about the enforceability of bail conditions in sexual offence cases. Noeline Blackwell was commenting on the bail conditions imposed on a taxi driver who was not allowed carry passengers in the front seat or to work at night time during the time between being charged and when he made his guilty plea on the morning of his trial in February. Mansoor Udin (41) was arrested and charged with the sexual assault of three women passengers, part of his bail conditions was that any passenger, male or female, was not permitted to be a front seat passenger in his taxi. He was also subject to a curfew which meant that he was not permitted to work as a taxi driver at night time, but the concern was that he was still driving a taxi and carrying women on their own in the back of the vehicle. When he pleaded guilty in February, gardai issued a statement confirming his licence had been immediately revoked. The lack of sentencing guidelines and the absence of specialised training for the judiciary and all involved in the prosecution of sexual abuse cases, were a great cause for concern Ms Blackwell told RTE radios Today with Sean ORourke show. What is extraordinary about the bail condition in relation to passengers in the front seat is the issue of enforceability. A curfew could be policed, but how would passengers in the front seat? There is a question over the understanding and training of the judiciary before such an order was made. What was put in place would be impossible to enforce. She said it was a worry that when sexual abuse victims go to court, would the judiciary be sufficiently aware and trained to deal with such cases. If there were to be problems with passengers in this case, how could it possibly be enforced? When the public see such weak enforcement it could make them reluctant to report cases, she warned. In her judgment in court on Monday Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain said the case was aggravated by Uddin abusing his position as a taxi driver, his being aware of the vulnerability of the injured parties, his refusing to stop the taxi in two of the three cases and the timing of the offences being at night. Uddin was sentenced to six years in prison with the final year suspended. The sentence seems like the higher end, it certainly looks like that was a stiff sentence, added Ms Blackwell. Time has caught up with the ageing Shandon steeple again forcing the decommissioning of one of the clocks on Corks famous four-faced liar. Almost five years since the historic 172-year-old clock mechanism underwent significant repair and restoration, it has been confirmed that substantial structural works are now required to ensure the internationally-recognised symbol of the city retains its quirky signature. There was a public outcry in 2013 when it emerged that the landmark tower clock mechanism had ground to a halt. It was several months before repairs were organised and funded and the towers four clocks began to tick again. But the Irish Examiner has now learned that the clock mechanism driving the hands on the towers eastern clock face, overlooking over St Patricks Hill, has been disengaged to prevent further damage. Horologist Philip Stokes, of Stokes Clocks on the citys MacCurtain St, Cork, who oversaw the clocks 10-week repair project in 2014, said the latest issue is linked to the condition of the mortar holding the tower stones which support the main beam driving the clocks mechanism. The mortar has dried and the beam has slipped slightly, affecting the gears and wheels. The tower isnt at risk of falling down but repairs to the clock mechanism are pointless until the structural issues are addressed - he said. While the age and weight of the clock mechanism are factors in its condition, Mr Stokes said global warming could also be contributing to the drying out of the lime mortar. While St Annes Church and tower are owned and managed by the Church of Ireland, Cork City Council has responsibility for maintaining the clock mechanism which was installed by the then Cork Corporation in 1847. In a statement, the council said its maintenance engineers discussed the issue with Stokes Clocks who provided a quote for repairing one of the four clocks in February 2018. But on further investigation, they found that they could not safely carry out their work until Church of Ireland carried out certain structural bracing works first, the statement said. We met with the Church in May 2018 to discuss this when they undertook to carry out the necessary structural work. The Reverend Sarah Marry said works are underway but are complicated and have taken a long time with much consultation. We hope work will be complete by the end of the summer but the project is progressing and we hope to get Corks much-loved clock up and running as soon as possible Were also looking forward to working with the city on a larger scheme of restoration towards celebrating St Annes 300th anniversary in 2022. In 2014, Mr Stokes dismantled and cleared the entire 2.5-tonne clock mechanism, reworked some gears, rebuilt others, and installed an improved electronic winding mechanism. A damaged window was repaired and the gears to which the northern hands were attached were remade and replaced. He said he has been working with the council since to maintain the mechanism driving the hands on the other three clocks. The mechanism driving Shandons clock is just a few inches smaller than the mechanism which drives Londons Big Ben. Rowena Walsh meets the women behind Stripe + Stare. What would be better than being asked out on a date by Brad Pitt? For Katie Lopes, the answer is easy. A call to say that Alannah Weston, chairman of the Selfridges group, loved her range of sustainable knickers so much that she wanted to stock them in the store. Katie has spent years working to create the perfect pair of knickers. The result is Stripe + Stare, a range of knickers that has been voted the most comfortable in the world and is now available in Brown Thomas Cork. Stripe + Stare knickers are cute, flirty and destined for the compost heap. In a world of fast fashion, they are the antithesis thanks to their eco-friendly credentials. They are also sexy, fun and a world away from the big knickers of Bridget Jones. The range was created by a woman for women and the idea behind it was simple. Katie had a high-end boutique in London, which stocked an American brand of g-string. She noticed that women were coming into the store and buying armfuls of them at a time. I thought they were so expensive, but we were selling so many of them and our customers kept saying how comfortable they were. I did quite a lot of research into the underwear market and it turns out that women are loyal to underwear brands, unlike any other fashion category. When they find one that they love, theyll stick with it and keep buying it again and again. Katie reckoned that her customers would love a knicker equivalent, one that was cool, contemporary and, crucially, comfortable. She couldnt find it, so she decided to create one herself. She was on a trip to Asia when she met Adam, who ran a small underwear factory in China. Katies mother made the first pair of knickers on her sewing machine and she sent this prototype to Adam. Six months later, and the knickers were on sale in her shop. It was at this stage that, without realising it, Katie began the research necessary for developing the perfect pair of pants. She repeatedly asked customers what they really thought of the knickers, and the fit, shape and design were constantly tweaked based on their feedback. She wanted the knickers to be made from the best fabric possible. She describes Lenzing MicroModal, which is made sustainably from Austrian beechwood trees, as the Ferrari of fabrics. Its softer than cotton, wears better than cotton and holds its colour and shape better, says Katie. It uses 95% less water in its production than cotton. It breathes with the skin because its still a natural fibre. Its so soft its been certified for use against newborn baby skin. The fabric is antibacterial and moisture-wicking. Its a closed loop process everything they use to make the fibre is used again. Only 2% of the underwear market is sustainably sourced today. Its a terrible statistic when you think about a product that we wear every day. Because the knickers are made of wood, theyre biodegradable so you could put them in the compost when youre finished with them. The whole point is that they come from nature and they go back to nature Katie says that the sustainability and the functionality of the fabric is amazing, and her customers love them. They also love the fact that they dont get VPL while wearing the knickers. We use a special flat-lock stitching along the seam. You dont get any lines or visibility under clothing because theres no heavy elastic. Katie reckons thats why theyre so comfy too. I sort of see us as an anti-Victorias Secret, says Katie, adding that Stripe + Stare are proof that underwear doesnt have to be super-revealing to be sexy and cool. One of her customers, who was buying knickers for her 15-year-old daughter, says that they strike the perfect balance, keeping both mother and daughter happy. Its a balancing act that has garnered appreciation from celebrities such as Poppy Delevingne and Pandora Sykes, while Stripe + Stare were voted the most comfortable knickers in the world by one British Sunday newspaper and received a Hungry Bum award from another because they dont ride up. US Vogue said that these were the knickers to give women for Valentines Day because what women want is empowerment, not provocation. Katie believes that this is just what her knickers offer to women. You put them on and you forget youre wearing them for the rest of the day. They solve that problem of hungry bum. You wear them and youre good to go. Have your cup of coffee, put on your make-up, put on your favourite pair of knickers and youre ready to take on the day. For Katie, the stripe is a symbol of rebellion and empowerment. We are all about comfort and a very stylish sustainable product but were also all about women supporting women and having each others back. She says that the team behind Stripe + Stare is a real sisterhood. Her business partner is her sisters best friend and her mother is always reminding her that she made the first pair of knickers. Were all in it together. When Im away, my mother looks after my children. She looks after a lot of the deliveries and dispatch and makes sure that people get their orders on time. I couldnt do it without them. Katie is proud that underneath all the fun and cuteness they have created a knicker that is so incredibly comfortable that one of her customers, who is having therapy for stage two breast cancer, finds them softer against her skin than any others on the market. She said that she threw away all of her others and shes only wearing ours. The company donates 5% of its profits to female charities. Its all very well saying that we have womens backs and were empowering but we wanted to give something back to try and help women Stripe + Stare started out as fun endeavour for Katie, but it started becoming increasing serious and she got in touch with US e-tailer Shopbop.com. They bought us at launch in 2017, which was just extraordinary, and were their fastest growing underwear brand. I dont know how people are finding us because were on this website with thousands of other brands. The second amazing piece of luck came last Christmas when Katie received a call from Alannah Westons PA. Someone had given Alannah Weston a pair of Stripe + Stare knickers and she loved them so much she wanted to stock them. When you go into BT, were the only knickers on the shop floor that are sustainable. Its the stuff that dreams are made of. Stripe + Stare knickers are available in Brown Thomas stores nationwide, a pack of four is 47 Political parties agree that, for the first time in years, the local elections this week really are about local issues, on everything from housing to the environment to policing to dog-fouling. The 2014 contest was marked by protests over austerity, water charges, and medical card cuts, but the issues are different this time for those wanting to be councillors or who are seeking re-election. Also this time, there is a threshold for running female candidates. Moreover, the results this weekend will be viewed as a litmus test for any snap general election ahead. Another outcome of local elections is how councillors or parties control authorities. This can influence property tax rates, bin charges, and agreement on housing projects. Furthermore, success matters for a party leader trying to train foot soldiers for Dail duty in an era of new politics. There are 949 council seats and more than 2,000 candidates vying for them across 31 local authorities. There are few certainties in politics, but there are indicators (and warning signs). The Greens could win multiples of their current 12-seat tally, with a spike in support on the back of extreme weather and international climate action concerns. Eamon Ryans party is running 82 candidates close to double the number that ran five years ago and the party is riding a new wave of support, having reached 7% nationally in one weekend poll. Furthermore, almost all other parties admit that green and environmental issues are common topics being raised by voters during canvasses or on the doorsteps. The Greens director of elections, Roderic OGorman, says 25 local seats would be a breakthrough. Current polls predict they will achieve twice that, with the party aiming to take back seats previously lost in Cork, Galway, Kildare, and Laois. This is a climate election, for certain, says OGorman, a Fingal county councillor. Strategists say Fridays poll will reflect local concerns about housing, planning, antisocial behaviour, and even potholes and dog-fouling. Labours director of elections, Kevin Humphreys, says that his party wants to win back losses suffered in the last locals, when the then coalition party was annihilated. The majority of Labours candidates this year are novices and its strategy is to boost transfers, with 111 individuals targetting seats. There is a warmth there that hasnt been there for a number of elections, says Humphreys. As for the two biggest parties, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, some polls put them neck and neck. For Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, this is his first electoral test, in an era of new politics, of leading Fine Gael. There are initial signs of a backlash in rural Ireland, particularly among farmers. On the other hand, Fianna Fail is desperately trying to regain lost support in Dublin, where Fine Gael is strongest. Fine Gael does expect some mid-term bruising. Director of elections, TD John Paul Phelan, said: No party in government in the last 40 years, more or less, has returned with more [local] seats than they went out with. Thats a candid admission. Nonetheless, Mr Varadkar has insisted that he wants his party to regain control over local government, as Fianna Fail has the larger numbers. Fine Gael controls, or is part of, a dominating alliance in 23 of the 31 councils. But Mr Phelan also says it faces challenges in keeping or regaining seats in Waterford, Dublin City, and Cork. For Fianna Fail, this election is a test. Can it retain its powerful position in local government (the party controls 84%, or 26, of councils)? In addition, only 21% of its candidates are women, which is below the 30% threshold set for parties. And there is much new electoral blood, after more than two dozen of its councillors went on to the Dail in 2016. Director of elections, TD Dara Calleary, says the message on the doorsteps is about delivering local services, and bringing back local democracy, such as town councils: It is not a question of being forgiven [for the financial crash]. It is about showing how hard Fianna Fail works. One of the biggest winners in 2014 was Sinn Fein, when the party riding a wave of protests over austerity trebled its number of council seats to 159. Despite the triumph for then leader, Gerry Adams, it failed to take control of large swaths of local government. Nonetheless, it remains dominant in Dublin City and South Dublin, among the six councils it helps to control. For Mary Lou McDonald, this is also her first electoral test since becoming leader, last year. Some Sinn Fein councillors have also jumped ship since 2014, with 144 left. But director of elections, Ken OConnell, explains how, running 232 candidates, Sinn Fein wants to win further control in Louth and Monaghan and in other border councils. We are telling people we will fight for them in councils, he says, admitting that the wave of anger over austerity is less of an issue this time. Critics expect Sinn Fein to lose some support, but the party is holding its position in the polls. Its biggest problem is not being transfer-friendly. Other smaller parties are hoping for breakthroughs. Solidarity-People Before Profit made gains in 2014, but, this time, the amalgamated parties are running a combined 66 in the field. PBP TD Richard Boyd Barrett said: It is down to the strength of [our] local campaigns. The two biggest issues are housing and the environment. Its strongholds are in Dun Laoghaire [Mr Barretts own area], South Dublin, and Dublin City, where the party will be hoping to double numbers. Other smaller groups and Independents will mop up where there is dissatisfaction with the established parties or with the Government. 484 are running under a non-party banner. Unlike in 2014, strategists expect a fall-off in support for Independents, as voters move back to the larger parties. But as Independent Alliance election strategist, Tony Williams, explains, some aspiring politicians have been inspired by the ability of TD Kevin Boxer Moran to get into government as a minister: This gives them hope. The alliance is backing 50 councillors in this election, says Mr Williams. Local election votes are often used as a stick to beat the government of the day. This election may be no different. But Mr Varadkar and Fine Gael have thrown the kitchen sink at the election, with gilded promises for voters in recent weeks. Close to 7bn has been promised in projects, including 3bn for broadband in rural Ireland and Corks 3.5bn transport strategy. In recent days, another 100m was announced for beef farmers. The country is awash with cash. But will voters pay heed? One thing is for sure. These elections will be judged as a test for some leaders and as a precursor to any general election coming down the line. And parties or groups that dominate local government will dictate crucial needs, such as housing, the environment, and services, over the next five years. Expect breakthroughs, too, particularly for the Greens. Party standings LABOUR GREENS FINE GAEL FIANNA FAIL SINN FEIN SOLIDARITY-PBP SOCIAL DEMOCRATS What started as a trade war between the US and China is quickly escalating into a death match for global economic, technological, and military dominance, writes Nouriel Roubini. A few years ago, as part of a Western delegation, I met Chinas president, Xi Jinping, in Beijings Great Hall of the People. When addressing us, Xi argued that Chinas rise would be peaceful, and that other countries namely, the US need not worry about the Thucydides Trap, so named for the Greek historian who chronicled how Spartas fear of a rising Athens made war between the two inevitable. In his 2017 book, Destined for War: Can America and China Escape Thucydidess Trap?, Harvard Universitys Graham Allison examines 16 earlier rivalries between an emerging and an established power, and finds that 12 of them led to war. No doubt, Xi wanted us to focus on the remaining four. Despite the mutual awareness of the Thucydides Trap and the recognition that history is not deterministic The US and China seem to be falling into it anyway. Though a hot war between the worlds two major powers still seems far-fetched, a cold war is becoming more likely. The US blames China for the current tensions. Since joining the World Trade Organization, in 2001, China has reaped the benefits of the global trading and investment system, while failing to meet its obligations and while free-riding on its rules. According to the US, China has gained an unfair advantage through intellectual property theft, forced technology transfers, subsidies for domestic firms, and other instruments of state capitalism. At the same time, its government is becoming increasingly authoritarian, transforming China into an Orwellian surveillance state. For their part, the Chinese suspect that the USs real goal is to prevent them from rising any further or from projecting legitimate power and influence abroad. In their view, it is only reasonable that the worlds second-largest economy (by GDP) would seek to expand its presence on the world stage. And leaders would argue that their regime has improved the material welfare of 1.4bn Chinese far more than the Wests gridlocked political systems ever could. Regardless of which side has the stronger argument, the escalation of economic, trade, technological, and geopolitical tensions might have been inevitable. What started as a trade war now threatens to escalate into permanent mutual animosity. This is reflected in the Donald Trump administrations National Security Strategy, which deems China a strategic competitor that should be contained on all fronts. Accordingly, the US is sharply restricting Chinese foreign direct investment in sensitive sectors, and pursuing other actions to ensure Western dominance in strategic industries, such as artificial intelligence and 5G. It is pressuring partners and allies not to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinas massive programme to build infrastructure projects across the Eurasian landmass. And it is increasing US Navy patrols in the East and South China Seas, where China has grown more aggressive in asserting its dubious territorial claims. The global consequences of a Sino-American cold war would be even more severe than those of the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union. Whereas the Soviet Union was a declining power with a failing economic model, China will soon become the worlds largest economy, and will continue to grow. Moreover, the US and the Soviet Union traded very little with each other, whereas China is fully integrated in the global trading and investment system, and deeply intertwined with the US. A full-scale cold war could trigger a new stage of de-globalisation, or at least a division of the global economy into two incompatible economic blocs. In either scenario, trade in goods, services, capital, labour, technology, and data would be severely restricted, and the digital realm would become a splinternet, wherein Western and Chinese nodes would not connect to one another. Now that the US has imposed sanctions on ZTE and Huawei, China will be scrambling to ensure that its tech giants can source essential inputs domestically, or at least from friendly trade partners that are not dependent on the US. In this balkanised world, China and the US will both expect all other countries to pick a side, while most governments will try to maintain economic ties with both. After all, many US allies now do more business (in terms of trade and investment) with China than they do with America. Yet in a future economy where China and the US separately control access to crucial technologies, such as AI and 5G, the middle ground will become uninhabitable. Everyone will have to choose, and the world may enter a long process of de-globalisation. Whatever happens, the Sino-American relationship will be the key geopolitical issue of this century. Some degree of rivalry is inevitable. But, ideally, both sides would manage it constructively, allowing for co-operation on some issues and healthy competition on others. In effect, China and the US would create a new international order, based on the recognition that the (inevitably) rising new power should be granted a role in shaping global rules and institutions. If the relationship is mismanaged with the US trying to derail Chinas development and contain its rise, and China aggressively projecting its power in Asia and around the world a full-scale cold war will ensue, and a hot one (or a series of proxy wars) cannot be ruled out. In the 21st century, the Thucydides Trap would swallow not just the US and China, but the entire world. Nouriel Roubini, a professor at NYUs Stern School of Business and CEO of Roubini Macro Associates, was senior economist for international affairs in the White Houses Council of Economic Advisers during the Bill Clinton administration. He has worked for the International Monetary Fund, the US Federal Reserve, and the World Bank. You may also like these stories: There has been an unofficial moratorium on the death penalty for drug trafficking since 2016, but several foreigners remain on death row. Indonesia executes convicted drug traffickers by firing squad and faced international criticism in 2015 when it executed several foreign nationals including two Australians who were leaders of the Bali Nine trafficking ring. The Frenchman was found carrying large amounts of ecstasy, crystal methamphetamine, and marijuana in a suitcase but tested negative for drug use, leading prosecutors to believe he intended to distribute the drugs. The judge gave a heavier sentence because of the amount and kinds of drugs Dorfin was carrying, Denny Nur Indra, Dorfins lawyer told Reuters, adding the ruling came as a shock and Dorfin will appeal. Felix Dorfin, 35, was convicted of trafficking more than 2 kilograms of drugs from France to the Indonesian holiday island of Lombok after being arrested in September last year. MATARAM, IndonesiaAn Indonesian court sentenced a French national to death on Monday for drug trafficking, his lawyer said, after prosecutors had called for a 20-year prison sentence. Frenchman Felix Dorfin, who was sentenced to death for drug trafficking, walks before his trial at Mataram court in Lombok island, West Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia May 20, 2019. / Antara Foto / REUTERS Frenchman Felix Dorfin, who was sentenced to death for drug trafficking, walks before his trial at Mataram court in Lombok island, West Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia May 20, 2019. / Antara Foto / REUTERS Arakanese in U.S. Protest Myanmar Army Killings of Civilians in Rakhine Myanmar Can No Longer Afford to Ignore the Threat of Nationalism 17 Injured as Police Break up Protest Against Cement Factory Project in Mandalay Sri Lanka Says Hardline Buddhist Groups Likely to Blame for Anti-Muslim Attacks Buddhist Nationalists Force Shut Down of Three Ramadan Worship Sites in Yangon Stay or Go? As Weather Gets Wilder, States Urged to Prepare for Displacement US, France, Japan and Australia Hold First Combined Naval Drill in Asia One Sentenced, One at Large in Mandalay Corruption Case Young Painter Brings the World of His Imagination to Life in 1st Solo Show The Day the Karen Were Defeated at the Battle of Insein We do not encourage viewing this site in this width. Please increase the size of your window. Asia Left Without Electricity or Shade, Cyclone Fani Victims Face Dangerous Heatwave Debapriya Roy, a scientist at India Meteorological Department Earth System Science Organisation, monitors Cyclone Fani from his Kolkata office on May 3, 2019. / REUTERS CHENNAI, IndiaFrom the safety of a relatives house, Mohammed Tazmul Hussein watched coconut trees crashing onto the roof of his home as Cyclone Fani barrelled into eastern India. Two weeks after the cyclone struck Odisha state on Indias east coast, travelling at 200 kilometers (124 miles) an hour and forcing the evacuation of more than one million people, Hussein is struggling to pick up the pieces and rebuild his home. As well as having no electricity, not enough clean drinking water and no tree cover, thousands like Hussein are now exposed to heatwave conditions with temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius. We live by the coast and have never had to bear the intensity of summer like those in western parts of the state, Hussein, 53, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation over the phone from Bhagwanpur village, near the temple town of Puri. But the cyclone took away all our shade-giving trees and uprooted electricity poles. And with electricity yet to be restored, the heat is sapping. I feel helpless. Fourteen districts of Odisha felt the impact of Cyclone Fani on May 3. More than 10 million have been affected by the worst summer cyclone in the state in 43 years, according to government data. Husseins house is one of the more than 500,000 that were damaged in the cyclone that destroyed crops, contaminated water bodies and snapped communication and power lines. There are people who stood near the rubble, unable to recognize what was left of their homes, said Tushar Kantidas, senior manager for disaster risk management with charity Plan India. People have lost everything and there is an urgency to rebuild, with food and shelter being a priority. But the rising temperatures have become the new challenge. Heat and Dust Odishas Special Relief Commissioner, Bishnupada Sethi, has switched gears from cyclone preparedness to putting systems in place to deal with the rising temperatures. Credited with organizing a major evacuation ahead of the cyclone that contained the death toll to 64, Sethi said rising heat had become the biggest challenge for quick rehabilitation. He said they had issued an advisory to people to stay indoors between 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. But thats when many are stepping out to reconstruct their homes, he said. In Puri district, where the cyclone made landfall, the administration has so far provided electricity to three percent of about 290,000 people affected while the National Disaster Response Force was clearing roads of trees and electric poles. Families are desperate to restart their lives before the monsoons hit next month and are exposed to the heat as they spend the entire day salvaging what is left of their homes, said Samuel Behera, an executive with the Smile Foundation charity. Sources of electricity and tarpaulin sheets to cover the exposed roofs are urgently needed but short in supply. Behera said sourcing solar lights for families left in pitch darkness was becoming a challenge as costs had shot up. For Hussein, cyclones are not new. He remembers stories from his grandfather and father about surviving big cyclones. We have learnt to live with the cyclones, quickly recovering and getting back to normal, he said. But this time we are struggling, spending the nights in darkness and the days in scorching heat. I feel like crying even as I talk to you today because I dont know how long it will be before I am back home and happy. You may also like these stories: Stay or Go? As Weather Gets Wilder, States Urged to Prepare for Displacement Violence Flares in West Bengal as Voting in Indian Election Ends INVESTIGATIONMissing wombs: The Health Scandal Enslaving Families in Rural India Indias Modi Flies Over Cyclone-Ravaged East, Promises Millions to Rebuild Burma Army Officer Jailed for 10 Years for Killing Civilian Who Failed to Present ID Card Capt. Aung Ko Min, center, is escorted by police in front of the court building in Moulmein, Mon State on Dec. 10, 2018. / Mon News Agency A court in Moulmein, the capital of Mon State, jailed a Myanmar Army officer for 10 years on Monday for killing a civilian. Captain Aung Ko Min was present in court yesterday to hear the verdict against him for killing U Tin Soe Myint, according to Daw Khin Swe Thint, 36, the victims widow. The couple lived mostly in Kalegauk Island, Ye Township, but sometimes in Thanbyuzayat Township. On May 16, U Tin Soe Myint was stopped by Army personnel on Kalegauk Island while traveling between the two townships and asked for his ID card, but he had left it at home. Capt. Aung Ko Min arrested U Tin Soe Myint and later tortured and killed him. Daw Khin Swe Thint said her husband did not know the captain, and had never had any personal problems with him. [Capt. Aung Ko Min] received 10 years in prison, she told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday, adding that she thought the sentence was fair. Capt. Aung Ko Min of Light Infantry Battalion 587 based in Ye Township was initially detained by the Army last year. Daw Khin Swe Thint, a mother of three, fought hard to bring him to justice, eventually seeking help from the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC) in her husbands case. The Army transferred the captains case to the civilian court in December last year after the HRC intervened. He made his first appearance in the court in Moulmein that month, giving the victims family an opportunity to seek justice. MNHRC Commissioner U Yu Lwin Aung told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday that he welcomed the court decision and thanked the Army for its cooperation. As the victims family could not afford to hire a lawyer, the government appointed one to work on their behalf, Daw Khin Swe Thint said. Capt. Aung Ko Min admitted to the killing on several occasions throughout the yearlong trial process. He never denied the killing in court, said Daw Khin Swe Thint, adding that the Army officer had never apologized to the victims family. The family has struggled since her husbands death, she said, adding that her childrens education has suffered. You may also like these stories: Anti-Statue Activists Ignore Police Summons in Loikaw Taang Rape Victim Claims Attackers Army Soldiers Tensions High as Security Forces Deployed in Loikaw Karenni Activists Walk Out of Govt Meeting Burma KNU Wants to Leave Peace Steering Team The Karen National Union delegation, led by Chairman Saw Mutu Sae Poe (first row, middle) attend the fourth EAOs Summit. / Nyein Nyein / The Irrawaddy CHIANG MAI, ThailandThe Karen National Union (KNU) submitted its withdrawal from the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) at a summit of ethnic armed organizations (EAO) in Chiang Mai, Thailand on Saturday. But, after hours of negotiations, KNU leaders said they would continue attending as part of the PPST until the summits completion. The summit, held from May 14 to 18, included ten EAOsall signatories to the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA). KNU Secretary Padoh Saw Tadoh Moo raised the issue the KNU had with the current framework to summit attendees during the summits first session. The PPST was formed in 2016 to conduct political negotiations with the incumbent National League for Democracy (NLD) government, and was led by KNU Chairman General Saw Mutu Sae Poe for three years, until he delegated authority to KNU Secretary Padoh Saw Tado Moo in March. The Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) Chairman, General Yawd Serk, officially took the lead on May 19. Khun Myint Tun, vice chairman of the Pa-O Nationalities Liberation Organization (PNLO), an NCA signatory, told The Irrawaddy that the summit leaders asked the KNU to continue participating in the PPST despite their desire to leave. Because many groups wanted the KNU to continue, EAO leaders decided the summits second portion would be convened soon, to encourage the KNU to continue participating to the finish. Padoh Saw Tadoh Moo told The Irrawaddy that the KNU wishes to leave the PPST because the body has not made reforms needed since 2017. Actually, we raised [reviewing the] PPST after the second session of 21st Panglong in [May] 2017, he said. The findings at that time suggested not only reviewing, [but that] the PPST needed reforming. But the reform was not even included in the discussion until 2019. Thus, if they dont want reform, we decided it is inappropriate for us to keep going like this. He declined to provide details on what kinds of reforms the KNU would like to see the PPST take. The KNUs role in the peace process Given its military strength and its role as the first EAO of the revolutionary movement, beginning in 1949, the KNU is a well-respected EAO and a key player in the peace process. And, as a signatory to the NCA, its decisions shape the Myanmar peace process. Many groups, especially in the southern part of Myanmar, follows its lead. The KNU did not make verbal ceasefire deals with the military junta throughout the late 20th century; the groups leadership decided to make ceasefire agreements for peace with the quasi-civilian government in 2012. Despite this, Padoh Saw Tadoh Moo denies the groups influence. Even though the KNU was in a leadership role [in PPST], it is just [as] a figure-head. All the decision-making procedures are always collectively done, he said. So in some part, if I have to say, frankly, other groups in the PPST have different principles and interests. These affect the decision-making procedures, and we think this is risky for our own organization. Tensions in the PPST grew after the team decided to hold an October meeting between the government and the EAOs during the third anniversary of the NCA signing. At that time, KNU members were reportedly split on taking part in the meeting, but the PPST moved ahead and met with the government anyway. Cracks within the KNU were already becoming noticeable then, but the KNU leadership has always denied there were factions, admitting of differing opinions but claiming they stood together on principles. KNU proposes EAO cooperation regardless of signatory status On May 17, the KNU said they think the existing PSST structure is inadequate, proposing a new cooperation framework including EAOs regardless of signatory status. This was repeated on May 18 in a statement from the KNU outlining a KNU-proposed Peace Process Consultative Meeting (PPCM), in which both the signatories and non-signatories of the NCA could participate, to set the common goals and agendas, exchange of information and mutual discussion during the Summit. He said the proposed PPCM structure would help in continuing the peace negotiations and allow for step-by-step negotiations before and after 2020. Since signing the NCA in October 2015 and convening the Union Peace Conferences four times since January 2016, only NCA signatories have been able to act as delegates in the political negotiations, while representatives of other EAOs have been missing. We think [the PPST] also needs to open discussions with others groups who are not NCA signatories, said Padoh Saw Tadoh Moo. Even though we tried for three years, the current political landscape is going nowhere and we think it is dwindling. The KNU always upholds its Saw Ba U Gyis four principles for the revolutionary cause: Surrender is out of the question; the recognition of Karen State must be complete; we will retain our arms; and we shall decide our own political destiny. They do not hesitate to leave any alliance or negotiation if its central committee sees its cooperation with allies as going against any of these policies. The group withdrew from the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) in 2014 during negotiations over text in the NCA. Peace negotiations began in late 2011 under then-president U Thein Sein, with government peace negotiators holding many talks among some 21 EAOs and their changing negotiating committees: the now-defunct UNFC, the Nationwide Ceasefire Coordinating Team (NCCT), the Senior Delegations (SDs) and others. Negotiations ticked up especially from 2013 to 2015 as the NCA text was being finalized. In a similar pattern to the current dispute, the KNU had been the first to leave the UNFC as well. The new ethnic structure would work, because we find the collective leadership based on the policies of each group, rather than an institution, said Padoh Saw Tadoh Moo. You May Also Like These Stories: Peace Process Is Foundering, KNU Chief Tells EAOs Military, KNU Leaders Hold Informal Talks in Yangon Burma Mandalay Police Officer Seriously Injured in Landmine Training The boots of the injured police officer after the incident at Mandalay Region Police Station on May 21, 2019. / Mandalay Region Police Station MANDALAYEleven police were injured in an explosion during a landmine detection techniques and clearing training at Mandalay Region Police Station on Tuesday. A police source from the station confirmed that a police sergeant was seriously injured on his left ankle and ten others sustained minor injuries. Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun, secretary and spokesperson of the militarys Tatmadaw True News Information Team, confirmed the incident to The Irrawaddy and said the training was conducted by a technician from the military. We heard that the trainer mistakenly brought a real landmine with the training sample landmines and that a trainee stepped on it and it exploded, said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun. The training was conducted to teach police officers in Mandalay Region about mine and landmine safety, detection and the different types of mines. As part of the training, the police sergeant was supposed to step on a sample M14 plastic landmine while other trainees disarm the landmine and save him. Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun said the injured police were sent to Mandalay General Hospital for medical treatment and the incident is under investigation. Normally, real landmines and samples are differentiated by color, however there can be mistakes. We are doing further investigations on this incident, he said. According to the police source, the police sergeant who stepped on the M14 landmine during the training section was badly injured on his left ankle and could face a long-term walking impairment. You may also like these stories: Anti-Statue Activists Ignore Police Summons in Loikaw Five Chinese Arrested for Trespassing, Illegal Immigration in Kachin Army Arrests Village Administrator in Rakhine One Sentenced, One at Large in Mandalay Corruption Case News U.S. Eases Restrictions on Huawei; Founder Says U.S. Underestimates Chinese Firm Surveillance equipment outside of a Shanghai shopping mall bearing the Huawei logo on March 7, 2019. / Reuters The U.S. government has temporarily eased trade restrictions imposed last week on Chinas Huawei, a move aimed at minimizing disruption for its customers but dismissed by its founder, who said the tech firm had prepared for U.S. action. The U.S. Commerce Department will allow Huawei Technologies Co Ltd to purchase American-made goods in order to maintain existing networks and provide software updates to existing Huawei handsets. The worlds largest telecommunications equipment maker is still prohibited from buying American parts and components to manufacture new products without license approvals that likely will be denied. The U.S. government said it imposed the restrictions because of Huaweis involvement in activities contrary to national security or foreign policy interests. The new authorization is intended to give telecommunications operators that rely on Huawei equipment time to make other arrangements, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said in a statement on Monday. In short, this license will allow operations to continue for existing Huawei mobile phone users and rural broadband networks, Ross added. The license, which is in effect until Aug. 19, suggests changes to Huaweis supply chain may have immediate, far-reaching and unintended consequences for its customers. The goal seems to be to prevent internet, computer and cell phone systems from crashing, said Washington lawyer Kevin Wolf, a former Commerce Department official. This is not a capitulation. This is housekeeping. Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei on Tuesday said the temporary reprieve move bore little meaning for the company as it had been making preparations for such a scenario. The U.S. governments actions at the moment underestimate our capabilities, Ren said in an interview with CCTV, according to a transcript published by the Chinese state broadcaster. He said Huawei was at odds with the U.S. government, not U.S. firms, and that Huawei is capable of making the chips it buys from the United States though that does not mean it will stop buying American chips. The U.S. Commerce Department said it will evaluate whether to extend the exemptions beyond 90 days. On Thursday, the Commerce Department added Huawei and 68 entities to an export blacklist that makes it nearly impossible for the Chinese company to purchase goods made in the United States. The government tied Huaweis addition to the entity list to a pending case accusing the company of engaging in bank fraud to obtain embargoed U.S. goods and services in Iran and move money out of the country via the international banking system. Huawei has pleaded not guilty. Reuters reported Friday that the department was considering a temporary easing, citing a government spokeswoman. The temporary license also allows disclosures of security vulnerabilities and for Huawei to engage in the development of standards for future 5G networks. Reuters reported Sunday that Alphabet Incs Google suspended business with Huawei that requires the transfer of hardware, software and technical services except those publicly available via open source licensing, citing a source familiar with the matter. Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new authorization. Out of $70 billion Huawei spent buying components in 2018, some $11 billion went to U.S. firms, including Qualcomm Inc., Intel Corp and Micron Technology Inc. I think this is a reality check, said Washington trade lawyer Douglas Jacobson. It shows how pervasive Huawei goods and technology are around the globe and if the U.S. imposes restrictions, that has impacts. Jacobson said the effort to keep existing networks operating appeared aimed at telecom providers in Europe and other countries where Huawei equipment is pervasive. The move also could assist mobile service providers in thinly populated areas of the United States, such as Wyoming and eastern Oregon, that purchased network equipment from Huawei in recent years. John Neuffer, the president of the Semiconductor Industry Association, which represents U.S. chipmakers and designers, said in a statement that the association wants the government to ease the restrictions further. We hope to work with the administration to broaden the scope of the license, he said, so that it advances U.S. security goals but does not undermine the industrys ability to compete globally and remain technology leaders. A report on Monday on the potential impact of stringent export controls on technologies found that U.S. firms could lose up to $56.3 billion in export sales over five years. The report, from the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, said the missed opportunities threatened as many as 74,000 jobs. Wolf, the former Commerce official, said the Huawei reprieve was similar to action taken by the department in July to prevent systems from crashing after the U.S. banned Chinas ZTE Corp, a smaller Huawei rival, from buying American-made components. The U.S. trade ban on ZTE wreaked havoc at wireless carriers in Europe and South Asia, sources told Reuters at the time. The ban on ZTE was lifted July 13 after the company struck an agreement with the Commerce Department that included a $1 billion fine plus $400 million in escrow and replacement of its board of directors and senior management. ZTE, which had ceased major operations as a result of the ban, then resumed business. You may also like these stories: Huawei Mobile Users Ponder Switching Brand After Google News By Spying on Huawei, U.S. Found Evidence Against the Chinese Firm US Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bills Targeting Chinas Huawei and ZTE Google Suspends Some Business with Huawei After Trump Blacklist On This Day The Day the Karen Were Defeated at the Battle of Insein SAW BA U GYI Leader of KNDO photographed on his emergence from embattled Insein to talk peace with the Union Government. On his Leaf (BRIGADIER) DOUGLAS BLAKE of the Burma Army (1947) Tuesday, May 21st, 2019 (9:12 am) - Score 2,337 Plucky rural UK ISP B4RN (Broadband for the Rural North), which is deploying a community built and funded 1Gbps Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) broadband network to remote premises in several counties across England, expects to achieve 6,000 live connections by the end of June and has raised 2m via crowdfunding. The provider, which has been busy digging away since 2012 and is registered as a community benefit society (i.e. it cant be bought by a commercial operator and their profits are distributed back into the community), has so far deployed well over 3,000km of fibre optic cable across remote rural parts of Lancashire, Cheshire, Cumbria, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Yorkshire. The majority of their network to date has been funded by communities investing over 5m in shares in the company and many of those have done this as part of helping to physically build the infrastructure. This tends to generate high levels of take-up in a very short space of time (65% was the last average we saw), not least because people feel a strong connection to things theyve helped to build. Admittedly the project did suffer somewhat of a setback recently after the HM Treasury suddenly removed their tax breaks following changes to the Enterprise Investment Scheme (here), but this does not appear to have dampened their progress. The provider will soon have gone from 5,000 live rural full fibre connections (customers) at the end of September 2018 to nearly 6,000 in the space of around 9 months. On top of that theyve been busy making good use of the Governments 67m business connectivity orientated Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme (GBVS). So far theyve applied for and been issued with about 900 vouchers with a value of about 1.4m and have claimed 626K worth of those to help drive their network forward. Indeed theres a pipeline of more than 10,000 properties (potential vouchers amount to over 9m) that may soon follow. The Governments newly launched 200m Rural Gigabit Connectivity (RGC) programme, which offers even bigger vouchers worth up to 3,500 for small businesses and up to 1,500 for residents (in many cases this will cover 100% of B4RNs build cost), is expected to deliver an even bigger boost to the operator. In theory we may eventually see B4RN harnessing this to reach 20,000 premises (live customers) over the next few years. Barry Forde (pictured), CEO of B4RN, said: We expect to ramp up our rate of voucher registration considerably over the coming months. You are probably aware that we have also been taking on staff and this is to enable us to ramp up the rate of build. We are targeting 500 per month but it will take us about 6-9 months to reach that build rate. Last month we did 165 connections and I think we will get close to that this month too. We should hit 6000 live customers by the end of June but we want to add that number again in each of the next two years whilst the DCMS funding is available. However Barry does acknowledge that the voucher approach, while extremely beneficial, still comes attached to a few significant challenges. The operator has to quickly ramp-up its operations in order to take full advantage of all this, not least because if they dont then the scheme(s) will end up expiring before theyre able to complete all of the proposed deployments. The challenge in all of this is that building full fibre networks remains an inherently slow process, particularly when dealing with community focused efforts and organising volunteers. On top of that many of their builds require the vouchers to be aggregated and that means B4RN has to get lots of Aggregated Pre Registered Packages (APRP) approved, usually before they can even start encouraging communities to sign-up for vouchers. Apparently it can sometimes take several months to go through the APRP process, plus a few more to get vouchers sorted and theyre then only valid for 12 months (an extension is possible if the supplier encounters unforeseen difficulties but ISPs would rather not test that). Suffice to say, anybody who builds FTTP/H knows just how tight this sort of timescale is and thats true even for bigger providers. The other challenge is that the vouchers only get paid AFTER the property is connected and live, which of course leaves B4RN to gap fund the build cost until then. This is where their recent crowdfunding raise via Triodos Bank (here) comes into play, which has just hit 2m (enough to get going) and Barry suggests that further investors are expected to take advantage (hence why the raise has been extended until the end of Spring). We are in a different world to the one we used to inhabit, its no longer a question of money but instead its about delivery, said Barry to ISPreview.co.uk. Meanwhile customers benefit from one of both the cheapest and fastest broadband connections in the UK. Subscribers pay just 30 inc. VAT per month for a 1000Mbps (symmetrical) unlimited service and theres also a one-off connection fee of 150. Admittedly B4RNs model works best in rural soft dig areas, where you dont have to worry about the tighter restrictions and higher costs that can occur in more urban locations due to the need to dig up streets etc. However, they have had to do a bit of that too in some of the more urban villages, such as Halton (Halton-with-Aughton) in Lancashire, and we may see more as time goes on. Keep it up. The merger between T-Mobile and Sprint, the third and fourth biggest wireless carriers in the US, has moved a step closer with the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Ajit Pai, officially giving his support to the deal. In December, the proposed US$26 billion merger gained national security clearance after both Deutsche Telekom, the majority owner of T-Mobile, and Sprint's majority owner, Japanese firm SoftBank, agreed to exclude Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei as a supplier. But approval still needs to come from the full FCC and the Justice Department. Thus, it would not be surprising to see additional terms, apart from those already agreed, imposed as a pre-requisite for going ahead, according to Bill Menezes, senior principal analyst for Sourcing, Procurement & Vendor Management at research firm Gartner. Both companies have offered what appear to be concessions as they attempt to finalise the arrangements, but Menezes saw nothing unusual in this. "It's not unusual for two large corporations to offer concessions in order to address concerns about merging in a very consolidated market," he told iTWire in response to queries. "The concessions Sprint and T-Mobile have offered are relatively minor and it's questionable how heavily they even would be policed or enforced by the US Government." FCC commissioner Brendan Carr said in a statement on Monday that he supported the merger "because Americans across the country will see more competition and an accelerated buildout of fast, 5G services". He was speaking after T-Mobile made specific commitments to build out 5G and next-generation wireless services to rural America in a filing. Menezes was somewhat sceptical about this, saying: "For example, there is and ongoing dispute between T-Mobile and rural carriers over how widely T-Mobile offers 4G coverage in rural areas, so offering coverage guarantees for 5G in those areas falls into the 'believe it when you see it' category." T-Mobile and Sprint announced their proposed merger in April last year. Since then, the FCC has been provided with a huge amount of feedback from parties who have an interest in the transaction. Said Menezes: "The same goes for the offer to divest Sprint's pre-paid service business, Boost Mobile. The merged companies would still retain several other large pre-paid service businesses such as T-Mobile's MetroPCS, and likely would continue receiving revenue from Boost's new owner, which would likely continue using the Sprint network infrastructure to provide service. "So it appears that the companies would be offloading the marketing, customer acquisition and support costs of Boost Mobile while retaining a wholesale revenue stream from it." Proudly celebrating 50 years of "innovating at the edge", two top Zebra executives talk to iTWire about the last five decades of success, the company's new hardware, how it all fits into Industry 4.0, customer success stories in Australia and plenty more. Zebra Technologies Corporation. The company has reached an impressive 50 year milestone, proudly boasting of being "an innovator at the edge of the enterprise with solutions and partners that enable businesses to gain a performance edge" and which "continues to empower the front line of business". The company notes that since the inception of its first printing prototypes in the late 1960s, it has "evolved into a trusted advisor to its partners and customers based on its legacy of innovation to help digitally transform the enterprise". We're also told that "when Zebra and its partners deliver a performance edge to front-line employees, nurses spend more time at the bedside with a patient resulting in higher quality care, and retail associates check inventory and complete transactions without leaving the shoppers side". Likewise, Zebra's "integration of mobile printing and data capture solutions with cross-technology indoor location solutions" ensure that "manufacturing plants and distribution centres become smarter environments in which production, fulfilment and shipping efficiencies are dramatically increased".Anders Gustafsson, chief executive of Zebra Technologies, said: "We are proud to celebrate our half century milestone with our customers across the retail/ecommerce, manufacturing, transportation and logistics, healthcare, government and other industries. "While Zebra has changed its stripes over the years, we are well-positioned to accelerate our strategy. With our network of specialised partners, we will continue to deliver industry-tailored solutions at the enterprise edge where there is an amazing amount of new growth and opportunities. We were offered the opportunity of speaking to Thomas Bianculli, Vice President of the Technology Office at Zebra Technologies and Ryan Goh, Vice President & General Manager of Sales at Zebra Technologies Asia Pacific about the milestone. We discussed how the company started, its journey and major acquisitions and where the company is today. We looked at how its new solutions are being used by customers in Australia and the region, about its IoT solutions, about Industry 4.0, the industry's evolution over the next few years, great advice and final messages to readers, customers and partners. Our audio interview is embedded immediately below, followed by more on Zebra's achievements, its product range and a series of official videos on the 2019 range, so please read on! As you might expect, Zebra says its "consistent focus" on its "guiding principles" has resulted in being in business for 50 years, and that "as digital technology transforms the edge of the enterprise", the company's "purpose-driven design builds in ease of use, security and ruggedness with front-line users, workplace and workflows in mind". The company is keen to remind you that it "enables customers to create smart, data-powered environments to better reflect what is happening at the edge of their operations rather than relying on traditional systems of record. "And connected, collaborative mobile workflows" powered by the company's innovations "allow those on the front line to optimise in-motion operations while linking together teams, assets and systems to deliver best-action guidance for business-critical decisions in real time". Globally, Zebra proudly boasts "an impressive lineup of end-to-end products and solutions; including the popular TC5X touch computers and the LS2208 barcode scanner, as well as innovative products like the MP7000 Grocery Scanner Scale, amongst others. "With over 4,400 U.S. and international patents issued and pending, Zebra has been working to heighten investment in disruptive technologies bolstered by acquisitions in recent years that include Motorola Solutions Enterprise business, Xplore Technologies Corporation and Temptime Corporation". And naturally, Zebra states it "will be introducing a new breed of products and solutions so businesses can anticipate implications and make best-action decisions based on real-time guidance". Collectively, we're told "these new products and solutions can help drive a truly unprecedented revolution in workforce mobility". Highlights include: MC9300 Mobile Computers which "enables businesses to modernise their mobile solutions to keep up with the growing demands of e-commerce while shortening training time, improving fulfilment speed and accuracy and increasing productivity by as much as 10% compared to competing devices". ZQ600 Series Mobile Printers which are "designed to print everything from shelf labels to item tags, markdown labels and sales receipts. The new printers enable peak performance for applications such as pricing management and faster checkouts in retail stores". MC3330R RFID handheld reader which "helps workers read both RFID tags and barcodes with point and shoot simplicity, and is sensitive enough to capture the most challenging of RFID tags bringing a new level of efficiency to inventory and asset management". The aforementioned Ryan Goh, VP and GM of the Asia Pacific region for Zebra Technologies said: "Asia Pacific is a very important region for Zebra. We anticipate strong growth owing to the rise of e-commerce, an increasingly connected workforce, and the confluence of Industry 4.0. "The recent Intelligent Enterprise Index study Zebra conducted last year revealed an encouraging trend companies in Asia Pacific are moving the needle in the deployment and investment of the Internet of Things. In Asia, we are making waves in the areas of retail, transport, healthcare, logistics and manufacturing. Our momentum continues in 2019 as we pride ourselves with the broadest product portfolio of any other solutions provider in the industry. Here are some of Zebra's official videos on the products listed above: Zebra Technologies: MC9300 Product Overview: Zebra: MC9300 Development team discuss the new Ultra-Rugged Mobile Computer: Zebra: ISVs Crave InfoTech & JDA discuss the MC9300: Zebra ZQ600 Series Mobile Printer: Zebra's MC3330R Integrated UHF RFID Reader: Additional milestones in during and up to Zebra's 50th year: Acquisitions: In 2014, Zebra acquired Motorola Solutions Enterprise business and more than doubled its size from a US$1 billion company to a combined revenue of approximately US$3.5 billion In 2018, Zebra completed its acquisition of Xplore Technologies Corporation, a leading developer of tablets and laptops to complement Zebras industry-leading enterprise mobile computing, data capture, and printing portfolios In 2019, Zebra completed its acquisition of Temptime Corporation, a privately-held developer and manufacturer of temperature monitoring solutions for mission-critical applications in the healthcare industry. Financial terms of the acquisition are not being disclosed Awards and recognition: Zebra has been recognised by Gartner as a Visionary in the Magic Quadrant for Indoor Location Services, Global for the second consecutive year in 2019 Zebra ranked 145 among all mid-sized companies on Forbes 2018 list of Americas Best Employers. This is Zebras third consecutive year on the Forbes list. ComputerWorld placed Zebra #8 on its Best Mid-Size Places to Work in IT for 2018, and Zebra ranked #628 on the Fortune 1000 list based on its total revenue For the fourth consecutive year in 2018, Zebra has received the Red Dot Award for product design and most recently earned top honors for the TC20 mobile computer and TC25 rugged smartphone CRN awarded Zebra a five-star rating in its 2018 Partner Program Guide, which annually ranks partner programs from technology vendors that provide products and services through the IT channel Zebra earned two honuors from Australias prestigious Good Design Award for outstanding design and innovation in the Product Design Category. These include the MC3300 mobile computer as well as the TC20 and TC25 durable mobile computers Product innovation: Zebra shipped its one millionth touch computer, the TC5 in 2019 Employee growth: From humble beginnings of only 200 employees in 1991, Zebra has grown its global headcount by over 3,700% to 7,637 employees in 2018 Social responsibility: The US Commerce Department has eased some of the restrictions it imposed on Chinese telecommunications equipment vendor Huawei Technologies last week, allowing the company to maintain and update existing networks and handsets. The temporary licence took effect on Monday, expires on 19 August and has been posted for the public to view. On 16 May, the US imposed a ban on Huawei and 68 of its affiliates, preventing the company from importing components from American companies without government approval. Some of the affiliates are in other countries like Canada, Japan, Brazil, the UK, Singapore and others. Jus when we were starting to pronounce #Huawei correct they suspend it from Android and Google pic.twitter.com/JlO6w83gOe Lindokuhle 'DaLindzoSA' Mtsweni (@Lindzo_SA) May 20, 2019 There was alarm in tech circles on Monday, when Google announced it was cutting off Huawei's cutaccess to future updates of Google's Android and Google Play Store. Huawei uses Android in its smartphones. Some parts of Android, like the kernel, which is a modified version of Linux, are under open-source licences. Other components, like Gmail, Google Maps and a number of other apps, are proprietary and licensed to vendors. But the updates are distributed as a single firmware image and include both the open source and proprietary components. The US licence lifting some restrictions also allowed Huawei to be notified of security flaws in any device it or any of its 68 affiliates manufactures. An exemption for the participation in activity that is geared towards the development of 5G standards was also provided. Only about 1% of gear used in US telecommunications networks is from Huawei with Ericsson and Nokia (48% apiece) having the major share and Samsung (3%) making up the rest. Westpac is the last remaining big Australian banking institution not to offer Apple Pay, after another holdout, NAB, announced that the service had gone live for its customers on Tuesday. At the beginning of May, when iTWire asked NAB whether it had any plans to offer Apple Pay, the bank was unwilling to give an indication either way. In a statement on Tuesday, NAB chief customer experience officer Rachel Slade said: Weve been hearing from customers that they want Apple Pay and its great to be able to launch this service today." Apple Pay allows people to pay via their iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad or Mac and is available for NAB personal and business customers with an eligible NAB Visa debit or credit card. Commonwealth Bank, along with Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, NAB and Westpac, attempted to cut a deal with Apple over Apple Pay in 2017, but the Australian Competition and Consumer Commissionthem the right to negotiate collectively. The banks had sought authorisation to bargain with Apple for access to the near-field communication controller in iPhones, and reasonable access terms to the App Store. Such access would have allowed the four to offer their own integrated digital wallets to iPhone customers in competition with Apples digital wallet, without using Apple Pay. Subsequently, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank quietly adopted Apple Pay. ANZ was not part of this cartel, and has been offering Apple Pay since April 2016. Slade added: "Were continuing to listen to customer feedback and take action to become the bank our customers want. As part of our transformation we are investing significantly in our technology and digital services to support our customers to manage their money how they choose. Weve become used to the routine: Microsoft releases one of its twice-annual Windows 10 feature updates, often delayed due to bugs, and the world yawns. And throughout most of the six months of previews for Windows 10 version 1903, a.k.a. the May 2019 Update, it looked like it was going to be the usual routine again. Except this time, its different. About six weeks before the updates planned release, Microsoft made an unexpected late addition, one of the most meaningful features added to Windows 10 in a long time. What is that feature, and what else is important is in this new update? Read on for details. Updated Windows updates Perhaps the single biggest complaint about Windows 10 up till now has been that when a new update appeared, Windows 10 Home users were forced to install it, even if it caused problems for users. While those with Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise and Education licenses could delay the updates, Windows 10 Home users had to live with each new update or else resort to some sneaky workarounds (none of them ideal) to stop its installation. And even users of the business and education versions couldnt put off installing the update forever. With version 1903, all that has changed. Users of Windows 10 Home and Pro now get control over whether to install the twice-yearly feature updates at all via a new Download and install now option. Microsoft Finally! All Windows 10 users can now decide whether and when to install the twice-a-year feature updates. When a new feature update is released to the public, rather than automatically installing it, Windows notifies you that its available with a Download and install now message and link in the Windows Update Settings pane. Dont want to install it? No problem. Just ignore the message and your PC stays as it is. That way you can avoid troublesome and buggy updates altogether. At whatever point you want to install an update, just click it and follow the instructions. There is one caveat, though. When your current version of Windows reaches what Microsoft calls end of service the point at which Microsoft no longer supports it Windows 10 will install the latest feature update whether you like it or not. For Home and Pro users, thats typically 18 months after your current Windows versions release. Still, this means that its theoretically possible to skip over some feature updates entirely. Since theyre released approximately every six months, you could install one version, decline to install the next one thats released, and then install the one after that. (See Microsoft surrenders control over Windows 10 upgrades: What you need to know for more details from Computerworld about this new capability.) Theres even more good news about updating. The Download and install now option applies only to feature updates, but all Windows 10 users can also pause any minor updates that Microsoft issues in between the big feature updates for up to 35 days. People who use the various business and educational versions of Windows 10 have been able to delay minor updates for quite some time, but now everyone gets the option. To do it, head to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Pause for 7 days. After seven days you can do it several more times, a total of five times to delay it for 35 days. IDG Any Windows 10 user can now delay minor updates, 7 days at a time, for up to 35 days. The May 2019 Update also includes a safety net that will uninstall problematic updates that harm your PC. If your computer wont start properly after you install an update, Windows will diagnose the problem and try to fix it. If it cant, it will uninstall a recent Windows 10 update or driver update that might be causing the problem and block it from reinstalling for 30 days. See details from Microsoft. All this addresses what has been a loud and constant complaint: People dont want to be forced to update to a new version of the operating system (or even a minor update to it) that isnt ready for prime time and may be less stable than the one theyre using. You can finally (mostly) ensure that any new OS version you install will be at least as stable, and preferably more stable, than the previous iteration. This new flexibility for Windows updates is clearly the most important feature to arrive in the Windows 10 May 2019 Update, but you dont actually have to install the May 2019 Update to get it. Microsoft says the same update options will also be available in Windows 10 version 1803, the April 2018 Update, and version 1809, the October 2018 Update, by late May. Theres another small, but nice, update-related addition in 1903. You can ask Windows to alert you, via a system tray icon, when you need to reboot your PC in order to finish an update. Head to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Advanced Options, and underneath Show a notification when your PC requires a restart to finish updating, move the slider to On. Cortana and Windows Search split up The second most important change in this Windows update is Microsofts decision to separate the Cortana digital assistant from the Windows search box. In the past, whether you performed a search by voice or by typing, Cortana sprang into action, and the interface that delivered the results was the same whether you typed or spoke. No longer. Cortana and the search box have been separated. To perform a Cortana search, you can say Hey Cortana and speak your search, click the Cortana icon to the right of the search box and speak, or press the Windows key + C and speak. All other searches are done by Windows Search. The results you get differ according to whether you do a Cortana search or a Windows search. If you ask Cortana a question, you get a single specific answer, and Cortana reads the results and displays them onscreen. The Cortana results interface is compact and simple text on a black background. Surprisingly, many of the results arent clickable. For example, when I asked to see the next event on my calendar, Cortana told me the title, location and time, but not details. I couldnt click the results to see more details, such as notes about the meeting. IDG Cortanas search results are displayed in a compact screen. With a Windows search, you get the richer search results interface youre used to, showing multiple search results from your PC and the web. For the most part, the results interface is identical to the one in the previous version of Windows, with a few cosmetic differences. The top frame, for example, is black rather than white, and the Cortana sidebar doesnt appear on the left. But functionally, its the same as before. IDG The Windows search results are largely the same as in the previous version of Windows 10, with some cosmetic differences. However, there are significant differences when you first put your cursor into the search box, before you start typing in your search. Do that, and you see a neatly organized screen that lets you launch your most used apps, open recent files youve used, open Timeline, and more. The design is so simple and clear, you may actually want to use this screen. In the previous version of Windows 10, the initial screen was such an unsightly, confusing hodge-podge, youd likely never use it at least, I never did. I do now. IDG Put your cursor into the search box, and youll see this well-organized screen. It took me a while to get used to this new way of working with search and Cortana, and at first, I sometimes asked Cortana questions that were better suited for Windows search for example, about economic projections for the coming year. Open-ended questions like that, I found, are better left to Windows search because of the richness of the search results versus the simple, single answer Cortana gives. And if youre looking for a document on your PC, Windows Search is also the way to go. Cortana is better suited for accomplishing tasks like checking your calendar and for questions that have a single answer, such as How many counties are there in Massachusetts? The upshot? Separating Cortana and Windows Search makes plenty of sense. Once youre used to it, the new setup makes it easier to search the web and your PC, as well as use Cortana to accomplish specific tasks. Version 1903 highs, lows, and mehs Best new feature: Do you really need to ask which it is? Its the ability to skip installing feature updates and delay minor ones. Users have been clamoring for this for years. Microsoft finally listened. Most useless new feature: The My Phone app now lets you see on your PC screen whats on your Android phone and interact with it. Its not a particularly useful feature, but even those who want to use it may be disappointed, because at first it will work with only a handful of Samsung and OnePlus phones and only if your PC supports Bluetooth Low Energy Peripheral mode. Few people will be able to use this feature, and fewer will want to. Most overhyped new feature: Microsoft and parts of the tech press have been hyping the separation of Cortana from Windows Search as if its a big deal. Its not. Its a moderately useful nice-to-have. Missing in action: Once again, Microsoft hoped to include its Sets feature (for grouping files from different apps in tabs inside an application) in version 1903, and once again, Microsoft failed. This is the third update in a row from which Sets has been pulled. Expect it will never see the light of day. Expect the search interface to change with future Windows updates. Microsoft announced at its Ignite 2018 conference that it plans to unify search across Bing, Office 365 and Windows. Freeing Windows Search from Cortana was just the first step for Windows. By the way, when you first install this update you will likely need to customize Cortana a bit so that you can activate it by voice or by pressing the Windows key + C. To do it, click the Cortana button to the right of the search box to launch Cortana, then click the Settings button (its in the shape of a gear) and select Talk to Cortana. From here you can tell Cortana to respond when you say Hey Cortana or click Windows key + C. If youd like, you can remove the Cortana button to the right of the search box. Right-click the taskbar and uncheck Show Cortana button from the menu that appears. You can even turn off the search box in this way. Right-click the taskbar, select Search, and click Hidden. Search and you shall find With this update, the search box also becomes more effective in searching through your files that is, if you store files in places other than the usual locations. Until the update came along, Windows 10 searched for files only through default libraries and folders like OneDrive, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, Videos, and Desktop. But if you kept files in other locations, Windows ignored them. Now youre given the option of searching through any location on your PC. To turn it on, go to Settings > Search > Searching Windows, and in the Find My Files section, select Enhanced. That will tell Windows to search through your entire PC. If there are folders you want to exclude from the search, go to the Excluded Folders section, then click Add an excluded folder, and browse to the folder you dont want to search. IDG You can now search through your entire hard disk, not just through default locations like OneDrive, Documents and Desktop. Note that searching through your entire PC comes at a little bit of a cost. When you turn on Enhanced, your PC has to build an index, which can take 15 minutes or more, depending on how many files you have and the speed of your processor. In addition, because youll be constantly indexing your PC, your computer may take a performance hit and if youve got a laptop and youre not plugged into an outlet, your battery life may suffer. So turn the feature on only if you keep files in locations that dont currently show up in searches. I live and die by OneDrive, so I have no need for this feature, but if you keep files in locations that the current version of Windows 10 doesnt find, youll find it quite useful. Itll probably be worth any performance hit. Other noteworthy changes There are also a few other, minor changes worth noting in the update: Cleaner-looking Start menu in clean installs: When you buy a new PC with this version of Windows 10 installed, youll get a cleaner-looking Start menu thats narrower and lets you unpin entire groups of tiles, which you cant currently do. Its not a particularly groundbreaking design, but its modestly easier on the eyes. You cant use this new Start menu on your existing version of Windows 10 unless you create a new Microsoft account. Youll then be able to use the new menu on that account, but not on any existing accounts on your PC. Microsoft would do well to let existing accounts use the design as well. Uninstall more built-in apps: Windows 10 comes with a variety of built-in apps, and if youre like me, youve rarely, if ever, used them. In previous releases youve been able to uninstall some of them, such as Solitaire and Weather, but you couldnt uninstall others. With this update, you can uninstall 3D Viewer (previously called Mixed Reality Viewer), Calculator, Calendar, Groove Music, Mail, Movies & TV, Paint 3D, Snip & Sketch, Sticky Notes and Voice Recorder, which you couldnt do previously. However, youre still stuck with the Edge browser and the Microsoft Store. If, like me, you prefer a clean machine, youll be pleased with this new feature. RAW support: If youre a photography maven, you know that RAW files are high-quality uncompressed photos you take with your phone or digital camera. Mostly, people use JPG files, which are smaller, but not quite as good quality. But those who want the best quality use RAW. RAW refers not to a file extension, but to a file type each camera has its own file extension for RAW files, such as .NEF for Nikon. Until now, you couldnt open RAW files in Windows. In this version of Windows 10 you can if you download the RAW Image Extension tool from the Microsoft Store. Behind-the-scenes troubleshooting: Microsoft says that Windows can now be somewhat self-healing. It will automatically fix certain critical problems on your Windows device to keep it running smoothly, such as adjusting settings to better match your hardware configuration and restoring default settings for critical services. You have the option of letting Windows do that by itself or having Windows ask you before making changes. Head to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot and click Recommended troubleshooting settings to set it up. What IT needs to know about version 1903 As always with the twice-annual Windows 10 feature upgrades, there are new features for IT administrators. This time the Professional and Enterprise editions of Windows 10 are getting a new security tool called Windows Sandbox. It lets you test out software and websites in their own containers, so that if theyre dangerous, they cant get to Windows 10 itself. Close the sandbox, and the software or website vanishes. With Windows Defender Application Guard, IT administrators have been able to designate a list of trusted websites, and if someone uses the Edge browser to go to an untrusted site, Edge runs in a virtual machine to protect against malware. Now Microsoft has extended this safety feature beyond Edge with browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox that will work in concert with an app from the Microsoft store. Once theyre installed, when a user browses to an untrusted site in Chrome or Firefox, the site will open in Edge, inside a virtual machine using Windows Defender Application Guard. Bottom line Windows 10 version 1903 is a big deal for a single reason: All Windows 10 users now have control over whether and when they accept new feature updates to the OS. Microsofts twice-annual updates have a checkered history, so this is great for anyone who cares about the stability of their PC. Users have been calling for this for quite some time, and Microsoft has finally gotten the message. As for the other changes, none is groundbreaking. Separating Cortana from Windows Search makes sense and makes searching, particularly searching your PC, simpler. But its likely something you wont notice much. As for the rest, even combined theyre practically the definition of meh. Since the ability to delay updates or choose not to install them is also being rolled out to Windows 10 versions 1803 and 1809, theres no compelling reason to rush out and install 1903. Its never a bad idea to wait a while after a new version of Windows 10 is released before installing it. Now, happily, all Windows 10 users have that option. Today Partly cloudy. Windy. Low 49F. SW winds at 20 to 30 mph, decreasing to 10 to 15 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. Tonight Partly cloudy. Windy. Low 49F. SW winds at 20 to 30 mph, decreasing to 10 to 15 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. Tomorrow Partly cloudy. High 62F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible. For a better experience on our website and avoid any trouble, we strongly recommand to activate Javascript ( click here ). Hello and welcome to Journal des Palaces You are a communication or the PR manager? Click here You are an applicant? Check out our questions and answers here ! The office of Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, said North Carolina is one of 16 states with a franchise tax. Berger officials said the franchise tax discourages in-state investment and the accumulation of assets, such as new plants or equipment. According to a legislative staff paper, the bill would reduce state franchise-tax revenue by $101.9 million in year one and by a combined $1.12 billion over five fiscal years. The bill also would introduce a cap of $150,000 on tax liability, and eliminate the 55% of appraised value base for taxes. Overall, state tax revenue to the General Fund would drop by about $9.3 million in year one and $780 million over five years. The reduction is projected to be offset by growth in sales-and-use taxes of $94.6 million in year one and $655.8 million over five years. The bill also would reduce revenue from personal income taxes by $306.5 million over five years. SB622 raises standard deductions by $375 to $10,375 for single taxpayers and married filing separately, by $563 to $15,563 for a head of household, and by $750 to $20,750 for married filing jointly, effective in 2021. The 25,000 barrel cap currently represents the maximum production level before craft brewers must enter the distribution contract. Tim Kent, executive director of N.C. Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, said Thursday the bill represents a win-win for all parties concerned. Consumers will continue to enjoy the benefits of a highly competitive marketplace with the availability of thousands of malt beverage products, all of which is made possible by the three-tier system ... that maintains the safe, equitable and efficient distribution of a wide variety of products to 18,000 retail establishments throughout the state. Mitch Kokai, policy analyst with Libertarian think tank John Locke Foundation, said HB363 is likely to pass because it represents a compromise between the craft brewers and the distributors. Craft brewers and beer distributors have been fighting in court over state restrictions forcing brewers to contract with a distributor once their operations reach an arbitrary production threshold, Kokai said. The craft brewers lawsuit appears to have made a substantial impact on the distributors willingness to cut a deal. A derivative is a financial instrument whose value is based on or is derived from an asset or group of assets. A derivative is a contract between two or more parties, and its price is determined by fluctuations in the underlying asset. The Wells Fargo disclosure said the lawsuits claimed breach of fiduciary duty by defendants for their alleged failure to detect and prevent sales practices issues. The defendants denied wrongdoing in the lawsuits, saying they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in the best interests of Wells Fargo and its shareholders. Nonetheless, the defendants have taken into account the expense, uncertainty and risks inherent in any litigation, especially in complex cases like the derivative action. The settlement is the latest involving the bank since its fraudulent customer-account scandal surfaced in September 2016. On Sept. 1, 2017, the bank confirmed that at least 3.53 million checking and credit-card accounts were affected by the scandal. Bell is a partner in the McGuireWoods law firms Charlotte office and spent 18 years as a federal prosecutor. Orso is a partner in the law firm. Bell served 10 years as first assistant U.S. attorney in the district. As a prosecutor, Bell had trial responsibility for more than 200 criminal cases and was counsel of record in more than 100 cases before the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Orso has served as Bells counsel in the ZeekRewards case and been responsible for the quarterly legal updates. ZeekRewards, with people worldwide participating in what they thought was a lucrative investment opportunity, operated from January 2011 to Aug. 17, 2012, when federal officials shut it down. At $939 million and at least 2.2 million customers, ZeekRewards was one of the largest Ponzi schemes in U.S. history, federal prosecutors have said. (CNN) Huawei has endured a tenuous relationship with the United States for a decade, reaching a boiling point last week when the Trump administration banned American corporations from doing business with the Chinese company. Although the United States has long suspected Huawei of engaging in illegal activity, it's not clear that Huawei did anything specific recently to become the object of such concern. The ban came as something of a surprise to observers. The Trump administration temporarily eased up just a bit on its restrictions Monday. But the reprieve was narrow and aimed at a small group of rural American network providers that use Huawei equipment. For Huawei and most American companies, the ban remains firmly in place. The US-China trade war The United States and China have been embroiled in a bitter trade war for more than a year, and Huawei has been stuck in the middle of it. Huawei could serve as an enormous bargaining chip: It is a gigantic Chinese telecommunications company with ambitions to become the world's No. 1 smartphone maker and one of a small handful of companies that makes 5G networking equipment for wireless companies. Huawei posted $105 billion in sales last year, more than IBM. President Donald Trump has suggested that he could consider easing up on Huawei as part of ongoing trade talks with China. Ties to China's government In 2012, the US House Intelligence Committee published a report following a year-long investigation that found Huawei posed a security threat to the United States. The report concluded that Huawei and fellow Chinese telecom company ZTE acted on behalf of the Chinese government, and they should not be allowed to operate critical US infrastructure that controls the country's wireless networks. Huawei says it operates independently of the Chinese government, but the United States has long suspected the company of spying on the networks its technology operates. Huawei has repeatedly denied allegations of spying, but the United States has passed over Huawei for broadband and wireless contracts, and the Trump administration has tried to pressure global to stop buying telecommunications equipment from Huawei. The company declined to comment for this article but has repeatedly denied ties to the Chinese government and disputed claims that its equipment poses a risk. ZTE denied the allegations but last year agreed to US government oversight. Ties to Iran The Trump administration filed criminal charges against Huawei earlier this year, claiming that the company schemed to circumvent US sanctions on Iran. As part of that case, Canada has detained Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou. She faces possible extradition to the United States. Huawei allegedly deceived financial institutions and the US government about its business in Iran. Among the charges against Huawei, the United States claims Huawei's founder, Ren Zhengfei, falsely told the FBI in 2007 that the company did not violate any US export laws, and that it had not dealt directly with any Iranian company. Huawei pled not guilty, and has denied the charges. China called the charges a smear campaign. Meng denies the charges. Ren has not commented on the charges but told CNN he does not plan to travel to the United States, where he could face prosecution. Alleged intellectual property theft The Trump administration also sued Huawei for allegedly stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile. According to the federal lawsuit, Huawei worked for years to steal T-Mobile's proprietary phone testing technology, known as "Tappy." Huawei supplied phones to T-Mobile, and had access to some information about Tappy because of that relationship, according to the lawsuit. The company's employees were allegedly asked to send information such as photos, measurements and the serial numbers of various components. The US government alleges Huawei's management promised bonuses to employees who collected confidential information on competitors. Huawei pled not guilty, and has denied the charges in that case too. Battle for the future of technology Huawei's technology is essential to the future of 5G, a technology the United States desperately wants to dominate. Huawei is the 5G leader, providing technology that supports wireless networks' 5G rollouts. Its only substantial competitors are Nokia and Ericsson, and Huawei is a much larger company, capable of providing the technology faster and cheaper. Although the United States has mostly avoided Huawei's networking technology, it remains prevalent in rural areas of America. It is also deeply entrenched in Europe, Asia and other regions. The United States wants to ensure that its telecommunications companies are at the forefront of the new technology. 5G could help usher in the next wave of economy-changing technologies, including driverless cars. Hope for the future? Despite the recent impasse between Huawei and the United States, a previous spat between the Trump administration and a Chinese technology company shows a potential path forward for Huawei. In April 2018, the US Commerce Department said that ZTE lied to American officials about punishing employees who violated US sanctions against North Korea and Iran. The United States banned American companies from selling components to ZTE, preventing the company from buying chips and glass from its key suppliers. Yet a month later, Trump said he would personally work with Chinese President Xi Jinping to get ZTE "back into business, fast." He said the US punishment was costing too many Chinese jobs. The Trump administration lifted those sanctions in July after ZTE agreed to oversight. If the Trump administration is using Huawei a much bigger company than ZTE as a similar bargaining chip in its trade war with China, it could demand political concessions from China in exchange for easing restrictions on the company. Huawei, however, isn't waiting for the two countries to resolve the problem. Huawei sued the US government in March to fight back against America's efforts to curb its global influence. US government officials have not commented on the case. RALEIGH N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein has temporarily stopped a Florida-based financial services company from operating in North Carolina, accusing it in a lawsuit of charging 120% to 200% interest on illegal online loans. A Superior Court judge granted Stein's request for a temporary restraining order against Approved Financial, which the attorney general said is not licensed to operate in the state. The lender contacts potential customers by email and phone, skirting state consumer laws by requiring borrowers to travel to South Carolina to pick up their money, a news release said. "North Carolina drove out payday lenders so they couldn't take advantage of hardworking North Carolinians," Stein said in the release. "We won't allow them to try to operate in our state again by sidestepping the law and using online channels." Approved Financial has loaned funds to more than 380 people statewide, the amounts ranging from $500 to $5,000. Loans from the company require borrowers to secure loans with the titles to their cars, which allows Approved Financial to repossess vehicles from customers with late payments. A friend in the foreign diplomatic corps recently remarked to me about a paradox in U.S. politics: There is bipartisan support for regime change in Venezuela but a deep partisan split regarding U.S. policy toward Iran. That divide, and news about rising tensions between the two countries, was top of mind in my radio interview Friday with Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Ind., and contender for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. I asked Buttigieg about Iran generally and more specifically about the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, commonly referred to as the Iran nuclear deal. President Donald Trump last year withdrew the United States from the agreement. Would Buttigieg, as president, seek our return? Yes, he said. The JCPOA was designed to reduce or eliminate the nuclear threat from Iran. We didnt do it as a favor to Iran. We did it for U.S. security interests. If were going to do something again, we can always look at ways that it might be done differently. But I believe it made us safer, and I believe getting out of it has contributed to instability in the region. Not only that, the fact that the transactions tagged by Deutsche Bank employees also involved the Trump Foundation is its own red flag, since that operation was essentially a scam from top to bottom. So how did Trump react to this news? As the article stresses, as suspicious as these transactions may have appeared, it's possible that upon a complete investigation there would turn out to be nothing inappropriate about them. Which means that Trump could have just dismissed the story as some pencil-pushers in the bank arguing with other pencil-pushers about something that came to nothing. Instead, Trump reacted with a long, angry tweetstorm that started this way: "The Failing New York Times (it will pass away when I leave office in 6 years), and others of the Fake News Media, keep writing phony stories about how I didn't use many banks because they didn't want to do business with me. WRONG! It is because I didn't need money. Very old ....fashioned, but true. When you don't need or want money, you don't need or want banks. Banks have always been available to me, they want to make money. Fake Media only says this to disparage, and always uses unnamed sources (because their sources don't even exist)......" VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Otis Gold Corp. (Otis or the Company) (TSX-V: OOO) (OTC: OGLDF) is pleased to provide a corporate update and report its financial results for the nine month period ending March 31, 2019. Selected Financial Data The following selected financial data is derived from our unaudited condensed interim financial statements and related notes thereto (the Interim Financial Statements) for the nine months ended March 31, 2019 as prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The amounts reported herein are in Canadian dollars. Nine months ending March 31, 2019 2018 Total expenses $606,678 $1,230,050 Operating loss $606,678 $1,230,050 Net loss $1,037,867 $1,319,973 Exploration expenditures $1,404,123 $4,191,076 Cash generated from sale of non-core assets $1,848,065 $0 As at March 31, As at June 30, 2019 2018 Cash $771,007 $979,525 Current liabilities $81,022 $203,130 Non-current liabilities $0 $0 Shareholders' equity $28,269,949 $29,286,118 A copy of the Companys financial statements has been filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and has been posted to the Otis website at www.otisgold.com. Recent Highlights In the most recent quarter, Otis initiated work on a maiden preliminary economic assessment, or PEA, at the Kilgore Project, Clark County, Idaho. The report is expected to be completed in Q4 2019. Column leach metallurgical test results from Sill Domain material at Kilgore were reported (see News Release dated April 15, 2019) which showed a 74.8% gold recovery from 12.5mm (0.5) crushed core and 83.5% gold recovery from 38mm (1.5) crushed core. The 38mm crushed core leached slower but has higher overall gold extraction. Further, and perhaps most importantly, final reported gold test grades from the Sill Domain material showed a 59% increase, with calculated final grades returning up to 1.42 g/t Au from initial head assay test grades of 0.89 g/t Au. The complaint filed by several groups against the US Forest Service in connection with the approval of Kilgores most recent Plan of Operation (see News Release dated November 19, 2018) continues to progress through the legal system. The various filings, motions and responses will be complete by August 15, 2019, at which time a Federal judge will provide a ruling on the complaint. There is no set date for the courts to provide a ruling, and in the interim the current Plan of Operation remains in good standing. The Company continues to conduct geological modelling and other assessment work at its Oakley Project and is developing a planned exploration program. About the Company Otis is a resource company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of precious metal deposits in Idaho, USA. Otis is currently developing its flagship property, the Kilgore project, located in Clark County, Idaho and the Oakley project, located in Cassia County, Idaho. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Craig T. Lindsay President & CEO For additional information, please contact: Mr. Tony Perri Corporate Development Tel: (604) 424-8100 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as 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 sell any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the US Securities Act) or any State securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to US Persons unless registered under the US Securities Act and applicable State securities laws, or an exemption from such registration is available. TORONTO, May 21, 2019 /CNW/ - Wallbridge Mining Company Limited (TSX:WM, FWB: WC7) ("Wallbridge" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its exploration drill program has significantly increased the known extent of the newly-discovered Area 51 gold system at its 100%-owned Fenelon Gold property ("Fenelon" or the "Property"). Several new holes have intersected wide zones of mineralization with intervals containing visible gold. Drilling to date has indicated the presence of broad stockwork-style gold mineralization with focused high-grade veins and shear zones over a 700-metre strike length and close to 600-metre vertical extent. In addition, resource drilling at the Fenelon Main Zone is continuing to extend high-grade shoots to depth with 26.37 g/t gold over 2.18 metres and several other visible gold-bearing intersections pending. Exploration Drilling - Area 51 & Tabasco Mineralized Corridors Highlights: Further in-fill sampling of FA-19-052 is underway within the Area 51 intersection. Currently available continuous assay results show that the mineralized intersection grades 1.46 g/t gold over 227.80 metres , which includes the sub-interval of 2.81 g/t gold over 98.91 metres released previously (see Wallbridge Press Release dated April 23, 2019 ). The grade and length of this interval may be revised once final assay results are received. , which includes the sub-interval of 2.81 g/t gold over 98.91 metres released previously (see Wallbridge Press Release dated ). The grade and length of this interval may be revised once final assay results are received. FA-19-053 extends known strike length of the Area 51 gold system by 250 metres to the northwest. 19-0925-007 confirms continuation of strong, broad gold mineralization 200 to 300 metres southeast of FA-19-052 and provides first near-surface ( 150 m vertical depth) intersection of the Area 51 gold system. vertical depth) intersection of the Area 51 gold system. FA-19-059 provides a 30-40 metre eastward step-out and slight overcut to FA-19-052 with three occurrences of visible gold intersected within a broad, mineralized interval of approximately 225 metre core length in Area 51. Another significant zone with visible gold was intersected further down-hole at 590 m vertical depth, which is currently the deepest visible gold-bearing intersection on the Property. vertical depth, which is currently the deepest visible gold-bearing intersection on the Property. Area 51 gold system now extends over a 700-metre strike length. "Our ongoing exploration program continues to significantly expand the known footprint of the Area 51-Tabasco gold system. We now have indicated the presence of broad stockwork-style gold mineralization with focused high-grade veins and shear zones over a 700-metre strike length and close to 600-metre vertical extent," explained Attila Pentek, VP Exploration. "The 100-200 metre step-outs are aggressive for such gold deposits and aim to give us an early indication of the distribution of this mineralization style. As such, the results yielded by FA-18-038EXT and FA-18-040EXT are very positive in proving the continuity of this well-mineralized structural corridor and confirming our initial interpretation of this new geologic environment. We will continue with our approach of large step-outs along strike and down-dip to further define the size potential and also carry-out some of the tighter, 40 metre spaced drilling to better understand the controls on "sweet spots", such as those intersected in FA-19-052, FA-19-059, and 19-0925-007, and to start proving up a resource in the Area 51 corridor." Three rigs (two surface, one underground) are currently active on exploration drilling, doing large-spaced step-outs to define the footprint of the Area 51 gold system which was discovered by the last hole of the 2018 program (FA-18-051), approximately 300 m west of the Fenelon Main Zone. A total of approximately 8,000 metres have been drilled as part of the 2019 exploration drill program and assay results are pending for 13 surface drill holes and four underground holes. FA-18-038EXT, an extension of a 2018 drill hole, confirms the presence of the broad gold-bearing system within the Area 51 corridor intersecting 0.32 g/t gold over 137.43 metres, including 0.56 g/t gold over 54.63 metres, which further includes higher grade sub-intervals, like 1.33 g/t gold over 11.93 metres. FA-18-040EXT, an extension of a 2018 drill hole, intersected a lower grade domain within the Area 51 system similar to FA-18-038EXT with 0.41 g/t gold over 134.45 metres, including 0.67 g/t gold over 33.67 metres, which further includes higher grade sub-intervals, like 1.00 g/t gold over 16.28 metres. In-fill sampling of last year's portion of the drill core revealed another zone that assayed 1.14 g/t gold over 17.28 metres. FA-19-053 intersected broad stockwork-style gold mineralization consisting of a network of sulfide-bearing veins and shear zones with two occurrences of visible gold in the Area 51 corridor, at approximately 500 metres vertical depth, in the vicinity of historic, near-surface (150-180 m vertical depth) intersections of 6.16 g/t gold over 3.00 metres and 34.20 g/t gold over 0.32 metres. Drill holes FA-19-054 and FA-19-056 were testing the Area 51-Tabasco mineralized corridors vertically above FA-19-052 and both intersected several mineralized zones with one occurrence of visible gold noted in each hole. Underground drill holes 19-0925-005A, -006 and -007 also tested the eastern extension of the Area 51 system and successfully extended the known footprint of the mineralized system with visible gold reported in two of the holes (19-0925-005 and -007). Hole 19-0925-007 is particularly important, as it is the first hole intersecting strong stockwork mineralization characteristic of the Area 51 system over a broad interval at only 150 metres vertical depth, in contrast to most intersections so far, which were at approximately 400 to 500 metres vertical depth. Drill holes FA-19-055 and FA-19-057, testing the eastern extension of the geophysical (magnetic-low) feature interpreted to correspond to the Area 51 structure, intersected sporadic veins and shear zones, as well as blue quartz-bearing alteration which appears to be similar to Area 51-style mineralization in favourable intermediate to mafic intrusive rocks. FA-19-058 tested a magnetic-low target parallel to the Area 51 structure, intersecting a potentially gold-bearing zone in the Jeremy Pluton within the target area. FA-19-059 was testing the Area 51-Tabasco mineralized corridors slightly East and vertically above FA-19-052 and intersected a broad, 225 metre interval of typical Area 51-style mineralization with three visible gold-bearing veins observed. Another significant zone with visible gold was intersected further down-hole at 590 m vertical depth, which is currently the deepest visible gold-bearing intersection on the Property. Resource Drilling - Main Gabbro Zones Highlights: 26.37 g/t gold over 2.18 metres (1.61 metres true width) in 19-5150-003 within the Naga Viper Zone. (1.61 metres true width) in 19-5150-003 within the Naga Viper Zone. 7.97 g/t gold over 2.54 metres (0.78 metre true width) in 19-5150-001 within the Naga Viper Zone. (0.78 metre true width) in 19-5150-001 within the Naga Viper Zone. 5.95 g/t gold over 0.69 metre (0.48 metre true width) in 19-0925 within the Cayenne Zone. (0.48 metre true width) in 19-0925 within the Cayenne Zone. High-grade shoot in the western segment of the Naga Viper Zone (sections 970 and 985) now extended down to a vertical depth of 200 metres, with visible gold intersected in three drill holes. Visible gold was observed in two intersections within the Cayenne Zone. One underground drill rig is currently active on tightly spaced resource drilling, completing 15-20 metre step-outs on known mineralization within the main gabbro below the area where the Company mined the 2018/2019 bulk sample, down to 250 metres vertical depth. A total of approximately 4,500 metres has been drilled as part of the 2019 resource drill program and assay results are currently pending for 21 underground holes. A summary of the new drill hole results from the ongoing 2019 underground and surface drill programs are reported in Tables 1 and 2 and also shown on the Figures below as well as on the Company website. Table 1. Wallbridge Fenelon Gold Property 2018/2019 Drill Assay Highlights (1) Drill Hole From To From To Length True Width Au Au Capped(2) VG(3) Zone Drill Program (m) (m) (m) (m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) FA-19-052 362.50 590.30 227.80 NA 1.46 1.46 Area 51 Surface Exploration FA-19-052* Including... 392.50 397.07 4.57 NA 5.14 5.14 VG Area 51 Surface Exploration FA-19-052* 482.90 485.50 2.60 NA 4.57 4.57 VG Area 51 Surface Exploration FA-19-052* 493.76 500.00 6.24 NA 8.71 8.71 VG Area 51 Surface Exploration FA-19-052* 516.34 518.70 2.36 NA 5.63 5.63 VG Area 51 Surface Exploration FA-19-052* 565.25 576.47 11.22 NA 15.93 15.93 VG Area 51 Surface Exploration 19-1035-001 154.40 155.70 1.30 0.92 3.43 3.43 Chipotle U/G Resource 19-1035-002 28.10 28.55 0.45 0.36 1.76 1.76 Cayenne U/G Resource 19-1035-002 115.78 117.68 1.90 1.54 0.96 0.96 Naga Viper U/G Resource 19-1035-004 121.45 122.84 1.39 1.12 1.58 1.58 Naga Viper U/G Resource 19-1035-004 128.12 129.50 1.38 1.12 1.09 1.09 Chipotle U/G Resource 19-1035-005 131.55 135.00 3.45 2.79 1.83 1.83 Chipotle U/G Resource 19-1035-006 102.00 104.40 2.40 2.11 1.52 1.52 Naga Viper U/G Resource 19-5150-001 84.32 86.86 2.54 0.78 7.97 7.97 VG Naga Viper U/G Resource 19-5150-003 36.81 38.99 2.18 1.61 26.37 26.37 VG Naga Viper U/G Resource 19-5150-010 47.70 48.80 1.10 0.91 1.15 1.15 Habanero U/G Resource 19-0925-001 29.58 30.27 0.69 0.48 5.95 5.95 Cayenne U/G Resource 19-0925-002 No Assays greater than 1 g/t Au 19-0925-004 FA-18-038 612.00 616.28 4.28 NA 1.02 1.02 VG Area 51 Surface Exploration FA-18-038 638.75 639.60 0.85 NA 3.47 3.47 Area 51 Surface Exploration FA-18-038 689.77 744.40 54.63 NA 0.56 0.56 Area 51 Surface Exploration FA-18-038 Including... 689.77 701.70 11.93 NA 1.33 1.33 Area 51 Surface Exploration FA-18-038 731.18 744.40 13.22 NA 0.78 0.78 Area 51 Surface Exploration FA-18-038 775.50 776.80 1.30 NA 2.23 2.23 Area 51 Surface Exploration FA-18-038 793.39 794.79 1.40 NA 1.04 1.04 Area 51 Surface Exploration FA-18-038 839.82 840.77 0.95 NA 1.21 1.21 Area 51 Surface Exploration FA-18-040 531.00 548.28 17.28 NA 1.14 1.14 Area 51 Surface Exploration FA-18-040 590.45 724.90 134.45 NA 0.41 0.41 Area 51 Surface Exploration FA-18-040 Including... 621.00 654.67 33.67 NA 0.67 0.67 Area 51 Surface Exploration FA-18-040 Which includes 635.35 651.63 16.28 NA 1.00 1.00 VG Area 51 Surface Exploration FA-18-040 761.00 762.25 1.25 NA 1.72 1.72 Area 51 Surface Exploration (1) Table includes only highlight assay results received since the latest press release. (2) Au capped at 140 g/t following InnovExplo's 2016 Mineral Resource Estimate. (3) Intervals containing visible gold ("VG"). (4) Currently not enough information available to estimate true width. * Previously announced interval, see Wallbridge Press Release dated Apr 23, 2019 Table 2. Wallbridge Fenelon Gold Property 2018/2019 drill hole information (1) Drill Hole ID Local grid E Local grid N Elevation Length (Metres) Azimuth Dip VG/CP(2) Note 18-5175-007 10580 10986 5177 205 228 -43 CP Final Assays Received 18-5175-011 10580 10986 5177 200 191 -48 CP Final Assays Received 18-1035-019 10571 10997 5214 100 193 -36 VG Further Assays pending 19-5150-001 10595 10950 5147 181 230 -62 VG Final Assays Received 19-5150-002 10595 10950 5147 147 222 -48 VG Final Assays Received 19-5150-003 10595 10950 5147 102 205 -32 VG Final Assays Received 19-5150-004 10595 10950 5147 56 227 -26 VG Final Assays Received 19-5150-005 10595 10950 5147 132 170 -50 CP Final Assays Received 19-5150-006 10595 10950 5147 274 178 -63 CP Final Assays Received 19-5150-007 10595 10950 5147 90 182 -20 CP Final Assays Received 19-5150-008 10595 10950 5147 102 152 -15 CP Final Assays Received 19-5150-009 10595 10950 5147 63 232 -39 CP Final Assays Received 19-5150-010 10595 10950 5147 51 228 -10 CP Final Assays Received 19-1035-001 10502 10851 5134 177 25 -57 CP Further Sampling Underway 19-1035-002 10502 10851 5134 150 25 -48 CP Final Assays Received 19-1035-003 10502 10851 5134 138 23 -38 VG Further Assays pending 19-1035-004 10502 10851 5134 165 38 -46 Final Assays Received 19-1035-005 10502 10851 5134 138 49 -43 CP Final Assays Received 19-1035-006 10502 10851 5134 168 30 -41 Final Assays Received 19-0925-001 10595 10950 5134 111 24 -56 CP Assays pending 19-0925-002 10595 10950 5134 87 24 -38 CP Final Assays Received 19-0925-003 10595 10950 5134 75 24 -17 CP Assays pending 19-0925-004 10595 10950 5134 99 25 -10 CP Final Assays Received 19-0925-005 10397 10902 5135 48 190 -55 Assays pending 19-0925-005A 10397 10902 5135 552 190 -55 VG Assays pending 19-0925-006 10397 10902 5135 420 180 -41 Assays pending 19-0925-007 10397 10902 5135 495 180 -5 VG Assays pending 19-0925-008 10397 10902 5135 Underway 180 -25 Drilling Underway 19-0940-001 10417 10897 5134 111 24 -53 CP Assays pending 19-0940-002 10417 10897 5134 105 24 -15 CP Assays pending 19-0955-001 10430 10890 5134 105 21 -4 CP Assays pending 19-0955-002 10430 10890 5134 102 24 -44 CP Assays pending 19-0955-003 10430 10890 5134 120 24 -55 CP Assays pending 19-0955-004 10430 10890 5134 141 24 -64 CP Assays pending 19-0970-001 10444 10883 5134 117 24 -37 CP Assays pending 19-0970-002 10444 10883 5134 111 24 -46 CP Assays pending 19-0970-003 10444 10883 5134 150 24 -63 CP Assays pending 19-0985-001 10457 10876 5134 117 24 -35 CP Assays pending 19-0985-002 10457 10876 5134 117 24 -44 CP Assays pending 19-0985-003 10457 10876 5134 135 24 -52 VG Assays pending 19-0985-004 10457 10876 5134 168 24 -61 CP Assays pending 19-1000-001 10471 10869 5133 Underway 24 -32 Drilling Underway FA-18-038 10458 11053 5260 915 240 -54 VG Final Assays Received FA-18-040 10459 11054 5261 803 246 -48 VG Further Sampling Underway FA-18-051 10432 11040 5260 670 220 -51 VG Further Assays pending FA-19-052 10121 10605 5258 833 35 -62 VG Further Sampling Underway FA-19-053 10432 11043 5260 966 262 -48 VG Assays pending FA-19-054 10195 10553 5258 777 360 -55 VG Assays pending FA-19-055 10732 10561 5261 415 260 -45 CP Assays pending FA-19-056 10195 10629 5258 666 360 -55 VG Assays pending FA-19-057 10732 10561 5261 487 200 -45 CP Assays pending FA-19-058 10195 10553 5258 303 190 -55 Assays pending FA-19-059 10269 10578 5258 774 360 -61 VG Assays pending FA-19-060 10621 10606 5260 417 260 -45 CP Assays pending FA-19-061 10191 10704 5257 Underway 360 -55 Drilling Underway FA-19-062 10265 10653 5258 Underway 360 -58 Drilling Underway (1) Table includes only drill holes for which assays are pending. For earlier holes please refer to tables in previous press releases. (2) Drill holes containing visible gold ("VG") or chalcopyrite-bearing mineralized shear zone ("CP"). Fenelon is located in northwestern Quebec proximal to the Sunday Lake Deformation Zone ("SLDZ") which hosts the Detour Gold Mine in Ontario, and Balmoral Resources' gold deposits at Martiniere. Fenelon hosts the Discovery Zone gold deposit and surrounding 4 km strike length of a gold-hosting secondary splay of the SLDZ. Since acquiring the property in late 2016, Wallbridge has completed an updated resource estimate and a positive pre-feasibility study on the existing resource. Wallbridge has undertaken successful surface exploration drilling campaigns in 2017, 2018 and 2019, and has recently completed an underground 35,000-tonne bulk sample at Fenelon. Drilling to date has significantly extended existing zones, located additional parallel zones, and discovered a new gold system referred to as Area 51. Drill core samples from the ongoing drill program at Fenelon were cut and bagged on site and transported to SGS Canada Inc. Samples, along with standards, blanks, and duplicates included for quality assurance and quality control, were prepared and analyzed at SGS Canada Inc. laboratories. Samples are crushed to 90% less than 2mm. A 1kg riffle split is pulverized to >95% passing 106 microns. 50g samples are analyzed by fire assay and AAS. Samples >10g/t Au are automatically analyzed by fire assay with gravimetric finish or screen metallic analysis. To test for coarse free gold and for additional quality assurance and quality control, Wallbridge requests screen metallic analysis for samples containing visible gold. These and future assay results may vary from time to time due to re-analysis for quality assurance and quality control. The Qualified Persons responsible for the technical content of this press release are Marz Kord, P. Eng., M. Sc., MBA, President & CEO and Attila Pentek, P.Geo., Ph.D., Vice President Exploration for Wallbridge Mining Company Limited. About Wallbridge Mining Wallbridge is establishing a pipeline of projects that will support sustainable production and revenue as well as organic growth through exploration and scalability. Wallbridge is currently developing its 100%-owned high-grade Fenelon Gold property in Quebec with ongoing exploration and a recently-completed 35,000-tonne bulk sample. Wallbridge is also pursuing additional advanced-stage projects which would add to the Company's near-term project pipeline. These discussions benefit from the operating capabilities Wallbridge demonstrated by safely and efficiently mining the Broken Hammer deposit in Sudbury, which was completed in October 2015. As part of this strategy, the Company recently optioned the Beschefer Project, an advanced gold property with proven size and grade-potential near Fenelon Gold. Wallbridge is also continuing partner-funded exploration on its large portfolio of nickel, copper, and PGM projects in Sudbury, Ontario, with a focus on its high-grade Parkin project. Wallbridge also has exposure to exploration for copper and gold in Jamaica and British Columbia through its 11.3% ownership of Carube Copper Corp. (CUC:TSX-V, formerly Miocene Resources Limited, a Wallbridge spin-out of its BC assets). This press release may contain forward-looking statements (including "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) relating to, among other things, the operations of Wallbridge and the environment in which it operates. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Wallbridge has relied on a number of assumptions and estimates in making such forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the costs associated with the development and operation of its properties. Such assumptions and estimates are made in light of the trends and conditions that are considered to be relevant and reasonable based on information available and the circumstances existing at this time. A number of risk factors may cause actual results, level of activity, performance or outcomes of such exploration and/or mine development to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements including, without limitation, whether such discoveries will result in commercially viable quantities of such mineralized materials, the possibility of changes to project parameters as plans continue to be refined, the ability to execute planned exploration and future drilling programs, the need for additional funding to continue exploration and development efforts, changes in general economic, market and business conditions, and those other risks set forth in Wallbridge's most recent annual information form under the heading "Risk Factors" and in its other public filings. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and such information is inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and may be beyond the control of Wallbridge. Although Wallbridge has attempted to identify important risks and factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors and risks that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Consequently, undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements. In addition, all forward-looking statements in this press release are given as of the date hereof. Wallbridge disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, save and except as may be required by applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified by this disclaimer. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Macarthur Minerals Limited (TSX-V: MMS) (OTCQB: MMSDF) (the Company or Macarthur) is pleased to announce the appointment of New York based portfolio manager Andrew Suckling to the Board of Directors as a Non-Executive Director, subject to TSX-V approval and the retirement of David Lenigas. Mr. Suckling is Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Cadence Minerals PLC, one of Macarthurs largest shareholders, and has over 25 years experience in the commodity industry. He began his career as a trader on the London Metal Exchange (LME) for Metallgesellschaft (MG). In that role, he established a trading presence in China for MG setting up a representative office in Shanghai in 1997. He then became a partner and trader with the New York based multi-billion fund manager Ospraie Management, LLC. In addition to his role as Executive Chairman at Cadence he is the founding principal and portfolio manager for Verulam, a discretionary commodity fund. Mr. Suckling is a graduate of Brasenose College, Oxford University earning a BA (Hons) in Modern History in 1993 and an MA in Modern History in 2000. Cameron McCall, Executive Chairman of Macarthur Minerals commented; Andrew Suckling is a welcome addition to our board of directors with his commodity trading skills and extensive financial sector experience, at such an exciting juncture in the Companys history, especially as we move forward with our Lake Giles Iron Project. His presence on the board of directors will be invaluable when dealing with potential project financiers and investors particularly in the US, where he is based. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank David Lenigas for his 3 years of unwavering support as an Independent Director of Macarthur and his continued strong belief in the long term potential of the Companys Lake Giles Iron Project. Davids support and relentless efforts to fund Macarthurs projects through the downturn in Canadian junior mining and a depressed global commodity market, has ensured that the Company is now well positioned to move forward. ABOUT MACARTHUR MINERALS LIMITED (TSX-V: MMS) (OTCQB: MMSDF) Macarthur Minerals Limited is an iron ore development, gold and lithium exploration company that is focused on bringing to production its Western Australia iron ore projects. The iron ore projects are Ularring hematite (approved for development) and the one plus billion tonne Moonshine magnetite. Macarthur Minerals has prominent (~1,130 square kilometer tenement area) gold, lithium, nickel, cobalt exploration interests in Pilbara region of Western Australia. In addition, Macarthur Minerals has lithium brine Claims in the emerging Railroad Valley region in Nevada, USA. On behalf of the Board of Directors, MACARTHUR MINERALS LIMITED Cameron McCall Cameron McCall, Executive Chairman Company Contact Joe Phillips, CEO and Director Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Telephone: +61 448899247 Website: www.macarthurminerals.com For further information please contact: Investor Cubed Inc.: Neil Simon E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Telephone: (647) 258-3310 Fax: (416) 363-7977 THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES Caution Regarding Forward Looking Statements Certain of the statements made and information contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements in this press release reflect the current expectations, assumptions or beliefs of the Company based upon information currently available to the Company. With respect to forward-looking statements contained in this press release, assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the timely receipt of required approvals, the reliability of information, including historical mineral resource or mineral reserve estimates, prepared and/or published by third parties that are referenced in this press release or was otherwise relied upon by the Company in preparing this press release. 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 no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct as actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include fluctuations in exchange rates and certain commodity prices, uncertainties related to mineral title in the project, unforeseen technology changes that results in a reduction in iron ore demand or substitution by other metals or materials, the discovery of new large low cost deposits of iron ore, uncertainty in successfully returning the project into full operation, and the general level of global economic activity. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty thereof. Such statements relate to future events and expectations and, as such, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and except as may otherwise be required pursuant to applicable laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 21, 2019) - EMX Royalty Corporation (TSXV: EMX) (NYSE American: EMX) ("EMX" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the execution of a purchase agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") to acquire royalty interests from Corvus Gold Inc. (TSX: KOR) (OTCQX: CORVF) ("Corvus") in Alaska's Goodpaster Mining District for $350,000 (all dollar amounts in CDN unless otherwise specified), and an equity investment of $900,000 in Corvus through a private placement financing (the "Private Placement"). EMX's acquisition of the Corvus royalty property interests will complement the Company's recent acquisition of royalty property interests from Millrock Resources Inc. ("Millrock")1. The Goodpaster District hosts the Pogo Mine which has produced 3.8 million ounces of gold since startup in 20062. The Company's investment, which totals $1.25 million, will combine equity upside in Corvus and royalty interests covering highly prospective ground in an under-explored, high grade gold mining district that is attracting revitalized interest. Please see the attached map. Overview of Commercial Terms. At closing, under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, EMX will acquire the following net smelter return ("NSR") royalty interests from Corvus for $350,000: West Pogo WPX Claim Block - EMX will acquire two thirds of Corvus's 3% NSR royalty on precious metals and 1% NSR royalty on base metals. Corvus has retained the remaining one third of its royalty on the West Pogo WPX claim block. The precious metals royalty is subject to a buy down of 1% for US $2 million, and a buy down of an additional 1% for US $5 million, both of which will be shared proportionately by EMX and Corvus. LMS Project - EMX will acquire Corvus's 3% NSR royalty on precious metals and 1% NSR royalty on base metals. The precious metals royalty is subject to a buy down of 1% for US $4 million. Goodpaster District - EMX will acquire all of Corvus's rights to a 1% NSR royalty on properties staked within a defined area of interest ("AOI") pursuant to a 2015 agreement with Millrock. The AOI expires July 21, 2020, and Millrock may purchase one-half of these royalties (i.e., 0.5% NSR royalty) for US $2 million. Chisna Project - EMX will acquire all of Corvus's 1% NSR royalties on precious and base metals. Also at closing, under the terms of the Private Placement, EMX will invest $900,000 to purchase 500,000 common shares of Corvus at a price of $1.80 per share. The shares will be subject to hold periods required under applicable securities laws. Closing is conditioned upon receipt of approval by the Toronto Stock Exchange for the issuance of the Corvus shares, and a title curative matter relating to the Chisna royalty. Overview of EMX's New Royalties. EMX's new royalty interests purchased from Corvus, combined with the royalty interests recently acquired from Millrock, will consolidate a substantial royalty package in Alaska's prolific Goodpaster District. The Pogo Mine is operated by Northern Star Resources Limited ("Northern Star"), and EMX's royalty properties are especially compelling given Northern Star's recent successes in drilling its nearby Goodpaster prospect and developing the Central Zone discovery. The properties covered by the Goodpaster royalties to be acquired from Corvus include: West Pogo WPX Claim Block. The WPX claim block royalty property complements the West Pogo royalties acquired from Millrock, and will fill in EMX's royalty interests immediately west of the Pogo mine property. The underlying WPX claim block holder and West Pogo project operator is Millrock. West Pogo is along trend of, and has similar geological characteristics to the nearby Pogo Mine. The WPX claims include the Tourmaline Ridge gold prospect. LMS Project. The LMS royalty property is situated along the Shaw-Eagle-LMS Trend, where EMX already had a substantial royalty property position that was acquired from Millrock. The gold mineralization at LMS is hosted in low-angle, siliceous breccias developed in metamorphic rocks cut by higher grade stockwork vein systems. Goodpaster AOI Royalties. The AOI royalties will cover the recent Millrock claim acquisitions funded by EMX on the West Pogo project, East Pogo project, and Shaw-Eagle-LMS Trend. EMX will hold a combined 1.5% NSR royalty interest on these claims (i.e., Corvus 1% plus Millrock 0.5%). EMX will also acquire royalty interests from Corvus covering the Chisna properties in the Chistochina Mining District of south-central Alaska. The projects host copper-gold porphyry targets, and are 100% controlled by Millrock. Overview of EMX's Corvus Investment. EMX's equity investment in Corvus will provide significant upside from Corvus's North Bullfrog and Mother Lode gold (silver) projects in Nevada's Walker Lane Trend. From a 2018 positive Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA"), open pit constrained gold resources for the combined Mother Lode - North Bullfrog Projects include oxide and sulfide mill resources of3: Measured - 9.3 million tonnes averaging 1.59 g/t and containing 475 thousand ounces of gold, Indicated - 18.2 million tonnes averaging 1.68 g/t and containing 988 thousand ounces of gold, & Inferred - 2.3 million tonnes averaging 1.61 g/t and containing 118 thousand ounces of gold. In addition, the Project contains oxide, run of mine ("ROM"), heap leach gold resources of: Measured - 34.6 million tonnes averaging 0.27 g/t and containing 305 thousand ounces of gold, Indicated - 149.4 million tonnes averaging 0.24 g/t and containing 1,150 thousand ounces of gold & Inferred - 78.7 million tonnes averaging 0.26 g/t gold and containing 549 thousand ounces of gold. Corvus has been actively drilling and expanding the gold mineralized zones at the Mother Lode deposit during 2019. About EMX. EMX is a precious and base metals royalty company. EMX's investors are provided with discovery, development, and commodity price optionality, while limiting exposure to the risks inherent to operating companies. The Company's common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and the NYSE American Exchange under the symbol EMX. Please see www.EMXroyalty.com for more information. Mr. Michael P. Sheehan, CPG, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and employee of the Company, has reviewed, verified and approved the disclosure of the technical information contained in this news release. For further information contact: David M. Cole President and Chief Executive Officer Phone: (303) 979-6666 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Scott Close Director of Investor Relations Phone: (303) 973-8585 Email: 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 policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain "forward looking statements" that reflect the Company's current expectations and projections about its future results. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding perceived merits of properties, exploration results and budgets, mineral reserves and resource estimates, work programs, capital expenditures, timelines, strategic plans, market prices for precious and base metal, or other statements that are not statements of fact. When used in this news release, words such as "estimate," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "will", "believe", "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which, by their very nature, are not guarantees of the Company's future operational or financial performance, and are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company's actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and factors may include, but are not limited to: unavailability of financing, failure to identify commercially viable mineral reserves, fluctuations in the market valuation for commodities, difficulties in obtaining required approvals for the development of a mineral project, difficulties in obtaining required regulatory approvals, increased regulatory compliance costs, expectations of project funding by joint venture partners and other factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release or as of the date otherwise specifically indicated herein. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified in this news release, and other risk factors and forward-looking statements listed in the Company's MD&A for the quarter that ended on March 31, 2019 (the "MD&A"), and the most recently filed Form 20-F for the year that ended on December 31, 2018, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. More information about the Company, including the MD&A, the 20-F and financial statements of the Company, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the SEC's EDGAR website at www.sec.gov. EMX Royalty Properties - Goodpaster District, Alaska (following closing with Corvus, May 2019) ____________________ 1 See EMX news release dated April 24, 2019. 2 Through mid-2018. See Northern Star ASX Announcement dated February 12, 2019. 3 See Corvus news release dated November 1, 2018 and SEDAR filed report titled "Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Integrated Mother Lode and North Bullfrog Projects, Bullfrog Mining District, Nye County, Nevada", with an effective date of September 18, 2018. The PEA is based upon a US$1250/oz gold price, a mill cutoff of 0.63-0.78 g/t gold, and a ROM cutoff of 0.06-0.10 g/t gold. New drill intercept in Idaho #1 Vein assays 46.3 gpt gold / 1.07 m (1.35 oz per ton / 3.5 ft) within broader interval assaying 9.4 gpt gold over 5.94 m New intercept ~600 m downdip of Idaho 2400 level, the lowest level of exploration on Idaho #1 Vein, confirming exploration target for the Idaho #1 Vein with dimensions of 600 m x 600 m and remaining open-to-depth Recent drilling and re-interpretation of prior drill hole I-19-13 suggest an additional major exploration target on the Idaho #2 Vein with dimensions of 1,000 m x 1,400 m Assays pending for drill holes I-19-14 & I-19-14A Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 21, 2019) - Rise Gold Corp. (CSE: RISE) (OTCQB: RYES) (the "Company") is pleased to announce additional assay results from on-going diamond core drilling at the Idaho-Maryland ("I-M") Gold Project. The exploration drill program at the Idaho-Maryland continues to intercept high-grade gold mineralization in multiple vein structures downdip from historic workings. Recent drilling intersected the Idaho #1 Vein ~600 m downdip of the Idaho 2400 level. The new intercept from drill hole I-19-12B confirms a large exploration target on the Idaho #1 Vein with dimensions of approximately 600 m on strike and 600 m downdip. TABLE 1 - New Drill Hole Intercept I-19-12B Hole From (m) To (m) Gold (gpt) Intercept Length (m)* Vein Idaho #1 Vein I-19-12B 1367.27 1373.22 9.4 5.94 Idaho #1 Including 1367.27 1370.11 18.5 2.83 Idaho #1 Including 1369.04 1370.11 46.3 1.07 Idaho # 1 Including 1369.74 1370.11 111.5 0.37 Idaho #1 *The Company is not able to estimate true widths for the intersected mineralization until further drilling is completed. High-grade gold mineralization was encountered in drill hole I-19-12B which assayed 46.3 gpt gold over 1.07 m (1.35 oz per ton over 3.5 feet), including a higher grade interval of quartz veining with visible gold assaying 111 gpt gold over 0.37 m (3.24 oz per ton over 1.2 ft). The high-grade mineralization was included within a broader zone of gold mineralization assaying 9.4 gpt over 5.94 m (0.27 oz per ton / 19.5 ft). Rise Gold has interpreted this intercept to represent a down-dip extension of the historic Idaho #1 Vein. Similar to the geology of the historic Idaho #1 Vein, the mineralized zone encountered in I-19-12B is located between a diabase dike on the hanging wall and the ankeritized serpentinite unit in the footwall. It differs from the historic vein in that it is composed of a group of closely spaced narrow quartz veins hosted in volcanic andesite approximately 25 meters from the serpentinite contact whereas the historic vein was noted to be directly on the contact. This contact appears to be an important ore control for the Idaho #1 Vein mineralization. A large exploration target on the Idaho #1 Vein is now defined by: Historic mining of high-grade mineralization above the Idaho 2000 level. Historic mapping and sampling of high-grade gold mineralization on both the Idaho 2400 west and east levels. Both levels were noted to be in mineralization at the mine's shutdowns in 1942 and 1955. Previous drill hole I-18-11 which intersected significant gold mineralization above and to the west of drill hole I-19-12. New drill hole intercept I-19-12B, located ~600 m downdip from the Idaho 2400 level The target remains open-to-depth. The Idaho #1 Vein was the most productive and highest-grade vein of the I-M Mine. Historic production from the Idaho #1 Vein is estimated at 935,000 oz of gold with an average head grade of 38.7 gpt (1.12 opt) gold. Total historic production from the combined Idaho veins is estimated at 1,621,000 oz of gold with an average head grade of 28.4 gpt (0.74 opt) gold. Two holes were wedged from the previous drill hole I-18-12. Drill hole I-19-12A was prematurely abandoned due to the larger than expected depth to the target; drill hole I-19-12B was wedged and drilled at a more favorable orientation and successfully intersected the Idaho #1 Vein. A summary of drill hole assay results from I-19-12B on the Idaho #1 Vein target are presented in Table 1. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the recent drill intercepts with respect to the Idaho vein targets. FIGURE 1 - Idaho Veins Intercepts and Exploration Target - Long Section Looking NE FIGURE 2 - Idaho #1 Vein Intercepts and Exploration Target - Isometric View Idaho #2 Vein - Reinterpretation of intercepts from I-19-13 and I-19-13A The Company previously disclosed high-grade gold mineralization in drill holes I-19-13 & I-19-13A by news release dated March 19th, 2019: The vein in I-19-13 assayed 5.5 gpt gold over 5.12 m (0.16 opt / 16.8 ft). The vein in I-19-13A assayed 90.4 gpt gold over 4.27 m (2.64 opt / 14.0 ft). (Click Here) Subsequent drilling has revealed that these intercepts are on the Idaho #2 Vein rather than on the Idaho #1 Vein. Recent drill holes I-19-14 & I-19-14A both intersected significant quartz veining and alteration in association with the Idaho #2 Vein system. Assays for these holes are pending and will be released as received. The reinterpretation of the mineralization in drill holes I-19-13 and I-19-13A as the Idaho #2 Vein has important implications for exploration and resource potential: The Idaho #2 Vein and the 52 Vein are now interpreted to be the same vein structure making it a more significant exploration target than previously believed. Drilling and historic mapping indicate a strike length of the Idaho #2 Vein of up to 550 m at the elevation of holes I-19-13 & I-19-14. Rise Gold's drill holes through this area have consistently intersected the Idaho #2 Vein along this strike length. These results were previously disclosed as the 52 Vein with assays as high as 149 gpt over 6.8 meters. (Click Here) Previous deep intercept from Rise drill hole B-18-05, which assayed 23.7 gpt gold over 4.5 m, may represent a downdip extension of either the Idaho #2 Vein or possibly the Idaho #3 Vein. The intercept in B-18-05 would be ~1,400 m downdip from a projection of the Idaho #2 Vein. (Click Here) The Idaho #2 Vein in conjunction with the Idaho #3 presents an exploration target of ~1,000 m along strike and ~1,400 m downdip. This is exclusive of the Idaho #1 target previously discussed. The untested Idaho #5 Vein is parallel and behind the Idaho #3 Vein and could likely be tested with the same holes targeting the Idaho #3 Vein. Figure 3 displays recent drill intercepts on the Idaho #2 Vein, the possible correlation with drill hole B-18-05, and the exploration target for the Idaho #2 and Idaho #3 veins. FIGURE 3 - Idaho #2 Vein Intercepts and Exploration Target - Isometric View Cymoid Loops and New Linking Vein on Idaho #1 Recently drilling has revealed changes in the structural relationships of the Idaho veins at depth. Current interpretations indicate that the Idaho Mine is comprised of a series of linked veins or "cymoid loops". This is a common structural feature in Grass Valley gold deposits and important for discovery and definition of the high-grade gold ore shoots. The Idaho #3 ore shoot was discovered in 1929 by following the Idaho #2 (Dorsey Vein) into the footwall of the #1 Vein. The sequence of Idaho veins in the historic production levels can be followed in order from the Morehouse to the Idaho #5 Vein as shown in Figure 4. FIGURE 4 - Idaho Vein Structures at Upper Level of Historic Mining - Plan View Recent drilling has revealed that the Idaho #2 Vein has become a major mineralized structure at depth and is no longer a linking vein between the #1 and #3 Veins. Deep drill holes in the Idaho #1 suggest that there may be a new linking vein structure which may join the Idaho #1 Vein to the Idaho #3 or #5 Vein, as shown in Figure 5. Historic mapping on the lowest level of the mine supports this interpretation with the Idaho #5 Vein shown moving behind the Idaho #3 Vein. The Idaho #5 Vein has not been tested to-date but there is potential for major ore shoots to form on this structure in addition to the targets on the Idaho #1, #2, and #3 Veins. Continued exploration drilling will further develop the relationships between the multiple mineralized structures at the Idaho-Maryland Mine, lead to the discovery of new mineralized ore shoots, and further outline the overall resource potential of the property. FIGURE 5 - Idaho Vein Structures at Depth - Plan View Quality Control and Assay Methods Richard Lippoth, M.Sc, Reg. SME, the qualified person for the exploration drill results disclosure contained in this news release, has studied the drill core discussed in this news release and has reviewed the analytical and quality control results. Mr. Lippoth has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical contents of this news release. Benjamin Mossman, P.Eng, CEO of Rise Gold, is the qualified person for the historic production disclosure contained in this news release. Historic production at the Idaho-Maryland Mine is disclosed in the Technical Report on the Idaho-Maryland Project dated June 1st, 2017 and available on www.sedar.com. Rise has implemented a quality control program for its drill program to ensure best practice in the sampling and analysis of the drill core. This includes the insertion of blind blanks, duplicates and certified standards. HQ- and NQ-sized drill core is saw cut with half of the drill core sampled at intervals based on geological criteria including lithology, visual mineralization, and alteration. The remaining half of the core is stored on-site at the Company's warehouse in Grass Valley, California. Drill core samples are transported in sealed bags to ALS Minerals analytical assay lab in Reno, Nevada. All gold assays were obtained using a method of screen fire assaying. This procedure involves screening a large pulverized sample of up to 1 kg at 100 microns. Any +100 micron material remaining on the screen is retained and analyzed in its entirety by fire assay with gravimetric finish and reported as the Au (+) fraction result. The -100 micron fraction is homogenized and two sub-samples of 30-50 grams are analyzed by fire assay with AAS finish. If the grade of the material exceeds 10 gpt the sample is re-assayed using a gravimetric finish. The average of the two results is taken and reported as the Au (-) fraction result. All three values are used in calculating the combined gold content of the plus and minus fractions. About Rise Gold Corp. Rise Gold is an exploration-stage mining company. The Company's principal asset is the historic Idaho-Maryland Gold Mine located in Nevada County, California, USA. Past production of the Idaho-Maryland for the period from 1866 to 1955 is estimated at 2,414,000 oz of gold at an average mill head grade of 17 gpt gold. Historic production at the Idaho-Maryland Mine is disclosed in the Technical Report on the Idaho-Maryland Project dated June 1st, 2017 and available on www.sedar.com. Rise Gold is incorporated in Nevada, USA and maintains its head office in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. On behalf of the Board of Directors: Benjamin Mossman President, CEO and Director Rise Gold Corp. For further information, please contact: RISE GOLD CORP. Suite 650, 669 Howe Street Vancouver, BC V6C 0B4 T: 604.260.4577 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.risegoldcorp.com The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions related to certain factors including, without limitation, obtaining all necessary approvals, meeting expenditure and financing requirements, compliance with environmental regulations, title matters, operating hazards, metal prices, political and economic factors, competitive factors, general economic conditions, relationships with vendors and strategic partners, governmental regulation and supervision, seasonality, technological change, industry practices, and one-time events that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information contained in this release. Rise undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements or information except as required by law. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 20) Senators have agreed that Senate President Vicente Tito Sotto III will keep his post in the next Congress, while Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez will try to regain the House speakership. The Senate majority bloc agreed in a caucus on Monday that the current leadership of the upper chamber will be retained in the 18th Congress. Sotto said that even presumptive Senate neophytes Christopher Bong Go, Ronald Bato dela Rosa and Francis Tolentino have expressed support for his leadership. Thats how I gauged it. [Senator] Manny Pacquiao was doing all the talking. Siya nagsabi, kasama namin silang tatlo. Sabi niya, ang gusto natin, suportahan pa rin leadership ni Senate President Sotto, Sotto said, referring to a dinner some incumbent senators had with presumptive winners in the Senate race on Saturday. [Translation: Thats how I gauged it. Senator Manny Pacquiao was doing all the talking. He said that in their presence. He said, we want to support the leadership of Senate President Sotto.] Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto and Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Migz Zubiri are both expected to stay in their posts. Meanwhile, most of the incumbent senators will also get to keep their committee chairmanships, in keeping with the Senates tradition. General agreement was equity of the incumbent. Its the tradition anyway. Unless one decides to relinquish chairmanship, Sotto said. Dela Rosa, however, already secured top seats in key Senate panels. Zubiri said Dela Rosa will be heading the Public Order committee, which probed the conduct of the drug war. Its current chair, Senator Panfilo Ping Lacson, will move to head the Defense panel. Senate Defense Committee Chair Gregorio Gringo Honasan will be stepping down next month. Meanwhile, Zubiri said Go has asked to head the health committee, which is now chaired by Senator Joseph Victor JV Ejercito. Ejercito is around 80,000 votes away from piercing the winners circle, admitting that he has only a very small chance of winning. Zubiri said no one objected to Gos request. Senate leaders said the majority bloc in the chamber in the next Congress will have 20 members, while the minority bloc will shrink to four members. Opposition Senator Paolo Benigno Bam Aquino IV ranks 14th in the partial, official count of the Commission on Elections. Alvarez, Speaker again? While things appear to have been ironed out in the Senate, the top post in the House is still up for grabs. Among the contenders is Alvarez, who had held the position from 2016, before being kicked out by his peers after President Rodrigo Dutertes third State of the Nation Address, and been replaced by Pampanga 1st District Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. I will give it a try, Alvarez told reporters over the phone. Gusto kong makatulong doon sa last half ng administrasyon. Kung ano pa yung mga hindi nagagawang mga programa ay gusto ko ring makatulong. [Translation: I will give it a try. I want to help in the last half of the administration. Whatever programs have not yet been accomplished, I would want to help out.] Alvarez believes that he still enjoys the support of many lawmakers, even if a majority of them voted to oust him as Speaker. However, Alvarez said that he has yet to talk to the Presidents daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, whom congressmen said had a hand in the former Speakers downfall. Aside from Alvarez, other possible contenders for the speakership are Taguig Rep.-elect Alan Peter Cayetano, Marinduque Rep.Lord Allan Jay Velasco and comebacking Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez. Ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan has also floated possible candidates for the speakership, particularly San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora, Cavite Reps. Alex Advincula and Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino, Malabon Rep. Federico Sandoval, Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr., Leyte 4th District Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez, and South Cotabato 2nd District Rep. Ferdinand Hernandez. CNN Philippines Correspondents Joyce Ilas and Xianne Arcangel contributed to this report. Lithium Carbonate Pilot Plant Now Fully Operational First Batch of Technical Grade Lithium Carbonate Expected in July-August 2019 First Batch of Battery Grade Lithium Carbonate expected in September-October 2019 Geochemical Laboratory in Fiambala Now Fully Operational Drilling Season Ended Reaching a Depth of 280 Meters in The High-Grade Zone TORONTO, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Neo Lithium Corp. (Neo Lithium or the Company) (TSXV:NLC; OTCQX:NTTHF; FSE:NE2) is pleased to provide an operational update for its wholly-owned Tres Quebradas lithium brine project ("3Q Project") in Catamarca Province, Argentina. The Companys lithium carbonate pilot plant, which was built by the Instituto de Investigaciones Tecnologicas from Universidad de Concepcion, Chile, was successfully reassembled at Neo Lithiums Fiambala facility. The pilot plant was tested, fine-tuned and commissioned to operate with concentrated brine from the salar, with a designed capacity to produce 50 tonnes of lithium carbonate per year. The pilot plant includes a solvent extraction phase (SX-B) for Boron removal, a sulfation plant to remove calcium and a liming and carbonation phase to remove magnesium and any remaining calcium. The process is then completed with 3 stages of soda ash carbonation and drying. The Company has expanded its engineering staff and is planning to produce lithium carbonate at technical grade by August, and battery grade by September of the current year. The Company is also pleased to announce the completion of its geochemical laboratory in Fiambala and the engagement of Alex Stewart International Argentina SA to assist with setting up the equipment, protocols, and operating procedures. After completing a successful PFS, we are now fully engaged and focused in demonstrating that our technology is capable to produce battery grade lithium carbonate at very efficient levels, stated Waldo Perez, President and CEO of Neo Lithium. Producing battery grade lithium carbonate in our pilot plant is our ultimate goal, which will validate that the project is scalable and economically viable as we push forward with our objective to create and maximize shareholder value. Drilling Update The 2019 summer drilling campaign focused on areas below the high-grade zone to expand this valuable resource. The northern sector of the 3Q project has a high-grade core that was drilled in previous campaigns down to only 100 meters. Drilling deeper is complicated due to the loose clastic units saturated in brine increases the risk of the hole collapsing prior to installing the filters. This year the Company drilled two rotary wells, PB1-R-24 and PB1-R-25 much deeper than 100 meters. See location in the company web site. (Click Here) PB1-R-24 was drilled down to 160 meters depth and provided 1,128 mg/l lithium, thus expanding the high-grade zone significantly as reported in the press release of April 8th, 2019. PB1-R-25 was completed recently in May 2019, drilling down to 280 meters depth. The hole is located on the eastern border of the 3Q lake, an area where the reserve estimation assumed brine to be present to only 10 meters depth, however the hole encountered brine all the way from surface to 280 metres depth. The well was finished in 8 inches metal screen from 100 metres deep to 265 metres and is blind with cement and clay pellets from surface down to 100 metres (to avoid entrance of brine from the lake). The well was pumped over 72 hours to collect 10 brine samples. Geochemical results are expected during Q2 2019. About Neo Lithium Corp. Neo Lithium Corp. has quickly become a prominent new name in lithium brine exploration by virtue of its high quality 3Q Project and experienced team. Already well capitalized, Neo Lithium is rapidly advancing its recently discovered 3Q Project - a unique high-grade lithium brine lake and salar complex in Latin Americas Lithium Triangle. The 3Q Project is in Catamarca Province, the largest lithium producing area in Argentina. The project covers approximately 35,000 ha and the salar complex within this area is approximately 16,000 ha. The technical team that has discovered the 3Q Project characterized this unique salar complex as one of the most experienced in lithium salars. For example, this team discovered and led the technical work, including resource definition and full feasibility study, that established the Cauchari lithium salar as one of the largest lithium brine resources in the world. Additional information regarding Neo Lithium Corp. is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com under the Company's profile and at its website at www.neolithium.ca, including various pictures of ongoing work at the project. For further information, please contact: Neo Lithium Corp. Carlos Vicens This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 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. The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements - Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements. Such statements include but are not limited to, statements as to lithium brine grades at depth being consistent with surface results, the potential for resource expansion at depth, the potential of the northern salar sediments, and deeper sediments, for hosting brine, the ability to proceed to scoping studies quickly, proceeding with continued work for additional economic studies the potential for production expansion in the Companys assessment of the economic potential of the 3Q Project, that test results are indicative of future results, and the additional of additional independent directors. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as plans, expects or is expected, scheduled, estimates intends, anticipates, believes, or variations of such words and phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results can, may, could, would, should, might or will, occur or be achieved, or the negative connotations thereof. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, which could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from the future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. These risks include, without limitation, risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms, political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration activities, including environmental regulation, risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill and sample results, risks related to the uncertainty of cost and time estimation and the potential for unexpected delays, costs and expenses, risks related to metal price fluctuations, the market for lithium products, competition for experienced directors in the junior mineral exploration and development sector, and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Companys disclosure record. Although the Company believes its expectations are based upon reasonable assumptions and has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended and undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 21, 2019) - Walker River Resources Corp. (TSXV: "WRR") ("Walker" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company's 2019 initial reverse circulation ("RC") exploration drill program has begun at the Lapon Canyon Gold Project, located approximately 60 kilometres southeast of Yerington, Nevada. The Lapon Project consists of 96 claims (1940 acres) situated in the Wassuk Range, easily accessible by secondary state roads. A state grid power transmission line passes within three kilometres of the project. The Company owns 100% of the property with a 2% NSR payable on 36 of the claims. Drilling will focus on infill and expansion of the Lapon Rose zone and other exploration targets on the property. Key Highlights: To date, mineralization has been discovered in a broad, altered, fractured and brecciated NE trending structural corridor termed the Lapon Rose Zone. Anomalous gold values are denoted in many areas within this zone, and significant higher-grade mineralization over significant widths is located within sub vertical en echelon zones of intense alteration and gold enrichment. In April, 2019, the Company received a 2-year extension from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (the"BLM") for its Notice of Intent (the"NOI") exploration permit to conduct further drilling on the Lapon Canyon Gold Project. The discovery of new gold mineralization (RC 17-19; 18.6 g/t Au (uncut) over 6.1 meters) located 325 meters away and 200 meters higher than the last known gold mineralization. It is not known at this time if this is an extension of the Lapon Rose or an entirely new zone. With the discovery at this location, the vertical extent of gold mineralization now exceeds 400 meters. Previous Drilling highlights include (all previously announced) 22.9 meters at 7.84 g/t, 13.7 meters at 48.02 g/t, 12.2 meters at 77.62 g/t, and 9.2 meters at 39.17 g/t. Drilling Targets The 2019 drill program will build off the success of the 2018 drill program that was successful in expanding known gold mineralized zones previously discovered by the Company, including the discovery and delineation of new gold mineralized zones. The 2019 drill program will also utilize the technical and geological information on the structural trends acquired 2018. The construction of new drill pad emplacement and drill access routes are now complete. Drilling will focus on infill and expansion drilling at the Lapon Rose zone, follow up drilling and delineation of new gold mineralized zones, as well as drilling other targets. This includes other fault alteration zones, which in some instances show evidence of previous workings. Michel David, President, states: "We are very excited and encouraged by these and past drill results which now confirm the potential of the project. The planed drilling will continue to develop our understanding of the gold mineralization zones which appear to be open in all directions." The Company is also carrying out a detailed geological and mapping survey of the claim group. An initial helicopter assisted geological mapping recon has resulted in the discovery of an intensely altered silicified zone with sulphide mineralization on the front range of the Lapon Project. The zone consists of sedimentary rocks and shows evidence of historical workings and one adit, located some 3 kilometres west and 500 meters lower down of the present drilling. This zone will be the focus of upcoming work. Walker's initial geological mapping and prospecting on the Project demonstrated the potential for the emplacement of significant gold mineralization. Previous drilling over the last four years from 2015 to 2018 has confirmed this potential. About the Lapon Project. The Lapon Project is cut by a series of steeply dipping cross fault structures cutting across the Walker trend, analogous to other cross fault structures responsible for many gold and base metal deposits in the world. These faults are heavily sheared and altered (sericite, iron oxides) with abundant silica, varying in width from 60 to 300 meters. Four of these structures have been discovered at Lapon, and at least two can be traced for over four kilometers. Small scale high grade mining began on the project in 1914. Approximately 600 meters of drifts and raises were developed from two adits and a two-stamp mill was built. Further underground work was carried out, returning numerous assay values in the range of one ounce per ton, with a sample at the end of an adit returning 20.6 ounces per ton. (National Instrument 43-101, Montgomery and Barr, 2004). Additional work on the Project in the following years, included the installation of a ball mill and milling facilities. The scientific and technical content and interpretations contained in this news release have been reviewed, verified and approved by E. Gauthier, geol., Eng (OIQ) a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "Michel David" ________________________ Michel David, Chief Executive Officer and Director FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Walker River Resources Corp. Tel: 819 874-0030 Fax: 819 825-1199 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website: www.wrrgold.com Neither 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 News Release. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 21, 2019 /CNW/ -- NRG Metals Inc. ("NRG" or the "Company") (TSX-V: NGZ) (OTCQB: NRGMD) (Frankfurt: OGPN) the Company is pleased to announce it has formed a "strategic alliance" with Lilac Solutions (Lilac) of Oakland, California. Lilac has developed and patented a new ion exchange technology, the "IX Process," to address the challenges of conventional evaporative extraction of lithium from brines. The company's unique ion exchange beads and continuous brine processing system together enable a simple, modern, and robust process yielding concentrated high-purity lithium solutions in hours instead of years. Lilac has reported 90% recovery of lithium from brine, which is double that of evaporative technology. This partnership will begin with pilot project work for NRG's Hombre Muerto North (HMN) Lithium Project in Salta, Argentina. Lilac will build and test a pilot-scale lithium extraction module and complete detailed engineering for an on-site pilot plant producing lithium chloride at a rate of one tonne per month of lithium carbonate equivalents. All work will be performed under the supervision of a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Upon successful completion of module testing and detailed engineering, Lilac and NRG will be positioned to quickly deploy an on-site pilot plant at the HMN Lithium Project. NRG intends to produce a battery grade lithium product from the HMN Lithium Project. The Lilac IX Process may offer NRG the potential to eliminate the slow evaporation process from the conventional production circuit. The concentrated lithium chloride solution produced by the Lilac IX Process can then be readily processed into battery grade lithium carbonate. The two companies plan to negotiate a definitive agreement for the on-site pilot plant in the immediate future. NRG President Adrian F.C. Hobkirk is quoted "We are excited to be working with Lilac, and to move the HMN Lithium Project forward using two technologies in parallel. The alliance with Lilac will enable NRG to be at the fore-front of new process development." "NRG has defined a lithium resource on a salar historically known for production," said Lilac CEO David Snydacker. "Adrian and his team have demonstrated an ability to rapidly develop their asset and build relationships with excellent local partners, and Lilac is excited to become involved with the project. The Lilac Technology will hopefully enable NRG to attain the highest technical and environmental performance at a pace that enables rapid return on investment." About Lilac Solutions Lilac Solutions is a lithium extraction company based in Oakland, California. Lilac offers a full-service ion exchange technology for lithium extraction that enables rapid production with high recoveries and minimal cost, and that is adaptable to a wide variety of brine and clay resources. About NRG Metals Inc. NRG metals is developing its flagship HMN Lithium Project which is strategically located in the Hombre Muerto Salar, an area of active lithium production by FMC at the Fenix lithium mine, some 12 kilometers south of the NRG project area. The project is surrounded by ground now owned by POSCO, a Korean based lithium producer, as a result of its US$280 million purchase of the area from Galaxy Resources Ltd., an Australian-based producer. Galaxy is also moving their portion of the Hombre Muerto Salar, the Sal de Vida Project, to lithium production. The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed the content of this news release and therefore does not accept responsibility or liability for the adequacy or accuracy of the contents of this news release. This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon 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 which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward- looking statements. We seek safe harbor. On behalf of the board of directors of NRG Metals Inc.: Adrian F. C. Hobkirk, President and C.E.O. T: Investors / Shareholders Call 855-415-8100 / Direct to Adrian Hobkirk 714.316.3272 E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. W: www.nrgmetalsinc.com VANCOUVER, May 21, 2019 /CNW/ - Group Eleven Resources Corp. (TSX.V: ZNG; OTCQB: GRLVF; FRA: 3GE) ("Group Eleven" or "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to the Company's news release dated September 27, 2018, the Geological Survey of Ireland's ("GSI") airborne geophysical ('Tellus') survey over the Company's Stonepark, PG West and Silvermines projects in the Republic of Ireland is now complete. Data is currently being processed by the GSI and is expected to be publicly released sometime in the third quarter of 2019. "We are excited to overlay the upcoming Tellus geophysical data on our recently-released preliminary drill results at Stonepark PG West," stated Bart Jaworski, CEO of Group Eleven. "Combining these data sets will help us further refine our high-priority drill targets and potentially lead to new and exciting ideas ahead of our 'Big Drill' campaign later this year. Identifying mineralized corridors connecting known mineralization in the camp, including Pallas Green1, Stonepark2, Carrickittle-Kilteely, Ballywire, Oola and Gortdrum will take us a big step closer towards our vision of discovering Ireland's next Tier 1 zinc deposit." Details on Tellus survey: The Tellus survey covered 2,100 square kilometres of Magnetics, EM and Radiometrics data over Group Eleven's exploration ground in the highly prospective Limerick and Silvermines geological basins. The survey is expected to advance high-priority, drill targets in the region. How does Tellus help exploration? The Tellus survey is designed to 'sense' hidden geological features not apparent through surface mapping or shallow geophysical techniques. It attempts to 'see through' Ireland's often deep glacial deposits and extensive peat and soil cover. The results are expected to provide clues to the location of hidden zinc deposits. What is Tellus? The Tellus survey, is a nationwide geochemical and geophysical data programme undertaken by the GSI and funded by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment ("DCCAE"). Its aim is to benefit the mineral, agricultural and environmental sectors in Ireland. For further information about the survey, see DCCAE's announcement dated August 9th 2018. Why explore for zinc in Ireland? Zinc is the fourth most consumed metal in the world after iron, aluminium and copper. Presently, global inventories of zinc total less than six days of global consumption over a decade low. Ireland is one of the largest zinc producers in Europe and host to some of the world's largest zinc deposits. Modern exploration in the Irish Zinc District spans the last 70 years. Group Eleven believes new major deposits remain to be discovered via comprehensive re-evaluation of the region's geology coupled with new exploration techniques such as airborne geophysical surveys, ground-based seismic surveys, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. ____________________________ 1 Pallas Green hosts 45.1 million tonnes of 7% Zn + 1% Pb in the Inferred Category (Glencore; Dec 31, 2018) 2 Stonepark hosts 5.1 million tonnes of 8.7% Zn + 2.6% Pb in the Inferred Category (Group Eleven; April 17, 2018) 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. 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. TORONTO, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Desert Lion Energy Inc. (TSXV: DLI) (OTCQB: DSLEF) (Desert Lion or the Company) is pleased to announce that, in connection with its press release dated May 7, 2019, in which the Company announced it had entered into a definitive arrangement agreement to merge with ASX-Listed Lepidico Limited (ASX: LPD) ("Lepidico"), Desert Lion has received signed shareholder support agreements representing 61,292,342 shares, approximately 58% of the Companys total shares issued and outstanding. Transaction Highlights The transaction will combine two companies with highly complementary assets to create an integrated lithium business which has: Lepidicos innovative L-Max, LOH-Max TM and S-Max TM proprietary process technologies and offtake arrangement with Mota Ceramic Solutions from the operational Alvarroes lepidolite mine in Portugal; Desert Lions Rubicon and Helikon deposits in Namibia and partially developed lepidolite concentrator. Mineral Resources Indicated 3.0Mt @ 0.63% Li 2 O & Inferred 5.8Mt @ 0.53% Li 2 O (see section 14 of Desert Lions NI 43-101 Technical Report dated November 28, 2018, as amended and restated on December 7, 2018, for more information); Lepidicos pilot plant with L-Max and S-Max TM capability, which is in the commissioning phase, and the Phase 1 Plant Project, at the advanced stages of feasibility study which contemplates output capacity of 5,000tpa lithium hydroxide; Battery grade lithium carbonate of 99.8% purity produced from Desert Lion lepidolite mineralisation in L-Max amenability trial; and Desert Lions non-binding offtake agreement for lithium hydroxide with chemicals and materials multination corporation BASF SE. Lepidico will acquire all of the outstanding common shares of Desert Lion for 5.4 Lepidico shares for every 1 Desert Lion share. With strong shareholder support, the transaction with Lepidico is progressing as planned and both groups are looking forward to completing the transaction and advancing the Desert Lion Project, commented Tim Johnston, CEO of Desert Lion Energy Inc. Transaction Timeline Both companies are progressing on schedule for completion of the transaction by the end of July 2019, with Desert Lions shareholder meeting scheduled for 27 June 2019. Indicative timetable for merger completion Announcement of the Transaction 7 May 2019 Dispatch of Desert Lions Circular to Desert Lion Shareholders May 2019 Desert Lion Company Meeting 27 June 2019 Implementation of Merger July 2019 Completion of Previously Announced Shares for Debt Settlement The Company is also pleased to announce that it has completed its shares for debt settlement with a creditor that was previously announced on May 7, 2019 (the Shares for Debt Settlement) after being granted approval by the TSX Venture Exchange. Pursuant to the Shares for Debt Settlement, the Company has issued a total of 27,473 common shares of Desert Lion at a deemed price of C$1.82 per share in payment of C$50,000 of certain additional obligations owed in connection with its acquisition of Exclusive Prospecting License 5718. The common shares issued pursuant to the Shares for Debt Settlement are subject to a four month and one day hold period expiring on September 16, 2019. Further Information For further information, please contact Joe Walsh Managing Director Lepidico Ltd +1 647 272 5347 Tom Dukovcic Director Exploration Lepidico Ltd +61 (0)8 9363 7800 Tim Johnston Chief Executive Officer Desert Lion Energy Inc. +1 416 309 2953 About Desert Lion Energy Inc. Desert Lion Energy is a Toronto based emerging lithium development company focused on building Namibias first large-scale lithium mine located near the town of Karibib approximately 210 km from the nations capital of Windhoek and 220 km from the Port of Walvis Bay (the Desert Lion Project). Desert Lions Rubicon and Helikon mines, which have been mined intermittently for petalite and tantalum since the 1930s, are located within a prospective land package covering approximately 1,000 km2. The project site is accessible year-round by road and has access to power, water, rail, port, airport and communication infrastructure. Desert Lion has delineated a NI 43-101 Mineral Resource estimate at Rubicon and Helikon of Indicated 3.0Mt @ 0.63% Li 2 O and 59ppm Ta 2 O 5 & Inferred 5.8Mt @ 0.53% Li 2 O and 59ppm Ta 2 O 5 (see section 14 of Desert Lions NI 43-101 Technical Report dated November 28, 2018, as amended and restated on December 7, 2018, for more information). About Lepidico Ltd Lepidico Ltd is an ASX-listed company focused on exploration, development and production of lithium chemicals. Lepidico owns the technology to a metallurgical process that has successfully produced lithium carbonate from non-conventional sources, specifically lithium-rich mica minerals including lepidolite and zinnwaldite. The L-Max Process has the potential to complement the lithium market by adding low-cost lithium carbonate supply from alternative sources. More recently Lepidico has added LOH-MaxTM to its technology base, which produces lithium hydroxide from lithium sulphate without by-produce sodium sulphate. Lepidico is currently conducting a Feasibility Study for a 5,000 tonne per annum Phase 1 lithium chemical plant. Work is currently being undertaken to evaluate the incorporation of LOH-MaxTM into the Phase 1 Plant Project flow sheet. Lepidico has entered into an access agreement in Portugal with owner-operator Mota Ceramic Solutions (ASX announcement of 7 December 2017). Lepidicos current exploration assets include a farm-in agreements with Venus Metals Corporation Limited over the lithium mineral rights at the Youanmi Lithium Project in Western Australia. Lepidico also has a Letter of Intent with TSX listed Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. for planned lithium mica concentrate supply from its Separation Rapids Project in Ontario, Canada. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Generally, any statements that are not historical facts may contain forward-looking information, and forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as plans, expects or does not expect, is expected, budget scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates or does not anticipate, or believes, or variations of such words and phrases or indicates that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking information is based on certain factors and assumptions management believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made, including but not limited to: (i) assumptions and expectations with regard to the proposed merger, its completion and anticipated benefits and advantages; (ii) the future prospects, including the integration and commercial viability of Lepidicos technologies, resulting from the proposed merger and the ability to unlock value; (iii) the completion of the entitlements offers; (iv) continued exploration activities; (v) lithium and other metal prices; (vi) , the estimation of initial and sustaining capital requirements; (vii) the estimation of labour and production costs; (viii) the estimation of mineral reserves and resources; (ix) assumptions with respect to currency fluctuations; (x) the timing and amount of future exploration and development expenditures; (xii) receipt of required regulatory approvals; (xiii) the availability of necessary financing for Lepidico, Desert Lion and the Desert Lion Project, permitting; and (xv) such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Desert Lion and Lepidico to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: risks related to changes in lithium prices; sources and cost of power and water for the Desert Lion Project; the estimation of initial capital requirements; the lack of historical operations; the estimation of labour and operating costs; general global markets and economic conditions; risks associated with exploration, development and operations of mineral deposits; the estimation of initial targeted mineral resource tonnage and grade for the Desert Lion Project; risks associated with uninsurable risks arising during the course of exploration, development and production; risks associated with currency fluctuations; environmental risks; competition faced in securing experienced personnel; access to adequate infrastructure to support exploration activities; risks associated with changes in the mining regulatory regime governing Lepidico, Desert Lion and the Desert Lion Project; completion of the environmental assessment process; risks related to regulatory and permitting delays; risks related to potential conflicts of interest; the reliance on key personnel; financing, capitalization and liquidity risks including the risk that the financing necessary to fund continued exploration and development activities at the Desert Lion Project may not be available on satisfactory terms, or at all; the risk of potential dilution through the issuance of additional common shares of Lepidico and Desert Lion; the risk of litigation; the risk that the proposed merger will not be completed within the proposed timeline, or at all; and the risk that Lepidicos entitlements offers will not be completed. Although Desert Lion has attempted to identify important factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, there can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is made as of the date of this announcement and Desert Lion does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking information that is included herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. 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. OTTAWA, May 21, 2019 /CNW/ - Northern Shield Resources Inc. ("Northern Shield" or the "Company") (TSXV: NRN) is pleased to announce that, through wholly owned subsidiary Seabourne Resources, it has signed an Option Agreement with prospector ("Prospector") Jeffery Brushett that gives the Company the right to acquire a 100% interest in the Root and Cellar Gold Project (the "Property") located near the town of Creston on the Burin Peninsula, Newfoundland. The Property is being explored for low and intermediate sulfidation epithermal-type gold mineralization and also has potential for copper porphyry style mineralization. A) Map Showing the 5 gold and 2 copper occurrences at Root & Cellar. B) Malachite and copper sulphides from Creston North. C) Bornite and Chalcopyrite from Creston. D) Visible gold from Conquest Zone. E) High grade gold and silver from Drop Zone. Under the terms of the Option Agreement, which is subject to TSX-V approval, Northern Shield can earn a 100% interest in the Property by incurring $2,150,000 in expenditures on the Property within four years. The Option Agreement also contains cash payments totalling $165,000 and share issuances totalling 3,000,000 Company shares to the Prospector over five installments during the four year period. The Prospector will retain a 2.5% NSR of which 1% can be bought back by Northern Shield for $1.5M. The Property consists of 12 mineral licenses covering approximately 30 square kilometres and located near Marystown and Creston on the Burin Peninsula, both of which provide deep water ports. The Property includes six distinct showings of which five were the result of the sustained and diligent work of prospector Jeffery Brushett. Drop Zone: a low-sulphidation setting with the three highest grab samples grading: 45.5 g/t Au and 1,365 g/t Ag; 37.8 g/t Au and 1,000 g/t Ag; and 25.8 g/t Au and 487 g/t Ag. The host rock is a felsic to intermediate fragmental volcanic that exhibits strong silica-pyrite alteration crosscut by veining and related localized brecciation. The breccia zone appears to contain fragments rimmed by comb-textured quartz followed by pale beige chalcedonic silica which produces a "cockade"-style breccia. The above reported results are select samples and are not necessarily representative of the mineralization hosted on the property. Conquest: a low sulphidation setting with 85 of 153 samples assaying greater than 100 ppb Au in an area measuring 550 x 650 metres, with localized higher grades including channel samples assaying 47.9 g/t Au and 5.6 g/t Au, each over 0.5 metres. Mineralization is associated with comb-textured quartz and pale beige chalcedonic silica similar to that observed at the Drop Zone. Red Rock: up to 2.2 g/t Au hosted in a boulder adjacent to strongly hematized quartz breccia. Such rocks are often observed at the top of low-sulphidation systems. Creston/Creston North: up to 10.5% Cu associated with anomalous Mo, Ag, Zn and Pb and hosted in epidote and hematite altered veins in what may be a porphyry style setting. Within these zones 3 sample assayed greater than 5% Cu, 11 samples between 1% and 5% Cu and 40 samples between 0.1% and 1% Cu. Braxton-Bradley: possible intermediate-sulphidation setting with deformed silicified hydrothermal breccias and anomalous bedrock gold assays up to 0.9 g/t Au and 2.3 g/t Au in angular samples of float. Other associated assays reported from this zone include 1.8 oz/t Ag (62 g/t Ag) to 4 oz/t Ag (137g/t Ag), 0.3% Pb, 1.9% Zn, and 1.7% Cu. Samples were analysed by Eastern Analytical Lab in Springdale, Newfoundland, and analyzed for Au by Fire Assay with ICP finish and base metals by four acid digestion and ICP finish. The assays reported were not collected or assayed by Northern Shield and hence have not been independently verified by Northern Shield. "This is a really impressive property, it is not just the high-grade assays that catch one's attention but the extensive nature of highly gold anomalous outcrops and intense alteration," explains Northern Shield President and CEO, Ian Bliss. "We will be planning our exploration very shortly on the Root and Cellar Property. To date, Jeff has hand-trenched most of what we see and I think the project could benefit quite quickly from mechanical trenching and detailed mapping. In addition, there are some very strong similarities to what we see at Shot Rock and so both projects can benefit from each other in terms of the cumulative knowledge base." The technical disclosure in this press release was overseen by Christine Vaillancourt, P. Geo., the Company's Chief Geologist and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. Northern Shield Resources Inc. is a Canadian-based company focused on generating high-quality exploration programs with experience in many geological terranes. It is known as a leader in executing grass roots exploration program for Ni-Cu-PGEs and utilizing expertise and innovation toward working on other deposit types. Seabourne Resources Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northern Shield focussing on epithermal gold and related deposits in Atlantic Canada and elsewhere. Forward-Looking Statements Advisory This news release contains statements concerning the exploration plans, results and potential for epithermal gold deposits, and other mineralization at the Company's Nova Scotia and Newfoundland properties, geological, and geometrical analyses of the properties and comparisons of the properties to known epithermal gold deposits in Nevada and elsewhere, and other expectations, plans, goals, objectives, assumptions, information or statements about future, conditions, results of exploration or performance that may constitute forward-looking statements or information under applicable securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements or information are based on a number of assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect. Although Northern Shield believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forwardlooking statements because Northern Shield can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements or information are based on current expectations, estimates and projections that involve a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by Northern Shield and described in the forwardlooking statements or information. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks associated with geological, geometrical and geophysical interpretation and analysis, the ability of Northern Shield to obtain financing, equipment, supplies and qualified personnel necessary to carry on exploration and the general risks and uncertainties involved in mineral exploration and analysis. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and Northern Shield undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forwardlooking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 21, 2019) - Los Andes Copper Ltd. (TSXV: LA) ("Los Andes", or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Fernando Porcile to the Board of Directors of the Company and to serve as Executive Chairman. His primary role will be to apply his formidable international project experience to take the company through the development stage of its Vizcachitas copper project. Fernando Porcile Mr. Porcile has over 50 years of experience in the mining business. He has been responsible for the development, implementation, commissioning and operation of several new mining projects as well as managing various world-class mining operations. His experience with engineering companies is vast and varied, as senior process engineer, and as client and consultant. Most of his experience has been in copper, but has also included nitrates, iodine and iron ore. During the period 2010-2014, he was Director of the Codelco Board and lately he has been consultant for other mining companies with developments of copper, iron and gold projects. Mr. Porcile was President of Compania Dona Ines de Collahuasi in the period 2007-2009; he was also President of the Falconbridge Copper Business Unit for five years. During his presidency Falcombridge was developing projects that included El Morro, Pachon and the expansion of Collahuasi. Prior to these responsibilities he was Vice President Project Development for BHP Billiton's Base Metals Division and before that President of Compania Minera Cerro Colorado of Rio Algom. Mr. Porcile joined Rio Algom as Vice-President of Operations of Cerro Colorado in 1991 and later was promoted to Rio Algom Vice President of Engineering and Development, participating in the development of the Antamina and Spence projects From 1989 to 1991, he was Operations Manager of Soquimich, responsible for the operations to produce nitrate and iodine in Chile's Region of Antofagasta. Mr. Porcile worked for Codelco for nine years , from 1980-1989. At Codelco he worked in the El Teniente and Chuquicamata Divisions. At Chuquicamata he was General Manager at a time when a large expansion program was developed at the mine, concentrator, smelter, electrolytic refineries, leaching and supporting facilities. Prior to joining Codelco he worked four years for A. G. McKee Engineering and Construction Company in the USA. Mr. Porcile also worked for six years in Spain for Rio Tinto Patino. During the first seven years of his career he worked for the El Teniente mine which, at that time, was operated by Kennecott Copper Co. Mr. Porcile holds a Masters of Science in Mineral Engineering from Columbia University in the city of New York. Prior to that, he studied Mining Engineering at the University of Chile. Antony Amberg will remain as Chief Executive Officer, working closely with Mr. Porcile in the development of the Vizcachitas project. Antony Amberg, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "I am delighted to welcome Fernando Porcile to the Los Andes team. Fernando brings with him a wealth of experience in the development, construction and operation of mines, especially in South America. Myself and the rest of the team look forward to working with him as our new Executive Chairman. On behalf of myself and the rest of the team here at Los Andes, I would like to express my sincere thanks to Klaus Zeitler who will be retiring from the Board. Klaus' leadership and guidance as Chairman of the Company has been invaluable over the past 12 years and we wish him all the best in his future endeavours." For more information please contact: Antony J. Amberg, President & CEO Tel: +56 2 2954-0450 Aurora Davidson, CFO Tel: 604-697-6207 E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit our website at: www.losandescopper.com About Los Andes Copper Ltd. Los Andes Copper Ltd. is a Canadian exploration and development company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of advanced stage copper deposits in Latin America. The Company owns 100% of the Vizcachitas project in Chile, the largest copper deposit in the Americas not controlled by the majors. Los Andes Copper Ltd. is listed on the TSX-V under the ticker: LA. Certain of the information and statements contained herein that are not historical facts, constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the Securities Act (British Columbia), Securities Act (Ontario) and the Securities Act (Alberta) ("Forward-Looking Information"). Forward-Looking Information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect" and "intend"; statements that an event or result is "due" on or "may", "will", "should", "could", or might" occur or be achieved; and, other similar expressions. More specifically, Forward-Looking Information involves 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 Information; including, without limitation, the achievement and maintenance of planned production rates, the evolving legal and political policies of Chile, the volatility in the Chilean economy, military unrest or terrorist actions, metal and energy price fluctuations, favourable governmental relations, the availability of financing for activities when required and on acceptable terms, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, current and future environmental and regulatory requirements, the availability and timely receipt of permits, approvals and licenses, industrial or environmental accidents, equipment breakdowns, availability of and competition for future acquisition opportunities, availability and cost of insurance, labour disputes, land claims, the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates, currency fluctuations, expectations and beliefs of management and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in Management's Discussion and Analysis in the Company's financial statements. Such Forward-Looking Information is based upon the Company's assumptions regarding global and Chilean economic, political and market conditions and the price of metals and energy, and the Company's production. Among the factors that have a direct bearing on the Company's future results of operations and financial conditions are changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, a change in government policies, competition, currency fluctuations and restrictions and technological changes, among other things. Should one or more of any of the aforementioned risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from any conclusions, forecasts or projections described in the Forward-Looking Information. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise Forward-Looking Information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Monday the genocidal taunts of US President Donald Trump will not end Iran, as tensions spike between the two countries. Iranians have stood tall for millennia while aggressors all gone. Economic terrorism and genocidal taunts wont end Iran, Zarif wrote on Twitter. Never threaten an Iranian. Try respect it works! he added. The riposte by Irans top diplomat follows an ominous warning by Trump, who on Sunday suggested the Islamic republic would be destroyed if it attacked US interests. If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again, Trump tweeted. Relations between Washington and Tehran plummeted a year ago when Trump pulled out of a landmark 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and imposed tough sanctions. Iranian officials have repeatedly slammed the unilateral US sanctions as economic terrorism, saying that they have impeded the flow of essential goods. Tensions have risen further this month with Washington announcing more economic measures against Tehran, before deploying a carrier group and B-52 bombers to the Gulf over unspecified alleged Iranian threats. The Trump administration last week ordered non-essential diplomatic staff out of Iraq, citing the danger posted by Iranian-backed Iraqi armed groups. On Sunday a rocket was fired into the Green Zone of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, which houses government offices and embassies including the US mission. It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack. While the US claim of Iranian threats has been met with widespread scepticism outside the United States, the mounting tensions have sparked growing international concern. I would say to the Iranians, do not underestimate the resolve on the US side in the situation, British foreign minister Jeremy Hunt told reporters on Monday in Geneva. They dont want a war with Iran, but if American interests are attacked they will retaliate, he added. Hunt said that Britain wanted the situation to de-escalate and urged Iran to pull back from the destabilising activities it does throughout the region. Goaded into war US media reports say Trumps hawkish national security advisor John Bolton is pushing for war with Iran, but others in the administration are resisting. Zarifs tweet said Trump is being goaded by B Team, a term he coined to refer to Bolton as well as Israels prime minister and the crown princes of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates who are all pushing a hard line on Tehran. Before Trumps Twitter threat Zarif had downplayed the prospect of a new war in the region, saying Tehran opposed it and nobody was under the illusion the Islamic republic could be confronted. Iran is exercising maximum restraint in the face of an unacceptable escalation by the United States, Zarif said on Thursday. Tehran has threatened to gradually withdraw from the 2015 nuclear deal if partners still in the agreement Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia do not help it to circumvent US sanctions. Saudi Arabia on Saturday called for emergency regional talks to discuss the mounting Gulf tensions. It came days after mysterious sabotage attacks on several tankers in highly sensitive Gulf waters and drone strikes on a Saudi crude pipeline by Yemen rebels who Riyadh claimed were acting on Iranian orders. Saudi Arabias minister of state for foreign affairs, Adel al-Jubeir, said Sunday his country does not want to go to war with Iran but would defend itself. Saudi Arabia does not want a war, is not looking for it and will do everything to prevent it, he said. But at the same time, if the other side chooses war, the kingdom will respond with strength and determination to defend itself and its interests. The UN envoy for Libya warned Tuesday the battle for Tripoli was just the start of a long and bloody war and called for immediate steps to cut off arms flows fueling the fighting. Addressing the Security Council, Ghassan Salame said many countries were supplying weapons to the UN-recognized government in Tripoli and forces led by Khalifa Haftar. Haftar, who is backed by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, launched an offensive on April 4 to seize the capital but his forces have been bogged down in the southern outskirts of Tripoli. I am no Cassandra, but the violence on the outskirts of Tripoli is just the start of a long and bloody war on the southern shores of the Mediterranean, imperiling the security of Libyas immediate neighbors and the wider Mediterranean region, Salame said. Without immediate action to stop the flow of arms, Libya will descend into civil war which could potentially lead to a Hobbesian all-against-all state of chaos or partition of the country, he said. His appeal came after the Tripoli-based government of national accord posted photographs at the weekend of dozens of Turkish-made armored vehicles that it said on its Facebook page were fresh deliveries for its fighters. Pro-Haftar websites also posted photos and video footage of Jordanian-built armored cars they said were supplied to the Libyan National Army, Haftars self-styled militia based in the east. UN experts earlier this month said in a confidential report to the council that missiles fired at pro-Tripoli forces in April pointed to a likely drone attack that could involve a third party, possibly the United Arab Emirates. The Security Council failed last month to agree on a draft resolution demanding a ceasefire in Libya and a return to political talks to end the conflict. Russia refused to include any mention of Haftars offensive on Tripoli while the United States said it needed more time to consider the situation, diplomats said. The envoy urged the council to set up a commission of inquiry to determine who has taken up arms and prevent indicted war crimes suspects from taking part in military operations. More than 75,000 people have been driven from their homes in the latest fighting and 510 have been killed, according to the World Health Organization. It was raining lightly in Attecoube, a small district of the Ivorian capital Abidjan, when we met Catherine K, a victim of the post-electoral crisis that shook the country in 2010-2011. Now in her 50s, she greeted us in a modest cafe not far from her home. I never liked talking to journalists. I dont want to be in the public eye, she explains. She has been a widow since the death of her husband, an electrician, who was killed during the violence in 2010-2011. A million is nothing Like several hundred victims of the crises that shook Cote dIvoire, Catherine K received one million francs from the Ivorian government, through the Ministry of Solidarity and Social Cohesion. When I learned that we were going to receive a million, honestly, I was very happy. I was planning to start a food business so that I could send my two boys to school without worry, the widow explained. But she says she quickly became disillusioned with the reality. You have to have the money in hand to understand that a million is nothing, my son, she added gravely. The government did what it could, but for a widow who didnt go far in school, its not much. Catherine K can hardly remember where this money received in 2018 went. I was so in debt that I didnt even feel like I received any money. As soon as I got it, I had to pay back those I owed. I had debts for food, rent, school for my two children, she says. My husband did everything for the family. In this kind of situation, a million is nothing. Catherine does not hide the fact that she hopes for more from the Ivorian authorities. She hopes the head of State will re-examine the situation of victims of the crisis, nearly ten years after the events that left some three thousand dead in the country, according to official figures. The president has always shown that he was thinking of us. May God touch his heart! He must do more, otherwise it is hard. We still feel the effects of the crisis up to today. Funeral subsidy or reparation? We then met Abdoulaye Doumbia, another victim, in Faitai, one of the poor quarters in Yopougon commune that was one of the epicentres of the post-election crisis. Alert and talkative, he was one of the prosecution witnesses in the trial of Laurent Gbagbo at the International Criminal Court (ICC). He thinks the assistance so far is derisory. Chief Doumbia, as he is called here, believes that the Ivorian authorities have not been honest with the victims. The State has deceived us. They told us that this million was for the funerals. What we were given was to provide ceremonies for the deceased. To our great surprise, we are told that this is our compensation, explains Abdoulaye Doumbia, who is the head of the district. Chief Doumbia, 65, is therefore waiting to receive what would represent for him real compensation for the victims. Victims have rights that the state must pay in full, he says. I went all the way to the ICC. I spent two weeks there as a witness. So far, I have not been successful. Chief Doumbia believes that the victims of the Ivorian crisis are not getting the treatment they deserve. We feel forgotten, he says with regret. We are not told anything, we are being taken for a ride, and we do not understand. The State has not taken pity on us. The politicians who went into exile received millions when they came back, according to what we heard, even though they were the ones that sowed chaos. Today, they are the ones with rights. We who lost our children, people pretend its nothing. What does a million mean to a person who lost the children that were everything to him? Among the poor of Yopougon Abdoulaye Doumbia lost his three sons at the height of the post-election crisis. Compensation being 1 million per lost relative, he was paid three millions. He is convinced that the other victims who received this cheque have not been able to achieve anything with this amount of money to date. When you have a funeral today, he says, there are expenses in addition to your needs and those of your family. No one I know could even buy a television with that money. My two sons who did everything for me have gone and I have to go back to what I did when I was young, that is to say, working so that I can eat. May the State have mercy on us. Most of Yopougons victims came from the poor neighbourhoods where we are now. Imam Camara lives a few metres from the common courtyard where Chief Doumbia lives. This religious leader tells us with emotion about the day when people dressed in fatigues and hoods shot dead his five sons. Uncomfortable when it comes to expressing himself in French, Imam Camara is assisted by another son who acts as a translator during the interview. He is grateful for the governments gesture, but he does not hide his desire to receive more from the Ivorian authorities, particularly from President Ouattara. The crisis has affected us all. The president respected us by giving a million to each victim, he says at the beginning of our interview. But one million isnt enough to do anything, because all the relatives come to ask you for money, he explains, sitting on the single sofa furnishing the living room of his modest house. He hoped to be able to benefit from help to leave this house. I lost five children. They destroyed part of my house. I even thought I would have had another place to live. We took this million. We thought we were going to get something else, but since then we have had no news from the government. I have written seven times to President Alassane [Ouattara]. I wanted him to at least receive me so we could look into each others eyes to talk. But since then, I havent had any follow-up. Impact on the family Imam Camara has a large family to support. He wishes to raise the question of the distribution of funds among relatives. There are little sisters and brothers who are there and who are also victims of my sons deaths. You cant keep this money to yourself. I remember that once the town hall came to give us 200,000 francs [about 300 euros]. I had to share with everyone. I only kept 5,000 francs for myself, recalls the 60-year-old. Imam Camara, a member of the Cote dIvoire Victims Collective (COVICI), said he had not given up hope of seeing the Ivorian authorities make another gesture in favour of the victims. We really need help. I cant pay for my childrens schooling because all my grown-up children have been killed. Im old now. I can no longer do small jobs to feed the children. I know that the President is thinking of us and that he can do something more for the victims, he says, pointing to the room in which his sons were killed almost ten years ago. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 21) The House of Representatives is conducting an online survey on same-sex unions. The poll, posted on the chamber's website, asked whether the respondents are in favor, against, or undecided about the proposal on the legalization of same-sex unions as civil partnership in the country. As of writing, the survey has 65,216 respondents, with 38,332 or 59 percent saying they are against the proposal. More than 26,000 or 41 percent are in favor while only 3397 or 1 percent are undecided. The survey comes ahead of the celebration of "Pride Month" in June and days after same-sex marriage was legalized in Taiwan. READ: Taiwan passes same-sex marriage bill, becoming first in Asia to do so A petition seeking to allow same-sex marriage in the Philippines filed by gay lawyer Jesus Falcis is pending before the Supreme Court. An oral argument on the proposal was held in June last year. READ: SolGen Calida: Constitution does not allow same-sex marriage The petition, filed in 2015, asked the High Court to declare Articles 1 and 2 of the Family Code unconstitutional. The provisions of the 31-year-old law limits marriage between a man and a woman. Falcis also wanted to nullify Articles 46(4) and 55 (6) of the Family Code, which include homosexuality or lesbianism as legal grounds for annulment and legal separation. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 21) Chinese clam harvesting fleets have returned to disputed waters in South China sea in the last six months, a U.S.-based maritime think tank said. The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) reported fresh sightings of "destructive" Chinese vessels near the disputed islands, which are out to harvest endangered giant clams sold for thousands of dollars apiece. "After a sharp drop-off in activity from 2016 to late 2018, Chinese clam harvesting fleets have returned to the South China Sea in force over the last six months," AMTI said in a report published Monday. The Chinese are sending huge "motherships" about 30 meters long accompanied by dozens of small fishing vessels to harvest the expensive clams, locally known as taklobos. READ: DFA chief: China has to pay for clams harvested in Scarborough "Since late 2018, satellite imagery has shown these fleets operating frequently at Scarborough Shoal and throughout the Paracels, including at Bombay Reef," the report added. AMTI said these poachers anchor their boats and drag "reinforced props" across reefs to break the coral in order to lift the clams from the sea floor. Images captured in December 2018 showed the presence of even more clam boats around Scarborough Shoal, known locally as the Panatag Shoal, with reefs seeing deeper damage as of March 8. The report said latest photos also show proof that Chinese poachers are now using more damaging methods to harvest deep-sea clams by using a high-pressure water pump to remove sediment from the seabed, which Filipino fishermen described to be a "very destructive" practice. A satellite image captured on April 11 likewise captured sediment plumes and reef scarring at Bombay Reef, confirming clam harvesting in the area. This, despite the presence of China's Ocean E-Station meant to monitor all activity at sea. Photos likewise show intense scarring on reefs at Passu Keah also in Paracel Islands, with satellite images revealing damage as of November 4, 2018 compared to February of that year. "Now, as then, Chinese authorities are aware of and appear to condone the activities of these fleets," AMTI said. READ: Think tank flags increase in number of Chinese fishing vessels in Spratlys On April 7, during the same period that Chinese maritime milita vessels were clustering around Philippine-occupied Loaita Island and Loita Cay, a mothership and small boats were also spotted at nearby Lankiam Cay or Panata Island, although AMTI said there is no clear evidence of new clam harvesting in Spratlys. "The absence of new scarring on Lankiam Cay after this boats departure would have previously indicated that no clam harvesting had taken place. But the new methods being used to extract clams at Scarborough Shoal suggest that documenting the activities of these Chinese fleets has become more difficult," AMTI said, noting that the use of water pumps in deeper waters is "unlikely to be visible" via satellite imagery. The Philippines lost control of Scarborough after a 2012 standoff with China, prompting Manila to file a case for international arbitration. In July 2016, the Permanent Court of Abritration in The Hague invalidated China's sweeping claims to the South China Sea. The tribunal also noted China's destruction of the marine environment in the area and its violation of Filipino fishermen's rights to fish in Scarborough Shoal. The ruling largely favored the Philippines in the 15 points it brought up for arbitration, and recognized Manila's sovereign rights in some of the features being claimed by China that were within the country's 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone. On May 3, the Philippine Supreme Court issued a writ of kalikasan ordering government officials to protect the marine environment in the West Philippine Sea amid the dispute with China, in response to a petition filed by fishermen from Palawan and Zambales who have been displaced by Chinese poachers. The petitioners said these maritime featurs are now heavily damaged by China's artificial island-building activities, and that the government should not neglect them. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 21) Former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales has returned to the Philippines after she was denied entry at the Hong Kong airport. Morales arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport past 9 p.m. Tuesday, hours after she, her husband, son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren flew to Hong Kong around lunch time. Upon arriving in Hong Kong, security officers prevented her from entering for "immigration reasons" and she was separated from her kin. She admitted she did not know that she was already being detained until she was shuffled into a room, and was asked to sign papers in relation to her detention. "I was detained. Pagdating ko, I was brought to a room na hindi naman 'yun dapat 'yung sa arriving visitors. I was interrogated and then pagkatapos dinala ako sa detention room nila," she said. "Meron silang pinapapirmahan na Tagalog ... ang sabi ko I want an English version. I read it, nakalagay detention na." [Translation: When I arrived, I was brought into a room that was not meant for arriving visitors. I was interrogated and then after I was brought to their detention room. They asked me to sign papers in Tagalog, and I said I want an English version. When I read it, it said there 'detention'.] Officials told her she would have to return to the Philippines on a 6 p.m. flight. She refused to sign these documents which were supposedly full of blanks and had a lot of missing details. She also refused to eat food and drink water that was offered to her. "Nako baka lasunin pa nila ako doon [Oh no, they might even poison me there]," he said. The former anti-corruption official then said a "commander of the airport" told her she was now allowed entry to Hong Kong, but she refused to do so and opted to return home with her family. Morales then said she believes her detention was linked to the complaint she and former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario filed to with the International Criminal Court against Chinese President Xi Jinping may have been a factor for her detention. The complaint was over crimes against humanity due to Beijings activities in the West Philippine Sea. She then expected Beijing's move against her was "expected" but "far-fetched." "That was bullying. How would you call it if that's not bullying? I think someone came up with the theory na 'shock and awe' daw. Hindi naman ako nasa-shock, di naman ako na-o-awe. Nabi-bwisit lang [I wasn't shocked, I wasn't awed, I was just annoyed]," she said. Morales expressed dismay over her detention, as all she wanted to see was her grandchildren having fun in their trip to Hong Kong Disneyland. "I was deprived of the opportunity to see my grandchildren enjoy their vacation in Hong Kong," she said. But she clarified she has no regrets over filing the communication against Xi. "That gives us more resolve to pursue the case. That brings the level of the case to crescendo. We will fight for the examination by the Office of the Prosecutor of the communication that the Ambassador and I filed," she said. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra had earlier said the action of Chinese immigration officials must not be questioned "as the entry of foreigners or the refusal thereof is the exclusive and sovereign prerogative of any country." In response to this, the ex-ombudsman said, "You read between the lines. You are at liberty to interpret that." A security threat? In an earlier interview with CNN Philippines, Morales' legal counsel Atty. Anne Marie Corominas said the ex-ombudsman was detained as she was a "security threat." "Is President Xi afraid of her?" Corominas said. "The only thing she did is to exercise her right as a Filipino citizen and file a communication before the International Criminal Court against President Xi." Del Rosario, who met with Morales at the airport upon her arrival, said in an earlier statement the Philippines is "experiencing more of the same" bullying with Beijing's move against Morales. "One of the reasons who had filed our case in the ICC is to be able to push back against the bullying and harassment that we have been encountering from our goliath of a neighbor," Del Rosario said. "Today, with the holding of (Morales) by immigration authorities in Hong Kong as security risk presumably due to the ICC case that we had filed, we are experiencing more of the same." Presidential Spokesperson Sal Panelo said the Philippine government through Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ernesto Abella was to give assistance to the former Ombudsman during her detention. Morales is the sister of a presidential-in-law. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte, is married to Atty. Manases Carpio, son of the former Ombudsman's brother. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 21) Taguig 2nd District Rep. Pia Cayetano said she and her two brothers entered politics not to build a political dynasty but because they were all inspired to serve. I was born of a father who served his country well and it so happened that my brothers are equally inspired, Cayetano told CNN Philippines The Source on Tuesday. So what can I do if were all inspired to serve? Do we love this job? No. Its a pain in the butt a lot of times because you get unnecessary, unfair criticism, but you do it because youre called to do it. The Cayetano clan won big in the midterm polls, with Pias brother, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter and his wife, incumbent Taguig Mayor Lani, clinching the two congressional seats of business district Taguig. The political family also took the top post in Taguig City Hall, with Pias brother Lino getting elected as mayor. Meanwhile, Pia ranks fourth in the partial and official results of the Senate race from the Commission on Elections. Despite having been a force to reckon with in Taguig, Pia denied that her family is a political dynasty. A dynasty is a word that I learned when I was in college from families that passed on leadership roles because of blood. We were elected. It was never passed onto us. Its an election we each had to win every single time. Every single time we have to prove to the people that you are worthy to serve them, she said. The 1987 Constitution banned political dynasties, but left Congress to define these. The legislature has yet to pass a law defining and banning political dynasties in all positions. The only anti-dynasty law in effect applies solely to the Sangguniang Kabataan. Bets gunning for posts in the local youth council could not be related to any elected official by blood or by law up to the second degree. The same restriction is sought for all elective positions by a Senate bill, which is pending on second reading. Similar measures are pending at the committee level in the House. Ateneo School of Government Dean Ronald Mendoza previously said in a Senate hearing that the poorest provinces are often led by "fat dynasties" or families with two or more members in politics. A 2016 Pulse Asia survey found that 34 percent of Filipinos would vote for members of political dynasties, while 32 percent said they would not. (CNN) Issham Beshir is two years old. She's twig-thin and so badly malnourished she's yet to take her first steps. The world is trying to help her and nearly 16 million more hungry people in Yemen by sending food. But, according to UN reports and CNN reporting on the ground, some of that food is being stolen by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, on a scale far greater than has been reported before. Last year the United Nations found 1% of aid was going missing, acknowledging that the abuse could be more widespread. Now, a CNN undercover investigation has found dozens of areas in the war-torn country where -- on paper -- aid has been delivered. But in reality, many families are not being helped. UN chief threatens to suspend aid in Yemen after CNN investigation The UN suspects that supplies are being diverted away from famished children toward fighters or supporters of the Iran-backed forces that control much of the country, though the Houthis and their officials deny this. One Houthi aid coordination director called the allegations "crazy." Issham and the people of Bani Qais in northwest Yemen have received no grain, cooking oil or other aid supplies for weeks and weeks. They are not starving. Not yet. But the children are stunted by malnutrition, which will cramp the growth of their bodies and their brains. And many, many are getting sick. They are victims of a spat between the UN's World Food Programme and a Houthi-appointed aid agency that had the contracts to distribute WFP food but failed to account for who was getting what. The WFP switched to a different local NGO in Bani Qais, where Issham lives, but humanitarian and local sources said that aid was now being held up because local tribal leaders associated with the Houthi government were blocking its work. "They don't reach us here. They used to give us grains and flour but then they refused to give it to anyone. They don't give us anything," said Issham's mother, Hajja Ibrahim. Issham and her brother sit in their mother's lap. Their rags are filthy. Their mud-walled hut with its roof of reeds and old sacks allows daylight to stream in, as well the spring rains. They are quiet, inert. Like other children here, they are too hungry to play. Some days their father makes 25 cents selling water to buy them some food. Other days he is not so lucky. The family is surviving on bread and water. The villages of the 'doomed' The clans in this cluster of villages are referred to as the "zabhana," which roughly translates as the "doomed." The people are Bedouin. Once nomadic, they are now settled but considered to have little tribal clout by the powerful in Yemen, whether that's the ousted government or the Houthi rebels that have taken control of the north of this country. They are poor enough to attract aid. If that aid goes missing or cannot be monitored, they have no political voice to make demands. They can be ignored by the Houthi leadership. On a 2,500-mile (4,000-km) journey through Yemen's mountains and along its coastline, CNN investigated missing supplies and the systematic diversion of aid and corruption in Houthi-controlled areas. We spoke to Yemeni and international NGO staff, local officials and residents in four provinces held by the Houthis and obtained United Nations documents detailing the previously hidden scale of the problem. How the alleged fraud was covered up Last year the World Food Programme publicly complained that about 1,200 metric tons of food was "diverted" -- diplomatic speak for "stolen" -- from families in the Houthi-held capital, Sanaa, in the previous August and September. Distribution lists had thumbprints, supposedly from people confirming receipt of food, but some 60% of beneficiaries numbering in the thousands in seven districts in the capital didn't receive any aid, the WFP said, asserting there had been fraud. As well as falsified records, the WFP said it discovered unauthorized people were given food and other supplies were being sold in markets in the city. "This conduct amounts to the stealing of food from the mouths of hungry people," WFP executive director David Beasley said then. "At a time when children are dying in Yemen because they haven't enough food to eat, that is an outrage." Along with the public complaint, Beasley wrote to the leadership of the Houthis, threatening to stop collaboration with the Houthi government-linked charity blamed for the problems, and to cut off aid altogether. "WFP has a zero-tolerance policy on fraud and corruption, and we cannot allow any interference from any person or entity ... including from your officials," the letter states. The immediate problem was addressed when the Houthis and WFP agreed on a new system of registration and biometric verification to stop abuses. But that's not yet working. Missing supplies, missing money In March, CNN met a dozen women at the headquarters of the Amanat El-Asemah, the local municipal authority in charge of aid distribution in Sanaa that the WFP said was at the center of the aid manipulation. Each complained they had not received aid. Amira Saleh says she found her name listed as a beneficiary, but told us she and her family of 10 last received aid six months ago. She also found records indicating she received 110,000 Yemeni riyals (about $440) from another charity, but she says she received nothing. "Every now and then we get an SMS directing us to a school to get the food aid," she said. But when there were no supplies, she says she asked again where she should go. "I saw my name, but there is no notification or communication where I can get the aid." Around her, women in black face veils said they were repeatedly refused aid because they don't have documents -- like electricity bills and school certificates -- which can only be obtained from the towns they fled. Haifa Qassem pulled up the white shirt of her 9-year-old son to reveal his swollen belly and a visible rib cage. "This is all from liver disease," she said pointing at him. "We can't find food to eat." Abdel-Wahab Sharaf, the director of the government aid coordination agency in Sanaa who said the WFP claims were "crazy," said there might have been misunderstandings, but they had been resolved. "Look, there are technical difficulties. It's not theft," he said, adding that the WFP should communicate directly with aid centers if they were concerned, rather than going public. UN takes drastic action CNN's investigation found the issue affects many more than those in the capital. Some 33 areas in Yemen showed a wide gap between the amount of aid that has been officially delivered and the impact on the ground, according to internal aid documents reviewed by CNN. Twenty of these areas, including Bani Qais, were in Houthi-controlled territories, where 70% of Yemenis live, the documents showed. And now, without Houthi permission to change aid distribution partners and monitor where the aid is going, the WFP aid has not reached its intended beneficiaries. "We certainly, in several situations, had to say to local authorities: 'You don't let us in there, we can't continue these programs.' Monitoring is a necessary part of our accountability to the populations that we're here to help," said Lise Grande, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen, who leads the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and oversees UN aid operations in the country. It's a radical new strong-arm approach for the WFP, which is mainly funded by governments, with the United States being the largest donor in 2018, when it contributed more than $2.5 billion. In the past, it and other aid organizations have prioritized the "humanitarian imperative" to try to help those in desperate need, even if there were problems of corruption and misuse of aid that could lead to disastrous consequences. In Somalia in the early 1990s, warlords abused the system so much that the UN authorized an invasion to stop them, but not before an estimated 300,000 had died. And South Sudan's war was extended for years, perhaps decades, by the theft of food and fuel intended as aid. There is a gulf of mistrust between the Houthis and the WFP. The Houthis want more Yemeni staff involved -- an argument heard elsewhere in the world where the notion that foreigners can fix local problems is often considered absurd. But the UN group and other foreign NGOs say they have been punished for wanting to monitor their operations. They say that complaints about this have led to further restrictions imposed by the Houthi government, delays on visas or the refusal to issue them at all. Still, ten million Yemenis are "one step away" from famine, and more than two thirds of its population is "food insecure," the WFP says. Children now skin and bone On our journey through the rebel-held territories, many villagers we met were resigned to corruption as a fact of life, some blaming the government, others blaming the international community. What they know for sure is the impact on them. In March, the UN even cut supplies to people driven from their homes by fighting and bombardment because WFP representatives had not been able to monitor the distribution of food there. UN and Houthi government officials estimated some 10,000 fled from the front lines near the Saudi border and into Abs and Aslam, northwest of the capital. This windswept scrubland offers little shelter and no sustenance for the few goats brought by destitute refugees to camps here. In Aslam, malnutrition and serious health complications reduce children's bodies to skin on bone. "The war has been ongoing for 4 years, more than people can handle," said nurse Mekkiyah Al-Aslami, the head of the local health unit. "We were already among the top poverty-stricken countries. The war finished the job. A land, sea and air blockade. Unemployment, no one can make a living. No one can work. Why? Because the borders are closed, and the airstrikes are 24 hours." Her sunken cheeks and thin frame could get her confused as one of the patients. "If you were hungry, you only got hungrier," she says. Food for favors In March this year, the WFP was also still struggling to get permission for monitors to keep an eye on food distributions in Saada, deep in Houthi territory in the far northwest of the country, 20 or so miles from the Saudi border. Several diplomats and sources inside the humanitarian agencies said some aid was being diverted to fighting units or sold on the open market, but most was being used to buy political support for the Houthi cause. Saada's been the focus of Saudi-led coalition airstrikes for several years as it's at the center of Houthi political support. But that support is not guaranteed and UN sources insist that food aid is being diverted to "nondeserving populations" to shore up support for the Houthi cause. The calculation is: Give hungry people extra food and they will owe you their allegiance. "They know that when they finally reach a peace agreement, they'll have to have a nonmilitary political future," one senior foreign official in Yemen said of the Houthis. "They need to ensure that they have political support on the ground in their own areas. So they try to get as much aid into those areas as possible and they don't want anyone checking up on them." The Houthi rebellion by Shia Muslims, which included significant numbers of Yemenis from the Sunni sect too, began in 2004 against the military government of Ali Abdullah Saleh. Concentrated in the populous north, it drew its energy from anger at years of corruption. By January 2015 the Houthis had driven Saleh's successor, Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi, from the capital. But a Saudi-led coalition including the United Arab Emirates, with support from the United States, UK and France, swiftly moved to depose the Houthis in a military campaign which still rages today. Hit by air strikes, corruption and gun-running The use of air strikes and civilian casualties has undermined support for the Saudi coalition in Europe and the United States. In Washington, Congress recently voted to end American backing of and arms shipments to the campaign -- but that resolution was vetoed by President Donald Trump. The Houthis have often been seen as the underdogs in the war. Media reporting has been restricted and has focused on the suffering of civilians through hunger and as a result of the air strikes. CNN has previously exposed the Saudi-led coalition's alliance with extremist groups in their fight against the Houthis. And CNN revealed the illegal transfer of heavy weapons, armored vehicles and small arms to militant militias by the coalition -- a violation of the sales agreement with the United States. Houthis say they are 'happy' with aid The Houthis rejected the accusations put to them by CNN. Hussin Al-Ezzi, the deputy foreign minister of the rebel government in Sanaa, said restrictions on visas for NGO workers have been removed. "At the beginning, we had some reservations" about some of the international aid workers, he told CNN. "Mistakes happen sometimes, but this doesn't mean or doesn't represent a policy on our side. We are happy with whatever aid reaches citizens, because these citizens are our strength and support. They are our capital in this war. "This a comprehensive war: a security war, an intelligence war, a military war and mad war, not governed by laws, values or morals. Consequently, when you compare our handling of the situation under this war to [others] under these circumstances, you will definitely find the comparison in our favor," he added. Controlling food, information and people There remains a deep-rooted suspicion of foreign NGOs and the media in general. In Hodeidah, a low-level government functionary threatened to detain a CNN team if he did not sit in on a meeting with UN officials. In the capital, a local NGO worker was questioned by security after speaking to CNN without the presence of the government minder. The Houthi administration has to maintain some good relations with the UN and other agencies -- without aid, its rebellion would collapse under the weight of the sheer horror of millions starving. And while they do their best to charm foreigners, they are harsh to some Yemenis in their areas, wanting to control not just food but information and people. One local journalist said he was detained and threatened by Houthi security officials for reporting the abuse of aid, and another reporter said he was afraid of being associated with anything that might reflect badly on the rebel government. Sanaa residents twice approached us to complain, in English, of living in a police state. "If I told you the truth about living here, I'd be shot," one whispered before slipping away. The Houthi movement sees itself as a redemptive struggle against years of corruption under previous regimes in Yemen rather than as a political party. Its authoritarian conduct is matched on the other side of the civil war, where human rights groups have cataloged widespread detention and disappearances. But that doesn't negate the misery for civilians in Houthi-run areas. A shattered lifeline Even if all the problems between the Houthis and the UN could be resolved, restrictions imposed by the Saudi and UAE-led coalition on the strategic Hodeidah port mean that aid trickles in to the north at the best of times. There's a blockade around the port and getting permission for a ship to enter can take 9 months, UN and port officials say. When docked, the next challenge is unloading at a facility where airstrikes in 2015 have destroyed cranes and slashed capacity. The lifeline to the millions in Houthi territory limps on using jerry-rigged cranes and casual labor. Then the food and fuel can be loaded onto trucks, but those often break down on the steep roads that cut through the scenic mountains on the way to some of Yemen's poorest. There are mills close to the port to grind imported grain into flour, but the Houthis have been accused of strangling the supply. "At this point, only the Houthis are blocking access to the mills," said Jonathan Cohen, the acting US ambassador to the UN said in April. "And they alone will be to blame if the food spoils," he said. Houthi officials relented several weeks later and granted access. Hodeidah is supposed to be a demilitarized port and city controlled by the UN, under an agreement in December between the Iran-backed Houthis and the Saudi-backed government. But the Houthis continue to flex their muscles there. Even in its current state, the port brings in revenues of an estimated $30 million a month, through customs duties and other fees. Recently the Houthis have announced a withdrawal from some parts of the city, but the port remains a major prize. If they were to let it go, the Houthis would lose their biggest single source of funds. UN: 'We're here to keep people alive' While Houthi officials may be thinking longer term about strategy, politics and the war, for many if not most in Houthi-controlled areas, the only thought is of their hunger. From Amira Saleh in the capital searching for her missing rations, to Hajja Ibrahim in Bani Qais wondering if aid will ever return, empty days with empty stomachs loom indefinitely. With food not getting to the right people but instead used to buy support, feed fighters or sold for funds, CNN asked the UN's Grande if she was worried that the aid programs could actually be prolonging Yemen's devastating war. "Certainly, humanitarians are not political. We're here to keep people alive," she replied, notably not saying no. "The responsibility for ending the conflict is in the hands of the people who are driving that conflict," Grande said. "It is the responsibility of the humanitarians to say to the people who are responsible for the war, these are the consequences of your actions, this is the impact of the decision to take up arms and to bring this country to war." GRANTS PASS, Ore. -- Many veterans face depression, anxiety, or other mental health problems when adjusting back to civilian life after war. Right now two local veterans are working to bring music therapy to those who are struggling, through their organization Vets End Inc. The idea all started with Sean Thomas. He joined the army after 9/11, and started serving during the first year of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He says the adjustment after returning from war took a toll on him over time. "The more I experienced, the more anxiety and depression I felt, and I needed help," says Sean Thomas, the Founder of Vets End Inc. This is when Sean turned to music, specifically guitar. Eventually his love and dedication to music took over his need to take medication. "Music has been a life saver for me," says Sean. Sean brought on Sam Humphrey as the Music Director of Vets End Inc. Sam has been singing since he was 5, and playing guitar since his military training days. He will complete three and half years in the military this June. He tells NewsWatch12 that music is something he's gone back to during times of hardship. "Music heals people. It's one of the best medicines I've ever seen in my life," says Sam Humphrey, Music Director of Vets End Inc. Right now the two are working to bring in more funding. This will help them secure a space next to the Rogue Protection Group, put an attorney on retainer, and expand their services for veterans. "I would love to have a venue that we could hold concerts with our veterans, and then also bring in other bands and artists to put on benefit concerts for our cause," says Sean Thomas. Right now part of the proceeds for the upcoming Lita Ford concert at the Josephine County Fairgrounds will go to Vets End Inc. To purchase tickets, click here. There is also a way to donate to Vets End Inc. through Rogue Federal. Sean says these donations bring them one step closer to helping as many veterans as possible. To learn more about Vets End Inc. and its mission, click here. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health problems, click here. MEDFORD, Ore. -- Accurate Plumbing Solutions in Medford says it hasnt had a new apprentice in years. In order to change that, there needs to be outreach. NewsWatch12 spoke with 26-year-old Chris Wilson, who is currently in his third year of the apprenticeship program with one more to go. He says he fell into the opportunity instead of seeking it out, mainly because skilled trades werent talked about in school. If I had someone to mentor me I would have looked more into it," says Chris Wilson. Accurate Plumbing Solutions says a majority of its employees are older. The amount of younger people applying is not meeting the demand for work. Maybe theyre trying to go to school or haven't figured out what they want to do in life yet, not realizing a trade school or trade option is a really good option for the future," says Brent Carlson, the Owner of Accurate Plumbing Solutions. The State of Oregon says there are dozens of plumbing position openings every year in the Rogue Valley. The job field is expected to grow by 16 percent by 2026. Both Brent and Chris agree that there needs to be outreach on the high school level, so kids can graduate and go right into an apprenticeship. "People need to be aware that by going through programs like this youre going to be making top wages in a career that has benefits, retirement plans, and get pretty well set up for the rest of your life," says Brent Carlson. Chris tells NewsWatch12 that this is not only good for increasing the trade skill workforce, but also for keeping them in Southern Oregon. This is an option. You can stay in the Rogue Valley, you can work and go to school at the same time, and most employers do pay for your schooling," says Chris Wilson. ASHLAND, Ore. -- A teacher at Helman Elementary School is the 2020 Southern Oregon Regional Teacher of the Year. Tia McClean is a kindergarten teacher, and she's now in the running for the 2020 Oregon Teacher of the Year. That will be announced in September. "The great honor of teaching and learning is that we get to continue that cycle for generations and generations," McClean said. Students, faculty and staff celebrated in an assembly at the school Tuesday morning. Hula is a large part of McClean's life. During the ceremony, she and another teacher -- Valerie McCoy -- performed for the students. After that dance, Valerie learned this ceremony was also for, celebrating her retirement. "She is very humble," Michelle Cuddeback, principal of Helman Elementary School, said laughing. "We knew we would never be able to have a retirement celebration unless we surprised her." McClean said McCoy has long been her mentor. She adds McCoy taught her students a special hula dance. McClean then taught that dance to every student and teacher in the school. They surprised McCoy with that dance today. "My heart just opened to see them all do that," McCoy said. "I have taught my classes for years, but Tia went around and taught every single student and teacher -- it was wonderful." KEARNEY The community disposed of 352 pounds of unused medication during the spring Prescription Takeback event April 27 hosted by the Buffalo County Sheriffs Office. The medication was dropped off by 121 participants. A total of 14 boxes were sent to the Drug Enforcement Agency to be incinerated. Positive Pressure, a coalition of Buffalo County Community Partners, CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital, the Kearney Police Department and the Kearney Elks Lodge No. 984, supported the sheriffs office in hosting the event. The event is funded in part by federal and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services funds. The public can safely dispose of unwanted medications at any time at supermarkets and pharmacies in Kearney, Walgreens in Kearney, Svanda Pharmacy in Ravenna and Lamberts Family Pharmacy in Gibbon. Positive Pressure is a community coalition powered by Buffalo County Community Partners that seeks to create a healthy environment regarding the use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Collecting and properly disposing of unused medication can reduce the misuse of dangerous substances. For more information visit BCCHP.org/Opioid. Billionaire Robert F. Smith woke up the crowd at Morehouse College commencement ceremony Sunday when he veered off script to share a surprise: He'd be paying off all the student loans for the Class of 2019s nearly 400 graduates. There was a moment of stunned silence before the grads and their families burst into a joyous applause. Within minutes, praise for Smith spread beyond Morehouse and turned into one of the weekend's most inspiring stories. The billionaire tech executive and philanthropist has kept under the radar much of his career, even in Austin, where he lives and works. He rarely grants interviews and is so low-profile that when the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture put a call out for major donors in 2013, the museum's directors wondered, "Who is this Robert F. Smith?" They got their answer in spectacular fashion. Here are five things you need to know about Robert F. Smith: A knack for computers led to his fortune RICHMOND, Va. A man so heavy he cannot walk or dress pleaded guilty Tuesday to participating in a long-running cocaine distribution conspiracy and faces up to 40 years in prison when sentenced in September. Kenneth T. Hicks, 48, of Emporia, who is said to weigh more than 900 pounds, entered the plea and answered questions in a soft, clear voice from inside an ambulance that was backed into the loading dock of the U.S. Courthouse at 701 E. Broad St. in downtown Richmond. Lying on his back and facing the judge, Hicks could be heard by most in attendance through the vehicle's open double rear doors, but he could only be seen by U.S. Magistrate Judge David J. Novak, who accepted the guilty plea, and a handful of other people. "I want to put on the record we're engaged in some extraordinary procedures due to Mr. Hicks' health issues," said Novak at the start of the 30-minute hearing. Hicks pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiring with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute more than a pound of cocaine from 2013 into 2017. America is living through a constitutional crisis and it didnt start when President Donald Trump announced that his administration would stonewall all congressional subpoenas and try to thwart the legislatures oversight efforts. The U.S. Constitution imposes on a Congress a duty to conduct effective oversight as part of its legislative duties. George Mason of Virginia said at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 that members of Congress "are not only Legislators but they possess inquisitorial powers. They must meet frequently to inspect the Conduct of the public offices." Trumps refusal to acknowledge this vital congressional power and his affirmative plan to undermine it is at odds with our basic constitutional system. Congressional oversight is central to our system of separation of powers the idea that our democracy rests on decentralized power with each of the three branches constraining the authority of the others. It remains to be seen how far Trump is willing to go to subvert oversight though all signs are bad. Everyone who believes that national chain stores should pay their fair share of property taxes should be not just dismayed, but angry, about Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos refusal to even consider a vote on a bipartisan proposal to end the dark store exemption. For those of you who dont know what this means, its pretty simple. When property tax bills come due, many of the large national chains claim that the value of their properties should be compared to the shuttered Walmart on 52nd Street in Kenosha. Thats a real dark store, thats what Woodmans, Meijers, Walmart, Lowes, Walgreens and CVS all claim the value of their properties is in line with. Thats an absurd position considering how much those companies paid for their land, how much they paid to construct their buildings and how much money theyre all making. How does this affect you? If the big box stores and the national chains refuse to pay their fair share, Kenosha County and Racine County have to make it up with your residential and small-business property taxes. Are you OK with subsidizing big box stores? Im not. In the May 17 Kenosha News, Somers Village President George Stoner was quoted as saying, This dark store thing is totally destroying communities. Were very, very upset with the leading Republicans, and theres nothing we can do about it. Yes there is. Its called an election. Speaker Vos (R-63rd District) and his employee, state Rep. Samantha Kerkman (R-61st District) should both be held accountable for ignoring the will of the people. In 2020, take your state back, vote these people out of office. Steve Marovich Kenosha Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 157 Shares Share Spot the word first in a headline, and you might assume a major milestone has been reached. Think first person on the moon, first woman on the Supreme Court. But in health care news, things heralded for being first might not amount to a clear advance for patients. Take two recent FDA announcements that made a splash despite weak evidence that they really help people. In March the FDA announced its approval of a first treatment for post-partum depression. Many stories parroted the first framing of an FDA news release: NBC News: FDA approves first drug for postpartum depression. New York Times: F.D.A Approves First Drug for Postpartum Depression CNN: FDA Approves First Postpartum Depression Drug. A few weeks later, some headlines mimicked an FDA news release about the agencys first green-lighting of a device to treat kids with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): USA Today: FDA signs off on first medical device for treating ADHD in children CNN: FDA OKs first medical device to treat ADHD in children. So whats the problem here? Showering attention on a treatment because its a first can shift the focus from what matters: how well it actually works. Uncertainty gets brushed over Thats what happened in the coverage of the postpartum drug, brexanolone, which is marketed as Zulresso. The Times was the only mainstream news organization story that I saw that reported meaningful outcomes data, and that was near the end of a 38-paragraph story. Many stories ran with sensational language like breakthrough, game-changer, and historic. The Washington Post referred to it as a major advance. CNN anchor Erica Hill mentioned the FDAs designation of the drug as a breakthrough therapy without explaining that the FDAs use of the word breakthrough has an entirely different meaning than the dictionary definition. (Weve written about how news stories can contribute to public confusion over the FDA definition of breakthrough.) There were ubiquitous interviews with a Connecticut mother who raved that the drug quickly made her feel like a cloud was lifted. Despite all the reporting power of NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, and the Times, all five featured this same woman, who was undoubtedly made available to reporters by the drug makers PR engine a classic case of tyranny of the anecdote. For the most part, coverage bemoaned barriers such as the drugs high cost and the need for a multi-day intravenous infusion. It didnt delve into the skimpy evidence of a benefit or concerns about whether the drug can be safely administered outside of a carefully controlled trial. Some news organizations, including CNN and NBC, misleadingly reported that the drug was effective for a majority of women who took it. What the evidence shows If more journalists had examined the drugs published phase 3 trial data, they might have highlighted points like this: The drugs effectiveness was tested in just 130 women, a small number for a drug that will be marketed to millions. In those manufacturer-sponsored trials, the drug performed only slightly better than a placebo. In one study, after 60 hours women who were given brexanolone improved by an average of 14.6 points on a survey called the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), while women given a placebo improved an average of 12.1 points. Both groups progressed from being on the low end of very severely depressed to being considered mildly depressed. The long-term effect is unknown. Mood improvements lasted 30 days in both the drug and placebo groups, although in one trial the placebo group actually showed additional improvement at 30 days and was doing better than those who had received the drug. Researchers said the drugs effectiveness beyond 30 days hasnt been studied. Concern that women might pass out and hurt themselves or their babies was barely mentioned. Five patients who got the drug, or four percent, lost consciousness during the infusion. Adverse events were more common in the group that took the drug and included headaches, dizziness, nausea, infusion site pain, sleepiness, and fatigue. Potential for unintended side effects It was drug safety advocate Kim Witczak not journalists who raised some of the toughest questions about brexanolone, such as: Will it be a game changer for new mothers or just another marketing travesty? In a blog post for the website Mad in America, which bills itself as a catalyst for rethinking psychiatric care in the United States, Witczak said journalists didnt sufficiently report safety concerns expressed by members of an FDA advisory panel on which she served. Those concerns prompted the FDA to require safety procedures, called Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS), including that the drug be administered only to patients in a medically supervising setting. However, REMS programs lack teeth. Witczak wrote: REMS programs are neither enforceable nor a guarantee of safety. As a member of the FDA Advisory Committee, I believe its our moral obligation to make sure that all drugs with this risk potential are scrutinized and held to a higher standard in the approval process. More research is needed before we can be sure that this is not just the latest in a long line of drugs offered to women as a quick fix with minimal efficacy and the potential for unintended side effects. I fail to see why scientifically proper studies cannot be completed prior to rollout of this new drug treatment, to ensure efficacy and safety. A rushed study process reinforces my concerns, especially when the company performing the studies is the manufacturer and there are no true checks and balances in the system. The FDAs framing of brexanolone as a first also obscured the fact that there are already treatments for postpartum depression, including psychotherapy and standard antidepressant drugs. The need for social supports for new mothers, which has been found to mitigate postpartum depression, went unacknowledged in the FDA news release and the bulk of news coverage. Its not like postpartum depression is a hitherto untreated condition, said Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD, a family medicine doctor and director of Georgetown Universitys PharmedOut project. She pointed out that while brexanolone is the first drug approved by the FDA specifically for postpartum depression, that fact is not what the agency should emphasize to the public. Pathetic regulatory system Similarly, stories about the ADHD device largely characterized it as a breakthrough while downplaying slight evidence of a benefit. The device was studied in just 62 kids who were randomized to the device or a placebo device for four weeks. That means only 32 children were tested on the actual device. They were assessed on a clinician-administered rating scale that included factors such as difficulty paying attention or regularly interrupting others. At the end of week four, the FDA said in its news release, the average score in the device group decreased from 34.1 points to 23.4 points, versus a decrease from 33.7 to 27.5 points in the placebo group. Susan Molchan, MD, a geriatric psychiatrist and one of our longtime reviewers, suggested in an email that patients are not helped very much by being told that the device is first on the market. She pointed out that ADHD drugs are typically tested for at least 12 weeks: Four weeks is such a short period of time. If this was all it was approved on, it points out how pathetic our device regulation system is. If we knew it would be helpful, which we dont, it would be great to have another option for treatment, especially a non drug one, she said. its just unfortunate our device regulation system is so weak that consumers really cant ascertain from approval that the device is any good. A loaded marketing term Some experts question whether the FDA should be calling out treatments as first in its news release headlines. Witczak described it to me as a loaded marketing word like newest and latest that might be used to sell a car. Steven Woloshin, MD, co-director of the Center for Medicine and Media at The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, co-authored research showing how using terms such as breakthrough and promising can inflate peoples beliefs about a the effectiveness of a new drug. Its an impact that even extends to doctors. He wrote in an email: I think first is another example of marketing language finding its way into FDA communications perhaps not as extreme as breakthrough but certainly along the same lines. As a result, I expect the word first will magnify enthusiasm for drugs/devices and show up in media reports and, of course, ads. This is a problem because in general, new or first should be seen as a warning, not as a benefit: an approved new drug/device has gone through typically rigorous testing but on small numbers of highly selected people for short periods of time. Our understanding of the balance of benefits and harms evolves as more typical patients [such as those taking other medications or having other medial diseases] take the drug. European regulators recognize this uncertainty by requiring a black triangle symbol on communications about drugs that require additional safety monitoring, Woloshin noted. The National Academy of Medicine, formerly the Institute of Medicine, has endorsed the idea in the U.S. The FDA news release on brexanolone described potential harms but did a poor job of helping people appreciate how well the drug works, he said. For example, it offered no data on how much depression scores changed for new moms in the trials, or the percent who were no longer classified as depressed after treatment. Instead, the release stated that the drug demonstrated superiority to placebo in improvement of depressive symptoms at the end of the first infusion. The improvement in depression was also observed at the end of the 30-day follow-up period. Those vague descriptors popped up repeatedly in news stories. First should heighten caution While some medical experts say first doesnt aid public comprehension, the FDA seems enamored with that framing. By my count, the agency used first in 14 headlines so far this year. Thats on pace to exceed last years total of 37, which was up from 30 in 2017 and 20 in 2016. Woloshin suggested thats a trend in the wrong direction: I think the way forward is for FDA and journalists to avoid marketing terms, to clearly summarize AND quantify key benefits and harms, and remind everyone that when it comes to drugs and devices, first or new should generally be seen as a red flag to heighten caution rather than enthusiasm. Mary Chris Jaklevic is a reporter-editor, HealthNewsReview.org, and can be reached on Twitter @mcjaklevic. Image credit: Shutterstock.com LANE COUNTY, Ore. -- Suicide rates are on the rise for teen girls, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. For girls age 10 to 14, suicide rates have risen 12 percent every year from 2007 to 2016. Ana Day with Oregon Community Programs said the intervention point for kids in these crisis situations is a parent and that open communication is really what matters. "Many parents of kids who are in that 10 to 14 age range, myself included, did not grow up with cellphones and social media, so we don't necessarily understand the impact it has for kids on the level of connection," Day said. RELATED: SUICIDE RATES IN GIRLS ARE RISING, STUDY FINDS, ESPECIALLY IN THOSE AGE 10 TO 14 But there's not just one reason for this spike. Roger Brubaker, suicide prevention coordinator for Lane County Public Health, said trying to pinpoint one reason does more harm than good. He also said Oregon schools are for the most part lacking adequate behavioral and mental health support for kids. "Schools are educational, but they serve as a critical point for health care as well. That's why schools with integrated health care are some of the most well positioned, but unfortunately many don't have the funding or access to that," Brubaker said. Both Brubaker and Day said social media is no longer a source of "fake" community for kids. "The ship has sailed. The toothpaste is out of the tube on social media as a means of connections for our kids," Day said. "It's happening. It's part of their life. It will continue to be part of their life." Brubaker called it a life-saver for some kids. "Online communities do create connections and connections save lives," he said. Lane County Public Health hosts suicide prevention trainings. For a schedule, click here. Brubaker and Day said education and intervention are life-saving when it comes to the health of your child and that open communication can save lives. 1 of 4 Sonam Kapoor looks modern maharani in 3 different attire at Cannes 2019 Bollywood's actress and fashion icon, Sonam Kapoor is currently attending the 72nd Cannes Film Festival 2019. The actress quenched the curiosity of her fans by sharing pictures from some of her looks on Instagram. Sonam's outfits were a perfect amalgamation of billowing silhouettes and a pallet full of bright colours. Sonam Kapoor's sartorial choices for Cannes have always kept the fashion police pre-occupied and she just added one more to her look-book and scored full marks. Sonam Kapoor's fashion statement for the night was best described by her sister and stylist Rhea Kapoor: "When India does couture. Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla painting Sonam in silver." This is Sonam Kapoor's 10th year in the French Riviera as an ambassador for the cosmetics brand L'Oreal. Sonam has been accompanied by her filmmaker sister Rhea Kapoor, who spilled the beans on Sonam's outfits for this year's Cannes Film Festival and told that the actress' outfits will be all about simplicity and elegance. "I think this year we are going to focus on simplicity and elegance," said Rhea Kapoor. Read More... Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 21) Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Manny Pinol urged the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute and Food and Drugs Administration to release the brand names of vinegar that use synthetic acetic acid. Pinol said he does not understand why the brand names must be withheld. "Hindi mo pwede itago yan. Ano ang dahilan mo para itago ang pangalan? Maski sabihin mong safe, okay safe. Pero sabihin mo sa amin kung ano ang mga brands na gumagamit ng synthetic acetic acid," Pinol said Tuesday. [Translation: You cannot hide it. What's the reason for doing so? Even if it's safe, sure, it's safe. But you have to divulge which brands use synthetic acid.] The issue arose after the PNRI stated in a report that 14 of 17 vinegar brands they tested use synthetic acetic acid. Under the Department of Health's Administrative Order No. 134, vinegar containing any "artificial matter" such as synthetic acetic acid "shall be deemed to be adulterated and its sale is thereby prohibited." Pinol also wants the DA to be part of a team to review and revise the 1970 DOH AO. During a Monday interagency meeting at the DA, biochemist Flerida Carino of the University of the Philippines said there is no proof that synthetic acetic acid is harmful to one's health. But PNRI clarified its study is limited to determining whether the acetic acid is fermented or synthetic, and did not include whether those synthetic acetic acid have residues that may be carcinogenic. The FDA said it will review and verify the study of the PNRI before making the necessary actions. I was in a car accident several months ago and hired a personal injury attorney almost immediately. Initially, she was very responsive, returned my calls promptly, keeping me informed of everything. Then, suddenly, silence. I leave messages, am promised a callback, but nothing! Treatment for my injuries is on a lien basis with bills to be paid when the case is resolved, but now I dont know what to do. Should I change lawyers? Thanks, Darlene. Unhappy or pressured to change lawyers? I ran Darlenes question by a friend of this column, Southern California personal injury attorney Shawn Steel. His law practice is unique in that he not only represents accident victims, but also health care professionals who have been badly dealt with by lawyers refusing to honor their contracts with doctors to pay their bills when the case settles. Steel provided practical advice for health care providers facing that situation in a recent article I wrote, When Lawyers Refuse to Pay a Client's Doctor Bill. As he explained, the question of to change or not to change lawyers comes up under two different scenarios: Youve hired a lawyer on a contingent fee basis, but are not satisfied with the legal services provided, or; You are being pressured into changing lawyers by friends, family members or some other attorney who wants your case which is illegal in most states. Steel set out four questions clients often ask: Do I have to give a reason before changing lawyers? Will I owe the first lawyer for time spent on my case? Should I wait and see if things get better? I signed a lien with the lawyer to pay bills, but if I change attorneys, what happens to that lien? You do not need a reason to change lawyers, and what your reader has described is one of the most common a failure to communicate, ignoring you, Steel points out. But dont fire your lawyer just because your phone call wasnt returned immediately! Youve got to be reasonable. And keep in mind that your old attorney has a right to be paid by the new attorney out of settlement proceeds. When you feel the relationship is a bad fit, end it immediately. Two or three months is no problem. Lawyers will take your case as not much of a fee has been earned in that short amount of time. Simply stated, the older the case, the less desirable it is to the new attorney, and even good cases get rejected for that reason, he underscores. What Happens to the Lien I Signed with the First Lawyer to Pay My Bills? Financially, an auto accident can become a nightmare lasting years if medical and chiropractic bills arent paid. Clients often think, But as I had a lien with the first lawyer, it automatically transfers to the second lawyer, right? Unfortunately, thats not the law, Steel emphasizes. Changing lawyers extinguishes the lien. Unless a new lien is signed by everyone, a potential costly problem for the patient is around the corner. This is his advice to health care professionals and their patients: Health care providers: When becoming aware your patient has a new lawyer, immediately get a new lien signed. If the attorney refuses, bill the client at once dont wait! Also, occasionally ask patients if they have the same lawyer. Patients: It is potentially damaging to your credit and even your ability to get a job in some circumstances if your case has been settled without the health care providers being paid and you wind up being sued. If you change lawyers, immediately notify all your health care providers of this fact, with the name, address and phone number of the new lawyer. If you do not do this, youll have to pay out of your own pocket and could be hounded by a collection agency or taken to court. Resist Pressure to Change Lawyers Everyone has a know-it-all relative who will claim to know more than your lawyer, or has a friend who is an attorney, So just drop the lawyer you hired and go with my guy! Clients hear that often, Steel notes. He warns his own clients that before doing anything, when hearing such advice from family members, Just talk with me. Hes right, but clients often feel a bit intimidated even by their own lawyer. Doctors face the same issues, where patients are often reluctant to reveal all thats worrying them or to ask questions about treatment. Add to this the reality that most of us (Donald Trump excepted) take no pleasure in telling an employee, Youre fired! And thats precisely what your lawyer is your employee. But theres more. A Sad Story from My Own Case Files Especially in the world of personal injury, where an attorney working on a contingent fee of usually one-third to 50% of the settlement amount can spend very little time on a case and walk away with thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Lawyers do not ever want to lose those cases, but it happens, and sometimes with disastrous consequences for the client, as I learned some years ago. The son-in-law and granddaughter of a client were killed in an auto accident caused by an employee of a major oil company, and there was no issue as to fault. Illegally violating the Rules of Professional Conduct a law firm that did nothing but personal injury work, asked a friend of my client to get the family to switch from me to them by bad-mouthing me. They succeeded. Instead of promptly working out a settlement that would have kept the family out of court and not reliving that horrible accident, suit was filed raising the firms fee from a third to 50% and it dragged on for over two years, leading to the young widows mental breakdown. This allowed the oil company to offer a fraction of what the case was worth, as they knew she would not want to testify. The family accepted their offer. Shortly afterward, my client the grandfather came to our office, told us what had happened, and began to cry. We were so stupid, Dennis, having known you all these years and then betraying our friendship. That decision to fire you was the worst of my life. I am so sorry. I was embarrassed. My cowardice not telling you that the other lawyer wanted our case had horrible consequences. The family will never forgive me. Always Remember This The moral to that story for readers is simple. For whatever reason, be upfront with your attorney, and voice what is bothering you. Clients have a right to be treated fairly by their lawyers, and it is a two-way street. No one likes to be fired for no reason. Lawyers have feelings, too. Steel points out one more issue facing accident victims and their families: There are predators out there, people who work for lawyers and get an illegal kickback. If you get approached, call your lawyer right away, as it is illegal for anyone from another law firm to contact you if you are already represented. I love the late great Richard Russells response when people called him a gold bug: Im not a gold bugyoure a dollar bug! I was lucky enough to meet him and see this line delivered with grace and humor. Im reminded of it now because a very astute reader of mine just sent me a copy of a presentation on gold he recently delivered. His case was built on the systemic risks all investors in todays financial world face, but few recognize. This is precisely why I like to say that we are all speculators now, and the advantage goes to those of us who know it. Its also why my friend Doug Casey has long said that the reason to own gold is not for speculation, but prudence. Simply put, gold is the ultimate financial insurance. How can I say that with gold down almost 50% since its 2011 peak? What kind of safe haven fluctuates that much in just a few years? Well, I could snark that Bitcoin fluctuated that much in a month, but thats not really relevant. Dont get me wrong; I like Bitcoin. Great idea. Revolutionary, in a good way. But Bitcoin is just not in the same asset class as gold. More relevant is that the Dow dropped almost as much during the crash of 2008a year gold finished in the black. Despite the nonsense claims of gold being a barbarous relic and the even more ridiculous claims that Bitcoin is the new gold, the most important and undisputed facts are: Gold has held its value for thousands of years. The US dollarthe reserve currency of the worldhas lost 96.1% of its value since 1913. Cryptos have only existed for a few years and have already manifested extreme volatility. Reliability TBD. This is all any rational person really needs to know. But Ill give you a bit more color. Gold isnt like the kind of insurance one buys to cover every sniffle and stubbed toe. Such perfect financial protection does not exist. Gold prices do fluctuate. In the short term, this can be frustratingor even dangerous if one forgets it. Gold is more like the catastrophic insurance healthy people buy, knowing its cheaper to simply pay for sprained ankles and such routine things out of pocket. Its still a great comfort to know that if something major comes up, one is covered. Whether its sudden unemployment, the next stock market crash, or the next global economic depression, gold is the best insurance you can buy. I have, in fact, experienced this financial life-saving aspect of precious metals myself. But can one truly rely on gold? Well, it has held value better than anything elseabsolutely everything elsefor over 4,000 years. What about the worst case, a Mad Max-style collapse of civilization itself? People say that you cant eat gold. Its true. You also cant eat shoes, iron ingots, or the knowledge of how to build a windmill, but all of these things are valuable. Gold happens to be a unique, easily identified metal with many uses that give it value in and of itself. Its also convenient, consistent, durable, and divisible. It has all the attributes of good money. And you dont need the Internet, a computer, or even electricity to use it. Better still, you dont need a government to pass laws requiring people to accept it. Without such government fiat, the little pieces of paper people call money today would never have been accepted. And what happens to those pieces of paper when governments fail? Ask the folks in Zimbabwe. People who imagine theyre safe putting their savings in US dollars, euros, rubles, francs, rupees, yen, yuan, or any other such intrinsically worthless scraps are all folks I think of as dollar bugs. Gold is the best form of wealth protection ever devised. Period. What if ones goal is not to protect wealth, but to create wealth? Well, thats where rational, disciplined speculation comes in. For this, golds famous fluctuations turn out to be a good thing; we can speculate on quality gold stocks when gold is oversold, and gain leverage on the rebound. But in this regard, Im not religious about gold. Im willing to speculate on other metals, other commodities, and other assets entirelyif and when Im convinced that Ive found a truly great speculation. Finding those is not easy, of course. Thats why readers of The Independent Speculator pay me to help them. Caveat emptor, By Barbara Lewis JOHANNESBURG, May 20 (Reuters) - SolGold is in talks with financiers keen to invest in its Ecuadorian copper-gold prospects and mining major BHP could increase its stake in the company, SolGold's chief executive said on Monday. In a preliminary economic assessment of the Alpala copper-silver-gold deposit in northern Ecuador released earlier, London-listed SolGold said annual copper output should be 207,000 tonnes for the first 25 years of a mine life of roughly half a century. Ecuador has attracted a flurry of interest from big miners eager to increase their exposure to copper. The highly conductive metal is in demand for use in renewable energy and electric vehicles, but big, new deposits are rare. Diversified majors particularly favour such large-scale, long-life projects as SolGold promises. CEO Nick Mather said the next steps included permit discussions with the Ecuadorian government and talks with potential investors. He declined in a telephone interview to name the parties involved but said SolGold was open to all sorts of financing structures. He said that BHP, SolGold's second biggest shareholder, has room to increase its stake. BHP declined to comment, but Refinitiv data shows it has just over 205 million shares in SolGold, below a threshold of a little more than 246 million set by an agreement last year, when BHP said it would not go beyond that without SolGold consent. MORE PROMISING ASSETS Australia's Newcrest Mining is SolGold's biggest investor with 15.3%, while BHP has 11.2%. "This is a company that is attracting people who have a bullish outlook for the copper market," Mather said. A definitive feasibility study is expected by the end of 2020 and a development decision should be taken around the same time on Alpala, the most advanced SolGold prospect, which is in Ecuador's Cascabel region. Other assets in SolGold's Ecuadorian portfolio could be even more promising, Mather said. BHP, which gets the biggest share of its earnings from iron ore, has also increased its Ecuador exposure with an outline deal with Canada's Luminex Resources , which has gold-copper prospects. Copper constitutes the second biggest share of BHP's earnings and it has an operating stake in the world's biggest copper mine Escondida in Chile. Escondida produces more than 1 million tonnes annually, although production fell in the first quarter. While the outlook for iron ore is clouded by uncertainties over Chinese consumption and trade, copper is expected to see strong demand on rising levels of electrification and as the world shifts towards renewable power. As the most obvious copper deposits become depleted, Ecuador appeals because the government is considered investor-friendly when some resource-holding nations are imposing increasingly tough terms. (Reporting by Barbara Lewis; editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise) LONDON (Reuters) - British Steel, the countrys second largest steel producer, is on the brink of collapse unless the government agrees to provide an emergency 30 million pound ($38 million) loan by later on Tuesday, two sources close to the situation said. Owned by investment firm Greybull Capital, British Steel employs around 5,000 people, mostly in Scunthorpe, in the north of England, while 20,000 more depend on its supply chain. Greybull, which specialises in trying to turn around distressed businesses, paid former owners Tata Steel a nominal one pound in 2016 for the loss-making company which they renamed British Steel. British Steel had asked the government for a 75 million pound loan but has since reduced its demand to 30 million pounds after Greybull agreed to put up more money, according one of the sources, who is close to the negotiations. Greybull was also the owner of Monarch, an airline that went bust here in October 2017. If the British Steel loan is not approved by Tuesday afternoon, administrators EY could be appointed as early as Wednesday, the source said. British Steel and Greybull both declined to comment. There have been ongoing discussions with the company and I am sure the House (of Commons) will understand that we cannot comment at this stage, Andrew Stephenson, a junior business minister, told lawmakers in parliament. I can however assure the House that, subject to strict legal bounds, the government will leave no stone unturned in its support for the industry. Stephenson said the government had been in contact with former British Steel owners Tata Steel. STEEL INDUSTRY SUFFERS The second source said British Steel lost the backing of one of its four big lenders earlier on Tuesday, while some of the others had already exited. The (companys) cash was not big enough to sustain even one bank pulling the plug, he said. The possible collapse of British Steel comes after Germanys Thyssenkrupp and Indias Tata Steel ditched a plan earlier this month to merge their European steel assets to create the EUs second largest steelmaker after ArcelorMittal. The collapsed merger leaves the wider EU steel sector fragmented and vulnerable to economic downturns. It also calls into question the fate of Britains largest steelworks in Port Talbot, Wales, owned by Tata Steel. British steel firms pay some of the highest green taxes and energy costs in the world, and are also saddled with high labour and logistics costs, as well as uncertainties surrounding Britains planned exit from the European Union. After making a profit in 2017, British Steel cut around 400 jobs last year, blaming factors such as the weak pound. Earlier this month, it appeared to have secured the backing of lenders and shareholders to continue operating after the uncertainty around Brexit hammered its order book, with customers recoiling from the possible threat of tariffs. The company also secured a government loan of around 120 million pounds ($154 million) at the start of the month to enable it to comply with the European Unions Emissions Trading System (ETS) rules. POLITICAL PRESSURE The collapse of British Steel would be devastating for thousands of jobs in Scunthorpe, as well as in the wider supply chain, opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said on Twitter. The government must act to secure the long term future of the steelworks - protecting peoples livelihoods and the community. The second source said the British government was reluctant to hand over more cash, because Greybull could end up with the funds if the business fails. Greybull could walk out with millions because they secured all their loans against the assets. At the holding level, Greybull are the only creditor. The government wants Greybull out before putting money into the business, he said. Its going to be difficult to survive this afternoon, he added. The UK government has a chequered history with Greybull, after the collapse of Monarch in 2017 forced it to repatriate more than 100,000 stranded tourists at a cost of about 60 million pounds. The Mayfair-based firm also provided backing for the buyout of British high street electronics chain Comet before its collapse in 2012. Unions demanded the government give British Steel the loan. They must now put their money where their mouth is, said Ross Murdoch, national officer for the GMB union for steelworkers. GMB calls on the Government and Greybull to redouble efforts to save this proud steelworks and the highly skilled jobs, Murdoch said. Earlier this month, British Steel won approval from a French court to buy the Ascoval steel mill in northern France, pledging to invest 47.5 million euros in mill and guarantee the jobs of the 270 workers employed at the site. Ascoval is a joint venture between Vallourec and Ascometal. Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge and Maytaal Angel. Additional reporting by Susanna Twidale; Editing by Keith Weir and David Evans * Around 700,000 tonnes of contaminated crude heading to China * Cargoes mainly offered to Chinese teapot refineries * Hard to set prices without trade precedent (Adds buyer of Vitol's cargo, Unipec buys oil for Sinopec refineries) By Florence Tan and Olga Yagova SINGAPORE/MOSCOW, May 21 (Reuters) - Trading companies Vitol and Unipec are sending around 700,000 tonnes (5.1 million barrels) of contaminated Russian oil to Asia in an attempt to place the barrels rejected by buyers in Europe, according to trading sources and ship tracking data. A key Russian pipeline to Europe, Druzhba, and a major port Ust-Luga have been contaminated with organic chloride, which can damage refining equipment. As a result, Russia was forced to reduce exports in the country's worst ever supply disruption. Vitol has sold its cargo to Chinese independent refiner Bora Group while Unipec is moving the oil to refineries in China owned by its parent company China Petroleum and Chemical Corp (Sinopec), the sources said. "We took the oil after evaluating that our refineries are able to process the crude," one of the sources told Reuters, adding that the price was also attractive given that Middle East crude grades are trading at multi-year highs on tight supply. The vessels heading to China include the 130,000-tonne Suezmax tanker, Sonangol Rangel, that loaded oil from Denmark's Skaw ship-to-ship transfer area on May 15. The ship, chartered by Vitol, is expected to reach the port of Yingkou in northeastern China, on June 26, according to Refinitiv data. The very large crude carrier (VLCC) New Comfort, provisionally chartered by China's Unipec, is currently loading in Skaw to sail to eastern China's port of Ningbo. Unipec has also chartered the VLCC Amyntas to load contaminated Urals from smaller ships near the port of Southwold in Britain on May 22 for delivery to China, according to traders and Refinitiv data. Each VLCC is capable of carrying 270,000 tonnes of Urals crude. Sinopec, Vitol and Bora declined to comment. Traders who handle oil sales to Chinese teapots said they have been shown cargoes of Urals crude that contain organic chloride ranging from 30-50 parts per million (ppm) to 200 ppm with sellers asking for price quotes. Buyers are treading cautiously because the contaminated Urals crude needs to be stored in tanks and diluted multiple times with clean oil to reduce the organic chloride content in order not to damage refining equipment. "The final price is to be set. More quality tests are needed. Then it is possible to figure out the price, the way it can be refined and if it can be refined at all," a trader with a Chinese major told Reuters. Organic chloride in crude oil can cause corrosion and destroy refining units. "I was shown barrels with 200 ppm and I said: "No, thanks," a Singapore-based trader said. "The logistics is very challenging and only big refiners can manage," he said, adding that a cargo with 200-ppm of organic chloride will need 20 cargoes of the same volume to be diluted to a normal level of 10 ppm. For traders, estimating the value for the oil is the hardest part as there has been no trade precedent. "Nobody knows where these barrels should trade. It's a discount to ICE Brent for cargoes landing in China for sure but how much of a discount, nobody knows," a second trader said. European traders said contaminated cargoes have been offered at a discount of $10-20 per barrel but very few buyers showed interest. Clean Russian Urals crude from the Baltic is currently trading at $74 per barrel. "We don't want to touch it. Refiners were previously hurt due to chloride issues, so they should be more cautious," a European buyer said. Volumes that are currently heading to Asia represent around half of the 1.5 million tonnes, or 11 million barrels, of contaminated Urals that had been exported from the Baltic port of Ust Luga in recent weeks. Because European buyers refused to buy the volumes, they ended up mostly with trading houses. Another 9 million barrels are estimated to be stuck in the Druzhba pipelines between Belarus and Germany. (Reporting by Florence Tan and Olga Yagova; additional reporting by Dmitry Zhdannikov and Gleb Gorodyankin; editing by Susan Fenton and Christian Schmollinger) The Tower reports: The BBC has come under fire for censoring virulent anti-Jewish sentiments in a documentary about violent Hamas-orchestrated border riots, which aired Monday evening on BBC Two. In the English subtitles of the 60-minute film, One Day in Gaza, the BBC translated the Arabic word for Jew (Yahud) to Israeli in an apparent attempt to play down expressions of anti-Semitism in the documentary. One of the Palestinian rioters remarked in Arabic: The revolutionary songs, they excite you, they encourage you to rip a Jews head off. But the English translation of Bader Salehs remarks offered by the BBC referred to an Israeli, not a Jew. Kelly Sickafoose is secretary of the Northeast Regional Advisory Board of Community Anti-Drug Coalitions, executive director of Drug Free Adams County and coordinator of Adams County Drug Court. She serves in an advisory capacity to LaGrange and Steuben counties. Contact her at kellys@co.adams.in.us. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Cloudy skies. Low 29F. WNW winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Cloudy skies. Low 29F. WNW winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. (JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) President Donald Trump approved Missouri Governor Mike Parson's request for a major disaster declaration to help local governments and nonprofit agencies in 13 Missouri counties recover from devastating flooding and severe storms that happened between March 11 to April 16. The declaration makes federal assistance available for the repair of damaged roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure. The assistance would also cover emergency response costs associated with the storms and flooding. According to the governor's office, at the time of the governor's major disaster declaration request on April 24th, $25 million in qualifying expenses had already been identified. This disaster declaration means millions of dollars in vitally important federal reimbursements will be available for communities that are hurting because of damaged and destroyed roads, bridges, and other vitally important infrastructure, Governor Parson said. "I appreciate President Trump making the federal assistance available and all those who are already working to help our Missouri communities recover. The counties included in the President's public assistance disaster declaration include: Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Carroll, Chariton, Holt, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Perry, Platte, Ray, and Ste. Genevieve. The declaration also makes Federal emergency Management Agency's hazard mitigation program available, which prevents or reduces long-term risk to life and property due to natural hazards. The federal government is still reviewing Governor Parson's request for FEMA assistance to individual residents in Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Holt, and Platte counties. Governor Parson declared a state of emergency on March 21 in response to worsening conditions along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers as a result of excessive rainfall, releases from upstream reservoirs and snow melt. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. 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Get Sample Copy Of This @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/11512 To understand and assess opportunities in this market, the report is categorically divided into three sections namely, by product type, by mineral grade, application, and region. By application, the market is segmented into dyes & paints, plastics & rubber, paper, pure titanium metal & welding rods, and others. The report provides analysis of the Australia titanium dioxide market in terms of market volume (kilotons) and market value (US$ Mn). By product type, the market is segmented into pigments and non-pigments. The report provides detailed insights about the Australia titanium dioxide market performance in terms of value and volume. The report also includes PMRs analysis of drivers and restraints influencing the market. Key trends in the market and regulations for titanium dioxide market are also included in the report to provide clients with decision-making insights. The subsequent sections analyze the Australia titanium dioxide market on the basis of product type, mineral grade, application, and region, and presents a forecast for the period 20162024. The market is segmented as follows: By Product Type Pigments Non-pigments By Application Dyes & paints Plastics & rubber Paper Pure titanium metal & welding rods Others By Region New South Wales Victoria Queensland Western Australia Rest of Australia To deduce market size, the report considered various viewpoints based on secondary research. Furthermore, data points such as regional split and market split by product type, by mineral grade, by application, and qualitative inputs from industry experts have been taken into consideration to arrive at suitable market estimates. The forecast presented in the report evaluates the actual revenue generated and expected revenue in the Australia titanium dioxide market over the forecast period. When developing the market forecast, the report begins with sizing up the current market, which forms the basis for forecasting how the market is anticipated to grow during the forecast period. Given the characteristics of the market, PMR triangulates the data on the basis of various analysis based on both supply side and demand side, and dynamics of the titanium dioxide market. However, quantifying the market across the aforementioned segments and regions is more a matter of quantifying expectations and identifying opportunities rather than rationalizing them at the end of the forecast period. In an ever-fluctuating economy, we not only conduct forecasts in terms of CAGR, but also evaluate on the basis of key parameters, such as year-on-year (Y-o-Y) growth, to understand the predictability of the market and identify growth opportunities for players. Request For TOC @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/methodology/11512 Another key feature of this report is the analysis of titanium dioxide market and the corresponding revenue forecast in terms of absolute dollar opportunity. This is usually overlooked while forecasting the market. However, absolute dollar opportunity is critical in assessing the level of opportunity that a provider can look to achieve as well as to identify potential resources from a sales perspective in the titanium dioxide market. To understand key segments in terms of their growth and performance in the titanium dioxide market, Persistence Market Research has developed a market attractiveness index. The resulting index would help providers identify existing market opportunities. In the final section of the report, the competitive landscape is included to provide a dashboard view of titanium dioxide manufacturers in Australia. The report also comprises strategic recommendations to capitalize on growth opportunities in the market and provides company profiles of some of the major players. This would enable clients to assess strategies deployed by market leaders and help them develop effective strategies accordingly. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 21) Amid speculation about his health, President Rodrigo Duterte made a public appearance Tuesday, his first after voting in the midterm polls. Duterte received the letter of credentials of Thailand's Ambassador-designate to the Philippines Vasin Ruangprateepsaeng in Malacanang. The President had apologized to Vasin for being two minutes late, as he was signing papers. " I am very happy of your presence today and congratulations to your new deployment. I understand this is the first ambassadorial assignment that you have for the Republic of Thailand," he told Vasin. On Sunday, rumors circulated about Duterte's supposed hospitalization at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City. The Palace has neither confirmed nor denied this. Former presidential aide Christopher "Bong" Go also shared photos of the President in his official residence on Sunday. Presidential Spokesperson Sal Panelo on Tuesday allayed concerns regarding the health of Duterte, who is 74 years old. "Let me assure the nation na if there is anything wrong with the Presidents health serious enough to be of our concern he will tell us," he said. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed that it is investigating Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and some others. Acting chairman of the anti-graft agency, Ibrahim Magu, affirmed this during an interview with Channels Television in London. Asked if an investigation is ongoing regarding the governor, he responded, definitely. Of course, we are doing a couple of checks and investigations here and there. We are investigating almost everybody, the EFCC boss added. He noted that the commission has to get to a certain level before it can disclose any information about an ongoing investigation. Magu explained that this was necessary to prevent any action that can jeopardise or interfere with the process of the inquiry. According to him, Governor Okorocha is one of the many people being investigated by the commission. He said although he was aware of reports of the investigation on the social media, the details the anti-graft agency has been different from what was in the public space. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates 24 -year-old teacher, Oluwaseun Adegoke, who allegedly sent West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) answer booklet on the internet to a student, on Monday appeared in Ikeja Magistrates Court in Lagos. The police charged Adegoke, who live in Orile-Agege, Lagos, is charged with unlawfully assisting a candidate in the course of an examination. The Police Prosecutor, Insp Innocent Odugbo, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on May 17 at a private school in Agege, Lagos, He said that the defendant scanned a WAEC answer booklet of a student while the examination was still on and sent it on Whatsapp to assist some students. Odugbo said that WAEC got information that the answer booklet of a student was on the internet. On getting to trace the school, it was discovered that the defendant posted it. The case was reported and the defendant was arrested, the prosecutor said. The offence , he said, contravened the provisions of Section 324(3)of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Section prescribes 10 years jail term for unlawfully assisting a candidate in the course of an examination. Following his plea of not guilty, Magistrate Mrs Emeka Opara, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum. Opara ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidences of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government(LASG). She adjourned the case until June 26. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates In a rather bizarre case, a Zimbabwean man from Murambinda died after he was slapped by a man he had accused of having an adulterous affair with a married woman. New Zimbabwe reports that Manicaland Province Deputy Police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Luxon Chananda confirmed the incident. According to Chananda, the ironically named Takesure Urayayi of Ngudu village under Chief Nyasha and his friend Moses Kwarimba were returning home after drinking beer at a local growth point when the now deceased, Lucky Taonezvi, approached them. Taonezvi confronted Urayayi whom he accused of having an extramarital affair with a married woman. Apparently, this did not go down well with Urayayi who responded by slapping Taonezvi once in the face. To everyones horror, Taonezvi fell down unconscious and died a few minutes later. After realising what had happened, Urayayi handed himself over to the police. The deceaseds body was ferried to Murambinda hospital for post mortem and the results are yet to be released. Assistant Inspector Chanada added: Member of the public should desist from resolving their misunderstanding through violence. They should learn to resolve their disputes peacefully to avoid loss of life. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates President Muhammadu Buhari today returned to Abuja after performing the Umrah (Lesser Pilgrimage) in Saudi Arabia. The Presidents Chief of Staff, Malam Abba Kyari; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammed Bello; acting Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Adamu and other government functionaries were at the airport to welcome the president. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates The glamorous ex-gymnast Alina Kabaeva rumoured to be Vladimir Putins long-time partner has recently given birth to twins, according to reports. There has been no confirmation from the Olympic gold medal-winner and the Kremlin never discusses the divorced presidents private life, with the state-run media in Russia obediently following suit. A source close to 36-year-old Kabaeva, who is rumoured to have a hidden family with Putin, was quoted saying: We do not comment on the rumours. The entire VIP fourth floor at the Kulakov Research Centre for Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Perinatology was cleared earlier this month to accommodate the former gymnast and MP, say reports. One major newspaper, Moskovsky Komsomolets, carried the story on its website only to suddenly delete it and wipe all mentions of the claims, including from the internet cache. But the reports have persisted with one outlet dni.ru running the headline: Alina Kabaeva gave birth to twins and disappeared. Separately, Sergei Kanev, an investigative journalist close to the Russian intelligence services, posted that she gave birth to twin boys by Caesarean. He was informed that countless Federal Protective Service officers were brought in and sniffed every corner of the maternity hospital before her arrival. Half of the medical team was kicked out of the delivery ward, he said, citing his own source. A famous doctor from Italy was the key to helping the birth with the assistance of academician Gennady Sukhikh, director of the medical centre. The mother was delivered of two boys. However, a C-section had to be performed. He did not name the Italian doctor. There has been no mention of the ex-gymnasts alleged twins in popular news outlets Life and REN TV which are controlled by Kabaeva, who now heads TV and newspaper giant National Media Group. The story was originally revealed as an exclusive by showbiz news website Dom2Life owned by judo-loving tycoon Alexander Karmanov on 12 May, Kabaevas 36th birthday. Russian researchers say Karmanov is close to oligarch Arkady Rotenburg, one of Putins oldest friends, and his former judo sparring partner. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates A 39-year-old petty trader, Moji Aderibigbe, accused of stripping n-ked and pouring urine on the church altar, on Friday appeared in a Yaba Chief magistrates Court in Lagos. Aderibigbe, who resides in Pedro Area of Lagos is charged with insult to a religion and disorderly conduct. The Police prosecutor, Sgt. Modupe Olaluwoye, told the court that the defendant committed the offence at 8 p.m. on May 13, at No. 49, Onabola St., Ladi-lak area of Bariga, Lagos. Olaluwoye told the court that Mr Francis Osibowale, the pastor of the Firebrand Power Ministry, caught the defendants 15-year-old son vandalising church property. My Lord, when Aderibigbe was told that the pastor had taken her son to the station, she took off her clothes inside the church building. She also climbed the altar and began to urinate, she said. The offence, she said, contravened the provisions of sections 124 and 168 (a) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011. After the charge was read to her, she pleaded not guilty. The insult to religion carries two years jail term while disorderly conduct stipulates three months upon conviction, both with options of fine. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Oluwatoyin Oghere, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum. Oghere ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and must show evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos state government. She adjourned the case until May 22 for mention. NAN Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates Lake Geneva is considering relaxing its restrictions on where convicted sex offenders can live in the city, because of a court ruling that found similar rules in another community were unconstitutional. Lake Geneva currently prohibits sex offenders from living anywhere within 2,000 feet of any school, park, playground or other place where children may gather, considering child safety zones. City Attorney Dan Draper has alerted aldermen that the citys prohibition could be too restrictive, and that he is recommending reducing the distance to 750 feet so that the availability of housing for sex offenders is not so limited. I want to protect our children just like everyone else does, Draper said. Unfortunately, the courts have told us that there is a limit for how much we can protect. The village of Pleasant Prairie in Kenosha County had set a 3,000-foot boundary for its child safety zones, which put about 90 percent of the community off-limits to sex offenders once they were released from prison. When sex offenders challenged Pleasant Prairie in court, village officials reduced the restriction to 1,500 feet. But a judge ruled in April 2017 that the villages ordinance was still unconstitutional. Draper presented the issue to the Lake Geneva City Council on May 13 and told aldermen that several municipalities in Wisconsin have loosened their sex offender residency restrictions because of the Pleasant Prairie court ruling. Some aldermen, however, voiced hesitation about relaxing the citys prohibition. Alderman Tim Dunn said he is concerned that making it easier for convicted sex offenders to live in Lake Genea would encourage more such offenders to move into the community. They might come here because they have a hard time living in Elkhorn or Delavan, he said. Dunn questioned the city attorney on whether the city could prevail in court if officials decided to maintain and defend the current ordinance. Draper indicated that the city likely would lose such a court fight. I can tell you right now I dont think there is any chance, Draper said. I think we would be assuming a burden. According to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections sex offender registry, there are currently 23 sex offenders living within a 3-mile radius of downtown Lake Geneva. Draper, however, said the citys current child safety zones of 2,000 feet nearly half a mile make it virtually impossible for a sex offender to live in Lake Geneva and comply with the ordinance. Other places designated to have child safety zones are public libraries, recreational trails, public swimming pools and daycare centers. Alderwoman Shari Straube said addressing the constitutional issue is difficult because there are child safety zones located in so many places throughout the community. If everything was centrally located, it would be more condensed, Straube said. But its spread throughout the city. We got things everywhere. The city council is scheduled to discuss the issue again in June. Alderman Ken Howell said he would like the council to discuss the issue further before deciding whether to change its ordinance. I want to understand it completely before I make a decision, Howell said. Draper said he would contact other communities to determine if and how they have revised their sex offender rules. He said he is certain that many have already done what Lake Geneva is considering. Theyve gotten the same information we have, he said. I would be surprised if they didnt make the same changes. Draper later said loosening up the rules for sex offenders is a difficult decision for aldermen. Its a sensitive issue, he said. Its putting a lot of pressure on the aldermen. The Amazon Literary Partnership announced Monday that it was giving more than $1 million in grants to 66 literary nonprofit groups across the country, including nine in California. Amazon has awarded the grants annually since 2009, with the money going to small publishers, writing centers, literary magazines and other nonprofit groups that focus on literature. Recipients of this years grants include 826 Valencia, the San Francisco-based group dedicated to teaching writing to children and teenagers. The organization, the brainchild of author Dave Eggers and educator Ninive Clements Calegari, is known for running a pirate supply store at its headquarters in San Franciscos Mission District. Also receiving a grant from Amazon is Jack Jones Literary Arts, a book publicity company based in Los Angeles and founded by Kima Jones. The organization focuses on authors who are women of color; Jones clients have included Angie Thomas (The Hate U Give) and Leesa Cross-Smith (Whiskey & Ribbons). The Times called Jones the literary breakthrough of 2018: With her discerning eye for literature, keen awareness of what makes a successful book in the digital age and drive to empower writers who have been marginalized in publishing, Jones is an important new voice on the national stage. The Lambda Literary Foundation, another Los Angeles-based organization, is also among the recipients. The group, dedicated to advocating for LGBTQ authors, is best known for its annual literary awards, popularly called the Lammys. L.A.-based WriteGirl was also awarded a grant this year; the organization, founded in 2001 by former actor and advertising salesperson Keren Taylor, matches teenage girls with mentors who teach them creative writing. In 2011, Taylor told The Times that learning writing helps students succeed in whatever career they choose. Advertisement To give young people confidence in that skill set is huge, Taylor said. And writing is not only an academic and professional skill, its also a window into the way we understand ourselves as individuals and express who we are to the world. Two California-based publishers, Red Hen Press of Pasadena and Transit Books of Oakland, are also among the recipients of this years grants. The remaining California organizations to be awarded grants are National Novel Writing Month and Small Press Distribution, both based in Berkeley, and the KCRW Foundation, based in Santa Monica. Lambda Literary Foundation Executive Director Sue Landers praised the Amazon Literary Foundation for its grants program. Amazons investment in Lambda Literarys Emerging Writers Retreat ensures that the next generation of LGBTQ writers get the support they need and deserve to bring their vital stories into the world, Landers said. Tesla Inc., faced with a slumping stock price and questions about demand for its vehicles, has lowered the U.S. base prices of its two most expensive models. The Elon Musk-led automaker cut $3,000 from the price of the Model S sedan and $2,000 from the Model X SUV. Tesla said in a statement that, like other companies, it periodically adjusted prices and available options. The decreases offset price increases from a month ago, when Tesla offered longer battery range and added a new drive system and suspension. The statement didnt say whether slowing sales had influenced the decision. The Model S now starts at $71,250, and the X starts at $71,950. Those prices do not include federal and state tax credits. Advertisement Several analysts have questioned whether the company can sell enough cars to cover its expenses without dipping into cash reserves. Last week, Musk called for a hardcore review of all the companys expenses to manage cash burn. Teslas stock is under pressure, and in the last two days its shares have wavered below the $200 mark. After dipping Tuesday morning, shares ended the day at $205.08, barely changed from Mondays closing price. They are down more than 38% so far this year, lopping more than $20 billion off the companys market value. On Monday, the shares hit their lowest point since late 2016. On Tuesday, Tesla sustained another blow from Wall Street analysts: Morgan Stanley slashed its worst-case scenario for the share price to just $10 over concern the company had saturated the electric-car market. Demand is at the heart of the problem, analysts led by Adam Jonas said in a note. Tesla has grown too big relative to near-term demand, putting great strain on the fundamentals. Jonas lowered his bear case for Tesla shares from a previous estimate of $97 to take into account the risk that the company misses its current sales forecast for China by about half. He maintained his $230 price target. The price reductions for the Model S and X vehicles are less than 3%. Last week, Tesla raised the price of its top-selling Model 3 by $400, pushing the base price to $35,400. By any reasonable standard, these small changes are not newsworthy, the automaker said in a statement. After handing over just 63,000 cars in the first quarter, Tesla expects to deliver as many as 100,000 cars in the second and four times that for the year. Hitting the full-year target will be a Herculean task, Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives wrote in a report Sunday, calling the issues plaguing the company a code red situation. Even Ben Kallo, a longtime Tesla bull at Robert W. Baird & Co. who maintains the equivalent of a buy rating on the stock, wrote Tuesday that it could take several weeks or months for the negative narrative surrounding the carmaker to shift. He cut his price target to $340 from $400, telling clients that credibility questions, messaging/communication and significant noise around TSLA have kept incremental buyers out of the market. For Tesla to breathe life back into demand, it will have to aggressively expand into China, offer lower-priced sport utility vehicles and supply mobility fleets, Morgan Stanleys Jonas said. U.S.-China trade tensions and new auto competitors put this strategy at risk, he said. We give Tesla credit for tapping into the worlds largest EV market for a number of years in China, Jonas said. We strongly suspect a host of national champions to emerge. Tesla isnt alone in battling weaker global markets, including China. Germanys central bank warned that its nations auto industry one of the key pillars of Europes largest economy is facing more trouble as Chinas slowdown deepens. The slump comes just as incumbent carmakers are spending heavily to develop electric cars. Tesla said last month that it lost $702.1 million in the first quarter, which was among its worst quarters in two years. Sales tumbled 31% in the period. Musk predicted another loss in the second quarter but said Tesla would be profitable again by the third quarter. In January, the automaker cut its prices by $2,000 per vehicle, acknowledging that the pending expiration of a $7,500 federal tax credit for its electric cars will hurt sales. The credit is gradually being phased out for Tesla by the end of the year. Bloomberg was used in compiling this report. American Airlines Group Inc. is accusing its mechanics and their unions of conducting an illegal work slowdown to gain leverage in contract talks, and the airline is asking a federal judge to stop the activity. The airline says mechanics have caused about 900 cancellations or long delays since early February by taking an unusually long time to repair planes and by refusing to work overtime. On Monday, American filed a lawsuit in federal district court in Fort Worth against the Transport Workers Union and the International Assn. of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, which together represent Americans roughly 10,000 aircraft mechanics. The president of the Transport Workers Union denied that workers are engaging in a slowdown. Advertisement American Airlines is trying to punish us for doing exactly what we are supposed to do, which is ensure that there are safe aircraft in the air, John Samuelsen said. The last bargaining session occurred in late April in front of a federal mediator. Samuelsen said talks were stalled over pay, healthcare benefits and job security. Samuelsen said American is pushing to perform more maintenance work outside the United States, which he said could threaten the jobs of 6,000 mechanics. He said workers were willing to strike over the outsourcing plan. By federal law, airline workers cant legally strike until a mediator declares an impasse in negotiations. In its lawsuit, American said it canceled 644 flights and delayed 270 flights by at least two hours from Feb. 4 through May 13 because of unavailable planes, upsetting travel plans for 125,000 people. The airline said the slowdown will affect 3,400 passengers a day if it continues into summer. American said that until recently it never had a problem finding employees willing to work overtime. The conflict is similar to one between Southwest Airlines and its mechanics, who are represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Assn. The airline sued union officials over an alleged illegal slowdown in that case too. The two sides made up, however, after agreeing on a contract that gave workers 20% pay raises and bonuses. Negotiations lasted more than six years. Robert F. Smiths gift of paying off the student loans of Morehouse Colleges 2019 graduating class stunned the schools students and faculty, but it was just the latest act of philanthropy by the quiet billionaire tech investment executive who is concerned that economic opportunities for African Americans have narrowed. Smith made the surprise announcement Sunday while giving the commencement address at the college in Atlanta, and his gift is estimated at $20 million to $40 million. Smith, 56, is the nations richest African American ahead of Oprah Winfrey with a net worth of $5 billion, according to Forbes. He amassed his wealth as chief executive of Vista Equity Partners, a private equity firm in Austin, Texas, that he founded in 2000. Vista Equity buys, grows and sells companies in the software and other technology fields. It manages $46 billion in investments with a portfolio of more than 50 companies that employ more than 60,000 people, according to the firms website. Advertisement A billionaire shows his peers a better use of their wealth than buying crummy art Smith seldom gives interviews and operated in relative obscurity until a few years ago. His profile began growing in step with his philanthropy, much of which is aimed at supporting the African American community, and with more public appearances. Vista Equity said Smith was not available to comment for this story. Speaking at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills this month, Smith warned that educational and economic opportunities for African Americans had narrowed since the time he and other Denver children were bused to recently desegregated schools in the area. There is only one of those folks that were on that bus that actually got incarcerated, he said. We have doctors. We have lawyers. We have politicians. We have investors all because we had the opportunity to get into a great public school. That dynamic lived in my neighborhood. It doesnt live in that neighborhood today as much as it did then. The economic opportunity that was afforded me, I think, has changed. It has shrunk. Smith said African American communities are as segregated today as in the 1950s, subjecting them to economic underdevelopment that doesnt allow them to fully participate in the economy. He called for companies to invest in the problem, including by offering internships to underprivileged students who may not even be aware of the job opportunities created by the tech revolution. Morehouse is an all-male historically African American college. Months before saying hed wipe out the student loans of this years graduating class, Smith announced a $1.5-million gift to the school. He also has donated $20 million to the Smithsonians National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, and he and his foundation have given $50 million to Cornell University, his alma mater. In 2016, Smith became the first African American to be named chairman of Carnegie Hall. He had served on the celebrated New York concert venues board and was a donor, and hall officials cited his passion for music and his desire to help underserved communities connect with the arts. At a gala last fall for the City of Hope the cancer hospital and research center in Duarte Smith was the largest individual donor, with a gift of $500,000 that was earmarked for prostate cancer treatment for black men and breast cancer research for black women. Smith is a visionary partner who commits to a consistent, focused philanthropy that will have a measurable impact, City of Hope President Robert W. Stone said in an email Monday. Smith also signed on to the Giving Pledge, a commitment by the worlds wealthiest individuals and families to dedicate a majority of their wealth to philanthropy. The concept was formed by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett. The Colorado native also enjoys the fruits of his success. He owns a $59-million penthouse in Manhattan and a $19.5-million mansion in Malibu, among other properties, according to media reports. Smith has five children, three from his first marriage and two with wife Hope Dworaczyk, a former Playboy model he married in 2015. The son of two high-school principals with doctorate degrees, Smith grew up in a mostly black, middle-class neighborhood. In a rare interview with the Washington Post, he recalled that his father made sure music filled the house and that as they went to bed, the recordings of African American opera star Leontyne Price played on the stereo. Smith was drawn to technology and science and got a bachelors degree in chemical engineering from Cornell, followed by an MBA from Columbia Business School and a stint at Kraft General Foods. He switched to tech investment banking in 1994 when he joined Goldman Sachs, where he worked on mergers and acquisitions in Silicon Valley and elsewhere, then stepped out on his own and started Vista Equity. As his success and wealth grew, Smith maintained a low profile and shied away from being photographed. But now hes more comfortable with his public profile in part because he wants young African Americans to see what hes accomplishing, Smith told the Post. Now I want people to say, If Robert Smith can do it, I can do that and more, he said. I could just live off my money. It might be a good life, though it wouldnt be a fulfilled life. Times staff writer Laurence Darmiento contributed to this report. james.peltz@latimes.com Twitter: @PeltzLATimes Southwest Airlines Co. mechanics approved a new contract that provides pay increases and a retroactive bonus, closing out more than six years of negotiations that included a lawsuit and an alleged worker slowdown. The five-year agreement won 95% support from the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Assn., the union said Tuesday. About 94% of eligible voters participated. The approval removes uncertainty for the airline over costs. It also ends the threat of further flight disruptions less than three months after Southwest sued the union, accusing it of deliberately slowing operations. The 2,700 mechanics are the last of Southwests largest labor groups to secure a new contract since 2016, following pilots, flight attendants, baggage handlers and other airport ground workers. The deal provides employees $160 million in retroactive pay as a ratification bonus, an immediate 20% raise effective April 1, and 3% annual increases each August, according to an earlier statement from the union and Southwest. The workers rejected a previous proposal in September. Advertisement New work rules The unions national director, Bret Oestreich, thanked mechanics for their patience, support and professionalism over more than six years of talks with Southwest. Our focus now shifts to working together with Southwest Airlines, as we do the important work of restoring the safety culture Southwest Airlines has traditionally been known for, the union said in a blog post. In addition, the Dallas-based carrier secured new work rules in the contract that are designed to increase productivity. Our mechanics will receive well-deserved pay increases, and the company will realize additional flexibilities necessary to compete in todays airline industry, Russell McCrady, Southwests vice president of labor relations, said in an email. This new contract benefits all parties as it takes care of our people and preserves the long-term health of Southwest Airlines. Legal standoffs Southwest sued the union in March, alleging mechanics were engaging in a work slowdown by grounding planes for repairs not related to flight safety, which in turn caused the carrier to cancel 2,800 flights in the first quarter and cost it millions in lost revenue. The union denied the allegation. Aviation regulators warned Southwest and the union March 8 that their contentious contract talks and legal fight were putting the carriers safety at risk. The Federal Aviation Administration urged the two sides to work cooperatively on safety issues. Southwest, which flies the most passengers on domestic flights among U.S. carriers, and the union reached an agreement eight days later. Separately, American Airlines Group Inc. sued its mechanics union this week, alleging an illegal campaign to slow maintenance and increase negotiating leverage against the Fort Worth-based carrier. On Tuesday, the TWU-IAM Assn. called the lawsuit unfortunate and said it is ready and willing to get back to the bargaining table at any time and negotiate a fair joint collective bargaining agreement, but to do so would take a willing partner. We would much prefer to be at the negotiating table than in a legal battle brought on by American. Scammers arent dumb they stick with what works. Its always interesting, though, when a classic ruse gets dressed up in new clothes. In this case, were looking at a variation on a well-traveled bogus-check scam, rejiggered to attract people open to pimping their rides for advertising purposes. Pay attention to how this works because its a con youll almost certainly see again. Wilmington resident Jesse Marquez, 67, recently received a text message asking if he was interested in a so-called car wrap that is, turning his 2010 Dodge Caliber hatchback into a rolling marketing campaign for Monster Energy, the energy drink characterized by a stylized M logo that looks like a claw mark. Advertisement The text said Marquez could earn $500 a week for 12 weeks, or $6,000, if he was selected to participate in the program. It linked to an online application, which Marquez filled out. The thing is, he told me, my brother has Stage 4 cancer and his insurance doesnt cover everything. I could use the extra money to help him. This is common among scam victims, Ive found. Its not that theyre particularly reckless or naive, although those can be factors too. Rather, there frequently are extenuating circumstances that make a person vulnerable to being hoodwinked. As with all successful scams, the trickery lies in the details. After Marquez submitted his application, he started receiving text messages ostensibly from the company handling Monsters marketing program. They began with innocent-seeming follow-up questions, such as How many miles do you cover on a daily basis? and How long have you been driving? Marquez was asked to take a photo of his car and show where the decals would be placed. This part of the racket played out over several days. Finally Marquez was told that hed been selected for a car wrap. Actually, he was told hed been choosen, which should have been a red flag that he likely was communicating with nonnative speakers, possibly based overseas. You will receive check of $1570, Once you get it you are to keep $500 your upfront weekly payment and the rest is for the decal artist who will come for the decal, the text said in broken English. I hope you understand? Marquez asked for more details about what the decals would look like. He promptly received a text that included a photo of a Monster-branded car. It was a fake. Monster has no car-wrap program, said Tamara Taylor, a spokeswoman for the Corona-based company. This is something thats been going on for a while, she said, adding that Monster Energy is cooperating with authorities investigating the racket. At this point, however, nobody knows whos perpetrating it. Marquezs check arrived via a FedEx priority overnight shipment, which made it seem more legit. It also allowed the sender to track the package and know when it had arrived. Timing is everything in this fraud. The check appeared to be issued by Excell Auto Group in Boca Raton, Fla. And, yes, a search for Excell Auto Group will turn up a legitimate company with the same street address as on the check. Scott Zankl, owner of the Florida luxury-car dealer, told me he was aware his companys name was being used by fraudsters but wasnt sure what to do about it. Weve been getting calls about this for the last few years, he said. Its crazy. The next red flag for Marquez was that the size of the check he received was a lot bigger than what hed been promised. It was for $2,570.86. This is generally a sign that the scammer believes a sucker is hooked and a bigger payoff is possible. Hello, said an ensuing text message, i tracked the payment just now and it has been delivered to your mailbox so how soon will you be getting it deposited? Subsequent messages encouraged Marquez to deposit the check and confirm the transaction as quickly as possible. Heres how the scheme typically plays out from there: After the check is deposited, the scammer will say something to the effect that the decal artist is very busy and needs to be paid upfront to schedule time to come out and apply the decorations. Instructions will be provided to wire the money. The con relies on the fact that it usually takes several days for a bank to clear a check, even though it will appear on your account that the deposit is complete. If you immediately withdraw and wire the money as instructed, therefore, youre not wiring just-deposited funds. Youre wiring your own cash. And you wont know youve been had until a few days later, when the bank informs you that the check has bounced. That cash you wired? Its irretrievable. In Marquezs case, he would have been out $2,070 of his own money (and wouldnt have gotten the $500 he thought he was keeping for himself). However, he was saved at the last minute by his desire to share the wealth with others. Before the check arrived, Marquez had asked the scammer by text if it would be OK if he encouraged a few friends and family members to also apply for the program. Needless to say, the scammer said this was a great idea and instructed Marquez to forward the link to the online application to as many people as he wanted. It was Marquezs son who, after receiving his fathers text, was sharp enough to check online and see if this was a swindle. He told his dad not to deposit the check and not to send money to anyone. For the last couple of weeks, Marquez said, hes been stringing the scammer along as hes tried to interest the Los Angeles Police Department, the L.A. city attorneys office and the L.A. County district attorneys office in the case. No one has gotten back to me, he said. If so, thats not surprising. Many law enforcement agencies lack the resources to investigate fraud and know these shenanigans frequently originate abroad, beyond their jurisdiction. So Marquez called me. Since he lost no money, this is a teachable moment for the rest of us. If you get a message urging you to deposit a check and wire money back, its a scam, says the Federal Trade Commission. Every time. No matter the story. The car-wrap angle is a nice twist very modern, very alluring to people looking to make a fast buck. However, as the FTC observes, if this were a legitimate car-wrap opportunity, wouldnt the company directly pay the car-wrapping vendor instead of asking you to do it? Marquezs intentions were good: He wanted to help his ailing brother. In almost all cases, though, just taking that extra moment to ask yourself if everythings on the up-and-up can save you a bunch of heartache. I asked Marquez what advice hed give to anyone who receives a similar text message. His answer was a simple one. Dont. David Lazarus column runs Tuesdays and Fridays. He also can be seen daily on KTLA-TV Channel 5 and followed on Twitter @Davidlaz. Send your tips or feedback to david.lazarus@latimes.com. In the glut of TV series this season, its pretty safe to say only PEN15 offered a close-up shot of menstrual blood on a scrunched up wad of toilet paper. And that may be why the Hulu series has people talking. The quirky adult comedy is a charming, if incredibly cringe-worthy, look at the emotionally torturous time of life called middle school from unrequited crushes and school cliques to the hormone-crazy realities of puberty. Set in the year 2000, the series manages to tap into the underbelly of adolescence with truthfulness largely because its thirtysomething co-creators Anna Konkle and Maya Erskine star as seventh grade versions of themselves school rejects Anna Kone and Maya Ishii-Peters surrounded by actual teenage actors. As such, the actresses can go places that might be questionable to ask of their younger counterparts. Its why a whole episode revolved around young female masturbation. And why another touched on the alarming introduction to experiencing a first period. When Erskine and Konkle recently visited the L.A. Times video studio to discuss the series, they talked about how exploring these topics through a comedic filter made it less taboo and offered an opportunity to bring some levity to coming-of-age moments. Advertisement That felt really important, I think, to us, to see it, Konkle said, referring to the scene where Maya, the character, first discovers shes gotten her period. And in a comedy. I think its funny. I think its absurd. I think its weird. I think its beautiful. I think its disturbing. I think its all of these things. This is something we have to deal with when were 12, 13, 8, whatever and for most of our lives to not show it felt like, why? Why wouldnt we show this? Hulu recently renewed the series, which also counts Sam Zvibleman (Take My Wife) as a third creator, for a second season. And theres no shortage of awkward moments to draw on, which partly explains the pairs idea to keep the show set in middle school for perpetuity. I think were hoping to explore slightly more mature and darker content, Erskine said, since the girls have gone through More losses of innocence, Konkle offered. And I think were going to try to keep serializing, Erskine continued. So, picking up where we left off, ideally. Annas parents just got divorced. Maya just got her period, still hasnt shared it with Anna. They both kind of hooked up with a guy, together, and whats the fallout of that going to be or does that not get mentioned at all? Erskine and Konkle also talked about the tricky process of pitching the show to networks, how working with teenage actors triggered their own insecurities, and the art of the mix CD. To watch the full conversation, check out the video below: yvonne.villarreal@latimes.com Twitter: @villarrealy Sundance Institute will fete The Farewell filmmaker Lulu Wang as the recipient of its 2019 Vanguard Award. The honor is slated for June 26 at the Los Angeles premiere of the acclaimed dramedy starring Awkwafina. The screening and afterparty will be held at The Theatre at Ace Hotel DTLA as Sundance Institutes summer fundraiser event. Tickets are on sale now with proceeds going to the organizations programs that discover, support and amplify risk-taking and exciting independent artists across film, theatre and media. Wang wrote and directed The Farewell, about a Chinese American woman named Billi (Crazy Rich Asians and Oceans 8 breakout Awkwafina) whose family travels to China to visit her beloved grandmother, affectionately dubbed Nai-Nai, who has been diagnosed with cancer. The twist: Nai-Nai has been kept in the dark about her own diagnosis. Billi, her parents and their extended relatives gather under the pretense of a wedding to say their goodbyes without revealing the truth to the family matriarch. Tzi Ma, Diana Lin, Zhao Shuzhen, Lu Hong, Jiang Yongbo and a scene-stealing dog named Ellen also star. Advertisement A tearful premiere, a Sundance sale and the stranger-than-fiction family drama behind Lulu Wangs The Farewell Awkwafina, center, stars as Billi, who must keep a complicated family secret in Lulu Wangs The Farewell. (A24) At times emotional and hilarious, The Farewell is inspired by Wangs own experience and made its world premiere in U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. It screened earlier this month as a special presentation at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. Attendees would be well advised to bring tissues for the film, which hits theaters July 12 via distributor A24. Were excited to celebrate the power of Lulus artistic vision in writing and directing The Farewell, Michelle Satter, founding director of the Sundance Institute Feature Film Program said in a statement. Previous recipients of the Vanguard Award include Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Glenn Close, Dee Rees, Marielle Heller, Damien Chazelle, Ryan Coogler and Boots Riley. Awkwafina, left, and director Lulu Wang join forces on The Farewell, in theaters July 12. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) In previous years the Vanguard Award was given out during Sundances Next Fest, a summer festival fusing film and music held in Los Angeles. After going on hiatus last year, Next Fest remains on hold. Since premiering in January, Wang and her film have captured hearts and garnered early Oscar buzz. Reviewing the film out of Park City, Times critic Justin Chang called it funny, moving [and] sensitively wrought. Strangers at Sundance kept coming up to Wang with tears in their eyes, an oft-repeated occurance throughout The Farewells festival run. As a Fellow at our 2017 FilmTwo Initiative for second-time feature filmmakers, we had the honor of supporting Lulus journey on this deeply personal film which engaged enthusiastic audiences at the recent Sundance Festival, Satter said. Were thrilled to benchmark her journey with this years Vanguard Award, and we cant wait to see whats next. jen.yamato@latimes.com Twitter: @jenyamato When Carmen Ejogo was approached about starring in Season 3 of HBOs True Detective as the wife of one-half of the detective duo that includes Mahershala Ali she was conscious of the shows reputation as a male-driven franchise. And frankly, the first few scripts she had didnt do much to convince her otherwise. But a talk with show creator Nic Pizzolatto gave her faith that her character, named Amelia and better described as a middle-school teacher-turned-true crime novelist, would develop into one of the shows most intriguing characters prompted her to take the role. And now, during a recent visit to the L.A. Times video studio and with the full season behind her, she confidently declares: There is no show without Amelia. The anthology drama returned in January after a nearly four-year gap since its sophomore slump of a season. Assuming the detective duties for this seasons time-jumping missing persons case were Ali and Stephen Dorff as detectives Wayne Hays and Roland West, respectively. Advertisement Wayne meets Amelia at the start of the case; she knew both the missing children who were students at her school. And she becomes just as passionate and steadfast about the case as her soon-to-be husband, eventually writing a book about it. While much chatter about the franchise tends to revolve around the chemistry between the work-marriage each season, the dynamic between Wayne and Amelia proved to be far more crucial to this seasons thrust. In the end, the shows all about the relationship, the marriage, Ejogo said. So it was critical that we found chemistry [that] we found the authenticity that Nic intended, which isnt actually always that we have obvious chemistry. Sometimes its very clear and then sometimes were completely disconnected to figure out how to bring that to the screen was part of the thing that I realized was going to be exciting and fresh about playing this kind of couple. Ejogo also discussed how commuting in and out of Arkansas, where the series was shot, from New York contributed to the fictional couples discordant relationship and her thoughts on whether Amelia was an opportunist. To watch the full conversation, click on the video below. yvonne.villarreal@latimes.com Twitter: @villarrealy If the last couple of election cycles have taught us anything, its that the road to the White House is paved with more town hall meetings than any one human with a functioning soul should ever be forced to watch. If the last eight seasons of Game of Thrones have taught us anything, its that the American electorate pays much closer attention when the battle between candidates involves medieval weaponry, man-eating hounds and winged dragons who flame empires. Sundays Game of Thrones series finale promised to reveal the victor of the struggle for the Iron Throne, and 19.3 million viewers tuned in to see a new leader crowned or watch all the shows remaining survivors slaughter one another. Either way, it would be the last few moments in a fantasy land where outdated voting machines and Russian meddling have no bearing on who wins. FULL COVERAGE: The final season of Game of Thrones Advertisement But alas, Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) didnt ascend on her dragon amid glorious beams of divine light in one final breathtaking victory, and Arya (Maisie Williams) didnt wear the face of her brother Jon Snow (Kit Harington) and steal his birthright in one last stunning, deceptive twist. The reveal happened during what can only be described as another damn town hall meeting. VIPs from the Seven Kingdoms, many of whom we havent seen in years (and at least one Dornish ruler weve never seen), assembled to pick a new monarch in the wake of Queen Danys demise. She turned tyrannical before she ever had the chance to govern the realm, and was murdered for the greater good by her lover and nephew, Snow. The meeting wasnt totally CNN fodder: They met in a dragon pit. At least one participant threatened to cut anothers throat. Leather was worn by all. Edmure Tully (Tobias Menzies) presents himself as a candidate for king on Game of Thrones. (HBO) But the tone was familiar, even to those of us just starting to pay attention to the ever-growing field of 2020 presidential candidates: My lords and ladies, I suppose this is the most important moment of our lives. What we decide today will reverberate through the annals of history, said out-of-the-blue candidate Edmure Tully (Tobias Menzies) last seen capitulating to Jaime Lannister in Season 6 as he rose from his seat to suggest himself as ruler. I stand before you as one of the senior [leaders] in the country, a veteran of two wars. Id like to think my experience has led to some small skill in statecraft and Uncle, interrupted an exasperated Sansa. Please sit. If only we could import her to the real world for the next 1,000 years worth of campaign speeches leading up to the 2020 election. Imagine her encounter with Massachusetts congressman Seth Moulton, the 19th Democratic candidate to enter the presidential race, a Harvard man and Iraq war veteran who tried and failed to oust Nancy Pelosi from running the House: Seth, please sit. At least the Game of Thrones writers room had a sense of humor about their king-making process, and the current debate about the state of our own democracy. ALSO: How Game of Thrones wronged its female characters in the series finale Sam Tarly (John Bradley) suggested that maybe the lords and ladies shouldnt be the only ones making the call because they werent the only ones subjected to the kings rule. Maybe the decision of whats best for everyone should be left to, well, everyone, he said. His words describing democracy hundreds of years too soon appeared to inspire a thoughtful silence until the council members erupted into peals of laughter at the absurdity of such an idea. Maybe we should give the dogs a vote as well! roared one. Ill ask my horse, cried another. Bernie Sanders Medicare-for-all plan would have been an easier sell. Like democracy, Game of Thrones women also werent viewed as a viable option. Almost all of them slogged through some of the shows most dehumanizing journeys arranged marriages, rape, abuse and servitude before fighting their way out, making them the strongest contenders for a new kind of leadership. But they werent even discussed in the end. Break the wheel, Dany had argued, and boot all the corrupt families and immoral men from the power positions theyve held for generations. Burn it down, so to speak, and replace it with a just world. Too bad the shows creators wrote her into crazytown, and weaponized her crusade with dragon fire. She ended up the living embodiment of every female villain, from the evil queen to the crazy ex-girlfriend to the women murderers featured in the true crime series Snapped. Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) makes the case for Bran Stark to be king. (HBO) ALSO: Who won Game of Thrones? From first to last, Peter Dinklage In the end, the shows articulate and persuasive Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) argued for the least inspiring choice, and the mostly male council agreed. The empire was awarded to one of the least-qualified men for the job Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright), a.k.a. Bran the Broken a candidate who did little to nothing to get where he was (where was his vision power when the Night Kings army was slaughtering all those people at Winterfell?), and who was quite literally carried around on the backs of women for years. No magic. Just a privileged son of elites who sat back and let others do the heavy lifting. Its questionable how Bran, the keeper of history who turned out to be about as effective as Amazons Alexa when it comes to answering inquiries with relevant information, became preferable to the Breaker of Chains, the Night King slayer, the woman who brought down the Boltons and freed the North, and the commander of the Iron Islands. Sorry Dany, Arya, Sansa (Sophie Turner) and Yara Greyjoy (Gemma Whelan). The electorate is just not ready for you yet, even in make-believe land. The ladies instead can busy themselves like fierce warrior-turned-lovesick diarist Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie), chronicling the amazing stories of men for future male leaders. Or they could just create their own story, where town hall meetings, and the closed-minded men who run them, are the stuff of ancient history. lorraine.ali@latimes.com @lorraineali Peter Sharpe, a 53-year-old wildlife biologist who has dedicated his career to reviving the once-endangered bald eagle, stood in front of a tall oak tree in a steep island canyon. His chin tilted up as his eyes scanned the branches. His legs, shielded by snake chaps, were planted firmly on the steep, poison-oak-covered hillside. He was gauging the distance from the ground to a massive eagles nest in the tree, and what it would take to get a line up there. Over and over, he tossed a rope with a throw bag toward the tree, trying to get it past the crook of a Y-shaped branch near the nest. If he could just get the bag over the crook, hed be able to anchor a line. Then, hed be able to use a climbing harness to pull himself up to the nest, 50 feet above the ground. Inside the nest, a wide-eyed eaglet, 2 months old, looked unsettled each time the throw bag and rope came close. A baby bald eagle is an awkward creature fierce-looking but too weak to use its wings and unaware that its legs are useful body parts. Mainly, it sits in the nest, waiting for airborne fish deliveries from its parents, both of whom swooped overhead. Advertisement 1 / 7 Dr. Peter Sharpe checks the wings and feathers of the eaglet as seasonal tech Laura Echavez holds him. Sharpe, a wildlife biologist, has spent years trying to restore the bald eagle to its historic habitat on the Channel Islands. Bald eagles were wiped out on the Channel Islands by the mid-1960s as a result of DDT-contaminated waste being dumped into the local waters. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 7 Dr. Peter Sharpe descends after returning a bald eaglet to the nest after taking measurements and banding its legs. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 7 A bald eaglet is measured and banded in order to monitor him, before he is returned to the nest. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 7 Dr. Peter Sharpe puts a band on the eaglet in order to monitor him. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 7 A bald eagle, the father or mother of the baby eaglet the biologists will be studying, flies overhead. Dr. Peter Sharpe, a wildlife biologist who has spent years trying to restore the bald eagle to its historic habitat on the Channel Islands. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 7 Dr. Peter Sharpe recoils a throw rope after attempting to get it through a V in two limbs near the bald eagle nest above, in order to climb to the nest. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 7 Wildlife biologist Dr. Peter Sharpe and Laura Echavez, a seasonal tech with the Institute for Wildlife Studies, stop to look at a bald eagles nest as they hike down to the nest in a forest on Catalina Island. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) Each time Sharpe tossed up the rope and missed, the eaglet tried to open its wings and scoot out of the way. It squeaked in alarm. I dont want to crush the chick, Sharpe said. But I have to get this soon because I have a haircut at 4. After many tries, Sharpe anchored his line and soon found himself eye to eye with the eaglet, which had puffed out its feathers trying to ward off the intruder. Hows it going? Sharpe asked sweetly. He scooped up the baby, which tried to bite him, put it inside a gray nylon duffel bag and zipped it shut. The chicks parents settled on a hillside perch, where they monitored the strange goings-on. Holding the bag in his lap, Sharpe lowered himself to the ground, where he unzipped the bag and gingerly handed the chick to his technician, Laura Echavez. Echavez, 24, cradled the awkward little creature in her lap. Its huge yellow feet and black talons looked fierce, but the chick was completely helpless. Covered in black feathers and down, the chick will not get its telltale white head and neck feathers for four or five years. Sharpe measured it, weighed it and used a pop rivet gun to snap a silver aluminum band on one leg and a red one on the other. The silver band is a federal government permit; the red represents the project, in this case, the Bald Eagle Restoration Project, a collaboration between the Institute for Wildlife Studies and the Catalina Island Conservancy. For identification purposes, this baby will be known henceforth as A12. Sharpe then put the chick in the bag and hoisted it to the treetop, where he deposited it back in the nest. What about how weve always been told not to touch baby birds, or their mothers would reject them? I asked. Old wives tale, Sharpe replied. These birds have a terrible sense of smell. The bald eagles are so clueless, he said, that in the early days of the restoration project, which began in 1980, biologists removed fragile eggs from the nest and replaced them with rosin facsimiles. The eggs were flown to San Francisco, then transferred to incubators at the zoo to hatch. A month or so later, the hatchlings would be placed in the nests. Parents would be none the wiser. Peter Sharpe puts a band on the eaglet in order to monitor him. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) The bald eagle is one of the great American wildlife comeback stories. The bird was nearly driven to extinction by the unfettered dumping of the pesticide DDT into Santa Monica Bay. From 1947 to 1970, the Torrance-based Montrose Chemical Corp. drained an estimated 5 million pounds of DDT into the ocean through a sewage pipeline off the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Birds ate contaminated fish and produced eggs that did not hatch. The shells became porous, allowing critical moisture to evaporate, killing the embryos. The eagles disappeared from Catalina. In 1972, the federal government banned DDT, in large part because of Rachel Carson and her magnificent Silent Spring, the 1962 book that helped pioneer the modern environmental movement. Now, there are seven nesting pairs of the eagles on Catalina, and at least 20 pairs throughout the Channel Islands. They dont mate until they turn 5. The oldest are in their early to mid-20s. Eagle cams at two different aeries help keep track of chicks progress and let the public watch something it might never otherwise get to experience. Wildlife biologist Peter Sharpe and Laura Echavez, a seasonal tech with the Institute for Wildlife Studies, look at a bald eagles nest on Catalina Island. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) I had more or less invited myself to tag along with Sharpe after hearing about his work from a friend. This is the peak of his two-month banding season, and I wanted to see how he did it. At noon on Wednesday, he and Echavez picked up Times photographer Katie Falkenberg and me in front of the Catalina Museum on Metropole Street in Avalon. (Bonus: We saw a gray whale surface during the hourlong boat trip from San Pedro.) We drove into the hills above Avalon, onto conservancy land that is closed to the public, and parked on a high ridge. Sharpe got his gear together, then led us on a clambering descent. I had assumed there would be a trail. I also had assumed, as a runner, that Id be able to handle the hike with aplomb. Sharpe made a joke about people who were mainland fit as opposed to Catalina fit. I am, without a doubt, mainland fit. We moved past prickly pear cactus, foxtails and all manner of brush with dense branches. Each time I tried to steady myself by grabbing onto one, I discovered the branches were dead, brittle and unable to hold my weight. After 35 minutes of slipping and sliding (and, yes, falling on my face a couple times), we made it to the tree. I sat in a field of poison oak, catching my breath, wondering how Id make it back up the hill, as Sharpe and Echavez went about their work. When they were done, we hiked to the ridgetop, loaded up and drove back to Avalon. The next day, Sharpe said, he and Echavez were planning to band eaglets at another nest on the island. Unlike todays nest, they said, that one would be hard to reach. robin.abcarian@latimes.com Twitter: @AbcarianLAT Beverly Hills has long been anything but a smokers paradise. The city was the first in California to ban smoking inside restaurants and most public places, back in 1987, and added outdoor venues to the list in 2007. Now it is poised to enact what officials say is the most stringent tobacco ban in the country, eliminating the sale of virtually all recreational nicotine products with one very Beverly Hills exception. Cigarettes are out. Vapes are dead. But for an elite group of aficionados, hundreds of whom swamped committee meetings and wrote the city in protest, cigars will be spared as long as theyre smoked inside one of three dedicated lounges. Entreaties have poured in to City Hall from top executives at real estate offices, security firms, talent agencies and from former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Nearly all of them are acolytes of the Grand Havana Room on North Canon Drive, a club so exclusive its members need a special key to get in. Advertisement The Grand Havana Room, which I have been a member of since its inception, provides a treasured home away from home, wrote Schwarzenegger. It is unthinkable that the city might adopt a policy that would intentionally or unintentionally cause the closure of this character-defining institution. Schwarzenegger made clear he supported the ban, which gained near-final approval in a unanimous City Council vote Tuesday night. I am right there with you, he wrote. I agree with your battle to protect people from the dangers of tobacco smoke. But when it came to his club, Schwarzenegger wrote, the city should back off. I trust that [the city] will recognize the fundamental difference between clubs like the Grand Havana Room and a gas station selling nicotine pods for e-cigarettes, he wrote. Others made a similar distinction. I know very well the adverse effects on health, thats why Im supportive of the general ban, said Dr. Richard Shemin, chairman of cardiac surgery at UCLA and a vocal advocate for the cigar lounge exemption. However, I think adults in private clubs who make personal choices should be allowed to do so. Officials had expected some pushback over the ordinance, which they say would make Beverly Hills the first city in the United States to enforce a sweeping ban on the sale of all tobacco and nicotine products except those the FDA has approved to help smokers quit. The list of banned items includes cigarettes, cigars, cigarillo, pipe tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco, and smokeless tobacco and any electronic cigarette, city documents say. We expect to hear from tobacco companies, said Keith Sterling, the citys public information officer. Even if this passes, well continue to hear from them. They have heard from fans of the cigar lounges. Theres certainly a lot of passion from those patrons, Sterling said. The council was glad to hear from them. By early May, the city had received 170 letters in response to the proposal, 148 of them demanding an exception for cigar lounges. Of these, the vast majority cited the Grand Havana Room, what one insurance industry CEO called the Cheers of Beverly Hills. Many wrote that rubbing elbows at the elite club was essential to their high-powered business. I learned about a great job opportunity at a private cigar event on the patio of the club a job that I eventually landed and catapulted my career to what it is now, managing billions of dollars for private equity and venture capital firms in the area, wrote banker Vik Thadani. Others said it was a place to escape the glare of fame. In our work as a security firm to many high net worth and or high profile clients, we often experience [a] lack of privacy, photographers, autograph seekers, wrote Israeli security specialist Avi Korein. He described the Grand Havana Room as an oasis for the stars he serves. For some, membership was merely a way to make friends albeit friends in high places. The Grand Havana Room attracts thoughtful people who want to engage in thoughtful conversation, wrote Rabbi Steven Weil of the Orthodox Union. It has shaped the film, music, and financial industries. Owner Rigo Fernandez poses for photos smoking a cigar in his Buena Vista Cigar Club. Only the citys three recognized cigar lounges would be allowed to continue to sell tobacco products under a proposed law. (Mario Tama / Getty Images) Initial outcry led to a significant revision of the original ordinance, which comes just months after a ban on the sale of flavored tobacco. In Beverly Hills, it is already illegal to smoke most everywhere, including while standing on the sidewalk or walking through a farmers market. The city also prohibits smoking in apartments and condos. For a time, hotels would have skirted the ban. But that exception was reversed, and then reversed again so that the version of the ordinance voted on Tuesday allows hotels to sell tobacco products but only through room service. Yet the cigar carve-out remained unchanged. The cigars exemption is a firm one, thats what we think, said Rigo Fernandez, owner of the Buena Vista Cigar Club, one of the two other establishments excluded from the proposed ban. The third, Nazareths Fine Cigars, is just a block from the Grand Havana Room. The exception has drawn protest from other tobacco sellers, who said they were unfairly excluded. The Health and Safety Commission firstly exempted cigar lounges and hotels because of their economic status, wrote John Pouldar, who owns a gas station on Olympic Boulevard and would lose the right to sell tobacco products under the ban. [The city] is discriminative toward other businesses mainly because our clients arent powerful. Tuesdays vote was the first of two required to enact the ban. It passed unanimously, in a moment so bureaucratically unremarkable that the council had to stop to note that it had happened. We should point out with that, we just passed the ban on the sale of tobacco in Beverly Hills, said Councilman Julian Gold. For Fernandez, it was a critical night. Its my wifes birthday too but its my life, Fernandez said. Ive had countless sleepless nights. This is my only income. If they cut the sales of cigars, Im broke. A man was convicted Monday of killing two police officers and trying to kill six others in an ambush-style attack. After just hours of deliberation, a Riverside County jury found John Hernandez Felix guilty of multiple charges including two counts of murder and six counts of attempted murder, KESQ-TV reported. Palm Springs Officers Lesley Zerebny and Jose Gil Vega were killed responding to a call about domestic violence at Felixs mothers house on Oct. 8, 2016. Prosecutors said Felix opened fire on the officers with an AR-15 rifle. Six other officers were injured as police and Felix exchanged gunfire. Felix was arrested after a lengthy standoff. Advertisement David Kling, Zerebneys father, said he was overjoyed by the guilty verdict. The jury was presented with the facts, and were very happy about it, Kling told the Desert Sun newspaper. Defense attorney John Dolan told jurors that his client has low intelligence and was on drugs at the time of the crime. Felix, 28, an admitted gang member, could face the death penalty. Prosecutor Michelle Paradise said several officers who survived the shooting will testify during the sentencing phase of the trial that begins Tuesday. Dolan contended Felix is too intellectually disabled to face capital punishment, but the judge in the case disagreed. Dolan didnt comment on Mondays guilty verdict. Gov. Gavin Newsom earlier this year announced a moratorium on enforcing the death penalty but the decision does not prevent prosecutors from seeking nor judges and juries from imposing death sentences. Vega, a father of eight, was a 35-year veteran months away from retirement when he was killed. He wasnt scheduled to work the day he died but had volunteered to fill the shift. Zerebny was a rookie officer just back from maternity leave. A year after the Trump administration moved the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti waded into the still simmering political controversy, drawing criticism from L.A. religious groups. I support the embassy being here, Garcetti told The Times during his trip to Israel last week with the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Israel shouldnt be the only country in the world that cant determine where its capital will be, but there is usually a process to these things rather than what seems like an overnight, one-sided, partisan move. In response, local offices of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Jewish Voice for Peace and the Episcopal Peace Fellowships Palestine Israel Network, among others on the political left on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, called on Garcetti to retract his statement of support. The groups also sent the mayor a letter on Sunday. Estee Chandler, founder of the Los Angeles chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace, said in a statement that the mayors endorsement of the illegal move to consolidate Israeli annexation of land furthers the endangering of the lives of both Palestinians and Jewish Israelis on the ground. Advertisement Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the Greater Los Angeles area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, called it highly disturbing that Garcetti would declare support for the Trump administrations reckless decision. In 2017, President Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and vowed to move the U.S. Embassy there. That delighted some Israelis but angered Palestinians, who claim East Jerusalem as the capital of their eventual independent state. Some U.S. allies across Europe and the Arab world also criticized the move. Its unclear how Garcetti, who is Jewish, came to his opinion about the embassy. Jaime Regalado, professor emeritus of political science at Cal State L.A., said he was puzzled. Supporting both a two-state solution and moving the embassy to Jerusalem is a contradiction, he said. I dont know how this is defensible for him at the same time he calls himself as progressive, Regalado said. He basically finds himself on the side of the Trump administration. What audience he was playing to, I just dont get it. Dan Schnur, a professor of political communications at UC Berkeley and the former Los Angeles director for the American Jewish Committee, said Garcettis position reflects what had been Democratic orthodoxy before Trumps presidency. Hes assuming that having the embassy in Jerusalem will become mainstream Democratic opinion again after Trump has left office and hes probably right, Schnur said. Very few mainstream Democratic politicians are going to support Trump on the move of the embassy, but even fewer are going to call for the embassy to be moved back to Tel Aviv once Trump is gone. Responding to the criticism, Garcetti reiterated that he is pro-Palestine and pro-Israel. I recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. And I have always recognized Jerusalem as the capital of the independent, fully sovereign Palestinian state that we all want to emerge from negotiations toward a true two-state solution, he said. As I made clear in my comments last week, I disagree strongly with how the Trump administration made its decision. It was outside the scope of any talks, without balance or coordination. His trip to Israel was paid for by the American Jewish Committee. Now back in Los Angeles, the mayor was scheduled to host a Ramadan iftar the daily fast-breaking dinner Monday evening at City Hall. dakota.smith@latimes.com Twitter: @dakotacdsmith A transient convicted of a hate crime accepted a plea deal Monday from an Orange County judge, over the objections of Dist. Atty. Todd Spitzer, and was sentenced to five years in prison for preying on a pregnant black woman at a bus stop while spewing racial epithets. A previous two-year prison offer from Orange County Superior Court Judge Roger Robbins was also decried by Spitzer, prompting the revised plea bargain that was accepted by Tyson Theodore Mayfield. Spitzer labeled Mayfield a dangerous person, adding: There is no question he is a racist. He noted the 43-year-old defendant has tattoos depicting a swastika and SS lightning bolts. Is a five-year sentence going to protect society against someone so evil? Spitzer asked. Advertisement The victim also objected to the deal, telling the judge, I had to literally run for my life when I was eight months pregnant. I was protecting myself and my unborn child. I feel like he should be in prison for much longer. Five years is not enough. The victim was sitting at a bus stop in Fullerton on Sept. 17, waiting for her boyfriend to give her a ride, when she overheard Mayfield telling two other men that he hates blacks like [the victim], according to a brief filed by prosecutors. Mayfield said he gets his kicks off by hurting black pregnant women, and told the men, Would you want to watch me go over there to see if I can make her drop her baby? before yelling racial epithets at the victim, according to prosecutors, They said the woman was so terrified for her and her babys safety that she tried to defend herself with pepper spray. Mayfield then grabbed her backpack and left with it, prosecutors said. The woman called police, but officers initially could not find the man. As the woman continued waiting for her ride, Mayfield returned and again threatened and hollered racial slurs at her, according to prosecutors. The victim ran into a nearby cafe and called police, who arrived and arrested Mayfield. The defendant pleaded guilty to violation of civil rights and criminal threats, both felonies, with a sentencing enhancement for a hate crime. He also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor petty theft. Mayfields attorney, Paul Rogers, said, The great thing about living here in our country is we have certain liberties to express ourselves to a certain degree how we want. No matter how unpleasant we might think some peoples views are, racism isnt a crime. Unfortunately, some people get confused by that. I love this country and our Constitution and Im glad to fight for its protections and to live under the freedoms it provides. Had Mayfield gone to trial and been convicted as charged, he would have faced 38 years to life in prison. Robbins struck prior convictions for the purposes of sentencing to get to the lower prison term. Mayfield pleaded guilty in October 2017 to a hate crime, also based on a victims race. He was sentenced to a year in jail and was given credit for 194 days in custody by Orange County Superior Court Judge Kazuharu Makino, who offered the plea deal, according to court records. In that case, he attacked a man of Filipino and Turkish descent at a Stater Bros. market in Fullerton. Mayfield asked the victim for a lighter and when the man said he didnt smoke, Mayfield suddenly punched him in the forehead and called the victim a racial epithet, prosecutors said. Mayfield was previously convicted of stabbing another man in the face in an unprovoked attack in Orange near a liquor store in 2005. He was sentenced to two years in prison for that attack. On Sept. 26, 2006, Mayfield asked a woman for spare change at a gas station and when she said she didnt have any, he responded with racist comments, prosecutors said. When he asked her boyfriend for spare change and he refused, Mayfield punched him several times, prosecutors said. Mayfield was also convicted of mayhem in 2008 and sentenced to four years in prison; of assault with a deadly weapon in 2005 and sentenced to a two-year term; and of battery against a police officer in 2003. He has 13 misdemeanor convictions dating from 1997 to 2017, prosecutors said. The threatening phone calls to Chris Dardens law office began almost immediately. The messages on Instagram and Facebook trickled in soon after, some from anonymous accounts. One caller left a voicemail, Darden recalled, saying he hoped someone would walk up behind the attorney and shoot him in the head. And Im a shooter, the voice said. The drama was triggered by something Darden has done quietly for years: appear in court to defend someone charged with murder. Advertisement This time, though, the defendant was Eric Holder, the man accused of gunning down the influential rapper and civic hero Nipsey Hussle in an attack that reverberated far beyond his South Los Angeles neighborhood. The nasty messages, which appeared to come from as far away as Alabama and Idaho, continued for a month, until Darden withdrew from the case earlier this month, he said. When I face criticism, I usually dig in, Darden told The Times. If I thought that digging in was the best thing for Eric Holder, I would. But I dont think it is. The hostility is not uncommon for criminal defense attorneys handling high-profile cases that have generated widespread community anger and a sense of loss. Experts say Darden a black attorney best known for prosecuting O.J. Simpson in a double murder case during which he also received death threats and was labeled a race traitor is a particularly accessible target. Its unlikely that a more anonymous public defender would have faced the same criticism. Its not like hes hard to reach . People already know him, said Lou Shapiro, an L.A. criminal defense attorney and former public defender. You add all that together, it makes him an easy target. Stephen Kelson, a Utah attorney who has studied threats and violence against attorneys in 29 states, said lawyers who usually bear the brunt of the animosity are those who specialize in criminal defense and family law. People in those circumstances, they react, they get very emotionally involved and want someone to blame, he said. In Utah, he said, a fake disembodied head surrounded in Christmas lights once appeared on an attorneys front porch. In Wisconsin, a man charged with violent crimes mailed a Valentines Day card to his prosecutors children. Attorneys in a contentious real estate case there once received dead fish in the mail before a key deposition. In recent years, the U.S. Marshals Service has logged a growing number of threats and inappropriate communications to federal court members, including Supreme Court justices, federal judges, prosecutors and public defenders. The number of incidents jumped from 2,847 in fiscal year 2017 to 4,542 in fiscal year 2018, an increase the agency attributes to internal policy changes and better reporting by district offices nationwide. The vast majority of threats dont result in actual violence, and most attorneys brush them off as a reality of the job, Kelson said. Its rare that an attorney would drop a case over them. I think they need to be more careful about where its coming from and make sure that theyre evaluating the threat, he said. Scott Peterson sits with his attorney Mark Geragos, right, in 2003. (Bart Ah You/Associated Press) Celebrity lawyer Mark Geragos said the only time he was genuinely concerned for his safety was when someone left a pipe bomb in a portable toilet outside his home, which was under construction. It was late in 2003, when he was representing two of the highest-profile criminal defendants in the country at the time: Michael Jackson, who had recently been charged with child molestation, and Scott Peterson, who was accused of killing his wife and unborn son. Around the same time, the FBI showed up at his office saying a credible threat had been lodged against him. I said, Thats great, what do I do now? he recalled. They said, Nothing, we thought wed let you know. More recently, Geragos said his role in Empire actor Jussie Smolletts case sent people through the roof, like nothing I have seen in 15 years. Strangers sent racist messages in the mail and through his website. Some contained threats. There were people who said they were going to take him out, take me out, Geragos said. Its hard to know when a threat is credible versus when someone is just venting their anger, said Loyola Law School professor Laurie Levenson. Levenson, who over the years has offered commentary on noteworthy criminal cases, has a filing cabinet full of nasty letters and threatening messages shes saved throughout her career. She reports all of them to authorities. Theres a note on the drawer advising that if something bad happens, look here. In a case in Alabama years ago, defense attorney Charles Salvagio opted for a more aggressive response. Michael Jackson and defense attorney Thomas Mesereau leave Jacksons child molestation trial in 2005. (Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press) He and L.A. attorney Thomas Mesereau said they won an acquittal of a homeless black man in the killing of a white woman after a racially charged trial in 2001. During a radio interview about the case, someone called in and said I was going to get mine, Salvagio said. The lawyer called up a local TV news reporter for a segment that showed him loading his pistol. I said, Im home right now, you know where Im at, come on, Salvagio said, with a laugh. That was the only way I knew how to deal with it. More recently, he and Mesereau worked on a death penalty case in Alabama in which a black man was acquitted in the slaying of an Iraq war veteran and father. Soon afterward, leaflets from what appeared to be a hate group affiliated with the KKK were distributed in the area referring to the acquittal. You better wake up whitey! the fliers said. Closer to home, Mesereau said that after winning an acquittal in a murder case in Torrance more than 20 years ago, deputies didnt let him leave the courthouse for three hours because gangs linked to the victim were circling the building. Police were stopping cars and checking trunks to see if people had guns, he said. Mesereau said he received nasty messages while representing Jackson and actor Robert Blake, who was acquitted of killing his wife, but no one actually threatened him harm. In Hussles case, the rapper was a role model for young people in South L.A., where he built up the community as the owner of many small businesses, making his violent death especially unbearable. That could explain the hostility toward Darden. All they see is, this person took away someone who I looked up to, idolized, Shapiro said. And how dare anyone else try to get in the way of this person being held accountable for it. Hussle was outside his Hyde Park shop when a young man approached and opened fire at close range, killing Hussle and wounding two others. Police said Holder had gotten into a dispute with Hussle earlier in the day. Holder, an aspiring rapper who went by the moniker Fly Mac, has sung of body bags, .38 gun blasts and bloody homicides. He was charged with one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. He has pleaded not guilty and is due back in court next month. If convicted, he faces life in state prison. A judge granted Dardens request earlier this month to withdraw from Holders case. It was then assigned to a public defender, Mearl Lottman, though its unclear if he will be involved for the long haul. Levenson said the anger and intimidation toward Darden is misdirected and troubling. The attorney is doing exactly what we as a society want him to do, she said. The system will not work without lawyers doing their jobs on both sides. Former prosecutor Chris Darden during O.J. Simpsons trial in 1995. (AFP/Getty Images) Darden said he did not report the threats to him and his family to law enforcement, but beefed up security around his home. We already know youre not safe at school, youre not safe in the office, youre not safe at the university youre not safe in front of the courthouse either, Darden said. Its something thats always in the back of your mind, sort of nagging you a little bit. He felt the outrage over him taking on the case is an assault on Holders 6th Amendment right to counsel. Manson gets a lawyer, Ted Bundy gets a lawyer. But Eric Holder, he dont get a lawyer, Darden said. Thousands of people are advocating the denial of this guys 6th Amendment right, with mob mentality deciding who gets a lawyer and who doesnt. Hes not convinced his decision to withdraw was the right one, but said the focus in Holders case shouldnt be on his attorney. If anything, threats make me want to stay more, he said. As a lawyer, when you are defending someone, you have to look and see and know whether or not defending them is best thing for them. Even though he would have been on the other side of the courtroom in this case, Darden drew parallels between defending Holder and prosecuting Simpson. Its the same old thing, he said. The only difference is you can be threatened over the phone, over the internet, on social media people can wire right into you. alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com Twitter: @AleneTchek Police are looking for four men in the fatal shooting of a man in Venice, authorities said Tuesday. The group fired several times at a man who was walking in a residential area near 5th Avenue and Broadway about 3:30 p.m. Monday, said Officer Lizeth Lomeli, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Police Department. The victim, identified by officers as 29-year-old Lavell Harris, died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds. Several witnesses said they saw four men wearing hoodies flee the area in a dark-colored sedan, Lomeli said. They were last seen driving north on 5th toward Broadway. Advertisement Harris, who officials said was from the Venice neighborhood where he was killed, was shot at least once in the head, LAPD officers told KTLA-TV Channel 5. Investigators dont have a motive for the shooting and have not determined whether it was gang-related. alejandra.reyesvelarde@latimes.com Twitter: @r_valejandra A grand jury has indicted the man suspected of killing rapper Nipsey Hussle during an attack in South Los Angeles on March 31. Eric Holder, 29, was indicted on one count of murder, two counts each of attempted murder and assault with a firearm, and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon, the Los Angeles County district attorneys office said. The indictment, unsealed Tuesday, also includes allegations that Holder personally used a handgun and caused great bodily injury and death. He pleaded not guilty and is due back in court next month. Advertisement Authorities said Holder killed Hussle and wounded two other people at the rappers Slauson Avenue clothing store. Hussle was outside his Hyde Park shop when a young man approached and opened fire at close range, killing Hussle and wounding two others. Police said Holder had gotten into a dispute with Hussle earlier in the day. Holder, an aspiring rapper who went by the moniker Fly Mac, has sung of body bags, 38 gun blasts and bloody homicides. L.A. Police Chief Michel Moore told reporters in March that Holder got into a verbal altercation with Hussle: Mr. Holder walked up on multiple occasions and engaged in conversations. Moore said investigators believed the shooting was the result of a personal matter between the two of them but would not elaborate. Holder was being held on $6.5-million bail. If convicted, he faces a maximum of life in state prison. Detectives are seeking the publics help in identifying a man suspected of exposing himself to a woman while she was practicing yoga in a park near Santa Clarita last week. The woman was in a grassy area along a popular hiking trail in Towsley Canyon Park in Newhall on Thursday afternoon when a man stood next to her and touched himself, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department said. The man pulled the womans hair, according to KTLA-TV Channel 5, she screamed, and he ran away. Deputies described the man as 25 to 30 years old, thin with dark hair. He was wearing dark-colored sweats. Deputies later identified his car, which was captured by surveillance video, as a purple or plum-colored Lincoln MKZ. Advertisement Residents and hikers have been on alert since the incident. On the Santa Clarita Valleys Emergency Now Facebook page, a person who claimed to work with the victim said she had been meditating with her eyes closed when the man approached her and she felt a yank on her hair. According to the post, the man wore a shirt with the number 24 on it. Deputy Kimberly Alexander, a spokeswoman with the Sheriffs Department, could not confirm that the man pulled the womans hair or what shirt he was wearing. Santa Clarita Valley detectives could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday. Anyone with information about the investigation can call Santa Clarita Valley Station detectives at (661) 255-1121. alejandra.reyesvelarde@latimes.com Twitter: @r_valejandra House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) gaveled open a Trump-Russia hearing Tuesday with a stern warning that former White House Counsel Donald McGahn would be held in contempt for defying a congressional subpoena and failing to appear. Our subpoenas are not optional, Nadler said. This committee will have no choice but to enforce the subpoena against him. Democrats are facing yet another attempt by President Trump to stonewall their investigations. This time theyve been blocked from hearing from McGahn a chief eyewitness to the presidents handling of the Russia investigation on orders from the White House. Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia, the ranking Republican on the Judiciary Committee, spoke scornfully of Nadlers position, saying the chairman preferred a public fight over fact-finding. Advertisement The committee voted to adjourn the hearing immediately after Collins remarks. A lawyer for McGahn said he would follow the presidents directive and skip Tuesdays hearing, leaving the Democrats without yet another witness and a growing debate within the party about how to respond. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), backed by Nadler, is taking a step-by-step approach to the confrontations with Trump. Nadler said the committee would vote to hold McGahn in contempt, and take the issue to court. You face serious consequences if you do not appear, Nadler warned McGahn in a letter on the eve of the hearing. Democrats were encouraged by an early success on that route as a federal judge ruled against Trump on Monday in a financial records dispute with Congress. But that hasnt been swift enough for some members of the Judiciary panel who feel that Pelosi should be more aggressive and launch impeachment hearings that would make it easier to get information from the administration. Such hearings would give Democrats more standing in court and could stop short of a vote to remove the president. The issue was raised in a meeting among top Democrats on Monday evening, where some members confronted Pelosi, arguing to open impeachment hearings, according to three people familiar with the private conversation who requested anonymity to discuss it. Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin made the case that launching an impeachment inquiry would consolidate the Trump investigations as Democrats tried to keep focus on their other work, according to the people. Pelosi pushed back, noting that several committees are conducting investigations already and that they have already been successful in one court case. But the members, several of whom have spoken publicly about the need to be more aggressive with Trump, are increasingly impatient with the careful approach. Other Democrats in the meeting siding with Raskin included Rhode Island Rep. David Cicilline, California Rep. Ted Lieu and freshman Colorado Rep. Joe Neguse. Just before the start of the meeting, Cicilline tweeted: If Don McGahn does not testify tomorrow, it will be time to begin an impeachment inquiry of @realDonaldTrump. In the hours after the discussion, Pelosi and Nadler met privately. Shortly after emerging from that meeting, Nadler said its possible when asked about impeachment hearings. But he noted that Democrats had won a court victory without having to take that step. The presidents continuing lawless conduct is making it harder and harder to rule out impeachment or any other enforcement action, Nadler said. McGahns refusal to testify is the latest of several White House moves to block Democratic investigations of Trump, who has said his administration will fight all of the subpoenas. The Judiciary Committee voted to hold Atty. Gen. William Barr in contempt earlier this month after he declined to provide an unredacted version of special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs report. And the House Intelligence Committee is expected to take a vote on a separate enforcement action against the Justice Department this week after Barr refused a similar request from that panel. McGahns lawyer, William Burck, said in a letter to Nadler that McGahn was conscious of the duties he, as an attorney, owes to his former client and would decline to appear. Still, Burck encouraged the committee to negotiate a compromise with the White House, saying his client again finds himself facing contradictory instructions from two co-equal branches of government. McGahn was a key figure in Muellers investigation, sitting for hours of interviews, describing ways the president sought to curtail that federal probe. Democrats have hoped to question him as a way to focus attention on Muellers findings and further investigate whether Trump did obstruct justice. If McGahn were to defy Trump and testify before Congress, it could endanger his own career in Republican politics and put his law firm, Jones Day, in the presidents crosshairs. Trump has mused about instructing Republicans to cease dealing with the firm, which is deeply intertwined in Washington with the GOP, according to one White House official and a Republican close to the White House not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations. This move is just the latest act of obstruction from the White House that includes its blanket refusal to cooperate with this committee, Nadler said in a statement. It is also the latest example of this administrations disdain for law. Administration officials mulled various legal options before settling on providing McGahn with a legal opinion from the Department of Justice to justify defying the subpoena. The immunity of the Presidents immediate advisers from compelled congressional testimony on matters related to their official responsibilities has long been recognized and arises from the fundamental workings of the separation of powers, the departments opinion reads. Accordingly, Mr. McGahn is not legally required to appear and testify about matters related to his official duties as Counsel to the President. A federal judge rejected a similar argument in 2008 in a dispute over a subpoena for Harriet Miers, who was White House counsel to President George W. Bush. U.S. District Judge John Bates said it was an unprecedented notion that a White House official would be absolutely immune from being compelled to testify before Congress. Miers had to show up for her testimony, but still had the right to assert executive privilege in response to any specific questions posed by legislators, said the judge. But in 2014, under the Obama administration, the Justice Department issued an opinion arguing that if Congress could force the presidents closest advisors to testify about matters that happened during their tenure, it would threaten executive branch confidentiality, which is necessary (among other things) to ensure that the President can obtain the type of sound and candid advice that is essential to the effective discharge of his constitutional duties. When the University of California threatened to drop the SAT as a college entrance requirement more than 15 years ago, the College Board eliminated the analogy questions and introduced a new essay portion. The changes helped keep the test in business but didnt necessarily make it a stronger predictor of whether students would succeed in college. The new writing portion, in particular, was poorly designed and easily gamed by composing longer essays and using what Mark Twain would call five-dollar words. In more recent years, new concerns have arisen about the SAT, and especially about the advantage it gives to affluent students who have attended academically robust schools and benefited from the help of SAT tutors. Making matters worse, this years college admissions scandal showed that the SAT is far from impervious to cheating. These days, more than 1,000 colleges and universities do not require the SAT or its competitor, the ACT; the University of Chicago is among the most recent to have dropped the requirement. The University of California is studying how useful the tests really are in finding great applicants. The College Board has revamped the test yet again and added access to a free online tutoring program, but the objections have continued. Unstable families, ill health and domestic violence occur in affluent areas, too. Advertisement Against that backdrop, the College Board has now announced its latest gambit: It is adding a new score to students SAT reports designed to show the level of adversity they have faced. On a scale of 1 to 100, the Environmental Context Dashboard is supposed to give admissions officers a sense of what students have had to overcome in life, which can then be used by colleges in deciding whom to admit. The students overall disadvantage level will be calculated based on 15 factors, including whether he or she lives in a neighborhood that struggles with poverty, crime and family instability, or has attended schools where relatively few students take challenging courses. The income, education and marital status of families in the students neighborhood are also among the factors considered. The College Board is right about this much, at least: Admissions officers should take into account the obstacles that students have faced and overcome. Performance on the SAT is highly correlated with family income and education. But the new adversity score is all wrong when it comes to accomplishing the task at hand. It is a blunt instrument that wont give colleges accurate information about each student. The index doesnt provide information about the actual student; its a theoretical number based on neighborhood census data, FBI crime data, school data and other sources. It ignores the fact that students face all kinds of difficulties, many of them immeasurable. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute After all, unstable families, ill health and domestic violence occur in affluent areas, too. In addition, a fair number of poor families live in middle-class and affluent enclaves. In the Beverly Hills Unified School District, 17.5% of students are classified as socioeconomically disadvantaged, meaning that they qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches, and/or have parents who never made it through high school. Other low-income families put in huge efforts to enroll their children in high-performing charter schools or magnet schools. Such students could end up being penalized because their parents worked hard to get them a better education. In addition, students wont be allowed to see their own scores of privilege or disadvantage, which means they wont be able to challenge ratings that are off base. And its not impossible to imagine families working the system by setting up phony addresses in low-income areas. That may sound a little crazy but its no more so than Photoshopping applicants faces onto the bodies of athletes, which was allegedly done for some of the students caught up in the recent college admissions scandal. The disadvantage score seems ill-thought out. But it also leads to bigger questions about the SAT generally: Is it an effective measure of future college success for all students or only those who have not faced tremendous adversity? Or does it work only when students are compared with those of similar backgrounds? If so, whats the point? Its reasonable to think that a proctored, standardized exam can at least provide a check on inflated grades and subjective college recommendations, but a states own standards tests could do the same without costing families any additional money. All eyes are on the UC study of the tests. Maybe it will point the way to a fairer and more rational way forward. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook Apprehensions about an imminent military confrontation between Iran and the United States have subsided for the time being, after a tense period in which the Trump administration, citing heightened threats, sent an aircraft carrier and bombers to the region and the Pentagon reviewed contingency plans for war. It now appears possible that Iranian actions that the administration interpreted as a preliminary to an attack on U.S. forces might in fact have been intended to thwart a feared U.S. attack. Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has now said that no one is seeking war, while President Trump has suggested that Iranian leaders call me so that negotiations could begin on a diplomatic deal involving nuclear and other issues. Such a grand deal seems awfully unlikely at the moment. But at least the chances that ignorant armies or in this case navies will clash by night have been reduced for the time being. Yet any sense of relief must be tempered by several troubling realities. Advertisement One is that the Trump administration continues to speak and act as if its goal wasnt just to deter or punish destabilizing activities by Iran but to encourage regime change, diplomatic parlance for the overthrow of the Islamic Republic. Thats no recipe for diplomatic rapprochement. The president seems to believe that his diplomacy with North Korea is a template for a diplomatic breakthrough with Iran. A second concern is that, as in other areas of foreign policy, Trump and his most senior advisors might not be on the same page, creating confusion not only for Iran but also for U.S. allies. As Times columnist Doyle McManus recently noted, Trump and national security advisor John Bolton have sent conflicting signals not only on policy toward Iran but also on the future of U.S. troops in Syria and negotiations with North Korea over ending that countrys nuclear-weapons program. The president seems to believe that his diplomacy with North Korea is a template for a diplomatic breakthrough with Iran. The notion is that, just as he established a cordial relationship with Kim Jong Un after threatening North Korea with fire and fury, he might also make a grand deal with Iran (even after tweeting over the weekend that an attack by Iran on the U.S. would mean the official end of Iran). The problem, of course, is that Trumps courtship of Kim, while it may have reduced tensions, hasnt led to the rapid denuclearization that is supposed to be the objective. Moreover, the U.S. has suggested that it doesnt seek to depose Kim in North Korea while sending signals to the government in Tehran that its ouster might indeed be the goal. Not only has Trump repudiated the international agreement under which Iran agreed to significant limitations on its nuclear program an agreement with which Iran largely has complied but the U.S. has also imposed sanctions that will make it harder for other signatories of the agreement, including Americas European allies, to live up to their obligations. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute Finally, the U.S. has demanded as a condition of any new agreement that Iran comply with 12 demands. Some deal with its nuclear program, directly or indirectly, but others target Irans foreign policy, including its relationship with Shiite militias in Iraq and its support for militant groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas. In a speech last year, Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo described these as basic requirements for any agreement between the U.S. and Iran. Some of the demands are responses to destabilizing activities by Iran that the U.S. and its allies are absolutely right to condemn and challenge. But its not surprising that Iran might see in the U.S. demands a series of ultimatums, not talking points for future negotiations. And it can hardly be lost on Iran that the Trump administration is more forgiving of destabilizing activities by its ally Saudi Arabia, such as that kingdoms bloody activities in Yemens civil war. A perception by Iran that the U.S. regards it as illegitimate inevitably will color perceptions of U.S. words and actions. If Trump is serious about his request that Iranian leaders call him and reopen negotiations, he and his advisors need to clarify that they seek to influence the behavior of Irans government, not overthrow it. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook The demand of Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee for live testimony by former White House Counsel Donald McGahn reminds me of the questions from college students that drive professors nuts such as, How much does the final exam count for? Generations of long-suffering instructors have responded with the same answer: Its in the syllabus. Likewise, what Democrats supposedly want to know from McGahn is in the syllabus or, in this case, the 448-page report by special counsel Roberts S. Mueller III. The report describes in detail McGahns eyebrow-raising interactions with Trump, including this blockbuster: On June 17, 2017, the President called McGahn at home and directed him to call the Acting Attorney General and say that the Special Counsel had conflicts of interest and must be removed. McGahn did not carry out the direction, however, deciding that he would resign rather than trigger what he regarded as a potential Saturday Night Massacre. (Trump has denied that he instructed McGahn to fire Mueller, a claim that earned him four Pinocchios from the Washington Posts fact-checker.) Advertisement McGahn is not ready for his congressional closeup. On Tuesday, he failed to show at a committee hearing, despite having been subpoenaed. Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) warned that McGahn would be cited by the panel for contempt of Congress. In defending a Justice Department opinion holding that McGahn cant be forced to testify before Congress, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders noted that Mueller and his team conducted hours and hours of interviews from White House officials, including more than 30 hours from former Counsel to the President, Don McGahn. Thats a lot of evidence, even if you dont agree with the White House that it makes live testimony by McGahn inappropriate. So why do Democrats insist on bringing McGahn before the committee? (Presumably their goal is not to afford their Republican colleagues an opportunity to try to discredit McGahn.) Former federal prosecutor Harry Litman offers a plausible answer. Writing in the Washington Post earlier this month, Litman noted: McGahn is already locked into an account of Trumps conduct that appears to amount to multiple felonies for obstruction of justice. Detailing that conduct in a congressional hearing would provide a moment of drama akin to John Deans Watergate testimony. And it is that sort of drama that seems to be the Democrats only hope for putting impeachment into serious play. Actually, House Democrats are still arguing among themselves about whether to put impeachment into serious play, with Speaker Nancy Pelosi apparently adhering, for now, to a more cautious approach. But even if McGahn were to testify publicly as part of a stealth impeachment process, his presence would send a powerful message that mere words in a written report one that few Americans have read just cant convey. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook Democrats are aggressively pushing late-term abortion allowing children to be ripped from their mothers womb right up until the moment of birth, President Trump told a Florida rally last week. The baby is born and you wrap the baby beautifully and you talk to the mother about the possible execution of the baby. For cable news talking heads and leading Democrats, this is a demagogic lie. The fact-checkers mostly say its a distortion and exaggeration and it is. Its a distortion of something Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said, days before revelations he dressed in black face or in a Klan outfit during medical school eclipsed the controversy. Trump has been referencing Northams remarks since January, when Kathy Tran, a Democratic Virginia delegate introduced legislation to liberalize abortion in her state. During a colloquy with a Republican lawmaker, Tran said her bill would legalize abortions through the 40th week of pregnancy, including during labor (she later said she misspoke when it was pointed out that violated infanticide laws). Roe created this polarized and polarizing dynamic, in which the debate is dominated by the extremes. Advertisement The next day Northam a pediatric neurologist by training appeared on a local radio station to support Tran and her bill. He also explained how, in cases where a fetus was not viable, the infant would be delivered, the infant would be kept comfortable, the infant would be resuscitated if this is what the mother and the family desired, and then a discussion would ensue between the physician and the mother. Now, Northam never said anything about executing babies. But Trans legislation would have allowed late-term abortions of viable, non-deformed, babies solely if the mothers mental or emotional health was threatened. Her bill didnt pass, but that same month, Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed similar legislation. All of this is worth keeping in mind amid the furor over Alabamas near-total abortion ban. If we go by the attitudes of the American people, both laws are extreme. Polling on abortion is notoriously fraught. Wording matters enormously because many Americans themselves are conflicted on the issue. But generally, most Americans support early-stage abortions and opposition grows along with the fetus. According to Gallup, 60% of Americans support abortion rights in the first trimester, but only 13% do in the third. The medias double standard in how it treats laws like New Yorks and Alabamas speaks volumes about their attitudes on the topic. But it also speaks to the legal and political landscape. Even Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a strong defender of abortion rights, has called the Supreme Courts 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision a heavy-handed judicial intervention, and said she would have preferred that abortion rights were secured more gradually with greater buy-in at the state level. Under Roe (and later Planned Parenthood vs. Casey), the court not only imposed one of the most permissive abortion regimes in the world, it foreclosed state-level compromise, galvanizing the pro-life movement and causing both pro-choicers and pro-lifers to take more absolutist positions. Alabamas law is clearly unconstitutional under current precedent. But thats the point. Alabamas GOP legislators deliberately passed an unconstitutional law in the hope that the courts new conservative majority would overthrow Roe and Casey. New Yorks Democratic lawmakers werent trying to test Roe or Casey, but create a post-Roe abortion sanctuary in case Alabamas gamble is correct. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute As a practical matter, Roe made it necessary for the pro-life movement to embrace an incremental strategy, working to change attitudes, chip away at Roe at the margins and work to reduce the abortion rate (with considerable success). But now that some think the brass ring is in sight, the movement has split between incrementalists and those like the sponsors of the Alabama bill who think its worth going for broke (I think theyre wrong). The underlying political reality is that most Americans want a compromise, but the parties are more responsive to the activists and donors. As a result, Democrats have abandoned their safe, legal and rare rhetoric while Republicans are downplaying a culture of life. Instead each seeks to cast the other party as extreme. Republicans highlight rare late-term abortions and Democrats focus on the also rare cases of 12-year-olds impregnated by their rapist fathers. Roe created this polarized and polarizing dynamic, in which the debate is dominated by the extremes. Overturning it and allowing states to pass laws that reflect majority opinion might not defuse the political passion. But at some point we are likely to find out. jgoldberg@latimescolumnists.com To the editor: Sure, when Californias strict environmental regulations force a switch to a summer blend, it costs more. When refineries are down for repair, the costs go up as well. (Why are gas prices so high? California will probe possible market manipulation, May 17) But the big costs we all pay are the excessive taxes and environmental regulation costs lawmakers have placed on fuel. These are costs placed squarely on the backs of our states hard-working blue-collar workers who typically commute the farthest. A bill, SB 1074, was proposed in 2018 by state Sen. John Moorlach (R-Costa Mesa) to have all those costs transparent to the public. But members of the Senate Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development were adamant that they didnt want the public to know why were paying so much and voted at a hearing to kill SB 1074. I know, because I was there testifying. Its time to let consumers see all the taxes and environmental costs they are paying at the pump. When drivers moan, they will certainly know whom to blame. Advertisement Ronald Stein, Irvine The writer is an engineer and the founder of a staffing firm for oil and gas companies. .. To the editor: I find it laughable that the state plans a deeper look at gas prices. The major oil companies have control of a captive market and have free rein on prices. Regulations prevent us from using the gasoline blend sold in most of the country during times of shortage, so prices shoot up during refinery shutdowns. The major oil companies have squeezed out independent refiners, such as Golden West and Powerine, whose gasoline sold at the lowest prices. In 1980, there were 40 operating oil refineries in California. Now, there are only 17. When you have a smaller number of players in a market, they have more control over price, plain and simple. Jack Nagy, Whittier Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook To the editor: This is what I dont understand about the Republicans criticizing Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.) for suggesting that the president committed impeachable offenses: Many of them hated Donald Trump from the very beginning, believing he would degrade their party (which he has). If they were to go along with Senate Democrats and vote to impeach, they would get President Mike Pence, a far more traditional Republican. While still right wing, at least hes stable, professional and stands for something, and he wouldnt run the country via Twitter pronouncements. Are they worried about Trumps popularity? He won the election without the popular vote and with all kinds of help from the Russians. Andrew Tilles, Studio City Advertisement .. To the editor: The L.A. Times put an article on the Monday print editions front page reporting that President Trump lashed out at someone. Real front-page news would report on the courageous Republican who is calling the Mueller report as he sees it, not on the obstructionist in chief getting mad at him. Trump was elected because the media gave him a megaphone that it did not give anyone else. As a result, weve spent 2 years watching our democracy be continually undermined. Kim Banco, Irvine .. To the editor: It seems the most common headline used over the last two-plus years has been, Trump lashes out at (insert persons name here). Bill Bennett, Huntington Beach Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook Even through the pain of a burst appendix just weeks before election day, Katie Porter made sure her campaign manager took her to Hoag Hospital in Irvine and not to a closer hospital because she knew the emergency room was in her insurance network. An appendectomy followed, plus five days in the hospital on IV antibiotics. About $55,000 worth of services was covered by her Anthem Blue Cross insurance policy with only a $250 co-pay from Porter. But a few weeks later, she said, she was hit with a $3,231 bill from the surgeon who, despite operating in a hospital in the Anthem network, was not in the network himself. That left Porter on the hook for $2,800 out of pocket. Porter, a Democrat elected in November to represent Irvine in Congress, was hit with a surprise medical bill a phenomenon that happens in upward of 20% of emergency room visits, according to estimates. With Congress mired in a political standoffwith the executive branch, Republicans and Democrats are struggling to garner enough support to get any bills signed into law. But legislation to address surprise billing could be one of the few bipartisan initiatives that make it to President Trumps desk this year. Advertisement Porter, who will share her story Tuesday at one of several congressional hearings expected in the coming weeks, said support for the legislation was a sign of how common the problem had become. Its not a special story because Im a member of Congress. Its actually that this is such an ordinary experience, Porter said in an interview. As were trying to encourage Americans to buy insurance in the face of higher premiums, were trying to encourage employers to continue to provide coverage. To then not have the insurance system working to protect people from unexpected problems is a real problem. Trump earlier this month called for a solution. This must end, he said at a White House event including Republican lawmakers and at least one Democrat. Were going to hold insurance companies and hospitals totally accountable. Health insurance deductibles soar, leaving Americans with unaffordable bills Republicans and Democrats have introduced several preliminary ideas for how to address the problem, including capping out-of-network bills at a certain rate or requiring physicians in such situations to be paid at the in-network rates even if they dont have a contract with the insurance company. Other proposals would require arbitration between an insurance company and hospital or healthcare providers. Trump floated the idea of patients getting a single bill from a trip to the ER, and his White House appears to disfavor an arbitration approach, according to people familiar with the early discussions. Several states, including California and New York, have established their own surprise-billing laws. Federal legislation is not expected to override what states have done. Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) are putting together a more expansive healthcare package that would address the surprise bills as well as try to bring down healthcare costs. A preliminary version of the bill is expected to be released as soon as this week, and Alexander said he hoped to have a plan on the Senate floor by July. The effort could be combined with legislation expected out of the Senate Finance Committee to address prescription drug costs. Alexander and Murray, one of the most productive bipartisan deal-making teams in Congress, tried last year to put together legislation to make minor changes to the Affordable Care Act, but it was bogged down by political disputes over abortion funding. While Republicans and Democrats have been at loggerheads over healthcare policy for the last decade, ending surprise medical billing has garnered bipartisan support. The question facing lawmakers now is whether they can come together on a bill without being distracted by debates on congressional oversight or Obamacare. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who with Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) is advocating to undo a Trump administration rule allowing insurers not to abide by all of the ACAs rules, is skeptical of giving Republicans any political leverage on the issue. I worry that Republicans are going to try to distract the American public from the fact that they are repeatedly stabbing you in the leg by putting a Band-Aid on a small cut on your finger, Murphy said of the bill on surprise billing and healthcare costs. Maybe Ill be surprised and there is really groundbreaking stuff in there. Health insurance companies, hospitals and provider groups are already lobbying in anticipation of a bill. Anthem Blue Cross says it is trying to work with its in-network hospitals to ensure all physicians participate in the network. But the company put some blame on the physicians themselves. There are some physicians who choose not to participate in our network, said Anthem spokesman Michael Bowman. This refusal allows them to charge consumers excessive amounts, well above what is customary and far greater than what we reimburse for out-of-network services. If successful, legislation to address surprise billing or a broader healthcare bill could amount to one of the most substantial policy efforts of this Congress, outside of a potential revamped North American Free Trade Agreement or a new federal spending plan. With Republicans controlling the Senate and Democrats controlling the House, even a plan to help states recover from disasters, including the California wildfires, has been a significant lift. Its magical when good policy matches good politics, said Rep. Greg Walden of Oregon, the top Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, who worked with the top Democrat on the panel on one of the surprise-billing proposals. Porter got hit with a surprise medical bill even though she knew off the top of her head which hospitals were in network. Many consumers are not that well prepared or informed, particularly during an emergency. She credits her former employer, UC Irvine, for advocating on her behalf with the insurance company, which ultimately paid the bill. She also had the time to sit on the phone and navigate an insurance companys bureaucracy a luxury she said most Americans didnt have. I didnt have to find time during a 10-minute break, she said, which is what so many Americans are confronted with. They cant even find the hour to sit on hold and navigate through the phone tree to find the appeal department. The latest from Washington More stories from Jennifer Haberkorn President Trump directed his former White House counsel, Donald McGahn, not to appear at a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday despite receiving a subpoena from the panels Democratic chairman, the latest salvo in a battle between two warring branches of government. But as the legal and political turmoil grew, a federal judge in Washington upheld a separate Democratic subpoena for Trumps personal and business financial records, a signal that the staunch White House resistance to congressional probes may serve to delay the investigations but not avoid them altogether. The ruling is the first by a federal judge considering Trumps legal efforts to avoid congressional subpoenas and could set a legal precedent for other judges to consider. Trump has refused to cooperate with multiple House-led inquiries into his business practices, his taxes, security clearances at the White House and other matters. His administration has defied several House subpoenas and directed current and former officials not to testify at hearings certain to draw public scrutiny back to the investigation led by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. Advertisement In his ruling Monday, U.S. District Court Judge Amit Mehta dismissed Trumps claim that a subpoena last month from the House Oversight and Reform Committee, which is led by Democrats, was politically motivated and amounted to an abuse of power. Mehta ruled that the accounting firm Mazars USA must comply with the panels demand for eight years of Trumps financial records as it investigates whether he committed financial crimes as a New York real estate developer and businessman before he entered the White House. The constitution clearly gives Congress the right to investigate the president on matters of potential conflicts of interest and other criminal behavior, Mehta wrote. History has shown that congressionally-exposed criminal conduct by the President or a high-ranking Executive Branch official can lead to legislation, Mehta wrote, citing the Watergate investigation by the Senate. It is simply not fathomable that a Constitution that grants Congress the power to remove a President for reasons including criminal behavior would deny Congress the power to investigate him for unlawful conduct past or present even without formally opening an impeachment inquiry, he added. Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.), chairman of the committee that issued the subpoena, hailed the judges ruling as a resounding victory for the rule of law and our constitutional system of checks and balances. Trump, who spoke to reporters at the White House, called the ruling totally the wrong decision by an Obama-appointed judge and indicated his attorneys would file an appeal. Mehta was confirmed by the Senate in 2014. McGahn, who served as White House counsel and was a key witness in determining whether the president obstructed justice as he fought Muellers 22-month special counsel investigation, had been scheduled to testify Tuesday before the House Judiciary Committee. McGahns testimony figured prominently in Muellers final report. It detailed how Trump had instructed McGahn to fire Mueller and shut down the investigation into whether he or any associates conspired with Russian officials during the 2016 campaign. McGahn told investigators that he ignored the requests. On Monday, the White House released a legal opinion from the Justice Department that provides McGahn with an argument to explain his decision not to comply with the subpoena from the committee chairman, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.). I think its a very important precedent, Trump told reporters, contending that his lawyers efforts to prevent McGahn and other officials from testifying to Congress are intended to protect the constitutional separation of powers, not to protect him. Theyre doing it for the office of the presidency, he said. Nadler has threatened to hold McGahn in contempt for failing to testify, and indicated that Tuesdays hearing will take place as scheduled. This move is just the latest act of obstruction from the White House that includes its blanket refusal to cooperate with this Committee, Nadler said in a statement. It is also the latest example of this Administrations disdain for law. William Burck, McGahns lawyer, said in a statement that McGahn will respect the Presidents instruction not to testify. In the event an accommodation is reached between the Committee and the White House, Mr. McGahn will of course comply with that accommodation, he added. Even though much of McGahns testimony was disclosed when the Justice Department released a redacted version of Muellers 448-page report last month, the Office of Legal Counsel opinion contends that Trump can invoke executive privilege and bar his former attorney from being forced to answer lawmakers questions about his tenure in the White House. The immunity of the presidents immediate advisers from compelled congressional testimony on matters related to their official responsibilities has long been recognized and arises from the fundamental workings of the separation of powers, Assistant Atty. Gen. Steven A. Engel wrote. Those principles apply to the former White House Counsel. Accordingly, Mr. McGahn is not legally required to appear and testify about matters related to his official duties as Counsel to the President, he added. In a letter to Nadler summarizing the legal opinion, the current White House counsel, Pat Cipollone, declared that McGahn is absolutely immune from compelled congressional testimony with respect to matters occurring during his service as a senior adviser to the President. Cipollone said the president had directed McGahn not to appear at the House hearing Tuesday. This long-standing principle is firmly rooted in the Constitutions separation of powers and protects the core functions of the Presidency, and we are adhering to this well-established precedent in order to ensure that future Presidents can effectively execute the responsibilities of the Office of the Presidency, he added. Trump has wrongly claimed that Muellers report amounts to an exoneration, even though 10 instances of potential obstruction of justice are described in detail some based on McGahns sworn testimony. Atty. Gen. William Barr has tried to focus the public on Muellers top-line conclusion that Trumps campaign did not conspire with any Russian officials during the 2016 presidential race. Mueller made no decision as to whether Trump had obstructed justice, in part because of Justice Department guidelines that say a sitting president cannot be indicted, but Barr later decided that there was insufficient evidence to recommend charges. Democrats, who retook control of the House last November, have issued a flurry of subpoenas aimed at bringing key Trump associates before lawmakers to answer questions. But Trump has continued to defy Democrats, thumbing his nose at the Houses constitutionally assigned oversight role and claiming that the ongoing investigations are motivated by politics rather than a determination to follow the facts. In a statement, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House press secretary, said the White House was completely transparent with the special counsel investigation. The Special Counsel received more than 1.4 million documents and hours and hours of interviews from White House officials, including more than 30 hours from former Counsel to the President, Don McGahn, Sanders said. The Democrats do not like the conclusion of the Mueller investigation no collusion, no conspiracy, and no obstruction and want a wasteful and unnecessary do-over, she continued. The latest from Washington More stories from Eli Stokols Calling homelessness in California an escalating human crisis, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday announced the leaders of a task force formed to implement programs aimed at getting people off the streets. Newsom made the announcement after touring Oaklands Henry Robinson Multiservice Center, a century-old hotel converted into a 137-bed facility that houses more than 300 homeless people a year. Roughly 80% of the people who enter the center, after receiving months of mental health counseling, job training and other essential care, move into permanent housing, according to Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf. Homelessness is our No. 1 challenge, Schaaf said. We can never accept our elders sleeping outside or our families sleeping in cars. Advertisement Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to double spending on homelessness to $1 billion Newsom first announced a homelessness task force during his State of the State address in February, naming Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg as its leader. On Tuesday, the governor added Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas as co-chairman. The task force will identify programs such as the Henry Robinson Multiservice Center and propose ways to replicate them statewide, Newsom said. The governor said hes not interested in simply releasing a white paper on homelessness. The state of California has never had a homeless plan. The state of California has been nowhere to be found on the issue of homelessness, Newsom said. I know what the problem is. None of us need a report telling us what the problem is. While the states homeless population declined slightly last year from 134,000 to just under 130,000, according to data reported to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, that number could increase this year. Earlier this month, San Francisco reported a 17% increase in homeless residents over the last two years to 8,011. Alameda, Santa Clara, Kern, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties all recently saw double-digit percentage increases in their homeless populations, with the number in Alameda up 43% to 8,022 since 2017. Los Angeles will release numbers from its homeless population count on May 31, and officials are expecting the number to rise even though the region spent $619 million last year on the problem. Peter Lynn, executive director of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, told the L.A. County Board of Supervisors recently that the increasing homeless population was due to rising rents and a lack of available low-income housing pushing more people onto the streets than the region could find homes for. Newsom included $1 billion in his proposed budget to combat homelessness the plan faces a mid-June deadline for passage. Of that amount, $650 million in grants would go to local governments and regional homelessness agencies for emergency shelters, rental assistance and the construction of permanent housing, among other uses. The money is on top of $2 billion in state funding for homeless housing developments that voters approved in November. Before Tuesdays news conference, Newsom spoke with Tekal Carlisle, 42, who lived on the streets of Oakland for years before she came to the Henry Robinson Multiservice Center. Carlisle said the program, which houses people for up to six months, allowed her to rebuild her life and look for work without having to lug her possessions with her. She said addressing homelessness is an enormous challenge because people living on the streets and sleeping in their cars come from all walks of life and are dealing with a wide spectrum of issues, including mental illness and drug addiction. The only thing we do have in common is homelessness, Carlisle said. The task force, whose remaining members will be announced in the coming weeks, will meet across the state and provide Newsom with at least one annual report highlighting successful homelessness prevention strategies. The report will guide the creation of regional plans to combat homelessness, the governors office said. Newsom also announced Tuesday that psychiatrist and neuroscientist Dr. Tom Insel would advise him on strategies to address mental health issues. Insel, whom Newsom referred to as the states mental health czar, served as director of the National Institute of Mental Health for 13 years until 2015. phil.willon@latimes.com @philwillon liam.dillon@latimes.com @dillonliam Since 2008, the mission of Record Store Day has been to promote independently owned record businesses and to revitalize the sale of music on vinyl. However, the owner of one prominent establishment in Burbank believes the spirit of the audiophile holiday has been compromised. Hundreds of people will wait in line at their local record stores, like Amoeba Music in Hollywood, on Saturday with hopes of getting some of the limited-edition records being sold that day, some reissued classics and some new releases. NEWSLETTER: Get the latest 818 headlines straight to your inbox >> Some of the rarities being sold will be a 7-inch picture disc of Muses track Reapers, remixes of Afrika Bambaataa & the Soulsonic Forces hit song Planet Rock, hip-hop producer J Dillas lost vocal LP The Diary and a colored vinyl reissue of Etta James album At Last. However, none of these records will ever grace or have ever been in the record bins of Atomic Records, which prides itself for being a 100% used-record store, co-owner Steve Alper said. Despite not offering any of the highly sought-after EPs and LPs, about 100 record enthusiasts are expected to flock to the store to get their hands on rarities and original pressings that the business has been holding onto to be sold and to take advantage of special discounts on Saturday. For Alper, that is his way of celebrating Record Store Day. Atomic Records co-owner Steve Alper said the store has never been busier over its 20 years of operation, and he recognizes that major businesses are looking to profit from the vinyl revival. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer) People want to buy original Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Miles Davis records, he said. That, to me, is celebrating record stores. Its about vintage vinyl. Alper, who has operated Atomic for 20 years, said he admires the concept behind Record Store Day. Unfortunately [it has] been totally co-opted by major labels who want to get their product of new vinyl into stores, he said. Its been a mix of emotions for record store owners, he added. Some people are really happy about it and some people cant stand it. The vinyl resurgence is in full effect, with record sales continuing to grow over the last 10 years. In 2015, new vinyl LP sales increased 30% over the previous year, according to the Recording Industry Assn. of America. Major retailers, such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Urban Outfitters and even the supermarket chain Whole Foods have been selling records to try and capitalize on the increasing interest. Alper said Atomic has never been busier over its 20 years of operation, and he recognizes that major businesses are looking to profit from the vinyl revival. However, he believes it is not in his stores best interest to compete against them. Were just all about having bins filled with vintage product, he said. -- Anthony Clark Carpio, anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com Twitter: @acocarpio -- ALSO: Burbank educators make suggestions for districts goals next school year Staffing shortages stymie Burbank police Two arrested in connection to gang-related stabbing in Burbank When James Sun was 12 years old, he would rub the insides of orange peels on his face. He had read that orange peels had acid that neutralized oil, so he thought he had discovered an all-natural remedy to combat pre-teen acne. Its too strong, but I didnt know it at the time, Sun said. But it felt good doing it, and thats the thing with beauty products its gotta feel good. Sun is the CEO of the popular Korean beauty website Beautytap, which opened its first retail store at South Coast Plaza last weekend. Special guests included K-pop star and fashion icon Jessica Jung, whose Blanc & Eclare skincare line is featured in store; Young Kim, the Korean American politician running for Californias 39th Congressional District; and beauty influencers Fei Yang of HeyitsFeiii and Fifty Shades of Snails Jude Chao, who is also Beautytaps director of marketing. Former Girls Generation member Jessica Jung held a meet and greet at the grand opening of Beautytap on Sept. 15. Her Blanc & Eclare skin care line is featured in the store. (Photo by Dean Hollis) Chao began experimenting with Korean beauty products in 2013, around the time Korean beauty started to become more mainstream in America, with the formation of e-commerce companies like Peach & Lily, Glow Recipe and Soko Glam. As a blogger, Chao amassed an avid following by writing reviews and educating readers about popular K-beauty ingredients like snail mucin (slime), which keeps skin hydrated and dewy. Recently, shes been recommending donkey milk-infused water drop creams, which are full of antioxidants, and turn into tiny beads of water when they touch the skin. I think a lot of Asian cultures are more texture-driven than Western ones, Chao said. And its such a competitive market in Korea that they work so hard to create products that are fun to use, whether its the packaging, the interesting textures, or the cute animal characters. Sun wants Beautytap to become a physical version of the welcoming community theyve built online. He wants beauty fans to come hang out, use their Wi-Fi, read curated skincare books, attend events and try new products theyll bring in every month without the pressure to buy. If youre reading advice from a professional whos working on Kim Kardashians face, its intimidating, Sun said. But if someone is saying, `You have oily skin, and I also have oily skin, let me tell you what works for me. Thats way more open and transparent and enjoyable for everyone. Ultimately, beauty is about self-care, said Anna M. Park, Beautytaps editor in chief. When you take the time to learn what makes your skin healthy, and you do that ritual every morning and night, this is time you are taking to focus on yourself, she said. Sun knows theres a male audience for his products as well. My male friends think Im nuts because I do it all: the double cleansing, the toner, the serum, eye serum, definitely the masks, Sun said. But in Korea, every man does skin care. If you think about it, Koreans put pictures on their resumes, even when they are applying for a normal job. Thats why Koreans care so much about how they look and taking care of themselves. Back in 2005, Sun gained some fame as a finalist on The Apprentice, Donald Trumps reality competition show featuring entrepreneurs. According to Suns account, when he asked why there hadnt been an Asian guy on the show before him, the casting directors told him Asian men dont make for good TV. It just made me realize that even now, Asian Americans still have a hard time breaking through to mainstream audiences, said Sun, who comes from the tech industry. So after selling my last company, I made it my personal goal to become a bridge between Asia and the U.S. Congressional candidate Young Kim joins Beautytap CEO James Sun at the ribbon cutting ceremony during the stores grand opening. (Photo by Dean Hollis) Beautytaps grand opening is coming only a few weeks after an Irvine attorneys Facebook post complaining about all the Asians who flooded into Orange County and then took over our mall at South Coast Plaza went viral. Shes saying that Asians taking over South Coast plaza is a negative thing, Sun said. But I think this just shows that shes wrong. In working with us, South Coast Plaza is saying, We want to work with this community. Suns theory is that if Americans love Chinese food, they cant say they dont like Chinese people. If they love Korean beauty, they cant say they dont like Koreans. I want to help make Korean beauty really mainstream, Sun said. I want to make it like Chinese food. Former Newport Beach city manager Dave Kiff will serve as Huntington Beachs temporary city manager as the city conducts a nationwide effort to appoint a long-term leader by fall. The Huntington Beach City Council on Monday night unanimously approved Kiffs appointment without discussion. Kiff will receive hourly pay of $128.29 and no city-provided benefits. Lori Ann Farrell Harrison, currently Huntington Beachs interim city manager following the recent departure of former top administrator Fred Wilson, has been hired to be city manager of Costa Mesa. Farrell Harrison is expected to take her new post by July 1. Kiff could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday. Kiff, who left the Newport Beach job at the end of August, recently served as interim executive director of the Assn. of California Cities-Orange County, a public policy group, where he helped start the Orange County Housing Finance Trust to help fund homelessness solutions and new supportive housing units. Kiff also was tapped to provide transitional assistance to Costa Mesa at no cost in the wake of former city manager Tom Hatchs departure in November. Kiffs career in Newport Beach spanned 20 years, including nine as city manager. He worked on water quality, Newport Bay dredging, the annexations of Newport Coast and Santa Ana Heights, the extension of the citys noise agreement with John Wayne Airport, pension reform and construction of the Civic Center complex. Support our coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. About 37 acres at John Wayne Airport are set aside for private planes like Gary Schanks single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza. The six-seater is what pilots call light GA, a smaller class of general aviation planes in contrast with heavier corporate jets such as Bombardiers and Gulfstreams, which get 27 acres of their own at JWA. As Orange County, which owns and operates the airport, ponders upgrades to aging general aviation infrastructure such as buildings and airfield roads to comply with Federal Aviation Administration standards and reflect what officials say is current usage, light-GA pilots fear being squeezed out by private jets. Under a plan preferred by airport staff, private jets would get more benefits, including a new terminal, and small planes could lose up to 20 of their 37 acres, displacing 250 light-GA aircraft. The SoCal Pilots Assn., of which Schank is vice president, believes it has a solution. The association, which says it provides a voice for general aviation at Southern California airports, suggests leaving overall space allocations, and activity, the same for light and heavy general aviation and trading uncovered tie-downs, or parking spaces, for enclosed hangars for the smaller planes. It also would allow for three support operators for corporate jets providing services including fuel, hangars and maintenance each with about nine acres. The Bonanza that Schank co-owns with two partners is stored in a $140-per-month uncovered tie-down near the runways. Its the least costly of the three storage options, behind hangars and carport-like covered spaces. Covered spaces cost $300 a month and hangars about $700 monthly, and both have waiting lists, he said. Airport staff has recommended changes including the new general aviation terminal the airport currently has terminals only for commercial service and dedicated, fee-based customs screening for non-commercial international flights. The county says the updates would serve an increase in the number of private jets at the airport and reflect a decline in smaller planes. Schank said he also has seen a decline but added that the trend includes the recession years of a decade ago and that the drop wasnt huge. Leading into the start of the recession in 2008, 445, or 74%, of the 604 general aviation planes based at JWA were single-engine aircraft, while 68, or 11%, were private jets, according to airport data. By 2017, the most recent year for which data is available, all types of private aircraft based there had dropped 358, or 77%, of the 462 planes were single-engine, while 40, or 9%, were jets. Schank said the pilots association is allied with Newport Beach residents concerned that the airports preferred plan would lead to increased noise from more jets. Schank, who lives in Coto de Caza in south Orange County, said that if he has to move his plane to the Corona, Long Beach or Fullerton airports, it would be inconvenient and far from what he considers his home airport, JWA. Nobody wants to be evicted from their home, he said. Noise-sensitive neighbors and light GA pilots oppose the idea of catering more to corporate jets at John Wayne Airport. (Hillary Davis / Daily Pilot) County officials have delayed votes on the general aviation matter several times in the past month. The Board of Supervisors had been scheduled to resume discussions Tuesday but is now scheduled to vote on a plan June 25. After the supervisors spent roughly five hours on discussion and public input at their May 7 meeting, they appeared to lean toward a compromise that would expand business jet services while limiting overall private jet activity and preserving storage capacity for smaller planes. But the board has twice put off a vote. The compromise, suggested by Supervisor Andrew Do, would allow for a general aviation terminal while capping the number of private planes based at the airport 65 business jets and 374 light planes, primarily single-engine aircraft. The compromise also would keep the number of support operators the same and increase hangar space for light GA. The county Airport Commission twice has delayed votes on recommending a general aviation plan to the Board of Supervisors in hopes of maintaining onsite storage space for smaller private planes that could be squeezed out by amenities for corporate jets. Laguna Niguel pilot Randall Lipton told the supervisors that private pilots who preceded the arrival of commercial carriers at John Wayne Airport didnt mind sharing their space at first. At this point, he said, as a GA pilot, Im sorry that we let the camels head into the tent. It would be a mistake to scrap parking for small planes, he said, adding that their economic impact hasnt been properly measured. Newport Beach pilot Jeffrey Swedo, who has been based at JWA for 15 years, used aviation metaphors to urge the supervisors to consider the pilots associations plan. Youre flying around in the soup. Its in the clouds. Youre bumping along. You need to get down safely. And how do you do that? You pull the throttle back. You slow down, you assess what youre doing, he said. You know why? Because you have one chance to get your plane on the ground and do it right. You all have one chance to come in for a great landing. Support our coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. UPDATES: This article was originally published at 5:20 p.m. May 20 and was later updated with additional information. City Council candidate Grant Michals grew up in Las Vegas, Nev., but after a quick visit to Montrose Village on a work assignment, he found his new home. I just fell in love with Montrose and bought a house there just after college, Michals said. Thats where Ive chosen to call home and stayed ever since. After he graduated from Occidental College, Michals worked as an information-technology consultant when he bought his Montrose home at the age of 23. In 2005, he opened his own consulting firm and currently partners with a friend in Las Vegas. Join the conversation on Facebook >> Michals said the years of project management and overseeing large projects to completion have provided him with skills that he doesnt see among City Council members currently. Im essentially the professional monkey-in-the-middle, who walks into complex issues, tries to figure out what everybody is saying and brings everybody together toward a solution, Michals said. Those skills will serve me in dealing with ... city politics. Despite being a Glendale homeowner for decades, Michals said he became involved in city affairs roughly seven years ago when he learned about plans for a neighbors residential project that was set to be a story taller than anything else in the neighborhood at the time. Prepped with only the knowledge from the citys notice about the project, Michals attended planning meetings about the projects requested variance to learn more. Soon, Michals became president of the Montrose Verdugo City Sparr Heights Neighborhood Assn. and is now serving his fourth term as president of the Glendale Homeowners Coordinating Council. I had a personal interest in being more involved, but that has translated into helping the entire city, Michals said. This is his first time running for City Council, which will have three open seats in the April election. Part of Michals platform is advocating for neighborhood compatibility, which includes broadening the type of housing Glendale offers to accommodate first-time home buyers or those looking for affordable housing. Michals said that although hes a longtime homeowner and advocate for related causes, he wants to figure out a way to incorporate renters into the citywide discussions. There is a very large need that isnt being filled for renters to be able to represent themselves, Michals said. Part of the reason I am running is I see that, and I want to try and address that need, but there hasnt been a vehicle to do that. Aside from housing issues, Michals said he would like to see more open spaces in Glendale and a fight for their preservation on City Council. Michals also includes public safety on his campaign platform, particularly trying to solve the ongoing problems with pedestrian safety in Glendale. Michals said Glendale is generally a safe place, but city officials should work to bolster surrounding services, such as an investment in mass transit and infrastructure, that could curtail accidents. -- Jeff Landa, jeff.landa@latimes.com Twitter: @JeffLanda Guests enjoyed a lovely, music-filled evening at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown earlier this month when the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra held a gala that raised $550,000 in support of its artistic, education and community engagement programs. The hotel itself is an experience. Its the tallest building on the West Coast at 73 stories high and 1,100 feet above sea level. The views from its rooftop patio are breathtaking. The May 2 gala co-chaired by Carol Henry and Anne-Marie Spatru began with cocktails and passed hors doeuvres. The red carpet was out for music director designate Jaime Martin, who will launch his tenure next fall. The gala also honored Margaret Batjer for her 20 years as LACO concertmaster. After a concert that put the spotlight on mezzo-soprano Suzanna Guzman, Batjer and other gifted musicians, guests were seated in the grand ballroom where a sumptuous three-course dinner was served. It started with a salad of greens, candied pancetta and goat cheese croutons. The entree was a perfectly prepared short rib and butter poached lobster served with truffle risotto, sweet onion and English pea nage accompanied by candied baby carrots. Dessert included gianduja chocolate cremeaux, raspberry air cake, zephyr de rose, mascarpone cream, strawberry and hibiscus flower jus. There was a silent auction with highlights including a private violin master class, five nights at the Aspen Alps Resort, a private dinner party for 25 people at the residence of Carol and Warner Henry, including a performance featuring LACOs conductor laureate Jeffrey Kahane and concertmaster Margaret Batjer, and an invitation for two to attend the premiere of Walt Disney Animation Studios Frozen 2. *** Two weeks ago the children of Dr. Carl Ermshar and his wife Arlene held a retirement party for him at the Pasadena home of daughter Annette and her husband Dan Monahan. The Ermshars lived for many years in La Canada but now call Napa home. The kids Annette, Kendall and Cynthia were thrilled to honor their fathers 59 years in medicine. There were over 100 guests including his medical school classmates, fellow residency mates, medical staff physician peers, colleagues, lifelong friends and family. He practiced as an ENT-otolaryngologist in the La Canada, La Crescenta and Glendale area. *** On May 10 the Flintridge Prep Parents Assn. held a gathering at the home of Sandra Gonzalez. The late afternoon event was an opportunity to reflect and express gratitude for many hours of service over the last year and to look ahead to another great year. At this event the association chairs for the upcoming school year were announced. This is also a time that parents can see available volunteer opportunities and find a way to get involved. The group also held a rose ceremony that recognizes that children dont go through the college admissions process alone they do it with the support of their parents. This is a milestone for moms as well as for their graduating students. 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. For the past 13 years Starr Frazier has been one of the first faces people see when they enter the offices of the La Canada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce. As the organizations administration and member services manager, she wears multiple hats from receptionist and event coordinator to office manager and social media maven and finds the dynamism of the job suits her outgoing personality. I definitely enjoy the social aspect, Frazier says. I love socializing. But after Aug. 15, chamber officials and members will have to say goodbye as the 53-year-old La Canada resident retires in preparation for a move to Northern California with husband Rick and fox terriers Teenie, Ladybug and Peanut. Though colleagues knew for some time Frazier was considering a move that would bring her closer to her family, news of her departure Monday came with some measure of surprise, according to chamber president and chief executive Pat Anderson. I think it was the right now part that was the surprise, says Anderson. Shes the first person to answer the phone, so she really is sort of a welcome mat for the chamber. I keep telling myself, you cant replace her but you can fill the position. A full description of the positions duties and responsibilities is circulating throughout the business community, bringing into focus how the job has expanded during Fraziers tenure. Frazier first met Anderson shortly after she and Rick moved into La Canadas Paradise Valley neighborhood on Ocean View Boulevard in 1995. The pair hit it off, and before long Frazier put her dazzling people skills to work as a chamber ambassador. When an office position opened up Anderson thought Frazier, whod worked for years doing administrative work in the advertising and production industries, would be an excellent candidate. I told her this is the perfect job, and she thought so too, the chamber executive recalls. You need to be positive and energetic and outgoing. And [Starr] is always positive and is very helpful. For the next decade or more, Frazier worked closely with Anderson and co-worker June Beemer on a full calendar of chamber mixers and events such as Memorial Weekend Fiesta Days, Festival in Lights and the chambers installation gala and awards ceremony. Given her background, she especially enjoyed the annual LCF Night on the Red Carpet movie premier. Beemer, who heard the news when she came in to work on Tuesday, says she knew Fraziers move was imminent but was still dumbfounded to hear the news. Im going to miss her like crazy shes so good at everything and shes always so up and perky, Beemer adds. But sometimes youve got to do the carpe diem thing and seize the day. While Frazier looks forward to the next chapter of her life and what adventures lay in store, she admits shell always have a soft spot for La Canada Flintridge and the people shes met. Thats the hardest thing to leave, the friendships weve made over the years, she says. But then they know they have an open invitation to come visit. Be careful what you ask for, Beemer jokes in reply. sara.cardine@latimes.com Twitter: @SaraCardine Recognizing the importance of technology in classroom instruction and standardized testing now and in years to come, La Canada Unified School Board members voted unanimously Tuesday to promote current Technology Director Jamie Lewsadder to a cabinet-level position. As the districts new chief technology officer, Lewsadder will continue to lead the department while becoming directly involved in making decisions that will help build the districts infrastructure and guide the use of technology inside and outside the classroom, according to LCUSD Supt. Wendy Sinnette. Under Jamie Lewsadders leadership as director of technology, the technology department has been transformed in four short years, Sinnette told the board. Weve seen an integration of technology into curriculum, assessment, instruction its increasingly evident that all that we do is interdependent with technology. Join the conversation on Facebook >> The superintendent said the timing was right, as the district begins the process of updating its Facilities Master Plan to guide future projects and funding considerations, in which technology infrastructure upgrades will play a big role. Lewsadder graduated from high school in 1994 and spent several years working and attending Glendale Community College before transferring to California State University, Northridge, in 2004. Three years later, she graduated with a degree in English Language Arts Education and, by 2008, had earned a graduate degree from University of Southern Californias Rossier School of Education. That same year, she joined La Canada High School as an English teacher and remained in the classroom until 2013, when she was named technology director. Although she took some tech classes in graduate school, she admits her interest was piqued by helping her grandfather build computers when she was younger. Speaking in a public comment, LCUSD parent and regular meeting attendant Belinda Randolph praised Lewsadder for always being responsive to questions and being a lifelong learner. I assume you guys know Jamie did not major in IT in college. She has continued to teach herself and go and learn everything she needs, and I think thats an incredible role model for our students here in the district, Randolph said. Board Vice President Dan Jeffries credited the districts easy transition to online state testing, in large part, to the preparedness efforts of Lewsadders team. Board President David Sagal agreed. Technology is essential to what were doing, Sagal said. We certainly have the right person for the job and were very grateful for your hard work. Beginning Aug. 1, Lewsadder will earn an 11-month salary of $131,725, according to the terms of the employment contract. Then, on July 1, 2017, she will be placed on year two of the districts cabinet-level salary schedule and will advance through its steps each additional year. Lewsadder said after the meeting shed recently completed a Chief Technology Officer training program in Ontario, not to advance her career but because I wanted to do my job really well. When she learned at a recent leadership retreat Sinnette was eying her for a promotion, she was happy to be considered. I just really want to be helpful and to be in the meetings where a lot of the decisions are made. I think it will honestly save time, she said. There are so many things that are involved with technology that it really cant be an afterthought anymore. It will be good to be a part of those planning conversations. -- Sara Cardine, sara.cardine@latimes.com Twitter: @SaraCardine Because I wanted to savor the unbelievable I arrived early at the carport theater located halfway up Viro Road in La Canada. It was raining and I wanted to experience the pace and enthusiasm of the cast as they prepared for the evenings theatrics before the show was canceled, which I assumed it would be. However, I was pleased to see that the phrase the show must go on was not merely a fanciful quip. The actors swarmed the carport, putting chairs in place and attempting to cover the intended audience with a tarp. Since I didnt want to get in the way, I stood out of the way and observed the magic they produced. Observation connects you with others and makes you eager to see the potential of what could unfold. Theaters are unique places, magicians trick boxes where the dramatic is pulled and thrust in front of an audience. Theaters are a haven for the unexplainable, the comic, the absurd and the tragic. Watching the actors put the finishing touches on their carport theater in the rain, I realized something magical was about to happen. Regardless of the rain, the audience came, filled the orchestra seats and waited. Although taking shelter beneath the tarp, not everyone would remain dry. Anticipation permeated throughout. Craig Taylor wrote and directed the play. He has orchestrated his vision of theater for more than 40 years. I attempted to intellectualize what drives him to perform and create a platform so others can showcase their talents and their love for performance. I derived no rationales, but perhaps its as simple as one pursuing a passion that defines who they are. Craig opened the evening by singing a standard first recorded in 1960 by Anita Bryant, My Little Corner of the World. I understood the metaphor as he tempted his audience to dream a little dream in his little corner of the world. The actors took us on a magic carpet ride amidst their dialogue, lyrics and theatrics. The show Weirdhemian Rhapsody, was a spoof on the movie Bohemian Rhapsody, the biographical account of Queens Freddy Mercury. Its satirical countenances highlighted the absurd and created a paradoxical lampoon, making fun of the original work. Parody was first exemplified in Aristotles Poetics. This form of Greek literature took the sublime to the ridiculous. In Weirdhemian Rhapsody, the actors brought humor and conveyed the absurd as they mimicked contemporary culture. Taylors work is definitely not for the faint of heart since it requires one to be well versed in a broad spectrum of contemporary culture. Throughout the evening, I found myself on a 10-second delay. I dont get it, Id think. Then, 10 seconds later, Id have my aha moment. Since parody is a difficult genre of writing, I appreciated Taylors brilliance. The ability to exploit existing dialogue into paradoxical humor with salient metaphors is well beyond my pay grade. Serena McIntyre, a barista at Starbucks and one of the actors, introduced Taylor to me. Shortly thereafter, we were involved in a heady conversation about the Doo-wop era of music. Since he once owned a record store on Foothill called Holding Company, he spoke with authority about the Crystals, the Ronettes and groups from the 1950s and 60s that I hardly remembered. As he sang verses from the songs, I felt I was back on the block listening to the harmonic sounds of Dion and the Belmonts. The actors at Saturdays show were the essence of the evening. Heather LeHigh excitedly spoke of her love of performing. Listening to her, I realized it was a rare opportunity to witness others doing what they love. Regardless of rain, their spirits werent dampened, and they proved that the show must indeed go on. Joe Puglia is a practicing counselor, a retired professor of education and a former officer in the Marines. Reach him at doctorjoe@ymail.com. Visit his website at doctorjoe.us. Support our coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. When authorities erected a chain-link fence around a waterfront park in central Yekaterinburg last week, residents vehemently opposed to the Russian Orthodox cathedral slated to be built in one of this citys few green spaces were enraged. Hundreds turned out to protest the project, which is being financed by two local oligarchs with the blessings of the regional government. Demonstrators tore the fence apart and tossed pieces of it into the pond, a focal point in Yekaterinburgs historic city center. Police clashed with protesters. Dozens were detained. The protests and clashes grew daily, until thousands gathered, and the entire country took notice. On Day 4, Russian President Vladimir Putin weighed in. Are these people godless? he said in televised remarks. A church should unite people, not tear them apart. Putin suggested that the local government should conduct a public opinion survey on the project. Advertisement Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, left, greets Russian President Vladimir Putin during the Orthodox Easter holiday service at Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow on April 28. (Yuri Kochetkov / EPA-EFE / REX) The regional governor agreed. Construction has been suspended until the poll results are in. Yekaterinburgs week of spontaneous protests is the latest example of what happens in Russia when the Kremlin comes up against a civic consciousness outside its control. Protests in Russia are not unusual, but under Putins authoritarian, 19-year rule, they have been either strictly contained or harshly suppressed. In 2011 and 2012, the Kremlin watched as tens of thousands took to the streets to demonstrate against what they believed were falsified election results. Dozens were arrested, and many were sentenced to prison for five years. Since then, Russian police have cracked down on unsanctioned public demonstrations with a political bent, particularly those organized by Alexei Navalny, a fierce Putin critic who has managed to draw thousands to anti-government street protests across the country. Its not a secret that protests are almost prohibited in this country, said Yulia Malkova, 26, who had stood with other protesters in the square next to the fenced-in park. The protests began not because people were anti-religion, as Putin suggested, she said. We were against the church being built there, in that exact place. By the second day, the protests in Yekaterinburg had become about something else. Now its about people showing that they still have a voice, and the government needs to listen, Malkova said. Anti-riot police on Wednesday detain activists protesting a plan to build a Russian Orthodox cathedral in a park in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg. (Alexei Vladykin / AFP/Getty Images) Whats happening in Yekaterinburg, which is in the Ural Mountains, is similar to protests seen in other cities across Russia since March 2018, when Putin was reelected in a landslide for a fourth term. Immediately following the election, the Kremlin quickly introduced several unpopular reforms, including a rise in the pension eligibility age and tax increases. These difficult reforms came at a time when Western sanctions and low oil prices were hurting Russias economic growth. Russians real incomes are decreasing, while prices are increasing. Putins approval rating, which soared to more than 80% after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, dropped swiftly after the reforms were announced. Just 33% of respondents in a recent survey said they trusted him. In September regional elections, Kremlin candidates lost three governors seats across the countrys 49 regions. It was a blow to the Kremlin, which has worked hard to paint Putin as the trustworthy father of the nation, who can solve all the countrys problems with one command. Frustrated with the reforms and a decline in living standards, protests sprang up across the country to demonstrate against the pension reforms, overflowing landfills and declining living standards. In Arkhangelsk, demonstrators rallied against Moscows plan to export its trash to landfills outside the northern city. In Volokolamsk, a Moscow suburb, protesters demanded the closure of a landfill leaking an acrid smell that was blamed for sickening dozens of schoolchildren. In small cities and towns, residents demonstrated against the lack of medical care as the government shut down state hospitals in rural areas. These types of protests have come quickly and unexpectedly to the Kremlin authorities, said Sergei Moshkin, a political analyst in Yekaterinburg. On the second day of the Yekaterinburg protests, some demonstrators held signs demanding the resignation of the mayor, as well as the governor of the Sverdlovsk region, of which Yekaterinburg is the administrative capital. The protests, which started as a civil action to protect green spaces, turned political. People were upset about the harsh response from the police and the regional governments lack of response to public opinion, Moshkin said. The Kremlin sees this mistrust of regional leaders as a reflection of its relationship with the people, and thats worrying to them, Moshkin said. The signs were about regional leaders, but in Russia, regional leaders, including governors, are approved by the Kremlin. Other protesters say the government was trying to appease the oligarchs, who want to build churches and put their names on them at a time when the Kremlin is pushing closer relations with the Russian Orthodox Church. The proposed construction for St. Catherines Cathedral was intended to be completed in time for the citys 300th anniversary in 2023. Plans call for a replica of an 18th century cathedral dedicated to Empress Catherine I. The atheist Soviet government demolished the original cathedral in 1930. All this gigantic church building, which is an incredible spending of resources, has taken place in a country where schools, hospitals and kindergartens are collapsing, wrote Yulia Latynina, a popular Russian columnist, in Novaya Gazeta, one of the countrys few remaining independent newspapers. The churches are empty. In the hospitals, the halls are choking in queues. The Yekaterinburg protests were different from the other protests around Russia because they were spontaneous and lacked a central leader.The protesters were a diverse group of people from different social and economic classes: skateboarders, moms with children, middle-class businessmen, pensioners. Russian authorities just cannot believe that people, on their own free will, would go out and protest, Moshkin said. Inevitably, the authorities turn to conspiracy theories, he said. Theres a museum in Russia honoring Boris Yeltsin. Team Putin doesnt like it By the fifth day of protest, the demonstrations had taken on a different feel. At night, local priests and supporters of the cathedral came out alongside the proponents of keeping the park as is. The two sides politely argued their points of view. Hipsters played guitars. Someone planted a few small bushes. They stayed late into the night as the full moon illuminated the crowd and bounced light off the pond. Its not just going to be a church, its going to be a cathedral, the most beautiful in the Ural Mountains, Maxim Minyailo told a skeptical group on Saturday night, the sixth night people had gathered in the park. Minyailo is the senior priest at the Church on the Blood, which was built in 2003 on the spot where Czar Nicholas II and his family were murdered on July 17, 1918, by the Bolsheviks during the Russian Revolution. Activists protesting a plan to build a Russian Orthodox cathedral gather around a fenced-off construction site in a park in Yekaterinburg on May 14. (Alexei Vladykin / AFP/Getty Images) Putins weigh-in on the issue calmed tensions, but it sparked another debate. Many opponents of the cathedral project said they wanted a legal, binding referendum on the issue, not a public opinion survey. Five days after the protests started, the regional governor announced that a public survey would be conducted, and the city would have the opportunity to choose from alternative spaces for the church. Despite what seemed like a small victory, many said they had little faith that the government would change the construction projects plans. I think they will build it here anyway, said Evgeniya Kuznetsova, 29, a law teacher. But Im so proud of what my city has done. I think we could be an example for all of Russia. As a teacher of constitutional law, Kuznetsova said shes been thinking a lot lately about civil society in Russia, the relationship between people and the state, and whether changes real changes were taking place in the country. Russia has a long history of authoritative rulers, from the czars to the Soviet Union and now Putin. And it doesnt look like Putin is going away anytime soon, she said. But maybe the future of Russias civil society was starting right here in Yekaterinburg, and the government will have to deal with the consequences, Kuznetsova said. Ayres is a special correspondent. sabra.ayres@latimes.com Twitter: @sabraayres Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday urged lawmakers to seize one last chance to approve a deal for Britain to leave the European Union, after they rejected her Brexit deal three times. But senior lawmakers in her own Conservative Party and from opposition parties disparaged Mays offer and said they planned to vote against the deal. The prime ministers latest proposals are worse than before and would leave us bound deeply in to the EU, tweeted influential right-winger Jacob Rees-Mogg, who leads a group of some 80 euroskeptic Conservative lawmakers. It is time to leave on WTO terms, Rees-Mogg wrote, referring to the default position of using World Trade Organization rules in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Advertisement Many of the concessions announced by May appeared to be aimed at lawmakers from the main opposition party, Labor, including a parliamentary vote on whether the country should hold a second referendum on leaving the EU. But Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn said he would also oppose the revised deal. We cannot support this bill, because its basically a rehash of what was discussed before, Corbyn told the BBC. I cant see how it can get through Parliament. Liberal Democrat lawmaker Ed Davey told the broadcaster that he was not convinced by Mays offer of a vote on holding a second Brexit referendum because there was no cast-iron guarantee attached. Speaking to reporters at No. 10 Downing St., May warned that lawmakers opposing her deal, expected to be presented to Parliament early next month, would be voting to stop Brexit and failing to deliver the result of the 2016 referendum. Ian Blackford, the Scottish National Party (SNP) leader in Parliament, noted that May also promised to make a statement to lawmakers on Wednesday. She is supposed to do that in Parliament before speaking outside, Blackford tweeted, adding that Mays conduct was utterly disrespectful and a breach of convention. Blackford said the SNPs lawmakers will also vote against Mays deal. Mays Cabinet backed her amended plan earlier Tuesday. In a bid to win over opposition lawmakers, she promised protections to employment rights and environmental standards after Brexit, and gave a commitment to a temporary customs union with the European Union. I knew that delivering Brexit was not going to be simple or straightforward, she said. While it has proved even harder than I anticipated, I continue to believe that the best way to make a success of Brexit is to negotiate a good exit deal with the EU as the basis of a new deep and special partnership for the future. May agreed with senior members of her Conservative Party last week to set a timetable to step down as party leader once Parliament has voted on her EU withdrawal bill. She held six weeks of talks with Labor in a bid to ease the Brexit deal through Parliament, but the two sides announced on Friday that the talks had ended. On Tuesday, May said those talks had made progress but were not enough for Labor to reach an agreement with us. But I do not think that means we should give up, she said. Here in the windswept, rolling hills of central Vietnam, there are many reminders of the war that ended four decades ago. Two Soviet-made tanks sit in the village of Dak To as monuments to the men who died retaking the region from U.S.-backed South Vietnam in 1972. The flag of the communist Viet Cong guerrillas is painted on roadside walls. Undiscovered land mines remain a hazard. But for the indigenous minority that Vietnams French colonizers named the Montagnards, or mountain people, the legacy of the war is especially painful. They fought alongside the Americans and continue to be regarded as enemies by the Vietnamese government, which routinely subjects them to surveillance, arbitrary arrest, land seizures and other abuses that have been documented by human rights groups. Advertisement Hanois perspective on the Montagnards seems fixed in a Vietnam War-era past, said Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watchs Asia division. Ever since the war ended in 1975, the Montagnards have faced systematic harassment, intrusive surveillance and persecution. In Little Saigon, this newspaper has been giving a community a voice for 40 years They say that long ago U.S. soldiers they befriended promised them refuge in the United States, but only about 1,500 of the 70,000 who fought have been allowed in. Recently the Trump administration has deported some of their family members for criminal convictions in the U.S. The Hanoi government rarely allows journalists or other outsiders into Montagnard areas. This reporter traveled to the region without authorization and spoke with nearly a dozen Montagnard veterans. Each told a version of the same tale: They were recruited by U.S. Army Special Forces, fought against the North Vietnamese forces, spent years in squalid postwar labor camps, and continue to be persecuted by the government and marginalized by Vietnams Kinh majority. The U.S. military came to our villages and asked us, Who wants to join and fight the Vietnamese? recalled Uoh, a 75-year-old former paratrooper, who, like many Montagnards, has only one name. If not, they said, Theyre going to come destroy your village and kill your young children. The Montagnards make up about 15% of Vietnams 90 million people and 70% of its poor. They come from a variety of tribes and speak numerous languages, but they are predominantly Christian, which helped them quickly bond with the Americans. At least 250,000 Montagnard men died during the war, according to community leaders and historians. After the U.S. pulled out of Vietnam in 1973, some Montagnards continued fighting while others tried to flee to the United States. To go over there, to the U.S., thats what the Americans promised, Uoh said. We hoped the American soldiers would help and guide us to a better life. But it would be an additional 13 years before the U.S. resettled any Montagnards. In the meantime, the communists defeated South Vietnamese forces, executed some Montagnards and placed most of the rest in reeducation camps. Among Vietnamese, a generational divide arises in fight against deportation threat When resettlement began in 1986, it was extremely limited and by 1994 had become a trickle as the U.S. government curtailed a program to help people targeted by the communist government. It resumed briefly around 2002. One problem was that some Montagnards feared the Vietnamese government would target them for persecution if they tried to leave the country, especially for the U.S. Thats why I didnt try, said Dim, a 71-year-old former paratrooper who lives in Ya Tun, a small village in Ngoc Hoi district that is reachable only by motorbike and requires crossing two rickety bridges. Vietnams government has long sponsored colonization of the coffee-growing region by the Kinh majority, displacing Montagnards from their native land. Many Montagnards have sought asylum in neighboring Cambodia and Thailand, largely unsuccessfully. Despite the broken promises, Montagnard veterans remain fiercely loyal to their former allies. Asked whether they regret fighting for the U.S., the veterans proudly stood by their decisions. I joined the American military because it was the right way, Dim said. It was the right fight. Asked about abuses against the Montagnards, a spokesman for the American Embassy in Hanoi said in a statement that the U.S. raises issues of human rights, religious freedom and adherence to the rule of law with the government of Vietnam at all levels. But Ted Osius, who served as the American ambassador to Vietnam until late 2017, said such efforts have had little effect when it comes to the Montagnards: U.S. leverage with regard to their treatment is virtually nonexistent. Montagnards have not been exempted from the Trump administrations efforts to deport immigrants with criminal records. After years of rejecting the repatriation of Montagnards, Vietnam ceded to U.S. pressure and began accepting them in 2017. It is unclear how many of the 193 Vietnamese nationals deported over the last two years are Montagnards. One is Chuh A his last name was assigned by the Vietnamese government who came to the U.S. as a teenager in the late 1990s with his father, a Montagnard leader who spent nearly a decade in a reeducation camp after the war. Chuh lived for years as a green card holder in North Carolina, home to the largest Montagnard community outside Southeast Asia, but was deported to Vietnam in 2017 after serving three years in prison for an ecstasy trafficking conviction that invalidated his permanent residency. He said that when he returned to Vietnam, local authorities promptly interrogated him and demanded money. Thats the reason why I dont want to stay in the village, said Chuh, who has since moved to Ho Chi Minh City. I dont want that harassment from the police. For years after the war, many Montagnard veterans held on to hope that their allies would return. Following the advice of U.S. soldiers who befriended them, they kept papers proving they had fought with U.S. forces. Now they hide those documents from authorities. One 73-year-old former infantryman said publishing his name would be too risky. But he held up an American military ID. Even now, if the government finds this paper, Ill go to prison, he said. Dunst is a special correspondent. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 21) Having four Estradas gunning for key government positions during the midterm polls might have caused the political family's fall, San Juan Mayor-elect Francis Zamora said. "They took a very big gamble of running for four major positions. And they're doing this at a time when they're not at their peak anymore. This is not 1998 anymore. We're now in 2019, things are different. The political situation is very different.," Zamora told CNN Philippines' Politics As Usual. The Estrada family witnessed its decades-long reign in the political arena eroding following the May 13 elections, as none of its members won in their respective campaigns. Zamora ended the family's 50-year hold on San Juan after beating Janella Estrada in the city's mayoral race. Janella's father, plunder-accused former Senator Jinggoy, also failed in his bid to return to the Senate. Her uncle, JV Ejercito, is also outside the "Magic 12" of the senatorial race at the 13th spot while her grandfather former President Joseph Estrada failed to extend his term as Manila mayor. READ: Francis Zamora ends Estradas' decades-long hold on San Juan In the case of San Juan, Zamora said, voters might have gotten sick of Estrada rule. "If you eat steak everyday, probably after one week or after one month you'll look for pasta... ito (this) for the last 50 years... 'yung satisfaction mo bababa at bababa (your satisfaction will really go down)," he said. READ: Zamora credits victory to Estrada family feud But despite political competition with Estrada, he vowed to be inclusive especially to employees of San Juan city hall who have served under the Estrada leadership. "I'm coming in as new mayor of San Juan and everyone in city hall has been a part of Estrada administrations," he said. "For as long as they will support our legislative agenda, basta suportahan nila 'yung gusto nating gawin para sa San Juan wala namang magiging problema (as long as they support my plans for San Juan, there will be no problem," he added. Zamora said he will replace old systems that have hampered the growth of the city. "Kailangan 'yung makalumang paraan na hindi nakakabuti sa aming lungsod 'yun ang papalitan," he said. [Translation: The old systems that are not good for the city should be replaced.] Social media is a place to express ones self, meet new people, learn new things and more. However, some individuals have used the platform to express their thoughts even if it earns them backlash. A Nigerian soldier identified on Facebook as Ifeanyi Oparaji recently faced heat from some citizens due to his controversial post on social media. READ ALSO: COAS reaffirms commitment to welfare of army veterans The soldier who is charged with the protection of lives and properties of Nigerians revealed his intense dislike for Yoruba people on a Facebook page, Bewiseprof.com. Oparaji posted a photo with the words: I hate Yoruba wit passion written on it. See the post below: However, Ifeanyi has deleted the post above in what seems to be a panic reaction after his first post drew the ire of Nigerians online who decried such ethnic hate message from a Nigerian soldier. He replaced the post with another with the words, "Yoruba is OK, I love you guys, and you guys are not dirty." Photo: Ifeanyi Oparaji's post on Bewiseprof.com / Facebook Source: Facebook Nawa o. In other news, Legit.ng reported that a Nigerian man recently took to social media to celebrate his wife who was commissioned as Second Lieutenant of the US Army. The husband, Olatunde Bakare, shared photos of his wife, Oluwatobi, dressed in her official army uniform as she got commissioned at the student center ballroom A in Bowie State University in George's County, Maryland. 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. Nigeria Latest News: I Was Arrested As a Soldier, the Uniform Belongs to My Roommate | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng The 20th edition of Ghana Music Awards attracted big names and celebrities in African music where several artists and producers received honours for their impressive work over the past year. The annual event was held on the night on the 18th of May, 2019 and took place at Accra International Conference Center (AICC), Ghana. Image: ghanamusicawards.com Source: UGC Top celebrities in the music industry from Ghana and Africa all gathered and graced the red carpet to witness eventual winners in each category of the annual Vodafone Ghana Music Awards festival. The two hotly contested fields were 'Artist of the Year' and the 'Artist of the Decade.' There were more than 20 categories each with a list of nominees contesting for the top prizes. Ghana Music Awards 2019 happenings One would easily notice the variety of fashion displayed by Ghanaian movie and music stars to add more colour to the event. There was also a significant share of excitement, cheers and tears throughout the event. The ceremony was, however, halted for more than twenty minutes following a confrontation between Ghana's top musicians Stoneboy and Shatta Wale. Things later resumed to normal after calm restored. Image: facebook.com, @GHMusicAwards Source: Facebook Ghana Music Awards 2019 performances Guests and fans at large enjoyed amazing performances from several musicians including Sarkodie, Samini, and Kuami Eugene. Other musicians who also performed in the event are KiDi, King Promise, Kwesi Arthur, Medikal, Efya, Adina, Amakye Dede, Sidney, and Burna Boy. Presenters of the day were TV 3's Giovanni Caleb and Sika Osei who also entertained the audience with great fun. READ ALSO: Top 10 trending Sarkodie songs of all time Ghana Music Awards 2019 winners Ghana's prominent artist Sarkodie quickly walked away with the Artist of the Decade award beating fellow nominees. On the other hand, Stonebwoy was awarded the dancehall reggae artist of the year for the fifth consecutive time, ahead of his musical rival, Shatta Wale. Image: facebook.com, @GHMusicAwards Source: Facebook Ghana Music Awards 2019 list of winners Here is the full list of winners of Ghana Music Awards titles in various categories: Traditional Artiste of the Year Kwan Pa Instrumentalist of the Year Mizter Okyere Lifetime Achievement Award Dr Rev Mrs Mary Ghansah Lifetime Achievement Award Obuoba J.A. Adofo Lifetime Achievement Award Prof Kofi Abraham Unsung Artiste of the Year Kula Gospel Song of the Year Diana Hamilton for 'Mo Ne Yo' High-life Song of the Year Shatta Wale for 'My Level'. Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year Shatta Wale for 'Gringo' Hiphop Song of the Year Kwesi Arthur for 'Anthem' Hiplife Song of the Year 'Obiaa Wone Master' by Yaa Pono feat Stonebwoy Afropop Song of the Year 'Akwaaba' by Guilty Beatz feat Mr Eazi, Pappy Kojo and Patapaa Gospel Artiste of the Year Diana Hamilton Highlife Artiste of the Year Kuami Eugene Hiplife/Hiphop Artiste of the Year Medikal Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year Stonebwoy Music Video of the Year 'Come and See My Moda' by MzVee feat Yemi Alade Best Collaboration of the Year 'Kpoo Keke' by Stonebwoy feat Medikal, Kwesi Arthur, Darko Vibes & Kelvyn Boy Record of the Year 'Hye Me Bo' by Akwaboah Songwriter of the Year King Promise for 'CCTV' Producer of the Year Kuami Eugene Sound Engineer of the Year Francis Osei for Akwaboah's 'Sh3 Me Bo' African Artiste of the Year Burna Boy Rapper of the Year Medikal Best African collaboration 'Akwaaba' by Guilty Beats feat Mr Eazi, Patapaa & Pappy Kojo Best Group of the Year Bethel Revival Choir New Artiste of the Year Wendy Shay Album of the Year 'Rockstar' by Kuami Eugene Artiste of the Decade Sarkodas musicians look The Ghana Music Awards 2019 will go down as a memorable event for artists honoured in the ceremony. For some, it was more of disappointment after missing out on the prizes. All eyes are now set for the 2020 festival, and whether there will be new winners in all the categories. READ ALSO: Latest Hiplife songs in Ghana of 2019 Source: Legit.ng The Nigerian Army on Monday, May 20, took delivery of some weapons and ammunition from Slovakia, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport Abuja. Daily Trust reports that the weapons and ammunition landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 3 pm in a charted Boeing 747-400 cargo plane. The consignment landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport Abuja on Monday, May 20 Source: UGC It was gathered that the plane also started offloading the ammunition in what appeared to be hundreds of crates. Speaking on the delivery of the consignment, the head of Nigerian Army Operation Monitoring Team, Brigadier General Robert Aiyenigba, said this is first in a series of weapons and ammunition set to be delivered to the Nigeria Army. READ ALSO: 9 days to inauguration of his second term, Buhari meets Tinubu in Makkah Aiyenigba told journalists at the airport that the weapons and ammunition coming from Slovakia was procured for the purpose of boosting capabilities of troops fighting insurgency ravaging the north east. He also said the arms would help the military to curb the banditry in various state across Nigeria. Aiyenigba said the ammunition was for light weapons, medium weapons, and some heavy weapons in the Nigerian Army inventory. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the Nigerian Army late Tuesday, April 9, gave details of what it called a frustrated attempt by some Boko Haram terrorists to hit at Damaturu, the capital of Yobe state. The Army said its men actually laid an ambush against the invading terrorists and that this resulted in the death of many of the insurgents while weapons were recovered from the operation. Many others, according to the Army, escaped with bullet wounds. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng. We have upgraded to serve you better. Buhari should put an end to banditry, unrest in Zamfara - Nigerians cry | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng - Tonto Dikeh recently made the news after she called out her ex-husband, Olakunle Churchill - The actress made several allegations against Churchill that had people on social media cringing for him - A popular Islamic cleric, Hammed Ademola, has revealed that she will never get married again for her actions The news of Tonto Dikeh calling out her ex-husband, Olakunle Churchill, recently shut down social media as people reacted differently to the issue. The actress had claimed that Churchill was not former president Olusegun Obasanjos son like he claimed and also that he was an abusive and diabolical husband, among other things. Many people slammed Tonto for speaking against her ex-husband claiming that it would affect their son in the future while others supported her for sharing her story. READ ALSO: This babe housed me in Lagos for 2 years without a dime - Daniella Okeke praises Tonto Dikeh (video) Islamic cleric says Tonto Dikeh will never remarry again for disgracing her ex-husband Source: UGC However, popular Islamic cleric, Hammed Ademola, has waded into the issue. He shared his displeasure with the actress. According to him, Tonto did not want to marry someone on her level but she wanted to be with a wealthy person. Also, he added that a wife should not have called out her own husband in that manner. Conclusively, the cleric declared that the actress will never get married again for disgracing Churchill. See the video below: Nawa o. Just recently, Legit.ng reported that Hammed Ademola called out Bobrisky for issuing a fake cheque to the mosque. The imam made the revelations in a video made public on Instagram. Ademola claimed that Bobrisky gave Muslim clerics N500,000 cheque that bounced after it was taken to the bank. A few months ago, the cross-dresser had reportedly given N500,000 to Muslim clerics at actress Lizzy Anjorin's coronation as the Borokini Adini of Nigeria. Bobrisky had gone to the event to support the actress as a friend. 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. Should Tonto Dikeh have blasted her ex-husband online? Nigerians react | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng An African Studies lecturer at University of Ghana has described the Christian Bible, specifically, the Old Testament, as a collection of plagiarised thoughts of other people. Dr Obadele Kambon, a lecturer in the African Studies Department at the University of Ghana, described the Holy Bible of Christians as nothing but "a false book wholly based on plagiarized texts, lies and deceit". According to the report available to Legit.ng, Dr Kambon was speaking on an online radio programme when he made the comments. READ ALSO: Naira Marley's mum burst into tears as he makes first court appearance in Ikoyi The scholar argued that some biblical concepts, doctrines and text were copied from the Egyptian pyramid text, the coffin texts, Egyptian book of coming forth by day and the instruction of Amenemope which form some of the worlds oldest spiritual texts. Dr Kambon was quoted by Therealafrican.com as saying, "We can still go and read it carved in stones, Over 5,000 years ago, theres a depiction of the Immaculate Conception in the temple of Seti I, also Imhotep overseeing the birth of the savior in temples in Kemmet (Egypt). PAY ATTENTION: Get the hottest gist on Africa Love Aid The adulteration of the real story was during the Hyksos (people of mixed race from Europe and Asia) invasion of Egypt in 1700 BC." To further drive home his point, Dr Kambon quoted certain scriptures from the Bible as renditions of ancient Egyptian thoughts and works. Proverbs 23 featured prominently in his examples of scriptures that he claimed were adopted. READ ALSO: Personal letter from the Editor-in-Chief of Legit.ng (former NAIJ.com) The lecturer suggested that the Bible is part of a history of ploys by certain non-African people who seek to remake the world in their image. He therefore encouraged Africans to move away from believing what he describes as fairy tales and beliefs to deal with historical documentation only. HELLO! NAIJ.com (naija.ng) upgrades to Legit.ng We keep evolving to serve our readers better. Who is The Most Influential Nigerian Pastor? | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng A traffic stop on Route 22 in the early morning hours Monday turned into a list of criminal charges for a rideshare driver from Allentown, according to Pennsylvania State Police. Ricardo DeJesus Jr., 18, has a suspended license and the Honda he was driving was reported stolen from the city, troopers said. But DeJesus was driving as a cash Uber, according to court records, and picked up a passenger near 25th Street in the Palmer Township/Wilson Borough area. When a trooper saw the white Honda on Route 22 West near Route 33, he ran the license plate, which came up as a dead plate, state police said. The trooper stopped the car on the highway in Bethlehem Township, but as the trooper was walking to the drivers side window, DeJesus allegedly sped off. The trooper followed with his lights and sirens on, when he saw the Honda spewing black smoke and oil from the front of the car. The Honda began slowing down and traveled at a slow rate of speed for almost one mile, state police said. When the Honda stopped in the left lane of Route 22 West, DeJesus and his passenger got out and ran, according to state police. The men jumped over the concrete median and ran in front of several cars on Route 22 East, then over the guardrail and down the embankment, troopers said. The men kept running, even after being told to stop, and were last seen running into the woods between Route 22 and Moravian Academy, the trooper said. The driverless Honda drifted over the highway and hit the guardrail. After a brief search, troopers and Bethlehem Township police found DeJesus near a Moravian Academy building and he was arrested. DeJesus told state police he was working as a cash Uber and, when he saw the troopers cruiser lights, the passenger told him to go. Asked about the stolen Honda, DeJesus reportedly told troopers he bought it from a guy in Allentown for $300. DeJesus, of the 500 block of North Irving Street in Allentown, is charged with receiving stolen property, fleeing police, resisting arrest, two counts of reckless endangerment, and four traffic summary violations. He is free on $25,000 unsecured bail. Court records filed by state police did not identify the passenger, explain why he ran from police or indicate if he was caught. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. A former Bethlehem man is charged with posting revenge porn of an ex-girlfriend. Benjamin Reiss, who now lives in Bedford, Pa., was arraigned Saturday on charges of unlawful dissemination of an intimate image and harassment. The 30-year-old Reiss is free after posting 10 percent of $50,000 bail on Monday. A phone number could not be found for Reiss address and an attorney has not entered an appearance for him in the case. Police said Reiss posted pictures and video that were sexual in nature, along with the womans personal information, on Facebook Messenger, in text messages and on Craigslist. The incidents were reported in October to Hellertown police. Investigators were able to see the images via a cellphone, and it showed Reiss sent the video and a picture to another woman, police said. Reiss has a lengthy criminal record, including multiple counts of indecent exposure in Northampton County. Reiss was sentenced in 2015 to seven months to two years in prison for indecent exposure -- the longest maximum sentence allowed by law -- because he had been convicted of the crime so often over the previous seven years. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. In a visit Monday to Pennsylvania, President Donald Trump voiced confidence in his ability to win a repeat victory in the state in 2020 and took a fresh swipe at one of his leading Democratic rivals, telling rallygoers that native son Joe Biden had abandoned them by representing Delaware in the Senate. In fact, Biden moved to neighboring Delaware with his family when he was a boy, and later represented the state in the Senate for more than three decades. He maintained ties to Pennsylvania over the years. Trumps visit to Lycoming County, intended to boost Republican congressional candidate Fred Keller over Democrat Marc Friedenberg in a Tuesday special election for an open House seat, had as much to do with helping his own reelection prospects as it did with pushing Keller over the finish line. "We've got to win tomorrow, Fred," Trump told a cheering rally crowd at a hangar at Williamsport Regional Airport. Trump's visit to the key battleground state came two days after Biden held a campaign rally in Philadelphia, and the former vice president wasn't far from Trump's mind. "He left you for another state, and he didn't take care of you," Trump said. He also referred to the former vice president by the nickname he has coined for him: "Sleepy Joe." "Sleepy Joe said that he's running to, quote, 'save the world,'" Trump said. "Well, he was. He was going to save every country but ours." Biden said Monday in Nashville, Tennessee, that he is running on a pledge to restore the soul of America. He has frequently talked on the campaign trail about the president's divisive rhetoric and said another four years of Trump would "fundamentally change the character of this nation." Trump uses his campaign rallies to disparage various Democratic candidates for president, but he has been heavily focused on Biden, suggesting he may be worried about the possibility of facing off next year against the longtime politician. The president, who spoke in the open air with Air Force One behind him, highlighted the economy's performance under his leadership and suggested those numbers make him virtually unbeatable. "Politics is a crazy world, but when you have the best employment numbers in history, when you have the best unemployment numbers in history ... I don't know, how the hell do you lose this election, right?" Trump said. The current unemployment rate of 3.6% is actually the lowest since 1969, when it stood at 3.5%. Unemployment was even lower than that in the early 1950s, and much lower, under 2%, during three years of World War II. Keller himself offered a rousing endorsement of Trump, saying he wants to go to Congress to be a vote for the president. Keller told Trump the people of this region of Pennsylvania "have been behind you since Day One, and, Mr. President, our support for you is as strong today as it ever was." "In 2016, Pennsylvania put Donald Trump over the top. And in 2020, we're going to do it again," Keller said. Biden is making a big play for his native Pennsylvania, opening his presidential bid in Harrisburg and capping a three-week rollout with Saturday's event in Philadelphia, the city where he also established his campaign headquarters. In the fight to deny Trump reelection, no places will matter more than Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, three states the Republican president carried by razor-thin margins in 2016. Trump campaigned in Michigan and Wisconsin earlier this year. A former fire company volunteer serving prison for unlawful contact with a teen boy is facing more time after admitting to sexually assaulting a student while working at a Schuylkill County school. Jordan Beggan, 27, pleaded guilty to sexual contact with a student and furnishing alcohol to minors. The Palmerton man was sentenced Monday to nine months to two years in state prison, on top of the 22 months to six years he was sentenced to in the unlawful contact case in Carbon County. The defendant used his position of power at a school to abuse a student, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said in a news release. This also wasnt the first time he preyed on a minor and now thanks to the outstanding work of our Child Predator Section, he will stay behind bars, far away from children and with felony convictions that will stick with him for life." Prosecutors said in November 2015 Beggan began working as an instructional assistant at Behavioral Health Associates in Tamaqua, Schuylkill County. The following spring, Beggan took a 16-year-old student for drives in his car. On two occasions Beggan inappropriately touched the teen during the rides, and Beggan also shared beer with the victim, prosecutors said. Beggan was charged in February 2018 in the sexual assault case, after being arrested and charged in a separate case in Palmerton, Carbon County. That case was also prosecuted by the state attorney generals office. Beggan, a volunteer at West End Fire Co. No. 2 in Palmerton, was accused of unlawful contact with a 16-year-old boy. Prosecutors said Beggan and the boy began communicating on their cellphones, then on an app. Beggan sent the victim messages that were sexual in nature, as well as explicit pictures of himself. When the victims parents learned of the messages, they contacted police. Beggan pleaded guilty in April 2018 to felony counts of unlawful contact with a minor and disseminating sexual materials to a minor in the Palmerton case. Beggan was not the only fire company member who was charged in connection with that victim. Prosecutors said the former president of the fire company also sexually assaulted the 16-year-old boy. Keith Cebrosky propositioned the teen and touched him for his own sexual gratification. He once reportedly asked the minor, Now that Beggan is gone, is it my turn? When the attorney generals office interviewed Cebrosky about his contact with the victim, he offered the boy $1,000 in exchange for dropping the charges. The 66-year-old Cebrosky pleaded guilty to sexual assault by a volunteer or employee of a nonprofit association, unlawful contact with a minor and intimidating a witness. He was sentenced this past February to one to three years in prison, followed by four years of probation. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Lower Macungie Middle School has been deemed safe and will open on schedule Tuesday morning after Pennsylvania State Police investigated threats, the East Penn School District reports. The school administration and Safe2Say received multiple tips late this afternoon regarding potential threats at Lower Macungie Middle School, the school district said in a 6:30 p.m. Monday announcement. State police and the district administration are fully investigating every tip and communication related to these threats, the district said. At that hour the district thanked parents for their patience as the work continued. At 10:05 p.m., the district said police conducted a full investigation this afternoon and into the evening. Details and action taken are confidential, the district said, but state police and the administration deem LMMS safe for students to attend tomorrow, the news release said. Students should expect an enhanced police presence on Tuesday, aimed at easing parent and student concerns, the district said. Guidance counselors and administrations will be on hand to speak to students who feel unsafe or want to talk, the district said. Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter@TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Numbers can be made to look any way they want. Thats what the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections did recently in testimony before the state House Judiciary Committee. The DOC testified to lawmakers that the officer-to-inmate ratio is 5 to 1. This simply isnt true, because it assumes that all officers work every day, 24 hours a day. Of course, they dont. The real ratio is about 100 inmates to every officer. In many instances, officers are being left alone with 100 or more inmates at any given time. No officer should ever be left alone. The DOC must stop skewing statistics and make our state prisons safer for our officers. They can start by hiring more officers to drastically reduce the 100-to-1 ratio. Regardless of how many officers we have, the real ratio certainly shows there just arent enough. Lawmakers can help protect our grossly outnumbered officers by passing legislation to provide them with the ability to carry tasers. Officers do not carry firearms, and assaults by multiple inmates can happen in seconds. Officers deserve better options to protect themselves. To make prisons safer for officers and all employees, inmates who commit assaults must be punished. As the system moves forward in its efforts to release more inmates, crimes against our officers and others are being ignored. Prisons must punish inmates according to regulations. They should also place dangerous inmates in restricted housing until behavior improves and restrict access to commissaries. Robert Storm Vice President, Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association Harrisburg A neighbour has told the trial of a Laois resident who is charged with murdering her boyfriend Roscrea that the man was always the aggressor in the couples arguments. When he met a garda after the fatal fight, he immediately asked the officer: Is she ok?, having earlier heard a scream of pain from the girl. The court also saw photographs of two bite marks and other injuries to the woman, taken shortly after her boyfriend died of a stab wound caused by a knife she was holding. The evidence was given to the Central Criminal Court on Tuesday in the trial of the 48-year-old, charged with murdering the 40-year-old father of two in their Co Tipperary home. Inga Ozolina, originally from Latvia, but with an address at Old Court Church, Mountrath, Co Laois, has pleaded not (NOT) guilty to murdering Audrius Pukas at The Malthouse, Roscrea, Co Tipperary, on November 20, 2016. He died at the scene from a stab wound to his chest. The mother of two has said she acted in self-defence. Mark Fletcher testified that the couple had moved into the apartment next to his in 2016. There was a lot of arguments, he told Paul Murray SC, prosecuting. It was ok for probably the first month, he explained. Then, one Saturday night I was in bed, and it was like a herd of cattle went through the room. He said it sounded like someone was being thrown around and that there was screaming on Ms Ozolinas part. He said that he had been about to call the gardai when it stopped and everything went quiet. I think somebody else called the guards, he said. He said that he moved into a bedroom further from their apartment after that night. However, he continued to hear their arguments, always late at night. He added that it was the man, who was shouting, 90 per cent of the time. He said that he was again woken by shouting in the early hours of 20th November. I think it was him, he said. Any time there was shouting, I could never really hear her. He said that everything went quiet and he lay back down. However, he said heard garda radios in the backyard about 20 minutes later. I went to the back door and was stopped by a garda, who said: You cant come out. Its a crime scene, he recalled. The first question I asked was: Is she ok? Under cross examination by Caroline Biggs SC, defending, he agreed that he could still recall the scream of the girl that night. It was like a scream of pain. Its just something I cant forget, he said. She asked, in his assessment, who the aggressor was during the incidents between the couple. Him always, he replied. Always him. She asked what he would hear the woman doing. You could hear her talking normally. I never heard her raise her voice, he replied. Garda Maureen Finnerty earlier testified that she was the member in charge of Nenagh Garda Station when Ms Ozolina was brought in later that morning. She said that she and another female garda searched her and that she noted marks to her body. She said that there was a bruised bite mark on her left upper arm and a bite mark on her left forearm. She also said that her left breast was bruised, redness on her left upper thigh, blood dried on her knee cap, a scrape on her left shoulder and black marks, maybe dirt, on both calves. In reply to a question by Mr Justice Alexander Owens, Gda Finnerty confirmed that she had noted these marks. Ms Ozolina had not pointed them out to her. The trial continues on Wednesday morning before and a jury of seven men and five women. Two families from Portlaoise's Traveller Community are homeless after their caravans were destroyed by fire at an unofficial halting site in the town. Margaret McDonagh said her sons Bernard and David, their partners and children, were lucky not to be at home when their two caravans went up in flames on Tuesday night / Wednesday night. "My two sons were burnt out everything that they had is gone and they done have a penny to their names to replace anything," said Mrs McDonagh. She said one of her sons has three infant children but had just left the house. The two children of her other son were staying somewhere else that night. "The two trailers were completely melted. We went down there but nothing could be saved. My brother-in-law Patrick ran in through the flames but there was no-one in the caravans," he said. Mrs McDonagh said they managed to save a horse that was in a stable beside the caravans. "There is nothing left only ashes and they have nowhere to go. They have nothing left," he said. The family are not sure how it started but suspect foul play. Ten members of related Traveller families died in a horrific fire in Carrickmines, Dublin last year. Gardai and the Laois Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene. An investigation is underway into to cause of the fire. Anyone who saw anything suspicious is asked to contact Portlaoise Garda Station at 057 86 74100. A survey that revealed a desire for sacrament preparation outside the classroom won't bring much change locally, according to Portlaoise's Parish Priest. Msgr John Byrne said the parish had unsuccessfully tried in the past to separate school and sacraments. "It wasn't pleasing anybody. Quite a number of years ago we tried to break the link between the schools and the sacraments. There were a number of years that we didnt have specific school sacraments, we had a number of sacrament days and parents were free to enrol their child on any day they wished. That seemed like a great idea and it seems to be something that is in that survey. It wasnt appreciated really by parents and it wasnt appreciated by the schools either and it just wasnt pleasing anybody. We did modify that, that made quite a stir at the time. We modified it because it was clear that it just wasnt working for anybody. Over many years here we have been doing our best to break the strict link with the school and many of the things that are being talked about we have in place. At the beginning of every year, we invite parents to enrol their child and in enrolling their child then they are enrolling them in a preparation programme which we organise with the parents. There certainly has to be a movement away and parishes have to step up to the plate to get involved in a preparation programme and we would dearly wish that parents and all the families who enrol their child would perhaps take it more seriously than some do. It needs to be a bit of a team effort between the families, the parish and the schools and I think thats what it needs to be, he said. The Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin, which includes Laois as part of the Dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin, completed a survey revealing a demand for parents and parishes to play a greater role in preparing children for sacraments. The findings are contained in a sacrament review group survey of 1,800 school principals, teachers, parents, parishioners, clergy and parish workers in the archdiocese covering Dublin and Wicklow and parts of Laois, Carlow, Offaly, Kildare and Wexford. The survey has found that potential changes could result in an opt-in approach with the bulk of preparation taking place outside of school hours. Over 380 children will receive their First Communion in Portlaoise parish this year. Msgr Byrne said they will review the process to reflect on it and identify any changes that may be needed going forward. MORE: Bishop for Laois parishes issues statement on divorce referendum Last Friday afternoon on the canvass with Labour in Athy turned out to be a wet one. The Leader tagged along with Labour candidates Cllrs Aoife Breslin and Mark Wall, who were knocking on doors at Butlers Lane in Athy. Well-known former TD Jack Wall was in tow with the canvassers, and at the first door he steals the show. My man Jack, said the householder, as we got a warm welcome on the doorstep but Jack got a hug. The issues here on this doorstep involve the anti-social behaviour at the nearby skateboard park. Its not the skaters but its the noise and the goings-on after dark. It is at night when the skateboarders have gone home. Cllr Bre,slin assured the householder that they are well aware of the noise issues and asked if the lighting has improved things at all. We are told that the lighting has improved the situation thankfully. Cllr Wall added that CCTV cameras for the town are due soon, which will be linked up to the garda station. These two-long running and well-known candidates come as a pair and canvass together. Cllr Wall informed me that office they share is 20 years going in Athy, and they have that ease of camaraderie that you often find with long standing colleagues. We were sitting down together looking at all the projects for Athy that have gone through and we counted 15, he said. All great for the town. The next householder cited housing as a problem for the town. There is a real lack of social housing in Athy, and this is a big issue for the area, along with the increase in homelessness locally. Homelessness is an issue though we are not presented with it as such, said the householder. There was one man going around on his bike, but he travels that wa,y and another man was living in a tent last winter. Cllr Breslin explained that this man was offered a place in a shelter but refused to take it. We have the family hub at the Dominican site, she added, but she agreed that there is a dire need for more social housing in Athy. This voter also thinks a pedestrian cross is badly needed at Leinster Street. It is such a busy junction and we all chance it to go to the bank, she said. There was a tragic accident there earlier this year and that is why is it needed. Cllr Breslin responded that the Ring Road will take the heavy traffic out of the town. When will we have the road? is the next question and we are told in two years time it will finally be finished. The conversation turned to the Local Link bus and the number of people using it. It is fantastic, the lady added. It goes all over so you wouldnt want to be in a hurry but it is a great service. Both Councillors agreed that it is working really well in the town and that it also acts as a way for people to meet up and have the chat. In fact, this householder and Jack Wall even had time to reminisce about Jacks school days and it made me wonder if he ever misses the political life. Absolutely not, he told me with a grin. I did my time I was 23 years in politics and I am enjoying my retirement. On the way round Cllr Breslin mentioned the loss of one seat in the Athy area for this election, which has gone from a six seater to a five. That is a concern, she said. A lot of candidates would be Athy-based. If the hard work over the years pays off and if the people who came through the office vote, then who knows. She mentioned that the issues in rural areas include crime and young families commuting to Dublin. Crime is a big issue and we need more trains put on for commuters, she said. Planning permissions for one-off rural houses is a massive problem that will have to be looked at by the next council, as well as affordable housing and employment. MEP candidate (FG) Mairead McGuinness dropped into Monasterevin on Monday morning, May 20, 2019 to join first time candidate Kevin Duffy for a canvass of the town. Along with some fellow Fine Gael members the pair met with some of the iconic businesses within the town to discuss current issues. First stop was with Nollaig and PJ Kenna owners of Willoughby's Hardware which has been in Monasterevin over 70 years. Here they discussed the importance of local business and employment within the town. Following this the group met with the Presentation Sisters of Main Street and with staff of Earley's Fashion, Lacey's Workwear and SuperValu where again they discussed the importance of local representation in the town and someone to advocate on their behalf. After a quick pitstop to Fitzpatrick's, New Lodge for a light lunch thanks to Donal and Theresa Fitzpatrick, the group proceeded to Kildare town where they were joined by Councillor Mark Stafford. This was a fantastic opportunity to have a well respected and experienced MEP to visit the town and hear about the issues facing Monasterevin and South Kildare, Cllr Stafford said SEE ALSO:Double act on the canvass in Athy 16 Lilywhite ladies will battle it out this Saturday, May 25 to become the 2019 Kildare Rose. The gala selection night will be held in the Westgrove Hotel, Clane, which is the competitions main sponsor, and will be hosted by Galway Bay Fm presenter Ollie Turner who has been on the Rose of Tralee circuit for many years. This week, we will introduce some of the Rose hopefuls. For more, see today's Leinster Leader OUT NOW. Amy Kelly, Kildare town SPONSOR: Dundara Television & Media My name is Amy Kelly, I am 27 years old and from Kildare town. I am the eldest of four and currently working freelance as a researcher in the media industry. I studied Gno agus Cumarsaid (Business and Communications) in Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology. This was a surprise to most as a Kildare girl, was going into a class of Connemara locals! During my final year of study, I was elected Vice President for Welfare and then President of GMIT Students Union. Upon leaving GMIT, I was elected to the national position of Vice President for Campaigns with the Union of Students in Ireland in 2017. Having spent four years working full-time helping students, and three months travelling around Southeast Asia, I began my media career in November 2018. I have a huge gra for the Irish language, Irish dancing, volunteering and travel! Amy Farrell, Naas SPONSOR: McIvor Farrell Solicitors My name is Amy Farrell and I am 21 years old. I live in Naas and I am the oldest in my family. I have one younger brother. I have a dog called Archie and a cat called George. I am currently studying primary teaching in St. Patricks College Drumcondra. I will be in my final year this September coming and I cant wait to be working with children. I would love to work with children who have special needs during my career as I really enjoyed my placement in this area. I love listening to Irish traditional music like The Dubliners and Finbar Furey. I love speaking the Irish language too and chose to do it as an extra subject in college. I play piano and have reached grade 8 and I am trying to teach myself the ukuele for the summer. I love to read books too. SEE ALSO: Sarah Cass Crowned Best Dressed Lady at Naas Racecourse 16 Lilywhite ladies will battle it out this Saturday, May 25 to become the 2019 Kildare Rose. SEE ALSO: Meet the Kildare Roses 2019: Amy Kelly and Amy Farrell The gala selection night will be held in the Westgrove Hotel, Clane, which is the competitions main sponsor, and will be hosted by Galway Bay Fm presenter Ollie Turner who has been on the Rose of Tralee circuit for many years. All this week we will be introducing the 16 Rose hopefuls. Aoife Fricker, Athy SPONSOR: Marians Salon de Beaute My name is Aoife Fricker, I am 23 and I have just completed my BA in Irish Music and Dance in the University of Limerick and in September I hope to under to complete a Masters in Irish Dance Studies. Obviously Irish dance is a massive passion of mine as I have been dancing for the past twenty years! Another passion of mine is Scouts, I have been involved in scouting for 18 years! Having come up through all the sections I am now a venture scout leader myself. I have completed the scout and venture chief scout award as well as the bronze and sliver Gasice, I am currently undertaking my rover chief scout award and my Gold Gasice. I will attend my third world scout jamboree in July, in West Virginia, having attending the Swedish and Japanese ones! I have really enjoyed my time as a potential Rose and I have definitely made some friends for life. Brona Dunne, Naas SPONSOR: Dunnes Centre Ballylinan My name is Brona Dunne, I am 26 and I am a primary school teacher in Naas. All my life I wanted to be a teacher and I love it. I studied in Maynooth University completing both an Arts Degree in Geography and English and a Professional Masters of Education in primary teaching. I love musicals and have performed in musicals and shows for more than 10 years. I absolutely love being in shows, the excitement of getting into costume, taking on a role, singing and dancing through different eras and getting to know new people. I love going to the gym, running and walking, especially walking my dogs. Id love to complete more runs in the future. I am a huge rugby fan and love supporting both Leinster and Irish rugby. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the events to date. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is looking for leaders in energy efficiency and renewable energy to enter this years SEAI Energy Awards. Now in their 16th year, the SEAI Energy Awards recognise and reward excellence in sustainable energy. Businesses, public bodies and communities who are using smart energy solutions and practices are encouraged to apply and be recognised for their commitment to a cleaner energy future. Entries can include any combination of electricity, heat or transport initiatives. There are eight categories to choose from including: Large Business; Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs); Public Sector; Community; Buildings; Renewable Energy Solutions; Energy Manager or Team; and Research and Innovation, which has a bursary of up to 10,000. Announcing the launch of the awards, Fergus Sharkey, Head of the Public and Private Sector Business in SEAI, said: The transition to a clean energy future will require leadership from businesses, communities and public bodies. The SEAI Energy Awards recognise and celebrate the current leaders, shining a light on their achievements to inspire others to take action. As more and more sectors are pushing the boundaries in energy efficiency and renewable energy, I would encourage individuals and organisations to enter the SEAI Energy Awards 2019 and get the deserved recognition for their hard won achievements. Last year, entrants to the Awards demonstrated savings of 38 million through innovative sustainable energy projects. The top prize for Energy Manager of the Year went to Mike Pearson, Principle of Gurteen College, Tipperary, for spearheading an ambitious renewable energy programme at the college. This project brought about the installation of a wind turbine, solar electricity system and a biomass boiler, all of which are included in the colleges education module for students. The biomass boiler is fuelled from willow grown on site and provides 80% of the heating in the college each year. Speaking on the Award win, Pearson said: This award acknowledges our efforts to go beyond sustainable energy best practice. Through demonstrating renewable energy technologies, we are preparing young farmers and rural enterprises for the future. Other winners in 2018 included MPOWER for its work with the Tallaght Community Living Lab. MPOWER received a 10,000 research bursary for its research project which aims to develop a model for communities to produce and share electricity at a local level. The Renewable Award 2018 went to EirGrid for its DS3 system, which will increase the level of renewable generation possible on the power system at any given time. EirGrid is now recognised as being a world leader in the integration of renewable electricity into the national grid. Closing date for entries is Friday, June 14. The winners will be announced at a gala event on Wednesday, October 16. For further information on the Awards and details on how to enter the 2019 SEAI Energy Awards visit www.seai.ie/energyawards Also read: Climate hot on the agenda at EU hustings in Carrick Fianna Fail MEP candidate for Midlands North West Brendan Smith TD has expressed alarm after he was informed that the Border Midlands and West (BMW) region has lost its developed status in terms of EU regional development. Information received by Deputy Smith reveals that the region has been downgraded to in transition status ahead of the next EU budget cycle. The downgrading of this region, while exceptionally worrying, is not unexpected. Despite Fine Gael claiming that it is interested in balanced regional development, these figures tell the real story. This government has turned its back on investment outside the Greater Dublin Area and this has now been recognised by the EU, said Deputy Smith. Despite representing over a million people that stretches from Donegal down to Galway and across to Louth, the region is lagging behind other parts of the country. This dire situation is a direct result of Fine Gaels failure to spread the benefits of the recovery in a fair and balanced way, which if managed properly would have boosted indigenous businesses and allowed communities to prosper. The latest CSO Labour Force Survey exposed the fact that the two-tier recovery has actually deepened under Leo Varadkar in 2018 more than half of the total employment gains went to Dublin. In fact, when you take in the Greater Dublin Area as a whole that figure rises to a shocking 70%. Under the European Commissions proposals, published last year, Irelands overall allocation for cohesion funding is being cut by 13% in the next budget. It is imperative that the proposed cut is reversed in discussions on the Multiannual Financial Framework budget post 2020 later this year. This region needs a strong, hard-working and passionate MEP, who is prepared to stand up for the people living here. My experience as a local and national representative, combined with my time representing the Irish government as Agriculture Minister on the Council of Ministers, makes me the most qualified and capable MEP candidate in this field to get a better deal for communities across the Midlands-North-West, concluded Deputy Smith. Valerie Ward and Hubert McHugh have been named official Hospice Heroes for their many years of fundraising service on behalf of their local hospice, North West Hospice. Valerie and Hubert along with 25 others were honoured with the title of Hospice Hero at a special ceremony in St Francis Hospice, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 on Thursday, May 9, to coincide with the official launch of this years Hospice Sunflower Days campaign. Valerie has been supporting the North West Hospice and volunteering her time and efforts for over 20 years. She is one of the founding committee members of the very successful Lough Arrow Swim, which is now in its 19th year and has raised over 200,000 for the North West Hospice. Valerie has also worked tirelessly over the past two years to help the hospice build links with the diaspora in the US to raise funds for the vital in-patient unit build. Hubert has also been involved in volunteering for the North West Hospice for over 20 years and has supported fundraising events in his local community on an ongoing basis. Hubert has also worked to help build links with the diaspora in the US and internationally to help the hospice raise funds for the in-patient unit build. Hubert is very generous in giving his time to help the hospice and he uses his many contacts to help promote the work of the hospice and highlight the importance of fundraising for its services. Valerie and Hubert were presented with their plaques at the ceremony by Mary Kennedy, Hospice Sunflower Days Ambassador and RTE Broadcaster. This years Hospice Sunflower Days, which marks the 29th year of the campaign, is taking place on Friday, 7th June and Saturday 8th June. You can show your support for this worthy cause by volunteering to help out over the two days fundraising or by donating and buying some sunflower merchandise; and remember every euro raised locally, stays locally! Hospice Sunflower Days aims to raise much needed funds for hospices and specialist palliative home care services across the country enabling them to continue to provide person centred, holistic and loving care to patients and their loved ones free of charge. Funds raised through the campaign will be used to directly support hospices and specialist palliative home care services allowing them to purchase new equipment, support frontline posts, upgrade current facilities and continue to provide their vital service. If you would like to volunteer or donate, please contact your local hospice or specialist palliative home care service today, log onto www.sunflowerdays.ie or show your support by purchasing some sunflower merchandise on Hospice Sunflower Days this June. Alternatively, you can make a donation by texting SUN to 50300 to donate 4 to support local hospice groups across Ireland. Texts cost 4. Hospice Sunflower Days will receive a minimum of 3.60. Service Provider: LIKECHARITY. Helpline: 076 680 5278. A YOUNG man who admitted performing donuts in the middle of a forest late at night has avoided a driving ban. Killian Kirby, 28, of Rylane, Duagh, County Kerry pleaded guilty, at Newcastle West Court, to careless driving at Naughtens Cross, Tournafulla on May 1, 2016. Inspector Andrew Lacy said the defendant was observed by gardai driving away from the area in a black BMW after they were alerted to a disturbance at around 3am. The cars lights were turned off and Mr Kirby failed to stop at a stop sign as he drove off. Insp Lacey said there was a gathering of vehicle enthusiasts and that a large number of parked cars were observed on the side of the road when gardai arrived in the area. A silver car was observed performing donuts in the car park and while Mr Kirby was identified by garda others who were present managed to escape. Solicitor Pat Enright said the incident happened in the middle of a forestry which was not a place where the public would normally be at that time of the night. He said Mr Kirby, who recently returned from Australia, is far more mature now then he was at the time and that he requires a licence for his employment as it involves the driving of machines. Judge Mary Larkin said she is not particularly fond of donuts but she accepted they were not carried out in the middle of public road or in a village. She commented that you cannot put an old head on young shoulders adding that Mr Kirbys actions were absolutely insane. However, noting his age and his guilty plea she said she would exercise her judicial discretion and would not impose a driving ban. The defendant, who was fined 500, will also receive penalty points on his drivers licence. IRELAND should reduce its reliance on foreign direct investment from the United States of America, a local TD has said. There are almost 12,000 jobs in foreign companies based in Limerick alone, and Limerick Sinn Fein TD Maurice Quinlivan has warned the current concentration poses a threat to the local economy. He called on Enterprise Minister Heather Humphreys to diversify where new jobs are coming in from. Mr Quinlivan, who is his partys spokesperson on business and innovation, said: Information provided to me in response to a parliamentary question highlights a significant reliance on FDI companies originating from the United State of America, he said. He said of the IDA-backed foreign direct investment jobs in Ireland, some 53% are from across the pond. This high concentration from the United States is in stark contrast to the representation from other parts of the globe, with just seven companies originating from the entire continent of Africa, and only two companies, out of 1,444, coming from South America, Mr Quinlivan said. He acknowledged the importance of the ties Ireland has with America, but still believes having such a high concentration of firms is a cause for concern. According to the 2018 Revenue Commissioners Annual Report, foreign owned multinationals paid 77% of Irish corporation tax take in 2018. This should be a source of major concern, as these companies are traditionally more mobile than indigenous businesses and can move or scale back their operations here suddenly, depending on where the best incentives are internationally, he added. There are 56 IDA client companies in Limerick. A YOUNG man who is accused of threatening to slit the throat of another man after returning to the scene of an alleged theft incident was granted bail despite a strong garda objection. John Lane, 22, of Clounties, Shanagolden faces a number of charges relating to offences which are alleged to have happened at Main Street, Foynes on May 9, last. Opposing a bail application, Garda Alan ODonnell said it will be alleged the defendant stole a number of items from a parked car which he broke into at around 4pm. He told Judge Mary Larkin, it will be further alleged Mr Lane returned to the area sometime later after gardai had been contacted and threatened a man with a knife which he had retrieved from the tractor he was driving. He told Judge Mary Larkin it is the State case the defendant made a cut-throat gesture to the complainant and told him youre dead. A knife has been recovered and CCTV has been viewed by investigating gardai who have also taken a number of witness statements. Garda ODonnell expressed concerns the defendant would engage in further criminality if released and that he would not comply with the conditions of his bail. He added that it was very likely Mr Lane and the complainant would bump into each other as they live close to each other. Solicitor Enda OConnor said his client had cooperated with gardai following his arrest and that he was willing to abide by any bail conditions. He said he realises the seriousness of the charges but was anxious to maintain his job as a general operative on a farm. Judge Larkin noted he is working full time and granted bail after an independent surety of 2,000 was lodged with the court. Mr Lane must obey a number of conditions and he was ordered not to enter Foynes or Askeaton pending the conclusion of the proceedings. The Federal Government of Nigeria, has ordered the closure of four foreign missions due to lack of funds. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffery Onyeama, disclosed this today May 21st. According to Onyeama, the closed missions are in Sri-lanka, Serbia, Ukraine and Czech Republic. He said that the closure was because the government could not fund the missions anymore. Before the closure Nigeria had 119 foreign missions. The Nigerian Army has reacted to claims by the Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike, that the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division and Land Component Commander Operation DELTA SAFE, Major General Jamil Sarham, was involved in oil bunkering in the state. Wike, who is at loggerheads with the Army chief, made the allegations against Sarham when he hosted a team of military personnel in his office last week. He alleged that Sarham was promoting illegal buckering in the Niger Delta region to enable him finance his ambition to be appointed the Chief of Army Staff. Reacting to the governor's allegation, Colonel Aminu Iliyasu, Deputy Director Army Public Relations, in a statement released, said the claims were false and a deliberate effort to tarnish the towering image of the Chief of Army Staff and the GOC 6 Division. The Federal government has described former President Olusegun Obasanjo's comments imputing ethno-religious motive to Boko Haram and ISWAP as deeply offensive and patently divisive, saying such indiscreet comments are far below the status of an elder statesman. Recall that Obasanjo at a religious gathering in Delta state over the weekend, alleged that the Boko Haram war is geared towards the Islamaization and Fulanization of the West African region. In a statement issued in Abuja today, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said it was particularly "tragic that a man who fought to keep Nigeria once is the same one seeking to exploit the country's fault lines to divide it in the twilight of his life.'' He said Boko Haram and ISWAP are terrorist organizations pure and simple, adding that they care little about ethnicity or religion when perpetrating their senseless killings and destruction. ''Since the Boko Haram crisis, which had been simmering under the watch of Obasanjo, boiled over in 2009, the terrorist organization has killed more Muslims than adherents of any other religion, blown up more mosques than any other houses of worship and is not known to have spared any victim on the basis of their ethnicity. It is therefore absurd to say that Boko Haram and its ISWAP variant have as their goal the 'Fulanisation and Islamisation' of Nigeria, West Africa or Africa,'' Alhaji Mohammed said He said President Buhari put to rest the mis-characterization of Boko Haram as an Islamic organization when he said, in his inaugural speech in 2015, that ''Boko Haram is a mindless, godless group who are as far away from Islam as one can think of''. The Minister said Obasanjo's comments are therefore as insensitive and mischievous as they are as offensive and divisive in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country like Nigeria, wondering whether there is no limit to how far the former President will go in throwing poisonous darts at his perceived political enemies. Lai Mohammed added that Obasanjo's prescriptions for ending the Boko Haram/ISWAP crisis, which include seeking assistance outside the shores of Nigeria, are coming several years late, as President Buhari has done that and more since assuming office, hence the phenomenal success he has recorded in tackling the terrorists. ''Shortly after assuming office in 2015, President Buhari's first trips outside the country were to rally the support of Nigeria's neighbours - Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Niger - for the efforts to battle the terrorists. The President also rallied the support of the international community, starting with the G7, and then the US, France and the UN. ''That explains the massive degrading of Boko Haram, which has since lost its capacity to carry out the kind of spectacular attacks for which it became infamous, and the recovery of every inch of captured Nigerian territory from the terrorists,'' Alhaji Mohammed said. He said Obasanjo's call for wide consultations with various groups as part of the efforts to tackle the Boko Haram crisis has been neutralized by his ill-advised comments which have served more to alienate a large number of Nigerians, who are offended by his tactless and distasteful postulation. The Minister called on the former President, whom he said took bullets for Nigeria's unity, not to allow personal animosity to override his love for a united Nigeria, saying it will not be out of place if he withdraws his unfortunate statement and apologizes to Nigerians. Miracle and I got married in 2020 before I tried serving him divorce papers. He didnt marry me for green card - Lady who got heart broken by 2018 #BBNaija winner reveals (video) At least six people have died in a suicide bomb attack allegedly carried out ... Three Nigerians have been handed 40-year imprisonment by a United Kingdom court for attempting to supply firearms and illicit drugs. In a statement published on the UK Metropolitan Police website on Monday, it said, the trio, Kennedy Udo, 29; Michael Mgbedike, 22 and Emmanuel Okubote, 27, were all convicted by Woolwich Crown Court for a combined 40 years. It said on Friday, May 17, at Woolwich Crown Court, Mr Udo of Avery Hill Road, Eltham, was sentenced to eight years and six months, having been found guilty of conspiracy to supply drugs and being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of goods. It said Mr Mgbedike, of Spur Road, Orpington, BR6 was sentenced to eight years, having been found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A drugs. Mr Okubote, of Evan Cook Close, Peckham, SE15, was earlier found guilty of conspiracy to supply firearms with intent to endanger life, conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life, conspiracy to supply class A drugs and possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life. He was sentenced to 23 and a half years imprisonment in November 2018. According to the statement, the sentences follow a proactive operation by the Trident and Area Crime Command, working with Border Force. Sarah Smart of Trident command said the arrest was a collaborative work between agencies, as well as between different departments and experts. Indias next government is poised to inherit a troubled economy. Several indicators point to a reduction in demand, including for packaged consumer goods and two-wheelers which had earlier seen consistent growth. Conscientious policymakers have consequently begun to highlight that this lack of demand is a symptom of a deeper malaisenamely, lack of income growth for a majority of Indians. A vicious cycle like this can only be remedied by resuscitating economic activity wherever possible. As far as manufacturing is concerned, the Make in India" programme has thus far been unsuccessful in catalysing such activity. A large thrust of Make in India" has been on localizing mobile phone manufacturing. Trade metrics, however, paint a dismal picture. Broadly, mobile manufacturing entails two stepsthe higher-value activity of making components and the lower-value assembly of these. Traders can import parts and assemble them locally, or import ready-to-use phones, depending on relative advantages under prevailing import duty regimes. While imports of fully-built mobile phones have reduced substantially over the last five years, imports of components has risen manifold. Specifically, imports of ready-to-use phones on which India imposes 20% duty have fallen 80% from 47,439 crore in 2014-15 to 9,592 crore in 2018-19 (until February). However, imports of mobile components rose by around 116% from 47,011 crore in 2014-15 to 1.02 trillion in 2018-19 (until February). It thus seems an Assemble in India" paradigm has emerged that serves the interests of companies that only wish to make nominal investments in local supply chains for trading profits, and not for manufacturing value addition.Typically, assembly does not account for more than 5-6% of a smartphones value. Lack of local value addition is worrying not just because it militates against the logic of Make in India", but because its directly related to lack of income growth in Indias economy. A sharp contraction in exports of mobile phones from India worsens the outlined challenges. Mobile phone exports peaked in 2012-13 at 14,487 crore. By 2018-19, they had fallen to under 9,000 crore. That is, imported parts were not used to make complete products for re-export. Instead, these component imports fuelled a trading and assembly ecosystem which contributes very little value locally. Indian consumption demand, then, is not doing much to drive domestic income growth. Evidently, Make in India" has been limited in ambition and scope. Its vision follows from an outsize focus on erecting tariff barriers to protect domestic industry, instead of incentivizing manufacturing competitiveness through tax breaks, infrastructural support and other structural interventions. A similar tariff-led approach failed to catalyse the local manufacture of solar cells, the technologies of which have evolved rapidly like phone technologies. Keeping up with the technology curve requires serious investments in local research and development, which high-tariff regimes do not encourage. Indias tariff-led approach is reminiscent of a bygone era of industrial policies. However, greater specialization of industrial production today means that countries must adopt holistic policies that address supply chain complexities. Instead, in 2016, India chose to adopt a simplistic Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP) under Make in India", to levy duties on component imports hoping to stem related merchandise inflows. The PMP is a sequential application of tariffs that are raised gradually for different mobile phone components. Lower-value parts such as battery packs and chargers are sought to be localized first, followed by higher-value components like display screens and cameras. However, the disadvantages of manufacturing in India, including acute infrastructural deficits, cannot be offset by high tariffs alone. This is already visible in import statistics relating to low-value components covered under the PMPs first phase. More such components are being imported at cheaper rates, perhaps an indication of the large surplus capacity of Chinese companies, which dominate the Indian smartphone market. It could be argued that Chinese companies cannot similarly reduce costs on higher-value components. However, both the European Union and Japan have recently filed consultation requests at the World Trade Organization on the tariffs imposed by India on several ICT products, including ready-to-use phones and several assembly components covered under the PMP. Such consultations constitute the first step towards initiation of disputes at the WTO. Given that India had already committed to keeping its tariff levels at zero on such products prior to the notification of PMP, the programme may have a short shelf life. It is also worth highlighting the strategic opportunity India currently enjoys, wherein it can leverage the ongoing trade spat between the US and China to attract firms that may be looking to hedge bets and shift some manufacturing capacity out of China. However, lacklustre inward investment in manufacturing shows that such re-orientation is contingent on a re-balancing of incentives and tariffs under Make in India". The next government could begin to address such concerns with an immediate impact assessment of the PMP, particularly since the success of Make in India" and income growth in the economy are correlated. Vivan Sharan is partner at Koan Advisory Group, New Delhi. These are the authors personal views Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Topics It's not the sound of a massive underwater earthquake, nor is it the sound of a pistol shrimp snapping its claws louder than a Pink Floyd concert. It is, in fact, the sound of a tiny water jet about half the width of a human hair being hit by an even thinner X-ray laser. You can't actually hear this sound, because it was created in a vacuum chamber. That's probably for the best, considering that, at around 270 decibels, these rumbling pressure waves are even louder than NASA's loudest-ever rocket launch (which measured about 205 decibels). However, you can see the sound's microscopically devastating effects in action, thanks to a series of ultra-slow-motion videos recorded at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in Menlo Park, California, as part of a new study. [Tiny Grandeur: Stunning Photos of the Very Small] In the video above, which was filmed in about 40 nanoseconds (40 billionths of a second), the pulsing laser immediately splits the water jet in two, vaporizing the fluid that it touches while sending powerful pressure waves wobbling down either side of the jet. These waves create more waves and, by about 10 nanoseconds in, fizzing black clouds of collapsing bubbles form on each side of the cavity. According to Claudiu Stan, a physicist at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey, and one of the study co-authors, these pressure waves likely represent the loudest possible underwater sound. If it were any louder, the sound "would actually boil the liquid," Stan told Live Science and once the water boils, the sound has no medium to pass through. Why try to discover a sound that rends apart its own medium? According to Stan, understanding the limits of underwater sound could help researchers design future experiments. Scientists regularly suspend little bits of intriguing matter say, a specific type of protein crystal, for example in fluid jets and blast them with lasers to determine their chemical properties. If scientists know precisely how intense a laser pulse can be without accidentally destroying the liquid, that could improve the way these experiments are performed, Stan said.Thats particularly true for studies where scientists hit samples of material with high-powered beams to test the materials structural integrity. "This research can help us investigate in the future how microscopic samples would respond when they are vibrated severely by underwater sound," Stan said. This is not the first time SLAC researchers have used this X-ray laser to test the limits of physics. In a 2017 study, researchers used the same laser to blast the electrons out of an atom, creating a "molecular black hole" that sucked in all the available electrons from nearby atoms. Taken in tandem, that study and the new one result in one unassailable conclusion: Lasers are really, really cool. The new study was published April 10 in the journal Physical Review Fluids. Originally published on Live Science. Local legends say the carved stone jars were created by a race of giants to brew rice beer, but archaeologists think they were used in burial rituals. More than 100 giant stone jars, thought to have been used in burial rituals thousands of years ago, have been rediscovered at ancient sites in forests, on hillsides and along mountain ridges in remote central Laos. The carved stone jars are scattered across miles of the rugged, tiger-haunted Xiangkhouang province, about 200 miles (320 kilometers) north of Laos' capital, Vientiane, in South Asia. They have been dubbed "jars of the dead" by researchers. Several human burials, thought to be around 2,500 years old, have been found at some of these sites in Laos, but nothing is known about the people who originally made the jars. [In Photos: Exploring the Mysterious Plain of Jars Site] An expedition of archaeologists from Laos and Australia visited the Xiangkhouang region in February and March this year to document known jar sites and to search for new jars-of-the-dead sites and stone quarries. The new finds show that the mysterious culture that made the stone jars was geographically more widespread than previously thought, said Louise Shewan, an archaeologist at the University of Melbourne, and one of the expedition leaders. The joint Australian and Laos archaeological expedition searched for new jar sites in the Xiangkhouang region, and excavated a previously known jar site. (Image credit: Plain of Jars Archaeological Project) The largest and best-known jar site is the famous Plain of Jars, located in relatively open country near the town of Phonsavan. That site contains around 400 carved stone jars, some as tall as 10 feet (3 m) and weighing more than 10 tons (9,000 kilograms), and the first archaeological investigation of it was made in the 1930s. But Shewan said that the majority of the jar sites usually contained fewer than 60 carved stone jars, and were found in forested and mountainous terrain surrounding the Plain of Jars, spread over thousands of square miles. Ancient stone jars Shewan told Live Science that the search for new jar sites took the expedition into "extremely rugged, forested terrain," as the researchers looked for ancient relics reported by local people. Relying on local knowledge meant the archaeologists could avoid the ever-present danger of unexploded Vietnam War-era bombs, she said. U.S. warplanes dropped an estimated 270 million cluster bombs on Laos during the war. The Laos government agency that oversees clearance efforts reports that more than 80 million unexploded bombs are scattered around the country. Although the region is best known for the stone jars on the Plain of Jars, most of the ancient jar sites are in heavily forested and mountainous areas. (Image credit: Plain of Jars Archaeological Project) The latest expedition, in addition to accurately mapping many of the reported sites in the Xiangkhouang region, found 15 new jar sites, containing a total of 137 ancient stone jars. Shewan said that the newly discovered jars were similar to those found on the Plain of Jars, but some varied in the types of stone that they were made from, their shapes and the way the rims of the jars were formed. Burial rituals Local legends include a story that the enormous stone jars were made by giants, who used the vessels to brew rice beer to celebrate a victory in war. Australian and Lao archaeologists found more than 137 ancient stone jars at 15 new sites in the remote and rugged Xiangkhouang region. (Image credit: Plain of Jars Archaeological Project) But archaeologists think that at least some of the carved stone jars were used to hold dead bodies for a time, before their bones would be cleaned and buried. [Top 10 Weird Ways We Deal with the Dead] Although the remains of elaborate human burials have been found at some of the jar sites, archaeologists aren't sure if the jars were made for the purpose of the burials or if the burials were performed later. Excavations in 2016 revealed that some of the stone jars were surrounded by pits filled with human bones and by graves covered by large carved disks of stone. These appear to have been used to mark the grave locations. The latest expedition also found buried disks and other artifacts. Those included several beautifully carved stone disks, decorated on one side with concentric circles, human figures and animals. Curiously, the stone discs were always buried with the carved side face down. "Decorative carving is relatively rare at the jar sites, and we don't know why some disks have animal imagery and others have geometric designs," expedition co-leader Dougald O'Reilly, an archaeologist at Australian National University in Canberra, said in a statement. The excavations around some of the stone jars also revealed decorative ceramics, glass beads, iron tools, decorative disks that were worn in the ears and spindle whorls for cloth making. Researchers also discovered several miniature clay jars that looked just like the giant stone jars and that were buried with the dead. The scientists will now use the data and photographs from the new jar finds to reconstruct the sites in virtual reality at Monash University; then, archaeologists across the globe can use the VR to examine the sites in detail. Editor's Note: This article was updated to correct the affiliation of Louise Shewan. Originally published on Live Science. For the first time, scientists have evidence that material from Earth's transition zone can help form volcanoes. For the first time, scientists have evidence that a layer deep beneath Earth's surface can create volcanoes. The layer, known as the transition zone, lurks in Earth's mantle between 250 and 400 miles (400 to 640 kilometers) under the crust. This zone is rich in water, crystals and melted rock. The study found that these superhot materials can percolate to the surface to form volcanoes. [10 Most Hazardous Countries for Volcanoes (Photos)] Scientists have long known that volcanoes pop up when tectonic plates on top of Earth's mantle converge or when mantle plumes form hotspots on Earth's crust, much like pimples erupting on a person's face. But until now, scientists didn't know that the transition zone a region sandwiched between the upper and lower mantle was involved, the researchers said. "We found a new way to make volcanoes," study senior researcher Esteban Gazel, an associate professor in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Cornell University, said in a statement. "This is the first time we found a clear indication from the transition zone deep in the Earth's mantle that volcanoes can form this way." The scientists made the discovery by studying a 2,600-foot-long (790 meters) core sample that was drilled in Bermuda in 1972 . This core is now housed at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, where it was examined by study co-author Sarah Mazza, a researcher of planetology at the University of Munster in Germany. She expected the core to show that the volcano that made Bermuda arose from a mantle plume, which is how Hawaii formed. But in analyzing the core's signature isotopes, or versions of elements; water content; and other compounds, she found something else entirely. It appears that this particular spot in the transition zone located deep below the Atlantic Ocean was created, in part, by subduction events during the formation of the supercontinent Pangea. About 30 million years ago, a disturbance in the transition zone, likely related to mantle flow, led magma from the zone to surge toward Earth's surface, Mazza and her colleagues discovered. This surging magma, in turn, formed the now-dormant volcano under the Atlantic Ocean that made Bermuda. "I first suspected that Bermuda's volcanic past was special as I sampled the core and noticed the diverse textures and mineralogy preserved in the different lava flows," Mazza said in the statement. "We quickly confirmed extreme enrichments in trace-element compositions. It was exciting going over our first results the mysteries of Bermuda started to unfold." This magnified image of the core sample shows a blue-yellow crystal known as titanium-augite, which is surrounded by minerals such as feldspars, phlogopite, spinel, perovskite and apatite. This bouquet indicates that this chunk of lava came from a mantle source rich in water. (Image credit: Gazel Lab/Provided) Core enigma When studying the core, Mazza and her colleagues found geochemical signatures that matched those from the transition zone. These clues included higher amounts of crystal-encased water as compared to subduction zones, or regions where one tectonic plate is diving beneath another, she said. There is so much water in the transition zone, it could form at least three oceans, Gazel said. But rather than sustain sea life like water above the crust does, the water in the transition zone helps rocks melt. Now that researchers know that disturbances in the transition zone can lead to the creation of volcanoes, they'll likely find more instances of this geological phenomena on Earth, the scientists said. "With this work, we can demonstrate that the Earth's transition zone is an extreme chemical reservoir," Gazel said. "We are now just now beginning to recognize its importance in terms of global geodynamics and even volcanism." The study was published online May 15 in the journal Nature. Originally published on Live Science. The marijuana compound CBD, or cannabidiol, may help reduce drug cravings in people with heroin addiction, a preliminary new study suggests. The study, which is published today (May 21) in the American Journal of Psychiatry, involved 42 people with heroin-use disorder who were attempting to abstain from the drug. Participants visited the laboratory and were shown "cues" intended to trigger a drug craving in this case, videos of people using heroin, or objects involved in drug use, like syringes. (Seeing these types of "cues," in an uncontrolled setting, can contribute to drug relapse, the authors said.) Before their lab session, participants received either a dose of CBD or a placebo. Participants who received CBD reported experiencing lower drug cravings in response to the cues, as well as lower anxiety, compared with those who received a placebo. What's more, the effects appeared to be somewhat durable, lasting up to a week after participants took CBD. [Mixing the Pot? 7 Ways Marijuana Interacts with Medicines] Still, the results are far from definitive the researchers did not examine whether CBD actually prevents drug-relapse outside of a laboratory setting, and so future studies are needed to answer this question. But the new findings suggest that "CBD holds significant promise for treating individuals with heroin use disorder," study lead author Yasmin Hurd, director of the Addiction Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, said in a statement. CBD has received a lot of attention in recent years for its potential to have therapeutic effects without producing the "high" typically associated with marijuana. But so far, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved CBD in prescription-drug form for treating rare types of childhood epilepsy. Hurd stressed that self-treatment with CBD for opioid use disorder is not advised at this time, and might even be harmful given that non-prescription forms of CBD are not regulated. "A lot of CBD that is available to the public[has] inaccurate information as to what is actually in the container, and may even be contaminated with toxins," Hurd told Live Science. The study was funded in part by GW Pharmaceuticals, which makes the FDA-approved form of CBD. 'Urgent need' for treatments Currently, most drug treatments for opioid use disorder act on opioid receptors, and thus come with their own addiction risk. As a result, they are tightly regulated by the government. In light of the opioid epidemic, there is an "urgent need" to develop treatments for opioid addiction that do not act on opioid receptors, the authors wrote in the study. Previously, Hurd and colleagues studied CBD in animal models, and found that CBD reduced heroin-seeking behavior in the animals in response to "cues" intended to trigger a craving. The researchers also conducted early studies in people to determine that CBD is safe to take together with opioids. In the new study, the 42 participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups, which took 400 milligrams of CBD once daily, 800 mg of CBD once daily, or a placebo once daily, for three consecutive days. (Participants in the CBD groups received Epidiolex, the FDA-approved prescription drug.) The study was "double blind," meaning that neither the researchers nor the subjects knew whether they had received CBD or a placebo. After participants took their dose of CBD or placebo, they were exposed to heroin-related "cues;" and later watched a "neutral" video showing relaxing scenarios, such as scenes of nature. As expected, participants reported higher cravings after viewing the heroin-related cues compared with the neutral videos. But if participants received CBD before their session, their cravings were significantly reduced compared with those who received a placebo, the study found. The researchers also saw reductions in anxiety, as well as physiological measures, including heart rate and levels of the "stress hormone" cortisol, in the CBD group compared with the placebo group. The effects were seen as soon as 1 hour after the CBD dose, and up to one week later. The latter finding suggests that CBD may still have an anti-craving effect when little to no trace of the substance remain in people's systems, the authors said. Future research Dr. Harshal Kirane, director of Addiction Services at Northwell Health's Staten Island University Hospital, called the work "a step in a very encouraging direction," and applauded the effort to scientifically evaluate the effects of CBD. However, Kirane said the study had some important limitations. Since it was a small study, the results need to be replicated in a larger group of people, he said. And although the study found that CBD reduced cravings in the laboratory, it did not reduce self-reported cravings outside of the laboratory as measured by a take-home questionnaire. "That raises some concerns as to what the actual real-world application of CBD could be" for these patients, Kirane told Live Science. Studies also need to evaluate the long-term effects of CBD for these patients, beyond one week, he said. Future research should examine whether CBD may work as a supplement to current therapies for opioid use disorder to enhance their effects, Kirane said. Indeed, Hurd told Live Science that one of the next steps of the research is to study CBD as an adjunct therapy to current medications, such as methadone or buprenorphine. Originally published on Live Science. WASHINGTON - Rep. Justin Amash's declaration that President Donald Trump has engaged in "impeachable conduct" has put his fellow Republicans in a bind: stuck between an angry president who often seeks to punish his critics and their reluctance to penalize one of their own. Trump privately has vented to associates about Amash, R-Mich., who on Saturday became the first congressional Republican to raise the possibility of impeachment, citing the findings of special counsel Robert Mueller, according to officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations. The president dismissed Amash's comments Monday, telling reporters, "He's been a loser for a long time." The comments came hours after a GOP candidate announced the first of what could be multiple primary challenges to the congressman. But on Capitol Hill, few Republicans are eager to punish the libertarian, who had a long history of bucking GOP leaders before Trump was elected. Top Republican lawmakers and aides said Monday that kicking Amash out of the GOP conference or off his committee would only draw more attention to his dereliction. Instead, they have focused on isolating Amash and portraying him as an outlier. The House Freedom Caucus, a conservative group of which Amash is a member, also took a position Monday night "strongly disagreeing" with Amash's comments. "I've read the report. I've come to a different conclusion than Justin has," said Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., one of Trump's closest allies on Capitol Hill. "But I know that he expresses the views that he holds sincerely, and we're in a democratic republic where's he's been elected by his district to present his views. He ought to be able to present them." Amash continued presenting those views Monday, issuing a fresh series of tweets arguing that his critics are "resting their argument on several falsehoods." Amash, 39, has long been uniquely comfortable breaking with his party, citing his libertarian principles in regularly opposing GOP leaders on votes ranging from spending bills to the routine approval of the daily House journal. His position on Trump's impeachment, however, stands to put his colleagues on the spot regarding Mueller's identification of 10 possible instances of obstruction of justice by Trump and could fuel Democratic attacks on the president. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., a close Amash friend and ideological comrade, said Monday that he was blindsided by the Saturday tweets and was "180 degrees diametrically opposed" to Amash's conclusions while defending his right to share them. "He's taken thousands of principled votes in his career and hundreds of votes that could have cost any member of Congress their election, and he has survived every one of those votes," Massie said. "So he's not in the habit of wondering what the political fallout will be of an opinion or a vote that he takes." He added, "When you quote me, just make sure people understand I disagree." Amash's new position on impeachment puts his reelection in jeopardy. Besides the Sunday campaign announcment from a challenger - state Rep. Jim Lower, who billed himself as "a Pro-Trump, Pro-Life, Pro-Jobs, Pro-2nd Amendment, Pro-Family Values Republican" - other signs of a backlash quickly emerged. The leader of the Club for Growth - a conservative group that has staunchly backed Amash since his first congressional run in 2010, and whose spending helped him overcome a 2014 primary challenge - publicly criticized his impeachment remarks Monday, calling him "absolutely wrong on the standard for impeachment." "In spite of his excellent voting record on economic issues, we completely disagree with him on this," Club for Growth President David McIntosh said in a statement. A spokesman declined to comment on whether the group would support Amash should he seek reelection. Over the weekend, the pro-Trump One America News Network highlighted a Democratic opponent's past attacks on the congressman's family's business - a tool company with manufacturing interests in China - to suggest that Amash's impeachment stance was a self-interested attack motivated by Trump's trade policy. But on Capitol Hill, few would accuse Amash of rank self-dealing. He has won grudging respect from both Republicans and Democrats for his remarkable consistency in service of his libertarian views, which often put him on the losing end of lopsided bipartisan votes. Even if Republicans were to consider action against Amash, their options would be limited. The congressman, according to Massie and other Republicans, has largely stopped attending the weekly House Republican conference meetings. And prior battles with GOP leaders have left him with only a single committee assignment, to the House Oversight and Reform Committee. Meanwhile, the House Liberty Caucus, a group Amash has chaired since 2013, has largely gone dormant. Its only news release this year notes its support for a Democratic resolution to overturn Trump's border emergency declaration. But several GOP officials said leaders are wary of overreacting to Amash and of raising his profile. Some pointed to Amash's decision not to rule out a presidential run on the Libertarian Party ticket. "Maybe he wants some type of exit strategy," House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said during a Fox News interview Sunday in which he lashed out at Amash. "This is exactly what you would expect from Justin. He never supported the president, and I think he's just looking for attention." Senior GOP officials said party leaders might quietly bless another candidate to run against Amash - or at the very least, stand aside while Trump backs someone else. Federal campaign finance records indicate that Amash has $133,454 in his political account, hardly an overwhelming figure for a four-term incumbent. "There's probably nothing more intimidating than the sounds of Air Force One when it lands in Grand Rapids, and I think that if Justin is running again, that's also the sound of Amash's career coming to an end - at least as a House member," said a senior GOP official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to candidly describe internal discussions. Republicans found themselves in a similar situation with former Rep. Mark Sanford, R-S.C., who frequently criticized Trump. The president supported a primary challenge to Sanford, even as the lawmaker continued to huddle with some of Trump's closest congressional allies as a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus. Trump won the primary battle, as Republicans in the Palmetto State turned to Trump-aligned candidate Katie Arrington, but she lost the House seat to Democrat Joe Cunningham. Republicans were outraged when Trump showed up on the Hill a few weeks later and bragged about defeating Sanford in a private meeting, calling him a "nasty guy." Some in the crowd of GOP lawmakers, in fact, booed Trump. Amash's situation is perhaps most sensitive for leaders of the House Freedom Caucus, who have become Trump's most ardent defenders on Capitol Hill. Amash was one of the founding members of the conservative group, which drove out then-Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and has frequently derailed GOP bills it finds too accommodating, while wading into thorny areas like government surveillance and presidential warmaking authority. As the Freedom Caucus became cozier with Trump, Amash made fewer appearances at its weekly meetings, according to those familiar with the group. Still, he maintains friendly relations with its members and often sits with them in their usual spot just off the center aisle on the House floor. It remains to be seen how much his impeachment stance will strain those ties. "I've read the Mueller report twice, and thousands of pages of other documents as well, and I can say that Justin Amash's conclusions are poorly informed and fatally flawed and don't represent the views of any of the Freedom Caucus members that I'm aware of," said Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows, R-N.C. The group on Monday night voted to disagree with Amash's position, though it did not kick him out. Gaetz, a fellow conservative who said he's still friends with Amash and still intends to sit by him at House votes, said he would be opposed to other Republicans enacting revenge on him: "I'm not going to campaign against Justin." - - - The Washington Post's Erica Werner and Felicia Sonmez contributed to this report. The collapse of Austria's governing coalition marked the end of a political venture that critics say appeared doomed from the start. Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache of the far-right Freedom Party resigned Saturday after videos emerged that purported to show him promising government contracts in exchange for political donations from a woman posing as a member of a Russian oligarch family. Strache also stepped down as his party's leader. Hours later, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz of the conservative party called for new elections. On Monday he announced the ouster of the far-right interior minister, prompting the remaining far-right government ministers to resign in protest. The growing crisis not only signals the possible marginalization of the Freedom Party, at least temporarily, but has also refocused attention on the party's extremist elements and the far right's connections to Russia. German Chancellor Angela Merkel weighed in on the turmoil, saying Europe needed to "stand up decisively" to right-wing populists, who have gained support across the continent in recent years on a wave of anti-immigrant sentiment. The reasons for the coalition break up had piled up in recent months. "There were many situations that were hard for me to put up with," Kurz said, listing recent scandals involving the Freedom Party, including its ties to other far-right groups and a poem published by a party official that compared migrants with rats. Kurz has defended his decision to form a coalition with the party, saying there were no alternatives. But his critics say he downplayed allegations that the far right - with its ties to Russia - has undermined Austrian security services and news media since it became part of the coalition in 2017. The final straw was the footage of a boozy night on the Mediterranean island of Ibiza. "After yesterday's video, I must say enough is enough," he said. The conversation recorded in the videos, secretly recorded in 2017 before the Austrian elections, centered on plans by the woman's billionaire uncle to acquire a stake in Austria's largest tabloid, Kronen Zeitung, which Strache appeared to hope could boost his party's support. The German weekly Der Spiegel and the daily newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung were first to publish excerpts from the videos. In the video, Strache also mocked Kurz, his soon-to-be coalition partner. The meeting appears to have been a trap, though it remains unclear who recorded the hours-long conversation and leaked the material and why it surfaced a week before elections for the European Parliament. In a statement, Strache denied any wrongdoing and said his actions were "stupid, irresponsible and a mistake." --- For many Austrians, Strache was an unlikely pick for vice chancellor in the first place. The 49-year-old, a trained dental technician, was once best known for his past ties to right-wing extremist circles. In 1989 on New Year's Eve, he was detained in the German city of Fulda at a rally of the so-called Wiking Jugend, a group that viewed itself to be the successor of Hitler's youth organization before it was banned. The name of the group is a reference to the Wiking division of Hitler's Waffen SS. The incident was reported in a local paper, Fuldaer Zeitung, but disappeared in the archives. But it reemerged about a decade ago when journalists started looking into Strache as his influence increased as far-right leader. Photographs also show Strache surrounded by men who would later go on to become members in right-wing extremist and often violent groups. Strache did not respond to requests for an interview but previously has said he did not know what the group stood for back then. In interviews and public appearances, Strache has given different accounts of his activities in those years but has maintained that his past has nothing to do with the man he is today. When Strache became the leader of the Freedom Party in 2005, it had just gone through a tumultuous period as a government coalition partner in which public support plummeted. Under Strache, it returned to its more extreme roots - a strategy that paid off in terms of support, especially as refugees began arriving in Austria in 2015. About one-fourth of voters supported the Freedom Party in 2017, its best showing in national elections since Strache became party leader. The Freedom Party has been a government coalition partner several times in the decades since it was founded by former SS officers after World War II. But it gained control over the coveted Ministry of Interior for the first time when it joined the government in 2017. Critics' fears were realized when the ministry's new leadership ordered raids on the domestic intelligence service in February 2018, a move a court later ruled was largely illegal. A senior European intelligence official said foreign intelligence agencies suspected the raid "had been an attempt to stop investigations against members of the party who had connections to Russia or right-wing extremist groups." The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly on the issue. Foreign intelligence services froze Austria out on some intelligence sharing to prevent information from falling into the hands of the Kremlin, as The Washington Post reported last August. The Freedom Party has repeatedly threatened to support a revamp of the funding model for the public broadcaster ORF, which media freedom advocates say could endanger its impartiality. "Things are happening which I would not have considered to be possible a few years ago: that a governing party officially says it wants to neutralize the public broadcaster," anchorman Armin Wolf, who works for ORF and is one of the country's leading TV journalists, said in an interview conducted before Strache's resignation. In a polarized Austrian media landscape, Wolf has often been credited for sparing no side. As its ties were being scrutinized following the Christchurch attack in New Zealand, the Freedom Party distanced itself from fringe groups and defended its role in the governing coalition. But its opponents say extremism is not only ingrained in those groups but also in the Freedom Party itself. --- Hours after the mosque shootings in March in Christchurch, New Zealand, officials thousands of miles away in Vienna - including Strache - joined people around the world in expressing outrage and shock. Less than two weeks later, authorities in Vienna raided the home of Martin Sellner, head of a far-right Identitarian Movement, to investigate why the alleged gunman, Brenton Tarrant, had donated money to his group months before the attack. Before the raid, Freedom Party officials had expressed support for the Identitarian Movement. But amid an outcry after the mosque attack, Kurz urged his coalition partners to distance themselves from Sellner and his group. Identitarian Movement is an activist group that seeks to drive public opinion to the far-right, mostly through campaigns designed for social media. Both groups are part of a growing network of intertwined far-right nationalist organizations and parties operating across Europe. Since 2013, an association focused on preserving the memory of Austria's Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp has documented more than 100 incidents in which Freedom Party officials have been accused of having links to right-wing extremist activities, including officials being part of anti-Semitic Facebook groups that glorified Nazi Germany and advertisements in a right-wing extremist magazine paid for by the party. Weeks after the mosque shooting, Strache said fighting "population exchange" would remain a party goal. The phrase, which suggests Muslim immigrants are replacing Europe's supposedly Judeo-Christian identity, echoed the far-right "Great Replacement" theory, which Tarrant cited to try to explain his mass murder. Strache's use of the phrase was a "political victory" for the Identitarian Movement and "a signal from the party to the base" that their messaging would not change, Sellner said. In an interview with The Post, Sellner compared the Freedom Party's efforts to deny overlap with his movement to a scenario in which the "Green Party would distance themselves from Greenpeace." "Not all voters of the Freedom Party are Identitarians, but all Identitarians are also voters of the Freedom Party," he said. BAD AXE The Bad Axe Memorial Day Parade will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, with many activities planned afterwards. The 2019 parade will celebrate the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. U.S. Rep. Paul Mitchell, who represents the states 10th Congressional District, will be the parades grand marshal and keynote speaker. The parade route starts at Bad Axe Middle School, then heads west along Huron Avenue to the County Courthouse lawn at the Huron County Veterans Memorial. Along with the keynote speaker, there will be a military gun salute along with performances from the Huron County orchestra, the Bad Axe High School band and a Canadian bagpipe band. Hot dogs, ice cream, water and potato chips will be available after the parade. The parade committee members are Mayor Kathleen Particka, Jim Hicks, Tom Stahl, Dan Little and Ron Louks. Hicks, the former mayor of Bad Axe, said around 80 groups participated in last years parade, and they expect a similar or larger number this year. "Each year, this keeps getting bigger and bigger, Hicks said. The parade is organized by the City of Bad Axe and Huron County. We have meetings all year long putting this together, Hicks said, noting both veterans and non-veterans participate in the planning. Hicks said organizers were hoping to have an Air Force flyover as part of the festivities this year, but they are still working on it. Parade participants are invited to Wilcox park afterward for a party paid for and put on by Independent Bank. More information can be found at www.cityofbadaxe.com or the City of Bad Axes Facebook page. WASHINGTON - Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's former longtime personal attorney, told a House panel during closed-door hearings earlier this year that he had been encouraged by Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow to falsely claim in a 2017 statement to Congress that negotiations to build a Trump Tower in Moscow ended in January 2016, according to transcripts of his testimony that were released Monday evening. In fact, Cohen later said discussions on the Moscow tower continued into June of the presidential election year, after it was clear that Trump would be the GOP nominee. Cohen is serving three years in prison for lying to Congress, financial crimes and campaign finance violations. House Democrats are now scrutinizing whether Sekulow or other Trump attorneys played a role in shaping Cohen's 2017 testimony to Congress. Cohen has said he made the false statement to help hide the fact that Trump had potentially hundreds of millions of dollars at stake in a possible Russian project while he was running for president. "We're trying to find out whether anyone participated in the false testimony that Cohen gave to this committee," House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said in an interview. He did not comment on who, if anyone, might have instructed Cohen to lie. Jane Serene Raskin and Patrick Strawbridge, attorneys for Sekulow, said in a statement that "Cohen's alleged statements are more of the same from him and confirm the observations of prosecutors in the Southern District of New York that Cohen's 'instinct to blame others is strong.' " "That this or any Committee would rely on the word of Michael Cohen for any purpose - much less to try and pierce the attorney-client privilege and discover confidential communications of four respected lawyers - defies logic, well-established law and common sense," they added. It is unclear how much detailed knowledge Sekulow had about the timeline of Trump's most recent effort to build a branded tower in Moscow, which Cohen began in September 2015 and ended in June 2016, according to court documents. Sekulow joined Trump's legal team after the election. Cohen's assertions about Sekulow were first described to The Washington Post by people familiar with his testimony and were laid out in transcripts of his February and March appearances before the House intelligence panel, released Monday evening. In those depositions, Cohen acknowledged that he used January 2016 as the end date for work on the Moscow project when he originally drafted his 2017 statement to Congress. He said Sekulow urged him to stick to that date, even though he believed Sekulow and others knew that the deal was actually discussed far later than that. "As Mr. Sekulow had explained, just let's keep it to that date, which is prior to the Iowa caucus," the opening contest of the White House race, Cohen told the committee. Cohen's closed-door testimony before the committee led congressional Democrats this month to press Sekulow and other Trump family lawyers who were involved in a joint defense agreement for more information about work they did preparing Cohen's 2017 statement. Schiff has asked four attorneys to turn over documents and schedule interviews with the panel, a request they have so far rebuffed, calling it a threat to the long-standing protection of communications between lawyers and their clients. In his public testimony before the House Oversight Committee in January, Cohen said "Mr. Trump's personal lawyers reviewed and edited my statement to Congress about the timing of the Moscow Tower negotiations before I gave it." He accused Sekulow of making changes to the 2017 statement. "There were changes made, additions, Jay Sekulow, for one," Cohen told the panel. Sekulow denied making changes to Cohen's planned testimony about the timing of the Trump Tower Moscow project, calling Cohen's allegation "completely false." In subsequent closed-door depositions before the House Intelligence Committee, Cohen was more specific. Cohen said he spoke with Sekulow 20 or more times about his 2017 statement before submitting it to Congress, though those conversations were sometimes nebulous. Asked what he recalled from those conversations with Sekulow, Cohen said: "Stay on message. Minimum contact. No Russia. No collusion. Nothing here." Cohen said he discussed with Sekulow the fact that his statement said the Trump Tower Moscow deal was aborted in January 2016, and Sekulow responded, "Good. Good. Let's just stay on message. Keep this thing short." Asked what the message was, Cohen said, "It was the period of time, it was before the Iowa caucus. And it was just a good time. It was just - it was before, it was a couple weeks before the Iowa caucus, and let's just keep it that way." He was asked by Schiff whether Sekulow was aware that the original draft was false when it said negotiations on the project ended in January. Cohen responded: "Yes, sir." Cohen said also he spoke to Sekulow about a potential pardon "quite a few" times "before and after" his testimony to the committee. He said Sekulow didn't say directly that the president was considering giving him a pardon, but rather said "there's always the possibility of a pre-pardon." Cohen said Sekulow said the reason the president was considering pardons was "to shut down the inquiries and to shut the investigation down." In a tweet Monday night, fellow Trump attorney Rudolph Giuliani wrote, "Jay Sekulow is one of the very most ethical lawyers and honest men I have ever known. Michael Cohen is a serial liar. Cohen should be prosecuted for his blatant perjury before the House committee. Jay should receive the most effective and ethical lawyer of the year award." In his closed-door deposition, Cohen also testified that the proposed Trump Tower Moscow project would have been more profitable for Trump's company than other development deals because it envisioned Trump receiving a bigger licensing fee than for other projects, along with a $4 million upfront fee to be paid to Trump as the project began. The Trumps knew that any potential real estate deal - especially worth "hundreds of millions" of dollars, much larger than Trump's normal licensing deals - would have to be approved by the Kremlin and even Russian President Vladimir Putin himself, Cohen said At one point, Cohen testified that business partner Felix Sater came up with the idea of selling the building's penthouse to Putin as a marketing ploy. Cohen said he relayed the idea to Trump, who appeared amused, neither blessing it nor dismissing it. "He just thought it was clever, funny," Cohen said. Despite Cohen's history of lying to Congress, senior Democrats on the House and Senate intelligence committees indicated that they are taking his allegations seriously. "If it is accurate that one of the President's personal attorneys encouraged him or edited his testimony to give Congress a false date," Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in a statement, "it's further evidence that the President had some reason for not wanting the American people, or the Senate Intelligence Committee, to know the truth about his dealings with Russia as a candidate." Cohen's claims were reviewed by special counsel Robert Mueller, who sought to question - but did not succeed - one of Trump's personal attorneys about interactions he had with Cohen about the 2017 testimony. According to Mueller's report, Cohen spoke to a counsel for Trump frequently in the days before he submitted his statement to Congress on Aug. 28, 2017. The Trump lawyer was not named in the report. Cohen told investigators that he recalled telling the president's lawyer that the statement did not reflect the extent of communications with Russia and Trump about the Moscow project. The Trump attorney told Cohen that it was not necessary to include other details in the statement, which he said should be kept "tight." Cohen told investigators he also recalled that the lawyer told him "his client" appreciated Cohen and he should stay on message and not contradict the president, according to the report. Mueller's team sought to speak to the Trump lawyer about the conversations with Cohen, "but counsel declined, citing potential privilege concerns," according to the report. Cohen's assertions led Schiff to demand information from Sekulow and three other lawyers who played a role reviewing Cohen's 2017 testimony: Abbe Lowell, an attorney for Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump; Alan Futerfas, an attorney for Donald Trump Jr.; and Alan Garten, an attorney for the Trump Organization. The four lawyers have said they cannot answer Schiff's requests because of attorney-client privilege, which bars them from discussing confidential conversations. Schiff has promised to push ahead, threatening to issue a subpoena for the lawyers' cooperation if necessary, noting that they had an incentive to encourage Cohen's initial testimony. "Cohen himself stood little to gain by lying to our committee," Schiff told The Washington Post. "Donald Trump and others around him stood far more to gain from that being concealed from our investigation. So it obviously begs the question of whether this was something he did on his own . . . or were there others who participated in the falsehood before our committee." Schiff also warned that the privilege claim may not allow the attorneys to avoid testifying before his committee. "The privilege doesn't apply if it's being used to conceal a crime or a fraud," he said. "And if the attorneys were conferring amongst themselves and Mr. Cohen about a false statement they were going to make to our committee, there's no privilege that protects that kind of conduct." On Monday, after the release of the Cohen transcripts, when asked about possible subpoenas for the Trump family and Trump lawyers, Schiff said, "We'll consider what compulsion we need to use given that they have thus far refused to cooperate with us." In a letter to Schiff on Friday, attorneys for the four Trump lawyers expressed dismay at Schiff's effort to compel their testimony. "We find the Committee's outright, blanket refusal to recognize the attorney-client privilege - a bedrock principle of common law dating back centuries - to be stunning, unwise, and unwarranted," they wrote. They called the inquiry "an attempt to pursue a law-enforcement investigation which is outside the constitutional authority of the legislative branch." Schiff has also expressed interest in hearing from Felix Sater, a Trump business partner who was working the Russian side of the Trump Tower Moscow proposal in 2016. Lawyers for Cohen said it appears that Sater and his attorney Robert Wolf reviewed Cohen's testimony before it was submitted to Congress in 2017, according to documents they reviewed. Sater's involvement negates any privilege claim, Cohen's attorneys said. "Because it appears that the draft statement was shared with two nonprivileged individuals - Mr. Sater and his lawyer - the joint defense privilege was in our professional opinion waived," said Davis, one of two criminal defense attorneys representing Cohen. Sater and Cohen had discussions about the Moscow project until at least June 2016, but Sater did not correct Cohen's original assertion to Congress that the project ended that January. Sater declined to comment on questions about Cohen's testimony but he said he stands ready to cooperate with Schiff's inquiries. "I have always cooperated with the U.S. government and look forward to continued cooperation," Sater said. "I will make myself available to Congressman Schiff's committee or any other committee as they deem necessary." - - - The Washington Post's Alice Crites and Rosalind S. Helderman contributed to this report. RICHMOND, Va. - A federal trial opened Monday with activists challenging four state laws that restrict abortion, including requirements that clinics meet stringent licensing standards, that patients get an ultrasound at least 24 hours before an abortion and that only doctors perform the procedure in the first trimester. Abortion is a relatively safe procedure for the woman, carrying less risk than a colonoscopy, plastic surgery or tonsillectomy, an expert witness testified for activists bringing the suit. Even some dental procedures pose greater danger. "It is one of the safest medical procedures that exists," Mark David Nichols, who performs abortions in Oregon, testified in a bench trial before U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson. But under cross-examination, Nichols acknowledged that there is no formal program to train midwives, nurse practitioners or physician assistants to perform abortions. In other states, they get what the state's lawyer called "on-the-job" training, learning informally from a doctor but then going off to work unsupervised - and perhaps train others. That seemed to catch Hudson by surprise. Isn't there a "prepared curriculum" and an established "standard of competency?" the judge asked. Nichols said there was not. While a spate of states have recently made access to abortion more difficult, advocates in Virginia are trying to make it easier. The case is being heard in an election year when Republicans are trying to keep their razor-thin control of the General Assembly and when abortion politics - dormant for the past few cycles - probably will be prominent. Earlier this year, Del. Kathy Tran, D-Fairfax, caused an uproar when she filed a bill seeking to loosen restrictions on late-term abortion. During a hearing, she said the measure would allow abortion up to the moment of birth. Tran later said she misspoke, but Republicans called her failed bill extreme. Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat, added to the furor with comments on a radio show that Republicans, including President Donald Trump, said was an endorsement of infanticide. A pediatric neurologist, Northam called the infanticide charge "disgusting." He appeared to be talking about end-of-life care for a baby that is "not viable," but he has never clarified his remarks. Trump's reelection campaign invoked Northam's comments as recently as last week on Twitter: "Democrat Ralph Northam on late-term abortion: 'The infant would be delivered. The infant would be kept comfortable. The infant would be resuscitated if that's what the mother and the family desired. And then a discussion would ensue between the physicians and the mother.' " The case in federal court in Richmond comes after Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi and Ohio banned abortions after doctors can detect a fetal heartbeat, about six weeks - before many women realize they are pregnant. And Alabama has made performing abortions a felony unless a pregnancy seriously risks a woman's health, with no exceptions for rape or incest. In Virginia, Del. Bob Thomas, R-Stafford, facing a primary challenger from the right, said last week that he would like the General Assembly to follow Alabama's lead if Republicans can maintain control of the legislature. Northam responded swiftly. "My veto pen is ready and full of ink," the governor tweeted. Despite the political drama regarding the issue, the lawsuit unfolded as a staid affair, without a single protester in sight. Lawyers skipped opening statements and jumped right into questioning Nichols. The doctor acknowledged under cross-examination that he typically orders an ultrasound before abortions even though the test is not mandated in Oregon. He also said some of his patients have backed out of planned abortions after seeing an ultrasound image of the fetus. Hudson, appointed by President George W. Bush, agreed with plaintiffs two weeks ago that first-trimester abortions are simple and safe enough to be performed without a physician. It was the first time a federal judge had come to that conclusion. But a week later, he vacated his own order to allow nondoctors to perform most abortions in Virginia, saying the issue should be decided in the trial, which is scheduled to last through June 6. The lawsuit was brought by a coalition of abortion rights groups, including the Center for Reproductive Rights, the Virginia League for Planned Parenthood and several clinics across the state. The state Department of Health and the office of Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring, a Democrat, are defending the rules. The case has put Herring in an awkward position as both an advocate for abortion rights and the state official tasked with defending Virginia law. He did not formally recuse his office from the case but hired a private firm, Hirschler Law, saying he did not have enough staffers to handle it. Representing the plaintiffs, Sean Trainor of the Washington firm O'Melveny spent the trial's opening hours questioning Nichols about the safety of abortion. Under cross-examination by Hirschler President Courtney Paulk, Nichols said 16 states allow nondoctors to dispense medications used to induce abortions in the earliest stages of pregnancy, up to 10 weeks. Five allow nondoctors to perform a procedure based on suction, which is typically used up to 16 weeks. No state allows nondoctors to perform the procedure known as dilation and extraction, which can be used up to the point of viability. Leonard Leo stepped onto the stage in a darkened Florida ballroom, looked out at a gathering of some of the nation's most powerful conservative activists and told them they were on the cusp of fulfilling a long-sought dream. For two decades, Leo has been on a mission to turn back the clock to a time before the U.S. Supreme Court routinely expanded the government's authority and endorsed new rights such as abortion and same-sex marriage. Now, as President Donald Trump's unofficial judicial adviser, he told the audience at the closed-door event in February that they had to mobilize in "very unprecedented ways" to help finish the job. "We're going to have to understand that judicial confirmations these days are more like political campaigns," Leo told the members of the Council for National Policy, according to a recording of the speech obtained by The Washington Post. "We're going to have to be smart as a movement." "No one in this room has probably experienced the kind of transformation that I think we are beginning to see," Leo said. At a time when Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell are rapidly reshaping federal courts by installing conservative judges and Supreme Court justices, few people outside government have more influence over judicial appointments now than Leo. He is widely known as a confidant to Trump and as executive vice president of the Federalist Society, an influential nonprofit organization for conservative and libertarian lawyers that has close ties to Supreme Court justices. But behind the scenes, Leo is the maestro of a network of interlocking nonprofits working on media campaigns and other initiatives to sway lawmakers by generating public support for conservative judges. The story of Leo's rise offers an inside look into the modern machinery of political persuasion. It shows how undisclosed interests outside of government are harnessing the nation's nonprofit system to influence judicial appointments that will shape the nation for decades. Even as Leo counseled Trump on judicial picks, he and his allies were raising money for nonprofits that under IRS rules do not have to disclose their donors. Between 2014 and 2017 alone, they collected more than $250 million in such donations, sometimes known as "dark money," according to a Post analysis of the most recent tax filings available. The money was used in part to support conservative policies and judges, through advertising and through funding for groups whose executives appeared as television pundits. The groups in Leo's network often work in concert and are linked to Leo and one another by finances, shared board members, phone numbers, addresses, back-office support and other operational details, according to tax filings, incorporation records, other documents and interviews. Nine of the groups hired the same conservative media relations firm, Creative Response Concepts, collectively paying it more than $10 million in contracting fees in 2016 and 2017. During that time, the firm coordinated a monthslong media campaign in support of Trump's Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch, including publishing opinion essays, contributing 5,000 quotes to news stories, scheduling pundit appearances on television and posting online videos that were viewed 50 million times, according to a report on the firm's website. In another case, a nonprofit Leo launched in 2016, the Freedom and Opportunity Fund, gave $4 million over two years to a nonprofit called Independent Women's Voice, about half the group's revenue, tax filings show. Leaders of Independent Women's Voice last year spoke at rallies, wrote online commentary and appeared regularly on Fox News to promote another of Trump's Supreme Court nominees, Brett Kavanaugh. During an on-camera interview for a Post documentary, Leo called himself "a leader of the conservative legal movement" and said, "I have no idea how many groups I've been involved with over the years." A devout Catholic, Leo said he is driven by his faith and a literal interpretation of the Constitution. He also defended the practice of taking money from donors whose identities are not publicly disclosed, comparing his effort to shape the courts to those of abolitionists, suffragists and civil rights activists. "[They] were all very much fueled by very wealthy people, and oftentimes wealthy people who chose to be anonymous," Leo said. But he refused to talk about the money behind his advocacy, saying "I'm not particularly knowledgeable about a lot of it." "I have a very simple rule, which is, I'm engaged in the battle of ideas, and I care very deeply about our Constitution and the role of courts in our society," he said. "And I don't waste my time on stories that involve money and politics because what I care about is ideas." Later, in response to written questions about the interlocking nonprofits, Leo described the network as "an effective and highly successful judicial coalition that's organized just about the same as the Left's, except that their coalition is significantly bigger and better funded." - - - Leo, 53, wears round, horn-rimmed glasses, tailored suits and monochromatic pocket squares. His office at the Federalist Society is filled with mementos of his career, including a red Trump-campaign-style hat that reads "Make The Court Great Again" and a gold-framed New Yorker profile of himself. On a bookshelf is a photo of Leo and Kavanaugh in tuxedos. A nameplate on the shelf reads, "The Real Boss." Leo grew up in suburban New Jersey, where his high school yearbook lists his nickname as the "Moneybags kid" and shows a photograph of him holding a handful of cash. He attended Cornell as an undergraduate and law student and founded an early chapter of the Federalist Society, then an all-volunteer organization focused on infusing traditional legal values into the nation's law schools. His conservative values stood out. When a classmate protesting apartheid in South Africa threw a chocolate cream pie into the face of the university's president, Leo expressed outrage in a letter to the student newspaper. "Although some will dismiss Tuesday as only a pie-throwing incident, it is representative of a more hostile form of expression that has become more common," he wrote. In 1990, Leo became a clerk for a U.S. Court of Appeals judge in the District of Columbia, where he met Clarence Thomas, then an appellate judge. The two became close friends. After his clerkship, Leo joined the Federalist Society as one of its first paid employees. But he delayed the start date to help Thomas through his contentious confirmation process for the Supreme Court. At the Federalist Society, Leo took a leading role in the conservative legal movement, part of a burgeoning effort to counter the influence of the 1960s and liberals on education, law and politics. With the election of George W. Bush, Leo began working as an outside adviser for the White House on initiatives related to judicial nominations. Among his allies was Kavanaugh, then White House associate counsel. In January 2003, Leo called White House officials, including Kavanaugh, to object to a plan by Bush to weigh in on affirmative action. Bush was going to criticize the practice but praise racial diversity. Leo complained that praising diversity would "disgust any conservative who thinks that this is a matter of principle," according to a previously unreported email by a White House official describing one of the calls. About 15 minutes later, Kavanaugh wrote back: "Leonard just called me and gave me the same earful." Leo told The Post that from the accounts of the calls, "it appears I was conveying the widely shared belief among conservatives that discriminating on the basis of race is always wrong and inconsistent with the dignity and worth of every person." Leo came to be known in the White House as coordinator of "all outside coalition activity regarding judicial nominations," according to a 2003 email by a White House aide to Kavanaugh and others. Leo also developed a reputation as a conservative moneyman. When Kavanaugh and other Bush aides were looking for someone to pay for a press event aimed at supporting the stalled judicial nomination of Miguel Estrada, they turned to Leo. "Leonard Leo will know," a White House aide wrote in an email obtained by The Post. "We probably don't want the fed soc paying for it, but he might know some generous donor." - - - Leo's behind-the-scenes activism came at the same time he was helping to grow the Federalist Society, which describes itself as nonpartisan. Leo told The Post he has taken steps to avoid any conflict. "I separate my advocacy from the educational work of The Federalist Society," he said in his statement. "I put in a full day's work for the Society and spend a substantial amount of my personal time on the other public service work I also love." Leo told The Post he has employed techniques liberals used to derail the nomination of Robert Bork to the Supreme Court almost three decades ago. In 2005 and 2006, Leo served as the leader of the campaigns supporting Supreme Court nominees John Roberts and Samuel Alito. He and other members of an advocacy coalition spent about $15 million in donations from undisclosed donors on ads, telemarketing and the mobilization of "grass roots" groups, Leo later told a Federalist Society chapter at the University of Virginia. They conducted polls to help craft the most persuasive messages and arranged dozens of "background" briefings for reporters. A key part of those efforts was a new nonprofit called the Judicial Confirmation Network, or JCN. Tax filings show it was based at the home of Ann and Neil Corkery, close allies of Leo who have served as board members or treasurers of organizations run by Leo and a small group of interconnected activists. One radio spot paid for by JCN in Arkansas featured a local minister who warned listeners that liberals wanted to curb religious freedom, including Christmas celebrations. "Now these extremist groups want our senators to vote against Judge Alito for the United States Supreme Court," the ad said. In the interview with The Post, Leo said he took time off from the Federalist Society - a charity that says it does not endorse specific nominees - during the nomination fights in 2005 and 2006. The group's tax filings show that his compensation in those two years jumped by nearly 50%, to about $328,000 annually. Leo did not respond to a question about how his compensation was affected by his time off. A spokesman for the Federalist Society said Leo's pay went up - despite the time off - because of the organization's "extraordinary revenue growth." Back at the Federalist Society the following year, his compensation was $419,000. Documents show that Leo never assumed a formal position at JCN, which eventually changed its name to the Judicial Crisis Network. But he told The Post he is "very supportive" of the group. The ties between JCN and Leo are opaque. JCN's office is on the same hallway as the Federalist Society in a downtown Washington building, though JCN's website and tax filings list a mailing address at a different location, an address shared by multiple companies. JCN board director Gary Marx told The Post the two organizations share similar goals but have "different boards, different missions, different functions and do very different things." When a Post reporter visited the JCN offices to ask questions, a security guard contacted a longtime employee of the Federalist Society to see whether anyone at JCN was available. A Federalist Society employee then escorted the reporter to JCN's office. The group's president, Daniel Casey, has worked closely with Leo for years. Casey receives no pay from JCN or three other nonprofits in the network that he helps to lead, tax filings show. He received more than $1.5 million in fees from the Federalist Society over nine years for media training through a firm based at his home in Front Royal, Virginia. In an interview with The Post, Casey declined to discuss that firm, DC Strategies. He said all of the nonprofit groups he is affiliated with followed the law. "Everything is up and up," he said. Leo told The Post that Casey has been "a highly skilled provider of strategic consulting services in the legal policy space for over 30 years." - - - Leo's influence and political connections continued to expand even as President Barack Obama took over the White House. He routinely attended galas and black-tie Federalist Society events that included justices Thomas, Alito and Antonin Scalia, as well as McConnell and other leading lawmakers, according to interviews and annual reports by the Federalist Society. He also became more adept at managing media campaigns. In a previously undisclosed email, Leo boasted to a colleague in 2009 about his savvy generating free publicity through the Federalist Society. "I'm very familiar with the media," Leo wrote to Tom Carter, then a spokesman for the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, a government agency created to promote religious liberty abroad. "I spend probably close to $800,000 annually on a PR team at the Federalist Society, and we generate press that has a publicity value of approximately $146 million each year." Leo, then a commissioner, said the Federalist Society had learned to sidestep pointed questions about judicial nominees - and he urged Carter to do the same in his work for the commission. "We get around these inquiries quite well, and I am sure you can find a way to do so as well," he wrote. Leo joined additional advocacy groups that expanded his influence following the Supreme Court's landmark Citizens United decision in 2010, which lifted restrictions on spending by corporations, unions and nonprofits on politically oriented advertisements and media campaigns. His growing network was composed mostly of nonprofits called "social welfare organizations," which are allowed to engage in politics as long as it's not their primary activity. It also included some public charities, which can receive tax-deductible donations and are prohibited from backing or opposing candidates for office. In 2010, Leo served on the board of a tea party group called Liberty Central. Ginni Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, received $120,511 as the start-up's president that year. She later stepped down following questions about possible conflicts of interest, saying the issue had become a distraction for the group. In 2012, Leo joined the boards of the nonprofit Catholic Association and an affiliated charity, the Catholic Association Foundation. They funded campaigns to rally Catholic voters and stop states from recognizing same-sex marriage. The two Catholic nonprofits launched a third organization called Catholic Voices. Its stated mission was to train Catholic lay members to advocate for religious and conservative causes, some of whom later wrote letters for publication in major newspapers condemning the Affordable Care Act and Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal. The next year, Leo joined forces with wealthy conservative donor Rebekah Mercer and Stephen Bannon, then the chairman of Breitbart News, on the board of a small charity known as Reclaim New York. Mercer and Bannon would go on to play central roles in Trump's insurgent campaign, Mercer as a leading financial backer and Bannon as campaign chief. In the year Leo joined Mercer's group, and in the two following years, the Mercer family became a leading benefactor of the Federalist Society, donating a total of nearly $6 million, tax filings show. - - - In March 2016, Leo met with Trump and Federalist Society member Donald McGahn at the Washington law firm Jones Day, just as Trump was beginning to prevail in his quest to be the Republican nominee, Leo told The Post. Justice Scalia had just died, and the men were mulling the implications. McGahn had come up with the idea of generating a list of potential Supreme Court nominees that Trump could disclose to win over moderates. Leo said he briefed Trump about the current composition of the court, the ideology of the justices and the like. As Leo tells it, Trump was open to one of his long-held goals: A federal court system dominated by conservative judges who believe the Constitution must be interpreted literally. Leo later gave the president a list of possible Supreme Court nominees. Trump released the list during the primary campaign, a gesture that helped him win the support of skeptical mainstream Republicans. Gorsuch and Kavanaugh were added to the list later. JCN, the group that has office space on the same hall as the Federalist Society, launched a $7 million media campaign to bolster the Republican-controlled Senate in preventing Obama from filling the seat, according to a JCN news release at the time. Working on the campaign was Creative Response Concepts, a firm that was hired by multiple nonprofits in Leo's network, tax filings show. CRC's president, Greg Mueller, describes himself as a friend of Leo. Mueller's firm gained prominence during the presidential campaign of 2004 for helping to promote the "swift boat" allegations, unsubstantiated claims that Democratic candidate John Kerry's war record in Vietnam was exaggerated. Among its clients now is the Federalist Society. Mueller said in a statement that the firm does not discuss its work for clients. As the 2016 election campaign heated up, Leo became president of three new nonprofits whose tax filings and incorporation records illustrate how his network sometimes operates. The groups - called BH Fund, the Freedom and Opportunity Fund and America Engaged - were formed by an employee at Holtzman Vogel Josefiak Torchinsky, a Warrenton, Virginia, law firm with deep ties to the conservative movement. The nonprofits reported having no employees and no websites. They had virtually no public presence. Leo's role as president of all three groups was not disclosed for nearly three years because of lags in how nonprofit groups report their annual operations to the IRS. All three hired CRC for public relations and consulting. In 2016 and 2017, the three nonprofits raised about $33 million, with the BH Fund taking in $24,250,000 from a single donor whose identity is still not publicly known, documents show. BH Fund then gave a total of almost $3 million to the two other Leo groups, Freedom and Opportunity Fund and America Engaged. The Center for Responsive Politics published details about the groups' spending in February. In 2017, America Engaged passed on almost $1 million to the lobbying arm of the National Rifle Association. That same year, the NRA announced a $1 million ad campaign in support of Gorsuch. The ads targeted lawmakers in Montana, Indiana, Missouri and North Dakota who had supported Obama's calls for gun control. "Your freedom is on the line," the ads stated. The media blitz coincided with yet another campaign to promote Gorsuch's nomination, by Judicial Crisis Network. JCN announced that it would spend $10 million, calling it "the most robust operation in the history of confirmation battles." CRC, its media consultant on the campaign, later boasted that online videos, television ads, pundit commentary, opinion essays and other material supporting Gorsuch had been viewed 1.2 billion times. Leo's Freedom and Opportunity Fund, meanwhile, distributed $4 million to Independent Women's Voice over two years. The leaders of Independent Women's Voice appeared frequently on Fox News, speaking in support of Trump and his judicial nominees. They spoke at rallies, according to videos, and they bought Facebook ads that reached hundreds of thousands of users, according to a Facebook political advertising database. Heather Higgins, the group's president and chief executive, expressed doubts on Fox News about the memory of the woman accusing Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her decades ago. "If you have a weak standard of evidence, then what you are doing is guaranteeing that future nominations will all be last-minute character assassinations and circuses," said Higgins, who records show is paid $311,000 as the leader of Independent Women's Voice. Higgins did not respond to requests for comment. She once described her group as a weapon in the "Republican conservative arsenal" that caters to "donors who want a high return on their investment for their political dollars," according to a video of a speech she made at the nonprofit David Horowitz Freedom Center. "We have worked hard to create a branded organization . . . that does not carry partisan baggage," Higgins said in 2015. "Being branded as neutral but actually having the people who know, know that you're actually conservative puts us in a unique position." - - - Leonard Leo's work in the nonprofit world has proved lucrative. The Federalist Society, a charity, has regularly paid Leo more than $400,000 in annual compensation in recent years, tax filings show. In 2016, the Catholic Association paid him $120,000 for management consulting. Leo's only other publicly known employer is an obscure for-profit start-up called the BH Group. It was registered in Virginia on Aug. 22, 2016, by the same law firm employee who incorporated the BH Fund and the two other nonprofits Leo started earlier that year. The firm is based out of a virtual office suite used as a shared mailing address and meeting space for unrelated companies. In the two years following its formation, the BH Group received more than $4 million from the Judicial Crisis Network, a related group called the Judicial Education Project and a third nonprofit in the network called the Wellspring Committee, all of them connected to Leo through funding, personnel and the same accountant, IRS filings show. The groups described the payments in IRS filings as consulting, research and public relations fees. Leo, who disclosed BH Group as his employer in a campaign finance filing, declined to say how much money he received from the company or provide any other details about it. "BH Group is a private firm whose team of professionals, which includes Leonard Leo, provides management and consulting services to philanthropists and nonprofits," a CRC spokesman for Leo said in a statement. "Like similar firms on the Left, its clients are private as are the details of the work for them." In December 2016, while Leo worked on Trump's transition team, BH Group donated $1 million to Trump's inaugural committee, according to a campaign finance disclosure. The next year, Leo and his wife, Sally, were named Stewards of Saint Peter by the Papal Foundation, an honor given to those who pledge to donate $1 million or more for Vatican initiatives worldwide. Leo, his wife and their six children have lived in a McLean, Virginia, home that was purchased in 2010 for $710,000, according to real estate records. They paid off a 30-year mortgage last August and two months later bought a $3.3 million summer home with 11 bedrooms in an affluent seaside village on the coast of Maine. In a statement, Leo described the mansion as "a retreat for our large family and for extending hospitality to our community of personal and professional friends and co-workers." - - - Leo's work to influence judicial nominations has made him a hero to some conservative activists. The esteem was evident in February at the closed-door meeting of the nonprofit Council for National Policy, where Leo serves on the board of governors. "He is one of us. He cares about the Constitution. He understands that elections may come and go, but judges with lifetime appointments . . . are going to be here for a long time," Rebecca Hagelin, a board member, told the assembled activists and donors. "And this is perhaps where Donald Trump is making his greatest, longest-lasting effort. But he's doing it based on a lot of the work by Leonard Leo. And today I'm so pleased to introduce him," she said. "Welcome him to the stage, and thank him for all the work that he is doing to help save America." - - - The Washington Post's Dalton Bennett, Alice Crites and Andrew Tran contributed to this report. Lawyers for former national security adviser Michael Flynn told a judge Tuesday that they oppose releasing fully unredacted documents related to his sentencing for lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian ambassador. The filing came in response to a request by The Washington Post, which has asked that the documents be fully unsealed, given that Special Counsel Robert Mueller has completed his investigation and published a report about his probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election. Prosecutors last week released versions of the documents that were less redacted than those originally filed, as U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan prepared to sentence Flynn in December. They acknowledged that the conclusion of the investigation meant some information originally hidden from public view could now be revealed. They continued to shield some information, however, indicating releasing it would intrude on the privacy interests of people who have not been charged with crimes. In their filing Tuesday, Flynn's lawyers wrote they support continuing to keep some information sealed, arguing the redactions are "necessary" and "narrowly-tailored," in particular to protect the privacy interests of people who submitted letters of support for Flynn in appeals to the judge for leniency in sentencing. Sullivan also has ordered that any transcripts that exist of recordings of Flynn's communications with Russian officials that took place before Trump took office be made public, as well as unredacted version of portions of Mueller's report dealing with Flynn. Both are supposed to be filed in court no later than May 31. Neither Flynn's lawyers nor prosecutors have addressed whether they object to those items becoming public. Flynn, who pleaded guilty in 2017, asked Sullivan to sentence him to probation but no prison time for falsely telling the FBI during an interview in January 2017 that he had not discussed sanctions with the Russian ambassador before Trump's inauguration. Mueller's prosecutors did not object, citing Flynn's extensive cooperation with their investigation. Sullivan, however, told Flynn at a hearing in December that he could not hide his "disgust" with Flynn's actions, which also included acting as an unregistered agent of Turkey while advising Trump's presidential campaign. Sullivan offered Flynn the opportunity to delay the sentencing, signaling that if he did not agree, Sullivan was likely to impose a sentence that included prison time. Flynn then asked for a delay, promising to continue to cooperate with the government in an effort to lessen his sentence. He is expected to testify at the trial of his former business partner, Bijan Kian, in July. Kian has been charged with working as unregistered agent of Turkey; he has pleaded not guilty. WASHINGTON - A group of mostly Democratic states filed lawsuits against the Trump administration on Tuesday, challenging a new federal rule that gives health care providers, insurers and employers greater latitude to refuse to provide or pay for medical services that they say violate their religous of moral beliefs. A lawsuit by a coalition of 23 states and cities, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, says the rule illegally favors the personal views of health care workers over the needs of patients "at a dangerous price" of hobbling the ability of state-run health care facilities to provide effective care. A separate suit, brought by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, says the rule "impedes access to basic care" and "encourages discrimination against vulnerable patients, including women and LGBTQ individuals. The suits, plus one brought earlier this month by San Francisco, seek to block the rule, announced by President Donald Trump early this month and published Tuesday in the Federal Register, which allows individuals and entities to refrain from delivering or paying for services such as abortion, sterilization or assisted suicide if they have a religious or moral objection to them. The 440-page rule also grants parents the right to refuse several specific types of care for their children. The lawsuits are part of a spate of federal litigation challenging various ways the Trump administration has been rewriting health care policies. Courts have issued temporary injunctions to block some of the policies while the disputes play out in court. Injunctions by two courts last month halted new anti-abortion restrictions on the use of money for family planning services under the Title X program. A federal judge in the District of Columbia has ruled against the administration's approval of steps taken by Kentucky and Arkansas to require some poor residents on Medicaid to work or prepare for jobs to qualify for the benefits. The "conscience protections," as their advocates call them, are among actions taken by the Health and Human Services Department that appeal to Christian conservatives, a constituency that is part of Trump's political base. The rule is due to take effect in late July. The multistate lawsuit, filed in the federal Southern District of New York, alleges that the rule puts at risk billions of dollars in federal funds if the states participating in the case do not comply with the rule. The 80-page complaint says the rule also will harm teaching hospitals and other health care facilities run by some of the states and cities, underming their effectiveness and forcing them to hire extra staffers in case some workers refuse care that patients need. The rules also risks "undermining longstanding efforts by those institutions to build trust with the patient communities they serve." The suit further alleges that the rule violates several federal laws, including those governing Medicare and Medicaid, civil rights statutes and a statute requiring hospitals to provide emergency care. In addition to New York, the plaintiffs are Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, plus the cities of Chicago and New York; Cook County, Ill; and D.C. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump's lawyers on Tuesday notified a federal judge that they have appealed "all aspects" of a Monday ruling that the president's accounting firm must turn over his financial records to Congress. The two-page notice filed in federal court in Washington marks the latest move in a gathering legal battle over Congress's oversight powers. "Plaintiffs . . . hereby appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit all aspects of this Court's order and opinion from May 20, 2019," stated lawyers for Trump, the Trump Organization and several related companies in the notice to U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta. Mehta, in a 41-page ruling Monday, flatly rejected arguments from the president's lawyers that the House Oversight Committee's demands for the records from Trump's accounting firm, Mazars USA, were overly broad and served no legitimate legislative function. "It is simply not fathomable," the judge wrote, "that a Constitution that grants Congress the power to remove a President for reasons including criminal behavior would deny Congress the power to investigate him for unlawful conduct - past or present - even without formally opening an impeachment inquiry." It was not immediately clear how quickly the appeals court would schedule briefings and oral arguments. The court's calendar lists only one argument through the summer. But the court can add cases as needed before a three-judge panel "if the case is important enough or requires quick disposition," D.C. Circuit Clerk Mark Langer said Tuesday. It also would be up to circuit judges whether to put the committee subpoena on hold pending consideration of Trump's appeal. Mehta denied Trump's bid to block the subpoena while his lawsuit filed April 22 continues, and went further by rendering a final decision to speed consideration by the appeals court. Mehta had refused to stay his order to comply with the subpoena beyond seven days to allow time for an appeal, but Trump's lawyers acted within hours. Speaking to reporters on Monday after the ruling, Trump called the opinion "crazy" and said he would appeal, adding, "We think it's totally the wrong decision by, obviously, an Obama-appointed judge." On Tuesday, some legal experts said they expected Trump's legal adversaries to continue to try to accelerate proceedings, and not be party to the administration's stated intention of defying and delaying Congress's oversight functions. Kerry Kircher, who served as House general counsel from 2011 to 2016 and deputy general counsel from 1995 to 2010, said Tuesday he was not surprised by Mehta's order or how quickly the judge moved. And he said there "is a very good chance these records end up in Congress's hands" by 2020 because courts have so often upheld congressional investigative powers over executive branch and private party challenges. "Congress has broad oversight," Kircher said, "and it plays a very important role in the way our government operates, and courts have recognized that for decades and decades." Kircher said, "If you're on the receiving end of things, you don't like it . . . but I don't see this case in particular raising any significant issues that would justify its making its way to the Supreme Court." The Mazars case could move quickly, because the executive branch has far fewer tools to resist congressional subpoenas that target documents from private companies, than it has when asserting executive privilege to prevent aides from testifying, said Andy Wright, a former Obama associate White House counsel and House oversight committee staff director from 2007 to 2011. As an example, Wright noted that in 2016 it took only 39 days once a district judge upheld a Senate subpoena -- analogous to what Mehta did Monday - for an appeals court and the U.S. Supreme Court to refuse a request by a website operator Backpage.com to block an oversight committee demand for information on how it screens ads for possible sex trafficking. Within two months, the company had turned over 110,000 pages of documents. "It's not one size fits all but in a sense the stay litigation is the ballgame, and the burden is on the person resisting the subpoena to demonstrate a likelihood of success on the merits, as well as that it is in the interests of justice," Wright said. He added, "It is possible, if Judge Mehta's reasoning holds, that both the D.C. circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court could resolve this within the next five weeks in an adverse way to President Trump. So that's pretty fast." Trump has argued the congressional inquiries are politically motivated attacks on the authority of the presidency, while Democrats insist the subpoenas are essential to ensuring no president is above the law. When the lawsuit was filed, Trump's private attorney Jay Sekulow said the president's team "will not allow Congressional Presidential harassment to go unanswered." Mazars said after Monday's court decision that the company said in a statement that it will "respect the legal process and fully comply with its legal obligations." Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., chairman of the House Oversight Committee, said the ruling "lets America know that we have ground to stand on and that we have a legitimate argument and the courts support them . . . I'm glad it was a strong decision; that bodes well, hopefully, in the future for an appeals process." An appeal could test decades of legal precedent that has upheld Congress's right to investigate - a legal battle that is just one part of a broader effort by House Democrats to examine Trump's finances, his campaign and allegations that he sought to obstruct justice in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. _ _ _ The Washington Post's Ann E. Marimow contributed to this report WASHINGTON - Lawmakers were sharply divided Tuesday over whether Iran poses an imminent threat to U.S. interests or the Trump administration is exaggerating intelligence to lay the groundwork for war. Top administration officials briefed the House and Senate in two closed-door sessions for all members, presenting evidence that Iran may be poised to attack U.S. military and diplomatic personnel in the Middle East. But some Democrats said that none of the information showed Iran was appreciably more of a threat now than in the past, and they accused the administration of being ready to attack at the slightest provocation. U.S. and Western intelligence officials also have debated whether the intelligence, which includes photographs of Iranians loading missiles onto small boats, indicates that the nation is ready to strike or is responding defensively to economic pressure from Trump administration sanctions and a perception that the White House is eager for a fight. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, acting defense secretary Patrick Shanahan and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr., faced skeptical members, some of whom said they heard echoes of a previous administration's case for war in the Middle East. "I truly believe that the intel has been misinterpreted and misrepresented by Secretary Pompeo, by [national security adviser John] Bolton and other people that do want us to go to war in Iran, as a repeat to Iraq," Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., said upon leaving the briefing for House members. "This is a case of somebody getting into somebody's face and hoping that they'll punch, and waiting to punch back," said Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas. But some Republican lawmakers saw the information differently and pointed to "new," "credible," and "consistent" threats that Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., called "a game-changer." Graham said the administration's recent actions, including the deployment of an aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf, were in response to "strong intelligence" that Iran's leaders had given Shiite militias in Iraq "more running room and direction that attacks against American interests and personnel were imminent." Republicans insisted that the administration was not hurtling toward a war with Iran, calling recent military moves "measured." But Graham warned the administration not to shy from using force. "If one American is injured or killed by actions coming from Iran, directly or indirectly, at the direction of the Iranian government, and you don't respond, you will be up here explaining why you let those Americans get hurt and did nothing about it," he said. "We're pushing back against the regime and we're resetting the rules of engagement. We're letting them know that you've attacked us in the past . . . those days are over." Republicans and Democrats were directly at odds over whether the administration's recent show of force is a potentially dangerous escalation, or legitimate deterrence. "This is not an escalation," Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., insisted, arguing that the United States had "an affirmative responsibility to have military assets in the region prepared to defend" Americans deployed there, making the Trump administration's moves "not an escalation. That's a response." "Our recent actions over the last few weeks have been defensive," Sen. John Neely Kennedy, R-La., said. He added that he thought the United States was "in a better posture today than two weeks ago," but acknowledged that "we don't know where it's going to go next." Graham put the responsibility for de-escalation fully on Iran. "The only way this changes is for Iran to change," he said. "We're not backing off, and if they use military force to try to stop our economic efforts to change their behavior, then they'll suffer militarily." Pompeo, a longtime Iran hawk since his days representing Kansas in the House, said the officials described the administration's "strategic campaign, the effort to push back against Iran's malign activity, 40 years of terrorist activity" and "our efforts and our ultimate objective over the past days, which has been to deter Iran." Shanahan said he explained to members the "credible intelligence about threats to our interests in the Middle East and to American forces and how we acted on that credible intelligence." "Our biggest focus at this point is to prevent Iranian miscalculation," Shanahan said. "We do not want the situation to escalate. This is about deterrence, not about war." Some Republicans pushed back against the assertion that President Donald Trump's advisers were hyping the intelligence. "If anybody's questioning that somehow there's made-up in intelligence, that's ludicrous," said Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill. Pompeo has also been trying to convince European allies that Iran poses a new threat. He traveled to Europe last week to meet with representatives from countries that continue to back the Iran nuclear deal that Trump withdrew from last year. But rather than convincing them of U.S. evidence, one European official said, he seemed most interested in the Europeans conveying to Iran how serious the United States was about responding to any attack. Other countries have also become increasingly nervous. Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi, who was visited by Pompeo earlier this month, said Tuesday that he was set to send delegations to both Washington and Tehran to help "halt tension," according to media accounts in the region. Two days ago, a rocket of unknown origin landed in Baghdad's Green Zone, where Iraqi government offices and the U.S. Embassy are located. For Trump, the purpose of exerting "maximum pressure" on Iran through sanctions is "the belief that he will bring them around and they'll realize they need to do a deal and the terms will be better," said Dennis Ross, a former diplomat who negotiated Middle East agreements for Republican and Democratic administrations. "The point is, he still thinks there's a deal he can do. . . . I think for him, the real measure, in his mind, is showing he improved over what [President Barack] Obama did. My sense right now is the Iranians will try to outlast him," Ross said, although "they may well have underestimated how much they will feel the pressure. There's no question they're hurting" from sanctions, "and they're going to hurt more." In remarks Tuesday while visiting development projects in northwest Iran, President Hassan Rouhani acknowledged that his country was under pressure but said it would not "bow its head in the face of bullies," Iran's PressTV reported. Lawmakers and administration officials also debated whether Trump has the authority to launch new military engagements in the Middle East under the nearly 20-year-old Authorization for Use of Military Force passed after the 9/11 attacks. Shortly before the briefings, members of the House Appropriations Committee included a provision in the annual defense appropriations bill that would end the 2001 authorization, which gave the administration permission to pursue al-Qaida and its affiliates into Afghanistan. In the years since, the law has been used to justify campaigns against the Islamic State and other extremist groups. Lawmakers have never been able to agree across party lines on a replacement. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., the author of the new provision, said it "absolutely" was part of the strategy to constrain the Trump administration's options on Iran and was confident it would reach the floor for a vote. Republicans seemed largely unconcerned with whether Congress would be consulted in advance of military action. When asked whether officials would justify action under the president's authority as commander in chief or under existing authorizations, Graham brushed off both suggestions, classifying any potential military action as falling under the "inherent right to defend yourself." - - - The Washington Post's Carol Morello contributed to this report. For many people winter can be a troubling time, struggling to afford the additional costs of heating, to ensure a healthy, warm home. As a Government, we dont believe anybody should face that worry. All New Zealanders should have access to warm, dry housing. We simply dont accept that in New Zealand, people end up getting sick because they live in cold, damp houses. Across New Zealand 6000 children are admitted to hospital each year because of diseases caused by cold, damp housing, such as rheumatic fever and asthma. That level of preventable disease is not acceptable in a country like New Zealand. Recently the Government announced that around a million New Zealanders will be protected from the cold this winter, thanks to the Winter Energy Payment (WEP). This extra payment was first introduced last year, and in 2019, the WEP will run for an extended time, from May 1 to October 1. The payment is available for every New Zealander aged 65 and over who receives NZ Superannuation or a Veterans Pension, as well as people receiving a main benefit, to heat their homes during the coldest months. It will give a million New Zealanders that extra bit of financial security to keep the heater on without having to worry about cutting back on other costs like food or doctors visits. The annual payment is $450 for single people with no dependent children, and $700 for couples or single people with dependent children. You dont need to apply; if you are eligible, you will get the WEP automatically along with your regular payments. Scientific evidence from the World Health Organisation (WHO) shows that cold, damp housing can severely impact peoples physical and mental wellbeing. But I dont need the WHO to tell me that people in Rodney tell me themselves. I had many people last year tell me what a difference it made, helping them keep their homes warmer and themselves and their family healthier. The WEP complements the work the Government is doing to ensure houses are well insulated and energy efficient. One example is the Healthy Homes Guarantee Act, which requires all rentals to be fully insulated up to the current Building Code standards and have a fixed heating source, like a heat pump or wood burner. This Government is managing the books carefully, with the latest financial statements showing a solid, sustainable surplus. That puts us in a good position to be able to deal with whatever happens out there in the global economy. We will measure our success differently too and soon will announce the first ever Wellbeing Budget. Sustainably growing our economy is important, but so is the health of our people, communities and the environment. College students are holding a second climate change protest this week, on Friday, May 24, as part of a global movement. Among those who will take part is Orewa College student, 15-year-old Taleah Panoho of Dairy Flat. Taleah took part in the March 15 climate change march up Queen Street and says seeing so many students come together was incredibly powerful. Taking part in the demonstration is important to Taleah, because of her passionate interest in the science and effects of climate change. Last term she represented Orewa College at the World Vision Youth Leadership Conference, held in Auckland. Her interest in the issue began last year. Climate change was just a phrase that meant nothing much to me, but last year in social studies we looked at it and it totally opened my eyes about what it was doing to the planet, Taleah says. Through the Facebook page set up for the climate change protests, Taleah found out about a Youth Reporter competition run by the Jane Goodall Institute NZ for students aged 14-18. The 300-word essay that she entered won the Auckland-wide competition. As a result, Taleah will be the official Auckland Youth Reporter for two Jane Goodall events this month. I am always looking for ways to get my views on climate change heard, Taleah says. I think if we all work together we can do something to help save the planet. CoderDojo Coolest Projects was held at the RDS on Sunday May 5. This is the worlds leading technology fair for young people, with over 900 competitors from over 18 countries participating this year. Its purpose is to inspire, enable and showcase innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship and technology skills in young innovators. Ciara Crossan (11) did Longford proud winning an award for her project in the highly competitive Senior Visual Programming category. Four other members of CoderDojo Longford, Niamh Brady, Brian Reynolds, Juliette Barry and Rebecca Barry, were chosen to be interviewed about their projects by RTE on the Innovators Stage. Coder Dojo was launched in Ireland in 2011. Since then the CoderDojo movement has become a global phenomenon with clubs in 114 countries where young people between seven and 17 can learn how to code, develop websites, create an app or a game and explore technology in an informal, creative and social environment. Also Read: Longford man being deprived of rights The CoderDojo movement believes that an understanding of programming languages is increasingly important in the modern world and it is better and easier to learn these skills early. The volunteer led clubs are free to participating children so nobody is denied the opportunity to avail of the benefits and be exposed to the possibilities of technology. CoderDojo Longford hold weekly sessions from 3-5pm, Saturdays at The Attic House. Young people wishing to attend can apply for a free ticket through Eventbrite. For further information please see the CoderDojo Longford Facebook page or email CoderDojoLongford @gmail.com. CoderDojo Longford would like to take this opportunity to thank local businesses AIB Bank and CPF Profiles for their kind support of their club. They would also like to thank the management and staff of The Attic House for granting them the use of their purpose built youth centre for their weekly sessions and Foroige for their support throughout the year. Coder Dojo Longford is affiliated to Foroige National Youth Organisation. The new Mercedes-Benz CLA 4-door coupe successor to a model widely regarded as a design icon when first introduced here six years ago has arrived on the Irish market. Destined to be a flag-bearer for Mercedes-Benzs increasingly popular New Generation Compact Cars, the arrival of the new CLA with its even more grown-up appearance sees the model move up a notch to a new higher position within the luxury carmakers competitive chain, leaving space into which the new A-Class saloon will move. As Ciaran Allen, their sales manager in Ireland puts it: The arrival of the CLA adds to the cross-generational appeal of Mercedes-Benz, creating what many have come to think of as Generation Benz style-conscious young male and female drivers for whom design, technology and motoring enjoyment are amongst lifes great pleasures. With the new CLA, we expect to be even more successful in attracting this generation and, in this way, build a strong presence for Mercedes-Benz beyond its traditional base in an ever-growing segment of the market that was previously the preserve of others, Allen added. Also read: Longford County Council officially launches Property Marking Scheme With design norms that echo those of its range-topping siblings, CLA is fully equipped with high-tech driver assistance features that combine with new design elements and subtle body and interior detailing that give its a fresh new appeal whilst preserving all of its original allure. A low-slung, coupe-like body with front diamond patterned grille and bold central star, point to its sporty character an effect accentuated by subtle power domes, a wider track, flared arches and set back position of the passenger area. Changes are especially evident inside as high-tech enhancements and eye-catching design elements predominate. Check out your local dealer. Man Makes Off With Three Cases of Energy Drinks from Huntington Station Convenience Store Local News, Crime, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: May 21 2019 Suspect stole cases of 5-hour Energy drinks from 7-Eleven, police say. Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Second Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the publics help to identify and locate the man who stole merchandise from a Huntington Station convenience store. A man stole three cases of 5-hour Energy drinks from 7-Eleven, located at 1999 New York Ave., on April 18 at approximately 7:30 p.m. Local News, Crime, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: May 21 2019 Zarae Waring, 16, was last seen leaving Manhattan Family Court on Friday, May 17. Missing Persons Squad Detectives are investigating a missing juvenile from Manhattan that occurred on Friday, May 17, 2019 at 12:30 p.m. and was reported to police on Friday, May 17, 2019 at 4:25 a.m. According to Detectives, Zarae Waring, 16, who resides at Mercy First Facility in Syosset, was last seen leaving Manhattan Family Court by Mercy First staff members. She is described as a female black, 52 tall, 100 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair. She was last seen wearing a teal colored sweater and gray sweatpants. Her possible destination is unknown. Detectives request anyone with information regarding the above missing juvenile to contact the Missing Persons Squad at 516-573-7347 or call 911. All callers will remain anonymous. For over a century now, the United States has been the number one destination for Lebanese medical students. While the majority chose to settle in the States hoping for a prosperous financial future, this was not the case with Michael Shadid. He left his native Lebanon in 1898 to become a doctor. He did not do so with visions of wealth and the desire to make a fortune, instead he went to help the underprivileged living in rural areas. Born in Jdeidet Marjeyoun in 1882 to a large, impoverished family, he lost nine of his siblings due to the summer complaint (dysentery that particularly afflicted children and infants, and was caused by contaminated food and poor hygiene). That this tragedy could have been avoided had his family been able to afford to pay a doctor, scarred him for life. After settling in Beirut with his brother, sister, and mother, the young Michael received a scholarship to attend the Syrian Protestant College (which would become later the American University of Beirut). Here, he realized that the United States would be the only place for him to study medicine. He moved with his family in 1898, and worked as a peddler for the next four years so he could save enough money to pay his way through medical school. In 1903, the ambitious young man had enough money to attend medical school at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. There, Shadid was exposed to socialist ideas, and developed a sensitivity to racial and social injustices. This movement gave him the purpose and direction that would be so important to his later roles in activism and politics. In 1908, after graduating from medical school, he became an active member of the Socialist Party. He started touring Middle America, where he gave speeches in schools. He often received threats from those who saw him as a socialist agitator. Despite everything, he would practice as a doctor in Carter, Oklahoma for twenty years. A co-operative hospital The reality of what he witnessed in the rural areas of America shattered him. At the time, farmers did not have access to affordable and decent quality healthcare. Some even sacrificed their crops, livestock, or home in order to pay medical bills. On top of this, Shadid realized the extent of corruption and the general ignorance among the local doctors themselves, noticing that his colleagues would often send their patients for unnecessary operations in order to collect a fee, or because they simply did not have the knowledge needed to properly treat their patients. In 1929, the philanthropist doctor suggested building a co-operative hospital in Elk City, which would be patients-owned and ran: the farmers would finally care for themselves. His long term goal was to make it a free hospital. Construction started in 1930. Shadid tried to get his local colleagues involved in the project, but was met with fierce resistance. He had to wait until 1931 for his hospital to finally open. The success of this humanitarian endeavor was reported by the newspapers of the time, and Dr. Shadid took to the road throughout the 1930s and 40s to speak about the importance of co-operative medicine. He lectured at universities and hospitals across the United States and Canada. He also published his autobiography entitled A Doctor for the People, which advocated for the co-operative medicine movement. The book would surely still resonate today, health care issues still being an important concern in the United States... An abortive political career In 1940, Shadid decided to run for Congress as a New Deal Democrat. A victim of defamation and racist rumors, he was defeated at the ballot box. But this setback did not dampen his determination at all. He continued to advocate for co-operative medicine throughout the 1940s and 50s. In 1946, he created the Co-operative Health Federation for America, of which he was elected president, and his son, Fred, took over as the medical director of the community hospital. Home was never far from Shadids thoughts and the doctor dedicated his talent and know-how to founding a hospital in his native village of Marjeyoun. The hospital served the area until the 1950s. The researcher Caroline Muglia, and Akram Khater, director of the Moise Khayrallah Center, believe that there is so much to learn from the story of Michael Shadid. His story is often told from the perspective of the health care profession, and little mention is given of his immigrant background. Most Lebanese conferences about the diaspora are, with rare exceptions, dedicated to successful businessmen, explains Akram Khater to LOrient-Le Jour. And the topics are only related to money. Although the achievements of these people are certainly commendable, they shouldnt be the only criteria for talking about their successes. We must show more clearly the cultural productions of writers, artists, filmmakers, who enrich our lives in Lebanon and in the diaspora. We should especially highlight those, who in all modesty, work hard to earn a living, and build a family and a community. We need to learn more about the challenges (physical, emotional, etc.) facing the immigrants, and about their small contributions. It is only then that we would be able to fully understand Lebanese immigration, he said. This socialist doctor from Marjeyoun is a shining example. Michael Shadid spent his life fighting for social justice, said Muglia. We will do well to follow his example, especially in Lebanon, where 37% of the population lives below the poverty line. We cannot pretend as if nothing is happening, when others are hungry, when they are lacking the most basic medical care. History and Diaspora is offered in collaboration with the Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies. For more information on this center, visit: https://lebanesestudies.ncsu.edu This page is produced in collaboration with RJLiban Association. E-mail: [email protected] www.rjliban.com (This article was originally published in French in L'Orient-Le jour on the 20th of May) Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 21) Vice President Leni Robredo, who also serves as Liberal Party Chairperson, on Tuesday refused to accept the resignation of Senator Kiko Pangilinan as the opposition party's president. She also rejected that of Quezon City Rep. Kit Belmonte as Secretary General. "The VP has not accepted Senator Kiko's and Cong. Kit's resignations. Much work remains to be done, and they will do it, together," Robredo's spokesperson Barry Gutierrez said in a statement. Pangilinan, who was campaign manager of the opposition senatorial candidates Otso Diretso, resigned following the impending loss of the entire slate in last week's midterm elections. He said he would take full responsibility for the crushing defeat. "As campaign manager for the Otso Diretso slate, I was unable to ensure our victory in the elections and I therefore assume full responsibility for the outcome and hold myself primarily accountable for this defeat," he said in a statement on Tuesday. Liberal Party Vice Chairman Franklin Drilon said there is no reason for Pangilinan to resign as there is no clamor within the party. He added Pangilinan agreed to attend the caucus of the Liberal Party after the proclamation of the incoming senators and party-list groups. The Commission on Elections has yet to proclaim the 12 senatorial candidates that won in the polls. But the partial, official tally shows that the only Otso Diretso candidate who may have a slim chance of making it to the Magic 12 winner is Bam Aquino, who is hovering in 14th place. Related: Villar still leading with only 2 remaining COCs to be tallied Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that it's "commendable" that Pangilinan is accepting the opposition's defeat. At a Glance Experts Rating Pros Great speeds Ad and tracker blocking built-in Unlimited simultaneous device connections Cons Desktop app could be better Our Verdict Surfshark is a VPN newcomer that debuted in 2018, and its already off to a strong start with speedy servers, a promise that Netflix will work, and multi-hop connections. The companys desktop app needs a little work, but theres a a lot here to please most users. Best Prices Today Retailer Price Delivery Surfshark $84.00 View Every time you turn around theres a new VPN service wanting to protect your web browsing. A recent newcomer is Surfshark, which debuted in 2018. Based in the British Virgin Islands, with most of its team scattered around Europe and elsewhere, Surfshark is already offering a fair amount for its fee. The company has more than 500 servers in 49 country locations. It promises to let you watch Netflix U.S. (as well as France and Japan for that matter), and it has extra features such as multi-hop VPN connections, ad and tracker blocking, and unlimited simultaneous devices. Sounds like a good one, but is the product as good as its stats suggest? Lets take a look. Note: This review is part of our best VPNs roundup. Go there for details about competing products and how we tested them. Surfshark for macOS Security, software, servers, and speed Surshark uses IKEv2/IPsec as its security protocol. For encryption and authentication it uses the following: Data encryption: 256 bit AES-GCM 256 bit AES-GCM Data authentication: SHA-512 SHA-512 Handshake: Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman 521 The company is based in the British Virgin Islands in Road Town, which is on the Island of Tortola. Surfsharks CEO goes by the name Par Kaz, and the CTO is Magnus Steinberg. Surfsharks macOS app is available via direct download from the companys site, or via the Mac App Store. For those interested in getting the latest version with all the newest features, direct download from the companys site is probably best. If youre more interested in using Apples built-in security mechanisms to install apps, stick with the App Store. When you first open Surfshark you get a very basic two-panel window. On the left is a list of all the various country locations. Click one, and the app connects automatically. To disconnect, click the button on the right panel. Surfsharks MultiHop feature is also accessible from the left panel via a tab at the top. MultiHop connects to two different VPN locations before hitting the open internet. There were eight different MultiHop options at this writing. Surfshark with an active connection. Once youre connected the right-hand panel doesnt do muchit hosts a Disconnect button and an animated Surfshark logo. When youre connected the logo turns green, and the panel displays the country youre connected to and your new IP address. Thats a lot of wasted space if you ask me, but at least its easy to navigate. Select the settings cog in the upper-right of the window to see the apps options. By default, the internet kill switch is enabled so if the VPN connection unexpectedly drops it cuts internet access to your MacBook. You can also enable the CleanWeb feature for ad and tracker blocking. Surfshark had some really great speeds in most locations, with the United States, UK, and Germany all registering 20-30Mbps on a connection where the non-VPN base speed was 85-90Mbps. Australia was pretty good with double-digit results, while Japan was weak. In my tests, I was able to access Netflix using a U.S. VPN connection. Pricing Surfsharks MultiHop feature. Surfsharks best pricing option is its 24-month plan, which comes out to $84 total. The one-year subscription is $72, and the month-to-month price is $12. As is typical for VPN services, the month-to-month plan is overpriced to convince you to commit to a longer term. Its one-year plan is a little on the high side, but not by a whole lot as the norm is about $60making the two-year plan the best value overall. Despite its higher annual cost (if you go for a single year), you get quite a lot. The best feature is probably unlimited devices, as most VPN services limit you to five. Surfshark also guarantees usage with Netflix, and it has a bunch of other extras such as ad and tracker blocking, and multi-hop for those interested in additional obfuscation. Bottom line Surfshark is a very good service with enough features to justify its higher cost, and some great speeds. The exotic business location is a bit much for me personally, but I know a lot of users get nervous about VPNs based within the Fourteen Eyes countries. Id like to see the company add their team bios and company address to the about page, but overall Surfshark is off to a great start. Editors note: Because online services are often iterative, gaining new features and performance improvements over time, this review is subject to change in order to accurately reflect the current state of the service. Any changes to text or our final review verdict will be noted at the top of this article. The Turkish Patent and Trademark Office has ruled that a third party attempt to register an imitation of the Johnnie Walker logo for use in the fashion and textile sector may dilute the logo. In a recent case, Diageo Brands opposed the trademark application no. 2018/20205 covering classes 18, 25, 26 and 35, based on i) similarity with registered and well-known Johnnie Walker logos and the special edition Jane Walker logo ii) violation of copyright, and iii) bad faith. Although the opposition was rejected by the office in the first instance, Diageo successfully appealed the decision, and the board decided on total refusal of the opposed application on January 30 2019. Firstly, the board concluded that the opposed logo is confusingly similar to the registered and renowned Johnnie Walker logo because minor differences such as gender of the logo, type of hat, shoes, glasses, hair etc. do not create distinctiveness and differentiate the trademarks from each other. Secondly, the board suggested that the application was filed in bad faith because the evidence shows that the news regarding Jane Walker was published on Turkish websites and the publication date is close to the application date of the opposed mark. Finally, the board concluded that registration and use of the opposed mark may harm the distinctive character and reputation of the well-known Johnnie Walker logo and also cause its dilution, even though the opposed mark covers different goods and services. This decision has a significant impact on trademarks composed of words and figurative elements because the board concluded that figurative elements of trademarks must be examined by themselves, separately from word elements and that conceptual similarity and serial mark impression must be considered over the gender difference of the human figures covered by the trademarks. In addition, this is a landmark decision determining the scope of protection required for well-known trademarks and demonstrates that the board has changed its strict approach when it comes to well-known trademarks, at least those with long-lasting and extensive use both in Turkey and also around the world. Despite its recent decisions, the board accepted in this case that although well-known status arises in a certain sector, well-known trademarks will be protected for all goods and services when there is possible dilution and harm to reputation. Dicle Dogan Begum Soydan Gun + Partners Kore Sehitleri Cad. 17 Zincirlikuyu 34394 Istanbul, Turkey Tel: + (90) (212) 354 00 00 Fax: + (90) (212) 274 20 95 gun@gun.av.tr gun.av.tr The material on this site is for law firms, companies and other IP specialists. It is for information only. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Notice before using the site. All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws. 2021 Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC. For help please see our FAQs. Share this article In Universal Standard Inc. v Target Corp. (S.D.N.Y., No. 18 Civ. 6042), the US District Court for the Southern District of New York addressed the question of whether sharing attorney-client privileged communications with a public relations firm destroys that privilege. The court found that Universal Standard waived the privilege by including its public relations firm, BrandLink, in emails discussing strategy related to the lawsuit. By way of background, Universal Standard is a "size-inclusive clothing brand," owning a federally-registered 'Universal Standard' trademark. Universal Standard sued Target for trademark infringement and unfair competition, alleging that Target wilfully infringed upon the Universal Standard mark by offering for sale its own line of women's clothing called 'Universal Thread,' and allegedly using Universal Standard's brand concept. Universal Standard claimed that individuals would mistake Target's line of clothing for the "genuine high-quality Universal Standard products," damaging its reputation. Target had raised questions about the content of specific emails, and, in response, counsel for Universal Standard asserted that the emails were privileged. Target disagreed, arguing (i) that Universal Standard waived any privilege as to the emails by failing adequately to describe the communications on its initial privilege log; (ii) that any attorney-client privilege was waived when the documents were voluntarily "disclosed to third-party BrandLink"; and (iii) that the communications are not protected attorney work-product. Rejecting various arguments made by Universal Standard where third-party disclosure did not waive privilege, the court concluded that that the communications at issue were not protected by the attorney-client privilege. The court explained that information shared with a third party with specialised knowledge required to facilitate understanding between attorney and client (e.g. an accountant or translator) can preserve the attorney-client privilege. However, in the matter at hand, the emails involved public relations strategy regarding the lawsuit, which Universal Standard could have relayed directly to attorneys without the need for BrandLink's assistance. The court also found that the emails were not protected by the work product doctrine, because according to the court, Universal Standard provided only a "conclusory" argument that the emails were documents prepared in anticipation of litigation. This case serves as a reminder to be thoughtful about who is included in communications between client and counsel. Karen Artz Ash Jerry Jakubovic Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP 575 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10022-2585 United States Tel: +1 212 940 8554 Fax: +1 212 940 8671 The material on this site is for law firms, companies and other IP specialists. It is for information only. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Notice before using the site. All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws. 2021 Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC. For help please see our FAQs. Share this article In the decision Scheinwerferbeluftungssystem (X ZR 16/17), the German Federal Court of Justice was concerned with the issue of claim interpretation in terms of prior art described in the patent. As a general principle, highlighted in the decision, it must be considered for claim interpretation that a patent with its teaching seeks to delimit itself from prior art described therein. In particular, if the content of a state of the art description is equated with the preamble of a patent claim, the features of the characterising portion must, in case of doubt, not be construed as being part of the subject matter of the state of the art from which they shall differ. Such claim interpretation finds its legal basis in the second sentence of paragraph 14 of the German Patent Act (corresponding to Article 69(1) EPC), hence "the description [] shall be used to interpret the claims". Prior art described in the patent has also been considered in claim interpretation in several previous decisions of the German Federal Court of Justice (e.g. BGH X ZR 37/76 - Stromwandler, BGH X ZR 45/85 - Befestigungsvorrichtung, BGH X ZR 25/06 - Insassenschutzsystemsteuereinheit). The interpretation rule developed in the present decision (the patent seeks to delimit itself from the prior art described therein) seems therefore to be in line with prior Supreme Court case law. According to the reasoning of the present decision, this interpretation rule seems to be derived from a principle set forth in a decision of the High Court of England and Wales (RPC 1995, 705; GRUR Int. 1997, 373ff., in extracts). The present decision was made in patent nullity proceedings. Thus, a claim interpretation, applying the principles developed in the present decision, might be possibly in favour of the patent owner. A narrower interpretation of the claimed subject matter might lead to a delimitation from the state of the art cited by an opponent. At the same time, it is logical that that the interpretation rule employed in the present decision might be applicable to claim interpretation in infringement proceedings. In the worst case scenario for a patent owner, applying the interpretation principles employed in the present decision could lead to a narrower scope of protection and even exclude infringing matter. Admittedly, the foregoing scenarios are extreme ones. Moreover, the interpretation rule is only applicable when there is doubt. It is therefore unlikely to be sensible to draw general conclusions from this decision about the extent of acknowledging prior art when drafting a patent application or during the examination proceedings, since it is impossible to predict if one of the aforementioned scenarios will occur. Martin Trautmann The material on this site is for law firms, companies and other IP specialists. It is for information only. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Notice before using the site. All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws. 2021 Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC. For help please see our FAQs. Share this article Elisenhof, Elisenstr 3D-80335, Munich, GermanyTel: +49 89 74 72 660 Fax: +49 89 77 64 24 info@maiwald.eu www.maiwald.eu To the editor: A few years ago, I retired from a career as a long-haul trucker. During that time I often saw, scrawled on bathroom walls, the words "I LOVE TO HATE." The words were often adorned with a swastika. When Americans voted for Donald Trump, many did so from the fear of becoming outnumbered by the growing tide of people (usually brown and black) fleeing successive years of drought and crop failures resulting from climate change, accompanied by war, crime and famine. President Trump may not believe in climate change, but he certainly has a knack for capitalizing on fear and whipping that fear into hate. Hatred of the "other": Hispanics, Muslims, homosexuals, transsexuals, Jews, Democrats, reporters ... the list seems endless yet growing. Of course, President Trump's hate speech plays well with Neo-Nazis and Klansmen, as the soaring body-count attests. But how do evangelical Christians reconcile the teachings of Jesus, such as "do unto others ..." and "judge not ...", with their adoration for President Trump's abhorrent behavior as a human being? A devout Christian couple, whom I hold as dear friends, were visiting during the height of President Trump's family separation atrocity. During our discussion of what should be done with the children, who were at the time being held in cages, my Christian friends were actually open to the idea of gassing the kids like stray dogs. Sounds disturbingly familiar. The early Christian philosopher St. Augustine wrote that he believed the Bible didn't mean the Antichrist to be a given person but, rather, a type of person: a person who wears religious trinkets and performs religious rituals but who doesn't actually hold to the values taught by Jesus. My Christian visitors tried to argue they could follow both Jesus and Trump. Can they? Can a Christian truly "love to hate"? Maybe not, but it would make a lovely bumper sticker. MIKE LYMAN Martinsville Boston police on Tuesday released video of an attack in South Boston and are asking for help in identifying the suspects. Officers responded to E. Third Street around 1:15 a.m. on May 12 for a report of an assault. On arrival, officers spoke to the victim who stated that he was kicked and punched by two individuals after a verbal confrontation regarding loud noise, according to police. The victim described one suspect as a white male with blonde hair, about 6 feet tall, wearing a black shirt and blue jeans. The second suspect was described as a white male with black hair, wearing a black polo shirt and blue jeans. Police released surveillance footage showing a portion of the attack. The victim was taken to an area hospital for treatment. Anyone with information is asked to call Boston police at 617-343-4742. The Family Independence Initiative, citing census data, notes that 75 percent of families living below the poverty line rise above it within four years, but fast-forward another five years and half of those families slip back into poverty. But what if the answer wasnt just food stamps or housing vouchers, but giving poor families a chance to spend money however they see fit and letting them build a network that could help them through the process? Google.org and the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance are betting on it. The three organizations announced on Monday a three-year pilot program that would enroll 400 families in the institutes network, where they received funding and work with neighbors to stretch those dollars as far as possible in hopes of lifting one another out of poverty. Google.org, the internet giants philanthropic arm, has already donated $2.5 million to the Oakland-based nonprofit, but on Monday it pledged $1 million for the 400 families. Thats roughly $2,500 per family. The pilot will involve at least 100 families from Cambridge and at least 200 families receiving Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children, the state and federally funded public assistance program offered to unemployed families by DTA. We all experience changes in our lives and with our families, said Jessica Taubner, the Family Independence Initiatives Boston director. Those changes might not fit neatly in the little boxes that our systems create for us, whether its DTA or the public education system. Its what we talk about a lot in our meetings: How do we create systems that are more flexible and responding to real life? While Massachusetts has seen strong economic growth, census figures from 2018 show that 10.5 percent of the states 6.9 million people live below the poverty line, or more than $74,167. Among the greatest concerns for middle- and low-class families in the Greater Boston area is constantly rising rents amid the regions housing crisis and gaps in the transportation funding. Jeff McCue, head of DTA, said the biggest hurdle some employees face when they start new jobs is securing reliable transportation and making childcare arrangements. DTA officials work with employers to work with employees struggling with childcare and transportation, McCue said. But he said the Family Independence Initiative offers more flexible funding and lets clients leverage their own skills to help each other. The Family Independence Initiative says the participating families monthly increase has increased on average 27 percent, and FII saw a 36 percent decrease in public subsidies such as food stamps and TANF. Heres how it works: A family recruits six to eight friends and neighbors to join the initiative. They enroll in a two-year partnership that starts with a social networking site called UpTogether.org. Each family fills out a long, survey on the website detailing their financial history, as well as their educational and social assets. The family gets an Initiative score, also known as a hustle score, similar to a credit score but with details on a familys health, community ties and other assets. These individuals can list themselves as experts in a particular subject area and look for experts within their community. Individuals are identified as experts in certain areas, and families report how theyre helping one another, whether theyre giving people rides to work, babysitting, financial advice or other skills that can help the group save money in the long run. Each family receives up to $3,200 over the two years that they can withdraw through the website, and theyre asked to share how they plan to use the money. Unlike in government assistance programs, families can use the funds for whatever they see fit, whether theyre paying a loan, getting their car repaired, covering medical bills or sending their child to summer camp. After two years, the families dont have access to more funding, but they can continue to use UpTogether.org to journal and work with their network. Jessica Taubner, the Greater Boston Director of the Family Independence Initiative, discusses the launch of the three-year pilot program.Family Independence Initiative The idea stemmed from a conversation between founder Mauricio Lim Miller and then-Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown about how to help lift people out of poverty. He told the New York Times didnt have a concrete answer, but he said his mother worked hard so he could be successful and that other mothers and fathers might have the answers. McCue, head of DTA, said he sits with a group of clients every month and hears them exchange budgeting tips or updates on low-cost transportation options. He said that families know best how to manage their money, even when theyve fallen on hard times and need public assistance. Where the Family Independence Initiative and Google come in is with offering funding that can cover any unexpected bill that could knock a working person right off their feet. What we find often is that people land jobs and they have enough funding to be able to secure those jobs. Theyre kind of ramping up on their jobs, and something goes wrong with the car, theres ... some special needs for their kids at their school, theres a requirement to buy a uniform at work, something like that." One of the family liaisons, Marisol Tejera-Velazquez of Boston Public Schools, said the initiatives network is a game-changer that could have helped her when she needed public assistance. In 2011, she was juggling work full-time in Boston and classes part-time at Roxbury Community College studying counseling and psychology when her son was about to start kindergarten. As she recalls, her boss wouldnt let move up her 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. shift when her son started school. Her mother had recently died, and she didnt have other close relatives who could take care of him. I had to give my two weeks notice, and thats what was the reality for me, she said, leaving her job of five years. Making sure your children are OK, that they can get to school OK, that they can get on and off the bus OK that was top priority for me at the time, and I didnt have all the resources at the time. She enrolled in school full-time and moved in with her dad while her son attended school. She received food stamps from DTA for a semester until she secured a job with Boston Public Schools. Its really, really big that I could envision this partnership with DTA to be a much stronger resources and keeping the families connected, she said, [Its] not just going in with your paperwork and receiving the benefits, but a continued relationship where benefits could be something more than just food stamps. Family members identified the 13-year-old girl, who was brought to a Lawrence hospital Monday and shortly after was pronounced dead, as Chloe Ricard, according to multiple reports. Her death is under investigation by the Essex District Attorneys office, Lawrence Police and state police, authorities said. Ricard, of Amesbury, was brought to the hospital at 4:47 p.m. Monday. The district attorneys office originally stated the young girl was dead when she arrived at the hospital, but on Tuesday, said she was pronounced dead. From what one of the police officers said at the hospital, she was brought in and dumped at the hospital. They said she was lifeless. No pulse, no nothing, they just drove in and dropped her off, Ricards stepfather, Brian Dolan told Boston 25 News. She didnt even have a pulse when they pushed her out of the car. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner was scheduled to perform an autopsy Tuesday, but investigators expect it will take some time before there is a ruling on the cause and manner of death. Chloe was a great kid she was pretty smart. She was bright. She was beautiful, Dolan told WCVB. Just the wrong place with the wrong people. Two teens have been arrested in connection with a May 13 shooting incident in Cambridge. Cambridge police said Tuesday that two 15-year-old boys, who have not been named because they are juveniles, both face several charges in connection with the shooting. One teen is from Boston and the other is from West Roxbury. Police patrolling Central Square on May 13 around 5:54 p.m. heard gunshots in the area. A group of young males were then reportedly seen fleeing the area, police said. No one was struck by the gunfire during the incident. Officers were able to stop one male on Green Street and took him to the police station for questioning. Investigators found two shell casings in the area. Prior to the shooting, two groups of teenage males were seen convening in the area of Pearl Street and Massachusetts Avenue, police said. All individuals involved were identified by the Cambridge, Boston and Northeastern Police after the Cambridge police were able to obtain, review and circulate surveillance images from area businesses with local law enforcement partners. Both teens were arrested Tuesday morning at their homes. The Boston teenager faces several charges including armed assault to murder, carrying a loaded firearm without a license and other gun charges. The West Roxbury teenager faces charges of carrying a firearm without a license and accessory after the fact. They will both be arraigned in juvenile court. I am very pleased that our officers quickly identified and arrested the young men responsible for this senseless violence, said Police Commissioner Branville G. Bard Jr. This was a brazen act and we were fortunate that nobody was injured. This type of behavior is not acceptable in our community and, as we have demonstrated, we wont rest until we identify who is responsible for these troubling acts. SPRINGFIELD Barings, the investment management arm of Springfields MassMutual, is closing its Springfield location in Tower Square. The move has cleared the way for another insurance company, Wellfleet, to move in. Barings has been relocating employees away from Springfield since it opened a headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2016, said spokeswoman Kelly Smith in an email Monday. She offered no further detail about when the Springfield office would finally close. Barings is a $303 billion global financial services firm. MassMutual formed it in 2016, merging several of its investment subsidiaries including Babson Capital Management. About two years ago, in July 2017, Barings had about 250 employees in Tower Square. MassMutual itself has 40 employees in Tower Square, spokesman Michael McNamara said Monday. It had about 150 employees there in the summer of 2017. In June of 2017, MassMutual announced plans to sell Tower Square, including the 28-floor office tower, mall, hotel, parking garage and Steiger Park across Main Street. The following year a group of investors Vid Mitta, of Lexington, Dinesh Patel, of East Longmeadow, and Rohit Patel and Kamlesh Patel, of Maine bought the hotel for $10.5 million and the office tower, mall, parking decks and park in a separate $7 million deal. On Monday, those new owners and Wellfleet, an insurance company owned by Warren Buffets Berkshire Hathaway, announced that Wellfleet is moving into Tower Square space now rented to Barings on floors 10, 11 and 12. Mitta said there are plans for Wellfleet, which has offices on Roosevelt Avenue in Springfield, to take more space as it grows its Springfield workforce from the 150 people it has now to about 300 employees. That could include floors nine and 14, which is listed as MassMutuals reception area on building directories. Tower Square has no 13th floor. Wellfleet, founded here in 1993, provides health and accident insurance products to the higher education market. Mitta said MassMutual and Barings have leases in the tower that both run out in about 10 months, or in March of 2020. "I'm working with both of them on their leases," he said. And thats as far as he would go speculating about MassMutuals future in the tower that, until last year, bore the MassMutual name. Patel said he and his partners are focused on bringing in tenants. He pointed to recent deals with the YMCA of Greater Springfield, which will move its fitness and child care centers into the Tower Square mall in August, and White Lion Brewing, which is building a production plant and tasting room in the old Spaghetti Freddys space on the first floor. Other new arrivals include law firms OConnell, Attmore & Morris and Nicolai Law Group and office tenant Prodigy Associates. The mall recently got a cellphone store, and the new owners are looking for more restaurants and a pack-and-ship store. MassMutual is continuing with its consolidation plan, one that garnered $46 million in tax incentives from the state in February 2018. Overall, its a $300 million expansion project for MassMutual whereby the Springfield-based insurance giant promised to to bring 2,000 jobs to Massachusetts over the next four years. That includes 1,500 jobs coming to the State Street headquarters MassMutual refers to as its home office. McNamara said MassMutual has added approximately 400 employees there over the past year. MassMutual also plans to add 500 jobs at a new Boston campus on Fan Pier. The Boston office is designed to attract the type of young, urban talent MassMutual feels it needs in order to grow. In February of 2018, MassMutual said it planned to close offices in Enfield as well as Memphis, Tennessee; Charlotte, North Carolina; Somerset, New Jersey; and Johnstown, Pennsylvania. MassMutual has not yet begun moving employees out of Enfield, an office complex the company has on the market with an undisclosed asking price. SPRINGFIELD The City Council on Monday approved a special permit for Balise Auto Group that paves the way for a new Mazda dealership in the South End. The more than $6 million project was strongly praised by city officials and neighborhood representatives. The special permit, approved by unanimous vote, will allow the sale of new and used cars, repairs and maintenance, painting and body work, and car leasing. Im glad the City Council felt the way we did, Balise Auto CEO Jeb Balise said after the vote. Its good for our business, but more importantly to me is that it really now enhances an area of the South End that was really in disrepair and not keeping up with the neighborhood. The site is approximately 2.6 acres, and is bordered by Main Street, York Street, East Columbus Avenue and Broad Street. The city Planning Department, in its analysis report, said the project represents a significant investment along this section of East Columbus Avenue/Main Street that also serves as a gateway to the South End neighborhood and downtown. Balise Auto Group, which has been a fixture in the South End since 1929, invested $4.7 million to purchase additional property since April of 2016 to provide space for the dealership and related businesses. Following completion of the dealership in 2020, Balise plans to to demolish its existing Mazda dealership at 635 Riverdale St. in West Springfield and build a Kia dealership in its place. The Springfield project will result in 38 new jobs, Jeb Balise said. Some buildings have been demolished, and other razing or partial razing will occur, he said. City Councilor Melvin Edwards, of Ward 3, said the project will benefit the neighborhood and the city. Balise has been a good neighbor to the South End and to the city of Springfield, Edwards said. Ward 2 Councilor Michael Fenton said he appreciates Balises commitment to the city, and were excited about your project. At-Large Councilor Jesse Lederman called it impressive. Shane Milette, vice president of the South End Citizens Council, said the group supports the project and appreciates everything Balise has done for the neighborhood. The group is confident the Balise project is going to be a good fit for our neighborhood, Milette said. There was no public opposition at Mondays hearing. SPRINGFIELD Gov. Charlie Baker said Tuesday that talk about the potential sale of the Encore Boston Harbor casino to MGM is just that talk with no changes in ownership possible without the approvals of the host communities, Springfield and Everett. We dont want to see anything happen with respect to either MGMs position here or Wynns position in Everett that creates a significant disruption for either community, Baker said. I mean people put a lot of time, effort, money, resources and lost opportunity into ensuring that both the MGM casino in Springfield would go up and be operational and that the Wynn facility would go up. People are going to expect those commitments are honored. On Friday, MGM Resorts International and Wynn Resorts confirmed the companies were in talks about a potential sale of Wynns $2.6 billion casino in Everett. If MGM were to buy Encore Boston Harbor, it would be forced to sell the MGM Springfield casino. State gaming laws bar any company from owning more than one casino in Massachusetts. And under a host community agreement between MGM Springfield and the city, MGM cant change ownership without the city of Springfields permission which is also the case in Everett where the Wynn casino is set to open in the coming weeks, Baker said. Any changes in ownership also require approval from the state Gaming Commission, Baker said. Baker said the primary interest of the state is the thousands of people who work at MGM Springfield and the thousands who will work at Wynn and what those operations mean to both communities. The states concerns have been shared with those communities and the Gaming Commission, Baker said. Baker spoke about the issue during a visit to Springfield for the dedication ceremony of Tommys Home, a home provided to the family of a Springfield veteran in honor of the late Gunnery Sgt. Thomas L. Sullivan. SPRINGFIELD Aspiring cardiologist Pauline Nizeyimana is one of 30 students in a chemistry class at Central High School, so she and her classmates have a hard time getting extra help from the teacher. In Chicopee, Madison Hartling is one of 37 students in an Advanced Placement English class. She and her classmates have learned how to turn on broken computers by sticking the end of a pencil in the hole where the start button should be and twisting it around with the hopes it will connect. When Gladys Francos first-grade daughter struggled to learn to read, she was able to get extra help. But other children in her Springfield elementary school had to wait because there were not enough reading specialists to go around. Recently hundreds of teachers, parents and students from Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee, Southampton, Northampton, West Springfield, Longmeadow, Ludlow and other communities gathered at Springfield City Hall to call on legislators to adopt the Cherish and Promise Acts, which would increase funding for public schools and colleges by $1 billion to $2 billion across the state. The bills are based on recommendations from a committee that reviewed the 25-year-old formula that sets state aid to schools. They would increase money in underfunded areas of employee health insurance, special education and programs for children who are learning English. They also would raise funding for districts with more low-income children. Teachers also gathered for rallies in Pittsfield and at the Statehouse in Boston for a day of action to support the Fund our Future campaign. Our children cant wait. This is the social justice issue of our time, said Maureen Colgan Posner, president of the Springfield Education Association. Springfield students said they feel cheated, saying their schools are not offering the same programs high schools in wealthier communities can. "The reality is that our schools in Springfield don't have what we need to compete with students in other towns with more resources," Nizeyimana said. "I have two younger brothers. They deserve every educational opportunity that students in wealthier communities get." The Fund our Future campaign also calls for an increase in funding for state colleges to prevent tuition from rising and make it easier for students to concentrate on classes. Students at Holyoke Community College are working as much as 60 hours a week while going to school. Some face homelessness, struggle to feed themselves and come to class too tired to focus, said Stephanie Marcotte, who teaches at the college. When we underfund these institutions, we arent giving our students their best chance, she said. SPRINGFIELD Eighteen companies and vendors submitted formal proposals to open marijuana businesses in Springfield by Mondays 2 p.m. deadline. Several of the companies have already publicized their plans and held community outreach meetings; others have not yet held meetings or revealed their proposed locations. A city committee will review and rank the proposals after the citys Office of Planning and Economic Development determines whether proposed locations meet city zoning requirements. Theo Theocles, the citys deputy director of procurement, said he thought there would be fewer submissions. Im very surprised, Theocles said after the deadline. I didnt think we would receive that many proposals. City officials said they believe some of the companies are proposing more than one site. But officials did not comment Monday on specific proposals or details including proposed locations pending the internal review. Theocles said the city is releasing the names of businesses submitting proposals, but is keeping other details confidential during the review in an effort to provide a fair and equitable review process of the applicants. While the city may deviate from that process if necessary, officials conducted the opening of bids according to regulations on requests for proposals under the state procurement law. Theocles said under that law the register of businesses submitting proposals only becomes a public document after all technical proposals are reviewed. The review committee is made up of several department heads and representatives, and City Councilor Tracye Whitfield. The committee will forward its recommendations to Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, who is scheduled to announce the selection of up to four companies on June 17 to negotiate host community agreements with the city in the first phase of the selection process. The following businesses submitted proposals: 311 Page Blvd., LLC, proposed for 311 Page Boulevard. Springfield Buds, location not confirmed. Cannaworld/Cannamundo Inc., at 1685 Boston Road. Green Rush, LLC, at 770 Main St., South End. TDMA Springfield LLC, doing business as Diem Cannabis, at 1665 Main St., downtown. Mass Alternative Care, Inc., site at 459 Main St., Indian Orchard. Debilitating Medical Condition Treatment Center Inc., site not confirmed. INSA, Inc., 1200 West Columbus Ave. American Leaf Company Inc./American Leaf MA LLC, 1755 Boston Road. Alphonzia Jacobs Jr., site not confirmed. Holistic Industries, Inc., site not confirmed The Greenery FCCC, LLC, at 1620 State St. Springfield Cannabis Company, at 732 Cottage St. Springfield Strain LLC, at 711 Boston Road. New England Cannabis Corporation Inc., at 143 Main St., Indian Orchard. Boston Bud Factory, at 67 Allen St. 6 Bricks LLC, at 250 Albany St. Hampshire Hemp LLC., at 299 Page Boulevard., Tree Market, 1373 Main St. The review committee will evaluate proposals based on factors that include: project description; location; design and construction; public health and safety; management and business operations; equity (diversity, economic empowerment, other factors); and community outreach and cooperation. The City Council approved a zoning ordinance last September that allows up to 15 retail marijuana stores to open in Springfield, restricted to business and industrial zones. The stores are limited to 58 streets within those zones. The host community agreements need approval from the mayor and council. In addition, companies will need special permits from the council and a license from the state Cannabis Control Commission. SPRINGFIELD The citys decision to extend the deadline for proposals for marijuana retail stores in Springfield, due to a website mixup, spelled relief for a number of companies yesterday. It was not immediately known how many companies missed the intended deadline at 2 p.m. Monday. The city said the confusion was related to a city Law Department webpage incorrectly saying the deadline was 5 p.m. The city is extending the deadline to 2 p.m. Wednesday, a 48-hour extension, said Theo Theocles, the citys deputy procurement officer. Ezra Parzybok, a consultant for two proposed marijuana sites in Springfield, was among the late arrivers at City Hall on Monday, and praised the city for the extension on Tuesday. The fear of multiple companies being disqualified existed, but the city acted fairly, he said. Parzybok represents two companies: Bay State Canna Holdings LLC, proposing a marijuana business at the former Russells Restaurant at 461 Boston Road, and Hennep Inc., proposing a marijuana shop at 15 Hampden St. downtown. Both proposals were submitted about 4 p.m. Monday, and now count as being in on time, he said. I am happy that the city extended the timeline because I feel the teams should compete in the marketplace and not complete for the right to open, Parzybok said. I feel that all the projects are going to be a great benefit to the communities. Another company that was initially considered late was Primus Cannabis Group LLC, proposing to open a marijuana store at 666 State St., McKnight. Company manager Lamont Clemons praised the city for extending the deadline. Fortunately, the city was extremely accommodating, Clemons said. Were happy we have an opportunity to compete in the process. The city will initially verify if the proposals submitted comply with the citys zoning ordinance. Then, a city internal review committee consisting of city department heads and City Councilor Tracye Whitfield will evaluate and rank all proposals, with recommendations forwarded to Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. Sarno said he anticipates selecting up to four companies for the first phase of new marijuana stores in Springfield. Those companies will negotiate host community agreements with the city that will need approval from Sarno and the City Council. SPRINGFIELD The city, after receiving proposals from 19 companies seeking to open marijuana businesses in Springfield, has granted a 48-hour extension for additional bids due to deadline confusion blamed on a city webpage. Proposals were due on Monday by 2 p.m., but the deadline is now extended to Wednesday at 2 p.m., said Theo G. Theocles, the citys deputy procurement officer. The decision was made to extend the deadline due to objections raised by some companies that thought Mondays deadline was 5 p.m., Theocles said. The time had been changed by the city from 5 p.m. to 2 p.m. weeks ago, but that time change was never updated on the Springfield Law Department webpage, creating confusion for some companies, he said. Multiple proposers came after the deadline of 2 p.m., under the assumption it was still 5 p.m., Theocles said. The city took a look at the circumstances, as information was not properly updated on the website, and made the decision to extend the deadline out of fairness to potential proposers. The decision to extend the deadline was made jointly by the mayors office, Law Department and Office of Procurement, Theocles said. The city initially reported 18 companies had submitted proposals, and then said one proposal was accidentally missing from the proposer list, bringing the official number to 19. The names of the companies that tried filing past the 2 p.m. deadline are not being released until after the Wednesday deadline, Theocles said. He also did not release the names of companies that believed they had until 5 p.m. to file proposals. Theocles said he is not yet aware of any company objecting to the 48-hour extension of bids. The Law Department webpage was not updated with four addenda that occurred during the request for proposal process, Theocles said. One addendum was the time change to 2 p.m, and another was expanding the days for voluntary public presentations from two days to three days, Theocles said. The presentations took place earlier this month. The following businesses submitted proposals by the initial deadline on Monday: 311 Page Blvd LLC, 311 Page Blvd. Springfield Buds, location not confirmed Cannaworld/Cannamundo Inc., 1685 Boston Road Green Rush LLC, 770 Main St., South End TDMA Springfield LLC, doing business as Diem Cannabis, 1665 Main St., downtown Mass Alternative Care Inc., 459 Main St., Indian Orchard Debilitating Medical Condition Treatment Center Inc., site not confirmed INSA Inc., 1200 West Columbus Ave. American Leaf Company Inc./American Leaf MA LLC, 1755 Boston Road Alphonzia Jacobs Jr., site not confirmed Holistic Industries Inc., site not confirmed The Greenery FCCC LLC, 1620 State St. Springfield Cannabis Co., 732 Cottage St. Springfield Strain LLC, 711 Boston Road New England Cannabis Corporation Inc., 143 Main St., Indian Orchard Boston Bud Factory, 67 Allen St. 6 Bricks LLC, 250 Albany St. Hampshire Hemp LLC, 299 Page Blvd, Tree Market, 1373 Main St. The city has a review committee, consisting of various department heads and City Councilor Tracye Whitfield, that will evaluate all proposals received by Wednesdays deadline. Those recommendations will be forwarded to Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, who will select companies for negotiations of host community agreements needed to open shops. Sarno has stated plans to select up to four companies in the first phase of approvals. A city ordinance permits up to 15 marijuana shops on designated streets in business and industrial zones. A shooting over a drug debt in a home in Hyannis lead to the arrest of 11 people accused of being involved in a wide-ranging heroin conspiracy on Cape Cod. Law enforcement arrested the accused leader, Edwin Otero, 29, of Hyannis and 10 co-defendants on Monday, charging them with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute heroin, according to Christina DiLorio-Sterling, spokeswoman for U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling. The 11 are accused of distributing large quantities of heroin and other drugs throughout Cape Cod and in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Many of the communities there have been hard-hit by the opioid epidemic, she said. Federal, state and local law enforcement began investigating Otero in 2018. Then on May 8, Otero and two defendants are believed to have been involved in a shooting over a drug debt owed by Krymeii Frey, 23, of Hyannis. Frey is one of the 11 charged in the drug sweep, she said. Law enforcement executed multiple search warrants on Monday and recovered heroin, drug paraphernalia and three unlawful guns and ammunition, including a 9 mm assault-style weapon, she said. The other nine arrested are: Justin Joseph, 32, and Anthony Basilici, 35, both of Pawtucket, Rhode Island; Vinicius Zangrande, 35, of Centerville; Ronny Baams, 37, of South Yarmouth; Eric Brando, 27, of Osterville; Joshua Johnson, 31, of Mashpee; and Brooke Cotell, 25, Tony Johnson, 35 and Kimberly Lopes, 49, all of Hyannis, she said. If convicted the defendants could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, she said. Multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in the case including the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Barnstable Police, she said. Three people who overdosed on marijuana edibles collapsed in an Edgartown restaurant and had to be taken to the hospital for treatment. The initial call to police and emergency medical crews requested help for a 60-year-old woman who fainted. When officers arrived, two women and a man were all semi-conscious and were lying on the floor, according to the Marthas Vineyard Times. All three people were visiting from Pennsylvania and told police they had tried marijuana edibles for the first time. They were taken to Marthas Vineyard Hospital by ambulance Friday night, Edgartown Police Chief Bruce McNamee told the Times. Marijuana overdoses can cause extreme confusion, anxiety, paranoia, panic, a fast heart rate, delusions or hallucinations, increased blood pressure, and severe nausea or vomiting. A fatal overdose is unlikely, according to the Centers for Disease Control. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday after a 13-year-old Amesbury girl was brought to Lawrence General Hospital Monday afternoon and pronounced dead shortly after. Her death is now under investigation by the Essex District Attorneys office, Lawrence Police and state police, authorities said. The girl, who is not being identified because she is underage, was brought to the hospital at 4:47 p.m. Monday. The district attorneys office originally stated the young girl was dead when she arrived at the hospital, but on Tuesday, said she was pronounced dead. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is scheduled to perform an autopsy Tuesday, but investigators expect it will take some time before there is a ruling on the cause and manner of death, Carrie Kimball, a spokeswoman for the Essex District Attorneys office said in a statement. The investigation is active. No one has been arrested. A suspect who allegedly kidnapped and raped a woman at knifepoint in New Bedford last year has been added to the Massachusetts State Polices Most Wanted List." Carlos M. Vizcaino, 33, is a fugitive who police say held a woman in her mid-20s against her will in his car on May 31, 2018. New Bedford Police responded in the early morning hours that day to a report of an unclothed woman running from a car. Police soon discovered the female victim suffering from obvious injuries, state police said. Investigators believe Vizcaino physically and sexually assaulted the woman at knifepoint in his car for several hours overnight, before she escaped from his vehicle and ran toward a strangers car. The stranger called police as Vizcaino fled in his car, according to state police. Warrants are out for the 33-year-olds arrest on charges of armed kidnapping with sexual assault, rape with threat of bodily injury, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. The suspect is believed to be from the Dominican Republic, but he has also claimed origins from Puerto Rico, authorities said. He allegedly has ties to Lynn and Lawrence, as well as people in New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania. A description from state police says Vizcaino is white Hispanic, with black hair and brown eyes. He is 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighs 185 pounds, has scars on his forehead and tattoos on his upper left arm and right shoulder. Vizcaino has used a number of aliases, state police said in a statement, including names such as Luis Castro, Angel Maysonet, Luis Linares and Carlos Vizcano, like his actual last name but without the "i" letter. In various states including Rhode Island and New Hampshire, police have encountered Vizcaino under his alias names due to his use of various licenses, birth dates and social security numbers. State police say Vizcaino has four other Massachusetts warrants tied to motor vehicle violations out of courts in Lynn, Lawrence, Framingham and Plymouth. He was also issued motor vehicle offenses out of a Salem, New Hampshire court under his alias Angel Maysonet. Anyone with information is urged to call 911 or contact the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section at 1-800-KAPTURE (1-800-527-8873). SPRINGFIELD The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield is holding eight information sessions in Western Massachusetts on proposed state legislation that would expand abortion access and is urging parishioners to attend. The first session will be held in Agawam, Wednesday, May 22, at 7 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist parish center, 833 Main St., and comes a month after the states Catholic bishops in a collective statement called the legislation, currently in committee and referred to by its acronym ROE, an egregious attack on human life." Proponents see the proposed changes as legislation reform that will allow women, regardless of any political climate, access to reproductive health care that includes abortion as a procedure between patient and provider and one that may be undertaken later than the second trimester for reasons having to do with a womans health and concerns around a viable pregnancy. Opponents see the changes to current state law, particularly in its regulation of abortion beyond 24 weeks, as harmful to both a woman and the pregnancy. Information available on the diocesan web site says the proposed legislation legalizes post-birth abortion. Even prior to the Massachusetts bishops statement, our diocesan pro-life commission in unison with other area pro-life organizations began working together on preparing and planning information sessions to help educate people on what the so-called ROE legislation entails, Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski said of the sessions. Such efforts are consistent with our Churchs teaching on the sanctity of all human life, and should come as no surprise to anyone. The legislation proposed is An Act to Remove Obstacles and Expand Abortion Access, filed in January by Senate President Emerita Harriette Chandler, D-Worcester, and An Act Removing Obstacles and Expanding Access to Womens Reproductive Health, filed in the House by Representatives Patricia A. Haddad, D-Bristol, and Jay Livingstone, D-Suffolk. It would allow abortions after 24 weeks to be determined by a physicians best medical judgment based on the facts of the patients case and drop the requirement that a minor seeking an abortion have parental or judicial consent. The changes proposed would redefine abortion as any medical treatment intended to induce the termination of a clinically diagnosable pregnancy except for the purpose of producing a live birth, pregnancy as a personal decision the commonwealth shall not interfere with and allow physicians to perform abortion beyond 24 weeks when necessary to protect the patients life or physical or mental health, or in cases of lethal fetal anomalies. Fetal health concerns related to a number of factors, including maternal age, may not be detected until after the first trimester. The changes would replace sections of existing legislation that in essence does not allow for abortion after 24 weeks except to save a womans life, imposes fines and imprisonment for an abortion provider found to be in violation and requires steps be taken to preserve the life and health of the aborted child in a late-term procedure. Less than two percent of abortions in the United States are said to be performed at 21 or more weeks into pregnancy. Informational flyers on the diocesan site refer to the proposed bill as the ROE/Post-Birth Abortion Act and urge people to contact their state representatives to tell them to vote no. The information says changes that would enable late term abortions to be done outside hospitals - Catholic hospitals do not perform abortions - would allow clinics to administer dangerous abortions without critical medical care and that the elimination of judicial and parental consent protects sexual predators and human traffickers who impregnate minors. Rozanski said a careful reading of how the proposed legislation would change existing law reveals it as a drastic attempt to remove common sense provisions and protections currently provided under Massachusetts law. Even pro-choice elected officials like our governor, Charlie Baker, oppose ROE, Rozanski said. Earlier this year, Baker told State House reporters that he did not support late-term abortions. I support current law here in Massachusetts, Baker said. It's worked well for decades for women and families here in Massachusetts and that's what we support. The other upcoming sessions, all of which begin at 7 p.m. and are sponsored by the dioceses pro-life commission, are Thursday, May 23, at St. Mary School, 115 Orchard St., Lee; Tuesday, May 28, Our Lady of the Hills Parish, 173 Main St., Haydenville; Thursday, May 30, St. Mary Parish Hall, 159 Church St., Cheshire; Tuesday, June 4, Father Casey Hall at Holy Trinity Church, 133 Main St., Greenfield; Thursday, June 6, at Our Lady of the Valley Hall, 33 Adams St., Easthampton; Monday, June 10, Holy Name Church, 323 Dickinson St.; Wednesday, June 12, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament parish center, 127 Holyoke Road, Westfield. Abortion has been legal in the United States since the U.S. Supreme Court 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade, but legal challenges to it have increased in recent years and dozens of states this year have introduced restrictions. A few states have continued steps to expand access to abortion. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention latest statistics on the number of abortions show that the majority are performed on women in their 20s and that most more than 90 percent take place by 13 weeks into a pregnancy before viability is reached around 24 weeks. Nearly one-quarter of abortions are said to be done by medications as opposed to surgery. Improved use of contraception is cited for the drop in the U.S. unintended pregnancy rate, and as a contributory factor in the drop in the number of abortions performed annually in the United States though restricted access to abortion services has been cited for this decline as well as a reason for why some women are delayed in getting an abortion during the first 12 weeks. For years, Yolanda Cancel has worked with community members and police officers to address street violence in Springfield. On Saturday night, that violence came for her family. Outside a Main Street convenience store, under the glow of a street light, a shot rang out. A bullet entered the side of 24-year-old Thomas Hawkins Darden, Cancels son. It traveled through his body, punched an exit wound and lodged in his arm. Darden, who is expected to survive, stumbled into the store and collapsed. A long, fearful night followed, as Darden underwent surgery and Cancels faith in her city was shaken. My sons laying there half alive with bullet holes in his body, my family has to come first. I love my community and I love what I do and I do it with all my heart, and I dont get paid for it," Cancel said in an interview. [But] at some point my children have to come first. Cancel, who has both been a critic of the Springfield Police Department and a committed partner of its community-based C3 policing program, feared her efforts to bridge the gap between residents and officers had made her family a target. She decided to leave Springfield to protect her family, she said, posting on Facebook that she was moving and needed others to pick up her activism projects once she was gone. But after Darden awoke from surgery, he was an inspiration, she said, telling her not to give up. Hes laying in bed, hes got a bullet in him and hes telling me we should stay and fight," Cancel said in an interview. And so on Monday morning, instead of packing, Cancel was pulling nomination papers to run for mayor, challenging four-term incumbent Domenic Sarno. She has until May 28 to collect the 500 signatures required to make the ballot. Sarnos office declined to comment on Cancels electoral challenge. He called this weekend for the closure of Club Aquarius, a nightclub where Cancel works as a manager, following a separate nearby stabbing early Sunday morning. Cancel, 42, grew up in Boston. She worked as a special police officer for the Boston Police Department in her early twenties, patrolling housing projects, until an on-duty car crash injured her arm and led to an early retirement, she said. After time working in juvenile detention, she moved to Springfield in 2006. She raised her sons there and several years later moved to the citys South End. The neighborhood proved tougher than she expected, and she worried over her teenage sons interactions with both local gang members and police officers. While many police officers were professional, others had a wild west attitude, she said. It was that attitude that prompted Cancel to become involved in community activism. In 2013, she said, she witnessed an officer beat her son after placing him under arrest. That incident sparked her efforts to break the pipeline from Springfields classrooms to its holding cells, she said. Soon, the scope of her advocacy expanded. She helped run meetings with the police departments South End C3 policing team, encouraging community members to meet the officers patrolling their neighborhood and report crimes that may have otherwise gone unaddressed. I stepped up because I am a true believer that you have to be at the table or you are on the menu," she said. "I wanted to make changes in my community, and real community policing as someone who used to do law enforcement work, I could see both sides of the fence In 2017, when a group of teens pelted her with paintballs in Forest Park, she arranged lessons and safety training rather than pressing charges. And when a gas leak led to a Springfield apartment complex going weeks without hot water or working ovens, she pressed management to provide its tenants with free hotplates. She is also a manager a Club Aquarius, a State Street nightspot that has been described by Sarno as a hotbed of violence in the city. In April, a Springfield police officer working a security detail was shot in the arm after intervening in an altercation across the street. And early Sunday morning, just hours after Cancels son was shot, a man was stabbed near the club, suffered serious injuries and survived after being given first aid by responding officers. As far as the Aquarius Nightclub, I have spoken with Licensing Director Atty. Alesia Days this morning to move towards revocation hearings of any and all licenses, Sarno said in a statement on Sunday. "They have shown a propensity that they cannot control their establishment with that, I will, by moving to shut them down. Cancel and the clubs owner Freddy Venegas say criticism and shut-down threat were unfair. According to Cancel, the victim was a patron of the club who was waiting for an Uber and approached a woman outside a nearby car wash to ask for directions. The man she was with then stabbed him, Cancel said, adding that the perpetrator was not inside the club that night. After reading the rhetoric, and now [Sarno] wants to go after Freddy and remove his license? You know how many people that would put out of work who we help here?" Cancel said. On Saturday night, Cancel received a call from a number she did not recognize. It was a woman she knew from the South End neighborhood who had seen her son bleeding from gunshot wounds at the Honeyland convenience store at 608 Main St. She said your son is here and they shot him," Cancel said. When Cancel arrived, she saw Darden convulsing on the ground and believed he was dying, she said. Later, in the hospital, she also saw family members of the Club Aquarius patron who was stabbed that night. Darden knows who his attackers are and is willing to talk to investigators, Cancel said. A friend of her sons was recently arrested on firearms charges, and Cancel believes Darden was targeted because of rumors that he reported his friend to the police. Detectives are in the process of collecting video from the scene and plan to interview the victim when he is released from the hospital or when the hospital allows them to conduct an interview, Springfield Police spokesman Ryan Walsh wrote in an email. BOSTON One of the biggest problems small entrepreneurs have had starting marijuana businesses in Massachusetts is a lack of money. Starting a business is expensive, and traditional loans and financing options are generally not available because of federal prohibition. State senators will decide this week whether to take the first step toward creating a no-interest loan fund managed by the state to help marijuana entrepreneurs get their businesses off the ground. The fund would be available only to social equity and economic empowerment applicants, designations given by the Cannabis Control Commission to applicants from communities that were disproportionately impacted by marijuana prohibition and enforcement. Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz, D-Boston, Senate chair of the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy, introduced the amendment to be considered during the Senates fiscal 2020 budget debate this week. Chang-Diaz said the top barrier social equity applicants have faced is access to capital. She said lawmakers wrote into the states marijuana law the need to make sure its an industry that benefits Massachusetts residents, not just multi-state corporations and that benefits communities disproportionately harmed by the War on Drugs. Im looking for feedback from the CCC and the field, if were not hitting the mark, what else needs to happen? Chang-Diaz said. The Cannabis Control Commission began discussing the idea of a state-run loan fund as part of a larger discussion in February about how to improve access to the industry for social equity applicants. So far, most marijuana licenses have been granted to larger companies, with little diversity. Of nearly 350 license applications submitted as of early April, only five had priority status as economic empowerment applicants. Over 300 of the applicants did not identify as a disadvantaged business enterprise, which includes categories like women and minority-owned businesses. Cannabis Control Commission Chairman Steven Hoffman said in February that he has been talking to banks, charitable foundations, wealthy individuals and the industry about ways to help small and minority business owners access financing. He also agreed to explore the possibility of asking the Legislature to create a program that would offer grants or interest-free loans to equity participants potentially similar to existing programs that help inner city entrepreneurs. Chang-Diazs amendment would allocate $1 million to start a Cannabis Social Equity Loan Trust Fund. The money would have to be matched by private donations. Going forward, the amendment proposes that the fund would be paid for with 10% of revenue the state gets from marijuana excise taxes and private donations. The funds regulations would be written by the Cannabis Control Commission. It would be administered by the secretary of housing and economic development. Asked about concerns that taxpayers could be on the hook if a business fails, Chang-Diaz said state officials could establish qualifications for eligibility to make sure the state is taking reasonable risk. Certain amounts of money could be reserved for different phases of the licensing process. Chang-Diaz said Massachusetts has the countrys strongest law in terms of ensuring the industry will benefit communities hurt by marijuana enforcement. We should be proud of that, but we have to actually make sure were getting there, she said. That its not just words on paper, were actually achieving the goals the Legislature rightly articulated last session. Massachusetts State Police K-9 Neko located a man who allegedly broke into the Senior Citizen Center in Amesbury. State police said the break-in occurred last Thursday, when an Amesbury police officer noticed a man in the second-floor window of the elderly center during a routine property check. When the officer moved closer to the window, the man began to run. More police responded to the scene and surrounded the building, according to a statement from Mass. State Police. Trooper Dan Purtell, with the state police K9 unit, arrived with Neko to search the building. It was on the second floor that Neko picked up the odor of the suspect in a bathroom. Purtell heard a struggle and arrived to find the dog had pushed through a bathroom door, and became engaged with the suspect in a locked handicapped stall. The suspect unlocked the stall and was arrested by Amesbury police. The man, who has not been identified, was charged with breaking and entering in the nighttime and resisting arrest. Even though the top executive for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation pooh-poohed the notion last week, Connecticuts two tribal casino would be the logical buyer if MGM Resorts International sells off its downtown Springfield property, according to an expert on the regional gambling industry. And Las Vegas-based MGM Resorts would have to sell MGM Springfield, a $960-million casino that opened only in August, if it were to buy the not-yet-opened Encore Boston Harbor Casino from embattled Wynn Resorts. State law says one operator cannot have two Massachusetts casinos. If Wynn really wants to sell, MGM would if permitted sell the Springfield casino. But what is fascinating is the possible dynamics that flow from that for the tribes and for Connecticut, said Fred V. Carstensen, director of the Connecticut Center for Economic Affairs at the University of Connecticut. Wynn and MGM acknowledged last week that they have been in talks as Wynn faces an end-of-May deadline to pay a $35 million fine to the state of Massachusetts. The fine results in the sexual harassment case against former chairman and founder Steve Wynn and the coverup of those claims. If MGM has to sell, the Mashantuicket Pequot Tribal Nation and the Mohegan tribe are the logical buyers, Carstensen said. Then, they wouldnt have to bother with their convenience casino in the (East) Windsor and wont have to share the proceeds with the State of Connecticut!, Carstensen wrote in an email. The tribes have proposed but not yet started building a $300 million to $400 million casino at the former Showcase Cinema property in East Windsor, about 14 miles south of Springfield. The idea is to capture business as Hartford area residents head to MGM Springfield along Interstate 91. But if the tribes abandon the East Windsor plan, the dominoes really start to fall. The state of Connecticut, hungry for revenue and miffed that East Windsor didnt happen, could approve MGM Resorts stalled plans for a casino in Bridgeport, Carstensen said. Bridgeport is closer to the lucrative New York City market. What a wonderfully complex political calculation, Carstensen said. MGM might come out ahead on both ends getting the big Wynn casino and the Bridgeport casino. Last week, Rodney A. Butler, chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation that operates Foxwoods casino, told the Hartford Courant that MGM Springfield isnt worth what it cost to build the resort. MGM just spent $1 billion in Springfield. You cant pay what its currently valued at because its not hitting its earnings.'' Butler said. "If youre looking at it based on a multiple of what its earning today, its probably a $300 or $400 million property not a $1 billion property. They have shareholders they have to appease. Theyre not going to sell it for a 70 percent discount.'' MGM Springfield had projected $418 million in annual gross gaming revenue in its first year, or $34.8 million per month. So far, its highest one-month take was $26.9 million in September 2018, its first full month of operation. SPRINGFIELD Tommys House, built on Carew Street in memory of U.S. Marine Corps. Gunnery Sgt. Thomas J. Sullivan of Springfield, was given on Tuesday to the family of another local service member who said he was overwhelmed by the gift. Overwhelmed, excited," said National Guard member Brandon Klein, after he and his family were handed the keys to the new home by Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity, members of the Sullivan family, and other volunteers involved in the project. Were just thankful for this opportunity. Thats really it, said Klein, who was joined by his wife Sara and children. Right now, were in an apartment thats pretty cramped the three kids are sharing a room. Thank you. The oldest child, 6, has serious medical issues, and the new home at 674 Carew St., in Liberty Heights, provides plenty of space and handicap accessible features, Klein and Habitat said. The family loves the new house and yard, he said. Those taking part in the backyard celebration included Gov. Charlie Baker and Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. Baker praised all the work that was done by Habitat for Humanity, volunteers, the Sullivan and Klein families and others. He paid special tribute to the Sullivan family. "It's just a big statement about the kind of people they are and how they continue to try to find ways, to find positivity after such a terrible tragedy for them, and for their son, brother, cousin, nephew," Baker said. Klein is an active duty, supply sergeant with the Massachusetts Army National Guard. Sullivan, a Springfield native, was killed on July 16, 2015, during a terrorist attack at the Naval Reserve Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Habitat for Humanity worked with the Sullivan family and many other volunteers and organizations and businesses to make the home a reality. As intended, the construction of the home occurred around Veterans Day last year, and was completed around Memorial Day, organizers said. The Klein couple participated in building the house and providing other work for Habitat, contributing nearly 500 hours of sweat equity, a Habitat official said, as part of the program guidelines. Dianne Mullin, who was the aunt of Sullivan, said the construction of the house, in which she participated, "has been a lot of fun but also it's been very heartwarming because I think this family is a perfect fit for Tommy's legacy." He would be so happy to help a family like that in their time of need, Mullin said. Habitat for Humanity is a housing ministry dedicated to strengthening communities by empowering families and providing home ownership opportunities that includes helping low-income families. Habitat recognized many of the organizations and individuals that helped with the Carew Street home project including MassMutuals Armed Forces, Veterans and Families Business Resource Group; Bank of America; Easthampton Savings Bank; Gregory Jesse; Pellegrini, Seeley, Ryan & Blakesley PC; Schwartz Charitable Foundation; Crestview Construction; EPOS Systems Inc.; Precision Auto Repair & Sales; Marcoux Co. Inc.; Footit Medical, CPAP & Stairlift Service; and Associated Building Wreckers Inc. SPRINGFIELD A man who allegedly shot at a car causing a head-on, two-car crash on Roosevelt Avenue, is being held on $15,000 bail after being arraigned in Springfield District Court Tuesday. Jalen Cotto, 21, was arraigned in Springfield District Court on Tuesday on charges of three counts of assault and battery with a firearm, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and several related weapons charges including carrying a firearm without a license. Not guilty pleas were entered for him and he was scheduled to appear in court again on Thursday, said James Leydon, spokesman for Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni. Cotto is accused of causing a two-car head-on collision on Roosevelt Avenue when he fired gunshots from a third car. Nobody was hit by gunfire, but a passenger in one of the vehicles suffered minor injuries in the crash that occurred at about 11:45 a.m. on May 15. The occupants of one vehicle told police their car veered into the oncoming lane after someone in another vehicle started shooting at them. The car that was shot at also had a baby inside, said Ryan Walsh, police spokesman. Cotto was arrested Monday at a home on Melha Avenue after a police investigation identified him as the suspect, Walsh said. The crime is one of the recent ones that has angered Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, who has been railing against repeat offenders committing violence in the city and condemning judges who let them out of jail on low bail. This is the third time Cotto has been arrested on gun charges in slightly less than two years, Sarno said. "What the hell do we have to do to keep these violent repeat offenders off our streets and out of our neighborhoods?" Sarno asked. In his arraignment Tuesday, the prosecutor for the Hampden District Attorneys office requested $25,000 bail for Cotto. His defense lawyer argued for $10,000 bail, Leydon said. The prosecutor also asked the judge to revoke bail on a pending firearms charge that dates to January, when Cotto was arrested for having a loaded firearm. The request was denied, Leydon said. That case is on-going and the pre-trial hearing scheduled for Thursday is to discuss that charge, he said. In July 2017, Cotto was arrested for shooting in the air in a large group of people. The bullet went through a window at a home on Chapin Terrace. WOBURN -- State Police troopers arrested a 28-year-old Dorchester man after finding about 130 grams of what is believed to be crystal methamphetamine in a backpack in the car he was driving, which had been reported stolen. Louis D. Jeremie was arrested on Monday and charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of a Class B substance with intent to distribute, second offense, use of a motor vehicle without authority and failure to signal, Massachusetts State Police officials said. Troopers also arrested his passenger, Jeffrey C. Boris, 39, of Danvers, on a warrant from Dedham District Court charging him with use of a motor vehicle without authority, police said. Massachusetts State Police Trooper Martin Cooke initially observed Jeremie, who was driving a rented Chevrolet Cruze, allegedly commit a motor vehicle violation on Mishawum Road. He followed the car, which turned into a gas station and approached the two men as they exited the vehicle, police said. Jeremie did not have his license, but gave Cooke a passport and registration for the car. He also could not produce the rental agreement, so police checked with Hertz employees and learned Jeremie had not returned the vehicle on time, so it was reported stolen, police said. Troopers then received permission to search the car. Cooke first found two pieces of what is believed to be methamphetamine on the floor of the car. A police dog then searched the vehicle and hit on a backpack in the back seat. Troopers opened the backpack to find about 130 grams of the drug and $551 in cash, police said. Jeremie was held on $750,000 bail pending his arraignment in Woburn District Court. Boris was bailed for court, police said. A second woman was arrested Tuesday for her alleged involvement in an illegal marijuana delivery service called Northern Herb. Tatiana Sonya Fridkes, 32, of Dorchester, is expected to appear in U.S. District Court in Boston Tuesday. Deana Martin, 51, of Milton, was arrested in April. Officials said she the owner and manager of Northern Herb. The company allegedly raised $14 million between May 2016 through July 2018 by selling marijuana online and delivering it from locations in Canton, Milton, Foxborough and Hyde Park. The company advertised medical marijuana, but did not require buyers to show a medical card. Delivery people would leave marijuana at front doors and in hallways. The company employed at least 25 people and paid no taxes, officials said. Martin allegedly maintained numerous bank accounts structured to hide the profits. On Tuesday, U.S. Attorney Andrew Lellings office said both Martin and Fridkes had been indicted by a federal grand jury in Worcester. Martin faces charges of conspiring to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana, possessing more than 100 kilograms of marijuana, and money laundering. Fridkes was charged with conspiring to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana. The charging documents and the press release do not say what Fridkes alleged role was in Northern Herb. The original criminal complaint, filed last month against Martin, does not mention Fridkes. Every year, Eastmans 350 team members at the Indian Orchard Site work hard to produce and ship advanced interlayer materials across the country and throughout North America. The origins of our facility date back to the early 1900s and the advanced material produced, called Saflex, is over 90 years old. The site also produces Butvar, the major raw material found in Saflex. Saflex can be found in the windows of buildings and automobiles across the country and around the world, making them safer and more energy efficient. Tourists can find Saflex protecting many national treasures including the original copy of the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. Locally, visitors to downtown Springfield encounter Saflex often, including in the windows of the Federal Courthouse. Last year, our workers exported more than $66 million in goods to Canada and Mexico, representing 47 percent of the facilitys worldwide exports. We are able to access the Canadian and Mexican regions thanks to free trade agreements. These agreements not only support sales, but exporting to both countries duty-free helps anchor an advanced manufacturing facility in the United States. North Americas current trade framework dates back to 1992, when the United States, Canada and Mexico entered the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Since then, our economy has transformed several times over. Advanced manufacturing operations such as the Eastman Indian Orchard plant now support a major part of Americas economy. A quarter century ago, no one had yet conceived of our products and advanced manufacturing capabilities. The rapid technological developments that are now central to commerce and production were mostly science fiction then. American companies need a trade framework that reflects our current economy and paves the way for future growth. Congress needs to approve the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a new trade pact that will update and modernize the rules for trade in North America, so our business can continue to grow and be competitive on the international playing field. For manufacturers like Eastman and communities like Springfield, USMCA will support our jobs and increase sales, growth and investment. The benefits USMCA will bring to American workers at manufacturers like Eastman cannot be overstated. Eastman provides a competitive compensation and benefits package and job-training to its employees worldwide. So, we need a free trade environment to protect and grow these jobs, which require access to exports markets. USMCA will ensure that American companies can continue to access Canada and Mexico without facing harmful tariffs. The agreement also sets new intellectual property rules, protecting innovative, transformative products, technologies and ideas developed by American companies from being copied or misappropriated by foreign competitors. It will simplify the customs process, raise standards for fair competition and set new standards for digital trade a concept that hardly existed in 1992. Free trade with Canada and Mexico has facilitated significant economic growth in the last 25 years. Trade with our two neighbors has quadrupled in that period and now supports more than 12 million American jobs, according to a Business Roundtable study. According to the National Association of Manufacturers, Canada and Mexico rank as the first and second largest foreign purchasers for nearly every U.S. state and manufacturing sector. Massachusetts alone exported $8.7 billion in goods and services to Canada and Mexico in 2017, supporting more than 302,000 jobs. North American trade has been booming for the last decade. Since the last major economic recession, exports to Canada and Mexico have increased more than exports to any other country, accounting for 40 percent of all growth in American goods exports. This is true for Eastman as well, as we were ranked the 16th largest U.S. exporter by volume in 2017. Thanks to significant investments, new technologies and access to new markets, our Indian Orchard plant has increased North American exports by 85 percent in the past three years alone. North American trade benefits the country as a whole, in addition to local communities like ours. Eastman is one of several local businesses that provide jobs in this region by exporting goods and services across our countrys borders. USMCA will preserve markets already in place while promoting new markets, products and technology. It will drive innovation, helping turn small businesses into large employers and ensuring that cutting-edge advanced manufacturing operations like Eastman continue to thrive in Springfield so we can support hundreds of workers and retirees in Western Massachusetts. We strongly urge lawmakers to approve USMCA in the coming months. Congress must preserve North American trade and expand the tools that promote innovation and economic growth. Mark Costa is the Board Chair and CEO of Eastman. Shawn Pace is the Site Manager of Eastmans Springfield advanced manufacturing plant. SPRINGFIELD Jeffery Donnelly, of 120 Lucerne Road, has been certified for the 2019 ballot, becoming the first certified challenger to Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. Donnelly returned more than 500 signatures required to be on the ballot for mayor, according to the Springfield Board of Elections. (Sarno has also been certified for the ballot.) In 2015 and again two years later, Donnelly made unsuccessful bids for City Council. Im just going to cut to the point. Im not your typical politician. Im a fighter, not only do I talk the talk, walk to the walk, but I also wrote and published the book Raw Emotion and Political Repression, a book that exposes corruption in Massachusetts, he wrote in a statement on his campaign website. His political stands on local issues include: Remove the trash fee Body cameras for all police officers Quality of life fine structure should be changed to add better notification Improved winter snow plowing (Editors note: The candidates position on local issues has been added to this report. An earlier version contained Donnellys views on national issues.) David Bowie once deemed Berlin the greatest cultural extravaganza that one could imagine, and his words still carry weight decades later. Here, we champion five of the German capital citys standout bars and find out what happens when you age rye whiskey on volcanic stone from a vineyard Berlin has long boasted a thriving creative scene, and its cocktail culture is no exception. Ageing spirits in former wine casks is cool, sure, but ageing spirits using the very material that cultivated the vine? Ingenuity on another level. The idea was the brainchild of Australian native Matt Boswell, bar chef at stylish and sustainable cocktail haunt Tiger Bar, which lies across the courtyard from its pioneering sister, Panama Restaurant. I really wanted to figure out how we could add extra minerality and a little bit more depth and complexity into the cocktails we were making, Boswell explains. He contacted German wine producers and asked them to send whatever they could from their vineyards. Three out of 30 responded, sending cases of rocks. Working closely with the sommelier team at Panama, Boswell determined which wine characteristics were common across certain soils and set about pairing spirits with each stone. It was very much a matching game, he explains. If we got laser focus and really clear minerality and tropical notes from blue slate, wed pair it with gin. If we got extra tropicality and spice from red slate-grown wines, wed try mezcal. Based on that intuition, they all paired pretty well. The ageing period varies according to spirit variety and ABV lighter spirits like vodka evolve far quicker than a big, bold mezcal, for example but there are variables between the stones, too. Some of them are porous, some of them are really dense, explains Boswell, weve been resting white dog rye whiskey on volcanic stone and it can take more than two weeks before it starts to develop any specific flavour or character. The first menu combined rhum agricole with limestone, gin with blue slate, mezcal on red slate and pisco on phyllite. We were really shocked at the development and character changes that happened, Boswell adds. Not only was there extra minerality and nuanced flavours; often it changed the character of the spirit entirely. Once aged, the team create two cocktails with each spirit: a lighter highball serve and a shorter stirred drink. Tiger Bar is a great place to start, but Boswell and his team are not the only bartenders drinking outside the box. Whether its through ingredient selection, menu style or spirits stock, weve championed the must-visit Berlin bars that arent afraid to do things a little differently. Tiger Bar Potsdamer Strae 91, 10785 Berlin, Germany Where? Tiergarten Why? Terroir-based cocktails What? Four base spirits aged on German terroir, with one long and one short cocktail created from each. Take the black basalt-aged rye it can be ordered as Rye & Dry, which sees it mixed with smoked tea and Moroccan soda, or combined with small batch vermouth and vintage cherry wine in a Boulevardier. Velvet Ganghoferstrae 1, 12043 Berlin, Germany Where? Neukolln Why? Seasonality taken seriously What? An intimate cocktail bar in hipster district Neukolln, which forages ingredients from Berlin and the surrounding nature. Cocktails are named according to the main seasonal ingredient within, processed on a weekly basis. On the current menu? Sorrel, Young Pine Cone, Strawberry and White Asparagus. Lebensstern 58 Kurfurstenstrae, 10785 Berlin, Germany Where? Schoneberg Why? Mind-boggling spirits selection What? Aside from the fact it used to be an illegal casino for Berlins most boujie residents, it stocks more than 600 kinds of rum, 400 whiskies, 150 gin bottlings and a plethora of other boozes that brings the total spirits count over 1,500. Oh, and Quentin Tarantino filmed Inglourious Basterds there. Stairs Bar Uhlandstrae 133, 10717 Berlin, Germany Where? Charlottenburg Why? Sustainable cocktails made three ways What? Six cocktails are on the menu, split down into three variants: classic, twist, and in-house creation. Take the Manhattan, traditionally made with whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters, the twist, Brooklyn, sees the addition of maraschino and bitter aperitif, while the in-house version Womanhattan uses Scotch, sherry and plum liqueur. Stagger Lee Nollendorfstrae 27, 10777 Berlin, Germany Where? Schoneberg Why? The home of American whiskey in Berlin What? Named after the Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds song, Stagger Lee is a Wild West-themed 19th century saloon bar, complete with old-school cash till and rustic-looking piano. Dont get distracted by the decor the menu is where the magic truly happens, with the likes of Greek yoghurt-washed rum and banana-infused Campari. Two weeks before Old Forts gold festival, the towns Board of Aldermen received an update on vendors and activities. On Monday, David Blackwelder, organizer for the Official NC State Gold Festival, told aldermen 16 craft and miscellaneous vendors, eight food vendors and five different representations of demonstrators, including gold panning and sluicing, are lined up for the event on June 1. Additionally, Blackwelder confirmed a display of the Bechtler Coins at Mountain Gateway Museum, which he claimed was the countrys largest display of the coins. As far as sponsors, Blackwelder said only two organizations thus far McDowell Chamber of Commerce and Sky Island Retreat are signed to the festival. We could use more sponsorship, said Blackwelder. Ive been door-to-door all over the county and people said, Yeah, yeah, I will, great!, but we havent gotten any response on this. Blackwelder also said that the festival was currently in need of donated, give-away prizes, dependent on whatever contributing businesses could offer. 410 Medical, a Durham, North Carolina firm, is releasing a new version of its LifeFlow rapid infuser for treating patients during sepsis or shock. The LifeFlow Next Gen can safely deliver 500 ml of crystalloid fluid in less than two minutes, nearly four times faster than when using a pressure bag. Device is operated with one hand and can be used with large-bore and high resistance access, including catheters as small as 24 gauge. Two new features of the LifeFlow Next Gen is the Force Reducer, which evens out the pulsating flow of fluid and makes it easy on the operators arm to squeeze the device, and AirCheck that stops fluid flow if air gets in while making priming and setup easier. It can be made ready to go and delivering fluid into a patient within about two minutes. At 410 our mission is to help paramedics, nurses and physicians provide the best possible care to their critically ill patients, said Kyle Chenet, Chief Executive Officer of 410 Medical, in a published statement. The addition of these important new features further enhances LifeFlow as the most effective tool for delivering a rapid fluid bolus. Flashback: LifeFlow Rapid Infuser for Sepsis and Shock Rolling Out in U.S Product page: LifeFlow Next Gen Via: 410 Medical Market Highlights Although breast cancer is common in women, even men suffer from the same. Men also have breast tissues and cancer starts when these tissues start to grow out of control. The breast ducts and glands present in men are not functional, but cancer in these areas can spread when cancer cells enter the blood or lymph system and are carried in the whole body. Men who have suffered from cancer before and undergone radiation therapy are at a high risk of suffering from male breast cancer. The rising geriatric population and an increasingly obese population resulting in high levels of estrogen in males are expected to drive the growth of the market during the forecast period. According to an article published by the National Cancer Institute in April 2018, most of the men who suffer from breast cancer are 60 to 70 years old. Additionally, the rising healthcare expenditure is likely to boost the market growth. On the other hand, lack of knowledge of the disease and high cost of treatment may hinder the growth of the market during the forecast period. Get Free Sample Copy @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/6505 The global male breast cancer market is currently dominated by many market players. The key players in the market are engaged in new product launches and strategic collaborations to strengthen their market positions. For instance, in June 2018, Eli Lilly and Company acquired ARMO Biosciences for USD 1.6 billion to expand its oncology portfolio. With this acquisition, Eli Lilly and Company will get a strong support for its immune-oncology program. Key Players Achieve Life Sciences, Inc., Pfizer, Eli Lilly and Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Sanofi, Novartis AG, BioNumerik Pharmaceuticals Inc., Seattle Genetics, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., AstraZeneca, Accord Healthcare, Bayer AG. Regional Analysis The market in the Americas is expected to dominate the global male breast cancer market during the forecast period owing to changing lifestyle trends and growing incidences of breast cancer. According to a report published by the American Cancer Society, in April 2018, nearly 2,550 people are anticipated to be diagnosed with male breast cancer in the Americas in 2018. The European market is expected to be the second-largest due to government funding and support from the healthcare sector coupled with the rising prevalence of rare cancers. Moreover, the market in Asia-Pacific is anticipated to be the fastest-growing during the assessment period owing to raising awareness of early symptoms of cancer and favorable government initiatives for healthcare facilities. The market in the Middle East and Africa is likely to account for the smallest share of the global male breast cancer market. The market growth in this region can be attributed to the improving healthcare infrastructure. Segmentation The global male breast cancer market has been segmented into type, diagnosis, and treatment. The market, on the basis of type, has been segmented into, ductal carcinoma in situ, Pagets disease of the nipple, inflammatory breast cancer, and infiltrating ductal carcinoma. Infiltrating ductal carcinoma is expected to be the largest segment on the basis of type owing to the high incidences of the disease. Ductal carcinoma in situ is anticipated to be the fastest growing segment. The market, by diagnosis, has been segmented into, mammography, biopsy, PET scan, CT scan, MRI scan, and other tests. By diagnosis, biopsy is further segmented into, fine needle aspiration biopsy, core biopsy, and excisional biopsy. The market, by treatment, has been segmented into, local treatments and systemic treatments. By treatment, local treatments are further segment into, surgery and radiation therapy. Surgery is further segmented into, mastectomy, breast-conserving surgery, and lymph nodes biopsy. By treatment, systemic treatments are further segmented into, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy. Chemotherapy is further segmented into, adjuvant therapy and neoadjuvant therapy. Hormone therapy is further segmented into, using drugs and orchiectomy (castration). Targeted therapy is further segmented into, for HER2 positive breast cancer, for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, and for cancer with BRCA mutations. Send an Enquiry @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/6505 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 WiseGuyReports.com adds Medical Malpractice Insurance Market 2019 Global Analysis, Growth, Trends and Opportunities Research Report Forecasting 2025 reports to its database. Executive Summary Medical Malpractice Insurance Market to reach USD 19.7 billion by 2025. Medical Malpractice Insurance Market valued approximately USD 17.1 billion in 2017 is anticipated to grow with a healthy growth rate of more than 1.78% over the forecast period 2018-2025. Medical malpractice insurance is basically a type of professional liability insurance that take care of the expenses of claims regarding malpractice. This type of insurance is generally bought by doctors and other medical professionals for risk asserts that may emerge from patient treatment. The expense of medical malpractice insurance has extensively augmented over the last decade due to the elevation in number and size of the claims. Medical malpractice claims can occur at any time. The medical malpractice can provide fund to the practitioners legal defense whether its against individual or facility. Everyone makes mistakes, even highly skilled and educated doctors may misdiagnose an ailment or make a mistake. The medical professionals, those having medical malpractice insurance, get the suitable security against those faults made during their practice. Request Free Sample Report @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/3854643-medical-malpractice-insurance-market-size-study-by-type The regional analysis of Medical Malpractice Insurance Market is considered for the key regions such as Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America and Rest of the World. In region such as Asia-Pacific, Middle-East and Africa, rise in usage of passenger vehicles set the growth in Medical Malpractice Insurance Market over the forecasted period 2018-2025. Asia-Pacific is estimated to hold a prominent share of the Medical Malpractice Insurance market. Developing countries, such as India and China, are significant players boosting the demand for the Medical Malpractice Insurance Market. Europe, North America and the Middle East and Africa are continuously witnessing infrastructural growth which fueling the demand of Medical Malpractice Insurance Market over the coming years. Asia Pacific region is contributing towards the growth of global Medical Malpractice Insurance Market and anticipated to exhibit higher growth rate / CAGR over the forecast period 2018-2025. The objective of the study is to define market sizes of different segments & countries in recent years and to forecast the values to the coming eight years. The report is designed to incorporate both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the industry within each of the regions and countries involved in the study. Furthermore, the report also caters the detailed information about the crucial aspects such as driving factors & challenges which will define the future growth of the market. Additionally, the report shall also incorporate available opportunities in micro markets for stakeholders to invest along with the detailed analysis of competitive landscape and product offerings of key players. The detailed segments and sub-segment of the market are explained below: By Type: D&O Insurance E&O Insurance By Application: Coverage: Up to $1 Million Coverage: $1 Million to $5 Million Coverage: $5 Million to $20 Million Coverage: Over $20 Million Furthermore, years considered for the study are as follows: Historical year 2015, 2016 Base year 2017 Forecast period 2018 to 2025 The leading Market players mainly include- Chubb (ACE) Hiscox Allianz Tokio Marine Holdings XL Group AXA Travelers Assicurazioni Generali Doctors Company Marsh & McLennan Liberty Mutual Medical Protective Aviva Zurich Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Munich Re Aon Beazley Mapfre Physicians Insurance Old Republic Insurance Company For further information on this report, visit https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/3854643-medical-malpractice-insurance-market-size-study-by-type Target Audience of the Medical Malpractice Insurance Market in Market Study: Key Consulting Companies & Advisors Large, medium-sized, and small enterprises Venture capitalists Value-Added Resellers (VARs) Third-party knowledge providers Investment bankers Investors Table of Contents Chapter 1. Executive Summary Chapter 2. Medical Malpractice Insurance Market Definition and Scope Chapter 3. Medical Malpractice Insurance Market Dynamics Chapter 4. Medical Malpractice Insurance Market Industry Analysis Chapter 5. Medical Malpractice Insurance, by Type Chapter 6. Medical Malpractice Insurance, by Application Chapter 7. Medical Malpractice Insurance, by Regional Analysis Chapter 8. Competitive Intelligence Continuous Contact Us: Norah Trent sales@wiseguyreports.com Ph: +1-646-845-9349 (US); +44 208 133 9349 (UK) Acknowledging the exponential traction, the market witnesses currently, Market Research Future (MRFR) in its recently published study report asserts that the global nuclear medicine market will reach a valuation of USD 5.430 BN by 2023, registering approximately 6.2% CAGR throughout the forecast period (2018 to 2023). The Global Nuclear Medicine Market has been growing rapidly, garnering colossal prominence. Significant factors contributing to the growth include the increasing prevalence of various chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular & neurological diseases that are augmenting the demand for effective diagnostic procedures. Request Free Sample Copy at https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/6674 Moreover, increasing investments from public & private organizations, the rising number of diagnostic imaging centers, and the increasing preference for minimally invasive treatments, accelerate the market on the global platform. Additional factors helping the market to substantiate continually, include the rising uptake of radiopharmaceuticals and increasing R&D activities in life sciences. The geriatric population is prognosticated to generate significant demand for nuclear medicines in the future. Moreover, the spreading awareness towards nuclear medicine and its 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 high cost of the radiopharmaceuticals and side effects associated with radiation exposure are expected to impede the growth of the market in the underdeveloped regions. Whereas, the stringent regulatory approval procedures are majorly obstructing the growth of the nuclear medicine market in the developed regions. Key players leading the Global Nuclear Medicine Market include: GE Healthcare Cardinal Health Bayer Bracco Imaging Lantheus Medical Imaging Curium Nordion Inc. Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals Advanced Accelerators Applications and more. Global Nuclear Medicine Market Segmentations For ease of understanding, the MRFR analysis has been segmented into four key dynamics: By Product Type : Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine and Therapeutic Radiopharmaceuticals among others. By Application : Diagnostic applications and Therapeutic applications among others. By End-user : Hospitals & Diagnostic Centers and Research Institutes among others. By Regions : North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Rest-of-the-World. Check Discount at https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/6674 Global Nuclear Medicine Market Geographical Analysis The North American region heading with the increasing prevalence of cancer and other chronic diseases & disorders dominates the global nuclear medicine market. The presence of several important market players is a key driving force behind the growth of the regional market. Also, factors such as the well-spread awareness towards the availability of advanced therapies and the growing geriatric population 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 nuclear medicines are some of the factors acting as significant tailwinds for the market growth. The nuclear medicine market in the region is predominantly led by the US market which is growing rapidly due to the increasing uptake of the imaging technologies for medical training and surgeries. Furthermore, the presence of a well-developed healthcare sector alongside the increasing biomedical research initiatives, technological advancements, and the adoption of nuclear medicine by research academics centers, and laboratories fosters the growth of the market in the region. The nuclear medicine market in the European region accounts for the second-largest market, globally. Factors such as the increasing number of R&D activities, new products launch, and rapid strategic initiatives such as partnerships and collaborations and are attributing to the growth of the regional market. Additionally, owing to the factors such as the availability of advanced treatment facilities, increasing healthcare expenditure, and the flourishing medical device industry is positively impacting the growth of the regional market. The Asia Pacific nuclear 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. Global Nuclear Medicine Market Competitive Analysis Highly competitive, the nuclear medicine market appears to be fragmented owing to the presence of several large as well as small players. Strategic partnership, acquisition, expansion, product & technology launch, and collaboration remain the key strategies of market players to achieve competitive advantage. Get Full Report with Top Industry Players and Segments at https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/nuclear-medicine-market-6674 Industry/Innovation/Related News: April 02, 2019 Navidea Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (the US), a leader in precision medicine announced that it would be presenting the results of the Companys NAV3-21 clinical study at the Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging Annual Meeting in June 2019. The presentation, titled as A Phase I/Phase II Study of Intravenously (IV) Administered Tc99m Tilmanocept (TCT) to Determine Safety, Tolerability, Optimal Clinical Dose Selection, and Imaging Timepoint in Patients Clinically Diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Besides, an abstract of the presentation will be published in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine. April 08, 2019 The US The American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) announced their collaboration to create a new clinical data registry to support high-quality practice and care in nuclear medicine. The synergistic partnership reaffirms the commitment of both organizations to provide the highest level of nuclear medicine care for our patients. The initiative will support that goal through evidence-based practice improvements born from a data-rich registry. As part of the collaboration, SNMMI and ACR will collect and analyze data on nuclear medicine procedures and facilitate reporting of quality performance to the federal government. The diagnostic, interventional radiology/ nuclear medicine arm of the registry will be piloted in 2019, and initially will focus on PET/CT imaging data. All sites participating in the pilot will have access to the collected data, which will include de-identified data from attending pilot institutions. About Market Research Future: At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. Contact Market Research Future Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar, Pune 411028 Maharashtra, India +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Global TMJ Disorders Market Overview TMJ (temporomandibular joint and muscle) disorder is a medical condition which causes dysfunction and pain in the jaw joint and the muscles that control jaw movement. The medical condition is diagnosed more frequently in women than the men. According to the American Academy of Orofacial Pain, TMJ disorders may have more than one symptoms and causes. Some of the major symptoms of this disorder are aching facial pain, tenderness or pain in jaws, pain while chewing etc. TMJ disorders can occur if the joints cartilage is damaged by arthritis or by a blow or other impact or the disk erodes or moves out of its proper alignment. Get Free Sample Copy @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4090 According to the recent study report published by the Market Research Future, global TMJ disorders market is booming and expected to gain prominence over the forecast period. The market is projected to demonstrate a sound growth by 2023, surpassing its previous growth records in terms of value with a striking CAGR during the anticipated period (2017 2023). The major drivers will be the increasing prevalence of TMJ disorder, rising healthcare expenditures and growing awareness for the oral health. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research in 2014, the prevalence of temporomandibular joint and muscle disorder (TMJD) was in between 5% to 12%. Moreover, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in 2016, the U.S. healthcare expenditure was about USD 3.3 trillion, which accounted for 17.9% of the total GDP within the same year. However, lack of awareness and low per capita healthcare expenditure in the middle and low income countries may restrain the market growth during the forecast period. Global TMJ Disorders Market Competitive Analysis Characterized by the presence of several well-established and small players, the TMJ disorders market appears to be highly competitive and fragmented. International players are increasingly expanding their footprint in the developing economy, making it difficult for regional vendors to compete with them, especially in terms of features such as product differentiation, product portfolios, quality, and pricing. The market is witnessing intensified competition which is expected to get more intensified further during the forecast period. The intense competition prevalent in the market dictates the consolidation among marketers. Well established players incorporate acquisition, collaboration, partnership, expansion, and product launch in order to gain competitive advantage in this market and to maintain their market position. Pfizer Inc. is a U.S. based biopharmaceutical company and plays a significant role in the TMJ disorders market. The companys total revenue was about USD 52,824 million in 2016. Moreover, it was estimate that the company spent 14.9% of its total revenue in research and development which made the company to improve its position in the global market and enhance its product portfolio. In August 2016, FDA approved Pfizers TROXYCA ER extended-release capsules CII for pain management. In March 2017, ALLERGAN announced that the company has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market JUVEDERM VOLLURE XC, for correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds, in adults over the age of 21. AbbVie Inc. (US), Allergan (Republic of Ireland), Bayer AG (Germany), Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (US), Jubilant Cadista (US), Pfizer Inc. (US), and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (India) are some of the prominent players at the forefront of competition in the global TMJ disorders market and are profiled in MRFR Analysis. Global TMJ Disorders Market Regional Analysis North America leads the market owing to well-developed healthcare infrastructure and rising per capita healthcare expenditure. Following the same trends Europe holds the second largest market share. Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region for the market due to the presence of the developed economies like India and China within the region. According to the Indian Brand Equity Foundation in 2017, Indian healthcare sector is one of the fastest growing industries which is expected to advance at a CAGR of 22.87% during 2015-20 and reach USD 280 billion by 2020. However, Middle East and Africa holds the least market share in the global market. Presence of the stringent government policies and low per capita income in the African region restrains the market growth during the forecast period. On the other hand, Middle East leads the market of the Middle East & Africa region, due to the presence of developed economies like Kuwait and Qatar. Browse Full Report with Respective Tables and Figures @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/tmj-disorders-market-4090 About Market Research Future: At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions. 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 Us Market Research Future Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar, Pune 411028 Maharashtra, India +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com by Melynda Fuller , May 20, 2019 In its campaign Unhashtag Vienna, the Vienna Tourism Board illustrates how we experience the world around us while playfully urging travelers to ditch their smartphones and experience the city in a more engaged way. The campaign launched in New York and Silicon Valley late last month. It features four distinct images chronicling digital life with a Barbara Krugeresque red hashtag overlaid. Among the images, one scenario captures a woman taking a selfie in front of Gustav Klimts The Kiss, while another features a staged food composition at a traditional Viennese Coffeehouse. Two related images feature a couple in the midst of a Viennese streetscape and at the opera, both showing a boyfriend verging on public spectacle as he attempts to photograph his girlfriend. advertisement advertisement The tagline Enjoy Vienna not #Vienna appears beneath each. The campaign runs across print, digital, vehicle and projected wallscape ads in the U.S. and was created by Vienna-based creative agency Wien Nord. In New York, the campaign debuted with OOH subway ads that included digital and posters, digital bus shelter ads and 2D projections around Google and Facebook NYC headquarters, among other elements. Silicon Valley experienced guerrilla marketing ads splashed on LED trucks. The campaign also hosts a microsite devoted to taking a digital detox. To have the online community discuss this topic using -- of all things -- #UnhashtagVienna is proof of the campaigns balancing act between the benefits and the downsides of online sharing culture, stated Edmund Hochleitner, co-founder and chief creative officer at Wien Nord. In service to its message of offline mindfulness, the tourist board has made analog cameras available to visitors to borrow in the first district of the city. Influencers in the photography and social media worlds were invited by the board to explore Vienna via camera rather than smartphone. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, May 20, 2019 More than half a million people who purchased Vizio smart televisions will receive approximately $16 per TV set, if the company's class-action privacy settlement is finalized, according to court papers filed late last week. If granted approval by U.S. District Court Judge Josephine Staton in Santa Ana, California, the settlement will resolve allegations that Vizio shared information about consumers with ad-tech companies and data brokers. The deal calls for Vizio to create a $17 million settlement fund, with around $11 million going to consumers who purchased the company's TVs between February 2014 and February 2017. Nearly $6 million goes to the attorneys who brought the lawsuit. The tentative settlement also requires Vizio to display onscreen notices about data collection and allow consumers to either accept or reject sharing data. The company has agreed to delete previously collected data. advertisement advertisement Earlier this year, notices about the settlement were sent to around 11 million consumers, who purchased around 16 million televisions. More than 500,000 customers, who bought approximately 655,000 smart TVs, submitted claims. Class counsel says those numbers, reflecting a claims rate of more than 4%, show the notification procedure was adequate. A claims rate of more than 4% reveals a sufficient level of class engagement to infer that the settlements benefits were appropriately conveyed to the class. Whats more, at this rate, class members should expect to receive about $16 per TV, lawyers for the class write in a motion urging Staton to grant the deal final approval. That is meaningful compensation when you consider the classs maximum potential recovery, and the amount of revenue Vizio earned from licensing the classs viewing data. Class counsel says in court papers that Vizio made less than $17 million from licensing the data. The source for that statement, according to court documents, is a declaration filed by Vizio senior director of accounting Wilda Su. Her declaration was submitted to Staton last December, but is currently sealed. The legal battle over Vizio dates to 2015. Consumers brought a class-action alleging the company tracks TV viewers by default and shares data about video viewing with companies that send targeted ads to phones, tablets and other devices. The consumers claimed Vizio's data-sharing violated the Video Privacy Protection Act -- a 1988 law that prohibits video providers from disclosing personally identifiable information about people's video-viewing history, without their explicit consent. Vizio lost a key battle in the case in 2017, when Staton rejected the company's contention that the Video Privacy Protection Act doesn't apply to electronics manufacturers. Vizio said it wasn't a video-rental store. Instead, the company said it was akin to "a building that leases space to several video-rental stores. Staton rejected that argument, ruling that Congress intended for the video privacy law to apply to companies that are "in the business of delivering video content." In 2017, the Federal Trade Commission brought a separate enforcement action against Vizio over privacy. The FTC alleged the company engaged in an unfair practice by tracking consumers, and that it deceived consumers by failing to adequately explain its data practices. The company agreed to settle the charges by paying $2.2 million to the FTC and the state of New Jersey, which also prosecuted the company. by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, May 20, 2019 WPP has unveiled plans for new campus to house its agency operations in Paris. The new facility is due to open in 2021. The holding company has agreed to a 12-year lease with owners Ardian and LaSalle Investment Management. The building, once an automobile factory, is currently undergoing a major restoration led by Baumschlager Eberle Architecture, in partnership with BDG architecture + design, a WPP company, that will also be designing the interior office space. Paris is the latest major WPP co-location in Europe. It recently opened its Amsteldok campus in Amsterdam, while Madrid and Milan are due to open later in 2019. Mark Read, CEO of WPP, stated: Our campus strategy is about creating fantastic, dynamic work spaces and social areas which inspire our people to do their best, most creative work. Providing world-class working environments encourages innovation, makes it easier for people to work together, and delivers the best integrated offer to our clients. Washington Post, Monday, May 20, 2019 9:05 PM The Republican-controlled House of Representatives in Texas is trying to pass a law that would make it difficult for government entities to punish businesses for their religious stances. The move comes three months after the San Antonio city council voted to ban the fast-food chain Chick-fil-A from the citys airport because of its history of anti-LGTBQ statements and actions.The so-called Save Chick-fil-A bill explicitly forbids the government from taking any adverse action, against any person, contractor or business for its membership in or affiliation with a religious organization, according to the Read the whole story at Washington Post Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 21) All customers of Manila Water Company, Inc. will be compensated for water interruptions in March, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) said Tuesday. MWSS Chief Regulator Patrick Ty said all residential customers of the east zone concessionaire will receive a minimum rebate of P153.93 for the consumption of 10 cubic meters. For "severely-affected" customers or those without water for seven consecutive days, there will be an additional 2,197.94 on top of the 153.93 bill rebate. Ty said 140,000 customers will be able to enjoy this rebate beginning June. If they consume less in June, the remaining amount can be used in the next billing. This rebate will be separate from the one-time bill waiver Manila Water gave households severely affected by the supply interruption in March. The amount will come from the 534.05-million penalty imposed by MWSS on Manila Water for its failure to meet its obligation of providing 24/7 water supply to all its consumers. In addition, the regulator directed Manila Water to set aside funds worth P600 million for the development of a new water supply source. Manila Water, meanwhile, warned customers that service interruptions may continue as the companys sources will not be able to generate millions of liters needed to alleviate the shortage. Kailangan po natin magtipid, we need to encourage the public and including the two concessionaires na bawasan ang PSI (pounds for square inch or water pressure) para magtipid ng tubig, said Ty. [Translation: We need to conserve water, we need to encourage the public, and including the two concessionaires to lower the PSI to conserve water.] In March, customers of Manila Water were surprised by an unannounced water interruption. For at least a week, its 1.2 million customers experienced no water supply or low water pressure. The water concessionaire attributed the shortage to the decreasing water levels at the La Mesa reservoir in Quezon City due to the dry spell. MWSS said it has also ordered west zone concessionaire Maynilad to explain its failure to respond to customers' complaints about service interruptions. MWSS said it will impose a fine against Maynilad if it doesn't reply. We are not pre-judging Maynilad. We are not saying they violated it or guilty na sila (that they are guilty)," Ty added. MWSS gave Maynilad five days to respond to the said notice. Campaign, Tuesday, May 21, 2019 10:09 AM Coca-Cola has announced it has promoted Kris Robbens internally to become marketing director in the UK and Ireland, Campaign reports. Robbens had been in various senior brand roles at the company over the past 15 years. Read the whole story at Campaign by Chuck Martin , May 21, 2019 The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has agreed to partner with self-driving truck company TuSimple to use self-driving trucks to haul mail. The two-week pilot will involve USPS trailers driving more than 1,000 miles between the Postal Services Phoenix and Dallas distribution centers. TuSimple will run a series of its self-driving trucks for 22 hours each, including overnight driving. The trucks will also carry a safety engineer and driver to monitor vehicle performance. "Performing for the USPS on this pilot in this particular commercial corridor gives us specific use cases to help us validate our system, and expedite the technological development and commercialization progress, states Dr. Xiaodi Hou, founder, president and chief technology officer of TuSimple. The Postal Service is exploring the practicality of using autonomous delivery vehicle technology to reduce fuel costs, increase safe operation and improve fleet utilization rate by lengthening the hours of operation, according to the USPS. by Alex Weprin , May 21, 2019 VidCon, the leading conference for digital video creators and fans, is getting into the original content business. The company has named Stacey Kelly to serve as content director, where she will develop new original content for the Viacom-owned company. The first original to be developed by VidCon is the series VidCon Now, which will highlight creators and digital video trends. It will be produced by Viacom Digital Studios, and will see its new episodes distributed across VidCons social channels. The first episode is rolling out Tuesday. Kelly is a veteran of both BuzzFeed and Viacom, having worked in both branded content and editorial content. She will report to VidCon GM Jim Louderback. VidCon will host its annual confab in Anaheim, California, in July, having expanded internationally earlier this year to London. The company will launch an Australian edition of the conference in September. advertisement advertisement VidCon was founded in 2009 by YouTuber Hank Green, drawing about 1,400 people to its first conference. It has since grown exponentially and now attracts more than 30,000 people each year. Viacom acquired VidCon in early 2018 to grow globally, while giving the cable giant a significant presence in the digital video space. However, everyone is different, and other factors contribute to a persons survival rate. The American Cancer Society (ACS) note that the 5-year relative survival rate for people with stage 4 colon cancer that has spread is 14%. Stage 4 colon cancer occurs when cancer in the colon spreads, or metastasizes, to other tissues and organs. Colon cancer most often spreads to the liver, but it may also reach the lungs, the lymph nodes, or the lining of the abdominal cavity. After running all of the necessary tests, a doctor will discuss the diagnosis with the individual. If they identify cancer, they will also use more tests to see whether it has spread. The correct diagnosis of colon cancer may take patience, as doctors use many tests to detect and locate cancer . It is important to discuss all of the options with a doctor and to understand the goal of each treatment. Anyone who receives a stage 4 colon cancer diagnosis will have to make some decisions about the way forward, particularly regarding treatment options. The treatment options available to people with stage 4 colon cancer are more limited than those suitable for the earlier stages of this cancer. However, there are still some treatment options to consider, as well as other factors to keep in mind. Surgery When cancerous cells have spread to distant organs and tissues, surgery is unlikely to cure cancer. There are some cases in which surgery may still be a good option, though. If a scan reveals that the cancer has only spread to a few small areas, surgery may still be possible. By surgically removing the cancerous cells, doctors hope to help the person live longer. These surgeries will involve the removal of part of the colon as well as the nearby lymph nodes. Additional surgery may remove the areas of tissue into which the cancer has spread. Doctors will typically also recommend chemotherapy, either before or after the surgery. If the tumor cells are too large to remove, or there are too many of them, doctors will recommend chemotherapy before the person undergoes any surgical procedures. If this shrinks the tumors, they may then ask a surgeon to proceed with the surgery. Doctors may also need to perform additional surgical procedures if the cancerous growth is likely to obstruct the colon or is already blocking it. In some cases, minimally invasive surgery, such as placing a stent, may be possible. Surgeons can place a stent, which is a hollow tube that typically consists of mesh metal or plastic, into the colon during a colonoscopy. When successful, a stent may help keep the colon open and make more invasive surgery unnecessary. Doctors may also recommend a diverting colostomy, which essentially cuts the colon above the cancerous tissue and diverts the waste from the body out through a small opening in the skin. Chemotherapy Share on Pinterest Chemotherapy is a primary treatment for advanced cancer. If the colon cancer has spread too far for surgery to be effective, chemotherapy is the primary treatment option. Most people with stage 4 colon cancer will receive chemotherapy or specific targeted therapies to help control the cancer progression or symptoms. Doctors may recommend some treatment regimens that include a targeting drug, which targets either the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway or the epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway. The choice between regimens will vary in each situation. The most suitable option will depend on the types of treatment that a person has had before, their overall health, and their responsiveness to treatment. It is not uncommon for doctors to try multiple treatments. If the cancer does not respond to the first treatment, they may stop that treatment and start another instead. Radiation therapy Doctors may also recommend radiation therapy in late-stage colon cancer to help reduce symptoms such as pain and discomfort. This treatment might even shrink the tumor for a time, but it will not usually cure the cancer. Hepatic artery infusion A hepatic artery infusion may be a treatment option for people with colon cancer that has spread to the liver. Hepatic artery infusion is a type of regional chemotherapy, which involves delivering a chemotherapy drug directly into the hepatic artery in the liver. This treatment may help destroy cancer cells without harming the healthy liver cells in the process. Ablation or embolization Ablation or embolization may be appropriate for people who have metastatic or reoccurring colorectal cancer that causes a few tumors in the lung or liver that are less than 4 centimeters across. Ablation uses either radio frequencies, microwaves, or alcohol which people also call percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) to target and kill cancer cells while leaving the surrounding tissues relatively unharmed. During embolization, a doctor will inject substances into the blood vessels to try to block or reduce the blood flow to cancer cells in the liver. Palliative care If cancer progresses to many distant organs and tissues, surgery may not help extend a persons lifespan. Other treatment options can cause discomfort and may produce additional symptoms that make the persons quality of life worse. In these cases, people may decide against medical treatment that seeks to cure the cancer and instead opt for palliative care to try to make living more comfortable. Palliative care will typically involve finding ways to manage pain and reduce a persons symptoms so that they can live comfortably for as long as possible. People with type 2 diabetes should receive regular monitoring of liver function, as they could be at risk of developing life-threatening cirrhosis and liver cancer. Share on Pinterest Type 2 diabetes may be an independent risk factor for some severe liver conditions. This was one of the conclusions of a very large study of 82 million adults living in Europe. Another finding was that for many people who develop cirrhosis and liver cancer, it seems that the conditions are already at an advanced stage at the time of diagnosis. Researchers from Queen Mary University of London and the University of Glasgow, both in the United Kingdom, led the study. They report their results in a paper that now appears in the journal BMC Medicine. The purpose of the investigation was to estimate the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer in people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or steatohepatitis (NASH). NAFLD is a major cause of liver disease worldwide. Its global prevalence has risen from 15% to 25% in the decade leading up to 2010 and parallels the rising tide of obesity and type 2 diabetes. For many people with NAFLD, the condition does little harm. However, some with NAFLD will go on to develop the much more aggressive form, NASH, which damages the liver and can lead to cancer. Need for earlier diagnosis of NAFLD Because people who have NAFLD or NASH are at risk of the conditions becoming life-threatening, diagnoses need to be early; that way, doctors can offer effective treatment promptly. However, senior study author Dr. William Alazawi, a reader and consultant in hepatology at Queen Mary University of London, suggests that doctors may not be picking up NAFLD early enough. He and his team were surprised to find much lower rates of diagnosed NAFLD than they expected among the 82 million electronic health records that they analyzed. This means that many patients are actually undiagnosed in primary care, says Dr. Alazawi. Even over the short time frame of the study, some [people] progressed to more advanced, life-threatening stages of disease, suggesting that they are being diagnosed very late, he adds. According to the American Liver Foundation, NAFLD affects around 100 million people in the United States. It is normal for some fat to be present in the liver. However, when more than 510% of the organs weight is fat, a state called fatty liver (steatosis) develops. NAFLD is fatty liver that is not related to alcohol consumption. NASH is a more severe form of NAFLD that swells and damages the liver and can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, and, in some cases, cancer. Around 1 in 6 of those with NAFLD will develop NASH, which most often develops when a person is 4060 years old and affects women more than men. It is frequently the case that people with NASH live with the condition for years before they discover that they have it. A study looking at the data of thousands of participants suggests that there may be a link between severe sleep apnea and the likelihood of developing cancer. However, this link appears to be stronger in women. Share on Pinterest There may be a link between sleep apnea and cancer, and research has identified it predominantly in women. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, sleep apnea is a widespread sleep condition among people in the United States. A person with this condition will stop and start breathing repeatedly during sleep. This may cause them to wake up and will affect the quality of their rest. One subtype of this condition obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) involves obstruction of the airways as a person sleeps. This is caused by the abnormal relaxation of throat muscles. Studies show that the number of people receiving a diagnosis of OSA is on the rise . This is a worrying trend since this condition can increase a persons risk of hypertension (high blood pressure), cognitive decline, stroke, and chronic fatigue, among other health problems. Moreover, some research suggests that elements of OSA may promote mechanisms that can increase a persons risk of cancer . Now, a team of researchers from 12 academic institutions including University College Dublin in Ireland, and Gothenburg University in Sweden have analyzed a large dataset corresponding to 19,556 participants to learn more about the possible ties between sleep apnea and cancer risk. The data come from the European Sleep Apnoea Database (ESADA), which includes participants with OSA. In the new study, the researchers looked at the link between the severity of sleep apnea, blood oxygen concentration levels, and a persons risk of cancer. They also took the impact of biological sex on this association into account. The research findings now appear in the European Respiratory Journal. Recent studies have shown that low blood oxygen levels during the night and disrupted sleep, which are both common in OSA, may play an important role in the biology of different types of cancers, says study author Athanasia Pataka, who is an assistant professor at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece. But this area of research is very new, and the effects of gender on the link between OSA and cancer have not been studied in detail before, she explains. Link stronger among women Among the ESADA cohort whose medical data the researchers analyzed, 5,789 of the participants were women, and 13,767 were men. The team first assessed the severity of the participants sleep apnea by looking at how often a person experienced airway obstruction during sleep. They also looked at how many times per night their blood oxygen levels fell below 90%. Then, the researchers looked at how many people in the entire cohort had also received a cancer diagnosis. They saw that 388 individuals (or 2% of participants) of which 160 were women and 228 men held a serious cancer diagnosis. They also noticed that the participants with cancer were typically aged 50 or over and less overweight than other participants. The researchers note that the most common form of cancer among women was breast cancer, and among men, it was prostate cancer. The team looked into sex differences in more detail. They found that women with severe OSA who had lower blood oxygen levels during sleep were more likely to have a cancer diagnosis than women without sleep apnea. When it came to men, the researchers found that this trend did not apply. They found that men with severe sleep apnea were no more likely to have developed cancer than men without this condition. Our study of more than 19,000 people shows that [the] severity of OSA is linked to a cancer diagnosis, says Pataka. She adds that [t]his link was especially strong in the women that we analyzed, and less so in the men, and suggests that severe OSA could be an indicator for cancer in women, though more research is needed to confirm these findings. While this study was observational and did not look into cause and effect relationships or possible underlying mechanisms explaining these patterns, the researchers believe that there may be a biological explanation for their findings. Although Pataka admits that the current study did not explicitly explore the causes of different cancers, she explains that cancer may differ between men and women because of factors such as how hormones affect tumor growth; how the different types of cancer that were more prevalent in men and women are affected by low blood oxygen levels; or how gender-specific exposure to cigarette smoking may play a role. ITASCA, Ill. May 21, 2019 South Carolina's South Carolina Tim Daniels Jimmy Critchfield /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Accurate Biometrics, today, announces it has been awarded an up to five-year contract for the receiving, storing, and reporting criminal history background check results forDepartment of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation. Accurate Biometrics specializes in providing managed fingerprint applicant tracking and storage solutions nationwide for public and private entities, as well as fingerprinting for employment, licensing, and other required purposes."We are extremely excited by this award, it's a testament to the high level of service and innovative technology solutions we have offered to other states and we look forward to working withfor the first time." said, President of Accurate Biometrics.About Accurate Biometrics Accurate Biometrics is a Certified Woman-Owned Small Business providing live scan fingerprinting service and solutions. We are a trusted leader in the biometric services industry, and the preferred choice of Federal, State, Municipal, Corporate, and other organizational entities. Accurate Biometrics is one of the first companies nationally to submit fingerprints to a State AFIS System for non-criminal justice history record checks, and have been an FBI Channeler since 2006. We have proudly provided innovative fingerprint solutions to our clients for nearly 20 years.For more information, contact:Director, Government Sales and Partnerships Accurate Biometrics jvcritchfield(at)accuratebiometrics(dot)com 866-361-9944 AccurateBiometrics.comSOURCE Accurate Biometrics VANCOUVER May 21, 2019 Justice Canada $5.3 million British Columbia $50 million $25 million $25 million Canada Justice Canada Canada Justice Natalie Drolet David Lau Canada Aleem Bharmal Canada Tracy Porteous The Canada Labour Code defines sexual harassment as any conduct, comment, gesture or contact of a sexual nature that is likely to cause offence or humiliation to any employee or that might, on reasonable grounds, be perceived by that employee as placing a condition of a sexual nature on employment or on any opportunity for training or promotion. This federal definition applies to federally-regulated workplaces. defines sexual harassment as any conduct, comment, gesture or contact of a sexual nature that is likely to cause offence or humiliation to any employee or that might, on reasonable grounds, be perceived by that employee as placing a condition of a sexual nature on employment or on any opportunity for training or promotion. This federal definition applies to federally-regulated workplaces. In 2018, Statistics Canada released a study on all forms of harassment in Canadian workplaces. Statistics Canada found 19% of women and 13% of men reported that they had experienced harassment in their workplace. Women were more likely to report sexual harassment in their workplace (4%) than men (less than 1%). released a study on all forms of harassment in Canadian workplaces. Statistics found 19% of women and 13% of men reported that they had experienced harassment in their workplace. Women were more likely to report sexual harassment in their workplace (4%) than men (less than 1%). In 2016, 48% of workers in Canada were women (Statistics Canada, 2017), and in a survey conducted by Employment and Social Development Canada in 2017, 94% of respondents who reported experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace were women. Backgrounder: Addressing workplace sexual harassment Public Legal Education and Information (PLEI) Workplace Sexual Harassment Component Legal Aid Program Workplace Sexual Harassment Component Harassment and sexual violence in the workplace-Public consultations What we heard Sexual Harassment Budget 2018 Follow the Department of Justice Canada on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Follow Minister Lametti on Twitter: @MinJusticeEn. Subscribe to receive our news releases and more via RSS feeds. For more information or to subscribe, visit https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/news-nouv/rss.html Justice Canada /CNW/ - In Canada, all individuals have the right to a safe workplace with fair treatment for all. When sexual harassment occurs, it impacts the health and well-being of those involved, as well as their ability to perform their jobs to the best of their ability.Today, the Honourable David Lametti, Minister ofand Attorney General of, announced nearlyin funding for four British Columbian organizations that are working to address sexual harassment in Canadian workplaces. The work of these organizations -- the Migrant Workers Centre BC Society, the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society, the Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS), and the Ending Violence Association of-- will improve access to justice for individuals who experience sexual harassment in their workplace. They will also put in place outreach programs to better inform workers, particularly those most vulnerable, about their rights and how to access help.Today's announcement is part of the overallover five years announced in Budget 2018 committed to addressing sexual harassment. Of this amount,is dedicated to organizations so that they can increase their ability to provide legal advice and information to support complainants of sexual harassment in the workplace. Anotheris dedicated to organizations to enable them to provide public legal education and information to workers. Through both inititatives, the Government ofis helping organizations take a stand against sexual harassment in the workplace."Workplace sexual harassment is simply unacceptable. It is crucial to fill the gaps in legal information and resources to support individuals who bravely come forward with complaints. I am pleased to support these organizations and their initiatives that will address this very serious issue and help provide a safe workplace.""We know that migrant workers and other newcomers toare often working in low-paying precarious jobs, and that women in these jobs are more prone to workplace sexual harassment. Since #MeToo began, we have seen an increase in the number of migrant workers stepping forward to seek our services. Thanks to the generous support of the Ministry of, Migrant Workers Centre will collaborate with ISS of BC to provide legal advice so that workers can understand their rights and consider their options. Services will be offered at different locations around the lower mainland to increase accessibility, and frontline workers will receive training to inform and refer. Ensuring that workers feel supported will play an important part in upholding safe and equitable conditions at work for everyone.""The Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS), and its Healthy Women, Healthy Communities program is honored to have been selected as part of this funding initiative. Social isolation, language barriers, a history of trauma and violence due to war and displacement, and lack of familiarity with Canadian laws and protections for both immigrants and workers are all factors that create vulnerabilities for newcomer women in the workplace. Empowered women are healthy women, and healthy women are an important foundation for healthy communities.""We are very pleased that the Government ofis responding to the nation-wide discussion on sexual harassment and violence against women by investing in projects that will support action and accountability. For many years, CLAS has been providing legal assistance to people impacted by sexual harassment in the workplace, but we know that there are still many people targeted by this unacceptable behaviour who do not know their rights, or even where to turn, when they have been harmed. We are delighted to be able to expand our legal services to provide increased support for victims of workplace sexual harassment across the province and help ensure that everyone harmed by this behaviour, regardless of income, location, language spoken, or any other factor, knows their rights, understands their options, and has access to quality legal advice and support.""Since the moment the #MeToo movement began to take hold, there has been a dramatic increase in awareness of the prevalence of sexual harassment and the extent of harm being perpetrated in Canadian workplaces. In response, and with the generous support of the Government of, the Ending Violence Association of BC (EVA BC) will be providing trauma-informed training and distributing relevant, public legal information to help non profits, small businesses and Indigenous communities prevent and respond. Like other forms of gender-based violence, workplace harassment is rarely reported. We believe shining a very bright light on the issue by helping people to know their rights and know what to say and what to do will help build healthier, more respectful workplaces."SOURCE Department of LOWELL, Mass. May 21, 2019 Massachusetts Elizabeth Roth Salem, NH Salem Salem Salem Salem Greater Salem Greater Lowell Greater Salem, NH Elizabeth Roth Salem Southern New Hampshire Southern New Hampshire Matt Donahue Massachusetts Derry Lowell, MA. Massachusetts Southern New Hampshire /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Eno Martin Donahue & Roth, one of the top business law firms inspecializing in corporate, IP, employment, and trusts and estates, continues to expand its service area with the addition of a new partner to the firm,. Attorney Roth leads the firm's physical expansion into, an area experiencing new business development opportunities.When Eno Martin Donahue decided to build their Merrimack Valley service area and expand into thearea, they sought the help of someone knowledgeable about the town's business needs. A resident offor 40 years, Attorney Roth has been involved not only in the city's business development initiatives but has become a community leader as well. She served as Selectman offor six years and will be installed as the President of the Greater Salem NH Rotary Club. Her other community involvement includes serving on the Salem Planning Board, theDistrict Commission, and theChamber of Commerce."Merging the former practice operations of Roth & Associates, LLC with the experience and talent depth of Eno Martin Donahue LLP provides a unique opportunity to bring large business legal expertise to the small to medium size business owners located in theandareas. The philosophies of both firms could not have been a better match." , Partner at Eno Martin Donahue & RothThe town ofis experiencing a huge business growth with the development of the former Rockingham Park property. The area is being developed into a mixed-use complex of residential and commercial property with the ultimate goal of creating a vibrant community center with pedestrian-friendly boulevards and open-air shopping. This push to create more opportunities for businesses has attracted other organizations like hospitals and retailers to move into the developing office space. And the legal and business consulting firm Eno Martin Donahue & Roth intends to help many of these new business owners solve their legal needs."As the Metro Boston area's growth pushes into the Merrimack Valley, especially, we think it is important for our firm to have a dual state presence. Beth's unique background in law, business, health care, and her entrepreneurial and marketing skills makes her a great fit for our firm and a valued partner to expand our presence in. Beth knows the challenges businesses face and has been advising business clients for over 20 years. Our firm's focus is to provide client-friendly business advice to help clients grow and thrive, Beth will help us serve our clients better." , Partner at Eno Martin Donahue & RothAttorney Roth has 20+ years of experience in business law, serving clients throughoutand beyond. Before joining Eno Martin Donahue & Roth, she established a successful private practice and also served as in-house Corporate Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for a national behavioral health care corporation. Today, she focuses her legal practice on advising small to mid-sized businesses with her business law and mediation practices.Attorney Roth received her law degree from the Massachusetts School of Law and also serves as the Vice-President of the GFWC-New Hampshire Federation of Women's Clubs and on the Board of Directors for the Center for Life Management Community Mental Health ofAbout Eno Martin Donahue & Roth Eno Martin Donahue & Roth, PLLC is a multi-generational law firm based inThe firm specializes in the areas of corporate, IP, employment, trusts and estates, environmental, banking, and commercial real estate law. Located in the heart of Merrimack Valley, the firm's client portfolio is as diverse as its practice areas and includes clients in banking, manufacturing, and business owners from numerous industry verticals throughoutandSOURCE Eno Martin Donahue & Roth, PLLC Advertisement The study was led by Athanasia Pataka, who is Assistant Professor of Respiratory Medicine at Aristotle University and works at the George Papanikolaou General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Greece. She explained:The researchers analysed data from 19,556 people included in the European Sleep Apnoea Database (ESADA), an international multi-centre study that includes patients with OSA, to explore the link between OSA severity, low blood oxygen levels and cancer development. The participants included 5,789 women and 13,767 men in total, who were also assessed for their age, BMI, smoking status and level of alcohol use, as these factors can impact the risk of developing cancer.To assess OSA severity and the link with developing cancer, the researchers looked at how many times the participants experienced partial or complete airways closure per hour of sleep, and how many times during the night their blood oxygen levels dropped below 90 percent.The data showed that among the ESADA participants, 388 people (2%) had been diagnosed with a serious cancer; this included 160 women and 228 men, which is 2.8% of all women and 1.7% of all men in the ESADA group. Those who were diagnosed with cancer were likely to be over 50 years of age and less overweight, and the most common type of cancer among women was breast cancer, while prostate cancer was the most prevalent among men.When the researchers analysed the data again according to the participants' sex, they found that the odds of cancer diagnosis were higher in women with severe OSA and who had more severely lowered blood oxygen levels during sleep compared with women without OSA. But this trend was not the same when comparing men with OSA versus men without OSA, even after the research team accounted for the other variables that could impact the risk of developing cancer, such as BMI, age, smoking status and alcohol use, which suggests that women with OSA are more likely to develop cancer than men with OSA.Professor Pataka explained their results: "Our study of more than 19,000 people shows that severity of OSA is linked to a cancer diagnosis. This link was especially strong in the women that we analysed, and less so in the men, and suggests that severe OSA could be an indicator for cancer in women, though more research is needed to confirm these findings.Professor Pataka added:The research team notes that their analysis did not account for other factors that may affect cancer risk, such as participants' physical activity, marital status, education level and occupation, which potentially limits the study. They also stressed that their results cannot show that OSA causes the increased risk of cancer, only that there is an association between the two, and say that further research is needed to understand how OSA symptoms and treatment may affect cancer.Professor Anita Simonds is a Consultant in Respiratory and Sleep Medicine at Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, UK and Vice President of the European Respiratory Society, and was not involved in the research. She said:The research team plan to conduct a follow-up study to evaluate the number of cancer diagnoses and cancer deaths in the ESADA population with OSA, and to look at specific cancers in more detail and how OSA treatment may affect outcomes.Source: Eurekalert If you haven't seen the swan song of 'Game of Thrones', you probably shouldn't read ahead. With Stark children in all their 'rightful' places that in a way defines closure for them as characters, we now know that they're doing something they've had intentions of before but never got around doing because of circumstances. Like how Jon once said to Ygritte that he wanted to wander around sans responsibility. He's doing that, in the end, considering no one needs a Night's Watch anymore. And Arya is off for another adventure, something she once mentioned during her time in Braavos. HBO Arya once asked, "Essos is East. Westeros is West, but what's West of Westeros?" A question no one in Westeros can answer because that's where all the maps end. No one really knows. With the White Walkers dead, and the Mad Queen murdered, there's really no action left in Westeros. They're going to try and rebuild the city and the damage a dragon and his mother had caused. But sedentary life was never made for Arya. She's already declined Gendry's proposal because that's not her. But here's the thing, after wrapping up a successful series like 'Game of Thrones', HBO is open to the idea of spin-offs, one of which is already in the making. But here's a spin-off we wouldn't mind watching: Arya the Adventurer and her explorations of a world beyond Westeros. Arya mentioned back in Season 6 to Lady Crane that no one knows what's West of Westeros. So she created her own Stark fleet with a Stark sigil atop. Fans have requested for the spin-off on her extended storyline and honestly, it makes sense. Unlike the show, the books do provide a little information about what's West of Westeros. Like Daenerys, Arya will have to cross the Sunset Sea. According to the 'Wiki of Ice and Fire', the Sunset Sea contains animals like swordfish, seals and whales but no one has ever successfully crossed this sea, according to Martin. Somewhat fittingly, the last person to try was another King Bran Stark Brandon the Shipwright from the North. But he was never heard of again. But now we know Arya is made differently. She can survive this and that would make for a brilliant story that we'd love to hear. With a rather abrupt ending to 'Game Of Thrones', the series finale has left some rather gaping questions, that have now sadly become dead ends for the show. Here's a list of unanswered questions from the show that we will probably never get the answers to: 1. What Was The Point Of Jon's Heritage? HBO Was there even a point to Jon being a Targaryen? The R+L=J theory was significant to the plotline at the very beginning and had caused a lot of noise. I remember when I first started watching the show, I was rather obsessed with Jon Snow's parentage. At that point, the mystery wasn't the identity of his parents, because it was safely assumed that Ned Stark was his biological father. The real question was, who was Jon's mother? And this used to be subject of many passionate debates by the fans. But now that we know that he was a true born Targaryen with the highest claim to the Iron Throne, does this information, which by the way is the only reason that David Benioff, D. B. Weiss got rights to produce the show in the first place, not matter at all? In the aftermath of the Queen'sassaination when the Lords gathered around to listen to what Tyrion had to say (who, by the way, is a prisoner at this point) and justified why Bran should be King, why did he not consider Jon and his claim to the Throne? Despite slaying the Queen, he does have a pretty strong claim to the Throne. 2. Varys And His Birds HBO Firstly, Varys' execution was damn shady. How can the Master Of Whisperers, who is so conniving that he survived the most unfavourable of circumstances, be so naive? Talking to Jon directly out in the open was not a great idea, but it certainly is not something Varys would do. What happened to him? Did he hit his head against the wall that caused him to take dumb but potentially life-destroying decisions? But anyway, when he's summoned for his execution, he drops his ring in a pot and burns this one letter that he was writing, which contained the truth about what was going on. The rest of the letters were enclosed and sent off. What happened to them? Do the Lords not know? Why is there no mention of this? And if he did manage to get the message sent across, why is there no stir in all the Kingdoms of Westeros? 3. Arya's White Horse Twitter Arya finds a white horse at the end of the penultimate episode. Some argued that there could possibly be biblical notions attached to this White Horse. Arya is then seen riding out of King's Landing. But wait, in the next episode, she's seen in King's Landing again. How does that work? What was the horse for then? To traverse past the dead burnt bodies and not step on them? It doesn't make any sense, but rather sounds preposterous instead. 4. Is Winter Still Coming? HBO Talking about the long drawn-out catchphrase synonymous to 'GoT', we deserved to know if Winter was finally coming in the end or not. The new council meeting by Bran was set in the background of something that looked more spring-like? So, is Winter finally gone for good? 5. Bran the Broken HBO If every main character had a purpose for which they were brought on the show, what was Bran's purpose? We've been told that the Three-Eyed Raven knows everything and has immense power but if that's the case, why doesn't Bran use it? Why does he sit quietly observing what he already knows is going to happen. And the case against him for not changing things doesn't work either. Like he has done many times before, why did he not warg into someone and potentially save thousands of lives in King's Landing? This does somehow make him an accomplice to genocide. But in retrospect, this could've possibly been his plan all along? In normal circumstances, no one would make Bran the King. He's a cripple who apparently can't father children and couldn't possibly further the lineage. And in 'Game of Thrones', we've seen the darkest of things being pulled off by characters just get their hands on the throne. Everyone's creepily obsessed with it, case in point, Daenerys. Could it be possible, that Bran schemed it all in his favour because he can clearly control the past and the present? 6. The Honeycomb and the Jackass This might seem a little irrelevant, but hear me out first. One of the series' long-running secrets, Tyrion's story about bringing a honeycomb and a jackass to a brothel, is a legend in its own right. The joke had been teased two times before the finale- when he was a prisoner at the Eyrie, in Season 1, and during a scene in Season 6, where he shared wine with Grey Worm and Missandei. In Season 1, during Tyrion's trial, he attempts to crack the honeycomb joke, which seems so out-of-place because he's a prisoner being tried for his life, why is he being given the liberty to speak at all? Then in the final episode of Season 8, when Tyrion is Hand of the King to Bran and has a Small Council Meeting, he brings up the joke again, and for a moment, we feel like we are finally going to hear the end of it, which would be perfect given how the show was coming to an end. But, no, the camera cuts and we realize how irrelevant this discussion was. This clearly makes a strong case for bad writing. Instead of showing what's relevant for better closure, we get this. A pointless, incomplete joke. 7. Where Are Daario Nahaaris, Meera Reed & Ellaria Sand? HBO Daario Nahaaris was a Tyroshi mercenary that was once Dany's adviser and lover but was left behind by Dany when she realized forging new alliances in King's Landing will be more fruitful than taking old ones. What is he doing now? What about Meereen? Meera Reed got Bran back safely to Winterfell, protecting him from the White Walkers and then the plot conveniently forgot about her. Ellaria Sand was locked up in the dungeons to die after watching her daughter die. Did she end up dying? Why did we not get closure on these crucial characters? 8. Why Is There Still A Night's Watch? HBO What does a Night's Watch defend if there are no White Walkers in the first place? Does it need to exist anymore? A question that no one seems to bother about, except Jon, when he was exiled to the Night's Watch. This is probably why he abandoned it and set on an adventure to discover a world further North. If these scenes held no significance to the main narrative, they shouldn't have been included in the first place. Instead, they could've probably been replaced with significant content that would've made Dany's and Jon's actions convincing, leading up to a satisfactory finale with no loopholes. Huawei was cut access to do business with American companies like Google, Qualcomm, Intel and other companies that collaborate with the Chinese company. The ban comes as a part of U.S. President's executive order amidst trade battles between the two countries. Having said that, according to Huawei, the company already has contingency plans in place to deal with the ban and the company's founder Ren Zhengfei has downplayed the impact it will have on the Chinese company. Supporting #Huawei does not necessarily mean you should buy a #Huawei smartphone. My family members use #Apple for a very long long time: Ren Zhengfei, founder of China's Huawei Technologies (Photo: Chen Qingqing/GT) pic.twitter.com/5rcrHJx3KR Global Times (@globaltimesnews) May 21, 2019 Speaking to Chinese newspaper, the Global Times, Ren said that In such a critical moment, I'm grateful to US companies, as they've contributed a lot to Huawei's development and showed their conscientiousness on the matter, Ren says. As far as I know, US companies have been making efforts to persuade the US government to let them cooperate with Huawei ... We always need US-developed chipsets, and we can't exclude American products with a narrow mind. Reuters On Saturday, Huawei tweeted Lose-lose, Washington's decision to force U.S. companies to stop doing business with tech giant Huawei creates losers on both sides. Ren also went on to say that trade restriction would not affect Huawei's 5G rollout and in fact, it would be detrimental for the US as other companies would not be able to catch up with Huawei's technology. "The current practice of US politicians underestimates our strength," Ren Zhengfei said, according to the transcripts from the interview. It seems like Huawei will remain unaffected for the time being even though the ban has been lifted temporarily for three months. The US Commerce Department temporarily lifted the ban on American businesses collaborating with Huawei so that software updates can continue on Huawei phones. The three-month lifting of the ban should give Huawei time to at least fight the ban and put forward its case to be removed from the Entity List. The US government currently deems the brand to be a threat to national security due to the government's claim of spying and stealing valuable information from American companies. Google blocked Huawei's access to its Android license on Sunday in compliance with President Trump's Executive order. Other companies like Qualcomm and Intel have also temporarily stopped business with the Chinese company until the ban has been lifted. The loss to Google's Android License means that future Huawei phones will not be able to sell devices running Google's proprietary services such as the Play Store, Youtube and other Google apps. However, Huawei says that the company has already built an alternative OS and is stockpiling hardware to tackle the current issue at hand. Source: Global Times Ever since Google first announced its AR glass as an 'experimental' product, there's been a lot of hype surrounding it. But Google Glass didn't quite catch up with the public due to some obvious reasons. Well, after a few iterations, Google has now released the third-gen Google Glass with a slightly new design and improved internals. Yes, a new version of Google Glass is out now, and here's everything you need to know about it - YouTube The new version of Google Glass is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon XR1, which is a chip that's specifically designed for AR and VR. These new pair of glasses also have a USB-C port for faster charging. The new glasses now run on Android and comes with support for Android Enterprise Mobile Device Management. As you can see, the new Google Glasses also look a little different, thanks to the new frames. Additionally, it also comes with a better camera, because why not? However, all the advancements come at a price and this one costs $999. It's still less than the original one which Google had originally shipped out, but honestly, as an average consumer, it doesn't really matter. Why? Well, that's because it's not meant to be a widespread consumer product. Google is calling it the 'Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2', and selling it only to business users. That being said, we really hope Google makes a version for consumers too. Like, seriously. We already have a ton of VR and AR headsets and eyewear out there in the market, with a few more slated to arrive soon. In fact, Microsoft's HoloLens 2 and Vuzix' glasses are really popular. Google's current customers and partners include AGCO, DHL Group, HB Fuller, and Sutter Health. So, a lot of people are actively using this product, and so we think it's high time we get a consumer version of this product. MILFORD Police charged a city man with first-degree manslaughter after he allegedly killed an acquaintance during a fight at their Anderson Avenue address Sunday night. Officer Michael Devito said 57-year-old Ricky Garcia was being held in lieu of $250,000 bond to be arraigned Tuesday in the death of 49-year-old Christopher Peckham. Getting to the hospital quickly after suffering a stroke improves your chances of survival, but in Connecticut there are areas where access to the top level of stroke care is limited, health experts say. Two hospitals, Yale New Haven Hospitals main campus and Hartford Hospital, are nationally certified as Comprehensive Stroke Care Centers, providing the highest level of stroke care available, which includes 24-hour access to neurological practitioners and the ability to perform complex endovascular therapies, including thrombectomies and endovascular coiling of an aneurysm, among other surgeries. Yale and Hartford hospitals are two of only 178 certified nationally as comprehensive stroke centers, according to The Joint Commission, which certifies hospitals. But when time is critical, traveling to New Haven or Hartford can be a risky commute from the northwestern and northeastern parts and other parts of the state, where hospitals certified in stroke care are sparse. In all, the state has 23 hospitals that are certified in some level of stroke care, up from 16 in 2013. Nineteen hospitals including Norwalk Hospital, Stamford Hospital, St. Vincents Medical Center in Bridgeport, Bridgeport Hospital, Danbury Hospital, Greenwich Hospital, Middlesex Hospital in Middletown are certified as primary stroke centers, and are equipped to do brain scans, administer clot-busting drugs (IV-tPA) and provide neurosurgical services. In addition to Yale and Hartford Hospital, UConn Health John Dempsey Hospital in Farmington, St. Francis Hospital & Medical Center in Hartford, Stamford Hospital, Danbury Hospital are among the facilities that perform thrombectomies, according to a member of the states Stroke Advisory Committee. A complete list was not available. The Joint Commission does not require primary stroke centers to perform thrombectomies. Griffin Hospital in Derby and Johnson Memorial Hospital in Stafford Springs are certified as acute stroke-ready hospitals, providing basic care, including administering drugs to break up a clot and evaluating whether a patient needs to be transferred to a primary or comprehensive stroke center. Seven facilities, Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington, Bristol Hospital, Waterbury Hospital, Milford Hospital, New Milford Hospital, Windham Hospital in Willimantic, and the West Haven VA, have no stroke certification. Melanie Stengel / C-Hit.org Even with more hospitals nationally certified, Connecticut is lagging in some areas of care, said Dr. Joseph Schindler, an associate professor neurology and neurosurgery, director of Acute Stroke and TeleStroke Services and director of the Vascular Neurology Fellowship Program at Yale New Haven. Its left up to the hospitals to make investment in providing stroke care, Schindler said. Connecticut is a couple of states behind more progressive states like Rhode Island or Massachusetts when it comes to stroke care. Connecticuts EMS protocols, updated in 2017, delineate the steps emergency responders should take to transport a stroke patient to a hospital quickly. The steps include notifying a hospital immediately that a stroke patient is on the way and getting witness information on when symptoms started. But the protocols dont specify where EMTs should transport a stroke patient. Rhode Island, Virginia and Colorado are among a handful of states that require EMTs to transport a person suffering from a stroke to a hospital designated as a comprehensive stroke center. Massachusetts legislators are considering implementing similar protocols. Current Massachusetts law requires EMTs to take patients directly to a primary stroke center. Nationally, about 140,000 people die of a stroke annually, and more than 795,000 people will have a stroke, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports. In 2017, 1,403 people died in Connecticut from strokes, a death rate of 27.8 per 100,000 residents the third lowest rate in the country, the CDC reports. Connecticuts stroke death rate has remained below the national average of 37.3 per 100,000 people since 2015, the CDC said. By comparison, states in the stroke belt such as Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee have a death rate 10 percent higher than the national average, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Stroke care In addition to providing top-level stroke care, Yale and Hartford offer telestroke services to some hospitals, which provides quick access to neurological experts by video screen. Yales telestroke services are provided to nearly a dozen hospitals including Sharon Hospital, St. Francis Hospital & Medical Center, Griffin Hospital, and Yales St. Raphaels campus, Schindler said. Greenwich Hospital is expected to join the telestroke program with Yale in the coming months. Hartford Hospitals Telehealth Network includes Windham Hospital, Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, MidState Medical Center in Meriden and Backus Hospital in Norwich, all of which are under the umbrella of Hartford Healthcare. The immediate video conferences allow physicians to receive expert consultations on the appropriate use of an intravenous drug to break up clots. The drug must be administered within 4 hours of the onset of stroke symptoms. The video conferencing assists in patient evaluation to determine if a transfer to a higher level of stroke care facility is needed. An acute stroke-ready hospital is probably not going to have all the fancy tools, but they do have a team trained to immediately deal with stroke patients and get them where they need to go, said Rommie Duckworth, an emergency responder in Ridgefield and the founder of the New England Center for Rescue and Emergency Medicine. Stroke policy changes under review Connecticut officials are continually reviewing stroke care through the state Stroke Advisory Committee, which is working with EMS officials to examine protocols for emergency responders. One concept being discussed is whether its quicker and more effective to bring patients to the closest hospital, no matter what the certification level, to have the patient evaluated to see if they are a candidate for a thrombectomy, said Raffaella Coler, the director of the Office of Emergency Medical Services at the state Department of Public Health (DPH). The need for interventional treatment (thrombectomy) is what would prompt transfer to a higher level of care, Coler said. This way the patient would get the treatment needed if appropriate in the shortest amount of time but still have the needed evaluation to see if they would benefit from transfer. Lisa Backus / C-Hit.org About 80 percent of stroke victims have ischemic strokes, which are caused by blockages in the arteries leading to the brain, according to Dr. Richard Kamin, the EMS director and an associate professor at UConn Health, who is also an advisory committee member. Another 10-15 percent have hemorrhagic strokes, which are caused by aneurisms or bleeding on the brain. Both types of strokes can cause death or severe disability if not treated quickly and properly. About 10 percent of ischemic stroke victims are appropriate for evaluation for a thrombectomy, with about 5 percent of those receiving the procedure, Kamin said. Kamin said that bypassing a hospital that is close in order to transport a patient directly to a comprehensive stroke center could also have negative impact. There is a sacrifice you make when you go past one hospital to another, he said. We know that if you have certain types of injuries you are taken to trauma center. Patients who are taken there have a better survival rate with less complications. Its also true with certain types of heart attacks. Were in the process of trying to figure that out for stroke. Officials have been working since 2014 to make legislators aware that the state needs updated stroke policies after funding for a DPH state stroke care hospital designation program ran out. In a medical crisis where time is brain, every minute counts, which is why the state needed a system of care after the states designation program expired, said Dawn Beland, a registered nurse and coordinator of Hartford Hospitals stroke center, who sits on the advisory committee. It helps us make sure that that we are being the most efficient in passing that patient from EMS to the emergency department to the next level of care, Beland said. As part of the advisory committees continued work, every hospital in the state is now being assessed for its stroke care capabilities, Kamin and Coler said. Hospitals that dont have the capability for stroke treatment should be transparent about what they can and cant do, Kamin said. I think we owe the people of Connecticut, regardless of where they live, an understanding of whats available to them in their local community, Kamin said. At the same time, the committee is trying to determine how to make sure everyone in the state has access to timely and effective stroke care, Kamin said. We have gaps, Kamin said. Those gaps are being looked at and hopefully were coming up with ways to address them. This story was reported under a partnership with the Connecticut Health I-Team, a nonprofit news organization dedicated to health reporting. Gov. Ned Lamont and Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz published an open letter Monday to women-owned businesses in Alabama, Georgia and Missouri, suggesting that Connecticut may offer a more hospitable climate for them in the wake of their states legislatures voting to either ban or sharply curtail abortion rights. The letter from the two Democratic leaders is likely as much about domestic politics as a serious bid to coax businesses north to Connecticut, but a spokesman for the Department of Economic and Community Development said the agency will be directly contacting businesses in those states, most likely via email. Your state legislatures recent decision to severely curb womens reproductive rights is sending shockwaves across the country, including in the business world. Condemnation of this extreme measure has been swift and calls for corporate boycotts grow stronger by the day, Lamont and Bysiewicz wrote. This is clearly an issue that wont be going away any time soon. Alabama passed a bill banning abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected. Georgia quickly followed. Missouri passed a measure that largely bans abortion after the eighth week of pregnancy. All three bills run afoul of the framework outlined by Roe v. Wade and seem geared to forcing a new review of abortion rights by the U.S. Supreme Court. Colorado and Maryland banned government employees from traveling to Alabama for work-related projects, and Marylands comptroller announced a plan to divest its pension portfolio of investments in Alabama businesses. The travel bans echo the action taken by former Gov. Dannel P. Malloy in 2015, when Indiana passed a religious freedom bill that was seen as discriminatory to gays and lesbians. Indiana quickly revised the bill after major businesses threatened boycotts. The three southern states have yet to show signs of revising the abortion bills, prompting Hollywood filmmakers to talk about boycotts, which could be costly in Georgia, a frequent location for filmmakers. Lamont and Bysiewicz urged women in those states to look to Connecticut, promising relocation assistance and a state that has codified the protections of Roe v. Wade in state law. If you are as concerned as we are about this issue, we would urge you to relocate your operations to a state that supports the rights of women and whose actions and laws are unwavering in support of tolerance and inclusivity. In short, I urge you to come to Connecticut, Lamont said. HARTFORD The House unanimously passed a bill Monday that requires insurance companies to report the criteria they use to determine access to mental or behavioral health services. The bill now heads to the Senate. The legislation builds on the federal mental health parity law passed in 2008 and the 2013 law passed after the Sandy Hook school shooting. The Sandy Hook law reduced the amount of time an insurance company has to respond to a request for behavioral health services from 72 hours to 24 hours. Under current law insurance companies must use documented clinical review criteria based on sound clinical evidence to review the requests for coverage from patients, but they dont necessarily have to report that information. No one in Connecticut should be discriminated against because they have a disease of the brain versus a disease of the body, Rep. Sean Scanlon, D-Guilford, said. But thats exactly whats happening now. Scanlon said Milliman, an actuarial consulting firm, released a study in 2017 that show that Connecticut had the worst mental health parity compliance in the United States of America. He said 34 percent of all mental health claims were deemed to be out of network compared to 3 percent for physical health. That is a staggering statistic, Scanlon said. Rep. Brenda Kupchick, R-Fairfield, said after Sandy Hook it was glaringly obvious that there were families across this state that were not getting services that they needed for their family members. Kupchick said they realized they needed data about what exactly was happening and why certain people were being denied. We need real data so we can fix a broken mental health care system in the state, Kupchick said. Scanlon said advocates for the legislation believe the provider networks are not great for mental health and that is tied into non-compliance with the federal parity law. Scanlon said the state will be trying to take further action in the future with more data. The Milliman report was a shocking call to action for those of us who care about access to mental health services and todays vote is a giant step in the direction of ending discrimination toward, and stigmatization of, mental health and ensuring that everyone can get the treatment they deserve, Scanlon said. Scanlon said many insurance companies are already tracking this data so he doesnt view it as an onerous bill that would increase premiums for policyholders. The bill is part of a push by former Congressman Patrick Kennedy to get states to pass bills like the one the House passed Monday to ensure that states are complying with the federal parity law. Advocates for transparency are concerned about passages in a new State Police contract that would limit information the agency releases. The contract calls for a 6.5 percent pay increase for troopers over a three-year span starting in fiscal year 2020. The document also includes new language that requires a court order to obtain personal data about troopers and makes certain personnel files and internal affairs reports exempt from disclosure if the allegations against a trooper were determined to be unfounded. Both additions would supersede the states Freedom of Information law, which allows the release of personnel files and investigations of public agency employees unless the information is deemed by the commission as an invasion of privacy, state FIO officials said. Even if an officer is exonerated, theres still an interest in how it was investigated and how the investigating body came to that conclusion, said Colleen Murphy, executive director of the states Freedom of Information Commission. The commission was aware certain state employee contracts include provisions preventing the release of personal information, Murphy said. But the new language about investigations that are unfounded or unsubstantiated are not subject to the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act is particularly troubling, she said. Denying the release of how an investigation was conducted undermines public confidence in police, she added. The conclusion of these types of investigations should either give the public confidence or pause, Murphy said. Attorneys for the agency are still examining the new language to determine what it would mean, said Brian Foley, executive aide to Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner James Rovella, who oversees the state police. With the understanding of our goal to improve transparency and accountability, we are researching the language to get clarification, Foley said. The state police have been without a contract since July 2018. When negotiations between the union and state officials broke down, the contract went to arbitration. An arbitrator, who heard testimony from both sides over three days earlier this year, agreed to several new provisions added by the state police union, including a paid 30-minute lunch period. Under the previous agreement, troopers were not paid for lunch and were required to remain ready to jump into duty if their help was needed. The paid lunch period will cost the state $4 million a year, according to figures provided by the state Office of Fiscal Analysis. The arbitrator denied the unions request for retroactive raises dating back to July 2018, but agreed to a 2 percent pay increase in fiscal year 2020, and a 2.25 percent pay increase for 2021 and 2022. The cost of the contract over the span of three years will be about $48 million. The money will be initially taken out of the Reserve for Salary Adjustment fund account, which holds funding for collective bargaining costs associated with unsettled contracts, the OFA said. The previous contract included a stipulation that personal data could not be released, Murphy said. The new language says the data can only be released by court order, Murphy said. The previous contract also did not state investigations that led to unfounded allegations could not be released. It contradicts the state FOI law, which states internal affairs investigations are public information regardless of the outcome, Murphy said. State employee bargaining units are allowed to include language that supersedes state law if the language and the law are included in an appendix of the contract, Murphy said. The contract was approved by the Appropriations Committee Friday after an hour-long public hearing. Legislators credited state police union officials with coming to a fair agreement for both sides. No bargaining unit has come before us asking for a 2.5 percent raise and respect, Rep. Mitch Bolinsky, R-Newtown, told union representatives during the hearing. You guys put your lives on the line every single day. I represent a community that profoundly understands loss. But no legislators, including committee co-chairwoman Rep. Toni Walker, D-New Haven, asked union Executive Director Andrew Matthews about the new language in the contract limiting the release of information. Walkers district has been besieged with protests for more police transparency and accountability after a woman was shot last month in New Haven when Hamden and Yale University police officers opened fire on an unarmed man they believed attempted an armed robbery. Matthews and Walker did not return phone calls seeking comment. The contract could be put up for a vote in the House and Senate within the next week. Weve been trying to shine light on the issue, Murphy said. Can the House or the Senate modify the contract? I dont know what the next step is. But for us its a fairness issue. Its a public safety issue. Its a transparency issue. CBD reduces craving and anxiety in people with heroin use disorder Cannabidiol (CBD) reduced cue-induced craving and anxiety in individuals with a history of heroin abuse, suggesting a potential role for it in helping to break the cycle of addiction, according to research conducted at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and published May 21 in the American Journal of Psychiatry. The study also revealed that CBD tended to reduce physiological measures of stress reactivity, such as increased heart rate and cortisol levels, that are induced by drug cues. The wide availability and use of heroin and prescription opioid medications in the United States during the past decade has resulted in an unprecedented epidemic involving more than 300,000 deaths. Despite this staggering toll, limited non-opioid medication options have been developed. Two of the current options, methadone and buprenorphine, are opioid substitution therapies which work on the same opioid receptors (mu receptors) as heroin and other potent opioid agonists. These medications, however, carry a stigma as well as their own addiction risk, are mired in tight governmental regulation, and therefore are underutilized by the millions of people diagnosed with opioid use disorder. Such a treatment gap highlights the urgent need to develop novel therapeutic strategies that do not target the mu opioid receptor. "To address the critical need for new treatment options for the millions of people and families who are being devastated by this epidemic, we initiated a study to assess the potential of a non-intoxicating cannabinoid on craving and anxiety in heroin-addicted individuals," says Yasmin Hurd, PhD, the Ward-Coleman Chair of Translational Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Director of the Addiction Institute at Mount Sinai and first author of the study. "The specific effects of CBD on cue-induced drug craving and anxiety are particularly important in the development of addiction therapeutics because environmental cues are one of the strongest triggers for relapse and continued drug use." Previous preclinical work conducted by Dr. Hurd and her lab team at Mount Sinai, in animals with a history of heroin self-administration, demonstrated that CBD reduced the animals' tendency to use heroin in response to a drug-associated cue. To determine whether the preclinical work could be translated to humans, her lab then conducted a series of clinical studies that demonstrated CBD was safe and tolerable in humans. The current study used a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled design to explore the acute (one hour, two hours, and 24 hours), short-term (three consecutive days), and protracted (seven days after the last of three consecutive daily administrations) effects of CBD administration on drug cue-induced craving and anxiety in drug-abstinent individuals with heroin use disorder. Secondary measures assessed participants' positive and negative affect, cognition, and physiological status. Through the study, 42 drug-abstinent men and women were randomly assigned to receive either 400 mg or 800 mg of an oral CBD solution or a matching placebo. Participants were then exposed to neutral and drug-related cues during the course of three sessions: immediately following administration, 24 hours after CBD or placebo administration, and seven days after the third and final daily CBD or placebo administration. Neutral cues consisted of a three-minute video showing relaxing scenarios, such as scenes of nature, while drug-related cues included a three-minute video showing intravenous or intranasal drug use and exposure to heroin-related paraphernalia like syringes, rubber ties, and packets of powder resembling heroin. Measures of opioid craving, anxiety, positive and negative affect, and vital signs (skin temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation) were obtained at different times during the sessions. The study team found that CBD, in contrast to placebo, significantly reduced both the craving and anxiety induced by drug cues compared with neutral cues in the acute term. CBD also showed significant protracted effects on these measures seven days after the final short-term exposure. In addition, CBD reduced the drug cue-induced physiological measures of heart rate and salivary cortisol levels. There were no significant effects on cognition, and there were no serious adverse events. The capacity of CBD to reduce craving and anxiety one week after the final administration mirrors the results of the original preclinical animal study, suggesting that the effects of CBD are long-lasting, even when the cannabinoid would not be expected to be present in the body. "Our findings indicate that CBD holds significant promise for treating individuals with heroin use disorder," says Dr. Hurd. "A successful non-opioid medication would add significantly to the existing addiction medication toolbox to help reduce the growing death toll, enormous health care costs, and treatment limitations imposed by stringent government regulations amid this persistent opioid epidemic." Dr. Hurd's research team is working on two follow-up studies: one delves into understanding the mechanisms of CBD's effects on the brain; the second paves the way for the development of unique CBD medicinal formulations that are likely to become a significant part of the medical arsenal available to address the opioid epidemic. ### About the Mount Sinai Health System The Mount Sinai Health System is New York City's largest integrated delivery system, encompassing eight hospitals, a leading medical school, and a vast network of ambulatory practices throughout the greater New York region. Mount Sinai's vision is to produce the safest care, the highest quality, the highest satisfaction, the best access and the best value of any health system in the nation. The Health System includes approximately 7,480 primary and specialty care physicians; 11 joint-venture ambulatory surgery centers; more than 410 ambulatory practices throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and 31 affiliated community health centers. The Icahn School of Medicine is one of three medical schools that have earned distinction by multiple indicators: ranked in the top 20 by U.S. News & World Report's "Best Medical Schools", aligned with a U.S. News & World Report's "Honor Roll" Hospital, No. 12 in the nation for National Institutes of Health funding, and among the top 10 most innovative research institutions as ranked by the journal Nature in its Nature Innovation Index. This reflects a special level of excellence in education, clinical practice, and research. The Mount Sinai Hospital is ranked No. 18 on U.S. News & World Report's "Honor Roll" of top U.S. hospitals; it is one of the nation's top 20 hospitals in Cardiology/Heart Surgery, Gastroenterology/GI Surgery, Geriatrics, Nephrology, and Neurology/Neurosurgery, and in the top 50 in six other specialties in the 2018-2019 "Best Hospitals" issue. Mount Sinai's Kravis Children's Hospital also is ranked nationally in five out of ten pediatric specialties by U.S. News & World Report. The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai is ranked 11th nationally for Ophthalmology and 44th for Ear, Nose, and Throat. Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Mount Sinai St. Luke's, Mount Sinai West, and South Nassau Communities Hospital are ranked regionally. For more information, visit http://www. mountsinai. org/ , or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. This story has been published on: 2019-05-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 21) Taguig 2nd District Rep. Pia Cayetano said she would again push for a bill legalizing divorce in the country when she returns to the Senate. I will refile the bill Stina-strategize ko [I am strategizing] how to go about it, Cayetano told CNN Philippines on Tuesday. Cayetano is among the authors of a House bill that passed last year which seeks to legalize absolute divorce in the Philippines, the only country left aside from Vatican City where divorce is not an option. No absolute divorce bill was filed in the Senate until December 2018 nine months after the House passed the measure. It has remained in the Senate Women committee since its filing. Cayetano, who ranks fourth in the partial and official Senate race results, acknowledged that there is resistance to divorce being legalized in the Philippines, were majority of its citizens adhere to Catholicism, which frowns upon divorce. READ: CBCP: Divorce bill 'anti-marriage and anti-family' But those are challenges that I'm willing to face because to make change, you have to be willing to fight for the changes you believe in, she said. She added, This is life-saving for them. Like literally will save their life because theyre in marriages where they are beaten up emotionally, physically and Ive heard the stories. So I ask my colleagues, just listen to the stories so that youll see why I find that it is the right thing to do to pursue legislation for divorce. A 2017 Social Weather Stations survey found that 53 percent of Filipinos believe that divorce for spouses who are irreconcilably separated should be legalized. President Rodrigo Duterte has aired his opposition to divorce, saying that children will suffer. He later cited the opposition of his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, to the measure as the reason for his stance. Dutere's marriage to his first wife, with whom he has three children, has been annulled. He and his partner, Honeylet Avancena, have a teenage daughter. HARTFORD Pro-choice organizers, protestors and legislators met on the steps of the state capitol Tuesday not only to condemn the passage strict abortion laws in states like Alabama and Missouri, but to celebrate Connecticuts commitment to a womans right to choose. I stand here today proud to live in the state of Connecticut, House Minority Leader Themis Klarides said. Proud because in 1990 Connecticut codified Roe v. Wade in our state constitution. Today we stand strong with people throughout the country whose voice is being threatened. The protest, which was led by Gretchen Raffa, director of Public Policy, Advocacy & Strategic Engagement at Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, was one of many events taking place across the country to stop abortion bans. This is a terrifying time for women in our country, Raffa said. We have seen rash and extreme abortion bans sweeping the country all with one goal in mind-to bring a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade. More for you Lamont connects abortion rights, business climate This National Day of Action comes just a week after Alabama signed the countrys most restrictive abortion ban into law in hopes of challenging Roe v. Wade in the Supreme Court. Other states such as Missouri and Georgia have followed in Alabamas footsteps. Speakers which included Gov. Ned Lamont, Attorney General William Tong and Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz shunned these restrictive laws but seized the opportunity to highlight Connecticuts stance on the issue. We respect womens reproductive health care and their ability to make decisions about their bodies, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said before a crowd of cheering protesters. Bysiewicz extended an invite to women business-owners in Alabama and Missouri to come to Connecticut because of the states commitment to womens right to choose as well as its economy. We are fourth in the country in terms of helping entrepreneurs that are women, Bysiewicz said. We have access to the largest markets in the country. We have amazing trained and educated people ready to help businesses from outside our state, so we welcome you to our beautiful state of Connecticut and we stand with those fighting against this insidious and dangerous move to overturn Roe v. Wade. Bysiewiczs invitation reaffirmed a letter she and Lamont sent to business owners in Alabama, Missouri and Georgia Monday which detailed the benefits of relocating ones business to a women-friendly state like Connecticut. After detailing the economic benefits of moving to Connecticut such as the states strategic location, the letter paints Connecticut as a champion of reproductive rights. We are equally as proud of our commitment to the causes of women, the letter stated. The recently created Governors Council on Women and Girls, for example, clearly illustrates the ways in which we prioritize the potential of ALL members of our society. Lamont also addressed the crowd and started his remarks by reading off some of the phrases written on the signs dotting the crowd of protesters gathered around the steps of the capitol. I love these signs. Connecticut, dont even think about it, he read from a bold cardboard sign. He then retorted, America, dont even think about it. Lamont called for Connecticut to be a unified front against injustices playing out across the country. Its one Connecticut, Lamont said. Were going to make sure its one across the country. He also addressed the letter written to women CEOs. Look, theyre living in a state where theyre not respecting your rights, Lamont said. Theyre not respecting women. Come on up to Connecticut. Were going to fight this war on multiple different fronts. This is where you want to be. A state that loves and protects women and our rights. Maddison Martin, a nursing student at Central Connecticut State University, attended the protest because she is really passionate about stopping the spread of medical misinformation about abortion. She agrees with legislators that Connecticut is a safe place for women who feel deprived of their rights. I think if people need access to health care, any reproductive health care, they should definitely come to Connecticut, Martin said. Tong encouraged the crowd to link arms to demonstrate how Connecticut citizens serve firewall against unjust laws that ban abortion. If you want to ban abortion, if you want to dismantle a system of health care for American women that has existed for decades, you are going to have to come through all of us, Tong said to the screaming crowd or protesters standing arm-in-arm. And we are not afraid of you. A Marine Corps pilot is being treated for injuries at a North Carolina hospital after ejecting from an AV-8B Harrier jet before it crashed. A Harrier jump jet crashed on Monday near Havelock, North Carolina, near Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, according to a Marine Corps news release. The pilot was transported to Carolina East Medical Center, about 20 miles northwest of the air station. There were no reports of civilian casualties or property damage, according to the release. Members of the Havelock Sheriff Department were the first to arrive on the scene, followed by members of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. "The crash site has been cordoned off by military officials," the Marine Corps news release states. "The cause of the mishap is currently under investigation." Officials did not immediately respond to questions about what time the crash occurred, the squadron to which it's assigned, whether there are early indications as to what caused it to crash and why the plane was in the air. Last week, an Air Force pilot ejected from an F-16 fighter jet before it crashed into a warehouse in Southern California, injuring 11 people in the building. None of the injuries were life threatening. That aircraft was on a training mission at the time. Last year, the Navy and Marine Corps temporarily grounded flights in Djibouti after an AV-8B Harrier jet assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit crashed during takeoff. -- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins. U.S. F-22 Raptors intercepted four Russian bombers and a pair of Su-35 Flanker-E fighter aircraft off the coast of Alaska on Monday, according to the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD. NORAD on Tuesday said that two F-22 stealth fighters initially intercepted two Tupolev Tu-95 Bear bombers. Following that intercept, two more F-22s intercepted a second group of two Russian bombers flanked by two of the Sukhoi-made fighters. While the aircraft remained in international airspace, they flew into North America's Air Defense Identification Zone, or the airspace surrounding the United States and Canada. The ADIZ stretches roughly 200 miles off Alaska's coast. "Our ability to deter and defeat threats to our citizens and vital infrastructure starts with detecting, tracking and positively identifying aircraft in our airspace," said Air Force Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, commander of NORAD, in a statement posted on Twitter. "We are on alert 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year." An E-3 airborne warning and control system, or AWACS, provided surveillance and support during the intercept, the command said. Related: 'You Haven't Seen Us:' Norway Kicks Tires on Stealthy F-35s as First Exercise Begins The incident comes as the Defense Department's biannual Northern Edge exercise is in full swing in Alaska. Approximately 10,000 U.S. military personnel are participating in the joint training exercise hosted by U.S. Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). The drills, being conducted at central Alaska ranges and the Gulf of Alaska, involve roughly 250 aircraft from the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, as well as five Navy ships, PACAF said earlier this month. The two-week-long exercise concludes May 24. Between 2016 and 2018, NORAD conducted 164 intercepts of foreign and civilian aircraft, according to statistics provided to Military.com. There are about half a dozen intercepts of foreign state aircraft per year, according to Canadian Lt. Gen. Christopher J. Coates, deputy commander of NORAD. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. FN America LLC's plan to show off its high-tech fire-control system at the 2019 Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC) in Tampa, Florida, this week could offer insight into similar technology being designed for the Army's Next Generation Squad Weapon. The FN Mk3 Fire Control Unit is designed to give operators a complete sighting and aiming solution for 40mm grenade launchers, according to a recent FN news release. "It calculates the trajectory of grenades and gives an adjusted point of aim, enabling the grenadier to obtain first-round hits in all conditions -- night and day," the release states. The Mk3 Fire Control Unit is an example of technology Army modernization officials want for the service's Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW), a futuristic weapon being designed to replace the M249 squad automatic weapon and M4/M4A1 carbines. FN is one of a handful of companies working with the service to develop prototypes for the Next Generation Squad Automatic Rifle (NGSAR). Both the AR and rifle versions of the NGSW will be chambered for a special, government-designed 6.8mm projectile and will feature an advanced fire control system designed to automatically adjust for environmental conditions such as wind, as well as integrating thermal, infrared pointer and other weapons accessories into one system, U.S. military officials have said. So far, the Army and gun manufacturers have been tight-lipped about the NGSW prototypes and fire control systems. FN's Mk3 system, which will be showcased at SOFIC from May 21 to May 23, consists of a laser range finder; a large aiming window for easy target acquisition; sensors for temperature, angles of elevation and cant; a ballistic calculator; and a self-adjusting electronic reticle, the release states. "When combined, all these features help to dramatically increase the hit probability of the 40mm grenade system in defense and security operations," according to FN's release. In 2018, the Army awarded contracts to General Dynamics-OTS Inc., PCP Tactical LLC, Sig Sauer Inc., Textron and FN to develop prototype weapons for the Next Generation Squad Automatic Rifle-Prototype Opportunity Notice program, an effort that is scheduled to demonstrate weapons in June. -- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com. Isaak Olson was two months from graduating in 2014 when he disclosed that his fiancee had given birth several months earlier... Soldiers with permanent profiles who are unable to complete the new Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) may be allowed to take an alternate fitness test that could include stationary bike or swimming events, according to a recent service news release. Senior Army leaders have approved the development of an alternate ACFT for soldiers with long-term injuries who cannot perform the new six-event ACFT, which is scheduled to replace the service's current Army Physical Fitness Test in October 2020. The Center for Initial Military Training (CIMT) is still developing what could end up being a three-event alternate test and will soon begin evaluating alternate test events at 63 Army units, according to the release. The final determination of alternate standards is not scheduled to be complete until Oct. 1, the release states. The six-event ACFT is still undergoing a formal field test that should be complete this October. Beginning in October 2020, all soldiers will have to complete the ACFT's strength deadlift; standing power throw; hand-raised pushups; 250-meter sprint, drag and carry; leg tucks; and a two-mile run. Related content: If approved, the alternate ACFT could require soldiers with permanent profiles to successfully complete a minimum of three repetitions of the strength deadlift; the sprint, drag and carry; and one aerobic event, such as a 5,000-meter row, a 15,000-meter stationary bike ride or a 1,200-meter swim. The aerobic events are still under evaluation, but the idea is they would have to be completed in a set time, targeted at 25 minutes or less, according to the release. Army officials, however, have not ruled out requiring injured soldiers to test on all ACFT events within the limits of their profiles, Michael McGurk, CIMT's director of research and analysis, said in the release. "For example, those permanent profile soldiers who are incapable of running long distances, they could be allowed to complete an alternate aerobic event," McGurk said. The Army had not initially planned to develop an alternate ACFT for injured soldiers with long-term medical profiles because they would likely be subject to former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis' deploy-or-out policy, which calls for troops who are nondeployable for more than 12 months to be processed for administrative separation, Stars and Stripes reported Tuesday. Soldiers with permanent profiles "undergo a Medical Retention Board and Physical Evaluation Boards to determine fitness for further military duty," McGurk said in the release. "Part of those reviews may be tied to their ability to pass a modified assessment," he said. "This allows commanders to deploy these soldiers 'with risk' and determine if the risk is acceptable based on soldiers' skills and nature of the mission." Army leaders unveiled the new ACFT last July and stressed that the new test would take soldiers to a new level of fitness. Last October, the service launched a field test of the ACFT that involves roughly 60 battalions of soldiers. The test has focused on finalizing event techniques and scoring procedures. Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel Dailey said he is "truly excited about the significant progress" made during the testing period for the ACFT, according to the release. "I truly believe this will take us where we need to be in terms of fitness for the Army," Dailey said in the release. "It's clear the ACFT requires us to put more emphasis on physical training." -- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com. Sending two Navy ships, thousands of Marines and B-52 Stratofortress bombers to the Middle East "put a hold" on potential plans for Iranians to attack U.S. troops, the acting defense secretary said Tuesday. Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan defended the Pentagon's move to carry out a joint show of force in the Persian Gulf last weekend, telling reporters it gave the Iranians "time to recalculate." "I think our response was a measure of our will and our resolve that we will protect our people and our interests in the region," he said. The Navy's aircraft carrier Lincoln strike group and the amphibious assault ship Kearsarge carried out training operations in the region last weekend. F/A-18 Super Hornets, AV-8B Harriers and attack helicopters conducted air-to-air combat and close-air support training. Members of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit also conducted fast-rope training to board enemy ships. The training, Rear Adm. John Wade, Carrier Strike Group 12's commander, was aimed at "deterring destabilizing actions" in the region. Pentagon and White House officials have been pressed to explain the threats U.S. troops were said to face from Iran after National Security Adviser John Bolton issued a May 5 statement about "troubling and escalatory indications and warnings." Shanahan on Tuesday stood by those assessments. "I really want to underscore the credibility of the intelligence," he said. Shanahan, along with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Joseph Dunford, met with members of Congress on Tuesday for closed-door briefings on the Iran security threats. Though he said he considers the absence of attacks on Americans "a hold," it doesn't mean the threat has ended. "We're in a period where the threat remains high," Shanahan said. "... I just hope Iran is listening. We're in the region to address many things, but it is not to go to a war with Iran." -- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins. The head of naval aviation has directed the creation of a new process for approving and reviewing pilots' call signs after two African-American aviators at an F/A-18 Hornet training squadron in Virginia filed complaints alleging racial bias in the unit, from which they said they were unfairly dismissed. In a formal endorsement letter signed May 13, Vice Adm. DeWolfe Miller, commander of Naval Air Forces, said he found the two aviators, a Navy lieutenant and a Marine Corps captain, were correctly removed from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106 out of Naval Air Station Oceana due to "substandard performance," despite errors and inconsistencies discovered in the grading and ranking process. However, Miller said he did find inappropriate conduct by instructor pilots who did not treat the pilots-in-training "with appropriate dignity and respect," using discriminatory call signs and having inappropriate and unprofessional discussions about them on social media. He directed the Chief of Naval Air Training to have all training command and fleet replacement squadrons in the Navy formalize a call sign assignment and review process within 90 days, including appropriate peer board representation for minority and female aviators. And he recommended that multiple officers, including a Navy captain, receive rebukes, counseling or administrative punishment for their role in events substantiated by the investigation. Miller also ordered that VFA-106 receive training on appropriate use of social media and that the unit bring in a "diversity and inclusion expert" to train the squadron on unconscious bias and stereotype threat. Similar training, he wrote, will also be added to the curriculum for prospective commanding and executive officer courses and commander training symposia. "I intend to invite [the two aviators] to assist in the development of the training curriculum," he wrote. "While it is not the responsibility of these officers to create the solution for the unprofessional and offensive behavior they experienced, it is my hope these officers understand the sincerity of our commitment in addressing unprofessional behavior and will want to join us in this corrective action." Miller's decision provides some validation for pilots who for years have pushed the Navy for answers on their treatment and allegations of racial bias. 'Pure Bloods' and Call Signs Military.com first wrote in April 2018 about the two aviators and their dismissal from VFA-106. The Navy pilot, Lt. Courtland Savage, would ultimately leave the service in 2017 and start a new job flying for a civilian airline; the Marine Corps pilot, who asked not to be identified as he remains on active duty, continues to serve as a pilot in a C-130 squadron, having been removed from fighter training in 2016. While at VFA-106, Savage said he was given the call sign "Radio," a reference to a movie about a mentally challenged black man. Other black students, he said, got call signs including "8 Ball" and "Kazaam," the latter a reference to a character played by Shaquille O'Neal. Other minority pilots in the squadron also gave evidence of race influencing call signs. Another pilot, a lieutenant commander, said he also received the call sign "Radio" at his first squadron in the fleet, but later had it changed to "MC," short for "MC Hammer," in reference to a childhood nickname. A commander said his call sign was "Snoop," in reference to "poor rapping abilities." And a third pilot, a lieutenant, said his call sign was "Ruby Rhod," a reference to a Chris Tucker character from the movie "The Fifth Element." Only one black pilot interviewed had a call sign -- "Mr. Bucket" -- with no racial connotation. The two pilots also submitted logs from a WhatsApp chat group called "Pure Bloods," in which instructor pilots disparaged them and their performance. In the chat, one of the instructors used the eggplant emoji to refer to the Marine pilot. It was a visual representation of a racial slur, the pilot alleged. "That dude was so bad. I can't even comprehend how someone does not have the most basic level of self-awareness and realize he's going to kill himself or someone else," an instructor wrote in the chat. The Marine pilot had also been singled out in the squadron when a significant mishap for which he was responsible -- mistaking an instructor's order and blowing the canopy off an F/A-18 -- was depicted on a class T-shirt with the slogan, "Once you pop, the fun don't stop." The investigation determined the eggplant had been meant as a phallic symbol, not a racial one. Paired with a cork-popping champagne bottle emoji in the chat, the symbols were intended to reference masturbation, not the Marine pilot and the canopy incident, the probe concluded. However, the discussions were evidence of a broader lack of inclusion and professionalism, Miller decided. A Marine major who was a member of the group and interviewed by investigators was unapologetic. "That's the price to pay in this community. You do stupid s--t, you get made fun of. Or you kill self/others," he said, according to the investigation. "His attrition was his small price to pay. Frankly, we did his ass (and the community's) a favor. But his bulls--t makes me professionally embarrassed." Subjective Evaluations At the heart of Savage and the Marine pilot's complaints, though, were allegations that they were assessed unfairly compared to their fellow student pilots, and that grade sheets were actually altered after the fact to make their performance appear worse than it was. Both pilots acknowledge they had struggles -- Savage in one case "safed" an ejection seat and forgot to re-arm it for takeoff, thus failing the flight -- but they said their white peers were given more margin and more chances. The redacted 17-page investigation, dated August 2018, and the five-page endorsement from Miller, both released to Military.com on Monday, conclude the aviators were struggling in training. But they also substantiate instances where incorrect data and methods were used to evaluate them. The Marine pilot should have been allowed to be present while witnesses were interviewed for his Field Flight Performance Board, an administrative proceeding to determine his fate as a naval aviator. The FFPB also used grade card data that incorrectly indicated that he was below average in the categories of administrative commands and headwork/crew resource management, the investigation concluded. He was also disadvantaged by subjective rankings and the decision to route his FFPB for endorsement through two non-aviation commands. Savage was also found to have been put at a disadvantage by a subjective ranking system, and his Field Naval Aviator Evaluation Board, or FNAEB, the Navy equivalent of an FFPB, had the appearance of being tainted though subjective rankings and the offensive symbols and comments revealed in the "Pure Bloods" group chat. Despite this, "the preponderance of the evidence clearly indicates that [Savage] was a struggling aviator who received extra attention from the command in order to help him overcome performance deficiencies," the investigation concluded. Another Chance? The investigation recommended that new boards be convened for the two pilots, using only rankings derived from the official aviator reporting system and using standardized grade sheets and endorsement routing. Miller, however, disapproved these recommendations. For the Marine pilot, he deferred this decision to Lt. Gen. Steven Rudder, the Corps' deputy commandant for aviation, "for action as he deems appropriate." A Marine Corps spokesman, Capt. Christopher Harrison, said a decision had not yet been made. "The EO complaints raised by [the Marine pilot] and LT Courtland Savage were fully investigated by the Navy," Harrison said in a statement. "The Marine Corps will review the investigation and the actions taken during the Field Flight Performance Board (FFPB). It is essential that we ensure all Marines are afforded equal opportunity to achieve their full potential based solely upon individual merit and ability." For Savage, Miller noted that he was no longer on active duty with the Navy, and said that "due to [his] sustained substandard performance during the strike fighter syllabus, convening a new board is inadvisable and highly unlikely to result in a different recommendation." Both Savage and the Marine pilot received briefings from their respective services on the investigation's findings, officials said. Multiple naval officers face administrative action in the wake of the investigation. The major from the "Pure Bloods" group who disparaged the Marine pilot was recommended for a non-punitive letter of caution, a finding endorsed by Miller. A Navy lieutenant commander and lieutenant from the group were recommended to receive formal counseling "regarding the appropriate use of text messages/emojis in a professional environment." Miller further recommended administrative action regarding a Marine lieutenant colonel and administrative counseling for a Navy captain, both of whose names are redacted in the investigation. While the Marine pilot declined to comment on the results of the probe, Savage said in a statement that he was "deeply disappointed in the Navy's handling" of the complaint and reviewing all options for how to move forward. "While the Command Investigation has been completed, I have not yet been provided a final determination. What should have been a 90-day process has gone on for longer than 500 days and remains ongoing," he said. "Additionally, I have serious concerns about the content of the investigation report and the manner in which the investigation was conducted. I find it troubling that the only conclusions from this review is that call signs need to be changed. There are larger challenges facing minorities and women in Naval Aviation than just being given demeaning and inappropriate call signs." 'Unacceptable' Timeline Miller also expressed displeasure at the length of time that elapsed between the start of the investigation in January 2018 and its conclusion this month. "This investigation, covering events which reached back years before the complaints were raised, took over 180 days to complete, and then longer than that to reach final endorsement," he wrote. "Despite the best intentions of all concerned, and the extensive deliberations required to assess the findings and formulate corrective actions this timeline is unacceptable." It's not clear why the investigation languished without endorsement for nearly a year after its completion in August 2018. But after Military.com inquired about the status of the investigation in April, it took roughly a month for the document to be endorsed and released to the pilots. One final delay took place in the final weeks before the conclusion of the process: According to a defense official with knowledge of events, the investigation, previously considered complete, was pulled back for a final review by the office of the Chief of Naval Operations. "Treating all service members with dignity and respect is something the Navy takes extremely seriously, and if an EO complaint is filed, it is appropriately investigated and, if applicable, appropriate action is taken," Cmdr. Ron Flanders, a spokesman for Naval Air Forces, said in a statement. "As Sailors, we represent the Navy 24/7. Our core values of honor, courage and commitment apply to all aspects of our life, including online conduct. Any form of harassment, bullying, hazing, stalking, discrimination, retaliation, or any other type of misconduct that undermines dignity and respect [is] not consistent with our core values." Editor's Note: Ruby Rhod was portrayed by Chris Tucker. -- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck. Only 55% of Americans know what Memorial Day is about, and only about one in five plan to fly a flag at half-staff or attend a patriotic event on May 27, according to a Harris poll survey commissioned by the University of Phoenix. The survey, conducted April 9-11 among 2,025 adults, showed that only 28% had attended a local ceremony or patriotic event on a previous Memorial Day. It also found that only 23% had flown a flag at half-staff, while 22% had left a flag or flowers at a gravesite or visited a military monument. Only 55% could correctly describe Memorial Day as a day to honor the fallen from all the nation's wars, the Harris survey states, and 45% said they either always or often attended a commemoration activity. About 27% of those surveyed thought Memorial Day honored all military veterans, 5% thought it honored those currently serving, and 3% thought the day marked the official beginning of summer, the survey states. Of those who said they had participated in some form of commemoration activity on Memorial Day, 52% said they had thanked a veteran, 14% said they had worn a Memorial Day button, and 14% said they had joined in a National Moment of Remembrance, according to the survey. Older adults are more likely to observe Memorial Day and describe it correctly, the survey found. About 53% of those aged 55-64 commemorated Memorial Day, compared with 40% of those aged 18-34, according to the survey's findings. Former Army Sgt. Brian Ishmael, director of Military and Veterans Affairs at the University of Phoenix, said in a phone interview that it is "a little bit disappointing" to know that so many Americans are unaware of the true meaning of Memorial Day. Ishmael, who served two tours in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division, said that "being a combat veteran myself, that has to be a bit disappointing." At the University of Phoenix, "we put a lot of emphasis" on explaining the real meaning of Memorial Day, he said. For this Memorial Day, the mostly online university will continue a 10-year tradition of planting flags on the Phoenix campus. This year, the university plans to plant 15,000 flags with the theme "Their Legacy Lives On," Ishmael said. However, the for-profit University of Phoenix has had a checkered history of serving veterans and its use of GI Bill funds for tuition. In 2009, the university agreed to a $67.5 million settlement with the federal government on allegations that it was illegally paying recruiters based on the number of students enrolled. And in 2015, the Defense Department suspended the university from recruiting on military bases and accessing federal education funds. It was alleged that the university had violated rules against for-profit colleges seeking to gain preferential access to potential students from the military. The suspension was lifted in 2016. Ishmael acknowledged the allegations against the university but said they are dated, and the school is now "100% focused on our veterans" and their education. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. If the commander in chief gives a legal pass to troops who've been accused of war crimes, experts warn it could disrupt the order and discipline the military relies on to function. Seeing the president issue pardons before cases have been tried could lead fewer troops to report war crime allegations, Phil Cave, a retired Navy judge advocate and military legal expert, told Military.com. "There's a negative impact on people who are trying to do the right thing," Cave said. "They could be discouraged from reporting it because ... they'll think, 'If nobody cares, why should I?'" It could also make it harder for military commanders to enforce the high standards all U.S. military personnel are expected to uphold in combat situations, said retired Air Force Lt. Col. Rachel VanLandingham, a Southwestern Law School professor and former judge advocate. Related: Trump Reportedly Preparing Pardons for SEAL, Green Beret Accused of Crimes "Military criminal law ... is primarily there to ensure that military members obey orders and that there's good order and discipline within the ranks in order for mission effectiveness," she said. "Even George Washington said good order and discipline is our secret weapon." "If we don't have good order and discipline and folks who do what they're told, when they're told, we can't effectively fight," she said. President Donald Trump could be preparing to pardon several people accused of war crimes, The New York Times reported over the weekend. That includes Navy SEAL Chief Eddie Gallagher, who's facing trial for allegedly shooting unarmed civilians and killing a captive Islamic State group fighter, and Maj. Mathew Golsteyn, a Green Beret accused of killing an unarmed Afghan man. Trump is also considering a pardon for the Marine scout snipers seen urinating on Taliban corpses in video that surfaced in 2012, according to the paper. Since Gallagher and Golsteyn are still facing trial, retired Adm. William McRaven, who served as the head of U.S. Special Operations Command from 2011 to 2014, said Trump must be mindful of influencing the outcome of the cases. "Within the military, we have this thing called undue influence," McRaven told CBS News on Monday. "So, if there is an ongoing investigation, as a senior officer you're not authorized, you're not allowed to imply how you think the outcome of that case is going to be." Since Trump has the constitutional authority to pardon anyone before or after conviction, though, VanLandingham said this is not an example of undue or unlawful command influence. "It's norm busting, but it's lawful," she said. Whether a commander in chief should be weighing pardons before the military justice system has been given the chance to resolve a case is another question, Cave said -- especially for those that have the ability to put other troops operating overseas at risk. "This is a terrible, terrible message to be sending to the troops [and] to the world community about this administration's view on war crimes," he said. "... If the world gets the opinion that it's OK for American troops to commit war crimes, then what's to stop other countries from committing war crimes against American troops?" Within the ranks, commanding officers and senior enlisted leaders work hard to make sure troops understand how they're expected to act on and off the battlefield, VanLandingham said. It's not easy for troops to step forward and report criminal allegations they might witness downrange, she added, as was the case with Gallagher. If troops get the feeling those reports won't be taken seriously, they'll start to lose confidence in the chain of command, she added. "We're going to wind up with a morale in the military like it was in Vietnam," VanLandingham said, referencing the crime, drug use and racism that were commonplace after the Vietnam War. Service members are also asked to make incredibly hard decisions during combat. Leaders should celebrate those who do the right thing in those circumstances, she said. Especially if they're willing to call out someone who doesn't. "We owe our troops more than this. We owe them the knowledge that, 'Hey, we go to war and we fight a certain way and a moral way and, for those that don't, we're going to hold them accountable,'" VanLandingham said. That's why it's vital that the commander in chief let the military justice system perform its mission before deciding a service member's innocence or guilt, Cave added. "I think a blanket pardon pretrial, pre-investigation or pre-report would be a dangerous thing for good order and discipline, morale and for whatever's left of the idea that the U.S. is a beacon on the hill," he said. -- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins. President Donald Trump has named his nominee to be the next secretary of the Air Force. Trump announced via Twitter on Tuesday that Barbara Barrett, 68, a former diplomat and businesswoman, is his pick to be the service's 25th secretary. "I am pleased to announce my nomination of Barbara Barrett of Arizona, and former Chairman of the Aerospace Corporation, to be the next Secretary of the Air Force," he wrote. "She will be an outstanding Secretary! #FlyFightWin." If confirmed, Barrett would be the fourth female Air Force secretary, succeeding Heather Wilson, who recently announced she was leaving to take a university position. Deborah Lee James held the post under President Barack Obama; Sheila E. Widnall served in President Bill Clinton's administration. Related content: Barrett, a former chair of the Aerospace Corporation, served as the U.S. ambassador to Finland under President George W. Bush. She was nominated to be Air Force secretary in 2003, but was never confirmed, according to a report from Defense News. In 2009, she trained in Russia as a backup astronaut for a flight to the International Space Station, according to the Ravalli Republic. Barrett was the first female civilian pilot to land an F/A-18 Hornet fighter on an aircraft carrier and is friends with Sen. Martha McSally, R-Arizona, who was the first woman to fly in combat for the Air Force, according to the Arizona Republic. "Ambassador Barrett is a force to be reckoned with and who has the leadership, experience and knowledge to lead our Air Force into the future during a time of increased global threats," McSally said in a statement, as reported by the Arizona Republic. "I have confidence that Ambassador Barrett will lead the way in maintaining air and space dominance and continue to build upon the initiatives, leadership and example set forth by Secretary Heather Wilson." Barrett told Business Jet Traveler magazine in 2014 that she was honored to have had the opportunity to fly the F-18, noting that such moves are needed to break barriers. "I was a civilian adviser to the secretary of defense and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff," she told the magazine. "A law had been passed in 1948 that women could fly tankers and transports but not fighters or bombers or aircraft 'engaged in combat.' We worked to get the law changed. There was a Navy admiral who had daughters [and was] not one to be told girls can't do these things; he invited me to train and qualify to fly an F-18 Hornet. I had the privilege of landing on the [USS] Nimitz." Wilson on Tuesday said she supports the president's decision. "Great choice by @realDonaldTrump," she said on Twitter, following her own goodbye ceremony at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. "Ambassador Barrett is an accomplished leader with a heart for service." Air Force Under Secretary Matt Donovan, a former F-15 Eagle pilot, will serve as acting secretary until Barrett is confirmed. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. U.S. presidents have long used their power of clemency to grant controversial amnesty, commutations or pardons to military personnel. That power is now in the limelight again thanks to President Donald Trump's rumored plan to pardon several troops before trial or conviction, first reported in The New York Times. Those include Maj. Mathew Golsteyn, a Green Beret accused of killing an unarmed Afghan man; Navy SEAL Chief Eddie Gallagher, who is facing trial after allegedly shooting unarmed civilians and killing a captive Islamic State group fighter; and the Marine scout snipers seen urinating on Taliban corpses in a video that surfaced in 2012. They wouldn't be Trump's first military pardons. Early this month, he granted a pardon to former Army Lt. Michael Behenna, convicted in 2009 of unpremeditated murder in a combat zone after killing a suspected al-Qaida terrorist. And in March 2018, the president granted a pardon to former Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Kristian Saucier, who in 2016 was convicted of taking photos of the classified areas aboard the nuclear-powered attack submarine Alexandria. Trump's rumored plans aren't the only time grants of military clemency have been controversial. Here are five other instances you may not remember. 1. Vietnam War Draft Dodgers Mounted policemen watch a Vietnam War protest march in San Francisco, April 15, 1967, as thousands of marchers stream by. (George Garrigues/Wikimedia Commons) After campaigning on the promise of pardons in 1976, a newly sworn-in President Jimmy Carter granted unconditional amnesty to hundreds of thousands of Americans who had failed to register for the draft or who had fled the country to avoid military service during the Vietnam War. Although President Gerald Ford had granted conditional amnesty to some of the draft dodgers, Carter's action left out only military deserters. 2. Iran-Contra Affair Conspirators Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger holds a Pentagon press briefing on Soviet military capabilities, Sept. 29, 1981. (DoD/R. D. Ward) An illegal arms sale to Iran and the resulting scandal, known as the Iran-Contra Affair, brought to President Ronald Reagan's administration 11 convictions -- including that of retired Marine Corps Lt. Col. Robert McFarlane, Reagan's national security adviser -- and the indictment of then-Defense Secretary Caspar "Cap" Weinberger, a former Army captain. But during his final days in office, President George H.W. Bush granted pardons to all of those convicted, as well as Weinberger, whose case had not yet gone to trial. 3. Chelsea Manning Former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning speaks with reporters, after arriving at the federal courthouse in Alexandria, Va., Thursday, May 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) After former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning pleaded guilty to multiple charges under the Espionage Act for leaking information to the website WikiLeaks, President Barack Obama in late 2017 commuted her 35-year sentence. Imprisoned at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, she was released in May 2018, instead of in 2045. 4. Henry O. Flipper cadet The first black West Point cadet and a former slave, Flipper was commissioned into the Army in 1877. But in 1881 during a court-martial on a charge of embezzlement for which he was found not guilty, he was instead convicted of "conduct unbecoming an officer and gentleman" and dismissed from the military. He died of natural causes in 1940. In 1994, his descendants applied to the Army for a review of the case and, in 1999, a posthumous pardon was granted by President Bill Clinton, 118 years after Flipper's conviction. 5. Confederate Troops Confederate artillery at Charleston Harbor. (Public Domain Photo via Wikimedia Commons) On Christmas Day, 1868, President Andrew Johnson granted full pardons and amnesty from charges of treason for all Confederate troops who fought against the union in the American Civil War. Prior to his assassination, President Abraham Lincoln had also granted more than 60 pardons for war-related crimes. But neither Johnson nor Lincoln's actions gave full citizenship to former Confederate President Jefferson Davis. It wasn't until 1978 that President Jimmy Carter used his power to posthumously restore Jefferson as an American with full rights of citizenship. How to use the mindat.org media viewer Click/touch this help panel to close it. Welcome to the mindat.org media viewer. 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Summary of all keyboard shortcuts The Nationals have agreed to a minor-league deal with right-hander Kevin McGowan, according to Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post (via Twitter). Hell be assigned to Triple-A Fresno. McGowan, 27, made eight MLB appearances with the Mets in 2017 but hasnt been back since. He stumbled to a 4.68 ERA in 82 2/3 innings in the upper minors last year in the New York organization before qualifying for minor-league free agency last fall. Opening the 2019 campaign in the rotation for the Sugar Land Skeeters, McGowan has pitched to a 2.29 ERA with an 18:8 K/BB ratio over 19 2/3 innings. He has mostly worked in a relief capacity in the upper minors but did work as a starter earlier in his career. For the Nats, this move helps fill in some Triple-A innings after several promotions and departures. Most recently, the club parted with Austin Adams, who had loads of strikeouts at Fresno but didnt get a shot with the relief-needy team in the majors. He has recorded seven Ks in three frames already at the MLB level for the Mariners. Phillies reliever Victor Arano is scheduled to be examined next week by orthopedic surgeon Neal ElAttrache, Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Arano has already missed a month of action since coming down with elbow inflammation. It had seemed that the 24-year-old Arano would make it back onto the MLB roster in relatively short order but the problematic symptoms in the joint arose again. That led the team to schedule an appointment with ElAttrache, who is known best for his role as the Dodgers team physician as well as for the many Tommy John surgeries he has performed. Skipper Gabe Kapler says the situation doesnt feel like one in which a major surgery will be required. Theres obviously enough worry to order up a closer look, though the hope will be that a non-invasive treatment approach can solve the issues. Arano seemed to be a core pen piece for the Phils after a quality showing last year in his first full season in the majors. He opened on optional assignment after a rough spring but earned his way quickly back to the majors where he got swings and misses on one of every four pitches he threw (albeit in a sample of just 16 batters faced). Even if the news is relatively good, it seems the Phillies will need to give Arano a while longer to heal. And there is one intriguing replacement option filtering back, Breen further reports. Vince Velasquez is set for his first mound work since hitting the IL on the 11th of this month. It seems the expectation is that his forearm strain wont prevent him from bouncing back rather quickly, meaning that the team could soon be presented with some decisions in its rotation. If the Phils decide to stick with Cole Ervin or restore Nick Pivetta to his spot in the starting five, Velasquez will be without a role. He could drop down to Triple-A to remain stretched out or perhaps function as a potentially handy high-leverage long man. Understandably, it seems the club will wait to make its moves until it is forced to commit. Ndamukong Suhs quest for a Super Bowl ring came up one victory short. A free agent again, the defensive tackle is headed back to the Sunshine State, thanks a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Suh essentially replaces Gerald McCoy, a fellow former 2010 first-round pick. Ndamukong Suh and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are finalizing a one-year deal, a source tells ESPN. Barring any late hang ups, Suh is now expected to be a Buccaneer. Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 21, 2019 Soon-to-be Buccaneers DT Ndamukong Suh was interested in playing for Tampas new defensive coordinator Todd Bowles. Plus, no state tax in Florida, making a deal there more attractive. So Suh expected to wind up back in Florida, as a Buc, his third team in the past three seasons. Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 21, 2019 The 32-year-old Suh made $14.5 million for the Los Angeles Rams last season. McCoy, who was drafted one slot behind Suh in 2010, was slated to make $13 million in 2019 for the Bucs. Terms of Suhs new deal arent yet known. Suh had 4.5 sacks for L.A. in 2018. He hasnt had more than 6 sacks in a season since notching 8.5 in his final season in Detroit (2014). Ndamukong Suh has generated 490 career QB pressures and 309 defensive stops in his 9-year career, playing 800+ snaps in each season to date. pic.twitter.com/X8t397yXaP Pro Football Focus (@PFF) May 21, 2019 DETROIT -- The $1 billion sale of Greektown Casino will close Thursday afternoon after the Michigan Gaming Control Board approved the sale Tuesday, according to the Detroit Free Press. The sale of the Dan Gilbert-owned casino was announced in November before being approved today. As part of the terms of the sale, Penn National Gaming will purchase the casino for $300 million, while VICI Properties Inc. will purchase the real estate associated with the casino and hotel for $700 million. Penn will then enter into an agreement with VICI to lease the property for the next 15 years. Gilbert bought the casino in 2013 after the property struggled for several years, even falling into bankruptcy from 2008-10. In 2016, the casino announced it would re-brand itself as The Jack however that name change never occurred. Last year, a $15 million renovation of the casinos eateries was unveiled, introducing new menu options and more for people visiting the casino. According to the MGCB reports, Greektown trails the MGM Grand Detroit and Motor City Casino significantly in revenues through March 2019, reporting $84 million in revenues compared to $157 million and $125 million respectively for the competition. However, Greektowns revenues were up roughly $6 million in 2018 compared to 2017. Penn has not issued a statement about any significant changes to the casino in the near future, but did confirm to the Free Press a new general manager will be brought in to run the property. Penn Gaming owns more than 40 casinos in the U.S. including Hollywood Casino in Toledo, Ohio and The Tropicana in Las Vegas. PONTIAC, MI Animal control officers removed 178 cats from a Michigan residence in what local authorities are calling the largest animal hoarding case in Oakland Countys history. The Oakland County Animal Shelter & Pet Adoption Center is seeking animal neglect and abuse charges against the owner of a West Bloomfield Township home in the 1700 block of Elsie Drive where the cats were removed from April 24 to May 17. To date, 60 felines have been humanely euthanized because of severe illness or aggression. This is the worst animal hoarding case I have seen in my entire career, Oakland County Animal Shelter & Pet Adoption Center Manager Bob Gatt said. These cats were living in deplorable conditions. They were not provided with the adequate care necessary to maintain good health. Cats removed from the house were suffering from a variety of health issues including upper respiratory infections, fleas, skin infections, ear mites, and malnutrition. Several have given birth since arriving at the shelter. The cats were discovered when officer Rachel Whitlock responded to the home to check on cats she believed to be abandoned inside. Looking through the homes windows, she spotted at least a half-dozen cats who appeared to be somewhat ill and left with no food and water in unsanitary living conditions. A search warrant was obtained, allowing officers to discover the astounding number of cats. They were systematically removed over the course of several weeks with the homeowners consent. As of May 17, there appeared to be no cats left inside the home, but animal control officers set additional traps on May 20 in case there are any hiding. On behalf of County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, I want to commend the staff at the Oakland County Animal Shelter & Pet Adoption Center and our partners at the Michigan Humane Society for a job well done, Oakland County Public Services Director Mark Newman said in a statement . This case stretched our resources but it never stretched our resolve to work together to bring the case to a proper conclusion. The Oakland County Animal Shelter & Pet Adoption Center will turn the case over to the Oakland County Prosecutors Office, which will determine what charges, if any, are warranted. For more information about the cats that were rescued from the Elsie Drive home and when some may be available for adoption, contact OakGov.com/PetAdoption or call 248-858-1070. Dressbarn joins the ever-growing list of retailers to either close or announce intentions to do so as the brand will wind down operations and eventually close all of its store locations. The companys parent brand, Ascena, announced the news in a Monday afternoon, May 20 news release. Dressbarn has 660 locations across the United States, and 26 specifically in Michigan. Dressbarn isnt going away just yet, however. All Dressbarn stores are open, and our sales associates are serving customers as usual, Gary Muto, CEO of Ascena, said in a statement. We invite you to shop with us and stock up before we close our doors. We are still offering the same great customer experience, with even better deals and value. More information on store closing sales to come. Related: Payless confirms it will close all US locations, liquidation sales starting soon Dressbarns 26 stores in Michigan are located in Allen Park, Ann Arbor, Auburn Hills, Birch Run, Byron Center, Canton, Chesterfield Township, Detroit, Farmington, Grandville, Green Oak Township, Howell, Lansing, Livonia, Novi, Rochester Hills, Shelby Township, Southfield, Troy, Walker, Warren, West Branch and Woodhaven. To see the full list of locations across the U.S., click here. Closing sales are expected to take place in the near future, but a schedule and any plans beyond that have not been made known. Dressbarn started back in 1962 with a single location in Stamford, Connecticut. Dressbarns wind down is another significant step taken to advance Ascenas ongoing transformation, the parent company writes in the brief news release announcing the decision. This move is in line with the Companys commitment to comprehensively assess and optimize its portfolio by focusing resources on its most profitable brands to position the business for long-term growth and enhance shareholder value. Todays announcement follows Ascenas recently completed sale of its Maurices brand." Related: Sears to close another 72 stores in US in the near future CNN reports based on a report from Coresight Research that 5,994 retail stores are expected to close during 2019, which comes after 5,864 closed in 2018. Big names include Sears, Payless, Charlotte Russe, among others. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will move forward on plans to make big investments in Michigan and create close to 6,500 jobs after the Michigan Strategic Fund board approved financial incentives for the company on Tuesday. The companys plans include a new assembly plant in Detroit and investments and upgrades to existing operations in Metro Detroit, all designed to help the company ramp up production of its popular Jeep and RAM brands. The investment will increase our capacity for those growing brands, Christine Estereicher, head of state and local governement affairs for FCA US told the board Tuesday. The board unanimously approved: - For the Warren Truck Assembly Plant, a 15-year state essential services assessment exemption worth $21 million and a 5-year Good Jobs for Michigan withholding tax capture worth $6 million. This is expected to create 1,400 new jobs and spur $963 million in investment. - For the Warren Stamping Plant, a five-year state essential services assessment exemption worth $692,928. This is expected to spur $236 million in investment. - For the Sterling Stamping Plant in the city of Sterling Heights, a five-year alternative state essential services assessment exemption worth $180,900. This is expected to spur the creation of 83 new jobs and $169 million in investment. - For the Jefferson North Assembly Plant and Mack Engine Plant in Detroit, a $10 million Michigan Business Development Program Grant, a Good Jobs for Michigan withholding tax capture for up to 10 years valued at up to $99 million, a 15-year State Essential Services Assessment exemption valued up to $13,456,976 and a 15-year State Essential Services Assessment exemption valued at up to $18 million. The company is expected to invest $901 million and create 1,100 new jobs at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant, and invest $1.6 billion and create 3,850 jobs. The companys first move will be on the new Detroit plants, where it plans to build the next-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee and an all-new three-row Jeep SUV. Construction is set to begin immediately, should you approve this. We have our construction teams ready to go, Estereicher told the board ahead of its approval. FCA expects vehicles to start rolling off the new Detroit line before the end of 2020, Estereicher said. The company eyed sites in Illinois and Mexico, Estereicher said, but settled on Michigan. Were putting Michigan and Detroit first. This is our home, were very proud, said FCA Chief Operating Officer for North America Mark Stewart at a press conference hosted by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer after the approval. Whitmer applauded the invesment, noting it was the largest private automaker investment deawl in the United States in the last decade. Its fitting that the state that put the world on wheels is where we will build the cars of the future, as well, she said. She cited Michigans place in the mobility industry, understood to include autonomous vehicles. The FCA investment bolsters the companys ability to produce electric and hybrid cars, as well. Asked about the state spending on the incentives, Whitmer cited spinoff jobs and investments the deal spurs. The incredible multiplier effect that will happen for our state is way beyond any investment that were making on the front end, Whitmer said. Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, a Detroit native, said Detroit helped put the world on wheels, and decedents of some original autoworkers could be working at this plant. Were ready to get to work building the future, once again, in the Motor City, Gilchrist said. Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said the investment proved Southeast Michigan had a talented workforce, and the project gave the area an opportunity to bring back that vibrancy in manufacturing. Stewart said the jobs created would have an average wage in the high $50,000 range. We will have jobs at all levels, he said, including plant mangers and skilled trades positions. DETROIT The Michigan Humane Society is seeking justice for a German Shepherd that was hung on a fence and shot to death. The dogs body was found behind a garage in the 5200 block of Devonshire Road on Detroits east side on May 16. According to the MHS, the dog was tied up with an electrical cord a few inches off the ground. The body showed several gunshot wounds and a bullet was recovered after examination. After talking with potential witnesses, we learned that less than 10 days prior, witnesses heard a dog screaming and then gunshots from the area which the dog was found, Michigan Humane investigator Sarah Schertel said in a statement. An autopsy showed that the German Shepherd was still alive when it was tied to the fence and subsequently shot. A reward in the amount of $2,500 is being offered for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the those responsible for this animal cruelty. Michigan lawmakers recently passed HB 4333, which enforces harsher penalties for anyone convicted of animal cruelty. A person found guilty of first-degree killing and/or torturing of an animal faces up to 10 years in prison. Community members can provide information seven days a week via the Michigan Humane Society cruelty hotline at 313-872-3401. Tipsters can also contact Crime Stoppers of Michigan at 1-800-SPEAKUP (773-2587). A group has submitted language for a ballot drive in an effort to ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected. The group, Michigan Heartbeat Coalition, submitted paperwork with the Secretary of States office Tuesday to kick off the drive, which would make it a felony for doctors to perform abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can typically be detected around six weeks of pregnancy. In a statement, the groups president Corey Shankleton said the petition is designed to be the arrow in the heart of Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court decision that allows abortions to be performed in the United States. The purpose of this petition drive is not only to protect babies with beating hearts in Michigan, its about far more than that," he said. The group would need a little more than 340,000 signatures, or 8 percent of the total votes cast in the governors race in 2018, to qualify for the ballot. The move comes shortly after the Michigan House and Senate passed legislation to ban dilation and evacuation, or D&E, abortions. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has said she would veto any legislation to ban the practice. Michigan Heartbeat Coalitions effort is not affiliated with Right to Life of Michigans recent announcement of a petition drive to end D&E abortions. In a post on Right to Lifes website, the group stated theres a chance a heartbeat ban could detract from laws on the books that already ban abortion, but were nullified by Roe v. Wade. Lori Carpentier, President & CEO of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, said any bans to limit abortion access are harmful, unconstitutional and deeply unpopular. A ban is a ban is a ban, she said. All these bills and all these ballot initiatives really have two goals: to ban abortion in Michigan and make sure the people of Michigan -- who they know dont support this -- dont get a say." Michigan State Rep. Larry Inman, who last week was charged with attempted extortion, bribery and lying to an FBI agent, has been voted out of the House Republican caucus. In a statement, House Republican Caucus Chair Eric Leutheuser, R-Hillsdale, said the caucus voted "to remove state Representative Larry Inman from the House Republican caucus, effective immediately. Inman, a Grand Traverse County Republican, was indicted May 15 by federal prosecutors for attempted extortion, bribery and lying to an FBI agent. The indictment set off bipartisan calls for Inmans resignation, but in an interview with MLive the second-term Republican insisted the whole situation -- just talking from one friend to another -- is a misunderstanding. The decision to remove Inman from the House Republican caucus comes after dozens of calls for his resignation, including several prominent members of his own party. Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield of Levering asked state Rep. Larry Inman to resign last week following the charges. He did not elaborate on whether the House would begin expulsion proceedings should Inman refuse to do so. On Tuesday, Chatfield said the caucus believed he has shown conduct unbecoming of a representative to serve in our caucus. He said he hadnt yet heard back from Inman since he made the request he resign. We thought what we did was the right thing to set a standard for those who serve in our caucus, he said. "Im still hoping he does the right thing. Earlier Tuesday, House Appropriations Committee Chair Shane Hernandez was the latest lawmaker calling for Inmans resignation, noting hed served with Inman on the Appropriations Committee and said someone who allegedly tried to sell their vote for a payoff simply cannot hold the trust of the people, which means they cannot do the job. Inman is specifically accused of soliciting money from a labor union, Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights, in exchange for a no vote on the 2018 legislative initiative petition to repeal the states prevailing wage law. Shortly after news of his indictment came out, Inman was stripped of his committee assignments. Michigan Republican Party Chair Laura Cox commended the decision to remove in a statement: Republicans are committed to honest government which puts the needs of the people first. I applaud the Michigan House Republican Caucus for removing Larry Inman, who is accused of violating this trust. LANSING, MI A growing number of Michigan lawmakers say they want laws requiring the legislature to disclose their personal finances to the public. But few are currently prepared to hand over their own information. Michigan is the only state with a full-time legislature that does not require state-level officeholders to disclose financial interests meaning its an honor system if an official has a conflict of interest on legislation they may vote on. As part of an ongoing look into transparency in Michigan, MLive created a financial disclosure form based on what others, such as Congress, have and asked Michigans 148 lawmakers, plus the governor, secretary of state and attorney general to voluntarily disclose. Two lawmakers state Sen. Adam Hollier, D-Detroit and state Sen. Erika Geiss, D-Taylor and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson voluntarily disclosed their financial interests to MLive by a May 20 deadline. Attorney General Dana Nessel said she plans to fill out the form, but needed more time. If someone really has something to hide, maybe its a role they might not be wanting to go into, said Geiss, who disclosed her work in the Michigan House and Senate, her husband Dougs position at Ford Motor Company, her business Red Pencil Editing Services and past volunteer roles at the Wayne County Commission for the Arts, History & Humanities and Vista Maria. In 48 other states, its standard practice to collect information about employment history, potential conflicts and other financial details from elected officials. Idaho, which has a part-time legislature, is the only other state that doesnt require financial disclosure. We have to do something to regain the trust of the public, to show that we are at the very least trying our best to work in their best interest, Geiss said. This is one way to start. Benson, who already voluntarily discloses her financial information, and said she believes any form adopted by the legislature should focus on current financial information to illuminate potential conflicts of interest. She said while she supports voluntary disclosure, she believes legislation is needed. While voluntary disclosure is an important step, the state legislature must act to require disclosure, Benson said in a letter with her response. Anything less falls short of the comprehensive protections necessary for open and transparent government. In a statement, Nessel said she strongly supports the initiative to increase transparency from elected officials: Michigan ranks as one of the worst states in the nation when it comes to transparency and I commend MLive for pursuing this information. Some officials declined to fill out MLives form because they already voluntarily disclose their finances, including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and state Rep. David LaGrand, D-Grand Rapids. LaGrand led three other House Democrats, four Republicans and supporters in the Senate in announcing legislation last week to require financial disclosure. Their bills will likely be formally introduced on the floor this week and are similar to legislation LaGrand introduced in past sessions. Bills in the package were sponsored by LaGrand, Yousef Rabhi, D-Ann Arbor; Bill Sowerby, D-Clinton Twp.; Tenisha Yancey, D-Detroit; Julie Calley, R-Portland; Graham Filler, R-DeWitt; Mark Huizenga, R-Walker; and Steve Marino, R-Harrison Twp. Sens. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield, and Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids, said they also plan to introduce similar legislation in the Senate. LaGrand said hes asked legislators to fill out his proposed form included in the legislation and has a stack on his desk. So far, only LaGrand's has been released, but he said the other bill sponsors plan to release their financial disclosures as well. LaGrand is working to alleviate concerns some lawmakers have about disclosing their finances, noting thats why we don't want to have a broad release of forms right now. He said he wants to make sure politicians dont see the process as something to fear. We want as many people as possible, but we don't want people to feel like they're left out of this process, LaGrand said. This is a party. I hope everybody joins the party. House Speaker Lee Chatfield, R-Levering, said in a statement House Republicans chose not to respond to MLives request because sensitive financial data and candidate information are issues the legislature and election officials should handle, not the for-profit media with the loudest megaphone. He said he appreciates LaGrand and Huizengas efforts to continue the conversation on raising the bar for ethics requirements in the state. We have made significant progress on this issue in recent years, and we remain committed to evaluating new reforms the right way, he said. Though conversations are picking up in the House, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clark Lake, poses a potential roadblock to financial disclosure legislation. Shirkey, who as majority leader sets the agenda for the chamber, has said he is absolutely not in favor of such legislation, saying this would make it harder to recruit good candidates to run for office. In an email, Shirkey spokesperson Amber McCann cited the Senate rule requirement that senators avoid voting on conflicts of interest. Senators are responsible to uphold the Constitution and comply with those rules, she said. They are not obligated to fill out an arbitrary questionnaire crafted by the media for the purpose of generating headlines, she continued. LaGrand said he thinks Shirkeys concerns are legitimate and wants to make sure people feel empowered to run for office. He said hes already spoken with Shirkey on the matter, and said he remains hopeful: Rome wasnt built in a day, but were certainly continuing to discuss this. Democratic leaders in the legislature said they agree in concept with financial disclosure, but want to see bipartisan, systemic changes to make the forms a requirement instead of an option. While I agree with MLives stance that more transparency in the halls of Michigans legislature is both necessary and overdue, I believe that the real change we need is a systemic one, not voluntary, said Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich, D-Flint Twp. I have done a financial disclosure before and will fill one out again with all my colleagues once the change becomes law. House Democratic Leader Christine Greig, D-Farmington Hills, said shes excited LaGrands legislation has bipartisan support, noting thats whats necessary to increasing transparency in government. I'm proud of my finances and what I've been able to do and where I am with that, but I think this is really important that this be bipartisan, she said. So, I think we need to make sure as we move forward and we're releasing stuff that we're doing it on both sides to make sure it has traction. Whitmer, who declined to fill out MLives form, has voluntarily listed her financial disclosures, tax returns and public calendar, at www.michigan.gov/sunshine, noting on the site she is doing so in the hopes that we can start earning back peoples trust in state government. Whitmer spokesperson Tiffany Brown provided that information in response to MLives request, noting the governor has also worked to strengthen the states Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act via executive directive. Michigans lack of financial disclosure for public officials and existing conflict of interest laws have consistently wound up at the bottom of the pack when compared to other states transparency laws. Michigan ranked last in the Center for Public Integritys 2015 State Integrity Investigation that rated each states transparency laws. Potential conflicts of interest or corruption in the state remain buried in an honor system with no honor, the report concluded. A Chicago-based sandwich shop hosted an Ann Arbor staple for a two-day pop-up and served more than 1,000 customers this week. Zingermans Delicatessen partnered with The Ruin Daily in Chicago for a Sunday through Monday pop-up and a line of 200 customers showed up as soon as the doors opened at 11 a.m., according to a spokesperson for the Ann Arbor chain. About 1,500 sandwiches were sold. A popular choice among customers, including many University of Michigan alumni, was the Zingermans Reuben, said Jenn Hayman, marketing director for Zingermans Service Network. Zingermans was so grateful for the love and support of the Chicago community, including the University of Michigan alum that showed up in force, and we were honored to bring a little Zing to our Great Lakes neighbors, Hayman said in an email. The shop was open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday. The first guest lined up at 10 a.m. Sunday and one at 6:30 a.m. Monday, according to the spokesperson. The Ruin Dailys umbrella company, 16 on Center, connected with the Ann Arbor deli after visiting its training program, ZingTrain. We had such a blast the last few days and Chicago clearly loves Zingermans just as much as we do, said Ellie Logue, spokesperson for The Ruin Daily, in an email. Update: An earlier version of this story attributed the above statement to the incorrect spokesperson. It has been changed. Menu items in the Chicago pop-up included: ANN ARBOR, MI - Its been months since Zachary Ackerman found himself in the back of a Novi police cruiser, struggling to buckle his seat belt with his hands cuffed behind his back. But the 25-year-old Ann Arbor councilmans plea deal remains a hot topic in local political circles. The 3rd Ward Democrat initially faced up to 180 days in jail. He got probation, in what fellow council members have suggested was the result of socioeconomic advantage and white privilege. Racial disparities in criminal sentencing have long been documented across the U.S., but the prosecutor who handled Ackermans case says it was no sweetheart deal. The handling of Ackermans case followed guidelines set by officials in Novi and Scott Baker, the attorney contracted by the city to prosecute criminal cases, Baker said. When asked about the case, Baker said he had to look it up to remember. He was unaware that Ackerman was a councilman in a different city and county. Thats why I have my policies ... so I can apply them consistently, regardless of race, gender, beliefs or anything else you want to throw in there, he said. " We need to be consistent to enforce the law across the boards." The arrest Police were called about 5:35 p.m. Jan. 2 to a crash on Beck Road in Novi after Ackerman rear-ended a Ford Fusion with a 43-year-old female driver and a 70-year-old female passenger. Before the crash, Ackermans Ford Escape was seen stopped in a right-turn lane with no lights on, according a witness statement documented in police reports. He pulled out in front of the witness and began to swerve, she said. He stopped, then accelerated and hit another car, she said. Police dashboard camera footage obtained by The Ann Arbor News/MLive under the Freedom of Information Act shows what happened next. Ackerman appeared to be confused about where he was, incorrectly telling Officer Ryan Haney he was on Novi Road. Ackerman said hed come from Zukey Lake Tavern in Livingston County and was trying to get to Eight Mile Road. His girlfriend lives in Novi, he said. Ackerman initially denied drinking alcohol, the video showed. He later admitted to drinking a 20-ounce Two Hearted Ale. The officer said he thought Ackerman was lying about having just one beer, noting his eyes were glassy and bloodshot, and his speech was slow and slurred. After nearly 20 minutes on the scene, police made Ackerman get out of his vehicle for a roadside sobriety test. Haney later wrote in a police report he smelled a strong odor of intoxicants. Ackerman told the officer multiple times he was nervous and asked when the test would be over. Ackerman failed to follow instructions correctly, made the officer repeat himself and didnt walk in a straight line, Haney reported. I dont know what Im doing here. This is weird. I feel uncomfortable, Ackerman said before the officer ended the test and placed him in the back seat of a police vehicle, video footage showed. Ackerman refused to take a preliminary breath test, after making Haney explain the refusal would be a civil infraction, punishable by a fine. Haney then handcuffed Ackerman and told him he was under arrest for operating while intoxicated. Im not playing games anymore, Zach, the officer said. Ackerman spent the next half hour handcuffed in the back seat, repeatedly thanking the officer for his service and saying he appreciated his professionalism. But the two disagreed about the extent of the damage from the crash. Outside the car, Haney told another officer Ackerman was drunk and not making sense. When the officer said he was going to buckle Ackerman's seat belt, the cuffed Ackerman initially attempted to do so on his own. Ackerman disagreed he wasnt sober enough to drive. In all fairness, I feel like I passed those tests, he told the officer, starting to argue before saying, Whatever. Youre going to take me in. I appreciate all that youre doing. Youre doing your job. On the drive back to the police station, Ackerman tried to strike up a conversation about the current climate around policing and mentioned police academy graduation rates being down. Video shows the officer asked Ackerman where he worked, but the councilmans response was redacted. At the police station, Ackerman called multiple attorneys before talking to Ann Arbor lawyer Stacey Washington and consenting to a DataMaster chemical breath test, police reports show. Two tests shortly before 7:30 p.m. both showed a blood-alcohol level of .20 percent, more than twice the legal limit to drive. He was lodged in a holding cell and released shortly before 5 a.m. the next day. Several days later, Ackerman was charged with driving with a blood-alcohol level of .17 or higher. Its a newer addition to the law that allows for heftier penalties than those who drive with lower blood-alcohol levels. Its known as a super drunk charge. The deal Ackerman's attorney Daniel Bain is a regular in the Novi court system, Baker said. He knew Baker's guidelines. Baker prosecutes certain cases under contract for multiple municipalities and has done so for Novi full-time since 2012, he said. He typically handles at least two cases a week in which the circumstances - such as the defendant being a first-time offender - are similar to Ackermans, Baker said. About 90 percent of his cases are pleaded down to a lower charge, he said. It benefits both sides, allowing a busy court docket to flow more quickly and allowing first-time offenders the chance to soften sanctions and keep points off their license, Baker said. He sets guidelines for the plea deals he offers based on the direction of officials within each jurisdiction. He also has his own guidelines. For example, he wont offer reduced charges in a drunken driving case if the blood-alcohol level was measured at more than 0.25 percent. Bain did not respond to request for comment, but Baker said Bain sought a lighter charge. "He knows what the policy is, and he came in and he asked for it and we wrote it up," he said. By the end of January, Ackerman pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of operating while ability impaired. On Feb. 20, Judge Robert Bondy sentenced him to a year of probation and five days of community service. While on probation, he cant drink alcohol and must attend support group meetings twice a week for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay $1,885 in fines. An ignition interlock system was also ordered for any vehicle Ackerman drives for 180 days, court records show. That, it seems, is an indication that Ackerman wasnt given any sweetened sentence, said Anthony Flores, a professor at Western Michigan Universitys Thomas M. Cooley Law School. My experience is that is something ordered in a regular drunk driving case, said Flores, who reviewed the court file. Ackerman ultimately pleaded no contest to a charge that was in some regards two levels lesser than the initial high blood-alcohol level charge he faced, Flores said. When no injuries are involved on a first offense, a high blood-alcohol conviction is punishable by up to 180 days in jail. One level down, a conviction of operating while intoxicated is punishable by up to 93 days in jail. And then theres operating while visibly impaired, which can also carry as much 93 days in jail, but driving restrictions are usually put in place, rather than suspension, and four points are recorded on the drivers record, rather than six. The important question, Flores said, is whether the sentence deviated from those typically handed down in Novi. It didnt, said David Kramer, whos been working as an attorney in Novi for 28 years. He knows of only one district in Michigan that sends people to jail for their first offense of drunken driving. Its not Novi. Ackermans deal wouldnt have had anything to do with his position on Ann Arbor council, Kramer said. It does happen at times because people need to be able to drive for work, he said of the plea deal. Plymouth-based attorney Mark Koroi, who has also worked in Novi, agreed that the judges sentence wasnt uncommon. Koroi recently advocated for Ackerman to be removed from Ann Arbors new police oversight commission, but said it was because he wanted a person of color to take his spot. Id say, looking at this case, hes a young kid, hes a very responsible guy and no prior criminal record, hes getting counseling I think thats not unusual, Koroi said. The fallout News of Ackermans arrest surfaced three months after the fact. Confronted with the arrest becoming public knowledge, Ackerman announced a diagnosis of severe alcohol dependency. Some fellow council members initially expressed sympathy for Ackermans addiction and, when asked about his choice not to disclose the arrest until confronted, said the incident was a private matter. Then, the criticism came. Some questioned whether state law requires the governor to remove Ackerman from office. In addition, with Ackermans support, Council Member Ali Ramlawi, D-5th Ward, was voted onto the police oversight commission in Ackermans place. Council Member Elizabeth Nelson, D-4th Ward, has called for Ackermans resignation. Others have said its Ackermans choice. Ackerman, for his part, has said his first experience in court felt fairly transactional. He considers his arrest a blessing, he said, because it was the wake-up call he needed to address his drinking problem. Hes proud to say hes almost five months sober. Obviously, its embarrassing to relive and its real that I put people in danger, but Ive worked to make amends every day, he said. Hes going to support group meetings more than the required two times per week because he finds them helpful, he said, and he has newfound empathy for people who struggle with addiction. He said he wants to use his position to help them. Hes also excited about new initiatives being prepared by the Washtenaw County Sheriffs office to help people with addiction at the county jail, he said. If anyone in the community feels their substance abuse is a problem, they should feel free to reach out to me, Ackerman said. PITTSFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI - The Michigan Department of Corrections will pay $860,000 in the suicide death of a prisoner. The lawsuit settlement in the death of Janika Edmond was approved Tuesday, May 21 by U.S. District Court Judge Robert Cleland, federal court records show. After fees and attorney costs are paid, $549,509.84 will be paid out to Edmond's two adult siblings. The whole family would trade the money for Edmonds life back, however, said family attorney David Steingold. No amount of money, obviously, can ever make up for the loss of a loved one, he said. The lawsuit filed by the family in 2017 alleged the department tried to cover up misconduct in the death and failed to properly train officers. Edmond was found injured after a suicide attempt in the segregation shower unit of the Womens Huron Valley Correctional Facility on Nov. 2, 2015 and died days later at a hospital. An investigation by MLive and later court testimony showed Edmond had expressed suicidal ideations and asked for a suicide-prevention vest ahead of her death. An Edmond family attorney alleged guards had a bet on whether she would ask for the vest. A guard who was later charged in the death, Diana Callahan, said somebody owes me lunch in apparent response to Edmonds statements, according to court testimony. Michigan State Police werent alerted to investigate until MLive published details of the incident months after Edmonds death. Callahan was sentenced in December 2018 to two years of probation, including six months of jail time, for involuntary manslaughter. Edmonds family remains frustrated with the sentence, Steingold said. Some loved ones previously called it a slap on the wrist. Its a sad situation and if her death prevents others from suffering that same fate - from the complete neglect of guards at the facility - then at least some good will come out of this, he said. A spokesman for the Michigan Department of Corrections declined to comment. 'Game of Thrones' star Sophie Turner who recently opened up about her mental health issues has credited husband Joe Jonas for supporting her through the difficult time. The 23-year-old actor has spoken up about battling depression and eating disorder, reported E! News. In a new candid interview, she noted that at one point, she lost so much weight that her menstrual cycle was disturbed. Also Read | Joe Jonas secretly marries Sophie Turner Sophie said she first met Jonas when she was 20 and "was going through this phase of being very mentally unwell." She went on to share how Jonas stressed on the importance of self-love. "He was, like, 'I can't be with you until you love yourself, I can't see you love me more than you love yourself,'" Turner said. "That was something, him doing that. I think he kind of saved my life, in a way," she added. Turner was 13 years old when she starred in her first onscreen acting project 'Game of Thrones' and was 15 when the show debuted in 2011. She said that she wished she never had her adolescence "displayed in public". Turner was also struggling with body image. The actor stated that she was "desperately unhappy" and a "complete mess," and even considered suicide at one point. At the age of 19, the star sought therapy. "Suddenly, everyone's metabolism slows down at 17, 18 and then that's documented. My skin and everything and people commenting on it. I was too aware of my body at a young age. And it just kind of took over my mind, it was all I would think about. Calorie counting, everything. Oh, I'll just eat nuts today. I stopped having my period for a year, that's when I decided to have therapy. I just think it's so important everyone should have a therapist, honestly," she said. Turner also recalled how her body kept changing with her age and how film and television studios pressurised her to lose weight. She said she sought therapy, adding, "Everyone needs a therapist, especially when people are constantly telling you that you're not good enough and you don't look good enough. I think it's necessary to have someone to talk to, and to help you through that." In her interview, Turner also revealed that at some point in their relationship, she and Jonas broke up for one day. "It was the worst day of our lives. For a second, we both had cold feet, then 24 hours later we were both, like, Never mind," she said. Turner had told Marie Claire Australia, earlier this month, "I have experienced mental illness firsthand and I've seen what it came to do to the people around [the sufferers] as well." In April, Turner told Dr. Philon in his podcast Phil in the Blanks that negative comments about her character on social media caused a decline in her mental health, following "five or six years" of battling depression, and added, "I used to think about suicide a lot when I was younger." Despite its dark side, social media has also helped Turner find happiness. She met Jonas in 2016 after he contacted her through DMs. They first sparked romance rumours in November, 2016 when they were spotted together at a pre-MTV Europe Music Awards event. They made their relationship Instagram official by the following January. In October 2017, the power couple got engaged. Earlier this month, they surprised their fans by tying the knot in Las Vegas after the 2019 Billboard Music Awards. Sophie who played Sansa Stark in the HBO show 'Game of Thrones' will next star in the superhero film 'Dark Phoenix', which releases on June 7, this year. NOVI, MI Chick-fil-A wants to move forward with plans to open a standalone restaurant off I-96 near Twelve Oaks Mall, but Novi officials want to see more before giving the OK. The Atlanta-based chain is seeking to rezone the property where a Dennys restaurant once operated at 27750 Novi Road, with plans to build a new eatery there with a drive-through and a childrens play area. But city council members during a Monday, May 20 meeting said they have concerns about traffic flow, and want to see a more specific site plan at their next meeting, Chick-fil-A wants to demolish the former Dennys and build a 4,990-square-foot standalone location for the home of the original chicken sandwich." Having been part of this community for 40 years, I used to eat at the Dennys when it was the only night time establishment in Novi, Mayor Bob Gatt said. It always struck me as something that was good for the city ... I hear nothing but good things about (Chick-fil-A), so its going to bring some sort of pizzazz, if you will, to the city. I have no objections to them building in that location. I think its a perfect spot. But Council Members Andrew Mutch and Kelly Breen opposed allowing the project to move forward without seeing a site plan. I do have concerns that were being asked to rezone this without a site plan available, Breen said. I live by this site I went to this site and it is a maze back there. If youre not familiar with the area, I see a lot of potential accidents. The Novi Planning Commission approved the development proposal in a 4-to-1 vote in April before bringing it to city council. Those who voted in favor were Chair Mark Pehrson and Commissioners Tony Anthony, John Avdoulos and Michael Lynch. Commissioner Patrick Hornung voted against it, arguing the location is a bad site for a drive-through. Despite Twelve Oaks Mall having a heavy traffic flow at certain times of the year, Chick-fil-A representatives have committed to working with the shopping center to mitigate traffic issues, said Dan Jones, general manager of Twelve Oaks. Theres a lot of positive attributes, obviously, with this development. Ultimately, we just want to make sure that we have a plan in place with Chick-fil-A in order to make sure that its going to be the best for our customers," Jones said. If approved, the restaurant would be expected to open this year, city records show, and the restaurant may look into a shared parking agreement with the La-Z-Boy furniture store next door to alleviate parking issues" and spillover that may rise, according to the proposal. Ill be very curious to see if theres any kind of a change in the way you can exit that restaurant," said Gatt. As far as traffic, I dont understand all the concern because theres no traffic going onto a city street. Were behind Twelve Oaks Mall. If they have no problems with it, then I have no problems with it." Gatt added that Dennys was one of the most popular restaurants in the area, often packed with customers past midnight. But once drivers enter the ring road around the mall, it can be difficult to exit, he said. Theres not many exits once you get on that ring road there is no other way out, Gatt said. Thats why Id be very curious to see if theres something that can be done to alter that. The site is currently accessed through two driveways on Twelve Oaks Mall Road, which will remain once the restaurant is built. If built, Novis Chick-fil-A would include 114 indoor seats and 16 outdoor seats. The building was last sold in 2011 for $1 million to Novi Real Estate Group, LLC, records show. Chick-fil-A announced in 2016 that the company plans to open 20 Michigan restaurants by 2021. The chain currently has several southeast Michigan locations, including at the Somerset Collection in Troy, the Detroit Medical Center, Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Eastern Michigan University and Oakland University. The company is also looking to open a standalone restaurant in Shelby Township. FLINT, MI-- Michael John Donlan, a fourth-generation fishmonger, was honored for his familys fish and seafood stores 105th year of service in Flint on Tuesday, May 21. Donlans Fish and Seafoods, 3116 Corunna Rd, was opened in 1914 by Irish immigrant John Walter Donlan. Flint Mayor Karen Weaver recognized Michael Donlan and his familys service to the community. Theyve been a staple in this community providing us with great seafood, fish and costumer service, said Weaver, whos favorite fish is red snapper. If we dont celebrate people that have stayed in Flint, then shame on us. Weavers family, like many in Flint, grew up buying fresh fish and seafood like wild caught salmon, Lake Superior white fish, shrimp from The Gulf and Mississippi catfish from Donlans. We carry a full line of fish from A to Z, Michael John Donlan said. If you offer a great product at a fair price costumers will keep coming back. John Walter Donlan opened the original fish market at 521 Brush Alley to raise money for a community church that became St. Matthews Catholic Church in downtown Flint. He immigrated from Innes, Ireland to Canada and then made his way to Motor City. The Donlans had relatives in Bay City that were in the fish business who then brought the product down to Flint. Michigan is a bounty for fish, Michael John Donlan said. It became popular and it was demanding so he decided thats what he would do." Soon, John Walter Donlan began importing fish and seafood from Canada, the East Coast and Florida. After he passed away, Michael John Donlans grandfather, John Mason Donlan, moved the shop to its Corunna Road location in 1949. Michael John Donlan remembers hanging out at his grandfathers shop testing his knowledge of fish and seafood as well as watching his father, Michael Wallace Donlan, process fish. Theyd get the fish in whole and theyd be scaled and filleted and packed up for restaurants, Michael John Donlan said. In 1980, Michael Wallace Donlan leveled the building and built the market standing on Corunna Road today. Michael John Donlan began working more at the shop when he attended Central High School. His father asked him to step up and learn the trade of fish mongering in 1987 when his grandfather died. He felt it was time I learned about the business, how to purchase the products and where the fish came from, Michael John Donlan said. Michael John Donlan left the family business in 1994 to open a wholesale food business in Owosso. But the demand he drew from western Genesee County prompted him to reopen his familys Flint fish market in 1998. People wanted a specialized fish and seafood market, Michael John Donlan said. Its an established name and we sell a product people trust. The market buys its fish and seafood directly from fisherman in Lake Superior, Canada, Mississippi, The Gulf, Australia and New Zealand. Michael John Donlan said cutting out the middle man optimizes freshness. So, we have the optimum freshness to start, and then we process it, he said. It just doesnt get any better than that. Not much has changed since Michael John Donlans great grandfather opened the fish market, aside from the specialty fish now offered. Fish like orange roughy from New Zealand and Australia couldnt be caught during the early 20th century. The fish is caught 3,000 feet deep, Michael John Donlan said. Its a harder fish to catch. They didnt really target fish until (the) early 70s. Donlans Fish and Seafood was the first company to sell orange roughy when it became available in the state. Michael John Donlan remembers his father coming home and preparing the fish but preventing anyone from eating it until his mother had the first bite. He wanted her to be the first person in Michigan to try it. The lessons Michael John Donlan said he learned about ensuring the freshest product is provided to customers from watching his father and grandfather work keeps the family business open. Being in the same location for so long also helps,Michael John Donlan said. Customers come into the store and say they remember coming as a little kid and they still continue to shop here. Someday, Michael John Donlan said hed like to pass the family business onto to his daughter. GRAND RAPIDS, MI For children from a different culture, navigating American schools can be challenging for them and their parents. For 13 years, the Refugee Education Center has worked closely with refugee families and school districts to help students acclimate to school and excel in their educational journal. In recent years, Executive Director Susan Kragt said the center has had to broaden its programs and services to support a growing population. This school year, the center is working with 427 children in primary and secondary schools from approximately 150 families. Center staff help students get comfortable in the environment and teachers to understand cultures and customs to connect better. Educators need to know about their family culture and how to engage them are that level, said Kragt, about providing greater insight into the refugee population. We have a family engagement team from different refugee communities who provide a bridge between the schools and families that help them learn and navigate the system. In many cases, Kragt said families are fleeing stifling poverty and violence, so they also want them to feel they are in a safe environment to learn. The nonprofits mission is to help families resettling in West Michigan from around the world, including Latin American, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, integrate more fully into the West Michigan community. This is done by promoting education, which in turn can foster economic mobility and civic engagement. The work of the center is focused on what it means to welcome refugees at a local level, especially with the pressing concerns at national level on immigration and who comes in and who doesnt, Kragt said. We find ourselves with a very diverse group of refugees, which is a unique for a community our size. We have an exciting challenge to rethink community with regard to diversity. This school year, Kragt said they launched a college and career program to help support students. The Hands Connected Early Learning Center, which provides refugee families accessible, culturally aware early childhood education, is now a year old. Kragt said they are focused on longer-term support and going deeper with families on school engagement such as increasing the number of parents attending Parent Teacher Conferences. The center, located at 2130 Enterprise St. SE in Kentwood, announced in February it received a $30,000 KidsCent Regional Grant to provide year-round youth development and academic support to school-aged refugee children. Grand Rapids and Kentwood school serve the largest refugee populations. Both have Welcome Centers at their schools to serve the immigrant and refugee students and their families. Students in the districts are from more than 80 different countries and speak over 60 languages. The Congo, Burma, Somalia, are just few countries represented. GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- In each of the past four years, more than 130 people have died in motorcycle crashes in Michigan. State officials hope to reduce the number of bikers killed by reminding drivers they share the roadway with motorcyclists. We all have a responsibility to ensure our roads are safe, and whether you drive a motorcycle or not, we have a responsibility to ensure the safety of all of our motorcyclists, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said. On Tuesday, May 21, at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, Benson unveiled her offices motorcycle awareness campaign titled Motorcyclists Are Hard to See. Look Twice. Save a Life. Rather than targeting bikers, the campaign focuses on drivers and tips they can use to avoid crashes with motorcyclists, such as the titular looking twice before turning at an intersection. Its much more than a slogan, its a safe driving practice that must become second nature for all of our drivers here in Michigan, she said. According to Benson, about 50 percent of all motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle, and almost all of those crashes occur on streets, not highways. Most crashes occur when the driver of a car is attempting to turn left. The state has other, separate campaigns targeting bikers, such as Ride Sober and the Shadow Rider" project, which aims to get more bikers state-certified in their basic riding skills. The campaign kicked off Tuesday and will feature motorcycle awareness ads on radio, social media, buses, television monitors at gas stations and billboards on high-risk roadways throughout the summer. All secretary of state offices will have campaign literature and advertising. The campaign extends into drivers education classes, where motorcycle awareness is being included into the course for new drivers, Benson said. The campaign is entirely funded through the Motorcycle Safety and Education Fund. Lawmakers created the fund in 2017. Legislators increased the cost to obtain a motorcycle endorsement by $2.50 and renewals by $2, earmarking those new revenues to finance the fund. It raises about $300,000 annually, state officials say. With the creation of the fund, the law mandated the secretary of state to launch a look twice, save a life campaign with those dollars. Michael Olinger, a member of American Bikers Aimed Toward Education of Michigan, said his group spearheaded the 2017 legislation and that he is happy the state is taking on the mantle of preaching biker awareness. Olingers group has run look twice, save a life campaigns across the state, including the purchase of billboards like the one on U.S. 131 in Wyoming. Thats what weve been fighting for, he said, adding awareness is important because we dont want to get run over. About 125 people die each year in motorcycle crashes around the state, according to a 10-year average of state police data. In 2018, 134 out of 974 traffic fatalities were motorcycle crashes, state police reported. In 2017, it was 137 out of 1,028. In 2016, 141 out of 1,064. In 2015, 138 out of 963. Well take any decrease we can get, but we want to see it drop a lot faster and a lot farther, Michael Prince, state Office of Highway Safety Planning director, said of the fatality decrease between 2018 and 2017. By continuing to reinforce messages about training, endorsements, visibility and sharing the road, were going to make Michigan a safer place for motorcyclists to ride. Benson is slated to give similar remarks on the campaign Thursday in Detroit. OTTAWA COUNTY, MI -- The assistant director of a parks system just north of Cincinnati has been chosen from among 82 candidates to be the next Ottawa County Parks and Recreation director. Jason Shamblin will replace John Scholtz, who is retiring at the end of June after 32 years in the position. Shamblin will begin his duties on June 24, according to a news release from Ottawa County announcing his selection. As parks director, he will manage 27 county parks and 12 open space lands totaling nearly 7,000 acres, and will lead 22 permanent staff members and 89 seasonal staffers. Jasons extensive background in parks management coupled with his enthusiasm and passion for parks service provision made him the best candidate to take the helm, Ottawa County Administrator Al Vanderberg said. His salary was not immediately available, but the job posting listed an annual salary range of $82,481.36 to $106,741.44. Shamblin earned his bachelor of science degree in recreation management from Ohio University, and also holds an associate of applied science degree in recreation and wildlife technology from Hocking College, according to the release. He is currently assistant director of MetroParks of Butler County, Ohio, where he has served for nearly seven years. The Metropark system includes 10 parks on 4,000 acres, according to the parks systems website. Previously, he held leadership positions at several parks organizations in the greater Columbus, Ohio area. In one of those roles, as director of Reynoldsburg Parks and Recreation, the system received the first Ohio Parks and Recreation Association Governors Award. Shamblin credits his youth on a farm in southeastern Ohio with connecting him to nature and fostering his career in parks and recreation, he said in the release. He enjoys photographing and identifying wildflowers, geocaching and visiting parks with friends and family on his off hours, and said he looks forward to discovering Ottawa Countys farmers markets, beaches and festivals. Shamblin and his wife, Allison, will be moving to Ottawa County with their three children, ages 11, 9 and 8. UPDATE, 3:04 p.m.: Both teens on the motorcycle are in stable condition, according to sheriffs deputies. HOLLAND, MI An unresponsive teen was airlifted by Aero Med helicopter to a Grand Rapids hospital Tuesday afternoon after a motorcycle crash in Holland. The crash took place at the intersection of 152nd Avenue and Butternut Street. Both teens on the motorcycle are listed in stable condition a couple hours after the crash, according to police. The motorcycle belongs to an older brother of the driver, according to a press release from the Ottawa County Sheriffs office. Neither of the teens on the motorcycle is licensed to drive. Ottawa County Sheriffs deputies responded to a call at 12:35 p.m. on May 21 about an unresponsive man at a motorcycle crash, said Park Township Fire Department Lt. Andy Slagh. The driver of the motorcycle, 14, had regained consciousness prior to being taken to the hospital by Aero Med. The other male on the motorcycle, 15, was taken to the hospital by ambulance. Both were wearing helmets and they were riding a red Honda CBA 600 motorcycle. A red Honda CBR 600 was involved in a motorcycle crash at the intersection of 152nd Avenue and Butternut Drive in Holland on May 21. (Melissa Frick | mfrick@mlive.com) Personnel from the Holland Fire Department and Park Township Fire Department also responded to the crash. Ottawa County Sheriffs deputies are conducting an investigation to determine what caused the crash. GRAND RAPIDS, MI As proponents have sought support for a controversial dredging project that aims to open a stretch of the Grand River between Grand Rapids and Ottawa County to larger powerboats, theyve often touted its economic benefits. New businesses such as marinas and restaurants could pop up along the river, they say. And up to 33,000 new visitors from outside of Kent and Ottawa counties would come to boat on the body of water, bringing $3.3 million in annual new spending to the region. Those figures were outlined in an economic impact study released in October by Grand River Waterway, the group behind the project. The nonprofit wants to make the river accessible for boaters to travel between Grand Rapids and Lake Michigan, a move that supporters say will increase tourism but opponents fear will hurt the rivers ecosystem and force municipalities to shoulder ongoing maintenance costs. So how realistic is the 33,000-visitor projection? Two experts who reviewed the study for MLive.com said its difficult to say. John Crompton, a professor at Texas A&Ms Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences who has studied tourism-related economic impact studies, said the study lists the data used to determine the 33,000 new visitor projection. But it doesnt lay out in detail how that data was used to arrive at the figure. Nor does it say how many years it would take to attract that many new boaters. The study says the number of visitors will be relatively low at first and grow over time but does not lay out a timeline for when the visitor projection is expected to materialize. What the researcher is telling you is up to 33,000, Crompton said. So, what is the range? Is it zero to 33,000? She has an upper number only. In these kinds of studies, you really should be offering a most likely scenario, an optimistic scenario and a pessimistic scenario. John Siegfried, professor emeritus at Vanderbilt University, said the visitor projection is not reliable because it cannot be replicated. There is insufficient explanation to justify the 33,000, said Siegfried, who taught economics at the Nashville-based university and has researched economic impact studies. Expanding recreation Grand River Waterway was founded by Dan Hibma, a West Michigan developer and husband of former Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land. The Republican-led Michigan Legislature has approved $3.45 million in state funding for the project, which seeks to dredge part of a 23-mile stretch of the river between the Fulton Street bridge in Grand Rapids and the Bass River inlet, near Eastmanville. Language in the 2019 budget directed the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to issue proposals and hire private contractors to examine the soil beneath the riverbed for hazardous substances and, pending the results of those studies, seek a state permit to dredge the river. The DNR has hired a firm to do the sediment testing but its not clear when it will occur. The project has since come under fire from three Democratic state lawmakers from Grand Rapids, as well as local governments in Kent and Ottawa Counties who fear they would be forced to use more taxpayer dollars to maintain and patrol the river if the project were to move forward. Residents who live along the river have also expressed concern about noise and say the presence of larger powerboats would disrupt recreational activities such as fishing and kayaking. Since April, several municipalities have passed symbolic resolutions opposing the project. The list includes the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners, the city of Grand Haven, Grand Haven Township, Spring Lake Township and the city of Grandville. The state of Michigan has final say over the project. Grand River Waterway used part of the state funding, $60,000, to hire East Lansing-based Anderson Economic group to conduct the economic impact study. Cristina Benton, the studys lead author, said the 33,000 new visitors estimate was based upon tourism data from Kent and Ottawa counties. She said the data which her firm did not have permission to publish in the study shows how many people visited the region, the purpose of their trips, what activities visitors participated in and how much they spent during their visit. Her study also estimated potential new visitors using theoretical new marinas in Grand Rapids, the number of registered boaters in the state, as well as interviews at several marinas in the Grand Haven and Spring Lake area to estimate how many marina users live outside the region. We also use our professional judgement here in looking at any potential growth rates and what a project like this will mean for bringing new people to the county, Benton said, adding that her firm followed a rigorous methodology" and looked at many data points. Benton said shes confident in the projection but acknowledged the study does not include a timeline detailing how long it would take to attract that many people. We didnt really look at it in the way that youre asking, she said. It starts with a lower number and it grows over time. We really didnt look at specific break points. Hibma said Anderson Economic Group is very respected and we stand by their numbers. Crompton, the Texas A&M professor who reviewed the study for MLive, said he doesnt doubt the validity of the 33,000 projected visitors. But the study doesnt provide an outside observer with enough information to independently gauge its accuracy. All of those numbers are based upon certain assumptions and interpretations, and the audience has to know if they are reasonable or not, he said. Im not doubting her word at all. I just feel that she has an obligation to show how she derived at the numbers. Economic benefits Grand River Waterways backers have attempted to drum up support for the project by pointing to the economic benefit of increased recreational activity on the river. I think theres significant opportunities for employment and job creation and business development, as well as another opportunity for us to attract people to our region, Rick Baker, president of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, said during a March appearance on the WGVU program West Michigan Week. He said the project could spark development along the river in Grand Rapids as well as communities such as Walker, Grandville and Jenison. Boat slips or a marina could be integrated with housing, condominiums, apartments and other commercial and mixed-use development along the river, he said. Our business folks are excited about it and just ready to welcome more visitors, said Grandville Mayor Steve Maas, who spoke alongside Baker during the March episode of West Michigan Week. The Grand River Waterway study says there is some land along the river, particularly in Grand Rapids, that could be redeveloped for river recreation-friendly uses. In Grand Rapids, significant land along the river is zoned for industrial or transportation uses and is owned by the city or state, the study says. Hibma owns about 200 acres with a mile of riverfront property near the M-11 bridge in Walker. He has a long history of seeking to redevelop that property, and in 2010 spoke about creating a seasonal campground there. His spokesperson, Michael Zalewski, recently told MLive.com that Hibma does not have development plans tied to the dredging project. Speaking recently to the Grandville City Council, Hibma highlighted the economic impact study. He touted the prospect of increased property values along the river. The economic impact study said the project could increase the true cash value of hundreds of residential properties by an estimated total of $54.4 million. The increase would result in an additional $614,000 in tax collections within municipalities along the river. Theres no timeline in the study for when the property tax increases could take place. Most of the tax collections would occur in Ottawa County because its home to the most residential properties on the river, the study notes, and would be realized when new homes are built or properties are sold. Hibma also pointed to the estimated $3.3 million in new spending, a figure tied to the assumption that the project would attract 33,000 new visitors. If the $3.3 million in new spending were to occur, it would have an economic impact of $5.7 million, the study says. We thought that was a pretty good impact for $2 million, Hibma said, referring to the estimated cost of dredging the river. Hibma, during an interview Monday, also said he does not believe a new marina must be built on the river to attract 33,000 new visitors. If you assume there are five people per boat, that would translate to an additional 6,600 boats on the river, he said. And if you assume an equal number of boaters come to the river each day between May 1 and Sept. 30, that would translate to an average of 43 boats per day. He acknowledged that many people would chose to boat on the river during the weekend, not during the week. But he said he still believes there is capacity on the river for additional vessels without adding a marina or boat slips. Its going to get spread out over the whole season," he said of the visitor projection. The prospect of an economic boost hasnt been enough to persuade skeptical municipalities to support the project. Last week, Grandville City Council member Justin Noordhoek successfully pushed for the council to issue a resolution opposing the project. He cited potential environmental damage and questioned who would pay for maintenance costs and additional police needed to patrol the river. There are too many unanswered questions here, he said. JACKSON, MI -- A man accused of shooting and killing a 19-year-old outside an auto parts store Saturday was arraigned on murder and weapons charges Monday, May 20. Eiron Bankhead, 24, is accused of shooting Kordell Brzozowski around 12:25 p.m. May 18 in the parking lot of an AutoZone on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Brzozowski was taken to Henry Ford Allegiance Emergency Department, where he died of his injuries, according to police. Bankhead faces charges of open murder, felony firearm and carrying a concealed weapon. He pleaded not guilty Monday during his arraignment before 12th District Court Judge Joseph Filip. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison. Bankheads attorney, Antonio Tuddles, said threats have been made toward the suspects family, so relatives did not attend the court hearing. The autopsy report is pending, but witnesses said Brzozowski was shot seven to eight times, Jackson County Assistant Prosecutor Jake Dickerson said. Tuddles said Bankhead had a valid concealed pistol license at the time of the shooting. Dickerson disputed that claim. Dickerson said Brzozowski and an unnamed woman were at AutoZone buying a fuse for her vehicle when Bankhead approached them, and a fight started. Bankhead is accused of making threats via phone to the woman before the shooting. The fight was broken up in the store and they went outside, according to police. Brzozowski then broke a Bankheads vehicle window with a hammer before the shooting, authorities allege. Bankhead was denied bond and is scheduled for a probable cause hearing May 24. JACKSON, MI Double cheeseburger combo, no tomatoes and a large Cherry Coke. Adam Beatty doesn't remember every Wendy's meal he's served. But he won't be forgetting the drive-thru order he delivered at noon on Monday, May 20. It was the final order before the Wendys restaurant, 323 S. Cooper St., closed its doors. "It was tough. We shook his hand and he drove off. And that was it," said Beatty, the general manager. "It was sad. He got probably the best double of his life nice and juicy." Beatty was alerted four days earlier that his Wendys could be on the chopping block, but didnt get confirmation until 10 a.m. on Monday. The restaurants 16 employees were offered positions at other Wendys locations in Jackson, Beatty said. Besides the Wendy's sign out front, the building looks nothing like a classic Wendy's location. The former railroad warehouse was converted into a Wendy's in the early 2000s. It's a block south from Jackson's train station the oldest continually operating passenger train station in the nation, opening in 1873. The building was bought for $285,000 in 2002, per city documents, and Stanton and Associates redeveloped the space for a restaurant. The project included keeping freight doors and pulleys, the timber frame ceiling and existing old brick, according to a 2004 Jackson Citizen Patriot story. Jacksons history remained on display inside, from the historic photos on the walls to the artifact cabinet of items found during the building remodel. We just wanted to keep the flavor of what the building used to be, said Donn Roberts, architect on the project. I think it turned out great. Starboard Group bought the restaurant a few years ago, Beatty said. On Monday, Starboard sold its Michigan locations of the franchise to Team Schostak of Livonia, and a handful of locations including the Cooper Street one were left out of the deal, he said. Higher ups told Beatty the operating costs were in the negatives to run the Cooper Street Wendys, but hes not sure if thats what led to the closing. Beatty is unsure what Starboard Group plans to do with the space. Representatives from Team Schostak, Starboard Group and Wendy's did not respond to requests for comment. Its too bad that they wanted to close. It really is, Beatty said. Its a prime location, beautiful outside, the building is historic. A part of Jackson has always been there. KALAMAZOO, MI National nonprofit NARAL sounded the alarm for pro-choice advocates across the country to make Tuesday, May 21, a day of action in protest of abortion bans. In Kalamazoo, Amy Permenter-Bosscher answered the call, organizing a rally in front of City Hall Tuesday. Despite only having a few days to prepare, word spread and a crowd of about 30 women, men and some children stood outside hoping for a honk of support. Others passed out wire coat hangers in a nod to pre-Roe v. Wade abortion procedures. Were out here for our childrens rights as much as were out here for our own rights," Permenter-Bosscher said. Permenter-Bosscher and her co-organizer, Megan Baker, wanted to stress the important role of being pro-choice mothers. Permenter-Bosscher and other attendees shared personal stories about having abortions and later still becoming parents. Over the weekend, Permenter-Bosscher sat down with her 12-year-old daughter and discussed why she was planning the rally and the current state of politics surrounding abortion. She may not understand and grasp the full concept of pregnancy and abortion, but what she does understand is her body and that her body is her own," Permenter-Bosscher said. "Nobody is allowed to make choices about her body but her. This started a broader conversation among the mothers in the crowd about how to explain the nuances of birth control. Attendee Randy Lubratich said she approached it as a conversation about equality when talking with her 8-year-old son. If an 8-year-old can understand that people have the right to make decisions for themselves, then the 80-year-old whos sitting in Washington should go, Hmm, maybe thats not a bad idea,'" she said. Still, Lubratich said she was not frustrated or even really surprised by decisions being made by Republican lawmakers in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Ohio and Kentucky. At this point, she said, she expects it. That has not made it any less emotionally exhausting to fight back against laws restricting abortion, she said. Lubratich said having an abortion as a teenager changed the trajectory of her life for the better. But that doesnt mean she wants to relive it every time her choice is called into question. I have to bare my soul for you to understand that theres a face to these issues," Lubratich said. Meanwhile, on the other side of the state, anti-abortion group Michigan Heartbeat Coalition submitted paperwork for a ballot drive to ban abortion after a heartbeat is detected. The proposal seeks to make it a felony for doctors to perform abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can typically be detected around six weeks of pregnancy. This year, 15 states have introduced similar fetal heartbeat bills. In the Michigan Legislature, bills were passed to ban dilation and evacuation, or D&E, abortions and label them dismemberment" abortions. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has said she would veto any legislation to ban the practice. Similarly, Attorney General Dana Nessel said at a Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan summit in April that she would not prosecute doctors or patients who terminate pregnancies. Technically, Michigan never repealed a 173-year-old law banning abortion, which means abortion would become a felony if Roe v. Wade was overturned. Nationally, NARALs day of action Tuesday spread to all 50 states and included more than 450 events. Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Tuesday cancelled his scheduled visit to the national capital on a day when opposition parties will be meeting Election Commission officials over the issues of EVMs. (Photo: File) Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Tuesday cancelled his scheduled visit to the national capital on a day when opposition parties will be meeting Election Commission officials over the issues of EVMs. The Janata Dal (Secular) leader is skipping a visit to Delhi at a time when opposition parties are in a huddle after exit polls predicted a victory of the BJP-led NDA. Later today, 21 opposition parties will knock the doors of Election Commission (EC), pressing their demand of tallying VVPAT slips with EVM figures in an entire constituency, in case a discrepancy is found at any polling booth. Before the visit, the parties will also hold a meeting at Delhi's constitution club. Ahmed Patel of Congress, Sharad Pawar of NCP, Chandrababu Naidu of TDP, Satish Chandra Misra of BSP, Sitaram Yechury of Communist Party of India (Marxist), D Raja of Communist Party of India (CPI) and Derek O'Brien of the TMC are expected to meet the officials of the poll commission. Naidu is at the forefront of ongoing efforts to stitch a united opposition ahead of the Lok Sabha election results on May 23. On Monday, Kumaraswamy, whose party is in alliance with Congress in Karnataka, had also expressed his concerns over EVMs and tweeted, "Entire Opposition political parties had expressed concern over credibility of EVMs under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rule. Opposition parties even knocked the doors of the Supreme Court asking for a traditional ballet paper elections to avoid defective EVMs that are vulnerable to fraud." Entire Opposition political parties had expressed concern over credibility of EVMs under PM @narendramodi's rule. Opposition parties even knocked the doors of the Supre Court asking for a traditional ballet paper elections to avoid defective EVMs that are vulnerable to fraud. H D Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) May 20, 2019 In another tweet, he added, "Worldwide, even developed countries have opted for traditional polls through paper ballots. The exit poll surveys on May 19 only reiterated the serious concern of the Opposition parties on misuse of vulnerable EVMs for electoral gains by the ruling party." World wide, even developed countries have opted for traditional polls through paper ballets. The exit poll surveys on May 19 only reiterated the serious concern of the Opposition parties on misuse of vulnerabke EVMs for electoral gains by the ruling party. 2/4 H D Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) May 20, 2019 The Chief Minister also discredited predictions of the exit polls and said they are "being used to create an impression that there is still a Modi wave in the country." "This artificially engineered or manufactured Modi wave is being used by the BJP to lure regional parties well in advance to fill any shortfall after the results on May 23. The entire exit poll exercise was an effort to create false impression of a wave in favour of one particular leader and the party. As they say, it is just an exit poll, not exact poll," he said in another post on the micro-blogging website. KALAMAZOO, MI Drivers on U.S. 131 north of Kalamazoo will soon see a reminder that kids enrolled in Kalamazoo Public schools can go to college for free. Kalamazoo City Commissioners voted Monday, May 20, to approve a license agreement to paint The Kalamazoo Promise logo on a water tank adjacent to U.S. 131. The City of Kalamazoos water system is constructing a new 2.5 million gallon water tank on the west side of U.S. 131 just north of I-94, which provides an opportunity to promote The Kalamazoo Promise, a scholarship program that provides tuition for college or trade school for Kalamazoo Public Schools graduates who live in the district, according to a recommendation from Kalamazoo City Manager Jim Ritsema. The Kalamazoo Promise logo, with an approximate 25-foot diameter, will be painted on the new tank facing U.S. 131, the approved agreement states. The document shows two different options for the tank, one with a single logo and another option with two logos. Since its creation in 2005, The Kalamazoo Promise has provided scholarships to nearly 7,000 Kalamazoo Public Schools graduates to help them attend college tuition-free in Michigan, Ritsema said. The Kalamazoo Promise is seen as a national leader in providing college and trades education to students regardless of income or grade point average, the recommendation states. The license agreement is for 10 years and can be renewed in 5-year increments, the city said. The Kalamazoo Promise will reimburse the water system for all expenses associated with painting the logo as well as future maintenance costs for the logo, according to the recommendation. It states there will be no fiscal impact to the water fund or the general fund and the The Kalamazoo Promise has agreed to reimburse all expenses associated with the placement and maintenance of the logo. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI A man extradited from Virginia to face child sexual abuse charges in Muskegon has entered a plea. Joshua Neal Gombar of Roanoke, Virginia, pleaded no contest to second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a child under age 13. He was sentenced May 8 by Muskegon County Circuit Judge Timothy Hicks to between 15 months and 15 years in the Michigan Department of Corrections. He was given credit for 358 days already served. Gombar originally was charged with first-degree CSC involving sexual penetration of a child under 13. That charge was dropped as a result of Gombars no-contest plea to the lesser charge. A no-contest plea is not an admission of guilt but is treated as such at sentencing. It was alleged that Gombar assaulted a female victim under age 13 between 2014 and 2016, according to Matt Roberts, chief trial attorney for the Muskegon County Prosecutors Office. Gombar was located in Virginia about a year ago, where he was in police custody on an assault charge, Roberts said earlier. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI A Muskegon area man faces more serious sex assault charges following testimony that prompted the judge to increase his bail, sending him back to jail. Michael Oscar Johnson, 49, of Egelston Township is a previous sex offender, having been convicted of sexually assaulting a teenager in 1994. He recently was charged with fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving an alleged assault on a sleeping teenager. The victims testimony during a preliminary examination earlier this month prompted Muskegon County District Judge Maria Ladas Hoopes to increase Johnsons bail from $25,000 to $200,000 cash or surety bond. Johnson remains in the Muskegon County Jail. The prosecutors office had notified the court it might seek to bind Johnson over for trial on a more serious third-degree CSC charge depending on testimony at the preliminary exam, said Muskegon County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Timothy Maat. Hoopes did bind Johnson over to circuit court on the higher charge, which involves sexual penetration. The victim testified she had gone to sleep wearing underpants, but woke up without them on and to Johnson assaulting her, Maat said. He called the judges decision to increase Johnsons bail rare and very appreciated. Johnson had posted the $25,000 bond and was not in jail at the time of the preliminary examination. However, he was sent back to jail after the preliminary exam when the judge increased the amount of bail. Johnson was convicted in 1994 of third-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a victim between the ages of 13 and 15. He also has a 2010 felony conviction for failure to comply with Michigans sex offender registry. Misdemeanor convictions include drunk driving and larceny in 1991, attempted resisting police in 1992, resisting police in 1994 and failure to comply with the sex offender registry in 2008, according to Maat. Norton Shores, MI The appearance of a Steak 'n Shake sign in Norton Shores recently caused a flurry of excitement on social media. But the excitement may be premature since the site has simply been approved for a franchise. Now seeking qualified investor/partner, owner-operator, manager, the sign reads. The sign is on an out lot of The Pointes Shopping Center, near the intersection of Sternberg and Grand Haven roads in Norton Shores. The shopping center recently came under new ownership. We are not restaurant operators, so we are now looking for interested parties to work with, said The Pointes co-owner Bill Cooper. If a franchisee is secured quickly, construction could begin soon, he said. That could produce a Steak n Shake at The Pointes by early 2020, at the soonest. After the sign was put up, a photo of it was repeatedly shared on Facebook on Monday, May 20. It blew up the internet, Cooper said. We would like a quality, national fast casual restaurant at The Pointes, and if the internet is any indicator, we arent alone, he said. Potential franchisees have already inquired, Cooper said. If a restaurant is established there, it could be very successful, said Sean Biglari, director of franchise development for Steak 'n Shake. This is exactly the type of location we like: right off the highway, easy access, easy visibility - I really like that location a lot, Biglari said in the release from The Pointes. The Pointes, 1040 E. Sternberg Road, has five empty out lots that new owners Cooper, David Bowen and Jeff Zaloga are working to fill, according to a news release. There is easy access off of U.S. 31 to the shopping center that is home to businesses such as Egg Roll House restaurant and Lakeshore Natural Health. Steak n Shake recently approved one of the out-lots at The Pointes Shopping Center for a location and the developers... Posted by The Pointes Shopping Center on Monday, May 20, 2019 Steak n Shake specializes in premium burgers and milkshakes, according to its website. The company was founded by Gus Belt in 1934 in Illinois. There are six locations in West Michigan with one in the Holland area and five in the Grand Rapids area. The one in Holland Township and one in Kentwood are temporarily closed as the company works to bring in franchisees to run former corporate locations, according to the Steak 'n Shake website. The Holland Township store closed earlier this month after sporadic closures due to health inspection issues and low staffing, The Holland Sentinel reported on May 7. The sign on the door indicates that it could reopen under a franchisee. Steak n Shake, owned by San Antonio-based Biglari Holdings Inc., has temporarily closed more than 40 corporate stores this year, the San Antonio Express-News reports. The company also is working through lawsuits filed by store managers for lost overtime pay. It was recently ordered to pay $7.7 million after losing a federal case in St. Louis, according to the San Antonio Express-News. It does cause some reservations, Cooper said of the news reports. The company is pretty solid so I think theyre going to get through it. The effort to bring in Steak 'n Shake is part of a larger plan to develop the out lots at The Pointes. There is also a sign on the property for the Plane Watch Food Park. Management is investigating creating a seasonal food truck park, according to the news release. A Facebook post on the food park name drops several businesses that could be part of the project: Smokin on the Lakeshore, Ice Box Brand Ice Cream, Silver Star Cafe, Crepes by the Lakes and others. The Pointes Shopping Center is investigating creating a seasonal food truck park in the NE corner of the property and... Posted by The Pointes Shopping Center on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 Muskegon-area businessmen Sean and Adam Sobczak are working toward opening a restaurant in the former Firehouse Guitar space, according to the release. Firehouse Guitars closed in early 2018. ST. LOUIS, MI One of Michigans worst health accidents occurred more than 45 years ago at what is now one of the countrys costliest Superfund sites and the cleanup still isnt done. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, a local resident task force and others are continuing oversight of clean up this year at the former Velsicol Chemical Co. plant site on the banks of the Pine River in the Gratiot County community of St. Louis. I could see this going six or seven more years, its really funding-dependent for a lot of it, said Thomas Alcamo, the EPAs remedial project manager for the Velsicol site. He has been involved there since 2008. Its extremely expensive. The second area that we are cleaning up is $23 to $25 million, the next phase after that is (another) $15 to $20 million," Alcamo said. The Velsicol plant not only was the site of Michigans infamous 1973 mix-up that resulted in the chemical PBB making its way into Michigans food supply, but extremely high levels of the chemical DDT were found in the Pine River after the plant closed in the late 1970s. The Pine River cleanup which started in 1998 and ended in 2006 alone has cost over $100 million. Workers removed over 750,000 tons of DDT-laced sediment from the river. In addition to the river cleanup, many chemicals were found in the soil at the plant site after it was demolished. Workers are removing the materials through a process called in-situ thermal treatment. The process works by inserting metal rods into the ground that heat up the chemicals to boiling. They are then siphoned off and destroyed. Rachel Bassler, press officer for the EPA Region 5, wrote in an email to The Saginaw News-MLive that total cost for cleaning up the St. Louis site could be in excess of $350 million. One aspect of the costly nature for the cleanup is due to the failure by the company to adequately prevent chemicals from leaking into the river after the plant closed in 1978. Velsicol signed a 1982 consent judgement to install a cap and slurry wall around the site, according to Bassler. She added that the company went bankrupt in 2002 and the St. Louis site received approximately $16 million to aid the cleanup. The slurry wall failed in certain areas and one of the problems with the early agreement signed between the EPA, the state and Velsicol was it didnt address the river sediment at the time because it was not known yet, the EPAs Alcamo said. Until the 1990s, DDT was spilling into the river. It wasnt until the late 1990s that the EPA held meetings with town officials and residents to address the issue. At about the same time, the state issued a no-eat advisory for fish caught in the Pine River. Alcamo said sediment cleanup began in 1998 and went until 2006. The Velsicol site has another pollution legacy. Jane Keon, secretary for the Pine River Superfund Citizens Task Force, said back in 1973 the plant, which manufactured hundreds of chemicals including DDT and PBB, incorrectly bagged PBB as supplements for animal livestock food and sent it out to farmers who fed it to their cows. Those cows and the meat and dairy products from them were sent to butchers and grocery stores, affecting roughly 9 million people living in the state at the time. Because of how many people were affected, the state health department created a study that looked at over 4,500 families. Dr. Michelle Marcus, a professor at the School of Public Health and Medicine at Emory University in Atlanta, has been working to continue the PBB health study. Between 2012 and 2015 they tested nearly 900 people around the state of Michigan from that study and found that six out of 10 of them had elevated levels of PBB. Marcus Cheatham, a health officer at the mid-Michigan District Health Department for Clinton, Gratiot and Montcalm counties, said PBB exposure has the potential to have adverse effects on children, such as slower growth rate and genital abnormalities for boys and earlier puberty rates and an increased risk for miscarriages. Cheatham also added there is an increased risk for thyroid problems and breast cancer, a risk that St. Louis resident Jim Hall said he believes he has. I cant prove it but we do know now that PBB causes birth defects in the cows, Hall said adding he suffers from thyroid problems. There were 250 chemicals that they produced here and Im not saying thats what did it, but I tell you what, you can almost put the two together and see this and in almost every community thats had either chemical plant or refinery next to it, theres been a lot of health issues. Hall said he lost a brother to Hodgkins disease and his 2-year-old daughter, who was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and vater syndrome. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions website, hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a birth defect that affects normal blood flow through the heart with the left side of the heart not forming correctly. Marcus said that PBB and DDT were the first generation of forever chemicals, or chemicals that do not break down easily in the human body or in the environment. We know that both of those chemicals are endocrine disrupters, they disrupt the endocrine system, and both of those chemicals are related to thyroid problems and reproductive problems and are very persistent, she said. Throughout the last two decades, a small group of citizens has been documenting the cleanup of the site and the river. Hall and Keon are founding members of that Pine River Superfund Citizens Task Force, an EPA-sanctioned group, that formed out of the 1990s EPA meetings. Ed Lorenz, one of the other founding members of the group, said he recalled residents angered when they found out about the years DDT spilled from the site. The river had tons, literally tons, of DDT in it and thats what was contaminating the fish, said Lorenz, a retired professor from Alma College. The EPA held a meeting in October 1997 to report on all the problems in the fish in the water. It was packed with people, people who were angry. That anger sparked the idea for the task force and that has been working for over 20 years to monitor the cleanup. But their relationship with governmental organizations has not always been easy. It took our group a long time to convince the EPA our site was leaking, Keon said. Its been an uphill slog, it hasnt been easy, part of it is dealing with government agencies. One of the ongoing challenges the group is trying to solve is getting records of the PBB registry, which partially stopped in the 1990s and was taken up by Emory University. Marcus, through money from the National Institute of Health and in collaboration with the state health department, started research at Emory at the same time the study stopped in the 1990s and expanded it. When the state decided to stop the PBB registry roughly 10 years ago the federal funding for it ended Marcus and her team took that over as well. They didnt get all of the data in that transfer, though, Marcus said. They have two-thirds of the data on people in that study but the health department is withholding the rest of the information on those affected due to confidentiality agreements. Keon added they are trying to work with legislators and the health department to get the records. So far we have not been successful but we havent stopped yet were like a little dog we grab on to the pant leg and we dont let go until we get what we think is right," Keon said. While the group is still trying to get information to make a complete registry, over the past 20 years much has been done to remedy the disaster in St. Louis like the residential soil cleanup from 2012 to 2016 that removed 44,000 tons of DDT-contaminated soil from 111 residential properties but there is still a long way to go. Recently, Marcus met with legislators in Lansing to discuss the still-lingering effects of PBB and how similar they are to another potential crisis with PFAS. The purpose was really to remind the legislators that PBB is still important to the people of Michigan, that we did observe serious health effects, she said, adding that PBB and PFAS have very similar characteristics. LANSING, MI -- Michigan employers will need to fill half a million skilled trades jobs by 2026, and state officials are investing $3 million to get the word out. Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and Lansing-area leaders in business, education and workforce development announced the states largest advertising campaign to raise awareness of Michigans skilled-labor shortage. Employers gathered at Lansing Community College Center for Manufacturing Excellence Monday said skilled trade jobs are in high demand as Baby Boomers are retiring, but there arent enough new workers with the training to replace them. We want to really invest in this heavily because there is a big gap to fill, Gilchrist said. We think that presents an opportunity. There are a lot of talented, hard working people in Michigan and we want to make sure they know that theres a pathway for them to have a high wage and high quality career here. Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer identified the gap in skilled workers as a serious economic challenge during her 2019 State of the State address. Part of the problem, she said, is a failure to create paths to job training. Michigans Department of Talent and Economic Development expects 545,000 skilled trades jobs will be created through 2026, mostly in the fields of construction, manufacturing, healthcare, automotive and information technology. Finding highly skilled employees is harder than ever for Michigan businesses, according to a 2019 survey by the Associated General Contractors of America. Convincing high school students to pursue careers in professional trades and replace retiring Baby Boomers is critical to the states economic recovery, said TED Communications Director Erica Quealy. Advancements in technology, particularly the rise in automation, have changed the face of jobs in professional trades industries. Employers are looking for workers with knowledge of coding and information technology, Quealy said, something graduating high students should know while planning their next steps. Most professional trades careers do not require a four-year degree, but careers in skilled trades pay 45% more than the states median income, according to TED research. Only 13% of high school students consider apprenticeships a good career path, while one in three Michigan parents encourage their children to enter professional trades. Job seekers "cant be what they cant see, said Edythe Copeland, CEO of Capital Area Michigan Works! The states Going PRO campaign is intended to inspire Michigan residents to pursue a career in professional trades. A 30-second commercial will be broadcast on television and distributed through social media statewide, coordinated with outdoor advertising and other events and activities to reach 90% of residents between the ages 15 and 64. We want people to know they can choose lots of different careers in Michigan, Gilchrist said. People, especially millennials like me, we understand that we may jump jobs a few times. When youre making those changes you have to have access to the training so you can quality for the next chapter of your career. Michigan has no shortage of hardworking, intelligent people, Gilchrist said, but opportunities are not equitably distributed across the state. Gilchrist said thats why he and Whitmer prioritized making post-secondary education more accessible and removing barriers to economic opportunity. Whitmers administration set a goal to increase the number of working adults with a post-secondary degree to 60% by 2030, up from 45%. The first-term Democrat outlined several proposals to help Michigan workers find careers in professional trades, including the Michigan Reconnect Grant Program and Michigan Opportunity Scholarship. She called on the Republican-led legislature to pass bills funding both programs. Michigan high school graduates would be eligible for two years of tuition-free years of community college or two years of tuition assistance at public universities. Whitmer is also seeking $110 million to provide adults 25 and older with tuition-free community college or technical training. Whitmers plan has the backing of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce President, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Small Business Association of Michigan, Detroit Regional Chamber and American Federation of Teachers Michigan. The states Going PRO talent fund awarded $29.4 million to Michigan companies to train nearly 24,000 workers, according to a February 2019 report. A total of $23.6 million was awarded in 2018, funding training for 23,000 people. State officials recently applauded the opening of a new $15 million training center for carpenters and millwrights. The Wayland facility offers apprenticeships through the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights union, which plans to open similar training centers in Marquette and Detroit. Michigan high school students were encouraged to sign a letter expressing their commitment to pursue an apprenticeship after Whitmer declared May 6-10 Michigan Signing Week. A 2020 special election is the only way to stop the Michigan Republican Party from continuing to subvert peoples will, The League of Women Voters of Michigan argued in federal court documents. The League of Womens Voters is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to ignore Republican lawmakers request to delay the process of redrawing Michigans political maps in time for 2020 elections. Granting a stay of proceedings would prevent Michigan voters from casting their votes in fair, non-partisan and constitutionally-drawn districts, attorneys wrote in documents filed Monday. A panel of three U.S. District Court judges unanimously ruled Michigans 2011 legislative apportionment plan violates voters Constitutional rights, in favor of The League of Women Voters. Judges ruled that 34 districts in Michigans congressional, state House and state Senate maps were illegally drawn to benefit Republican candidates. Attorneys representing GOP lawmakers appealed the ruling, then filed an emergency application asking Justice Sonia Sotomayor to suspend the order until the High Court rules on similar gerrymandering cases in Maryland and North Carolina. Michigans Republican congressional delegation and House Speaker Lee Chatfield, R-Levering, argued the states lawmakers and citizens will suffer numerous and imminent irreparable harm if a stay isnt granted. The League of Women Voters of Michigan outlined its opposition to arguments made by Republican lawmakers in documents filed with the U.S. Supreme Court Monday. The nonpartisan group is asking Sotomayor, who is responsible for hearing Michigan cases in the U.S. Court of Appeals, to allow the redistricting effort to continue. The Supreme Courts decisions on the other gerrymandering cases, expected by the end of June, could uphold the Michigan ruling, reverse it, or send it back for reconsideration in the lower court. One case involves congressional redistricting plans that gave Republicans an advantage in North Carolina. The other involves one Maryland congressional district redrawn to help Democrats unseat an entrenched Republican incumbent. Attorneys said its not clear that the Supreme Courts decision in the Maryland and North Carolina cases would affect the Michigan case. The court could issue a narrow ruling without resolving the First Amendment and equal protection issues at stake in the Michigan case, they wrote in court documents. Both sides agreed that time is running out to redraw Michigans political districts by the 2020 elections. Republicans argued lawmakers dont have enough time to pass redistricting legislation by the Aug. 1 deadline. The Legislature will have to prioritize redistricting legislation over other important matters, including passing a budget, reforming auto insurance and funding infrastructure improvements. The Legislatures time and resources were already strained, attorneys wrote in court documents. The District Courts order ... may well cause gridlock in the Legislature and prevent or delay action on some of the most pressing priorities for the people of Michigan. Attorneys representing the League of Women Voters said theres plenty of time. Republicans exaggerated" the burden drawing remedial maps would put on the Legislature, they wrote. Hundreds of alternative maps were created by experts and non-partisan figures during the 2011 redistricting process or ongoing litigation. They offer no reason why they cannot meet the Courts schedule, attorneys representing the League wrote. Regardless, attorneys for the League said the time and money required to prepare a nonpartisan set of maps would not outweigh the harm facing voters if the court granted a stay. Delaying the redistricting order would amount to freezing progress of a remedy for many months," they said. Blocking the District Courts order would make it nearly impossible to redraw political districts in time for the 2020 election, attorneys for the League of Women Voters said. "Disorder, if not chaos would follow if the district courts judgment is reaffirmed months after being held, attorneys wrote. An Islamic State offshoot has amassed around 5,000 militants in northern Afghanistan on the border of post-Soviet republics of Central Asia, the director of Russias FSB has warned, adding that many of them have fought in Syria. Especially worrying is re-deployment of terrorist groups into northern provinces of Afghanistan, Alexander Bortnikov told chiefs of ex-Soviet intelligence services in Dushanbe. He warned that Wilayat Khorasan, a local Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) affiliate, had managed to gather 5,000 fighters in the area. Terrorist cells are now infiltrating into former Soviet countries where they are forming ties with organized crime. To keep a low profile, they try to pose as refugees and migrants, according to Bortnikov. Also on rt.com ISIS & Al-Qaeda still a threat as jihadist cells spread in Europe, Asia Moscow Islamists have suffered a series of defeats in Syria and Iraq, but they still remain a danger. Now they are trying to regroup in areas which Syrian government doesnt control, or hide out in refugee camps, the FSB chief noted. Another alarming trend is that terrorist groups are relocating their forces to other parts of the world, including Northern Africa and Southeast Asia. DETAILS TO FOLLOW South Koreas Ministry of Environment reported this month on a rare Asiatic black bear, also called Moon Bear, which has been spotted living in the mined border area between North and South Korea. RTs Keiser Report discusses the report, using it as an analogy for our privacy. Stacy Herbert compares it with the human situation in a surveillance state, noting that there are still some humans that live outside a CCTV camera, humans that dont have a GPS monitor anywhere near them because they might live somewhere in the middle of South or North Dakota. Max Keiser recalls his theory of the economys insectualisation where humans are becoming a colony of insects (bees or ants). Thats all enabled by the 5G surveillance state, he says. For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section Iraq will send diplomatic delegations to both Tehran and Washington, its prime minister has said, after weeks of military posturing and insult trading has prompted fears of open conflict between the two rivals. Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said the teams' aim was to help halt tensions between the US and Iran. Its not an official mediation though. Iraq considers both Iran and the US as allies, with both giving substantial support to Baghdad in its battle against Islamic State (formerly ISIS/ISIL) terrorists. Also on rt.com War with Iran could send oil prices to $250 per barrel Iraq is making high-level contact, and its view to resolve the crisis is so close to the European view, Mahdi said, referring to many European nations who want normalized relations with Iran. He added that both US and Iranian officials had confirmed to him that they do not want conflict with each other. Mahdis push for de-escalation follows calls by several influential Iraqi Shia leaders against any military action. Prominent cleric and politician Muqtada al-Sadr feared a US-Iran conflict would be the end of Iraq and pushed for peace and reconstruction. Hadi al-Amiri, an Iraqi politician and former military commander warned that war would burn everyone.Delete Also on rt.com Irans behavior must change, former US Defense Secretary Mattis says Governments in the region have been on high alert in recent weeks after Washington upped its military presence by sending a message to Iran in the form of an aircraft carrier group, bombers, and extra missile defenses to the Persian Gulf. Iran has repeatedly said it does not want conflict with Washington, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei believing there is a similar line of thinking in the US. Neither we nor they seek war. They know it will not be in their interest, he said. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! HMD Global has taken to twitter to tease the upcoming smartphone and from the looks of it, the Nokia 3.2 will come with a larger display as opposed to the Nokia 4.2. HMD Global has a roadmap for India and the brand, unlike previous years is taking a steady approach when it comes to launching their products. After debuting the Nokia 4.2, which was well received, HMD Global, the parent company of Nokia is all set to announce a new handset. The next handset to be announced is most likely the Nokia 3.2, which in all likelihood is the successor to the Nokia 3.1 and it will be priced just below the Nokia 4.2; making it the manufacturers entry-level smartphone going forward. HMD Global has taken to Twitter to tease the upcoming smartphone and from the looks of it, the handset will come with a larger display as opposed to the Nokia 4.2. Details are scarce as of now regarding what product will be making its way to India; however, the Nokia 3.2 was first shown off at the Mobile World Congress 2019 held earlier this year giving us a fair idea of the specifications that will be found on the handset. To start off, the Nokia 3.2 should be priced below the Nokia 4.2 which went on sale for Rs 10,999 thus making the new devices pricing well below Rs 10,000. We guesstimate that the Nokia 3.2 should be in and around the Rs 8,000 area in order to take on market leaders such as Xiaomi and Realme. Get ready for your ticket to the big screen. Stay tuned to #ViewMoreDoMore pic.twitter.com/faSwwuk0yX Nokia Mobile India (@NokiamobileIN) May 21, 2019 The Nokia 3.2, once launched will come with a 6.2-inch waterdrop notched HD+ LCD display and it will retain the main characteristics of the Nokia 4.2 by having a dedicated Google Assistant button and a Power button that doubles up as a breathing notification LED light. The handset comes with a plastic unibody design and will sport a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner. The rear will feature a single camera setup thats 13MP with an F/2.2 aperture thats assisted by an LED flash. Up-front, there will be a 5MP camera that supports Face Unlock. Elaborating on the LED illuminated Power button, Nokia has added this useful feature in order to be seen even when its placed on its rear or face. This was one feature of the Nokia 4.2 that we appreciated and we certainly welcome it back with this upcoming model. Being a low-cost device, the Nokia 3.2 will come with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 429 SoC thats paired with either 2GB or 3GB of RAM. The handset will feature either 16GB or 32GB of storage depending on the RAM configuration and the storage can be expanded a further 400GB by way of a microSD card. Get ready to get caught in the world of endless bingeing. Stay tuned to #ViewMoreDoMore. pic.twitter.com/KBZge8nHRM Nokia Mobile India (@NokiamobileIN) May 20, 2019 The other major USP of this handset apart from the large display is the 4000mAh battery thats found here. HMD Global promises a two-day battery life on a single top-up making it quite an alluring option. Lastly, once launched, the handset will run on a stock Android 9 OS because it will be based on the Android One platform. And being an Android One handset, you can expect timely security updates and most likely support for Android 10 Q once it becomes available. Disclaimer: The above report is completely based on online rumours and leaks from the respective sources. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Deccan Chronicle and/or other staff and contributors to this website. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Bahrain is defending its decision to host a White House-engineered conference to address the Israeli-Palestinian crisis, saying its only objective is to support the brotherly Palestinian people, AP reports. The Palestinian Authority has rejected the economic conference planned for next month, saying any peace push that ignores the Palestinian peoples aspirations for an independent state is doomed to fail. Bahrains Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa said his country supports the Palestinian demand for an independent state with east Jerusalem as its capital, AP reports. He tweeted on Tuesday that Bahrain also respects the Palestinian leaderships steadfast position safeguarding Palestinian rights. Bahrain defends decision to host US-led economic conference on Israeli-Palestinian crisis Bahrain defends decision to host US-led economic conference on Israeli-Palestinian crisis Source : RT - Daily news The price for the US-made F16 jet fighters is higher than expected and unjustified, the Bulgarian defense minister has said as Sofia continues negotiations on the purchase of the Lockheed Martins warplanes. While the price issue is not currently on the table, officials in Bulgaria think the terms of the deal are disadvantageous for Sofia. Thats according to Defense Minister Krasimir Karakachanov who made the point as he was speaking on local TV. Personally, I think some of the deal's parameters are not profitable and it is a matter of negotiation that prices are normalized. They are higher than expected and unjustified. The deal is loaded with options for which it makes no sense to pay, the official lamented giving an example of language training for pilots. These courses are obsolete as all pilots have already been trained in the US, the minister said. Also on rt.com Russia ready to replace American F-35s with own Su-57s if Ankaras deal with US fails He also said that Bulgaria will try to bargain the deferred payment for the US aircraft as the single-time purchase would be a heavy burden to the countrys military budget that could hamper proper funding of the existing projects. The F-16 talks kicked off in January as Bulgarian lawmakers approved the government plan to buy eight new US fighter jets, which are expected to replace the countrys aging MIG-29s. The deal, estimated to be worth $1.05 billion will mark the countrys biggest military procurement since the collapse of the Communist rule back in 1989. The US offer for F-16s was preferred by Bulgaria over two alternative bids, including Swedens new Gripens and Italys second-hand Eurofighters. Karakachanov earlier said that unlike the Italian and Swedish variants, the F-16 fighter jets do not need additional agreements for supplies of the necessary weaponry. Also on rt.com All for game realism? Russian jailed in US for buying F-16 manuals to help make flight simulator Meanwhile, many politicians in Bulgaria, including President Rumen Radev, have criticized the decision in favor of the US aircraft. Radev who previously served as a commander of the Bulgarian air force slammed the deal for the lack of transparency calling it a triumph of lobbying. He also noted that the maintenance of F-16s will cost twice as much as their acquisition and will place excessive demand on the military budget. If you like this story, share it with a friend! The European Unions Frontex border agency deployed on Tuesday for the first time outside the EU, setting up on Albanias border with Greece. Supervised by an Albanian team leader, the team is expected to help Tirana fight illegal migration and crime. The Frontex officers are empowered to act as Albanian officers to spot illegal crossings, check them and collect information, and also fight human and drug trafficking and car theft, Reuters said. Albania is keen to let EU member states see it is serious about fighting crime so it can boost its chances of starting accession talks with the EU. Dimitris Avramopoulos, the EUs Migration and Home Affairs Commissioner, said the overall situation along the Western Balkans route was stable, with low levels of arrivals. EUs Frontex border guards begin Albania migration watch EUs Frontex border guards begin Albania migration watch Source : RT - Daily news After it was revealed that Google had inadvertently given over $150,000 of free advertising to pro-life groups engaging in unscrupulous advertising practices, the company is now updating its advertising policy. From June onwards, groups that want to advertise using keywords related to abortion must make clear whether their organization provides abortions or does not provide abortions. This stance will be displayed within future adverts themselves to better inform the public. Google says the disclosures will show on all search ad formats. This added transparency will help ensure that users have the necessary information to decide which abortion-related ads are most relevant to them, the company claimed. Also on rt.com Italys antitrust watchdog to probe Google over abuse of market dominance The changes come after it was revealed that, over the course of several years, Google provided tens of thousands of dollars in free advertising to an anti-abortion group that reportedly ran misleading ads that actually aim to deter women from having abortions rather than providing them with the support and means to do so. Obria Group, which runs a network of so-called crisis pregnancy centres (CPCs) provides basic prenatal treatment, including pregnancy tests and ultrasounds, but also attempts to deter women from seeking abortions and does not provide referrals for alternative treatment options up to and including abortions themselves. Obria offers natural family planning but provides neither birth control pills, devices nor condoms to its clients. The companys CPCs are often located near to Planned Parenthood clinics which do offer abortion services. Google also reportedly demoted Planned Parenthood search results in its Maps app while sending women seeking abortions to CPCs. Henceforth, CPCs will marked as non-providers to clarify the options available to those seeking abortion information. Also on rt.com Strongly pro-life but supports exceptions: Trump weighs in on raging abortion law battle Google should not allow CPCs to use its platform to serve misinformation to pregnant women, Alice Huling, counsel for the Campaign for Accountability, said. Googles business model is predicated on serving ads to customers, and the company is clearly uninterested in taking the steps necessary to crack down on misleading ads placed by CPCs. The revelations come amid the renewed furor over abortion in the US, following strict new laws in Alabama and Georgia. Democrat representatives Carolyn Maloney and Suzanne Bonamici penned a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai condemning the perceived tacit support for misinformation campaigns carried out by groups like Obria. In response to outcry about its advertising practices, Google claimed a diverse group that represents many different views and different causes advertises on its platforms. Adding that the ad grants program is open to qualified non-profits regardless of their position on abortion. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! Iraq will send delegations to Washington and Tehran to help halt tension amid fears of a confrontation between the US and Iran in the Middle East, Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has said. He said on Tuesday there were no Iraqi groups that wanted to push towards a war. On Sunday, a rocket fired in Baghdad landed close to the US Embassy. No one has claimed responsibility for the rocket fired into the heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses government buildings and diplomatic missions. US government sources said Washington strongly suspects Shiite militias with ties to Tehran were behind the rocket attack, Reuters reported. Iran has rejected allegations of involvement in attacks. Iraq to send teams to Tehran, Washington to try to calm tensions PM Abdul Mahdi Iraq to send teams to Tehran, Washington to try to calm tensions PM Abdul Mahdi Source : RT - Daily news China Eastern Airlines has requested compensation from the US aerospace giant Boeing over financial damages the carrier had to sustain over the compulsory grounding and suspended delivery of 737 MAX aircraft since March. The grounding of 737 MAX aircraft since March 11, 2019 has caused relatively big losses to China Eastern. With the passing of time, related losses will further expand, the state-run Peoples Daily cited the company as saying. At the same time, delayed deliveries of planes ordered by China Eastern also caused economic losses. The Shanghai-based airline didnt specify precisely how large the required compensation is. The company is reportedly closely monitoring Boeing's work to fix safety risks of its 737 MAX aircraft. Also on rt.com Boeing withdraws 2019 financial forecast & pauses share buybacks amid mounting concerns over 737 MAX The carrier had to stop operating its 14 MAX jets after the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) halted the commercial operations of all Boeing 737 MAX planes in the country for an indefinite period, citing safety concerns. The measure was triggered by the second fatal accident involving Boeings best-selling aircraft in five months. Boeings flagship plane crashed on March 10 not far from the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa six minutes after takeoff on the way to Nairobi, Kenya, killing 157 people. It was the second deadly crash involving the same jet model in less than six months. In October, the same type of aircraft, operated by Indonesias Lion Air, crashed in the Java Sea shortly after takeoff, claiming the lives of 189 people. Also on rt.com Airbus gets chance to cash in as Boeings second biggest client turns its back on troubled jets Last week, media reports emerged that Chinas airline majors, including Air China, China Southern and China Eastern Airlines were considering teaming up to seek legal compensation for the disruption caused by the global grounding. The US Federal Aviation Administration, which was the last official body to ground the troubled jet on a nationwide scale, is currently hosting a conference for the worlds aviation regulators. The event is intended to review software and propose pilot training for Boeings customers before deciding whether to end the two-month grounding. For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section The man accused of carrying out a mass shooting at a New Zealand mosque faces new charges, including one count of engaging in a terrorist act, according to law enforcement officials. New Zealand police have charged Brenton Tarrant with one act of carrying out a terrorist act. One murder charge and two additional attempted murder charges have also been filed. The 28-year-old Australian man went on a shooting rampage that left 51 people dead in two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, on March 15. Tarrant is now facing 92 charges 51 charges of murder, 40 of attempted murder, and one terrorism charge. Also on rt.com New Zealand media ban reporting of Christchurch shooters white supremacist statements at trial He is alleged to have penned a 74-page neo-fascist manifesto, titled "The Great Replacement" where he delves into what had inspired him to carry out the shootings and vows "revenge" against Muslim "invaders." His weapons bore neo-Nazi inscriptions and slogans, names of extremists, as well as historic figures who waged wars against Muslims. Like this story? Share it with a friend! Iran is open for talks and diplomacy but those avenues are closed under the status quo, with its economy being strangled by the US, the Iranian president said, adding that Tehran's only option now is to resist. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani, under whose tenure the universally acclaimed 2015 nuclear deal was struck, said on Monday that his country welcomes diplomacy and all sorts of negotiation in principle, but will not be coerced into them by debilitating economic sanctions and military threats. "I favor talks and diplomacy but under current conditions, I do not accept it, as today's situation is not suitable for talks and our choice is resistance only," Rouhani said, as cited by IRNA news agency. Also on rt.com Trump threatens to use 'great force' at Iran provocation, but says there's 'no indication' of one He added that the Iranian authorities feel the support of ordinary people who did not buy into the idea that Iran is responsible for the spike in tensions, despite attempts by "the enemy" to portray it as such. The unilateral nature of Washington's sanctions is prime evidence of Iran's victimhood, Rouhani said. "If we walked away from the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action the formal name of the nuclear deal] with the US provocative acts, then, in addition to the US, the UN and world would also impose sanctions on us," he said. Rouhani admitted that the US sanctions crackdown on Iran has taken a toll on its economy, having severely impaired the Islamic Republic's international trade, considering that some 87 percent of global financial transactions are conducted in dollars. That shrunken ability to deal with the outside world and decreasing government revenues are Iran's two main concerns at the moment, he said. US President Donald Trump hurled a fresh threat at Tehran on Monday, by vowing to meet any provocation with "great force." Trump floated the idea of negotiations, but said it's exclusively up to Iran to take the first step. "If they call, we will certainly negotiate, but this is going to be up to them," he said. Rouhani, as well as Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had all previously rejected Washington's arm twisting. "Try respect it works!" Zarif tweeted. READ MORE: US 'genocidal taunts' won't end Iran - Zarif The relationship between Iran and the US has been on the rocks ever since Trump came to power. His decision to pull the US out of the nuclear deal sent nearly a decade's work by diplomats from across the world to the dustbin of history and widened the rift with Iran; and his intransigent rhetoric has sparked concerns of an all-out war. Although that scenario is what both countries say they want to avoid, the US has done nothing to dampen the fears, recently sending a Navy strike group and bomber force to the region citing an Iranian "threat." Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! A month after deadly terror attacks in Sri Lanka killed over 250 Christians celebrating Easter, investigators have revealed that the bombs used in the attack show the attackers had direct contact with Islamic State terrorists. The backpack bombs detonated in three churches and three hotels across Sri Lanka on April 21 were constructed by local jihadists from the National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ) group, but utilized the expertise of Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) terrorists, investigators told AFP. Also on rt.com Indian intelligence monitored Sri Lanka bomb plotter 3yrs ago for links to IS report The link was established after the probe found triacetone triperoxide, or TATP, present at the attack sites. Due to its extreme volatility, IS militants call the explosive, which can be produced from readily available ingredients, the Mother of Satan. The group had easy access to chemicals and fertilizers to get the raw materials to make TATP. They would have had a face-to-face meeting to transfer this technology. This is not something you can do by watching a YouTube video. The substance was used in several attacks claimed by IS, including the 2015 bombings in Paris and the 2017 attack in Brussels. While it is evident that IS played a role in preparing the bomb for the attack in Sri Lanka, investigators still want to know just how deep the ties go. The Sri Lankan who led the Easter attacks, Zahran Hashim, traveled to India before becoming a suicide bomber. He also appeared in the IS video that claimed responsibility for the bloodshed. Also on rt.com Extremist cleric with possible ties to ISIS accused of masterminding Sri Lanka bombings The probe has also confirmed that 220 pounds of raw TATP were seized in January, indicating that the government had even more warning signs than they previously let on. Sri Lankan security agencies had been warned by Indian and US intelligence about possible terrorist acts against churches, but apparently failed to act on the information. Like this story? Share it with a friend! Terrorists can produce chemical weapons and transport them with drones, the head of Russias security services has warned, stressing that extremists are developing more sophisticated ways to carry out attacks. New intelligence has emerged showing that terrorists are trying new means and methods to carry out attacks, FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov told his counterparts at the CIS security services conference in Tajikistans capital Dushanbe on Tuesday. Also on rt.com 5,000 terrorists amassed in Afghanistan close to CIS border - Russian FSB chief The criminals have materials, technology and infrastructure for the production of chemical weapons and biotoxins, Bortnikov said, adding that terrorists are capable of using unmanned aerial vehicles to deliver the deadly payloads. According to the Russian official, international terrorist groups are trying to better equip their cyber units, which target critical infrastructure and aim at creating havoc in government work. In particular, cybercriminals use email services to spread false information about terror threats. Among other threats, Bortnikov warned of terrorists using women and children returning from conflict zones. We know about intentions of the leaders of international terrorist organisations to use widows, wives and children of militants who come back en mass, he said. Like this story? Share it with a friend! Tarrants lawyer did not immediately respond to a request from Reuters for comment. (Photo:AP) Wellington: New Zealand police have charged the man accused of murder in shootings at two Christchurch mosques in March with engaging in a terrorist act, they said on Tuesday. In an attack broadcast live on Facebook, a lone gunman armed with semi-automatic weapons targeted Muslims attending Friday prayers, killing 51 worshippers and wounding dozens of people. Tuesdays charge under terrorism suppression legislation was filed against Brenton Tarrant, police said. Also Read: Judicial probe begins to look into Christchurch mosque shootings The charge will allege that a terrorist act was carried out in Christchurch on 15 March 2019, Commissioner of Police Mike Bush said in a statement. An additional charge of murder and two more charges of attempted murder have also been filed against Tarrant, so that the suspected white supremacist faces a total of 51 charges of murder and 40 of attempted murder. Tarrants lawyer did not immediately respond to a request from Reuters for comment. Also Read: Extremism in all forms must be defeated: Prince William Tarrant is next due to appear in court on June 14, after being remanded in custody in April and ordered to undergo psychiatric assessment to determine if he was fit to stand trial. Police notified roughly 200 family members of attack victims and survivors about the additional charges at a meeting on Tuesday, the statement added. Ukraines US Embassy seems to have gone overboard on scaremongering Russia as it tried to pass off a photo of Jewish Holocaust victims as Crimean Tatars that were being deported by the Soviet Union during WWII. Kievs diplomatic mission took to Twitter on the anniversary of the 1944 deportation uploading a black-and-white photo of multiple people being forced into a wooden boxcar. The emotive picture was obviously to show how cruel the Soviets were towards Crimean Tatars at the time. The Embassy proclaimed that it was our duty not to allow the repetition of a bitter history. But it turns out that history per se or doing proper research, at the very least isnt the strongest suit of Ukrainian diplomats. The photo they used has nothing to do at all with the wartime displacement of Crimean Tatars by Soviet authorities. It was in fact taken at a Jewish ghetto in Lodz, Poland, and the people filmed in and outside the wagon were the ones who perished in one of the Nazi death camps. The Russian Embassy in the US was apparently the first to spot the offbeat blunder. In doing so, they checked the Ukrainian tweet against an official publication by the American Holocaust Memorial Museum. To make matters worse, the Ukrainian embassys publication made another appeal to their audience which raises more than a few eyebrows. It was a day when we couldnt stop Stalin, the Embassy wrote while publishing the infamous photo. The we part looks especially odd given that stopping the Soviets at final stages of World War II meant fighting in or alongside Nazi forces. The story was met with little praise in Crimea. Seitumer Nimetullaev, leader of a local Crimean Tatar NGO, bemoaned the unacceptable historical error that was likely made unintentionally. Nevertheless, he urged Ukraines embassy to become more competent in history issues, especially when it comes to tragedies of entire peoples. Also on rt.com Familiar symbols? Ukraine's president poses with elite paratrooper sportingSS insignia (PHOTOS) Russia, for its part, has never disavowed the 1944 deportation, in which Crimean Tatars were forcibly relocated to Soviet Central Asia en masse by Joseph Stalin after it emerged that some of them collaborated with the Nazis. They began to return to Crimea after the war, but many faced bitter land disputes struggled with a lack of political representation. Shortly after Crimea chose to cede from Ukraine and join Russia, President Vladimir Putin signed a decree officially rehabilitating Tatars and other ethnic minorities on the peninsula. May 18 is celebrated each year to pay tribute to people deported during the war. to RT newsletter to get stories the mainstream media wont tell you. The UN envoy for Libya warned on Tuesday the battle for Tripoli was just the start of a long and bloody war. Addressing the UN Security Council, Ghassan Salame said many countries were supplying weapons to the UN-recognized government in Tripoli and forces led by Khalifa Haftar. The violence on the outskirts of Tripoli is just the start of a long war on the southern shores of the Mediterranean, Salame said. The fighting could imperil the security of Libyas immediate neighbors and the wider Mediterranean region, AFP quoted the envoy as saying. Without immediate action to stop the flow of arms, Libya will descend into civil war which could potentially lead to a Hobbesian all-against-all state of chaos or partition of the country, he said. UN envoy warns of long war in Libya, calls for steps to cut off arms flows UN envoy warns of long war in Libya, calls for steps to cut off arms flows Source : RT - Daily news The central bank of Venezuela will develop an independent national payment system to get rid of international giants Visa and Mastercard in response to US sanctions, according to local media citing the regulator. The document, which also separately mentions multi-national debit card service Maestro owned by Mastercard, orders a suspension of debit card operations starting November 2019 and payments via credit cards from January 2020. The joint order was reportedly issued on May 16 by the central bank and Superintendency of the Institutions of the Banking Sector of Venezuela (SUDEBAN), responsible for ensuring the countrys banks comply with local regulations. It instructs the banks to create a sovereign system to process financial operations that will use clients biometric data. Also on rt.com Over $30 billion of Venezuelas assets stolen on Trumps orders official The move comes in response to US sanctions against the country as the regulator anticipates that Visa and Mastercard will stop doing business in Venezuela under the pressure from Washington. It was earlier reported that the Trump administration is eyeing to prohibit the two payment systems and other financial institutions from processing transactions in the Bolivarian Republic. The US has been tightening its grip on Venezuela, trying to choke the countrys economy with sanctions targeting its vital energy sector. It comes as the Trump administration continues backing self-proclaimed leader Juan Guaido and tries to oust President Nicolas Maduro. Also on rt.com Adios gringo? Venezuela & Russia negotiating swap of US dollar for ruble in bilateral trade The sanctions forced Venezuela to stop using the US dollar for its international transactions since October last year and switch to other currencies. The restrictions have deprived the country of around $130 billion since 2015 through to 2018, according to Venezuelas envoy to Russia, Carlos Rafael Faria Tortosa. For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section As tensions between Iran and the US continue to escalate, analysts have begun to consider the likelihood and consequences of an Iran war. There has been much talk of an Iran War in recent weeks, but the likelihood of a war, whether intentional or accidental, is relatively small for the simple reason that the leaders of Iran and the US dont want one. President Donald Trump, who has been remarkably faithful to his campaign promises, to the chagrin of many, doesnt want another Iraq-like war with a quick victory followed by a long defeat. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran, doesnt want his revolution and country crushed by the massive military might of America. This is not to say there arent powerful individuals in the Trump administration such as National Security Advisor John Bolton and possibly Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and regional allies Israel, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) who want a war to bring about regime change in Iran, and who are willing to stir the pot in an attempt to make it happen. Also on rt.com US president tweets World War 3 George Galloway Trumps personal preference for Iran may also be regime change, with a negotiated neutering of the Islamic Republic his next best outcome. But he probably would settle for long-term containment of Iran through his maximum pressure campaign, accepting that the Iranian regime would likely be able to sustain itself though skirting sanctions. Iran has made huge geopolitical gains in the Middle East since the US inadvertently pushed Shiite-majority Iraq into the Iranian sphere of influence by imposing democracy on the country following the 2003 war. Tehran now directly or indirectly controls an arc of territory north of Saudi Arabia Iraq, Syria and Lebanon while supporting Houthi rebels to the south of the kingdom in Yemen. Although US sanctions on Irans oil and metal exports are unlikely to bring about regime change, they will make it significantly more difficult for the Islamic Republic to consolidate its territorial gains and sustain its regional proxy network, as the government will have to prioritize domestic spending to maintain social stability. Simply put, the sanctions make it more difficult for Iran to directly challenge its regional enemies, Israel, Saudi Arabia and UAE and score additional foreign policy victories. Also on rt.com Thorny dilemma: Will Trump manage to rein in oil prices & keep on pressuring Iran & Venezuela? Despite an aversion to war with the US, it appears Khamenei has given Qassem Suleimani, leader of Irans powerful Quds Force and national hero, permission to encourage foreign militias aligned with Tehran to cause mischief for US and allied forces in the Middle East, and if possible, disrupt the flow of oil from the region through non-attributed actions. The Iranian goal is to break the resolve of the US, given American military retreats from the Middle East in the past Lebanon (1984), Iraq (2011), and Syria (presently) and to increase the cost of Iranian oil sanctions on the global economy through additional disruptions to supply. This is obviously a dangerous game that could lead to real war, not just proxy war. As a result, it is important to explore the potential impact of both on the world oil market, despite the latter being significantly more likely than the former. US Perspective Pompeo laid out the Trump administrations rationale and strategy for dealing with the Islamic Republic in Confronting Iran, an article in the November-December 2018 issue of Foreign Affairs. He argued the deal the Obama administration and international community struck with Iran in 2015 the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was fundamentally flawed as it failed to end the countrys nuclear weapons ambition. Instead, the deal simply postponed Irans nuclear ambitions while the regime continued its ballistic missile program to allow it to deliver a nuclear payload. At the same time, the deal gave Tehran piles of money, which the supreme leader has used to sponsor all types of terrorism throughout the Middle East (with few consequences in response) and which have boosted the economic fortunes of a regime that remains bent on exporting its revolution abroad and imposing it at home. Also on rt.com Oil rises on Middle East tensions & key crude producers reluctance to raise output The core of the Trump administrations maximum pressure campaign are economic sanctions designed to choke off revenues to Iran to force its government to negotiate a new deal covering its nuclear activities, ballistic missile program and malign behaviour across the Middle East, while providing sufficient military deterrence to keep Tehran from lashing out at US forces and allies in the region. Trump withdrew the US from the Iran nuclear deal in May 2018, and has since ratcheted up economic sanctions on the Islamic Republic in August and November of last year, while going the full monty on Iranian crude and condensate exports at the beginning of May. On the deterrence front, the US has moved numerous military assets to the Persian Gulf region since the Trump administrations no waiver oil sanctions came into effect. These include: hastening the arrival of a carrier strike group; deployment of a bomber task-force; additional Patriot missiles; and as reported by The New York Times, drawing up plans to send up to 120,000 US troops to the Middle East, if Iran attacks US forces or rushes to develop nuclear weapons. Read more on Oilprice.com: Who is winning the offshore solar race? It should be noted that a military buildup of this size would take months, and the 120,000 number is widely viewed as insufficient for a full-scale invasion of Iran. The Islamic Republic has been planning and building up asymmetric military capabilities to thwart a US attack since the 1990s, while the country is larger in size and population than Iraq. The US military plan reported by the New York Times did not call for a land invasion of Iran. Also on rt.com Iraq slams Exxon Mobil's staff evacuation, says its politically motivated On May 14, Trump denied the New York Times report, but in characteristic fashion appeared to up the ante. Now, would I do that? Absolutely, Trump said. But we have not planned for that. Hopefully were not going to have to plan for that. If we did that, we would send a hell of a lot more troops than that. But in the Foreign Affairs article Pompeo wrote that Trump does not want the US to go to war with Iran: President Trump does not want another long-term US military engagement in the Middle Eastor in any other region, for that matter. He has spoken openly about the dreadful consequences of the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the 2011 intervention in Libya. Iranian Perspective On May 14, Khamenei explicitly said that Iran does not want to go to war with the US, and suggested the same of America, as a war would be in neither countrys interest. "There won't be any war, he said. "Neither we nor they seek war. They know it will not be in their interest." In terms of Irans current situation, David Petraeus, ex-CIA director and Americas former top general in the Middle East, possibly put it best. "Certainly, if Iran were to precipitate that [a war], it would be a suicide gesture," Petraeus said on May 9. "It would be very, very foolhardy. And they know that." The Islamic Republic has done an excellent job of marshaling relatively limited financial and military resources to expand its influence and control through the Middle East since 2003, but its defense budget of about US$16 billion or a mere 3.7 percent of GDP falls considerably short compared to regional rivals Israel, Saudi Arabia and UAE on an individual basis, let alone a collective one. The military capabilities of the US dwarf those of Iran on every conceivable measure, which should come as no surprise since Americas most recent defense budget is a massive US$686 billion. Also on rt.com US is heading toward a looming maritime showdown but not with Iran Khamenei also said his country has no desire to negotiate with the US, given the Trump administrations extreme demands and unilateral breaking of the nuclear pact, and suggested the current crisis will likely be a long one, a view supported by Hassan Rouhani, the democratically elected president of Iran. The Iranian nation has chosen the path of resistance," Khamenei said. Rouhani was even more explicit. Speaking to activists from a wide range of political factions on May 12, he said Iran is facing unprecedented pressure from US sanctions and suggested economic conditions may become worse than during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War. The pressures by enemies is a war unprecedented in the history of our Islamic revolution, Rouhani said, according to the state news agency IRNA.But I do not despair and have great hope for the future and believe that we can move past these difficult conditions provided that we are united. This article was originally published on Oilprice.com Over the last few years Venezuela has suffered enormous losses due to the economic blockade introduced by Washington, Venezuelas ambassador to Russia Carlos Rafael Faria Tortosa says. As a result of the economic embargo imposed by the US from 2015 through the last year, financial damages to Venezuelan economy totaled $130 billion, the top diplomat said during the news briefing in Moscow. The ambassador stressed that the amount would be enough to bolster the economy of the Bolivarian republic for nine years. The government headed by President Nicolas Maduro is on the path of a very unequal conflict with the most forceful economic and military power in the world, Tortosa stressed. Also on rt.com Thorny dilemma: Will Trump manage to rein in oil prices & keep on pressuring Iran & Venezuela? Diplomatic relations between Washington and Caracas have been highly complicated since the late Hugo Chavez became president in 1999. The latest aggravation of the troubled relationship was sparked earlier this year, after Washington officially recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as the countrys interim president. Over the past two decades, the White House has accused the Venezuelan government of human rights violations and political corruption. Starting in 2014, the Obama administration imposed visa restrictions on Venezuelan officials, blocked assets and introduced travel bans on the alleged human right abusers. The pressure on the Latin American nation has intensified since Donald Trump became president. Since then, Washington has taken several drastic steps to wreck Venezuelas economy, including imposing a strict ban that targets Venezuelas key source of income oil exports. Also on rt.com Venezuela wants to sell gold reserves to shore up economy devastated by US sanctions reports The Trump administration urged foreign companies and banks to avoid dealing with the Venezuelan state oil firm PDVSA under the threat of secondary sanctions that might be applied to them. Moreover, the US reportedly froze $7 billion in assets belonging to PDVSA and its US subsidiary Citgo. The US penalties have forced Caracas to seek alternative ways to keep selling crude. Last October, the country ditched the US dollar for transactions with its international partners in favor of other currencies. For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section Yemens Houthi rebels said on Tuesday they launched a bomb-laden drone into Saudi Arabia, targeting an airport with a military base. The Houthis said it had targeted an arms depot at Najran airport in Saudi Arabia, according to the groups Al Masirah TV. The attack was acknowledged by the kingdom, and Saudi-led coalition spokesman Col. Turki al-Maliki said the Houthis had tried to target a civilian site in Najran. The statement did not mention casualties. On Monday, Houthis denied Saudi media reports that it had fired a ballistic missile toward Mecca, Islams holiest site, Reuters reports. The developments come at a time of heightened tensions between Iran and Gulf Arab states allied to the US. Yemens Houthi rebels say their drone targeted Saudi Arabia airport Yemens Houthi rebels say their drone targeted Saudi Arabia airport Source : RT - Daily news Guy Verhofstadts bombastic Twitter video, challenging Italys Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini to a debate, has drawn more than a few chuckles from commenters who dont believe the Belgian MEP can deliver on his words. Verhofstadt, who is currently campaigning for the European Unions top job on behalf of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) group, released the awkward video in which he accuses Salvini of being paid by Putin to destroy Europe. Just like you, your extreme right-wing friends, Le Pen, Strache, Farage and Orban are constantly plotting and paid by Putin to destroy Europe, the 66-year-old said. Hereby I challenge you to a one-on-one debate, as people have the full right to know what devils plan you have in mind, he added. The overwhelming majority of the respondents dont fancy Verhofstadts chances should the mooted debate ever occur. Also on rt.com EU establishment cries Russia! in desperate bid to defeat critics It is not too wise to initiate a debate you are clearly going to lose, one person responded. Another asked: Why would he waste the very last days of campaigning to debate someone nobody in Italy knows? Many others joked that the MEP had hit the bottle before throwing the gauntlet down. Verhofstadts challenge came after Salvini joined a group of representatives of nationalist parties from a range of EU countries at a rally in Milan on Saturday, ahead of the EU parliamentary elections this weekend. Euroskeptic parties are polling well ahead of the vote and look set to gain seats at the expense of the Parliaments main groups, including Verhofsdtads ALDE. Like this story? Share it with a friend! 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China Slams US Provocation As US Warship Sails in South China Sea The page you requested is only available to subscribers. 1. If you are a Premium Service subscriber, please log in here to access this story: Log-in : Password : 2. If you are not a subcriber, you can: -- buy access to this page: unlimited access for seven days costs 3.00 EUR + VAT (at 20%) if applicable. Clicking on the "Ok" button below will place the item in your shopping cart and return you to our home page, where you will be able to select additional stories. -- select additional stories and services from our home page and pay for them at the same time. -- see your shopping cart. You can also see the contents of your shopping cart at any time by clicking on the "Order" tab on the navigation bar at the top of any page, or by clicking on the "Your order" light blue link in the top right-hand corner of our home page, immediately under the log-on box. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 21) Amid continued criticism on her apparent silence on President Rodrigo Dutertes vulgar remarks on women, womens rights advocate and Taguig 2nd District Rep. Pia Cayetano said she would rather focus on crafting laws than criticizing the chief executive. Bakit ba ako naging senador? Para ba i-critique 'yung President? Para ba i-critique lahat ng member ng Cabinet? Cayetano told CNN Philippines The Source on Tuesday. Theres a lot to critique out there, theres a lot, because we want a better country, we want a better system. So Ive chosen na ang focus ko is in the legislative work. [Translation: Why did I become a senator? Is it to critique the President? Is it to critique all the members of the Cabinet? Theres a lot to critique out there, theres a lot, because we want a better country, we want a better system. So Ive chosen that my focus is in the legislative work.] Cayetano also denied that she has been silent on the remarks and actions of Duterte, which include making a sexual pass at a female mayor, kissing an overseas Filipino worker on the mouth, rape jokes and threatening to shoot female rebels in their genitals. Ive had numerous discussions with the President. In fact during the campaign, the President said, Nako pag nandiyan si Pia, hindi ako makasalita kasi pinapagalitan ako, Cayetano said. [Translation: Ive had numerous discussions with the President. In fact during the campaign, the President said, Oh no, when Pias there, I could not say anything because I get scolded.] She added that this is nothing new for her, saying that she never bothered to make a public statement criticizing former President Benigno Noynoy Aquino III for his smoking habit when she was a senator. Kasi nga Ang sa akin, [Because for me,] if youre going to critique your principal, you do it at the right place and at the right time, Cayetano said. But Cayetano did issue a statement saying that if Aquino could not immediately quit smoking, then he should push for the stricter enforcement of anti-smoking laws. In her latest bid for a Senate seat, Cayetano was backed by President Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. In her first shot at the Senate in 2004, Cayetano ran under then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats. In running for reelection in 2010, Cayetano ran under the Nacionalista Party which later aligned itself with the then-ruling Liberal Party. Cayetano is seen to make a return to the Senate following her stint in the chamber from 2004 to 2016. She is ranking fourth in the partial and official results from the Commission on Elections. Among the measures she said she will push for is the legalization of divorce in the Philippines and making adoption easier. Cayetano has had her marriage with Ari Ben Sebastian annulled. She has also adopted a child. Angela Merkel Inspects NATO Troops in Germany The page you requested is only available to subscribers. 1. If you are a Premium Service subscriber, please log in here to access this story: Log-in : Password : 2. If you are not a subcriber, you can: -- buy access to this page: unlimited access for seven days costs 3.00 EUR + VAT (at 20%) if applicable. Clicking on the "Ok" button below will place the item in your shopping cart and return you to our home page, where you will be able to select additional stories. -- select additional stories and services from our home page and pay for them at the same time. -- see your shopping cart. You can also see the contents of your shopping cart at any time by clicking on the "Order" tab on the navigation bar at the top of any page, or by clicking on the "Your order" light blue link in the top right-hand corner of our home page, immediately under the log-on box. US Deploys THAAD Anti-Missile System to Romania The page you requested is only available to subscribers. 1. If you are a Premium Service subscriber, please log in here to access this story: Log-in : Password : 2. If you are not a subcriber, you can: -- buy access to this page: unlimited access for seven days costs 3.00 EUR + VAT (at 20%) if applicable. Clicking on the "Ok" button below will place the item in your shopping cart and return you to our home page, where you will be able to select additional stories. -- select additional stories and services from our home page and pay for them at the same time. -- see your shopping cart. You can also see the contents of your shopping cart at any time by clicking on the "Order" tab on the navigation bar at the top of any page, or by clicking on the "Your order" light blue link in the top right-hand corner of our home page, immediately under the log-on box. US-based Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (AJG), one of the world's largest insurance brokerage and risk management services firms, on May 21 said that it will acquire a minority stake in Edelweiss Insurance Brokers (EIBL). EIBL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Edelweiss Financial Services. The transaction is subject to requisite regulatory approvals. Edelweiss Insurance Brokers is a composite insurance broker in India providing general insurance solutions to institutions and individuals. It also provides reinsurance solutions to insurance companies. Rashesh Shah, Chairman and CEO, Edelweiss Group said This partnership brings to our clients a much broader access to international markets and expertise, and a wider range of insurance products and services, while they continue to receive the same high quality service." Founded in 1927 and headquartered in Illinois, USA, Arthur J Gallagher & Co. is one of the leading insurance brokerage, risk management, and human capital consultant companies in the world. It is the fourth largest insurance broking company globally with over 30,000 employees worldwide. The company has operations in 35 countries and offers client service capabilities in more than 150 countries around the world through a network of correspondent brokers and consultants. EIBL presents an exciting opportunity to expand Gallagher's commercial insurance footprint in India, in keeping with our growth strategy to invest in market-leading businesses that broaden our specialist capabilities and diversify our geographic presence, said J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO. In recent months, the Edelweiss Group has cemented several partnerships with global institutions across market leading platforms such as its NBFC, ECL Finance, its private debt and wealth management business. The partnerships include Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (one of North Americas largest pension funds), Allianz Investment Management (part of Allianz Group, one of the worlds largest insurers) and Bank of Singapore. The deadline for Jet Airways corporate insolvency resolution process is October 21 A consortium of sorts has been formed that could still revive Jet Airways from the brink of a shutdown. Moneycontrol has learnt that Etihad Airways, along with the Hinduja Group, has joined hands with AdiGro Aviation and Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal to revive the Indian airline, which suspended operations on April 17. While AdiGro Aviation, which is based in London, was in advanced talks with Etihad Airways and Jet Airways lenders, the Hindujas have also agreed to consider an investment in the airline. "Goyal has agreed to fully cooperate with the consortium so that we can take over and run the airline," said a senior executive. While Goyal owns a 51 percent stake in Jet Airways, Etihad Airways has 24 percent. But it is yet not clear what the arrangement will be between these members. Sources said there will be meetings between the interested parties later this week. Separately, reports had said the Hindujas will be meeting Jet Airways lenders too. Etihad Airways was the only shortlisted bidder to submit a proposal for the Indian carrier. AdiGro Aviation was one of the unsolicited bidders, which was then engaged by SBI Caps, which is overseeing the bidding process. But, the Abu Dhabi-based airline wants to have a minority stake and has committed to put in Rs 1,700 crore. Given Jet Airways liabilities, including over Rs 8,000 crore in debts, more equity is needed to revive the airline. Earlier on Tuesday, a Hinduja Group confirmed that it is considering investing in Jet Airways,even as reports surfaced that the conglomerate may hold meetings with lenders later this week. "Hinduja Group is evaluating the Jet Airways opportunity," a spokesperson told Moneycontrol. But, he declined to give further details. Reports on Tuesday said that the Group had got the backing of Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal and Etihad Airways. The Hinduja Group is considering investing in Jet Airways, a senior official said on Tuesday, as reports surfaced that the conglomerate may hold meetings with lenders later this week. "Hinduja Group is evaluating the Jet Airways opportunity," a spokesperson told Moneycontrol. But, he declined to give further details. Reports on Tuesday said that the Group had got the backing of Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal and Etihad Airways, which owns 24 percent stake in the Indian carrier. Etihad Airways is the only shortlisted bidder who put in a proposal for Jet Airways. But, the Abu Dhabi-based airline wants to have a minority stake and has committed to put in Rs 1,700 crore. Given Jet Airways liabilities, including over Rs 8,000 crore in debts, more equity is needed to revive the airline. Jet Airways suspended operations on April 17. Insurance of home structure must cover accidental death due to gas cylinder explosion for a reasonable amount, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has said in a working group report on fire insurance for dwellings, offices and shops. Almost 4,000 lives are lost every year in India due to gas cylinder or stove blasts. With home insurance covering such incidents, financial payouts will also be made accordingly. The regulator said there should be only one product for fire and allied perils for dwellings of any value. All existing products with varying terms and coverage should cease to exist. The regulator has proposed three categories of home insurance. One would be home insurance for home buildings and contents. The second would be micro commercial insurance for commercial enterprises whose value at risk at one location per policyholder is up to Rs five crore. This will include insurance for the building, plant and machinery, trade equipment, stock in trade and other trade-related contents. The third category would be small commercial insurance for commercial enterprises whose value at risk at one location per policyholder exceed Rs five crore but are up to Rs 50 crore. This will include insurance for building, plant and machinery, trade equipment as well as the stock. The report said the existence of multiple products in the fire category with differing words creates confusion amongst this segment of customers whose awareness about insurance is anyway low. It said that insurers must not be allowed to vary the terms, conditions, coverage and add-ons for these products. Insurance for catastrophic incidents The working group said recent catastrophic events like J&K Floods, HudHud Cyclone, Chennai Floods, and Vardha Cyclone in India have revealed that the economic losses are far higher than the insured losses. This highlighted the poor penetration of property insurance in the country. In the product for the dwellings, commercial enterprises and the MSME sector, the report suggested covering all catastrophic perils in the base policy itself. It also proposed that there be no provision made in the policy for a discount in the premium offered to the insured for opting out of this cover. It suggested that the government could fund these losses by the use of instruments like catastrophe bonds. Catastrophe bonds or Cat bonds are a new method of transferring insurance risk to the capital markets. The proceeds from the sale of the bond are invested in near risk-free instruments to generate normal market returns. This gets combined with insurance companys premium and allows the bond to pay a higher spread over money market returns. These returns are paid through periodical coupons to investors. If no insurance event occurs the investor receives the higher coupon for the term of the bond, usually three years, and receives the principal back at maturity. If one of the insured events occurs, all or part of the principal is transferred to the insurance company, the investors coupon payments cease or are reduced, and at maturity, there is either zero, or a reduced amount of principal repaid. Keeping in view the high volatility of natural catastrophe (NAT CAT) losses, their increasing frequency and the likely high premium rates, the working group could not reach a conclusion on recommending a standalone NAT CAT insurance product. However, it said that the best solution to NAT CAT perils appears to be government funding reinsured by Cat bonds. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More To bid for debt-ridden Jet Airways, the Hinduja Group has obtained approval from key stakeholders, including founder Naresh Goyal and Etihad Airways, according to a report by The Economic Times. Investment bankers led by SBI Capital Markets will conduct the due diligence for the Hinduja Group, which will commence soon, the report said. The Hindujas expect the banks to take a significant haircut, with initial calculations placing the airlines dues at Rs 12,000 crore, the publication said. The company is trying to get support from bankers and the government for a revival plan before going ahead with the bid, the report added. Moneycontrol could not independently verify the story. It is not certain if Jet Airways has found an investor yet, a source told The Economic Times. Any investor will have to wade through several levels of due diligence. Without the audited financial results, no investor can be sure of the gaping hole that is Jets accounts at this point. The source said. The Hinduja Groups acquisitions are typically based on obtaining controlling interest. Also read: Jet Airways' employees in talks to raise $700m; seek additional information from SBI Caps The Tata Group had expressed interest in placing a bid for Jet Airways, but it eventually lost interest, another source told the paper. This is not the first time the Hindujas has expressed interest in the aviation space. During 1997-2000, it partnered with Lufthansa AirCargo for services between Sharjah and India. It reportedly showed interest in Air India as well when it was open for privatization. Jet Airways temporarily suspended operations on April 17; it is on a time crunch to find investors. Rival airlines have been competing for slots left vacant by Jet Airways and eyeing its large number of overseas routes. India is set to grow soybeans on more land in the 2019 crop year as higher prices for the oilseed push some farmers to switch from cultivating competing commodities such as cotton and pulses, an industry official and dealers told Reuters. Increased production of India's main summer-sown oilseed could help the world's biggest vegetable oil importer trim costly purchases from Brazil, Argentina, Indonesia and Malaysia. It could also help boost Indian exports of animal feed ingredient soymeal to places such as Bangladesh, Japan, Vietnam and Iran. "At current prices, soybeans are more lucrative than other crops. We will see a shift towards soybeans from cotton and pulses," said Davish Jain, chairman of the Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA). Local soybean prices have risen nearly 14 percent to 3,716 rupees ($53.31) per 100 kg since the start of the 2018 crop year on Oct. 1, boosted after India raised the duty on importing soyoil, palm oil and other cooking oils. Soybeans have been cultivated on 10.8 million hectares in the 2018 crop year, up 6.7 percent from the year before, according to data compiled by SOPA. Jain did not give an exact estimate on how much land he expected to be planted with soybean crops in the 2019 crop year. The appeal of sowing soybean fields could also be boosted by forecasts the next monsoon will arrive late and deliver less rainfall than average. "Soybean is a sturdy crop. Even if it encounters adverse weather conditions, then ... farmers would not end up with total losses like other crops," Jain said. Most Indian farmers typically begin cultivating soybeans, cotton and pulses, which are rain-fed crops, in June after the arrival of the monsoon. The western state of Maharashtra and central India's Madhya Pradesh account for more than 80 percent of the country's total soybean output. Both states could receive lower-than-normal rainfall in 2019, according to private weather forecaster Skymet. The greatest rise in soybean area could be in Maharashtra, where farmers were not happy with returns from cotton, said Govindbhai Patel, managing director of trading firm G G Patel & Nikhil Research Company. "Soybean doesn't need too much rainfall. It needs timely rainfall for better yields," Patel said. Soybean prices have also been buoyed by growing Iranian appetite for imports of Indian soymeal, said a Mumbai-based dealer with a global trading firm. The deadline for Jet Airways corporate insolvency resolution process is October 21 live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Differences have cropped up between IndiGo and its main domestic rivals over the method of distribution of grounded Jet Airways' foreign flying rights among them by the Aviation ministry, sources told The Economic Times. The government had decided that Air India would get half of Jet's slots on high-demand routes. The rest would be given to carriers ranked on the basis of domestic flights, which is measured in available seat kilometres (ASKs). This strategy is currently benefitting IndiGo as it is the market leader. IndiGo's main rivals - SpiceJet, Vistara and GoAir - have voiced their objection to the aviation secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola, saying that this move would create a monopoly, sources said. The rights are being given to airlines as per the Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC). "While the decision on the award of foreign flying rights of Jet Airways temporarily to other carriers has been taken, the opposition by airlines to the AIC is being discussed," a source from the aviation ministry said. State-run Air India has been allotted around 5,700 weekly seats on the India-Dubai route, over 5,000 on the India-Qatar route and 4,600 additional seats to and from London. This is about 50 percent of Jet's quota on routes, a source said. "This is temporary allocation. The objective is to immediately provide flights for passengers who are paying high fares, mostly to foreign airlines. This objective is fulfilled by those airlines that can provide immediate capacity and who have slots at both origin and destination," a SpiceJet spokesperson said. "The rule referred to was made in 2005 with the objective of protecting incumbent carriers at the time, primarily Air India. The rule is not relevant to the temporary allocation that is being done at this time. The ministry has already ignored this rule by allotting some of Jet's traffic rights to Air India on a temporary basis," the person added, as per the report. Most industry members believe IndiGo will get the slots as it has the most market share. Some think it makes sense as this move is only temporary and it will help to minimise the inconvenience to the public. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Indian market started on a strong note on May 21 following the best day in a decade to hit a record high in morning trade. The S&P BSE Sensex hit a record high of 39,571.73 while the Nifty50 rose to a lifetime high of 11,883.55. However, soon profit booking pulled the marked downwards. The S&P BSE Sensex saw a cut of nearly 400 points while the Nifty50 fell over 100 points. The final tally the S&P BSE Sensex plunged 382 points to close at 38,969 while the Nifty50 fell 119 points to end at 11,709. The broader market outperformed the benchmark with BSE Midcap and Smallcap ending with losses of 0.9 percent and 0.6 percent, respectively. Amongst the sectoral indices, except consumer durables that ended with gains of 0.7 percent, all the other sector indices ended in red with auto, banking and metal being the top losers. It looks like the market seems to have factored in a victory of NDA on May 23, but an adverse result could lead to steep correction in markets, suggest experts. After a sharp up move n May 20, the Indian benchmark indices witnessed profit taking at higher levels due to nervousness amongst market participants ahead of the actual election results, Jayant Manglik, President - Retail Distribution, Religare Broking Ltd told Moneycontrol. The key focus for market participants throughout this week would be on election outcome (May 23). The market is pricing in a clear victory for the NDA government and hence any disappointment on the result day could lead to a fall, he said. More than 50 stocks hit 52-week highs on the BSE that include Bajaj Finserv, Bajaj Finance, HDFC Bank, HDFC, Kotak Bank, L&T, Titan Company, Siemens, Axis Bank and SBI, among others. Stocks in news Tata Motors ended more than 7 percent lower after the company reported a weak set of numbers for the quarter ended March 2019. The global automaker reported a 49 percent fall in its consolidated net profit at Rs 1,108 crore. CLSA has maintained sell call on the stock with a target at Rs 150 per share. Jet Airways ended 14 percent higher on reports that Hinduja Group was finally set to bid for the grounded airline this week. "Hinduja Group is evaluating the Jet Airways opportunity," a spokesperson told Moneycontrol. Shares of Bharat Petroleum (BPCL) plummeted more than 4 percent, while that of Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL) fell nearly 3 percent intraday despite the oil refining majors reporting strong Q4 numbers. Brokerage firm CLSA has a sell rating on both companies, with a target at Rs 300 for BPCL and Rs 210 for HPCL. According to CLSA, BPCL's core performance has been weak accompanied by lower-than-expected inventory gains. The brokerage said HPCL's refining was in line, but the company missed on marketing. Global update European markets traded higher after tensions eased slightly in the escalating trade war between the US and China. The pan-European STOXX 600 edged 0.3 percent higher in early deals. Stocks in Asia ended mostly higher as a temporary reprieve in US-China trade tensions provided a breather. The Shanghai Composite gained 1.23 percent to 2,905.97 and the Shenzhen component added 1.92 percent to 9,087.52. Kospi rose 0.27 percent to close at 2,061.25. Australias ASX 200 was 0.37 percent higher to close at 6,500.10. Nikkei 225 in Japan lost 0.14 percent to close at 21,272.45. The Hang Seng index declined around 0.5 percent as of its final hour of trading. Pritam Kumar Patnaik Last week, gold and silver prices remained rangebound with the downside remaining limited due to rising trade uncertainty and escalating middle-east tensions. China said it would hike tariffs on a range of US goods, striking back in its trade war with Washington. Additionally, US slapped sanctions on Chinese telecoms giant Huawei, escalating US-China trade tensions. Hedge funds and money managers raised their net long positions by 9,281 contracts to 19,721 in COMEX gold in the week compared to May 7. The speculators also increased their net short position in silver by 639 contracts to 14,893. Meanwhile, SPDR Gold Trust fund said its holdings fell 0.4 percent to 733.23 MT this week. Holdings are now around its lowest levels since October 9, 2018. Prices will continue to find support in the short run amid escalating trade war and rising tensions in the middle-east. This will lead to investors demand for the safe haven yellow metal. Internationally, gold spot rate could remain in a range from $1,275-1,310, while silver spot could remain in the range $14.20-15.10. Crude on the rise due to tensions in Middle-East Crude prices could end with gains this week amid rising middle-east tensions. Markets shrugged off fears over global economic growth amid a standoff in Sino-US trade talks. On the supply side, crude stocks rose 5.4 million barrels, surprising the markets who were expecting a decrease of 8,00,000 barrels. Nearly 1.8 million barrels were added to supply through the release from the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Hedge funds cut their combined futures and options position in US crude futures in New York and London by 32,429 contracts to 275,699 during the week ending May 7, 2019. That was the lowest level since early April 2019. Meanwhile, Brent crude speculators on the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) raised their net long positions by 1,806 contracts to 4,06,175 in the same week. That was the highest level since mid-October. Heightened geopolitical tensions in the middle-east and anticipation that the United States and China could still reach an amicable solution to their trade dispute have rendered support to oil prices. At the same time, a full-blown trade war could have lasting consequences on global growth, seriously limiting the upside for energy demand. Additionally, US oil output from seven major shale formations is expected to rise to a fresh peak of about 8.5 million barrels per day in June 2019, the US Energy Information Administration said. A falling demand and rising output could lead weakness in the longer run. So, Brent July 2019 contract on ICE could remain within the range from $70-75/barrel in the next week. NYMEX June 2019 contract could remain at $59.50-65/barrel. Copper: All eyes on China Most metals recouped some losses but ended last week on a weaker note amid rising trade tensions between the US and China. Additionally, China reported surprisingly weaker growth in retail sales and industrial output for the month of April, adding pressure on Beijing to continue to roll out more stimulus. Hedge funds and money managers increased their bearish stance on copper during the week. Copper speculators raised net short positions by 17,012 contracts to 26,806. The only metal to witness diverse trend from the metal complex was aluminium. Aluminium prices rose this week after news of production shutdowns at one of the country's largest smelters fuelled worries about supplies from the top producer. Xinfa Group, one of China's biggest aluminium smelters, is closing all production lines of its 2.8 million MT (per annum) alumina refinery in Shanxi, for an unspecified period owing to an environmental dispute. Looking ahead, downside remained limited amid hopes the United States and China would forge a trade. We also believe that large stimulus measures from China in response to an escalation in the Sino-US trade war would eventually drive metals prices higher. The next important event for the talks will be during the G-20 summit, where Trump and Jinping will meet and discuss further. Additionally, prices could also find support over reports of US President Donald Trump delaying a decision on imposing tariffs on cars and parts imported from EU, by up to six months, thereby avoiding opening yet another front in his global trade battles. Internationally, 3M Copper on LME could trade between $5,800-6,400/MT in the short run. Technical Calls Base Metals: Aluminium: Buy MCX Aluminium May 2019 contract in the range of Rs 149-149.50 with a stop loss of Rs 147 and a target price of Rs 153. Nickel: Buy MCX Nickel May 2019 contract in the range of Rs 449-450 with a stop loss of Rs 440 and a target price of Rs 465. Copper: Sell MCX Copper June 2019 contract in the range of Rs 427-428 with a stop loss of Rs 433 and a target price of Rs 418. Bullions: Silver: Sell MCX Silver July 2019 contract in the range of Rs 36,700-36,750 with a stop loss of Rs 37,000 and a target price of Rs 36,300. Energy Crude oil: Buy MCX Crude Oil June 2019 contract in the range of Rs 4,420-4,440 with a stop loss of Rs 4,310 and a target price of Rs 4,600. Agri commodities: Cotton: Buy MCX Cotton June 2019 contract in the range of Rs 21,200-21,250 with a stop loss of Rs 20,900 and a target price of Rs 21,900. The author is Head Commodities at Reliance Commodities. : The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on moneycontrol.com are their own, and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, popularly known as the big bull of D-Street, in an exclusive interview with CNBC, said that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) should be able to get around 30010 seats in the Lok Sabha. Exit polls for 2019 general elections suggested a clear majority for the Modi-led NDA, which led to a monster rally on D-Street on May 20. Both Sensex and Nifty witnessed their best day in 10 years. The exit polls accord an average of 304 seats to the NDA and 118 seats to the UPA, with the rest of the seats going to other parties outside of these two pre-poll alliances. The Nifty may have made a bottom around 11,000, said Jhunjhunwala adding that the exact top or bottom levels cant be predicted. Nifty delivered more than 30 percent in 2014 when the Modi-government came to power. But, Jhunjhunwala says the same euphoria is unlikely to be repeated. Market might not give 30 percent in 2019, but I think the market will be good. If NDA gets a clear majority, 10,750-11,000 can be seen as a crucial bottom, he added. Jhunjhunwala further added that the expectations from the Modi government's second term are moderated but results will be far better. Jhunjhunwala said democracy is the biggest hindrance to India's growth, but it is necessary. "I dont think India's growth is linked to global growth because Indias exports are far lower than GDP," he said. India has had sub-par capital expenditure for the last five years. But, the credit culture in India is improving because of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy code (IBC). Look at the way integrity is coming to the firms, and people with integrity are creating the most wealth, said Jhunjhunwala. Apart from elections, Jhunjhunwala said a big uncertainty for the market is friction between Iran and the US. Commenting on the trade dispute, the big bull is of the view that the market has already priced in the Sino-US trade war. An earlier version of the story erroneously stated that Jhunjhunwala had given the interview to CNBC-TV18. He gave the interview to CNBC instead. Path-breaking work has at its core very hard work, often done in the midst of a well-defined schedule and usually done in solitude. Research shows that the greatest minds of the past three hundred years have used a surprisingly similar template to grind their way to success. I must have liked the long hours, for in later life, I never took the attitude of Ive worked hard all my childhood and youth and now Im going to take it easy and sleep till noon. Quite the contrary I wake up at five in the morning. I get to work as early as I can. I work as long as I can. I do this every day in the week, including holidays. I dont take vacations voluntarily and I try to do my work even when Im on vacation. Isaac Asimov quoted in Daily Rituals by Mason Currey (2013) Habits drive 40% of our decision making In a recent note to our clients, we wrote about how even though habits account for 40 percent of the decisions that we make, the thinking part of the brain does NOT control our habits. Understanding the auto-reflex element of habit-driven decision making is central to nailing down why some promoters consistently allocate capital better than others. We then explained how many of us get into bad habits such as having the TV switched on in our offices or constantly checking e-mails and social media notifications. Heres the link for the 26th April piece: In this piece, we focus on how some of greatest minds of the post-Renaissance world constructed their working day so that their habits by themselves would become one of the foundations of their success. At the outset, we have to say that for those looking for short-cuts should not read this piece as V S Pritchett said in 1941, Sooner or later, the great men turn out to be all alike. They never stop working. They never lose a minute. It is very depressing. Reading: Reading extensively and almost non-stop seems to be a pre-requisite for producing path-breaking work. As renowned investor Charlie Munger says, In my whole life, I have known no wise people who didnt read all the time none, zero. In fact, a few painters apart, almost all the great minds seem to spend a large part of the day reading sometimes at the expense of maintaining a normal social life. Intense, focussed work in solitude: The vast majority of the legends whose lives are described in Curreys book spent at least three hours each day -- almost always immediately after breakfast -- focussed on intense, hard work. Most locked the doors of the studies, forbade anybody from disturbing them and sought peace and silence so that they could push themselves to the limit.Needless to say, they did not take phone calls or read e-mails or WhatsApp during these hours of intense, focussed work. For example, the architect Frank Lloyd Wright did all his design work Between 4 and 7 oclock in the morningI go to sleep promptly when I go to bed. Then I wake up around 4 and cant sleep. But my minds clear, so I get up and work for three or four hours. In Ernest Hemingways words, When I am working on a book or story I write every morning as soon after first light as possible. There is no one to disturb you and it is cool or cold and you come to your work and warm as you write. You read what you have written and you always stop when you know what is going to happen next You write until you come to a place when you still have your juice and you know what will happen next You have started at six in the morning and you may go on until noon. When you stop you are as empty, and at the same time, never empty but filling Rewarding oneself after working hard: Since one cannot work without a break and even the legends need an incentive to push themselves through 3-4 hours of hard work, many of them take a break at around lunchtime to ensure the break contains something they can look forward to.For example, Gustav Mahler, one of the leading composers of the 20th century, worked until midday, thenwalked down to the lake for a swim. Once he was in the water, he would whistle for his wife to join him on the beach. Mahler liked to lie in the sun until he was dry, then jump into the water again, often repeating this four or five times, which left him feeling invigorated and ready for lunch at home. The meal was, to Mahlers preference light, simple, thoroughly cooked and minimally seasoned. Seeking high quality input and criticism: For many great minds, getting regular feedback from high quality critics, who were often friends or relatives, is often a part of the daily routine. This feedback improves the quality of their work, sharpens their focus and their thinking.For example, Jane Austen would read out her work-in-progress on a daily basis to her mother and sister.Gustave Flaubert would begin the day with a long, intimate chat with his mother. French author Simone de Beauvoirs daily routine hinged around her 50-year intellectual partnership with the philosopher, Jean-Paul Sartre. Each would spend the morning working alone. They would then meet for lunch and work together in the afternoon. Then, over dinner, they would critique each others work. A well-defined daily routine: Routine, in an intelligent man, is the sign of ambition, wrote the English poet, W H Auden, in 1958. The vast majority of great minds have a clearly laid-out routine which they followed day-after-day for the majority of their creative lives. Even artists such as Francis Bacon, who one would imagine led bohemian, unstructured lives, were creatures of habit and routine.The Japanese author, Haruki Murakami, for instance wakes at 4 am and works for five to six hours straight. In the afternoon, he runs or swims or does both, runs errands, reads and listens to music; bedtime is 9. I keep to this routine every day without variation, he told the Paris Review in 2004. The repetition itself becomes the important thing; its a form of mesmerism. I mesmerise myself to reach a deeper state of mind. Other than working non-stop, what exactly do the legends do habitually which entrenches their greatness? In 2013, American journalist Mason Currey summarised the working habits of nearly 200 great minds in an interesting and entertaining book called Daily Rituals: How Great Minds Make Time, Find Inspiration and Get to Work. Curreys book -- which itself draws from over 400 sources -- and our reading of the biographies of other great minds give us a pretty good idea of the life one would has to lead to have a high probability of doing original, path-breaking work: Essentially, what the legends are doing is by forcing the majority of the quotidian decisions taken in a typical day -- when to rise, when to eat, what to eat and the like -- into a rigid template. They are freeing up mental processing power for higher value tasks. Redesigning the way we work Our operations and trading team sits in an open plan office, which is a beehive of activity and noise, thanks to clients phone calls, our traders chats with our brokers, our Operations teams chats with our custodians and fund accountants and the like. Our investment management staff sit in a smaller room, which is very quiet (phones are on silent, noise cancelling headphones are used by some) unless a debate is taking place about the merits of a specific investment. Our salespeople are, as you would expect, never in office unless they are pulled away from their client meetings for a weekly internal team meeting. Realising that the way most open plan offices are organised is not conducive to high quality work, at Marcellus we have sought within the constraints of our modest budget to organise ourselves in a better manner. We have effectively segmented our team into three: Even though we are less than a year old, we are trying to ensure our staff dont burn their brains and bodies out in the typical start-up rush to grow big, fast. It is all very well to move fast and break things in Silicon Valley, but when you have to undergo long commutes to and from work through Mumbais pulverised roads, we have seen that people physically and mentally break down if you push them hard week after week. As we grow, we are seeking to understand how to create a better working environment for our colleagues. If you have ideas, suggestions or if you have found interesting reading material on this subject, we would be grateful if you could share it with us. (Saurabh Mukherjea is the author of The Unusual Billionaires and Coffee Can Investing: the Low Risk Route to Stupendous Wealth. Hes the Founder of Marcellus Investment Managers, a SEBI-regulated provider of Portfolio Management Services) Representative image TPG Growth on Tuesday said it had signed a definitive agreement to sell Cancer Treatment Services International (CTSI) to NYSE-listed Varian Medical Systems for $283 million. CTSI is a part of Asia Healthcare Holdings (AHH), a healthcare operating platform founded by TPG Growth. The Palo-Alto based Varian makes medical devices and software, focusing on cancer with devices for radiotherapy, radio-surgery, proton therapy, and brachytherapy (prostate cancer). The company had revenues of $2.9 billion in FY18. Varian follows the October-September accounting period. The transaction is expected to close in approximately two weeks and is subject to customary closing conditions. When CTSI was first acquired by TPG Growth, it operated one facility in Hyderabad. In just three years, the company has grown to a network of 11 cancer hospitals with a pipeline of six more hospitals under execution. The hospitals are operated under the American Oncology Institute brand, offering multi-disciplinary radiation, medical, and surgical oncology-focused cancer hospitals across South Asia. CTSI also offers an integrated reference laboratory and pathology services in India under AmPath brand. CTSI employs more than 1,500 people across its operations in India and the US. The genesis of AHH was to build single-specialty healthcare delivery businesses. Majority positions in these early stage entities give our team the unique opportunity to mold the future of these companies by giving them the right management teams, capitalization, and profitable growth trajectory. CTSI validates this unique approach to Indian healthcare, said Vishal Bali, the CEO of Asia Healthcare Holdings. Leveraging TPGs global healthcare franchise, we worked together to grow CTSI from sourcing to exit, Bali said. AHH seeks to build a market-leading franchise in single-specialties across India and South Asia, and helps power companies through a single management team. AHHs operation is unique to Indian healthcare and unparalleled in the region. Recently, AHH acquired Nova Fertility and its network of 20 IVF centres which, when combined with AHHs existing network of 12 women and children hospitals under the Motherhood brand, will be Indias largest mother and child-focused healthcare platform in India. TPG has invested $14 billion of equity in the sector. More than 20 percent and approximately $3 billion of equity has been invested outside the US, across leading healthcare delivery networks including Parkway Holdings (Singapore), Healthscope (Australia), Manipal Health (India), Asiri Health (Sri Lanka), and United Family Healthcare (China). Black Rose Industries has gained 677 percent in the last 5 years. As of June 10, 2015, the share price was Rs 16.75 per share and now the current share price is Rs 130.10 with a market cap of Rs 664 crore. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Highlights: - Weak product pricing commensurate with lower raw material cost; gross margin improves - Major projects receive environment clearance - FY20 to witness ramp-up in subsidiary business Balaji Amines, the leading manufacturer of Aliphatic Amines in India, posted a mixed Q4. While weak numbers showed up in top line, operating margin improvement contributed to a profitable sequential growth. Chart: Q4 financials Source: Company Key negative Q4 FY19 sales declined both on a YoY basis and sequentially, mainly due to drop in product prices that offset positive volume growth. The company maintained optimum capacity utilisation of most product categories in spite of challenges to procure key raw material methanol. Key positives Having said that, the decline in product prices was directionally in line with the contraction of raw material costs. In fact, the company witnessed strong gross margin improvement of 403 bps QoQ (292 bps YoY). EBITDA margin improved to a decent 20 percent plus, making way for a sequential 14 percent increase in profit before tax despite the sluggish top line numbers. Furthermore, the company has got the environmental clearance for the capacity expansion of key products - Aceto Nitrile, Morpholine and Di Methylamines HCI (DMA HCL), along with other offerings. Aceto Nitrile and Morpholine, which are used for end market antibiotic drugs and rubber chemicals, respectively, are the two key products that would add to incremental sales in FY20. DMA HCL is used as a pharma ingredient for Ranitidine and Metformin (diabetic drug). However, new capacity of DMA HCL would be utilised later when the market situation improves. Chart: Product capacities which got environmental clearance Source: Company Key observations In case of the subsidiary (55 percent stake), Balaji Speciality Chemicals, the firm is hopeful of environmental clearance in the next two weeks. Here, we take note that company has reduced its turnover expectations from the subsidiary due to delay in environmental clearance. In FY20, it expects an addition of Rs 150 crore from the arm and more than Rs 400 crore in FY21 at current product prices. Through the subsidiary, Balaji Amines gets an exposure to specialty chemicals like Ethylene Diamine (22,000 tonnes). Key application for Ethylene Diamine (EDA) is for fungicide Mancozeb. It is noteworthy that India imports about 29,000 tonne EDA every year. Among the likely domestic clients for EDA are Coromandel, UPL and Indofil. Coromandel has recently added a 10,000-tonne capacity in the Mancozeb segment, taking the total installed capacity to 45,000 tonnes. Second, the company plans to start a greenfield project in the first week of Q2 FY20. In the first phase the capex of Rs 200 crore includes Rs 120 crore debt the company targets two products, namely additional capacities for ethyl amines and either of Mono Isopropyl Amine or Isopropyl Amine (agri-end markets). There is heavy import dependency in India for Mono Isopropyl Amine and Isopropyl Amine (Agri-end markets: herbicides/pesticides and pharma drugs for heart). The plant is expected to contribute revenue from FY21 onwards and the project is expected to add about Rs 350-450 crore to top line in FY23. Price volatility in Methanol remains the key concern for the industry dependent on methanol as bulk of it is sourced from the crisis-ridden Iran. As of now, there is no orders from the Government of India to reduce imports from Iran, but having faced the pricing and transactional issues in the recent past, the company has forked out an alternative arrangement for the current quarter. It sees Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia as alternative sources for methanol sourcing for India. Attractive pricing levels to consider entry Alternative arrangement for raw material sourcing is a positive development. This takes away a major constraint for the company. The quarter gone by was largely positive as the firm was able to execute a superior operating performance amid challenging conditions. We expect incremental revenue in the near term to be guided by ramp-up in capacity utilisation of projects for which the company has got the environmental clearance. Furthermore, the start of operations in its subsidiary would be an additional growth lever. As far as margins are concerned, in our view, EBITDA margins should settle in 18-21 percent. Also, over a longer term, we remain positive on the companys strategy with respect to new product capacities, import substitution along with strong technical execution capabilities. The stock is trading at 36 percent below 52-week high (10.2x FY20e earnings), which is at a sharp discount to its peers and hence, provides opportunities to accumulate in the near term. Follow @anubhavsays For more research articles, visit our Moneycontrol Research page Moneycontrol Research analysts do not hold positions in the companies discussed here Whether you are a non-resident Indian (NRI) who is moving back to India or looking to invest in India, or you are a resident who has recently been granted NRI status, the first thing you need to do is have the right bank account to manage your money. Unlike regular citizens of India, NRIs cannot have standard savings accounts in Indian banks. The determination of NRI status is not as per the popularly known Income-Tax Act, but FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act). FEMA uses intent as the basis to determine residential status. So, once you have moved residence (and childs school) across the shores, this clearly denotes intention, and hence your residential status changes. There are three popular types of bank accounts an NRI could operate: 1. Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) This is the savings bank account of the NRI, which can be funded in rupees or foreign exchange. For those moving abroad, after having worked in India, their resident savings account ought to be converted to an NRO account. This account can also have recurring or fixed deposits. 2. Non-Resident External (NRE) The key difference from the NRO account is that this account needs to be funded only in foreign currency. The recurring and fixed deposit must have a minimum maturity period of one year. Power of attorney cannot be used to open an NRE account; the NRI account holder has to open this account on his own. 3. Foreign Currency Non-resident (FCNR (Banks)) - An FCNR (B) account is similar to opening a regular fixed deposit. You may close an FCNR (B) account prematurely; however, in order to earn any interest on the amount, the deposit must stay untouched with the bank for at least one year. Recent amendments to the non-resident bank account rules in India do not permit the accounts to be held with resident Indians other than in 'former or survivor' status, which means that in their lifetime, only the NRI is authorised to operate the account. Why should I have an NRO account? NRO accounts are savings or current accounts which can be utilised by NRIs to manage the income they earn in India. This account holds currency in Rupees only. You can also use your NRO account to directly invest in mutual funds and shares. There are no limitations on the type of credits you make to this account and its the only account type permitted for an NRI whos looking to collect rents or receive dividends in India, as per RBI. The money in NRO accounts are not freely repatriable, so it is best that you use this account for local spends. You can even opt for an NRO fixed deposit, especially if youre not planning to use your accumulated funds anytime soon. This may help you earn better interest on savings. Keep in mind that any interest that you earn in an NRO account will have 30 percent plus surcharge (if any) and cess, as TDS levied on it. However, if your country of residence is a part of the DTAA, then you can avail a lower rate of TDS; you will need to complete a few formalities and submit documents as prescribed by the RBI to do this. The Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) is a tax treaty signed between two or more countries to help taxpayers avoid paying double taxes on the same income. Why should I have an NRE account? As I mentioned earlier, NRO accounts are not freely repatriable. However, for many NRIs repatriation of funds is a critical need. The ability to freely repatriate funds outside India in any currency, and the fact that interest earned on NRE accounts is tax-free (in NRO accounts it is not), make these accounts very popular in the NRI community. There are a few limitations though. The foreign currency is converted to Indian rupees, and hence subject to currency fluctuations. An important point to note is that any income earned in Indian rupees cannot be deposited to an NRE account. However, you can freely send funds from your NRE account to any other NRE account in India, or transfer them to a foreign account. Why should I open an FCNR account? The biggest advantage of operating an FCNR account is that these accounts can be maintained in a currency other than Indian rupees. This reduces the risk of currency fluctuation. It takes the form of term or fixed deposits. NRIs and persons of Indian origin (PIOs) can open FCNR accounts jointly with resident Indians, in which case the resident close relative operates the account as a power of attorney holder. You can make unrestricted funds transfer to any NRE account for making payments in India. For FCNR accounts, the minimum tenure for you to gain interest is one year and the maximum period is five years. Another benefit that non-residents get is that you can hold FCNR accounts to maturity even if your residency status changes to a resident during the tenure of the deposit. Of course, lets not forget that every investor has his own needs and requirements. Make sure you talk to a certified financial planner before you make any crucial financial decisions. representative image The Department of Telecomm need to commence the auction of 5G spectrum in India as the regulators in some countries have already formulated policies and initiated spectrum auctions for the 5G roll out in their respective nations, a senior official of the IT giant Tech Mahindra has said. Manish Vyas, President of Communications Business and Chief Executive Officer of Network Services, Tech Mahindra said 4G is yet to touch all parts of the country, and while that happens on a massive scale, there are some "definite green-shoots" of 5G trials. More than technology however, the bigger impediment could be the regulatory body's policy on 5G spectrum. The experimental license by DoT will need modifications, and till that happens, the sector is in for a "waiting game," he said. "US, Australia, Italy, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia and more (have started 5G spectrum auctions). Spectrum is the life blood of any wireless network. For 5G, globally regulators have been licensing mid-band (3.5GHz) and in some countries mmWave (millimeter Wave) spectrum bands as well. For 5G to be rolled out in India, the first necessary step is for the regulator to auction the 5G spectrum. Everything else will be gated on spectrum," he told PTI in an email. India's largest telecom operator Vodafone Idea Ltd recently said the auction of 5G spectrum should not be held before 2020 as the industry needs time to develop India-specific use cases for the next-generation technology. A DoT official in December last year said the government expects to complete processes for 5G spectrum auction by August, 2019. TechM established a strategic partnership with Intel on a wide range of topics spanning across Virtualisation of RAN ( radio access network) , Cloud native 5G Core and on Edge Computing, Vyas said. "Intel brings best in class technology for 5G infrastructure and will form the foundation of 5G networks. We are collaborating with Intel to maximise the benefits of their technology for 5G networks and we are also working on developing 5G use cases for specific industry verticals in the CoE," he said. Though Tech Mahindra is currently not working any Indian telecomm operator on 5G,it is engaged in detailed Boardroom discussions with all top Telcos in the nation. The IT firm is working with many Telcos across North America, UK, Germany, Asia-pacific Australia New Zealand and North Asia regions on 5G launch and digitalisation programs, he explained. The deadline for Jet Airways corporate insolvency resolution process is October 21 Shares of Jet Airways rallied 9 percent intraday on May 21 on reports that Hinduja Group is finally set to bid for the grounded airline this week. "Hinduja Group is evaluating the Jet Airways opportunity," a spokesperson told Moneycontrol. But, he declined to give further details. The London-based conglomerate has received the approval of key stakeholders of the Jet Airways, including founder Naresh Goyal and Etihad Airways. The Hinduja Group has engaged investment bankers led by SBI Capital Markets for due diligence, which will commence soon, media reports said. Also Read: Evaluating Jet Airways opportunity: Hinduja Group The report comes a day after the Hinduja brothers, Srichand and GP, reclaimed the title of Britain's wealthiest. Their combined net worth is reportedly 22 billion pounds. The Hindujas expect the SBI-led consortium of 26 lenders to take a significant haircut, with initial calculations placing the airlines dues at Rs 12,000 crore, the publication said. At 1343 hours, Jet Airways was quoting at Rs 143.15, up 8.94 percent on the BSE. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More In the last five years of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as many as 197 of the BSE500 stocks surged over 100 percent. Three of themMinda Industries, Bajaj Finance and KEI Industriesgave over 1,000 percent return in the same period. Stocks that rose 100-900 percent include Bajaj Finserv, Tata Metaliks, Avanti Feeds, Indiabulls Ventures, IFB Industries, V-Mart and Sonata Software, among others. However, the headline indices were not able to keep pace with these stocks as Nifty and Sensex gave a modest 50 percent return during Modi's tenure. In the same period, there were more than 30 BSE500 stocks that fell 50-80 percent that include Bank of India, Syndicate Bank, Reliance Infra, Reliance Power, Jaiprakash Associates and Reliance Communications, among others. Nearly 200 companies in BSE500 more than doubled the investors' wealth during Modi's first term and we will see many more companies giving a handsome return in next five years. In our opinion investors must invest in companies with a high standard of corporate governance with reasonable valuations, Aatish Matlawala of SSJ Finance & Securities told Moneycontrol. We prefer to pick companies where management has a clear focus and are expected to benefit from government policies, he said. Table: Top 21 of the 197 stocks that gave over 100 percent returns during PM Narendra Modi's tenure. This leads to the million dollar question that what should investors do with stocks that have more than doubled their wealth in the last five years? Experts suggest, if someone has held stocks for more than five years, the right strategy would be to follow a 20 percent correction rule that could be the stop loss. The fact remains that these stocks have more than doubled in the last five years. Hence there is a trend in place and one should rather hold but also make sure there is a stop loss that is in place once the counter-trend rally appears, Mustafa Nadeem, CEO, Epic Research told Moneycontrol. That comes to be around 20 odd percent. In this kind of scenario where stocks continue to rise and create wealth, there is a correction pattern that takes place which usually lasts for around 15-18 percent. Investors should make sure that this 20 percent criterion is being met, he said. Nadeem further explained that if this gets violated, we can be sure that the corrections are not bought and the smart money is leaving the stock. Look at HDFC, Bajaj Finance or Maharashtra Scootersevery correction is bought. But, at the same time, Indiabulls Ventures fell from Rs 700 to Rs 340. So, that is the point which is critical when you remain invested, he said. The views and investment tips expressed by investment expert on Moneycontrol.com are his own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Shares of Tata Motors declined more than 8 percent intraday on May 21 after company reported weak set of numbers for the quarter ended March 2019. The company has reported a 49 percent fall in its consolidated net profit at Rs 1,108 crore. The company had reported a profit of Rs 2,175 crore in a year ago period. Revenue of the company declined to Rs 86,422 crore against Rs 89,928.97. CLSA has maintained sell call on the stock with a target at Rs 150 per share According to CLSA, the JLP outlook remains weak, while Indian business margin slipped QoQ despite higher volume. JLR cut margin guidance range & cash flow outlook for FY21. The guidance cut underlines challenges of improving profitability. It feels that Indias truck industry should also enter a downturn and cut FY20-21 eps estimates by 18-22%. Morgan Stanley has equal-weight rating on the stock with a target at Rs 184 per share. The pace of JLR recovery has been slower than we expected, while JLR EBIT margin will remain in 3-4% range over FY20-21, said Morgan Stanley. Company guides for JLR FCF to remain negative for FY20 & FY21 and economic, political & technological risks keep us equal-weight, it added. Citi has maintained buy rating on Tata Motors and cut target to Rs 220 from Rs 230 per share. It feels that H1FY20 outlook is expected to remain muted. The JLR EBITDA of 696 million is 12% below estimates on higher material costs. In China, inventory is still high at 1.8 months, despite volume cuts. At 14:12 hrs Tata Motors was quoting at Rs 175.25, down Rs 14.75, or 7.76 percent on the BSE. Representative image In March, 2016, Parliament voted into law the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) ActRERAa legislation that held out the promise of placing consumers at the centre of a new rules-based framework for Indias property market. RERA, midwifed by two governmentsUPA II and the NDA IIbetween 2009 and the 2016, was necessitated by the growing misery of tens of thousands of harried homebuyers. Unsuspecting individual customers often complained about getting the short end of the stick, as many builders, some dodgy and some reputed, exploited regulatory gaps by not delivering promised apartments on time or reneging on size and quality, or sometimes, simply vanishing after collecting funds. RERAs primary purpose, apart from defining rules, was to build trust among buyers and builders in a market where opaque deals thriving in grey payment systems operating outside the legitimate financial system had become commonplace. For instance, customers would often find that the actual size of an apartment would be about 30% smaller than what was originally promised. The reason: super built up area, an arbitrary concept that builders used to charge customers for shared spaces such as common passage area, stairs and other areas. Fund diversion had become a rampant practice in the realty sector. Many builders, large and small, would collect money from consumers for apartments, a part of which would then be channeled to buy land for another project. The net effect: never-ending project delays. This was going on without any checks and balances, and builders had developed the `consumers- be-damned attitude. For the banking sector too lending to realty projects became a risky proposition, as project delays resulted in mounting loan defaults. RERA was brought in to address these. Three years later, experts reckon, the results, at best, are mixed. RERA RULES Under RERA, builders are required to disclose details of carpet area, which is the actual apartments size, design, structure, layout, time of completion and other project specifications well in advance. The rules make it mandatory for any project exceeding 500 square metres with eight or more apartments to register with a states real estate regulatory authority (RERA) before launching or even advertising a housing scheme. Also read: Wheres my house? NCRs Notorious Construction Record Registration of real estate agents or brokers have also been made mandatory with clear responsibilities and functions. The punitive provisions include de-registration of the project. If the builder defaults on promises made at the time of the launch, the buyer can approach consumer fora in case of disputes with real estate developers. The penal measures were aimed at serving as a deterrent for builders to short change customers and ensure timely project delivery. It is also now mandatory for builders to park 70% of funds collected from buyers in an escrow account, implying that these funds can only be withdrawn for the specific project for which these were collected. Under the central law, each state was required to set up its own RERA that can draw upon central rules applicable in union territories. Maharashtra was the first off the block with MahaRera in May 2017, with other states soon following suit with their own institutions. MORE THAN A REGISTERING BODY RERAs role is not limited to just as a registering agency for realty projects, but was designed to evolve into a body empowered to even complete stuck projects or even allow buyers groups to take over unfinished projects. Three years later, experts say, RERAs record on this front remains below par. The RERA Acts Section 8 empowers the authority, buyers association or an appropriate government organisation to execute unfinished projects, but arranging funds and buyers cooperation remain a critical challenge. The Amrapali Group, which has unfinished projects peppered across Noida and Greater Noida, is a case in point. The Supreme Court, which which is hearing a batch of pleas of 42,000 home buyers against the embattled group for failing to give the possession of flats, had asked the Noida and Greater Noida Authorities whether they will be able to complete the projects. The authorities responded that they did not have the capability to handle projects of such big scale, but suggested that perhaps UP RERA could take these up. While it (UP RERA) certainly cannot complete projects by itself, it can find appropriate solutions by approaching competent authorities or even appoint a project management consultant to finish these, said Kumar Mihir, lawyer, representing Amrapali homebuyers. LEAKING ESCROW Sound as it may appear on paper, in practice, however, too many instances of leaks in builders escrow accounts have come to light. The problem in most cases has arisen not because of shortage of funds but because monies collected from homebuyers have been siphoned off. This is because builders have exploited gaps in RERA rules of some states. For instance, the Uttar Pradesh RERA rules do not mandate parking funds in an escrow account for projects that started before May 1, 2017. Had it applied to all ongoing projects before May 1, 2017 the funding for most of the incomplete RERA projects would have been sorted, said a lawyer who did not wish to be identified. The RERA rules framed for the union territories had categorically stated that promoters of ongoing projects are required to set aside 70% of funds collected for specific project in a separate escrow account. Some states such as Uttarakhand, Orissa and Bihar have adopted the central RERA rules. Maharashtra and Gujarat rules stipulate that only 70 percent of funds collected in the future, after May 01, 2017, have to be kept aside in an escrow account. The Uttar Pradesh RERA rules are silent, which builders have taken advantage of to siphon off funds. BUYERS AS BUILDERS Exasperated buyers are now beginning to come forward to turn builders themselves. RERA rules allow this and the few cases, if successfully tested, can well serve as the proof of concept for this model. The Maharashtra real estate regulator has already come with a standard operating procedure (SOP) that allowed homebuyers to remove a developer in case the project is not completed on time. The SOP allows a homebuyers association that enjoys the backing of at least 51 percent of its members to remove the developer from a much-delayed project. It even empowers the association to even cancel the developers registration under the MahaRERA Act. Last year, the UP RERA decided to consider a proposal by defrauded homebuyers to take over and complete a project in Noida that had been delayed by several years. Prima facie, this appears to be an excellent move and will also set a very good precedent. But, it is also very important to know (a) how the project will be funded and (b) if the builder has taken more money than what work has been done by him and how RERA plans to recover the excess money from him, said Abhay Upadhyay, President, Forum For People's Collective Efforts. Experts, however, sounded a caveat. Authorities taking over incomplete projects should be an exception, rather than a norm because under RERA a builder should adhere to the rules, with strict penalties for violation. Also, it may be difficult for RERA to undertake a project from scratch. Doing something from scratch is very difficult. We will not advise it. It all depends on the size of the project and should be taken up on a case-to-case basis. It is not something that can be applied across the board, said a lawyer who did not wish to be identified. CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE RERAs institutionalisation was predicated upon customer centricity. The state bodies were expected to play the role of a strict referee that would instill the fear of law among deceitful builders. Three years later, customers say, the job remains half done. The two main issues that homebuyers face today are to do with lack of confidence about execution of RERA orders by realty companies, and multiple forums for grievance redressal. A mere RERA registration does not guarantee that a project will be delivered on time. An under-construction project, therefore, continues to remain a risky bet despite RERA. This is because RERA authorities are not taking proactive steps to ensure that all provisions are being complied with by the builder, nor are they monitoring the progress of the projects. They should ensure that projects are granted extension only under exceptional circumstances, said Upadhyay, president of Fight for RERA, an umbrella body of homebuyers. There are also instances where realty companies have given different timelines to homebuyers and the authority. A builder cannot change timelines. At best, he can only ask for a one year extension from the regulatory authority. If the builder changes timelines he is liabile to pay penalty. Authorities should be on their toes to address the issue, said lawyer quoted earlier. What is needed are speedier clearances and cutting down of bureaucratic red tape. The government should expedite a single window clearance mechanism for the real estate sector. The clearance and approval process for residential real estate projects has been an impediment for a long time. After RERA was launched, it became all the more important to facilitate smooth clearances and approvals so that there are no execution delays due to procedural hindrances, said Amit Ruparel, managing director, Ruparel Realty. Most contracts with homebuyers were changed after RERA came into effect from May 1, 2017. This has complicated timeline commitments. For most projects those timelines are almost ending. It is for RERA authorities to now start mapping those projects to see if there are delays and to start sending out show cause notices to developers. RERAs job is not merely to register a project but also to map the projects and ensure that their timelines are being met, said the lawyer who did not wish to be identified. That said, the process is evolving in the right direction, albeit slowly, expert said. Things are changing for the better. Generally, players are far more accountable and cannot easily get away with breaking the RERA rules. While the redressal of complaints is not satisfactory for many, consumers are coming forward in large numbers to register complaints across states. The Wild West days of Indian real estate are definitely over, says Anuj Puri, chairman, ANAROCK Property Consultants. Project and real estate agent registrations have been rising steadily. For instance, in Andhra Pradesh as many as 307 projects were registered under RERA as on date, a five-fold increase from 61 in November 2018. Maharashtra is currently the most active state having the highest project registrations with more than 20,718 projects under MahaRERA so far, and nearly 19,699 RERA-registered real estate agents. Project registration in Karnataka currently stands at 2530 projects and 1342 RERA-registered real estate agents, says data shared by ANAROCK. Gujarat has 5,317 RERA-registered projects and 899 registered agents and agencies. RERA, accompanied by reduced GST rates, has helped in bringing back consumer confidence and the trust factor which the industry lacked, said Rahul Grover, president, Sales and Operations at Sai Estate Consultants. (This is part of a series of pieces on issues plaguing the real estate sector) Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal talked to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav over the phone on May 21 to discuss the strategy to be followed after the announcement of the general election results on May 23. Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh told reporters here that the two leaders decided that their priority is to stop the Bharatiya Janata Party from returning to power at the Centre. Singh also met Yadav in Lucknow and they discussed the current political situation. Yadav posted a picture on Twitter of him and Singh together, saying "AAP ke saath". Kejriwal responded to the tweet, saying, "We are also with you Akhilesh ji". On May 20, Yadav met his alliance partner in Uttar Pradesh and BSP chief Mayawati in Lucknow for almost an hour. The meeting happened a day after most of the exit polls suggested that the BJP would win a clear majority for a second term at the Centre. On May 19, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu met Yadav and Mayawati separately in Lucknow to discuss the possibility of non-BJP parties coming together if election results on May 23 throw up a hung parliament. On May 18, Naidu had paid a "courtesy visit" to Kejriwal. Several opposition parties have rejected the exit poll predictions and they have been making their moves to stitch a non-BJP coalition before the results are declared. Bangladesh high commission in Islamabad has stopped issuing visas to Pakistani nationals for one week over a fresh diplomatic row, a Bangladeshi official said Tuesday, amid strained bilateral ties since 2013 when Dhaka decided to hang several of the 1971 war criminals. The diplomatic row between Bangladesh and Pakistan is on the rise since last year when Dhaka denied a visa to the Pakistan high commissioner. "You can call it a sign of protest against the Pakistani gesture," a Bangladeshi foreign ministry official familiar with the development told PTI. The foreign office in Dhaka, however, is yet to make any formal confirmation and no official notification has been issued on the halting of visas to the Pakistani nationals. But the official, who preferred anonymity, said the Bangladeshi diplomat in charge of issuing visas refrained from processing the application by Pakistanis as Pakistani authorities had been sitting on his own official visa renewal application for the past four months. Pakistani high commission in Dhaka is not processing his family members' visa applications, barring Bangladesh high commission's press and visa affairs councillor Iqbal Hossain from meeting his family, the official said. "Issuance of any visa to Pakistani nationals remains suspended as the visa counter in Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad has been closed since last Monday [May 13]," Dhaka Tribune quoted Hossain as saying. The Bangladeshi councillor said they had informed the South Asia wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Pakistan. According to the officials, Hossain is living in Islamabad with his daughter while his wife and son were in Dhaka. No official in the Pakistani high commission was immediately available for comments over the impasse. Pakistan apparently has delayed the renewal of the visa after Dhaka refused to accept the nomination of the new high commissioner of Pakistan to Bangladesh for over a year. In March 2018, Pakistan Foreign Ministry proposed Saqlain Syedah as its new high commissioner to Bangladesh. Bangladesh refused to accept Syedah's "agreement" (documents related to proposal of nomination) as Pakistan high Commissioner. Six months later, Bangladesh verbally notified Pakistan that it cannot accept Syedah's nomination, and asked for an alternative nomination. Pakistan has not come up with any alternative nominations yet. The row over the 1971 war criminals' trials visibly prompted Bangladesh not to clear the credentials of the proposed Pakistani high commissioner to Dhaka. Syedah is now appointed as high commissioner to Kenya, according to an announcement by Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday. According to a report in Pakistani media, the foreign ministry made a suggestion to Prime Minister Imran Khan to downgrade Bangladeshi mission in Islamabad as Pakistani mission in Dhaka was being run by a consular level officer. Pakistan's national and provincial assemblies in recent years passed several resolutions while several of their ministers too issued statements protesting trial of the top 1971 collaborators of Pakistani troops in Bangladesh. The move prompted the foreign office in Dhaka to summon repeatedly Islamabad's envoy to be handed down protest notes. Five top collaborators of the Pakistani army, four being leaders of fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami which opposed the country's 1971 independence from Pakistan, have so far been executed after their trial in Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal. The strained bilateral relations worsened in 2016 when Bangladesh forced Islamabad to take back three of its officials, including a woman diplomat, alleging their links to Islamist militants. Diplomatic negotiations between the two countries are at a standstill for a few years now over Dhaka alleging Pakistani high commission of financing terrorist activities in the country. Foreign secretary-level talks have not taken place between the two countries in the past four years now. File image Joining the ongoing controversy over EVMs, former President Pranab Mukherjee on May 21 expressed concern over the alleged tampering of voters' verdict saying the onus of ensuring institutional integrity lies with the Election Commission, which should put all speculation to rest. He also said there can be no room for speculation that challenge the very basis of Indian democracy. "I am concerned at reports of alleged tampering of voters' verdict. The safety and security of EVMs which are in the custody of ECI is the responsibility of the Commission," he said in a statement posted on his Twitter handle. People's mandate is sacrosanct and has to be above any iota of reasonable doubt, he said. "The onus of ensuring institutional integrity in this case lies with the Election Commission of India. They must do so and put all speculation to rest," he said. Mukherjee said as a firm believer in the country's institutions, it is his considered opinion that it is the 'workmen' who decide how the institutional 'tools' perform. Protests broke out in some parts of Uttar Pradesh on May 21 after videos of alleged movement and tampering of EVMs went viral on social media, a charge dismissed by the EC as "frivolous" and "unfounded". The Congress said the EC should take immediate and effective steps to address the complaints of movement of EVMs from strongrooms from various parts of the country. Top opposition leaders, who met on May 21, also decided to move the EC to press for their demand of tallying the paper trail of votes (VVPATs) with the EVM figures. Representative image Even a drop of pollution in Ganga is a matter of concern and the attitude of all authorities should be stringent to protect the river, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has said while seeking concrete action plan on the issue. A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel pulled up the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) over its action plan for Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal and said it does not show concrete plans with prompt timelines and effort in prohibiting pollution. "The NMCG has not filed the precise information about the status of projects planned and executed between Kanpur to Ganga Sagar. Thus, the affidavit of the NMCG is of no assistance. The counsel appearing for the NMCG is not ready and is merely dependent on Praveen Kumar, Director (Technical), NMCG who is also not competent to assist this tribunal. "During the interaction, we find his approach to be to help the polluters instead of remedying the pollution which is the mandate of law and the orders of this tribunal," the bench, also comprising Justices S P Wangdi and K Ramakrishnan, said. It asked the NMCG to take remedial action so that assistance of a suitable person is provided to this tribunal with precise information failing which the tribunal may consider coercive measures against it. The tribunal also asked the concerned states to take the matter seriously and assist the bench with precise information either through senior officers or through counsel. "No counsel is present on behalf of Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. It is the responsibility of all the five states to ensure that water quality at every point meets the standards and if there is a violation, the violators are proceeded against in accordance with the law by way of prosecution, closure of polluting activities and payment of compensation for damage to the environment. "We direct Uttarakhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and West Bengal to place the status of water quality in the respective states on their websites and update the same on a monthly basis indicating fitness of water at various places for drinking or bathing purposes. The CPCB may indicate water quality of the Ganga river at boundaries of the said states on its website," the tribunal said. It said as already directed, flood plains may be duly demarcated; encroachments prohibited and removed, biodiversity parks set up and afforestation undertaken. No amount of wealth generation or commercial or industrial activities can get priority over cleanliness of the Ganga river, it said. "Any individual or establishment violating the environmental norms with respect to the Ganga river must be strictly dealt with under the law and special cells must be created in the concerned states to monitor such action on a daily basis. "Such action can be a model to deal with pollution of all other rivers in the country. It is a matter of regret that as per report of the CPCB, 351 river stretches are polluted in the country," it said. The tribunal noted that it had directed chief secretaries of all the states and Union Territories to monitor this aspect along with other important issues. "Till date, chief secretaries or administrators of 32 states and UTs out of 36 states and UTs have appeared in person. This tribunal has directed highest level monitoring to deal with the situation at the state-level as well as national-level. The Ganga river needs attention at the highest level. "We hope that this seriousness will be realised by the concerned states, NMCG and the Ministry of Water Resources and steps will be taken in the right earnestness in compliance of order of this tribunal," it said. The bench said every time the progress has been found to be unsatisfactory, it will now have no option but to take more stringent measures unless satisfactory remedial action is taken. The matter is listed for next hearing on May 29. The tribunal had earlier said the water of the Ganga river, between Haridwar and Unnao in Uttar Pradesh, was unfit for drinking and bathing, and expressed anguish over the situation. The green panel had said people drank and bathed in the river with reverence, without knowing that it may adversely affect their health. Eminent Indian experts in the US believe that the next Indian government to be formed after the declaration of the election results on May 23 faces crucial foreign policy decisions, particularly in the economic realm. "No matter who forms the next government, India faces crucial foreign policy decisions particularly in the economic realm," Alyssa Ayres of the Council on Foreign Relations told PTI. Author of the book "Our time has come: How India is making its place in the world", Ayres, who served in the previous Obama Administration, said although the US-India relationship has made solid strides across governments in defence and security, there are increased tensions on the trade and economic front. "I would also expect to see increased attention in the United States (particularly among members of Congress) to issues of religious freedom in India, especially given the tenor of the elections these past few weeks," Ayres said. In an op-ed titled "Troubles Aplenty: Foreign Policy Challenges for the Next Indian Government", senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Ashley Tellis stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who the exit polls predicted to be reelected, will have to confront serious external challenges both around India's periphery and farther beyond. "If India is to realise its great power ambitions in the decades to come, the next government will have to accelerate economic reforms domestically, strengthen India's institutions, preserve its constitutional ethos and protect the nation's internal cohesion, all of which have floundered dangerously in recent years," Tellis wrote. Associate professor of practice and fellow at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies Joshua White asserted that though there are many things the new government can and should do to move beyond its election-induced foreign policy "lethargy" of the previous year, economic reforms are arguably the most vital. A former White House and Pentagon official under the previous Obama Administration, White believes that with the partial exception of Vice-President Mike Pence, the new Indian government will find itself lacking through no fault of its own effective high-profile champions in the Trump administration, and will be forced to engage an American policymaking apparatus dominated by trade hawks, who see the relationship in narrow transactional terms. "While policy experts in Washington have largely assumed that Prime Minister Modi's cautious foreign policy turn has been a product of his election imperatives, there is a growing anxiety that President Trump may have, in more fundamental ways, prompted New Delhi to question the assumptions that undergird deeper US-India alignment," White told PTI. Whoever comes to power will face a multitude of foreign policy challenges that are only growing in number and complexity, noted Anish Goel, a senior fellow at the New America think-tank. "First and foremost is the relationship with the United States. Given President Trump's relentless focus on trade issues, the new government will need to figure out how to put the trade relationship on a positive footing, and at the very least prevent any disagreements on trade from overwhelming the other more positive aspects of the strategic partnership," Goel, a former White House official under the Obama and Bush administrations, told PTI. This is complicated by the fact that the relationship will need to be balanced against India's ongoing interactions with Russia and Iran. Both countries represent strategic threats to the United States, yet remain vital trading partners for India, he said. Beyond these global power politics, India will face challenges within its own neighbourhood, Goel said. While tensions with Pakistan are perpetually simmering, they are even more heightened at the moment because the after-effects of the Pulwama-Balakot crisis have not been fully resolved and continue to linger, he added. "As the United States looks for an exit ramp from Afghanistan, India-Pakistan relations will take on even greater importance. In addition, Sri Lanka has flared up as an unexpected regional challenge for India. After nearly a decade of relative peace on the island, the Easter Sunday terrorist bombings highlighted how terrorism can take root in the region," Goel said. "And finally, India must reckon with China," the former White House official said in response to a question. The world's attention may be focused on US-China relations at the moment, but this doesn't mean that India-China issues are not serious and prevalent. "China's increasing assertiveness will continue to cause concern in New Delhi. India has already expressed its displeasure with the Belt Road Initiative, but the reality is that the project is moving forward. The question now becomes what is India going to do in response," Goel said. According to Tellis, at a time when India's external environment has grown more precarious because of the weakening liberal international order, China's continuing ascendancy and assertiveness, and the prevailing capriciousness in Washington, continued stumbles in New Delhi will end up being cumulatively costly and will subvert India's larger ambitions even more consequentially. "Today, when India's claims to exceptionalism will not suffice to either protect its security or to increase its influence, its missteps within will have outsized impact abroad," he warned. "We must be ready to dare all for our country. For history does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid. We must acquire proficiency in defense and display stamina in purpose." - President Eisenhower, First Inaugural Address Representative image Career diplomat Moin-ul-Haq has been appointed as Pakistan's new High Commissioner to India to start a new process of engagement with the country where a new government will be formed soon, amid strained relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday approved appointments of over two dozen ambassadors in various countries including India, China and Japan. Haq, in his mid-fifties is the current ambassador to France. He has previously served as chief of protocol at the Foreign Office. He joined Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1987 and was posted in countries like Turkey, Canada and Sri Lanka. The post of High Commissioner to India fell vacant after Sohail Mehmood was appointed Pakistan's new foreign secretary in April. The decision came after a detailed meeting with Prime Minister Khan, who formally approved the new appointments, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said in a video message on Monday night. Qureshi said, "New Delhi, India, is very importantAfter consultation I have decided to appoint Moin-ul-Haq, the current ambassador in France, who will be sent to Delhi, and I hope that he (Haq) will deliver." Qureshi said that Indian elections were coming to an end and it was possible that after the elections a new process of engagement could start. The results of India's general election would be announced on May 23. The relationship between the two neighbouring nations currently is at all-time low after a Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) suicide bomber attacked a CRPF convoy in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14 that killed 40 soldiers. Amid mounting outrage, the Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out a counter-terror operation, hitting what it said was a JeM training camp in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan on February 26. The next day, the PAF retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in an aerial combat and captured an IAF pilot, who was later released and handed over to India on March 1. Qureshi expressed hope that Haq would perform his new job with best of his abilities. Since assuming the office in August last year, Prime Minister Khan repeatedly reached out to India for the resumption of peace talks on all outstanding issues. But India has made it clear to Pakistan that terrorism and dialogue will not go hand-in-hand. Confirming other major appointments, the foreign minister said Naghmana Hashmi, career diplomat, is being sent to China, which is "very important" country for Pakistan. She will replace Masood Khalid, the incumbent envoy to China, after completion of his tenure. Additional Secretary Imtiaz Ahmad was appointed ambassador to Japan while Zaheer Janjua, currently serving as additional secretary to Europe, was sent to Pakistani mission in Brussels. Additional Secretary Amina Baloch was appointed Ambassador in Malaysia, Javed Khattak in Portugal, Saqlain Sayeda in Kenya, Rukhsana Afzal in Singapore, Khalid Jamali in Czech Republic and Ataul Munim in Algeria. Sarfaraz Ahmad appointed as ambassador to Sudan, Imran Haider was appointed as ambassador in Tajikistan, Major General Abdul Aziz Tariq in Brunei and Major General Muhammad Khalid Rao in Bosnia Herzegovina. Qureshi said council generals appointed included Khalid Majeed in Jeddah, Ayesha Abbas Khan in New York. Ambassador in Kuwait Ghulam Dastagir will replace Muazzam Ali Khan in Abu Dhabi, while Qazi Khalilullah, serving as ambassador in Russia, was being given an extension of six months. Qureshi hoped that the newly-appointed ambassadors and consul generals will play a pivotal in promoting the soft image of Pakistan and will adopt the best behaviour with Pakistani community living abroad. Sujata Anandan An hour after voting on April 29, which was the fourth and last phase of polling in Maharashtra, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar was back in the drought-affected region of Marathwada talking to farmers who have no water, no food and no fodder for their cattle. Pawar pointed fingers at the Devendra Fadnavis-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government and promised the farmers he would help to get them their dues. It was as though the campaign had not ended. A few days later he was in Punjab, still in the throes of election, studying how sugar is made from beet. His plan is to introduce this in Maharashtra so that farmers can benefit from an alternative to cane sugar, the irrigation of which is responsible for the massive depletion of the state's water resources. In the event of a scanty monsoon, which many are predicting to be the case this year, water is likely to be a major poll issue in the upcoming Maharashtra polls. This could be why Fadnavis hotfooted it to the Mahakaleshwar temple at Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh to pray for ample rainfall. Both Pawar and Fadnavis actually have their eye on the Maharashtra assembly elections due in October and cannot let their guard down even though polls for the 48 Lok Sabha seats are over and results a few days away. Even Sanjay Nirupam, the combative former Mumbai Congress chief, continued to be aggressive and expressed no contrition for describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as Aurangzeb, despite a notice from the Election Commission of India (ECI). Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray who took a few days off after election campaigning, particularly against Modi, once again went after the PM lambasting him for his comments against the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The MNS did not contest the general elections and Raj Thackerays campaign could benefit the Congress in return for which he is expecting some accommodation by the party during the assembly elections. Raj Thackerays nephew and Shiv Sena leader Aditya Thackeray too was on a soft campaign trail while talking about reviving Mumbai's night life and making the city glitzier and less shabby than it has become over the years. Ironically, the Shiv Sena has been governing the municipal corporation for 25 years and is currently being blamed for all the city's ills. The stakes are very high for all political parties with too little time to shake off their campaign boots as in a few months time the model code of conduct will come into effect again. While much will depend on how each party does when the results are out on May 23, the Shiv Sena is worried it may lose a substantial number of seats. And while a dismal performance in the Lok Sabha might itself not be devastating, its impact on the assembly polls is what is giving the party sleepless nights. Raj Thackeray has re-emerged as a challenger and is expected to contest a substantial number of seats in the assembly polls. That is likely to dent the Shiv Sena majorly and if it fails to do well in October, when the elections are likely to happen, it could virtually be the end of the party. For that very reason, Pawar is keeping his campaign boots on and not easing off the pressure on the ruling party. Of all the political parties in Maharashtra, it is the NCP that cannot afford to remain out of power any longer. It has high stakes among farmers and the co-operative sector, which the BJP governments decisions over the past five years has adversely affected. In an attempt to strike a body blow to the NCP, and by extension the Congress, during demonetisation not only were co-operative banks not allowed to exchange old notes for new (which affected the poor farmers badly) but the government also tried to overturn the boards of the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees, which are peopled mostly by NCP stalwarts. The government delayed the purchases of agricultural produce from farmers every year for the same reason in order to show the Congress-NCP down. That has led to substantially more rural distress in Maharashtra, which was described as the angriest state in India this election season. Pawar wishes to keep that anger alive, not just among farmers but also various other communities, such as the Marathas and the Dalits in the wake of the reservation agitation. To combat that Fadnavis is back at work circumventing the model code of conduct on the grounds that it no longer applies to Maharashtra, which has already voted. He is shaking up the administration to address the severe drought facing the rural parts to such an extent that setting up cattle camps to provide the animals, already overrunning the depleted farms because of a cow slaughter ban, with fodder and water has become inevitable. Needlessly to say, none of these leaders would have denied themselves a cool break after the hot summer campaigning had it not been for the upcoming assembly polls. The heat is still on and the stakes are very high. Sujata Anandan is a senior journalist and author. Views are personal. For more Opinion pieces, click here External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj arrived in the Kyrgyz capital on on May 21 to attend a two-day meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) during which several pressing issues including the threat of terrorism are expected to be discussed. Swaraj was given a traditional welcome on her arrival. The External Affairs Ministry in New Delhi said on May 20 that the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) will exchange views on topical issues of international and regional importance, besides reviewing the preparation for the SCO Summit in Bishkek from June 13-14. "External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will be representing India in the meeting of Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to be held in Bishkek on May 21-22," it said. India became a full member of the the China-dominated grouping in 2017 and New Delhi's entry has increased the bloc's heft in regional geo-politics, besides giving it a pan-Asian hue. India is also keen on deepening its security-related cooperation with the SCO and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS), which specifically deals with issues relating to security and defence. Swaraj's programme in Bishkek will include a joint call of SCO Foreign Ministers on Kyrgyz President Sooranbay Jeenbekov. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi will also attend the meeting. Last month, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attended the SCO Defence Ministers' conclave in Bishkek. India was an observer at the SCO since 2005 and has generally participated in the ministerial-level meetings of the grouping which focus mainly on security and economic cooperation in the Eurasian region. Along with India, Pakistan was also granted the SCO membership in 2017. The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal talked to Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav over phone on Tuesday to discuss the strategy to be followed after the announcement of the Lok Sabha poll results on Thursday. Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh told reporters here that the two leaders held talks over phone. Singh also met Yadav in Lucknow and discussed the political situation prevailing in the country. He said Kejriwal and Yadav talked about the strategy to be followed after the announcement of the poll results. Singh added that their priority was to stop the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from forming the government. On May 17, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu had paid a "courtesy visit" to Kejriwal. The results of the just-concluded, seven-phased Lok Sabha polls will be announced on May 23. Rahul Gandhi fought his first election as the President of the Grand Old Party in late 2017. Assembly elections were being held in Gujarat in November-December 2017, and Rahul Gandhi was seen campaigning extensively across the state. Although Rahul couldnt wrest their bastion from the BJP, he did manage to abridge the victory margin, landing just 22 seats short of the BJP, which finished at 99. He termed this a moral victory. Come the next Assembly elections in 2018, where the Hindi heartland states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan went to polls. All three BJP bastions were wrested from the party by a resurgent Congress which surprised many. While in Chhattisgarh, the Congress was in clear majority, in Madhya Pradesh, the BJP lost by a close shave. It was on the basis of these victories that the Congress fought the 2019 general election, holding on to the hope that Rahul Gandhi will kick the party towards a nationwide resurgence. However, exit polls have made the mood in the Congress lobbies sombre, awarding the BJP-led NDA a thumping majority. The News18 IPSOS exit polls suggest that the UPA is set to win only around 82 seats, with the Congress getting a dismal 46, two seats more than their 2014 tally. If exit polls were anything to go by, Congress results paint a tragic picture for the party, which was posing as frontrunner for the anti-BJP alliance at the Centre. The party has lost the Hindi heartland states where they had emerged victorious just six months ago. Besides, in Karnataka, where the germ of an anti-BJP coalition was born with the Congress-JD(S) forming the government in May 2018, the Congress is looking at losing seats vis-a-vis their 2014 tally. This could ostensibly be attributed to the instability of the Congress-JD(S) combine. In all of this, the Congress promise of farm loan waivers seems to have lost its sheen. Read Also | Can 2019 exit polls turn out to be wrong like 2004? In addition, Rahul Gandhis candidature from Wayanad doesnt seem to have borne fruit in Kerala, where the UDF is seen losing seats to the Left Democratic Front (LDF). In West Bengal too, the Grand Old Party stands decimated. In the northern states, where the Gandhi familys newest political member was seen campaigning for the party, the results project a certain stoicism towards her. Although Priyanka Gandhi was successful in drawing crowds, she wasnt able to draw the votes; with Punjab being the only consolation, where the IPSOS exit polls have slated 10 seats for the Congress, a significant increase from three in the 2014 elections. The Congress must die. If it could not stop the BJP in this election to save the idea of India, this party has no positive role in Indian history. Today it represents the single biggest obstacle to creation of an alternative. My reaction to @sardesairajdeep https://t.co/IwlmBmf75d Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) May 19, 2019 Even though most Congress leaders have rejected the projections of the exit polls, they have given a drift of the political winds. In fact, politician-psephologist Yogendra Yadav has tweeted that the Congress must die since it has failed to provide an effective anti-BJP force to save the idea of India. The road ahead of the Congress is that of survival. The party needs a fresh campaign as regurgitating issues like the Rafale deal, demonetisation, Gabbar Singh Tax, jobs is not quite stirring the electorate as the party would have wanted to. Unfortunately for the party, even their flagship NYAY scheme didnt have many takers, vis-a-vis the BJPs focus on issues of national security. The Congress can now strive to hold their ground in states where the party is in power, and work exceptionally hard to cover more ground in the Assembly polls to come, in order for them to be nationally relevant. Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has cancelled his scheduled visit to Delhi on May 21, where he was expected to take part in a meeting of opposition leaders over the issue of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), official sources said. "The proposed visit of the chief minister to New Delhi today stands cancelled," the CMO said, without specifying any reasons. According to the schedule of the chief minister shared with the media earlier, Kumaraswamy was to leave for Delhi by a special flight at 11 am and take part in meetings, before heading back to the city in the evening. According to JD(S) sources, the chief minister was to take part in the meeting of opposition leaders over the EVM issue. Ahead of the Lok Sabha poll results on May 23, leaders of various opposition parties would meet the Election Commission (EC) and raise the issue of tallying paper trail of votes (VVPATs) with EVM figures. Opposition parties are demanding tallying of VVPAT slips with EVM figures in an entire Assembly constituency in case a discrepancy is found in any polling booth. The court has asked the EC to tally the VVPAT slips with EVM figures of five polling stations in each Assembly constituency across the country, which may delay the results. Kumaraswamy had on May 20 voiced concern over the vulnerability of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Hitting out at exit polls, the chief minister in a series of tweets had alleged that this "artificially engineered" or "manufactured" Modi wave is being used by the BJP to lure regional parties well in advance to fill any shortfall after the results on May 23. Most exit polls on Sunday had forecast another term for Modi, with some of them projecting that the BJP-led NDA would get more than 300 seats to comfortably cross the majority mark of 272 in the Lok Sabha. The BJP would win big in Karnataka, the pollsters have predicted with the saffron party increasing its tally compared last time. Majority of the exit polls have predicted the BJP winning over 21 out of total 28 seats, compared to 17 last time. Speculation is rife in political circles that any adverse results for Congress-JD(S) alliance in this polls, would have its implications on the longevity of the Kumaraswamy-led government in Karnataka. Representative image Amid poor numbers given by exit polls to the Congress in the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections, senior Congress leader Roshan Baig dropped hints of quitting the party, and humbly appealed to Muslims to compromise with the situation, if NDA returns to power. "Well if NDA is coming back to power, I humbly appeal to Muslim brothers to learn to compromise with the situation," he told a section of media here. Asked if that means Muslims should join hands with BJP, Baig said if need arises, they must as the Congress had given just one ticket to a Muslim leader in Karnataka. "If needs be, (Muslims) must join hands. We must not remain loyal to one party. What happened to Muslims in Karnataka? The Congress gave just one seat," he blurted. Asked if he will take a decision to quit Congress in coming days, Baig said if needs be, he would do it. "If needs be, I will do it because we (Muslims) cannot remain in a party with disgrace. We live our lives with grace and dignity. Where we will not get respect, we will not want to remain there. If someone makes us sit with love and affection, we will sit with them," he said. Asked whom would he blame for the present condition of the Muslims in Karnataka, Baig pointed fingers at KPCC President Dinesh Gundu Rao for conducting "flop poll campaign" and also attacked CLP leaders including Siddaramaiah for the same. "I hold Dinesh Gundu Rao for conducting a flop poll campaign. Moreover, CLP leaders who were flying high in the sky should come to terms with ground realities," he added. Baig said he was not surprised by exit poll numbers as from the very beginning he knew Congress would not get good numbers because of the "flop poll campaigning" of the party. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on May 21 claimed that "negative elements" were trying to disrupt the ongoing process to update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and his government was determined to thwart any such attempts. Sonowal also asked "genuine" Indian citizens not to panic as their concerns would be adequately addressed in the mega exercise aimed at identifying those illegal immigrants who had entered the state after 1971. "There are some negative elements. These negative elements are trying to disrupt the smooth proceedings of the NRC update. The state government is alive to the situation. "There are some groups which are trying to create unrest in Assam in the name of NRC. Our government is determined to thwart any such attempts," he told PTI. Sonowal is in the national capital and he held a meeting with Home Minister Rajnath Singh and top officials of the Union Home Ministry to review the present security scenario in the state and preparation to deal with any possible law and order situation which may arise after the publication of the final NRC on July 31. "Both the state and the central government will take adequate steps for peaceful publication of the NRC. I appeal to the people to extend cooperation, the way they did during the publication of the draft last year," he said. The chief minister said grievances of all bonafide Indian citizens will be adequately addressed in the update process of the NRC, a list of Assam's residents. "No one should panic. No genuine Indians will be harassed," he said. Sonowal warned extremist elements not to indulge in violence and said no such person will be spared. "Strong action will be taken against anyone who involves in violence or helps extremists. The state has recorded the most peaceful Lok Sabha elections. A record 81.52 percent people (of the electorate) exercised their franchise," he said. When the draft NRC was published on July 30, 2018, there was a huge controversy over the exclusion of 40.7 lakh people from it. The draft NRC included the names of 2.9 crore people out of the total 3.29 crore applications. Some 30 lakh of the 40.7 lakh people, left out of the draft of NRC, filed for inclusion of their names in the document. Around 600 objections were submitted by individuals who suspect the citizenship of others who made it to the list. The Supreme Court, which is monitoring the NRC update process, has made it clear that the final NRC has to be published on July 31, 2019. Of the 40.7 lakh people whose names did not figure in the draft NRC, 37.59 lakh names were rejected and the remaining 2,48,077 were on hold. However, they were given an opportunity to prove their Indian citizenship with 1971 as the cut-off year. The verification process is being carried out for these people who had submitted documents afresh. The Supreme Court-monitored NRC exercise, aimed at identifying illegal immigrants in the state that borders Bangladesh, was carried out only in Assam, which faced an influx of people from Bangladesh since the early 20th century. When the NRC was first prepared in Assam way back in 1951, the state had 80 lakh citizens. According to the 2011 census, Assam's total population is over 3.11 crore. The process of identification of illegal immigrants in the state has been widely debated and is a contentious issue in state politics. A six-year agitation demanding identification and deportation of illegal immigrants was launched by the All Assam Students Union in 1979. It culminated with the signing of the Assam Accord on August 15, 1985, in presence of the then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had claimed that the NRC exercise was carried out with a "political motive" to divide people and warned that it would lead to "bloodbath" and a "civil war" in the country. Following exclusion of over 40 lakh people in the draft NRC, Banerjee had also said those "Indian citizens have become refugees in their own land". She had alleged the NRC was an "attempt to evict Bengalis from Assam." live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Tata Motors, Indias fourth-largest carmaker, has welcomed the governments FAME-II scheme but hopes that private buyers of electric vehicles will also get incentives in the future. While the second phase of Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric and Hybrid (FAME-II) does not provide incentives to private electric vehicle buyers, benefits to the tune of Rs 1.38 lakh is given to non-private buyers. Without incentives, electric vehicles appear to be priced significantly higher, enough to discourage several private buyers. For instance, even with an incentive of Rs 1.24 lakh, the electric Tata Tigor (on sale only for a government company) is priced twice that of its petrol cousin. FAME-I had offered incentives regardless of the end use of the vehicles. The second version of the scheme, however, continues with its focus on both, electric and hybrid vehicles. Tata Motors has chosen to concentrate on electric vehicles. Speaking to Moneycontrol, Guenter Butschek, Managing Director, Tata Motors said, "We have always said that (FAME-II) should focus only on one technology as far as electrification is concerned. FAME addresses a lot of issues. I can sit and complain about that one particular element about the private buyer. But we appreciate all the positives about FAME-II." Some car makers who are lining up electric vehicle launches in the coming months voiced their concern over pulling out of incentives for private buyers under FAME-II. Top executives of Renault India and Hyundai India believe that government incentives are necessary to give electric vehicles the initial nudge. In a recent interview to Moneycontrol, SS Kim, President and Managing Director, Hyundai Motor India, said, "The cost of manufacturing an electric vehicle is much higher than making those with an internal combustion engine because the battery cost is extremely high. To aggressively go after EVs and hybrids, government support is critical in promoting its sales." However, Tata Motors believes private buyers were not the first choice for making electric cars available in mass numbers. "Volume-wise in the coming three years, this (private buying) is anyway not envisioned as a major play because getting into electrification for four wheeler business is about fleet and corporate trends. Such kind of incentive would have encouraged the private buyer. But the overall play in terms of volumes in the years to come they would have been a smaller portion. I still hope that there some room for discussion but this room is not going to be decisive for the success for electrification and e-mobility in India," added Butschek. In the petrol-diesel-CNG category, the share of car buyers that put their vehicle to commercial use has been on a decline for the last few years. From around 15-20 percent during its peak, their share has fallen to below eight percent as per estimates provided by car makers. The primary reason behind the fall is oversupply and falling incentives. These cars are put to use under Ola, Uber and other app-based and off-line taxi operators. Another rider in FAME-II states that only those EVs priced under Rs 15 lakh can benefit from this subsidy. A majority of electric and hybrid cars will be priced above that limit given that their local manufacturing or assembly will take time. A section of car makers believe that the Centre will come out with a revised FAME-II scheme after the new government assumes office in a few months. "Let us take what has been provided to us, it is a huge and incredible opportunity and we have to focus on it. The products that we are going to provide in the future will also target the private sector. People will buy with or without the incentive but the sales would accelerate with the incentive," added Butschek. South Korean auto major Hyundai on May 21 forayed into high selling compact SUV segment in India with the launch of new model 'Venue', priced in the range of Rs 6.5-11.1 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Venue comes with three engine options -- 1 litre turbo and 1.2 litre petrol powertrains besides 1.4 litre diesel engine -- and sits below the Creta in terms of price and positioning. The petrol variants are priced between Rs 6.5-11.1 lakh, while the diesel trims are tagged between Rs 7.75-10.84 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The model would compete with the likes of current market leader Maruti Vitara Brezza, Tata Motors Nexon, Ford EcoSport and Mahindra XUV300, that are priced between Rs 6.48-11.99 lakh. The compact SUV segment is the fastest growing vertical in the domestic market. "The Indian market is at the centre of Hyundai's global growth plan and the launch of Venue will strengthen our commitment to this market," Hyundai MD and CEO S S Kim told reporters. The company said it has invested $100 million (over Rs 690 crore) on the development of the model over a period of four years. Hyundai Venue comes with various India-specific connected features including a panic button for distressed situations. The company's BlueLink technology comes with 33 artificial intelligence and connected features, of which 10 have been specially designed for the Indian market. The model comes with various features including an electric sunroof, wireless phone charging, air purifier, cruise control, among others. Safety features on the model include six airbags, speed sensing auto-door lock, vehicle stability management, among others. As per the company, 1-litre petrol variant with manual transmission will deliver a fuel efficiency of 18.27 km/litre. The automatic trim with seven speed transmission would deliver a fuel efficiency of 18.15 km/litre. The 1.2-litre petrol variant comes with fuel efficiency figure of 17.52 km/litre while the 1.4-litre diesel trim would deliver a fuel efficiency of 23.7 km/litre, Hyundai claimed. The compact SUV would also be launched in various international markets including the US, Canada and Australia. The West Asian cauldron is cooking a bloody potion, which when served has the potential to numb the economic nerves of most nations, including India. There is heightened tension over the recent attack on two Saudi Arabian oil tankers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the kingdoms land installations by unidentified groups, leading to a sudden spike in crude oil prices of about 3 per cent. The build-up has picked up further momentum as the United States assembled military assets in the region, aiming to cow down Iran. This has been accompanied by an end to the waiver granted to eight countries, including India and China, which allowed them to continue buying oil from Tehran. The sanctions that kick in automatically aims at drying up the flow of Iranian crude. Supply worries are a major part of the problem. This is particularly true for India, as the Iranian crude came at a discount on price as well as lower cost of shipping, insurance and with a longer credit period. There may still be a small window available for getting crude as part of rupee trade with Iran, but there is no guarantee that such supplies could escape the prying eyes of US surveillance. Nearly a third of all crude flow happens through Irans strategic Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran has been using as a bargaining point in its tiff with the US. As US President Donald Trump announced walking out of the nuclear deal with Iran unilaterally, there have been apprehensions of Tehran trying to disrupt traffic through the channel. For the time being New Delhi has nothing much to worry about its inability to access Iranian crude as it has diversified the supply sources. India has a strategic partnership with the UAE, which supplies about 6 per cent of its crude imports. Should things come to a crunch, Abu Dhabi has secured its oil exports by building a strategic pipeline to the northern emirate of Fujairah, opening up a new supply route to the Indian Ocean bypassing Hormuz. However, India has a lot to worry about when it comes to the possible impact of a blockade enforced by Iran. Dubai-based oil analysts have indicated the possibility of supply disruptions on top of an already tight crude market sending oil prices violently upward. The tight market conditions had been caused by declines in production by Iran and Venezuela, along with outages in Russia owing to the Urals contamination as well as ongoing maintenance operations in Kazakhstan and the planned maintenance in the North Sea during the summer months. Some are even predicting another oil shock. An increase in crude prices is the last thing India would want, given that the economy is already struggling to get on an even keel in the wake of disruptions caused by demonetisation and hiccups in the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST). Although the government has been claiming steady progress by the economy, the numbers have hinted at serious underlying problems, which are bound to aggravate in the event of a further increase in the cost of petroleum imports. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was lucky that since his government assumed office in May 2014, the price of the Indian basket of crude oil had crashed: from $113 per barrel to $50 by next January. The dream run went on for another year when the price further tumbled to $29. This put the Modi government in a unique situation to manage fiscal deficit and allocate resources to the new government's priority programmes. However, halfway through his tenure oil price resumed moving in the reverse direction, as Modis oil stars seemed to start looking away and prices kept rising, giving the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) a serious drubbing in the December assembly elections, paving the way for Congress governments in three states. Modis oil luck seemed to shine again as hes about to end his tenure, helping him to leave price rise caused by high oil import bill as a campaign issue of any significance. If the May 23 results are in the BJPs favour, Modi may not have benevolent oil stars staring down bestowing their blessings. Instead, they will most likely be frowning. This applies to whichever party or alliance destined to take office. K Raveendran is a senior business journalist who worked in Dubai for over two decades. Views are personal. For more Opinion pieces, click here File image Amid all the uproar from the leaders of opposition parties, erstwhile president Pranab Mukherjee praised the Election Commission on Monday. Not only did he hail the institution, but also commented on individuals associated with the poll body when he said: only a poor workman blames his tools. According to a report by NDTV, he was probably referring to the multiple accusations of bias reported against the Election Commission, throughout the course of the national general election this year. Speaking at a book launch, the former president said: Institutions are fine, and these institutions are built over the years. I do believe only a bad workman quarrels with his tools. A good workman knows how to utilise these tools. Pranab Mukherjee, who has been a Congressman all his life until he became the President, made these remarks despite Congress chief Rahul Gandhi repeatedly accusing the Election Commission of being partial towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party the Bharatiya Janata Party. Notably, such allegations were levelled by Rahul and several other Opposition leaders after the Election Commission refused to take stringent action against any member of the saffron party for flouting the model code of conduct. Upholding the services rendered by the poll body over the years, Mukherjee said: If we want to strengthen institutions, we have to keep in mind that they have served duly in this country. If democracy has succeeded, it is largely because of the perfect conduct of elections by all Election Commissioners down the years, starting with Sukumar Sen to the present one. All have been appointed by the Executive and have done their job well. You cannot criticise them. Mukherjee also lauded the citizens of the country for taking part in the electoral process wholeheartedly. As many as 67.3 percent voters participated in this Lok Sabha election, which is more than 2/3rd, he said. Only recently, Rahul had lashed out at the election body on social media platform -- Twitter. He had tweeted: From electoral bonds and EVMs to manipulating the election schedule, NaMo TV, Modi's Army and now the drama in Kedarnath; the Election Commission's capitulation before Mr Modi and his gang is obvious to all Indians. Rahul also said that in the past, the election commission was feared and respected, which is no longer the case. British Queen Elizabeth II (Image: Wikimedia) The British Royal family is looking to hire a Digital Communication Officer. The royal communications team has posted on its job listing portal about the vacancy in the post of a social media manager, who will have to find new ways to maintain the Queen's presence in the public eye and on the world stage. The job location would be Buckingham Palace in London and the salary will be around 30,000 pounds annually, which is equivalent to Rs 26,57,655. It will be a permanent job, requiring 37.5 hours of work per week, from Monday to Friday. And if you think that is a lot then you are speaking too soon. As the job listing itself points out, 'millions of people across the world will be viewing your work. It will also be shared frequently by various news media outlets, earning the employee global recognition, which could well be considered the biggest reward." The benefit package of this royal post also includes a 15 percent employer contribution pension scheme (after 6 months), 33 days annual leave including bank holidays, free lunch, and access to training and development to support the constant professional development of the employee. Apart from taking care of the state visits and occasional Royal engagement, the social media manager will have to find new ways to maintain The Queen's presence in the public eye through social media. He or she will also have to uphold what the public role and work of The Royal Family entails while creating content for social networking and digital platforms. Create content for The Royal Familys newly launched website, including well-researched feature articles. Look into the daily news flow on digital and social media platforms. Ensure that the royal digital channels continue to hold the interest of the audiences. Educated to degree level with past experience of managing websites. Experienced in creating and publishing digital and social media content. Abreast of the latest digital communication developments. Innovative, with creative flair and compelling written and editorial skills, alongside expertise in crafting digital content for different audience groups. Good photography and video production skills, including live videos. Proactive with planning and execution and the ability to respond quickly to changing priorities. The job role does not end at that. Heres what else will be required from the successful candidate:The job listing portal has also listed out the eligibility requirements for the post. Here are the parameters the applicants need to meet to qualify: Toyota Motor Corp last month announced two deals in China that were small in size but large in strategic planning. The automaker said it would establish a green-tech research institute with Tsinghua University and provide state-owned BAIC Group's Foton unit with fuel-cell technology for buses. But before it could feel comfortable unveiling those plans, Toyota put in months of work to pledge fresh investment - in the United States. The technology transfers represent gestures of goodwill to Beijing by the Japanese automaker, which wants to "step on the accelerator in China" as CEO Akio Toyoda told an internal management group, according to minutes of meetings on March 19 and April 23 viewed by Reuters. Announcing U.S. investment first was a strategy Toyoda felt the company needed to pursue to avoid U.S. President Donald Trump's wrath, the minutes showed - providing a rare window into how it has sought to tread carefully as the United States and China battle for investment, jobs and influence in the global economy. "For Toyota to operate globally, we need to strike a fine balance between China and the United States," the March 19 minutes quoted Toyoda as saying. "It's imperative to avoid making enemies." According to the April 23 minutes, the Japanese automaker is making what one unnamed senior executive described as a "significant move to steer its focus to China" a a market where it is far behind industry leaders Volkswagen AG and General Motors Co. Toyota declined to comment on its internal meetings. Its pivot to China - one that many other global automakers are also making - has been made easier by a thaw in ties between China and Japan but complicated by Trump's trade policies. That includes the trade war between Washington and Beijing as well as threats from Trump to impose tariffs of up to 25% on imported cars made by foreign automakers. On Friday, Trump declared that some imported vehicles and parts pose a national security threat, although he delayed a decision for as long as six months on whether to impose tariffs. In response, Toyota issued one of its strongest messages on potential tariffs to date, calling the designation "a major set-back for American consumers, workers and the auto industry" and saying it sent the message "our investments are not welcomed." LOVE FOR AMERICA Toyota has been at pains to show its commitment to the United States, and in the March 19 minutes Toyoda explained a fresh investment of $749 million in U.S. manufacturing capacity and jobs as "an essential" step before it could speed up efforts to expand in China. Announcing the new investment on March 14, Toyota stressed the sum helped bump up a five-year investment pledge made in 2017 to almost $13 billion from $10 billion. The day following the announcement, Toyoda also spoke before the Economic Club of Washington, declaring: "I love America". "I just don't understand why we are called a national security threat and it pains my heart," Toyoda said in answer to a question after his speech. "One thing I would promise, no matter what direction the discussion takes us is that Toyota will not leave America." Though many other automakers, including U.S. automakers, have announced investments in the United States since Trump came to power in 2017, the near $13 billion pledged by Toyota is the biggest amount by far. Toyota would have pressed ahead with fresh U.S. investment even without its China plans, but there was much internal planning around how the announcements should be timed, company sources with knowledge of the matter said. The sources, who were not authorised to speak to media, declined to be identified. In a further sign of Toyota's careful approach to relations with Washington, board member Ikuro Sugawara was dispatched in April to meet with U.S. Ambassador William Hagerty at the U.S. embassy in Tokyo to give him the heads up that the two China deals would be announced. "I didn't think we needed to do that but the Ambassador commended our effort more than I had expected," the April 23 minutes quoted Sugawara, a former vice minister for trade, as saying. The U.S. embassy in Tokyo declined to comment on the specifics of the meeting, saying only it was in regular contact with Toyota and many other Japanese firms about their plans to continue investing in the United States. QUIET PIVOT TO CHINA For many automakers, the U.S. auto market is a key profit centre that generates industry-wide sales of about 17 million vehicles annually. But China has rapidly grown in importance - with 28 million vehicles sold in 2018 - and is drawing new investment from global automakers eager to keep up with its heavy promotion of electric cars. Toyota commands 14% of the U.S. market, but in China it had just 5.3% share last year and the 1.49 million vehicles it sold were less than half the volume sold by VW and GM. It is aiming to lift sales 10% every year over the next five or six years - roughly equivalent to 3 million cars annually by the mid-2020s, according to a source at a Toyota parts supplier, who declined to be identified as he did not work for the automaker. Asked about Toyota's China ambitions, a company spokesman said China was an important market and the automaker was looking at strengthening its base there so that it could propel the business forward. China has sometimes been a difficult market for Japanese companies due to historical reasons, with sales in 2012 taking a battering in the wake of diplomatic spats over disputed islets known as Diaoyu in China and Senkaku in Japan. But company sources say Toyota's pivot has gained steam on the back of an official visit to Japan in May last year by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, during which Toyoda accompanied Li on a tour of Toyota's facilities on the northern island of Hokkaido. Since then, Toyota has embarked on an expansion of its manufacturing muscle in China, with plans to add annual production capacity of 120,000 vehicles each at its Tianjin plant and at its Ghangzhou plant. It is also expanding distribution networks and is sharing technology to promote goodwill among Chinese leaders, Toyota sources have said. "We have full backing of the Chinese government, but we shouldn't take it for granted and must continue to make efforts consistently," the April 23 minutes quoted Toyoda as saying. In contrast to the automaker's efforts in the United States, Toyota is content to keep a relatively low profile with regards to its plans in China. Neither the Tianjin nor the Ghangzhou plans were formally announced by Toyota. Investment amounts have also not been disclosed. Last month a news conference for international media at the Shanghai auto show was cancelled - a move that one company source said was the result of a warning by Toyoda to be circumspect when dealing with the media on the topics of tariff hikes or U.S. import quotas. President Donald Trump is threatening to meet provocations by Iran with "great force," but says he's also willing to negotiate. Trump spoke to reporters as he left the White House evening en route to a rally in Pennsylvania. He says, "If they do something it will be met great force." But he adds, "We have no indication that they will." Still, he is not mincing his words, calling Iran "hostile" and the "No. 1 provocateur of terror." The administration recently sent an aircraft carrier and other military resources to the Persian Gulf region, and withdrew nonessential personnel from Iraq, raising alarms over the possibility of a confrontation with Iran. Trump had been downplaying the chances of potential conflict in recent days. The listing of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN Security Council has been termed as a "significant achievement" by the member nations in holding perpetrators, organisers and sponsors of acts of terrorism accountable. The 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the powerful Security Council blacklisted Azhar on May 1 after veto-wielding permanent member China lifted its technical hold on the proposal by the US, the UK and France to list him. It was a huge victory for India after a decade of relentless efforts to ban the mastermind of several terror attacks against India, including the deadly Pulwama attack against Indian security forces. The listing subjects Azhar to an assets freeze, travel ban and an arms embargo. "We are pleased that this month, the 1267 Committee designated Masood Azhar, leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed, and ISIL-Khorasan, a dangerous ISIS affiliate operating in Afghanistan and Pakistan, for UN sanctions, Ambassador Jonathan Cohen, Acting Permanent Representative of the US to the United Nations said at a Security Council semi-annual briefing here Monday by Chairs of subsidiary bodies of the Security Council. "Azhar's listing shows that the international community can and will hold terrorists accountable for their actions," he said. Last week, the 1267 Sanctions Committee sanctioned ISIL-Khorasan, a terror group also known as 'ISIL's South Asia Branch', formed in 2015 by a former Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan commander, that has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan. "The designation of ISIS-Khorasan demonstrates the Committee's commitment to ensuring that ISIS affiliates do not take up the mantle of a diminished ISIS core. In this vein, it is important that the Committee designate other ISIS affiliates who seek to replicate the destructions wrought in Iraq and Syria in new corners of the world. We commend our Security Council colleagues for supporting these important designations, Cohen said. Germany and Poland, who had also co-sponsored the proposal to blacklist the JeM chief, termed the listing of Azhar as a significant achievement by all members of the Security Council. It was a good signal, good sign for the work of this Committee that we were able earlier to have the listing of Masood Azhar. It was difficult for some but I think it was very important that we were able to overcome the obstacles, German Ambassador to the UN Christoph Heusgen said at the meeting. Poland's Permanent Representative to the UN Joanna Wronecka, without naming Azhar, said that she would like to "underline a significant achievement made by all Security Council member states which allowed listing of a person responsible for a deadly terrorist attack in the state of Jammu and Kashmir," a reference to the Pulwama terror attacks masterminded by Azhar. "We welcome progress achieved and encourage all States to work together in order to hold perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of acts of terrorism accountable, she said. China's representative Yao Shaojun said the 1267 Sanctions Committee represents an important counter-terrorism sanctions mechanism of the UN and the Security Council. It plays a significant role in assessing terrorist threats and strengthening sanctions measures. He said that Beijing supports the 1267 Committee in working under Council mandates, closely communicating with the countries concerned and bolstering cooperation with regional and sub-regional counter-terrorism mechanisms with a view to making greater contribution to international counter-terrorism efforts. "We hope that the Committee's work such as listing, exemption and de-listing will strictly abide by the relevant Council resolutions and the norms guiding the work of the Committee, uphold the principle of objectivity, impartiality and professionalism and base its work on solid evidence and consensus among parties so as to safeguard the authority and effectiveness of the sanctions mechanism," he said. Following the UNSC designation of Azhar, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang had said in Beijing that China lifted the technical hold after it found no objection to the listing proposal following a careful study of the "revised materials." Cohen added that the 1267, 1373 and 1540 Committees play a crucial and complementary role in assessing and countering global threats and they are invaluable in the fight against terrorism. "ISIS and Al Qaida are dynamic organisations, evolving with the pressure the international community brings to bear on them. The 1267 Committee must continue to keep up its pace to adapt to the evolving threat, he said. Azhar's listing came on the first day of Indonesia assuming the Presidency of the Council for this month. Indonesia's Ambassador to the UN and Chair of the 1267 Committee Dian Triansyah Djani Dian, speaking in his national capacity at the Security Council briefing, said it must be acknowledged that there have been encouraging developments in advancing common goals with regards to the mandates of the three Committee. We believe that continued collaboration and unity of the Committee is a prerequisite for further development of our future works. We need the Committee to be united more than ever before he said adding that Indonesia commends the members of the Committee for their efforts shown during last few months to preserve credibility and sanctity of the Committee. India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin had specifically thanked Djani for ensuring that the process went smoothly in his video statement issued after Azhar was listed by the Sanctions Committee. President Donald Trump said Washington has not reached out for talks with Iran and that if Tehran wants to negotiate, it will have to take the first step. "The Fake News put out a typically false statement, without any knowledge that the United States was trying to set up a negotiation with Iran. This is a false report," Trump wrote in a tweet that did not specify what report he was referring to. "Iran will call us if and when they are ever ready. In the meantime, their economy continues to collapse - very sad for the Iranian people!" Trump tweeted. Trump has blown hot and cold over Iran, leading many in Washington to fear he is rushing to conflict, but then indicating that he has no desire to embroil the United States in another distant war. On Sunday, he upped the temperature with a tweet that warned of "the official end of Iran" should the country attack the United States. The Trump administration is piling the pressure on Iran by ripping up a hard-fought international deal to steer the country away from its nuclear ambitions and attempting to shut off Iran's badly needed oil exports. It has also sent an aircraft carrier and bomber planes to the region, citing Iranian threats to US interests. The most memorable character for me in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland was the whimsical ruler, the Queen of Hearts. Her much-loved phrase, which she would repeat ad nauseam was "Off with his head!" or "Off with their heads!" I was reminded of her when I read in a news on 12 May 2019 that, based on a report from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, the Western Railway had ordered another bridge to be demolished, this time a foot overbridge (FOB) at the busy Dadar station. The alacrity with which this decision has been taken demonstrates extreme nervousness on the part of the railways administration after the partial collapse of the FOB near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) on 14 March 2019 and its reluctance to take a more considered line of action, including a peer review. I wonder if the possible fallout of this decree to demolish the Dadar FOB has been adequately examined, because while the memory of the CST FOB collapse is still fresh in the minds of the state apparatus, it appears that the stampede of 29 September 2017 in which 23 people lost their lives has vanished from our collective memory. The demolition of this wide overbridge at Dadar has the potential to cause chaos in the event of two trains arriving at a platform in quick succession as the other parallel bridges are challenged by bottlenecks caused by narrow landings. I doubt if a disaster scenario simulation and testing had been carried out before such a far-reaching decision was taken. And there is certainly no concern for the inconvenience likely to be suffered by commuters, harried as they already are by the simultaneous construction of the metro line, road repairs and road excavations to lay numerous pipes and cables. The city has not yet recovered from IIT Bombays earlier edict to demolish the Delisle bridge and continues to reel from the loss of millions of rupees due to perennial traffic snarls at Parel, arguably Mumbais new financial hub. It would be fair to ask what exactly constitutes an 'IIT' report, for it to be taken as the Holy Bible by the administration. For the government, IIT is a magic wand-wielding institute, a one-stop solution for all the governments woes when it does not know what to do with a dilapidated building in the monsoon or is facing a public interest litigation (PIL) on account of its stock of poorly maintained infrastructurebridges, hospitals, schools, colleges or when it wants to draft the building codes for the country (a look at the code committees of the Bureau of Indian Standards would be illuminating) or for vetting new construction. (Many cities in the country have made being a faculty member of an IIT a very lucrative affair by mandating that all buildings within their jurisdiction exceeding the stipulated height or size must necessarily be vetted by an IIT or equivalent). IITs can, at times, churn out reports with astonishing speed, much to the delight of the government. Imagine, a faculty member of IIT Bombay can be tasked with the study and submission of the status report of 447 bridges across Mumbai within six months. Unsurprisingly, we have two bridges in the commercial capital of the second most populous country demolished on the directions of an IIT Bombay report. When in doubt, as the queen says, Off with his head! Having been a visiting professor at one of the older IITs for three years and worked for over two decades with numerous IIT professors, I have seen first-hand that IIT reports are not that of the institute but of an individual faculty member. It is not inconceivable to get completely opposing reports for a structure from different faculty members of the same IIT. That, an IIT professor once proudly said to me, speaks well of the independent and fearless mindset of the IIT professor. While that may be true, in some areas, especially in matters of physics and mechanics, one would wish that an addition of two plus two would unfailingly yield the same result of four, especially when the stakes are high. There is nothing 'institutional' about reports from IITs, unlike the institutional mechanisms that are followed in larger engineering organisations- government or private. In such organisations, a well-defined system exists in terms of supervision, oversight and signoff at many levels. There is room for discussion and debate and the final report that is released has usually passed multiple reviews which the organisation has to take full ownership of. Not so in an IIT project. The work is done by the individual faculty member and is seldom subject to review (unless expressly stated by the client) by a second faculty member. Hence, the report of an IIT is oftentimes quite simply the opinion of a single IIT professor. More importantly, a professional organisation (public or private) is legally liable for the design or report. But IITs do not feel the need to stand up to public scrutiny. Here is what is put up by IIT Bhubaneshwar on its website. The Institute undertakes to carry out the project as conscientiously as conditions allow, but accepts no economic responsibility should the work not lead to expected results. The Institute accepts the project on condition that the client renounces all right to claim damages for losses sustained directly or indirectly in consequence of the work done by the Institute. Such a disclaimer should be sufficient for any client to scurry for cover. And, yet, for project after project, the government will turn exclusively to the IITs for advice on new projects, disaster management, health of public infrastructure and much else. Whatever happened to the Indian Railways cadre of engineers, the Indian Railways Service of Engineers (IRSE), considered to be one of the oldest and most elite of all Indian engineering cadres that manages the department of civil engineering in the Indian Railways? It is a shame that the Indian Railways, which had one of the most comprehensive systems for inspection and maintenance (the granular Indian Railways Way and Works Manual was first published in 1967 and has seen numerous upgrades along the way), has capitulated to the downward spiral in our institutions and has now subcontracted its duties of inspection and audit to small time consultants or one-man armies of the IITs. What does the Indian Railways have to say for itself when one of its own bridges (Dadar FOB) constructed in 1993 and which has barely reached midlife, is now deemed to be so heavily corroded as to be unfit to carry intended loads? (This is first part of a two part series.) Next: Knee-Jerk Solutions Leave Mumbais Lifeline Without a Spine As the weekend rallies grew both larger and rowdier, the French President knew he must do something to contain the unrest. He would not allow those pesky peasants in their high-vis getup to hold the republic to ransom. Standing in the grandest of rooms that could have come straight out of Louis XIVs Versailles Assez! he announced, in the most polished of voices. For the poor Frenchman or woman living on wages in the outer suburbs, the room must have seemed like something from another world. Out front stood the fanciest of lecterns. In the background, a table so polished you would not possibly ever dare touch it. On top of the table, a vase worth more than a house handed down from one set of nobility to the next. And on the walls, priceless artwork worth more than a suburb. What could the man standing in that room possibly know about the real lives of others? How easy for him to impose his idealistic policies on people he will never meet. Of course, President Macron is not alone. He is just one of a gaggle of progressive leaders around the globe trying to recreate the world in their own image. Download your free report and learn our three favourite small-cap stocks right now. Elites versus the rest If the results of the federal election prove one thing, it is that class warfare does not work. Especially when those using phrases like The big end of town probably had it better than most. And what does the phrase even mean? Cliched images of a fat cat in a fancy suit. Old men smoking cigars down at the club. Im sure people like this exist somewhere. However, I doubt most of us will ever meet one. It also ignores one very basic fact. When most people go to work, it is not to the CBD. It is not in a high-rise office with plush carpets and a fancy view. Instead, most turn up to one of the 2.3 million small businesses, beavering away in all parts of the country. (Note: The ABSs definition of a small business is one that employs less than 19 people). You wouldnt know it from the election campaign, but this group of small businesses represent 97% of the total number of all businesses. Tradies, plumbing and electrical contractors. Printing businesses, small engineering firms, and all those small trucking businesses driving all that stuff around. The sort of business where you might get your first job after school. No plush carpet in a boardroom for them. They are all much too busy to get a chance to sit down. No, The big end of town means nothing. Youre much more likely to find the accoutrements of wealth in a trade union office, than in an industrial shed that houses all those millions of small businesses. Reset and forget After the shemozzle of the last decade, people have had politics up to their back teeth. All they want now is for the newly re-elected PM to get on with it, and to let them get on with their own lives as well. They dont want someone lecturing them on how they should live their lives. Just as they would never presume to lecture someone else on how they should live theirs. And more than anything, what they dont want is the daily argy-bargy of politics right in their face. Less than eight months ago, all the experts and talking heads thought only one result was possible. That the ALP would canter in to a comfortable majority. And once there, they too could reshape the world in their own image. However, much like the French President, their heads are up in the clouds. Now the shoe is well and truly on the other foot. My, how quickly things can change. The great unwashed those whose sole goal is to protect and provide for their family have let the elites know what they can do with their policies. And, if the ALP and other political parties dont heed that message, they might just spend the rest of their careers warming the opposition benches. All the best, Matt Hibbard, Editor, Options Trader FREE report: Why Nano Metal could soon be Australias most valuable export. Click here to find out more. May 21, 2019 Uber Drivers Learn To Game Its Antisocial System Uber and other ride-hailing companies use surge pricing, also known as dynamic pricing or demand-based pricing. They increase the ride fare if the demand for rides is greater than the available capacity. In moments of heavy demand, they increase their fare up to three times the normal price. A 2015 Uber and University of Chicago, Booth School of Business, study claims that such surge pricing is beneficial for both sides, the drivers and for those that use the service: Uber operates in a market with large fluctuations in demand and a variable supply of driver-partners. Driver-partners are free to work whenever they want and must be incentivized to provide services. Under these conditions, economic theory tells us that using prices to signal to riders that rides are scarce and inducing driver-partners to forgo other activities will close the gap between supply and demand and lead to improved outcomes for both riders (as a whole) and driver-partners. Reality disagrees with what the economic theory tells us. In the U.S. Uber drivers are seen as independent contractors. The drivers say that the standard fare is too low, or Uber's 35-40% share of it too high, to make a living. They therefore looked for and found ways to game the system: Every night, several times a night, Uber and Lyft drivers at Reagan National Airport simultaneously turn off their ride share apps for a minute or two to trick the app into thinking there are no drivers available---creating a price surge. When the fare goes high enough, the drivers turn their apps back on and lock into the higher fare. ... All the airplanes we know when they land. So five minutes before, we turn all our apps off all of us at the same time. All of us we turn our apps off. They surge, $10, $12, sometimes $19. Then we turn our app on. Everyone will get the surge, one driver says. It is wonderful to see such worker solidarity: "And does everyone oblige? Does everyone do it?, Sweeney asks. Yes 100 percent. Everyone do it. Everyone knows its not worth it. They know if they take a ride from here without surge, without pumping the surge up, its not worth it. In less than a minute, about 50 drivers are locked into the surge. Its like we work as a family, like a team together. Like as a team. We do it. Every night. We do it again. We drop off, come back again, its a routine. We do it to 12 o' clock." The business idea on which Uber is based is not profitable. From its beginning it grew by breaking the law: Uber developed an aggressive expansion technique called principled confrontation in which Uber simply began operating in a city or region until being told that it didnt have permission to do so. At that point the firm would mobilize public support for its service, using an array of lobbyists, followed by a political campaign to change the local regulations. Its a method that worked in large and small communities, but not everywhere even in the USA and Canada. That strategy made it impossible to build its business in Europe and elsewhere. Even while it exploited its drivers the company never made money. In the 4th quarter of 2018 it lost $800 million. The company was immensely hyped with an estimated value of $120 billion before it was recently taken public. But the initial public offering was a total flop. The opening stock price was $42 and fell to $36 within the first two days. The underwriting banks had to step in to prop up the price to $41.85 today, which sums up to a total evaluation of some $70 billion. That is still way too high. The private investors who bet on Uber during the last years lost money: From May 2015 on, Uber sold convertible preferred stock to venture investors on the private market at prices of $40 or higher, including 15 transactions with experienced investors at $48.77 each, totaling about $6 billion. All those investors are underwater today on their Uber shares. Uber says it will make profits when self driving cars become available, allowing it to eliminate those pesky drivers. But while driver assistance systems are more and more common, it is highly doubtful that truly autonomous cars will evolve within the next decade. When they do they will be easy to sabotage. Unicorns like Uber, Tesla for example, will also have strong competition from genuine car manufacturers with very deep pockets. Uber and the like also create high external costs, that the public only now starts to see. They increase the total amount of traffic while hurting public transport and other valuable businesses. The too low worker compensation for its 'contractors' means that the public will, in the end, have to pay for their well being. The company lost $12 billion during the last four years. Its price dumping, financed by its investors, destroyed decent paying jobs in the taxi industry. Over time these costs will create more resistance to such companies and demand for regulating them will increase. The so called smart investors, who early on bought into Uber and allowed for its failing strategy, will hopefully learn from its upcoming crash and their own high losses. For the society as a whole such anti-social companies have no value and should not exist. Posted by b on May 21, 2019 at 17:51 UTC | Permalink Comments next page next page LENOIR - Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute provided a first glimpse at the future of workforce training for the furniture industry during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, May 25, on its Hudson campus. CCC&TI unveiled its new Furniture Factory Lab to a crowd of local government, education and furniture industry leaders, while celebrating the various partnerships with private industry that made the project possible. Its very much state-of-the-art, said Dr. Mark Poarch, CCC&TI president, while speaking during the event. This is the ultimate collaboration of business, industry and education. Our partners came together to create something special, and something thats needed in our community. The Furniture Factory Lab is an innovative workforce program that will prepare CCC&TI students for the next generation of furniture manufacturing by offering training in state-of-the-art technology and processes in cutting room automation, sewing and upholstery. We shouldnt be surprised that our country is in one hell of a mess. Weve done it to ourselves, largely, because we have no courage to tell the truth or to face ourselves. Some of you will want to blame Obama. Some of you will want to blame Hillary Clinton. The truth about those two figures is probably not what you believe it is because you might just let your beliefs determine which opinions you support. Opinions and beliefs are dangerous when they convince us to stop asking questions or, worse, when they make us feel self-righteous and above accountability. No, what ails America can not in the slightest be blamed on Obama or Hillary. The catch, for some, is that it cant be blamed on Trump, either. While you may think that the way The Donald behaves is deplorable, even he cant be blamed for what is wrong with America, either. What he says and does are problems, for sure, but nothing about American life is his fault. The conflict that he stirs up only embodies the unrestrained dark-side of our shared American life he only stokes the fires that have already been burning. But what Im thinking about is more than the anger and nationalist thinking that got Trump elected its the pathetic way that we talk about important things. That criminal activity has had a material impact on people: Whether it be the rise of opioid addictions, the rise of opioid deaths as a result of overdoses, whether it was the extraordinary increase in housing costs, people were being affected by criminal activity in British Columbia, the Premier was quoted as saying in The Canadian Press. Overseeing the inquiry is B.C. Supreme Court Justice Austin F. Cullen, and it is expected to conclude around 2021. In addition to investigating money laundering in real estate, it will also target gambling and the luxury car market. Im totally for it, Simon Tremblay, the assistant deputy chief on the Charbonneau Commission in Quebec, said on CBCs The Early Edition. I think this exercise will be very good for the province. Former B.C. attorney general Wally Oppalwho led the inquiry into the police investigation of Robert Picktons victimsappeared with Tremblay on The Early Edition and expressed the need for fast procession of the inquiry so that it doesnt run off the rails. Theres no shortage of loan officers, just like theres no shortage of realtors. I think nowadays, if a loan officer is going to show value to a real estate agent or agency, I think you really have to partner in lead generation, in driving leads into the brokerage, Glomb said. Historically speaking, he said, mortgage companies havent been in the lead generation business. Theyd go after realtors or buy leads rather than investing in generating their own. Continuing to operate that manner is not the model of the future. Its the old way of doing business: I have a buyer, Im going to call up a realtor and say, I have a buyer for you, and in return, youre going to give me business. But thats one. Heres one, and what are you going to give me back? Its over. But if we partner, and now were both invested in this system, its long-term, Glomb said. Even then, for mortgage originators to expect that realtors be exclusive is an unrealistic one in most cases. There are very few lendersif anywho can handle borrowers in any conceivable situation who wants a mortgage, and even with solid partnerships, realtors are going to need to have a variety of lending options at hand. (Whether this means that realtors will be more likely to work with mortgage brokers as their market share grows remains to be seen. Originators and realtors share the same goal of keeping the customer happy, and working with someone who isnt in the best interest of the client simply because theyre paying for some sort of co-marketing isnt doing the consumer any good. That being said, real relationships arent at risk from other lenders, including online entities with rock bottom rates. A boom to build new saltwater disposal wells is underway in the Permian Basin. Drilling for crude oil and natural gas in the prolific West Texas shale play is happening faster than pipelines can be built to move product to market. Its also happening faster than companies can build landfills for oil field waste and disposal wells to inject wastewater deep underground. But that may change. Over the past week, two companies have filed drilling permit applications to develop 12 saltwater disposal wells in the Permian Basin. Fort Worth saltwater disposal well operation Boykin Energy is seeking permission from the Railroad Commission of Texas to develop five injection wells on its Ross SWD lease in Loving County. Midland oil company CrownQuest Operating is seeking permission to develop another seven saltwater disposal wells on leases in Loving County. Permian Basin Denver oil company Jagged Peak plans to drill 11 new horizontal wells on two leases in Ward County. The wells target the Phantom field of the Wolfcamp geological layer at total depths of 15,000 feet. Eagle Ford Shale More Information Top 10 Drillers in Texas (Wednesday, May 8 through Tuesday, May 14) Occidental Petroleum: 26 Exxon Mobil: 21 Endeavor Energy Resources: 18 Chesapeake Energy: 14 Diamondback Energy: 12 EOG Resources: 12 Jagged Peak: 11 Shell: 7 Concho Resources: 7 CrownQuest Operating: 7 Source: Railroad Commission of Texas See More Collapse The recently formed oil company Action Energy plans to drill two new wells on the companys Y-Bar Action lease in McMullen County. The wells target the Eagleville field of the Eagle Ford geological layer down to a total depth of 12,000 feet. Over the past six months, Action, of Denver, bought already-producing leases in South Texas from Valence Operating Co. and Abraxas Petroleum. Haynesville Shale Mount Enterprise oil company KJ Energy is preparing to drill a horizontal gas well in East Texas on its Pool-Cyphers-White lease in Rusk County. Located about 11 miles southeast of Henderson, the well targets the natural gas-rich Brachfield SE field of the Cotton Valley geological layer down to a total depth of 10,347 feet. Barnett Shale Oklahoma oil and natural gas company Devon Energy broke a four week-long horizontal drilling drought in North Texas. The company is seeking permission to drill a pair of horizontal wells on its Nelon, G.E. lease in Wise County. Located about two miles southwest of Boyd, the wells target the Newark East field of the Barnett geological layer down to total depths of 9,000 feet. Conventionals Dallas oil company Scout Energy Management is seeking permission to drill four vertical wells split between its Sneed and Sneed C leases in Moore County in the Texas Panhandle. The four oil wells target the Panhandle West field at depths of 4,000 feet. FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) Bond has been set at $100,000 for a Texas man accused of abducting an 8-year-old girl as she walked with her mother in Fort Worth over the weekend. Michael Webb was being held in the Tarrant County jail Monday. The 51-year-old is charged with aggravated kidnapping. Increased population from the oil boom forced an unusual diversion of emergency medical services meant for Midland Memorial Hospital to Odessa, according to Hospitals vice president of Medical Affairs for Midland Health. Dr. Lawrence A. Wilson told the Reporter-Telegram that the hospital went on diversion twice this past weekend. The first -- Friday night into Saturday, he said -- forced just out-of-county EMS to be diverted to Medical Center Hospital in Odessa. The second from after midnight Sunday to around 9 a.m. Monday forced all EMS, including those inside Midland County to be diverted to Odessa. Wilson called the situations this weekend a reality of the circumstance of volume we are seeing and that diversions occur from time to time at hospitals around the region. Wilson had written medical officials to update them on the need for diversions. He said the intent of the letter was not to alarm the medical community but to create awareness about the processes followed during diversion. In the letter, Wilson stated, The reason for the diversion was that we were understaffed to safely manage the number of patients in the hospital. He added in the letter and the repeated to the Reporter-Telegram -- that normally by this time of year, the hospitals inpatient census has decreased. He said hospital officials forecasted a reduction of patients and being cognizant of the hospitals financial situation we eliminated the costly contract labor that had helped cover the winter months. It appears the Midland boom has begun to influence our patient flow, Wilson wrote. We are having further conversations about staffing needs, but if trends continue we will need to contract for more nursing support. If volume trends persist, we may have further days in the next month or two when we will need to go on diversion. His observations about the diverting process included: --the need for proper communication, including EMS and surrounding facilities; --recognizing patients who would be best served by coming to Midland Memorial Hospital regardless of divert status; --the handling of drive-up complex patients. Any patient that arrives to our ER will need to be stabilized and then a decision made about need to transfer or not. *** The letter, sent out from Dr. Lawrence A. Wilson, follows in its entirety. Medical Staff: Over the weekend Midland Memorial was forced to go on divert on two occasions. For a block of time Friday night into Saturday, and again after midnight last night until about 9:00 this morning we diverted EMS from in and out of county. The reason for the diversion was that we were understaffed to safely manage the number of patients in the hospital. Normally by this time of year our inpatient census has decreased. We had forecasted for a reduction of patients and being cognizant of the hospitals financial situation we eliminated the costly contract labor that had helped cover the winter months. It appears the Midland boom has begun to influence our patient flow. We are having further conversations about staffing needs, but if trends continue we will need to contract for more nursing support. It will take several weeks to ramp up to the need. If volume trends persist we may have further days in the next month or two when we will need to go on diversion. A few observations from this weekend: Communication about diversion: Once the decision to go on divert is made the medical staff, particularly those on call, need to be notified. EMS, the RAC and surrounding facilities need to be notified. Recognizing patients that would best be served by coming to us regardless of divert status- i.e. if a patient had recently been operated upon by one of our surgeons, that surgeon should be part of the decision to divert or not. How to handle drive up complex patients. Any patient that arrives to our ER will need to be stabilized and then a decision made about need to transfer or not. I am sure that some of you have questions or suggestions. We are committed to do the best we can to keep the quality of care for our community the best possible. To accomplish that, keeping you informed is paramount. Thank you for your understanding. Lawrence A. Wilson, MD, MBA, FACEP Vice President Medical Affairs/CMO Midland Health More than 11,000 people have signed a petition calling for the end of "Go Topless Galveston," an event that brings together hundreds of Jeep owners for a weekend on Crystal Beach. This year, the event kept police responding to nonstop calls for public intoxication, driving while intoxicated, vehicle burglary and other offenses, according to earlier reports in the Houston Chronicle. More than 100 people were arrested from Thursday to Sunday, according to the Galveston County Sheriff's Office. Authorities also confirmed to ABC13 that at least six people were hospitalized. The petition collected close to 11,500 signatures by 11 a.m. "Go Topless weekend in Crystal Beach has become more and more dangerous over the years," the petition said. "It has become a danger for the people attending and for the residents of Crystal Beach." WEEKEND ARRESTS: Over 100 arrests made during "Go Topless" weekend in Galveston Galveston County Sheriff Henry Trochesset told the Houston Chronicle that people were seen falling out of vehicles and hitting their head. He said a head-on collision and vehicle fire were also reported. Trochesset had not seen the petition, but he said the crowd size was similar to the number of attendees before Hurricane Ike. "A lot of my guys who were used to it, who worked the beach before Ike, said it was a blast from the past," he said on Monday. Trochesset said from Thursday to Sunday, 125 people on the Bolivar Peninsula were arrested and booked into the county jail. He said deputies responded to nearly 600 calls for service. On Saturday alone, he said around 50 sheriff's office employee worked overtime. "So it was busy weekend," he said. ELSEWHERE IN GALVESTON CO.: Bathing beauties show off at annual contest Many comments on the petition page suggest that the event has gotten "out of hand" over the years. One person commented on the petition saying their family member had to be taken to a hospital via Life Flight over of the weekend. "She is in critical condition," the comment said. "She has four young children. Please stop this event and events like this." Some partygoers responded to the backlash of Facebook, saying they were drinking and having fun responsibly. The Facebook group Rednecks with Paychecks Offroad said some people blamed their group for leaving trash on the beach. "We do not drink and drive, had no minors with us, do not move the mega trucks (only use for advertisement), and we bring our own trash bags and clean up every morning!" according to a post from the Facebook page. Another group, the Texas Patriot Network, held a simultaneous event on the beach called "MAGA Beach Bash 2019," according to the Facebook event page. The event page asked people to "bring out those Jeeps" for the topless event, but the group said it wasn't responsible for "unfortunate accidents" on another part of the beach. "Please remember that some unfortunate accidents took place at the other end of the beach not related to our event, but please keep those people and their families in your prayers," according to a post from the Facebook group. 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. ALTON A Jerseyville man is facing a mandatory life prison term if convicted of two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child. Donald D. Davis, 50, of the 500 block of Short Street, Jerseyville, is accused of a sexual contact with a boy who was between the ages of 8 and 9 when the alleged offenses occurred. Davis is also charged with aggravated sexual abuse. Bail was set at $500,000. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 20) The Justice Department on Tuesday said it will begin looking into the move of former National Youth Commission (NYC) chairperson Ronald Cardema to preside over a commission meeting even after he has been deemed resigned in light of his petition as party-list representative substitute. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the department received a request from Malacanang to evaluate possible charges that may be filed against Cardema. Sec. (Salvador) Panelo requested the DOJ (Department of Justice) this morning to look into this matter and evaluate if charges may be filed against Ronald Cardema. The DOJ will start by gathering the relevant facts, Guevarra said in a statement. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, in his media briefing, said he has received a text message from an unknown source that Cardema led the NYC meeting. We refer the case of Cardema to the DOJ. Because we have received reports that despite his filing of his certificate of substitution, he presided over a meeting subsequent to that certification. So we're referring the matter to the DOJ, Panelo told reporters. Panelo said the meeting took place on May 15, three days after Cardema filed his petition for substitution. If he is already resigned, how can he be presiding a meeting? he said. Panelo said it is up to the Justice Department to decide on the specific violations and possible charges against Cardema. He added the probe will also include allegations that Cardema used NYC resources for his party-list campaign. Abusing party-list process? Some netizens and detractors criticized Cardema's move, saying it will "abuse" and "railroad" the democratic process as well as the election law. READ: Ex-Youth Commissioner Dingdong Dantes slams Cardema for abuse of party-list process "Wag niyong papahintulutan yung ginawa nitong si Cardema dahil magsesend ito ng precedent na ganito na pala ang rota para muli nanaman abusuhin ang party-list system bilang factor ng mga corrupt, ng mga hindi karapat-dapat sa Kongreso," ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio said in a media briefing Tuesday. [Translation: Let's not allow Cardema's move because this will send a precedent that this can be a route to abuse the party-list system.] Another issue Cardema is facing with his petition is his age. On his Facebook page where he regularly posts updates, he listed his birthday as April 13, 1986. This makes him 33 years old. According to the Section 9 of the Party-list System Act, a nominee of the youth sector must not be more than 30 years old. However, in a statement Monday, Cardema stressed that his party-list is registered in the Commission on Elections under both the youth and professional sectors. He said the latter category holds no age limit. CNN Philippines' Anjo Alimario, Alyssa Rola, and Janine Peralta contributed to this report. ALBANY State Republican Party leaders gathered in Albany Tuesday to pledge a united front after the announced dethroning of longtime Chairman Ed Cox. "We had a spirited conversation around the state. ...We're standing here united today and talking about moving forward today," said Erie County Republican Chair Nick Langworthy, who is scheduled to officially take over the leadership position this summer. The event attended by Cox and Langworthy at the party's Albany headquarters focused on the future for Republicans in New York, and they brushed past the disastrous 2018 elections that led some GOP leaders across upstate to call for the ouster of Cox. Langworthy said the party's biggest challenge is closing its enrollment gap with the Democratic Party. As of February, there were nearly 6.4 million registered Democrats, and 2.8 million Republicans. "It has to be done," he said. "We are going to close this gap." His hope is that the debate over abortion can help the GOP grow its ranks, and he claimed that Democratic voters were "appalled" at the adoption of the Reproductive Health Act in New York and the subsequent victory lap by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. 5 1 of 5 Provided by the Erie County Republican Committee Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Provided by the Erie County Republican Committee Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Provided by the Erie County Republican Committee Show More Show Less 5 of 5 "I think there are (Democrats) who are walking away from their party," he said. Langworthy said he will also focus on establishing a network of small donors in anticipation of a public matching system in New York, and building up Republican farm teams with victories in local elections. As the party begins recruiting for 2020 and beyond, he acknowledged the need for Republicans to field candidates tailored to their constituents. "Politics across the state of New York is very diverse, very regionally different," Langworthy said. "We have to find the best candidates that can appeal in those areas. In some areas you can be more bombastic and bold in your statements." One of his other priorities will be increasing the party's female candidates, who made up less than a quarter of the Republicans running for state legislative races last year. Langworthy didn't offer any details on his recruitment plan, but noted his commitment to work with U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, who has been backing Republican women for congressional races. David.Lombardo@timesunion.com - 518.454.5427 - @poozer87 Only one person can save us from the dangerous belligerent in the White House. And that person is Donald Trump. How screwed up is that? Will the president let himself be pushed into a parlous war by John Bolton, who once buoyed the phony case on weapons of mass destruction in Iraq? Or will Trump drag back his national security adviser and the other uber hawks from the precipice of their fondest, bloodiest desire to attack Iran? Can Cadet Bone Spurs as Iraq War vet Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., called Trump set Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., straight that winning a war with Iran would not merely entail two strikes, the first strike and the last strike? Holy cakewalk. Once, we counted on Trumps advisers to pump the brakes on an out-of-control president. Now, we count on the president to pump the brakes on out-of-control advisers. On one side, you have a president who doesnt want war, who simply wants to do with Iran what he has done with North Korea, to twist the arm of the Iranians to bring them to a negotiation on his terms, said Gerard Araud, the recently departed French ambassador to the United States. He thinks they will suffer and, at the end, they will grovel in front of his power. But in a way, Araud said, the faceoff with the Iranians is more primitive and dangerous because, besides Bolton, other factions in the Middle East are also dreaming of going to war. Even if Trump doesnt personally want war, we are now at the mercy of any incident, because we are at maximum tension on both sides, said Araud, recalling Candidate Trumps bellicose Twitter ultimatums in 2016 when Irans Revolutionary Guards held U.S. sailors blindfolded at gunpoint for 15 hours. Given their sour feelings about President George W. Bush shattering the Middle East and their anger at Trump shredding the Iran nuclear deal, Europeans are inclined to see the United States as trying to provoke Iran into war. This time, the Europeans will not be coming along and who can blame them? Im having an acid flashback to 2002, when an immature, insecure, ill-informed president was bamboozled by his war tutors. There is the same feeling of the hawks building a calculated campaign for a Middle East invasion. Bushs administration had a monthslong rollout strategy. From a marketing point of view, Andrew Card, Bushs chief of staff, said in the summer of 2002, you dont introduce new products in August. Have the hawks around Trump been waiting to get through two rings of fire the threat from special counsel Robert Mueller and the re-election of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel to roll out their latest ingenious product: World War III? In an echo of the hawks conspiring with Iraqi exiles to concoct a casus belli for Iraq, Bolton told members of an Iranian exile group in Paris in 2017 that the Trump administration should go for regime change in Tehran. And thats why, before 2019, we here will celebrate in Tehran! Bolton cheerily told the exiles. When Bolton was the fifth column in the Bush 2 State Department there to lurk around and report back on flower child Colin Powell he complained that Bushs Axis of Evil (Iran, Iraq, North Korea) was too limited, adding three more of his own (Cuba, Libya, Syria). Then, in 2018, Bolton talked about the Troika of Tyranny (Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela). His flirtations with military intervention in Venezuela this month irritated Trump. The 70-year-old with the Yeti mustache is an insatiable interventionist with an abiding faith in unilateralism and pre-emptive war. (The cost of our attenuated post-9/11 wars is now calculated at $5.9 trillion.) Bush and Trump are similar in some ways but also very different. As Trump biographer Michael DAntonio notes: Bush was interested in clarity. Trump wants chaos. Bush wanted to trust his domineering advisers. Trump is always imagining betrayal. Bush wanted to be a war hero, like his dad. Trump does not want to be trapped in an interminable war that will consume his presidency. Certainly, the biographer says, Trump enjoys playing up the scary aspects of brown people with foreign names and ominous titles, like mullah and ayatollah, to stoke his base. But Trump, unlike Bush, is driven by the drama of it. Its a game of revving up the excitement and making people afraid and then backing off on the fear in order to declare that hes resolved the situation, DAntonio said. Trump prefers threats and ultimatums to action because that allows him to look big and tough and get attention without doing something for which he will be held responsible. This is who he is at his core: an attention-seeking, action-averse propagandist who is terrified of accountability in the form of coffins arriving at Dover Air Force Base. David Axelrod, who had the military briefing about what a war with Iran would look like when he was in the Obama White House, said: Im telling you. Its not a pretty picture. He says he is not sure which movie Bolton is starring in: Dr. Strangelove or Wag the Dog. If part of your brand is that youre not going to get the U.S. into unnecessary wars, he said, why in the world would you hire John Bolton? Maureen Dawd is a columnist for The New York Times. Examine the property tax bill of just about any Illinois taxpayer, and youll see most of the money goes to the schools. But a close second place? Police and firefighter pensions. Across Illinois, those pensions are gobbling up a greater share of local property tax revenue. Yet many of those pension funds are in trouble with rising unfunded liabilities, more workers retired than active, and investment returns that arent reaching their full potential. Help could be on the way if state officials get serious about streamlining Illinois huge roster of pension funds and if theyre willing to tangle with organized labor. Lawmakers can pass legislation that, if signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, would allow consolidation of the more than 650 boards overseeing individual police and firefighter pension funds around the state. Fewer boards, along with pooled investments, would centralize pension oversight and increase the potential for greater returns. That would ease financial pressure on property taxpayers who make up the difference when funds dont perform well. That structure already is working for systems such as the Illinois Municipal Retirement System, the statewide retirement system covering municipal government workers outside Chicago. IMRF is one of the most stable and well-funded pension systems in the state. Police and fire pension boards should work to emulate it. Especially in communities that share some resources already think La Grange and La Grange Park, or Barrington and South Barrington, or Peoria and Peoria Heights consolidation should be an option. The Illinois Municipal League is backing nearly a dozen bills this year with various options to deliver consolidation. Pritzker appointed a task force to study the idea; its findings are expected soon. The proposals on the table would leave Chicagos police and fire pension funds separate from the statewide structure. Thats how the statewide pension fund for teachers outside Chicago operates. While consolidating the boards and centralizing the investments would not solve the pension crisis that looms large over Illinois, it would provide a relief valve for local governments that have been begging for help. Property taxpayers are fed up and theyre leaving Illinois. And lets face it, the current setup with hyperlocal boards that pay for their own investment advisers, their own audits, their own accountants, their own training fees, is expensive for many cities, towns and villages. Opponents are pushing scare tactics, claiming that currently well-managed pension funds would be taking on the burdens of badly managed ones. But the system would work like IMRF. Each towns local pension funds would be protected. But the overall system would be stronger due to higher investment returns and lower total overhead costs. From my perspective as a village manager, during the last seven years if not for our public safety fund increase our levy would be flat. We wouldnt have had to increase the village portion of the tax bill at all, says Jim Norris, village manager for Hoffman Estates. According to 2017 figures, the police pension fund in Hoffman Estates is about 64% funded and the fire pension fund is about 72% funded. Had the village been using a system similar to IMRF, the police fund would be 89% funded and the fire fund would be 102% funded. Thats relief for taxpayers thats not being realized. Organized labor has resisted the idea of consolidation. State law currently requires local pension boards to include union representation. That provision could remain with a centralized board. But the status quo on local public safety pensions is not sustainable. You can ask any village official. Or simply watch fed-up property taxpayers continue to load up their moving vans. Choose change, lawmakers. Chicago Tribune Man stabs another to death for ... Quartz Fire TCSO Photo View Photos Sonora, CA The Tuolumne County Supervisors heard an update about actions taken ahead of the dangerous summer fire season. At this mornings meeting, OES Coordinator Liz Peterson noted that a committee formed by the supervisors, a Fire and Community Resilience Task Force, recently identified the six most significant threats to focus on locally. They include reducing heavy fuels, having a plan for school children if a nearby fire breaks out, addressing the lack of individualized community plans, look at narrow road easements, address limited ingress/egress problems, and improve water infrastructure for fire flow. Throughout this month, roadside chipping is taking place along many of the major roadways, including Ferretti, Tuolumne, Cherokee and Priest Coulterville. In June, work will begin on Phoenix Lake Road. The work is being conducted thanks to a California Climate Investment Grant, in partnership with the CAL Fire Baseline Conservation Camp crews. Also, the county is working with the Highway 108 and Yosemite Foothills fire safe councils, and Area 12 Agency on Aging, to develop a program that will help senior residents with defensible space. It will initially focus on the five priority communities of Ponderosa Hills, Cedar Ridge, Campo Seco/Campbells Flat, Fir/Meadowbrook Drive and Big Oak Flat. Another positive that Peterson noted is that a volunteer Groveland Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) has been formed. They will receive training and help emergency responders during times of crisis. Both the community of Twain Harte and the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians have similar organizations in place. During the discussion, CAL Fire Chief Josh White stressed fire prevention. He noted that temperatures were starting to increase earlier this month, and fuels were drying out, ahead of the recent heavy rains. This blessing (rain) is not going to last for long, and soon we will be right back into those increasing temperatures, fuels and low humidity. Chief White spoke of the need for the community to be more aware of the most typical causes of wildfires, whether it be a vehicles catalytic convertor, or mowing dry grass. He added that over the past month there have been about 10 escaped debris burns that resulted in citations. He also praised the notion of more volunteers, like the CERT teams, getting involved. Board of Supervisors Chairman Karl Rodefer indicated that a discussion needs to come soon regarding ways the county can ensure that residents are complying with defensible space requirements. He floated the idea of not allowing people to rent out their homes via avenues like Airbnb unless they are in compliance. This could help curb the issue of part-time residents leaving their properties to be overrun by vegetation. There was also concerns voiced about Ponderosa Hills, and the need for improvements on nearby Mount Provo Road. The county will look at ways to improve that path, which may require cooperation with property owners. It was noted that there are around 260 homes in Ponderosa Hills. Supervisor Anaiah Kirk voiced the need for urgent action. Several property owners were on hand at the meeting concerned about there being only one major way in and out of the subdivision. Three people are in custody in connection to the death of 21-year-old The Texas Rangers Braxton Traylynn Mathis, also known as Tray. The Texas Rangers arrested Mario Baquera, 24, Bryce Gonzalez, 20, and Blayke Sistrunk, 17, around midnight on Friday, May 17, according to a Texas Department of Public Safety spokesperson. Plainview Christian Academy celebrated 16 graduating members of its class of 2019 during its annual high school commencement ceremony Saturday at Harvest Christian Fellowship. Sarah Grace Shaw was recognized as valedictorian and John Earhart as salutatorian during the ceremony. Earhart reminded his classmates to continually strive for improvement even though they may walk different paths. "We are at a point now where we are reaping some seeds that we have sown," Earhart said. "Now we can also look towards the future and think, 'How can we start sowing seeds into ourselves, others and the world around us?'" Earhart posed a challenge to the class. "Every day, do at least one thing that will make you better tomorrow than you were yesterday," he said. Following the junior high choir's performance of "For Good" from the musical Wicked, valedictorian Grace Shaw charged the audience to live life to the fullest. Citing Ezekiel 33, Shaw noted that in order to make the best of life, one must learn to trust God, impact the direction of others and seek God's will over personal gain. "Often when we think of living life to the fullest, we think self-indulgently," Shaw said. "This is not what will bring true joy to anyone, because the only thing that will bring ultimate satisfaction and peace in our lives and within ourselves is by serving (God)." Guest speaker Jon Mark Hester, who has spent several years teaching Spanish and Bible classes at PCA, shared some advice to those graduates embarking on a college journey. Hester encouraged students to set reasonable expectations, do not compromise values, find a community to plug into and invite God's presence into every area of life. "We're not going to find our identity and our meaning in anything but our relationship with Him," Hester said. "We're designed to be in a relationship with God, and every other thing, every other relationship should flow out of that." LIST OF GRADUATES Brennen Thomas Ballard, with honors Sydney Madison Bishop, with honors Cord Elliott Brown, with honors Aynsley Paige Byrd, with honors Hanna Claire Craig, with honors John Evan Earhart, salutatorian, with honors Cameron Lane Holt, with honors Andrea Lara, with honors Ashlynn Ann Morton, with honors Alexis Ann Prayor Cameron Montgonery Rea Alyssa Nicole Ross, with honors Paul Albert Ruijne Jonathan Ray Sammann, with honors Sara Grace Shaw, valedictorian, with honors Alana Rachele Tibbets, with honors Courtesy Photos Motivated by a desire to be a good role model for her younger sister, Moriah Gilbreath was able to enroll in GED classes to complete her high school education in January. For five months, she attended classes from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday at the Plainview Adult Learning Center She passed her first three GED tests Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies in April. Spending a night underneath Texas' big, bright, starry sky is a favorite for any lover of the outdoors, but choosing the best campsite can be tricky. If you're an experienced camper, you might prefer sites that require a short hike to get to. Camping novices might want to stay close to a restroom. And those traveling via RV might prefer an electric hookup. At the end of the day it's a matter of personal preference. But not all campsites are the same, and some are definitely better than others. RELATED: The 10 most popular Texas state parks in 2016 We talked to Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine as well as staff from parks around the state to find out the best place to pitch your tent. Most of the recommended campsites put visitors closest to the parks' most unique features at one of the "walk-in" campsites at Enchanted Rock, among the tall pine trees at Huntsville State Park or in a vista among Big Bend Ranch State Park's vast mountains. Take a look at the best campsites to claim at Texas state parks in the gallery above. TPWD's online reservation system allows campers to make reservations up to 11 months in advance. Many park employees noted, however, that certain campsites are first-come, first-serve meaning you make a reservation for the type of campsite you want, then choose a specific site once arriving at the park. So if you want site No. 143 at Garner State Park the peaceful, slightly more secluded site that overlooks the Frio River and offers spectacular sunrise and sunset views you'll still have to beat other campers to the punch. RELATED: 10 cabins near Garner State Park and the Frio River perfect for a Texas getaway erobinson@mysa.com Twitter: @eeelizzzabeth MEXICO CITY Armed robberies have gotten so common aboard buses in Mexico City that commuters have come up with a clever if disheartening solution: Many are buying fake cellphones, to hand over to thieves instead of their real smartphones. Costing 300 to 500 pesos apiece the equivalent of $15 to $25 the "dummies" are sophisticated fakes: They have a startup screen and bodies that are dead ringers for the originals, and inside there is a piece of metal to give the phone the heft of the real article. That comes in handy when trying to fool trigger-happy bandits who regularly attack the buses, big and small, that ferry people from the poorer outlying suburbs to jobs in the city center. The scene is repeated over and over again, courtesy of the cameras that many buses now carry that record the assaults, often late at night or in the early morning: Sleepy passengers are seen bouncing along in the jitneys when one or two of the men aboard suddenly pull masks over their faces. One will pull out a gun while his accomplice passes down the aisle, often with his own gun, demanding valuables. "You're all screwed now! Don't move or you're dead! Cellphones and wallets!" barks a thief in one recent video. Time and again, those who resist or refuse are hit in the head with a pistol, or simply shot and left to bleed on the floor of the bus. Martha Patricia Rociles Estrada, a schoolteacher from the low-income suburb of Nezahualcoyotl, was robbed herself. Now, she says, most city residents make their daily commutes in fear. "Getting on public transportation is now a risk," Rociles Estrada said. "You get on, but you never know if you're going to return." "Now you have to be careful to carry money, because if you don't, the thieves get angry and you run the risk that they'll shoot you if you're not carrying money." There were an average of 70 reported violent muggings every day in Mexico City in the first four months of 2019. About two-thirds were committed against pedestrians, with the rest split almost evenly between bus passengers and assaults on motorists stopped at lights or caught in traffic jams. Between 2017 and 2018, such assaults rose by about 22 percent. But when Rociles Estrada was robbed at gunpoint several years ago, most people weren't carrying costly smartphones around with them. "They just took whatever I had of value, my change purse, that was all," she recalled The advent of smartphones changed all that. Now, many people carry a device worth hundreds of dollars in their pocket, and one that may also hold their bank or credit card information. That's where "dummy" vendors like Axel come in. Axel says he sells three or four dummy phones a week out of his stall in a downtown electronics marketplace, next door to a colonial college building that dates to 1767. Axel, who asked his full name not be used for fear police would accuse him of selling fake merchandise, said all of his customers know they are buying fakes. "It's useful for robberies, the large number of muggings happening in Mexico City," said Axel. "They say 'hand over your cellphone, give me everything', and people know now they have to hand over the phone quick, in a matter of seconds, so they hand over these phones and often the thieves don't realize it." But Axel admits the victim would be in trouble if a thief caught them handing over a "dummy" phone. "Obviously there are problems, because if the criminals search it or find out ... there is going to be a problem." Because of that, some try a different strategy, spending a little more to buy a cheap but real second phone. Stay Informed Text "Houston" to 77453 to receive HoustonChronicle.com alerts on your phone. See More Collapse Gloria, who works at her own stall at another market across the street in a converted art-deco movie house, said the dummy trade started about 14 years ago, but for different reasons: Phone shops would buy dummies for their exhibition cases to protect against another type of crime, the so-called "sledgehammer crews" who can clear out a jewelry or electronics store in seconds by breaking windows. "Generally, the dummy is for a showcase, for people who sell real cellphones," Gloria explained. "Dummies have been sold here for about 14 years, for use in showcases, but nowadays people are buying them to protect their own cellphones." Gloria sells an iPhone dummy for 300 pesos ($15), that would save a victim the 18,000 pesos ($900) a real iPhone would cost here. "In most cases, people want to avoid getting their cellphone stolen, but also their data," says Gloria, who also asked her last name not be used. The paranoia about assaults and muggings has been amplified by the fact that so many of the robberies are now videotaped by surveillance cameras on public buses. The tapes are often shown on news programs, instilling terror in people. The government of the eastern borough of Ixtapalpa one of the city's biggest and poorest precincts launched a program this week to have police ride the buses to prevent robberies. But even as the program started up with fanfare and media photo ops, some residents were skeptical. Oscar Armenda, a transportation worker who was riding a bus in Iztapalapa around midday as police started climbing aboard, said, "This is good in a way, but in a way it's not." "They should do this at the time of day when it's needed, at night, not now," Armenda said. A driver was found dead after a car fire along the Eastex Freeway on Monday, police said. The driver was in a gray Toyota Camry heading south on the freeway near Tidwell at a slow speed when a fire started inside the vehicle, witnesses told Houston police officers. The Camry exited the freeway and hit water-filled collision barrels before coming to a stop, police said. Some cops get a bad rap for being out of shape when trying to chase down the bad guys. But several Texas Department of Public Safety troopers showed they not only can keep up with the crooks, but with full-time runners as well. This Saturday in Mission, Texas three state troopers wearing their full uniform and utility belts (guns and all) went for a run in the Back the Badge 5K. There were no fancy sneakers, designer wear, or other accessories used by runners. Trooper Orlando Rivera, Sgt. Isaac Juarez , and Sgt. Marcus Cholick ran the course in their everyday work gear. "We do train with gear, but we use a tactical uniform for that," said Sgt. Juarez. "Running in full patrol uniform, to include patrol boots and vest, had never been done." Juarez says DPS has encouraged its troopers to be more involved in the community. So last year he asked his superiors if he could do a 5K in full patrol uniform. "They loved the idea, so I gathered some troopers and we did it. We have done five since then, and people love it," said Juarez. HOUSTON CHRONICLE: The fastest speeders busted by DPS in the Houston area so far in 2019 The sergeant says he has one more run left in him, and will do his last 5K in uniform in June 1. But others are ready to take the baton, including the first female trooper to run a race in full uniform. So does running a race in boots take its toll? "Our feet do hurt, but as troopers with the Texas Department of Public Safety, we never give up. Pain or not, we keep going," said Juarez. Danny Hermosillo is the Digital News Editor for Chron.com | Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @Dannyherm1| Email him at Danny.Hermosillo@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message On May 21, 2018, a rhesus macaque named Dawkins made national headlines when he escaped from his crate at the San Antonio Airport. The primate dashed toward a baggage claim area, swinging from the ropes and belts of the channeling system until veterinarians sedated him and placed him in a kennel. A year has passed since Dawkins' famous escape and he's been enjoying his retirement ever since at Born Free USA's sanctuary in Cotulla, according to sanctuary director Liz Tyson. "He's doing great," Tyson said in a recent interview with the San Antonio Express-News. The sanctuary is the largest of its kind in the country and currently houses 533 monkeys, Tyson said. RELATED: Twitter goes bananas over monkey escape: 'These are the moments Twitter was created for' Born Free USA takes in primates who were pets or used in research facilities. The goal is to provide the monkeys with an experience similar to living with the wild, with the addition of limited human interaction. "People think it's a fairy tale happy ending, but it's actually a lot of work learning how to interact with other monkeys," Tyson said about the monkeys assimilating to their new life. Oftentimes, these monkeys were separated from their mothers at birth and have no experience living with other animals like them. "It's heartbreaking in some ways -- the pet trade," Tyson said. "They start on this journey (at Born Free USA) where they may be seeing another monkey for the first time in their life." Though Dawkins still has some adjusting to do, Tyson said he has a best friend named Flo, a Japanese macaque. READ MORE: Escaped monkey at San Antonio airport captured, identified as Dawkins "Flo has struggled to find a really good friend she can feel comfortable with ... but her and Dawkins just bonded," Tyson said. "You can walk by and see them grooming one another." Dawkins has responded well to the challenges of his new home, and Tyson said he's one of the biggest and healthiest rhesus macaques in the sanctuary. "It's just wonderful watching him grow," Tyson 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 Authorities raided several places in San Antonio, Austin, Corpus Christi and McAllen on Tuesday, targeting more than 30 alleged members of a drug-trafficking ring, with some of them believed to be tied to the Tango Orejon gang. Twenty of the targeted suspects were in San Antonio, including two alleged ringleaders, Ramon Salas Jr., 37, and Luis Godines, 39, court records show. The group is accused of trafficking large amounts of heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl in southern Texas and San Antonio. The drugs were obtained from Mexican cartels, officials said. This was a one-year investigation that began in May of last year, and some (suspects) were tied to the Tango Orejon, said Will Glaspy, special agent in charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administrations Houston field division, which also covers San Antonio, Austin and the Rio Grande Valley. This started as a multiagency investigation dealing with violent crime that was part of the drug activity. Tango Orejon, whose members call themselves Orejones, are San Antonios subset of Tango Blast, which is loosely structured along the lines of the Texas Syndicate or the Texas Mexican Mafia but without the hierarchy. This is a trafficking organization associated with violent activity, said Dante Sorianello, assistant special agent in charge of DEA in San Antonio. We are affecting the violent crime here in San Antonio and Texas. Many of these guys have violence in their criminal backgrounds. As of late Tuesday, 25 of the suspects were in custody, including 19 from the San Antonio area, according to DEA, which spearheaded the operation with several other agencies including the San Antonio Police Department, the Bexar County Sheriffs Office, the U.S. Marshals Service and Texas Department of Public Safety, among others. Of the 25 arrested, 10 have made initial appearances in federal court including six in San Antonio: Anthony Colonel Valdez, Juan Big Homie Flores, Luis Marquez, Daniel Rodriguez, Nelson Ochoa and Adam Messy Rodriguez. Their ages were not immediately available. Also appearing in federal court in Austin or the Rio Grande Valley were Clarisela Bermea, Juan Big Time Silvas, Ashley Garza, and Erica Lee Zuniga, according to court records and clerks. They were held over for bond hearings and arraignment within the next two weeks, records show. The rest will appear before judges in the coming days. Their charges range from conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, meth or fentanyl to actual possession with intent to distribute them. The defendants face five to 40 years in prison if convicted. In San Antonio, arrests were made and search warrants were served in various locations, including the 9200 block of Blind Lane, 9400 block of Gold Hill, both near Marbach, at an apartment complex on South Acme Street on the West Side and in the Glen on the Northeast Side, among others. The raids occurred as early as 5 a.m. in some of the locations, after a federal grand jury in San Antonio indicted the suspects last Wednesday. Guillermo Contreras covers federal courts in San Antonio and international legal issues. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | gcontreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @gmaninfedland KSAT-12 anchor and reporter Bill Barajas is leaving San Antonio to join Houston's KPRC as a reporter. TV news industry runs in the Bayou City native's family. Bill's father, Mike Barajas, is a former anchor at Fox26 and his cousin, Erik Barajas, is a current anchor at KTRK. More on Houston TV: TV reporter Ruben Galvan returns to the Houston airwaves, this time on KHOU 11 news "I grew up around the news business and fell in love with it," Bill told Chron.com. Bill is a graduate of the University of Houston. His work resume includes three years at KRGV 5 in the Rio Grande Valley, where he began his career, as well as six years at KSAT 12. Bill's last day at KSAT is Friday. He will take some time off before making his debut at Channel 2. More on Houston TV: Babies on the way for both KPRC's Haley Hernandez and KHOU's Lisa Hernandez The most important thing about being back in the Bayou City, Bill said, is the opportunity to spend more time with his family. "To be back with my parents, brother and family is a blessing," Bill said. Although Bill's exact work schedule has yet to be determined, his first day at KPRC Channel 2 is slotted for June 17. Marcy de Luna is a digital reporter. You can follow her on Twitter @MarcydeLuna and Facebook @MarcydeLuna. Read her stories on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com. | Marcy.deLuna@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message MySA Staff Writer Candice Avila-Garcia contributed to this report. After three decades of working long days, night classes and life challenges, Joyce Raposo has completed a long, sought-after goal at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. The growing South Side campus is where she found her writing voice. Its where the 55-year-old San Antonio native connected with classmates and shared her life experiences. And its where shes ready to bid farewell and seek new possibilities. Raposo graduated from TAMUSA, along with thousands of college seniors in multiple ceremonies across Bexar County this weekend. Across town, the University of Texas at San Antonio is graduating its largest class in school history: 5,100 students. Raposo, a nontraditional student, achieved stellar grades while juggling family responsibilities and extracurricular duties. The communication major graduated with a 4.0 grade-point average and an invitation to the Lambda Pi Eta honor society of the National Communication Association. Its so surreal, she said, days before graduation at the Jaguar Java coffee shop. It gives me options. It was a goal I have always wanted to have. She served as editor-in-chief of the universitys online student newspaper, the Mesquite, and interned at the universitys El Espejo print magazine. The Texas Intercollegiate Press Association awarded her first place for her feature story about Marikate Maggio, an 18-year-old freshman at TAMUSA who died in a car accident in September. Raposo was the first recipient of a $5,000 Freedom Grant from My Education Solutions for an essay about her legacy at the university. She hopes to pursue a career as a music journalist. On ExpressNews.com: TAMUSA president returns to her roots Melinda Thomas, the director of admissions, said the definition of a nontraditional student has changed significantly with so many pathways to education. In 2018, the average age of students at the university was 28. For a lot of nontraditional students, many of their past experiences have been that they may have been at a larger institution, Thomas said, or just at a different point in their life where they just felt like a number, and here thats not the case. Before she received her bachelors degree Friday, Raposo reflected on her 38-year journey. She graduated from high school in May 1981, when Ronald Reagan was president and the No. 1 song was, Bette Davis Eyes, by Kim Carnes. At 17, she was more preoccupied with having fun than concentrating on studying at San Antonio College. Raposo dropped out and went to work. Her absence from academics ended at age 30, when her boss suggested that she apply for financial aid and go back to school. She attended St. Philips College, where she maintained a 4.0 GPA. She went to the University of Texas at Austin but couldnt get the classes she needed. She took classes at Texas State University and later transferred to the University of Texas at San Antonio for night classes. Her studies came to a halt when the university didnt offer classes for her degree. There was a change of fortune. Twelve years ago, a friend introduced her to her future husband, Robert Raposo, and they bonded right away over a shared sense of humor and attending live music concerts in Austin. They were married nine months later. A fall down a flight of stairs left her with a brace on her left leg. One night in rural Floresville, she left a friends house and was bitten on her right ankle by a copperhead snake. At the emergency room, the wound required five bags of anti-venom. While in rehab, she lost her job. The company was unable to hold her position while she recuperated, but she used her experience in the medical field to return to work as a marketing representative for Sendero Imaging. Raposo thrived as she worked for an imaging center, physical rehabilitation center and in the medical marketing field. When her company was sold, she left, and after 15 years in her field, she couldnt get any interviews. One thing was missing: a bachelors degree. After one year of school, Raposo had to adjust her pace when they took in her husbands niece and nephew. Her husband encouraged her to keep going. I would not be here if it wasnt for him, Raposo said. Hes given me financial support and the freedom to not work. Katherine Otten commended her daughter and son-in-law for following their plan. She tackled what seemed like an insurmountable challenge, Otten, 75, said of her only child. Its been a hard two years, with a family, and a long commute from the North Side. Once shes invested, shes all in. On ExpressNews.com: At San Antonios still new A&M campus, dorm is a rural outpost The founding director and academic coordinator of Jaguar Student Media, Jenny Moore, credited Raposo for her role at the Mesquite, which tells the stories of underserved students on the South Side. She was committed to making sure that the staff would represent the mission of the news site, Moore said, which is connected to the overall mission of the university to provide job preparation and a solid education to the community. Its wonderful to have a strong woman leader as an editor, said Mesquite photo editor Deidre Carrillo, 23. Shes one of us. She has this fire inside of her to do great things. The vast landscape of the South Side can be seen from the third-floor windows of the Mesquite in the Central Academic Building. Beyond acres of mesquite trees and scrub brush, Raposo could see the quadrant where she grew up near Brooks City Base. And she could see the promise of growth, as wide as the opportunities on her horizon. Staff Writer Krista Torralva contributed to this report. | Vincent T. Davis is a reporter in the Greater San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | vtdavis@express-news.net | Twitter: @vincentdavis Smoking will be prohibited at San Antonio parks, the River Walk, Market Square, La Villita and the Greenway Trails starting June 1, according to a news release from the city of San Antonio. City Council voted in favor of the proposal on April 11, joining 52 other municipalities that have adopted the same ban. Each year, the Judson Independent School District partners with Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) to host a STEM Day at Wagner High School. On Saturday, hundreds of parents eagerly brought their children to engage in hands-on learning. The annual STEM Day is designed to engage students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics-based activities that not only demonstrate scientific properties but are fun to do. Many of those attending are students in the Judsons ISDs STEM programs. Concocting slime at one exhibit caused some students to remark how they can now see how the sciences can be lots of fun, too. In one area of Wagners cafeteria, one student leaned back squinting while carefully examining how an arrangement of toothpicks and Gummy Bears was able to withstand the weight of his smartphone. Another student, seventh-grader Gavin Zamora, also was fascinated with the display and saw what it could mean in real life. If I want to be an architect, Zamora said. Im going to need a structure that is stable enough to not collapse on the family. Otherwise, Ill get sued. The event included representatives from the areas of business, non-profit service and education, including AT&T, Valero; UT Health Science Center and the Witte Museum. Judson parent Autuan Powell smiled as he watched his childs fascination with a replica of an astronauts space suit and desire to go to the moon. They have to learn that life is more than what sport they play, what latest dance they can do, and what the latest rap lyrics are, said Powell. They need to know science, technology, and innovation play a great part in the development of their minds. While visiting a city not too far from South Texas but far enough to make a difference, La Comadre was forced to dine at a Mexican restaurant that didnt seem Mexican. When she heard what the place was called, she instantly had reservations and she hadnt made em. The place had a Mexican restaurant name, something like El Huarache or El Bigote, something that would say to those driving past that enchiladas could be had in this establishment. And they could, La Comadre explained, and they werent bad. Its just that they were a little sad. Sad? Ya sabes, enchiladas muy muy tristes. They didnt have enough sauce, not enough cheese. Le falto chile, ajo, cebollitasle falto ganas al cocinero, she said. The food wasnt really bad but it wasnt good either. She went on. La salsa came in a 2 oz. bowl with a basket filled with a pound of chips. The tortillas were heated in the microwave. And the rice? Ni ganas te quedan de acabar. Weve all been to The Fake Mexican Restaurant. If youre a stranger to Mexican food, its good. If you have a chile relleno once every three months whether you need it or not, you wont like it. Thats OK. It wasnt put there to serve connoisseurs of huevos rancheros or calabacita con carne de puerco. But when someone you like tells you that they want to treat you to El Caliente del Sur or El Patron Guapisimo because their No. 4 combination plate is delicious, you dont really have a choice but to be polite and hope for the best. The server who brings the water and chips no tiene la culpa. Hes just doing his job. If it has pictures of Pancho Villa, Emiliano Zapata or the pretty Mexican girl from the Coca Cola ads popular in the 1940s on the walls, it probably isnt a mom and pop shop, and that waiter just needs this job. If the chairs and tables are all made of Mexican pine and the mariachis are singing through the speakers, you can expect the rice to come from a box labeled Spanish Rice. That server knows it and, even though its honest work, hes a little embarrassed. So what do you do in such a predicament? Do you eat the 1,500 mediocre calories and pretend to like it? Or do you pretend youre sick, then eat those 1,500 calories in the form of a Snickers bar and Coke on the drive home, because at least that Snickers bar isnt pretending to be something it isnt? One thing is for sure: A sad enchilada is no match for a proud and honest Snickers. mariaanglinwrites@gmail.com A San Marcos police officer run over by an alleged drunk driver on Interstate 35 on Saturday lost her leg as a result of her injuries, according to authorities. The driver, Neil Sheehan, struck Ofc. Claudia Cormier at 9:45 p.m. Saturday on Interstate 35 near McCarty Overpass while the three-year veteran was responding to a call for debris in the roadway. A nurse driving by the scene stopped and rendered aid. She was able to fashion a tourniquet around Cormier's leg, which likely saved her life, according to officials. Paramedics responded to the crash shortly thereafter and took the injured officer to Seton-Hays hospital in Kyle, Texas. FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox San Marcos Police Chief Chase Stapp said doctors had to amputate her right leg near her knee. She in now in stable condition but faces several more surgeries. "It's going to be a long road to recovery. I don't know what that looks like, but we're going to support her in every way we can," the chief said. Texas DPS troopers arrested Sheehan on charges of intoxication assault on a public servant and failure to slow causing serious bodily injury. He was booked into the Hays County Jail on a $77,000 bail and has since been released on bond. Community members opened a Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union account for donations to Cormier's recovery. RBFCU members can donate with the account number 208695903. All others can transfer funds using routing number 314089681, account number 208695903, and listing the account as a deposit account. Donations can also be made in person at the San Marcos Police Department. "She's extremely driven and courageous, and she's going to get through this," Stapp said. Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com Caleb Downs covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County. Read him on our breaking news site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | cdowns@mysa.com | @calebjdowns Hate may have found a home in New Haven on Sunday when a fire burned through the first and second floor of the Diyanet Mosque of New Haven, rendering it uninhabitable. Authorities have said that an incendiary device was used to start the blaze, meaning someone purposefully tried to burn the mosque down. We do not know at this time if bias was the motive, but here is what we do know. This incident happened at the end of the first week of Ramadan, a holy month of fasting for Muslims a time of self-sacrifice, charity and family gatherings. Fortunately, only the imam was at the mosque at the time, but if the blaze had broken out later that evening it is likely that dozens of people including small children would have been there for nighttime prayers and breaking their fast. If reports regarding the scope of the fire are true, there would have been much more than property damage. Islamophobia has been a constant presence in Muslim life in America since 9/11. Nearly 20 years later, a generation of Muslims have grown up experiencing bullying in the school yard, discrimination at work and violence ranging from womens head-scarves being pulled off in the street to deadly assaults. However, data gathered by the Council on American-Islamic Relations shows that coinciding with the candidacy of Donald Trump for president, incidents against mosques ratcheted upwards. There were 78 instances of mosques being targeted counting arson, vandalism and other destruction in 2015. By comparison, 2014 saw just 20 such incidents. By the end of 2017, CAIR recorded nine mosques being attacked each month. As the Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump proclaimed loudly, I think Islam hates us, and said (falsely and repeatedly) that he saw Muslims in New Jersey celebrating the destruction of the Twin Towers. Upon assuming office, he enacted through an Executive Order the Muslim Ban on immigration. The fig leaf of national security belied the fact that the seven countries targeted were predominantly Muslim and in 2015 had accounted for the largest sources of Muslim immigration to the United States. The measure was clearly designed to reduce Muslim immigration. In his book Understanding Ethnic Violence, MIT professor Roger Peterson points to a toxic brew of emotions fear, rage and resentment as motivating factors for individual perpetrators of ethnic violence. According to Petersons theory, observable structural changes generate an emotional mechanism that in turn heighten the saliency of a desire (safety, vengeance, status) that promote ethnic violence and conflict. U.S. participation in successive Gulf Wars, the inexcusable and horrific World Trade Center attacks, the war in Afghanistan, and ISIS terrorism have collectively primed Americans to fear Muslims. Whereas previous presidents distinguished militants from ordinary Muslims, the Trumpian view places us all in one basket, and his views coincide with the administrations assertion that non-white undesirable immigrants are invading the country. Under these conditions, the desire for security is heightened and a house of worship with its tall minarets becomes a visible target. The unleashed alt-right domestic terrorists who burn mosques also pose a threat to members of other religious minorities. The suspect in last months shooting at the Chabad of Poway synagogue, in which one person was killed and several people wounded, admitted in his manifesto that he had set fire to a mosque in Escondido, Calif. Ancient hatreds and resentment of Jews , perceived as being farthest up the ethnic status hierarchy, result in violence and result in the cries heard in Charlottesville of Jews will not replace us. Richard Spencer, a chief organizer of that Unite the Right rally, acknowledged in an interview this week with the The Atlantic that President Trump was the catalyst for the white nationalist movement. It really was because of his campaign and this new potential for a nationalist candidate who was resonating with the public in a very intense way, said Spencer in an article titled An Oral History of Trumps Bigotry. He changed the paradigm and made this kind of public presence of the alt-right possible. With the apparent infiltration of the Republican Party at the national level by white supremacists now seemingly complete, it is now up to GOP elected officials and party activists in Connecticut to vocally and publicly make clear whether they endorse Trumpism and its policy of trickle-down hate or if they reject it. As a Republican, I would hope that our party does indeed speak out against the alt-right ideology and its xenophobic undertones. Despite our fervent prayers for peace and understanding, the burning of the mosque in New Haven will not likely be the last manifestation of violence against Muslims living in Connecticut. I do not want to attend another vigil in solidarity with victims of bias-motivated violence. Rather, I would like the various groups that make up the fabric of this great state including our political leaders to come together in times of joy and celebrate the humanity we all share in common. For that to happen we all deserve to know the true beliefs of the men and women who represent us under the Republican Partys banner. Tark Aouadi is the executive director of the Connecticut Chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations, Americas largest Muslim civil rights organization. With a competent president in the White House, the escalating confrontation with Iran would not rise to the level of crisis. With President Donald Trump calling the shots, we should be afraid. Very afraid. A rational president, of course, would not have abandoned the landmark deal that halted Irans pursuit of nuclear weapons. A reasonable president would not take provocative steps that seem designed to goad the Iranians into a military clash. A sensible president would study the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and learn the sobering lessons they teach. Instead, we have Trump. He campaigned on a promise to end unwinnable wars and bring the troops home, which may be what he truly wants to do. But this instinct is thwarted by the presidents insecure need to act like a swaggering bully on the world stage, pushing around our allies and punishing the adversaries he perceives as weak. The sharp rise in tension with Iran cannot be entirely blamed on John Bolton, Trumps hawkish national security adviser, who has long made clear that his goal is nothing less than regime change. Ultimately, it was Trump who decided to pull out of the nuclear deal, against the advice of his then-defense secretary, James Mattis; Trump who ordered scorched-earth sanctions designed not to cripple but to destroy the Iranian economy; Trump who approved designating a unit of Irans armed forces, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as a terrorist organization. But Bolton is guiding Trump down this dangerous path. I am no apologist for Irans repressive, theocratic regime, which is a destructive and deadly influence in the Middle East (though hardly the only one). In shrewd and subtle hands, a push-pull policy of pressure and rewards might have a positive effect on the Iranian governments behavior. Instead, we have Trump. The president has allowed the traditional U.S. alliance with Saudi Arabia Irans bitter rival for military, political and religious dominance in the region to be turned into what amounts to a Vulcan mind meld, with the role of Spock being played by the de facto Saudi leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Trump took no effective action against Salman, not even a stern finger-wagging, for ordering the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. The president has turned a blind eye to the near-genocidal war Salman is waging in Yemen. And now Trump appears to be doing the Saudi potentates bidding with regard to Iran. Trump administration talk of sending up to 120,000 troops to the region if Iran or its proxies attack American forces is, at this point, just talk. But ordering home hundreds of nonessential diplomatic personnel from neighboring Iraq, as the administration announced last week, is the kind of concrete step that often precedes hostilities. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tried to convince European foreign ministers that the administration is acting on credible intelligence suggesting that Iran may be planning some kind of attack. But he didnt show us any evidence, one senior European official told the Washington Post. U.S. officials were quoted anonymously as blaming Iran for somehow damaging four oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz in recent days. But the administration has not provided information about how the damage was inflicted or proof that Iran was responsible. Look at a map. Iran is nearly four times as big as Iraq and has twice the population. Tehran does not have nuclear weapons we know that thanks to the nuclear deal that the Obama administration negotiated and Trump ripped up but it does have robust air and naval defenses. As we should know by now, Iranians would likely react to a clash with the United States not by turning on their leaders, however unpopular they might be, but by rallying around the flag. Trump may believe his hard-line policies will force the Iranian government to capitulate and negotiate a new agreement encompassing not just nuclear technology but also Irans toxic influence in the region and its ballistic missile program. To me, however, it looks as if the administration is trying to provoke Iran into lashing out. If Trump doesnt want a war, he needs to make that clear not just to the Iranians but to Bolton and Pompeo as well. The president is blowing the chance to lead an allied coalition in applying appropriate pressure to Iran, just as he is blowing the chance to orchestrate a multilateral stand on Chinas unfair trade practices. We already have a trade war. I fear Trump may stumble into a real one. eugenerobinson@washpost.com Sometimes the gods offer human beings a mulligan, a chance to right a past wrong. When a 19-year-old white male shot up a synagogue in Poway, Calif., the attack got me thinking. Jews have been terrorized for 5,000 years. And when theyve sought refuge, theyve been turned away. Just think what Jews experienced as refugees during World War II. You can see that story on display in Yad Vashem, the Holocaust History Museum in Jerusalem. Visitors can see on an enormous map of the globe plastered on an entire wall country by country, who took in Jews fleeing Adolf Hitlers reign of terror and who refused to take them in, usually because of fear, prejudice and hatred. The message comes through loud and clear: Jewish people are keeping score. Good for the Jews. We ought to remember who served humanity and who failed it. Americans failed. Ours is a remarkable country, but Id count at least five great sins: the conquest of Native Americans, the enslavement of African Americans, the invasion of Mexico that created the Southwest, the internment of the Japanese Americans after Pearl Harbor, and turning away Jews seeking refuge during World War II. One of the most notorious episodes occurred in June 1939, when the German ocean liner SS St. Louis and its 937 passengers, almost all Jewish refugees were turned away from a port in Miami, where the ship tried to dock after being rejected by Cuba. The SS St. Louis was forced to return to Europe. Historians say more than a quarter of the passengers died in the Holocaust. And we can live with that? Its a sad but familiar tale. Regardless of U.S. policy, everyday Americans did not put out welcome mats for Armenians fleeing genocidal Turks, Cubans seeking liberation from Castro, or the Hmong who escaped the North Vietnamese intent on killing them for aiding American troops during the Vietnam War. These are the stories that bring tears to my eyes. Thats because I expect more of America. The country I love is better than that. Yet fear, prejudice and hatred are powerful things. Because of anti-Semitism in the U.S., it wasnt until 1945 after the war and 10 years after the German Reichstag passed the Nuremberg laws, which restricted the rights of Jews that President Harry Truman issued an executive order giving refugee preference to Jews fleeing Europe. Incredibly, even then, some anti-Semites in Congress pushed back. Americans should ask themselves: How many Jews died in the decade that we dithered? One hopes that, the next time we get tested, it doesnt take us 10 years to conquer our demons and listen to our better angels. Guess what? The test is today. The United States now has a whole new crop of refugees to contend with. This time, theyre fleeing Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, which are all hotbeds of violence. There is your border crisis. These days, most of the people crossing are not economic immigrants from Mexico, whose numbers are way down. With more opportunity in Mexico, folks are staying put. Refugees dont have that option. You cant stay home when the house is on fire. You jump out the window and pray for mercy. Some people will see the comparison. Others dont want to see it. We dont have to say that brown-skinned Latino refugees coming from Central America in 2019 are exactly the same as light-skinned Jewish refugees who came from Europe in the 1930s and 1940s. And we dont have to argue that ruthless and well-armed drug gangs in Central America are the moral equivalent of the Nazis. Thats not the point. This is about the common denominator: Americans, and how they treat the stranger. The answer often depends on just how strange the visitor appears to the hosts. Im sick of duplicity and double-talk. Its time to decide whether or not were going to live up to our brand. Is America still, as advertised, a nation of immigrants seeking opportunity and a safe haven for refugees yearning to breathe free? Or not? If President Donald Trump gets his way, the answer will be not. In remarks from the White House on Thursday, Trump complained that many of todays asylum claims are frivolous. How would we ever know if thats true if we dont give people a fair hearing? Americans have a chance to make amends to the annals of history. We cant afford to fail again. ruben@rubennavarrette.com Prior to the runoff election for mayor, it may be worth thinking about what the candidates represent. Can we really afford a mayor who is largely supported by and indebted to local unions specifically, the firemans union? Its association and relation to Greg Brockhouse is much too close, and as a result, any contract negotiations with the union would most likely be corrupted and the city would be left with contracts it cannot afford. Even without prejudice, Mayor Ron Nirenburg is the better candidate and would not be the divisive force Brockhouse represents. Brockhouse has managed to turn a financial decision regarding an airport concession into a religious issue that does not exist. It sounds like Donald Trump tactics at work and reflects badly on Brockhouse and his supporters. Jeffrey Hall Guns top priority The Texas Legislature passed HB 1177. Really? With all the issues that need to be addressed and resolved in our great state property tax rates, imminent domain rights, water management, climate change, transportation, infrastructure, etc. the Legislature wants to make sure citizens have the ability to temporarily carry a handgun without a license while complying with a mandatory evacuation order. Im glad we got that settled. Mark Cromer His work? Mysterious Re: Read the Bible much? Your Turn, Thursday: Joan Raab may be right that the phrase God works in mysterious ways does not appear verbatim in the Bible, but the Old Testament includes: Truly, O God of Israel, our Savior, you work in mysterious ways (Isaiah 45:15, New Living Translation) and the New Testament includes: When the seventh angel blows his trumpet, Gods mysterious plan will be fulfilled (Revelation 10:7 NLT). There are many other similar examples, all indicating to believers that Gods understanding of the world far supersedes theirs. A reasonable person might conclude that believers in the Bible believe that God works in mysterious ways, whether or not that phrase appears exactly in any given translation. The faithful might also see Daniel 2:21 for reassurance about the original topic of this exchange. John DeLaHunt Dont just kill them Re: Rivers Egyptian geese face euthanasia, Front Page, May 10: Oh, really? The only solution for these animals is euthanasia? Craig Bell Let us consider the word war. Its all over the place (including in a Michael Gerson column on this same page). Yes, its currently top of mind because honest-to-badness war is happening. Were still in Afghanistan after 18 bloody years, with no end apparently in sight. Were mopping up, or have mopped up, ISIS in Syria, withdrawal apparently imminent. All options are allegedly on the table when it comes to poor, suffering Venezuela. And looming, were told, is trading missiles with Iran and maybe even using ground troops. To which there are obvious responses. Among them: You gotta be kidding. Enough already. Afghanistan threatens to become our forever war. We mustnt let it. In Syria, even with ISIS vanquished (but not everywhere), the monster Bashar Assad who uses chemical weapons on his own people remains. And a fuller war there is still unthinkable, quagmire and a clash with Russia written all over it. Venezuela? Military intervention only helps Nicolas Maduro hang onto power and turns our allies in the quest to force him out into his best buds. And with Iran, the hawks are seeing long-standing threats suddenly transformed into imminent danger, causing them to loudly thump those war drums risking an accidental war or conflict we simply drift into. But lets consider the term war more generally. For instance, theres the war on drugs and then theres the trade war. And there are instances in which the word war is never used, but strategic verbiage still gets the message across. Immigration comes to mind. There is danger when we use that word or words that pretty much amount to the same thing. We set up red lines in the sand and us-and-them characterizations youre with us or with those dirty so-and-sos. War denotes the need for full-on mobilization, all carnage-producing tools in our war belt employed. So, just recently, while the word war wasnt used that I could notice, the mindset was clearly in evidence. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick declared dead in the Senate a House bill that would have commonsensically reduced the penalty for small amounts of marijuana. Horrors! Therein lies the path to gasp and deep shudders full legalization of marijuana. And then presumably other horrors follow, an expanded tax base that pays for schools and other needed services never mentioned among them. Sorry, all this bill does is take people who shouldnt be there out of overcrowded jails so they can take care of their families and their jobs and not clog up a system better used for people who harm other people. And speaking of forever wars, our war on drugs has been around as long as Ive been cognizant that drugs were, well, all around a child of the 60s and 70s, you know. And weve been losing this war since Ive gained that cognition. In forever wars, losing or at least not winning seems to be the point, constituting a full-employment-and-funding act in some quarters. And in others, forever talking about the need for the war is the means to show how tough they are. And the rest of us are really dumb for listening to them. Trade war with China? So far, weve witnessed plunging markets, ailing U.S. farmers besieged by tit-for-tat tariffs, U.S. manufacturers paying more for the materials they need, and U.S. consumers not China actually paying those tariffs. But, in war, you know, sacrifices must be made. Another bailout commonly called welfare in other circumstances is coming for you, farmers (though not likely making you whole). But you others, suck it up. This is war! That term trade war is being used more often by my fellow journalists than anyone else, but thats because its an apt description the presidents bellicose actions making the point. Yes, China is employing unfair trade practices, but there are better ways of handling this. Immigration? According to the president, asylum-seekers are lurking gangbangers. Oh, yes, and were too full for more brown people anyway. Other migrants are similarly described as criminals, rapists, breeders and infestations. Taking away our jobs? OK, you pick my fruits and veggies. Let them come in legally? Sure, how about we develop a system that actually gives them a shot at doing that. Oh, yes, too many are from (expletive)hole countries, according to the president. Right, no us-and-dirty-so-and-so characterizations employed at all. So, because Im a child of the 60s and 70s, Ill borrow this lyric: War, what is it good for? When it comes to drugs, trade and immigration, I agree with Edwin Starr, absolutely nothing. o.ricardo.pimentel@express-news. The Zimbabwe Regulatory Authority ZERA has put to rest speculations that fuel prices will be increased. This follows the shock announcement by RBZ governor John Mangudya that Fuel Companies will now buy foreign currency at the Interbank rate instead of the subsidized 1:1 they were receiving previously. Zimbabwe has been plagued by foreign currency shortages with the RBZ coming under fire for prioritizing fuel cartels at the expense of other critical sectors of the economy. Below is a Press statement released by ZERA. Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News The last mortals TLS Author Michael Pollan on food, travel and identity BBC Mr Trendy Sicko London Review of Books Baltimore ransomware nightmare could last weeks more, with big consequences Ars Technica 5G networks could throw weather forecasting into chaos Grist Waste Watch Hawaii Leaders Mull Potential of Climate Liability Cases Climate Liability News Climate change is putting even resilient and adaptable animals like baboons at risk The Conversation Fossil Fuel Companies Push Market-Based Solutions to Climate Change TruthOut 2020 Imperial Collapse Watch New Cold War Russia-gate as Count Dracula Consortium News. Review of Stephen Cohens new book. Big Brother IS Watching You Watch Amazon Faces Investor Pressure Over Facial Recognition NYT Trump Transition Tariff Tantrum 737 MAX What science says Uber and Lyft are doing to San Francisco San Francisco Chronicle. Once you skip past the ritual genuflection at the beginning that ride-hailing apps have undoubtedly benefited customers the rest of the article spells out a plethora of cons. Class Warfare As states pass restrictive abortion laws, questions surface AP Syraqistan How Mining Companies Use Excessive Legal Powers to Gamble with Latin American Lives Foreign Policy in Focus India Antidote du Jour (via) See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. In these regions, when winter comes, ready or not, creatures big and small endure the coldest and most unforgiving landscapes on the planet. Thursdays from 8:30pm AEDT. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has praised the United Kingdom for maintaining a continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent for 50 years in a letter to Prime Minister Theresa May. In NATO, we appreciate this enormous commitment to our shared security by generations of Royal Navy submariners and their families, by scores of dedicated support personnel in the United Kingdom's Armed Forces and Civil Service, and by partners in industry, the Secretary General underlined. At least one Royal Navy submarine carrying nuclear missiles has been on undersea patrol at all times since April 1969. This mission, called Operation Relentless, is the longest sustained military operation ever undertaken by the UK. Mr. Stoltenberg stressed that NATO Allies face a highly complex international security environment. Our goal is to maintain peace and security for all our nations and people, he wrote. The commitment the UK has made, and continues to make, is a vital contribution to NATO's overall deterrence effort, including against the most extreme potential threats. This helps protect all NATO Allies. In 1969, the UK began continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent patrols with four Resolution class boats. The mission is now provided by four Vanguard-class submarines based at Clyde Naval Base at Faslane in Scotland. At the NATO Summit in 2018, all Allies reaffirmed that the fundamental purpose of NATO's nuclear capability is to preserve peace, prevent coercion, and deter aggression. Allies stressed that given the deteriorating security environment in Europe, a credible and united nuclear Alliance is essential. While the circumstances in which NATO might have to use nuclear weapons are extremely remote, NATO will remain a nuclear alliance as long as nuclear weapons exist. At the same time, NATO remains committed to creating the conditions for a world without nuclear weapons. Since the end of the Cold War, Allies have reduced their collective nuclear arsenal in Europe by around 90 percent. (Natural News) If you go out in the woods today, youre in for a big surprise. That line from a favorite childrens nursery rhyme is certainly true when it comes to ticks. Those creepy little critters carry some seriously nasty diseases, including Lyme disease, and theyre most active between April and September. In other words, if youre going to be heading outdoors to enjoy the warmer weather, you need to be aware that the ticks are doing the same thing. Lyme disease is far more common than many of us realize. Around 30,000 cases are reported by national health authorities each year, but the CDC believes that the true numbers are far higher, and as many as 300,000 people could actually be affected annually. Even celebrities Bella Hadid and Avril Lavigne have reported contracting the disease in recent years. The biggest problem, it would seem, is that people who live in places where Lyme disease is common are unaware that they are at risk and do not take steps to protect themselves. The result is that many people enter affected areas without protective clothing or bug repellent, and end up taking more than lungfuls of fresh air home with them. Since the tick problem is such a common one, it is hardly surprising that a Facebook video of a woman removing a tick from her body with just a drop of peppermint oil has gone viral; at last count, over 27 million people had viewed the post. The clip shows the tick getting so irritated by the peppermint oil that after just 20 seconds it crawls away from the affected area. On the surface this looks particularly impressive, because unlike other methods of removal like tweezers, the tick comes out in one piece, not leaving any of its mouth parts behind. This is important, because when those parts are left behind in the body they increase the risk of other infectious diseases. Of course, this natural remedy has sent the mainstream medical community into hysterics. Opponents of the method insist that aggravating the tick in this manner might cause it to salivate into the body, increasing the risk of infectious disease transfer. Those are actually salivated into the body when the tick attaches and so we dont want to agitate the tick in any way that is going to make it salivate more and thereby be more likely to transmit anything into you that may make you sick, said Dr. Neeta Connally, assistant professor of Biology at Western Connecticut State University. What Connally says certainly makes sense, but one has to wonder: Wouldnt grabbing the tick with a pair of tweezers or another device also aggravate it? Why would that not cause it to salivate more? While many online sources say that using a pair of fine-tipped tweezers to remove the tick is a great solution, others insist that tweezers are no good as they are likely to put too much pressure on the mouth parts and cause them to break off. These sources insist that only a special tick-removal device will suffice. It seems highly unlikely to me that many people keep such special devices around the house. As is almost always the case, prevention seems by far to be the best solution. Here are some tips to keep the ticks off your body in the first place: Wear light-colored long-sleeved shirts and pants whenever you go walking in wooded areas or shady grassland. Apply a natural, non-chemical insect repellent to your skin and clothing before leaving the house. Check very carefully for ticks in all the hairy parts of your body after you return home, including easy-to-forget areas like your scalp and underarms. Wash your clothing as soon as possible. If you do find a tick on your body, get a doctor or someone with a special tick remover to get the tick out as soon as possible. Time is of the essence; it takes between 36 and 48 hours for a tick to transmit Lyme disease to a host after it becomes attached. Watch out for a tell-tale bulls-eye rash anywhere on your body if you think you may have been in a tick-infested area. This rash can appear anywhere between three and 30 days after exposure, and indicates Lyme disease infection. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk MensHealth.com CDC.gov EverydayHealth.com (Natural News) About three decades have passed since scientists made the devastating discovery that a massive hole had developed in the Earths ozone layer the shield that protects us from the sun by absorbing most of its ultraviolet radiation right over Antarctica. Recognizing the immensely dangerous potential of the situation, most of the worlds countries got together and signed the Montreal Protocol in 1987, which banned the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs); man-made ozone-damaging chemicals. It would seem that their efforts have paid off, and though the hole in the ozone layer remains large (over 8 million square miles), it has stopped increasing in size, and actually seems to be shrinking. Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have published a paper in the journal Science, claiming that the hole has shrunk by an impressive 4 million square kilometers (over 1.54 million square miles) since 2000, when the problem was at its most critical. Interestingly, the hole in the ozone is not static it starts developing in late August each year, as Antarctica starts shaking off the winter, and is fully developed by the beginning of October. Ozone is depleted when three elements are perfectly positioned: Chlorine, such as that found in CFCs, or large volumes of sulfur dioxide such as is emitted by volcanoes, must be present in the atmosphere, along with the right amount of light, and a cold enough temperatures to create polar stratospheric clouds. The MIT scientists took measurements in September each year from 2000 to 2015, and based on their data, were able to calculate that the hole had shrunk by more than 4 million square kilometers in that time. They attribute most of the improvement to the reduction in atmospheric chlorine, which was accomplished by phasing out certain dry cleaning processes, aerosol cans and older refrigerators. The study authors are hopeful that the hole will close permanently by 2050. Their findings have been confirmed by several other scientific institutions. In 2014, Scientific American reported on a study by the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Program, which found that the phasing out of CFCs has indeed given the ozone layer a chance to recover, and that the hole is definitely not growing anymore. And in 2015, The Weather Channel noted that a study by NASA scientists, published in the journal Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, had drawn the same conclusion, based on data received from the satellite Aura. Their more conservative estimates found that though the hole has consistently been about the same size since 1990 (double the size of the United States), it should shrink and remain smaller by mid-century, and should disappear completely by the turn of the next century. This is amazing news for the planet, and shows what the human family can accomplish when it puts asides its many differences to work towards the common good. Science was helpful in showing the path, diplomats and countries and industry were incredibly able in charting a pathway out of these molecules, and now weve actually seen the planet starting to get better. Its a wonderful thing, said Susan Solomon, lead author of the MIT study, and a professor of atmospheric chemistry and climate science at the university. We can now be confident that the things weve done have put the planet on a path to heal. Which is pretty good for us, isnt it? Arent we amazing humans, that we did something that created a situation that we decided collectively, as a world, Lets get rid of these molecules? We got rid of them, and now were seeing the planet respond. Sources for this article include: Pionic.org ScientificAmerican.com Weather.com (Natural News) We live in a time where we have all manner of modern conveniences, but many of them are proving to come with a huge trade-off. For example, the substances that can help our fabrics resist stains and repel water and keep food from sticking to our pans are a godsend from a cleaning point of view, but scientists are growing increasingly concerned about the presence of this family of chemicals in our water and environment. These dangerous fluorochemicals chemicals, known collectively as PFAS., can be found in a lot of unexpected places. While you might already be aware that you should avoid nonstick coatings on pans, did you know that the same chemicals line your pizza boxes and fast food wrappers to keep grease from soaking through? Are you aware that they are most likely in your water supply, particularly if you live even remotely close to places where firefighting foams have been used? Theyre on your furniture, theyre on your electronics and wires, and theyre in the dust in your home. In other words, theyre everywhere and they never break down. These chemicals have been used widely since the 1950s, and nearly everyone tested has them in their system. Thats because the same super-strong carbon-fluorine bonds that make them so effective also ensure that they ever degrade. While some subsets, such as PFOS and PFOA, have been banned over the years, their persistent nature means that hundreds of millions of people are still exposed to them. University of Luxembourg Analytical Chemist Emma Schymanski told Nature: These chemicals are changing all the time. Its the worst-case scenario and the most interesting. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Environmental Scientist Zhanyun Wang agrees, saying: These are the most persistent chemicals we are facing today. Their replacements arent believed to be much better. Many of the substances used in PFOA-free nonstick pans also contain fluorine-carrying carbon chains, and although they might be less damaging in theory, scientists simply cant determine whether or not theyre problematic because the chemical industry hides behind the protection of trade secrets to avoid disclosing their formulations. Environmental chemists, toxicologists and epidemiologists have been working hard to try to determine just how many PFAS chemicals we are dealing with and how harmful they are. What are PFAS and similar chemicals doing to our health? Unfortunately, these chemicals build up in your body over time. Studies have already linked PFAS to problems like kidney cancer, testicular cancer, high cholesterol, ulcerative colitis, and pregnancy-induced hypertension. DuPont settled a class action lawsuit in 2017 filed by 3,550 people suffering from these diseases following exposure to the PFAS chemical C8. Meanwhile, a 20-year study that followed 500 children found that those with higher PFAS levels had a reduced ability to develop antibodies in response to vaccinations. The chemicals have also been linked to decreased fertility, growth and learning delays in childhood and infancy, and hormonal changes. Whats in your water? Although there are still a lot of worrying mysteries surrounding these chemicals, scientists do know that the soil and water near military bases and airports around the world are rich in the PFASs found in firefighting foams sprayed in training exercises. Although theyre just a small portion of the fluorochemicals in existence, they make up a big part of the contamination because theyre released straight into the environment. Making the problem worse is the fact that the EPA does not currently regulate PFAS in public water systems, although they have published some guidelines that many experts feel are too generous. The EPA does not require routine monitoring for these chemicals in water, but some states do. You can find out if your local water utility uses ongoing PFAS chemicals testing, and you can have your water tested privately for additional peace of mind. Should you discover a problem, reverse osmosis filters work well at filtering these toxic chemicals out. Sources for this article include: Nature.com ConsumerReports.org (Natural News) Even though many in the scientific community are loudly warning about the potential health effects that 5G technology could have on the general population, Verizon and AT&T are starting to put up their 5G networks in major cities all across the nation. Today, the total number of cell phones exceeds the entire population of the world, and the big cell phone companies are making a crazy amount of money providing service to all of those phones. And now that the next generation of cell phone technology has arrived, millions of cell phone users are looking forward to better connections and faster speeds than ever before. In fact, President Trump says that 5G networks will be up to 100 times faster than the current 4G networks that we are using right now (Article by Michael Snyder republished from EndOfTheAmericanDream.com) 5G will be as much as 100 times faster than the current 4G cellular networks. It will transform the way our citizens work, learn, communicate, and travel. It will make American farms more productive, American manufacturing more competitive, and American healthcare better and more accessible. Basically, it covers almost everything, when you get right down to it. Pretty amazing. And just as 4G networks paved the way for smartphones and all of the exciting breakthroughs they made possible so many things this will be more secure and resilient. 5G networks will also create astonishing and really thrilling new opportunities for our people opportunities that weve never even thought we had a possibility of looking at. Sounds great, right? But in order to achieve such vastly superior performance, 5G networks will use technology that is completely different from 4G networks. 5G waves are ultra high frequency and ultra high intensity, but they are also easily absorbed by objects such as buildings and trees. So although cell towers will be much, much smaller, but they will also have to be much, much closer together than before. According to CBS News, it is estimated that the big cell phone companies will be putting up at least 300,000 of these small towers, and it has been projected that it will cost hundreds of billions of dollars to fully set up the 5G network nationwide. Needless to say, there is a tremendous amount of money at stake, and the big cell phone companies are trying very hard to assure everyone that 5G technology is completely safe. But is it? Today, there is a growing body of scientific evidence that indicates that the electromagnetic radiation that we are constantly being bombarded with is not good for us. Hundreds of scientists that are engaged in research in this area have signed the International EMF Scientist Appeal, and this is how that document begins We are scientists engaged in the study of biological and health effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic fields (EMF). Based upon peer-reviewed, published research, we have serious concerns regarding the ubiquitous and increasing exposure to EMF generated by electric and wireless devices. These includebut are not limited toradiofrequency radiation (RFR) emitting devices, such as cellular and cordless phones and their base stations, Wi-Fi, broadcast antennas, smart meters, and baby monitors as well as electric devices and infra-structures used in the delivery of electricity that generate extremely-low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF EMF). In the next paragraph, we are told that cancer risk, genetic damages, functional changes of the reproductive system, and neurological disorders are some of the health risks that have been discovered by the scientific research that has been conducted so far Numerous recent scientific publications have shown that EMF affects living organisms at levels well below most international and national guidelines. Effects include increased cancer risk, cellular stress, increase in harmful free radicals, genetic damages, structural and functional changes of the reproductive system, learning and memory deficits, neurological disorders, and negative impacts on general well-being in humans. Damage goes well beyond the human race, as there is growing evidence of harmful effects to both plant and animal life. And remember, 5G technology is going to take all of this to an entirely new level. Because the 5G towers are going to be so powerful and so close together, it will essentially be like living in a closed radiation chamber 24 hours a day. Over in Israel, one scientist has discovered that the surface of the human body actually draws in 5G radiation like an antenna Whats further disturbing about 5G radiation is how the human body responds to and processes it. Dr. Ben-Ishai from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem discovered as part of a recent investigation that human skin acts as a type of receptor for 5G radiation, drawing it in like an antenna. This kind of technology, which is in many of our homes, actually interacts with human skin and eyes, writes Arjun Walia for Collective Evolution about the study. human sweat ducts act like a number of helical antennas when exposed to these wavelengths that are put out by the devices that employ 5G technology, he adds. In other words, our bodies are essentially magnets for 5G radiation. So will it be worth it? Will you be willing to risk your life in order to have better connections and faster speeds? Sure, your phone will be more useful than ever before, but there is also the possibility that you could get cancer. Even the American Cancer Societyacknowledges the risk A recent large study by the US National Toxicology Program (NTP) exposed large groups of lab rats and mice to RF energy over their entire bodies for about 9 hours a day, starting before birth and continuing for up to 2 years (which is the equivalent of about 70 years for humans, according to NTP scientists). The study found an increased risk of tumors called malignant schwannomas of the heart in male rats exposed to RF radiation, as well as possible increased risks of certain types of tumors in the brain and adrenal glands. Of course all previous studies have been done on existing cell phone technology. No studies have been done on the health effects of our new ultra-powerful 5G technology, and this has many scientists extremely concerned. Dr. Martin Pall, a PhD and Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry and Basic Medical Sciences at Washington State University, says that rolling out 5G without any safety testing whatsoever has got to be about the stupidest idea anyone has had in the history of the world. Unfortunately, there is no organized opposition and 5G networks are going up all over the country right now. So it wont be too long before you are being bombarded by ultra high frequency and ultra high intensity cell phone radiation wherever you go, and most people wont even realize what is happening. And if you do get sick, the cell phone companies sure arent going to pay the bill. Read more at: EndOfTheAmericanDream.com (Natural News) Without question, U.S. industrial and technology production under POTUS Donald Trumps administration has grown by leaps and bounds, thanks to his business-friendly policies of cutting regulatory red tape and corporate taxes. However, the presidents strategy of putting financial pressure on China in order to produce a better trade arrangement through the steady imposition of tariffs could result in Chinas retaliation that could harm the American tech industry, the so-called green energy sector, and national security. The Achilles heel of U.S. technology production is a dearth of so-called rare earth minerals. According to Geology.com, they are are a group of seventeen chemical elements and they are used in many devices that people use every day such as computer memory, DVDs, rechargeable batteries, cell phones, catalytic converters, magnets, fluorescent lighting and much more. Over the past two decades there has been an explosion in demand for rare earth minerals/elements as technology boomed. But in addition to personal devices and computers, they are used to manufacture batteries including those used in solar power systems and electric vehicles and systems that power our most sophisticated military aircraft, satellites, and weapons. And we get the vast majority of these elements from China. Zero Hedge noted: Back in April of 2018, when the trade war with China was still in its early stages, we explained that among the five nuclear options Beijing has to retaliate against the US, one was the block of rare-earth exports to the US, potentially crippling countless US supply chains that rely on these rare commodities, and forcing painful and costly delays in US production as alternative supply pathways had to be implemented. Now, it appears as though Xi may be considering that very thing in the wake of POTUS Trumps new 25-percent tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese imports. (Related: China backing off previous commitments on trade deal as POTUS Trump digs in with new tariff hike.) The U.S. will seek to parry this trade move Sunday night Xi reportedly made a visit to a rare earth element plant, according to Bloomberg News, which is now fueling fears that he may be considering banning their export to the U.S.: [T]he visits may also flag policy priorities, and rare earths have featured in the escalating trade spat between the U.S. and China. The Asian country raised tariffs to 25% from 10% on American imports, while the U.S. excluded rare earths from its own list of prospective tariffs on roughly $300 billion worth of Chinese goods to be targeted in the next wave of measures. According to the report, the U.S. relies on China for some 80 percent of all rare earth minerals. Yank Kunhe, an analyst at Pacific Securities Co., told Bloomberg News that Xis visit he was accompanied by his chief trade negotiator, Liu He, the vice premier sends a warning signal to the U.S. that China may use rare earths as a retaliation measure as the trade war heats up. This comes after the Trump administration blacklisted Chinese telecom firm Huawei Technologies Co. over allegations the company engages in espionage for Beijing. Currently, European countries are pursuing a development deal with Huawei for 5G service that the Trump administration is attempting to block over fears that it would give China access to European and U.S. technologies, as well as NATO. Any cut-off of rare earths from the U.S. would certainly hurt Chinese miners. Also, doing so would help other companies such as JL MAG, a Dutch firm that likely would step in to fill some of the void. Also, the Trump administration appears to have expected Chinas move. The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that an Australian miner and a U.S. company want to team up to build a rare earths processing plant in America, to circumvent having to send U.S. rare earth ore to China for processing which will face a 25 percent tariff beginning June 1. Last year, the U.S. Geological Survey designated 35 minerals as critical to the economy and national defense. The U.S. is nearly reliant on imports for more than half of them, WSJ reported. Read more about how the Trump administration is taking on Chinas rare earth dilemma at Trump.news and GreenLiving.news. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com Geology.com WSJ.com Bloomberg.com TheNationalSentinel.com (Natural News) In December 2009, the Obama Environmental Protection Agency issued its Endangerment Finding (EF) decreeing that carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) endanger the health and welfare of Americans. In the process, EPA ignored the incredible economic, health and welfare benefits of fossil fuels and the fact that (even at just 0.04% of the atmosphere) carbon dioxide is the miracle molecule that enables plants to grow and makes nearly all live on Earth possible. (Article by Paul Driessen republished from TownHall.com) EPA turned CO2 into a dangerous pollutant and ruled that fossil fuels must be eradicated. The agency subsequently used its EF to justify tens of billions of dollars in climate research, anti-fossil fuel regulations, and wind and solar subsidies; President Obamas signing of the Paris climate treaty; and proposals to spend trillions of dollars a year on Green New Deal (GND) programs. And yet, despite multiple demands that this be done, there has never been any formal, public review of the EF conclusion or of the secretive process EPA employed to ensure the result of its analysis could only be endangerment and no awkward questions or public hearings would get in the way. Review, transparency and accountability may finally be on the way, however, in the form of potential Executive Branch actions. If they occur and they certainly should both are likely to find that there is no valid scientific basis for the EF, and EPA violated important federal procedural rules in rendering its predetermined EF outcome. (One could even say the EF was obtained primarily because of prosecutorial misconduct, a kangaroo court proceeding, and scientific fraud.) Failure to examine and reverse the EF would mean it hangs like Damocles sword over the USA, awaiting the next climate-focused president. To the consternation and outrage of climate alarmists, keep-fossil-fuels-in-the-ground radicals, and predictable politicians and pundits, President Trump may soon appoint a Presidential Committee on Climate Change, to review dangerous manmade climate change reports by federal agencies. Meanwhile, the Competitive Enterprise Institute has filed a formal petition with EPA, asking that the agency stop utilizing and relying on the EF and instead subject the finding to a proper high level peer review, as required by the Information Quality Act. The reasoning presented in CEIs succinct and persuasive petition is compelling. Its main points are these. * EPAs Endangerment Finding and the Technical Support Document (TSD) that supposedly justifies it did not meet Information Quality Act (IQA) requirements for how the work should have been done. * The agencys evaluation of the then-current climate change and related science was clearly a highly influential scientific assessment (HISA), which triggered important IQA and OMB rules governing rulemakings that have a potential impact of more than $500 million in any year or present novel, controversial or precedent-setting changes or would likely raise significant interagency interest. * EPAs Clean Power Plan to shut down coal-fired power plants alone would cost $2.5 billion in annual compliance costs, EPA admitted. Its motor vehicle rules would cost tens of billions. The Paris agreement and GND would add trillions per year in costs to the US economy. All are based on the EF. And all were certainly controversial and generated significant interest by multiple other government agencies. * EPA deliberately downplayed the significance of its review and decision, ignored the IQA and OMB requirements, and refused to allow citizens, independent energy, climate and health experts, or even scientific and professional societies to nominate potential reviewers or participate in the EF analysis. * Instead, the agency utilized an entirely internal review process, designed and conducted entirely by its own federal employees. Those employees had substantial conflicts of interest, because they were reviewing their own scientific work; would be writing, implementing and enforcing regulations based on that work; and had jobs and professional status that might be affected by the outcome of their review. [The review team even summarily dismissed one of EPAs most senior energy and economic experts, because his probing analyses and comments do not help the legal or policy case for the EF decision.] * EPA never allowed the general public or scientific, energy, health or economic experts to review its draft scientific assessment; never sponsored any public meetings; and never let its internal peer reviewers see any of the public comments that outside experts and organizations submitted to the agency. * In fact, none of the EPA peer review panels questions and responses have ever been made public. Each of these actions violated specific IQA and OMB peer review guidelines. Indeed, two years after the Endangerment Finding was issued, even EPAs own Inspector General found that that agency had violated rules governing all of these matters. And yet even then nothing was done to correct them. Read more at: TownHall.com Watch my emergency broadcast video which explains more about why Trump must invoke emergency powers and unleash the military police to arrest the traitors who are engaged in an open rebellion to try to overthrow the United States of America: It is clear that President Trump now recognizes the open rebellion against America being committed by the Governor of California, mayors of sanctuary cities and fake news journo-terrorists who are brainwashing Americans to hate their own country. The ongoing land invasion of the United States of America is an act of war being openly supported by Democrats and Leftists who are using illegal immigration to nullify U.S. voters and overrun the United States with anti-American militants, criminals and terrorists. The Insurrection Act, passed by Congress in 1807, allows the president to deploy National Guard and U.S. military troops to combat rebellion against the United States of America. The Act has been invoked by other presidents to quell violent uprisings such as the L.A. Riots. According to sources cited by The Daily Caller, President Trump is poised to invoke the Insurrection Act to fight for Americas survival against the ongoing invasion of illegals who are flooding the United States as a tactic to destroy the country from within. ( Natural News ) Greg Reese has posted a hard-hitting video that explains why Trump must invoke the Insurrection Act to defend America from the lawless, anti-American traitors who are dedicated to destroying America from within. About the author: Mike Adams (aka the Health Ranger) is a best selling author (#1 best selling science book on Amazon.com called Food Forensics), an environmental scientist, a patent holder for a cesium radioactive isotope elimination invention, a multiple award winner for outstanding journalism, a science news publisher and influential commentator on topics ranging from science and medicine to culture and politics. Follow his videos, podcasts, websites and science projects at the links below. Mike Adams serves as the founding editor of NaturalNews.com and the lab science director of an internationally accredited (ISO 17025) analytical laboratory known as CWC Labs. There, he was awarded a Certificate of Excellence for achieving extremely high accuracy in the analysis of toxic elements in unknown water samples using ICP-MS instrumentation. Adams is also highly proficient in running liquid chromatography, ion chromatography and mass spectrometry time-of-flight analytical instrumentation. He has also achieved numerous laboratory breakthroughs in the programming of automated liquid handling robots for sample preparation and external standards prep. The U.S. patent office has awarded Mike Adams patent NO. US 9526751 B2 for the invention of Cesium Eliminator, a lifesaving invention that removes up to 95% of radioactive cesium from the human digestive tract. Adams has pledged to donate full patent licensing rights to any state or national government that needs to manufacture the product to save human lives in the aftermath of a nuclear accident, disaster, act of war or act of terrorism. He has also stockpiled 10,000 kg of raw material to manufacture Cesium Eliminator in a Texas warehouse, and plans to donate the finished product to help save lives in Texas when the next nuclear event occurs. No independent scientist in the world has done more research on the removal of radioactive elements from the human digestive tract. Adams is a person of color whose ancestors include Africans and American Indians. He is of Native American heritage, which he credits as inspiring his Health Ranger passion for protecting life and nature against the destruction caused by chemicals, heavy metals and other forms of pollution. Adams is the author of the worlds first book that published ICP-MS heavy metals analysis results for foods, dietary supplements, pet food, spices and fast food. The book is entitled Food Forensics and is published by BenBella Books. In his laboratory research, Adams has made numerous food safety breakthroughs such as revealing rice protein products imported from Asia to be contaminated with toxic heavy metals like lead, cadmium and tungsten. Adams was the first food science researcher to document high levels of tungsten in superfoods. He also discovered over 11 ppm lead in imported mangosteen powder, and led an industry-wide voluntary agreement to limit heavy metals in rice protein products. In addition to his lab work, Adams is also the (non-paid) executive director of the non-profit Consumer Wellness Center (CWC), an organization that redirects 100% of its donations receipts to grant programs that teach children and women how to grow their own food or vastly improve their nutrition. Through the non-profit CWC, Adams also launched Nutrition Rescue, a program that donates essential vitamins to people in need. Click here to see some of the CWC success stories. With a background in science and software technology, Adams is the original founder of the email newsletter technology company known as Arial Software. Using his technical experience combined with his love for natural health, Adams developed and deployed the content management system currently driving NaturalNews.com. He also engineered the high-level statistical algorithms that power SCIENCE.naturalnews.com, a massive research resource featuring over 10 million scientific studies. Adams is well known for his incredibly popular consumer activism video blowing the lid on fake blueberries used throughout the food supply. He has also exposed strange fibers found in Chicken McNuggets, fake academic credentials of so-called health gurus, dangerous detox products imported as battery acid and sold for oral consumption, fake acai berry scams, the California raw milk raids, the vaccine research fraud revealed by industry whistleblowers and many other topics. Adams has also helped defend the rights of home gardeners and protect the medical freedom rights of parents. Adams is widely recognized to have made a remarkable global impact on issues like GMOs, vaccines, nutrition therapies, human consciousness. In addition to his activism, Adams is an accomplished musician who has released over fifteen popular songs covering a variety of activism topics. Click here to read a more detailed bio on Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, at HealthRanger.com. Find more science, news, commentary and inventions from the Health Ranger at: Brighteon.com: Brighteon.com/channel/hrreport Diaspora: (uncensored social network) Share.NaturalNews.com GAB: GAB.com/healthranger Podcasts: HealthRangerReport.com Online store: HealthRangerStore.com #1 Bestselling Science Book Food Forensics: FoodForensics.com iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-health-ranger-report/id1063165791 SoundCloud: Soundcloud.com/healthranger Health Rangers science lab CWClabs.com Health Ranger bio HealthRanger.com TruthWiki.org Search engine: Webseed.com "This is the first time that we can show the impact of the mother's presence on a very important male fitness trait, which is their fertility," says Martin Surbeck, a primatologist at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. "We were surprised to see that the mothers have such a strong, direct influence on the number of grandchildren they get." Surbeck and his colleagues observed wild populations of bonobos in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as wild populations of chimpanzees in Ivory Coast, Tanzania, and Uganda. They found that while both bonobo and chimpanzee mothers would advocate for their sons in male-on-male conflicts, bonobo moms went the extra mile to aid their sons' copulation efforts. This involved protecting their sons' mating attempts from other males and intervening in other male's mating attempts. The bonobo mothers were also able to use their rank in the bonobo's matriarchal society to give their sons access to popular spots within social groups in the community and help them achieve higher male status - and therefore, better mating opportunities. The authors note that these interactions were rare in chimpanzee societies and did not have an effect on male fertility; in chimpanzees males hold dominant positions over females, making the actions of chimp mothers less influential than those of bonobo mothers. Interestingly, bonobo moms did not extend similar help to their daughters, nor were there any observations of daughters receiving assistance in rearing their offspring. "In bonobo social systems, the daughters disperse from the native community and the sons stay," Surbeck says. "And for the few daughters that stay in the community, which we don't have many examples of, we don't see them receiving much help from their mothers." Moving forward, Surbeck and his team would like to better understand the benefits these behaviors confer on bonobo mothers. Currently, they think that it allows for an indirect continuation of their genes. "These females have found a way to increase their reproductive success without having more offspring themselves," he says, noting that the prolongation of the post-reproductive human female lifespan, as well as the early-age at which human women can no longer bare children, may have evolved from this indirect method of continuing their genetic line. Surbeck acknowledges that gathering data on post-reproductive lifespans of females in chimp and bonobo communities will require a long-term, collaborative study, similar to this one. "Without the help and participation from all of the field sites where data was collected, these important interactions could have been overlooked," he says. "Now as the director of a bonobo field site, I'm looking forward to further exploring this topic." Lilian Serrano's mother-in-law had lots of stomach problems, but she always blamed food. Doctors at a San Diego-area clinic suspected Genoveva Angeles might have cancer, but they could not say for sure because they did not have the equipment to test for it and Angeles, who had been in the country illegally for 20 years, could not afford to see a specialist and did not qualify for state assistance because of her immigration status. In September, Angeles finally learned she had gallbladder cancer. Serrano said she was in the hospital room when Angeles, in her late 60s, died about two weeks later. "We don't know if she would have survived treatment, but she was not even able to access it," said Serrano, chairwoman of the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium. "She never had a chance to fight cancer." Stories like that have prompted California lawmakers to consider proposals that would make the state the first in the nation to offer government-funded health care to adult immigrants living in the country illegally. But the decision on who to cover may come down to cost. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to spend about $98 million a year to cover low-income immigrants between the ages of 19 and 25 who are living in the country illegally. The state Assembly has a bill that would cover all immigrants in California living in the country illegally over the age of 19. But Newsom has balked at that plan because of its estimated $3.4 billion price. "There's 3.4 billion reasons why it is a challenge," he said. The state Senate wants to cover adults ages 19 to 25, plus seniors 65 and older. That bill's sponsor, Sen. Maria Elana Durazo, scoffed at cost concerns, noting the state has a projected $21.5 billion budget surplus. "When we have, you know, a good budget, then what's the reason for not addressing it?" she said. The Senate and Assembly will finalize their budget proposals this week before beginning negotiations with the governor. State law says a budget has to be passed by June 15 or lawmaker forfeit their pay. At stake, according to legislative staffers, are the 3 million people left in California who don't have health insurance. About 1.8 million of them are immigrants in the country illegally. Of those, about 1.26 million have incomes low enough to qualify them for the Medi-Cal program. "Symbolically, this is quite significant. This would be establishing California as a counter to federal policies, both around health care and immigration," said Larry Levitt, senior vice president for health reform at the Kaiser Family Foundation. If enacted, it could prompt yet another collision with the Trump administration, which has proposed a rule that could hinder immigrants' residency applications if they rely on public assistance programs such as Medicaid. The proposed rule from the Department of Homeland Security says the goal is to make sure "foreign nationals do not become dependent on public benefits for support." California is also considering a measure requiring everyone in the state to purchase health insurance. People who refuse would have to pay a penalty, and the money would go toward helping middle-income residents purchase private health insurance plans. "We're going to penalize the citizens of this state that have followed the rules, but we're going to let somebody who has not followed the rules come in here and get the services for free. I just think that's wrong," Republican state Sen. Jeff Stone said about coverage of people in the U.S. illegally. Many immigrants who are in the country illegally are already enrolled for some government-funded programs, but they only cover emergencies and pregnancies. Serrano was one of hundreds of immigrant activists who came to the Capitol on Monday for "Immigrant Day of Action." She and her husband spent the day meeting with lawmakers, sharing the story of Angeles. "The conversation that I have is about the cost," she said, describing her interactions with lawmakers. "The conversation we want to have is about our families." California sued Tuesday to block the Trump administration from cancelling nearly $1 billion for the state's high-speed rail project, escalating the state's feud with the federal government. The Federal Railroad Administration announced last week it would not give California the money awarded by Congress nearly a decade ago, arguing that the state has not made enough progress on the project. The state must complete construction on a segment of track in the Central Valley agricultural heartland by 2022 to keep the money, and the administration has argued the state cannot meet that deadline and has failed to show adequate progress. That line of track would be the first built on what the state hopes will eventually become a 520-mile line. But Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom says the move is retribution for California's criticism of President Donald Trump's immigration policies. "The decision was precipitated by President Trump's overt hostility to California, its challenge to his border wall initiatives, and what he called the "green disaster'' high-speed rail project,'' the state said in the lawsuit. The lawsuit further faulted the Trump administration for halting cooperation with the state on granting environmental clearances for the project. It said terminating the funding would "wreak significant economic damage on the Central Valley and the state.'' Newsom told reporters the administration is "after us in every way, shape or form.'' But he expressed confidence the state will win in court. "Principles and values tend to win out over short-term tweets,'' Newsom said. The lawsuit highlighted a series of tweets Trump sent about the project, including one that said California's rail project would be far more expensive than Trump's proposed border wall. That tweet came a day after California led 15 states in suing over Trump's plans to fund the border wall, and hours before the administration first threatened to revoke the rail funding. The Federal Railroad Administration did not immediately respond to an email message seeking comment about California's lawsuit. California has worked for more than a decade on the project to bring high-speed rail service between Los Angeles and San Francisco, but the project has been plagued by delays and cost overruns. It's now projected to cost around $77 billion and be finished by 2033. The $929 million the Trump administration wants to cancel is a key source of funding for a Central Valley track segment expected to cost about $12 billion. California was not expected to tap that funding until 2021. If the lawsuit is not resolved before then, the election could put Democrats in the White House and Congress who may be friendlier to the project. The state has already spent $2.5 billion in federal funding, and the Trump administration is exploring whether it can try to get that money back. The lawsuit also asks the court to block the administration from awarding the money to any other project. The lawsuit was filed in the Northern District of California. Albay (CNN Philippines, May 21) Ten people died, eight others were injured when a passenger jeepney fell into a ravine in Libon, Albay Tuesday afternoon. Nineteen passengers, including the driver and conductor, were on board the jeepney, said M/Sgt. Maribeth Corporal, Libon Municipal Police Station chief investigator . Initial report from authorities stated the vehicle was traversing a curved portion when it lost its brakes, and fell down a deep ravine in Sitio Hulandig in Barangay San Jose. Corporal ruled out possible overloading because the jeepney has a seating capacity for 22 people. Injured passengers were rushed to the Pantao District Hospital in Libon. Seven passengers, including the jeepney driver Rolando Olade, suffered serious head injuries. All of them are still confined in the medical center. The conductor had minor injuries. Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Martin Delgra on Wednesday said authorities are processing insurance claims for the victims. All lanes of westbound Interstate Highway 80 have reopened following a multiple-vehicle traffic collision Tuesday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol. The CHP said the collision was first reported at 5:36 a.m. on the freeway at University Avenue. No further information is immediately available. The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that it would provide $5 million to install carbon monoxide detectors in public housing, after an NBC News investigation revealed the lack of protections for millions of low-income tenants who live in federally subsidized rental units. The funding for public housing authorities represents "the first time HUD is targeting grants specifically for the purchase and installation of carbon monoxide detectors, the department said Monday in a press release and NBC News reported. Carbon monoxide detectors are not currently required in HUD housing, despite the deaths of at least 13 residents from carbon monoxide poisoning since 2003, according to an NBC News tally based on federal records, interviews with local housing officials and local news reports. HUD does not keep an official tally of carbon monoxide deaths in the housing that it oversees. Carbon monoxide poisoning presents a risk to families living in public housing, HUD Secretary Ben Carson said in the press release Monday. This funding will allow more public housing authorities to purchase and install these lifesaving detectors. Former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli is expected to be named President Donald Trump's "immigration czar," overseeing the administration's immigration policies from the Department of Homeland Security, NBC News reported. A White House official didn't clarify what Cuccinelli's title or official job responsibilities would be, but the announcement could come within the week. Trump has been discussing appointing an "immigration czar" for months, and was also considering former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach. But Kobach reportedly had a list of requirements, including access to the president and to a government plane. Cuccinelli has been seen as an immigration hardliner, sharing the president's views on border security. But he was a strong critic of Trump during the Republican primary. A former Falmouth elementary school teacher contends the school district declined to renew her contract because she took three breaks a day to pump breast milk for her baby. Thirty-three-year-old Shana Swenson, of Portland, sued last week in federal court, claiming discrimination on the basis of gender and pregnancy. Melissa Hewey, an attorney for Falmouth schools, told the Bangor Daily News that the claims of discrimination are "false." She said the district provides on-site daycare, extended parental leave and paid time for breast pumping or breastfeeding. "As she will have to admit when she is under oath, there was never a time that she was denied the ability to breast feed or express milk and she did so multiple times each day," Hewey said. "It is therefore disappointing that she made the allegations she did." "The decision not to continue Ms. Swensons contract was because she did not meet the standards that Falmouth has set for its teachers nothing more, nothing less." Swenson worked at Falmouth Maines elementary school until mid-2018. The lawsuit says Swenson gave out a schedule of times she would need to pump or feed but was approached by the school principal, asking if she could cut down on her breaks to twice a day. Swenson told the principal no and, Swenson informed the principal, she would need to continue to take three breaks during work to pump or nurse in order to properly feed her child and avoid health complications related to breast feeding, such as clogged ducts and Mastitis. The teacher then claims she tried to quote be "flexible," but by October and November 2017 she was harassed and "admonished" by colleagues and was given a performance review. Swenson was a "response to intervention" teacher who helped students in the third through fifth grades who struggled with reading and math. The lawsuit says she was subjected to "extreme animosity and hostility" because of her breaks during the day. Neither lawyers for Swenson nor Swenson herself responded to phone calls and Facebook messages requesting comment on Monday. A National Grid worker was injured Tuesday morning after being shocked while working on a utility pole in Norton, Massachusetts. Police said a detail officer working with the crew in the area of 40 West Hodges St. called for help when the worker fell out of the bucket truck he was working in and struck power lines at about 10 a.m. "It looks like he hit the wires coming downprobably the primary and neutral-and fell to the ground probably 30 or so feet," said one police officer on the scene. The 40-year-old male worker sustained life-threatening injuries from electrical burns and the fall. The detail officer and a fellow National Grid employee performed CPR before first responders arrived. "We are very fortunate. I think they probably saved his life by giving him CPR and the first aid," said the Norton police officer. "We have details all over the place and it's more than just directing traffic." The victim, who has not been identified, was then transported to Rhode Island Hospital for an evaluation. National Grid released a statement on the incident: "National Grid is committed to the safety of its employees and is reviewing the incident," read the statement. The incident remains under investigation by Massachusetts State Police and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The Illinois Department of Public Health has opened an investigation on Advocate Christ Medical Center, the facility facing questions following the birth of a child who police say was cut from the womb of his mother, 19-year-old Marlen Ochoa, NBC 5 Investigates has learned. IDPH has responsibility for all investigations of Illinois hospitals where violations of state or federal law are suspected. While she would not discuss specifics of this case, spokesman Melaney Arnold told NBC 5 such investigations include a mandatory unannounced visit to the hospital by investigators, who were on site at Christ Medical Center Tuesday afternoon. Arnold said IDPH investigations can be triggered by a complaint from the public, from law enforcement, or even from publicity or media reports. She said she did not know how the complaint in this case was received. She said such investigations can take multiple days, and can involve interviews with hospital staff, as well as relatives and/or patients, and reviews of hospital records. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ochoa-Lopez family," Christ Medical Center said in a statement. "Our top priority is to provide the safest and highest quality care for the patients and communities we serve. Out of respect for patient privacy and in compliance with federal and state regulations, we are unable to provide comment. We continue to cooperate with local authorities." The news comes one day after the Cook County sheriffs office questioned if the hospital violated state law by not immediately reporting that a woman who claimed to be the mother of a newborn had not given birth. The woman, Clarisa Figueroa, and her daughter, Desiree, were later charged with strangling the babys mother, Ochoa, and cutting the newborn from her womb. At a bail hearing last week, prosecutors explained how the 46-year-old Figueroa was examined in a birthing center at Christ Medical Center on April 23 but showed no signs consistent with a woman who had just delivered a baby. A technician at the Oak Lawn hospital cleaned blood from Figueroas arms, face and hands, prosecutors said, but it was unclear if anyone verified that she had actually given birth. Figueroa was allegedly able to pass off the baby as her own for weeks. It wasnt until May 9 that a mandated reporter someone required to report suspected neglect or abuse notified the Department of Child and Family Services about the newborn, DCFS spokesman Jassen Strokosch said. The child was then taken into protective custody. After a DNA test proved that the baby was actually that of Ochoa's husband, the agency let the 48-hour protective custody lapse, and the baby was turned over to his father, Strokosch said. The sheriffs office has asked the state DCFS why it was not notified sooner that Clarisa Figueroa claimed to have given birth but showed no signs of it. On Monday, the sheriffs office said it will investigate the hospital if it finds the medical center violated the Abuse and Neglected Children Reporting Act. We will consult with DCFS and if they determine the facts and circumstances of this tragedy were such that should have been reported by mandated reporters, we will ensure an investigation takes place, sheriffs office spokeswoman Cara Smith said in an email. In a statement, DCFS said it will provide any support needed to the family in this case and to those handling any investigations into this matter. There is currently no law or regulation to to ensure a baby belongs to the person presenting with the baby at a hospital. Hospital regulation falls under the purview of The Illinois Department of Public Health and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Strokosch said. Clarisa Figueroa and her daughter are being held without bail in the murder of 19-year-old Ochoa and cutting the baby out of her womb. The newborn is on life support and not expected to survive. Eight months after they rode to his rescue, fire chief Steve Camlin is still singing the praises of a group of fellow firefighters from Illinois who showed up when help was needed most for his North Carolina community. Soon as they hit the ground, they started working nonstop, Camlin recalls. They just told us to sit back and chill out---they got it! Camlin is chief of North Carolina's Acme-Delco-Riegelwood Fire District, which was devastated last September by the intense flooding of Hurricane Florence. Florence was probably the worst hurricane weve ever been through, he said. We were lucky to get an hours sleep---most of the time we were too tired to eatwe lived off coffee! It was about that time that the cavalry arrived in the form of Illinois Task Force One, a multi-department unit which specializes in swift water rescue. And they immediately went to work. The guys ended up performing 18 different rescues, recalls Chuck Gros, the water component leader and squad officer for Task Force One. Five of those were true, 100% life saves, where if the guys werent there, those individuals wouldnt be here right now! On a recent cold and rainy day on the Fox River, members of Task Force One demonstrated the skills they put to good use in Florences rising waters. In the units trademark red dry-suit and black helmet, Gros said its important to read the river, and remember that victims are rarely able to help with their own rescue. The one thing they are going to do is, they want out, Gros said. In swift water, they lose their body temperature 200 times faster than that person on the shore. That means the ability to hold onto a rope might be the first to go. When you become hypothermic, you lose the dexterity in your fingers, you lose the ability to talk, you lose the ability to use your arms, he said. So we have to go out there and get them. Acme-Delco-Riegelwood Fire Chief Steve Camlin speaks about the difference Chicagoland rescuers made for his community, in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence. (Video includes hurricane aftermath, and Task Force One training on Fox River). The Illinois team trains constantly in how best to pluck a human being from a fast-moving stream--- be it from a boat, a tethered rope, even a zip-line strung from shore to shore. Second nature, Gros said. Its easy because you train----its easy because you know what youre doing. That said, members of the unit say every emergency writes its own rules. TF-1 member Andy Hoff, of the Downers Grove fire department, notes that swift water rescue is a high-risk, low-frequency event. Thus---the constant practice. Most of the time you just have to think on your feet, he said. And come up with a plan---and let it work! Gros noted his team did plenty of work on dry land as well, helping to deliver food and water to Florences victims. The whole area was completely flooded, totally overwhelmed, he said. They couldnt get water, they couldnt get food, they couldnt get fuel for their generators. It was one more reason Camlin picked up his phone and called NBC5, to tell us we had a great team of rescuers in our own back yard who deserved a story. This whole community was blessed to have those guys come down, he said. If the task force people wouldnt have been here, we wouldnt have been able to do what we were doing. Family members traveled from Mexico to Chicago Tuesday as they prepare to meet their youngest relative and say their final goodbyes to his 19-year-old mother Marlen Ochoa. Ochoa was strangled in Chicago last month before her baby was cut from her womb, authorities said. Now, her infant child remains on life support at Advocate Christ Medical Center as his family awaits a miracle. Five of Ochoa's extended family members landed in Chicago on temporary visas ahead of the young mother's funeral Saturday. They also hope to help with the child she left behind. "Every grandma has expressed to me when I spoke to them [Monday] night how they cant wait to hold this little baby in their arms," said family spokesperson Julie Contreras. "Hes the little piece of miracle they know Marlen fought for." Although under horrific circumstances, grandmothers, great-grandmothers and an uncle made the journey to the city to be there when Ochoa is laid to rest. "This is a nightmare," said Contreras. "A horror film for this family." Ochoa's husband, mother and father currently face a difficult decision about her baby's future. The infant has been on life support for weeks, but the family said he opened his eyes for the first time on Sunday. "We prayed over baby Jardiel and soon after he opened his eyes," said another family spokesperson Cecilia Garcia. "I thought it was something that happened before but his dad said 'Oh my god, he opened his eyes.' Hed never seen that since hed visited the baby." The family as well as representatives met with hospital staff at Advocate Christ Medical Center Monday to discuss the babys prognosis, and also to ask for copies of protocols the hospital follows after receiving a baby who was born at home. The Cook County sheriffs office is questioning if the hospital violated state law by not immediately reporting that a woman who claimed to be the mother of a newborn had not given birth. The woman, Clarisa Figueroa, and her daughter, Desiree, have been charged with strangling Ochoa and cutting the newborn from her womb. At a bail hearing last week, prosecutors explained how the 46-year-old Figueroa was examined in a birthing center at Christ Medical Center on April 23 "but showed no signs consistent with a woman who had just delivered a baby." A technician at the Oak Lawn hospital cleaned blood from Figueroas arms, face and hands, prosecutors said, but it was unclear if anyone verified that she had actually given birth. Figueroa was allegedly able to pass off the baby as her own for weeks. It wasnt until May 9 that a "mandated reporter" someone required to report suspected neglect or abuse notified the Department of Child and Family Services about the newborn, DCFS spokesman Jassen Strokosch said. The child was then taken into protective custody. After a DNA test proved that the baby was actually that of Ochoa's husband, the agency let the 48-hour protective custody lapse, and the baby was turned over to his father, Strokosch said. On Monday, the sheriffs office said it will investigate the hospital if it finds the medical center violated the Abuse and Neglected Children Reporting Act. As of Tuesday there was no open investigation, the sheriff's office said. "We will consult with DCFS and if they determine the facts and circumstances of this tragedy were such that should have been reported by mandated reporters, we will ensure an investigation takes place," sheriffs office spokeswoman Cara Smith said in an email. In a statement, DCFS said it "will provide any support needed to the family in this case and to those handling any investigations into this matter." There is currently no law or regulation to to ensure a baby belongs to the person presenting with the baby at a hospital. Hospital regulation falls under the purview of The Illinois Department of Public Health and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Strokosch said. The Cook County sheriffs office is questioning if a hospital violated state law by not immediately reporting that a woman who claimed to be the mother of a newborn had not given birth. The woman, Clarisa Figueroa, and her daughter, Desiree, were later charged with strangling the babys mother, Marlen Ochoa, and cutting the newborn from her womb. At a bail hearing last week, prosecutors explained how the 46-year-old Figueroa was examined in a birthing center at Christ Medical Center on April 23 but showed no signs consistent with a woman who had just delivered a baby. A technician at the Oak Lawn hospital cleaned blood from Figueroas arms, face and hands, prosecutors said, but it was unclear if anyone verified that she had actually given birth. Figueroa was allegedly able to pass off the baby as her own for weeks. It wasnt until May 9 that a mandated reporter someone required to report suspected neglect or abuse notified the Department of Child and Family Services about the newborn, DCFS spokesman Jassen Strokosch said. The child was then taken into protective custody. After a DNA test proved that the baby was actually that of Ochoa's husband, the agency let the 48-hour protective custody lapse, and the baby was turned over to his father, Strokosch said. The sheriffs office has asked the state DCFS why it was not notified sooner that Clarisa Figueroa claimed to have given birth but showed no signs of it. On Monday, the sheriffs office said it will investigate the hospital if it finds the medical center violated the Abuse and Neglected Children Reporting Act. We will consult with DCFS and if they determine the facts and circumstances of this tragedy were such that should have been reported by mandated reporters, we will ensure an investigation takes place, sheriffs office spokeswoman Cara Smith said in an email. In a statement, DCFS said it will provide any support needed to the family in this case and to those handling any investigations into this matter. There is currently no law or regulation to to ensure a baby belongs to the person presenting with the baby at a hospital. Hospital regulation falls under the purview of The Illinois Department of Public Health and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Strokosch said. Clarisa Figueroa and her daughter are being held without bail in the murder of 19-year-old Ochoa and cutting the baby out of her womb. The newborn is on life support and not expected to survive. The defense attorney for Chief Edward Gallagher, the San Diego-based Navy SEAL facing court-martial for multiple war crimes, met with the judge in the case Monday, NBC 7 has learned. The meeting came days after The New York Times reported that President Donald Trump was considering a pardon for Chief Gallagher and other service members accused of war crimes before Memorial Day. Gallagher is accused of killing a captive, injured ISIS fighter and shooting at unarmed civilians while serving in Iraq. Some say that a pardon from the president wouldn't look good for the United States and could undermine the system of military justice. It's clearly a political move, because he doesn't know the facts because the facts haven't been established by the trial, defense attorney and former JAG Judge Advocate General Doug Brown said. Brown said the consequences of a pre-trial pardon could put American armed forces in combat zones and countries all over the world at risk, "because if the United States isn't going to follow international law, then [other nations wont] either." Gallagher's attorney Tim Palatore told NBC 7 he was surprised by the Times' report of a potential pardon as he prepares for his client's trial to begin. Palatore also said that the U.S. Navy provided documents to the defense team on Monday related to the tracking software found in emails related to the case. The attorney will be back in military court Wednesday to address what he finds in the documents. Navy prosecutors have said Gallagher during his eighth deployment indiscriminately shot at Iraqi civilians and stabbed to death a captured Islamic State fighter estimated to be 15 years old. He also posed with the teen's corpse at his re-enlistment ceremony, prosecutors said. Gallagher is also under investigation for the shooting death of a civilian in Afghanistan in 2010, according to a 439-page document leaked to Times. In the document are allegations that SEAL team leadership discouraged team members from coming forward to report the alleged incidents. NBC 7 San Diego has not confirmed the information in the document leaked to the Times, but sources say the U.S. Navy was aware of the incident in Afghanistan. Gallagher's lawyers have said the allegations were made by disgruntled SEALs out to get Gallagher because he was a demanding leader. The SEAL has denied the charges and Palatore said his client wants to go to trial to clear his name. His trial is scheduled to begin May 28. A military officer, who was not authorized to speak publicly on the case, told NBC 7 there is enough evidence for the case to go to trial. The case has garnered national attention, and reaction to the president possibly pardoning Gallagher so far has been mixed among local members of the community with ties to the military. Robert Chavez, who served overseas in the U.S. Army, said Gallaghers fate should be decided in court. Tom Sandonato's son served two tours in Afghanistan, and he fully supports a pardon for Gallagher. "This Is Us" star Milo Ventimiglia learned firsthand what the Red Nose Day's fundraising campaign means to children in need, and he's eager to spread the word. "I saw how the money was being spent, and how it's impacting these kids on a very real level and giving them a better shot at life," the actor said after an April trip to the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya. "It's the simplest of corrections to get a kid educated, to get a kid healthy, to get a kid safe." He visited a clinic vaccinating children from deadly, preventable diseases including pneumonia, and a program that houses and educates young girls who have been subsisting on landfills. Video of his encounters will be part of NBC's Red Nose Day USA special airing Thursday (8-10 p.m EDT) with host Terry Crews. Performances by Sting, Josh Groban, John Legend, Chrissy Metz, Kelly Clarkson and Blake Shelton, and a sketch with "Saturday Night Live" players Michael Che, Colin Jost and Kate McKinnon are part of the special. Other celebrities participating include Julia Roberts, Gloria Estefan, Damian Lewis, Kal Penn, Saoirse Ronan, Ben Stiller, Chrissy Teigen, Connie Britton, Lilly Singh, Susan Kelechi Watson and Daryl Hall and John Oates. The Red Nose Day campaign , in its fifth year in America, is run by the nonprofit Comic Relief USA. It's raised close to $150 million, including through donations at Walgreens and Duane Reade stores, to support programs for children in the U.S. and other countries. Red Nose Day originated in Britain more than 30 years ago and reports more than $1 billion in donations internationally. Ventimiglia, who plays patriarch Jack on NBC's drama "This Is Us," made his African trip after appearing on previous Red Nose Day specials. He's also a longtime supporter of U.S. veterans' causes, including traveling with the USO to Iraq and Afghanistan. "This was the first time that I'd been invited to see the challenges that these kids were living in," Ventimiglia said. He witnessed children rummaging through trash dumps for items to sell and even food to eat. "It's hard to imagine that this is average life for a human being," the actor said, and he was glad to put the goodwill he's gained playing Jack to good use. "Hopefully, people's familiarity with me and an interest in where I might be spending my time will lead to some good donations that are going to help kids out," he said. One person has died after an assault in Bridgeport on Sunday night. Dispatchers received a 911 call reporting an assault shortly before 9 p.m. Police were dispatched to 732 Noble Avenue, where the victim was allegedly assaulted. Once police arrived, officers said first responders took the assault victim to Bridgeport Hospital where he or she was later pronounced dead at 10:45 p.m. The victim's identity is being withheld at this time, police said. Authorities plan to release the victim's identity soon. The State of Connecticut medical examiner conducted an autopsy on Monday and concluded that the victim's cause of death was a homicide, officers added. Detectives are actively investigating the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact the TIPS line at (203) 576-8477. A Guilford family devastated by gun violence is taking their fight for tougher laws to Washington. On Tuesday lawmakers are expected to introduce a national version of Ethans Law, a measure meant to toughen gun storage requirements. The law is named for Ethan Song who died in 2018 at age 15 when he was handling the unsecured gun of a friends father. The gun was stored in the friends house in a Tupperware container alongside bullets and the keys to the guns trigger lock. NBC Connecticuts Leslie Mayes spoke to Ethans parents by Skype from Washington, D.C. at the end of their first day lobbying members of Congress. The couple says the goal is to get gun owners to be more conscious of safe gun storage, particularly when children could gain access to their weapons. The point is to just change behavior, so that gun owner who is walking put their door for them to pause and say is my gun really securely locked up because my children may be coming home after school and I wont be here? said Kristin Song. The Connecticut version of the legislation passed the state House of Representatives in early May. The Song family is in Washington alongside Connecticut Against Gun Violence along with the Newtown Action Alliance. Theyre focusing the bulk of their time in Washington meeting with republican lawmakers, hoping to gather the same bipartisan support the bill received in the Connecticut House. The Songs will return to Connecticut at the end of the week to be present when the state Senate votes on the local Ethans Law. Roughly one month after a shooting involving police officers from Hamden and Yale, Hamdens town council passed a resolution they hope will increase transparency and accountability. Monday night the public came out to give their thoughts on the resolution. Some said they were glad to see it, while others said it was not enough. This all stems from a police shooting on April 16 when a Hamden and Yale police officers fired on an unarmed couple in a car. The female passenger was injured. Since then there have been multiple protests, and council members say hearing from the public is what led them to spell out the changes in the resolution. It proposed an external independent investigation for all officer-involved shootings leading to injury or death, use of force resulting in death, and in-custody deaths. It also creates a civilian review board and restructure the police commission and appoint a third party to review all town investigations from the April incident. There was a range of reactions to the proposal. I just want to commend the legislative council for creating this resolution. I think it does a lot of things the community has called for, one commenter said. I was really infuriated when I saw this final resolution and there was absolutely no mention of Jarelle Gibbs life - his life had just as much value as each one of you sitting here, another resident told the council. After hearing from the public, the council added investigating a 2018 police chase that ended in the death of Jarelle Gibbs. Police said Gibbs was a passenger in a stolen car that crashed during a police pursuit. This is step two of a thousand-mile journey. There's a lot of unravel here, there are a lot of changes that need to be made and they need to be made slowly deliberately with time, said Mick McGarry, Hamden Legislative Council president. The council said they have not spoken to the police department or union about the resolution. NBC Connecticut reached out for comment but has not heard back. One place where House and Senate Democrats and Gov.Ned Lamont agree is that they want to provide Paid Family and Medical Leave to Connecticut residents. The issue is what the program would look like and how it would be administered. Multiple sources in the Connecticut Senate told NBC Connecticut that they plan to debate and likely vote on the issue of Paid Family and Medical Leave on Wednesday. The bill would have the state Department of Labor administer the program, which is contrary to Lamonts position that he wants to cost compare with private operators. I just want to make sure they dont put something forward that has such a top-heavy bureaucracy that makes it too cumbersome to get this $400 million program going, he told NBC Connecticut during an interview Tuesday. The executive branch and the legislative branches appear to agree on some of the basics. The PFML program would be funded through a .5 percent payroll tax on every employee in the state of Connecticut, public and private. That fund would then be used to pay for an individual to take up to 12 weeks off from work to help care for a loved one, care for a newborn child, and events of a similar nature. Lamont has not made any threats of a possible veto, but he wants to at least see an option to use a private vendor. I want this done in the most efficient and high quality way possible and if thats a public entity does it, thats great, and if a private entity does it, Im not going to deny taxpayers the opportunity to have the most efficient way to deliver paid family leave. If you live in suburban Connecticut, especially in a wooded area, deer, fox, coyote and even bear sightings are relatively common, and some might say, interesting. But snake sightings usually get a different response. We had an unexpected visitor. An unwelcome visitor. A giant black rat snake, explained Linda Bertolette of Farmington. Bertolette has seen snakes in her yard before. On Monday however, an estimated 7-foot black rat snake was dangling from her roof. All while her teenage daughter was peering out the window. The moment was caught on videotape as the teenage girl recorded the moment, later posting on social media. I was appalled at the size of it and how aggressive it was, added Bertolette. It looked like a video that was taken in the Amazon jungle not in Connecticut. The snake recoiled to the roof before disappearing, leaving the Bertolettes to wonder throughout the night where it might be. You go to bed at night and youre listening for slithering if you can even imagine that noise, said Bertolette. I was ready to bail. I was pretty much ready to put the house on the market. An exterminator inspected the home Tuesday morning but no snake was found. Ever since the exterminator came and assured me that it did not make a home in our attic and that the roof is tight and he couldnt find any holes I feel much better about the whole thing, said a relieved Bertolette. Black rat snakes are non-poisonous and known as good climbers. They live in fields, woodlands and farmlands around Connecticut communities like Farmington. However, exterminator Shane Daniotti of Tolland says they are not a serious threat. Theyre non-poisonous. Theyre actually good for the environment, he says. Theyre very pretty snakes and you just kinda have to live with them. Connecticut, like so many other states, is heavily reliant on exports to China. In all, Connecticuts economy provides an estimated $1.5 billion in exports, with $900 million of that coming in the form of goods. Doug Barry, with the U.S. China Business Council, which boasts numerous Connecticut employers as members, says the state has a lot to lose if the tariffs remain in place, and the trade dispute continues. "Connecticut is a shining example of the growth of that trade because the trade with China over the last 10 years has grown by 111 percent versus about 20 percent to other parts of the world, Barry said. In all, more than 8,000 jobs are directly dependent on trade with China. "In the case of Connecticut, the exports are in the value added side. A lot of technical goods are going to China, they have a lot of value added in them. They generate a lot of employment in the State of Connecticut. They are going to be adversely affected by the 25 percent tariff." One company directly dealing with the fallout is Ulbrich Steel. The company is a steel and metal manufacturer with operations in Wallingford, but it also has offices all over the world. CEO Chris Ulbrich says the biggest issue with tariffs is the lack of predictability. I think that's one of the hardest things that's outside of our control, like 9/11, you know, Ulbrich said during an interview last week. And our business went down 60 percent, the tariffs, out of our control and things happen that we have no control over, and our employees don't have control over." Ulbrich produces specialized steel products for many different industries including medical devices, cell phones, and the aerospace industry. Ulbrich metals were used in knives during World War II, and were on two LEMs that landed on the moon. The steel has also been used on SpaceX aircraft. Chris Ulbrich says he has seen domestic manufacturers increase their prices, and Ulbrich as a company has had to both absorb the 25 percent tariff in some cases on imports from China, and pass it on to customers. Ulbrich says he had long conversations with vendors and customers about the issue. He says hes starting to notice a shift. It's just really starting right now that automotive is slowing down, some of the key economy is slowing down. Some of the auto parts people have 20 plants so now they're saying, you know what? let's shit some machines around to different countries and we can avoid some of these tariffs. Ulbrich says his company will weather the storm because they have diversified, but he said he keeps wondering if more will impact his business. How do we control things and how do we readjust, readjust our business." What to Know Traveling with CBD oil or hemp-based derivatives could you get arrested at the airport. While CBD does not contain enough THC to give anyone a high, it can be enough to test positive. With CBD laws differing state-to-state, including in Texas, travelers face a confusing patchwork of enforcement. Lena Bartula, at age 71, is an accomplished artist and proud grandmother who had an unsettling experience as she passed through North Texas on her way to visit her granddaughter in Oregon. In fact, a nightmare, she said, would be a better description for when police officers slapped handcuffs on her at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport after they found cannabidiol (CBD) oil in her travel bag. The Fort Worth native, who now lives in an artist community in Mexico, was told she was under arrest. "I think I almost laughed out loud, because I thought that couldn't really be," Bartula said in a Skype interview with NBC 5 Investigates. She realized it was no laughing matter when, handcuffed, she was driven to the DFW Airport Jail where, "I slept on the floor, my head next to the toilet." It was a far cry from the peaceful, picturesque community in Mexico where Bartula runs a popular gallery. And it only got worse the next day -- she said her arms and legs were shackled, and she was moved to the Tarrant County Jail in Fort Worth to spend another night behind bars, then facing a felony drug charge. "I had no idea what would happen to me," Bartula recalled. Records obtained by NBC 5 Investigates showed that other travelers have been arrested at the airport for having CBD, with two of them telling us they were still waiting for the outcome to their cases. CBD oil is a hemp-derived substance that is gaining in popularity for its purported health benefits. State lawmakers are now considering whether to make it legal, if it contains little or no THC, the component in marijuana that, in higher amounts, produces a high. A year ago, arrests for CBD at the airport were "almost non-existent," said Cleatus Hunt Jr., area port director for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection at DFW. "But in the last six months, the interception rate for that has skyrocketed," Hunt said. Attorneys for the CBD industry said federal authorities have no right to detain someone with the product. They argue that hemp-made CBD was legalized in December with the passage of the federal farm bill. But customs officials said they were still in the process of implementing the new federal rules so, for now, products with THC are still prohibited at ports of entry, such as the one at DFW Airport. As a rule, if federal authorities detect THC, they notify the airport police who likely will make an arrest, because state law prohibits CBD oil with any amount of THC in it. CBD oil has become a health craze, both in Texas and across the country, with users saying it does such things as ease their anxiety and soothe their aches and pains. For Bartula, she said it was those aches and pains -- so common as the years add up -- that caused her to use CBD for relief. Her case was dropped, when a Tarrant County grand jury declined to move the case forward. Still, those nights in jail have convinced her to never again pack CBD in a suitcase when she travels -- a bit of advice she's quick to give to her friends. "I have warned everyone I know, because most people my age, with my kinds of aches and pains, do take this," said Bartula. "They rely on it." Bond has been set at $100,000 for a Texas man accused of abducting 8-year-old girl as she walked with her mother in Fort Worth over the weekend. Michael Webb was being held in the Tarrant County Jail Monday. The 51-year-old is charged with aggravated kidnapping. Police said the girl was walking through a leafy neighborhood with her mother Saturday evening when Webb pulled up in his car and grabbed her. Officers later found Webb and the girl at the hotel after a local pastor, who had been out looking for the girl, reported seeing a car there that matched the description of the one sought by police. A spokeswoman for the Tarrant County District Attorney's office said Webb has not been indicted and the case is pending. Jail records did not list an attorney for Webb. The shooting death of a Dallas transgender woman made waves in North Texas Sunday. Police said they found Muhlaysia Booker, 23, dead of an apparent gunshot wound Saturday morning in Far East Dallas. Booker is the same woman whose assault in an apartment complex parking lot was captured on video and went viral. Dallas police investigated that assault as a hate crime. Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings expressed his sympathy and asked for the public to help police look for answers related to Booker's death. I am deeply saddened to learn of the murder of Muhlaysia Booker. I call on anyone with information on this homicide to please contact the Dallas Police Department. Mike Rawlings (@Mike_Rawlings) May 20, 2019 Dallas police said they were not actively investigating Booker's murder as a hate crime. On Monday, several prominent politicians from across the country took notice of Booker's death. A search of Twitter accounts for all of North Texas' U.S. House members, Texas' two U.S. Senators, Gov. Greg Abbott and several Democratic presidential candidates turned up the following sentiments. Devastated to hear Muhlaysia, a 23-year-old transgender woman in Dallas, has been fatally shot. Earlier this year she faced an attack on her own life. She has shown courage, strength and great personal sacrifice in the fight for equality. Ill be honoring her on the House floor. https://t.co/bebFnhjR8c Rep. Marc Veasey (@RepVeasey) May 20, 2019 Muhlaysia Booker deserved better. Trans women of color across America deserve better. Justice must be served. Equality and full civil rights must be secured. And together, we must fight for a country that treats everyone with dignity and respect. https://t.co/thXytUXGzt Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) May 20, 2019 My thoughts are with Muhlaysia & her loved ones. A record number of trans Americans were killed last yeara number that disproportionately affects trans women of color. We must call it out & fight back so everyone is free to be who they are without fear. https://t.co/dK0fgr8ekx Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) May 20, 2019 Absolutely horrific. We must continue to fight against transphobia and bigotry. Muhlaysia's family and friends are in my heart. https://t.co/lPOqB63SIc Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) May 20, 2019 A ban on red light cameras in Texas awaits the signature of Gov. Greg Abbott (R) after both chambers of the Texas Legislature approved the new law. But a grandfather clause in the bill would allow existing cameras to operate through the term of city contracts with vendors. That could be many years into the future. "If a city has a contract as of May 5 of this year, they can continue to operate their camera system until that contract expires," attorney Scott Stewart said. The Irving lawyer has sued many cities on behalf of clients who received $75 red light camera tickets. He said the city of Dallas extended a vendor contract in 2017 through the year 2024. "Some cities have extended their contracts up to 20 years. So we may have these for a long time," Stewart said. Bedford is the only North Texas city with red light cameras that actually lost money on the program. Bedford Police Chief Jeff Gibson said it was not about the money for his city. "It's never been a revenue issue for us. It's about the ways we can improve safety throughout our community," Gibson said. Just two Bedford intersections are currently equipped with red light cameras, but 13 were equipped in the past and Gibson said he did research that showed a substantial safety improvement when the cameras were present. "We have seen a dramatic reduction in intersection accidents. That means less people are getting hurt traveling our roadways. That's a win-win in my opinion. That's why I support and am a proponent of them, because they've proven that they work," Gibson said. State Rep. Jonathan Stickland (R-Bedford) is the legislator who sponsored the Texas House bill to ban red light cameras. Gibson said he has discussed the issue with Stickland many times. "This is an area or subject matter that we agree to disagree on," Gibson said. "It's a health and safety issue, number one." Stewart said studies he has seen showed red light cameras increased rear-end collisions because of drivers stopping rapidly to avoid crossing the intersection. "What boosts safety if you've got a problem at an intersection, increase the yellow light by a couple of seconds. That will significantly reduce the red light running without having to impose a money making fine on the people," Stewart said. Since the proposed state ban would not immediately eliminate red light cameras, Stewart said there was plenty of reason to continue the court fight he's been waging to block enforcement of red light citations. He said current programs lack due process for alleged violators. "The law is just defective, but the courts are bending over backward to protect the cities because it's a lot of money," Stewart said. The lawsuits he has filed since 2014 include a combined $400 million in revenue for 53 Texas cities, Stewart said. Gibson said Bedford would actually save money if it could no longer use red light cameras. The new law would give other cities time to adjust to the loss of revenue. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to prohibit official travel to Alabama for one year in response to that state's recently approved abortion ban. The motion, recommended by Supervisor Hilda Solis, makes exceptions for travel related to emergencies and other matters where the ban would seriously harm county interests. "This challenge by Alabama and other states would overturn decades of precedent,'' Solis said in a statement issued after the vote. "It is an attack not only confined to the residents of those states, but an act of aggression upon all of us. We must stand in solidarity and in opposition against extremist and unconstitutional laws that put the health and well-being of families at risk." The four members of the board present at the meeting, all women, voted in favor of the prohibition without comment. Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas was in Oakland for an event with Gov. Gavin Newsom focused on statewide homelessness. At least one member of the public opposed the motion, titled "Abortion is Healthcare." "Abortion is not health care," Mark Gallagher told the board. "It is a grave moral evil." The supervisors also voted to send a letter to the governors and legislative leaders of Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio and Utah setting out the county's opposition to legislation restricting access to abortion and calling for the immediate repeal of any such laws. "Everyone knows that banning abortion won't stop women from accessing abortion services even when it puts them in unsafe medical situations," Supervisor Sheila Kuehl said. "In Alabama, women who have the money will be able to safely access abortion, but women who are poor will not. Women across the country must resist legislation that will limit reproductive choices that are essential to every woman's health." The board directed its CEO and county counsel to monitor relevant legislation and look for opportunities to participate as a plaintiff or in filing a friend of the court brief in related lawsuits. "Los Angeles County will stand against all attempts to dismantle the protections afforded by Roe v. Wade and the U.S. Constitution,'' Solis said. "Today's vote sends a strong signal that infringing upon an individual's rights to reproductive health and privacy are not American values." More than 400 protests against abortion bans are being held across the United States Tuesday, with abortion rights advocates protesting across Los Angeles. A national day of protests began in West Hollywood Tuesday morning, with dozens gathering to denounce the growing number of states passing restrictive abortion laws. "This is happening right now in our world, on our watch," West Hollywood Mayor Protem Lindsey P. Horvath said. "The question is, 'What are we going to do about it?'" So far, lawmakers in eight Republican-led state legislatures have passed laws to limit a woman's right to an abortion. Alabama passed the strictest anti-abortion law in the country, which many abortion rights advocates are referring to as an outright ban. The states passing these laws appear to be working together to present legal challenges that aim to reach the U.S. Supreme Court and possibly overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 ruling that made abortion legal in America. "These same folks have been defunding social programs like housing, economics, health care, and education that weigh into decision making about whether a woman decides to end her pregnancy," Nourbese Flint of Black Women for Wellness said. Tuesday's nationwide demonstrations, which include rallies at the federal building in Westwood and Pershing Square in downtown LA, are part of the "stop the ban" movement. Many women are speaking out about their own experiences with abortions, fighting to keep access to the service and reproductive freedom for future generations. "I thought about how simple it was for me to exercise my right but how difficult it is for other women to exercise that same right," Karen Eyers of Hollywood Now said. The protesters vowed to vote out any lawmaker who doesn't protect a woman's right to chose. "Stand up," Carmen Linero-Lopez of the Feminist Majority Foundation said to a cheering crowd. "It's time our government represents us." West Hollywood's city council and the LA County Board of Supervisors have passed resolutions vowing to refuse to do any business with states that have passed restrictive abortion laws. At 5 p.m., abortion rights advocates in Los Angeles plan to rally on the 110 Freeway overpass at Wilshire Boulevard to make their voices heard, joining more than two dozen similar rallies that have taken place all over Los Angeles Tuesday. President Donald Trump nominated an aerospace executive and former ambassador to Finland to be the next secretary of the Air Force on Tuesday. Trump said in a tweet that he has chosen Barbara Barrett, former chairman of The Aerospace Corporation, to replace Heather Wilson when she steps down at the end of this month after two years on the job. Barrett, 68, of Arizona, served as ambassador to Finland in 2008 during President George W. Bush's administration. She also previously served as deputy administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and was vice chairman of the U.S. Civil Aeronautics Board. This is the second time she's been picked for the Air Force job. In 2003, Bush announced he intended to nominate Barrett to replace John Roche, who was to become Army secretary. But when Roche's nomination was blocked in the Senate, he went back to his Air Force post, so Barrett was never confirmed for the position. If confirmed by the Senate, Barrett would step into the center of the debate over the launch of a new U.S. Space Force, a Trump proposal that has hit widespread resistance on Capitol Hill. A trained civilian pilot who also was certified for space travel, Barrett was mentioned last year as a possible replacement for Sen. Jon Kyl, an Arizona Republican, who resigned his Senate seat. The appointment, however, went to Martha McSally, a U.S. House member who had run unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 2018. McSally, a former fighter pilot, tweeted her congratulations to Barrett, thanking Trump "for taking my recommendation on this important role and selecting an incredibly talented leader as next AF Secretary!" Barrett holds the distinction of being the first Republican woman to run for governor in Arizona. In 1994, she challenged the incumbent Republican, Fife Symington, in the primary and spent more than $1 million of her own money, but was soundly defeated. Barrett, an attorney, serves on a number of boards, including for RAND Corporation, the Smithsonian Institution and the California Institute of Technology, and she's held a number of senior executive positions for Fortune 500 companies. She and her husband, former CEO of Intel Corp., own Triple Creek Ranch, a luxury resort in Montana's Bitterroot Valley. Lawmakers clashed Tuesday over the Trump administration's move to send hundreds of Transportation Security Administration employees to the U.S.-Mexico border, and one airport official warned it could lead to long checkpoint lines this summer. The TSA is asking federal air marshals, airport screeners and others to volunteer to support a buildup of federal agents along the border who are dealing with waves of migrants. "It just goes to show what a crisis we have down on the border," Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Ariz., said during a hearing. But the Democratic chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, said shifting airport workers to the border was "the contrived manufacturing of a crisis to the detriment of the TSA." Travel industry groups have expressed concern that the shift could leave airports understaffed during the peak summer season. The movement of TSA screeners "has all airports very concerned," said Lance Lyttle, managing director of aviation for the Port of Seattle, which operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. "Significant diversion of (TSA officers) would reduce TSA's ability to open all security lanes during morning peak this summer, which could result in lines out to our garage as often as four to five days per week," Lyttle said. TSA says it will move fewer than 1% of its 60,000 employees to the border and that security operations will continue uninterrupted. The agency says employees who volunteer for border work will handle transportation, meal distribution and other tasks, but won't perform law-enforcement duties. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., on Monday defended recent remarks she made about the Holocaust and Israel and lashed out at President Donald Trump and GOP lawmakers for "spreading outright lies" about her, NBC News reported. During an interview on Yahoo Newss "Skullduggery" podcast released Friday, Tlaib was asked about her support for a one-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians. Tlaib responded by noting that Holocaust Remembrance Day recently occurred and said, "There's kind of a calming feeling I always tell folks when I think of the Holocaust, and the tragedy of the Holocaust, and the fact that it was my ancestors, Palestinians, who lost their land and some lost their lives, their livelihood, their human dignity, their existence in many ways, have been wiped out, and some people's passports." She continued, "I mean, just all of it was in the name of trying to create a safe haven for Jews, post-the Holocaust, post-the tragedy and the horrific persecution of Jews across the world at that time, and I love the fact that it was my ancestors that provided that, right, in many ways. But they did it in a way that took their human dignity away, right, and it was forced on them. And so when I think about a one-state, I think about the fact that, why couldn't we do it in a better way?" A number of Republicans, including Rep. Liz Cheney, of Wyoming, slammed Tlaib for using the words "a calming feeling" when speaking about the Holocaust even though she appeared to say she had that feeling when thinking about a safe haven created for Jews after the Holocaust. What to Know Researchers are tracking a great white shark in the Long Island Sound for the first time ever, according to the group OCEARCH The 9 foot 8 inch sea creature, which has been dubbed Great White Shark Cabot, pinged Monday afternoon off the coast of Greenwich The shark weighs more than 530 pounds UPDATE: 1st Great White in Long Island Sound Is So Popular It Breaks the Tracking Website -- and Now It's Tweeting About It Researchers are tracking a great white shark in the Long Island Sound for the first time ever, according to the group OCEARCH. The 9 foot 8 inch, 533-pound sea creature, which has been dubbed Great White Shark Cabot (and does have a corresponding Twitter account), pinged late Monday morning just off the shore near Greenwich, Connecticut, OCEARCH said. The "shark" responded with a message on Twitter: "I heard sending a ping from the Long Island Sound had never been done before by a white shark...so naturally I had to visit and send one off. Hello Greenwich how are you today?!" Great whites live in nearly all coastal and offshore waters where the temperature is between 54 and 75 degrees. Last summer, a spate of shark attacks -- not involving great whites -- prompted beach closures on Fire Island. Two children were bitten by sharks the same day. A tooth recovered from a boy's leg was confirmed to be a sand tiger shark. What to Know Researchers are tracking a great white shark in the Long Island Sound for the first time ever, according to the group OCEARCH The 9 foot 8 inch sea creature, which has been dubbed Great White Shark Cabot, pinged late Monday morning off the coast of Greenwich The shark weighs more than 530 pounds and is named after an Italian explorer; it was first tagged in Nova Scotia The first great white shark to ever ping in the Long Island Sound had an inauspicious introduction to fame Monday, drawing so much traffic to a research group's website that it stopped working -- and still was having trouble the next day. OCEARCH, which has long tracked great whites all over the world, broke the news Monday afternoon that a 9 foot 8 inch, 533-pound great white named Cabot (who does have a corresponding Twitter account) pinged earlier that day just off the shore near Greenwich, Connecticut. Curious as to where Cabot is now? OCEARCH's tracker was still just a whirring wheel as of 9 a.m. Tuesday; at times, the page wouldn't load at all. The tracker was back up before 11 a.m. -- and Cabot was on the move. OCEARCH said the shark, which was the top trending U.S. Google search at one point Tuesday and graced local paper covers on its accelerated launch to global notoriety, had pinged southwest of Montauk earlier in the morning. Meanwhile, Cabot is psyched by the attention -- and so is the group following it. "Oops ... looks like my little stunt visiting the Long Island Sound overloaded the @OCEARCH tracker!!! My bad," @GWSharkCabot tweeted Monday afternoon. "The Tracker is running kinda slow since you many of you logged on to check out where Im at." OCEARCH also weighed in on the excitement, saying it was "so cool" to be tracking Cabot in the Long Island Sound since great whites virtually never visit this area -- they need consistent water temps between 54 and 75 degrees. Cabot was first tagged in Nova Scotia in October. It was named after the explorer John Cabot, based on suggestions from Nova Scotians. John Cabot was an Italian explorer known for his 1497 voyage to North America, where he claimed land in Canada for England. He disappeared the next year, believed lost at sea. Written by ACM *Strasbourg/Angelo Marcopolo/- Australian People show the way ? At the Eve of crucial European Elections, a "Miracle"-nick-named UnExpected Win of the mainstream Right, (given Defeated by the center-Left according to Polls repeated for years !), suddenly surfaced from People's Votes, thanks to a decisive Boost by emerging Rightist Parties. A "Labour-Green" parties' Left was seeking a larger Coalition focused mainly on Climate, and a few social measures, while a "National-Liberal" parties' Right was anchored mainly on Economy development and Mass Migration control Issues. But almost All Establishment's Polls, during more than 2,5 Years, had been consistently Showing that such a center-Left was going to win the race, to the point that even the Mainstream Right's top Politicians believed that they were due to lose this 2019 Election, until the last minute... ------------------------- Suddenly : Patatrak ! The mainstream Conservative leader Scott Morrison, enthousiastic, cries : - "Miracle !", and most Medias immitate him : Indeed, the real Facts about Australian People's Votes, as they start to be Counted, are completely Opposite to what had been Expected by the Establishment : => The center-Left clearly Lost, Labour Party's leader Resigns immediately, and a long Search for his Successor kicks-off, with several others Declining such an offer... USA's new President Don Trump congratulates Morrison, and boasts that this Australian 2019 Victory is Similar to his own, back on November 2016's US Presidential Election. - What has really happened, and Why ? Most Medias of the Establishment are partly or even totaly Silent, about what might have been the real Causes of such an UnExpected Political Earthquake. But, Some Journalists have done, at least a part of their job honestly, and, at any case, the Real Facts start to emerge, slowly but steadily, from Official Sources, which all Converge on 1 Key Point : >>> In Fact, Nobody among the 2 Big Mainstream Political Parties of the Establishment, neither of the Left, nor of the Right, has Not Won any More Votes than Before : On the Contrary, they have Both Lost several Votes, compared to what used to be their electoral performances of the Past... F.ex., not only the Labor Party lost - 0,87%, at the Left side of the Political Spectrum, followed there by the "Greens" who also lost - 19%, but even the Mainstream Coalition of the Right lost - 0,62% of its previous Votes. However, even inside that area, there are interesting Differences : F.ex., while the Establishment's traditional main Party of the Right : the big Austalian "Liberals", have Lost the most : - 0,91% of the Votes and -1 MP Less, on the Contrary, its (comparatively) more "Marginal" Partners in their Coalition, the smaller (and Further towards the Right) "National" Party, have Won +0,98% of the Votes and +2 MPs more. + But Facts and Numbers clearly reveal that what is Essential and New for the Australian People, moves, in Fact, Elsewhere : - Indeed, the Rightist, Conservative Party "One Nation" wins much More : + 1,7 % of the Votes, (reaching almost 3 %), while, at the Same Time, another, New Rightist Party : "United Australia", enters the electoral arena by Winning about +3,4 % of the Votes, (and with a Logo strikingly Similar to that of Don Trump in USA : "Make Australia Great Again !")... I.e. Bringing, Together, around +6,5% More Votes to the Right ! + If one Adds to this, Also some "Independent" MPs elected on 2019 (as several Medias advise), as well as Numerous Various Other Small Rightist Parties, old and new, (such as, f.ex., "Christian Democrats", "Conservative Nationals", "Katter's Australian Party", "Shooters, Fishers and Farmers", "Westerners", "Christians", "Australia First", "Great Australia", etc), then, the Overall Popular Move towards the Right becomes even More Evident. => To put it in a nutshell, the Australian People have surprisingly Bellied Establishment's Medias' prognostics and Polls, by unxpectedly Proving that an Emergence of Rightists may Help Mainstream Right to Win, at the last minute, even against all odds... Interesting, and Timely Fact. Isn't it ? (../..) ------------------------------------- *** (NDLR : Partly UPDATED) What to Know A 53-year-old MTA driver allegedly smashed another vehicle's window and kicked the door in a road rage confrontation in Brooklyn It wasn't immediately clear where it happened, but police say the driver was off duty at the time; he is charged with criminal mischief The driver will be assigned to other duties pending an investigation, transit officials said A 53-year-old MTA bus driver has been arrested over an alleged road rage incident while he was off duty in Brooklyn Monday, authorities say. The driver, Erik Mayi, faces a criminal mischief charge in connection with the late night attack. It wasn't immediately clear where it happened or what led to the confrontation, but police say the MTA driver kicked the door of another vehicle and smashed the window. Mayi was in his personal car at the time of the incident, transit officials said. He is being assigned to other duties pending the outcome of an investigation. It wasn't clear if Mayi had an attorney. What to Know Former sex cult leader Keith Raniere was a taskmaster who expected his female followers to be as obedient as hungry dogs" Among the written instructions for those in the sorority that included TV actress Allison Mack: You should be a hungry dog for your master" Raniere sometimes ordered them to paddle each other if they disobeyed his rules, former NXIVM member Lauren Salzman testified Self-help guru Keith Raniere was a taskmaster who expected his female followers to be as obedient as hungry dogs, whether he wanted them to send nude photos to him or buy him groceries paid for out their own pockets, a former devotee testified Monday at Ranieres federal trial. Lauren Salzman told a Brooklyn jury that as members of a secret master-slave society within an upstate New York group called NXIVM, women were so brainwashed, they would jump at all hours whenever asked for acts of care. Among the written instructions for those in the sorority that included TV actress Allison Mack: You should be a hungry dog for your master. Raniere sometimes ordered them to paddle each other if they disobeyed his rules, Salzman said. The testimony came in the second week of a trial where lawyers for Raniere have insisted his encounters with the women were consensual and meant to help with their personal growth. Salzman, 42, took the stand as part of a plea deal in which she admitted to charges accusing her of making a lower-ranking member of the group stay inside a bedroom for two years as a form of discipline. Mack, best known for her role as the friend of a young Superman in the Smallville series, has also pleaded guilty to participating in the collection of embarrassing material from followers called collateral that the group threatened to make public if they ever tried to defect and break their silence about their practices. It remains unclear if Mack will testify. Salzman testified that collateral for the group - sometimes called The Vow - included nude photos with forced smiles that the women took of themselves when they met three times a week in their sorority house. Raniere would sometimes demand that they reshoot the photos if they didnt turn out the way he wanted, she said. She added: The elephant in the room was that he was having sex with lots of these people. The women were branded as part of the initiation into the group, but only senior members were allowed to know that the brand represented Ranieres initials, she said. When she and others expressed concerns about keeping slaves in the dark about the meaning of the brands, Raniere told them, It shouldnt matter and that we were making problems, she said. What to Know A neighbor identified the gunman who shot down a couple in their upstate New York driveway as a former Texas police chief Dean has pleaded not guilty in the deaths of Amber Washburn and Joshua Niles of Sodus Dean's wife, Charlene Childers, was expected to be tried with her husband, but pleaded guilty last month to a reduced charge of manslaughter A neighbor told jurors she saw a man gun down a couple in their upstate New York driveway last year, and identified the gunman as a former Texas police chief on trial for murder. The neighbor took the stand Monday during the first day of former Sunray, Texas, Chief Timothy Dean's trial in Wayne County. The Finger Lakes Times reports she testified she witnessed the shooting through her window. Dean has pleaded not guilty in the deaths of Amber Washburn and Joshua Niles of Sodus. Friends and relatives say Niles had recently won custody of the two children he had with Dean's wife during a previous relationship. Dean's wife, Charlene Childers, was expected to be tried with her husband, but pleaded guilty last month to a reduced charge of manslaughter. A newborn child who was cut from his mother's womb after she was murdered in Chicago last month opened his eyes for the first time Sunday, a spokesperson for his family said. Family of Marlen Ochoa, the 19-year-old pregnant woman who police say was strangled before her baby was "forcibly removed" from her womb, visited the hospital over the weekend as the newborn child remains in critical condition following his birth. They returned Monday where family spokesperson Julie Contreras said they were meeting with hospital officials. Details on what the meeting was about weren't immediately released Monday afternoon. Contreras said the child, who has been named Yovanny Jardiel, was visited by his father Sunday night. The family called the infant a "fighter" after saying he opened his eyes. The baby remained hospitalized on life support on Saturday, according to authorities. A funeral for the 19-year-old mother, Marlen Ochoa, will take place Saturday morning, followed by burial. A two-day visitation is expected to take place Thursday and Friday. Two women, 46-year-old Clarisa Figueroa and her 24-year-old daughter Desiree Figueroa, are charged with murder in Ochoa's death. Police found Ochoa's body earlier this month outside Clarisa Figueroa's Chicago home. Clarisa Figueroa's boyfriend, 40-year-old Piotr Bobak, is also charged with the concealment of a homicide. All three were ordered held without bond. Chicago police say the elder Figueroa cut Ochoa's baby out of her womb on April 23, then called 911 to report she had given birth to a baby who wasn't breathing. Paramedics took Figueroa and the baby to Advocate Christ Medical Center in suburban Oak Lawn. Prosecutors say that when Figueroa was brought with the baby to the hospital, she had blood on her upper body and her face, which a hospital employee cleaned off. They also say Figueroa, 46, was examined at the hospital and showed no physical signs of childbirth. Advocate Christ Medical Center has declined to say whether or when it contacted authorities, citing state and federal regulations. Oak Lawn police said they were not contacted about Figueroa by the medical center or any other agency. "Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the Ochoa-Lopez family," the hopsital said in a statement. "Our clinical team is committed to meeting regularly with patients and families to ensure there is open dialogue about treatment paths. Out of respect for the familys privacy, we are unable to comment on the specific content covered during our time together." Illinois Department of Children and Family Services spokesman Jassen Strokosch said Saturday the agency was alerted May 9 that there were questions about who had custody of the child in order to make medical decisions. He said he couldn't speculate about why the agency wasn't contacted sooner. "We don't know what was happening at the hospital," he said. Strokosch said the Department of Children and Family Services was alerted by someone required by law to contact the department about suspected abuse or neglect, but he couldn't say who contacted the agency. However, that was after Chicago police had connected Figueroa to Ochoa's disappearance. Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said police learned Ochoa was missing when her husband reported it on April 24. On May 7, Chicago police learned from one of Ochoa's friends that she had been communicating via a private Facebook group with Figueroa about buying clothing. Police then went to Figueroa's home, where her 24-year-old daughter eventually told them her mother had recently had a baby. "There was nothing to point us in that direction in the beginning," Johnson told reporters on Thursday, after police had arrested Figueroa and her daughter on murder charges. Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said Saturday authorities had to subpoena medical records from the hospital for Figueroa and the child. He said police didn't learn that Figueroa showed no signs of childbirth until "a couple weeks" after she was examined. Both Johnson and Guglielmi referred questions about hospital protocol and policies to the medical center. A spokesman said in an emailed statement: "We have been cooperating with authorities and as this is an ongoing police matter, we're referring all inquiries to local law enforcement." DNA testing determined Figueroa was not the baby's mother and that Ochoa's husband was his father. Strokosch said his department let protective custody of the child lapse on May 13 because his father had been identified. The baby was expected to undergo testing this week to check for brain activity. The child's two grandmothers and an uncle were giving permission by United States Border Patrol to travel to Chicago and visit the child, an family spokesperson said. As questions mount over President Donald Trump's tough talk on Iran, top national security officials are heading to Capitol Hill to brief Congress. But skeptical Democrats have asked for a second opinion. The competing closed-door sessions Tuesday, unusual and potentially polarizing, come after weeks of escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf that have raised alarms over a possible military confrontation with Iran. Lawmakers are warning the Trump administration it cannot take the country into war without approval from Congress, and the back-to-back briefings show the wariness among Democrats, and some Republicans, over the White House's sudden policy shifts in the Middle East. Trump, veering between bombast and conciliation in his quest to contain Iran, threatened Monday to meet provocations by Iran with "great force," but also said he's willing to negotiate. "We'll see what happens," Trump told reporters as he left the White House for a campaign rally. He said Iran has been "very hostile." "We have no indication that anything's happened or will happened, but if it does, it will be met, obviously, with great force," Trump said. "We'll have no choice." Trump said while there are no talks with Iran he still wants to hear from them, "if they're ready." Over the past several weeks the U.S. has sent an aircraft carrier and other resources to the Persian Gulf region, and evacuated non-essential personnel from Iraq, amid unspecified threats the administration says are linked to Iran. The administration is sending Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan and other top brass, including Gen. Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff, for closed-door briefings Tuesday with both the House and Senate. But House Democrats, deeply skeptical of the information from the Trump officials and mindful of the drumbeat of claims during the run-up to the Iraq War invited former CIA Director John Brennan and former State Department official Wendy Sherman, who negotiated the Iran nuclear deal. Brennan, an outspoken Trump critic, does not have a formal briefing planned but is prepared to answer questions on Iran and is willing to do the same for Republicans, said a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to discuss it publicly. The intent, the person said, is to provide information and not to be partisan. Top Democrats say Trump escalated problems by abruptly withdrawing the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal, a complex accord negotiated during the Obama administration to prevent the country from nuclear weapons production. Trump's allies in Congress, including GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, say the threats from Iran are real. Graham urged Trump to "stand firm" and said he received his own briefing over the weekend from John Bolton, Trump's national security adviser. "It is clear that over the last several weeks Iran has attacked pipelines and ships of other nations and created threat streams against American interests in Iraq," Graham tweeted. "If the Iranian threats against American personnel and interests are activated we must deliver an overwhelming military response." But Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego of Arizona, an Iraq War veteran, tweeted that after having received "the same" intelligence briefing, that was not his conclusion. "That is not what is being said. This is total information bias to draw the conclusion he wants for himself and the media," Gallego tweeted. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said it's important to more fully understand the situation. "I think Iranians think that our moves are offensive, we think their moves are offensive, that's how you get into wars by mistake," he said. Graham's reference to Iran having attacked ships appeared to be a further indication that the U.S. military has concluded that Iran was behind the reported attack May 12 on four commercial vessels off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. At the outset of an investigation into those apparent attacks, which damaged vessels of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Norway but caused no injuries, U.S. officials had said they appeared to be carried out by Iran. A U.S. official said Monday the probe was finished and evidence still pointed at Iran, although the official did not provide details. The official was not authorized to publicly discuss the matter and so spoke on condition of anonymity. On Sunday, a rocket landed near the U.S. Embassy in the Green Zone of Iraq's capital of Baghdad, days after nonessential U.S. staff were ordered to evacuate from diplomatic posts in the country. No one was reported injured. Iraqi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasoul told The Associated Press that the rocket was believed to have been fired from eastern Baghdad, an area home to Iran-backed Shiite militias. Defense officials said no additional Iranian threats or incidents had emerged in the days since the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier battle group arrived in the Arabian Sea late last week. Iran, meanwhile, announced that it has quadrupled its uranium-enrichment production capacity. Iranian officials made a point to stress that the uranium would be enriched only to the 3.67% limit set under the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, making it usable for a power plant but far below what's needed for an atomic weapon. The state-run IRNA news agency quoted Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, as acknowledging that capacity had been quadrupled. He said Iran took this step because the U.S. had ended a program allowing it to exchange enriched uranium to Russia for unprocessed yellowcake uranium, as well as ending the sale of heavy water to Oman. Heavy water helps cool reactors producing plutonium that can be used in nuclear weapons. Tehran long has insisted it does not seek nuclear weapons, though the West fears its program could allow it to build them. Trump's remarks reflect what has been a strategy of alternating tough talk with more conciliatory statements, which he says is aimed at keeping Iran guessing at the administration's intentions. He described his approach in a speech Friday, saying, "It's probably a good thing because they're saying, 'Man, I don't know where these people are coming from,' right?" Supporters of abortion rights flooded state capitols, town squares and courthouses around the country Tuesday to protest a wave of new laws restricting women's access to abortion that have passed in several states. Dozens of groups, including Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, Emilys List, NARAL Pro-Choice America and the Womens March, organized more than 400 demonstrations in all 50 states as part of the National Day of Action to Stop the Bans. "Across the country, we are seeing a new wave of extreme bans on abortion, stripping away reproductive freedom and representing an all-out assault on abortion access," organizers said. This is Trumps anti-choice movement and its terrifying, particularly for women of color and low-income women who are most affected by these bans. At the flagship rally outside the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., lawmakers, including several 2020 presidential candidates, and activists joined hundreds of demonstrators to fight back against what they call an attack on basic rights of women. Jessica Pinckney of the National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda said women, especially women of color, need to fight "reproductive oppression," and likened the restrictive abortion laws passed in some states to "forced breeding of enslaved black women." "It is no coincidence that the parts of this country with the worst maternal mortality rates, the highest instances of voter suppression, and overall troublesome healthcare outcomes for black women are the same states that wish to eliminate our access to abortion care," Pinckney said. U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand called on women to fight like their lives depend on it "because it does," she said. The New York democrat said in an interview on MSNBC that the issue is about women having automony over their own body and to take reproductive rights away would turn back the clock decades. "This issue goes to the humanity of women and whether we have bodily autonomy, whether we can make life or death decisions about our selves, about our families, when we are having children, how many we are having and under what circumstance we will have them," she said. Fueled by fury over a string of abortion bans sweeping the country, protestors carried signs, marched and chanted slogans in Philadelphia, Boston, San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco, among other cities. In recent weeks, several conservative states have mounted new legal challenges to Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide. Governors in Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio and Georgia have approved bans on abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can happen as early as the sixth week of pregnancy, before many women know they're pregnant. Missouri lawmakers passed an eight-week ban Friday. Other states, including Louisiana, are considering similarly restrictive laws. The Alabama law would make it a felony, punishable by up to 99 years or life in prison to perform an abortion in nearly all cases. There would be no punishment for the woman receiving the abortion. It has come under criticism by some conservatives who have expressed discomfort by the lack of exceptions for rape and incest. The Mississippi law says physicians who perform abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected could face revocation of their state medical licenses. It also says abortions could be allowed after a fetal heartbeat is found if a pregnancy endangers a woman's life or one of her major bodily functions. Legislators rejected efforts to allow exceptions for pregnancies caused by rape or incest. President Donald Trump, while not mentioning Alabama's law, wrote in a weekend tweet that he is strongly "pro-life" but favors exceptions. "As most people know, and for those who would like to know, I am strongly Pro-Life, with the three exceptions - Rape, Incest and protecting the Life of the mother - the same position taken by Ronald Reagan," Trump wrote in a series of tweets. Rep. Terri Collins, the sponsor of the Alabama law, said the purpose is to challenge Roe and added that Alabama lawmakers can come back and add exemptions if states regain control of abortion access. New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker told demonstrators Tuesday in the nation's capital that "legislators in Alabama will not have the last word... just like in the civil rights movement, the governor of Alabama will not have the last word." None of the laws have actually taken effect, and all are expected to be blocked by the courts as the legal challenges play out with an ultimate eye on the Supreme Court. Abortion opponents are emboldened by new conservative justices on the Supreme Court. The opponents have pushed new restrictions in several states this year in the hopes that a case will prompt the court to re-evaluate and maybe overturn Roe v. Wade. Republicans believe the politics of abortion have shifted somewhat in their favor in recent years. But the near-absolutist nature of the most recent state-level bills has sparked concerns inside Trump's team that the issue could energize his critics and female voters, with whom the president has long struggled. Polling suggests the abortion issue has the potential to stoke political engagement among both parties. The General Social Survey released last year found 64% of Democrats, but just 35% of Republicans, saying a woman should be able to have an abortion for any reason. The measures have energized supporters of legalized abortion, who say they are digging in for a legal and political fight. Iran quadrupled its uranium-enrichment production capacity amid tensions with the U.S. over Tehran's atomic program, nuclear officials said Monday, just after President Donald Trump and Iran's foreign minister traded threats and taunts on Twitter. Iranian officials made a point to stress that the uranium would be enriched only to the 3.67% limit set under the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, making it usable for a power plant but far below what's needed for an atomic weapon. But by increasing production, Iran soon will go beyond the stockpile limitations set by the accord. Tehran has set a July 7 deadline for Europe to come up with new terms for the deal, or it will enrich closer to weapons-grade levels in a Middle East already on edge. The Trump administration has deployed bombers and an aircraft carrier to the region over still-unspecified threats from Iran. Already this month, officials in the United Arab Emirates alleged that four oil tankers were damaged in a sabotage attack; Yemeni rebels allied with Iran launched a drone attack on an oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia; and U.S. diplomats relayed a warning that commercial airlines could be misidentified by Iran and attacked, something dismissed by Tehran. A rocket landed Sunday near the U.S. Embassy in the Green Zone of Iraq's capital of Baghdad, days after nonessential U.S. staff were ordered to evacuate from diplomatic posts in the country. No one was reported injured. Iraqi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasoul told The Associated Press that the rocket was believed to have been fired from eastern Baghdad, an area home to Iran-backed Shiite militias. The Iranian enrichment announcement came after local journalists traveled to Natanz in central Iran, the country's underground enrichment facility. There, an unidentified nuclear scientist gave a statement with a surgical cap and a mask covering most of his face. No one explained his choice of outfit, although Israel is suspected of carrying out a campaign targeting Iranian nuclear scientists. The state-run IRNA news agency later quoted Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, as acknowledging that capacity had been quadrupled. He said Iran took this step because the U.S. had ended a program allowing it to exchange enriched uranium to Russia for unprocessed yellowcake uranium, as well as ending the sale of heavy water to Oman. Heavy water helps cool reactors producing plutonium that can be used in nuclear weapons. Kamalvandi said Iran had informed the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog, of the development. The Vienna-based agency did not respond to a request for comment. Tehran long has insisted it does not seek nuclear weapons, though the West fears its program could allow it to build them. Before Iran's announcement, Trump tweeted: "If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again!" Trump's remarks reflect what has been a strategy of alternating tough talk with more conciliatory statements he says is aimed at keeping Iran guessing at the administration's intentions. He also has said he hopes Iran calls him and engages in negotiations. He described his approach in a speech Friday, saying, "It's probably a good thing because they're saying, 'Man, I don't know where these people are coming from,' right?" But while Trump's approach of flattery and threats has become a hallmark of his foreign policy, the risks have only grown in dealing with Iran, where mistrust between Tehran and Washington stretch back four decades. While both Washington and Tehran say they don't seek war, many worry any miscalculation could spiral out of control. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif soon responded by tweeting that Trump had been "goaded" into "genocidal taunts." Zarif referenced both Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan as two historical leaders that Persia outlasted. "Iranians have stood tall for a millennia while aggressors all gone," he wrote. "Try respect - it works!" Zarif also used the hashtag #NeverThreatenAnIranian, a reference to a comment he made during intense negotiations for the 2016 nuclear accord. Trump campaigned on pulling the U.S. from the deal, which saw Iran agree to limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. Since Trump withdrew America a year ago from the pact, the U.S. has re-imposed previous sanctions and come up with new ones, as well as warning other nations they would be subject to sanctions as well if they import Iranian oil. British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt told journalists in Geneva that Iran should not doubt the U.S. resolve, warning that "if American interests are attacked, they will retaliate." "We want the situation to de-escalate because this is a part of the world where things can get triggered accidentally," Hunt said. Meanwhile, Oman's minister of state for foreign affairs made a previously unannounced visit Monday to Tehran, seeing Zarif, the state-run IRNA news agency said. The visit by Yusuf bin Alawi comes after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called Oman's Sultan Qaboos bin Said last week. Oman long has served as a Western backchannel to Tehran and the sultanate hosted the secret talks between the U.S. and Iran that laid the groundwork for the nuclear deal negotiations. In Saudi Arabia, the kingdom's military intercepted two missiles fired by the Iranian-allied Houthi rebels in neighboring Yemen. The missiles were intercepted over the city of Taif and the Red Sea port city of Jiddah, the Saudi-owned satellite channel Al-Arabiya reported, citing witnesses. Hundreds of rockets, mortar rounds and ballistic missiles have been fired into the kingdom by the rebels since a Saudi-led coalition declared war on the Houthis in March 2015 to support Yemen's internationally recognized government. The Houthis' Al-Masirah satellite news channel denied that the rebels had any involvement with this round of rocket fire. Between the two targeted cities is Mecca, home to the cube-shaped Kaaba that Muslims pray toward five times a day. Many religious pilgrims are in the city for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Associated Press writers Qassim Abdul-Zahra and Bassem Mroue in Baghdad, Jamey Keaten in Geneva, Samy Magdy in Cairo and Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, contributed. President Donald Trump's former fixer, Michael Cohen, told Congress it was Trump's personal attorney, Jay Sekulow, who suggested he tell lawmakers that the negotiations for Trump Tower Moscow ended in January 2016, even though they continued for months after that. The House Intelligence Committee on Monday released two transcripts of closed-door interviews with Cohen from earlier this year, along with some exhibits from the testimony. Cohen, who is serving a three-year prison sentence, pleaded guilty last year and admitted that he misled Congress by saying he had abandoned the Trump Tower Moscow project months earlier than he actually did. During the interviews, legislators repeatedly pressed Cohen for details on his false statement to Congress and tried to nail down whether he was directly told by Trump's legal team to mislead the committee, but the transcripts provide no slam-dunk evidence. Cohen offered no direct proof that Sekulow knew the January 2016 date we false, but Cohen claims Sekulow should have known because he had access to relevant emails and other communications as part of an agreement between defense attorneys to share documents. Attorneys for Sekulow said Cohen's testimony is not credible. "Michael Cohen's alleged statements are more of the same from him and confirm the observations of prosecutors in the Southern District of New York that Cohen's 'instinct to blame others is strong,'" Sekulow's lawyers, Jane Serene Raskin and Patrick Strawbridge, said in a statement. "That this or any Committee would rely on the word of Michael Cohen for any purpose - much less to try and pierce the attorney-client privilege and discover confidential communications of four respected lawyers - defies logic, well-established law and common sense." Cohen said Trump also knew the negotiations had continued far beyond January 2016 and that Sekulow had seen his testimony in advance of submission. He also claimed that Sekulow edited the statement and that both Sekulow and Trump approved it. Cohen also provided documents to the intelligence panel that showed the editing process for the statement. When asked whether Trump had read his "false written testimony," Cohen replied: "Mr. Sekulow said that he spoke to the client and that, you know, the client likes it and that it's good." In addition to the questioning about his false testimony, much of the discussion during Cohen's interviews related to pardons and whether Trump or his lawyers were dangling them in front of Cohen as the government began to investigate him. Cohen told the intelligence committee that he was discussing the possibility of a pardon with Sekulow, up until Cohen abandoned their joint-defense agreement and publicly broke from the president in mid-2018. He said Sekulow was representing him, not the president, when he brought up the idea of a pardon during a May 2017 Oval Office meeting with Trump. The discussions continued after Sekulow became Trump's lawyer and Cohen retained other counsel, Cohen said. Sekulow was "dangling the concept of pardons" to keep people in Trump's inner circle in line, Cohen testified. "Mr. Sekulow stated that the President loves you, don't worry, everything is going to be fine, nothing is going to happen," Cohen testified. Cohen said he only discussed the idea of a pardon with Sekulow, not Trump or anyone at the White House, but that he believes the discussions were done with Trump's knowledge and authority. He said Sekulow had brought up the possibility of a pardon to "shut down the inquiries and to shut the investigation down." Cohen became a key figure in congressional investigations after turning on his former boss and cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe. Mueller's final report, released in April, examined conduct related to Cohen as one of several possible instances of obstruction of justice by the president. Cohen was also convicted in federal court in New York of campaign finance violations for his role in buying the silence of two women who alleged they had affairs with Trump, as well as other crimes. He began serving a prison sentence earlier this month. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said in a statement last week that Cohen's testimony this year, along with materials in the committee's possession, raises "serious, unresolved concerns about the obstruction of our committee's investigation that we would be negligent not to pursue." In an apparent attempt to deflect attention away from Cohen's testimony and its implication for Trump, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Doug Collins, released transcripts of interviews with former Attorney General Loretta Lynch and several other current or former Justice Department officials, including many who played key roles in the Hillary Clinton email investigation. The Intelligence committee is also seeking more information about Cohen's 2017 testimony from four lawyers for the Trump family. The lawyers who received the requests from the committee are Sekulow; Abbe Lowell, lawyer for Ivanka Trump, the president's daughter, and her husband, Jared Kushner; Alan Futerfas, lawyer for Donald Trump Jr.; and Alan Garten, lawyer for the Trump Organization. Associated Press writers Michael R. Sisak and Jim Mustian in New York and Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report. A Philadelphia police detective driving an unmarked car shot and critically wounded a man in Kensington who he mistakenly thought had a weapon and was trying to rob him. The detective was stopped in traffic around 8:50 p.m. Monday in the 3400 block of G Street when he saw a man walking toward the driver's side of the vehicle. The 7- year veteran was in plain clothes and headed to police headquarters after processing a scene. Surveillance video obtained by NBC10 from a nearby store showed the man, later identified as Joel Johnson, walking by several cars before nearing the detective's vehicle. Editors note: This video could be disturbing to some viewers. Surveillance video from a business shows the moments leading up to and after the shooting of a man. Police say a detective in a car mistook the man as armed. The video has been paused to not show the actual shooting. Suddenly, gunshots burst through the detective's car, according to the video. Johnson dropped to the ground and then stood back up with his hands over his head. Johnson said something to the detective, but his window was rolled up and he couldn't hear. according to police. The detective, who has not been identified, thought he saw a firearm in Johnson's hand and believed he was trying to rob him, investigators said. The detective fired four shots through his car window, striking the man once in the torso. The Philadelphia Police Advisory Commission said in a statement that it was "disheartened" to learn about the incident. "Its difficult to believe that the Detective acted reasonably or with any regard for the sanctity of a human life," the Police Advisory Commission said in a statement. "We look forward to reviewing the entire investigation and working with the Police Department to determine the appropriate response." The Fraternal Order of Police initally declined to comment and then released the following statement: We are confident that investigators will do a thorough and transparent investigation of the incident, and we urge the public to reserve judgment until the investigation is completed, FOP president John McNesby said. Residents said Johnson is a known panhandler in the neighborhood. His family told NBC10 that he is a good person who wouldn't hurt anyone. "He doesn't approach anyone aggressively," local resident Dwayne Canady said. "I've never seen him be disrespectful." Responding officers took Johnson to Temple University Hospital. He was listed in critical but stable condition as of Tuesday morning and is expected to survive, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross said. Ross said police did not recover a weapon and he doesn't expect them to find one. Chester Police Detective Jamison Rogers analyzed the video of the shooting. "It's a grainy video but you do see this individual approaching the car," Detective Rogers said. "It looked to me at a walking pace, but not like he was running toward the car." Rogers told NBC10 the officer was justified in shooting Johnson if he believed he was armed. "If you feel an imminent threat to yourself or the safety of the public, the officer does have the right to take an action that will stop that threat," he said. Other residents believe, however, that Johnson never posed a threat and the detective was never in danger. "He'll just walk up to your car with quarters, and if you say, 'No,' he'll just go to the next car," Khalif Bolling, a neighbor, told NBC10. "He never was violent towards nobody. There's no need for him to pull out a gun and shoot him. I'm quite sure he wasn't fearing for his life." The detective involved is currently on paid leave as police continue to investigate. Written by ACM *Strasbourg/CoE/Angelo Marcopolo/- As Switzerland prepares to host, on its exciting Mountains, a landmark PanEuropean Conference for the 20th Anniversary of CoE's Convention on Landscapes (Natural and Cultural : 2000-2020), under a probably "spicy" Presidency by Hungary's Victor Orban, accused by some to be "populist", while certainly being Popular and dynamic, it's rather on the Key role of Citizens to safeguard and/or develop their surrounding Evironment that CoE may focus, from now on. It includes several aspects of "Eurofora"s 1997-2019 Project to develop, more generally, Citizens' appropriate Dialogue with Public Authorities Before important Decisions are taken which Affect their Lives and/or Society at large. ----------------------- This could explain why it was, this time, CoE's Director of Democratic Participation, the experienced Matjaz Gruden, who exceptionally chaired the Concluding Session of the 2 Days-long Annual 2019 Conference on the Implementation of CoE's Convention on European Landscapes : - Indeed, it's right from the outset, that Gruden pointed at that Convention's original text, observing that, "already from its 1st Article, it speaks about interaction with the People", as he said for the Definition of "Landscape" as "an Area, as perceived by People, which ...is the result of ...Natural and/or Human Factors". While "Landscape Quality Objective" means ...the formulation ... of the Aspirations of the Public, with regard to the Landscape Features of their Surroundings". + The 1Oth Anniversary of that Convention of 2000, celebrated in a PanEuropean Conference of 2010, was rather Focused on "Implementation" Issues, as the CoE's Committee of Ministers had just published an important "Recommendation on the Guidelines for the Implementation" in real practice, adopted on 2008. => So that the Forthcoming, 20th Anniversary, on 2020 (Comp. Supra), is due to Focus much more on the "Principles for the Participation of the Public, in the Definition and Implementation pf Landscape Policies", as adopted by CoE's Working Group on "Landscape and Democracy", already as early as since 2016, as well as on a CoE's collective Research about its "Landscape Convention" as "a contribution to Human Rights and Democracy", (supported, particularly, by the current and forthcoming Presidencies by Finland and France : 11/2018 - 11/2019), which has just been Published on 2018. - Indeed, when "Eurofora" asked the experienced CEO of CoE's Landscape Convention, Maguelonne Dejeant-Pons, whether some elements of our above-mentioned, wider Project (Comp. Supra), were on the pipeline of recent and/or on-going relevant Developments in this particular area, she immediately pointed at this CoE's recent Pamphlet of 100 pages. >>> It's all Based on that CoE's Convention's key Articles 5 and 6, which define "Landscapes ...as an Essential component of People's Surroundings, ...their ...Cultural and Natural Heritage, and a Foundation of their Identity", and, therefore, ask from Member States to "establish Procedures for the Participation of the General Public ...and other Parties with a Interest in the Definition and Implementation of the Landscape Policies", as well as "to Identify" such "Landscapes", "with the Active Participation of the Interested parties", to "Assess" them, "Taking into Account the particular Values assigned to them by ...the Population concerned", and to determine "Landscape Quality Objectives ... After Public Consultation". - I have been striving since a long time in order to make it crystal-clear that protected Landscapes are also a matter of Human Rights and Democracy", stressed Dejeant-Pons, who also Agreed with "Eurofora"s observation that, sometimes, it might become even a Vital matter of Life or Death, as, f.ex., it had been shown, in the Past, by the Tragic Fact that our own Grand Mother, a generally Healthy, Active and Good Temper elder Woman, had Suddenly fell Sick and Died, shortly After her Living Room, initially a Sunny Place with Clean Oxygen at an Open Area, was Transformed into a ...Black Hole, Deprived of SunLight and with any Natural Wind Cut Off by Thick Walls imposed by an Adjacent High-Rise Collective Building, that some Unscrupulus Real Estate developer private Compagnies, which seeked to make Money from any M2, apparently withOut giving a damn for Human Health and Life... The main Difference between the Pre-Existing and the Subsequnt Situations was that, in the MeanTime, a splendid View towards a Natural Landscape at the Adjacent Area, had been brutaly and totally Blocked 100%... - Indeed, Human "Health and Well-Being" is part and parcel of the Human Rights' aspects in protected European Landscapes, observes in substance, inter alia, also the Above Mentioned, relevant 2018 CoE's Pamplet (Comp. Supra). ---------------------------------------- - Protected European Landscapes can be Both various Large, Natural Areas at the Countryside, f.ex. among superb Mountains and Forests, or other Areas, even Inside Villages or Cities, which belong to the immediate Surroundings of People, reminded, in this regard too, CoE's competent CEO, Maguelonne Dejeans-Pons, pointing, for that purpose, also to an interesting Photo Exhibition at the CoE, organized by the current rotating Presidency by Finland, which characteristically pictures Both kinds of such, Rural or Urban Landscapes, (See relevant Photos). But, normally, "Green" Areas should be Accessible to the People, and Not too Far Away from where they live their everyday lives, she advised. ---------------------------------- - Such Issues being, often, "Hot" Topics for Public Debates in Urbanism, Spatial Planning, etc., they were, obviously, included also in CoE's Director on Democratic Participation, Matjaz Gruden's new responsibilities, (Comp. Supra). - Gruden stressed to "Eurofora" that a main Aim of his current activities is to Help People by providing also useful Knowledge, Awareness, Training, etc., on taking an Active Part in various existing Democratic Processes, (including, f.ex. the above-mentioned European Landscapes' Convention's pertinent articles : Comp. Supra). => But, in Fact, all that Covers a very much Wider Area, concerning also Many More Issues, f.ex., in Education, Culture, Sport, Youth, Landscapes, Diversite, etc, CoE's competent Director of Democratic Participation added, with a Smile... - And it concerns mainly already Existing, Legal Possibilities of Participatory Democracy, where People Need to develop some useful Experiences, and Not just the eventual creation of new ones, he observed, obviously Highlighting the Larger than expected Scope of such an endeavour, in real practice, even as things stand Nowadays. (../..) Abortion rights advocates across the nation, including in San Diego, held rallies Tuesday against a new wave of restrictive abortion legislation across the country. The "Stop the Bans" rallies were being held at four locations in San Diego County as Louisiana inches closer to becoming the sixth state to pass laws meant to challenge the U.S. Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion. Marchers gathered at noon at San Diego's Federal Court building, in Spring Valley and Escondido and for an evening rally in Poway. Marchers told NBC 7 she believes the right to consider an abortion should be left up to the woman. "I think abortion should be a fundamental choice that woman get to make for themselves, with their families, with their doctors," abortion rights supporter Jennifer Henehan said. "It is absolutely immoral that they are people trying to impose what our religious and personal beliefs on other women with, without consent of the actual women." Though others in San Diego, including family medicine practicioner George Delgado, thinks it is everyone's responsibility to protect children. "I think unfortunately in our country the respect for life has taken a big hit and people now feel abortion is a right," Delgado said. "Tthe right is for all of us to be alive." Delgado said with modern care, there is no reason to have an abortion to protect the life of a mother. "I think its very important that we have to love and protect both the mother and unborn child, we shouldnt pick one or the other. Protect both," he said. Abortion opponents are emboldened by new conservative justices on the Supreme Court. The opponents have pushed new restrictions in several states this year in the hopes that a case will prompt the court to re-evaluate and maybe overturn Roe v. Wade. Louisiana's law, awaiting one final vote in the state House, would prohibit abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected, similar to laws passed in Kentucky, Mississippi, Georgia and Ohio. Alabama has gone even further, enacting a law that makes performing abortions a felony at any stage of pregnancy with almost no exceptions. The measures have energized abortion rights activists, who on Sunday marched on the Alabama Capitol in protest of the newly approved abortion ban. The San Diego rallies were organized in part by Indivisible San Diego, Women's March San Diego, Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union in conjunction with more than 400 demonstrations in all 50 states. The flagship rally will take place outside the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. None of the laws has actually taken effect, and all are expected to be blocked by the courts as the legal challenges play out with an ultimate eye on the Supreme Court, NBC News reported. Hundreds of migrant families are flying to San Diego from the Texas-Mexico border after the U.S. Border Patrol announced its new plan on Friday. Border Patrol said the move will help alleviate the overwhelmed processing facilities in Texas. However, migrant shelters in San Diego said they are also running at maximum capacity. It's a challenge, no doubt about it, and with the numbers coming through, were pretty much at maximum right now, and to hear they have an additional three flights a week with 130 people -- that's going to add an additional layer of complexity, said Pastor Bill Jenkins. Jenkins is the director of the Safe Harbors Network which works with volunteers to open up churches and homes to house migrants on a long-term stay. We will be able to do everything we can to give them a roof over their head, get them out of the rain, give them a shower, and a place for them to be safe, said Jenkins. Often times, Jenkins said he is taking in migrants that find their own way to his church's doorsteps to await trial. The Safe Harbors Network works with San Diego Rapid Response, which looks for temporary housing for migrants. In March, the former San Diego Family Courthouse was transformed into a migrant shelter. The shelter is run by the Jewish Families Services under San Diego's Rapid Response Network, and the group said they are working to house the migrants as quickly as they can. In a statement, San Diego's Rapid Response Network wrote: Families housed at the shelter include an average of one to two young children, with average stays of 12 to 48 hours. As quickly as one group of families moves on, others are released and dropped off by immigration authorities. The two groups have about 300 beds to offer migrants and are constantly looking for more. At a humanitarian level, it's much better to distribute that load then just insist Rio Grande Valley has to handle all this, said professor Ev Meade. Meade is the Border Institute Director at the University of San Diego. He told NBC 7 there would be more capacity to house migrants if they were released quickly. If you look at our detention policy, we don't have to keep all of our detention centers full. We do have the option to release people on bond, said Meade. Border Patrol said once they process migrants in San Diego, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is then responsible for them. ICE said they are continually reviewing their detention requirements and exploring other options in order to house migrants under their custody. Pets and their owners often share special bonds, but for one woman in Virginia, that bond was meant to continue after death. According to NBC affiliate WWBT, a healthy Shih Tzu mix named Emma was recently euthanized after her deceased owner left explicit instructions in her will for the pet to be cremated and buried with her. Emma arrived at a local animal shelter in Chesterfield County on March 8, after her owner died and stayed for about two weeks before the executor of the dead woman's estate arrived and asked to euthanize the healthy pup. According to shelter personnel, staff tried to dissuade him from euthanizing the dog, but Emma was eventually transported to a local veterinarian and euthanized. "We did suggest they could sign the dog over on numerous occasions, because its a dog we could easily find a home for and re-home, Carrie Jones, the manager of Chesterfield Animal Services, told WWBT. Ultimately, they came back in on March 22 and redeemed the dog. Emma's remains were then taken to a pet cremation center in Richmond, where her ashes were put in an urn to be buried with the dead woman. While the ethical nature of euthanizing pets to be buried with owners remains unsettled, the law is clearer, Virginia Funeral Directors Association President Larry Spiaggi said. "Its not legal to put a dogs cremated remains or any animal in a casket and bury them," Spiaggi told WWBT. While Virginia code forbids pets to be buried with humans in commercial cemeteries, there are exceptions for cemeteries that are private and family owned. Spiaggi said he is a pet-friendly funeral director and would never put down an animal to bury it with an owner. Many veterinarians said they also oppose the choice, saying they won't do it. Dr. Kenny Lucas of the Shady Grove Animal Clinic told WWBT his ethical guidelines would lead him not to euthanize a healthy pet. Whenever were faced with a euthanasia situation, its a very emotional situation and beyond everything we talk about that we need to do ethically, and weve taken an oath to do, he said to WWBT. Also, its something we take home, too. It weighs on us as professionals. Virginia's plan to extend the 495 Express Lanes to the American Legion Memorial Bridge is getting mixed reactions from Northern Virginia residents and commuters. The Virginia Department of Transportation held a community meeting Monday night to discuss the plans that include about 3 miles of two Express Lanes in each direction and paths for cyclists and pedestrians. "I have a positive outlook on that. I think it will help keep traffic moving," driver Micky Chopra said. Chopra said she's tired of the seemingly endless traffic in the area. "It makes me feel like Im going no where." Other residents are concerned the plan will infringe on their property. "If you are intending to make it wider, that puts itself into places where people have homes," said Marty Irving, who lives near the Memorial Bridge. "We do not anticipate having any total residential relocations or commercial relocations," VDOT spokesperson Susan Shaw said. But Shaw said VDOT would "need to take some right of way along the corridor." VDOT will hold a public hearing in the fall. Construction could start in late 2020 and finish by 2023. Author Natasha Tynes sparked outrage on social media after she tweeted a photo of a black Metro employee eating on the train and reported the woman to officials. Now, Tynes may lose her book deal. Tynes, a writer and World Bank employee in Washington, tweeted a photo Friday morning of a Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority employee in uniform eating on one of the service's trains, NBC News reported. "When youre on your morning commute & see @wmata employee in UNIFORM eating on the train," Tynes wrote in the tweet, which she has since deleted. I thought we were not allowed to eat on the train. This is unacceptable. Hope @wmata responds. When I asked the employee about this, her response was, worry about yourself.'" Transit officials responded to her tweet within an hour and thanked her for "catching" the employee eating and "helping" to "make sure all Metro employees are held accountable." The response said: "Can you confirm the time you were on the train, the direction you were headed and what line you were on? Tynes provided those details and added: "Thank you for responding. Appreciate it." Eating, drinking, smoking and littering is banned on Metro buses or trains and in stations. But the backlash began immediately. University of New Hampshire professor Chanda Prescod-Weinstein commented: "Eating while Black." Eleven individuals from Cape Cod and Rhode Island were arrested Monday and charged in federal court in Boston in a wide-ranging heroin conspiracy. The following individuals were charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin: Edwin Otero, 29, of Hyannis; Justin Joseph, 32, of Pawtucket, R.I.; Anthony Basilici, 35, of Pawtucket, R.I.; Vinicius Zangrande, 35, of Centerville; Krymeii Fray, 23, of Hyannis; Brooke Cotell, 25, of Hyannis; Ronny Baams, 37, of South Yarmouth; Tony Johnson, 35, of Hyannis; Eric Brando, 27, of Osterville; Joshua Johnson, 31, of Mashpee; and Kimberly Lopes, 49, of Hyannis According to court documents, in 2018, federal, state and local law enforcement began investigating Otero, an alleged leader of a Cape Cod-wide drug trafficking organization. It is alleged that the investigation revealed Otero and his 10 co-defendants distributed large quantities of heroin and other controlled substances throughout Cape Cod, including in Hyannis, Mashpee, Centerville, Osterville, and in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. On May 8, 2019, Otero, Joseph, and Basilici were allegedly involved in a shooting at Frays residence related to a drug debt Fray owed. Agents intercepted Otero discussing the fact that he was involved in the shooting. As a result of search warrants executed Monday, heroin, packaging materials, scales, a finger press, and three firearms and ammunition, including a 9 mm assault-style weapon, were seized. A bullet hole in Frays home, consistent with the shooting reported on May 8, was also observed. The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute heroin provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. Two Massachusetts teenagers are facing a number of charges in connection to a shooting last week in Cambridge. Following an investigation into a May 13 shooting in Central Square, police arrested a 15-year-old male teenager from Boston and a 15-year-old male teenager from West Roxbury. Both were scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Middlesex County Juvenile Court. The 15-year-old from Boston will face multiple charges, including armed assault to murder, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, possession of a firearm in felony, and possession of firearm without an FID Card. The 15-year-old from West Roxbury is facing charges of carrying a firearm without a license and accessory after the fact. Police said officers had been patrolling Central Square when they heard possible shots fired in the nearby area and a group of young men fleeing. When other officers arrived and the area was canvassed, police were able to locate and stop one of the suspects on Green Street. He was taken in for questioning. Officers also recovered two shell casings on Pearl Street and another on Massachusetts Avenue. No injuries were reported. Before the shooting, two groups of teens had been seen in the area. Police were able to identify them with law enforcement partners via surveillance video and make their arrests. "I am very pleased that our officers quickly identified and arrested the young men responsible for this senseless violence," said Cambridge Commissioner Branville G. Bard, Jr. "This was a brazen act and we were fortunate that nobody was injured. This type of behavior is not acceptable in our community and, as we have demonstrated, we won't rest until we identify who is responsible for these troubling acts." The skyline of Burlington, Vermont has a new additionafter a historic cathedral replaced a spire thats been missing for years. This great landmark is being rebuilt and put back into place, Rev. Lance Harlow, the rector for St. Joseph Cathedral, said Tuesday. St. Josephs is the central cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington, which is the Catholic diocese for the state of Vermont. The cathedral had cause for celebration Tuesday, when it saw its steeple reinstalled. A violent wind storm in 2010 caused an 800-pound cross atop the original late-1800s steeple to tilt. In examining that problem, church leaders soon discovered there was extensive wood rot that forced the steeples removal. Eight and a half years later, and the steeples four-part replacement made for a delicate, high-pressure job for crane operator Bill Mullin of Demag Riggers & Crane Service. Its gratifying for me, personally, to do something like this thats going to be here for a long time, Mullin told necn and NBC 10 Boston. Long after Im gone. The Diocese brought in a drone to document the installation from the sky. Finances delayed the restoration work, but the recent sale of a former Catholic school property across from the cathedral gave the project the boost it needed. Its been a long time, parishioner Dave Mount said of the restoration work, adding he is glad to finally see St. Josephs looking the way he said a church of its statewide stature should. Were bringing it back to exactly where it was originally, and thats very important to me. The cathedrals rector said more improvements are still to come at the historic churchnamely, a restoration of the massive steps in the front of the building. The church is alive and well in downtown Burlington, Harlow said. A nearby property, formerly known as the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, was recently decommissioned as a church, with all sacred objects removed from the building. The property is currently listed for sale. > All the News The European Border and Coast Guard Agency, in cooperation with the Albanian authorities, is launching the first ever joint operation on the territory of a neighbouring non-EU country. As of 22 May, teams from the Agency will be deployed together with Albanian border guards at the Greek-Albanian border to strengthen border management and enhance security at the EU's external borders, in full agreement with all concerned countries. This operation marks a new phase for border cooperation between the EU and its Western Balkan partners, and is yet another step towards the full operationalisation of the Agency. (...) While Albania remains ultimately responsible for the protection of its borders, the European Border and Coast Guard is able to lend both technical and operational support and assistance. The European Border and Coast Guard teams will be able to support the Albanian border guards in performing border checks at crossing points, for example, and preventing unauthorised entries. All operations and deployments at the Albanian border with Greece will be conducted in full agreement with both the Albanian and Greek authorities. At the start of the operation, the Agency will be deploying 50 officers, 16 patrol cars and 1 thermo-vision van from 12 EU Member States (Austria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, the Netherlands, Romania, Poland and Slovenia) to support Albania in border control and tackling cross-border crime. Strengthened cooperation between priority third countries and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency will contribute to the better management of irregular migration, further enhance security at the EU's external borders and strengthen the Agency's ability to act in the EU's immediate neighbourhood, while bringing that neighbourhood closer to the EU. Background The European Border and Coast Guard Agency can carry out deployments and joint operations on the territory of neighbouring non-EU countries, subject to the prior conclusion of a status agreement between the European Union and the country concerned. The status agreement negotiated with Albania and signed in October 2018 entered into force on 1 May 2019. It is the first such agreement to become operational with a Western Balkan partner country. Similar agreements were initialled with North Macedonia (July 2018), Serbia (September 2018), Bosnia and Herzegovina (January 2019) and Montenegro (February 2019) and are pending finalisation. Earlier this year, as proposed by the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council agreed to reinforce the mandate of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, giving it the right level of ambition corresponding to the common challenges Europe is facing in managing migration and its borders. It will allow for joint operations and deployments to take place in countries beyond the EU's immediate neighbourhood. Source: European Commission - Press release Police in Maine say they've arrested a driver who fled the scene of a fatal crash in Woodstock. Police say 23-year-old Ethan Rioux-Poulios is believed to have been driving a car that struck the rear end of another vehicle on Route 26 Monday afternoon, causing it to lose control and overturn. The driver of the overturned vehicle was killed. Police say Rioux-Poulios, of West Paris, abandoned his car a short distance from the scene. The Sun Journal reports that Maine State Police arrested him Tuesday morning in West Paris. The identity of the driver who was killed hasn't been released as authorities attempt to locate family members. It's unclear if Rioux-Poulios has a lawyer. A jury has begun deliberations in the trial of a Vermont man facing murder charges in the deaths of five teenagers after he caused a head-on crash by driving the wrong way on an interstate. The jury hearing the case of Steven Bourgoin began deliberations late Tuesday morning after receiving instructions from Judge Kevin Griffin. Griffin told the jury they could find the 38-year-old Bourgoin guilty or not guilty of second-degree murder and other charges, guilty of manslaughter or not guilty by reason of insanity. Bourgoin's attorneys acknowledge that he was driving the pickup truck that hit the teenagers' vehicle in October 2016. But they say he was insane at the time. Prosecutors counter that Bourgoin was troubled but legally responsible for the crash. Eli Brookens, 16, of Waterbury, Janie Chase Cozzi, 15, of Fayston, Liam Hale, 16, of Fayston, Mary Harris, 16, of Moretown, and Cyrus Zschau, 16, of Moretown were killed on Interstate 89 in Williston as they headed home from a concert. Childhood friends, Brookens, Hale, Harris, and Zschau attended Harwood Union High School in Duxbury, and Chase Cozzi was a student at Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, New Hampshire. Bourgoin could spend the rest of his life in prison if hes convicted of the five murder charges. The trial began May 6. Maine lawmakers may allow medical professionals who arent doctors to perform abortions. It's a proposal making its way through the states legislature. Maine Speaker of the House Sara Gideon, who sponsored the bill, says its meant to replace a decades-old Maine law requiring doctors to perform abortions put in place to prevent illegitimate procedures. "Now, we have advance practice clinicians, people like nurse midwives, physician assistants and nurse practitioners whose scope of practice includes similar services [to abortion] and are perfectly capable of performing these services," she said. Gideon also thinks expanding who can perform an abortion will help women who need care in rural parts of the state. She believes its difficult for women living far away from Maines service centers to find time to get access to abortion services they might need. "If youre a woman whos living in Fort Kent, for example, and if you are not able to get the day off of work to travel all the way to Portland, that can really be a barrier for you," she said. Other lawmakers, like Republican Rep. Mary Anne Knney, voted 'nay' and some have very personal reasons why. "When I had my miscarriage, I basically had what would be a spontaneous abortion," Kinney said. "When I started to hemorrhage, my doctor referred me to a specialist, not to someone with less schooling, not to someone with less training." Kinney says shes worried medical professional who arent doctors may truly be unqualified to perform abortions and regardless, she is opposed to any type of abortion whatsoever. She thinks the bill is a problem because more people could come from other states to Maine seeking abortions. "Its a false narrative to kill more babies," said Kinney. The bill now heads to Maines senate, which could vote on it later this week. If it clears that chamber it will head back to both legislative bodies for enactment before landing on Gov. Mills desk for her signature. If Maine expands which medical service providers can perform abortions, it will not be alone. There are other states that have already passed laws allowing that including, New Hampshire. A man who allegedly tried to pin a police officer against a building with his car was arrested after leading authorities on a pursuit from Massachusetts to Rhode Island. The incident started when the Pawtucket, Rhode Island man allegedly tried to pin an officer during a traffic stop. The man, who was later identified as Jonathan Cleveland, was pulled over because of a registration issue, according to Foxborough police. Cleveland sped off after the confrontation and initiated a pursuit in Wrentham, where he allegedly hit a police cruiser and drove toward another. The suspect then entered Cumberland, Rhode Island, where he pulled into a driveway and surrendered to officials. Foxborough police said the man will face charges in Wrentham District Court. Authorities said they are working on obtaining a governor's warrant to extradite him to Massachusetts. No officers were hurt in the incident. A Massachusetts man who spent three decades in prison for a killing he says he didn't commit is heading back to trial. The Enterprise reports that the murder retrial of Darrell Jones in the November 1985 killing of Guillermo Rodriguez in the parking lot of a Brockton sandwich shop is scheduled to start Monday. Jones was originally convicted in 1986. After decades of appeals, he was released in 2017 after a judge ruled he didn't get a fair trial. Jones' attorneys say their client did not shoot Rodriguez and was convicted because prosecutors broke rules about turning over evidence because of jurors' racial bias. The Plymouth district attorney's office argued they had the evidence to retry Jones and a judge ruled in April that a second trial would go forward. Kimberly Michelle Vaughn, singing about the Zodiac My wife's birthday was Friday, and she requested we go to dinner at Topo Gigio on Wells Streettruly excellent Italian farethen take in a show at The Second City. Our younger son, freshly returned in triumph from his first year at law school, joined us. At Piper's Alley, we were seated in the second row, which made me happy before the thing even beganclose to the actionand we settled in to watch the venerable Chicago troupe's 107th revue, "Algorithm Nation or the Static Quo." It was the sort of boisterous fun you'd expect from Second City: not genius, not dreck, but a series of sketches and songs designed to poke fun at our current cultural moment. Not the easiest thing to do, considering how our national conversation has devolved into continual low farce, no satire necessary. Though given the overarching premisesomething about Facebook and its grip on our liveslet's just say I felt that the evening ended with whole wings of possibility left unexplored. Maybe Facebook is already too closely and creepily intertwined into our lives to step back and observe it with the necessary critical distance. I hope not. Some sketches ended too soon. I savored the hard gaze that Nate Verrone, as an Uber driver, shot into his rear view mirror as his passenger, a bubbly Emma Pope, prattled on about her birthright tour of Israel. I wanted to get to know that guy better, but the bit ended almost as soon as it began. Some sketches went on too long: Ryan Asher's bawdy female Trump supporter whipping up a crowd for an appearance by His Orange Enormity, all leg kicks and pussy jokes that both went on forever and went nowhere. Donald Trump is gross as he is; he doesn't need to absorb a cheeseburger through his anus. She was much better as a young kid sounding out his mother's boyfriend. Pope and Jeffrey Murdoch also had a sweet moment at an eighth grade dance. One performer stood outKimberly Michelle Vaughn. My wife and I afterward agreed that she has the ... I don't what to call it. The sparkle. A certain joyous fierceness, a fire, a look in her eye that just put her on the next level. She was part of an ensemble, singing a loopy song about astrology, yet somehow she just sold it more. I hope her cast mates don't hate me, or her, for saying it. Maybe they shine more on other nights. And one hesitates to predict the future, given the crucial role of luck. But now at least I can say I told you so. Tyler Davis was also very goodhe also has presencethough both he and Vaughn were wasted in a sketch where they endure the clueless goodwill of their new white neighbors. Maybe I didn't like the bit because it skewers the kind of obliviousness of which I myself am guilty. I can't be the judge of that. But it seemed to me a concept done to death decades ago, It was like a cartoon set on a desert island or in a dungeon: it has to be done really well to merit doing at all. Not that an old joke can't be fluffed up and used anew. There was some business at the end of the night when Davis takes an audience member hostage, and fate dictated that the audience member be me. As he quickstepped me out of the theater, he asked me who I had come with, and I pointed to my wife and son. "Which one should live?" he asked, or words to that effect. "My wife," I said, immediately. "I have another son." That got a big laugh out of the audience. Later, I wondered where the line had come from, and realized, not without a slight shiver of horror, that I was re-casting a trope from Herodotus, the ancient Greek historian. In his "Speculations About the Nile," he speaks of what he calls the Land of the Deserters: Egyptian soldiers who revolted from the Egyptians and joined the Ethiopians. As they fled, their commander tried to stop them. Herodotus writes: Psammetichus heard of it, and pursued them. When he came up with them, he entreated them mightily: he would have them, he said, not desert their household gods and their wives and children. At this, it is said, one of their number showed him his prick and said, "Wherever I have this, I will have wives and children." Not quite the same line, but a similar spirit. The evening reminded me that I should make a point of seeing The Second City more often than I do. Though next time, not on the aisle. Kimberly Michelle Vaughn Continuing our series, find out more about each award here Here is the low-down on the next three award categories at this year's NWN Best in Business Awards. And don't forget you can always enter every category if you want to. There are nine categories up for grabs, as well as the coveted overall Best in Business Award 2019. The winner of the awards, which recognise commercial excellence throughout West Berkshire, will be announced at a gala dinner at Newbury Racecourse on November 1, 2019. Applications must be returned by June 28, 2019 and you can download an entry form here. To make it easier for you to decide, over the coming days we will be giving you a summary of what the judges will be looking for in each category. So, grab a coffee, sit back and have a read through our guide to the awards categories. Best Use of Marketing Technology Award sponsored by Generate UK What the judges want to see This award is open to business of all sizes, operating in any sector, that can demonstrate how it has developed significantly through the use of marketing and technology. The judges will want to see how a strategy was created, how a business overcame any challenges, how the use of technology played its part, how the strategy was implemented, how it was measured and the results it delivered. This is a new category this year. The sponsor Generate UK provides clients with unique marketing solutions, assets and campaigns that deliver real results. Its staff are dynamic, knowledgeable, experienced and committed to providing customers with the best service available. The business puts clients at the heart of what it does and for the past 10 years has been nurturing creativity and building the skills and processes its needs to be the safe pair of hands that takes your marketing to the next level. You can find out more about Generate UK here. Innovation in Business Award sponsored by HSBC UK What the judges want to see For this award, the judging team will want to find a business which has, over the past 12 months, dramatically and profitably improved its sales/revenue performance through the use of an innovative undertaking. This award is open to new and mature, small and large businesses - whether in a B2C, B2B, retail or service sector. Judges will be particularly impressed by those applications that demonstrate how they have developed a clear strategy and dramatically altered their prospects perhaps through online channels or other, well-considered and contemporary techniques of exposing their brand to the marketplace. The judges will want to see evidence of increases in visitors, orders, enquiries and/or sales; and the return on investment gained. Previous winners have included Amberjack and Corvia ticketer. The sponsor HSBC offers a range of retail, commercial and private banking services in the UK. It has an extensive branch network across the country to support its customers needs. It is part of one of the worlds largest banking and financial services organisations and serves more than 39 million customers through four global businesses retail banking and wealth management; commercial banking; global banking and markets; and global private banking. Its network covers 66 countries and territories in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, North America and Latin America. You can read more on HSBC here. Charity or Community Award sponsored by Greenham Trust What the judges want to see Organisations not operating for profitable means are encouraged to enter this category as their chance to shine. Judges will be keen to see business models where the aims and objectives set down in infancy have been accomplished, and where future planning and continuous creativity is always part of the business model. Judges will also look carefully at what the not-for-profit has achieved for its audience; how it attracts people to work with and for it; and how it develops staff, members and volunteers. They will also be keen to see evidence of what innovative techniques it has introduced and how well its profile has grown in recent times. While charitable income will of course be assessed, the amount of revenue will not be a deciding factor in the decision process. In the past two years Newbury Soup Kitchen and Dingleys Promise, have both picked up this award. The sponsor The Trusts aim is to promote charitable purposes for the benefit of the inhabitants of Newbury and areas of North Hampshire. Since 1997, more than 42m in funding has been distributed to improve the lives of local people, with nearly 5,000 good causes benefitting. Find out more here. This Page Is Under Construction - Coming Soon! Why am I seeing this 'Under Construction' page? The Friends of the Fairfield Public Library will host its 10th annual Ladies Literary Luncheon on Friday, May 31, with bestselling author Martha Hall Kelly as the featured guest. Reservations are required. Click here to purchase tickets, or contact Danielle Sharp at dsharp@fplct.org Kellys latest book, Lost Roses, is No. 5 on the New York Times Best Sellers list. A native New Englander, Kelly also saw her debut novel, Lilac Girls, become a New York Times bestseller the week it was published in April 2016. The novel is historical fiction, based on the true story of 72 Polish women who were imprisoned and experimented on at Ravensbruck Concentration Camp and how Caroline Ferriday, an American philanthropist and former actress, brought them to the U.S. for rehabilitation and the trip of a lifetime. Lost Roses, a prequel to Lilac Girls, takes place during WWI and tells the story of Carolines mother Elizas fight to help Russian refugees displaced by the revolution there. Like Lilac Girls, Lost Roses is a story of love and loss; a saga of desperate immigrants, a world in turmoil, and three strong women who are pushed to the limit, determined to survive. Sign up to get events, interviews with artists and more delivered to your inbox for free. Since its 2003 founding, the non-profit Friends of the Fairfield Public Library has been dedicated to enhancing the partnership between the Fairfield Public Library and the community, and advocating for quality library service for the town of Fairfield. The Patterson Club, 1118 Cross Highway, Fairfield. Friday, May 31, noon-2 p.m. $75 includes lunch, dessert and a glass of wine. All proceeds benefit the Library. A Cleveland man found guilty of murdering a Euclid couple at their car dealership was sentenced to death on May 21. Joseph McAlpin, 32, was previously found guilty on charges that included aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, kidnapping, grand theft and cruelty to animals. On May 16, a Cuyahoga County jury recommended the death penalty for McAlpin. Michael Kuznik, 50, and Trina Tomola, 46, were found dead on April 14, 2017, at the Mr. Cars dealership that they owned in Clevelands Collinwood neighborhood. Prosecutors said that McAlpin and two others drove to Mr. Cars to steal cars with the intention of selling them afterward. Allegedly, the two others waited outside as McAlpin entered the dealership. McAlpin shot Kuznik twice in the head near the front of the dealership showroom, prosecutors said. He shot Tomola once in the head in an office in the back of the building. The couples dog, Axel, was also shot and killed. Their daughter spoke with Tomola on the phone minutes before the shooting occurred, according to prosecutors. After several hours went by with no communication from either parent, their son went to the dealership to check on them. The 19-year-old then found his stepfather unresponsive on the floor with a gunshot wound and called 911. According to the prosecutors office, investigators were able to connect McAlpin to the location of the 726 E. 185th Street dealership. His DNA was found on one victims back pocket, a computer modem near one victims body, and on the steering wheel and inside of the drivers side door of the stolen BMW. Prosecutors also said records showed McAlpin and his co-defendants cell phones pinged off towers and wireless internet routers in the area at the time of the murders. McAlpin had represented himself during trial. Judge Brian Corrigan sentenced McAlpin to death for the two aggravated murders. This horrific crime has forever broken the hearts of the family and friends of Michael and Trina Kuznik, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael OMalley stated in a press release. 12 citizens of this county and now a judge have determined the death sentence was the only appropriate punishment. Given the facts and circumstance of this case, I wholeheartedly agree. According to a previous News-Herald report, alleged accomplices Jerome Diggs Jr., 24, and Andrew Keener, 25, faced multiple charges, including multiple counts of aggravated murder, murder, aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary. Keener pleaded Feb. 25 to first-degree felony involuntary manslaughter and fourth-degree felony grand theft. Diggs has a pretrial hearing scheduled for June 3. Researchers at the University of Cincinnati are looking to enroll participants in a clinical trial, only being offered locally, to determine how the use of proton radiotherapy can be used for patients with early stage breast cancer. This trial, led by Teresa Meier, MD, assistant professor of radiation oncology at the UC College of Medicine and a UC Health radiation oncologist, is being funded by grant money from Ride Cincinnati. "This study will evaluate the effectiveness and cosmetic outcome of using pencil beam scanning proton therapy for partial breast irradiation in patients with early stage breast cancer," she says. "Additionally, we'll evaluate side effects patients experience as well as cancer recurrence rates." Proton radiotherapy is a form of radiation treatment used for certain types of cancers and lymphomas. A major advantage over traditional forms of radiotherapy is its ability to deliver radiation to a tumor with remarkable precision, sparing healthy tissues. The Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center/UC Health Proton Therapy Center is the only facility of its kind locally and only one of about 29 in the country. Innovative research like this is an example of one of the key platforms of UC's strategic direction, Next Lives Here. Meier says this investigator-initiated trial is unique nationally and will hopefully shed light on ways proton therapy can be used to further combat cancer and possibly spare patients from some of the associated side effects. Breast cancer will affect one in eight women during their lifetime, and nearly two-thirds of women are diagnosed with early stage disease, with most living many years beyond their diagnosis with the side effects of their cancer treatments. For these patients, treatment has evolved from mastectomy to breast conservation therapy, which consists of a smaller surgery followed by daily radiation to the entire breast over four to six weeks. However, about one-third of women will experience significant skin toxicity--or redness of the skin which can be painful or tender--related to radiation. Additionally, the majority of cancer recurrences occur close to where the surgery took place, and proton therapy is able to target a specific area, sparing healthy breast tissue and eliminating unnecessary irradiation of nearby organs, like the heart and lungs. The beam is able to 'paint' the targeted area spot-by-spot." Teresa Meier, MD, Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology at the UC College of Medicine and a UC Health Radiation Oncologist Meier says for this small pilot study, researchers are looking for women, aged 50 and above, who have been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer (stage 0 or IA)--a tumor that is less than 3 centimeters in size and has not spread to the lymph nodes. "Patients will undergo standard of care--surgery followed by radiation, which will be proton radiotherapy," she adds. "Partial breast radiation will be delivered twice a day, at least six hours apart, over five treatment days. We will provide this treatment to 21 patients with follow up over a period of three years." "We're excited to offer this trial to patients and hope it provides insight into ways we can better and more effectively treat them for overall better quality of life," she adds. Across the country, many doctors, nurses and other health care workers have remained silent about what is being called an epidemic of violence against them. The violent outbursts come from patients and patients families. And for years, it has been considered part of the job. When you visit the Cleveland Clinic emergency department whether as a patient, family member or friend a large sign directs you toward a metal detector. An officer inspects all bags and then instructs you to walk through the metal detector. In some cases, a metal wand is used even on patients who come in on stretchers. Cleveland Clinic officials say they confiscate thousands of weapons like knives, pepper spray and guns each year. The metal detectors were installed in response to what CEO Tom Mihaljevic calls an epidemic. There is a very fundamental problem in U.S. health care that very few people speak about, he said, and thats the violence against health care workers. Daily literally, daily we are exposed to violent outbursts, in particular in emergency rooms. Many health care workers say the physical and verbal abuse come primarily from patients, some of whom are disoriented because of illness or from medication. Sometimes nurses and doctors are abused by family members who are on edge because their loved one is so ill. Cleveland Clinic has introduced other safety measures such as wireless panic buttons incorporated into ID badges and more safety cameras and plainclothes officers in ERs. But these incidents arent limited to emergency rooms. Allysha Shin works as a registered nurse in neuroscience intensive care at the University of Southern Californias Keck Hospital in Los Angeles. One of the most violent incidents she has experienced happened when she was caring for a patient who was bleeding inside her brain. The woman had already lashed out at other staff, so she had been tied to the bed, Shin said. She broke free of the restraints and then kicked and punched Shin in the chest before throwing a punch at her face. There was this one point where she swung, and she had just glanced off the side of my chin. If I hadnt dodged that punch, she could have knocked me out, Shin said. And she very well could have killed me. The encounter left Shin shaken and anxious when she returned to work days later. She still has flashbacks. She used to be afraid to speak about these types of attacks, she said, because of what she calls a culture of accepting violence in most hospitals. It is expected that you are going to get beat up from time to time, Shin said. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, incidents of serious workplace violence are four times more common in health care than in private industry. And a poll conducted by the American College of Emergency Physicians in August found nearly half of emergency physician respondents reported having been physically assaulted. More than 60% of them said the assault occurred within the previous year. Groups representing doctors and nurses say that, while the voluntary safety improvements that some hospitals have enacted are a good first step, more needs to be done. There is still a code of silence in health care, said Michelle Mahon, a representative of the labor group National Nurses United. What happens if they do report it? she said. In some cases, unfortunately, they are treated as if they are the ones who dont know how to do their job. Or that its their fault that this happened. Theres a lot of focus on de-escalation techniques, Mahon added. Those are helpful tools, but oftentimes they are used to blame workers. In California, the nurses labor union pushed for a law giving OSHA more authority to monitor hospital safety. The group is now backing a national effort to do the same thing. The standard that we are recommending federally holds the employer responsible, Mahon said. It mandates reporting of incidents and transparency. The Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act, introduced last fall in Congress, would require hospitals to implement plans to prevent violence. And any hospital could face fines for not reporting incidents to OSHA, Mahon said. The goal of the legislation and of the union is to hold administrators more accountable for acts of violence in their hospitals. This story is part of a partnership that includes Ideastream, NPR and Kaiser Health News. New funding is enabling Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researchers to develop new approaches to potentially help people with Prader-Willi syndrome, a devastating and incurable genetic condition. Research grants from the Prader-Willi Research Foundation of Australia and the US Foundation for Prader-Willi Research will enable Associate Professor Marnie Blewitt to investigate whether awakening 'sleeping' genes could overcome some of the genetic errors underlying Prader-Willi syndrome, and reduce the severity of some of its symptoms. The researchers hope that in the long-term new drugs could be developed that keep these key genes awake, improving the quality of life of people with Prader-Willi syndrome. At a glance -Prader-Willi syndrome is a devastating and incurable genetic condition, caused by an unusual form of inheritance whereby patients have functional genes in a 'sleeping' state. -Our researchers have discovered a potential approach to waking up the sleeping genes, which may reduce some of the severe symptoms experienced by people with Prader-Willi syndrome. -The next step of this research can now proceed with funding from Prader-Willi Research Foundation of Australia and the US Foundation for Prader-Willi Research. Unusual inheritance People with Prader-Willi syndrome have a range of severe and devastating symptoms including low muscle tone, an insatiable appetite and obesity, developmental delays and intellectual disability, scoliosis and short stature, and hormone dysfunction. Around one in 17,000 Australians are born with Prader-Willi syndrome, and require intensive care from families and health professionals to manage these symptoms. Prader-Willi syndrome is caused by changes in certain genes - in this case, the relevant genes are located on a section of chromosome 15. Unlike most genetic changes Prader-Willi syndrome only occurs if the copy of these genes inherited from the father is affected, said Associate Professor Marnie Blewitt. "This is because it is only the copy from the father which is 'awake' and being used." "People with Prader-Willi syndrome have another copy of chromosome 15 - with the healthy form of the genes - that they have inherited from their mother. The problem is that these 'maternal' genes are inactive, or 'sleeping', and can't compensate for the father's copy being absent or having an altered function," she said. "If the maternal genes on chromosome 15 could be awakened, they could help to reduce the severity of some symptoms of Prader-Willi syndrome. We think this could improve the lives of people with Prader-Willi syndrome and their carers. Our new funding from Prader-Willi Research Foundation of Australia and the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research will help us to explore a potential approach to awakening these genes." Waking up genes Associate Professor Blewitt and her research team study how genes shift between 'sleeping' to 'awake' states, and how this impacts a range of diseases. A protein called SMCHD1 keeps many genes in their sleeping state"We discovered that SMCHD1's targets include some of the maternal genes that are involved in Prader-Willi syndrome. We have already discovered that if the function of SMCHD1 is blocked, these genes will wake up and become functional." Associate Professor Marnie Blewitt The two research grants Associate Professor Blewitt has received will allow her to test the effect of removing SMCHD1 in cells provided by people with Prader-Willi syndrome: funding from the Prader-Willi Research Foundation of Australia will enable the team to develop the necessary tools for these experiments; while the experiments in these cells will be carried out with the support of Foundation for Prader Willi Research. "If removing SMCHD1 does wake up the maternal genes in the cells of people with Prader-Willi syndrome, we would want to explore whether medicines that can block SMCHD1 could have the same effect," Associate Professor Blewitt said. "Excitingly, we are already developing these medicines, and we hope they might help people with Prader-Willi syndrome by reducing some of the serious symptoms and improving their quality of life." Ms Kathlene Jones, CEO and founder of the Prader-Willi Research Foundation of Australia, said this research gives people with Prader-Willi syndrome and their families incredible hope for a life-changing treatment. "Prader-Willi syndrome is such a complex, multisystemic condition that the treatment of each symptom would involve an enormous research and development effort and require the person to take a multitude of medicines and interventions," she said. "Targeting the genetic cause of Prader-Willi syndrome hopefully means a more focused development pathway and a more comprehensive, effective and easier to administer treatment." The agency that manages health care for California's massive state workforce is reporting a major reduction in opioid prescriptions, reflecting a national trend of physicians cutting back on the addictive drugs. Insurance claims for opioids, which are prescribed to help people manage pain, decreased almost 19% in a single year among the 1.5 million Californians served by the California Public Employees' Retirement System. CalPERS manages health benefits for employees and retirees of state and local agencies and public schools, and their families. Most notably, doctors reduced the daily dose and duration of opioid treatment: The number of new users who were prescribed large doses dropped 85% in the first half of 2018 compared with the same period in 2017, while new users prescribed more than a week's supply dropped 73%, according to new CalPERS data. "These reductions are substantial," said Beth McGinty, an associate professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. "They signal a reduction in the overprescribing practices that have driven the opioid epidemic in the U.S." What's unclear, however, is how the reductions in prescriptions are affecting patients' pain, she said. Every day, 115 Americans die from opioid overdoses, and about 40% of those deaths are caused by overdoses of prescription drugs. About one-quarter of the millions of patients who take the medications for chronic pain misuse them, the National Institutes of Health says. Prescription opioids which are frequently prescribed for cancer patients and for orthopedic and dental pain include hydrocodone, oxycodone, fentanyl, oxymorphone, morphine, codeine and others. CalPERS has spent more than a decade trying to reduce prescription opioid use among its enrollees, working with health insurers and other state agencies to identify doctors who prescribe abnormally high amounts. In 2017, OptumRx, which manages CalPERS members' pharmacy benefits, adopted a policy that includes limits on the quantity of opioids prescribed and requires prior authorization for some drugs. CalPERS is the second-largest public purchaser of health benefits in the nation after the federal government, and medical trends among its members are often reflected nationally. Indeed, the data showing a decline in opioid prescriptions among CalPERS members mirrors a nationwide drop that has been reported in all 50 states. About 22% fewer opioid prescriptions were written in the United States from 2013 to 2017, dropping from 251.8 million to 196 million, according to the American Medical Association, the nation's largest physician group. A March study by researchers at the federal government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed a 13% decline in average opioids prescribed per person from 2016 to 2017. Maine, Massachusetts and North Dakota have experienced the biggest drops over the past decade. One major factor is that many health insurers have imposed limits on prescriptions, as recommended by the CDC in 2016. The CDC advises doctors to prescribe new users no more than a seven-day supply and to keep daily doses under the equivalent of 50 morphine milligrams in an effort to prevent overdoses and new addictions. In addition, the AMA created a task force in 2014 that has encouraged doctors to "start low and go slow and use the drugs only if the benefits exceed the risks for a patient. The association also is offering doctors education programs on pain management. Opioid medications act on receptors in the brain and spinal cord to reduce the intensity of pain perception, but they also activate regions of the brain that trigger euphoria, which underlies their potential for abuse. Declines in prescriptions have not yet led to reductions in deaths, said Dr. Patrice Harris, president-elect of the AMA and chair of its Opioid Task Force. "Reducing opioid prescriptions is important but will not by itself reverse the epidemic," she said. "We will reach a tipping point when opioid-related mortality begins to decrease." Medical experts also warned of unintended consequences of fewer opioid prescriptions: More people may suffer unmanaged chronic pain, and some may resort to illegal opioids, such as heroin or street versions of fentanyl. About 50 million Americans experience chronic pain. "The focus on reducing opioid prescribing has likely left a large void in access to pain care," Harris said. Even as insurers set limits on opioids, they have not increased access to other pain care options, she said. "If policymakers solely focus on limiting access to prescription opioids for pain relief without increasing non-opioid options, the result will be increased patient suffering." The CalPERS data represents a cross section of patients throughout California who are enrolled in Blue Shield, Kaiser Permanente, Anthem Blue Cross and other health plans. Reductions in their opioid use were across the board: The doctors cut back on numbers of people taking opioids for long periods of pain, but also how much people took daily. Prescriptions exceeding two weeks fell almost 32% from January to June 2017 and the same period in 2018. Daily average doses declined 14%. "These are very positive numbers," said Kathy Donneson, chief of CalPERS' Health Plan Administration Division. "But we're all going to keep working on it. Opioids are still a national crisis." CalPERS members are still being prescribed considerable volumes of the drugs. For instance, 34,321 patients were prescribed opioids in the first half of 2018, according to the data. Of those, 1,168 were prescribed doses that are considered large over the equivalent of 50 morphine milligrams per day. Health experts said it's important to wean people off the drugs properly, prevent relapses and ensure they don't switch to heroin. The surest sign of success, Donneson said, will be when patients with many types of chronic pain, such as knee or back pain, are "kept pain-free in other ways" and when opioids are reserved for patients who need them the most, such as those with cancer or in hospice or post-surgery care. "We're not there yet," she said. This KHN story first published on California Healthline, a service of the California Health Care Foundation. A new study from Joslin Diabetes Center has proven that certain biological protective factors play a large role in preventing diabetic kidney disease in certain people. The study was published today in Diabetes Care. This study built on the findings from a 2017 Joslin Medalist Study of protective factors and diabetic kidney disease (or DKD). The 2017 study focused on Joslin Medalists- people who have had diabetes for more than 50 years with little to no complications. The Medalists who never developed kidney disease had higher levels of a group of enzymes involved in glucose metabolism than people who did develop kidney disease. The research team was led by Hetal Shah, MD,MPH, Research Associate at Joslin Diabetes Center and HMS Instructor in Medicine, Daniel Gordin, MD, PhD, Adjunct faculty at Joslin and Associate Professor at University of Helsinki, Finland, and George King, MD, Joslin Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer and HMS Professor in Medicine, In their new study, Drs. Shah, Gordin and King were able to show that protective factors are also present in kidney-disease-free people with shorter-duration type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. This finding indicates that these enzymes, and one in particular known as PKM2, play a strong protective role against kidney disease. The enzymes could be used as both biomarkers and, potentially, targets for DKD intervention. Kidney disease is a major concern for people with diabetes. But not everyone with type 1 diabetes develops DKD. The fact that Joslin Medalists have such low rates of complications has intrigued researchers' worldwide. "That built up the rationale that there must be something protecting these people from diabetic kidney disease. This would explain how these individuals have been able to live with insulin dependent diabetes for so many years," says Dr. Gordin. The researchers set out to investigate three questions related to the 2017 discovery. First- was PKM2 protective in non-Medalists? Second- was PKM2 circulating in the Medalists' plasma, or was it only found in the kidney? And third- do the Medalists have any other protective factors to be explored? To answer the first question, they studied the postmortem kidneys donated by people in all of the cohorts they wanted to investigate. For the second question, they used cutting edge proteomic and metabolomic techniques to study the circulating plasma of Medalists. For the third question, they looked at the plasma and identified a number of metabolites and proteins that were also elevated. They mapped the associated genetic pathways to understand the cause and effect of the elevations. We were able to replicate the findings of the elevated PKM2 in those with good kidney function in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Also, through the plasma proteomic and metabolomic studies in the Medalists, we found that there's this amyloid precursor protein, or APP, that shows up as a potential protective factor against diabetic kidney disease." Hetal Shah, MD,MPH, Research Associate at Joslin Diabetes Center The identification of APP as a possible protective factor was surprising, considering its main known association is an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease. "[But it also seems to be] potentially protective in multiple vulnerable tissues in people with diabetes. With that said, we would need further studies to confirm this," says Dr. Shah. Understanding the DKD protective factors could have clinical implications. If a biomarker circulates in the bloodstream, it could allow doctors to perform a simple blood test to determine a patient's risk for developing DKD. They could then create personalized intervention courses. Once the protective mechanisms are explicitly mapped, they could even be used as therapeutic targets. "Diabetic kidney disease is a devastating disease," says Dr. Gordin. "It is a powerful driver of cardiovascular disease, and also, eventually, mortality. We have urgent need to find something to help these people. All [these studies] take time, but this is very promising." Source: Joslin Diabetes Center Journal reference: Shah, H. et al. (2019) Characterization of Glycolytic Enzymes and Pyruvate Kinase M2 in Type 1 and 2 Diabetic Nephropathy. Diabetes Care. doi.org/10.2337/dc18-2585 Scientists from the University of Adelaide's Research Centre for Infectious Diseases have developed a single vaccination approach to simultaneously combat influenza and pneumococcal infections, the world's most deadly respiratory diseases. The researchers say a single vaccination - combining vaccines from the new class of vaccines they are developing - will overcome the limitations of current influenza and pneumococcal vaccines used around the world. Published today in the prestigious journal Nature Microbiology, they have shown that the new Influenza A virus vaccine under development (based on inactivated whole influenza virus) induces enhanced cross-protective immunity to different influenza strains, when it is co-administrated with the new class of pneumococcal vaccine. They showed the enhancement in immunity is associated with a direct physical interaction between the virus and the bacterium. Led by Dr Mohammed Alsharifi and Professor James Paton, this latest study builds on previous research on the development of a new class of inactivated vaccines that target components of both the virus and the bacterium that do not vary from strain to strain. Current influenza vaccines target surface molecules that are affected by mutations and so an annual update is required to match newly emerging viruses. Existing pneumococcal vaccines provide longer lasting protection, but cover only a minority of disease-causing strains. The researchers say there is a clear need for better vaccines capable of providing universal protection. Influenza infection predisposes patients to severe pneumococcal pneumonia, with very high mortality rates. Despite this well-known synergism, current vaccination strategies target the individual pathogens. We're investigating combining our novel influenza and pneumococcal vaccines into a single vaccination approach and have demonstrated a highly significant enhancement of immune responses against diverse subtypes of influenza." Dr Mohammed Alsharifi Previously published work from the team show a similar boost in efficacy of their pneumococcal vaccine when co-administered with the flu vaccine, so there is bi-directional enhancement of pathogen-specific immunity. "Our findings challenge an age-old immunological dogma about mixing viral and bacterial vaccines in a single injection", says Dr Alsharifi. "Influenza virus and pneumococcus worked together to cause up to 100 million deaths during the great 'Spanish flu' pandemic of 1918-1919," says Professor Paton. "A century later, we have shown analogous, but this time highly protective, synergy with our novel vaccination strategy that targets both pathogens simultaneously." Commercial development of the new class of vaccines is being undertaken by two University of Adelaide-associated Biotech companies, Gamma Vaccines Pty Ltd and GPN Vaccines Pty Ltd, respectively. Source: University of Adelaide Journal reference: David, S.C. et al. (2019) Direct interaction of whole-inactivated influenza A and pneumococcal vaccines enhances influenza-specific immunity. Nature Microbiology. doi.org/10.1038/s41564-019-0443-4. Tungiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by penetrated sand fleas which burrow into the skin of the feet. Public health policies such as sealing house and classroom floors and daily feet washing with soap could cut the number of tungiasis cases in school-aged children, researchers now report in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. A case of severe tungiasis. Credit: Lynne Elson, 2013, CC BY 4.0 Tungiasis affects millions of people in South America, the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa. The sand fleas responsible for tungiasis rapidly grow once in a human host, causing immense itching, inflammation, pain and debilitation. There are currently no good treatment methods available in affected areas, and people often use non-sterile methods to attempt to remove the fleas themselves, causing more damage. Awareness of tungiasis has been growing in East Africa in recent years, but data on epidemiological characteristics are scarce. In the new work, a group of scientists from KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kenya, the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Charite University of Medicine, Berlin and Dabaso Tujengane Kenya, examined the feet of 1,829 students of all age groups from 5 schools in coastal Kenya. In one subset of participants, observations were repeated after a school holiday. Structured interviews were conducted with 707 students to get data on household infrastructure, behavior and socio-economic status. The overall prevalence of tungiasis was 48%, with boys between the ages of 10 and 14 years most at risk and factors related to socio-economic status positively associated with disease risk. Children returned from their school holiday with higher rates of infection. The data suggested that mild to moderate tungiasis could be reduced by a third, and severe tungiasis by more than half, if homes had sealed floors, while roughly a seventh of the cases could be prevented by sealing classroom floors and another fifth by using soap for daily feet washing. Observations from our study suggest that up to 70% of tungiasis cases may be prevented through simple prevention methods. There is a clear role for public health workers to expand the WASH policy to include washing of feet with soap in school-aged children to fight tungiasis and to raise awareness of the importance of sealed floors. Dr. Lynne Elson, Lead Author Source: PLOS Journal reference: Elson, L. et al. (2019) Prevalence, intensity and risk factors of tungiasis in Kilifi County, Kenya II: Results from a school-based observational study. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0007326. (CNN) It seems every week brings a new story about a popular tourism destination having to close or impose controls to deal with an increased amount of foot traffic. Located in southern Iceland about 70 kilometers (43 miles) from Vik, the canyon of Fjarargljufur is the latest addition to the list. Fjarargljufur has announced that will be closed for all but five weeks out of the year, according to the Environmental Agency of Iceland. The primary reason cited was environmental damage caused by an ever-increasing number of visitors. The canyon was also briefly closed for weather-related maintenance in 2018. While Iceland has many gorgeous natural formations throughout the country, 100-meter-deep (328 feet) Fjarargljufur has become very popular for several reasons. Its tall, slender canyon walls are sheer, creating a beautiful effect that photographers love. The other reason? A 2015 Justin Bieber music video, "I'll Show You," was filmed there. The video has more than 440 million views on YouTube, and it was filmed at several spots around the country, not just Fjarargljufur. Inga Hlin Palsdottir, director of the national tourism agency Visit Iceland, tells CNN Travel that it's not fair to blame overtourism -- or pop stars -- for Fjarargljufur's closure. "It's just a natural wonder that wasn't meant to be that popular," she says. "We need to build a better infrastructure there so we can invite people all year round. We need paths that can be discovered all year round. It's not only because of nature, it's a safety issue." In particular, springtime presents a challenge at Fjarargljufur. "In Iceland you have extreme weather conditions -- for example, springtime can be very difficult for the nature when the snow is melting and everything gets more wet and muddy," adds Palsdottir. Hannes Sasi Palsson, owner of Reykjavik-based tourism company Pink Iceland, also has a balanced take. "That part of the country simply can't cope with all those stomping feet," he tells CNN Travel. "We have to ask ourselves whether we want to build viewing platforms, charge entry or simply close the area down for a few months a year, giving it time to heal. It's a debate that any country coming to grips with a massive increase in tourism has to grapple with." Palsdottir says that her team will take its guidance on Fjarargljufur from environmental authorities. "I don't necessarily think it will be solved by selling tickets," she says. "No decisions have been made in this regard." Iceland's popularity as a tourism destination has skyrocketed in the past decade. Nearly 2.2 million people visited the country in 2017, according to the Icelandic Tourist Board, a figure that's even more astonishing when compared to the number of people -- just 350,000 -- who actually live in Iceland. That's about six times as many visitors as residents. During the period from May 2017 to May 2018, the number of travelers departing via the country's primary airport, Keflavik International Airport, increased more than 13%. The family of a young Navy nurse who died after military doctors allegedly failed to halt massive bleeding following childbirth won't get a hearing in the nation's highest court. The Supreme Court on Monday denied a petition that sought to change what's known as the Feres doctrine, a long-standing rule that bars active-duty military members from suing the federal government for injuries, including medical malpractice. The justices declined to discuss the case of Navy Lt. Rebekah "Moani" Daniel, who was 33 in 2014 when she died following a massive postpartum hemorrhage at the Naval Hospital Bremerton, within hours of the birth of her daughter, Victoria. In court documents, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said she would have granted the petition. Justice Clarence Thomas dissented from the decision, arguing that it was up to the court to reconsider the rule in the absence of a decision by Congress. He noted that the court in recent rulings "twisted traditional tort principles" to allow certain veterans to seek damages for negligence. "Such unfortunate repercussions denial of relief to military personnel and distortions of other areas of law to compensate will continue to ripple through our jurisprudence as long as the Court refuses to reconsider Feres," he wrote. Through a lawyer, the nurse's widower, Walter Daniel, and her daughter, Victoria, now 4, argued that the court should amend the 1950 ruling to allow service members to sue for medical malpractice the same way civilians can. "Sadly, the justice system remains closed to our family, our colleagues and the families who commit their lives to military service," Daniel, 39, said in a statement Monday. "Victoria and I won't have the opportunity to learn what led to Moani's death, and to ensure others don't experience the same tragedy." Andrew Hoyal, Daniel's lawyer, said he was "clearly disappointed" at the decision but heartened at the responses from Thomas and Ginsburg. "We knew from the beginning that this would be a long journey with even longer odds," he said. Rebekah Daniel died on March 9, 2014, at the Washington state facility. In a 2015 wrongful death lawsuit, her husband claimed that she died from botched medical care that failed to halt hemorrhaging of nearly a third of the blood in her body. Daniel, a former Coast Guard officer, disputed the findings of a Navy autopsy that concluded Rebekah Daniel died of "natural" causes possibly linked to a rare, hard-to-prove complication of childbirth. But that lawsuit and subsequent appeals were dismissed not based on the facts of the case but because of the Feres doctrine, which holds that active-duty members of the military can't sue under the Federal Tort Claims Act for harm that they incur "incident to service." The ruling was last challenged in the high court more than 30 years ago when the justices voted 5-4 to uphold it. That decision drew a scathing dissent from Justice Antonin Scalia, who declared the rule should be scrapped. More recently, Justice Thomas also argued it should be amended. Since then, however, the court has refused to accept two previous petitions that would have allowed reconsideration. The Daniel request beat the odds. Of the 7,000 to 8,000 cases submitted to the Supreme Court each term, only about 80 are accepted. Congress has considered amending the Feres rule in the past but stopped short of action. In April, Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) introduced H.R. 2422, which would allow active-duty service members to sue the government for damages caused by medical malpractice. The bill has been referred to the House judiciary committee. Daniel said he would continue to work with lawmakers and advocates to change the rule. "Our case and our fight is over but it continues for other service members. Moani's story has generated a groundswell of momentum to correct the injustice of Feres, and now this issue is going all the way to Capitol Hill," the statement said. A 2.7m project is to use artificial intelligence to adapt and personalize live radio, with the aim of transforming life for people living alone with dementia. Radio Me will address key causes of hospital admission for people with dementia, such as agitation and not taking medication correctly. As a result, it is hoped quality of life will improve, and people will be able to remain living independently at home for longer. The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)-funded project will capitalize on the popularity of radio among the age group most likely to be living with dementia, developing a way to seamlessly 'remix' live digital broadcast so that listeners will receive personalized reminders, information and music. Running for 50 months, Radio Me will be trialed among people with dementia in Cambridgeshire and Sussex. The project, which is being led by researchers from the University of Plymouth, is a partnership between the University's Interdisciplinary Centre for Computer Music Research (ICCMR), and the Centre for Dementia Studies at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, the Glasgow Interactive Systems group at the University of Glasgow, and the Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research at Anglia Ruskin University. Using a commercial bio-bracelet to measure physical signs like heart rate, as well as wireless speakers and an internet connection, Radio Me output will be produced in users' homes by artificial intelligence software to be created at the University of Plymouth. An electronic diary completed by users and their carers will also be a key element. The project includes a substantial ethical element, with significant time and money built in to ensure the technology is developed and co-designed with people with dementia, and is not open to misuse. Professor Eduardo Miranda and Dr Alexis Kirke from the University of Plymouth are leading the project. Professor Miranda said: Radio Me builds on research carried out as part of our previous EPSRC-funded project into a Brain Computer Music Interface, as well as our work on artificial intelligence, music influencing emotion, and the University's long-running involvement in shaping national policy on dementia. Helping people with dementia to stay in their homes for as long as possible, even if they live alone, is a key aim of the project. Technology exists to display reminders about vital daily tasks, but research has shown older adults find modern electronic devices difficult to use, and people with dementia have particular problems." Dr Kirke said: Radio Me will create and use cutting-edge technology, but users will experience it through the familiar and reassuring medium of radio. It is an exciting and hugely innovative project, and a real vote of confidence in our research and the University. Our partners in Radio Me are all experts in their fields. Some, like BBC Radio Devon and the Alzheimer's Society, we have worked with in the past, and we look forward to continuing these relationships and building new ones as the project progresses." Professor Sube Banerjee of Brighton and Sussex Medical School said: Dementia is the great health and social care challenge of the 21st century. This project is a fantastic example of the potential for interdisciplinary working, bringing together experts in science and technology with those with clinical expertise and with people with dementia themselves, to create seamless interventions that enable people to live well with dementia." Jorg Fachner, Professor of Music, Health and the Brain at Anglia Ruskin University, said: Our role is to investigate precisely how people with dementia can benefit from this interactive radio experience. Music therapists at Anglia Ruskin University and partner organizations will use biomarker responses to fine-tune playlists in order to deliver emotional and cognitive stimulation, and evaluate exactly how interactive music interventions, using AI, can benefit people with dementia in their own homes and in assisted living environments." The non-academic partners in Radio Me are: Sussex Partnership NHS Trust; the Alzheimer's Society; national older person's charity MHA; Bauer Media, the UK's largest digital radio broadcaster; and CereProc, which specializes in expressive speech synthesis and voice cloning. BBC Research and Development and BBC Radio Devon are also heavily involved in the project. Colin Capper, Head of Research Development and Evaluation at Alzheimer's Society, said: "We're proud to be partners of this cutting-edge technology, which could really help to improve the quality of life for around 850,000 people living with dementia and help them to live at home for longer. We can't prevent, cure or, even slow down the progression of dementia, but while we remain dedicated to finding a cure, it's important we also find ways to support people to live well with the condition today. We need to harness technologies like artificial intelligence and we're confident Radio Me will be a hit - it offers practical as well as personalized support, which is vital as everyone's journey with dementia is different. We're excited about what this project will reveal about the potential impact of technology on the lives of people with dementia." The EPSRC and commercial funders have granted a total of 2.43m to Radio Me. How Radio Me might work: A user switching on the radio in the morning might find their usual local station. However, at a point dictated by the electronic diary, and at the start of a song, a DJ-like voice could override the real DJ and remind the listener to have a drink, take medicine, attend a memory cafe or anything else. Another time, Radio Me might detect that the listener is becoming agitated via their bio-bracelet readings. The software could then override the scheduled song choice and select a song from the user's personal library, known to be likely to calm them. Calming material could continue to be played until Radio Me detects the user is no longer agitated. Missouri retained its lonely title as the only state without a statewide prescription drug monitoring program for the seventh year in a row after the legislative session ended Friday. Patient advocates, politicians, experts and members of the medical community had hoped this would finally be the year Missouri would create a statewide electronic database designed to help spot the abuse of prescription drugs. After all, Republican Gov. Mike Parson had pushed for it and, more important, its longtime opponent was no longer in office to block it. But, because of ongoing fears about privacy violations tangled up with gun control, the bill never got a full Senate vote. And finance site WalletHub last week ranked Missouri third worst in the country for its drug use based on a review of arrests, overdose rates, opioid prescriptions and other measures. Katie Reichard, a lobbyist with Missouri Primary Care Association who has been working in and around the Missouri legislature for almost 15 years and previously pushed for the issue, said this proposal has bedeviled the state capital as none other while the opioid crisis continues to rage nationwide. "I've never seen anything take seven years to get anywhere, and especially something that's going to be put into place to save lives." Missouri's cities, neighboring states and the federal government have been forced to create a patchwork of incomplete workarounds. Those include a voluntary program tracking patients' prescriptions run by St. Louis County that receives federal funding and a statewide monitoring system put into place by former Republican Gov. Eric Greitens that tracks physicians' prescriptions. And yet, the state cannot seem to legislate a complete fix. "It's frustrating to watch the rest of the country get this done and watch Missouri be the last one," said Dr. Sam Page, the St. Louis County prescription drug monitoring program architect and current St. Louis County Executive. To be sure, the databases don't eliminate the ability of drug abusers to acquire prescription opioids. But the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has called such statewide patient monitoring databases "among the most promising state-level interventions" to improve opioid prescribing and protect at-risk patients. It's an embarrassment Missouri can't figure out its own statewide system, often referred to as a PDMP, according to St. Joseph pharmacist JulieMarie Nickelson. "No one in the pharmacy or medical world really understands it," she said. Privacy, Guns And Opposition While a PDMP bill has been introduced every year in the Missouri legislature since 2005, it was initially championed by the minority Democratic Party, which meant it didn't have much of a shot at passing until 2012. Then New Hampshire approved a statewide program in 2012, leaving Missouri as the sole holdout. That pressure, combined with an uptick in awareness of drug abuse, led to a swell of bipartisan agreement. A statewide PDMP bill passed the Missouri House handily that year, then met its biggest adversary: Republican state Sen. Robert Schaaf, whose district stretched from Kansas City to St. Joseph along Missouri's western border. Since then, Schaaf who is also a family physician filibustered or insisted on kill clauses that would never pass the House, citing his concerns over privacy and personal liberty issues along with his belief it was an ineffective tool. Year after year, his efforts would defeat PDMP bills. Schaaf has said the risk of a database of patient information being hacked and the government having access to the information far outweighed the potential benefits. He also tapped into underlying fears of privacy violations, driven in part by a 2013 scandal over the Missouri Highway Patrol turning over a database of concealed weapons permit holders to a federal agent. "I've always been opposed to taking private citizens' information and putting it on a government database to which many, many people have access," he told Kaiser Health News. "My understanding is there is no computer information to which the NSA is not privy. How long is it going to be 'til this is used to pare down the number of people with concealed weapons or weapons at all?" By stoking privacy fears and connecting them to gun rights, Schaaf also helped tap into grassroots far-right opposition that lives on to this day. A YouTube video tweeted by this year's anti-PDMP supporters details how the St. Louis County monitoring system could be used in "passing your personal information on to the federal government, which could use it to infringe on your right to bear arms." To date, the only reported hack has been of Virginia's PDMP database, though it is unclear if the hackers were able to access medical records. Over the years, Missouri's PDMP advocates, led by Republican Rep. Holly Rehder, unsuccessfully tried to assuage such concerns by offering amendments to delete records older than three years and ensure medical information could not be tied to buying a gun. And while Schaaf did an about-face in 2017 and agreed to stop filibustering the proposal, he effectively killed it with his only stipulation: that all physicians be required to use it. That measure, which took away the inherent voluntary aspect of the PDMP, failed in the House. "If they're going to take our liberty away for something that's never been proven to work, doctors have to use it," Schaaf told Kaiser Health News. The former head of the St. Louis County Health Department, Faisal Khan, who in 2017 helped start the voluntary county-based PDMP program that now covers other portions of the state, claims the opposition goes deeper than what he called "totally unfounded" privacy concerns. "They view St. Louis County and St. Louis City and St. Louis, in general, as this liberal Democratic bastion that they don't want anything to do with," he said. "It's the usual nonsense that we're seeing around the country at the moment, and it's stymying progress in the parts of the state where we need it the most." But this year, Schaaf had hit his term limit of eight years in office and did not return to the Missouri Senate. Finally becoming like every other state seemed within reach until a group of six Republican state senators formed a new conservative caucus and filibustered yet again over the issue, citing the same privacy issues and civil liberties. "The conservative caucus has carried his torch on," Reichard said. A Series Of Workarounds Now, because the legislature has refused to move on the issue, cities, states and the federal government must continue to rely on the stopgaps they created to help address the opioid problem ravaging Missouri. Today, 72 jurisdictions have opted into St. Louis County's voluntary prescription drug monitoring system so pharmacists and doctors could check a patient's other prescriptions. It now covers 84% of the state's population. Even St. Joseph, one of the areas hardest hit by the opioid epidemic and where Schaaf lives, joined last year. For Nickelson, a pharmacist at Rogers Pharmacy in the city of about 76,000 people, the voluntary database means she no longer has to spend upward of 30 minutes on the phone tracking down whether a patient had prescriptions for drugs elsewhere. "It's really helpful to us as it makes it so we can make sure that patients aren't taking medications that interact and can increase risk for an overdose," she said. "We just want to make sure our patients are safe, and we want to make sure medication that's not necessary doesn't get into the community." Since her city's voluntary PDMP has been in effect, she estimates she sees a handful fewer people each week who were doctor-shopping, a particular risk considering the pharmacy is less than 5 miles from the Kansas border. Missouri was a premier destination for pill-shopping, Page said, but that's changed. "Our PDMP is first-class, as any in the country," Page said. "We have gaps, but those will continue to fill in. If the state continues to not move forward with this, then St. Louis County will continue to do the right thing." And while St. Louis County built its voluntary database in part with $200,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice, interstate sharing of the data with neighboring Illinois, Kansas and Oklahoma didn't happen until February. Eight states border Missouri and more states are expected to collaborate with St. Louis County's system this year. But data-sharing can occur only among states that have managed to bend or rewrite their regulations to accommodate the one state in the nation without a statewide program. Tennessee even created and passed legislation to allow it to communicate with the St. Louis County program while Missouri was still haggling over its PDMP bill, according to Spring Schmidt, acting head of the St. Louis County Department of Public Health. The system that Greitens created when governor, along with Express Scripts, to monitor physicians' prescriptions for unusual patterns led to 50 referrals to the Missouri Healing Arts Board the disciplinary board for medical practitioners in Missouri for prescribing issues since March 2018, according to Missouri's head of Health and Senior Services, Dr. Randall Williams. Ideally, Williams said, he would love to combine a statewide version of the voluntary PDMP system with Greitens' physician-monitoring one, but he's waiting on the legislation. Reichard can't help but wonder why the state won't join the rest of the nation in passing it. "I'm not saying do what everyone else is doing," she said. "But if 49 other legislatures are saying 'This is important, we need to save lives,' I don't understand why Missouri can't find a way to compromise and do what's best for its citizens." Viruses cause infectious diseases such as influenza, cold, HIV/AIDS, warts, Ebola, smallpox, and several other diseases. These viruses attack normal living cells and multiply by reproducing their own type. They can be treated with antiretroviral drugs. When compared to antibacterial drugs, the number of antiviral drugs available is rather small because of the complexity in acquiring selective toxicity against viruses. Antiretroviral Drugs Several proteins and enzymes are found only in these viruses and can be targeted for antiviral drugs. A number of virus-specific replication phases have been identified that are targets for a variety of antiviral drugs. Various classes of antiretroviral agents have been categorized as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), fusion inhibitors (FIs), protease inhibitors (PIs), chemokine receptor antagonists (CCR5), and integrase inhibitors (INSTIs). BioVision is pleased to provide ~34 antiviral agents for customers research. Figure. Drug discovery for antiviral agents. BioVision Incorporated BioVision, Inc., is a privately held Life Science company headquartered in the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area. BioVision develops and offers a wide variety of products including assay kits, antibodies, recombinant proteins & enzymes, and other innovative research tools for studying Apoptosis, Metabolism, Cell Proliferation, Cellular Stress, Cell Damage and Repair, Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome, Stem Cell Biology, Gene Regulation, Signal Transduction, etc. BioVision's products are currently being sold in more than 60 countries worldwide. Sponsored Content Policy: News-Medical.net publishes articles and related content that may be derived from sources where we have existing commercial relationships, provided such content adds value to the core editorial ethos of News-Medical.Net which is to educate and inform site visitors interested in medical research, science, medical devices and treatments. Fifty-one years ago, the Roseland Rescue Squad was founded in Nelson County and the only founding member still alive looks back fondly at his 40-plus years of service. I spent a lot of time and a lot of years with rescue, Nelson County resident Bobbie Napier said. In 1968, Napier and a group of around 25 individuals started what is still called the Roseland Rescue Squad. A friend by the name of Jimmy Godsie convinced him to go to a rescue squad meeting. At first Napier wasnt too thrilled with the idea, but eventually found his passion in helping others. Once you get started, it just sort of gets into your blood I think, Napier said. The beginning for the Roseland Rescue Squad crew was trying, but with Napiers efforts and others, the squad is still running calls today. For the first six months in operation, the squad worked out of the back of Perry Funeral Home in Roseland before moving into an old store. We converted [it] into a crew hall, Napier said. The crew also used a station wagon to pick up and transport people as well as a van, before they had ambulances available. Both vehicles had to be converted to accommodate the needs. Working on someone in a station wagon is no fun. The van was ideal, Napier said. Napier also helped raise money and apply for grants for essentials the Roseland Rescue Squad needed, including ambulances. I applied for the first grant to get matching money for ambulances, radio equipment, the whole bit. Some were through highway safety and some were through anywhere that had a grant application, Napier said. With grants and money from the county, Napier was able to get units for both Roseland and Nelson rescue squads. A lot of times it was successful. I got a unit for Nelson one time, but Roseland needed one too. The grant put up half and supervisors put up half. So I asked, If you are going to do it for Nelson, how about you do it for Roseland too? And they did, Napier said. Napier not only volunteered his time running calls, but also took time to learn new life-saving techniques as they came into existence and teach them to his crew. When CPR came out, I took a class to be a CPR instructor and I taught that up until the last few years, Napier said. It did make a difference. It was a great thing to know. When Napier wasnt running calls, he was teaching CPR or advanced first-aid. After taking classes in Charlottesville, Napier eventually became an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and then a paramedic. After getting his EMT license, he took a class to be an EMT instructor so he could teach those on the rescue squads who wanted to learn. While teaching a CPR class to rescue squad volunteers, he met his current wife, Charlotte. Charlotte, who spent 35 years volunteering with the Nelson Rescue Squad, estimates they met in 1976 or 1977. It was interesting and fulfilling. It helped me to get to know about the county and the areas and people in the county. I enjoyed every bit of it, Charlotte said. Charlotte said she and Bobbie took other classes, like the paramedic class at UVA, together. Its been a great experience for me and Bobbie and thats how we met 40 years ago, Charlotte said. Charlotte said she remembers one call she and Bobbie were running together, where they were asked to go to a Boy Scout event just in case they were needed. Charlotte said while waiting, they started a snowball fight and she hit Bobbie in the eye. Its a wonder he ever spoke to me again, Charlotte laughed. At the time Charlotte and Bobbie volunteered, the rescue squads were all volunteer-based, and included just Nelson and Gladstone. Fifty-one years later, Faber, Rockfish, Lovingston, Montebello, Piney River, and Wintergreen rescue squads serve the county as well. Nelson Rescue Squad in Lovingston closed its doors in spring 2018. William Thompson, Jr., currently living in Piney River joined the Roseland Rescue squad in 1968 after Napier convinced him to. He kept after me to join, Thompson said. When Thompson, a Korean War veteran, finally did, he said he would only serve one year. It turned out to be the longest year of my life, said Thompson, who served over 40 years. Thompson said his mother and Napiers mother were first cousins and so he knew him before working for the rescue squad. I worked with Napier for years, as long as we were active; over 30 years. He was very kind, Thompson said. Thompson said they still keep in touch occasionally and Thompson still works for the rescue squads on the administrative side. Over the 40 plus years Napier ran with both Roseland and Nelson rescue squads, he enjoyed the majority of it. However, he said the hardest part was the time commitment that interfered with his family life. I had three young boys growing up and I spent a lot of time at rescue that I could have spent with them. None of them have ever complained about it, Napier said. From his first call to an automobile accident in Colleen, to helping women give birth in the back of a speeding ambulance, and in 1969 helping with rescue and recovery after Hurricane Camille, Napier believes it was all worth it even when some calls tested him and his crew. I have had a few [calls] that made me want to consider quitting, but I didnt, Napier said. Bobbie and Charlotte ran their last calls when the rescue squads started shifting from volunteered to paid crews, which happened in 2012 or 2013, Charlotte estimated. I told our captain when the paid [crew] answers their first call, that is the last call Bobbie is running, Napier said. Although he stopped serving on the rescue squads, Napier continued to spend28 years working for the school system, driving school buses, mowing grass, and eventually becoming Director of Transportation. Napier taught CPR to bus drivers during his time there, as well as the JAUNT drivers in Charlottesville. JAUNT serves people in different regions in Virginia by providing them with rides from locality to locality. After retiring in 2000 from the school division, he went to work as a dispatcher for the Nelson County Sheriffs Department. That was the best job I ever had. You sat on your duff and ran your mouth and I was good at both, Napier laughed. Napier said he doesnt miss running calls, but has no regrets during his time with the rescue squads, the schools, or as a dispatcher. As a whole, I enjoyed helping people and working with them. You felt like what you did was worthwhile, Napier said. As Lynchburg works toward an overhaul of its taxicab laws, city council wants to ensure all stakeholders are considered in updated regulations. Last week, council members spent more than an hour discussing proposed amendments to the citys taxi regulations that would allow taxis to use either a taximeter or navigational computers, such as a phones GPS, to set rates. The request to update the citys decades-old laws originated from Dr. Jay Salmon, a Centra pathologist who has created a transportation app called MoveUP to unify the communitys transit options on one platform. City staff first presented proposed ordinance updates in a January council meeting. During a public hearing at that meeting, four Lynchburg taxicab owners and operators shared concerns about the ordinance and said they wanted to be involved in discussions about the updates. Since then, Assistant City Manager John Hughes said staff has met with taxi representatives and Salmon to inform regulation changes. Through these discussions, City Attorney Walter Erwin has worked with stakeholders to identify additional, smaller changes to the ordinance such as striking several outdated provisions from the regulations. Last week, Kim Dyke-Harsley shared concerns with council members as a taxi customer and operator. She said many of the citys taxi drivers are not in favor of removing the requirement to use a taximeter as they have since the city implemented a taxi ordinance in 1931 because passengers want them to remain regulated by the city. She said customers feel safe in Lynchburgs taxicabs when they can watch the taximeter run throughout the duration of their journey. An app could take away the transparency of the fare. Erwin told council members he received similar feedback early last week. In a Monday phone interview, a local owner said he was amenable to the proposed changes. Uzziel Wilson, an owner and manager of Central Virginia Yellow Cab Company, said his company is on board with the updates. Were in agreeance with anything thats going to help the city of Lynchburg, its citizens and its visitors, he said. If there is an issue where we have certain customers who prefer using the meter, then thats fine and thats how well operate. If there are certain calls that come through the app where we have to use the electronic device, were happy to do that as well. Wilson said many of his companys rates for rides are prearranged through contracts, and he sees the app as a similar method. Jawanza Thomas, a board member and owner with Allied Cab, has been in the taxi business for 24 years and attended city meetings about the changes. Having an additional method is not so much of an issue as far as I am concerned as long as the rate of the fare is still regulated and established by council, he said. Thomas said he thinks the use of technology eventually will be accepted by riders, but many traditional passengers are used to seeing the fare calculated as they ride. But now, heres where I stand when technology changes, you have to adjust and adapt to those changes, he said. One of the constants in life, one of the most inevitable, is change. I understand moving forward with technology and society is moving that way. Most people now conduct their business transactions in these little devices that we hold in our hands every day. Robert Williams, owner of Gray Top Cab, said he is against the proposal to allow use of alternative methods to set rates. The bottom line is we have been operating with taximeters for a specific reason, he said. Williams cited accountability as one reason he wants the city to only permit taximeters. With the meters, owners can keep track of their drivers and have a record of where they go with passengers. Salmon said in a Monday phone interview that MoveUP tracks all data from its drivers, including pickup and drop-off locations. He said he wants to include taxicabs in the app because they are the citys fundamental transportation system. However, Lynchburg still has a great need for other transportation assets in the city, Salmon said, as substantiated by the 2019 Centra Lynchburg Area Community Health Needs Assessment that identified transportation as one of the areas biggest necessities. The MoveUP app, which currently is designed for iPhones but will eventually serve Android users as well, connects riders with drivers that are able to meet specific needs, like transporting an electric wheelchair or child. MoveUP will be free for users to download. Drivers will be able to set their fares within the app so riders can select the transportation method that best meets their need. Salmon and the developers will not receive any profit or cut from those who use MoveUP. Last week, council members weighed the current proposal and the feedback from taxi drivers. They questioned both Salmon and Dyke-Harsley about their desires for the regulations and after additional discussion, At-large Councilwoman Mayor Treney Tweedy suggested revisiting the changes at the May 28 council meeting. She said this would give council time to reflect on the proposal before making a final decision at that meeting. GamesRadar+ is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more 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 (Newser) Issues important to black people have found new support at the top of Virginia's government lately. Since Gov. Ralph Northam faced calls to resign after he apologized for a racist yearbook photo, he's created the job of director of diversity, equity and inclusion, the Wall Street Journal reports. He's ordered a review of the history curriculum in state schools after students and teachers criticized textbooks' coverage of black history. And he's vetoed two mandatory-minimum sentencing bills that he said would hit black people disproportionately; he wrote an oped in the Washington Post pointing out the evidence supporting that concern. The Democratic governor's spokeswoman said he is carrying out the promise to address racial inequity that he made in February, after the photo surfaced. story continues below Some Republicans are critical of Northam's actions, including the House majority leader, who cosponsored one of the mandatory minimum sentencing bills, per the Journal. "For the governor to veto that so that he could overtly try to pander to the people that he has offended, I think, is proof that he has lost his ability to govern," Todd Gilbert said. Supporters hope for more during the rest of Northam's term, which runs through 2021; Virginia's governors can serve only one term. Tyrone Nelson, a Richmond pastor who co-chaired Northam's 2017 campaign for governor, sees promise in his actions lately. Its up to the people of the commonwealth to continue to hold the governors feet to the fire," Nelson said, "and make sure he keeps his word." (Read more Ralph Northam stories.) (Newser) A bill introduced in the Senate on Monday would raise the legal age for buying tobacco and e-cigarettes from 18 to 21. "Youth vaping is a public health crisis," said Mitch McConnell, Senate majority leader. "It's our responsibility as parents and public servants to do everything we can to keep these harmful products out of high schools and out of youth culture." McConnell, of Kentucky, introduced the legislation with Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, CNN reports; both represent states that are leading producers of tobacco, which has been diminishing in importance for decades. The senators cited studies showing a worrisome surge in vaping among teenagers. story continues below Fourteen states already have raised the minimum age, per CNBC, an effort supported by vaping and cigarette companies Altria, British American Tobacco, and Juul. Similar legislation has been endorsed by public health groups, including the American Heart Association and the American Lung Association. The Heart Association said Monday it supports the McConnell-Kaine bill. "We are coming together to side with young people's health," Kaine said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2018 survey found that the number of high school seniors who were using tobacco products at the time was up about 38% over the year before. The CDC attributed the increase to e-cigarettes; the number who had vaped recently jumped about 78%. (The FDA has targeted flavored e-cigarettes.) (Newser) A federal judge in Washington ruled Monday against President Trump in a financial records dispute with Congress. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, who was appointed by President Obama, said Trump cannot block a House subpoena of financial records, the AP reports. He said the Democratic-led House committee seeking the information has said it believes the documents would help lawmakers consider strengthening ethics and disclosure laws, among other things. The committee's reasons were "valid legislative purposes," Mehta said, and it was not for him "to question whether the Committee's actions are truly motivated by political considerations." story continues below The decision comes during a widespread effort on behalf of the president to refuse to cooperate with congressional requests for information and records. In the case before Mehta, Trump and his business organization sued to block the subpoena issued in April to Mazars USA, an accountant for the president and the Trump Organization. Trump's lawyers said the subpoena "has no legitimate legislative purpose." In suing in both Washington and New York to beat back subpoenas, Trump's lawyers said congressional investigations are legitimate only if legislation might result from them. In the New York case, Trump, his business, and family have sued Deutsche Bank and Capital One to prevent them from complying with congressional subpoenas for banking and financial records. A Wednesday hearing is planned in that case. (Trump says he doesn't need banks anyway.) (Newser) Two young American siblings survived a night alone in a forested area on a Canadian mountain after following their father's instructions and staying put. Search and rescue officials say the 6-year-old girl, the 7-year-old boy, and their father fell down a "steep, treacherous cliff" into a creek drainage area after getting lost on Mount Burke in British Columbia on Sunday while trying to get to a lake to go fishing, the CBC reports. Authorities say the injured father wrapped the children up in warm clothes and told them to stay where they were while he climbed back up the hill to seek help. Authorities say the family was visiting from Georgia and the father was unfamiliar with the area. Crews searched for the children all night after getting the father's call for help around 7pm. story continues below The kids were found around 8:30am Monday and brought out in a helicopter longline rescue. "This was really a miraculous rescue and a really positive outcome," says Coquitlam Search and Rescue manager Ian MacDonald. "This is very rugged terrain where they were lost so we were just very, very thankful that they were found alive and uninjured." He says a backpack and some shoes were like a "trail of breadcrumbs" that led searchers to the siblings, CTV reports. Brad Rennie from Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue says the kids were spotted hiding under a gray sweatshirt where they were "invisible, pretty much like a rock." "The kids did a great job. And the dad did a great job of telling them, you know, 'I want you to stay here,'" McDonald says. (Read more uplifting news stories.) (Newser) A 9-foot-long great white shark turned his nose into Long Island Sound en route from Delaware, marking a first for the ocean research group that tracks him. "Be advised! For the first time ever, we are tracking a white shark in the Long Island Sound," OCEARCH tweeted Monday after the shark named Cabot pinged off Greenwich, Conn., before 9am, reports the Hartford Courant. "He was right up on the beach, very close," OCEARCH founder Chris Fischer tells ABC News, noting the group has only observed a baby great white outside the mouth of the sound, just north of Montauk, NY. "I heard sending a ping from the Long Island Sound had never been done before by a white shark ... so naturally I had to visit and send one off," @GWSharkCabot tweeted before OCEARCH's live tracker was "overloaded." story continues below The 533-pound sub-adult male named for the explorer John Cabot, who ventured to the eastern coast of North America in the late 15th century, has logged more than 4,000 miles since he was tagged in Nova Scotia in October, per USA Today. He was tracked to Florida via a tag attached to his dorsal fin, which sends a satellite signal as it breaks the waters' surface, before pinging off Delaware last week. Fischer suspects Cabot, who can travel up to 150 miles per day, is headed back to Nova Scotia but "something got his attention and brought him into the Sound to have a look." Fischer says people should "demonstrate common sense" in the ocean but probably aren't in danger as the shark feeds. "These white sharks only go where there's an abundant amount of life," he says. (Cabot has plenty of friends.) (Newser) All Jewish schools, businesses, and synagogues are getting "special attention" from Chicago police this week after an arson attempt and vandalism at a number of synagogues. Rabbi David Wolkenfeld tells the Chicago Tribune someone tried to set fire early Sunday at the Anshe Sholom Bnai Israel Congregation in Lake View, apparently with Molotov cocktails. Rabbanit Leah Sarna writes in the Atlantic that some worshippers noticed broken bottles when they arrived for services later Sunday but didn't think anything of it; only later did maintenance workers spy the "puddles of oil and charred rags" around the bottles. The building wasn't damaged, and no injuries were reported. Cops are also looking into who smashed car windows outside at least three other area synagogues. Chicago PD rep Anthony Guglielmi tells HuffPost it's not clear if the incidents are hate crimes, or even linked. story continues below Meanwhile, the Washington Post cites Anti-Defamation League stats that note US Jews experienced "near-historic levels of anti-Semitism" last year. "Attacks of this sort are intended to frighten and intimidate us," Wolkenfeld wrote in a Facebook post later Sunday. "We will stand together and support one another." Sarna echoes that determination in the Atlantic, writing, "We will defiantly continue to gather. ... Together we will rise above the fear that the arsonist so desperately hoped to instill in us." Per a police release, the suspect in the Lake View incident is, based on surveillance tape, a male with a light-skinned complexion who was wearing a black hoodie, pants, and shoes and lugging a black bag. Anyone with information can call 312-746-7618 or submit a tip to CPDTIP.com. (Read more anti-Semitism stories.) (Newser) The ball was in Johnny Depp's court, and he just hurled it. Following a $50 million defamation lawsuit the 55-year-old actor filed earlier this year against ex-wife Amber Heard, the 33-year-old actress offered her rebuke in the form of an April motion outlining what she says was a litany of abusive incidents at the hands of Depp. Now, new court filings from Depp, in which he calls Heard the actual "perpetrator" and himself the "victim," detailing multiple incidents that he claims show Heard was the abusive one, per USA Today and the Guardian. "I never abused Ms. Heard or any other woman," Depp says in the filing, which his lawyer says is "packed with new evidence." Depp claims that Heard would get hopped up on a cocktail of booze, OTC meds, and prescription amphetamines, which is when she would become abusive and violent toward him. story continues below Among the accusations Depp is lobbing at Heard: that she threw a broken glass bottle at him and severed his fingertip; often threw TV remote controls, burning candles, soda cans, and paint thinner cans at him; and even defecated in his bed as a "sick prank." He submitted pics with his filing showing his "black and puffy eyes and scratches," per USA Today; the Blast has the photos. Depp also claims Heard once came to a courthouse to get a temporary restraining order against him sporting "painted-on bruises." The Guardian notes that Depp's latest allegations were prompted by Heard asking a Virginia judge to dismiss his lawsuit. In a statement to People, Heard's attorney offered a firm reply to Depp: "The evidence in this case is clear: Johnny Depp repeatedly beat Amber Heard," calling Depp's latest allegations "increasingly desperate attempts ... to revive his career" with "baseless litigation." (Read more Johnny Depp stories.) (Newser) Live in Clarksdale, Miss., but want to relocate? Ever dealt drugs, belonged to a gang, or aspired to do any of the above? The city's mayor has a deal for you. FOX13 reports on Clarksdale's "five-point crime-fighting plan," and one of those points is telling criminals who can't change their ways to leave, dangling cash from Mayor Chuck Espy's own wallet to help them make the move. "They may be in the wrong environment," Espy told reporters Monday of potential candidates for the relocation funds, per Newsweek. "I will put money on the line to assist those type of people to move out of the city." He adds in a statement: "It is better for you to leave our city than bring havoc upon a community interested in positive growth." story continues below WREG reports Espy has offered up to $10,000 of his own cash for the kitty, and he's appealing to local businesses and other philanthropists to donate to the cause as well. He stresses he's not just handing off the criminal element in his city to others, noting that those who've been in trouble with the law in Clarksdale simply "might not have the good opportunities that they need in this city." For perps willing to live a life on the straight and narrow in Clarksdale, the city and police department are working with a local pastor to help them get back on their feet, including offering courses on etiquette and job skills. Whether or not correlation implies causation with the city's new approach to crime, FOX13 notes that there were 12 homicides in Clarksdale last year; this year so far there's been just one. (Read more weird crimes stories.) (Newser) Count Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez among the lawmakers ready to get the impeachment process rolling. The Democratic congresswoman took to Twitter on Tuesday to discuss the subject, though a line given to CNN arguably grabbed more headlines. Fox News reports that while speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill, she was asked by a CNN reporter whether Don McGahn's no-show before a House committee should prod Democrats to impeach. "I trust the speaker is taking a measured approach to ensure that were moving everyone forward and, you know, being a speaker is hard, holding this party together is a difficult task," she said. Then came the much-quoted part: "But I personally think so. I think we have to move forward." story continues below She also took to Twitter with a series of tweets explaining why she felt the House had to proceed: "It is just as politicized a maneuver to not impeach in the face of overwhelming evidence as it is to impeach w/o cause. Congress swore an oath to uphold the Constitution. That includes impeachment. We have a duty to preserve our institutions + uphold the rule of law." (here) "Just as what happens in the House doesnt control Senate, what happens in the Senate shouldnt control the House. DoJ outlined ev of 10 criminal instances. Pres is now obstructing legally binding subpoenas. We need to do our job & vote on impeachment. What Sen does is on them." (here) "Remember, Clinton was also impeached - that failed in Sen too. Our institutions didnt suffer then, but they have been damaged greatly today w unwillingness to impeach. Whether its Dem fear or GOP recklessness, doesnt matter. Failure to impeach now is neglect of due process." (here) (One Republican congressman agrees with her .) (Newser) Not much has been heard about the man known as the "American Taliban" in recent years. That changed in a big way this week with the news that John Walker Lindhwho was captured in Afghanistan in November 2001 and pleaded guilty to supporting the Talibanis set to be released from federal prison Thursday. Lindh is currently serving a 20-year sentence in Terre Haute, Indiana, that apparently won't be completed in full. Fox News reports it's believed "good behavior" is behind the release, which will come three years early and be saddled with conditions like this one: He may only communicate in English online. The Washington Post dives into the larger question posed by his looming release: Is the US equipped to welcome citizens who supported Islamic militants back into the fold? story continues below The Post reports that 62 citizens serving time for terror-related crimes are due to be released over the next five years, and it speaks with one extremism expert about America's resources: "There is very close to nothing in terms of de-radicalizing programs at the federal level. The current model is hoping long prison sentences for material support of terrorism will be a deterrent." Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby called the early release "unacceptable" on Twitter and sent the Federal Bureau of Prisons a letter to that end. The first American believed to have died in combat in Afghanistan is Mike Spann of Alabama, who interrogated Lindh just hours before he was killed in a prison revolt. Spann's family blames Lindh for not warning Spann of what was coming, reports Al.com; Lindh maintains he didn't know. (Read more John Walker Lindh stories.) Sorry! This content is not available in your region Dear Newsie Readers, Newsie has now permanently ceased it's services as of Friday 20th December 2019. Newsie has been an owner-funded operation since day one. Coming up to three years old, while we still firmly believe Newsie has a place in the New Zealand media landscape, the cost in both time and money has become too burdensome for the owners to continue alongside other ventures. With the current government looking to restructure public broadcasting, and seemingly supporting NZME buying a ring-fenced Stuff, the time seems right to call it a day. Should it happen, the combination of NZME and Stuff will ensure New Zealands national media will die a death by a thousand opinion-based articles. Newsie has always tried to stick to balanced news, to inform readers of the facts of a situation, amid being largely ignored by government. Hopefully, one day someone else will take up the challenge to fight the good fight. The good news, however, is that there were no job losses as a result of Newsie closing. Thanks to careful structuring, everyone involved in Newsie will retain their current positions. We hope you all have a happy Christmas and new year. Stay safe, and stay out of the news. The team at Newsie If you are looking to watch TV on a digital platform, you are in the right place. As you might be aware, IPTV is... New Delhi: Jet Airways employees after facing joblessness reached out to the government for helping to save the grounded airline. The employees hope government will act to protect their jobs. The staffers on Tuesday took out a march in front of Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan that houses the Civil Aviation Ministry. Jet airways has seen mass exodus of employees especially engineers and pilots. "Now that elections are over we hope that government would take necessary steps to revive Jet Airways. We will try to meet Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola and understand what government could do to protect our jobs," news agency ANI quoted a protesting employee working with the airline's engineering department as saying. Earlier, Company Secretary and Compliance Officer Kuldeep Sharma had resigned. The resignation came hours after Vinay Dube stepped down as Jet Airways' chief executive officer, ended a 21-month long tumultuous tenure during which the once-storied carrier shuttered operations due to cash crunch. The exit of the top officials also comes at a time when the SBI-led lenders' consortium is trying hard to find a buyer for the ailing Jet Airways. The carrier stopped flying on April 17 after it ran out of cash. Last month, Independent Director Rajshree Pathy, Non-Executive and Non-Independent Director Nasim Zaidi as well as Whole Time Director Guarang Shetty, had quit. In late March, Jet Airways Founder Naresh Goyal along with his wife Anita Goyal as well Etihad Airways' nominee director Kevin Knight stepped down from their respective position following a debt-recast plan. Naresh Goyal also stepped down from the post of Chairman. Etihad is a strategic investor in Jet Airways. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A day after the final phase of polling in the Lok Sabha Elections, petrol and diesel prices were increased on Monday. On Tuesday also, the state-owned oil marketing companies or OMCs increased petrol and diesel prices by as much as 5 paise and 10 paise per litre, respectively. While petrol prices rose by 8-10 paise on Monday, OMCs increased rates of petrol across the country by five paise per litre on Tuesday. The price of a litre of petrol in New Delhi is now Rs 71.17 while it is retailing for Rs 76.78 in Mumbai. Similarly, oil companies increased rates of diesel by at least 15-16 paise yesterday and followed it up with a 9-10 paise rise today. A litre of diesel in the national capital has now gone up to Rs 66.20 per litre while the rate in Mumbai has increased to Rs 69.36. Industry experts believe this is only the first of many hikes in the prices of diesel and petrol in the coming days as OMCs look to pare losses. Crude oil prices edged up 0.23 per cent to Rs 4,426 per barrel in futures trade Monday as speculators widened their bets in tandem with a firm trend overseas. On the Multi Commodity Exchange, crude for delivery in May contracts was up by Rs 10, or 0.23 per cent, to Rs 4,426 per barrel in a business turnover of 13,904 lots. Analysts said the rise in crude oil futures was largely due to raising of bets by participants in the domestic markets. Globally, the oil prices were upbeat as members of Saudi Arabia-led Opec in a meeting on Sunday in Jeddah signalled an output cut by the end of the year allaying fears of supply glut, according to reports. Meanwhile, West Texas Intermediate crude prices were trading up 1.31 per cent to $63.58, while Brent, used to price international oils, was up 1.40 per cent at $73.22 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Goa Board SSC Result 2019: The Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (GBSHSE) has announced Goa Board Class 10th result today at 11.30 am. The students can check and download their scorecards from the official website of the Goa Board i.e. gbshse.gov.in. Other than the official website of the board, the candidates can also check their results on this page by clicking on the link given. CLICK HERE FOR GOA BOARD SSC RESULT 2019 LIVE UPDATES: 11.46 am: As per the latest report, the Goa SSC exams were taken by 18,684 students of which 17,278 students cleared the exam. 11.36 am: In 2018, the Goa SSC result was declared on May 25 and the pass percentage stood at 91.27%. 11.34 am: The overall pass percentage for Goa Board Class 10 students stood at 92.47%. 11.31 am: The GBSHE has declared the Goa Board Class 10 result today. 11.30 am: The Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary education (GBSHE) is the main state board of education in the Indian state of GOA, responsible for secondary and higher secondary education management in its affiliated schools. 11.16 am: After the formal declaration of Goa Board SSC Result, students can visit the following websites to check their results: gbshse.gov.in newsnation.in/board- results 11.04 am: In 2018, the pass percentage for male students stood at 88.96%, while for female students the pass percentage was 90.49%. 10.24 am: Last year, De Sousa John had bagged the first rank by scoring 581 marks. 10.11 am: This year, a total of 18,726 students appeared for the Goa board Class 10 examination at 28 centres across the state. 10.07 am: In 2018, over 20,000 students appeared for the Goa Board Class 10 exams. Out of which over 18,000 students passed the Class 10 exams. 09.58 am: GBSHSE has conducted the Goa Board Class 10 examinations from 2nd April 2019 to 21st April 2019. For the convenience of the students, we have mentioned the steps through which the candidates can check their results once the results are announced: STEP 1: Visit newsnation.in/board- results and click on Goa Board Result 2019 STEP 2: Enter your Roll Number STEP 3: Click on submit to view your result STEP 4: Check your Goa Board 10th result About Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (GBSHSE) The Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (GBSHSE) was established in the year 1975 through the Goa, Daman and Diu Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board Act, 1975. The Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (GBSHSE) fulfils many responsibilities such as the implementation of education policies in the affiliated schools, advising the government on education policies and conducting evaluation through yearly examination at the secondary and higher secondary level. In addition, the GBSHSE conducts the annual board exams for the SSC and the HSSC students every year in the month of March-April followed by the declaration of the Goa Board Result in the month of May. New Delhi: The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education or WBBSE has announced WB Madhyamik Result today. The candidates who have appeared for the examination are asked to keep all the details ready for the fast and easy access to the results. The scorecards will be available soon on the official website of the board i.e. wbresults.nic.in and wbbse.org. Alternatively, the candidates can check the results on this page by clicking on the link given below. We here at News Nation are in close contact with our sources and will be updating all the latest updates here. Hence, we request the candidates to keep refreshing this page for all the latest updates. CLICK HERE FOR WBBSE CLASS 10 RESULTS 2019 LIVE UPDATES: 10.00 am: Sougata Das from Muhammadpur Desopran Vidyapth has secured the first position with 694 marks 9.37 am: Pass percentage records all time high, Sougata Das tops with 694 marks. 9.35 am: This year, the number of girls appeared is higher than the boys. The number of girls appeared was 6,21,266 and the number of boys appeared was 4,81,555. The examination was conducted in 2,819 centres across the state. There was also a sharp rise of candidates, 11,02,921, last year it was 10,71,846. 9.34 am: CLICK HERE FOR WBBSE CLASS 10 RESULTS 2019 (FOR WEST BENGAL RESULTS) 9.33 am: East Midnapore has topped among district with a pass percentage of 96.01 per cent. Kolkata has secured the second spot and West Midnapore secured the third rank. 9.32 am: Sougata Das tops with 694 marks 9.08 am: The WBBSE Board will declare the Madhyamik Pariksha Result 2019 will be formally announced in a Press Conference at 9 AM followed by the publication of the result online on the websites at 10 AM. 9.05 am: Press conference to start shortly. Results to be make live at 10. 8.54 am: The WB Madhyamik Result 2019 will be announced shortly. 8.50 am: The duration of West Bengal Class 10 exam was 3 hours and it was held in the afternoon shift from 12 PM to 3 PM. 8.36 am: In 2019, the Madhyamik Exam 2019 of WB Board was conducted from 12th February to 22nd February, 2019. 8.16 am: This year a total of 10, 66,000 students appeared in the WB Madhyamik examination, out of which 10, 64,980 were regular students. The percentage of girl students was 56.65 while that of boys was 43.35 per cent in the WB Board Class 10 exam 2019. 8.10 am: The West Bengal Madhyamik result 2019 will be declared through a press conference to be held at the boards headquarters. 8.10 am: Over 18 lakh students are expected to have appeared for the West Bengal class 10 exams. As per the official reports, the WBBSE 10th Result 2019 will be declared today at 10 am. About West Bengal Board The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education was established through the West Bengal Secondary Education Act, 1950, though it started functioning only around the year 1951. The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education is entrusted with responsibilities such as providing the curriculum for affiliated schools, monitoring the implementation of education policies and conducting yearly West Bengal Board Madhyamik Examination. Each year, around 10 lakh plus students take the West Bengal Board Madhyamik Examination. The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) is expected to declare the West Bengal Board 10th Result 2019 in the last week of May. Though there is no official news on the release of the WB Board 10thResult 2019 so far, the previous year trend suggests that the students can expect their WB Class 10 Result 2019 to be out between the last week of May or in the first week of June, 2019. New Delhi: Allayed over EVMs being transported allegedly without security in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Bihar, as many as 22 opposition parties submitted a memorandum before the Election Commission, demanding matching of VVPAT slips with EVM figures prior to counting of votes on May 23. The opposition requested that the verification of VVPAT slips of randomly identified five polling stations be done prior to the initiation of counting of votes and not after the completion of last round of counting. In the memorandum, the opposition leaders have also demanded that if any discrepancy is found anywhere during the VVPAT verification, 100 per cent counting of paper slips of VVPATs of all polling stations of that assembly segment should be done. The Opposition's move came after the Supreme Court earlier today dismissed a PIL seeking 100 per cent matching of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during the counting of votes on May 23 for Lok Sabha polls. The Supreme Court has asked the EC to tally the VVPAT slips with the EVM figures of five polling stations in each Assembly constituency across the country, which may delay the results. Allgesing that the votes which were cast for the Congress went to the BJP, Ghulam Nabi Azad said: "We have requested that the verification of VVPAT slips of randomly identified (05) polling stations should be done prior to the initiation of vote counting and not after the completion of last round of counting." Senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said the Election Commission has called the opposition parties again on Wednesday morning. Meanwhile, BSP's Satish Chandra Mishra said: "There is large-scale bungling relating to EVMs in Uttar Pradesh. We demand deployment of central forces." Apart from Azad, Singhvi and Satish Mishra, other opposition leaders who met the poll panel included Raj Babbar, TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu, Sitaram Yechuri, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O Brien and Samajwadi Partys Ram Gopal Yadav. The ooposition leaders said they were "concerned" over videos of alleged movement and tampering of EVMs went viral on social media, a charge dismissed by the Election Commission as "frivolous" and "unfounded". Earlier today, a video clip of EVMs being off-loaded and put in a room inside the counting centre complex in Chandauli was doing the rounds on social media. BJP's state unit president Mahendra Nath Pandey is seeking re-election from the seat. Another video is from Ghazipur where SP-BSP alliance candidate Afzal Ansari is seen staging protest alleging that the administration was trying to change EVMs. In the video, Ansari and his supporters were seen having a heated exchange with a police officer. The officer is urging them to clear the area, but the leader and his supporters refuse to budge, claiming there was an attempt to take out a vehicle loaded with EVMs. Afzal Ansari is the brother of don-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, who is serving sentence in Uttar Pradesh's Banda jail in connection with various criminal cases and is pitted against Union Minister Manoj Sinha of the BJP. Ansari also demanded that at least two BSP workers must be issued passes to sit near the premises where EVMs were kept in strong rooms at five different places. Chief Electoral Officer of the state Venkateshwarlu allayed fears of political parties. Referring to the Ghazipur incident, he said the candidate wanted more number of people to keep a watch on EVMs on the basis of his apprehensions and the DM there has satisfied him and those staging protest have returned. On Chandauli, he said the issue pertains to unused EVMs which had been brought back and after talks they were kept separately from the used ones kept in the strong room. There are CCTV cameras installed in strong rooms. Candidates are allowed to keep a watch on strong rooms through their representatives. All apprehensions are unfounded, he said. "EVMS and VVPATs were sealed properly in front of political party candidates. CCTV cameras are installed ... One representative of each candidate is present. The allegations are baseless, an EC report said. On Chandauli, the EC report said, "Frivolous allegation by some people as EVMs are in proper security and protocol. New Delhi: As exit polls predicted disappointing outcome for the Congress in Karnataka, senior party leader and legislator from Shivajinagar Assembly constituency of the southern state Roshan Baig launched a scathing attack on Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Gundu Rao, former cheif minister Siddaramaiah and Rahul Gandhi loyalist KC Venugopal. Baig, the minister of urban development and Haj in the JD(S)-Congress coalition government in Karnataka, termed Venugopal a "buffoon" and held him, along with Siddaramaiah and Gundu Rao, responsible for the party's poor state of affairs in the southern state. "KC Venugopal is a buffoon. I feel sorry for my leader Rahul Gandhi ji. Buffoons like Venugopal, the arrogant attitude of Siddaramaiah and the flop show of Gundu Rao. The result is this," ANI quoted Baig as saying. The Haj minister also claimed that protfolios were sold in Karnataka and accused Siddaramaiah of not allowing Karnataka Chief Minister Kumaraswamy to funtion. "Portfolios were sold. How can I blame Kumaraswamy for it? He wasn't allowed to function. From day 1 Siddaramaiah said 'I'm going to be CM'. You've gone to their doorstep to form govt!" he said. The hard-hitting remarks from Baig came a day after he appealed Muslims to compromise with the situation and join hands with the BJP-led NDA if the coalition returns to power. "Well if NDA is coming back to power, I humbly appeal to Muslim brothers to learn to compromise with the situation. If needs be, (Muslims) must join hands. We must not remain loyal to one party. What happened to Muslims in Karnataka? Congress gave just one seat," he had said. The Congress minister in the Kumaraswamy-led coalition government said that he wasn't suprised by the exit poll predictions in Karnataka as he already knew that the Grand Old Party would not get good numbers due to its "flop poll campaigning" in the state. New Delhi: Lok Sabha Elections 2019: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) looks all set to form the government for the second consecutive term under Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre along with its NDA partners after several exit polls predicted the incumbent's return. According to News Nation Exit Poll, the BJP-led NDA is likely to get 282 to 290 seats in the 542-member lower house of Parliament (Voting postponed in Tamil Nadu's Vellore). The Congress-led UPA may get between 118 and 126 seats whereas other parties, including the SP-BSP Mahagathbandhan in Uttar Pradesh, are expected to win 130 to 138 seats. The India Today-My Axis Exit Poll has predicted 339-365 Lok Sabha seats for the NDA. The UPA, on the other hand, may get only 77-108 seats. The Republic-Jan Ki Baat Exit Poll has given 305 seats for the NDA and 124 for the UPA. Other exit polls such as India TV-CNX, CNN-News 18-IPSOS and Times Now-VMR predicted 300, 336 and 306 seats respectively for the NDA. But what will happen if the 'India Shining' moment of 2004 returns to haunt the BJP this time also or the saffron party falls short of a simple majority? Let's discuss the different post-poll scenarios. Scenario 1: BJP falls short of majority, approaches non-NDA parties Chances: LIKELY Telangana Chief Minister and TRS leader K Chandrasekhar Rao and Odisha Chief Minister and BJD leader Naveen Patnaik may play a crucial role at the Centre this time. (File Photo: PTI) If the saffron camp gets less than 272 seats then who will they approach? There are at least three major regional parties which can come to the BJP's rescue namely the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and the YSR Congress (YSRCP). The Naveen Patnaik-led BJD has already indicated that it is not going to follow the equidistant policy this time and might join hands with the Narendra Modi-led alliance if they form the government at the Centre. BJD's Amar Patnaik said that either the NDA or "any other combination" which understands the problems of Odisha and is ready to meet its demand for a special status will get the party's support. According to different exit polls, the party is tipped to win between 5 to 15 seats in Odisha. The KCR-led TRS is currently wooing other parties to form the 'Federal Front' minus the BJP and the Congress but had supported the NDA on many occasions in the past. However, KCR's alliance with the Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM in Telangana can force the party to rethink its strategy. The TRS is predicted to sweep Telangana with 12 to 15 seats. The third major player is Jaganmohan Reddy in Andhra Pradesh where he is giving a tough fight to the Chandrababu Naidu's Telugu Desam Party (TDP). The YSRCP is likely to tilt towards the BJP if the party decides to meet its demand of granting Special Status to Andhra Pradesh. Meanwhile, Jagan is keeping his cards close to his chest and not revealing anything right now as his first target is to dethrone Naidu in his state. Scenario 2: BJP approaches Mayawati's BSP for support Chances: UNLIKELY BSP leader and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati is fighting a battle for her party's survival. (File Photo: PTI) Is Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) a potential ally of the BJP? The answer lies in her past associations with the saffron party. Mayawati became the Uttar Pradesh chief minister three times with the BJP's support in 1995, 1997 and 2002. The BSP chief's recent utterances against the Congress party are also pleasing to the BJP's ears. If the Mahagathbandhan falls flat in Uttar Pradesh and the Samajwadi Party fails to transfer its Yadav votes to BSP candidates then Mayawati can jump the ship in order to remain politically relevant. The party is out of power in Uttar Pradesh since 2012 and scored a duck in the last parliamentary elections. According to different exit polls, the party is likely to get 10 to 15 seats in Uttar Pradesh this time. However, the chances of such an alliance look bleak at the moment as the BSP chief and PM Modi attacked each other aggressively during the poll rallies. Scenario 3: BJP alliance gets less than 225 seats, Congress cobbles up Grand Alliance Chances: LIKELY These Lok Sabha Elections will decide the fate of Congress president Rahul Gandhi also. (File Photo: PTI) Another scenario is that the BJP alliance not only fails to get 272 but gets less than 225 seats. In this scenario, the Grand Old Party is likely to forge an alliance with several like-minded non-UPA parties such as Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress, Chandrababu Naidu's Telugu Desam Party, Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party, Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party, KCR's Telangana Rashtra Samithi and Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party etc. The Congress is also likely to secure the support of Left parties for such a coalition. However, the longevity of such a broad coalition will always remain doubtful. The Rahul Gandhi-led Congress needs to get at least 150 seats to lead such a front. Scenario 4: Another United Front-like experiment supported by Congress Chances: UNLIKELY West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal are facing a tough battle in their respective states. (File Photo: PTI) Will the Congress party support another United Front-like experience this time? In 1996, the Congress decided to back United Front's PM nominee HD Deve Gowda to stop the BJP. The United Front comprised of 13 parties including the Janata Dal, the Left Front, the DMK, the TDP and the AGP etc. If the BJP fails to get more than 200 seats and the regional satraps including Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav, Sharad Pawar, MK Stalin, Mayawati, KCR and Naveen Patnaik manage to get close to 180 seats, the chances of a Third Front PM will be boosted significantly. However, who will become the prime minister is going to be the most challenging task for any such formation. The chances of a BJP-backed Third Front government is remote as the party would like to sit in the opposition if any such situation arises. Disclaimer: The opinions and facts expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. They do not reflect the views of News Nation. The NNPL does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same. New Delhi: Amid reports of EVMs being transported allegedly without security in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Bihar, former President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday said that it is the responsibility of the Election Commission to ensure the institutional integrity. Amid reports of EVMs being transported allegedly without security in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Bihar, former President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday said that it is the responsibility of the Election Commission to ensure the institutional integrity. In a statement, Mukherjee said: I am concerned at the reports of alleged tampering of voters verdict. The safety and security of EVMs which are in the custody of ECI is the responsibility of the Commission. There can be no room for speculations that challenge the very basis of our democracy. Peoples mandate is sacrosanct and has to be above any iota of reasonable doubt. Mukherjee's statement came after videos of alleged movement and tampering of EVMs went viral on social media, a charge dismissed by the Election Commission as "frivolous" and "unfounded". A firm believer in our institutions, it is my considered opinion that it is the workmen who decide how the institutional tools perform. The onus of ensuring institutional integrity in this case lies with the Election Commission of India (ECI). They must do so and put all speculations to rest, he added in his statement. Earlier, a video clip of EVMs being off-loaded and put in a room inside the counting centre complex in Chandauli was doing the rounds on social media. BJP's state unit president Mahendra Nath Pandey is seeking re-election from the seat. Another video is from Ghazipur where SP-BSP alliance candidate Afzal Ansari is seen staging protest alleging that the administration was trying to change EVMs. In the video, Ansari and his supporters were seen having a heated exchange with a police officer. The officer is urging them to clear the area, but the leader and his supporters refuse to budge, claiming there was an attempt to take out a vehicle loaded with EVMs. Afzal Ansari is the brother of don-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, who is serving sentence in Uttar Pradesh's Banda jail in connection with various criminal cases and is pitted against Union Minister Manoj Sinha of the BJP. Ansari also demanded that at least two BSP workers must be issued passes to sit near the premises where EVMs were kept in strong rooms at five different places. Chief Electoral Officer of the state Venkateshwarlu allayed fears of political parties. Referring to the Ghazipur incident, he said the candidate wanted more number of people to keep a watch on EVMs on the basis of his apprehensions and the DM there has satisfied him and those staging protest have returned. On Chandauli, he said the issue pertains to unused EVMs which had been brought back and after talks they were kept separately from the used ones kept in the strong room. There are CCTV cameras installed in strong rooms. Candidates are allowed to keep a watch on strong rooms through their representatives. All apprehensions are unfounded, he said. "EVMS and VVPATs were sealed properly in front of political party candidates. CCTV cameras are installed ... One representative of each candidate is present. The allegations are baseless, an EC report said. On Chandauli, the EC report said, "Frivolous allegation by some people as EVMs are in proper security and protocol. It is no secret that the global commodities trading sector is rife with corruption risks. We at Global Witness have been investigating this for years, and have seen enforcement efforts fall short all too often. So we are pleased to see the chief U.S. commodities regulator, the Commodities and Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), start paying more attention to foreign corrupt practices. We welcomed their first such public investigation, into Glencores potentially corrupt practices in the Democratic Republic of Congo and other countries. This move comes amid heightened scrutiny of the sector: the worlds five biggest oil traders Glencore, Gunvor, Mercuria, Trafigura and Vitol are all currently facing corruption investigations in one or more jurisdictions, including not only the United States but also Brazil and Switzerland. In investigating foreign bribery, the CFTC is joining other U.S. government agencies: the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), both with a long track record pursuing violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) by commodities traders. In July last year the DOJ issued a subsidiary of Glencore with a subpoena, demanding materials related to the companys business in the DRC, Nigeria and Venezuela. The DOJs interest in Glencores DRC deals likely relates to its decade-long partnership with Dan Gertler, a controversial middleman close to the DRCs president from 2001 to 2019. In December 2017 the U.S. Department of Treasury sanctioned Gertler for opaque and corrupt mining and oil deals in the DRC. Earlier that year, a subsidiary of the hedge fund Och-Ziff Capital Management Group pleaded guilty to a bribery conspiracy as part of an FCPA enforcement action investigated by the DOJ and SEC, a significant part of which related to Och-Ziffs partnership with Gertler. We have pioneered reporting on Glencores suspect deals with Gertler since 2011. Both Glencore and Gertler have denied wrongdoing in their DRC deals. Some observers have questioned whether we really need another U.S. government agency enforcing anticorruption laws. We think that a reinforcement is welcome, particularly at a time when the DOJ is coming under increasing criticism for its weak enforcement of the FCPA. Indeed, concerns that the CFTC would merely pile on existing FCPA cases were anticipated in a speech by the CFTC director of enforcement James McDonald announcing the new policy earlier this year. He recognized that corrupt practices are subject to FCPA prosecution and pledged to work closely with enforcement partners at the SEC and DOJ. So far, the only public information about CFTCs case against Glencore comes from the companys own terse disclosure but there is no doubt that this case will set an important precedent that will be watched closely. It is too early to tell what the CFTCs anti corruption role will be in practice, but as a legal matter, it is clear that the CFTC has a different, complementary role to play given its different legal mandate and expertise. Rather than prosecute the FCPA (which the CFTC does not have the legal authority to do), they can pursue foreign corrupt practices that violate U.S. commodities laws. In particular, if the bribery impacted, or was intended to impact, the commodity price, that might constitute market manipulation or false reporting under the Commodity Exchange Act. For example, Glencore, together with several other major commodities traders, was implicated in an oil price manipulation scheme related to the Car Wash scandal in Brazil, as we previously reported. Oil price manipulation might also be a part of the CFTCs investigation of Glencores oil trading activities in Venezuela and Nigeria. The CFTC can also bring fraud cases where investors funds are misused to pay bribes. The ongoing investigation of Glencore illustrates that corruption risk at any level can be extremely costly to investors: following news of the DOJs subpoena last summer, Glencores stock plunged 13 percent, losing $8.8 billion in value. Most of the major commodities traders are also subject to Swiss law because many of them, including Glencore, Vitol, Trafigura and others, are headquartered in Switzerland. The Swiss government can and should do more to contribute to the global fight against corruption in the commodities trading sector. In its most recent evaluation of Switzerlands implementation of the Anti-Bribery Convention last year, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) pointed out that the Swiss authorities should take action that includes more sustained enforcement and measures to prevent foreign bribery in high-risk sectors, particularly singling out the commodities trading sector. This is not just an issue for the Swiss, however. These companies are sprawling multinationals operating across the planet; it is vital that laws are enforced in several key jurisdictions. Glencore, for example, is headquartered in Switzerland but listed on the London Stock Exchange and is reliant on U.S. dollars for many transactions. Agencies in the United States, the UK and elsewhere must weigh in on the fight to counter corruption in the commodities sector. We applaud and support the CFTCs efforts and hope its decision to ramp up anti-corruption enforcement will have positive spillovers and incentivize other regulatory agencies worldwide to do the same. ____ Zorka Milin is a senior legal advisor at Global Witness, a non-profit organization exposing and advocating to fight corruption. She can be reached at [email protected] or @ZorkaMilin. Peter Jones leads corruption investigations at Global Witness, and can be reached [email protected]. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday junked a plea filed a group of technocrats seeking a direction that the number of machines subject to verification of VVPATs to be increased to 100 per cent. A vacation bench of the top court said that it didn't find any merit in the petition filed by the a Chennai-based organisation - Tech for All. In its plea, the group had sought 100 per cent matching of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during counting of votes for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections on May 23. Dismissing the plea, the top court said that no such prayer can be entertained as a larger bench, headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, had already heard it and passed an order. "The CJI had dealt with this matter. Why are you taking chance before a two-judge vacation bench," the bench asked. "We cannot override the CJI's order... This is nonsense. The petition is taken on board. Dismissed," Justice Mishra said. The apex court had on May 7 dismissed a review plea filed by 21 Opposition leaders led by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu seeking that random matching of VVPAT slips with EVMs be increased to 50 per cent. The top court had on April 8 directed the Election Commission to increase random matching of VVPAT slips with EVMs from one to five polling booths per assembly segment in Lok Sabha polls, saying it would provide greater satisfaction not just to political parties but also to the entire electorate. New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik has decided to completely lift the restrictions on civilian movement on the National Highway (NH-44) connecting Jammu to Srinagar with effect from Monday. Following a review of the security situation in the state and of the requirement of security forces convoys, the Governor has decided to lift the remaining restrictions on civilian movement on the National Highway (NH-44) connecting Jammu to Srinagar with effect from Monday, 27.5.2019, said the Raj Bhawan in a statement. These restrictions had become necessary following the movement of security forces on an unprecedented scale after the Pulwama terror attack. The forces were required both for anti-militancy operations and for smooth conduct of general elections. In order to facilitate safe and secure movement of Security Forces Convoys, the Government had imposed a prohibition on civilian traffic on NH-44 from Baramulla to Udhampur twice a week, i.e. on Sunday & Wednesday, from 4.00 a.m to 5.00 p.m. Elaborate arrangements were, however, made by the local administration to facilitate movement of public during the period of restriction, it added. May 26 will be the last day of restriction on the movement of civilian traffic on the highway. The state administration had earlier on May 7 reduced the number of days from two to one and allowed civilian traffic on Wednesdays. Earlier, restriction on civilian movement between Srinagar and Baramulla on the highway was limited to Sunday with effect from April 22 and later completely withdrawn from May 2. Restrictions on the Srinagar-Udhampur stretch were limited to just one day from May 13. "After a detailed review today with all security agencies, civil and police administration in connection with the preparations for the Shri Amarnathji Yatra, the governor directed that there should be no restriction on civilian movement on the highway from Monday next," the statement said. The restriction had come into force after a suicide bomber triggered an explosive laden car next to a bus of a CRPF convoy leaving 40 personnel dead. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: At least two jawans were injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast near Gogunda in Chhattisgarh'sA Sukma district on Tuesday, reported ANI news agency. The injured jawans were from 2A District Reserve Guard (DRG). Sukma ASP Shalabh Sinha said that both the jawans were conscious but efforts were on to airlift them and shift to Raipur hospital.A "Both the jawans are conscious. We are trying to airlift them to Raipur for better treatment,"A Shalabh Sinha, ASP Sukma, was quoted as saying by ANI. Chhattisgarh: 2 District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel injured in an IED blast near Gogunda in Sukma district. More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/A8uNTFOtFy a ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 Sukma is one of the worst Maoist-hit districts of Chhattisgarh and the attacks on security personnel are not unusual. Although it was not yet clear whether the blast was carreid out by Maoists but they remained the primary suspect. Earlier last month, four BSF jawans were killed in an encounter with Maoists in the state's Kanker district. On March 28, the security personnel had killed four suspected Maoists in another encounter in Sukma district. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Months after an Indian Air Force MI-17 chopper was downed in friendly fire during the post-Balakot situation, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) of the Srinagar Air Base has been removed even as the Court-of-Inquiry (CoI) continues. Latest media reports point to the action taken by the Air force, which also almost confirms the friendly fire theory. In layman terms, it means that the MI-17 chopper was downed by our own air force. Now, the probe is looking into the circumstances that led to the fatal crash. The 27 February crash of a Mi-17 helicopter killed six IAF personnel and a civilian in Jammu and Kashmirs Budgam. Amid the ongoing probe, there are reports that stringent action will be taken against other top officials. According to The Print report, an IAF officer and three others posted at the Srinagar Air Base could be booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder in the 27 February crash. They could be charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder but this has not been established yet, The Print quoted an unnamed officer as saying. Earlier, the Indian Air Force had rejected a media report, which had said that the Court of Inquiry into the Mi17 chopper crash on February 27 was put on hold due to Lok Sabha elections. The report published in leading daily Business Standard had said that the CoI looking into the circumstances of the crash of the sturdy chopper on February 27 over Budgam skies was ordered to go slow. Six IAF personnel and a civilian were killed in the crash, which so far is believed to be a rare case of friendly fire. In simple words, this means that India downed its own chopper. The Business Standard report spoke about how the Mi17 crash report would not gone well with the post-Pulwama and Balakot scenario in the poll season. However, the Indian Air Force took to Twitter and rejected the media report. In a series of tweets, the air force said that the article written by Ajai Shukla is his imagination. Today in an article written by Ajai Shukla he has incorrectly speculated that the IAF Court of Inquiry constituted to investigate the Mi-17 V5 crash at Srinagar on 27 Feb has been put on hold. This is his imagination and IAF categorically denies this, the air force said. On the so-called delay in the probe, the air force said that, CoI (Court of Inquiry) of aircraft accidents are meticulous & time consuming. All past inquiries of aircraft accidents bear testimony to this. Proceedings of a CoI are not commented upon by IAF till completion of the inquiry in all cases. There is no connection between elections & completion of CoI. An earlier report by the Economic Times had revealed that the Indian Air Force may have downed its own Mi-17 V5 over Budgam on February 27 last month. The report said that the fresh evidences point to a startling lapse of Identity, Friend or Foe protocol that could have led to the shooting down of the sturdy chopper. Seven people including a civilian were killed in the crash that took place in Garend Kalan village of Budgam at around 10.40 am on the fateful day. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: In a massive jolt to former Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar, the Supreme Court on Tuesday declined urgent listing of the application filed by the IPS officer. Kumar is seeking extension of protection from arrest. The top court on Monday had directed Kumar to approach the Registry for listing. Kumar's protection ends on Friday. Kumar is unable to apply for anticipatory bail due to lawyers' strike in West Bengal. Last week, the Apex Court had withdrawn the interim protection given to former Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar from arrest by the CBI over his alleged role in destroying evidence in Saradha chit fund case. The top court gave seven days to Kumar to seek legal remedies. Sources in the CBI said that the agency officials have not seen the order yet. The future course of action will be decided only after going through the top courts order, the sources said. It is still not clear that whether the probe agency officials will interrogate Kumar or wait till the end of 7-day period. A Bench of Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi with Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna also made it clear that the CBI can pursue the case in accordance with law. The Court, however, added that this order may not be treated as a direction to the CBI to carry out custodial interrogation. Kumar has been in news but not for right reason. A day before the Supreme Court order, the Election Commission had ordered the removal of Kumar, who was posted as Additional Director General, CID, in West Bengal and had asked him to report to Union Home Ministry following the violence in Kolkata during BJP chief Amit Shahs roadshow. The CBI had told the apex court that it wanted custodial interrogation of Kumar, who was earlier heading West Bengal Police SIT probing chit fund scam, as there was prima facie evidence of his allegedly trying to destroy or tamper with evidence and "shield high and mighty" in the case. However, Kumar's counsel had countered CBI's submissions and told a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi that the agency wanted his custodial interrogation "just to humiliate" him and CBI should not be allowed to abuse the process of law. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Today is former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhis 28th death anniversary. Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in a suicide attack at Sriperumbudur of Tamil Nadu in 1991. The day is also observed as Anti-terrorism Day. Rajiv Gandhi was killed for sending an Indian Peace Keeping Force into Sri Lanka in 1987 to aid Colombo in its fight against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress President Rahul Gandhi and Congress General Secretary for UP (East) Priyanka Gandhi Vadra paid tribute to the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, at Veer Bhumi. Son-in-law Robert Vadra was also present apart from other Congress leaders. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh and former President Pranab Mukherjee paid tribute to the former prime minister. The Congress party will hold commemorative programmes to mark the death anniversary Rajiv Gandhi to highlight his contribution to the country. A statement issued by Congress party said: The youth and coming generations of the nation need to know the unparalleled and unique contributions made by the former PM. In this context the party has decided to observe the death anniversary for highlighting the vision and mission of one of the most venerated political figures the country has ever produced. The Congress will conduct publicity programmes at the block level across the country to showcase Gandhis exemplary efforts to take the country into the 21st century, especially his achievement in constructing the information technology and telecom revolutions and laying the foundation for Panchayati Raj institutions to strengthen democracy at the grass-root level. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Today is Indias 6th prime minister Rajiv Gandhis 28th death anniversary. Confident of getting back to power in the mid-term Lok Sabha elections of 1991, Rajiv Gandhi was on a campaign spree when he was assassinated by a suicide bomber for sending an Indian Peace Keeping Force into Sri Lanka in 1987 to aid Colombo in its fight against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), in Tamil Nadus Sriperumbudur. Rajiv Gandhi was busy campaigning for the mid-term elections which had been announced after the VP Singh-led Janata Dal government had collapsed in October, 1990. Let us take a look at what happened on the fateful night of May 21, 1991: It was around 6 pm when Rajiv Gandhi finished his poll meetings in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam and planned to leave for Tamil Nadu. Rajiv Gandhi's pilot informed him that the chopper had developed some technical snag and flying to Madras, now Chennai, wouldn't be possible. A disappointed Rajiv Gandhi headed towards the state guest house. On his way to the guest house, the police team escorting him received a wireless message that the chopper was ready to fly. Rajiv Gandhi made an about turn and headed again towards the airport. Rajiv Gandhi's pilot Captain Chandok would later reveal that the engineers of King's Airways had fixed the technical snag in the communication system of the chopper. Rajiv Gandhi was in such a hurry and so eager to reach Chennai that he didn't even bother to inform his own personal security chief OP Sagar, who was traveling in a separate van. Rajiv went to Madras without his personal security team, who were on their way to the state guest house at Vishakhapatnam. Minutes before 8.30 pm, Rajiv Gandhi was received by Congress leaders including GK Moopanar, Margatham Chandrashekhar and Jayanthi Natrajan. Gandhi got into a car along with M Chandrashekhar, GK Moopanar and Ramamurthy. Jayanti Natrajan would follow him in another car. They were bound for Sriperumbudur, an industrial centre in Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu and just 40 km from Chennai. Around 10.10 pm, Rajiv reached Sriperumbudur. A song was being played showering praise on Rajiv Gandhi invoking name of his mother Indira Gandhi. He was making his way to the dais, meeting and greeting people, shaking their hands, letting them garland him. Separate galleries had been made for men and women in the crowd. Rajiv Gandhi first went towards men's section and then headed towards the gallery where women were cheering for him. Among the crowd was a young woman of around 30, who moved towards Rajiv Gandhi purposefully. A woman police constable, later identified as Anusuya, tried to stop the woman but Rajiv Gandhi intervened and directing to let her cross the fence. "Don't worry. Relax," Rajiv Gandhi had said to Anusuya, the policewoman. These were his last words. Thenmozhi Rajaratnam aka Dhanu had the belt bomb with the explosive material in her lower back region and the power pack, two switches and the circuitry in front. One switch initiated the circuitry and the other activated the bomb. The explosive used was an RDX, about 10,000 steel balls of 2 mm diameter were embedded in the bomb. After garlanding Rajiv, Rajaratnam evidently stooped to touch his feet and activated the explosive. Rajiv might have tried to stop her. A little distance away stood Sivarasan, the mastermind. It was 10.21 pm, the investigation diary noted. There was blood and human flesh everywhere. Rajiv Gandhi's body was identified from his Lotto shoes and Gucci wrist watch. His body was lying near his security in-charge Pradeep Gupta. The All India Radio and Doordarshan broke the news to the nation late at night. Rajiv became the second Gandhi after her mother to be assassinated. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: In a shocking incident, Tirong Aboh, the sitting MLA from Arunachal Pradesh's Khonsa West Assembly constituency, along with 10 others, including his family members, were killed in an attack by insurgents near Bogapani. those killed in the brutal attack included the family members and security personnel of Aboh. The attack was reportedly carried out by Naga insurgent outfit National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN). However, the group has not yet taken the responsibilty of the attack. "Extremely shcoked" by the killing of Aboh and his family members, Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma urged Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take action against the assailants. "NPP is extremely shocked and saddened by the news of the death of its Arunachal MLA Tirong Aboh and his family. We condemn the brutal attack and urge HM Rajnath Singh and PM Modi to take action against those responsible for such attack," ANI news agency quoted Sangma as saying. "I condemn this incident. This kind of an incident has never taken place before. An inquiry into the incident is important. A political rival has done this," Kumar Waii, Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister, said. The 41-year-old NPP leader hailed from Dadam village in Khonsa town of Tirap district in Arunachal Pradesh. He completed his high school from Government Higher Secondery School, Khonsa. Before joining NPP, he was the Chief Organiser Congress Seva Dal in Tirap district from 2002 to 2006. Weeks ago, a NPP worker and Tirongs supporter Jaley Anna was killed by a suspected NSCN (IM) member at a village in Arunachal Pradesh in March. The suspected member of the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) assaulted Jaley Anna and his friend Kham Nai Abhi, both NPP workers, at Kheti village in Tirap district. Anna died on the spot. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. London: Exposure to environmental pollutants can cause alterations in brain development that affect sexual development and fertility for several generations, a study has found. Researchers from the University of Liege in Belgium monitored the sexual development of three generations of rats. Pregnant rats were exposed to a mixture of common endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), at doses equivalent to those commonly experienced by people. Their offspring showed impairments in sexual development and maternal behaviour that were passed on through several generations. The female rats born in the first and second generation showed impairments in their care for their own pups. However, the female rats in the second and third generation exhibited a delayed onset of puberty and altered reproductive cycle and ovarian follicle development, indicating that their fertility was affected, even though they were never themselves exposed to the EDCs. These changes were associated with altered gene expression in their brains that are known to affect how reproductive hormones are regulated. "Our results raise real concerns about the effects of these pollutants in our environment. We found effects of EDCs in generations of animals that had not been directly exposed to the chemicals," said Anne-Simone Parent from the University of Liege. "We exposed the parent generation only and found long-term effects on fertility. Of course, in everyday life this would not happen and exposure to these harmful chemicals would continue, which means even more damage could be done," said Parent. The findings suggest that current levels of EDCs in our environment may already be causing long-lasting harm and that people and agencies should take measures to minimise exposure. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals can interfere with the normal function of our hormones and have previously been associated with infertility and altered sexual development in animals and people, researchers said. We are exposed to hundreds of these pollutants in our daily lives, as they are used in the manufacture of plastics, pesticides and medicines. However, the extent of damage being done to our health and the consequences to future generations remains unclear. Rodent studies have suggested that exposure to EDCs can affect brain development through several generations but the generational effects on sexual development and reproduction have not previously been investigated. "These findings raise questions about the legacy we are leaving future generations," Rodriguez said. New Delhi: Google on Monday said its basic services on Huawei smartphones still will function following US sales curbs, but the Chinese tech giant faces the possible loss of other features Huawei Technologies Ltd., which uses Google's Android operating system in its smartphones, said it would continue to provide security updates and service. It gave no indication which map, photo or other services they might lose and support. "We assure you while we are complying with all US gov't requirements, services like Google Play & security from Google Play Protect will keep functioning on your existing Huawei device," said Google on Twitter. Earlier, Google barred Huawei from some updates to the Android operating system. This came after US President Donald Trumps administration added Huawei to a list of companies that American firms cannot trade with unless they have a licence. "Complying with the order and reviewing the implications, Google said in a statement. Several countries have raised concerns that Huawei gear could be used by China for surveillance. Huawei however has said its work does not pose any threats and that it is independent from the Chinese government. Earlier, Huawei founder had said that Huawei is ready to deal with Washington's crackdown and will reduce its reliance on US components. "We have already been preparing for this," Huawei founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei said. Huawei is a rapidly expanding leader in 5G technology but remains dependent on foreign suppliers. It buys about USD 67 billion worth of components each year, including about USD 11 billion from US suppliers, according to The Nikkei business daily. US government agencies are already banned from buying equipment from Huawei. Huawei claims to have nearly 190,000 employees, operates in 170 countries, and reported revenue of more than USD 100 billion in 2018. Biofourmis, a Boston, MA-based digital therapeutics company, closed $35m in Series B financing. The round was led by Sequoia India, and co-led by MassMutual Ventures, with participation from EDBI and Jianke and existing investors Openspace Ventures, Aviva Ventures and SGInnovate. The company intends to use the funds to advance its proprietary artificial intelligence (AI)-powered digital therapeutics platform and pipeline that treats and manages a range of complex chronic conditions. Led by Kuldeep Singh Rajput, founder and CEO, Biofourmis discovers, develops and delivers personalized care and therapies with Digital Therapeutics for management of patients with complex chronic conditions. The company has built Biovitals, a personalized artificial intelligence (AI)-powered health analytics platform that predicts clinical exacerbation days in advance before a critical event. Biovitals is behind its Digital Therapeutics product pipeline, which spans a number of therapeutic areas and disease states, including heart failure, acute coronary syndrome, COPD and chronic pain. Biofourmis will now expand its commercialization efforts in the United States and Asia and grow its teams focused on data science, clinical and regulatory, and sales and operations. By the end of 2019, the company aims to grow to more than 100 employees in the United States and Singapore. The company also announced it will be expanding its Boston office and moving its headquarters from Singapore to Boston. FinSMEs 22/05/2019 Warsaw: A woman has given birth to Polands first sextuplets with each newborn weighing about one kilogram (2.2 pounds), physicians at the University Hospital in the city of Krakow announced on Monday. This is the first birth of sextuplets in Poland and one of the few in the world, University Hospital Professor Ryzszard Lauterbach was quoted as saying by the Polish PAP news agency. The four girls and two boys, ranging in weight from 890 grammes to 1.3 kilograms, were delivered by caesarean section at the 29th week of pregnancy, he added. Their mother is very involved, smiling and happy, according to the physician who said that the 29-year-old woman already has one two-year-old boy at home. Doctors in the southern city of Krakow said the birth of sextuplets, was an extremely rare event. Polish President Andrzej Duda congratulated the parents and thanked medical staff on Twitter. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to meet provocations by Iran with great force. The president however said that hes also willing to negotiate with the Islamic Republic. He says, If they do something it will be met great force. But he adds, We have no indication that they will. Still, he is not mincing his words, calling Iran hostile and the No. 1 provocateur of terror. Iran-US relations hit a new low last year as US Trump pulled out of a 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed unilateral sanctions that had been lifted in exchange for Tehran scaling back its nuclear program. Earlier, Donald Trump had said if the Islamic republic attacks American interests, it will be destroyed. If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again, Trump said in a tweet. Tensions between US and Iran escalated after the US deployed a carrier group and B-52 bombers to the Gulf over what it termed Iranian threats. Tensions rose dramatically May 5, when Bolton announced that the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group would be rushed from the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf ahead of schedule in response to "a number of troubling and escalatory indications and warnings," without going into details. Since then, four oil tankers, including two belonging to Saudi Arabia, were targeted in an apparent act of sabotage off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, according to officials in the region, and a Saudi pipeline was attacked by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen. The US also ordered non-essential staff out of Iraq and has dispatched additional military assets to the region. However, President Donald Trump had said that he hopes the US is not on a path to war with Iran. Asked if the US was going to war with Iran, the president replied, "I hope not" a day after he repeated a desire for dialogue, tweeting, "I'm sure that Iran will want to talk soon." For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Amid mounting US-Iran tensions, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Monday said the genocidal taunts of US President Donald Trump will not end Iran. Taking to micro-blogging website Twitter, he wrote Iranians have stood tall for millennia while aggressors all gone. Economic terrorism and genocidal taunts wont end Iran. Iran-US relations hit a new low last year as US Trump pulled out of a 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed unilateral sanctions that had been lifted in exchange for Tehran scaling back its nuclear program. Never threaten an Iranian. Try respectit works! he added. In another tweet, Zarif accused Trump of allowing his team to trash diplomacy and abet war crimesby milking despotic butchers via massive arms sales. On Monday, Trump threatened to meet provocations by Iran with great force. The president however said that hes also willing to negotiate with the Islamic Republic. He says, If they do something it will be met great force. But he adds, We have no indication that they will. Still, he is not mincing his words, calling Iran hostile and the No. 1 provocateur of terror. Earlier, Donald Trump had said if the Islamic republic attacks American interests, it will be destroyed. If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again, Trump said in a tweet. Tensions between US and Iran escalated after the US deployed a carrier group and B-52 bombers to the Gulf over what it termed Iranian threats. Tensions rose dramatically May 5, when Bolton announced that the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group would be rushed from the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf ahead of schedule in response to "a number of troubling and escalatory indications and warnings," without going into details. Since then, four oil tankers, including two belonging to Saudi Arabia, were targeted in an apparent act of sabotage off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, according to officials in the region, and a Saudi pipeline was attacked by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Idinvest Partners, an investor in SMEs across Europe, closed the Idinvest SME Industrial Assets Fund (ISIA Fund), at 340m. ISIA is backed by fifteen institutional investors, a third of which are sovereign wealth funds. Close to 35% of the investment comes from outside France, with leading investors including The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF). Launched at the end of 2017, the fund finances the modernization of production tools for European SMEs in the industrial sector (construction, engineering, machinery), consumer goods sector (everyday consumer products, publishing and print), health sector (medical engineering, robotic surgery) and the base materials sector (chemicals and packaging), helping to increase their competitiveness and productivity in both local and international markets. ISIA launched a digital platform dedicated to the directors of industrial SMEs at the end of 2018, providing immediate access to the financing solutions offered by the fund (financing ensured within 4 to 6 weeks). Investment size ranges between 1m and 15m (on average 5m) with an average financing duration of 5 to 7 years. The fund has the ability to finance over fifty operations in target European markets including France, Spain, Benelux, and Germany. To date, it has already supported over fifteen companies and financed nearly fifty pieces of industrial machinery. The funds management team is made up of five investment professionals and is led by Sylvain Makaya, Partner at Idinvest. FinSMEs 21/05/2019 The Supreme Criminal Court of Appeal will announce its final verdict on the Bahraini Hezbollah case on June 30. The Fourth High Criminal Court convicted 91 Bahrainis in the case which has 169 suspects. The Court stripped 138 of their nationalities while awarding others sentences ranging from three years to life imprisonments. The suspects were accused of establishing and joining a terrorist group, as well as instigating a terrorist attack. They were also accused of conducting weapons and explosive training, possessing, obtaining, manufacturing and using explosives and firearms without a license, financing a terrorist group, transferring and receiving funds allocated to a terrorist group, and concealing weapons, ammunition and explosives. Ninety-six suspects were awarded life terms by the court, which also awarded a 10-year jail term to 39 suspects, 7 to 23 suspects and 3 to seven suspects. One of the suspects was given a five-year jail term and acquitted 30 defendants. The court also ordered 96 suspects to pay fines of BD100,000 each and 12 suspects a BD500 fine. One of the suspects was ordered to pay BD231.8 as compensation for damages. Yemens Iran-aligned Al-Houthi militia announced the launch of a bomb-laden drone bound for Najran airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. In the drone attack, the Houthi's Al-Masirah satellite news channel said they targeted the airport in Najran with a Qasef-2K drone. Reports state the arms depot located in the Najran Airport was intended target and the operation resulted in a fire within the vicinity. Earlier the Saudi-led military coalition said a civilian facility in Saudi Arabias province of Najran was targeted with a drone carrying explosives. News agencies revealed that no causalities have been reported. Saudi-led coalition spokesman Col. Turki al-Maliki warned there would be a "strong deterrent" to such attacks and described the Houthis as the "terrorist militias of Iran." The attack on Najran comes as Iran quadrupled its uranium-enrichment production capacity amid tensions with the U.S. over Tehran's atomic program His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa was declared as a World Leader in the field of health by the World Health Organisation (WHO) during its 72nd World Health Assembly meeting held at the UN headquarters in Geneva. The honour also makes HRH Premier the first world leader to be honoured by the World Health Organisation, thanks to his achievements in sustainable development and the health sector in particular. The honour was a tribute to His Royal Highness the Premier for his pioneering role and contributions to promoting the public health sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Minister of Health Faeqa bint Saeed Al Saleh received the shield on behalf of His Royal Highness the Premier from the WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Director-General of WHO, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, announced the honour in the presence of heads of states, governments and ministers of health from the organisations 194 member states. In a speech marking the occasion, delivered by the Minister of Health, His Royal Highness expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to the WHO Director-General for the honour which, he said, Comes from a long-standing organisation with a noble humanitarian task. The Premier added that the honour is a tribute to the numerous achievements in the health sector, which is a cornerstone of the Kingdoms sustainable development plans. This recognition will act as an incentive for all of us in the Kingdom to improve healthcare services and make them more responsive to the growing needs of the population, the Premier said. For her part, the Health Minister described the honour, the first of its kind in the organisations history, as an important recognition of the Kingdom, thanks to HRH the premier for achieving the SDGs in health. His Royal Highness yesterday hailed the vital role Ministry of Interior plays in protecting Bahrains security and upholding the rule of law, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The wide-ranging initiatives and programmes implemented by the MOI strengthens community partnerships and preserve the Kingdoms national identity, said His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. HRH the Crown Prince went on to commemorate the Kingdoms fallen servicemen, emphasising that their selfless sacrifices will always be honoured with great pride. The Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister was holding an Iftar banquet for senior officers and officials from the Ministry of Interior (MOI) at the Public Security Officers Club. Upon arrival, HRH the Crown Prince was received by the Minister of Interior, General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa. Prince Salman extended his best wishes to the Minister of Interior and senior MOI officers on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadhan. On behalf of the MOI, the Minister of Interior expressed his gratitude for HRH the Crown Princes support to the Kingdoms security, and for recognising the MOIs honourable role in protecting the Kingdom and its citizens. HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa also attended the Iftar banquet. Bahrain yesterday strongly condemned the firing of two ballistic missiles by the coup militias in Yemen towards Mecca and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. The Foreign Ministry statement termed the act as a grave violation of all religious, human and moral freedoms, as it also disrupts the sanctity of holy sites. The ministry commended the Saudi Air Defence Forces for their vigilance in intercepting the two ballistic missiles. Reiterating Bahrains unwavering support to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain called on all Islamic countries and the international community to unite to eradicate these criminal acts. The missiles were intercepted over Taif, one headed for Mecca and another towards Jeddah. The fragments of the missile landed in Wadi Jalil, which extends to Mecca. The Yemeni government said that it strongly condemns the Houthi attempt to target Mecca, adding that the attack on the holy site is a full-fledged terrorist act. The Iran-linked Houthi militias have targeted Saudi border towns and Riyadh with ballistic missiles and also claimed drone attacks on the airports of Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the past. This process, Ministry of Works, Municipal Affairs and Urban Planning said, ensures a constant supply of vegetable and fruits in the Kingdoms market. The Ministry further said it examined close to 8000 agricultural consignments at the Kingdoms shipping ports in the first four months of this year. Of the 7960 agricultural consignments, 6790 were for fruits and vegetables. All of the consignments were inspected and found to be safe. Concerned department at the Ministry issued 1354 licenses including 415 for importing vegetables and fruits and 939 for importing plants. 35,000 agricultural consignments were received at Bahrains ports last year, which included 330 thousand tons of vegetables and fruits. The department has thoroughly inspected agricultural products entering the Kingdom via King Fahad Causeway, Bahrain International airport and more, a Ministry representative said. Every step is taken to ensure that the agricultural products are safe and hygienic at the same time speed up procedures so businesses do not lose time. A Yemeni woman convicted of beating her 9-year-old stepdaughter to death lost her final appeal yesterday at the Court of Cassation, confirmed Public Prosecution. Family and Child Prosecution Chief Prosecutor, Ibrahim Al Binjassim, said the court confirmed the seven-year prison term awarded to the woman by the Fourth High Criminal Court on 11 April 2018. The seven-year jail term is the maximum punishment that could be given in situations like this. Its worth noting that the High Criminal Court also called upon the Bahraini legislative body to increase the punishment for such horrendous acts. Identified as Zahra Al Hasisi, the victim died at the King Hamad University Hospital on 30 July 2016. Internal haemorrhage caused by brutal physical assault was cited as the reason. The fourth grader also had injuries from years of abuse, including burns on her back and neck. The medical examiner who carried out Zahras autopsy told the court that the kid suffered brutal violence for years. Zahra lived with her father, stepmother, three siblings and two step-siblings at an apartment in Hidd since 2013 after the father was granted her custody by a Yemeni court. The girls father, a Bahraini of Yemeni origin, was also tried for the same charge but was acquitted for lacking evidence. Impossible Objects, a Northbrook, Illinois-based 3D printer and materials company, raised $4.1m in funding. The round, which brought total funding to more than $13m, was led by returning investor OCA Ventures. The company, which had raised $6.4m in Series A funding in October 2017 from OCA Ventures, IDEA Fund Partners, Mason Avenue Investments, Huizenga Capital Management, and Inflection Equity Partners, intends to use the funds to continue to expand operations and its business reach. Led by Founder and Chairman Bob Swartz, Impossible Objects is a 3D printer and materials company pioneering advancements in the additive manufacturing and composites manufacturing industries. Its proprietary composite-based additive manufacturing (CBAM) technology combines high-performance polymers like Nylon and PEEK with long-fiber carbon and fiberglass sheets to deliver complex parts at production speeds and volumes. The company also announced that through a collaboration with BASF, its Model One and CBAM-2 printers, will support BASFs Ultrasint PA6 (polyamide 6) powder, allowing customers to 3D print high-performance carbon fiber-PA6 composite parts. FinSMEs 21/05/2019 Investment and trade between India and Bahrain have sky-rocketed in the past few years, a top Indian embassy official has said. According to the outgoing Second Secretary (Commerce) Om Prakash, the bilateral trade between Bahrain and India is estimated to have jumped 40 per cent in about a year. Om Prakash has been reassigned by the Indian government to the Embassy Cairo, Egypt and is set to leave Bahrain today. On the substantial jump witnessed in Bahrain-India bilateral trade, Om Prakash said, Such dramatic increases are also evident in bilateral investments, which are encouraging. Thanks to constant support from all sides, Trade between India and Bahrain is increasing constantly and substantially, Om Prakash told Tribune. In the period from April 2018 to February 2019, the increase in bilateral trade between India and Bahrain was 40pc. The increase, according to Om Prakash, in the year-ago period was 35pc. The year before that had also recorded a significant increase, he said adding: The current increase was mainly due to an increase in the trade of engineering items. Four years ago this was not the case, Om Prakash said. Such items were not traded much. Since March 2015, the flow of investment from Bahrain to India has more than tripled, while that from India to Bahrain has zoomed to around 1.7 billion US dollars. As per the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, India is one of the top investors in Bahrain, he said adding: Indians comprise of the largest number of foreign investors in the country. The outgoing Second Secretary also pointed out that in recent years participation in business meets by both sides has improved substantially. When asked about his experience in Bahrain, Om Prakash said, During my four years of tenure here, I have had the privileged to enjoy immense support from the embassy, the Bahraini government, and individuals as well. I would like to thank Ambassador Alok Kumar Sinha for his sincere efforts. All credit for the improvements goes to him. He has made sure to give his full support to every single person at the embassy as well as to the public, Om Prakash said. The Court of Cassation yesterday upheld a capital conviction issued for a cop-killer. The Court dismissed the mans appeal, which was also his second and final allowed against the verdict, as he exhausted another previously. The High Court of Appeals rejected his first appeal. The man was found guilty of killing an on-duty policeman in Diraz on 18 June 2017 using an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). The accused was among a group of four who targeted a police patrol vehicle stationed at the entrance of the village. Policeman, Abdulsamad Abdulla, was killed in the explosion, which also left two others with life-threatening injuries. Three partners of the death row convict were sentenced to life-in-prison by the High Criminal Court. Suspects were fined BD1,000 each. The Court also ordered them to pay BD2,301 for damaging police vehicle. The Court also stripped their Bahraini citizenships. The suspects were nabbed a month after the blast. Investigators found that the accused were functioning under the direction of the wanted individual currently a refuge in Iran. The masterminds in Iran were also convicted of several terror-related crimes in the Kingdom. Ottawa plans to proceed full steam ahead on ratification of a free trade agreement with the US and Mexico, Canadas foreign affairs minister said Saturday, after the neighbors scrapped reciprocal tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. Canada had been very clear that as long as the tariffs were in place it would be very hard for us to move forward with ratification, Chrystia Freeland told CBC News. On Friday, US President Donald Trump announced the lifting of tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico. Ottawa and Mexico City also announced the elimination of reciprocal duties. The steep US tariffs imposed last year -- 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum -- became a major stumbling block to ratifying a new North American trade pact negotiated last year by the three countries. With the removal of the obstacle, our government now intends to move forward with the ratification, of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, Freeland said, describing the process as progressing full steam ahead. However, she did not specify when the deal would be presented to Parliament, which remains in session only until June. Freeland acknowledged that despite the lifting of the aluminum and steel tariffs, it would be naive to think US protectionism is no longer a threat. Eternal vigilance is required, she said. Meanwhile, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Saturday the US move to withdraw tariffs was a triumph for Mexico. It was a triumph for the Mexican government negotiators, a triumph of diplomacy. We even gave a bit of little help to the government of Canada. Not to brag, Lopez Obrador told reporters in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas. He stressed that his administration is working toward free trade, not a trade war. The Holy Month of Ramadan is at our doorsteps and millions of people around the world are getting ready to welcome the month with the acts of service, charity and prayers. As in previous years, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, one among the largest jewellery retailer with 250 stores globally strengthens its CSR activities in the GCC and Far East region this Ramadan. Malabar Gold & Diamonds has planned month-long CSR activities in association with like-minded organizations to benefit the needy. Over 81,000 special Iftar meals/ kits will be distributed during this period. In Bahrain, the group is planning to provide over 5,250 Iftar meals to the workers at different labour camps located all over Bahrain like Askar, Akker, Jau, Arad, Hidd etc. Like in previous years, they will be associating with Discovery Islam, Royal charity organization, Al Hedaya Centre and Friendship Society for Blinds, UCO Parents Care to carry out such activities during Ramadan. In UAE, over 45,000 If t a r meals/ kits will be provided to the residents in association with various like-minded organisations like Sharjah Charity International, Community Development Authority, Dubai Municipality, Sharjah Awqaf, Red Crescent, KMCC, MSS, various labour camps and masjids throughout this Ramadan. 21,000 Iftar meals will be provided at Sajaa Industrial area, Sharjah throughout Ramadan in an air-conditioned tent which is set up with the support of Sharjah Charity International. Company will also distribute Iftar meals across the various labour camps & nearby masjids in UAE. In Oman, the group provides over 16,000 Iftar meals all over Oman through out the holy month of Ramadan. An air-conditioned tent which is set up at Ruwi where more than 15,000 beneficiaries will be benefitted. In Kuwait, the group will provide Iftar meals to over 3,000 labourers in different parts of various governorates and the desert areas. In Qatar, Malabar Gold & Diamonds has planned to provide over 10,000 Iftar meals for the labourers across Qatar, onemonth long CSR activities are planned in association with 98.6 FM Malayalam Radio station and Qatar Sparsam organisation to benefit the needy. In KSA, the group has planned to provide Iftar meals in Haram area of Madina Al Munawarah in association with KMCC and Iftar kits will be provided in Makkah Al Mukarramah as well. In Malaysia, the group provides 800 special Ramadan Kit to the underprivileged people which includes the grocery which will be enough for a family of 3 persons to break the fast for 10 days during Ramadan. The Company also provides 1,000 Iftar meals which will be distributed in & around of various masjids. Was it an invitation to cocktails or the start of a farright conspiracy? In Europe, these days, it can be hard to tell. But this week Austrian media are reporting that the links between Martin Sellner and Brenton Tarrant were rather more extensive. Sellner is the clean-cut leader of the Austrian Identitarian Movement; Tarrant is the man charged with shooting up two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. The two exchanged emails in 2018 after Tarrant made a donation to the Identitarians; Sellner sent Tarrant a link to his YouTube page and invited him for a beer in Vienna. Tarrant booked a hotel in Vienna, though we dont know if he got there. Why does it matter? Because Sellner represents a curious phenomenon in European politics: the far-right middleman. Unlike the neo-Nazis of old, the Identitarians dont wear jackboots, dont shave their heads, dont lurk in the shadows. They have slick websites, professional videos and formal organizations in several European countries, including Britain, France and Germany, as well as Austria. They attract attention with happenings interrupting a play performed by refugees and pouring fake blood on the stage rather than just marching and shouting. They claim they arent racists, that they respect all cultures and insist that they just want to preserve their own. Quietly, they maintain links with extremists like Tarrant while also socializing with the now-mainstream politicians of the far-right Austrian Freedom Party, which is a part of the current Austrian ruling coalition. And, in practice, they are steadily pushing racist, conspiratorial thinking from the fringes of the Internet into the political mainstream and not just in Austria. Of course they deny that this is what they are doing. In a video he made in English the Identitarians are keen to be in touch with their white-supremacist American counterparts Sellner describes himself as a patriot, shows off the lovely Austrian countryside, and talks about free speech and cultural identity. Everyone else denies that this is what they are doing, too: Heinz-Christian Strache, the Freedom Party leader and vice chancellor of Austria, sued to stop the circulation of a photo of himself having dinner with several Identitarians. The suit failed; but Strache has just been taped musing, among other things, about how he might take control of the Austrian press, so perhaps hell find a way. Nevertheless, the movements ideas have crept into the Freedom Partys official language. Pay attention when you hear the phrase Great Replacement, which Strache has used in Facebook posts: This is a secret plot, believed to be orchestrated by Jews, to replace white Europeans with Muslims, and it is the central Identitarian myth. Also pay attention when you hear talk of defending Europe from invasion, and of the need for remigration (or, less politely, ethnic cleansing). These are Identitarian ideas, too, and they are spreading quickly. The Institute for Strategic Dialogue in London has tracked online references to the Great Replacement and discovered some 1.5 million on Twitter alone. The institute has also tracked the term remigration, which began spreading in Germany following meetings between the Identitarians and the Alternative for Germany (AfD), the far-right party that is now the third-largest group in the German parliament. Not all of this is new: Jacob Davey, the author of a forthcoming Institute for Strategic Dialogue paper on this subject, told me that fears of white genocide date back decades. But new communications technologies, plus the new international coordination of the far right, plus current politics the migration crisis and jihadist terrorist wave have created a perfect storm. Davey calls it a linking tool that taps into different debates all over the world. It also radicalizes. The Great Replacement conspiracy theory provides a path from mainstream conversations about the impact of migration and the compatibility of Islam and democracy to calls for mass remigration to the legitimization of murder. Most people wont be radicalized all the way, but a few will. To its more unbalanced adherents, fears of a Great Replacement create a sense of urgency, of an existential crisis that requires violent action. Im explaining all of this because its also the hidden background to a number of recent news stories. The manifesto published by Tarrant referred explicitly to migrant invasions. The synagogue shooting suspect in Poway, Calif., said he believed that global Jewish elites were secretly plotting to change the ethnic composition of the United States. The Pittsburgh synagogue shooting suspect also said Jewish organizations were bringing in hostile invaders. The obsession with the Jewish financier George Soros, a feature of far-right propaganda everywhere from Hungary to Alabama, is linked to this set of ideas. And when President Trump or Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini talk about immigrant invasions, they are nodding and winking to Identitarianism, too. All of this presents a dilemma for Austrian police and, indeed, American police. Sellner is not a terrorist. But does his movement inspire terrorism? Clearly he is entitled to freedom of speech. But is that speech shaping the political debate in ways that could lead to violence? He has been banned from entering the United States and is under investigation in Austria. But the questions he poses arent strictly legal; they are moral, political or, perhaps, digital. And, as of yet, we dont have answers to them. GREENWICH Cabot the great white shark who earned many fans and followers in Greenwich and beyond has moved out of Long Island Sound. OCEARCH, a maritime research and educational organization that has been tracking Cabot, said the latest track for the nearly 10-foot shark was off the southern coast of Long Island. That would mean the great white, whose tracking device sent out a ping off the coast of Greenwich on Monday morning, has moved out of the Sound and into the Atlantic Ocean. Great whites can move fast, able to travel 100 to 150 miles per day. Its likely that the shark followed food sources seals or fish into the Sound, marine scientists said. The big fish was tagged with a tracking device off Nova Scotia last year, and it has been previously traced to the waters off Florida and Maryland in recent months. OCEARCH named the shark Cabot, after explorer John Cabot. The Greenwich Police Department weighed in on the brief appearance of the shark off the towns shoreline and issued a statement that it was not a risk to the public. This is a good time for Long Island Sound and the communities that line it. We are fortunate to live and work along its shorelines. Cabot reminds us that nature is all around us and we should take a moment to stop and enjoy what it has to offer, the departmental statement said. Cabot does not pose a significant risk to people on the Sound. Shark attacks on people, while sensational when they happen, are very rare. Like any other wild animal if you see Cabot watch and enjoy this magnificent creature from a distance. The curator of a shark exhibit at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, Kate Dzikiewicz, called the appearance of the 533-pound subadult shark an exciting occasion. I thought it was pretty amazing, but in some senses, not that surprising. Weve always suspected that great white sharks occasionally visit Long Island Sound, so this was something of a confirmation, she said Tuesday. While many are afraid sharks, Dzikiewicz noted, people should be aware that Long Island Sound is completely safe to swim in. She agreed that the visit by Cabot was a positive sign that the waters of the Sound are sustaining a wide variety of sea life. Its a great sign for the health of our water, she said. The global population of great white sharks have been in overall decline for decades. Around the United States, they are starting to experience a comeback. But they are vulnerable, it is important we protect these animals, said Dzikiewicz. It may be another few years before we see another great white visiting like Cabot did, she added. More Information How many reported shark attacks have there been in The Sound? Only three, according to a data base of sharkattackdata.com None of the attacks were fatal. All of them occurred in August. Aug. 24, 1960. Clyde Trudeau, 38, was free diving off Seaside Park in Bridgeport at around 1:30 p.m. Trudeau received a superficial laceration of the left arm. Aug. 26, 1933. Helen Clark was swimming in the Mystic River in Mystic when her foot was bitten by a shark. Aug. 9, 1890: Raymond Odell was treading for clams in Bridgeport when he was bitten by a shark. He received a severe lacerations to left arm. How many shark attacks have there been in U.S. waters between 1900 and 2017? 1,513, according to sharkattackdata.com How many people were killed by starts in U.S. Waters between 1900 and 2017? 144. How many people have been bitten -or killed - by sharks in waters of neighboring states? New York: 13 attacks, three deaths. All fatal attacks happened when people were swimming. New Jersey: 20 attacks, five deaths. Four deaths were in the summer of 1916 in Matawan Creek, 10 miles from the sea in Monmouth County. All five happened when people were swimming. Massachusetts: Four attacks, three deaths. Two fatal happened while people were fishing, one while swimming. Rhode Island: Three attacks, two deaths. The two deaths happened when people were swimming. See More Collapse OCEARCH, the research organization that tracks the sharks, places GPS transmitters on their dorsal fins. They only ping a monitoring satellite when they are close to the surface, however, so the sharks typically disappear from the trackers for months at a time. Dave Sigworth, a spokesman for the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, said its unusual to spot a great white in the Sound. The local waters are home to four native species of sharks: sand tigers, brown sharks (also known as sandbar sharks) and two species of dogfish. But great whites are fairly common in Block Island Sound, Sigworth said. Its all about food theyll eat other types of fish, and seals, he said. Whos to say one wouldnt stick his toe in Long Island Sound once in a while? Only three shark attacks have been reported in the Sound from 1890 to 2016, according to a database of sharkattackdata.com: *Aug. 24, 1960. Clyde Trudeau, 38, was free diving off Seaside Park in Bridgeport when he suffered a superficial laceration of the left arm by a shark bit. *Aug. 26, 1933. Helen Clark was swimming in the Mystic River in Mystic when her foot was bitten by a shark. *Aug. 9, 1890: Raymond Odell was treading for clams in Bridgeport when he was bitten by a shark and received a severe lacerations to his left arm. But Greenwich Harbor Master Ian Macmillan said the public shouldnt be alarmed, though kite-surfers around Tods Point might want to exercise some extra vigilance. Not a problem, Macmillan said. I think its probably well-fed. As an educator with a background in paleontology, Dzikiewicz said it was always inspiring to have sea creatures and the ocean environment get attention and exposure. The most important thing is people are excited by sharks, and not terrified, said the curator of the shark exhibit, running through Sept. 1. rmarchant@greenwichtime.com DANBURY City school officials are determined to make sure a young student doesnt walk out of school early, unattended and unnoticed ever again. District and school administrators reviewed safety procedures after receiving a complaint from the mother of a South Street School kindergartener two weeks ago. The mother, Allison Solis, said her sons grandmother spotted the 5-year-old riding his bike as she walked to South Street School to pick him up around 3 p.m. May 9. Dismissal time at the school is 3:30 p.m. Superintendent Sal Pascarella said the school had wonderful procedure structures but attention needed to be paid to certain aspects. Even though [the school] had a structure that was set to work, there were some holes in it that we had to shore up, he said. We reviewed those procedures and reinforced them. The districts strengthened procedures will be sent to all K-5 staff in the district so they can review them and look at the nuances that caused the situation over at South Street with the youngster being able to leave campus, Pascarella said. According to a newsletter sent to district residents, a new security system called Raptor was implemented at the school beginning Monday. Under the system, all visitors must present proper identification to a security guard at the front desk. The guard will print a visitor badge for every guest that is to be worn at all times, and guests must check in upon arrival and check out before leaving the school. Its very hard to explain all the nuances, but there are walkers, riders and pick-ups and the youngsters are assigned to rooms [for dismissal], Pascarella said. When students go from one room to the other there needs to be closer supervision that when a youngster goes to the room theyre supposed to go to, someone sees that they actually got into the room. Administrators told Solis that two school staff meetings about the importance of complying with security policy and being stationed accordingly had taken place since the incident, Solis said. In the case of Soliss son, Pascarella said, the boy went unaccounted for. When asked where he was, one of the other youngsters said he went to the office. Well, he didnt go to the office, Pascarella said. He was so excited to get on his new bike, apparently, that he went out to his bike. Solis said her son is usually driven to and from school, but that day he rode his bike to school, accompanied by an adult. There needed to be better eyes on the accountability piece checking why the youngster wasnt in the room, following up and making sure he got to [where he was supposed to be], Pascarella said. It shouldnt have happened. Solis said South Street School Principal Carmen Vargas-Guevara indicated that staff and the safety adviser will now be stationed properly with ample time during arrival and dismissal time. Solis said Vargas-Guevara also told her that a robocall would be sent out to remind families of the dismissal plan, along with a newsletter about the drop-off and pick-up procedures. After receiving the most recent newsletter, Solis said it made her feel as if her uproar was not in vain. Knowing that a security guard will be at the entrance of my sons school definitely takes a lot of the anxiety off of my shoulders, she said. With the many tragic school events occurring, this new security system is a step in the right direction to providing our kids the protection and safety that they deserve, Solis said. TORONTO, May 21, 2019 /CNW/ - Trulieve Cannabis Corp. ("Trulieve" or the "Company") (CSE: TRUL), a Florida-based national cannabis company, will release its first quarter 2019 financial results on Wednesday, May 29, 2019, before market open. Management will host a conference call on Wednesday, May 29, 2019, at 10:00 AM Eastern Time to review the financial results. All interested parties can join the conference call by dialing 1-888-231-8191 or 1-647-427-7450, conference ID: 9573588. Please dial in 15 minutes prior to the call to secure a line. The conference call will be archived for replay until June 5, 2019. To access the archived conference call, please dial 1-855-859-2056 and enter the encore code 9573588. A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available at: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/2006114/A46EB83FB805D4482BA9348BBD10A0E9 Please connect at least 15 minutes prior to the conference call to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be required to join the webcast. An archived replay of the webcast will be available for 90 days by clicking the link above. About Trulieve Trulieve Cannabis Corp. is a vertically integrated "seed to sale" company and is the first and largest fully licensed cannabis company in the State of Florida. Trulieve cultivates and produces all of its products in-house and distributes those products to Trulieve-branded stores (dispensaries) throughout the State of Florida, as well as directly to patients via home delivery. Trulieve also operates in California and Massachusetts. Trulieve is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol TRUL. To learn more about Trulieve, visit www.trulieve.com. SOURCE Trulieve Cannabis Corp. For further information: Lynn Ricci, Director of Investor Relations, 1-850-270-5691, [email protected] Chinas Navy now outnumbers the US Navy by 300 ships to 287 ship. The US ships are still much larger and more powerful and about 100 of Chinas ships are coastal frigates and corvettes. The frigates and corvettes are really a stronger Coast Guard. China needs a stronger coast guard because of the many ships of Japan, India, and Russia. The US has 105 aircraft carriers or Destroyers versus 39 for China. The US has 20 large and small aircraft carrier ships versus two for China. China matches the US in the number of submarines at nearly 80, but about two-thirds are diesel submarines. China now has mostly converted to modern ships and submarines. Chinas main naval advantages are * they make 36% of the worlds commercial ships. Number two is South Korea at 34% and Japan at 20% * China is building about ten more naval ships per year than the USA. * China is building more big ships including aircraft carriers Commercial Shipping and Commercial Nuclear Dominance by 2030 A significant potential game-changer would be if China furthered developed the ability to mass produce quality commercial ships and combined it with mass-production of small modular nuclear reactors. Small modular reactors would enhance island military bases security by reducing supply chain vulnerability and enable a rapid enhancement of submarines and ships to full nuclear or hybrid nuclear capability. The US military has a long-term vulnerability if there is a very weak commercial US shipping industry and a very weak commercial US nuclear industry. Container throughput in China will reach 505 million TEUs by 2030. They will make three super container hub ports will be formed in Shanghai, Qingdao and Hong Kong, and Chinese firms will become global container terminal operators. In 5-8 years, China should have the largest commercial shipping fleet. They should pass Japan for number two in world shipping in 2021. World Navies Now China is vastly inferior to the US ability to project military power around the world. However, China does have fortified islands and a lot of anti-ships missiles. This means that China can be very competitive in any regional conflict scenario around the South China Sea or Taiwan. The US would still win clearly win any conflict now or even twenty years from now but the cost of victory and the time it would take would be big and escalate to huge. Chinas Navy is getting to a clear number two position. Which is significant to exceed the British (75 hulls), Russian (87 hulls) or Japanese (44 hulls) Navies. Expected Ships for Chinas Navy by 2030 By 2030, Chinas Navy will have over 530 ships while the US might have 300-330 ships. The US will increase ships only if they lengthen the lives of older ships and get some additional budget for new shipbuilding and for more naval personnel. China will build three 4000 ton frigate class ship each year. They will have 24 054Bs launched and up to 20 commissioned by 2030. By 2030, China will have around forty 7,000 ton destroyers (052C/D/E) in service and about twenty 12,000 ton destroyers (055/A). Additional destroyers will likely be commissioned and bought after 2030. By 2030, China could have 30-40 new nuclear submarines. They could be launching for three to four per year. China might then have over 100 submarines in the fleet and half could be nuclear. China should have five to six carriers in service by 2030 and two to three could have size, airplane capacity and electromagnetic launch systems to compete with 11 top notch US aircraft carriers. China will have beefed up amphibious assault fleet. They could have twelve LPDs (Landing Platform docks) and five to six LHDs (landing helicopter docks) by 2030. This would be significant if they wanted to land troops on Taiwan. SOURCES the Diplomat, China Power CSIS Written By Brian Wang, Nextbigfuture.com Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have created the largest simulation to date of an entire gene of DNA, a feat that required one billion atoms to model and will help researchers to better understand and develop cures for diseases like cancer. It is important to understand DNA at this level of detail because we want to understand precisely how genes turn on and off, said Karissa Sanbonmatsu, a structural biologist at Los Alamos. Knowing how this happens could unlock the secrets to how many diseases occur. Modeling genes at the atomistic level is the first step toward creating a complete explanation of how DNA expands and contracts, which controls genetic on/off switching. Sanbonmatsu and her team ran the breakthrough simulation on Los Alamos Trinity supercomputer, the sixth fastest in the world. The capabilities of Trinity primarily support the National Nuclear Security Administration stockpile stewardship program, which ensures safety, security, and effectiveness of the nations nuclear stockpile. DNA is the blueprint for all living things and holds the genes that encode the structures and activity in the human body. There is enough DNA in the human body to wrap around the earth 2.5 million times, which means it is compacted in a very precise and organized way. The long, string-like DNA molecule is wound up in a network of tiny, molecular spools. The ways that these spools wind and unwind turn genes on and off. Research into this spool network is known as epigenetics, a new, growing field of science that studies how bodies develop inside the womb and how diseases form. When DNA is more compacted, genes are turned off and when the DNA expands, genes are turned on. Researchers do not yet understand how or why this happens. While atomistic model is key to solving the mystery, simulating DNA at this level is no easy task and requires massive computing power. Right now, we were able to model an entire gene with the help of the Trinity supercomputer at Los Alamos, said Anna Lappala, a polymer physicist at Los Alamos. In the future, well be able to make use of exascale supercomputers, which will give us a chance to model the full genome. Exascale computers are the next generation of supercomputers and will run calculations many times faster than current machines. With that kind of computing power, researchers will be able to model the entire human genome, providing even more insight into how genes turn on and off. Science Advances Scaling molecular dynamics beyond 100,000 processor cores for largescale biophysical simulations The growing interest in the complexity of biological interactions is continuously driving the need to increase system size in biophysical simulations, requiring not only powerful and advanced hardware but adaptable software that can accommodate a large number of atoms interacting through complex forcefields. To address this, we developed and implemented strategies in the GENESIS molecular dynamics package designed for large numbers of processors. Longrange electrostatic interactions were parallelized by minimizing the number of processes involved in communication. A novel algorithm was implemented for nonbonded interactions to increase single instruction multiple data (SIMD) performance, reducing memory usage for ultra large systems. Memory usage for neighbor searches in realspace nonbonded interactions was reduced by approximately 80%, leading to significant speedup. Using experimental data describing physical 3D chromatin interactions, we constructed the first atomistic model of an entire gene locus (GATA4). Taken together, these developments enabled the first billionatom simulation of an intact biomolecular complex, achieving scaling to 65,000 processes (130,000 processor cores) with 1 ns/day performance. SOURCES Los Alamos, Science Advances Written By Brian Wang, Nextbigfuture.com GREENWICH A great white shark tracked by a marine science organization turned up in the waters off Greenwich on Monday. OCEARCH, a research and educational organization, tagged the 9-foot male shark off Nova Scotia last year with a digital monitor and named it Cabot. Since then, the sharks travels through the ocean have been monitored by OCEARCH and then posted on social media. It appears he has been enjoying the refreshing waters of Long Island Sound off Greenwich, with a ping marked just off shore. Hello Greenwich how are you today?! the sharks monitors posted via Twitter. OCEARCH has tagged hundreds of sea animals, including sharks, whales and turtles. It calls itself a data-centric organization built to help scientists collect previously unattainable data in the ocean. As word spread throughout the day of the shark, the OCEARCH website became overloaded. Oops...looks like my little stunt visiting the Long Island Sound overloaded the @OCEARCH tracker!!! My bad. The Tracker is running kinda slow since you many of you logged on to check out where Im at. said a Tweet from @GWSharkCabot in the late afternoon. Cabot, named after the explorer John Cabot, has been found off Florida and Maryland in recent months. Associated Press The Bruce Museum got into the fun, too. They tweeted, Cabot welcome to Greenwich. You must come to our Sharks! exhibition and compare your jaws and teeth with some of the 20 different species we have on view till September 1. Dave Sigworth, a spokesman for the Maritime Aquarium at Noralk, said it would be unusual for a great white to be found in the Sound. The staff at the aquarium is interested in following Cabots movements and getting more data on the apparent discovery, Sigworth said. It appeared that OCEARCH had noted the presence of a great white in the Sound a few years ago a shark named Montauk was supposedly found near Guilford in September 2016, Sigworth said. The great white shark doesnt appear to pose a risk to the public, Sigworth said. I wouldnt worry about it, if people want to swim in Long Island Sound. The local waters are home to four native species of sharks: sand tigers, brown sharks (also known as sandbar sharks) and two species of dogfish. Great whites are fairly common in Block Island Sound, Sigworth said. Its all about food theyll eat other types of fish, and seals, Sigworth said, Whos to say one wouldnt stick his toe in Long Island Sound once in a while? It was important to leave the big fish in peace. The last thing we want is for everybody to jump in a boat to try and find him. Leave him alone, Sigworth said. The last time a person was attacked by a shark in the Sound was in 1961, according to Sigworth, on the north shore of Long Island. Greenwich Harbor Master Ian Macmillan said the public shouldnt be alarmed, though kite-surfers around Tods Point might want to exercise some extra vigilance. Not a problem, Macmillan said. I think its probably well fed. Barcroft Media / Barcroft Media via Getty Images Water quality in the Sound has been improving in recent years, he said, and seeing new kinds of aquatic life in the region was a good thing. Diversification is a positive, he said. The data on sharks and other forms of sea life being collected by OCEARCH was valuable, said Sigworth, the aquarium spokesman. What theyre learning about sharks in commendable and its fun to watch, he said. The Bruce Museum got into the fun, too. They tweeted, Cabot welcome to Greenwich. You must come to our Sharks! exhibition and compare your jaws and teeth with some of the 20 different species we have on view till September 1. The attention to Cabots travels in the Sound was so intense that OCEARCHs tracking software on social media was put out of commission Monday afternoon. (CNN) Britain's Prince Charles has agreed to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump during his controversial state visit to the UK next month, CNN has learned, in a move that sets up the prospect of a diplomatically awkward exchange over climate change. Trump and Charles, heir to the UK throne, are expected to meet for afternoon tea at Clarence House, the official residence of the Prince and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. While a state visit guarantees an audience with Queen Elizabeth II, visiting leaders don't automatically get a one-on-one with Charles. The Prince's office declined to comment publicly on the meeting, or the agenda. But given Charles' passionate and lifelong environmentalism, and Trump's well-known climate-change skepticism, it seems inconceivable that the issue would not be discussed. Charles warned against "potentially catastrophic global warming" in a speech during a tour of the Caribbean in March. "We demand the world's decision-makers take responsibility and solve this crisis," he said. The Trump administration, by contrast, has been accused of deprioritizing the issue, withdrawing from the Paris climate accords in 2017. The most likely date for the Trump-Charles encounter is June 3, the first day of the U.S. President's visit. According to tradition, a state banquet, hosted by Queen Elizabeth, will take place on the first evening. It's unclear whether the meeting came at the behest of Downing Street, which steers the itinerary of state visits in consultation with the Palace, the Prince's office, or the White House. Downing Street declined to comment, saying it was a matter for the Palace. CNN has sought comment from the White House. A political prince In the past, Charles has come under fire for testing the boundaries of the custom that senior British royals stay out of politics. He has often written to government ministers on subjects close to his heart like the environment and modern architecture. But in a recent BBC documentary celebrating his 70th birthday, the Prince promised not to meddle in matters of public debate once he takes on the role of the monarch. Trump's meeting with Charles will be the first since being elected. They previously met during a 2005 tour of the U.S. by Charles and Camilla. British Prime Minister Theresa May first invited Trump for a full state visit shortly after he took office in 2016. The invitation prompted 1.8 million to sign a petition in protest. Trump's first trip to the UK as president, in July 2018, was subsequently styled as a working visit. It nevertheless prompted huge protests in central London, including a 20-foot "Trump baby" blimp that flew over the UK Parliament all with the blessing of London's Mayor Sadiq Khan. The two men have verbally sparred frequently and last week Khan said he didn't see a reason to roll out the red carpet. But Khan doesn't get much of a say in the protocols of a presidential visit, and this time around Trump will enjoy the full trappings of a state occasion. This story was first published on CNN.com "Prince Charles agrees to meet Trump during controversial state visit" Peter Casolino NEW HAVEN One person was pulled out of the water at Lighthouse Point Park late Tuesday afternoon, according to fire officials. The incident, reported shortly after 4:30 p.m., sent New Haven and East Haven fire crews to the scene as well as the U.S. Coast Guard. The call came in as a person in the water. NEW HAVEN - Police are investigating a shooting in the Hill neighborhood that injured a 21-year-old man Monday evening. Officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert indicating gunfire may have occurred in the area of Congress Avenue and Redfield Street in the Hill neighborhood at around 7:14 p.m., Capt. Anthony Duff said. A short time later a 21-year-old male walked into the emergency department at Yale New Haven Hospital at 20 York St. with a gunshot wound to the arm, Duff said. His injury was not life-threatening, police said. Detectives responded to the hospital and a crime scene on Congress Avenue, Duff said. Anyone with information is asked to call the New Haven Police Department Detective Bureau at (203)946-6304. MIDDLETOWN The stately, 30,000-square-foot masonry colonial revival Shepherd Home on the campus of Connecticut Valley Hospital enjoyed its grand opening Tuesday, under brilliant blue skies. The circa 1925 facility, at 112 Bow Lane, now owned by Columbus House of New Haven, was meticulously restored and renovated to its original glory over a period of six years as part of a $8.5 million project. The building will house 32 veterans who are homeless, or at risk of being so, placing them in permanent housing with supportive services. Inside are studio and one-bedroom apartments, as well as common areas and a new community room. Sixteen formerly homeless vets already call the site home and full occupancy is expected by months end. The ceremony was an especially poignant one for Columbus House CEO Alison Cunningham, whose father, a WWII veteran who died in 1997, was a prisoner of war in Germany. Its not an easy thing to talk about, and my dad didnt talk about it very much if at all, she said. But I know how much pain it caused him. I could see it in his eyes, I could feel it in the tears that he shed instead of talking about it. I know how proud he would be, Cunningham told those gathered on the lawn for the ceremony, her voice catching with emotion. The facility, which originally housed nursing students, has a long history. It was named for Annie Shepherd, the third superintendent in charge of the home. In 1989, Mercy Housing and Shelter Corp. opened a 70-bed transitional housing program for the citys homeless there. It ran through 2014. Once officials learned of its impending closure in 2013, a task force was convened to find a solution, said state Sen. Matt Lesser, D-Middletown. We worked with an alphabet soup of state agencies, he said, marveling at support the project enjoyed. We decided veterans homelessness was a stain on our community and our values and that we were all in this together. There were so many people who had a hand in it. That is the genius of this state, this city, this community. We all stood up, worked together to turn what could have been a very sad incident into a moment of pride, Lesser said. The city commissioned the Coalition on Housing and Homelessness to identify possibilities for the buildings use. A committee was formed in 2015, led by Middletown general counsel Brig Smith. In April 2016, Columbus House and Northeast Collaborative Architects, Enterprise Builders, DiMarco Management, St. Vincent De Paul Middletown and Brad Schide were given approval for the project. Work included repointing masonry, scraping and de-leading original wood windows, repairing the large columns and portico along Eastern Drive with its pilasters, entablature, side lights and dentil work at the cornice; restoring side porches with new columns, quarry tiles and hardware; and creating a new entrance with a decorative portico and handicap access, according to Columbus House. The original layout of the hallways and common areas were kept, along with original, ornate door entrances. If not for this restoration, officials said, the building could have been lost to neglect and deterioration, a fate that befell the former Connecticut Valley Hospital Old Woodward Hall patient residences next door. The masonry and the architecture of that hall was amazing, Giuliano said. In 2011-12, more than 800 veterans were homeless in Connecticut, an extraordinary number, Cunningham said. Today, they number fewer than 200. That is a remarkable, remarkable achievement for this state. It is so wonderful to be here in the sunshine that is gracing this wonderful home here, said state Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Thomas J. Saadi. It is truly a noble mission. Although we must always remember and thank our veterans and our service members, that is simply not enough: as a society, our words must be matched with actions. And that is exactly what Columbus House and Shepherd Home have done here, Saadi said. Common Councilman Sebastian N. Giuliano, who is on the projects five-member citizens advisory committee, said: This is a continuation of the 10-year project to end homelessness. That project the first concept we had was housing first. If you can get these people housed, you solve three-quarters of the problem. Theyve got the security, and, a lot of time, if they need services, its easier to bring the services to where they are than have them chase around for them, he said. There will be a staff member from St. Vincent De Paul Middletown on site, according to former Executive Director Ron Krom, providing support services: everything from helping people get entitlements if theyre eligible, helping people to settle in, making sure they have everything they need in their apartments, connecting them to medical/mental health/addiction services if need be. This model is very similar to Liberty Commons on Main Street, which serves 40 residents. Its incredible. Theres such a shortage of housing, especially affordable housing, for people living on the edge, on the margin. To be able to provide both the subsidies so they can move in, support services so they can be successful, it really is part of the whole picture to eliminate homelessness, Krom said. A metal plaque is installed next to the fire hydrant at the east side of the building in honor of the late South Fire Deputy Chief Fire Marshal Steven Krol, who died Feb. 13. Officials are working with Middletown Area Transit to have a bus stop located near the facility. For information, visit columbushouse.org. NEW HAVEN The citys schools use two online portals one for information and one for data but members of the Board of Educations Finance Committee questioned Monday whether it was possible to consolidate to just one. Currently, the district has a contract with both PowerSchool and Schoolnet; PowerSchool is a student information system which handles functions like logging attendance and student test scores, whereas Schoolnet is a data warehouse. They work together, but dont provide the same capabilities, said Michele Sherban, district data supervisor. Sherban said the district has had a contract with Schoolnet since 2006, but it harbors student data going back to 2003. Pearson, which owned the functions of Schoolnet and PowerSchool, sold off PowerSchool a few years ago, and in that time PowerSchool has acquired several smaller companies to grow in scope and size. Now, the district has contracts with both companies, and the data from each portal feeds into the other. Its a little bit of duplication of information, but its reasonable, Sherban said. On Monday, board members on the Finance Committee were presented the option to approve a $134,450 one-year contract renewal on Schoolnet. Members of the Finance Committee asked whether the district considered consolidating its services into one contract with PowerSchool, instead of maintaining contracts with two separate vendors. Since we were already using Schoolnet, we had not looked in going in that direction, Sherban said. Since this is the last option (for renewal) on that contract, we might want to explore the possibility of using PowerSchool next year. Board President Darnell Goldson asked whether the district already has the capability of running all of the functions required on just PowerSchool; although Sherban said it is possible, it would require a complicated process of running reports for information. Sherban said PowerSchool has the ability to do everything required of a data and information portal for the district, but it would come at an additional cost, as there are several modules the district has not yet purchased to do so. Goldson said he felt as though district leadership before the arrival of Superintendent of Schools Carol Birks had been negligent in not researching whether it could save money by moving all functions to PowerSchool if the company split from Pearson in 2016. Sherban said she believes PowerSchool had some growing pains around 2016, as colleagues in Hartford had reported to her that their migration to PowerSchool for assessment data at the time was difficult. Assistant Superintendent Keisha Hannans said that district staff was asking some of the same questions as board members. As we explore our data systems, were looking at how we can do it more efficiently not just for our administrators, but also for our teachers to pull down data, she said. We are exploring various options at this time, but were not prepared to roll them out. Board members expressed their reluctance to vote on a six-figure contract if district officials said they were investigating the usefulness of using that vendor. Does it make sense to wait until you have the information youre exploring before we make any decisions? asked board member Yesenia Rivera. Birks said she would seek broader input from stakeholders before making such a switch. Hannans said that, considering the time it takes to migrate systems, they would likely need to approve another year with Schoolnet even if they would consider not renewing their contract the following year. Weve been renewing this thing for three years, so someone wasnt doing their job. If we approve this now itll go on the backburner, Goldson said. For me, supporting this without having a plan in place on how to do that integration is difficult for me. Board members tabled the item, asking district staff to run a cost benefit analysis before they take a vote. brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com The family of Olivia Shea Paregol is taking action against the University of Maryland, accusing the university of neglecting to quickly inform students of an outbreak of a virus that ultimately left their daughter dead, as reported by the Washington Post. It started in Nov. 2018 when Olivia Paregol became so sick she had to leave school and was hospitalized because of her condition, according to reports. The university discovered its first case of adenovirus Nov. 1 but did not inform students. The next day, Olivia Paregol came down with pneumonia in her left lung. Her immune system was already weakened by medication she took for Crohn's disease. Earlier in the semester, mold was found in Paregols dorm room in Elkton Hall. The lawsuit claims that Paregols living conditions also made her more susceptible to getting adenovirus. According to the Washington Post, the director of the university health center, in emails to administrators, acknowledged that mold can cause respiratory irritation that may increase susceptibility of any viral infection. "She had been sick really the entire fall semester with respiratory issues, and those respiratory illnesses, really, was part of why the adenovirus impacted her so adversely," Ian Paregol, Olivia Paregols dad, said. Ian Paregol, said he heard about the virus from news reports, so he called the university and they called Olivia Paregol's doctor, according to WBAL. Paregols family is blaming what they call a lack of transparency at the university for her death and are questioning how officials handled the mold outbreak in her dorm and, separately, the virus discovered on campus. Ian Paregol said doctors learned too late that adenovirus was the underlying cause of the pneumonia that claimed Oliva Paregol's life. "The school had a diagnosis of adenovirus 10 days before. Had they told us about it, doctors could have treated Olivia sooner. The medication doctors gave her needed a week to take hold. She didn't have that much time," Ian Paregol said. At the time there were already six confirmed cases of the adenovirus on campus, including Olivia Paregols roommate. "The family is really broken up by this. Our lives will never be the same. Thousands prayed for a turnaround. We are still trying to find meaning in all this," Ian Paregol said. Olivia Paregol was pronounced dead at 10:15 pm on Nov. 18. The Washington Post said doctors listed three causes of death: organ failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome and adenovirus. The university then publicly acknowledged the outbreak on November 19, 2018. As of Dec. 2018, there were at least 22 cases confirmed. The university confirmed the people tested positive for adenovirus 7, a strain that may cause more severe illness particularly for those with chronic medical problems like asthma and diabetes, or illnesses that lower the immune system, or for those who take medicine that lowers the immune system such a Crohns. When questioned, university officials defended its actions telling the Washington Post they hired a company to remove the mold and offered students information on how to prevent the spread of the virus. The actions we took are in line with CDC guidance on adenovirus outbreaks and were consistent with the Universitys strong commitment to the health and safety of our students, said David McBride, director of the health center, according to the Washington Post. Ian Paregol said the facts show otherwise, as reported by WBAL. He would like University of Maryland President Wallace Loh to resign immediately. "I would like to see change made, for sure. The university needs to become more transparent when they have a health crisis or any crisis. Instead, they really put their institutional public relations above the public safety needs of their students," Ian Paregol said. Looking for the right time to visit New York City, but hoping to skip the typical Big Apple tourist scene in favor of a more local experience? The Governors Ball Music Festival is right around the corner, and might have exactly what you're looking for. Started by local music lovers eight years ago, it features 60-plus artists of all genres, plus a selection of the best eats in town, street artists from around the city, interactive games and activities, and more. What better way to experience the music, art and culture at the heart of NYC? Fortunately, there are plenty of relatively inexpensive flights between Houston and New York City on travel site Skyscanner. Heres a list of flights, hotels, restaurants and local attractions in New York City to round out your trip. (Prices and availability are current as of publication and subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in the articles may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Cheapest New York City flights The cheapest flights between Houston and New York City are if you leave on May 29 and return from New York on June 2. American Airlines currently has tickets for $258, roundtrip. There are also deals to be had later in May. If you fly out of Houston on May 31 and return from New York City on June 3, Spirit Airlines can get you there and back for $262 roundtrip. Top New York City accommodations To plan your stay, here are two of New York Citys top-rated hotels, according to Skyscanner, that we selected based on price, proximity to things to do and customer satisfaction. The Standard, High Line (848 Washington St.) Photo: Trip by Skyscanner If you're looking to treat yourself, consider The Standard, High Line. The hotel has a 4.4-star rating on Skyscanner, and rooms are currently available for $275. All 338 rooms at The Standard, High Line have ground-to-ceiling windows with spectacular views. It is within close proximity to the west side highway, Javits Center, SoHo and the Financial District. The Dream Downtown (355 W. 16th St.) Photo: Trip by Skyscanner There's also the 4.5-star rated The Dream Downtown. Rooms are currently set at $204/night. Situated between the thriving Meatpacking District and Chelsea, the Dream Downtown is the latest addition to the Vikram Chatwal Hotel portfolio. This luxury property features 315 loft-inspired rooms and a rooftop lounge with city views. Top picks for dining and drinking New York City has plenty of topnotch dining options. Here are a few of the most popular, according to Skyscanner. Levain Bakery (167 W. 74th St.) Photo: Trip by Skyscanner Let's start with the essentials: dessert. For a popular option, check out Levain Bakery, which has an average of 4.8 stars out of 42 reviews on Skyscanner. From the beginning, Levain Bakery has been a comfortable and inviting presence in its Upper West Side neighborhood where it boasts a steady stream of community regulars and tourists loyal to its diverse assortment of freshly baked products. The menu includes an inventive array of rustic breads and other equally creative takes on traditional baked goods. Red Rooster (310 Lenox Ave.) Photo: Trip by Skyscanner One of New York City's most popular restaurants is Red Rooster, with 4.5 stars from 56 reviews. The Red Rooster is part of the vibrant Harlem community. The menu reflects the roots of American cuisine while celebrating local farmers and artisanal food makers. The Red Rooster features a takeout market, bar and restaurant. "I am writing this at home after one of the most amazing meals I've ever had," wrote reviewer John349. "I cannot say enough how absolutely delicious every meal that was ordered at our table was." The Meatball Shop (84 Stanton St.) Photo: Trip by Skyscanner Also worth considering is The Meatball Shop. "These are the best meatballs I have ever had," wrote ABelle. Top New York City attractions New York City is also full of sites to visit and explore. Here are a couple of popular attractions to round out your trip, again from Skyscanner's listings. The Brooklyn Bridge Park (334 Furman St.) Photo: Trip by Skyscanner First up is The Brooklyn Bridge Park. Located in the heart of New York City, Brooklyn Bridge Park is a great opportunity for tourists and residents to visit. This park is located beside the Brooklyn Bridge, considered one of the portals into the city. Although the park itself is simple, it also offers an amazing view of the entire city. "The walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, whether you're walking from Brooklyn to Manhattan or vice versa, is one of the most iconic walks New York City has to offer," wrote visitor Gary. The Statue of Liberty Photo: Trip by Skyscanner Lastly, spend some time at The Statue of Liberty. Lady Liberty has welcomed the grandparents and great-grandparents of many Americans. A symbol of the country's possibilities, the Statue of Liberty National Monument includes nearby Ellis Island, where many European immigrants started on their journey of becoming Americans. This story was created automatically using flight, hotel, and local attractions data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. NEW HAVEN The school districts last remaining alternative school may be moved from Ella T. Grasso Boulevard to Hallock Avenue next year, as Board of Education members demand answers from staff members. Although leases have been a discussion item on every agenda of the school boards Finance Committee for at least one year, committee members had not pressed district staff for details on whether the district would terminate its lease agreement for the current location of Riverside Academy on the Boulevard. Board President Darnell Goldson forced the issue at the committee level. If we stay at Riverside, that money will be going to a landlord. We voted a year ago to get out of that lease, Goldson said this week. Now were talking about staying in the lease; I think its a ridiculous concept. The district pays $332,500 for a 12-month lease for the alternative schools building when accounting for taxes, staff estimate the lease costs about $500,000. Last year, the school board voted to end the Riverside lease at the same meeting it drew controversy when it voted to close Creed High School. Board members tore into Superintendent of Schools Carol Birks in April at the only meeting during her yearlong tenure where she was not present for not having a plan for where to move the Riverside students, a population that includes students from two other alternative schools New Light and New Horizons that were consolidated into one program. This week, district staff said none of the vacant buildings owned by the district including the soon-to-be former site of the Elm City Montessori on Quinnipiac Avenue, the former location of New Horizons on Hallock Avenue and the current location of the Strong School on Orchard Street would be painless for the district to relocate the alternative education program to. Were working with our design team, and the design team does have a desire (for Riverside) to stay in its location, said Assistant Superintendent Paul Whyte. The Quinnipiac Avenue site, he said, has some limitations and would not meet all the needs of a high school as it exists. On Hallock Avenue, the district recently made a decision to use the location for records storage, creating a price obstacle as the records would need to be moved elsewhere only months after arriving at the current location if it were used to serve students instead. Lastly, the Orchard Street location would be feasible, Whyte said, except that construction of the Barack H. Obama School where Strong School will be relocated is behind schedule, and students will not be prepared to leave Strong School until January, necessitating the use of a swing space for Riverside. I certainly dont support moving this group to swing space just to move them again, said board member Matt Wilcox, who is the father of an alternative school graduate. Id rather see (a move) done well than cheaply. Board member Yesenia Rivera asked whether the Ella T. Grasso Boulevard landlord would be amendable to extending the lease for six months, to make a transition to Orchard Street painless. Im surprised were having this discussion, said Goldson, pushing for the district to leave the Boulevard site completely. A year ago we said to fix this, and whats best for the students is making sure $500,000 goes toward them and not a landlord at Ella Grasso. When Goldson put Whyte and COO Mike Pinto on the spot to determine what the district would do, both fell silent for a few beats before Whyte said Hallock Avenue would be the best location. Pinto explained that the district had options at Orchard Street as a long-term solution. What Im hearing tonight is additional recommendations, not a solution, said committee Chairman Joe Rodriguez. This committee is asking for a solution. Pinto said that every answer staff could provide would present some type of disruption; Whyte said, if they chose the Hallock location, facilities would need to move out of there. Then move the facilities out, Goldson said. If I had to weigh facilities against students, Im always going to pick students. Goldson then said he believes the district should be bold enough to make tough decisions, saying that Creed students landed on their feet after the school was closed. Committee members tasked district staff with figuring out the economic and educational impact of moving the alternative program, as well as a timeline for how to do so. Prior to that, Goldson also pushed district staff for an update on a space within Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School on College Street that is currently leased to commercial real estate company RJ Development + Advisors. When Pinto said administrators at that school were hoping to convert some of the space, Goldson said he was a little disappointed. We had an extensive discussion around this last year, he said. The decision was the principal would have first dibs on that, and over the year we were supposed to be working to get her vision for that space in place and get the funding in place to do it. Theres no excuse that this shouldve fallen through the cracks. Goldson then blamed former COO Will Clark for not seeing through the plan to turn that space, of which the school uses half for storage, into a dance studio. Were still paying the old COO to help us through these issues, he said. Were paying the guy to be a consultant; he was well aware of this issue. Goldson said after the meeting that Clarks approximately $100,000 severance included him being a consultant for the district. According to the signed agreement, Clark would be a consultant as reasonably needed, at mutually convenient times for any matters not concluded prior to (Jan. 1) until March 15. Clark declined to comment Tuesday. It was not immediately clear how much Clark was in contact with district personnel during those three months, but the plan to move facilities and records to Hallock Avenue was originally proposed by him last summer but was enacted after his departure. In May 2018, both Clark and then-Acting CFO Darrell Hill warned board members that renegotiating the lease on College Street to get closer to market rate would be a losing proposition financially in their view. John Taylor, executive director of charter school Booker T. Washington Academy, presented the finance committee with a proposal to move the school from State Street to the old New Light location on Wooster Place. He said that, in lieu of $100,000 in rent in the first year, the school would pay an estimated $155,000 in costs to refurbish the space. For every year after that, the school would pay rent to the district. I think its a win-win for the district, Goldson said. I cant see how its a losing proposition. Rodriguez said he would like to see a proposal before the committee takes a vote on accepting Booker T. Washington Academy as a tenant in the old New Light building. brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com HAMDEN The Legislative Councils resolution responding to the April 16 police shooting still didnt satisfy. Two weeks after the community told the council two rewrite the resolution that addresses the police shooting of Stephanie Washington and Paul Witherspoon III, they passed a resolution that the community said didnt meet their demand that the council ask the police commission to start an investigation. This city, this council, this police commission has a role to play right now and its not playing it, community organizer Kerry Ellington said to the council Monday. Its important that in these cases of killings and murders that you ensure at minimum theyre investigated. The council unanimously approved a resolution that calls for the town to adopt a policy that requires external independent investigations of officer-involved shootings resulting in injury or death, and into use of force resulting in death and in-custody deaths. The resolution stipulates the policy needs to require that the investigator not be employed by the police department. Shelton resident Meghan Rozaria said the resolution is still not doing what it needs to do. It puts light out there that theres problems but it needs to be stronger, she said. Initially, the resolution didnt call on the police union to allow for an independent investigation, but after some public input, the council revised it to include that element, but they stopped short of calling on the police commission to start their own action. To immediately address the shooting, the resolution asks the police chief and police union to permit a third party independent investigation, in lieu of the ethics and integrity units investigation and requests the unions collective bargaining agreement be modified to substitute an external independent investigation for the ethics and integrity units when there is an officer-involved shooting resulting in death or injury and when theres use of force resulting in death and in-custody death. Ellington said while the resolution initiated some positive changes, she was disappointed the council didnt call specifically on the police commission to conduct and independent investigation when thats the body with the sole power to terminate an officer. We simply asked the council to call the commission to act, Ellington said. If they make the statement its not going to initiate an investigation, its just saying that this body has the will to call for it. By them not even putting it in their resolution, speaks to the amount of work that needs to be done in this city for police accountability. Many council members said they felt powerless to make real changes Monday because so much is stipulated by the police union collective bargaining agreement, which has more force than the town charter. Its an unfortunate truth how much power the bargaining unit has, councilman Cory OBrien, D-6, said. I understand the frustration and the resolve that you feel and thats needed when the contract is up for negotiations in 2022. Ellington said asking the police union for permission to start an independent investigation is pointless, because theyll never agree to it. But Ellington said asking for an investigation isnt governed by collective bargaining because the resolution doesnt enact an investigation and therefore wouldnt open the town to a lawsuit. Theres nothing that should stop you from calling for that its unacceptable, she said to the council. Im confused as to why you dont see the significance and hear our cries and the need for an independent investigation. Further, earlier during the public comment portion of the meeting, Hamden resident and organizer Rhonda Caldwell said it was a disgrace on the town not to include in the resolution Jarelle Gibbs, who died on Aug. 17, 2018, after police pursued the vehicle he was riding in into New Haven, where it crashed. I was infuriated when I saw this final resolution with no mention of Jarrelle Gibbs, she said. Mid-way through the meeting, the council recessed to include the reference to the Aug. 17, 2018, incident in their call to appoint a third-party reviewer of the towns investigations into the April 16 shooting. Afterward Councilman Brad Macdowall, D-9, said a lot of the elements of the resolution are obvious steps the town should be taking and didnt like that some council members werent standing up for those actions. It bothers me that some of us know what the right thing to do is and then some of us get sheepish and dont show up, he said. It should be as simple as saying any death should be investigated, he said. Macdowall said he was happy that the resolution was overhauled since the last meeting, but felt it still didnt go far enough, including not defining use of force. The councils attorney Steven Mednick said since the resolution doesnt put into effect any of the actions it calls for, the language around use of force and other areas should be worked out in future legally meaningful documents. The resolution also established the town will amend the charter to create a civilian review board and asks for the state to adopt legislation that would grant municipalities the ability to establish civilian review boards with subpoena power. The resolution orders police commission reform and asks the council to amend the charter to include clear qualifications for appointment to the police commission. The document further stipulates the town should negotiate an agreement between Hamden and New Haven pertaining to activities that cross town lines and both the police department and commission should look into creating police districts in Hamden. Lastly, the resolution calls for an open and transparent police chief selection that includes robust public input and that the town find ways to foster a dialogue on the issues raised in the resolution. Were moving forward but we could have started working on these items long before, Councilman Justin Famer, D-5, said. Farmer has planned a community meeting scheduled for June 10 at Vilano Park to discuss structural changes residents want to see, with the understanding that policing agencies are designed to keep our communities safe and are accountable to the community, he said. mdignan@hearstmediact.com NEW HAVEN The fiscal impact of blue exodus from the city has long tentacles. Officers are working longer shifts, working doubles, being held over because of the officer shortage, Interim Police Chief Otoniel Reyes told an aldermanic committee. Were forcing people to work overtime, but were trying to find ways to mitigate that. Although the departments budget was determined mostly by his predecessor albeit with his input Reyes presented the citys police budget for fiscal year 2019-20 to the committee. The budget was of particular interest to alders because of the high overtime costs, which leadership has described as a byproduct of a depleted staff as officers leave the force to go to other municipalities. As of early February, there were 377 officers on the force, down from 495 budgeted positions, with police leaving for departments that offer better pay. In the proposed budget, overtime accounts for about $7 million of the $45.9 million police spending plan, or 15.6 percent. That budgeted number is still lower than the end-of-year projected total for the cost of overtime in the current fiscal year, which is just short of $8 million. People are wearing multiple hats; were trying to streamline more responsibilities, but were also just paying attention more and looking at every single overtime, Reyes told the alders. Some things were slipping through the cracks. Regarding staff shortages, Reyes said the department would do more with less, cutting the number of employees in the department from 495 to 434. He said the number was developed by taking averages. Alder Anna Festa, D-10, proposed an audit of how many officers are needed to adequately patrol the citys streets, and Reyes said he would welcome one. Reyes said he believes burnout is a problem on the force, as a shortage caused by officers leaving the department leads to remaining officers working longer hours and more shifts. He said he recently had done an exit interview with an officer headed to Stamford who began crying. The officer said he regrets choosing to leave New Haven, but his decision was based on money and the uncertainty of the union contract, which expired three years ago. Assistant Chief Herbert Johnson, who has 21 years on the job, retired this month, joining former Chief Anthony Campbell as an investigator in the office of New Haven States Attorney Patrick Griffin. Campbell left the department in March over proposed changes in health coverage for police retirees. Alder Dave Reyes, D-5, asked what had changed since his childhood when being a cop or a firefighter seemed to be a common aspiration for young people. Social media, said Reyes. You tend to hear the negatives a lot more resoundingly than you do the positives, and it certainly plays in the psyche of any young person. He said the department will need to evolve and account for generational changes. We need to really take a look at how we retain our officers, Reyes said. The manner in which New Haven officers handled a police story that has been widespread on social media is a point of departmental pride for Reyes: the way officers handled protests following the police shooting of Stephanie Washington, who was in a car with her boyfriend, Paul Witherspoon, when a Hamden officer and Yale officer fired multiple shots at it. Reyes said the citys officers created a safe environment for people to express themselves while protesting the actions of Yale and Hamden police, who responded to a report of an alleged robbery attempt on April 16 and shot at the unarmed couple. brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com Five of the original Borgata Babes who sued the casino a decade ago claiming gender bias and a hostile work environment can finally take their case in front of a jury, a state appellate court said Monday. The woman initially filed a suit in 2008, claiming the dress code for the servers at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa created a culture of humiliation and harassment. Namely, the original suit says, that the Borgata was allowed to control how much the Babes weighed. The case has been dismissed by a trial court, and has been appealed twice. Superior Court Judge Nelson Johnson, in Atlantic County, dismissed the plaintiffs claims in 2013 and, again, in 2016. In 2016, Johnson ruled the casinos personal appearance standards are lawful, but said part of the lawsuit brought by 21 servers should return to court to determine if the women were subjected to a hostile work environment regarding how casino managers enforced those standards. The appeals decision published Monday says some of those enforced standards included harassment of women for their weight while battling illness or while pregnant. One of the woman stated in the suit that she was suspended after violating the weight rule while suffering severe asthma following her childs birth. She was eventually reinstated, but told to lose one pound per week, by management. The advice went against doctors orders, she said. Another woman was weighed while she was pregnant and was told it was just in case youre just getting fat and thats the real reason why you want to wear [the maternity costume]. Overall, the appellate court decided Monday that while the weight requirement itself didnt violate New Jerseys Law Against Discrimination, but the conduct from management toward women who were suffering illness or were pregnant was enough to bring the case to trial. The trial court should have followed its initial inclination and scheduled the case for trial, instead of giving defendant a second bite of the apple on summary judgment issues this court already decided, Mondays judgement read. The trial court had no authority to reconsider the same evidence we reviewed and reach a different legal conclusion from that evidence. 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. A school district in Bergen County has asked police to help find the person who scrawled a swastika and racist graffiti inside a classroom on Monday. The incident marks at least the ninth time in less than a year such graffiti has been found in New Jersey schools. The markings found in the clasroom Monday morning at Emerson Junior-Senior High School contained derogatory, threatening and racist language, including a swastika, according to Superintendent Brian P. Gatens. He said in a letter to parents the Emerson Police Department was immediately called The superintendent added the threatening language did not involve any specific mention of violence or weapons, nor did it target the entire school. The district is prepared to levy the greatest possible legal and school-based consequences on the person responsible, noting that such behavior choices tarnish the reputations of the over 1,000 Emerson students who make good choices every day, Gatens wrote. Gatens asked parents to educate their children about the affect hateful speech has on society. This event opens the door for you to have important conversations with your children about the expectations that you set at home for how others should be treated, the superintendent wrote. Swastikas and graffiti were found in September and November 2018 inside Pascack Valley High School in Hillsdale. In Sussex County, the superintendent of schools reported at an April 11 board of education meeting that swastikas were found six times in four months at Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School. In March, a swastika and other hateful graffiti were found in a bathroom at High Point Regional High School in Sussex County. Officials have not reported arrests in any of the incidents. 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. A New Jersey canine literally finished as top dog in one phase of a national competition of police dogs and placed among the top 15 in the nation for the overall contest. Mount Laurel Police Corporal Christopher OPrandy and K-9 Gunner were honored as one of the top detector dog teams in the nation at the United States Police Canine Association field trials earlier this month. The two-phase competition included searching three rooms and five vehicles for hidden drugs. OPrandy and Gunner won the room search with a perfect score and the fastest time but finished 14th overall in the contest in Albany, New York last week. The performance was good enough to earn the Mount Laurel team national certification and a medal of police excellence. Its the second consecutive year the pair have placed in the top 15 in the trials. Gunner, a 4-year-old German shepherd, helped relaunch the departments canine program in 2015 after it had been dormant for 12 years. OPrandy led the effort to fully fund the program through private donations. The department has two German shepherds, Gunner and Nina, whose handler is Officer Wilma Santiago. The dogs live with their handlers. Corporal OPrandy was very passionate and took it upon himself to bring this program back, said Kyle Gardner, the departments public information officer. Its an expensive tool to have but its an extra resource to have that can do a lot more than an officer can do. OPrandy was not available for comment. Gardner said costs to acquire, train and outfit the units, including retrofitting police cars with additional air conditioning and a cage, can approach $60,000 per unit. He said the Mount Laurel police department is proud of OPrandy and Gunner. Mount Laurel K-9 Gunner was honored at the United States Police Canine Association field trials earlier this month. They achieved national certification, Gardner said. The United States Police Canine Association is the oldest and largest canine association in the nation. The purpose of the competition was to bring together the top service dogs for certification and training. Gunner and Nina are both state certified for narcotic and general duty for the Mount Laurel police department of 68 officers serving a town of 41,600 in Burlington County. Bill Duhart may be reached at bduhart@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@bduhart. 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. Ask Alexa for New Jersey news When a utility company worker from Pennsylvania was found shot to death in his bed at a South Jersey motel, a co-worker was charged with his murder. Larry J. Pulcine Jr., 36, of Duncansville, Pennsylvania, allegedly shot Ivan Scott Strayer II, 33, of Gallitzin, Pennsylvania, multiple times on Oct. 10, 2016, at the Wingate Inn in Vineland, where the pair were staying while doing work in the area for Osmose Utilities Services. During opening arguments in Pulcines trial on Tuesday morning, Cumberland County Assistant Prosecutor Charles Wettstein told the jury that they wont hear from any witnesses to the killing. Nobody heard the shots. Nobody saw it happen, he said. But what there is in this case is circumstantial evidence. Evidence that, when you think about it and you use your common sense and you apply logic and you apply reason, leads you to the conclusion that Larry Pulcine is the one who pulled the trigger to end Ivan Scott Strayers life. Pulcines attorney countered that no physical evidence links his client to the crime, though one of his guns was used in the killing. Strayer and his co-workers, Pulcine and his brother, Charles, Richard Sperrazza, and a foreman, were all staying in three rooms at the Wingate. They had been there for a few weeks while working on concrete foundations for high-power lines and were about to head to their next job in North Jersey. Strayer and Sperrazza were paired up in room 404, the Pulcine brothers were across the hall in 405 and the foreman was in 406. On the evening of Oct. 10, Strayer and Sperrazza visited a Bennigans restaurant next to the Wingate for drinks and to watch sports, Wettstein said, while the Pulcine brothers went out for fast food. Ivan S. Strayer II, 33, was shot to death in 2016. Larry Pulcine Jr. is on trial for the killing. (National Gun Violence Memorial) When the Pulcines returned to the Wingate, they obtained keycards for their room and room 404, Wettstein said, and returned to their own room. He didnt elaborate on why they would have received cards for both rooms. Strayer went back to his room and went to bed, while Sperrazza returned later. Once he got back to 404, Sperrazza received a text from Charles Pulcine inviting him to 405 to share chicken they had picked up. Sperrazza joined them in 405 and the only person to leave the room while he was there was Larry Pulcine, Wettstein said. Pulcine later returned to 405 and Sperrazza eventually returned to his own darkened room, climbed into bed and went to sleep. When he awoke the next morning shortly after 5 a.m., he found Strayer bloodied and lifeless in the bed a few feet away. Sperrazzo alerted his foreman and they called the police. As the police arrived, Larry is nowhere to be found, Wettstein said. Pulcine apparently left the motel that morning around 5 a.m. and didnt return for five hours. During his absence, he visited a butcher shop a few miles away, where he made a phone call, the prosecutor told the jury. When he returned to the Wingate, police took him into custody and he was interviewed. And he spins a story about where he had been and what he had been doing for the past five hours, Wettstein said. Assistant Prosecutor Charles Wettstein addresses the jury during his opening arguments in the Larry Pulcine Jr. murder trial in Cumberland County Superior Court, Tuesday, May 21, 2019. (Al Amrhein | For NJ Advance Media)Al Amrhein | For NJ Advance Medi Police searched a wooded area behind the Wingate and found two handguns, a room key and a flannel shirt Pulcine had been seen wearing on security camera video from the hotel. The guns, a .40 caliber pistol and a .380 caliber Cobra Enterprises pistol, belonged to Pulcine. In the room where Strayer was killed, police found three .40-caliber shell casings, two bullets in the mattress and a third in the side of the victims head. Those bullets and shell casings matched Pulcines .40-caliber pistol. Wettstein conceded that prosecutors dont know why Strayer was killed, but noted that this is not an element they must prove. There is no evidence to show why Scott was killed, he said. That question remains unanswered. Pulcine was indicted in 2017 on charges of first-degree murder and weapons offenses. He has remained in Cumberland County Jail since his arrest. Defense attorney Joel Aronow confirmed to the jury that Pulcine owned both handguns and that he had a permit to carry them in Pennsylvania, but not in New Jersey. The defense also agrees with ballistic evidence that Pulcines gun was the murder weapon. He called the death a tragedy, but that doesnt mean that Larry Pulcine was the shooter. There are no fingerprints, DNA evidence, or hair or fiber evidence connecting Pulcine to the crime, he added. Aronow challenged the idea based on data recovered from when keycards were used to open Strayers room that Pulcine entered the victims room while Sperrazza was across the hall and fired the fatal shots. Its absolutely absurd what the state is suggesting, he told jurors. Three minutes went by between the time that this keycard was allegedly used to murder Scott Strayer and then when the keycard was used by Ricky to go back into the room. If the defendant is the shooter, ladies and gentlemen, how could he not think that Ricky Sperrazza would go right back to his room within minutes. How could he not think that when (Sperrazza) left for the evening that he wasnt gonna turn a light on. Defense attorney Joel Aronow addresses the jurors during opening arguments in the Larry Pulcine Jr. murder trial in Cumberland County Superior Court, Tuesday, May 21, 2019. (Al Amrhein | For NJ Advance Media)Al Amrhein | For NJ Advance Medi Aronow also wondered how anyone could sleep in a room all night without realizing someone a few feet away was dead. Dead silence, no pun intended, is a lot different than hearing somebody breathe," he told the jury. "Thats something that you should consider. Noting that a silencer wasnt used on the murder weapon, Aronow also questioned how no one could have heard the gunfire. I think most people know that when youre in a hotel that you can hear everything that goes on in other rooms in the hotel, much less three .40 caliber gunshots, he said. Pulcine sat quietly as the attorneys presented their cases to the jury. Several members of Strayers family, including his parents, attended Tuesdays hearing. He left behind a wife and child. Strayer loved being with his son, fishing, playing darts and watching movies, his obituary noted. In a Facebook post less than two weeks before his death, Strayer expressed regret that work in New Jersey meant he couldnt be home for a big family milestone. Wife is picking up the keys to our new home today. Wishing I could be there, he wrote. We wish you were here, too, his wife replied. 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 South Jersey man charged with stabbing his father to death last month will remain jailed pending trial, a judge ruled Tuesday. Michael N. Tedesco, 39, is charged with murder in the April 19 killing of Gary Tedesco, 66. Police responded to a report of a disturbance in the familys Millville home that morning and found the fathers body. He suffered multiple stab wounds after getting into a fight with his son, police said. Gary Tedescos mother was also in the home and was knocked down during the incident. Apart from giving yes or no answers to questions from Superior Court Judge Robert Malestein, Tedesco stood quietly during Tuesdays hearing. Defense attorney Dinaz Akhtar did not contest probable cause and consented to her clients detention. She can seek to reopen the detention decision at a later date, Malestein noted. The mother of the victim told police she answered the door for her grandson early on the morning of April 17. Upon opening the door, Michael shoved her to the floor and attacked his father, according to the affidavit of probable cause. She was not able to see the altercation directly due to a wall partially obstructing her view of it. The police noted that cash was missing from the father and grandmothers bedrooms after the son left. Michael Tedesco fled in his fathers Hyundai Santa Fe and abandoned the vehicle elsewhere in Millville, police said. He was found late that day and arrested on murder, robbery and weapons charges. During the investigation, police learned Tedesco stopped at a North 7th Street home after leaving his fathers house and changed some of his clothing, leaving behind garments with suspected blood on them, according to the criminal complaint. Security camera video confirmed he had stopped at the house, police said. Tedesco will return to court June 6 for a pre-indictment hearing. 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. If you remember something called New Coke, you probably also recall that it was a bust. Introduced by Coca-Cola in 1985, the soft drink was billed as sweeter than regular Coke, with many noticing a distinct Pepsi-like flavor to the reimagined product. Anyway, plenty of people werent having this impostor Coke. Even Coca-Cola admits the enormous fail in its history of New Coke. Heres the intro to the product history on the company website: To hear some tell it, April 23, 1985, was a day that will live in marketing infamy. Much angst apparently followed. There were even protest groups! Letter-writing campaigns! The soda was only on the market for 79 days before the company pulled the drink to please customers who favored Classic Coke. Now, the company is reversing course and joining forces with the Netflix series Stranger Things to relaunch New Coke. Never-before-seen footage found in the Coca-Cola archives. May, 1985 https://t.co/uiZlOXmM0t Stranger Things (@Stranger_Things) May 21, 2019 Since the upcoming third season of the show is set in 1985, the select rollout of New Coke cans is being tagged to the anticipation surrounding the series, which is itself a constant homage to all things 1980s and pretty much every 80s youth property. The Duffer Brothers, who created the sci-fi drama, say they intended to include New Coke in the storyline anyway, with it being 1985, the historic summer of the sodas debut (nevermind that we have no Upside Down or Demogorgon in our timeline). Theres even a whole Stranger Things New Coke trailer-slash-commercial starring the cast of the show, including Gaten Matarazzo, 16, an actor from Little Egg Harbor who is also a spokesman for Verizon Fios. The New Coke cans, which come in a pack with limited-edition glass bottles, will be rolled out on a limited basis starting on Thursday at cokestore.com/1985. The third season of Stranger Things debuts on July 4 on Netflix. Some cities will also get Upside Down-themed vending machines with free cans of New Coke. Heres what the tweeting public thought of the attempt at brand synergy. I transferred from a Navy ship in summer 1985. I flew back to the states from the Med. THE first thing I heard about in "the news" when I returned was New Coke. I tried it. It was Pepsi.https://t.co/kG7ogi94Mb TugboatPhil (@tugboatphil) May 21, 2019 When New Coke debuted, McDonald's was *the place* to get your first taste. And man were they proud of it. pic.twitter.com/JgFTbPqs2W Dinosaur Dracula (@DinosaurDracula) May 21, 2019 I see your New Coke and raise you - pic.twitter.com/dlyJuKRE4w MrFKNSunshine (@MrFKNSunshine) May 21, 2019 If someone told you in 1985 that New Coke would be doing better than Bill Cosby in 2019, you wouldve laughed and laughed... pic.twitter.com/6KTeOoIwQK Sanford Johnson (@SanfordLJohnson) May 21, 2019 I'm hearing about the return of New Coke. Americans don't want that. they only want this. this is what im hearing pic.twitter.com/LckmGfNTqS GoRexGrossman (@UncleRexG) May 21, 2019 New Coke, NES games, Crystal Pepsi, Lethal Weapon, Star Wars, MacGyver, Magnum PI, Donald Trump, Transformers, 90210, Unsolved Mysteries, Walkmans, Lion King, Party of Five, Aladdin, Cobra Kai... It's like Billy Joel challenged 2019 to do a reboot of "We Didn't Start the Fire". pic.twitter.com/dJ6nmHO6av Video Game Collectaholic (@VGCollectaholic) May 21, 2019 Everybody talking bout New Coke from the 80's. I remember buying Coke II in 2001. They can't be the same thing, right?! pic.twitter.com/j4BJocGhV9 youtube/Alonzo (@alonzolerone) May 21, 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. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries battling a two-alarm blaze at a vacant home in Jersey City early Monday morning, city spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione said. Firefighters responded to 241 Clinton Ave. at approximately 3:15 a.m. and found a working fire on the first and second floors of the two-story home, Wallace-Scalcione said. Mondays call was the second fire at 241 Clinton Ave. in the last two months. A two-alarm fire at the same address left a family of four displaced from their neighboring home on March 24. The cause of Mondays fire remains under investigation, Wallace-Scalcione said. One firefighter sustained burns and a fire captain suffered a cut on the finger while responding. A Jersey City police detective charged with firing his gun during an altercation with a juvenile in Lincoln Park has turned down a plea offer that would put him behind bars for 18 months and could now face as many as 40 years in prison if convicted at trial. I understand you honor, Cesar Celestino replied to Hudson County Superior Court Judge John Young on Monday when the judge told him he could now face up to four decades in prison. When the Young asked Celestino if he was sure he was not interested in the plea offer, the detective replied, No, your honor. The plea deal would also have required the detective to forfeit public employment. At the hearing, Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Karyn Pizzelanti Darish said the state plans to prove that Celestino became involved in an altercation with the 17-year-old on July 28, 2018 and fired his gun during the incident. She said the state believes the off-duty detective was not acting in his official capacity at the time of the incident. Celestinos attorney Jeff Garrigan intends to mount a self-defense defense at the trial and has lined up experts in the use of force and in proper use of a firearms to testify at the trial, which is set to begin Sept. 10. Celestino is charged with two counts of aggravated assault. One count is for allegedly pointing his gun at a person and the second is for allegedly inflicting burns to the boy when he fired the gun in the incident, which was captured on security video and cellphone video. Celestino was with his 13-year-old son at the time of the incident and the alleged victim was with his 15-year-old sister. That led Celestino to be charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of a child. The detective was also charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. At Mondays plea cutoff hearing, Garrigan asked the prosecutor if unrelated charges pending against the 17-year-old in family court had been adjudicated. She said she would check. Celestino was suspended without pay following the incident, but has since returned to modified assignment. JERSEY CITY The defense and prosecution both agree that Jose Morel is the man who stabbed his wife more than 70 times inside their Duncan Avenue home on Oct. 18, 2017. But why Morel turned on his wife in a fit of homicidal rage will weigh heavily on the outcome of his bench trial, which got underway Tuesday in Hudson County Superior Court. The evidence in this case is going to be undisputed that this man stabbed his wife, Milagros Rodriguez De Morel, over 70 times in her head, upper body, neck and back, Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Leo Rinaldi in his opening statement. Rinaldi said its hard to find words to describe the unimaginable violence of Morels rage as he stabbed his 38-year-old wife. The crime was caught on video, which will be shown in court. But defense attorney Paul Condon offered an explanation for the homicidal violence. There is a way to describe the level of violence insanity," he said, adding that Hudson County Superior Court Judge Mitzy Galis-Menendez will see that the acts of this person are beyond the pale of what any human would do. There is no jury for the trial. Instead, Galis-Menendez will decide if Morel is guilty or not. He is charged with murder, aggravated assault, weapons offenses and endangering the welfare of a child. Condon said Morel, 61, was in a dissociative state and remembers nothing of the homicide. The attorney said he will put an expert on the stand who will testify that Morel was suffering from a psychological disorder the morning he killed his wife. Rinaldi said Morel suspected his wife was cheating on him and had followed her to work the day before she died. He said Morel saw his wife meet another man and Morel confronted them and then left. Rodriguez De Morels now 17-year-old son testified that shortly after his mother returned home from working at a supermarket off Journal Square, Morel followed her into the bedroom. The boy said he heard his mother yell Jose, youre crazy. The boy said he went to the bedroom and found his mother in bed and Morell stabbing her in the back. He said he tried to pull Morel away, but Morel slashed the boys finger with what was described as a butchers knife. The 17-year-old said he dragged his mother from the apartment into the buildings hallway as Morel was crawling behind them and stabbing at his wifes feet. Rinaldi said a security camera captured video of Morel repeatedly stabbing Rodriguez De Morel in the hall. The boy said that when he returned from school the previous day, Morel told me she was cheating. The son broke down on the stand and the trial was adjourned for a short time so he could compose himself. He was just out of his mind stabbing your mother? Condon asked. Yes, the son replied, adding He knew what he was doing. The boy said Morel said nothing while killing his mother and afterward Morel just went back into the apartment and sat on the couch until police arrived. Like nothing happened, you described it? Condon asked. Yes, the son replied. A Randolph police car was hit by another vehicle in a crash that sent the officer and a motorist to the hospital Monday, officials said. The police cruiser was headed to an unrelated emergency when it was struck around 9 a.m. near Route 10 and Millbrook Avenue in Randolph, according to authorities. A third vehicle was also hit in the collision. None of the injuries were reported as life threatening, while it was not immediately clear if anyone was seriously hurt. In a statement, the Morris County Prosecutors Office said the agencys major crimes unit along with township police and the county sheriffs office were investigating. No charges were filed. Authorities asked anyone with information to call investigators at 973-285-6200. Dressbarn is going out of business and plans to close all of its approximately 650 stores, the womens retail chain said Monday. For more than 50 years, Dressbarn has served womens fashion needs, and we thank all of our dedicated associates for their commitment to Dressbarn and our valued customers, the retailers Chief Financial Officer Steven Taylor said in a statement. This decision was difficult, but necessary, as the Dressbarn chain has not been operating at an acceptable level of profitability in todays retail environment. Dressbarn has about 6,800 employees, according to the company. An exact closing date for the stores was not immediately announced. For now, the stores would remain open and customers can continue to shop online at Dressbarn.com, according to the announcement. We will work to assist our associates through the transition and maintain existing relationships with our vendors, suppliers, and other key stakeholders through this process, Taylor said. Dressbarn is owned by Mahwah-based Ascena Retail Group, which is the parent of brands including Ann Taylor, Loft and Lane Bryant. Ascena said in 2017 it planned to close hundreds of stores as it contended with a struggling brick and mortar retail market. Ascena Retail Group broke ground on a 195,000 square-foot office on MacArthur Boulevard in Mahwah in 2013 after receiving a $32.4 million Grow New Jersey tax credit to move from Suffern, New York. A company spokesman did not immediately respond to an email Monday night seeking more information. 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 Sadaf Jaffer has always felt drawn to public service, but she didnt think that would ever lead to a term as mayor of her hometown, Montgomery Township. She is now the first female South Asian mayor of a New Jersey municipality and the first female Muslim mayor in the state. She is also believed to be the first female Muslim mayor, female Pakistani-American mayor and first female South Asian-American mayor first in the nation, according to Religionnews.com. Jaffer, 36, grew up in Chicago and was raised by her parents her mother an immigrated from Pakistan and her father from Yemen. Jaffer and her husband moved to New Jersey after they both got jobs working at Princeton University, where she studies South Asian social media as a post-doctorate fellow and teaches courses about Islam in South Asia and South Asian American film and literature. The couple settled in Montgomery Township in 2012 a Somerset County town of about 23,000 residents, 33% of whom are Asian. Jaffer began attending Township Committee meetings regularly and she quickly realized that she wasnt seeing herself in the elected officials that were supposed to be a proxy for her voice on local issues. I wasnt seeing my values represented in politics very much, and thats when I started to think about running for office, Jaffer said of the then exclusively Republican governing body. Jaffer began to take her interest in politics more seriously after attending the inaugural Emerge New Jersey conference, run by a nonpartisan organization that seeks to help get women elected to office. Jaffer credits the conference with teaching her the ins and outs of running for political office and helping her make many valuable connections. She launched a write-in campaign in 2016, and despite being unsuccessful that year, she tried again the following year on the Democratic ticket and won. In 2019, she was appointed to the position as mayor by her fellow committee members. Im so happy to be an example of how our system is very democratic and if you run you can win, Jaffer said. In the short amount of time she has been involved in Montgomery politics the committee has gone from having its first Democrat elected to the committee in eight years to being controlled by the Democratic party, with three Democratic committee members and two Republican members. Jaffer credits this change to a swath of grassroots momentum that occurred during the 2017 election. That year, voter turn out increased by 20% from the previous years election, and had doubled since the last midterm election, Jaffer said. Since Marvin (Schuldiner) and I won decisively in November, thereby taking the majority of the township committee and appointing Sadaf as mayor for this year, she has done a good job representing what the Democratic majority on the committee wanted to accomplish, said Deputy Mayor Catherine Gural. When Jaffer was first campaigning in 2017 she noticed that a lot of the people in the township were unmotivated or didnt know about the local election process. During the campaign, she was also the subject of a negative mailer that called her ideas dangerous and extreme. Jaffer said their strategy backfired. Many of her supporters defended her and she was able to focus on how people were happy to see someone from a new, under-represented group in office. She used this challenge as an opportunity to dig into one of her favorite elements of civic engagement, education. I really just wanted to get people engaged and feeling empowered, Jaffer said. Her biggest hope is that township residents have felt that their votes have mattered and have seen the importance of participating in the electoral process. Jaffer now regularly hears from residents on new initiatives taking place in town. She started the Montgomery Mosaic project, a monthly group discussion where residents can come together to talk about different topics. In the past, the group has discussed Islamaphobia and racism, but the group has also had more lighthearted events like intercultural holiday parties. Jaffer is working on creating more business development within town and trying to increase the transparency in government, holding open office hours so residents can stop by with their questions and concerns and working to create clearer communication from town hall. Part of the reason why I wanted to get involved in politics is because people are very cynical about politics and it doesnt have to be that way, Jaffer said. Absolutely normal people can be involved in politics. Politicians are just supposed to be your neighbors and you should hold them to that level. Olivia Rizzo may be reached at orizzo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LivRizz. 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 Burlington County mother who overdosed, passed out and suffocated her son when she rolled over on top of him has been charged with manslaughter, officials said. Antoinette King, 33, of Lumberton, was arrested on Jan. 19 and charged with endangering the welfare of a child, but the new charge was dded in an indictment announced by the Burlington County Prosecutors Office on Monday. The charges were upgraded to homicide after investigators received the results of toxicology tests performed on blood drawn from King following the incident, Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina said in a release. The 13-month-old boys grandmother found King lying on the toddler and called 911 after she found both of them unresponsive at about 8:30 p.m., officials said. Authorities said it appeared King had rolled over onto her son, Jeremiah, and suffocated him. An investigation showed that King had been drinking alcohol earlier that evening and had also taken an illicit opioid-based drug, according to the release. Police were able administer Narcan to revive King but were unable to unable to resuscitate Jeremiah. They were both taken to Virtua Memorial Hospital in Mount Holly, where the boy was pronounced dead, Coffina said. An autopsy by Burlington County Medical Examiner Dr. Ian Hood determined that Jerimiah died as a result of compression asphyxia, authorities said. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrisrsheldon Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. The battle over New Jerseys controversial tax incentive programs has gone to court. Democratic power broker George Norcross III is suing Gov. Phil Murphy, claiming Murphy overstepped his authority in the creation of a special task force to investigate the New Jersey Economic Development Authority which is examining the payment of millions in incentives to projects and companies in Camden tied to Norcross. Governor Murphy unlawfully empowered the task force with powers he did not possess and authorized the retention and payment of New York lawyers who proceeded to commence and conduct an investigation in violation of multiple provisions of New Jersey law, asserted the lawsuit, which was being filed Tuesday in Superior Court in Mercer County. Murphy, a Democrat, launched the task force in January to probe the EDA, in connection with the generous tax incentive programs championed by former Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican. The task force was created after the release of a highly critical audit by the state comptroller earlier this year over the management of the EDA programs involving more than $11 billion in incentives. The task force is headed by Ronald Chen, the former dean of the Rutgers School of Law in Newark and a former state public advocate. Jim Walden of New York, who serves as the task forces special counsel, is a former federal prosecutor who once made cases against some of the most notorious organized crime families. But lawyers for Norcross and other companies tied to the Camden County Democrat have argued that Walden is not licensed to practice law in New Jersey, and said thats a problem. They said the task force itself has no ability to issue or enforce subpoenas. They also said the task force does not have the authority to investigate the EDA because it is not a department of state government, nor can it investigate the companies that got grants. "The governor cannot simply by fiat say now I am simply going to investigate someone whos not a state actor or involved in the management or affairs of state government, attorney Kevin Marino said in a conference call with reporters. Herbert Stern, who is also part of the legal team, said the task force "has no right to be looking at the things it is looking at or dealing with the people it is dealing with. Stern added that there is nobody that were representing in this case that has any qualm about any lawfully constituted body looking at any aspect of anything involved state funds. But clearly it must be done in a lawful way, in a constitutional way, in an appropriate way recognizing the law and peoples rights." Stern noted that legislative leaders have announced they will have committees looking into the EDA and that we intend to fully cooperate with them. The task force issued a statement saying they welcome the opportunity to defend the governors powers to establish this task force to bring full transparency to the management of the EDA and award decisions that resulted in billions of dollars in tax incentives to companies across the state. As everyone is now well aware, we have invited all of these companies to provide fact witnesses at the next hearing, the task force statement reads. "Rather than responding to that offer they have filed an unfounded lawsuit against the task force instead. The public can judge this tactic for what it is. The lawsuit was brought on behalf of Norcross; his insurance company, Conner Strong & Buckelew, LLC; NFI, L.P.; The Michaels Organization, LLC; Cooper University Health Care and Parker McKay, a law firm headed by the brother of Norcross. In the filing, the plaintiffs said they have made an enormous investment in the revitalization of Camden, one of Americas poorest cities, have been falsely and publicly accused of misconduct regarding the tax incentives that lawfully attend such investment and have been denied a fair opportunity to refute those defamatory accusations. The governors office defended the investigation. The Task Force on EDA Incentives was formed as the result of a report from the state comptroller, who was appointed by former Gov. Chris Christie, detailing a lack of accountability and oversight in the states tax incentive programs," Murphy spokesman Darryl Isherwood said. "That effort has never been about one person, one company, or one city. It is about ensuring that the tax incentive programs are operated to the benefit of everyone in New Jersey, not just a select, connected few, We look forward to vigorously defending the task force, its investigation, and the actions of this administration in court. NJ Advance Media staff writer Samantha Marcus contributed to this report. Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL. Facebook: @TedSherman.reporter. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. The field for the Democratic presidential nomination has grown so large that it even includes a psychic. I dont know whether Marianne Williamson has a crystal ball. But the Democrats are going to need one to figure out where their nominating process is going. Theyve got a real problem. Its nice to talk about democracy and equality of opportunity and all that. But anyone naive enough to put such principles into practice is in for a nasty surprise. In the last cycle it was the Republicans who had those problems or thought they did. The grand old leadership of the Grand Old Party was about to make the classic blunder of political parties: Handing the nomination to the person who was next in line, in this case former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. Like the partys leaders, Bush believed in three things: Free trade. A loosening of immigration laws. And a foreign policy of endless wars in the Mideast. The Republican electorate opposed all of the above. But by the time the party elders figured that out, Donald Trump had a lock on the nomination. This time around its the Democratic leadership that risks being hauled up on its own principles. The leaders would like nothing more than to see the guy whos next in line get the nomination. Thats former vice president Joe Biden. Hes a political moderate who promises to deliver for all of the partys constituencies, from organized labor to minorities to environmentalists. But the partys activists are obsessed with a lot of views that are more extreme. At the moment the Democratic National Committee has scheduled 12 debates. The field is so big that the first debate will be spread over two nights, June 26 and 27. The DNC has set qualifying standards, but they are so low that few of the 23 confessed candidates will fail to meet them. Williamson, for example, qualified by achieving the standard of having more than 65,000 individual donors. Candidates can also qualify by registering more than 1 percent in national polls. New Jersey U.S. Sen. Cory Booker qualified under that standard but at the moment hes lagging in seventh place with a mere 2.5 percent in the RealClearPolitics average of polls. Thats quite a comedown for a guy who has what would normally be considered an excellent political pedigree. Prior to getting elected to the Senate, Booker was already a national figure because of his role in helping to revive our largest city, Newark. But the former mayor of Newark trails far behind the mayor of South Bend, Ind. In a normal year, a guy like Pete Buttigieg would have been laughed at when he declared he wanted to go from running a city of 100,000 to running a country of 330 million. But hes now fifth in the polls at 7 percent. The Politico website recently reported that Bookers supporters are seething because the upstart mayor gets so much time on camera. Buttigiegs most recent stunt was to accept an invitation from Fox News something most Democratic contenders would be hesitant to do and then use the air time to denounce a couple of Fox pundits. At the moment, Buttigieg looks like hes got the momentum in the race to be the consensus candidate to beat Biden for the nomination. I dont know if he will. But I suspect someone will. At 76 years old, Biden may lack the skills and stamina to make it through a year of campaigning. His supporters like to laugh off his many gaffes, but I suspect his Democratic opponents might not be so charitable. One such gaffe came in 2008, when he attacked then-President George W, Bush by saying, "When the stock market crashed, Franklin D. Roosevelt got on the television and didnt just talk about the, you know, the princes of greed." But my favorite was one I heard in person in 2017. During a talk to union workers, Biden predicted that by 2022 people are going to be flying around the world at 22,000 miles per hour subsonically. No, they arent. Subsonically means below the speed of sound, which is about 750 mph at sea level. As a one-off mistake that wasnt so bad. But a web search shows hes been repeating that line for a couple of years. Apparently he doesnt even know anyone who knows thats a gaffe. This sort of thing didnt matter so much back in 2017. Back then Biden was telling people he had no intention of running for president in 2020. Then he changed his mind. I dont have a crystal ball myself. But Ill bet Democratic primary voters will decide he got it right the first time. By Kristyn Brandi Im an OB/GYN and I spend every day at work listening to stories about womens health care experiences, including stories about abortion care. One recent story sticks out from my patient, who Ill call Nina. Nina was a young, black woman who came to me seeking an abortion at around nine weeks the day after she determined she was pregnant. Nina had a history of irregular periods, so I was not surprised when she missed hers for two months; it had happened before. But after having worsening nausea and breast tenderness, Nina took a home pregnancy test and was devastated to learn it was positive. She was a young mother of two and had two prior c-sections due to health conditions. Nina was close to death in her last delivery; she did not want to go through that again, particularly with two young children at home. Ninas story illustrates why these restrictive laws are unjust and dangerous for women. The majority of abortion care happens in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, but many women do not find out they are pregnant until at least a month or two into their pregnancy. In many states, it can take several weeks to get an appointment for an abortion, assuming one has insurance coverage. Otherwise, it is a costly out-of-pocket healthcare expense. Regardless of when that abortion happens, the enviable safety record is the same, and the procedure is the same. So, having an arbitrary ban on abortion access at six weeks has no medical basis. Pregnancy is not without risks. Abortion care is safer than a full-term pregnancy or cesarean delivery. Some women seek abortions in desired pregnancies because being pregnant may be a danger to their health. For example, there are some heart conditions where the risk of a woman dying in pregnancy is as high as 1 in 4. Many women and families seeking abortion care are already parents, so the risk of dying is not only a reality for them, but also for their loved ones. Black women, like Nina, are over-represented in the current maternal morbidity and mortality crisis. Institutionalized and systematic racism within health care has led to women of color often receiving poor quality care. It is no wonder that some choose to not continue a pregnancy when facing these conditions. Many laws are based on information that is frankly, not accurate. For example, the myth that a woman who has been raped cannot become pregnant. Or, that ectopic pregnancies can be moved to inside the uterus. It is insulting as a physician, who knows ob-gyn health care inside and out, to imagine that legislators - with no medical expertise - are writing laws about how I practice and how my patients receive care. Its frightening to know that, should these laws ever go into effect, physicians like me will face prison time for providing appropriate and ethical care to our patients. Basically, for doing our jobs. I worry about my colleagues practicing in conservative states, and the difficulties they will face in providing care to their patients, based on these new laws. Thankfully, I practice in a state where there is minimal interference with abortion, which makes care safer for my patients. In fact, New Jersey has many supportive laws around reproductive health, like enabling pharmacists to prescribe birth control, and granting women with Medicaid access to doulas during pregnancy. Yet, my colleagues in 27 states have to make their patients endure arbitrary waiting periods before they can have an abortion. In at least 26 states, patients must be offered state mandated information before their procedure. Federal Medicaid denies coverage for abortion and 26 states restrict other insurance coverage for abortion. Fortunately, New Jersey Medicaid covers abortion. It is outrageous that a patients access to care, and a physicians ability to provide evidence-based care, depends on their zip code. But for those in Alabama or Georgia, or any other states grappling with these types of restrictions, do not worry. These laws are unconstitutional and will be challenged by groups such as the ACLU and Center for Reproductive Rights, along with health care providers like me and patients seeking to remove these unnecessary, unsafe barriers to care. Until these laws are affirmed in the courts, abortion is still legal in those states and physicians and clinics will still provide the best care possible. Abortion funds such as ARC-Southeast and the Yellowhammer Fund, will help people pay for their abortions and travel, and groups such as URGE will continue to mobilize opposition to these regressive policies and support for abortion access. I know there is a lot to worry about in the news, but I am hopeful because I know health care providers are voicing their concerns that these laws are harmful to reproductive health care. We will not let politicians play doctor with our patients health and lives. Kristyn Brandi, M.D., M.P.H. is an assistant professor at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and a board member for Physicians for Reproductive Health. 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. By Doug Naidus As the late Daniel Patrick Moynihan said, Everyone is entitled to his own opinion but not his own facts. Thats why I was so disappointed to read an op-ed from Phyllis Salowe-Kaye of New Jersey Citizen Action, which made defamatory accusations about my company. In 2016, I moved my company, World Business Lenders, from New York to New Jersey, partially to take advantage of the economic incentives the state was offering firms like mine to bring jobs to New Jersey. To be clear, we did just that, and as a result qualified for the tax incentives for that year under the Economic Opportunity Act. The baseless attack in the op ed asserts that, It comes as no surprise that a company as unscrupulous as World Business Lenders hired more than 100 low-paid unqualified workers to handle subprime loans, falsified their payroll paperwork, then laid them off once the move to New Jersey was complete and the tax credits sold. Here are the facts: World Business Lenders brought 124 employees to New Jersey from New York in July 2016. By the end of 2016, that employee count had grown to 213 women and men. Following a downturn in our industry during the second half of 2016, WBL reduced its payroll to 135 employees in January 2017. As a result, it did not apply for or seek a Grow NJ award for 2017. Today, the company employs more than 190 employees in New Jersey, approximately 75 percent of whom live in New Jersey and 65 percent of whom are women and men of color. Does New Jersey Citizen Action believe this state would be better off if these nearly 200 people contributed to New Yorks economy, rather than New Jerseys? The op ed next attacks World Business Lenders by writing that, New Jersey shouldnt be helping businesses like this make millions of dollars it should be aggressively cracking down on practices that hurt local businesses and the communities in which they do business. New Jersey Citizen Action and our allies have been calling for stronger and expanded federal and state regulation, oversight and accountability for non-banks and fintech lenders like World Lending Business since the financial crash of 2008. Consistent lending standards, transparency in pricing and terms, responsible underwriting and protections against expensive debt trap cycles of re-borrowing are desperately needed. We couldnt agree more, which is why we have spent the last several years working with legislators in both Trenton and Washington to reform the alternative business lending industry, while voluntarily abiding by the very same standards the op ed writer demands. This hasnt made us popular within our industry but we believe that our consumer-friendly, transparent and ethical model is the right way to do business. Just six months ago, I wrote an op ed for this very newspaper calling for regulatory reforms of my industry to further strengthen, as she puts it, consistent lending practices, transparency in pricing and terms, responsible underwriting and protections against expensive debt trap cycles of re-borrowing. The op ed writer also asks, How could (states Economic Development Authority) EDA leadership approve an application from a company that profits by destroying other companies? In fact, World Business Lenders recently partnered with the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to provide low-interest loans to small businesses at absolutely zero profit for our company. A simple Google search shows article after article describing our efforts Three years ago, World Business Lenders made the decision to move to New Jersey and become a good neighbor that invests in our workers and our community. If a small company that has always played by the rules and has contributed both economically and civically to this state could be dragged through the mud by the publication of such damaging falsehoods, which other company in its right mind would want to relocate here and risk the same fate? Doug Naidus is the founder and chief executive officer of World Business Lenders, based in Jersey City. 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. By numerous first-hand accounts, Eddie Gallagher, a decorated Navy SEAL, has an depraved indifference toward human life and not only while in combat. While deployed as leader of a platoon in Iraq, Special Operations Chief Gallagher once walked up to a 15-year-old prisoner of war and repeatedly stabbed him in the neck and chest, according to several fellow SEALs. Then he texted photos of his kill to his friends. From a snipers perch overlooking the Tigris River, Gallagher shot a girl, estimated to be 12, as she walked along the riverbank with her friends, members of his unit testified to Navy investigators. They also claim that Gallagher shot an unarmed elderly man in the back, took random shots, sometimes into buildings, and that he bragged about slaying 10 to 20 people per day, including noncombatants. Now he is scheduled to face trial on a dozen crimes, and the only thing standing between Gallagher and justice is the fact that Donald Trump somehow finds his record laudable. Trump has requested material on the Gallagher case, as he considers a pardon for the SEAL on Monday Memorial Day. It is odd timing to use that day to dishonor the service of honorable soldiers by excusing the behavior of a war criminal on the eve of his trial, but Trump has followed this story since Fox News turned Gallagher into a symbol of liberal hatred for the military and patriotism itself. It is especially abhorrent that Trump can reset the rules of engagement on a whim: A soldier can have the moral code of Vlad the Impaler, as long his Commander in Chief can flaunt his phony patriotic froth. Its like hes rewriting the rules of engagement in every sphere, says Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-7th Dist.), who for 12 years was Washington Director for Human Rights Watch, and fought to abolish military torture. If it happens, it would be extending his contempt to the rule of law for the military. And its deeply offensive to the men and women who serve honorably and rightly believe America is different from its enemies. By every account, this is not Fog of War stuff, or a tragic confluence of circumstances. This isnt a soldier protecting his brothers. This, allegedly, is murder. And now the president could use his authority capriciously to pardon him before a trial. In honor of his past service to our Country, Navy Seal #EddieGallagher will soon be moved to less restrictive confinement while he awaits his day in court. Process should move quickly! @foxandfriends @RepRalphNorman Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 30, 2019 Trump is also pondering pardons for a Blackwater contractor who was found guilty of shooting a dozen unarmed Iraqis; a Green Beret accused of killing an unarmed Afghan (a big story on Fox & Friends); and he may intervene in the case of a dozen Marine snipers charged with urinating on the corpses of dead Taliban fighters. It is keeping with form. On May 6, Trump pardoned Army Lt. Michael Behenna, who in 2008 drove an Iraqi prisoner into the desert, stripped him, and fatally shot him. He was given a 25-year sentence, but Trump bought his self-defense claim. There is less gray area in the Gallagher record, and the preponderance of testimony is extraordinary. The SEALs, of course, are the most elite commando force in our military. They are a clandestine cadre of soldiers with a shatterproof trust in their mission and their brothers, a bond so strong that they rarely testify against another in war crimes probes. It's insulting to all veterans who served honorably when the president pardons war criminals. But I wouldn't expect him to understand that, because he's never upheld American values. https://t.co/p7spAsa4M6 Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) May 20, 2019 But seven members of Gallaghers platoon convinced commanders to formally report his alleged crimes to the Navy Criminal Investigation Service. Since Gallagher was charged in September, however, its been a PR campaign, with Gallaghers wife and brother visiting Fox News regularly, making their appeal to one man. Trump issued Get Out of Jail Free cards for two shady characters last week alone. One was Conrad Black, the media mogul who spent 42 months in federal prison for defrauding his companys shareholders of $60 million, but also wrote a book entitled, Donald Trump, A President Like No Other. The other was Patrick Nolan, a former California assemblyman who spent 29 months in prison for racketeering after taking an illegal campaign contribution from an undercover FBI agent. If Gallagher is next, consider the consequences. As Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling told CNN, it would damage the way the military is perceived by our allies and partners around the world, and give reinforcement to our enemies. Even worse, it sends a message to our own troops that the Commander in Chief, the guy who dodged the military with bone spurs, has decided that no conduct is too heinous to exonerate. I sincerely hope the Joint Chiefs will persuade the president not to defile Memorial Day by turning it into a celebration of war crimes and of soldiers defying military ethics, discipline and order. https://t.co/qE1gO5LJgF Tom Malinowski (@Malinowski) May 19, 2019 Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. A new analysis of states readiness to respond to a recession found 48 are strongly or well prepared. And then theres New Jersey and Illinois. Moodys Investors Service deemed these two states the absolutely worst prepared based on their high fixed costs, volatility in their revenues, limited reserves and vulnerability of their public pension systems. This sort of report card isnt new for New Jersey. In a prior analysis another ratings house, S&P Global rating, estimated the state would lose 18 percent of its major tax revenues during a moderate downturn and 20 percent during a severe one. And the states meager savings could cover just a teeny sliver of those losses. Energy states like Alaska and North Dakota have the most volatility in their tax collections, and New Jersey lands in the middle of the pack. Thats because New Jersey is increasingly relying on taxes vulnerable to economic conditions, such as the income and corporation business taxes. The gross income tax, which is highly dependent on wealthy filers, created some havoc this year as taxpayers delayed making payment to the state in response to federal tax law changes. But concerns just a couple months ago that the slumping income taxes could blow a hole in the state budget were eased when the state treasurer announced last week they had rebounded in April. From last years budget battle came a new, 10.75 percent top marginal tax rate on personal income over $5 million, which will make the states highly progressive income tax system even more so. In this latest report, Moodys warned investment losses would mean trouble for New Jerseys pension system for public workers, which is among the worst funded in the country. For example, assets in the Teachers Pension and Annuity Fund would only be enough to write checks to pensioners for four years if it suffered steep investment losses," Moodys said, adding there would be pressure on the state to pump in more money to shore up. Moodys also remarked on the states challenges to responding to the revenue shortfalls accompanying an economic downturn, ranking its reserves second to last and saying its fixed pension, health care and debt service costs limit its flexibility. While 26 states have enough set aside for a rainy day to cover a years worth of revenue declines, New Jersey could not even cover even half of its projected losses. This report comes as New Jerseys leaders are debating what to do with $317 million in extra cash it expects to pocket at the end of the fiscal year in June. While Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy wants to stash it in a rainy day fund, state lawmakers say the state has too many unmet needs now. Its raining in New Jersey," state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, said Monday. State Treasurer Elizabeth Muoio said this latest report supports the administrations recommendation to boost the states reserves, saying New Jersey has been punting on its responsibilities for far too long." We are still far behind most states when it comes to being adequately positioned to weather a future economic downturn, Muoio added. This administration is committed to better preparing us for the future. Samantha Marcus may be reached at smarcus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @samanthamarcus. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. Not everyone in Camden wants Gov. Phil Murphy to stay out of their city. Last week, three Democratic politicians representing Camden including the mayor told the Democratic governor hes not welcome there as heated controversy continues to surround New Jerseys tax incentive program. But on Monday, a group of local residents, advocates, union leaders, and clergy members held a news conference to say Murphy is free to come by any time. The governor is more than welcome in Camden, and in fact we invite him here, the coalition said in a statement, noting that 89 percent of the citys residents voted for the progressive Murphy in 2017. And hes been a strong supporter of the city since his election, the group added. We look forward to working with him to make Camden even stronger. The group included the Camden We Choose Coalition, NAACP, National Action Network, Camden Teachers Union, Camden Parents Union, Communication Workers of America, the Camden High Alumni Association, and Concerned Black Clergy of Camden. Murphy has convened a task force to examine how the states Economic Development Authority doled out tax incentives and whether companies abused them. Four of the companies are based in Camden and have ties to South Jersey Democratic power broker George Norcross, a Camden native. Norcross and other south Jersey officials insist the incentives have helped improve Camden and have accused Murphy of unfairly targeting the city. On Friday, Camden Mayor Frank Moran, City Council President Curtis Jenkins, and state Sen. Nilsa Cruz-Perez released a statement saying Murphy should keep out of the city. Hes not welcome here unless and until he stops attacking the city and talks to the people of Camden and the leaders who were elected to represent them," Moran said. Murphy argues he isnt attacking Camden, saying its his job to account for how taxpayer money is spent and that tax breaks work for everyone, not just a select few. The coalition that organized Mondays news conference agreed, saying they see the task forces probe as a welcome process to root out possible corruption that has preyed on our city and exploited its impoverished residents. In short, removing corruption from Camdens political space will help to elevate the voices of Camdens residents, which have for so long been silenced by powerful, unelected forces, the group said. The investigation has sparked a civil war pitting Murphy against Norcross and his ally, state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, that is casting a shadow over politics and policy in Trenton. In a recent interview with NJ Advance Media, Norcross called Murphy a liar and said he thinks hes the King of England. At the same time, an attorney for Norcross recently sent letters directly to Murphys home and the homes of task force members, asking them to preserve all documents related to tax breaks a sign of a possible lawsuit. The attorney for Murphys task force replied: Bring it on." Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. BALTIMORE J.A. Happ was bad again Monday, and at least early on, the $34 million, two-year deal the Yankees gave him isnt working out. So, whats Dallas Keuchel doing? Heres the latest on the star free agent, who still doesnt have a job after Happ gave up six runs in 3 2/3 innings against the lowly Baltimore Orioles in what ended up a 10-7 victory for the Yankees at Camden Yards. No Padres? It doesnt appear the Padres will chase Keuchel, according to MLB.coms AJ Cassavell, though San Diego is in the market for a starting pitcher. But what about the Diamondbacks? Arizona hasnt ruled out a run at Keuchel, according to the Arizona Republics Nick Piecoro. Were going to look at starting pitching now, I would imagine, as we move forward. Well see how we get through this next brief period of time. And then Im sure well be looking at all options of starting pitching, GM Mike Hazen said, according to Piecoro. Clock is ticking: If teams wait to sign Keuchel until after the MLB Draft, which is June 3-5, they wont have to forfeit a draft pick to Astros. Keuchel turned down Houstons $17.9 million qualifying offer. As a result, any team that signs Keuchel before the draft has to surrender a high pick to the Astros. If they wait, they dont. What does Keuchel want? Its unclear what kind of contract Keuchel would accept at this point. Last year, he made $13.2 million with Houston. According to Ken Rosenthal, reporting for Fox Sports, Keuchel would be open to a deal worth more than the $17.9 million qualifying offer for one season or a multi-year deal at a lower average annual salary. Buy Yankees tickets: StubHub, SeatGeek, PrimeSport, Ticketmaster Latest on Happ: Its too early, but if this keeps up, Happs rotation spot could be in danger. Despite the Yankees financial commitment to him. In 10 starts, hes got a 5.16 ERA. Happ on manager Aaron Boone saying Happs fastball command has been off: I dont know. Were trying to figure that out," Happ said. "Im trying to figure that out. Trying to put an end to it and trying to be more consistent. Tonight was a tough one. I dont know that I have an answer for it. They hit the bad pitches. They hit the good pitches. I feel OK. It was kind of snowballing on me tonight. Anything else would be an excuse, I think. It definitely wasnt my night. Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook. One man was killed and two others were injured in a shooting in Algiers Tuesday afternoon (May 21), according to New Orleans police. Two cars traveling westbound were exchanging gunfire on General Meyer Avenue in at shootout that began at West Homestead Drive and ended near Flanders Street, police said. The driver of a gray Acura sedan pushed one of his passengers out of the vehicle near a New Orleans Fire Department station and then struck a black Mercedes SUV near Horace Street. Another passenger fled the scene, police said. The driver the car was killed and the two passengers were injured, police said. The man pushed out of the car near the fire station was taken to the hospital by EMS. The other arrived by private vehicle. The other car, which police described as a dark sedan, left the scene. Police were called at 2:52 p.m. The Acura TL, damaged in the front and riddled with more than 20 bullet holes on the drivers side, was in the middle of General Meyer westbound. Blood could be seen on the drivers door. 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 damaged Mercedes SUV suffered extensive rear damage with the back axel askew and bumper missing. The woman, who just purchased the SUV a month and a half ago, was up and walking as her car, still with its temporary tags, was towed away from the scene. Her family lives nearby and came running outside when they heard about the crash. While standing next to the billowing crime tape, her grandmother still clutched the home landline phone that she received word of the shooting on. At least a dozen evidence cones littered General Meyer Avenue just outside a New Orleans Fire Department station. Both directions of General Meyer were closed at the scene. Investigators gathered outside the fire station analyzed a black handgun and several gold shell casings as onlookers lined the sprawling crime tape perimeter. Another drive-by shooting occurred along the crowded stretch of General Meyer in early October 2018. Two 32-year-old men were injured in that midday shooting, but survived. NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune photographer Michael DeMocker contributed to this report. The Orleans Parish Coroners Office has identified the man killed during a shootout with police Friday (May 17) in New Orleans East as 40-year-old Donald Davis, Jr. Police say Davis fired on officers when they arrived in the 6800 block of Parc Brittany Boulevard. Three officers returned gunfire, striking Davis several times and killing him. Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson said the officers have all been on the force between three to five years. None was injured in the exchange. The trio has been temporarily reassigned to administrative desk duty pending further investigation, per NOPD standard practice. They were wearing active body cameras at the time of the shooting. Body camera footage shows man instigated gunfire exchange with officers in New Orleans East: NOPD NOPD policy adopted in February 2016 gives police department leaders and investigators a total of nine days to review and decide when and how to release any pertinent video, a decision that involves the city attorney, district attorneys office and U.S. Attorneys office. The FBI was notified of Davis identity and representatives from the Independent Police Monitors office and New Orleans Police Department attended his autopsy. The 44-year-old man killed in a weekend shooting in New Orleans is the same person a Danish motorcycle club has said disappeared during the groups tour through the city, according to authorities and an Alabama TV report. The Orleans Parish Coroners Office on Tuesday (May 21) identified the man killed Saturday in the 4200 block of America Street as Poul Hansen. WKRG News 5 in Mobile reported Monday that the biker club from Denmark, Blood of Heroes, reached out to a local biker blog with concerns about Hansens whereabouts. Man fatally shot in the head and back in New Orleans: NOPD Henrick Larsen, from the club, told WKRG Hansen was last seen by his fellow members Friday on Bourbon Street and had apparently planned to go to a jazz concert. The Blood of Heroes group was in New Orleans as part of a coast-to-coast tour of the United States. According to WKRG, the club indicated Hansen was married and had two children. The New Orleans Advocate, citing Danish media reports, said Hansen was shot near his hotel and his belongings were missing. Hansens family attorney Mads Pramming told NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune Hansens family believes he was found without his wallet on him. Note: This story was updated Wednesday (May 22) with information and a photo from Hansens family attorney. A state court judge sentenced an Abita Springs-area teenager to life in prison Monday (May 20) for shooting his stepfather to death as the man ate his evening meal in 2016. A jury in March convicted Daniel T. Hamilton, 19, of second-degree murder in the death of James Kenny Hamilton, 51. Judge Alan Zaunbrecher ordered the sentence to be served with the possibility of parole, based on new sentencing guidelines for offenders who were juveniles at the time of the crime, District Attorney Warren Montgomerys office said in a news release. Daniel Hamilton was 16 at the time of the crime. This was a heinous crime that was especially shocking because of the defendants age and relationship to the victim, Montgomery said. I am proud that my assistant district attorneys obtained justice on behalf of the victims family members. I hope they are now able to close this painful chapter of their lives. Zaunbrecher also sentenced Hamilton to 20 years in prison for each of two counts of solicitation for murder for planning to have the victims brother and sister-in-law killed. Hamilton was angry at the couple at the time because they had requested a revocation of his pre-trial bond after he was found in possession of a firearm in another parish, the DAs office said. The judge ordered one of the 20-year sentences to be served consecutive to the murder sentence; the other 20-year-sentence is to be served at the same time that Hamilton is serving the sentence for murder. Zaunbrecher acknowledged receiving several letters, including two from the murder solicitation victims, but they did not speak in court Monday. Hamilton also chose not to speak. 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 Abita Springs-area teen convicted of murdering stepfather in 2016 Sheriffs deputies went to the Lenel Road home Daniel and James Hamilton shared on March 7, 2016, after James Hamilton failed to show up for work and a relative found his body, authorities said. The elder Hamilton had been shot multiple times in the back of the head with a .22-caliber gun three days earlier as he sat in a chair in the family room and finished his evening meal. Daniel Hamilton surrendered two days after the body was found. After the killing, Daniel Hamilton spent two days drinking and partying with friends at a hunting camp, authorities have said. During trial, prosecutors presented text messages showing that Hamilton had refused his stepsons request to borrow his truck the week before the killing. The Orleans Parish School Board has filed a lawsuit against the city of New Orleans, alleging the city has improperly diverted at least $7.6 million from the district to pay the citys pension fund obligations since 2007. The suit, filed May 15 in Orleans Parish Civil District Court, seeks to compel the city to immediately pay back the OPSBs tax proceeds that the suit argues were withheld and directed to pensions. Any delay in recouping the tax dollars will have an adverse impact on the citys students, according to the lawsuit. City Hall spokesman Beau Tidwell Friday said the city is obeying an obligation created by state law that requires local governments to pay into state-maintained pension funds The Orleans Parish School Board serves approximately 46,000 public school students. The district annually levies three taxes on residents to cover the cost of necessities that include school supplies, employee salaries and facility maintenance. The citys home rule charter, which is essentially its local constitution, states its finance department is tasked with collecting all taxes and fees. The city is tasked with collecting the OPSBs tax revenue to be used exclusively at the citys elementary and secondary schools, the lawsuit stated. A spokeswoman said Tuesday the school district does not comment on ongoing litigation. New Orleans may have improperly diverted millions in special taxes to pension fund, lawsuit alleges New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell issued a statement May 15 regarding the lawsuit. In it, City Attorney Sunni LeBeouf said the current administration inherited the issues raised in the lawsuit. The Mayor is committed to ensuring that the City recovers the costs it incurs by collecting taxes on behalf of the people she serves including all children and families, LeBeouf said in the statement. The city takes a 2% administrative fee to cover its collection of OPSB taxes, but the lawsuit alleges the revenue department began withholding additional amounts starting in 2007 to satisfy various city pension obligations. In total, the city has withheld at least $7.6 million from the OPSB for pension funds, the lawsuit claims. That amount doesnt include the approximately $3.4 million in administrative fees collected each year. Pursuant to state statute, the city is obligated to pay a portion to various retirement funds, including the Pension Funds for City Clerks, the Assessors, New Orleans Firefighters, District Attorneys, Registrars of Voters, and Sheriffs," the lawsuit stated. Orleans Civil District Court Judge Piper Griffin ruled against the city in a similar lawsuit filed by the Downtown Development District last year, the lawsuit notes, when the court prevented the city from withholding that districts tax revenue to satisfy pension obligations. Defendants action not only violate the Louisiana constitution, statutory authority, and the New Orleans Home Rule Charter, they additionally deprive and have deprived OPSB of its property without due process of law, the lawsuit stated. 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 Orleans School Board to ask Legislature to move $10 million from facilities to academics The school board wants the court to prohibit the city from withholding or diverting any additional OPSB tax revenue for pension contributions, and it wants the court to declare the citys administrative fee collections unconstitutional. The lawsuit maintains the city is trying to authorize the administrative fee it has been collecting illegally through Senate Bill 110 in the Louisiana Legislature this session. The proposal from state Sen. Karen Carter Peterson, D-New Orleans, would allow the city to increase its fee from 2% to 4%. The OPSB cites to several past court rulings against the city to show the Louisiana Supreme Court has deemed the administrative collection fee unconstitutional. On Tuesday, Assistant Superintendent Mary Garton told Orleans Parish School Board members the higher administrative fee would cost $3.2 million annually, which she deemed a significant loss in school funding. Petersons bill has cleared the Senate and is scheduled to be considered for final passage in the House on Friday (May 23). Cantrell stressed the sole goal of the legislation is to ensure all tax collection costs the city incurs are covered. This bill is designed to ensure accountability ... to make sure that the City of New Orleans is covered for the expenses we incur on behalf of other entities, the mayor said in the May 15 statement. "The City is not seeing any profit on this, the affected entities will see no net change to their outlay, and we are not taking one dime away from anyone in terms of new or additional costs. OPSB Superintendent Henderson Lewis, Jr. opposes Petersons bill. Voters dedicated this money to education and we will advocate for our students, families and our schools to ensure that these resources get where the voters intended them to go. Senate Bill 110 allows these dollars to be diverted away from education and we cannot allow that to happen, Lewis said in a statement. The OPSBs case has been assigned to Nicole Sheppard, the civil district court judge for Division J. Court documents show Sheppard set a hearing for May 30. Traffic citations surge after New Orleans tightens school zone camera enforcement Correction: This story has been edited to clarify that the pension funds are maintained by the state, not the city. 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. Ronnie Virgets, a thoroughly rounded, freewheeling writer who could hold forth in a distinctive New Orleans accent on such diverse topics as modern literature, horse racing and the foibles of his fellow citizens, died Monday night (May 20) at Ormond Nursing Home in Destrehan. He was 77. The cause of death has not been determined, said Lynne Jensen, his longtime companion. Mr. Virgets, awarded for his writing and television work, never shed the distinctive accent of his native 3rd Ward. He was a walking, talking paradox, Jensen said. He was a genius yat. How much more of a paradox can you get? His strong, vaguely nasal voice made him instantly recognizable in scores of commercials for which he did voice-overs. He also intoned God Bless Louisiana for WGNO-TV. His voice was unmistakable, said Angus Lind, a longtime friend and former Times-Picayune columnist. I could pick Ronnies voice out of 20 New Orleans accents. It was gravelly, raspy and original. The accent was pure; I dont think it was forced. There are guys who try to do the New Orleans accent, and they are forcing it. Ronnie didnt have to force anything; he was it. Mr. Virgets voice was beyond a yat accent, said Bryan Krantz, a former co-owner of the Fair Grounds racetrack. It typifies the people with that crustiness and the flavor of our area. But, friends said, there was more to Mr. Virgets than the way he spoke. Beyond the facade of cheerful bluster was an innate sensitivity, said Angela Hill, who worked with him at WWL-TV. He could be funny, and he could make you cry. He was a man of tremendous depth and an interesting guy. She saw his gift close-up when Mr. Virgets showed up at her home to do a television feature on Alice, Hills Vietnamese pot-bellied pig. They immediately had eye contact and communicated, she said. Ronnie acted like he was greeting some debutante. It was a moment in time that not everybody could have pulled off, but he did. Mr. Virgets was probably best known for writing about other four-legged animals: racehorses. For years, he was a fixture at the Fair Grounds. He wrote about races in Railbird Ronnie, a column for The Times-Picayune, and, Krantz said, he got to know everyone at the Gentilly track: the thoroughbreds well-heeled owners, the people who bet on the steeds, and the men and women who work in the stables. Ronnie was very at ease in that world, Krantz said. He was a Damon Runyon guy. He always had the story, and it always involved the little guy trying to make his big score, and ultimately something tripped him up on it. That was his appeal: He was an everyman that everybody related to. Mr. Virgets was inducted into the Fair Grounds Press Box Hall of Fame, and he won two Eclipse Awards, which are national honors from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, The Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters. One Eclipse Award was for Mr. Virgets coverage of the funeral of Allen Black Cat Lacombe, a legendary Fair Grounds figure the hearse took a lap around the track. The other was for his story about the 1993 fire that destroyed the Fair Grounds clubhouse and the work to rebuild that structure. The latter story captured the essence of that whole experience, Krantz 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 Mr. Virgets stories have given us a glimpse of what makes New Orleans such a special place, Krantz said. He had a certain sense of originality of what the city captures in people and how they play that sort of earthiness, that curmudgeonly stubbornness. New Orleans is a red-bean town. A blue-collar town. Thats where he came from. Ronald Edward Patrick Virgets was born in New Orleans on April 16, 1942. His father, Minor Dominic Virgets, was a bellhop at the Roosevelt Hotel who later worked for the U.S. Customs Service; his mother, Virginia Virgets, was a homemaker. Among his childhood chums was Mac Rebennack, who grew up to become the flamboyant musician Dr. John. Mr. Virgets, who always was known as Ronnie, graduated from St. Aloysius High School and Loyola University. He served in the Army in Vietnam. Before settling down to write, he held a variety of jobs, Jensen said. Mr. Virgets worked in marketing for AT&T, tended bar at Mandinas Restaurant and was a bouncer at the Famous Door. In addition to The Times-Picayune, he wrote for Gambit Weekly and New Orleans Magazine, and he was a reporter for WWL-TV and WDSU-TV. He was host of Crescent City on WWNO-FM. Mr. Virgets won a regional Emmy for a 1992 story about New Orleans, and the Press Club of New Orleans gave him a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002. Yet for all of Mr. Virgets output, he was such a laid-back original, Lind said. I dont think there was anything phony about Ronnie. He was what he was. That included wearing Hawaiian shirts and some sort of cap or hat, and appearing, in Linds description, not quite shaven. Mr. Virgets, who took a Falstaffian joy in New Orleans rituals, marched in St. Patricks Day parades, rode in the Thoth and Tucks parades and, in 1996, reigned with Jensen over the Krewe du Vieux procession. When Hurricane Katrina struck in August 2005, Mr. Virgets refused to evacuate and rode out the storm in Jensens two-story Lakeview house. When water overwhelmed the bottom level, Mr. Virgets headed upstairs and was rescued by a boat several days later, Krantz said. He wrote Diary of a Displaced Person: The First 72 Hours, an essay about the effects of the storm, which he read on NPR. It appears in Lost Bread Flavored with a Little Steens Cane Syrup, a collection of his writings. Other compilations are Say, Cap!: The New Orleans Views of Ronnie Virgets and Saints and Lesser Souls: The New Orleans Views of Ronnie Virgets. His writing captured what he could do and how he presented the city, Krantz said. He had a way of painting with words those colloquial scenes for us. His marriage to Mary Lee Chauvin ended in divorce. In addition to Jensen, survivors include a son, Michael Virgets of New Orleans; two daughters, Stephanie Whittington of Raceland and Tara Mackey of Metairie; a brother, Tommy Virgets of Switzerland; and seven grandchildren. Jacob Schoen & Son Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, which are incomplete. An $865,000 federal appropriation that paid for 72 underprivileged children to attend a New Orleans preschool will not be renewed amid reports that the school was slapped with sanctions tied to its involvement in the Louisiana Scholarship Program, which allocates public money for private school tuition, a state official said Monday (May 20). The LSU Health Sciences Center, the recipient of a federal grant for its Early Head Start Child Care Partnership, had a contract with McMillians First Steps Academy that allowed the preschool arm of the facility on South Claiborne Avenue to provide care for children ages 6 weeks to 3 years old whose families fall below the federal poverty line. The contract was for multiple years, according to a source with knowledge of the contract. On May 8, a consortium of local and national news organizations reported that McMillians, which in addition to serving as a preschool operated as a private elementary and middle school for 156 voucher students in the 2017-18 school year the most recent available -- has earned millions from the state through the Louisiana Scholarship Programs voucher subsidies. Those state dollars flowed to the school despite its low performance, allegations of test cheating and evidence of nepotism. The news outlets investigation did not find issues with the preschool program. But less than a week after the news series began, McMillians was told by LSU that its contract for the Head Start program would not be renewed. The $865,115 contract expires at the end of July 2019, LSU Health Sciences Center said. A spokeswoman for the center said LSU has contracts with several partners throughout greater New Orleans to operate Head Start programs. When asked why the contract with McMillians was not renewed, the spokeswoman said LSU chose to work with another community partner. About 18 parents of preschool children at McMillians, along with several faculty members, staged a rally Friday outside the health sciences center in an effort to persuade the school to renew the contract with McMillians. They held placards designed to call attention to their plight, including What About Us, and Why? Lashawn Futrel, the parent of a 3-year-old who has been at McMillians since infancy, said the problems outlined in the media reports are unrelated to the preschool, which operates under a separate program and is not tied to the issuance of state vouchers. I saw what was posted, Futrel said of the stories of McMillians involvement with the voucher program. However, it did not directly affect that (preschool) program. I dont think the decision was made.it was a hasty decision, she said. Linda McMillian, the schools executive director, appeared at Fridays rally but refused to answer reporters questions. A series of reports by NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune, WVUE Fox 8 News, WWNO and Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting that began earlier this month examined whether Louisianas school voucher program is living up to promises made by former Gov. Bobby Jindal and other school choice advocates. The program was designed to free many low-income kids from bad public schools by allowing them to use state tax dollars in the form of vouchers to pay tuition at private schools, where theyd presumably receive a better education. The investigation, called the Cost of Choice, showed that the $40-million-a-year voucher program drew nearly 6,900 students from public schools into a system with numerous failing private schools that receive little oversight. 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 McMillians was highlighted as one of the private schools whose funding comes by way of the state budget, with all of its students attending on vouchers. State records show that nearly $1.3 million in public money flowed to the school for the 2017-18 school year. A review of the schools tax records shows that Linda McMillian earned $204,328 in 2017, a 35 percent increase over her 2016 salary. Thats more than double the pay for similar jobs in the public school system. Linda McMillians husband, Harold McMillian, is the chief executive officer, according to the schools website. The assistant principal is Rashad McMillian, the son of Linda and Harold, according to the school. Another son, Christopher McMillian, is the schools coordinator and a daughter, Fanchon McMillian, is the band director. The state requires all voucher students at private and parochial schools to take the state assessment tests designed to track classroom performance. The LEAP tests are the same ones given to students in public schools and allow the state to give a score to private or parochial schools with a significant number of voucher students. The news organizations analyzed the data on state test scores from voucher schools and found that two-thirds of all students in the voucher system attended schools rated D or F during the last school year. Among those schools was McMillians, which the state scored at 58.7 out of a possible 150 points the equivalent of a D. State officials have expressed a number of concerns about how McMillians has administered the tests. In 2017, the Louisiana Department of Education received an anonymous tip alleging cheating on those tests. Because the school did not provide answers to those concerns, the Department of Education voided 61 of the schools 2017-18 LEAP tests, saying the schools pattern of behavior showed it was unable to administer assessments in accordance with state requirements, according to an internal Department of Education letter obtained during the investigation. After seeing problems for at least two years, state officials told McMillians that it would not be able to accept new voucher students for the 2019-20 school year. Correction: An earlier version of this story, citing information from McMillians First Step Academy, listed Percy W. Reed as the current schools principal. Reed said he was principal only for six months between January and July 2016. The Cost of Choice is the result of a reporting collaboration between NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune, WVUE Fox 8 News, WWNO and Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting. The series is the first to grow out of Reveals Local Labs initiative, which works to establish lasting collaborations in communities across the United States. Old Navy plans to open a new store next spring in Slidells Fremaux Town Center. The store will be the national retailers third North Shore location and is the latest turn in Slidells changing retail landscape. Stirling Properties, which operates the Fremaux Town Center and Fremaux Park along Interstate 10, said in a news release this week that the 12,500-square-foot store would be located on Levis Lane between Dillards and Capital One Bank. Construction is slated to begin this week, and Stirling said the store is expected to open in spring 2020. The Slidell store will join existing locations in Mandeville and Hammond. The new store continues the build-out of the Fremaux Town Center, a mixed-use development that opened in 2014. Stirling also announced this week that multi-family developer Waypoint purchased 20 acres at Fremaux Park and will soon begin construction of a 276-unit apartment complex on Town Center Parkway. Stirlings announcement comes amidst a continued shakeout of the citys retailers. St. Tammany top stories in your inbox A weekly guide to the biggest news in St. Tammany. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Morguard Corp., which owns Northshore Square Mall, recently announced that it will close the interior stores in the mall and concentrate on bringing anchor stores to the strip fronting the heavily travelled Northshore Boulevard. Morguard representatives have said the slumping mall has been hurt in recent years by an encroachment of online retailers as well as the newer, open-air Fremaux Town Center. New development also appears in the works for the shopping area across Northshore Boulevard from the mall. SRSA Commercial Real Estate announced last month that it had sold the vacant Toys R Us building to the international grocer ALDI Inc. for $2 million. The Slidell Toys R Us store was shuttered in 2018. ALDI representatives have not responded to inquiries seeking details about the companys plans for the site. ALDI buys Toy 'R' Us site in Slidell With a field of at least 23 presidential candidates to choose from, many of the Democratic Party faithful are waiting for a round or two of Darwinism to kick in before declaring their undying love and unequivocal support. Not Congressman Cedric Richmond. Hes for Joe Biden. The New Orleans Democrat began promoting a Biden run as far back as 2016, in the ashes of Hillary Clintons loss to Donald Trump. And when the former vice president finally got off the fence in late April, Richmond was among the first to endorse him. Richmond says he thinks Biden is the right choice not just because of his political experience, but because of that "electability" thing that concerns a lot of moderate Democrats looking at a primary roster that tilts heavily to the left. One thing I learned in politics very early: you cant govern if you cant win, Richmond said on CBS Face the Nation last month. And I believe Joe Biden, one is the best person to represent the Democratic Party, but I think hes the best person to win. That loyalty could land Richmond an official role in Bidens presidential campaign, possibly even as a campaign co-chair, Democratic sources told Politico last week. The news site said the four-term congressman and former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus is already acting as an unofficial liaison to Capitol Hill, providing an outlet for courting black lawmakers as well as more junior members of the caucus who dont have a personal relationship with the longtime former senator from Delaware. The customers always write I have not been offered that yet, Richmond said of the campaign co-chair position. But the shorter answer is that theres probably not a lot I would say no to in terms of making sure we beat Donald Trump and helping [Biden]. I really believe in his campaign and his body of work, as well as his ability to beat Trump. In addition to endorsing Biden, he also used his Face the Nation appearance to call for Trumps impeachment, putting him out of step with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the House leadership that is taking a more cautious approach. Richmond, in contrast, said "my sole focus right now is to make sure" that Trump is not president in 2020. "I am very concerned about this president's fitness for office," he said. "I'm very concerned about the crimes that I believe that he has committed or that the [Mueller] report certainly suggests that he has committed. So I'm fine going either way but my goal is for him not to be president next term." None of this talk is going to hurt Richmonds own re-election prospects. Trump got only 25 percent of the vote in Richmonds 2nd Congressional District while winning the state with 58 percent. Still, some may wonder why a 45-year-old politician on the rise in Congress would go so early and so deeply for a presidential candidate who will be 78 after the Nov. 3, 2020, elections and represents what appears to be a fading, more moderate wing of the Democratic Party. It also means that Richmond is bypassing two black colleagues seeking the nomination who might have expected his support, Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Kamala Harris of California. Booker is 50, Harris is 54. "They're both dear friends of mine, I respect them immensely," Richmond told Politico. "They know I'm not going to be with them. I told them both who I was endorsing when I was doing it." A Biden victory in 2020 could slingshot Richmond, who was term-limited out of his Congressional Black Caucus chairmanship last year, into a major role in the new administration. But Richmond says it's not about that. Trump looks worried about Louisiana governors race "Im at the point where I really believe that were fighting for the future of this country," Richmond said in his Politico interview. "And then I think about the damage Trump could do with another four years, appointing more justices to the Supreme Court. "So it creates a sense of seriousness where its not about me at all, its not about positions or attention or anything else, which is why I didnt run for any House leadership positions. Its why I didnt do any of that because I want to be as helpful as I can in making sure that we dont have Donald Trump for a second term." So, with a side bet on impeachment, Richmond is going all-in for Biden and electability. 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 A ribbon-cutting ceremony is a beginning for a business thats opening or expanding in the community. But those celebratory events also represent the culmination of behind-the-scene efforts by business owners, economic development experts, government agencies, elected officials and many others. Advance Southwest Iowa Corp. is a leader in cultivating Pottawattamie Countys economy, offering a one-stop destination for businesses looking to hang a shingle in Council Bluffs or one of the countys other 13 cities. The agency helps businesses navigate regulations, apply for incentives, evaluate sites, connect with partners and otherwise keep the process going to open their doors to customers. Advance was formed in 2014 to provide a destination for prospective businesses in Council Bluffs to connect to everything needed to open their doors. The agency broadened its service territory last year and now covers all the communities in Pottawattamie County. Were the liaison that keeps the ball moving, said Paula Hazlewood, Advances executive director. We are the economic development agency for Pottawattamie County all of Pottawattamie County. Niki Ferguson, Advances project management coordinator, called the agency a well-oiled machine that works with many partners to bring jobs into Pottawattamie County. She said those who arent familiar with everything that leads up to a ribbon-cutting ceremony might not appreciate what it takes. Hazlewood credits the Council Bluffs City Council, the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors and the Iowa West Foundation for having the foresight in 2014 to form Advance and join the Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership. They collaborated to ramp up a grassroots economic development organization and are now seeing the benefits of their hard work and persistence. In addition, Advance works with the Council Bluffs and Omaha Chambers, Mid-American Energy, Black Hills Energy, Council Bluffs Water Works and rural water suppliers, as well as real estate brokers, architectural and engineering firms, developers, lending institutions, site selection companies, Iowa Western Community College, Iowa Economic Development Authority and various other organizations. Were the boots-on-the-ground connector of resources, Hazlewood said. Our goal is to be the first point of contact for new businesses as well as existing businesses that are looking to grow in Pottawattamie County. Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh said its beneficial to have all the communities in the metropolitan area work together to land new businesses because those jobs can employ people anywhere in the region, so it doesnt make sense for metro area communities to fight for projects against each other. He said Hazlewood and her team bring expertise in economic development and leverage the success of the metro area in helping to attract businesses to Council Bluffs. Were thrilled to have them working on our behalf, Walsh said. (Hazlewood) is start-to-finish the lead on all economic development projects but works closely with the City of Council Bluffs departments to make sure that transition from being a tire-kicker to being actually a business is as seamless as possible. Shalimar Mazetis, Advances rural development manager, said the agency wants to be a resource to launch and expand businesses outside of Council Bluffs as well. Were making sure that businesses are happy, healthy and thriving in rural Pottawattamie County, Mazetis said. Were also really focused on bringing in good, high-quality jobs, jobs that will allow our residents to make a good living wage. Mazetis said she works a lot with mayors and city clerks, as well as existing employers. In Walnut, for example, Lynn Driver owns two businesses Emma Jeans restaurant and lounge and Banana Split retro soda fountain and is president of the Walnut Area Business Association and Walnut Merchants Association. He said Mazetis has helped Walnut businesses market themselves on social media. Shes connected us with resources for some external experience in electronic marketing, Facebook and Twitter and those things, Driver said. Im 60 years old, so Twitter is something that birds do in the yard. Driver said Walnuts businesses are tied together by the need to bring in traffic to the community. What every other business in town does affects my business, Driver said. We can all work together for a common goal and a common focus, or we can flounder around individually. Tim Wichman, chairman of the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors, said its critical for all the rural communities in the county to stay on the cutting edge of technology. He said Advance helps with small businesses as well as larger projects, some of which are looking for sprawling tracts of land. On the rural side, growth is important to maintain and grow and keep alive the cities outside of Council Bluffs, Wichman said. The small businesses are just as important as the big data centers. They still bring jobs to the community, increase the tax base and provide other opportunities in small towns for growth. For many years, Wichman said the county wasnt tapping into the opportunities it had available. With the help of Advance, though, resources are better aligned toward turning opportunities into successes, and each success in the region whether in Council Bluffs or a rural community helps fuel growth. Things are changing the opportunities are here, Wichman said. We work together as a team, and thats what it takes to bring any business here, whether its a small one or like a Google. Scott Stewart is a freelance journalist and communications consultant. This article was prepared on behalf of Advance Southwest Iowa Corp. Find more information at advancesouthwestiowa.com. Thank you! You've reported this item as a violation of our terms of use. Error! There was a problem with reporting this article. This content was contributed by a user of the site. If you believe this content may be in violation of the terms of use, you may report it. Report Abuse Log In to report TUESDAY Financial Education and Empowerment 10 to 11:30 a.m., Catholic Charities, 1215 N. Broadway. Free classes for those who identify as a victim/survivor of domestic or sexual violence. New participants will need to schedule an intake. Call 712-256-2059 ext. 103 for more information. Overeaters Anonymous 6 to 7 p.m., Broadway Christian Church, 2658 Ave. A. Call Janie at 712-328-8482. Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) 10 a.m. meeting with weigh-ins beginning at 9:30 a.m. First Church of the Nazarene, 2600 Ave. A. Call Bonnie at 402-850-1013 or Deborah at 402-208-1313. Overeaters Anonymous 7 p.m., Unity Church, 3424 N. 90th St., Omaha. Call Marcy at 402-571-6843. Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 104 Bingo 7 p.m., North 16th Street and Avenue F. Public welcome. Alcoholics Anonymous 8:30 p.m., 410 S. 16th St. PTSD Support Group for Veterans 5 to 7 p.m., Kanesville Honor Guard Building, 3000 Ave. B. A support group for veterans, law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, city workers and first responders. Board Game Night for Adults 6 to 9 p.m., Council Bluffs Public Library. The public is invited to come play new and classic board and card games at the Council Bluffs Public Library. Bring your own or stop in to join a game. This group meets the first and third Tuesday each month and is free and open to the public. Council Bluffs Lions Club Meeting Noon, Madison Avenue Hy-Vee. Lewis & Clark Dinner Meeting 5:30 p.m. social hour; Dodge Riverside Grille, 2 Harrahs Blvd. Social hour is followed by dinner and a brief meeting before presentations at 6:45 p.m. Public welcome. Small cost. Call 402-291-1585 or email mikilang1@cox.net. Metro Area Personal Computer Club 6:30 p.m. social hour, 7 p.m. meeting, Sapp Bros. Apple Barrel, 2608 S. 24th St. Demonstration following the meeting. Call Joe at 712-322-2438 or email jcavallaro@cox.net. Council Bluffs Women Connection 1 p.m., Epworth United Methodist Church, 2447 Ave. B. Cost $5. RSVP at 712-322-8757. Council Bluffs Saddle Club 7 p.m., New Life Assembly. Life After Loss Bereavement Support Group 7 to 8:30 p.m., Harlan Senior Center, Harlan. Call 712-755-2757. Survivors of Suicide 7:30 p.m. Support group for those who have lost a friend or relative to suicide. Call for location at 402-558-4616. Piecemakers Quilt Guild 7 p.m. at United Methodist Church, 223 E. Superior St., Missouri Valley. Meetings include guest speakers, show-and-tell and a business meeting. Call Phyllis at 712-642-3194. WEDNESDAY Rent Wise 10 to 11:30 a.m., Catholic Charities, 1215 N. Broadway. Free classes for those who identify as a victim/survivor of domestic or sexual violence. New participants will need to schedule an intake. Call 712-256-2059 ext. 103 for more information. Wednesday Night Dance 7 to 9:30 p.m., YMCA Healthy Living Center, 714 S. Main St. All dances are subject to change. In case of inclement weather, Wednesday Night Dances are canceled if Council Bluffs Schools are closed. Cost is $6 per person for members; $12 per person for non-members. Breastfeeding Support Group 9:30 a.m., CHI Health Mercy Hospital Lactation Clinic in Mercy 2 Professional Center, Room 206. Call 712-328-5252. Lewis & Clark Study Group 9 to 11 a.m., 2 Huron Circle, Salem United Methodist Manawa Center. Find out what happened to the explorers. Carter Lake VFW No. 9661 Hamburger Night 5 to 7:30 p.m., 100 Locust St., Carter Lake. 712-347-6969. Greater Communicators Toastmasters Club 6 to 7 p.m., Firehouse No. 5, 3405 11th St., Council Bluffs. Meetings open to the public. Contact Floy 712-326-9332. Water Exercise Program 7 to 8 p.m., Lewis Central Pool. Carter Lake Optimist Club 7 p.m., Carter Lake Senior Center, 626 Locust St. Gamblers 12-Step Program 8 p.m., 12-Step House, 7306 Grant St., Omaha. For 24-hour hotline, call 402-978-7899. Wednesday Night Live Al-Anon CHI Health Building, 622 S. Fourth St. American Red Cross Blood-pressure Screening 10 to 11 a.m., Oard-Ross Drug Store, 701 16th Ave. Meal and a Message 6 p.m., Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church. Bunco 2 p.m., Sugars Diner, 2725 E. Kanesville Blvd. Cash prizes and snacks awarded. $5.50 to play. Open to the public. THURSDAY Work in Progress 10 to 11:30 a.m., Catholic Charities, 1215 N. Broadway. Free classes for those who identify as a victim/survivor of domestic or sexual violence. New participants will need to schedule an intake. Call 712-256-2059 ext. 103 for more information. Journey Beyond Abuse 6:30 to 8 p.m., Catholic Charities, 1215 N. Broadway. Free classes for those who identify as a victim/survivor of domestic or sexual violence. New participants will need to schedule an intake. Call 712-256-2059 ext. 103 for more information. Optimist Club of Council Bluffs 7 a.m., Madison Avenue Hy-Vee. Al-Anon Family Group 10 a.m., The 500 Club, 410 S. 16th St. Council Bluffs Rotary Noon, YMCA Healthy Living Center, 714 S. Main St. Take Off Pounds Sensibly (Tops) Iowa 1263 4 p.m., Harmony Court. Use lower east door. Call Shirley at 712-642-3530 or Sheila at 712-323-5874. Council Bluffs MAD DADS 7 p.m. Call 712-328-0302. Gamblers 12-Step Program 7 p.m., Pacific Hills Lutheran Church, 90th and Pacific Streets, Omaha. For 24-hour hotline, call 402-978-7899. All Acoustic Music Jam 1 to 4 p.m., Western Historic Trails Center. White Elephant Bingo 12:30 p.m., YMCA Healthy Living Center. Teen Gaming 3:30 to 7:30 p.m., Council Bluffs Public Librarys Teen Central. Mix of board and video games for students in sixth through 12th grade. Call 712-323-7553. 746 Needlework Club 6 to 8 p.m., Council Bluffs Public Library. Knitting, crochet or embroidery. All skill levels welcome. Meet with people who share your interest, share ideas and help each other. Bring your own supplies or projects to work on. This group meets the second and fourth Thursday each month and is free and open to the public. Southwest Iowa Amateur Radio Club 7:30 p.m., American Red Cross, 16th Street and Avenue G. All amateur radio operators and anyone with an interest in amateur radio welcome. Call 712-328-0107. Iowa Western Community College students will face another tuition hike for the 2019-20 school year. The colleges board of trustees approved an increase of $9 per credit hour the same as last falls during its regular meeting Monday. That will bump costs $135 per semester for students taking 15 credit hours the minimum needed to finish most associate degrees in two years, according to Eddie Holtz, vice president of finance. It pushes the total tuition rate up to $178 per credit hour, not including fees. Fees were not increased for 2019-20. Iowa Westerns enrollment is down 406 students, or 6.77 percent, from 2018. The number of credit hours has dropped 5,108, or 8.89 percent. Trustees approved a 2.5 percent pay raise for employees during its previous meeting on April 15. That applied to faculty, engineers and employees not under contract. The colleges health insurance costs will not increase this time, Holtz said. The Iowa Legislature approved $6 million in general funding for the states community colleges during its 2019 session, board Chairman Brent Siegrist said. It was a step forward compared to the last couple years, he said. Iowa Western has left some vacancies unfilled to save money, and there has been a slight increase in the tax base in the colleges service area, Holtz said. In other business, IWCC President Dan Kinney reported that construction of the Dr. John W. and Jean Marshall Wellness Center is going well and should be completed this summer as planned. Installation of new steam lines for the heating system on the Council Bluffs Campus will likely take until December 2020, meaning the college will have to make it through another winter with its current system. The contractor has promised to provide emergency backup next winter, if needed. 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. Ohio congressman and presidential candidate Tim Ryan spoke in Council Bluffs for the first time Monday, focusing on a middle class revolution. He talked to an audience of around 25 people, about different issues, including what he perceives as the need to bring in a new economy and get industries back to the United States. Ryan, a congressman representing Ohios 13th District and Democratic presidential candidate, said he brought back millions of dollars to his district after he saw the old economy was dying. These problems are so deep, so structural that the only way out of this mess is if we have a chief executive, a President of the United States that is going to drive an economic policy that is going to (help) the middle class, he said. Ryan also spoke on a range of topics including education, innovation, mental health and others. According to Ryan, his education plan will place a focus on more assistance for students with social and emotional needs, noting that early childhood traumas can affect the brain and nervous system. Ryan said he had been asked about mental health at every stop he has made in Iowa, and that it is an issue prominent in both schools and communities due to the lack of resource availability. Ryans wife is a teacher and a member of a teachers union, and he said he would be pro-teacher and pro-union as president. To innovate, Ryan spoke about redeveloping older buildings like theaters or town squares and promote a robust arts program to build the culture within those communities. Ryan said there are around 300,000 federal jobs in Washington D.C., and he wants to move more federal jobs into rural communities. Part of innovating and growing the middle class includes innovating industries, in particular renewable energy and technologies that are advancing, he said. There are going to be 30 million electric vehicles in the world by 2030, he said. I want those made in the United States. He stated China currently own 40 to 50 percent of the electric vehicle market already and he has seen multiple jobs move to China or outside of the country. Ryan spoke on batteries being made in the United States, cars, wind power, solar power, nuclear power, as well as technology using artificial intelligence. He emphasized a need for the United States to develop and grow to advance as a nation, and be the recipient of whatever may come with those innovations. I dont have any fairy dust to sprinkle across the industrial Midwest and say all of these problems are going to go away ... but I am going to roll up my sleeves with you, and with the community and were going to innovate this government. OMAHA Until a few months ago, Jay Banta of Omaha knew next to nothing about his fathers cousin, Don Banta, who died at age 22 during World War II. Then, out of the blue, a representative of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency called and asked if he would provide a DNA sample to help identify his missing relative. I was thrilled, I was surprised, said Banta, 77. I didnt even know him. He sent off the sample. And the phone call set him on a path to learn about this lost cousin, who he has since learned was a turret gunner on a B-24 bomber that crashed in Germany on Feb. 24, 1944. It is what led Banta and his wife, Linda, to join almost 150 other relatives of U.S. service members reported missing in combat since World War II at a meeting Saturday at the Omaha Marriott. The agencys family member updates are held four times a year in cities across the country. Speakers at the sessions fill in families on the latest efforts to identify and bring home their loved ones. Its only the second such meeting held in Omaha, and the first here since the agency opened its second laboratory in 2013 at nearby Offutt Air Force Base. The first, opened in 1965, is in Honolulu. Family members had a chance to tell the stories of their missing loved ones. Some of them did so while holding back tears. Jay Banta told about Don Banta, who was born near Clearwater, Nebraska, and later moved to California. He was last seen on the flight deck for the B-24 before it was hit by flak near Fulda, Germany. Two soldiers bailed out before the plane exploded in midair and were taken prisoner by the Germans. Banta didnt survive and was never found. Jerry Evans of Lawrence, Kansas, was a Marine serving in Vietnam on March 13, 1968. His brother, Cleveland Evans Jr., was also serving there and died in a helicopter crash that day. But his body was never recovered. He was coming to see me when his chopper went down, Jerry Evans said. He was real close to me, and I miss him dearly. Hopefully, we can get some news that hes (coming) back. The agencys senior leaders briefed the families on field excavations at burial and plane crash sites in Europe and the Pacific and on the disinterments of some of the more than 5,000 unidentified service members who were buried in U.S. military cemeteries overseas as unknowns. Among new developments: While the DNA of many of these long-buried bodies has degraded over time, newer types of tests are allowing the agency to make identifications that would have been impossible just a few years ago. The agency plans to disinter and try to identify the more than 500 Korean War unknowns buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii. More than 200 of the 388 missing sailors who died at Pearl Harbor aboard the USS Oklahoma have now been identified through the work of the Offutt lab. More than 60 nonprofit or university groups are now partnering with the agency to recover and identify remains. The University of Delaware recently demonstrated a remotely operated mini-submarine that may expand the agencys ability to excavate underwater ship or airplane wrecks, especially at depths below the 150 feet that human divers can currently reach. The agency has worked cooperatively with the governments of 46 countries to search for American MIAs, including Russia and China. Only one, North Korea, is not cooperating, said the agencys director, Kelly McKeague. About 5,300 service members are missing there. One of them is Earl Stiles of Council Bluffs, who died in a prison camp near the Chinese border after being captured Dec. 1, 1950, during the Chosin Reservoir campaign. His sister, Shirley Smith, also of the Bluffs, wants to make sure that her brother isnt forgotten. This was the latest of many family update meetings she has attended. She was only 8 years old when Pearl Harbor was attacked, she said, and her brother enlisted the next day. He fought to the end of World War II and was called up again to serve in Korea. The family was heartbroken to receive the Missing in Action telegram. After the war, he was declared dead, but the family was left with an empty feeling. He died of malnutrition and the cold. We heard from a man who shared a blanket with him in the camp, Smith said. We are hoping you can find his body. The accounting agency has a budget of about $130 million. Last year, it identified 203 missing service members, the highest number to date. More than 72,000 have been reported missing since World War II, about 34,000 of whom are considered to be recoverable. Tim McMahon, director of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, whose Dover, Delaware, lab processes DNA samples, urged anyone with an MIA family member to donate a DNA sample because identifications cant be made unless theres a family sample to compare it with. The agency has family samples for about 90% of Korean and Vietnam War MIAs, but only 6% of MIAs from World War II. The current roster of Nebraska MIAs includes 717 from World War II, 59 from the Korean War, 11 from the Vietnam War and two from the Cold War. The list of Iowa MIAs includes 1,330 from World War II, 132 from the Korean War, 22 from the Vietnam War and one from the Cold War. Banta was one of several family members who toured the Offutt lab Friday and came away impressed. Im totally blown away by the fact that so, so much effort is going to find our loved ones, he said. Both attorneys said Resler had a minimal criminal record, and Piccolo said before sentencing that the pickups value was the main reason the charge was filed as a felony. I trust Ms. Franz. Shes a very skilled prosecutor, the judge said before agreeing to sentence Resler to time served. But he told him: You understand this is on your record, so it may make life a little difficult for you. In other district court action (defendants are from North Platte unless otherwise noted): Piccolo set a July 22 sentencing date for Anthony R. Sandoval, 31, after he pleaded no contest to two of five felony counts in a pair of cases dating to last year. Sandoval was accused of breaking into a home in the 600 block of West First Street on July 24. Three firearms, an Xbox gaming system and some computers were taken, Franz said Monday. Sandoval Monday changed his previous not-guilty pleas in the incident to burglary and possession of a stolen firearm. Prosecutors dismissed one felony count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, as well as a second case in which Sandoval was charged with two counts of theft, $5,000 or more, in an Oct. 3 incident. If it were not so if county commissioners, without charges made under oath and distinct specifications under them, and without trial, can remove a county treasurer the office will be held subject to their whim, caprice or interest, and the will of the people in the selection of officers is to be defeated, and that too without the possibility of a review of the errors committed during the alleged trial. But such is not the law. During her brief appearance Monday, Koertner took an oath, administered by Hewgley, to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Hewgleys first question was whether Koertner had received notice of Mondays hearing. She said she had, but on advice of her legal counsel, she would not answer any more questions. She read her prepared statement, rose and left the room. In her statement, Koertner said she was here only to object to the notice served on her Wednesday. It wasnt signed by one of you or any elected official, and because it lacks specifics, I cant even tell a lawyer what youre talking about. Under drizzling skies, law enforcement officers and other supporters participate in a symbolic torch run, done every year in support of the Nebraska Special Olympics Summer Games. They ran from Maxwell School to Cody Park, a distance of about 14.5 miles, from about 4 to 6:30 p.m.. At the park, they lit the torch and met with local Special Olympics participants and their families. Nebraska State Patrol Trooper Nathan Veal organized the run. He said it included participants from the State Patrol, Lincoln County Sheriffs Office, North Platte Police Department, Lincoln County Attorneys office, the FBI, Homeland Security and North Platte Public Schools. The Special Olympic Summer Games will take place in Omaha from Wednesday to Sunday. On the hallowed grounds of Gettysburg Battlefield in 1863, President Lincoln pledged that our country can never forget the last full measure of devotion given by our service members. This Memorial Day, Nebraskans and people throughout this nation will carry on a solemn tradition of honoring the fallen of our wars. Every one of them share this in common: They loved America, and they were willing to give their last full measure of devotion to protect our freedom. Those who gave everything when our country needed them most ask only one thing of us, that we remember them. On Memorial Day, and every day, we honor and remember our fallen service members. We do so not just with our words, but also with our actions. And we dont have to look far for evidence of this in our communities. Before World War I came to an end, plans were underway to build Memorial Stadium in honor of those who sacrificed their lives overseas. Its northeast corner is inscribed with timeless words: Their lives they held their countrys trust; They kept its faith; They died its heroes. First Lieutenant Jarvis Offutt was among them, who is the namesake of Offutt Air Force Base. Crime : Bonn police record more knife attacks Bonn Bonn police say knife attacks are becoming increasingly frequent, especially in the case of street crime. They are now being specifically trained for these situations.. Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken Von Rudiger Franz A 25-year-old man caused alarm a few days ago in Bonn when he handled a knife in a tram and made threats. The police were able to detain him a short time later. On Friday evening, there was a bloody conflict between three men on Oppelner Strae in Tannenbusch involving a sharp-edged window scraper. Both cases should be reflected in the next police crime statistics. Since January, there has been a special category for the use of knives and other stabbing instruments. Up to now, this has only been the case for firearms. According to Bonn police, the first data will not be available until July. Wolfgang Beus, spokesperson for the NRW Ministry of the Interior, explains the methodology: It is not only the use of a knife in an attack that will be recorded, but whether one is carried during a crime. Both will be recorded separately in the statistics. According to Beus, even if there is a general feeling that the number of knife attacks is increasing, there is currently no valid database for this. In addition, it will of course not be possible to compare the first data with that from previous years. Will there soon be Knife-free zones? In the meantime, there is the general impression among a wide variety of parties of an increasing number of cases. The two major police unions, for example, have been warning for some time of increasing knife attacks by young men and youths. Several state governments are calling for laws allowing certain neighbourhoods and events to be designated knife-free zones although the black-yellow coalition in NRW has so far been cautious and Bonn police have refrained from commenting. The SPD parliamentary group in the Dusseldorf state parliament took the trouble to have police press releases evaluated using the search term knife, as a sort of replacement for missing statistical. This showed that in Bonn in the six months between September 2017 and March 2018 alone there were a total of 33 knife attacks just as many as in much larger cities such as Cologne, Dortmund, Essen or Dusseldorf. According to my colleagues, it is particularly suspects who are involved in street crime so assault crimes, robbery or drugs-related crimes who are increasingly carrying knives with them and also using them if necessary, says Frank Pointek from the Bonn police press office, indirectly confirming the trend. Knife attacks are difficult to ward off The fact that there are more knives in public street spaces is also supported by the safety authorities internal handling of the topic. Such scenarios have apparently been practised for more often in recent times. It is an increasingly important part of internal training, says Piontek. Even during supposedly simple operations or controls, a knife could suddenly come into play. Officers are being trained accordingly and equipped with stab resistant vests. Hair Cuttery, which has 14 locations in Northwest Indiana, will donate a free haircut to a survivor of domestic violence for every haircut purchased Tuesday. Hair Cuttery is proud to work within our local neighborhoods to make a difference, co-founder and CEO Dennis Ratner said. Our goal through the Share-A-Haircut program is to shine a light on those in need and to help strengthen and give a voice to those in our communities. The Virginia-based chain has locations in Chesterton, Crown Point, Dyer, Griffith, Highland, Hobart, LaPorte, Merrillville, Michigan City, Munster, Portage, St. John, Schererville and Valparaiso. The Hair Cuttery, which has 800 salons nationwide, is partnering with the National Network to End Domestic Violence on its Share-A-Haircut program, which aims to raise awareness about domestic violence. "We are thrilled to continue giving back to the community through our Share-A-Haircut program," said Karen Ohlenkamp, Hair Cuttery Regional Leader in Northwest Indiana. "It is important to shine a light on domestic violence and to provide victims with a sense of pride by providing a new haircut to them during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives." The Coalition of American Metal Manufacturers and Users heralded the end of the tariffs and that they were not replaced with quotas, an idea that has been previously broached. The coalition welcomes the agreement to remove the Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs from Canada and Mexico," spokesperson Paul Nathanson said. "We urge the Trump administration to terminate the remaining Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs on our other trading partners as quickly as possible. These tariffs are damaging the U.S. manufacturing sector, and particularly downstream U.S. steel and aluminum consuming companies, by increasing prices and lead times for both domestic and imports of steel and aluminum and making the U.S. an island of high steel prices." Last year, the United States imported 5.7 million tons of steel from Canada, more than from any other county, according to the International Trade Commission. Mexico was the third largest offshore supplier of foreign steel with 3.4 million tons. Imports from Canada accounted for 19% of all steel imports into the United States, while imports from Mexico accounted for 11% of the total. Tariffs of 25% on steel and 10% on aluminum still apply to the rest of the world's foreign-made metal, which has been classified as a potential national security threat that could cripple the United States' ability to make tanks and warships on its own. 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. Calumet Township Board President Darren Washington said Monday he will ask local Democratic Party leaders to appoint him to serve the remainder of late Lake County Councilwoman Elsie Franklins term. Washington said he is preparing to send letters of intent to precinct committee members in the countys 2nd District, which Franklin represented from 2003 until her death earlier this month. The district includes precincts in Gary, Griffith and unincorporated Calumet Township. My goal is to continue the legacy that Elsie Franklin created in trying to help people and working for the betterment of the 2nd District and Lake County as a whole, Washington said. If that means crossing aisles, thats what I want to continue (to do). An experienced political operative, Washington is considered among Democratic Party insiders to be a leading candidate to fill the vacant council seat. He is personally close with Franklins family and backed Jerome Prince the chair of the influential Gary Democratic Party Precinct Organization in his successful bid to unseat Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson. The beating caved in the side of Verboom's head and fractured five of his ribs, a prosecutor said at the time. A pathologist determined the 50-year-old suffered a minimum of six blows to the upper left shoulder area and at least six others to the head, leaving wounds similar to those seen in car accidents. Henry, who was 19 at the time and living with Verboom in the mobile home, later attempted to argue that he lashed out after Verboom grabbed him in a way he interpreted as a sexual advance. This "gay panic" defense was challenged by evidence that Henry did not raise the charge when first questioned about the crime. Henry also testified in court that he did not know Verboom's sexual orientation. Verboom's attempts to toss Henry out of his home for failing to contribute financially caused the conflict, then-Porter County Deputy Prosecutor Blair Todd said at the time. Henry fled to Florida following the killing and Verboom's body was discovered three weeks later by Verboom's daughter, Jacquelyn Verboom, who said it changed her life forever. A strange kind of yellow, exotic glass found across some of the world's desert regions has finally had its mysterious origins identified almost 30 million years after it formed on Earth. The above story is based on materials provided by Curtin University. A Curtin University researcher has solved a nearly 100-year-old riddle by discovering that glass found in the Egyptian desert was created by a meteorite impact, rather than atmospheric airburst, in findings that have implications for understanding the threat posed by asteroids.Published in leading journal, the research examined tiny grains of the mineral zircon in samples of Libyan desert glass, which formed 29 million years ago and is found over several thousand square kilometres in western Egypt. Nearly pure silica, the canary yellow glass was famously used to make a scarab that is part of King Tut's Pectoral.Lead author Dr. Aaron Cavosie, from the Space Science and Technology Centre in Curtin's School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, said zircons in the glass preserved evidence of the former presence of a high-pressure mineral named reidite, which only forms during a meteorite impact."It has been a topic of ongoing debate as to whether the glass formed during meteorite impact, or during an airburst, which happens when asteroids called Near Earth Objects explode and deposit energy in the Earth's atmosphere," Dr. Cavosie said."Both meteorite impacts and airbursts can cause melting, however, only meteorite impacts create shock waves that form high-pressure minerals, so finding evidence of former reidite confirms it was created as the result of a meteorite impact."Dr. Cavosie said the idea that the glass may have formed during a large atmospheric airburst gained popularity after a dramatic airburst over Russia in 2013, which caused extensive property damage and injury to humans but did not cause surface materials to melt."Previous models suggested that Libyan desert glass represented a large, 100-Mt class airburst, but our results show this is not the case," Dr. Cavosie said."Meteorite impacts are catastrophic events, but they are not common. Airbursts happen more frequently, but we now know not to expect a Libyan desert glass-forming event in the near future, which is cause for some comfort."The research team also included Natural History Museum of Vienna Director, Professor Christian Koeberl. GARY A 27-year-old man was seriously wounded in a shooting Monday in the city's Tolleston section, police said. Gary police responded about 7:45 p.m. to the 4000 block of West 11th Avenue for a report of shots fired, Cmdr. Jack Hamady said. Police found a crime scene, but no people in the area, he said. A short time later, police were called to Methodist Hospitals Southlake Campus for a gunshot wound victim who arrived in a private vehicle, he said. The 27-year-old had been shot multiple times, he said. A witness told police the man was sitting in a parked car in the 4000 block of West 11th Avenue when someone walked up behind the car and began shooting, Hamady said. The man was able to drive away. The man was later transferred to an Illinois hospital for further treatment, police said. CROWN POINT A Gary man pleaded guilty to four felony theft counts alleging he swindled four women out of money and property by gaining their trust through "sweetheart" scams. Lenard A. Adams, 33, admitted during a hearing Tuesday before Lake Criminal Court Judge Diane Boswell that he stole from the women between March 2013 and June 2017. If Boswell accepts his plea agreement, Adams would be sentenced to four consecutive 18-month sentences. He would serve three years in the Lake County Community Corrections work release program and three years on supervised probation. Police have accused Adams, who used the aliases Christopher West, Sean West and Sean Christopher West, of gaining women's trust before swindling them out of money, kidnapping them and threatening to hurt them. Lake County Deputy Prosecutor Judith Massa said she agreed to drop all remaining charges which included kidnapping and intimidation in exchange for Adams' pleas to four felony theft counts. Adams also would be ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution at sentencing and $260 a month afterward, for a total of more than $14,100. AVON Police are continuing to search for answers into the disappearance of an Avon woman whose severed foot was found in a Crown Point pond last month. The Avon Police Department, Brown Township Fire-Rescue and Indiana Task Force One conducted a water search in a pond at The Boardwalk at Westlake Apartments over the weekend for clues in the death investigation of Najah Ferrell, 30. Brian Nugent, Avon deputy chief for investigations, said police went back to the Indianapolis west-side pond Tuesday morning to continue the search after a cadaver dog indicated there could be something in the area. Nugent said nothing was found during the investigation and there are currently no other searches planned for the week. She still remains missing after remains were found in Crown Point. We have gotten to the point in the investigation where we need to canvas everywhere in the (Indianapolis) area, but we just havent found anything, Nugent told The Times Tuesday afternoon. SCHERERVILLE The Salvation Army of Lake County welcomes Medal of Honor recipient James Lynch for an evening of fellowship and inspiration as part of this years Vision 2020 and Beyond civic dinner. It begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Halls of St. George, 905 E. Joliet St., Schererville. Vision 2020 and Beyond will feature a dinner, performances by The Salvation Army Youth Band, live and silent auctions and a presentation by keynote speaker, Lynch, medal recipient and author of Zero to Hero: From Bullied Kid to Warrior. Kevin Feldman, director of development for The Salvation Army, said having Lynch join other veterans both active and retired at this years event is a huge deal for the local nonprofit organization. The Salvation Army has a history of appreciating and honoring men and women who serve in our military. This is an opportunity to not only have Allen Lynch to talk about his experiences on battle field and what led to his receiving congregational Medal of Honor, but to welcome veterans together from all military backgrounds, Feldman said. GARY A crash on northbound Interstate 65, just north of Ridge Road, was causing delays early Tuesday, police said. Emergency crews were responding about 6:45 a.m. to the single-vehicle crash, which was blocking traffic in the center lane, Indiana State Police said. The Indiana Department of Transportation was notified, police said. Rain also could affect travel Tuesday. Light to moderate showers were expected through the morning, with high temperatures mainly in the 50s, according to the National Weather Service. Winds are expected to pick up by evening, with gusts of 35 to 40 mph. Brief downpours and lightning are possible, mostly between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. The downpours could result in flash flooding, forecasters said. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 3 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. VALPARAISO The Republican party is still working on a date to hold a caucus to elect a replacement for Valparaiso City Councilwoman Trista Hudson. Party officials met Saturday but are coordinating to get the most precinct committee people from all districts of the city to participate. We met, and we're working on it but we have nothing definitive, said Mike Simpson, chair of the Porter County Republican Party. We're still trying to gauge (precinct committee people) availability and also find a location. Simpson added he was not ready to provide any further details, but that he expected the caucus of precinct committee people to elect a replacement to serve the rest of Hudson's term to happen soon. Last week, Hudson announced her resignation from the city council to pursue a new job. She will leave the position May 31. She serves on an at-large seat on the council and was first elected by precinct committee people in January 2015 to fill the vacancy created Deb Butterfield's resignation. Hudson was later elected during the general election that same year to a four-year term beginning in 2016. She was not seeking re-election. Anyone interested in running can contact Simpson at michael.valpogop@gmail.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 This planting comes as the South Shore Line is working to expand its existing single track between Gary and Michigan City to a double-track system. Along that same corridor, NIPSCO is performing maintenance and improvements to existing gas and electric facilities. The joint planting effort would protect plant species potentially impacted by construction activities and support the National Park Services ongoing efforts to restore the Great Marsh, said Cathy Martin, program manager for Save the Dunes. We have worked hard to minimize impacts to environmental resources along this corridor, said Nicole Barker, project manager for South Shore Lines double-track project. Barker explained this work is part of South Shore Lines mitigation commitments under the National Environmental Policy Act. Expansion of the rail line is expected to begin in 2010, said Barker, with completion targeted for 2023. NIPSCO, which owns 240 acres between the Michigan City and now-retired Bailly power plants, has also been working with conservation partners to enhance the quality of the wetlands and wildlife habitat on the adjacent Calumet Trail rights of way, said Steven Barker, who manages environmental permitting for the utility company. VALPARAISO Each new ramp has a story behind it as well as tears. It makes such a difference for folks. Theres tears every time, said Bob Westfall, ramp program coordinator with the Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis club. We did one recently in Portage where the caregivers had been carrying their 87-year-old father in and out for dialysis. We were able to put in a steel ramp in an hour and I tell you Everyones eyes lit up. Ramps are especially helpful for those caring for these folks. Porter County Aging and Community Services has added the Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club team as another avenue to assist community members with access to their homes. The steel structures became a key offering for the Kiwanis team, which took over the program from the now disbanded Rebuilding Together. Sometimes, after we would put a wood ramp in, the individual would end up going to a nursing home and their kids would come in and want us to take it out, he said. We decided to go to metal. We let our clients use them as long as they need them. Many of Indianas top political leaders will gather in The Region next week to celebrate the transformation of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore into a full-fledged national park. Among regional and state officials expected to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 28 are Congressman Pete Visclosky, D-Gary, Sen. Todd Young, R-Indiana, Gov. Eric Holcomb, R-Indiana, and Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson. The ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. in the parks Miller Woods section, according to the South Shore Convention and Visitor Authority. It comes after President Donald Trump approved a House resolution in February making the 15,000-acre swath of lakefront America's 61st national park. Trumps approval also made the land, which has been federally protected since 1966, Indianas first national park. The re-designation had long been sought by The Regions leaders, particularly Visclosky, who led the initiative in Congress. While the upgrade to a national park is not expected to affect funding or operations at the national lakeshore, the name change could boost attendance at the park thanks to the strength of the national parks brand and its proximity to Chicago. The Indiana Dunes is already the states top tourist attraction with 3.6 million visitors in 2018, according to Indiana Dunes Tourism. The area is expected to be the equivalent of the seventh-most-visited national park in the country when state and national park attendance are combined. Love 10 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 One fifth-grader, Grace, read her essay out loud and said, "this school really feels like home to me." Muniz talked about the trust the parents place in the teachers and the school to make sure their children "get a great education," while knowing "we're going to take care of them." "Our kids, when they go anywhere, they are the most polite, respectful children," Muniz said. "They encourage each other. They support each other." Alicia Vera, a TJE parent of two, said she was excited about the national honor and even more proud to be the one of three schools in the Region and the only one in Porter County to be honored. "It's a very special thing," Vera said. "From now on, history will say that you guys made Thomas Jefferson Elementary School from Valparaiso, Indiana, a Blue Ribbon School." Vera said the award shows the community the hard work she sees all the time as a parent Muniz agreed. "I don't think any school could be successful without the community and the parents," Muniz said. Mayor Jon Costas spoke to the children at the event as a guest speaker. He said the word he thinks of is "persistence." "You worked hard and stuck at it," Costas said. "We are so proud of you. You made the city better by your accomplishment." Love 6 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 VALPARAISO In honor of national Stop the Bleed Day, the Valparaiso Fire Department and Police Department are hosting a free daylong Public Safety Event Thursday at the William E. Urschel Pavilion at Central Park Plaza. The training is free and designed to teach the community valuable skills in how to stop traumatic blood loss during an emergency and how to provide hands-only CPR. First responders will also demonstrate use of the citys drone, K-9s, and other safety equipment. We want to give the community the tools to respond in emergencies too, which enhances all of our safety, said Todd Konradi, Firefighter/EMT who will conduct the Stop the Bleed training. Many local educators and others have done this training and find the information gives them confidence of their abilities to assist in an emergency, he said. The day begins with free coffee with the first responders, giving the public an opportunity to interact with both the Police and Fire Departments. No RSVP is needed, and all ages are invited to attend. The schedule is: 8- 10 a.m. - Coffee with the First Responders Enjoy free coffee and chat with your first responders The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well at Culver Academies. Through our program in The Ron Rubin School for the Entrepreneur, we aim to provide Culver students with a deeper understanding of creativity and innovation in the marketplace. Recently, I had the honor of hosting The Ron Rubin School for the Entrepreneur at Culver Academies third annual business idea competition, The Next Launch. At this event, students from across the Midwest came together to share their ideas for businesses that hold the potential to impact society. This is the third year for the competition, and each year the students become more polished, their presentations more impressive. What does change? The business ideas these high school students present continue to be some of the most innovative and intelligent concepts Ive ever heard. Some of the students approach the competition with a Shark Tank mentality, as they have already started their company as teenagers and are hoping to win The Next Launchs top prize of $25,000 so they can further invest in their ideas for growth and development. Others have a hunger for making a difference in the world and are eager for feedback to take their big ideas to the next level. Former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels once said Northwest Indiana was entitled to all the bad government it was willing to pay for. The voters in some recent Region public school referendums have unwittingly added a new verse to that summation: Residents are entitled to shoddy public schools, and all the social and economic woes that follow, when they're not willing to pay for anything more. Daniels, now president of Purdue University, delivered this prophetic quote in 2009 while visiting Griffith public schools as governor: "I see so much opportunity, but we shortchange ourselves when we have, for decades, a reputation for terrible government, abusing taxpayers," Daniels said. "I believe in home rule, and you are entitled to all the lousy, crummy graft-ridden government you are prepared to pay for. But if you are ready to do better and believe in this state like I do, a good starting point would be to take some of the steps ... recommended." The sentiment of Daniels' quote applies to more than a perennial batch of Region leaders ushered into office by voters only to be convicted of crimes against the taxpayer. He has said his first priority is to reach a cease-fire in the war against Russian proxies in the countrys east that has claimed 13,000 lives. His party, Servant of the People, does not hold any seats in Parliament. Voting for a new Parliament had been scheduled for October, but Mr. Zelensky dissolved the current Parliament and moved the election to July, aiming to seize an advantage while he remains very popular. Quotable: My whole life I tried to do everything to make Ukrainians laugh, said Mr. Zelensky, who became famous as a comedian. Now I will do everything to make sure Ukrainians at least wont cry any more. Huawei frozen out in tech war The Chinese technology giant has begun to feel the effects of a Trump administration order effectively banning American firms from selling components and software to the company. Google, whose Android software powers Huaweis smartphones, is limiting support to the company. The German supplier Infineon said it would restrict its business with Huawei. Several chip makers are also cutting Huawei off. Other companies will inevitably follow, our New New World columnist writes. Lenders did not respond to requests for comment. Previously, they denied wrongdoing, saying regulators had approved all of their practices and some borrowers had made poor decisions and assumed too much debt. Lenders blamed the crisis on the city for allowing ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft to enter without regulation, which they said led medallion values to plummet. Mr. de Blasio said the citys investigation will focus on the brokers who arranged the loans for drivers and sometimes lent money themselves. The 45-day review will identify and penalize brokers who have taken advantage of buyers and misled city authorities, the mayor said in a statement. The review will set down strict new rules that prevent broker practices that hurt hard-working drivers. Four of the citys biggest taxi brokers did not respond to requests for comment. Bhairavi Desai, founder of the Taxi Workers Alliance, which represents drivers and independent owners, said the city should not get to investigate the business practices because it was complicit in many of them. The government has already closed or merged all of the nonprofit credit unions that were involved in the industry, saying they participated in unsafe and unsound banking practices. At least one credit union leader, Alan Kaufman, the former chief executive of Melrose Credit Union, a major medallion lender, is facing civil charges. The other lenders in the industry include Medallion Financial, a specialty finance company; some major banks, including Capital One and Signature Bank; and several loosely regulated taxi fleet owners and brokers who entered the lending business. At City Hall, officials said Monday they were focused on how to help the roughly 4,000 drivers who bought medallions during the bubble, as well as thousands of longtime owners who were encouraged to refinance their loans to take out more money during that period. Ms. Geyer often turned up on public-affairs programs, like PBSs Washington Week in Review, as well as on the college lecture circuit. In 2000, writing a new preface for a reissue of her autobiography, she noted that young people would often ask her how she controls her interviews with notable figures. I have to tell them that the way you control your interviews (or any other part of your work) is to know more about the subject than the other person does, she wrote. This advice, as you can well imagine, is seldom greeted with deafening applause. Georgie Anne Geyer was born on April 2, 1935, in Chicago, to Robert and Georgie Hazel Geyer (acquiring her nickname from the way she pronounced her first name as a baby). Her father ran a dairy business. Her mother had taught her to read and write by the time she was 4 and, as she wrote, laid the foundation for the curiosity that drove me to Siberia, up the Tapajoz and down to Abu Dhabi. A formative experience came in 1956 when, after graduating from Northwestern University with a journalism degree, she went to Vienna on a Fulbright scholarship. She was there when revolution broke out in neighboring Hungary. She and other students went by bus to the border. The people fleeing across those snowy hills, she wrote, had the empty, searching faces of refugees everywhere. Returning to Chicago, she worked at The Southtown Economist in Chicago before moving to The Daily News in 1960. An early assignment there, she wrote, involved infiltrating a Mafia wedding disguised as a waitress. Ms. Geyer was given a chance to report from Latin America in 1964. It was the beginning of a string of assignments that took her to Peru, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala where she spent a week with leftist guerrillas in the midst of a civil war and, in 1966, Cuba, where few outside reporters had been admitted. She had her first of several meetings with Castro. Mr. Trump responded on Sunday by calling Mr. Amash a total lightweight and a loser. And on Monday, Mr. Amash went at it again on social media, dispelling common misconceptions about the Mueller report and its findings. Mr. Amash isnt likely to be a bellwether for his party. He is a libertarian who has long staked out his own positions on issues such as gay marriage, government surveillance and Mr. Trumps entry restrictions on Muslim travelers. But what is remarkable about Mr. Amashs stand is how much tougher it is than that of the Houses Democratic leaders to date. Wary of a move that has little public support, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and prominent committee leaders have avoided talk of impeachment and have focused on learning what Attorney General William Barr redacted from the report, as well as subpoenaing testimony and documents. That fight has little to show for itself so far. The House Judiciary Committee has already held Mr. Barr in contempt for defying a subpoena, and the administration has blocked the former White House counsel, Donald McGahn, from testifying about actions by the president that are at the heart of accusations of obstruction of justice. It still isnt clear whether Mr. Mueller himself will testify. Adam Schiff , the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, who has long been one of Mr. Muellers strongest defenders, said last week that a sterile report was no match for direct congressional testimony from Mr. McGahn or Mr. Mueller. As the Watergate hearings showed, there is power in the public hearing directly from key officials. Democrats are now in a complicated spot as they make their electoral calculations. If what you care about most is a candidates chances next November, then pretending otherwise is an artificial exercise, particularly if its just in the service of making a better judgment about electability. And some enthusiasm for Biden is genuine, if not passionate; often, when people I spoke to at the rally described him as safe, they meant both as a candidate and as a potential leader. I dont want an exciting president, said Sue Kane, a 58-year-old commercial real estate appraiser. We have a lot of excitement right now, in a bad way. Fair enough. For many voters, what Biden is promising a rebuke of Trump and a return to normalcy is what they want more than anything else, and it makes sense for them to back him. Whats counterproductive, I think, is when voters try to think past their own desires. Theres two parts of me, said Shelby Ferguson, a 22-year-old who just graduated from Temple University. The political science major part of me that is trying to be as rational as possible, and figure out who can rally Middle America to beat Trump, she said. That part of me is saying Joe. But shes also someone who just left school and is worried about student loans and health care, and that side of her thrills to Warren and Bernie Sanders. I hope voters like Ferguson go with the candidates who rouse them, because its often the best way to figure out who will rouse others. Given the existential stakes in 2020, its tempting for Democrats to put their own preferences aside and strike mental bargains with groups of people they may have never met. But being attentive to how candidates make us feel gives us valuable information. Intensity the thing that turns a campaign into a movement, that leads people to donate more than they can afford, host house parties and spend their free time knocking on the doors of strangers houses matters. Thats especially true in a country as polarized as ours, where turnout is as important as persuasion. Ultimately, the paradox of primaries is that its most strategic to ignore the experts and follow your emotions. But their gratitude underscores the reality that hundreds of thousands of other members of the class of 2019 will be carrying unrelieved burdens of debt as they begin their adult lives. Recipients of bachelors degrees in 2016 who left school with debt owed an average of about $30,301, according to the most recent federal data. Parents on average incurred another $33,291 in debt. The substitution of philanthropy for public policy is most glaring in the realm of health care, where it has become appallingly common for Americans to beg friends and strangers for the money necessary to pay for treatment. The fund-raising website GoFundMe estimates that it hosts about 250,000 fund-raisers for medical expenses each year. Over the past nine years, the site has processed about $5 billion in donations about a third of which went toward medical expenses. The sites chief executive has said that GoFundMe wasnt developed as a substitute for health insurance, and he regrets the necessity. We shouldnt be the solution to a complex set of systemic problems, he said. They should be solved by the government working properly. The same dynamic is at work in higher education. Since 2001, a handful of elite institutions led by Princeton University have committed to tap their endowments to provide funding for students to graduate without loans. Last year, Michael Bloomberg pledged $1.8 billion to Johns Hopkins to reduce the reliance of Hopkins students on borrowed money. But most American colleges, including Morehouse, lack the resources to make such a commitment. This is not merely a problem for students and their families. Economic growth requires an educated work force. Americans who entered their working primes in the 1990s were far more likely to have college degrees than their peers in other developed nations. Now the United States has fallen behind much of the developed world and one reason is that the average cost of obtaining a college degree is among the highest for any developed nation. The sea change at American public colleges and universities is particularly striking. Over the last quarter century, average tuition rose by 85 percent, adjusting for inflation, while average state spending measured on a per-student basis declined by roughly 5 percent. INTERNATIONAL An article on Thursday about new details of an attack on Camp Bastion in Afghanistan misspelled the given name of the acting Afghan secretary of defense. He is Asadullah Khalid, not Atiqullah. An article on Thursday about Iraqs concerns about another war with the United States referred incorrectly to Canadas support for the Bush administrations decision to invade Iraq in 2003. While Canada was a close ally during the Bush administration, it did not support the war in Iraq. NATIONAL An article on Sunday about the momentum of the anti-abortion movement referred incorrectly to Mary Elizabeth Coleman of Missouri. She is a state representative, not a state senator. An article on Sunday about President Trumps indication that he may pardon servicemen accused of war crimes misstated the given name of the attorney general. He is William P. Barr, not Robert Barr. Putting this first is a blatant payoff. You insult the people by talking about their quality of life when you keep them locked up. ZAHI W. KHOURI, who owns the Coca-Cola franchise in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, objecting to the White Houses efforts to sell Palestinian business leaders on potential investments before laying out any peace plan for the region. Mr. Amash, friends say, is shrugging it all off. He has never really been much of a party loyalist anyway during the midterm elections in 2018, he angered officials from the House Republicans campaign arm by refusing to pay his annual dues, according to a Republican official. Calls to the congressmans cellphone and to his press secretary went unanswered on Monday. But Mr. Amash politely parried his Republican critics on Twitter, writing that those who questioned his logic on impeachment were resting their argument on several falsehoods. He has weathered controversies before so often, in fact, that he has mainly used his Facebook page to defend positions and statements that have rankled, roused and puzzled. There have been plenty. He dissented from Michigans congressional delegation in opposing federal aid to address the drinking water crisis in Flint. He came out against Mr. Trumps increases in military spending and voiced opposition to House Republicans when they passed a symbolic resolution praising immigration enforcement officials, arguing that doing so would signify that all agents, regardless of their individual behavior, were above reproach. But this fight is different. Mr. Amash, who serves in a safe Republican district in the Grand Rapids area, has gone from a marginal gadfly to an insurgent leader in the eyes of Mr. Trump and his supporters. On Monday, State Representative Jim Lower announced that he would oppose the five-term incumbent in 2020, the first of at least two, and possibly more, Trump-friendly Republicans who are considering challenging him in a primary next year. Justin has no fear, said John Sellek, a veteran Michigan political operative who ran Mr. Romneys campaign operation in the state when he was the Republican presidential candidate in 2012. Hes been unafraid to be Mr. No on a lot of things, so generally he has been isolated and without a major accomplishment. To his credit, hes also been unafraid to do repeated, relentless town halls so he is both alone and out front at the same time. That puts you on an island, which is not a good place to be in a primary. Even if Mr. Trump actively opposes him, as he did successfully last year against another critic, former Representative Mark Sanford of South Carolina, Mr. Amash still commands high name recognition in his district, has a strong fund-raising base and could survive if the pro-Trump vote is split between two or more challengers, according to Mr. Sellek. When the Brooklyn Academy of Music announced, in 2018, that the Broadway producer David Binder would be its next artistic director, he said that he hoped his tenure would introduce many new artists to BAM. His aspiration is now a reality: The first edition of the Next Wave Festival under Mr. Binders leadership will feature only artists who are new to the institution. The festival, which was announced on Tuesday and is scheduled for Oct. 15 through Dec. 15, will include 16 programs from the worlds of theater, music, dance, film and visual art. This is something of a reimagined format for the festival, founded in 1981 by Harvey Lichtenstein and eventually run by his protege Joseph V. Melillo, who stepped down as BAMs executive producer at the end of 2018. The first year, its programming included Philip Glasss opera Satyagraha; since then, the festival has blended new artists with return engagements by mainstays like Laurie Anderson, Meredith Monk and Robert Wilson. It has an incredible legacy, Mr. Binder said of the Next Wave Festival in an interview. He added that he wanted to honor what Mr. Lichtenstein and Mr. Melillo had done, but move it forward by adding in a whole new slew of artists. This year were looking at immigrant rights and countering a lot of negativity about walls and immigration and closing the border, Greg Miller, Dance Parades executive director, said. The event opened with a Native American circle dance presided over by Louis Mofsie, the leader of the Thunderbird American Indian Dancers and one of four grand marshals (along with DJ Dara, Baayork Lee and Bill T. Jones). A banner on the float carrying Mr. Mofsie, at the front of the parade, stated: When we honor Native American dance, we acknowledge that we are all immigrants. Promoting cross-cultural unity has long been a focus of the parade, which began in response to New Yorks antiquated Cabaret Law. (The selectively enforced law, which had placed restrictions on social dancing since 1926, was repealed in 2017, in part because of Dance Parades advocacy.) In a 2006 case that challenged the law, the state Supreme Court ruled, as Mr. Miller said, that basically social dancing wasnt expressive enough to be protected by the First Amendment. The parades founders wanted to refute that idea by displaying style after style of unequivocally expressive dance. From about 30 dance forms that first year, the array has expanded, with many troupes returning as newcomers join. Mariela Jimenez, visiting from Virginia with a branch of the Bolivian group Tinkus San Simon, said she has participated since 2011 as a way to share her culture with a wider audience. A pathbreaking composer and saxophonist, a radio host and organizer, a storied bassist, and arguably the most distinguished vocal talent of his generation: These four figures will make up the 2020 class of National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters, the agency announced on Tuesday. Jazzs highest public honor will go to Roscoe Mitchell, Dorthaan Kirk, Reggie Workman and Bobby McFerrin at a ceremony in April 2020. Held at the SFJazz Center in San Francisco, it will be the first Jazz Masters gala in California since 2005. Awardees receive cash prizes of up to $25,000. In the mid-1960s, Mr. Mitchell became an early member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians, a Chicago organization that fosters onward-looking black composers and improvisers. Around the same time, he founded what would become the Art Ensemble of Chicago, a performance troupe as much as a jazz outfit, and a band of particular significance to the avant-garde. Mr. Mitchell has written extensively for everything from solo saxophone to orchestra, and he taught for many years at Mills College, where for a decade he was the Darius Milhaud Chair of Composition. Its delicate artistry draws us into a richly imagined community, opening out to tackle profound questions of time and mortality, she said in a statement announcing the award. Ms. Alharthis book was chosen over efforts by higher-profile names, among them the Polish author Olga Tokarczuk who won last years prize for Flights and Annie Ernaux, the celebrated French author. Ms. Alharthis novel, first published in 2010 as Ladies of the Moon, is an at times complex book that follows an Omani family over three generations, from the 1880s to today. Every character woman or man, enslaved or free finds themselves trapped, in some way, by history as Oman itself changes around them, Marcia Lynx Qualey wrote in a review for The National, a newspaper based in the United Arab Emirates. The book is a beautifully achieved account of lives pulling at the edges of change Michael Cronin wrote in The Irish Times, adding that it also deftly undermines recurrent stereotypes about Arab language and cultures. Jane Housham, writing in The Guardian, said although the number of characters was bewildering at times, the glimpses into a culture relatively little known in the West are fascinating. Ms. Alharthi said in an interview published on the Man Booker International Prizes website that Omani authors want foreign readers to look at the country with an open mind and heart. No matter where you are, love, loss, friendship, pain and hope are the same feelings, she said, and humanity still has a lot of work to do to believe in this truth. De Kerangal takes us through different kitchens, geographies and individuals in the life of young Mauro, whose art is profoundly social (cooking is completed in other peoples mouths) yet whose gift isolates him. To create, he must spend hours in unshareable solitude, and this tension is embodied in de Kerangals nearly invisible first-person narrator, an old friend who meets him for drinks and knows him inside-out, yet remains so peripheral we never learn her name. The effect of this intimate yet distant narrative voice is to intensify our sense of the chefs isolation, surrounded by those he is nourishing but set apart from them. In this, he recalls the heart donor in de Kerangals fascinating earlier novel The Heart. And he reflects the human condition itself, which is to be, as the Buddhist writer Stephen Batchelor has put it, alone with others. 100 pp. Farrar, Straus & Giroux. $20. WAITING FOR BOJANGLES By Olivier Bourdeaut Translated by Regan Kramer Image Narrated by two alternating voices, a childs and his fathers, Bourdeauts oddball fairy tale about a family in thrall to the mothers mental illness starts as a manic romp, hilarious until overtaken by tragedy. Naive and buoyant, the child recounts his familys folie a trois: the parents nonstop drinking and dancing (Scott and Zelda redux), his own parentally sanctioned early retirement from elementary school, his mothers jumping contests with him on the living room furniture, the feral crane kept as a family pet. Mom treats her son, he remarks with delight, like a character from a book that she loved very dearly and instructs him: When reality is sad or mundane, make up a lovely story. And so he does. Bourdeaut announces at the outset: This is my true story, with lies going backward and forward, because life is often like that. Scattered among the sons pages are prose excerpts strewn with doggerel from the fathers secret notebook, which records his passion for his beloved: Into her eyes I looked, and I knew right away I was hooked. The two met at a cocktail party on the Riviera where he first glimpsed her as a young woman in feathered cap and gossamer dress who began to dance with great finesse, seducing her admirer in a cadence that made the feathers in her headdress endlessly sway and swish, like one of those wheels Tibetans use to pray with. Shifting with the rhythm from the regal grace of a swan to the swift precision of a raptor, she had me nailed to the spot: I feared I had met my captor. These rhymes (which also pop up occasionally in the sons narrative) are more graceful in the original French. Kramer is to be saluted for her efforts at translating them, but too often they get in the way. Even so, this strange little book lingers in the mind. 160 pp. Simon & Schuster. $23.99. When Tope Folarin, who was born in Utah to Nigerian parents, won the Caine Prize for African Writing in 2013, there was some controversy over whether he qualified as an African writer. It was a familiar quandary. His debut novel, A Particular Kind of Black Man (Simon & Schuster, Aug. 6), explores questions about belonging that he says have long been part of his life. The novel tells the story of Tunde Akinola, a Nigerian-American growing up in Utah, though he doesnt stay there. Over the course of the novel, he moves from place to place, including Texas, Morehouse College in Atlanta and eventually Lagos, searching for connection and a sense of himself. The book contains a number of realities, Folarin said. Its a coming-of-age book. I think its also, in its own way, an immigrant story. But in the end its a book thats obsessed with identity and identity construction how we come to be as human beings. Tundes life at times mirrors Folarins part of the authors childhood was spent in Texas, he studied at Morehouse and, aside from an early-childhood visit to Nigeria that he doesnt remember, he didnt see the country with his own eyes until he won the Caine Prize. But the book contains both explicitly autobiographical and wholly fictional material, he said, an advantage of the novel form, which, as he puts it, is capacious enough to hold the real and unreal. Folarin is a Rhodes Scholar who earned masters degrees in comparative social policy and African studies. After Oxford, he worked in public policy and communications at Googles London office before deciding to give myself a shot as a writer. He now lives in Washington, D.C., where he is a vice president at the nonprofit organization Local Initiatives Support Corporation and board chairman of the Institute for Policy Studies, a think tank. He is already at work on a second novel. 2. President Trump plans to name an immigration hard-liner Ken Cuccinelli, a former attorney general of Virginia to a new immigration post. The jobs duties and title are still being decided, but Mr. Cuccinelli, pictured above at the 2016 Republican National Convention, is expected to become a policy coordinator. He is aligned with Mr. Trump on issues related to border security and is a frequent presence on cable news. Separately, couples who have babies abroad through assisted reproductive technology face a major complication: Their children may not be American. At issue is an old State Department policy that has come under new scrutiny in recent months, mainly by same-sex parents. Chains like McDonalds, which has more than 14,000 locations in North America, the majority of them independently owned, have long argued that they are not liable for the behavior of employees at franchisees stores. (A case that may decide whether McDonalds is a joint employer of its franchisee staff is currently before the National Labor Relations Board.) This is a company that has especially used the franchise model as a shield, said Gillian Thomas, a senior staff attorney with the A.C.L.U. Womens Rights Project. Its determining literally the pattern that the sauce makes on the hamburger it has a special machine that does that. And then throws up its hands and says, we cant be responsible for how people operating those machines behave. Steve Easterbrook, the chief executive of McDonalds, responding on Monday to a letter from Senator Tammy Duckworth, Democrat of Illinois, said the company had improved and clarified its policies on harassment; printed them on posters sent to all of its restaurants; and put most franchise owners through new training. In the coming months, he said, the company will be rolling out training for front-line employees, and a complaint hotline. The changes began late last year, a McDonalds spokeswoman added in an email on Monday. By strengthening our overall policy, creating interactive training, a third-party-managed anonymous hotline and importantly, listening to employees across the system, McDonalds is sending a clear message that we are committed to creating and sustaining a culture of trust where employees feel safe, valued and respected, she said. Employees maintain that, despite McDonalds assurances, not much has changed. At least one corporate store had repeat federal c laims made against it, and this year, two had multiple complaints. Last September, hundreds of McDonalds workers walked off the job during the lunch rush, protesting what they said was pervasive sexual harassment in the companys restaurants. In social media posts this year, the A.C.L.U. invited more employees to report their experiences. On Tuesday, Times Up released a public letter to McDonalds leadership, pledging to fight for the workers for as long as it takes. And another protest, with some of those who filed new E.E.O.C. claims present, took place on Tuesday afternoon, in front of McDonalds headquarters in Chicago, two days before the companys annual shareholder meeting. The E.E.O.C. has the authority to investigate complaints, which can be a lengthy process. If it finds merit to a report, it can encourage the parties to resolve the charge informally, with the agencys help; as a last resort, the E.E.O.C. can file a lawsuit. In 2012, for example, it secured a $1 million settlement from a McDonalds franchise owner in Wisconsin that it had sued over sexual harassment. The union representing about 2,500 Southwest Airlines mechanics voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to ratify a new contract proposal, ending a labor impasse that lasted nearly seven years and wound up in court twice. The five-year deal gives the mechanics $160 million in back pay to cover the period since the last contract ended in August 2012, increases salaries 20 percent immediately and includes 3 percent annual raises, according to the union, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association. In a statement, the union said that the proposal was better than one it rejected in September, and that more than 90 percent of its members had voted to approve it. The union said its major concession was allowing Southwest to continue outsourcing some mechanics work to foreign contractors. Our focus now shifts to working together with Southwest Airlines, as we do the important work of restoring the safety culture Southwest Airlines has traditionally been known for, the unions statement said. Hanon, a new udon shop in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, was produced by the union of a Tokyo video-production company and a Japanese manufacturer of unusually thin condoms. The condoms became the subject of a series of advertisements on which the production company worked; in one of them, called Acts of Love, dancers in London re-enact, with surprising grace and dignity, the mating rituals of blue-footed boobies, fiddler crabs and other animals. Well, kids, when two companies like each other very much, sometimes they decide to create a new company together. That is what happened with the production firm and the prophylactics people when, for reasons that are perhaps best not to question, they hit upon the idea of expanding their product line from condoms into noodles. The restaurant lies across Union Avenue from Kelloggs Diner. Its door is marked during business hours by the fluttering white noren curtains. It is the second Hanon location. The first is about 6,700 miles away, in the city of Kamakura, which lies south of Tokyo and is known for soba, not udon. This gave Hanon the advantage of not competing against any of Japans established udon styles, leaving its chef, Takahiro Yanagisawa, free to come up with his own. Mr. Yanagisawa, who had spent 25 years making sushi before turning to noodles, focused his innovative urges on the dough. He began by adding wheat germ and bran to the white flour that in udon is typically used alone. The resulting noodle is called zenryufun or whole wheat. The bran and germ are Mr. Yanagisawas attempts to make a more healthful udon, but they also add flavor, a mottled color and a slightly rough texture that holds on to the dashi-based broth. Do you love words? Not just speaking them. Or the pleasure of listening to or reading them. But the actual words themselves? Do you delight in certain words? Think others are ugly? Do you believe that words have the power to thrill, wound, move even to heal? In The Sacred Spell of Words, N. Scott Momaday, an author, poet and playwright, writes: Words are powerful. As a writer, my experience tells me that nothing is more powerful. Language, after all, is made of words. Words are conceptual symbols; they have denotative and connotative properties. The word power denotes force, physical strength, resistance. But it connotes something more subtle: persuasion, suggestion, inspiration, security. Consider the words of Mark Antony in Shakespeares Julius Caesar: Cry Havoc! and let slip the dogs of war; That this foul deed shall smell above the earth With carrion men, groaning for burial. We might be hard pressed to find words more charged with power to incite, to inflame, to affect violence and destruction. But there are, of course, other expressions of power in words. They can be especially personal. They can touch our sensibilities in different and individual ways, perhaps because they have different associations for us. The word Holocaust frightens me because survivors of the Nazi death camps have told me of their suffering. Notwithstanding, the word is intrinsically powerful and disturbing. The word child delights me; the word love confounds me; the word God mystifies me. I have lived my life under the spell of words; they have empowered my mind. Words are sacred. I believe they are more sacred to children than they are to most of us. When I was first able to make my way in language, my Native American father, a member of the Kiowa tribe, told me stories from the Kiowa oral tradition. They transported me. They fascinated and thrilled me. They nourished my imagination. They nourished my soul. Indeed, nothing has meant more to me in fashioning my view of the world. I came to understand that story is the engine of language, and that words are the marrow of language. Several years ago I was on a stage with the Kenyan paleoanthropologist Richard Leakey in Chicago. We were speaking on the subject of origins, specifically the origin of humans. Mr. Leakey argued that we became human when we became bipedal, and his argument was convincing. But I begged to differ: Surely we became human when we acquired language, a point of view I continue to hold. Students, read the entire article, then tell us: What power do words hold for you? What has shaped your connection to words, whether you are drawn to them or not? Do you feel you are able to articulate your thoughts and feelings effectively or eloquently in words? How do you best communicate to others? Do you find Mr. Momadays argument, that words are power, to be persuasive? When have you experienced the power of words? Do you agree with the writer that language is what separates our species from all others? Mr. Momaday ends the article with a Navajo formula to make an enemy peaceful: Put your feet down with pollen. Put your hands down with pollen. Put your head down with pollen. Then your feet are pollen; Your hands are pollen; Your body is pollen; Your mind is pollen; Your voice is pollen. The trail is beautiful. Be still. Why do you think he chose this Navajo formula to illustrate the power of words? If you had to convince someone else about the power of words, what line, phrase or quote would you choose and why? Feel free to use a song, poem, speech or story for your illustration. Finally, give us your personal take on words: Whats your favorite word? What word do you think is the funniest? Whats the ugliest? What word makes you feel smart? What word do you find intimidating? Between 1943 and 1945, members of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army massacred thousands of Poles throughout Volhynia, a region that was in Nazi-occupied Poland and is part of present-day Ukraine. Polish historians say the death toll could be as high as 100,000, while Ukrainians say its between 20,000 to 30,000. In 2016, Polands Parliament recognized the killings as genocide, a term that Ukraine rejects. For several years, Mr. Rigamonti and his wife, Magdalena Rigamonti, a journalist, visited the sites of former Polish villages that were wiped out during the conflict. The result is the chilling book, Echo, which won the Photography Book of the Year award in the 2019 Pictures of the Year International Competition. We knew that this is an unusual story, Ms. Rigamonti said, and we looked for unusual language. Each page of Echo centers on a long-vanished Polish village and lists the number of people who were killed there in a given month or day in 1943. The pages also fold out to show three black-and-white images each, all of which include a horizon line. That continuity seamlessly ties the book together; the idea is that the line like the story of the massacre and all other tragedies is unending. When Solomon first told his parents about the bullying, they resolved to turn it into a teaching moment. They arranged to have Wenzels father visit the school to share his story about escaping the Gestapo. But the bullying worsened, Gemma told me, and they felt the school did not do nearly enough to confront the problem. The Michalskis went public with their story in 2017, sharing it with media outlets in order to spark what they viewed as a much-needed discussion about anti-Semitism in German schools. Since then, dozens of cases of anti-Semitic bullying in schools have come to light, including one case last year at the German-American school where my own son attends first grade, in which, according to local news reports, students tormented a ninth grader, for months, chanting things like Off to Auschwitz in a freight train. Under criticism for its handling of the case, the administration released a statement saying it regretted the schools initial response but was taking action and having intensive talks with the educational staff. The principal of Solomons school, in an interview with the German newspaper Die Welt, also said his school had made a concerted effort to resolve the problem. When the reporter asked him if the bullying illustrated the unreflective behavior of pubescent youths or rooted anti-Semitism, the principal paused to say this was a very dangerous question but then answered: Its very possible that anti-Semitism is the motive. But we cant look inside the heads of these students. (When asked for comment, a representative for the Berlin Senate Department for Education, Youth and Families, which oversees Berlins public schools, said it had put into place anti-discrimination measures such as training courses and workshops for students and faculty.) For the Michalskis, all this was evidence that German society never truly reckoned with anti-Semitism after the war. Germany had restored synagogues and built memorials to the victims of the Holocaust, Wenzel said: So for a lot of mainstream, middle-class people, that means: Weve done it. We dealt with anti-Semitism. But nobody really dealt with it within the families. The big, the hard, the painful questions were never asked. In Wenzels view, the Muslim students who tormented his child were acting in an environment that was already suffused with native anti-Semitism. A lot of conservative politicians now say, Oh, the Muslims are importing their anti-Semitism to our wonderful, anti-anti-Semitic culture, he said. Thats bull. Theyre trying to politicize this. Jewish life in Germany was never fully extinguished. After the Nazi genocide of six million Jews, some 20,000 Jewish displaced persons from Eastern Europe ended up settling permanently in West Germany, joining an unknown number of the roughly 15,000 surviving German Jews who still remained in the country after the war. The new German political class rejected, in speeches and in the law, the rabid anti-Semitism that had been foundational to Nazism measures considered not only to be morally imperative but necessary to re-establish German legitimacy on the international stage. This change, however, did not necessarily reflect an immediate conversion in longstanding anti-Semitic attitudes on the ground. In the decades that followed, a desire among many Germans to deflect or repress guilt for the Holocaust led to a new form of antipathy toward Jews a phenomenon that came to be known as secondary anti-Semitism, in which Germans resent Jews for reminding them of their guilt, reversing the victim and perpetrator roles. It seems the Germans will never forgive us Auschwitz, Hilde Walter, a German-Jewish journalist, was quoted as saying in 1968. Holocaust commemoration in West Germany increasingly became an affair of the state and civic groups, giving rise to a prevailing erinnerungskultur, or culture of remembrance, that today is most prominently illustrated by the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, a funereal 4.7-acre site near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, inaugurated in 2005. But even as Germanys remembrance culture has been held up as an international model of how to confront the horrors of the past, it has not been universally supported at home. According to a 2015 Anti-Defamation League survey, 51 percent of Germans believe that it is probably true that Jews still talk too much about what happened to them in the Holocaust; 30 percent agreed with the statement People hate Jews because of the way Jews behave. The reactionary, far-right Alternative for Germany, or A.f.D., entered the German Parliament for the first time in 2017 becoming the third-largest party with an anti-immigration, anti-Islam platform, while politicians in the party also railed against Germanys remembrance culture. A.f.D. politicians have often relativized Nazi crimes to counteract what some of them call a national guilt cult. In a speech last June, one of the partys leaders, Alexander Gauland, referred to the Nazi period as only a bird poop in over 1,000 years of successful German history. [Read more about Germanys New Right.] Now some 200,000 Jews live in Germany, a nation of 82 million people, and many are increasingly fearful. In a 2018 European Union survey of European Jews, 85 percent of respondents in Germany characterized anti-Semitism as a very big or fairly big problem; 89 percent said the problem has become worse in the last five years. Overall reported anti-Semitic crimes in Germany increased by nearly 20 percent last year to 1,799, while violent anti-Semitic crimes rose by about 86 percent, to 69. Police statistics attribute 89 percent of all anti-Semitic crimes to right-wing extremists, but Jewish community leaders dispute that statistic, and many German Jews perceive the nature of the threat to be far more varied. Slightly more than half of Germanys Jewish respondents to the E.U. survey said they have directly experienced anti-Semitic harassment within the last five years, and of those, the plurality, 41 percent, perceived the perpetrator of the most serious incident to be someone with a Muslim extremist view. David Gibson, the director of the Center on Religion and Culture at Fordham University, said the process to identify the priests, both dead and alive, was a fraught one. Most were never convicted, much less charged with a crime. The threshold for being included on the lists was being the subject of abuse claims that were deemed credible after an investigation by the church. There are still real moral, ethical and legal considerations, he said. The good news is theyre doing it, finally, Mr. Gibson added. The disclosures, which have centered on decades-old allegations and largely named dead priests, have nonetheless unleashed a fresh wave of attention that has amplified the sense of scandal surrounding the church. In other dioceses, bishops have struck a conciliatory tone, describing the releases as a gesture meant to help victims heal and mollify an unsettled flock. But in Rockville Centre, a diocese covering Nassau and Suffolk Counties, the bishop, the Most Rev. John O. Barres, has concerns about making a disclosure. The diocese believes that while the investigations of claims and allegations are ongoing, it is premature to release a list of accused clergy, Mr. Dolan, his spokesman, said. (Last year, officials overseeing the dioceses Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program said it had offered settlements in more than 200 abuse claims.) Ms. Cleary Klinger, who is the local leader of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, known as SNAP, had little optimism that the diocese would alter its course. If we get a list, well be lucky, she said. Even so, she and other abuse survivors press on. Donald H. Nohs, who said he was abused by a priest from a religious order when he was around 13 years old, still has strong ties to the Catholic Church. He is an expert on the Shroud of Turin, a piece of linen cloth that some believe depicts an image of Jesus Christ, and the president of the Society of the Holy Face of Jesus. His brother is a priest in the Rockville Centre diocese. [What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.] Maaaaaybe shark? (Doo doo doo doo doo doo.) The shark frenzy created this week by the tracking of a great white shark swimming in Long Island Sound may have been s omewhat unfounded . On Monday morning, Ocearch, an organization that researches marine life, said it had tracked a great white swimming off the Connecticut coast, toward the sounds western end. The sighting of the aquatic predator, coming just days before Memorial Day weekend and the start of summer beach season, spun up a virtual sharknado of headlines and social media posts. [What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.] The New York State Assembly passed a bill on Tuesday that would allow state prosecutors to pursue charges against any individual granted a presidential pardon for similar federal crimes, closing a loophole that lawmakers said could be exploited by President Trump in a bid to indemnify former associates. The bill, which has already passed the State Senate and has the support of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, would exempt the states so-called double jeopardy law from cases involving presidential pardons, something supporters say is necessary to stave off a possible abuse of Mr. Trumps pardon power. On Wednesday, the Legislature controlled by Democrats is expected to pass a separate bill that would allow three congressional committees to seek Mr. Trumps state tax returns; that bill also has the support of Mr. Cuomo, a Democrat in his third term. In early 1939, when General Francisco Francos troops invaded Barcelona during the Spanish Civil War, Neus Catala led 182 orphans in her charge out of the mayhem and across the snow-covered Pyrenees to safety in France. It was just one episode in a lifetime of anti-fascist resistance that Ms. Catala, who died on April 13 at 103, would demonstrate. She then fought with the French Resistance against the Nazis but was captured by the Germans and deported to the Ravensbruck womens concentration camp in northern Germany. From Ravensbruck, Ms. Catala was transferred to the Flossenburg camp, where she was part of a forced labor group that quarried granite and sabotaged bullets and bombs while working in a munitions factory. Stanton T. Friedman, whose conviction that extraterrestrials have arrived on Earth led him to leave his career as a nuclear physicist to lecture widely about alien visitations, died on May 13 in Toronto. He was 84. His family said he died of a heart attack at Toronto Pearson Airport on his way home to Fredericton, New Brunswick, from a speaking engagement in Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Friedman had worked for major corporations on projects like rockets and compact nuclear plants for space when he left the world of established science to become a prominent voice in the study of unidentified flying objects, or ufology, a field embraced by many but viewed by many more with skepticism. He was the ideal person for the role because he was a nuclear physicist, a rocket scientist a genius but he spoke the peoples language, and he didnt put himself on a pedestal, Kathleen Marden, one of Mr. Friedmans co-authors, said in a telephone interview. Their book, Captured! The Betty and Barney Hill U.F.O. Experience (2007), chronicled her aunt and uncles supposed close encounter with aliens. Mr. Silverstein was said to have joined the Aryan Brotherhood, the white nationalist prison gang, while serving time at Leavenworth Penitentiary in Kansas. He was eventually placed in isolation there in a specially-designed suite where day and night never varied: A fluorescent ceiling light remained on continuously to facilitate ceaseless video surveillance. Meals were delivered through a slot in the cell door. Visitors were severely restricted, and outgoing phone calls were capped at two a month. His isolation continued as he was transferred from prison to prison. At the Florence supermax, which he entered in 2005, he was confined 23 hours a day in an 80-square-foot cell, the minimum legal size of a New York City kitchenette. Exercise was limited to one hour a day in a private adjoining enclosure. His only immediate link to the outside was a black-and-white television in his cell. Image Mr. Silverstein took up art while in prison, teaching himself and becoming accomplished at it. Credit... Thomas Silverstein The no human contact punishment was imposed by Norman A. Carlson, the Bureau of Prisons director, in 1983 in response to Mr. Silversteins savage stabbing of the prison guard. With no federal death penalty in effect at the time for killing a correction officer, Mr. Carlson said this week in an email, I dont know what else could have been done to prevent further violence by a man who had nothing to lose. Mr. Silverstein was born Thomas Edward Conway on Feb. 4, 1952, in Long Beach, Calif. He told Mr. Earley that his mother, Virginia, who had been imprisoned for robbery as a teenager, was pregnant with him when she divorced her first husband and married Thomas Conway, whom Mr. Silverstein described as his natural father. Four years later, she divorced Mr. Conway and married Sid Silverstein, who adopted him. Tommy Silverstein, as he was now known, was often bullied in the working-class neighborhood where he grew up, in part because schoolmates mistakenly thought he was Jewish. Once, he remembered, his mother threw bricks through the front window of a local bullys home after the boys father had incited another fight between his son and Tommy. Thats how my mom was, Mr. Silverstein said. She stood her mud. If someone came at you with a bat, you got your bat and you both went at it. Currently, no state has a law banning voluntary microchip implants, though along with Nevada, Arkansas, New Jersey and Tennessee are drafting legislation centered around implants. California, Wisconsin, Missouri, Oklahoma and North Dakota have laws in some form that ban involuntary implants. I cant think of many biohackers or any citizens who wouldnt support a ban on involuntary microchipping (though at least for now, thats a baseless fear). But the fear of government- or corporate-imposed programs should not overwhelm the promise that voluntary, recreational chipping has to offer. Ive had my chip for over three years, and Ive grown to relish and rely on the technology. The electric lock on the front door of my house has a chip scanner, and its nice to go surfing and jogging without having to carry keys around. For some people without functioning arms, chips in their feet are the simplest way to open doors or operate some household items modified with chip readers. The military is considering implants for soldiers that may be useful to monitor their health data and even recovering them if theyre captured or lost in war. Microchip implants arent for everyone, and while the health risks are minuscule, like any technology, implanted chips will grow old, become outdated and need to be replaced a process that will be moderately bloody and painful. And there are legitimate privacy issues, similar to the current concerns over tracking phones. So far, though, implants can be detected by someone only at a distance of a few feet. Above all, the microchip implants illustrate a defining principle of the transhumanist movement, popularized by the philosopher and futurist Max More: morphological freedom the right to modify ones body in whatever way one wants, so long as it doesnt hurt anybody else. The uproar over Mr. Dalys bill seems to have worked. After being deluged with public comments and emails, he altered his bill yet again, with new wording to exempt implants for self-expression and medical purposes. (The bill recently passed in the Nevada Assembly and is being considered by the Nevada Senate.) Then there are the fines, such as a multibillion-dollar one that the Federal Trade Commission is considering to punish Facebook for privacy violations. While the fine would be the largest the agency has ever levied, it would also be far too small to make a difference. When Facebook announced it might have to hand over $5 billion as its get-out-of-jail-free card, Wall Street cheered and Facebook stock rose. Meanwhile, theres a lot of talk about the ways that countries can work together to improve the online ecosystem. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand met with President Emmanuel Macron of France last week, for example, about creating an intergovernmental effort to end online extremism. While laudable in theory, very little of this hand-wringing is likely to result in any rules with heft. In addition, the prospect of governments making rules around the restriction of speech is rife with ethical dilemmas. Finally theres the biggest gun: Using antitrust law to break up big tech companies. Calls for antitrust action have become increasingly loud, most notably in a recent essay in this paper by the Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes. His statement that the company should be broken up attracted a lot of attention, especially after he called the power held by Mark Zuckerberg, his former college roommate, un-American. That had to hurt, even if the blow is likely to be glancing, since antitrust cases are slow-moving and hard to pull off. And yet the idea of using antitrust to rein in these companies got a significant boost recently with the Supreme Courts decision to allow a lawsuit from consumers aimed at how Apple runs its App Store to proceed in a lower court. Breaking with the more conservative wing of the court in a 5-4 decision, Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in the majority opinion that Apples arguments that it wasnt subject to a lawsuit over its app prices disregard statutory text and precedent, create an unprincipled and economically senseless distinction among monopolistic retailers and furnish monopolistic retailers with a how-to guide for evasion of the antitrust laws. Apple has and will continue to argue that it is not a monopoly in either hardware and software which is true. But the case, though narrow, is still a flashing neon sign of change. It centers on rethinking the idea of what a monopoly is with an eye to the power of the network effect. Even if a company doesnt completely dominate its sector, if its platform can exercise what amounts to an iron-fisted control over consumers, perhaps it should be considered a monopoly after all. [Technology has made our lives easier. But it also means that your data is no longer your own. Well examine who is hoarding your information and give you a guide for what you can do about it. Sign up for our limited-run newsletter.] Its no coincidence that measles is spreading across the United States after a decade in which the number of parents claiming exemption for their children from vaccination has grown. The outbreak has been most intense in New York, particularly in deeply insular ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities in Brooklyn and upstate that have been vulnerable to misinformation and resistant to vaccination. To halt the spread of the disease, bills in the State Senate and Assembly would prevent parents from claiming that their religious beliefs exempt them from legal requirements that their children be vaccinated before going to school. The American Academy of Pediatrics has made the elimination of such nonmedical exemptions its top priority this year. The legislation would allow exemptions only if a licensed doctor certified that the immunization was detrimental to the childs health, as is the case in current law. Action on these sensible bills has stalled, however, just weeks before legislators leave for the summer even as the latest cases of the highly contagious and sometimes fatal disease were diagnosed in New York last week. Even with unemployment at a 50-year low, the job market is failing to reach millions of potential workers. Thats because those who arent working or looking for work are left out of the unemployment statistics. And the number of such workers has been growing: When unemployment was last down near 3.5 percent, in 1969, virtually all men ages 25 to 54 were in the work force. Today, the proportion is below 90 percent, the result of a long-term decline in work force participation that has hit men most severely, but has recently affected women, too. Other rich countries havent seen this troubling fall, in part because they have p olicies that help workers find jobs, keep their skills up-to-date and balance work and family. Unfortunately, the United States hasnt done much on any of these fronts. It once nearly led the world in levels of work force participation ; now its toward the back of the pack. This reversal has had many bad effects. Its reduced the incentive to bid up wages, which used to be seen as the inevitable consequence of tight labor markets. Its also made unemployment less and less useful as a measure of job security. The basic problem is that most of the jobs offered today dont provide the guarantees that workers once expected. This transformation is obvious in gig economy jobs like driving for Uber. But the gig economy is still pretty small; for most Americans, the problem is that their work has been gig-ified. Corporations used to pool major economic risks within their labor forces. They did so because they could the pressures of financial markets and global competition were less constraining. And they did so because they thought they had to if labor unions were to remain satisfied. Now those risks are mostly on workers alone. In its petition to the Forest Service, Utah argues that the lack of roads and prohibitions on timber harvesting have impeded the agencys ability to manage forests to reduce wildfires, improve wildlife habitat and combat infestations by insects or invasive species. These claims are without merit. Lets consider the wildfire threat. Its absolutely a concern. The effects of climate change, including prolonged droughts and unnaturally intense wildfires, are drastically reshaping landscapes across the West. But building new roads for access into the backcountry will only make the problem worse. People cause most wildfires, and roads will only increase the chance for fires. From 2000 to 2015 , four times as many wildfires were started along roads in Utah as in remote national forests, according to an analysis of government data by the Wilderness Society. The areas requiring attention most are forests with roads and lands near the urban wildland interface. If we are going to succeed in reducing wildfire threats to homes and communities, state and local officials should focus on removing brush, deadfall and other wildfire accelerants, and thinning forests, near populated areas. Home and business owners in fire-prone areas must also keep their properties clear of vegetation that could easily ignite. These are proven strategies recommended by the National Fire Protection Association in its Firewise USA program, co-sponsored by the Forest Service, the Interior Department and the National Association of State Foresters. Opinion Conversation Tktk What should our leaders be doing? Al Gore, the 45th vice president of the United States, finds reasons for optimism in the Biden presidency. Al Gore, the 45th vice president of the United States, finds reasons for optimism in the Biden presidency. What are the worst climate risks in your country? Select a country, and we'll break down the climate hazards it faces. Select a country, and we'll break down the climate hazards it faces. Where are Americans suffering most? Our maps, developed with experts, show where extreme heat is causing the most deaths in the U.S. The roadless rule already allows for fuel reduction to reduce wildfire risk and for access to private property, mineral claims and oil and gas leases. For instance, the Forest Service approved the cutting and sale of beetle-infested spruce trees on 19,000 acres in several Utah roadless areas and road access in another roadless area to a phosphate mine. Those were among 23 requests approved by the Forest Service in 2017 and 2018 for timber harvesting or road construction in roadless areas in Utah. Building more roads will only add to the Forest Services multibillion-dollar maintenance backlog around the country. The Forest Service has already approved $340 million in projects to improve forest health, reduce fire hazards and provide local jobs on 1.3 million acres on areas that have roads or are roadless in national forest land in Utah. All thats needed are the funds from Congress to move ahead with those and other projects. When Manhattanites Matt Rappoport and Beno Varela began looking for a new home in Connecticut, they had mixed feelings about making the move. Mr. Rappoport, an attorney, was ready to leave his job at a large law firm, and Dr. Varela, a gastroenterologist, had found a practice he planned to join in Hamden, Conn. But their friends and social lives were in New York, even though Mr. Rappoport had grown up in Fairfield, Conn. We were moving out of the city to a neighborhood where we had no social ties, other than Matts family, said Dr. Varela, 35. Six years ago, the California-born artist Christine Sun Kim, 39, moved from New York Citys Chinatown to Berlin. I fell in love, she explains. Her eyes widen and brows lift as she signs, Im actually not a big fan of making these big moves for love. But it worked out really well for me. After earning two M.F.A.s from the School of Visual Arts and Bard College and finding a foothold in New York, it was time to find a different way to practice. In transgressive textual drawings, videos and participatory performances, Kim visualizes sounds and distills spoken language into clever new forms. She was selected for the 2013 MoMA show Soundings, the museums first exhibition dedicated to sound art, and she has become known for her powerful works that demonstrate the possibilities of sound as an artistic medium (her 2015 TED Talk about the similarities between music and sign language currently has over one and a half million views). A series of her large-format charcoal drawings, which explore navigating the hearing world as a deaf person, are now on view at the 79th Whitney Biennial in New York. The six works pair depictions of varying mathematical angles with correlative, rage-inducing encounters that are both broadly applicable being given a Braille menu at a restaurant or offered a wheelchair at an airport and painfully specific to her experience curators who think its fair to split my fee with interpreters. After a controversy-laden 2017 show, this years biennial, curated by Jane Panetta and Rujeko Hockley, highlights the most diverse group of artists yet; the majority of the 75 participants are people of color, and two-thirds are women. In her works in the exhibition, Kim explores her various identities as Korean-American, as a new mother and as a deaf artist taking the maxim the personal is political to a new level. [Coming soon: the T List newsletter, a weekly roundup of what T Magazine editors are noticing and coveting. Sign up here.] Local governments in China dont understand the industry, Mr. Gu said. They are merely using up resources that private companies know how to spend more effectively, he added. Chinas role as the worlds leading assembler of electronics, and its vast consumer market for electronics, has convinced some observers that given enough time, the country would inevitably attract or foster the knowledge for producing advanced chips. If China could catch up in making toys and then in producing cellphones, the thinking goes, then why not in semiconductors someday? For now, surviving without American chips promises to be the ultimate test for Huawei, despite the companys recent strides in developing its own processors. In an interview with Chinese media on Tuesday, Huaweis founder and chief executive, Ren Zhengfei, said that in peaceful times, half of Huaweis chips came from American companies, and the other half it developed itself. Huawei has stockpiled chips for emergencies like this, Mr. Ren said. But the company could never entirely reject American technology, he said. Even members of his own family, he said, are iPhone users. We will not recklessly get rid of American chips, Mr. Ren said. We need to grow together. Beijings angst over foreign semiconductors has a long pedigree. As Japan, South Korea and Taiwan emerged with formidable chip industries in the 1980s and 90s, China experimented with various forms of state planning to develop its own abilities. In 2014, Beijing set a goal of becoming a global leader in all segments of the chip industry by 2030, and national and local government semiconductor investment funds began springing up across the country. In separate interviews Mr. Broderick in London before a rehearsal in early May, and Mr. Lonergan in New York on the day of the plays first preview two weeks later the men discussed their friendship, their collaboration and the plays bumpy beginnings. Here are edited excerpts from the conversations. Matthew, this is Kennys third play on the West End but its your debut. Does it feel like a milestone? BRODERICK I mean, Im superstitious and I dont want to, you know Knock wood. BRODERICK Knock wood, exactly. [Looks around] Theres no wood. [Walks to a wooden table and knocks] When youre a kid, theres something very romantic about London. Im embarrassed to say it, but it is sort of a dream to come here and do a play. Embarrassed? BRODERICK Well, it sounds hokey. And it also just sets you up for, Be careful for what you dream for, you [expletive]. And wham, Ill be smashed down to whack-a-mole. [Laughs] Dont print any of that. Kenny, did you have Matthew in mind as Mark from the beginning? LONERGAN No. I started writing notes for it, or making attempts at scenes in it, when I was pretty early in my mid-20s. And the character could be anywhere from his early 40s to his early 50s no older and no younger so theres no question of writing it for Matthew. But I believe that I thought at the time, Its too bad hes not the right age because its a really good part for him. He happens to understand whats so beautiful about astronomy itself. What is that beauty? LONERGAN All youve got to do is go outside at night when youre in the country and look up. Why the plays long gestation? LONERGAN When I first wrote the play, I was a young man, not a 40-year-old man, and I really didnt know what it was like to be in a relationship for 10 years, or to have the same job for 10 years. Its true across many industrialized democracies that rural areas lean conservative while cities tend to be more liberal, a pattern partly rooted in the history of workers parties that grew up where urban factories did. But urban-rural polarization has become particularly acute in America: particularly entrenched, particularly hostile, particularly lopsided in its consequences. Urban voters, and the party that has come to represent them, now routinely lose elections and power even when they win more votes. Democrats have blamed the Senate, the Electoral College and gerrymandering for their disadvantage. But the problem runs deeper, according to Jonathan Rodden, a Stanford political scientist: The American form of government is uniquely structured to exacerbate the urban-rural divide and to translate it into enduring bias against the Democratic voters, clustered at the left of the accompanying chart. Yes, the Senate gives rural areas (and small states) disproportionate strength. Thats an obvious problem for Democrats, Mr. Rodden said. This other problem is a lot less obvious. The Department of Education on Tuesday released detailed information showing the average amount of debt incurred by graduates of different academic programs at each college in America. This focus on programs, rather than institutions as a whole, is gaining favor among political leaders and could have far-reaching effects. With anxiety about student debt soaring the billionaire Robert F. Smith made headlines last weekend with his surprise promise to pay off the debts of Morehouse Colleges 2019 graduating class the program-level information has the potential to alter how colleges are funded, regulated and understood by consumers in the marketplace. Everyone knows that different majors have different economic payoffs. Social workers earn less than chemical engineers, for example. But federal laws that regulate college success dont account for that. Instead, they average results across the university. People dont have a good way of seeing how big those differences are within a particular university, let alone comparing programs across universities. The new, more detailed debt information was created in response to an executive order issued in March by President Trump. Dont know how to spell clafouti? Dont feel bad. Nearly one in five words misspelled in the final rounds of the Scripps National Spelling Bee is derived from the French language. The odds are worse if the word has a Latin (27 percent) or ancient Greek (21 percent) origin. But what surprised Julie Hansen, the United States chief executive of the language learning company Babbel, is the difficulty spellers have with modern languages, like French, German and Italian, despite their ubiquity across cultures. Latin and ancient Greek are considered dead languages, unlike French, which is the fifth most spoken. We have a lot of exposure to those words, Ms. Hansen said. And a lot of young spellers study other languages. [We made a Spelling Bee quiz for you. Try your luck.] Babbel partnered with Merriam-Webster, the official word source for the National Spelling Bee, to analyze 10 years of words that knocked contestants out of the final rounds. This years bee, featuring 565 competitors, will begin next Monday at National Harbor, Md., just outside Washington. The final competition will be broadcast on ESPN on May 30. The winner earns $50,000 and a trophy, among other prizes. A former vice president known for My love affair with Amtrak. Back on Amtrak and his famous friend. This also gives the internet one last chance to talk about our bromance. Joe Biden is running for president. Today, I am announcing my candidacy for president of the United States. Hes tried it before. And with the grace of God and the support of the American people, I mean to be that kind of president. Twice. This is not about experience. Its not about change. Its about action. So, why does he think the third times a charm? Biden may be betting that in this politically tumultuous time, voters are looking for a familiar face. He arrived in Washington before C-Span existed and before these members of Congress were born. His credentials are unmatched in the Democratic Party. He served two terms as vice president, 36 years in the Senate and has chaired powerful congressional committees. And hes earned himself a few nicknames along the way. Working-Class Joe. Working-Class Joe Biden. Old Uncle Joe Biden. Crazy Uncle Joe Biden, just being Biden. So, what are Bidens priorities? Hes a moderate Democrat and is likely to focus on: expanding health care, investing in education and rebuilding relationships with allies. The America I see does not wish to turn our back on the world or our allies. We will be back. But his decadeslong record comes with some baggage, including his support for the Iraq war. President Bush is right to be concerned about Saddam Husseins relentless pursuit of weapons of mass destruction. Tough anti-crime policies. First, we have to join together to ensure that drug dealers are punished swiftly, surely and severely. And his role in the Anita Hill hearing. It is appropriate to ask Professor Hill anything any member wishes to ask her to plumb the depths of her credibility. More recently, several women have come forward saying they were uncomfortable with the way Biden touched them. I feel Joe Biden put his hands on my shoulders, get up very close to me from behind, lean in, smell my hair and then plant a slow kiss on the top of my head. Biden responded on Twitter. The boundaries of protected personal space have been reset and I get it. I will be more mindful and respectful of peoples personal space. So, how has Biden taken on President Trump? Theyve had their share of fighting words. If we were in high school, Id take him behind the gym and beat the hell out of him. Trump shot back on Twitter, and said Biden would go down fast and hard, crying all the way. Biden later said he regretted his comments. So, what are Bidens odds? He entered the race as an instant front-runner and hes already leading in early polls. But as a white man in his late 70s, Bidens test will be whether his popularity can outweigh the partys thirst for generational change. WASHINGTON As the Houses day wound to a close on Monday, a sumptuous feast was being laid out in the Capitol Visitor Center. Dates, spiced rice, baked pumpkin, salad and fruit and cans of whipped cream for sundaes. It was all prepared for an iftar, the meal eaten each night after sunset to break fast during Ramadan, Islams holiest month, and it was the first one hosted on Capitol Hill by three Muslim members of Congress. For Representatives Andre Carson of Indiana, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, all Democrats, it was a historic moment: being able to break their fasts with colleagues and take pride in their faith. A campaign finance watchdog group filed a complaint on Tuesday against a Canadian billionaire alleging that he violated a federal ban on contributions by foreigners when his United States-based company donated $1.75 million last year to a political committee supporting President Trumps agenda. The complaint was filed by the watchdog group, the Campaign Legal Center, with the Federal Election Commission against Barry Zekelman, the chief executive of Zekelman Industries, North Americas largest steel tube manufacturer. Mr. Zekelman has pushed the Trump administration to take steps that help block the import to the United States of steel tube made by his competitors. Mr. Zekelman, whose efforts to influence federal policy on steel tariffs was detailed in a story in The New York Times, was invited to a dinner with Mr. Trump at the Trump International Hotel in April 2018, after the first contribution to the Trump-affiliated committee, America First Action Super PAC, for $1 million. Two more contributions first for an additional $250,000 and then $500,000 more followed during 2018, making Zekelman Industries one of the single biggest contributors to Mr. Trumps political causes. michael barbaro From The New York Times, Im Michael Barbaro. This is The Daily. Today: In the weeks since the release of the Mueller report, the Democratic Party has been struggling with how to proceed. Now, divisions are emerging as a group of House members are pushing their leaders to open impeachment proceedings, saying the current strategy is not working. Its Wednesday, May 22. nicholas fandos Hey, guys. michael barbaro Hey. nicholas fandos Sorry Im late. michael barbaro Did you run over did you run from the Capitol? nicholas fandos I raced over from the Capitol, where House Democrats were figuring out what the hell to do next. michael barbaro Nick Fandos covers Congress for The Times. So, Nick, tell us about the situation around Don McGahn up until Monday night. nicholas fandos So after the Mueller report was released more than a month ago, the House Judiciary Committee quickly identified Don McGahn, the former White House counsel, as perhaps the most important fact witness for their investigation into obstruction of justice. archived recording McGahn sat for more than 30 hours of interviews with Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Democrats say hes a key witness on obstruction. nicholas fandos McGahn had provided hours and hours of testimony about important episodes in which the president tried to undercut or thwart the special counsels investigators, including trying to have Mr. Mueller himself removed from the probe. So Democrats initially write to Mr. McGahn and a number of other witnesses asking for him to voluntarily provide documents and testimony to the committee. He says no. His lawyer says, were not going to come in voluntarily. archived recording House Democrats are throwing down another gauntlet tonight in the increasingly bitter battle over the Mueller report. Their would-be point man for impeachment, Judiciary Committee chairman Jerry Nadler, has subpoenaed a key White House insider. nicholas fandos So the committee authorizes and then issues a subpoena for him to produce relevant documents that he had handed over to the special counsel and to come in this Tuesday and testify before live television cameras in the House Judiciary Committee hearing room. So thats essentially where we were on Monday, wondering, is Don McGahn going to show up? But, by the early afternoon, we start to get wind that hes not going to show up, under order from the White House not to appear. archived recording President Trump escalated his stonewalling of Congress today, directing former White House counsel Don McGahn to defy a congressional subpoena and skip a House Judiciary hearing scheduled for tomorrow. michael barbaro So the White House has said, dont go. nicholas fandos Right. So the White House comes armed with a Justice Department Office of Legal Counsel memo that says the presidents closest advisers are immune absolutely immune from congressional subpoenas and dont have to appear for testimony. archived recording (donald trump) These arent, like, impartial people. The Democrats are trying to win 2020. Theyre not going to win with the people that I see, and theyre not going to win against me. The only way they can maybe luck out and I dont think thats going to happen, it might make it even the opposite, thats what a lot of people are saying the only way they can luck out is by constantly going after me on nonsense. nicholas fandos Now, that left McGahn himself with a choice. Hes no longer an employee of the White House. Hes a lawyer back in private practice at the firm where he used to work. And while he can use that as a shield to protect himself from the committee, he himself has to make a choice whether or not to go. And its a difficult one, because he is basically deciding between being held in contempt of Congress, which, even in this hyper-partisan era, is a black stain, but, on the other side, he doesnt want to run afoul of President Trump, not only because Mr. McGahn continues to move in Republican circles, but the firm he works for does quite a bit of business with Republicans. And if the president were to, say, blackball them, it could have pretty grave ramifications. So his lawyer, by late Monday night, says, Im sorry, Chairman Nadler, but my client is not going to be showing up on Tuesday morning. michael barbaro Basically, he is going to follow the White Houses instructions not to testify. nicholas fandos Thats correct. McGahn says no. michael barbaro So I have to assume that the Democrats are furious, because this just keeps happening. They cannot get anyone in the presidents orbit to testify. nicholas fandos Door after door after door has been slammed in their face. So theyve already gone through this whole back and forth with Attorney General Bill Barr, who ultimately refused to come in and give testimony. He then refused to hand over material that they had subpoenaed some of the underlying documents of the Mueller report and instructed President Trump to claim executive privilege over it. You have the case of Bob Mueller. Theyre trying to call in the special counsel himself to testify and have been yet to be able to agree to a date for that to happen. And one that, as of Monday, had still been open, was Don McGahn, their potential star witness in an obstruction case. And so Monday night, as theyre getting ready for a hearing on Tuesday where they know that this guy is likely not to show up, theyre just fuming. michael barbaro So what did they actually do? nicholas fandos Speaker Pelosi, with her caucus chattering about yet another defied subpoena, walks into a series of meetings with her leadership team with party leaders, chairmen, the kind of senior figures of her party that, as they say, are the kind of steering committee of the Democratic caucus in the House. Now, remember that Pelosi herself has been one of the kind of leading critics within the Democrats of impeachment. She said Trump isnt worth it, and its too divisive for the country. So Pelosi begins to talk about her frustrations that the war between the legislative and the executive branch is overshadowing House Democrats legislative agenda. You know, theyve been passing big Democratic priority items health care bills to shore up the Affordable Care Act, they passed last week the Equality Act. michael barbaro Its funny, as you said that, I just realized I didnt know that something called the Equality Act was passed. nicholas fandos Yeah, Trump is sucking all of the oxygen out of the room, and its a problem. And shes essentially throwing it out there to the group to discuss and lamenting it. And thats when Jamie Raskin, a second-term congressman from suburban D.C. on the Maryland side hes got a crazy head of hair, hes a constitutional law professor he jumps in and says, Madame Speaker, I actually have a suggestion on this point. And Raskin essentially makes a pitch thats on the minds of a number of Judiciary Committee members several of them are sitting there with him. And he says, I think that the time has come, and we ought to consider opening a formal impeachment inquiry. You say youre concerned about this fight overtaking the rest of our work. This will allow us to centralize all of the fights over subpoenas and documents. It may give us better standing in the courts to get information and help judges expediate our cases. And you can point to this thing when people ask you questions and say, hey, its ongoing. We await their recommendation. And keep going about your work. michael barbaro What does he mean by centralize it? Whats the argument? nicholas fandos So right now, you have roughly five different House committees that are asking the White House and the Trump businesses and individuals for information that are potentially relevant to this impeachment question. And hes basically saying, hey, were all getting shut down. And were being told by the White House that we dont have a legitimate reason for doing this, and were just kind of going on a fishing expedition. So, hey, if we open an impeachment inquiry, we can say, we do have a legitimate purpose. This is a foundational purpose outlined in the Constitution, and we need that information. And it would make the Judiciary Committee a kind of clearinghouse for those five committees looking for financial information on the president, looking for testimony or grand jury information about obstruction of justice or Russian election interference. It would, in his view, strengthen the Democrats hand in this fight against the White House. michael barbaro And what is Pelosis reaction in this room to this pitch for opening up impeachment hearings? nicholas fandos She essentially says, we need to stay the course. Weve put in place a strategy. Were going to issue subpoenas. Were going to conduct our investigations. We will hold witnesses in contempt if they defy those subpoenas, and well go to court to enforce things. And we think its starting to work. michael barbaro But how can she argue that thats working when she just learned that yet another person around the president has thumbed his nose at a subpoena? nicholas fandos Well, just an hour or two before, a federal district judge here in Washington had ruled in a largely unrelated case that a House Democratic subpoena for Trump financial records was legitimate. And, importantly, the judge rejected an argument that the Trump administration and the presidents lawyers have been making to almost every request that the requests are not legitimate and exceed Congresss oversight authority. The judge said, no, its not up to the courts to decide that. And its not up to you to decide that. Congress has its investigative prerogative, and no one ought to second-guess that. So Pelosi says, look, the courts, as we anticipated, are siding in our favor. And theyre going to. This process may be slow, but, in any case, the American people are not on board with impeachment yet. And we have time to let this play out. Theres more road to run, and we can see once we get farther down that road if an impeachment inquiry is warranted. Right now, its not. Around the same time, elsewhere on Capitol Hill, Jerry Nadler, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, is convening the members of the House Judiciary Committee to talk about this same problem. michael barbaro This is truly an action-packed Monday night in Congress. nicholas fandos It is. And youve got to remember, its all building up to this Tuesday morning hearing. And what the Democrats need to know is how far are we going to go on Tuesday morning? How aggressive are we going to be? This is another escalation from the executive branch. What do we want to do in response? So Nadlers hearing from member after member that weve got to up the ante here. This is getting ridiculous. Were running out of choices. An impeachment inquiry seems to be one of the few options that we have left. And they talk through it as a group, and Nadler is not closed-minded to the idea. So they wrap up, and Jerry Nadler walks back over to the Capitol and goes in to meet with Nancy Pelosi and with, this time, a small inner circle of the most senior leaders of the House. He presents, again, as Jamie Raskin had earlier, this idea about the advantages of opening an impeachment inquiry at this point. And, again, Pelosi says, essentially, stay the course. And so what they end up discussing or are left to discuss is what other options short of impeachment are still left unused? The issuance of additional subpoenas, moving more quickly on contempt citations, even using potentially legislative priorities of the president or Congresss power of the purse as leverage to try and get compliance in subpoenas. michael barbaro So everything short of impeachment that could possibly unlock some of these documents and witnesses that House Democrats cant get their hands on. nicholas fandos Thats right. So the meeting wraps up, and Nadler quickly convenes another call of his Judiciary Committee members to give them a verdict, and essentially communicates that they will up pressure, that he will issue a pretty stark threat to McGahn and to others who may contemplate not complying with the committee. But hes going to hold off for now on calling for impeachment. michael barbaro Nick, youre now describing two cases in a single night where House Democrats are going to Speaker Pelosi and saying, we want your approval to do something that it feels like they could very much do on their own, which is begin impeachment. nicholas fandos Technically, they probably could. But what youve got to remember is that the House Democratic caucus is highly centralized around Nancy Pelosi. The power of chairmen, the appointment of chairmen there are votes for some of those kind of things, but the real power derives from Pelosi. And she can take it away from them, she can block them. She can more or less order them to do one thing or another. Now, she often doesnt get involved in the work of the committees, but with a question this significant, basically its Nancy Pelosi that is going to make the decision whether or not they go down the road to impeachment. michael barbaro And so what is the response to this escalated pressure but not impeachment plan? nicholas fandos So, look, I mean, its complicated. The members of the Judiciary Committee who are ready to go forward with this are certainly facing right now a certain measure of disappointment. But they all know that this is not a good situation for them to be in. Theres a drawback to each potential option they have here. And so there was I dont think a real expectation that impeachment was going to start by the end of the week. But its about things potentially shading in that direction. That being said, though, the party as a whole is wrestling with the best way to go forward. I think there really is agreement among Democrats about what the problem is and that there is, as they see it, a threat here. Its a question of tactics. And those who are starting to argue for impeachment are probably still the minority. On the speakers side, you have a number of moderates who are from districts that Democrats won back from Republicans last year, whose voters dont seem to care a whole lot about this issue. And you have older party stalwarts too who, just looking across the country, think that this is a dangerous situation for Democrats to be in. michael barbaro Well be right back. So, Nick, take us through this Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday morning where McGahn is supposed to show up, because hes been subpoenaed, but hes also been instructed by the president to ignore that subpoena. So what actually happens? nicholas fandos Tuesday morning, Jerry Nadler walks into the wood-paneled Judiciary Committee hearing room. archived recording (jerry nadler) Judiciary Committee will come to order. nicholas fandos Hes looking out at an empty chair. Don McGahns name is on the placard right in front of it. archived recording (jerry nadler) We welcome everyone to todays hearing on oversight of the report by Special Counsel Robert Mueller III, former White House counsel Donald McGahn II. nicholas fandos Essentially, what we had was, instead of riveting or detailed testimony, is Nadler, the top Democrat, and Doug Collins, the top Republican, verbally jousting. archived recording (jerry nadler) When this committee issues a subpoena, even to a senior presidential adviser, the witness must show up. Our subpoenas are not optional. nicholas fandos And Nadler says, speaking to Don McGahn. archived recording (jerry nadler) If he does not immediately correct his mistake, this committee will have no choice but to enforce the subpoena against him. nicholas fandos He says to the Trump administration, I know what youre doing. Youre trying to shut down this investigation. Youre trying to prevent us from being able to fully air the contents of this report. And Im going to do everything in my power not to let you get away with it. archived recording (jerry nadler) We will hold this president accountable, one way or the other. nicholas fandos Then he defers to Doug Collins, who immediately lambastes not McGahn or the Trump administration, but Nadler. archived recording (doug collins) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for all that have gathered here again. Here we go again. nicholas fandos Accuses him of putting on a show, of courting a confrontation, saying he doesnt really want the testimony. Hes just trying to get a conflict. archived recording (doug collins) I guess at the end of the day, we cant find something that the Mueller report lets them hang their I-word, impeachment, on, which they cant even agree on, because the president is continuing to do his job. And were here again with the circus in full force. michael barbaro I mean, watching it, it feels like this moment reveals how the tools that Nadler and his committee have and what theyve been deprived of because Speaker Pelosi wont give it to them are pretty insufficient to the moment. nicholas fandos I think that is why Democrats are so frustrated. They keep going through the motions of these hearings. They keep checking the boxes that they know theyll need when they get to court, and theyre not getting much for it. A month has passed since the Mueller Report came out, and there has not been meaningful testimony in that room or documents produced. The idea was that a 448-page report from the special counsel is dense, and most Americans dont have time to pay attention. But if you air all of this on live television, if you saturate the airwaves with it and put Don McGahn up there in the flesh or Bob Mueller in the flesh, maybe that could change minds. And this is what Pelosi has in mind in her long-term strategy and why she feels theyre not ready for impeachment, because Trump shut that down, and the public has not been moved. And I think that Democrats as a whole part of their desperate searching for a way forward is a recognition that the interest of voters all over the country, the kind of people that they need to hold the House and to win back the presidency, is waning on this stuff and that the window may have already begun to close on the ability to change those peoples minds. michael barbaro It feels like, in many ways, the Democrats are walking away from a post-Mueller report congressional oversight strategy thats aggressive and designed to move public opinion. nicholas fandos What Democrats would tell you is theyre not walking away from it at all, that the Trump administration has tried to pull it off the table. And Pelosi would say, well, its just going to take us longer to get this information. Well prevail in court. Well get this information. Maybe it takes months or a year, but these kind of cases are slow, theyre complex. And if the evidence is there, whenever we get it, maybe we can convince the American people of it then. But its not there now. michael barbaro I have to say, it definitely feels like the presidents approach here is very much working. He avoids these embarrassing testimonies of his White House counsel, of others around him, without much cost, and with the knowledge that impeachment, the next logical step that would dislodge all these pieces of information and witnesses, that that is a very distant possibility. We know that, because Pelosi has said so. nicholas fandos It does feel like its working. I mean, looked at another way, Trump essentially has said to House Democrats, put up or shut up. Impeach me or move on. Im not going to cooperate with endless investigations that relitigate the past if youre not going to go all the way. And if you do want to impeach, I welcome the fight. And what it has exposed along the way, at least so far, is that if you have a president who does not mind bending or disregarding the rules that typically govern the relationship between these two branches of government, if you have a president who does not mind his attorney general or his former White House counsel being held in contempt of Congress, if you have a president who doesnt mind losing in court, then, for a while at least, hes not going to pay any real costs for it. michael barbaro Obstruction works. nicholas fandos I dont think the White House would put it that way, but, in essence, yes. michael barbaro Nick, thank you very much. nicholas fandos Thank you for having me. michael barbaro On Tuesday afternoon, the House Judiciary Committee issued two more subpoenas, to the presidents former spokeswoman, Hope Hicks, and to Don McGahns former chief of staff, Annie Donaldson, who took detailed notes about many of his encounters with the president. The subpoenas demand that both testify before the committee in June. Later today, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will hold a special meeting with all House Democrats to update them on the state of the congressional investigations. Heres what else you need to know today. The Times reports that Venezuelas opposition leader, Juan Guaido, who, weeks ago, demanded the removal of the countrys president, Nicolas Maduro, may now enter negotiations with him. Such negotiations represent a turning point for Guaido, whose momentum has quickly dissipated after a failed coup, and amid signs that Maduros hold on power is as strong as ever. And, in a surprise move, British Prime Minister Theresa May has raised the possibility of holding a second referendum on Brexit that could eventually overturn the decision to leave the European Union. archived recording (theresa may) I do not believe this is a route that we should take, because I think we should be implementing the result of the first referendum, not asking the British people to vote in a second one. But I recognize the genuine and sincere strength of feeling across the House on this important issue. michael barbaro A district attorney in Utah is refusing to enforce a new law banning abortions after 18 weeks. In Colorado, the secretary of state is barring her staff from taking work-related trips to Alabama, a protest against that states decision last week to set the strictest abortion limits in the country. And in Vermont, Democrats have approved a measure meant to protect abortion rights, and supporters have pleaded with the states Republican governor, Phil Scott, to sign it. The Vermont bill, aimed at providing some of the strongest protections for abortion rights in the nation, came as crowds of supporters for such rights gathered on Tuesday outside state houses and on the steps of the Supreme Court to protest abortion bans like Alabamas. In Vermont, the bill would prohibit the government from interfering in any way with the right to have an abortion. It would not change the status quo in Vermont, where there currently are no legal limits on when or under what circumstances a woman can decide to end a pregnancy. But supporters say that the bill sends a resonant message to the nation about Vermonts views on abortion rights just as other states are sending far different signals. As conservatives in states like Alabama, Georgia, and Missouri race to pass some of the strictest limits on abortions in decades, a pushback is developing as well. In Democratic-held or Democratic-leaning states, abortion rights supporters who are alarmed by the new laws and by the threat represented by a more conservative Supreme Court are trying to repeal abortion restrictions or limit the governments say over womens reproductive decisions. Colombias army on Tuesday walked back part of a contentious policy to step up attacks in the country, saying it would change its pledge forms in which officers are required to list the number of criminals and militants they plan to kill, capture or force to surrender in battle. The change came only days after The New York Times revealed the armys new orders instructing top commanders to double the results of their combat operations against guerrilla, paramilitary and criminal organizations in Colombia. The orders had unnerved some senior army officers, who said the intense pressure to carry out attacks was heightening the risk of civilian casualties and had already led to suspicious deaths by overzealous soldiers. Colombia endured as many as 5,000 illegal killings in the mid-2000s after soldiers were pressured by their superiors to increase attacks on guerrilla fighters during the countrys civil war. CARACAS, Venezuela It was a daring gambit: Juan Guaido, Venezuelas opposition leader, stood by a military base alongside dozens of uniformed officers and political allies, calling for a military uprising against President Nicolas Maduro. Three weeks later, Mr. Guaido is shuttling among a half-dozen safe houses to escape capture. Most of the men who stood with him by the base that day, and many of the legislators who support him, are in jail or sheltering in foreign embassies. Soldiers routinely shut down the National Assembly that Mr. Guaido leads. And the protests that filled the streets with Mr. Guaidos supporters are dwindling as Venezuelans, struggling with a crumbling economy and shortages of food, gasoline and medication, return to the business of surviving. Weakened and unable to bring the political crisis gripping Venezuela to a quick resolution, Mr. Guaido has been forced to consider negotiations with Mr. Maduro. Both sides have sent representatives to Norway for talks, a concession Mr. Guaido previously rejected. Two years ago, Ray Wong and Alan Li, political activists in Hong Kong, were facing rioting charges over an all-night street clash with the police. They jumped bail and disappeared. Now they have come forward to say that they are under refugee protection in Germany, making them likely to be the first individuals from the semiautonomous Chinese city to have obtained such sanctuary. The move could be a turning point in shifting global views of Hong Kong, where individual freedoms have eroded as Beijing tightens its hold, threatening the citys reputation as an oasis of rule of law in Asia. Disclosure of Germanys decision, made last year, is likely to inflame an already heated debate in Hong Kong over a proposal to let the territorys government send criminal suspects to jurisdictions with which it does not have extradition agreements, including mainland China. Critics are worried that those whose work or political views run afoul of the ruling Communist Party in Beijing could be ensnared. The government has said people accused of political crimes will not be extradited and that the changes will prevent Hong Kong from becoming a haven for criminals. Im trying to get to Sabarimala Temple, one of Indias holiest Hindu shrines. Youre going to Sabarimala? Were going to the top. But its not easy. We go talk to him? That man. O.K. Lets go. There are police everywhere. Hello, sir. They seem to be on high alert. Times? New York Times. American. American. New York Times. The New York Times, over. Thanks for your help, yeah? Thank you, sir. In the end, I get through, and I walk among thousands of pilgrims who are here to worship the god Ayyappa. Oh, cool. There it is. There it is. This is it. Its like a whole little town here. One group I dont see? Women, between the ages of 10 and 50. The devout believe Ayyappa is a celibate god and those women could tempt him. But I do meet the vigilantes who are here to stop any young women from entering. Right here, what are you looking for? Right here, well be asking: How old are you? Traditionally, women of childbearing age have been banned from coming here. But last year, the Indian Supreme Court said it was illegal to block them. The decision erupted into a religious crisis that lasted for months. [chanting] The devout were furious. They said it was an assault on their religion. And the political right wing seized an opportunity. They rushed in, calling themselves the defenders of tradition, and helped fuel violent protests. So, I came here to feel the reverberations. How much can a controversy over one temple shape politics in the worlds largest democracy? Im Jeffrey Gettleman. Its election time, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will likely win another five-year term. [cheering and applause] This is the first time Ive actually seen Modi in person. And wow, to rouse his base, he knows exactly what to say and how to say it. Hes trying to leverage the controversy over Sabarimala Temple into votes for his party, the B.J.P. Reporter: Hello, maam. So, you like Modi? Yeah, definitely. Why? I think Reporter: Some people say B.J.P. divides India between Hindus and Muslims. What do you say? Reporter: Even the Muslims? Yeah. Reporter: So, you think of it as Hindus or Indians? Among many Modi supporters, this is a core belief, that India is a Hindu nation, despite the fact that people of many religions live here. And I wonder what this means for minorities, and for the future of this democracy. See, since Modi came to power five years ago, hate crimes against Muslims have shot up. Lynch mobs have killed dozens of people suspected of slaughtering cows, which are sacred to Hindus. To be clear, Modi doesnt encourage the violence, but critics say he hasnt forcefully condemned it, either. Now, his party is riding this wave of Hindu nationalism into the most secular parts of the country. Thats another reason why I came here, to Kerala. Its a progressive state. Modis party has never won a single Parliament seat from here. This is the party that hold the most seats in Kerala, the Indian National Congress. It stands for a pluralist, secular India. So this is the last place Id expect the Hindu right to succeed. But the state has turned into a real battleground, all because of Sabarimala. Not far from the temple, I meet up with K. Surendran on the campaign trail. Hes a B.J.P. candidate for Parliament, and he was one of the thousands arrested for rioting at Sabarimala and physically blocking women from entering. It made him a hero of the Hindu right. Its impressive to see him work the crowd. He doesnt even have to say much. [singing] People here know exactly where he stands on Sabarimala, and thats what matters. Modis party has another advantage a strong ground game. These men are volunteers with the R.S.S. The hardline Hindu organization known for churning out leaders. Theyre basically Modis foot soldiers. There are thousands of branches like this one. Modi, himself, actually rose up through their ranks. Hari Mohan joined this group when he was 9, and now he helps recruit some of the younger guys. As soon as their workout ends, he and his R.S.S. friends fan out to door-knock for Modi and the B.J.P. Whats interesting is Hari doesnt talk about jobs, farms or the broader economy Modi isnt doing so well on those. Instead, Sabarimala Temple is really the issue. I realize that for most people here, even women, the controversy isnt about gender equality. Its about traditions, and who will protect them at all costs. India is a deeply religious country. India is also a secular democracy. These two things are becoming harder to square as religion, and one religion in particular, comes to dominate politics. This moment feels like a battle over very different visions for Indias future. And what happens here in Kerala could predict the direction of the entire country. UNITED NATIONS North Koreas ambassador to the United Nations held a rare news conference on Tuesday to warn the United States that its seizure of a North Korean cargo ship could imperil any future disarmament negotiations between the two countries. The United States Justice Department authorized the seizure of the North Korean ship, the Wise Honest, after having determined that it was used to export North Korean coal in violation of American and international sanctions. The American move, announced on May 9, came amid rising tensions over continued North Korean missile launchings. In his brief appearance before the United Nations press corps, North Koreas ambassador, Kim Song, called the seizure an outright denial of the underlying spirit of a June 2018 joint statement between North Koreas leader, Kim Jong-un, and President Trump, in which, among other things, North Korea committed to working toward complete denuclearization. The United States should deliberate and think over the consequences its outrageous acts might have on the future developments, the North Korean ambassador said at the news conference. He also reiterated his governments demand for the return of the North Korean vessel. COLOMBO, Sri Lanka Even before the coordinated bombings that killed 250 people last month, Sri Lankas president and prime minister were in trouble largely of their own making. Now calls for President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to step aside when their terms are over, if not before, are mounting from opposition groups as well as from the ranks of their own parties. A member of Mr. Wickremesinghes party issued a public letter last week, asking the prime minister to make way for new leadership. Then, on Tuesday, a small opposition group in Parliament initiated no-confidence votes against both leaders, citing their failure to act on intelligence warning that an attack was imminent as well as their leadership in the aftermath. The calls for accountability coincide with jostling for an upcoming presidential election, and they seem to have all but crushed the chances for both men, senior officials, party members and analysts said in interviews. VIENNA Austrias president praised the elegance of the countrys Constitution on Tuesday, seeking to calm concerns as the crisis that has torn apart Chancellor Sebastian Kurzs right-wing coalition government accelerated, putting his future in doubt. Mr. Kurz, who had sought an early election in September and is preparing to lead a minority government until then, now faces the prospect of a no-confidence vote that could eject him from power within days. A technocratic administration would then take over until elections could be scheduled, probably in June or early July. The governing coalition, an alliance between Mr. Kurzs conservatives and the far-right Freedom Party, began to unravel on Saturday, when a video emerged showing the far-right partys leader discussing an exchange of favors with a woman claiming to be a Russian oligarchs niece. The days since have seen the once stable country rocked by political turmoil that could spell disaster for the ambitious young chancellor, once hailed as a rising star of Europes conservatives. BRUSSELS To the long list of concessions that European monarchs have made to modernity, Belgium is adding another: submitting to a paternity test. After refusing for months, King Albert II will soon give a DNA sample, his lawyer said this week, in a lawsuit brought by a woman who says she is his daughter, neglected and kept secret for decades. But King Albert, who abdicated the Belgian throne in 2013, will still fight to conceal the result. The paternity test could mark a dramatic turn in a lawsuit that has been underway for years, exposing Belgiums secretive royal family to unusual public scrutiny and criticism. There is more at stake than just recognition. The case could also make the plaintiff, Delphine Boel, 51, an heiress to the kings fortune, which is estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars. ABBEVILLE, France For President Emmanuel Macron of France, it has been Europe or bust from the beginning. Since his election two years ago, he has fashioned himself as the leader of Europe, laying out a grand vision of deeper integration. He has tried to stoke passion in a skeptical populace with an open letter in newspapers to the citizens of Europe. He has warned urgently of a European civil war that threatens the continents values. In the process, Mr. Macron has become the far rights favorite whipping boy, the trim-suited stand-in for the so-called faceless bureaucrats in Brussels, his name spat with contempt by populists from Hungary to Italy and even in France. Mr. Macrons vision now faces its most critical test in elections for the European Parliament, starting on Thursday. Polls in France show his party trailing Marine Le Pens far-right Rassemblement National, or National Rally, the party that used to be called the National Front. Citizens in the 28 European Union nations will go to the polls this week in an atmosphere of uncertainty with the specter of Brexit looming over the process and a growing nationalist, euroskeptic movement drawing voter support to cast ballots for the blocs only directly elected body: the European Parliament. The European Union is complex by design, a fact that can perplex voters and vote-watchers alike, often resulting in a low turnout. But this time is different. Nationalists have gained ground across Europe, and as they head into the elections with a newly united front, the vote is being seen as the latest test of their influence. Polls suggest that populist parties could be positioned to make big gains. Heres a guide to the European Parliament elections, a notoriously confusing system made even more so by changing dynamics within the bloc. The claim that the Hungarian authorities would have any obligation to provide catering after the final closure of the asylum procedure is not substantiated, the government maintained. Food can be bought in the transit zone at any time, the conditions for self-care are met, and the state must not be expected to provide additional care from the state budget. It is the same reasoning the government has given since the issue of withholding food was documented last year by two leading human rights groups, the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, based in Budapest, and Human Rights Watch. Nobody but the Hungarian government no lawyer, court or human rights body has found that people who are held behind barbed wire, guarded by police officers and surveilled by cameras 24/7 are not being deprived of their liberty, said Marta Pardavi, the co-chair of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, based in Budapest. Critics say that the Hungarian government, unable to simply deport those who have been denied asylum in many cases without meaningful assessment of their claims instead tries to force them out of the country by making conditions intolerable for them. The government has stooped to a new inhumane low by refusing food to people in their custody, apparently reveling in breaching human rights law, including its obligations as a European Union member, Lydia Gall, a researcher at Human Rights Watch, said in a report last year. This disregard for peoples well-being smacks of a cynical move to force people to give up their asylum claims and leave Hungary. The report by the Council of Europes human rights commissioner is not legally binding and her office does not have a mandate to impose or even propose any penalties. However, the commissioners reports are used by the councils other institutions, like the European Court of Human Rights Court, whose judgments are binding. In some cases, the European Union and national courts have also based their assessments and decisions on reports released by the commissioner. This month, Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, a British far-right activist and former leader of the extremist English Defense League who is also running for the European Parliament, was hit by two milkshakes in one day at the start of the recent spate. Danyaal Mahmud, who first doused Mr. Robinson, told the newspaper The Observer that he had taken the action after becoming offended by what Mr. Robinson had been saying to him. He said he had used a milkshake simply because it had been in his hand at the time. The moment was captured on video and quickly spread on social media. A day later, in a different city in northern England, Mr. Robinson was again splattered with milkshake. Carl Benjamin, a member of the right-wing U.K. Independence Party who is under investigation about a comment he made on Twitter regarding raping a female Labour lawmaker, was later targeted. He has been hit with four separate milkshake attacks so far. Other attacks on the far right have been encouraged on social media with the hashtag #SplashTheFash. The practice has prompted an angry backlash from some rightists. Just to be clear, anyone that comes at me with a milkshake will need the straw to eat their meals for the next few months, Mark Meechan, another UKIP candidate, wrote on Twitter this month. The attacks have also caught the eye of the police. In preparation for a weekend rally for Mr. Farage in Edinburgh, officers have asked McDonalds to briefly stop selling milkshakes on Saturday, a spokeswoman for the fast food chain said. But why milkshakes? Kevin Featherstone, a professor of European politics at the London School of Economics, said in an email that the strong visual impact was important. Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told lawmakers that he had sent a message through an intermediary to Qassim Suleimani, the commander of Irans paramilitary forces, that he would be held accountable for any attacks on the United States, according to officials who were in the briefings and described them on condition of anonymity. In a radio interview, Mr. Pompeo said that the United States had not determined who was responsible for sabotage attacks last week on oil tankers in the Middle East, but that it seems like its quite possible that Iran was behind them. He also defended the administrations steps against Iran and said the United States would continue to work to deter Iran from misbehavior in the region. Weve made clear that we will not allow Iran to hide behind its proxy forces, but that if American interests are attacked, whether by Iran directly or through its proxy forces, we will respond in an appropriate way against Iran, Mr. Pompeo told Hugh Hewitt, a conservative radio host. Like many things in Washington, reactions to the administrations handling of the tensions with Iran have fallen along a sharp partisan divide. Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, told reporters that the briefing made clear that this was an escalation of the threat stream we have not seen before. Im convinced the threat stream that they picked up is real and the actions of the Iranians went to a new level, said Mr. Graham, who sits on the Foreign Relations Committee. This is a defining moment for the Trump administration, the Trump administration needs to let them know that the maximum pressure campaign will continue. President Trumps re-election campaign has spent far more than any single Democratic presidential candidate on Facebook advertising, reprising a strategy that was central to his 2016 victory. Total Spending on Facebook Ads So Far This Year President Trump $1 million $2 $3 $4 2020 Democratic candidates Amount spent within the four weeks ending May 18 Elizabeth Warren Kamala Harris Joseph R. Biden Jr. Bernie Sanders Andrew Yang Amy Klobuchar Beto O'Rourke Kirsten Gillibrand Cory Booker Jay Inslee Julian Castro Marianne Williamson Pete Buttigieg Michael Bennet Tulsi Gabbard John Delaney John Hickenlooper Seth Moulton Tim Ryan Steve Bullock Eric Swalwell Wayne Messam Bill de Blasio President Trump $1 million $2 $3 $4 2020 Democratic candidates Amount spent within the four weeks ending May 18 Elizabeth Warren Kamala Harris Joseph R. Biden Jr. Bernie Sanders Andrew Yang Amy Klobuchar Beto O'Rourke Kirsten Gillibrand Cory Booker Jay Inslee Julian Castro Marianne Williamson Pete Buttigieg Michael Bennet Tulsi Gabbard John Delaney John Hickenlooper Seth Moulton Tim Ryan Steve Bullock Eric Swalwell Wayne Messam Bill de Blasio President Trump $1 million $2 $3 $4 2020 Democratic candidates Amount spent within the four weeks ending May 18 Elizabeth Warren Kamala Harris Joseph R. Biden Jr. Bernie Sanders Andrew Yang Amy Klobuchar Beto O'Rourke Kirsten Gillibrand Cory Booker Jay Inslee Julian Castro Marianne Williamson Pete Buttigieg Michael Bennet Tulsi Gabbard John Delaney John Hickenlooper Seth Moulton Tim Ryan Steve Bullock Eric Swalwell Wayne Messam Bill de Blasio Amount spent within the four weeks ending May 18 President Trump $1 million $2 $3 $4 2020 Democratic candidates Elizabeth Warren Kamala Harris Joseph R. Biden Jr. Bernie Sanders Andrew Yang Amy Klobuchar Beto O'Rourke Kirsten Gillibrand Cory Booker Jay Inslee Julian Castro Marianne Williamson Pete Buttigieg Michael Bennet Tulsi Gabbard John Delaney John Hickenlooper Seth Moulton Tim Ryan Steve Bullock Eric Swalwell Wayne Messam Bill de Blasio Notes: The spending figures are for Dec. 30 to May 18. The data comes from Facebook and includes ads on both Facebook and Instagram. Mr. Trump spent particularly heavily on Facebook ads at the beginning of the year, when the number of Democratic candidates was smaller. But the playing field has shifted. Since entering the race late last month, former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. has pumped more than $1 million into Facebook ads, outspending Mr. Trumps campaign for three of the past four weeks. So far this year, Mr. Trump has spent about $5 million on Facebook advertising. Early in the year, Mr. Trumps Facebook spending exceeded that of all of the Democratic candidates put together, though Democrats collective spending eventually surpassed Mr. Trumps total. Facebook Spending: Mr. Trump vs. the 2020 Democratic Field All Democratic candidates: $8.9 million $8 million 6 Mr. Trump: $4.8 million 4 2 January February March April May 23 Democratic candidates $9.6 million $8 million 6 Mr. Trump $4.9 million 4 2 Jan. 5 Feb. 2 Mar. 2 Mar. 30 May 4 23 Democratic candidates $9.6 million $8 million 6 4 Mr. Trump $4.9 million 2 Jan. 5 Feb. 2 Mar. 2 Mar. 30 May 4 Source: Facebook | Note: The chart shows cumulative spending from Dec. 30 to May 18. For a long time, Trump was running an intensive campaign that no one was paying attention to, said Mike Schneider, a partner at Bully Pulpit Interactive, a Democratic political and brand communications firm that is tracking Facebook spending by the presidential candidates. And while Democrats have picked up their efforts, theyre fighting over the same group of supporters while hes broadly expanding his base, Mr. Schneider said. Much of Mr. Trumps spending on Facebook advertising in recent weeks has gone toward ads that have been seen by older Americans, particularly women 55 and older, according to an analysis by Bully Pulpit. Estimated Facebook Ad Spending by the Trump Campaign Women, by age $50 thousand $100 $150 65+ 55-64 45-54 35-44 25-34 18-24 Men, by age 55-64 65+ 45-54 35-44 25-34 18-24 Women, by age $50 thousand $100 $150 65+ 55-64 45-54 35-44 25-34 18-24 Men, by age 65+ 55-64 45-54 35-44 25-34 18-24 Women, by age $50 thousand $100 $150 65+ 55-64 45-54 35-44 25-34 18-24 Men, by age 65+ 55-64 45-54 35-44 25-34 18-24 Source: Bully Pulpit Interactive (spending from March 24 to May 11) Older voters are an important constituency for Mr. Trump, having favored him over Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election, according to exit polls. Mr. Trump also has reason to want to shore up his standing with women, as white women shifted leftward in the midterm elections. Mr. Trump can pour millions into Facebook advertising because he has a big fund-raising head start over even the best-funded Democratic candidates. He ended the first quarter of the year with about $41 million in cash on hand, far more than the leading Democratic fund-raiser, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. The Trump campaign received widespread attention for its aggressive use of Facebook in the 2016 election. In interviews after the 2016 victory, Brad Parscale, who was the campaigns digital director, described how the Trump campaign sought to make the most of Facebook to reach prospective supporters. Facebook ads make it possible to reach places that you would never go with TV ads, Mr. Parscale said in a 2017 interview on 60 Minutes. To maximize the effectiveness of its advertising, the Trump campaign used tens of thousands of different ad variations on any given day, said Mr. Parscale, who is now managing Mr. Trumps re-election bid. Changing language, words, colors, changing things because certain people like a green button better than a blue button, he said. Some people like the word donate over contribute. Campaign officials say that their strategy will expand upon what they did in 2016, not only with Facebook but with other online platforms where voters are consuming news as well. The campaign has found that voters it wants to target are also spending a significant amount of time getting information on YouTube, according to an official. The campaign anticipates spending hundreds of millions of dollars on its online strategy for the 2020 election, officials said. Many of the Trump campaigns ads on Facebook are designed to get users to provide their contact information and expand the size of the campaigns already enormous list of supporters. Others solicit donations or peddle Trump merchandise. Facebook ads are a really valuable source for building your email list, and the more emails you have on your list, the more money youre going to raise online, said Eric Wilson, a Republican digital strategist. Theres a direct through line to resources for the campaign. Recently, the Trump campaign has spent heavily on one subject in particular: the presidents birthday. Mr. Trump turns 73 next month, and his campaign has run an assortment of ads asking people to sign a birthday card for him. The ads vary in their words and visuals. Some show a young man in a party hat being embraced by friends bearing gifts and balloons; others show a woman holding a birthday cake, candles ablaze. Still more just show Mr. Trump. Curiously, many of the ads say, incorrectly, that he will be turning 72. Videos in Mr. Trumps ads on his birthday, fake news and immigration Other Trump ads have asked people to sign a birthday card for the first lady, Melania Trump, whose birthday was last month. Over five weeks, Mr. Trump spent an estimated $450,000 on birthday ads on Facebook, accounting for slightly more than half of his Facebook spending during that time, according to Bully Pulpits analysis. The birthday ads serve a key purpose for the Trump campaign: collecting contact information for possible new supporters as well as existing ones. Asking people to sign a birthday card is a tried-and-true tactic, digital experts said. Digital list-building efforts like birthday cards are a great way to re-engage supporters, to refresh your email list and to grow a more personal relationship with your existing donor base, said Michael Duncan, a Republican digital strategist who is a founding partner at Cavalry, a public affairs firm. The birthday ads are just one attempt to gather contact information. Other Trump ads ask people to take an Official Presidential Job Performance Survey or a Mainstream Media Accountability Survey and to provide their name, email address and ZIP code in the process. We try to harvest and bring people in to become direct contacts, Mr. Parscale said on Fox News in January. Cellphone numbers, email addresses, things that we can have direct contact. Mr. Parscale said he hoped to accumulate contact information for as many as 40, 50 or 60 million people by the 2020 election. We might possibly have everybody that could vote for the president in a direct contact method by Election Day, he said. Some Trump ads on Facebook have invoked themes like immigration, socialism and the supposed witch hunt against Mr. Trump all topics that the president has been fond of talking about and is likely to continue discussing as he seeks a second term. He has also run ads highlighting last years criminal justice overhaul, as well as Spanish-language ads about Venezuela. You can really see the start of their general election campaign strategy and platform when you look through these ads over the past number of months, said Tara McGowan, a Democratic digital strategist who is the founder and chief executive of Acronym, a progressive digital organization that has also been tracking Facebook spending by the candidates. The issue of immigration is at the core of Mr. Trumps political identity, having been a central focus of his 2016 bid, and it has been a significant theme in his re-election campaigns advertising as well. Some ads ask people to vote on whether Mr. Trump should close the border. Others ask people to take an Official Secure The Border Survey, whose questions include, Do you think Democrats care about your safety? Still more ask people to sign a petition to end what Mr. Trump calls chain migration, or family-based immigration. A video from an immigration-focused ad Over a two-week stretch in late March and early April, roughly three-quarters of Mr. Trumps spending on Facebook advertising was for immigration-related ads, according to the analysis from Bully Pulpit. The firm classified Mr. Trumps ads based on keywords included in their text; the immigration ads included words like wall or border. Wakefield, MA, May 20, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Apache Software Foundation (ASF), the all-volunteer developers, stewards, and incubators of more than 350 Open Source projects and initiatives, announced today Apache Dubbo as a Top-Level Project (TLP). Apache Dubbo is a high-performance, Java based RPC (remote procedure call) framework. The project was originally developed at Alibaba and open-sourced in 2011, and entered the Apache Incubator in February 2018. "This day is not only the success of Apache Dubbo project itself, but also another success of The Apache Way," said Ian Luo, Vice President of Apache Dubbo. "Back to the time when Dubbo started to incubate at The Apache Software Foundation, there was a small number of initial committers to the project, but today the number of the Dubbo committers has increased by five times, and we are proud of having far more contributors in this project by now. It is indeed a great journey." The Dubbo framework specifies the methods that can be called remotely across distributed and microservice systems. Its primary functionalities are: interface based remote call; fault tolerance and load balancing; and automatic service registration and discovery. Features include: Transparent interface based RPC provides high performance interface based RPC, which is transparent to users. Intelligent load balancing supports multiple load balancing strategies out of the box, which perceives downstream service status to reduce overall latency and improve system throughput. Automatic service registration and discovery supports multiple service registries that can detect service online/offline instantly. High extensibility micro-kernel and plugin design ensures that it can easily be extended by third party implementation across core features like protocol, transport, and serialization. Runtime traffic routing can be configured at runtime so that traffic can be routed according to different rules, which makes it easy to support features such as blue-green deployment, data center aware routing, etc. Visualized service governance provides rich tools for service governance and maintenance such as querying service metadata, health status, and statistics. Apache Dubbo is in use at more than 150 companies, including Alibaba Group, China Life, China Telecom, Dangdang, Didi Chuxing, Haier, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, NetEase, Qunar, and Youzan, among others. "Apache Dubbo is one of the most highly visible projects that was open-sourced by Alibaba," said Jiangwei Jiang, Principal Engineer at Alibaba Cloud Intelligence. "Dubbo is widely used in Alibaba and many other companies. It is one of the best designed Open Source frameworks to develop microservices with high-throughput, complicated business logic, and sophisticated governance." "Congratulations to Dubbo for graduating from the Apache Incubator! Apache Dubbo, as a high-performance service governance framework, plays a crucial role in Didi's evolution of technical architecture," said Donghai Shi, Senior Technical Director at Didi Chuxing. "With the rapid business growth, our application services and business logic grows more and more complicated, we have been facing more and more challenges in R&D efficiency and business stability. Many thanks to Apache Dubbo, which serves as a strong support for our service governance. Based on Apache Dubbo's service governance framework, we can be more practical and determined in building business with microservices." "Congratulations on Dubbo's promotion to an Apache Top-Level Project. As a core component of service, Dubbo has a profound impact and is one of the best choices for service architecture," said Xiaofan Yu, Architecture of NetEase Cloud Music. "We have learned a lot from Dubbo's design and implementation. I believe that it can develop in a more quick and stable way after graduation and become the cornerstone of future microservice architecture." Congratulations to Dubbo for becoming an Apache Top-Level Project," said Ruimin Jin, Technical Director at Youzan Cloud. "Youzan's large-scale microservice cluster is built on Apache Dubbo. Dubbo's outstanding features, flexible design, and extensive experience in the community has helped us to build distributed systems quickly. In the past three years, we have done a lot of service governance based on Dubbo and achieved very good business results. I hope that Apache Dubbo will have more achievements in multi-language in the future, and the Open Source community can also contribute more plugins to Dubbo." "Qunar.com first chose Apache Dubbo as service infrastructure in 2012 --doing so helped us take fewer detours in the framework selection when we deployed it at scale," said Zhaohui Yu, Former Senior Director, Infrastructure Department, Qunar.com. "Our team was happy to participate in the community by fixing bugs and contributing new features over the years. Congratulations to Dubbo for graduating as an Apache Top-Level Project: it is a great honor for all Dubbo users." "Congratulations to Dubbo graduating from the Apache Incubator. As a very popular SOA framework, Apache Dubbo forms part of our infrastructure layer to support almost all different business units within Guazi.com," said Haozhi Liu, Principal Architect at Guazi.com. "It also plays an increasingly important role along with our technical transition from PHP to Java. Furthermore, during our process of adopting Apache Dubbo, both the community and Project Management Committee have been very helpful. We truly believe that with this strong community support, Apache Dubbo project will continue to be successful in the future." "It's both thrilling and an honor to participate in the development of Apache Dubbo," added Luo. "Our journey continues through the excellent efforts of the greater Apache Dubbo community. We welcome additional contributions to the source code, features, documentation, and discussions on the mailing list." Catch Apache Dubbo in action at the Apache Dubbo MeetUp series (26 May/Beijing, 6 July/Shenzhen, and 17 August/Shanghai), ApacheCon North America (9-12 September/Las Vegas), and ApacheCon Europe (22-24 October/Berlin). Availability and Oversight Apache Dubbo software is released under the Apache License v2.0 and is overseen by a self-selected team of active contributors to the project. A Project Management Committee (PMC) guides the Project's day-to-day operations, including community development and product releases. For downloads, documentation, and ways to become involved with Apache Dubbo, visit http://dubbo.apache.org/ and https://twitter.com/ApacheDubbo About the Apache Incubator The Apache Incubator is the entry path for projects and codebases wishing to become part of the efforts at The Apache Software Foundation. All code donations from external organizations and existing external projects seeking to join the ASF enter through the Incubator to: 1) ensure all donations are in accordance with the ASF legal standards; and 2) develop new communities that adhere to our guiding principles. Incubation is required of all newly accepted projects until a further review indicates that the infrastructure, communications, and decision making process have stabilized in a manner consistent with other successful ASF projects. While incubation status is not necessarily a reflection of the completeness or stability of the code, it does indicate that the project has yet to be fully endorsed by the ASF. For more information, visit http://incubator.apache.org/ About The Apache Software Foundation (ASF) Established in 1999, the all-volunteer Foundation oversees more than 350 leading Open Source projects that provide $20B+ worth of Apache Open Source software to the public at 100% no cost. Through the ASF's merit-based process known as "The Apache Way," more than 730 individual Members and 7,000 Committers across six continents successfully collaborate to develop freely available enterprise-grade software, benefiting billions of users worldwide: thousands of software solutions are distributed under the Apache License; and the community actively participates in ASF mailing lists, mentoring initiatives, and ApacheCon, the Foundation's official user conference, trainings, and expo. The ASF is a US 501(c)(3) charitable organization, funded by individual donations and corporate sponsors including Aetna, Alibaba Cloud Computing, Anonymous, ARM, Baidu, Bloomberg, Budget Direct, Capital One, Cerner, Cloudera, Comcast, Facebook, Google, Handshake, Hortonworks, Huawei, IBM, Indeed, Inspur, Leaseweb, Microsoft, ODPi, Pineapple Fund, Pivotal, Private Internet Access, Red Hat, Target, Tencent, Union Investment, Workday, and Verizon Media. For more information, visit http://apache.org/ and https://twitter.com/TheASF The Apache Software Foundation. "Apache", "Dubbo", "Apache Dubbo", and "ApacheCon" are registered trademarks or trademarks of the Apache Software Foundation in the United States and/or other countries. All other brands and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. # # # Leading financial institution ASB has announced that it will undertake a strategic review of its Aegis investment and custody business. The review will assess whether Aegis potential could be better realised under new ownership, ASB executive general manager, private banking, wealth and insurance Adam Boyd said. Boyd noted Aegis is in great shape and had sustained growth in funds under administration (FuA) and is now one of New Zealands largest investment administration firms. Meanwhile, Vellekoop was previously a mortgage adviser with The Mortgage Lab and People Property Financiers. He also has expertise in business and small business banking, with more than six years working with leading banking institutions including ASB Bank, Bank of New Zealand and ANZ Bank. In his new role, Vellekoop will look after advisers in Christchurch and the wider South Island. Prospa general manager Adrienne Church said they are thrilled to expand its team in New Zealand with such exceptional talent. Read more: Church secures new role with small business lender Huia and Daniels collective experience in lending and fostering effective partnerships will help us deliver much needed funding to small business owners all over the country, Church noted. Prospa is transforming the way small business owners access finance in New Zealand and there is a huge opportunity for advisers wanting to create new revenue streams and provide a more holistic service to their clients. Were excited to have found passionate people to help reinforce us as the partner of choice for any adviser out there looking to diversify and grow their business, she added. My alarm was set for 4:30, but it never had the chance to go off. I was awake for just about the entire five hours I laid there. I never sleep when I know I have to get up early. Heck, I seldom sleep period. Bees dont sleep at all. Theyre too busy. The plane is shaking. I hate turbulence. It can be rather frightening. Still, I always believe that Id be the one to walk away from a crash. I truly believe that. Im a survivor. I have been busy as a bee this past week. I had doctors appointments in Columbus and Tuskegee. Abby had to go to The Pediatric Clinic for a couple of shots. We went to Americus, Georgia, to get some used tires from my friend Marty who owns Martys New and Used Tires. When the wires are showing, its way past time. I met Marty at a show I did at his church last year. He was a blessing. Americus also happens to be where Lucy was born and the headquarters of Habitat for Humanity, which was founded by my cousin, Millard Fuller, whom I never had the pleasure of meeting. I hope I used whom correctly. I never know and usually avoid it at all costs. It was a fun day. The Lee County Sheriffs Office is assisting the Cobb County, Georgia, Police Department with a missing persons investigation. At about 2:55 p.m. Sunday, a family was seen in the area of Highway 280 and Lee Road 252 in Salem, the Lee County Sheriffs Office said. The two adults in the family were traveling with four children, a 13-year-old male, an 11-year-old male, a 9-year-old male and 9-year-old female, police said. At the time the family would have been traveling on foot, police added. Police say they are trying to locate individuals who may have seen them or anyone who may have given them a ride. Police ask if anyone who may have any information on this case to contact the Lee County Sheriffs Office at 334-749-5651. 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. EDMONTON, Alberta, May 20, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TELUS is working to restore wireless service to parts of Mackenzie County after the Chuckegg Creek wildfire caused power outages that affected TELUS infrastructure. TELUS crews have been dispatched to the area and are actively working to keep services online and restore the outages. For areas that are currently not safe to access, TELUS crews are standing by and will begin working to fully restore services as quickly as possible. Crews will be working around the clock, though at this time there is no estimated time of restoral as it is largely dependent on restoration of commercial power. Further updates will be provided as they become available and can be followed by visiting telus.com/servicestatus . TELUS thanks its customers for their patience and understanding. For media inquiries, please contact: Douglas Self TELUS Public Relations douglas.self@telus.com (403) 616-8741 Method used University officials, as well as state lawmakers who represent Auburns district, say the numbers in the original proposed budget were skewed due to the peer review formula used by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education. Traditionally, Auburns peer comparison group consists of 14 land-grand universities that stretch from Texas to Maryland, according to Auburn. The group that ACHE placed Auburn in this year included schools that are part of that group, such as the University of Tennessee and Louisiana State University, but it also included dissimilar institutions, such as Purdue and Colorado State. The peer institution did not match up with the formula that we thought should have been used, said state Sen. Tom Whatley (R-Auburn), noting that other universities in the state also had some issues with the formula used to determine appropriations. According to Whatley, ACHE used a formula from the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems, which he understands is primarily used by states in the northeast. Kebingungan dan kesulitan mencari dan bingung ketika memilih situs judi slot online gacor di tahun 2021? Sekarang anda sudah berada di situs slot gacor yang tepat untuk bermain judi slot online. Dengan permainan slot online yang seru untuk dimainkan, dan di menangkan, tanpa perlu takut isi dompet anda terkuras. Tiap game slot gacor yang ada di ICONBAZAAR punya variasi kemenangan tersendiri dalam bermain. ICONBAZAAR hanya memberikan game slot online yang paling populer dan terbaik. 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Beekeeper Sergio Guerrero had helped remove bee colonies from their properties before, but what he found behind the wall of this particular house left him speechless a hive of over 80,000 bees and honey combs over a meter long. Photo: La Vanguardia To have a swarm this big, it could have been buzzing in its ear for a year, Guerrero told La Vanguardia. I can not understand how they have been living with that number of bees for so long. The beekeeper said that a queen can lay up to 1,400 eggs per day, but he estimates that a hive this large must have taken the bees at least two years to build. Although he has helped remove over half a million bees from peoples properties this year alone, he admits that he has never seen anything quite like this before. Guerrero advises people who notice signs of a beehive close to their homes to leave the insects alone and instead call a professional as soon as possible. San Diego, CA, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- Upper Street Marketing Inc. (OTC Markets: symbol UPPR) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Growing Springs Holding Corporation, are pleased to announce that their first hemp crop is on track to harvest by early October and extraction facilities have been secured to start producing distillates and other extracts. UPPRs newly leased 12,000 square foot laboratory and manufacturing facility is fully licensed for non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) extraction. Through an existing relationship with FDA-licensed pharmaceutical manufacturer, Primapharma Inc., (PPI), (www.primapharma.net) the Company will comply with cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practices). Coupled with the companys coming organic hemp crop, UPPR is poised to become one of the largest producers of pharmaceutical-grade CBD at a moment when isolates and high-quality distillates sell for $6,000 to $10,000 per kilogram, depending on volume. Industry averages suggest that a healthy acre of hemp biomass can translate into as many as 50 kg of CBD. This initial 300-acre cultivation certainly offers UPPR the ability to achieve our 2019 revenue target of $75 million, stated Upper Street CEO Joseph Earle. Earle goes on to say, Following the full legalization of industrial hemp and regulatory requirements for FDA standards for pharmaceutical-grade CBD, demand is exponentially outpacing existing supply. The faster we can harvest and get our first extracts on the market, the better. Accounting for a crop cost of $20,000 - $30,000 per acre, the economic implications are considerable. Fortune magazine and other publications have contemplated a 100X surge in CBD consumption between now and 2023, at which point UPPR and other producers will need to ramp up output from a currently minimal 50,000 kg of isolate to as much as 3.5 million kg. An estimated 7% of Americans are currently consuming CBD products, with that population conservatively expanding 30% (to 25 million adults) by 2025. Given fragmentation and inefficiency in the newly legalized industry, strategic leadership is essential, motivating UPPRs recent purchase of 20% of Canadian cannabis/hemp project developer Catch Capital Partners in order to capitalize on what can easily become a $35 billion market opportunity. With Catch Capital on our team UPPR is in a strong position to provide cooperative pharmaceutical-grade hemp on both sides of the border, CEO Joseph Earle explained. We will be a very large player, very quickly. About Upper Street Marketing and CBD Now fully legal as a non-psychoactive product of industrial hemp, CBD has been 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. With one of the only integrated seed to consumer platforms for participating in all phases of the industry from crop to value-added commercial and clinical product development, UPPR intends to be a leader in FDA cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practice) capabilities in the hemp and CBD marketplace. For Further Information Contact: Upper Street Marketing Inc.: . Phone: (844) 535-UPPR (8777) Email: investorrelations@upperstreetmarketing.com 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. Khalifa Haftar The Libyan National Army rebel group, which is headed by 75-year-old US citizen Khalifa Haftar, has hired Linden Government Solutions to a $2.1M contract for strategic consulting services and PR services. The Houston firm's contract is with the Benghazi-based Decision Support Center, which says its goal is to achieve stability and democracy in the war-torn nation. Linden's agreement calls for a $300K payment to cover "start-up costs and work upon execution of the contract" and $425K paid quarterly beginning June 1. The representation kicked off May 16 and runs through June 16, 2020. Linden president Stephen Payne has close ties with the Republican party. He served in the George W. Bush White House as a presidential advance representative and also traveled with former VP Dick Cheney. The US recognizes Libya's Government of National Accord, which is based in the capital city of Tripoli, as the legitimate ruler of the country. President Trump, though, made a phone call to Haftar in April to discuss ongoing counterterrorism efforts and the need to achieve peace and stability in Libya, according to a White House statement. Mercury Public Affairs has a one-year $1.8M contract with the Government of National Accord. The Omnicom unit received $500K of that amount when its work began on April 22. WPP's Prime Policy Group reps the Government of National Accord on a pro-bono basis. Paul Oestreicher The crisis drags on is about the last thing an organization, its investors, and its customers want to hear. But that is whats happening at one of the worlds most venerable companies. Unfortunately, the manner in which Boeing is communicatingor nothas become its own news story. And, while there have been hundreds of articles and reports on the 737 MAX crashes, I have a few additional observations to share using my 6 As of Apology model. Acknowledging something has happened. It was impossible to deny the loss of 346 lives in two crashes. But in the days following the tragedies, Boeing claimed the 737Max was safe and the MCAS (the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, which caused the planes to lose control), was "certified." This creates an astounding dissonance: While the fleet is still grounded, they're continuing to work furiously on an MCAS software fix. It took weeks for Boeing to say, We own it. Score: 5/10 Authentic expression of regret. Initial statements and testimony placed some blame on pilot training. Then CEO Denis Muilenburg said weeks later, "We at Boeing are sorry for the lives lost in the recent 737 MAX accidents. These tragedies continue to weigh heavily on our hearts and minds, and we extend our sympathies to the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302." My friend Helio Fred Garcia, president of Logos Consulting Group, said: "Trust didn't fall because two of its planes crashed. Trust fell because they were seen to be indifferent."Score: 5/10 Appropriate tone and language. As pointed out above, this is the tale of two phases, two apologies. Following the accidents, the tone-deafness was jarring. The later statement and corporate video seemed to make up some ground but it was sprinkled with jargon like MCAS and erroneous angle of attack information. And Mr. Muilenburg fell into the me trap when he said, I cannot remember a more heart wrenching time in my career. Score: 6/10 Acceptable venue. One gets the sense that Boeing is being dragged into its apologies and has failed to rapidly, proactively face its publics. While public statements and videos are becoming normalized, they fail to come face-to-face with those affected. It reinforces a wall of separation and does not allow interaction or engagement. Score: 6/10 Acting in the right timeframe. The video apology came 26 days after the second crash Ethiopian Airlines. Enough said. Score: 6/10 Announcing next steps. Boeing said initially that they were humbled and learning. It was honest but not terribly reassuring or instructional. Saying they will deliver airplanes to airline customers and to the flying public that are safe to fly is like Starbucks saying theyll serve coffee thats safe to drink. Boeing finally came around and said they "will ensure accidents like that of Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 never happen again top engineers and technical experts [are] working tirelessly" and that they will give pilots "training and additional educational materials." Score: 6/10 The 6 As rubric weights the elements differently. So, my overall scoreand you may certainly have a different evaluationworks out to 55/100. An F. Apologiesgood ones, bad oneshave real consequences. Boeings behaviors have broken trusts, damaged its reputation, slowed sales, harmed valuation, and created fear in the flying public. But I know they'll make it back. Theyre fundamentally, historically a good company making good products and time will muffle the damage. But its been an unnecessary, destructive, lengthy episode. I hope something instructive can come from all the loss. *** Paul Oestreicher is an expert in strategic communications, marketing and public affairs, and crisis, change and reputation management. He is the author of Camelot, Inc.: Leadership and Management Insights from King Arthur and the Round Table and the blog C-O-I-N-S: Communication Opinions, Insights and New Strategies. Follow him at @pauloestreicher. Wayne Brown Trevelino/Keller has been engaged by Aggressor Adventures to help drive Aggressors media relations strategy and amplify its presence in both the travel industry and consumer market. Purchased by adventure enthusiast and entrepreneur Wayne Brown in 2007, the company features three luxury brands; Aggressor Liveaboards, which offers scuba diving liveaboards; Aggressor River Cruises; and Aggressor Safari Lodges, which organizes luxury safaris. With its broad experience and its results-driven strategies and creative thinking, Trevelino/Keller was the perfect fit for us, said Brown. Trevelino/Kellers portfolio of lifestyle and travel clients also includes Pritikin Longevity Center + Spa, Parkview on Peachtree and Mohawk Home. CRC will be handling the northeast U.S. launch of Hammer & Nails, a grooming shop for men. The location, in Brooklyns Williamsburg neighborhood, will open in June. First seen on ABCs Shark Tank in 2013, the chain, founded by Michael Elliot, offers haircuts and straight razor shaves as well as hand and foot care. After the success of Elliots first location in Los Angeles, over 300 licenses have been awarded. CRCs campaign is set to incorporate events and themed days such as National Bro Day into the mix. CRC has proven and extensive knowledge on what consumers are looking for and I have no doubt that with their help, the grand opening will be very successful, commented Anthony David, Brooklyn Hammer & Nails franchise owner. Two Offaly schools have been honoured for their efforts in promoting water conservation and awareness at the An Taisce Green-Schools regional awards in Athlone. Durrow National School and Scoil Mhuire agus Chormaic, Kilcormac were amongst 119 schools nationwide receiving a Green Flag under the Water theme, sponsored by Irish Water, this week. The Water theme looks at developing awareness around water conservation and how to effectively manage this important resource in our schools and at home. Yvonne Harris, Head of Customer Operations at Irish Water, said: Helping the next generation to understand the importance of conserving water is a key part of our role in safeguarding Irelands water supply, so we are delighted to be partnering with An Taisce's Green-Schools Water Theme for the sixth year running." We were very impressed by the creative and innovative ways that all of the schools came up with to save water and to promote awareness both in their classrooms and in their communities. Green-Schools Manager, Cathy Baxter, spoke at the award ceremony: Its fantastic to be in a position to acknowledge and reward the efforts of the students, teachers, principals, parents and caretakers who have committed so much of their time to conserve water and to see the fruits of our workshops and events throughout the year. This is the seventh year of the partnership between Irish Water and Green-Schools to promote water conservation. Over 1,000 schools across the country have attended interactive Water Workshops and Walk for Water Events since 2013. Edenderry Chamber of Commerce has gone from strength to strength in the 12 months since it was founded by Christine Traynor, growing its membership by 35% in the last six months alone. The Annual General Meeting of the Edenderry Chamber of Commerce took place at Byrnes in Edenderry on Thursday last, May 16, and its rapid growth in membership makes it one of the fastest growing chambers in the country. At the meeting, the Annual General Report was presented which outlined in detail an outstanding year. For the Chamber and the various ongoing projects to cement Edenderry as a centre point in Irelands Ancient East and the fastest growing town in the Midlands. Chairperson of the Chamber, Christine Traynor said: As we welcome an improvement in the business environment, it is positive to see our members expressing confidence in terms of future growth, profitability and job creation. Our work as a Chamber will not stop, we have met with potential investors and have been working with the IDA in securing future employment." "We are encouraged by our growth in numbers and we are ambitious about securing a 100-strong Chamber which makes our voice more powerful. The Chamber will continue to make policy submissions and influence our elected representatives, both locally and nationally. Edenderry is the second largest town in Offaly, only 45 minutes from the outskirts of Dublin. With a population of over 7,360, Edenderry is also a significant service and industrial centre and its potential for accessing the Midlands through the potential development of the Midland Economic Corridor with Edenderry as the primary gateway, the meeting heard. In her secretarys report, Helen O Dwyer said: It has been a busy year and as a voluntary body, I believe we have achieved a lot. There have been memorable moments and highlights like the Harbour Festival, Breakfast with Bobby Kerr and the announcement that the Cannonball Supercar event accepted our proposal and has chosen Edenderry as the overall finish line on September 8." "However, there has also been so much work happening in the background that is not as visible but will pay dividends in the long run. We have been lobbying for funding, lobbying for investment and pushing open the right doors to bring prosperity for our town. In her treasurers' report, Brenda Hennessey said: We achieved a lot this year without a major outlay in funds and that is why we can keep our membership costs relatively low. Joining the chamber is as little as 150 per annum for a sole trader and we dont require any time commitments from members, unless they wish to help. Our hard-working committee do the work but the more members we have, the more we can make Edenderry heard on a local and National level. The meeting concluded with AGM formalities as the committee stood down and were re-elected en-bloc. See www.edenderrychamber.ie for details on membership and to view the full annual report. The Tullamore Helping Hands event on May 28 will advise community groups on submitting effective applications for grant funding Minister Ring The event is aimed at groups that have received little or no funding in the past. Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development has announced that the event will provide information to community groups on how to submit effective applications for grant funding. The free event forms part of the Helping Hands initiative, a series of six regional events that will run from the end of April to the end of May. These events will provide information on how to submit applications for grant funding and are aimed at groups that have received little or no funding in the past. The Tullamore event covers the East Region and will take place on May 28 in St Marys Youth & Community Centre, Tullamore, Co Offaly. Speaking about funding for rural communities Minister Ring said: "Recently I hosted a number of Rural Opportunity events around the country where I have met with community groups and seen first-hand how the funding they received has enabled them to deliver their successful projects. I recognise that the application process is often a daunting one for volunteers or other small organisations to negotiate." The Helping Hands series of events, which kicked off in Ballina last month, is aimed at helping groups that may not have been that successful in getting grant funding in the past. Sometimes the groups that have good ideas, and need it most, dont make applications or are unsuccessful when they do." My Department and the wider Government make many grants available to community groups. For example, in 2018 I made 311,996 available to Offaly under the Community Enhancement Programme. This initiative will help to ensure that groups with good ideas get their fair share. The events in each region are being run by the Department of Rural and Community Development with support from Pobal, the Local Authority, the Irish Local Development Network, and the Local Development Company/Companies. North Carolina Woman Charged, Has Home Raided By Cops For Listening To Malcolm X Speeches Elijah C. Watson Elijah Watson serves as Okayplayer's News & Culture Editor. When The incident happened three days before Malcolm Xs birthday. On Thursday night, North Carolina police officers raided the home of a black woman and accused her of violating a noise ordinance that stems from her allegedly playing Malcolm X speeches too loudly. In a report from Indy Week, Mikisa Thompson was charged with violating Garners noise ordinance, with her neighbor a white man named Don Barnette accusing her of playing Malcolm X speeches too loudly. Garner is a suburb of Raleigh. The charge came about after police searched Thompsons home and seized a number of electronic items including a MacBook, computer speakers, and a computer monitor. The raid was officially insane and based on an unconstitutional statute, T. Greg Doucette, Thompsons attorney, said. Doing a midnight raid with nine officers over a noise ordinance, of all things is a disproportionate show of force that shows theres something else at play. Thats the type of overkill thats intentionally designed to terrorize and punish people, not to actually do whats necessary for enforcing the case. Thompson has allegedly violated the towns noise ordinance before, with Barnette calling 911 back in April to complain that Thompson was playing loud Islamic-Muslim preaching in her backyard while she cleaned her patio. The Indy Week noted that the police didnt conduct a decibel reading on how loud the sound was but they also dont have to under the ordinance. The report goes on to write how the ordinance explains a forbidden sound, which is playing of any radio, phonograph, television set, record player, sound reproduction device or any musical instrument in such a manner or with such volume during the hours between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort, or repose of persons in any dwelling house, apartment or other type of residence. Barnette has accused Thompson of waking him up as early as 7:15 a.m., but she denied this, saying that she never plays the speeches that early nor during the hours mentioned in the ordinance. I dont feel comfortable here, Thompson said, adding, because its not just the neighbors. Its the police that uphold the white supremacist ideology. Thats painful. Thompson is also the mother of Takiyah, the girl who toppled a Confederate monument alongside other activists in Durham in 2017. Source: Indy Week Q: I want to repurpose an antique chair and update it for my bedroom. It's a 24-by-26-by-40 inch piece, so it's not huge. I'm considering reupholstering and want something soft and somewhat neutral. Should I go with a print or solid to make it modern but not out of step with the vintage feel of the chair? A: You can really go either way, but I always love a vintage chair upholstered in solid velvet. These days, there's even indoor/outdoor velvet that can stand up to a lot of abuse and not leave you worried about spills or accidents. Velvet always looks classic and will let the antique frame and shape shine. If you want a little pattern, I'd look for a woven fabric with a smaller-scale geometric pattern. That way, it's still classic and neutral but adds a little interest beyond a solid. Q: We have a 7-month-old and a pretty traditionally styled home (think Kazak rug and brown leather Chesterfield sofa). Right now, we just throw a blanket on our living room area rug, where he kicks around and plays with his toys, and put it away when he's done, but we know he'll need a bigger and softer floor space as he starts learning to crawl and walk. Do you have any recommendations for attractive play mats, gates or other solutions that blend into our style enough to stay in the room sometimes but also can easily fold up and tuck away? Her proven experience in the beauty industry, particularly within the L'Oreal Group, will be a key asset in DEINOVE's innovation approach This appointment underlines the importance of the bioactive compounds and the cosmetics market in the Company's strategy DEINOVE (Euronext Growth Paris: ALDEI), a French biotech company that uses a disruptive approach to develop innovative antibiotics and bio-based active ingredients for cosmetics and nutrition, announced the appointment of Anne ABRIAT-HEMMENDINGER as a member of the Board of Directors. Anne ABRIAT-HEMMENDINGER has more than 30 years of experience in product development for the beauty industry, for brands with an international outlook. She is highly competent in the development of ingredients for the cosmetic, food, nutrition and wellness industries. She has worked for various prestigious brands, notably within the L'Oreal and Coty Groups where she has led numerous innovation projects. In 2012, she founded The Smell & Taste Lab, a consulting company specialized in innovation and marketing for cosmetics, nutrition and well-being. Anne ABRIAT-HEMMENDINGER holds a Master's degree in Organic Chemistry from ESCOM (Ecole Superieure de Chimie Organique et Minerale). The Shareholders Meeting of DEINOVE, held on May 20th, ratified the appointment of Anne ABRIAT-HEMMMENDINGER as a member of the Board of Directors, replacing Mr. Michael CARLOS. She will hold office for the remainder of her predecessor's term of office, i.e. until the general meeting called to approve the financial statements for the 2019 financial year. Anne ABRIAT-HEMMENDINGER is a member of the Swiss Women Directors' Circle and APIA Switzerland (Associate Independent Professional Directors). Anne ABRIAT-HEMMENDINGER said: "I am very interested in DEINOVE's extremely innovative approach to create new active ingredients from the untapped potential of bacteria. I am delighted to put my expertise at the service of the Company's ambitions. " ABOUT DEINOVE DEINOVE is a French biotechnology company, a leader in disruptive innovation, which aims to help meet the challenges of antibiotic resistance and the transition to a sustainable production model for the cosmetics and nutrition industries. DEINOVE has developed a unique and comprehensive expertise in the field of rare bacteria that it can decipher, culture, and optimize to disclose unsuspected possibilities and induce them to produce biobased molecules with activities of interest on an industrial scale. To do so, DEINOVE has been building and documenting since its creation an unparalleled biodiversity bank that it exploits thanks to a unique technological platform in Europe. DEINOVE is organized around two areas of expertise: ANTIBIOTICS, new-generation anti-infective agents : DEINOVE is preparing to enter a first antibiotic candidate into Phase II. The Company is also pursuing the systematic exploration of biodiversity to supply its portfolio with new leads, drawing notably on partnerships with Naicons, bioMerieux, Proteus and Institut Pasteur (AGIR program supported by Bpifrance). : DEINOVE is preparing to enter a first antibiotic candidate into Phase II. The Company is also pursuing the systematic exploration of biodiversity to supply its portfolio with new leads, drawing notably on partnerships with Naicons, bioMerieux, Proteus and Institut Pasteur (AGIR program supported by Bpifrance). BIOACTIVES, Active ingredients of natural origin with cosmetics as the first market and potential in nutrition and health: DEINOVE already markets a first innovative active ingredient, a second in partnership with Greentech, while two others are in development with Oleos (Hallstar Group). It also runs a program in animal nutrition with Groupe Avril. Several other partnerships are also being planned. Within the Euromedecine science park located in Montpellier, DEINOVE employs 62 employees, mainly researchers, engineers, and technicians, and has filed more than 260 patent applications internationally. The Company has been listed on EURONEXT GROWTH since April 2010. CONTACTS Investors Coralie Martin Communication, Marketing and Investor Relations Ph.: +33 (0)4 48 19 01 60 coralie.martin@deinove.com Media ALIZE RP Caroline Carmagnol / Aurore Gangloff / Catherine Megelas Ph.: +33 (0)1 44 54 36 66 deinove@alizerp.com Attachment A convicted felon will spend the rest of his life in prison for the March 2017 killing of an Omaha man during a purported marijuana deal. Douglas County jurors deliberated about seven hours before finding Forrest R. Cox III, 30, guilty of first-degree murder and weapon use. Cox met Laron Rogers, 25, on March 6, 2017, on the pretense that he wanted to buy marijuana. Cox pulled a gun and robbed Rogers of $1,100. He then fled in a distinctive car a white Chevy Impala with no license plates. Witnesses were able to place Cox in the car. Cellphone records also determined that Coxs phone pinged at that location at the time. Rogers was found in critical condition in the parking lot of the Ames Avenue Convenience Store at 42nd and Ames Avenue. He died at a hospital two weeks later. Police had told relatives that Rogers was likely familiar with his assailant because he was in a vehicle that was not his own when he was shot. Family members have described Rogers as generous, warm and fun. He worked at a Boost Mobile cellphone store on the Northwest Radial. A former Bellevue teacher pleaded no contest Monday to four counts of possession of child pornography. Roger Jaeger, 46, is scheduled to be sentenced July 22 in Sarpy County District Court. He faces up to 80 years in prison. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors dropped two additional possession of child pornography charges. Jaeger taught seventh grade at Logan Fontenelle Middle School. He had been with the Bellevue Public Schools since 2003. Jaeger resigned and the school board accepted the resignation in March. In February, police were called to Affordable Computer Repair in Bellevue after employees found possible child pornography on Jaegers computer, police said. Police said they found hundreds of suspected child pornography images on that computer. An earlier version of this article mischaracterized the way Jaeger left the Bellevue school district. 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. Sixteen stores in the Omaha metro area that sell alcohol have been cited on suspicion of selling alcohol to a minor after law enforcement officers conducted compliance checks over the weekend. Officers checked 242 retail outlets in Douglas and Sarpy Counties on Friday and Saturday, according to Project Extra Mile, a group that works to reduce and prevent alcohol-related problems. The businesses that were checked can be found here. Omaha Police Sgt. Alan Reyes said that with the high school graduation season underway, businesses need to be on the lookout for youth attempting to purchase alcohol, as well as adults procuring alcohol on their behalf. Businesses that are found guilty by the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission of selling alcohol to a minor face 10 to 20 days of suspension of their liquor licenses that could be paid off at a rate of $50 per day. Thirty-four officers from the Douglas County and Sarpy County Sheriffs Offices, the Omaha and La Vista Police Departments and the Nebraska State Patrol participated in the two-day enforcement effort. 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. Faculty members, students and the public have a narrow window in which to submit nominations for the University of Nebraska presidential search committee. Nominations for members of the advisory committee should be submitted by the end of the workday May 31 to presidentsearch@nebraska.edu. Nominees may include NU alums, administrators, staffers and supporters. The advisory search committee will work with a search firm to gather input for a presidential profile and priorities the president will most likely deal with over the next few years. The committee will also help promote the vacant presidency, solicit candidates and nominate candidates for president. NU President Hank Bounds has said he would step down later this summer. Much of the committees work is expected to take place over the next six or seven months. There are no restrictions on the size of the committee. Four members of the NU Board of Regents will review nominations for the committee early next month and recommend committee membership at the regents June 28 meeting. The regents also want feedback from the public and other stakeholders on the qualities and skills they hope to see in NUs next president. That feedback should be submitted to presidentsearch@nebraska.edu as well. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Army Corps of Engineers awarded a contract to repair yet another hole in the levees along the Missouri River. On Monday, the corps announced that it had awarded a $249,218 contract to close a breach in the levee southwest of Bartlett, Iowa. The contract went to Diamond Group Engineering of Santa Ana, California. Repairs are scheduled to be completed by June 1. The repairs will be temporary until permanent work can be done. More than 500 miles of levees on the Missouri, Platte and Elkhorn Rivers and their tributaries have been damaged by flooding, according to the corps. Dance studio plans benefit to help flood victims Cherrie Anderson Dance Co. is sponsoring Dancing for the Heartland, a benefit to raise money for the Nebraska Farm Bureau to aid local flood victims. The fundraiser will be June 13 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Elkhorn Middle School, 3200 N. 207th St. Activities include dancing entertainment, carnival games and prizes, face painting and tattoos, a bounce house, and a color kids run. Proceeds from T-shirt sales will also go to flood victims. The budget includes funds for a $49 million expansion of maximum security prison space and money for problem-solving courts across the state for veterans and drug offenders. The budget package provided funding for the first nine months of voter-approved Medicaid expansion. Ricketts spokesman Taylor Gage made no comment about the budget except to say that the governor typically takes his full five days to review legislation before making a decision on it. Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard, a member of the Appropriations Committee, led the filibuster attempts, arguing that the budget should have cut state spending below last years level rather than increase it. Its no secret that Im not at all pleased with this budget, he said. We continue to spend more year after year. He proposed an amendment to the main budget bill that would have taken $7.3 million away from the University of Nebraska. He said his intent was to use that money to boost Medicaid payment rates to nursing homes. I love abortion, she said. I am grateful I was able to access the care I needed. The biggest cheer of the day was for Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha, who has consistently fought anti-abortion legislation. He exhorted the crowd to carry the momentum into the voting booth. Politicians expect that activism will die down and people will go back to being complacent, he said. If you dont vote, then today is in vain, he said. Chambers also referred to the number of abortion restrictions passed by Nebraska lawmakers, who meet in a chamber off the Rotunda: Today you are in the belly of the beast, and you should give it indigestion. Tuesdays rally took place before state lawmakers were slated to renew debate about another abortion measure. Legislative Bill 209, sponsored by Sen. Joni Albrecht of Thurston, would require that women seeking medication abortions be told that they may be able to continue their pregnancy if they change their mind before taking the second of the two pills used. English Swedish Stockholm, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Annual General Meeting in Vostok Emerging Finance Ltd (the Company) was held on Thursday, May 21, 2019, at 10 am CEST at Advokatfirman Vinge, Stureplan 8, Stockholm, Sweden. At the Annual General Meeting, the holders of depository receipts considered the below items. It was resolved to adopt the profit and loss statement from the period from the 1st January up to and including the 31st December 2018 as well as the balance sheet as of the 31st December 2018. In accordance with the proposal by the Board of Directors, it was resolved that no dividend is paid to the shareholders and that the Companys results are brought forward. It was resolved that the members of the Board of Directors shall be six, with no deputies, and Lars O Gronstedt, Per Brilioth, Ranjan Tandon, David Nangle, Milena Ivanova and Voria Fattahi were reelected as directors. Lars O Gronstedt was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors. All elections were made for the period until the end of the Annual General Meeting 2020. Furthermore, it was resolved that remuneration for the Board shall be a total remuneration of SEK 1,800,000, of which SEK 600,000 shall be allocated to the Chairman of the Board of Directors and SEK 300,000 to each of the other directors who are not employed by the Company. It was resolved to re-elect the registered audit company PricewaterhouseCoopers AB as the Companys auditors for the period until the end of the Annual General Meeting 2020. It was resolved in accordance with the nomination committees proposal, on principles for the appointment of the nomination committee for the Annual General Meeting in 2020. It was resolved in accordance with the Board of Directors proposal on remuneration principles for the senior management. It was resolved in accordance with the Board of Directors proposal to adopt a long-term share incentive plan, including a resolution to amend the Companys Bye-Laws by introducing a reclassifiable and redeemable share class, defined as 2019 Plan Shares in the Bye-Laws, and a resolution to issue no more than 12,400,000 2019 Plan Shares to the participants in the plan. It was resolved in accordance with the Board of Directors proposal to amend the Companys Bye-Laws so as to allow for general meetings to be held in Hamilton, Bermuda, where the Company has its registered office, or at any other location where the Companys shares or other financial instruments issued by or on behalf of the Company are listed for trading. For further information please contact: Henrik Stenlund, CFO: +46 (0) 8-545 015 50 Vostok Emerging Finance is an investment company with the goal of investing in early stage modern financial services companies across emerging and frontier markets. VEF trades in Sweden on Nasdaq First North under the ticker VEMF SDB. Vostok Emerging Finances Certified Adviser on Nasdaq First North is Pareto Securities AB, +46 8 402 50 00, certifiedadviser.se@paretosec.com. Attachment Mayor Jean Stothert isnt budging in her opposition to a proposed plastic bag ban in Omaha, despite changes made to the proposal by two City Council members. Stothert, in a letter Monday, said she opposes their latest amendment, which would ban retail stores larger than 10,000-square-feet from using plastic bags. Affected retailers, including grocery stores, big box stores and drug stores, would have until 2022 to stop. The proposed ban will be the subject of a second public hearing at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Legislative Chambers of the City-County Building, 1819 Farnam St. The council could vote on the ban after the public hearing. The mayor asked the council to delay a vote and instead support a study of the best ways to reduce litter and waste. City Council President Ben Gray and City Councilman Pete Festersen have said they want to ban the bags to cut back on litter and trash headed to the landfill. Two other co-sponsors of the petition drive disagreed with Kagan. Paul Von Behren of Ames, Nebraska, disputed the estimated money on hand for the petition drive, saying Kagan wasnt the treasurer for the group. He said there naturally are going to be some disagreements when an organization, like Taxpayers for Freedom, tries to take over a citizen-led initiative. Its actually picked up momentum, and thats not hyperbole, Von Behren said. He declined to say how many signatures the group has collected so far but said that 200 volunteer petition circulators are working across the state, armed with enough petitions to gather 35,000 signatures. Petitions with 20,000 spaces for signatures will go out soon, Von Behren said. Another co-sponsor of the petition drive, Terry Jessen of Oshkosh, Nebraska, said that the effort now has a few less players behind it but that he thinks a determined corps of volunteers can still push it over the finish line. I do think its the right thing to do and the right time to do it, he said. Its truly a preventative model, said Okada, who is a former lieutenant of the Salem (Oregon) Police Department, which created threat assessment teams two decades ago. Were assessing a student of concern ... whos along that pathway, and if we can take them off that pathway or stop them, thats our goal. Sarpy County has had its own threat assessment group since 2016, including an anonymous tip line for members of the community to report threats they might overhear or see on social media. The Douglas County group plans to implement its own hotline, which also will use a phone app and a website, before the next school year starts. The group will talk about cases that are reported through the tip system but also cases that school districts bring to the group. The Revenue Committee made promising strides this year in crafting a plan to lower property taxes by increasing state support of public education. In this way, the committee heeded the 2013 Tax Modernization Committees top recommendation when it came to legislation that would reduce property taxes. The Revenue Committees proposal to find new revenue to fund the K-12 aid increase would allow the state to offset its reliance on property taxes while at the same time protecting funding for health care, public safety and other services Nebraskans need. Finding agreement on the specific revenue raising and funding distribution mechanisms, however, will take time and input from stakeholders who will be affected by the plan. A recently proposed measure to tax more services in order to increase the property tax credit fund would provide Nebraskans with some additional property tax relief this year. Lawmakers could then use the interim to get input and buy-in from stakeholders and return next session with a comprehensive proposal to address an issue that has frustrated Nebraskans for decades. The following editorial appeared in the Washington Post. To understand why the Ebola virus disease is spreading in Congo, think of a fire. The virus burns in a firepit and periodically leaps out. Health workers scramble to contain the outbreaks, which sometimes strike in locations by surprise. Thus, it is alarming that the World Health Organization reports responders are being forced to retreat on some days because of the dangerous security situation created by armed militias. So far, Ebola has not leapt over international boundaries, and teams of extremely brave health care and medical workers are trying to execute the tactic that has worked before: Contain the virus inside a ring, interrupting transmission. This requires a skillful choreography: surveillance, case investigation, contact tracing and vaccination. Unlike the 2014-16 West Africa epidemic that killed more than 11,000 people, todays responders have a vital tool in an efficacious vaccine. LINCOLN Nebraskas best-known canoeing river is about to get a dose of national publicity. The Niobrara River is among 12 waterways in the nation commemorated on new U.S. postage stamps that will go on sale Tuesday. The Niobrara joins waterways like the Upper Missouri River in Montana, the Deschutes River in Oregon and the Snake River in Wyoming among the dozen rivers selected for stamps. There are 209 national wild and scenic rivers designated in 40 states and Puerto Rico. Bruce Kennedy of Malcolm, the president of the organization Friends of the Niobrara, said he wasnt surprised by the rivers selection. The scenery on the Niobrara is just fantastic, Kennedy said. As far as Im concerned, theres no equal. LOS ANGELES, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OG DNA Genetics (DNA or the Company), a globally recognized leading cannabis brand, today announced a licensing agreement (the Agreement) with Copperstate Farms LLC, a producer and distributor of medical cannabis in the U.S., for the exclusive license to cultivate, manufacture, sell and distribute DNA Genetics branded cannabis products in the State of Arizona. The Agreement will grant Copperstate Farms license to the DNA brand and access to their proprietary library of award-winning genetics for use at Copperstate Farms cultivation in Snowflake, Arizona. The approximately 1.7 million square-foot facility includes more than 40 acres of glass greenhouses for cultivation. Copperstate gives us enough space to do a real breeding project and multiple selections. Their operation will fully showcase the scope of our comprehensives services, said Don Morris, Co-Founder of DNA. With adequate space for R&D, we can select new, unique varieties and find that true keeper, ensuring that we bring our very best to the Arizona market. Copperstate Farms is one of the largest permitted greenhouses in North America dedicated to cannabis and an industry leader in horticulture. The company is devoted to providing patients with a diverse selection of premium products by aligning with brands committed to quality and innovation. Earlier this year, Copperstate Farms forged a partnership with Moxie Seeds & Extracts. In summer of 2019, Copperstate Farms will launch a first-of-its-kind dispensary retail concept with venues for patients and the public. The multidimensional environment was designed to be an inviting and inclusive space for the community. For more than 15 years, genetics developed by DNA have won more than 200 awards in all categories at the most prestigious cannabis events around the world, making DNA the global standard in breeding and growing truly best-in-class strains. These awards include the High Times Top 10 Strain of the Year, which was inducted into The High Times seedbank hall of fame in 2009, the High Times 100 list of the most influential people in the industry and the High Times Trailer Blazers Award, for contributions made towards uniting the fields of entrepreneurship, politics and medicine. We are thrilled to welcome DNA Genetics to our house of brands and have them in the greenhouse working hard with our team to bring the best strains to life in Arizona, said Pankaj Talwar, COO of Copperstate Farms. About OG DNA Genetics Inc. DNA was rooted in Los Angeles and founded in Amsterdam in 2004 by Don Morris and Aaron Yarkoni. Over the last decade, the Company has built and curated a seasoned genetic library and developed proven standard operating procedures for genetic selection, breeding, and cultivation. In a world that is increasingly opening up to commercial cannabis activity, DNA is positioned to become the first truly geographically-diversified company with multiple partnerships with top-licensed producers and brands that have built their companies and global presence utilizing the Powered by DNA model. For more information, please visit www.dnagenetics.com . About Copperstate Farms, LLC: Copperstate Farms, LLC was founded in 2016 and is a licensed producer and distributor of medical cannabis in the United States. The company operates a 1.7-million-square-foot facility and 40-acre greenhouse grow in Snowflake, Arizona. In addition, Copperstate Farms is the parent company of multiple product suites. These premium medical cannabis brands were thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of Arizonas diverse patient base with high-caliber, medical-grade cannabis. Copperstate Farms has developed a first-of-its-kind dispensary retail concept with venues for patients and the public. The multidimensional dispensary model will be implemented in 2019 with locations in Tempe and Sun City, Arizona. Copperstate Farms is dedicated to bringing growth to the local and state economy through the hiring of local laborers, material suppliers, and contractors. For more information, visit CopperstateFarms.com. For further information please contact: Rezwan Khan, Vice President Global Corporate Development, DNA Genetics rezwan@dnagenetics.com 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. 20 lakh on guard: Mobilisation of forces bigger for LS polls than Armys Op Brasstacks India oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa New Delhi, May 21: As many as 20 lakh security personnel were deployed in the seven-phase Lok Sabha polls, rendering the exercise bigger than India's well known 'Operation Brasstacks' in the 1980s, which was larger than any NATO exercise since World War- II, officials said Monday. The 'Operation Brasstacks' was a major military exercise of the Indian Army in Rajasthan. It took place in 1986 until its execution in 1987. The scale of the 2019 general election itself is massive and growing over time as between 1989 and 2019, the number of parties in the fray have increased over 20 times, the size of the electorate has increased by over 80 per cent, the number of polling stations has nearly doubled and the number of contesting candidates has increased by nearly 35 per cent. "Effectively, nearly 20 lakh personnel of the police and central paramilitary personnel were involved during the elections. The mobilisation of such a large scale is rare anywhere in the world. In fact, India's best known Army exercise 'Operation Brasstacks' (1986-87), where nearly 6-8 lakh personnel were said to have been involved, itself was bigger than any NATO exercise since World War-II," a Home Ministry official said. Stop parties from using military for poll gains: Veterans urge President The extent of mobilisation of the security forces has also been massive with nearly 25 per cent of the overall strength of central paramilitary forces being deployed for elections this year, indicating involvement of over three lakh paramilitary personnel. However, since these officials are redeployed at various locations in different phases, the effective deployment is almost 2.35 times the number of troops actually involved. Thus, if the elections in 2019 were to be conducted on a single day, the effective requirement would be for over 10 lakh personnel. Similarly, in the 2014 general election, the actual and effective deployments were of the order of 2.5 lakh and 6 lakh, respectively. In addition to the paramilitary forces and state armed battalions, extensive participation of police personnel belonging to civil police and district armed reserve, along with home guards and special police officers in various capacities, have also been seen. Even if the participation is taken at 50 per cent of actual strength, this would mean the involvement of nearly 8-10 lakh additional personnel, the official said. Apart from the mammoth size of election-related mobilisation, the duration is also considerable. This year's general elections were conducted over a period of nearly 40 days (April 11 to May 19) with counting of votes scheduled to take place on May 23. Timely mobilisation of nearly 20 lakh personnel within 40 to 45 days is a humongous task. A well thought planning with the Indian Railways, state and various forces play a crucial role in completing the requirement of the Election Commission, another official said. More than 150 special trains were utilised for mobilisation of troops. These troops criss-cross length and breadth of the country to meet the requirement of respective state, the official said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 21, 2019, 9:25 [IST] Opposition meet EC ask for tallying of VVPAT-EVMs to be done before counting India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, May 21: Leaders of Opposition parties met Election Commission (EC) officials on Tuesday to urge the panel to spell out the mechanisms to address any mismatch between voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) and electronic voting machine (EVM) tallies during the counting of votes on Thursday. In their memorandum to the Election Commision, the Opposition parties claimed that EVM guidelines were flouted during the Lok Sabha election and demanded VVPAT verification. In the memorandum, the Opposition leaders have also demanded that if any discrepancy is found during the VVPAT verification, 100 percent counting of paper slips of VVPATs of all polling stations of that Assembly segment should be done. Speaking to reporters after meeting the Election Commission, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad spoke on the issue on EVM machines "being moved around". Abhishek Manu Singh said, "They (EC) told us that they have an open mind about it (the issue). In the past 1.5 months, we have raised the same issues in writing. Now we have asked the EC that why they haven't responded. We are only asking for counting of 100 percent of VVPATs. Why should you have them as decorative pieces after finding a sample problem? BJP delegation meets EC, demands re-poll in violence hit constituencies of WB Chandrababu Naidu said that the Opposition leaders were asking the Election Commission "respect the mandate". "People's mandate cannot be manipulated. We've been fighting continuously." He went on to say that the tallying of EVMs and VVPAT slips was like taking a blood sample for the body to check if there is any "pollution" in the body. He also added that the if the blood reports aren't acted upon then there will be "cancer". Naidu has been moving around across the country and has held several rounds of discussions with top Opposition leaders in a bid to unite them and form an alliance to stake claim to form the next government in case the NDA falls short of the majority mark. The opposition parties have been complaining about EVM malfunctioning and demanding the use of ballot papers from even before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. EDISON, N.J., May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BlockSafe Technologies, Inc. , the company securing the blockchain ecosystem, today announced the launch of its Ambassador Program, an initiative to generate awareness around crypto wallet security and the companys CryptoDefender offering. Ambassadors, including cryptosecurity enthusiasts and passionate CryptoDefender users, who refer the program to their networks of crypto speculators, banks, and financial institutions, will now receive up to 33% of the profits generated from their referrals. BlockSafes Ambassador Program is open to participants globally. Additionally, Ambassadors will have access to different levels of investment packages to participate in BlockSafes Securitized Token Offering of BlockSafes BSAFE token, a revenue participation token, and in doing so, unlock several levels of compensation. More than a billion dollars in cryptocurrency was stolen in 2018, a four-fold increase over 2017, and $9 million is s tolen each day from individual wallets, said George Waller, CEO of BlockSafe Technologies. Our Ambassador Program is a great way for those who feel strongly about the rising need to secure the cryptocurrency community and to earn money while generating awareness around crypto wallet security. Come join our mission and help us make the crypto world a safe place. BlockSafe's CryptoDefender app, which protects crypto wallets by securing desktop and mobile devices, is the industry's most comprehensive security solution for desktops, laptops and mobile devices and is currently available for a $9.99 monthly subscription, $99 yearly and can be installed on up to five different devices. To sign up for BlockSafes Ambassador Program, please visit https://www.ambassador.blocksafetech.io BlockSafe has also created a global Telegram communications network, which boasts over 7,900 members. To learn more, visit https://t.me/officialblocksafetechnology2019 About BlockSafe Technologies, Inc. BlockSafe is the company that secures the blockchain ecosystem with a suite of solutions that protect against an array of cyber vulnerabilities. BlockSafe is a subsidiary of StrikeForce Technologies and is headquartered in Edison, New Jersey. For more information, visit www.blocksafetech.com . Safe Harbor Statement: Matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "may," "intend," "expect" and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of the Company and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: the sales of the company's identity protection software products into various channels and market sectors, the issuance of the company's pending patent application, and the impact of economic, competitive and other factors affecting the Company and its operations, markets, product, and distributor performance, the impact on the national and local economies resulting from terrorist actions, and U.S. actions subsequently; and other factors detailed in reports filed by the company. Media Contact: Fusion Public Relations, on behalf of BlockSafe Technologies: Olga Shmuklyer 917.715.0329 olga@fusionpr.com BlockSafe Technologies, Inc. George Waller, CEO 732.661.9641 After exit poll predictions, Roshan Baig appeals Muslims to 'join hands' with BJP if need arises India oi-Deepika S Bengaluru, May 21: Miffed over the Congress party over the denial of the party ticket to him in the just concluded Lok Sabha polls, Senior party leader Roshan Baig hinted at quitting party as he appealed to Muslims to compromise with the situation, if NDA retains power. "Well if NDA is coming back to power, I humbly appeal to Muslim brothers to learn to compromise with the situation," he told a section of media. Asked if that means Muslims should join hands with BJP, Baig said if the need arises, they must, as the Congress had given just one ticket to a Muslim leader in Karnataka. Respect Modi but not his remarks on Rajiv Gandhi: Karnataka BJP leader "If needs be, (Muslims) must join hands. We must not remain loyal to one party. What happened to Muslims in Karnataka? The Congress gave just one seat," he said. Asked if he will take a decision to quit Congress in coming days, Baig said if needs be, he would do it. "If needs be, I will do it because we (Muslims) cannot remain in a party with disgrace. We live our lives with grace and dignity. Where we will not get respect, we will not want to remain there. If someone makes us sit with love and affection, we will sit with them," he said. Asked whom would he blame for the present condition of the Muslims in Karnataka, Baig pointed fingers at KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao for conducting a "flop poll campaign" and also attacked CLP leaders including Siddaramaiah for the same. BJP will try to 'destabilise' Karnataka govt if it replicates 2014 LS feat: Minister "I hold Dinesh Gundu Rao for conducting a flop poll campaign. Moreover, CLP leaders who were flying high in the sky should come to terms with ground realities," he added. Baig said he was not surprised by exit poll numbers as from the very beginning he knew Congress will not get good numbers because of the "flop poll campaigning" of the party. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 21, 2019, 12:18 [IST] Ahead of results, Priyanka urges party workers to not lose hope over exit polls predictions India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, May 21: Congress General Secretary for Uttar Pradesh East Priyanka Gandhi Vadra appealed to the party workers to not take the results of exit polls seriously and do not believe in rumours. Priyanka said that the exit polls results are showing comfortable victory for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies in Lok Sabha poll only to break the morale of Congress workers. In an audio message, Priyanka said: "Don't lose your heart by the exit polls as these are being spread to lower your morale." After Exit Poll predictions, Opposition to meet EC over VVPAT verification "Your attention is required more. Be strong and remain alert near the counting centre and the strong rooms. I am hopeful that your hard work will pay," she added. Her audio message to the party workers comes amid reports of new Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) being brought to the strong room in Uttar Pradesh's Mirzapur. Data released by most exit polls have predicted BJP-led NDA to not only hit the majority mark of 272 but breach the 300-mark as well. The exit polls which were more conservative also showed a favourable outcome for NDA even if stopping well short of the 300-mark. Now, if a majority of exit polls are to be believed, NDA could roar back to power for a second term. Army killed 86 terrorists this year India oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa Udhampur, May 21: General Officer Commanding in Chief (GoC-In-C), Northern Command, Lt Gen Ranbir Singh said that 86 militants were killed this year in Jammu and Kashmir and vowed that there would be no relaxation in operations against militants. "During this year, we have been able to neutralise 86 militants so far. Twenty militants were also apprehended. Our operations against militants will continue. A number of ultras have been brought back to the mainstream with the help of parents, teachers and senior citizens," Lt Gen Singh said. He claimed that the situation in J&K was "under control", but blamed Pakistan for continuing with its anti-India activities along the Line of Control (LoC). According to him, "terror infrastructure" across the border was intact and Pakistan was continuing with its anti-India activities. Situation under control, but Pak attempting anti-India activity says Army "Pakistan has been continuing with its activities which are mainly anti-India, whether it is violating ceasefire, promoting cross-border infiltration, drug trafficking, narcotics, or circulation of fake Indian currency," he said. "But I must assure you that our efforts to thwart each of these actions is in place and Pakistan will not be able to succeed in its designs," the Lt Gen said. He said the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) was peaceful. Arunachal Pradesh MLA, 10 others gunned down by NSCN militants India oi-Deepika S Itanagar, May 21: At least 11 persons, including a sitting MLA of Arunachal Pradesh and his son were gunned down by suspected NSCN (IM) militants in Tirap district on Tuesday. According to the reports, the incident took place around 11:30 am at Bogapani, nearly 25 km from district headquarters Khonsa in south-eastern Arunachal Pradesh when the convoy of MLA was attacked. Aboh, 41, was on his way to his constituency from Assam, along with son Longgem, other family members, four personal security officers and a poll agent in a convoy of four vehicles when the suspected NSCN rebels opened fire at them near 12 Mile area in the district at around 11.30 am, Director General of Police (DGP) S B K Singh. "Of the 15 people in the convoy, 11 were killed on the spot, two have been admitted to a hospital with serious injuries and two others escaped unhurt. Tirong Aboh, the deceased MLA was also the NPP candidate for the Khonsa West assembly seat. Polling for 60 assembly seats along with the two Lok Sabha seats in the state took place on April 11. National People's Party is part of the BJP-led North-East Democratic Alliance. "Extremely shocked by unfortunate incident of killing of Khonsa MLA Tirong Aboh along with several others by insurgents," tweeted Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu. "The NPP strongly condemns the brutal attack on Shri Tirong Aboh and his family and his security personnels" (sic.), tweeted Conrad Sangma, Meghalaya Chief Minister and NPP Chief. "The NPP is extremely shocked and saddened by the news of the death of its MLA Shri Tirong Aboh (Arunachal Pradesh) and his family. We condemn the brutal attack and urge (Home Minister) @rajnathsingh and @PMOIndia (Narendra Modi) to take action against those responsible for such attack," he said. Home Minister Rajnath Singh offered condolences and assured action. "Shocked and anguished by the killing of MLA Tirong Aboh ji, his family & others in Arunachal Pradesh," Mr Singh tweeted. "It is an outrageous attempt to disturb peace and normalcy in the North East. The perpetrators of this heinous crime will not be spared. My condolences to the bereaved families," he said. BJP leader sends legal notice to Delhi CM and his deputy over conspiracy charge India pti-PTI New Delhi, May 21: BJP leader Vijender Gupta on Tuesday sent legal notices to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia asking them to apologise for their tweets in which they had accused him of being part of a conspiracy to kill the AAP chief. Gupta said if Kejriwal and Sisodia failed to apologise, he would initiate civil as well as criminal proceedings against them. The Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly has already filed a police complaint against the chief minister and his deputy, alleging that they were tying to "falsely implicate" him in a conspiracy to kill Arvind Kejriwal. In the legal notice, Gupta also demanded "immediate withdrawal" of their tweets and apologise for their statement imputing conspiracy being hatched by him to murder Kejriwal. Modi wants to kill me: Shocker from Arvind Kejriwal "If Sisodia and Kejriwal failed to apologise within seven days for their defamatory, false and baseless allegations, I would be forced to initiate civil as well as criminal proceedings against them in a competent court of Law," Gupta said in a statement. The Delhi chief minister had recently alleged in an interview to a Punjabi channel that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wanted to get him killed by his own Personal Security Officer (PSO) in the manner in which Indira Gandhi had been killed. Countering the charge Gupta had tweeted, "Before the slapgate on May 4, @ArvindKejriwal asked the liaison officer to lift the security cover around his vehicle. The chief minister's instruction is registered in the roznamcha (police diary). The AAP could not receive electoral gain out of it because I exposed this, so out of frustration Kejriwal is saying that his PSO reports to the BJP." This gave ammunition to Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who alleged that Gupta was part of the conspiracy to kill Arvind Kejriwal. "BJP is conspiring to get the CM killed. This tweet by @Gupta_vijender has proved that the BJP is getting the daily security plan of the CM and it is hatching a conspiracy to kill the CM on this basis. Vijender Gupta is also a part of this conspiracy," he said quoting Gupta's tweet. PTI At dinner meet, NDA lays out agenda for next 5 years, vows to make India strong by 2022 India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, May21: Ahead of the declaration of results for the Lok Sabha elections on May 23, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah hosted a dinner for National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners in New Delhi on Tuesday, even as the ruling alliance laid out its agenda for the next five years if it is elected to power again. At the BJP-led ruling alliance meeting, which was attended by 36 parties, a resolution was passed, terming the 2019 general election decisive for the country and pledging to make India "strong, developed, prosperous and inclusive" by 2022 when India completes 75 years of its independence, party leader and Union minister Rajnath Singh told reporters. In his address, Modi stressed on the need to change the narrative from caste lines and orient it for the poor, Singh said. The prime minister expressed concern over the Opposition making "needless controversy" over electronic voting machines, the home minister said. Sharing visuals from the NDA dinner meet in Delhi on Twitter, Narendra Modi said, "Our alliance represents India's diversity and our agenda is India's progress. We are best suited to address regional aspirations and enhance national progress." With the NDA family. Our alliance represents India's diversity and our agenda is India's progress. We are best suited to address regional aspirations and enhance national progress. pic.twitter.com/iKNgv2e898 Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 21, 2019 The resolution was proposed by BJP ally and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E K Palaniswami were among the BJP allies who attended the dinner-meeting hosted by BJP president Amit Shah. The saffron party is buoyed by the results of Sunday's exit polls, most of which predicted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will return to power at the Centre with a healthy majority. The BJP-led NDA, which came to power in 2014 winning 336 seats, is again expected to comfortably cross the 300-mark in the 543 member Lok Sabha, according to many of the polls. Exit polls have predicted a comfortable win for the NDA in the Lok Sabha elections, the results of which will be announced on May 23. Modi ducks questions at first presser, draws flak In 2014, the NDA had won 336 seats and the Congress 44. The BJP had notched up its maiden majority by bagging 282 seats. The seven-phase Lok Sabha elections, which began on April 11 and concluded on May 19, were fought bitterly with the BJP taking on a formidable Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party alliance in Uttar Pradesh, while battling strong incumbent governments in West Bengal (Trinamool Congress) and Odisha (Biju Janata Dal), apart from a pan-India fight against the Congress. Chhattisgarh Elections: Over 60 per cent voting recorded in 15 urban bodies polls; counting on Dec 23 Chhattisgarh: 2 DRG Personnel injured in IED blast in Sukma India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, May 21: Two District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel were injured in an IED blast near Gogunda in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district. Shalabh Sinha, ASP Sukma said,''Both the jawans are conscious. We are trying to airlift them to Raipur for better treatment.'' UK: 3 blast reported at Tata Steel plant in Port Talbot; 2 injured Earlier on May 1, at least 16 people, including 15 security personnel, were killed in an IED blast triggered by Naxals in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district. Those killed were members of the Quick Response Team (QRT) of Gadchiroli police, which was on way to inspect a fleet of torched vehicles belonging to a road construction contractor, police said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 21, 2019, 8:59 [IST] Another Goa Congress MLA resigns; party's strength in House down to 2 Cong will have to adopt BJP's strategy of strengthening regional leaders: Harish Rawat Congress concerned about fate of Kamal Nath Government India oi-Hardeep Singh Bedi New Delhi, May 21: The Congress is concerned about its government in Madhya Pradesh after the exit polls show return of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the centre, According to the sources, if the exit polls prove to be correct then it won't be easy for the Congress to save its government in Madhya Pradesh. It's notable that Chief Minister Kamal Nath is heading the government with the support of two MLAs of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), one of Samajwadi Party (SP), and four independents. Kamal Nath govt set to reopen murder case against BJP's Bhopal candidate Pragya Thakur According to the sources, the MLAs who are supporting the government are not happy. To make the matter worse for the Congress, the current political situation is conducive for the BJP as many senior Congress leaders are sulking for not getting berth in the Kamal Nath government. Buoyed with the exit polls, the BJP has asked Kamal Nath government to call Assembly session and prove its majority. A senior Congress leader doesn't deny that the BJP may try to poach the Congress MLAs in Madhya Pradesh. It is pertinent to mention here that during the Lok Sabha campaigning the BJP leaders used to tell Madhya Pradesh voters their one vote will give them two governments. The Congress high command has directed Chief Minister Kamal Nath to camp in Bhopal who had reached Delhi after the voting of the last phase. He was lobbying with the Opposition leaders for an anti- BJP government at the Centre. According to the sources, the Congress is more concerned because people close to Kamal Nath were raided ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in the state. Ready for floor test, says Kamal Nath as BJP demands MP govt to prove majority If BJP gets majority at the Centre then chances are high that the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh may reduce to minority, says a political analyst. According to the sources, the Congress is contemplating to make those MLAs ministers who are supporting Kamal Nath to save its government. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 21, 2019, 17:43 [IST] No comment on Pranab Mukherjee book before reading it: Former Union Minister Day after praising EC, Pranab Mukherjee raises concerns over EVM tampering India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, May 21: Day after praising the EC for conducting the 'perfect' poll, former president of India, Pranab Mujkherjee raised concerns over EVM tampering. Mukherjee issued statement, says ' Onus on ensuring institutional integrity in this case(security of EVMs) lies with the Election Commission, they must do so and put all speculations to rest,' further putting the onus of ensuring institutional integrity on the Election Commission. Earlier on Monday, Mukherjee had praised the Election Commission for conducting the Lok Sabha polls in a "perfect" manner. He made the remark at the launch of the book Defining India Through Their Eyes, written by NDTV Editorial Director Sonia Singh. The veteran Congress leader also praised the electorate for voting in large numbers. "As many as 67.3% participated in this Lok Sabha election - that's more than 2/3rd," he said. "And after many years, I got to cast my vote in a booth as citizen Pranab Mukherjee." Pranab Mukherjee hails EC, says polls were conducted 'perfectly' Exit polls have predicted an easy win for the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance. Opposition leaders also alleged on Monday that there has been a "sudden movement" of EVMs around the country following the polls. On Tuesday, a few Opposition leaders will meet the Election Commission to talk about tallying paper trail of votes, or VVPATs, with EVM figures. The Opposition has also claimed that the poll panel has been biased in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah. The Election Commission had dismissed several complaints of violations of the Model Code of Conduct against Modi during the polls. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 21, 2019, 15:40 [IST] West Bengal Elections Exit Polls Vs Actual Poll: Who got it right? Exit polls: BJP set for D-Day, hope still alive at Congress HQ India oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa New Delhi, May 21: A day after the exit polls unanimously predicted another term for the NDA, contrasting emotions were visible at both ruling and opposition camps with the BJP headquarters abuzz with preparations for results on May 23 and the Congress headquarters wearing a deserted look, devoid of excitement. Buoyed by the exit poll predictions, the BJP on Monday started preparations to celebrate the Lok Sabha election results in a grand manner at its headquarters in the national capital. While several workers had been given offs because they had been slogging tirelessly during the seven-phase general election, preparations were in full swing for May 23, a BJP worker said. Exit polls: BJP celebrates, opposition plans on taking on EVMs The party workers were busy overseeing the preparations for the D-Day and said the exit polls had underlined what they were always confident about. "Our entire focus had shifted to elections and the leaves of everyone were cancelled. We were working 24x7 during the election time and were confident that we will breach the 300 mark," said Jitendra Rawat of BJP's media cell. Sameer Chhabra, a BJP worker from Punjab, who was in Delhi for some work, said he wanted to return to his hometown quickly as he wanted to celebrate with his people on May 23. Krishan Chand Bansal, 63, another BJP worker who came in contact with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at the age of six, said it does not matter whether the party wins or loses. "Our job is to work for the betterment of people and serve them. Now we have started working for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls," he said. Meanwhile, the Congress headquarters wore a grim look with a handful of workers rejecting the forecast that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would return to power. The usual commotion at the Congress headquarters was missing on Monday morning, which party workers said was due to a "false atmosphere" created by the exit polls. "We would definitely perform better. And if we don't, then manipulation of EVMs might have been done," said Ram Singh, a Congress worker. He was joined by other party colleagues who concurred that there will be a tough fight between the two parties and the Congress' tally would be much better than it was in 2014, when the party had won just 44 seats. If result in line with exit polls, EVM allegations would lose 'non-existent rationale': Jaitley Charan Kumar, another Congress worker, watched on TV BJP leaders' reaction to the exit polls. "It has been done to create an atmosphere in favour of Modi," he inferred. But another party worker, Surya Tripathi, gave it a different spin. "The Sensex climbed 900 points in one minute on Monday. That is not a joke. It (exit poll predicting an NDA victory) was done to benefit traders, who invest in the stock market and who also form the biggest vote base of Modi," he said. Congress worker Jagdish Sharma alleged that the exit polls are an "attempt by the BJP" to spread rumours and they might try to manipulate EVMs after creating a pro-BJP atmosphere. "We will perform better and win. It would not be one-sided as projected. We have seen the real atmosphere at the ground and no one is believing the exit polls, except for the BJP," Sharma said as workers surrounding him nodded in agreement. Rishi Vallabh, another party worker who has been with Congress since 1997, called the exit polls a "work of paid media". Exit polls by Times Now-VMR, News 18-Ipsos, India Today-Axis and News 24-Chanakya projected 306, 336, 339-368 and 336-364 seats respectively for the NDA, with the BJP tipped to cross the majority on its own for another term after the 2014 polls. However, only two exit polls - one by ABP News-Nielsen and another by Neta-News X - said the ruling alliance may fall short of a majority. ABP News forecast 267 and NewsX 242 seats for the ruling NDA. New York, NY, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- LiquidX, the global network for illiquid assets, today announced trading volume reached $2.1 billion in the first quarter, including a monthly-record volume of $1.1 billion in March. The growth was fueled by the continued expansion of the network as several new members, including banks, corporates and insurers joined the LiquidX platform during the quarter. The number of transactions increased 546% during the quarter compared to Q1 2018. Were very excited about the progress weve made in the past year, and the results from the first quarter demonstrate growth is continuing at an even faster pace, noted Aarti Rao, Head of Sales and Client Services at LiquidX. Our corporate clients, liquidity providers and strategic partners recognize the value of digitizing and streamlining trade finance transactions and were excited about our prospects for 2019. LiquidX recently added Credit Agricole CIB and Banco Santander to the platform. These two banks join a roster of leading banks, asset managers, credit funds, and other liquidity providers that transact on the platform. Ms. Rao commented, Were pleased to welcome Credit Agricole CIB and Banco Santander into the LiquidX network and look forward to working with both banks in supporting their clients trade financing needs. As announced in March 2019, LiquidX also recently launched a partnership with Marsh, a global leader in insurance broking and innovative risk management solutions, on a next-generation platform for the multi-trillion dollar trade credit insurance industry. The platform has hosted multiple transactions with two leading trade credit insurance carriers, Euler Hermes and Atradius. The platform provides insureds with easier access to the trade credit market by digitizing workflows to provide straight-through processing and pricing transparency. About LiquidX Through its leading technology and diverse network of global participants including major corporations, banks, institutional investors, and insurance providers, LiquidX provides an efficient and flexible platform for participants to transact across the trade finance, working capital and trade credit insurance asset classes in one place. LiquidX has executed over $19 billion of trade volume and processed $76 billion in post trade settlements since 2016. For more information about LiquidX, please visit www.liquidx.com. Jon Teall 212-317-8296 jteall@teallassociates.com West Bengal Elections Exit Polls Vs Actual Poll: Who got it right? Final tally will be better than what exit polls predicted: Nitin Patel India oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa New Delhi, May 21: Elated by some of the exit polls that have forecast a majority for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Allliance (NDA), Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said the saffron party will get more number of seats than predicted. He claimed that from the day the general elections were announced, people made up their mind to reinstate Narendra Modi as the country's prime minister. "Under Modi, the country got the strongest-ever government in 2014. And, people had already decided that they want to hand over the reins to the Modi government for another five years. This is being reflected in all the major exit poll projections," Patel told reporters in Gandhinagar. This is how BJP fought 2019 LS Elections He said while campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls across the country, he and other BJP leaders knew that their party and its allies will certainly win. "I am confident that the BJP and NDA will get more seats than what is being forecast in the exit polls. Many exit polls even suggested that the NDA's tally would surpass the existing numbers in the Lok Sabha," Patel said. Elections to 542 seats of the 543-member Lok Sabha ended on Sunday and the counting of votes is slated for Thursday. Most exit polls have forecast another term for Prime Minister Modi, with some of them projecting that the BJP-led NDA would get over 300 seats to comfortably cross the majority mark of 272 in the Lok Sabha. However, Gujarat Congress president Amit Chavda questioned the credibility of such predictions and claimed his party will win 10 out of the total 26 seats in the state. Exit polls: BJP set for D-Day, hope still alive at Congress HQ "The exit polls never give an accurate picture. The results of 2004 and 2009 Lok Sabha polls proved that the exit poll projections can not be trusted. This time, too, results will prove that exit polls were wrong," he said. Chavda said he was confident that the Congress-led UPA will form the next government. "In Gujarat, the Congress will win at least 10 seats," he told reporters in Vadodara. From '96 to '19, will BJP continue its agenda of building Ram Mandir if brought back to power? India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, May 21: Ram Mandir issue has always featured in every Lok Sabha manifesto released by the BJP and is nothing new about it. The battle cry for a Ram temple in Ayodhya rose the loudest in 1992 when Babri Masjid was demolished under L K Advani's watch, propelling the saffron party to electoral success. Since then, the construction of a 'Ram Mandir' in Ram janmabhoomi has been a consistent promise of the BJP. Also Read | Mediation committee files interim Ayodhya report in SC , granted further time till Aug 15 They have been promising it ever since the first Lok Sabha polls in 1996. And like the Ram temple, 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies too has remained an election pledge since it was first mentioned by the BJP in its 1996 manifesto. The first reference to a Ram temple in Ayodhya came in the 1989 Lok Sabha battle but at that time, the BJP did not speak about constructing one at the site where the 16th century Babri Masjid stood. The 1989 reference said: "By not allowing the rebuilding of the Ram Janma Mandir in Ayodhya, on the lines of Somnath Mandir built by the Government of India in 1948, it (government) has allowed tensions to rise, and gravely strained social harmony." In the next elections in 1991, the saffron party said it firmly believed that construction of Ram Mandir at 'Jamnasthan' (birthplace) of Lord Ram was a symbol of the vindication of "our cultural heritage and national self-respect". In 1996 election manifesto, the BJP "reiterated its commitment to facilitate the construction of a magnificent Ram temple at Janmasthan in Ayodhya on coming to power as this dream moves millions of people in our land; the concept of Ram lies at the core of their consciousness." In 1999, when the BJP returned to power after losing a parliamentary vote of confidence, the party kept away from the temple issue, more to please many of its allies in the coalition. However, in 2004, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) manifesto said: "The NDA believes that an early and amicable resolution of the Ayodhya issue will strengthen national integration. We continue to hold that the judiciary's verdict in this matter should be accepted by all. At the same time, efforts should be intensified for dialogue and a negotiated settlement in an atmosphere of mutual trust and goodwill." In 2009, the BJP said there was an overwhelming desire of the people to have a grand temple at the birthplace of Ram in Ayodhya and it again promised to explore all possibilities to facilitate such a construction. "You will never let this country remain in peace," says SC junking plea for worship at Ayodhya site In 2014, the party had promised something quite similar. BJP reiterates its stand to explore all possibilities within the framework of the constitution to facilitate the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The 2019 manifesto says: We reiterate our stand on Ram Mandir. We will explore all possibilities within the framework of the Constitution and all necessary efforts to facilitate the expeditious construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The RSS and the VHP have always demanded that the BJP deliver on its promise of temple construction. So where is this temple? Several questions have been raised whether BJP will again take up this agenda pertaining to Ram Mandir issue if brought back to power? How Tamil Nadu contributed to the Islamic State problem in India India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, May 21: The National Investigation Agency on Monday conducted more raids in Tamil Nadu in connection with a case relating to the Islamic State. The NIA carried out searches at 10 different locations in Tamil Nadu, during which the agency recovered a number of digital devices. The NIA also recovered 3 laptops, 3 hard discs, 16 mobile phones, 8 SIM cards, 2 pen drives, 5 memory cards, a card reader and two knives apart from a large number of incriminating documents. Kashmir-Bengal-Kerala: Understanding the geographical remit of the ISIS The case relates to a group of ten persons who had formed a WhatsApp group and together conspired to procure arms for their terrorist group. They had also planned on raising funds to wage an armed struggle and also facilitate the escape of terrorists from jail. They had further planned to propagate their ideology and act against the state. The ISIS connect to Tamil Nadu dates back to early 2014 and the first know ISIS recruit is a resident of Cuddalore. Haja Fakkruddin, it may be recalled had in early 2014 left for Syria through Singapore to be part of the ISIS. This was followed by a series of events related to the group and there was an image on the social media that went viral, in which several youth were seen posing with ISIS merchandise. The threat of the ISIS has been looming large in the state and there are several pockets where the problem is severe. While looking into Haja's case, it was found that he was radicalised by a Cuddalore based group, . Haja is not the only operative from Cuddalore to have joined the ISIS. A computer engineer was deported recently from Singapore. He said that it was he who had introduced Haja to this organisation, following which he was radicalised. During the various searches, literature relating to the ISIS had been found. Speeches of the 20th century Islamist thinker Abul Ala Maududi have been found in the possession of several youth. Further the police have also seized compact discs which had the speeches of radical elements such as Anwar Al Awlaki and Abdul Raheem Green. In its 2016 chargesheet, the National Investigation speaks about the role of Mohammad Naseer, a computer engineer in his mid 20s. Naseer was heading to Libya from Sudan, but was apprehended and later deported to India. He did his computer engineering from the MNM college in Chennai. It was at this time that he would visit a mosque at Chennai which was run by the Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamath, non-political Islamic Organisation that preaches a puritanical version of Islam. This group was founded by P Jainul Abdeen in 2004, when he broke away from the Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam. ISIS' South Asia branch comes under UN radar, sanctions imposed The role of the ISIS in Tamil Nadu was unraveled in a big way in 2014. In August 2014, the police arrested Abdul Rahman and Mohammad Rizwan from the Ramnathapuram district on the charge that they were distributing t-shirts with the ISIS emblem. A photo showing 26 youth posing with the t-shirt in front of a Mosque at Thondi had surfaced on the social media. While the police were not able to find any direct link with the outfit, it however showed that the ISIS was gradually being received in the state. In Tamil Nadu, there are several groups which have been trying to wade off this threat. The high number of radicalisations in the state since early 2013 had left security agencies and many members of the Muslim community worried. Intelligence Bureau officials tell OneIndia that the threat in TN is not just from the ISIS. The Al-Qaeda through its various shadow outfits have set up shop in the state. One such outfit is called the Base Movement, which subscribes to the Al-Qaeda's ideology. The combination of terror groups in South comprises both underground and overground operatives. There are groups such as the Al-Ummah which operate openly and focus largely on political hits. The blast at Coimbatore or the one outside the BJP office in Karnataka in 2013 all bore the signature of the Al-Ummah as the attacks were political in nature. The problem of the ISIS did not remain restricted only to Tamil Nadu or the rest of South India. The spill out of this was felt in Maharashtra, where four persons left India for Syria to join the outfit. However, the biggest case relating to the ISIS was again reported from South India. Nearly 23 persons had gone missing from Kerala and investigations showed that they had joined the ISIS in Afghanistan. Wilayah of Hind by ISIS in Kashmir is a step further towards Global Islamic Council The NIA is trying to unearth the India link to the Sri Lanka blasts that killed more than 253 persons. The NIA it may be recalled had arrested Riyaz Aboobacker in April and it was revealed that there were sleeper cells operating in Tamil Nadu, which were propagating the ideology of the Islamic State. During his interrogation, he had revealed that he was inspired by the Sri Lanka bombings and had planned on replicating the same in India as well. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 21, 2019, 15:37 [IST] Internal security: The challenge ahead for the next dispensation India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, May 21: We will know by May 23, who the next Prime Minister of India would be. The new government would have a host of challenges that it would have to deal with on various fronts. Here, we decode what the national security challenge would be for the new government that takes over. There have been a host of developments in the past five years, where internal security is concerned. Challenges have been posed in Kashmir and other parts of the country. For instance, the Army this year alone has killed 86 terrorists. The ban on the Jaish-e-Mohammad chief, Maulana Masood Azhar has restricted the activities of the terror outfit in the Valley for now. Why honey trapping should top India's internal security concerns this year The big challenge for the new government would be the Kashmir policy. There is a need for continuity, failing which matters could get worse. Probably for the first time one has seen sustained action against the Separatists of Kashmir. The National Investigation Agency and the Enforcement Directorate are probing a series of cases against these persons. Officials tell OneIndia that they had been told by the government to go hard on such elements. It would be absolutely necessary for the next dispensation to have a similar attitude failing which things could get back to square one. The next is the policy on Pakistan. This would be a tough road ahead as it has never been easy dealing with the neighbour. Several intelligence reports suggest that Pakistan would up the ante after the elections are over. For instance, it plans on re-launching the Lashkar-e-Tayiba in a big way in Kashmir. This decision was taken post the ban on Azhar as the ISI wants the heat on him to lower down. Another danger that has been lurking for sometime now is the menace called the Islamic State. This is a problem that South India faces more than any other part of the nation. The agencies have launched multiple probes and also put in place several strategies to ensure that the ISIS remains grounded. The new dispensation would have a whole new challenge dealing with this problem, especially in the wake of the Sri Lanka blasts. The attacks only showed how close the ISIS has got to India. The NIA is probing a series of cases relating to the ISIS in states such as Tamil Nadu and Kerala. In Kerala, several persons went missing and it was later found that they had joined the ISIS. Moreover in states such as Kerala and Tamil Nadu, it has been found that the ISIS has been aligning with local radical groups to further its agenda. An NIA officer tells OneIndia that if not controlled and probed well, it could spiral into a major crisis. Similar developments have been found in West Bengal as well. The ISIS recently announced its Emir for the region and the agencies are watching these developments closely. The ISIS has been trying to expand its reach by roping in groups in Bengal and Bangladesh. The other major issue would be pertaining to naxalites and their friends in the cities. The agencies have unearthed several plots and it had been found that the naxalites operate largely on the agenda set by their mentors in the cities. Recently the Pune Police unearthed a major case in which it was found that the trouble during Bhima-Koregaon was masterminded by several activists in the cities. Biggest internal security scheme gets rolling: Here is what the govt is spending The agencies have largely managed to keep such elements quiet and more importantly curbed their flow of funds. Officials say that the same policy must continue, failing which these groups are likely to come back hard. What the agencies would need is a free hand, according to former official with the Research and Analysis Wing, Amar Bhushan. If there is political interference, then the agencies may not act for the fear of being tripped over, he also adds. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 21, 2019, 15:47 [IST] Chhattisgarh's horrific accident: Nobody will be spared, justice will be done: CM Baghel Is Bhupesh Baghel shielding Brijmohan Agarwal over crop insurance scam? India oi-Hardeep Singh Bedi New Delhi, May 21: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is being accused of shielding Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Chhattisgarh Agriculture Minister Brijmohan Agarwal over alleged crop insurance scam in the state. The Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (Jogi) leader Amit Jogi has written a letter to Chhattisgarh Agriculture Minister Rabindra Choubey and demanded a thorough probe into the alleged Weather-Based Crop Insurance (WBCIS) Scheme Scam during Raman Singh government, which according to him is worth over Rs 6000 crore. "Seven insurance companies had deducted Rs 450 per hectare as premium from the Farmer Credit Cards of 14 lakh farmers without their consent between 2014 to 2018. The state government , as well as the Central government, also paid 25 percent each of the total premium amount to these insurance companies. A total of Rs. 6208 crore was paid to the insurance companies in four years," said Amit in his letter. Why are Raipur and Durg seats important for Bhupesh Baghel? He also said that as per the terms and conditions of the WBCIS Scheme, these insurance companies were supposed to set up weather stations at a distance of every 10 kilometers but this was not done. "The insurance companies were duty bound to provide daily weather report to the Agriculture Department. Based on this data, the compensation amount was to be paid to the farmers for their crop loss. However, not a single insurance company fulfilled this term in four years but they charged the full premium amount from farmers, state and central government," added Jogi. The JCG (J) leader further informed Choubey that in the absence of daily weather data, the insurance companies played a cruel joke with the farmers while paying the compensation for the crop loss in the years 2014-15, 2015-16, and 2016-17. "Though the insurance companies had taken the premium of Rs. 450 per hectre from the farmers but on an average they paid only Rs. 15 to 20 per hectre as compensation to the affected farmers. " The former Marwahi MLA alleged that no action was taken against the insurance companies because Brijmohan Agarwal was hand-in-glove with them. "Despite several complaints then Agriculture Minister Brijmohan Agarwal neither took any action against the insurance companies nor ordered departmental inquiry into such a large scale corruption. I believe that he did so because of his secret understanding with the insurance companies, " asserted Amit. Alleging that Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is shielding Brijmohan Agarwal due to their friendship, the JCG (J) leader has requested Choubey not to succumb to the pressure of the chief minister. "Baghel Government has constituted several Special Investigation Teams (SITs) to probe various scams of former Raman Singh government but Bhupesh Baghel has been avoiding ordering an inquiry into allegations against Agarwal because of his close relationship with him, " Amit Jogi said. He requested Choubey to order an inquiry into the alleged scam. "You are requested not to be influenced by the political pressure of the Chief Minister and order an inquiry into the loot committed by the insurance companies under the patronage of Agarwal, " said Jogi. He also requested the Agriculture Minister to pass an order directing the insurance companies to pay compensation of Rs. 15000 per hectare to those farmers whose crops were damaged between 2014 and 2018. Bhupesh Baghel under pressure to repeat success of Assembly elections According to an observer of Chhattisgarh politics, the WBCIS scheme scam had hit headlines way back in 2015 when the BJP was ruling the state. "An RTI activist had highlighted the matter and vowed to take the matter to the high court for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or court-monitored SIT probe. However, the said RTI activist didn't pursue the matter further and after a few days the matter vanished from the media. " The observer is of the opinion that it will be interesting to watch moves of Amit Jogi to assess how serious is he to take this matter to the logical conclusion. Farooq Abdullah likely to fight J&K elections together with PAGD allies to defeat communal forces J&K Governor lifts restrictions on civilian traffic on Jammu-Srinagar highway from May 27 India oi-PTI Srinagar, May 21: The Jammu and Kashmir governor's administration on Tuesday withdrew an order restricting movement of civilian traffic on the national highway between Srinagar and Jammu from May 27. An official statement said following a review of the security situation in the state and of the requirement of security forces' convoys, Governor Satya Pal Malik has decided to lift the remaining restrictions on civilian traffic movement on the national highway connecting Jammu to Srinagar with effect from Monday. May 26 will be the last day of restriction on the movement of civilian traffic on the highway. The state administration had earlier on May 7 reduced the number of days from two to one and allowed civilian traffic on Wednesdays. These restrictions had become necessary following the movement of security forces on an unprecedented scale after the Pulwama terror attack, according to the statement. The forces were required both for anti-militancy operations and for smooth conduct of the general elections. In order to facilitate safe and secure movement of convoys of the security forces, the state administration had imposed prohibition on civilian traffic on the highway from Baramulla to Udhampur twice a week - Sunday and Wednesday - from 4 am-5 pm. Elaborate arrangements were, however, made by the local administration to facilitate movement of public during the period of restriction, it claimed. Earlier, restriction on civilian movement between Srinagar and Baramulla on the highway was limited to Sunday with effect from April 22 and later completely withdrawn from May 2. Restrictions on the Srinagar-Udhampur stretch were limited to just one day from May 13. "After a detailed review today with all security agencies, civil and police administration in connection with the preparations for the Shri Amarnathji Yatra, the governor directed that there should be no restriction on civilian movement on the highway from Monday next," the statement said. The restriction had come into force after a suicide bomber triggered an explosive laden car next to a bus of a CRPF convoy leaving 40 personnel dead. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 21, 2019, 21:10 [IST] Security review in J&K is message to Pak not to use Taliban win in Kashmir 11 civilians gunned down by security forces in Nagaland; CM Neiphiu Rio orders SIT probe, appeals for peace Day after Category A terrorist was killed, 2 more gunned down today in J&K J&K: Exchange of fire between terrorists, security forces in Shopian India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, May 21: An exchange of fire began between terrorists and a joint team of security forces in the forest area of Yarwan area of Shopian district on Tuesday. Reports said that a joint team of Army's 23 Para, 44RR, SOG and CRPF launched cordon and search operation on Yarwan forests. Earlier on Monday, Militants hurled a grenade towards a police station in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, but there was no damage, a police official said. The grenade exploded far outside the police station boundary, the official said. He said there was no loss of life or property in the attack. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 21, 2019, 15:24 [IST] Kamal Nath govt set to reopen murder case against BJP's Bhopal candidate Pragya Thakur India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, May 21: BJP candidate for Bhopal, Pragya Singh Thakur could be in trouble again, as the Kamal Nath government of Madhya Pradesh is set to reopen the RSS Pracharak Sunil Joshi murder case in which she was prime accused, but was acquitted by the NIA court in 2017. Joshi, once an aide of Takur, was shot dead on December 29, 2007, in Dewas Industrial Area police station limits. The probe initially hit a dead-end, but the arrest of one person in Rajasthan led the district police to Thakur and seven others in the case. However, all of them were acquitted on February 1, 2017, due to lack of evidence against them. Ready for floor test, says Kamal Nath as BJP demands MP govt to prove majority Thakur has been at the centre of controversy ever since she was pitched as the BJP's candidate against Congress leader Digvijaya Singh in Bhopal. She recently ruffled feathers by terming Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse a "patriot". Prior to it, she claimed that the then Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare was killed in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks due to her "curse". Party chief Amit Shah as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Thakur apologised and decided to observe "silence" for 63 hours as a mark of penance. She was even asked to apologise for her remarks. "After the poll process, time has arrived for soul searching. During this period, if my words have hurt the patriots, I apologise for it. As per the decorum of public life and to repent, I am observing a 21-prahar silence and will undergo hard penance," she said in a tweet in Hindi. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 21, 2019, 14:25 [IST] Kerala TET result 2020 declared: Here is how you check Kerala SSLC, Plus Two exam dates 2022 announced: Details here Major fire breaks at commercial hub in Thiruvananthapuram India oi-Madhuri Adnal Thiruvananthapuram, May 21: A massive Fire broke out in a commercial building at MG Road, Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday. Five fire tenders are present at the spot. The fire was reported from a shop-cum-godown of mattresses, umbrellas, bags and other items on the Power House Road at around 9 a.m. after traders nearby detected black smoke emanating from the building. R Prasad, Director (Technical) Kerala Fire And Rescue Services said,''We received info at 9:30 am, about 28 vehicles and 200 firemen participated in the rescue operations. We contained the fire in the building, it's under control. Two firemen sustained injuries.'' However, no injuries or casualties have been reported so far. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 21, 2019, 14:32 [IST] Malegaon blast case: Pragya Singh Thakur, two other accused exempted from court appearance India oi-PTI Mumbai, May 21: A special court here has granted exemption to the 2008 Malegaon blast case accused Pragya Singh Thakur, Lt Col Prasad Purohit and Sudhakar Chaturvedi from appearing before it this week. When the matter was taken up by the special NIA court on Monday, the three accused filed applications through their lawyers seeking exemption from appearance. While Thakur and Chaturvedi said they are busy with preparations for the upcoming results of the Lok Sabha polls, which they had contested, Purohit cited personal difficulties. The court allowed the applications. Sadhvi Pragya Singh told to appear before court once a week in Malegaon blasts case The court also allowed an application filed by lawyers of the accused persons to visit the blast site in Malegaon, a town about 200 kilometers from here in Maharashtra's Nashik district. Last week, the special NIA court, which is conducting a trial against seven accused in the case, had directed all of them to appear before it at least once a week. It then said an exemption would be granted if cogent reasons were submitted. Thakur, the BJP nominee from Bhopal Lok Sabha seat, said in her application that as a candidate, she would have to fulfil certain procedures of the Election Commission, including nominating her agents for the counting of votes in her constituency on May 23. Chaturvedi, who fought the election as an Independent from Mirzapur seat in Uttar Pradesh, cited the same reason. Currently, the court is recording the testimony of witnesses in the case. Besides these three, the other accused in the case are Major (retired) Ramesh Upadhyay, Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhakar Dwivedi and Sameer Kulkarni. They are all out on bail. Six people were killed and over 100 injured on September 29, 2008, when an explosive device strapped to a motorcycle went off near a mosque in Malegaon. The accused persons are facing trial under various sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Modi slams Pragya Singh Thakur for Godse remark, says 'will never forgive her' They have been charged under UAPA Sections 16 (committing terrorist act) and 18 (conspiring to commit terrorist act). They are facing charges under sections 120(b) (criminal conspiracy), 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 153(a) (promoting enmity between two religious groups) of the IPC. The accused have also been charged under relevant sections of the Explosive Substances Act. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 21, 2019, 14:22 [IST] SEATTLE, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global oilfield chemicals market was valued at US$ 58,350.2 million in 2018 and is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 5.5% over the forecast period (2019 2027), in terms of revenue. Key Trends and Analysis of the Global Oilfield Chemicals Market: The global oilfield chemicals market is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period. This is owing to increasing exploration activities to discover untapped oil & gas reserves coupled with growing demand for oil and natural gas worldwide. Request Sample Pages of this Report @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/332 According to the Government of India, the country imported 109.09 million tons of crude oil from 10 Middle East nations in the 2015-16 fiscal year, which was 59% of the total oil imports. Due to rise in growth of automobile and petrochemical industries in the region, demand for crude oil has increased significantly. India is looking to diversify its oil imports and plans to cut its dependence on the Middle East by increasing imports from Africa as announced by Indias Oil Minister. Moreover, various companies and governments are contributing to increasing number of exploration projects. For instance, in November 2016, Exxon Mobil along with its partners announced the discovery of oil in the Owowo-2 and Owowo-3 fields off Nigerias shores. The discovery is estimated to be between 500 million to 1 billion barrels of crude oil. The news has renewed optimism of oil companies in Nigeria, which has seen a downfall in oil production due to militant activity in the country. This scenario is anticipated to boost the demand for oilfield chemicals in the near future. As growth of global oilfield chemicals market is dependent on the oil consumption, long-term consumption security will ensure steady growth of global oilfield chemicals market. Furthermore, rising rate of deep-water drilling operations and fueling demand for petroleum-based fuels from emerging economies is likely to provide impetus expansion opportunities for the industry players over the near future. Factors such as political instability and low prices of oils is to act as major factor hindering the growth of the global oilfield chemicals market over the forecast period. To know the latest trends and insights prevalent in this market, click the link below: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/market-insight/oilfield-chemicals-market-332 Key Market Takeaways: The global oilfield chemicals market is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period in terms of revenue. The market growth is driven by increasing prominence on non-conventional sources such as shale gas and Coal Bed Methane (CBM). Rising ultra-deep drilling and deep drilling activities supported by growing demand for crude oil is likely to generate higher demand for oilfield chemicals in the near future. In 2018, drilling and stimulation chemicals under upstream segment held dominant share in the market and contributed for about 75.0% of revenue share in the global upstream oilfield chemicals market Among regions, Asia Pacific is predicted to record fastest growth over the forecast period in the global oilfield chemicals market. Increasing demand for petroleum-based fuels from transportation industry is anticipated to boost the demand for oilfield chemicals in the region. Some of the major players operating in the global oilfield chemicals market include, Baker Hughes Inc., Halliburton, Schlumberger Ltd., Weatherford International Ltd, Diamoco Group, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Solvay S.A, and The Egyptian Mud Engineering & Chemicals Company Purchase this exclusive Business report @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/buy-now/332 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. BMC decides to reopen schools in Mumbai from this date Mumbai schools to reopen for Classes 1 to 7 from December 15 Men wearing Modi masks prepare 2,000 Kg Laddoos ahead of poll results India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, May 21: It seems that the 17th Lok Sabha was a bit of a cakewalk for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as it is pretty confident of its victory even before the results of the Lok Sabha elections 2019 are declared. Sweet shop workers are preparing sweets in Borivali, Mumbai ahead of Lok Sabha Elections 2019 results on May 23. The shop owner said, "We've received an order of 1500-2000 kg sweets from BJP's Gopal Shetty (Mumbai North LS candidate). Workers are excited, so they're wearing Modi Ji's masks." Exit polls: BJP celebrates, opposition plans on taking on EVMs Men wearing Narendra Modi masks have been photographed preparing the laddoos. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Gopal Shetty from Mumbai's North Lok Sabha seat is contesting against actor-turned-politician Congress's Urmila Matondkar. The exit polls predicted that the BJP would win more than 34 seats in Maharashtra and sweep Mumbai's six constituencies. Back in 2014, the BJP won this seat when Gopal Shetty defeated the Congress candidate Sanjay Nirupam with a margin of 47.2 per cent votes. He was President of Mumbai Regional Congress Committee back then. Why elections 2019 may spring a surprise on May 23 Maharashtra, that has 48 seats, sends second highest number of lawmakers to the parliament after Uttar Pradesh. The BJP-Shiv Sena combine in the state is likely to put up a strong fight. Mumbai has six seats, from one of which Gopal Shetty is contesting. Modi wants to kill me: Shocker from Arvind Kejriwal India pti-PTI New Delhi, May 20: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday hit back at BJP leader Vijay Goel, who had said the CM should have the personal security officer of his choice if he doubts him, saying it is "Modi Ji who wants to get me killed, not my PSO. Kejriwal on Saturday claimed he will be assassinated by his personal security officer, like former prime minister Indira Gandhi. He said the Bharatiya Janata Party is after his life and will kill him one day. "BJP would get me murdered by my own PSO one day like Indira Gandhi. My own security officers report to BJP," Kejriwal had told a news channel in Punjab. Hitting out at him, Goel said it is sad Kejriwal is doubting his PSO. It is sad that by doubting your PSO you have besmirched the reputation of Delhi police. You should choose your own PSO and if you need any help in this regard let me know. I wish you have a long life, Goel said in a tweet. Responding to it, Kejriwal said on Twitter it is "not my PSO but Modi ji who wants to get me killed. PTI Mulayam, Akhilesh Yadav get CBI clean chit in DA case India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, May 21: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has informed the Supreme Court that it gave a clean chit to Samajwadi Party leaders Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh in connection with a disproportionate assets case. "On careful examination of the documents, statement of witnesses and versions of the suspects during the course of further enquiry of possession of disproportionate assets, jointly or individually, against Mulayam Singh Yadav and his family members could not be brought out," the CBI told the apex court. The affidavit of CBI stated that it had closed the investigation on August 7, 2013 in the case and did not find any evidence to register a Regular Case (RC) against the father and son duo. The Supreme Court had earlier directed the CBI to file a status report in the case and the matter will now be heard in July when the Supreme Court will open after vacation. In April, a division bench of Supreme Court comprising Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Deepak Gupta had sought CBI's response on a petition filed by lawyer Vishwanath Chaturvedi alleging that Yadav amassed wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income. 'Mulayam not fake OBC like PM Modi': Mayawati The apex court had issued a notice to the CBI in a previous hearing on March 25 and asked the agency to file its reply within two weeks. Chaturvedi's petition stated that the agency has utterly failed to intimate either the Supreme Court or report to the jurisdictional magistrate in respect of the probe done and its status. It has been alleged that Mulayam had amassed disproportionate assets amounting to over Rs. 100 crores during his tenure as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh between 1999 and 2005. The plea filed by Chaturvedi in February last stated that the CBI has taken a long time to complete the preliminary inquiry in the matter which has been investigated since 2007. It was in 2005 that Chaturvedi had filed a petition in the apex court seeking a CBI probe against Mulayam Singh Yadav, his sons Akhilesh and Prateek Yadav and daughter-in-law Dimple Yadav under the Prevention of Corruption Act for allegedly acquiring assets more than their known sources of income. After August 2013 no inquiry has been conducted in the case against Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav, the CBI told the court. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 21, 2019, 14:12 [IST] West Bengal Elections Exit Polls Vs Actual Poll: Who got it right? Not deterred by exit polls, opposition looks at hung verdict scenario India oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa New Delhi, May 21: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader N Chandrababu Naidu held a meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at her residence in Kolkata on Monday to discuss the possibility of forming a non-BJP government at the Centre in the event of a hung Lok Sabha, TMC sources said. Naidu, who reached here from Amaravati, held a 45-minute-long meeting with Banerjee on the future strategies of the "Mahagatbandhan" (Grand Alliance), the highly-placed sources said. The leaders also discussed possibilities of forming a non-BJP government including regional parties with the support of the Congress, they said. Exit polls: BJP celebrates, opposition plans on taking on EVMs "It was decided at today's meeting that a detailed discussion will be held among other political players of the Mahagatbandhan in the event of a hung verdict after the poll results are declared on May 23," the sources said. The decision on Banerjee going to New Delhi would also be taken after May 23, the sources said. Naidu, who is making efforts to bring together opposition leaders against the BJP, left for New Delhi after the meeting. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav telephoned Banerjee during the day and discussed the proposed strategy of the "Mahagathbandhan", the sources said. The TDP president had on Sunday called on National Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar and also met CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury. On Saturday he had met BSP chief Mayawati and Yadav. Exit polls: BJP set for D-Day, hope still alive at Congress HQ During his meeting with Banerjee, the TDP chief spoke about the meetings, the TMC sources said. The exit polls gave a clear verdict in favour of the BJP, which was promptly dubbed by Banerjee as "gossip". The TMC supremo had said that she does not trust such surveys as the "game plan" is to use them for "manipulation" of EVMs. SC refuses to entertain plea against appointment of observers for LS polls in West Bengal India pti-PTI New Delhi, May 21: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain a plea challenging the appointment of two retired bureaucrats as observers in West Bengal for the Lok Sabha polls, saying the voting is already over. While Vivek Dubey was appointed as a central police observer for West Bengal and Jharkhand, Ajay Nayak was appointed a special observer for West Bengal. The petition had alleged that they had been appointed in contravention of the law so as to ensure "certain favours" are granted at the time of election. A vacation bench comprising Justices Arun Mishra and M R Shah said: "Since the election is over, we are not inclined to entertain this petition under Article 32," the bench said. The bench however granted liberty to petitioner Ramu Mandi, who contested the polls as an independent candidate from Barrackpore constituency of West Bengal, to approach the Calcutta High Court. Barrackpore was one of the seven constituencies in West Bengal where polling was held in the fifth phase of the general elections. During the hearing on Tuesday, the counsel appearing for the Election Commission (EC) said that polling for the Lok Sabha elections was already over. The counsel for Mandi said that although the polling was over, results of the general elections have not been declared yet. "The election process is still going on. Results are yet to come," the lawyer said. To this, the bench said, "You go to the high court. We are permitting you to go to the high court". The petitioner's counsel then said that judicial work in the high court there was affected due to the lawyers' strike in Kolkata. He said he was "apprehensive", alleging that these observers would "indulge in favouritism and partisanship" and their appointment will directly be against his interest as an Independent candidate. "There appears to be no reasonable or cogent reasons to nominate or appoint retired officers as observers especially when there are multiple senior officers who are currently in service and are known to have impeccable integrity and reputation," the plea said. Mandi further alleged that the observers were causing "prejudice" to him and he apprehends that his chances of being elected was being jeopardized by their "illegal" appointment. "Numerous attempts have been made by them to jeopardize the election process by making unnecessary and unwarranted statements in public about the West Bengal's purported precarious condition," he claimed in the plea. The petition had also alleged that Dubey and Nayak's appointments as observers did not fulfil the requirement laid down under the Representation of the People Act, since they were retired bureaucrats and not "officers of government". On May 6, the apex court had sought responses from the EC, West Bengal government and others on the plea filed by Mandi. PTI Lockdown-like restrictions to return in Maharashtra? Here's what CM Uddhav Thackeray has to say Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray to attend Amit Shah's NDA dinner India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, May 21: After much speculation and several media reports suggesting that Udhav Thackeray will remain absent from the grand NDA meet, the Shiv Sena chief has now confirmed his presence at the event today. He will be accompanied by his son Aditya Thackeray and other senior party leaders. Shah will host the dinner for NDA leaders at Hotel Ashoka at around 7pm. Besides, a meeting of key BJP leaders, including Union Ministers, is also scheduled to be held in the party headquarters before the dinner meeting with allies. Coming to the menu, around 35 different dishes will be served to the ministers at the high-profile dinner meeting, reports claimed. Maharashtra's famous Poranpoli, North-East-special dishes will be there on the menu. Besides, Gujarat's special thali and famous dishes of Delhi will also be served to the politicos. Nobody should insult 'martyrs': Uddhav on Sadhvi Pragya's comments The BJP's decision to host the dinner follows Sunday's exit polls which have indicated another term for Modi. Exit polls have forecast that the BJP-led NDA will cross the majority mark of 272 in the 543-member Lok Sabha. Polls were held for 542 out of the 543 Lok Sabha seats over seven phases. The Election Commission has deferred polling in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, due to corruption allegations. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, May 21, 2019, 15:59 [IST] 'It's ok to be mediocre': This is what Copter crash lone survivor wrote to school Situation under control, but Pak attempting anti-India activity says Army India oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa Udhampur, May 21: Asserting that the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir is "under control", the Army said that Pakistan is continuing with its anti-India activities along the Line of Control (LoC) by trying to infiltrate terrorists into the Valley and promoting drug trade. General Officer Commanding in Chief (GoC-In-C), Northern Command, Lt Gen Ranbir Singh said 86 terrorists were killed this year in the state and vowed that operations against the ultras will continue. "The security situation in Jammu and Kashmir in under control," Lt Gen Singh told PTI in reply to a question here. PDP leader succumbs to injuries after terrorist attack He said the terror infrastructure across the border was intact and Pakistan is continuing with its anti-Indian activities. "Pakistan has been continuing with its activities which are mainly anti-India, whether it is violating ceasefire, promoting cross-border infiltration, drug trafficking, narcotics, circulation of fake Indian currency," he said. He said the neighbouring country wants to continue with its proxy war against India. "But I must assure you that our efforts to thwart each of these actions is in place and Pakistan will not able to succeed in its designs," Lt Gen Singh said. He said the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) was peaceful and "we have been able to ensure peace and tranquility with China". Lt Gen Singh said the established mechanisms for confidence building have ensured that there are no "fraction points" between the two sides. "If at all there are any kind of transgressions and incursions, which do take place, the established mechanisms take care of that," he added. He said the security forces helped the administration in J&K to conduct the Lok Sabha polls in a peaceful manner. "We recently finished with the elections in Jammu and Kashmir. The credit is due to the security forces and the administration," Lt Gen Singh said. He said while security forces killed a number of terrorists in the past four months in the state, some ultras shunned the path of violence and returned to the mainstream. "During this year, we have been to neutralise 86 terrorists so far. Twenty terrorists were also apprehended. Our operations against terrorists will continue. A number of ultras have been brought back to the mainstream with the help of the parents, teachers and senior citizens," Lt Gen Sinbh said. Killing of Aurangazeb avenged: Three Hizbul terrorists wiped out He said the Army was able to check and and arrest terror activities in south of Pir Panjal in the Jammu region. At present, there are no confirmed reports about the presence of terrorists in the region, Lt Gen Singh said. "Our resolve, our commitment to operations (against terrorists) continues to be same in south of Pir Panjal. We will not allow the area to slip into terrorism," he added. Weather today: Isolated rains in Bengaluru, Delhi to experience wet day India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, May 21: The Southwest Monsoon 2019 has embarked its four-month long journey, after it made onset on its first station. Monsoon arrived over parts of Andaman and Nicobar Islands over the weekend, two days early then its normal date of May 20. Let us have a look at the weather forecast for Bengaluru, Delhi, Rajasthan and Mumbai on May 22. Bengaluru: May is the peak pre-Monsoon month for the capital city of Karnataka, Bengaluru. As per Skymet weather, pre-Monsoon weather activities pick up pace in the city in association with Southwest Monsoon marking its onset over few parts of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. However, till now no major spell of rain has been witnessed by Bengaluru. In the last few days mainly dry and hot weather conditions are being witnessed in Bengaluru and its adjoining areas. On May 23 and 24, widespread light to moderate rains with few heavy spells will lash most parts of Bengaluru. These rains may even lead to local flooding and traffic disruption in parts of the city. These pre-Monsoon weather activities will mostly take place during the latter half of the day. Delhi: Delhi weather has been hot as temperatures continue to settle above the 40-degree mark. As per Skymet weather, Today, thunderclouds are also expected to develop. However, as these activities today will be mostly in the evening hours and of very light intensity, temperatures will once again settle above the 40 degree mark. Tomorrow also, there are chances that the maximum may cross 40 degrees Celsius. Due to some Pre Monsoon activity on May 22, temperatures may witness a drop day after tomorrow by a couple of degrees or so. Weather forecast: Pre-monsoon rains likely in Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR in next 24 hours Rajasthan: Scattered dust storm and thundershower activities have occurred over parts of Rajasthan during the last 24 hours. In fact, since the last two days, several parts of the state have been continuously experiencing rain and thundershower activities. As per Skymet weather, these activities will gradually increase due to formation of an induced Cyclonic Circulation over northern parts of Rajasthan, during next 24 hours. On May 22 and 23, many parts of Rajasthan to receive rain and thundershowers with increased intensity. Moreover, there are bright chances of hailstorm at one or two places. These activities will be accompanied with strong gusty winds. Mumbai: Occasional showers were observed over Marathwada and Madhya Maharashtra. The reason behind these patchy rains over Vidarbha can be attributed to the Trough that generally extends from East India up to South Peninsula across East Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha or across Telangana. As per Skymet weather, a feeble Trough is expected to develop across coastal areas of Maharashtra which may bring along isolated light rain and thundershower activities over Dahanu, Mumbai, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg around May 25 or 26. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, May 22, 2019, 0:04 [IST] West Bengal Elections Exit Polls Vs Actual Poll: Who got it right? Why elections 2019 may spring a surprise on May 23 India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, May 21: If exit polls are to be believed, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is heading for a massive victory in the 17th Lok Sabha election, the numbers may vary but all the pollsters are showing a similar trend. Unlike previously, there is no split verdict or predictions of a hung house. The findings are hard to accept to be true as many believe that they don't reflect the true thinking of the people or reflect the will of the people. The poll of polls, an aggregate of exit polls, gives the NDA 302 of 543 seats and the Congress and its allies 122, which would mean the BJP would surpass its 2014 tally of 282 and quite possibly cross the 300 mark on its own. After Exit Poll predictions, Opposition to meet EC over VVPAT verification Only two polls predicted that the NDA would fall short of a majority: NewsX-Neta (242) and ABP News-Nielsen (267). Most of the polls suggested that the Congress, which had registered its worst performance in 2014 with 44 seats, would fall below the 100 mark, with News18-IPSOS projecting only 46 seats for the party. But even the difference between CVoter's 287 seats for the NDA and the 350 seats by Today's Chanakya would mean two completely different results and produce two completely different Modi second terms. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to retain power, with BJP securing a majority, riding on another clean sweep of the Hindi heartland and making significant gains in West Bengal and Odisha, according to most exit polls released on Sunday. Looking at UP exit poll data, the variations among major exit polls are quite visible. Times Now VMR survey predicts NDA to get 58 seats, a loss of 15 seats from 2014 in the state. The loss for the BJP is gain for the grand alliance with predicted 20 seats in the survey. However three exit polls, Today's Chanakya, Axis My India and IPSOS predict more than 60 seats for the BJP. While Chanakya predicts 65 seats, Axis My India predicts a range of 62-68 seats for the BJP. The number for grand alliance has been predicted in a range of 7 to 19 by these three poll surveys. Axis My India data shows a four percentage point swing more than 2014 from 44 per cent to 48 per cent in favour of the BJP gained at the cost of SP-BSP alliance. The alliance is reduced from 43 per cent vote share of 2014 to 39 per cent. All the major exit poll indicate double digits for the saffron party in the Trinamool bastion. Currently, the BJP has two MPs in the Lower House from West Bengal. Many predicted a landslide 7 out of 7 seat win in Delhi for the BJP. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP had won all of these seven seats with a vote share of 46.6 per cent. In Maharashtra, the poll of polls gave 36 seats to the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance, which is a five-seat drop from their 2014 tally of 41. Final tally will be better than what exit polls predicted: Nitin Patel The NDA would fail to make a mark in southern states, except for Karnataka. The ABP-Nielsen exit poll suggested that BJP would be unable to maintain its grip over Uttar Pradesh. As per the exit polls, it appears that voters do not care as much about the unemployment rate being at a 45-year high, rural distress and other such issues. Which is what makes the 2019 Exit Polls hard to believe. Even the top BJP leaders have mocked the exit polls saying they were not exact polls. Exit polls do not mean exact polls. We have to understand that. Since 1999, most of the exit polls have gone wrong, said Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu hours after pollsters predicted a massive win for the saffron party. Union minister Nitn Gadkari also echoed the similar statement saying, the exit polls are not the "final decision" but indicate that the BJP will once again come to power. The exit polls have been debunked by a host of opposition leaders like TDP's Chandrababu Naidu, Trinamool's Mamata Banerjee and Congress' Shashi Tharoor and Amarinder Singh. National Conference leader Omar Abdullah's opinion differed with that of other leaders as he said every opinion poll could not be wrong. In India's 2004 general election, then-prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee looked invincible. The media and the pollsters alike agreed that he would come back. for another term. The defeat of Vajpayee's BJP-led NDA came as a surprise. Now, Modi critics think something similar can happen in 2019 too. Critics believe the underlying construct of exit polls challenges the definition of random sampling, and therefore the polls carry a higher margin of error. Like other polls, exit polls can overstate the case of vocal voters and miss the silent vote-and in India, there is an another factor, false responses driven by fear of retribution. Also, a higher turnout can skew assumed weightages, leading to erroneous calls on trajectory and/or tally. The crux of credibility is in what pollsters chose to do or not to do. So, keep your fingers crossed until May 23, where we get the real mandate of the people. Pune, India, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Cell Therapy Market Report presents an overview of the global cell therapy industry landscape, with an emphasis on the vital game-changing companies that are taking this market towards a positive direction. Market Research Future Reports has come up with its latest reports on the global cell therapy market, stating that the market is likely to record a CAGR of 22.36% and would reach USD 20,217.00 million by 2023. As per the research reports, the pharmaceutical industry globally is continually evolving with the growing need for novel therapies in the landscape of diseases. As a result of this, chronic diseases are on the rise, coupled with an increasing number of cases such as cancer. Due to such serious diseases, the needs of the pharmaceutical industry are shifting from conventional therapies to advanced level therapies such as cell therapies, which are leading in the current time. Thus, with the changing medication landscape, prominent pharma leaders and companies are looking toward the adoption of the advanced medical approach to provide better medicines to patients concerning specific disease case. Request Free Sample @ mailto:https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/5066 The term cell therapy entered in the medical line to prepare somatic cells for the treatment of diseases or traumatic patients in the cell therapy transplants, globally. Cell therapy referred to as the transplantation of human cells to replace or repair damaged tissue or cells. With the introduction of new technologies and innovative products coming in the way of treatment, different types of cells can be used as a therapy or a treatment for a variety of diseases and conditions. With the help of extensive research & development and efforts are made to show that cell therapies can be used to treat cerebral disorders, such as Parkinsons and Alzheimers and more suitable. Also, such therapy can treat metabolic disorders, such as diabetes mellitus type 1 and more. Thus, these advancements are helping to boost the global cell therapy market processing in progressive ways, according to a report by Market Research Future Reports. There are many factors to be pleased with many provisions of cell therapy that are driving the global cell therapy market size to expand at an exponential rate. Some of them accounted as, the increase in the development of cell banking facilities and expanding production along with storage and characterization of cells are enhancing volumetric capabilities of cell therapy market at a global level. This, in turn, has directly ignited into an increase in revenue generation for the cell therapy market since past years, which is expected to proliferate in the future at a substantial rate. Some more factors such as increasing number of cases of chronic diseases such as diabetics, neurological disorders, and diabetes are counted as one of the major factors to boost the growth of global cell therapy market during the forecast period. With this, the introduction of innovative techniques and methods being used by key players in the market is also likely to create massive demand for cell therapy, which in turn, is probable to propel the global cell therapy market growth. Moving forward, other significant factors that are continually driving the cell therapy market towards positive note accounts to be success of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for a variety of treatments such as blood cancers and hematologic conditions, rise in the demand for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, and an increase in the development of stem cell therapy applications. These conditions and cases are probable to offer better opportunities for profitability and hence, supports the global cell therapy market in tremendous ways. Overall, the impact of spurring global market of cell therapy, it is gaining significant consideration from entities intricate in various aspects of disease management. Even the healthcare sector and its practitioners are making substantial use of cell therapy derived from bone marrow or blood in transplant measures for the treatment of patients with cancer, blood disorders, and immune-related disorders. Market Key Players Market Research Future Reports has listed some of the prominent players in the global cell therapy market. The names are Mesoblast Ltd, Vericel Corporation, Osiris Therapeutics, Inc, JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd, NuVasive, Inc., Pharmicell Co., Ltd, RTI Surgical Holdings, Inc., AlloSource, Holostem Terapie Avanzate S.r.l., Medipost Co., Ltd. These key players are operating exponentially in the global cell therapy market and are simultaneously focusing on new product launches, along with expanding their global footprints by entering untapped markets in the future timeline. Browse the market data and information spread across 95 pages with 96 data tables and 21 figures of the report Cell Therapy Market - Forecast to 2018- 2023 in-depth alongside table of content (TOC) at: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/cell-therapy-market-5066 Market Segmentation Market Research Future Reports offers a comprehensive segmental analysis of the global cell therapy market, which has been segmented into an autologous segment and allogeneic. Of them, the autologous segment is expected to lead the market by registering a substantial CAGR to achieve a valuation of USD 11,554.67 million by the end of 2023. The autologous cell therapy is considered as a branch of regenerative medicine that involves biologic cell-based therapies intended to cure various diseases related to oncology, dermatology, and neurology, and others. Therefore, autologous cell therapy is likely to grasp a significant share of the cell therapy market as compared to allogeneic cell therapy. With this, the increasing demand for effective drugs for degenerative and cardiac disorders is also one factor that is expected to determine the global cell therapy market growth. However, the allogeneic segment is predictable to parade the highest CAGR of 22.85% from 2018 to 2023. By the mode of product, the global cell therapy industry has been classified as consumables (vessel/media/serum/reagent), equipment, software & other services. Out of which, the increasing rates of infectious diseases are posing as the significant factor to trigger the growth of the consumables segment in the cell therapy market during the forecast period. By the mode of technique, the global cell therapy market has been classified into stem cell therapy, cell vaccine, adoptive cell transfer (act), fibroblast cell therapy, and chondrocyte cell therapy. By the mode of technology, the global cell therapy industry is classified as viral vector technology, cell immortalization technology, and genome editing technology. By the mode of cell source, the global cell therapy market has been categorized as bone marrow, adipose tissue, and umbilical cord blood-derived cells. Thus, with the rising demand for bone marrow transplantation in the treatment of ischemic heart diseases is highly expected to trigger the global cell therapy market growth at an exponential rate. By the mode of application, the global cell therapy industry includes oncology, cardiovascular disease (CVD), orthopedic, and wound healing. Whereas, the global cell therapy market is also categorized as the end user, hospital & clinics, regenerative medicine centers, and research institutes. The Developing Global Cell Therapy Market has gained much traction and is expected to become Profitable by the year 2023 On the geographical note, the Americas accounted for grasping the largest market share of around 37.6% in 2017, and which is projected to register a CAGR of 21.45% in the coming years. In fact, North America region is one of the leading markets for accounting the largest market share during the forecast period. Whereas, the European market is assessed to surpass USD 6,357.79 million by 2023. Economically high countries typically spend 2% to 3% of annual health budget on the treatment of chronic diseases as per a bulletin published by WHO. Therefore, factors responsible for global cell therapy market growth in this region are well-established healthcare infrastructure and the surge in adoption of cell therapy treatment for orthopedic, cancer, and wound healing. Industry Updates May 20, 2019: Syncona launches another cell therapy company, Treg specialist Quell. Syncona invested 34m ($43m) in start-up financing for Quell Therapeutics, a cell therapy company for focusing on using T regulatory (Treg) cells to treat diseases of the immune system. Seoul-based Samsung Medical Center (SMC) announced that it had signed a technology transfer agreement with Medinno, a local biotech firm, over investigational cell therapy to treat hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in infants and severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in premature babies. Make an Enquiry Before Buying this Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/5066 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), & Consulting Services. MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions. 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. Franchisees earned $2 million in revenue; kiosk production is on steady pace SAN DIEGO, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- Generation NEXT Franchise Brands, Inc. (OTCQB: VEND) announced today that its flagship subsidiary and premium, robotic soft serve franchise, Reis & Irvys, sold its 400,000th cup of frozen yogurt on Saturday, May 18th. To date, Reis & Irvys franchisees have sold in excess of 400,000 cups of frozen yogurt generating more than $2.0 million in retail sales, according to Generation Next. The company had announced its 300,000 cup sold just last month. Reis & Irvy's is the Companys flagship brand which serves Dannon YoCream frozen yogurt through an unattended, robotic kiosk. New locations and location categories, an ever-expanding network of franchisees, new best practices, and improved software and hardware are accelerating our retail sales and our growth rate week-over-week and month-over-month, said Nik Wright, the companys Vice President of Operations. These numbers are impressive when we take into account that most of the kiosks that are in operation today have only recently come online most are still in what I would call a soft launch phase, and half of the kiosks in operation as we speak have come online within the last eight weeks, Wright added. Helping franchisees achieve their potential is my primary responsibility, and as each new franchisee and kiosk comes online, they can count on the support of the company and the Reis & Irvys marketing team to drive sales and optimize performance in order to realize their full potential, Wright said. Wright, who is responsible for a number of the companys recently-introduced Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), including Sales per Kiosk or SPK, added that he has been working with Dannon and the Reis & Irvys marketing team to develop product rotations and promotional materials designed to expand and foster brand awareness and demand in markets nationwide. Nick Yates, Founder and CEO of Generation Next, expressed his satisfaction at the pace of recent milestones and thanked Mr. Wright for his hard work and dedication. Three-and-a-half years ago, when we were just starting out, I put Nik [Wright] in this role because of his experience operating frozen yogurt stores all over the world. His experience even includes operating one of the original prototypes that forms part of our companys early history - the original Robofusion kiosks placed at the Salt Lake City Childrens hospital. At his core, he is a solutions-oriented, customer service driven professional with a passion for this product that is unlike anyone else. Nik is obsessed with data, kiosk production and the promotion of the Dannon YoCream product, Yates said. Manufacturing and Delivery on a Steady Pace Generation Next said that manufacturing and delivery of Reis & Irvys kiosks appears to be on a steady pace after technical challenges led to delays late last year. Manufacturing and delivery of Reis & Irvys robotic kiosks was paused in late 2018 to allow time for design improvements, retrofitting and repair of existing machines in the field and in the warehouse. Generation Next announced in February that it had entered into a manufacturing and engineering agreement with Stoelting Foodservice. Stoelting has played a key role in improving the engineering and technology used to build the first robots, providing both hardware retrofits for existing units and design changes for units in production, as well as a series of software upgrades that resolved earlier issues. The company is now consistently producing between 15 and 20 kiosks per week. In April, Generation Next delivered 76 robots for $3.0 million in revenue and the company expects to deliver an additional 124 to 164 robots during the months of May and June combined, which would close the final quarter of the companys fiscal year (ended June 30) with quarterly revenue of $8.2 to $9.8 million and full year revenue of between $16.0 and $17.6 million, according to the company. For more information, visit Generation NEXT Website: www.gennextbrands.com or call Toll-Free (888) 902-7558. About Generation NEXT Franchise Brands, Inc. Generation NEXT Franchise Brands, Inc., based in San Diego, California, is a publicly traded company on the OTC Markets trading under the symbol OTCBB: VEND. Generation NEXT Franchise Brands, Inc. is parent company to Reis and Irvys Inc and 19 Degrees Corporate Service LLC. About Reis & Irvys, Inc. Reis & Irvys, Inc. is a subsidiary franchise concept of Generation NEXT Franchise Brands, Inc. (VEND). Launched in early 2016, the revolutionary Reis & Irvys Vending Robot serves seven different flavors of frozen yogurt, ice cream, sorbets and gelatos, a choice of up to six custom toppings and to customers within 60 seconds or less at the point of sale. The unique franchise opportunity has since established itself as a high-demand product and currently showcases a franchise network both domestically as well as internationally. Visit Reis & Irvys website - www.reisandirvys.com This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. It is for information purposes only. No Reis & Irvys franchises will be sold to any resident of any state until the offering has been exempted from the requirements of, or duly registered in and declared effective by, such state and the required FDD (if any) has been delivered to the prospective franchisee before the sale in compliance with applicable law. Currently, the following states in the United States regulate the offer and sale of franchises: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. If you reside in one of these states, or even if you reside elsewhere, you may have certain rights under applicable franchise laws or regulations. Cautionary note on forward-looking statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements concerning our future financial performance, including statements regarding: our ability to generate revenue and recognize deferred revenue; our ability to timely launch delivery and installation of our frozen yogurt robots; and our ability to grow our franchising and licensing divisions and launch our corporate-owned and direct sales platforms. The Company bases these forward-looking statements on its current expectations, estimates and projections about future events and the industry in which it operates using information currently available to it. Actual results could differ materially from those discussed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are identified by words such as believe, anticipate, propose, expect, intend, plan, will, may, estimates, variations of such words and other similar expressions. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2018, our Quarterly Reports, and our Current Reports on Form 8-K. Be advised that developments subsequent to this press release are likely to cause these statements to become outdated and the Company is under no obligation (and expressly disclaims any such obligation) to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Dublin, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "North America Strategy Consulting Market to 2025 - Regional Analysis and Forecasts by Services; and Industry Vertical" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The North America Strategy consulting market accounted for US$ 22.44 Bn in 2017 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.1% over the forecast period 2018-2025, to account for US$ 38.65 Bn in 2025. Factors including rapid digitalization have led to increasing competition in business sectors with technological advancements and breakthrough innovations driving the North America Strategy consulting market. Smaller firms emerging with disruptive innovations have gained the reputation as market disruptors as they pose challenges to the business of larger firms. In simpler words, the business arena today is characterized by cut-throat competition. Every business today strives hard to survive and gain a competitive advantage in the market outpacing its competitor. Further, the changing economics, trade relations, Government in a particular region drive the changes in the way businesses are to be done. The market players are focusing on various initiatives to enhance its reach and boost its position in the North America Strategy consulting market. The North America Strategy consulting market is fragmented with the presence of several industries and the competitive dynamics in the market is expected to change during the upcoming years. Some of the players present in Strategy consulting market are A.T. Kearney, Inc., Accenture PLC, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, Bain & Company, Ernst & Young Ltd., KPMG, McKinsey & Company, Mercer LLC, The Boston Consulting Group, and PwC others. Key Topics Covered: Part 1. Introduction Part 2. North America Strategy Consulting Market - Key Takeaways Part 3. North America Strategy Consulting Market Landscape 3.1 Market Overview 3.2 Market Segmentation 3.3 North America Pest Analysis Part 4. North America Strategy Consulting Market - Key Industry Dynamics 4.1 Key Market Drivers 4.1.1 Growing Expertise Across Business Sectors 4.1.2 Boost In The Regional Business Diversities Demand For Skilled Driven Consultations And Operations 4.2 Key Market Restraints 4.2.1 Rising Dependency On The Skills And Expertise 4.3 Key Market Opportunities 4.3.1 Increasing Acceptance Of The Performance Based Billing Business Model 4.4 Future Trends 4.4.1 Executions Of Multi-Sourcing And Automation Into Consulting 4.5 Impact Analysis Of Drivers And Restraints Part 5. Strategy Consulting - North America Market Analysis 5.1 North America Strategy Consulting Market Overview 5.2 North America Strategy Consulting Market Forecast And Analysis Part 6. North America Strategy Consulting Market Revenue And Forecast To 2025 - Services 6.1 Overview 6.2 North America Strategy Consulting Market Breakdown, By Services, 2017 & 2025 6.3 Corporate Strategy Market 6.4 Business Model Transformation Market 6.5 Economic Policy Market 6.6 Mergers & Acquisitions Market 6.7 Organizational Strategy Market 6.8 Functional Strategy Market 6.9 Strategy & Operations Market 6.10 Digital Strategy Market Part 7. North America Strategy Consulting Market Revenue And Forecast To 2025 - Industry Vertical 7.1 Overview 7.2 North America Strategy Consulting Market Breakdown, By Industry Vertical, 2017 & 2025 7.3 IT & Telecommunication Market 7.4 Healthcare Market 7.5 BFSI Market 7.6 Retail Market 7.7 Manufacturing Market 7.8 Others Market Part 8. North America Strategy Consulting Market - Country Analysis Part 9. Industry Landscape 9.1 Overview 9.2 Market Initiative 9.3 Merger And Acquisition Part 10. Competitive Landscape 10.1 Competitive Product Mapping Part 11. North America Strategy Consulting Market- Company Profiles A.T. Kearney, Inc. Accenture PLC Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited Bain & Company Ernst & Young Ltd. KPMG McKinsey & Company Mercer LLC The Boston Consulting Group PwC For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/o2y42v Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Syntech is now the exclusive South African distributor of TaoTronics and RAVPower Craig Nowitz Managing Director Syntech has been appointed as the exclusive South African distributor of two international consumer brands; TaoTronics and RAVPower. Both brands are owned by global electronics enterprise Sunvalley Group. Syntech is the latest addition to the global distribution network that facilitates millions of TaoTronics and RAVPower products reaching satisfied customers every week.Sunvalley Group has more than 300 Patents and 200 R&D engineers, enabling Taotronics to deliver a superior quality product at unbelievable pricing. RAVPower adds to our current range of portable power solutions with their highly innovative features like solar charging, 220v output and Type-C Notebook charging. TaoTronics and RAVPower have over 30 million happy customers around the world, so were very proud to be bringing these two hugely successful brands to Southern Africa. says Craig Nowitz, Managing Director of Syntech.TaoTronics is a leading consumer electronics brand specialising in small electronics and accessories. The brand was founded in 2008 and is dedicated to providing superior-quality, reasonably priced electronic products that improve the lives of customers. TaoTronics boasts an incredibly successful range of audio equipment and best-selling LED lamps, which offers customers an unparalleled and truly unique experience. The brand focuses on the latest innovations and strives to ensure that each product delivered to customers is feature rich, is of the highest quality, and will give you the biggest bang for your buck.RAVPower, on the other hand, is a brand well known for its diverse product offering that includes power banks, solar chargers, car chargers and wall chargers. In recent years RAVPower has become a leading brand in the realm of charging accessories. The brand continues to provide innovative charging options paired with thoughtful design, reliability, and most importantly, usability, to customers all around the world. RAVPower products are made of high-quality materials and specialised techniques. Every single product is also thoroughly tested before making its way to customers.Syntech believes in sourcing industry leading products that add value to the market. This is why were particularly excited about TaoTronics and RAVPower, because their products align with our focus on quality and innovation. We expect them to be very well received in South African market, adds Syntech co-founder Ryan Martyn.Some of the exciting new products which Syntech will distribute include: The TaoTronics Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Bluetooth Headphones featuring crisp and clear sound quality, high performance dual drivers, noise cancellation technology, and over 25 hours of playtime; The TaoTronics Bluetooth Sport In-Ear Headphones featuring aptX technology, IPX5 water resistance, Bluetooth 5.0, and over 6 hours of playtime; The RAVPower 20100mAh Portable Power Bank featuring RAVPowers fastest recharge times yet, the ability to charge two devices at once, as well as USB-C input / 45 Type-C output to quick charge your notebook or MacBook; The RAVPower 10050mAh Dual USB Waterproof Camo Power Bank featuring a clip attachment for easy carrying, is waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof, and has an IP66 Rating; The RAVPower 25000mAh 2x USB|Type-C Solar Power Bank featuring three outputs that can be used simultaneously, solar panels to charge the device while on-the-go, and a massive 25000mAh capacity.Syntech sources industry-leading technology products from around the world and offers resellers the growth opportunities associated with supplying these directly to local consumers. Syntechs exclusive range of quality products is available to resellers, via a simple online application on the companys website.SYNTECH BELIEVES IN BRINGING VALUE TO THE WORLD THROUGH TECHNOLOGY.Since our inception in 2002, we have, through the support of our clients, our commitment to the industry and a simple love for technology, helped to enrich the lives of people in Africa with exceptional electronic products.With our thirst for learning, a drive for growth and a commitment to service excellence, we lead the market by overcoming challenges and never compromising our integrity.SYNERGY IS BETTER THAN MY WAY OR YOUR WAY. ITS OUR WAY. STEPHEN COVEYIts our strong work ethic and committed team that makes Syntech a success. We hire people based on attitude above proven ability and our strong and supportive culture helps to align the companys vision with individual aspirations. We strive to empower our team to share ideas and the initiative to take action.We work closely with our key resellers to add value to the market by incorporating products, services and providing exceptional technical support. This methodology helps our partners to deliver more than just a product, it enables them to create solutions that match market demand.Unit 1 4 Tanzanite St Montague Park Cape Town 7441kimberley@syntech.co.zaPhone 0215145350 English French Two Global 7500 business jet options exercised are part of initial agreement signed in May 2018 at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva Letter of intent for five new Global 7500 aircraft reinforces flagship status as the largest and longest range business jet, ideally suited for the Greater China region HK Bellawings Jet Limited becomes operator managing Chinas largest fleet of Global 7500 aircraft GENEVA, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bombardier is pleased to announce that Hong Kong aircraft management company HK Bellawings Jet Limited has signed a letter of intent (LOI) for five new Global 7500 business jets and has also exercised options for two Global 7500 business jets, as part of the initial agreement signed in May last year. This news comes as the industry flagship Global 7500 aircraft is showcased for the first time at the European Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva. The Global 7500 aircraft continues to demonstrate its unrivalled performance and smooth ride, all the while delivering uncompromising value to customers under any conditions, at any time, without the need for tailwinds, said David Coleal, President, Bombardier Aviation. HK Bellawings experienced and professional team is a perfect fit for the Global 7500 aircrafts superior performance and we are thrilled that they have chosen our flagship to expand their growing fleet of business jets. Today marks a step forward towards our goal of becoming the premier Asian private jet operator. We are very impressed with Bombardiers Global 7500 aircraft since its entry into service less than six months ago, said HK Bellawings President Mr. YJ Zhang. Its unmatched performance and range is ideally suited for our customers in the Greater China region. As the operator that will manage one of the worlds largest fleet of Global 7500 aircraft, HK Bellawings Jet will further expand its business scope and continuously pursue higher goals. Winner of the 2019 Aviation Week Grand Laureate Award and a Red Dot award for design, the Global 7500 jet offers Bombardiers signature smooth ride and a spaciousness that is unique among business jets. Featuring a full-size kitchen and four true living spaces, the aircraft sets the benchmark for the most exceptional cabin interior. The Global 7500 aircrafts range of 7,700 nautical miles is the longest in business aviation. This business jet can connect the cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong non-stop to the cities of New York, London or Milan, and also fly nonstop from Singapore to Vancouver.* Established in 2014, HK Bellawings Jet Limited is a distinguished business jet management company dedicated to providing a diverse array of professional, highly efficient and comprehensive business aviation services and solutions, which include business jet management, aircraft maintenance, travel concierge service, aircraft acquisition service, and business aviation consultancy. They operate a fleet of Challenger and Global business aircraft. About Bombardier With over 68,000 employees, Bombardier is a global leader in the transportation industry, creating innovative and game-changing planes and trains. Our products and services provide world-class transportation experiences that set new standards in passenger comfort, energy efficiency, reliability and safety. Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Bombardier has production and engineering sites in 28 countries as well as a broad portfolio of products and services for the business aviation, commercial aviation and rail transportation markets. Bombardier shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, Bombardier posted revenues of $16.2 billion US. The company is recognized on the 2019 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World Index. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier . Notes to Editors Visit the Bombardier Business Aircraft website for more information on our industry-leading products and services. Follow @Bombardierjets on Twitter to receive the latest news and updates from Bombardier Business Aircraft. To receive our press releases, please visit the RSS Feed section. Bombardier, Challenger, Global, and Global 7500 are registered trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries. *Under certain operating conditions For Information Mark Masluch Bombardier Aviation 514-297-7043 mark.masluch@aero.bombardier.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f0b22818-65fc-4ba8-a404-c413cb0d56d4 Global (United States, European Union and China) Hybrid Air-electric Handpieces Market Research Report 2019-2025 https://www.marketresearchreportstore.com/reports/648756/global-united-states-european-union-china https://www.marketresearchreportstore.com/reports/648756/global-united-states-european-union-china https://www.marketresearchreportstore.com Market Research Report Store offers a latest published report on Hybrid Air-electric Handpieces Market Analysis and Forecast 2019-2025 delivering key insights and providing a competitive advantage to clients through a detailed report. The report contains 158 pages which highly exhibit on current market analysis scenario, upcoming as well as future opportunities, revenue growth, pricing and profitability.Click to view the full report TOC, figure and tables:In 2019, the market size of Hybrid Air-electric Handpieces is million US$ 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 Hybrid Air-electric Handpieces.This report studies the global market size of Hybrid Air-electric Handpieces, 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 Hybrid Air-electric Handpieces 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.For top companies in United States, European Union and China, this report investigates and analyzes the production, value, price, market share and growth rate for the top manufacturers, key data from 2014 to 2019.In global market, the following companies are covered:DanaherDentsply SironaNSKMoritaA-Dec Inc.W&H.Bien-AirSciCanDentlEZNOUVAGDentatusBeing Foshan Medical EquipmentMarket Segment by Product TypeLow-speed HandpieceHigh-speed HandpieceMarket Segment by ApplicationHospitalDental ClinicKey Regions split in this report: breakdown data for each region.United StatesChinaEuropean UnionRest of World (Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)The study objectives are:To analyze and research the Hybrid Air-electric Handpieces status and future forecast in United States, European Union and China, involving sales, value (revenue), growth rate (CAGR), market share, historical and forecast.To present the key Hybrid Air-electric Handpieces manufacturers, presenting the sales, revenue, market share, and recent development for key players.To split the breakdown data by regions, type, companies and applicationsTo analyze the global and key regions market potential and advantage, opportunity and challenge, restraints and risks.To identify significant trends, drivers, influence factors in global and regionsTo analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the marketIn this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Hybrid Air-electric Handpieces are as follows:History Year: 2014-2018Base Year: 2018Estimated Year: 2019Forecast Year 2019 to 2025For More Information On This Report, Please Visit @Related Information:North America Hybrid Air-electric Handpieces Market Growth 2019-2024United States Hybrid Air-electric Handpieces Market Growth 2019-2024Asia-Pacific Hybrid Air-electric Handpieces Market Growth 2019-2024Europe Hybrid Air-electric Handpieces Market Growth 2019-2024EMEA Hybrid Air-electric Handpieces Market Growth 2019-2024Global Hybrid Air-electric Handpieces Market Growth 2019-2024China Hybrid Air-electric Handpieces 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 (United States, European Union and China) Solid Phase Extraction SPE Disk Market Research Report 2019-2025 https://www.marketresearchreportstore.com/reports/648771/global-united-states-european-union-china https://www.marketresearchreportstore.com/reports/648771/global-united-states-european-union-china https://www.marketresearchreportstore.com Market Research Report Store offers a latest published report on Solid Phase Extraction SPE Disk Market Analysis and Forecast 2019-2025 delivering key insights and providing a competitive advantage to clients through a detailed report. The report contains 158 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 Solid Phase Extraction SPE Disk 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 Solid Phase Extraction SPE Disk.This report studies the global market size of Solid Phase Extraction SPE Disk, 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 Solid Phase Extraction SPE Disk 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.For top companies in United States, European Union and China, this report investigates and analyzes the production, value, price, market share and growth rate for the top manufacturers, key data from 2014 to 2019.In global market, the following companies are covered:Thermo Fisher ScientificAgilent TechnologiesMerckWatersGE WhatmanAvantor Performance MaterialsPerkinElmer3MW. R. Grace & CoUCTBiotageGL SciencesRestek CorporationOrochem TechnologiesAnpelMarket Segment by Product TypeReversed-PhaseIon-ExchangeNormal PhaseMarket Segment by ApplicationPharmacyAcademiaHospital & ClinicalEnvironmentalKey Regions split in this report: breakdown data for each region.United StatesChinaEuropean UnionRest of World (Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)The study objectives are:To analyze and research the Solid Phase Extraction SPE Disk status and future forecast in United States, European Union and China, involving sales, value (revenue), growth rate (CAGR), market share, historical and forecast.To present the key Solid Phase Extraction SPE Disk manufacturers, presenting the sales, revenue, market share, and recent development for key players.To split the breakdown data by regions, type, companies and applicationsTo analyze the global and key regions market potential and advantage, opportunity and challenge, restraints and risks.To identify significant trends, drivers, influence factors in global and regionsTo analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the marketIn this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Solid Phase Extraction SPE Disk are as follows:History Year: 2014-2018Base Year: 2018Estimated Year: 2019Forecast Year 2019 to 2025For More Information On This Report, Please Visit @Related Information:North America Solid Phase Extraction SPE Disk Market Growth 2019-2024United States Solid Phase Extraction SPE Disk Market Growth 2019-2024Asia-Pacific Solid Phase Extraction SPE Disk Market Growth 2019-2024Europe Solid Phase Extraction SPE Disk Market Growth 2019-2024EMEA Solid Phase Extraction SPE Disk Market Growth 2019-2024Global Solid Phase Extraction SPE Disk Market Growth 2019-2024China Solid Phase Extraction SPE Disk 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: Explore Global Plastic Type Measuring Tape Market forecast 2019 2025 https://www.qyresearch.com/sample-form/form/1011217/global-plastic-type-measuring-tape-industry-analysis-report- The report is a fine example of comprehensive and accurate research study on the global Plastic Type Measuring Tape market. It digs deep into critical aspects of the global Plastic Type Measuring Tape market, including market dynamics, competition, regional advancement, and segmentation. It provides verified market figures such as CAGR, market share, revenue, volume, production, consumption, gross margin, and price. The global Plastic Type Measuring Tape market is segmented by type, application, and geography. The report is compiled with the use of latest primary and secondary research methodologies and tools. Buyers can ask for customization of the report as per their needs. You can also purchase specific sections of the report if your requirement is not for the complete research study.Readers are provided with important types of analysis, including manufacturing cost analysis, analysis of marketing channels, distributors, and customers, market forecast, and company profiling. All of the players studied in the report are analyzed on the basis of different factors such as markets served, main business, gross margin, price, production, revenue, product specification and application, areas served, and production sites. Each segment of the global Plastic Type Measuring Tape market is assessed in terms of growth rate, value, volume, consumption, and various other factors. The report comes out as a complete set of guidelines for market players to secure a position of strength in the Plastic Type Measuring Tape industry. It offers both qualitative and quantitative analysis of the global Plastic Type Measuring Tape market.Competitive AnalysisThe report sheds light on key trends of the competitive landscape and explores go-to-market strategies adopted by leading companies operating in the global Plastic Type Measuring Tape market. The authors of the report have examined the competitiveness of some of the prominent names of the Plastic Type Measuring Tape industry. As part of their extensive research, the authors have analyzed almost all business tactics of market leaders, which include contracts, affiliations, mergers and acquisitions, increasing market presence, and geographical expansion. Readers can become aware of the specifications of products and services offered by top players of the global Plastic Type Measuring Tape market. In addition, they will be able to study about their competitors and global market presence.Major PlayersTajimaApexStanley Black & DeckerHultaforsIrwinProskitGreat WallEnduraExploitKomelonPSTBerentJetechEmpireBosiKraftwelleSegmentation by TypePocket TapesSurveyors TapesSegmentation by ApplicationWoodworkingConstructionOthersSegmentation by RegionNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanRequest a sample of the report atWhat to expect?Market size estimates with bottom-up and top-down approachesResearch assumptionsData triangulation methodologyHolistic overview of the marketSpecial insights and recommendations from QYRIndustry gross marginMicroeconomic and macroeconomic indicatorsMarket determinantsKey InclusionsRegulation and policy changesAnalysis of product cost structurePESTLE analysisProduct comparisonTechnology comparisonKey developments and trendsDrivers, restraints, and opportunitiesMarket ForecastStrategic adviceSnapshot of the vendor landscapeMarket size forecastForecast factors and assumptionsResearch MethodologyOur high-value analysis of the global Plastic Type Measuring Tape market is a result of an intelligent blend of primary and secondary research. The analysts consulted and gathered information from subject matter experts, key opinion leaders such as purchase managers, VPs, CSOs, and CEOs, distributors and suppliers, and research and development participants. In order to validate data derived from secondary research, they conducted primary interviews. For further validation of current and future market growth trends and penetration and several other studies, they contacted major distributors and manufacturers and industry experts.Market participants were approached through face-to-face discussions, video conferences, emails, and telephonic conversations. For secondary research, we used paid data sources such as Hoovers, OneSource, Bloomberg, Factiva, and Reuters.Highlights of TOCOverview: The report starts with an overview and scope of the global Plastic Type Measuring Tape market and products offered therein. This section also includes a glimpse of market segmentation and market size forecast.Competition: It includes production share, revenue share, and average price analysis of key players profiled in the report. Besides these factors, it brings to light competitive situations and trends including expansion, merger and acquisition, market shares of top three and five players, and market concentration rate.Regional Analysis: Each region studied here is assessed on the basis of gross margin, production growth rate, price, production, revenue, and other factors that define its market position.Production, Revenue, and Price Trend by TypeMarket Analysis by ApplicationCompany ProfilesMarket Dynamics: Here, the authors have focused on market trends, opportunities, drivers, challenges, and influence factors.Market ForecastResearch Findings and ConclusionMethodology and Data SourceQYResearch established in 2007, focus on custom research, management consulting, IPO consulting, industry chain research, data base and seminar services. the company owned a large basic data base (such as National Bureau of statistics database, Customs import and export database, Industry Association Database etc), experts resources (included energy automotive chemical medical ICT consumer goods etc industries experts who own more than 10 years experiences on marketing or R&D), professional survey team (the team member with more than 3 years market survey experience and more than 2 years depth expert interview experience). Excellent data analysis team (SPSS statistics and PPT graphics process team).The report is a fine example of comprehensive and accurate research study on the global Plastic Type Measuring Tape market. It digs deep into critical aspects of the global Plastic Type Measuring Tape market, including market dynamics, competition, regional advancement, and segmentation. The Global Dental Needles Market Will Reach 76 Million US$ By The End Of 2025, Growing At A CAGR Of 5.3% During 2019-2025 by Valuates Reports https://reports.valuates.com/sreport/QYRE-Auto-1719/Global_Dental_Needles_Market_Insights_Forecast_to_2025 https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Auto-1719/Global_Dental_Needles_Market_Insights_Forecast_to_2025 https://reports.valuates.com/request/discount/QYRE-Auto-1719/Global_Dental_Needles_Market_Insights_Forecast_to_2025 https://reports.valuates.com https://www.facebook.com/valuatesreports/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/valuatesreports/ https://twitter.com/valuatesreports https://www.youtube.com/valuatesreports/ The global Dental Needles market is valued at 53 million US$ in 2018 and will reach 76 million US$ by the end of 2025, growing at a CAGR of 5.3% during 2019-2025. The objectives of this study are to define, segment, and project the size of the Dental Needles market based on company, product type, end user and key regions.Dental Needles is a sterile dental needle used in Dental syringe, helping a dentist to numb various areas of a patients mouth in preparation for oral care proceduresView Full Report:The US was the highest revenue generator in the market, primarily driven by the rising demand for cosmetic corrections among people, increasing dental deformity cases, and an increasing prevalence of maxillofacial deformities or trauma. This was followed by EMEA with technological advancement as the most important market driver. In APAC, the emerging market conditions and high population have contributed to the growth of the dental syringes market.This report studies the global market size of Dental Needles in key regions like North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Central & South America and Middle East & Africa, focuses on the consumption of Dental Needles in these regions.This research report categorizes the global Dental Needles market by top players/brands, region, type and end user. This report also studies the global Dental Needles market status, competition landscape, market share, growth rate, future trends, market drivers, opportunities and challenges, sales channels and distributors.Inquire for Sample:The study objectives of this report are:To study and analyze the global Dental Needles market size (value & volume) by company, key regions, products and end user, breakdown data from 2014 to 2018, and forecast to 2025.To understand the structure of Dental Needles market by identifying its various subsegments.To share detailed information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (growth potential, opportunities, drivers, industry-specific challenges and risks).Focuses on the key global Dental Needles companies, to define, describe and analyze the sales volume, value, market share, market competition landscape and recent development.To project the value and sales volume of Dental Needles submarkets, with respect to key regions.To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market.In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Dental Needles are as follows:History Year: 2014-2018Base Year: 2018Estimated Year: 2019Forecast Year 2019 to 2025This report includes the estimation of market size for value (million US$) and volume (K Units). Both top-down and bottom-up approaches have been used to estimate and validate the market size of Dental Needles market, to estimate the size of various other dependent submarkets in the overall market. Key players in the market have been identified through secondary research, and their market shares have been determined through primary and secondary research. All percentage shares, splits, and breakdowns have been determined using secondary sources and verified primary sources.For the data information by region, company, type and application, 2018 is considered as the base year. Whenever data information was unavailable for the base year, the prior year has been considered.Market size by Product25G27G30G31GOthersMarket size by End UserDental ClinicHospitalOtherMarket size by RegionNorth AmericaUnited StatesCanadaMexicoAsia-PacificChinaIndiaJapanSouth KoreaAustraliaIndonesiaSingaporeMalaysiaPhilippinesThailandVietnamEuropeGermanyFranceUKItalySpainRussiaCentral & South AmericaBrazilRest of Central & South AmericaMiddle East & AfricaGCC CountriesTurkeyEgyptSouth AfricaThe following manufacturers are covered in this report, with sales, revenue, market share for each company:SeptodontDentsply SironaTerumoShinhungNirpoJ. MoritaMitsui ChemicalsEXELINT InternationalBiodentKDLInquire For Discount:About Us : Our aim is to collate unparalleled Market insights and notify our customers as and when it happens.Valuates is 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.Contact Us:Valuates Reportssales@valuates.comFor U.S. Toll Free Call +1 (425) 388-2538For IST Call +91-8040957137Source: Valuates ReportsWebsite:Facebook:LinkedIn:Twitter:Youtube:Valuates,4th Floor,Balaraj's Arcade,Whitefield Main road,Bangalore, India Global (United States, European Union and China) Cart Based Ultrasonic Dissection Devices Market Research Report 2019-2025 https://www.marketresearchreportstore.com/reports/648782/global-united-states-european-union-china https://www.marketresearchreportstore.com/reports/648782/global-united-states-european-union-china https://www.marketresearchreportstore.com Market Research Report Store offers a latest published report on Cart Based Ultrasonic Dissection Devices Market Analysis and Forecast 2019-2025 delivering key insights and providing a competitive advantage to clients through a detailed report. The report contains 158 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 Cart Based Ultrasonic Dissection Devices 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 Cart Based Ultrasonic Dissection Devices.This report studies the global market size of Cart Based Ultrasonic Dissection Devices, 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 Cart Based Ultrasonic Dissection Devices 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.For top companies in United States, European Union and China, this report investigates and analyzes the production, value, price, market share and growth rate for the top manufacturers, key data from 2014 to 2019.In global market, the following companies are covered:Ethicon Endo-SurgerySartoriusTuttnauerNSK Ltd.MedtronicSeca GmbH & Co. KG.EKF DiagnosticsHamilton MedicalKalamed GmbH.Hamilton MedicalMarket Segment by Product TypeColor Display ModesBlack and White Display ModesMarket Segment by ApplicationMinimally Invasive SurgeriesOpen SurgeriesKey Regions split in this report: breakdown data for each region.United StatesChinaEuropean UnionRest of World (Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)The study objectives are:To analyze and research the Cart Based Ultrasonic Dissection Devices status and future forecast in United States, European Union and China, involving sales, value (revenue), growth rate (CAGR), market share, historical and forecast.To present the key Cart Based Ultrasonic Dissection Devices manufacturers, presenting the sales, revenue, market share, and recent development for key players.To split the breakdown data by regions, type, companies and applicationsTo analyze the global and key regions market potential and advantage, opportunity and challenge, restraints and risks.To identify significant trends, drivers, influence factors in global and regionsTo analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the marketIn this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Cart Based Ultrasonic Dissection Devices are as follows:History Year: 2014-2018Base Year: 2018Estimated Year: 2019Forecast Year 2019 to 2025For More Information On This Report, Please Visit @Related Information:North America Cart Based Ultrasonic Dissection Devices Market Growth 2019-2024United States Cart Based Ultrasonic Dissection Devices Market Growth 2019-2024Asia-Pacific Cart Based Ultrasonic Dissection Devices Market Growth 2019-2024Europe Cart Based Ultrasonic Dissection Devices Market Growth 2019-2024EMEA Cart Based Ultrasonic Dissection Devices Market Growth 2019-2024Global Cart Based Ultrasonic Dissection Devices Market Growth 2019-2024China Cart Based Ultrasonic Dissection Devices 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 Copper Ammonium Carbonate Market to Witness a Pronounce Growth During 2024 Top Key players like Monsanto,Syngenta,SinoHarvest,Inc. https://www.marketresearchreportstore.com/reports/432140/global-copper-ammonium-carbonate-market-insights https://www.marketresearchreportstore.com/reports/432140/global-copper-ammonium-carbonate-market-insights https://www.marketresearchreportstore.com Market Research Report Store offers a latest published report on Copper Ammonium Carbonate 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:Asia Pacific is expected to experience the highest demand in copper ammonium carbonate market owing to large population and incresing demand for food crops.Global Copper Ammonium Carbonate market size will increase to xx Million US$ by 2025, from xx Million US$ in 2018, at a CAGR of xx% during the forecast period. In this study, 2018 has been considered as the base year and 2019 to 2025 as the forecast period to estimate the market size for Copper Ammonium Carbonate.This report researches the worldwide Copper Ammonium Carbonate market size (value, capacity, production and consumption) in key regions like United States, Europe, Asia Pacific (China, Japan) and other regions.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversBayer CropScienceShanghai Mingdou AgrochemicalMonsantoSyngentaShanghai Tenglong AgrochemSinoHarvestMarket Segment by Type, coversAgriculture Grade of Copper Ammonium CarbonateIndustrial Grade of Copper Ammonium CarbonateOthersMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoAgricultureIndustrialOthersFor More Information On This Report, Please Visit @Related Information:North America Copper Ammonium Carbonate Market Growth 2019-2024United States Copper Ammonium Carbonate Market Growth 2019-2024Asia-Pacific Copper Ammonium Carbonate Market Growth 2019-2024Europe Copper Ammonium Carbonate Market Growth 2019-2024EMEA Copper Ammonium Carbonate Market Growth 2019-2024Global Copper Ammonium Carbonate Market Growth 2019-2024China Copper Ammonium Carbonate 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: Infant Formula Market Trend Shows A Rapid Growth by 2027 - Abbott Laboratories, Arla Foods amba, Bellamy's Organic, Danone Nutricia, Glanbia plc, Mead Johnson and Company Infant Formula Market http://bit.ly/2WXobBl http://bit.ly/2WTKPKY Infant formula or baby formula are the products manufactured and marketed for the consumption of babies and infants under 12 months of age. These products are usually prepared for bottle-feeding in the form of a powder or liquid. Infant formulas come in three forms which includes powdered formula, concentrated liquid formula and ready-to-use.The "Global Infant Formula Market Analysis to 2027" is a specialized and in-depth study of the chemicals and materials industry with a special focus on the global market trend analysis. The report aims to provide an overview of Infant Formula Market with detailed market segmentation by group, base-stock, product type, end user industry and geography.Get Sample Copy of this Report atTop Key Players:Abbott Laboratories, Arla Foods amba, Bellamy's Organic., Danone Nutricia, Glanbia plc, Mead Johnson & Company, LLC., Nestle S.A., Perrigo Nutritionals, Pfizer Inc., The Hain Celestial Group.The global infant formula market is segmented on the basis of product type,and distribution channel. Based on product type the global infant formula is divided into, starting milk formula, follow-on milk formula, toddlers milk formula and special milk formula. On the basis of distribution channel, the global infant formula market is segmented into supermarkets, online stores, pharmacy stores, specialty stores and others.The report analyzes factors affecting the infant formula market from both demand and supply side and further evaluates market dynamics affecting the market during the forecast period i.e., drivers, restraints, opportunities and future trend. The report also provides exhaustive PEST analysis for all five regions namely; North America, Europe, APAC, MEA and South America after evaluating political, economic, social and technological factors affecting the infant formula market in these regions.Rising disposable income, increasing middle-class population and change in lifestyle in emerging economies such as India, China, Indonesia, etc. are the major factors propelling the growth of the infant formula market. Moreover, the rise in awareness about high nutritional content in the infant formula further boost the market growth. However, stringent government regulations imposed on infant food may hamper the growth of the infant formula market during the forecast period. For instance, the European Commission and FDA have defined specific rules to ensure appropriate nutritional composition and safety of food, specifically manufactured for infants and young children, as well as appropriate consumer information. The introduction of a variety of organic and healthy food for infants will provide a growth opportunity for the market players over the forecast period.The reports cover key developments in the Infant Formula Market as organic and inorganic growth strategies. Various companies are focusing on organic growth strategies such as product launches, product approvals and others such as patents and events. Inorganic growth strategies activities witnessed in the market were acquisitions, and partnership & collaborations. These activities have paved way for expansion of business and customer base of market players.Purchase a Copy of Report atThe report also includes the profiles of key Infant Formula companies along with their SWOT analysis and market strategies. In addition, the report focuses on leading industry players with information such as company profiles, components and services offered, financial information of last 3 years, key development in past five years.Reason to Buy- Save and reduce time carrying out entry-level research by identifying the growth, size, leading players and segments in the global Infant Formula Market- Highlights key business priorities in order to assist companies to realign their business strategies.- The key findings and recommendations highlight crucial progressive industry trends in the Infant Formula Market, thereby allowing players to develop effective long term strategies.- Develop/modify business expansion plans by using substantial growth offering developed and emerging markets.- Scrutinize in-depth global market trends and outlook coupled with the factors driving the market, as well as those hindering it.- Enhance the decision-making process by understanding the strategies that underpin commercial interest with respect to products, segmentation and industry verticals.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.The Insight partners,Phone: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.com Operation support system Market Size, Trends and Profiles of Top Industry Players 2019-2025: Amdocs, Accenture, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Oracle, Tata Consultancy Services, Ericsson, Tech Mahindra Operation support system Market https://www.orianresearch.com/request-sample/749265 https://www.orianresearch.com/enquiry-before-buying/749265 https://www.orianresearch.com/checkout/749265 www.orianresearch.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/13281002/ Operation support system Industry 2019 report provides competitive outlook of Operation support system markets key players and leading brands. This report includes a thorough synopsis of the present state of Operation support system Market and ventures its growth and every other essential elements across foremost county markets. This report also helps to analyze the market growth rate, market share and trends.Get Sample Copy of this Report -Additionally, the report enables a market player not only to plan but also execute lucrative Operation support system business strategies based on growing market needs by emphasizing leading competitors strategic moves which include recent mergers, ventures, acquisitions, business expansion, product launches, branding, and promotional activities.Furthermore, the report encompasses the key strategic developments of the market comprising new product launch, research & development, partnerships, acquisitions & mergers, collaborations & joint ventures agreements, and regional growth of main players in the market on the global and regional basis.Global Operation support system Industry 2019 Market Research Report is spread across 90 pages and provides exclusive vital statistics, data, information, trends and competitive landscape details in this niche sector.Inquire more or share questions if any before the purchase on this report @Global Operation support system market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the TOP PLAYERS including IBM Oracle Tata Consultancy Services Ericsson Tech Mahindra Huawei Technology Nokia Networks This report provides:1) An overview of the global market for Operation support system Market and related technologies.2) Analyses of global market trends, with data from 2013, estimates for 2014 and 2015, and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through 2022.3) Identifications of new market opportunities and targeted promotional plans for Operation support system Market.4) Discussion of research and development, and the demand for new products and new applications.5) Comprehensive company profiles of major players in the industry.Order a copy of Global Operation support system Market Report 2019 @Market Segments:The global Operation support system market is segmented on the basis of type of product, application, and region. The analysts authoring the report provide a meticulous evaluation of all of the segments included in the report. The segments are studied keeping in view their market share, revenue, market growth rate, and other vital factors. The segmentation study equips interested parties to identify high-growth portions of the global Operation support system market and understand how the leading segments could grow during the forecast period.Market segment by Type, the product can be split intoNetwork Planning & DesignService DeliveryService AssuranceService FulfilmentCustomer CareMarket segment by Application, split intoTelecom EnterprisesBanking, Finance Services & InsuranceRetailGovernmentManufacturingThere are 13 Chapters to thoroughly display the Operation support system market. This report included the analysis of market overview, market characteristics, industry chain, competition landscape, historical and future data by types, applications and regions.Chapter 1: Operation support system Market Overview, Product Overview, Market Segmentation, Market Overview of Regions, Market Dynamics, Limitations, Opportunities and Industry News and Policies.Chapter 2: Operation support system Industry Chain Analysis, Upstream Raw Material Suppliers, Major Players, Production Process Analysis, Cost Analysis, Market Channels and Major Downstream Buyers.Chapter 3: Value Analysis, Production, Growth Rate and Price Analysis by Type of Operation support system.Chapter 4: Downstream Characteristics, Consumption and Market Share by Application of Operation support system.Chapter 5: Production Volume, Price, Gross Margin, and Revenue ($) of Operation support system by Regions (2014-2019).Chapter 6: Operation support system Production, Consumption, Export and Import by Regions (2014-2019).Chapter 7: Operation support system Market Status and SWOT Analysis by Regions.Chapter 8: Competitive Landscape, Product Introduction, Company Profiles, Market Distribution Status by Players of Operation support system.Chapter 9: Operation support system Market Analysis and Forecast by Type and Application (2019-2024).Chapter 10: Market Analysis and Forecast by Regions (2019-2024).Chapter 11: Industry Characteristics, Key Factors, New Entrants SWOT Analysis, Investment Feasibility Analysis.Chapter 12: Market Conclusion of the Whole Report.Chapter 13: Appendix Such as Methodology and Data Resources of This Research.About Us:Orian Research is one of the most comprehensive collections of market intelligence reports on the World Wide Web. Our reports repository boasts of over 500000+ industry and country research reports from over 100 top publishers. We continuously update our repository so as to provide our clients easy access to the world's most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, and products. We also specialize in custom research in situations where our syndicate research offerings do not meet the specific requirements of our esteemed clients.Contact Us:Ruwin MendezVice President Global Sales & Partner RelationsOrian Research ConsultantsUS: +1 (415) 830-3727 | UK: +44 020 8144-71-27Email: info@orianresearch.comWebsite:Follow Us on LinkedIn: Water Chiller Industry Market Segmented by Top Manufacturers - Trane, Carrier, Lennox, Eco chillers, Mammoth, Toshiba Water Chiller Industry https://www.bigmarketresearch.com/request-sample/3024102?utm_source=SBL-OPR https://www.bigmarketresearch.com/request-for-discount/3024102?utm_source=SBL-OPR https://www.bigmarketresearch.com/checkout/sales/379?utm_source=SBL-OPR https://www.bigmarketresearch.com/global-air-switch-industry-deep-research-report-market?utm_source=SBL-RR Global Water Chiller Industry Market valued approximately USD XX billion in 2017 is anticipated to grow with a healthy growth rate of more than XX% over the forecast period 2018-2025.Request for a sample copy of this report @The Water Chiller Industry Market is continuously growing in the global scenario at significant pace. Water chiller is a medical device which is used to facilitate heat exchange from water to a refrigerant in a closed loop system. The refrigerant is then pumped to a location where the waste heat is transferred to the atmosphere. Escalating demand for water chiller precisely in the developing countries, rising urbanization in both the developed & developing countries and surging demand for high quality purified water are the substantial driving factors of the market during the forecast period. Moreover, emerging demand for absorption chillers is the factor that likely to creating lucrative opportunity in the near future. In addition, water chiller offers various benefits such as it has longer lifespan, it is energy efficient, no open space needed and so on, due to this benefits of water chillers its demand is growing across the end users. However, high cost associated with chillers is one of the major factor that limiting the market growth of Water Chiller Industry during the forecast period.The regional analysis of Global Water Chiller Industry Market is considered for the key regions such as Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America and Rest of the World. Asia-Pacific is the leading/significant region across the world in terms of market share due to increasing demand from chemical, food & beverage and medical industries and presence of large number of manufacturers across the region. Europe is estimated to grow as stable rate in the global Water Chiller Industry market over the upcoming years due to increasing prices of raw material in the region. Further, North America is anticipated to exhibit higher growth rate / CAGR over the forecast period 2018-2025.The major market player included in this report are: Trane, Carrier, Lennox, Eco chillers, Mammoth, ToshibaRequest for a Discount Sample @The objective of the study is to define market sizes of different segments & countries in recent years and to forecast the values to the coming eight years. The report is designed to incorporate both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the industry within each of the regions and countries involved in the study. Furthermore, the report also caters the detailed information about the crucial aspects such as driving factors & challenges which will define the future growth of the market. Additionally, the report shall also incorporate available opportunities in micro markets for stakeholders to invest along with the detailed analysis of competitive landscape and product offerings of key players. The detailed segments and sub-segment of the market are explained below:By Type:Screw ChillersCentrifugal ChillersReciprocating ChillersWater Cooled ChillersEvaporated Cooled ChillersBy Application:MedicalChemical & PharmaceuticalPlastic & RubberMetal FormingFood ProcessingBy Regions:North America- U.S., CanadaEurope- UK, Germany.Asia Pacific: China, India, JapanLatin America: Brazil, Mexico, Rest of the WorldRequest for a Buy Now@Table of ContentsChapter 1 Executive SummaryChapter 2 Water Chiller Industry Market Definition and ScopeChapter 3 Water Chiller Industry Market DynamicsChapter 4 Water Chiller Industry Market Industry AnalysisChapter 5 Water Chiller Industry Market, by ApplicationChapter 6 Water Chiller Industry Market, by Deployment ModeChapter 7 Water Chiller Industry Market, by Regional AnalysisChapter 8 Competitive IntelligenceChapter 9 Research ProcessSimilar Publisher Related report:Global Air Switch Industry 2016 Deep Market Research ReportMore summary:About Us:Big Market Research has a range of research reports from various publishers across the world. Our database of reports of various market categories and sub-categories would help to find the exact report you may be looking for.We are instrumental in providing quantitative and qualitative insights on your area of interest by bringing reports from various publishers at one place to save your time and money. A lot of organizations across the world are gaining profits and great benefits from information gained through reports sourced by us.Contact us:Mr. Abhishek Paliwal5933 NE Win Sivers Drive, #205, Portland,OR 97220 United StatesDirect: +1-971-202-1575Toll Free: +1-800-910-6452E-mail help@bigmarketresearch.com Europe GDPR Assessment Tools Market Expected to Deliver Dynamic Progression until 2028 | Key Players are Snow Software AB, Veritas Technologies LLC, AlienVault Inc., etc. https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=RC&rep_id=989 https://www.factmr.com/report/989/europe-gdpr-assessment-tools-market https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=AE&rep_id=989 https://www.factmr.com/ In order to dissert the market scenario prevailing across the Europe GDPR assessment tools market sector, FactMR has evenly presented a new examination titled Europe GDPR Assessment Tools Market Expected to Deliver Dynamic Progression until 2028 | Key Players are Snow Software AB, Veritas Technologies LLC, AlienVault Inc., etc., to its extensive online repository. With all vital market facets enclosed into this single assessment, readers can learn about different market drivers, opportunities and trends which are likely to influence the overall market space for the europe GDPR assessment tools market in the coming years. In addition, factors such as market size, Y-o-Y growth and revenue share are investigated so as to make this research highly authentic and reliable.Request a Sample of this Report Here -The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which has superseded the Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC, aims at harmonizing data privacy laws across Europe. With GDPR becoming the standard of reliability among consumers, with regard to their personal datas privacy, there has been a rise in number of service providers of GDPR assessment tools in Europe. GDPR assessment tools have gained high demand recently as, aiding the businesses in achieving 100% GDPR compliance. GDPR assessment tools market is envisioned to witness a rapid rise, driven by the requirement for the regulation of data processing apropos of an individual, company, or organization. Mandates on compliance of GDPR to not only EU organizations, but also non-EU companies operating in Europe or handling clients in Europe, will further proliferate expansion of the GDPR assessment tools market. Growing cyber-crime prevalence and privacy concerns with regard to personal data, which have made enforcement of GDPR essential, will continue to be one of the key growth determinants for the GDPR assessment tools market.The GDPR assessment tools market is envisaged to record a spectacular 35.6% CAGR between the forecast period 2018 and 2028, according to a recent FactMR study. Albeit rising anxiousness across the IT and relevant business sectors is considered as a key concern, GDPR assessment tools market will be substantially underpinned by high penalties imposed on organizations that do not comply with GDPR.Proliferation of the internet across the globe has meant that concerns apropos of personal data, its protection and privacy have become exorbitant. Recent privacy issue crisis, such as that of Facebook, has led consumers to rethink on sharing their personal information with online portals. GDPR assessment tools are therefore gaining tremendous momentum in Europe, facilitating regulation of data privacy and protection.Browse Full Report on Europe GDPR Assessment Tools Market with TOC -Growth of the GDPR assessment tools market will continue to be significantly driven by requirement of German businesses to gain intelligence on their customer datas location, which is an imperative need when customers demand deletion of their data. Organizations are continuously seeking GDPR assessment tools providers, as understanding data controllers & processors currently fall among their top priorities as well as is a key prerequisite of GDPR. Nearly half of the organizations in Europe are not yet compliant to GDPR, although they have been preparing for the same since 2016 when the law was approved. These organizations are therefore rapidly seeking GDPR assessment tools on account of the complexity and extensive steps involved in the compliance process. With absolute data control being sought-after among the GDPR non-compliant organizations, for maintaining their market reputation and preventing the associated penalties, growth of the GDPR assessment tools market will witness significant momentum in the forthcoming years.Amid swelling expansion of modern businesses, there has been a dramatic evolution in the IT industry, which in turn has made data distribution rigorous and data mapping challenging. GDPR assessment tools are likely to witness robust adoption among these businesses, as they lack intelligence on data storage location, and data transmission, and therefore are vulnerable to threats of data breach. The need for identifying dishonest business processes, which result in contractual risk with suppliers of unsanctioned IT, will further continue to fuel growth of the GDPR assessment tools market in Europe.Complexity of the GDPR has intensified the cloud technology service platforms, leading the cloud-reliant businesses to comply with GDPR for ensuring their data practices. Lower percentile of identification of GDPRs impact on the cloud-based services among IT organizations is a major focus area for GDPR assessment tools providers. As personal data sharing is a default procedure for cloud-service providers assisting organizations, their services are required to be unique to comply with GDPR. GDPR assessment tools providers are therefore introduced cloud-based tools to tap the potential opportunities in the area, thereby supporting growth of the GDPR assessment tools market.Have Any Question? Ask Our Industry Experts -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: PALO ALTO, Calif., May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- JLA Advisors, a leading consultancy with deep-domain expertise in 5G, IoT, cybersecurity, cloud computing, software services and strategy development, today announced that technology and telecom veteran Robert Napor has joined the company as Managing Partner. Napor brings more than thirty years of telecom and high technology experience across a wide variety of senior leadership roles in strategy consulting, business development and finance. He will focus on the firms growth in assisting clients capture the significant opportunities emerging from the convergence of cloud, software-based services, cybersecurity, 5G and IoT. JLA Advisors is on an incredible path with strong business growth, technology innovation and industry recognition. We are very pleased that Bob has joined as Managing Partner to lead and continue this successful trajectory for JLA and our clients, said John Trobough, Founder and Managing Director. Bobs deep expertise in the communications sector and extensive leadership experience in consulting will only help continue this momentum and we look forward to unveiling many exciting initiatives for the firm and our clients in the near future. Prior to joining JLA Advisors, Napor was Vice President and General Manager of inCode, Ericssons consulting arm for the North American market. Previously, Napor held several senior management, financial and strategy leadership roles in a series of technology-based entrepreneurial ventures. Napor also served as Corporate Strategy Vice President for AT&T and began his career at the Boston Consulting Group assisting major telecom and tech companies with strategy development. I am excited to join JLA as such sea changes are taking place in our industry. JLA is uniquely positioned to help our clients succeed in this transforming marketplace, said Napor. JLA ADVISORS JLA Advisors is a consulting firm offering clients a comprehensive end-to-end set of services, from strategy development, technology architecture design and execution, to software operational excellence, with an emphasis on innovation. JLA principals each have 20+ years of experience in strategy and technology transformation both as senior executives in operating companies, and as consultants and change agents. JLA Advisors helps companies capitalize on the latest technology trends, capture cool and succeed in ways they would never expect. Corporate Wellness Market to Witness Huge Growth by 2025 | Leading Key Players: Virgin Pulse, Provant Health Solutions, ComPsych Corporate Wellness Market https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/1852377-india-corporate-wellness-market https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/1852377-india-corporate-wellness-market https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=1852377 HTF MI newly added the INDIA Corporate Wellness 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 INDIA Corporate Wellness 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: Well Nation, Virgin Pulse, Provant Health Solutions, ComPsych, EXOS, Kinema Fitness, Karelia HealthGet the inside scoop of the Sample report @:The research study gives a complete list of all the leading players working in the INDIA Corporate Wellness 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 INDIA Corporate Wellness 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 INDIA Corporate Wellness Market by identifying its various sub segments. Focuses on the key INDIA Corporate Wellness 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 INDIA Corporate Wellness 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 INDIA Corporate Wellness Market, with respect to key regions, type [Nutrition and Weight Management, Fitness Services, Stress Management, Smoking Cessation] and applications [Fitness, Nutrition Consultants, Psychological Therapists, Organizations & Others]. To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches and acquisitions in the market.Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @In this report you will also find additional deals into key geographical segments of INDIA Corporate Wellness 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, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and 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 @In the end, the report includes INDIA Corporate Wellness 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 Overview1.1 Study Scope1.2 Key Market Segments1.3 Players Covered1.4 Market Analysis by Type1.5 Market by Application1.6 Study Objectives1.7 Years Considered2 Global Growth Trends2.1 INDIA Corporate Wellness Market Size2.2 INDIA Corporate Wellness Growth Trends by Regions2.3 Industry Trends3 Market Share by Key Players3.1 INDIA Corporate Wellness Market Size by Manufacturers3.2 INDIA Corporate Wellness Key Players Head office and Area Served3.3 Key Players Product/Solution/Service3.4 Enter barriers in INDIA Corporate Wellness Market3.5 Mergers, Acquisitions, Expansion Plans4 INDIA Corporate Wellness Market by Product4.1 INDIA Corporate Wellness Sales by Product4.2 INDIA Corporate Wellness Revenue by Product4.3 INDIA Corporate Wellness Price by Product5 INDIA Corporate Wellness Market by End User5.1 Overview5.2 INDIA Corporate Wellness by End UserHTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. HTF Market Report global research and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunities but to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality. Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides our clients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the Accurate Forecast in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their Goals & Objectives.Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager)HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJNew Jersey USA 08837Phone: +1 (206) 317 1218sales@htfmarketreport.com IBM Watson Services Market Projected to Augment at a Notable CAGR during the Forecast Period until 2028 | Key Players are IBM Corporation, Accenture PLC, Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., etc. https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=759 https://www.factmr.com/report/759/ibm-watson-services-market https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=AE&rep_id=759 https://www.factmr.com/ The report studies the IBM watson services market worldwide, especially in North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, India and Other Regions with production, size, growth, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions. The intelligent report also anticipates that the IBM watson services market would grow at a constructive CAGR until 2028. In order to study the various trends and patterns prevailing in the concerned market, FactMR has included a new report titled IBM Watson Services Market Projected to Augment at a Notable CAGR during the Forecast Period until 2028 | Key Players are IBM Corporation, Accenture PLC, Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., etc. to its wide online database including upcoming trends and growth factors.Request for a Free Sample Report from Here -Understanding the cognitive computing platform of IBM, known as Watson, is imperative for gauging the future evolution of the company. With the decline of its core business, IBM is banking on Watson for driving growth in potential areas including, but not limited to, healthcare, analytics, security, and internet of things (IoT). IBM Watson has gained immense traction by powering advertisements that generate authentic content, such as food ingredients-based custom recipes by assessing human taste.Customer expectations are on the rise, with increased integration of technology into retail models. In order to tap into the upward trend, IBM Watson is leveraging the vigour of cognitive insight and digital technology for offering more personalized user experience. Demand from IBM Watson services will continue to be driven by growing opportunities for cognitive insights in the retail sector in the forthcoming years. A new FactMR report has envisaged the IBM Watson services market to reflect an exponential growth over the period of forecast, 2018 to 2028. Sales of IBM Watson services worldwide are foreseen to bring in over US$ 20,000 Mn revenues by 2026-end.Supercomputers such as IBM Watson effectively consume huge amount of healthcare data and to provide doctors with relevant intelligence, and access to better & actionable diagnostic information. Imminent integration of IBM Watson Genomics into the TruSight Tumor 170 tool or Illumina, for speeding up recommendations of tailored drugs for cancer patients, promises a time-effective way of diagnosing conditions for doctors.Browse Full Report on IBM Watson Services Market with TOC -IBM Watson Genomics holds potential in scanning patient data in a very short time-period, to create report based on alterations in genetic sequencing by leveraging Illuminas tool. The report will also incorporate medical literature and clinical trials apropos of relevant drugs for precise recommendation, facilitating diagnostic procedures for doctors and patients alike. This will further rub off on demand for IBM Watson services in the healthcare sector.Recent revelation of IBM Watsons special version, which is designed for preventing cyber-attacks, has gained traction as language of security. This cybercrime-fighting and cloud-based software is capable of analyzing research into potential threats for locating suspicious or malicious activity in a computer system. The software has become an effective solution for growing concern of hacks in the digital world. IBM Watsons security system holds potential in saving resources spent by an organization on chasing false alarms every year. Combining unique abilities of machine and human intelligence for fighting against advanced cybercrime, IBM Watson is set to witness increased penetration among organizations with data security requirements.IBM Watson services involve time-intensive laborious training, with the need for experts to feed enormous quantity of well-organized data into the platform for drawing insightful conclusions. Additionally, it can draw conclusions based only on body of data that it has been or being trained on. Well-organized requirement is a key challenge confining penetration of IBM Watson services, as unprepared sets of data are typically insufficient. Another drawback of IBM Watson is its inability to make connections with different corpora, which in turn makes gleaning even basic insights challenging. Training Watson on oncology has been seen to provide no insights on heart disease a limitation that drastically constrains its deployment in clinical settings.Have Any Question? Ask Our Industry Experts -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: Travel Services Market to Witness huge growth by 2023 | MakeMyTrip, SOTC, Thomas Cook, Yatra, Airbnb Travel Services Market https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/525096-travel-services-market https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/525096-travel-services-market https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=525096 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/525096-travel-services-market https://www.linkedin.com/company/13388569/ https://www.facebook.com/htfmarketintelligence/ https://twitter.com/htfmarketreport https://plus.google.com/u/0/+NidhiBhawsar-SEO_Expert?rel=author Latest Study on Industrial Growth of Travel Services Market 2019-2025. A detailed study accumulated to offer Latest insights about acute features of the Travel Services market. The report contains different market predictions related to market size, revenue, production, CAGR, Consumption, gross margin, price, and other substantial factors. While emphasizing the key driving and restraining forces for this market, the report also offers a complete study of the future trends and developments of the market. It also examines the role of the leading market players involved in the industry including their corporate overview, financial summary and SWOT analysis.The Major Players Covered in this Report: Cox & Kings, MakeMyTrip, SOTC, Thomas Cook, Yatra, Airbnb, Busindia.com, Cleartrip, Expedia, IRCTC, Meru, Ola, OYO Rooms, Treebo, UberTo get Complete SAMPLE of the report, please click @: @:Market driver Strategic alliances such as mergers and acquisitionsMarket challenge Lack of adequate infrastructureMarket trend Availability of innovative mobile travel appsThis study also covers company profiling, specifications and product picture, sales, market share and contact information of various regional, international and local vendors of Travel Services Market. The market opposition is frequently developing greater with the rise in scientific innovation and M&A activities in the industry. Additionally, many local and regional vendors are offering specific application products for varied end-users. The new merchant applicants in the market are finding it hard to compete with the international vendors based on reliability, quality and modernism in technology.Travel services are categorized in to public and private services that provides travel and tourism related services to the public. Based on the services offered, the travel services market is segmented into six: hotel accommodation, domestic flight, rail ticket, domestic bus, taxi or cab, and holiday package. On the basis of the mode of booking, the travel services market is segmented as online mode and offline mode.HTF MI analysts forecast the travel services market in India to grow at a CAGR of 18.46% during the period 2017-2021.Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @The titled segments and sub-section of the market are illuminated below:In-depth analysis of Travel Services market segments by Types: Tour Packages, Flight Bookings, Hotel Booking Services, Cruise Bookings, Rail Bookings, Car Rental Services, OthersIn-depth analysis of Travel Services market segments by Applications: Corporations, Individual TravelersMajor Key Players of the Market: Cox & Kings, MakeMyTrip, SOTC, Thomas Cook, Yatra, Airbnb, Busindia.com, Cleartrip, Expedia, IRCTC, Meru, Ola, OYO Rooms, Treebo, UberRegional Analysis for Travel Services Market: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)Furthermore, the years considered for the study are as follows:Historical year 2013-2017Base year 2018Forecast period** 2018 to 2023 [** unless otherwise stated]**Moreover, it will also include the opportunities available in micro markets for stakeholders to invest, detailed analysis of competitive landscape and product services of key players.Buy this research report @Research MethodologyPrimary Research:The primary sources involves the industry professionals from the Travel Services industry including the management organizations, processing administrations, analytics service providers of the industrys value chain. All primary sources were interviewed to gather and validate qualitative & quantitative information and determine the future prospects.In the general primary research process undertaken for this study, the primary sources industry experts such as CEOs, marketing director, vice presidents, technology & origination directors, founders and related key executives from various key companies and organizations in the Travel Services in the industry have been interviewed to obtain and verify both qualitative and quantitative aspects of this research study.Secondary Research:In the Secondary research crucial information about the industries value chain, total pool of key players, and application areas. It also assisted in market segmentation according to industry trends to the bottom-most level, geographical markets and key developments from both market and technology oriented perspectives.Guidance of the Travel Services market report:- Detailed considerate of Travel Services market-particular drivers, Trends, constraints, Restraints, Opportunities and major micro markets.- Comprehensive valuation of all prospects and threat in the Travel Services market.- In depth study of industry strategies for growth of the Travel Services market-leading players.- Travel Services market latest innovations and major procedures.- Favorable dip inside Vigorous high-tech and market latest trends remarkable the Market.- Conclusive study about the growth conspiracy of Travel Services market for forthcoming years.What to Expect from this Report On Travel Services Market:1. A comprehensive summary of several area distributions and the summary types of popular products in the Travel Services Market.2. You can fix up the growing databases for your industry when you have info on the cost of the production, cost of the products, and cost of the production for the next future years.3. Thorough Evaluation the break-in for new companies who want to enter the Travel Services Market.4. Exactly how do the most important companies and mid-level companies make income within the Market?5. Complete research on the overall development within the Travel Services Market that helps you elect the product launch and overhaul growths.Enquire for customization in Report @Detailed TOC of Travel Services Market Research Report-- Travel Services Introduction and Market Overview- Travel Services Market, by Application [Corporations, Individual Travelers]- Travel Services Industry Chain Analysis- Travel Services Market, by Type [Tour Packages, Flight Bookings, Hotel Booking Services, Cruise Bookings, Rail Bookings, Car Rental Services, Others]- Industry Manufacture, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2013-2018)- Industry Value ($) by Region (2013-2018)- Travel Services Market Status and SWOT Analysis by Regions- Major Region of Travel Services Marketi) Global Travel Services Salesii) Global Travel Services Revenue & market share- Major Companies List- ConclusionThanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.HTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. HTF Market Report global research and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunities but to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality. Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides our clients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the Accurate Forecast in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their Goals & Objectives.Contact US :Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager)HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJNew Jersey USA 08837Phone: +1 (206) 317 1218sales@htfmarketreport.comConnect with us at Lifesciences Data Mining and Visualization Market Indicates Notable CAGR growth at (15.3%) until 2026 | Market Players are Microsoft Corporation, Pentaho Corporation, Dundas Data Visualization, etc. https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=459 https://www.factmr.com/report/459/lifesciences-data-mining-visualization-market https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=AE&rep_id=459 https://www.factmr.com/ In order to study the various trends and patterns prevailing in the concerned market, FactMR has included a new report titled Lifesciences Data Mining and Visualization Market Indicates Notable CAGR growth at (15.3%) until 2026 | Market Players are Microsoft Corporation, Pentaho Corporation, Dundas Data Visualization, etc. to its wide online database including upcoming trends and growth factors. This research assessment offers a clear insight about the influential factors that are expected to transform the global market in the near future. The report studies the lifesciences data mining and visualization market worldwide, especially in North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, India and Other Regions with production, size, growth, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions.Request for 100 Page Sample Report from Here -Data mining, which is intensively and extensively being utilized by several organizations, is gaining high popularity in the life sciences sector, albeit the degree of essentiality is moderate. Data mining applications have significantly benefitted industries, for example insurers can detect abuse and fraud, life sciences companies can make better decisions apropos to customer relationship management, physicians can identify best practices and effective treatment options, and patients are enabled to receive affordable and improved healthcare services. With huge amount of complex data generated by the transactions related to life sciences companies, processing and analyzing this data becomes voluminous by traditional methods. With the help of data minings methodology and technology, the process of transforming the complex data into useful information is facilitated.As the lifesciences industry continues to evolve, optimizing effectiveness of capital investment decisions is gaining paramount importance among life sciences industries. Decisions concerning facility function and location are indispensable, as proximity to services plays an imperative role in growth of the industry.Lifescience data visualization is therefore gaining huge momentum with its provision of application-specific data along with infographics. As lifescience data visualization facilitates understanding of the complex datas graphical representation, companies are leveraging the technology for making improvements in facilities. One of the latest trend observed in the market is increasing importance of sharing life science data visualization in a bid to enable discerning of results in a format that is easy to understand.Browse Lifesciences Data Mining and Visualization Market Report Here -According to a new research report published by FactMR, the global lifesciences data mining & visualization market is set to register a splendid growth at a double-digit CAGR between the period 2017 and 2026. Revenues from the market are likely to close in roughly US$ 6,400 Mn by 2026-end.Revenues from the market for lifesciences data mining and visualization in North America will remain significantly larger than those obtained from the market in all the other regional segments combined. Apart from North America, Europe will also prevail as a lucrative market for lifesciences data mining and visualization market. On the basis of customer segment, pharmaceuticals will witness the fastest expansion in the market during 2017 to 2026. In addition, revenues from academia and diagnostics & screening will increase at an approximately equal CAGR through 2026. Sales & marketing will endure as the most lucrative among solution type segments, trailed by operations and supply chain. Both (on premise and on demand) delivery model and on premise delivery model of lifesciences data mining and visualization will remain preferred among companies in the market. Based on licensing structure, server-based and user-based early license are set to account for roughly similar revenue shares of the market by 2026-end.FactMRs report imparts forecast and analysis on the global lifesciences data mining and visualization market, tracking the occupancy of major market players through an intensity map. Key companies profiled by the report include MicroStrategy Inc., InetSoft Technology Corporation, Pentaho Corporation, Dundas Data Visualization Inc., Information Builders, IBM Corporation, TIBCO Software Inc., Oracle Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, SAS Institute Inc., SAP SE, and Tableau Software.Have Any Question? Ask Our Industry Experts -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: Variable Rate Technology (VRT) Market Competitive Analysis and Vendor Landscape | Deere & Company, AGCO Corporation, Trimble, Inc. Variable Rate Technology (VRT) https://www.worldwidemarketreports.com/sample/270319 https://www.worldwidemarketreports.com/quiry/270319 Variable-rate technology (VRT) describes any technology which enables producers to vary the rate of crop inputs. VRT combines a variable-rate (VR) control system with application equipment to apply inputs at a precise time and/or location to achieve site-specific application rates of inputs.Key manufacturers are included based on company profile, sales data and product specifications etc.: Deere & Company (U.S.), AGCO Corporation (U.S.), Trimble, Inc. (U.S.), CNH Industrial N.V. (U.K.), Topcon Corporation (Japan), Raven Industries, Inc. (U.S.), Ag Leader Technology (U.S.), SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd. (China), Yara International ASA (Norway), Kubota Corporation, Valmont Industries, Inc., Lindsay Corporation, Raven Industries, IncRequest for a Sample copy@Major applications as follows:Cereals & GrainsOilseeds & PulsesFruits & VegetablesOthersMajor Type as follows:Fertilizer VRTCrop protection chemical VRTSoil sensing VRTSeeding VRTYield monitor VRTIrrigation VRTOthersRegional market size, production data and export & import:Asia-PacificNorth AmericaEuropeSouth AmericaMiddle East & AfricaTable of Contents1 Global Market Overview1.1 Scope of Statistics1.2 Global Market Size2 Regional Market2.1 Regional Production2.2 Regional Demand2.3 Regional Trade3 Key Manufacturers3.1 Deere & Company (U.S.)3.1.1 Company Information3.1.2 Product & Services3.1.3 Business Data (Sales Revenue, Cost and Margin)3.1.4 Recent Development3.2 AGCO Corporation (U.S.)3.2.1 Company Information3.2.2 Product & Services3.2.3 Business Data (Sales Revenue, Cost and Margin)3.2.4 Recent Development4 Major Application4.1 Cereals & Grains4.1.1 Overview4.1.2 Cereals & Grains Market Size and Forecast4.2 Oilseeds & Pulses4.2.1 Overview4.2.2 Oilseeds & Pulses Market Size and Forecast5 Market by Type5.By Fertilizer VRT5.1 Fertilizer VRT5.1.1 Overview5.1.2 Fertilizer VRT Market Size and Forecast5.2 Crop protection chemical VRT5.2.1 Overview5.2.2 Crop protection chemical VRT Market Size and Forecast6 ConclusionElse, Place an Enquiry of"Global Variable Rate Technology (VRT) Market Data Survey Report 2013-2025" Research Report@About Us:Worldwide Market Reports is your one-stop repository of detailed and in-depth market research reports compiled by an extensive list of publishers from across the globe. We offer reports across virtually all domains and an exhaustive list of sub-domains under the sun. The in-depth market analysis by some of the most vastly experienced analysts provide our diverse range of clients from across all industries with vital decision making insights to plan and align their market strategies in line with current market trends. Worldwide Market Researchs well-researched inputs that encompass domains ranging from IT to healthcare enable our prized clients to capitalize upon key growth opportunities and shield against credible threats prevalent in the market in the current scenario and those expected in the near future.Mr. ShahWorldwide Market ReportsTel: +1 415 871 0703Email: sales@worldwidemarketreports.com Seriously Strong Training wants to help St. Petersburg crush their health and fitness goals! https://seriouslystrongtraining.com/stpetersburg/ https://www.facebook.com/SeriouslyStrongTraining/ https://seriouslystrongtraining.com/stpetersburg/ ST. 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Nobody wants to go through difficult challenges alone, and group training is a great way to have built-in support from others who are on the same adventure you are!Andrew Cao, Fitness Director at St. Pete, is a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, and a Sports Performance Coach. That means you are getting nothing but the best every time you step into an SST gym with Andrew.As Sean Aultman, a regular at SST says, Training with us is like starting a fire with a blow torch.Strength training is more than what you see on TV and in film. Its not just macho guys taking copious amounts of protein powder. Its a proven method of exercise that will take you exactly where you want to go. Whether you want to lose weight or put on muscle, this is your answer.If you are tired of feeling uncomfortable in your own skin, then its time to take your health seriously and make some changes. That can start today with Seriously Strong Training. Head over to our website now to set up your free session now. Time to take control of your health!For more information:Contact: Andrew CaoPhone: 727-273-5066Business Email: stpete@seriouslystrongtraining.comFacebook:Address: 533 28th St. S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712Seriously Strong Training is the premier place for personal training in a private environment without the distractions of other people. Get personalized training that is designed specifically for where you are currently at in your health journey, and where you want to be when youre done.Contact: Andrew CaoSeriously Strong Training St. Petersburg533 28th St. S,St. Petersburg, FL 33712727-273-5066stpete@seriouslystrongtraining.com Period Panties Market: Key Player Trends, Analysis and Forecast to grow CAGR during 2019-2025 https://www.qyresearch.com/sample-form/form/742681/global-period-panties-menstrual-underwear-market https://www.qyresearch.com/settlement/pre/9430dc90df3d9ed4d420e982ba9b7844,0,1,Global%20Period%20Panties%20(Menstrual%20Underwear)%20Market%20Insights,%20Forecast%20to%202025 www.qyresearch.com This report studies the global market size of Period Panties (Menstrual Underwear) in key regions like North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Central & South America and Middle East & Africa, focuses on the consumption of Period Panties (Menstrual Underwear) in these regions.This research report categorizes the global Period Panties (Menstrual Underwear) market by players/brands, region, type and application. This report also studies the global market status, competition landscape, market share, growth rate, future trends, market drivers, opportunities and challenges, sales channels, distributors and Porter's Five Forces Analysis.Panties in American English (typically called knickers in British English) are a form of underwear usually worn by women for Cross-dressing or for other reasons. Most of period panties provide leak-proof protection; some can actually be worn instead of a pad or tampon.As of last year, China was home to the worlds largest feminine hygiene population of women ages 12-50 at 388,623,200 accounting for about 19% or one in five women in this category worldwide. This population, however, is expected to decline by 15% by 2030 due to Chinas aging population and relatively low birth rate and is projected to be surpassed by India. The U.S. and Mexico will see modest growth in their populations in this group at 7% and 9% respectively while Europe will see a decline of 9%.North America is the largest consumption place, with a consumption market share nearly 36.6% in 2017. Following Asia Pacific is the second largest consumption place with the consumption market share of about 33%.Get PDF template of this report:Average industry gross margin is about 60%, that is to say, Period Panties Project is a good investment choice. However, disadvantage factors and threat such as high price in Period Panties Industry should be considered.In 2017, the global Period Panties (Menstrual Underwear) market size was 79 million US$ and is forecast to 580 million US in 2025, growing at a CAGR of 28.2% from 2018. The objectives of this study are to define, segment, and project the size of the Period Panties (Menstrual Underwear) market based on company, product type, application and key regions.The various contributors involved in the value chain of Period Panties (Menstrual Underwear) include manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, intermediaries, and customers. The key manufacturers in the Period Panties (Menstrual Underwear) includeTHINX IncPantyPropKnixwearLunapads InternationalModibodiPeriod PanteezAniganVv SkiVvysUucareDEAR KATEMarket Size Split by TypeWomen (25-50)Girls (15-24)Market Size Split by ApplicationRetail OutletsOnline ShopGet Complete Report in your Inbox within 24 hours:About Us: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.Contact USQY Research, INC.17890 Castleton, Suite 218,Los Angeles, CA - 91748USA: +1 626 428 8800Emails enquiry@qyresearch.comWeb Nanoclays Market Growth, Business Intelligence With FCC, Nanocor Inc, Southern Clay Products, Techmer PM, Mineral Technologies, RTP Company, Elementis Global, UBE Industries, Ltd. Nanoclays Market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-nanoclays-market https://databridgemarketresearch.com/toc/?dbmr=global-nanoclays-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/inquire-before-buying/?dbmr=global-nanoclays-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com Global Nanoclays Market is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR of 11.5% during the forecast period of 2018 to 2025. The Nanoclays market report contains data for historic year 2016, the base year of calculation is 2017 and the forecast period is 2018 to 2025.The nanoclays report gives knowledge to discover how to be successful and unique in this competitive market environment. And all this can be achieved by considering nanoclays market report which enables you to distinguish the qualities and shortcoming of the competitors. Market exercises or patterns continue changing and in this light, you have to see how your competitors move. The nanoclays market research reports offer a fundamental diagram of the techniques being utilized by them. The report investigates and talks about the development zones for every one of the innovations, recognizes the subject matters and key sellers.Get Free Sample Copy of This Market Information:Dispersion of nanoclay and the choice of cure conditions are critical to maximize the improved properties which could lead to cheaper, stronger, and more heat resistant coatings. The different fields of application of nanoclays include packaging, automotive and aerospace industries. The major players in the nanoclays are making various developments such as launching of new products, opening new research and development centres, and adding new plants for more contribution to the growth of the nanoclays market. Many of the top firms are involved with export markets and have built brand recognition in foreign markets.The report includes market shares of Nanoclays market for global, Europe, North America, Asia Pacific and South America. Some of the major players operating in the market are Southern Clay Products Inc. FCC China Nanocor Corporation Kowa Company Ltd. Elementis Specialties Unicoop Sum Chemical Kunimine Industries and Ube IndustriesOthers: Kunimine Industries Co. Ltd, UBE Industries, Mineral Technologies Inc., RTP Co., and Techmer PM and many more. The global nanoclays market is highly fragmented and the major players have used various strategies such as new product launches, expansions, agreements, joint ventures, partnerships, acquisitions, and others to increase their footprints in this market.Get TOC For Full Analysis Of Report:The nanoclays market is segmented based on, product, end-use industry and geographical segments. Based on product, the market is segmented into Kaolinite Smectite and others On the basis of end-use industry, the global nanoclays market is classified into Packaging Flame Retardants Automotive Paints and Coatings and Others Based on geography, the market report covers data points for 28 countries across multiple geographies namely North America & South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and, Middle East & Africa. Some of the major countries covered in this report are U.S., Canada, Germany, France, U.K., Netherlands, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, China, India, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and, Brazil among others.Major Market Drivers and Restraints: Growing demand from packaging and coating application Rising demand for nanoclays based nanocomposites. Growth of automotive and aerospace industry globally is further fuelling the market development and demand for nanoclays Stringent Regulatory Policies for Nanoclays in Few End-Use IndustriesWant Full Report? Enquire Here:About UsData Bridge adepts in creating satisfied clients who reckon upon our services and rely on our hard work with certitude. Get Customization and Discount on Report by emailing sopan.gedam@databridgemarketresearch.com . We are content with our glorious 99.9 % client satisfying rate.Contact UsData Bridge Market ResearchToll Free: +1-888-387-2818Mail: sopan.gedam@databridgemarketresearch.com Tissue And Hygiene Products Market Likely to Emerge over a Period of 2015-2025 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-528 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-528 www.futuremarketinsights.com The personal care products market comprises hair care, skin care, toiletries, fragrances convenience products and others. Among all these segments toiletries and skin care comprises the major segments for the market, constituting with high market value with favorable perspective in the near future. Tissue and hygiene is the sub-segment of toiletries segment. Tissue and hygiene products help consumers to maintain healthy and hygienic lifestyle in day to day schedule. Tissue and hygiene products are further categorized as disposable razor or blades, sanitary pads, nappies, cleansers, sprays, cotton wool and others.Tissue and hygiene Market SegmentationTissue and hygiene market can be segmented on the basis of distribution channel which includes health and beauty stores, chemist/pharmacies/drugstores, supermarkets, convenient stores, e-retailing and others. Among all these distribution channel segments, sell out of tissue and hygiene products through supermarkets account for the highest market share in 2014 followed by convenience stores. Growing retail industry is fuelling the demand for sell out of tissue and hygiene products through supermarkets across the globe. Moreover, chemist/pharmacies/drugstores segment is also expected to show a potential growth in terms of sales of tissue and hygiene products during the forecast period. In addition, sell out through internet is expected to show a sustainable growth in the forecasted period. The growth of online purchasing is supported by the increasing penetration of internet and rising concern for convenience among the consumers across the globe.Get Sample Copy of Report @The tissue and hygiene market can also be segmented on the basis of product type. The segmentation includes cotton wool/buds/, incontinence products, nappies/diapers, sanitary protection, wipes and others. Among all these segments sanitary protection and nappies/diapers are collectively expected to account for the highest growth in terms of revenue followed by wipes. Increasing concern of women for healthy and hygienic lifestyle is expected to support the growth of sanitary protection product market across the globe. Moreover, wipes are also expected to show a tremendous growth in the forecast period due to continuous and aggressive promotion of the product.On the basis of geography, North America contributes to the largest in terms of revenue in tissue and hygiene market followed by Europe. In North America United States is the major contributor in tissue and hygiene market followed by Canada. In Europe, countries such as Germany and France accounts for the largest market share followed by United Kingdom. Whereas, Asia pacific is concerned it is expected to register a double digit CAGR growth by 2020. In Asia pacific region China is expected to be the most dominant market for tissue and hygiene followed by Japan. Rising awareness through various corporate advertisements and government educational campaigns coupled with increasing concern of women to be hygienic in their day to day life has fueled the growth of tissue and hygiene market in China. Moreover, women in China prefer for premium feminine hygiene product categories, which is expected to bolster the growth of feminine hygiene products in terms of revenue. In addition, India is also expected to witness a robust growth in tissue and hygiene market. Increasing number of working women in urban areas, rising awareness among the consumer for healthy and hygienic lifestyle has supported the growth of tissue and hygiene market in India. Furthermore, government educating and awareness campaigns in rural areas and in schools is expected to support the growth of tissue and hygiene market particularly in India.Tissue and hygiene Market DriversRising disposable income coupled with increasing consumer expenditure for health care products is driving the growth of tissue and hygiene market across the globe. In addition, consumer awareness through aggressive corporate advertisement and various government campaign programs in rural and urban areas especially in school and colleges is also fueling the tissue and hygiene market growth of tissue and hygiene market in the forecast period. In addition continuous launching of new product variant is expected to fuel the growth of tissue and hygiene market in the near future.Tissue and hygiene Market: Key PlayersThe major international players operating in tissue and hygiene market includes Sterling Hygiene Tissue Procter & Gamble, Gulf Manufacturing EST, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Johnson & Johnson Limited, Unilever and Hengan International Group Company Limited. among others.Request to Browse Full Table of Content, figure and Tables @ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Magnetic Materials Market Growth to Continue in 2025 With Top Players as Arnold Magnetic Technologies, Hitachi Metals Ltd., Molycorp Inc. https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-466 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-466 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ Magnetic material are objects that can be magnetized or naturally hold magnetic properties. According to the ease of magnetization, magnetic materials can be classified into hard and soft. Hard magnetic materials retain their magnetism even in the absence of an applied magnetic field. Hard magnetic materials are difficult to magnetize and demagnetize. On the other hand, soft magnetic materials can be easily magnetized and demagnetized. They lose their magnetism when an external magnetic field is removed.Demand for effective utilization of electricity and faster transmission of data, and decreasing size of technological devices have provided an impetus to the magnetic material market.Request For Report Sample @Magnetic Materials Market: Drivers & RestraintsEnvironmental concerns, government support & incentives, increasing demand from end use industries, such as demand in automotive industry for electric vehicles, demand in medical devices for body scanners and others are the driving factors for the growth of the magnetic material market. Additionally, rapid industrialization, specifically in emerging economies and demand for alternative power sources, such as water turbine and wind mill are also driving the demand for magnetic material market. However, the variation in the price of raw material can be a restraining factor in the growth of the magnetic material market.Magnetic Materials Market: SegmentationOn the basis of types, the global magnetic material can be broadly segmented into soft magnetic material and hard or permanent magnet. In 2014, permanent magnet accounted for more than fifty percent of market share of the global magnetic materials market in terms of volume.On the basis of application, the global magnetic material market has largest applications in automotive, industrial and electronics segment. The automotive segment is projected to have the highest growth rate during the forecast period.Magnetic Materials Market: Region-wise OutlookIn terms of region, Asia Pacific is anticipated to have an attractive growth for magnetic material market as various multinational companies shifting their manufacturing set-ups to this region. China has the highest automobile production rate according to the 2014 automobile production rate of OICA which, in turn, is a factor behind the growing demand of magnetic material market. China and India are projected to be the dominant countries for the global magnetic material market.Magnetic Materials Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players for magnetic material market are Arnold Magnetic Technologies, Hitachi Metals Ltd., Molycorp Inc., Electron Energy Corporation, Lynas Corporation Ltd., Tengam Engineering Inc. and many others.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to categories such as market segments, geographies, types, technology and applications.About UsFuture Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centres in the U.S. and India.FMIs research and consulting services help businesses around the globe navigate the challenges in a rapidly evolving marketplace with confidence and clarity. Our customised and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. We continuously track emerging trends and events in a broad range of end industries to ensure our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers.Contact UsU.S. Office616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWeb: Toronto, ON, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Canadian Credit Union Association is launching a new national brand program that will celebrate the defining principles of Canadas credit unions, highlighting how they deliver on what Canadians are really looking for with their You First, Banking Second campaign. We are so excited to launch this new campaign says Martha Durdin, President and CEO of the Canadian Credit Union Association. Our research has confirmed that the one thing Canadians are looking for focus on people above all is also what sets credit unions apart. So, our new campaign will show Canadians we can meet their needs, while also complementing and aligning with messaging from individual credit unions across the country. The campaign launches today and will encourage Canadians to learn more about their local credit unions and how they can help meet life goals large and small while making people first the focus, by visiting http://canadacreditunions.ca/. About Canadian Credit Union Association Canadian Credit Union Association is the national trade association for Canadas credit unions and caisses populaires outside Quebec. These financial institutions offer a full-range of retail banking services to over 5.7 million Canadians. Collectively Canadas 252 credit unions generate over $6.5 billion in economic impact, are leaders in small business lending, and have assets of over $225 billion. To learn more about the credit union difference and find a credit union near you, visit www.ccua.com . Material Handling Equipment Market 2019 By Global Players KUKA Robotics, Liebherr Group, Jungheinrich AG, Siemens, Dematic, Vanderlande, Hyster-Yale Group. Material Handling Equipment Market https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/1384 https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/1384 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/material-handling-equipment-market https://www.gminsights.com/ Global Material Handling Equipment Market Report provides complete industry analysis, market outlook, size, growth, opportunities and forecast 2024. This report will assist in analyzing the current and future business trends, sales and revenue forecast. It provides top manufacturers information along with Manufacturing Cost Analysis, Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and growth.Todays advanced material handling solutions significantly improve the inventory control, leaving a subsequent impact on the overall supply chain model. With notable developments in omni-channel operations, in-store pickup, return processing and specialty labelling, e-commerce sector is rightly touted as a major investment spot for material handling equipment market players.Request for a sample copy of this report @The expanding 3PL sector is expected to witness a CAGR of over 6% in the material handling equipment market. Material handling equipment market has stood as one of the most remunerative business spheres in the construction domain.Toyota Industries yesteryear tie up with renowned material handling equipment industry player Bastian Solutions LLC is an exemplary precedent depicting the same. The industry landscape is prominently underlined by technological interventions and development in logistic operations, where the parameters define the key to opportunities and profitability. Amidst this dynamic competitive scenario, product improvisation via mergers & acquisitions have emerged as the top-notch growth strategy adopted by the major players.The deal signified Toyota full-scale entry in the North America material handling equipment market, in the backdrop of the massively expanding e-commerce sector in the region. It is prudent to mention that e-commerce is indeed one of the major application avenues for material handling equipment industry growth. The segment contributed a total of USD 14 billion to the overall business in 2017.Company profiled in this report based on Business overview, Financial data, Product landscape, Strategic outlook & SWOT analysis:1. Bastian Solutions, LLC2. KUKA Robotics3. Beumer Group GmbH & Co. Kg4. Clark Material Handling Company5. Columbus McKinnon6. Crown Equipment Corporation7. Daifuku Co., Ltd.8. Dematic GmbH & Co., KG9. Flexlink10. Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc.11. JBT Corporation12. Jungheinrich AG13. Kion Group AG14. Liebherr Group15. Mecalux S.A.16. Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc.17. Murata Machinery, Ltd.18. Vanderlande Industries19. Intelligrated, Inc.20. Swisslog AG21. Knapp AG22. TGW Logistics Group GmbH23. Grenzebach Maschinenbau GmbH24. Witron logistik + Informatik GmbH25. Kardex AG26. Dearborn Mid-West Company27. Egemin Group, Inc.28. Viastore Systems, Inc.29. System Logistics30. Siemens AG31. SSI Schaefer Group32. Toyota Industries Corporation33. Fives GroupMake an Inquiry for purchasing this Report @Regionally, the European belt is claimed to be highly profitable growth ground for material handling equipment industry, subject to the stringent governmental regulations with regards to workplace safety in the continent. This has subsequently prompted manufacturers to come up with products that are absolutely in compliance with the standards enforced by the European Union regarding design, construction, and handling of the equipment.Through this venture, Plug Power would be integrating its patent fuel cells into Lindes warehouse vehicles, thereupon increasing the adoption of H2 (hydrogen) in Europe manufacturing market. The collaboration move between Plug Power and Linde is claimed to remarkably facilitate the penetration of hydrogen fuel cells across Europe. Underlined by similar strategic developments in the manufacturing sector, Europe would continue to witness a percentage of supremacy in the business sphere. In terms of commercialization potential, Europe materials handling equipment industry share is forecast to exceed USD 25 billion by 2024.While a rich application landscape ensures a rather lucrative terrain for the material handling equipment market, the huge capital investments in the maintenance and operation of these equipment might challenge the industry trends in the coming years. Also, the complexity associated with integrating hardware and software in one platform for upgrading the manufacturing facilities is another deterring factor in materials handling equipment industry growth, Nonetheless, with industry participants making incessant efforts toward developing products that are affordable and efficient, the market is certain to witness remarkable proceeds in the coming timeframe.Browse Report Summery @One of the anticipated trends to be watched for remains the growth of material handling equipment market in emerging economies, where manufacturing sector is booming. The robotic technology will also mark a disruption of sorts in this domain, primarily fueled by the demand for cost-effective and efficient approaches. In this regard, China and India which are indeed witnessing a remarkable rise in industrialization are slated to be the chief avenues for material handling equipment market. In fact, Asia Pacific, driven by these economies is expected to witness an appreciable CAGR of 6.5% over 2018-2024. The global business share is projected to surpass USD 190 billion by 2024About Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone:1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb: Significance of Oil And Gas Logistics Market in future| Leading Players Agility, BDP, DHL, DB Schenker, Kuehne+Nagel, CEVA Logistics, Neovia Logistics Oil and Gas Logistics Market https://www.reportconsultant.com/request_sample.php?id=1228 https://www.reportconsultant.com/ask_for_discount.php?id=1228 www.reportconsultant.com One of the most recent trends that this Global Oil and Gas Logistics Market is seeing is the arrangement of high-end logistics and supply chain solutions. Shippers are choosing contract logistics providers that offer a one-stop arrangement and stay away from the dullness related with outsourcing diverse assignments to various sellers. Several oil and gas organizations outsource these logistics services to contract Logistics specialist organizations since they are more spent significant time in giving these administrations and furthermore utilize updated advances.Oil and Gas Logistics Market will register a CAGR of +7% over the Forecast period 2025.Request for Sample Report: @Report Consultant has newly published a statistical data on Global Oil and Gas Logistics Market. It gives an analytical view of various industries which gives a basic understanding of all the business scenarios. Through qualitative and quantitative research it gives an optimal solution for the development of the market. It studies about the factors, which are responsible for the growth of the businesses and uses primary and secondary research techniques to meet the requirements.The leading vendors of the Oil and gas Logistics Market:Agility, BDP, Deutsche Post DHL, DB Schenker, Kuehne+Nagel, Neovia Logistics which are contributing major shares to the industry.Some of the other prominent vendors are: ASCO, CEVA Logistics, CH Robinson, Expeditors International of Washington, GAC Logistics, Panalpina, Ryder Systems, and UPS Supply ChainThe Global Oil and Gas Logistics Market is segmented by terms of transportation Type, regions.Market Segmentation by Regions: Regional segmentation of Oil and gas Logistics Market is: Americas, APAC, and EMEA. America is anticipated to dominate the industry and hold 38% of shares of the total market. The US is the major revenue contributing country. America will be expected to grow at a CAGR of 7% during the forecast.Market Segmentation by Transportation Type: According to transportation type and analysis the Global Oil and Gas Logistics Market is segmented as: Pipeline, Railroads, Tanker and trucks.Ask for Discount on this report: @To summarize, the Oil and Gas Logistics Market report is an organized gathering of the critical features and an outcome of the essential statistical data focusing on current and potential market scenarios. It is a seamless blend of the technical and economic characteristics of this industry.Global Oil and Gas Logistics Market research report offer a better perception of global businesses through the following pointers: Global market penetration Competitive assessment of global market The geographical outlook of the global Oil and Gas Logistics Market Detailed insights on market dynamics such as drivers, restraints, and opportunities Investigation of global opportunities Descriptive analysis of market through industry analysis techniques Enlist the financial overview of the market Identification of macro and microeconomics factors that impacts on the global Oil and Gas Logistics Market Identification of global clients and potential customersIf you need anything more than these then let us know and we will prepare the report according to your requirement.About Company:Report Consultant - A worldwide pacesetter in analytics, research and advisory that can assist you to renovate your business and modify your approach. With us, you will learn to take decisions intrepidly by taking calculative risks leading to lucrative businesses in the ever-changing market. We make sense of drawbacks, opportunities, circumstances, estimations and information using our experienced skills and verified methodologies.Our research reports will give you the most realistic and incomparable experience of revolutionary market solutions. We have effectively steered businesses all over the world through our market research reports with our predictive nature and are exceptionally positioned to lead digital transformations. Thus, we craft greater value for clients by presenting progressive opportunities in the global futuristic market.Contact us:Rebecca Parker(Report Consultant)Akasaka biz tower,5-3-1 akasaka minato-ku,Tokyo, JapanContact No- +81-368444299sales@reportconsultant.com Value and SIze Of Sex Toys Market From 2018 To 2026: Detailed Research Report on CMI with Top Key Players Aneros Bad Dragon Enterprises, Inc., Beate Uhse AG, and Tantus, Inc. Sex Toys https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-pdf/1401 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-customization/1401 Sex toys are those that may enhance sexual health and also sexual pleasure. Sex toys are gaining popularity due to the increasing acceptance and use of these products. Most of these toys are designed to resemble human genitalia. Sex toys are widely available globally for both men and women and include dildos, vibrators, and sex dolls.Insightful Information Of this Report in PDF:Some of the major manufacturers in the Global sex toys market are BMS Factory, Doc Johnson Enterprises, LELO, PHE Inc, Aneros Bad Dragon Enterprises, Inc., Beate Uhse AG, and Tantus, Inc.The major factors that contribute to the growth of the sex toys market include increasing awareness and acceptance of such toys for sexual pleasure and increasing use of these amongst couples and the LGBT community. However, various government regulations and low government approval of sex toys products in emerging economies such as India and South Africa with regards to the sale and distribution of these toys due to the taboo related to the use of the products is a major factor that is expected to affect the growth of the sex toys market.Global Sex Toys Market TaxonomyGlobal sex toys market is segmented asBy Product Type Dildos Vibrators Cock rings OthersBy Distribution Channel Supermarkets Specialty stores Online Stores OthersBy End User Men WomenElse, Place a customization Before Buying 'Sex Toys Market Industry Report 2026' @The vibrator segment is expected to be the most dominant among product types and is expected to continue its dominance during the forecast period. According to the Society for Scientific Study of Sexuality, the vibrator segment accounted for 19.2% of total online sex toys sales in 2017. Among distribution channels, the online channel is expected to be the most dominant segment during the forecast period. Online channels provide the benefit of privacy along with added features such as discussions on the product performance via forums which help drive sales. Among end users, women dominated the sex toys market and are expected to continue to do so during the forecast period. According to the Society for Scientific Study of Sexuality, around 44% of women aged between 18 and 60 years have used a sex toy in 2017 as compared to 20% men who have used a sex toy in the same age group.Challenges in the sex toys marketA major factor that is expected to affect the sex toys market is the low government approval of sexual products especially amongst the emerging economies in the regions of Asia Pacific. For instance sale of sex toys is illegal in India. Sale of sex toys is a punishable offense under the section 292 of Indian penal code, as sex toys are considered an "obscene" product. However, the online sale of sex toys is not illegal and could prove to be a major driver for the growth of the sex toys market in India.Apart from this, currently there are no safety regulations that exist in the sex toy industry. These toys are sold as novelty items and do not need to comply with any specific regulations that include reporting the chemicals and materials such as phthalates and chemical plasticizers levels used in the product. However, regulations such as REACH do exist, and some sex toys are compliant to this though, there is no obligation for manufacturers to comply with these regulations.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 analysisthrough 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 Water Treatment Chemicals Market: Business Analysis And Evolutionary Growth 2025: Eco Lab, GE Water and Process Technologies, Buckman Laboratories International Inc, Solvay SA Water Treatment Chemicals Market https://www.worldwidemarketreports.com/sample/271422 https://www.worldwidemarketreports.com/quiry/271422 The global water treatment chemicals market is expected to be valued at an estimated $XX Billion US dollars by the year 2025, a compound annual growth rate of XX percent between 2013 and 2025. Several key trends in this market are expected to fuel the growth of this market worldwide.Water treatment chemicals refer to any chemical that is used to purify water. They include, but are not limited to: Algaecides, Antifoams, Biocides, Boiler water chemicals, Coagulants, Corrosion inhibitors, Neutralizing agents, pH conditioners, Resin cleaners, Scale inhibitors.Get a Sample here:These chemicals are important, as they kill bacteria, viruses and other contaminants that infest water, making it unsafe to drink. The application of water treatment chemicals cleanses water, improving its safety for animal and human consumption. Wastewater treatment also constitutes a large percentage of the chemicals that are used for water treatment. Wastewater treatment involves the process of treating wastewater that is no longer able to be used so that it can either be reused or returned back to the water cycle.Factors that are Expected to Fuel the Growth of the Water Treatment Chemicals Market:Gains in the global water treatment chemicals market are expected to be supported by the increased use of recycled water. Moreover, the increased demand for the improved water quality and stringent regulations are expected to drive the growth of this market.Additionally, the increased need to combat epidemics that occur as a result of consuming contaminated water is also expected to fuel the growth of the water chemicals treatment market on a global scale. A high incidence of water-borne illnesses has sparked the need for the purification of water. Furthermore, stringent standards for cleaner water have increased, which has lead to a greater demand for the research and development of improved treatment processes and chemicals.Segmentation of the Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market by Type:The worldwide water treatment chemicals market is broadly segmented by type. The types of chemicals that are used for water treatment include: Flocculants, Coagulants, Biocides, Disinfectants, Defoaming agents, pH adjusters, Odor control agents.There are also several other types of chemicals that are used to treat and purify water in order to make it safer for consumption.At present time, the increased application of flocculants for effluent treatment as surfactants in the mining industry is expected to have a positive impact over the forecasted time period. Moreover, advances in technology in regard to the development of more bio-based chemicals, including guar gum and gelatin as a result of the increased concern of carbon emissions that is associated with the creation and use of synthetic chemicals is believed to open up new areas for this market.Product Insights in the Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market:Several products are used in the global water treatment chemicals market. Of all of these products, pumping systems stand at the top of the market, accounting for more than 70 percent of the market share. The increased use of pumping systems is a result of efforts for reducing the contamination of water. It also allows for the alteration of certain properties in water, such as its softness and hardness. As a result, pumping systems are expected to remain the main driving force for this market over the forecasted period.Regional Insights in the Global Water Chemicals Treatment Market:In 2016, North America made the largest contribution in this market. This region is expected to dominate the market during the forecasted period, as there is increasing support from environmental agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).Asia Pacific is expected to experience the most growth during the forecasted period. It is projected that this region will account for more than 30 percent of the global revenue of the water treatment chemicals market by the year 2025. The expansion of refining capacities in both China and India as a result of increased domestic demand, combined with easier access to raw materials are believed to lead to a favorable impact on the industry in this region.The heightened exploration and production of oil and gas facilities in the Middle East is also expected to fuel the growth of the Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market.Key Players in the Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market:There are several companies that serve as key players in the global water treatment chemicals market. The most notable companies include: Eco Lab, GE Water and Process Technologies, Buckman Laboratories International Inc, Solvay SA, BWA Water Additives, BASF, ITT, Albemarle Corporation, Flowserve Corporation.These companies lead the water treatment chemicals on a global scale and represented the largest percentage of the market share.Benefits of Investing in the Global Water Treatment Chemicals Market:Given projected compound annual growth rate of this market, the increased demand for safer, more purified drinking water, the increasing development of new technologies that are used in the water treatment chemicals market, and the key players in this industry, investing in this market is a wise decision.Table of Contents1 Global Market Overview2 Regional Market3 Key Manufacturers3.1 Ecolab3.1.1 Company Information3.1.2 Product & Services3.1.3 Business Data (Capacity, Sales Revenue, Volume, Price, Cost and Margin)3.1.4 Recent Development4 Major Application5 Market by Type6 Price Overview7 Conclusion*If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Place an Inquire before Purchase:Mr. ShahWorldwide Market Reports1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154,U.SEmail:sales@worldwidemarketreports.comAbout WMRWorldwide Market Reports is your one-stop repository of detailed and in-depth market research reports compiled by an extensive list of publishers from across the globe. We offer reports across virtually all domains and an exhaustive list of sub-domains under the sun. The in-depth market analysis by some of the most vastly experienced analysts provide our diverse range of clients from across all industries with vital decision making insights to plan and align their market strategies in line with current market trends. Green IT Services Market 2019- Growth Drivers - IBM CORPORATION, ACCENTURE PLC, JOHNSON CONTROLS, GREEN STEP SOLUTIONS, SAP SE, SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC, ENABLE SA, IHS MARKIT LTD., VERISAE | Strategic Analysis 2023 The global green IT services market was valued at USD 8.30 billion in 2017, and it is projected to reach a value of USD 15.06 billion by the end of 2023, at a CAGR of 10.45% during the forecast period, (2018 - 2023). The scope of the report is limited to products offered by major players including providers of software solutions and services. The study also emphasizes on the major trends and end-users in the market, major drivers for the growth of the market. Factors such as growth of household income and the increase of urbanization activities affect the growth of the market. Detailed Sample Copy of Updated Analysis @ https://marketprognosis.com/sample-request/16213 Note: If this link doesnt work in Internet Explorer, kindly try copy pasting it in other browsers. Growing emphasis on reducing carbon footprints and the growing need for eco-friendly services are pushing the growth of green IT services. Companies around the world have beginning to improve efficiencies of operations. The need to reduce wastage, efficiently utilize resources and reduce carbon footprints warrants the deployment of innovative and sustainable solutions. Reducing carbon footprints and controlling energy consumption have become crucial factors in recent years. Major Players: IBM CORPORATION, ACCENTURE PLC, JOHNSON CONTROLS, GREEN STEP SOLUTIONS, SAP SE, SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC, ENABLE SA, IHS MARKIT LTD., VERISAE INC. ACCUVIO SUSTAINABILITY SOFTWARE, ENVIANCE INC., DAKOTA SOFTWARE, CREDIT 360 LTD., amongst others. Key Developments in the Market September 2017 - Enviance has been continuing investments in the field of EHS, as it has announced a series of product releases and a new platform has been developed to amplify the companys EHS platform. September 2017 - SiteHawk has entered into a strategic partnership with Enablon, which is expected to result in effective data analysis, optimize resources which is expected to strengthen total business performance. Request Discount on this report @ https://marketprognosis.com/discount-request/16213 Note: If this link doesnt work in Internet Explorer, kindly try copy pasting it in other browsers. Increasing Environmental Concerns and Growing Focus on Reducing Carbon Footprint Drive the Growth for Green IT Services. Energy consumption remains one of the primary factors causing the growth of greenhouse gases. It is estimated that energy consumption accounts for more than 66% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Average temperatures, globally, have been increasing in the last few decades. Scientists have confirmed the onset of global warming. Increasing consumption of natural resources and increasing wastage of energy have accelerated greenhouse effects. With the surrounding environment changing at a rapid pace, countries are now working toward fighting global warming and reducing carbon footprints. IT services now play a major role in many industries and these services consume significant amounts of energy. With the growing importance of reducing carbon footprints, organizations are now turning to IT operations to provide solutions to reduce energy consumption. Industrial End-user is Expected to Have the Highest Share Owing to Increasing Environmental Concerns The growing automotive and manufacturing industry has a rather high penetration of IT systems, which are being utilized to manage operations. Efficient project management and sustainability programs are essential in achieving the maximum productivity. Additionally, the use of green IT services has been positively appreciated by the key players in the industry. Waste and energy management occupies a position of critical importance in the industrial segment as it is an integral part of industrial operations. The use of automation and other advanced technologies in the mining, petroleum and chemicals industry has further increased the reach of IT technologies in the industrial segment. North America Is Expected to Have High Market Share for Green IT Services. Niche firms with expertise in environmental regulatory compliance such as Foresite Systems, and sustainability specialists like Enablon retain strong presence in this region. The growing importance of analytics, access to content and data management will support the vendors with expertise in these areas. The Canadian Government announced plans to reduce the nations greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by 30% by 2030. Increased dependence on imported fuels and rising energy demands have prompted decision makers to introduce stringent regulations. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a greenhouse gas regulations policy called the Clean Power Plan. Enquiry Before Buying @ https://marketprognosis.com/enquiry/16213 Note: If this link doesnt work in Internet Explorer, kindly try copy pasting it in other browsers. About Market Prognosis We at Market Prognosis believe in giving a crystal clear view of market dynamics for achieving success in todays complex and competitive marketplace through our quantitative & qualitative research methods. We help our clients identify the best market insights and analysis required for their business thus enabling them to take strategic and intelligent decision. We believe in delivering actionable insights for your business growth and success. Contact us: ProgMark Pvt Ltd, Thane - 421501 India. Contact No: +1 973 241 5193 Email: sales@marketprognosis.com This release was published on openPR. Permanent link to this press release: Copy Please set a link in the press area of your homepage to this press release on openPR. openPR disclaims liability for any content contained in this release. Breast cancer Market Analysis and In-Depth Research On Emerging Growth Factors and Forecasts to 2022 By key vendors: Genzyme Corporation, Novartis AG, Celgene Corporation, AbbVie Inc, Biocon, MacroGenics Inc Breast cancer Market www.worldwidemarketreports.com/sample/38979 www.worldwidemarketreports.com/quiry/38979 Breast cancer is a type of cancer, that can occur more in women than in men. Some of the symptoms of the disease include bloody secretion from the nipple, a lump or block in the breast, and differences in the texture or shape of the nipple or breast. The treatment of breast cancer is depending on the stage of cancer. In addition, its treatment can consist of radiation, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. Early detection of breast cancer is key to effective treatment of the disease. Also, early exposure of disease can lead to better outcomes including a number of treatment options, improved survival rate, and changed quality of life.Get Free PDF Sample Copy of This Report:Major Breast Cancer Drugs market players covers by this research report are:Genzyme Corporation, Novartis AG, Celgene Corporation, AbbVie Inc, Biocon, MacroGenics Inc, Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Merck & Co. Inc and Janssen Global services LLC.The Objective of the "Global Breast Cancer Drugs Market" report is to depict the trends and upcoming for the Breast Cancer Drugs industry over the forecast years. Breast Cancer Drugs Market report data has been gathered from industry specialist/experts. Although the market size of the market is studied and predicted from 2016 to 2022 mulling over 2016 as the base year of the market study. Attentiveness for the market has increased in recent decades due to development and improvement in the innovation.The growing prevalence of the disease coupled with emerging and better novel therapies are some factors likely to fuel the global market growth. Global breast cancer drugs market is estimated to grow lucratively attributable to many major players are focusing on Research & Development of new and innovative treatments.They involve extensive research in order to develop novel drugs for the treatment of this disease to gain a higher market share. Various target and specific therapies have been designed and customized along with various advancements in drug delivery systems.Detailed investigation of market beneficial in understanding the in-depth market vision and future plans. The information collected from various magazines, yearly reports, internet sources, and journals are confirmed by conducting face-to-face or telephonic interviews with the Breast Cancer Drugs industry specialist.Worldwide Breast Cancer Drugs market autopsy:Depending upon the influence, the company profiles of all key manufacturers, their establishment year, regional market for marketing and sales, products and services serves as well as the contact details are offer in this research report.Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversNorth America (United States, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Breast Cancer Drugs market segregation:Segmentation by Drug Type: HER2 inhibitor, Mitotic inhibitor, Anti-metabolites, Aromatase inhibitor, CDK 4/6 inhibitor, Hormonal receptorRising awareness and high presence of established players coupled with R&D infrastructure are some factors that are contributing to the high growth of the North America Market. On the other hand, the Asia Pacific market is anticipated to witness the fastest CAGR over the forecast years. The rapid growth in the global demand for oncology drugs has prompted major drug providers and manufacturers to set up their manufacturing and R&D facilities in this region. Additionally, initiatives taken by numerous organizations in order to create people more aware and raise funds for the treatment of disease is projected to feed the regional market growth.Table of Contents1 Breast Cancer Drugs Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Breast Cancer Drugs1.2 Breast Cancer Drugs Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Breast Cancer Drugs Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category)(2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Breast Cancer Drugs Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Chemotherapy1.2.4 Surgery & Radiation Therapy1.2.5 Targeted Therapy1.2.6 Hormonal Therapy1.3 Global Breast Cancer Drugs Segment by Application1.3.1 Breast Cancer Drugs Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Hospital1.3.3 Clinic1.3.4 Other1.4 Global Breast Cancer Drugs Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Breast Cancer Drugs Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 North America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Breast Cancer Drugs (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Breast Cancer Drugs Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Breast Cancer Drugs Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)Report Inquire Before Buy:About Us:Worldwide Market Reports is your one-stop repository of detailed and in-depth market research reports compiled by an extensive list of publishers from across the globe. We offer reports across virtually all domains and an exhaustive list of sub-domains under the sun. The in-depth market analysis by some of the most vastly experienced analysts provide our diverse range of clients from across all industries with vital decision making insights to plan and align their market strategies in line with current market trends. Worldwide Market Researchs well-researched inputs that encompass domains ranging from IT to healthcare enable our prized clients to capitalize upon key growth opportunities and shield against credible threats prevalent in the market in the current scenario and those expected in the near future.Mr. ShahWorldwide Market ReportsTel: +1 415 871 0703Email: sales@worldwidemarketreports.com www.chris-ley.de/ http://www.chris-ley.de/ http://www.chris-ley.de Motivationstrainer lauft im Selbstversuch 250 km mit Rucksack durch die Wuste------------------------------Von 5 auf 250 km - was sich wie die Startphase eines Formel-1-Rennens liest, beschreibt in Wahrheit ein Selbstexperiment zur hocheffektiven Entwicklung der menschlichen Ausdauerfahigkeit. Der Mann, der dahinter steckt, wei genau, wovon er spricht. Chris Ley gehort zu der handverlesenen Zahl unter Deutschlands Motivationstrainern, die aus eigener Praxis wissen, wie bisher als unerreichbar deklarierte Ziele auf dem personlichen Radar eines Menschen auftauchen konnen. Wir haben verlernt, dass wir die Kraft, Intelligenz und den Willen bereits in uns tragen und dass wir Groes erreichen konnen, wenn wir die mentalen Blockaden in uns selbst auflosen, sagt er. Die Teilnehmerinnen und Teilnehmer seiner Vortrage und Seminare in Unternehmen, bei Kongressen und Events schatzen seine Personlichkeit, sein Fachwissen und seine Vorbildfunktion.Chris Ley macht keine Tschakka-Motivation, sondern bringt Menschen in die Umsetzung und geht dabei gerne in die Beweisfuhrung. Auszug aus dem Race-Tagebuch des Finishers: Zieleinlauf nach 250 Kilometern Wustenmarathon in sechs Etappen auf 2.500 bis 3.300 Metern Hohe, 40 Grad in der Sonne und 0 Grad in der Nacht - und das als Selbstversorger. 40 Stunden und Platz 32 in der Gesamtwertung bei einem der hartesten Wusten-Ultralaufe der Welt. Das war das Ergebnis meines 12-wochigen Selbstexperiments, bei dem ich im Schnitt gerade mal 2 Stunden pro Woche gelaufen bin - ich bin ein Laufmuffel.Ich habe keine Zeit!Was den Motivationscoach aus Neuss trotz aller Strapazen im heien Wustensand sicher uber die Ziellinie in San Pedro de Atacama (2.408 m uber N.N.) fuhrte, basierte auf seiner Ausgangsuberlegung: Wie ist es moglich, ein alltagstaugliches Konzept fur alle zu entwickeln, um weit laufen zu konnen? Immer wieder hatten ihn Manager und Fuhrungskrafte bei seinen Vortragen in Unternehmen mit der Aussage konfrontiert: Ich habe keine Zeit fur Sport. Und so entschloss sich Ley kurzerhand, einen beeindruckenden Nachweis zu liefern, wie man sich mit sehr wenig Zeit fur Hochstleistungen fit machen kann.Starke Impulse als Modell fur VeranderungOb einen 250-km-Wustenmarathon laufen, 1.200 km von der Quelle bis zur Mundung mit einem SUP Board auf dem Rhein paddeln, ein Jahr mit einem 2-Stunden-Schlaf auskommen, eine Sprache in 90 Tagen lernen, bei -15 Grad einen Marathon in Sibirien in Badehose laufen - stets geht es Chris Ley darum, auszuloten, welche Herausforderungen ein Mensch imstande ist zu meistern. Um auf diese Weise zu motivieren und dabei zu helfen, den besten, praxiserprobten Weg zur Veranderung einzuschlagen. Mit dem notigen wissenschaftlichen Fundament, versteht sich.Dieser Tage ist der beliebte Keynote Speaker und Coach (Coaching Award 2018 - Nachwuchs unter 35) wieder unterwegs. Live erleben konnen Sie ihn bei einem der kostenlose Probeseminare in Dusseldorf - Termine: 11.07., 10.09., 07.11.19, Anmeldung unter------------------------------Pressekontakt:CHRISLEY AKADEMIEHerr Chris LeySalzstr. 3641460 Neussfon ..: 01774653686web ..:email : Voters in Hood River County will decide on Tuesday whether to add a 5 percent sales tax to prepared food and non-alcoholic beverage sales. Ballot Measure 14-66 proposes taxing food sold by restaurants, caterers, bakeries and coffee shops. The measure also proposes taxing dispensed soft drinks and beverages. If passed, the tax is expected to generate about $1.8 million a year. According to county documents, the tax would fund county tourism services, including maintaining public parks and forest trails, environmental health services and the county History Museum. An article by the Hood River News states the tax will affect food meant for immediate consumption, which means things like individual cookies and pastries purchased at coffee shops will be taxed, but things like whole cakes and loaves of bread wont be. In an editorial, the editor of the Hood River News urged residents to vote for the measure, citing a deficit of $1.6 million and $5.3 million in unmet needs for the county, made worse by dwindling timber revenue. Although Oregon has no statewide sales tax, two cities have voted to impose taxes on prepared food and beverages. Ashland has had the rule in place since 1993. The Siuslaw News reported that Yachats began collecting a food and beverage tax in 2007. Voters across the state must cast their ballots by 8 p.m. Tuesday for a number of races, including school boards and fire and water districts. Jayati Ramakrishnan; 503-221-4320; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com; @JRamakrishnanOR Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. Union Pacific Railroad said Wednesday it will lay off as many as 195 workers at two sites in Hermiston. In a letter, the Nebraska-based company told Oregon officials the layoffs are part of efforts to run an efficient railroad. Those losing their jobs include machinists, electricians, switchmen, material handlers and general laborers. The layoffs are taking place at a Hermiston railyard, which will close, and at a supply warehouse and mechanical shop that will both remain open. Union Pacific said it will continue paying wages for 60 days from Wednesdays layoff notice. Oregons jobless rate remains at a historic low, 4.3 percent, but layoffs have continued intermittently at various employers that run into industry-specific headwinds or overhaul their businesses. Huge loss! 195 laid off today @UnionPacific Hinkle outside Hermiston. Nearly 250 lost over last yr from UP. Feel sad for the 1000 people this impacts but also our communities in EO. Many are family and friends. @CityofHermiston already working on support projects! pic.twitter.com/It8NtBpNX8 Dave Drotzmann (@MayorDrotz) May 21, 2019 Umatilla County, where Wednesdays layoffs will take place, will feel the Union Pacific layoffs acutely. The small county has just 36,400 employees altogether. Its seasonally adjusted jobless rate was 5.3 percent in April, compared to 4.9 percent a year earlier. Union Pacific has been making cuts across the company. It cut 475 jobs across last October, which the company said would be the first of successive layoffs through the end of 2020 as it works it boost profits. The company had 42,000 employees in 2018, with revenues of $22.8 billion and profits of $6.0 billion. -- Mike Rogoway | twitter: @rogoway | 503-294-7699 BOSTON, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Block & Leviton LLP ( www.blockesq.com ), a national securities litigation firm, is investigating whether Mallinckrodt PLC (NYSE: MNK) and certain of its officers and directors violated federal securities laws. On May 1, 2019, the Wall Street Journal published an article titled, Government to File Complaint After Mallinckrodt Unit Is Accused of Bribery to Drive Drug Sales. The article asserts that Questcor, which Mallinckrodt acquired in 2014, defrauded government health-care plans by illegally marketing H.P. Acthar Gel. The article further states that the company stands accused of paying doctors kickbacks through bribes, consulting agreements and speaking fees if they prescribed Acthar. Following this news, Mallinckrodts share price dropped more than 16%. Today, May 21, 2019, Mallinckrodts share price dropped more than 25% after the company sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services over its decision to require the company to change the base rate average manufacturer price used to calculate Medicaid rebates for Acthar Gel. Mallinckrodt disclosed that failure to get the rate changed could reduce Acthar sales by 10%. We are investigating the possibility of filing a lawsuit against Mallinckrodt. If you have purchased or otherwise acquired Mallinckrodt securities and have questions about your legal rights, or possess information relevant to this investigation, you are encouraged to contact attorney Dan DeMaria at (888) 868-2385, by email at dan@blockesq.com , or by visiting http://shareholder.law/mnk . Block & Leviton LLP was recently ranked 4th among securities litigation firms by ISS for recoveries in 2017. The firm represents many of the nation's largest institutional investors and numerous individual investors in securities litigation throughout the country. Indeed, its lawyers have recovered billions of dollars for its clients. This notice may constitute attorney advertising. CONTACT: BLOCK & LEVITON LLP Dan DeMaria (617) 398-5660 phone 260 Franklin Street, Suite 1860 Boston, MA 02110 dan@blockesq.com SOURCE Block & Leviton LLP A bill limiting the death penalty to a narrower category of murder cases sailed Tuesday through the Oregon Senate and now heads to the House for a floor vote. Senate Bill 1013 passed 18-9; the no votes came from Republican lawmakers and a lone Democrat, Sen. Betsy Johnson, D-Scappoose. The bill redefines aggravated murder, which is a crime eligible for the death penalty. Under the proposed legislation, aggravated murder would include crimes where two or more people are killed in an act of terror and the premeditated and intentional murder of victims under age 14. It also would include killings in jails or prisons by people with previous homicide convictions. Aggravated murder currently includes crimes such as killing a child under 12, killing more than one person, killing a police officer on duty or killing someone during a rape or robbery. Most crimes considered aggravated murder under current law would be reclassified under the bill as first-degree murder and would carry a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Sen. Floyd Prozanski, D-Eugene, a champion of the legislation, said the bill, if passed, would not apply to convicts currently on Oregons death row. The bill also would change one of the four questions juries must decide when considering whether to impose a death sentence. Under Oregons system, jurors must determine that a person guilty of aggravated murder is at risk of being a danger in the future. The bill removes that question. Proponents of the change say the question of someones potential to be dangerous in the future isnt based on science. Legal experts say the provision in Oregons law is based on the Texas death penalty statute. -- Noelle Crombie 503-276-7184 ncrombie@oregonian.com @noellecrombie Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. When the Japanese bookstore chain Kinokuniya said in late 2018 that it would include a branch of a beloved local cafe in its new store in the former Guild Theatre in downtown Portland, one name immediately came to mind: Behind the Museum Cafe. The serene cafe serves coffee, tea and Japanese small plates at 1229 S.W. 10th Ave., west of the Portland Art Museum and about four blocks from the Guild Theatre location at 829 S.W. Ninth Ave. At the time, a spokesman for Kinokuniya declined to comment. But now a photo of Tomoe Horibuchi, owner of Behind the Museum Cafe, is on the Kinokuniya blog, atop a post that says the new cafe will be called the Book of Tea Cafe. According to the post, the second cafe will serve matcha tea and homemade sweets. Horibuchi said on the Kinokuniya blog that when the bookseller approached her about opening a cafe at its Portland location, she saw it as fate. Kinokuniya is special to me because when I used to live in Japan and San Francisco, I would visit Kinokuniya all the time, she said. They always had a wide variety of books and cool things like stationery and gifts. The 5,140-square-foot store, the 13th for the 90-year-old bookseller, is scheduled to open this summer. It will be Kinokuniyas second store in Oregon; the first is inside Beavertons Uwajimaya supermarket. Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian journalism delivered to your email inbox. Washington County Circuit Court Judge D. Charles Bailey said it may have been a volitional act when the Legislature inadequately funded mental health care programs. An article that ran in April 24 editions misquoted him. Some Portland high school students plan to walk out of their classes on Tuesday to protest gun violence, demand action against it from city lawmakers and support victims of mass shootings. According to the Portland Mercury, the rally is organized by a grassroots student group called the Pacific Northwest Youth Liberation Front, and students plan to rally in front of Portland City Hall at 1 p.m. The Mercury said its unknown how many students plan to show up, but students from Beaverton and Lincoln high schools have confirmed they will participate. The protest comes on the heels of several shootings in schools, and an incident in Portland where a student at Parkrose High School brought a gun to school but was subdued before anyone was hurt. According to a Facebook post, students planned the walkout before the Parkrose incident, and had done so in response to a shooting on May 7 at a school in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. One student was killed in that shooting, and eight were injured. Like most students, we have the simple belief that NO student should EVER have to go through this, the post reads. The demonstration will also coincide with the 21st anniversary of the Thurston High School shooting in Springfield, where then 15-year-old Kip Kinkel killed both his parents, then showed up at school the next day, killing two students and wounding 25 others. Kinkel was sentenced to 112 years in prison, and appealed his sentence in 2018, arguing that it violated the Eighth Amendment because he committed his crimes when he was a juvenile, and that a life sentence without parole was cruel and unusual punishment. The Oregon Supreme Court ruled that his sentence was constitutional. Jayati Ramakrishnan; 503-221-4320; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com; @JRamakrishnanOR Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. Theres a moment in Lauren Gundersons play The Revolutionists when a character remarks that its not exactly inspiring to hear a work of art described as pause interesting. Gundersons 2018 historical comedy is pause interesting. In The Revolutionists, wrapping up its run at Artists Repertory Theatre, Gunderson uses three real historical figures and one composite character to lay out themes of feminism, sisterhood and equality against the backdrop of the French Revolutions Reign of Terror. In between telling and more importantly, retelling their stories of their roles in history, Queen Marie Antoinette, assassin Charlotte Corday, writer Olympe de Gouges and a woman dubbed Marianne Angelle, a character inspired by Haitian revolutionaries of the same time period, toss around contemporarily worded quips about writing, theater, class, theater, image, theater and did we mention theater? Artists Reps production features four robust actors who are, ironically, confined by the script as to how far they can develop their characters. As de Gouges, who was guillotined for her provocative writings, Jamie M. Rea spends much of her time raging against writers block. Joellen Sweeney gets to chew the scenery as a bloodthirsty Corday, fixated on stabbing the politician and journalist Jean-Paul Marat, but doesnt get to delve into the noblewoman-turned-zealots intriguing backstory. More problematic are the other two characters. Gundersons Marie Antoinette, played by Amy Newman, starts out as a vapid caricature, then executes an unexpected turn to become another characters confidante. Marianne, played by Ayanna Berkshire, is a solidly portrayed but disappointing character in that shes a fictional composite when a real female Haitian revolutionary, Sanite Belair, not only existed but also became a national hero. Those who like to sink deep into a narrative or who favor character studies wont get much satisfaction here. Gundersons script is clever, but it has an archness that shuts down the audiences ability to engage with the characters to any meaningful degree. The characters themselves interact mostly by exhorting one another to be steadfast in their principles. If theres any bonding in The Revolutionists, its between the playwright and those who enjoy her digs at theater. Strengths: Scenic designer Megan Wilkerson continues her streak of impressive sets, creating a tight, almost claustrophobic rectangle dotted with miniature buildings that double as platforms. Director Lava Alapai makes the most of the space, sending the characters pacing and declaiming back and forth across it in almost frantic fashion, as if trapped by history. Sound designer Annalise Albright Woods achieves maximum guillotine effect without being needlessly grisly. Weaknesses: Ninety minutes is a long time to sit through a series of pronouncements and low-hanging-fruit jokes when the characters making them arent particularly engaging. Sample line: You cant kill all the writers thats Democracy 101! Olympe de Gouges. Takeaway: The Revolutionists is an interesting experiment in exploring feminism in an era in which women who dared to speak their minds actually risked losing them. The Revolutionists When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday, 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, through May 26. Where: Artists Repertory Theatre, 1515 S.W. Morrison St. Tickets: $30-$60, sliding scale on Sunday, artistsrep.org or 503-241-1278. Breaking through the clutter has inspired TV programmers to revive vintage shows and book one-night-only live productions of musicals. But Wednesday, viewers will get two trends in one, when an all-star cast recreates an episode each of the classic sitcoms, All in the Family and The Jeffersons. In the special, which has the ungainly title, Live in Front of a Studio Audience : Norman Lears All in the Family and The Jeffersons, Woody Harrelson will play Archie Bunker, the role originated by Carroll OConnor in All in the Family, and Jamie Foxx will play George Jefferson, who was first played by Sherman Hemsley. The live (were assuming tape-delayed for the West Coast), 90-minute special is hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, host of ABCs Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and Norman Lear, the legendary producer who was behind both All in the Family and The Jeffersons, among other ground-breaking shows. Along with Lear and Kimmel, other executive producers include Will Ferrell, Adam McKay and Justin Theroux, and Emmy-winner James Burrows will direct the episodes. When All in the Family aired on CBS from 1971-1979, the show became a sensation, with an ability to find laughs in controversial subjects, and featuring heated arguments between Archie Bunker, who freely expressed his prejudices and sexism, and everyone else who disagreed with Archie. As the show became more popular, Archies bigoted views and politically incorrect language became a cultural talking point because OConnors performance was so rich. Many viewers found themselves not only liking Archie, but siding with him, even as he said things that were the opposite of the shows generally liberal viewpoint. One of Archies chief antagonists, George Jefferson, first appeared in All in the Family, and later became one of the key characters in the hit spinoff, The Jeffersons, which ran from 1975 to 1985. A successful businessman who worked his way up, George and his family left All in the Family for their own show when they departed the Bunkers neighborhood in Queens and were moving on up to a new apartment in Manhattan. Joining Harrelson in the All in the Family episode are Marisa Tomei, as Edith Bunker; Ellie Kemper as Gloria Stivic, the Bunkers married daughter; and Ike Barinholtz as Glorias husband, and Archies nemesis, Mike Meathead Stivic. Joining Foxx in The Jeffersons episode are Wanda Sykes as Louise Jefferson; Justina Machado (who starred in the recently canceled Netflix revamp of Lears One Day at a Time) as Florence Johnston; Ferrell as Tom Willis; and Kerry Washington as Helen Willis. Other actors who will appear in the episodes include Anthony Anderson, Sean Hayes, Jackee Harry, Stephen Toblowsky, Amber Stevens West and Jovan Adepo. Both All in the Family and The Jeffersons were considered not just funny, but culturally relevant when they were on the air, and thats something Kimmel has said he values about these landmark series. As Kimmel told USA Today, Theyre important shows, just as important as anything in our culture. I think television is seen as less than that sometimes, but to me and my family, these are shows we love and learned from. Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lears All in the Family and The Jeffersons will air at 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 22 on ABC. -- Kristi Turnquist kturnquist@oregonian.com 503-221-8227 @Kristiturnquist Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. Turns out, if you want a river to act like it did before it was dammed, you just have to drain the reservoir the dam created. Letting a river return to its natural course, even if only for a brief period, has other benefits, too. Invasive species disappear and endangered species, like the imperiled salmon of the Willamette River basin, get an extra boost. Thats according to a group of researchers at Oregon State University, who published their findings Tuesday in the journal Ecohydrology. For their research, led by recent Oregon State graduate Christina Murphy, the group looked at Fall Creek Reservoir, about 30 miles east of Eugene. Over the last several years, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which operates the dam that holds back the reservoir, has drained the manmade lake in the fall to help young spring chinook salmon migrate downstream. Even though the strategy appears extreme, its both helping juvenile salmonids pass downstream and promoting a native species-dominated reservoir, Murphy said in a statement. Bass and crappie, which are major predators in the reservoir, have been pushed out and into the Willamette. Its not just a matter of pushing the problem species into another part of the river system, either, Murphy said. Its all about timing. The good news is that they were pushed downstream in the fall and winter, when the water is cold and the flow is faster, so they should be at a disadvantage in the Willamette River compared to when they leak out of the reservoir in the summer, she said. Historically, the Willamette River has been home to the spawning grounds of roughly half a million fish, many of them coveted salmonids like spring chinook and winter steelhead. Adult fish swim upstream, past the mists and roar of Willamette Falls, to lay their eggs in Cascade and coast range creeks and streams. Newly hatched juvenile salmon then navigated the same course in reverse, swimming down the unimpeded streams to mature in ocean waters before returning to their inland spawning grounds to hatch the next generation. Thats how things worked for thousands of years. Then, in the 1950s and 60s, federally-managed dams sprung up on the McKenzie, Santiam and multiple forks of the Upper Willamette. The dams not only presented physical challenges to migratory fish, they also altered water temperatures in the rivers and reservoirs they created. Earlier this year, an advocacy group named The Willamette as one of the countrys top-10 most endangered rivers because of the threat the dams create for salmon. The Oregon State researchers looked at fish sampling data from 2006 through 2017, with the draining of Fall Creek Reservoir began halfway through that time period. Salmon migrating downstream increased after the draining started and invasive species, including large mouth bass and crappie, declined. In 2012, we could capture 10 bass an hour. This went down each year. By the summer of 2015 we only caught one during all of our sampling and in 2016, we didnt capture any. This change was reflected in the data from the trap downstream too, Murphy said. The decline occurred with crappie, but faster. A small change is water management can make a big difference to native fish species, said Ivan Arismendi, an assistant professor at oregon State and co-author of the study. This extreme draining management is only about a week in duration, but has implications for the whole ecosystem, he said. It makes the reservoir begin to act as a natural river again affecting the entire fish community. -- Kale Williams kwilliams@oregonian.com 503-294-4048 @sfkale Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. A woman who lost her leg when she dashed in front of a Beaverton MAX train is lawfully entitled to only $682,800 of the $15 million in damages awarded by jury, a judge ruled. Andrea Amy Laing and her attorneys contended that she should receive 58 percent of the verdict, or $8.7 million, because the jury in February found TriMet and its driver 58 percent at fault for the accident. But TriMet argued that an Oregon law limiting the tort claim liability of government agencies entitled Laing to no more than $682,800. On Monday, Multnomah County Circuit Judge Christopher Ramras agreed with TriMet. TriMet declined comment about the ruling, which Laing could appeal. Attorney Sonia Montalbano, who represents Laing with Randolph Pickett, said Tuesday they havent yet decided whether to appeal. The $682,800 apparently isnt enough to cover Laings medical bills, which so far have amounted to about $800,000, according to court papers filed by her attorneys before the start of the 10-day trial. Laing and her lawyers faulted the MAX operator for not braking sooner and not sounding the horn earlier as the train approached the Elmonica/Southwest 170th Avenue station on Nov. 16, 2015. They also faulted TriMet for failing to act on years-old recommendations from a consultant on how to make pedestrian crossings safer. For 14 years TriMet was aware of the significant risk of pedestrians being struck by oncoming trains, but did nothing to prevent it until after Ms. Laing was hit, said Montalbano, one of Laings lawyers. This case demonstrates why limiting recovery available to seriously injured parties can lead to a lack of accountability on the part of public agencies. TriMet faulted Laing for failing to heed warning signs or features that were designed to get pedestrians to Stop, look and listen. Laing testified that she didnt pay attention to a Look Both Ways sign and a white bumpy strip on the ground because shed become habitualized to them as a regular commuter. TriMets attorney, Michael Shin, also said Laing was wearing a hoodie and earbuds playing loud music. Laings attorneys argued it couldnt be determined what volume the music was playing at at the time of impact. Several jurors who spoke to The Oregonian/OregonLive after the verdict said they didnt fault Laing for wearing a hoodie. They said because the hood was large, they didnt have evidence that it blocked her field of vision. Jurors found Laing 42 percent at fault, TriMet 43 percent at fault and the MAX operator 15 percent at fault. They said TriMet could have installed safety features that might have prevented the accident. Among those features was a swing gate that would force pedestrians to stop and possibly look both ways before opening the gate and stepping onto the tracks. 12 Surveillance video shows the seconds before MAX train strikes woman Just before the accident, Laing had been walking toward the MAX station at 9:12 a.m. when she saw that the westbound train -- the one she wanted to ride to work -- had pulled into the station, according to testimony and surveillance video played at trial. Laing began to run. An instant before getting hit by the eastbound train, she looks as though she sees it and tries to slow down. But she couldnt in time and was hit by the corner of the approaching train. Laing was run over by the train and suffered an above-the-knee amputation, broken ribs, fractures to her facial bones and many internal injuries, including damage to her spleen that required its removal. After The Oregonian/OregonLive requested a copy of the surveillance video, Laing fought its public release, arguing that it would amount to an unreasonable invasion of privacy. Ramras, the judge, ultimately disagreed and allowed its release earlier this month. -- Aimee Green agreen@oregonian.com o_aimee Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. A Multnomah County jury acquitted a 33-year-old woman of charges that she assaulted a TV news cameraman during a protest last summer outside the Southwest Portland offices of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Jurors found Danialle Inez James not guilty of the charges of fourth-degree assault and harassment of KATU cameraman Carter Maynard. Prosecutors contended that James slammed a wooden gate into the back of Maynards head on June 28 and that she appeared to be motivated by her hostility toward the media. But during a four-day trial that ended last week in Circuit Court, James and her defense attorney contended that she hadnt swung the gate into the cameraman. They also claimed the cameraman conjured up a story that the government then latched on to bring her down. Yet there was no dispute that James was unhappy with the TV coverage as demonstrators camped on Day 11 of the five-week-long protest outside ICE offices. The group had gathered in opposition to the Trump administrations policy of separating immigrant children from their parents along the U.S.-Mexico border. James testified that she thought showing TV images of the immigrants attending the protest would endanger their lives. So she said she tried to sabotage the efforts of the KATU reporter and cameraman by repeatedly saying expletives in the background as they tried to do live broadcasts. Jurors watched video of James, wearing a pink camouflage onesie, exclaiming (Expletive) the media!, calling the KATU employees maggots and broadcasting on her Facebook Live account as she insulted the KATU reporters makeup and clothes. Jurors also watched video footage recorded by Maynard as he held the camera looking away from James. It doesnt show James swinging the gate into the back of his head but captures James calling out, You really get the (expletive) out! The video then shows the scene as Maynard spins around in a circle and voices are heard exclaiming: Oh!" and Whoa, whoa, whoa! The gate was made from a wooden pallet and was part of a fence bordering the protest encampment where James and many others had stationed themselves. 8 ICE protester acquitted of alleged assault of cameraman During more than four hours of testimony, Maynard said he saw James hand on the gate just before and after he was struck from behind. He said the impact left him with pain, dizziness, headaches and tenderness around a swollen, bruised area of his head. A KOIN-6 cameraman, who had been standing next to Maynard, said he saw James intentionally swing the gate into Maynard. James testified that she had her hand on the gate but she didnt slam the gate into Maynard. Rather, she let the gate go and it began to close on him on its own, she said. The prosecution contended that James was familiar with the gate and its ability to swing to a close because shed been at the camp for days. At the very least James acted recklessly in letting it hit the back of Maynards head, said prosecutor Kate Molina. Two medical professionals who examined the cameraman diagnosed him with a concussion and testified for the prosecution. A doctor hired by the defense said Maynard hadnt suffered a concussion. The prosecution noted that the defense doctor hadnt examined Maynard. Defense attorney Karen Mockrin told jurors that both cameramen were lying. Whatever happened, thats not it, Mockrin said. Thats ridiculous. Mockrin asked jurors why Maynard would keep working and recording the protest if he had been hurt. Is there any indication that hes dizzy while hes filming? Mockrin said. He kept going for one hour and 42 minutes. ... I guess thats just how dedicated a reporter he is. The prosecutor said Maynards symptoms worsened over time to the point that he went to urgent care and then later to the emergency room. Maynard said he rested over the weekend that immediately followed and on the third day he was cleared to return to light duty at work. Although James had admitted that she had repeatedly cursed at the media and told them to leave, she told jurors she doesnt hate media. To be honest with you, I was grateful for the media coverage -- people trying to show the world what was going on, she said. Upon hearing the six-person jurys verdict Thursday, James sobbed and embraced a crowd of supporters. Those (expletives) tried to pin me, she said. Not guilty. Not guilty. Thank you! Maynard wasnt present when the verdict was read. KATUs news director didnt return a call seeking comment. But in a Facebook post five days after the protest encounter, Genevieve Reaume, the KATU reporter, described what she said were physical and verbal assaults on multiple journalists by multiple protesters that day. This treatment is unacceptable and will not be tolerated, Reaume wrote. We are here to do an important job, to talk to all sides, to find the truth and report the facts. According to the coalition of American journalists who have formed the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, 42 journalists were attacked in 2018 and 10 so far this year. Among those cataloged cases was a New Jersey newspaper photographer who was hit in the face while taking photographs during a court hearing and an Associated Press journalist who was punched and called fake news while reporting on hurricane flooding in North Carolina. -- Aimee Green agreen@oregonian.com o_aimee Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. By Rebecca Sandoval Sandoval is president of Oregon's home care workers union, SEIU Local 503, Sublocal 99. Twenty years ago, Oregonians voted to grant collective bargaining rights to home care workers and put our right to be in a union into the state Constitution. Today, we are fighting to protect that right, and the right to pay our dues the same way that almost every other union member pays. Earlier this month, the Trump Administration issued a rule from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that prohibits roughly 800,000 home care workers a workforce thats predominantly composed of women and people of color from having health insurance contributions, union dues, and other expenses deducted from paychecks. I dont think any politician should tell me what I can and cant do with my paycheck. Its my pay. My choice. Thats why Im joining other home care workers and challenging the Trump administration in court, alongside Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and the attorneys general of California, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Washington state. Simply put, this rule is designed to silence people like me and make our jobs harder. Home care workers are a diverse population: 90 percent of us are women, over half are women of color, and a quarter are immigrants. This rule strips us of our choice in how we spend our own wages by removing payroll deduction as a way to contribute to our union. In Oregon, this could impact our ability to save for retirement through the OregonSaves program, and in other state ' s it could interfere with people's health insurance. I bet that you or someone you know uses payroll deduction to pay for their benefits; its commonplace among workers. In fact, most union members use payroll deduction to contribute to their unions but for some reason, home care workers like me are being singled out. How would you feel if the government told you how to spend your paycheck? In the 20 years since Oregonians voted to allow collective bargaining for our home care union, we have made incredible strides. Weve negotiated pay increases, gained access to benefits like health insurance and paid time off, and raised standards across the long-term care industry. Through our union, we have instituted mandatory training for home care workers and significantly reduced turnover. These changes have been life changing for our states seniors and people with disabilities. This rule will not stop us from advocating for high-quality home care. Home care has always been my calling. For the past 12 years that I have been a home care worker, I have found immense gratification in helping people live independently with dignity in their own homes. Chances are you know a home care worker or depend on someone who helps care for your parent or loved one. But what you may not know is how the current administration is trying to hold us back with this new rule, which attempts to deny my choice to unite in a union and dictate how I spend my own wages. This work is more important today than ever. As our population ages and more people with disabilities seek community-based supports, rather than living in an institution, demand for homecare is skyrocketing. Now is the time to unite to lift up our nations home care workers, not attack them. COPPELL, Texas, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In May, Brinks marked its 160th anniversary, and its rich legacy of providing safety, security and peace of mind for customers around the world. In 1859, Perry Brink bought a horse-drawn wagon for less than $200, and began transporting parcels in Chicago, Ill. Within a few years, Brinks City Express became a trusted source for transporting large amounts of cash, a business niche that would define the company and serve as its foundation for the future. Today, Brinks is the worlds largest cash management company, with a strong brand thats recognized globally, said Ray Shemanski, president of Brinks U.S. and Canada. We are proud to be a part of an elite group of organizations and landmarks that can celebrate a milestone of this magnitude. We are incredibly grateful for the hard work of our dedicated team, and the trust of our valued customers who helped make this historic moment possible. Brinks Puts Down Roots in Jacksonville Operations in Jacksonville officially began in 1968. Since then, the company has added more than 140 new jobs to the city, and is looking to add more. Today, Brinks serves a multitude of retailers, restaurants, small businesses and financial institutions in North Florida including Gainesville, Tallahassee, and extending up as far as Savannah, Ga. We're immensely proud of where we've been, and even more excited about where we're going, said Evie Chitty, district vice president for the Brinks Florida region. Like our founder before us, we intend to transform our industry by adapting to the needs of our customers. We are doing just that right here in the great state of Florida. The Jacksonville branch houses operations for both Cash-in-Transit (armored trucks) and Cash Vault Services (money processing). Last year, Brinks acquired Dunbar Armored and combined its operations in Jacksonville. With the acquisition, success and growth in Florida, doors are opening for new opportunities. Today, Brinks has approximately 17 positions on its Jacksonville team ready for new drivers/messengers and ATM and cash coordinators, as well as operations leadership roles. Brinks is a military-friendly company and employs a significant number of U.S. veterans in operations and administration roles. In its 160th year, Brinks is celebrating its rich history, diverse culture and looking forward to an even brighter future. To find out more about Brinks U.S. or available career opportunities, please visit our websites: www.brinks.com www.BrinksUSCareers.com About The Brinks Company The Brinks Company is the global leader in total cash management, route-based secure logistics and payment solutions including cash-in-transit, ATM services, cash management services (including vault outsourcing, money processing and intelligent safe services), and international transportation of valuables. Our customers include financial institutions, retailers, government agencies, mints, jewelers and other commercial operations. Our global network of operations in 41 countries serves customers in more than 100 countries. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.brinks.com or call 804-289-9709. Contact: Brinks Communications Cynthia Baker: cynthia.baker@brinksinc.com (469)-549-6853 Why is the Oregon PERS system always under attack? I dont think people realize the number of changes that have already been made to the Public Employees Retirement System; and still, our public employees continue to bear the blame for insufficient funding for our public services. Im not sure people understand the number of times our teachers and other public employees sacrificed their salaries to protect programs that students, patients and disabled persons people rely upon. These unselfish workers deferred raises all for the sake of ensuring that our schools, police force, care centers, parks, libraries, fire departments and many other public services would have enough money to survive another year or two. It has been incredibly unfair to blame these dedicated employees! Regarding our public schools, we must not overlook Ballot Measure 5, an initiative passed by Oregon voters which fundamentally changed Oregons property tax and public-school funding systems. The passage of this initiative made Oregons public-school system primarily dependent upon state general revenues controlled by the Legislature rather than local school boards. Finally, after 30 years of our schools struggling for crucial funds, the Oregon Legislature passed the Student Success Act, which will bring nearly $2 billion a biennium into our schools. A small number of Oregon businesses will now invest in our students future, helping reduce class sizes, strengthen critical programs and hopefully increase instructional assistants and counselors. Then maybe, we will change our focus from constantly complaining about PERS, to using our time and energy more wisely by ensuring that this new source of funding remains secure. Liz Marlia-Stein, McMinnville My friend Clay was one of the American soldiers who freed living skeletons from a German camp at the end of World War II. I was horrified to read that there are Holocaust deniers and those who minimize the tortures and deaths of millions of men, women and children. (Oregon lawmaker shuts down testimony downplaying, denying Holocaust, May 9). My friend Maria and her mother survived four years of barely living in four camps. Marias mother was a skilled cook, which made them slightly safer. I am glad to know that the House Education Committee voted 9-0 to send Senate Bill 664 to the House floor. Jean Mitchell, Portland At least 1,000 people cheered, chanted and packed downtown Portlands Terry Schrunk Plaza on Tuesday to protest a recent wave of new restrictions on abortions around the country. Portlands #StopTheBans rally drew people of all ages, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, Multnomah County commissioners and a llama. The event, organized by groups including nonprofits NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon, was one of several held in Oregon and across the nation. The #StopTheBans rallies come after Alabama lawmakers passed a bill last week making abortion a felony in the state except in cases when the mothers life is at risk. Ohio, Georgia, Kentucky and Mississippi are among other states this year that have banned abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, which is around six to eight weeks of pregnancy. Chants such as My body, my choice, and Abortion is healthcare, filled the air at the Portland rally. Demonstrators held signs with messages that included Trust women and We are not ovary-acting. An ensemble band, with drummers, a trumpeter and trombone player, played before and after the rally. Rosenblum told the crowd that anti-abortion laws passed this year in states such as Alabama, Georgia and Ohio are unconstitutional, a relentless assault on our reproductive freedoms, and a direct attack on Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide. None of us could have imagined then that this law of the land would be in question over 40 years later, Rosenblum said. Were not going to stand for it. The attorney general pledged to take any necessary legal action to protect the rights of Oregon women. Oregon doesnt have any legal restrictions on abortions. Yvonne Garcia, from the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon, told the crowd that the national group has already filed lawsuits challenging recent abortion restrictions in Kentucky and Ohio and plans to do the same in Georgia and Alabama. She recounted her decision to have an abortion in the past, saying it was a personal decision among her partner, her doctor and herself. No politician has any right to make that decision for me or anyone else, Garcia said, drawing applause from the crowd. Speakers urged demonstrators to keep advocating for reproductive rights and to make their voices heard in upcoming elections. -- 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. Streem, a Portland startup specializing in augmented reality technology, said Wednesday it has raised more money and acquired a tiny company that spun out of the University of Cambridge. Streems technology enables people to use their smartphones to give repair services and contractors a look inside a home. Plumbers, appliance maintenance personnel, painters and others can use the technology to gauge the scope of whats required before visiting a home. The Portland company that saves time and expense. Streem had previously reported $1.7 million in funding. The company didnt disclose its latest investment, but in a regulatory filing in December the company said it had raised $6.8 million of an anticipated $8.7 million round. The company it acquired is called Selerio, a three-person British firm whose technology gives cameras the ability to measure scale, light and the position and orientation of objects. Streem didnt say how much it paid for Selerio but said the companys staff will move from England to Portland. -- Mike Rogoway | twitter: @rogoway | 503-294-7699 Increasing the visibility of deputies patrolling Midland County and ensuring the mental, emotional and physical safety of road patrol and correctional officers are some of the top priorities for a recently announced candidate for the role of Midland County's next sheriff. Rodney Roten announced his candidacy on May 13, joining Midland County Sheriff's Office deputy Myron Greene and Sheriff's Office administrator Laura Lee as the third Republican to enter that race. Roten moved to Midland in 1993 and joined the Midland Police Department, where he served for more than 25 years as an officer, sergeant, lieutenant and deputy chief before retiring in December. Due to the size of Midland County, Roten has heard concerns from residents that feel they do not often see deputy patrols in in their area of residence. One remedy Roten had for this would be to encourage directed patrol by sergeants to ensure that deputies are regularly patrolling in a way that covers as much of the county as possible. Roten believes this could increase the impression on residents that the Sheriff's Office is active in covering the whole of Midland County. Roten would also plan to work with the Midland County Administrator/Controller to increase the minimum number of deputies required on the nighttime shift from three to four. "The thing about three deputies trying to cover 528 square miles is that they're spread pretty thin, and they can get tied up in calls," Roten said. Roten gives the example of a domestic assault, which always requires two deputies to respond due to the possible danger, occurring at the same time as another dangerous situation such as breaking-and-entering or a fight -- the remaining third deputy would have to respond by themselves. "If something else pops up on the other side of the county, that deputy now has to respond to that call alone," Roten said. "We do have a good working relationship with the law enforcement in the area -- the Midland Police Department, Michigan State Police and Coleman Police Department give mutual aid -- but they won't always be available." Having received certification in crisis intervention stress management (CISM), Roten hopes to further promote education on the mental and physical wellbeing of Midland County's law enforcement officers. One way of promoting this is by training supervisors to be more aware of the warning signs of stress effecting a deputy or corrections officer's work, such as a decrease in the quality of job performance. "Law enforcement is a high-stress job, not only working on the streets but also working inside the jail," Roten said. "There have been numerous studies in the law enforcement field that prove that there's a higher divorce rate, and higher suicide rate and there's a higher substance abuse rate, because some people when they get stressed turn to different coping mechanisms, and then things start to falter and go downhill in their job." Roten also has plans to improve the dialogue and communication between the Sheriff's Office and residents of Midland County. "As law enforcement leaders, we need to be very cognizant of the trust level in a community," Roten said. "If you don't have trust in the community, you're not going to be able to serve the community the way you should -- they're not going to give you the feedback you need, because if they don't trust you, they're not going to come to you." Some "little tweaks" to the way the Sheriff's Office interacts with the public Roten might implement include informal "meet-and-greets" and visits to community events that will give deputies the opportunity to communicate with local residents in situations other than showing up only when their assistance is needed. The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriff's Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Mitchell Kukulka. Saturday, May 18 11:50 p.m. -- Officers responded to a larceny of an automobile in the 5400 block of Tyler Street. 10:35 p.m. -- Officers responded to a traffic crash in the 100 block of East Main Street. 10:10 p.m. -- Deputies responded to a car-deer crash in Lincoln Township. 8:58 p.m. -- A deputy was sent to Jerome Township for a report of a suspicious vehicle that had driven past a residence four times in a short period of time. The area was checked but the vehicle was not located. 5:55 p.m. -- A deputy responded to a car-deer crash in Mills Township. 4:41 p.m. -- A 72-year-old Lincoln Township woman activated her medical alert necklace and reported that her husband was holding her hostage. Deputies arrived and discovered she has numerous medical issues and the medication she is taking along with the possible onset of dementia is degrading her mental capabilities. There was no evidence of any criminal activity. The 74-year-old husband had just refused to drive her to Illinois that day. She did not want to go to the emergency room and deputies did not observe immediate signs to be able to force her to go to the ER at this time. Deputies suggested to the husband to file paperwork for a medical power of attorney and possibly a conservatorship. 1:19 p.m. -- A deputy was dispatched to a Hope Township residence in reference to neighbor issues. The caller, a 54-year-old man, said his neighbors have complained to him over the years about him burning hay or brush on his property. The neighbor, a 67-year-old woman, told him she has health problems. The man said he tries to burn on days the wind isn't blowing towards the neighbors and tries to keep it to a minimum. The man also said he was doing it today because burning was allowed today after it had not been for some time. The neighbor and her husband stopped in a vehicle near the road and walked a few feet up his driveway. There was a verbal exchange about him not burning and he also yelled back that he could burn the items. The man just wished for it to be documented in case there were further problems. 12:48 p.m. -- A Mills Township resident reported to the Sheriff's Office that an unknown suspect forced open their shed and stole a five-gallon fuel can. 12:27 p.m. -- Deputies responded to a two-car crash in Ingersoll Township. 11:53 p.m. -- Officers responded to a vehicle crash on private property in the area of Eastman Avenue and North Saginaw Road. 11:08 a.m. -- Deputies were dispatched to a Warren Township residence for a 46-year-old Warren woman who reported her mailbox had been run over. The mailbox was valued at about $50. Deputies investigated the scene and there are no suspects. 11:42 p.m. -- Officers responded to a crash resulting in property damage in the area of Eastman Avenue and North Saginaw Road. 11:03 a.m. -- A Larkin Township business reported an unknown man pumped $40 in gas into his gold-colored Chevrolet Impala. The vehicle then left southbound on Eastman Road without paying for the gas. The clerk did not obtain a license plate. 8:53 a.m. -- Deputies responded to a Warren Township home for a report of a runaway 17-year-old boy. The boy had cut off his tether and ran away. The subject was entered into Law Enforcement Information Network as a runaway. On the following Sunday at about 4 a.m., the boy and a 16-year-old Bay County teen were located in the City of Midland. Both subjects were on probation out of Midland County Probate Court. Both boys were arrested for probation violations. Both were transported and lodged at the Midland County Juvenile Care Center. 12:48 a.m. -- Officers performed a liquor inspection in the 4400 block of North Saginaw Road. Friday, May 17 10:08 p.m. -- Officers performed a warrant arrest in the 100 block of Fast Ice Drive. 9:35 p.m. -- Deputies responded to a Homer Township location for dogs in the roadway. The caller, a 22-year-old man, reported the dogs were aggressive. The owner of the dogs, a 48-year-old Midland man, was later contacted. The dogs had been secured in his residence. The owner was advised to keep his dogs on his property and out of the road, which he agreed to. Info regarding the incident was forwarded to Midland County Animal Control. 9:49 p.m. -- Officers responded to a property damage accident on eastbound US-10 near the Wackerly Street off-ramp. 7:10 p.m. -- Officers responded to a vehicle crash resulting in property damage in the 6800 block of Eastman Avenue. 5:57 p.m. -- A report is being sent to the Prosecutor's Office requesting charges on a 25-year-old City of Midland woman for larceny following investigation into a pair of stolen earrings. The earrings were worth $5 and have been recovered. 4:42 p.m. -- Officers responded to a vehicle crash on private property in the 1300 block of Eastlawn Drive. 4:07 p.m. -- Deputies responded to a Lee Township residence for an assault between a 29-year-old woman and her 33-year-old husband. The husband was later arrested for assaulting his wife. The male was transported to the Midland County Jail, where he was lodged without incident. A report has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney's Office for review. 2:48 p.m. -- Deputies responded to Edenville Township to assist another agency on a warrant arrest. Deputies took custody of a 29-year-old Beaverton man, who had an active failure to appear warrant out of the 75th District Court of Midland County. Deputies transported the 29-year-old to the Midland County Jail. 12:10 p.m. -- Deputies responded to a two-vehicle crash resulting in injuries in Jerome Township. 12:05 p.m. -- A 65-year-old woman began moving out of her home when she claimed that her husband's family began hassling her about property in the home. The woman said she is in the process of getting a divorce and simply wanted to get her personal belongings out of the house without any issues. The deputy arrived and there were no issues. All parties were advised and agreed to avoid each other and settle any property disputes in court. 10:33 a.m. -- Deputies responded to a car-deer crash in Jasper Township. 2 a.m. -- A deputy responded to a single-vehicle crash in Edenville Township. The vehicle sustained minor cosmetic damage, however the driver's license was suspended out of Illinois. A report is being sent to the Prosecuting Attorney's Office for a warrant request. 12:07 a.m. -- Deputies responded to a Jerome Township location for a single-vehicle traffic crash. The driver, a 51-year-old Jerome Township man, was later arrested for operating while intoxicated. He was transported to the Midland County Jail. A UD-10 traffic crash report has been completed. A report has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney's Office for review. SUGAR LAND, Texas, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CVR Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CVI) today announced that it has engaged BofA Merrill Lynch as its financial advisor to assist it in evaluating potential strategic alternatives, including a potential sale. The Company intends to evaluate alternatives in combination with its ongoing focus on accomplishing its strategic objectives, prudently managing costs and operating its businesses safely and reliably. CVR Energy also announced that its subsidiary has entered into a definitive agreement for the sale of its 1.5-million-barrel Cushing, Oklahoma, crude oil terminal and related assets to an affiliate of Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. for total consideration of approximately $36 million, and concurrently closed the transaction. CVR Energy is committed to maximizing value for its stockholders, said Dave Lamp, CVR Energys Chief Executive Officer. Both the sale of the Cushing terminal, which allowed us to derive value from an underutilized asset, and the exploration of potential strategic alternatives support this commitment. We are excited about the Company's prospects and ability to enhance stockholder value through our initiatives, regardless of the outcome of a strategic alternative process. CVR Energy does not have a defined timeline for the exploration of strategic alternatives and makes no assurances that its evaluation will result in any transaction being announced or consummated. The Company does not currently intend to discuss or disclose further developments with respect to this process, unless and until its Board of Directors approves a specific transaction or otherwise determines that further disclosure is appropriate. Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements concerning current estimates, expectations and projections about future results, performance, prospects, opportunities, plans, actions and events and other statements, concerns or matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements, as that term is defined under the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future: evaluation or execution of strategic alternatives, including a potential sale, successful or at all; ability to accomplish our strategic objectives and initiatives successfully or at all; cost management; maximation or enhancement of stockholder value; and safe and reliable operations. You can generally identify forward-looking statements by our use of forward-looking terminology, such as anticipate, believe, continue, could, estimate, expect, explore, evaluate, intend, may, might, plan, potential, predict, seek, should or will, or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. For additional discussion of risk factors that may affect our results, please see the risk factors and other disclosures included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our other SEC filings. These and other risks may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made only as of the date hereof. CVR Energy disclaims any intention or obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law. About CVR Energy, Inc. Headquartered in Sugar Land, Texas, CVR Energy is a diversified holding company primarily engaged in the petroleum refining and marketing business through its interest in CVR Refining and the nitrogen fertilizer manufacturing business through its interest in CVR Partners, LP. CVR Energy subsidiaries serve as the general partner and own 34 percent of the common units of CVR Partners. For further information, please contact: Bamako, Mali (PANA) - A Nigerien peacekeeper was killed and another injured on Saturday in an attempt by unidentified armed men to rob their vehicle in the centre of Timbuktu, northeastern Mali, the Malian Press Agency (AMAP) reported on Tuesday Lead Plaintiff Deadline is July 15, 2019 NEW YORK, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP announces that a federal securities class action lawsuit has been filed against Jumia Technologies AG (Jumia or the Company) (NYSE: JMIA) in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on behalf of those who purchased or acquired the American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) of Jumia between April 12, 2019 through May 9, 2019, inclusive (the Class Period). Investors who purchased the ASRs of Jumia Technologies AG are urged to contact the firm immediately at classmember@whafh.com or (800) 575-0735 or (212) 545-4774. You may obtain additional information concerning the action on our website www.whafh.com. If you have incurred losses in the ADRs of Jumia Technologies AG, you may, no later than July 15, 2019, request that the Court appoint you lead plaintiff of the proposed class. Please contact Wolf Haldenstein to learn more about your rights as an investor in Jumia Technologies AG. ## Follow the firm and learn about newly filed cases on Twitter and Facebook. ## The filed Complaint alleges that Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: Jumia had materially overstated its active customers and active merchants; Jumias representations about its orders, order cancellations, undelivered orders and returned orders lacked a sufficient factual basis and materially overstated Jumias sales; Jumia failed to sufficiently disclose related party transactions; Jumias financial statements were presented in violation of applicable accounting standards; and as a result of the foregoing, defendants positive statements about Jumias business, operations, and prospects, were materially misleading and lacked a reasonable basis. Jumia completed its Initial Public Offering (IPO) in April 2019 for net proceeds of approximately $280 million. Less than a month after, Citron Research issued a research report announcing that Jumia is a Fraud that deserves immediate SEC attention. According to the Citron Report, while media in the U.S. naively anointed Jumia the Amazon of Africa, numerous articles have been issued in its home country of Nigeria claiming widespread fraud. An investigation by Nigerian news reporters described the company as "struggling to survive over internal fraudulent activities" and "filled with many shady deals." Citron Report further notes that just prior to the IPO, Jumia issued a confidential investor presentation in October 2018 with financial metrics that significantly differed from its registration documents. When the truth was revealed, Jumia's ADRs declined approximately 28% on heavy trading volume over a two-day period, from $33.11 per ADR on May 8, 2019 to $24.50 per ADR on May 10, 2019. Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP has extensive experience in the prosecution of securities class actions and derivative litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts across the country. The firm has attorneys in various practice areas; and offices in New York, Chicago and San Diego. The reputation and expertise of this firm in shareholder and other class litigation has been repeatedly recognized by the courts, which have appointed it to major positions in complex securities multi-district and consolidated litigation. If you wish to discuss this action or have any questions regarding your rights and interests in this case, please immediately contact Wolf Haldenstein by telephone at (800) 575-0735, via e-mail at classmember@whafh.com , or visit our website at www.whafh.com. Contact: Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP Kevin Cooper, Esq. Gregory Stone, Director of Case and Financial Analysis Email: gstone@whafh.com , kcooper@whafh.com or classmember@whafh.com Tel: (800) 575-0735 or (212) 545-4774 Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome. Cotonou, Benin (PANA) Benin president Patrice Talon has expressed regret at the violence that followed last 28 Aprils parliamentary elections in the country Conakry, Guinea (PANA) - Aliou Bah, provisional coordinator of the opposition Democratic Liberal Movement (Model), Tuesday asked the ruling Rally of the Guinean People (RPG) to choose another candidate, other than Alpha Conde, to contest next years presidential election Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (PANA) A Tanzanian legislator has asked the government to consider legalising the production and use of marijuana (Cannabis Sativa commonly known as Bhang), to follow in the footsteps of other countries in the world Nouakchott, Mauritania (PANA) An electoral opposition alliance in Mauritania, which includes political parties, civil society organisations and individuals, has called for mobilisation for political change in the country that for decades has been ruled by military officers BLOOMINGTON McLean County Coroner Kathy Yoder said she is still working to positively identify a man killed in a fiery, single-vehicle crash Sunday morning on Interstate 55 near Shirley. She said the man is not from the area, and progress is being made in identifying him. But she will release the identity until a positive identification is finalized. We are going to have to use DNA and so it could take several weeks, she told The Pantagraph on Tuesday. The crash happened in the northbound lane around mile marker 149, near the Funks Grove rest area. Yoders office was notified at 2:37 a.m. The victim was the only person in the vehicle. The McLean Fire Department, Dale Township Fire, McLean County Sheriffs Department and Illinois State Police assisted at the scene. This incident remains under investigation by the McLean County Coroners Office and the Illinois State Police. Contact Kevin Barlow at (309) 820-3238. Follow him on Twitter: @pg_barlow Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 2 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. BLOOMINGTON A flamingo at Miller Park Zoo was euthanized Monday after it was struck by a rock. "A juvenile guest accidentally injured a flamingo on Monday by skipping a rock into the habitat," Jay Tetzloff, director of the city-owned zoo and parks, recreation and cultural arts department, said in an email Tuesday afternoon. "Unfortunately, staff determined the best course of action given the animal's injuries was to euthanize the bird," said Tezloff, adding a leg was broken by a rock. "This was a truly unfortunate accident, and we are working with the juvenile's family to move forward," said Tetzloff, adding the zoo sees no need to change the layout of the exhibit. The project had to be downsized, redesigned and rebid after four bids submitted in 2015 came in higher than the anticipated cost for design and construction. To save money, an island was eliminated from the plan, and city employees did demolition and landscaping work and built the fence around the exhibit. As another cost-saving measure, the zoo decreased the original flock size of 35 flamingos. At more than 20 flamingos, Miller Park Zoo still will have one of largest flocks housed at zoos in the country, said Tetzloff. Some residents opposed to the city spending money for a flamingo exhibit had previously protested by bringing plastic versions of the pink birds to City Council meetings and planting them in their yards. A look at the Miller Park Zoo in photos Contact Maria Nagle at (309) 820-3244. Follow her on Twitter: @Pg_Nagle BLOOMINGTON The Jefferson Street Community House, which opened two years ago despite protests from several west-side residents who worried about it bringing a heavy police presence, will close and be sold, officials confirmed Monday. The house at 828 W. Jefferson St. opened in June 2017 as a joint project among the Bloomington Police Department, Mid Central Community Action and the West Bloomington Housing Collaborative. Community Action acquired and rehabbed the house with Illinois attorney general grant money. Its the nature of the grant that Mid Central Community Action held, and it is no longer available, said Bloomington Police Chief Clay Wheeler, referring to money for buying and rehabbing houses. Officials with Community Action were not available Monday for comment. Mid Central Community Action is making this decision, said Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner. Chief Wheeler received an email from (MCCA Executive Director) Deb White dated May 1 about this and it was designated as spam. So were just finding out about this today (Monday) as well. "It (White's email) was hung up in his spam email until like May 9," added City Manager Tim Gleason. "Then that was when the chief reached out to Deb and wanted to get together. "I think she was on vacation, so the news of this actually being sold ... were just learning about today (Monday). The Community House and 12 other homes were acquired using state grant money designed for rehabbing distressed properties. Some of the rehab features were specific to the home such as additional security cameras because of the police presence at the house. Renner said Monday that city officials have not yet decided what to do. Wheeler said the house had been used by police for its purpose, which was to create a presence in the neighborhood. We held some community functions there like Halloween parties and different events over the course of the year, he said. Officers would stop by and do reports there, but with body cameras and different things that came up, they had difficulty getting much work done there. He added that it did serve its purpose. The level of violence has decreased in that neighborhood somewhat, he said. Renner said he hopes the effort to build better relationships between the citys police department and neighbors will continue. I certainly hope we would continue our community policing efforts on the west side and begin to expand it to other parts of our community so that there is a much better relationship as we move forward between police officers and neighborhoods, he said. Contact Kevin Barlow at (309) 820-3238. Follow him on Twitter: @pg_barlow Contact Maria Nagle at (309) 820-3244. Follow her on Twitter: @pg_nagle Love 0 Funny 3 Wow 2 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. One of the byproducts of the rapidly increasing power of microchips is the proliferation of chip-powered cameras and devices that are constantly watching and, in some cases, recording the world in front of them in high definition. There are cameras in doorbells and ATMs, overlooking building entrances and parking lots, on traffic lights and retail store walls. Law enforcement agencies have taken advantage of these electronic eyes to gather evidence of crimes, trace suspects and search for missing persons. Now, police around the country are embracing a technology that can turn recordings into results far more efficiently: facial recognition software. The software matches images from a database of pictures for example, drivers licenses or mug shots against what a security camera has recorded to try to identify the people in the recordings. One problem, though, is that the software isnt 100% accurate. Some of the versions on the market have an especially poor track record when it comes to identifying darker-skinned people. For example, a recent study found that Amazons Rekognition misidentified womens images as mens 19% to 31% of the time. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors seized upon this flaw in an ordinance recently adopted. It requires government agencies in the city to develop policies for surveillance technologies that govern their use, and then to obtain the boards approval before acquiring and deploying such tools. The one exception was facial recognition software, which the ordinance flatly prohibits government agencies from using. The propensity for facial recognition technology to endanger civil rights and civil liberties substantially outweighs its purported benefits, and the technology will exacerbate racial injustice and threaten our ability to live free of continuous government monitoring, the ordinance states. The board was wise to impose some badly needed transparency and oversight on local law enforcements use of monitoring and tracking technologies, such as license plate readers and cellphone locators. Police agencies are focused on fighting crime and are often too cavalier about preserving civil liberties; elected officials are the ones who should be deciding how much of their constituents freedom from surveillance to sacrifice in order to make them more secure. That should have been the approach taken to facial recognition software as well. Although its frightening to think how this technology could be misused, the technology itself isnt evil. In fact, it can be a lifesaver. And new applications of the software are emerging all the time. In the case of facial recognition, a number of serious questions remain to be answered before law enforcement agencies are given the green light. What image sources are reliable enough to be used for identifications drivers licenses? Mug shots? Can people be added to the database of images without their knowledge or consent? How should the software be tested? How much detail do agencies need to release to the public about their use of the technology? Some applications are so intrusive such as using cameras with facial recognition abilities to track a persons movements from camera to camera that they shouldnt be available to police without a warrant. There should also be safeguards to ensure that law enforcement agencies dont circumvent the rules by obtaining information from cameras and facial recognition software deployed by private businesses. In other words, this powerful technology requires oversight and caution to prevent it from being abused. But a ban would throw the good uses out with the bad ones. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 100 years ago May 21, 1919: Walter Robbins and Roscoe Pierson confessed to stealing a car belonging to Sheriff Spaffords brother, driving it to Indianapolis and leaving it. They took a train home. Robbins also confessed to stealing other cars for joy rides, thus clearing several cases. 75 years ago May 21, 1944: The old Illinois Central depot at Front Street is being dismantled and hauled away. IC passenger service ended in 1939, and the depot is no longer necessary. L. T. Stevenson bought the brick building and has the task of removing it. It was built in 1896. 50 years ago May 21, 1969: The Hungarian Club, 1322 Calhoun St., is celebrating its golden anniversary. The club began in 1919 with 39 charter members and $4,000 in borrowed money. These days only four charter members are left, and they all came for the anniversary party. 25 years ago May 21, 1994: Well-known dinner theater entrepreneur Chaunce Conklin is taking his act to Branson, Mo. Conklins theater in Congerville recently closed with financial problems. He and his partner Mary Simon are producing Love Rides the Rails in Branson. Compiled by Jack Keefe; jkeefe@coldwellhomes.com. UPS has officially broken ground on its new Prague package sorting and delivery center in Tuchomerice. The facility, near Vaclav Havel Airport, will be located in a key economic region of the Czech Republic, where small and large companies are turning to exports to grow their businesses. ') } // --> ') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write('') } // --> Prague and Stredocesky kraj are the Czech Republics leading export regions, with companies active in the industrial manufacturing, retail and high-tech sectors. Many of these are small businesses, and this new facility will allow us to more efficiently connect our customers to export opportunities through UPSs smart global logistics network, said Marcin Krzak, country manager, UPS Czech Republic. UPS has been serving Czech businesses for over 25 years, and last quarter we grew our export volume in the Czech Republic by more than 5% thanks to increasing cross-border business. ') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write(' ') } // --> ') } else if (width >= 425) { console.log ('largescreen'); document.write('') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write('') } // --> The Prague center, scheduled to open at the beginning of 2020, will have an operating area of nearly 9,000m2 (97,000ft2) and a sorting capacity of 5,000 packages per hour, which is five times more than the building it replaces in Ruzyne. The new facility will also bring package, freight and supply chain services, as well as the headquarters of UPS Czech Republic, Slovakia and Ukraine, under one roof. The new facility is part of the companys multi-year, US$2bn (1.5bn) European investment plan, which aims to modernize and expand the UPS network across the continent. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NOVAGOLD RESOURCES INC. (TSX, NYSE American: NG) (NOVAGOLD or the Company) is pleased to announce the detailed voting results on the items of business considered at its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held on May 16, 2019 (the Meeting). All proposals were approved and all nine director nominees were elected. A total of 262,216,970 or 80.62% of the Companys issued and outstanding shares were represented at the Meeting. Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, NOVAGOLDs former President and Chief Executive Officer, retired from the Board after 20 years of service to the Company and Ethan Schutt was newly elected to the Board. NOVAGOLD Thanks Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse for his Service On behalf of the Board of Directors of NOVAGOLD, I would like to express sincere appreciation to Rick for his vision in endowing NOVAGOLD with great assets which formed the foundation for value creation for our shareholders, said Dr. Thomas Kaplan, NOVAGOLDs Chairman. Rick was the one who identified Donlin Gold as an exceptional deposit and shepherded its initial advancement into one of the worlds largest and highest-grade known open pit gold deposits. Just as importantly, his unwavering commitment toward improvement of living conditions in the remote communities of both Alaska and British Columbia has become an integral part of NOVAGOLDs corporate culture. We wish him all the best in both his personal life and professional endeavors. Ethan Schutt joins the Board of Directors of NOVAGOLD The Company is also pleased to announce the election of Ethan Schutt to its Board, effective May 16, 2019. Mr. Schutt is the Chief of Staff of Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC). ANTHC provides health services as well as training, health education, disease and injury prevention and rural water and sewer construction for Alaska Native people. In his current role, Mr. Schutt executes coordination and support activities to ensure proper prioritization and alignment of ANTHC resources. Prior to joining ANTHC, Mr. Schutt served as General Counsel, later becoming Senior Vice President of Land and Energy Development for Cook Inlet Region Inc. (CIRI). In that capacity, he led a team of professionals managing application of CIRIs Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) lands toward exploration for oil and gas as well as mineral and other natural resource development. Mr. Schutt holds a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in mathematics from Washington State University and a Juris Doctor degree from Stanford Law School. We are delighted to welcome Ethan to the Board, added Dr. Kaplan. His firsthand knowledge and appreciation of issues affecting Alaska and its Native communities is an important part of our day-to-day operations. NOVAGOLD is truly fortunate to have Ethan on its team and we are looking forward to his valuable counsel and advice. Shareholder Voting Results The Shareholders voted on the following matters at this years Meeting. Proposal 1 Setting the Number of Directors The vote was carried to adopt an ordinary resolution setting the number of Directors at ten. The votes according to proxies received were as follows: Votes For 207,556,811 99.52% Votes Against 992,264 0.48% Proposal 2 Election of Directors The nominees listed in NOVAGOLDs Management Information Circular were elected as Directors of the Company. Detailed results of the votes are set out below: Proposal 1 Outcome of the Vote Votes by Ballot Election of Directors Votes For Votes Withheld Sharon Dowdall Carried 206,423,961 (98.96%) 2,160,292 (1.04%) Dr. Diane Garrett Carried 203,613,351 (97.62%) 4,970,902 (2.38%) Dr. Thomas Kaplan Carried 207,860,882 (99.65%) 723,371 (0.35%) Gregory Lang Carried 207,930,854 (99.69%) 653,399 (0.31%) Igor Levental Carried 205,356,831 (98.45%) 3,227,422 (1.55%) Kalidas Madhavpeddi Carried 207,156,041 (99.32%) 1,428,212 (0.68%) Clynton Nauman Carried 206,606,096 (99.05%) 1,978,157 (0.95%) Ethan Schutt Carried 207,686,980 (99.57%) 897,273 (0.43%) Anthony Walsh Carried 207,360,165 (99.41%) 1,224,088 (0.59%) Proposal 3 Appointment of Auditors The vote was carried for the Appointment of the Auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The votes according to proxies received were as follows: Votes For 260,738,373 99.45% Votes Withheld 1,443,419 0.55% Proposal 4 Say-On-Pay Advisory Vote The vote was carried on the Say-On-Pay Advisory Vote. The votes according to proxies received were as follows: Votes For 173,946,528 83.41% Votes Against 33,572,353 16.10% Abstentions 1,030,194 0.49% NOVAGOLD Continues its Shareholder Engagement Program During the 2019 proxy season, NOVAGOLD placed calls to or met in person with its shareholders owning 40,000 or more shares, representing more than 85% of the Companys issued and outstanding common shares entitled to vote at the Meeting. Following the Meeting, the Board met and appointed Ethan Schutt to serve on the Audit and Corporate Communications Committees, replacing Kalidas Madhavpeddi and Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, respectively. Mr. Madhavpeddi replaced Mr. Van Nieuwenhuyse on the Environment, Health, Safety, Sustainability and Technical Committee. Full details of all proposals are fully described in the Companys Management Information Circular dated March 26, 2019 available on the Companys website at www.novagold.com , on SEDAR at www.sedar.com , and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov , and the detailed results of voting on each proposal are included in the Report of Voting Results filed on SEDAR and on EDGAR. NOVAGOLD Contact: Melanie Hennessey Vice President, Corporate Communications Allison Pettit Manager, Investor Relations 604-669-6227 or 1-866-669-6227 Amazon Studios has returned domestic distribution rights to Woody Allens A Rainy Day in New York, marking a turning point for the estranged director, who can now pursue a U.S. release himself, per Variety. (Whether hell be able to secure domestic distribution, of course, is another question entirely.) The news comes after Allen independently released the films trailer and a promotional poster with the caption Coming soon on his official Facebook page to much confusion. Originally set for release in 2018, the project stalled at Amazon amid renewed attention to Allens long-standing sexual abuse allegations (which he denies) and the growing traction of the #MeToo movement. Further controversy arose after stars Elle Fanning and Timothee Chalametalongside other Allen film veteranspublicly expressed their regret of working with the director. The studio soon ended its production deal with Allen, citing the companys inability to release or promote the film amidst the negative press prevented the deal from being completed, per Vulture. Allen responded by filing a $68 million breach of contract lawsuit, claiming the studio had no legitimate grounds for terminating the contract and was perpetuating a false allegation against him. Prior to the fractured production deal, Allen had entered into four separate deals with the studio. The film still has international distribution commitments, but widespread U.S. distribution seems unlikely. An anonymous top film distribution chief told Variety that potentially acquiring the movie would be death, publicity-wise. Allen is currently in production on an untitled project in Spain with European independent film-TV company MediaPro and has no intention to retire, Variety reports. House Speaker Nancy Pelosis leadership team is ramping up an effort to have her begin an impeachment inquiry against President Trump. The speaker, a known impeachment skeptic, was in and out of meetings on the topic all Monday night, per a report from The Washington Post. The increased push for an impeachment inquiry comes in light of the White Houses assertion that Donald McGahn, former White House counsel, is exempt from testimony on the Mueller report. He was scheduled to testify Tuesday morning, at 10 a.m. He did not show up for the testimony. Representative Ted Deutch supports the movement to open the impeachment inquiry. We should be having the conversation about how this will help us break through the stonewalling of the administration, he explained to WaPo. Others agreeat least five different members of Pelosis leadership team encouraged her to open the inquiry in closed-door meetings. Four of these members come from the Judiciary Committee, which oversees impeachment inquiries. Still, Pelosi refused to endorse the movement. An impeachment inquiry, her logic goes, would undermine the efforts of other House investigations and the Democrats legislative agenda. Representative David Cicilline of Rhode Island sees the movement differently. Its a fact-finding process, he told WaPo, that would strengthen the hand of Congress in forcing compliance with subpoenas. The movement to begin an inquiry stands as a direct result of the Trump administrations repeated moves to block the investigation into the Mueller report. If cooperation is not an option, Deutch argues, the only avenue we have left is the constitutional means to enforce the separation of powers, which is a serious discussion of impeachment. Other supporters of the impeachment movement suggest that opening the inquiry would effectively streamline the 20-plus investigations into the White House, permitting lawmakers to focus on the Democratic agenda. In their eyes, this option should effectively pacify Pelosis fears over an underperforming Congress. At the time of this writing, Pelosis office has declined to comment publicly on the movement. Find Pastes take on how Pelosi is becoming increasingly isolated in her own party here. Because American politics has the attention span of a coked-up guinea pig, being good at writing about politics these days mostly just means pointing to documented history or law, and sticking it next to recent news. History may not repeat itself but it sure does rhymeand OK maybe it does repeat itself sometimes. Today officially marked the completion of an offense that we almost impeached Richard Nixon over (he resigned before the nail in his coffin could be driven in), and yet somehow, impeachment is still a debate on the left. Trump has told the former top lawyer for the White House (the presidents lawyer, not Trumps), Don McGahn, to defy congressional subpoenas, and today, McGahn complied with Trumps unconstitutional demand. Per The Washington Post: Former White House counsel Donald McGahn was a no-show Tuesday at a House committee hearing, infuriating Democrats who are ramping up calls to start impeachment proceedings against President Trump despite continued resistance from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). During an opening statement, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) vowed that his panel would eventually hear McGahns testimony about alleged obstruction of justice by Trump even if we have to go to court to secure it. We will not allow the president to block congressional subpoenas, putting himself and his allies above the law, Nadler said. We will not allow the president to stop this investigation, and nothing in these unjustified and unjustifiable legal attacks will stop us from pressing forward with our work on behalf of the American people. We will hold this president accountable, one way or the other. Now all I need to do to make my point is copy and paste this passage from Richard Nixons Articles of Impeachment, and voila! Article 3 In his conduct of the office of President of the United States, Richard M. Nixon, contrary to his oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, has failed without lawful cause or excuse to produce papers and things as directed by duly authorized subpoenas issued by the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives on April 11, 1974, May 15, 1974, May 30, 1974, and June 24, 1974, and willfully disobeyed such subpoenas. The subpoenaed papers and things were deemed necessary by the Committee in order to resolve by direct evidence fundamental, factual questions relating to Presidential direction, knowledge or approval of actions demonstrated by other evidence to be substantial grounds for impeachment of the President. In refusing to produce these papers and things Richard M. Nixon, substituting his judgment as to what materials were necessary for the inquiry, interposed the powers of the Presidency against the lawful subpoenas of the House of Representatives, thereby assuming to himself functions and judgments necessary to the exercise of the sole power of impeachment vested by the Constitution in the House of Representatives. The Washington Post also reported today that Nadler and Dems in leadership on the House Judiciary Committeethe committee that would oversee impeachmentasked Speaker Pelosi to begin impeachment proceedings. She rebuffed them and is becoming increasingly isolated on this subject. The reason why is because the constitution is clear on this: Congress has a mandate to oversee the executive, and the special counsel appointed by a DOJ who is required to report to Congress, asked Congress to consider its bounty of obstruction of justice evidence in an impeachment inquiry. None of this is up for debate. This is how the constitution is supposed to work. Trump has committed impeachable offenses. Trump is committing impeachable offenses as we speak, and Chairman Jerry Nadlers evolution from being squishy on impeachment to reportedly asking the Speaker of the House to initiate impeachment proceedings is emblematic of how clear this is all becoming. If Trump does not deserve to be impeached, then no president deserves to be impeached and the constitution is bunk. That is the message that Nancy Pelosi is ultimately communicating by placing (supposed) political expediency above her constitutional duty: politics is more important than our values. Its almost Trumpian in its cold logic. But is not impeaching Trump the safe move? It definitely carries real political risks. Americans are largely split, with polls showing either slightly in favor or slightly against impeachment, but the trend is moving more towards wanting to impeach a transparently criminal president. Democrats are in favor of impeaching Trump, but documented history also shows us that Democratic leadership does not usually prioritize the wishes of their base. This aversion to impeachment infecting Democratic leadership is all about playing from the same playbook of fear that has governed the Democratic Party for all of millennials lifetimes, and look where it got the party. Americans respect people who stand up for what they believe in, and that is part of the story as to why the Democrats have so little political power in this country. The difference between the new age of Democrats like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, and the old guard of folks like Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, is that the former works to shape public opinion towards outcomes they believe to be the best for everyone, and the latter reacts to public opinion. People like Chairman Nadler are now gravitating towards the new age of politics on this topic, and are advocating a serious attempt by the Democratic Party to lead on principle. When it comes to the cold logic of political expediency, this line of reasoning even has a good point to make. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll shows a wide opening on the subject of impeachmentas 13% do not know where they fall on this topic, and 45% approve versus 42% who disapprove of impeaching Trump. The Democrats can market this and get at least half of that 13%, and perhaps some of the 42% against too. In fact, this is an easy sell. All they need to do is point to the children that Trump separated from their parents and threw in cages where they are dying at rates never seen before, then say that Congresss hands are tied and cite the constitutionspecifically the Necessary and Proper Clause in Article I, Section 8then finish by referring to this part of the Mueller Report: With respect to whether the President can be found to have obstructed justice by exercising his powers under Article II of the Constitution, we concluded that Congress has authority to prohibit a Presidents corrupt use of his authority in order to protect the integrity of the administration of justice. One of the signature fights Democrats are going through right now is with congressional subpoenas, and the standard (or norm, if that helps the neoliberal wing of the party) was set on that topic in Nixons impeachment. Its not that we should impeach Trumpits that we have no other choice but to impeach Trump. His lawlessness has driven us to this point, and if we are the nation we purport to be, then we will force him to defend impeachable actions going into 2020, and explain how his defiance of lawful subpoenas is any different from Nixons. Of course after being impeached, Trump wont get kicked out of office by Mitch McConnells Senateremoving Trump is not the point. Its about demonstrating that the constitution still matters to one party, and by saying Im not for impeachment, Speaker Nancy Pelosi is de facto agreeing with President Trump and Attorney General Bill Barrs Nixonian assertion that they are above the law. Jacob Weindling is a staff writer for Paste politics. Follow him on Twitter at @Jakeweindling. A bad month has just gotten a whole lot worse for Huawei. According to a Reuters report and confirmed by the two companies, Google is preparing to cut off the China-based smartphone makers Android license, preventing future Huawei phones (such as the upcoming Mate 30) from using the Play Store and Googles popular apps and services. The bombshell comes just days after President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order barring U.S. companies from using telecommunications equipment made by firms that pose a national security risk. While the order didnt single out Huawei, the Commerce Department simultaneously added Huawei to its Entity List, effectively banning the smartphone maker from buying parts and components from U.S. companies without explicit government approval. Together, the two moves make it extremely difficult for any U.S. company to do business with Huawei. Hence Googles quick decision. The company assured Huawei users that updates would still be supplied for 90 days and said in a statement that it is merely complying with the order and reviewing the implications, but the stakes couldnt be higher. When the dust clears, it might not be just Huawei thats forever changed: Google, Android, and the entire smartphone landscape could be indelibly altered as well. Many options, few answers If Google pulls Huaweis Android license, that will obviously have a huge impact on both current and future Huawei handsets. While the contract doesnt affect the core OS, which is covered by the Android Open Source Project and free for anyone to use, Google charges for use of the Play Store and its application suite (Gmail, Maps, YouTube, etc.) for phones shipped to Europe. Huawei booth in MWC 2018 Huawei has several paths in a post-Google phone, but none of them will be easy. Because basically all smartphone makers peddle their wares in Europe, the loss of that license is a serious problem. Huawei basically has three options going forward: Keep the existing EMUI framework, but eliminate all traces of Google in lieu of its own apps and store. Partner with a third-party app store such as Aptoide. Build a completely new OS that isnt based on Android. None of these choices is easy. As the second-largest phone maker in the world (after Samsung), Huawei makes dozens of different phones. A change of this magnitude would require a dramatic rethinking of just about every step of the process: design, engineering, marketing, price, and more. If any of these options works, however, Huaweis sheer size could create the first true competitor to iOS and Android, and put a serious dent in Googles dominance. EMUI as a service To leave its EMUI OS intact and extract Googles apps, services, and the Play Store, Huawei would either have to develop its own app store or partner with an existing company. Of course, any attempt to replicate the current Android-Google experience without linchpins like Maps and YouTube would almost certainly result in an experience inferior to whats offered now, with a much smaller catalog of apps. Our phones may be able to do a lot out of the box, but both Android and iOS rely on third-party developers to augment device capabilities. Huawei would be at a serious disadvantage starting essentially from scratch. Huawei Huaweis Watch GT runs a proprietary OS, which could be a precursor to a smartphone one. The most likely scenario is that Huawei will go it alone. Weve already seen the strength of its engineering with the Watch GT, which uses the homegrown Lite OS rather than Wear OS. Its quite good, even without third-party apps. Of course, any Huawei phone would need major apps to succeed. If Lite OS is any indication, however, Huawei could build an alternative operating system integrated with its own services that doesnt feel like a cheap imitation. China-based WeChat already offers a platform-within-a-platform that brings messaging, video calls, games payments, and maps in a single launcher-style app. Huawei could make something similar for its phones, forgoing the traditional app-based environment for something entirely new. If Huawei were as small as Oppo or even Xiaomi, another Android fork wouldnt be nearly as big of a deal. As Amazon has demonstrated with the Kindle Fire tablets, building an Android fork devoid of Google, and even carving out a niche with its own app store, is entirely possible. A similar move by a company as giant as Huawei, however, could shake the smartphone world to its core. Slaying the giant Huawei already has millions of devoted fans all over the world. If they suddenly realize that Google isnt essential or even central to the Android experience on their phones, it could begin to chip away at the companys dominance in the mobile space. Yes, Google controls all the cards, but Huawei is already a leader in China, where it makes its own chips and modems, and adds plenty of tweaks and features on top of Android. Adam Patrick Murray/IDG The Huawei Mate X could be the phone that changes everything. Lets not forget whats waiting in the wings: Huaweis first folding phone, the Mate X. Huawei was presumably working with Google to iron out the kinks in the unique UI ahead of its upcoming release, but now Huawei could use the hotly anticipated phone to showcase its hardware and software innovations. After the Galaxy Fold suffered a setback, theres no reason to rush. If smartphone giant Huawei is able to divorce itself from Google and Android without fading into irrelevancy, it would change everything about the smartphone landscape. Android would no longer control 80 percent of the mobile market share. Samsung could follow suit with Tizen OS. Google would suddenly have more than Apple to worry about. With a built-in fanbase and tremendous growth, Huawei is uniquely suited to survive without Google. Whether the next step is a Google-less Android fork or a solo EMUI venture, much more than Huaweis future is in play. Description GIS - 21 May, 2019: The Bank of Mauritius (BOM) will issue, as from 3 June 2019, Treasury Certificates (TCs) specifically designed for Non-Financial Public Sector Bodies (NFPSBs) in a bid to enable early repayment of public sector debt. The Bank of Mauritius (BOM) will issue, as from 3 June 2019, Treasury Certificates (TCs) specifically designed for Non-Financial Public Sector Bodies (NFPSBs) in a bid to enable early repayment of public sector debt. The TCs will be opened for investment exclusively by NFPSBs and will provide an opportunity to these bodies to directly invest their temporary surplus cash balances in an instrument of maturities that will meet their cash flow requirements. NFPSBs may also invest their surplus funds in traditional Government securities through the secondary market. This initiative will confer various benefits to public sector bodies. Indeed, investment in Government securities generally yields higher returns as compared to bank deposits of similar maturities. Government securities are risk-free financial instruments and are therefore the most secured type of investment. Moreover, investment in Government instruments will encourage the development of the market for Government securities and will contribute in improving public sector cash management. Key features of the new investment mechanism The key features and the mechanism for investment in this new instrument are: Treasury Certificates The issuance will be in book entry format. The maturities will be for 91 days, 182 days and 364 days. To facilitate submission of bids by NFPSBs, the issue will be made at par. Bids will be for a minimum of Rs 100,000 and in multiples of Rs 50,000. Interest on the TCs will be paid at maturity or on encashment. Mechanism for Investment in Treasury Certificates An account in Book Entry Form will have to be opened by each NFPSB at the BOM for recording of the TCs. Tenders for issuance of TCs for will be made on a fortnightly basis on Monday. Invitation for bids will be posted on the website of the BOM and bids will have to be submitted electronically on a set format to a secured email address at the BOM. Allocation will be made by the existing Allocation Committee for Government Securities on the basis of bid amounts and maturities preferred by the market. The Allocation Committee will reserve the right to issue an amount higher than the tender amount. Investment in Traditional Government Securities NFPSBs can also invest in traditional Government of Mauritius securities through the secondary market. There are currently four registered primary dealers that are authorised to buy Government securities on the primary market and trade them on the secondary market. The four Primary Dealers are the State Bank of Mauritius Ltd, the Mauritius Commercial Bank Ltd, Barclays Ltd, and Afrasia Ltd. WILLIAMSPORT A Lycoming County judge was just about to sentence a Williamsport man to prison for the murder of a friend when the victims mother spoke up. Cheryle Dowling moments earlier told the defendant, Zachary James Williams, you tore my whole family apart. Williams was convicted of shooting her son, William Maurice Dowling, after theyd argued on Nov. 12, 2017 in suburan Loyalsock Township. But now she had a different type of statement to make. She asked for permission to hug Zachary Williams. Another relative of William Dowling stood and made the same request. Both said they forgave Williams and said they would pray he gets the help he needs to emerge from prison as a productive member of society. What I saw here this morning (Monday) was remarkable, said Judge Marc F. Lovecchio, saying it was the first time in 10 years on the bench hed experienced anything like it. He sentenced Williams to 18 1/2 to 45 years in state prison. The sentencing followed Williams guilty plea to third-degree murder, two counts of illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of possession of a firearm without a license. Williams said he drove Dowling and Joshua Aquille Cooley, 25, to the area because they were planning to commit a burglary. Williams and Dowling got out of the car and argued. The cause of the argument wasnt revealed. Williams had no answer when Lovecchio asked him why he reached for the gun, a .38 caliber pistol. A stolen .40-caliber handgun was in the car. After the shooting Williams and Cooley left the wounded Dowling to die. An autopsy determined Dowling was shot in the chest, right and left forearms, left hand and back. The bullet to the chest struck an artery. Cooley testified at Williams preliminary hearing the accused remarked as he drove off: I was not going to let someone kill me. Williams, who apologized to the Dowling family, told Lovecchio he has mental issues for which he stopped taking his medicine and an alcohol problem. His record includes convictions for possession of a small amount of marijuana, receiving stolen property, theft, simple assault and criminal trespass. It was a difficult decision approving the plea agreement, District Attorney Kenneth Osokow said. He explained he was concerned Lovecchio might grant a defense motion to suppress much of what Williams told a state police investigator. The investigator continued asking questions after Williams inferred he might want an attorney and did not want to say anything further, Osokow said. Williams also has pleaded guilty in U.S. Middle District Court to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and is awaiting sentencing in an unrelated case. That charge and others in that indictment related to four other weapons in Lycoming County on Sept. 18 and Oct. 12, 2017. Two of the guns had obliterated serial numbers, the charges stated. Cooley, who was prepared to testify for the prosecution had the case gone to trial, is awaiting sentencing in county court on charges to which he plead guilty last November related to the fatal shooting incident. They include conspiracy to commit burglary, possession of a firearm without a license, receiving stolen property, tampering with evidence and objection of justice. He told police never got out of the car. The murder weapon and five spent casings later were found in a bag in bushes in the 500 block of Market Street in Williamsport where Cooley said he discarded it. The Midtown Scholar Bookstore in Harrisburg will host a gun control advocate for a speaking and book signing event. Igor Volsky, co-founder and executive director of Guns Down America, will appear at the bookstore for a signing of his new book, Guns Down: How to Defeat the NRA and Build a Safer Future with Fewer Guns. The event, Guns Down: An Evening with Igor Volsky, will begin at 7 p.m. on May 21. Seating is first come, first served, with a book signing to follow immediately after Volskys presentation. Guns Down outlines Volskys and Guns Down Americas plans to reduce guns in circulation and tighten regulations of the gun industry. It also outlines a New Second Amendment Compact, a plan for reforming gun policies nationwide. Volsky drew national attention for criticizing the idea of thoughts and prayers espoused by lawmakers following mass shootings, particularly those legislators who have accepted financial donations from the National Rifle Association. For details on the Guns Down: An Evening with Igor Volsky event, visit the Facebook event page. A new building is coming to the University Park campus. In a press release, the Penn State Board of Trustees announced that they have approved a plan for a freestanding art museum to be located in The Arboretum at the college. Allied Works has been selected as the architects to design the project. The proposed University Art Museum would be between 68,000 and 73,000 square feet, and it would replace the colleges Palmer Museum of Art, allowing for more room to house the 9,300 object collection. The Palmer Musem would be repurposed as a student focused space, according to the press release, with final details of the new use now under consideration. Estimates for the total project budget is $71.1 million, funded through a five-year capital plan. The new art museum would allow us to advance Penn States teaching and research mission while serving as the cultural gateway to the University, said Erin M. Coe, director of the Palmer Museum of Art, in the press release. The new facility would greatly expand public access to our growing collections in an exceptional setting while offering innovative and engaging experiences for our students, the community, and visitors from around the world. For more information on the Palmer Museum of Art, visit palmermuseum.psu.edu. Theres still time to nab a ticket to Billy Joels concert at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on May 24. The performing legend will be returning to the Philadelphia Phillies stadium for the sixth year. The past years concerts have all sold out, but procrastinators still have a chance to grab tickets for this years show. The cheapest available tickets as of May 21 are $59.75, while the most expensive are $182.50. You can buy tickets at ticketmaster.com. Gates for the show open at 6:30 p.m., but the show itself doesnt kick off until 8 p.m. Based on set lists from earlier concerts on the tour, fans can expect to hear Big Shot, Allentown and Piano Man as well as a few cover songs. Citizens Bank Park is located at 1 Citizens Bank Way in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Phillies will be playing the Milwaukee Brewers at their Wisconsin stadium on the day of Joels show. In addition to performing at Citizens Bank Park, Joel will be hosting a concert at Baltimores Camden Yards on July 26. Joel is the first artist to perform at that home stadium, which had banned concerts for 20 years. Unlike the Citizens Bank Park concert, however, the Baltimore show has sold out -- in fact, it sold out in less than 30 minutes according to Billboard.com. There are verified resale tickets available on Ticketmaster, however. Prices for those tickets range from $129 to $314. There are also Official Platinum tickets, which are priced based on demand, available for $1,250. Julia Hatmaker may be reached at jhatmaker@pennlive.com. Follow her on Twitter @JuliaHatmaker. Start your day in the know by signing up for our newsletter, Good Morning, Pennsylvania. President Donald Trump, at a rally at Williamsport Regional Airport Monday night, faces a serious challenge in repeating his 2016 win in Pennsylvania. But he displayed not a hint of doubt. A vast, cheering audience greeted him at the Lycoming County pre-primary election rally. While Trump talked like a 2020 win is a sure thing, he also made it clear he doesnt expect to win the election without winning Pennsylvania, and wont take that lightly. Ill be here a lot. Gotta win this state, he said. A Dauphin County man with a lengthy criminal record is accused of sexually abusing four Dauphin County girls while he was between incarcerations, according to police. Clifton Daniel Webb, 31, is charged with 18 offenses related to the sexual abuse of the girls, all of whom were between the ages of 4 and 8 years old at the time of the assaults. Webb is accused of assaulting the girls at a home in Washington Township, Dauphin County, where police said he stayed while he was in and out of prison, according to charging documents filed by state police. The first girl to talk with investigators said the assaults occurred when she was around 6 or 7 years old, according to court documents. She described how Webb would put a blanket over her and touch her inappropriately and make her touch parts of him that she didnt want to, according to court documents. She also described how Webb would grab her and put her on his lap while they were fully clothed. She also remembered walking into a room and seeing Webbs genitals exposed while he was sitting on the couch, according to court documents. The second girl told police that Webb raped her, saying she woke up one night when she was 7 or 8 to Webb holding her down by the wrists, according to court documents. When she struggled and cried, she said Webb told her to be quiet. The girl remembered that after the assault, Webb told her if she told her parents, shed be in trouble, according to court documents. She also recalled Webb whispering to her not to tell on him, and told her there were monsters under her bed. He would also lay under her bed and grab at her hands and feet if they hung off the bed, she told police. The third girl said she was assaulted when she was 4 or 5 years old. She described events similar to what the first girl said, in how she said Webb touched her and forced her to touch him under a blanket, according to court documents. The third girl remembered that once Webb called her and another girl to get a drink, and she came in and saw him sitting on the couch, genitals exposed, according to court documents. One time when Webb tried to take her pants off but she told him no, the girl said, according to court documents. Webb eventually stopped because an adult was walking into the room. The fourth girl said she was 7 or 8 when she was assaulted. She said she was trying to pick out a movie when he came in and laid down next to her, according to court documents. The girl said Webb pulled her on top of him. She later described other assaults similar to what two of the others described, involving Webb using a blanket to touch her inappropriately, according to court documents. Each girl told police about how Webb would try to scare them with ghost stories, according to court documents. Police spoke with the girls parents, and they said that the girls were afraid of the dark and had trouble sleeping. The parents also referenced the girls being afraid of the bathroom when Webb was staying in the house, according to court documents. The bathroom had an entrance to the attic, which was where Webb had told them Blood Mary lived. Police said they tried to speak with Webb about the investigation on several occasions, and in the end he denied the allegations and denied every living at the home. He did say he would stay there sometimes, but claimed the longest he stayed there was a week, according to court documents. Webb also confirmed he told the girls about Bloody Mary to deter them from going to the attic. Police say Webb claimed he would take a polygraph test if the accusers took one, and was willing to submit DNA, however Webb did not appear for the scheduled polygraph test. Investigators also worked with Dauphin County Probation, who confirmed that Webb told them he lived at the Washington Township address from August 2010 until Oct 2010, then again in January 2011 until March 2011 until he was arrested again. Online court records show Webbs Pennsylvania criminal history includes mainly theft and burglary related charges, branching across several counties. He does not have any prior charges related to child sexual abuse. Webbs new charges include rape of a child, statutory sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor, endangering the welfare of children, corruption of minors and indecent assault. Webb is being held at Dauphin County Prison on $100,000 bail, according to online court documents. A Philadelphia man was arrested in Harrisburg Monday, accused of selling drugs that killed a York County man in 2017. Ebert Jackson, last known to live in Philadelphia, was charged with drug delivery resulting in death, according to a release from the U.S. Marshals Service. Fairview Township police called in the Marshals after an 18-year-old man died of an overdose on May 16, 2017. Fairview Township police had identified Jackson as a suspect, but were unable to find him, the Marshals said. Around 7:45 a.m. Monday, members of the fugitive task force went to the 100 block of Balm Street, Harrisburg, with an arrest warrant, Marshals said. Jackson fled onto the roof of the home, but was arrested by the task force without further incident, Marshals said. Harrisburg police and the fugitive task force searched the home and recovered a .22 caliber revolver, with an obliterated serial number, heroin and other drug paraphernalia, the Marshals said. Jackson was arraigned at the Dauphin County Booking Center and charges are being handled by Harrisburg police, the Marshals said. Jackson is also wanted in Philadelphia on felony drug charges, according to the Marshals. Our society must not tolerate such violence and should be committed to ensuring that dangerous fugitives are brought before the court," United States Marshal Martin J. Pane said in the release. "We are committed to ensuring this and it is my sincere hope this arrest brings some measure of comfort to the victims family knowing the accused will have his day in court. Lancaster police are investigating a shooting that resulting in several people suffering minor injuries from a pellet gun. Police were called to the 400 block of South Christian Street for a disturbance and shooting around 7:20 p.m. Monday. Once officers arrived, they found a large group of people gathered. Police said witnesses saw a male, age not provided, causing a disturbance that included breaking a fence. This drew the attention of other people in the neighborhood, including one person who tried to calm the male down. Police said during all of this, another male, age not provided, used a shotgun to fire two rounds of small pellets, which hit two women and two men. The male who fired the shotgun fled before police arrived, police said. The people injured were transported to a hospital for treatment of their injuries and were expected to be released. One of the injured men was the one who was originally causing the disturbance, police said, and he may face charges once he is released from the hospital. Police are still interviewing witnesses and looking for video footage from the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact Lancaster police at 717-735-3301 or Lancaster Crime Stoppers at 800-322-1913. Anonymous tips can be found by texting a tip to Crime Stoppers, and texting LANCS plus a message to 847411. Callers may remain anonymous. Four years after Harrisburgs housing court opened to acclaim for its efficiency and accountability tackling blight in the city, the specialty court has been quietly shut down. The court stopped operating in January with no public announcement. The citys housing court opened to great fanfare in mid-2014 after Mayor Eric Papenfuse was first elected to address a backlog of code violations and address problems with code violations getting widely varying treatment across five different magisterial district judges courtrooms. The new court was overseen by two district judges from outside the city, which lowered chances of conflicts of interest since accused bad property owners werent constituents. Having the same two judgesDavid Judy and Rebecca Margerum hear all codes cases provided fewer continuances, a greater focus and consistent sentences that worked together to deter blight. The set-up also saved codes officers time. Prior to the special court, officers spent 200 to 300 hours per year bouncing from courtroom to courtroom across the city, where they faced continuances and delays. David Patton, Harrisburgs codes administrator, said he was disappointed by the disbanding of the housing court, where he said the district judges did an extraordinary job. One of the advantages in only having two MDJs hear codes cases created more consistency in case rulings, Patton said. Now with five MDJs hearing cases, there may be varying styles of the adjudication of our cases as well as an increase in court time for codes officers as our cases are intermingled with other non-codes cases. Many of the current district judges for the city are relatively new, and codes cases carry their own unique set of rules which can be complex. Patton said he hoped city officials can impress upon the citys district judges the need for fair as well as stern enforcement of codes cases out of respect for residents that rely on the system to resolve neighborhood issues. City codes officers in January started writing citations the way they did before housing court: by sending them to the home court district judge. Many of the new cases are still winding their way through the five city courtrooms, Patton said. Its too early to tell if well experience many of the same circumstances that created the need for a housing court, Patton said. We are still in migration mode. Cases lingering from last year are still behind handled by the outside judges to whom they were originally assigned: either Margerum who handled cases from the East side or Judy, who handled cases from neighborhoods roughly west of Cameron Street. There is an understandable breaking-in period that we hope will not extend indefinitely, Patton said. Troy Petery, the countys deputy court administrator, said the court was shut down due to the fact that we have qualified Magisterial District Judges from the districts in the City of Harrisburg that were elected to represent the populations where the codes violations are alleged to have occurred. Papenfuse, who pushed hard for the housing court after he was elected in 2014, was more direct. He said the decision to shut it down was made after complaints by district judges with regard to workload. The special court meant judges outside the city were hearing the codes cases for Harrisburg in addition to the duties of their own home court. I expressed concern at the time, with ending something that has worked so well, Papenfuse said, but it was a county decision. The program was supported by Dauphin Countys former President Judge Todd Hoover, who stepped down in 2016. Papenfuse said he discussed the possibility of bringing back a devoted housing court with the new President Judge Richard Lewis if warranted. Description GIS 21 May, 2019: In line with Governments vision of making Mauritius a safer country, the Safe City Project is being implemented. The Project will comprise: 4 000 intelligent surveillance cameras, 4 500 trunking smart handsets, 350 vehicle-mounted radios and 150 fixed desktop terminals to be installed in various Police Stations and an Emergency Response Management System. The Project is expected to be operational by end of December 2019. The Minister Mentor, Minister of Defence, Minister for Rodrigues, Sir Anerood Jugnauth, was replying this morning to the Private Notice Question set by the Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly which pertained to the Safe City Project. This project, the Mentor Minister highlighted, will provide for an integrated and advanced technological system to ensure safety and security of the public in general in Mauritius. It will act as a powerful and effective tool to combat crimes and drug proliferation and also assist in more effective traffic road safety management, he added. Sir Anerood Jugnauth recalled that the contract for the implementation of the Safe City Project was signed on 19 December 2017 with Mauritius Telecom adding that the project is expected to be completed and made operational by end of December this year. As regards data storage, he pointed out that all data will be stored on dedicated Police Storage Servers which have been designed to keep data for that purpose. These servers, he added, will be located in a Government building and access to these servers will be strictly controlled and only trained and authorised Police Officers will be allowed access to the stored data. Furthermore, he underlined that the Commissioner of Police is currently working with the Data Protection Commissioner for the formulation of a Code of Practice to ensure strict compliance with all security aspects of data protection. Minister Jugnauth stated that the data collected, which will be stored for a reasonable time depending on the circumstances, will be used solely by Police Officers who are responsible to take all measures for the prevention, investigation, detection or prosecution of an offence, including the execution of a penalty. LEWISBURG The owner of a Lewisburg tax and accounting firm is spearheading an effort to finance the purchase of the assets of a Snyder County custom cabinet manufacturer that shut down May 13. Maurice Brubaker, owner of the Brubaker Group, said Monday his goal is to get the 938 Wood-Mode employees back to work preferably in Kreamer but at least in Pennsylvania. To accomplish this he said needs a commitment from employees to buy stock in a new company. He envisions employees having half the seats on the board. The response has been overwhelming, Brubaker said, but added: Without your support the deal may not be viable. He describes himself as the leader of central Pennsylvania investment group that intends to make a purchase offer to the Gronlund family. He said he has spoken briefly with Brooks Gronlund, one of the owners, but he would not disclose his response. Brubaker declined to reveal how much financial participation he needs from employees saying he did not want to reveal anything to others who may be considering making an offer. He needs a commitment in two to three weeks if there is any hope of saving Wood-Mode, he said. Time is important because workers will find other jobs and customers other cabinet makers, he said. In a Facebook posting to Wood-Mode employees, Brubaker wrote: Our focus will be on increasing sales, bolstering profitability and maintaining an excellent workforce. Brubaker claims to have assembled a team of executives with experience in more than 80 mergers and acquisition. He stressed if the effort is successful, the Gronlunds will not have controlling interest or management responsibilities. Workers have been reeling since about 3 p.m. May 13 when they were told the plant was closing immediately. Friday they learned their benefits had been terminated. Annette and Brian Wilson, administrators of the Wood-Mode Friends Facebook page, posted this Monday: Today marks one week since our lives have been changed and quite honestly turned upside down. We have all gone through various stages of something similar to grieving a deathfrom sadness and sorrow to anger and many in between. Over the last 7 days Ive learned a lot about myself and many of us. First I feel we cared more about the place we worked and called home more than I think many of those that were above us in the chain of command. They added the employees are a well-informed, tight-knit group that from beginning to end of production cares about not only each other but dealers, reps, vendors and customers. Workers have complained they are not getting answers to their questions about the abrupt closing. They hope that will change at 10 a.m. Tuesday when they meet with representatives of the states Rapid Response Team in Weber Chapel on the campus of Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove. Police in Lancaster County are looking for a potentially aggressive cat after the animal reportedly attacked a child and adult Monday in a Lititz-area neighborhood. Both attacks by the calico cat in the 200 block of North Oak Street in Warwick Township were unprovoked, according to a police news release issued Tuesday. The cat could be a stray or feral cat, police said, and was described as a calico. Nearly all calico cats are female. Police released a photo of a cat, and said the image depicted the suspected involved animal. But a police employee later confirmed the photo was of a similar-looking cat just to give residents an idea of the cats appearance. The cat in the photo is wearing a collar. The potentially-aggressive cat made contact with the residents about 1 p.m. Monday as they were engaged in outdoor activities in their yards and neighborhood, according to police release. The victims suffered bites, cuts, and scratches, and they sought medical care for the injuries. Police put out the warning Tuesday because they were unable to capture the cat, and they were concerned additional people could be harmed and the potential exposure to an animal-borne disease. The Organization for Responsible Care of Animals, or ORCA, a local animal rescue group was working with police to try to find the cat, so it can be tested for potential diseases. A representative of the group was not immediately available for comment. Police advised anyone who sees the cat to call Lancaster County Wide Communications at 911 to report the sighting to the Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Department for appropriate follow up. Do not attempt to capture or have contact with the animal or attempt to destroy the animal, police said in the news release. UPDATE: At 7:28 p.m. the NWS corrected their evaluation to say the tornado touched down in West Cocalico Township. The story has been corrected. The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado touched down in Lancaster County on Sunday. Preliminary surveying shows that a brief, EF-1 tornado touched down in West Cocalico Township, the NWS said. The time the storm touched down and strength of the winds have not been provided. The NWS said there may have been damage that ended in East Cocalico Township, but most of the damage was in West Cocalico Township. In Denver Pa., which borders East Cocalico, the American Red Cross said it is assisting 10 people who live on Kline Road, who were impacted by the storms. The NWS team is still surveying the area and assessing aerial footage, and will provide more details once they have completed their review. The American Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania Region asks anyone impacted by these storms who may need assistance to call 1-800-422-7677. MONTOURSVILLE President Trump is gone from Montoursville, but one of the vendors selling his campaign memorabilia will be staying in Lycoming County a while longer unless he posts $300,000 bail. The crowd was still disbursing from the presidents campaign rally Monday night at the Williamsport Regional Airport when a food vendor was assaulted and robbed of about $500. Arrested a short time later was Willie Edward Singleton, 29, of Eastover, S.C., who Montoursville police say confessed to robbing Allen Jay Essrig about 9:40 p.m. in the first block of South Loyalsock Avenue. Essrig, who was punched in the face, required hospital treatment for cuts of the face, arm and leg, they said. He dropped a wad of bills in various denominations, which the assailant picked up and then fled, police were told. While looking for a person wearing a red shirt and a red Trump hat, police said they encountered Singleton who was wearing a red shirt but a camo-colored Make America Great Again hat. President Donald Trump pumps his fist to the crowd after speaking to a campaign rally in Montoursville, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)AP He later admitted to police he changed hats to avoid detection, the arrest affidavit states. Cash totaling $972 in various denominations was found on Singleton during a pat-down, police said. Bills ranging in denominations from $1 to $20 folded the way Essrig described were found in one of Singletons pockets, they said. Singleton, who is on parole in South Carolina, is charged with robbery, simple assault, theft and harassment. At his arraignment, he told District Judge William Solomon he traveled to Montoursville to sell Trump memorabilia, did not have permanent employment, had used drugs in the past 24 hours and had a criminal record that included 10 years in prison in South Carolina. It is turning out to be a slow day for workers at some Harrisburg City polling places. By the middle of the day Tuesday, many precincts were reporting an extremely light turnout in the 2019 primary election. Very miserable and thats typical for a primary in an off year. I guarantee next year well have a good turnout, said Jim Hess, judge of elections in the 13th ward at The Journey Church on Derry Street. As of 12:30 p.m., 55 out of 900 registered voters in the ward had cast votes. The bigger races on the ballot include school board and city council. Twelve people all Democrats, including eight challengers and four incumbents are competing for five school board seats. On City Council, three Democratic candidates and three challengers are vying for three seats. There are no candidates on the Republican ballots. In Shipoke, Michael Smith has worked the poll for almost a decade and described it as slow. Twenty-seven voters cast votes as of 1 p.m. at the polling place at the Quality Inn Riverfront. In the nine years Ive been doing this, this is the most pathetic turnout Ive seen, Smith said. Usually, the precinct has the second highest turnout in the city, with about 35 percent of the 317 registered voters visiting the poll, he added. As for the school board race, Smith said he thinks many people think no matter who they vote for nothing will change. Recently, city and state officials who represent Harrisburg have said they support a state takeover of the school district. Last month, Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse publicly called for a receiver to take over the Harrisburg School District after a series of financial scandals, an investigation into grading anomalies and a standoff over access to financial records. Luke Dicesare, judge of elections in the 4th ward, said the school board issues dont appear to be driving voters. At the polling place at St. Michaels Evangelical Lutheran Church about 79 out of more than 1,100 registered voters had cast their votes. Off year primaries are usually disappointing unless its a major race or people are up in arms about something, Dicesare said. A public charity should not cause personal tragedies. That truth is self-evident. Public charities exist to alleviate suffering, not exacerbate it. Yet according to PA Attorney General Josh Shapiro, suffering, unneeded expense and misuse of charitable assets is exactly what UPMC causes. On the eve of the start of his suit against UPMC, its important to know why this is so wrong. UPMCs status as a public charity is worth tens of millions of dollars. Charity status exempts UPMC from paying the Pennsylvania corporate income tax, the Pennsylvania sales and use tax, local property and school taxes and in Pittsburgh, the payroll preparation taxno small thing when youre the states largest employer. Charity status also allows UPMC to attract tax-deductible bequests and donations. In exchange for these benefits, UPMC has an obligation to act in the public interest. Legally this means that among other things, UPMC must advance a charitable purpose and benefit a substantial and indefinite class of persons who are legitimate subjects of charity. This obligation is what gives the Attorney General the authority to act. Because a charitys beneficiaries are indefinite, that is to say the public in general, they cannot speak for themselves, and have no standing to go into court and charge the charity with acting uncharitably. That is why the Attorney General has brought this lawsuit, in his capacity as parens patriae, a common law doctrine that holds that the state has the ability to protect persons who are legally unable to act on their own behalf. The AGs petition has nothing to do with policymaking decisions constitutionally committed to the General Assembly and everything to do with his common law parens patriae powers to ensure that public charities act as public charities. The AGs petition also centers on the harm UPMC is causing to many members of this indefinite class. Shapiro argues that UPMC has deviated from its Pennsylvania public charitable status by causing a litany of individual tragedies in the wake of its business decision not to accept certain brands of health insurance. UPMC has rejected some insurers not because they would fail to reimburse UPMC adequately, but for business competitive reasons. Remember that besides providing healthcare, UPMC also provides healthcare insurance through a related company. Shapiros petition asserts that UPMC does not want to provide necessary healthcare to patients who are covered by some of UPMCs insurance-providing competitors. And the tragedies are heartbreaking. Shapiro speaks for an established UPMC cancer patient with a rare and aggressive form of cancer, with an 85% chance of recurrence. She will no longer be able to see her UPMC doctors because her health insurance, provided by her husbands employer, is one disfavored by UPMC for competitive reasons. To continue to see her trusted doctor, she must buy her own costly plan, convince her husbands boss to switch to an acceptable insurance or pre-pay for UPMC services. The AG also speaks for an established UPMC patient with five types of cancer from her experience as a World Trade Center first responder who will not be able to continue to access UPMC facilities [...] despite having three layers of available insurance. The first responder will be forced to travel more than 90 miles to receive specialized care or prepay for the services she needs. If you need convincing that people will be harmed by UPMCs action, you can read the Attorney Generals petition or choose from the stories shared on the Allegheny County Controllers website, where more than 10,000 people have registered their outrage and detailed their harm. Take, for instance, the four-time cancer survivor who has had recurring breast cancer and melanoma over the course of 10 years. All of her cancer care has been at Magee and Hillman Cancer Center. Her husband works for an out-of-state company, and they have a disfavored health insurance plan. Her UPMC doctors have informed her they cannot treat her going forward, though her last recurrence of breast cancer was just 2 months ago. If the AGs allegation is correct, and UPMC is denying healthcare to people with perfectly good health insurance for competitive reasons, then UPMC is defining the class of persons it will or wont benefit, for a reason completely unrelated to need. A public charity in Pennsylvania cannot do that. Our health is the most important thing that we have. UPMC claims it provides hope during difficult illnesses and compassion for every patient and that everyone who comes through [its] doors has access to the very best, most advanced health care available. If this were true, UPMC would be a fine charity indeed. But the AG says that it isnt. And so the AGs is not just acting to require UPMC to live up to Pennsylvanias standards; he is asking UPMC to live up to its own. Public charities should not cause personal tragedies, not for anyone, but especially not for those it has already committed to serve. Nicholas Cafardi has served as general counsel for two of Pittsburghs largest charitable organizations: the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University. by Jessie Blaeser While Walgreens becomes the latest major corporation to use facial scanning in order to learn more about customers, the city of San Francisco is considering making the practice illegal. Some say facial scanning technology used in public is an invasion of privacy, as no one has given consent to the facial analysis. Others say facial recognition in public will help keep everyone safe. What do you think? Despite the fact that government agencies have been using facial recognition technology for over a decade, some cities question the techs legality, according to AP News. San Francisco is on track to become the first U.S. city to ban the use of facial recognition by police and other city agencies, reflecting a growing backlash against a technology thats creeping into airports, motor vehicle departments, stores, stadiums and home security cameras. Even large tech companies like Microsoft see the danger in facial recognition technology. Matt OBrien and Janie Har report: Microsoft, while opposed to an outright ban, has urged lawmakers to set limits on the technology, warning that leaving it unchecked could enable an oppressive dystopia reminiscent of George Orwells novel 1984. If San Franciscos ban passes, lawmakers in other cities will likely follow suit. When the first Amazon Go store opened in 2018, protestors joined eager shoppers. Amazon Go stores employ no human cashiers, making privacy experts and advocates question the level of personal detail Amazon would be collecting on its customers via surveillance. Alvaro Bedoya, the executive director of the Center on Privacy and Technology at Georgetown Universitys law school, suspects Amazon is collecting more customer data than any other retailer. The Washington Post reports: But Amazon is tracking you throughout the store. Are they really only tracking you when you lift the item off a shelf? Or are they tracking where you move throughout the store, what youre looking at, what sections youre dwelling in? Meanwhile, Walgreens is joining the facial-scanning ranks with its new "smart coolers." According to The Atlantic's Sidney Fussell, the chain will try out "fridges equipped with cameras that scan shoppers faces and make inferences on their age and gender" in select locations as of early 2019. Obviously, its valuable for both brands and retailers to know what shoppers are buying and to categorize those buying habits by demographics like age and gender. But at what cost? Most feel knowledge of customer buying patterns should not violate the privacy of shoppers by scanning their faces without explicit consent. Me shopping at Walgreens pic.twitter.com/2tJQCfh5yx HH (@huanhound) January 26, 2019 As far as Walgreens is concerned, the company is safe when it comes to violating customers privacy. The Atlantics Fussell makes clear: Crucially, the Cooler Screens system does not use facial recognition. Shoppers arent identified when the fridge cameras scan their face. Instead, the cameras analyze faces to make inferences about shoppers age and gender. Meaning, images of shoppers faces are not collected and stored. As Fussell says: Its analysis, not recognition. Facial scanning is the natural next step for brands to learn more about their target customers and future customers. In a supersaturated marketplace, this kind of detailed analysis is necessary in order for companies to keep expanding. Facial recognition not only has the power to improve relationships between brands and customers, but it could also make huge improvements in public safety. Forbes Michael Xie reports: In education, school districts in Arkansas and New York are already looking to facial recognition technology combined with machine learning algorithms to identify people, objects and even behaviors that could present safety threats. In the event of a tragedy like a school shooting, the technologys power becomes more clear. It could identify a figure approaching a school and not only confirm if the person should be on the school campus but also use object detection to determine whether the person is holding a weapon or acting suspiciously. This technology is for the greater good of the people. Although privacy laws should be handled with care, theres no need to turn away from facial scanning and facial recognition completely. In reality, this technology could change the way we live for the better. The Tylt is focused on debates and conversations around news, current events and pop culture. We provide our community with the opportunity to share their opinions and vote on topics that matter most to them. We actively engage the community and present meaningful data on the debates and conversations as they progress. The Tylt is a place where your opinion counts, literally. The Tylt is an Advance Local Media, LLC property. Join us on Twitter @TheTylt, on Instagram @TheTylt or on Facebook, wed love to hear what you have to say. A beautiful memory: Longtime friendship lives on with Christmas centerpiece Longtime friends and former coworkers Cindy Jurewicz and Carol Santti exchanged the same holiday centerpiece for nearly 30 years. Description GIS - 21 May, 2019: Government is committed to preserving national heritage and promoting better management of historical sites and monuments symbolical to slave trade. To this end, a Committee has been set up to work out the concept of the Intercontinental Slavery Museum and take stock of recommendations that would be proposed in the report of the Preliminary Study and Survey for the setting up of the Museum. The Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Prithvirajsing Roopun, made this statement, today, at the launching ceremony of a book entitled "Legacies of Slavery: A Resource book for Managers of Sites and Itineraries of Memory", held at the Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture, Point-aux-Sables. The Chairman of the Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture, Mr Jean Francois Chaumiere, and the Chairperson of the International Scientific Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Slave Route Project, Dr Vijaya Teelock, were present at the event. On this occasion, a round table was also organised to discuss on the policies and management of sites of memory. Minister Roopun highlighted that the book is being launched simultaneously in some ten countries in the context of the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, observed on 21 May annually. He underlined that the book is the result of intensive works carried out by the UNESCO Slave Route Project and serves as a great tool for professionals involved in the safeguarding and management of sites and itineraries of memory related to slavery. Speaking of the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, the Minister underscored that it provides an opportunity for each and every one to reflect on the significance of diversity and the need to promoting inclusion among groups from different cultural backgrounds. The Day, he stated, also stresses the essential role of intercultural dialogue for achieving peace and sustainable development. According to Minister Roopun, there is a great need to promote the long-term survival of memorial sites through cultural and economic activities which in turn can help improve the livelihoods of local people and reinforce unity. The UNESCO and the Nelson Mandela Centre have undertaken a strong commitment towards encouraging the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and historical heritage of outstanding value to humanity. For his part, Mr Chaumiere, pointed out that it is an opportune time to look back at the economic, social and cultural contributions of slaves in the Mauritian history. Harmonious interactions, he emphasised, are vital for preserving peace and unity in a country where cultural pluralism prevails. Institutions working for the promotion of arts and culture have the responsibility for initiating activities which encourage cultural exchanges among groups of people, he added. Dr Vijaya Teelock reiterated UNESCOs assistance to Mauritius in the preservation of the cultural and natural richness. With regard to the book, she stated that it can be served as a guide for better management of sites since it includes a number of examples and cases which underline the difficulties faced by Managers of Sites and Itineraries of Memory. In the wake of revelations that its massive Schuylkill Yards development around 30th Street Station might be rising in the midst of extensive historic burial grounds, Brandywine Realty Trust called an informal meeting last week to discuss what the situation might portend for the project. Brandywine and its partner, Drexel University, owner of much of the land that will be used for the $3.5 billion development, learned in March that the site sits atop two burial grounds begun by Quakers around the time of the citys founding in 1682. Known as the Upper and Lower Burial Grounds, the cemeteries became heavily used potters fields through much of the 18th and 19th centuries, until the land was acquired by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1850. After publication in The Inquirer this month of an account of the potential for disruption of historic gravesites, Brandywine contacted members of the citys design, historic preservation, and archaeological communities, as well as state officials and representatives of the Society of Friends to discuss how best to proceed. At a private meeting Thursday in the Brandywine offices on the 17th floor of the Cira South building south of the station, a historical report on the site was presented to attendees by George Thomas, a well-known architectural historian. Gerard H. Sweeney, Brandywine president, chief executive, and trustee was present, according to several attendees. Thomas said that, given the extensive building and railroad construction in the area, it was unlikely any human remains survive on the site. It can be safely concluded that the site has been scraped, graded, excavated, and otherwise completely altered so that the likelihood of human remains on the proposed building sites has been much reduced, he said in the executive summary of his report, which Brandywine released to The Inquirer. He added that geotechnical studies confirmed that conclusion. In any event, the Brandywine project, he wrote, will have no impact on the Upper Burial Ground and should have no impact on the Lower Burial Ground. The two burial grounds appear on maps posted online by the Philadelphia Archaeological Forum, a service organization. Archaeologists have already conceded that the maps are tentative and that the extent of both burial grounds could be much greater and possibly much less than shown. The Upper Burial Ground, according to the maps, extends north of 30th Street Station roughly from Arch Street to Race Street. The Lower Burial Ground is shown to run west from the river to beyond 31st Street, between what is now JFK Boulevard and Arch Street. Brandywine officials declined to discuss the specifics of the meeting or to release the full Thomas report. They did, however, issue a statement lauding the constructive dialog with participants. As a result, we are proceeding with exploring our options for additional study and coordination with the appropriate parties, the statement said. "We are committed to managing this process respectfully, documenting our findings in detail, and offering full transparency to the public. Participants in the meeting, who asked for anonymity because the meeting was private at the developers insistence, said that Thomas presented extensive research but that concrete information about the burial grounds was difficult to come by. Several participants said they pointed out at the meeting that evidence of past disturbance to gravesites was somewhat beside the point. For one thing, several people said, human remains, which have appeared repeatedly during construction in the area over the decades, are still human remains, even if their burial place has been disrupted. And if anything, disruption of graves and quick reburial off to the side a practice documented in newspaper reports increases the possibility that remains have been scattered and reburied over a broader area than originally thought. Archaeologists have maintained there is no way to know what lies beneath the surface without archaeological investigation on the ground. In this case, they have said that the boundaries of the cemeteries were not fixed and that the burials were unregulated for many decades during heavy use, adding to the uncertainties. In a highly publicized case in 2017, the builder of an apartment complex on Arch Street in Old City who did no archaeological work in advance of construction was confronted with hundreds of graves belonging to the old First Baptist Church burial ground that supposedly had been removed in the middle of the 19th century. Participants at the Brandywine meeting said that the developer said an archaeological investigation in advance of construction had not been ruled out. Two archaeological firms have submitted proposals for such work. No one has been hired. Brandywine also said at the meeting that it would work up a plan for addressing the discovery of human remains should that happen. One participant said development officials were told the company would be legally required to petition Orphans Court if human remains were found, because the court has jurisdiction over abandoned graveyards. Brandywine officials did not object to the prospect, the participant said. You can understand why the Bucks County Playhouse, wanting to do a murder mystery, found the fiendish, intricate plot of Dial M for Murder by Frederick Knott such an exciting prospect. At the same time, it is puzzling that its production did not take a deeper interest in the characters. Make no mistake, this is a gripping yarn. Like a Russian nesting doll, you solve one mystery only to find another lurking beneath. Though everyone knows Dial M from the Alfred Hitchcock/Grace Kelly movie, it is easy to spoil a suspense thriller. Yet, to make a point, a few elliptical references are in order. In a nutshell, there is a disconnect in the past and present lives of some characters. Two lovers, Margot (Olivia Gilliatt) and Max (Clifton Duncan) meet to discuss the enduring consequences of their burned-out affair. Though necessary to set the story, old flames still have embers. But not here, not a spark. The divide between past action and the stage present becomes a gulf when Tony (J.D. Taylor) enters the scene. He gulls an old Cambridge chum, Mr. Thompson (Grant Harrison), luring him to his apartment. We soon learn Tony spent a full year stalking Thompsons every move. Taylor starts off well, nonchalantly wiping fingerprints off wineglass stems; you expect Tony to luxuriate in his cunning. But as he closes in on the mark, Tony grows gleeful, starts to hop about like a rabbit. It is difficult to imagine this Tony spending a year in disciplined, painstaking surveillance. (And, remember, the big game in Dial M has not even begun). Director Mike Donahue is so enraptured by Knotts clever plot he sometimes loses a sense of continuous character and risks turning actors into implausible plot bearers. Suspense thrillers also work as oblique morality tales; you feel a dull disquiet that the show may prove too off-putting to let you satisfy primal, righteous vengeance. Unease is muted with atmospheric stagecraft. Anna Louizos scenic design is not quite period (London, 1952) but spacey with graphic, perfectly placed exits. There are 15-second beats of semi-darkness (wish they were longer) when the apartment becomes a spooky character (kudos to light designer Scott Zielinski). Broadways Graeme Malcolm is sterling as mustachioed Inspector Hubbard. You never know whether the imposing policeman is fooled or fooling. In the end, Dial M holds you in suspense, even oddly humors with irony and surprise revelations (some drew audience laughter). Still, you wish the Bucks production were not so easily distracted by the surface dazzle of Knotts crafty scenario. THEATER REVIEW Dial M for Murder Through June 15 at Bucks County Playhouse, 70 S. Main St., New Hope. Tickets: $55-$60. Information: 215-862-2121, or info@bcptheater.org An obscure but influential group of legal experts shelved a vote Tuesday on a controversial proposal that critics said would bind consumers to contracts they dont agree with or know about. Read more An obscure but influential group of legal experts shelved a vote Tuesday on a controversial proposal that critics said would bind consumers to contracts they dont agree with or know about. Among other things, the proposal would let online businesses impose contract terms on consumers by merely posting a link to the service agreement on their websites, without customers needing to click anything to agree to the terms. Those terms could include provisions that let companies collect consumers data or bar customers from suing in court. Members of the American Law Institute a much-consulted Philadelphia-based group of judges, lawyers, and law professors were scheduled to vote on the proposed guide to consumer contract law during an annual meeting Tuesday in Washington. While the groups so-called restatements of common law are not binding, the scholarly publications are enormously influential on courts and legislatures. But the group ran out of time after a lengthy debate and several failed motions to amend the proposal, said Steven Weise, a Los Angeles lawyer and adviser to the institutes consumer contract project. Members approved one section of the measure, but a vote on the rest of the restatement was postponed until at least next year, Weise said. Meanwhile, authors of the 154-page document will consider suggested amendments and clarifications. It doesnt stop in its tracks. It will be on the agenda. I dont know if it will be next year or the year after, Weise said. The delay comes after consumer advocates, business leaders, prominent lawmakers, and nearly two dozen state attorneys general criticized the proposal for a variety of reasons. The proposal seeks to clarify how courts have applied contract law to modern transactions such as online purchases. The authors of the draft restatement three law professors from Harvard, University of Chicago, and New York University -- argue that the express consumer approval required in classic contract law is outdated because customers often dont read the long and complex terms. Instead, the draft restatement emphasizes rules that strike down unconscionable or deceptive contract terms to offer consumer protection. In a world of lengthy standard forms, which consumers are unlikely to read, more restrictive assent rules that demand more disclosures, more notifications and alerts, and more structured templates for manifesting assent are unlikely to produce substantial benefit for consumers, the authors wrote. Under the proposal, consumers would be bound by contract terms after they received reasonable notice of the terms and the opportunity to read them. For example, consumers browsing a website would be bound by its terms if the homepage includes a notice in large type saying: By continuing past this page, you agree to abide by the Terms of Use for this site. In another instance, consumers ordering products would agree to a companys terms when an underlined link to the Additional Terms of Sale Applying to Your Purchase is located near the button consumers click to buy the item. The draft was widely panned by consumer advocates, who said it would weaken the requirement of an express consumer agreement, without offering enough protections from unconscionable contract terms. Critics of the proposal include U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) and 23 state attorneys general, including Pennsylvanias Josh Shapiro and New Jerseys Gurbir Grewal. We believe that weakening the requirement of mutual assent is not only contrary to fundamental principles of contract law but will encourage a veritable race to the bottom, as market forces will drive businesses which will know they can bind consumers to all but the most odious terms to draft standard form contracts with egregiously self-serving terms, said a letter signed by the attorneys general. Meanwhile, industry groups including the American Bankers Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce called the proposal fundamentally flawed because it treats consumer contract rules differently from general contract law. In a January letter, trade groups representing restaurants, real estate firms, banks, and more said the proposed rules consistently operate to the detriment of a business contracting with a consumer. Among other issues, industry leaders say the proposals definition of deception could lead to a lot of litigation. For example, salespeople making promises that conflict with whats written in the contract could be considered a deceptive act. That means mere mistakes could undo a lot of contracts if the proposal is adopted, said Ballard Spahr lawyer Alan Kaplinsky. Lets say the salesman makes a mistake. He says theres a three-year warranty and it turns out its not three years, its really two years, Kaplinsky said. He wasnt intending to defraud the consumer. He just made a mistake. That evidence would be admissible because that would qualify as deception in a lot of states. Kaplinsky, a prominent big bank lawyer, said I cant think right now, in my entire career, of one instance where Ive been aligned with consumer advocates. Description GIS 21 May, 2019: The Ministry of Education and Human Resources, Tertiary Education and Scientific Research has embarked a major project which aims at revamping the whole Education and Training System, especially the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector, thus ensuring that the children of Mauritius have access to quality education. It is against this backdrop that a workshop on Curriculum Development conducted by ITE Education Services Singapore was held, yesterday, at the Mauritius Institute of Training and Development House, in Phoenix. The Minister of Education and Human Resources, Tertiary Education and Scientific Research, Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun, was present at the opening ceremony. In her address, the Minister pointed out that the budget for TVET has substantially been increased over the past years with the aim of creating a better Mauritius for one and all. In a bid to increase quality access to TVET, the Sir Gaetan Duval Hotel Training Centre is being extended to provide additional facilities for training in the hospitality sector, and the Le Chou Training Centre in Rodrigues has been extended to provide additional facilities to youth in Rodrigues, she added. Furthermore, the three campuses of Polytechnics Mauritius are providing additional state-of-the-art facilities for students to move further up the ladder in the TVET sector. The Ministry, Mrs Dookun-Luchoomun said, has established a partnership and is working with the Harvard University to uplift the TVET sector in order to enable students, after their O level, to have better opportunities to choose a profession and reach the highest level possible in their career path. Speaking about the Curriculum Development workshop, the Minister outlined that it is directed to make participants proficient in designing and developing curricula which meet the needs of the job. With the rise of Artificial Intelligence, she said, soft skills are increasingly important as they are the type of skills robots cannot automate. The soft skills that employers need the most today are creativity, persuasion, collaboration, adaptability as well as time management, and due consideration must be given to the above while developing the new curricula, she added. Protesters for women's rights march past Dexter Avenue Baptist Church to the Alabama Capitol to protest a law passed last week making abortion a felony in nearly all cases with no exceptions for cases of rape or incest, Sunday, May 19, 2019, in Montgomery, Ala. Read more If you werent paying close attention, the prairie fire of strict anti-abortion laws jumping like flaming embers from red state to red state punctuated by Alabamas clearly unconstitutional (for now, anyway) straight-up ban that imposes a straight-outta-Gilead maximum sentence of 99 years on doctors performing the procedure seemed to come out of nowhere. But inside the bubbling core of the reactionary political movement of extremists known, politely, as Trumpism, they get it. They feel it in their bones that finally having a potty-mouthed president who talks the way we talk about immigrants, journalists and feminists and who hears their chants of Build the wall! and Lock her up! (even if her left the stage 3 years ago) and now the new chastity-belt politics are all moving them toward the same place. A restoration of the way things ought to be. Which to them is the way things used to be. Hes getting the country back to the way things should be. The old ways, a Trump enthusiast from Williamsport, Pa., named Robert Callahan, holding his baby granddaughter while running his boutique childrens clothing store, told Roll Call journalist John T. Bennett, who attended Mondays Trump rally in upstate Pennsylvania so that you and I didnt have to. Pressed on why he thought the president is doing a great job, Callahan suddenly turned to abortion, even though the current push is coming from state lawmakers and not the White House. "Hes really moving us toward where the country needs to be. The old ways. The sudden, stunning boiling-over of an abortion-rights battle thats been mostly on simmer for the past 45 years has brought into focus two things that, frankly, should have been clear for a long, long time. The first is that while the abortion issue is, and always has been, a moral or religious choice for every individual, the politics of that dilemma have devolved into something else entirely: A bullwhip thats become both a real-world tool of, and a symbol of an even bigger fight for, social control to keep American society under the thumb of a white patriarchy with no qualms about crushing the rights of others and punishing those who step out of line. The second thing is that that these strict laws a proxy war for keeping women in their place will only get worse until decent men start to speak out. A good starting place for men is to learn the secret history of the anti-abortion movement in modern America. A push to repeal the first-wave anti-abortion laws of the 19th Century coincided with the rise of a womens rights movement in the 1960s. The issue was certainly controversial the Catholic Church, then as now, opposed abortion as well as other forms of birth control but the original battle lines didnt always match our 21st Century ideas about the red-blue divide. One of the nations first abortion-rights laws was enacted in 1967 by Californias new governor, Ronald Reagan. What dirty hippies came out in 1968 and insisted abortion could be justified for reasons such as individual health, family welfare, and social responsibility? That would have been the leading evangelical publication Christianity Today. When the Supreme Court decided in 1973s landmark Roe v. Wade case to guarantee basic reproductive rights from coast to coast, all or parts of the decision had surprising support from groups such as the Southern Baptist Convention. That lost history is chronicled by Dartmouth religious studies professor Randall Ballmer in a must-read piece from 2014 called The Real Origin of the Religious Right. While then-President Richard Nixon embraced the abortion fight as a way to pry loose Democratic Catholics in the North (he branded 1972 opponent George McGovern the candidate of acid, amnesty and abortion), Southern evangelicals had other fish to fry. Specifically, integrated schools. As Ballmer chronicles in his 2014 piece, the eventual founders of the Christian right like Jerry Falwell were very busy in the years immediately after Roe v. Wade fighting for something else entirely: Tax-exempt status for the private so-called segregation academies formed in the 1960s to prevent Southern black kids from attending school with whites. Not surprisingly, Falwells movement struggled to turn a racist idea into a moral crusade. But zeroing in, instead, on abortion as a symbol of post-1960s moral rot in America, they realized, just might work. They are a politically reactionary movement thats the heart of what they are, Ballmer told me this week by phone, explaining how evangelicals who didnt see a Biblical reason to oppose abortion rights latched onto a political one when they could spin it as part of a broader threat to their traditional way of life that had thrived into the early 1960s when a womans role was to bear children and stay at home and blacks were meant to stay in their separate, unequal schools. It meant a displacement of the white male power structure and a lot of people didnt take kindly to that, Ballmer added of the 60s and 70s social trends. But he also sees the arrival of Trump as accelerating a movement that was merely idling for much of its existence. Some of that is the practical. Trump and his Senate GOP allies have been able to install 100 federal judges the vast majority of them white men including Supreme Court justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, whose own patriarchal instincts were won on the beer-soaked playing fields of Georgetown Prep. For the true believers eager to overturn Roe v. Wade, that means their moment to strike is now. Thats why youre suddenly seeing not just Alabamas near-total ban but also so-called heartbeat bills in the blood-red states of Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi and Ohio that would effectively end abortions after six-to-eight weeks. But a lot of this is also a cosmic embrace of Trumpist misogyny, with a president whos given a voice to voters like Ohios Darrell Franks, a retired tool-and-dye maker who this week told the New York Times that in the race for the White House I dont want kinder, gentler. I dont want some female that wants her agenda. The new abortion laws are essentially the Trump mobs Lock her up! chant as public policy. Dig deeper and you can see the straight line from massive resistance against integrated public schools to massive resistance against female empowerment, to the current fraught moment when the white men whove held all of the power throughout all of American history fear even the slightest erosions from a #MeToo movement in the workplace and a more diverse population that will soon put whites in the minority. They want to Build the wall! not just at Americas southern border but around Americas lady parts. You know ... the old ways. This week, I was struck by something the writer Sarah Jaffe published at the height of the #MeToo conversation, about the need to define all of the issues facing American women as more than their component parts. By naming patriarchy, she wrote, I hope that we can begin to understand the way the threads of power and dominance leak into every corner of our lives. Then we can see that violations are not purely or even mostly about sex, but instead reinforce a structure that offers power to a few by pretending to offer rewards to many. Patriarchy spreads the lie that there are rules we can follow that will keep us safethat if we wear the right clothes, say no loudly enough, walk away, dont laugh at men, work hard, no harm will come to us. In the past I might have left the column at that. Who better to express the fight facing women than a female voice, right? And that is true, but its also true that the power never yields without a demand, and the patriarchy will never yield unless that demand is also voiced by men. We men need to stop nodding our heads in quiet agreement with our sisters in the movement and start raising a fist, making a sign, pounding the pavement and exercising our vocal chords. Im familiar with this particular sin because Ive committed it. I think my own journey on reproductive rights is pretty typical. When I first learned what abortion was, around those Nixon-McGovern/Roe v. Wade years, I was too wrapped up in adolescent angst to want to think about it. I wanted it to go away. Over a long time, I adopted a pro-choice stance the way a political candidate buries an issue position at the back of his web site. The hard work of riding the buses and marching on Washington that was womens work. After all, they called it womens rights. That was wrong, very wrong. Men: Im doing the old-Jon-Stewart-right-camera trick and looking directly at you. If you care about fundamental human rights and everything that is happening to America in 2019, the right of women to control their own body isnt some side issue. Its everybodys fight, and men need to start walking that extra mile alongside our sisters. A national #StopTheBans campaign is underway, led by the abortion-rights group NARAL. Many events have been held Tuesday but more are in the works information is here. If you cant attend a march or a rally, find a pro-choice candidates to support, or speak out on social media, or follow the advice above and get you a pen and a paper, and make up your own little sign. All those people out there screaming for the old ways wont win if the silent majority that supports a new way where freedoms not just another word for entitled white males with something to lose finally start raising its voice. And that chorus could use a few baritones. We generally equate youth exercise with calisthenics and group sports. Meanwhile, ballroom dancing, such as the waltz, tango, meringue, rumba, and mambo, generally are associated with social dancing for the privileged. Not 10- and 11-year-olds from urban schools, right? Dance instructor and dancer Pierre Dulaine thought outside the box 25 years ago when he founded Dancing Classrooms, an arts program that teaches ballroom dance to upper elementary and middle school students. I initially heard about Dancing Classroom through the 2005 documentary film Mad Hot Ballroom. The film followed New York fifth-grade students who had taken a ballroom and Latin dance classes. The documentary (which I highly recommend) touched my every emotion and was profoundly inspiring. At the time I thought to myself: It would be great if they could bring that program to the Philly area. Obviously, I was not alone in my thinking; Dancing Classrooms Philly was launched in 2007. I was so smitten with the program that, even though I had no child or relative participating, I attended its 2009 closing ceremony at Temple University. The young students performances were simultaneously thrilling and heartwarming. I believe that giving students opportunities to learn through social dancing not only provides wonderful exercise, but also fosters creativity, problem solving, persistence, team building, and joy. Curious about the current status of the program, I reached out to the Philadelphia program director, Kate Lombardi. Lombardi, a graduate of the University of the Arts Dance program, became a teaching artist at Dancing Classroom Philly in 2008 and fell in love with the program. As a young artist, I was performing and looking for work to sustain me, but when I became a teaching artist I immediately feel in love with it. In my role now, I get to visit all of the schools and visit once or twice during the process. I get to see the evolution of the students and see the huge differences from beginning to end. I see the individual growth and see how they help their classmates. Witnessing the growth of the students is richly rewarding," Lombardi said. Dancing is aerobic and tones muscles The students are physically engaged for a full 40 minutes, twice a week; the in-school residency typically is 10 weeks. Dances such as the merengue, fox-trot, rumba, tango, swing, waltz, cha-cha slide, and stomp are all heart-thumping aerobic exercises as well as muscle pumping and toning. Dance off the stress Dancing naturally releases the feel-good chemicals in your brain, officially called endorphins. Endorphins give you a natural high, while simultaneously ridding you of feelings of anxiety and depression. No equipment required Unlike most youth sports, there is no expensive overhead, because the only equipment the students need is their own body. If you can walk, you can dance, which means every student can participate regardless of size, shape, ability, and theres no striking out or missed baskets. It truly is a win/win for everyone. A step to better grades Dancing will help kids improve their focus, which can improve performance in academic areas like reading and math. As a matter of fact, the experts say that physical activity can have an impact on cognitive skills and attitudes and academic behavior, all of which improved academic performance. These include enhanced concentration and attention as well as improved classroom behavior, according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control). Spin into fitness While solo dancing is fun, dancing together doubles the pleasure. Age, size, race, religion, nor social status matters, when it comes to dancing hand in hand and check to check, everyone is a winner! Show your support If you want to support Dancing Classrooms with your presence, you are invited to their 12th annual Colors of the Rainbow Team Match Grand Final Competition at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 2, at the Levitt Auditorium, University of the Arts, 401 S. Broad St. The event is free to the public, and Im sure youre gonna love it! Gina Weightman gauges her kindergarten class with a thumbs-up at Anne Frank Elementary School in Northeast Philadelphia. Weightman is one of this year's Lindback Award winners. Read more Thirty wiggly kindergartners with wildly diverse learning needs and a challenging curriculum? No problem. At Anne Frank Elementary in Northeast Philadelphia, Gina Weightman manages to pull it all together with joy and good humor. At the Workshop School in West Philadelphia, Brandon Miller uses his fierce intelligence and matching work ethic to guide young people to become thinkers and leaders inside the classroom and out. And in West Mount Airy, Deanna Hendersons sixth-grade classroom is the place to be both for engaging lessons and out-of-class help from a teacher who prides herself on building strong relationships with students. Weightman, Miller, and Henderson are the kind of teachers who leave a lasting impression, representative of the very best talent in city classrooms. They are among 60 strong teachers being recognized Tuesday by the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation with $3,500 awards. The foundation honors outstanding teaching at area colleges and within Philadelphias public schools. Since 2008, it has dispensed millions to superlative School District teachers chosen by school officials and Lindback trustees. Making kindergarten joyful As Gina Weightman taught a lesson on positional words and two- and three-dimensional shapes, one of her students stood from his seat and bolted for her. The enthusiastic boy couldnt control himself: He just had to give his teacher a hug. Weightman squeezed the boys shoulder and continued teaching, unruffled. Shes used to those kinds of responses in her students. A kindergarten teacher with 27 years experience in the city, Weightman loves her job with the kind of enthusiasm that is evident to anyone who steps inside her classroom at Anne Frank. The job has changed dramatically since she became an educator, when kindergarten was still half-day and play was emphasized. Kindergarten is very academic, and the pressure is on to get them to a certain level, said Weightman, who taught at Clymer Elementary in North Philadelphia before transferring to Anne Frank in 2007. But she earns the highest praise from her principal, peers, parents, and pupils for making her class not just a place to help children progress even those who cant hold a pencil properly in September are reading fluently by June but also a joyful place. I just love my students theyre curious, said Weightman, who teaches at a school with 1,300 students, an 87 percent poverty rate, and a large population of students for whom English is a second language. And theyre always eager to learn. A parent in Weightmans class shared his sons assessment of her for the Lindback trustees consideration. I like being in Mrs. Weightmans room, the student said, because it has Mrs. Weightman in it. He always shows up Brandon Miller had an epiphany when, as a college student, he read Carter G. Woodsons The Mis-Education of the Negro, a 1933 book that argued blacks were being intentionally and systemically underserved in schools. He dropped plans to become a lawyer, committing instead to teaching in an urban area. More than a decade and three degrees later he holds a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvanias Graduate School of Education Miller teaches English at the Workshop School, a project-based high school. It was a shift to switch from Germantown High School, where Miller taught until it closed in 2013, to the Workshop School, where lessons happen not around traditional classes and textbooks but around solving real-world problems. But Miller has embraced it over the last five years, elevating the way the school prepares students for college opportunities. Every year, its, What do the students need? How do we make that happen? said Miller, who this year noticed a lack of knowledge about politics and geography among seniors and designed a project to engage them in learning about the ongoing conflict in Venezuela. Philadelphia students often come to school with significant emotional as well as academic needs, and Miller does his best to meet those, too. For most Workshop students the vast majority of whom are black hes the first African American male teacher they have encountered, and he takes that seriously. He wears a necktie to work every day because thats the image he wants his students to see. I want people to see a man of color doing well, he said. Its paid off. John Yallah, a Workshop senior, said that Miller motivates him to come to school, try hard, think about his future. I dont really have a dad in my life, and I always say, My dad never shows up, said Yallah. And Dr. Miller is different. He always shows up. Everything that the kids need Deanna Hendersons teaching philosophy is simple. Students dont care what you know until they know that you care, said Henderson, a sixth-grade English and social studies teacher at Henry Houston Elementary in West Mount Airy. For the seven years shes been in the classroom, Henderson has won over her students by demonstrating how much she cares for them, then leveraging that buy-in to get them to achieve academically. Thanks to her, students often are found reading a novel, or incorporating dance or singing into lessons as a way to really connect with the material Henderson is presenting. Shes rarely alone in her classroom, and thats fine by Henderson. Just seeing the kids reactions when they improve, going from basic to proficient on a test, or improving a reading level, thats the best," she said. Henderson grew up in rural South Jersey, but felt called to teach in Philadelphia, she said, because thats where she would be of the most use. Henderson struggled in her first year of teaching, but persevered. If you can teach in Philadelphia, you can teach anywhere, said Henderson, whose own daughter is a second grader at Houston. Bubbly but firm, she prides herself on having high expectations for students, but being fair. And shes always there for extra support and to lend an ear, even if she has to give up her own time to do so. Youve got to be a parent, a guidance counselor, a therapist everything," Henderson said, that the kids need. A Burlington County grand jury on Monday indicted a Lumberton mother for manslaughter, accusing her of passing out while intoxicated and suffocating her 13-month-old son after falling on him. The Burlington County Prosecutors Office said Antoinette King, 33, had previously been charged with endangering the welfare of a child after the incident, which happened Jan. 19 on the 300 block of Dove Court. According to authorities 33, had consumed an opioid substance and alcohol before losing consciousness. Kings mother, Gail King, said she had just finished taking a shower when discovered her daughter lying on her grandson, Jerimiah, as reported in the Courier-Post. Prosecutors said King was revived with Narcan. Jerimiah was pronounced dead at Mount Hollys Virtua Memorial Hospital. Both charges, for endangerment and now manslaughter, were in the second degree. House Judiciary Committee member Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D., Pa.) begins a complete reading of the report by special counsel Robert Mueller on Russian election interference, at the Capitol in Washington on Thursday. Read more WASHINGTON Reps. Mary Gay Scanlon and Madeleine Dean, Pennsylvania Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee, called Tuesday for an impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump, adding to momentum for a more aggressive approach toward the president. Scanlon, of Delaware County, became the second Pennsylvania member of Congress to voice support for an investigation into possible impeachment, after Rep. Dwight Evans, a Philadelphia Democrat who took that stand in 2017. Dean, of Montgomery County, joined later Tuesday. Each cited the presidents stonewalling of congressional investigations, including inquiries related to obstruction of justice questions raised by special counsel Robert Mueller. Their statements came on a day when a string of Democrats joined the impeachment push. Members of the House Democratic leadership team have increased the pressure on Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) to move ahead with the process, which she has long resisted. Congress has patiently tried to work within traditional means to get to the bottom of this extraordinary situation. But, we have reached an inflection point, Scanlon said in her statement. The Presidents refusal to produce evidence or permit witness testimony defies not only the rule of law but the basic protections of our Constitution. No one is above the rule of law. The time has come to start an impeachment inquiry because the American people deserve to know the truth and to have the opportunity to judge the gravity of the evidence and charges leveled against the President. Dean labeled Trump a singularly amoral president. President Trump and his Administration have obstructed justice over and over again, leaving us no choice: We must open an impeachment inquiry into the President of the United States, Dean said in a statement. They announced their stands on the day former White House counsel Don McGahn defied a subpoena to appear before the judiciary committee and face questions about Trump and potential obstruction of justice. Trump has vowed to fight all subpoenas from Democrats. An inquiry would begin a formal House investigation into potential impeachment charges against Trump. If a majority found that impeachment was warranted, the House could seek to remove the president, though the Senate would have the final say. As members of the committee, Dean and Scanlon would be part of the panel that would begin the proceedings. An inquiry might also bolster the Houses legal argument as it battles Trump in court over its subpoenas. Scanlon said it was by no means an easy decision, but Trumps efforts to cover up his acts, and those of his campaign and administration, threaten the foundation of our democracy. While the special counsel investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election did not find sufficient evidence for conspiracy charges against Trump or his campaign, it left the question of obstruction of justice unresolved. Attorney General William Barr has said Trump did not commit obstruction, but Democrats believe there is ample evidence that might warrant charges, and have tried to investigate the examples of interference cited by Mueller. They have been rebuffed, as current and former Trump aides have, at the White Houses urging, refused to testify. Scanlon also cited the administrations refusal to respond to congressional inquiries into health-care policy, family separations at the southern border, and environmental protections. Trump has repeatedly derided the investigations into his administration as the result of a hoax and Democratic anger. When the Mueller report was finished, it said no collusion. They went crazy, Trump said at a rally in Montoursville, Pa., on Monday night. But you know what? They knew it. They knew it. Its all a game. The impeachment question has set off a fierce debate within the Democratic Party, with some arguing that Congress has a duty to investigate and uphold the bodys oversight authority. Pelosi and others, however, worry that impeachment is a dead end, since it is almost certain to fail in the Republican-controlled Senate, and could backfire politically, hurting their chances of removing Trump in the 2020 election. Earlier this month Pelosi said Trump is goading Democrats. Most Democrats in the Philadelphia area have tread lightly around impeachment. This booking photo released by the Auburn Police Department on Monday, May 20, 2019, in Auburn, Ala., shows Grady Wayne Wilkes. Wilkes, who opened fire on police responding to a domestic disturbance report, killing one officer and wounding two others, was arrested on Monday and charged with capital murder and attempted murder, authorities said. (Auburn Police Department via AP) Read more AUBURN, Ala. Residents described moments of confusion and fear as a gunman fired on authorities Sunday at an Alabama mobile home park that is primarily home to college students and young couples. Residents on Tuesday said Arrowhead Park had been quiet and safe prior to the shooting that left one officer dead and two others wounded. The suspect, 29-year-old Grady Wayne Wilkes, is an Alabama National Guard member. He appeared in court for an initial hearing Tuesday. "It's a harmonious kind of place," said Tom Cordi, the owner of the park. "It's baffling." After Dylan Edwards, 25, heard the gunshots, he stepped outside his trailer to investigate. He ran into an officer, who said, Theres a lunatic with an AR and armor on, yall get inside. The officers voice was trembling, Edwards said. You could tell he was scared. Tammy Klinton said she initially thought the gunshots were celebratory. But then she and her boyfriend saw an officer with a gunshot wound running down a hill. Klinton said her boyfriend went to help the officer, but was told to get inside immediately. Elizabeth Daniel, an Auburn student and resident of the park, barricaded herself in her bedroom. She turned off the lights, placed a curtain rod against her door, and grabbed a toy foam bat for protection. In an email to residents, Cordi said he had never had the "slightest hint of a problem" with Wilkes, who lived there. Wilkes was arrested Monday on charges of shooting the three Auburn police officers after they responded to a domestic disturbance call late Sunday. Veteran officer William Buechner was killed. Authorities said the other officers, Webb Sistrunk and Evan Elliott, are expected to recover. Investigators haven't said what prompted the shootings, only that officers came under fire when they arrived. Wilkes was arrested about nine hours after the shooting, following an overnight manhunt. He is charged with capital murder and a prosecutor indicated he would seek the death penalty, but court records show he doesn't yet have a lawyer to speak on his behalf. A judge could appoint one during the hearing. Wilkes also is charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting the two officers who were wounded and strangling someone during the domestic disturbance that resulted in officers being called. Wilkes has been a member of the Alabama National Guard since 2010 and was the leader of an infantry fire team, or combat unit, said Lt. Col. Tim Alexander, a Guard spokesman. A public alert sent out after the officers were shot described the suspect as wearing camouflage body armor and a helmet. Authorities haven't said whether any such gear might be linked to military service. Records don't reflect any overseas deployments by Wilkes, Alexander said, and additional details about his service record were not immediately available. Associated Press writer Jay Reeves contributed to this article. The U.S. Census Bureau is concerned the Russian government could hack into data collected in the 2020 Census, in a similar way to how it interfered in the 2016 presidential election, a top bureau official said. Read more ATLANTA The U.S. Census Bureau is concerned the Russian government could hack into data collected in the 2020 Census, in a similar way to how it interfered in the 2016 presidential election, a top bureau official said. Most of the agencies of the federal government that ingest data are very concerned about interference in the process of taking the 2020 census, said John Abowd, chief scientist at the U.S. Census Bureau. We are very concerned about this and very concerned about developing appropriate defenses, he told a Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta conference in Amelia Island, Fla. Government chief information officers and security staffers are meeting regularly to assess threats and make preparations for detecting them, Abowd said. The bureau is working with Department of Homeland Securitys Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, where a team of about 20 people is focused on securing the system and gaming out possible hacks, the Washington Post reported in April. Everyone understands this is a game in which there is no incentive to show your hand until you are ready to attack, Abowd said in response to a question about a possible Russian attack. The methods we are going to use to determine if there is an attack coming are necessarily secret. Abowd spoke as part of a session looking at privacy issues with data collection. The Atlanta Feds financial markets conference, Mapping The Financial Future, looks at issues facing the financial industry and regulators over the next decade. The recently released report from special counsel Robert Mueller documented efforts of the Russian government to interfere in the presidential election to promote the candidacy of Donald Trump. The report concluded the president and his associates didnt conspire with Russia, but cited a number of cases in which he sought to undermine the Mueller probe. A view from the top of a two story building in Fagatogo village overlooking the Port of Pago Pago, as the North Korean cargo ship, Wise Honest, docks at the main docking section of Pago Pago Harbor, Saturday, May 11, 2019, in Pago Pago, American Samoa. The North Korean cargo ship was seized by the U.S. because of suspicion it was used to violate international sanctions. It arrived Saturday at the capital of this American territory. (AP Photo/Fili Sagapolutele) Read more UNITED NATIONS (AP) North Korea denounced the United States as "a gangster country" for seizing one of its cargo ships and urged U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to take "urgent measures" to contribute to stabilizing the Korean peninsula. North Korea's U.N. ambassador, Kim Song, said in a letter to Guterres obtained Monday by The Associated Press that the Trump administration committed "an unlawful and outrageous act" by taking over the ship Wise Honest and moving it to American Samoa. He called the seizure a violation of international law and the U.N. Charter. Kim called a news conference at U.N. headquarters on Tuesday to further criticize the ship's seizure. The U.S. said on May 9 that it seized the ship because it was carrying coal in violation of U.N. sanctions, a first-of-its kind enforcement action that came amid a tense moment in relations with North Korea. The Wise Honest, North Korea's second largest cargo ship, was first detained in April 2018 by Indonesia while transporting a large amount of coal. U.S. Justice Department lawyers laid out the case for confiscating the ship in a complaint filed in New York, arguing that payments for maintenance and operation of the vessel were channeled through unwitting U.S. financial institutions in violation of American law. North Korea's coal trade itself is also believed to fund the isolated country's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs which the U.S. is seeking to eliminate. Last week, the North's official Korean Central News Agency carried a statement by an unidentified foreign ministry spokesman who accused the United States of betraying the spirit of a summit agreement last June between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump. Kim and Trump agreed then to a vague statement calling for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and improved bilateral ties, but a second meeting between the leaders collapsed in February over mismatched demands in sanctions relief and disarmament. The U.S. announcement of the seizure of the Wise Honest came hours after North Korea fired two suspected short-range missiles toward the sea, the second weapons launch in five days and a possible signal that stalled talks over its nuclear weapons program are in trouble. The North Korean ambassador said in the letter to Guterres that since international concern is growing more than ever over the likely impact to be brought to the situation of the Korean peninsula by the heinous act of the United States in seizing the ship, the secretary-general should take urgent measures to stabilize the Korean peninsula. The letter did not specify what those measures should be. FILE - In this April 10, 2018, file photo, the International border cuts through Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, rear, as seen from Nogales, Ariz. Federal court records say a Border Patrol agent in Arizona sent texts referring to migrants as "savages" and "subhuman" the month before allegedly knocking over a Guatemalan man with his patrol vehicle. The filings in U.S. District Court in Tucson earlier in May 2019 say Agent Matthew Bowen sent the text messages in November 2017, weeks before allegedly knocking down the migrant. He goes on trial Aug. 13. He has pleaded not guilty to depriving the migrant of his rights and falsifying records. (AP Photo/Matt York, File) Read more PHOENIX (AP) A Border Patrol agent in Arizona sent texts calling immigrants "savages" and "subhuman" the month before using his patrol vehicle to knock over a Guatemalan man who was trying to flee, prosecutors say. Court documents filed earlier this month in U.S. District Court in Tucson say Agent Matthew Bowen sent the text messages in November 2017, weeks before he's accused of intentionally striking the man with a truck. The man was hospitalized with abrasions to his right hand and knees. Federal prosecutors say the messages show Bowen's disdain for immigrants and restrictions on what measures he said agents are allowed to take to apprehend border crossers who run away. Criminal charges against Border Patrol agents for assaulting migrants are relatively unusual, with most cases focused on officers' involvement in crimes such as drug smuggling or lying on job applications. Bowen goes on trial Aug. 13 on charges of depriving the Guatemalan migrant of his rights under the color of law and falsifying records after the Dec. 3, 2017, incident in Nogales, Arizona. He has pleaded not guilty. The agent employed "deadly force against a person who was running away from him and posed no threat," prosecutors said in the filing. The federal court documents show that Bowen fought unsuccessfully to suppress the messages, which were among 1,300 texts the government was legally obligated to provide under a search warrant. One text Bowen sent to a fellow agent reads, "mindless murdering savages. PLEASE let us take the gloves off trump!" Another text about migrants who threw rocks at agents, causing one officer to fall and suffer a gash to his arm, called them "subhuman" and "unworthy of being kindling for a fire." Defense attorney Sean Chapman declined to comment on the charges Monday. Chapman also represented Border Patrol Agent Lonnie Swartz, who was found not guilty of involuntary manslaughter in November in the shooting death of a Mexican teen who was throwing rocks at agents. Among Bowen's texts was one to Swartz, in which he referred to striking the Guatemalan man as a "human pit maneuver," a reference to a technique that officers use to stop fleeing vehicles. It calls for using a patrol vehicle to apply lateral pressure to the back of a fleeing vehicle so it spins out and stops. The Border Patrol said the agency was drafting a statement. Prosecutors say the texts show Bowen's frame of mind at the time of the assault and that they contradict his later insistence that didn't know he had hit the man and had struck him unintentionally. The Arizona Daily Star, which first reported on the texts over the weekend, said that a sworn affidavit filed by a special agent with the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General reported that a border camera operator in Nogales first spotted the Guatemalan man after he apparently jumped the fence near the Mariposa port of entry. The special agent said the man ran toward a gas station. One officer told him to surrender, but he ran toward the border and Bowen "accelerated aggressively," knocked him down and "came to a full stop within inches of running (him) over." Bowen says in a text that to the camera operator, "it looked like I could have run him over from that angle" and "now it ll prob be an investigation for 2 years." Bowen is accused of making false statements both in his initial report and in a subsequent memo to the chief patrol agent of the Tucson Sector, saying he never intended to strike, scare or otherwise come into contact with the man. Jerome Hill, left, was held for trial on attempted murder and related offenses in a shooting last November that wounded Police Officer Paul Sulock in Kensington. Read more A Philadelphia police officer recalled in court Tuesday the morning last fall when he was shot after he had spotted a man with a gun on a Kensington street. Afterward Municipal Court Judge William Austin Meehan Jr. ordered the alleged gunman held for trial on charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault, and gun offenses. Officer Paul Sulock said he and his partner were in a patrol car about 11 a.m. Nov. 7 when he saw Jerome Hill with a gun in his hand, crouching between parked vehicles on G Street, near Hilton, then getting up and walking backward. Hill was with another man, James Gauthney, Sulock testified at Hills preliminary hearing. Sulock stopped his car at G and Madison Streets and he and his partner got out. Hill initially didnt see the officers, but swung around and began firing at my direction, testified Sulock, who said he and his partner fired back. Sulock recalled feeling a burn in his right thigh, where he said Hill shot him. Sulock, 31, testified that he chased Gauthney while his partner, Officer John OHanlon, chased Hill. Sulock caught up with Gauthney, then was taken to Temple University Hospital to be treated for his wounds. He was released the next day, returned to work in early March, and now is assigned to Highway Patrol. During testimony by Police Detective Thorsten Lucke, Assistant District Attorney Shuaiyb Newton showed video clips from businesses and a residence near G Street. The footage does not show the shooting of Sulock, but shows Hill firing in the officers direction. As Hill runs south on G, he drops his gun, and OHanlon picks it up and chases him. Under questioning by defense attorney Edwin Rivera, Sulock estimated that Hill was 10 or 15 feet away from him when he fired at the officers. The judge also ordered Hill, 29, of Olney, held for trial on attempted murder and related offenses in relation to OHanlon. Gauthney, then 19, of East Germantown, originally was arrested and charged with hindering Hills apprehension, obstructing justice, and unsworn falsification to authorities. He had faced an April 16 preliminary hearing before another judge, but prosecutors that day dropped the charges against him. Ben Waxman, District Attorney Larry Krasners spokesperson, said by email Tuesday: We conducted a thorough investigation and concluded that we could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt in court that Mr. Gauthney was guilty of the charges brought by our office in the case. He declined to explain why Gauthney originally had been charged. Gauthney remains in custody in an unrelated case from a February 2018 arrest. He pleaded guilty in March 2019 to felony drug-related charges and was sentenced to 11 to 23 months in jail. In 2009, Hill pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated assault and carrying a firearm in public. He was given credit for time served and sentenced to five years probation. He violated his probation in 2011 when he was arrested again on gun charges. He pleaded guilty the next year to gun-possession charges and was sentenced to four to eight years in prison. Law enforcement authorities in 2012 had touted Hill, who they said was a member of the Platter Boyz gang, as a prime example of how a city program, since disbanded, had helped get offenders off the street. Mugwo Residents Urge For End To Human Rights Abuses We heard that a peace agreement was signed last year but on the ground, its a different thing. We dont have freedom to move to our farming lands, women are still being raped! If we are in peace, these bad things must come to an end! Mugwo County residents inside Logamere Church [Photo by Daniel Friday Martin | Gurtong] By: Daniel Friday Martin YEI (20.May.2019) Gurtong Residents in South Sudans Mugwo County are appealing to the government and opposition forces in the area to stop harassing, looting and committing other forms of human rights violations against civilians, so they can start their livelihood and support the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement. Recently, Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), with support from United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), conducted a community peace dialogue aimed at building confidence, trust and peaceful co-existence between the military and the civil population in the locality. Rose Akujo, a local area resident in Mugwo County, said: We heard that a peace agreement was signed last year but on the ground, its a different thing. We dont have freedom to move to our farming lands, women are still being raped! If we are in peace, these bad things must come to an end! Akujo said most of the human rights abuses were committed by some individual soldiers belonging to either the Government military or the SPLA-IO forces. She said they welcomed and thanked President Kiir and his opponent Riak Marchar for signing the peace agreement. For us on the ground we dont have problems. We are very happy because organizations like CEPO and UNMISS have been telling us to reconcile and start a new chapter for peace and we are ready; we have started reconciling. Meanwhile Samuel Kenyi, another Mugwo resident, said thousands of civilians trapped in the villages of Mugwo County are still afraid to settle in the former villages because of bad actions committed on civilians by men in military uniform. Our kind request to the commissioner who is for the government and also the commissioner for the SPLA-IO is to ensure that they conduct joint security meetings for them to know which army is committing crimes against the civilians. We are for peace and if we want to see peace, the killings, restrictions and looting of civilian properties by the forces must come to an end Samuel said communities on the ground are ready to promote forgiveness and reconciliation once parties to the conflict are serious to implement the peace agreement and ensure that good things are happening. For his part, Mugwo County Commissioner, Emmanuel Taban, said the local government is working hard to restore total peace and stability and ensure protection of the civil population. We are very sorry that over the past months, bad things have been happening to our civilians but as a government we are working hard to see that the civilians are given their full rights. I am also calling on the civilians to record and report any form of violation being committed against them The commissioner said the peace agreement has been done and all the parties to the conflict have been instructed not to violate the agreement by causing any fight, restrict civilians movement or commit crimes against the civilians, he added. Isaac Luba Samuel, the SPLA-IO Commissioner for Yei, River County apologized to the civilians and expressed readiness to end human abuses against the civil population. We are now partners for peace with the government and we are committed to implement this peace agreement and I want to tell you the residents of Mugwo that we will work together with my counterpart commissioner from the government side so all these bad things will come to an end and we will ensure that civilians move freely and protected from harm by either side. For his part, James Mugwo, Head of UNMISS in Yei River State, is requesting authorities from both sides, the government and the opposition, to allow unhindered access for UNMISS patrol team in the area. We would like to inform you that we will be conducting our usual patrols to remote Payams of these areas so as to create confidence in the civil population to start farming and build trust among themselves so that at the end we see a peaceful community, he ended. In a statement to Gurtong, CEPO appealed to both sides to the conflict to ensure total compliance with the provisions in chapter two of the revitalized peace agreement. Broken glass remains at the scene of a police shooting on the 3400 block of G Street in North Philadelphia on Tuesday, May 21, 2019. An officer in an unmarked police car allegedly shot an unarmed man who was panhandling Monday night. Read more A Philadelphia police detective, in an unmarked car stopped at a Kensington intersection Monday night, shot and wounded a panhandler who he thought was armed and possibly about to rob him, officials said Tuesday. The man, whom relatives identified as 28-year-old Joel Johnson, was well-known around G and Tioga Streets, where residents say he spent nearly every day asking people for change, often by extending his arms and rubbing his fingers together. About 8:45 p.m. Monday, according to police, witnesses, and surveillance video obtained by The Inquirer, Johnson was walking past cars stopped at a red light on the 3400 block of G when he approached the drivers side window of a detectives car. Police Commissioner Richard Ross said in an interview that the detective, an eight-year veteran whom he did not identify, thought he was being carjacked and fired three shots at Johnson through the closed car window, striking him once. (Police later updated the official account to say the detective fired four shots.) Ross said the detective, assigned to East Detectives, was alone in the car and had just been at a crime scene. Surveillance video appears to show a few seconds passing between the moment Johnson approached the front of the detectives car and the first shot. The video shows what looks like a plume of smoke or shattering glass coming from the drivers side window, and Johnson falling to the ground. Geovany Cardoza, 32, said in an interview on the block Tuesday that he was across the street in front of his house when he heard the shots, which he initially mistook for fireworks. When he turned around, he said, he saw the detective get out of the car and yell: Dont move! Where is the gun? Cardoza, who said he knows Johnson from the neighborhood and sometimes gives him food or drinks, said he eventually approached the detective to tell him that Johnson whom he described as harmless would not have a gun. Cardoza wondered how the detective did not see Johnson slowly making his way past cars to ask for change, and said that children were outside in the moments around the shooting. One of the missing shots [could] have hit the kids, Cardoza said. Johnson was shot once in the torso and was reported in critical condition at Temple University Hospital. Ross said he was expected to survive. Captain Sekou Kinebrew, a police spokesperson, told reporters at the scene that the detective believed what he saw was a firearm in this males hands. The detective, believing he was going to be robbed or something was going to happen to him, produced his firearm, discharged his firearm we believe at this time three times." People who said they were relatives of Johnsons declined to comment Tuesday morning, except to identify him. Khalif Bolling, 50, said he lives nearby and recognized Johnson as a constant presence around the intersection. He said Johnson did not bother people or seem to cause trouble. William Bowens, 36, who was talking with Bolling near the corner Tuesday morning, said he couldnt understand how a detective could mistake Johnsons panhandling for threatening behavior. For him to get shot, thats just wrong, Bowens said. Internal Affairs will investigate the shooting. The detective has been placed on desk duty, which is standard procedure when an officer shoots someone. The shooting marked the fifth time this year that an officer has opened fire while on duty, according to police statistics. Last year, the department reported 12 incidents in which police officers fired shots, the lowest annual total in at least a decade. Staff writer Joseph A. Gambardello contributed to this article. A transgender woman killed Sunday in North Philadelphia has been identified as Michelle Washington, also known as Tamika, a mentor and advocate in Philadelphias LGBTQ community. Washington, 40, of North Philadelphia, was shot multiple times Sunday morning near the 3400 block of North 11th Street. She was pronounced dead at Temple University Hospital. On Monday night, Philadelphia police arrested Troy Bailey, 28, of the 1100 block of West Venango Street in the citys Franklinville section. Bailey was arraigned Tuesday on murder and other firearms-related charges. Homicide Capt. Jason Smith said Bailey admitted to shooting Washington, but only after initially telling police he was an eyewitness and providing a false description" to investigators. Smith said that although the investigation is ongoing, detectives are not investigating the shooting as a hate crime and dont believe Washingtons gender identity to be the motivation for the killing. Bailey, who police said has a criminal history that includes domestic violence and sexual assault, did not have an attorney listed as of Tuesday. Leaders in Philadelphias LGBTQ community were stunned by the killing and called for an end to violence against transgender people, which disproportionately affects trans women of color. Amber Hikes, executive director of the citys Office of LGBT Affairs, said in a statement that Washington was a brilliant and outgoing member of Philadelphias transgender community, known for her advocacy and mentorship, and she will be profoundly missed. Raquel Evita Saraswati, chair of the Mayors Commission on LGBT Affairs, said that our community is nothing without black trans women, and we will mourn the loss of Michelle Tamika Washington today and in the years to come. Saraswati offered the commissions commitment to #SayHerName, a social movement aimed at raising awareness of anti-black violence. Washingtons death came on the same weekend that Muhlaysia Booker, a 23-year-old black transgender woman, was fatally shot in Dallas. Booker was attacked in a parking lot just a month ago in an incident that was captured on video and made national headlines. Last week, Claire Legato, a 21-year-old black trans woman, died in Cleveland. Legato had been shot in April and died from her injuries weeks later. The National Center for Transgender Equality released a survey of 28,000 transgender people in 2015, in which nearly one in 10 respondents said they were physically attacked in the last year because of being transgender. Transgender women of color were four times as likely as other transgender people to have been attacked at gunpoint. At least five transgender people all black trans women have been killed nationwide in 2019, according to the Human Rights Campaign, an advocacy organization. Last year, 26 transgender people were killed across the country, though advocates say that number could be much higher. There is little nationwide accounting of violence against the LGBTQ community, and advocacy groups rely on media reports and other organizations to gather data. In Philadelphia alone, at least six transgender women of color have been killed in the last six years. Last fall, Shantee Tucker, 30, a black trans woman, was fatally shot in the citys Hunting Park section, just a mile and a half from where Washington was gunned down. Sharron Cooks, a human rights advocate who had been friends with Washington, described her friend as a trailblazer but also as a caregiver who put family first, including her sister who had cerebral palsy. For Cooks, Washington was funny, fearless, and deeply intellectual. She had a good heart, and her life definitely didnt deserve to end the way it did," Cooks said. Tatyana Woodard, a former colleague of Washingtons for a Mazzoni Center project, said that Washington had been an auntie to the community. She was a nurturer, said Woodard, who saw Washington as someone she could turn to for advice. Always went out of her way to stop, and came and spoke to you when she saw you. Its become custom for trans advocates in the city to hold vigils near the spot where trans women died. This time, said Woodard, who is trans, organizers are opting for an inside venue because the recent spate of attacks has raised concerns about safety. Im scared that someone might follow me home from a rally, that someone might follow me home from work. Im in fear, Woodard said. I also know that being silent wont change anything. We have to continue to speak out for trans rights. The vigil will start at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Gloria Casarez Residence in North Philadelphia. Woodard said the gathering will be more like a community forum to talk over ways to support the community. Cooks is helping the family to plan a memorial as well. I think people lobby for trans people when something terrible happens and not on an everyday basis, she said. I think its important to start discussion. Cooks said she hopes the community can pursue solutions to reduce the impacts of gun violence on all black Philadelphians, but she also hopes that people can become more educated about the barriers that black trans women in the city face. Washington would want her loved ones, even at a time like this, to celebrate her transition, Cooks said. Washington believed that once the spirit leaves the body, it travels to the cradle of souls. She always would talk about the metaphysical plane, Cooks said. She wouldnt have wanted people crying. Its here, its really here. The Pennsylvania primary election is today, and in Philadelphia, voters will make key decisions on the future of the mayors office, City Council, sheriff, and local judges. No pressure. If you are voting today, we have everything you need before you get to the polls. Plus, our reporters will be your eyes and ears across the region as the election plays out. Of course, tomorrows newsletter will be filled with results, but you can also find live updates at Philly.com. Oona Goodin-Smith (@oonagoodinsmith, morningnewsletter@philly.com) Special offer: Are you ready for summer? Sign up today for access to our 2019 Shore Guide and all of our journalism. You can get full digital access for 77 per week for 13 weeks. Climb aboard, the offer ends soon subscribe today! Reading this online? Sign up here to get this newsletter delivered to your inbox every morning. Whether youre trying to get to the polls, need information on candidates, or plan to spend the night watching results roll in, weve got you covered at Philly.com/Elections. Voters Guide Find out which mayoral and City Council candidates will be on your ballot all you need is your address. Or learn more about the dozens of candidates running for Council across the city, see where they stand on key issues, like the soda tax, sanctuary cities, tax abatements, safe injection sites, and more. Heres where you can read up on the mayoral race, sheriffs bid, and the three council districts to watch. Also on the ballot: judges. Heres why we elect judges in Pennsylvania, and heres what you need to know about the Superior Court candidates. Or find your polling place. Polls are already open across the city and will remain open until 8 p.m. Heres what you need to know before voting. Want to test your knowledge before you hit the polls? Weve got you covered there, too. Tracking the results Follow along on our live blog. Our journalists will be reporting from around the region all day and night. Keep an eye on Philly.com after the polls close for results. What to watch for Think back to that teacher who made a lasting impression on you in school. Maybe they were like Gina Weightman, who wrangles wiggly kindergartners with joy and good humor at Anne Frank Elementary. Or maybe they were fiercely intellectual like Brandon Miller, who leads by example at the Workshop School to guide young people to become thinkers and leaders inside the classroom and out. Or perhaps they took the time to show you they care, like Deanna Henderson, who builds strong relationships with students in West Mt. Airy. The three are among 60 of the Philadelphia School Districts finest educators who will be honored today for outstanding teaching by the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation with $3,500 awards. You can read about all 60 outstanding teachers here. What you need to know today Through Your Eyes | #OurPhilly Fountain swimming: a sure sign that summer is on its way. Thanks for the photo, @tehkelsey. 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 But as Americans have learned in the Trump era, you cant fight fear with facts. The immigration issue is tailor-made for merchants of fear looking not for solutions, but for votes. - Columnist Trudy Rubin on why American Democrats should watch how the immigration firestorm is playing out in Italy. In interviews with candidates and voters leading up to the primary election, The Inquirer Editorial Board heard a number of ideas it says deserve consideration and further debate, regardless of who gets elected. New Jersey should recognize the long-term benefits for all of the residents of the Garden State expanding the free community college program and supporting the success of economically challenged students provides, writes Donald A. Borden, president of Camden County College. What were reading She lost her husband when her children were young. Now, this Philly-area nurse has lost her nearly 30-year-old wedding dress, and shes on a quest to find it. Philadelphia Magazine tells her story. A new podcast tells the personal stories of people living on the street in Philadelphia, hoping to connect the worlds of the middle- and upper-class with those experiencing poverty and homelessness, Billy Penn reports. History has painted a cushy picture of notorious mobster Al Capones living quarters at Philadelphias Eastern State Penitentiary, but curators say its not all that accurate. Smithsonian Magazine details Scarfaces stint in the City of Brotherly Love. A Daily Dose of | Foraging Already thinking about what youll cook for dinner tonight? You may have some meal-worthy weeds in your backyard. Cheryl McClenney-Brooker, 70, of Germantown, a champion of the arts who built bridges between the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where she worked, and the community at large, died at home Tuesday, May 7, of complications from multiple sclerosis. Mrs. McClenney-Brooker had an elegant, commanding presence, and she used it in her role as the Art Museums director of external affairs, a job she accepted in 1987. She had joined the museum in 1983 after holding several posts in the art world. She embraced and amplified the Art Museums vast collection, tapping areas of interest in a way that made the art accessible and fun for everyone, not just the elite. Those who might have felt intimidated to enter the museum found in Mrs. McClenney-Brooker a friendly face that drew them in. She went so far as to ask that the wall labels interpreting abstract paintings on exhibit in the museum be made understandable to the layman. Cheryl understood the community-building power of the arts she had it in her mind and heart and soul. That gave her extraordinary strength to build relationships for the Art Museum across the city, said William R. Valerio, a friend and the CEO of the Woodmere Art Museum in Chestnut Hill. There were so many community organizations that might not otherwise have found their way into the museum. She opened those big, heavy doors so they could come in. She put a welcoming face forward for the museum, always thinking about new ways to bring in children. Year in and year out, Cheryl would initiate efforts that were inclusive, said Gail Harrity, the Art Museums president and COO, and her boss for 15 years. She started a Korean heritage group; she enlarged the museum advisory group, embracing and empowering it. When we had an exhibit on Degas and the Dance in 2003, she had the idea that every community could embrace dance, so she reached out, along with our education department, and involved everyone, from small dance studios to the Pennsylvania Ballet. They came and performed at the museum. All ages from all neighborhoods attended. Not only did Mrs. McClenney-Brooker maintain cultural engagement with community and neighborhood groups outside the museum, but her very presence also encouraged an atmosphere of diversity within its walls, her friends said. Born in Chicago to Gwendolyn and Samuel McClenney, she graduated at age 16 from Marshall High School and earned a 1969 bachelors degree in fine arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She moved to New York to pursue a career in the arts and taught high-school English before becoming a curatorial coordinator at the Guggenheim Museum in 1970. From 1974 to 1976, she was assistant director at the nonprofit Museum Collaborative Inc., where she managed partnerships between New Yorks museums and community organizations. For two years starting in 1976, she was an assistant commissioner for the New York Department of Cultural Affairs. In 1978, she went to work in Washington at the National Endowment for the Humanities. In 1983, she was hired by the Art Museum. She retired in 2012. In 1985, she married Philadelphia artist Moe Brooker. She earned a masters degree in organizational dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania while raising a family. In 1989, she co-founded the Philadelphia World AIDS Day/Day Without Art. The event memorialized artists who had died of HIV/AIDS. I think we are well aware of the effects this epidemic has had on our particular community, she told the Daily News. Thats why were having a moment of silence and draping the LOVE sculpture in black, to symbolize the loss of loved ones and the loss of the artist. She was also a board member of the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania, and the African American Museum in Philadelphia. In addition to her husband, she is survived by a daughter, Misha Brooker; a stepson, Musa Brooker; a sister; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 25, at First African Baptist Church, 700-98 N. 67th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19151. Burial is private. Donations may be made to the church at the address above. An Iranian protester pretends to punch a mask mocking President Donald Trump during a rally after Friday prayer in Tehran, Iran, Friday, May 10, 2019. A top commander in Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard said Friday that Tehran will not talk with the United States, an Iranian news agency reported a day after President Donald Trump said he'd like Iranian leaders to "call me." Read more President Trumps Iran policy appears to be careening between diplomacy and belligerence. One day Trump tweets, Im sure that Iran will want to talk soon. The next he warns that if Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Confused? Well, there is a method to the madness. The Trump administration understands that Iran doesnt want war because Iran knows it will lose. Thats why Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made clear via a government Twitter account no war is to happen. Trumps goal is not to start a war. His administration has three objectives: First, restore deterrence and contain Irans expansionism across the Middle East. Second, roll back Irans gains and force it back within its borders. And third, give Irans leaders a clear choice: They can come to the negotiating table and give up their nuclear and missile ambitions or their regime can implode, just like the Soviet Union. When Trump came into office, Iran was on the march across the Middle East in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen thanks in part to the massive infusions of cash it received from sanctions relief under President Barack Obamas Iran deal. Trump did not simply restore sanctions imposed before the deal; he ramped them up to unprecedented levels. The sanctions have already wiped $10 billion from Iranian revenue since November, the Washington Post reported, citing administration officials. This month, the administration tightened the screws even further, eliminating waivers for eight countries that had previously been allowed to continue importing Iranian oil. The goal, according to American officials, is to reduce Iranian oil exports to zero. Its working. Bloomberg News reports that Irans oil shipments tumbled this month after the U.S. ended sanctions waivers. So far, not a single ship has been seen leaving Irans oil terminals for foreign ports. The new sanctions are forcing Tehran to cut funds to its terrorist proxies. According to the Post, Irans ability to finance allies such as Hezbollah has been curtailed, while in Lebanon, the New York Times reports, Syrian militiamen paid by Iran have seen their salaries slashed. On Tuesday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Congress that Irans proposed defense budget has been reduced by 25 percent and the [Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps'] proposed budget by about 10 percent. Iran is obviously unhappy with this, and U.S. intelligence saw signs that Iran was preparing to respond with attacks on Americans using terrorist proxies just as they did in the 1983 Beirut Marine barracks bombing and the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia, and by supplying Shiite militias in Iraq with armor-penetrating roadside bombs that killed hundreds of American soldiers. So the Trump administration delivered a clear message that America will hold Iran directly responsible for any attacks on Americans, even if they are carried out by surrogates and offered a show of force to back those threats providing clarity that makes it less likely Iranian leaders will miscalculate. Sanctions are inflicting major pain. But if the goal is to roll back Iran's expansionism, then sanctions alone are not enough. We must also aggressively confront Iran throughout the region, building up our allies inflicting defeats on Iran in critical theaters, just as President Ronald Reagan did to the Soviets. A major drawdown of U.S. forces in Syria is incompatible with a "maximum pressure" approach. Will Iranian leaders come to the table? Far less draconian sanctions brought Iran to the negotiating table under Obama. But Trump has rightly paired tougher sanctions with tougher demands. Pompeo has laid out 12 requirements for a deal with Iran including an end to support for Middle East terrorist groups and a complete withdrawal from Syria that Iran is unlikely to meet. If they dont come to the table, then what is our strategy? Does Trump really want to bring about the collapse of the Iranian regime? Its not clear. If he does, then, as my American Enterprise Institute colleague Frederick W. Kagan points out, this task may be even harder than it was with the Soviet Union. As North Korea has shown, tyrannical regimes can survive even crippling sanctions. Certainly, the world will be better if Iran is focused on survival rather than expansion and terror. But it will take more than sanctions to leave the Iranian regime on the ash heap of history. That requires a strategy. 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 As a member of The Inquirers Editorial Board, I spent the past two months interviewing candidates, researching their positions, and writing endorsements. I called, emailed, and tweeted to remind every person I know in Philadelphia to vote in Tuesdays primary. But when Election Day came, and everyone shared excited photos from the polls with their I Voted Today sticker, I had a major case of voting FOMO (fear of missing out). I wasnt born in the United States. I am not yet a citizen, but I am a permanent resident. Philadelphia is my home where I got married, where my daughter was born, where I own a home, where I am building my career. And even though I am as impacted by the decisions of our citys government as anyone else, my opinion is not represented when it comes to choosing who leads our city, because I cant cast a vote. According to a 2018 report from the Pew Charitable Trusts, more than 120,000 non-naturalized immigrants are in Philadelphia. Included in this group are permanent residents (like me), asylum seekers and refugees, those with worker visas, and undocumented immigrants. My story is not a tragic one. I am privileged and extremely blessed to have a platform through which I can make my voice heard. I have the means to volunteer for a campaign if I choose to (though I dont do that anymore since Ive started working at The Inquirer). This isnt the case for all immigrants, but for me, there are a lot of other tools in the civic toolbox. But it doesnt have to be this way for me, or for many other immigrants in Philadelphia. Here is my proposal: Philadelphia created PHL City ID an identification card available to anyone over age 13 who lives in Philly, regardless of immigration status. The ID shows both an address and a date of birth. Any person over 18 who can show a PHL City ID at the polling location that matches the address should be able to vote in a municipal election. This move wouldnt be taking a step forward. Rather, it would be restoring a right from the past. Until 1920, most states and territories allowed noncitizens to vote. In the Pennsylvanias first constitution, voting was a right of all free men having a sufficient evident common interest with, and attachment to the community. But starting in the mid-19th century and up to the 1920s, laws changed in Pennsylvania and across the country. Currently, only a few cities allow limited voting for noncitizens. San Francisco and at least 10 cities in Maryland allow noncitizens to vote in school board elections. Several cities in Massachusetts, including Boston, are considering similar measures. Those cities decided to end the taxation without representation that their immigrant residents are subjected to, and Philadelphia should follow suit. In thinking about how to design noncitizen voting, the risks that undocumented immigrants face must be considered. The biggest barrier to their voting is that if the process requires registration, many may be too scared to participate perhaps now more than ever, given the current climate of aggressive immigration enforcement. But thats no excuse. Many citizens dont vote, either by choice or because of policies that stand in their way. The appropriate response is not to eliminate their right to vote, but to work harder to combat disenfranchisement. Giving noncitizens the right to vote must be a part of continuing efforts to protect undocumented immigrants. Philadelphia takes pride in being a welcoming city a sanctuary. On Tuesdays ballot, voters weighed in on whether to amend the citys charter to make the Office of Immigrant and Cultural Affairs a permanent city office. Providing services to immigrants is great, but including immigrants as equal partners in our citys democracy would be even better. I get jealous when I see that I Voted Today sticker. It will take me years to become a citizen, and thousands of dollars in fees. On the ballot in the next election should be a charter amendment to allow noncitizens to vote. That is the last election that people such as me should have FOMO . Good guy, bad state? Gov. Tom Wolf's approval rating is at an all-time high even as the state (nationally) ranks low. Read more Heres an odd little mystery, and/or disconnect. U.S. News & World Reports annual ranking of states, from best to worst, released last week, puts Pennsylvania 41st in the nation. Bad, bad, bad. Whos lower? Well, theres Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and such. But no other Northeastern state ranks as poorly as Pennsylvania. Yet, at the same time, a major poll shows Gov. Tom Wolfs approval rating at an all-time high. And it says Pennsylvania voters are more than satisfied with the direction of the state, and their own pocketbooks. What the heck? Are we so used to being down it looks like up to us? Or is the dismal ranking due to data too old to reflect a fast-moving economy? The ranking is more a trend thing, based on a range of metrics including fiscal stability, infrastructure, health care, education, crime/corrections, and environment. Overall, we continue to drop: 38th last year; 30th the year before. But then its hard to find any national ranking with Pennsylvania near or at the top if you dont count our first-place hold on tick-borne disease. (Did you just shudder?) Still, despite our showing, with its drop, heres Wolf with a 54 percent approval rating, the highest since he was elected in 2014, per a new Quinnipiac University poll. I dont know. Good guy, bad state? Not according to voters. The poll also found a two-thirds majority, 66 percent, approving the overall direction of the state, the highest number in 16 years. Q-Poll analyst Mary Snow tells me strong numbers are coming from specific questions regarding personal finances, and a dropping unemployment rate. (This week, U.S. Labor Department data show Pennsylvanias April unemployment rate at a record-low 3.8 percent. Not as low as the 3.6 percent national rate. But lower than neighbors Ohio and West Virginia. Slightly lower than New Jersey and New York. And tied with Maryland.) People in Pennsylvania are feeling optimistic, says Snow. When we ask about their finances, 77 percent say theyre excellent or good. And when we ask about the state, 71 percent say the state economy is excellent or good. Seems high, no? Especially since U.S. News & World Report ranks our economy 44th among states, a 10-state drop from 2018. So, what to make of all this? One can argue rankings data are dated. Various data sets are created throughout the prior year. But U.S. News & World Report says findings represent the most recent data as of February 2019. As to Democrat Wolf, hes coming off a 17-percentage-point reelection win, consistently calls for more progressive government, and easily can shift blame for stuck-in-the-mud policies (on infrastructure, educational equity, and more) to a lackluster GOP legislature. When I seek a response from the administration to our low ranking, Wolf press secretary J.J. Abbott notes the states low unemployment rate, its lowest-on-record medically uninsured rate, and increases in education spending. He concedes there is a lot of work still to do, then adds the obligatory spokespersons posey: But Gov. Wolf has put Pennsylvania back on track. Turning to the lackluster legislature, I get this from House Majority Leader Bryan Cutlers camp: These rankings, and others like them, prove there is still work to be done in improving the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians, says Cutler spokesperson Mike Straub. He stresses obstacles (read government) to job creators that are forcing companies to leave the state. He says we need to address the job creation climate here. Sigh. At least theres bipartisan agreement that theres work to be done. Which still doesnt resolve the apparent disparity between a poorly ranked state and a voting public happy with the way things are. Unless one considers the possibility that voters or voters who agree to be polled suffer from multiple personality disorder. Or, more simply, havent a clue. I suppose another possibility is state rankings are arbitrary, subjective, or, given the American way, bought and paid for. New Jersey, after all, is ranked 12th. More likely? The state is badly run, voters are used to it, and any bump in the national economy that hits home just translates into happy days. Naomi Brownstein, at her desk in her West Mount Airy office, offers secretarial services to consumers in simple legal matters such as uncontested divorce. The state Attorney General's Office appears to have a problem with that. Read more Naomi Brownstein, 68, is just trying to help lower-income people, she says. Stop breaking the law, says Melissa Kaplan, deputy attorney general, state Bureau of Consumer Protection. Getting a divorce in Philadelphia costs too much and is too difficult, says professor D. James Greiner of Harvard Law School. The first thing we do, lets kill all the lawyers, says William Shakespeare in a widely misinterpreted line from Henry VI, Part 2. What does Byko say? Well, lets start with Brownstein, who in 2010, after a varied career in retail including classified advertising at the Main Line Times, decided to try something entirely different: She opened a secretarial company called Divorce Services. She is not a lawyer and says she never claimed she was. She did learn the legal ropes when she worked in a lawyers office and in 2005 completed a paralegal course at Villanova. She provides services to people involved in divorces that are not contested, also writes wills and property settlements that are not litigious, she says. Simple stuff. Mostly she downloads forms and fills them out for her clients, charging $250 for divorce papers, which people could do for themselves but theres a lot of legalese (i.e., Latin) that frustrates people. She also files the forms with the proper offices, usually upstate to save her customers Philadelphias high court charges. She says she has had thousands of clients over the years and when the attorney generals consumer office subpoenaed her, she asked which consumer had complained. None, she says she was told by Kaplan. If a consumer didnt complain, who did? Im guessing it was some lawyer who doesnt like competition, but thats beside the point. Brownstein grew up in Levittown, lives in Germantown, and has an office in West Mount Airy. She got a degree in social work from Penn State, did that for a few years and now, in a way, has returned to it by trying to help people with relatively low-threshold legal problems. Somehow the state Attorney Generals Office heard about it and came knocking, slapping her with a subpoena. She had a hearing last Wednesday in Center City. I emailed Kaplan to verify what Brownstein had told me and to ask why shes on the griddle. Brownstein says shes never had a complaint in almost a decade of doing this kind of work. I wondered what law she had broken. The email was forwarded to Joe Grace, press secretary for the attorney general. We spoke last Friday and he said hed look into it. While waiting for Grace, I reviewed an op-ed that appeared in The Inquirer in December. Divorce should not be attached to an arcane legal system that requires a lawyer to navigate, Greiner wrote. Thats where people like Brownstein come in, and she tells me Kaplan told her she was breaking the law. Brownstein admits she was upset and agitated when she heard that. Contrary to what Brownstein believes she heard, says Grace, no determination has yet been made as to whether there were any violations of the law here. He says Wednesdays hearing was just fact-finding. Theres a disconnect between what Grace says the hearing meant and what Brownstein believes she heard. It seems to me shes being accused of a crime in which there is no victim, a case that cries for prosecutorial discretion. Attorney General Josh Shapiro can, and should, make this go away. Reliever Victor Arano has been out since April 20 with inflammation in his right elbow. Read more CHICAGO -- Victor Arano, who was nearing a return to the Phillies bullpen, felt enough elbow discomfort during his last throwing session that the team scheduled an appointment for next week with one of the countrys leading Tommy John surgeons. That doesnt feel like the concern right now. Thats not what were thinking, Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said of Aranos possibly needing elbow surgery, which would put him out for at least a year. But to have him go get examined because he has a little bit of swelling and discomfort feels like the right play. Arano will visit renowned orthopedist Neal ElAttrache on May 27 in Los Angeles. Arano has been on the injured list since April 20 with inflammation in his right elbow. The Phillies, who are already operating with a bullpen thinned by injuries, believed that Arano had made progress and could join the team soon. The righthander had a 2.73 ERA in 60 games last season with 60 strikeouts and just 17 walks in 59 innings. He made three appearances this season, two of which were scoreless. Im concerned because hes concerned, Kapler said. Anytime that our pitchers have concerns, Im going to be concerned right along with them. Velasquez nearing a return The Phillies will soon have to make a decision on Vince Velasquez, who is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday. He will pitch off a mound for the first time since being placed on the injured list May 11 with a strained right forearm. Velasquez will throw another bullpen session after Wednesdays and then, Kapler said, the Phillies will decide what to do next with him. That time line could give the Phillies enough time to see if a spot opens up in the starting rotation. Nick Pivetta is pitching well at triple A and was named the International Leagues pitcher of the week on Monday. He could be ahead of Velasquez in the pecking order for a rotation spot. The Phillies could return Velasquez to the rotation, place him in triple A the same way they did Pivetta, or move him to the bullpen. They have some time to weigh their options. Hes good, Kapler said of Velasquezs injury. Were in his throwing progression and building him back up. But theres no concerns. No long-term concerns. Extra bases Reliever Tommy Hunter continues to make progress from his forearm strain and could rejoin the team in early June. ... Roman Quinn, out with a groin strain, will take part in outfield drills this week at Wrigley Field and take batting practice before Fridays game in Milwaukee. If all goes well, Quinn will begin a rehab assignment next week when the team travels to the West Coast ... Zach Eflin will start Tuesday night against Cubs lefthander Jose Quintana. Mayor Jim Kenney celebrates at the podium with supporters after announcing victory in the primary election results, during a party at the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia, Pa. Tuesday, May 21, 2019, Read more Voters have cast their ballots in the 2019 primary election, weighing in on races for mayor, City Council, and row offices in Philadelphia. Here are key things to know about the results: Mayor Jim Kenney handily won the Democratic primary for mayor in his reelection bid. Former Philly police officer Rochelle Bilal defeated incumbent Sheriff Jewell Williams in the Democratic primary for sheriff, a significant upset. In the race for register of wills, another row-office incumbent was ousted, as former deputy city commissioner Tracey L. Gordon won over Ron Donatucci in the Democratic primary. In closely watched district City Council races, Councilman Kenyatta Johnson fended off challenger Lauren Vidas in the Second District, while Maria Quinones-Sanchez claimed victory in the Seventh District. In the Third District in West Philadelphia, Jamie Gauthier defeated longtime Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell. The at-large race for City Council featured the largest field in decades, and the Democratic primary winners represented a mix of millenials and the political machine. With the vast majority of votes counted, turnout Tuesday surpassed the 2017 primary and general elections, as well as the 2018 primary election. More than 237,000 people voted on election day, with absentee ballots still to be counted. In the 2015 primary election, 269,635 people voted; in the 2017 primary, 210,838 people voted. Register of Wills loses 11th reelection bid Longtime Register of Wills Ronald R. Donatucci has been ousted. The South Philly politician held the office since 1980, but voters Tuesday declined to give him an 11th term. Instead, they voted for former deputy city commissioner Tracey L. Gordon. Former Deputy Sheriff Jacque Whaumbush finished third. The office has a $4 million annual budget and about 70 employees; its responsible for receiving wills for probate, maintaining wills and estate records, collecting inheritance taxes, and issuing marriage licenses. READ MORE: Tracey Gordon wins register of wills race, ousting 40-year incumbent Ron Donatucci Jannie Blackwell unseated in 3rd District, leaves watch party In the Third District, longtime incumbent Jannie Blackwell appeared to be unseated after facing her first credible challenger in decades. At 11 p.m., Jamie Gauthier, the former head of the Fairmount Park Conservancy, had 56 percent of the vote with 95 precincts reporting, putting her ahead of the powerful councilwoman who has represented the district since 1992. Blackwell walked out of her watch party without giving a speech, instead hugging and shaking hands with supporters and saying, See ya, everybody. See ya. Thanks, everybody. Blackwell took over from her husband, Lucien, who had held the seat since 1975. Blackwell is the oldest member of Council and its second-longest-serving. The race was one of the most closely watched this election, with a longtime member of the Democratic establishment being challenged by a progressive political newcomer on issues of political power and land development. Gauthier is essentially guaranteed the seat, as there is no Republican challenger. READ MORE: Jamie Gauthier ousts Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell in City Council 3rd District Millennials and the machine win in City Council At-Large races In a crowded field of Democratic candidates for City Council at-large, two millennial challengers joined three incumbents in taking the top five spots, all but guaranteeing their election in a deeply Democratic city. Isaiah Thomas, 34, and Kathy Gilmore Richardson, 35, will inject a dose of youth to City Council, where the current average age is 58 and no members are younger than 45. They join incumbents Helen Gym, Allan Domb, and Derek Green in the top five. Overall, 28 Democrats ran for those spots, the most in four decades. All five winners were endorsed by the city Democratic Party. There are seven at-large members, who represent the city as a whole, and no party can win more than five seats. In effect, that means five seats go to Democrats and two to Republicans. They join the ten Council members who represent individual geographic districts. READ MORE: Party-backed millennials come out on top in Phillys at-large City Council primary election What happened in the suburbs In Philadelphias suburbs, Montgomery County Board of Commissioners incumbents Valerie Arkoosh and Ken Lawrence Jr. won the Democratic nominations in a landslide, according to unofficial election results. It is the first time Lawrence won reelection to the board. He was initially appointed in January 2017 to fill the seat of Josh Shapiro, now the states attorney general. The race was among a handful of county-wide elections in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. READ MORE: Primary results in Bucks, Chester, Montgomery and Delaware Counties bring new faces and familiar names Lisa Deeley and Omar Sabir win race to run Phillys elections Incumbent City Commissioner Lisa Deeley won her bid for a second term as one of Phillys top elections officials. And with fellow Democrat Anthony Clark retiring, shell be joined by Omar Sabir. Thats a win for the citys Democratic establishment, as the city party endorsed both candidates amid a larger field than has been seen in decades. And with their victory comes a loss for advocates for hand-marked paper ballots, who had sought to make the election a referendum on new touchscreen voting machines that they say are more costly and less secure than paper ballots that voters manually fill out. Deeley and incumbent Republican Al Schmidt, who was unopposed in the GOP primary, selected the touchscreen systems. Sabir said he isnt concerned about the new machines we have the new voting machines, I don't like to cry over spilled milk and is looking forward to working with Deeley on expanding community outreach to increase voter turnout. I have a new partner in Omar, and I look forward to four great years, Deeley said. Were going to work together, were going to do great stuff, and Im sure Omars going to bring a lot of great ideas to the table. READ MORE: Lisa Deeley and Omar Sabir win Democratic nomination for Philadelphia City Commissioner Philly judge, Chesco deputy DA lead in Superior Court race Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Dan McCaffery has a commanding lead in the Democratic primary for Superior Court, a statewide appellate court. In the GOP primary, the leading candidate is Megan McCarthy King, a deputy district attorney in Chester County. The top two candidates in each primary will advance to the general election. READ MORE: Phillys Dan McCaffery, Chescos Megan King in contention for Pa. Superior Court primaries Maria Quinones-Sanchez claims victory in 7th District In one of the most closely watched races this election, incumbent Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez, a fiercely independent Democrat who lacks party backing and prides herself on battling the citys political machine, claimed victory over her challenger, State Rep. Angel Cruz. Quinones-Sanchez had publicly said her opponent would only win if he did so illegally. Instead, she appeared to have won. As of about 10:30 p.m., Quinones-Sanchez had 52 percent of the vote, with about 95 percent of precincts reporting results. I want to thank god because there was a lot of negativity in this campaign," the councilwoman told supporters. She said constituents deserve someone who shows up to work, is prepared and delivers for you. The Democratic winner will not face a Republican candidate in November. READ MORE: Incumbents dominate in City Council District races, with one exception in West Philly Rochelle Bilal takes upset victory in sheriffs race Former Philadelphia Police officer Rochelle Bilal beat incumbent Sheriff Jewell Williams in the Democratic primary for sheriff in an upset victory. As of 10 p.m. and with 86 percent of precincts reporting results, Bilal was leading the four-way race by nearly 20,000 votes. Williams, who has been embroiled in three cases involving alleged sexual harassment and also faces scrutiny for giving professional services contracts to campaign contributors and soliciting campaign donations from employees, has not conceded. In addition to Williams, Bilal finished ahead of former sheriffs deputies Malika Rahman and Larry King Sr. Bilal, 61, is president of the Guardian Civic League, a group that represents black police officers. READ MORE: Rochelle Bilal wins primary election for Philadelphia sheriff in upset of Jewell Williams Kenyatta Johnson wins Democratic primary in 2nd District Kenyatta Johnson, the incumbent Second District councilman who has faced scrutiny over city land deals that benefited his friends, held off lawyer and consultant Lauren Vidas in a closely watched race that had revolved around issues of Council power, land use, and gentrification. As of shortly after 10 p.m., Johnson had nearly 60 percent of the vote, with 87 percent of precincts reporting. In November, he will face Michael Bradley, head of the Grays Ferry Civic Association, who ran unopposed for the Republican nomination. READ MORE: In a changing district, Councilman Kenyatta Johnson easily wins Democratic nomination Ballot measures appear to pass Philadelphia voters approved four proposed charter amendments on Tuesday: the creation of a new class of law officer dedicated to traffic enforcement, the use of gender-neutral language for City Council and its members; making permanent the Office of Immigrant Affairs, created by executive order in 2016; and urging the state legislature to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. With more than 70 percent of the votes counted, the yes votes comfortably outnumbered no votes for all four questions. READ MORE: Voters approve amendments to Philadelphias City Charter Kenney: Serving as your mayor has been the greatest honor of my life Mayor Jim Kenney told supporters at his election-night party that the job was a privilege. Serving as your mayor has been the greatest honor of my life," the mayor said at the National Museum of American Jewish History. Theres something special about being mayor when you walk into a pre-K classroom and see how a quality education serves our children. READ MORE: Jim Kenney wins Democratic mayoral primary Nail-biters in the Third and Seventh Districts Two of the most closely watched Democratic races this election season remain in the spotlight as results come in. In West Phillys Third District, longtime Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell was running slightly behind Jamie Gauthier, the first credible challenger she has had in years, with 30 percent of precincts reporting results. Blackwell has held the seat since 1992, when she took it over from her husband, Lucien, who had represented the district since 1975. The challenge from Gauthier, the former head of the Fairmount Park Conservancy, forced issues of Council power, land development, and gentrification to the forefront of the race. Meanwhile, the fight to represent Kensingtons Seventh District also remained close, with 90 percent of precincts reporting. Incumbent Maria Quinones-Sanchez, known for challenging the party establishment and lacking its support, holds a slight lead over State Rep. Angel Cruz. The race has been nasty, with allegations of electoral impropriety in a district where shenanigans have occurred in the past. Helen Gym leads the City Council at-large pack With half the precincts reporting their results, first-term Councilwoman Helen Gym had about 15 percent of the vote, putting her at the top of the 28 Democratic candidates in the crowded at-large City Council race. For the at-large seats, which represent the entire city, no party can hold more than five seats. In effect, that means the five Democrats in deep-blue Philly who win Tuesday will nearly certainly win those seats in November. With the results still coming in, Gym was followed by incumbent Allan Domb, third-time challenger Isaiah Thomas, incumbent Derek Green, and first-time challenger Katherine Gilmore Richardson. Click here to see where all of the candidates in the sprawling field stand, as well as tallies from other races. Potential upset alert: Sheriffs race With more than one-third of precincts reporting their election results shortly after 9 p.m., former Philadelphia Police Officer Rochelle Bilal held a sizable lead in the race for sheriff, representing a potential upset of incumbent Jewell Williams. Williams, who has been in office since 2012, has been embroiled in three cases involving alleged sexual harassment and also faces scrutiny for giving professional services contracts to campaign contributors and soliciting campaign donations from employees. Bilal had slightly more than 40 percent of the vote, with Williams and former sheriffs deputy Malika Rahman each taking about 25 percent of the vote. Larry King Sr., another former sheriffs deputy, had about seven percent of the vote. There is no Republican candidate, meaning the winner of Tuesday primary is almost certain to win in November, unless challenged by a third-party or independent candidate. Mayor Jim Kenney coasts to primary win in reelection bid Mayor Jim Kenney, the 99th mayor of Philadelphia, handily won the Democratic primary in his reelection effort, the Associated Press projected about an hour after polls closed Tuesday. Kenney had faced two challengers in the Democratic primary: State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams and former City Controller Alan Butkovitz. Both had sought to attack Kenney on his signature first-term achievement, the sweetened-beverage tax, as well as crime, policing, poverty, and other issues. In the end, Williams and Butkovitz failed to make history no mayor who has run for reelection has lost since the citys two-term limit took effect in 1952. Butkovitz conceded the race shortly before 9:15 p.m. In November, Kenney will face defense attorney Billy Ciancaglini, who ran unopposed in the Republican primary. Mayoral campaign watch parties: Stuffy conference rooms, Rihanna, and a slideshow While we wait for election results, lets take a look at the watch parties for the three mayoral campaigns. At a quiet gathering in Center City, a group of Alan Butkovitz supporters sat around a long table in a conference room on the 16th floor of a coworking space, watching a television displaying the election results webpage. Butkovitz sat at the front of the table, eyes on the screen. Some supporters ate sandwiches from paper plates and sipped beer, discussing the numbers as they trickled in. It was a speedy recovery from a few moments prior, when people were scrambling to turn on the air conditioning in the overly warm room. More than half of the 13 people at the start of the night were reporters. Meanwhile, in State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams event at the former Berean Institute on Girard Avenue, a DJ has kept a festive atmosphere going for several hours now. The high-energy music of Rihanna, Beyonce, Lauryn Hill, Michael Jackson, and others played for the handful of supporters who have arrived so far, while a large group of election day workers, many of them young, lined up to get paid by the campaign. A projector screen behind what will be Williams podium sits blank. As for Mayor Jim Kenney, not much is happening yet at his watch party, either. His room at the National Museum of American Jewish History decorated with bunches of red, white, and blue balloons remained largely empty before 9 p.m., with music playing and the stage and podium ready for the mayor to speak later. A slideshow of photos from his first term played to the largely empty room. We already know the winners in these races Even though the polls only just closed, and results arent even in yet, were going to go ahead and call it. We feel comfortable declaring winners in half the City Council district races. (Its easy: The candidates ran unopposed.) Council President Darrell L. Clarke, first elected in 1999, is unopposed in the Fifth District and will face no Republican candidate in November. In the Sixth District, Bobby Henon, the majority leader who is under indictment for allegedly using his position to benefit Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, did not face a primary challenger. He will face Pete Smith, a delivery truck driver, who was unopposed in the Republican primary. Democratic incumbents Cindy Bass and Cherelle L. Parker were unopposed in the Eighth District and Ninth District, respectively. Neither faces Republican competition in November. In the Tenth District, incumbent Republican Brian J. ONeill the longest-serving Council member, in office since 1979 was unopposed in todays primary. He will face Judy Moore, the Garces Group chief strategy officer who was unopposed in the Democratic primary. In the Second District, Michael Bradley ran unopposed on the Republican side and Billy Ciancaglini had the Republican primary for mayor all to himself. We feel pretty safe calling those two races as well. Polls have closed Polls closed at 8 p.m. though any voters still in line at that time will be allowed to cast ballots. Stick with us throughout the night for the latest updates as results come in. Did voters turn out? While the primary season brought out a crowded field of candidates, early indications are that turnout was low. Still, there were some eager voters, the usual buzz at the typical election day power spots, and signs of voter excitement in some parts of the city. Here are more scenes from polling places around Philly on primary day. Joining the post-work voting crowd? Heres what you need to know Turnout has been reportedly less than enthusiastic in Philly so far as one solomonic worker put it, Ive seen worse but Ive seen better as well but theres always the post-work crowd. Polls are open until 8 p.m., and as long as you are in line by that time you are allowed to vote. (Find your polling place here.) Here are some resources to help you get the information you need: Voters guide for the Philadelphia primary election: Find your candidates by address or view all the candidates on each partys ballot. Whos running for Philadelphia City Council?: Learn about the dozens of candidates seeking Council seats and how the field breaks down by age, occupation, cash, and more. Where do City Council candidates stand on the issues?: We asked candidates for their views on issues from the soda tax to sanctuary cities to bike lanes to charter schools. Find out what they said. Whats motivating Philly voters this primary What was on the minds of Philly voters as they cast their ballots Tuesday? Here are a few of the issues that Philly voters said influenced their choices. Soda tax: Debra Serota, 37, said she voted for Mayor Jim Kenney: Hes made some serious changes like the soda tax. Im into that. We dont really drink soda and it benefits the schools, pre-school." Safe injection sites: Jihad Ahmed, 45, said he voted for State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams in the mayoral race: I like that (Williams) is against (safe injection sites) ... youre like legalizing people to be able to go in there and get high. Give our people treatment." Urban planning: Stephen Rafferty, 30, said he voted for Jamie Gauthier in the 3rd District race: I was excited that there would be hopefully someone thoughtful about the built environment in elected office. I Voted stickers, and custom ones on the way? You may be showing off those I Voted or He Votado Hoy stickers on social media today, but do you know the history of the election emblem? The practice may have begun in the 1980s to raise voter awareness on Election Day, Newsweek reports, but its origins are a little more fuzzy. The Miami Herald mentioned such a sticker in 1982, while one group in Phoenix and a company in North Carolina believe they have a rightful claim. Not all states go the traditional route, however. Some opt for a bit of local flare. Georgias sticker shows a peach, while New Yorks connects the boroughs with a minimalist subway map. City Council offered some suggestions with some Philly attitude this week, just as it had during the midterm elections. Back in November though, the City Commissioners office responded that it was already working on this which was apparently no joke. A sticker redesign is one of several projects being worked on, a spokesperson said last week. Election day power lunch: Where schmoozing is on the menu By the afternoon, insiders and hopefuls gathered or attempted to gather at what are election day staples for the politically connected: lunch at Relish in West Oak Lane or Famous 4th Street Deli in Queen Village. At Famous, Comcast executive vice president David L. Cohen lunched at political consultant Neil Oxmans table. Also at Oxmans table? Former Mayor Bill Green III, state Treasurer Joe Torsella, and former 6ABC anchor Marc Howard were also spotted. Nearby, former State Sen. Vince Fumo talked about his work as a political consultant. READ MORE: Joe Biden, at Philly fund-raiser hosted by Comcast exec, says Trump has shredded Americas moral fabric Over at Relish in West Oak Lane, elected politicians and candidates filtered in and out, shaking hands and fueling up on fried chicken, mac n cheese and collard greens. The whos-who of Philly politics included Mayor Jim Kenney, several representatives from Harrisburg, State Attorney General Josh Shapiro and a slew of candidates hoping to win their races in Philly tonight. I love your commercials, Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., said as he shook hands with Councilman-at-large Allan Domb. Bring it home, attorney Kevin Greenberg said to Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, who is hoping to hold on to his seat representing the 2nd District. Not everyone was allowed inside. At-large candidate Erika Almiron was denied entry. She said she wasnt invited to the event and was told it was invite-only at the door. Rochelle Bilal, running for sheriff, also said she didnt get an invitation. The event was hosted by the Laborers District Council. Ive been coming here every year, Bilal said. Steps away was Sheriff Jewell Williams, who distributed his fliers but declined an interview. Thats our Democratic Party in there, Bilal said. It should be open to every candidate running. Chris Brennan and Julia Terruso End of the morning rush Voting continued as normal following the morning rush, said Pat Christmas, policy director of the Committee of Seventy, an elections watchdog group. By 11 a.m., phones were not exactly ringing off the hook," though Christmas noted there were a few calls concerning late openings and machines not working. The District Attorney Offices Election Task Force received 23 complaints by Tuesday afternoon, the majority of which concerned electioneering allegations, according to the office. Voting otherwise continues smoothly, the district attorneys office tweeted. In the 7th District, where eyes are on what is most likely to become one of the most competitive council races, a sample ballot posted outside the Luis Munoz-Marin School on Third and Ontario Streets listed candidates for the 8th District. That meant Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez and state Rep. Angel Cruz were excluded, among others. The error, noticed at about 9:30 a.m. by committee person Maria Cruz, was changed by 11:20 a.m., after about 85 people had voted in its three divisions. By mid-morning, Christmas said theres a chance that turnout this year wont be as high as it was in the 2015 primary, when Philly saw an open mayoral race. Kenney won the 2015 primary with 130,775 votes over State Sen. Tony Williams, who collected 61,160 votes, according to the City Commissioners office. One of the most important variables in turnout is whether theres a prominent race with a well-financed candidate, Christmas said. " ... The district Council offices and row offices are just not as high profile." Christmas said hes watching Sixty-Six Wards as an indicator of turnout. Ballot positions You may notice two blank spots among the Democratic at-large positions while pulling up your sample ballot. The No. 4 position belonged to Willie Singletary, who a judge ruled in March couldnt run for council due to a felony conviction for lying to FBI agents in a corruption probe. The No. 16 spot belonged to former Lt. Gov. Mike Stack III, who withdrew because of the ballot position, the Inquirer reported in March. While neither name appears on the online sample ballot made available on the City Commissioners website, at least one Twitter user noted that Singletarys name appears in the voting booth, though a paper sign in English and Spanish alerts residents that votes cast for the candidate would not be counted. In Philly, ballot positions are assigned by pulling numbers out of an archaic Horn & Hardart coffee can. Love it or hate it, the can holds a lot of power. It even has its own Twitter account. Its pretty much incontrovertible that you have an advantage if you come first. Just flat-out, Monika McDermott, a political scientist at Fordham University, previously told The Inquirer. Ballot positions may be particularly important for this years primary, where 34 Democrats and seven Republicans are vying for seven at-large Council seats. Thats the largest field of candidates since 1983. This year, Adrian Rivera Reyes, a Democratic socialist, and Deja Lynn Alvarez, a public-health LGBTQ activist and the first transgender woman to run for City Council, got the top spots. Paper ballots debut in Montco Montgomery County residents were greeted with a new way of voting this morning: paper ballots. READ MORE: In Montgomery County, some voters concerned by new paper ballots They are full-sized sheets of paper that a voter fills out and then is fed into a scanner machine. Gov. Tom Wolfs Department of State last year ordered counties to buy new, more-secure voting machines that leave a paper trail. Experts say that is best practice to ensure proper post-election audits and recounts and instill voter confidence. Reviews so far appear mixed with some voters complaining that it took longer to vote than it did with the old machines. READ MORE: How Montgomery Countys new paper ballots have stolen my mother-son tradition Voting off to a typical Philly start The Committee of 70 elections watchdog group says voting got under way Tuesday morning with no major problems except that some polling places opened late, which is not unusual. Sixty-six Wards, an effort to track real time turnout based on reports from voters, estimated that more than 41,000 people had cast ballots by 9 a.m. Turnout for the last mayoral primary in 2015 was 247,000. Along with libraries and schools, you can find voters in todays election casting their ballots at some pretty unusual places. There are restaurants like Lees Hoagie House in Rhawnhurst or Gold Standard Cafe in West Philly, as well as spots like the Mummers Museum or the Painted Bride. Dont believe it? Have a look at the list yourself your neighbors garage might just be a polling place. The rather unconventional spots are born out of the desire for polling places to be close to voters, as well as Philadelphias status as an older city and the need for locations to be accessible to people with disabilities. If youre not sure where to find your own polling place, consult the Department of States database online. Learn about the ballot Over the past several months, the Inquirer has produced several guides to help you get ready to vote. Need to read up before heading to your polling place? Read on. Voters guide for the Philadelphia primary election: Find candidates in your district by address, or view all the candidates on each partys ballot. Whos running for Philadelphia City Council?: This years primary features a crowded field. Learn more about the candidates seeking Council seats, and how the field breaks down by age, occupation, cash, and more. Where do City Council candidates stand on the issues?: We asked candidates for their views on issues from the soda tax to sanctuary cities to bike lanes to charter schools. Find out what they said. Quiz: Whats on the 2019 Philly primary election ballot? Test your city government knowledge. Complete primary election coverage Polls are open Polls opened at 7 a.m. in Pennsylvania for a primary election in which the main focus is on heavily Democratic Philadelphia, where Mayor Jim Kenney is facing two challengers and a crowded field of candidates is vying for the partys seven at-large City Council slots. Other than the at-large City Council race, Republican candidates are running unopposed in the city. In other races, 13 Democrats are running for two slots in the city commissioners race, vying to lead the office that runs Philly elections. Three candidates, including incumbent Jewell Williams, are seeking to be the partys choice for sheriff. All Philadelphia voters are being asked in a special election to say yay or nay to four amendments to the Home Rule Charter. The only statewide races are for Superior Court, with three candidates running in each partys primary for the two slots each has on the general election ballot. Local judicial races also are on the ballot. The weather forecast calls for sunny skies with a high around 72. Polls will close at 8 p.m. Welcome to primary day Pennsylvania voters head to the polls Tuesday for the primary election. Stick with the Inquirer throughout the day for updates on turnout, scenes from the polls, and last-minute campaigning, and come back in the evening for the latest news as results come in. Throughout the day and night, youll be hearing from the Inquirer team on races in Philly and beyond. During the day, Patricia Madej and Joseph A. Gambardello will be your guides here to what you need to know before casting your vote, while Jonathan Lai will take the reigns in the evening to keep you informed as the races are called. Theyll be joined by other staffers bringing you stories on philly.com and our social platforms: Chris Brennan, Laura McCrystal, Michaelle Bond, and Justine McDaniel will be tracking the mayoral race. Julia Terruso, William Bender, Craig McCoy, and Maddie Hanna will have all the City Council action. Claudia Vargas will keep you up to date on the sheriffs race, while Andrew Seidman covers the judicial contests, and Tom Fitzgerald will let you know ballot-measure results. Chris Palmer and Tommy Rowan will have the latest from election court, while TyLisa Johnson, Samantha Melamed, Jesenia De Moya Correa, and Juliana Feliciano Reyes tell you whats on voters minds and bring you other election day updates from around the region. READ MORE: Inquirer Poll: What Philly voters think of Mayor Jim Kenney, crime, and the soda tax READ MORE: Repeal the tax abatement, rent control: Heres what Philadelphia City Council candidates say theyd do first READ MORE: Could the Philly City Council elections determine the fate of the soda tax? READ MORE: Heres what the primary election could mean for the future of Phillys 10-year tax abatement READ MORE: Pilloried for thinking about saving lives: injection sites are a hot issue in Philly politics FILE - In this May 6, 2019, file photo, Michael Cohen, former attorney to President Donald Trump, leaves his apartment building before beginning his prison term in New York. Read more WASHINGTON Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's former longtime personal attorney, told a House panel during closed-door hearings earlier this year that he had been encouraged by Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow to falsely claim in a 2017 statement to Congress that negotiations to build a Trump Tower in Moscow ended in January 2016, according to transcripts of his testimony that were released Monday evening. In fact, Cohen later said discussions on the Moscow tower continued into June of the presidential election year, after it was clear that Trump would be the GOP nominee. Cohen is serving three years in prison for lying to Congress, financial crimes and campaign finance violations. House Democrats are now scrutinizing whether Sekulow or other Trump attorneys played a role in shaping Cohen's 2017 testimony to Congress. Cohen has said he made the false statement to help hide the fact that Trump had potentially hundreds of millions of dollars at stake in a possible Russian project while he was running for president. Were trying to find out whether anyone participated in the false testimony that Cohen gave to this committee, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D., Calif.) said in an interview. He did not comment on who, if anyone, might have instructed Cohen to lie. Jane Serene Raskin and Patrick Strawbridge, attorneys for Sekulow, said in a statement that "Cohen's alleged statements are more of the same from him and confirm the observations of prosecutors in the Southern District of New York that Cohen's 'instinct to blame others is strong.' " "That this or any Committee would rely on the word of Michael Cohen for any purpose much less to try and pierce the attorney-client privilege and discover confidential communications of four respected lawyers defies logic, well-established law and common sense," they added. It is unclear how much detailed knowledge Sekulow had about the timeline of Trump's most recent effort to build a branded tower in Moscow, which Cohen began in September 2015 and ended in June 2016, according to court documents. Sekulow joined Trump's legal team after the election. Cohens assertions about Sekulow were first described to the Washington Post by people familiar with his testimony and were laid out in transcripts of his February and March appearances before the House intelligence panel, released Monday evening. In those depositions, Cohen acknowledged that he used January 2016 as the end date for work on the Moscow project when he originally drafted his 2017 statement to Congress. He said Sekulow urged him to stick to that date, even though he believed Sekulow and others knew that the deal was actually discussed far later than that. "As Mr. Sekulow had explained, just let's keep it to that date, which is prior to the Iowa caucus," the opening contest of the White House race, Cohen told the committee. Cohen's closed-door testimony before the committee led congressional Democrats this month to press Sekulow and other Trump family lawyers who were involved in a joint defense agreement for more information about work they did preparing Cohen's 2017 statement. Schiff has asked four attorneys to turn over documents and schedule interviews with the panel, a request they have so far rebuffed, calling it a threat to the long-standing protection of communications between lawyers and their clients. In his public testimony before the House Oversight Committee in January, Cohen said "Mr. Trump's personal lawyers reviewed and edited my statement to Congress about the timing of the Moscow Tower negotiations before I gave it." He accused Sekulow of making changes to the 2017 statement. "There were changes made, additions, Jay Sekulow, for one," Cohen told the panel. Sekulow denied making changes to Cohen's planned testimony about the timing of the Trump Tower Moscow project, calling Cohen's allegation "completely false." In subsequent closed-door depositions before the House Intelligence Committee, Cohen was more specific. Cohen said he spoke with Sekulow 20 or more times about his 2017 statement before submitting it to Congress, though those conversations were sometimes nebulous. Asked what he recalled from those conversations with Sekulow, Cohen said: "Stay on message. Minimum contact. No Russia. No collusion. Nothing here." Cohen said he discussed with Sekulow the fact that his statement said the Trump Tower Moscow deal was aborted in January 2016, and Sekulow responded, "Good. Good. Let's just stay on message. Keep this thing short." Asked what the message was, Cohen said, "It was the period of time, it was before the Iowa caucus. And it was just a good time. It was just it was before, it was a couple weeks before the Iowa caucus, and let's just keep it that way." He was asked by Schiff whether Sekulow was aware that the original draft was false when it said negotiations on the project ended in January. Cohen responded: "Yes, sir." Cohen said also he spoke to Sekulow about a potential pardon "quite a few" times "before and after" his testimony to the committee. He said Sekulow didn't say directly that the president was considering giving him a pardon, but rather said "there's always the possibility of a pre-pardon." Cohen said Sekulow said the reason the president was considering pardons was "to shut down the inquiries and to shut the investigation down." In a tweet Monday night, fellow Trump attorney Rudolph Giuliani wrote, "Jay Sekulow is one of the very most ethical lawyers and honest men I have ever known. Michael Cohen is a serial liar. Cohen should be prosecuted for his blatant perjury before the House committee. Jay should receive the most effective and ethical lawyer of the year award." In his closed-door deposition, Cohen also testified that the proposed Trump Tower Moscow project would have been more profitable for Trump's company than other development deals because it envisioned Trump receiving a bigger licensing fee than for other projects, along with a $4 million upfront fee to be paid to Trump as the project began. The Trumps knew that any potential real estate deal especially worth "hundreds of millions" of dollars, much larger than Trump's normal licensing deals would have to be approved by the Kremlin and even Russian President Vladimir Putin himself, Cohen said At one point, Cohen testified that business partner Felix Sater came up with the idea of selling the building's penthouse to Putin as a marketing ploy. Cohen said he relayed the idea to Trump, who appeared amused, neither blessing it nor dismissing it. "He just thought it was clever, funny," Cohen said. Despite Cohen's history of lying to Congress, senior Democrats on the House and Senate intelligence committees indicated that they are taking his allegations seriously. If it is accurate that one of the Presidents personal attorneys encouraged him or edited his testimony to give Congress a false date, Sen. Mark Warner (D., Va.), the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in a statement, its further evidence that the President had some reason for not wanting the American people, or the Senate Intelligence Committee, to know the truth about his dealings with Russia as a candidate. Cohen's claims were reviewed by special counsel Robert Mueller, who sought to question but did not succeed one of Trump's personal attorneys about interactions he had with Cohen about the 2017 testimony. According to Mueller's report, Cohen spoke to a counsel for Trump frequently in the days before he submitted his statement to Congress on Aug. 28, 2017. The Trump lawyer was not named in the report. Cohen told investigators that he recalled telling the president's lawyer that the statement did not reflect the extent of communications with Russia and Trump about the Moscow project. The Trump attorney told Cohen that it was not necessary to include other details in the statement, which he said should be kept "tight." Cohen told investigators he also recalled that the lawyer told him "his client" appreciated Cohen and he should stay on message and not contradict the president, according to the report. Mueller's team sought to speak to the Trump lawyer about the conversations with Cohen, "but counsel declined, citing potential privilege concerns," according to the report. Cohen's assertions led Schiff to demand information from Sekulow and three other lawyers who played a role reviewing Cohen's 2017 testimony: Abbe Lowell, an attorney for Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump; Alan Futerfas, an attorney for Donald Trump Jr.; and Alan Garten, an attorney for the Trump Organization. The four lawyers have said they cannot answer Schiff's requests because of attorney-client privilege, which bars them from discussing confidential conversations. Schiff has promised to push ahead, threatening to issue a subpoena for the lawyers' cooperation if necessary, noting that they had an incentive to encourage Cohen's initial testimony. Cohen himself stood little to gain by lying to our committee, Schiff told the Washington Post. Donald Trump and others around him stood far more to gain from that being concealed from our investigation. So it obviously begs the question of whether this was something he did on his own or were there others who participated in the falsehood before our committee. Schiff also warned that the privilege claim may not allow the attorneys to avoid testifying before his committee. "The privilege doesn't apply if it's being used to conceal a crime or a fraud," he said. "And if the attorneys were conferring amongst themselves and Mr. Cohen about a false statement they were going to make to our committee, there's no privilege that protects that kind of conduct." On Monday, after the release of the Cohen transcripts, when asked about possible subpoenas for the Trump family and Trump lawyers, Schiff said, "We'll consider what compulsion we need to use given that they have thus far refused to cooperate with us." In a letter to Schiff on Friday, attorneys for the four Trump lawyers expressed dismay at Schiff's effort to compel their testimony. "We find the Committee's outright, blanket refusal to recognize the attorney-client privilege a bedrock principle of common law dating back centuries to be stunning, unwise, and unwarranted," they wrote. They called the inquiry "an attempt to pursue a law-enforcement investigation which is outside the constitutional authority of the legislative branch." Schiff has also expressed interest in hearing from Felix Sater, a Trump business partner who was working the Russian side of the Trump Tower Moscow proposal in 2016. Lawyers for Cohen said it appears that Sater and his attorney Robert Wolf reviewed Cohen's testimony before it was submitted to Congress in 2017, according to documents they reviewed. Sater's involvement negates any privilege claim, Cohen's attorneys said. "Because it appears that the draft statement was shared with two nonprivileged individuals Mr. Sater and his lawyer the joint defense privilege was in our professional opinion waived," said Davis, one of two criminal defense attorneys representing Cohen. Sater and Cohen had discussions about the Moscow project until at least June 2016, but Sater did not correct Cohen's original assertion to Congress that the project ended that January. Sater declined to comment on questions about Cohen's testimony but he said he stands ready to cooperate with Schiff's inquiries. "I have always cooperated with the U.S. government and look forward to continued cooperation," Sater said. "I will make myself available to Congressman Schiff's committee or any other committee as they deem necessary." The Washington Posts Alice Crites and Rosalind S. Helderman contributed to this article. Officially the Atlantic Basin hurricane season doesnt begin until June 1, but it already has its first named storm, something that on average doesnt happen until July. But its precocity aside, Andrea isnt necessarily a harbinger that what unfolds over the next few months will resemble the incredibly deadly and destructive 2018 season. For starters, less than 24 hours after it formed, Andrea was downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone late Tuesday with maximum winds of about 35 mph, a few puffs below the 39-mph threshold for a name. And the hurricane outlooks posted so far are calling for an average season, give or take a few storms. The government is due to release its outlook Thursday, and it would be surprising if it wasnt similar. The forecasts assembled by AccuWeather Inc. and atmospheric researcher Phil Klotzbach at Colorado State University, which has been doing this 36 years, called for near-average season. Both forecasts referenced the el Nino event in which sea-surface temperatures over vast areas of the tropical Pacific are abnormally warm. Typically, the interactions with the overlying air generate shearing winds from the west that inhibit storms in the Atlantic Basin. Those el Nino conditions are forecast to persist well into the hurricane season, which ends officially on Nov. 30. Expect the government outlook to do likewise. On average, according to the hurricane center, 11 named storms form in the Atlantic Basin, which includes the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, with six of those reaching hurricane strength, with winds of at least 75 mph, and two becoming major, with top sustained winds of at least 111 mph. The Colorado State forecast sees 13 named storms, and five hurricanes, with two of those becoming major. AccuWeather called for 12 to 14 named storms, 5 to 7 hurricanes, and 2 to 4 majors. In the 2018 season, eight of the 15 named storms became hurricanes, including Michael in October, which last month was knighted as a rare landfall Category 5, with peak sustained winds of over 160 mph when it struck the Florida Panhandle. BENTON, KY. Nine volunteers left Pennsylvania for Kentucky the day after Christmas to volunteer as Good Samaritans in a region of the country still devastated from the remnants of an EF4 tornado that killed 88 people. Many of the volunteers are members of the Brandywine Baptist Church in Downingtown. Departing the day after Christmas [] Nina Caprez rebolts and reclimbs Mingus, Verdon Gorge classic freed by Lynn Hill in 1994 21.05.2019 by by Planetmountain Swiss climber Nina Caprez reports about her efforts to rebolt parts of Mingus, the 300m multi-pitch climb in the Verdon Gorge, France, first freed onsight by Lynn Hill in 1994 with difficulties up to 8a. Mingus in the Verdon Gorge is one of the most famous and at the same time fabled rock climbs on these smooth limestone walls in southern France. First ascended in 1986 with the use of aid by Christophe Froifond and originally graded 7a+/A0, it was freed in 1994 by none other than Lynn Hill who did so in the finest style possible: onsight. Hills success, absolutely outstanding and even to this day underrated, was overshadowed by her groundbreaking first free ascent of the Nose on El Capitan which had come about a year previously, and she used this 12-pitch, 300m climb as part of her training prior to her legendary single day free ascent of the Nose in September 1994. Despite its status, free repeats of Mingus over the last quarter of a century are few and far between, in part due to 8a difficulty, in part due to the original 8mm bolts that direly needed replacing. Over three days this month Switzerlands Nina Caprez teamed up with Americas Ann Raber to replace some of the worst of the old gear along the pitches, add a new bolt to each belay and start restoring this historical masterpiece to its former glory. She also nabbed a fast repeat with climbing partner Sam, on her last day in one of her favourite places in the climbing universe. Heres the lowdown. One of my favorite places on earth: the Verdon gorge by Nina Caprez As so often when I live climbing at its most sincere and simple state, I find that routes call me. And so did Mingus. This is a funny story: one night at the "La Palud gypsy camp" I ran into my ex-boyfriend Benoit and his climbing partner Leo. They had climbed Mingus together two days before adopting a mixed style of free and aid-climbing. Since I know Benoit really well, I could tell that this route meant something to him and as they both talked about that historic route with their eyes bright as the sun, I was overcome with excitement. And so I started to look up Mingus in the guidebook and its true, its the only route that has an entire page to itself, and the introduction has a little eye catcher with my climbing partner Lynn Hill. The guidebook says the following: "The hardest route on Escales? Anyway, over the years, Mingus remains a Verdon myth, very much ahead of its time. From the first ascent free and on sight by Lynn Hill in 1994 (a world class event which, remarkably, has gone unnoticed!) the route has not been often free climbed as a whole (Y. Cocurtes in 2004). The climbing style is rather technical and fingery and the equipment is not up to modern standards." I got very excited about the idea of free climbing this route and so I talked to Graou about it while eating some mushrooms and showering at this place. He recommended re-bolting the route first in order to stay alive and so I did. Ann, my partner, was in without hesitation and equipped with Graous power-drill and some bolts we found in la Palud, we started our mission the next day. Rebolting such a historical route is a delicate affair. To be honest, I did not ask all the climbers whether they agreed or disagreed, I simply went for it after checking with Graou, Greg and Pascal, people who live and bolt a lot in La Palud. It was very important for me to do my best and preserve the spirit of the route. My simple goal from the beginning was to make the route safe by adding a 10mm bolt at each belay station and by replacing one to three bolts per pitch, where the chance of falling and breaking one of those very old and rusty bolts is high, especially where such a fall could have seriou consequences All the pitons look very good and overall, that 300 meter long itinerary is logical. There is only one confusing spot at pitch 8 where another route crosses and where, obviously, a belay station has been missing in Mingus. It took us three days, starting from the top and working four pitches per day. I first fixed a static rope and drilled the anchor. Then I rappelled down, climbed the route top rope and replaced the most obvious bolts. Anns job was taking out the old bolts I replaced and offering a hand whenever needed. Then we both climbed the pitches wed been working on ground-up. Its always something different when you climb at the sharp end and it allows me to see if we took the right decisions. The exchange of ideas with Ann was essential and I think we did a good job. Im very glad that we made it work because it was so much fun! Once we completed the job, we took out all our quickdraws. The next day Ann had to leave. I was lucky to find a partner who was willing to try the route ground-up with me. After a rainy rest day, Sam Hoffmann and I left early in order to have plenty of time to climb Mingus. I had no expectations that day, my simple goal was to have fun and to see if Ann and I had done a good job at rebolting the route. But once I freeclimbed the first two pitches, this pleasant game of "sending" overcame me and so the determination button was turned on! I sent the 8a on my second go (luckily, because its a real skin killer), but all the rest went well, on my first go. Some of the pitches I knew well, others less and on the whole I had a good dose of luck! Gypsy friend Gio joined us from the top and took some pictures while Sam and I climbed on the last pitches. What a rewarding sensation it was, free climbing this historical route with all the support of those adorable friends. Verdon reunites and connects a certain type of people and I feel very honored to be part of that special community! So now I hope that you will get excited from these words and that Mingus will see many attempts in the future. Its totally worth the trip and the fight! Hats off once again to Lynn Hill, who climbed the route onsight in 1994. A huge thanks to Ann Raber who climbed with me almost all spring and who proved to be such a great support all along. Nowhere more than during this rebolting mission. And thanks Sam for the perfect climbing day and high psyche during my free ascent on my very last day in the Verdon. And of course, thanks to Graou for lending me his dear baby called "Drill Machine". Links: FB Nina Caprez, www.ninacaprez.ch, Petzl, SCARPA, Arc'teryx TOPO: Mingus, Verdon Gorge 4k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard House Intelligence Committee chairman Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) has released Michael Cohens testimony and evidence that nail Trump for obstruction of justice. Adam Schiff Releases Michael Cohen Evidence In a statement provided to PoliticusUSA, Chairman Schiff said: With the completion of Special Counsel Muellers work and the release of his report, it is critically important that the Committee, and the Congress, make public as much information as possible that bears on Muellers findings, explain the evidence he uncovered, and expose the obstructive actions taken by this President and those who surround him. It is in this light that the Committee today releases the transcripts of two days of interviews of Trumps former personal lawyer Michael Cohen. Cohens February and March 2019 testimony corroborate information previously received by the Committee, including the Trump Tower Moscow deal under negotiation throughout the 2016 election season by then-candidate Donald Trump. Cohen also presented significant and troubling new detail regarding the false statement that he provided to our Committee in August 2017 and for which, in part, he is now in prison. Since Cohens testimony, the Committee has already begun to follow up on information that Cohen provided related to attorneys for others involved in a joint defense agreement including Jared Kushner and Donald Jr. and Ivanka Trump to determine whether they aided in Cohens obstruction of the Committees investigation. Cohen also testified that throughout the 2016 election, candidate Trump was actively kept apprised of a potential licensing agreement on a building to be erected in the heart of Moscow a deal for which Mr. Trump and his family would have personally earned millions and would have required active participation by the Kremlin to get final approval. Cohen testified that while Trump continued to falsely claim that he had no business deals with Russia, Cohen was actively pursuing the deal through summer 2016. Trump and his associates sought to ensure that false narrative continued. Cohen testified Trump urged him to stay on message, which is theres no Russia, theres no collusion, theres no business deals. Cohen also said that the presidents personal attorney, Jay Sekulow, also directed him to stay on message, in part by encouraging Mr. Cohen to falsely claim to Congress that the Trump Tower Moscow deal ended in January 2016, before the Iowa caucuses. According to Mr. Cohen, attorneys for Kushner, Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, and the Trump Organization also reviewed the statement before it was provided to Congress and raised no concerns with its false content. The obstructive acts did not stop there. After the raid of Cohens hotel and office, Trumps legal team, according to Cohen, again interjected this time coaxing Cohen not to cooperate with authorities through implicit promises of a future pardon. Cohen testified that he had several conversations with Sekulow through July 2018 about pardons, and with an intermediary for the presidents personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani. When Cohen no longer chose to toe the party line on President Trumps relationship with Russia, the president and his allies trained their fire on Cohen and his family through a campaign of public intimidation to silence his testimony before several congressional committees quintessential witness intimidation. The public should judge for themselves both the evidence released today in conjunction with Cohens testimony related to Trump, his troubling relationship with Russia, and the efforts by Trump and those close to him to hide the relationship and potential business deals. The public also deserves the chance to judge Cohens credibility for themselves, including by examining some of the evidence he provided to the Committee. The Committee will continue its investigation, continue to pursue additional evidence related to Cohens testimony, and present to the American people what we find. But make no mistake, any attempt by the President, his associates or Administration to suborn perjury, obstruct our investigation or mislead the public will not be tolerated and will be exposed. You can read Cohens February testimony here, and his March tesimony here Michael Cohen is just one witness, but the evidence against Trump is extensive. Trump lied about doing business in Russia. He lied about the Trump Tower Moscow project, and he actively tried to obstruct the investigation. The House needs to take the next step and open up an impeachment investigation because Trumps crime wave looks to be bigger than first imagined. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook 2.7k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard In what might be seen as a dismissively antagonistic stance, Republican Alabama Governor Kay Ivey said she doesnt think the abortion ban that has no exception for rape or incest, which she just signed into law, will hurt tourism or business recruitment, in spite of the activists who pledged to boycott the state. Ivey, standing next to a helpful Trump-style graphic pointing to a rise in tourism, said Alabama has seen a rise in tourism each year. How that relates to the impact on tourism for a law she just signed a week ago is anyones guess. The Republican governor last week signed a bill to ban nearly all abortions in the state, even in cases of rape and incest. Republicans defeated a Democratic amendment that would have made an exception for rape or incest, so those two horror shows will not be exempted, thereby giving rapists and sexual assaulters of children the very power the motivates them to commit these crimes. Republicans call this valuing the sanctity of life. Asked if she has gotten any push back from big business like Toyota Mazda due to this bill, Ivey said, No I have not and I dont expect to. In a joint venture, Toyota Mazda are building a $1.6 billion assembly plant in Alabama. However, Reuters reported officials in Maryland and Colorado calling for economic retaliation and online flyers urging people not to buy anything in, or from Alabama. Marylands Democratic Comptroller Peter Franchot said he would advise his states $52 billion pension fund to divest from Alabama, and urged other states to follow suit. Colorados Democratic Secretary of State Jena Griswold called for a boycott of Alabama and urged the Election Center, an organization that trains election officials from across the country, to move out of the state. The hashtag #BoycottAlabama gained momentum online, with activists calling for boycotts of products ranging from Mercedes-Benz cars to broiler chickens that are produced in Alabama. Activists have vowed to boycott after Republicans in Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi and Ohio have outlawed abortion after a doctor can detect a heartbeat, which is often before a woman knows shes pregnant. The Alabama bill goes further, banning abortions at any time, unless the mothers health is in danger. Performing abortions would be a felony, punishable by 10 to 99 years in prison. Supporters of the Alabama ban said the right to life of the fetus transcends other rights. This means that the womans life and agency is not worth that of a fetus, as they cant be medically equal. Republicans want voters to go to the polls in 2020 knowing that they do not support a womans right to medical freedom and sometimes her very life. Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine, who claims to be a moderate, pro-womans liberty politician, voted to confirm credibly accused of rape Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, claiming he had assured her he had no intention of overturning Roe, even though he was known for wanting to do just that. It seems that no other Republican in the land got the same Collins memo on Kavanaugh, as they have been emboldened to push challenges to Roe, with challenges to abortion rights in 16 states. Governor Ivey is positive that disrespecting women will have zero consequences. Oh, Miss Ivey. 1.4k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard House Judiciary Committee chairman Rep. Jerry Nadler said that Trump might have acted criminally when he blocked Don McGahn from testifying. Jerry Nadler links Trump and criminal activity In a statement provided to PoliticusUSA, Rep. Nadler said: The Mueller Report documents a shocking pattern of obstruction of justice. The President acted again and againperhaps criminallyto protect himself from federal law enforcement. Don McGahn personally witnessed the most egregious of these acts. President Trump knows this. He clearly does not want the American people to hear firsthand about his alleged misconduct, and so he has attempted to block Mr. McGahn from speaking in public tomorrow. This move is just the latest act of obstruction from the White House that includes its blanket refusal to cooperate with this Committee. It is also the latest example of this Administrations disdain for law. This identical approach was rejected by a federal court in the Miers case, which held that even senior advisors to the President cannot simply refuse to appear in response to a congressional subpoena. It is absurd for President Trump to claim privilege as to this witnesss testimony when that testimony was already described publicly in the Mueller Report. Even more ridiculous is the extension of the privilege to cover events before and after Mr. McGahns service in the White House. The Committee will convene as planned tomorrow morning, and Mr. McGahn is expected to appear as legally required. Democrats are moving closer toward opening an impeachment investigation Over the weekend, it was reported that House Judiciary Democrats are moving quickly toward opening an impeachment investigation. Nothing in Nadlers statement suggests otherwise. Democrats are running out of patience with Trumps games and delays. Sooner rather than later, Democrats are going to put an end to Trumps obstruction by opening an impeachment investigation into the president. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook 12.1k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Donald Trump blamed former president Barack Obama for a judges ruling on Monday that his accounting firm must turn over his financial documents to Congress. As PoliticusUSA noted via Reuters, A U.S. judge on Monday ruled in favor of a U.S. House of Representatives committee seeking President Trumps financial records from his accounting firm, dealing an early setback to the Trump administration in its legal battle with Congress. U.S. District Court Judge Amit Mehta, who issued the ruling on Monday, also denied a request by Trump to stay his decision pending an appeal. In response, Trump lashed out like a grade school child who just had a toy taken from him for misbehaving, calling the judges decision crazy and suggesting that it was only made because Mehta is an Obama-appointed judge. This never happened to any other president, the president said, missing the fact that no president in history has ever had such a corrupt and conflict-infested financial history. Theyre trying to get a redo, Trump said of the Democrats, adding that he will appeal it. Video: Trump 100 percent thinks he can just choose to ignore rulings from Obama-appointed judges. We disagree with that ruling its totally the wrong decision by obviously an Obama-appointed judge. He was a recent Obama-appointed judge. pic.twitter.com/ksyJcWWe1h Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 20, 2019 Trump returns to his favorite strategy: attacking Barack Obama Instead of acknowledging that the U.S. presidency is not a dictatorship that allows him to trample over the rule of law in order to protect himself, Trump is returning to one of his favorite strategies: attacking Barack Obama. Most Americans see through this, of course, but he knows that his base will eat it right up and buy into the false reality that any legal setback for his presidency is some deep-state conspiracy spearheaded by his predecessor. As the courts continue to rule against Trumps blatant obstruction and more information comes out about his sketchy financial history, its a well the president will likely continue going down. Donald Trump is desperate, and there is no ridiculous lie he isnt afraid to tell as the walls close in on his presidency. Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter 1.4k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Trump isnt bailing himself out of trouble by blocking Don McGahns testimony. Hes strengthening the case for impeachment. Trump is obstructing justice by blocking McGahns testimony The easiest way to understand Trumps blocking of Don McGahns testimony is to think of it as the president obstructing justice to prevent a witness from testifying about obstruction of justice. Trump is piling impeachable offenses one on top of another until it looks like Democrats will have no choice but to open an impeachment investigation against him. As Greg Sargent wrote in The Washington Post: Michael Conway, who served as a House lawyer during Watergate, told me that the McGahn example is a particularly stark case. As it is, Conway noted, the case for exerting executive privilege over McGahns testimony is particularly weak, because McGahn has already testified on these matters at great length to Mueller. Adding an impeachment inquiry would make it even weaker. Congress has issued a valid subpoena, Conway told me. And courts have said that when Congress is doing oversight, its power to enforce a subpoena is not as strong as when its doing an impeachment inquiry. The Case For Impeachment Strengthens With Each Trump Obstruction Trump cant legally stop Don McGahn from testifying so what he has done is threaten to destroy McGahns career, and harm the law firm that he works for. The best way to put crippling pressure on McGahn to testify is to open an impeachment investigation into Trump. By trying to stonewall everything, instead of the slow-walking and semi-compliance tactics that other administrations have used, Trump is making it worse on himself. Trump is only thinking about surviving the day, even as it sets him up for long-term defeat. Trump thinks that he won by blocking McGahns testimony, but all of his short-sighted moves are laying the groundwork for a crushing defeat. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook 3.5k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard At his Pennsylvania rally, Trump claimed that socialists are trying to take away peoples windows. Trump warns that socialists want to take away your windows Trump said, You know this. You have some of these socialist wackos they want to double and triple your taxes, and that wont come close to paying for. They want to knock down all buildings in Manhatten and rebuild them without windows. You know that. Lets rebuild them. Glass is no good. We dont want windows. I used to love the view, but I think well all be forced to close up windows. Its crazy what theyre saying. Video: 1.6k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard The Education Departments acting inspector general found that Betsy DeVos broke federal law when she did nothing to block federal funds from being used to arm teachers. Betsy DeVos Broke The Law To Put More Guns In Schools ABC News reported: A letter obtained by ABC News and sent Tuesday to the Education Departments acting inspector general argues that DeVos broke federal law when she said it was not within the departments purview to decide how these funds were used by states. Last month, DeVos appeared before the House Education and Labor Committee where she was pressed by Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-Conn., on the departments stance regarding states using Title IV-A funds from the Every Student Succeeds Act to train and arm teachers. . Hayes, who in 2016 was the National Teacher of the Year, noted during the back-in-forth with DeVos that a previous legal analysis, done by the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, contradicted DeVos statement. Hayes said that instead, the offices conclusion advised that the Secretary has discretion to interpret the broad language of the statute and stated that it is, therefore, reasonable for the Secretary to disallow this particular use of the funds absent specific Congressional authorization. Betsy DeVos Broke The Law By Not Blocking More Guns In Schools Betsy DeVos has drawn criticism for her efforts to gut the public education system and carry out her private school agenda, but her actions on guns in schools show that it is also essential when looking at the Trump administration to examine the laws that they are not enforcing. The role of the Executive Branch of the government is to implement the law. An administration that ignores the law is still breaking it. The NRA is carrying out their agenda of making public schools more dangerous to sell more guns, and Betsy DeVos is breaking the law to help them. 3.7k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard The House Judiciary Committee is going to hold Don McGahn in contempt for following Trumps orders and not showing up to testify. House Judiciary Committee chairman Jerry Nadler said, In other words, when this Committee issues a subpoenaeven to a senior presidential advisorthe witness must show up. Our subpoenas are not optional. Mr. McGahn has a legal obligation to be here for his scheduled appearance. If he does not immediately correct his mistake, this Committee will have no choice but to enforce the subpoena against him. Mr. McGahn did not appear today because the President prevented it, just as the President has said that he would fight all subpoenas issued by Congress as part of his broader efforts to cover up his misconduct. This stonewalling makes it all the more important to highlight some of the incidents that Mr. McGahn is said to have witnessed. Video: I was just following orders wasnt a defense that worked for the Nazis, and it isnt going to work for Don McGahn. Trump has no legal authority to stop McGahn from testifying. There is nothing legally that Trump can do to prevent the former White House counsel from showing up and answering questions from the House Judiciary Committee. What Trump has done is threaten McGahns career and the law firm that he works for. The administrations claims of immunity are a joke. Don McGahn will be found in contempt of Congress and soon or later, he will testify. Following Trumps orders has only made things worse and delayed the inevitable for Don McGahn. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook 694 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard By Sarah N. Lynch and Jan Wolfe WASHINGTON (Reuters) The U.S. House of Representatives committee that would handle any impeachment of President Donald Trump convened a hearing on Tuesday with another empty chair at the witness table, as former White House counsel Don McGahn refused to testify. In a further escalation of a struggle between Trump and Congress over its power to investigate him, the White House on Monday told McGahn, who left his post in October, to disregard a subpoena from the Democratic-led House Judiciary Committee subpoena to appear at the hearing. The panel is investigating Trump and Special Counsel Robert Muellers inquiry into Russian election meddling. Attorney General William Barr on May 2 also snubbed the committee, which later voted to hold him in contempt of Congress for not handing over an unredated copy of Muellers final report. At the hearing that Barr skipped, an empty witness chair figured prominently and a Democratic committee member put a ceramic chicken on the table in front of it for the cameras. There was no sign of a repeat chicken appearance on Tuesday. Trump is stonewalling numerous congressional inquiries into himself, his turbulent presidency, his family and his sprawling business interests, which he did not divest or put into a blind trust when he took office in January 2018. Trump and most fellow Republicans in Congress dismiss the inquiries as political harassment ahead of the 2020 elections. However, House Republican Justin Amash, a frequent Trump critic and outspoken Michigan conservative, said over the weekend that the president has engaged in impeachable conduct. Counter-punching in his usual style, Trump told reporters on Monday outside the White House that Amash is a loser. Any impeachment effort would begin in the House, led by the Judiciary Committee, before action in the Republican-led Senate on whether to remove Trump from office. Late on Monday, the Department of Justice issued a legal opinion saying McGahn did not need to appear at the hearing, while McGahns lawyer, William Burck, wrote that his client would not testify before the committee unless it reached an agreement with the White House. In a letter sent to McGahn, committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler told the former White House counsel that he would risk serious consequences if he failed to show up to testify. Should you fail to do so, the committee is prepared to use all enforcement mechanisms at its disposal, Nadler wrote. On another front, in a legal setback for Trump, a U.S. judge on Monday ruled against him in a case involving another House panel. The House Oversight Committee has subpoenaed Trumps financial records from his long-time accounting firm Mazars LLP. In an unusual move, lawyers for Trump and the Trump Organization, his company, last month sued to try to block the subpoena. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington ruled against Trump and denied his request for a stay pending appeal. Early on Tuesday, Trump appealed the judges ruling, challenging all aspects of Mehtas decision. As the confrontation between Trump and Congress has intensified, Democrats have raised growing concerns about the presidents conduct, especially since the mid-April release of the Mueller report. We simply cannot sit by and allow this president to destroy the rule of law If Mr. McGahn doesnt testify tomorrow, I think it is probably appropriate for us to move forward with an impeachment inquiry, Democratic Representative David Cicilline, a Judiciary Committee member, told MSNBC on Monday. The redacted, 448-page report from Special Counsel Robert Mueller, 22 months in the making, showed how Moscow interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election in Trumps favor and detailed Trumps attempts to impede Muellers probe. The report found there was insufficient evidence to allege a criminal conspiracy between Moscow and the Trump campaign. It made no recommendation on whether Trump obstructed justice, leaving that question up to Congress. (Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Additional reporting by David Morgan. Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh) 903 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Calls are growing among Democrats for the House to open an impeachment investigation into Donald Trump. Support is growing for House Democrats to launch an impeachment investigation NBC Newss Kelly ODonnell reported: Well, these are regularly scheduled meetings, consider it the Democratic family coming together at different levels of leadership and responsibility. This is where they hash out their agenda. And in this instance, it was about the dividing lines over impeachment with some members arguing to the leadership team the last straw should be Don McGahn, the former White House counsel not coming and answering a subpoena. Others see it differently. Nancy Pelosi and her leadership team are holding a line saying the different chairman of the various committee have produced results and she does not want to cut off that avenue of exploring different pieces of information that the various committees and the various chairmen are able to get to begin an impeachment process. Others say now is the time and that would streamline all the Democratic activities toward impeachment. Theres a real heartfelt disagreement here, and it is the kind of thing that when youre inside the family, it does get heated and spirited. It was described in all of those tones. A vigorous argument, if you will, civil Im told, but still passionate. Video: Democrats need to break Trumps obstruction An impeachment investigation is not the same as voting on impeachment. Speaker Pelosi is correct. A vote on impeachment in the House would be foolish. Impeachment will die in the Senate, and there is great suspicion the Mitch McConnell wouldnt bother to hold an impeachment trial. The Senate Majority Leader might ignore impeachment as he did with Merrick Garlands Supreme Court nomination. House Democrats need to add another tool to their toolbox if they are going to break Trumps obstruction, and an impeachment investigation would give them more power to get the evidence that they need. An impeachment vote is still up in the air, but an impeachment investigation appears to be coming. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook 860 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Roy Arpaio openly bragged about his concentration camps for immigrants. When Donald Trump pardoned him, it made a mockery not only of the pardon power, but also legal norms within and beyond the United States. By Trumps logic, torture is okay even when the offending state is North Korea and the victim is an American citizen. Hes cool with plundering and genocide when the offending governments are those of Vladimir Putin and other global outcasts. With that rhetoric, it was a matter of time before Trump would take the normalization of war crimes to the next level with a reported intent to pardon several convicted war criminals. The added bonus is the reported intent to time these pardons for Memorial Day. This step has nothing to do with draining swamps, or giving the so called deep state a rude finger gesture. If anything, its something a deep state would do. Corrupt political leader handing a huge political favor to his favor gun for hire, Erik Prince. For it was while under Princes employ that Nicholas A. Slatten shot dozens of unarmed civilians in Iraq. Aside from Slatten, Trump is considering pardons for a green beret who shot an unarmed civilian in Afghanistan and Marine corps snipers who urinated on the corpses. Ill admit to having more than a passing interest in this betrayal of basic human values. After World War II, America took international criminal law to the next step assuring that those prosecuted would be convicted and the sentences would reflect the horrific nature of their crimes. Before that, war crimes and crimes against humanity were left for countries to handle by themselves, with predictable results. Reading about those proceedings led to my interest in international criminal law, and a hope that the world was moving toward an international rule of law. Its a mind warp to see Donald Trump destroy American advances in international criminal law by pardoning the worst of our worst in the name of doing a favor for Erik Prince. When it comes to the worst of the worst, the only people worse than the ordinary war criminals Trump intends to pardon are those responsible for the crime of genocide people like Jean-Paul Akeyesu. I fear for the possibility that the increasing number of children killed in the Trump Administrations custody will continue to increase by leaps and bounds as a direct consequence of Trumps endeavor to destroy international criminal law. I also fear that a policy that comes as close to the line of genocide as possible may have already crossed that line while were distracted by the latest Trump blunder, tweet or effort to smash our legal and political norms to dust. Throughout the major developments in international criminal law, the United States defended, in theory, the right side of morality and law until Trump. It was the United States that developed Nuremberg law, that established the UN Tribunals to prosecute war crimes in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. It was also the United States that advanced the international rule of law by pushing to establish the International Criminal Court and with it an international penal code. Admittedly, we backed away from the ICC because a Republican Senate refused to approve the Rome Statute, with this the US joined China, India, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Qatar and Israel along with Russia and Syria. Even if one holds the view that the American military should have an unfettered ability to use rape as a weapon of war, poison wells, or bomb schools and hospitals with impunity then what does this say to our allies who Trump would like to support our military endeavors? Jason Easley rightly explained the political motivation behind this move. Trump thinks that pardoning war criminals over Memorial Day weekend will make him look good, which is why he is so eager to put US lives in danger all around the world. Its about Trump offering his base a Memorial Day feast of red meat. Its about reinforcing the image of Trump as a self-defined strong man. Its small wonder the military is less than thrilled with this dangerous love gesture to Trumps base of equally delusional strong men. Instead of tending to fictional bone spurs, these are people who know the realities of war. The military knows that when there are no rules, there is no limit to the level of barbarity that civilians and prisoners of war will endure. This is not to suggest that international rules of war eliminated barbarity. But, the rules of war condemn acts that shock the conscience of people around the world at least those who have a moral compass and a conscience and dont think emulating Adolf Hitler is something to brag about. These rules serve as a deterrent to people who lock up psychopaths who carry out such crimes. The dominant purpose of the rules of war is to protect civilians, as noted by the International Committee of the Red Cross. However, the rules of war include important protections that benefit our troops in the event they are sick, injured or captured. For example, there is a mandate to assure they are cared for. There are protections for the medical personal who provide care. There are prohibitions against torture and degrading treatment of people who are caught. Prisoners of war are guaranteed access to nutrition and communications with their loved ones. All these protections will be in danger if Trump opts to pardon Erik Princes willing executioners and those who disgraced their military uniforms. And even if one wants to dismiss the significance of these protections, the protections to assure the safety of Americans who are in war-torn countries, be it as diplomats working on peace agreements, aid workers, tourists or someone working on a deal to build the latest Trump tower. If Trump pardons American war criminals, whats to stop other countries from pardoning theirs, especially when the victims were American? Why would any foreign soldier think hed be punished for harming Americans? As always, Trump never looks past stroking his own ego or that of his most dedicated supporters. Unlike when his trade wars put the economic future of farmers at risk, this move has the potential to put everyone at risk because the protections against weapons of mass destruction would also be gone. Its likely that those with nuclear weapons would be less reluctant to use them if Trump normalizes war crimes. Theres no guardrail against using weapons that would destroy entire countries and entire populations. There would literally be no limits including complete destruction of the planet. 3.2k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has been holding secret meetings with the House Foreign Relations Committee about Trump. Rex Tillerson is cooperating with the investigation into Trump The Daily Beast reported: Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was spotted entering a congressional office building on Tuesday morning for what a committee aide told The Daily Beast was a meeting with the leaders of the House Foreign Affairs committee and relevant staff about his time working in the Trump administration. .. Tillersons arrival at the Capitol was handled with extreme secrecy. No media advisories or press releases were sent out announcing his appearance. And he took a little-noticed route into the building in order to avoid being seen by members of the media. Tillersons talking, and that is bad for Trump Tillerson would have a lot of insight to offer into Trumps behavior and relationships with foreign governments. Rex Tillerson took a stronger line on Russia than Trump but was undercut by the president at every turn. Rex Tillerson is most famous for calling Trump a moron. Tillerson has kept out of the public eye and kept his thoughts private, but he was alarmed enough by Trumps behavior that he is cooperating with congressional investigators. It doesnt matter if the cooperation is public or private. The only thing that matters is that the House gets the evidence. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook 351 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard By Steve Holland and Roberta Rampton WASHINGTON/MONTOURSVILLE, Pa. (Reuters) U.S. President Donald Trump, facing a potentially difficult path to winning a second term in November 2020, on Monday told supporters in Pennsylvania that his trade war had strengthened the battleground states steel industry and jobs. Although Trump does not launch his re-election bid officially until next month, his appearance at a raucous rally in an airport hangar in northeastern Pennsylvania, using Air Force One as a backdrop, had the hallmarks of a campaign event. He took aim at Democratic front-runner and former Vice President Joe Biden. Sleepy Joe said that hes running to save the world. Hes going to save every country but ours, Trump said. The president previewed the arguments he will make to voters in the 2020 election, crediting his trade stance with helping the U.S. economy. When you have the best employment numbers in history, when you have the best unemployment numbers in history, when you have the best economy probably that weve ever had, I dont know how the hell do you lose this election, right?, he said. Trump has waged a high-stakes trade dispute with China, and tariffs imposed by both countries on a range of goods have raised fears of a global economic slowdown. Trump last year also imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum. He claims that the move saved and created jobs at U.S. mills as well as spurred investment such as by U.S. Steel in Pennsylvania. Many economists say that those benefits are outweighed by higher costs to U.S. companies and consumers. Trump was stumping for a special House of Representatives election in Pennsylvania, one of three Rust Belt states he won in 2016 with votes from white, blue-collar voters who had previously voted Democratic. His campaign sees the state as key to keeping control of the White House, along with Michigan and Wisconsin. A Quinnipiac University poll last week showed the president trailing the main Democratic contenders in Pennsylvania in particular. Ill be seeing a lot of you over the next year, Trump said. Gotta win this state. TROUBLESOME TRIO OF STATES Trump has already been raising money for his re-election and holding political rallies for many months. But he plans an official rollout for his campaign in mid-June, the four-year anniversary of when he rode the escalator at Trump Tower down to a crowd of supporters and announced his candidacy. He is likely to hold a rally in Florida, possibly on June 15, to mark the occasion, sources said. The Trump campaign declined to comment. Trump , who considers Florida to be something of a second home, won the state in 2016. But as is the case for Trump in many battleground states, his victory is not assured there in 2020, and he will likely face a fight to win it again. The Trump campaign has privately expressed concern about the trio of upper Midwest swing states that provided his 2016 margin of victory, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. A source close to the campaign called Trumps position in those states troublesome. Theyre awakening to the fact that theyve got a problem. They have a solid base among Republicans but a lot of independent voters that gave them the margin in these states are not doing well, the source said. SLEEPY JOE Since Trump took over as president in early 2017, the United States has had low unemployment and strong growth. Typically, presidents with an economy this vibrant would be strong bets for re-election. But Trumps polarizing presidency has given hope to a host of Democratic contenders that he can be denied a second term. Biden has sounded a unifying theme to try to rally Americans behind his candidacy. In second place in the Democratic polls is democratic socialist Bernie Sanders. Biden has put his campaign headquarters in Philadelphia and has held two rallies in the state during the past month. Trump has dubbed Biden Sleepy Joe to try to undermine him, in much the same way as he gave Republican contender Jeb Bush the nickname low-energy Jeb in 2016. (Reporting By Steve Holland and Roberta Rampton; Additional reporting by Makini Brice and Eric Beech; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) 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. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low near 60F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low near 60F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Thomas Novelly is a political reporter based in Charleston. He also covers the military community and veterans throughout South Carolina. Previously, he wrote for the Courier Journal in Kentucky. He is a fan of Southern rock, bourbon and horse racing. Paul Bowers is an education reporter and father of three living in North Charleston. He previously worked at the Charleston City Paper, where he was twice named South Carolina Journalist of the Year in the weekly category. Michael Majchrowicz is a reporter covering crime and public safety. He previously wrote about courts for the Daily Hampshire Gazette in Northampton, Massachusetts. A Hoosier native, he graduated from Indiana University with a degree in journalism. Political Reporter Caitlin Byrd is a political reporter at The Post and Courier and author of the Palmetto Politics newsletter. Before moving to Charleston in 2016, her byline appeared in the Asheville Citizen-Times. To date, Byrd has won 17 awards for her work. He was a skinny teenager who weighed 112 pounds when he landed in Normandy, France, on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Over the next 11 months, enduring scorching sun and frigid cold, 18-year-old George Ciampa and his companions from the 607th Graves Registration Company were responsible for the dead. They buried the bodies of German and American soldiers. If they were lucky, they were given gloves. Across five campaigns in France, Belgium and Germany, from the Normandy invasion, through the Battle of the Bulgeacross five campaigns to the end of the war in Europe, Ciampa took stock of the fallen, recovered their personal items, put their bodies in mattress covers and buried them in temporary graves. Eventually, a couple of weeks after the Normandy invasion, the toll of the work overcame him. He broke down. "A lieutenant pulled out his .45 pistol and says, You get your ass back out there this second, " Ciampa, now 93, recalled. "We were not babied. There was a war going on, and it was going on every day." ADVERTISEMENT The unit gathered about 75,000 corpses. "It was very difficult to look at the faces, at the bodies. You kind of worked like a robot around them," Ciampa recalled. The stench clung to his clothes. His mouth was always dry from constantly spitting. Back to the beach Seventy-five years after D-Day code-named Operation Overlord Ciampa and seven veterans will return to Normandy in June to commemorate the invasion that broke the Nazis hold on France and set the stage for Europes liberation. Now 93 years old, Ciampa is making a documentary to keep alive the events of a war whose horrors and heroics are remembered by a dwindling number of veterans. Every year, there are fewer WWII veterans like Ciampa. Of the 16 million Americans who served, about 496,770 were alive in 2018, according to Veterans Affairs figures collected by the National WWII Museum. Every day, on average, 348 die. And every year, young people know less about the horrors of the Holocaust. Last year, a study commissioned by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany revealed that 66 percent of U.S. millennials didnt know what the Auschwitz concentration camp was. Four out of 10 believed 2 million or fewer Jewish people were killed during the Holocaust, when the actual number is about 6 million. Its a historical disconnect that may have dire consequences. Hate crimes have spiked nationwide. Between 2014 and 2017, anti-Semitic attacks rose 54 percent, the FBI estimates. ADVERTISEMENT A recent survey published by the Southern Poverty Law Center found that most incidents of hate and bias in schools are unreported and go without discipline. Teenagers have documented themselves making Nazi salutes and posing with swastikas shaped out of red plastic cups. Last year, several Ojai middle school students lay on a field together to form the shape of a swastika. Impact of individual stories Volker Benkert, an assistant professor of history at Arizona State University, called that behavior the "ultimate publication for attention." As veterans, Holocaust survivors and perpetrators die, their stories will be relegated to cultural memory, he said, which have less impact than the lived experiences of individuals. "Sending Holocaust survivors, veterans and liberators to schools has been a game changer, and we will be robbed of that opportunity very soon," he said. Its as Gordon "Nick" Mueller, president and CEO emeritus of the National WWII Museum, said: "Every time a veteran dies, a library burns." Ciampa has made it his lifes mission to share the stories of the men and women who participated in World War II. He founded the nonprofit organization Let Freedom Ring in 2006 with the intention of reaching high school students to teach them about what he calls "the high cost of freedom." Hes talked to thousands in the U.S., France and Belgium in the last decade. ADVERTISEMENT He feels obligated to share his experiences, to explain to people what those words mean and how many 18-, 19- and 20-year-old men were killed. How many never got to have a girlfriend, get married or have children. Theyre the reason he chose to make his sixth and last documentary, "D-Day Veterans Return to Normandy 75 Years Later." "I gotta talk about the guys that gave their lives, the guys who came out of it badly wounded," Ciampa said he told himself. Ciampa, a former Times display advertising salesman and special features manager, said people like him can do only so much. "Its up to the schools. Its up to the universities," he said. "All I can do is talk to kids in schools." I wanted to forget the war Ciampa, who was born in Boston, didnt talk about the war when he returned to the U.S. Not to his children. Not to his wife. The trauma was too deep, the horror too vivid. To this day, he still sees the faces of the dead. It wasnt until 50 years after the Normandy invasion, during his first trip back since the war, that Ciampa was ready to recount to his family what he had witnessed, or to contact others he had fought alongside. When Ciampa returned to France, he walked alone for a while in a Normandy cemetery. Passing the white crosses and Stars of David, he wondered which graves bore the bodies of the men he recovered. "I wanted to forget the war. I just wanted to forget everything about it," Ciampa said. But he remembers that first day of the invasion in 1944 as if it were yesterday. "When we got there, there was four or five thousand ships. You could see ships all around you. We could hear the Germans shooting at us, hear the shelling above us" from weapons called Screaming Mimis, he said. Overhead, they screeched before hitting ships. He remembers a tanker blowing up. Hundreds of shells loaded with explosives wailed above, day and night. Fate, Ciampa said, is why he survived. He returned to the U.S. on Jan. 13, 1946, and was discharged days later. With him he brought a rifle, three pistols, a German helmet and motorcycle goggles with shattered glass lenses. He also brought paratrooper knives, a bag of German money, a fragment of a shell that almost hit him. He keeps most of the items in a black storage trunk tucked in a closet in his Torrance, Calif., home. Inside the house, in his sons former bedroom, he keeps his more valued war possessions: appreciation certificates, honors, medals and awards, including the Meritorious Unit Commendation wreath, the Legion of Honour (Frances highest merit), and the Croix de Guerre, given by the French government to those who distinguished themselves by acts of heroism. These days, Ciampa and his wife divide their time between their Torrance and Palm Springs homes. Day and night, the tall veteran keeps busy organizing, fundraising and preparing for his next trip to Normandy. After almost a century of life he walks with a shuffle, but his memory has not been dulled by the passage of time. He wrote lyrics for a waltz that will be featured in the documentary. With a deep and steady voice, he sings: "When we were here in 44, it wasnt fun because it was war. Ships all around us, shelling above us, Oh Lord let us get to the shore. When we were here in Normandy, it was in France, the invasion was not planned by chance. Thousands would die here and many without fear. Oh Lord, let us win this damn war." Rochester has joined the growing list of cities, counties, state and others demanding compensation from opioid drug makers and distributors for an addiction epidemic that has reached crisis levels. The Rochester City Attorneys Office filed the federal lawsuit Monday. "The city is seeking compensatory damages and injunctive relief for the City from the manufacturers and distributors of opiates," City Attorney Jason Loos said in a statement announcing the lawsuit. "As every Rochester resident knows, our community has been uniquely and disproportionately impacted by the opioid crisis plaguing our country today," he added. "By filing this lawsuit, the mayor and the City Council are making it clear that our community will not simply acquiesce in the harms the people of Rochester have already suffered, and will continue to suffer, while the defendant manufacturers and distributors continue to profit from their sales and distribution of highly addictive drugs." The council approved efforts to explore the lawsuit in March and authorized Mayor Kim Norton to sign an agreement with Keller Lenkner LLC to research the options. ADVERTISEMENT Rochester has now retained a coalition of law firms to prosecute the case on its behalf. The litigation will be led locally by the Minnesota firm of Hoff Barry P.A. National trial counsel will be provided by two law firms, Keller Lenkner and Consovoy McCarthy PLLC. Loos said city staff will have a minimal role in the process, aside from gathering data associated with city costs, which includes making sure first-responders have access to Narcan, generically referred to as naloxone, to counteract opioid overdoses. When it comes to legal fees, the city wont see a bill unless its case is won. If damages are awarded, the law firms will take a third of the money, in addition to fees to cover their expenses. Loos said the fees would be split between multiple jurisdictions, since the law firms are taking several similar cases to a single judge for a preliminary ruling. "Its almost like a class-action lawsuit at that point," he said. More than 40 states and about 1,600 cities, counties Native American tribes and others throughout the country have taken similar steps. In 2017, the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners voted to authorize legal action to address the aftermath of a flood of opioids in the county. At the time, County Attorney Mark Ostrem said the county had seen rising costs for treatment and added services to families in the wake of opioid addiction. ADVERTISEMENT While a complaint has not yet been filed by the county, the lawsuit is expected to seek to put some of those costs at the feet of the companies that helped contribute to the problem, he said. RED WING Responding to a call just a few blocks away, the Red Wing Fire Department made quick work of a blaze in the basement of a Main Street business. Acting Fire Chief Mike Warner said the incident began when the RWFD responded to a call at 9:57 a.m. Monday, arriving at the scene at Ferrins Furniture, 301 Main St., in two minutes. Upon arrival, fire crews found a three-story commercial building where the fire had been reported, but no smoke or fire was evident. Fire crews entered the building and found smoke in the rear of the store. The call was then upgraded to a structure fire. The business was open during the time of the call, Warner noted. The business was evacuated. The fire was under control within 20 minutes, and a search of the building was completed. The fire was contained to the area of origin and utilities were shut off, he noted. Adjacent units also were evacuated as a precaution. Smoke damage was noted on all floors of the building. However, no smoke or fire was noted in any other unit. There also were no injuries. ADVERTISEMENT The cause of the fire is still under investigation, Warner said. The Red Wing Fire Department was assisted by Red Wing Police Department and fire departments from Goodhue, Ellsworth, Lake City and Miesville, which all sent fire engines. Lake City also sent an ambulance. The Minnesota Department of Transportation assisted with the closure of U.S. Highway 61. Police booked and released a Rochester man after finding 21 grams of methamphetamine and just over 9 grams of marijuana in his car Saturday night. A clerk at the Holiday gas station on Fourth Street Southeast mentioned to an on-duty police officer that a car had been in the parking lot since about 4:45 p.m. that day. The man was asleep in his car for a portion of that time. The officer made contact with Jonathan Kendhammer, 32, at about 10:30 p.m. and smelled marijuana in his vehicle. The officer searched the vehicle and found the drugs, as well as a hypodermic needle. Kendhammer was taken to jail, booked for fifth-degree controlled substance possession, and released. There was no indication that he sold or intended to sell the substances, Rochester Police Capt. Casey Moilanen said. LaVerne Richard Bergstrom, formerly of Dexter and Brownsdale, went home to be with the Lord Jesus on Saturday, May 18, 2019, in Chaska. He was surrounded by his loving family and wonderful support staff at Chaska Heights Senior Living at the time of his passing. LaVerne was born May 14, 1924, to Rudolph and Marguerite Bergstrom in Charles City, Iowa. In WWII, LaVerne was a pilot in the Army Air Corps and flew "The Hump" between Burma and China. LaVerne was united in marriage to Lavonne Staples and together they had three children, Linda, Jerry and Sandra. After being widowed for a number of years, LaVerne married his good friend, Marlys Felty. LaVerne has been active in the Brownsdale and Dexter communities for many years and in a variety of roles. He was a member and deacon of First Baptist Church of Brownsdale, served on the Dexter Township board, and was a respected, long-time employee of IBI Data in Brownsdale. LaVerne spent most of his life engaged in farming and representing Pioneer Seed to area farmers. In his role at IBI Data, he worked on many construction and renovation projects at the facility. LaVerne was quietly committed to his community, friends and family. LaVerne was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by his children, Linda (Norman) Benson, Jerry (Linda) Bergstrom, and Sandra (Mike) Sindelar; nine grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, sister, and loving wife, Lavonne. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, May 23, at the First Baptist Church in Brownsdale. Visitation to be followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. A graveside service will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Brownsdale. A luncheon at First Baptist Church of Brownsdale will conclude the celebration of LaVernes life. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.czaplewskifuneralhomes.com. Czaplewski Family Funeral Homes, 501 Second St. NW, Hayfield, MN. 507-477-2259. Blessed be his memory. Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero received a briefing on the growing influence of China in Micronesia from members of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command during her recent trip to Hawaii. Leon Guerrero said Tuesday she also received reassurance that the relocation of nearly 5,000 U.S. Marines from Okinawa, Japan, to Guam remains on track, despite recent remarks by Marine Corps Gen. Robert Neller. Neller acknowledged at a congressional hearing the relocation of Marines to Guam "is worthy of possibly a review." The Marines who are moving to Guam are expected to arrive in the first half of 2025, the Marine Corps on Guam has stated. "There are no changes" to the buildup, Leon Guerrero said after she met with Navy Adm. Phil Davidson, commander of the Indo-Pacific Command, and other military officials. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. She said Davidson told her "Guam is not just America's first line of defense, it is the center of defense in this part of the world." "They gave us a briefing about the threats here on Guam, both from North Korea and China," Leon Guerrero said. The growing size of China's Navy and the expansion of its diplomatic efforts throughout Micronesia are "a major concern" for the United States, said the governor. Leon Guerrero said the military officials who briefed her in Honolulu about China's growing influence told her they gave "the same kind of briefing" to President Donald Trump ahead of his Tuesday meeting at the White House with Republic of Palau President Tommy Remengesau Jr., Republic of the Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine and Federated States of Micronesia President David Panuelo. "I'm guessing (China) is going to be the main topic of discussion," the governor said. It was the first time any U.S. president has held a White House meeting with the three presidents of the freely associated states. Military buildup Leon Guerrero said Davidson expressed his support for more skilled foreign labor under the H-2B visa program for Guam military and civilian construction projects. "He is a friend to us on that issue," the governor said. She said Davidson agrees that "our civilian projects relate and align with the military buildup." An upcoming STEM workshop at the University of Guam will teach students how to build and pilot a drone with the help of Lego pieces, UOG announced Tuesday. Doctoral candidate Evan Kawamura of the University of Hawaii College of Engineering will be visiting Guam from May 28 to 31 to conduct a "Flight Assembly and Flight Mechanics" workshop, according to a release from the university. Kawamura will teach participants about the underlying physics and mechanics of unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known as drones. Participants will work in teams and learn how to build and program the drones using Lego Flybrix, which includes Lego pieces, a circuit board, propellers and a battery. The workshop will be held at the University of Guam with two sessions per day. Participants can choose which session they will attend over the course of the workshop. The morning session is from 9 a.m. to noon, and the afternoon session is from 1 to 4 p.m. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. The event is free and open to students 16 years of age and older. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and to bring lunch and water. Sunblock, hats and sunglasses also are recommended in the event of outdoor activities. The Lego Flybrix will be provided. "The UAV workshop is made possible through grant funding from NASA Hawaii EPSCoR's Cooperative Agreement Notices and the Hawaii Space Grant Consortium," the release stated. "It is supported locally by the NASA Guam EPSCoR and the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center." For more information on the workshop and for registration, email Romina King at roking@triton.uog.edu. Senior Trump administration officials on Tuesday, Guam time, emphasized the "unprecedented focus" President Donald Trump is giving to the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau and the Marshall Islands by hosting the presidents of these island nations in the White House. "It is, in fact, historic and it's the first time a president of the United States is hosting the three presidents," the Trump administration officials said, speaking via phone conference. Their names and job titles were not releasable as a condition of the press briefing. High-level federal government officials from the Department of Defense, as well as the State and Interior Departments, have traveled over the past several months to various parts of the Pacific, including Palau, the FSM, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. The administration officials denied that the efforts to cozy up with Palau, the FSM and the Marshall Islands are a reaction to China's territorial expansion or any other geopolitical developments in the Asia-Pacific region. 'Seven decades of family relationship' The officials said that, after 70 years of the United States' Compact of Free Association agreements with the three island nations, this will be the only time the Palau, FSM and Marshall Islands presidents would be hosted in a meeting at the White House adding that no other American president has given similar attention. The administration officials said they view the Compact relationship, which gives the United States access to the waters and airspace of the three island nations for defense purposes, as being "in perpetuity." The United States' relationship with Palau, FSM and the Marshall Islands is unique and has spanned "seven decades of family relationship," the officials said. The island nations are, according to the administration officials, "special partners and friends." Guam has sat in the middle of these agreements. Guam impact The Compact agreements have led to the unrestricted access of immigrants from the three island nations into the United States. According to 2018 data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Guam hosts the largest group of migrants from the freely associated states, with more than 18,000, or about 11 percent of Guam's population. Hawaii's FAS migrants number about 16,000, the survey estimated. The senior administration officials said Guam already receives more than half of the $30 million a year in federal "Compact impact" funding through the Department of the Interior to help cover the costs of hosting the regional migrants. Guam has repeatedly said, for decades, that the funding covers only a fraction of the actual costs. As an example, tens of millions of dollars a year in earned income tax credit-related tax refunds to regional migrants have come out of the government of Guam pocket. In Hawaii, the federal government picks up that tab, a fact that Guam Del. Michael San Nicolas pointed out to the Interior Department and U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin during recent congressional hearings. In the press briefing, the administration officials said Palau President Tommy Remengesau Jr., Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine, and Federated States of Micronesia President David Panuelo will also visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as part of their Washington, D.C., visit. The island nations have some of the highest U.S. military enlistment rates and have lost nearly a dozen service members fighting America's ongoing wars overseas. The Trump administration's efforts to get friendlier with Palau, it says, also have nothing to do with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's friendlier China relationship compared to his predecessors' tough stance against the Chinese military's buildup within territorial waters and shoals the Philippines claims as its own. Palau is located between the Philippines and Guam, and is the freely associate state closest to the Philippines. Palau is about a 1.5-hour flight from the Philippines. The U.S. Department of Defense does acknowledge it has become wary of China's territorial expansions and plans, stating in a 2018 annual report to Congress that, over the last three years, the Chinese military "has rapidly expanded its overwater bomber operating areas, gaining experience in critical maritime regions and likely training for strikes against U.S. and allied targets." "The (People's Liberation Army) may continue to extend its operations beyond the first island chain, demonstrating the capability to strike U.S. and allied forces and military bases in the western Pacific Ocean, including Guam," the Defense Department report states. "Such flights could potentially be used as a strategic signal to regional states, although the PLA has thus far has not been clear what messages such flights communicate beyond a demonstration of improved capabilities." In the Western Pacific, China began to field the longer-range H-6K bomber aircraft in 2013, incorporating cruise missile pylons to turn the bomber into a stand-off strike platform, the report states. "The H-6K's capabilities provided the PLAAF an offensive strike capability against Guam," the report adds. The Work Zone The new year is just days away. If youve had thoughts of pushing forward and advancing your interests in 2022, hopefully, we can help. Read more NORRISTOWN A Norristown woman allegedly fatally stabbed a man during a heated argument outside the borough apartment where they resided, according to authorities. Jacqueline Janis Jackson, 35, of the 800 block of Smith Street, was arraigned on Monday on charges of first- and third-degree murder and possessing an instrument of crime in connection with the alleged 2:14 a.m. May 20 stabbing death of 58-year-old Charles Dewalt. Jackson, who is being held without bail at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility, faces a May 31 preliminary hearing on the charges before District Court Judge Margaret Hunsicker. An investigation began when Norristown police were dispatched to the Smith Street residence for a report of a stabbing and found Dewalt lying in a parking lot at the rear of the residence with a visible stab wound to his chest, according to the criminal complaint filed by Montgomery County Detective Michael Crescitelli and Norristown Detective William Klinger. Dewalt was transported to Mercy Suburban Hospital where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy determined Dewalt died from a stab wound to the chest and the manner of his death was ruled a homicide. A forensic pathologist also noted a superficial knife wound to the left side of the victims face, detectives alleged. A neighbor, according to court papers, called 911 at 2:12 a.m. after he heard a male and female arguing outside. (The neighbor) described the argument as sounding heated so he looked out his window and observed a male and female in the parking lot, detectives alleged, adding the neighbor went to another window to get a better look. When (the neighbor) looked out this window he saw a person lying on the ground. The neighbor went outside and saw the victim lying on the ground and observed blood and fleshy meat in the victims upper chest, above his nipple, according to the arrest affidavit. (The neighbor) stated the victim did not speak and had labored breathing, Crescitelli and Klinger alleged in the criminal complaint. Detectives also interviewed a close friend of Dewalt who stated he went to the apartment shared by the victim and Jackson to retrieve a phone charger that he had lent to Dewalt. The friend told detectives that when he looked through a window of the apartment he observed Jackson punch Dewalt, who fell to the floor, according to the criminal complaint. Dewalt and his friend then went outside to Dewalts car so Dewalt could retrieve the friends phone charger and Jackson, holding a large knife in her right hand, followed the men to the parking lot, detectives alleged. Jackson was yelling at Dewalt, claiming Dewalt owed her money and that Dewalt peeked at her while she was naked in a bathroom, according to the arrest affidavit. He wanna (sic) peek at me he gotta (sic) pay me, Jackson allegedly shouted, according to court documents. The witness told detectives Jackson began to stab and poke at Dewalt with the knife and also tried to slash Dewalts neck but was unsuccessful, court documents alleged. Jackson walked to Dewalts vehicle and tried to stab the tires but the knife bent, and then she proceeded to rip the side mirrors off of the vehicle, detectives alleged. The witness heard Dewalt say, Stop with the knife Jackie just before Jackson lunged at Dewalt with the knife, according to the arrest affidavit. (The witness) heard Dewalt moan, grab his chest and fall to the ground. (The witness) said after Jackson stabbed Dewalt she ran back into the apartment, detectives alleged. Detectives observed blood stains in close proximity to the victims Ford Taurus vehicle in the rear parking lot of the residence and also observed that both side mirrors of the vehicle had been knocked off, according to the arrest affidavit. When detectives interviewed Jackson several hours later, she allegedly admitted to stabbing Dewalt, adding she used a black-handled kitchen-type knife she retrieved while inside her apartment, according to court papers. Jackson described the knife as having a black handle with a blade approximately eight inches in length, Crescitelli and Klinger alleged in the criminal complaint. Investigators recovered a large kitchen-type knife, containing bloodstains, outside in front of the residence, according to court papers. A conviction of first-degree murder, which is an intentional killing, can carry a sentence of life imprisonment or the death penalty. A conviction of third-degree murder, a killing committed with malice, carries a possible maximum sentence of 20-to-40-years in prison. Last Saturday evening, Candace Owens delivered the keynote address at the Annual Dinner of Center of the American Experiment. The Annual Dinner is a distinguished event; speakers have included such luminaries as Margaret Thatcher, Mikhail Gorbachev and the first President Bush, along with leading conservative commentators. Candace is probably our youngest Annual Dinner speaker by more than 20 years. It was a great event, with a crowd of close to 1,000. Candace was her usual spellbinding self. As always, she didnt deliver a canned speech, but moved seamlessly from one story or piece of analysis to another, reading the audience and improvising as she went. It is rare to see anyone with such an easy rapport with an audience, which gave her a rapturous reception. I wont try to summarize Candaces speech, but the Centers Communications Director tweeted some quotes as it went along. Here are some samples: In order to be a leftist you have to wake up every day and say, whats wrong today and who can I blame? @RealCandaceO Center of the American Experiment (@MNThinkTank) May 19, 2019 The biggest problem facing black America is absentee fathers. And now feminists have created a term called toxic masculinity. @RealCandaceO Center of the American Experiment (@MNThinkTank) May 19, 2019 I always ask myself: Why does progressivism lead to regressive results? Did you know there are black-only dorms in the South because apparently black people need safe spaces from white people? Were taking about self-imposed segregation. @RealCandaceO Center of the American Experiment (@MNThinkTank) May 19, 2019 The Minneapolis Star Tribune covered our event and quoted me, along with several African-Americans who attended the dinner. The Star Tribune story isnt bad, but it focuses more on other blacks reactions to Owens than on her message. At the end of Candaces speech, I asked her some questions and we had a little dialogue, after which we finished with questions from the audience. Here, someone seems to have said something funny, but I dont remember what. Offstage, Candace was delightful, as she was when she appeared at a lunch forum for us a year ago. Her popularity is remarkable for someone who burst on the scene so recently. Saturday night, around 400 people had their pictures taken with her300 who had VIP tickets, and 100 students who got selfies on their own phones. Her patience and infectious good humor are commendable. On a personal note, we also enjoyed meeting Candaces British fiance, who proposed to her two weeks after they met. Who can blame him? Owens has departed amicably from Turning Point USA and is focusing on her own Blexit campaign. She also has a show on Prager University, which from what I have seen is excellent. It was a wonderful evening, including the 12-year-old who sang the National Anthem beautifully and Senator Rudy Boschwitz, who delivered the invocation. And I took 17 minutes for a Power Point presentation about the Centers accomplishments of the past 12 monthsfor me, probably the most fun 17 minutes of the year. Judicial Watch has tirelessly pursued government documents relating to the Russia hoax, and has made them public as they have been wrested from the grasp of Washington bureaucrats. Today Judicial Watch released three emails exchanged between Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Kathleen Kavalec, a Hillary Clinton donor, and Bruce Ohr. Ohr was one of the most senior officials in the Department of Justice. His wife Nellie worked for Fusion GPS, which was hired by the Clinton campaign to fabricate dirt on Donald Trump. Fusion GPS ultimately came up with the Christopher Steele dossier. Ohr and his wife were in the middle of the Democratic Partys effort to bring down candidate, President-Elect and President Donald Trump. The emails are embedded below. They are all dated November 21, 2016, just 13 days after the presidential election. But it is significant that the emails post-date the election. These Democratic Party bureaucrats were no longer trying to help Hillary Clinton win the election; rather, they were trying to undermine the President-Elect. The first email is from Kavalec to Ohr, following up on a meeting they had just had. Kavalec refers to the person I mentioned, a Russian named Simon Kukes. She refers to this campaign donation story and forwards links to an article in Mother Jones and an Open Secrets entry. The story relates to Kukes, an American citizen who was born in Russia and who donated to Trumps campaign. There is no evident reason why a Russian-born Americans contribution to Trumps campaign would be noteworthy to Ohr and Kavalec, or would have anything to do with relations between the Department of Justice and the State Department, other than the fact that Hillary Clintons campaign was trying to blame her dismal performance on meddling by Russia. Ohrs response begins with: Thank you for taking the time to meet with us. I really hope we can get something going here. Judicial Watch interprets get something going here as referring to efforts to smear Trump with bogus Russian connections. That could be right, but the ostensible subject of the meeting between Ohr and Kavalec was the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, which I believe Ohr was in charge of. So he could have been referring to that. But Ohrs interest, like Kavalecs, was principally in how they could disable the incoming Trump administration. Ohr quickly pivoted to that topic: This is very interestingI may have heard about him [Kukes] from Tom Firestone as well, but I cant recall for certain. We will take another look at this. Kavalecs email had said that Tom Firestone brought [Simon Kukes] in in 2014. Firestone formerly worked for the Department of Justice in the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. He is now a partner in Baker McKenzie, one of the worlds largest law firms. Kavalec may have meant that Firestone brought Kukes into the CIA fold, but that is by no means clear. The significant question, however, is: who is we in Ohrs email? He says We will take another look at this, i.e., the fact that Kukes contributed to Trumps campaign. There was nothing illegal or even questionable about that contribution. What was it that we were going to look at? Is we the Department of Justice? Or an embedded team of Democratic Party loyalists trying to discredit the newly-elected president? Kavalec responded to Ohr the same day with more anti-Trump strategizing: Just re-looking at my notes from my convo with Chris Steele This is the first time Steele is mentioned in the email exchange, but Kavalec evidently didnt need to explain to Ohr that Steele was a Democratic Party hireling who had been tasked with digging up dirt, real or imagined, on Donald Trump. I see that Chris said Kukes has some connection to Serge Millian, an emigre who who is identified by FT as head of the Russian-American Chamber of Commerce. According to what Chris said to me in early October So the State Department was talking to Hillary Clintons opposition researcher prior to the election. Millian has apparently disappeared, i.e., left the U.S., and hasnt been seen recently. I dont know anything about Millian but he is referenced in the FT story: Trumps Russian Connections. This email exchange makes it clear that senior officials in the Department of Justice and the State Department were meeting with Christopher Steele, talking about his absurd allegations against Donald Trumpit is noteworthy that Steele refuses to come to the U.S., where he could be forced to answer questions about the fabrications for which he was handsomely paid by the Clinton campaignnot only before the election, but after it as well. Why is it the business of the Department of Justice and the State Department to conspire against the President-Elect? We, the taxpayers, pay these bureaucrats salaries. They spent our money trying to slander and ultimately bring down the duly elected President of the United States. This is the biggest scandal in American political history. Nothing else comes close. A postscript: we have written about Kathleen Kavalec before. On October 11, 2016, Kavalec met again with Christopher Steele, just 20 days after her email exchange with Bruce Ohr. This time, she documented her impressions of the meeting. She concluded that Steele was a liar: In her typed summary, Kavalec wrote that Steele told her the Russians had constructed a technical/human operation run out of Moscow targeting the election that recruited emigres in the United States to do hacking and recruiting. She quoted Steele as saying, Payments to those recruited are made out of the Russian Consulate in Miami, according to a copy of her summary memo obtained under open records litigation by the conservative group Citizens United. Kavalec bluntly debunked that assertion in a bracketed comment: It is important to note that there is no Russian consulate in Miami. Kavalec also commented on Steeles nakedly political motives: And, as I reported earlier this week, Kavalecs memo clearly warned that Steele had admitted his client was keen to get his information out before Election Day. In other words, he had a political, rather than an intelligence, deadline. His client, as Kavalec obviously knew, was the Hillary Clinton campaign. One wonders: did Kathleen Kavalec tell her co-conspirators that she had hard evidence that Christopher Steele was lying about Donald Trump? So far, there is no evidence of any such communication. The Democrats effort to bring down the Trump administration on the basis of Steeles lies has continued, right up to the present. At this point, it is hard to say whether the Democrats who pursued their anti-Trump vendetta knew that Steele was a liar, or just didnt care. Over the weekend, I wrote about the Trump administrations plan to send a thousand illegal immigrants per month to Southern Florida to relieve the overcrowded and unsustainable conditions on the U.S.-Mexico border. The move brought howls of protests from officials in the two Democrat-controlled counties where the immigrants were to be sent. More importantly, perhaps, Florida governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican and ardent Trump supporter, also objected to the move. Now, the Trump administration has decided not to go through with the plan. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan says that sending the immigrants to Florida would not be a cost effective use of resources. Maybe not. However, border patrol officials say they have apprehended an average of 4,500 people each day along the southwest border recently. At this rate, I dont see how they can all be held in border states. They will have to be sent elsewhere. They should be sent back across the border, but current law wont allow it. Current law is an ass. At some point, given the emergency the nation faces at its border, President Trump may be sorely tempted to violate it. If it werent for Alpha News, we might not have any news at all of what appears to be an attack by young Minnesota males on passengers waiting for light rail transportation in the heart of the Minneapolis campus of the University of Minnesota. Alpha News cautiously reports: A mob of eight to 10 males wielding hammers descended upon bystanders at the East Bank Light Rail station on Friday night injuring several, according to recorded police dispatch audio. The incident was apparently reported to 911 just before 10 p.m. on Friday according to the audio and other social media police scanner reports. A 9:48 p.m. Facebook post on 2nd Precinct Minneapolis Crime Watch page said that University of Minnesota (U of M) police were requesting assistance from Minneapolis police (MPD) and Metro Transit police for a group of 8-10 males chasing people with hammers and that some people were injured. A Facebook post a minute later on Minneapolis Scanner page said that the three police departments were responding to multiple [911] calls about 10-12 Somali teen males armed with hammers chasing people, also with several injuries reported. Both Facebook pages regularly post summaries of police scanner audio. A person who claimed on social media to have been at the station when the incident occurred said that the group of males had hammers and bars, and that they seemed to be attacking anyone who looked like they had money or were white. The witness, who said he isnt white, said he didnt want to [take] on a bunch of dudes with blunt objects, and that he hurried an older white lady away and they walked a few blocks to catch a bus. On Wednesday there was an attempted robbery at the same location during which two U of M students were injured, according to a media report. Its unknown whether these incidents are related. The East Bank LRT station is part of the Green Line operated by Metro Transit and is located on the 500 block of Washington Avenue Southeast in the center of the University of Minnesota campus and across the street from the U of M police department. The stop is popular with students and people attending U of M sporting events. We reached out to the U of M Police Department, the MPD and to Metro Transit police for comment on this incident and did not receive a response prior to publication. The link above to the attempted robbery at the same location last week goes to a KARE 11 report. The Star Tribune report of that incident police had identified the suspects but had yet to make an arrest. No description of the suspects has been published even though police obviously have one. Indeed, police issued citations to two of the young men. I am slightly exaggerating the nonfeasance of the Minnesota media. The St. Paul Pioneer Press has now reported the story here. According to the Pioneer Press, police stopped seven teenage boys: Two males who were carrying metal pipes were identified through video surveillance and witness descriptions.Police issued them citations.Police cited two males for disorderly conduct and fleeing police on foot; one was also cited for giving police a fictitious name. A police report didnt specify their exact ages, but indicated that one is 12 or 13 and the other is 14 or 15. The lack of descriptive information is troubling. The juvenile status of the perpetrators protects their identities from disclosure, but if the hammer-wielding teenagers remain at large, the rest of us would like to be on guard. I would advise avoidance of the University of Minnesotas East Bank light rail station after dark. Unless I have overlooked something, most troubling of all is the silence of Minneapoliss Star Tribune. So far as I can tell, the paper hasnt gotten to the story yet. In local news, however, the Star Tribune is all over this suburban heartbreaker: Transgender Honduran awaits her asylum case in Twin Cities suburbs. PR-Inside.com: 2019-05-21 15:45:41 Press Information Trends Market Research Contact Us: One Vincent Square Westminster, London SW1P 2PN United Kingdom Email: sales@trendsmarketresearch.com Website: https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com Ethan TL 442033221521 email https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com # 469 Words Contact Us:One Vincent SquareWestminster, London SW1P 2PNUnited KingdomEmail: sales@trendsmarketresearch.comWebsite: https://www.trendsmarketresearch.comTL442033221521 "Connected or smart street light is the intelligent street lightning system that adjusts automatically based on the real time traffic conditions and change according to realistic condition. The conventional street light is one of the major source of electricity consumption owing to the continuous operation of lighting during the night time, thus in order to reduce the unnecessary electricity consumption, the existing conventional system has to be adapted to intelligent lighting system. This smart street lights consists of IR sensor, PIR sensor, low cost embedded controller and memory devices.Countries such as India and China in the Asia Pacific region, along with African countries are heavily investing in solar streetlights. European countries such as U.K and Germany are also implementing the solar-powered lighting which is economical considering their low-power dependency which makes them suitable even for adverse climatic conditions.The global smart/connected street lights market is expected to reach approximately USD XX million by 2027 growing at a XX% CAGR over the forecast period 2018-2027Get More Information about https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com/report/sample/3077 The global connected street lights market can be segmented on the basis of its connectivity and components. Based on the connectivity, the market is segregated into wired and wireless.The wired segment is further sub-divided into power line communication and others. In terms of component, the connected street lights market is categorized into hardware, services, and software. In which, hardware segment is sub-divided into controllers/relays and sensors.Technological developments has undoubtedly boosted the demand for connected (smart) street lights market on the international level in last few years. It has enhanced the capacity of street lights, which is more efficient than the regular street lights. The never-ending demand for sustainable lighting solutions has led to significant growth for connected (smart) street lights across nations in both developed and developing regions. In addition, the development of smart cities across nations around the world has forced the government and companies to look forward to smart lighting solutions. As these smart lighting technologies helps in reducing carbon emissions, available at lower cost, and help increase overall efficiency.Request for Table of Contents: https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com/report/requesttoc/3077 Depending on the networking technology, the market is sub-segmented into narrowband, medium-band, and broadband technology. The narrow-band technology is further categorized into Sigfox, LoRa, RPMA, and others. The medium band includes PLC, RF mesh, and others, whereas the broadband technology consists of 3G/4G cellular, Wi-Fi, and othersSome of the few players in the market are Silver Springs Network Inc., Acuity Brands Lighting Inc., EnGo PLANET, Twilight Citelum S.A., OSRAM Licht Group, Flashnet SRL, Dimonoff Inc., General Electric Co., Philips Lighting N.V., Schreder Group, Echelon Corporation, Toshiba Lighting, Led Roadway Lighting Ltd, and Telensa Ltd.Report Description: https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com/report/connected-street-lights-market Global dust extractor market size is estimated to be around US$ 1,132 Mn by 2019 end. The dust extractor market is pegged to observe notable growth at a CAGR of more than 6% over 20192029. Direct supply-based dust extractors slated to remain high-growth segment in dust extractor market. Dust Extractors Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-05-21 05:55:24 Press Information Published by Abhishek Budholiya +1-347-918-3531 e-mail http://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 706 Words Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531 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.Request to Sample of Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-9500 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.DYI Applications Boosting Potential of Online Sales ChannelsGrowing 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.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 Industrys Manufacturing HubEurope 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. FMIs 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.Need more information about Report Methodology @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-9500 Dust Extractor Market: Vendor LandscapeThe 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. PR-Inside.com: 2019-05-21 22:57:48 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 535 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / May 21, 2019 / According to recent data released by the U.S. Census Bureau, the Dallas Worth Forth-Arlington, area gained more residents last year than any other metro in the nation. Growing over 130,000 in population from 2017 to 2018, the metro now stands the fourth largest in the country with over 7.5 million residents. When compared to other large cities such as Boston and NYC who actually lost residents in 2018, the increase is substantial coming in at over 30% more new residents than the second largest growing metro of Phoenix, Arizona; and the population spike does not seem to be slowing down.Although there has been a large draw from residents in state the increases are mostly from the nation's other 49 states who are attracted to the economic opportunities and community environment offered in the DFW area. "Of its biggest advantages; job creation, housing access and affordability as well as diverse industrialization has attracted more transplants to the state than any other in the US." shares longtime Dallas resident and entrepreneur Marcus Hiles who has experienced and tapped into new growth opportunities in the state throughout his 30+ year career as a leading Texas property developer. And it's not just local figures who are recognizes the value the lone star state has to offer.Last year DFW's Frisco was coveted as Time's best place to live in the nation, beating out over 500 of the nation's top locations in areas of growth, affordability and quality of living. Residents coming to the area are comparing the city's economic health along with housing affordability and public systems against other locations and are seeing a clear attraction that has many making the move.Businesses are not lagging behind either and can be credited for much of the nation's growing attraction to the Dallas-Fort Worth metro. The state holds 50 of the Top Fortune 500 companies as well as some of the top paying organizations across all 52 states. This has created a growing job market and employing those new positions is a large influx of out-of-state residents that are making Texas their home.Texas also has another edge that has enabled the high volumes of growth over the last several years. Having built up a sustainable infrastructure that can accommodate large volumes of new populations and business investments has allowed the state and its top metros to flourish. "Compared to other metro areas like those in California where land and resources are limited, Texas has maintained an accessible and accommodating environment that welcomes new residents and businesses without much barriers." adds Marcus Hiles, CEO and founder of DFW's Western Rim Properties.Texas' DFW metro in 2019 seems to be only maintaining this growth. In fact, it won't be a surprise if the metro maintains its spot as having the largest volume of new populations as it gains more attention for its affordability and recognition as the next big location for new commercial opportunities. As this growth sustains it will be up the city's officials, investors and residents to keep smart development in the forefront to keep the position as top growing city in the country.Houzz: https://www.houzz.com/pro/marcushiles/marcus-hiles Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcus.hiles/ SOURCE: Marcus Hiles PR-Inside.com: 2019-05-21 15:01:46 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 527 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / May 21, 2019 / Rapid Nutrition PLC (OTCQB: RPNRF) ("Company"), a natural healthcare company focused on the research, development and production of a range of life science products, announced today, veteran sales leader, Doug Kuskopf-Dallas will join the Company as Vice President of Sales in Australia.Rapid Nutrition CEO, Simon St. Ledger stated, "As the Company continues to execute its growth strategy, following the recent announcements highlighting our latest distribution agreements with GNC, we are pleased to have secured a seasoned leader to manage the significant scope of potential market penetration in Australia. Doug has the ideal background and dynamic personality to complement the rapid growth of our Company as we further our commitment to building long-term shareholder value." Prior to joining Rapid Nutrition, Mr. Kukopf-Dallas, a twenty-five year veteran of the retail pharmacy sector, held an executive leadership position with Sigma Healthcare, an ASX listed pharmaceutical company generating over $4.2 billion in revenue as Australia's leading pharmacy network comprised of over 1,200 retail stores. Through his strategic consultancy, Mr. Kuskopf-Dallas launches new brands into the Australian market by developing complete business strategies across all retail, wholesale and branding channels.Mr. Kuskopf-Dallas commented, "The natural healthcare market is consolidating as it continues to grow year over year. Legacy brands such as GNC will play a critical role in that evolution, in Australia in particular, where I am excited to focus my energies and experience in leading the charge on behalf of Rapid Nutrition's product line of natural and organic ingredients designed to support wellness, weight loss and a healthy lifestyle." About Rapid NutritionRapid Nutrition is a natural healthcare company focused on the research, development and production of a range of life science products. The company was established based on its successful and proven weight loss supplement range which is exported worldwide and now offers consumers a growing range of health and well-being solutions to meet existing and emerging societal health concerns, as well as a providing number of wider services to the life sciences industry. For more information, please visit http://rnplc.com Investor Relations Contact:Justin KulikRADIUSir@ rnplc.com Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause Rapid Nutrition PLCs actual results and experience to differ materially from anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. Rapid Nutrition PLC has in some cases identified forward-looking statements by using words such as "anticipates," "believes," "hopes," "estimates," "looks," "expects," "plans," "intends," "goal," "potential," "may," "suggest," and similar expressions. Investors should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Rapid PLC undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to any such forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by applicable law or regulation.SOURCE: Rapid Nutrition PLC As per a recent report Launched by TRENDS MARKET RESEARCH the RF Filters Market to Register Stable Expansion During 2018-2025. PR-Inside.com: 2019-05-21 11:22:51 Press Information trends market research One Vincent Square, Westminster, London SW1P 2PN, UK Ethan Analytics 2033221521 email https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com # 629 Words One Vincent Square, Westminster, London SW1P 2PN, UKAnalytics2033221521 With technological progressions in radio frequency devices, RF filters are produced to make communications more convenient. RF filters are in general prepared of plastic with an embedded incorporated circuit chip. They are utilized to manipulate and exchange data. The market for RF filter is expected to increase at a remarkable XX value CAGR for the duration of the forecast, 2025. The sales are likely to reach a market value of about US$ XX Billion before the end of 2025.Utilization of RF filter technology in aircraft, for example, Airbus and Boeing, for improving RADAR systems, electronic surveillance, GPS, navigation, data exchange and Air Traffic Control (ATC) is likely to augur well for the expansion of the overall market. Also, increasing need for enhanced communication between pilots and ground staff has boosted the RF filter technology sales in the aviation sector at a significant rate.Get More Information About RF Filters Market: https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com/report/sample/3506 Technological processions in the semiconductor sector have encouraged increment in the manufacturing of radio frequency devices afterward the previous two decades. Conversely, mushrooming development of new innovations has translated into swarming of the RF filter range in this manner expanding complexities. Extraordinary RF channels are utilized in communication technology and smartphones that are basically SAW (Surface Acoustic Waves) channels. On the other hand, as groups are nearly dispensed with one another, the system is probably going to extend a slack or postponement of around one minute causing the impedance of frequencies. This is likely to restrict the development of the RF filter market amid the time of conjecture.Region-wise, the North America RF filter sales are anticipated to increase at a remarkable pace, building North America a major lucrative market. Conversely, the Japan and China sales of RF filter are likely to ascend at a high pace, with China at the front. Increasing need for RF filter in China could be ascribed to the rising shipments of smartphones in the nations together with increasing buying power parity of the Chinese populace. Makers of RF filter could expect a firm stream of prospects from the United States and China over the years to come.Request For Table of Contents: https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com/report/requesttoc/3506 In terms of the type, the worldwide market includes low-pass, band-pass, band-stop and high-pass. The band-pass category is likely to capture the maximum share during 2025 and the low-pass category is moreover likely to reflect a double-digit CAGR. By application, the worldwide market includes radio broadcast, navigation, mobile phone communication, TV broadcast, RADAR, satellite communication and others. Of these, the mobile phone communication category is projected to account for about XX of the overall market share during 2025.The foremost companies active in the worldwide market are Analog Devices, Inc., NXP Semiconductors N.V., Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd., STMicroelectronics, Anatech Electronics, Inc., Broadcom Inc., RS Microwave Company, Inc., K&L Microwave, Bird Technologies, API Technologies and othersReport Discription: https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com/report/rf-filters-market Viwe more : ELECTRONICS & SEMICONDUCTORAbout Us:Trends Market Research is one of the leading digital services provider and a result-oriented company based in U.K.. We are a team of enthusiastic-driven individuals with top notch skills in SEO , Market research. Trends Market Research is a one stop shop to all your business needs. We help you thrive and succeed. We provide research solution.Our digital and enterprise research assurance solutions are ideal for Automotive & Transportation, Electronics & Semiconductor, Chemicals & Materials, Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices, Food & Beverage and Industrial Automation as well as all type of other leading industries verticals . We offer a vast line of in-depth study of industry trends including customized & client oriented specific requirement.Contact Us:One Vincent SquareWestminster, London SW1P 2PNUnited KingdomPhone: +442033221521Email: sales@ trendsmarketresearch.com Website: https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com Some stakeholders in the capital market have faulted the listing of MTN Nigeria Communications Plc on the nations bourse in spite of unavailability of the mandatory 20 per cent free float. They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos that the price of MTN Nigeria shares would continue to skyrocket due to their scarcity at the detriment of retail shareholders. The stakeholders blamed the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) for approving the companys listing without the mandatory free float. Free float or public float refers to the shares of a company that can be publicly traded and are not restricted. In other words, the term is used to describe the number of shares available to the public for trading in the secondary market. NAN reports that free float for companies listed under NSE Premium Board is 20 per cent. Ambrose Omordion, the Chief Operating Officer, Invest Data Ltd., expressed disappointment at the development, saying that the listing was at the expense of retail shareholders. Mr Omordion urged that market regulators should be committed to the protection of retail investors to encourage their participation in the market. He claimed that the shareholding structure of MTN Nigeria showed that the 23.92 per cent, said to be floating, were held by institutional and individual high net worth investors. According to him, the investors are using the exchange to enrich themselves at the expense of retail investors who want to be part owners of the company. The 20 per cent minimum free float is one of the listing requirement, but it seems to be post a listing requirement since companies are listed and given time to meet the minimum free float. The companies that got listed recently apart from MTN Nigeria that failed to meet the requirements are Global Spectrum, Notore Chemical, Omordion noted. He told NAN that the existing shareholders of MTN Nigeria were making it difficult for new shareholders to buy due to the tight holding structure and small float. Mr Omordion claimed that the high demand was currently causing problem at the exchange. He said that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), NSE and brokers would benefit from the situation, leaving potential local shareholders to buy the shares at a high rate. The Founder of Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Sunny Nwosu, described the listing as dissatisfactory. Our conclusion as shareholders is that they have come to play us a game which is not far from a fraudulent game; the nominal value of MTN shares is not certain. These are areas SEC should ask NSE questions rather than the issue of gift sharing at AGMs and ban of pre-AGMs. Up until now, no prospective shareholder can tell you this is what MTN Nigeria stands for, Nwosu said. He said that the exchange set a bad precedence in the market by allowing some companies to list without meeting the free float requirement. There have been very bad precedents recently in the market; Dangote Cement and some other companies were given preferential treatment. Whenever any company wants to come for listing by introduction, that free float which they have agreed with, must be open and for the investing public. Let everyone scramble and get from that, and not a situation where you will be listed by introduction and the shares are not available, Nwosu said. Advertisements The ISAN Publicity Secretary, Moses Igbrude, described the listing as a welcome development, but urged the management of exchange to ensure compliance with the minimum free float by all listed companies in the market. If the requirement is not met, there will be artificial scarcity of the companys shares, making new investors to buy at high price which is not supposed to be. The exchange managers should not allow such a behaviour because it can erode investors confidence in the market. They must be seen to be transparent as well as treat all companies equally, Mr Igbrude said. NAN reports that MTN Nigeria on May 16, listed a total of 20.35 billion shares at N90 per share. The stock at the first trading day rose by nine naira or 10 per cent to close at N99 per share. It increased on the second trading day, on May 17, by 10 per cent to close at N108.90 per share. The shareholding structure of MTN Nigeria shows that the controlling entity is MTN International Ltd., which owns 15,485,544,050, representing 76.08 per cent of the shares. On the other hand, the non-controlling entities in the telecommunications company include: Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Ltd. with 1,962,349, 050 (9.64 per cent), Victor Odili, 806,886,900 (3.96 per cent) and Mobile Telephone Network N.I.C.B.V with 559,720,150 (2.75 per cent). Others are: Government Employees Pension Fund (represented by Public Investment Corporation SOC Ltd., 355,281,650 units (1.75 per cent) and Pascal Dozie with 340,409,900 units (1.67 per cent). Other non-controlling entities are: Sani Mohammed Bello, 265,092,150 (1.30 per cent); Babatunde Folawiyo, 218,815,100 (1.08 per cent); Gbenga Oyebode with 181,776,250 units (0.89 per cent). The others are Ahmed Dasuki with 177,717,850 units (0.87 per cent) and Karl Toriola with 920,000 units (0.005 per cent). (NAN) Unity Bank has countered the allegations by the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for Recovery of Public Property (SPIPRPP) that it overcharged the accounts of federal ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) and had refused to refund the excess charges. The panel made the allegations of economic sabotageon Monday. But in a statement on Tuesday signed by the spokesperson of the bank, Mathew Obiazikwor, the bank accused the panel of misinforming the public and misrepresenting the banks position In the ongoing investigation, Unity Bank has conducted itself professionally by providing all evidence of customers instructions requested by the panel as it relates to all the MDAs. The bank said it had earlier transferred all the balances belonging MDAs to their respective TSA accounts in Central Bank of Nigeria as far back as 2016. The statement said the bank cooperated with the panel upon approach in 2018. But out of its own volition, the panel refused to admit further documentary evidence from the Bank when it was obvious that the Bank has no balances kept in its books for the MDAs. Instead, the panel suspended the investigation as apparently, it could not fault any of the evidence presented by the Bank, it said. It said the panel in an earlier letter requested the bank to accept culpability and pay off a certain sum deemed outstanding. The statement said the bank objected and insisted on completing the reconciliation exercise because of the claims presented at the point against the Bank were unfounded and frivolous It is therefore surprising for the SPIPRPP to turn back and issue a statement alleging sabotage when it abandoned its sitting and investigation midway It must be emphasised that, without prejudice to the constitutional power of Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMFAC) as the sole agency of government to investigate, review, reconcile and collect revenue for government, the bank co-operated fully with SPIPRPP and its consultants in the investigation process and it was proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Unity Bank has all records to show that it does its banking transactions transparently and in compliance with extant banking regulations and at no time took charges on the MDAs that were outside what is contained in the Bankers Tariffs, which guide banking operations in Nigeria. The bank maintained that the allegations are ill-motivated as falsely presented in a press statement purportedly sent to the public. It also called on its customers and the general public to disregard the allegations. The Central Bank of Nigeria has resolved to leave all monetary policy parameters unchanged. It took the decision on Tuesday at its first Monetary Policy Meeting since it reduced the lending rate last March. At the end of the meeting in Abuja, the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, said nine of the 11 members in attendance voted to retain the lending rate, otherwise known as the monetary policy rate (MPR), at 13.5 per cent. Also, Mr Emefiele said the committee resolved to maintain the cash reserve requirement (CRR) at 22.5 per cent and liquidity ratio at 30 per cent, with the asymmetric corridor of +200 and -500 basis points around the MPR. The CRR is the fund kept with the CBN as a minimum deposit a commercial bank must hold as reserves. The meeting adjusted the MPR slightly from 14 per cent to 13.5 per cent during the last MPC meeting in March. Until then, the rate was unchanged for 13 consecutive times since July 2016. During the meeting, Mr Emefiele said the Committee thanked President Mohammadu Buhari for reappointing him as the CBN governor. According to the CBN governor, the decision will ensure stability in monetary policy and consolidation of the progress in maintaining the growth of the economy. Nollywood stars, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Sola Sobowale and two Hollywood stars, have joined in the much-anticipated blockbuster movie, Shadow Parties. Omotola is playing the lead actress alongside actor Yemi Blaq and energetic actress Sola Sobowale. The Hollywood actor includes Magdalena Korpas, Poland-born /Paris-based stage actress, as well as producer Lucien Morgan who is known for producing; An American Wolf in London (1981) American Wolf in London (1981), Theft Unexpected (2013) and Return of the Don (2016). Shadow Parties, is about a communal clash in which Aremu (Ken Erics) from Aje, a town that neighbours Iludun, where his wife, Arike (Toyin Aimakhu) was born, well known for fratricidal wars, which had claimed the lives of Arikes parents. The towns were one more time thrown into war after the kinsmen of Aremu decided to burn his wife and child claiming she was an enemy which then triggered a reprisal attack from the Iluduns led by Lowo (Yemi Blaq), Arikes brother. Shadow Parties, is produced and directed by seasoned filmmaker Yemi Amodu. The movie has already gone through the post-production stage and is sponsored by Media Concept Studio. Speaking on the upcoming flick, Mr Amodu said movie lovers should watch out for a very good movie with a twisting plot and an enriched production. Other casts in the movie said to have gulped over N100million are Segun Arinze, Prince Jide Kosoko, Hafiz Oyetoro, Said Balogun, Sola Kosoko, ROtimi Salami, and others. The movie was shot across major South-west cities of Lagos, Ibadan, Erin Ijesha, Akure and Ekiti, would soon hit the cinemas after a round of exhibitions at major international film festivals across the world. (NAN) The U.S. Postal Service on Tuesday started a two-week test transporting mail across three South-western states using self-driving trucks, a step forward in the effort to commercialise autonomous vehicle technology for hauling freight. San Diego-based startup TuSimple said its self-driving trucks would begin hauling mail between USPS facilities in Phoenix and Dallas to see how the nascent technology might improve delivery times and costs. A safety driver will sit behind the wheel to intervene if necessary and an engineer will ride in the passenger seat. If successful, it would mark an achievement for the autonomous driving industry and a possible solution to the driver shortage and regulatory constraints faced by freight haulers across the country. The pilot programme involves five round trips, each totaling more than 2,100 miles (3,380 km) or around 45 hours of driving. It is unclear whether self-driving mail delivery will continue after the two-week pilot. The work with TuSimple is our first initiative in autonomous long-haul transportation, USPS spokeswoman Kim Frum said. We are conducting research and testing as part of our efforts to operate a future class of vehicles which will incorporate new technology. TuSimple and the USPS declined to disclose the cost of the programme, but Frum said no tax dollars were used and the agency relies on revenue from sales of postage and other products. TuSimple has raised 178 million dollars in private financing, including from chipmaker Nvidia Corp and Chinese online media company Sina Corp. The trucks will travel on major interstates and pass through Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. This run is really in the sweet spot of how we believe autonomous trucks will be used, said TuSimple Chief Product Officer Chuck Price. These long runs are beyond the range of a single human driver, which means today if they do this run they have to figure out how to cover it with multiple drivers in the vehicle. The goal is to eliminate the need for a driver, freeing shippers and freight-haulers from the constraints of a worsening driver shortage. The American Trucking Associations estimates a shortage of as many as 174,500 drivers by 2024, due to an aging workforce and the difficulty of attracting younger drivers. A new safety law requiring truck drivers to electronically log their miles has further constrained how quickly and efficiently fleets can move goods. TuSimples tie-up with the USPS marks an achievement for the fledgling self-driving truck industry, and follows Swedish company Einrides entry into freight delivery using driverless electric trucks on a public road, announced last week. The developments contrast with retrenching efforts by robotaxi companies such as General Motors Co unit Cruise, Uber Technologies Inc and startup Drive.ai, which have stumbled in building self-driving cars that can anticipate and respond to humans and navigate urban areas, an expensive and technologically challenging feat. Price said self-driving trucks have advantages over passenger cars, including the relative ease of operating on interstates compared with city centres, which reduces mapping requirements and safety challenges involving pedestrians and bicyclists. (Reuters/NAN) British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Tuesday that she will ask the parliament to vote on whether or not another referendum should be conducted to determine whether the United Kingdom should retain its European Union membership. Ms May made the disclosure at a press briefing on Tuesday as part of fresh efforts to get sceptical lawmakers to back her Brexit deal. The prime minister said she planned to propose a new bill to the parliament next month that will include a question of whether Britons should hold a new election on whether to leave. She had recently received support from her cabinet for the new amendments she made to the proposed deal to exit Europe. Ms Mays Brexit proposal had been rejected three times already this year, as Labour lawmakers and other sceptical Conservatives feared her suggestions could doom the UK if passed in each of those three times. She now believes the new proposal, which she described as a bold offer in a televised address, will scale through, following an extended reprieve she got from the EU earlier this year. Britain was due to leave the EU on March 29, but the repeated failure of her proposed Brexit deal compelled the EU leaders to extend the deadline until October 31. Still, Conservatives and Labour parliamentarians are still at loggerheads about the best deal to strike with the EU, leaving Ms Mays latest proposal under a cloud of uncertainty. Nigeria cannot achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) until traditional medicine is integrated into the countrys health service delivery. The coordinating director of the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board, Kadiku Olorunkemi, said, conventional medicine has failed us and now everybody is going back to the use of herbs. He, however, did not provide any data to back up his claim. He said we would be wasting our time if the government fails to involve alternative medicine in any plan towards UHC. The official spoke Friday while addressing some Senior Executive Course participants of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the state. The NIPPS delegation toured the states health sector throughout last week. The visit was coordinated by NIPSS in collaboration with the Development Research and Project Centre (DRPC) through PACFAH@Scale. Mr Olorunkemi criticised the reliance on conventional medicine, saying it causes more harm than good. Before the advent of conventional medicine, we have been treating ourselves with herbs. Now with this orthodox drugs, more problems have been introduced. We now have cancer and kidney problems. We no longer eat natural food; we now eat GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms). The official warned Nigerians to stop buying all these synthetic medicines because some of their procedures and treatment are failing. I heard that chemotherapy now causes more cancer than solving the problem. An alternative goldmine The potentials of traditional or alternative medicine for huge financial returns and boosting healthcare delivery have long been recognised across the world. Countries, mostly in Asia, make huge export earnings from herbal drugs after years of standardisation and regulation of the practice. Despite these potentials, little attempt has been made by the Nigerian government to advance the practice, even though millions of citizens now turn to herbal medication. The Traditional Medicine Policy for Nigeria was introduced in 2007. It was followed with the establishment of the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), and the Nigerian Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD). These laws and agencies, if backed by political will and adequate funding, would have made the system operational. Two years ago, the Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, said Nigeria has developed a plan to start exporting herbal medicine, the Guardian Newspaper reported. Today, nothing is heard of that plan. In his presentation on Friday, Mr Olorunkemi described traditional medicine as neglected and underrated. We dont appreciate what we have. This is a very important sector that will drive Nigerias health sector. He, however, said the government is already moving in the right direction by trying to synergize and integrate herbal medicine into the health service system. Describing traditional medicine as an untapped goldmine, the official urged Nigerians to invest in the practice. The return on investment will be higher than what they will get when they set up factories, quote me. Concerns The explosion in the sale of natural medicines across the country has raised concerns. Advertisements The products on sale include Ginseng Root, Megacin Root, Goko Cleanser, Onum Bitters, Ashetu Bitters, Endocin Powder, and Rinbacin Powder. Though medical practitioners agree that herbs could be used as an alternative source for cure, they, however, noted a danger as the medication is not standardised. Business Day Newspaper reported how Health experts raised alarm over the proliferation of traditional medicines across the country, saying such drugs may come with adverse effects that the herbalists themselves may not even know of. They point to poor regulation and the countrys poorly developed health sector as the reasons that these drugs are proliferating with reckless abandon. Most of the questions thrown at the Lagos coordinator of traditional medicine practice in his Friday presentation bordered on dosage and certification of the contents of the drugs. When asked to explain why some of the herbal drugs are mixed with hot alcoholic drinks such as dry gin, he said such strong drinks activate the ingredients in the drugs. He also said water can be used in place of the hot drinks. Government might be playing the Ostrich NIPSS Traditional medicine practice in Nigeria is uncoordinated and unregulated, said Nasirudeen Usman, the team lead of the NIPSS delegation, in an exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES. There are efforts to address this. Its happening in Lagos as you can see. Countries like China and India largely depend on herbal drugs and they have developed the sector. They now export their products. Millions of Nigerians use these drugs and the government will be playing the ostrich if we overlook it. We need to do a lot in the area of regulation. There are a lot of quacks in the system. The operationalisation of the system has a lot of challenges may be in terms of administering the medication; how much you need to take in terms of dosage; whether those drugs have some side effects. These are issues that need to be observed because the attraction to herbal medication is of two folds: The informality in the system, you can go to the house of the traditional medicine man or meet him in the street; and secondly, it is cheap, very cheap compared to the orthodox. Mr Usman urged the government to invest in research and the development of traditional medicine so as to address the concerns raised about the drugs. How we prevent quackery Mr Olorunkemi said traditional medical coordinators in Lagos have set out modalities to fish out quacks undermining the profession. Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board regulates the code of conduct and traditional medical practice and we have our members practising all over the state. There are a lot of wrong notions and perception about traditional practice and many people view it as fetish and spiritual, which is why many people feel orthodox medicine is better than traditional medicine, he said The coordinating director said the board inaugurated a task force in April to eliminate quackery in the system and so far had impounded vehicles of non-professional vendors. He also said arrests had been made. Those that have been arrested who are not able to provide their certificate of registration with the board, as well as laboratory composition of their products, will be prosecuted, he noted. Fourteen states are yet to access the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), Health Minister, Isaac Adewole, has said. While appearing before the Senate plenary on Tuesday, Mr Adewole said these states have not shown interest in accessing the fund which he said 22 others are already enjoying. The BHCPF is one per cent of the federal government Consolidated Revenue and contributions from donor grants set aside to fund the basic health needs of Nigerians. It was approved by the National Assembly in 2018. Mr Adewole started by commending the Senate for approving the fund. He listed the states yet to access the fund as Kebbi, Jigawa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Gombe, Rivers, Borno, and Zamfara. Others are Ondo, Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, Ogun and Sokoto. To access the fund, a state government needs amongst other conditions to contribute N100 billion as counterpart fund. What we have through your support and I must commend you for approving the healthcare basic fund, is a game changer. We have spent almost a year developing the guideline and over the last weeks we have started a rollout and as at the last count, 22 states have registered for the basic healthcare provision fund. What we have done with the fund is to structure it in a way that money will flow from the Central Bank to the primary healthcare facilities, bypassing all obstacles. And last week, we succeeded in moving out funds from the Central Bank to the agencies and from the agencies, it will go to the primary healthcare. As of today, 14 states are yet to show interest in the basic health care provision fund. He listed the criteria to enable states to access the fund to, in addition to the counterpart funding, include the establishment of state Primary Health Care Development Board and State Health Insurance Scheme. The minister commended the Senate for approving the basic health care provision fund which he described as a game changer. The circulation of a document which allegedly called for a coup to overthrow President Muhammadu Buhari appeared to have been exaggerated by the Nigerian government and security agencies, PREMIUM TIMES can report after efforts to obtain it fell through. Over the past two weeks, security chiefs and political appointees of the president have inundated the public with claims that disgruntled opposition elements were plotting to sabotage Mr Buharis administration and implement a coup. Top amongst those being castigated as setting off the desperate tactics were Nigerias former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Mr Abubakar was the major challenger to Mr Buhari at the February 23 presidential elections. After security chiefs spent days sidestepping disclosure of those responsible for the alleged anti-democratic plots, the first unambiguous allegation came from the Defence Headquarters on May 14, claiming that a document seeking Mr Buharis removal via a coup was in circulation. The statement blamed Nigerian Continuity and Progress for the viral document, describing the authors as faceless and demonic. Three days later, on May 17, the State Security Service (SSS), which is responsible for the countrys internal intelligence, also released a statement that essentially repeated the Defence Headquarters claim. The SSS said the so-called Nigerian Continuity and Progress was being sponsored by aggrieved politicians with an end-game of instigating widespread violence to force Mr Buhari out of office. The SSS said it would, not condone any form of extra-judicial activity or method designed or adopted by persons or groups to subvert constituted authorities. On May 15, Information Minister Lai Mohammed became the first member of Mr Buharis cabinet to pointedly mention Mr Abubakar and the PDP as contributing to the subversive measures because they lost February 23 presidential election. No document in circulation But two weeks after Chief of Army Staff Tukur Buratai first made the claim of the alleged plot, and one week after the Defence Headquarters named Nigerian Continuity and Progress as the group behind the alleged coup plot, there is no evidence that the document was ever circulated, or that any faceless group has been going by the name before the military statement. Atiku Abubakar PREMIUM TIMES interviewed 46 people in the media, civil society, national security, defence, police, intelligence and social media, between May 16 and 20, but none of them could confirm either seeing the document or being familiar with Nigerian Continuity and Progress. They all told PREMIUM TIMES that the sparse information they have learnt about Nigerian Continuity and Progress came from the security agencies alarmist statements. I have not seen the document, Mike Ejiofor, a former director at the SSS, told PREMIUM TIMES. Citing national security, he declined further comments about why the document might not be in the public domain despite security agencies claim. Investigate it Multiple checks within security circles also failed to yield the document. The spokespersons for the police and Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Navy declined to make the document available, saying they do not have it and that all enquiries should be directed to the Defence Headquarters which first made claims to it or the SSS which followed suit a few days later. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Defence Headquarters spokesperson, did not return PREMIUM TIMES enquiries about the document between May 16 and 20. Although SSS spokesperson Peter Afunanya told PREMIUM TIMES the document existed, he declined to make it available. SSS Officials Please go and investigate it, Mr Afunanya said after being told that the document they claimed was in circulation had not been seen by anyone in public or security circle. PREMIUM TIMES also reached out repeatedly to Mr Mohammed about the document, but he declined comments. The information minister had said on Saturday that the government had credible evidence about those plotting a coup. The comments came a day after PREMIUM TIMES published concerns of national security experts about the danger in governments allegations of subversive tactics by the opposition. Abachas playbook? The elusive nature of the document which the military said was circulated had prompted allegations from both Mr Abubakar and civic groups that security agencies might be toeing a familiar path in their pursuit of opposition. President Buhari wants to replay the phantom coup saga of his now deceased mentor, who threw former President Olusegun Obasanjo in jail after falsely accusing him of treason to perpetuate himself in power, Mr Abubakar said when he pushed back against allegations of subversive plots on May 15. Advertisements In 1995, as he grew paranoid about his brutal junta, former military ruler Sani Abacha ordered the arrest of several opposition politicians and their alleged collaborators in the military. Between February 28 and March 1, 1995, Mr Abachas government cracked down on those who purportedly took part in the phantom coup plot to overthrow him. Mr Obasanjo, Musa YarAdua, a retired major-general, and Lawan Gwadabe, who was an active brigadier-general, were amongst dozens of influential persons taken into custody. On March 10, 1995, the government announced purported details of the could on national television, and subsequently charged the suspects for treason before a military tribunal. Virtually all those arrested were convicted and placed on death row. They were all later pardoned when Mr Abacha died of cardiac arrest, and a new interim government replaced him. Chidi Odinkalu, a former head of Nigerias human rights commission, said the security agencies put themselves in a fix when they claimed the document was circulated. former chairman, National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu They announced to the public that the document was circulated, yet the public did not see anything of such, Mr Odinkalu said. Well, Nigerians have a right to be shown the document that was purportedly circulated to them. Mr Odinkalu said security agencies exist to protect the people, and not necessarily a regime. This is not about the regime; it is about Nigerians and their democratic system of government, Mr Odinkalu said. If security agencies have that document that threatened to hijack the countrys democratic institutions, then they should not be hoarding it. Two officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) have been kidnapped. The two officials were kidnapped in Iwaraja, Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State, on Monday. The officials were identified as Bayegunmi and Abioye. The FRSC spokesperson, Bisi Kazeem, and the Osun State police spokesperson, Folasade Odoro, confirmed the kidnap to PREMIUM TIMES. Ms Odoro said efforts are on to rescue the victims. The officers belong to Akure unit. The wives also confirmed and they said the kidnappers are asking for ransom, Mr Kazeem said. Kidnapping for ransom is rampant across Nigeria including in Osun State. A professor at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, was recently released by kidnappers after ransom was reportedly paid. Three people were also kidnapped on Sunday in neighbouring Ekiti State. The kidnappers are demanding over N20 million as ransom. Three airlines have been approved by the Nigerian presidency for 2019 Hajj operations. They are Max Air Ltd, Medview Airlines Plc, and FlyNas of Saudi Arabia. During an Airlift Signing Agreement held Monday at the head office of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON ), in Abuja, the chairman of the commission, Abdullahi Muhammad, enjoined the approved air carriers to discharge their responsibilities diligently. He told them that they owe a moral responsibility to the pilgrims and to God to whom the pilgrims are special guests. He said they also owe a moral duty to the commission for selecting them. While declaring that there is no room for failure in the Hajj exercise, the NAHCON helmsman charged the airline operators to liaise with the necessary security agencies in ensuring safety and security of pilgrims. A statement by the spokesperson of NAHCON, Fatima Usara, said the airlines were reminded that intending pilgrims are international travellers who must therefore, be accorded same standard and quality service as any international client. The chairman reiterated that the desire of any pilgrim after the Hajj exercise is early return to the country along with their luggages and Zamzam water; hence they must not compromise on the standard set by the Commission on luggage dispatch, the statement said. It also said, the carriers were told to ensure that they scrutinise their staff to guarantee that only honest persons are assigned the task of dealing with pilgrims. Mr Muhammad also tasked them to review past operations and address observed lapses as a team. In his acceptance speech, the Chief Executive Officer of Medview Airlines, Munir Bankole, reportedly thanked the commission for finding them worthy. He also declared their commitment to the discharge of the task ahead of them, whose significance he said, they are well aware of. He prayed to God for a hitch free 2019 Hajj exercise. Present at the signing agreement are representatives of Medview Airline led by its CEO, Mr Bankole, representatives of Max Air, led by the CEO, Bashir Mangal, and representatives of FlyNas airline, Yasser Ajlan and others who flew in from Saudi Arabia. Max Air gets highest allocation Meanwhile, Max Air has been allocated 51 per cent slot for pilgrims airlift from Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Gombe , Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Taraba and Kogi states. Medview has been allocated 14 per cent to airlift pilgrims from Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Enugu, Kaduna, Ogun, Ondo, Yobe, Abia, Imo, Anambra, Bayelsa, Rivers and Armed Forces. Flynas is charged with the transportation of 35 per cent slot to airlift pilgrims from Sokoto, Oyo, Osun, FCT, Edo, Kebbi, Lagos and Zamfara states. Hong Kong: Edward Yau promotes HK in UK Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Edward Yau today continued his visit to London by attending a roundtable discussion at the Asia House. He encouraged British enterprises to leverage on Hong Kong's unique advantages to tap into the opportunities brought about by the Belt & Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development. At a breakfast meeting with members of the All Party Parliamentary China Group of the UK Parliament, Mr Yau updated the parliament members on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's efforts in forging free trade agreements with like-minded economies. He also noted Hong Kong has been blessed with a number of Mainland policies and arrangements, like the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, citing that a British telecom company was granted domestic telecom licences in China through the arrangement early this year. Before concluding his visit to London, Mr Yau paid a courtesy call on Acting Chinese Ambassador to the United Kingdom Chen Wen. He will next attend the Ministerial Council Meeting of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development and the World Trade Organization Informal Ministerial Gathering to be held in Paris from May 22 to 23. This story has been published on: 2019-05-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Its Arctic Blue Navy Strength Gin was last week announced as the winner of two categories best gin and best unaged white spirit at the International Spirits Competition in San Francisco, the United States. ARCTIC BRANDS GROUP , an alcoholic beverage producer based in Espoo, Finland, has continued to wow the judges of international spirits competitions. The International Spirits Competition is the United States largest competition for alcoholic beverages, drawing over 3,000 submissions from beverage manufacturers all over the world every year. The award-winning gin, which has an alcohol content of 58.5 per cent, will soon hit the shelves of liquor shops in Asia and the European Union, Mikko Spoof, one of the founders and the brand manager at Arctic Brands Group, told Kauppalehti on Sunday. Arctic Brands Group, however, believes it cannot launch the product at the same time domestically, as doing so would prohibit it from marketing the product in the EU. The National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) has prohibited the company from marketing its spirits online not only in Finland, but also in the EU and European Economic Area (EEA), arguing that the online ads could also be viewed by Finns. Its ruling is based on the fact that Finnish companies are prohibited from marketing strong spirits under the alcohol act of Finland. This means we wouldnt be able to market our product in any EU or EEA country, because Valvira wants to protect Finnish consumers from alcohol marketing, lamented Spoof. It feels like were in North Korea. Arctic Brands Group, he revealed, has begun looking for legal experts to make sense of the regulatory ambiguity. Weve received hundreds of encouraging messages from not only citizens, but also the brewing industry and politicians, he added. I refuse to accept that Valviras strict interpretation of the law denies our company growth in Finland. Arctic Brands Group has urged Valvira to re-interpret the law in a way that allows companies to market their products elsewhere in the EU and EEA at least in the event that their products are not sold in Finland. If Valvira continues to restrict the sales of the product, even if it isnt sold in the Finnish market, Ill have to propose to our board of directors that the company be moved elsewhere, said Spoof. He also underlined that the alcohol producer wants to continue to develop its products, pay its taxes and contribute to the employment situation in Finland as long as it is given a fair opportunity to do so. Itd be easier for us to take a ferry to Tallinn and move our head office there, but we dont want to do that, he stated to the commerce-oriented newspaper. The production is set to remain firmly in Ilomantsi, Eastern Finland. Arctic Brands Group recently invested considerably in ramping up the production capacity of its distillery from 100,000 to over 1,000,000 litres and is considering making another investment later this year to increase the capacity further to 45,000,000 litres. Aleksi Teivainen HT Source: Uusi Suomi The kidnappers of two officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have demanded N1 million ransom. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported how the FRSC officials, identified as Bayegunmi and Abioye, were kidnapped in Iwaraja, Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State, on Monday. The FRSC spokesperson, Bisi Kazeem, and the Osun State police spokesperson, Folasade Odoro, confirmed the kidnap to PREMIUM TIMES. Ms Odoro said efforts are on to rescue the victims. The officers belong to Akure unit. The wives also confirmed and they said the kidnappers are asking for ransom, Mr Kazeem earlier told PREMIUM TIMES. Mr Kazeem later provided more details of the kidnap in a short message. At about 1900hrs the Ondo State command of FRSC received information from lpetu-ljesha command that the highway police covering Ipetu-Iwaraja road sighted an abandoned vehicle ( Reg. no JJJ 171 AL ash colour pathfinder) suspected to belong to Acc Bayeigun(Acc M&E Ondo sector command). The police highway commander suspected incident of Kidnapping since they were just invited to the scene few minutes after the attack. The bush around the scene was combed by the police team but (they) could not trace the victims. As at the time of reporting, police could not ascertain the number of passengers in the vehicle. The DSS Osun & Ondo including police are working together to ensure rescue. The spokesman said the kidnappers are demanding N1 million ransom. Just now, the two spouses called sector commander to inform that the kidnappers are requesting for N1M and to be paid by 0900 hrs this morning, he wrote. Kidnapping for ransom is rampant across Nigeria including in Osun State. A professor at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, was recently released by kidnappers after ransom was reportedly paid. Three people were also kidnapped on Sunday in neighbouring Ekiti State. The kidnappers are demanding over N20 million as ransom. At least 27 Nigerians have been kidnapped from four states in the past 48 hours, amidst the growing insecurity across the country. Kidnapping for ransom has become one of the major security challenges facing Nigeria. Others include banditry, Boko Haram and ethnoreligious violence. The insecurity across the country persists despite the efforts of security agencies. Many Nigerians have also questioned the performance of the Muhammadu Buhari administration regarding security, especially as section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian constitution provides that the security and welfare of the citizens shall be the primary purpose of government. In this report, PREMIUM TIMES looks at series of kidnap incidents that have occurred in the last 48 hours in different states of the country. At least, 27 Nigerians have been abducted between Sunday and Tuesday morning. Attacks Edo Gunmen operating near Okada junction along the Benin-Lagos highway on Sunday killed Kelvin Izevbekhai, a lecturer at the Igbinedion University, Okada, in Edo State. The Edo State police commissioner, Mohammed DanMallam, confirmed the killing. He said the victim was killed when he attempted to escape from a bush the kidnappers took him to, alongside other passengers travelling in the same bus with the lecturer. While the police succeeded in rescuing four other passengers from the bush, none of the kidnappers was caught. Kaduna Also on Sunday, kidnappers stormed a remote village called Anguwan Kuli, along the border of Sabua local government in Katsina State and Birinin Gwari axis in Kaduna to abduct a pastor of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), and 14 others. The Kaduna police spokesperson, Yakubu Sabo, said the worshippers were accosted by the armed men on their way from a church service on Sunday morning. They took away the pastor, four men, and ten women, making them 15, the police said. The Chairman of Kaduna State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Joseph Hayab, on Monday said the abductors have reached out to the families of the victims demanding for N30 million ransom. Mr Hayab also said the kidnappers immediately switched off their phone after presenting their demand. Ekiti In Ekiti, two individuals reported to be twins, Kehinde and Taiwo Olowoafara, were kidnapped along Aramoko-Erio-Efon Alaaye Road in Ekiti State while they were travelling on Sunday. The abduction occurred the same day the General Secretary of the Alumni Association of Christ School, Ado Ekiti, Ayo Oladele, was kidnapped. The trio are yet to be rescued as at the time of filing this report. The state police spokesperson, Caleb Ikechukwu, said the police operatives were doing their best to rescue the abducted people. While the family of the twins said abductors of their children had already reached out, demanding N6 million each for the duo to be released, Mr Oladeles family said that the abductors were demanding N10 million for their son to be set free. Osun Two officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), identified as Bayegunmi and Abioye, were kidnapped in Iwaraja, Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State, on Monday. The FRSC spokesperson, Bisi Kazeem, told PREMIUM TIMES Tuesday that the kidnappers of two officials have demanded N1 million ransom to release the road safety officials. Hours after the kidnap of the FRSC officials, two villagers were abducted in a nearby village in Osun State. The head of hunters in Ibokun, Amusa Dunsin, and a woman identified as Tayo was kidnapped by unknown gunmen in Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State. Security Efforts In the past week, the police and other security agencies have announced the arrest of scores of suspected kidnappers and the rescue of dozens of victims. Advertisements Despite the efforts of the security agencies, however, the proliferation of arms by non-state actors, as well as the insufficient number of trained and equipped security personnel has contributed to the insecurity across the country. President Muhammadu Buhari was recently criticised by many Nigerians after he joked about the security situation in the country. Three Nigerians have been handed 40-year imprisonment by a United Kingdom court for attempting to supply firearms and illicit drugs, officials have said. In a statement published on the UK Metropolitan Police website on Monday, it said, the trio, Kennedy Udo, 29; Michael Mgbedike, 22 and Emmanuel Okubote, 27, were all convicted by Woolwich Crown Court for a combined 40 years. It said on Friday, May 17, at Woolwich Crown Court, Mr Udo of Avery Hill Road, Eltham, was sentenced to eight years and six months, having been found guilty of conspiracy to supply drugs and being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of goods. It said Mr Mgbedike, of Spur Road, Orpington, BR6 was sentenced to eight years, having been found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A drugs. Mr Okubote, of Evan Cook Close, Peckham, SE15, was earlier found guilty of conspiracy to supply firearms with intent to endanger life, conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life, conspiracy to supply class A drugs and possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life. He was sentenced to 23 and a half years imprisonment in November 2018. According to the statement, the sentences follow a proactive operation by the Trident and Area Crime Command, working with Border Force. Sarah Smart of Trident command said the arrest was a collaborative work between agencies, as well as between different departments and experts. This conviction demonstrates the close working partnership between Trident, Border Force and the Crown Prosecution Service in pursuit of the countrys most dangerous criminals. Emmanuel Okubote, along with Michael Mgbedike and Kennedy Udo were intent on importing loaded firearms and drugs through the UKs borders, bringing misery to the communities that we serve. The collaborative work between agencies, as well as between different departments and experts within the Met, has undoubtedly saved lives. This demonstrates that law enforcement agencies will relentlessly pursue those who carry and those who facilitate the movement of firearms and drugs into and within the UK. The Metropolitan Police Service, as well as other law enforcement agencies, are committed to making the UK a hostile environment for these criminals to operate, the police said. An apparently drunk Nigerian naval officer in uniform has been caught on video misbehaving in public. The short video, being circulated on some WhatsApp platforms, shows the officer sitting down on a bare floor and resting his back on a plastic sit, while a females voice is heard talking angrily at him. The officer kept gazing into the camera lens and intermittently making some inaudible sounds. He appeared helpless in the video. PREMIUM TIMES could not ascertain when and where the video was taken, and the circumstances surrounding it. But, going by the comment made by the voice in the video, the incident may have happened in Warri, Delta State. Mohammed, whats your problem? the womans voice is heard in the video, shouting at the drunk naval officer. The woman claimed she is the owner of the shop where the drunk officer is stuck. I am the owner of the store, why are you sleeping in my store? You piss (urinate) in my store. And you are in uniform. A Navy officer like you. You drink, you mess yourself up, you piss inside my store, and you are sleeping on the floor. You are supposed to be on duty, she kept shouting. The woman said the mans conduct was unbecoming of a military officer. She threatened to ensure the officer is sacked from the Nigerian navy. I will tell the federal government to pull your uniform today. You are sacked. The federal government will fire you. The officer, severely debilitated, could not hold on any longer; he crashed on the floor, exposing the stains on the backside of his navy blue trousers. That seemed to have angered the woman the more. You are a disgrace to (the) federal government. You are a disgrace to your family. The woman in the video suddenly changed the focus of her comment, as if she was now addressing those who may be viewing the drama in the video. You see, this is a naval officer. These are the people Nigeria is giving work to, and there are other people that needed the work, but they did not see the work. This is a disgrace to the federal government. Shame to Nigeria. Shame to you Mohammed M.I, a navy officer, Warri Command. When contacted on Tuesday, Suleman Jahun, the Nigerian navy spokesperson, simply told PREMIUM TIMES that the incident was being investigated by the navy. But a source in the defence headquarters, Abuja, who disclosed to this paper the naval authorities angst over the embarrassing video, said the drunk officer would be tried soon and punished in accordance with the service rules to serve as a deterrence to other officers. A book of essays in honour of frontline journalist, Dapo Olorunyomi, will be unveiled on Monday, May 27, at the Shehu YarAdua Centre, Abuja. Mr Olorunyomi, who was among the team that founded the hard-hitting TheNews/Tempo magazines in the 1990s, is the publisher of PREMIUM TIMES. The book, edited by Chido Onumah and Frederick Adetiba, has over 90 contributions from a spectrum of his teachers, colleagues, associates and mentees. The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, is expected to lead dignitaries to the event. Other special guests are the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, a former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, and veteran journalist and politician, Chris Anyanwu. Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, will deliver the keynote address while the publisher of Daily Trust, Kabiru Yusuf, will chair the occasion. The book of essays was conceived after Mr Olorunyomis 60th birthday in November 2017. Contributors to the volume include renowned academics, media executives, journalists, activists and politicians who offered insights into Mr Olorunyomis patriotism, courage, brilliance and acts of generosity through different phases of his life. Among the contributors are Bola Tinubu, Nuhu Ribadu, Rauf Aregbesola, Biodun Jeyifo, Ropo Sekoni, Umaru Pate, Lai Oso, Femi Falana, Dare Babarisa, Kunle Ajibade, Sola Olorunyomi, Tunde Akanni, Tobi Oluwatola, Kole Shettima, Jude Ilo and a host of others. The book has a foreword by celebrated poet and author, Odia Ofeimun, and will be reviewed by Chidi Odinkalu. Co-editor of the book, Chido Onumah, said the idea of the book was to document and celebrate the publisher as an accomplished journalist, and to underline the contributions of the media in the struggle for a better Nigeria. Cover page of Testimony to Courage. Dapo is a symbol of how through an independent media and vibrant civil society citizens can press for a better deal. The idea behind this book is to celebrate people while they are here with us. We feel that someone like Dapo who has sacrificed his all for us deserves to be honoured while alive. As readers will note in essay after essay, more than 90 persons came up with their individual testimonies about this man: his courage, integrity, dedication, selflessness and brilliance, Mr Onumah noted. He said beyond the launch, the editors and the publishers plan to make the book available throughout the country, and beyond. A federal high court in Abuja has arraigned a former Assistant Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Bridget Okafor, over an alleged N3 billion fraud and mismanagement of office. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Tony Orilade, said Mrs Okafor was charged before Justice Venchak Gaba of the FCT High Court, Kwali, on 13 counts bordering on abuse of office. According to one of the charges, Mrs Okafor, who was in charge of the Customs finance and revenue department, sometime in 2015 at Abuja headquarters, allegedly awarded a N90 million contract to a company, Erman Global Energy Engineering Nigeria Limited, a company in which her children are directors. The EFCC said her action was an offence punishable under section 12 of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences act, 2000. Court session According to the EFCC statement, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges. It said the counsel for the EFCC, Francis Jirbo, thereafter, asked the court for a date for the commencement of trial, in order to enable the prosecution to present its witnesses. The defence counsel, Efut Okoi, however, informed the court of a pending application before the court seeking bail for the defendant. Arguing the application for bail, Mr Okoi, said: The defendant has never been arraigned before any court for any alleged offence throughout her 35 years of service and she was also granted bail by the prosecution. She is a mother and a wife, hence she cannot jump bail. Mr Okoi, thus, prayed the court to grant the defendant bail on liberal terms. Responding, Mr Jirbo, said he had no case to challenge the affidavit, as she has been on bail by the commission and she always honours the Commissions invitation. Ruling Justice Gaba, thereafter, admitted her to bail in the sum of N5 million, with two sureties in like sum, who must be within the jurisdiction of the court, and who must be civil servants not below the Grade Level 14. She was also ordered to submit her international passport to the court registrar. The Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, on Tuesday, said the federal government has completed 134 of 157 projects initiated and executed in aviation industry between 2015 and 2019. Mr Sirika, a former senator, disclosed this while inaugurating some projects executed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), in Kano. He explained that some of the projects were inherited by President Muhammadu Buharis administration while majority were initiated and completed within four years by the administration. Out of these 157 projects, 134 had been completed 100 per cent, while some of them were inherited projects that we finished. Most of them were new projects that we started and completed by the grace of God 100 per cent; few of them are in excess of 50 per cent completion. We are in Kano today because in Kano we have done a lot. Few of them for example under NiMet, we have commissioned the regional office, which will serve the seven North Western states. Under AIB, we have also the office, which will also serve this zone and I think AIB has four offices in Lagos, Enugu, Abuja and Kano and we have inaugurated that of Kano. Also, on the part of the NAMA, we have inaugurated the DVOR, which is the Doppler Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Radio Range equipment, the Instrument Landing System equipment and the radios for communication. He explained that most of these things they do in aviation are not things that the passenger or traveling public can notice and see. According to him, they are remote and away from sight but they make aviation very safe and secure and also in addition very precise. The minister explained that the NAMA equipment were safety equipment that are critical to air transportation, adding that aviation was beyond terminal building. He also disclosed that the new international terminal under construction at the airport would be completed, saying the project has reached 90 per cent completion. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister inaugurated the new General Aviation Terminal at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport executed by FAAN. He also inaugurated the new Regional offices of AIB and NiMet for the Northwest as well as the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and communication equipment executed by NAMA at the airport. (NAN) Senate President Bukola Saraki, has reacted to the controversy over new requirements for accreditation of journalists intending to cover the National Assembly. Mr Saraki said he was never part of the decision that led to the new guidelines. The management of the National Assembly on Monday issued new guidelines for the accreditation of journalists covering the parliament. The stringent provisions allow television, independent producers and online media to present only one reporter for accreditation. Each of them could present another as cameraman or photographer. Radio stations are allowed to have only one reporter. They also set tough benchmarks on newspaper sales, internet audience, experience, tax clearance and others. The press statement conveying the message was signed by Agada Emmanuel, Director of Information. It stated the new rule would take effect from June 11. The policy has drawn wide condemnation from Nigerians who see it as a way to gag the press. Reacting through Olu Onemola, his Special Assistant on new media, Mr Saraki absolved himself and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara from the decision making that led to the guidelines. He promised to investigate the new guidelines while stating his commitment to press freedom. The attention of the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has just been drawn to a story that is circulating on social media about the National Assembly issuing new guidelines to journalists. These alleged guidelines have not emanated from either the Senate President or the Speaker, and will be promptly investigated. The public should note that the 8th National Assembly has been committed to the freedom of the press as exemplified by its work to bring governance closer to the people through live streams and live tweets. This is because the leadership of the 8th National Assembly believes strongly in the freedom of the press and in carrying the Nigerian public along. Hence, the Senate President and all his colleagues will continue to work to ensure that these freedoms remain unhindered, Mr Onemola said. On Monday, the management of Nigerias National Assembly issued a new guideline for accreditation of journalists covering the parliament. The new guideline allows television, independent producers and online media to present only one reporter for accreditation. Each of them could present another as cameraman or photographer. Radio stations are allowed to have only one reporter. The press statement conveying the message was signed by Agada Emmanuel, Director of Information. It stated the new rule would take effect from June 11. See full statement below: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY NEW GUIDELINES FOR THE ACCREDITATION OF MEDIA ORGANISATIONS, JOURNALISTS/ CORRESPONDENTS COVERING THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY 1.0 Number of journalists/correspondents to be accredited for prints, electronic and online media for Senate and House of Representatives respectively. 1.1 Television 1 Reporter and 1 Cameraman 1.2 Radio 1 Reporter 1.3 Independent Producers 1 Reporter and 1 Cameramen 1.4 Online Media 1 Reporter and 1 Photographer CLASSIFICATION OF ACCREDITATION 2.1 Permanent Accreditation 2.2 Temporary Accreditation 2.3 Foreign/international Media Houses 2.4 Freelance 3.0 REQUIREMENT FOR PERMANENT ACCREDITATION OF JOURNALISTS/CORRESPONDENTS FOR PRINT, ELECTRONIC AND ONLINE MEDIA ORGANISATIONS 3.1 Evidence of certificate of incorporation of the media organisation. 3.2 Evidence of membership of professional bodies for media organization. 3.3 Proof of membership of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) with registration number. 3.4 Code of certification from the National Library for the media organization. 3.5 Functional Bureau in Abuja (Staff Strength not less than 5 Editorial staff and daily circulation of 40,000 copies for the print media with evidence to support the claimed circulation figure. 3.6 Media Houses must be publishing daily and on weekend (Applicable to Online Media). 3.7 Re-certification form must be signed and endorsed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Media organization Bureau Chief, City Editor as the case may be. 3.8 The Media organization concerned must have experience of covering proceedings of the National Assembly for at least two (2) years before applying for permanent accreditation. 3.9 All media organization will submit a copy of its income tax return for the last two years. Advertisements 3.10 All online media must have at least 5000 viewership per day, the site must have been in operation for 5 years and provide satisfactory evidence to this effect with clippings of the news utilized (especially parliamentary news). 3.11 Only television stations with national coverage and specific independent producers with current running programme on the National Assembly will be allowed access into the Chambers on a permanent basis (All the production crew will be accredited as entity). 3.12 All correspondents must attach photocopy of letter of appointment of the media organization on whose behalf request has been received for grant of accreditation. 3.13 All freelance journalist seeking permanent accreditation must show evidence of not less than 5 years coverage of the National Assembly proceedings/full editorial focus and publication on parliamentary reportage. 4.0 It is only Journalists and correspondence whose media organisations meet the above requirements for Permanent accreditation that will be entitled to carry National Assembly Identity Card/Membership of the respective Press Corp Mics used to illustrate journalists. 5.0 All other media organization who do not meet the above requirement will be captured under the Temporary accreditation status and they will not be entitled to carry National Assembly Identity Card/Membership of the Press Corp of the Senate and House of Representatives. 6.0 All Temporary accredited media houses, journalists/correspondents shall be allowed permit into the National Assembly for specific coverage not exceeding one (1) week in the first instance and not more than twice in a month. 7.0 All foreign/international media houses seeking accreditation shall abide by all the Diplomatic Protocols established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for foreign media organizations, the Code of Ethics for Nigerian Journalists and security clearance before accreditation will be considered upon the recommendation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 8.0 All permanently accredited journalists/correspondents shall submit a recertification letter from the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of their media organization on a sessional basis failure to which accreditation shall be withdrawn forthwith. 9.0 All accredited media organization will be considered as a single entity in the issuance of passes irrespective of their membership of Senate and House of Representatives Press Corp. 10.0 This new accreditation guidelines shall come into effect from June 11 2019. Two former aides of Adebayo Shittu on Tuesday dragged the Communications minister before the National Industrial Court (NIC) in Abuja for allegedly owing them N21.5 million in salaries and allowances. The plaintiffs are the former Personal Assistant to the minister, Razaq Olubodun, and Special Assistant on Media, Victor Oluwadamilare. In their separate suits filed by their counsel, Adewale Lawal, the two prayed the court to order the minister to pay them the claim. Mr Olubodun, in his suit numbered NICN/Abj/132/2019, is seeking to recover N9.8 million from Mr Shittu, being his salaries and allowances for 24 months. He said the federal government paid the money to the minister alongside his salaries. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that more than seven aides of the Minister have resigned due to issues bordering on nonpayment of salaries and allowances. Mr Olubodun had also resigned over the salaries issue. Mr Oluwadamilare in his suit, NICN/Abj/133/2019, is claiming N11.7million, being his alleged outstanding salaries and allowances for 28 months. He had also resigned over the dispute. The two former aides are seeking a declaration of the court that the non-payment of full salaries and allowances for those periods was wrongful, illegal and unconstitutional. They urged the court to order the minister to pay them according to the Federal Government directive for payment of aides to the Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The claimants are asking for an order on the defendant to pay N50million to each of them and to also pay them their full taxed costs of the prosecution of the suits. They averred that by their letters of appointments as PA and SA respectively, they were informed that their monthly emolument would be in line with the existing practice for paying PA and SA to Hon. Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Though the claimants noted that the above-stated fact was indicated in the paragraph 3 of their letters of appointments dated 23rd Nov. 2015, the defendant tried to make the salaries and allowances of PA and SA to Hon. Minister to look like his own personal affairs. The defendant tried to indicate this by an Internal Memo, seven months after the claimants appointments. While Mr Olubodun claimed to have received just N1m all through his period of service from the Minister, Mr Oluwadamilare said he was paid thrice to the tune of N2.3million in his 28 months of service under the Minister. The claimants said a circular from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) dated July 27, 1999, indicated in paragraph 1a that the salaries of PAs and SAs to the Ministers are Grade Levels 12 and 16, step 4 respectively. They accused the minister of applying intimidation, harassment, draconian and Machiavellian approach and threats to take them to court, to ensure they are frustrated. The claimants said they had been subjected to sufferings, ridicule, and untold hardship as a result of the denial of their rights by the minister. No date has been fixed for hearing of the case in which the two claimants presented 35 and 40 statements of facts, respectively. Efforts to reach the minister on Tuesday were unsuccessful as he did not pick calls to his known telephone lines. The police in Abuja on Tuesday said they will block some major roads in the federal capital as part of security measures near the venue of the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal on Wednesday. The tribunal has been sitting at the Court of Appeal Headquarters between the Federal Secretariat and the Three Arms Zone. On Wednesday, it will hold the first substantive sitting on the petition filed by Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party against the Independent National Electoral Commission and President Muhammadu Buhari. Mr Abubakar had filed an application seeking to compel the president of the Court of Appeal, Zainab Bulkachuwa, to recuse herself from the five-member tribunal. Mr Abubakar cited Mrs Bulkachuwas marriage to a senior member of the ruling All Progressives Congress. The jurists husband, Mohammed Bulkachuwa, emerged a senator-elect in February in Bauchi State, after winning the partys primaries amidst allegations of fraud. In anticipation of the crowd that may besiege the court on Wednesday morning, the police said there will be diversion of traffic by Goodluck Ebele Way and Shehu Shagari Way. The police apologised to those who have businesses on those routes, but urged them to find alternatives because the advisory was a necessary security measure. The federal government said it would provide over N10 million grant and mentorship programmes to some young Nigerian entrepreneurs to help kick start their businesses. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, said this at the National Youth Entrepreneurship Empowerment Summit (NYEES) on Tuesday in Abuja. The Summit was organised by the federal government as part of events to herald the swearing in of President Muhammadu Buhari and the celebration of Democrasy Day on May 29. Mr Mustapha restated that the Buhari- led administration was committed to ensuring provision of entrepreneurial capacity for the average Nigerian. He said that NYEES was designed to encourage and give back to the Nigerian youth in the celebration of the presidential inauguration and also our Democracy Day. He said the initiative was carefully crafted to encourage young entrepreneurs and create an enabling environment where they could showcase their innovation, varied products and services. It is also aimed at providing a platform for interface with top government officials responsible for youth intervention programmes. You will hear from selected experts that have excelled in the art of mastering their talents for profit and those that have benefited from government initiatives to set up small businesses. Ten amongst you who have submitted business proposals will go home with N1 million each courtesy of the federal government and 12 months personal mentorship programmes courtesy of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF). Another 10 will win 12 months mentorship programme only in the areas of skills acquisition and the best eight will win the sum of N200,000 each, courtesy the federal government. This is to help kick start their businesses and we can assure you that the selection process will absolutely be transparent, the SGF said. Mr Mustapha said the challenge most people faced was lack of sufficient knowledge and skills to drive successful businesses. He said a significant number, who had the knowledge and skills often lacked the financial capacity to translate their entrepreneurial skills to reality. The SGF said the summit, however, was targeted at ensuring all participants were equipped with the knowledge required for business success. He said NYEES would offer skill base training sessions to enable participants move toward productivity and also empower deserving youths with some funding to take their businesses to the next level. While we may not be able to provide funding for every young deserving Nigerian, I am confident that more initiatives will be implemented by this administration so more young Nigerians can benefit as well. Mr Mustapha then commended the stakeholders and partners who made the event possible, giving special commendation to the TEF, JimiTewe Company and the event planners. He expressed optimism that the summit would provide yet another milestone in the success story for Public Private Partnership (PPP) for the nations development. He also urged the participants to pay the price of diligence to be able to benefit from the programme. Also speaking, a representative of the TEF, Muyo Olisa, said entrepreneurship was the driving force for all nations. Mr Olisa urged the participants to make the best of the opportunity that had been presented to them to showcase their talents, grow their businesses and make the nation better. According to her, there is no set ways to run a business as every business is uniquely different and a persons measure of success is different from the other. About 80 per cent of jobs created are created by SMEs like yourself, so strive to create impact because it is not just all about money, you also need financial understanding. Advertisements Take advantage of every opportunity you have and remember that the key to unlocking Africas prosperity is in your hands. Some of the participants who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) expressed gratitude to the federal government for including youth in this years celebration of Democracy Day. While expressing optimism that they would win the sum, they urged for more initiatives that would further enlighten the youth on how to make wealth for themselves. (NAN) Acknowledged.Well received, thanks.Mail received. A 46-year-old businessman, Tochi Michael, has dragged the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Muhammad, before an FCT High Court over alleged age falsification. In the originating summon with suit No. FCT/HC/BW/CV/79/2019, filed before the court in April, the petitioner alleged that the CJN deliberately falsified his date of birth. Mr Michael alleged that the CJN falsified his date of birth from December 31, 1950 as contained in all his official records including that of WAEC to December 31, 1953 upon his appointment as a judicial officer. The petitioner in the originating summon is praying the court to determine whether such act of the CJN does not constitute a criminal act of perjury, falsification and forgery. Mr Michael in the originating summon also prayed the court to determine whether by falsifying his date of birth from December 31, 1950 to December 31, 1953 upon being appointed to Nigeria Bench as a judicial officer he has not breach the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The petitioner is also praying the court to determine whether Mr Muhammad has not breached the Code of Conduct for judicial officers and consequently brought the image of Nigeria Judiciary to a state of disrepute and odium. The petitioner in his reliefs is praying the court for a declaration that the defendant falsified his date of birth and that the defendant has desecrated the breach of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN). He is also praying for an order directing the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to prosecute the defendant for the offence of perjury and an order which the court may deem it fit. Counsel to the CJN, Sam Ologunorisa, SAN, informed the court that the plaintiff and his counsel were not in the court. Mr Ologunorisa told the court that it seems the plaintiff and his counsel were running away from the suit they filed, stressing that the court should do the needful in the interest of justice. We on our part filed a notice of preliminary objection, a counter affidavit and a written address. We urge the court to deem it fit that the originating summon has been argued. We have to look at exhibit III of the originating summon. We urge the court to dismiss the suit. The case is meant to scandalise the CJN, he argued. Ruling on the prayers, the judge, Danlami Senchi, of the court said another opportunity would be given to the petitioner to appear in the court to prove the allegation. Mr Senchi adjourned the matter until Friday. He ordered that hearing notices be served on the petitioner. (NAN) The Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Ahmed Idris, on Tuesday said the federal government shared N616.19 billion as revenue generated in April to the three tiers of government. The amount showed a decrease of about N1.37 billion from what was shared in March. Mr Idris, represented by the Director of Funds, Office of the AGF, Mohammed Usman, said this at a news conference at the end of the monthly Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting in Abuja. Giving a breakdown of the revenue accrued in April, Idris said the mineral revenue increased by N56.8 billion, moving from N308.44 billion in March to N365.24 billion in April. In addition, he said the non-mineral revenue increased by N15.46 billion, that is from N138.2 billion in March to N153.66 billion in April. The gross statutory revenue of N518.91 billion received for the month is higher than the N446.64 billion received in the previous month by N72.26 billion. Revenues from Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), import duty and Companies Income Tax recorded significant increases while Oil Royalty and Export duty decreased substantially. Value Added Tax also increased marginally from N88.49 billion in March to N92.72 billion in April, he said. In summary, Mr Idris said the federal government received N239.65 billion, States got N121.55 billion and local governments received N93.71 billion. In addition, N46.25 billion, representing 13 per cent of the mineral revenue was shared to oil producing states. Mr Idris said as at May 21, the money left in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) was $144 million. (NAN) The Adamawa State Police Command on Monday detained a vulture and its owner. The Commissioner of Police, Adamu Madaki, said the arrest of the vulture and its owner in Maiha followed a complaint against them by a man in Maiha. Mr Madaki said the man complained that the detained woman had brought a vulture and this portends an evil omen. The complainant reportedly said the last time someone brought three vultures into Maiha, the area was, a few days later, invaded by insurgents. Mr Madaki said since the community seemed to be disturbed by the presence of the vulture, he advised the man to lodge a complaint with the Divisional Police Officer in Maiha. This, he said eventually led to the arrest of the duo. He said the police were used to such types of complaints and had no option than to investigate to ascertain its credibility. So, we want to ascertain what the vulture is meant for, Mr Madaki said. Abstract-Benefiting states have been urged to take ownership of the projects and ensure that security of water infrastructure was made a top priority. The Ministry of Water Resources says it is now ready for the handover of nine Centre Pivot Irrigation Systems to Sokoto Rima River Basin Authority for agriculture development. The benefiting states of Kebbi and Zamfara are to receive six and three units respectively, to improve agricultural practice in line with the federal governments Economic Recovery and Growth Plan. The Director, Irrigation and Drainage with the ministry, Elijah Aderibigbe, told the News Agency of Nigeria that this was also part of activities to deliver agricultural transformation and promote food security in the country. He said irrigation practice was the mainstay of agriculture development, noting that Nigeria could not rely solely on rain-fed agriculture if it would meet its policy thrust of economic development. He, however, added that other benefits of irrigated agriculture included the value chain addition through marketing and transportation in food production. The contractor handling the project has given us notice to handover all six units in Kebbi State, under the Sokoto Rima River Basin, and three units in Zamfara, which makes them nine units. By next week, additional two will be ready, which will significantly help our beneficiaries to use them for food production and food security in the country. He said with the provision of funds from the National Resources Development Fund and budgetary allocations, the project had been completed and ready for handover to the beneficiary river basin. According to him, on completion of projects, contractors were given their certificates and paid, adding that some incurred debts by the ministry had also been cleared. He said with the security challenge in some states, vandalisation of some irrigation infrastructure had occurred, with some persons carting away tyres, iron parts, among others. He called on benefiting states to take ownership of the projects and ensure that security of water infrastructure was made a top priority. According to him, participatory irrigation concept will help to promote sustainability of the projects. Mr Aderibigbe urged the river basins to speedily build perimeter fences to protect the infrastructure, urging state government and communities to protect such systems. He said the National Committee on Irrigation was working to harmonise all action plans to reposition irrigation practice in the country, saying this would also be a way to promote food security. We are planning to hold a National Irrigation forum to brainstorm with irrigation professionals to chart a way forward for irrigation development in Nigeria. He called for peace building to enable farmers cultivate and contribute their quota to national development, saying with continued insecurity, nothing would be achieved. The director expressed appreciation to the President Muhammadu Buhari for repositioning the Water Resources sector He called for the reappointment of Suleiman Adamu as the minister. President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to name a new cabinet after his inauguration for a second term on May 29. Some of the outgoing ministers may be retained while new ones will also be named. I am not a politician, but I can say that the minister has not shown eye service, but has been very committed to repositioning the sector, he has also put sustainability plans in place, Mr Aderibigbe said. Over the years, many different irrigation techniques and methods have been developed to accommodate changing environments. Age-old surface irrigation still continues to be popular based on its simplicity and cost effectiveness but as technologies are changing, mechanised irrigation systems are becoming more and more appealing to producers, hence the Center Pivot Irrigation System. Advertisements Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, said the rebuilding of the ravaged parts of the North-east will be intensified in the upcoming months. Mr Osinbajo was in Maiduguri on a one-day official visit. His visit came barely three weeks after President Muhammadu Buhari visited the state. Mr Osinbajo, during the visit, commissioned some projects done by the outgoing governor of Borno, Kashim Shettima. Mr Osinbajo inaugurated newly built roads, schools and hospitals around Maiduguri. He also inspected the ultramodern school for orphans which he earlier donated to the state. The VP also paid homage visit to the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Garbai El-kanemi, where he assured the monarch of the federal governments support. He commended the outgoing governor for being able to achieve a lot despite the security challenges facing the state. I am here principally to commission projects that were done under the administration of governor Kashim, who has done extremely well as I have even heard, His Eminence, the Shehu of Borno say, Mr Osinbajo said. There are so many different projects to be commissioned; as a matter of fact, we had to review some of the itinerary to beat time, otherwise we would have been here commissioning projects till May 29. But I think it is really a credit to the people of Borno for the governor is known for standing for the cause of humanity; and it is a sound testimony that he has done so much and has distinguished himself in so many different ways. The governor has completely taken to heart the problem and challenges of Borno. Shettima, has in many ways, demonstrated the kind of commitment that we want to see in our leaders. The Vice President called on the governor-elect of Borno, Babagana Umara, to build on Mr Shettimas legacies. The president, Muhammadu Buhari, has frequently commented on the good fortune of the people of Borno to have a governor like this at this time of challenges of the state, he said. I am sure his worthy successor, the govermor-elect will not only take on from where he has stopped, but do even better. He said the federal government would intensify the rebuilding of the region which has been rocked by insurgency for the past few years. More Assurances I also want to assure His Eminence that the concerns of rebuilding the North-east remain at the front role of the important challenge that we have as a government and we want to assure you that it remains at the front burner of the federal government agenda. Recently the President signed into law the North-east Development Commission Act. So we now have a law that will be the vehicle that will drive the development and rehabilitation of the Norht-east. And we hope that with the kind of commitment of those that have been appointed to run the affairs of the NEDC, we are bound to see a great deal of improvement, Mr Osinbajo said. Mr Shettima had earlier commended the Vice President for his uncommon love for the state, especially his donation of a school for children orphaned by Boko Haram. Tug of war Meanwhile, there was a mild drama at the palace of the Shehu of Borno when reporters covering the visit of the Vice President engaged in fisticuff with security aides attached to Mr Osinbajo. Trouble started when some security aides of the VP prevented about 20 reporters from going into the palace to cover the proceedings. Advertisements Angered by this, the reporters struggled with the security operatives, mostly from the State Security Service. The situation almost went out of control when an armed SSS officer threatened a female correspondent of a TV station. A senior SSS official later waded in and appealed to the reporters, who then kept calm. The Managing Director of Jigawa Water Board, Zayyan Rabiu, on Monday said that the state government has released N192 million for the improvement of water supply in Dutse metropolis. Mr Rabiu who disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse, said that the aim was to ensure constant flow of clean water to all houses in the state capital in line with the priorities of the state government. The managing director explained that areas that do not have water in the town will be connected in the new water improvement project. He advised the residents not to wastewater and help safeguard water generating plants and other installations from vandals. (NAN) The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Usani, on Tuesday, inaugurated 40 units of two-bedroom and three-bedroom housing estate at Ikpiri Ikang, Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State. During the inauguration, Mr Usani said the intention of the government was to accommodate those who were deprived such as widows and some of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in Bakassi LGA. He said the government was building the estate in order to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor because it was actually concerned about the welfare of the poor in the society. A man without accommodation is like a mad man and will never be able to effectively plan his life. The government understands this, and by providing social interventions such as housing, it is also intervening in household economies, he said. The minister, however, expressed displeasure that most of the beneficiaries of the apartments were either not from Bakassi LGA or not the deprived that the government built the estate for. Some of the people whose names are on the list of beneficiaries are not supposed to be occupants of these houses. The reason for building this estate is because the government is trying to achieve housing for all. We are going to work with the paramount ruler to get the real people who should occupy these houses. We are also going to give plots of land in the estate to the people who have been securing it and the community leaders will be given plots too, he said. In his remark, the paramount ruler of Bakassi, Etim Edet, said the estate was just a palliative measure. According to the monarch, the people are still crying out to the Federal Government to properly resettle those who were forcefully ejected from their real homes due to the ceding of Bakassi to Cameroon. He, however, thanked the government for the gesture, adding that it would go a long way in helping many displaced persons from Bakassi. Aminu Bisalla, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, who was represented by Lauren Braid, noted that building the estate was one of the ministrys mandates in ensuring good housing in the Niger Delta. Mr Bisalla said, housing has a multiplier effect on the social economic welfare of a people and it is one of the central needs of man. He advised the people of Ikpiri Ikang community to see the estate as their own and continue to secure it. (NAN) The Delta State Government on Tuesday approved the payment of salary arrears to local government workers and primary school teachers in the state. The Commissioner for Information, Patrick Ukah, made this known at a news briefing at the end of valedictory State Executive Council meeting in Asaba, the state capital. Mr Ukah said approval was given for the payment of the old minimum wage arrears owed primary school teachers from April 2011 to June 2012. He said the council also approved the award of contract for construction and furnishing of 10-unit, five-bedroom and two-bedroom semi-detached bungalows at Okerenkoko, Warri South Local Government Area by Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC). DESOPADEC will also award contract for the construction of healthcare centre with doctors quarters at Utonila in Warri North. The council gave approval for the construction of Olobe-Bobi-Orubu-Orere concrete walkway using dry cast cement (phase II) in Warri South West LGA, he said. Mr Ukah also said government had approved the appointment of Ayegherese Otidi as the Odion-Ologbo of Okpolo Enhwe Kingdom in Isoko South. The Commissioner for Finance, David Edevbie, who also briefed journalists, said the state government had never violated the laws in relation with local government finances. He disclosed that between 2011 and 2012, the government gave N348 million to local governments as grant. In 2015, government gave the local governments N3.26 billion as loan which was converted to grant. Government releases 10 per cent of its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) monthly to the local governments, Mr Edevbie said. (NAN) Barely 24 hours after two officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were kidnapped in Osun State, two villagers have been abducted in the southwest state. The victims are the head of hunters in Ibokun town, Amusa Dunsin, and a woman identified as Tayo. PREMIUM TIMES gathered the incident occurred on Monday evening in Obokun Local Government Area of the state. Our correspondent learnt that the victims were ambushed and abducted by unidentified gunmen while travelling between Esa Odo and Ilare. When contacted, the states police spokesperson, Folashade Odoro, confirmed the kidnap to PREMIUM TIMES. She told our correspondent that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area informed her about the incident. Two FRSC officials were kidnapped in Iwaraja, Oriade local government area of the state, on Monday. The kidnappers demanded a N1 million ransom on Tuesday morning. Two students of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso on Tuesday lost their lives in a road accident in Ogbomoso. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that five students were involved in the accident along Aroje Road, opposite Bovas Petroleum station, Ogbomoso. The victims were 400-level students. They were reported to have died on the spot of the accident. The injured were receiving treatments at an undisclosed hospital as at the time of filing this report Tuesday afternoon. The institution, while confirming the death of the students, described it as devastating. The Vice-Chancellor, Michael Ologunde, prayed to God to give the entire university community the fortitude to bear the loss. In a statement on Tuesday, Mr Ologunde said that he was personally involved in the rescuing efforts at the accident scene. Professor Ologunde, who was personally involved in efforts at recovering the remains of the dead students, prayed that the Lord repose their souls and grant their parents and the entire University community the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss, the statement by the university said. He has also directed that the university ambulance be deployed to the scene to convey their remains, ordering functionaries to abandon whatever other duties to ensure that the corpses are recovered for necessary steps ahead of their burial. The Chief Judge of Oyo State, Munta Abimbola, on Tuesday freed 51 inmates at the Agodi Prisons in Ibadan. The inmates, who were awaiting trial, were chosen out of the 205 considered. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that inmates released included some under-aged persons, those charged with minor offences or spent more than the number of years stipulated for the offences allegedly committed and those with health challenges. Among those released were three girls, 10 teenagers aged between 14 and 17 years and an 86-year-old man. Speaking during the exercise, Mr Abimbola said the monitoring committee on Criminal Justice Law were not in the prison to arbitrarily release inmates who were awaiting trial. He said the body had a duty to ensure that criminals were not let loose on the society in the task of protecting the rights of the defendants and the victims. A total of 1,041 inmates are awaiting trial in Agodi prisons and no doubt the prison is congested and it is our responsibility to decongest the prison. There is timeline in prosecution of criminal cases and Administration of Criminal Justice Law stipulates that the trial of the defendant must commence within 30 days of arraignment and completed within 180 days. The responsibilities of the committee is to ensure that criminal matters are speedy dealt with to decongest the prisons and the courts, he said. Earlier, the Controller of Prisons in Oyo State, Akinrujomu Tosin, said the command was relieved that the chief judge was in the prison to exercise his constitutional duty. Mr Tosin said the Agodi Prison in Ibadan has the capacity to accommodate 390 inmates although it currently has 1,226 inmates. The controller, who expressed displeasure on the issue of under-aged persons being remanded in the prison, said his command was doing its best to ensure there was no epidemic or break down of law and order in the facility. (NAN) I found this really cool program called Global Leadership Adventures, she said. Last Christmas, Broskys parents surprised her with a two-week trip to the village of Moshi in Tanzania, where she, along with 36 other students from across the country, taught English at a primary school. After school was out for the day, they helped to refurbish the classrooms. We really got to see what poor conditions the kids learn in, Brosky said. That really hit home for me, really upset me and broke my heart. When she returned to Brigantine this summer, Brosky said, she was overwhelmed by the experience and decided she wanted to continue to help. Somehow, some way, youre going to keep up this work, Broksy said she told herself. Not only did helping out those less fortunate make Brosky feel good, but she said she saw the excitement in the students. Their appreciation really made me appreciate my education because I take it for granted, we all do, Brosky said. Any time you do enough training and you can see it pay off (and) get rewarded for all the hard work you put into the dogs, its always a bonus, Gaeckle said. Galloways German shepherd Colt and his handler, Patrolman Brent Lopez, passed but did not place this year. It was fun. Its a tough competition. Theres not much room for error, Winneberger said. Theres 50 dogs there that are near-perfect. So its whoever has the best day on the big stage. Among the states represented at the competition were New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Florida, Iowa, North Carolina and Minnesota. About 10 dogs competed from New Jersey. Galloway and Ventnors K-9s trained at Purdy Collision off the White Horse Pike in Galloway, finding drugs hidden by their handlers in junker cars and ambulances. When they got a hit, their favorite toy was tossed in the air above them. The dogs work in tandem with their human counterparts, who follow behind them holding their leash. They do building searches as well. The judges evaluate the dogs search pattern, consistency, the handlers movements and the find, Winneberger said during the run-up to the competition. PLEASE BE ADVISED: Soon we will no longer integrate with Facebook for story comments. The commenting option is not going away, however, readers will need to register for a FREE site account to continue sharing their thoughts and feedback on stories. If you already have an account (i.e. current subscribers, posting in obituary guestbooks, for submitting community events), you may use that login, otherwise, you will be prompted to create a new account. EGG HARBOR CITY A 13-year-old boy was hit by cars while riding his bike Friday night and airlifted to a hospital, police said. The boy was hit near Philadelphia Avenue and Route 30 about 8:20 p.m., Sgt. Marcella Aylwin said. "The initial impact I believe was in the crosswalk on the west side of the intersection," Aylwin said. On her way home from work at South Jersey Gas, Nancy Watkins, 49, of Waterford Township, Camden County, saw the accident take place. She said the car ran the boy over. "He wasn't moving. He had no movement at all," Watkins said. "His shoes were off. The bicycle was sitting on the curb, no seat, no nothing." Gabrielle Majias, 18, of Egg Harbor City, said she noticed first responders and bystanders gathered around Philadelphia Avenue between Dunkin Donuts and Leatherhead Pub. It was so devastating, especially seeing his brother and their friends cry, she said. The boy is in "stable, critical condition" at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, Aylwin said. The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office, Hamilton Township police and Galloway Township police are assisting in the investigation, Aylwin said. The need for better community and police relations is one of the points stressed in special counsel Jim Johnsons 2018 report, which outlines recommendations for the city to move toward regaining local control of its finances and operations. Few things make as much of a difference in the community and to a community as seeing the cop on the beat, Johnson said. Feeling safe in their neighborhoods and knowing that community leaders are working with the top brass to identify issues before they become problems, to work on problems before they become crises and when crises come, to commit to working on them together. Community policing pays enormous dividends when it is done well, he said. It can result in crime prevention, it can reassure people that the neighborhood is safe and they are being looked out after, Johnson said. It can keep youth on the right path by identifying issues early on in life and working with community and with parents and with caregivers to identify solutions. It can promote communication and with communication, trust between police and the community members they serve. Interested in being a Coop observer? The National Weather Service is looking for people in Cape May, Cumberland and Ocean counties to collect weather information. "We're looking for someone who can make a long-term commitment. The process goes through me. We'll vet the location to make sure it's ideal for long-term observations," said Chris Stachelski, observation program leader for the Eastern Regional Headquarters of the National Weather Service in Bohemia, New York. Those interested can contact Valerie Meola at phi.coop@noaa.gov. According to 2018 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, Hispanics and Latinos make up 28.3% of the citys population. Johnson said community members, including the Hispanic Association of Atlantic County, will facilitate communication. He said the intention is for the meeting to be conducted almost entirely in Spanish. We want to make it so that when people come, theyre comfortable, Johnson said. The Executive Council on Tuesday also received updates on the progress of second-quarter initiatives and projects outlined in the states Implementation Plan. Mike Epps, executive director of the city Initiatives Project Office, said nearly 75% of the 38 projects are either complete or progressing significantly. The city is developing a new Master Plan, which should be completed by the end of the summer. Other projects, such as creation of the Neighborhood Coordination Officer program and mandatory ethics training for city employees, have been completed. For the first time out, for the first quarter after the Implementation Plan (was introduced in April), I think thats a pretty good number, he said. 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. "We're still in the first stages of 3D printing, but we've already seen a reduction of costs in the applications that we found by 70-90% and also a decrease of delivery time of these applications of 70-90%," said Isabelle Haenen, Global Supply Chain Procurement at Heineken. "Local manufacturing helps us a lot in increasing uptime, efficiency and output. We use 3D printing to optimize the manufacturing line, create safety and quality control tools, and create tools for our machines which that help us to reduce change over time. I think there will be even more purposes in the future." The Sevilla brewery produces several brands of Heineken-owned beers, with production capacity of up to 500 million liters of beer per year. The engineers at Heineken have been utilizing 3D printing for about one year, first using the Ultimaker 2+ and now multiple Ultimaker S5 printers, a larger, enterprise-ready machine. The 3D printing technology was first used for safety applications, but the engineers quickly learned time and cost can be saved by printing custom optimized functional parts for machines on the manufacturing line. The variety of use cases now include: Applications to increase the uptime of our production line Heineken 3D prints functional parts for its machines. Printing the spare parts impacts costs as well as time availability of the parts. Heineken 3D prints functional parts for its machines. Printing the spare parts impacts costs as well as time availability of the parts. Optimizing part designs The team was able to replace various redesigned parts with an optimized design. For example, a metal part used with the quality sensor on the conveyor belt would often knock bottles over, creating a blockage, or eject good bottles onto the ground. The redesigned 3D printed part prevents this, saving bottles, cost, and time. The team was able to replace various redesigned parts with an optimized design. For example, a metal part used with the quality sensor on the conveyor belt would often knock bottles over, creating a blockage, or eject good bottles onto the ground. The redesigned 3D printed part prevents this, saving bottles, cost, and time. Tools for quality control and maintenance Heineken has also created completely new tools that make it easier to perform maintenance or check the quality of products or machines. These tools help prevent machines from not working correctly or breaking down. Heineken has also created completely new tools that make it easier to perform maintenance or check the quality of products or machines. These tools help prevent machines from not working correctly or breaking down. Solutions to increase operator safety Employee safety has the highest priority within Heineken. In order to keep employees as safe as possible, Heineken has designed and implemented the use of parts and tools to prevent accidents. For example, improved locking mechanisms for machines so they cannot start to operate during maintenance. "Every company has its own unique challenges in the production process, which is why the ability to create custom solutions straight from the factory floor is such a game-changer for the manufacturing industry," said Jos Burger, CEO of Ultimaker. "Heineken is a prime example of a company that's utilizing the Ultimaker S5 as an all-purpose manufacturing machine. We have enjoyed watching the use case evolve over the past year, from safety applications to the creation of fully functional parts for machines that lead to significant savings, and we cannot wait to see what they come up with next." For additional information on Heineken's use of Ultimaker and to watch the full case study video, please visit ultimaker.com About Ultimaker Since 2011, Ultimaker has built an open and easy-to-use solution of 3D printers, software, and materials that enable professional designers and engineers to innovate every day. Today, Ultimaker is the market leader in desktop 3D printing. From offices in the Netherlands, New York, Boston, and Singapore plus production facilities in Europe and the US its global team of over 400 employees work together to accelerate the world's transition to local, digital manufacturing. ultimaker.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/890395/Ultimaker.jpg SOURCE Ultimaker KANSAS CITY, Mo., May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Global asset management firm American Century Investments today announced it has filed for exemptive relief for actively managed, semi-transparent exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that will utilize Precidian Investments' ActiveShares methodology. The structure will allow American Century to deliver its time-tested actively-managed investment strategies in these ETF vehicles without the daily holdings disclosure requirement of fully transparent ETFs. "We're pleased that we'll be able to offer our clients another way to access our time-tested investment expertise with the tax advantages inherent in ETFs," said Edward Rosenberg, senior vice president and head of ETFs for American Century. American Century joined JP Morgan Asset Management, BlackRock, Capital Research, Legg Mason, ClearBridge, Royce and Nationwide in licensing Precidian's intellectual property. Precidian's ActiveShares structure seeks to combine the most beneficial aspects of the traditional mutual fund with the efficiencies and flexibilities of an ETF. Precidian's patented ETF structure seeks to provide asset managers with the ability to generate excess return without daily disclosure of their proprietary strategies while simultaneously creating significant improvements in tax efficiency, manager flexibility and lower operating costs. The funds will be incorporated into American Century's suite of ETFs. Other offerings include American Century Diversified Corporate Bond ETF (KORP), American Century Quality Diversified International ETF (QINT), American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Growth ETF (QGRO), American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Value ETF (VALQ) and American Century Diversified Municipal Bond ETF (TAXF). STOXX is a registered trademark of STOXX Ltd. All of the firm's ETFs feature institutional-quality management that draws on the American Century's fundamental and quantitative expertise. American Century Investments is a leading global asset manager focused on delivering investment results and building long-term client relationships while supporting research that can improve human health and save lives. Founded in 1958, American Century Investments' 1,300 employees serve financial professionals, institutions, corporations and individual investors from offices in New York; London; Hong Kong; Sydney; Mountain View, Calif.; and Kansas City, Mo. Jonathan S. Thomas is president and chief executive officer, and Victor Zhang serves as chief investment officer. Delivering investment results to clients enables American Century Investments to distribute over 40 percent of its dividends to the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, a 500-person, non-profit basic biomedical research organization. The Institute owns more than 40 percent of American Century Investments and has received dividend payments of $1.5 billion since 2000. For more information about American Century Investments, visit www.americancentury.com. There is no guarantee the investment strategy will be successful. Investing involves risk including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Exchange Traded Funds (ETF) are bought and sold through exchange trading at market price (not NAV), and are not individually redeemed from the fund. Shares may trade at a premium or discount to their NAV in the secondary market. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns. You should consider the fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before you invest. The fund's prospectus or summary prospectus, which can be obtained by visiting americancentury.com, contains this and other information about the fund, and should be read carefully before investing. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Foreside Fund Services, Distributor, not affiliated with American Century Investment Services, Inc. 2019 American Century Proprietary Holdings, Inc. Contact: Laura Kouri (816) 340-4710 Media Line (816) 340-7033 SOURCE American Century Investments Related Links http://www.americancentury.com OKLAHOMA CITY, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- CANNAPAGES Directory and Digest announces the launch of their Greater Oklahoma City and Tulsa edition. It is the latest bi-monthly launch for the publication, now a household name for hundreds of thousands of readers who rely on its up-to-date listings for the cannabis industry and related business, including Hemp and CBD. Among the first companies to offer a platform for cannabis couponing back in 2010, the publication now prints over 10 million coupons every issue. CANNAPAGES Directory and Digest launches in the OKC/Tulsa area to provide a rapidly growing patient population with listings, humor, information and coupons. A family-owned company with grassroots beginnings, CANNAPAGES has been on the forefront of cannabis-based marketing strategies levied on research conducted by founders Nathan and Micah Johnson, while working as GM's for busy Denver dispensaries. Proprietary software and process automation have allowed the team to remain small while scaling an effective product that reaches a street-level readership of an estimated 450,000 cannabis users. The company launched in January 2010 as an online community directory and graphics agency. After four years of branding, development and partnerships with other magazines, the first standalone CANNAPAGES hit newsstands in 2014 with the advent of recreational cannabis dispensaries. It now ranks fourth largest among local industry publications, with editions in Denver/Boulder, Southern Colorado, Oregon's Willamette Valley, and Phoenix/Tucson preceding the Oklahoma launch. The new market was selected for its unprecedented growth in patient population, as well as a quickly mobilizing force of growers and proprietors. Oklahoma voters approved medical marijuana in June 2018, and the state has issued more than 1,400 dispensary licenses since. "The Oklahoma cannabis program has shown remarkable growth in very little time, and we're excited to join the local community," said CANNAPAGES CEO Nathan Johnson. A "throwback" to older times, CANNAPAGES was designed with the look and feel of a village newspaper, based on the brothers' upbringing in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. While most recognized as the world's first printed directory for local cannabis and hemp, readers also love the offbeat humor and beautiful glossy macro-photography sections spotlighting the best locally available products. Each area's cannabis listings--whether medical and recreational--can also be found online, along with businesses from across the country. Media Contact: Dillon Rice (800) 699-8169 [email protected] Related Images cannapages-oklahoma-city-tulsa.jpg CANNAPAGES - Oklahoma City/Tulsa Inaugural Edition, May 2019 CANNAPAGES Directory and Digest launches in the OKC/Tulsa area to provide a rapidly growing patient population with listings, humor, information and coupons. cannapages-directory-and-digest.png CANNAPAGES Directory and Digest Connecting the Cannabis Community since 2010 SOURCE CANNAPAGES BARCELONA, Spain, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Barcelona The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), which sustains and integrates open source technologies like Kubernetes and Prometheus, today announced that Intuit Inc., the makers of TurboTax, QuickBooks and Mint, has won the CNCF End User Award in recognition of its contributions to the cloud native ecosystem. Intuit is an active user, contributor and developer of open source technologies. As a part of its journey to the public cloud, Intuit has advanced the way it leverages cloud native technologies in production, including CNCF projects like Kubernetes and OPA . "Intuit is an engaged member of the CNCF End User Community and very deserving of this award," said Cheryl Hung, Director of Ecosystem at Cloud Native Computing Foundation. "From its leading community meetups, speaking at cloud native events, contributing educational blog posts, Intuit is very open about sharing its best practices and lessons learned using cloud native technologies. We're impressed by Intuit's continued commitment to the community, and are pleased to present them with this award." Intuit acquired Applatix in 2018, and with it, the open source Argo project, a widely used workflow engine and a continuous deployment Kubernetes tool. The Intuit Developer Platform group has continued to drive the project, which consists of Argo Workflows , a container native workflow engine; Argo CD , a declarative continuous deployment solution; Argo Events , an event-based dependency manager; and Argo Rollouts , a deployment strategy controller. Additionally, in the past year, Intuit has operationalized more than a hundred Kubernetes clusters that run more than 500 services in production and pre-production across multiple business units. As a part of the deployment, Intuit solved many common issues for teams deploying Kubernetes and related technologies, and shared their solutions to the larger Kubernetes community in order to increase developer productivity. Jeff Brewer, the technical lead for this integration, was also selected to join the CNCF Technical Oversight Committee (TOC) as an End User TOC representative . "It is such an honor to receive the CNCF End User Award, recognizing our commitment and contributions to the cloud native community," said Jeff Brewer, Vice President, Chief Architect of the Small Business and Self Employed Group at Intuit. "We've undergone several transformations as a company, from the desktop to the web to the cloud and now to AI and ML, and each of these transformations require us to move faster with increased speed of innovation. Through Kubernetes and other cloud native tools, we are able to deploy code faster than we ever have been able to. I'm excited to see how these tools help us to not only better serve our developer community, but also our customers overall as we work to power their prosperity." Intuit is one of more than 87 organizations in the CNCF End User Community , which meets regularly to share adoption best practices and feedback on project roadmaps and future projects for CNCF technical leaders to consider. Additional Resources About Cloud Native Computing Foundation Cloud native computing uses an open source software stack to deploy applications as microservices, packaging each part into its own container, and dynamically orchestrating those containers to optimize resource utilization. The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) hosts critical components of cloud native software stacks, including Kubernetes and Prometheus. CNCF serves as the neutral home for collaboration and brings together the industry's top developers, end users and vendors including the world's largest public cloud and enterprise software companies as well as dozens of innovative startups. CNCF is part of The Linux Foundation, a nonprofit organization. For more information about CNCF, please visit www.cncf.io. The Linux Foundation has registered trademarks and uses trademarks. For a list of trademarks of The Linux Foundation, please see our trademark usage page: https://www.linuxfoundation.org/trademark-usage. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. Media Contact Natasha Woods The Linux Foundation [email protected] SOURCE Cloud Native Computing Foundation Related Links https://www.cncf.io SEATTLE, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- First Sound Bank (OTCBB:FSWA) today announced that Dave Huguenin has joined the bank as Senior Vice President and Business Development Officer. Huguenin brings over 45 years of experience to First Sound Bank, having most recently served as Senior Consultant of Commercial Lending at The Bank of Washington. Prior to his time at The Bank of Washington Huguenin founded two banks in Bellevue, Washington. In 2000 Huguenin founded Foundation Bank growing the start-up community bank to over $240 million in assets. Then in 2008 he formed Core Business Bank which was later acquired by Puget Sound Bank. Huguenin is a native Washingtonian and a graduate of both the University of Washington as well as the Pacific Coast Banking School. In announcing Huguenin's hiring, First Sound Bank President & CEO Marty Steele said, "We are very fortunate to have a banker of Dave's stature join us at First Sound Bank. Dave is one of the most well-known bankers in the Puget Sound market, and his previous leadership efforts have created substantial shareholder value for several community banks. He was a trusted colleague of mine at The Bank of Washington, and I know he will have a significant impact here at First Sound Bank." About First Sound Bank Seattle-based First Sound Bank offers customized banking for small- to medium-sized businesses, organizations, not-for-profits and professionals in the Puget Sound region. The bank is committed to delivering personalized service, convenient access, and competitive rates to support the needs of the business community. First Sound Bank offers online banking at www.firstsoundbank.com and an expansive array of cash management services, as well as ATM banking throughout the country and abroad. Contact: Marty Steele President and CEO (206) 515-2004 SOURCE First Sound Bank Related Links http://www.firstsoundbank.com NEWTON, Mass., May 20, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Examity today announced that it has been recognized as the 7th fastest-growing company in Massachusetts by the Boston Business Journal's annual Fast 50 list. This is the second straight year of recognition for the company, which provides an AI enabled learning validation and online proctoring solution for higher education institutions, employers, and certification providers. Examity doubled in size over the past year, and recently secured $90 million from Boston-based private equity firm Great Hill Partners. "Colleges and employers are no longer asking whether they should implement online learning -- they're asking how they can do it in ways that preserve the integrity of the educational experience," said Michael London, Founder and CEO of Examity. "Our work is about validating learning outcomes as a growing number of organizations turn to online exams to make high-quality education more accessible." Examity's continued growth reflects the rising demand for secure online assessment solutions, as digital learning becomes increasingly popular among both higher education institutions and employers. Recent research suggests that more than one-third of all college students take at least one course online , and nine in 10 employers offer digital learning to meet the needs of workers who value the flexibility and personalization of online programs. Examity's solution is unique in that it provides a variety of proctoring modalities, from automated through to live, for a diverse cross-section of partners, including Boston University, Amazon, Western Governors University, Indiana University, and Coursera. The company's proprietary technology leverages AI and machine learning to protect exam content, ensure test integrity, and streamline the online assessment experience. Examity has grown by 542% since 2015, and was recognized last year by Deloitte's Fast 500 as the fastest-growing Edtech company in North America. Since January, the company has welcomed 15 new team members to its recently opened Newton, MA office, and plans to hire as many as 75 more employees by the end of 2019. About Examity Examity was founded to meet the needs of colleges, employers, and certification providers looking to ensure integrity. Since its founding six years ago, Examity has partnered with 500+ institutions and certification programs worldwide to provide a cost-effective and flexible online proctoring and learning validation solution. For more information, visit Examity.com or follow the company on Twitter @examity. SOURCE Examity WASHINGTON, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Existing-home sales saw a minor decline in April, continuing March's drop in sales, according to the National Association of Realtors. Two of the four major U.S. regions saw a slight dip in sales, while the West saw growth and the Midwest essentially bore no changes last month. April 2019 Existing Home Sales Infographic NAR Chief Economist, Lawrence Yun (PRNewsfoto/National Association of Realtors) Total existing-home sales1, https://www.nar.realtor/existing-home-sales, completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, fell 0.4% from March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.19 million in April. Total sales are down 4.4% from a year ago (5.43 million in April 2018). Lawrence Yun, NAR's chief economist, said he is not overly concerned about the 0.4% dip in sales and expects moderate growth very soon. "First, we are seeing historically low mortgage rates combined with a pent-up demand to buy, so buyers will look to take advantage of these conditions," he said. "Also, job creation is improving, causing wage growth to align with home price growth, which helps affordability and will help spur more home sales." The median existing-home price2 for all housing types in April was $267,300, up 3.6% from April 2018 ($257,900). April's price increase marks the 86th straight month of year-over-year gains. Total housing inventory3 at the end of April increased to 1.83 million, up from 1.67 million existing homes available for sale in March and a 1.7% increase from 1.80 million a year ago. Unsold inventory is at a 4.2-month supply at the current sales pace, up from 3.8 months in March and up from 4.0 months in April 2018. "We see that the inventory totals have steadily improved, and will provide more choices for those looking to buy a home," Yun said. He notes that sellers have to realize that price growth has moderated. "When placing their home on the market, home sellers need to be very realistic and aware of the current conditions." Properties remained on the market for an average of 24 days in April, down from 36 days in March and down from 26 days a year ago. Fifty-three percent of homes sold in April were on the market for less than a month. Yun says that college student debt continues to hinder millennial homebuyers. "Given the record high job openings in the construction sector, some may want to take a gap year to work there and save, and thereby lessen the student debt burden." Realtor.com's Market Hotness Index, measuring time-on-the-market data and listing views per property, revealed that the hottest metro areas in April were Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Mass.; Lafayette-West Lafayette, Ind.; Spokane-Spokane Valley, Wash.; Columbus, Ohio; and Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, Calif. According to Freddie Mac, the average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage decreased to 4.14% in April from 4.27% in March. The average commitment rate across all of 2018 was 4.54%. "I think the market had a bit of a slow start in the Fall, but Realtors all over the country have been telling me that April was a nice rebound. We're hopeful and expect that this will continue heading into the summer," said NAR President John Smaby, a second-generation Realtor from Edina, Minnesota and broker at Edina Realty. "Homes over the last month sold quickly, which is not only a win-win for buyers and sellers, but it's also great for the real estate industry." First-time buyers were responsible for 32% of sales in April, down from the 33% reported last month and one year ago. NAR's 2018 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers released in late 20184 revealed that the annual share of first-time buyers was 33%. All-cash sales accounted for 20% of transactions in April, down from March and a year ago (21% in both cases). Individual investors, who account for many cash sales, purchased 16% of homes in April, down from March's 18%, but up from a year ago (14%). Distressed sales5 foreclosures and short sales represented 3% of sales in April, equal to the 3% in March and down from 4% in April 2018. One percent of April 2019 sales were short sales. Single-family and Condo/Co-op Sales Single-family home sales sat at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.62 million in April, down from 4.67 million in March and down 4.0% from 4.81 million a year ago. The median existing single-family home price was $269,300 in April, up 3.7% from April 2018. Existing condominium and co-op sales were recorded at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 570,000 units in April, up 5.6% from the prior month and down 8.1% from a year ago. The median existing condo price was $251,000 in April, which is up 3.4% from a year ago. Regional Breakdown April existing-home sales numbers in the Northeast decreased 4.5% to an annual rate of 640,000, 4.5% below a year ago. The median price in the Northeast was $277,700, up 0.9% from April 2018. In the Midwest, existing-home sales saw relatively no percentage change from the month prior, as the annual rate remained 1.17 million, which is 7.9% below April 2018 levels. The median price in the Midwest was $210,500, an increase of 5.5% from a year ago. Existing-home sales in the South modestly dropped 0.4% to an annual rate of 2.27 million in April, down 1.7% from a year ago. The median price in the South was $236,800, up 4.4% from a year ago. Existing-home sales in the West grew 1.8% to an annual rate of 1.11 million in April, 5.9% below a year ago. The median price in the West was $395,100, up 1.3% from April 2018. The National Association of Realtors is America's largest trade association, representing more than 1.3 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries. NOTE: For local information, please contact the local association of Realtors for data from local multiple listing services. Local MLS data is the most accurate source of sales and price information in specific areas, although there may be differences in reporting methodology. 1Existing-home sales, which include single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, are based on transaction closings from Multiple Listing Services. Changes in sales trends outside of MLSs are not captured in the monthly series. NAR rebenchmarks home sales periodically using other sources to assess overall home sales trends, including sales not reported by MLSs. Existing-home sales, based on closings, differ from the U.S. Census Bureau's series on new single-family home sales, which are based on contracts or the acceptance of a deposit. Because of these differences, it is not uncommon for each series to move in different directions in the same month. In addition, existing-home sales, which account for more than 90% of total home sales, are based on a much larger data sample about 40% of multiple listing service data each month and typically are not subject to large prior-month revisions. The annual rate for a particular month represents what the total number of actual sales for a year would be if the relative pace for that month were maintained for 12 consecutive months. Seasonally adjusted annual rates are used in reporting monthly data to factor out seasonal variations in resale activity. For example, home sales volume is normally higher in the summer than in the winter, primarily because of differences in the weather and family buying patterns. However, seasonal factors cannot compensate for abnormal weather patterns. Single-family data collection began monthly in 1968, while condo data collection began quarterly in 1981; the series were combined in 1999 when monthly collection of condo data began. Prior to this period, single-family homes accounted for more than nine out of 10 purchases. Historic comparisons for total home sales prior to 1999 are based on monthly single-family sales, combined with the corresponding quarterly sales rate for condos. 2The median price is where half sold for more and half sold for less; medians are more typical of market conditions than average prices, which are skewed higher by a relatively small share of upper-end transactions. The only valid comparisons for median prices are with the same period a year earlier due to seasonality in buying patterns. Month-to-month comparisons do not compensate for seasonal changes, especially for the timing of family buying patterns. Changes in the composition of sales can distort median price data. Year-ago median and mean prices sometimes are revised in an automated process if additional data is received. The national median condo/co-op price often is higher than the median single-family home price because condos are concentrated in higher-cost housing markets. However, in a given area, single-family homes typically sell for more than condos as seen in NAR's quarterly metro area price reports. 3Total inventory and month's supply data are available back through 1999, while single-family inventory and month's supply are available back to 1982 (prior to 1999, single-family sales accounted for more than 90% of transactions and condos were measured only on a quarterly basis). 4Survey results represent owner-occupants and differ from separately reported monthly findings from NAR's RealtorsConfidence Index, which include all types of buyers. Investors are under-represented in the annual study because survey questionnaires are mailed to the addresses of the property purchased and generally are not returned by absentee owners. Results include both new and existing homes. 5Distressed sales (foreclosures and short sales), days on market, first-time buyers, all-cash transactions and investors are from a monthly survey for the NAR's Realtors Confidence Index, posted at nar.realtor. NOTE: NAR's Pending Home Sales Index for April is scheduled for release on May 30, and Existing-Home Sales for May will be released June 21; release times are 10:00 a.m. ET. Information about NAR is available at www.nar.realtor. This and other news releases are posted in the newsroom under the "About NAR" tab. Statistical data in this release, as well as other tables and surveys, are posted in the "Research and Statistics" tab. SOURCE National Association of Realtors Related Links http://www.realtor.org ARLINGTON, Va., May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Bloomberg Law today announced the availability of an expanded suite of Practical Guidance resources which includes overviews, checklists, and sample forms and filings that walk attorneys through the legal and logistical issues related to initiating and defending litigation. The new Practical Guidance is complemented by a new Litigation Resources page, which organizes the key research tools and reference materials needed for daily practice, including statutes of limitations, jury instructions, court rules, laws, and regulations. For more information and to request a demo, please visit http://onb-law.com/WQQy50ukZoX. Together, the new content helps litigators quickly identify relevant legal issues and facilitates the execution of litigation tasks. It is fully integrated with the wealth of litigation tools available on Bloomberg Law, including Points of Law, Smart Code, and the Dockets database. "This content was developed based on input from a number of our clients on how we could help them expedite the research process," said Alex Butler, vice president of content and analysis, Bloomberg Law. "Our new Practical Guidance will benefit litigation practice groups by increasing their efficiency and enabling associates to reduce their non-billable time. The new content is another milestone in the expansion of litigation resources on Bloomberg Law and is part of our commitment to our clients to provide them the most robust mix of content, analysis, and technology available." As with all enhancements to the Bloomberg Law platform, this new Litigation Practical Guidance and the accompanying Litigation Resources expansion are available to Bloomberg Law subscribers at no additional cost. About Bloomberg Law Bloomberg Law helps legal professionals provide world-class counsel with access to actionable legal intelligence in a business context. Bloomberg Law delivers a unique combination of practical guidance, comprehensive primary and secondary source material, trusted and exclusive content, news, time-saving practice tools, market data and business intelligence. For more information, visit https://pro.bloomberglaw.com/. SOURCE Bloomberg Law Related Links https://pro.bloomberglaw.com DUBLIN, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Medical Tourism Market - Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities, Trends, and Forecast up to 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Global Medical Tourism Market will grow at a CAGR of 16.1% during the forecast period 2019-2025 The global medical tourism market witnessed flat growth in the past few years but sustained due to the high cost of medical treatment in developed countries such as US and UK in fact, most of the outbound medical tourists are from North America and Europe. The industry-specific parameters that are driving the global medical tourism market are primarily the increasing healthcare related costs in the patient's country of origin, lack of insurance and healthcare coverage, lower cost of medical treatment in destination countries, availability of highly trained, skilled, and qualified specialists in the countries providing services, and increasing costs of long-term care in developed countries. With respect to mega trends or macro factors fueling the growth of the global medical tourism market are the population growth, urbanization, and easy access to popular medical tourism destinations. The certified and accredited infrastructure to provide the products and services related to the medical tourism industry is increasing rapidly in the regions (such as LATAM and Asia Pacific) providing services to the medical tourists. Though more support from government agencies and organizations and strategic marketing initiatives are needed to grow medical tourism in the developing countries. Industry partnerships with global medical travel agents, logistic suppliers, hotels, and hospitals have facilitated in offering packaged facilities. For example, Apollo has collaborated with American International Medical University (AIMU) for emerging medical tourism plans in the regions like the Bahamas and St Lucia. While looking for a favourable medical destination most of the medical tourists virtually visit several JCI-accredited hospitals providing amenities and exceptional atmosphere for treatment and healing period after a lengthy period of enduring surgical procedures. The growth of the elderly population is also one of the major factors driving the medical tourism market because of the need for high-quality long-term care. The growing lifestyle-related disorders and incidence of cancers are increasing rapidly globally, with high treatment costs cancer treatment is also driving the growth of medical tourism globally. Telemedicine is also increasingly used in facilitating medical tourism. As the various technology barricades have wrecked down, patients and medical staff can discuss data and apprehensions previously and subsequently after surgery. By Therapeutic Class: Dentistry Cosmetic Cardiovascular Orthopaedic In vitro Fertilization Oncology Others The cosmetic segment occupied the largest share in 2018. Over 21 million cosmetic surgeries are being performed every year across the world. Breast augmentation followed by liposuction are the two major cosmetic surgeries performed across the globe. By Region: North America Europe APAC RoW Asia Pacific is dominant in the global medical tourism market in 2018. The significant share of the Asia Pacific region comes from India, Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia due to the availability of quality healthcare facilities at a comparatively less cost. Medical Tourism Market Research Competitive Analysis Countries like India, Thailand, and Singapore in the APAC region are at the forefront of the market. Not to be left behind other nations of Asia such as Malaysia and Philippines, the South American and Eastern European countries are also emerging as favourable medical tourism destinations particularly for near shore countries and base locations with shorter journey time. Another substantial reason for medical tourism is the accessibility to the most recent and technologically radical procedures of treatment. For example, the method of Cyberknife robotic surgery used for diagnosis and the treatment of various cancer types. Tomotherapy, the newest radiotherapy apparatus which is currently present in very few state-of-the-art facilities hospitals in South Korea, which is an evolving centre for medical tourism. Key Vendors: Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited Asian Heart Institute Fortis Healthcare Limited KPJ Healthcare Berhad Bumrungrad International Hospital Key Competitive Facts Bumrungrad International Hospital in Thailand and Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd. in India are the top hospitals and Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd. in are the top hospitals Focus is on the swift implementation and distribution of technical innovation which is helping the countries to provide better care In 2017 around 2.4 million individuals visited Thailand to seek medical care due to the low cost and decent quality of the medical facilities Market Characteristics Evolution Market Dynamics Drivers High cost of medical treatment in developed countries Insurance business Long waiting list in countries like US and UK Restraints Complications epidemic outbreak Medical record transfer issues and post-procedure complications Opportunities Support from government agencies and organizations Strategic marketing Vendors Profiles Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited Fortis Healthcare Limited Asian Heart Institute KPJ Healthcare Berhad Bumrungrad Hospital Public Company Limited Companies to Watch for Prince Court Medical Centre Seoul National University Hospital Hospital Clemenceau Medical Center (CMC) Samitivej PLC Bangkok Chain Hospital PLC For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/qhxzhe 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 HYDERABAD, India, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Pharma 4.0, an operating model for pharmaceutical factories and supply chains is based on Industry 4.0 capabilities, digital maturity, and data integrity by design. It focuses on technology, integration, work force and quality control. It is fueled by developments in big data, interconnectivity, collaborative robotics, artificial intelligence and distributed cloud service-based architectures. Digitalization is enabling the change across the organization and along the value chain network. With Pharma 4.0, virtual value chain relies on seamless, real-time data exchange and not on paper filing. Continuous, real-time monitoring of manufacturing processes is possible through Pharma 4.0 thus eradicating any drift away from specified parameters. It enables prediction and rectification before anything turns into a deviation, avoiding the associated down time and loss of product. To access / purchase the full report browse the link below https://industryarc.com/Report/18544/industry-4-market.html Pharma 4.0 is aimed at reducing pharmaceutical manufacturing problems by increasing quality and productivity coupled with decreasing risk and waste. Companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Vertex, Glatt, GSK, Lonza and Pfizer has been seamlessly working on implementation of Pharma 4.0 and has been successful in gaining approvals form regulatory bodies and reap benefits. Considering Pharma 4.0 of strategic value and creating a corporate culture to nurture its growth is of prime importance for companies to succeed with Pharma 4.0 implementation. The cost of fitting out a pharmaceutical manufacturing site according to Pharma 4.0 principles is high, however the results may quickly offset the cost by increasing the productivity and reduction of down time and waste. Recently, ViforPharma Group and its partner company Goodly Innovations were awarded the 2018 Pharma 4.0 Award for the innovation of the year in manufacturing execution systems in the pharma industry. ViforPharma was the first company to pilot a dynamic team-based augmented reality system in a pilot project at its site. Drug development is another area where Pharma 4.0 can be implemented. Most of the data in this area is in unstructured form and thus Pharma 4.0 can enable speeding up and the connection of unstructured data. Get a quote for full report on Industry 4.0 market from one of our sales representatives https://industryarc.com/reports/request-quote?id=18544 Predictive Analysis plays key role in Pharma 4.0 owing to the monitoring capabilities today throughout the production cycle. However the amount of stored data which is in unstructured, dispersed, incomplete form acts as a barrier. Difficulty in predicting what skills industry will require in coming years to run the analytics, is another key factor impacting the Pharma 4.0 adoption. As Pharma 4.0 involves connecting thousands of individual devices such as sensors, actuators and networks, security acts as another concern. Thus investments in skilled security staff will lead to reap the benefits of Pharma 4.0 and mitigate the security risks for the companies. Pharma 4.0 has given manufacturing intelligence a new meaning and is set to facilitate generational change in manufacturing. It is providing the ability to move from reactive to predictive and from strict to adaptive process control. This is creating "smart" manufacturing and is adding flexibility to physical processes involved. With the continuous and cautious testing, Pharma 4.0 concept is gaining momentum. FDA has been actively encouraging the pharma industry to catch up with other industries with regards to the adoption of the Industry 4.0. Along with the big pharmaceutical companies, small and medium companies can also reap the benefits of Pharma 4.0 and thereby become advance manufacturers. As data integrity expectations for regulators increase, demand for more flexible manufacturing, personalized medicine, smaller batch sizes and continuous manufacturing grows, pharmaceutical companies needs to focus on climbing the steep part of the adoption curve in order to make digital manufacturing plant a reality. To know more about our capability in Industry 4.0 market and consulting follow the link below https://industryarc.com/pdfdownload.php?id=18544 Any other custom requirements can be discussed with our team, drop an e-mail to [email protected] to discuss more about our consulting services. About IndustryARC: IndustryARC primarily focuses on Cutting Edge Technologies and Newer Applications market research. Our Custom Research Services are designed to provide insights on the constant flux in the global supply-demand gap of markets. Our strong team of analysts enables us to meet the client research needs at a rapid speed, with a variety of options for your business. We look forward to support the client to be able to better address their customer needs, stay ahead in the market, become the top competitor and get real-time recommendations on business strategies and deals. Contact us to find out how we can help you today. Media Contact: Mr. Venkat Reddy Sales Manager Email: [email protected] Contact Sales: +1-614-588-8538 (Ext-101) SOURCE IndustryARC DALLAS, May 20, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Dallas-based lawyer Stephen Andrew Kennedy of Kennedy Law, P.C. announced today that the Firm is representing Joel Fitzgerald, Sr., Ph.D., in an employment matter adverse to the City of Fort Worth. Mr. Kennedy confirms that, on May 20, 2019, Dr. Fitzgerald was terminated by the City of Fort Worth from his position as Chief of Police. The Firm is submitting a formal letter to the City Attorney seeking an administrative appeal of the decision to terminate Dr. Fitzgerald. "I am looking forward to representing Dr. Fitzgerald in this matter," Kennedy said. "We will issue additional statements as this matter develops," he said. Kennedy Law, P.C is a business litigation boutique with nearly 32 years' experience in trying business cases in Texas and throughout the United States. Kennedy Law represents prominent clients in business litigation and intellectual property disputes. SOURCE Kennedy Law P.C. Related Links https://www.saklaw.net CHICAGO, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Landmarks Illinois is excited to announce it has accepted a proposal from the Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD) in Brooklyn, New York, to take possession of the iconic former Ebony Test Kitchen and prominently feature it in its anticipated national exhibition, African/American: Making the Nation's Table. The exhibition, for which MOFAD is currently fundraising, will be dedicated to celebrating the impact African Americans have had on American cuisine. Landmarks Illinois believes it will provide an appropriate venue where the Ebony Test Kitchen's unique story and historic significance can be shared with a large audience. MOFAD's proposal was one Landmarks Illinois received from interested parties and organizations during its request for proposal period that ended May 1, 2019. Following a review of proposals in early May by Landmarks Illinois staff and an advisory panel of professionals, Landmarks Illinois selected MOFAD's proposal for the kitchen for long-term use in its future exhibit. Landmarks Illinois and MOFAD now enter a negotiation period for a use agreement and to establish benchmarks and expectations to move the disassembled kitchen into MOFAD's care. "MOFAD's impressive proposal included in-depth detail of how the kitchen would be preserved and cared for as it travels around the country in the coming years," said Lisa DiChiera, Landmarks Illinois Director of Advocacy. "Landmarks Illinois is excited to move forward with MOFAD as a partner as we collectively ensure this crucial fixture of Black entrepreneurship, cuisine and culture is activated and venerated." MOFAD's exhibition team is led by renowned author Dr. Jessica B. Harris. She is supported by a committee of advisors that includes Questlove, Michael Twitty, Carla Hall and Marcus Samuelsson. "For many African Americans who lived in the second half of the 20th century, Ebony was a touchstone that inspired, informed and defined," said Dr. Harris. "It would not be hyperbole to say that the magazine had a large part in forming the aspirations of more than two generations of African Americans. It is difficult to overstate its importance." African/American is targeted to debut in 2020, but the timeline and touring schedule will be dependent on MOFAD's fundraising progress. "We are now seeking leadership gifts to produce African/American with the kitchen as its centerpiece," said Peter J. Kim, MOFAD Executive Director. "We look forward to connecting with individuals and companies that are interested in sharing the story of this historical treasure with millions of people around the country." The Ebony Test Kitchen was previously housed in the Johnson Publishing Company Building, designed by John Warren Moutoussamy and a designated Chicago Landmark. The kitchen was designed in 1971 by Palm Springs-based interior designers William Raiser and Arthur Elrod and used for decades by Ebony Magazine food editors to test recipes that would appear in the popular publication. To ensure its preservation, Landmarks Illinois acquired the test kitchen in the spring of 2018 for $1, documented, dissembled and safely put it into storage following the sale of the building to a developer that planned to convert it into residential space. Landmarks Illinois sought proposals beginning in February 2019 from those interested in providing a future home where the test kitchen could be publically displayed for use or for educational purposes. Earlier this year, Landmarks Illinois spoke to former Ebony Food Editors Charla Draper and Charlotte Lyons to hear their experiences working in the test kitchen, which featured bold colors and psychedelic patterns. Charlotte Lyons, who worked as a food editor at Ebony Magazine for 25 years, also serves as an advisor of the upcoming MOFAD exhibition. "Ebony Magazine was always on the coffee table at my house growing up," said Lyons. "In its pages, I saw a larger world. It was my great honor to be the food editor of that publication and to create 25 years' worth of one-of-a-kind meals in a one-of-a-kind kitchen." To learn more about MOFAD and to donate to its fundraising campaign for the acquisition of the test kitchen and future exhibit, visit mofad.org. About Landmarks Illinois Landmarks Illinois is a membership-based nonprofit organization serving the people of Illinois. We inspire and empower stakeholders to save places that matter to them by providing free guidance, practical and financial resources and access to strategic partnerships. For more information, visit www.Landmarks.org. Media Contacts: Kaitlyn McAvoy Communications Manager, Landmarks Illinois 312-922-1742 [email protected] SOURCE Landmarks Illinois Related Links http://www.landmarks.org During the event, GM recognized 133 of its best suppliers from 15 countries that have consistently exceeded GM's expectations, created outstanding value or introduced innovations to the company. This is the 18 th time Lear has received the award. "Lear is proud to be recognized around the world as a company that prioritizes our customers," said Ray Scott, Lear's President and CEO. "Being recognized as a Supplier of the Year and winning the prestigious GM Overdrive Award means so much to our organization. Our commitment to safety, quality, operational excellence and innovation is what drives our business, and I want to thank the entire Lear team for their dedication to unmatched customer support." GM's Overdrive Award, introduced in 2012, recognizes supply partners for extraordinary leadership in cultural change and commitment initiatives that drove exceptional business results for GM. Lear was named one of four 2018 Overdrive Award winners. Lear has been recognized for the company's excellent safety record for its employees, the development of its Intu Intelligent Seating innovations and its Focus on the Drive Distracted Driving campaign. "We hold our suppliers to a high bar," said Steve Kiefer, GM senior vice president, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain. "Lear went above and beyond to deliver the innovations and quality that will help us earn customers for life." The Supplier of the Year award winners were chosen by a global team of GM purchasing, engineering, quality, manufacturing and logistics executives. Winners were selected based on performance criteria in Product Purchasing, Global Purchasing and Manufacturing Services, Customer Care and Aftersales, and Logistics. About Lear Corporation Lear is a global automotive technology leader in seating and electrical and electronic systems. Lear serves every major automaker in the world, and Lear content can be found on more than 400 vehicle nameplates. Lear's world-class products are designed, engineered, and manufactured by a diverse team of approximately 169,000 employees located in 39 countries. Lear currently ranks #147 on the Fortune 500. Lear's headquarters are in Southfield, Michigan. Further information about Lear is available at lear.com , or follow us on Twitter @LearCorporation. Lear is where passion drives possibilities. About General Motors General Motors (NYSE: GM) is committed to delivering safer, better and more sustainable ways for people to get around. General Motors, its subsidiaries and its joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Cadillac, Chevrolet, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety and security services, Maven, its personal mobility brand, and Cruise, its autonomous vehicle ride-sharing company, can be found at http://www.gm.com. SOURCE Lear Corporation Related Links http://www.lear.com WASHINGTON, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH) is pleased to announce that prominent companies Ferguson, Milwaukee Tool, WinSupply, LIXIL and Reliance Worldwide Corporation (RWC) have pledged support, both financially and in products/materials, for the upcoming Community Plumbing Challenge, set for June 3-7 in the Navajo Mountain region on the Arizona-Utah border. Additionally, three United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the United States, Canada (UA) chapters Local 400 in Kaukauna, Wisconsin; Local 412 in New Mexico and El Paso, Texas; and Local 469 in Phoenix are sending members and/or making financial contributions. This latest edition of the CPC Navajo Nation program will bring together a unique team of skilled professionals from all over the world, delivering running water and safe wastewater disposal for a series of family homes situated in the remote and isolated Piute Mesa area of Navajo Mountain. "For more than 140 years, American Standard protected the health of our nation by providing access to safe plumbing," said Troy Benavidez, Vice President of Public Affairs for LIXIL Americas. "Now, as part of LIXIL, we are committed to bringing safe sanitation to communities around the world and in our own backyard. We are thrilled to partner with IWSH to help bring clean water and sanitation to families on the Navajo Nation and in other underserved communities helping children and families lead lives that are healthier and safer." There's still time to support and help improve access to safe water supply and sanitation by getting involved in CPC Navajo Mountain. Whether providing financial or in-kind support for the project site works themselves, individuals and organizations have the opportunity make a meaningful contribution that can help demonstrate the importance of plumbing and the WASH sector in protecting public health and safety. Sponsorship opportunities exist that will bring recognition for participating companies and organizations. Please contact [email protected] for more information. "Once again, this is an incredible endeavor the CPC has championed for the betterment of life for these families," said Michael Kirby, Director of Mechanical Trades for Milwaukee Tool. "We are extremely happy and honored to provide support in association with the International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation and the Community Plumbing Challenge, as well as the United Association, to bring water and sanitation to more homes this year." Bob Carpenter, LMP, Outreach & Education Manager, USA for RWC, said, "Reliance Worldwide Corporation is proud to provide the materials to the IWSH Foundation that will be used to provide safe drinking water to the people living in areas of the USA where they have previously not had access to it." Jeffrey P. Knaus, Business Manager/Financial Secretary-Treasurer for UA Local 400, said, "UA 400 Pipe Trades would like to thank the IWSH organization for its leadership in assisting the Navajo Nation in Arizona/Utah this year. We're very proud to be assisting in your efforts. You truly are changing the lives of these residents." SOURCE The International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH) Related Links http://www.iwsh.org NEW YORK, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Special Interest Group on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining (SIGKDD) today announced that registration is now open for KDD 2019, the premier interdisciplinary data-science conference. Taking place in Anchorage, Alaska, Aug. 4-8, 2019, the KDD conference brings together researchers and practitioners from data science, machine learning, big data, and artificial intelligence. KDD brings together leading experts in the world of data science and artificial intelligence to share their latest research results and apply recent findings to the challenges facing an array of industries. The conference is known for its highly selective peer-review processless than 12% of more than 2,000 papers submitted are selected and highlighted throughout the five-day gathering. Also unique is the KDD Cup, an annual competition where thousands of experts and enthusiasts, from across the globe, participate to solve issues in applied data science for real world problems. This year, the contest has already reached new heights with over $100,000 in prize money across three groundbreaking categories. "What makes KDD unique is its fantastic combination of depth and breadthnot only is there highly comprehensive technical innovation reported at KDD, but there is also a wealth of programming that addresses the social impact of this research," said Vipin Kumar, KDD 2019 conference co-chair and head of the computer science and engineering department at the University of Minnesota. "As the largest, most established gathering of data scientists from all over the world, KDD regularly attracts more attendees and more paper submissions than any other conference of its kind." The conference program comprises workshops, tutorials, and designated special theme days, highlighting machine learning applications for environmental sustainability, healthcare, and deep learning. Sessions on topics as varied as theoretical advances in deep learning, healthcare AI, urban computing, and intelligent transportation ensure programmatic diversity and choice for conference attendees. "Results, meetings, and discussions at KDD transform entire industries and create billions of dollars of realized impact, while also shaping the way we think of this impact and its effects on society and science. Whether hailing from academia, industry, or government, participants will experience an unparalleled content lineup, allowing for robust discussion of novel ideas on current and emerging topics," added Ankur Teredesai, KDD 2019 conference co-chair and co-founder of KenSci. "Entirely run and managed by volunteers, top international leaders in data science collaborate year after year to put together a fantastic KDD conference program. I'm thankful for the commitment and teamwork of our organizing committee and look forward to welcoming participants to help shape this very important field of science and technology." Highlighting the conference's successful history of industry participation, KDD 2019 is sponsored by some of the world's biggest brands. Sponsors include Intuit, DiDi, Amazon, Facebook, LinkedIn, Apple, KenSci, Wayfair, Criteo, Inspur, D.E. Shaw & Co, Square Point, Naver Line, Microsoft, Siemens, Etsy, Two Sigma, Squirrel AI Learning, Gurobi, JD.com, Geneia, Pinterest, CRC Press, Indeed, and HexagonML. KDD 2019 will be held at the Dena'ina Convention Center and William Egan Convention Center in Anchorage. For more information and to register, visit: https://www.kdd.org/kdd2019/attending/registration. About ACM SIGKDD: ACM is the premier global professional organization for researchers and professionals dedicated to the advancement of the science and practice of knowledge discovery and data mining. SIG is ACM's Special Interest Group on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining. The annual KDD International Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining is the premier interdisciplinary conference for data mining, data science and analytics. For more information on KDD, please visit: https://www.kdd.org/. Follow KDD on: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SIGKDD Twitter https://twitter.com/kdd_news LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/groups/160888/ SOURCE ACM SIGKDD VANCOUVER, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - Choom (CSE: CHOO;OTCQB: CHOOF), is pleased to announce that Specialty Medijuana Products Inc. ("SMP"), of which Choom Holdings Inc. is a 9.8% equity stakeholder, has received a cultivation license on an additional and contiguous site in Sooke, B.C. The license was issued and effective on May 17, 2019. "As a stakeholder in SMP, we are thrilled to see SMP receive an additional license from Health Canada." states Chris Bogart, President and CEO of Choom. "As a cannabis retailer, we cannot be more excited to have another craft focused cultivator from B.C. available in the market in the coming months. With the nation-wide cannabis shortage we're experiencing in Canada, the addition of a licensed production facility focused on craft grown product for the legal market benefits us as a retailer immensely." Say hello to ChoomTM Choom is an emerging adult use cannabis company whose mission is to establish one of the largest retail networks in Canada and the United States. The Choom brand is inspired by Hawaii's "Choom Gang"a group of buddies in Honolulu during the 1970's who loved to smoke weedor as the locals called it, "Choom". Evoking the spirit of the original Choom Gang, our brand caters to the Canadian adult use market with the ethos of 'cultivating good times'. Choom is focused on delivering an elevated customer experience through our curated retail environments, offering a diversity of brands for Canadians across a national retail network. "Chris Bogart" President & CEO Cautionary Statement: NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATIONS SERVICES PROVIDER HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. Forward-looking information This news release contains forward-looking information relating to the Company's proposed activities and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking information relates to management's future outlook and anticipated events or results, and include statements or information regarding the future plans or prospects of the Company. 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 information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. These factors include risks and uncertainties associated with or arising as a result of delays in obtaining or an inability to obtain required regulatory approvals, access to sufficient quantities of cannabis, the results of diligence investigations, the actions of third parties, the results of negotiations with third parties, developments in the cannabis sector, the ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, reliance on key personnel, regulatory risks and delays and other risks and uncertainties discussed in the management discussion and analysis section of the Company's interim and most recent annual financial statement or other reports and filings, including those made with the CSE and applicable Canadian securities regulators. There can be no assurance that such 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. SOURCE Choom Holdings Inc. Related Links https://choom.ca/ CHICAGO, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Workers' Compensation Benchmarking Study's annual survey is underway. Now in its seventh year, the 2019 study will for the first time ever survey frontline claims professionals (instead of claims executives) to ascertain alignment between industry leadership and staff who directly handle workers' compensation claims. As the industry's largest talent constituency, with the greatest influence on financial and injured worker outcomes, visibility into how their views mirror or differ from claims executives will highlight opportunities to advance the entire industry. Reprising prior years' survey questions, the 2019 study will not only compare frontline participants' perspectives to the views of the 1,800-plus claims executive participants who preceded them, it will also identify how the experience of frontline staff at higher performing claims organizations differ from those at lower performing claims organizations. Finally, the survey will continue its exploration of front burner topics such as prioritizing claims core competencies, developing and retaining claims talents, utilizing a claims advocacy approach, leveraging technology and data, and driving improved medical and claim outcomes. The study's 2019 focus was once again guided by its Advisory Council of diverse industry executives. "For every new workplace injury in this country, there is a claims examiner or nurse who is personally responsible for engaging the injured employee in their recovery," says Advisory Council member Tom Stark, technical director of workers' compensation at Nationwide. "With several million newly injured employees per year, our frontline teams directly manage a total economic outlay of well over 60 billion dollars in workers' compensation benefits paid. Understanding the view from the frontline trenches is not only valuable to the industry, it's absolutely vital." "Since we launched the study in 2013, we have consistently been contacted by industry executives requesting frontline intelligence to improve their talent and claims operation practices," says Rachel Fikes, vice president and study program director at Rising Medical Solutions. "Now we'll be able to fill this data void, as there is a clear need and desire to have a better understanding of the frontline perspective." The 2019 confidential survey will continue throughout May. All frontline participants and study stakeholders will receive a copy of the 2019 Study Report which can be used to validate operational alignment, verify existing strategies, advocate for resources in support-challenged areas, and identify opportunities to impact claim outcomes. Claims executives are encouraged to share the survey link with their frontline teams as an investment in this industrywide effort. About the Workers' Compensation Benchmarking Study The Workers' Compensation Benchmarking Study is a national research program examining the complex forces impacting claims management in workers' compensation today. The study's mission is to advance claims management in the industry by providing both quantitative and qualitative data. Through survey research with claims leaders and practitioners nationwide, the program generates actionable intelligence for claims organizations to evaluate priorities, challenges, and strategies amongst their peers. Conceived and directed by Rising Medical Solutions, the ongoing program is a collaboration of industry executives representing diverse organizational perspectives, including the Study's Principal Researcher and Advisory Council: Denise Algire | Director of Risk Initiatives & National Medical Director | Albertsons Companies | Director of Risk Initiatives & National Medical Director | Albertsons Companies Raymond Jacobsen | Senior Managing Director | Aon Reinsurance | Senior Managing Director | Marcos Iglesias , MD | SVP, Chief Medical Officer | Broadspire , MD | SVP, Chief Medical Officer | Broadspire Rich Cangiolosi | VP, Western Region | CCMSI | VP, Western Region | CCMSI Kelly Kuri | Claims Manager | Frank Winston Crum Insurance | Claims Manager | Frank Winston Crum Insurance Jonathan Gerdes | SVP, Casualty Claims Solutions | HealthSmart | SVP, Casualty Claims Solutions | HealthSmart Scott Emery | Senior Director, Claims | Markel | Senior Director, Claims | Markel Ted Jeffries | Director of Claims | Missouri Employers Mutual | Director of Claims | Missouri Employers Mutual Michele Fairclough | Medical Services Director | Montana State Fund | Medical Services Director | Montana State Fund Tom Stark | Technical Director, Workers' Compensation | Nationwide Insurance | Technical Director, Workers' Compensation | Nationwide Insurance Alan Bender | Director, Workers' Compensation & Casualty Insurance | Publix Super Markets | Director, Workers' Compensation & Casualty Insurance | Publix Super Markets Helen Weber | AVP, Head of Medical Strategy | The Hanover Insurance Group | AVP, Head of Medical Strategy | The Hanover Insurance Group Adam Seidner , MD, MPH | Chief Medical Officer | The Hartford , MD, MPH | Chief Medical Officer | The Thomas Wiese | VP, Claims | The MEMIC Group | VP, Claims | The MEMIC Group David Price | VP | UMR Risk Management | VP | UMR Risk Management Linda Butler | Director, Claims Management | Walt Disney World Resort | Director, Claims Management | Walt Disney World Resort Brian Trick | Senior Manager of Claims | Wegmans Food Markets | Senior Manager of Claims | Wegmans Food Markets Kyle Cato | Associate Risk Manager, Workers' Compensation & General Liability Claims | Williams-Sonoma, Inc. About Rising Medical Solutions Rising Medical Solutions (www.risingms.com) is a national medical-financial solutions firm that provides medical cost containment and medical care management services to the workers' compensation, auto, liability, and group health markets. SOURCE Rising Medical Solutions Related Links http://www.risingms.com The 50,000 square meter exhibition hall will feature over 500 exhibitors and over 35,000 Chinese and international trade buyers. Featured exhibitors include Lynch Group, Aibida, Vandenberg Roses, and Hasfarm. Cross-industry giants, SF Express and JD.com will also join forces to showcase their logistics and market strategies. "We have a mission to build the world-class 'Yunnan flora' brand," said Zhang Mu, Deputy Director-General of Agriculture and Rural Bureau of Yunnan Province. "KIFE is a strong platform for the integration of resources and all-around development of the industry as a whole. We are striving to build KIFE into Asia's most recognizable and most influential floral expo in China." Due to the region's abundant natural resources and favorable environment, Yunnan is described as the 'fertile soil' of China's floral industry. Yunnan's yield of fresh-cut flowers has remained China's top for 25 years in a row, accounting for over 80% of the national market; its major Rose and Boat Orchid pot plant products represent 90% of the domestic market. Yunnan has established its leading position in the Chinese and Asian floral industry. "As the famous flower capital of China, Yunnan's floral market has developed into the biggest fresh-cut flower trading market in China and even Asia," Zhang Lan, Vice President of Reed Exhibitions said. "For the 2019 expo, Reed Exhibitions will make use of its rich global resources and facilitate stronger partnerships between exhibitors and trade buyers." KIFE 2019 will also welcome Israel as its featured guest country this year, arranging a series of professional forums and events that share the internationally advanced Israeli planting and cultivation technologies. There will also be a group of Israeli exhibitors showcasing their technologies. Along with spotlighting the Asian floral industry, the exhibition will invite representatives of the Dutch, Ecuadorian and Columbian consulates in China to participate in the forum. For more information: https://www.kmflowerexpo.com/en-gb.html SOURCE KIFE CHICAGO, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sweets & Snacks Expo (May 21-23) today begins at Chicago's McCormick Place, bringing the newest innovations in confections and snacks, as well as a dazzling array of classic favorites, to more than 15,000 candy and snack professionals attending the show. Hosted by the National Confectioners Association, this year's show continues to demonstrate the role chocolate and candy can play in a happy, balanced lifestyle, and the wide variety of options that consumers have when it comes to treating and snacking. "With hundreds of innovations, insights and ideas to transform the world of chocolate, candy and snacks, the Sweets & Snacks Expo is the most important annual event in the industry," Carly Schildhaus, NCA spokesperson, said. "Sweets and snacks manufacturers have always been at the forefront of defining outstanding consumer experiences, setting trends, and delivering a wide variety of options and choices. That excitement and the vibrancy of the category come to life on the floor of the show each year." Attendees at the 2019 Sweets & Snacks Expo can expect: More than 800 exhibitors, including 200+ first time exhibitors. 350 of the hottest new candy, snack, flavor, product, and packaging innovations on display in the New Product Showcase. Look for trends in packaging innovation with options in smaller pack sizes, as well as flavors inspired by popular beverages, integration of unusual ingredients and new takes on classic favorites. The Most Innovative New Product Awards, sponsored by IRi. These awards recognize the most creative ideas, concepts, and products in candy and snacks in nine different categories, along with a Best in Show and a Small Business Innovator award. More than 300 submissions have been taste-tested and evaluated by a panel of retailers and experts. A newly re-designed Destination Retail experience which highlights the latest technology and merchandising solutions driving shopper engagement and, with its new design, demonstrates how stores can create even greater appeal as a destination for consumers. A full curriculum of 25 cutting-edge learning opportunities including Discovery Theater sessions on the show floor sponsored by Barry Callebaut . Topics include consumer behavior, flavor trends, e-commerce, and the future of the retail experience. The Sweets & Snacks Expo also offers numerous networking sessions throughout the show to encourage connections between attendees. The show also highlights the industry's Always A Treat Initiative, a five-year commitment by America's leading chocolate and candy companies to provide consumers with more information, options and support as they enjoy their favorite treats. The companies who signed onto the commitment in 2017 have agreed to make measurable changes to increase consumer options and information by 2022, including a wider variety of pack sizes containing 200 calories or less per pack and a promise to print clear calorie information on the front of 90 percent of their treats. "Consumers are embracing the unique role that chocolate and candy can play in a happy, balanced lifestyle," Schildhaus said. "We are leading the charge in providing more information, more options and more support for consumers to make informed choices." To discover the hottest trends in confectionery and snacks, register for the Sweets & Snacks Expo at SweetsAndSnacks.com/register. To learn more about the Always A Treat Initiative, visit AlwaysATreat.com. About the National Confectioners Association (NCA) The National Confectioners Association is the trade organization that advances, protects and promotes chocolate, candy, gum and mints, and the companies that make these special treats. As the leading association for the U.S. confectionery industry, NCA helps ensure the public understands and appreciates the unique role that chocolate and candy can play in a happy, balanced lifestyle. Confections are produced in all 50 states, creating jobs for approximately 54,000 workers in more than 1,300 manufacturing facilities across the country. For every job created in confectionery manufacturing, another ten are supported in related industries. In total, more than 607,000 American jobs are supported by the U.S. confectionery industry. America's leading chocolate and candy companies support the Always A Treat Initiative, a commitment to transparency, portion guidance and choice, and consumer education. Learn more at CandyUSA.com, or follow NCA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. About the Sweets & Snacks Expo Sponsored by the National Confectioners Association, the Sweets & Snacks Expo is the confectionery and snack industry's most successful, world-class event. It is unrivaled in new product launches, business building solutions and innovations in merchandising. Qualified candy and snack professionals attend with global presence from 90 countries. More than 800 companies displaying more than 4 acres of candy and snack products participate in the Expo. The event is held each May at Chicago's McCormick Place. Contact: Carly Schildhaus, 202-534-1440, [email protected] SOURCE National Confectioners Association Related Links http://www.candyusa.org DURHAM, N.C., May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- With the ad server industry flailing in 2019 (Sizmek went bankrupt, and Verizon, OpenX, and Polymorph are all closing their ad servers), Adzerk has seen only its best days, winning multiple industry awards, announcing partnerships with major brands, and seeing every month hit a new revenue record. In April, Adzerk won an American Business Award for Most Innovative Tech Company. This was the 17th annual ABA, and more than 3,800 companies submitted nominations for a select number of categories. Adzerk was also awarded a Top Rated Business Award by G2Crowd, one of the largest business review sites. Shortly thereafter, they were named one of Inc. magazine's Best Workplaces of 2019. The list highlights private American companies with exceptional cultures and benefits. Collecting data on nearly 2,000 submissions, Inc. singled out 346 finalists. In May, Adzerk announced a partnership with Edmunds and released a case study detailing their work with Ticketmaster. "With Adzerk," David Han, VP of Product at Ticketmaster says, "we built the exact ad server we wanted. No other solution could provide this flexibility." Finally, April marked Adzerk's best revenue month ever, their growth up 70% year over year - a number that stands in stark contrast to the growing list of defunct ad servers. "We weren't surprised that OpenX and others shut down their ad servers," says James Avery, CEO of Adzerk. "If somebody wants an ad server for showing programmatic ads, they go to Google. There's no room for anyone else. Where we found a niche was focusing on brands that wanted customized, innovative ad platforms, not banner-driven RTB ads." Adzerk, fresh off a speaking opportunity at the GlueCon developer conference in Denver, is now looking forward to the rest of 2019. "It's really exciting," Avery says, "to see the industry moving away from terrible banner ads. We expect more and more companies to struggle with standard ad servers and look to build bespoke ones themselves." About Adzerk Adzerk provides an API-based cloud solution for businesses to build their own innovative, fully-customized ad servers. Enterprises like Ticketmaster, Edmunds, and WeTransfer use Adzerk to design and scale server-side platforms for displaying internal promotions and ads. To learn more, please visit https://adzerk.com or contact [email protected]. About the Ad Server Industry In 2018/2019, there were many high-profile ad server closings, including Sizmek, Verizon (Oath/AdTech), Polymorph, and OpenX. Links for more information are included above. Related Images adzerk.png Adzerk Adzerk Related Links Ticketmaster Case Study Adzerk Homepage SOURCE Adzerk Related Links https://adzerk.com STAMFORD, Conn., May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Aircastle Limited (NYSE: AYR) ("Aircastle" or the "Company") announced today that the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") increased the authorization to repurchase up to $100 million of the Company's common shares, from the $76 million that was remaining under the existing authorization. Since 2011, the Company has repurchased 18.5 million shares at an average cost of $14.57 per share. Under the program, the Company may purchase its common shares from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The amount and timing of the purchases will depend on a number of factors, including the price and availability of the Company's common shares, trading volume and general market conditions. The Company also announced the election by shareholders of Jun Horie to the Board and the appointment of Takashi Kurihara to the Board. Mr. Horie is the President and CEO of Marubeni America Corporation and replaces Hajime Kawamura, who did not stand for reelection. Mr. Kurihara, Advisor to the President of Marubeni America Corporation, was appointed to replace Gentaro Toya, who resigned from the Board. About Aircastle Limited Aircastle Limited acquires, leases and sells commercial jet aircraft to airlines throughout the world. As of March 31, 2019, Aircastle owned and managed on behalf of its joint ventures 274 aircraft leased to 86 customers located in 47 countries. Safe Harbor All statements in this press release, other than characterizations of historical fact, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not necessarily limited to, statements relating to our share repurchase program. Words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "may," "will," "would," "could," "should," "seeks," "estimates" and variations on these words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on our historical performance and that of our subsidiaries and on our current plans, estimates and expectations and are subject to a number of factors that could lead to actual results materially different from those described in the forward-looking statements; Aircastle can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements which are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated as of the date of this press release. These risks or uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described from time to time in Aircastle's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and previously disclosed under "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of Aircastle's 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition, new risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Aircastle to predict or assess the impact of every factor that may cause its actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Aircastle expressly disclaims any obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statement to reflect future events or circumstances. Contacts: Aircastle Advisor LLC The IGB Group Frank Constantinople, SVP Investor Relations Leon Berman Tel: +1-203-504-1063 Tel: +1-212-477-8438 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Aircastle Limited Related Links http://www.aircastle.com ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. today announced that it has purchased a minority stake in Edelweiss Insurance Brokers Limited (EIBL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Edelweiss Group, India's leading diversified financial services conglomerate. The deal is subject to approval by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India. Headquartered in Mumbai, with branches in Dehli, Kolkata and Bangalore, EIBL is a fast-growing corporate insurance broker offering general insurance solutions to institutional as well as individual clients across India, and is well-positioned to leverage the distribution networks of its parent group. India's growing commercial and specialty market is supported by strong demand for specialist coverages such as renewable energy, infrastructure and cyber liability, a natural alignment with Gallagher's core brokerage offerings. "EIBL presents an exciting opportunity to expand Gallagher's commercial insurance footprint in India, in keeping with our growth strategy to invest in market-leading businesses that broaden our specialist capabilities and diversify our geographic presence," said J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO. "We are very pleased to partner with EIBL and broaden our reach in this important market." "We are delighted to announce a partnership with yet another marquee global institution like Gallagher that has a similar philosophy, shared values and complementary capabilities," said Rashesh Shah, Chairman and CEO, Edelweiss Group. "This partnership brings to our clients a much broader access to international markets and expertise, and a wider range of insurance products and services, while they continue to receive the same high-quality service." Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG), a global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm, is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. The company has operations in 35 countries and offers client service capabilities in more than 150 countries around the world through a network of correspondent brokers and consultants. Investors: Ray Iardella Media: Linda J. Collins VP Investor Relations VP Corporate Communications 630-285-3661/ [email protected] 630-285-4009/ [email protected] SOURCE Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Related Links http://www.ajg.com DRESHER, Pa., May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascensuswhose technology and expertise helps millions of people save for retirement, education, and healthcareis pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Pension Strategies, Inc. The third-party administration (TPA) firm will immediately become part of FuturePlan by Ascensus. Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Pension Strategies provides customized qualified retirement plan consulting, design, and administration for small- to medium-sized businesses. The firm's high-caliber team works closely with clients and advisors to develop creative solutions and meet evolving goals via progressive thinking, exceptional service, and professional teamwork. "Among other things, Pension Strategies is known throughout the industry for its in-depth knowledge base, commitment to service, and responsive solutions," says Jerry Bramlett, head of FuturePlan by Ascensus. "I'm pleased to welcome their associates and the experience, expertise, and leadership they bring to FuturePlan by Ascensus." "At Pension Strategies, we take the time to listen to clients' personal and business objectives in order to provide solutions that can meet their needs," says S. Jill Hastings, Pension Strategies' chief executive officer. "We look forward to continuing to offer clients the highest level of professional, personal service as part of FuturePlan by Ascensus." "Arizona is a very important market for us; acquiring Pension Strategies enables our continued expansion that was started with the opening of Ascensus' Tucson office in 2017," states Raghav Nandagopal, Ascensus' executive vice president of corporate development and M&A. "Specifically, the Phoenix area is primed for tremendous growth in terms of retirement serviceswe are delighted to have Pension Strategies, a well-run business with a strong management team, to be a critical part of Ascensus' geographic expansion into this location." About FuturePlan by Ascensus FuturePlan by Ascensus is the nation's largest retirement TPA, combining high-touch local service with the strength and security of an industry leader. A business division of Ascensus, FuturePlan by Ascensus' dedicated team serves more than 38,000 retirement plan sponsors in over 40 locations across the country. For more information, visit futureplan.com. About Ascensus Ascensus is the largest independent recordkeeping services provider, third-party administrator, and government savings facilitator in the United States. The firm delivers technology and expertise to help millions of people save for what matters mostretirement, education, and healthcare. For more information about Ascensus, visit ascensus.com. View career opportunities at careers.ascensus.com . SOURCE Ascensus Related Links https://www.ascensus.com DUBLIN, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Asia Pacific Vision Guided Robotics Software Market to 2027 - Regional Analysis and Forecasts by Robot Type, Technology, Application, and Vertical" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The APAC vision guided robotics software market accounted for US$ 499.9 Mn in 2018 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 16.4% over the forecast period 2019-2027, to account for US$ 1,934.9 Mn in 2027. Factors including growing acceptance of vision guided robots are significantly is driving the vision guided robotics software market. However, lack of skilled operator in the developing countries across region is impeding the market growth. Mounting demand of technological proficiencies of 3D machine vision is opportunistic for the growth of the market. The major manufacturing companies in several countries across the globe are adopting smart technologies heavily with an objective to reduce day to day challenges. To meet the boosting requirement of the customers the industries are focusing on advanced imaging technology to make the work easier and simple. Recently the robotic system is incorporated with 3D vision technology which provides more features as compared to 2D vision technology. The introduction of machine vision software into 3D vision-guided technology robots is expected to increase the skills of the automated system during random bin picking, packaging heavy materials and assembling different parts of machinery among others. The new capabilities of 3D vision-guided robots are they can detect the overall orientation of an object which permits the end user to make an intelligent and real-time decision associated with the automation system depending upon the input of available visual data. The significant advantage of 3D vision technology is that this technology can be used on any surface and environment, enabling the robot to distinguish randomly placed objects and place it on the desired place. This procedure is known as bin picking or pick and place. One of the most prominent applications of robots integrated with 3D vision. The APAC vision guided robotics software market is fragmented with the presence of several industries and the competitive dynamics in the market is expected to change during the upcoming years. In addition to this, various initiatives are undertaken by the governmental bodies to accelerate the vision guided robotics software market further. For instance, APAC owing to huge demand from various industries in the region as well as internationally. The rise in demand for advanced robotic solutions in the Asia Pacific accounted for the significant rise in the automobile industry, electrical or electronics industry, and metal industry among others. As per the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), the robot manufacturer present in Japan delivered around 56% of the global supply of industrial robots in 2017. Similarly, the robot sales in Japan is increased to 45,566 units, i.e. increased by about 18% in the year 2017 as compared to the previous year. The APAC region is anticipated to be the fastest growing during the forecast period globally, due to the enormous demand for Chinese, Korean and Japanese robotic solutions from different parts of the world. These initiative provide various benefits to the APAC vision guided robotics software based companies located in the region thus, increasing the growth of vision guided robotics software markets. This initiative provides multiple benefits to the companies present in this region and thus increasing the growth of vision guided robotics software market in the region. On the basis of application, the palletizing & machine tending segment is leading the vision guided robotics software market. However, the collaborative robots segment are anticipated to grow at a highest CAGR. Collaborative robots also known as cobots are planned to physically interact with human sharing the same workplace. These robots are fully autonomous or operated by minimum guidance. The collaborative robots are deployed in industries for various purposes such as machine tending, packaging and material handling among others since these cobots are capable of heavy duty as well as light operations. The cobots are highly flexible, accurate and precise, which makes them attractive in their respective workspaces. In addition, these robots are more accessible to reprogram, reconfigure, and easier to maintain over. Advancement in cloud robotics is expected to enhance information sharing capability among these collaborative robots, and ultimately these cobots will be able to act according to their information library. The manufacturers such as FANUC Corporation, Kawasaki, Kuka, and Denso Technologies among others are investing considerable amounts to enhance the capabilities of collaborative cobots. These factors are expected to drive the 3D vision guided technology in the coming years, and thus boosting the market growth for vision guided robotics software market in the future. The overall APAC vision guided robotics software market size has been derived using both primary and secondary source. The research process begins with an exhaustive secondary research using internal and external sources to obtain qualitative and quantitative information related to the APAC vision guided robotics software market. It also provides the overview and forecast for the vision guided robotics software market based on all the segmentation provided with respect to APAC region. Some of the players present in vision guided robotics software market are ABB Ltd., Fanuc Corporation, Robotic Vision Technologies, Inc., iRobot Corporation, MVTec Software GmbH, Pick-it N.V., Recognition Robotics Inc., Vision Nerf S.A., Nachi Robotic Systems, Inc., and KUKA Robot Group among others. Key Topics Covered: Part 1. Introduction 1.1 Scope of the Study 1.2 Report Guidance 1.3 Market Segmentation Part 2. Key Takeaways Part 3. Research Methodology 3.1.1 Coverage 3.1.2 Secondary Research 3.1.3 Primary Research Part 4. APAC Vision Guided Robotics Software Market Landscape 4.1 Market Overview 4.2 Ecosystem Analysis 4.3 APAC Pest Analysis Part 5. APAC Vision Guided Robotics Software Market - Key Industry Dynamics 5.1 Key Market Drivers 5.1.1 Growing Integration of Vision Guided Robots Across Various Industries 5.2 Key Market Restraints 5.2.1 Lack of Technically Skilled Operators Among Emerging Economies 5.3 Key Market Opportunity 5.3.1 Mounting Capabilities of 3 D Machine Vision 5.4 Future Trends 5.4.1 Focus On Developing Intuitive Programming Interfaces 5.5 Impact Analysis of Drivers and Restraints Part 6. Vision Guided Robotics Software - APAC Market Analysis 6.1 APAC Vision Guided Robotics Software Market Overview 6.2 APAC Vision Guided Robotics Software Market Forecast and Analysis 6.3 Market Positioning/ Market Share Part 7. APAC Vision Guide Robotics Software Market Analysis - by Robot Type 7.1 Overview 7.2 APAC Vision Guided Robotics Software Market Breakdown, by Robot Type, 2018 & 2027 7.3 Fixed Robots 7.4 Mobile Robots Part 8. APAC Vision Guide Robotics Software Market Analysis - by Technology 8.1 Overview 8.2 APAC Vision Guided Robotics Software Market Breakdown, by Technology, 2018 & 2027 8.3 D Vision Guided Technology 8.4 D Vision Guided Technology Part 9. APAC Vision Guide Robotics Software Market Analysis - by Application 9.1 Overview 9.2 APAC Vision Guided Robotics Software Market Breakdown, by Application, 2018 & 2027 9.3 Arc Welding 9.4 Assembly 9.5 Cutting 9.6 Palletizing and Machine Tending 9.7 Navigation 9.8 Random Bin Picking 9.9 Collaborative Robots 9.10 Others Part 10. APAC Vision Guide Robotics Software Market Analysis - by Vertical 10.1 Overview 10.2 APAC Vision Guided Robotics Software Market Breakdown, by Vertical, 2018 & 2027 10.3 Automotive 10.4 Electrical & Electronics 10.5 Aerospace 10.6 Healthcare 10.7 Transportation & Logistics 10.8 Food & Beverages 10.9 Others Part 11. Vision Guided Robotics Software Market - Country Analysis Part 12. Industry Landscape 12.1 Market Initiative 12.2 Merger and Acquisition 12.3 New Development Part 13. Vision Guided Robotics Software Market, Key Company Profiles ABB Ltd. Fanuc Corporation Robotic Vision Technologies, Inc. iRobot Corporation MVTec Software GmbH Pick-it N.V. Recognition Robotics Inc. Vision Nerf S.A. Nachi Robotic Systems, Inc. KUKA Robot Group For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/b0b2b Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com SUZHOU, China, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- As YOYOW officially launched the YOYOW Testnet 2.0 on April 24, 2019, more partners participated in the YOYOW project. As an important company in the field of blockchain security, Beosin has officially cooperated with the YOYOW Foundation and has become the block producer of the Testnet. Beosin will continue to promote the construction of YOYOW community with rich management and service experience in security, and promote the development of YOYOW public chain together with many other community block producers. In the coming months, it will also participate in the launch of YOYOW Mainnet, block producer campaign, community building and security-related services for YOYOW platforms and third-party developers. With the help of Beosin, the safe and reliable development of YOYOW Ecology will be greatly enhanced. About Beosin Beosin Co., Ltd., focusing on blockchain security field, was founded by Prof. Xia Yang and Prof. Wensheng Guo. It has obtained two rounds of equity investment in famous investment institutions such as Distributed Capital, Jieshi Capital and Vangoo Capital. Using formal verification as its core technology, Beosin is the first company in China that applies it to blockchain security field. Beosin independently developed the world's first highly automated intelligent contract formal verification platform VaaS that supports multiple blockchain platforms such as ETH and EOS, with an accuracy rate of over 95%. Relevant research results have applied for multiple software invention patents. It is a member of the Key Laboratory of Blockchain Technology and Data Security Industry and Information Technology Department in 2019. It has established strategic partnerships with more than 50 blockchain companies such as Huobi, OKEx and KuCoin, and the audit report has been recognized by major domestic and foreign exchanges. The company audited more than 500 smart contracts and independently discovered dozens of blockchain security vulnerabilities. The company provides intelligent security services such as smart contract security auditing, wallet security hardening and auditing, DApp security hardening and auditing, exchange security testing, and enterprise-level security services. About YOYOW YOYOW, an acronym of "You Own Your Own Words", aims to build a blockchain network that uses blockchain technology to quantify the contribution and provide rewards for the content production area using a decentralized consensus approach, enabling content producers, content investors, content investors and ecology facilitators to get reasonable incentives and rewards. YOYOW Official Information Official Website: https://yoyow.org/ Web Wallet: https://wallet.yoyow.org/ Blockchain Browser: https://explorer.yoyow.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/InfoYoyow SOURCE YOYOW Related Links https://yoyow.org CALGARY, Alberta, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Blackhawk Resource Corp. (the "Corporation" or "Blackhawk") (CSE: BLR), is pleased announce it has closed the acquisition of 1202465 B.C. Ltd. (the "Green Room"). Blackhawk has issued 20,000,000 common shares of Blackhawk to the shareholders of the Green Room. The Green Room holds the rights to a lease for a retail cannabis location in Nelson, British Columbia, as well as a database of potential retail cannabis customers. The Green Room acquisition is arm's length. Following closing of the acquisition there are 61,196,374 common shares of Blackhawk outstanding. In connection with the completion of the acquisition, Transcend Capital Inc. ("Transcend") has acquired ownership and control of 10,000,000 common shares of Blackhawk, representing approximately 16.3% of the outstanding common shares. The shares were issued to Transcend in consideration for shares it held in the Green Room. Following acquisition of the shares, and when combined with its existing holdings in Blackhawk, Transcend now holds 11,261,000 common shares of Blackhawk, representing approximately 18.4% of the outstanding common shares. Transcend has acquired the shares of Blackhawk for investment purposes, and although it has no present intention to acquire additional shares of Blackhawk, it may do so as market conditions warrant. A copy of the early warning report filed by Transcend in accordance with applicable securities laws is available under the profile for Blackhawk on SEDAR. NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR THROUGH U.S. NEWSWIRES Reader Advisory Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulatory Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For further information please contact: Dave Antony Blackhawk - Chief Executive Officer +1 (403) 531-1710 [email protected] Fred Pels The Green Room +1 (780) 901-3733 [email protected] SOURCE Blackhawk Resource Corp. "Blackline's G7c is the only comprehensive safety device on the market with 2G/3G connectivity that future-proofs customer investments into connected wearables," said Simon Rich, Zone Manager UK & Ireland, Blackline Safety Europe . "Blackline has over ten years of cloud-connected safety experience, and only our G7c product features a broad range of customization and capabilities that grow with customer needs over time." Welsh Water employs more than 3,400 people who serve 1.4 million homes and businesses, supplying 815 million litres of water every day to 3 million people. Personnel in the water and wastewater industry face significant risks in the workplace and Welsh Water works hard to identify and mitigate hazards. This authority in particular required a reliable, connected safety device that was easy to use and was ATEX certified due to the working environments encountered. During Welsh Water's extensive market research, Blackline and the G7c lone worker device were evaluated along with several alternative lone worker solutions. During a comprehensive investigation into all roles within the company, lone workers were classified as high, medium or low risk. Following the successful evaluation, this initial deployment will see every high and medium risk lone worker not only equipped with a G7c device, but also fully trained using Blackline's customized training materials. G7c accompanies workers, detecting falls, lack of movement and missed employee check-ins. It also provides workers with the ability to call for help instantly by pulling the red SOS latch. Should an employee require assistance, G7c provides two-way messaging with the live monitoring team, optimizing the response. Welsh Water are already considering the option to upgrade their G7c lone worker devices to gas detection in the near future. Blackline Safety is the only lone worker and gas detection vendor in the world to future-proof a client's safety monitoring investment with one configurable G7c device that fits many working requirements: Lone worker monitoring that leverages 2G/3G wireless and location technologies Gas detection using optional gas sensor cartridges with a broad range of sensors Confined space entry and leak checks using an optional gas detection cartridge with a built-in pump Emergency response management using two-way voice calling with the live monitoring team 24/7 live monitoring by Blackline's Safety Operations Centre or Alarm Receiving Centre partners To learn more about Blackline Safety's connected portfolio, visit www.BlacklineSafety.com and follow Blackline on Twitter @BlacklineSafety. About Dwr Cymru (Welsh Water): Welsh Water is a 'not-for-profit company' which has been owned by Glas Cymru since 2001. Welsh Water does not have shareholders, and any financial surpluses are reinvested in the business for the benefit of customers. Welsh Water is the 6th largest company in Wales with 3,400 employees, serving 1.4 million homes and businesses, that's 3 million people, supplying 815 million litres of water supplied every day. For more information, visit www.dwrcymru.com. About Blackline Safety: Blackline Safety is a global connected safety technology leader. Providing comprehensive live-monitoring and wireless gas detection, we help teams working in hazardous environments respond to emergencies in real-time and manage efficient evacuations, accounting for everyone's safety along the way. With millions invested in technology research and development, Blackline Safety is recognized for quality and innovation. Our talented team of designers and engineers create and manufacture in-house from wearable technology and personal gas detectors to cloud-hosted infrastructure and web-based interfaces for global industry. We deliver the world's first turn-key, work-anywhere, connected safety monitoring solution with gas detection, 3G wireless, satellite communications, two-way speakerphone, push-to-talk, location-enabled data analytics and live monitoring to meet the demanding safety challenges and increase productivity of organisations in over 100 countries. For more information, visit www.BlacklineSafety.com. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. www.BlacklineSafety.com Follow Blackline Safety Europe on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram SOURCE Blackline Safety Corp. Related Links https://www.blacklinesafety.com/ SAN FRANCISCO, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Brain Balance Achievement Centers, the leading drug-free program to help individuals improve focus, behavior, social skills and academics, announced a nationwide collaboration with Cambridge Brain Sciences (CBS), a leading online platform for cognitive assessments, co-founded by renowned neuroscientist Dr. Adrian Owen. Brain Balance is collaborating with CBS on a variety of efforts, including providing access to data in an effort to study changes in cognitive development over time and how developmental concerns impacts cognition in children and young adults. The research study, which CBS began in May, is open to the general public as well as current enrollees in the Brain Balance program. The data collected over the next year, through both child and young adult cognitive assessments, will allow scientists at Cambridge Brain Sciences to better understand what cognitive development looks like in individuals who struggle with a myriad of challenges, including, but not limited to, ADHD, ASD, dyslexia, processing disorders, high functioning autism and anxiety. "For the past 30 years, my research has focused on furthering our understanding of the brain," said Dr. Adrian Owen, co-founder and chief scientific officer of Cambridge Brain Sciences. "I'm looking forward to collaborating with Brain Balance on this ongoing study that aims to shed light on how cognition develops in children and young adults in a more comprehensive way than has previously been possible." Dr. Rebecca Jackson, vice president of outcomes and programs for Brain Balance Achievement Centers, said, "Dr. Owen and the entire Cambridge Brain Sciences team are at the forefront of assessing and understanding brain health in today's scientific community. This collaboration will help provide a deeper understanding of how cognition changes throughout development. We know first-hand how many thousands of lives Brain Balance has transformed, and the findings of this study will only strengthen our validation that our program works and will allow us to continue to evolve to help families see real results." The research data will partially be collected from Brain Balance centers nationwide, which will begin using CBS cognitive testing in part of their student assessments. Assessments are given at the beginning and end of the Brain Balance program to compare data and showcase individual results. The CBS tool is a web-based platform for the assessment of cognitive function and the data from the initial and final assessments will be collected for research purposes. This tool measures key areas including concentration, memory, reasoning and verbal skills. Brain Balance centers nationwide began using CBS cognitive testing in May as part of a new young adult program, the Brain Balance Summer College Reboot, and will roll out to all students enrolled in a Brain Balance program in early summer. The recently launched Brain Balance Summer College Reboot Program focuses on ages 18 to 24 and address the root cause of why young adults often struggle in college, including a student's ability to focus and function. The program engages the whole brain and body by combining processing speed exercises, sensory motor skills training, critical listening and comprehension and ongoing student support. Brain Balance's unique and effective program has helped more than 30,000 people nationwide to improve critical life skills and create a brighter path for their future. If you would like to learn more or find a center near you that offers the Summer College Reboot Program, please visit BrainBalanceCenters.com. If you have a child between the ages of 4 and 18 would like to participate in Cambridge Brain Sciences research data collection, please visit www.thekidstudy.com. About Brain Balance Brain Balance Achievement Centers offer a personalized, drug-free program designed to improve focus, behavior, social skills, anxiety and academic performance. The comprehensive Brain Balance Program takes an integrative approach to strengthen brain connectivity through sensory engagement, physical development, academics, and nutrition. Over the past decade this unique and effective program has helped thousands of individuals nationwide to improve critical life skills and create a brighter path for their future. Visit BrainBalanceCenters.com to learn more. About Cambridge Brain Sciences Cambridge Brain Sciences is a leading web-based platform for the assessment of cognitive function. Our flagship product, CBS Health, is a simple online platform used by healthcare professionals to quickly and effectively quantify key aspects of a patient's cognition, such as memory, reasoning, concentration and verbal ability. Our scientifically-validated and engaging cognitive tasks are based on the pioneering work of our Chief Scientific Officer and renowned neuroscientist, Dr. Adrian Owen (owenlab.org), have been taken millions of times, and used in over 300 studies published in leading academic journals over the last 25 years. Visit www.cambridgebrainsciences.com to learn more. MEDIA CONTACT: Fish Consulting Shannon O'Reilly 954-893-9150 [email protected] SOURCE Brain Balance Achievement Centers Related Links http://BrainBalanceCenters.com GAINESVILLE, Fla., May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention is proud to announce that Anchor Biologics has won the 2019 Cade Prize, receiving a $25,000 cash prize. Anchor Biologics (Gainesville, FL) has discovered enzymes that suppress inflammatory diseases. "The Cade Prize is extremely important in raising our profile. Our goal is to find business partners and compete for the capital needed to get our new localized anti-inflammatory to market. We are incredibly grateful for this enabling support," said Ben Keselowsky and Greg Hudalla, founders of Anchor Biologics. Capacitech Energy (Orlando, FL) won the $15,000 Second Place Cade Prize for its high-power, high-density conductor that increases battery life and capacity; Path Optical Systems, Inc. (Tampa, FL), won the $10,000 Third Place Cade Prize for its small and affordable fiber optics that transport information at the speed of light; and ExtremeComms Lab (Fort Lauderdale, FL), the Fourth Place Cade Prize winner, receives $10,000 of in-kind services to support acceleration for its underwater wireless communication technology. Funding for the Cade Prize competition was generously provided by the Community Foundation of North Central Florida. Cade Co-Founder Richard Miles said, "This is our 10th year running the Prize, and it's great to see how the competition has expanded. We had competitors from across the entire state, and from every major research university." The Cade Prize, established in 2010, has become Florida's pre-eminent invention and innovation competition. It rewards entrepreneurs, inventors, researchers, and pre-seed and early-stage companies with an original idea that has market potential. The Final Four were selected from 16 Semi-Finalists, which also included: Ator Labs, Inc. (Tallahassee, FL); Auxadyne (Gainesville, FL); Florida Insect Control Group, LLC (Gainesville, FL); HealthSnap (Miami, FL); Dr. Steven Kass (Tallahassee, FL); Locus Agriculture Solutions, LLC (Orlando, FL); Nano Discovery, Inc. (Orlando, FL); NiekAab Desal, LLS (Gainesville, FL); PQSecure Technologies (Fort Lauderdale, FL); SciKey Diagnostics (West Palm Beach, FL); Sea's the Future, LLC (Jacksonville, FL); and Thor ORE (Orlando, FL). Learn more at CadeMuseum.org/CadePrize. The Cade Prize celebrates pre-seed and seed stage innovations and has been a key part of the journey for past Finalists and Winners. Chris Morton, CEO of 2013 Cade Prize Winning firm NanoPhotonica noted, "Winning the (Cade prize) grant was a really important step for us." Nik Kundra, founder of 2011 Finalist Partender said, "The Cade Prizeprepared our team to present our idea to funders and partners." About The Cade: In 2004, Dr. James Robert Cade and his family established the Cade Museum Foundation to build the Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention in Gainesville, Florida. The Cade's mission is to transform communities by inspiring and equipping future inventors, entrepreneurs, and visionaries. Dr. Cade, a physician at the University of Florida, was best known as the leader of a research team that invented Gatorade in 1965. The Cade Museum is open to the public and located at 811 South Main Street, Gainesville, FL 32601. Learn more at CadeMuseum.org, or contact Sue Draddy at 203.247.2106. Press Contact: Sue Draddy Phone: 203.247.2106 [email protected] SOURCE Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention Related Links https://www.cademuseum.org IRVINE, Calif., May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 1st, the prestigious Buncher Law Corporation welcomed its newest attorney, Chelsea Conde, to their team. Having recently passed the bar, Conde's accomplished resume illustrates her promising future. With the experience Conde has already accrued, she will be a strong addition to Buncher Family Law. Originally from Danville, CA, Conde always had a passion for law. Even as a little girl, she knew that she wanted to be a lawyer when she grew up. Her confidence and clear vision guided her path to California Lutheran University where she majored in philosophy with a minor in legal studies. After earning her Bachelors in three years, Conde's dedication for law propelled her to the University of San Diego School of Law. While in law school, Conde illustrated the breadth of her passion for legal studies by being a member of the Criminal Law Society and Women's Law Caucus. Between 2016 to 2018, Conde also participated in multiple Moot Court Tournaments, eventually becoming the Moot Court Vice Chair of National Teams. Pursuing a variety of legal experiences, Conde first served as a legal assistant at Shaffer Law in Thousand Oaks, CA, during her undergraduate career. Soon after, she worked another legal assistantship at Hyden-Zakheim, LLP, in San Ramon, CA. Determined to expand her horizon as a law student, Conde went on to serve as a law clerk for the Orange County District Attorney's Office for narcotics and misdemeanors as well as for Sullivan Law & Associates. From these experiences, Conde gleaned more than just a deeper understanding of legal procedures. She discovered that she was most interested in family law. Within the realm of family law, Conde was fascinated with two types of cases: custody and Marvin Actions, also known as "palimony" or the non-marital partner's right to assets based upon an implied contract. These two types of family law are partly what drew her to the Buncher Law Corporation, with it's strength in Marvin contract law cases. When asked about her aspirations as an attorney, Conde shared that she would eventually like to work up to be a trial attorney in both civil and criminal court. Since starting her partnership with Buncher Law Corporation on May 1st, Conde anticipates a bright future and looks forward to practicing law in Irvine, CA. Contact Chelsea Conde, J.D. (949) 264-8667 https://buncherlaw.com [email protected] . SOURCE Buncher Law Related Links https://buncherlaw.com The London Business School China Business Forum (CBF) gathers annually as one of the largest student-led China-focused business forums in Europe. It is committed to showcasing the latest business trends and providing a platform for discussing potential opportunities with the world's top industry leaders. This year's forum was themed "Vitalizing the Business Landscape - Connecting the Eurasia Continent", setting the perfect stage to welcome Xie Weishan to deliver his keynote speech on contemporary competitive strategy. His speech compared and contrasted ideas and approaches; old and new, east and west. Xie asserts that a marriage between these methods is the key to navigating dynamic business markets both today and in the future. The China Business Forum is an annual event that showcases expert opinions and provides insight into the latest issues faced by global businesses to drive progress in the dynamic Eurasian market. With four years of experience in the market and over 20 years, combined expertise of the founders in helping Chinese enterprises gain a competitive edge internationally, Kmind Consulting intends to apply its unique strategy through to allow for more integrated co-operations between the two markets, which will cover numerous verticals, including the views on dynamic competitions globally; Sino-British trade; and the effect of that the Belt and Road Initiative on market relations. Commenting on the forum, Yuhe Gou, co-president of China Club, London Business School, said "The partnership encompasses integration with the UK market and Asian market in a move never seen before. Partnering LBS China Business Forum provocative programs with Kmind's unique position in combining Western business practices with Chinese philosophy and thought will help to drive forward greater opportunities for students, closer integration and better business outcomes." Xie's keynote speech, "Navigating Global Challenges: The Eastern Wisdom", provided an intuitive perspective on in-depth competitive strategy in modern business as a whole. Referencing Sun Tzu's The Art of War, he provided an insightful perspective on the ideology of "winning without fighting" through the lens of modern business, marketing, and management case studies. "As a locally-based consulting company, Kmind provides a unique methodology that allows the founders to contribute to the world's Oriental business wisdom. The new partnership with CBF will now enable us to take that expertise in the opposite direction as we help businesses to understand and engage better with the Chinese market," said Xie, Kmind Consulting. Kmind is no stranger to the UK market and brings a proven track record in empowering business growth in the region. A key client includes Bosideng, the world's second largest manufacturer of duck-down clothing by revenue, for which Kmind has provided strategic counselling for several years as the business expanded outside of its China home market. Bosideng now boasts the relaunch of its London flagship store with a coveted address in the luxury shopping district of Mayfair. Today, Kmind is a powerhouse within the business management industry, providing unique perspectives in consulting expertise domestically and abroad. With this strategic partnering, Kmind and London Business School China Business Forum will act to connect the China and Western markets holistically, and with purpose, to define the business world in years to come. About China Business Forum The LBS China Club (the "Club") is one of the largest regional clubs at London Business School with more than 2,700 members, including current students, exchange students and alumni. The Club aims to act as a bridge between China and UK to foster cross-cultural communication, and to promote mutual understanding and collaboration. It is one of the most active student clubs on-campus, with flagship events such as the annual China Business Forum, China Culture and Investment Treks, PE/VC Trek, and numerous cultural and educational events. About Kmind Consulting Founded in 2010, Kmind Consulting is a strategy consulting firm. Our core business is to steer enterprises to identify and formulate corporate competitive strategies in the spirit of transforming client's strategies from product-based to customer brand-based, resulting in brands realizing high premium-power and high pricing-power, to lead to business growth. As the first consulting firm in China providing corporate competitive strategy services, our unconventional consulting-metrics help our clients distinguish market trends and offer result-driven services ensuring our clients become the first choice of customers. For more information, please visit http://en.kmind.com.cn/ SOURCE Kmind Consulting Related Links http://en.kmind.com.cn VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- For a seventh year, Modern Healthcare Magazine has named Divurgent, a healthcare IT consulting company, as one of the Best Places to Work in Healthcare for 2019. "Culture is such a focus of what we are doing at Divurgent. Our interdisciplinary Culture Club, with all areas of Divurgent represented, meets monthly with an actionable focus on improving the quality of work-life for our team members through thematically important initiatives such as allowing our virtual team to get to know one another, wellness activities and contests, and truly bi-directional communication. Receiving this award brings full-cycle meaning to what we are doing, and we could not be more proud." Wendy Kadner, Vice President, Team Resources To foster a successful, meaningful corporate culture, Divurgent is devoted to developing new and maintaining existing initiatives, including a sustained Culture Committee, 'above and beyond' benefits and bonus packages, comprehensive wellness programs, and opportunities for professional and personal development through its tuition reimbursement program. Everything Divurgent does is guided by its ELITE values: Enthusiasm, Learning, Innovation, Trust, and Enthusiasm. Dedicated to healthcare and healthy living, Divurgent encourages healthy lifestyles at work and home through its Wellness Awareness and Awards programs, which helps communicate upcoming regulatory changes and sponsors company-wide health challenges, and wellness programs that provide opportunities for reimbursement and encouragement for healthy activity costs. "Talent alone is not enough to solve the remarkable and challenging problems our client partners face. We need to create a culture where our team wants to strive for more, collaborate with the best and brightest, and ultimately pass on the best of our culture to our clients in the form of outcomes. This award tells us, seven times annually now, that we're doing that." Shane Danaher, Chief Operating Officer In the past 12 months, Divurgent has received other distinguishing honors from organizations such as Inc. Magazine's Fastest Growing Companies, CIO Review's 50 Most Promising Healthcare Solution Providers, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Blue Ribbon Award, and Consulting Magazine's list of Fastest Growing Firms. Modern Healthcare's Best Places to Work in Healthcare program honors employers who have made a commitment to be an exceptional place to work. Modern Healthcare will reveal the ranked order of the 100 Best Places to Work in Healthcare on Thursday, September 26, 2019 at the Renaissance Dallas following Modern Healthcare's Work Place of the Future Conference. About Divurgent Divurgent is not the typical healthcare consulting firm. As a nationally recognized company, we are committed to healthcare evolution and the strategies and processes that make it possible. We help our clients evolve in payment and delivery reform, as well as patient engagement, providing a higher quality of care, lower cost of care, and healthier communities. Focused on the business of hospitals, health systems, and affiliated providers, Divurgent believes successful outcomes are derived from powerful partnerships. Recognizing the unique culture that every organization offers, we leverage the depth of our experienced consulting team to create customized solutions that best meet our client's goals. Utilizing best practices and methodologies, we help improve our client's operational effectiveness, financial performance, and quality of patient care. For more information about Divurgent, visit us at www.divurgent.com. Press Contact: Megan Ailsworth Marketing Manager [email protected] 757.213.6875 SOURCE Divurgent Related Links http://www.divurgent.com BOSTON, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Eaton Vance Corp. (NYSE: EV) today reported earnings per diluted share of $0.89 for the second quarter of fiscal 2019, an increase of 14 percent from $0.78 of earnings per diluted share in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 and an increase of 19 percent from $0.75 of earnings per diluted share in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The Company reported adjusted earnings per diluted share(1) of $0.89 for the second quarter of fiscal 2019, an increase of 16 percent from $0.77 of adjusted earnings per diluted share in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 and an increase of 22 percent from $0.73 of adjusted earnings per diluted share in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Earnings under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) matched adjusted earnings in the second quarter of fiscal 2019. Earnings under U.S. GAAP exceeded adjusted earnings by $0.01 per diluted share in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 and $0.02 per diluted share in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, reflecting the reversal of net excess tax benefits related to stockbased awards of $1.9 million and $2.9 million, respectively. Net gains and other investment income related to seed capital investments contributed $0.03 and $0.01 to earnings per diluted share in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, respectively, and were negligible in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Net income from consolidated collateralized loan obligation (CLO) entities contributed $0.07 to earnings per diluted share in the second quarter of fiscal 2019, was negligible in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 and reduced earnings by $0.02 per diluted share in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Consolidated net inflows of $4.6 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 represent a 4 percent annualized internal growth rate in managed assets (consolidated net inflows divided by beginning of period consolidated assets under management). This compares to net inflows of $4.4 billion and 4 percent annualized internal growth in managed assets in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 and net inflows of $1.5 billion and annualized internal growth in managed assets of 1 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Excluding exposure management mandates, the Company's annualized internal growth rate in managed assets was 3 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2019, 9 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 and 2 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The Company's annualized internal management fee revenue growth rate (management fees attributable to consolidated inflows less management fees attributable to consolidated outflows divided by beginning of period consolidated management fee revenue) was 1 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2019, 6 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 and -4 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. These growth rates reflect the Company's retrospective adoption of Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, on November 1, 2018, which provides for management fee revenue to be recorded net of associated subsidy expenses. Consolidated assets under management were $469.9 billion on April 30, 2019, up 7 percent from $440.1 billion of consolidated managed assets on April 30, 2018 and up 6 percent from $444.7 billion of consolidated managed assets on January 31, 2019. The year-over-year increase in consolidated assets under management reflects net inflows of $11.9 billion and market price appreciation of $17.9 billion. The sequential quarterly increase in consolidated assets under management reflects net inflows of $4.6 billion and market price appreciation of $20.7 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2019. "Strong market returns and continued net inflows combined to drive Eaton Vance's consolidated assets under management to record levels in the second quarter of fiscal 2019," said Thomas E. Faust Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "While improved from the prior quarter, the Company's operating income continues to be adversely affected by declines in managed assets of certain higher-fee strategies and spending in support of business growth." Average consolidated assets under management were $456.2 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2019, up 4 percent from $440.6 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 and up 4 percent from $437.4 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. As shown in Attachment 10, excluding performance-based fees, annualized management fee rates on consolidated assets under management averaged 31.8 basis points in the second quarter of fiscal 2019, down 3 percent from 32.8 basis points in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 and down 1 percent from 32.0 basis points in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Changes in average annualized management fee rates for the compared periods primarily reflect shifts in the Company's mix of business. Average annualized management fee rates for prior year periods have been restated to reflect the retrospective adoption of ASU 2014-09 on November 1, 2018 as described above. Attachments 5 and 6 summarize the Company's consolidated assets under management and net flows by investment mandate and investment vehicle. Attachments 7, 8 and 9 summarize the Company's ending consolidated assets under management by investment mandate, investment vehicle and investment affiliate. Attachment 10 shows the Company's average annualized management fee rates by investment mandate. As shown in Attachments 5 and 6, consolidated sales and other inflows were $36.8 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2019, down 7 percent from $39.4 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 and down 18 percent from $44.7 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Consolidated redemptions and other outflows were $32.2 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2019, down 8 percent from $35.0 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 and down 25 percent from $43.2 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. As of April 30, 2019, the Company's 49 percent-owned affiliate Hexavest Inc. (Hexavest) managed $13.9 billion of client assets, down 12 percent from $15.8 billion of managed assets on April 30, 2018 and up 5 percent from $13.2 billion of managed assets on January 31, 2019. Hexavest had net inflows of $0.2 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 versus net outflows of $0.2 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 and net outflows of $0.7 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Attachment 11 summarizes the assets under management and net flows of Hexavest. Other than Eaton Vance-sponsored funds for which Hexavest is the adviser or sub-adviser, the managed assets and flows of Hexavest are not included in Eaton Vance consolidated totals. Financial Highlights(2) (in thousands, except per share figures) Three Months Ended April 30, January 31, April 30, 2019 2019 2018 Revenue 411,861 $ 406,416 $ 412,700 Expenses 284,688 285,286 280,014 Operating income 127,173 121,130 132,686 Operating margin 30.9 % 29.8 % 32.2 % Non-operating income (expense) 20,291 (3,193) (5,349) Income taxes (37,069) (27,625) (34,044) Equity in net income of affiliates, net of tax 2,735 1,948 3,113 Net income 113,130 92,260 96,406 Net (income) loss attributable to non- controlling and other beneficial interests (11,323) (5,459) 195 Net income attributable to Eaton Vance Corp. shareholders $ 101,807 $ 86,801 $ 96,601 Adjusted net income attributable to Eaton Vance Corp. shareholders $ 101,530 $ 83,852 $ 94,765 Earnings per diluted share $ 0.89 $ 0.75 $ 0.78 Adjusted earnings per diluted share $ 0.89 $ 0.73 $ 0.77 Second Quarter Fiscal 2019 vs. Second Quarter Fiscal 2018(2) Revenue totaled $411.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 compared to $412.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2018. Management fees were up 1 percent, as a 4 percent increase in average consolidated assets under management more than offset lower consolidated average management fee rates. Performance fees were $1.8 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 and $(0.5) million in the second quarter of fiscal 2018. Distribution and service fee revenues were collectively down 7 percent, reflecting lower managed assets in fund share classes that are subject to these fees. Operating expenses increased 2 percent to $284.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 from $280.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2018. Increases in compensation, service fee expense, amortization of deferred sales commissions, fund-related expenses and other operating expenses were partially offset by a decrease in distribution expense. The increase in compensation reflects higher salaries and benefits associated with increases in headcount, higher stock-based compensation and $1.6 million of costs associated with employee terminations recognized in the second quarter of fiscal 2019, partially offset by lower sales-based incentive compensation and operating income-based bonus accruals. The increase in service fee expense reflects higher private fund service fee payments, partially offset by lower Class C service fee payments. The increase in amortization of deferred sales commissions reflects higher private fund and Class C commission amortization. The increase in fund-related expenses reflects higher sub-advisory fees paid and an increase in fund expenses borne by the Company on funds for which it earns an all-in fee. Other operating expenses increased 3 percent, primarily reflecting higher information technology spending, partially offset by lower travel and other corporate expenses. The decrease in distribution expense primarily reflects lower Class C distribution fee payments. Operating income decreased 4 percent to $127.2 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 from $132.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2018. Operating margin decreased to 30.9 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 from 32.2 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2018. Non-operating income totaled $20.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 versus $5.3 million of non-operating expense in the second quarter of fiscal 2018. The year-over-year change reflects a $15.5 million increase in net gains and other investment income from the Company's investments in sponsored strategies, including consolidated sponsored funds, and a $10.1 million increase in income contribution from consolidated CLO entities. The Company's effective tax rate, calculated as a percentage of income before income taxes and equity in net income of affiliates, was 25.1 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 and 26.7 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2018. The Company's effective tax rate is discussed in greater detail in the section captioned "Taxation" below. Equity in net income of affiliates was $2.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 and $3.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2018. In the second quarter of fiscal 2019, substantially all equity in net income of affiliates related to the Company's investment in Hexavest. Equity in net income of affiliates in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 included $2.8 million from the Company's Hexavest investment and $0.3 million from the Company's investment in a private equity partnership. As detailed in Attachment 3, net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling and other beneficial interests was $11.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 and $(0.2) million in the second quarter of fiscal 2018. The year-over-year change primarily reflects an increase in income earned by consolidated sponsored funds. The Company's weighted average basic shares outstanding were 110.4 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 and 115.6 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2018, a decrease of 5 percent. The year-over-year reduction reflects share repurchases in excess of new shares issued upon the vesting of restricted stock awards and the exercise of employee stock options. On a diluted basis, the Company's weighted average shares outstanding were 114.2 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 and 123.8 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2018, a decrease of 8 percent. The decline in weighted average diluted shares outstanding further reflects a decrease in the dilutive effect of in-the-money options and unvested restricted stock awards due to lower market prices of the Company's shares. Second Quarter Fiscal 2019 vs. First Quarter Fiscal 2019 In the second quarter of fiscal 2019, revenue increased 1 percent to $411.9 million from $406.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Management fees were up 2 percent, as a 4 percent increase in average consolidated assets under management outweighed the impact of three fewer fee days and lower consolidated average management fee rates. Performance fees were $1.8 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 and $(0.3) million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Distribution and service fee revenues were collectively down 5 percent, reflecting lower managed assets in fund share classes that are subject to these fees. Operating expenses totaled $284.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 compared to $285.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, reflecting decreases in compensation and distribution expense, partially offset by increases in service fee expense, fund-related expenses and other operating expenses. The decrease in compensation expense reflects lower salaries and benefits and stock-based compensation, driven by fewer payroll days in the second fiscal quarter, and lower sales-based incentive compensation, partially offset by higher performance- and operating income-based bonus accruals and $1.6 million of costs recognized in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 associated with employee terminations. The decrease in distribution expense reflects lower Class C distribution fee payments, partially offset by higher up-front sales commission expense. The increase in service fee expense reflects higher Class A and private fund service fee payments, partially offset by lower Class C service fee payments. The increase in fund-related expenses primarily reflects higher sub-advisory fees paid. Other operating expenses increased 1 percent, primarily reflecting higher information technology and professional services expenses, partially offset by lower facilities and other corporate expenses. Operating income increased 5 percent to $127.2 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 from $121.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Operating margin increased to 30.9 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 from 29.8 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Non-operating income totaled $20.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 versus $3.2 million of non-operating expense in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The sequential change primarily reflects a $9.4 million increase in net gains and other investment income from the Company's investments in sponsored strategies, including consolidated sponsored funds, and a $13.9 million increase in income contribution from consolidated CLO entities. The Company's effective tax rate, calculated as a percentage of income before income taxes and equity in net income of affiliates, was 25.1 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 and 23.4 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The Company's effective tax rate is discussed in greater detail in the section captioned "Taxation" below. Equity in net income of affiliates was $2.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 and $1.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. In both the second and first quarters of fiscal 2019, substantially all equity in net income of affiliates related to the Company's investment in Hexavest. As detailed in Attachment 3, net income attributable to non-controlling and other beneficial interests was $11.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 and $5.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The sequential change primarily reflects an increase in income earned by consolidated sponsored funds. The Company's weighted average basic shares outstanding were 110.4 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 and 112.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, a decrease of 2 percent. The sequential reduction reflects share repurchases in excess of new shares issued upon the vesting of restricted stock awards and the exercise of employee stock options. On a diluted basis, the Company's weighted average shares outstanding were 114.2 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 and 115.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, a decrease of 1 percent. The change in weighted average diluted shares outstanding in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 also reflects an increase in the dilutive effect of in-the-money options due to higher market prices of the Company's shares. Taxation The following table reconciles the statutory federal income tax rate to the Company's effective tax rate for the second and first quarters of fiscal 2019 and the second quarter of fiscal 2018: Three Months Ended April 30, January 31, April 30, 2019 2019 2018 Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate(3) 21.0 % 21.0 % 23.3 % State income taxes for current year, net of federal income tax benefits 4.5 4.6 4.3 Net income attributable to non-controlling and other beneficial interests (0.9) (1.0) 0.1 Other items 0.7 1.3 0.5 Adjusted effective income tax rate(4) 25.3 25.9 28.2 Net excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation plans(5) (0.2) (2.5) (1.5) Effective income tax rate 25.1 % 23.4 % 26.7 % The income tax provision for the second quarter of fiscal 2019 and the first quarter of fiscal 2019 includes $0.7 million and $0.6 million, respectively, of charges associated with certain provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2017 Tax Act) taking effect for the Company in fiscal 2019, relating principally to limitations on the deductibility of executive compensation. The Company's income tax provision was reduced by net excess tax benefits related to the exercise of employee stock options and vesting of restricted stock awards during the period totaling $0.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2019, $1.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 and $2.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The Company's calculations of adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share remove the tax impact of stock-based compensation shortfalls or windfalls recognized in connection with the accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. On this basis, the Company's adjusted effective tax rate was 25.3 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2019, 28.2 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 and 25.9 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. On the same adjusted basis, the Company estimates that its effective tax rate will be approximately 25.9 to 26.4 percent for the balance of fiscal 2019 and for the fiscal year as a whole. The Company's actual adjusted effective tax rate for fiscal 2019 may vary from this estimate due to changes in the Company's tax policy interpretations and assumptions, additional regulatory guidance that may be issued and other factors. Balance Sheet Information As of April 30, 2019, the Company held cash and cash equivalents of $525.0 million and its investments included $203.3 million of short-term debt securities with maturities between 90 days and one year. There were no outstanding borrowings under the Company's $300 million credit facility at such date. During the first six months of fiscal 2019, the Company used $183.5 million to repurchase and retire approximately 4.7 million shares of its Non-Voting Common Stock under its repurchase authorizations. Of the current 8.0 million share repurchase authorization, approximately 2.6 million shares remain available. Conference Call Information Eaton Vance Corp. will host a conference call and webcast at 11:00 AM eastern time today to discuss the financial results for the three and six months ended April 30, 2019. To participate in the conference call, please dial 866-521-4909 (domestic) or 647-427-2311 (international) and refer to "Eaton Vance Corp. Second Fiscal Quarter Earnings." A webcast of the conference call can also be accessed via Eaton Vance's website, eatonvance.com. A replay of the call will be available for one week by calling 800-585-8367 (domestic) or 416-621-4642 (international) or by accessing Eaton Vance's website, eatonvance.com. To listen to the replay, enter the conference ID number 2168093 when instructed. About Eaton Vance Corp. Eaton Vance Corp. (NYSE: EV) provides advanced investment strategies and wealth management solutions to forward-thinking investors around the world. Through principal investment affiliates Eaton Vance Management, Parametric, Atlanta Capital, Hexavest and Calvert, the Company offers a diversity of investment approaches, encompassing bottom-up and top-down fundamental active management, responsible investing, systematic investing and customized implementation of client-specified portfolio exposures. As of April 30, 2019, Eaton Vance had consolidated assets under management of $469.9 billion. Exemplary service, timely innovation and attractive returns across market cycles have been hallmarks of Eaton Vance since 1924. For more information, visit eatonvance.com. Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain statements that are not historical facts, referred to as "forward-looking statements." The Company's actual future results may differ significantly from those stated in any forward-looking statements, depending on factors such as changes in securities or financial markets or general economic conditions, client sales and redemption activity, the continuation of investment advisory, administration, distribution and service contracts, and other risks discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Attachment 1 Eaton Vance Corp. Summary of Results of Operations(1) (in thousands, except per share figures) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended % % Change Change Q2 2019 Q2 2019 April 30, January 31, April 30, vs. vs. April 30, April 30, % 2019 2019 2018 Q1 2019 Q2 2018 2019 2018 Change Revenue: Management fees $ 359,384 $ 350,750 $ 356,076 2 % 1 % $ 710,134 $ 717,933 (1) % Distribution and underwriter fees 20,054 23,090 24,157 (13) (17) 43,144 49,104 (12) Service fees 29,586 29,360 29,453 1 - 58,946 59,814 (1) Other revenue 2,837 3,216 3,014 (12) (6) 6,053 6,085 (1) Total revenue 411,861 406,416 412,700 1 - 818,277 832,936 (2) Expenses: Compensation and related costs 153,542 153,888 147,989 - 4 307,430 303,037 1 Distribution expense 35,930 37,508 40,598 (4) (11) 73,438 82,467 (11) Service fee expense 25,921 25,517 25,679 2 1 51,438 52,520 (2) Amortization of deferred sales commissions 5,571 5,547 4,428 - 26 11,118 8,705 28 Fund-related expenses 9,960 9,645 9,358 3 6 19,605 18,520 6 Other expenses 53,764 53,181 51,962 1 3 106,945 99,201 8 Total expenses 284,688 285,286 280,014 - 2 569,974 564,450 1 Operating income 127,173 121,130 132,686 5 (4) 248,303 268,486 (8) Non-operating income (expense): Gains (losses) and other investment income, net 15,206 5,833 (261) 161 NM 21,039 2,337 800 Interest expense (5,888) (6,131) (5,903) (4) - (12,019) (11,810) 2 Other income (expense) of consolidated collateralized loan obligation (CLO) entities: Gains and other investment income, net 21,794 5,441 1,259 301 NM 27,235 2,976 815 Interest and other expense (10,821) (8,336) (444) 30 NM (19,157) (538) NM Total non-operating income (expense) 20,291 (3,193) (5,349) NM NM 17,098 (7,035) NM Income before income taxes and equity in net income of affiliates 147,464 117,937 127,337 25 16 265,401 261,451 2 Income taxes (37,069) (27,625) (34,044) 34 9 (64,694) (82,661) (22) Equity in net income of affiliates, net of tax 2,735 1,948 3,113 40 (12) 4,683 6,127 (24) Net income 113,130 92,260 96,406 23 17 205,390 184,917 11 Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling and other beneficial interests (11,323) (5,459) 195 107 NM (16,782) (10,260) 64 Net income attributable to Eaton Vance Corp. shareholders $ 101,807 $ 86,801 $ 96,601 17 5 $ 188,608 $ 174,657 8 Earnings per share: Basic $ 0.92 $ 0.77 $ 0.84 19 10 $ 1.69 $ 1.51 12 Diluted $ 0.89 $ 0.75 $ 0.78 19 14 $ 1.64 $ 1.41 16 Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 110,379 112,255 115,625 (2) (5) 111,315 115,448 (4) Diluted 114,249 115,516 123,779 (1) (8) 114,795 123,912 (7) Dividends declared per share $ 0.35 $ 0.35 $ 0.31 - 13 $ 0.70 $ 0.62 13 (1) Prior year amounts have been restated to reflect the Company's retrospective adoption of ASU 2014-09 on November 1, 2018. Fund subsidies previously included as a component of fund-related expenses are now presented as a contra-revenue component of management fees. In addition, certain front-end load sales commissions that were previously reported on a net basis as a component of distribution expense are now reported on a gross basis in distribution and underwriter fee revenue and distribution expense. The adoption of ASU 2014-09 had no impact on net income or earnings per share. Attachment 2 Eaton Vance Corp. Reconciliation of net income attributable to Eaton Vance Corp. shareholders to adjusted net income attributable to Eaton Vance Corp. shareholders and earnings per diluted share to adjusted earnings per diluted share (in thousands, except per share figures) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended % % Change Change Q2 2019 Q2 2019 April 30, January 31, April 30, vs. vs. April 30, April 30, % 2019 2019 2018 Q1 2019 Q2 2018 2019 2018 Change Net income attributable to Eaton Vance Corp. shareholders $ 101,807 $ 86,801 $ 96,601 17 % 5 % $ 188,608 $ 174,657 8 % Net excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation plans(1) (277) (2,949) (1,878) (91) (85) (3,226) (13,740) (77) Revaluation of deferred tax amounts(2) - - - NM NM - 21,653 (100) Repatriation of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries(3) - - 42 NM (100) - 3,056 (100) Loss on write-off of Hexavest option, net of tax(4) - - - NM NM - 5,660 (100) Adjusted net income attributable to Eaton Vance Corp. shareholders $ 101,530 $ 83,852 $ 94,765 21 7 $ 185,382 $ 191,286 (3) Earnings per diluted share $ 0.89 $ 0.75 $ 0.78 19 14 $ 1.64 $ 1.41 16 Net excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation plans - (0.02) (0.01) (100) (100) (0.03) (0.11) (73) Revaluation of deferred tax amounts - - - NM NM - 0.17 (100) Repatriation of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries - - - NM NM - 0.02 (100) Loss on write-off of Hexavest option, net of tax - - - NM NM - 0.05 (100) Adjusted earnings per diluted share $ 0.89 $ 0.73 $ 0.77 22 16 $ 1.61 $ 1.54 5 (1) Reflects the impact of ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which was adopted in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. (2) Reflects the revaluation of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities resulting from the enactment of the 2017 Tax Act on December 22, 2017. (3) Reflects the recognition of incremental tax expense related to the deemed repatriation of foreign earnings considered to be indefinitely reinvested abroad and not previously subject to U.S. taxation. (4) Reflects the $6.5 million loss recognized upon expiration of the Company's option to acquire an additional 26 percent ownership interest in Hexavest, net of the associated impact to taxes of $0.8 million. Attachment 3 Eaton Vance Corp. Components of net income attributable to non-controlling and other beneficial interests (in thousands) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended % % Change Change Q2 2019 Q2 2019 April 30, January 31, April 30, vs. vs. April 30, April 30, % 2019 2019 2018 Q1 2019 Q2 2018 2019 2018 Change Consolidated sponsored funds $ 8,141 $ 2,422 $ (3,947) 236 % NM % $ 10,563 $ 2,353 349 % Majority-owned subsidiaries 3,182 3,037 3,752 5 (15) 6,219 7,907 (21) Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling and other beneficial interests $ 11,323 $ 5,459 $ (195) 107 NM $ 16,782 $ 10,260 64 Attachment 4 Eaton Vance Corp. Balance Sheet (in thousands, except per share figures) April 30, October 31, 2019 2018 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 525,040 $ 600,696 Management fees and other receivables 235,545 236,736 Investments 975,177 1,078,627 Assets of consolidated CLO entities: Cash 61,694 216,598 Bank loans and other investments 1,237,129 874,304 Other assets 26,277 4,464 Deferred sales commissions 49,492 48,629 Deferred income taxes 40,017 45,826 Equipment and leasehold improvements, net 70,153 52,428 Intangible assets, net 78,007 80,885 Goodwill 259,681 259,681 Loan to affiliate 5,000 5,000 Other assets 69,966 95,454 Total assets $ 3,633,178 $ 3,599,328 Liabilities, Temporary Equity and Permanent Equity Liabilities: Accrued compensation $ 121,571 $ 233,836 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 87,844 91,410 Dividend payable 49,612 51,731 Debt 620,095 619,678 Liabilities of consolidated CLO entities: Senior and subordinated note obligations 856,972 873,008 Line of credit 151,838 - Other liabilities 207,228 154,185 Other liabilities 107,810 131,952 Total liabilities 2,202,970 2,155,800 Commitments and contingencies Temporary Equity: Redeemable non-controlling interests 340,176 335,097 Total temporary equity 340,176 335,097 Permanent Equity: Voting Common Stock, par value $0.00390625 per share: Authorized, 1,280,000 shares Issued and outstanding, 422,935 and 422,935 shares, respectively 2 2 Non-Voting Common Stock, par value $0.00390625 per share: Authorized, 190,720,000 shares Issued and outstanding, 114,068,374 and 116,527,845 shares, respectively 446 455 Additional paid-in capital - 17,514 Notes receivable from stock option exercises (7,820) (8,057) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (61,615) (53,181) Retained earnings 1,157,970 1,150,698 Total Eaton Vance Corp. shareholders' equity 1,088,983 1,107,431 Non-redeemable non-controlling interests 1,049 1,000 Total permanent equity 1,090,032 1,108,431 Total liabilities, temporary equity and permanent equity $ 3,633,178 $ 3,599,328 Attachment 5 Eaton Vance Corp. Consolidated Assets under Management and Net Flows by Investment Mandate(1) (in millions) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended April 30, January 31, April 30, April 30, April 30, 2019 2019 2018 2019 2018 Equity assets beginning of period(2) $ 116,990 $ 115,772 $ 122,595 $ 115,772 $ 113,472 Sales and other inflows 5,050 6,220 5,913 11,270 11,789 Redemptions/outflows (4,570) (5,461) (5,265) (10,031) (10,585) Net flows 480 759 648 1,239 1,204 Exchanges 150 (108) (5) 42 (2) Market value change 8,249 567 (5,481) 8,816 3,083 Equity assets end of period $ 125,869 $ 116,990 $ 117,757 $ 125,869 $ 117,757 Fixed income assets beginning of period(3) 82,525 77,844 72,663 77,844 70,797 Sales and other inflows 8,352 9,222 6,164 17,574 12,491 Redemptions/outflows (5,427) (6,053) (3,925) (11,480) (7,862) Net flows 2,925 3,169 2,239 6,094 4,629 Exchanges 70 326 (7) 396 11 Market value change 1,224 1,186 (871) 2,410 (1,413) Fixed income assets end of period $ 86,744 $ 82,525 $ 74,024 $ 86,744 $ 74,024 Floating-rate income assets beginning of period 40,943 44,837 39,793 44,837 38,819 Sales and other inflows 2,079 3,566 4,561 5,645 6,835 Redemptions/outflows (3,657) (6,478) (2,205) (10,135) (3,860) Net flows (1,578) (2,912) 2,356 (4,490) 2,975 Exchanges (57) (266) 18 (323) 15 Market value change 442 (716) 115 (274) 473 Floating-rate income assets end of period $ 39,750 $ 40,943 $ 42,282 $ 39,750 $ 42,282 Alternative assets beginning of period 9,991 12,139 13,248 12,139 12,637 Sales and other inflows 802 1,044 1,864 1,846 3,578 Redemptions/outflows (1,275) (3,264) (1,344) (4,539) (2,378) Net flows (473) (2,220) 520 (2,693) 1,200 Exchanges (149) (27) (2) (176) (8) Market value change 40 99 (260) 139 (323) Alternative assets end of period $ 9,409 $ 9,991 $ 13,506 $ 9,409 $ 13,506 Portfolio implementation assets beginning of period 115,435 110,840 110,442 110,840 99,615 Sales and other inflows 5,984 7,487 5,791 13,471 10,899 Redemptions/outflows (4,721) (4,113) (3,542) (8,834) (7,297) Net flows 1,263 3,374 2,249 4,637 3,602 Exchanges (21) 75 1 54 (15) Market value change 8,714 1,146 (5,522) 9,860 3,968 Portfolio implementation assets end of period $ 125,391 $ 115,435 $ 107,170 $ 125,391 $ 107,170 Exposure management assets beginning of period 78,768 77,871 90,488 77,871 86,976 Sales and other inflows 14,559 17,122 15,083 31,681 37,735 Redemptions/outflows (12,544) (17,808) (18,688) (30,352) (39,843) Net flows 2,015 (686) (3,605) 1,329 (2,108) Market value change 1,992 1,583 (1,550) 3,575 465 Exposure management assets end of period $ 82,775 $ 78,768 $ 85,333 $ 82,775 $ 85,333 Total assets under management beginning of period 444,652 439,303 449,229 439,303 422,316 Sales and other inflows 36,826 44,661 39,376 81,487 83,327 Redemptions/outflows (32,194) (43,177) (34,969) (75,371) (71,825) Net flows 4,632 1,484 4,407 6,116 11,502 Exchanges (7) - 5 (7) 1 Market value change 20,661 3,865 (13,569) 24,526 6,253 Total assets under management end of period $ 469,938 $ 444,652 $ 440,072 $ 469,938 $ 440,072 (1) Consolidated Eaton Vance Corp. See Attachment 11 for directly managed assets and flows of 49 percent-owned Hexavest, which are not included in the table above. (2) Whenever presented, Equity assets include balanced and other multiasset mandates. (3) Whenever presented, Fixed Income assets include cash management mandates. Attachment 6 Eaton Vance Corp. Consolidated Assets under Management and Net Flows by Investment Vehicle(1) (in millions) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended April 30, January 31, April 30, April 30, April 30, 2019 2019 2018 2019 2018 Funds beginning of period(2) $ 162,750 $ 164,968 $ 164,554 $ 164,968 $ 156,853 Sales and other inflows 10,510 13,723 11,796 24,233 22,312 Redemptions/outflows (9,399) (15,425) (8,672) (24,824) (17,486) Net flows 1,111 (1,702) 3,124 (591) 4,826 Exchanges (7) (98) 5 (105) 1 Market value change 7,108 (418) (4,814) 6,690 1,189 Funds end of period $ 170,962 $ 162,750 $ 162,869 $ 170,962 $ 162,869 Institutional separate accounts beginning of period 155,224 153,996 169,406 153,996 159,986 Sales and other inflows 16,327 20,829 19,956 37,156 45,637 Redemptions/outflows (16,499) (22,329) (21,733) (38,828) (45,067) Net flows (172) (1,500) (1,777) (1,672) 570 Exchanges - 98 246 98 326 Market value change 5,408 2,630 (4,059) 8,038 2,934 Institutional separate accounts end of period $ 160,460 $ 155,224 $ 163,816 $ 160,460 $ 163,816 Individual separate accounts beginning of period(3) 126,678 120,339 115,269 120,339 105,477 Sales and other inflows 9,989 10,109 7,624 20,098 15,378 Redemptions/outflows (6,296) (5,423) (4,564) (11,719) (9,272) Net flows 3,693 4,686 3,060 8,379 6,106 Exchanges - - (246) - (326) Market value change 8,145 1,653 (4,696) 9,798 2,130 Individual separate accounts end of period $ 138,516 $ 126,678 $ 113,387 $ 138,516 $ 113,387 Total assets under management beginning of period 444,652 439,303 449,229 439,303 422,316 Sales and other inflows 36,826 44,661 39,376 81,487 83,327 Redemptions/outflows (32,194) (43,177) (34,969) (75,371) (71,825) Net flows 4,632 1,484 4,407 6,116 11,502 Exchanges (7) - 5 (7) 1 Market value change 20,661 3,865 (13,569) 24,526 6,253 Total assets under management end of period $ 469,938 $ 444,652 $ 440,072 $ 469,938 $ 440,072 (1) Consolidated Eaton Vance Corp. See Attachment 11 for directly managed assets and flows of 49 percentowned Hexavest, which are not included in the table above. (2) Whenever presented, Fund assets include assets of cash management funds. (3) In the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company revised its classification of consolidated assets under management and net flows by investment vehicle to combine the formerly separate high-net-worth separate account and retail managed account categories into a single individual separate account category. The above presentation of prior year results has been revised for comparability purposes. The reclassification does not affect total consolidated assets under management or total consolidated net flows for any period. Attachment 7 Eaton Vance Corp. Consolidated Assets under Management by Investment Mandate(1) (in millions) April 30, January 31, % April 30, % 2019 2019 Change 2018 Change Equity(2) $ 125,869 $ 116,990 8% $ 117,757 7% Fixed income(3) 86,744 82,525 5% 74,024 17% Floating-rate income 39,750 40,943 -3% 42,282 -6% Alternative 9,409 9,991 -6% 13,506 -30% Portfolio implementation 125,391 115,435 9% 107,170 17% Exposure management 82,775 78,768 5% 85,333 -3% Total $ 469,938 $ 444,652 6% $ 440,072 7% (1) Consolidated Eaton Vance Corp. See Attachment 11 for directly managed assets and flows of 49 percentowned Hexavest, which are not included in the table above. (2) Includes balanced and other multiasset mandates. (3) Includes cash management mandates. Attachment 8 Eaton Vance Corp. Consolidated Assets under Management by Investment Vehicle(1) (in millions) April 30, January 31, % April 30, % 2019 2019 Change 2018 Change Open-end funds $ 104,367 $ 99,846 5% $ 101,682 3% Closed-end funds 24,503 23,633 4% 24,635 -1% Private funds(2) 42,092 39,271 7% 36,552 15% Institutional separate accounts 160,460 155,224 3% 163,816 -2% Individual separate accounts(3) 138,516 126,678 9% 113,387 22% Total $ 469,938 $ 444,652 6% $ 440,072 7% (1) Consolidated Eaton Vance Corp. See Attachment 11 for directly managed assets and flows of 49 percentowned Hexavest, which are not included in the table above. (2) Includes privately offered equity, fixed income and floating-rate income funds and CLO entities. (3) In the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company revised its classification of consolidated assets under management by investment vehicle to combine the formerly separate high-net-worth separate account and retail managed account categories into a single individual separate account category. The above presentation of prior year results has been revised for comparability purposes. The reclassification does not affect total consolidated assets under management for any period. Attachment 9 Eaton Vance Corp. Consolidated Assets under Management by Investment Affiliate(1) (in millions) April 30, January 31, % April 30, % 2019 2019 Change 2018 Change Eaton Vance Management(2) $ 184,603 $ 178,261 4% $ 173,269 7% Parametric 245,168 230,157 7% 231,452 6% Atlanta Capital(3) 25,766 23,216 11% 23,593 9% Calvert(3) 14,401 13,018 11% 11,758 22% Total $ 469,938 $ 444,652 6% $ 440,072 7% (1) Consolidated Eaton Vance Corp. See Attachment 11 for directly managed assets and flows of 49 percent-owned Hexavest, which are not included in the table above. (2) Includes managed assets of Eaton Vance-sponsored funds and separate accounts managed by Hexavest and unaffiliated third-party advisers under Eaton Vance supervision. (3) Consistent with the Company's policies for reporting the managed assets and flows of investment portfolios for which multiple Eaton Vance affiliates have management responsibilities, the managed assets of Atlanta Capital indicated above include the assets of Calvert Equity Fund, for which Atlanta Capital serves as sub-adviser. The total managed assets of Calvert, including assets sub-advised by other Eaton Vance affiliates, were $17.1 billion as of April 30, 2019, $15.4 billion as of January 31, 2019 and $14.0 billion as of April 30, 2018. Attachment 10 Eaton Vance Corp. Average Annualized Management Fee Rates by Investment Mandate(1)(2) (in basis points on average managed assets) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended % % Change Change Q2 2019 Q2 2019 April 30, January 31, April 30, vs. vs. April 30, April 30, % 2019 2019 2018 Q1 2019 Q2 2018 2019 2018 Change Equity 57.1 56.9 58.6 0% -3% 56.9 59.3 -4% Fixed income 33.0 33.4 35.1 -1% -6% 33.2 35.6 -7% Floating-rate income 50.0 50.0 50.7 0% -1% 49.9 50.9 -2% Alternative 59.4 58.3 65.2 2% -9% 58.6 66.0 -11% Portfolio implementation 14.7 14.3 14.1 3% 4% 14.5 14.6 -1% Exposure management 5.3 5.2 5.1 2% 4% 5.2 5.1 2% Consolidated average annualized fee rates 31.8 32.0 32.8 -1% -3% 31.8 33.2 -4% (1) Prior year management fee rates have been restated to reflect the Company's retrospective adoption of ASU 2014-09 on November 1, 2018. Fund subsidies previously included as a component of fund-related expenses are now presented as a contra-revenue component of management fees. (2) Excludes performance-based fees, which were $1.8 million for the three months ended April 30, 2019, $(0.3) million for the three months ended January 31, 2019, $(0.5) million for the three months ended April 30, 2018, $1.5 million for the six months ended April 30, 2019 and $(1.0) million for the six months ended April 30, 2018. Attachment 11 Eaton Vance Corp. Hexavest Inc. Assets under Management and Net Flows (in millions) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended April 30, January 31, April 30, April 30, April 30, 2019 2019 2018 2019 2018 Eaton Vance distributed: Eaton Vance sponsored funds beginning of period(1) $ 177 $ 159 $ 193 $ 159 $ 182 Sales and other inflows 4 40 5 44 10 Redemptions/outflows (3) (25) (11) (28) (17) Net flows 1 15 (6) 16 (7) Market value change 6 3 (8) 9 4 Eaton Vance sponsored funds end of period $ 184 $ 177 $ 179 $ 184 $ 179 Eaton Vance distributed separate accounts beginning of period(2) $ 2,065 $ 2,169 $ 3,264 $ 2,169 $ 3,092 Sales and other inflows 3 21 62 24 140 Redemptions/outflows (79) (140) (103) (219) (218) Net flows (76) (119) (41) (195) (78) Market value change 87 15 (136) 102 73 Eaton Vance distributed separate accounts end of period $ 2,076 $ 2,065 $ 3,087 $ 2,076 $ 3,087 Total Eaton Vance distributed beginning of period $ 2,242 $ 2,328 $ 3,457 $ 2,328 $ 3,274 Sales and other inflows 7 61 67 68 150 Redemptions/outflows (82) (165) (114) (247) (235) Net flows (75) (104) (47) (179) (85) Market value change 93 18 (144) 111 77 Total Eaton Vance distributed end of period $ 2,260 $ 2,242 $ 3,266 $ 2,260 $ 3,266 Hexavest directly distributed beginning of period(3) $ 10,988 $ 11,467 $ 13,271 $ 11,467 $ 12,748 Sales and other inflows 700 519 311 1,219 476 Redemptions/outflows (473) (1,134) (485) (1,607) (985) Net flows 227 (615) (174) (388) (509) Market value change 419 136 (595) 555 263 Hexavest directly distributed end of period $ 11,634 $ 10,988 $ 12,502 $ 11,634 $ 12,502 Total Hexavest managed assets beginning of period $ 13,230 $ 13,795 $ 16,728 $ 13,795 $ 16,022 Sales and other inflows 707 580 378 1,287 626 Redemptions/outflows (555) (1,299) (599) (1,854) (1,220) Net flows 152 (719) (221) (567) (594) Market value change 512 154 (739) 666 340 Total Hexavest managed assets end of period $ 13,894 $ 13,230 $ 15,768 $ 13,894 $ 15,768 (1) Managed assets and flows of Eaton Vance-sponsored pooled investment vehicles for which Hexavest is adviser or sub-adviser. Eaton Vance receives management fees (and in some cases also distribution fees) on these assets, which are included in Eaton Vance's consolidated assets under management and flows in Attachments 5 through 9. (2) Managed assets and flows of Eaton Vance-distributed separate accounts managed by Hexavest. Eaton Vance receives distribution fees, but not management fees, on these assets, which are not included in Eaton Vance's consolidated assets under management and flows in Attachments 5 through 9. (3) Managed assets and flows of pre-transaction Hexavest clients and post-transaction Hexavest clients in Canada. Eaton Vance receives no management fees or distribution fees on these assets, which are not included in Eaton Vance's consolidated assets under management and flows in Attachments 5 through 9. _______________________________________________________________________________ (1) Although the Company reports its financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP, management believes that certain non-U.S. GAAP financial measures, specifically, adjusted net income attributable to Eaton Vance Corp. shareholders and adjusted earnings per diluted share, while not a substitute for U.S. GAAP financial measures, may be effective indicators of the Company's performance over time. Non-U.S. GAAP financial measures should not be construed to be superior to U.S. GAAP measures. In calculating these non-U.S. GAAP financial measures, net income attributable to Eaton Vance Corp. shareholders and earnings per diluted share are adjusted to exclude items management deems non-operating or non-recurring in nature, or otherwise outside the ordinary course of business. These adjustments may include, when applicable, the add back of closed-end fund structuring fees, costs associated with special dividends, debt repayments and tax settlements, the tax impact of stock-based compensation shortfalls or windfalls, and non-recurring charges for the effect of the tax law changes. Management and our Board of Directors, as well as certain of our outside investors, consider these adjusted numbers a measure of the Company's underlying operating performance. Management believes adjusted net income attributable to Eaton Vance Corp. shareholders and adjusted earnings per diluted share are important indicators of our operations because they exclude items that may not be indicative of, or are unrelated to, our core operating results, and may provide a useful baseline for analyzing trends in our underlying business. (2) Prior period revenue and expenses have been restated to reflect certain classification adjustments from the Company's retrospective adoption of ASU 2014-09 on November 1, 2018. The adoption of the new revenue recognition accounting standard had no impact on operating income or earnings per share. (3) The Company's statutory U.S. federal income tax rate for fiscal 2019 is 21 percent based on the 2017 Tax Act. The Company's statutory U.S. federal income tax rate for fiscal 2018 was a blend of 35 percent and 21 percent based on the number of days in the Company's fiscal year before and after the January 1, 2018 effective date of the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate pursuant to the 2017 Tax Act. (4) Represents the Company's effective income tax rate, excluding the tax impact of stock-based compensation shortfalls or windfalls. Management believes that the Company's adjusted effective income tax rate is an important indicator of our operations because it excludes items that may not be indicative of, or are unrelated to, our core operating results, and may provide a useful baseline for analyzing trends in our underlying business. (5) Reflects the impact of ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which was adopted by the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The Company anticipates that the adoption of this guidance may cause fluctuations in the Company's effective tax rate, particularly in the first quarter of each fiscal year, when most of the Company's annual stock-based awards vest. SOURCE Eaton Vance Corp. Related Links http://www.eatonvance.com Charles Freeman, US Chamber of Comerce Senior Vice President for Asia, echoed Chen's recomendation. "Tarrrifs are not helping anyone. Perhaps it was useful of the administration to send a wakeup call, but we are pretty sure the Chinese goverment has woken up. It's time to get back to the table and finish this so we all can get back to business," Freemen said. Earlier this year, 2019 State of Business in South China study demonstrates that, at the present, 78 percent of AmCham South China membership with investments in South China are primarily engaged in the production of goods and services in China for the Chinese market. Many of the components and materials used in such production are imported from the US. Therefore, the more than 2,300 members of the American Chamber of Commerce in South China, who account for 40 percent of all US-China business, trade and investments, represent a substantial piece of the larger part of the US-China relations. Freeman, a former assistant US Trade Representative for China Affairs and principal US trade negotiator with China, said the US-China trading partnership is the largest in the world and continues to expect a yearly 3.4 percent yearly growth in spite of the continued trade conflicts between the two countries. Director Chen said that pushing forward the liberation of minds is important to China's future. "Joint efforts between the two governments and institutions can write a new chapter for mutual development," Chen said. Dr. Michael Enright, who taught at the Harvard Business School before moving on to the University of Hong Kong, said that although the relationship is ongoing, it was originally based on a misunderstanding. "We thought that [a relationship between China and the US] would help China enter the international community, but it was assumed China's system would change to be more similar to ours. In reality, each side is working in their own systems." Every once in a while, according to Enright, the two countries have to renegotiate their differences. These issues have been developing since China's entrance of the World Trade Organization in 2001. "Now, we come together with a better understanding of each other's sides. We are less likely to have false expectations going forward," he added. Enright noted that several major provisions in the new Foreign Investment Law have changed the nature of opportunities for foreign businesses operating in China. The new law totally changed the environment of those already not on negative list and streamlines the process to open the doors for those entering the market. Enright said that perhaps the most important provision of the new law was the creation of a new framework for foreign companies to raise complaints when they believe they have been discriminated against. This provision, first publicly suggested by the American Chamber of Commerce in South China's in the 2019 White Paper and Special Report, allows for a more nonpartial decision making process. AmCham South China President Dr. Harley Seyedin said, "I must say that we are extremely happy that our recommendation for the establishment of a new judicial mechanism for foreign company complaints was included in the new Foreign Investment law." Seyedin said that conflict between the two greatest economies in the hisotory of the world is inevitable, but he is confident that the US and China can bring the trade talks to a conclusion if officials from both countries remain committed to the cause. The future will remain truly bright for foreign business and investment in China, Seyedin added. About The American Chamber of Commerce in South China The American Chamber of Commerce in South China (AmCham South China) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating bilateral trade between the United States and the People's Republic of China. Certified in 1995 by the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC, AmCham South China represents more than 2,300 corporate and individual members, is governed by a fully-independent Board of Governors elected from its membership, and provides dynamic, on-the-ground support for American and International companies doing business in South China. In 2018, AmCham South China hosted more than 10,000 business executives and government leaders from around the world at its briefings, seminars, committee meetings and social gatherings. The American Chamber of Commerce in South China is a fully-independent organization accredited by the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. All AmChams in China are independently governed and represent member companies in their respective regions. SOURCE American Chamber of Commerce in South China NEW YORK, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Evoke (www.evokegroup.com), part of Huntsworth plc (HNT: LSE), today announces the acquisition of specialty health communications agency KYNE ( https://www.kyne.com/ ). With offices in Dublin, London, New York and Los Angeles, KYNE brings to Evoke a deep expertise and vast award-winning experience working with foundations and non-profits, government organizations and biopharmaceutical companies around the world to address some of today's biggest health issues. David Kyne Maryellen Royle Reid Connolly KYNE and Evoke PR & Influence, Evoke's existing communications business, will join forces to create a new, integrated global agency named Evoke KYNE. From day one, Evoke KYNE becomes one of the world's largest health communications agencies, representing a robust set of services, and backed by the creative, digital, and data firepower of Evoke. "We have two like-minded, fast-growing agencies, each with envy-inspiring client rosters and portfolios coming together to create one of the largest, geographically diverse and most compelling agencies in the space today," said Reid Connolly, CEO of Evoke. "KYNE's reputation in the industry, the quality of their work, their relationships, their people and their culture are no doubt the driving forces behind their success, and are what make them such a great fit for Evoke and a perfect match for our PR & Influence group." Founded in 2009 and led by Founder and CEO David Kyne, KYNE quickly established itself as one of the most progressive and fastest growing healthcare agencies on the global stage. In fact, KYNE was recently named one of the fastest movers in Europe and is currently a finalist for 2019 Holmes EMEA Healthcare Consultancies of the Year. "Reid and the Evoke team have built one of the most impressive agency groups in the marketing and communications sector," said Kyne. "They've built their reputation from their roots in digital and have been leaders and disrupters in every space they've entered since. Evoke PR & Influence is an incredibly respected agency and one we've admired for years. I have great ambitions for what we will accomplish as one team. Together with our clients, we can take on the world's most pressing health issues, helping improve and save lives around the globe." Evoke KYNE's executive team will include leaders representing both Evoke PR & Influence and KYNE and will be led by David Kyne as CEO. Kyne will report to Evoke CEO Reid Connolly. David Kyne CEO, Evoke KYNE CEO, Evoke KYNE Maryellen Royle Partner Partner Maureen Byrne Partner Partner Wendy Woods-Williams Partner Partner Stephanie DeViteri Managing Director, Philadelphia Joanne Wunder Managing Director, Europe Managing Director, Theresa Dolge Chief Media Relations Officer Chief Media Relations Officer Barb Box EVP, Strategy & Business Engagement "This new venture provides our healthcare client base, in both the private and public sectors, with new talent, thinking and resources across a much broader geographic reach," said Royle. "And for our internal team, it offers fresh opportunities for them to leverage their unique communications expertise across a more diverse portfolio." "As our clients look for more integrated solutions to their most pressing health challenges, our ability to be the single partner able to help them navigate the complexity of today's market is more critical now than ever before. Now, with 100 people situated in Dublin, London, Philadelphia, New York and Los Angeles, Evoke KYNE has the expertise, scale and agility our clients need to succeed," said Connolly. "We couldn't be happier to have David and his team become part of the Evoke family." About Evoke and Huntsworth: Evoke (www.evokegroup.com) is a leading marketing, media and communications agency bound by a common purpose: Health More Human. With offices in New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, London, Princeton, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dublin, Singapore and Dubai, the group of 600 employees are working with 18 of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies worldwide. Evoke is part of Huntsworth plc (HNT: LSE) (www.huntsworth.com), an international healthcare and communications group. The Group's principal areas of focus are marketing, medical and immersive communications services to healthcare clients, which are primarily large and mid-size pharmaceutical and biotech companies. It also has a smaller Communications group, which provides a wide range of communications and advisory services including strategic communications, public affairs, investor relations and consumer marketing. Theresa Dolge Chief Media Relations Officer Evoke Office: 215-928-2748 [email protected] SOURCE Evoke KYNE Related Links http://www.evokegroup.com WASHINGTON, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Last night, the California Senate passed Senate Bill 24, which would require the state's 34 public universities to dispense the abortion pill from their student health centers. Patrina Mosley, Family Research Council's Director of Life, Culture, and Women's Advocacy, debunked the arguments for this bill in her latest publication, "California's Campus Abortion Mandate is Bad Model Legislation." The publication summarizes: "This mandate shows a reckless disregard for the safety and health of young women and moreover creates considerable liability for the universities and all those involved, such as: College dorm rooms are unsafe environments to have an abortion. University student health centers (SHCs) are not equipped to handle adverse outcomes of on-campus abortions that may occur. The bill's funding mechanism is purposefully vague. No conscience exemptions are offered for college health center staff who may object to dispensing the abortion pill." Family Research Council Director of Life, Culture, and Women's Advocacy Patrina Mosley added the following comments: "The state of California is vying to be the first state in the nation that would force institutions of education to become abortion facilities--with no safeguards for protecting taxpayer dollars. "Chemical abortions are traumatic multi-day processes that come with a risk of serious adverse effect. No dormitory community is prepared to handle the liabilities such a mandate creates. The physical and psychological health of women is at considerable risk, and no state should consider it for model legislation," concluded Mosley. To read the full publication, visit this page: https://www.frc.org/abortionpill. SOURCE Family Research Council Related Links http://www.frc.org SAN FRANCISCO, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The company that created top-selling direct-to-consumer mattress and rug brands, including Nectar, DreamCloud and Wovenly, announced today it is expanding into the home furnishings space by forming an umbrella company, Resident. The new company is launching its first furniture line, Bundle by Resident, a collection of flexible seating, available now. This strategic shift to a house of brands comes on the heels of record-setting sales in 2018, in which Internet Retailer* named Resident's Nectar the "Fastest-Growing Online Retailer in North America." "After driving Nectar to unprecedented sales last year, our proven business model is poised to dominate within the broader home furnishings category," said Craig Schmeizer, Resident Co-Founder. "Our approach is unique to the direct-to-consumer space because we offer multiple brands in any given category, like our four mattresses. This DTC "Brand-Building Model," which we will replicate across Resident, lets us cater to specific consumer needs better than our competitors." With four mattresses, a rug brand and a new furniture line, Resident's overarching acceleration plan also includes the addition of new collections, as well as an increase of Nectar's footprint in brick and mortar stores. Today, the company also announced the expansion of retail partnerships to nearly 1,000 stores with outlets like: American Furniture Warehouse, Mathis Brothers and Nebraska Furniture Mart. Resident will also look to introduce its brands to the United Kingdom. "Our core belief is that consumers are the channel, and wherever they are, is where we want to be," said Eric Hutchinson, Resident Co-Founder. "That's why we leverage data and deep analytics to cater to their precise needs, whether they are urban dwellers, rural homeowners or anyone in between. Understanding this important dynamic allows us to expand our solutions for customers in various facets of their lives." The significant 2018 growth of Resident can be attributed to its proprietary, data-driven insights, which offer a strong competitive advantage that allowed Resident to develop more than five successful brands in three years. Each brand Resident creates is marketed independently to ensure the company is targeting the right consumers in the right way. Resident products cater to the way consumers live, while offering incomparable quality, style and value along with an industry-first 365-day trial and Forever Warranty for its four mattresses. Resident will leverage its proven process as it moves into the broader home category with the introduction of Bundle, which provides flexible seating designed to bring people together. Offerings include affordable, premium seating options, from a custom sofa, starting at $1195 to portable beanbag, starting at $600. "The mattress is the gateway into the home, but we don't want our business to begin and end in the bedroom," said Ran Reske, Resident Co-Founder. "Bundle will offer a quick and easy way for our customers to shop by offering a unique and modern range of choices that combine durability, comfort and practicality." With unparalleled standards for quality, style and value, the house of Resident brands includes: To learn more about Resident and explore the company's suite of brands, visit Resident Home. While each brand will have its own marketing strategy, the online destination will serve as a hub for consumers to discover new offerings, which will be cross promoted as appropriate. WHAT IS RESIDENT: At Resident (http://residenthome.com/), we are relentless in our passion to provide consumers better choices when it comes to everyday home products. From mattresses, rugs and furniture, each of our brands have unparalleled standards for quality, style and value. Offering the best-ever trial periods and warrantees, our direct-to-consumer house of brands include: Nectar, DreamCloud, Level, Awara, Wovenly and Bundle. The company, which is headquartered in California with offices in New York City, London and Tel Aviv, initially launched in 2017 with Nectar, the fastest growing e-commerce brand in the North America. *Internet Retailer 2019 Top 1000 Analysis Report SOURCE Resident Related Links http://residenthome.com Key Companies Operating in the global Functional Water Market are PepsiCo, The Coca-Cola Company, Groupe Danone, Nestle S.A., Nirvana Water, Allure Organics, The Alkaline Water Co., Dr. Pepper Snapple Group Inc., Balance Water Company LLC and Tata Global Beverages PUNE, India, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The global functional water market is expected to witness impressive growth during the forecast period. This was observed in a report, titled "Functional Water Market : Global Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2018-2025". In the report, Fortune Business Insights predicts the global functional water market to exhibit a CAGR of 7.4% between 2018 and 2025. The market was valued at US$ 10.34 Bn in the year 2017 and is estimated to account for a value of US$ 18.24 Bn by 2025. Functional Water Market Size, Share and Global Industry Trend Forecast till 2025 Mushrooming supermarkets and hypermarkets worldwide is expected to increase the sales of functional water in the coming years. Hence, increasing number of mass merchandizers will facilitate various functional water brands, subsequently enabling growth in the functional water market. Various bundling strategies done at economic pricing are positively impacting the sales of popular functional water brands. In addition to this, sales in online, retail, and convenience stores are projected to gain momentum in the forthcoming years. This is primarily due to their greater penetration worldwide and personalized purchasing experience that they offer. Impressive performance exhibited across distribution channels is identified as a chief growth driver. Sample Pages: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/sample/functional-water-market-100279 Among ingredients, micronutrients are anticipated to emerge dominant as enhanced waters are generally micronutrients-fortified. However, in the coming years the market is expected to witness increasing inclination towards plant-based ingredients. These ingredients offer numerous health benefits and are accepted across the world. Rising Prevalence of Diabetes and Obesity Impels Consumers to Buy Low-Calorie Drinks According to a study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity is likely to affect nearly 70 million children by 2025. The rising prevalence of obesity and the risks associated with it have impelled consumers to shift to low-calorie drinks. This is projected to boost the functional water market during the forecast period, 2018-2025. Furthermore, the rising geriatric population across the world and increasing prevalence of diabetes are the major driving forces for the functional water market. Consumers are actively shifting their preferences from alcoholic drinks to healthy and nutritional drinks as they are becoming more health-conscious. This will further offer support expansion of the market "The demand for functional water is increasing in response to the rise in income levels, especially among the urban population," said a lead analyst at Fortune Business Insights. "The wider availability of packaged drinking water in different flavors is expected to further increase the demand among consumers," he added. The functional water or aquaceutical is rich in minerals, vitamins, and botanicals offering several functional benefits. It helps to boost energy and improves immunity. Considering the above factors, the demand for functional water is expected to increase, driving the global functional water market between 2018 and 2025. Among regional markets, North America is expected to emerge dominant on account of rising prevalence of obesity, especially among young generation in the U.S. Other regions are projected to grow substantially during the forecast period. Speak to Analyst: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/functional-water-market-100279 Mounting Cost of Functional Water May Hamper the Growth of the Market The high cost associated with the functional water may restrict the growth of the functional water market. A major section of people among consumers in emerging and underdeveloped nations prefer simple or plain packaged water. This, coupled with the availability of alternatives in health drinks may lower the demand for functional water. The bargaining power of customers has increased owing to the high availability of other packaged waters and their low switching costs. Fortune Business Insights predicts that these factors may inhibit the growth of the functional water market in the coming years. Functional Water Market is Highly Concentrated with the Presence of International and Domestic Players The global functional water market is currently witnessing intense competition with the presence of several players. Moreover, renowned functional water brands are continuously focusing on improving the quality of functional water products they offer. For instance, Danone S.A. is channelizing its efforts towards developing markets of Asia Pacific. The company expects double-digit growth in their functional water sales, particularly in countries such as China, India, and Indonesia. Such strategies are expected to have a positive impact on the market. Some of the other companies present in the global functional water include Nestle S.A., Nirvana Water, Allure Organics, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group Inc., and Tata Global Beverages. Request for Customization: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/customization/functional-water-market-100279 Major Table of Content: Functional Water Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities Key Insights Overview of the Parent/Related Markets Value Chain Analysis Recent Industry Developments - Policies, Partnerships, New Product Launches and Mergers & Acquisitions Global Functional Water Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2014-2025 Key Findings / Summary Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast By Ingredient Micronutrients Botanical Extracts Other Functional Ingredients Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast By Distribution Channel Supermarkets/ Hypermarkets Convenience Stores Online Retail Others Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast By Geography North America Europe Asia Pacific Rest of the World (RoW) Competitive Analysis Strategic Recommendations Browse Complete Report Details Enabled with Complete Tables and Figures is Available: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/functional-water-market-100279 Browse Related Reports: 1. The Global Plant-based Protein Supplements Market, which was valued at US$ 4.16 Billion in 2017, is projected to reach US$ 7.38 Billion by the end of 2025, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.48%. In November 2018, the Canadian government invested a whopping $150 Mn towards developing vegan protein sources. The huge investments, will not only promote usage of plant based proteins, but is likely to create over 4000 jobs in the regional industry 2. The Global Commercial Seaweed Market, which was valued at US$ 11.48 Billion in 2017, is projected to reach US$ 21.75 billion by the end of 2025, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.42%. Cargill, Inc. & CP Kelco have emerged as leading players with the large market share in 2017. The companies R&D investments helped in launching new products to meet the growing requirement for commercial seaweed among the consumers. 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: [email protected] Website: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com SOURCE Fortune Business Insights Above Property has reimagined today's siloed travel technology systems and brings a new level of speed, stability and scalability to the travel industry. With over 1,100 web-services driving in excess of 10,000 unique features and capabilities, hoteliers of all sizes can execute their business strategy with a level of flexibility not found in today's legacy systems. "For G6 Hospitality, this project and its successful completion represents our commitment to our franchisees and our more than 1,400 locations to provide the best technology in the industry," said Jessie Burgess, EVP, Chief Information Officer, G6 Hospitality. "It also represents the type of dedicated individuals we have within our technology and business organizations. Working within a well-defined budget and an aggressive timeline, they successfully executed this historic transformation through completion." Lance Miceli, EVP, Chief Revenue Officer, G6 Hospitality added, "Today, the hospitality industry is often challenged and constrained by the limitations of legacy technology. Through our partnership with Above Property, G6 Hospitality has one of the most agile, advanced platforms in the industry, giving our brands the ability to recognize emerging demand opportunities and swiftly adapt to the ever changing market." "G6 Hospitality is now operating on a fully distributed, multi-cloud travel platform - an industry first. We look forward to continuing our close partnership with G6 Hospitality, bringing even more advanced technologies to their hotels in the coming year," said Aaron Shepherd, CEO and Co-Founder of Above Property. "Core legacy systems can be moved to the cloud, but the challenge is distributing both the processing power and the data while optimizing revenue and distribution. Above Property has solved those challenges." About G6 Hospitality LLC G6 Hospitality LLC owns, operates, and franchises more than 1,400 economy lodging locations under the Motel 6 and Studio 6 brands in the United States and Canada and the Hotel 6 brand in India. Having opened its 1,000 franchise location in 2018, G6 also has plans to franchise the Hotel 6 and Estudio 6 brands in Central America. Headquartered in Dallas (Carrollton), Texas, G6 Hospitality recently placed 73rd in Entrepreneur Magazine's 40th Annual Franchising 500. The company has also been named a "Best for Vets" employer by Military Times and in 2018 was inducted into the Military Spouses Employment Partnership sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense. For more information please visit www.g6hospitality.com. About Above Property LLC Above Property LLC provides a market leading always-on multi-cloud global travel solution that solves the technology and business constraints of today's legacy based CRSs (Central Reservation Systems), RMSs (Revenue Management Systems), and PMSs (Property Management Systems). By leveraging over 1,100 open web service APIs, Above Property's groundbreaking, multi-tenant, rules-based, big-data driven, globally Distributed Reservation System (DRS) has been architected to serve every size of property from independents to large chains. Above Property LLC, is headquartered in Naples, FL. For more information, please visit www.aboveproperty.com. Above Property Contact: Steve Lapekas Telephone: 239.263.7406 Cell Phone: 214.878.9922 Email: [email protected] G6 Hospitality Contact: Molli Hutcheson, Zeno Group for G6 Hospitality Telephone: 636-541-7553 Email: [email protected] SOURCE G6 Hospitality, LLC Related Links http://www.g6hospitality.com TURLOCK, Calif., May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Considering last week's report from the United Nations, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), Gemperle Family Farms is expanding their philanthropic giving in the areas of preservation of natural ecosystems and the diversity of plant and animal species. "Sustainable Farming at Gemperle Family Farms" "After we read portions of the report we decided as a family business that we needed to do something," said Heidi Gemperle, a Seattle veterinarian and longtime advocate for land and animal habitat conservation. "We felt that we needed to do more to preserve our Earth's ecosystem for future generations." The United Nations report concluded that up to 1 million species (about 25%) are threatened with extinction within decades, over 40% of amphibian species threatened with extinction, over 33% of marine mammals threatened with extinction. Loss of pollinator insects alone may result in a US$235 to US$577 billion of global crop loss. Gemperle Family Farms is calling on all businesses to join forces in the preservation of our ecosystem and its vital contributions to the world population. "If every business does a small part, we can become a web of action and change," stated Gemperle. "There is a network of awe-inspiring nonprofits on the ground doing sound science and community-based projects. The easiest way to create change is to fund these organizations so they can continue their work. That's why we started the #PreserveNatureDonations challenge." This year Gemperle Family Farms has chosen two organizations, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International and the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation for sizable donations. "We are calling on all businesses and individuals to join the #PreserveNatureDonations challenge," stated Gemperle. "Let's start the conversation and move everyone to action in supporting organizations committed to improving the Earth's environment for future generations." Inspired by his time in Africa while serving in the Peace Corp, Mike Gemperle, VP of Gemperle Family Farms saw firsthand how illegal poaching and degradation of environments has decimated many animal species in Africa. "I feel that there is so much more to do in this world when it comes to animal welfare and species preservation. Species like the mountain gorillas in Rwanda and Congo are near extinction because of systematic abuse and mistreatment that occurs." Gemperle Farms feels that it is important to fund projects around the world that work with the local indigenous communities, so this year they chose to donate to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. Gemperle Family Farms lives and breathes animal welfare and ecosystem preservation daily. "We are always looking at best science-based practices for reducing our carbon and water footprint, as well as lowering energy use in our barns" stated Mike Gemperle. "In our orchard division, we practice sustainable farming methods such as micro sprinklers to reduce water use, all-natural fertilizer and planting cover crops and pollinator habitat to enhance bee population health. We have also invested in renewable energy solar projects to reduce our carbon footprint. We do what we can on our local farms, however, as a family we feel compelled to expand our efforts to worldwide causes." The Gemperle Family feels it is important to support the conservation of pollinators, and other invertebrates which are considered essential to biological diversity and an ecosystem's health. Therefore, a second donation was made to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. Gemperle Farms encourages all businesses large and small to join the nature preservation conversation. "It's easy to join the movement," said Heidi Gemperle. "Simply donate to an environmental oriented organization that inspires you. Then share your story via social media and use the hashtag #PreserveNatureDonations. If you don't know where to start, visit Charity Navigator to find a charity that resonates with you and your beliefs." We can all help grow the web of action and inspire other businesses to do their part to protect nature for current and future generations. Gemperle Family Farms challenges you to become part of the conversation and help create change. Contact Susan Gemperle Abdo [email protected] 208-484-7375 SOURCE Gemperle Family Farms DUBLIN, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Contact Lens Market (By Segments, Materials, Design, Modality, Region), Key Technologies, Key Players Analysis, Recent Developments - Forecast to 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global contact lenses market is predicted to reach nearly US$ 13 Billion by 2025 Contact lenses are continuously gaining increased importance and adoption due to the high prevalence of various eye-related disorders such as myopia, presbyopia, astigmatism, and other forms of vision disorders. The use of lenses offers varied medical and lifestyle-related benefits. Some of the therapeutic benefits of using lenses are corneal protection, for post-surgical conditions, and for corneal pain relief and healing. The growing focus on the aesthetic look and popularity of colored contact lenses in the fashion industry will further boost the demand for contact lenses products. The factors such as an aging population coupled with the increasing prevalence of eye-related disorders, technological advancements, growing awareness, growing disposable incomes, and increasing preference for contact lenses over prescription eyeglasses to enhance aesthetics fuels the growth of global contact lenses market. Although these factors are expected to drive the contact lenses market growth, elements such as the high cost and dearth of skilled ophthalmologists are projected to hamper the growth of the market. By Segments - Global Contact Lens Market and Forecast On the basis of segmentation, corrective contact lens dominates the global contact lens market, followed by therapeutic contact lenses. Therapeutic contact lenses are known to increase the speed of re-epithelization, reduce the discomfort of the patient and also possess some therapeutic and clinical effects. Cosmetic lens captured nearly 10% share of the contact lenses market in 2018. Prosthetic and Lifestyle-oriented segment is also gaining popularity in the global contact lens market. By Materials - Global Contact Lens Market and Forecast Silicone hydrogel soft contact lenses captured the highest share of the overall contact lens market. In 2018, methacrylate hydrogels were reportedly used in around 20% of fits. Hybrid contact lens segment is expected to maintain stable growth over the forecast period. The gas permeable contact lens segment is anticipated to expand at a significant rate due to the rise in the incidence rate of corneal irregularities and astigmatism. Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) held the lowest share of the overall contact lens market. By Design - Global Contact Lens Market and Forecast In 2018, Spherical design accounted for the highest share of the overall contact lenses market. Toric soft contact lenses have different powers in different meridians of the lens to correct astigmatism as well as nearsightedness or farsightedness. Multifocal is the fastest growing design segment of the contact lens market. By Modality - Global Contact Lens Market and Forecast By modality, monthly disposable is the most preferred contact lenses. The daily disposable contact lens market is likely to see the highest growth during the forecast period. The weekly replacement lenses are more durable than daily disposable lenses. The annual disposable lens is the least preferred segment and thus accounted for the least share of the overall contact lens market. By Region - Global Contact Lens Market and Forecast In terms of region, the global contact lens market is dominated by North America . . In North America , the United States captured the highest share of the total contact lens market in 2018. , captured the highest share of the total contact lens market in 2018. Europe represents a major market for contact lenses, owing to rising chronic eye diseases among the geriatric population. represents a major market for contact lenses, owing to rising chronic eye diseases among the geriatric population. In Europe , the United Kingdom and Germany are the major markets for contact lenses. , the and are the major markets for contact lenses. There are around 3.6 Million contact lens wearers in the UK. In Italy , around 6% of the population wear contact lenses. , around 6% of the population wear contact lenses. Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow at the fastest rate over the forecast period due to the presence of untapped opportunities in emerging economies such as China and India . is anticipated to grow at the fastest rate over the forecast period due to the presence of untapped opportunities in emerging economies such as and . In Asia Pacific , Japan captured the highest share of the global contact lens market, followed by China . Global Contact Lens Market - Company Analysis Alcon, Inc. Bausch Health Companies Inc. CooperVision, Inc Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. Key Topics Covered: 1. Executive Summary 2. Global Contact Lens Market & Forecast (2012 - 2025) 3. Global Contact Lens Market Share & Forecast (2012 - 2025) 4. By Segments - Global Contact Lens Market & Forecast (2012 - 2025) 4.1 Corrective Lens Market & Forecast 4.2 Therapeutic Lens Market & Forecast 4.3 Cosmetic Lens Market & Forecast 4.4 Prosthetic Lens Market & Forecast 4.5 Lifestyle-oriented Lens Market & Forecast 5. By Materials - Global Contact Lens Market & Forecast (2012 - 2025) 5.1 Silicone Hydrogel Soft Contact Lens Market & Forecast 5.2 Methacrylate Hydrogel Soft Contact Lens Market & Forecast 5.3 Gas Permeable Rigid Contact Lens Market & Forecast 5.4 Hybrid Contact Lens Market & Forecast 5.5 Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) Contact Lens Market & Forecast 6. By Design - Global Contact Lens Market & Forecast (2012 - 2025) 6.1 Spherical Contact Lens Market & Forecast 6.2 Toric Contact Lens Market & Forecast 6.3 Multifocal Contact Lens Market & Forecast 6.4 Others Contact Lens Market & Forecast 7. By Modality - Global Contact Lens Market & Forecast (2012 - 2025) 7.1 Daily Disposable Contact Lens Market & Forecast 7.2 Weekly Disposable Contact Lens Market & Forecast 7.3 Monthly Disposable Contact Lens Market & Forecast 7.4 Annually Disposable Contact Lens Market & Forecast 8. By Region - Contact Lens Market & Forecast (2012 - 2025) 8.1 North America Contact Lens Market & Forecast 8.2 Europe Contact Lens Market & Forecast 8.3 Asia Pacific Contact Lens Market & Forecast 8.4 Middle East & Africa Contact Lens Market & Forecast 8.5 Latin America Contact Lens Market & Forecast 9. By Country - Contact Lens Market & Forecast (2012 - 2025) 10. Global Contact Lenses Market - Company Profiles 10.1 Alcon, Inc. 10.2 Bausch Health Companies Inc. 10.3 CooperVision, Inc. 10.4 Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. 11. Key Technologies - Contact Lenses Market 11.1 Hydraclear Technology 11.2 ASD Technology 11.3 Lacreon Technology 11.4 Peg Technology 11.5 PC Technology 11.6 Optimized Toric Lens Geometry Technology 11.7 Digital Zone Optics Lens Design Technology 11.8 Lightstream Lens Technology 11.9 Smart Contact Lens Technology 11.10 Light Intelligent/Adaptive Technology 12. Global Contact Lens Market - Growth Drivers 12.1 Technology Advancement 12.2 Increasing Demand for Contact Lenses to Enhance Appearance and Lifestyle 12.3 Upsurge in The Geriatric Population Base Favors Market Growth 12.4 Increasing Incidence of Eye Diseases Across the Globe Fuels Market Growth 13. Global Contact Lens Market - Challenges 13.1 Safety Concerns Associated with The Use of Contact Lenses 13.2 Other Challenges Restricting Market Growth For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/k8w10s 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 In Tripartite 2019 with the health industry as one of the topics, GPHL expressed its view on the future trend of the health industry. "Life science is also a philosophy of life. The mainstream of global health in the future will focus not only on life science, but also the philosophy. The concept of preventive treatment of disease, valued by the traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) sector, is expected to go mainstream worldwide. I believe that the integration of Chinese and Western medicine will contribute more to global health," said Li Chuyuan, chairman of GPHL, in his speech on Tripartite 2019. In this New Zealand trip, GPHL joined hands with the Confucius Institute in Auckland to launch a series of activities themed "in dialogue with the world through TCM culture". On 20 May, GPHL granted the Confucius Institute with the title of Shennong Caotang TCM Culture Communication Center. Going forward, the two parties will strengthen cooperation in areas like core talents training, R&D and TCM education to speed up the mutual-learning between TCM and global health philosophies, in ways to grant the globalization of TCM with a more solid foundation of talents, science and technology. The company also signed the agreement with the University of Auckland to set up the Wang Lao Ji Auspicious Culture Ambassador Scholarship to fund students for their internships in Guangzhou. This effort will help cultivate ambassadors to spread TCM and auspicious cultures, and enhance the innovative development of TCM. "'Ji' in Chinese, meaning the pursuit for a better life and serving as the key to all the beautiful things, equals to 'auspiciousness' in English. We are committed to bringing more auspiciousness to the world and sharing the healthy auspicious culture and products of China," explained Li Chuyuan. GPHL's support in the overseas communication and academic development of the TCM culture would attract more young faces to learn Chinese culture, ensuring integrated growth of diverse cultures, said Yao Zaiyu, president of the Confucius Institute in Auckland. The exhibition of New Zealand TCM Auspicious Culture, hosted by Wang Lao Ji, also took place at the University of Auckland, attracting a large audience, with many expecting to gain a deeper understanding of the excellent traditional Chinese culture. As the world's biggest production base of Chinese patent medicine, GPHL is home to 10 China Time-honored Brands including Wang Lao Ji, each with a history of more than 100 years, with its sales volume of 116 billion yuan in 2018. Inheriting the essence of traditional Chinese cultural values, the company will further empower its products and embrace the world with culture, in ways to push forward the exchanges and mutual-learning among civilizations. Image Attachments Links: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=336553 SOURCE Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Holdings Limited (GPHL) NEW YORK, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Key drivers for the steel-strengthening metal vanadium continue to point towards increased demand for the foreseeable future. A new research report evaluating recent trends and growth opportunities projects the global vanadium market size to exceed 100kilotons by the end of 2025, growing at a CAGR of 5%. In anticipation of the metal's continued rising demand, several projects are underway from vanadium companies including Delrey Metals Corp (OTC:DLRYF) (CSE:DLRY), Largo Resources (OTC:LGORF) (TSX:LGO), Victory Metals (OTC:VKMTF) (TSX.V:VMX), Bushveld Minerals Limited (OTC:BSHVF), and Prophecy Development (OTC:PRPCF) (TSX:PCY). According to another recently published report from Acumen Research and Consulting, the overall vanadium market size is expected to be worth approximately US$ 56 billion by 2026 giving plenty of time for the development of new projects such as the notably large Four Corners project in Newfoundland dubbed to be "one of the largest easily accessible vanadium projects in North America". The 5,157-hectare property is being developed by Delrey Metals Corp (OTCPK:DLRYF) (CSE:DLRY), who, through exhaustive research for private vanadium assets with the right ingredients for production potential, came across this advanced stage exploration project. Perhaps, more importantly, positive studies and reports from over 4000 meters of drilling and over $2.3mm spent, show the potential for 16km of vanadium - iron - titanium mineralization on the property. Four Corners is one of the multiple up-and-coming projects from around the world, including other North American projects, such as the two Nevada projects: Gibellini Vanadium Project developed by Largo Resources, and the Iron Point Vanadium Project from Victory Metals. Across the ocean in South Africa, Bushveld Minerals has been accumulating several vanadium production assets in the country, including Vanchem Vanadium Products, and South African Japan Vanadium (a ferrovanadium production business). Meanwhile, in Bahia State, Brazil, Largo Resources is coming off a record-breaking 2018 at its Maracas Menchen Mine. Having successfully ramped up its vanadium operations since 2014, Largo reported revenues of CAD$521.4 million a 211% increase, year over year. Much of the growth in vanadium's demand is attributed to higher demand in the steel industry, particularly in new stringent Chinese rebar standards. However, there has also been a major increase in the development of vanadium redox flow batteries (VRB's) for large scale storage of wind and solar generated energy. Adroit Market Research points to astounding growth in the VRB market. A recent forecast by the analytics company pegged VRB market growth at 59.7% CAGR to eventually hit US $1.11 billion by 2025 . Potential New Vanadium to Come from North America In 2012, ahead of the most recent vanadium price surge, global firm SRK Consulting initiated work on Delrey Metals Corp's (DLRYF-DLRY) Four Corners project located in western Newfoundland. SRK's initial metallurgical results yielded an impressive >90% Vanadium Pentoxide and >80% Titanium Dioxide recovery. The potential of the project is enhanced when combined with historic work that the private property vendors estimated could potentially contain up to 2.37 billion tonnes of vanadium-bearing titaniferous magnetite from one of the five zones. It is important to note this work is preliminary and needs to be expanded on and confirmed to bring it into 43-101 guidelines and used for reference only, but it gives Delrey a solid footing to begin work from. Further historic work on the property shows a mineralized strike length of 16km with two highways and power lines intersecting the property, and a nearby commercial town and deepwater port allowing for easy exploration and development. Historic select surface sampling across the mineralized zone assayed >40% Iron, 5% Titanium, and 0.30% Vanadium Pentoxide with individual assays returning as high as 56.92% Iron, 15.13% Titanium, and 0.39% Vanadium Pentoxide. Delrey just announced the signing of a definitive agreement for the option to earn 80% of the Four Corners Project and still has a market cap of around $6mm CDN. Considering the ample work on the Four Corners project and it's potential, and the historic showings and recent confirmation of this on their BC vanadium - iron - titanium projects, the story should be well received by investors as news is released. "This latest acquisition provides further exposure for Delrey and its shareholders within the battery metals sector, which is driving the global change in energy storage," said Delrey's President and CEO, Morgan Good in the latest press release. "We're excited to be in a strong position with the Four Corners Project acquisition in a favorable jurisdiction like Newfoundland and Labrador, as the potential size and scale of this asset are remarkable." Further International Vanadium Developments Much of the recent excitement in the vanadium has come from Largo Resources (OTCQX:LGORF) (TSX:LGO). The heightened production from the Maracas Menchen Mine in Brazil has been quite impressive, as the company has focused its efforts completely on the production of vanadium flake, high-purity vanadium flake, and high-purity vanadium powder. The company's CAD$521.4 million was a record breaker, putting forth an impressive 211% year over year increase. Looking to become a large-scale battery storage contender, Bushveld Minerals (OTC:BSHVF) recently doubled down to significantly increase its vanadium production. Following the completion of a series of South African deals, the low-cost integrated miner added the Vametco vanadium mine and processing plant which is currently in phase 2, to complement its own energy storage subsidiary that's part of its strategy to develop deeply its deeply integrated vanadium business. Back in April, Victory Metals (OTCPK:VKMTF) (TSX.V:VMX) demonstrated >90% vanadium recovery at its Iron Point Project in Nevada, using a hydrometallurgical leach process. Utilizing test work conducted by McClelland Laboratories demonstrated recoveries up to 94.3% vanadium recovery within 8-hour leach times. Following a meeting with regulators in late April, Prophecy Development (OTCQX:PRPCF) (TSX:PCY) estimates Q1 2020 as the target date for publication of the Notice of Intent ("NOI") to prepare an Environment Impact Statement ("EIS") in the Federal Register for its Gibellini Vanadium Project in Nevada. Based on this timeline, Prophecy plans to start mine construction in 2021, and begin vanadium production by Q4 2022. For a FREE research report on Delrey Metals Corp (OTCPK:DLRYF) (CSE:DLRY), visit www.microsmallcap.com Disclaimer: Microsmallcap.com (MSC) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. FN Media Group (FNM) is a third-party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated with MSC or any company mentioned herein. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by MSC are solely those of MSC and are not shared by and do not reflect in any manner the views or opinions of FNM. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable MSC and FNM for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. 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This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer's filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer's securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment. FNM was not compensated by any public company mentioned herein to disseminate this press release but was compensated twenty five hundred dollars by MSC, a non-affiliated third party to distribute this release on behalf of Delrey Metals Corp FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE. This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected," "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company's annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and MSC and FNM undertake no obligation to update such statements. Media Contact: FN Media Group, LLC [email protected] +1(561)325-8757 SOURCE Microsmallcap.com PHILADELPHIA, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Lannett Company, Inc. (NYSE: LCI) today announced that it completed the purchase of approximately $30.5 million, face value, of its Term A Loans in a private transaction. "We are particularly pleased to use our strong cash position to continue to reduce our Term A Loans, which have a nearer term maturity than our Term B Loans," said Tim Crew, chief executive officer of Lannett. "With this transaction, we have substantially and strategically reduced our debt levels and future expected interest payments. After closing this transaction, our outstanding Term Loan A balance now stands at approximately $168 million. As we have said previously, we will continue to assess opportunities to further improve our capital structure." Crew noted that the company's solid financial performance over the last three quarters contributed to its ability to purchase the Term A Loans prior to maturity. In March 2019, the company completed the purchase of approximately $24 million principal amount of its Term A and Term B Loans in open market transactions, bringing the total purchases of its Term Loans to approximately $55 million over the last three months. These amounts are in addition to the company's required annual principal payments of approximately $67 million. About Lannett Company, Inc.: Lannett Company, founded in 1942, develops, manufactures, packages, markets and distributes generic pharmaceutical products for a wide range of medical indications. For more information, visit the company's website at www.lannett.com. This news release contains certain statements of a forward-looking nature relating to future events or future business performance. Any such statements, including, but not limited to, further improving the company's capital structure, whether expressed or implied, are subject to risks and uncertainties which can cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors which include, but are not limited to, the difficulty in predicting the timing or outcome of FDA or other regulatory approvals or actions, the ability to successfully commercialize products upon approval, including acquired products, and Lannett's estimated or anticipated future financial results, future inventory levels, future competition or pricing, future levels of operating expenses, product development efforts or performance, and other risk factors discussed in the company's Form 10-K and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. These forward-looking statements represent the company's judgment as of the date of this news release. The company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Contact: Robert Jaffe Robert Jaffe Co., LLC (424) 288-4098 SOURCE Lannett Company, Inc. Related Links www.lannett.com With the coming version, the new appearance was released at the Press Conference in Shanghai (8 May 2019). The new look, with less distinctive colours, lightens the boundaries, but shows respect to all voices, attitudes, and possibilities. Lighting, Home Decor and Lifestyle indicate both the exhibiting categories at Maison Shanghai and the core value of the exhibition. Lighting and Home Decor As a trade platform, Maison Shanghai is always dedicated to offering the furnishing market with quality products and commercial resources for sellers and buyers to make their business the best. During the 4-day exhibition, half of the venue Hall 1 and Hall 2 will be covered with hundreds of furnishing brands, showcasing a large market with opportunities. Lighting and home decor are the two main categories of 2019, among which, home decor also includes carpet, decorative painting, fragrance, sculpture, home textile, tableware, etc. Besides, the two halls are planned to help grow local manufacturing profit, by sharing knowledge and resources at the venue: IP Brands Show (Hall 1) is a featured section for manufacturers who are looking to raise brand value. In cooperation with LEC (Licensing Expo China), Maison Shanghai is to correspond with the most popular icons, and further bring up the sharing conference of branding strategies for registered exhibitors and visitors. Speakers and scholars of Maison Business School (Hall 2) will give lectures both online and offline. Most of the courses are related to the solutions for current industrial pain points, including business strategies, recent policies, design methodology, and more to be explored. Design for Lifestyle The other half of the venue Hall 3 and Hall 4 will also exhibit furnishing products in a wide range. Mainly focusing on design, the featured sections based in these two halls are to gather the great design works and resources all together. Visitors will be able to browse and quote face-to-face with designers and design brands, who are also looking for great manufacturers and retailers, and to know the real Chinese furnishing market, so as to make a good deal. Hall 3 is curated as an open marketplace Design of Designers for buyers and sellers to exchange information. Also, curators and designers are to search and practise the methods for furnishing manufacturing pain point with R.E.Design of "panels". The motion will discuss both design skills and sustainability of the panel materials used in the industry. At Hall 4, demonstration showrooms of products design and interior design from invited designers will be presented at Home Plus and Design X, aiming to set up a direct dialogue between interior designers and furnishing brands. Meanwhile, visitors will have the chance to meet collections of those influential design works from China Design Museum and China Industrial Design Museum, at featured section in respect of the first 100-anniversary of The Staatliches Bauhaus. Register to visit Maison Shanghai, and keep up with the latest news! Next Edition: Maison Shanghai 9-12 September 2019 Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center (SWEECC) Pudong New District, Shanghai Website: http://ms.jjgle.com/en/home | Facebook, Instagram: Maisonshanghailifestyle Contact: Matthew Gong +86 21 33392142 [email protected] SOURCE Shanghai UBM Sinoexpo Intl Exhibition Co., Ltd. Related Links http://ms.jjgle.com C$ unless otherwise stated TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC SEHK: 945 TORONTO, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - Manulife Financial Corporation ("Manulife") today announced the applicable dividend rates for its Non-cumulative Rate Reset Class 1 Shares Series 15 (the "Series 15 Preferred Shares") (TSX: MFC.PR.L) and Non-cumulative Floating Rate Class 1 Shares Series 16 (the "Series 16 Preferred Shares"). With respect to any Series 15 Preferred Shares that remain outstanding after June 19, 2019, holders thereof will be entitled to receive fixed rate non-cumulative preferential cash dividends on a quarterly basis, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of Manulife and subject to the provisions of the Insurance Companies Act (Canada). The dividend rate for the five-year period commencing on June 20, 2019, and ending on June 19, 2024, will be 3.78600% per annum or $0.236625 per share per quarter, being equal to the sum of the five-year Government of Canada bond yield as at May 21, 2019, plus 2.16%, as determined in accordance with the terms of the Series 15 Preferred Shares. With respect to any Series 16 Preferred Shares that may be issued on June 19, 2019 in connection with the conversion of the Series 15 Preferred Shares into the Series 16 Preferred Shares, holders thereof will be entitled to receive floating rate non-cumulative preferential cash dividends on a quarterly basis, calculated on the basis of actual number of days elapsed in each quarterly floating rate period divided by 365, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of Manulife and subject to the provisions of the Insurance Companies Act (Canada). The dividend rate for the three-month period commencing on June 20, 2019, and ending on September 19, 2019, will be 0.96688% (3.83600% on an annualized basis) or $0.241720 per share, being equal to the sum of the three-month Government of Canada Treasury bill yield as at May 21, 2019, plus 2.16%, as determined in accordance with the terms of the Series 16 Preferred Shares. Beneficial owners of Series 15 Preferred Shares who wish to exercise their right of conversion should instruct their broker or other nominee to exercise such right before 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on June 4, 2019. The news release announcing such conversion right was issued on May 6, 2019 and can be viewed on SEDAR or Manulife's website. Conversion inquiries should be directed to Manulife's Registrar and Transfer Agent, AST Trust Company (Canada), at 1800-783-9495. The Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") has conditionally approved the listing of the Series 16 Preferred Shares effective upon conversion. Listing of the Series 16 Preferred Shares is subject to Manulife fulfilling all the listing requirements of the TSX and, upon approval, the Series 16 Preferred Shares will be listed on the TSX under the trading symbol "MFC.PR.S". The Series 15 Preferred Shares and the Series 16 Preferred Shares have not been and will not be registered in the United States under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or the securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered, sold or delivered, directly or indirectly in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, a "U.S. person" (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy securities in the United States and any public offering of the securities in the United States must be made by means of a prospectus. 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. SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation Related Links http://www.manulife.com During his 14-year tenure at VICE, Archibald established VICE Studio Canada, a thriving multi-platform media business, and oversaw the build of VIRTUE in Canada, the media company's award-winning global creative agency headquartered in Brooklyn. Lead by Badr El Fekkak, VIRTUE Canada developed content programs and launched platforms for some of the world's largest brands, most recently Google, Canon, and Sephora. El Fekkak rejoins Archibald at Gram By Gram in the role of Chief Strategy Officer. Said Chung, "I've known Ryan Archibald for years, and his unique combination of experience, knowledge, tenacity and ability to execute at lightspeed is extremely rare to find. Ryan has an innate understanding of culture that allows him to connect the dots between insights, trends, brands and audiences in disruptive and groundbreaking ways." With offices in Toronto, Los Angeles, Mexico City and London, Gram By Gram is the world's first global cannabis agency, offering brand strategy, innovative marketing solutions, B2B services and culturally relevant content approaches for a burgeoning industry. According to Archibald, "No other cannabis agency offers this combination of footprint and experience. Our team has spent a decade successfully connecting a subculture with the mainstream, bringing unprecedented levels of access, knowledge and expertise to the table." Gram By Gram is an agnostic creative division of MERRY JANE, a digital media platform devoted to cannabis culture, co-founded by Chung. Chung also founded Stampede Management, a premiere talent and brand management company. The agency launches with an all-star client roster of cannabis and non-endemic brands, from Canopy Growth Corporation's portfolio brands such as Tweed and LBS to Jack in the Box. The launch of Gram By Gram is well-timed, with both consumers and companies rapidly entering the category as legalization accelerates globally. Canada legalized adult-use cannabis nationwide in 2018, and in the U.S., cannabis is legal for medical use in 33 states and for recreational adult use in 10 states. In Mexico, private, personal use of recreational marijuana in amounts 5 grams or less has been decriminalized, with a bill outlining broader legalization on the docket this year. Spending on legal cannabis is expected to hit $57 billion by 2027, according to Arcview Market Research and BDS Analytics. Gram By Gram has plans to expand to additional markets rapidly. Said Chung, "We're building a structural foundation now to support a not-so-distant future when cannabis is fully legalized and accessible to all adults, worldwide." For more information about Gram By Gram, visit https://grambygram.co/ Social Media Twitter: @grambygram_co Facebook: @grambygram.co Instagram: @ grambygram_co About GRAM BY GRAM With offices in Toronto, Los Angeles, Mexico City and London, Gram By Gram is the first global cannabis agency with over a decade of experience working in cannabis culture, and providing overall brand strategy and B2B services to some of the world's leading cannabis companies. As the agnostic creative division of MERRY JANE, Gram By Gram was founded by media entrepreneur Ted Chung and agency veteran Ryan Archibald to provide innovative brand and marketing solutions and impactful content programs leveraging their unprecedented access, knowledge and seed-to-scale experience in the cannabis category. Media Contact: Lisa Weser Trailblaze [email protected] SOURCE Gram By Gram Related Links https://grambygram.co "Toronto is rapidly building commercial spaces with plans to build several new skyscrapers in the coming years. This creates a great demand for commercial HVAC solutions," said Kimberly Raduenz, marketing communications manager for Modine. "We would like to meet with Toronto trade professionals, like HVAC engineers, contractors and architects, to help them best serve their growing customer base." In addition to the product showcase, Modine will be provided product training and walkthroughs. The following courses will be offered: ClassMate Teardown Demo Effinity (PTC) with BMS Compatibilities Demo Basics of Make-Up Air Atherion Walk-through "We are excited for our Canadian stop and we want to offer a fun and completely interactive experience that provides a lot of value to area contractors and engineers," Raduenz said. "We hope to engage HVAC and building professionals to use our products in a way that creates the best solutions for their customers." Holiday Inn Express is located at 6100 Hwy 7, Vaughan, Ontario L4H 0R2. To see the complete agenda and register for the June 11 or 12 event, visit https://modineinnovationtour.com/event/toronto. Lunch will be provided for attendees. For more information about the 2019 Innovation Tour, and to see if Modine will be stopping near you, visit modineinnovationtour.com. About Modine Modine, with fiscal 2018 revenues of $2.1 billion, specializes in thermal management systems and components, bringing highly engineered heating and cooling components, original equipment products, and systems to diversified global markets through its three complementary business units: Vehicular Thermal Solutions (VTS); Commercial & Industrial Solutions (CIS); and Building HVAC Systems (BHVAC). Modine is a global company headquartered in Racine, Wisconsin (USA), with operations in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. For more information about Modine, visit www.modine.com. Media Contact: Heather Ripley (865) 977-1973 [email protected] SOURCE Modine Manufacturing Company The Post ranked Custom Made Meals, a leading manufacturer of fresh, oven-ready, value-added entrees and appetizers, second among 73 mid-sized companies nominated as best workplaces for Colorado employees. Among CMM's winning qualities, the Post report cited the company's unique array of benefits and performance incentives, its commitment to building a core workforce of full-time employees, and feedback from workers that conveys a sense of belonging amid a culture that allows them to perform to the best of their abilities. CMM is one of 11 companies to have joined New Water Capital's family of portfolio companies since the fund's launch in 2015, the first of three in the food manufacturing space. A New Water Capital affiliate acquired CMM and Custom Corned Beef Inc. in a deal announced in March 2017, later adding Rockwell, Texas-based manufacturer of frozen appetizers Pegasus Foods in March 2018, and Glendale, California-based frozen food innovator The Perfect Bite in October 2018. "We are proud to congratulate Custom Made Meals employees and their outstanding leadership team on this tremendous honor," said New Water Capital partner Jason Neimark. "A strong team-based culture and a focus on the employees ultimately drives success. This important state-wide honor affirms the benefits of New Water's management philosophy for all our stakeholders, including the dedicated employees who are essential to CMM's success." As an example of how New Water's family of companies work together, CMM rewards its top-performing employees with a brand-new kayak, produced by New Water portfolio company Hemisphere Design Works, as well as with more conventional incentives such as cash bonuses or concert tickets. Hemisphere Design Works was formed in a 2017 merger between New Water portfolio companies KL Outdoor, maker of Sun Dolphin kayaks and other branded outdoor sports/lifestyle products, and Montreal-based GSC Technologies, maker of Future Beach kayaks as well as branded storage and outdoor furniture products, to create the world's largest kayak-maker. Custom Made Meals manufactures fresh, ready-to-cook entrees that are sold by Safeway, Kroger, Publix, Target and other supermarkets. The company's products are sold in more than 10,000 stores in 43 states across the nation. The Post also commended CMM for its policy of moving temporary employees into full-time staff positions after 90 days and for its efforts to expand health insurance coverage and paid vacation benefits. The Post's Top Workplace rankings were based on employee responses to a 24-question survey. "As much as we work to ensure our handmade, ready-to-prepare meals meet the standards of our buyers and the families who ultimately enjoy them, we recognize it all starts with our employees' dedication to producing a fantastic product," said Custom Made Meals CEO Dale Easdon. About New Water Capital, L.P. New Water Capital, L.P. is a private equity firm focused on lower-middle market companies in transition, in the consumer, retail and industrial manufacturing and services sectors, with revenues of $30 million to $300 million. New Water Capital's collaborative transaction and operating model is built specifically to support companies in transition. For more information, please visit www.newwatercap.com. CONTACT: Bonnie Osborn [email protected] 916-212-9110 SOURCE New Water Capital, L.P. Related Links http://www.newwatercap.com NEWPORT, Pa., May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) announced that the Fine Wine & Good Spirits at CrestView Plaza, 201 Fickes Lane, Newport, Perry County, will reopen for business Wednesday, May 22. The Newport store will resume its normal hours Mondays and Tuesdays from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Wednesdays through Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Store hours and additional locations can be found at FineWineAndGoodSpirits.com. The Newport store closed in April after sustaining flood damage. The PLCB regulates the distribution of beverage alcohol in Pennsylvania, operates more than 600 wine and spirits stores statewide, and licenses 20,000 alcohol producers, retailers, and handlers. The PLCB also works to reduce and prevent dangerous and underage drinking through partnerships with schools, community groups, and licensees. Taxes and store profits totaling $16.5 billion since the agency's inception are returned to Pennsylvania's General Fund, which finances Pennsylvania's schools, health and human services programs, law enforcement, and public safety initiatives, among other important public services. The PLCB also provides financial support for the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, other state agencies, and local municipalities across the state. For more information about the PLCB, visit lcb.pa.gov. MEDIA CONTACT: Shawn M. Kelly, 717.783.8864 SOURCE Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Related Links https://www.lcb.pa.gov ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill., May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Porte Brown LLC, www.portebrown.com, a Chicagoland CPA firm providing accounting, audit, tax, technology and wealth management services, is pleased to announce Porte Brown Wealth Management is celebrating it's 10 year anniversary. "Porte Brown Wealth Management could not have reached this milestone anniversary without the dedication of the entire Porte Brown Wealth Management staff and our client loyalty," said Ron Manso, CFP*, Director of Financial Services and a Partner* with Porte Brown Wealth Management LLC. Ron owned his own wealth management business for 20 years before joining Porte Brown. According to Bruce Jones, Managing Partner of Porte Brown, "Ron and his team provide their clients with personalized attention and focus on their financial goals and address changes to their financial situations as they arise." "10 years ago Porte Brown had a vision and it's still going strong." Over the past 10 years, Porte Brown Wealth Management has been awarded top awards from 1st Global with the most recent "Five Diamond Eagle" which is awarded to firms based on the criterion of the firm's production volume across all product lines. About Porte Brown Porte Brown LLC is a full service accounting and consulting firm headquartered in the Chicago suburb of Elk Grove Village, Illinois. For more than 70 years, Porte Brown has focused on providing the highest level of service to individuals, businesses and organizations throughout the region. In addition to the traditional accounting services such as tax planning and preparation, audit, business valuations, and retirement plan administration. Porte Brown also provides strategic consulting and leading-edge technology implementation for clients in cloud and non-cloud environments. Wealth management services provided by Porte Brown Wealth Management LLC.* About 1st Global 1st Global was founded in 1992 by CPAs who believe that accounting, tax and estate planning firms are uniquely qualified to provide comprehensive wealth management services to their clients. 1st Global is a research and consulting partner that provides CPA, tax and estate planning firms with the education, technology, business-building framework and client solutions that make these firms leaders in their professions through dedicated professional client relationships built around wealth management. Around 350 firms have chosen to affiliate with 1st Global, making it one of the largest financial services partners for the tax, accounting and legal professions. The Diamond Eagle award is given to firms based on the criterion of the firm's production volume across all product lines. *Securities offered through 1st Global Capital Corp., Member FINRA, SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through 1st Global Advisors, Inc. Insurance services offered through 1st Global Insurance Services, Inc. Contact: Pam Metzger, [email protected], 847-956-1040 SOURCE Porte Brown Related Links http://www.portebrown.com MARLBOROUGH, Mass., May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- PortSys, a global innovator in information security and zero trust access control for the enterprise, today announced that Total Access Control (TAC) now offers clientless RDP support for any device and application. TAC enables organizations to securely deliver RDP through a browser to tablets, mobile phones, PCs, Macs and Chromebooks, without requiring organizations to install an RDP client. TAC's zero trust access control makes deployment of virtual desktops and applications much easier and significantly more secure than the traditional method of publishing the RDP server directly to the internet. Before connecting users to an RDP server, TAC interrogates their RDP sessions to determine which resources should be made available. TAC uses multiple factors of authorization and the users' context of access, instead of just traditional usernames and passwords, to deliver a higher level of assurance that users are who they claim to be. TAC also provides detailed auditing of sessions to identify trends and individual events that help organizations to more effectively manage their security posture. According to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center and Department of Homeland Security, RDP attacks have been increasing since 2016, making them the most targeted threat vector. Attackers scan the internet for RDP ports to use to take over machines or intercept RDP sessions, allowing them to insert malware and launch brute force attacks that access usernames and passwords. "Traditional RDP deployments offered bad actors too many opportunities to break into improperly secured RDP servers or break out of an open RDP desktop on the remote session, gain unauthorized access to commands, and then wreak havoc across the enterprise," said Michael Oldham, CEO of PortSys. "TAC's zero trust access control enables organizations to deploy their virtual desktops and applications more securely and faster than ever before." ABOUT PORTSYS, INC. PortSys, Inc., a privately funded company, is a global innovator in information security and zero trust access control. Some of the world's largest enterprise organizations rely on PortSys' scalable Total Access Control solution to significantly strengthen, simplify and unify IT security across the enterprise. PortSys serves customers from its U.S. headquarters in Marlborough, MA, offices in the UK, and distributors throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. For more information, visit www.portsys.com . Media Contact Tim Boivin [email protected] +1-781-996-4899 SOURCE PortSys, Inc. Related Links http://www.portsys.com PASADENA, Calif., May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Rapid Oxygen has been selected as a finalist for Red Herring's Top 100 North America award, one of the technology industry's most prestigious prizes. Finalists for the awards are among the continent's brightest and most innovative private ventures. Their place among North America's tech elite has been chosen by Red Herring's editorial team, during a months-long process that takes into account criteria including disruptive impact, proof of concept, financial performance, market footprint and quality of management. For over two decades Red Herring's team has seen through the tech sector's hype to select brands that have become industry benchmarks. Previous Top 100 finalists have included Alibaba, Facebook, Google, Skype, SuperCell, Spotify, Twitter, and YouTube. The Top 100 North America has become not only a springboard for some of tech's biggest names, but a valued and trusted tool for venture capitalists, experts and analysts predicting trends at the industry's sharpest edge. "Selecting finalists for this year's Top 100 has proved more difficult than ever," said Alex Vieux, publisher and chairman of Red Herring. "North America has been tech's beating heart for yearsbut never have I seen such an exciting, disruptive and innovative generation as we have in 2019. "Rapid Oxygen fully deserves its place among our finalists, and I've every confidence it will make a significant impact in the tech world," added Vieux. Rapid Oxygen's new emergency Oxygen technology is now available to provide Oxygen to the more than 7 million breathing emergencies that occur every year. Rapid Oxygen's new groundbreaking portable R15 emergency Oxygen system is a non-explosive Oxygen device developed in conjunction with the University of Michigan for home safety, drug overdoses and other emergencies. The patented R15 bridges the gap between a life-threatening event and the arrival of emergency medical services (EMS), providing 100% Oxygen during the first critical minutes of any emergency. The R15 Oxygen delivery system can be placed beside first aid kits, fire-extinguishers, or automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and safely used by anyone without training. "Oxygen is an effective first aid response to prevent more serious medical conditions during an emergency and can help a victim survive until EMS arrive on scene," explained inventor and founder of the Rapid Oxygen Company, Dr. Richard Imbruce. For more information visit: www.rapidoxygen.com. Investor Contact: [email protected] (203) 989-0100 Sales Contact: [email protected] (203) 989-0100 x221 Media: Rose Tracy [email protected] (203) 989-0100 x109 SOURCE Rapid Oxygen Related Links RAPIDOXYGEN.COM LONDON, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Relativity today announced new short message and mobile analysis features available in RelativityOnethe SaaS product now used around the globe for legal discovery and digital investigationsalongside news that Anexsys, KPMG Ireland, and IT Group UK can now offer RelativityOne for their e-discovery matters. The news came from Relativity's founder and CEO, Andrew Sieja, and chief product officer Chris Brown during the keynote address at Relativity Fest London. One key area of focus Sieja and Brown highlighted is the shift to a people-centric review through the new communication analysis and short message capabilities available in RelativityOne. Rather than focusing on the documents, investigators and attorneys will now be able to better follow the actions of the people involved in a matter. RelativityOne can automatically assemble all of an individual's email addresses into a single entity that can be carried over from case to case, and that entity can be enriched with new information about the individual as you discover it. Investigators and attorneys can then use communication analysis to explore the interactions and relationships between entities to see who's been talking to whom and how often. It's also easy to follow how people communicate in real life with the ability to review short messages like text or Slack in the same way you would in the native application. With short message discovery, you can even track conversations across channels for additional context and to understand the relevance of a conversation. "Our RelativityOne customers are approaching their business in new ways leading with security, taking on matters in new regions, and developing unique areas of expertise leveraging the latest capabilities of RelativityOne," said Sieja. "The platform is primed to service our global business thanks to the enthusiasm of the EMEA community we're celebrating here today." One example of this growth happening is with Magic Circle law firm Allen & Overy, which has transformed its in-house e-discovery portfolio into a robust global offering since becoming RelativityOne customers last year. "Adopting RelativityOne has enabled us to increase efficiencies across multiple jurisdictions. This ultimately benefits our clients in the form of reduced eDiscovery bills. Our ability to now offer our clients integrated technology and legal services significantly enhances our core global legal offering, as does the ability to partner directly with our clients to develop innovative solutions to their specific challenges," said Scott Robson, Global Head of e-Discovery, Allen & Overy. Relativity Fest London featured over 20 speakers from the likes of Allen & Overy, Simmons & Simmons, and Fenwick & West, and more than 15 unique sessions designed to further educate and connect the EMEA legal community around topics like data privacy and machine learning. Many of the sessions and workshops highlighted Relativity's presence and growth in areas outside of e-discovery, including the company's continued momentum in the proactive compliance space with Relativity Trace and the introduction of the Relativity Trace Partner Program. This year's conference also included a presentation from David Rowan, founding editor-in-chief of Wired UK and author of Non-Bullshit Innovation, where he highlighted how businesses across the globe can take a transformative approach to innovation. About Relativity At Relativity, we make software to help users organize data, discover the truth, and act on it. Over 180,000 users in 40+ countries rely on our platform to manage large volumes of unstructured data and quickly identify critical issues during legal discovery, digital investigations, and compliance projects. RelativityOne, the fastest-growing product in our company's history, offers all the functionality of Relativity in a secure and comprehensive SaaS product. Built on Microsoft Azure, RelativityOne is now available on five continents. Trace, built on Relativity and optimized for RelativityOne, brings e-discovery and monitoring activities together under one platform and alerts compliance officers to suspicious or fraudulent activity. In 2018, Relativity received the Financial Times Intelligent Business Award that recognizes the top legal technology companies with the greatest impact on the practice and business of law. Please contact our team at [email protected] or visit http://www.relativity.com for more information. SOURCE Relativity Related Links https://www.relativity.com PLAINVIEW, N.Y., May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the most common ways to ship merchandise is less than truckload or LTL shipments. This term refers to relatively small freight that may be transported on pallets and in crates, rather than full containers. Due to the small size of these types of shipments and their alternative method of transportation, it is important to remember that security measures still need to be taken. Security tape supplier, American Casting and Manufacturing, shares three reasons to use security tape on LTL shipments. Protect your shipments. The addition of security tape to LTL shipments will provide a tamper-evident seal to the products, allowing those handling the merchandise to determine if an item was manipulated with during the shipping process. Improperly secured LTL shipments are easy to tamper with and oftentimes, these shipments do not use security measures to help detect tampering, theft, or misuse of the products. The use of security tape on these shipments may not only deter theft, but may also be useful for those handing the products to help determine if and when tampering has occurred. Monitor changes to inventory. Aside from protecting inventory and deterring theft, security tape also offers a method of inventory monitoring. During the LTL shipment process, various individuals will come in contact with the products, which may be harmful if proper inventory monitoring and tracking procedures are not put into place. The use of security tape will allow for closer product management, giving handlers the opportunity to track the entire product journey from one checkpoint to another. As a result, any negative changes in merchandise throughout the shipping process can be monitored, recorded, and taken care of promptly. Security tape can be cost-effective. When shipping goods, costs may add up quickly. However, replacing lost or stolen goods can be more of a cost burden on companies than taking the time to secure those goods in the first place. Unprotected shippers may face higher insurance premiums, time-consuming customs inspections, lost sales, and unhappy customers. Implementing security tape into the shipping process can minimize those costs and bring a level of security to both the business and their customers. The addition of security tape on LTL shipments is a safe and secure way to ensure that materials are protected throughout the entire shipment process, which is why companies should consider incorporating this security measure into their next LTL shipment. About American Casting and Manufacturing: American Casting and Manufacturing security tape supplier is a New York based, family-owned manufacturing company, that produces high-quality customizable security seals, including bolt seals, container seals, and trailer seals, across a wide range of industries. Through innovative production, customer service, and both employee loyalty and respect, the tamper evident seals manufacturer has been producing high-quality seals for over 100 years. The company conforms to the highest standards, meeting the requirements of ISO-9001:2008 quality management systems. SOURCE American Casting and Manufacturing WASHINGTON, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Award-winning songwriters will convene on Capitol Hill tomorrow, May 22, to meet with elected officials as part of the annual American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers (ASCAP) "Stand with Songwriters" Advocacy Day. They will urge Members of Congress to safeguard against further regulations that continue to threaten the value of their work. "While technology has completely transformed the way we listen to music, those who create the songs we love are disadvantaged by laws that prevent them from earning fair compensation in the digital age," said ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams, an Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe-winning songwriter. "To be effective, the regulatory system has to reflect the realities of today's music marketplace. We urge our members of Congress to continue to protect songwriters and reject new, restrictive legislation." The shift to streaming has forced songwriters to work within an antiquated system that continues to over-regulate and undervalue their music. The passage of last year's Music Modernization Act made strides in the right direction, but new pressures to introduce legislation that imposes additional regulations on songwriters threatens this progress. In their meetings on Capitol Hill, ASCAP members will urge policymakers from across the political spectrum to push back against these new limits on songwriters and provide music creators with a more flexible framework that can adapt to the realities of the modern music marketplace. The meetings will follow tonight's "We Write the Songs" concert at The Library of Congress, sponsored by The ASCAP Foundation. The event features performances by popular ASCAP members who will be introduced by Members of Congress, including Charlotte Caffey and Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Go's ("Our Lips Are Sealed," "We Got The Beat"), Don Felder ("Hotel California", "Victim of Love"), Felix Cavaliere ("Beautiful Morning," "People Gotta Be Free"), Andrea Martin ("Breathe"), Kany Garcia ("Hoy Ya Me Voy") and composer Siddhartha Khosla (television series This Is Us). ASCAP songwriter and composer advocates on Capitol Hill will include Caffey and Wiedlin of The Go-Go's, Felder, Cavaliere, Martin, Garcia, Khosla, Williams and ASCAP songwriter, composer and publisher board members Bruce Broughton, Desmond Child, Barry Coburn, Dan Foliart, James Kendrick, Evan Lamberg, Leeds Levy, Michelle Lewis, Irwin Robinson and Doug Wood. About ASCAP The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a professional membership organization of songwriters, composers and music publishers of every kind of music. ASCAP's mission is to license and promote the music of its members and foreign affiliates, obtain fair compensation for the public performance of their works and to distribute the royalties that it collects based upon those performances. ASCAP members write the world's best-loved music and ASCAP has pioneered the efficient licensing of that music to hundreds of thousands of enterprises who use it to add value to their business - from bars, restaurants and retail, to radio, TV and cable, to Internet, mobile services and more. The ASCAP license offers an efficient solution for businesses to legally perform ASCAP music while respecting the right of songwriters and composers to be paid fairly. With 700,000 members representing more than 11.5 million copyrighted works, ASCAP is the worldwide leader in performance royalties, service and advocacy for songwriters and composers, and the only American performing rights organization (PRO) owned and governed by its writer and publisher members. www.ascap.com SOURCE ASCAP Related Links http://www.ascap.com DUBLIN, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Splicing Tapes Market by Resin (Acrylic, Rubber, Silicone), Backing Material (Paper/Tissue, Pet/Polyester, Non-Woven & Others), Application (Paper & Printing, Packaging, Electronics, Labeling), and Region - Forecast to 2023" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global splicing tapes market size was USD 513.57 million in 2017 and is projected to reach USD 593.03 billion by 2023, at a CAGR of 2.37% between 2018 and 2023. The growth of the market is primarily due to the increasing use of splicing tapes in paper & printing production. APAC accounts for the major share of the overall splicing tapes market due to the increase in demand for printing and writing papers and packaging applications. However, the environmental regulations related to the production of repulpable paper could act as a major restraint to the market. The market in the developed countries, in regions such as Europe and North America, is expected to decline in the near future, owing to the stagnant nature of their markets. Growth in the demand for paper/tissue backing material from paper & printing applications is expected to fuel the demand for splicing tapes. Paper/tissue is the most popular backing material used in the manufacturing of splicing tapes because they are easily available, flexible, and offer a high degree of printability. Also, paper/ tissue backing type comes with many attractive features such as UV resistance, repulpability, liner less, and others. Also, paper/tissue can be recycled easily as compared to other backing materials used in splicing tapes. Electronics is expected to be the fastest-growing application during the forecast period The splicing tapes are used in tabbing and holding lithium-ion battery and also used in different electronics items for color coding in the electronics industry. The increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries will trigger the splicing tapes market growth during the forecast period. Lithium-ion batteries are gaining prominence as one of the fastest-growing batteries in the global electronic vehicle market. The splicing tapes market comprises major solution providers, such as 3M Company (US), Nitto Denko Corporation (Japan), Avery Dennison Corporation (US), Scapa Group Plc (US), tesa SE (Germany), Intertape Polymer Group, Inc. (Canada), Shurtape Technologies, Llc (US), ECHOtape (US), Orafol Europe Gmbh (Germany), and Adhesive Research, Inc. (US). Market Dynamics Drivers Growth of Paper Production and Virgin-Fiber Pulp Mills in APAC, Africa , and South America , and Increasing Demand for Repulpable Paper/Tissue in North America , APAC, and Europe Restraints The Process of Making Recycled Paper is Not Hygienic Decreasing Paper Consumption in Europe and North America Opportunities Rapid Expansion of the Internet and E-Commerce Business Model Expansion of the Pulp & Paper Industry in APAC Use of Non-Wood Fiber in Paper Production Challenges Increasing Digitalization and Paperless Reading Company Profiles tesa SE 3M Company Company Nitto Denko Corporation Avery Dennison Corporation Intertape Polymer Group, Inc. Scapa Group PLC Shurtape Technologies, Llc ECHOtape Orafol Europe GmbH Adhesive Research, Inc. Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics American Biltrite Inc. Industrias Tuk, S.A. De C.V. AJIT Industries PPI Adhesive Products (C.E) S.R.O ACE Tech Korea Co.,Ltd Roll Tape S.R.L Adirondack Specialty Adhesives Specialty Tapes Boston Tapes S.P.A Teraoka Seisakusho Co., Ltd. Fuji Chemical Industrial Co., Ltd. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/r20t22 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 ATLANTA, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Marking its first step towards an international market, Streaming Global has joined forces with DataGo Solutions as its first exclusive reseller for an overseas territory. The deal covers the entire continent of Africa where, according to the forecast performed by Digital TV Research, the OTT market value will exceed $1 Billion by 2024. This partnership drives Streaming Global's continued mission to enable the reliable, scalable, and cost-effective delivery of live, OTT, and VOD video streaming services over the Internet. Gbenga George and Richard Oesterreicher Richard Oesterreicher, CEO of Streaming Global, stated "We are overjoyed to have DataGo Solutions as Streaming Global's exclusive reseller for this emerging market. The growing infrastructure there fits well with Streaming Global's reliable and simple streaming delivery pipeline." DataGo Solutions founders, Gbenga George and Nicholas Horton, have extensive backgrounds and knowledge in the emerging African OTT/VOD market. Horton is a technology leader with over 14 years of industry experience, driving business growth and market penetration both in the US and abroad. George is a technology investor and lawyer with over 18 years of industry experience in various disciplines including intellectual property, contract negotiation, and market adoption. "We view this technology as a true innovation in OTT/VOD and live streaming content that will become the new standard for the next decade. We couldn't be happier to have the opportunity to take this technology to market for the continent of Africa and redefine the streaming industry," said George. About Streaming Global: Streaming Global has reinvented the way live streaming is delivered making it ideal for streaming 24/7 OTT channels and live events with single and multi-stream content. The Streaming Global patent-pending technology turns any simple cloud storage server into an ultra-fast live-streaming server, without installing any additional software on the server. This enables live, OTT, social, and on-demand streaming with global scalability over existing cloud providers, such as Microsoft Azure, Amazon AWS, and private/custom clouds, with an easy pay-as-you-go model perfect for growing an OTT business. Visit www.StreamingGlobal.com to learn more. Streaming Global is a trademark of Streaming Global, LLC. For more information on Streaming Global, please contact: Austin Schmidt +1 (678) 374-3334 Ext. 101 [email protected] SOURCE Streaming Global Related Links http://www.StreamingGlobal.com MENLO PARK, Calif., May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- As temperatures climb, many workers are stocking up on sunscreen and booking summer travel. A recent Accountemps survey found nearly six in 10 workers (58%) save their vacation time for June, July and August, and respondents plan to take an average of 10 days off this summer. This can put pressure on companies to address potential productivity gaps that can stem from vacationing employees. Workers were asked, "Do you save your vacation time for the summer months?" Their responses: Work's Out for Summer Yes 58% No 42% 100% Nearly three-quarters of workers in Los Angeles (74%) are preserving time off for summer, with New York and Detroit (71% each) and Miami (69%) rounding out the top vacation-time-saving U.S. cities. The cities with the fewest workers saving time for summer breaks include Phoenix (44%), Tampa (46%) and Nashville (48%). Workers were also asked, "How many vacation days do you plan to take this summer?" Their responses:* 0 days 8% 1-5 days 31% 6-10 days 29% 11-15 days 16% 16-20 days 6% 21+ days 9% 99% *Responses do not total 100 percent due to rounding. Employees in San Francisco are planning to take the most vacation days this summer, with an average of 13 days away from work. Other top-ranked cities for time away include Miami and New York, with workers there planning on 12 days out of office. View the Work's Out for Summer infographic for more details on workers' vacation plans. "Summer vacations can impact a company's operations and productivity, but anticipating and planning for staff absences including bringing in temporary support can help minimize disruptions," said Michael Steinitz, senior executive director of Accountemps. "Employees can help by communicating priorities to their boss and colleagues and by scheduling an update meeting for when they return. A little preparation allows workers to fully disconnect and return to the office re-energized." Accountemps offers five tips to help keep the office running smoothly during vacation absences: Have the employee make a list of everything that needs to be handled and note any issues that may arise. Assign delegates to handle projects and cover emergencies, and meet with contacts prior to departure to ensure continued progress. Ensure the employee prepares out-of-office email and voicemail messages that provide a coworker's contact information for urgent matters during their absence. Block off time in the schedule after the staff member returns from vacation for project updates and to catch up on important developments. Consider bringing in temporary professionals to keep operations running smoothly. About the Research The online survey was developed by Accountemps and conducted by an independent research firm. It includes responses from more than 2,800 U.S. workers 18 years of age or older and employed in office environments. About Accountemps Accountemps, a Robert Half company, is the world's first and largest specialized staffing service for temporary accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals. The staffing firm has more than 300 locations worldwide. More resources, including job search services and the company's blog, can be found at roberthalf.com/accountemps. SOURCE Accountemps Related Links http://www.accountemps.com SAN FRANCISCO, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- CodePath.org, a nonprofit dedicated to closing the diversity gap in tech, today announced a partnership with AnitaB.org, an advocacy organization that works to advance women in computing, to identify, inspire, and prepare minority and female computer science students for careers in Silicon Valley. "This initiative provides a path of exposure, access, and opportunity for underrepresented communities in computer science," said Brenda Darden Wilkerson, president and CEO of AnitaB.org. "Investing in talented college students--and equipping them with coding know-how--will enable a more inclusive future of work." Through the initiative, CodePath.org will work on-the-ground, across college campuses, to launch programs that teach up-to-date, industry-relevant coding skills. Eligible students will receive free access to Codepath's 2019 "virtual course," which provides personalized instruction on the technology industry's most in-demand skills, such as iOS and Android development. Recent research from the University of Texas at Austin found that, while Black and Latinx students join STEM majors at roughly the same rate as their white peers, they are far less likely to complete. Women, meanwhile, now earn 57.3 percent of all bachelor's degrees, but only 17.9 percent of computer science degrees. "Our work is focused on shifting the conversation from inclusion to influence. These students are not simply meeting the bar for success in techthey're raising it," said Michael Ellison, founder and CEO of CodePath.org. "We're proving that when students from underrepresented backgrounds, who often attend less-selective colleges, have access to personalized instruction that meets them where they are, they demonstrate every bit as much potential as peers from the nation's most elite institutions." About CodePath.org: CodePath.org is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit transforming computer science education for underrepresented minorities at over 30 colleges and universities, doubling in size every semester. Working closely with major technology companies like Facebook, CodePath.org is changing what is being taught and how it is being taught in CS programs nationwide to increase diversity in tech using a system-wide solution. About AnitaB.org: AnitaB.org is a nonprofit social enterprise committed to increasing the representation of women technologists in the global workforce. AnitaB.org engages with tens of thousands of women and leading organizations around the world to build diverse and inclusive workplace cultures. Founded in 1997 by our namesake, computer science visionary Anita Borg, our organization works toward a future where the teams that create technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. SOURCE CodePath.org FREMONT, California, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market intelligence report by BIS Research titled "Urban Air Mobility Market - Analysis and Forecast, 2023 - 2035", the global urban air mobility market is expected to be approximately $5.32 billion in 2023. The market is expected to witness a compounded annual growth rate of 26.19%, during the forecast from 2023 to 2035 and reach $86.83 billion by 2035. The market is projected to grow owing to the increasing use of UAVs in the commercial and civil applications and the increasing demand for efficient transportation and mobility. Browse 47 Market Data Tables and 119 Figures Spread Through 243 Pages, and in-depth TOC on "Global Urban Air Mobility Market" The urban air mobility, being a part of the future urban landscape, is a term used to describe the systems that enable on-demand, safe, highly automated, and passenger- and cargo-carrying air transportation services in a metropolitan environment for manned and unmanned aircraft systems. The urban air mobility market framework includes infrastructure, technology, and business. Infrastructure and technology are the most significant factors required for urban air mobility to take-off. The technological framework includes system architecture, battery operations, charging technology, software development, operations through ground and air operation, and certifications, among others. The urban air mobility market is expected to create an entirely new industry. The aircrafts used in the urban air mobility market need to be manufactured at a large scale so as to create new opportunities and provide several benefits to the end-users. The sky ports are a part of the urban air mobility market, however, they require a lot of power, generating business for utility companies, while the need for a new infrastructure is expected to create opportunities for the real estate industry. The manufacturers are continuously taking initiative to develop various innovative infrastructural concepts, such as better connectivity, better tracking systems, and almost every vertiport in the future is expected to have charging stations. The global urban air mobility market is categorized on the basis of aircraft type that includes fixed wing, rotor wing, and hybrid concepts. The hybrid concepts are expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 29.89% during the forecast period, 2023-2035. The report also includes market segmentation by infrastructure (vertiports, charging stations, and traffic management systems), use case (air taxi, airport shuttle, personal air vehicle, last mile delivery, air metro, and air ambulance), operation (piloted and autonomous), and travel range (intercity and intracity). According to Swati Chaturvedi, Sr. Research Analyst at BIS Research, "the U.S. is one of the most prominent countries for the growth of the global urban air mobility market. In 2023, the U.S. is expected to dominate the global urban air mobility market, acquiring the maximum market share. However, the geographical analysis of this market unveils an immense potential for its growth in the Asia-Pacific region as well. China is expected to acquire the largest market share, and Singapore is expected to witness the highest growth rate in this region during the period 2023-2035. Similarly, the Europe market is also likely to witness numerous growth opportunities during the forecast period." The market report provides a detailed analysis of the recent trends influencing the market, along with a comprehensive study of the future trends and technological developments. It also includes a competitive analysis of the leading players in the industry, including corporate overview, financial summary, and SWOT analysis. The overall market has been segmented on the basis of types and end users. The report also includes a comprehensive section on the region-wise analysis including country analysis for more than 10 different countries. This report is a meticulous compilation of research on more than 50 players in the urban air mobility ecosystem and draws upon the insights from in-depth interviews with the key opinion leaders of the leading companies, market participants, and vendors. The report has profiled around 15 companies namely Airbus, Airspace Experience Technologies, Aurora Flight Sciences, Bell Helicopter, Boeing, Delorean Aerospace, Embraer, Karem Aircraft, Kitty Hawk, Lilium, Neva Aerospace, Opener, Pipistrel, Siemens, and Volocopter. Key Questions Answered: What are the major driving forces that tend to increase the demand for the global urban air mobility market during the forecast period, 2023-2035? What are the major challenges inhibiting the growth of the global urban air mobility market? Who are the key players in the global urban air mobility market, and what is their competitive benchmarking? What is the expected revenue to be generated by the global urban air mobility market on the basis of segments (aircraft type, infrastructure, use case, operation, and travel range) in 2023, and what are the estimates by 2035? How is each segment of the global urban air mobility market expected to grow during the forecast period, and how much revenue is expected to be generated by each segment by the end of 2035? What are the trends in the global urban air mobility market across different regions, what is the expected revenue to be generated in 2023 and what are the estimates by 2035? How is the industry expected to evolve during the forecast period 2023-2035? Which region is expected to contribute to the highest sales of the global urban air mobility market during the forecast period? What are the new strategies adopted by the existing market players to make a mark in the industry? What are the major opportunities that the urban air mobility manufacturers foresee? Related Reports: Global UAS Traffic Management (UTM) System Market - Analysis and Forecast, 2020-2030 Global Fixed-Wing VTOL Aircraft Market - Analysis and Forecast, 2018-2028 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: [email protected] 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 [email protected] https://twitter.com/BISResearch SOURCE BIS Research HYDERABAD, India, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Process automation market involves the combined usage of technology and products such as sensors, tachometers, and many others which facilitate the automation of tasks or processes in a business with minimal manual efforts. The main aim of process automation is to achieve cost minimization, greater efficiency, and streamlined processes. Before the implementation of the process automation, the tasks performed in the organization were manually recorded in books. This process increases the work and may include many errors while entering the data. With the implementation of the automated processes in the workplace, organizations save time and ensure best practices are implemented to improve the overall operational efficiency. Case Example: Before the Implementation of Process Automation in HR Boarding Before the implementation of process automation in HR onboarding, the administration schedules the meeting for candidates to complete the paperwork. After completing the process, the documents are to be handed over to the administration. Continuous follow-ups and in-person checks are required to ensure the document review. The entire process may take over an hour. To access / purchase the full report browse the link below https://industryarc.com/Report/122/Global-Process-Automation-Market.html After the Implementation of Process Automation in HR Boarding After the implementation of process automation, the steps involved in employee onboarding are reduced, which will eventually reduce the time taken for the process. Similarly, the implementation of process automation in various sectors, such as food and beverages, automotive, oil & gas, and many others is expected to reduce the number of steps involved in the process, thereby increasing the revenue of the company. Get a quote for full report from one of our sales representatives https://industryarc.com/reports/request-quote?id=122 Process automation is used in various industries due to features such as elevated reliability, safety, and so on. Some of them are: Food and beverages; Automotive; Oil & Gas; Chemical; Pharmaceutical; Water Treatment; Paper and Pulp; Healthcare; Energy and Utilities; Manufacturing; Consumer Goods and Retail; Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance; Telecom and IT; Transportation and Logistics. R&D Investments & Initiatives One of the Robotic process automation startup named "Automation Anywhere" has announced the investment of $300m to introduce the advanced RPA with bot. This investment makes them one of the world's fastest growing companies. Along with the increasing investments, the automation companies are also planning to develop a new application, which will be built and deployed through API, microservices, and containerization. These approaches are expected to make the applications more scalable and reduce the deployment time. In future, the APIs are anticipated to play a crucial role in the European region, where regulatory measures such as payment services directive (PSD) and other open banking services in financial institutions is expected to increase the investments on these technologies. Trends Cignex Datamatics, which is one among the providers of Open Source, cloud and automation solutions and services has announced the launch of UiPath Go, which is a new app for automation. This app is provided with two different options, such as "Am I Online" and "data information". Unnecessary exceptions during the workflow execution can be avoided by installing this app. B&R Industrial Automation GmbH is now focusing on developing the instruments in millimeter and sub-millimeter. In the process of miniaturizing the instruments, the company is planning to shift towards the use of the new control loop designs. The shift towards the use of the new control loop design is expected to give a clear idea on the size of the instrument before it is manufactured. These millimeter and sub-millimeter instruments are expected to change the process automation in the healthcare sector. As data continues to create new opportunities for enterprises, the regulatory compliances and privacy risks are expected to be at the forefront. To secure the data, new automated preventive methods such as cybersecurity is expected to increase its adoption in enterprises. Organizations are trying to migrate their important data on cloud-based services and utilize the benefits of AI/ML programs to help identify and protect the servers from hackers. Challenges 1. Lack of skilled workforce This is considered as one of the biggest challenges in process automation. The implementation of process automation in any company needs appropriate and well-versed employees who can understand and solve the issue in the company. Having a well-staffed and knowledgeable team on hand to help with the automation issues is one of the ways to expedite the implementation process. To overcome this challenge, companies are planning to train the employees, which is expected to increase the skilled workforce in the company. 2. Lack of funds in SMEs will reduce the adoption of process automation The implementation of RPA in companies can help in improving the revenue of the company by 30%60% without any great difficulty, however, the expenses may increase more than five times the normal expense. This is because to implement RPA, companies have to redesign the process. Redesigning the process will cost money. Also, the company has to bear the training expenses of the employees. This is expected to increase the operational cost for the company in the first 3 years. For complete list of Automation studies follow link below https://industryarc.com/Domain/10/industrial-automation-instrumentation-market-research.html Key Players Some of the major companies in process automation are ABB Ltd., Honeywell International, Siemens AG, and many others, which provides different module analysis, such as software systems, which include Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), and Distributed Control Systems (DCS). ABB Ltd. is planning to shift towards the use of the modular automation, which helps in reducing the time taken for the process and also helps in increasing automation efficiency and improve production flexibility. This modular automation is said to be the future for flexible process plant production and a key element for industrial IoT and Industry 4.0. Siemens AG is planning to link the latest technologies, such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and digital twins in process automation. This link is expected to boost the productivity to a new level. Conclusion: Process automation has been penetrating into various end user industries due to the features such as safety, reliability and increased production rate. The implementation of the new techniques and the companies focusing on inventing the millimeter and sub-millimeter instruments are expected to boost the productivity to the next level. Currently, Europe holds the major share in application program interface (API). Will API continue to hold the major share or the implementation of the new regulations and the introduction of Bots will impact the position of the APIs? T To know more about our capability in process Automation market Research including Cognitive Robotic Process Automation Market reports follow the link below To request for a proposal, provide your details in the below link: https://industryarc.com/pdfdownload.php?id=122 About IndustryARC: IndustryARC primarily focuses on Cutting Edge Technologies and Newer Applications market research. Our Custom Research Services are designed to provide insights on the constant flux in the global supply-demand gap of markets. Our strong team of analysts enables us to meet the client research needs at a rapid speed, with a variety of options for your business. Any other custom requirements can be discussed with our team, drop an e-mail to [email protected] to discuss more about our consulting services. Media Contact: Mr. Venkat Reddy Sales Manager Email: [email protected] Contact Sales: +1-614-588-8538 SOURCE IndustryARC GOLDEN, Colo., May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Since the early days of business school, every entrepenuer & manager knows that standard operating procedures (SOP's) are required to run a successful business. Some of the greatest business books of all time like eMyth teach the importance of defining processes and creating a handbook of SOP's for employees. For years, the biggest names in technology have tried and tried again to create project management & learning management software (LMS) that could help employees complete each procedure. Those same companies attempted to train their client's to not only use their software, but also think like leaders and define company procedures so training could produce results. Sadly, leaders never got a chance to rise to the occasion and create meaningful training programs that produced those measurable results known as KPI's (key performance indicators). The reason this couldn't be done is because there was not a solution out there that had real accountability built in to it. Quizzes that managers don't review and videos that someone supposedly watched are NOT real accountability. Real accountability requires evidence that each procedure was completed as instructed and that evidence must be reviewed by a manager every step of the way. Without accountability in place, leaders can't think like true leaders. Instead, they are forced to create programs out of fear that never have a KPI attached to them or a way to measure their true success. For example, there are plenty of sales training programs within companies, but none that teach sales reps to sell X units per week, month or year. Why? Because the leader in charge is scared to create a program with a KPI attached without real accountability. When leaders can name their programs around the results their company needs (example:How To Sell 10 Units Per Day From Incoming Calls), the entire dynamic of how that company operates will forever change and they will never go back to their old way of operating. As a result, companies who adapt to this new way of corporate training can enjoy more revenue, efficiencies and productivity by their employee's than ever before. The best part says Scott Palat, CEO of TutorFi is that "Top level managers can watch the results of each department get done from anywhere. This is true freedom for everyone involved including the employee who is guided to hit KPI's that matter. The ETC Experience can transform any company who has the guts to name their training programs around results that matter. As of today, ETC Software is the only LMS with real accountability built in and if your company wants to experience more revenue, efficiency and productivity, start your journey and begin the ETC Experience immediately." To learn more, go to https://www.ETCSoftwareSolutions.com Media contact: Scott Palat [email protected] 4126702533 SOURCE TutorFi Related Links https://www.ETCSoftwareSolutions.com SHANGHAI, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Unisun Energy recently completed a 2.03 MW distributed PV power plant for Baosteel Group Nantong Wire Products Co., Ltd. and connected it to the grid as scheduled. The plant deployed the model of using self-produced power and is expected to produce nearly 2.1 million kilowatt hours of electricity from clean energy each year throughout its 25-year lifecycle, equivalent to savings of the equivalent of some 810 tons of standard coal and reduction of 2,018 tons in carbon dioxide emissions a year. Before that, Unisun Energy has successfully built a distributed photovoltaic (PV) project in cooperation with the world's leading metallurgical company Handan Iron and Steel Group (a.k.a. Hansteel), the Chinese manufacturer of highly specialized special steel Jiangyin Xingcheng Special Steel Works Co., Ltd. and Baogang Group. Currently, the energy consumption of China's steel industry accounts for about 25% of China's total energy consumption. Promoting energy efficiency and clean energy in the industry are highly significant to China's further sustainable development. Zhejiang-based Unisun Energy Group ("Unisun Energy"), a leading global provider of clean energy solutions, has been taking the lead in providing renewable energy solutions and improving energy efficiency. By building distributed PV power plants with Chinese steelmakers, Unisun Energy has played an exemplary role in promoting the structural transformation of the renewable energy sector and contributing to energy savings and emission reduction, helping to promote the upgrade of the steel industry and creating a win-win situation for both clean energy companies and steelmakers in a future that will be dominated by green energy. "Unisun Energy has become a model for advocating the mutual development of emerging and traditional sectors by accelerating the transformation of energy structure through helping top Chinese steelmakers efficiently reduce carbon emissions and lower electricity costs" said Unisun Energy chairwoman He Yisha. "To date, the company has supplied clean energy solutions to a number of well-known firms, including Laiyifen, Unilever and Wahaha, as part of its efforts to contribute to the low-carbon economy." Unisun Energy is a specialized Chinese strategic investor in distributed energy and the leading global provider of integrated clean energy solutions with international energy giant ENGIE as a strategic investor. The Group is committed to building top clean energy power stations for customers worldwide and providing them with quality asset management services that meet high standards and offer high yields, with businesses covering a variety of PV power stations, energy storage facilities and smart wind farms. The company also provides comprehensive solutions across the industry chain spanning investment, development, construction and management of clean energy power stations. SOURCE Unisun Energy Group "The global demand for all things digital devices, applications, content and the underlying technology infrastructure continues unabated," said Tim Herbert, senior vice president for research and market intelligence at CompTIA. "Technology plays a unique role in international trade. Not only is it one of the largest categories of exports. But technology serves as a catalyst for businesses and consumers to connect, create and exchange, thereby encouraging even more trade." Since 2010, U.S. exports of technology added nearly $65 billion in new earnings and aggregate growth of 23 percent. This even as growth slowed slightly in 2018, increasing by 2.5 percent compared to the 2017 rate of 4.5 percent. Exports account for approximately $1 in every $4 generated in the U.S. tech sector. The U.S. is also a big importer of technology products and services. American businesses and consumers purchased nearly $500 billion in technology goods and services from overseas sellers in 2018, resulting in a tech trade deficit of slightly over $160 billion. That deficit was narrowed somewhat by a trade surplus in U.S. tech services exports, which experienced a surplus of nearly $40 billion in 2018, a figure that grew 10.5 percent over the previous year. U.S. China Technology Trade U.S. technology product exports to China showed gains in 2018, but escalating trade tensions make it difficult to predict where tech trade between the economic powerhouses is headed. The CompTIA report finds that U.S. technology product exports to China increased by 4.9 percent last year, to $17.9 billion. U.S. companies exported $2.2 billion worth of technology services to China in 2017, the most recent year of available detailed data. Overall, tech services grew by 3.9 percent in 2017, adding $82 million in new sales. By comparison, the U.S. imported $187.7 billion in technology products and services from China in 2017. "The U.S.-China trade dispute resulted in tariffs on tech product imports increasing fivefold from 2017 to 2018," said Stefanie Holland, CompTIA's vice president for federal and global policy. "Should a 25-percent tariff rate apply to all tech product imports the costs could run into the tens of billions of dollars." "Barriers to trade do not foster long-term economic growth and will continue to negatively impact products that are designed, developed and manufactured in the United States," Holland added. "We encourage the U.S. and China to reach a deal that protects American innovation and intellectual property." CompTIA's "Tech Trade Snapshot 2019" is based on an analysis of import and export data from the U.S. Office of Trade Policy and Analysis, the U.S. International Trade Association, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and The Trade Partnership's CDexports database. The complete report is available at https://www.comptia.org/resources/tech-trade-snapshot-2019. About CompTIA The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a leading voice and advocate for the $5 trillion global information technology ecosystem; and the more than 50 million industry and tech professionals who design, implement, manage, and safeguard the technology that powers the world's economy. Through education, training, certifications, advocacy, philanthropy, and market research, CompTIA is the hub for advancing the tech industry and its workforce. CompTIA supports policies that advance free and open competition; promote a highly educated and technical workforce; encourage collaboration and cooperation in ideas and technology; advance regulations that positively impact the ability of the private sector to effectively research, develop, integrate, manufacture, service and sell solutions in the global marketplace; and improve the use of technology in the state and local government, human services and space enterprise markets. Visit www.comptia.org to learn more. Contact: Roger Hughlett CompTIA 202.503.3644 [email protected] SOURCE CompTIA Related Links http://www.comptia.org CHICAGO and HOUSTON, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- VillageMD, a leading national provider of primary care, today announced it hired Erin Page as president of the Texas region. Page will oversee VillageMD's continued growth and expansion in Texas and is based in Houston. Prior to VillageMD, Page was president of Medicare at Universal American, which was sold to WellCare Health Plans. Page has extensive experience in the healthcare industry, notably with her expertise in Medicare she developed and launched a Medicare Advantage Plan in partnership with two Independent Physician Associations (IPA) in Houston while at Heritage Health System. The plan, Texan Plus, grew to the largest Medicare Advantage plan in the market. Universal American acquired this plan, which is when Page served as senior vice president of new market development and operations. In 2012, Page launched Collaborative Health Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Universal American that was focused on the Medicare Accountable Care Organizations (ACO). In three years, more than 25 ACOs were developed and launched across multiple states, including Texas. "We're thrilled to welcome Erin to our VillageMD team to grow our footprint in the Texas region," said Tim Barry, CEO of VillageMD. "Erin is highly respected among physicians and hospital management in the Houston market and we're confident she'll make an immediate impact for us." Page will oversee a team of more than 300 people, including primary care physicians, in the Texas region that work with VillageMD. About VillageMD VillageMD is a leading provider of health care for organizations moving toward a primary care-led, high-value clinical model. The VillageMD solution provides the tools, technology, operations, and staffing support needed for physicians to drive the highest quality clinical results across a population. VillageMD works with physician groups, independent practice associations, and health systems to improve quality, deliver a first-rate patient experience, and lower costs in the communities they serve. It has grown to include more than 2,500 physicians across eight markets, and is responsible for approximately 500,000 lives and $2.8 billion in healthcare spending. To learn more, visit www.villageMD.com. SOURCE VillageMD Related Links https://www.villagemd.com WILTON MANORS, Fla., May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- On April 23, 2019, the Wilton Manors' City Commissioners unanimously approved Resolution No. 2019-041, permanently proclaiming May 22 as Harvey Milk Day in the City of Wilton Manors to celebrate the first openly gay elected official of California, Harvey Milk, and his historical impact on the LGBT+ community nationwide. In 1977, Harvey Milk made strides in the Castro neighborhood of San Francisco by founding the Castro Valley Association, which enabled the growing gay community to become politically organized and gain support from unions and civic leaders. Milk's focus on advancing the equal rights of LGBT+ individuals by sponsoring a significant anti-discrimination bill, establishing day care centers for mothers, converting military facilities in the city to low-cost housing, reforming the tax code to attract industry to deserted properties, and pressuring the mayor's administration to improve library services and expand community policing all serve as Milk's multifaceted approach for advocacy regarding all. Milk's passion and commitment to his community serves as an example of the values shared by residents, community members, and public servants of Wilton Manors. "Not only was Harvey Milk a strong advocate of LGBT+ rights, he also advocated for issues impacting women, racial and ethnic minorities, marginalized communities, community policing, and more," said Mayor Justin S. Flippen. "Many places celebrate Harvey Milk Day and commemorate Milk's civil rights legacy, including the State of California and numerous cities, public schools, and educational institutions. Cities such as West Hollywood, Portland, San Diego, Salt Lake City, Long Beach, and even Asuncion, Paraguay; Verona, Italy; and Paris, France honor Harvey Milk with streets named after him. President Barack Obama posthumously awarded Harvey Milk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the U.S. Postal Service issued a stamp with his image, and the U.S. Navy plans to commission a ship bearing Milk's name. The Island City of Wilton Manors is proud to now join the celebration of Harvey Milk's life and legacy." Harvey Milk's life was tragically cut short on November 27, 1978. However, his legacy continues to live on with historical landmarks, best-selling literature, Oscar award-winning films, locations such as the Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy, the future Harvey Milk Terminal at San Francisco International Airport, and Wilton Manors' new tradition of reading to our community's children Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag. The City Commission of the City of Wilton Manors encourages everyone to reflect on the life of Harvey Milk on May 22, as well as the lives and contributions of all our civil rights leaders that strive to create a better world. For more information about the City of Wilton Manors visit www.wiltonmanors.com. ABOUT THE CITY OF WILTON MANORS Wilton Manors was laid out in 1925 by Edward John "Ned" Willingham, a land developer from Georgia, as an upscale residential community. It was recognized as a Village in 1947 and incorporated as a City in 1953. Today, the City of Wilton Manors offers all the benefits of a big city from shopping, to hip restaurants and bars, a burgeoning arts community and tons of community events, yet still maintains a cozy, community-feeling offering miles of natural waterways perfect for kayaking, paddle boarding and other outdoor activities. In 2018, Wilton Manors was named the "Second Gayest City" in the United States, celebrating a diverse population of approximately 12,000 residents. To learn more about the live, work and play opportunities in Wilton Manors call (954) 390-2100 or visit www.wiltonmanors.com. CONTACT: Aimee Adler (954) 732-0754 (or) [email protected] SOURCE Wilton Manors Related Links http://www.wiltonmanors.com SAN FRANCISCO, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Wizeline, a global product development and design company, today announced that it has joined the Stripe Partner Program as a Verified Partner, providing implementation consulting and engineering services for Stripe users. "We are thrilled to be one of the first technology services firms to join Stripe's Partner Program," said Bismarck Lepe, founder and CEO of Wizeline. "Wizeline began in the Silicon Valley and leverages that experience to revolutionize outsourced product development and help companies innovate. For companies that lack the engineering or technical resources necessary to integrate Stripe, Wizeline will step in to provide coding and testing, either as an add-on service for engineering teams or fully supported by Wizeline." Stripe is a technology company that builds economic infrastructure for the internet. Millions of businesses of all sizes use Stripe today to accept online payments and run complex global operations. "Partners have integrated with Stripe for years," said Claire Hughes Johnson, Stripe COO. "But as Stripe is increasingly getting pulled up-market, our users have asked for an easier way to discover new partners and new applications. That's why we're excited Wizeline is joining forces with us today to provide a better overall experience for the millions of businesses scaling on Stripe." About Stripe Stripe is a technology company that builds economic infrastructure for the internet. Businesses of every sizefrom new startups to public companies like Salesforce and Facebookuse the company's software to accept online payments and run technically sophisticated financial operations in more than 100 countries. Stripe helps new companies get started and grow their revenues, and established businesses accelerate into new markets and launch new business models. Over the long term, Stripe aims to increase the GDP of the internet. About Wizeline Wizeline is a global product development company that helps clients solve their biggest challenges with design and technology. Headquartered in San Francisco, Wizeline is committed to collaboration without borders by sharing Silicon Valley innovation with the rest of the world. The company has offices throughout Mexico, Vietnam, Thailand, Spain, Australia, and the U.S. For more information, visit us at www.wizeline.com. Press Contact Caroline Buck Marketing & PR at Wizeline [email protected] SOURCE Wizeline Related Links http://www.wizeline.com The supplement with 16 clinically-tested ingredients including 13 herbal extracts is a holistic alternative to prescription erectile dysfunction drugs which often come with side effects. Common side effects of major ED drugs on the market include headaches, flushing, dizziness and upset stomach. The FDA has also urged caution in using these products for patients with certain heart conditions. "Prescription drugs treat a symptom," said Jin Wu, CFO and global marketing manager for World Pharmaceutical Technology, the parent company that developed XtraLast. "We wanted to create a supplement that tackles the heart of the problem." "XtraLast is an incredible holistic alternative to many other prescription products," Wu added. "We believe it may help with blood flow, energy, stamina and desire." XtraLast works in several ways to increase overall sexual performance. It promotes normal circulation and naturally restores the balance lost with age in the bodies of middle-aged males. There is certainly a market for supplements that can help men with sexual dysfunction problems. Approximately 40 percent of men are affected by age 40 and that number reaches 70 percent by age 70. XtraLast is the first supplement that World Pharmaceutical Technology plans to introduce to the American consumer. The start-up company already has three more supplements in the pipeline for release later this year or in 2020, including Glycostatin for blood sugar issues, Vesopro for cholesterol levels and a broad range of Premium Vitamins for daily health maintenance. "Our company researches and develops anti-cancer drugs in the pharmaceutical division while the nutraceutical branch is developing supplements that are formulated to help people with common ailments, such as high cholesterol and diabetes," Wu said, adding that World Pharmatech's goal is to "create a new era of next generation, high-end and high-quality health products." Natural products continue to be an important field in providing candidate compounds for the research and development of new drugs. "At World Pharmatech, we believe that using natural substances as a source of discovery, treatment and nutritional medicine will continue to produce drugs of therapeutic value for patients," Wu said. "The development of basic science and the application of modern high technology along with traditional methods are still the mainstream of natural product drug discovery." For more information about XtraLast go to worldpharmatech.com. Please direct inquiries to: Andrew Polin, 561-544-0719 [email protected] SOURCE World Pharmatech SHANGHAI, May 20, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- WuXi Biologics ("WuXi Bio") (2269.HK), a leading global open-access biologics technology platform company offering end-to-end solutions for biologics discovery, development and manufacturing, today announced that it has entered into a strategic partnership Letter of Intent (LOI) with a global vaccine leader, pursuant to which WuXi Vaccines will build a dedicated facility and supply a commercial product for the global market. WuXi Vaccines is a joint venture company to be established between WuXi Biologics and Shanghai based Hile Bio-Technology (stock code 603718.SH). The business model of WuXi Vaccines is to build world-class integrated platforms and CDMO model to enable global companies to develop and manufacture vaccines. Under the LOI, WuXi Vaccines will build an integrated vaccine manufacturing facility including drug substance manufacturing (DS), drug product manufacturing (DP) as well as Quality Control labs (QC). The facility will be dedicated to manufacture 100% of the global market of one of our partner's vaccine products. The value of the 20-year manufacturing contract is estimated to be more than $3 billion USD. "This is a historic moment for WuXi Biologics and WuXi Vaccines as well as for the global vaccine industry. Due to process complexity, extensive analytic testing and rigorous regulatory standards, vaccines are difficult to manufacture and process and quality control are extremely critical for the quality of the product. This partnership with a global vaccine leader to exclusively manufacture a vaccine for the global market, first of its kind in the industry, is a further testimony to the technical strengths and premier quality demonstrated by WuXi Biologics," commented Dr. Chris Chen, CEO of WuXi Biologics, "Vaccine CDMO is one of the next growth areas for WuXi Biologics. Once this project is initiated, our vaccine business will contribute substantially to the growth of WuXi Biologics. WuXi Biologics together with WuXi Vaccines will continue to provide our global partners with a robust and premier-quality supply chain network to produce high quality products to benefit patients worldwide, initially with therapeutic proteins and now with vaccines." About WuXi Biologics WuXi Biologics (stock code: 2269.HK), a Hong Kong-listed company, is a leading global open-access biologics technology platform offering end-to-end solutions to empower organizations to discover, develop and manufacture biologics from concept to commercial manufacturing. Our company history and achievements demonstrate our commitment to providing a truly ONE-stop service offering and strong value proposition to our global clients. As of December 31, 2018, there were a total of 205 integrated projects, including 97 projects in pre-clinical development stage, 94 projects in early-phase (phase I and II) clinical development, 13 projects in late-phase (phase III) development and 1 project in commercial manufacturing. With total estimated capacity of biopharmaceutical production planned in China, Ireland, Singapore and US reaching 220,000 liters by 2022, we will provide our biomanufacturing partners with a robust and premier-quality global supply chain network. For more information on WuXi Biologics, please visit www.wuxibiologics.com. SOURCE WuXi Biologics Related Links http://www.wuxibiologics.com.cn YANTAI, China, May 20, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- As a leader and extender of mineral processing, Xinhai has proposed the mineral processing EPC+M+O service, which can provide clients a complete mineral processing turn-key service to solve all the problems about mine management and operation. 1. What is "EPC+M+O" service? Specifically, Xinhai mineral processing EPC+M+O service is a customized service through the actual condition of plant. Design and Research Service Including project consultant service, mineral dressing test, mineral processing flow and equipment selection, processing plant scheme design and production drawing design and so on. Complete Equipment Manufacture, Supporting Materials and Purchasing Service Including manufacturing and purchasing complete mineral processing equipment, mine supporting materials, installation and fixture instrument, machine maintenance workshop, experiment laboratory equipment, modular housing, steel structure workshop, combine type steel structure production line, alter-cyanidation leaching reagent, flotation reagents and so on. Commission and Delivery Including instruction of dressing plant construction and equipment installation, accomplishing equipment commission, training dressing plant workers, providing spare parts and consumables, and maintaining and fixing equipment. Mine Management Management during the construction period depending on the dressing plant requirements, including the construction and management of mining engineering, civil engineering, and tailings pond. Mine Operation Providing operation contracting and management during production phase. 2. Why extending "EPC" service into "EPC+M+O" service? Xinhai found that many clients were in urgent need of services including mining engineering before dressing plant, construction engineering, tailing pond management, and even the plant management and operation. Therefore, Xinhai "EPC+M+O" service was proposed to solve the clients' problems. So far, Xinhai accomplished over 2000 mine design, research and equipment supply project, over 500 EPC+M+O service around the world, and exported products to over 90 countries and districts. 3. What does EPC+M+O service mean? Briefly, Xinhai EPC+M+O service contains every single link of modern mine cooperation construction. The essence of EPC+M+O service is to consider each link of mineral processing project service in a more comprehensive and detailed way. Xinhai mineral processing EPC service covers the whole life cycle of the mineral processing plant from efficiency, speed, cost to quality standard, mineral processing index, and economy benefit. It integrates the three period of mineral processing plant construction, before-medium-after, into a value link leading by request, which practically solve the client's problems in production and start a new era of value link service in mineral processing industry. http://www.xinhaimining.com/ SOURCE Shandong Xinhai Mining Technology & Equipment Inc. Related Links http://www.xinhaimining.com SCHAUMBURG, Ill., May 20, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Brian Winters has been appointed head of Sales and Distribution, U.S. Commercial Insurance, for Zurich North America. His appointment is part of Zurich's continued effort to strengthen relationships with customers and brokers. Toward that end, Zurich is also integrating its distribution and regional management teams into its U.S. Commercial Insurance business. Winters, who previously was head of Specialty Products, will report to Paul Horgan, head of U.S. Commercial Insurance. The specialties underwriting teams, which had reported to Winters, will be integrated into U.S. Commercial Insurance. "Brian is a well-respected industry leader who will help us strengthen our relationships with customers and brokers," Horgan said. "In addition, coming together as an integrated unit will strengthen collaboration and expedite decision making, helping Zurich deliver a more consistent experience for our customers." Winters joined Zurich North America in 2007. Before leading the specialties business, he led Zurich's customer and distribution management team overseeing large commercial customer relationships, broker relationships and all marketing activities. He has also led Zurich's casualty practice, including domestic, excess and international casualty operations, as well as strategic risk solutions functions. Before joining Zurich, Winters held underwriting and broker relations roles at XL Catlin, Kemper, Travelers and AIG. Winters attended the College of Insurance, today known as St. John's School of Risk Management, in New York, and graduated with a bachelor of Business Administration, Insurance. About Zurich North America For more information about Zurich, go to https://www.zurichna.com/zna/services/about-zurich SOURCE Zurich North America Vienna, May 21 : All ministers from Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPO) have resigned, throwing the government into chaos. The Freedom Party's leader Heinz-Christian Strache, who was also vice-chancellor, was forced to resign at the weekend after a video sting, the BBC reported on Monday. Strache was filmed proposing to offer government contracts to a supposed Russian oligarch's niece. The FPO threatened a mass resignation earlier on Monday if Interior Minister Herbert Kickl was also forced out. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz had called over the weekend for Kickl to be sacked, saying that as general secretary of the party he should take responsibility for the scandal. The scandal broke on Friday when footage from 2017 was published in German media, showing Strache and another FPO official proposing to offer government contracts to a supposed Russian oligarch's niece. Strache resigned the next day and Kurz - the head of the centre-right People's Party (OVP) -- said new elections would have to be held. The resigning FPO ministers include the foreign minister and ministers for defence, transport, and social affairs. The FPO made up half of the country's cabinet. The video scandal comes at a particularly awkward time for the party. Voters across the EU go to the polls on May 23-26, in European Parliament elections widely expected to boost the numbers of far-right and other Eurosceptic MEPs. Before the scandal broke, the FPO was expected to score about 20 per cent in the European elections. It is not known who recorded the video published on Friday. Neither is it clear who set up the meeting, which allegedly took place at a villa on the Spanish island of Ibiza in July 2017 - before the FPO joined the new government. The video shows Strache and Johann Gudenus - another FPO politician - relaxing on sofas, drinking and talking to a woman who claims to be a wealthy Russian national looking to invest in Austria. In the footage, the woman offers to buy a 50 per cent stake in Austria's Kronen Zeitung newspaper and switch its editorial position to support the Freedom Party. Greater Noida: Nomsa, 24, a South African national who was caught with 24.7 kg of pseudoephedrine drug in her luggage by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel deployed at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on 9th May, 2019. (Pho Image Source: IANS News Greater Noida: Pseudoephedrine drug that was seized by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel deployed at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport from Nomsa, a 24 year-old South African national on 9th May, 2019. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News Greater Noida: Pseudoephedrine drug that was seized by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel deployed at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport from Nomsa, a 24 year-old South African national on 9th May, 2019. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News Greater Noida: Pseudoephedrine drug that was seized by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel deployed at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport from Nomsa, a 24 year-old South African national on 9th May, 2019. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News Greater Noida, May 21 : In a house belonging to an IPS officer, who had rented it out, ran an international drug cartel for over two years till it was busted a few days back. That the house in Greater Noida, on the outskirts of Delhi, was the den of illegal business was exposed almost by chance on May 9 when the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel deployed at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport caught a South African woman Nomsa, 24, with 24.7 kg of pseudoephedrine drug in her luggage. Pseudoephedrine is a precursor used for manufacture of methamphetamine, a drug widely used in Europe and South East Asia, a Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) official said on Monday. The syndicate was being run by a Nigerian national, Kingsley, who left India in November last year with the law enforcement agencies here having no clue as to how he had been using the place as a safe haven for the illegal activity. The house belongs to an IPS officer who had rented it out through agents. He was not aware that his house was being used by a drug syndicate, the NCB official said. The syndicate had been supplying narcotic substances to several groups belonging to South African region who later sell it to drug abusers in Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida and Gurgaon. Deputy Director General, NCB, S.K. Jha told IANS that his department came to know about the syndicate only after it took the South African woman in its custody when the CISF shared the information regarding recovery of pseudoephedrine from her possession. The woman, who had arrived in Delhi 20 days earlier, also did not know as to the exact place where she was kept as the mastermind Kingsley had directed his associate Richard alias Henry that "birds are not supposed to know the house", said the official involved in the investigation. Richard, who had been handling Kingsley's business, was arrested during the May 10 raid carried out by the NCB. A woman member of the racket, identified as Chiamanda, was also held from the house. In the raid, the official said, the NCB team recovered 1,818 kg pseudoephedrine, two kg of cocaine and 134 kg fake heroin. "This was the biggest ever seizure of pseudoephedrine or ephedrine in India outside factory premises by any agency as per our records after the 2016 raid in a Solapur factory in Maharashtra from where same 20,000 kg substance was seized," Jha said. About the modus operandi, the official said pseudoephedrine is procured from India at small rates and sent to South Africa where it is used to make Methamphetamine. The demand of pseudophedrine is very high outside India specially in America, Malaysia, Thailand, Nigeria, Mozambique and several other countries because of its cheaper rate, Jha said. Because of their chemical manufacturing hubs, India and China supply pseudophedrine, which is found in powder form, said the official. The NCB had also seized around 1,000 kg pseudophedrine from Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad in end of January which was to be sent to Iran and Afghanistan. With the busting of the racket, the NCB also seized a diary which mentions 20-25 drug peddlers but only with their nick names. The NCB is trying to crack the nicknames so that the peddlers too could be arrested. The arrested people have allegedly confessed to having bought the pseudophedrine chemicals from various illicit sources and stored them to manufacture drugs and supply them to various cities. "They distributed drugs in Delhi-NCR. They also manufactured fake heroin and transported it out of the country," Jha added. (Rajnish Singh can be contacted at rajnish.s@ians.in) Mumbai, May 21 : India has such a broad swathe of companies - innovative startups, established enterprises and government customers -- and Amazon Web Services (AWS) is more than ready to serve their Cloud-based needs with utmost encryption across the spectrum, a top company executive has stressed. For Peter DeSantis, Vice President, Global Infrastructure and Customer Support at AWS, the retail giant Amazon's Cloud arm, the meetings with the customers in the country brings forth their most concerning demand: complete security of their data. "India is a very exciting market for us. We are serving small to big customers here and the continuous growth means a lot to us," DeSantis told IANS on the sidelines of the just-concluded AWS India Summit here. "The aim is to provide better security for our customers. You can't be a successful Cloud provider without spending a large amount of time thinking about security, and how you make it easier for your customers to achieve that security." The company has a shared security model, which means it has to focus on the security of everything - from the service all the way down to the hardware, the data centre and the physical security. "Since we're doing that at a large scale and we're focused, on all those areas, we can invest in ways that additional enterprise could never invest," the executive explained. AWS has announced the third availability zone in its Mumbai region. The company launched its AWS Asia Pacific Mumbai Region with two availability zones in 2016 and has seen tremendous growth in adding new customers. "We offer over 200 security compliances, more than any other Cloud provider. Over 130,000 databases have been migrated so far globally with AWS," informed DeSantis. AWS Mumbai Region had over 75,000 active customers in India with the start of the Mumbai region in 2016 and now serves hundreds of thousands in the country. "While we focus on security, we have been able to provide the services which actually allow our customers to achieve better security on their own applications. "Ten years ago, customers were asking is the Cloud secured. Today, customers are saying, I need to get to the Cloud to be secure. That is exciting for us," DeSantis told IANS. Every large enterprise today, whether in India or anywhere in the world, is thinking about how they get to the Cloud. "The reason they want to get to the Cloud is because they want agility, because they know that if they don't move quickly, some strong startup is going to come and take over whatever business they're at. "Every industry is being reinvented. If you're an enterprise, you tuned in to figure out how to get the agility at the top," he noted. Most enterprises are doing a combination of workload migration - running in some sort of hybrid configuration and extending their environment into AWS, and building new workloads. "They tend to focus on building and re-engineering the workloads, where agility matters the most. If it's a core part of your business where you want to move quickly, that's where you're going to invest the effort in re-engineering. "If it is sort of some less important workload, you might choose to just migrate it and worry about it later. So most companies and large enterprises are doing a combination of both and India is no exception," he informed. His message to the enterprises: Push your boundaries and improve customers' experience. "If you're not doing that, somebody else is going to figure out how to do that for you," he mentioned. (Nishant Arora can be reached at nishant.a@ians.in) Prayagraj, May 21 : Faith is long over and all that remains now are mounds of filth. The Maha Kumbh that was so pompously organized by the Yogi Adityanath government from January to March this year at a cost of over Rs 4,200 crore has generated more than 2,000 tonnes of unsegregated solid waste. The event also championed the concept of 'Swachh Bharat' that prompted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare it the cleanest ever Kumbh held in Prayagraj. According to reports coming in, the unsegregated solid waste was dumped into the city's solid waste treatment plant at Baswar village which has been closed since September 2018. Retired judge Arun Tandon, chairperson of the supervisory committee set up by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to review how Kumbh had affected the Ganga, has said in its report that the waste lies in the open, untreated and uncovered. Last month, the NGT said Prayagraj was on the verge of an epidemic and must be dealt with 'on an emergency basis'. "Dumping waste in a non-functional plant is the "grossest violation" of its order," the NGT said. Journalists, in general, are barred from visiting the plant at Baswar that is about 10 km from the city. A mountain of untreated solid waste stands at the site which is guarded by volunteers of Hari Bhari, a firm that has been engaged by the Allahabad Municipal Corporation to treat waste. On the rear side of the plant, a huge cavity in the boundary wall has developed, making way for the untreated waste to fall directly into the nearby Yamuna River, which finally flows into the Ganga. A worker, on condition of anonymity, admitted that the plant had not been functioning for several months. Municipal Commissioner Ujjwal Kumar, however, vehemently denies that the plant ever stopped functioning, but official letters expose facts. The supervisory committee's report quotes a letter of the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) member secretary asking Hari Bhari why the plant stopped working. In its reply, the agency stated the plant was receiving 600 tonnes of waste per day (TPD) when it had been contracted to treat only 400 TPD, and was, therefore, unable to treat all the waste. Even as this official blame game goes on, the growing waste in the plant is making life difficult for the people of Baswar and nearby Thakuripurwa, Mohabbatganj, Bungi and Simta villages. "The area is filled with stench and flies and mosquitoes buzz all through the day making life miserable," said a local resident. Children are developing skin rashes and elders are complaining of stomach ailments. "We are now dreading the onset of monsoon when the rains will bring waste from the plant straight into our homes," says Naresh a local resident. Incidentally, most of the sewage treatment plants (STPs) in Prayagraj are overflowing and sending untreated sewage into the Ganga, making it unfit for even bathing. Central Pollution Control Board guidelines say that if the fecal coliform content, which comes from human excreta, is more than 2,500 million per 100 ml, it is unfit for bathing. At Sangam Ghat, the fecal coliform content in February, when the Kumbh was at its peak, was 12,500 million per 100 ml water, according to UP Pollution Control Board data. At Shastri Bridge, it was 10,150 million per 100 ml. None of the officials contacted agreed to talk on the subject. New Delhi, May 21 : Faced with the prospect of job loss, the employees of grounded Jet Airways knocked on the doors of government for helping to save the airline. The airline staff from across various departments took out a march on Tuesday in front of Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan that houses the Civil Aviation Ministry. The employees hope government will take note of their situation and act to protect jobs. Facing severe liquidity crisis, Jet Airways suspended all its operations on April 17 leaving its almost 22,000 employees in the lurch. With the financial health of the airline worsening since then and the SBI-led lenders yet to rope in a buyer, the carrier has seen mass exodus of employees especially engineers and pilots. A Jet insider now estimates that the staff strength of the airline could have come down by half in over one month. "Now that elections are over we hope that government would take necessary steps to revive Jet Airways. We will try to meet Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola and understand what government could do to protect our jobs," said a protesting employee working with the airline's engineering department. Another personnel said that the SBI-led lenders should expedite the stake sale process as there has already been significant delays. While lenders are vetting various investment proposals, most of the top airline executives including its CEO, CFO and Company Secretary have resigned from their respective positions citing personal reasons. Close on the heels of resignation by the airline's whole-time director Gaurang Shetty, Etihad nominee on the board Robin Kamark also resigned on May 16. Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways, which holds 24 per cent stake in the crisis-hit Jet Airways, is currently the only solicited bidder for a stake in the airline. But experts have found its bid unattractive for the lenders given multiple riders attached to it. Besides offering to invest just Rs 1,700 crore against the requirement of Rs 15,000 crore to revive the crisis-hit airline, Etihad has in its proposal put the onus of finding majority buyer on lenders. The Gulf carrier also wants exemption from giving open offer in case its stake goes beyond 26 per cent. London, May 21 : Thousands of North Korean women and girls were being trafficked and sold into sexual slavery in China, where many are sold as wives to Chinese men while others forced into prostitution or to livestream acts against their will, a new report has claimed. The report, by the London-based Korea Future Initiative (KFI), includes shocking first-hand reports of girls as young as 12 being raped and women being forced to participate in cybersex for days without eating, CNN reported on Tuesday. The KFI's report took two years to compile, the group said. The authors said they interviewed more than 45 survivors and victims of sexual violence whose testimony pieced together a "complex and interconnected illicit industry that accrues vast profits from trafficked women and girls". There were no official statistics on the number of North Koreans that leave the country and settle outside South Korea. Aid groups have reported that tens of thousands of North Koreans live in China as refugees, according to a 2014 UN report. The KFI -- a non-profit that focuses on North Korean women, children and minorities who are the victims of human rights abuses -- in the report claimed that the number could be as high as 200,000. It estimated that as many as 60 per cent of female North Korean refugees in China were trafficked into the sex trade. "At a time when significant global capital is invested in China and, more recently, political capital expended on North Korea, it is a damning indictment that North Korean women and girls are left languishing in the sex trade," the organization said. "Condemnation is insufficient. Only tangible acts can dismantle China's sex trade, confront a North Korean regime that abhors women, and rescue sex slaves scattered across brothels, remote townships, and cybersex dens in mainland China." A 98-page report from Human Rights Watch published last November reached similar conclusions as the KFI regarding the risks female defectors face, CNN reported. The US State Department also acknowledged reports of violence against women defectors in its 2018 report on human rights practices in North Korea. Visakhapatnam, May 21 : A seven-year-old boy died of suffocation inside a locked car in Andhra Pradesh's coastal city of Visakhapatnam, police said. The incident occurred in Navy Quarters area on Monday when the son of a domestic servant of an officer accidentally locked himself in the vehicle. According to police, Vinod had taken his son Prem Kumar to the employer's house. When he was cleaning the car, the boy wanted to sit inside the vehicle and play with the dolls kept inside. However, Vinod refused and told him to return home. Vinod, who returned to the employer's house after some time, was told by the officer's wife that Prem Kumar was playing inside the car. When Vinod opened the car he found his son lying unconscious. The boy was rushed to a hospital, where he was declared brought dead. Mumbai, May 21 : Actors Rajkummar Rao and Mouni Roy have wrapped up shooting for their upcoming film "Made in China". Mouni on Monday took to Instagram, where she shared a series of photographs from the film's wrap up party. The two actors can be seen cutting a cake which has "Film wrap Made in China" written on it. The actress captioned the image: "Oh what a trip! 'Made in China'" "Made in China" is being directed by Mikhil Musale and produced by Dinesh Vijan under the banner of Maddock Films. The film will feature Rajkummar as a struggling Gujarati businessman and Mouni as a feisty wife. It will mark the Bollywood debut of Gujarati director Mikhil Musale, whose 2016 thriller-drama "Wrong Side Raju" bagged the National Award for Best Feature Film in Gujarati. The film is slated to release on August 30. Hyderabad, May 21 : Poor and lower middle class families often struggle to conduct the last rites of their near and dear ones and to lend a helping hand, authorities in Telangana's Karimnagar town has launched a novel scheme for just Re 1. Karimnagar Municipal Corporation (KMC) announced on Tuesday that it will bear all the expenses of performing last rites as per religious traditions. Under the scheme named, "Antim Yatra-Akhri Safar", the KMC will take care of transportation of bodies to the crematorium or burial grounds, 'pujas' or rituals, arrange firewood, kerosene and other material required. For Muslims and Christians, the authorities will arrange digging of graves. Karimnagar Mayor S. Ravinder Singh said the idea was to ensure that the last rites of the poor and the needy were performed with dignity. He noted that due to increasing costs, many families were struggling to make the arrangements. The scheme, to be rolled out from June 15, is meant for all irrespective of their religion and caste. Those willing to avail the scheme have to pay one rupee and collect the receipt. About 2,000 employees of KMC will also inform the authorities about deaths in their respective areas. "If necessary we will supply free body freezers and meals for 50 members of the bereaved family," said Singh. The meals will be provided from Rs 5 meal scheme of KMC. As the bereaved families have to make rounds of offices to get death certificate, KMC will issue the certificates immediately after performing the last rites under this scheme. KMC will also arrange two specially designed vehicles for transporting the bodies to crematorium or graveyard. It has set aside Rs.1.5 crore for the scheme, said Singh, who also appealed to philanthropists to help. Chandigarh, May 21 : Union Minister and BJP candidate from Amritsar, Hardeep Singh Puri, on Tuesday took a jibe at the ongoing war of words between Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and his Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, saying, "...the cat is out of the bag". "All along the campaign one could sense an unease in their ranks. Now the cat is out of the bag!" he tweeted. Along with the tweet, he tagged a post that talked about how Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu was facing the ire of his party colleagues. According to reports, Cabinet Minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot on Monday asked Sidhu to resign from the state Cabinet if he could not work with Amarinder Singh. The reprimand came a day after the Chief Minister himself publicly criticised Sidhu for damaging Congress' poll prospects with his ill-timed comments against him and the party leadership in the state. "If he was a real Congressmen, he should have chosen a better time to air his grievances instead of just ahead of voting in Punjab," said the Chief Minister in an informal interaction with reporters here. Sidhu had accused the Chief Minister of being responsible for the denial of ticket to his wife Navjot Kaur from Chandigarh. During the campaigning, he also tried to corner his own government by questioning why no criminal case was lodged against former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his son and former deputy Sukhbir Singh Badal in connection with the 2015 sacrilege and police-firing incidents. "It was not his election alone but that of the entire Congress. It is for the high command to decide on any action against Sidhu, but the Congress, as a party, does not tolerate indiscipline," Amarinder Singh said. New Delhi, May 21 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to hear a PIL which sought 100 per cent verification of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips with the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during the counting of votes on May 23 for the recently held Lok Sabha elections. The plea was been filed by Tech for All, a Chennai-based organisation. A vacation bench, headed by Justice Arun Mishra, dismissed the plea observing that a larger bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi had already conducted a detailed hearing in the matter and passed an order. The court pulled up the petitioner asking why had his plea been brought before a vacation bench when the CJI had already dealt with the matter. "This is nonsense. We cannot override the CJI's order....The petition is taken on board. Dismissed," said Justice Arun Mishra. On April 8, an apex court bench headed by the CJI, directed the Election Commission (EC) to increase random matching of VVPAT slips with EVMs from one to five machines at polling booths per Assembly segment in the general elections. The court observed that the increase in the number would provide greater satisfaction to the electorate as well as the political parties. On May 7, the top court dismissed a petition filed by 21 Opposition parties to review its April judgment. New Delhi, May 21 : The officer held responsible for the accidental shooting down of a military helicopter at the height of India-Pakistan tension in February will be charged by the Indian Air Force (IAF) for culpable homicide not amounting to murder along with three others, according to reports. The IAF is yet to officially acknowledge reasons for the Mi-17 helicopter's crash on February 27, the day Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter jets attempted to cross the Line of Control (LoC). But reports suggest that it was shot down in a friendly fire by IAF's own air defence missile. The Court of Inquiry into the incident killing all six onboard is yet to be completed. The IAF maintains that the investigation was still going on but multiple reports indicate that there was a lapse in following the Standard Operating Procedures. A report said that the officer commanding the Srinagar air base, where the crash took place, has been removed. The officer who was presiding over operations will face charges of culpable homicide, a criminal offence, according to another report. The incident had occurred in Jammu and Kashmir in the melee when IAF jets had engaged intruding PAF fighters over the LoC a day after air strike on terrorist camp in Pakistan's Balakot. Mumbai, May 21 : Actress Sushmita Sen, who made India proud 25 years ago by becoming the first Indian woman ever to win the Miss Universe crown, took a trip down memory lane on social media on Tuesday. Sushmita was crowned Miss Universe on May 21, 1991 in Philippines. She was showered with love and congratulatory wishes by fans and loved ones including her boyfriend Roman Shawl. Roman posted a photograph of Sushmita's winning moment and captioned it: "Twenty five years of winning the universe." Sushmita thanked her fans by re-posting their messages on social media. After winning the Miss Universe title at the age of 18, Sushmita made her foray into acting. She made her Bollywood debut with the 1996 film "Dastak" and later featured in movies like "Sirf Tum", "Biwi No. 1" and "Main Hoo Na". Sushmita is also a single parent of two adopted daughters Renee and Alisah. Talking about her journey as a star and mother, Sushmita had earlier told IANS: "It has its own difficulties to fight for who you are. It's not an easy job, but you keep doing it for 25 years and it becomes a habit. And you are just accepted after that." -- With inputs from IANS Srinagar, May 21 : Jammu and Kashmir Congress President G.A. Mir on Tuesday asserted that the exit polls should not to be believed and that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) would have the majority in the Lok Sabha polls. Speaking to the media here, Mir said: "Don't believe these exit polls. Wait for the results on May 23 (when the vote counting takes place). The UPA would have the majority and all these exit polls will be proved wrong." Mir, who contested from the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat against former state Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti of the Peoples Democratic Party and Justice (Retired) Hasnain Masoodi of the National Conference, said: "Whatever they (exit polls) might say, the Congress will win the Anantnag seat with flying colours." Anantnag is the only Lok Sabha constituency in the country where polling was held in three phases due to the challenging law and order situation. Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian districts constitute the voting segments of the Anantnag constituency. Kolkata, May 21 : Train services in the Sealdah-Naihati division of Eastern Railway (ER) were disrupted for about three hours ( 8.43 a.m. to 12:04 p.m.) on Tuesday as residents squatted on tracks near Kankinara station, protesting against clashes in the North 24 Parganas district, an official said. Residents of the Bhatpara Assembly constituency were staging protest against violent political clashes during the by-election on Sunday. Due to protests 17 electric multiple unit (EMU) trains were stopped. It included 13104 Bhagirathi Express, 12384 Asansol-Sealdah Intercity Express and 15048 Poorvanchal Express. ER authorities had to cancel seven pairs of EMU locals and terminate seven others before their destinations. A large contingent of RPF, GRP and West Bengal Police had been deployed at the site to ensure safety and security of passengers and to help resume services, the ER said in an official statement. The by-election was caused by Trinamool MLA Arjun Singh's defection to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) two months ago. Blaming Singh and other BJP activists for the disruption, State Food Minister and Trinamool North 24 Parganas district President Jyotipriyo Mullick told IANS, "Singh and his men are creating trouble. They are setting shops and houses on fire, disrupting trains and harassing the public." "The paramilitary forces, deployed during the elections, are also supporting them. We have met the District Magistrate and sought their arrest within 24 hours," Mullick said. The main office at Mount Greylock Regional School, one of the areas where carpet tiles will need to be replaced this summer at the expense of the manufacturer. Mount Greylock Building Issues to Be Addressed this Summer WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. Work at the new Mount Greylock Regional School will continue through the summer months, the School Committee learned last week. During a brief early evening open session on Wednesday, Superintendent Kimberley Grady told the committee that the middle-high school will again be an "active work site" after the planned last day of classes on June 24. The work will include taking care of some items still on the punch list since the school opened for classes in September, but it also includes the replacement of carpet tiles in several areas, including the band room, orchestra room, media center (library), main office, guidance suite and pupil services department. The cost of the work will be covered by the manufacturer of the carpet tiles involved, Grady said. Grady indicated that the tile had an odor because of a manufacturing problem. "We're the first [customer] in North America to have this problem," she said. While the work can be completed during the summer at no cost to the district, it is an inconvenience. "We will be breaking apart rooms that we finally put together," Grady said. In addition to the interior work, laborers will be on site this summer addressing defective sidewalk slabs, including a high-profile spot in front of the main entrance of the school that was the victim of frost heaves in the building's first winter. In other building project business on Wednesday, the School Committee OK'd the creation of a finance subcommittee of the School Building Committee to increase efficiency during the closeout phase of the $64 million addition/renovation project. Grady told the committee that the School Building Committee has been having difficulty finding times when it can get a quorum together for a meeting, but there still are bills to be paid. She said that Williamstown's Hugh Daley and Lanesborough's Steve Wentworth, who served on the School Building Committee's finance working group, have agreed to serve on a subcommittee along with Grady to approve invoices and recommend them for payment. "We are slowed down with the process," she said. "This will speed it up." The members of the committee also got some homework. They were tasked with completing their individual evaluations of Grady and returning the forms by June 3 so their responses can be compiled and the full committee can complete its formal review at its June meeting. In the interim, the School Committee has a third May meeting on the calendar for Thursday, May 23, at 6 p.m. New Delhi, May 21 : TikTok's parent company ByteDance on Tuesday announced appointment of Sameer Singh as Vice-President (monetisation) for India. Besides TikTok, the Chinese conglomerate operates a range of content platforms, including social media platform Helo that achieved four crore monthly active users in India at the end of the first quarter of 2019. TikTok, briefly banned in India for spread of pornographic content, claims to have over 200 million users in the country. "I am excited to join ByteDance, one of the fastest growing global technology companies spearheading innovation in the mobile space," Singh said. "In India, ByteDance has transformed the way people create and interact with their content, and I believe my experience will contribute to ByteDance's promising journey in this market," he said. TikTok earlier this month said it reclaimed the top free app position on iOS and top free app in the "social" category on the Google Play Store, days after the Madras High Court's Madurai Bench lifted the ban. Prior to joining ByteDance, Singh was GroupM Chief Executive Officer leading the South Asia operations of marketing services of the conglomerate. "We are excited to welcome Sameer to the team. We are looking forward to working with him to bring ByteDance's monetisation efforts in India across our various platforms such as TikTok and Helo to even greater heights," Lidong Zhang, Senior Vice-President, ByteDance, said in a statement. Bengaluru, May 21 : The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) on Tuesday served notice to its legislator R. Roshan Baig for allegedly criticising the party's state unit leaders ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha poll results on Thursday, an official said. "A show-cause notice has been served on Baig to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for going public against the party's state unit leaders through the media," party spokesman Ravi Gowda told IANS here. Baig, a former senior minister, is a legislator from the Shivajinagar Assembly segment in Bengaluru Central. Commenting on the exit polls that projected the Congress performing poorly in the state's 28 Lok Sabha seats, Baig lashed out at the party's state in-charge and General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the party's state unit President Dinesh Gundu Rao. "Venugopal is a buffoon. What does he know about the party in our state as he is from Kerala? Due to Siddaramaiah's arrogance, the party lost in the May 2018 Assembly elections and Rao's immaturity is responsible for the dismal state of affairs currently," Baig told reporters at his residence here. Baig's attack comes two days after Congress President Rahul Gandhi advised the party's state leaders, ministers and legislators not to air their opinions that may harm the party's interests or are against its leaders in the public or to the media. "Rao has already told our leaders, including ministers and legislators, to refrain from commenting against the party leaders, our coalition partner Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) and its leaders and on the party's prospects till the results are declared on Thursday," Gowda said. Baig, who was once the state's Home Minister when he was in the erstwhile Janata Dal-United (JD-U) and its ministry during the mid-nineties, accused the party's state leaders of neglecting the minority communities like the Muslims and Christians and allegedly treating them as bonded labour for vote bank politics. "Only one Muslim candidate (Rizwan Arshad) was given the ticket to contest from the Bengaluru Central in the Lok Sabha elections while there were three Kuruba candidates in the fray. It has taken us (Muslims) for granted. Even Christians were denied their due as not one of them was given a ticket to contest this time," lamented Baig. Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah belongs to the Kuruba or shepherd community in the old Mysuru region. Of the 28 seats, the Congress contested from 21 under a pre-poll seat-sharing arrangement with the JD-S, which fought in seven seats and fielded joint candidates against the main opposition party - the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Baig has been sulking against the party leadership since a year for being denied a cabinet post despite being the Muslim face of the party after the death of Jaffer Sharief in November 2018. "If the Congress fails to win more parliamentary seats or retain the nine seats it won in the 2014 general elections, the party's leaders like Siddaramaiah, Rao and Venugopal should be held responsible than blaming the party's high command or Gandhi," he said. Baig fears a dozen party legislators may resign in the event of adverse results on Thursday, leading to the fall of the year-old coalition government. Various exit polls have projected that the BJP would win the majority (20-23) of the 28 seats in the southern state, leaving the Congress with 5-6 and the JD-S with the remaining two. Playing down Baig's outburst against the party's state leaders, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, who was the party's state unit President for a decade, said the party would wait for the former's response to the notice served on him. "What Baig said earlier in the day is his personal view. Rao has sought his explanation for airing them in public ahead of the Lok Sabha poll results. He should have waited till the results came out. If he has reservations about the party's state unit leaders, he should tell them directly in the party's forum rather than going public," Parameshwara said. Shocked over Baig's diatribe against him, Siddaramaiah and Venugopal, Rao told reporters that he would wait for the former's response to the notice. "I do not want to pre-judge him. I will wait for his reply to the notice. He should have expressed his concerns or opinions in the party forum, as the candidates were selected by the party's high command and polling in the state was held a month ago in two phases on April 18 and April 23," Rao added. Dabolim: Gold worth Rs. 48.50 lakh weighing 1.6 kg was seized by the Customs officials from a passenger who arrived at Goa's Dabolim International Airport from Oman, on May 21, 2019. Gold plates collectively weighing 1.6 kg was packed in a plastic ba Image Source: IANS News Dabolim: Gold worth Rs. 48.50 lakh weighing 1.6 kg was seized by the Customs officials from a passenger who arrived at Goa's Dabolim International Airport from Oman, on May 21, 2019. Gold plates collectively weighing 1.6 kg was packed in a plastic ba Image Source: IANS News Dabolim: Gold worth Rs. 48.50 lakh weighing 1.6 kg was seized by the Customs officials from a passenger who arrived at Goa's Dabolim International Airport from Oman, on May 21, 2019. Gold plates collectively weighing 1.6 kg was packed in a plastic ba Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, May 21 : Big-time crime syndicates operating across India are smuggling gold in a paste form to dodge metal detectors and hi-tech X-ray machines installed at all international airports, sources said. Southern Indian state of Kerala has become the new hub of the gold paste smuggling where more than 16 cases have been registered in the past couple of months, revealed a top DRI source to IANS. However seizures, in recent times, have been made by customs at international airports located outside Kerala too, the source added. On Tuesday, the customs seized gold in paste form at Dabolim International Airport in Goa where a passenger traveling on Oman Air (Flight WY209) from Muscat was held by the sleuths at the green channel. On frisking, gold paste worth 1630 gm valued at Rs 48 lakhs was recovered from him. The paste form of the yellow metal was concealed inside the soles of shoes and in the jeans. DRI sources said that all four international airports in Kerala were on a high alert so the passenger changed his travel plans and landed at Goa. "These syndicates have adopted a new method of smuggling gold by converting the yellow metal into powder and compounds in a paste form. Once the consignment is smuggled, approximately 700 gm of gold per 1000 gm of paste is retrieved from a chemical procedure. The gold, in pure form, is then handed over to the party," said a DRI official. A few days back, around 1200 gm of gold paste was seized from the IGI Airport. The passenger carrying the consignment in two packets was identified as Mohammed Asfaque, who arrived from Dubai. Officials are of the view that crime syndicates linked with underworld gangs are offloading smuggled gold in paste form to prominent jewelers and dealers in gold across metros. Investigation is on to identify potential end-users to break the nexus between syndicates and jewelers. New Delhi, May 21 : Two more companies have entered the "red" list of the IL&FS group firms increasing the number of entities that cannot meet their payment obligations, not even to the secured financial creditors, to 82. According to an affidavit filed in the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), the total number of "red" companies is now 82, against the initial number of 80 firms. The list of "green" companies also has increased by five to 55 firms, showed the affidavit. Companies that are able to pay all payment obligations are "green", the companies only able to meet operational payments and senior secured debt obligations are "amber" and those that are unable to meet obligations to even senior secured financial creditors are categorised as "red". The new companies in the "red" category are the Jharkhand Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd and the Orissa Project Development Company Ltd. The companies newly classified under the "green" category are the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City Company Ltd, Managalore SEZ Ltd, New Tirupur Area Development Corporation, ONGC Tripura Power Company and Canopy Housing & Infrastructure. After this new induction of companies under the lists, 11 firms are left out of the classification. "The classification of the remaining 11 Indian IL&FS Group Entities is presently underway," said the affidavit. "The aggregate debt availed by existing classified entities and the seven newly classified entities, from 'external creditors' constitutes approximately 99.5 per cent of the domestic IL&FS group external funds based debt." On Tuesday, the NCLAT adjourned the matter till May 29. After the fresh categorisation, the appellate tribunal asked the government to file an affidavit detailing the present financial status of the companies and if their categorisation can be changed among "green", "amber" and "red" categories. Thiruvananthapuram, May 21 : A record 20.86 lakh schoolchildren in 9,941 state-run lower primary and upper primary schools in Kerala will have the facility of hi-tech IT laboratories in their schools from July, an official said on Tuesday. K. Anvar Sadath, Vice Chairman and Executive Director, Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE) told IANS that supply orders for 55,086 laptops and USB speakers and 23,170 multimedia projectors to be deployed to the 9,941 schools in the state have been issued. The entire cost came to Rs 204.90 crore. "Hi-tech labs would be set up in these schools from July. As a prelude to this, 76,349 teachers in these schools were given specific IT training during the vacation time," said Sadath. Sadath added that the national level e-tendering for laptops saw four leading brands and for projectors, five brands competing. Kerala State Electronics Development Corporation (KELTRON) with the Acer brand quoted the lowest for laptops at a price of Rs 27,893 each, including GST, winning the major tender. The selected laptops have Intel Core I3 seventh generation processors and AMD Ryzen 3 processors. For projectors, the lowest price was quoted by Agmatel India with BenQ brand that won a major portion at a price of Rs 21,235 per piece. The tender also includes a five-year comprehensive warranty for the laptops' components including batteries, power adapters and projector components including bulbs. Chennai, May 21 : Reserve Bank of India has decided to create a "specialised supervisory and regulatory cadre" to strengthen supervision over commercial banks, urban cooperative banks and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs). The decision was taken at the apex bank's Central Board meeting which was held on Tuesday in Chennai. The Board reviewed the current economic situation, global and domestic challenges and various areas of operations of the Reserve Bank. "The Board also reviewed the present structure of supervision in RBI in the context of the growing diversity, complexities and interconnectedness within the Indian financial sector". "With a view to strengthening the supervision and regulation of commercial banks, urban cooperative banks and NBFCs, the Board decided to create a specialised supervisory and regulatory cadre within the RBI." New Delhi, May 21 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that the national level Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) will form the basis of admissions to law courses of the Guru Gobind Singh IP University (GGSIPU) for the academic year 2019-20. A vacation bench of Justice Arun Mishra and Justice M.R. Shah said that the university should not use the Common Entrance Test (CET) for the admissions. The university had moved the apex court challenging the Delhi High Court order which stayed the operation of its February circular announcing that the admission to law courses will take place through the CLAT. "Let the admissions be made on the basis of CLAT," the apex court said. The Self-Financing Educational Institutions Association had moved the court against the university's decision to use CLAT scores for admitting students in law courses. It submitted that the deadline for CLAT is already over and it is not favourable for the students who seek admission in law. At this, the court said: "Your apprehension does not appear to be right. The students are much more smarter these days, and they would have applied for CLAT." Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the varsity, cited the Delhi High Court verdict which mandated the university to conduct the CET for admissions in law, and the channel to admit students through CLAT was not permitted. The apex court said: "Nobody will suffer. CLAT means CLAT." During the hearing, the court took an exception when a junior lawyer assisting a senior lawyer tried to butt in. "Ask your junior to behave in the court. What is this happening, we can initiate contempt... is this a vegetable market, a senior is arguing and the junior lawyer shouting from behind," the bench said. The senior lawyer subsequently apologized to the court. On February 11, the Delhi government's Directorate of Higher Education had issued an order allowing the GGSIPU to conduct National Level Tests for admission to courses, including LLB and LLM, for 2019-20. On February 26, the university issued a circular announcing that CLAT-UG and CLAT-PG will form basis to admit students in the law programmes for the academic session 2019-20. Kolkata, May 21 : West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday continued to blame each other over the violence in Bhatpara Assembly constituency - that voted in a bypoll last Sunday - while over 60 people have been arrested. The by-polls were necessitated after Arjun Singh, who defected to the BJP from Trinamool Congress, resigned as Bhatpara MLA to contest the Lok Sabha polls. His son Pawan Kumar Singh is fighting the Assembly by-polls on a BJP ticket. He faces former minister Madan Mitra of the Trinamool. "Police are beating up women and their role has called for immense protests. It is highly shameful. I want Election Commission to deploy military here and assign a special observer to oversee law and order and restore peace," Singh said. On the other hand, Mitra alleged that BJP workers had torched the residences of Trinamool workers and councillors and the party has informed the District Magistrate about the situation. "We want the rule of law to be in place immediately. If it is not established, people will take the matter in their hands," he said. Earlier, state Food Minister and Trinamool North 24 Parganas district President Jyotipriyo Mullick had blamed Singh and the central forces for disruptions and obstruction of trains at Kakinara station. "Singh and his men are creating trouble. They are setting shops and houses on fire, disrupting trains and harassing the public. The paramilitary forces, deployed during the elections, are also supporting them. We have met the District Magistrate and sought their arrest within 24 hours," he said. Police have made several arrests and deployed the Rapid Action Force (RAF) to control the situation. "Till morning 62 people were arrested. Raids are on and there have been more arrests. Some explosive material has also been recovered," a senior officer of Barrackpore Police commissionerate said. He said prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, banning assembly of more than four people in an area, have been imposed and police pickets posted. "We are announcing that people should not believe in rumours," the officer added. Srinagar, May 21 : The Jammu and Kashmir government announced on Tuesday that there would be no restrictions on civilian traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway from May 27 onwards. In the aftermath of the February 14 Pulwama terror attack, the state government had banned movement of civilian traffic on the national highway on Wednesdays and Sundays to secure the passage of convoys of security forces. These restrictions were later reduced to only Sundays. An official statement said here today, "Following a review of the security situation in the state and of the requirement of security forces convoys, the Governor has decided to lift the remaining restrictions on civilian movement on the National Highway (NH-44) connecting Jammu to Srinagar with effect from Monday, 27.5.2019." These restrictions had become necessary following the movement of security forces on an unprecedented scale after the Pulwama attack. The forces were required both for anti-militancy operations and for smooth conduct of general elections. After a detailed review with all security agencies, civil and police administration in connection with the preparations for the Amarnath Yatra, the Governor directed that there should be no restriction on civilian movement on NH-44 from May 27. New Delhi, May 21 : The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has told the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) that a few lenders of the IL&FS Group and its group companies have not released payments to meet the "going concern" status of the companies, which is against the tribunal's directive for release of payments in such matters. The ministry's affidavit noted that in the order dated October 15, 2018, the NCLAT had directed that creditors shall not set off or possess any amount lying with them in account of an IL&FS Group entity against any dues, whether principal or interest. On February 11 too, the bench had ordered the lenders to the release "any amount payable" to the the group companies. However, despite repeated orders, the IL&FS "continues to face some difficulties" from Allahabad Bank which is refusing to release going concern payments in respect of Road Infrastructure Development Company of Rajasthan Ltd (RIDCOR), a group company. Particularly, while the Allahabad Bank had previously released "going concern payments in respect of RIDCOR of some invoices pertaining to months of October 2018 till February 2019 aggregating to Rs 98.23 lakh crore, some invoices aggregating to Rs 52.51 lakh have not been released," it said. The ministry affidavit observed that if creditors continue to hold back payments, it will be difficult for the companies to maintain the "going concern" status and may impact the resolution process. Further, according to the affidavit, two more companies have entered the "red" list of the IL&FS group firms, increasing the number of entities that cannot meet their payment obligations, not even to the secured financial creditors, to 82. According to the affidavit filed in the NCLAT by the ministry, the total number of "red" companies is now 82, against the initial number of 80 firms. The list of "green" companies also has increased by five to 55 firms, it said. Companies that are able to pay all payment obligations are "green", the companies only able to meet operational payments and senior secured debt obligations are "amber" and those that are unable to meet obligations to even senior secured financial creditors are categorised as "red". The new companies in the "red" category are the Jharkhand Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd and the Orissa Project Development Company Ltd. Companies newly classified under the "green" category are the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City Company Ltd, Managalore SEZ Ltd, New Tirupur Area Development Corporation, ONGC Tripura Power Company and Canopy Housing & Infrastructure. On Tuesday, the NCLAT adjourned the matter till May 29. After the fresh categorisation, the NCLAT asked the government to file an affidavit detailing the present financial status of the companies and if their categorisation can be changed among "green", "amber" and "red" categories. New Delhi, May 21 : The Delhi government on Tuesday said Delhi Metro authorities took a long time to evacuate one of the two trains that stopped at Chhatarpur and Sultanpur metro stations due to a major technical glitch. Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said according to a detailed report on the incident sent by Metro authorities, the trains got stuck at 9.27 a.m. due to a fault in the overhead electric cable and the evacuation was started at 9.45 a.m. "Evacuation of the train number 6709 was completed by 11.10 hrs, while the evacuation of train number 6732 was completed by 11.27 hrs. While in one case the evacuation has taken 1 hour 25 minutes, in the other case the evacuation could be completed only in 1 hour 42 minutes? The time taken to evacuate the train appears to be very high," the minister said on Twitter. The disruption in the Metro services caused huge inconvenience to commuters during the morning rush hour as thousands were stranded and scores had to be evacuated from the stuck trains. Earlier in the day, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asked Gahlot to seek a detailed report on the incident. "I have asked transport minister to seek a detailed report and direct Delhi Metro to fix responsibility," Kejriwal tweeted. Gahlot directed the Delhi Metro to report such incidents immediately to him, pointing out that both his office and the transport commissioner had to get in touch with DMRC's Managing Director over the incident. The minister's office also asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to fix responsibility for the incident. He further directed the Delhi Metro to inform the people through its Twitter handle in case of such incidents. "DMRC must inform the commuters about such incidents immediately through its Twitter handle so that the commuters do not panic and are kept informed." While asserting that such incidents have been reported in the past, the minister asked the DMRC to take remedial steps immediately to avoid recurrence of such incidents. "Details of all the breakdowns of Metro services since 2011 along with their reasons, be furnished," Gahlot added. Train services on the Delhi Metro corridor that connects Huda City Centre in Gurugram with Samaypur Badli in Delhi resumed four hours after a major technical glitch in the corridor in the morning. Train services were hit due to breakdown of the overhead electric (OHE) wire at Sultanpur station, tripping the power supply in the entire section. Rome, May 21 : Italian authorities have expelled an 18-year-old alleged Tunisian would-be jihadist who wanted to carry out a suicide attack, proselytised on the Internet and networked with other suspected extremists, the Interior Ministry said on Tuesday. Y.M., a resident of the northeast city of Treviso, was deported on Monday "for reasons of state security" as he tried to re-enter Italy after one of his frequent visits to Tunisia, according to the statement. Italian intelligence services began probing Y.M. after they intercepted Facebook posts in which he "expressed ideological support for Jihad and glorified 'mujahadeen' who had died in combat, as well as anti-semitism", said the statement. Y.M. also posted that he wanted to "sacrifice himself in the name of God and the Jerusalem Mosque" and prayed that Allah would allow him to wage jihad, the statement said, citing investigators. The Tunisian was also "close to other Islamic extremist suspects who were under investigation," the statement said. Y.M. was the 39th Islamic terror suspect to be deported this year and the 402nd since 2015, according to the statement. The tally of suspected Islamic extremists expelled from Italy rose from 66 in 2015 and in 2016 to 105 in 2017 and 126 in 2018, the statement noted. New Delhi, May 21 : 'Modi: Journey Of A Common Man', the web series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi is live again, a month after the Election Commission banned its streaming in favour of a level-playing field during the Lok Sabha elections. Directed by Umesh Shukla of 'OMG - Oh My God' fame, the web series was launched just days ahead of the polls, and was playing on even though the EC had stopped the release of Bollywood biopic 'PM Narendra Modi' from releasing on April 11 when the seven-phase polls began. Five episodes, which were launched earlier, were made available again on OTT platform Eros Now on Tuesday. The remaining five are yet to be out. "Our plan is to release episodes 6 and 7 on Thursday (May 23) in five different languages - Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Gujarati. The remaining episodes of the 10-part original series will be streamed shortly," Ridhima Lulla, Chief Content Officer, Eros Group, told IANS. "Our attempt through this series is to tell the story of Narendra Modi's struggle, will power, vision and victory. His journey is truly inspiring," Lulla added. Shukla, the director of the web series, had earlier said the release of the show was not planned in a way to coincide with the elections. "I was working on it for almost a year. It could have come out a month earlier as well, but it got delayed owing to some technical glitches... My web series is not about politics. It is more about a character and his journey," Shukla had told IANS. The trajectory of the web series and the film 'PM Narendra Modi' is similar as they trace Modi's journey from his humble beginnings to become the Prime Minister. Written by Mihir Bhuta and Radhika Anand and based on Kishor Makwana's 'Modi: Common Man's PM', the show stars Faisal Khan, Ashish Sharma and Mahesh Thakur depicting different phases of Modi's life. Meanwhile, BJP-sponsored channel NaMo TV went off air on May 17 soon after the conclusion of campaigning across the country. It began on March 31, BJP sources said. "The channel was brought as a medium of election campaign of BJP. As the campaign ended, there was no need of it. So it went off air on May 17 after the campaign concluded," a BJP leader said on condition of anonymity. Panaji, May 21 : The Congress in Goa on Tuesday demanded that the Election Commission should conduct a probe into the disappearance of a woman who had accused its poll candidate Atanasio Monserrate of rape in 2016, ahead of the May 19 Panaji Assembly bypoll and her sudden appearance a day after polling was held. Addressing a press conference in Panaji, Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly Chandrakant Kavlekar also blamed the ruling BJP-led coalition government for trying to trigger a controversy over the mysterious disappearance of the rape victim who in 2016 had accused current Congress candidate for the Panaji Assembly bypoll, Monserrate, of raping her. "We had a doubt about this disappearance case initially and we had expressed this at a press conference before the bypoll was held. The government was trying to unfairly raise this issue ahead of elections, but we had maintained that the victim would be traced soon after elections," Kavlekar told reporters. "The Congress demands that the Election Commission should conduct a probe into this whole affair and get to the bottom of how the victim mysteriously disappeared and appeared before and after the Panaji Assembly bypoll," Kavlekar said. On April 28, nuns who run the rehabilitation home in South Goa, had filed a missing complaint, after the victim disappeared, following which police had registered a First Information Report under section 362 (abduction) of the Indian Penal Code. Monserrate was chargesheeted last year under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 506 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act after being booked in 2016 for allegedly raping the girl, who was a minor at the time, after drugging her. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant as well as BJP candidate for the Panaji bypoll Sidharth Kuncalienkar, without naming Monserrate, had hinted that the Congress candidate could have something to do with the disappearance, even as the Congress as well as Monserrate himself had blamed the ruling party for facilitating the disappearance of the rape victim. The victim was traced by the police on Monday, a day after the Panaji bypoll was held, at the house of her female friend near Mapusa town, located a short distance from the state capital. New Delhi, May 21 : "There will be a tit for tat", Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said on Tuesday in the presence of Home Minister Rajnath Singh when he was asked there were reports that violence can take place in the country after results of Lok Sabha polls on May 23. "Dekhiye, PM ne kuch nahi kiya hai. Prastav me bhi kuch nahi hai. Lekin humlog...ye (Rajnath) bhi kuch nahi kahenge...Lekin hum kahna chahte hain tit for tat hoga...samajh gaye na...(see, PM has not done anything. There is nothing in the resolution. But we...he (Rajnath) will not even say...but I want to say...there will be a tit for tat... understand," Paswan said. Rajnath, who was addressing mediapersons after a dinner meeting hosted by BJP President Amit Shah with Paswan by his side, was asked about the government's response to the opposition's charge against the EVMs and about the possibility of violence post-results. Paswan said opposition parties are seeking excuses for their imminent defeat and raising doubts over EVMs. "When they see their defeat is imminent, they raise doubts about EVMs, but when they won in three states, then they didn't say anything on EVMs. Why did they not raise doubts after they won in Punjab," he said. The Lok Janshakti Party chief said: "We will win more seats than predicted by exit polls," he said. "Sweets and garlands are ready," he added. Rashtriya Lok Samata Party leader Upendra Kushwaha had threatened his political opponents of bloodshed, if they attempted to tamper with the results of Lok Sabha elections. Addressing a press conference in Patna, Kushwaha said, "If anyone tried to tamper with the results, then there will be bloodshed." Leaders of 22 opposition parties also met Election Commission officials to register their complaints over tampering of EVMs and issues related to VVPATs. Chennai, May 22 : Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday urged Indian educational institutions to maintain high standards and foster academic excellence. Speaking at the convocation of Great Lakes Institute of Mananagement here, Naidu said India is an attractive destination for global investors. Naidu said India was poised to become a USD 5 trillion economy in the next few years and there was a need to remove economic imbalances, urban-rural divide, end gender and social discrimination and enhance the prestige of all institutions, including the Supreme Court, Central Vigilance Commission, Election Commission, Parliament and state legislatures. He said nobody should say or do anything to undermine the sanctity of these institutions. There are appropriate forums to redress grievances, if any, he added. He urged educational institutions to maintain high standards and foster academic excellence. Asking the graduating students to respect their alma mater and always act to enhance its reputation, Naidu advised them to focus on achieving academic excellence and become socially conscientious citizens. He said that the atmosphere on university campuses should not be vitiated by extraneous issues and added that he was happy that barring a few, most of the 900 universities in India were free from any disturbance. The Vice President also told them not to neglect their parents, mother tongue, native place, motherland and "Gurus" (teachers). He said the scope of management studies should cover the rural economy, agriculture and allied industries and provide solutions to make these sectors viable and vibrant. Naidu asked Indian management institutions to adopt globally accepted teaching practices, methodologies and curriculum to ensure that students are duly recognised in the global job market. "Indian institutions have to adopt globally accepted benchmarks to achieve global prominence and align with other management institutions. Such academic alliances with institutions of international repute are a great way to provide learning experience to students," he added. New Delhi, May 22 : Opposition parties had raised doubts on the EVMS "unnecesarily" and the act was out of "desperation" of losing the election, NDA leaders said on Tuesday after their meeting ahead of counting of votes on May 23. "We expressed concern over the opposition raising unnecessary doubts on the EVMs and the integrity of the Election Commission. Especially, when the Supreme Court has given its judgements," Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Rajnath Singh told reporters. He said the Opposition was trying to create hurdles in the Indian election system, which can be "a global brand". Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan said the opposition knew that they were losing the elections. "They want an excuse. Why did they not blame EVMs when they won three states. Why not when they won Punjab," he said. Paswan also said that the official results would be better than the exit polls, which showed the the NDA winning over 300 seats. A total of 36 constituent parties of the National Democratic Alliance had participated in the meeting while three could not. Besides the BJP, the AIADMK, the Shiv Sena, the Janata Dal-United), the Lok Janshakti Party, the Shiromani Akali Dal, the Apna Dal (Sonelal), and the PMK were among the parties that attended the meeting. Other parties present included the Sikkim Democratic Front, the Republican Party of India-A, the Bodoland People's Front, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party, the All India N.R. Congress, the National People's Party, the Goa Forward Party, the All Jharkhand Students Union, the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura, the DMDK, the Bharath Dharmajana Sena, the Kerala Congress-Thomas, the Asom Gana Parishad, the Nishad Party, the Naga People's Front and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha. Bengaluru, May 22 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supremo N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday discussed forging a non-BJP alliance after the results of the Lok Sabha elections on Thursday with Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda and Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy here, a party official said. "Naidu met Gowda and Kumaraswamy at the latter's residence in the city's southern suburb and sought their party's support for forming a non-BJP alliance and staking claim to power in the event of a fractured verdict and a hung Parliament," JD-S official Ramesh Babu told IANS here. The JD-S, which is in power in the southern state with the Congress, has agreed to being a part of such an alliance and even endorsed Congress President Rahul Gandhi for the Prime Minister's post. "Naidu also apprised Gowda and Kumaraswamy of his discussions with Gandhi, TMC President Mamata Banerjee, BSP President Mayawati, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and other allies for a post-poll alliance to prevent the BJP from returning to power in a hung Parliament," said Babu. The JD-S has contested in only 7 of the 28 Lok Sabha seats across the state, allowing the Congress in the remaining 21 seats as part of a pre-poll seat sharing arrangement for fielding joint candidates against the Bharatiya Janata Party. "Naidu has agreed to call on both the JD-S leaders on Thursday after all the Lok Sabha results are declared and requested them to be in New Delhi on Friday for a meeting of the non-BJP alliance leaders, Babu added. Yangon, May 22 : The China-Myanmar media forum, held on Tuesday in Myanmar's Yangon, focused on the Belt and Road Initiative and relations between China and Myanmar. It is pleased to witness the bilateral friendship becomes deeper and media persons from both countries should be praised for their efforts for being a bridge between two countries' people for the promotion of the development of cooperation between China and Myanmar, Chinese Ambassador Hong Liang told the event. Monywa Aung Shin, Editor-in-Chief of D-wave journal, pledged to continue efforts for the further cooperation between Myanmar and China on the Belt and Road Initiative and on implementation of China-Myanmar economic corridor, the Xinhua news agency reported. Asked upon bilateral cooperation, Hong Liang said efforts to work together for the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries are being carried out, not just for short-term, but for long-term development in the countries. They envisaged a retreat from their coastal Sydney base, but struggled to get their eventual approval from the local council for a number of years. Ingram admitted to fatigue, and the fact that his family came across a great nearby riverfront holding during the long wait. After finally securing approval for a 10 bedroom luxury retreat designed by architect Nick Tobias, the Inghams offered the Gerringong retreat, with record $10 million plus hopes. Ingham suggested the next dramatic rural headland holding is a further four hours south. The 3,000 sqm home is estimated to cost around $5 million to build with Tobias envisaging grass on the rooftop of the doughnut shaped house. Ray White Gerringong agent Neil Campbell says it is the most spectacular beautiful property he's ever seen. "Theres not another property like it." Campbell marketed the property as coming "with 360 degree views of 60km of coastline to the north and south and rural and mountain vistas." The coastal strip has already become renown for its imaginative residential retreats. Last year Headland House was built on a 38 hectare plot that traded vacant for $4.7 million in 2014. It was bought by Judith Neilson, daughter of art patron Judith Neilson and billionaire Kerr Neilson, and her husband Jeffrey Simpson. They commissioned Sydney-based studio Atelier Andy Carson to design the striking home that sits on a hilltop where a ridge connects the Illawarra escarpment to the sea. From its elevated position, it looks down towards Werri Beach and Geering Bay. The four bedroom main house was built in an L-shape around a central courtyard with swimming pool. There's a two bedroom guest house on the parcel. Gerrigong's price record hasn't been challenged since 2015 when Pebble Cove Farm, the 38 hectare oceanfront estate of tourism businesswoman Kerry Moran, sold for $7.3 million to management company executives Andrew Tatrai and Leni Ison. 360factors - Risk and Compliance Software Compliance.ais unique artificial intelligence technology and approach offer significant advantages over legacy regulatory intelligence services in the marketplace, which made them the perfect partners for our platform and our customers. said Carl L. McCauley, CEO at 360factors. 360factors and Compliance.ai have announced a strategic partnership to deliver a complete regulatory change and compliance management solution for banks, credit unions and other financial services industry clients. Compliance.ais comprehensive, classified and curated regulatory content will be integrated into Predict360 Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) Management Software Solution providing an all-in-one regulatory change and compliance management platform. As veterans of the industry, we understand the true value of updated regulatory intelligence, especially for businesses in the financial sector. Compliance.ais unique artificial intelligence technology and approach offer significant advantages over legacy regulatory intelligence services in the marketplace, which made them the perfect partners for our platform and our customers. said Carl L. McCauley, CEO at 360factors. Our focus on providing users of the Predict360 platform the most powerful GRC solution based on artificial intelligence technology for banks and financial services institutions now offers one more unique advantage to our customers over legacy GRC vendors. We are excited to partner with 360factors to deliver comprehensive regulatory intelligence to its banking industry customers, said Kayvan Alikhani, CEO of Compliance.ai. This new integration provides an all-in-one regulatory change solution--which furthers our mission to transform the way highly regulated industries address compliance risk--and 360factors is a great partner for us to reach even more compliance and risk teams in the financial services industry. As a GRC solutions leader within the banking, financial services and FinTech industries, 360factors Inc. continues to develop strategic relationships with innovative companies looking to remove obstacles of inefficiency and bring about an effective and efficient governance, risk and compliance solution that meets the ever-changing demands of their business. Compliance.ai is the premier regulatory intelligence provider that helps businesses in the financial sector receive the latest regulatory updates, insights, news, announcements, intelligence and insights. Visit 360factors at the ABA Regulatory Compliance Conference Hyatt Regency in New Orleans, LA on June 9-12, 2019. Booth #106 Join an Upcoming Webinar with 360factors Driving Compliance & Risk Technology Investment in Your Organization June 4, 2019 1:00 PM in Central Time (US and Canada) About 360factors 360factors, Inc. empowers companies to improve business performance by reducing risk and ensuring compliance. Predict360, its flagship software product, integrates regulations and requirements, policies and procedures management, risks and controls, audit management and inspections, on-line training and qualifications, and all compliance activities in a single cloud-based SaaS platform based on artificial intelligence. Visit http://www.360factors.com for more information. About Compliance.ai Compliance.ai is transforming the way highly regulated organizations address compliance risk. Through its Expert-in-the-Loop methodology, Compliance.ai delivers relevant content with personalized insights, obligation analysis and risk assessment. With Compliance.ai, organizations can intelligently mitigate their compliance risk, avoid regulatory sanctions and safeguard their corporate reputationswithout increasing headcount. Contact 360Factors Umair Siddiq, VP of Marketing Compliance.ai Jessica Jaffe SiftPR AltMed Florida Dispensary Design Our dispensaries set the standard for quality products, service and overall patient experience at our current Florida locations and were excited to offer our premium MUV medical cannabis brand to the greater Orlando area. AltMed Florida has announced its first Orlando area MUV Medical Cannabis Dispensary will open at 1090 S SR 434, Longwood, FL (1.5 miles east of Interstate 4 at exit 94) at 10 a.m. Friday, May 24, pending final approvals. Just north of Orlando, its in an ideal location to serve the growing communities of Winter Park, Apopka, Sanford and many others along the busy I-4 corridor. This is only the second dispensary in Longwood and the first to feature a drive-through pick-up window, staying true to its roots as a former Taco Bell restaurant. MUV boasts an extensive breadth of award-winning product offerings including flower, pre-rolls and the widest range of concentrates in the state. Doors are scheduled to open for the first time at 10 a.m. Friday, May 24 for licensed Florida medical cannabis patients, who will receive 25% off their entire first purchase. The first 100 patients will also receive a MUV SWAG bag with their purchase. Patients can order online at altmedflorida.com for Express Pickup or Delivery beginning Tuesday, May 28. Like AltMed Floridas four current MUV Dispensary locations (Tampa, Sarasota, Wellington/West Palm and Apollo Beach), the new Longwood dispensary is different than others because its designed as a premium experience. Think Apple store, with modern, open-concept design and expert staff with extensive training. Patients can also see real-time, strain specific inventory at http://www.altmedflorida.com where they can order for express pickup or delivery within a 25-mile range. Our dispensaries set the standard for quality products, service and overall patient experience at our current Florida locations and were excited to offer our premium MUV medical cannabis brand to the greater Orlando area, said AltMed Florida CEO John Tipton. Our dispensaries are unlike anything in the state and we invite all licensed patients from Orlando to Sanford to Apopka and beyond to visit our state-of-the-art Longwood location. The MUV brand already has a wide following in other legal medical cannabis markets, including Arizona, where it has won five Best of Arizona medical cannabis awards. MUV products offer an extensive variety of delivery options and formulations, including several that are unique among current Florida license holders with its patent-pending transdermal gels and metered dose inhalers. Products come in a variety of delivery methods and formulations within each delivery method to assure every patient has a product to meet their desired outcome. Product categories include flower, pre-rolls, topicals (pain relief cream), 72-hour transdermal patches, metered dose inhalers, distillate vaporizer pens (without any cutting agents), strain specific vaporizer pens and cartridges, oral spray, tinctures, capsules (soon to be released) as well as the widest selection of strain specific concentrates in the state of Florida. MUV products are sold exclusively in Florida at MUV dispensaries because, unlike other states, Florida does not allow wholesale of product between license holders - only products that license holders make themselves can be sold in their dispensaries. The MUV retail experience speaks to the role of medical cannabis products in the modern healthcare marketplace, said AltMed Marketing Director Todd Beckwith. We learned that MUV customers in other legal medical cannabis states are more apt to take an active role in their healthcare than with traditional medicine. They want to understand the products and the research behind the products, so we have created a layered and informative retail experience. For more information about the new ADA compliant Longwood MUV Medical Cannabis Dispensary, including hours and available MUV products, visit: http://www.altmedflorida.com. AltMed Florida is on pace to open 30 MUV Medical Cannabis Dispensaries across the state, all supplied by its 150,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art cultivation facility. Visit this link for images of AltMed Floridas cultivation operations and watch this brief video to see what makes AltMed Florida and its MUV Medical Cannabis Dispensaries different from the rest About AltMed Enterprises - Alternative Medical Enterprises, LLC, headquartered in Sarasota, FL and doing business as AltMed Enterprises, is a fully integrated medical cannabis company that brings compassion, community engagement and pharmaceutical industry precision to the development, production and dispensing of medical cannabinoids. About AltMed Florida, LLC (Plants of Ruskin, LLC d.b.a.) - With a focus on quality and attention to detail, Plants of Ruskin has more than 35 years of experience in providing seedlings to farmers for vegetable and medical product production. Plants of Ruskin founders, the Dickman Family, are 4th generation farmers with a long history of working in conjunction with the University of Florida, including an endowed chair specifically dedicated to plant improvement. About MUV - The MUV brand of cannabis infused products was launched in Arizona in 2016 and quickly gained international attention and recognition. In its first six months alone, MUV received four best of Arizona medical cannabis awards, including two first prizes for its proprietary Ethanol extractions that are the basis of all MUV products. Forward-Looking Statements - To the extent any statements made in this press release contain information that is not historical, these statements are forward-looking in nature and merely express our beliefs, expectations or opinions. For example, words such as may, should, estimates, predicts, continues, believes, anticipates, plans, expects, intends, potential, strategy and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on current expectations or estimates and involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) our ability to implement our business strategy of distributing high quality cannabis products where permissible under applicable law; (ii) availability and cost of additional capital; (iii) our ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified employees and management; (iv) the impact of federal, state or local government regulations; (v) competition in the cannabis industry; (vi) our ability to generate revenues; and (vii) litigation in connection with our business. All forward-looking statements included in this press release and attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are qualified by this cautionary statement. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, regardless of whether new information becomes available, future developments occur or otherwise. Community management is a tough industry all around and it feels so great for our small company, and incredible team, to be recognized on a national level. Aperion Management Group was named as the winner of a Gold Level Award in the Company of the Year Consumer Services category in the 17th Annual American Business Awards. The American Business Awards are a premier business awards program, honoring various businesses nationwide. More than 3,800 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of categories, including Company of the Year, Startup of the Year, Executive of the Year, and Best New Product or Service of the Year, among others. Aperion Management Group of Bend, OR was nominated in the Consumer Services category for Company of the Year. We are proud of what weve built, said Katie Anderson, Aperion Management Group Founder and CEO. Community management is a tough industry all around and it feels so great for our small company, and incredible team, to be recognized on a national level. More than 200 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this years award winners over two months of judging in March and April. Community management is often a daunting task as expectations aren't like enterprise but need more of the relationship building factor and treating people as people, not just a customer. Aperion Management has cracked the code of how to do it, with the right ethics and culture, said one judge. Aperion is fab[ulous] and your growth story is commendable, said another judge. This year about 32% of the more than 3,800 nominations considered became Stevie winners and all entries that receive an average score of at least 7.25 out of 10 in judging become Stevie winners, regardless of category. The number of winners in a category is a general reflection of the number of entries in a category but the number of entries per category is not published. 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. Details about The American Business Awards and the list of 2019 Stevie winners are available at http://www.StevieAwards.com/ABA. About Aperion Management Group Aperion Management Group, LLC is Central Oregon's first and only Accredited Association Management Company (AAMC) that specializes in Homeowners Association (HOA) management. With over fifty years combined experience in management, building and development, Aperion strives to create a more responsive and efficient management process for communities in and around Bend. To learn more visit http://www.aperionmgmt.com, or call us at 541.389.3172. 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. The Auction of Washington Wines (AWW) announces its largest Private Barrel Auction to date will be held at Novelty Hill-Januik in Woodinville, Washington on Thursday, August 15, 2019. Now in its fifth year, the 2019 Private Barrel Auction will feature a record 47 lots. The Private Barrel Auction offers top-caliber wine buyers intimate access to extraordinary, unique futures in five case lots from more than 40 premier Washington winemakers. Last year, the Private Barrel Auction brought in a record-breaking $251,500, an 83% increase over the previous year. All proceeds benefit Washington State University's Viticulture and Enology research programs. In addition to raising more funds for such an incredible organization, the value of the lots increased and brought together diverse buyers from across the country, many of whom were first time attendees of the Private Barrel Auction, said Jamie Peha, Executive Director of the Auction of Washington Wines. We are excited to continue to build on that momentum this year. Registration is now open to wine buyers and trade representatives at the following link. The 5th Annual Private Barrel Auction is sponsored by Northwest Farm Credit Services, Tonnellerie Quintessence, TW Boswell, Novelty Hill-Januik, the Washington State Wine Commission, Woodinville Wine Country, Pollen Systems and Wine Business Monthly. AWW also announces its 2019 Honorary Chair, Stephen Tanzer, an industry veteran with more than 30 years of professional experience. The Auction is thrilled to have Steve Tanzer as our Honorary Chair; with his global perspective and well-honed palate, Steve is among the most respected wine critics in America, said Bob Betz, MW. He has been a diligent, intimate reporter of Washington wine and its development: over the past two decades, he has spent more time on-site with our growers and winemakers than any other national writer. He will be a compelling addition to our Auction events in August. Tanzer is the founder of the critically acclaimed International Wine Cellar, an independent journal read by wine professionals and lovers in all 50 states and 34 countries. After the sale of the International Wine Cellar to Antonio Galloni and Vinous Media, Tanzer joined the new venture as partner and editor-in-chief and continues to cover Washington state wines on the Vinous site. Tanzer has also served as senior editor and wine columnist for Food & Wine magazine and wrote Food & Wine's Official Wine Guide in 1998 and 1999. He was also the wine columnist for Forbes FYI during the first five years of the publications existence. Having extensively tasted new releases from Washington annually for nearly 30 years, Ive watched the industry totally transform itself as an entire new generation of winemakers has taken over, Tanzer said. I look forward to celebrating this remarkable progress with the growers, winemakers and thirsty consumers who have made it possible, without a notebook in hand. About the Private Barrel Auction The fifth annual Private Barrel Auction is part of the 32nd annual Auction of Washington Wines weekend, a three-day celebrated event series taking place August 15-17, 2019. In its four-year tenure, the Private Barrel Auction has raised over $510,000 for Washington State Universitys Viticulture and Enology research. In 2018, all five-case lots of one-of-a-kind Washington wines were sold to top local and national trade for a record-setting $251,500. The fifth annual Private Barrel Auction will take place on Thursday, August 15, 2019 at Novelty Hill-Januik in Woodinville, Washington at 10:00 a.m. This is an invitation-only live auction event exclusive for licensed retail, on-premise buyers and qualified collectors. For a complete list of participating wineries and to request an invitation, visit http://www.AuctionofWaWines.org/trade. About the Auction of Washington Wines Since its inception in 1988, Auction of Washington Wines (AWW) has raised more than $46 million, benefiting Seattle Childrens and Washington State University Wine Science Research. Events hosted by AWW give wine lovers the chance to support the Washington state wine industry and families around the region. The annual Auction of Washington Wines weekend will take place August 15-17, 2019. Major sponsors include Wells Fargo, CenturyLink, Chateau Ste. Michelle, The John L. Scott Foundation, King 5, The Seattle Times and Wine Spectator Magazine. AWW was ranked among 2018s top three highest-earning charity wine auctions in the nation by Wine Spectator Magazine. For more information, visit http://www.AuctionofWaWines.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. ### MEDIA CONTACTS: The Fearey Group for Auction of Washington Wines aww(at)feareygroup.com, (206) 343-1543 office California's Most Awarded Call Center and Answering Service "It's an honor to support businesses in Stockton and the Central Valley, by adding employment opportunities and supporting local businesses." On March 1, 2019, Direct Line Tele Response officially opened their second office in Stockton, CA. After two years of market testing, owner Ken Goldenberg invested resources into a more permanent location. Goldenberg states, "This test has certainly been a success, so much so, that we made the commitment and moved into a larger, more efficient location. We are growing our staff here in Stockton, while still maintaining our excellent support and experienced agent staff in Berkeley. The best of both worlds! 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VIPdesks primary focus is, and always has been, to provide clients with exceptional customer service to create memorable customer experiences. For more information, press only: Shelby Bozekowski Marketing Manager Bright Pattern shelby.bozekowski(at)brightpattern(dot)com +1 720-209-2818 Broward-MIAMI President Jonathan Keith, a Fort Lauderdale broker. The Broward single-family homes market had a robust month as many metrics increased year-over-year" Broward County single-family home sales, median sale price, dollar volume and luxury transactions increased year-over-year in April, according to the MIAMI Association of Realtors (MIAMI) and the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system. Broward single-family home sales (up 11.8 percent to 1,541), median sale price (up 1.3 percent to $360,000), dollar volume (up 14.6 percent to $707.7 million), and luxury $1-million-and-up sales (up 21 percent to 75) in April 2019. The Broward single-family homes market had a robust month as many metrics increased year-over-year, Broward-MIAMI President Jonathan Keith, a Fort Lauderdale broker. An increase of northern consumers purchasing homes in Broward County, low mortgage rates and more home buyers being attracted to Browards incredible live-work-and-play lifestyle contributed to the increases. Total Home Sales Increase 4.4 Percent in April Total Broward County sales increased 4.4 percent year-over-year in April 2019, from 3,009 to 3,141. Broward single-family home sales increased 11.8 percent, from 1,378 to 1,541. Broward condo sales decreased 1.9 percent, from 1,631 to 1,600. According to Freddie Mac, the average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage decreased to 4.14% in April from 4.27% in March. The average commitment rate across all of 2018 was 4.54%. Total sales volume increased from $986.8 million in April 2018 to $1.1 billion in April 2019. Single-family home dollar volume increased 14.6 percent from $617.5 million to $707.7 million. Condo dollar volume decreased 0.7 percent from $369.3 million to $366.7 million. Lack of access to mortgage loans continues to inhibit further growth of the existing condominium market. Of the 9,307 condominium buildings in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, only 12 are approved for Federal Housing Administration loans, down from 29 last year, according to Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation and FHA. Broward Single-Family Luxury Home Sales Jump 21 Percent in April Broward luxury ($1-million-and-up) home sales jumped 21 percent year-over-year in April to 75 transactions. Broward condo luxury home sales decreased 12.1 percent to 29 transactions. Broward Median Prices Rise for Single-Family Homes, Condos Broward County single-family home prices increased 1.3 percent year-over-year, from $355,500 to $360,000. Condo median sale prices increased 5.3 percent from $161,500 to $170,000. Broward Distressed Sales Continue to Drop, Reflecting Healthy Market Only 4.0 percent of all closed residential sales in Broward were distressed in April 2019, including REO (bank-owned properties) and short sales, compared 3.7 percent in April 2018. Total Broward distressed sales increased 13.5 percent year-over-year, from 111 to 126. Short sales and REOs accounted for 1.1 and 2.9 percent, respectively, of total Broward sales in April 2019. Short sale transactions decreased 43.5 percent year-over-year, from 23 to 33. REOs decreased 5.7 percent, from 88 to 93. Nationally, distressed sales represented 3% of sales in April, equal to the 3% in March and down from 4% in April 2018. One percent of April 2019 sales were short sales. Broward Real Estate Selling Close to List Price The median number of days between listing and contract dates for Broward single-family home sales was 47 days, a 34.3 percent increase from 35 days last year. The median number of days between the listing date and closing date for single-family homes was 85 days, a 10.4 percent increase from 77 days. The median time to contract for condos was 54 days, a 12.5 percent increase from 48 days. The median number of days between the listing date and closing date for condos was 92 days, a 4.5 percent increase from 88 days. The median percent of original list price received for single-family homes was 95.9 percent. The median percent of original list price received for existing condominiums was 93.9 percent. National and State Statistics Nationally, total existing-home sales fell 0.4% from March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.19 million in April. Total sales are down 4.4% from a year ago (5.43 million in April 2018). Statewide closed sales of existing single-family homes totaled 26,992 last month, up 6.2% over April 2018, according to Florida Realtors. Looking at Floridas condo-townhouse market in x, statewide closed sales totaled 11,817, up 3.2% compared to a year ago. The national median existing-home price for all housing types in April was $267,300, up 3.6% from April 2018 ($257,900). Aprils price increase marks the 86th straight month of year-over-year gains. In April, statewide median sales prices for both single-family homes and condo-townhouse properties rose year-over-year for the 88th consecutive month. The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes was $259,470, up 2.6% from the previous year, according to data from Florida Realtors Research Department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. Last months statewide median price for condo-townhouse units was $194,050, up 2.1% over the year-ago figure. The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less. Broward Cash Buyers Represent Almost Double the National Figure Broward cash transactions comprised 37.3 percent of April 2019 total closed sales, compared to 39.1 percent last year. Broward cash transactions are almost double the national figure (20 percent). Condominiums comprise a large portion of Browards cash purchases as 54.2 percent of condo closings were made in cash in April compared to 19.8 percent of single-family home sales. Sellers Market for Broward Single-Family Homes, Balanced Market for Condos Months supply of inventory for single-family homes increased 9.8 percent to 4.5 months, which indicates a sellers market. Existing condominiums have a 6.2-month supply, which indicates a balanced market. A balanced market between buyers and sellers offers between six and nine months of supply. Although still in a sellers market for single-family homes, the increase is positive, as high demand and insufficient supply were resulting in a housing shortage and negatively impacting sales. Total active listings at the end of April increased 8.9 percent year-over-year, from 13,368 to 14,562. Inventory of single-family homes increased 11.6 percent in April from 5,294 active listings last year to 5,910 in April 2019. Condominium inventory increased 7.2 percent to 8,652 from 8,074 listings during the same period in 2018. New listings of Broward single-family homes decreased 1.1 percent 2,111 from 2,134. New listings of condominiums decreased 2.6 percent, from 2,265 to 2,207. Nationally, total housing inventory at the end of April increased to 1.83 million, up from 1.67 million existing homes available for sale in March and a 1.7% increase from 1.80 million a year ago. Unsold inventory is at a 4.2-month supply at the current sales pace, up from 3.8 months in March and up from 4.0 months in April 2018. To access April 2019 Broward County Statistical Reports, visit http://www.SFMarketIntel.com Note: Statistics in this news release may vary depending on reporting dates. MIAMI reports exact statistics directly from its MLS system. About the MIAMI Association of Realtors The MIAMI Association of Realtors was chartered by the National Association of Realtors in 1920 and is celebrating 99 years of service to Realtors, the buying and selling public, and the communities in South Florida. Comprised of six organizations, the Residential Association, the Realtors Commercial Alliance, the Broward-MIAMI Association of Realtors, the Jupiter Tequesta Hobe Sound (JTHS-MIAMI) Council, the Young Professionals Network (YPN) Council and the award-winning International Council, it represents 47,000 real estate professionals in all aspects of real estate sales, marketing, and brokerage. It is the largest local Realtor association in the U.S. and has official partnerships with 212 international organizations worldwide. MIAMIs official website is http://www.MiamiRealtors.com ### "Candice sets up a business and the teens are her business partners." Candice Cunningham feels like she was forced to create her own path due to not being happy about the options "handed to her". Initially she lost about $50,000 of startup funds entrusted to her by her family and it took her years to recover. Today, she is successful with five different e-commerce stores ranging from jewelry, clothing, and beauty products. With her online stores, Candice Cunningham was able to reach six figures from sales within the first year. She now invests heavily back into the young people from Chicago's most violent neighborhoods. Candice Cunningham is the Founder of As One We Can Foundation dba The Black Ecosystem, a nonprofit she started because she feels her E-commerce background can help provide economic empowerment to poorer communities. Her program provides opportunities for teenagers to become business partners with Candice, and use the profits to fund their educational and life goals. In detail, the nonprofit offers Entrepreneurship training classes to teenagers ages 16-19, taught by Candice Cunningham. She works with them and partners with them to teach them how to build an online business. The participants can then use their share of the profits from the business for any expense that will go towards their self-improvement. "E-commerce / online retail has helped me and my family tremendously. It's enough room for everybody to make money online so I decided to use this business model to help young people in my community. After all, it is my love for helping others that forced me down the path of Entrepreneurship in the first place so I just want to do my part and give back", says Candice Cunningham. "I also want to teach my students about life in general. I always emphasize how important it is to be a good person. I don't allow them to only focus on the profit potential of our collaborations, but more importantly on having good character. I feel that I can teach them a lot about financial success as well as how to be the best person they can be in every aspect of life." When asked what got her where she is now, Candice said: MY MINDSET. "I learned that you have to stay consistent, be strong and be discipline. You have to have the right mindset in order to persevere. While on this journey that's what I spent most of my time doing..training my mind", says Candice Cunningham. "When I'm with my students, no matter what I'm teaching them I'm constantly training them to train their mind." To support the students, you can make a purchase at their online retail store, Rise Collection by visiting http://www.shoprise.org The students are planning, designing, and coordinating their very first in-store pop-up retail event at 1023 S. Delano Ct in Chicago's South Loop (next to ICON SHOWPLACE Theatre on Roosevelt). Your attendance would be greatly appreciated on one or all of the following dates: LAUNCH PARTY Thursday, June 27th from 5pm - 9pm RETAIL EXPERIENCE Friday, June 28th from 12pm - 6pm Saturday, June 29th from 10am-6pm Sunday, June 30th from 10am-6pm Follow Candice Cunningham on Instagram @candicecompanies Follow Rise Collection on Instagram @shoprisecollection Follow the students on Instagram @blackecosystem Castle Dental Team In Partnership with the Smiles for Everyone Foundation, Castle Dental will provide free dental services for low-income, underinsured individuals at its Houston, Texas office on Saturday, June 22nd. Dental services provided will include same-day procedures such as exams and x-rays, fillings, cleanings and extractions. For more information, please visit the Castle Dental website. About Castle Dental Castle Dental provides general dentistry, childrens dentistry and, in select locations, specialty care services such as orthodontics, oral surgery, periodontics and endodontics at 59 offices throughout Texas and Tennessee. Castle Dental is operated by dental groups that have affiliated with Smile Brands Inc., one of the largest providers of support services to dental groups in the United States. Smile Brands Inc. provides comprehensive business support services through exclusive long-term 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.castledental.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: Castle Dental Jody Martin PR(at)smilebrands(dot)com 714.427.1299 Smiles for Everyone Foundation Crystal Strait crystal.strait(at)smilesforeveryone(dot)org 714.824.5037 The alternative fund industry in Colorado is growing and we believe that Cole-Frieman & Mallon will be a strong addition to the community Cole-Frieman & Mallon LLP, a leading boutique investment management law firm, is pleased to announce Scott Kitchens has joined the firm as a partner. He will be opening the firms new Denver office and will focus his practice on advising private funds and investment advisers in relation to structure, formation and ongoing operational needs. Mr. Kitchens previously worked in the investment management practice group of a large international law firm. He has deep ties to the Colorado investment management community and is committed to growing the firms local practice. I am excited to welcome Scott to the firm and build out the Denver office together said Karl Cole-Frieman, co-founder of the firm. We also know that Scotts reputation in the Denver community is exceptional, and we believe Scott will propel our firm to be the leading investment fund practice in Denver. Matthew Stover, CEO of Denver based fund administration firm MG Stover & Co. noted that the alternative fund industry in Colorado is growing and we believe that Cole-Frieman & Mallon will be a strong addition to the community. We also know that Scott will bring great experience to the new office. Mr. Kitchens background includes notable experience with venture capital, private equity, and similar closed-end fund structures. I am very excited to join Cole-Frieman & Mallon and launch its Denver office, said Mr. Kitchens. I have known the attorneys at the firm for many years and am confident that we will continue our strong expansion in the investment management space. About Cole-Frieman & Mallon LLP Cole-Frieman & Mallon LLP is a premier boutique investment management law firm, providing top-tier, responsive and cost-effective legal solutions for financial services matters. Headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in Atlanta and Denver, Cole-Frieman & Mallon LLP has an international practice that services both start-up investment managers, as well as multi-billion dollar firms. The firm provides a full complement of legal services to the investment management community, including: hedge fund, private equity fund and venture capital fund formation, adviser registration, counterparty documentation, SEC, CFTC, NFA and FINRA matters, seed deals, hedge fund due diligence, employment and compensation matters, and routine business matters. Cole-Frieman & Mallon LLP is also a recognized leader in the burgeoning cryptocurrency fund formation space. The firm publishes the prominent Hedge Fund Law Blog which focuses on legal issues that impact the hedge fund community. For more information please visit us at: colefrieman.com. CommLab India, the most sought-after rapid eLearning solutions provider has successfully managed to meet the demands of the Learning industry to convert Flash courses to HTML5. In the past year, CommLab India has converted over 2500 Flash-based courses to HTML5, with another 400 conversions in progress. CommLab India has been able to execute mammoth conversion projects that have given Flash-based eLearning courses designed using various versions of authoring tools such as Storyline, Lectora, Captivate, and Camtasia a fresh lease of life. CommLab Indias experience in handling Flash to HTML5 conversion projects and its authoring tool expertise coupled with its competence in project management has made it a reliable eLearning partner for conversion projects. The company has worked on conversion projects for clients from diverse industries such as manufacturing, telecommunications, biotechnology, and so on. CommLab Indias expertise on various authoring tools and the experience of working on diverse Flash to HTML5 conversion projects have helped the company execute such projects with ease, by providing rapid scale. The company follows an agile process that involves stakeholders and continually implements their feedback during the conversion process. Depending on the urgency of the project, CommLab India is equipped to deploy the resources necessary for quick completion. The team involved in conversion projects includes Project Managers, Project Leads, Developers, Authoring Tool Experts, the IT Team, an LMS Specialist, and a Quality Manager. Not just straightforward conversions of Flash-based courses, CommLab India has handled, and continues to handle Flash to HTML5 conversion projects that also require translations. Converting eLearning courses containing Flash components to a format thats accessible on multiple platforms has presented an opportunity for many of CommLab Indias clients to update content and redesign courses as per their branding guidelines. The absence of source files has not been a deterrent for CommLab Indias Flash to HTML5 conversion process. The company offers four strategic conversion options to match the requirements of each client. Calling it the 4 Rs, clients are offered an option to opt for Record, Republish, Rebuild, or Redesign as the conversion strategy. By following these strategies, CommLab India has been able to offer solutions to clients even when they are faced with challenges such as the unavailability of source files, or a need to mirror old eLearning courses in terms of interactivities and functionality. CommLab India is committed to meeting client requirements of quick scale within mutually acceptable deadlines, without compromising on quality by adhering to strict quality standards. Standardized QA and QC checkpoints are included as part of the conversion project plan to ensure smooth conversion and defect-free courses. CommLab India has managed to successfully train and line up efficient resources to work on conversion projects. We are ready to take on another 5000 course conversions this year and are geared up for quick scaling of Flash eLearning to HTML5, shares Ms. Ayesha Habeeb Omer, COO and Co-Founder of CommLab India. About CommLab India: CommLab India is the most sought-after global leaders for its rapid eLearning solutions. The company has 100 International customers in 30+ countries. With our formidable authoring tools expertise and decades of experience in corporate training and instructional design, we offer rapid eLearning solutions for speed, scale and value with any authoring tool: ILT material conversion into instructionally sound, visually appealing, engaging eLearning curriculums and other digital learning formats. Legacy Course Conversions from Flash or any other authoring tool to HTML5, even if you do not have source files. eLearning Translation of English eLearning course into 35 international languages both text and audio Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD) announced today that women-owned National Deaf Therapy (NDT) is the next business partner of its CSD Social Venture Fund. NDT is a national web-based mental health platform fully dedicated to servicing the deaf, deaf and blind, deaf and disabled and hard-of-hearing communities with a nationwide network of deaf therapists. The CSD Social Venture Fund (CSD SVF) is the first-ever social impact fund and incubator for deaf-owned businesses in the United States. CSD created this multi-million dollar fund in 2017 to help address the 70% unemployment and underemployment rate among deaf Americans. CSD is the worlds largest deaf-led social impact organization. Everything we do at CSD supports creating a world where all deaf people are valued, said Christopher Soukup, CEO of CSD. National Deaf Therapys efforts through both the career opportunities it provides deaf therapists and the services rendered to patients under their care will directly contribute to the overall economic, social and mental well-being of the deaf community. This aligns with the vision of the CSD SVF, which goes beyond ensuring the viability of deaf-owned businesses by amplifying their ability to create positive social change. Founded in 2018 by professional licensed therapists and longtime friends Amanda Sortwell Crane and Megan Erasmus, NDT launched in March of 2018. Sortwell Crane and Erasmus, both deaf, identified a significant gap in the market: mental health services rarely satisfy the needs of the deaf community. The two Gallaudet University alumnae launched NDT with one key goal: eliminate the unnecessary barriers deaf people continue to face and provide easy access to professional mental health services help deaf people find a therapist like me. We are very excited to be working with CSD, said Sortwell Crane and Erasmus. CSD is a leader and innovator and we are very honored to be working with them to advance both economic opportunities and wellness for our community. We know there is a void in the market and we have a big vision for our company. CSDs support is crucial to helping us grow quickly throughout the country. CSD Chief Innovation Officer and head of the CSD SVF Dominic Lacy said, NDT addresses a huge gap in our community regarding the availability of culturally and linguistically competent mental health resources and support. Their platform, being virtual, will allow them to develop their licensed therapist pool through peer support and across multiple states in a scalable business model. NDT cites several key factors where the mental health services market has failed to adequately serve the deaf community: All NDT mental health professionals are licensed, deaf and fluent in American Sign Language (ASL). Currently, NDT has five licensed therapists in its network and offers services in Washington, D.C. and eight states: California, Colorado, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Texas and Washington. Iowa and Nebraska are expected to be added soon and several additional states to follow. NDT is fully compliant with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and accepts most major health insurance plans. NDT offers a multitude of web-based mental health services through a secure eTherapy video platform. Clients can choose between therapist-led or group sessions for individual, couples and family. NDT also offers group support circles, community and school training and additional specialties, including: disaster relief; trauma sensitive group yoga; pregnancy and post partum issues; self-harm and suicidal thoughts; holistic and wellness counseling; sexual/gender identity; and severe mental illness and impact on family members. NDT is CSDs fourth SVF investment partner, joining the following business partners who were named previously in CSD SVF Round 1: DeafTax, a tax preparation service; Mozzeria, a Neapolitan pizzeria based in San Franciscos Mission neighborhood; and reFORT, a Washington, D.C. startup reducing durable goods waste from college student moves. The CSD SVF fund and incubator program provides capital funding, mentorship and business resources. An eight-week incubator training program includes: digital marketing, business modeling, sales, financial and accounting support. Additional Round 2 SVF partners will be named by CSD at a later date. All CSD SVF business partners must align with CSD values of enhancing deaf economic power, employing deaf people and creating social change. Key fund selection criteria include: creating an impact and aligning with CSDs commitment to prosperity among deaf people everywhere; having the potential to grow and be scalable; demonstrating leadership through a clear and far-reaching vision; and offering innovative products and services that provide a unique spin on traditional approaches, or that are entirely new innovations. About CSD For more information please visit the CSD Social Venture Fund and CSD. Media Contacts: The Durkin Agency alanacowan5@gmail.com karen.durkin@thedurkinagency.com Any dealer that performs alignment or tire service can benefit from this exciting, new integration with Dealer-FX, noted Alan Hagerty, Product Manager at Hunter. Our partnership enhances the customer and employee experience by providing connectivity, transparency and streamlined processes. Dealer-FX, the leading customer experience management provider for automotive OEMs and retailers, today announced the inclusion of Hunter Engineering product data into its ONE Platform service experience. Hunter Engineering Company is the global leader in alignment systems, wheel and tire service, brake service and inspection lane equipment. Integration with Hunters inspection and alignment systems, including Quick Check Drive, Quick Check, and Quick Tread systems enables automotive retailers to quickly present tire inspection and alignment findings, as well as battery health readings to customers. Its all made available to the customer on a tablet, enhancing the experience right at the drive. We are committed to integrating with partners like Hunter Engineering, who provide the data that drives the best dealer and customer experience, said Gary Kalk, President and CEO of Dealer-FX. With this new partnership, our clients can ensure that every vehicle receives a complete service write-up including tire alignment, tread depth, tire pressure, and rotation diagnostics at check-in and inspection. Tire inspection and alignment data collected from Hunter Engineerings connected equipment is added to Dealer-FXs Advisor Check-In and Technician Inspection applications. Recommendations from the tire inspection will be added to the RO in Advisor Check-in. The Technician Inspection application will be pre-populated with the results of the Hunter scan, eliminating the need for double entry. Any dealer that performs alignment or tire service can benefit from this exciting, new integration with Dealer-FX, noted Alan Hagerty, Product Manager at Hunter. Our partnership enhances the customer and employee experience by providing connectivity, transparency and streamlined processes. About Dealer-FX Dealer-FX is transforming how consumers interact with automotive brands and their retailers. Our customer experience management platform uses advanced data analysis and mobile applications to deliver convenience, transparency and trust to consumers, and increased efficiency, profitability, retention and brand loyalty to OEMs and dealers. The company is backed by the strength and resources of HGGC. Dealer-FXs core offering, ONE Platform, is comprised of seven components, which along with the Service Dashboard, manage the entire service experience from initial contact through drive-off and to next visit. It delivers the best dealer service experience. Period. Dealer-FX is the exclusive or preferred service technology provider for FCA, Nissan, Infiniti, Toyota, Lexus, Audi, VW, Mitsubishi and several other OEMs in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico, and has more than 2,500 dealership clients. Dealer-FX is based in Toronto, ON. For more information please visit http://www.dealer-fx.com, or connect on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Dealer-FX Contact: Dennis Welsh, Director of Marketing Dealer-FX (877) 493-0039 x216 pr@dealer-fx.com About Hunter Engineering Company Hunter Engineering Company is the global leader in alignment systems, wheel and tire service, brake service and inspection lane equipment. Hunter equipment is approved and used by vehicle manufacturers, automobile and truck dealers, tire dealers and service facilities around the world. For more information, please contact your local Hunter representative at http://www.hunter.com/contact-hunter. Hunter Engineering Company Contact: Maddie Laviolette Marketing Communications Specialist Hunter Engineering Company 11250 Hunter Drive | Bridgeton, MO 63044 Office: 314-716-0380 | http://www.hunter.com With their collective industry knowledge, our advisors will help us connect more deeply to solve healthcare executives top priorities. Discovery Health Partners today announced the formation of a Strategic Advisory Board comprised of industry veterans and forward thinkers in the healthcare payer technology space. This board will guide Discovery in advancing its industry-leading solutions portfolio to help health plans proactively avoid costs, improve the accuracy of claims payments, and protect the erosion of premium revenue through emerging technologies, services, and best practices. Discoverys Strategic Advisory Board is an integral part of achieving the aggressive goals we have laid out for the years ahead, stated Jason Brown, CEO of Discovery Health Partners. With their collective industry knowledge, our advisors will help us connect more deeply to solve healthcare executives top priorities. This will give us a huge advantage as we expand and sell more complex solutions into a competitive marketplace. The inaugural board members include: Amanda Fox, Healthcare and Insurance Practice Partner, Spencer Stuart (retired): Before her professional retirement, Amanda Fox was a partner with Spencer Stuarts global Healthcare and Insurance practices and led the firms insurance industry search efforts. Amanda led a number of confidential CEO succession assignments for most of the top insurance companies and partnered with one of the largest national payers to restructure the senior leadership team following a CEO succession. She worked with regional and local health plans, specialty firms, and with new subsectors emerging as a result of U.S. healthcare reform. Amanda holds a B.A. in political science from Randolph-Macon Womans College (now Randolph College) and sits on the advisory committee of the Society of Actuaries. Michael Cotton, CEO, Providence Health Plan: Mike Cotton joined Providence Health Plan as chief executive officer in 2015. With more than 25 years experience in healthcare, Mike provides strategic leadership for Providence Health Plans commercial, self-funded, Medicare, and Medicaid programs. Prior, Mike was vice president and chief operating officer for Humana and held executive management roles with Evolent Health and Alere Health. In addition, Mike has led provider-sponsored health plans affiliated with University Hospitals Health System and Premier Health System. Mike graduated from Cleveland State University, earning an MBA in healthcare administration, and holds a certificate of executive health care management from Case Western Reserve University. Wheeler Coleman, CEO and Executive Partner, EC-United: Wheeler Coleman is CEO and Executive Partner at EC-United, a boutique IT consulting firm specializing in delivering innovative solutions that transform businesses. Prior to his CEO role, Wheeler was a two-time CIO and former CTO of the nations fourth-largest health insurance company where he spent 25-plus years on the management team. Throughout his career in the health payer industry, Wheeler has built a reputation for transforming business and simplifying IT to meet business needs, driving optimum bottom-line returns, reducing costs, minimizing inefficiencies, improving capabilities, building high-performance teams, and integrating emerging technology strategically for long-term growth. Wheeler is an MBA graduate of the University of Notre Dame. About Discovery Health Partners Discovery Health Partners mission is to deliver unique, actionable analytic insights and technology-powered solutions to help healthcare payers improve payment integrity, increase revenue optimization, and maximize efficiencies with government programs. Serving more than 70 health plans across the U.S., including six of the 10 largest U.S. health plans, Discovery has been recognized consistently for its growthearning a spot on the Inc. 5000 list five years in a row and the Crains Fast 50 three times. For more information on Discovery Health Partners, go to http://www.DiscoveryHealthPartners.com. During its 20 years, the Entrepreneurs Foundation has raised over $17.5mm for nonprofits, community initiatives and youth entrepreneurship, including hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours from member companies. Mayor Steve Adler kicked off the Entrepreneurs Foundations (EF) 20th year celebration, saying the Entrepreneurs Foundation has long been at the forefront of engaging technology entrepreneurs and their companies in Austin. We are a better city because of EF and their member organizations commitment to building high performing cultures enriched by civic and philanthropic contributions. During its 20 years, the Entrepreneurs Foundation has raised over $17.5mm for nonprofits, community initiatives and youth entrepreneurship, including hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours from member companies. EF has raised nearly $2.5mm for disaster recovery initiatives including Hurricane Katrina, the Haiti Earthquake, the Philippines Tsunami and Hurricane Harvey. In addition to monetary grants, EF underwrote Huston Tillotsons 2001 strategic plan, helped the Chestnut neighborhood submit the first East Austin neighborhood plan, and underwrote a two-year capacity building initiative for Central Texas breast cancer support organizations. Bill Bock (the Entrepreneurs Foundations current & founding chair) and Eugene Sepulveda (EF CEO) recognized past executive directors: Paula Fracasso, Elaine Wetmore and former City of Austin council-member Randi Shade, as well as EFs other founders Paul Hurdlow, Libby Malone, John Thornton and Lynn Skinner. EF CEO Eugene Sepulveda said, Bill Bock and Libby Malone had the vision, and together with John Thornton and Paul Hurdlow and the enthusiastic support of Austin Ventures they created the Entrepreneurs Foundation. 321 entrepreneurs have set aside stock for nonprofit grants, generating over $6mm to date with another 70 companies stock in the bank. Joe Liemandt had the vision to launch youth entrepreneurship programs in Central Texas. Through the Entrepreneurs Foundation he underwrote 95,000 kids participating in our youth entrepreneurship & design thinking programs. They earned over $1.7 million. The Entrepreneurs Foundation celebrated its 20 years, hosted by Blackbaud, by recognizing the member companies who contributed the most to Austin during the previous year. Winners (and finalists) of the Entrepreneurs Foundation Impact Awards are: Large Employer: Silicon Labs (WP Engine), Medium Employer: uShip (Adlucent & Vida Capital), Small Employer: JDI (Panacea Collective). Each winner and finalist contributed an impressive number of volunteers, volunteer hours and dollars to Austin-based nonprofits during the last year. Today also kicked off the Entrepreneurs Foundations Spring Service Week, Water As A Fragile Resource in Central Texas. Dr. Robert Mace, Interim Executive Director and the Chief Water Policy Officer at The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment presented on the challenges facing Central Texas. According to Dr. Mace, Over the next 20 to 30 years, water will be a key issue for Central Texas: Not enough and too much. The bad news is that our rapidly growing population and changing climate will stress our water resources. The good news is that innovative thinking and a renewed appreciation for water can solve our supply problems. By the way, cats are more water efficient than dogs. Just sayin! During Spring Service Week, the Entrepreneurs Foundation, Blackbaud, Kasasa and 20 member companies are partnering with local nonprofits to provide opportunities for volunteers to engage directly with our water ecosystem. Nonprofit partners include the Lower Colorado River Authority, Colorado River Alliance, Austin Parks Foundation, Austin Youth River Watch, The Trail Foundation, The Barton Springs Conservancy, and Well Aware. About the Entrepreneurs Foundation The Entrepreneurs Foundation was founded in 1999 by entrepreneurs, venture capitalists & friends to promote philanthropy & community involvement among Austins entrepreneurs and the high tech startup community. Our mission has expanded to also help entrepreneurs build corporate cultures & employee engagement that contribute to success and to support Capital Factorys community and philanthropic initiatives. http://www.Entrepreneursfoundation.org About Blackbaud Blackbaud is the worlds leading cloud software company powering social good. Serving the entire social good communitynonprofits, foundations, corporations, education institutions, healthcare institutions and individual change agentsBlackbaud connects and empowers organizations to increase their impact through software, services, expertise, and data intelligence. Blackbaud is headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina and has operations in the United States, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit http://www.blackbaud.com. About Kasasa Kasasa is an award-winning financial technology and marketing services company that provides reward checking accounts consumers love, the first ever loan with take-backs, and ongoing expert consulting services to community financial institutions. For more information, visit http://www.kasasa.com. About Culturati Culturati, a program of the Entrepreneurs Foundation, is a community of CEOs, entrepreneurs, investors and other c-suite leaders from around the country who practice & study culture building and share their playbooks on how culture impacts performance & success in their companies and their communities. They share information online, Culturati Magazine, with their book, The Culture Book V1: When Culture Clicks, and at Culturati Connect events hosted across the country - New York, Los Angeles, Austin, San Francisco, Columbus & Dallas. Once a year members come together for the Culturati Summit hosted in Austin. http://www.CulturatiSummit.com eTargetMedia There is no limit to the value of branding in email newsletters. Developing unique and consistent experiences between email newsletters, websites, and other advertising channels will strengthen any brand and increase customer engagement, stated Harris Kreichman, Managing Partner of eTargetMedia. eTargetMedia, a leading provider of Email Lists, Postal Lists, Data Append and Creative Solutions announced the release of the How to Build a Strong Brand through Email Marketing Newsletters report. With the rise of social media, including Instagram and Facebook stories, marketers may be wondering if email marketing is an effective tool for branding and are overlooking the huge potential of branding through email marketing newsletters. eTargetMedias report shows how email newsletters can deliver huge potential for building a strong brand. Email newsletters are vital to attract an audiences attention, build a brand, build a loyal following, increase customer engagement and increase sales and conversion rates. According to eTargetMedia, the many elements that can help build a strong brand through email marketing newsletters include: Establish Expertise Email newsletters can help companies brand themselves as industry leaders and build credibility and confidence in the brand while building a loyal audience of brand followers. Make the Brand Experience Consistent Every element in the email newsletter should feature a consistent creative brand strategy including logos, copy, photos, images and even call to actions. A consistent design helps the audience to recognize the brand immediately. Create a Unique Brand Experience and Develop the Brands Voice Companies should create unique brand experiences that shine through quality content, imagery and copy. All email newsletter content, from subject line to body copy to CTAs, should follow the brands voice and be immediately identifiable to the audience. Include Engaging Content and Design Create a captivating and engaging design to make the email newsletter stand out in the crowd and encourage the audience to do business with the brand. Email newsletters should give the audience a better understanding of who the company is and should leave a lasting impact on the audience and influence their purchasing decisions. There is no limit to the value of branding in email newsletters. Developing unique and consistent experiences between email newsletters, websites, and other advertising channels will strengthen any brand and increase customer engagement, stated Harris Kreichman, Managing Partner of eTargetMedia. In addition to branding, email marketing also outperforms all other digital marketing channels in increasing customer acquisition, customer retention and increasing sales and ROI. Visit the eTargetMedia website to download the report and learn more facts and statistics about email marketing. eTargetMedia, based in South Florida, provides Email Lists, Postal Lists, Data Append and Creative Solutions to a wide variety of direct marketing customers. eTargetMedia is a member of the Data and Marketing Association. Visit eTargetMedia online at https://www.etargetmedia.com/ Booth #7-7062 NeoCon 2019 Win a 2-day trip for two to Austin, Texas by posting a photo of a Formaspace Office furniture from booth #7-7062 on social media. As the worlds architects, interior designers, and office planners convene at the annual NeoCon expo in Chicago to discover the newest commercial design trends, Austin-based Formaspace Office will exhibit six client-driven projects that showcase its unique Co-Creation furniture manufacturing process. NeoCon attendees are invited to learn firsthand how they can create their own unique office furniture designs manufactured by one of Americas leading custom furniture companies by meeting the Formaspace Office executives and the engineering & design team in person at NeoCon booth #7-7062 on June 10, 11, and 12th. Attendees are also cordially invited to attend a special Co-Creation Cocktail Hour held at the booth on June 10 (3 - 5 pm) and June 11 (2 - 5 pm). Since we launched the Formaspace Office brand at NeoCon in Chicago two years ago, its helped us grow our overall business by 60%, making Formaspace one of the fastest growing manufacturing companies in America, says Formaspace CEO Jeff Turk. Our strategy is simple: as a custom office furniture manufacturer, we can build whatever you can imagine in large or small quantities by working in direct partnership with YOU as part of our unique 4D (Discover, Design, Develop, Deliver) Co-Creation manufacturing process. Its simple: no two companies are the same, no two clients are the same, and very few physical locations are the same. Thats why its difficult to create a modern, flexible office design with standard off-the-shelf solutions, you need an element of custom solutions for each project, explains Frank Bucher, Formaspace EVP of Sales. And to get to a custom solution, you need a special partnership with a custom manufacturer thats why weve developed the 4D Co-Creation process. Its become a key to our success, helping to make Formaspace Office furniture a favorite choice of many leading Silicon Valley-based high-tech firms. These companies understand the power that custom furniture design brings to the office environment and how it helps them convey an authentic, visually coherent brand message. What can we build for you? asks Bucher. By Co-Creating with Formaspace Office, you can take complete control over the development of a coherent visual design and branding message for your entire office. And you can simplify your project management workload by working with a single furniture manufacturer that delivers exactly what you want, when you need it from project management to production to professional on-site installation. Be sure to visit the Formaspace Office booth #7-7062 to see our custom manufacturing capabilities first hand and to meet our engineering and design team. Visit the Co-Creation Projects On Display at Formaspace Offices NeoCon Booth #7-7062 June 10 12, 2019 at Chicagos Merchandise Mart NeoCon visitors are encouraged to visit the Formaspace Office booth #7-7062 located on the 7th floor of Chicagos Merchandise Mart from June 10 through June 12, 2019. Architects, designers, space planners and more can meet the companys engineering and design team in person to learn more about the companys custom manufacturing capabilities and tour the Co-Creation projects on display, including the following: Collaboration Zone: When its time to get down to business, the Collaboration Zone provides a dedicated space for the hands-on project and brainstorming sessions, with built-in whiteboards, video screens, and more. Flex Office: Fast-growing companies know the challenge of keeping up with ever-changing employee workspace needs. These mobile Weldmarx work desks, originally developed for the fintech division of major finance company, allow employees to take back control and hack their own layout configurations. Outdoor Lounge: Todays employees want to take their work with them wherever they to go, including the great outdoors. The Outdoor Lounge offers a durable work environment built to withstand exterior conditions while maintaining a coherent visual look that connects the exterior and indoor design elements together into a unified design. Team Zone: Encourage collaboration by adding a Team Zone to new construction or to an existing office space. The custom vintage-looking table on display at NeoCon is a prime example of Formaspace Offices 4D Co-Creation process; it was designed in partnership with (and manufactured for) a major West Coast media company. Huddle Zone: When the conference room is too big and too far away, its time to move to the Huddle Zone for a quick conversation between colleagues. Huddle Zones with bar stools and cocktail height tables can also serve as hospitality areas for casual office meetings and receptions. Lounge Zone: Employees looking to move around during the workday are attracted to casual environments that blend the best characteristics of residential, commercial, and hospitality design. The Lounge Zone serves as an alternative work area that offers the opportunity for more spontaneous interaction between employees, helping to break down departmental silos at work. Lucky NeoCon visitors can also win a fun 2-day trip for two to Austin, Texas home of Formaspace Office by posting a photo of their favorite Formaspace Office furniture from booth #7-7062 on their Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn accounts. About Formaspace Office You imagine it. We build it. Formaspace Office fosters the spirit of discovery and creation through the design and manufacture of unique, made-in-America furniture solutions, from discovery to delivery. To learn more about our large-scale, custom manufacturing capabilities and our unique furniture systems for large and small conference rooms, private offices, co-working spaces, makerspaces, cafes, lounges, laboratories, industrial environments, K-12, Universities, and beyond, please visit http://www.formaspaceoffice.com Its nice to see a growth-oriented firm like Gray Reed put its trust in the cloud and in the NetDocuments platform we have spent 20 years enhancing, said Alvin Tedjamulia, CTO, NetDocuments. NetDocuments, the leading secure cloud-based content services platform for law firms, corporate legal teams and compliance departments, today announced that Gray Reed, a full-service, 150 lawyer firm with offices in Dallas, Houston and Waco, has selected NetDocuments as its secure cloud-based content services platform. The firm, which had been using iManage for nearly a decade, selected NetDocuments in order to fully embrace a native and secure cloud document management platform. According to Jason Rodriguez, Gray Reeds Director of Information Technology and internal lead on the DMS selection, the existing on-premise solution was extremely cumbersome regarding back-end infrastructure and server maintenance. We are a small IT shop so spending considerable time maintaining the technology to run our DMS was no longer an option. We were also challenged in leveraging the existing system to meet rapid firm growth, especially as it related to maintaining the infrastructure moving forward. It just felt like we could never keep up. A concern with the existing systems cloud offering was its immaturity and the fact that it was unproven as a true native cloud solution. We needed to be in the cloud and be able to outsource the IT burden to someone else so we could focus our attention on strategic IT issues, said Rodriguez. Ultimately, Rodriguez and his team selected the proven NetDocuments native cloud platform. The firm spent considerable time networking with peers at other firms, speaking with existing NetDocuments customers, and participating in available product and strategy workshops and presentations. We felt very good about our decision based on NetDocuments maturity and dominance in the native legal cloud space as well the companys overall reputation and track record, added Rodriguez. For Gray Reed, the most important aspects of the NetDocuments DMS is the ease of use afforded through a familiar user interface and accessibility and mobility, which have driven user adoption. The firm has been implemented since March. Considering the firm had been using the same system for almost 10 years, initial user satisfaction and adoption has been extremely positive, shared Rodriguez. While firm security comes down to firm IT leadership, Jason Rodriguez and his team fully trust in the well documented and proven NetDocuments security and governance controls and processes. Its nice to see a growth-oriented firm like Gray Reed put its trust in the cloud and in the NetDocuments platform we have spent 20 years enhancing, said Alvin Tedjamulia, CTO, NetDocuments. Changing DMS providers is no small feat so Gray Reed will find comfort in joining the 2500+ NetDocuments customer community as well as having access to our ever-expanding partner ecosystem. As a pioneer in cloud-based legal technology, NetDocuments has spent two decades providing its customers with the safe, ready, and proven solutions necessary to improve work place productivity and ensure optimal security and governance of firm and client content. It was time for some positive and good change. Our selection and use of NetDocuments is a great example of embracing change and riding the cloud momentum wave currently cresting in Legal, concluded Rodriguez. About NetDocuments Founded in 1999, with more than 2,500 enterprise customers worldwide, is the most trusted cloud-based content services and workflow platform. Complete with state-of-the-art built-in security, compliance and governance solutions, NetDocuments offers document management, email management and collaboration technology complete with disaster recovery, enterprise search, and matter centricity features. For more information about NetDocuments, please visit: http://www.netdocuments.com. About Gray Reed A full-service Texas law firm with offices in Dallas, Houston and Waco, Gray Reed provides legal services to companies ranging from start-up to Fortune 500 as well as high net worth individuals. Gray Reed attorneys assist clients with a myriad of legal issues including commercial litigation, corporate transactions, oil and gas, tax planning and litigation, real estate, construction, healthcare, trusts and estates, employment law, family law, intellectual property and bankruptcy. For more information, visit http://www.grayreed.com. Over the past decade, I have been privileged to witness the company evolve and grow. Today, I look forward to reaching new heights together with our wonderful employees, clients, and partners. - Nisha Shajahan, CEO Integrity Management Services, Inc. (IntegrityM), an Alexandria-based, women-owned small business, is proud to reach an exciting milestone this year celebrating 10 years supporting program integrity efforts for federal and state government agencies and private sector organizations. IntegrityM is led by partners Nisha Shajahan, Cheryl Gordon, and Chris Coleman, who are committed to the corporate vision: to care about the clients we serve, the partners we support, and the team we build as we work to achieve new heights in excellence. President and CEO, Shajahan, reflects on the companys 10-year anniversary, Over the past decade, I have been privileged to witness the company evolve and grow. Today, I look forward to reaching new heights together with our wonderful employees, clients, and partners. Without you, there would be no us. Thank you for contributing to our success and allowing us to serve you! Celebrating the past and moving into the future In the past decade, IntegrityM has been the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions, demonstrating its success as a government contractor and commitment to its clients, employees and the community. Recent achievements include: -Nominee for the 2019 Greater Washington Good Business Awards by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce -2018 Award of Excellence by the Small and Emerging Contractors Advisory Forum (SECAF) -2017 Small Business Subcontractor of the Year awarded by the U.S. Small Business Administration Washington Metropolitan Area District Office -2016 G2Xchange Federal Health IT Challenge winner for Best Product in the Small Business category To celebrate this 10-year milestone, IntegrityM launched a redesigned website and updated logo. Later this summer IntegrityM will complete an office renovation featuring a new collaboration space designed to encourage employee creativity and engagement. In addition to growing the business, IntegrityM is dedicated to expanding its philanthropic efforts through its IntegrityM Cares program, which includes partnerships with various charitable causes. One such example is its corporate partnership with Genesys Works and Fairfax County Public Schools, through which IntegrityM provides internship opportunities in S.T.E.M. fields, and supports the Needs Based Donation Partnership, among various other programs. For these notable contributions, IntegrityM recently received the 2019 Business Honor Roll award by the Virginia School Boards Association. We are honored to work with Genesys Works and Fairfax County Public Schools, and look forward to investing deeper in these partnerships and creating new ones. IntegrityM believes giving back and fostering an entrepreneurial spirit is key to its future, shares Shajahan. About IntegrityM IntegrityM is a Certified Women-Owned Small Business, CMMI Level 3 appraised, ISO 9001:2015 certified, and FISMA compliant organization, serving our employees, clients, and community. At IntegrityM, we empower our clients to make more informed decisions, improving the way they do business. IntegrityM provides expertise to government programs and private sector organizations. Results are achieved through consulting services including, statistical and data analysis, compliance, audit, investigation, medical review, outreach and education, software and staffing solutions. For more information about IntegrityM, please contact Maria Habib via email at mhabib@integritym.com or phone at 703-535-1422. L.L.Bean Discovery Courses are fun, easy introductions to outdoor activities including kayaking. Free courses are available through June 30 through L.L.Bean's partnership with Mastercard. Free Discovery Courses are available at L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery Program centers nearby L.L.Bean retail stores. Locations include Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. L.L.Bean has always believed in the benefits of the outdoors and is on a mission to help people spend more time outside, every day. Thats why the outdoor retailer is offering all of its Discovery Courses, which typically cost $25, for free from Memorial Day weekend through the end of June in partnership with Mastercard. With classes ranging from paddling to archery to sporting clays, L.L.Bean is encouraging everyone to spend more time outdoors, together. Outdoor enthusiasts can sign up online for a free course and kick-off summer by getting outside. L.L.Bean Discovery Courses encompass introductory-level classes as part of the L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery Program, which offers year-round demonstrations, clinics, trips and hands-on courses for all levels. Discovery Courses are fun, easy courses led by experts who love the outdoors and thanks to the L.L.Bean Mastercard, this summer, everyone can get outside to learn something new including, but not limited to: Archery Learn the proper techniques for this exciting sport using a bow and arrow for optimal accuracy and precision Kayaking Explore nature on the water and learn basic paddling techniques and skills for this popular sport Stand-Up Paddleboarding Discover how easy it is to balance on top of the water with the basic skills to maneuver a paddle board through scenic lakes, coves and inlets Fly-Casting Expert instructors will teach you the skills to cast a fly in a friendly and supportive environment (Maine only) Sporting Clays Learn the fundamentals of sport shooting and experience the thrill of hitting clay targets (Maine only) Mountain Biking Get a taste for the sport with a guided ride on a well-maintained double track trail (Maine only) At L.L.Bean, we believe the outdoors is the most inclusive club there is and we encourage everyone to Be an Outsider with their family and friends, said Gretchen Ostherr, Director of Outdoor Discovery Programs at L.L.Bean. Getting outdoors is always better with a partner, so were thrilled to have the support of Mastercard to offer these courses, making it easy for families of all kinds to experience the joy of the outdoors. Free Discovery Courses are available at L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery Program centers nearby L.L.Bean retail stores. Locations include Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Find a location near you by visiting http://www.LLBean.com/adventure and filtering the calendar to the location. Share your Discovery Course experience with #BeanOutsider. L.L.Beans Outdoor Discovery Program L.L.Beans Outdoor Discovery Program offers year-round demonstrations, clinics, and hands-on courses for a variety of outdoor activities, all designed to make it easy for individuals, families and friends to enjoy the outdoors. Outdoor Discovery Program courses and activities are available at all retail stores and at Outdoor Discovery Program centers nearby, featuring hundreds of activities, customized trips, kids camps and more as well as all-inclusive adventures like Wicked Easy Camping. Classes range in level and price, but with certain classes offered for free year-round, and with gear and instructor expertise included and, it is easy for everyone to get outside and have the time of their life. L.L.Beans Outdoor Gear Rental Program This summer, the L.L.Bean Chicago South Barrington Store will be piloting a gear rental and adventure consultant program to help prepare local residents or visitors to get outdoors. Through the program anyone can schedule a consultation and reserve camping, SUP, or kayak gear packages that can be picked up and dropped off in the store. Visit http://www.LLBean.com/adventure to learn more about L.L.Beans full lineup of year-round Outdoor Discovery Programs. For additional details on the local Outdoor Gear Rental Program, contact the Chicago South Barrington store at 888-552-5548 or the Victor, NY Eastview store at 888-552-5583. About L.L.Bean, Inc. L.L.Bean, Inc. is a leading multichannel merchant of quality outdoor gear and apparel. Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, the company began as a one-room operation selling a single product, the Maine Hunting Shoe. L.L.Bean is a family-owned Maine company led by Executive Chairman, Shawn Gorman, the great-grandson of Leon Leonwood Bean; and Stephen Smith, President and CEO. While its business has grown over the years, L.L.Bean continues to uphold the values of its founder, including his dedication to quality, customer service and a love of the outdoors. In the past ten years the company has provided over $30 million to nonprofit organizations. L.L.Bean currently operates 44 stores in 18 states across the United States, along with 28 stores in Japan. The 220,000-sq. ft. L.L.Bean retail store campus in Freeport, ME, is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and welcomes more than 3 million visitors every year. L.L.Bean can be found worldwide at http://www.llbean.com, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram. Experiential tourism, a trend encompassing culinary travel, cultural exploration and activity-based travel experiences, has seen a rise in demand over the last several years. And according to a recent report by Skift, a media company for the travel industry, it wont be slowing down anytime soon. In fact, more and more travelers are wanting their journeys to be authentic and unique, and good cuisine has shown to play a large role in their ultimate travel destination. This is because travelers want to connect with their food, and experiencing the local fare provides them with great insight into the local culture, giving them a truly authentic experience. Experiential tourism also gives travelers the opportunity to learn about new culinary skills and local food trends, while also getting the chance to explore the area where theyre visiting. Lajollacooks4u is a pioneer of experiential tourism, having offered its signature cooking programs to travelers from around the globe for the last 11 years. With its team-building events, corporate cooking challenges, gourmet cooking classes and Farmers Market tours, guests are immersed in a one-of-a-kind experience with delicious farm-to-table cuisine, picturesque views and meaningful interaction as they come together to prepare a multi-course meal. Time and time again, Lajollacooks4u is consistently rated five stars -- further exemplifying that it provides a culinary experience that will stay with travelers long after they've put away their suitcase. For more information on the companys signature culinary programs, please visit http://www.lajollacooks4u.com. About Lajollacooks4u: Lajollacooks4u is San Diegos premiere team-building and cooking events company. Since 2008, it has hosted companies from all over the globe, providing guests with a collaborative and one-of-a-kind culinary experience. With skilled facilitators, farm-to-table cuisine and a stunning view overlooking La Jolla, Lajollacooks4u has consistently been ranked one of the areas top attractions by Trip Advisor, having been awarded its Certificate of Excellence four years in a row. For more information about the companys hands-on team building events and gourmet cooking classes, visit http://www.lajollacooks4u.com or contact jodi(at)lajollacooks4u.com. Dresdner Robin completed a campus vision report for the Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School (DLEACS) in Jersey City, N.J., which included the site rendering (shown). Dresdner Robin continues to address community needs in a densely populated state whose educational requirements remain ever-changing," said Grant Lewis, Dresdner Robins senior project manager, engineering. Jersey City-based land-use consultancy, Dresdner Robin, has provided a suite of services for two New Jersey urban education projects, furthering its mission of bringing creative solutions and technological innovation to development in underserved communities. The firm offered expert engineering, environmental, planning and survey services to the Clinton Hill Early Learning Center in Newark, N.J., and produced a campus vision report for Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School (DLEACS) in Jersey City, N.J. The initial project for the early learning center involved developing a temporary site to supplement the existing operation while a new, permanent facility is developed. The charter school project involved a land-use vision report utilizing the firms landscape architects, surveyors and input and advice from the school community. These are meaningful education projects and our firm played a direct role in their outcome, said Grant Lewis, Dresdner Robins senior project manager, engineering. Bringing creative technological solutions and a collaborative nature to the projects, Dresdner Robin continues to address community needs in a densely populated state whose educational requirements remain ever-changing. The New Jersey firm worked with the Maher Charitable Foundation on a temporary learning center on a vacant block in Newarks South Ward. The 1-acre site, leased from the New Jersey School Development Authority (SDA), now consists of a one-story, 9,350-square-foot building constructed using 10 modular trailer units. The Clinton Hill facility serves 78 students, from infants to 5 years old. The temporary site will remain in use while the firm develops design documents, acquires land entitlements and conducts an environmental investigation to allow the construction of a permanent facility on an adjacent block. Dresdner Robin is responsible for all aspects of site development (including layout and zoning analyses, etc.). This is an important project for the community and a direct response to its needs. Overall, it is a great way to facilitate ongoing progress for Newark, Lewis added. Some of its notable features include a playground for toddlers along with a community room for various local needs. The firm provided engineering and planning testimony during a 2018 public hearing in support of site plan approval from Newarks Board of Adjustment. Dresdner Robin also provided environmental services to comply with requirements of the Department of Children and Families, including remediation on soil and groundwater. DIGroupArchitecture, of New Brunswick, N.J., was the architect of record and a critical partner for both Newark projects. Dresdner Robin also completed conceptual design, programming and analysis work at Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School (DLEACS), which serves approximately 400 students at the site of the former Saint Patrick and Assumption/All Saints parochial school at 509 Bramhall Ave., Jersey City, N.J. The schools physical space required alterations to match its next-gen curriculum. In 2018 and early 2019, Dresdner Robins landscape architects worked with the campus to develop a comprehensive report, incorporating curriculum components and anticipated future needs. Dresdner Robin has truly been a strategic partner in this project, allowing DLEACS to accommodate the educational needs of current and future students, said Christopher Garlin, CEO of the Jersey City charter school. Their work to anticipate demands on the space, while also incorporating the feedback of the school community, was special and weve valued the concepts theyve put forward. The firm met with DLEACS administrators and stakeholders in a design charrette, gathering input from faculty, parents and students. Data obtained from the gathering was used to develop a campus-wide program diagram, which informed the conceptual design. Dresdner Robin will continue its work on community-oriented projects, added Lauren Venin, project manager, landscape architect at Dresdner Robin. We provide a range of services for the revival of urban landscapes and our projects like those in Newark and Jersey City bring clear results. About Dresdner Robin Dresdner Robin is a land use consultancy headquartered in Jersey City, N.J. The firm provides creative solutions that emphasize service, client satisfaction and technological innovation with specialties in site/civil engineering, land surveying, environmental service, planning, surveying and the revival of urban landscapes. With offices in locations across the New York City and Philadelphia metro areas, Dresdner Robin prides itself on being comprised of the most creative, multi-functional engineering team in the region. http://www.dresdnerrobin.com/. About the Maher Charitable Foundation Maher Charitable Foundation invests in facilities to provide high-quality pre-K, infant and toddler programs with the purpose of designing the spaces needed to educate our youngest children. The Clinton Hill project will transform a long-vacant site into a vibrant early learning facility with space for community use. About Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School The mission of Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School is to ensure educational excellence and character development for all students in grades K through 8, cultivating both learning and empathy. The school provides a stable, rigorous, unbroken continuum of classical academic instruction and formal character education, resulting in the highest levels of student achievement, ethical behavior and cultural literacy, and delivered within a productive, consistent and supportive school environment. DLEACS provides a state standards-based and stimulating educational program emphasizing academic, social and civic growth of its scholars in a safe environment that cultivates respect for self and others. http://www.drlenaedwardscharterschool.org/index.aspx. "Through this extension of our channel program, MSPs will now have the ability to offer enterprise-grade security that was purposefully built for smaller companies, and as such, will not be forced to masquerade one of their enterprise technologies as an SMB solution. Coronet, the leader in security-as-a-service powered by AI and Cloud, today announced the launch of its managed service provider (MSP) program. Through the expansion of its existing channel partner program, Coronet will empower MSPs to more effectively service their small and mid-sized business customers with enterprise-grade protections while benefitting from low cost of operation and recurring revenue. To date, more than 90 percent of all Coronet sales have been generated by partners around the world, which include Lenovo and Dropbox. By adopting Coronet, MSPs can provide security-as-a-service that not only identifies risks, but automatically mitigates them. This minimizes the need for human intervention for both MSP security teams and their customers that use popular, highly vulnerable cloud-apps, such as G-Suite, Dropbox, Slack, Microsoft Office 365, among others. According to a MarketsAndMarkets report, the global managed security services market is expected to grow to nearly $48 billion in revenue by 2023, as demand by smaller companies for outsourced cybersecurity services increases with the spread of threats and attacks targeting businesses of all sizes. Led by Len Crosson, Coronets CRO, the MSP program has already secured partnerships with leading MSPs including Optiv, SHI, Chorus Communications, Zog and Redington among others. Coronet made comprehensive cybersecurity for SMBs possible by offering a simple, affordable, and fully integrated solution, said Mat Zoglio, CEO of Zog Inc., an MSP with offices in Pennsylvania and Florida. We are looking forward to expanding our services by delivering enterprise grade cybersecurity for businesses of any size with Coronet. The benefits to managed service providers include: Greater margins and ability to service small and medium sized customers because of minimal need for human intervention, due to the products AI engine that is smart enough to automatically look for and stop information leakage, abnormal activities, malware/ransomware spread, and regulatory violations. Responsive and proactive customer service via premium technical support, sales and marketing materials, training and sales support. Quick onboarding process for both MSPs and their customers Built-in integration to popular SaaS applications such as Dropbox, Office365, Google G-Suite among others, support for any OS on any device, as well as support for popular email services. Already configured with best practices, including regulatory and cyber-insurance requirements such as PII/PCI/PHI leakage prevention. There are more than 100 million small and medium sized businesses worldwide that are becoming accustomed to being under constant threat of cyberattack, said Len Crosson, Coronets CRO. With limited resources and budgets, small businesses have begun to turn to MSPs more and more to manage their security. Through this extension of our channel program, MSPs will now have the ability to offer enterprise-grade security that was purposefully built for smaller companies, and as such, will not be forced to masquerade one of their enterprise technologies as an SMB solution. We look forward to helping MSPs grow their small and mid-sized business footprint. Coronet will benefit MSP end users with: 24/7 monitoring of their business for cyber security threats Automatically block suspicious and abnormal user behavior Identify and prevent sensitive data leakage (such as PII, PHI and PCI) Prevent malware and ransomware spread in cloud applications and email Ensure that employee and company devices are secured, and connect to safe networks In 2018, Coronet increased its monthly active user count from 300,000 to 2.5 million, equating to an astounding 733 percent year-over-year growth. Coronet was also recently named a gold winner in the 15th Annual 2019 Info Security Product Guides Global Excellence Awards in the Security Products and Solutions for SMBs and SOHO category. For more information on Coronets MSP partner program, visit https://www.coro.net/partner-program/. To sign up or request a demo, visit http://www.coro.net and follow us on social media @coronetworks. About Coronet Coronet is a world leader in providing organizations of every size with security for their cloud applications, bring-your-own-devices, and communications over public networks. With over 2.5 million users, Coronets platform uses AI to detect and mitigate threats, eliminating the need for a security team to chase down security events. Provided as a subscription service, with nothing to install on premises, Coronet brings enterprise grade cyber security to organizations of any size, at an affordable price, eliminating the complexity and laborious nature of traditional security platforms. Discounted brake service is available at Lexington Toyota. Brakes are an integral system in a vehicle. They suffer damage over time, and certain driving styles may even accelerate wear and tear. Eventually, all vehicles need brake repairs or replacements, and the employees of Lexington Toyota know that this can be a costly repair. That is why Lexington Toyota is currently offering a coupon for discounted vehicle brake services. Lexington Toyota offers different maintenance coupons throughout the year. These coupons can be found on their website, Lexingtontoyota.com. To use these coupons, customers should schedule a maintenance appointment and print the coupon from their website to bring with them to their appointment. Currently, there is one coupon available for discounted vehicle brake service, and this coupon will last through July 1, 2019. The current coupon can get drivers $50.00 off of a complete, 4-wheel brake service or $25.00 off of a 2-wheel brake service. Brake services offered at Lexington Toyota include the replacement of all front and rear disc track pads with new genuine Toyota pads, the resurfacing or replacement of brake rotors, the inspection of all brake components, or the checking and filling of brake fluids. Drivers are encouraged to schedule these services before July 1, 2019, to take advantage of the available coupon. In order to schedule a service appointment, Lexington area drivers can fill out the form on the dealerships website or contact the dealerships service team. The service team can be reached at (781) 861-7400. Customers can also schedule a service appointment in person. The dealership is located at 409 Massachusetts Avenue in Lexington, MA. Merging the former practice operations of Roth & Associates, LLC with the experience and talent depth of Eno Martin Donahue LLP provides a unique opportunity to bring large business legal expertise to the small to medium size business owners located in the Greater Lowell and Greater Salem, NH areas. Eno Martin Donahue & Roth, one of the top business law firms in Massachusetts specializing in corporate, IP, employment, and trusts and estates, continues to expand its service area with the addition of a new partner to the firm, Elizabeth Roth. Attorney Roth leads the firms physical expansion into Salem, NH, an area experiencing new business development opportunities. When Eno Martin Donahue decided to build their Merrimack Valley service area and expand into the Salem area, they sought the help of someone knowledgeable about the towns business needs. A resident of Salem for 40 years, Attorney Roth has been involved not only in the citys business development initiatives but has become a community leader as well. She served as Selectman of Salem for six years and will be installed as the President of the Greater Salem NH Rotary Club. Her other community involvement includes serving on the Salem Planning Board, the Salem District Commission, and the Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce. Merging the former practice operations of Roth & Associates, LLC with the experience and talent depth of Eno Martin Donahue LLP provides a unique opportunity to bring large business legal expertise to the small to medium size business owners located in the Greater Lowell and Greater Salem, NH areas. The philosophies of both firms could not have been a better match. Elizabeth Roth, Partner at Eno Martin Donahue & Roth The town of Salem is experiencing a huge business growth with the development of the former Rockingham Park property. The area is being developed into a mixed-use complex of residential and commercial property with the ultimate goal of creating a vibrant community center with pedestrian-friendly boulevards and open-air shopping. This push to create more opportunities for businesses has attracted other organizations like hospitals and retailers to move into the developing office space. And the legal and business consulting firm Eno Martin Donahue & Roth intends to help many of these new business owners solve their legal needs. As the Metro Boston areas growth pushes into the Merrimack Valley, especially Southern New Hampshire, we think it is important for our firm to have a dual state presence. Beths unique background in law, business, health care, and her entrepreneurial and marketing skills makes her a great fit for our firm and a valued partner to expand our presence in Southern New Hampshire. Beth knows the challenges businesses face and has been advising business clients for over 20 years. Our firms focus is to provide client-friendly business advice to help clients grow and thrive, Beth will help us serve our clients better. Matt Donahue, Partner at Eno Martin Donahue & Roth Attorney Roth has 20+ years of experience in business law, serving clients throughout Massachusetts and beyond. Before joining Eno Martin Donahue & Roth, she established a successful private practice and also served as in-house Corporate Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for a national behavioral health care corporation. Today, she focuses her legal practice on advising small to mid-sized businesses with her business law and mediation practices. Attorney Roth received her law degree from the Massachusetts School of Law and also serves as the Vice-President of the GFWC-New Hampshire Federation of Womens Clubs and on the Board of Directors for the Center for Life Management Community Mental Health of Derry. About Eno Martin Donahue & Roth Eno Martin Donahue & Roth, PLLC is a multi-generational law firm based in Lowell, MA. The firm specializes in the areas of corporate, IP, employment, trusts and estates, environmental, banking, and commercial real estate law. Located in the heart of Merrimack Valley, the firms client portfolio is as diverse as its practice areas and includes clients in banking, manufacturing, and business owners from numerous industry verticals throughout Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. Vans Customade by Custom Culture Past News Releases RSS Customade by Custom CultureURL:https://shop.vans.co.kr/customade-by-custom-culture Vans Korea released the limited-edition collaboration sneaker, Customade by Custom Culture, on its popular custom service Vans Customs, which allows customizations to be made on classic models, Available now. Vans Customs is a service that allows customizations to be made on enduring masterpieces including the Slip-On, Old Skool, Era, Authentic, and Sk8-Hi. Users can choose the design and material for each part including the upper area, heel, and sole. Users can also implement designs using images they upload. This collaboration is based on the popular Slip-On and is a special model that includes updates on the design made at the Vans Asia Custom Culture 2018 held in Guangzhou, China in 2018. The collaboration sneaker Customade by Custom Culture not only is purchasable, but also partially customizable using the users own designs. *The vamp (upper area) is not customizable. MASA has been studying art and graphic design since he was 18 years old and is attracting attention in many fields. He was the runner-up for a T-shirt contest for the Billionaire Boys Club, an organization that was founded by Pharrell Williams and Nigo, who is known for founding A Bathing Ape and Human Made. Below are remarks by MASA. These sneakers were inspired by Japans street culture. Based on a leaf camouflage that hides the skateboard pattern, it has an iconic skull bone on the front, making it a playful design overall. I would be grateful if this sneaker is loved by many people, he said. Customade by Custom Culture available on Vans Kores Customs official website. Customade by Custom Culture Price: 89,000 won~ Sizes: US6.5 ~ US18.0 (Mens), US5.0 ~ US11.0Womens Launch date: Available now. Retailer: Vans Korea Customs Official Website(https://shop.vans.co.kr/customade-by-custom-culture) *This product is shipping to Korea only. About MASA Graphic designer / Artist After graduating from technical school, he began his career as a graphic designer. In 2013, he was selected as the runner-up for the Billionaire Boys Club T-shirts Contest, where Pharrell Williams was a judge. In 2014, he was also selected as the runner-up for Crepeman, an apparel brand by Ldhs DJ Daruma (Pkcz). In 2018, he won the Japan-area in the Vans Asia Custom Culture 2018 and represented Japan in the final round. He is an artist who is attracting attention across every generation. Instagram:@masa.nyc (https://www.instagram.com/masa.nyc/) Instagram art account:@masa.archive(https://www.instagram.com/masa.archive/) Twitter:@iam_masa5(https://twitter.com/iam_masa5) Official Website:https://masa510.com/en/ About Vans Asia Custom Culture Vans Asia Custom Culture is a designing contest where artists from Asia design a custom product starting with a white VANS shoe as the canvas. In Vans Asia Custom Culture 2018, participants who made it through the preliminary round from Japan, Korea, China, Hong Kong, Philippines, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Singapore gathered in Guangzhou, China to engage in preparing a product for the final round. Exceptional New York-based artist, Abdul Badi, is excited to introduce his delicate works of artknown as 'The Art of ABDUL BADI'to the worlds visual arts enthusiasts. Widely known in the U.S. for his vibrant, over-sized portrayals of Third World people, particularly Africans, Badi uses his brush to make strong thought-provoking statements about his subjects and their conditions. The gifted artist offers his stunning images in matte print and cards (dimensions 35 to 1117 inch), as well as canvas giclee (dimensions 810 to 3648 inch)both stretched and unstretched. View numerous paintings at http://www.artofabdulbadi.com. Having participated frequently in fairs, festivals, and art shows and sold numerous pieces of his incomparable works all along the nations East Coast and Chicago, Badi has garnered a strong following for his work. He is now looking to share his unique conceptions with the rest of the nation and the world. 'The Art of ABDUL BADI' is an exceptionally fitting present for Fathers Day, graduation, birthdays, and many additional gift-giving occasions. What The Art of ABDUL BADI purchasers are saying: Today I reframed and hung my three pieces. I must tell you; I fall in love with them over and over again each time I look at them. Thank you, Badi for creating such beautiful art experiences. S. Burgess Abdul, you are blessed. What wonderful purposes in your art: beauty; passion, soul, hope, vision, defying, and mystery. R. Bless This painting is so lifelike, even down to the shadows of her hair and jewelry. I love it!!! P. McRae The wildly passionate and highly-skilled artisan commented, It is imperative that I feel something special and have a personal and emotional connection to relate to a concept before I place it on canvas. I identify with my subjects because it is personal for me. Badi continued, What stood out most in my formative years was the absence of any person of color for me to look up to or with whom to have conversations on the subject. As my skills matured, I conversed both publicly and privately with adults on the subject and have held it as the spark or the embers that burn as my passion for sharing my gift and showing the world. ABOUT THE ARTIST Sixty-five-year-old Abdul Badi, a Brooklyn, NY native, began drawing in elementary school. As a young student, Badi entered and won an art contest, which netted him free art classes at the Brooklyn Museum. He later went on to attend Manhattans High School of Art and Design after which he worked as a draftsman and illustrator in the U.S. Marine Corps. Upon completion of his military service, Badi returned to school and completed a college art program in Mercy Dobbs Ferry, New York. Over the years he has worked in the commercial art field and also taught art. The artist spent several years working as a pastel painter, but of late, works almost exclusively in oils. If interested in originals, limited editions or wholesale acquisition, contact Samuel Grantwriter (referenced contact) EDITOR: To book interviews or obtain high-resolution images, contact Samuel Grantwriter (referenced contact) impressive and innovative approaches to management Matt Carr, Director of Business Administration at Dulwich College International, has received the inaugural Chartered Manager of the Year Award for 2019. The honour is awarded by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and recognises managers who consistently exceed expectations within their organisations. The award was presented at Kensington Palace in the presence of CMIs Patron, Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex, on Wednesday 15 May 2019. Matt received the award from Andrew Stephenson MP, Minister for Business and Industry. The CMIs website praises Matt Carrs impressive and innovative approaches to management and the work he undertook in establishing a new College in Shanghai, China, in challenging conditions. Mr Carr said I am honoured to have been recognised by CMI. I believe that management is all about meeting challenges head-on and empowering your team to have the confidence to face these challenges. Receiving this award is not only recognition of my work, but also a celebration of my team and their own personal achievements. Notes to Editors: MIAMI Chairman of the Board Jose Maria Serrano Low mortgage rates and new tax laws continued fueling Miami real estate in April" Miami-Dade County existing single-family home sales and total transactions increased year-over-year in April, according to the MIAMI Association of Realtors (MIAMI) and the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system. Miami single-family home transactions increased 3.9 percent, from 1,217 to 1,265. Total sales for all properties increased 1.1 percent, from 2,601 to 2,629. Low mortgage rates and new tax laws continued fueling Miami real estate in April, MIAMI Chairman of the Board Jose Maria Serrano said. The new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act reduced certain deductions that homeowners in high-tax states could claim, which is encouraging more residents of states like New York to move to states with no state income tax like Florida. Total Miami Home Sales Rise in April Total Miami-Dade County Home Sales rose 1.1 percent year-over-year, from 2,601 to 2,629. Miami single-family home transactions increased 3.9 percent, from 1,217 to 1,265. Miami existing condo sales decreased 1.4 percent, from 1,384 to 1,364. According to Freddie Mac, the average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage decreased to 4.14% in April from 4.27% in March. The average commitment rate across all of 2018 was 4.54%. Total sales volume increased to $1.23 billion last month from $1.19 billion in April 2018. Single-family home dollar volume increased 6 percent from $633.3 million to $671 million. Condo dollar volume decreased 1.3 percent from $565.4 million to $557.8 million. Lack of access to mortgage loans continues to inhibit further growth of the existing condominium market. Of the 9,307 condominium buildings in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, only 12 are approved for Federal Housing Administration loans, down from 29 last year, according to Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation and FHA. 7.25 Consecutive Years of Price Appreciation in Miami Miami-Dade County single-family home prices increased 3.2 percent in April 2019, increasing from $345,000 to $356,000. Miami single-family home prices have risen for 89 consecutive months, a streak of 7.42 years. Existing condo prices increased 2.8 percent, from $241,325 to $248,000. Condo prices have increased or stayed even in 92 of the last 95 months. Miami Distressed Sales Stay Low, Reflecting Healthy Market Only 6.1 percent of all closed residential sales in Miami were distressed last month, including REO (bank-owned properties) and short sales, compared to 6.2 percent in April 2018. In 2009, distressed sales comprised 70 percent of Miami sales. Total Miami distressed sales stayed even year-over-year at 160. Short sales and REOs accounted for 1.3 and 4.8 percent, respectively, of total Miami sales in April 2019. Short sale transactions decreased 20.9 percent year-over-year while REOs increased 7.7 percent. Nationally, distressed sales represented 3% of sales in April, equal to the 3% in March and down from 4% in April 2018. One percent of April 2019 sales were short sales. Miami Real Estate Selling Close to List Price The median number of days between listing and contract dates for Miami single-family home sales was 58 days, a 28.9 percent increase from 45 days last year. The median number of days between the listing date and closing date for single-family homes was 101 days, a 12.2 percent increase from 90 days. The median time to contract for condos was 74 days, a 6.3 percent decrease from 79 days last year. The median number of days between listing date and closing date decreased 4.2 percent to 115 days. The median percent of original list price received for single-family homes was 95.5 percent. The median percent of original list price received for existing condominiums was 93.4 percent. National and State Statistics Nationally, total existing-home sales fell 0.4% from March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.19 million in April. Total sales are down 4.4% from a year ago (5.43 million in April 2018). Statewide closed sales of existing single-family homes totaled 26,992 last month, up 6.2% over April 2018, according to Florida Realtors. Looking at Floridas condo-townhouse market in x, statewide closed sales totaled 11,817, up 3.2% compared to a year ago. The national median existing-home price for all housing types in April was $267,300, up 3.6% from April 2018 ($257,900). Aprils price increase marks the 86th straight month of year-over-year gains. In April, statewide median sales prices for both single-family homes and condo-townhouse properties rose year-over-year for the 88th consecutive month. The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes was $259,470, up 2.6% from the previous year, according to data from Florida Realtors Research Department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. Last months statewide median price for condo-townhouse units was $194,050, up 2.1% over the year-ago figure. The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less. Miamis Cash Buyers Represent Almost Double the National Figure Miami cash transactions comprised 34.8 percent of April 2019 total closed sales, compared to 38.9 percent last year. Miami cash transactions are almost double the national figure (20 percent). Miamis high percentage of cash sales reflects South Floridas ability to attract a diverse number of international home buyers, who tend to purchase properties in all cash. Condominiums comprise a large portion of Miamis cash purchases as 48.8 percent of condo closings were made in cash in March compared to 19.8 percent of single-family home sales. Balanced Market for Single-Family Homes, Buyers Market for Condos Inventory of single-family homes increased 9.9 percent in April from 6,309 active listings last year to 6,935 last month. Condominium inventory increased 1.9 percent to 16,049 from 15,744 listings during the same period in 2018. The increase in inventory is for properties above $300,000 for condos and for properties above $600,000 for single family homes. Months supply of inventory for single-family homes increased 8.3 percent to 6.5 months, which indicates a balanced market. Existing condominiums have a 13.9-month supply, which indicates a buyers market. A balanced market between buyers and sellers offers between six- and nine-months supply. Total active listings at the end of April increased 4.2 percent year-over-year, from 22,053 to 22,984. Active listings remain about 60 percent below 2008 levels when sales bottomed. New listings of Miami single-family homes increased 2.4 percent to 1,909 from 1,865. New listings of condominiums decreased 2.8 percent, from 2,363 to 2,297. Nationally, total housing inventory at the end of April increased to 1.83 million, up from 1.67 million existing homes available for sale in March and a 1.7% increase from 1.80 million a year ago. Unsold inventory is at a 4.2-month supply at the current sales pace, up from 3.8 months in March and up from 4.0 months in April 2018. To access April 2019 Miami-Dade Statistical Reports, visit http://www.SFMarketIntel.com Note: Statistics in this news release may vary depending on reporting dates. MIAMI reports exact statistics directly from its MLS system. About the MIAMI Association of Realtors The MIAMI Association of Realtors was chartered by the National Association of Realtors in 1920 and is celebrating 99 years of service to Realtors, the buying and selling public, and the communities in South Florida. Comprised of six organizations, the Residential Association, the Realtors Commercial Alliance, the Broward-MIAMI Association of Realtors, the Jupiter Tequesta Hobe Sound (JTHS-MIAMI) Council, the Young Professionals Network (YPN) Council and the award-winning International Council, it represents 47,000 real estate professionals in all aspects of real estate sales, marketing, and brokerage. It is the largest local Realtor association in the U.S. and has official partnerships with 212 international organizations worldwide. MIAMIs official website is http://www.MiamiRealtors.com ### More than 3,800 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of categories. Mojo Marketing, the first and only full-service IT & telecom marketing agency, was named the winner of a Silver Stevie Award in the Company of the Year - Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations category in The 17th Annual American Business Awards. We are so honored to be recognized in our category as Company of the Year, said Angela Leavitt, founder & CEO of Mojo Marketing. The Mojo team has one objective: drive results for our clients. Its exciting to be recognized for our talent, creativity, and dedication to our clients. The American Business Awards are the U.S.A.s premier business awards program. All organizations operating in the U.S.A. are eligible to submit nominations public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small. More than 3,800 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of categories. 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. This is the second prestigious award Mojo has received in the last year. In July 2018, Mojo Marketing was named to San Diegos Top 100 fastest-growing privately held companies by the San Diego Business Journal. View the full list of 2019 Stevie winners at http://www.StevieAwards.com/ABA. About Mojo Marketing Mojo Marketing is the first and only full-service digital telecom marketing agency. With a robust network of key relationships -- including carriers, master agents, telecom agents, VARs, and media contacts -- Mojo keeps its fingers on the pulse of marketing and PR trends relevant to this industry. Mojo Marketing develops and delivers high quality marketing strategy and tactics that drive tangible results for its clients. Through values including responsiveness, integrity, creativity, and enthusiasm, Mojo is committed to helping telecom, cloud, and IT companies reach their targeted customers with the right message through the right mediums. In 2018, Mojo was named one of San Diego's Top 100 Fastest Growing Privately Held Companies by the San Diego Business Journal. 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. Attorney Mark Mathys, Law Offices of Mathys & Schneid The Elite Lawyer rating service recognizes attorneys who display a high level of competence in their practice and receive acknowledgment 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 Chicago and Naperville, Mathys has served Illinois clients for more than 25 years and is also licensed to practice law in Kentucky. After receiving his undergraduate degree from St. Norbert College in Wisconsin, Mathys earned his Juris Doctor from the DePaul University College of Law. Mathys aggressive and compassionate representation for his clients partially stems from being the victim of a car accident caused by a negligent driver, who collided with his car while running a red light. During his accomplished career, Mathys has recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for accident victims, which earned him membership with the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Mathys dedication to client service is further evidenced by his 10.0 Avvo rating and Super Lawyers designation. Mathys maintains deep ties to the community through active membership with various local, state, and national bar associations, as a legal lecturer at DePaul University and National Louis University, and the annual Mathys & Schneid Scholarship for area college students. 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 the Law Offices of Mathys & Schneid Naperville personal injury lawyers Mark W. Mathys and Mark T. Schneid bring more than two decades of trial experience and serve clients in greater Chicago and the western suburbs. The firm provides dedicated and tireless representation in injury cases, including auto accidents, nursing home abuse, medical malpractice, and workplace accidents. To learn more or to schedule a consultation, visit https://www.mathyslaw.com or call 630-428-4040. How much are Americans actually willing to do to help save the planet? President Donald Mann, head of Negative Population Growth, Inc., (NPG) has announced the release of a new research paper that focuses on how the failure to rein-in population growth in the U.S. is greatly hampering progress on our nations efforts to end global warming. The paper, titled Global Warming: Has Complacency (Finally) Yielded to Panic?, authored by NPG researcher Edwin S. Rubenstein, examines how the U.S. was slow to respond to early alarms by climate scientists decades ago and is now working overtime to play catch-up. Rubenstein presents many facts in his paper including the reality that: Eighteen of the 19 warmest years have occurred since 2001. He cites a January 2019 poll from Yale and George Mason University that shows that more Americans than ever 29 percent are very worried about climate change. In presenting the question: But how much are Americans actually willing to do to help save the planet? Rubenstein exposes a disappointing answer. He notes: Many economists support a carbon tax that would make polluters pay for emitting greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Less than half of Americans support such a tax, and even those that do are not willing to spend much. Seventy percent say they would vote against a $10 monthly fee tacked onto their utility bills; Forty percent would oppose even a $1 per month increase, according to a new AP survey. Rubenstein did not find any recent polling as to whether Americans would support population decline as part of the governments climate change agenda. However, backed by data presented by Seth Wynes, The Climate Mitigation Gap, July 2017, he found that: There is one lifestyle choice that reduces emissions on a scale attainable by government action: having one less child. To Rubensteins dismay, the best personal way of constraining global warming having one fewer child was not even considered in the 2015 Paris Agreement. Essentially, Rubenstein finds that ever-increasing economic and population growth presents us with a system whereby we can make little progress. He states: Some environmentalists still argue that Americans need focus only on increasing energy efficiency and reducing consumption in order to forestall environmental destruction. They are right to push for less consumption and increased energy efficiency, but wrong to assume such efforts can replace population control. A growing population can overwhelm improvements in energy efficiency and CO2 abatement. Indeed, we have seen this over the past few decades as reductions in energy use per capita and per dollar of GDP have failed to offset the increased numbers of capitas and dollars of GDP. Energy use and CO2 emissions have risen steadily. Rubenstein confronts the eco-optimists who hold out great promise for winning the war on climate change without addressing population growth by citing Donald Manns An Essay On a Sustainable Economy, presented in August 2014. In that paper, Mann held: Our present goal seems to be to provide an ever rising standard of living for ever increasing numbers, but that must be seen for what it is: an impossible dream. The great lesson of the industrial revolution is that vast numbers of people are simply incompatible with an industrial society. Further population growth on the gigantic scale now projected is not inevitable. With the will, we could start now on a path toward a sustainable global economy by first reducing, then stabilizing world population in the range of 1.5 to 2 billion. The negative rate of population growth we need in order to do so depends on our achieving levels of fertility substantially below replacement level in all the countries in the world. Almost all the developed countries have already reached that level. With both economic and population growth thwarting great advances in reversing current climate change trends, Rubenstein puts much of the blame on political indecisiveness which is at the heart of finding solutions to so many problems. In his conclusion to his paper he writes: Evidence that economic growth is driving CO2 emissions is overwhelming. While technological efficiencies have reduced global CO2 emissions per unit of GDP, a growing world economy has overwhelmed those advances. CO2 emissions continue to rise. When presented with a choice between reducing greenhouse gas and increasing economic growth, politicians worldwide opt for the latter. For years, politicians have managed national environmental policies the way Bernie Madoff managed his investment company as a Ponzi scheme, relying on future generations to maintain the illusion of viability. In the short run, this may be a smart political move. We are in a time when an increasing share of private citizens discount any scientific evidence that conflicts with their own ideas. In all, Rubenstein notes: Like all such schemes, the scam will eventually implode. Will it be a soft landing controlled by humans? Or will we be controlled by starvation, natural disasters, oppressive heat, and the breakdown of societal norms? Stay tuned. Founded in 1972, NPG is a national nonprofit membership organization dedicated to educating the American public and political leaders regarding the damaging effects of population growth. We believe that our nation is already vastly overpopulated in terms of the long-range carrying capacity of its resources and environment. NPG advocates the adoption of its Proposed National Population Policy, with the goal of eventually stabilizing U.S. population at a sustainable level far lower than todays. We do not simply identify the problems we propose solutions. For more information, visit our website at http://www.NPG.org, follow us on Facebook @NegativePopulationGrowth or follow us on Twitter @npg_org. Dr. James Kuffner, Jared Go, and Dr. Thuc Vu (on Ohmni) at OhmniLabs' Office We believe that Dr. Kuffners expertise as the pioneer of cloud robotics will be extremely valuable as OhmniLabs continues to grow and innovate. OhmniLabs (https://ohmnilabs.com/), a Silicon Valley-based robotics company, today introduces its new Robotics as a Service platform and the addition of Dr. James Kuffner, Chief Executive Officer at the Toyota Research Institute - Advanced Development (TRI-AD), to its Advisory Board. OhmniLabs has been committed to accelerating the robotic development process since the founding days. As a part of this commitment, OhmniLabs is leveraging its 5th generation additive manufacturing process and modular robotics hardware and software stack stack and partnering with companies around the world to bring new robots to market in record time. OhmniLabs new Robotics as a Service (RaaS) offering allows partners to focus on market, customers, and sales while OhmniLabs provides complete end-to-end robotics, technology, and production. Launch partners include Japans Toppan Merrill LLC, a leading global provider of integrated solutions in the fields of printing, communications, security, packaging, decor materials and electronics, and dozens of startups and robotics labs around the world. Dr. Kuffner joined the Toyota Research Institute (TRI) in January 2016 as the Chief Technology Officer and Area Lead, Cloud Intelligence, and was appointed Chief Executive Officer of TRI-AD in March 2018. Prior to joining TRI, Dr. Kuffner was a Research Scientist and Engineering Director at Google, where he was part of the initial engineering team that built Googles self-driving car. He was appointed head of Googles Robotics division in 2014. Dr. Kuffner is perhaps best known as the co-inventor of the Rapidly-exploring Random Tree (RRT) algorithm, which has become a key standard benchmark for robot motion planning. He has published over 125 technical papers, holds more than 40 patents, and received the Okawa Foundation Award for Young Researchers in 2007. Dr. Kuffner received a Ph.D. from Stanford University Department of Computer Science Robotics Laboratory in 1999, and was a Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Tokyo working on software and planning algorithms for humanoid robots. He joined the faculty at Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute in 2002. We are delighted to have Dr. Kuffner onboard as an advisor, said Thuc Vu, OhmniLabs Co-Founder and CEO. Both Jared Go and I enjoyed studying under Dr. Kuffner at Carnegie Mellon University. Today he continues to inspire and motivate us through both his thought leadership and practical applications of robotics technology across various methodologies and industries. We believe that Dr. Kuffners expertise as the pioneer of cloud robotics will be extremely valuable as OhmniLabs continues to grow and innovate. I am honored to be joining OhmniLabss Advisory Board, said Dr. Kuffner. I have tremendous respect for Thuc and Jared as entrepreneurs and innovators, and I look forward to working with them. About OhmniLabs OhmniLabs, Inc. is a Silicon Valley-based robotics company focused on providing demand-driven robotics solutions for businesses. Our massive library of tech modules, cloud AI and robotics services, and proprietary ultra-lean development and manufacturing processes allow us to innovate at an unmatched speed, cost, and margin compared to other robotics companies. Founded in 2015 by robotics experts Jared Go, Tingxi Tan, and serial entrepreneur, Thuc Vu, graduates of Carnegie Mellon University and Stanford University, OhmniLabs purpose is to accelerate robotic development through 3D printing and additive manufacturing. To learn more, visit our website at http://ohmnilabs.com. OptConnect, a leader in the managed wireless connectivity industry, today announced that President and CEO Chris Baird has been appointed U.S. Board Co-Chair of the ATM Industry Association (ATMIA). Baird will be serving two terms as one of two co-chairs of the U.S. Regional Board. ATMIA is the leading non-profit trade association representing the entire global ATM industry. Their regional boards are advisory groups that assist with determining region policy. As a key member leadership role, Baird will consult with the Executive Director regarding industry issues and other matters. I am excited to serve with ATMIA for the next two years as Co-Chair alongside Donna Embry," said Baird. I realize that I have some very large shoes to fill from past volunteers and industry giants and am hopeful that I can live up to their expectations. Since OptConnect began in 2009, the business has been leading wireless connectivity for the ATM industry. As a primary market for OptConnect, ATMs no longer had to worry about sharing lines with the stores telephone, their fax machines, or their credit card terminals. OptConnect is dedicated to promoting that convenience for ATM deployers, and so is ATMIA. The mission of ATMIA is to promote ATM convenience, growth and usage worldwide; to protect the ATM industry's assets, interests, good name, and public trust; and to provide education, best practices, political voice and networking opportunities for member organizations. The co-chairs of the U.S. Regional Board are important elements of member leadership, they assist ATMIA staff in determining chapter priorities and management of regional committee groups, said David Tente, Executive Director of ATMIA. I am pleased that Chris is able to contribute his time and expertise, and look forward to working with him over the next two years. For more information on ATMIA, please visit http://www.atmia.com. For more information about OptConnect, please visit http://www.optconnect.com. About ATMIA ATMIA is the leading non-profit trade association representing the entire global ATM industry. ATMIA serves more than 11,000 members from over 650 companies located in 70 countries spanning the entire ATM ecosphere, including financial institutions, independent ATM deployers, equipment manufacturers, processors and a plethora of ATM service and value-added solution providers. Founded in 1997, ATMIA has active chapters in the United States, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Asia, Africa, India, and the Middle East to focus on the unique needs and issues of each region. 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 companys 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. Dr. Sunita Merriman With over 25 years of clinical experience, Dr. Sunita Merriman believes that sleep, mental health and oral health are the cornerstones of systemic health, overall wellness and an optimal quality of life. This is why Dr. Merriman bridges treatment for snoring, sleep apnea and CPAP intolerance, and comprehensive general and cosmetic dentistry at her Westfield, New Jersey practice. Her practice, the New Jersey Dental Sleep Medicine Center (NJDSMC) is dedicated to helping the community improve their health and quality of life by treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), snoring and CPAP intolerance. Dr. Merriman is committed to educating the medical and dental community about Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) and its role in treating Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB). She is also committed to exploring how OAT could help patients who have a history of trauma and/or mental illness and suffer from SDB and Insomnia. Dr. Merriman graduated with honors and received multiple awards from the College of Dentistry at New York University and successfully completed a two year residency in general dentistry from Long Island Jewish Medical Center. She is a Diplomate of both the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine (ABDSM) and the American Board of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine (ABCDSM). This achievement is notable as a minority of dentists achieve Diplomate status with one Dental Sleep Board and even fewer do so with multiple Boards. There are only approximately 300 dentists in the United States who have met these Board requirements. Dr. Merriman was able to attain this prestigious recognition by successfully completing a multi-stage process of both Boards which included meeting stringent pre-certification requirements, a comprehensive written examination, in addition to a thorough review of patient care skills and outcomes. To stay updated on emerging tools and technologies, Dr. Merriman attends conferences, reads published materials, and regularly converses with colleagues. She also believes that being an educator helps her to be a life- long learner. In addition to her professional career, Dr. Merriman is a poet and recently published her first book of poems, Stripping: My Fight to Find Me. You can learn more about her mission on her personal website: http://www.SunitaMerriman.com To learn more about this NJ Top Dentist and how dental sleep medicine can benefit you, please click here: https://njtopdocs.com/nj-dentists/drsunitamerriman/ ---- About Us NJ Top Dentists is a division of NJ Top Docs. NJ Top Docs is a comprehensive, trusted and exclusive healthcare resource featuring reviewed and approved Top Doctors and Dentists in New Jersey online in an easy to use format. NJ Top Docs only reviews and approves providers based on merit after they have been extensively vetted. NJ Top Docs is a division of USA Top Docs which allows patients to meet providers online before making their appointment. For more information, please click here to contact us or visit http://www.NJTopDocs.com. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter 2019 JTHS-MIAMI President Kim Price Homebuyers are attracted to Palm Beach real estate not just because of the recent federal tax overhaul, but because of the communitys incredible growth in academic, health care and cultural institutions" Palm Beach County existing single-family home sales and total luxury $1-million-and-up transactions increased year-over-year in April, according to the MIAMI Association of Realtors (MIAMI) and the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system. Palm Beach single-family home sales increased 1.4 percent, from 1,690 to 1,714. Total luxury transactions increased 5.2 percent, from 210 to 221. Homebuyers are attracted to Palm Beach real estate not just because of the recent federal tax overhaul, but because of the communitys incredible growth in academic, health care and cultural institutions, 2019 JTHS-MIAMI President Kim Price said. Palm Beach is becoming more of an established community. More residents of high-tax states such as New York and California are looking to live here because of Palm Beachs overall growth as a county. Total Home Sales Increase in April Total Palm Beach County home sales increased 0.03 percent year-over-year in April 2019, from 3,097 to 3,098. Palm Beach single-family home sales increased 1.4 percent, from 1,690 to 1,714. Palm Beach condo sales decreased 1.6 percent, from 1,407 to 1,384. Total sales volume stayed about even at $1.4 billion. Single-family home dollar volume decreased 5.2 percent from $1 billion to $988.8 million. Condo dollar volume increased 2.2 percent from $442 million to $451.6 million. According to Freddie Mac, the average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage decreased to 4.14% in April from 4.27% in March. The average commitment rate across all of 2018 was 4.54%. Palm Beach Single-Family Home Median Prices Continue Rising Palm Beach County single-family home prices stayed even in April at $350,000. Existing condo prices increased 1.8 percent, from $181,750 to $185,000 in April. Palm Beach Distressed Sales Comprise Just 3.5 Percent of Total Sales Only 3.5 percent of all closed residential sales in Palm Beach were distressed in April 2019, including REO (bank-owned properties) and short sales, compared to 3.2 percent in April 2018. Total Palm Beach distressed sales increased 6.1 percent year-over-year, from 98 to 104. Short sales and REOs accounted for 0.8 and 2.5 percent, respectively, of total Palm Beach sales in April 2019. Short sale transactions increased 18.2 percent, from 22 to 26. REOs increased 2.6 percent, from 76 to 78. Nationally, distressed sales represented 3% of sales in April, equal to the 3% in March and down from 4% in April 2018. One percent of April 2019 sales were short sales. Palm Beach Real Estate Selling Close to List Price The median number of days between listing and contract dates for Palm Beach single-family home sales was 55 days, a 31 percent increase from 42 days last year. The median number of days between the listing date and closing date for single-family homes was 97 days, a 11.5 percent increase from 87 days. The median time to contract for condos was 56 days, a 9.8 percent increase from 51 days last year. The median number of days between listing date and closing date was 97 days, a 6.6 increase from 91 days last year. The median percent of original list price received for single-family homes was 94.4 percent. The median percent of original list price received for existing condominiums was 93.4 percent. National and State Statistics Nationally, total existing-home sales fell 0.4% from March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.19 million in April. Total sales are down 4.4% from a year ago (5.43 million in April 2018). Statewide closed sales of existing single-family homes totaled 26,992 last month, up 6.2% over April 2018, according to Florida Realtors. Looking at Floridas condo-townhouse market in x, statewide closed sales totaled 11,817, up 3.2% compared to a year ago. The national median existing-home price for all housing types in April was $267,300, up 3.6% from April 2018 ($257,900). Aprils price increase marks the 86th straight month of year-over-year gains. In April, statewide median sales prices for both single-family homes and condo-townhouse properties rose year-over-year for the 88th consecutive month. The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes was $259,470, up 2.6% from the previous year, according to data from Florida Realtors Research Department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. Last months statewide median price for condo-townhouse units was $194,050, up 2.1% over the year-ago figure. The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less. Palm Beach Cash Buyers Represent More than Double the National Figure Palm Beach cash transactions comprised 45.6 percent of April 2019 total closed sales, compared to 48.8 percent last year. Palm Beach cash transactions are more than double the national figure (20 percent). Condominiums comprise a large portion of Palm Beachs cash purchases as 58.5 percent of condo closings were made in cash in April compared to 35.2 percent of single-family home sales. Sellers Market for Palm Beach Single-Family Homes, Balanced Market for Condos Inventory of single-family homes increased 3.9 percent in April from 7,233 active listings last year to 7,515 in April 2019. Condominium inventory decreased 1.5 percent to 6,400 from 6,495 listings during the same period in 2018. Months supply of inventory for single-family homes increased 6 percent to 5.3 months, which indicates a sellers market. Existing condominiums have a 5.7-month supply, which indicates a balanced market. A balanced market between buyers and sellers offers between six and nine months of supply. Total active listings at the end of April increased 1.4 percent year-over-year, from 13,728 to 13,915. New listings of Palm Beach single-family homes decreased 4.2 percent to 2,087 from 2,179. New listings of condominiums decreased 7.3 percent, from 1,774 to 1,645. Nationally, total housing inventory at the end of April increased to 1.83 million, up from 1.67 million existing homes available for sale in March and a 1.7% increase from 1.80 million a year ago. Unsold inventory is at a 4.2-month supply at the current sales pace, up from 3.8 months in March and up from 4.0 months in April 2018. To access April 2019 Palm Beach County Statistical Reports, visit http://www.SFMarketIntel.com Note: Statistics in this news release may vary depending on reporting dates. MIAMI reports exact statistics directly from its MLS system. About the MIAMI Association of Realtors The MIAMI Association of Realtors was chartered by the National Association of Realtors in 1920 and is celebrating 99 years of service to Realtors, the buying and selling public, and the communities in South Florida. Comprised of six organizations, the Residential Association, the Realtors Commercial Alliance, the Broward-MIAMI Association of Realtors, the Jupiter Tequesta Hobe Sound (JTHS-MIAMI) Council, the Young Professionals Network (YPN) Council and the award-winning International Council, it represents 47,000 real estate professionals in all aspects of real estate sales, marketing, and brokerage. It is the largest local Realtor association in the U.S. and has official partnerships with 212 international organizations worldwide. MIAMIs official website is http://www.MiamiRealtors.com This was a unique project for our 3D Modelers to work on, said Dan McCarty, owner of QA Graphics. They [Timeless Columbaria] have some great concepts for statues and monuments that we have enjoyed bringing to life. QA Graphics, a full-service digital design company, is a recipient of a Gold Hermes Award in the Motion Graphics for Product category displaying their Raceway Piston video. To view the video visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGCsz8WI8SY. The Hermes Creative Awards recognizes outstanding work in the marketing and design industry, with winners selected from over 6,000 entries worldwide. QA Graphics has over a decade of experience in 3D design and animation. By working with QA Graphics, Timeless Columbaria gained a video that showcased a virtual Richmond Raceway environment, including the Piston Statue coming to Virginia. The highlighted piece contains one of the 125 individual sections for fans to purchase, securing their favorite raceway memories for future generations. QA Graphics was honored to bring Timeless Columbarias vision to life with a video message to capture the audiences attention to be used as a tool in their marketing efforts that showcases their unique product design. This was a unique project for our 3D Modelers to work on, said Dan McCarty, owner of QA Graphics. They [Timeless Columbaria] have some great concepts for statues and monuments that we have enjoyed bringing to life. The Hermes is an international competition, recognizing outstanding achievements by creative professionals involved in the concept, writing, and design, of traditional materials, programs, and emerging technologies. Winners are selected from 200 categories grouped under advertising, publications, marketing/branding, integrated marketing, public relations/communications, electronic media and pro bono. AMCP judges are industry professionals who look for companies and individuals whose talent exceeds a high standard of excellence and whose work serves as a benchmark for the industry. To view the video visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGCsz8WI8SY A list of Gold Winners can be found on the Hermes Creative Awards website at https://enter.hermesawards.com/winners/#/gold/2019. About QA GraphicsQA Graphics specializes in BAS graphic development services, system graphics, floor plan graphics, and Energy Efficiency Education Dashboards (EEEDs). The company also provides custom marketing solutions such as interactive applications, 3D design and animation, UX design, and videos. In addition to everything else, remaining vendor-neutral allows QA Graphics to specialize in creating top-quality graphics at affordable rates. Visit http://www.qag3d.com to learn more. Qorus Software Qorus Software has been a long-standing supporter and sponsor of APMP Bid & Proposal Con and we are again looking forward to this year as we showcase our innovative technology solutions that empower sales, bid and proposal teams to work more efficiently", said Heather Thompson, SVP of Marketing. Qorus, a global provider of intuitive solutions for proposal and sales teams, is set to introduce its latest integration with Microsoft Teams to conference attendees at the APMP Bid & Proposal Con 2019, taking place in Orlando, Florida from 20 to 23 May 2019. Qorus is a Gold Sponsor of the conference and will be represented at Booth 41. Comments David Mead, Senior Vice President Global Business Development, at Qorus: As always, we are looking forward to attending the highly anticipated Bid & Proposal Con and are proud to be associated with the conference. We welcome Qorus clients and all conference attendees to visit our booth to view a live demo of the Qorus platform and to learn more about our latest integration. The integration with Microsoft Teams allows for even deeper collaboration, enabling users to interact and share proposal content directly from Teams. Read more: Qorus integrates with Microsoft Teams to help revenue teams win more deals - http://bit.ly/30vyn6i Visitors to Booth 41 also stand a chance of winning the latest Apple AirPods, so if you are attending this annual APMP Conference, make sure you stop by the booth to enter the competition. Qorus is the sales enablement platform that connects people, content and data to get to market fast and win more deals. Qorus is incredibly powerful but highly intuitive and very easy to use. Its integrated across Microsoft 365 and major CRMs. The company has also become recognized as an industry leader, having launched its annual proposal management survey in 2015. Every year, Qorus collects and shares the opinions and views of proposal professionals to better understand this high-pressured environment. The resulting webinars and reports are always well attended by proposal managers. Qorus is a diverse, vibrant business with headquarters in Seattle and major offices in New York, London and Cape Town. The APMP Bid & Proposal Con is the worlds largest conference for proposal, bid, tender, capture, business development and graphics professionals. This year marks the conferences 30th anniversary. Attendees from around the world and from all industries, including government and business sectors, will have the opportunity to discover more about tested information, proven strategies, and best practices from the best and brightest in the industry. For more information on how Qorus helps to empower proposal and sales teams through their technology, visit http://www.qorusdocs.com or contact info@qorusdocs.com. Jason Hart - Partner Experience Manager Im excited about RapidScales position in the market and the growing opportunity to help businesses leverage technology to meet their business objectives. RapidScale, a Cox Business company, welcomes Jason Hart to the team as partner experience manager for the Mid-Atlantic region. Hart is responsible for partnership development, partner relationship management, sales enablement, and solution selling in the area. Im excited about RapidScales position in the market and the growing opportunity to help businesses leverage technology to meet their business objectives, said Hart. I believe RapidScale is poised for high and consistent growth through its innovation, industry talent, and alignment with Cox Business. Hart has 18 years of IT, cloud, and channel sales experience, with expertise in a vast range of technologies across traditional IT, hosted cloud solutions, managed services, SaaS, and data infrastructure modernization. He has worked with SMB, SLED, and enterprise segments. In addition, he has executed successful initiatives such as building, curating, and driving the adoption of a robust cloud services portfolio for his sales partners. Hart encourages sales professionals to understand how leveraging cloud solutions positions themselves as a trusted advisor where hosted solutions and financial treatments create the agility businesses seek. Jasons strategic approach in obtaining and maintaining partner relationships has set him up for a great start here at RapidScale, and Im confident that his innovative ideas will be a beneficial asset to the team, said Bob Buchanan, executive vice president of sales. I look forward to applying my ideas and experience to help sales partners execute a strategy to scale their businesses significantly, said Hart. About RapidScale RapidScale, a Cox Business company, is a managed and hybrid-managed cloud services provider that delivers world-class, secure, and reliable global cloud computing. RapidScales award-winning 24x7x365 global support and help desk team ensure that organizations receive the most innovative technology backed by the most highly responsive and knowledgeable service technicians in the industry, freeing up IT leaders to focus on strategy and driving their businesses forward with technology. RapidScales innovative solutions include CloudDesktop, CloudServer, CloudSecurity, CloudRecovery, CloudMail, CloudApps, SD WAN and more. For more information on RapidScale, visit http://www.rapidscale.net. Cox Communications owns Cox Business and is a facilities-based provider of voice. Video, and data solutions for commercial customers. More information about Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at http://www.cox.com. RESPEC 50 Year Anniversary Founded in 1969, RESPEC, Inc., is a globally recognized integrated solutions firm with expertise in water science, geoscience, engineering, and data and internet technology. RESPEC recently celebrated its 50th anniversary at its headquarters in Rapid City, South Dakota. Since its beginning as a small engineering firm in the Black Hills in 1969, RESPEC has steadily grown over five decades to become a leader of innovative engineering and advanced technological solutions, with 22 locations across North America. RESPEC is an employee-owned company that has over 300 employees and annual revenues above $50 million. Throughout our history, we have tried to keep our approach to business simple: it begins and ends with hiring talented and caring people. You get that right and everything else comes together, said Todd Kenner, CEO and president. We are excited about our future and are confident that the next generation of leadership will continue to build upon the history and success of RESPEC. For much of the 1970s and 1980s, RESPEC was primarily focused on solving one of our nations greatest challenges: developing a scientifically sound deep geological waste repository. Research efforts of the early RESPEC team were instrumental in the licensing of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Through these efforts, RESPEC developed a world-class reputation for salt rock mechanics. RESPEC serves both government projects and commercial business, with international reach across a broad spectrum of industries and with clients in 26 countries. In North America, RESPEC has served on numerous city, state, and federal projects. Clients include the Department of Energy, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Education, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratory, and commercial partnerships with Google, Microsoft, Oracle, and many others. With a world-renowned reputation for solving the worlds most difficult problems with science and engineering breakthroughs, RESPECs accomplishments are many. Over the past 50 years, RESPECs achievements include innovations in the fields of high-speed precision measurement, predictive mapping, water modeling, underground mapping, video monitoring, remote reporting, cyber resilience, and the integration of heightened security with advanced IT for large-scale operations. Among numerous awards and citations for excellence, RESPEC is a past recipient of the prestigious American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Grand Award for Engineering Excellence as well as the South Dakota Engineering Societys Outstanding Achievement award. At RESPECs 50th anniversary celebration, RESPECs original founders were honored, including Dr. Paul Gnirk, PE, past president and principal consultant; Floyd Matthew, PE, consultant (deceased); Dr. Earl Hoskins, consultant; Dr. James Russell, consultant (deceased); Dr. William Reuter, consultant (deceased); and Michael DeMersseman, Esq., corporate attorney. Other long-time RESPEC staff were honored, including Dr. Leo L. Van Sambeek, PE, vice president and principal consultant; Thomas J. Zeller, PE, former president and CEO; Dr. Gary D. Callahan, PE, former vice president of engineering and principal consultant; Kirby D. Mellegard, PE, former manager of the Materials Testing Laboratory; Dr. John D. Osnes, PE, former manager of geomechanics and principal consultant; and Julie Annicchiarico, former corporate director of resources and information, along with current leadership and CEO and President Todd Kenner. To learn more information about RESPEC, visit http://www.respec.com. About RESPEC Founded in 1969, RESPEC is one company, with 22 locations in North America and strategic alliances worldwide. A global leader in water science, geoscience, engineering, and data and internet technology, award-winning RESPEC has a 50-year reputation of technical excellence in meeting client goals for businesses and organizations in water, natural resources, mining, energy, infrastructure, and IT and data technology services. Rick Citron, Veteran Lawyer and Entrepreneur Rick Citron, acclaimed attorney of Citron & Deutsch, wins Best of Los Angeles Award- Best Business Attorney - 2019, according to Aurora DeRose, award coordinator for the Best of Los Angeles Award community. The Best of Los Angeles Award community was formed four years ago and consists of over 5,300 professional members living and working in Southern California. It celebrates the best people, places and things in Los Angeles with a slogan No Ads. No B.S. Only the Best. The mission of the community is to celebrate the best of Los Angeles, and allow its community members to connect with other members who share the highest standards of quality and integrity, expresses DeRose. "We're honored to include Rick Citron of Citron & Deutsch into our BoLAA family." Rick Citron is an attorney and entrepreneur specializing in business law, real estate, and succession planning. With over 40 years of experience in practicing law, Citron has contributed to the success stories of hundreds of companies, utilizing his experience and the synergy of a carefully nurtured network of professionals. His support and counsel have fostered positive business relationships, and created a loyal client base for the boutique law firm of Citron & Deutsch. He continues to share his knowledge and experience through guest seminars on raising capital, succession planning, communications, technology and law. Citron & Deutsch (C&D) law firm has provided a unique combination of legal and business consulting services. With their entrepreneurial background and the professional networking that comes after forming more than 2,000 entities, they know what it takes to develop a valuable business. Whether its creating partnerships, designing business strategies, or developing management teams, theyre experts at identifying the missing elements needed to cultivate desired results. C&D is, in the sense, an entrepreneurial greenhouse" that assists each level of corporate growth and nurtures businesses for lasting success. Online Guide for Entire Communities It takes a village to level the online playing field, and it starts with a book. Google, Amazon, and online technology trends in general are making it increasingly difficult for small, local, and independent businesses to compete in an online playing field where the bigger and established businesses are favored, and the needs of small businesses and their communities are sidelined. Sen. Elizabeth Warren proposed breaking up Google and Amazon as a solution. Breaking up big businesses does not address the fact that small businesses are lacking the tools and resources to overcome their technology, time, and cost hurdles, or that in a consumer-driven economy breaking up Google and Amazon is insensitive to the consumer needs. Easier access to technology and support will enable small businesses to compete more effectively online with their unique strengths. To become the default choice online, however, small businesses need the ability to band together online into their own search and shopping marketplaces that offer consumers greater choices and conveniences than Google and Amazon. SharedMall is leading the charge with the deployment of the next generation online infrastructure that not only helps each small business overcome their individual online hurdles, but also brings their independent websites together in real-time, into any number of community-centric search and shopping alternatives to Google and Amazon. "This system will enable the small business owner to hold his own by strengthening the position in community, offering access above national and international players", says Marc Blackwell, an American designer and the owner of a boutique cafe in downtown Seattle, who has first-hand experience as a small business owner trying to overcome the online challenges and threats. Website and e-commerce platforms in general, including popular ones like WordPress and Shopify, lack the architecture to bring independent websites together into real-time online search and shopping marketplaces, leaving businesses in isolation online, in a landscape where search and shopping marketplaces are the consumer's preferred choice. Anette Sarkissian, a Western clothing designer of 40+ years selling retail and wholesale primarily through her website at AnnNEve.com was frustrated with hyped-up promises from online platform and service providers, to the point that she was ready to quit, "until I found SharedMall", she says, adding, "SharedMall has adapted to my needs and has now become the backbone of my business and I'm excited about the future with SharedMall." Innovation, standardization, and community are essential ingredients for leveling the online playing field. SharedMall is built on this foundation and is breaking away from the traditional mold that fosters monopolization, to one that enables each community to own its alternative to Google and Amazon and gives businesses better control over their online costs and growth prospects. The Online Transformation where small businesses, webmasters, shop local advocates, and community leaders collaborate in the true sense of a community towards a common online vision, is what will level the online playing field, and perhaps even tip it in favor of small businesses and local economies. It takes a village to level the online playing field, and it starts with a book that addresses all perspectives and brings everybody on the same page. Escaping SEO and Amazon, an Amazon bestseller, provides the foundation for this future and serves as an easy read non-technical guide for audiences of all business backgrounds, to gain a common understanding of the "why" (change is needed) and to put the focus on "how" (to implement the change). Marji Graf, President and CEO of the Rockville chamber of commerce in Maryland has witnessed the constant struggles of many small businesses over the years in her career as a small business advocate. She believes in the future prescribed by SharedMall, is leading the conversation in Rockville, and has this to say to her peers at other chambers of commerce, "we can implement this technology in all chambers to benefit all small businesses" Google is the standard for search engines, Amazon is the standard for marketplaces, and SharedMall is defining the standard for the next generation website, shopping cart, and community-sensitive search and shopping marketplaces. It's a future where the overhead of SEO is no longer required, Amazon's growth is no longer a threat to small businesses and local economies, and community leaders are better equipped to counter current and future online threats. SkyTouch Technology, the 100% cloud-based Operations Platform for future-thinking hoteliers, announced today that it has connected its platform with OpenKey, the industry standard for Universal mobile key in hotels. The integration, powered by the SkyTouch /CONNECT integration platform, enables properties to use the mobile keyless entry and the SkyTouch Hotel Operations Platform together through the popular OpenKey app, which is available on both iOS and Android devices. Hoteliers can use the integration to help gain a competitive advantage by delivering on guest expectations by managing their stay with the latest hotel technology. This new solution allows hotels to automatically email guests their mobile key information and a link to download the app. Within a matter of seconds, the guest can check-in via their smartphone and proceed to access their room with the tap of a button. Hoteliers can easily personalize the mobile key configuration by allowing access to VIP areas, meeting rooms, parking and more, depending on the individual. The partnership between OpenKey and SkyTouch represents a leap forward in capability and convenience for thousands of hotels that are now able to automatically issue mobile keys to guests by simply checking them in to the PMS. Together, SkyTouch and OpenKey are improving the way hotels engage with guests and reducing the amount of discarded plastic in the environment by making keyless entry fast, easy and automatic, says OpenKey VP of Sales and Marketing, Brian Shedd. At SkyTouch, we are always looking to build relationships with visionary companies like OpenKey to empower our Hoteliers to provide the latest solutions that their guests crave, says SkyTouch Director of Product Management, Charlie Green. It was exciting to see how quickly OpenKey was able to develop to our SkyTouch /CONNECT integration platform. For more information on the SkyTouch + OpenKey integration, visit http://go.skytouchtechnology.com/openkey About SkyTouch Technology SkyTouch Technology is the provider of a widely used cloud-based property management system. Built in the cloud by hotel professionals for hotel companies, the SkyTouch hotel operations platform is designed to help hotel executives meet their most important strategic objectives: to enhance the guest experience, advance performance, and achieve growth while evolving with changing market needs. Accessible from anywhere, the SkyTouch PMS provides visibility and control of operations through real-time, impactful business analytics that help improve hotel guest experience, operational decision-making, and financial results for todays hotelier. SkyTouch provides an integrated approach to online hotel reservations that fits any size property. For more information about SkyTouch Technology, visit http://www.skytouchtechnology.com. SkyTouch, SkyTouch Technology, and SkyTouch Hotel OS are proprietary trademarks and service marks of SkyTouch Solutions, LLC About OpenKey Founded in 2014, OpenKey is reinventing the hospitality experience through its mobile access solution. The OpenKey app is the industry standard for universal mobile key technology and works with the majority of digital hotel locks. Hotels and their guests benefit from OpenKeys platform providing efficiency, convenience and cost savings. OpenKey is a privately held company located in Plano, Texas. The company has been funded by several of the largest hotel ownership and management companies in the world. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices. For more information, please visit http://www.openkey.co. Press Contacts: Chris Brown SkyTouch Technology 602.337.2868 cbrown(at)skytouchtechnology(dot)com Open Key Media Inquiries 469.661.0841 media(at)openkey(dot)co With Hello Mobile, were able to offer wireless data and voice service for less than nearly any other company in the nation. In the face of industry-wide price hikes, one of South Floridas fastest growing technology companies, Quadrant Holdings, announced the launch of Hello Mobile, a prepaid wireless phone company. With rates starting at just $5 per month including taxes Hello Mobile will likely disrupt the multi-billion-dollar prepaid phone industry. In addition to low-priced plans, the new company also allows its customers to bring their own phone, port their cell number, and enroll entirely online. South Florida entrepreneur and company founder, Issa Asad launched Hello Mobile with a clear vision in mind: to bring connectivity to vulnerable populations who have been historically shut off from connectivity, particularly those living in rural areas, where prepaid phone service often required access to retail outlets. Launching Hello Mobile is an exciting step for us and an important option for people who need low-cost connectivity, said Issa Asad. Its becoming harder and harder for Americans to qualify for conventional wireless plans that require a credit history, which is essential when signing up for wireless service that invoices at the end of the month. For these folks, prepaid plans are their only choice; however, even prepaid plans can be financially out of reach for many families. With Hello Mobile, were able to offer wireless data and voice service for less than nearly any other company in the nation. To further underscore Hello Mobiles mission to provide affordable wireless connectivity, the company is offering a Buy 1 Month, Get 1 FREE promotion to customers who sign up through the summer. When any customer signs up and pays for their first month of service, they will get a second month of service at no cost. The news of Hello Mobiles aggressive pricing follows announcements of 2019 rate hikes from other prepaid wireless companies, such as Mint Mobile. By contrast, Hello Mobiles customers can get 1 GB of data as well as unlimited talk, text, and international calling for just $10 per month. The companys most popular plan includes unlimited data, unlimited talk, unlimited text, plus international calling for only $25 per month. Consumers can bring their own phones or purchase one from Hello Mobile. And the entire sign-up process can be done online in a few minutes no trip to a storefront required. Unlimited international calling distinguishes our plans from many of the prepaid options currently available, added Issa Asad. Hello Mobile is proud to recognize and meet the needs of our diverse customer base, affordably, no matter where they are from or what country they are calling. Hello Mobile, the only prepaid carrier that offers a quick and easy way to switch providers, launched April 15th. To sign up for its contract-free, affordable plans, visit HelloMobile.com. For more information about Hello Mobile, or to schedule an interview with Issa Asad, please contact Meieli Sawyer at 305-668-0070 or msawyer(at)weinbachgroup(dot)com. About Hello Mobile Hello Mobile, a Quadrant Holdings Company, provides data and voice service to customers throughout the U.S. through its low-cost, prepaid mobile phone plans. The company is headquartered in Dania Beach, is recognized as one of the Inc. 5000, and earned an A rating from the Better Business Bureau. To meet viewers QoE expectations in a cost-effective manner, operators and content owners need a unified system that can accurately predict human perceptual QoE and can proactively identify trouble spots in the delivery chain. Dr. Zhou Wang, the Emmy Award-winning video quality systems inventor, will discuss the science behind true end-to-end Quality of Experience systems and the implications for consumer satisfaction and MSO bottom lines in an era of direct-to-consumer TV when he speaks next month at ANGA COM in Cologne, Germany. Dr. Wang co-founder and Chief Science Officer of SSIMWAVE and inventor of the next-gen Structural Similarity index method (SSIMPLUS) for measuring QoE will participate with ARRIS CTO Charles Cheevers, Synamedia Director of Product Management Elke Hungenaert and other thought leaders on the Video Delivery from the Cloud to the Consumer: What happens on the last Mile panel. Scheduled for Thursday, June 6 (10:00 a.m.-11:15 a.m.) at the Koelnmesse, the panel will address a variety of topics related to OTT distribution, including strategies for video processing and personalization. The compression, encoding, packaging and other steps needed to deliver video streams across diverse direct-to-consumer networks can severely impact the quality experienced by the end viewer, said Dr. Wang. To meet viewers QoE expectations in a cost-effective manner, operators and content owners need a unified system that can accurately predict human perceptual QoE and can proactively identify trouble spots in the delivery chain. While accurate monitoring is critical to maximizing performance of large-scale video distribution networks, operators still count on traditional methods that operate independently at different points along the video delivery chain, reporting partial, inconsistent and fragmented data. SSIMWAVEs unified end-to-end quality monitoring performs instantaneous, correlated measurement across all points to capture even the smallest video impairments, expediting the ability of network operations centers to diagnose and solve problems. Earlier this month, Dr. Wang and Akamais Thomas Stark discussed at Streaming Media East the importance of perceptual quality and the value of SSIMPLUS in measuring video fidelity as seen by the viewer topics captured in a recent Akamai white paper entitled What Does Good Look Like? SSIMWAVE provides measurement solutions for some of the largest cable system operators in the United States and Canada, and is monitoring video QoE for tens of millions of subscribers across North America. At ANGA COM, SSIMWAVE will complement Dr. Wangs panel talk with presentations in Meeting Room 10 on the second floor of Hall 7 to show the technology, market and business impact of its solutions. The presentations will highlight the ability of the SSIMPLUS algorithm to catch hard failures such as video freezes, macroblocking and audio silence and their effect on viewers QoE. Meetings can be scheduled for June 4-6 [here. SSIMWAVE Inc. A company at the forefront of Viewer Intelligence (VI), SSIMWAVE is built on an Engineering Emmy Award-winning algorithm. SSIMWAVE is defining the future of video delivery by beginning with the end-viewer in mind. SSIMWAVE provides the most accurate measure of how humans perceive video. By modeling, measuring and optimizing viewer experience at every stage of the digital video distribution system, broadcasters, streamers, and content creators can deliver the ultimate viewing experience to consumers on any screen over any network. StorageOS Announces Rancher Partnership for Seamless Cloud Native Storage Integration The combination of Rancher and StorageOS gives Kubernetes users a powerful cloud native platform with the management layer and persistent storage needed to maximize their investment in containers, improve production deployment and decrease infrastructure costs. StorageOS, a leading provider of software-defined, persistent storage for containers, today announced its integration with Rancher Labs. Now available in the Rancher catalog, StorageOS seamlessly integrates with Rancher for users to run stateful applications, such as databases or CI/CD applications, under the control of Kubernetes without the application data being lost. Rancher is a powerful choice for enterprises looking to run containers and Kubernetes in production, said Chris Brandon, CEO at StorageOS. Partnering with Rancher and being available in the catalog allows customers to maximize their investment in Kubernetes and Rancher as they are able to use StorageOS to deploy stateful workloads in production. Rancher deploys Kubernetes clusters anywhere, on any provider and unites them under centralized authentication and access control. Both infrastructure and OS agnostic, the StorageOS/Rancher integration allows users to deploy databases, message queues, and mission-critical stateful applications anywhere. Shannon Williams, co-founder of Rancher Labs said, The combination of Rancher and StorageOS gives Kubernetes users a powerful cloud native platform with the management layer and persistent storage needed to maximize their investment in containers, improve production deployment and decrease infrastructure costs. StorageOS is built from the bottom up with no legacy restrictions. It allows Kubernetes and Rancher users to save on infrastructure software and hardware costs, improve application agility and operational efficiency and respond to business change quickly. StorageOS v1.2 is now available enhancing performance, security and delivering Rapid Failover. StorageOS will present a Kubernetes Master Class on Fast Database Recovery on Rancher on July 30, 2019 to showcase how StorageOS implements fencing for fast database recovery on Rancher. Product Availability StorageOS can be deployed from the Rancher catalog. Special pricing is available to Rancher users by contacting sales@storageos.com. Supporting Resources Documentation | Volume Guide | About the Partnership | Learn more about StorageOS at KubeCon, booth S35. About StorageOS StorageOS is a cloud native, software-defined storage solution to deliver persistent storage for containers. StorageOS is built from the ground-up with no legacy restrictions to give users total control of storage with no compromise on performance, availability or security. For additional information, visit http://www.storageos.com. About Rancher Labs Rancher Labs builds innovative, open source software for enterprises leveraging containers and Kubernetes to accelerate software development and improve IT operations. The flagship Rancher container management platform allows users to easily manage all aspects of running Kubernetes in production, on any infrastructure. RancherOS is a simplified Linux distribution built from containers for running containers. For additional information, visit http://www.rancher.com. The companies on Inc.'s Best Workplaces list are setting an example that the whole country can learn from. Suvoda LLC, a SaaS provider of Interactive Response Technology (IRT) for clinical trial randomization and drug supply chain management, has been named one of Inc. Magazines Best Workplaces for 2019, Inc.s fourth annual ranking of the fast-growing private company sector. The full list, now featured on Inc.com and hitting the newsstands on May 28, is the result of a comprehensive measurement of private American companies that have created exceptional workplaces through vibrant cultures, deep employee engagement, and comprehensive benefits. Out of nearly 2,000 submissions, Inc. singled out just 346 honorees. "This is such an honor for Suvoda, and I am proud of our talented employees, says Mela Drakatos, Vice President of Talent, Culture, & Employee Care at Suvoda. We are committed to creating a culture of trust and openness that rewards performance. I am grateful to every single person at Suvoda for embracing our values and helping to build our culture as we grow. Since being founded in 2012, Suvoda has grown year-over-year into a global IRT provider. Suvodas 325 employees in the US and Europe have assisted more than 150 pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies run complex clinical trials to bring life-saving therapies to patients. Each nominated company took part in an employee survey, conducted by Quantum Workplace, on topics including trust, management effectiveness, perks, and confidence in the future. Inc. gathered, analyzed, and audited the data, then ranked all employers using a composite score of survey results. The strongest engagement scores for the Inc. Magazine Best Workplaces list came from companies that prioritize the most human elements of work. These companies are leading the way in employee recognition, performance management, and diversity. "With today's tight labor market, building a great corporate culture is more important than ever, says Inc. Magazine editor in chief James Ledbetter. The companies on Inc.'s Best Workplaces list are setting an example that the whole country can learn from." Artificial intelligence (AI) security and defense company Synapse Technology today announced that it continues to expand its Syntech ONE 200 automated threat detection platform. Syntech ONE delivers the highest detection rates in the industry, including the newly released ammunition detection, on both aviation and critical infrastructure X-ray machines. Synapse invented AI threat detection and our technology is available for immediate use on thousands of checkpoint X-Ray systems worldwide including nearly every airport checkpoint in the US, Europe, Asia and Latin America. explained Synapse CEO, Peter Kant. Synapse customers are benefiting from our patented and expanding AI detection capabilities and are able to use their current X-Ray system. Syntech ONE is an AI-powered software platform that dramatically improves the effectiveness of checkpoint x-ray scanners by automating detection of prohibited items. Its growing threat detection library, which now includes ammunition in addition to gun components, sharps and knives, is the most extensive in the industry. With false alarm rates in the field of 0.3% on sharps and 0.01% on firearms, and detection rates above 99% for firearms, Syntech ONEs performance is superior to other commercially-available systems. Syntech ONE offers customers a truly open integration platform that supports full backward compatibility with any X-ray manufacturer and model, including Smiths Detection, Rapiscan and Astrophysics standard checkpoint x-ray scanners. Syntech ONE is already widely deployed and has processed over 10,000,000 passenger bags. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recognizes the value of Syntech ONE and has granted Synapse Technology Corporation a SAFETY Act award for its technology platform. In addition, the US Airforce recently awarded Synapse a contract which allows US DOD and other US government customers to easily acquire the advanced software. With the addition of ammunition detection and best-in-class support for a majority of worldwide checkpoint systems, Syntech ONE again demonstrates its industry leadership, commented Simanta Gautam, Synapse Technologys Chief Technology Officer. Mr. Gautam continued: Many government and private sector companies use multiple x-ray vendors, and only Syntech has the ability to support all of them, seamlessly and with minimal integration cost. Take any of these existing X-ray machines, plug this system in, and you have Artificial Intelligence doing the screening said Synapse President Ian Cinnamon. Its as easy as that. An operator working with an AI is the fastest and most secure operation currently available. With Syntech ONE, an operator without specialized training is able to screen more effectively than even a well-trained screener. This allows schools and other cost-constrained environments to deploy X-ray machines more easily, added Chief Operating Officer Bruno Faviero. One operator can screen multiple machines, this was not possible before. Syntech ONE 200 Series units are now shipping. To order a unit, contact sales@synapsetechnology.com. About Synapse Technology Synapse Technologys AI platform Syntech ONE integrates with new and existing X-ray machines used at security checkpoints. Instead of security screeners relying solely on human cognitive abilities to identify threats like guns and knives, Syntech ONE augments and automates the detection of these dangerous items. Syntech ONE has already been widely deployed, having processed over 10,000,000 passenger bags at security checkpoints in four countries. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recognizes the value of Syntech ONE and has granted Synapse Technology Corporation a SAFETY Act award for its technology platform. For more information, visit synapsetechnology.com. "It's comforting to remember there's a whole world filled with software developers to choose from. With the help of the Internet, brands can partner with a software development firm from anywhere without sacrificing quality. - Gabriel Shaoolian, Founder and CEO of Top Software Development Companies At least 43 percent of United States-based companies outsource software development projects to experts around the world. However, each software outsourcing region provides different expertise, pricing structures, and pros and cons. So, how can businesses choose the best software development outsourcing company for their brand needs? Top Software Development Companies a B2B website that ranks the leading software development firms by location, expertise, cost and more determined the top 10 software development countries to outsource projects to in 2019. Each country was chosen based on its average cost, general skill sets, historically proven expertise, and more. The top 10 software development outsourcing countries, in alphabetical order, are: 1. China Chinas outsourcing market grows 30 percent year-over-year. Software developers in the region are particularly known for development projects in Python, Shell, functional programming, and more. 2. Hungary Hungary is the fifth best country to outsource to in order to find the best software developers. Their leading software development solutions include building databases, and writing code in Shell, C++ and JAVA. 3. India What's more? India has the highest number of software developers in the world and is the second-largest English-speaking country in the world. This enables brands to have better collaboration throughout software development projects. 4. The Philippines The Philippines has over 112,000 IT and engineering graduates each year and has a literacy rate of over 95 percent. This means that software companies here will likely have an easier time seamlessly working with international brands. 5. Poland Poland belongs to the World Trade Organization, the European Union, the UN, NATO, the Paris Convention, the Berne Convention, the Hague Agreement, the Patent Cooperation Treaty, and the Madrid Protocol, meaning they can safely house and transfer sensitive data that software projects often require. 6. Russia Russia has 3500 engineers for every one million people. Their leading software development projects include software solutions written in JAVA, C++ and SQL. 7. South Korea South Korea houses many large-scale tech companies, such as Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, and Hyundai Motor Company. Software development projects are also more than 50 percent of the countrys outsourcing market. 8. Taiwan Taiwan was one of the first countries that North American professionals outsourced to. Some of their leading software development solutions are algorithms, data structures, functional programming and databases. 9. Ukraine Eastern Europe has over one million software developers, with 42 percent being based in Poland and Ukraine. Ukraines leading software projects include security and distributed systems, although there are experts across all areas. 10. Vietnam Vietnam has a historically strong tech industry. In addition, software developers in the area also incorporate emerging technology such as artificial intelligence and AR/VR. Read the full report here: https://www.softwaredevelopmentcompany.co/2019/05/10/the-top-10-software-development-countries/ Many brands don't have the expertise or manpower to execute large software development projects themselves which is why they need to outsource them to developers who can handle them, says Gabriel Shaoolian, Founder and CEO of Top Software Development Companies. However, it can be comforting to remember that there's a whole wide world filled with qualified software developers to choose from. With the help of the Internet, brands can partner with a top-rated software development firm from anywhere on the planet without sacrificing quality. Plus, Top Software Development Companies ranks the best local and global software developers. Brands can explore the top software development companies from around the world that suit their business needs at: softwaredevelopmentcompany.co About Top Software Development Companies: Top Software Development Companies ranks top-rated software development agencies based on local and global location, average hourly rate, experience, expertise and more. Brands can find software developers who can grow their brand in areas such as Custom Software Development, Software Development Outsourcing, Enterprise Software Development, eCommerce Software Development, and more. Yangon/Kolkata, May 21(IBNS): Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Archbishop of Yangon, Myanmar, President of Federation of Asian Bishops Conference (FABC), today expressed his compassion and prayers for the victims of Cyclone Fani that ripped through Odisha in India and Bangladesh, killing over seventy people. Cardinal Bo, who is also the head of 19 Episcopal Conferences of Asia representing 27 countries, said, I pray for those who died in the cyclone and express my solidarity to the families of the victims. The 71-year-old Cardinal also praised the disaster management efforts of the Indian Government saying, The timely intervention of the Indian Government has saved thousands of lives. This has been an exemplary disaster management effort in the wake of one of the most severe cyclones in recent times." "There are many other countries which can learn from the way India used technology and planning to save precious lives and property. India had evacuated 1.2 million people with the help of thousands of emergency workers and 50,000 volunteers and setting up shelters and makeshift kitchens for the evacuees. Cardinal Bo who had visited the Sacred Heart Church Thakurpukur in Kolkata recently and is no stranger to calamities and relief works said that Sri Lankan and Notre Dame incidents reminded him of huge tragedies of pain and sufferings. When the cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar ten years ago when he was the Archbishop of Yangon. He said some 140,000 lives were lost and over eight lakh people were displaced. India achieved a great milestone in saving human lives from a severe tropical cyclone, he said. Cardinal Bo, in a recent sermon on Bible and Evangelization, applauded the Holy Fathers interest in potentially instituting a super-dicastery dedicated to evangelization in the Roman Curia. The President of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences calls for greater use of the Bible in ones life and mission, bringing Gods Word to the streets, and following Jesus example. Valvtechnologies api 641 testing ValvTechnologies, Inc., the global leader in the design and manufacturing of zero-leakage severe service isolation valve solutions, announced today that it has achieved American Petroleum Institute (API) 641 certification. The API 641 accreditation is one of three prevalent valve standards tests that evaluate fugitive emissions performance over an accelerated life cycle. Of the three, the API 641 Standard is the most stringent type test for quarter-turn valves and covers different designs, temperature ratings and sealing components. To pass this critical test, valves must meet the demanding criteria of maximum leakage of 100 parts per million by volume (PPMv), while undergoing 610 cycles of the valve under extreme temperatures. ValvTechnologies received the certification as it successfully demonstrated in a number of tests conducted by Qualispect, Inc., an independent third-party inspection company, the products ability to meet testing requirements. As a result, ValvTechnologies has proven its ability to design products and services that exceed customer requirements, improve customer satisfaction and reduce fugitive emissions. We are proud to have earned the API 641 certification as it recognizes our long-standing commitment to providing the highest quality in our operations, said Kevin Hunt, ValvTechnologies President. This prestigious achievement demonstrates to our customers that ValvTechnologies has applied the highest level of controls for its valves, achieving a solid reputation for being the best fugitive emissions solution in the industry. ValvTechnologies API certifications are available at http://www.valv.com/certifications/ About ValvTechnologies Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, ValvTechnologies is the leading manufacturer of zero-leakage, high-performance isolation valve solutions providing an unsurpassed level of severe service isolation services and reliability to customers in the fossil power, nuclear generation, upstream oil and gas, downstream and chemical processing, mining and minerals, pulp and paper and other specialized industries. Employing more than 400 people worldwide, ValvTechnologies has offices in Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, India, Ireland, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Malaysia, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States. In addition, ValvTechnologies partners with stocking distributors, independent representatives and authorized repair centers to service customers around the world. To find out more about the products and services offered or to locate a representative, visit our website at http://www.valv.com. Connect with ValvTechnologies on YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Nearly a decade ago, Tania Dickinson gained her 15 minutes of fame the hard way. Dickinson was a government worker in New Zealand when she logged onto her Facebook account and described herself as a very expensive paperweight, highly competent in the art of time wastage, blame-shifting and stationary [sic] theft. In that post, she added that her favorite quote was: Hey boss, can I go home sick??? Someone spotted the post and forwarded it to her supervisors, who already had her under close scrutiny for misconduct. Her comments were all that the bosses needed to justify her dismissal. Dickinson became a poster child for the perils of using social media to post mocking or malicious comments or images related to work. An impulsive Facebook post or offensive Instagram shot can easily reach the eyes of your employer, earning you a reprimand or even a termination notice. In many professional settings, employers abide workers checking in on Twitter, YouTube, or Facebook for a few minutes during the work day. In fact, even the most engaged employees may need a diversion here and there to stay productive, as organizational scientist Arnold B. Bakker of Erasmus University Rotterdam suggested several years ago in Current Directions in Psychological Science. But employers are far less tolerant of employees using company bandwidth to post distasteful or malicious tweets and postsespecially those that are aimed at the organization itself. A team of scientists recently decided to examine the type of online activities that employers might classify as objectionable. Paul Thompson of the University of Stirling in the United Kingdom and Paula McDonald and Peter OConnor of Queensland University of Technology in Australia wanted to examine both the use of private social media during working hours, as well as the extent of critical work-related comments that employees post. To conduct the study, the researchers surveyed 2,000 workers in the UK and Australia. Participants included educated professionals, administrative and secretarial workers, senior managers and directors, and sales and customer service representatives. Nearly half of the participants worked in large organizations of 200 or more employees, while 25% worked in organizations of 20-199 employees. The remainder worked in small organizational settings with 19 or fewer people on staff. Using online survey tools, Thompson and his colleagues asked the participants to answer a variety of questions about their social media activity, their employers policies regarding personal internet activity, and their opinions about online privacy at work. Roughly 59% of participants confirmed that their employer had a policy related to workers posting critical comments about the organization on social media. (They were not asked for specific details about those policies.) About 11% of participants in Australia and 18% of those in the UK reported that they had posted critical comments about their employer or colleagues on social media sites. A larger percentage reported witnessing coworkers posting critical comments online. Men were more likely than women to report posting negative comments about their bosses, coworkers, or organizations, as were people working in smaller organizations. Managers and supervisors were slightly more likely to post online criticism than were individuals in other roles. Overall, fewer than 13% of respondents who had posted negative comments online reported being formally disciplined or fired. Only a small percentage of the study participants reported being disciplined or sacked for surfing the web, using their private email, or checking their social networking accounts while at work. Interestingly, the participants expressed some mixed attitudes about organizational controls over online activity. Roughly 58% agreed, at least somewhat, that they have a right to engage in private online social networking during work hours, and nearly all said they spent at least short spurts of time doing so. Two-thirds of respondents strongly or somewhat agreed that employers have the right to protect their business interests by disciplining employees who trash the organization on social media platforms. About 68% of participants accepted employers right to monitor the content of workers private social media sites accessed through work computers. But more than half agreed to some extent that they have a right to post critical comments about their jobs and organizations. Three-quarters of participants said less than 30 minutes per day is an acceptable amount of time for employees to spend doing personal business and social engagement online. Interestingly, individuals who said that more than 5 minutes of personal activity per day is reasonable also reported spending less than 5 minutes actually doing so. Overall, the survey results suggest that employees spend little time using their social media accounts to criticize their employers, although a majority believe they have the right to do so. This could be the result of employees becoming savvier about their online activity as social media has evolved, Thompson and his colleagues suggest. They point to studies indicating that workers, particularly younger people, are managing their profiles more cautiously. The researchers call for further research on how managers and employees view acceptable forms of social media conduct, and they cite a need for organizations to institute social media policies that seem equitable to all parties. Until then, its probably wise to take a beat before that posting that tweet. References Bakker, A. (2011). An evidence-based model of work engagement. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 20(4), 265-269. doi: 10.1177/0963721411414534. Thompson, P., McDonald, P., & OConnor, P. (2019). Employee dissent on social media and organizational discipline. Human Relations. doi.org/10.1177/0018726719846262. Jasmine Warga has previously published two emotionally resonant novels for teens and, with her middle grade debut, now brings her skill at writing insightful, timely stories to a younger audience. Told in verse, Other Words for Home follows 12-year-old Syrian refugee Jude as she and her mother work to build a new home in Ohio while her father and brother are still in Syria. Warga spoke with PW about portraying Judes specific refugee story, the nuances in writing for a middle grade audience after writing for teens, and rewriting a prose novel in verse. What first brought you to writing for young readers? I think it goes back to the fact that I was the most passionate and dedicated reader when I was younger. I dont think Ive ever loved books again in the way that I did as a young person. I was kind of a lonely, outcast kid and books were my friends, my refuge, and my window to the world. Now that I get to write for young people, I have all these other answers about how interacting with young people today is so inspiring and that I believe every cliche about kids being our future, but the most honest answer is the selfish one: that I remember what books meant to me at that age and Im hoping to replicate that experience for someone else. Do you recall any titles or authors you enjoyed that you feel influenced you? Im of the generation that grew up with Harry Potter and, while those books obviously dont need a shout-out, I think that having a series that grew with me was such a singular experience that impacted me in countless ways. I also remember Anne of Green Gables and how real Anne felt to me, even though her life was so different than mine. I could get lost in that world. Girl of the Limberlost, which my mom read aloud to me, was memorable. I read and reread From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Claudia was just such a badass. I was drawn to books with female characters who pushed against the standards that were being imposed by society. I was young and I dont think I made the connection of why I liked those stories so much, but these stories about brave, creative girls made me think I could be, too. Why, after publishing two novels for teens, did you decide to switch to writing for middle grade readers? Before I wrote My Heart and Other Black Holes, the things that I was working on were often whimsical middle grade stories. I unexpectedly lost my friend and My Heart and Other Black Holes was born out of that period of intense grief in my life. And, when that book sold, I was lucky enough to be offered a second young adult book. Still, I had an itch to return to middle grade. This story, Judes story, was always middle grade to me. I used to teach sixth grade science, so I think Ive always had an affinity for that in-between space. I think [middle school] was also the worst years of my life, so its rife with creative expression. The place where you struggled the most and felt the loneliest and out of placeI feel a lot of love for kids who are in the space. What was the inspiration for Other Words for Home? The first time I thought about writing a book about Syria and someone immigrating from Syria to the United States way back in the fall of 2013. My father is Jordanian and the Middle Eastern community in Cincinnati, where he lives, is pretty small. His best friend is Syrian, and we had all gone to this friends house for dinner. At that dinner, there were several members of the friends family who had just come over from Syria to live with them. I had had a general awareness of the unrest in Syria, but it wasnt at the level where it was in all the newspapers yet. What intrigued me the most wasnt the conflict, but the interaction I was watching between the cousins from Syria and the American kids in the family. [It made me start thinking of my Jordanian cousins and this idea of families separated by oceans. Their life experiences are so different, but theyre still family, and this is an integral part of the American experience for lots of Americans. Flash forward to the conflict in Syria getting worse and being covered in every Western newspaper. The response is mostly silence and apathy and, if not that, then actual contempt for these people fleeing a war zone. I dont think its a coincidence that Id also just become a mothernot that its at all necessary to be a parent to feel for these people, especially parents, fleeing a war zonebut it hit me extra hard. I kept thinking that if Ohio, where I was living, was to turn into a war zone, I would do everything in my power to keep my daughter safe. It seemed like people in the U.S. were afraid of these mothers and children, which I found really upsetting, especially because of my familial ties to the people they were demonizing. I started working on the book from there. How did you ensure you were authentically portraying the experience of a young refugee? Did you conduct any research? Jude is very lucky in that she has family in America. Unfortunately, now the book is even more fictional, because of the travel bans imposed by the current administration in the U.S. Judes situation couldnt happen today, which is depressing given how hard her journey is already. I always knew that I was going to be writing her particular refugee story, not the ones that we see of these families getting into overcrowded boats and trying to flee through Turkey and Greece, then ending up in a camp. Thats a whole separate story, I think. Judes story was specifically of someone whose family had the means to pay for a plane ticket, which mirrored the experience of my family friends. So, I interviewed our friend and his Syrian and American born family. I also spoke with a lot of other people in Cincinnatis Syrian community. Im a Levant region Arab and, though the borders between Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon were drawn by Europeansso theyre fluid in terms of culture even years after having those bordersbut certain words are pronounced differently. My Syrian friends who read the book early caught things like that. I hope Other Words for Home is authentic. I tried to talk to a wide variety of people while also being aware that the scope of the story is narrow, and that Judes experience is different than someone elses escape via a much less privileged route. Did the news coverage and what was happening with refugees add a layer of pressure while writing this book? I cried several times when writing this book. I felt a global heartbreak and selfish, personal heartbreak. I kept thinking about the possibility of conflict reaching Jordan and the fact that I wouldnt be able to bring my cousins over because, while Jordan wasnt named as one of the travel ban countries, I had a fear that it could one day be on the list. So yes, I felt lots of pressure. There were also points where I felt that I needed to change the book because it was no longer factual, then I decided that I wouldnt be beholden to the news cycle and that I was going to write the story I set out to write. Id like to note that every person who immigrates to live here does in fact then live on land that was stolen from Indigenous people. Im trying to be more purposeful about calling this out as it was mentioned to me earlier this year that the idea of perpetuating the U.S. as a country of immigrants without making that disclaimer is harmful to Native Americans. Why did you choose to tell Judes story in verse rather than prose? Initially, the story was in prose. My editor and I kept going back and forth and the book was well into the editing process, but something still felt off. My editor [Alessandra Balzer] is really smart and always has great suggestions and had a lot of ideas about how to change the plot arc and pacing and all the things that are your normal go-to changes, but I kept feeling that the emotional heart of the novel was wrong. Thats something your editor cant change for you, its the writers responsibility. I eventually realized that there was a distance between Jude and me, and narrative distance doesnt serve you well when youre writing in first person. I think it was because of the fear I had that Id get her story wrong or that I wouldnt completely understand her as a character. I went back and did more interviews and started thinking about how Arabic is a naturally poetic language. There are so many different words and ways to say things. Even the way you speak is more poetic than English phrases. Ive always loved poetry and would always recommend prose writers read poetry to remember the beautiful things you can do with language. I was sitting in LAX terminal waiting to come home from my book trip to the Philippines and I was so sleepy and jet-lagged. I started hearing words and verses of the book in my head and it sounded so much better to me. It was more authentic and closer to the emotional core of the novel. So, in LAX, I wrote the first 15 pages in verse. The book was due in two weeks, but I sent my idea to my agent and editor, and both were on board with me completely scrapping and rewriting the book in verse. What did that rewriting process look like? I just rewrote the whole book. A verse novel is not made from just haphazardly putting line breaks into prose. Thankfully, I learned a lot about Jude and the other characters from the prose drafts, so it wasnt wasted time. I had a general plot arc in my mind, so I would have the prose version up, so I could refer to things if there was a line or character detail that I liked from the earlier drafts. You cant be afraid to rewrite your book. Im telling myself that now as Im working on my fourth book. Sometimes you can be too precious about revisions. I always think editing is going to be like painting rooms in a house, when really, its rebuilding the whole house. Does your writing process differ depending on whether youre writing verse or prose? In prose, I like to think that I care about the aesthetics, too, that I like lines that flow well, but theres an economy of language in verse that made it important that every line and word was exactly right and had earned its place. Theres a lot left unsaid in a verse novel, whereas in prose, things are more fleshed out. In verse, words need to do more, so I was examining my writing with a different level of scrutiny. I dont think about rhythm as much with my prose books, either. Does your process change when youre writing specifically for teens or middle graders? Yes. Initially, after the first draft of this book, Alessandra said it wasnt a middle grade book. She was right. [laughs] I was frustrated and insisted that it was [middle grade] because the character was 12. She pointed out that the voice was clearly young adult. You cant just make a character 12 and call it a middle grade book. I was agitated and felt that we were underestimating 12-year-old kids, but she explained that it wasnt at all about underestimating kids, it was about the breadth of experience. A 16-year-old has lived so much life and has so much more experience to reference; its not about how sophisticated the language is or the content. Its about being authentic to the way a 12-year-old will relate to those details. I also read all the great middle grade books Alessandra recommended and tried to immerse myself in that world and think about how I saw the world at that age. I think that served the book well because it wasnt me trying to write a less sophisticated YA book, but me honoring what it feels like to be 11, 12, and 13 years old. What do you hope readers gain from reading Other Words for Home? I hope the readership for this is varied, but I specifically hope young readers of color will read the book and be inspired by Judes dreams. Shes such a big dreamer and has these high hopes for herself and the courage to go out and achieve those dreams. The book is obviously difficult, and Jude faces a lot of challenges, but the thing I most love about the book are the parts that are about brown joy instead of brown pain. I hope that resonates with the readers who need to see that; she has a lot of love for herself, for her culture. Its a gift that I was giving to my 12-year-old self, who didnt see that on the page. In the wider realm, I hope that Judes story provides an empathetic window for other readers to humanize these children that we sometimes become numb to because we read about them in masses. Those numbers become so staggering that its hard to wrap our heads around them and imagine a 12-year-old girl who likes American rom-coms and wants to be an actress and has a fondness for Kit-Katsall those things that round out a person. Which is why I think singular narratives can be so powerful. Obviously, its not the story of every single person, but it lends a human touch to tragedies that can feel so inhuman because of how mindboggling they are in scope. And, finally, I feel like we live in a world, and, specifically, a country, where art for arts sake is a luxury for those whose rights and freedoms arent under attack. I used to be embarrassed that my books always included some sort of message or call to action, but recently Ive decided to lean into this idea of writing as activism. Im very mindful of the fact Ive been given a platform that so many people of my cultural and religious heritage arent given, and I intend to use my voice in the best way that I can. Of course, I want to write beautiful and compelling books, but I also feel a duty to write books that inspire young readers to choose kindness and empathy in the most radical of ways. What are you working on now? Im working on another middle grade book. Its in prose, not in verse, but I hope to do another middle grade in verse someday. Its tentatively titled The Shape of Thunder and is about two girls dealing with the aftermath of a school shooting in Ohio. Its about gun violence and how terrifying it is to be a parent in this country and send your kids to school every day. I live across from an elementary school and was watching kindergarteners do a drill. I was thinking about how soon I would need to talk to my oldest about doing drills in school and what a world that we live in that we are expecting our kids to save us, as opposed to having the moral courage to do something about the issue. So, another book with a tough topic that I hope has those pockets of joy and hope. Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga. HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, $16.99 May 28 ISBN 978-0-06-274780-8 Readers and writers, teachers, publishers, and librarians gathered on May 16 to celebrate the recipients of the Irma Simonton Black and James H. Black Award for Excellence in Childrens Literature, and the Cook Prize, presented to childrens books in the field of STEM. The ceremony was held at Bank Street College. Each year, young writers are invited to help select award honorees and winners for both prizes. This year, more than 7,000 children across the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and the United Arab Emirates participated in voting for their favorite books. Delivering a keynote address at the event was Caldecott Medalist Brian Floca, who spoke about the creative process, focusing on his picture book Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11 (Atheneum). Floca opened his keynote by explaining that I finished Moonshot not because I wanted to, but because I had to.... If you love the material, you dont want to stop working. He elaborated by discussing the challenge of letting a project goparticularly when it comes to one that focuses on a topic as expansive as space travel. Throughout his career, Floca has learned about the value of setting limits; from limits come the shapes of stories, he said. Floca described his childhood fascination with the Apollo missionsa fascination that grew with him into adulthood. I fell in love with everything about the missions. I loved the astronauts, the machines, the terror, the view. He often thought about writing and illustrating a picture book on the topic, but his early attempts were unsuccessful because, as he put it, I tried to tell everything. Floca put the project aside, but rediscovered it following a dream he had. In the dream, it was nearing the 40th anniversary of the Apollo moon landing, and it was too late for him to finish the book to coincide with the anniversary milestone. When he woke up, he realized that it wasnt too late after all, dusted off the manuscript, and got started. This time I was more ruthless. Hed forgotten a lot of the material that he had originally planned to include in the book, but the things I remembered were the things the book needed. Time is the best editor, he said. When it came time to turn in the book, he accepted that he would need to let go. But, two decades after he drafted the first manuscript, Floca had an opportunity that most authors never get: to make updates to a previously published book. For a new edition commemorating the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, Floca kept limits in mind, but he relished being able to add eight new pages of materialand tweak a few details. I gave Neil Armstrong some stubble and corrected the shading on the lunar module, he said. Floca concluded by speaking about the importance of not letting the story of the moon landing fade into history. He realized how distant the event might feel to young people today after a child at a school asked him, How did you decide to name the modules Columbia and Eagle? As useful as limits might be, Floca said, they should never restrict the capacity to imagine possibilities, and to remember the sublimity of true human experience. From that miraculous view, he said, [the astronauts] saw it: our home, our little planet, in all its potential, all its limits, its beauty, and its frightfulness. A Harmony of Words and Pictures From planet Earth to a close neighbor, Stacy McAnultys Sun! One in a Billion was awarded the first of the days three Irma S. and James H. Black Honors, which are presented to books in which words and illustrations operate in seamless harmony. McAnulty accepted the honor via Skype, speaking about the wonderful process behind the selection of the prize, and stating that I am honored to get to bring some nonfiction to life. I love that [the sun] is reaching so many kids and getting them excited about science and facts. He is a star! In a statement, illustrator Stevie Lewis commented on the joy of illustrating a character with such energy and personality.... Sun is a great example of words and illustrations working together to tell a story, she said. Author-illustrator Jon Agee was awarded the honor for The Wall in the Middle of the Book (Dial) with a statement read by Summer Ogata, school and library marketing manager at Penguin Random House. Agee spoke about how the book became more political than I imagined, as the wall in question began drawing comparisons to another wall in the news. In reality, said Agee, I was not thinking about that wall at all. The wall in Agees book is the books gutter, which the knight protagonist falsely believes will protect him from the dangers that lurk on the other side of the book. In writing and illustrating the picture book, he said, I was thinking about point of view, preconceived notions, and hoped [to encourage] readers to look at things with new eyes. Lucy Ruth Cummins accepted her honor for Stumpkin (Atheneum), a story about a pumpkin without a stem. Cummins spoke about the origins of the story: while picking out a pumpkin with her son, he was drawn toward a pumpkin that didnt have a stem. A little girl saw him selecting the stemless pumpkin, and asked her mother: Mommy, can I tell him? Mother and daughter explained to her son: You dont want that one. It doesnt have a stem! At that moment, Cummins said, I watched him come up against a world of expectations. She also knew then, that Stumpkins story must be told. She added. I should really thank that cruel little girl and her mother. Ryan T. Higgins was awarded the Irma Simonton Black Award for We Dont Eat Our Classmates (Disney-Hyperion), about a T. rex who learns that eating ones fellow students is not the best way to make friends. Higgins spoke about the joy of creating books for young readers and having the opportunity to share his stories during school visits. Higgins admitted that he doesnt always know where a book will end up when he begins it. While We Dont Eat Our Classmates is a book about learning to treat others how we want to be treated, Higgins was initially writing about self-control and about how I eat too many Cheetos. Hed hoped that his readers would connect with this T. rex in pink overalls, though he admits to being a bit concerned about how the book might be received, as, the target audience gets eaten. He concluded by thanking his readers, saying, If not for kids sharing my sense of humor, I wouldnt have a job. Champions of STEM Sara Levine, author of Fossil by Fossil: Comparing Dinosaur Bones (Lerner/Millbrook Press), was the first to accept her Cook Prize honor. She discussed how, during her school presentations, she helps readers connect to the topic of dinosaur bones by inviting them to think about their own skeletal structures. In addition to seeking to write a book about a lively, relatable topic, it was important to Levine to feature characters who are not always represented. Going forward, she has vowed to write books that feature more diverse characters, not as side characters, but as protagonists. In a statement, the books illustrator, T.S. Spookytooth, spoke about the importance of promoting STEM topics in childrens books. Spookytooth thanked the children who selected Fossil by Fossil as a favorite, saying, All those lonely days of painting and making sure that a stegosaurus has the right number of bones... or that the color of a childs jumper matches through all 32 pages of a bookits all worth it to get recognition like this. Accepting a Cook Prize honor on behalf of Lily Williams, author-illustrator of If Polar Bears Disappeared (Roaring Brook), was her editor Emily Feinberg. In a statement, Williams wrote that awards like these are so critical for [building] awareness about threatened species. She added that she sees hope for the future lying with childrenthe thoughtful stewards of our planet. Next to receive her honor was Cheryl Bardoe for Nothing Stopped Sophie: The Story of Unshakable Mathematician Sophie Germain (Little, Brown). Bardoe opened with saying, I often tell my husband, whos a math teacher, that math needs a good PR campaign. In writing the picture book biography of little-known mathematician Sophie Germain, Bardoe was able to shed light on STEM topics, which she believes can feel very abstract for children. She discussed how important it is for readers to see the human endeavor behind STEM advancements. For young people today, hard-earned discoveries are just things that people always knew. She hopes that readers will become inspired by a figure like Sophie Germain, who serves as an example of how thinking, asking questions, and daydreaming can lead to innovation. Saying that my eighth grade algebra teacher would be shocked that Im accepting an award related to math in any way, illustrator Barbara McClintock spoke about how, as a person who was always deeply math averse, Bardoes writing made Sophies passion relatable to me... from the first paragraph on, I met Sophie as a dreamer. As McClintock conveyed Sophies love for numbers through her mixed-media art, I realized that I didnt experience the same sense of panic I did when I usually thought about math. She hopes that readers, too, will discover the beauty of numbers by reading Germains story. The final book to be honored with the 2019 Cook Prize was Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13 (Holt/Ottaviano) by Helaine Becker, illustrated by Dow Phumiruk. Becker spoke about her early connection to the Apollo 13 mission: her father was an engineer who worked on the lunar module. Funny how things link together, she said. As a lifelong feminist, Becker had often searched for the stories of women who had been overlooked by history. So when she first learned about Katherine Johnson (this was before Hidden Figures), I was gobsmacked, flabbergasted, and appalled that I hadnt heard of her before. She reached out to Katherines daughter, asking her if her mother would be open to the possibility of her writing a picture book about her. Johnsons daughter responded, telling her that her mother loved the ideaand that she had checked out Beckers credentials. She was satisfied that Becker was legit; it turned out that Johnsons grandson had some of Beckers books on his shelf. As Becker was interviewing Johnson and researching her life, she thought more about the reasons why Johnson was so little-known. Becker believes that Johnson wasnt written about in history books because people write about the things that interest them, and historically, those most often doing the writing were white men whose interests were more likely to reflect their own experiences. She concluded by touching on the value of literacy, saying when you have literacy, you get to have your own story. Phumiruk next accepted her award, echoing Beckers amazement that an individual like Katherine Johnson was almost lost to history. How was it that Katherine Johnsons story had not been told? She finished by saying, I hope that readers are inspired by this trailblazing woman. House of SpeakEasy, in collaboration with storytelling nonprofit Narrative 4, has launched Poetry to the People, a cross-country tour intended to spotlight community conversations around the literary arts. From June 13-23, the House of SpeakEasy Book Truck will visit 10 cities in as many dayson an 1,800-mile journey beginning in New York and ending in New Orleansstopping to give away free books, highlight and celebrate local writers, and promote literacy and literary organizations. The tour will begin at Pioneer Works in Brooklyn on June 13 and includes stops in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Ohio, Floyd County, Ky., Nashville, Jackson, Miss., Arnaudville, La., Lafayette, La., and New Orleans. Partners for the tour include the Shipman Agency, the Free Library of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures at the Carnegie Mellon Free Library, indie publisher Two Dollar Radio, Floyd County High School, writing center the Porch, Jayne Avenue Community Center, arts and culture group the NUNU Collective, the Ernest J. Gaines Center at the University of Louisiana, and the New Orleans Museum of Art. Each stop, House of SpeakEasy said, will include events hosted by community partners and educators, featuring readings, workshops, and conversations with acclaimed and emerging writers. Writers involved with stops on the tour include Hanif Abdurraqib, Eloisa Amezcua, Darrell Bourque, Rayna Guy, Jenny Johnson, Rickey Laurentiis, Kiese Laymon, Daniel Jose Older, Hannah Pittard, and Raquel Salas Rivera, among others. WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. June has been designated as Wine Grape Month in Indiana, and the wine industry will team up with another signature state event, the Indianapolis 500, to kick off the month. An "Explore Indiana Wines" float will be among those in the 500 Festival Parade, which begins at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday (May 25) in downtown Indianapolis. The exploration of Indiana's wineries and vineyards continues on June 1 with the 20th annual Vintage Indiana Festival, which will run from noon to 6 p.m. at Military Park in downtown Indianapolis. "The monthlong celebration is to make consumers aware of Indiana's vibrant wine industry and encourage them to sample Hoosier wines and visit some of the state's many wineries and vineyards," said Katie Barnett, marketing Extension specialist for Purdue's Wine Grape Team. "Summer is a prime time for vacations and weekend trips, and wineries will have events throughout the summer and special deals during Wine Grape Month. As an added bonus, over the next few weeks the vineyards should be in full bloom." Barnett said the month will also be a good time to sample some of the newly crowned winners from the annual Indy International Wine Competition, which is the nation's largest scientifically organized and independent wine competition. This year's event will be Wednesday (May 22) and Thursday (May 23) in the Purdue Memorial Union ballrooms on the West Lafayette campus. About 2,000 wines from around the world will be vying for top honors. Wine Grape Month will highlight Traminette, Indiana's signature wine grape variety. Barnett said Traminette was a perfect choice to highlight during the month since it is a good summer wine in terms of its sweetness and floral and fruity qualities. Since 2011 Traminette varieties have assisted in generating an estimated $94 million in Indiana tourism spending. Media contact: Maureen Manier, Purdue Agricultural Communication, mmanier@purdue.edu Source: Katie Barnett, 765-496-3842, vino@purdue.edu Agricultural Communications: 765-494-8415; Maureen Manier, Department Head, mmanier@purdue.edu Agriculture News Page Rantoul, IL (61866) Today Cloudy skies with a few showers after midnight. Low 33F. NNW winds shifting to E at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Cloudy skies with a few showers after midnight. Low 33F. NNW winds shifting to E at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%. By Stephen F. Cohen Part 2 May 20, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - Now in its third year, Russiagate is the worst, most corrosive, and most fraudulent political scandal in modern American history. It rests on two related core allegations: that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an attack on American democracy during the 2016 presidential campaign in order to put Donald Trump in the White House, and that Trump and his associates willfully colluded, or conspired, in this Kremlin attack. As I have argued from the outsetsee my regular commentaries posted at TheNation.com and my recent book War With Russia?and as recently confirmed, explicitly and tacitly, by special prosecutor Robert Muellers report, there is no factual evidence for either allegation. Nonetheless, these Russiagate allegations, not Putins Russia, continue to inflict grave damage on fundamental institutions of American democracy. They impugn the integrity of the presidency and now the office of the attorney general. They degrade the many Democratic members of Congress who persist in clinging to the allegations and thus the Democratic Party and Congress. And they have enticed mainstream media into one of the worst episodes of journalistic malpractice in modern times. But equally alarming, Russiagate continues to endanger American national security by depriving a US president, for the first time in the nuclear age, of the diplomatic flexibility to deal with a Kremlin leader in times of crisis. We were given a vivid example in July 2018, when Trump held a summit with the current Kremlin occupant, as every president had done since Dwight Eisenhower. For that conventional, even necessary, act of diplomacy, Trump was widely accused of treasonous behavior, a charge that persists. Now we have another alarming example of this reckless disregard for US national security on the part of Russiagate zealots. Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get our FREE Daily Newsletter On May 3, Trump called Putin. They discussed various issues, including the Mueller report. (As before, Putin had to know if Trump was free to implement any acts of security cooperation they might agree on. Indeed, the Russian policy elite openly debates this question, many of its members having decided that Trump cannot cooperate with Russia no matter his intentions.) A major subject of the conversation was unavoidably the growing conflict over Venezuela, where Washington and Moscow have long-standing economic and political interests. Trump administration spokespeople have warned Moscow against interfering in Americas neighborhood, ignoring, of course, Washingtons deep involvement for years in the former Soviet republics of Ukraine and Georgia. Kremlin representatives, on the other hand, have warned Washington against violating Venezuelas sovereignty. Increasingly, there is talk, at least in Moscow policy circles, of a Cuban Missilelike crisis, the closest the United States and Russia (then Soviet Russia) ever came to nuclear war. To the extent, however remote, that Venezuela might grow into a Cuba-like US-Russian military confrontation, would Trump be sufficiently free of Russiagate allegations to resolve it peacefully, as President John Kennedy did in 1962? Judging by mainstream media commentary on the May 3 phone conversation, the answer seems to be no. Considering the mounting confrontation in Venezuela, Trump was right, even obligated, to call Putin, but he got no applause, only condemnation. To take some random examples: Democratic Representative David Cicilline asked CNNs Chris Cuomo rhetorically on May 3, Why does the president give the benefit of doubt to a person who attacked our democracy? while assailing Trump for not confronting Putin with the Mueller report. The same evening, CNNs Don Lemon editorialized on the phone call: The president of the United States had just a normal old call with his pal Vladimir Putin. Didnt tell him not to interfere in the election. Like he did in 2016, like he did in 2018, like we know he is planning to do again in 2020. You just dont seem to want us to know exactly what was said. Nothing to see when the president talks for more than an hour with the leader of an enemy nation. One that has repeatedly attacked our democracy and will do so again. (Lemon did not say on what he based the expanded, serial charges against Putin and thus against Trump or his allegation about the 2018 elections, which congressional Democrats mostly won, or his foreknowledge about 2020 or generally and with major ramifications why he branded Russia an enemy nation.) We might expect something more exalted from James Risen, once a critical-minded investigative reporter, who found it suspicious that Trump and Putin were both eager to put the Mueller report behind them, even for the sake of needed diplomacy. Senator Amy Klobuchar and Representative Eric Swalwell, both candidates for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, also expressed deep suspicion regarding the Trump-Putin phone talk. Swalwell was sure it meant that Trump acts on their behalf, that he is putting the Russians interests ahead of the United States interests. (Voters may wonder if these candidates and quite a few others who continue to promote extremist Russiagate allegations are emerging American statesmen.) Not surprisingly, a Washington Post opinion writer argued that the phone call meant Trump is counting on Russian help to get reelected. None of these opinion leaders mentioned the danger of a US-Russian military confrontation over Venezuela or elsewhere on the several fraught fronts of the new Cold War. Indeed, retired admiral James Stavridis, once supreme allied commander of NATO forces and formerly associated with Hillary Clintons campaign, all but proposed war on Russia in retaliation for its attack on our democracy, including unprecedented measures such as cyberattacks. Russiagates unproven allegations are an aggressive malignancy spreading through Americas politics to the most vital areas of national security policy. A full nonpartisan investigation into their origins is urgently needed, but US intelligence agencies were almost certainly present at their creation, which is why I have long argued that Russiagate is actually Intelgate. If so, James Comey, then FBI director, was present at the creation, though initially in a lesser role than were President Barack Obamas CIA Director John Brennan and intelligence overlord James Clapper. Comey recently deplored Attorney General William Barrs declaration that US intelligence agencies resorted to spying on the Trump campaign. (In fact, Barr mischaracterized what happened: The agencies, first and foremost Brennans CIA, it seems, ran an entrapment operation against members of the campaign.) Comey warned Barr that he will discover that Trump has eaten your soul. It would be more accurate to sayand certainly more importantthat baseless Russiagate allegations are eating Americas national security. This commentary is based on Stephen F. Cohens most recent weekly discussion with the host of The John Batchelor Show. Now in their sixth year, previous installments are at TheNation.com. - EPTVS Algerian French language TV channel Canal Algerie has leased transponder space on Arabsat-5C to extend its reach across Africa, in collaboration with Globecast. The deal extends Arabsats relationship with EPTV, Algerias public television operator, which already broadcasts its A3 channel from the BADR-6 satellite, and Globecasts partnership with the regional satellite operator.Globecast will provide the technical broadcast solutions needed to deliver Canal Algerie across Africa, via Arabsat-5C at 20 degrees East.We have a longstanding and very successful relationship with Arabsat.We are perfectly positioned to both launch new channels and expand the reach of existing channels, providing cost-effective end-to-end services to do so, said Giorgio Giacomini, MD of Globecast in the Middle East. Arabsat president and CEO Khalid Balkheyour said: The launch of Canal Algerie on Arabsat-5C comes as part of our core mission to connect Arab societies across the world; we provide African, Arab and Islamic communities with the largest possible choice of free-to-air TV channels in Africa.Furthermore, the broadcasting of Canal Algerie via Arabsat-5C, highlights the continued, successful Arabsat and Globecast partnership. This is expanding across additional territories beyond MENA, helping grow the reach of the existing direct-to-home portfolio of channels active on Arabsat-5C, and supporting the addition of more leading channels on Arabsat-5C in the very near future. Sony Europe is going to market in June with its first 8K TV models, the MASTER Series ZG9 8K HDR Full Array LED televisions, which will come in 85 and 98 versions (priced at 13,999 and 84,999 respectively). They both feature the latest generation Picture Processor X1 Ultimate processor; it has a unique algorithm developed for 8K that can intelligently detect and analyse each object in the picture, Sony said.The ZG9 models also feature the new Sound-from-Picture Reality audio technology, which faithfully reproduces the position of the sound on the screen so when actors are speaking, the sound appears to be coming directly from their mouths and not from a speaker off to the bottom of the TV. To deliver that, the Acoustic Multi-Audio technology on the ZG9 utilises four front-facing speakers; two on the bottom and two on the top. In addition, the ZG9 has a TV Centre Speaker Mode for those who have a home cinema setup the TV becomes the centre speaker. Also enhancing the sound experience is Dolby Atmos 2.In addition, Sony developed completely new dedicated 8K technologies for the ZG9 series, including Backlight Master Drive with full-array local dimming and 8K X-tended Dynamic Range PRO. The Backlight Master Drive on the ZG9 has ultra-dense LED modules which are independently controlled, delivering contrast with brightness and pitch blacks. To leverage the most out of this backlight system, 8K X-tended Dynamic Range PRO uses the saved energy to intelligently boost the brightness in the areas where it needs to be boosted.Also on board is X-Wide Angle to ensure the picture retains its quality and true colours regardless of the viewing angle by reducing colour shifts when viewing the screen off-axis. Also, X-Motion Clarity minimises motion blur; and the TVs feature integrated Netflix Calibrated Mode and IMAX Enhanced1.The operating system is Sony Android TV which supports a wide range of apps from Google Play, including YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video and more; the voice-activated Google Assistant is also built-in.The MASTER Series ZG9 8K HDR Full Array LED TVs will also soon be compatible with Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit. UK independent production company back2back Productions has received investment from UKTV to produce a new eight-part series for its Dave channel. And as the Brighton-based independent staffs up to meet the growing demand for its slate of returning brands and franchises, former Channel 4 commissioner Stef Wagstaffe has also been appointed to the role of development executive.The principle part of the deal will see back2back partnering with UKTV and Viasat World on Ultimate Movers, an exclusive, access-led series that unpacks the UKs supersizing delivery business which, fuelled by internet shopping, is now topping 10 billion a year in turnover. The programme offers access to the UKs busiest ports, warehouses, factories and delivery companies. Ports and warehouses serve as the starting point for every episode, which then focuses in on companies and employees that specialise in different areas of delivery. These include moving giant brewing silos, circus big tops, ice sculptures and steam trains requires specialist skills.The series is slated for release later this year and will be executive produced by back2back founder David Notman-Watt with Luke Hales, Dave channel director, and Daniel Thomas for UKTV . Series producer is Chris Barham with the global rights held by DCD Rights.The greenlight for Ultimate Movers coincides with the addition of award-winning development executive Stef Wagstaffe to back2backs expanding team of creative talent. Starting her career in the UK as a self-shooting documentary-maker focusing on vulnerable youth, crime and homelessness, Wagstaffe then moved to the US to work as showrunner on multiple seasons of Wife Swap. While in the US, she also launched Undercover Boss on CBS and on her return to the UK, she was appointed commissioning editor at Channel 4, where she launched Great Canal Journeys and Married at First Sight.Wagstaffe is the fourth creative executive to join back2backs development team in the last six months, reflecting, said the company, its fast rate of expansion over the past year. Its a brilliant opportunity to be joining back2back at such an exciting moment in its history, she said. The company has the drive, the team and the infrastructure and Im here to generate projects to build on the excellent work already being done. Like most planets in our solar system, the Earth has its own magnetic field. Thanks to its largely molten iron core, our planet is in fact a bit like a bar magnet. It has a north and south magnetic pole, separate from the geographic poles, with a field connecting the two. This field protects our planet from radiation and is responsible for creating the northern and southern lights spectacular events that are only visible near the magnetic poles. However, with reports that the magnetic north pole has started moving swiftly at 50km per year and may soon be over Siberia it has long been unclear whether the northern lights will move too. Now a new study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, has come up with an answer. Our planetary magnetic field has many advantages. For over 2,000 years, travellers have been able to use it to navigate across the globe. Some animals even seem to be able to find their way thanks to the magnetic field. But, more importantly than that, our geomagnetic field helps protect all life on Earth. Earths magnetic field extends hundreds of thousands of kilometres out from the centre of our planet stretching right out into interplanetary space, forming what scientists call a magnetosphere. This magnetosphere helps to deflect solar radiation and cosmic rays, preventing the destruction of our atmosphere. This protective magnetic bubble isnt perfect though, and some solar matter and energy can transfer into our magnetosphere. As it is then funnelled into the poles by the field, it results in the spectacular displays of the northern lights. A wandering pole Since Earths magnetic field is created by its moving, molten iron core, its poles arent stationary and they wander independently of one another. In fact, since its first formal discovery in 1831, the north magnetic pole has travelled over 2,000km from the Boothia Peninsula in the far north of Canada to high in the Arctic Sea. This wandering has generally been quite slow, around 9km a year, allowing scientists to easily keep track of its position. But since the turn of the century, this speed has increased to 50km a year. The south magnetic pole is also moving, though at a much slower rate (10-15km a year). This rapid wandering of the north magnetic pole has caused some problems for scientists and navigators alike. Computer models of where the north magnetic pole might be in the future have become seriously outdated, making accurate compass-based navigation difficult. Although GPS does work, it can sometimes be unreliable in the polar regions. In fact, the pole is moving so quickly that scientists responsible for mapping the Earths magnetic field were recently forced to update their model much earlier than expected. Will the aurora move? The aurora generally form in an oval about the magnetic poles, and so if those poles move, it stands to reason that the aurora might too. With predictions suggesting that the north pole will soon be approaching northern Siberia, what effect might that have on the aurora? Read more: Curious Kids: what causes the northern lights? The northern lights are currently mostly visible from northern Europe, Canada and the northern US. If, however, they shifted north, across the geographic pole, following the north magnetic pole, then that could well change. Instead, the northern lights would become more visible from Siberia and northern Russia and less visible from the much more densely populated US/Canadian border. Fortunately, for those aurora hunters in the northern hemisphere, it seems as though this might not actually be the case. A recent study made a computer model of the aurora and the Earths magnetic poles based on data dating back to 1965. It showed that rather than following the magnetic poles, the aurora follows the geomagnetic poles instead. Theres only a small difference between these two types of poles - but its an important one. The magnetic poles are the points on the Earths surface where a compass needle points downwards or upwards, vertically. They arent necessarily connected and drawing a line between these points, through the Earth, would not necessarily cross its centre. Therefore, to make better models over time, scientists assume that the Earth is like a bar magnet at its centre, creating poles that are exactly opposite each other antipodal. This means that if we drew a line between these points, the line would cross directly through the Earths centre. At the points where that line crosses the Earths surface, we have the geomagnetic poles. The geomagnetic poles are a kind of reliable, averaged out version of the magnetic poles, which move erratically all the time. Because of that, it turns out they arent moving anywhere near as fast as the magnetic north pole is. And since the aurora seems to follow the more averaged version of the magnetic field, it means that the northern lights arent moving that fast either. It seems as though the aurora are staying where they are at least for now. We already know that the magnetic pole moves. Both poles have wandered ever since the Earth existed. In fact, the poles even flip over, with north becoming south and south becoming north. These magnetic reversals have occurred throughout history, every 450,000 years or so on average. The last reversal occurred 780,000 years ago meaning we could be due a reversal soon. So rest assured that a wandering pole, even a fast one, shouldnt cause too many problems except for those scientists whose job it is to model it. Nathan Case, Senior Research Associate in Space and Planetary Physics, Lancaster University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 11/24/2021 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! Which couples are still together and which MAFS couples have broken up and divorced? And where are they now? 's first twelve seasons featured 44 different couples getting married at first sight -- so which couples are still together, who has broken up and divorced, and where are they all now?Each season of -- which premiered in the United States seven years ago and is based on a Danish series -- features couples (previously three couples, but four couples on Seasons 8 and 9, and five couples beginning with Season 10) being matched together by relationship experts and agree to marry when they first meet.Complete strangers become husband and wife in a matter of minutes, and the couples' lives are then documented by TV cameras over the course of the next four to eight weeks (eight weeks, in the case of 's most recent seasons).The couples typically enjoy their first night together in a hotel after exchanging vows -- with some couples deciding to consummate their marriage immediately -- and then embark on a honeymoon, move in together, and simply attempt to deal with the struggles of daily life as man and wife.At the end of the extreme marriage experiment, each couple must decide whether they'd like to stay married or get a divorce on "Decision Day."has experienced very mixed results over the years. While a significant number of couples decide to stay together and continue their new marriage at the end of their season, the real world seems to hit them hard after the cameras leave, resulting in the couple splitting up only months later.Do cast members see a different side of their spouses once cameras are gone, or do the romances naturally fizzle over time?Some couples are still together to this day and are extremely happy. Jamie Otis and Doug Hehner from Season 1, for example, have had two children.Several other couples have also had children -- including Ashley Petta and Anthony D'Amico Shawniece Jackson and Jephte Pierre Danielle Bergman and Bobby Dodd Deonna McNeill and Greg Okotie , and Jessica Studer and Austin Hurd However, there are also relationships that ended badly. Jessica Castro from Season 2, for instance, accused Ryan De Nino of alleged death threats, and she went on to file a restraining order and lawsuit against him.Some couples have also never even made it to "Decision Day" and ended their marriage prematurely, including Season 4 couple Heather Seidel and Derek Schwartz as well as Season 6 couple Molly Duff and Jonathan Francetic Are the remaining couples now lovers, friends or enemies?! What about early season couples like Cortney Hendrix and Jason Carrion, Jaclyn Methuen and Ryan Ranellone, Vanessa Nelson and Tres Russell, Sonia Granados and Nick Pendergrast, and Lillian Vilchez and Tom Wilson?And how about more recent season couples like Danielle DeGroot and Cody Knapek Sheila Downs and Nate Duhon Jaclyn Schwartzberg and Ryan Buckley Dave Flaherty and Amber Martorana , and Tristan Thompson and Mia Bally Keith Dewar and Kristine Killingsworth , and AJ Vollmoeller and Stephanie Sersen Click thelink below to see photos of each couple and find out! 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 Peter Koenig May 20, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - Open Letter to the New York Times To the Editor in CHIEF NYT 18 May 2019 Subtitle: Butchers have stopped selling meat cuts in favor of offal, fat shavings and cow hooves, the only animal protein many of their customers can afford. This introduction is accompanied by a picture of a man in rags, pushing a shopping cart through a garbage dump site. You, NYT, say it is in Maracaibo, Venezuela, the man looking for recyclables. The photo could be from anywhere, the same with a picture further down in the text depicting a young woman nursing a baby in the dark you say in a typical Venezuelan blackout. This is a flagrant misrepresentation of whats going on in Venezuela. The New York Times is known for selecting photos from places of misery, could be slums from anywhere in the world, and placing them where it is most convenient to propagate a lie story a story meant to demean a country in the public opinion, a country that the empire wants to subdue by bashing and insulting it so the public the brain dead western public, notably in the US and Europe, will tolerate or even scream for a humanitarian invasion from the friendly US of A. Why dont you NYTs shameful liars tell the full truth? Who is responsible for the collapse, the lack of food, medicine, blackouts actually for all of the collapses that you described in your manipulating master piece of deceit and propaganda? And many more collapses that you dont even mention? The NYT article compares Venezuela with Zimbabwes collapse under Robert Mugabe, the fall of the Soviet Union, and Cubas disastrous unraveling in the 1990s. The Times is completing its baseless preposterous accusation by saying, the crumbling of Venezuelas economy has now outpaced them all. Venezuelas fall is the single largest economic collapse outside of war in at least 45 years, economists say. Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get our FREE Daily Newsletter The economist your article quotes is none less than the former chief economist of the IMF, Harvard professor, Kenneth Rogoff, one of the most neoliberal, bordering on neofascist, economists you could have chosen. But that figures. Impressing with name calling. No matter how biased they are; no matter that they too defend the US hardline invade Venezuela to safe the people. Whom do you think you impress with such names? The ignorant, of course, and yes there are plenty of them in the great and unique US of A; and your key objective and that of most MSM is to keep them ignorant, so the exceptional nation can continue sowing misery around the globe for the benefit of a few killing millions and millions of innocent people, for power, the theft of resources and world hegemony. Arent you the Editor in Chief ashamed for putting up a totally false scenario? One of lies and half-truths, all with the objective of further brainwashing the western public into becoming warmongers, like your criminal government, and like your criminal paper. Yes, the NYT is a criminal paper, for doing what it does: Lying after lying to sway public opinion towards war, towards killing mass-killing, mass-murder, thats what your government has been doing for the last 70 years all under false flags and lies, pretending fighting terrorists, yet, fomenting terrorism, while building up the base for world hegemony and insane profits for the American war industrial complex the oligarchs of death. Did you know you must! that the US economy could not survive PEACE; that this sadistic and satanic economy depends on war, permanent war? That the war machine manufacturing complex and its associated industries and services account for more than 50% of the US GDP? And do you realize you should! that the USs economic output is one of destruction of killing, of annihilation instead of building and developing human knowledge and wellbeing, the intrinsic thrive of human society evolving in conscience, integrity and conscientiousness towards living well for all? How is that for an exceptional nation? Indeed, an exceptional nation, a nation in disrespect of all international laws and conventions just breaching the Vienna Convention to which the US is party by violating the diplomatic code, invading the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington and a few years ago, by seizing Russian diplomatic properties in Washington and New York. Wonderful precedents for other unaligned and disobedient countries to prepare for but also for other countries if and when they wake up and take their courage into their mind and fist to do the same to US Embassies on their soil. What would Washington do? Does Washington even consider such a possibility? I guess not. But its the easiest thing to do retaliate. It would just take a number of countries acting in solidarity, simultaneously and Bingo! the emperor will be standing there with his pants down. Your paper didnt mention this little diplomatic episode that happened a few days ago in the context of lawlessness, of breaching the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations which entered into effect in April 1964, one of the few sacrosanct UN Conventions on diplomacy of which the US is a signatory. - Back to the Venezuelan misery you, Mr. Editor in Chief, and the NYT are so eager to report on. Why dont you say that the United States of America the self-proclaimed exceptional nation, with war criminals leading it is responsible for far most of the suffering of Venezuela, through its totally illegal (who cares in Washington about legality) sanctions, blockage of food and medical imports, theft and confiscation of some US$ 130 billion in Venezuelan assets and reserve funds in US banks and around the world, economic blackmail and strangulation that has, according to economists Mark Weisbrot of the Center for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) in Washington D.C. and Jeffrey Sachs, Columbia University, caused the death of some 40,000 Venezuelans. This racist, misogynist and neofascist government, centered in and around the Swamp of Washington, is responsible for most of the suffering in the world today, by planting wars and conflicts eternal war on terror; the same terrorists, trained, funded and armed by the very Washington, the CIA, the Pentagon, NATO and the spineless European puppets for power, domination and theft of resources. Does the NYT ever report on this? Why cant you, the NYT and YOU, the Editor in Chief, for once be honest and stand up for true journalism? Because you would lose your job? Right, thats it, isnt it? So, why dont you pull out your card of ethics that you subscribed to in the school of journalism from deep-deep down in your soul look at it, internalize it and think how much more you will be gaining in esteem around the world, if you bring the truth to the people, rather than keep lying and brainwashing the world into war, misery and death? Try it. You may be surprised. Dont you think, Dear Editor in Chief, sooner or later this lie-propaganda, this abject non-journalism will haunt you eventually all the way into the grave? People will wake up, the empire will fall, its just a matter of time. What will you do then? Switch sides? You truly think, you really honestly think, people will believe you? And I mean you and your paper, the once-upon-a-time highly reputed New York Times? That the people are so dumb to forever buy your lies, your untruths? Its now or never that you should switch sides. You may feel the brunt for a while from those who pretend running the world, but deep down in your soul you still have a spark of ethic left. Pull it out. Bring it to light. It will reward your life forever. - Largely thanks to you, the NYT and your think-alike AngloZionist mass-media colleagues and partners in crime which encourage people to call for wars, for invasions, conflicts and regime change, all based on your deceit, misinformation and false flags as a disgraceful result of these lies millions and millions of people have been killed around the globe. Estimates put the figure at between 20 and 25 million since the end of WWII all by the US, NATO, and their proxies and vassalic European minions. By repeatedly spreading lies and deception, you are creating a false truth, indoctrinating people into consensus for wars and more wars, for invading and killing more innocent people, for the benefit of a few kleptomaniac oligarchs, stealing natural resources and, especially, of the corrupt war machine. Goebbels, Hitlers Propaganda Minister, had it right, when he said: Give me control of the media and I convert the people into a herd of pigs. Most of the western populace is already a herd of pigs. Venezuelans are no herd of pigs. They, and Cubans, Nicaraguans, Bolivians, Iranians, Syrians, Russians, Chinese and many other sanctioned, blackmailed and suffocated people, have been resisting and will continue to resist, no matter what it takes to bring the empire to its knees. Lets face it, the latest amok race around the globe dishing out sanctions and more sanctions from Venezuela, to Iran, to China, to North Korea, to Syria, to Iraq by the ultra-dangerous, sadistic warrior-jokers, Bolton, Pompeo, Abrams, Pence and not to forget, the Goldie-Lock of incompetence in the White House with a fleet of the largest warplane carriers encircling the seas of Iran and the Gulf of Hormuz these people and the scenarios they create, are a true reflection of hopelessness befalling a fading empire. You, the New York Times, could help bringing this abject war on terror, the merciless killing of millions to an end, accelerate the downfall of the empire, by spreading the truth the truth that you, Editor in Chief, as well as many of your colleague journalists know by stepping out of your MSM-box, making a 180-degree U-turn, siding with the people, the 99.99% who crave PEACE. You would earn and receive an enormous THANK-YOU. Peter Koenig is an economist and geopolitical analyst. He is also a water resources and environmental specialist. He worked for over 30 years with the World Bank and the World Health Organization around the world in the fields of environment and water. He lectures at universities in the US, Europe and South America. He writes regularly for Global Research; ICH; RT; Sputnik; PressTV; The 21st Century; TeleSUR; The Saker Blog, the New Eastern Outlook (NEO); and other internet sites. He is the author of Implosion An Economic Thriller about War, Environmental Destruction and Corporate Greed fiction based on facts and on 30 years of World Bank experience around the globe. He is also a co-author of The World Order and Revolution! Essays from the Resistance. The original source of this article is Information Clearing House - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here Porterville, CA (93257) Today A steady rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low 38F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight A steady rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low 38F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. OIL TANKERS ATTACKED SAUDI ARABIA CLAIMS SHIP HEADING TO US SABOTAGED ABC News on-screen headline, May 13, 2019 SAUDI OIL TANKERS ATTACKED ENERGY MINISTER SAYS SHIPS WERE TARGETED IN SABOTAGE ATTACK CBS News on-screen headline, May 13, 2019 May 20, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - These network stories are examples of fake news at its most dangerous, when it plays into the dishonest manipulations of an administration beating the drums for a war against Iran that has no reasonable basis. Not only do the networks and mainstream media generally fail to question the administrations rush to war, they also fail to do basic journalism by independently confirming whether a particular story is true or not. The story of the oil tanker attacks appears to have been mostly or entirely false, as any news organization could have known from the start by exercising basic skepticism. Or the story could have been pimped as terrorism, as Debka.com did, asserting on May 13 that: A special unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards marine force carried out the sabotage on 4 Saudi oil tankers outside Fujairah port. No evidence, anonymous sources only, and wrong number of Saudi tankers. The first report of something happening in or near the emirate of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) came from the Lebanon-based Al Mayadeen TV, saying that seven to ten oil tankers were burning in the port of Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman (outside the Strait of Hormuz leading to the Persian Gulf). There is no evidence that any tankers were burning there. Available satellite images show no smoke, explosions, or anything else to support the claim of an accident or an attack. Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get our FREE Daily Newsletter A few hours later, a new story surfaced. On May 12 at 7:38 pm, the UAE foreign ministry issued a statement carried by the state news agency WAM with the headline: Four commercial ships subjected to sabotage operations near UAE territorial waters, no fatalities or injuries reported. The report in its entirety offered little detail: ABU DHABI, 12th May, 2019 (WAM) -- Four commercial ships were subjected to sabotage operations today, 12th May, near UAE territorial waters in the Gulf of Oman, east of Fujairah, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, MOFAIC, has announced. The Ministry said that the concerned authorities have taken all necessary measures, and are investigating the incident in cooperation with local and international bodies. It said that there had been no injuries or fatalities on board the vessels and that there had been no spillage of harmful chemicals or fuel. The MOFAIC statement said that the carrying out acts of sabotage on commercial and civilian vessels and threatening the safety and lives of those on board is a serious development. It called on the international community to assume its responsibilities to prevent such actions by parties attempting to undermine maritime traffic safety and security. The Ministry also described as baseless and unfounded rumours earlier today, 12th May, of incidents taking place within the Port of Fujairah, saying that operations within the port were under way as normal, without any interruption. Theres not much here. What sort of sabotage operations occurred? Who carried them out? What damage was there, if any? Who were the four ships? When was the sabotage discovered? Whats really going on here, if anything? The next day the Saudi Press Agency chimed in with a statement from the Minister of Energy that confirmed that two Saudi oil tankers were subjected to a sabotage attack in the exclusive economic zone of the United Arab Emirates, off the coast of the Emirate of Fujairah. The minister claimed structural damage to the two tankers but did not make them available for inspection. Satellite and surface images showed no damage to either tanker. Thats about all that was known on May 13 as ABC News went on the air acting as if the story was factually clear and larger than supported by any evidence. The lead-in to the story was flush with news-hype and propaganda technique: we begin with that attack overseas on Saudi ships and oil tankers. One about to head to the U.S. This comes in the wake of that warning about threats from Iran. Fundamentally dishonest. There were two Saudi tankers, no Saudi ships. The other two tankers were from the UAE and Norway. There was no certainty that there was any attack (and there still isnt). Saying that one tanker was about to head to the US was not only irrelevant, but provocative. It was on its way to Saudi Arabia to load oil bound for the US (according to the Saudis). Putting the misreported attack in the context of that warning about threats from Iran is pure propagandistic parroting of US government scare-mongering. But that was just the lead-in to veteran reporter Martha Raddatz surely shed bring some sane perspective to bear, right? Wrong. She made it worse, talking in a tone suitable for a they-just-attacked-Pearl-Harbor report. Somberly treating the alleged attack as a matter of fact, Raddatz framed it with a conclusion supported by no evidence whatsoever: This comes at an extremely tense time in the region with the U.S. warning just days ago that Iran or its proxies could be targeting maritime traffic in the oil rich Persian Gulf region. Although we do not know who carried out this mornings attack on these ships, we know four were sabotaged off the coast in the Persian Gulf and it caused significant structural damage to two Saudi oil tankers. One of the Saudi ships was on its way to pick up Saudi oil for delivery to the U.S. Last week the U.S. urgently dispatched a carrier strike group, B-52 bombers and Patriot missile battery to the region after it said there were unspecified threats to American forces in the region. Irans news agency this morning saying the dispatch of the warships was to exaggerate the shadow of war and frighten the Iranian people. But this is a very dangerous development. Could Sarah Huckabee Sanders have said it better? Posing as a journalist, Martha Raddatz ratchets up the Trump administrations scare campaign based on nothing more than fear tactics. Shes so busy trying to scare us, she doesnt even get the geography right. The alleged attack didnt happen in the Persian Gulf. The four ships that were supposedly attacked were in the Gulf of Oman off the coast of the UAE. Almost all the rest of what Raddatz reports as fact comes from government press releases. And thats not the most shameful part for Raddatz and ABC News. Worse than botching facts large and small is the willingness of such mainstream media players to team up with elements of the US government seeking war with Iran at almost any cost. CBS News coverage was little better, not only putting the action in the Persian Gulf, but upping the number of ships attacked to six. CBS did manage a small saving grace, concluding: Whatever the case, the tensions here have only risen since President Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal, brokered between Iran and world powers. Well, yes, THAT is the crux of the mess. The US unilaterally tries to pull out of a multilateral international agreement that all other parties say is working and were supposed to take the US seriously? Seriously? At this point, any reporter who accepts a government press release as authoritative should be summarily fired. At this point, that is inexcusable malpractice. Iran has abided by the nuclear deal, all the inspectors affirm that. The other signatories China, Russia, GB, France, Germany, and the EU all affirm that. But they dont stand up to the US effectively. They allow the US to bully them into joining the American economic warfare against Iran. Over the next several days after it broke, the oil tankers attacked story slowly collapsed. Fact-based skepticism started to catch up with the official story. The UAE kept reporters from getting too close to the ships, which showed no serious damage. An anonymous US official blamed Iran, based on no evidence. US military officials in the Persian Gulf region stopped answering questions about whatever it was, referring questioners to the White House. At this point, if the oil tanker attacks were either a warmongering hoax or false flag operation, its not going to have the same success as the sinking of the battleship Maine in Havana Harbor in 1898 or the provocations of US warships in the Tonkin Gulf in 1964. Theres even an off-chance that a suspicious Congress and an even more suspicious public will manage to slow the rush to war, or even stop it. There are signs of some increased media wariness, also known as detachment. Perhaps the most hopeful signs are the leaked anonymous stories that the president really, really doesnt want to go to war, which of course he doesnt have to if he doesnt want to, if he knows what he wants. Another leaked story had it that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Advisor John Bolton are confident that they can lead Trump by the nose into the war they want with Iran and that Trumps too stupid to understand what theyre up to. If Trump sees that, it might give peace a chance. William M. Boardman has over 40 years experience in theatre, radio, TV, print journalism, and non-fiction, including 20 years in the Vermont judiciary. He has received honors from Writers Guild of America, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Vermont Life magazine, and an Emmy Award nomination from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. This article was originally published by "RSN" - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here 'Chinese companies have acquired stakes in 13 ports in Europe, including in Greece, Spain and, most recently, Belgium.' 'Those ports handle about 10 percent of Europe's shipping container capacity,' points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar. IMAGE: Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks at the opening ceremony for the second Belt and Road Forum in Beijing on April 26, 2019. Photograph: Florence Lo/Reuters The tunnel vision of Indian strategic analysts with regard to China's Belt and Road Initiative has become the mainstream opinion in the country, inevitably. This is unfortunate because it is a flawed assumption basically to conclude that the tiny slice one sees through the tunnel is the whole world. Indian analysts have made Sri Lanka a test case for the BRI. But that is neither here nor there. The fact of the matter is that BRI has come to be the centrepiece of China's foreign policy, which has a global reach. The BRI is doing extraordinarily well in the theatre that matters most to China -- Europe. Some two years ago, the American think-tank Stratfor ruefully entitled an essay For China, All Roads and Belts Lead to Europe. It was prescient in some ways. Take China's expansion into European ports as part of its new Maritime Silk Road. In the past decade, Chinese companies have acquired stakes in 13 ports in Europe, including in Greece, Spain and, most recently, Belgium, according to a study by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. Those ports handle about 10 percent of Europe's shipping container capacity. It makes sense for China to prioritise its Maritime Silk Road in the European continent because China is the European Union's biggest source of imports and its second-largest export market, adding up to more than $1 billion in trade per day. And sea shipping outweighs rail or air freight. The biggest Chinese investment so far has been in the major port of Pireaus in Greece. The sale of Pireaus to a Chinese firm was as part of the left-wing Syriza party government's defiance against austerity demands from international creditors. Nonetheless, it was a stunning event as the port has served as Athens' shipping harbour since the ancient Greeks ruled the seas 2,500 years ago. Photograph: PTI Photo For China, it was a brilliant breakthrough that its state-run shipping behemoth, COSCO Group snapped up the 67% of Pireaus port the Greek government controlled. For Greece, the sale money was a godsend. And in return China got a role in operating Europe's infrastructure as a partner. Of course, China had big plans. Huawei now runs a logistics centre in Pireaus port, and a Chinese-built rail link is being constructed to connect Pireaus with Central Europe -- a route that takes much shorter time than the regular journey by container trucks and freight trains from Europe's three major ports of Hamburg, Rotterdam, and Antwerp. The COSCO massively upgraded the Pireaus port's outdated crane system and built a new deep-water dock capable of accommodating giant container ships. Unsurprisingly, traffic in Piraeus has rocketed and the port has got into the big league of Europe's container ports. Importantly, China turned around the port, which was in debts, into a money spinner. After two years of Chinese operation, the port posted a 147% improvement year-over-year, bringing in EUR 27.9 million in profits. The Piraeus port's phenomenal success has become a BRI blockbuster. Conceivably, the Greek venture into the BRI inspired Italy to 'defect' in March and become the first G7 member country to join the BRI. In April, Switzerland formally announced that it supports the BRI. Since then, a memorandum of understanding has been signed to intensify cooperation on trade, investment and project financing in third markets along the routes of the BRI. At the signing ceremony in Beijing, Swiss President Ueli Maurer told the media, 'The projects within the BRI are the most important investment projects of this century. If we want prosperity -- and we want prosperity -- there has to be investment first. This project will serve the entire world.' Now comes the report from Shanghai on May 16 that Dunkirk port in France is keen to partake of the opportunities provided by the BRI. Trade between France and China is booming ($62.9 billion in 2018) and Dunkirk port which is situated at the heart of a triangle between Brussels, London, and Paris expects vast scope for expansion via the BRI. This is the whole point. The tunnel vision of Indian analysts is doing incalculable harm because the erroneous conclusions being propagated in the media misleads public opinion. Unfortunately, quite a bit of all this is also happening under the tutelage (or patronage) of Sinophobes within the Indian establishment. Even though relations with China is hugely consequential, there is very little original research in India over the BRI as such. Evidently, China didn't boobytrap Greece, Italy, Switzerland or France or got them entangled in the BRI web. On the contrary, these industrial countries saw definite advantages in participating in the BRI. None of these countries would have any reason to fear a 'debt trap', because debt trap is not applicable to economies that have the capability to make repayments (which includes India, by the way.) And if countries get trapped in debts, it is because they lived far beyond their means. As for that matter, even Sri Lanka's so-called 'debt trap' has nothing to do with the BRI. Traditionally, most PSUs have been cash-rich, which added to their value. However, the government has been tapping regularly into their cash resources to boost revenue for the exchequer Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com Public sector enterprises are back on the governments radar after it was learnt that the Ministry of Finances Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) has been examining plans to launch three equity exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the current fiscal year after the formation of the new government. The DIPAM expects that the three ETFs will be attractive to investors who want to put in money in specific sectors, and will help the Centre meet an ambitious Rs 90,000-crore divestment target for FY20. A quick check on the performance of public sector enterprises at the bourses under the past two governments -- the second tenure of the United Progressive Alliance (20092014) and Narendra Modi led National Democratic Alliance (NDA; 2014 onwards) -- reveals that most of these stocks have lost ground. While the S&P BSE Sensex gained nearly 42 per cent under the UPA II, stocks of state-owned companies such as MMTC, Hindustan Copper, NMDC, SAIL, BHEL, National Aluminium Company (Nalco), Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) and BEML slipped around 50 per cent to 97 per cent during this period, ACE Equity data shows. Banking stocks such as that of IOB, UCO Bank, Syndicate Bank, Andhra Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce, Bank of India, and Bank of Maharashtra were the top PSU losers under the NDAs rule. While the S&P BSE Sensex gained nearly 44 per cent under the NDA government, these stocks lost 73 per cent to 86 per cent during this period, data shows. ONGC, BHEL, Punjab National Bank, Hindustan Copper, SAIL and Coal India were some of the other losers. So, should you stay away from the PSU basket? Though analysts expect the markets to do well, excessive government control and asset quality concerns in some are among the factors that deter investors from putting money in these companies, they say. There are chances that Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) and other insurers will buy into the ETFs as and when they are launched. PSUs have been one of the most underperforming stocks and investors have lost money here. "Whichever government comes to power, it will have to manage the fiscal situation and will be forced to mobilise money via such routes. "One cannot expect much retail investor interest in such offerings, explains G Chokkalingam, founder and managing director at Equinomics Research. Traditionally, most PSUs have been cash-rich, which added to their value. However, the government has been tapping regularly into their cash resources to boost revenue for the exchequer. Experts believe the high amount of cash PSUs gave investors through dividends and buybacks could hold back capex growth of these companies. The broader NSE Nifty plunged 119.15 points, or 1.01 per cent, to 11,709.10. Benchmark indices took U-turn from record high levels touched during early trade on Tuesday, with the BSE Sensex tripping nearly 383 points and the NSE Nifty shedding over 119 points as investors hurried up to book profits. Intense selling was seen, barring initial hours, across sectors after market participants sensed that exit polls euphoria over BJP's likely win in the general election has already been factored in appropriately. After hitting an intra-day record high of 39,571.73, the 30-share index ended 382.87 points, or 0.97 per cent, lower at 38,969.80. The gauge hit the day's low of 38,884.85. In a similar movement, the broader NSE Nifty plunged 119.15 points, or 1.01 per cent, to 11,709.10. Tata Motors was the biggest loser in the Sensex pack, dipping 7.05 per cent, a day after the company posted a 49 per cent decline in March quarter profit. Maruti, IndusInd Bank, M&M, Bharti Airtel, SBI, PowerGrid, Hero MotoCorp, Tata Steel, ICICI Bank, Infosys, Yes Bank and TCS too fell up to 3.25 per cent. On the other hand, RIL, HUL and Bajaj Finance ended in the green, rising up to 1.08 per cent. The broader BSE midcap and smallcap indices ended in the red in line with benchmarks, falling up to 0.84 per cent. Traders believe that though a profit-booking emerged at higher levels but election rally may continue if the election results come as per exit polls prediction. On Monday, the 30-share index skyrocketed 1,421.90 points, or 3.75 per cent, to 39,352.67, and the Nifty soared 421.10 points, or 3.69 per cent, to 11,828.25. The rally came after a majority of exit polls forecast another term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The results of the seven-phase polls will be announced on May 23. Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters If anything became clear during this campaign, it is this: Mr Modi can bat on almost any wicket and hit the ball over the ropes, says T N Ninan. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi at Badrinath, May 19, 2019. Most people might have expected that voters would be presented these past few weeks with a record of the Narendra Damodardas Modi government's term in office, what it promises for the future, and the alternatives that the Opposition offers. The campaign did indeed begin that way, with the BJP's slogan of 'The impossible is now possible' (Namumkin ab mumkin hai), Rahul Gandhi's Nyay handout scheme, and arguments about the relative advantages and disadvantages of strong governments and coalition rule. It turns out though that few have heard of Nyay, while Opposition coalescence is very partial. In turn, the BJP discovered that its development record was not evocative enough and, using the Pulwama-Balakot strike-counterstrike, switched focus to national security. That's when reality and campaign rhetoric began their divergence. Mr Modi's uncanny ability to turn liability into asset was now in evidence. The chowkidar's failure to act on intelligence warnings about a terrorist strike against army convoys, the embarrassment of having a fighter plane shot down and (worse) a helicopter brought down by own-side fire, the discovery that Pakistan's air force with a fraction of the Indian air force's budget can deploy better planes and better missiles and has more secure communications links -- all this uncomfortable realisation was buried under a full-throated campaign that focused on two high points: The Balakot strike and getting Masood Azhar declared a terrorist. The Congress's belated bleats that its own track record had surgical strikes and other successes to show were, as usual, pusillanimous. The national security debate took another curious turn, as though the country is in danger of being broken up by the 'tukde-tukde gang' of seditionists. Nationalists should have greater confidence in their country's strengths. If indeed there is danger, what of government strategy? The escalating levels of violence in both Naxal-infested areas and Jammu and Kashmir point to policy failure. And China's security challenge gets no mention even as Beijing's tentacles reach into India's neighbourhood. Then we descended to the level of farce, with the campaign veering off into accusations against a prime minister dead for more than a quarter century, and before that the actions of another prime minister dead for more than a half century. Whatever the sins of commission and omission of Nehru and Rajiv Gandhi, are they election issues in 2019? Or are these deliberately escapist diversions? Note that the economy has been given a convenient bypass by the BJP, except for the frequent assertion that no development took place for 70 years till Mr Modi came along. The Congress in its usual ineffective way points to slowing growth, flat exports and declining investment, and new revelations about statistical fiction. More had been said on the stump about jobs and rural distress, but Mr Modi did not respond. How much of this mattered to the voter? In partisan politics people choose facts to suit bias or belief, more so when there is identification with a strong leader. For millions of voters, Mr Modi's record may not be the best, but he remains the best bet. Or, they have bought into his Hindutva nationalism. Meanwhile, Mr Modi demonstrated yet again his ability to turn the tables on his critics by switching around the charge of tasteless criticism, and listing the multiple terms of abuse hurled at him over the years. Rahul Gandhi's 'love dictionary', he called it with typical panache. If anything has become clear during this campaign, it is this: Mr Modi can bat on almost any wicket and hit the ball over the ropes. He will do it with a selective use of facts, play on emotion, and tropes about naamdars and kaamdars. Should he lose his party's majority or (more drastically) the chance to govern further, it will be less because of the Opposition and more on his own account and because, despite an assiduous image build-up over five years, aggressive social media trolling and impressive histrionics on the stump, voters in the heartland prove to be disappointed with what he has delivered. 'If Mr Modi continues growing as a Hindu Hriday Samrat, better that it is done by restoring ancient temples than demolishing medieval mosques,' says Shekhar Gupta. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi at a roadshow in Varanasi on April 25, 2019. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters Writings on the Wall is a metaphor that grew out of my travels, mostly through the poll-bound regions of India and the neighbourhood over the past 15 years. Because, even more than its big festivals, the subcontinent comes to life during its elections. And what's on people's minds, their aspirations, joys, concerns and fears, you can pretty much understand by reading these writings on the wall. These can be graffiti, advertising, skylines, fences, or, even rubble. You want to see change in Varanasi, you walk on fresh rubble, a lone bulldozer is labouring on yards away, and look at the walls. Don't read. Because there is nothing to read. Just take a close look at the remnants of what used to be there. These are remnants of doors, windows, ventilators, cupboards, as if these were pasted on these walls with some adhesive and somebody rudely pulled them out. If you were airdropped here, you might for a moment think you've landed in the middle of some zany art installation. Or, it could also be the setting of another madcap Fevicol ad: You join two houses with it, knock them with a bulldozer, our joints will survive. This is precisely what has happened here. About 300 houses, temples and other buildings stood in this area of just 4.6 hectares (11.4 acres), most of them so close to each other that over time they had become conjoined as if constructed together. Beneath these somehow survived Varanasi's famous -- or infamous -- byzantine galis (lanes), some so narrow that not more than two average-sized adults could pass them. It's now history. Modi critics say that the cloistered neighbourhood that concealed the Kashi Vishwanath temple, among Hinduism's holiest and oldest, has been broken down so the entire Hindu world could now see the temple from the ghats of the Ganga. More important, as they see the relatively modest temple, they will notice the more imposing domes of the Gyanvapi mosque, which Aurangzeb apparently built in 1669 after demolishing the original Kashi Vishwanath temple. This will be militant Hindutva's eyesore and next target. I would find it less alarming and not just because officials, including Vishal Singh, 36, chief executive officer of the Kashi Vishwanath Development Authority, remind me that the mosque is already well-protected with 30-foot-high solid steel pillars and CRPF armed with automatics. Mine is a realistic view that even if the rulers of the day were violent majoritarian malcontents and the institutions had become so malleable that they could no longer protect the Constitution, a building with easy access and view will be harder to harm than one hidden in a maze. So, just the redevelopment of the area, clearing of the 300 metres to the riverfront for an unhindered view of the temple from the ghats and vice-versa, doesn't add to the threat. Some local Muslims leaders filed a petition in the Supreme Court, expressing these apprehensions on behalf of the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid, but it was rejected. The greater opposition, in fact, comes from Varanasi's Hindu conservatives. Walk down the narrow lane connecting the temple precinct's Neelkanth gate to the holiest Manikarnika Ghat, where cremations take place, and we run into well-known local writer and journalist/intellectual Trilochan Prasad. He's furious. Who can dare to change what was never destined to change? They have destroyed our heritage, everything that was sacred, hundreds of crores have been wasted, a way of life has been destroyed and more. Like him or not, Narendra Damodardas Modi is a risk-taker. This -- the redevelopment of a mere 4.6 hectares, involving the demolition of 296 buildings -- is among the greatest risks he has taken in his constituency. Because this means annoying not just the liberal, but the most conservative residents of the Brahmin heartland, which takes pride in being eternal and unchanging. Almost 90 per cent of those shifted are Brahmins. Like its priests, Varanasi also must have the highest per capita population of political pundits. And many would tell you, with the greatest conviction, that this Modi-Yogi 'misadventure' will cost them anything between 60,000 and 75,000 votes. To understand the before-and-after you need to see the charts and plastic models in the office of CEO, who, incidentally, has a master's in administration from the University of Maryland. A sum of Rs 600 crore has been sanctioned for the authority and the old buildings acquired after making a law in the UP assembly. The owners have been given twice the circle rate and they seem happy by and large, with a total of a little over Rs 200 crore paid out. Another Rs 15 crore has been paid to residents who didn't own the buildings but claimed tenancy rights. Only 12 owners are still holding out, in the vicinity of the temple. Demolition work is mostly over. Mr Modi performed the bhoomi pujan for the new precinct on March 8 and work should finish in another year or so. By now 43 temples have been discovered, entombed earlier in houses built over them, mostly as encroachment. When it is completed, this temple complex will become what almost nothing in old Varanasi can still claim to be, even after five years of having the prime minister as its MP: Clean, modern, and accessible. The point is, was it a risk worth taking? Inner city development is one of India's greatest challenges. Most of our leaders have stayed clear of this minefield. The first who attempted it was a reckless tyrant who asked no questions (Sanjay Gandhi, Turkman Gate and Jama Masjid) and the other is the spiritual head of his sect whom nobody would ask a question: The Syedna of the Bohris now leading the Rs 4,000 crore rebuilding of central Mumbai's Bhendi Bazaar. Mr Modi is the third, but the first to try and do this using the laws, persuasion, and a wide open purse. While we question his commitment to secularism and often enough expose the hollowness of his sab ka saath, sab ka vikas slogan, we also need to acknowledge that in some important ways he has challenged Hinduism's social conservatism. The Swachh Bharat and anti-open defecation campaigns are one aspect of it. The other, forgotten by now, was his removal of a large number of temples encroaching public spaces in Gujarat, which put him at odds with his original VHP hatchet-men. The Kashi Vishwanath Corridor is his panga with Varanasi's conservative Brahminism. Many wise and famous men have spoken immortal lines about Varanasi. Probably the most quoted are Mark Twain's: 'Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together.' But must it continue to be twice as messy and filthy as that? Surely, Hinduism deserves better for its holiest, oldest city, supposedly of salvation. Twain would be surprised reading the walls around the new, bulldozed emptiness at the temple today. They speak of change. Few doubt that Mr Modi will be re-elected in Varanasi. We will also be able to guess on May 23 if it makes Mr Modi lose those tens of thousands of conservative votes pundits of Banaras predict. But in a year, if he completes the project, it could work wonders with his much larger, pan-national Hindu constituency. And you know what, I'm happy to say I am enthused by this project. It will be a great precedent for other old cities, hopefully for the restoration and pedestrianisation of Delhi's Chandni Chowk to its old glory. And if Mr Modi continues growing as a Hindu Hriday Samrat, better that it is done by restoring ancient temples than demolishing medieval mosques. By Special Arrangement with The Print 'Why has the phrase gone missing from Modi's vocabulary?' asks Saisuresh Sivaswamy. Of the many phrases that have gone missing from Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi's vocabulary for Elections 2019, is 'Congress-mukt Bharat', which he made famous five years ago. Perhaps he believes that the objective has already been achieved. Perhaps he has had a rethink on the subject, and come to believe that a strong Opposition was vital to democracy (haha). Perhaps he believes that it was mission impossible, especially after the Hindi heartland elections last year that saw the Congress snatch 3 states from the Bharatiya Janata Party, and decided to not spend time on unattainable targets. Whatever. So it was interesting that a solitary voice from the Opposition went hammer and tongs at the Congress for its inability to stanch the spread of the BJP in the country and called for its winding up. Even more interestingly, given the standing Yogendra Yadav, formerly of the Aam Aadmi Party, holds in television studios, where he represents the kind of voice 'Lutyens media' or 'Khan Market gang' hold in great respect, it was even more interesting that his remarks, which should not carry any sway beyond the narrow confines of the TV studios, should be thought worthy of a prime time debate the next day! At least two channels saw it fit to spend time on the Congress's utility or otherwise on Monday night, perhaps testifying to the paucity of subjects in the interregnum between exit poll results and the actual results. Mahatma Gandhi too is said to have favoured the disbanding of the Congress after Independence, and its conversion into a social service organisation. Thankfully, wiser counsel prevailed, since the need of the hour for the fledgling democracy was a strong political party mired in the national movement's ethos to see the country through the early years. Through all its years in power and out of it, the Congress has seen numerous attacks on it, including, famously, on its centenary in 1985 by none other than its own president, then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, who called it a party of power-brokers and promised to fix it. Within two years of his famous remarks in Bombay, he had to turn to the very forces he spurned to ward off the attacks on him in the wake of the Bofors bribery scandal. Cest la vie. So did Yogendra Yadav's erudite sounding words merit discussion? NDTV and India Today TV, where he had made the remarks on Sunday night and repeated them on Monday night, thought it did. Given its projected pathetic seat harvest in the Lok Sabha polls, is the Congress a glue or hurdle to Opposition unity against the BJP, NDTV wanted to know. And Sudheendra Kulkarni, former advisor to BJP veteran L K Advani, was certain where he stood. In the Congress party corner. 'Even the BJP was once upon a time reduced to just 2 seats in the Lok Sabha, in the 1984 elections when even Atal Bihari Vajpayee was defeated, and look at where it is today.' 'Only the Congress is committed to the idea of India, and it will resurrect.' The Congress's Sanjay Jha was unfazed in the face of Rajdeep Sardesai's unrelenting verbal volleys. 'If the numbers hold,' the latter's favourite phrase from Sunday night, will it be double digits for the Congress for the second time running? Will anyone be held accountable for its poor performance or will it be back to life as usual? Is the Congress in crisis? Is it time for reinvention? Etc etc. 'I am not buying Yogendra Yadav's intellectual mumbo-jumbo,' Jha said, and 'I will patiently wait for the election results on May 23, when I will answer all your questions.' Injecting some intellectualism of his own, Jha spoke of the Bradley effect whereby voters don't always disclose their true intent to pollsters, thus leading to different poll outcomes than the ones forecast. But how did the allies view the Congress party? As big brother? Does the Congress add any value to the allies's vote and seat share or is it in for the free ride? A Saravanan, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam spokesperson, came to the ally's rescue. 'The Congress helped us in getting the numbers,' he said. The cadre to cadre network between the two parties was fine, the Congress halo was still intact, but its problem was it had no real leaders in Tamil Nadu who can leverage that. Elsewhere, the comedy news central was chugging along just fine, with Arnab Goswami telling one of his panellists, either jocularly or seriously it could not be seen from his demeanour, 'I will slap you.' Talking of the Congress's future, or lack of it, I came across a rare interview (external link) by its general secretary (east), Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra, who has been pulled out by the party to strengthen its fight against the BJP. It was not a face-to-face one, but a written response to questions submitted by The Hindu. Among the things she said were: 'If I had fought him (Modi) in Varanasi, I would have given it my best; whether that would have been a serious challenge or not would have been for the people to say.' 'The Congress has fought this election well on its own strength. I expect our vote percentage to increase and am hopeful of improving on the number of seats we win as well.' 'There is no comparison (with Rahul Gandhi). He has been in politics for 15 years and I have entered politics 15 weeks back. He has massive experience, he has travelled all around the country, he understands this country, its religions, the forces that are at play within and outside it, better than most politicians I have come across do. He is far wiser than I am, and I learn from him every minute. So, to me this is a manufactured comparison.' 'I am her (Indira Gandhi's) granddaughter, it's natural that I should look like her. Sometimes, when I see older people waiting for me and greeting me with so much affection, I can see that they are reacting to me so emotionally because of her work and her commitment to our country. It makes me even more aware of what a formidable and courageous woman she was. So many years after her death, she is still remembered with love. It says a lot for the life she lived.' Helicopter shot on May 23 Television channels are pulling out all stops to elevate their election results coverage, and it seems CNN-News 18 proposes to take it to another level, through the use of VR and such technology that will give viewers a helicopter view of the results as they come in. Here's a screen shot from one of their on-air promos (I kid you not). Rather than an outcome of 'pro-incumbency', the exit poll results betray a completely lackadaisical approach of the Opposition parties. While a new kind of politics was on display for the past five years, they were still mired in their old-style methods which will cost them the election, predicts Utkarsh Mishra. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi during his visit to Kedarnath on May 18, 2019. Photograph: PTI Photo I freaked out several of my friends on a Sunday morning when I posted on Facebook that the Bharatiya Janata Party would most likely win 350 seats. While some were upset and telling me about 'disenchanted voters', others took a swipe, saying the BJP is doing quite well in Pakistan too! After the exit poll results emerged in the evening, silence prevailed. I've been firm in my opinion since December last year that the BJP would score a triple century. But whenever I said that Narendra Damodardas Modi would return with an even greater majority than in 2014, it startled even BJP supporters, my kith and kin included. Everyone asked me about the basis of my belief, and I explained a lot of factors. But I issued a caveat with all my observations that if it all turns out be a charade on May 23, no one would be more pleased than I. However, as it seems, the picture isn't going to be much different. So what led to this wave of -- if we can borrow a phrase from Mr Modi -- 'pro-incumbency'? I suggest that rather than being an outcome of 'pro-incumbency', these results betray a completely lackadaisical approach of the Opposition parties. They were not fighting to win this election. Even the Congress fought so half-heartedly. While a new kind of politics was on display for the past five years, the Opposition parties were mired in their old-style methods. Here are some reasons that may have facilitated 'Phir ek baar, Modi sarkar'. Lack of ground work by the Opposition While many mocked Modi for not taking questions at his first press conference on May 17, 2019, few paid attention to the details Amit Anilchandra Shah put out at the media interaction. The BJP's national president not only explained the dramatic increase in the number of recruited workers, but also gave details about booths and polling stations which were covered by the party, tracking down beneficiaries of government schemes and making them put a BJP flag atop their houses, establishing 161 call centres where over 15,000 callers spoke to 240 million people about government schemes and their experiences. And they have been doing it for the past two years, slowly building the ground for their party's victory. No such effort was seen on the ground by the Congress or any other Opposition party. The only time I heard Congress President Rahul Gandhi talking about a policy failure was when he spoke about the fraudulent beneficiaries of the Janani Suraksha Yojna in Uttar Pradesh. This should have been done more, backed by regular press conferences and social media disclosures. There was no large-scale follow-up on any big government scheme to reveal the reality. Rahul focussed too much on Rafale, to which the average voter could hardly connect, especially when the government had a favourable Supreme Court order and Comptroller and Auditor General report to flaunt. His rallies were also full of too much of 'chowkidar chor hai' and 'made in here', 'made in there' while he could have spoken more about rural housing, farmers issues with the market and the Congress's flagship scheme NYAY. Moreover, nothing much is known about the booth-level presence of the Opposition parties. Why didn't the Congress do it in the three or four major states where it is in power is unclear. Despite Modi's popularity, the BJP left no effort to pull voters. I am not aware of any such effort by any Opposition party, much less the Congress. Scant presence in media Rahul could have addressed a lot more press conferences on a range of issues. But important matters such as the bankruptcy of the Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation and alleged false information on land ownership Modi provided in his election affidavit were left to leaders like Jairam Ramesh or Randeep Surjewala to explain to the media. They were also not followed up. Naturally, few paid attention. If Rahul himself had come out and spoke on this, it would have attracted more coverage. Now I know people would say that Rahul need not address all press conferences. But one has to go extra miles when competing with such a formidable opponent. Let's be honest, the media covers Rahul and Priyanka Vadra and not the Congress. So if they said anything, it would have been discussed more. Similarly, the unemployment report was also not taken up in a big way. They could at least hit the roads with a demand to publish unemployment data, which the government has not been doing since 2016. The BJP often parades 1984 victims in front of the media. Who stopped the Congress from finding families of those who died in the queue of banks and ATMs after demonetisation and parade them in front of the media on every anniversary of the note ban? So much could have been made out of the failure of note ban or the hardships caused by the goods and services tax. Relentless raising of these issues would have pushed the BJP on the back foot, and they could have committed mistakes. Rahul's TV interviews The Congress president started giving interviews only when half the election was over. I can't fathom why he could not do it earlier. A television interview in 2014 was responsible for decimating his image, so he could have improved it with many others. Not only to friendly media houses, but the party should also have approached anchors who are perpetually critical of him. It is not hard to guess what they would ask, so all answers could have been prepared and rehearsed. It would have helped in dismantling many a misconception. Rahul could have just ask them to show one statement where he or any other from the Congress demanded proof of the surgical strikes or grill them for being over-friendly towards the government. The PM often does this. We in the media may find it appalling, but the people love it. It also helps in establishing one's image as a strong leader. When Priyanka's entry to politics was announced, she should also have given interviews to all major news channels. This would have helped the Congress score a few points. So far they have been playing the BJP game. The Congress also needed to do on a large scale what Raj Thackeray was doing in Maharashtra, showing old videos of Modi and invoking the BJP's 2014 manifesto time and time again at rallies. But almost everywhere, Rahul spoke about Anil Ambani and how a 'chowkidar' is a 'chor'. Giving Modi a walkover in Varanasi While everyone expected a Priyanka-Modi battle in Varanasi, the Congress developed cold feet. It was made worse because the party itself had hinted at such a possibility. The spectacle Modi put up while going to file his nomination was in anticipation of such a move by the Congress. But with Priyanka out of the race, Modi did not even find it necessary to go and campaign in his constituency. People say Priyanka would have lost that seat anyway and it would have been political suicide to begin one's career with a loss. But I know many people in Varanasi who voted for Modi only because they didn't have a winnable alternative. Priyanka could have been declared a consensus Opposition candidate in Varanasi. If the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party can leave Amethi and Rae Bareli, they could have surely left this seat too. And with their support secured, the Congress could have got Mayawati and Akhilesh to campaign for Priyanka in Varanasi. It would have completely pitted the Muslim, Dalit, OBC and Yadav vote behind her. She would have also got votes of all disgruntled Brahmins and other upper castes. The trader community around the Vishwanath temple is largely unhappy with the Kashi Vishwanath corridor. I have met people who told me that while many are unhappy, few have the courage to come out and speak. The Congress could have lent its voice to such people, raised these issues and gathered support. True, it would have still lost the seat. But it would have heavily reduced Modi's victory margin. It would have also pinned him and the BJP down to Varanasi and the pressure on Bengal would have eased. Moreover, the confidence it would have enthused among party workers in all of east and central UP would have benefitted the Opposition parties in at least 20 other seats. Similarly in Bhopal, they fielded a former CM, a spent force in state politics against a polarising figure. To defeat Pragya Thakur, the Opposition needed someone like a Jyotiraditya Scindia. They should have gone out of their comfort zones as this was an unprecedented election. No propaganda machine The country sent a moon mission, became a nuclear State and an IT hub before Modi rose to power. Still, the BJP could convince the average Indian that 'nothing has happened in 70 years'. There is so much misinformation in the public domain about the Congress and its past, and the party made no effort to bust it. It was left to a couple of fact-checking Web sites that don't even have a quarter of the following that pages spreading such false news have. The Congress should have spread more messages and videos through WhatsApp and other platforms not only to defend it, but also to present a clear picture. A video of a village showing poor implementation of schemes, or videos of something like an orchestrated nukkad debate where people playing BJP supporters use dumb arguments which are then defeated by those playing Congress supporters, would have also helped. Being the nice guy doesn't always help, especially when your opponent certainly isn't one. In his interviews too, Rahul often reiterated how he spreads love while PM spreads hate. This may win him adulation among what the PM calls 'Khan Market gang', but it hardly impresses voters. All the BJP needed to do was to list out critical or abusive words Congress leaders used against the PM and say 'Look, this is their love'. Besides, in politics people love to see opponents ripping each other apart. They like the fake machismo. In a recent interview, when Rahul was asked why his party didn't make an issue out of the intelligence failure in Pulwama, he said he didn't like to 'politicise these issues like the BJP'. He also gave the example of Modi's press conference outside the Trident hotel in Mumbai when Operation Black Tornado was still on during the 26/11 attacks. But why didn't he feel the need to do so when the PM was seeking votes exclusively on national security is anybody's guess. A disunited Opposition Nobody expected the Opposition parties to put up one consensus candidate against a BJP candidate in all the seats. But they could have easily done it in a fairly large number of seats. But everyone wanted to play their own politics and was eyeing their own gains, completely ignoring the force they have been put against. While the SP, BSP and the Aam Aadmi Party tried to increase their base at the expense of the Congress, the Rashtriya Janata Dal in Bihar did not back Kanhaiya Kumar to avoid creating a more powerful youth voice than Tejashwi Yadav. Many experts may argue otherwise and would insist that in parliamentary elections one need not declare a PM candidate, but it cannot be denied that the lack of a consensus leader has gone against the Opposition and helped the BJP. People would have liked to see a committed coalition to vote for. I believe that in this election, apart from Pragya Thakur's diatribes, no incident was unpredictable for the BJP and that would be the cornerstone of their improved tally. It was Modi who set the agenda every time and others just played around it. I see several experts claiming that the Congress did all it could, but the government has bent institutions like the Election Commission in its favour and large-scale tampering of EVMs cannot be denied. While I am not discounting any of these arguments, but they only imply that they do not expect a government, much less a BJP one, to do that. And they will now depend on BJP playing fair. In such a case they won't win an election ever, because they are against such a force whose objective is to win at all costs. I would like such commentators to show if the Congress or any Opposition party put in more effort in pulling in the average voter and not merely relying on the turn of events to do that. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi being felicitated by Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari during a thanksgiving meeting with the Union council of ministers at BJP headquarters, in New Delhi, on Tuesday. Photograph: Manvender Vashist/PTI Photo Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met Union ministers from the Bharatiya Janata Party as well as allies at a meeting hosted by party president Amit Shah at its headquarters. IMAGE: Modi being given a shawl by Gadkari during the meeting organised by party chief Amit Shah. Photograph: Manvender Vashist/PTI Photo The PM met Union ministers from the BJP as well as allies at the meeting -- called 'Aabhar milan' (expressing gratitude). The BJP described the meeting as an occasion to thank ministers for 'their service to the nation' ahead of the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha election on May 23, following which a new government will assume charge. IMAGE: Modi and Shah arrive for the meeting. Photograph: Manvender Vashist/PTI Photo Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Arun Jaitley, J P Nadda and Prakash Javadekar were among the key leaders from the BJP at the meeting. Some ministers from BJP allies, including Ram Vilas Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party, Harsimrat Kaur Badal from the Akali Dal and Anupriya Patel of the Apna Dal, were also present. IMAGE: Shah presents Modi with a bouquet at the meeting. Photograph: Manvender Vashist/PTI Photo The saffron camp has expressed confidence that the National Democratic Alliance will emerge victorious, with the exit polls too forecasting a return of the Modi government. IMAGE: PM with Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Photograph: Manvender Vashist/PTI Photo At the meeting, Modi likened his campaign for this Lok Sabha election to a pilgrimage, saying it stood out from other polls as it was being fought by the people and not the party alone. Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar quoted the PM as saying: "I have seen many elections but this one was beyond politics. Public was fighting them. I have campaigned in assembly elections and undertaken political tours for the party in different elections. IMAGE: PM being felicitated by Apna Dal leader and Union minister Anupriya Patel. Photograph: Manvender Vashist/PTI Photo "When I toured during these polls, it seemed that I was on a pilgrimage." Later in a tweet, Shah said, 'I congratulate Team Modi Sarkar for their hard work and remarkable achievements in the last 5 years. Let us keep this momentum going for a New India under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi.' IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi being felicitated during a dinner meeting with top National Democratic Alliance leaders, in New Delhi, on Tuesday. All Photographs: Kamal Singh/PTI Photo Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah on Tuesday hosted a dinner for leaders of National Democratic Alliance parties that was attended by top leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Shiv Sena supremo Uddhav Thackeray among others. The dinner was followed by a meeting in which nearly two dozen allies facilitated Prime Minister Modi. All NDA partners came one after another and felicitated him with a shawl. IMAGE: Modi being felicitated by Bihar CM and JD-U president Nitish Kumar during the dinner meeting. Top leaders of the NDA were sitting on the dais with Modi, on whose one side was Shah and on other its was Shiromani Akali Dal's Parkash Singh Badal, the senior most leader of the alliance. Besides them Nitish, Thackeray, Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari were also there. At the meeting, Modi expressed concern over the 'needless controversy' created by the Opposition over electronic voting machines, even as the ruling alliance laid out its agenda for the next five years if it is elected to power again. At the ruling alliance meeting, which was attended by 36 parties, a resolution was passed, terming the 2019 general election decisive for the country and pledging to make India 'strong, developed, prosperous and inclusive' by 2022 when India completes 75 years of its independence, party leader and Union minister Rajnath Singh told reporters. IMAGE: Modi being felicitated by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam, left. In his address, Modi stressed on the need to change the narrative from caste lines and orient it for the poor, Singh said. The prime minister expressed concern over the Opposition making "needless controversy" over electronic voting machines, the home minister said. Earlier on Tuesday, leaders of 22 opposition parties met the Election Commission and demanded verification of VVPAT slips of randomly-selected polling stations before the counting of the votes. Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan proposed the resolution. IMAGE: Modi with leaders of NDA parties in the North Eastern States. Paswan, who joined Singh in the media briefing, also dismissed Opposition's protest over EVMs as a case of collective frustration over their impending defeat and also warned them of tit for tat. He did not elaborate what he meant by that. The Lok Janshakti Party chief said Modi also turned emotional when he mentioned the political violence, targeting BJP workers, in states of Kerala and West Bengal. The meeting is being seen as NDA's show of strength ahead of counting of votes on May 23, following which a new government will assume charge. IMAGE: The PM is greeted by Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and his son Aditya. The NDA resolution expressed its concern over the 'systematic assault by the Opposition on institutions ranging from the CAG, Election Commission and judiciary to police and armed forces'. Modi described the NDA as an alliance of India's hope and aspirations, saying it has become an organic entity like a family and is representative of the country's regional aspirations. The NDA leaders at the meeting, which was presided by Akali Dal patriarch Parkash Singh Badal, felicitated the prime minister and praised his council of ministers for their work. IMAGE: Thackeray with BJP president Amit Shah at the meet. The resolution also expressed confidence that the NDA will come back to power under Modi and said its government planned a capital investment of Rs 100 lakh crore in infrastructure while Rs 25 lakh crore will be devoted to farm and rural sectors. It praised the outgoing government's development and welfare initiatives. Singh said its work on the security and diplomatic fronts have ensured that India is no longer seen as a 'soft state' by the world. IMAGE: Modi being felicitated by Akali Dal patron and five-time Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal. "We resolved that once again under the leadership of PM Modi, by 2022, when India marks 75 years of freedom, it is our endeavour to fulfil the dreams of our great freedom fighters and give shape to the strong, prosperous, developed and inclusive India they dreamt of," it said. Besides representatives of 36 NDA constituents, Singh said leaders of three other parties also sent their letters of support at the alliance meeting. IMAGE: Thackeray presents the PM with a bouquet. The meeting follows another meeting of the council of ministers called by Shah to thank them for 'their service to the nation'. Vice Admiral Bimal Verma on Tuesday filed a fresh petition at a military tribunal in New Delhi, seeking cancellation of the defence ministry's order appointing Vice Admiral Karambir Singh as the next Navy Chief. In his petition, Verma also sought quashing of a note issued by the defence ministry rejecting his plea against Singh's appointment. "The petition will come up for hearing on Wednesday," Verma's lawyer Ankur Chhibber said. Last week, the Defence Ministry rejected Verma's petition challenging the appointment of his junior, Vice Admiral Singh, as the next Navy Chief. Chhibber said a previous petition filed with the AFT on the issue was withdrawn on Monday for filing the detailed plea on the issue. In an order last week, the defence ministry said Verma's statutory petition dated April 10 against appointment of Vice Admiral Singh to the top post is devoid of merit and has been rejected in exercise of powers under Section 23 of the Navy Act 1957. Verma, commander-in-chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command and senior-most naval commander, had moved the tribunal last month questioning Vice Admiral Singh's appointment as the next Navy Chief, overlooking his seniority. Singh is scheduled to take charge as the new Navy chief from incumbent Admiral Sunil Lanba, who will demit office on May 31. The tribunal had on April 25 directed the defence ministry to decide Verma's petition within three weeks. Rejecting Verma's plea, the defence ministry said a thorough selection process was conducted under which overall service profile of all the contenders for the top post was examined. It said specific parameters for selection were applied uniformly to all the contenders and based on the assessment, it was found that Vice Admiral Verma, though being the senior most eligible officer, was unsuitable to hold the post of the Chief of the Naval Staff. In his petition to the defence ministry, Verma wondered why he was overlooked for the top post despite being the senior-most in the line of command, terming as 'wrongful' the government's decision to appoint Singh to the post. While appointing the Army chief in 2016, the government did not follow the long-held tradition of going by seniority. Bipin Rawat was appointed Army chief superseding then Eastern Command Chief Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi and Southern Command Chief PM Hariz. Besides Verma, the other contenders for the Navy Chief post included Vice Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar, FOC-in-C of Western Naval Command Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar and FOC-in-C of Southern Naval Command Vice Admiral Anil Kumar Chawla. Singh, who is at present serving as the Flag Officer Commanding in Chief (FOC-in-C) of the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam, will be the first helicopter pilot to become chief of naval staff. By Craig Murray May 20, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - In Sweden, prosecutors have applied to the Swedish courts to issue a warrant for Julians arrest. There is a tremendous back story to that simple statement. The European Arrest Warrant must be issued from one country to another by a judicial authority. The original Swedish request for Assanges extradition was not issued by any court, but simply by the prosecutor. This was particularly strange, as the Chief Prosecutor of Stockholm had initially closed the case after deciding there was no case to answer, and then another, highly politically motivated, prosecutor had reopened the case and issued a European Arrest Warrant, without going to any judge for confirmation. Assanges initial appeal up to the UK Supreme Court was in large part based on the fact that the warrant did not come from a judge but from a prosecutor, and that was not a judicial authority. I have no doubt that, if any other person in the UK had been the accused, the British courts would not have accepted the warrant from a prosecutor. The incredible and open bias of the courts against Assange has been evident since day 1. My contention is borne out by the fact that, immediately after Assange lost his case against the warrant in the Supreme Court, the British government changed the law to specify that future warrants must be from a judge and not a prosecutor. That is just one of the incredible facts about the Assange case that the mainstream media has hidden from the general public. The judgement against Assange in the UK Supreme Court on the point of whether the Swedish Prosecutor constituted a judicial authority hinged on a completely unprecedented and frankly incredible piece of reasoning. Lord Phillips concluded that in the English text of the EWA treaty judicial authority could not include the Swedish prosecutor, but that in the French version autorite judiciaire could include the Swedish prosecutor. The two texts having equal validity, Lord Phillips decided to prefer the French language text over the English language text, an absolutely stunning decision as the UK negotiators could be presumed to have been working from the English text, as could UK ministers and parliament when they ratified the decision. I am not making this up you will find Phillips amazing bit of linguistic gymnastics here on page 9 para 21 of his judgement. Again, it is impossible that this would have been done to anybody but Julian Assange; and had it been the outcry from the MSM against the preference given to French wording and thus French legal tradition would have been deafening. But given the states unhidden animus against Assange, it all was passed quietly with the law simply amended immediately thereafter to stop it happening to anybody else. Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get our FREE Daily Newsletter The law having been changed, this time the Swedes have to do it properly and actually go to a court to issue a warrant. That is what is now happening. As usual, the Guardian today cannot resist the temptation to tell an outright lie about what is happening. The main headline is completely untrue. Sweden has not filed a request for arrest. Sweden is going through its judicial processes which it skipped the first time in order to decide whether or not to file a request for arrest. This gives Assange the opportunity to start the process of fighting the allegations, which he strenuously denies, in the Swedish courts. However at present his Swedish lawyer cannot access him in Belmarsh high security jail, which is typical of the abuses of process to which he is subject. It is not political correctness which prevents the UK mainstream media from investigating the extraordinary nature of the allegations against Assange in Sweden. In the case of Nafissatou Diallo, for example, the entire UK mainstream media had no compunction whatsoever in publishing the name of the alleged victim from the very first moment of the allegations against DSK, and the likelihood or otherwise of the entire story was raked through in detail by every single national newspaper, and extensively by the BBC. I have never heard anybody even attempt to explain why it was OK for the MSM to look in detail at Diallos accusations and use her name, but Anna Ardin and Sofia Wilen must never be named and their story must never be doubted. The answer is not the position in Swedish law the Swedish law states that neither the accuser nor the accused may be named, which law has been gleefully broken in Assanges case every day for nine years. When it comes to Assange, he is simply to be reviled. He is provably treated differently by both state and MSM at all points. It does not matter to them that his arrest warrant was not from a judge, or that the media apply entirely different rules to investigating his case, enforced by a feminist mantra they do not believe or uphold in other cases. He is simply to be hated without question. Why has there never been a documentary in the UK like the brilliant Sex, Lies and Julian Assange from the Australian Broadcasting Corporations flagship Four Corners programme? Please do watch if you have not done so already: https://www.abc.net.au/4corners/sex-lies-and-julian-assange/4156420 Julian Assange revolutionised publishing by bringing the public direct access to massive amounts of raw material showing secrets the government wished to hide. By giving the public this direct access he cut out the filtering and mediating role of the journalistic and political classes. Contrast, for example, the Panama Papers which, contrary to promises, only ever saw less than 2% of the raw material published and where major western companies and individuals were completely protected from revelation because of the use of MSM intermediaries. Or compare Wikileaks to the Snowden files, the vast majority of which have now been buried and will never be revealed, after foolishly being entrusted to the Guardian and the Intercept. Assange cut out the intermediary role of the mediating journalist and, by allowing the people to see the truth about how they are governed, played a major role in undercutting public confidence in the political establishment that exploits them. There is an interesting parallel with the reaction to the work of Reformation scholars in translating the Bible into vernacular languages and giving the populace direct access to its contents, without the mediating filters of the priestly class. Such developments will always provoke extraordinary venom from those whose position is threatened. I see a historical parallel between Julian Assange and William Tyndale in this respect. It is something worth bearing in mind in trying to understand the depth of the States hatred of Julian. Those who know Naveen Patnaik well say his final decision will depend on who has the edge after the election. Ramani Ranjan Mohapatra reports. IMAGE: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, right, greets Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi. Voting for the Odisha assembly and 21 Lok Sabha seats is over, but the challenge for Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal supremo Naveen Patnaik is far from over. The state government has a formidable task ahead in rebuilding the districts devastated by cyclone Fani. On the political front, however, Patnaik is in a sweet spot. He is being wooed by both the Bharatiya Janata Party-led ruling National Democratic Alliance and the United Progressive Alliance headed by the Congress. On its part, the BJD, which has so far been claiming to be keeping equidistant from both the national alliances since the BJD parted ways with the BJP in 2009, is now keeping its options wide open. 'We will not adopt the equal distance (from the BJP and the Congress) policy any more. The BJD will support any front which supports Odisha,' PTI quoted BJD Vice-President and Minister S N Patro as saying. The confidence stems from the fact that the BJD is widely expected to come back to power in the state despite a resurgent Opposition, particularly the BJP, trying to make the most of the anti-incumbency against the four-time Patnaik government. But the winning margin may take a few hard knocks, with the rousing response to Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi and BJP President Amit Anilchandra Shah's corruption allegations against Patnaik. The attacks brought out an unusually combative chief minister who countered the allegations point by point touring the state in a high-tech bus. Now that the elections are over, that tone has changed considerably. Modi promptly visited the areas affected by cyclone Fani with Patnaik at his side. What followed was praises from both sides, a stark difference from the abuse and rhetoric used in the election campaign. Modi hailed Patnaik for handling the situation before and after the cyclone. Patnaik wrote to Modi, thanking him for quick release of funds. The buzz about the BJP trying to cosy up to the BJD was the appreciation the Odisha CM received from Shah. The BJP president said instances of violence in Mamata Banerjee's West Bengal during the election were not seen in Patnaik's state. The praise raised many eyebrows as Shah and BJP leaders had recently accused the BJD of unleashing terror and violence during the election. The Congress is trying to woo the BJD, too, with UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi inviting leaders of allies and non-NDA parties, including Patnaik, for a meeting in New Delhi on results day on May 23 to discuss the future course of action. The Congress has also reportedly deputed Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath to try and convince his good old friend Patnaik to back the party at the Centre. On the other hand, neighbouring Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao had met Patnaik earlier that had fuelled speculation about him joining the Federal/Third Front of non-Congress, non-BJP parties. Though Patnaik is known to hold the cards close to his chest, developments post the election and the cyclone hint that his party would again join hands with the BJP. But those who know Patnaik well say his final decision would depend on who has the edge after the Lok Sabha election. US Court Sides With Congress, Not Trump, in Financial Records Battle Breaking News May 20, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - A US federal judge has sided with Congress in its battle to obtain US President Donald Trump's financial records. US District Court for the District of Columbia Judge Amit P. Mehta ruled on Monday against Trump's lawsuit to stop a subpoena for his tax records by House Democrats. "The court is well aware that this case involves records concerning the private and business affairs of the President of the United States. But on the question of whether to grant a stay pending appeal, the President is subject to the same legal standard as any other litigant that does not prevail," Judge Mehta wrote in his memorandum opinion, noting that Trump did not raise a "serious legal question going to the merits." Mehta said it wasn't for the court to decide whether the committee's actions "are truly motivated by political considerations." There are limits on Congress's investigative authority, the judge writes, but they do not substantially constrain Congress. And "it is not for the court to question whether the Committee's actions are truly motivated by political considerations." pic.twitter.com/dTCWZZpDdS Todd Ruger (@ToddRuger) May 20, 2019 The court further noted that "the balance of equities and the public interest weigh heavily in favor of denying relief. The risk of irreparable harm does not outweigh these other factors. The court, therefore, will not stay the return date of the subpoena beyond the seven days agreed upon by the parties." Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get our FREE Daily Newsletter On May 10, US House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal sent subpoenas to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Internal Revenue Service (IRS)Commissioner Charles Rettig for six years of Trump's tax returns, covering the years from 2013-2018, Sputnik reported. The legal move followed Mnuchin's refusal to voluntarily surrender the documents, which he justified by saying it was politically motivated and not of any legislative value. In order to avoid a conflict of interest between his presidency and his business holdings, Trump was expected to follow the examples of past presidents and either divest from his investments or place them into a blind trust before occupying the White House; Trump did neither, instead placing his adult children in charge of his businesses, Sputnik noted. Now, he is accused of having violated the emoluments clause of the US Constitution, which bans the profiting off of public office. Trump is the first US president since Richard Nixon to refuse to release his tax returns. This article was originally published by "Sputnik" - WASHINGTON Connecticut lawmakers announced Tuesday that they have introduced a federal version of Ethans Law in the House and Senate modeled after legislation nearing passage in Connecticut to require gun owners to safely store their weapons away from children. Mike and Kristin Song of Guilford, whose son Ethan was killed by an accidental gunshot at a neighbors home in 2018, retold the tragic story at a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol, where members of the Connecticut delegation were joined by other gun safety advocates to announce the introduction of the bill. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, who is leading the House effort to pass the bill, teared up as Kristin Song spoke telling how her 15-year old son had walked to a neighbors home to visit a friend where unbeknownst to her the father there kept three guns stored in a cardboard box with ammunition. It was only a matter of time before someone got shot. Tragically, it was my son, she said. The boys got hold of the weapons and a gun accidentally fired. The bullet struck Ethan fatally. At the hospital, Kristin said she knew it was terribly serious when nurses and doctors avoided making eye contact and did not rush her to Ethans side. An emergency room doctor confirmed her fears, telling her in a quiet voice that Ethan was dead. Melissa Kane of Connecticut Against Gun Violence said the Songs have bravely retold the story many times in Connecticut as they advocated for legislation to prevent similar tragedies from occurring. Kane was with them at the House earlier this month when the House voted 127-16 to approve the bill to require gun owners to safely store untended firearms, loaded or unloaded. They expect the state Senate will soon approve the bill by a similarly large margin. The Songs, Kane and Po Murray, co-founder of Newtown Action Alliance, are now turning their attention to Congress where they hope to see a federal law approved that will require gun owners to safely store weapons. They have been meeting this week with Republicans on Capitol Hill to discuss Ethans Law. So far, only Democrats are backing the proposal which is not supported by the National Rifle Association. DeLauro anticipates there will be bipartisan support for Ethans Law because everyone agrees that protecting children is fundamental. We are eager and optimistic to see that this law will be passed quickly because nothing is more important than our childrens lives, she said. She and Senator Chris Murphy, who is introducing a Senate version of Ethans Law, said the federal bill would include fines for unsafe storage of guns and possible jail time and exposure to civil liabilities if the improperly stored weapon results in injury or death. Their bill would also provide law enforcement grants to states to implement similar laws on the state level. Responsible gun owners in Connecticut are responsible because they know that it is no inconvenience to store their gun responsibly and they have no problem asking others to do the same. This is a piece of legislation that can unite gun owners and non-gun owners all around the country, Murphy said. Mike Song summed up the need for the bill succinctly: Commonsense doesnt always translate into common practice. The bill, he explained would simply codify into law the responsible practices for gun storage that most gun owners already follow to keep guns and ammunition from falling into the hands of children. Ethans Law is simply those storage guidelines with consequences for those people who store their weapons in a dangerous way, he said. Nearly 1,000 minors died and more than 18,000 were injured in the United States from unintentional gunshots from 2005 to 2014, according to data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A 2018 Rand Corporation study found that 4.6 million minors in the US live in homes with at least one loaded, unlocked firearm. Also attending the press conference were Senator Richard Blumenthal, Representatives John Larson, Joe Courtney and Jahana Hayes of Connecticut, and Representatives Mike Thompson of California, Jim Langevin of Rhode Island and Debbie Mucarsei-Powell of Florida. HARTFORD The clock will run out on the General Assembly in a couple of weeks without a deal on highway tolls, sending the issue into legislative overtime. House majority leaders on Tuesday said they have enough support for a plan with 50 toll gantries and discounts for state residents, but admitted there doesnt seem to be a unified agreement with Senate Democrats and Gov. Ned Lamont. Lamont released a working draft of the legislation on Tuesday afternoon, following discussions with legislative leaders. So after the current session ends June 5, the General Assembly will slip into special session to hammer out toll-related legislation. The Senate Democratic caucus remains committed to developing a responsible, long-term plan to invest in Connecticut's transportation infrastructure and broad-based economic development, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney said Tuesday afternoon. I am hopeful that a special session will allow for us to find a bipartisan solution to solving Connecticuts transportation infrastructure problems and thereby promote economic development. Despite Lamonts request that they come to the negotiating table, there seems no GOP interest in supporting tolls in any form. House Minority Leader Themis Klarides, R-Derby, said that a special session wont change the minds of her 60-member caucus. There is no need for a special session if the intent is to vote on a transportation plan that includes tolls dont waste the taxpayer dollars, she said. Ill give our vote now. Its a no, as it has been from day one. Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano said Tuesday night that a special session would allow the General Assembly to consider the states transportation challenges in a holistic context, from bridge repairs to airports, traffic and rail infrastructure. Ive been studying the issue for three or four years, said Fasano, R-North Haven, stressing that it is important to take part in a $2 trillion program recently promoted by President Donald Trump. Democrats need 76 votes out of their 91 members to pass a toll bill. Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz told reporters Tuesday that his majority caucus is ready to vote on any bill that could then pass the Senate and get a signature from Lamont. He hinted that parts of a Republican plan to approve some long-term borrowing for more-pressing infrastructure issues could eventually become part of a bill. An analysis of the recent GOP funding alternative issued Tuesday by nonpartisan legislative staff indicates that the $21.7 billion would cost taxpayers more than $35 billion in debt service over 30 years. Their whole plan is confusing me, said Aresimowicz, D-Berlin. They need to make a decision whether they believe infrastructure improvements in the state are important and willing to do, or its not. Were hoping we come up with that balance, it passes our caucus, passes the Senate and gets the governors signature. Removing tolls from the legislative focus in the last two weeks of the session will give lawmakers a chance to possibly finish a new two-year $43 billion budget. I would guess that there is no way he would want a budget to go into special session, too, Aresimowicz said. If were able to get that done within the next seven to 10 days, on time, balanced, giving municipalities predictability, it would be a very good accomplishment here for all of us, said House Majority Leader Matt Ritter, D-Hartford. Lamont said passing a budget in a timely manner will allow mayors and first selectmen to know for certain what their budgets will look like for the next biennium and allow them to plan accordingly. The second part of the equation is to tackle our woefully under-resourced transportation infrastructure system. Ive also met with Republican leadership and I have invited them to the table in our special session, Lamont said. They agree that the current state of our infrastructure system should not be a partisan problem, and I welcome and encourage their participation in this special session. On Tuesday the Connecticut Business & Industry Association said while an income source is important to develop for transportation infrastructure, the organization could not endorse tolls. Today, to its everlasting shame, the Connecticut Business & Industry Association surrendered its role as a representative of Connecticuts business community, said Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, co-chairwoman of the budget-setting Appropriations Committee. It is not representing its members wishes. She was referring in part to an interview CBIA president Joseph Brennan gave on Fox 61 on April 7, in which he said, When we poll our members...usually a slight majority says yes. But like anything else, usually the devil is in the details. Later in April, Brennan and the CBIA board were criticized by Joe McGee of the Fairfield County Business Council, a proponent of returning highway tolls, for failing to state a position. Hearst columnist Dan Haar contributed to this story TORRINGTON The Torrington Police Activities League in partnership with the Torrington Police Department is hosting the Under Cover Parent, on Thursday, presented by Connecticut State Trooper Samantha McCord, a detective with the Connecticut State Police Computer Crimes Unit. The Under Cover Parent educates parents about the exploitation that happens online and could be occurring in their home. With the various social networking sites that student are using it is important for parents to know what to look out for and to discuss with their children. The presentation will provide the parents with the knowledge and tools to identify and prevent their children from being exploited online. The event will take place at the Torrington Middle School Auditorium, starting at 6:30 p.m. Anyone who is interested can visit Torrington PAL Facebook page and register to attend. The program provides an opportunity for parents to educate themselves and take proactive steps toward protecting their children from online predators. Veterans to host Memorial Day ceremony HARTFORD A public Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at the Connecticut State Veterans Memorial at 300 Capitol Avenue, Friday at 12 p.m. The granite memorial is in Hartfords Minuteman Park on Capitol Ave. and Broad Street, across from the William A. ONeill State Armory and the Legislative Office Building. The outdoor memorial is open every day and there is no admission fee. This will be the first Memorial Day Ceremony ever held at the Connecticut State Veterans Memorial that officially opened Nov. 9, 2015. The event is hosted by the Connecticut State Veterans Memorial, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that established Connecticuts first statewide veterans memorial to pay tribute to the states past heroes and heroines, honor todays veterans, and demonstrate the appreciation for their service for generations to come. It is a welcoming place for personal reflection, as well as a gathering place where groups can honor Connecticut veterans for their commitment and sacrifices. The May 24 ceremony will include color guards and speakers to include: Commissioner Thomas J. Saadi of the CT Dept. of Veterans Affairs; Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz; Major General Francis J. Evon, Adjutant General of the CT National Guard; a Gold Star Mother; Linda Schwartz, former Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and a former Commissioner of CT Dept. of Veterans Affairs; and CTSVM Co-Presidents Peter Galgano and CT National Guard Lieutenant Colonel Lesbia Nieves. In case of rain, the ceremony will be held steps away inside the Legislative Office Building. No reservations are needed. The Connecticut State Veterans Memorial is a granite colonnade structure consisting of five columns representing each branch of military service. A semi-circular granite Honor wall, engraved with Honoring Those Who Served, acts as the memorials framing element. The memorial highlights various conflicts with engraved granite markers throughout the plaza, and features engraved walkway pavers, benches, specialty lighting, and custom landscaping. Hundreds of 6 x 12 engraved granite walkway pavers are important elements of the memorial, offering state residents a meaningful way to honor or memorialize a special U.S. veteran or military member, and the funds raised have supported the memorials development. The pavers are placed along walkways that run from the Legislative Office Building to the center of the Memorial plaza, and on to the Broad Street side of the memorial. Each paver costs $200 and can be engraved with the name of a U.S. veteran or military member, with his or her rank, branch of the military, and the specific years of service and conflict, if desired. Towns/cities can also purchase pavers with their town/city name engraved in honor of those who have served or serve within the town/city. The next order of pavers must be ordered by June 14 (Flag Day) in order to be engraved and placed in time for 2019s Veterans Day on Nov. 11. To obtain a form to order a 6 x 12 walkway paver or get more information about the memorial, visit the memorials website, www.CTHonorsVets.org or Facebook page or call 860-616-3603 and ask for Tammy Marzik. Founding Family Dinner set in Litchfield LITCHFIELD A Founding Family Dinner celebrating Litchfields 300th anniversary will be hosted by the Litchfield High School chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). This fundraising dinner will be held May 31 at the Litchfield Community Center, 6-8 p.m. and will feature some of the favorites of our Founding Families, such as Thomas Jeffersons Cream of Asparagus Soup, Martha Washingtons Beef Stew, Dolly Madisons cornbread. FBLA encourages students to understand business basics. Part of what the members do is learn how to plan and execute a project successfully, while raising money for their chapter. The Litchfield High School chapter has taken on this dinner as one of their projects. Proceeds from the dinner will support other activities of the chapter. Tickets are $7 for children 12 and under, $15 for adults and $30 for a family. Find reservation forms to buy tickets at Litchfield Town Hall, the Litchfield Historical Society, local businesses around town or go to the website page http://www.litchfieldfarmersmarket.org/a-founding-families-dinner.html Reservations will be confirmed with receipt of payment and held at the door. For more information contact rodriguezs@student.litchfieldschools.org or go to the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Foundingfamilydinner/?modal=admin_todo_tour The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Cambodia on Tuesday expressed concern over the targeting of a number of former opposition officials, suggesting that Prime Minister Hun Sens government is engaging in a political witch hunt. OHCHR Cambodia is following with concern the situation of former CNRP [Cambodia National Rescue Party] officials who have been summoned or detained by police or the courts, the agency said in a statement issued on its Facebook page, referring to allegations that the officials had violated a Supreme Court ban on the party in November 2017. As the Special Rapporteur, Rhona Smith, said during her recent mission, there is a need to change the political culture to one that focuses on the issues rather than persons. This, together with judicial protection of freedom of expression, would help overcome the challenges of the current political situation for the benefit of all Cambodians, the statement said. Smith, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Cambodia, concluded her seventh visit to the Southeast Asian nation on May 9 with a list of recommendations for Hun Sens government of ways to improve human rights and make the countrys political space more inclusive. She also called for the release of CNRP president Kem Sokha from de facto house arrest, where he has been held while under investigation for treason, though government spokesman Phay Siphan dismissed her recommendations as politically motivated and said the fate of Kem Sokha is a matter for the court. In recent weeks, 35 former CNRP officials and activists have been summoned by the Battambang Provincial Court over violating the ban on the party for its role in an alleged plot by Kem Sokha to topple the government. To date, 26 have appeared at the courtincluding four on Tuesdaysome of whom told RFAs Khmer Service that they were questioned over being seen in public eating together last year and expressing support in social media posts for Kem Sokha and acting CNRP President Sam Rainsy, who lives in self-imposed exile in France. Meanwhile, another former 35 CNRP officials and activists in Kampong Thom province have said they were questioned by local police. Phay Siphan on Tuesday refused to comment on OHCHRs statement, but said the Supreme Courts November 2017 decision supersedes any recommendation by the United Nations. Cambodia is a sovereign stateno individual or NGO can prevent us from implementing the laws that serve the public, he said. Supporters targeted Meanwhile, at least 10 members of the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) interrupted a group of people who had gathered in support of the four former CNRP activists and officials who appeared at the Battambang Provincial Court on Tuesday for questioning in relation to violating the party ban, Battambang Provincial Authority Long Sakhun told RFAs Khmer Service. Long Sakhun said that the group disparaged Sam Rainsy and praised the government during the confrontation. Battambang City Mayor Pheng Rithy told RFA he was not aware of any group that had tried to disrupt the gathering of CNRP supporters. Ying Mengly, a provincial coordinator for local rights group ADHOC, confirmed to RFA that the pro-CPP group had disturbed the gathering and urged that authorities take action. This is the first time in 20 years that Ive seen this kind of disturbance, he said. Ny Rumdol, one of the former CNRP activists who was questioned on Tuesday, told RFA after her court appearance that the judge asked her about the private gathering where former CNRP members gathered for dinner in 2018. I told them that we only ate dinner together and that I didnt commit any crimes, she said. Activist in hiding Also on Tuesday, CNRP activist Eam Tith told RFA he is in hiding amid fears for his safety after his son Tith Rorn died under mysterious circumstances while in police custody last month. Tith Rorn, 37, died on April 18 in Kampong Cham province in what police described as a fall in a jail restroom as the result of being addicted to alcohol, though his body bore multiple bruises, raising fears he had been killed by jail guards. In the weeks since, the CNRP issued a statement rejecting official explanations of how the young man died, and calling on human rights groups and the international community to seek justice for his family. His death also prompted a statement last week from the U.S. State Department, which said Washington is deeply troubled by the incident and called for an immediate independent investigation, while also expressing concern over recent judicial proceedings against other former CNRP members and urging the government to release Kem Sokha. On Tuesday, Eam Tith said police had been snooping around his home and asking neighbors about his whereabouts. I dont have any faith in the police because they arrested my son and he died, Eam Tith told RFA from an undisclosed location. I am afraid, so I fled, he said, adding that he believes that police tortured and killed Tith Rorn. Kampong Cham governor Kuoch Chamroeun dismissed Eam Tiths claims that authorities seek to harm him and maintained Tith Rorn died as the result of an accident. It is his right to flee or not flee, but as far as the authorities are concerned, I can guarantee nothing will happen to him, he said. Am Sam Athhead of investigations for the Cambodian rights group Licadhohas said his organization will conduct its own investigation to discover the truth of the circumstances leading from Tith Rorns April 15 arrest on a 13-year-old assault charge to the time of his death three days later. Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. Washington on moved to temporarily dial back trade restrictions on Chinese telecoms giant Huawei in a bid to limit disruption to its customers, extending the company's license to buy U.S.-made goods until August. Huawei was banned from buying U.S. goods by the Commerce Department last week over national security concerns, while Google on announced it was terminating some updates to its Android operating system supplied to the company. The administration of President Donald Trump had earlier added Huawei, the second-biggest manufacturer of smartphones, to a list of banned companies. U.S. companies can only sell to or buy from those companies if they are granted a special license to do so. Google said on it was "complying with the order and reviewing the implications," amid fears that users of Huawei smartphones would experience a loss of functionality and access to Google apps. Huawei has been awarded a license to buy U.S. goods until Aug. 19, in a bid to maintain existing telecoms networks and provide software updates to Huawei smartphones. However, the company is still barred from buying U.S.-made hardware and software to make new products. The move against Huawei came amid an ongoing trade war between Beijing and Washington. Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei said his company had been making preparations for such a scenario anyway. "The U.S. government's actions at the moment underestimate our capabilities," Ren said in an interview with state broadcaster CCTV. He said Huawei wouldn't change its mission as a result of the U.S. sanctions, however. "Huawei won't reject the United States or pursue narrow and self-centered development," Ren said. "We still need to grow together." Supply claims questioned But he said Huawei has everything it needs. "Even if we do run into supply problems, we won't be in difficulty, because we already have all of the high-end chips we need," he said. A government insider in China said Ren's words were mostly addressed to the ruling Chinese Communist Party leadership in Beijing. "Ren Zhengfei's comments spring from the situation he finds himself in, and they're aimed at the party; at the people who control him," the source said. "There are many layers of meaning here." And a U.S.-based industry insider said there are doubts about Ren's claim to have plenty of supply options. "This isn't very likely," the source said. "However, it does have another option, if Google refuses to collaborate with Huawei any more, and that is to develop the Android open source operating system." "They could take the open source version of Android and develop that," he said. Meanwhile, Taiwan's government is likely to approve draft amendments to the democratic island's Foreign Trade Act that would prevent companies from shipping products made in China with a "Made in Taiwan" certificate of origin. Chinese exporters have been routing their products, transferring them to new containers, and sending to the U.S. under Taiwan certificates of origin, Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs has said. Companies found guilty of illegally exporting strategic high-tech goods or using false certificates of origin for transshipped goods could be fined up to U.S.$96,000, under the newly amended law. Lawmakers also outlined plans to tighten restrictions on Chinese media and lobbying activities ahead of the 2020 presidential elections in Taiwan, a sovereign state known as the Republic of China. 'Red media' controversy New Power Party convenor Hsu Yung-ming said the goal is to prevent the Chinese Communist Party government or military from interfering with Taiwan's democracy through advertising and political lobbying. "There has been quite a lot of controversy around the 'red media' lately," Hsu told journalists. "We believe that, this close to the elections, [the Chinese threat isn't just about] an actual warship...actually, media penetration is more powerful than that." The China Times media group was cited as having received Chinese funds and blurred the line between advertising and news, lawmaker Huang Kuo-chang said, but was only sanctioned with a small fine. "It is clear from these violations that the regulations, penalties and implementation have proved inadequate for dealing with serious problems in the past ... [the penalties are] too lenient," Hwang said. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council has warned that media outlets ultimately controlled by the Chinese Communist Party often "disseminate misinformation" among the island's 23 million residents. It has warned that the ultimate goal of Chinese President Xi Jinping is to destroy the 1911 Republic of China, which retreated to the islands of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu after the then-ruling Kuomintang (KMT) lost a civil war to Mao Zedong's communists in 1949. In a Jan. 2 speech titled "Letter to our Taiwan compatriots," Xi said Taiwan must be "unified" with China, and refused to rule out the use of military force to annex the island. President Tsai Ing-wen replied that Taiwan would never give up its sovereignty to be "unified" with China under the "one country, two systems" framework applied to the former colonial cities of Hong Kong and Macau. Taiwan was ruled as a Japanese colony in the 50 years prior to the end of World War II, but was handed back to the 1911 Republic of China under the Kuomintang (KMT) government as part of Tokyo's post-war reparation deal. It has never been controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, nor formed part of the People's Republic of China. The country began a transition to democracy following the death of Chiang Kai-shek's son, President Chiang Ching-kuo, in , starting with direct elections to the legislature in the early 1990s and culminating in the first direct election of a president, Lee Teng-hui, in 1996. Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Chung Kuang-cheng and Ma Lap-hak for the Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Villagers protest against the Alpha Cement Plant near Aungthabyae village in central Myanmar's Mandalay region, May 15, 2019. Police on Tuesday raided a village in central Myanmars Mandalay region and arrested 13 residents along with a reporter for allegedly participating in a protest that turned violent against the Chinese operators of a coal-powered cement factory, a community resident said. Roughly 20 people were injured on May 15 after police fired rubber bullets and tear gas into a crowd protesting construction work at the Alpha Cement Plant near Aungthabyae village in Kyaukse districts Patheingyi township. The factory is operated as part of a joint venture between a local firm and a Chinese partner. During the demonstration, villagers demanded compensation for land they say they lost when an 18-foot-wide road was built as part of the project and urged authorities to address an influx of hundreds of Chinese employees who are working at the site. The arrests occurred at about 5 a.m. when a couple of policemen and more than 30 men in civilian clothes [stormed] the village, said Shwe Ohn, a resident of Aungthabyae village who was among those arrested. Some people ran off out of fear, he told RFAs Myanmar Service. Anyone who opposed the company has been charged. The villagers and the reporter from Channel Mandalay TV, who had livestreamed the protest on Facebook, now face possible jail time for their participation in the May 15 demonstration on charges of voluntarily causing grievous harm to deter public servants from performing their duties, creating mischief by fire or explosive substances with the intent to cause damage, and abetting criminal conduct, he said. Two of the villagers and the reporter are already in police custody, while criminal charges have been filed against the others, including Shwe Ohn. Some Aungthabyae residents met with Ye Min Oo, a lawmaker who represents Patheingyi township in the Mandalay regional parliament, to demand that authorities release those who were arrested in the village on Tuesday. They have demanded the immediate release of the detainees, he said. Ye Min Oo said he and other officials have met with four or five female villagers to interview them about the incident, but not others who are now in hiding because authorities have issued arrest warrants for them. I will present the [findings] to the local government, and parliament will handle it if necessary, he said. RFA contacted Mandalay regional police for comment, but was told that no officials were available because a meeting was in progress. The cement factorys Mandalay office told RFA to call back on Wednesday, while Soe Than, the regional minister for agriculture, livestock, and irrigation, could not be reached for comment. During the protest on May 15, villagers blocked vehicles owned by factory operator Myanmar Conch Cement Co. Ltd. a joint venture between Myanmars Myint Investment Group and Chinas Anhui Conch Cement from passing through Aungthabyae, prompting police to forcibly disperse the crowd, a village official told RFA in an earlier report. Some demonstrators set four vehicles and part of the factory property on fire, according to a village resident Though a heavy police presence restored calm to the area near the plant by the evening of May 15, villagers demanded that the project to update the plants cement production capacity be scrapped and that those detained by police be released. Wirathu steps in Two days after the protest, extremist Buddhist monk Wirathu from Mandalays Masoeyein Taik Thit Monastery visited Aungthatbyae village, offering to help the protesters, but they turned him down, Shwe Ohn said. I dont know why and how he came to us, he told RFA. He came, but our villagers did not want to be involved with him, but rather stay in the clear. I didnt meet him because I tried to avoid him. The villagers didnt accept his donations. Wirathu left boxes of drinking water and packages of rehydration salt despite the villagers refusal of his offer of help, Shwe Ohn said. He also offered 500,000 kyat ($321), but the villagers didnt accept it, he said. Wirathu also posted a video on social media, saying that he warned Mying Maung, chief minister of Mandalay region, about the Aungthabyae village incident. Construction began at the site in December 2017, and Myanmar Conch Cement renamed it the Alpha Cement Plant. At least 17 villagers have been charged with violating Myanmars Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Law since the project began, despite having obtained prior permission to hold protests. Three farmers were jailed in 2018 following earlier protests over road upgrades for the plant, while a fourth is on bail awaiting trial. Reported by Aung Theinkha for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Nandar Chann. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. The UN Security Council has rejected a Russian request to hold a meeting on a new language law in Ukraine. Russia managed to garner only four votes -- from China, South Africa, Equatorial Guinea, and the Dominican Republic -- out of the nine it needed from the 15-member council. The United States and five other countries -- France, Germany, Britain, Belgium, and Poland -- voted against and four other countries -- Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Kuwait and Peru -- abstained. The May 20 vote was held on the same day that Ukraine's new president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, was sworn in. Jonathan Cohen, the acting U.S. ambassador, called Moscow's request "a clear attempt by Russia to distract from the peaceful, democratic transfer of power happening today in Ukraine." France's ambassador to the UN, Francois Delattre, told the council ahead of the vote that the Russian move was "not intended to have a constructive discussion" but to "put the new president of Ukraine in the worst light." Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, passed the law in April. Under the new legislation, Ukrainian-language TV and radio programming is increased and all citizens have the obligation to speak Ukrainian, which becomes compulsory for civil servants, doctors, teachers, and lawyers, under the threat of fines. Russian, which is also widely spoken in the country, is permitted in personal communications. Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya said that the Russian language was being "pushed out" of Ukraine and accused the council of "censorship." He said that the vote to refuse the meeting was "a blatant demonstration of double standards" by members who approved other meetings. Ukrainian Ambassador Volodymyr Yelchenko said it was "not a coincidence" that Russia had asked for the council to meet on the day of Zelenskiy's inauguration. Zelenskiy said after his inauguration that his main goal was to bring peace to eastern Ukraine. Russia seized control of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and fomented unrest in eastern Ukraine, where the conflict between government forces and Moscow-backed separatists has killed some 13,000 people and continues despite a cease-fire and peace deal known as the Minsk accords. Moscow's attempt "to send a very powerful message to the new leader from the Security Council" ended up instead being a message for Russia, Yelchenko said. With reporting by AP and AFP Jailed Chechen human rights activist Oyub Titiyev has filed a request for early release, the Moscow-based rights group Memorial says. Memorial said on May 21 that Titiyev's lawyer Pyotr Zaikin handed his client's request to the Shali City Court in Chechnya. Titiyev, the head of Memorial's office in Chechnya, was arrested in January 2018 by police who claimed they found marijuana in his car -- an allegation he and Memorial say is unfounded and absurd. In March of this year, the Shali court convicted the 61-year-old of illegal drug possession and sentenced him to four years in a colony-settlement, a penitentiary in which convicts live close to a facility where they work. Titiyev, his lawyers, and supporters have rejected the charge as politically motivated, and contend that the drugs were planted in his car by police. The trial was closely watched by Western governments concerned about the rule of law in Russia and by human rights groups that have denounced it as a farce. Under Russian law, Titiyev can seek release on parole after serving at least one-third of his prison term. Counting the time he spent in pretrial detention, Titiyev reached that mark -- 16 months behind bars -- on May 9. Activists contend that Chechnya's leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, who was appointed by President Vladimir Putin in 2007, has committed serious human rights abuses, including the widespread use of kidnapping, torture, and extrajudicial killings by forces under his power. Kremlin critics say Putin has given him free rein because the Russian president relies on him to keep a lid on separatism following two devastating post-Soviet wars in Chechnya. Top U.S. administration officials told Congress on May 21 that Washington's response to alleged Iranian threats have deterred attacks on American forces. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said their objective over recent days has been to discourage Iran. Now U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is seeking to prevent further escalation, Shanahan, flanked by Pompeo, said after a day of closed-door briefings on Capitol Hill. "This is about deterrence, not about war. We are not about going to war," the U.S. defense chief told reporters. "Our biggest focus at this point is to prevent Iranian miscalculation. We do not want the situation to escalate." Earlier in the day, Shanahan told reporters at the Pentagon, "I think our steps were very prudent and we've put on hold the potential for attacks on Americans and that is what is extremely important. Relations between Tehran and Washington have plummeted since last year when U.S. President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of a landmark 2015 nuclear deal between world powers and Iran that curbed Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for relief from crippling economic sanctions. Since then, Washington has stepped up its rhetoric and reimposed sanctions. There have been growing concerns of a possible military conflict with the United States, which this month beefed up its military presence in the Middle East and Persian Gulf, citing "imminent threats" from Iran. Tehran has dismissed the U.S. allegations. Both sides have said they do not want a war. The situation in Iran was also discussed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Russian President Vladimir Putin in a telephone call, Merkel's office said in a statement on May 21. Russia, France, and Germany, along with Britain and China are part of the 2015 accord. The statement said that the three leaders "underlined the need to persuade Iran to remain in the nuclear agreement, which they agreed to maintain." Iranian President Hassan Rohani said in a live TV broadcast on May 21 that "the Iranian nation will not be defeated by America, the White House could not defeat the Iranian nation." Referring to the recently imposed U.S. sanctions, Rohani said, "But at the end of the road, the victory is ours." On May 20, Rohani said that he was seeking expanded, wartime executive powers to deal with an "economic war" being waged against the country by the United States, according to the official IRNA news agency. Rohani cited the devastating war with Iraq from 1980 to 1988, when a Supreme Council of War was able to bypass other branches to make decisions regarding the economy and the war effort. "We need such powers today," he said. The Iranian president said that he favored talks and diplomacy to deescalate tensions with Washington but not under the current conditions. "Today's situation is not suitable for talks and our choice is resistance only," he was quoted as saying. Trump on May 20 said that Iran would be met with "great force" if it attempted anything against U.S. interests in the Middle East. He also said that if Tehran wants to negotiate, it will have to take the first step. "Iran will call us if and when they are ever ready. In the meantime, their economy continues to collapse -- very sad for the Iranian people!" the U.S. president tweeted. With reporting by IRNA, AP, Reuters, and AFP Iraq will send delegations to Washington and Tehran to help "end tension" amid concerns of a possible military conflict between the United States and Iran, the Iraqi prime minister has said. Adel Abdul Mahdi said on May 21 that Iraq, which has close ties to both Iran and the United States, is "playing a role to calm the situation but it is not a mediation," according to state-run Iraqi media. Relations between Tehran and Washington have plummeted since the United States a year ago pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal that curbed Iran's nuclear program in exchange for relief from crippling economic sanctions. Since then, Washington has stepped up its rhetoric and reimposed sanctions. Washington has ordered a beefing up of U.S. military assets in the Middle East and Persian Gulf, citing "imminent threats" from Iran, and ordered the evacuation of personnel from the U.S. Embassy in neighboring Iraq. Tehran has dismissed the U.S. allegations. Mahdi said that Iranian and U.S. officials have informed Baghdad that they have "no desire in fighting a war." There are no Iraqi groups that wanted to push toward a war, the Iraqi prime minister added, two days after a rocket was fired into the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad and landed about 500 meters from the U.S. Embassy. No one has claimed responsibility, but U.S. government sources were quoted as saying that Shi'ite militias with ties to Tehran were suspected to be behind the attack. Mahdi said he will visit Kuwait on May 22 to discuss regional issues, including the tensions between Washington and Tehran. Based on reporting by Reuters, dpa, and AP An associate of Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny says he has been arrested and charged with organizing unsanctioned rallies. Leonid Volkov, a senior aide to Navalny, tweeted on May 21 that he was detained by Moscow police after they stopped his car and asked him "strange questions." Volkov said he was charged with repeated violations of the regulations for holding public events in connection with a September rally he helped organize against the government's decision to raise the retirement age. Volkov is a project manager at Navalny's Anticorruption Foundation and led his campaign in the March 2018 presidential election. Navalny was barred from taking part in the election because of past convictions that he and his supporters say were fabricated to keep him out of electoral politics. On September 9, Navalny and his supporters organized mass rallies against the government's decision to raise the retirement age. Police detained more than 1,000 demonstrators across the country. The head of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) says that militants from the extremist group Islamic State (IS) have been amassing in northern Afghanistan, near its borders with former Soviet republics in Central Asia. FSB chief Aleksandr Bortnikov spoke on May 21 during a visit to Tajikistan, which shares a long border with Afghanistan. Moscow has been expressing concern about an IS spillover into Central Asia for years. Security experts have said that Russia has exaggerated the number of militants in order to justify its outreach to the Afghan Taliban and to suggest to Central Asian governments that they need support from Russia to defend themselves. The U.S. military estimates that there are about 2,000 IS fighters in Afghanistan. Bortnikov said he was concerned about what he called the "redeployment" of around 5,000 IS fighters "to the northern provinces of Afghanistan." Bortnikov called for tighter border control to prevent a spillover. In recent years, Russia has emerged as a power broker in Afghanistan, where the Soviet Union fought a disastrous war from 1979 to 1989. In November, Russia hosted peace talks between the Taliban and Afghan political figures. U.S. peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad welcomed the talks, although some U.S. officials have claimed that Moscow was promoting itself as a power broker to challenge the U.S.-backed peace process with the Taliban in Qatar. IS has been active in Afghanistan since 2015, fighting the Taliban as well as Afghan and U.S. forces. Based on reporting by AP and Interfax Reverse psychology -- telling someone not to do the very thing you want them to do -- is a tactic often used to control truculent children. But when Russian lawyer and historian Aleksandr Busarov tried to trick President Vladimir Putin's government into openly condemning the crimes of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin, the results were beyond bizarre. For the last seven years, Busarov has been quietly waging his campaign, using Russia's laws on the rehabilitation of politically repressed people to bring closed archival materials out into the light and pushing Russia's authoritarian government, against its will, to formulate a coherent condemnation of Stalin, whom Putin himself has praised as a "successful manager." Stalin's reputation has surged steadily under Putin, himself a former officer of the Soviet KGB. Monuments to the dictator -- who was responsible for the deaths of millions of Soviet citizens through manmade famines, mass deportations, summary executions, and brutal labor camps -- have begun to reappear across Russia. Hundreds of Russians line up each year on the anniversary of Stalin's death to place flowers on his grave on Red Square. A poll in March found that more than half of Russians feel "respect" or "sympathy" for Stalin, while another poll last year found that only 47 percent of Russians aged 18-24 had even heard of Stalin's crimes. Busarov's interest in the Stalin era, however, is personal and intense. His grandfather was an officer in the dictator's dreaded secret police, known as the NKVD, who was himself caught up in the Great Terror and executed in 1939. Studying his grandfather's life, Busarov came to the conclusion that he and his fellow officers were, as a rule, not sadistic monsters by nature but were instead transformed into murderers by the criminal organization they served. This line of thought led Busarov to the idea that the Russian government must condemn the Stalinist system, whether it wanted to or not. And that is how he launched what he calls Project Nemesis, after the Greek goddess of divine retribution. Rehabilitation, Or Retribution? Busarov, 44, now lives in Europe. His desk is covered with dozens of folders containing documents he has received from the military prosecutor's office, the presidential administration, and the archives of the Federal Security Service (FSB) -- many of them stamped "secret." He agreed to tell the story of his quixotic project to RFE/RL. Under Russian law, anyone can apply to have a convicted or repressed individual "rehabilitated" by the government -- a symbolic official statement that the individual was wrongly prosecuted and punished. Busarov's idea was to apply for the rehabilitation of Stalinist perpetrators like his grandfather, who were themselves convicted on spurious charges such as belonging to a Trotskyist conspiracy or spying on behalf of Japan. The government, Busarov reasoned, would be forced to deny his request to rehabilitate them because of their true crimes under Stalin. They would, in fact, be judged for a second time and convicted for things they actually did. At least, that was the idea. Busarov also figured that to be successful, he needed to be stealthy. He avoided all publicity and submitted applications for rehabilitation in a somewhat random way in order to avoid the impression that there was method to his madness. He hoped the authorities would simply take him for a diehard Stalinist aimed at establishing a peculiar form of historical justice for the dictator's henchmen. "I attended various functions and I spoke with military prosecutors informally," Busarov told RFE/RL recently. "I told them that the good officers needed to be separated from the bad ones. They didn't take me for a dissident." The lawyer began his research, eventually assembling several hundred names of people who fit the profile. In 2012, Busarov submitted his first applications for rehabilitation. His first candidates were a notorious bunch, including the former director of operational technology of the NKVD, Mikhail Alyokhin; a deputy to former NKVD head Lavrenty Beria, Stepan Mamulov; and Major Dmitry Grechukhin, who was personally responsible for thousands of executions. Much to his surprise, however, he began receiving letters from the military prosecutor's office informing him that his rehabilitation applications had been approved. One by one, the Russian government "rehabilitated" people personally responsible for the deaths of thousands of people, many of whom had also been rehabilitated over the post-Stalin period. For instance, he received a letter dated January 22, 2013, informing him that Yakov Agranov had been rehabilitated. Agranov was one of the most notorious perpetrators of the Great Terror. He was in charge of the investigation into the 1934 murder of Soviet official Sergei Kirov, a crime almost certainly ordered by Stalin and subsequently used as a pretext to arrest and execute hundreds of people. Agranov also played a major role in many of the high-profile show trials of the 1930s, including the prosecutions of Grigory Zinoviev and Lev Kamenev. "By a decision of the Main Military Prosecutor's Office on January 22, 2013, Agranov, Ya. S. is rehabilitated," the document laconically pronounced. Be Careful What You Ask For Over the next year, Busarov received nearly 30 such letters announcing these secret rehabilitations. He attributes the unexpected development to the political climate in Russia at the time. Putin's reelection to the presidency for a third term in 2012 was met with mass protests that were violently suppressed. Prosecutors went after the organizers of the so-called White Ribbon movement, conducting searches and making arrests. Dozens of people were prosecuted and imprisoned in the Bolotnaya case, and many opposition figures and opposition-minded Russians emigrated. Busarov said he believes officials thought that "someone high up in the Kremlin" was behind the rehabilitation applications. As evidence, he noted that his applications were clearly treated with respect and expedited. As a rule, he received replies within 15 days of submission, which is practically unheard of. Busarov was unsure of how to react to this unexpected development. "I couldn't just tell them: 'You misunderstood me. I applied for their rehabilitation because I wanted the exact opposite,'" he said. "I had to continue the ruse, but couldn't let them win." So he decided to do exactly what an excited Stalinist would do in this situation. Since the executioners had been rehabilitated, it only made sense that he would apply to have their state ranks, medals, and honors restored. But the agencies to which Busarov applied balked at this. In every case, they rejected his requests. Busarov sent their rejections to the military prosecutor's office, complaining that their decisions to rehabilitate the men were being ignored. And that is when a weird situation took a turn for the weirder. The military prosecutor's office changed its mind. "It was a completely unprecedented situation," Busarov recalled. "Such a flood of de-rehabilitations had never happened before in the history of the prosecutor's office." Moreover, Busarov noted that many of the people who made the decisions to rehabilitate the Stalinist criminals were themselves removed from their posts. He is convinced they were punished for their zeal. In the case of Agranov, to take one example, Busarov received another terse letter dated July 24, 2013. The letter noted that "in connection with the presence in the archives of the organ of the Russian Federation of materials that could serve as the basis for a different legal evaluation of the actions of this person," the rehabilitation decision had been "overturned." In August, that decision was upheld by the military collegium of the Russian Supreme Court. In December, Busarov received a letter from the Kremlin saying that Putin would not reinstate Agranov's state honors because of the court's ruling. 'Secret Nuremberg' Nonetheless, several of the rehabilitations remain in force to the present day. Stepan Mamulov, NKVD lieutenant general and deputy to Lavrenty Beria, who oversaw many of the GULAG's infamous mining and forestry operations and who was known to have kept truncheons in his office to personally beat prisoners being interrogated, has been officially rehabilitated. Busarov continued sending rehabilitation applications, but all of them were rejected. At the same time, he succeeded in having several additional rehabilitations rescinded. In 2001, prosecutors rehabilitated Veniamin Agas, a top NKVD officer who participated in fabricated cases against leading Soviet military officers in the years just before World War II and the persecution of Orthodox priests and monks. He has been identified by numerous victims of Stalin's Terror as having personally beaten them during interrogations. For more than a year, Busarov corresponded with officials, presenting evidence of Agas's crimes. On April 12, 2016, a closed session of the military collegium of the Supreme Court rescinded Agas's rehabilitation. Busarov has also busied himself applying for the rehabilitation of Soviet figures who resisted Stalinism and Stalin's secret police. He unsuccessfully applied for the rehabilitation of Savely Dmitriyev, who in 1942 fired a shot at a car he believed to be Stalin's. He was also unsuccessful in securing the rehabilitation of KGB Captain Viktor Orekhov, who was prosecuted in 1978 for warning Soviet dissidents of impending searches and arrests and who now lives in the United States. "The nearer the case is to the present time," Busarov said, "the harder it becomes to secure justice." In 2015, he secured rehabilitation for prominent dissident Valeria Novodvorskaya, who was convicted repeatedly of anti-Soviet activity in the 1970s and 1980s. She never applied for rehabilitation herself before her death in 2014, so Busarov got it for her in 2015. Over the years, Busarov assembled an impressive archive of documents attached to the cases he worked on. He became concerned that the security forces would realize what he was doing and would seize the valuable documents. "So I simply threw the folders in with my stuff and left the country in a car," he told RFE/RL of his decision to emigrate in 2018. "As a whole, these materials can confirm that this is a case of a criminal organization, just like the SS and the Gestapo were condemned during the Nuremberg trials," he said. "The materials touch on the central leadership, the leadership of regional organs, and lower-level officers. And this entire structure is revealed to have destroyed people who were known to be innocent." "Russia will never have a Nuremberg trial," he said, "but it is possible to issue the legal opinion that this was a criminal organization. I call this a 'secret Nuremberg.' That is why this archive is very serious." Written by Robert Coalson based on reporting by Dmitry Volchek of RFE/RL's Russian Service MOSCOW -- Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says it is "dismayed" by the turmoil at the prominent Russian newspaper Kommersant, calling it a "terrible blow to what is left of journalistic independence" in the country. The Paris-based media freedom watchdog issued a statement on May 21, after two journalists at the business daily were fired over an article about a staunch Kremlin ally. Eleven of their colleagues resigned in protest, and more than 180 others issued a joint letter saying that the newspaper's shareholders were "destroying one of Russia's best media outlets" for "short-term political gains." Kommersant's deputy editor in chief, Renata Yambayeva, said that the decision to fire a deputy chief editor of the newspaper's political unit, Maksim Ivanov, and special correspondent Ivan Safronov, was made by the newspaper's owner, Kremlin-friendly oligarch Alisher Usmanov. A spokesperson for Usmanov said that the billionaire had nothing to do with the dismissals and claimed he never interferes in the newspaper's editorial decisions. 'Brutal Interference' But RSF said that the information it had gathered confirms that Ivanov and Safronov were fired as a result of pressure from Usmanov, who was critical, inter alia, of the fact that the journalists did not name their sources" for their article about the possible demotion of Federation Council chairwoman Valentina Matviyenko. "Respect for the confidentiality of journalists' sources is an essential principle for which there is provision in Russian law," the watchdog said. The Russian Journalists and Media Workers Union condemned what it called "brutal interference by shareholders in editorial policy" and said that "shareholder meddling in editorial policy violates the constitutional right to free speech." The story about Matviyenko, a former St. Petersburg governor who has headed the upper house of Russia's parliament since 2011, was published on April 17. It cited sources close to the government as saying that spy chief Sergei Naryshkin, head of the External Intelligence Service, might replace Matviyenko in May and that she might be moved to a position in the state Pension Fund. Russia ranks 149th out of 180 countries listed on RSFs World Press Freedom Index. In March, Kommersant journalist Maria Karpenko said she was fired over her reports on acting St. Petersburg Governor Aleksandr Beglov's election campaign. BELGRADE -- Serbian lawmakers have voted to introduce life imprisonment without parole for some serious crimes, despite concerns voiced by the Council of Europe's top human rights official. Parliament on May 21 approved amendments to the Balkan country's Criminal Code, which resulted from a petition launched by the father of a teenage girl who was raped and killed in 2014. The new legislation introduces life imprisonment for the killing of a senior official, acts of terrorism, war crimes, and other serious crimes. Those sentenced to life in prison may apply for parole after having spent 27 years behind bars, except those found guilty of acts such as the rape and killing of a minor or a pregnant or disabled person. Until now, the maximum sentence in Serbia was 40 years in prison. The amendments were backed by the ruling coalition led by President Aleksandar Vucic's Progressive Party and part of the opposition. The Council of Europe's Human Rights Commissioner Dunja Mijatovic earlier this month called on the Serbian authorities not to submit the draft law to a vote. Serbia is bound by the European Convention on Human Rights, which does not prohibit life sentences but requires "a prospect of the prisoner's release and the possibility of a review of the sentence," Mijatovic wrote in a letter to Justice Minister Nela Kuburic. The draft law was introduced after years of campaigning by Igor Juric, whose 15-year-old daughter Tijana was abducted and killed in 2014. Her killer is currently serving a 40-year sentence. Juric's call for a life sentence without possibility of parole has been backed by a petition signed by about 160,000 people. Serbia seeks to join the European Union and must align its legislation, including its Criminal Code, with those of the bloc. Many European countries have life sentences but with the possibility of parole, including France and Germany. With reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters Tajikistan's banned opposition Islamic Renaissance Party (IRPT) has accused authorities of concealing the truth about a deadly prison riot that the Dushanbe government said killed 32 people, including three members of the group. In a statement late on May 20, the IRPT said the actual death toll from the prison riot late on May 19 near the capital Dushanbe was much higher, according to their own sources. Tajikistan's Interior Ministry said that three prison guards and 29 inmates, including three IRPT members, were killed in the riot that broke out in a maximum-security prison in the Vahdat district, some 15 kilometers east of Dushanbe. The IRPT was a major opposition group before authorities outlawed it in 2015, in a move widely criticized as unjustified and politically motivated. The Interior Ministry said 17 of the slain inmates were members of the extremist group Islamic State (IS), a claim that could not be independently verified. The May 20 riot was the second deadly prison clash to hit the country in the last six months. In its statement, the IRPT said authorities had also concealed details about the prison riot in November in which the government said 21 prisoners and two prison guards were killed. The statement said authorities had given the public "very vague and unclear" information about both riots, leading to "questions and suspicions." "The IRPT holds the government fully responsible for the riots and their outcomes as its policies in recent years have been plagued by violence against political parties, activist groups, and individuals," the statement said. "The IRPT leadership also stresses that the health and safety of its members in custody and that of other inmates is the government's responsibility," the party added. The statement called for an independent investigation into the riots, with the participation of "independent journalists and international organizations" like the International Committee of the Red Cross. RFE/RL correspondents reported on May 20 that the three guards killed in the riot were buried. At least two inmates killed in the riot were also buried, including 20-year-old Behruz Gulmurod, the eldest son of Gulmurod Halimov, a former commander of the Tajik Interior Ministrys special forces who joined the IS group in 2015. He was buried without the presence of family and was not given the traditional Islamic funeral prayer. IRPT member Sattor Karimov was buried on the same day in Dushanbe. His family was in attendance and he was given an Islamic funeral. A deadly prison riot in Tajikistan has put a spotlight on the alleged role of the eldest son of the country's most-wanted man, a police colonel who defected to Islamic State (IS) four years ago. Authorities claim that Gulmurod Halimov's 20-year-old son, Behruz Gulmurod, was among four instigators of the riot that broke out on May 19 in the high-security Kirpichniy prison in the Vahdat district, some 15 kilometers east of the capital. The violence left 32 people dead, including three prison guards, according to the Interior Ministry. Gulmurod's name appeared on a list of the 29 inmates who were "neutralized or perished" during the riot. The ministry further claimed that 17 of the slain inmates were members of IS. The alleged involvement of both Islamic State and the son of a prominent defector to IS cause added another element of mystery to what led to the incident, with little information available other than the official line. Family members have confirmed that Gulmurod was buried by law enforcement officers in his native village of Foni, some 30 kilometers west of Dushanbe, on May 20. No family members were allowed to witness the body or to take part in the burial. No customary Islamic funeral ceremony was held, and there has been no indication that an autopsy was performed. "I wasn't even given a chance to see my son's body, to see what has happened to him," says Gulmurod's mother, Nazokat Murodova. "I was just told by an officer that 'we brought your son's body and will bury him in the cemetery.' They briefly said he was killed in a disturbance that occurred in the prison." Murodova told RFE/RL on May 21 that she "wasn't even aware that a riot had happened in the prison," where her son had been serving a 10-year sentence since 2017 for trying to join a foreign militant organization. Gulmurod was allowed only one family visit a year, and Murodova says she last saw her son "four months ago." The Justice Ministry says that Gulmurod and three other men, armed with knives and other "sharp objects," stabbed three prison guards to death in the evening on May 19. The four instigators of the riot then allegedly freed several other inmates who belonged to IS, the ministry said in a statement. RFE/RL was unable to independently verify the official account. According to the statement, the men went on to kill five prisoners, including two prominent members of the banned Islamic Renaissance Party (IRPT), a major political opposition group. The Interior Ministry said that a total of three IRPT members were killed in the violence. The rioters allegedly set fire to a prison medical facility and attacked other guards while trying to escape. A list released by the Interior Ministry on May 20 claims that, aside from IS members, several of the prisoners involved belonged to the banned extremist groups Jamaat Ansarullah and the Islamic Movement of Turkestan. None of the groups had claimed involvement in the riot as of May 21. The Interior Ministry list explicitly identified Gulmurod and his three alleged associates as IS members. The other three men, identified as Fathiddn Gulov, 25, Mahmadullo Sharifov, 20, and Ruhullo Hasanov, were not known to the public. Surrounded By Secrecy Gulmurod's name has frequently appeared in Tajik media since his father's defection to IS in 2015. Gulmurod was arrested in April 2017 and charged with attempting to join a foreign militant group to fight as a mercenary. His arrest and trial were surrounded by secrecy: his trial took place behind closed doors and for months there was no official comment about his arrest. An official said on condition of anonymity at the time that Gulmurod had purchased a plane ticket to leave Tajikistan via Moscow to join his father in Iraq, but was arrested before his planned departure. The official was involved in the investigation but wasn't authorized to speak to the media. He said that prior to his arrest, Gulmurod "had been in contact on social media with unidentified people who called themselves friends of his father and urged Behruz to join his father in Iraq." Gulmurod's relatives portrayed him at the time as a family-oriented son whose life took an unexpected turn at the age of 18 after his father left. Gulmurod abandoned his dream of becoming a doctor and worked at a market to provide for his family, his mother told RFE/RL in 2017. Persistent Pressure In a rare interview, Gulmurod's sister Nilufar said that the family's life "turned into a nightmare" after Halimov vacated his high-profile position as the commander of the Interior Ministry's special forces and joined IS. Both Nilufar and her mother spoke about persistent psychological and social pressure, police questioning, and financial hardship that the family faced. After Gulmurod's arrest two years later, Murodova and her three underage children were left dependent on the small income she makes selling goods at a makeshift stall alongside a highway near their village. Her husband has four other children with his longtime partner Humairo Mirova, a former state customs service employee. Mirova and her children reportedly joined Halimov in Syria in February 2016. Two of Halimov's brothers and two nephews were killed in July 2017 in what officials described as a police operation to prevent them from fleeing to Afghanistan to join IS. In the same operation in southern Tajikistan, two other Halimov brothers and a nephew were arrested, law enforcement officials said. The three men were sentenced to prison terms ranging from seven to 18 years in October 2017, according to officials . The trials took place behind closed doors and officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to brief media. The bodies of the two brothers and two nephews who were allegedly killed in the operation were taken to their home village by law enforcement officers and buried with no traditional funeral ceremony. No relatives were allowed to attend. The fugitive colonel's other brother, Saidmurod Halimov, resigned from his post at the department overseeing the country's prison system in December 2017. The fate and whereabouts of Gulmurod Halimov remains unknown. Iraqi media reported that he had become the militant group's "minister of war." In August 2016, the U.S. State Department offered a reward of $3 million for information regarding his whereabouts. KYIV Ukraines parliament is scheduled to hold an extraordinary session on May 22, two days after the inauguration of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The session was called by Andriy Parubiy, the speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, at Zelenskiys request. Earlier on May 21, Zelenskiy issued a decree to dissolve the Verkhovna Rada and set snap parliamentary elections for July 21. Parubiy said in a Facebook post on May 21 that Zelenskiy's decree was illegal. "It is sad and alarming that the guarantor of the Constitution starts his work in the post with a gross violation of the Constitution," Parubiy said. Parubiy added that lawmakers will launch an appeal at the Constitutional Court in a bid to overturn Zelenskiys decree. Zelenskiy said the emergency parliament session, scheduled to start at noon local time will discuss amendments to the electoral law. Zelenskiy has called for electing the next chamber entirely on party lists, arguing that the current system in which part of parliament is elected in single ballot races favors corruption. A comedian and actor with no previous political experience, Zelenskiy has taken the helm of a country of 44 million that faces deep-seated corruption, economic challenges, and a deadly war in eastern Ukraine. On May 21, Zelenskiy appointed a new chief of the General Staff to head the Ukrainian military through conflict with Russia-backed separatists who hold parts of the eastern provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk, and picked his legal adviser Andriy Bohdan as his chief of staff. Bohdan has also worked as a lawyer for tycoon Ihor Kolomoyskiy, adding to questions about the extent of ties between the new president and the billionaire who owns the TV station that has hosted Zelenskiy's comedy programs and his hit sitcom Servant Of The People. Tetyana Kozachenko, head of the Public Council on lustration issues at the Justice Ministry, contended in a Facebook post on May 22 that Zelenskiy's appointment of Bohdan violates legislation on lustration because he held government posts under ousted former President Viktor Yanukovych. She said the law prohibits people who served under Yanukovych from holding government posts for 10 years. Meanwhile, Zelenskiy canceled the appointment of Deputy Foreign Minister Olena Zerkal as deputy chief of staff on May 22, one day after he named her to the position. Some media reports said that Zerkal declined to take the job, and she said she would explain the situation later. Zelenskiy defeated incumbent Petro Poroshenko by a wide margin in a presidential runoff vote on April 21. The 41-year-old ran for president without the support of a political party and currently has no formal backing in parliament. Parliamentary Elections After holding talks with Parubiy and leaders of parliamentary factions at the presidential administration building in Kyiv, Zelenskiy said that the main reason behind his decision to dissolve parliament and call early elections was "citizens' very low [level of] trust" in that institution. Zelenskiy said that as president and "guarantor of the constitution," he "must safeguard the rights of Ukraine's citizens," and added that the "judicial reason" for the dissolution of parliament is that "there has been no coalition since 2016." The ruling European Ukraine coalition was established in November 2014 and consisted of the party of Zelenskiys predecessor President Petro Poroshenko, Poroshenko's Bloc, the People's Front, Samopomich (Self-Reliance), Batkivshchyna (Fatherland), and the Radical Party. The latter three political parties quit the coalition in 2015-2016. The People's Front announced its decision to quit the coalition last week, after which Parubiy declared that the coalition was dissolved. Under the constitution, new parliamentary elections must be held within two months of the decree dissolving parliament. The next parliamentary elections had been set for late October. As he starts a five-year term, early elections are a chance for Zelenskiy to strengthen his position and sideline allies of Poroshenko. Opponents have questioned whether Zelenskiy has the authority to disband parliament under the constitution because of the timing of his inauguration, but there has been little sign of vocal resistance to his plan since he announced it on May 20. Popular Referendum? Hours after Zelenskiy was sworn in, Prime Minister Volodymyr Hroysman said he would resign on May 22 and suggested that he will run in the snap elections. "I proposed to the president and the parliament that we together form a new agenda and very quickly begin to make decisions that would make Ukraine stronger," Hroysman said. "The president has chosen a different path." Zelenskiy promoted Lieutenant General Ruslan Khomchak to be the chief of Ukraine's General Staff on May 21 after dismissing Viktor Muzhenko, according to a presidential decree. The 51-year-old Khomchak previously served as the chief of staff of the military's ground forces. Muzhenko had served as the head of the countrys armed forces since 2014. The war in the eastern region known as the Donbas has killed some 13,000 people since April 2014 and Russia continues to control Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula it occupied and seized the same year. The new chief of the Zelenskiys administration said on May 21 that Ukraine may submit any preliminary peace deal agreed with Russia to the Ukrainian people for a referendum. "On the question of reaching peace agreements with Russia, we are considering holding a popular referendum," Andriy Bohdan told the 112 TV news channel. Meanwhile, the Kremlin said that President Vladimir Putin discussed the conflict in eastern Ukraine with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron in a phone call. The call touched upon the change of leadership in Kyiv after Zelenskiys election. Germany, France, Ukraine, and Russia have held four-way consultations in a bid to find a solution to the conflict. With reporting by AP Search crews have recovered a body matching the description of a Chesterfield County man who was on a fishing trip when he fell off a boat on Sunday, authorities said Tuesday. The body, which matches the description of 68-year-old Lindsey Brown of North Chesterfield, was recovered Monday from the James River near Herring Creek, according to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Brown has been missing since a witness reported that he fell off the boat Sunday and did not surface, officials said. Public safety personnel from the counties of Charles City, Chesterfield and Henrico, along with the Virginia Conservation Police, had been searching by boat and using sonar equipment. Chesterfield and Henrico dive teams recovered the body, which has been taken to the state medical examiners office for identification. The Virginia Conservation Police are still investigating the incident. Colonial Heights police have charged a Chesterfield County man with rape and abduction, among other crimes, after a woman was found in the woods disoriented and injured. Michael F. Gholson Sr., 52, of the 2500 block of Alfalfa Lane, was charged with sodomy by force, malicious wounding and grand larceny, in addition to the two other charges. He is being held at Riverside Regional Jail without bond. On May 2 around 5:30 a.m., police responded to the 200 block of Archer Avenue, just north of the Appomattox River and Appamatuck Park, after receiving a call about a suspicious woman. Officers found the injured woman in the woods, authorities said. The woman told police shed met a man in Petersburg and agreed to go to a restaurant in Colonial Heights with him. Later, the two left the restaurant and drove to a pavilion on Archer Avenue where she said the man robbed her and physically and sexually assaulted her. The woman was taken to VCU Medical Center with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening. Chesterfield County police are searching for a man who robbed a credit union on Monday at gunpoint. Police said the robbery occurred just before 5 p.m. at the Call Federal Credit Union at 10501 Hull Street Road. No one was injured. After pointing a gun at a teller and demanding money, the robber received an undisclosed amount of money and fled on foot, police said. Police described the man as black, 25 to 30 years old, with a thin build and some facial hair. He wore sunglasses, blue jeans, a gray shirt, a gray hat and a reflective vest. Anyone with information should call Chesterfield police at (804) 748-1251 or Crime Solvers at (804) 748-0660. You can also contact Crime Solvers by going to www.crimesolvers.net or using the P3 Tips app for smartphones. All Crime Solvers methods are anonymous. A Dinwiddie County woman has been charged with threatening to bomb the Petersburg Muslim Center. Renee Marie Nunnally, 48, was arrested and charged Monday, according to Petersburg police. Police said they received a tip Monday morning. Detectives "determined that at no time were the citizens of Petersburg, houses of worship, or Muslim Centers in any danger," police said. Police did not release any additional details. The Dinwiddie Sheriffs Office, the Virginia State Police and the FBI assisted in the investigation. A man so heavy he cannot walk or dress pleaded guilty Tuesday to participating in a long-running cocaine distribution conspiracy and faces up to 40 years in prison when sentenced in September. Kenneth T. Hicks, 48, of Emporia, who is said to weigh more than 900 pounds, entered the plea and answered questions in a soft, clear voice from inside an ambulance that was backed into the loading dock of the U.S. courthouse at 701 E. Broad St. in downtown Richmond. Lying on his back and facing the judge, Hicks could be heard by most in attendance through the vehicles open double rear doors, but he could be seen only by U.S. Magistrate Judge David J. Novak, who accepted the guilty plea, and a handful of other people. I want to put on the record were engaged in some extraordinary procedures due to Mr. Hicks health issues, Novak said at the start of the 30-minute hearing. Hicks pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiring with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute more than a pound of cocaine from 2013 into 2017. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar will join South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg at the Democratic Party of Virginias annual fundraiser in June. The announcement from the party on Monday brings to two the number of Democratic presidential candidates who will be headliners at the June 15 Blue Commonwealth Gala. The event will be in the renovated train shed at Main Street Station and is expected to draw more than 1,500 Democrats. Tickets start at $150. Klobuchar, who is in her third term in the Senate, announced her presidential bid in February in Minneapolis, saying her campaign was homegrown and that she didnt have a political machine behind her. Aside from the upcoming visits by Klobuchar and Buttigieg, two other Democrats have campaigned in Virginia heading into next years crowded presidential primary. Former U.S. Rep. Beto ORourke of Texas made campaign stops in Virginia during two days in April, and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren held a campaign event at George Mason University on Thursday in which she called for new ethics rules for the Pentagon. President Donald Trump is expected to name former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli to a key immigration policy role at the Department of Homeland Security, according to multiple published reports. The New York Times first reported the news, which additional outlets, including The Associated Press and The Washington Post, said they subsequently confirmed. Cuccinelli, who could not immediately be reached for comment, is a conservative opponent of illegal immigration. He served as attorney general from 2010 to 2014 and narrowly lost Virginias 2013 election for governor to Democrat Terry McAuliffe. Cuccinelli was at the White House on Monday, officials said. The hiring appears to come in response to Trumps desire for an immigration czar to help coordinate border policies across agencies, officials said, although the job will be more limited in nature. The hire comes as Trump is struggling with a migrant surge at the southern border that is straining federal resources. For months, DHS officials have discussed the need for a border crisis manager who would coordinate among the multiple federal agencies struggling to cope with an unprecedented surge of Central American migrant families. Two-thirds (66%) of college seniors will graduate with a staggering level of debt. The implications of that are impacting the financial success of these young Americans and society in general. When one is struggling to make monthly student loan payments, the additional costs incurred in buying a home or a new car, getting married or starting a family often are put on hold or might never happen. Some researchers point to student loan debt as a big reason marriage rates and birth rates are falling. Both men and women are putting off marriage, often until their 30s if at all. And women are delaying childbirth until later ages. Last years birth rate of 3.7 million babies was a 32-year low, with women in their teens and 20s experiencing record low births. In 2018, only women between the ages of 35 to 44 saw an increase in childbirth rates. Experts were hoping the improved economy would see those rates rebound, but that hasnt happened. She is a doctor who voted against Medicaid expansion. Weve got to get her out. Said Rodman: I believe the American dream should not be about having a politician between a woman and her decisions about her body. ... I beat a 17-year Republican incumbent who led the fight against Medicaid expansion. Rodman said her top priority, if elected as a senator, is womens reproductive care and ending restrictions on abortion access. Im the one who stood beside [Del.] Kathy Tran when she did her bill, and we know that thats what were going to be doing this year. Were going to be fighting over reproductive rights and were going to bring it forward when we get the majority this year, Rodman said. Rodman co-patroned a bill by Tran, D-Fairfax, to ease abortion restrictions. The bill created national controversy after Tran, under questioning from House Majority Leader Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, said her bill would allow for abortion up until the moment of birth. Eight months after Apple first launched the Apple Watch Series 4 with ECG capabilities, the company seems to have received the necessary clearance from Health Canada to bring the feature to Canadian Apple Watch owners. The Health Canada website shows Apple as having two approved active licenses 102864 for the ECG app and 102866 for irregular rhythm notification feature. When Apple first launched the Apple Watch Series 4 with ECG last year, the feature was only available for customers in the United States. With the watchOS 5.2 update in March, Apple further expanded the ECG functionality to 19 more countries outside of the US including Hong Kong, India, Spain, France, and others. Now, with Apple receiving the necessary approval from Health Canada, it is likely that we will see the company bring the ECG feature to Canadian Apple Watch Series 4 owners with the final release of watchOS 5.3. If not, then it is possible we will hear Apple talk more about ECG app on the Apple Watch at WWDC 2019 early next month. The ECG feature on Apple Watch Series 4 has turned out to be incredibly handy. Reports of the feature saving the life of Apple Watch Series 4 owners started popping up days after the feature went live in the US. Since then, we have periodically seen news of the Apple Watch Series 4 detecting atrial fibrillation and saving the life of its user. [Via iPhone in Canada Man arrested in Cancun for carrying gun, magazines Cancun, Q.R. Federal police have taken a man into custody at the Cancun International Airport after he was found carrying a weapon. The arrest took place after police found a passenger on an arriving flight from Mexico City carrying a .38 caliber firearm with two loaded magazines. The man has been identified as 46-year-old J.A.H.Y. who claimed to be an employee of a security firm. When federal police asked the man for his gun permit, the man handed over an expired license. When police ran the gun through the firearm database, the results showed the gun had never been registered. The man was made available for the public prosecutors office in Cancun. Dear Dr. Camardi, I am an avid reader of your column. And, yes, I have read before where you have come out against drinking any type of alcohol, saying its bad for your health. But a lot of your fellow doctors are saying that drinking can save you from a heart attack. Youve stuck to your guns for a long time, and I can appreciate that. I admit I like to drink and, like I said, I keep seeing stuff on the internet and in the media where drinking is OK. So I ask you, have you changed your attitude on this or do you still think alcohol is bad for you? If you still say its bad, I just might well stop, but otherwise Ill just keep on keeping on. I value your opinion and hope you answer my question. Boones Mill Short answer: In a safe and controlled manner, stop consuming alcohol. Long answer: Do not just stop on your own consult with your doctor to develop a prudent plan for stopping and a big-picture strategy to prevent drinking in the future so as to safely stop without facing the risks of going into alcohol withdrawal, which can be very dangerous. Let me reiterate my view: Alcohol is a poison. When you drink alcohol, you give the body extra work by forcing it to create an enzymatic defense to get rid of it. Trust me, the body does not need the extra work it has enough to do. If you drink enough alcohol over time, it can make you very sick, if not kill you, by making your liver look like a dried-out sponge. Many people do not agree with me, and thats fine, as it takes at least two points of view to have a discussion. However, I do not see my position changing. A well-done study titled Risk Thresholds for Alcohol Consumption by Angela M. Wood, et al., published last year in the British medical journal Lancet challenges the idea that drinking alcohol is beneficial. In looking at almost 600,000 drinkers in 19 countries worldwide and controlled for age, gender, tobacco use, diabetic history, job and educational level, the authors made some interesting findings. Drinking more than one drink per day was associated with a lowered life span of about one to two years. Consuming two drinks per day could lower a persons life span by four to five years. Wait what? I thought drinking was good for your heart, you say. Not so much. The study shows that these drinkers would succumb to different types of cardiovascular disease, such as stroke, hypertension, aneurysms and heart failure. They would, however, have a slight protection from a nonfatal heart attack. In effect, the person would still have the heart attack but not die from it instead living with a weakened heart, taking tons of pills and most likely dying from stroke or hypertension. No one study is ever perfect, and follow-up work always needs to be done. Because this studys results raised some eyebrows, a follow-up study called the Moderate Alcohol and Cardiovascular Health trial was planned. It proposed to enroll about 8,000 people from some 20 clinical locations worldwide and study them for up to six years. It would compare two groups of people: those consuming one drink per day and those who drank no alcohol at all. To be sure, this ambitious undertaking would be quite expensive. The call for funding went out, and the first donor to step up was the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, which committed some $20 million. Then rather quickly there appeared almost $68 million from the private sector. However, there was a problem. Every major alcohol-based beverage company, from Anheuser-Busch to Heineken, contributed millions upon millions to the study. Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, did not like the trend and called a meeting to investigate. An NIH advisory committee concluded on June 15, 2018, that the early and frequent engagement with industry representatives calls into question the impartiality of the process and thus, casts doubt that the scientific knowledge gained from the study would be actionable or believable. The NIH withdrew its funding for the study. So I leave it to you: Was the alcohol industry trying to guide the narrative by contributing money or was the National Institutes of Health hasty in withdrawing its support? Kudos to the NIH for seeing the handwriting on the wall. The work still needs to be done. While Im waiting, I think Ill have a Perrier with a twist of lemon. Cambodias 2018 general election for the sixth mandate of the government was both extraordinary and controversial. It was extraordinary because Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sens Cambodian People's Party (CPP) secured an unchallenged landslide victory winning all 125 parliamentary seats. It was also controversial in that the countrys leading opposition party, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), was court-dissolved about nine months prior to the election. In response to the dissolution of the main opposition and the perceived deterioration of human rights and democracy in the Kingdom, the United States (US) and European Union (EU) have taken measures in an attempt to reverse Cambodias democratic backsliding. The US has imposed visa sanctions and asset freezes on top Cambodian government officials and withdrawn aid commitments. Further, two US lawmakers, Rep. Alan Lowenthal of California and Rep. Steve Chabot of Ohio, have introduced the Cambodia Trade Act (CTA) to call for the US government to review the Kingdoms preferential trade status under the auspices of the General System of Preferences (GSP). The introduction of the bill followed the lead of two other US senators who introduced a similar bill to the US Senate in early 2019. If approved by US President Donald Trump, the bill would lead to the limitation, suspension, or withdrawal of Cambodias trade privileges that have granted the Southeast Asian nation tariff reductions and exemptions on its exports to the US. In alignment with the US sanctions and the introduction of the CTA bill, the EU has in tandem kicked off a six-month period of intensive monitoring and engagement that could result in the temporary suspension of Cambodias tariff-free access to the EU single market. Although the EU has noted that the withdrawal of the Kingdoms trade privileges under the Everything But Arms (EBA) scheme is only done as a last resort, the current development regarding the EBA issue allows us to believe that the eventual withdrawal of Cambodias EBA status is a real possibility. Despite the dilemma over the possible loss of its EBA privileges, for the time being, Cambodia, under the leadership of Hun Sen and his CPP elites, does not seem to seriously consider the EUs human rights demands. Indeed, as reiterated by Prime Minister Hun Sen, Cambodia will not exchange its independence and sovereignty for foreign aid. The country regards the EUs calls for improving human rights and democracy as acts of interference with Cambodias internal affairs. Both parties seem to speak a different language to each other. As it now stands, strong actions taken by the EU to halt Cambodias democratic drift is less likely to produce intended results. An article entitled Scare tactics won't work with Hun Sen which appeared in the Bangkok Post pointed out clearly that the EUs coercive diplomacy may not yield results. The article observed that the CPP was willing to lose the EBA status in exchange for getting rid of the opposition party, so it could stay in power for more years to come. It also noted that the economic sanctions are nothing but hostage-taking diplomacy that will only cause ordinary Cambodians to suffer. While there is merit in the main arguments of the article, it is reasonable to point out that measures taken by the EU and the US do have implications for Hun Sens government. Although the article maintained that the EUs scarce tactics may not work with Hun Sen, similar tactics have in fact exerted some influence on the policy making process and reform initiatives of the Cambodian government. It is undeniable that pressure, sanctions, and measures taken by the international community, particularly the Western bloc, against authoritarian and less democratic governments, more often than not, inflict harm and suffering in the vulnerable group of the population. For example, following the 2013 national election that saw the CNRP make huge gains, the CPP-led government which only won by 8 seats vowed to engage in deep reforms to address voters dissatisfaction. The then governments strategic decision and sudden willingness to make meaningful reforms was widely seen to be motivated by pressure of domestic politics. The CPP which lost 22 parliamentary seats to the opposition in 2013 hoped for a comeback in the next general election through comprehensive reforms. However, if analyzed critically, one may be able to see the consequences of political pressure and sanctions from the West on the Cambodian government and Cambodian politics. Although the EBA threat by the EU and sanctions by the US do not amount to significant impact on the incumbent Cambodian government, it is true that they partly contribute to policy reform trajectories and the development of politics in the Kingdom. As a small state and an aid-dependent country, Cambodia is directly and indirectly influenced by demands and sanctions from the West and concerns expressed by other key development partners. There was a series of recent political and social moves which were believed to be responses to concerns and pressure from key external players like the EU that have important leverage over the Kingdoms economic and political landscape. The Cambodian government has, for instance, released former CNRP president Kem Sokha from prison, although he is now under house arrest awaiting trial on treason charges. The government has also amended the Law on Political Parties to allow the banned CNRP politicians to return to politics. Moreover, there are ongoing institutional reforms and measures taken to reduce the number of public holidays and trading costs associated with customs clearance and goods inspection fees. These moves have no doubt been initiated to a certain degree by Western pressure, although the CPP-led government has often denied such claims. In fact, international pressure in the form of economic or trade sanctions and other types of measures does not amount to nothing. It has value, influence, and impact, although the impact can sometimes be negative or detrimental to the lives of the ordinary people. In the case of Cambodia, Western pressure can contribute in part to the political direction and development in the Kingdom, as indicated by the governments recent political moves. It is therefore sensible to say that Cambodian politics is the product of the Cambodian governments own initiatives and the international communitys socio-political demands or agendas. To promote democratic values and norms in developing and transitional countries like Cambodia, the EU, the US and other major international actors have important roles to play and responsibilities to take. As argued in an article that addressed the issue of the imminent suspension of Cambodias EBA status, the international players like the EU should not remain idle or indifferent to any form of human rights abuses or violations. They should instead seek ways to redress the situation in question and reverse any perceived deterioration of human rights and democracy in countries that aspire to embrace democratic values and principles. It is undeniable that pressure, sanctions, and measures taken by the international community, particularly the Western bloc, against authoritarian and less democratic governments, more often than not, inflict harm and suffering in the vulnerable group of the population. And it is agreeable that the government elites and the rich are in general immune to any harm caused by sanctions and actions taken by external players. However, one needs to be reminded that, despite their serious consequences on ordinary people, Western sanctions or any political pressure in that matter do make authoritarian and quasi-democratic leaders more accountable for their actions. In absolute terms, sanctions are the international communitys watchdog on the promotion of democratic values and respect for human rights. They are clearly better than nothing. Put another way, they act as speed bumps to the smooth transformation of quasi-democratic leadership into authoritarian rule. Saturday, April 14, 2018, was warm and sunny. After Christian Bollings youth league lacrosse match in Lexington that morning, the 9-year-old and his mom, dad and older sister went for a hike up to Devils Marbleyard, a popular rock formation in southern Rockbridge County near Natural Bridge Station. That afternoon, as they began the 1.4-mile trek back to their car, every parents nightmare occurred. Christian took a fall off an embankment. He landed on his face 25 feet below. He smashed his nose, fractured his skull, broke his left wrist and two bones in his lower left leg, said his mom, Cynthia Bolling. Now 10, Christian is fine today. He spent two nights in the trauma unit at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. He finished the 2017-18 school year at Oak Grove Elementary School in a wheelchair. Including physical therapy, his recovery lasted three months, Cynthia Bolling said. But the Bollings still are struggling with a $36,484 bill they received for Christians 34-mile Lifeguard 10 flight to the hospital. Their health insurer, Aetna, paid $12,000 of that total, Cynthia Bolling told me. Now Med-Trans Air Medical Transport, a private contractor that operates Lifeguard 10 flights for Carilion, is billing the Roanoke County family for the $24,000 balance. Med-Trans recently offered to cut that to $10,000 if the Bollings paid within 30 days, she said. But the Bollings dont have $10,000. Cynthias an occupational therapist. Her husband, Courtney, is a salesman. Theyre still making payments to Carilion on roughly $6,000 their insurer didnt cover of Christians hospital bill, she said. So it looks like the Bollings could end up on the hook for the whole $24,000. If their plight sounds familiar, it should. Beginning in July 2013, I wrote a series of columns about this issue. I heard from scores of people saddled with medical-helicopter transport bills in the $20,000 to $30,000 range, after Carilion changed from one medical helicopter provider to Med-Trans. The previous contractor that flew Carilions helicopters until February 2012 accepted amounts health insurers were willing to pay. But Med-Trans did not. In September 2013, Carilion disclosed that its 2012 contract with Med-Trans required the helicopter company to be an in-network provider with Anthem, at that time the regions dominant health insurer. But Med-Trans had reached no in-network agreement with Anthem. That was one of the reasons so many trauma patients were getting billed for balances of as much as $25,000, after their insurance paid. Med-Trans later inked a deal with Anthem that was retroactive to February 2012. That meant many Anthem subscribers who had gotten hit with huge bills from Med-Trans received big refunds or had large debts written off. Chris Turnbull, a Carilion spokesman, said Christian Bolling was one of 1,500 patients who arrived at Roanoke Memorial by helicopter last year. Turnbull was unsure how many of those patients had in-network air ambulance coverage and how many did not. Maintaining the readiness of a 24-7-365 air medical program is not inexpensive, Turnbull said. There are three Lifeguard 10 helicopters, one each based in Radford, Lexington and in Hardy. Reid Vogel, a spokesman for Med-Trans, said federal health privacy regulations prevent him from discussing specifics of the Bollings case. But he noted that Aetna and Med-Trans have no in-network provider agreement in Virginia, although Med-Trans has such agreements with Aetna in other states. Its state-by-state, Vogel said. (The only insurer Med-Trans has an in-network agreement with in Virginia is Blue Cross Blue Shield, aka Anthem.) Vogel added that in 75 percent of the cases for which Med-Trans provides emergency helicopter transports, patients are underinsured. For example, Medicaid pays reimbursements that cover only 33 percent of the companys cost of providing the transports, Vogel said. Payments allowed by Tricare and Medicare, two other federal insurance programs, cover only 60 percent of Med-Trans costs, Vogel added. That means Med-Trans loses money on each one of those transports. That presents Med Trans with a challenge: How do we continue to offer a very viable and necessary service? Vogel said. In rural areas, its absolutely necessary to have these services. It appears the Bolling family got an answer with their $24,000 bill. A June 2018 article by Bloomberg News provides another perspective on the situation. It said corporate-owned air ambulance services are growing faster than the need for them and most of those companies are owned by private equity funds, which in turn are owned by wealthy investors. And because of a quirk in a 1978 airline deregulation law, fees charged by privately owned air-ambulance companies are unregulated. The West Virginia legislature tried to regulate the costs for its state-employee health insurance program in 2016. But a federal judge struck down that law, ruling it was pre-empted by the 1978 federal act. In 2013, Bain Capital owned Med Trans. Its parent company, Air Medical Group Holdings, is now owned by New York-based KKR & Co. LP, another private equity company. According to a 2017 study prepared for the Association of Air Medical Services and Members, the median cost (to the air ambulance companies) of each Medicare-covered flight they flew in 2015 was $10,199. Med-Trans is also part of the AirMedCare Network. That company sells separate air-ambulance coverage to individuals and families. Monday, AirMedCare quoted me a price of $65 per year for my wife, Donna, and me. If youre a member flown by a participating air ambulance company, theres no additional out-of-pocket charge for the flight, according to AirMedCares website. Cynthia Bolling said she never heard of AirMedCare until I brought it to her attention. I hadnt either, until I started poking around. Our neighboring state of Maryland has a far different system. It adds $8.50 to the annual cost of each Maryland vehicle registration. Maryland State Police perform virtually all of the emergency helicopter transports in that state, said Ron Snyder, a Maryland State Police spokesman. Theres no additional out-of-pocket cost to patients flown on its air ambulances. Seth Myers, also speaking for Med-Trans, said insurers have slashed reimbursement rates for air-medical ambulances since the Affordable Care Act went into effect in 2013. But a federal fix for the issue of balance billing may be on the way, he said. Last year, Congress authorized the U.S. Departments of Transportation and Health and Human Services to examine the issue. The sole purpose is to take the patient out of the middle of providers and insurers, Myers said. Until and if that gets sorted out, it looks like we have at least three different business models for the way these costs get handled. One is a mandatory $8.50 annual fee per car. The second is optional coverage for $65 annually per family. The third is a $24,000 bill like the one the Bollings received. The latter is immoral, in my opinion, Cynthia Bolling told me. Lets hope state and federal lawmakers are paying attention. 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. RICHMOND A much-awaited investigation into how a racist yearbook photo wound up on Gov. Ralph Northams 1984 Eastern Virginia Medical School yearbook page is completed and the school will announce the findings Wednesday. EVMS announced that a team from the law firm McGuireWoods, led by former Attorney General Richard Cullen, had completed its months-long investigation into the origins of the photo depicting one person in blackface and another in a Ku Klux Klan robe and the broader culture at EVMS at the time that led to it. The 10:30 a.m. Wednesday news conference will include EVMS President Richard Homan, and McGuireWoods partners Cullen and George Martin. The investigation is expected to shed light on Northams involvement with the photo. Northam apologized for being in the photo Feb. 1, the day it became public. The next day he backtracked, saying that he is not one of the people pictured and that he doesnt know how the photo wound up on the page. Northam also disclosed that he wore blackface during a 1984 dance contest in San Antonio. The photo was unearthed by a conservative blog, Big League Politics, plunging in the Northam administration into crisis and prompting widespread calls for his resignation. It also set off a chain of events that saw Virginias two other top state officials battle their own crises: two women accused Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax of sexual assault, and Attorney General Mark Herring also admitted to wearing blackface in college to depict a black rapper. After a couple of interviews in which he vowed to battle inequity in the state and lead Virginia through the pain caused by the photo, Northam has spent the last few months working to return to normalcy. He has made regular public appearances since April, many to announce economic development news or deliver keynote speeches at events around the state. Northam vowed to focus his administration on racial inequity, and during the last session of the General Assembly, touted progress on issues such as license suspensions, foster care and evictions. Northam also pledged to veto any future legislation to implement minimum mandatory sentences. Still, the controversy has dogged his political maneuvering. His political fundraising arm raised just $2,500 from three individuals in the first quarter of the year since the racist photo surfaced. Northam has since received four $10,000 donations and staff for his PAC says the governor attended two fundraising events in April both held quietly and not advertised. A scheduled fundraiser in March with Sen. David Marsden, D-Fairfax, fueled protests from the local chapter of the NAACP, resulting in the cancellation of the governors appearance. Northams administration later announced he would not be delivering commencement speeches this graduation season. A so-called reconciliation tour never quite took off publicly after a false start with the cancellation of an event at Virginia Union University. Northam promised to visit the campus at a later date for a discussion about race, but the visit has not materialized. Privately, Northam has continued to meet with African American leaders from around the state. One event Saturday with Virginia First Cities, an organization made up of local officials and staff for many of the states urban municipalities, was closed to the press, as was a March roundtable discussion with community leaders in Danville. May 19, 2019 Daniel Lynn Myers, 65, of Christiansburg, Va., passed away at his home on Sunday, May 19, 2019. Dan was preceded in death by his mother, Annie Jenelle Myers; his sister, Rebecca Myers McCall; and special grandmother, Kathleen Wilson Myers ("Menome"). He was survived by wife, Bonnie McCoy Myers; daughter, Emily L. Myers of Atlanta, Ga.; son, Tyler A. Myers of Christiansburg; father, John B. Myers Jr. of Christiansburg; and brother, John B. Myers III (wife, Eileen Myers) of Staunton, Va. Dan graduated from Christiansburg High School in 1972, attended Virginia Tech, and received his Associates Degree from New River Community College. He worked for over thirty years as a local real estate agent, appraiser, and broker. Dan was the current Master of McDaniel Masonic Lodge #86 in Christiansburg. He was an active member of the community and willingly gave his time wherever he was needed. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations be made to the Grand Lodge Masonic Relief Fund, 4115 Nine Mile Road, Richmond, Va. 23223-4926, in Dan's name. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22, 2019, at Horne Funeral Home. The Graveside Services with Masonic Rites will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 23, 2019, at Sunset Cemetery, Christiansburg, with Father Alex Darby officiating. The procession to Sunset Cemetery will leave from Horne Funeral Home at 12:30 p.m. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hornefuneralservice.com. I am responding to a May 13 article in the Roanoke Times on a shooting in downtown Roanoke, where Police Chief Tim Jones lambastes the citizens of Roanoke (Roanoke, we are better than this.) Some of his quotes were Come on, Roanoke, we are better than this. If you live in this city and you care, by all means do the right thing. If you dont, move somewhere else. I have had it with you. Also, he states Its hard to regulate moral behavior, and obviously theres not a whole lot of moral behavior going on after 2 a.m. in our downtown. The article also states But the police department did beef up its presence at Market Square last fall after a man was stabbed. The department wont do that again, partly because of mixed reviews from merchants. What is wrong with this picture? Wasnt it a red flag to the police chief that some merchants business would be hurt by an increased police presence? The only type of business that I can think of that would want less police presence would be ones that cater to drunken, possibly under-age, revelers. What normal business wouldnt be happy with more police presence? My wife and I are senior citizens who moved to downtown Roanoke last year. We are amazed at all that is available in downtown Roanoke. The restaurants, the shops, and the festivals are wonderful. The Roanoke police on the street are courteous, helpful and friendly. We always feel safe and comfortable when we see police on the street. Police Chief Tim Jones goes on to state: Obviously, putting more police officers downtown wont fix it, because this individual felt perfectly comfortable walking through at least 10 to get a gun and shoot someone. Is the police chief kidding? Of course, more police officers would make the situation better! Of course, the businesses that rely on drunken revelers in their business model, wouldnt be happy. Perhaps these merchants should move somewhere else. Police Chief Tim Jones should be less concerned about the merchants that want less police presence, and more concerned about the concerns of the Roanoke citizens. The citizens of Roanoke do not need a lecture on how to behave. How dare you compare us to drunken hooligans that are running the streets of downtown after 2 a.m. An apology by Police Chief Tim Jones to the vast majority of law-abiding Roanoke citizens would be appropriate. Members of staff at the launch of the new Perinatal Mental Health Service A SPECIALIST mental health service which supports new and expectant mums has been launched across Rotherham. The service will support 600 women a year in South Yorkshire who are planning to have a baby, are pregnant or recently given birth and have been diagnosed with a serious or complex mental health problem or are thought to be developing one. There is also fresh support for dads, partners and their families. Amy Jenkin, service lead for the Sheffield Rotherham and Doncaster Perinatal Mental Health Service, said: Everyone has a real passion to support these mums and families and we share a genuine belief that even in the darkest moments, with the right support people can get better. The relationships we have with our service users are paramount and underpin the ethos of collaboration and compassion which is helping this service to thrive. Health services in Rotherham, Doncaster and Sheffield came together to bid successfully for funds totalling 880,000 from NHS England. The money means Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust and local perinatal peer support charity Light have been able to form the new joint service. Rachel Maltby, service lead for Rotherham, said the provision in the borough had been very limited previously, with just one person in place, but the fresh funding had allowed this to rise to nine. This now allows us to deliver a gold standard perinatal mental health service to the families of Rotherham with evidenced-based interventions and treatment from a variety of different professionals, Ms Maltby said. We will be working closely with our partner agencies within mental health, primary care, maternity and Rotherham Borough Council to offer a more joined up experience and service for the families of the borough. Ms Maltby said she was keen to help break the stigma attached to maternal mental health and bring it to the forefront of conversations. Visit www.shsc.nhs.uk to find out more about the mental health support available in Rotherham, Doncaster and Sheffield. The planned Pipeline would be approximately a 12-inch steel pipe which could move up to 20 thousand barrels per day, and could transport ethane, propane, butane, isobutane mix, and gasoline (photo submitted). The North Dakota Public Service Commission held a public hearing to discuss a possible new pipeline. The meeting was held on May 17 at the Little Missouri Grille and Suites, and was attended by approximately ten people including three of the North Dakota Public Service Commissioners, some private company representatives, local officials, and at least one legislator. There were about ten people present, not counting Public Service Commission staff and attorneys. The public meeting was held to receive input on a proposed 10.2 mile pipeline designed to transport natural gas liquids. The proposed pipeline would begin at the Targa Badlands Little Missouri Gas Processing Plant and would end at a facility planned by Oneok, called the Demicks Lake Pipeline. The planned Pipeline would be approximately a 12-inch steel pipe which could move up to 20 thousand barrels per day, and could transport ethane, propane, butane, isobutane mix, and gasoline. The purpose of the hearing was to provide an opportunity to comment by the public, as a part of the consideration of Public Service Commissioners in their role of providing oversight over such project locations. The Roundup spoke to Pat Fahn, who serves in the North Dakota Public Service Commission Office, who was able to answer questions on behalf of the Public Service Commissioners, Brian Kroshus, Julie Fedorchak, and Randy Christmann in their absence, who at the time of publication were unavailable for further comment. According to Fahn, who serves as the Director of the Public Utilities Division for the Public Service Commission, the pipeline is an uncontroversial addition to pipeline infrastructure in McKenzie County. He explained the plans for the pipeline. Fahn explained, "NGO means 'natural gas liquids.' The commission is required to hold a hearing in the county where the project is taking place." The meeting, which lasted about two and a half hours, discussed the 'ins and outs' of the pipeline, but there was nothing unique or controversial about this pipeline project, according to the Fahn. Fahn also explained the location of the pipeline doesn't traverse any controversial property. Fahn said, "The pipeline will not traverse any rivers or public occupied land. There are one or two residents, that used to be man-camps, that are near the pipeline, but probably shouldn't present any kind of problem." Fahn was clear to emphasize that the North Dakota Public Service Commission doesn't approve pipeline projects, but only approves the location for pipeline projects. Other agencies, like the McKenzie County commissioners, would have to give necessary permits if the pipelines cross public properties or roads. The pipeline does propose to cross beneath Highway 25 south of Watford City. The North Dakota Public Service Commission does plan on releasing their decision to the public soon, according to Fahn. (Watford City, ND) One of the four scholarships awarded by Dakota West Credit Union has been bestowed upon a senior in McKenzie County. Jessen Homiston will receive $500 towards his college expenses. Continuing its annual tradition, Dakota West Credit Union invited high school seniors throughout the communities it serves to participate in its 2019 scholarship opportunity and announced Homiston at the Watford City High School Awards Ceremony on May 8, 2019 and on its Facebook page as one of the recipients. The essay competition focusing on the financial institutions values Communication, Respectfulness, Positive Attitude, and Responsibility asked seniors to speak to their ideas of responsibility in their own lives. Homiston, writing about his current take on Responsibility stated, It basically means doing what you are supposed to do, being dependable and helping out. Homiston plans to attend a four-year school in North Dakota where he wants to pursue a degree in Accounting. Being responsible means working hard and doing your best on the tasks given to you. It also means being respectful of others and their duties, adds Homiston. Established in 1941 and headquartered in Watford City, North Dakota, Dakota West Credit Unions eight branches and its employees help grow the Dakota West family with exceptional commitment to building relationships and strengthening communities. Offering scholarships to students within its communities continues its focus on this growth through the next generation. With branches throughout west and central North Dakota, including Watford City, Dakota West Credit Union is dedicated to helping its members grow with comprehensive, competitive financial products partnered with personal, professional service. To learn more about its services and communities, visit http://www.dakotawestcu.com/members/. Members of the Sidney Police Department and Richland County Sheriff's Office assemble to show their respect for the individuals and their families who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Local law enforcement gathered on Wednesday, May 15, to remember their fallen members and salute those who serve. Following the honor guard posting of the colors and formation by the Sidney Police officers , the Richland County Sheriff's Officers and support staff, Captain Mark Kraft explained the origins of the memorial event and gave some statistics. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Nationwide, 21,500 law enforcement officers have died from various causes since 1791 when record keeping began, with 40 so far this year. In Montana, 129 officers have been lost. Sheriff John Dynneson addresses the crowd. The bouquet of flowers contains two red ones symbolizing the lives lost in Richland County. Richland County Sheriff John Dynneson recognized the two officers who ended their watch in the line of duty in Richland County: Sheriff's Deputy George Eikhoff who was killed in an automobile accident in 1962 while transporting someone to the hospital; and Fairview Police Chief Orville Sharbono who was killed while serving a warrant. He said the purpose of the service was to show utmost respect to those individuals and their families. The bell was tolled seven times, the first six for those who have responded, served, protected, sacrificed and suffered. The seventh signaled the loss of life. "Taps" and "Amazing Grace" by bagpipers concluded the moving ceremony. Anita Marie Tomalino, age 51, of Laurel, MT, formerly of Miles City and Sidney, MT went home to be with Jesus on Monday, May 13 at the University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah due to complications from a severe burn injury. Anita was born in Miles City, MT April 6, 1968 to Ray and Sonja Jacobson Tomalino. Anita spent her childhood in Miles City, Forsyth and Sidney. Anita graduated high school at Sidney Senior High and went on to attend Miles Community College where she received a degree in Business and graduated with honors in Auto Mechanics. After graduating she spent a summer working in Glacier National Park. Anita then returned to Sidney and went to work at NAPA Auto Parts, where she quickly became known as NAPANita and later went on to work at First Choice Collision and Action Auto. In 2012 Anita moved to Miles City, MT and recently to Laurel, MT where she continued her passion in the automotive field as an outside sales rep for NAPA. Anita was actively involved in church in both Sidney and Miles City. She loved horses and participated in several wagon trains. She also loved cars, drag racing and most of all, her dog Scelzie. Anita was married to Lonny Dolney from 1998 until 2009. Anita is survived by her mother Sonja Tomalino of Billings, MT, two brothers: Alan Tomalino of Ogden, Utah and Roy (Susan) Tomalino of Loveland, CO; two sisters: Tulli (Kurt) Orcutt of Glendive, MT, and Angela Tomalino of Billings, MT; 10 nieces and nephews and 8 great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Ray Tomalino, one niece and one nephew. A celebration of life service will be held for Anita on Sunday, May 26, 2019 at 3 p.m. at the Faith Alliance Church in Sidney, MT. Remembrances, condolences, and pictures may be shared with the family at caringbridge.org/visit/anitatomalino. Cards may be sent to Tomalino Family, 2901 Monad Rd #14, Billings, Mt 59102. TONOPAH, Nev. Im toeing the abyss, and the very edge of civilization, here in Nevada, on an adventure that reminds me why I adore a good road trip the endless possibilities, the greasy grub that sometimes tastes like pavement, the last slice of steamy-warm Americana. Get your Americana while you can, folks. Like vintage vinyl, it will soon be available only at select sites. I love waking up to a sunrise over a new place. Here in Tonopah, an old mining camp, the morning looks as if its been filtered through a vase of roses. The place just glows. If I were a cinematographer into light, into burnished Western landscapes this is where Id retire. The land is folklore. Whats Tonopah mean? I ask the desk clerk. Advertisement Turns out its an old Indian term for no credit card purchases under 5 bucks. She was a sly one, this desk clerk. Reminded me of my mom: leprechaun eyes and a healthy dose of I-really-dont-care-what-you-think. When I asked whether a nearby lithium mine was still humming, the clerk said yes and acknowledged that I would have an interest in lithium, since she noticed my electric car. I hate when rural grandmas are more together than I am. Then again, who isnt? If you ever visit, note that men wear their whiskers low here in Nevada, like window shades, so you cant tell if theyre smirking or asleep. Sir, is that a mustache or a squirrel? Out here, even the smiles seem made of chafed denim. Know what makes me nervous? Well, everything, but especially rural motel rooms in wide-open spaces, far from the criminal justice system. Ive seen enough Clint Eastwood movies to know rural outposts attract outcasts with nothing to lose. Seen a lot of Hitchcock too. Hitch loved the contrast of harsh sun and dark minds. The way Picasso worked in oils, thats how Hitchcock worked in lonesome roadside lodging. In places like this, I never know whether to leave a light on. Is it better to have total darkness when the psycho tries to smother me in my sleep? Would total darkness be to my advantage, as it was for Audrey Hepburn, the wily blind butterfly in the brilliant Wait Until Dark? (Not Hitchcock, but the filmmakers used the same passel of paints.) In an unfamiliar motel room, Im a cat in a dark cemetery. All I can see are the devil eyes of the blinking digital clock. 2:14 a.m. 2:14 a.m. 2:14 a.m. So I confess that I sometimes leave the bathroom light on in places like this. Inevitably there is a ventilating fan that catches just enough of its plastic casing so that it sounds like a chain saw. The good news: The chain saw drowns out the apparent orgy occurring next door. Or maybe its a book club. Same screams, giddiness and sense of purpose. See why I like road trips? I like the way the mind wanders to fresh places. I like the rascally waitresses who call you sport. I like the fry cook who barely winces when the bacon spits him in the eye I like the Anglo mini-mart clerk with the green Mohawk. Indian country, remember? Listen, shouldnt we all soak up a little Americana while we still can? No would be an acceptable answer. Yes is even better. Love the mileage signs (Las Vegas, 310), the sludgy coffee, and the sign on the office door that reads: Im out of estrogen. But I have a gun. Ill share a theory: Every great song has some little hook, some hummable couplet, some flourish that elevates that song above others. So it is with road trips; there is always some little melodic flourish you have never heard or seen before, which is the essence of wanderlust, my favorite word (not to mention the best of all lusts). The lovely and patient older daughter has it too, a taste for new horizons. She and her boy toy, Finn, just returned from three weeks in Asia, where they took Vespa food tours, mingled with tigers, stayed in leggy hotels built right over the water. Good morning, Vietnam! Today, were taking a boat trip through the Mekong Delta, she texted one morning. How strange does that sound? The Mekong Delta? Really, sweetie? To Americans of a certain age, that just seems too soon. But hey, times change. Places too, which is why no two journeys are ever the same. Summer beckons and we all need to get out a little, to lock eyes with new eyes and rely on the wisdom of old desk clerks. Its coming soon, summer is. In fact, its just over that next ridge. More road trips: Sundays Travel section, devoted to road trips, has more on this adventure and other car rides across the great American West. Chris.Erskine@latimes.com Twitter: @erskinetimes Thousands of abortion-rights activists rallied across the nation Tuesday in opposition to a recently approved ban on the procedure in Alabama and other legislative efforts seen as challenges to Roe vs. Wade, the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion nationwide. Organizers behind the #StopTheBan rallies included Planned Parenthood Fund, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Womens March. More than 400 rallies were planned throughout the country, most notably on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. At least 20 rallies were planned throughout California in cities including San Diego, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo and San Francisco. In downtown Los Angeles, activists gathered in Pershing Square. And in West Hollywood, which was declared a pro-choice city in 1991, crowds united outside City Hall. Advertisement Now is the time for us to join the National Organization for Women, join Supermajority, find your tribe and fight this, Karen Eyers, vice president of Hollywood NOW, told the crowd. Fight this and let the legislators know that we will not stand for this, that it ends now. Lindsey Horvath, West Hollywoods mayor pro tem, praised those who rallied, saying they will lead us in the battle against the forces that seek to divide us, to wear us down, make us give up, give in, throw in the towel. But we will never give up. We will never give in. We will never be silenced, and we wont go back. The West Hollywood City Council on Monday approved an ordinance barring the city from doing any official business with states that have antiabortion laws on the books. Similarly, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to ban official travel to Alabama for one year, in response to the new law. Exceptions would be allowed for an emergency or matters in which the prevention of travel could harm county interests. This challenge by Alabama and other states would overturn decades of precedent, Supervisor Hilda Solis said in a statement after the vote. It is an attack not only confined to the residents of those states, but an act of aggression upon all of us. We must stand in solidarity and in opposition against extremist and unconstitutional laws that put the health and well-being of families at risk. The Los Angeles Unified School District also is scheduled to consider a resolution in opposition to the law. Alabamas law, signed by Gov. Kay Ivey last week, is the most restrictive of its type in the nation. It bars virtually all abortions, including in cases of rape and incest, allowing only those necessary to preserve a womans life. It also includes a penalty against doctors who perform abortions for up to 99 years in prison. The law is seen as an effort to challenge Roe vs. Wade, with antiabortion forces eyeing the now-conservative-leaning high court as ripe for a challenge to the case. Alabama Republican state Sen. Clyde Chambliss, who sponsored the bill in the Alabama Senate, staunchly defended the legislation. When God creates the miracle of life inside a womans womb, it is not our place as human beings to extinguish that life, he said. Several states have long-standing trigger laws on the books to ban or restrict abortion rights if Roe vs. Wade were overturned. More than 1,000 abortion restrictions have been enacted since Roe vs. Wade. California is one of nine states that has a policy explicitly protecting abortion rights if the law were overturned. City News Service contributed to this report. French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday accused former Trump strategist Steve Bannon and Russian oligarchs of conspiring with Europes nationalists to dismantle the European Union, saying Europeans should not be naive about foreign interference ahead of this weeks European Parliament elections. The centrist French leader said in an interview with French regional newspapers published Tuesday that Russians and some others are financing extremist political parties in Europe, without elaborating. Macron also singled out Bannon for criticism. Bannon, who has been in France in recent days and praised far-right leader Marine Le Pens campaign, called himself an observer. Macrons interview is a last-ditch appeal for support for his centrist movement in the elections, in which nationalists are expected to gain ground amid worries about migration. Advertisement Le Pen invited Bannon to a congress last year of her anti-immigration party, which changed its name from National Front to National Rally. However, she has publicly distanced herself from him ahead of Frances May 26 elections. He has no role in the campaign, she said Monday on FranceInfo. She claimed she didnt know he was in town, although Le Parisien newspaper reported that two National Rally party officials were spotted in the luxury Bristol Hotel where he was staying. Bannons presence in Paris in the last week of campaigning with numerous interviews in the French press riled other parties, including Macrons. Le Pen blamed the media. Its not us who invite Steve Bannon into the campaign. Its you journalists who invite (him), Le Pen said, noting the numerous interviews he has given to the French press. Macron himself has been criticized for his increasingly active role in his partys campaign as polls show his Republic on the Move! neck to neck with Le Pens National Rally. Her party was the biggest winner in Frances European Parliament voting in 2014. Many in France have framed the European elections as a replay of Frances 2017 presidential vote, which pitted Macron against Le Pen who lost in a landslide and say the president is on shaky ground throwing himself into the ring. He argued that the elections are the most important since 1979 because the (European) Union is facing an existential risk. Asked to define Europes biggest enemy, Macron told regional newspapers that the enemy of Europe is he doesnt believe in its future. The nationalists who want to divide it are the main enemies. He said he saw connivance between nationalists and foreign interests, whose objective is the dismantling of Europe naming Steve Bannon, close to the American power structure. ___ For more news from The Associated Press on the European Parliament elections, go to https://www.apnews.com/EuropeanParliament Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Ukraines new president on Tuesday formally ordered Ukraines parliament to dissolve and called an early election for July, hoping to ride the wave of his electoral success to get his supporters into parliament. Volodymyr Zelenskiy, a 41-year-old TV comedian who won 73% of the presidential vote last month, announced his intention of disbanding parliament in his inauguration speech Monday, saying that current lawmakers were too focused on self-enrichment and lacked public trust. He quickly fulfilled the promise in Tuesdays decree, which set a parliamentary election for July 21. Zelenskiys landslide victory reflected Ukrainians exasperation with the countrys economic woes, rampant official corruption and the countrys political elite. Advertisement The election to Ukraines Verkhovna Rada legislature was originally scheduled for Oct. 27. That would have left Zelenskiy facing a parliament dominated by supporters of the man he beat, former President Petro Poroshenko, and unable to pursue his anti-corruption agenda for months. Zelenskiy, who has become famous for playing the role of a Ukrainian president in a widely popular TV sitcom, was gambling that his popularity will allow his party to make a successful showing in the parliamentary vote. Zelenskiy is trying to act as quickly as possible, because he realizes that voters excitement will cool down in half a year, said Volodymyr Fesenko, head of the Kiev-based independent think-tank Penta. His foes in parliament had sought to push Zelenskiys inauguration past the May 27 deadline by which the parliament could be dissolved, but eventually had to submit to public pressure. Zelenskiy already has asked several top ministers to step down, but he would likely have trouble getting their successors appointed by the current parliament. On Tuesday, he asked the parliament speaker to call an emergency session to discuss amendments to Ukraines electoral law. Zelenskiy has called for electing the next parliament entirely on party lists, arguing that the current system in which part of parliament is elected in single ballot races foments corruption. In his inaugural speech, Zelenskiy said the main goal of his presidency is to bring peace to eastern Ukraine, where government troops have been fighting Russia-backed separatists for five years in a conflict that has left at least 13,000 dead. He said that Ukraine would rely on Western help in talking to Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin talked about Ukraine among other issues in a conference call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron. Putin emphasized the need for the Ukrainian government to enact legislation granting special status to the rebel regions in line with a 2015 Minsk agreement sponsored by France and Germany, according to the Kremlin. Putin also noted that the Ukrainian government must establish direct dialogue with the rebels. On Tuesday, Zelenskiy dismissed the nations top military officer, Gen. Viktor Muzhenko, replacing him with Lt. Gen. Ruslan Khomchak. Khomchak, 51, has served as the chief of staff of the militarys ground forces and took part in the fighting in eastern Ukraine. Zelenskiy also named 42-year-old lawyer Andriy Bohdan as his chief of staff. Bohdan, who worked as a deputy justice minister in the past, served as Zelenskiys legal adviser during the election campaign. Speaking on television after his appointment, Bohdan said that a possible peace deal with Russia must be put to a referendum. We are forced to look for a compromise, he said, adding that Zelenskiy has emphasized that he wouldnt trade in our territories and our people. __ Vladimir Isachenkov reported from Moscow. Yuras Karmanau in Minsk, Belarus, contributed to this report. Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Support for strict gun control measures proposed by fellow Democrats is almost non-existent, the leader of Delawares Senate said Monday in declaring that the measures will not be coming out of a committee he leads. The statement by Senate President Pro Tem David McBride comes after a committee hearing last week in which critics blasted the proposals as unconstitutional restrictions on gun ownership that would do nothing to address gun crime in Delaware. I believe they made the correct decision, said Jeff Hague, president of the Delaware State Sportsmens Association. The bills are not constitutional as written. Under one bill, any Delawarean wanting to buy a firearm would first have to obtain permission from the government in the form of a state-issued purchaser card, which would require being fingerprinted and taking an approved firearms training course. Gun dealers, meanwhile, would be required to submit information on every gun sold and every gun purchaser for entry into a new state database. Advertisement Democrats also resurrected proposals introduced last year to ban certain semiautomatic weapons that gun-control advocates describe as assault weapons, as well as large capacity magazines. After several hours of public debate, these measures simply lack the support they need to pass on the Senate floor, McBride said, adding that holding the bills in committee would allow sponsors to build a consensus that does not currently exist. McBride said proponents of the measures must address concerns about their constitutionality, their effectiveness in promoting public safety, and the criminalization of activities that currently are legal. The decision to forego further action on the bills was first reported Friday by the Delaware State News. With some gun control measures failing to progress to floor votes last year, including the proposed weapon and magazine bans, McBride vowed in January, when lawmakers convened this years legislative session, that any gun bill introduced this year would go to the Executive Committee, which he chairs. I believe the gun bills, the importance of them is such that it should be voted on by the Senate, he said at the time. I will have a hearing on each one of them, and I will be voting to let them out. The gun issue permeates so many different parts of our society, we need as a policymaking body to at least have a discussion on it, McBride added. McBride suggested Monday that disputes over gun-control legislation should be resolved through negotiation, if possible. They will not be resolved by protracted debate on the floor of the Delaware Senate, he explained. Sen. Bryan Townsend is chief sponsor of the proposed ban on military-style semiautomatic rifles, also known as modern sporting rifles, and a co-sponsor of the other two bills. He did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Monday. An email message to the Delaware Coalition Against Gun Violence also went unanswered. Townsend, a Newark Democrat, proposed a similar firearms ban last year, but the measure failed to get out of committee. Despite its failure in committee, McBride put it on the Senate agenda in a failed effort to suspend Senate rules and bring it up for a floor vote. As with last years bill, Townsends latest proposal identifies dozens of assault long guns and assault pistols that would be banned, with violators subject to felony charges. The ban also would extend to copycat weapons, including any centerfire rifle that has a detachable magazine coupled with a folding stock and a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon, and any pistol or centerfire rifle with a fixed magazine holding more than 10 rounds. The legislation, with certain exceptions, would prohibit the sale and transfer of such firearms, as well as transportation across state lines into Delaware. It would not ban possession of weapons purchased legally before the legislations effective date, but it would impose restrictions on where they could be possessed and transported. Democratic lawmakers also proposed banning ammunition magazines holding more than 15 rounds. Anyone who currently legally owns a magazine holding more than 15 rounds would be required to surrender it to the government. Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The states highest court will hear cases involving murder, robbery and a pirate ship when it holds sessions in eastern North Carolina as part of its bicentennial. The court will hear two cases each in Halifax on Monday; in Greenville on Tuesday and in New Bern on Wednesday. In Halifax, one of the cases will involve Robert Dwayne Lewis, whose convictions related to a string of robberies in Hoke County was vacated last year by the state Court of Appeals. In Greenville, the justices will hear the case Duval Lamont Bowman of Winston-Salem, whose murder conviction was overturned last year. And in New Bern, the justices will hear the case involving rights to photos and video taken of Queen Annes Revenge, which was Blackbeards flagship. Advertisement 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. Commissioner Office Jobs 2019 in Nasirabad Division Latest Commissioner Office Management Posts Naseerabad 2021 Qualified and experienced personnel for the positions of Naib Tehsildar, Assistant Computer Operator, Clerk, Patwari, Driver, Record Lifter, Mali & Sweeper required for Commissioner Officer in Naseerabad Division Balochistan. How to Apply on Commissioner Office Job Advertisement Apply as per details in job advertisement. In some cases, you may apply online at vacancies after registering at https://www.jobz.pk online. Note: Beware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities. If an employer asks to pay money for any purpose, do not pay at all and report us at contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs may not be applied online here. Human typing error is possible. Error & omissions excepted. John Staughton is a traveling writer, editor, publisher and photographer who earned his English and Integrative Biology degrees from the University of Illinois. He is the co-founder of a literary journal, Sheriff Nottingham, and the Content Director for Staind Arts, an arts nonprofit based in Denver. On a perpetual journey towards the idea of home, he uses words to educate, inspire, uplift and evolve. Almost 70 per cent of drivers would be willing to install smartphone apps that block texting and browsing according to new QUT research -- but only if they can still do hands-free calls and listen to Bluetooth music. QUT's Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety-Queensland (CARRS-Q) surveyed 712 drivers for a national study into voluntary apps that restrict certain phone uses to combat distracted driving. Study leader Dr Oscar Oviedo-Trespalacios said 68 per cent were willing to use an app that blocked text messaging, web browsing and email features, so long as it still allowed hands free calls. But only 37 per cent were prepared to embrace the idea if calls were blocked completely. Retaining the ability to use music-playing functions was also important to app acceptance. When it came to how they already used their phones in the car, the survey found most drivers stuck to hands-free conversations. advertisement But 17 per cent confessed to doing 'visual-manual tasks' that involved touching their phone, such as texting, browsing and emailing. Fifteen per cent reported occasionally looking at their phone for more than two seconds, and 19 per cent said they occasionally monitored/read conversations without writing back. "Mobile phone use is so ingrained in our society that completely stopping people from using their phones while driving is an extremely difficult task," Dr Oviedo-Trespalacios said. "Using voluntary apps that restrict some phone functions is emerging as a practical new countermeasure to limit distracted driving. "Existing studies have shown that mobile phone use behind the wheel is a significant contributor to road trauma. Police crash reports in the USA have estimated that phone distraction contributes to 18 per cent of fatal crashes." Only 40 per cent of drivers surveyed in the CARRS-Q study had heard about voluntary apps to prevent mobile phone distracted driving, and 10 per cent said they had already tried the technology. advertisement The most common app already in use was iPhone's Do Not Disturb While Driving, with a few people also using Android Auto, Waze, Truemotion Family, RoadMode or a vehicle interface that restricted phone functions. "Overall, our study found that familiarity and actual use of these types of apps was low, which means a lot more work is needed increase public knowledge and acceptance of these technologies," Dr Oviedo-Trespalacios said. "The good news is that once drivers learned about these apps, there was a willingness to use them. "But for the apps to gain acceptance, it's important that they retain hands-free calling and music functions, while still limiting the most dangerous actions -- actually touching the phone to text, email and scroll. "I would also advocate an opt-out system, rather than opt-in, for pre-installed driver safety apps on phones as this would encourage greater use." Finance Division Job 2019 For Advisor in Islamabad Latest Finance Division Legal Posts Islamabad 2021 Government of Pakistan Finance Division required the services of highly qualified and well educated candidate for the position of Advisor in Islamabad Pakistan 2019. How to Apply on Finance Division Job Advertisement Apply as per details in job advertisement. In some cases, you may apply online at vacancies after registering at https://www.jobz.pk online. Note: Beware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities. If an employer asks to pay money for any purpose, do not pay at all and report us at contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs may not be applied online here. Human typing error is possible. Error & omissions excepted. People who see themselves as being in a higher social class may tend to have an exaggerated belief that they are more adept than their equally capable lower-class counterparts, and that overconfidence can often be misinterpreted by others as greater competence in important situations, such as job interviews, according to research published by the American Psychological Association. "Advantages beget advantages. Those who are born in upper-class echelons are likely to remain in the upper class, and high-earning entrepreneurs disproportionately originate from highly educated, well-to-do families," said Peter Belmi, PhD, of the University of Virginia and lead author of the study. "Our research suggests that social class shapes the attitudes that people hold about their abilities and that, in turn, has important implications for how class hierarchies perpetuate from one generation to the next." The study was published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Belmi and his colleagues conducted a series of four investigations looking at the connection between social class and overconfidence and how that might affect others' perceptions of a person's competence. The largest involved more than 150,000 small business owners in Mexico who were applying for loans. To measure social class, the researchers obtained information about these applicants' income, education level and perceived standing in society as part of the application process. Applicants were also required to complete a psychological assessment that would be used to assess their credit worthiness. Part of that included a flashcard game, a cognitive test where participants are shown an image that goes away after they press a key and is replaced by a second image. They then have to determine whether the second image matches the first. After completing 20 trials, applicants were asked to indicate how they performed in comparison with others on a scale of 1 to 100. When the researchers compared the actual scores with applicants' predictions, they found that people with more education, more income and a higher perceived social class had an exaggerated belief that they would perform better than others, compared with their lower-class counterparts. advertisement Another two investigations involving more than 1,400 online participants found a similar association between social class and overconfidence. In one, the researchers gave participants a trivia test. Those from a higher social class thought that they did better than others; however, when the researchers examined actual performance, it was not the case. For the final investigation, the researchers recruited 236 undergraduate students, had each answer a 15-item trivia quiz and asked them to predict how they fared compared with others. They also asked them to rate their social class and for their families' income and their mothers' and fathers' education levels. A week later, the students were brought back to the lab for a videotaped mock hiring interview. More than 900 judges, recruited online, each watched one of the videos and rated their impression of the applicant's competence. Once again, the researchers found students from a higher social class tended to be more overconfident, but they also discovered that this overconfidence was misinterpreted by the judges who watched their videos as greater competence. "Individuals with relatively high social class were more overconfident, which in turn was associated with being perceived as more competent and ultimately more hirable, even though, on average, they were no better at the trivia test than their lower-class counterparts," said Belmi. The overconfidence effect may be partially due to differences in values between the middle and working classes, according to Belmi. "In the middle class, people are socialized to differentiate themselves from others, to express what they think and feel and to confidently express their ideas and opinions, even when they lack accurate knowledge. By contrast, working-class people are socialized to embrace the values of humility, authenticity and knowing your place in the hierarchy," he said. "These findings challenge the widely held belief that everybody thinks they are better than the average. Our results suggest that this type of thinking might be more prevalent among the middle and upper classes." The findings join a growing body of research on why class-based hierarchies continue to persist generation after generation, according to Belmi. "Our results suggest that finding solutions to mitigate class inequalities may require a focus on subtle and seemingly harmless human tendencies," he said. "Although people may be well meaning, these inequalities will continue to perpetuate if people do not correct for their natural human tendency to conflate impressions of confidence with evidence of ability." People with benign hyperpigmentation (the darkening or increase in the natural color of the skin), are willing to pay (WTP) nearly 14 percent of their monthly income and approximately 90 minutes a day to cure their condition. The study involved 85 adults with skin hyperpigmentation who were surveyed on the number of hours per day they would be willing to give up as well as how much money they were willing to spend to potentially be cured of a condition. "Our findings highlight the substantial effect that benign hyperpigmentation has on quality of life as measured by the amount of time and money patients are willing to give up to rid themselves of disease," explained corresponding author Neelam Vashi, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at Boston University School of Medicine and director of the Boston University Cosmetic and Laser Center at Boston Medical Center. Hyperpigmentation disorders comprise a large group of benign skin conditions and their prevalence may vary with race and ethnicity. Despite often being considered a cosmetic condition, Vashi has shown in her previous research that this common clinical complaint has been shown to negatively impact quality of life and psychosocial well-being of patients, especially when facial skin is involved. According to the researchers these findings suggest that disease burden was overall severe in patients with hyperpigmentation disorders, and measuring WTP and TTO may be useful in determining the daily impact of disease and treatment preferences. "We found that the WTP for a curative treatment was greater than that previously observed among patients with other skin diseases such as rosacea and vitiligo. This may suggest that hyperpigmentation disorders have a greater impact on daily life or that patients expect to pay more out of pocket for conditions that are often considered cosmetic." The researchers point out that although the study is limited by sample size and design, the information collected on WTP preferences allow physicians to gauge the impact of hyperpigmentation disorders on patients' lives and may be useful to guide therapeutic decisions. In Mexicali, Mexico, an uncontrolled epidemic of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, one of the deadliest tickborne diseases in the Americas, has affected more than 1,000 people since 2008. A binational team of researchers led by the University of California, Davis, has conducted the first comprehensive study to examine risk factors for the disease in Mexicali. Researchers examined dogs, ticks, and surveyed households in 200 neighborhoods. Half of the neighborhoods in the study had diagnosed human cases of the disease. They discovered that, even though citywide only one in 1,000 ticks was infected, there were neighborhoods at very high risk, where almost one in 10 ticks were infected. "If you live in one of these high-risk neighborhoods and you get five brown dog tick bites, that means you have a pretty good chance of being exposed to Rocky Mountain spotted fever," said lead author Janet Foley, with the Department of Medicine and Epidemiology at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Rocky Mountain spotted fever is spread by the brown dog tick, which feeds on dogs and people, and thrives in hot, arid climates. Previous studies have shown that poverty, numerous stray dogs and brown dog ticks increased the risk of getting Rocky Mountain spotted fever. In Mexicali, risks were higher along the edges of poorer neighborhoods or outside of the city in rural areas. Half of the 284 dogs the researchers examined were infested with ticks. Some dogs carried thousands of ticks. "Almost three-quarters of the dogs we tested had been infected with the agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever at some point in their life," said Foley. "That's astronomical." A Deadly Disease People with Rocky Mountain spotted fever typically develop symptoms one to two weeks after being bitten by an infected tick. They can develop fever, nausea, headache and muscle pain. As the bacteria infect blood vessel linings, blood begins to pool under the skin, resulting in a rash that can look like red splotches or spots. The longer people wait before seeing a doctor and starting treatment with antibiotics, the greater chance they may die. The study, published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, also gauged people's knowledge about Rocky Mountain spotted fever. It found 80 percent of residents had heard of the disease, but fewer than half used pesticides to prevent bites. Ticks Could Spread North with Climate Change Foley said a Rocky Mountain spotted fever epidemic on the scale of that in Mexicali is not as likely in the United States as long as dog ticks are well managed. But as temperatures warm with climate change, there are concerns that the particular human-feeding brown dog tick strain will continue to move north, resulting in more human cases. Some studies have suggested the hotter it gets, the more active and aggressive the ticks become. Other authors include Emily Pascoe of UC Davis. The binational team included academic researchers, health workers, epidemiologists, veterinarians, agency officials, medical doctors and students, which aided in the need to communicate in Spanish and English, address canine and human disease, understand fundamental epidemiological patterns, and protect public health. The study was funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and by the Autonomous University of Baja California. Researchers have for the first time detected chemical traces of red pigment in an ancient fossil -- an exceptionally well-preserved mouse, not unlike today's field mice, that roamed the fields of what is now the German village of Willershausen around 3 million years ago. The study revealed that the extinct creature, affectionately nicknamed "mighty mouse" by the authors, was dressed in brown to reddish fur on its back and sides and had a tiny white tummy. The results were published today in Nature Communications. The international collaboration, led by researchers at the University of Manchester in the U.K., used X-ray spectroscopy and multiple imaging techniques to detect the delicate chemical signature of pigments in this long-extinct mouse. "Life on Earth has littered the fossil record with a wealth of information that has only recently been accessible to science," says Phil Manning, a professor at Manchester who co-led the study. "A suite of new imaging techniques can now be deployed, which permit us to peer deep into the chemical history of a fossil organism and the processes that preserved its tissues. Where once we saw simply minerals, now we gently unpick the 'biochemical ghosts' of long extinct species." The research team, which includes scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, used X-ray beams from SLAC's Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL) and the Diamond Light Source (DLS) in the U.K. Painting a picture of the past Color plays a vital role in the selective processes that have steered evolution for hundreds of millions of years. But until recently, techniques used to study fossils weren't capable of exploring the pigmentation of ancient animals, which is pivotal when reconstructing what they looked like. advertisement This most recent paper marks a breakthrough in the ability to resolve fossilized color pigments in long-gone species by mapping key elements associated with the pigment melanin, the dominant pigment in animals. In the form of eumelanin, the pigment gives a black or dark brown color, but in the form of pheomelanin, it produces a reddish or yellow color. Building the foundation Until recently, the researchers had focused on the traces of elements known to be associated with eumelanin, which in previous experiments revealed dark and light patterns in the feathers of the first birds, including Archaeopteryx, the famous fossil that first offered a clear link between dinosaurs and birds. In 2016, co-author Nick Edwards, scientist at SLAC, led a study that demonstrated the potential to differentiate between eumelanin and pheomelanin in modern bird feathers. That work provided a chemical benchmark for this most recent paper, which for the first time showed it's possible to detect the elusive red pigment, which is far less stable over geological time, in ancient fossils. "We had to build up a strong foundation using modern animal tissue before we could apply the technique to these ancient animals," Edwards said. "It was really a tipping point in using chemical signatures to crack the coloring of ancient animals with soft tissue fossils." To reveal the fossil patterns in the mighty mouse, the Manchester team used SSRL and DLS to bathe the fossils in intense X-rays. The interaction of those X-rays with trace metals found in pigments allowed the team to reconstruct the reddish coloring in the mouse's fur. advertisement "The fossils used in this study preserve amazing structural detail, but our work emphasizes that such exceptional preservation may also lead to extraordinary chemical detail that changes our understanding of what is possible to resolve in fossils," said Manchester professor of geochemistry Roy Wogelius, who co-led the study. "Along the way we learned so much more about the chemistry of pigmentation throughout the animal kingdom" Adding a new dimension The key to their work was determining that trace metals were incorporated into the fossilized mouse fur in exactly the same way that they bond to pigments in animals with high concentrations of red pigment in their tissue. "As you do research in a particular area, the scope of your techniques might evolve," says Uwe Bergmann, co-author and a distinguished staff scientist at SLAC who led the development of the X-ray fluorescence imaging used in this research. "The hope is that you can develop a tool that will become part of the standard arsenal when something new is studied, and I believe the application to fossils is a good example." The effort, which involved physics, paleontology, organic chemistry and geochemistry, informs the scientists what to look for in the future. "Our hope is that these results will mean that we can become more confident in reconstructing extinct animals and thereby add another dimension to the study of evolution," Wogelius says. The team also included researchers from the Fujita Health University in Japan; the Stanford PULSE Institute; the College of Charleston in South Carolina; the Children's Museum of Indianapolis; the University of Southampton in the U.K.; and the Joint Paleontology Foundation in Spain. The fossils were made available to the study by the University of Gottingen in Germany. SSRL is a DOE Office of Science user facility. Funding was provided by the U.K. Natural Environment Research Council. We just got our preliminary third-grade reading scores back from SC Ready, Snowden said. Based on the preliminary scores, it looks like we only have two children who will qualify for third grade retention and dont have an exemption because of other circumstances. Snowden said having only two students qualify for third grade retention is a good thing, and both of them have signed up for the summer reading camp. The camp will begin next week and be held for two hours after school until school is out for the summer. Then, the camp will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the week, Snowden said. Johnsonville Middle School administrators gave an update on the schools progress and said students are improving in several areas and have been recognized for their participation in organizations such as Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Junior Beta Club, academic challenge and sports. Johnsonville High School Principal Sam Tuten said the school was recently ranked No. 71 out of 235 schools in South Carolina in a U.S. News & World Report. The grant will create multiple possible pathways for adult students to earn academic and workplace credentials simultaneously. These pathways will include certifications in areas of high need to local employers and of high interest to current students: welding, health care and mechanics. Keep Calm and Carry On Finally, the foundation awarded $12,822.96 for the Keep Calm and Carry On program at Dewey L. Carter, Wallace Gregg, Greenwood and Timrod Elementary Schools. Jennifer Danford said the grant was huge because it allowed kids who have experienced trauma to have an outlet. She added that she would love to expand the program further in the coming years. The grant will provide for the installation of calm-down boxes for students to use to regroup or calm themselves before rejoining their classmates in every classroom of Carter, Greenwood and Timrod. Boxes are already in place at Wallace Gregg. The grant also will provide for a sensory path where students can follow an exercise routine to calm themselves at Carter, Greenwood and Timrod. Wallace Gregg and Greenwood also could receive a sensory room for students to be engaged in calming activities. The School Foundation is a nonprofit organization that was created to provide resources and support to administrators, teachers, and students of Florence One Schools. The foundation became the largest private endowment for K-12 public education in the state in 2006. From 2015-2018, the foundation provided $553,426.01 in grants to the schools within the district. Overall, the foundation has awarded $1.67 million in grants to the district. The Securities and Exchange Commission charged four individuals for their roles in a $1.9 million pump-and-dump scheme in the stock of a public Southern California beverage and cannabis company, Green Cures & Botanical Distribution, Inc. According to the SEC's complaint, in 2015, Ishmail Calvin Ross of Canoga Park, California secured - but hid - his control of Green Cures behind a figurehead CEO and a front company created by Ross and Jessica Snyder of Avondale, Arizona. At the same time, David N. Osegueda of Sun Valley, California allegedly sold Ross portions of convertible promissory notes, which documented debts owed by Green Cures that could be repaid with the company's stock. Osegueda and Ross converted the debt into shares and hired Zachary R. Logan of La Jolla, California to provide stock promotion services in return for Green Cures shares. Osegueda, Ross, and Logan then deposited their shares into their brokerage accounts. In order to induce the brokerage firm to accept these shares, they made false and misleading statements, including that they were unaware of any promotional campaigns and that they were not working with anyone regarding the stock. The SEC also alleges that in 2016, the defendants pumped up Green Cures's stock price and trading volume through a promotional campaign, including false and misleading press releases and thousands of emails, text messages, and posts on investor bulletin boards. Osegueda, Ross, and Logan then allegedly dumped their shares onto unsuspecting investors, generating approximately $1.9 million in illicit proceeds. The SEC's complaint, filed in Los Angeles, charges each defendant with violating the antifraud provisions of Sections 17(a)(1) and 17(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder. The complaint also charges Osegueda, Ross, and Logan with violating the registration and antifraud provisions of Sections 5(a), 5(c), and 17(a)(2) of the Securities Act. The SEC seeks permanent injunctions, disgorgement with prejudgment interest (except as to Snyder), civil penalties, officer and director bars (except as to Logan), and penny stock bars. The SEC's investigation was conducted by Roberto A. Tercero and supervised by Spencer E. Bendell in the Los Angeles Regional Office. The litigation will be led by Lynn Dean and supervised by Amy Longo. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. The Securities and Exchange Commission announced it has obtained a court order halting an ongoing $30 million Ponzi scheme targeting more than 300 investors in the U.S. and Canada. The SEC complaint unsealed Monday charges South Florida-based Argyle Coin, LLC, a purported cryptocurrency business, and its principal Jose Angel Aman with using investor funds to run a Ponzi scheme. On May 20, 2019, the Honorable Judge Robin L. Rosenberg of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida granted the SEC's request for a temporary restraining order and temporary asset freeze against Aman, Argyle Coin and other companies charged by the SEC as relief defendants. The court also appointed Jeffrey D. Schneider as a Receiver over Argyle Coin. The SEC's complaint alleges that Aman operated Argyle Coin as a Ponzi scheme -- it used new investor funds to pay prior investors their purported returns. As alleged, this fraud is a continuation of a scheme Aman orchestrated with two other companies he owns, Natural Diamonds Investment Co. (Natural Diamonds) and Eagle Financial Diamond Group Inc (Eagle). According to the complaint, Aman engaged in unregistered offerings of securities in Natural Diamonds and Eagle as early as May 2014, falsely promising investors that the companies would invest in whole diamonds to cut down and sell for huge profits. Aman was assisted by Harold Seigel and Jonathan H. Seigel, who also have interests in Natural Diamonds and Eagle. According to the complaint, in October 2017, Aman and Jonathan H. Seigel continued the scheme by luring investors to invest in Argyle Coin, falsely claiming the investment was risk-free because it was backed by fancy colored diamonds, and promising to use investor funds to develop the cryptocurrency business. Instead, according to the complaint, Aman, Natural Diamonds, Eagle, and Argyle Coin, misused or misappropriated more than $10 million of investor funds to pay other investors their purported returns and for Aman's personal expenses, including rent on his home, purchases of horses, and riding lessons for his son. The complaint charges Natural Diamonds, Eagle, Argyle Coin, Aman, Harold Seigel, and Jonathan H. Seigel with violations of Sections 5(a) and 5(c) of the Securities Act of 1933 ("Securities Act") and against Natural Diamonds, Eagle, Argyle Coin, and Aman for violations of Section 17(a) of the Securities Act and Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act") and Rule 10b-5 thereunder. The SEC's complaint seeks disgorgement of allegedly ill-gotten gains and prejudgment interest from Natural Diamonds, Eagle, Argyle Coin, Aman, Harold Seigel, and the relief defendants, and financial penalties against Natural Diamonds, Eagle, Argyle Coin, Aman, Harold Seigel and Jonathan H. Seigel. The SEC's investigation was conducted in the Miami office by Linda S. Schmidt with assistance from Kathleen Strandell, under the supervision of Glenn S. Gordon and Elisha L. Frank. The litigation is being led by Amie Riggle Berlin. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. District Attorney George Gascon joined mounting criticism of a San Francisco police raid on a journalist, saying Monday that he cant imagine a situation in which a search warrant would be appropriate. Gascons comments, which put him in line with a growing number of city supervisors, followed broad condemnation by press-freedom groups over the raid on independent journalist Bryan Carmody, who had refused to identify who leaked him a report on the death of Public Defender Jeff Adachi. The citys top prosecutor weighed in as Carmodys attorney prepared to argue in court Tuesday that the warrants obtained for the May 10 search on his clients home and office were unlawful. Police Chief Bill Scott has stood behind his departments seizure of Carmodys computers, phones and other possessions as an appropriate step to unmask the leaker or leakers, despite Californias Shield Law that protects journalists from being compelled to identify sources. And Mayor London Breed has stood behind her chief. My office has not seen the warrant or the facts upon which it was based, Gascon said in his statement, but absent a showing that a journalist broke the law to obtain the information that police are looking for, I cant imagine a situation in which a search warrant would be appropriate. It is Gascons office that would probably review evidence and make a decision on potential criminal charges, adding another wrinkle to the complex and politically charged case. At Tuesdays hearing in San Francisco Superior Court, an attorney for Carmody who sold the Adachi police report to television stations will ask Judge Samuel Feng to quash the warrants and order the return of 68 seized items. Under this scenario, any evidence police obtained, as well as any future evidence that was a result of the search, could not be used in court, legal experts said. Carmody, who typically sells video clips of crime scenes and emergencies to television stations, said he obtained a police report from a confidential source shortly after Adachis death at age 59 on Feb. 22 and sold it to three television news stations. Some city officials were alarmed by the leak, suspecting an effort to smear the late public defender, a nationally recognized crusader against police misconduct. Now Playing: Security video shows San Francisco police executing a search warrant at the home of Bryan Carmody on Fri. May 10, 2019. Video: Bryan Carmody San Francisco police officers showed up at Carmodys Outer Richmond District home with a sledgehammer, drew their guns and cuffed him for more than six hours. His attorney, Thomas Burke, filed a motion to quash the warrants last week, arguing that police violated his clients right to due process while flouting federal and state law including the shield law. Its just a wait-and-see at this point, Carmody said Monday. The motions are especially important, so the government cant use any of the information about the source. Police filed the warrants under seal, so it is unclear what they disclosed to the judges in affidavits laying out evidence that a crime had been committed. Judges Victor Hwang and Gail Dekreon signed the warrants, but have not commented. Feng will also hear a motion Tuesday filed by the First Amendment Coalition seeking to unseal the warrants. A police spokesman has said that officers searched Carmodys home while investigating a potential case of obstruction of justice along with the illegal distribution of a confidential police report. Chief Scott told the Police Commission last week he was confident police took the appropriate legal matters to get the search authorized. Police did not consult with the district attorneys office before the search. Gascon, who returned over the weekend from a two-week trip to Portugal and Germany, commented for the first time on the case Monday. Even if police had evidence Carmody broke the law in obtaining the police report, he said, No search should have been conducted without the use of a special master. Special masters are court-appointed attorneys who determine whether evidence gathered by investigators falls within the scope of a warrant. They are often used when police search the records of attorneys, doctors or other professionals with privileged information, in order to protect the confidentiality of clients or patients. Journalists have multiple sources to whom they owe confidences, similar to an attorney who has multiple clients whom they owe attorney-client privilege, Gascon said. Police have not said whether they used a special master in the Adachi leak case. Carmody said there was no indication police had enlisted one when officers raided him. Criticism of the raid emerged slowly but has intensified. Last week, supervisors Hillary Ronen and Aaron Peskin were the first members of the board to rebuke the police action. Supervisor Matt Haney joined them on Saturday, and called on the citys Department of Police Accountability an independent oversight body created to look into complaints against police to open an investigation into the raid. The agencys executive director, Paul Henderson, said it was investigating the raid to make sure things were done properly. 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. As freedom of the press is attacked relentlessly by the White House, it is crucial that San Francisco stands up for the rule of law and press freedom. Haney said. Supervisor Catherine Stefani on Sunday denounced the search, saying, Freedom of the press is under attack in San Francisco. The same day, Supervisor Vallie Brown said the city needed to assure the public that such a raid will never happen again. Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer initially justified the raid, but later walked back her statement somewhat, saying she is not a legal expert but had strong feelings about the morality of Carmodys actions. Mayor Breed initially did not condemn the raid, saying that police went through the appropriate legal process to request a search warrant, which was approved by two judges. On Sunday, Breed shifted her position slightly amid heavy criticism, saying that although she wanted a thorough investigation into the leak, I am not OK with police raids on reporters. We need to do better. However, she added, two judges issued the search warrant, and I have to believe that the judges decision was legal and warranted, and therefore so was the search. Whether or not the search was legal, warranted and appropriate, however, is another question. ... And the more we learn, the less appropriate it looks to me. The leaked report revealed that Adachi was with a woman who was not his wife when he collapsed and died in an apartment on Telegraph Hill. A public report by the medical examiners office later confirmed information in the report, while finding Adachi died from a mixture of cocaine and alcohol along with heart disease. Supervisors Gordon Mar, Ahsha Safai, Shamann Walton, Rafael Mandelman and board President Norman Yee did not return messages from The Chronicle and have not commented on the raid. Evan Sernoffsky is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @EvanSernoffsky A law that would allow San Francisco to expand involuntary treatment for the citys mentally ill population is on thin ice, and its unclear if it has the votes to pass the full Board of Supervisors next month. But if the board knocks down the legislation at its June 4 meeting, one supervisor said he is open to another plan: putting the issue before voters in November. On Monday, the Rules Committee composed of Supervisors Hillary Ronen, Gordon Mar and Shamann Walton did not support the local implementation of a state conservatorship law, SB1045. That law allows the city to expand its ability to coerce those suffering from severe mental illness and substance abuse into longer-term treatment. To qualify under the expanded law, a person must have been subject to at least eight so-called 5150s, which are temporary holds in a psychiatric unit. If someone is released from a 5150, that means a doctor determined they are not a danger to themselves or to others. While the five-year pilot program that the law allows would apply only to a handful of people, its supporters, including Mayor London Breed, say its crucial to provide mental health services to people who may not be able to help themselves. But opponents call it a major civil rights violation. The committees concerns about the program ran the gamut, from how it could disproportionately impact the citys African American population to whether the city has enough resources to implement the state law. Were all in agreement that much bolder actions are needed to address the urgent mental health and drug addiction problems in our city, Mar said. But its important to see how this expanded conservatorship proposal could fit into a broader strategy and not just be one small step. While the committee declined to support the legislation Monday, the full board will still be able to vote on it at its June 4 meeting. It needs six votes to pass. So far, Supervisors Rafael Mandelman, Catherine Stefani, Vallie Brown and Aaron Peskin said they would support it at the June 4 board meeting. Supervisors Norman Yee and Matt Haney said they were still undecided, while Supervisors Sandra Lee Fewer and Ahsha Safai could not be reached for comment. 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. Mandelman, who co-sponsored the legislation with the mayor, said if his colleagues reject it, he would consider bringing it to the November ballot. I dont think that it is right to say that this legislation is imperfect and therefore we dont want to try, he said. We should try to test it and then make changes as we find the things that make it challenging to implement locally. Trisha Thadani Trisha Thadani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tthadani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TrishaThadani The beginning of the end of the Transbay Transit Center debacle could finally come this week when engineers and steel experts gather in New York City to decide whether the $2.1 billion transit hub has undergone enough repairs, reviews and inspections to safely reopen. If an independent review panel makes that decision after meetings Wednesday and Thursday, the Transbay authority could set a date to reopen the bus station, retail center and rooftop park. Transbay officials said earlier this month that it would take about four weeks of preparation cleaning, testing, hiring workers and retraining bus drivers before the doors can reopen and buses can roll down the ramps. We are coming to the conclusion of this process, said Michael Engelhardt, a structural engineering professor at the University of Texas, Austin, and head of the peer-review panel. The Transbay center, which stretches over three blocks, has been closed since the Sept. 25 discovery of fractures in two critical support girders six weeks after it opened. Repairs have been completed and temporary supports removed, but the opening has been put off until engineers can determine whether other locations are susceptible to similar damage. Engineers scoured over thousands of design and construction drawings for weeks and found no areas of concern, said Mark Zabaneh, executive director of the Transbay Joint Powers Authority, which oversaw construction and will operate the transit hub, retail center and rooftop park. An independent peer-review panel of engineers and steel experts assembled by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission at the insistence of San Francisco Mayor London Breed and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf needs to approve those reviews before Transbay officials decide to reopen. On Wednesday and Thursday, the five-member panel will meet with engineers from the Transbay authority; Thornton Tomasetti, the centers structural engineers; and LPI, the metallurgical lab that investigated the girders failure. 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 review panel will decide if enough is enough, Engelhardt said, or it will create a to-do list and estimate how much longer the paperwork and inspections should take. One thing the panel wont do is determine whos to blame for the fractured girders. Lab tests found that a confluence of factors including the failure to properly smooth the edges of holes cut in the girders, and to discover that flaw in inspections led to the defect. Were not going to say anything about that, Engelhardt said. That has not been our mission here. Michael Cabanatuan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan UC Hastings College of the Law wants to expand the amount of housing it plans for its Tenderloin campus by more than 30% to 1,500 beds, but the proposal could be shot down by the membership of the labor union that owns the parcels the school hopes to build on. Hastings officials say they have reached a nonbinding agreement with the executive committee of Unite Here Local 2 to redevelop the unions dilapidated five-building headquarters at 201-247 Golden Gate Ave. in San Francisco. The deal calls for the law school to sign a long-term ground lease with the union and then construct a 14-story residential tower above a new headquarters and hiring hall for the union. Local 2 Research Director Ian Lewis declined to comment on the deal, saying only that union leadership is exploring a partnership with Hastings, but that it will be up to the membership to decide if it goes forward. The proposed tower on the Local 2 property would be part of a student housing boom that is adding upward of 4,000 residential units across the city. They include projects by UCSF, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, the California College of the Arts, the University of San Francisco and San Francisco State University. The Hastings project the school calls it an academic village is unique because it would serve not just Hastings students, but potentially students from other schools, Chancellor David Faigman said. UCSF, which is wrapping up construction on a 708-bed residential expansion on Minnesota Street in Dogpatch, is hoping to house 300 students in Hastings Tenderloin complex. Other schools potentially interested in housing students there include the University of the Pacific and UC Berkeley. Gabrielle Lurie / The Chronicle In addition to the Local 2 property, Hastings academic village would include a 14-story residential tower at 198 McAllister St. and a new academic building at 333 Golden Gate Ave. that is already under construction. Its going to completely transform the neighborhood, Faigman said. The activation, the energy on the streets, will be transformed. We could end up with 1,500 graduate students, interns, residents, Ph.D. students and junior faculty living right here in the Tenderloin. But the project still faces obstacles. The coming vote has opened a split between the union leadership, which considers the project a good bet for the organization, and some rank-and-file members, who accuse the managers of Local 2, which represents hotel and restaurant workers, of chasing shady real estate deals rather than looking out for workers interests. While market-rate developers have offered to buy the property in the past, the fact that Hastings is a public educational institution that charges below-market-rate rents is consistent with our unions principles and will not put additional pressure on San Francisco housing prices, a flyer from the unions leadership states. Rents for the student housing would be between $1,800 and $2,200 a month, depending on the unit size. Studios in San Francisco average about $2,500 but generally cost closer to $3,500 in newer buildings. What Local 2 brings to the table is the value of our land and the zoning rights for a multistory building, the flyer continues. What UC Hastings brings to the deal is their long-term presence in the neighborhood and the money (many millions of dollars) to build the project. A second and more critical flyer circulating among Local 2 membership takes issue with the way the union leadership has approached the negotiations. Are you getting the support you need from Local 2s business agents? Is your contract expired? When do you expect your next raise? So what are Local 2 officials doing right now with our dues money? the flyer states. They are sending their business agents all over town to convince you to vote for their shady deal with Hastings, thats what! While the financial details havent been made public, the preliminary deal calls for Hastings to build and pay for the new union headquarters and hiring hall. Hastings would sign a 60- to 99-year ground lease with Local 2, essentially allowing the law school to develop the property free of charge, in exchange for building the new union facility. The Local 2 membership is to vote on the deal Thursday. Sue Donahue, a cook and shop steward at the Hilton in Union Square, said members are concerned that the tentative deal with Hastings lacks specifics and that a yes vote would give a blank check to the unions executive board. The fact that most of the 12,000 Local 2 members have been without a contract for eight months workers at the seven Marriott-managed hotels have settled but the others have not has some grumbling that Local 2 bosses are more focused on the Hastings deal than representing workers. They want the membership to vote away their rights on trust and faith that isnt this all going to be great and that we are going to get a new building and its going to be swell, said Donahue. Jeff Myers, a Local 2 member and retired banquet waiter, said he was skeptical of the deal. Im still hoping there will be an opportunity for further dialogue with Hastings in a constructive way, 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. If the union leadership can get the support of the majority of the unions members, it will probably have enough political support to win city approvals. Supervisor Matt Haney, who lives near the Hastings campus, said the deal could help strengthen two Tenderloin institutions while creating a busier neighborhood that will help with public safety issues and support mom-and-pop retailers. Im excited about the possibilities but, obviously, its up to the members of the union, he said. It has to be a good deal for them. They need to get the best possible union hall and office space out of it. Dan Sider, senior director of special projects for the San Francisco Planning Department, said Hastings officials have come in to discuss the Local 2 plan but that no formal application has been filed. He said the expanded academic village is very early on in terms of details, but we are really excited about the student housing. I hate to say we are playing catch-up, but its nice to see a lot of the institutions taking this very seriously, he said. Its good for the institutions and good for the city. Leslie Santos, executive director of housing services for UCSF, said that her school is hoping to have 300 units at the Tenderloin campus eventually, with some students in the 198 McAllister St. building and some in the Local 2 tower. She said San Francisco institutions of higher learning all face the same challenge: providing enough housing to attract top students. A student going to (University of Pennsylvania) Philadelphia or (Johns Hopkins) in Baltimore is going to face a different kind of debt than if they come to San Francisco, she said. Part of this is about the competitiveness of the University of California. J.K. Dineen is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jdineen@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfjkdineen NEW YORK A key federal regulator says he backs T-Mobiles $26.5 billion takeover of rival wireless carrier Sprint, a crucial step for the deals approval. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai said Monday he supported the deal because the two companies promised to expand mobile internet access in rural areas and roll out 5G, the next generation of mobile networks. While Pais backing is important, further steps remain. The full commission of three Republicans and two Democrats must still vote, and the Justice Department must also clear it. State attorneys general may also move against the combination. Pai said Monday that the combination will help bring faster mobile broadband to rural Americans. The companies have made promises on building out 5G and expanding rural broadband before, but now they are attaching timelines and agreeing to penalties if they fail to meet their commitments. For instance, the companies promise to make fast internet available to 99% of Americans within six years after the deals close. T-Mobile US Inc. and Sprint Corp. also said Monday that they would sell Sprints prepaid cellphone brand Boost Mobile to address antitrust concerns. Several public-interest advocates dismissed the companies promises Monday as not solving the issues posed by industry consolidation. Along with labor groups, the advocates have argued that the deal will lead to price increases and job cuts. Democratic lawmakers have also been skeptical of the companies promises. Just because the FCC seems ready to approve the deal doesnt mean the Justice Department will, as the two agencies have different criteria. The Justice Department evaluates deals on whether they harm competition and raise prices for consumers, while the FCC examines whether a merger fulfills public interest goals. Expanding internet access to more people could count as one such goal, for example. David Cicilline, a Rhode Island Democrat who heads the House antitrust subcommittee, called on the Justice Department to require that Sprint and T-Mobile show that the deal wont harm consumers. Empty promises will not make this transaction a good deal for American workers and consumers, he said. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Sprint and T-Mobile have been talking about their 5G plans even before proposing their combination, so itll be tough to convince the Justice Department that the 5G buildout depends on it, said Amanda Wait, a partner at Norton Rose Fulbright and former Federal Trade Commission lawyer. And even then, the Justice Department has to decide if those benefits are greater than any consumer harms. Justice Department spokesman Jeremy Edwards declined to comment Monday. Sprint and T-Mobile argue that the combination will lead to better 5G service. They have made promises before to create U.S. jobs and build a home-internet business to compete with cable companies as well as Verizon and AT&T. Theyve also promised not to raise prices for three years. Tali Arbel and Michelle Chapman are Associated Press writers. Uber must share data about its rides and drivers with San Francisco, an appeals court ruled Monday. San Francisco has long sought to know details such as how many miles drivers rack up on its streets to help it investigate whether Uber is breaking any laws, as well as how it affects traffic, safety, pollution and parking. The city has legitimate concerns about (Ubers) impact on traffic, disability access and safety on our roadways, said City Attorney Dennis Herrera, who subpoenaed Uber and Lyft in June 2017 for the information. Enough of the stalling and delay tactics. Uber declined to comment. Lyft has been sharing similar data with San Francisco since February 2018, under an agreement that only lawyers and staff in the city attorneys office can see the information. But Uber has been battling the subpoena in court. The California First District Court of Appeal rejected Ubers arguments, in a 3-0 decision written by Justice Ioana Petrou. The subpoena was within the city attorneys investigative powers, the court ruled. Ubers contention that it needs to keep the data confidential to protect its trade secrets and drivers privacy was without merit since it would still be shielded by a protective order that limits its viewing to the city attorneys staff, the court wrote. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Uber and Lyft already share detailed data with their regulator, the California Public Utilities Commission. San Franciscos broad investigation will look at Uber drivers hours and earnings to gauge whether they make minimum wage and whether Uber gives them incentives to commute from far away and work long hours, putting them at risk of driving while drowsy. The city also wants to probe whether Uber discriminates against disabled passengers and those from low-income areas. Carolyn Said is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: csaid@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @csaid The May 10 police raid on San Francisco freelance journalist Bryan Carmody who had sold three television stations a leaked police report on the February death of Public Defender Jeff Adachi raised questions about whether police violated the states shield law that protects journalists from being compelled to identify confidential sources. Heres how San Francisco city officials have reacted: Police Chief Bill Scott: At a May 15 Police Commission meeting, Scott stood by the raid, saying, This leak was a breach of the public trust and I understand that and were investigating that leak fully, including allegations of misconduct, potentially by members of the San Francisco Police Department. He added, We have to do our jobs and make sure reports are not released when they are not supposed to be released. Mayor London Breed: Breed has not directly condemned the raid. On May 14, she released a statement saying police went through the appropriate legal process to request a search warrant, which was approved by two judges. I believe that someone from within the Department needs to be held accountable for the release of this information, and the Police need to continue that internal investigation using legal and appropriate means. On May 19, Breed changed her stance somewhat, writing on Twitter: I want the SFPD to get to the bottom of this, but I am not okay with police raids on reporters. We need to do better. However, two judges issued the search warrant, and I have to believe that the judges decision was legal and warranted, and therefore so was the search. Whether or not the search was legal, warranted and appropriate, however, is another question. And the more we learn, the less appropriate it looks to me. She said the city needs a protocol going forward for how to handle investigations that involve members of the media and added that we have to work harder to honor not only the letter of Californias Shield Law, but also the spirit of it. District Attorney George Gascon: After returning from an overseas trip, Gascon criticized the raid Monday, writing, My office has not seen the warrant or the facts upon which it was based, but absent a showing that a journalist broke the law to obtain the information that police are looking for, I cant imagine a situation in which a search warrant would be appropriate. Public Defender Mano Raju: On the day of the raid, Raju released a statement saying, All of our criminal justice and City Hall leaders agree that the release of police reports in this fashion is wrong. I am pleased that Chief Scott and others are keeping their word and working to get to the bottom of it. The office later released a longer statement on its website that read in part, Our office is not privy to the justification for (the Police Departments) actions nor are we fully aware of how the search warrant was executed. The Office of the Public Defender does not condone or support excessive police actions ever. Supervisor Sandra Fewer: Fewer told The San Francisco Examiner last week, I think (Carmody) was getting this information to make a profit from it, before adding, incorrectly, that if he were obtaining this information to write a story, it still is illegal to obtain a police report unless it has been officially released. The next day, Fewer released a longer statement, which read in part, The truth is, I am not a legal expert. Given the current political climate at the national level, I understand that freedom of the press is a sensitive issue and why there were concerns about my statement. I do have strong feelings about the morality of Carmodys actions, including the sale of a leaked police report that was meant to damage the reputation of Jeff Adachi after his death. Supervisor Hillary Ronen: In a May 14 interview with The Chronicle, Ronen called the raid bizarre and said she was very concerned by the actions of the Police Department. She said, Ive been very vocal how disgusted I was of someones conduct in the Police Department and wanted it investigated, but that didnt mean targeting a journalist. ... If we force any journalist to give up sources then we are weakening the free press. Supervisor Aaron Peskin: Peskin released a statement May 15 slamming police and the judges who approved the raid: A free press is a fundamental pillar of our democracy and must be protected. The fact that the Superior Court nevertheless signed warrants authorizing police to conduct the raid on a journalists home and to confiscate their belongings boggles my mind. Supervisor Matt Haney: On Sunday, Haney called on the citys Department of Police Accountability to investigate the raid. The awful politically motivated leaking of the police report came from inside SFPD. Thats where this investigation should focus internally, he wrote on Twitter. Knocking down the door of a journalist with a sledgehammer and seizing property is an unacceptable direct attack on freedom of the press. ... It is critical that San Francisco uphold the standards and principles that Jeff Adachi modeled throughout his life. 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. Supervisor Vallie Brown: On Sunday, Brown tweeted: It isnt right for police to knock down a journalists door with a sledgehammer. Its against the freedom of the press and the wrong way for an investigation to happen. Supervisor Catherine Stefani: Stefani wrote Sunday, Freedom of the press is under attack in San Francisco. Journalists deserve every protection guaranteed to them under Californias Shield Law and the First Amendment. These protections apply not just to journalists at elite organizations, but to all journalists. We must do better than this. Supervisors Gordon Mar, Ahsha Safai, Shamann Walton and Rafael Mandelman and board President Norman Yee: As of Monday, they had not responded to messages. Evan Sernoffsky Under fire for a raid on the home and office of a freelance journalist who refused to identify a confidential source, San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott Tuesday explained the action by saying his department suspected the man took part in a criminal conspiracy to steal an internal police report on the February death of Public Defender Jeff Adachi. We believe the line was crossed, Scott said. We believe he took part in this act. But in an extraordinary news conference, Scott alleged only that the journalist, Bryan Carmody, participated in receiving and distributing a leaked government report an action that is common in the media and protected by the First Amendment. The chief explained why police believe Carmody participated in a conspiracy: We believe that ... an SFPD employee was a part of this. We believe that in order for this to be successfully pulled off, there had to be some contact between the employee and Mr. Carmody ... we believe he was part of the effort to illegally obtain this report. Scott alternately said of the May 10 raid: Im not here to try to defend it. He acknowledged that leaks happen all the time and that I understand a journalist can receive reports. He said repeatedly, There are some lessons to be learned here. Asked about the new allegation on Tuesday, Carmody said, Im speechless. Bryan Carmody / Associated Press He said he did not pay for the report or conspire to steal the report. I received a copy of the thing, he said. Carmody said he obtained the police report from a confidential source shortly after Adachis death at age 59 on Feb. 22. He then sold it to three television news stations, who aired portions of it. Some city officials were angered by the leak, suspecting it was an effort to smear the late public defender, who was known for his crusades against police misconduct. Police served a search warrant on Carmodys home and office, seizing computers, phones and other items in a bid to identify his source. Scott said the police investigation is focused on SFPD employees and that a secondary focus of this investigation is whether Mr. Carmody was an active participant in the commission of criminal acts, beyond his role with the news media. Possible crimes, police said, include conspiracy to commit a crime, theft, unlawful dissemination of a confidential report, and delaying or obstructing a public officer. Scott said Carmodys motive would be profit, though Carmody has said he makes a living as a freelancer by selling videos and documents. Paul Kuroda / Special to The Chronicle The chief also noted that in an interview with investigators Carmody expressed disdain for Mr. Adachi. Californias shield law protects journalists from being compelled to reveal their sources. The law specifically bars police from searching journalists in order to uncover a source. Asked about the shield law, Scott said, We do believe Mr. Carmody committed a crime. Later, he said, We respect the news media, and promised his department would really dissect (its investigation) and be thoughtful about it. We have to own what we own. I hope this is not coming across as a defense, he said. This is an opportunity to tell people why we did what we did. Scott spoke after police officials said in court earlier in the day that they would return all property to Carmody. But while officials said they will give back computers, cameras, hard drives and other electronic equipment, it was not immediately clear what investigators planned to do with any evidence or information they had discovered and downloaded during and since the raid. 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. Attorneys for Carmody and the Police Department discussed the issue during a brief hearing in San Francisco Superior Court. Carmodys lawyer, Thomas Burke, sought the return of his clients property, while asking Judge Samuel Feng to quash the two search warrants police obtained before searching Carmodys home and office. Burke, who has represented The Chronicle and its parent company, Hearst Corp., in other cases, has argued that police violated his clients right to due process along with the state shield law. I think its important when you have something like this happen you get the material back as soon as you can, Burke said outside court. But we want the search warrants revoked, and we want it made clear that they shouldnt have been issued in the first place. Ronnie Wagner, an in-house attorney at the Police Department, did not file any motions opposing the effort to quash the warrants and did not provide any justification for the search during the hearing. Feng did not rule on any motions and set a deadline for police to file any opposition by May 31. Attorneys are due back in court June 10. An attorney representing the First Amendment Coalition a nonprofit that advocates for free speech and government accountability filed a motion to unseal the search warrants in the case. The Police Department filed the warrants under seal, leaving it unclear precisely what officers disclosed in the affidavits describing their suspicion that a crime had occurred. Two judges, Victor Hwang and Gail Dekreon, signed the warrants but have not commented. This highlights the very serious need for the Police Department search warrant material to be unsealed, said David Snyder, executive director of the First Amendment Coalition. Its one thing to have the police chief explain what happened at a press conference a week and a half later. Its another thing entirely to understand what the Police Department told the judges that signed the warrant. The case has drawn national attention over concern that the search undermined press freedom, which depends heavily on journalists ability to protect confidential sources. A growing number of San Francisco officials, including some supervisors and District Attorney George Gascon, have criticized the raid. Police showed up at Carmodys Outer Richmond District home with a sledgehammer, drew their guns and cuffed him for more than six hours. Asked about the sledgehammer on Tuesday, Scott said, We know that looks bad. Evan Sernoffsky is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @EvanSernoffsky At the Modernism gallery one night last week, French artist Philippe Gronon posed for a cell phone picture with Gustave Courbets very famous painting, The Origin of the World, and if youre an art lover reading these words in the paper, where the column is un-illustrated, your eyebrows have probably shot up to your scalp. The 1866 painting pictures a nude woman lying on her back, her legs spread to reveal that which must not be seen in a family newspaper. But Gronon is posing with that image turned to the wall. What hes interested in is the backs of the canvases, which he photographs and prints in life-size images, framing them with no space around. So you walk around this exhibition, Versos, looking at the reverse sides of the canvases; if that which has been photographed were present, the fronts of the paintings iconic works by Picasso, Monet, Buonarotti, Indiana and more would be turned to a wall. Modernisms official description says that the artist, who was at the Thursday, May 16, opening of the exhibition (which is on view through June 29), takes us behind the scenes. He approaches the masterpiece via the scullery, the wings, the nuts, the bolts. Gronon was able to make the photographs with permission from the many museums where the works hang. It took some time, but the conservators were enthusiastic about the project, removing the works from their displays to allow Gronon to shoot them. Although, of course, the concept of the work as a photograph is easy to grasp, it was irresistible, looking at the back of the Courbet (which is in the Musee dOrsay in Paris), to peek behind the wall, as if one could thereby see the front side of the work. On the other side, in this Modernism exhibition is the back of a Picasso nude, the paint seeming to have been applied to the canvas with such vigor that you can make out faint outlines even on the reverse side. Every verso is a story for me, Gronon said. Its another painting and another story. He directed my attention to a Robert Indianas Love work with an Indiana-style 2 stenciled on the back, and then we peered at the back of a Picasso work on paper, which is now at the Picasso Museum in Paris, but had once been at New Yorks Museum of Modern Art, and then the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Gronon pointed to a crooked and faint black line on the back, a trace of a spiders path, he said. The back of a Raphael, covered with discolored copper, was its own abstract painting. My colleague Charles Desmarais is the art critic around here. But if I had to assign a little man, hed be jumping out of his chair ... particularly to get close enough to study the intricacies of the other sides. More on California Hall, mentioned herein last week as a gathering place for gay rights groups, Hells Angels, rock n roll fans and more, which illustrates the breadth of historical and cultural events in which the hall has played a role: Joe McDonald emailed that in 1967, Gary Chicken Hersh, drummer of Country Joe and the Fish, told the band hed heard you could get high by smoking the white residue of dried banana peel. In Vancouver, he emailed, they tried it, soon after ingesting LSD. Of course, they got high. Thinking it was the banana, when we played California Hall ... we passed out about 500 banana joints, telling the audience it would get them stoned. The Chronicle reported on it, and you could not buy a banana in the Bay Area for a while, McDonald recalls. 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. And John OBrien cites Douglas Hunekes book, The Moses of Rovno, about Herman Fritz Graebe, who was manager of the hall from 1968 until his retirement in 1981. Born in Germany, Graebe was sent during World War II to the Ukraine, where his hiring Jews for factory work saved their lives. He testified during the Nuremberg trials, the only German citizen to do that voluntarily. Also, in 1981, Joel Kuechle saw U2s first concert in San Francisco. On the stage at California Hall, Bono invited a child to join him, and they danced there together. And Carol Hull remembers seeing an early version of Beach Blanket Babylon there, where sand presumably to create a fake beach was sprinkled on the floor. PUBLIC EAVESDROPPING Oh dear, pleated shorts are back. Young man looking at a magazine, overheard in Paris by Paul Templeton Leah Garchik is open for business in San Francisco, 415-777-8426. Email: lgarchik@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @leahgarchik ALBANY State lawmakers broke along party lines and have passed legislation designed to curb the pardon power of President Donald Trump. The legislation 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. It was approved 90-52 in the Assembly on Tuesday with staunch backing from Democrats, and had passed the state Senate earlier this month without any Republican support. The proposal takes specific aim at the president's powers and the amended 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 initially resisted passing the legislation in its current form because they believed it was too narrowly written, according to Assembly Joseph Lentol, a Brooklyn Democrat 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." On Tuesday in the Chamber, Lentol threw his support to the measure. "This is time for change and when the federal government stumbles and does nothing, than the state of New York will fly into action," Lentol said. "This new law will confront any president, not just this one, who thinks he or she can wash away illegal behavior of some type." Assemblyman Andy Goodell, a Republican from Chautauqua County, said the legislation would undo a century of legal precedent in New York affording double-jeopardy protections. He also noted that last year Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo had issued dozens of pardons, many to immigrants who could still be charged with federal crimes. "Isn't this opening a Pandora's Box where you poke the president and now the president could respond ... by re-arresting 20 of the 29 people that were pardoned by Gov. Cuomo?" Goodell asked, adding that the pardons of the governor and president should be respected, not thwarted. Another bill that will move to a vote in the Assembly Wednesday would allow the state tax department to turn over copies of the president's state tax returns to a congressional committee conducting an investigation. Assemblyman John McDonald, D-Cohoes, was among the 52 Assembly members to vote "no" on the double-jeopardy measure. It just looks like were playing politics with the state government. Lets face it, the only reason were talking about these two bills is because of who currently occupies the White House, McDonald said. I am not a fan of the current president, however, my focus is on my constituents. People need housing, they need jobs, they need food, they need affordable college, a solution to the opioid crisis and they want their taxes lowered. This does not help that. Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh, R-Ballston, noted before voting "no" that the New York Civil Liberties Union issued a letter opposing the legislation. "I don't see how we should really be supporting this and I will not be supporting it," she 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. Assemblyman Michael Blake, D-Bronx, was more blunt in his commentary on the bill's intention to target Trump if he seeks to pardon people close to him. "We are in an environment where we are dealing with a criminal in the White House," Blake said. "You cannot allow for such behavior to continue without responsible leadership." 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 Cuomo. If the governor signs the measure 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, but he hasn't. 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. On Wednesday, Democrats in both house of the state Legislature are expected to sign off on the legislation enabling congressional Democrats to get their hands on Trump's state tax returns. Paul Kuroda / Special to The Chronicle Finally, Mayor London Breed issued a criticism, though awkwardly conditioned, on the heavy-handed San Francisco Police Departments raid of a freelance journalists home. She said she was not OK with police raids on reporters ... we need to do better. Yet she added, quite dubiously, that she had to believe the two judges approval of the search was legal and warranted. District Attorney George Gascon, whose office was not consulted before the May 10 raid but should have been was forthright in his condemnation Monday. My office has not seen the warrant or the facts upon which it was based, but absent a showing that a journalist broke the law to obtain the information that the police are looking for, I cant imagine a situation in which a search warrant would be appropriate, Gascon tweeted. As a candidate, Donald Trump vowed to avoid getting the U.S. entangled in more wars. I will never send our finest into battle unless necessary, and I mean absolutely necessary, and will only do so if we have a plan for victory with a capital V, he said in April 2016. The world must know that we do not go abroad in search of enemies. As president, Trump has been playing with fire, first with North Korea and now with Iran. For a leader supposedly averse to military confrontation, Trumps initial mistake with Iran was pulling out of a 2015 deal in which the nation agreed to significantly scale back its nuclear program and submit to inspections in return for a lifting of sanctions. Then Trump last year brought on the the hawkish interventionist John Bolton as his national security adviser. The Bolton influence seems apparent in the administrations provocative response to still-classified intelligence that the Iranians were positioning to attack U.S. interests in the region. The U.S. show of force included the assignment of the Navys Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Persian Gulf, escalating the tensions and prospect that an incident could lead to armed conflict. The State Department withdrew nonessential personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, adding to the aura of crisis. Earlier this month, Trump suggested, Im the one who tempers Bolton and I have people who are a little more dovish than him. As recently as last week, Trump said Iranian leaders should be calling me up for talks. But Trumps own rhetoric and stance on the Iran matter has been decidedly mercurial, such as his tweet on Sunday that If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again! The administration was back in reassurance mode Tuesday, briefing members of Congress behind closed doors and claiming to reporters that the threat had receded. Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said the danger to American interests had not gone away but, Our prudent response, I think, has given the Iranians time to recalculate. I think our response was a measure of our will and our resolve that we will protect our people and our interests in the region. Meanwhile, Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told CNN that the U.S. was playing a very, very dangerous game with its escalated military presence. Having all these military assets in a small area is in of itself prone to accidents. Americans have seen all too tragically how easily brinkmanship can devolve into war. Alleged attacks on two Navy destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin led to the precipitous passage of congressional resolutions in 1964 that led this nation into full-scale involvement in the Vietnam War. The 2003 invasion of Iraq was justified, in part, by what proved to be false claims that Saddam Husseins regime had weapons of mass destruction. Those miscalculations echo loudly when Americans hear the president or Iran hawks such as Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., suggest that war with Iran would be justified by an attack on the U.S. or its allies or, even more perilously, would be easily winnable. History suggests otherwise. So do the thousands of U.S. troops still in Afghanistan in the 17th year of Americas longest war. The lack of steadiness in the Trump administrations approach to Iran is highly disturbing. It has replaced a stable situation with an international alliance behind it the 2015 Iran nuclear deal into a whirl of saber rattling and bravado about diminishment of a threat it has refused to document. This is no way to run foreign policy in a precarious corner of the world. This commentary is from The Chronicles editorial board. We invite you to express your views in a letter to the editor. Please submit your letter via our online form: SFChronicle.com/letters. California stands on the verge of yet another devastating wildfire season. So why is the Trump administration planning to slash the states wildfire assistance payments? Since 1961, California has had some form of agreement with the federal government to provide financial assistance for firefighting. One of the most obvious reasons for this agreement the fact that 60% of Californias forested land which tends to be fire-prone is owned by the federal government. Wildfires scoff at jurisdictional lines, and California firefighters battle blazes on federal land as well as they do on the states. So, its puzzling that the U.S. Forest Service is accusing the states local fire departments of overbilling the federal government. The agency, which audited the most recent fire-service agreement in January, claims that California submitted inaccurate invoices. Its now threatening to cut millions of dollars worth of funding. The requests for reimbursement were based on an estimate of expenses instead of the actual expenses incurred and the documentation provided did not fully support those actual costs, U.S. Forest Service National Press Officer Babete Anderson said in a statement. It remains to be seen whether or not the Forest Service was influenced by President Trumps inaccurate Twitter rants. (In November 2018, he claimed without evidence that there was no reason for the deadly California wildfires other than that forest management is so poor.) State officials are rightly concerned. Given increased wildfire risks in recent years, I do not believe any action should be taken to jeopardize that (state-federal) partnership, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., wrote in a May 14 letter to U.S. Forest Service Chief Victoria Christiansen and Sonny Purdue, secretary for the Agriculture Department. The agency told us it was working cooperatively with California to settle the dispute. Given the impeding disaster season, Gov. Gavin Newsom needs to make that cooperation a top priority. But it would help if the Trump administration wouldnt change direction mid-course. This commentary is from The Chronicles editorial board. We invite you to express your views in a letter to the editor. Please submit your letter via our online form: SFChronicle.com/letters. After last years midterm drubbing, which cost Republicans seven California congressional seats, GOP leaders are going all out to try to show that those Democratic wins were one-off aberrations that wont be repeated in 2020. Were very confident we can get those seats back, said Torunn Sinclair, a spokeswoman for the Republican National Congressional Committee. These are all seats we held in 2016 and for years before that. But Republicans dont hold them now, and thats embarrassing for the party. Not only did those flipped seats help the Democrats take control of the House, but they also came from some of the states best-known GOP strongholds. Four of those new Democratic seats are in Orange County, which, for the first time since the 1930s, doesnt have a single Republican in Congress. Two others are in the Central Valley, and the seventh is in the northern edges of Los Angeles County. The Republican Party is recruiting some big-name candidates they hope can take back those seats. There are a lot of folks who want to run against the socialist Democrats who were just elected, said Sinclair, rolling out the type of attack Republicans in California and across the nation will take against liberal and not-so-liberal Democrats. While Sinclair insisted that the national party wont be putting its thumb on the scale to favor any particular GOP primary candidate, local Republicans have no such qualms. We want to see who the strongest candidates are and get behind them early, said Fred Whitaker, head of the Republican Party of Orange County. We want our candidates to get out early so they dont have primary wars. Although the filing deadline for Californias March 2020 primary isnt until Dec. 6, GOP leaders in Orange County already have anointed two congressional candidates and are ready to get behind a third. In the 39th district, Republican businesswoman Young Kim is lining up for a rematch against Democratic Rep. Gil Cisneros of Yorba Linda (Orange County), who beat her by 7,600 votes for the open seat last year. Farther south in the 48th District, Orange County Supervisor Michelle Steel is the GOP establishments choice to go against Democratic Rep. Harley Rouda of Laguna Beach. Kim was instantly endorsed by House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield, who called her one of the top recruits in the country for House Republicans. The conservative Orange County Lincoln Club, which is made up of prominent GOP donors, has already endorsed both Kim and Steel, Whitaker said. In the 49th District, which spreads across Orange and San Diego counties, San Juan Capistrano Mayor Brian Maryott, who finished eighth in the 2018 primary, is the likely GOP choice to challenge Democratic Rep. Mike Levin, Whitaker said. The Orange and San Diego county GOP parties are expected to endorse him by June. The only Orange County question mark is in the 45th District, where there are five Republicans running to unseat newly elected Democratic Rep. Katie Porter. Well interview them and see who comes out of the June 30 (campaign finance) reports, Whitaker said. They need to show the party and the donors what they can do. The GOP opposition lineup is far less settled elsewhere in the state. In the Central Valleys 21st district, for example, no Republican has filed to challenge Democratic Rep. TJ Cox, even though he beat GOP Rep. David Valadao by fewer than 900 votes in November. Its still really early, Sinclair said. Theres still lots of time for a Republican to get in. The lineup for the 10th District became a little clearer recently when Republican Jeff Denham, who lost in November to Democratic Rep. Josh Harder of Turlock (Stanislaus County), joined a Washington, D.C., lobbying firm and said he had no plans to run again. That leaves five Republicans in the 2020 mix, including Ted Howze, who finished third in the June 2018 primary, and Marla Sousa Livengood, who lost last year to Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Stockton, in the neighboring Ninth District. Bob Elliott, a San Joaquin County supervisor, jumped into the race last week, abandoning his previously announced plan to run for the state Senate. In the 25th District, first-term Rep. Katie Hill, D-Santa Clarita (Los Angeles County), has four GOP challengers so far. California Democrats already are lining up against their likely challengers, tying them to President Trump, who remains unpopular even in Republican-leaning parts of the state. Roudas team has billed Steel as a Trump appointee and a career politician, because she was named this year to the Presidents Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Roudas people argued that this is not the time to elect someone who will stand with Donald Trump as he pretends climate change isnt real, undermines our health care and pounds middle-class Orange County residents with higher taxes. As for Kim, a fundraising letter from Cisneros called her an integral piece of the Republicans strategy to retake the House, saying that she has made it clear from day one that her allegiance is with Trump. Little has changed since Novembers election, Democrats argue, and with Trump at the top of the 2020 ballot, they believe their re-election prospects look good. State Republicans believe that the likelihood of a hard-fought presidential race is actually good news for them, because that battle wont be in California, said Whitaker, the Orange County GOP leader. The big difference in 2018 was the amount of money the Democrats spent, he said. They had to take control of the House, and thats where the money went. But for Democrats, 2020 is going to be all about beating Trump, Whitaker said, and that money will be spent in the Midwest to challenge the president. Incumbency can bring its own problems for the first-term Democrats, Sinclair suggested, especially if the Republicans can recruit good candidates to challenge them. This time theyll have to run on their records, she said. Not on their rhetoric. John Wildermuth is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jwildermuth@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jfwildermuth Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Partly cloudy. Temps nearly steady in the low to mid 30s. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Overcast. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 29F. Winds ESE at 10 to 20 mph. SACRAMENTO California took its escalating feud with the federal government over high-speed rail to court Tuesday, accusing the Trump administration of trying to undermine the troubled project as punishment for state opposition to the presidents proposed border wall. The state sued in federal court in San Francisco to block the Federal Rail Administration from pulling nearly a billion dollars in funding for the bullet train. The lawsuit called the administrations action an arbitrary and capricious decision that threatens to wreak significant economic damage on the Central Valley and the state. The federal agency announced last week that it would cancel a $929 million grant because California had abandoned its original plans for the San Francisco-to-Los Angeles line in favor of one running from Bakersfield to Merced. Gov. Gavin Newsom insisted he still wants to build the full line and denounced the action as political retribution on our state by the Trump administration, which California has sued 50 times over disagreements on such issues as environmental regulations, immigration policy and funding for abortion providers. I think this is our 51st lawsuit, and well see what happens, Newsom said Tuesday at an event in Oakland. In the lawsuit, California contends that the Federal Railroad Administration acted to punish the state for opposing President Trumps proposed wall along the U.S.-Mexican border. California joined 15 other states in February to challenge the presidents declaration of a state of emergency along the southern border, which he used to redirect federal money for wall construction without congressional approval. A day after the lawsuit was filed, the railroad agency notified California that it planned to cancel the high-speed rail grant and demanded the return of another $2.5 billion in federal money the state has already received for the bullet train. Hours earlier, Trump linked high-speed rail and his border wall in a tweet. The failed Fast Train project in California, where the cost overruns are becoming world record setting, is hundreds of times more expensive than the desperately needed Wall! the president tweeted. In addition to its lawsuit, California plans to ask a judge to issue a temporary restraining order blocking the Federal Railroad Administration from diverting the grant money for other projects. The railroad agency had no comment. In terminating the $929 million grant, the agency cited a failure by California to meet its construction schedule, provide sufficient financial contributions and demonstrate that it was effectively managing the high-speed rail project. It also pointed to Newsoms significant retreat from the original plan. The governor said in his State of the State address on Feb. 11 that his administration would focus on completing a 165-mile leg of the bullet train in the Central Valley, because right now, there simply isnt a path for a San Francisco-to-Los Angeles line. Critics, including Trump, took that as a signal that the new governor was abandoning the project, which is already more than $40 billion over budget and a decade behind schedule. Newsom insisted he had been misunderstood and that he remains committed to completing the full line. But the Federal Railroad Administration soon cut off communication with the California High-Speed Rail Authority. State rail officials said the cancellation of the $929 million grant would not immediately affect construction under way in the valley, because they had not planned to spend it until 2021. But having to repay billions in federal funding that have already been spent would be detrimental to the system, which has been sustained by a voter-approved bond and money from Californias air pollution credit auctions as it struggles to attract private investment. The Trump administration said last week that it continues to consider all options for clawing back the $2.5 billion in federal funding that California has received for the project. Chronicle staff writer John Wildermuth contributed to this report. Alexei Koseff is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: akoseff@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @akoseff Rep. Seth Moulton sees a replay of the Iraq War when he hears President Trump promising to strike Iran with "great force in response to reported threats from Tehran against U.S. personnel in the Middle East. Its frighteningly similar, the Democratic presidential candidate told The Chronicles Its All Political podcast. You have some of the same people (National Security Adviser) John Bolton in the White House, agitating for war. And agitating with a president who doesnt have a lot of credibility to stop it because he got out of serving himself, much like George W. Bush avoided going to Vietnam. Bolton helped Bush build the public case for the 2003 Iraq invasion and has long advocated for regime change in Iran, too. Boltons advocacy personally affected Moulton, who served four tours in Iraq as a Marine officer and was in a unit that spearheaded the invasion. He ran for Congress in Massachusetts in 2014 to try to change Washington and prevent what happened in Iraq from happening again. Now the 40-year-old is running for president, focusing on foreign policy, his military service and his relative youth. Its a familiar refrain. After Democrats won the House in November, he said it was time for a new generation to take over leadership and tried and failed to block 79-year-old Rep. Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco from becoming speaker. Now, hes taking aim at 76-year-old Joe Biden. Moulton said he considers the former vice president a friend and mentor, but that its time for the generation that fought in Iraq and Afghanistan to take over for the generation that sent us there. Its also time for Congress to do more to end Trumps saber-rattling with Iran, Moulton says. Congress isnt doing enough to stop it, Moulton said. I thought Congress would have learned its lesson from the run-up to Iraq in 2002 and 2003. He introduced a resolution last week that called for Trump to notify Congress before launching a U.S. attack against Iran and spell out the intended scope of any military action. Its been very difficult to get Republicans to sign on because, candidly, some have told me, You know, Seth, this is the right thing to do. Id even vote for it. But I dont want to co-sponsor it because I dont want to upset the president. Theyre scared. Theyre scared of the Trump White House. Theyre scared of the politics. Then again, its been hard to get anybody to sign. Only one Democrat a fellow veteran, Rep. Gil Cisneros, D-Yorba Linda (Orange County) has joined Moulton. Similarly, few have noticed Moultons presidential campaign since he announced April 22. He isnt even registering 1 percent in the polls, according to a RealClearPolitics.com amalgamation of major surveys leaving him in serious jeopardy of not being on stage during the first Democratic Party debates in June. And if he doesnt make the debates, his campaign will have an even harder time getting attention. Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli WASHINGTON Presidential campaigns are grueling, requiring candidates to engage in near-constant travel around the country to shake hands with voters, promote policies and ask for donations. For sitting members of Congress, that means missing some votes. Sen. Kamala Harris, for example, has already missed nearly 1 out of every 4 votes in the Senate this year, including one this month to confirm the new No. 2 political appointee at the Justice Department. A few days before that, she barely made it back from a campaign trip to New Hampshire in time to vote on a controversial Trump administration nominee to the federal appeals court in San Francisco, Kenneth Lee a pick she had strongly opposed. The California Democrats votes were not difference makers in either case the Republican majority in the Senate is able to muster the numbers to confirm any presidential nominees on whom they agree. Harris was also on the campaign trail the day the Senate voted on a pair of disaster relief bills with billions at stake for California wildfire victims in April, both of which failed, but she was present last week when the Senate finally approved a package. She postponed another campaign trip to stay in Washington and vote for the bill. Whether holding Trump administration officials accountable in hearings, offering major legislation to boost the middle class or raising important issues on behalf of her constituents, Sen. Harris is always focused on serving the people of California, Chris Harris, a spokesman for the senator, said in a statement. People back home know what she stands for, and theyre eager to see her fighting for the issues they care about on a national stage. Candidates are often forced to choose between valuable time on the trail and their day-to-day responsibilities the most measurable of which is voting on pieces of legislation. In 2015, for example, Florida GOP Sen. Marco Rubio missed 35% of the chambers votes as he unsuccessfully pursued his partys presidential nomination. Two other candidates, Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Ted Cruz of Texas, missed more than 20% of votes. Missing votes is not exclusive to presidential candidates, but is more noticeable as those officeholders ask voters to trust them with the White House. Heres how many of their votes each of the Democratic presidential candidates in Congress had missed as of the end of this week, according to a ProPublica tracking project: More Information Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan Number of missed votes: 72 Percentage of missed votes: 31.2 New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker Number of missed votes: 40 Percentage of missed votes: 31 (Ryan's and Booker's campaign and congressional offices did not respond to requests for comment on the Democrats leading the pack in missed votes.) Dublin Rep. Eric Swalwell Number of missed votes: 57 Percentage of missed votes: 24.7 Swalwell "has tried to be in D.C. for the most important junctures at which his presence and/or vote would be most needed for the constituents of his district and the American people," his campaign said in a statement. California Sen. Kamala Harris Number of missed votes: 31 Percentage of missed votes: 24 Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Number of missed votes: 41 Percentage of missed votes: 17.7 Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar Number of missed votes: 12 Percentage of missed votes: 9.3 Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet Number of missed votes: 12 Percentage of missed votes: 9.3 New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand Number of missed votes: 1 1 Percentage of missed votes: 8. 5 Sen. Bernie Sanders, independent-Vt. Number of missed votes: 9 Percentage of missed votes: 7 Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton Number of missed votes: 15 Percentage of missed votes: 6.5 Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren Number of missed votes: 5 Percentage of missed votes: 3.9 See More Collapse Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan Number of missed votes: 72 Percentage of missed votes: 31.2 New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker Number of missed votes: 40 Percentage of missed votes: 31 (Ryans and Bookers campaign and congressional offices did not respond to requests for comment on the Democrats leading the pack in missed votes.) Dublin Rep. Eric Swalwell Number of missed votes: 57 Percentage of missed votes: 24.7 Swalwell has tried to be in D.C. for the most important junctures at which his presence and/or vote would be most needed for the constituents of his district and the American people, his campaign said in a statement. California Sen. Kamala Harris Number of missed votes: 31 Percentage of missed votes: 24 Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Number of missed votes: 41 Percentage of missed votes: 17.7 Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar Number of missed votes: 12 Percentage of missed votes: 9.3 Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet Number of missed votes: 12 Percentage of missed votes: 9.3 New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand Number of missed votes: 11 Percentage of missed votes: 8.5 Sen. Bernie Sanders, independent-Vt. Number of missed votes: 9 Percentage of missed votes: 7 Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton Number of missed votes: 15 Percentage of missed votes: 6.5 Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren Number of missed votes: 5 Percentage of missed votes: 3.9 Tal Kopan is The San Francisco Chronicles Washington correspondent. Email: tal.kopan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @talkopan May 21, 1979 was warm and sunny, but there was tension in the air as crowds gathered in the Castro awaiting the verdict of Dan White's trial. The former San Francisco city supervisor's defense team argued that when he gunned down Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk the year prior, he'd been suffering from diminished mental capacity. Briefly out of his mind because of crippling depression, they said. A moment of temporary insanity. But how could that be, many residents argued. The act seemed premeditated. White stopped mid-massacre to reload his gun, suggesting right there that he'd had enough premeditation to bring extra bullets. So it was with great grief and great anger that the city learned that afternoon White had been found guilty of voluntary manslaughter, not murder. With good behavior, he'd likely serve just five years in prison. "'What's wrong with San Francisco?' was being asked again yesterday, again for all the right and wrong reasons," famed columnist Herb Caen wrote. "A middle-class jury, not a bunch of kooks by any stretch, had decided one can kill, twice, complete with coup de grace, and get away with it." Shock reverberated through the city. As news spread, the gay community began heading to City Hall. "It wasn't planned as a riot," The Chronicle front page story later read. "It was hardly planned at all." Inside City Hall, Mayor Dianne Feinstein, who had found Milk's body the previous November, was absorbing the news. She was met at her office by then-fiance Richard Blum, and the pair went back to her Pacific Heights home for dinner around 6. Soon, she heard there was unrest at Civic Center. At 8:30 p.m., Feinstein and Blum were driven back to City Hall. Thousands of protesters were already gathered outside. They were smashing windows, ripping pieces off the government building, screaming "kill Dan White." When police moved in with night clubs, the violence escalated. Protesters began setting cop cars on fire. "The flames from the eight burning police cars bathed the City Hall dome in an eerie flickering light," a Chronicle story read, "and their sirens screamed like dying animals until meltdown silenced them one by one." After a three-hour melee, the second act began in the Castro District. With activity dying down in Civic Center, a group of police officers went to the gay bar Elephant Walk and started destroying property in retaliation. Patrons were assaulted. It wasn't until the police chief arrived that the rioting ended. By the night's end, dozens of police and over 100 civilians were injured. A civil grand jury later convened found insufficient evidence to indict anyone for the riots. "Harvey Milk's people do not have anything to apologize for," said Supervisor Harry Britt at a press conference the day after the White Night riots. "Now the society is going to have to deal with us not as nice little fairies who have hairdressing salons, but as people capable of violence. "We're not going to put up with Dan Whites anymore." White would end up serving five years of his seven-year sentence. Shortly after he was paroled in 1984, he returned to San Francisco against the advice of pretty much everyone. In 1985, White killed himself. Thats how many white-collar jobs Ford is cutting, which would make up 10% of its global workforce. The company has said it was undertaking a major restructuring, and on Monday said that it will have trimmed thousands of jobs by August. In the U.S. about 2,300 jobs will be cut through buyouts and layoffs. About 1,500 already have happened. About 500 workers will be let go this week. In a memo to employees, Monday, CEO Jim Hackett said more will start on Tuesday, with the majority of cuts being finished by May 24. Impossible sausage pizza Plant-based burger maker Impossible Foods of Redwood City is debuting its second product meatless sausage crumbles on Little Caesars pizza. Little Caesars started testing the Impossible Supreme Pizza on Monday at 58 restaurants in Fort Myers, Fla.; Yakima, Wash.; and Albuquerque. The $12 pizza also comes with mushrooms, caramelized onions and green peppers. If the test goes well, Little Caesars could expand availability nationwide. Free Echo security Amazon is adding its Alexa Guard feature to all Echo devices in the U.S. for free. The feature turns an Echo into a home security device while the user is out. Say Alexa, Im leaving on your way out the door, and the smart speaker will start listening for key sounds, including breaking glass and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. If the Echo hears the noise, it will send the user an alert, coupled with an audio recording of the noise. Amazon said it worked with licensed contractors to break hundreds of different glass windows with different instruments to create a wide range of sounds for Alexa to listen for. The new feature also works with Ring or ADT pro monitoring. It also allows users with the Away Lighting setup to use the alert flip on lights, making it look like youre still around. Tesla shares dive Tesla shares touched their lowest level in more than two years. The stock fell about 2.7% Monday to $205.36, the lowest close since December 2016, after Wedbush Securities analysts slashed their price target on Tesla shares. A change in flight path over the Peninsula has Palo Alto residents so up in arms, the city council is considering suing the Federal Aviation Administration. The change to the flight path, dubbed the "PIRAT arrival route," is seemingly minor. The flight path funnels planes approaching the Bay Area from the Pacific Ocean to a waypoint near Woodside, the unincorporated San Mateo County town west of Menlo Park and Palo Alto. Then, the planes are directed by air traffic control to the appropriate airport and runway. MONTOURSVILLE, Pa. President Trump voiced confidence Monday night in his ability to win a repeat victory in Pennsylvania in 2020 and took a fresh swipe at one of his leading Democratic rivals, telling rally-goers that native son Joe Biden had abandoned them by representing Delaware in the Senate. In fact, Biden moved to neighboring Delaware with his family when he was a boy, and later represented the state in the Senate for more than three decades. He maintained ties to Pennsylvania over the years. Trumps Pennsylvania visit, intended to boost Republican congressional candidate Fred Keller over Democrat Marc Friedenberg in a Tuesday special election for an open House seat, had as much to do with helping his own re-election prospects as it did with pushing Keller over the finish line. Weve got to win tomorrow, Fred, Trump told a cheering rally crowd at a hangar at Williamsport Regional Airport. Trumps visit to the key battleground state came two days after Biden held a campaign rally in Philadelphia, and the former vice president wasnt far from Trumps mind. He left you for another state, and he didnt take care of you, Trump said. He also referred to the former vice president by the nickname he has coined for him: Sleepy Joe. Biden said Monday in Nashville, Tenn., that he is running on a pledge to restore the soul of America. He has frequently talked on the campaign trail about the presidents divisive rhetoric and said another four years of Trump would fundamentally change the character of this nation. Trump uses his campaign rallies to disparage various Democratic candidates, but he has been heavily focused on Biden, suggesting he may be worried about the possibility of facing off next year against the longtime politician. Darlene Superville is an Associated Press writer. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. Filled with paratroopers, a U.S. warplane lumbered down an English runway in 1944 to spearhead the World War II D-Day invasion with a message for Adolf Hitler painted in bright yellow across its nose: Thats All, Brother. Seventy-five years later, in a confluence of history and luck, that plane is again bound for the French coast for what could be the last great commemoration of the Allied battle to include D-Day veterans, many of whom are now in their 90s. Rescued from an aviation boneyard in Wisconsin after Air Force historians in Alabama realized its significance, the restored C-47 troop carrier that served as a lead aircraft of the main invasion force will join other vintage planes at 75th anniversary ceremonies in June. After flying over the Statue of Liberty on May 18, the plane embarked for Europe with other vintage aircraft along the same route through Canada, Greenland and Iceland that U.S. aircraft traveled during the war. There, it and other flying military transports are expected to drop paratroop reenactors along the French coast at Normandy. Its going to be historic, emotional, said pilot Tom Travis, who will fly Thats All, Brother to Europe for the event. Itll be the last big gathering. Air Force historian Matt Scales said theres no question that the twin-engine plane is the same one that led the main D-Day invasion. Its now operated today by the Texas-based Commemorative Air Force, which preserves military aircraft. Scales tracked it down a few years ago while researching the late Lt. Col. John Donalson of Birmingham, who was credited with piloting the lead aircraft that dropped the main group of paratroopers along the French coast in preparation for the assault on June 6, 1944. The night before infantry squads hit the beaches, Donalsons aircraft and about 80 others were watched by news crews and military brass, including Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, as they took off, according to an official history by the 438th Troop Carrier Group. Thats All, Brother was at the tip of about 900 planes that made the flight across the English Channel to drop some 13,000 paratroopers in all. Donalsons plane was in the lead partly because it was equipped with an early form of radar that homed in on electronic beacons set up on the French coast by a small group of paratroopers in pathfinder aircraft, Scales said. Some mountings of that electronic system remain on the C-47s fuselage. The aircraft was sold on the civilian market in 1945 and had changed hands several times before Scales found it. Jay Reeves is an Associated Press writer. Public television stations across two southern states are refusing to air an episode of a popular childrens cartoon because it features two men marrying. The Arthur episode aired nationwide May 13 as part of the shows 22nd season premiere. But children across Alabama and Arkansas didnt get to see it. Leaders with Alabama Public Television said they thought it would be a violation of trust with its viewers. Although we strongly encourage parents to watch television with their children and talk about what they have learned afterwards parents trust that their children can watch APT without their supervision, Mike McKenzie, director of programming at the public television station, told AL.com. We also know that children who are younger than the target audience for Arthur also watch the program. A spokeswoman with Arkansas Educational Television Network had a similar response. We previewed the episode in question because content decisions that affect our smallest viewers and their parents are a major concern for us, she said in a statement to Hearst TVs WVTM. While, ideally, parents watch our programming with their children and discuss it with them afterwards, the reality is that many children, some of them younger than age four, watch when a parent is not in the room. In realizing that many parents may not have been aware of the topics of the episode beforehand, we made the decision not to air it. In the cartoon, Arthur and his classmates attend the wedding of their beloved third grade teacher, Mr. Ratburn. The show does not specifically address the sexuality of the cartoon rat, nor does it show a wedding ceremony. Viewers see Mr. Ratburn and Patrick, a chocolate maker, walking down the aisle. One of the cartoon characters asks, Who is Mr. Ratburn marrying? Patrick replies with a wink. The episode is available online. Misty Souder, a mother and substitute teacher in Alabama, told AL.com she thought the episode was a celebration of inclusion. She said she was disappointed the public television station chose not to air the episode and used the experience to teacher her daughter a lesson in standing up for minority groups. Theres too much going on not to stand up for stuff, even if its Arthur, she said. I never thought Id be going to battle for a gay rat wedding, but here we are. A spokeswoman for PBS Kids said programs are designed to reflect the diversity of communities across the nation. "We believe it is important to represent the wide array of adults in the lives of children who look to PBS Kids every day, PBS Kids spokeswoman Maria Vera Whelan told CNN. Show creator Mark Brown said his friend, the iconic Fred Rogers, taught him how television could be used to help children understand the world. "So many of us have have family or friends who are gay who are not represented in the media," Brown told CNN. "We have people in our family that are gay and raising children and looking for things to validate their families." SAN FRANCISCO (AP) The Latest on a San Francisco reporter whose home and office were raided by police (all times local): 10:15 a.m. A San Francisco police attorney said that a reporter whose office and work equipment was seized in a police raid can collect his property although the legal issues surrounding the case were not resolved Tuesday. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Samuel Feng set future dates to hear separate motions to quash search warrants used to raid the home of freelance journalist Bryan Carmody and to unseal those warrants. A third motion by Carmody's attorney asked the judge order the immediate return of cameras, computers and cell phones seized by police May 10. Ronnie Wagner, an attorney for San Francisco police, said she planned to challenge the motions. More for you Massive Burning Man art piece in Alameda racks up $20K in fines Carmody's attorney, Thomas Burke, said police have "essentially acknowledged" that they had no right to his client's equipment. Media organizations and First Amendment advocates are outraged that police raided a freelance reporter's home and office in search of a leaked police document concerning the death of the city public defender. ___ 12:01 a.m. A San Francisco reporter is demanding his property be returned after police raided his home to find the source of a leaked report into the death of the city's public defender. An attorney for freelancer Bryan Carmody is expected to make the request Tuesday in San Francisco County Superior Court. Police have defended the raids of Carmody's work and home, which were authorized by search warrants signed by two judges. But First Amendment advocates and news organizations say the raids violate the state's shield law that protects journalists. Carmody was handcuffed for six hours May 10 while police armed with a sledgehammer searched for evidence related to a police report obtained from a confidential source. The report contained details of the February death of San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi. When cannabis was legalized in Oregon, many people saw business opportunity. But Amy Margolis saw something more specific: She saw business opportunities for women. Margolis was a criminal defense attorney in Portland and had spent a decade defending cannabis growers whod been caught by the police. Once the state legalized bud, she turned to corporate law and helped local entrepreneurs enter the industry. I just pivoted with my clients, she says. And as she did, she says, she saw women flood into the marketplace. They were starting dispensaries, creating new products, and, like her, providing needed services to cannabis entrepreneurs. The industry struck her as more equitable than others, where men tend to dominate the upper ranks. But she wouldnt say that anymore. Four years after recreational marijuana was legalized in Oregon, Margolis sees an influx of investors swiftly changing the industrys culture. I dont think theres any doubt that as traditional capital starts to come into this space, starts to overwhelm the space, we are seeing women either pushed out or unable to get funding, she says. Men seem to control funding overall, and they would prefer to fund men. Related: Will the Cannabis Industry Be the First True Gender Equalizer? The cannabis industry is still young, exciting, and bursting with potential, but Margolis isnt alone in noticing a shift. Tahira Rehmatullah, one of the most powerful women in the cannabis industry, sees it, too. Shes a managing director of Hypur Ventures, a cannabis-focused investment fund that sits at the intersection of cannabis and big finance. [The year] 2014 doesnt seem that long ago. But in cannabis land, that was ages ago, says Rehmatullah. You could be a woman or a minority and get into the space and start a company. But as the market has evolved, it has shifted to look like other industries. The barriers are becoming more evident. Hard numbers in the industry are difficult to come by, but the available research does back this up. In 2017, Marijuana Business Daily -- a female-founded company -- reported that the percentage of female executives in the industry has fallen steeply, going from 36 percent in 2015 to 27 percent in 2017, and hovering just above the overall 23 percent average for all U.S. businesses. The numbers were drawn from an anonymous survey of 567 founders and senior executives among the outlets readers. Talk to women in the cannabis industry, and youll often hear frustration over this. Female entrepreneurs say they want to see each other thrive and had hoped that the emerging industry could be shaped in a more equitable way. But theyre not just throwing their hands up in frustration. Instead, theyre actively building the infrastructure to support each other, in ways large and small. Thats what drove Margolis to evolve her business yet again: In 2018, she launched The Initiative, a business accelerator program for female cannabis entrepreneurs. The program recently took in its first class of eight new women-helmed businesses, all hungry for a chance to prove themselves. A second cohort will go through the program in Portland later this year, and another class is planned in California. Founders in each Initiative class spend three months working with industry experts on every aspect of business development, from marketing to finance. They hone their pitch decks and practice their presentation skills. At the end, they can pitch directly to potential investors connected with the program. And from there, Margolis hopes, a few of them will soar. Thats at least 24 businesses. In a nascent space, thats a lot of impact, she says. If half of those businesses are successful, and five of those businesses are vastly successful, then weve made a meaningful impact. Image Credit: San Gerkhe There are still plenty of women creating and running cannabis companies, of course. Women-led startups pop up almost immediately after any new state legalizes cannabis, and continue to be formed afterward. Some make names for themselves in the industry, like Nancy Whiteman and her Wana Brands line of edibles in Colorado. Some shift over from notable jobs in other industries, like former advertising vet Hema Patel of the vape brand Roam Escapes, who once worked with the NFL. And as CBD, social dosing, and cannabis-based wellness brands find an increasingly large female consumer base, women are increasingly building new companies to serve them. But at the upper reaches of the industry, where the most money is pooling, things are looking a little different -- and a lot more male. How did it happen? Experts say its a matter of following the money. Related: She Was a Caterer. Now She's a Budtender. Cannabis companies also are increasingly plucking executives from corporate America as they mature and the industry becomes more attractive, reports Eli McVey of Marijuana Business Daily. Consequently, the executive structure of businesses in the traditional economy -- where males occupy more than 75 percent of senior roles -- has begun to seep into the marijuana industry. Thats something Krysti Rede sees all the time. Shes VP of product management for Flowhub, a cannatech company that provides point-of-sale software systems to dispensaries, and previously worked on digital commerce at Chipotle. Ive met with a few of our larger enterprise customers, and they have C-suites that have just come in from outside verticals. Theyre all male, she says. I have yet to meet with a woman. Two states -- New York and California -- serve as good case studies for how this shift took place. First, take California. It was the first to legalize medical marijuana in 1996 and is still by far the largest state market in the cannabis industry. It built a regulatory regime that was especially friendly toward small businesses and nonprofits, which opened the industry up to almost anyone. The initial medical marijuana laws really favored people who were doing care-based nonprofit businesses, says Jazmin Hupp, cofounder of the female cannabis leadership organization Women Grow. That obviously led to a lot of female business ownership, because the majority of care-based businesses are owned by women. But many of those early medical marijuana pioneers have shut down recently, Hupp says. Thats in part due to market forces: As the cost of cannabis drops, many small businesses cant survive on their shrinking margins. At the same time, regulations are tilting the playing field toward larger, more well-funded operations -- even though the laws were intended to do the opposite. Under the terms of Prop 64, Californias recreational cannabis law that passed in 2016, large-scale grows are not allowed in the state until 2023. That was designed to give small growers a head start. But there was a loophole, according to a 2018 analysis from Marijuana Business Daily: Companies can hold an unlimited number of small cultivation licenses, and today thats resulted in just 12 companies, or less than 1 percent of the licensees, holding 20 percent of all licenses. The largest license holder in the state, Santa Barbarabased Organic Green Farms, held 147 licenses as of last June. As a result, many of the small growers simply cant keep up. New York, on the other hand, is a study in how heavy regulations can limit who enters the industry in the first place. Medical marijuana was legalized in New York in 2014, and the state placed strict conditions on who could operate there -- effectively mandating that companies provide full vertical integration, from growing the plants all the way through filling prescriptions at dispensaries. The winning licensees also had to be up and running within 180 days. This made the cost of entry exceedingly high. New York medical marijuana companies faced estimated capital and first-year operating costs of between $15 and $30 million, according to a report from MarketWatch. This meant few companies had the resources to break in. In the first year of the program, 43 businesses applied for one of New York States coveted medical marijuana licensesand only five were awarded a license. Although five more have been added since, only one medical marijuana business in New York is women-owned: Etain, founded by Amy Peckham and her daughters, Hillary and Keeley Peckham. The Peckhams had an advantage most people dont. The family owns Peckham Industries, a well-established construction company based in Westchester County, and were able to self-fund their new cannabis business. Still, Hillary Peckham, Etains chief operations officer, feels that industry executives treat her differently because shes a woman. When Etain was looking to hire a CFO, for example, she says she frequently ran into candidates who wanted double-digit percentages of the business as a condition of employment. They wouldnt go to other entities that are male-owned, male-run, with men at the forefront, and even try that, she says. Its tough to have to prove yourself over and over again, Peckham says, but she doesnt want to lose sight of whats exciting about the cannabis industry. The same dynamics that are putting increased pressure on women, minorities, and smaller-business owners are also radically opening up the world of cannabis to consumers, and thats thrilling, she says: Part of what makes this industry so captivating is all the changes that are occurring. Theres just been huge growth and increased acceptance. Image Credit: Courtesy of Poseidon Asset Management To supporters of female cannabis entrepreneurs, Peckhams point is paramount. Yes, industry changes are disappointing, but theres still opportunity here. The challenge now is to seize it with a new generation of powerful female entrepreneurs. Kendra Freeman is a perfect example of someone primed to succeed. She has a rich background in cannabis; she went from illegally growing among the redwoods of Humboldt County, Calif., to cofounding a farm called Oso Verde Farms in Oregon. (Now I dont have to worry about the helicopter, she half-jokes.) But she and her (male) cofounder failed to raise money for Oso Verde and had to bootstrap it instead. Now she and four cofounders are launching a new company called Mendi that makes a line of CBD products for athletes. This time, she really wants to win over investors. Related: These Momtrepreneurs Turned Tragedy Into Opportunity Thats why she joined the first class at The Initiative, the women-focused accelerator founded by Margolis, the attorney in Portland. In The Initiative, you get advice: How much do we need as a company; how much equity do we give up for that? Freeman says. Those are the business tools that a lot of women are not taught. As the support systems for female cannabis entrepreneurs grow, they seem to take two forms. There are organized efforts like The Initiative and then the behind-the-scenes efforts of individual women. The organized efforts tend to focus on where they can have the most impact. The Initiative, for example, is currently working with consumer packaged goods companies, because Margolis sees the greatest opportunity for success there. One, she says, because women occupy that space; two, because its an economic sweet spot that is not already hyper-occupied; three, because to get them across the country or internationally does not take a huge amount of capitalization. We know how to work with those companies. Another prominent organization is Women Grow, which provides women in the industry with educational programs and networking events. It experienced some financial stumbles a few years ago but still hosts regular events in markets around the country. Then there are the less visible efforts. High-powered women say theyre helping behind the scenes, encouraging companies to put more women into leadership positions. Rehmatullah, of Hypur Ventures, says she always looks for opportunities to do this in her role as adviser or investor. The same is true for Emily Paxhia, cofounder of the cannabis investment fund Poseidon Asset Management. Its harder to influence how many women start companies that will get investment in the industry, says Paxhia (who, like Rehmatullah, also sits on The Initiatives advisory board). But what I can help with is to make sure that good women are getting hired into fitting positions in upper-level management, in good companies in the industry. I think there are wins not just in having female founders but in the way we build teams. Paxhia recently did this with Flowhub, a company she has worked with. It launched in 2015 with an all-male team but has since added women as chief financial officer and head of product development. Flowhub founder Kyle Sherman says the shift has been good for business. When youre building teams of great people to deliver business results, youve got to have diversity, he says. What kind of impact will all of this ultimately have? The women involved dont claim to know the answer, but they all believe this strongly: When new female leaders are created today, theres only an upside for women tomorrow. Im less focused on the concept of creating a safe space for women than on making women as powerful as possible, Margolis says. Related: Women Are Disappearing From the Cannabis Industry. Why? Analysis: Cannabis Shops Linked to Lower Crime, Increased Property Values Podcast: One Company's Quest to be the 23andMe of Cannabis Copyright 2019 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved SAN JOSE (BCN) A man found dead near San Jose State University on Friday has been identified as 63-year-old John Hasner of San Jose, according to the Santa Clara County medical examiner's office. Police responded to the area of East San Antonio and South 11th streets at 8:39 a.m. and found him deceased. Officers initially said he was 75 years old, but the medical examiner's office confirmed his age to be 63 on Monday. The death did not appear to be suspicious but his cause of death is still pending, according to the medical examiner's office. Copyright 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. SANTA ROSA (BCN) Criminal proceedings were suspended Tuesday in Sonoma County Superior Court against a Sebastopol woman charged with felony assault and battery of her 5-year-old daughter. A psychologist will conduct a mental competence exam of Melody Eleni Loukas, 39, and submit a report on June 11. Loukas' next court date is June 13. Loukas remains in Sonoma County Jail under $250,000 bail. She allegedly choked her daughter in a vehicle outside her Berry Lane residence on May 14. The complaint alleges the assault and child abuse were likely to cause great bodily injury and the battery likely to cause serious injury. Loukas' sister told Sebastopol police Loukas was possibly impaired in a vehicle at state Highway 116 and Berry Lane. She said Loukas might have struck her daughter in the face while she was under the influence of a drug before she fled in a vehicle, police said. Loukas returned to the Berry Lane residence with her daughter as police were searching for her, police said. They arrived and found her and her daughter in the vehicle. The girl's face was red and swollen, had dark bruises around her eyes and red marks around her neck, police said. Loukas admitted choking her daughter until she passed out and did not give a motive for the assault, police said. The girl was taken to the emergency room of Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital and was later transported to the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland. The judge issued a criminal protective order against Loukas. 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. VALLEJO (BCN) A 54-year-old Vallejo resident died Sunday evening when a vehicle crashed into a tree on Columbus Parkway near Aragon Street, according to police. Police called to the scene at 5:08 p.m. found a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder traveling southbound on Columbus Parkway from Georgia Street that left the roadway and struck a tree. Emergency medical personnel administered life-saving procedures to the lone occupant of the vehicle, who was then taken to the hospital and later died from injuries sustained in the crash. The victim wasn't identified pending notification of family members, police said. Police are investigating whether if a medical episode or alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash, which is under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Kenneth Trimble of the Vallejo Police Department Traffic Division at (707) 648-4011. The motorist's death is third crash-related fatality in Vallejo this year, per police. Copyright 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) A journalist whose San Francisco home and office were raided earlier this month as police investigated a leaked police report will be getting back his property that was taken in the raid, an attorney for the Police Department said Tuesday in court. During the court hearing, San Francisco Superior Court Judge Samuel Feng heard motions filed last week on behalf of freelance journalist Bryan Carmody, seeking to unseal and quash the search warrants served during the May 10 raid and to have his property returned, including laptops and cameras. Ronnie Wagner, attorney for the San Francisco Police Department, said that Carmody's property had been made available for him to pick up since Monday evening. Carmody's attorney Thomas Burke maintained that because Carmody is a journalist, the search warrants and seizure of property were in violation of his First Amendment and Fourth Amendment rights as well as the state's Shield Law, which prohibits law enforcement from forcing journalists to hand over unpublished material or reveal confidential sources. After hearing the motions, Feng then ordered Carmody's attorneys and the Police Department to return to court on June 10 to set a hearing date. Police said they'd been investigating Carmody in connection with a police report into the Feb. 22 death of Public Defender Jeff Adachi that was sold to local news media within hours of his death. During a Board of Supervisors hearing into the leak last month, supervisors had asked the Police Department to investigate the leak. Outside of court, Burke said, "I have no understanding of what the investigation is, other than that the Board of Supervisors indicated that they wanted to get to the bottom what happened with the leak ... It doesn't make sense to me why you would issue a search warrant to a journalist." Regarding the items that were seized by police, Burke said, "It's good that we're getting it back, but it's critical to know what if anything they kept copies of, or what, if anything, they're doing with that information, which in our view was improperly seized." Carmody had said that during the raid, police handcuffed him for six hours and asked him to divulge his sources, and he refused. Carmody was not ultimately arrested. Police also seized all of his equipment, essentially halting his freelance news company North Bay Television News, he said. In a statement on Tuesday morning, following the court hearing, he said, "I am pleased that everything that the San Francisco police took from my office and home will be returned today. This includes the police report, video, records, notes, computers and personal electronics. Our goal remains prevailing on our motion to quash so that nothing seized can be used against myself, North Bay Television News or our source. We also look forward to learning the basis for the search warrants being issued." Although police have maintained that the search warrants were lawful, several city officials have denounced the raid on Carmody, including District Attorney George Gascon. On Monday, Gascon said that although his office hasn't seen the warrants, he said, "I can't imagine a situation where a search warrant would be appropriate. "Journalists have multiple sources to whom they owe their confidences, similar to an attorney who has multiple clients to whom they owe attorney-client privileges. Seizing the entire haystack to find the needle risks violating the confidences Mr. Carmody owes to all his sources, not just the person who leaked the police report." 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) Gov. Gavin Newsom came to Oakland on Tuesday to announce the creation of a task force to help address California's homelessness crisis. The Homeless and Supportive Housing Advisory Task Force, co-chaired by Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg and Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, will meet at various locations around the state to learn best practices and get input from local governments and community members. The task force will help guide local governments as they come up with joint regional plans to address homelessness, and will deliver at least one report annually to the governor. Newsom made the announcement at the new Henry Robinson Multi-Service Center transitional housing facility, which was previously the site of a hotel. "No Californian can say homelessness is someone else's problem -- it affects us all," he said. "Homelessness is a matter of statewide concern, but solutions will come from the local level." 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 three-time felon appeared in court Tuesday on a murder charge for the shooting of another man in Oakland last week. David Buchanan, 39, of Fairfield, is charged in connection with the shooting of 29-year-old Gustavo Fuentes Ponce in the 2200 block of East 17th Street near Garfield Elementary School and Garfield Park at about 3:05 a.m. last Wednesday. Officers who responded to the shooting found Ponce suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. Buchanan was driving a van when he stopped in the 2200 block of East 17th Street shortly after 3 a.m., Oakland police Officer Michael Jaeger wrote in a probable cause statement. Ponce approached Buchanan, an interaction took place and Buchanan then fired multiple rounds toward Ponce, striking him at least once, according to Jaeger. Ponce fled on foot until he collapsed. The shooting was captured on a video, which shows Buchanan get out of his van and pick up an item after the shooting, Jaeger wrote. After Buchanan got out of the van, its dome light turned on and no one else could be seen inside the vehicle, indicating that there weren't any other suspects, according to Jaeger. Buchanan was arrested driving the suspect vehicle on Foothill Boulevard in Oakland at about 10 a.m. Thursday, Jaeger wrote. Officers found a loaded firearm under his seat and when they served a search warrant at his residence, they found an additional firearm, according to Jaeger. Buchanan is prohibited from possessing a firearm because he has three prior felony convictions, Jaeger said. Alameda County prosecutors say Buchanan was convicted for the sale and possession of a controlled substance in Alameda County in 2000. In 2017, he was convicted in Solano County for possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a controlled substance for sale. Buchanan, who's being held at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin without bail, was charged and arraigned on Monday and was scheduled to enter a plea on Tuesday, but his plea entry was postponed until June 4. 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 man appeared in court on Monday on a murder charge for the recent fatal shooting of another man at the West Oakland apartment building where they both lived. Michael Stafford, 35, is charged in the killing of 31-year-old David Robert Willis, who was found dead from at least two gunshot wounds at the apartment building in the 700 block of 29th Street at about 11:40 p.m. last Tuesday. Police found Willis in a puddle of blood after they were asked to make a welfare check on him, Officer Wenceslao Garcia wrote in a probable cause statement. Although Willis was found last Tuesday, authorities believe he was killed two days earlier at about 7 p.m. on May 12 when he and Stafford got into an argument at the apartment building. Garcia wrote that Stafford told police that Willis confronted him at knifepoint and during a struggle over a gun Willis fired one shot into the air and as the struggle continued the gun went off and a shot struck Willis in the chest. Garcia said Stafford said the struggle continued and he then shot Willis on the right side of his forehead. Garcia wrote that Stafford told police that after the shooting he dragged Willis into his apartment, fled the scene and tossed the gun, which he described as a small dark revolver, into Lake Chabot. However, Garcia said Stafford's description of how and where Willis was shot "are inconsistent with the coroner's report" and the observations that officers made when they found Willis' body. Stafford was arrested at 9:51 a.m. last Wednesday morning at the Ace Hardware store at 1221 Grand Ave. in Piedmont, where he worked. Stafford, who is being held without bail at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, was charged and arraigned on Friday and was scheduled to enter a plea on Monday but his plea entry was postponed until June 12. Copyright 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) A man was shot while sitting on the sidewalk in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood early Tuesday morning, police said. The shooting was reported around 1 a.m. in the 100 block of Jones Street. The 47-year-old victim was sitting on the sidewalk when someone shot him from across the street, according to police. The suspect fled and remains at large. Police did not immediately release a description of the shooter. The victim was taken to a hospital to be treated for his injuries, which were not life-threatening. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the San Francisco police anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444 or to send a tip by text message to TIP411 with "SFPD" in the message. Copyright 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) The National Park Service announced the appointment of a new San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park Superintendent on Monday, who will be tasked with preserving the city's maritime heritage. David Brouillette has been chosen to replace former Superintendent Kevin Hendricks, who retired last month. Brouillette will start the position in July, park service officials said. Brouillette brings nearly 40 years of experience to the position, getting his start in 1980 at the Lowell National Historical Park in Massachusetts, before moving on to the Boston National Historical Park. In 2010, Brouillette moved to the Bay Area, where he currently serves as the facility manager at Point Reyes National Seashore. "I'm thrilled to return to the waterfront," Brouillette said in a statement. "I look forward to working with our local partners to preserve the San Francisco's maritime heritage. I feel at home in this environment, and my years at Boston Historical Park gave me the proficiency to tackle the significant maintenance backlog and rehabilitation projects at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park." Brouillette's wife, Patricia Brouillette, is a National Park Service landscape architect/program manager and a regional accessibility coordinator for the NPS' Pacific West Region, NPS officials said. Copyright 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Presidential Economic Adviser Joo Hyung-chul, front row center, and Kim Tae-young, front row fifth from left, chairman of the Korea Federation of Banks, raise their fists with chief executives of financial companies ahead of their meeting in Seoul, Tuesday, to discuss expansion in Southeast Asia. Courtesy of Korea Federation of Banks By Park Hyong-ki The government will set up a Korea-ASEAN finance support center either in Bangkok, Thailand, or Jakarta, Indonesia, next year, said Joo Hyung-chul, President Moon Jae-in's economic adviser. In a meeting with chief executives of local financial companies, including commercial and policy banks, at the Korea Federation of Banks in Seoul, Tuesday, Joo said the administration will start making budget plans for the center in June. It will decide the center's location by October after studying its prospects with think tanks such as the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, he said. Christian de Guzman, right, vice president of Moody's Investors Service, speaks about Korea's growth at a press conference in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap Moody's remains positive over fundamentals By Park Hyong-ki The ongoing trade conflict and a slowdown in China will continue to pose a downside risk to the Korean economy, said Christian de Guzman, vice president for sovereign risk at Moody's Investors Service. As a trade-dependent economy, Korea is projected to grow 2.1 percent this year under these circumstances. This would be the "slowest full-year outturn since the global financial crisis of 2008," he added. Moody's initial forecast for Korea's growth was 2.3 percent in 2019. "One of the things is that there is low demand because of a slowdown in China," de Guzman told the press in Seoul, Tuesday. "Also, there is the U.S.-China trade conflict we have been seeing over the past few weeks." Other risks include the planned imposition of U.S. tariffs on car imports in the near future. Even though Korean cars are likely to be exempted, the analyst say the country, along with Japan, Germany and Mexico, "remains vulnerable to auto import tariffs." U.S. President Donald Trump has decided to delay his decision on car tariffs by six months. "The external headwinds Korea is facing pose a greater risk than the government's labor and minimum wage policies," de Guzman said. "The policies appear to have merely exacerbated the impact of the external trends, including weak export demand." However, Moody's believes Korea's long-term fundamentals remain intact. This is because Korea's economic deceleration this year will be driven by short-term external pressures and cyclical factors, rather than structural market problems, the analyst said. The government's planned supplementary budget will be "positive" for growth, he added. "We also expect some turnaround in the tech cycle in which semiconductors will rebound toward the second half of this year," de Guzman said. "The won's weak performance has limited impact on the government's finances. This is because Korea's debt structure remains strong relatively to other developed economies." He reiterated the won's depreciation does not change his view on Korea's strong fundamentals. To this end, Moody's does not see the need to change Korea's sovereign credit rating, despite downside risks and pressures. Korea's rating at "Aa2" with a stable outlook will remain unchanged, as well as Moody's outlook for the country's financial market. Korea's banking system with stable profitability, liquidity and sound asset quality will stay "sound" over the next 12 to 18 months, despite the slowdown. "These support our stable outlook for the sector," said Sophia Lee, vice president of financial institutions at Moody's Investors Service. However, South Korea still faces geopolitical risks concerning North Korea. "We previously said that a recurrence in tensions remained a distinct possibility given the absence of a well-defined path toward permanent peace here," de Guzman said. "The recent resumption of weapons testing reinforces our view." The Lotte Card headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul / Courtesy of Lotte Group By Jhoo Dong-chan President Moon Jae-in shakes hands with USFK chief Gen. Robert Abrams, right, at the start of his luncheon with commanders of the USFK and the South Korean military at Cheong Wa Dae, Tuesday. Behind Moon is Republic of Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Park Han-ki. Yonhap By Kim Yoo-chul Advancing inter-Korean ties is a "huge plus" in terms of maintaining the momentum for nuclear dialogue between North Korea and the United States, President Moon Jae-in said, Tuesday. "Peace and eased military tension between the two Koreas are vital in keeping the nuclear dialogue between Pyongyang and Washington alive," Moon said during a meeting with top commanders of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) military at Cheong Wa Dae. The presidential office is seeking economic and cultural initiatives with North Korea to enhance inter-Korean tires. The two sides agreed last year to reinstate a joint military commission, develop mechanisms for family reunions and possibly pursue a joint bid to co-host the 2032 Olympics. Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul speaks in a press conference in Seoul, Tuesday. He shared his views on South Korea's plan to provide humanitarian aid to North Korea. Yonhap By Lee Min-hyung South Korean government will continue pushing ahead with its plan to provide humanitarian aid to North Korea according to a general consensus of the international community, Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul said Tuesday. In a press conference, Kim said the issue should never be linked with political affairs on the Korean Peninsula, and the government will garner diverse efforts to seek internal and external consensus over the plan. "The broad consensus from the international community is that no positive or negative political factors should be considered when offering humanitarian aid," Kim told reporters in Seoul. Toward this end, Seoul and Washington will continue negotiating the details to provide the aid package to the North, which Seoul hopes will also help revive momentum for dialogues with Pyongyang, Kim said. The remarks came at a time when the North shows little sign of resuming talks with the South and the U.S. in the wake of the failure of the Hanoi summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in February. The breakdown of the summit has cast a gloomy outlook on the security situation on the Korean Peninsula, with the North recently conducting a series of missile tests. Despite the growing uncertainty, South Korea reaffirmed its determination to continue taking steps to bring the North back to negotiations. Last week, the unification ministry granted permission to South Korean businesspeople, who invested in the now-closed Gaeseong Industrial Complex in the North, to visit the site for maintenance of their facilities there. But it still remains to be seen whether the visit to the North Korean territory will be possible, as the North has yet to grant them permission. A government official said the South is contacting the North to make the visit to the factory park possible. "We are keeping in touch with the North, but as of now, nothing can be predicted over whether the plan will be realized," the official said. He said Washington also understood the need for their visit to Gaeseong, as the issue has little to do with any concerns over the possible breach of sanctions on the North. Inter-Korean relations The official went on to explain that it is time for the South to "patiently wait" for the proper timing instead of trying to speed up inter-Korean dialogue, as the North is showing little sign of resuming talks with the South. "We believe now is the time for us to have patience and focus on internal management," the official said. "When the time comes to speed up inter-Korean talks, we will offer various types of dialogue to the North and discuss possible agendas." The official added Seoul and Washington would continue their close cooperation to resume dialogue with Pyongyang. Last year French Bee and United launched new nonstops between San Francisco and Tahiti. Ever since then, the two have been engaged in sporadic fare wars, bringing prices down to remarkable lows. If you've always dreamed of a trip to the South Seas and you are ready to go this fall, winter or next spring, consider this: United this week lowered fares to just $628 roundtrip on flights from November through May. Typically the cheapest fares to Tahiti are in the $1,000 range. And the length of the sale period (six months) here is substantial. These deals include trips during the busy spring break period in March, too. With United, carry on and checked bag fees, in-flight meals, and advance seat assignments are all included in this price. United flies a Boeing 787 Dreamliner between SFO and Papeete (PPT). Frequent fliers: United is charging 35K miles each way for this trip. If you are considering a mileage run, this is a nice opportunity to earn 8,376 MileagePlus miles roundtrip. However, keep in mind that December, January and February can be rainy in Tahiti, but things dry out during springtime months (more on that here). Bright side: Hotels are cheaper during the rainy season. $628 - San Francisco (SFO) to Tahiti (PPT) - *NONSTOP* - United Airlines Note that these fares were available on Oct. 21, 2019 and are subject to change. French Bee, which flies a new Airbus A350 three times a week between SFO and Tahiti, has fares in the $658 range, but also imposes more fees on the cheapest seats. Its fares do not show up in Google Flights searches so you can find out more about that here. As with most low-cost carriers, French Bee's cheapest "basic" fares charge for choosing a seat ($20), a meal ($25), checking a bag ($45 if done online two days before departure, or $95 at the airport), and priority boarding ($18). See the full menu of French Bee fees here. Don't miss a shred of important travel news! Sign up for a FREE bi-weekly email alerts. These discount fares (with or without the fees) are great deals when you consider the distance between San Francisco and Tahiti is about 4,250 miles-- it's nearly twice as far away as Hawaii-- nine hours away. Would you jump on a flight to Tahiti this year? Why or why not? Tell us in the comments. Read all recent TravelSkills posts here Get twice-per-week updates from TravelSkills via email! Sign up here Chris McGinnis is the founder of TravelSkills.com. The author is solely responsible for the content above, and it is used here by permission. You can reach Chris at chris@travelskills.com or on Twitter @cjmcginnis. It's not only the Bay Area that's receiving a wild mix of May weather. The mountains framing San Diego 60 miles to the east are seeing anomalous snow this month, too. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates Yemens Iranian-allied Houthi rebels said Tuesday they attacked a Saudi airport and military base with a bomb-laden drone, an assault acknowledged by the kingdom as Mideast tensions remain high between Tehran and the United States. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. The attack on the Saudi city of Najran came after Iran announced it has quadrupled its uranium-enrichment production capacity, though still a level far lower than needed for atomic weapons, a year after the U.S. withdrew from its nuclear deal with world powers. Underlining the tensions, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is seeking expanded executive powers to better deal with economic war triggered by the Trumps administrations renewal and escalation of sanctions targeting the Islamic Republic, the state-run IRNA news agency reported Tuesday. By increasing production, Iran soon will exceed the stockpile limitations set by the nuclear accord. Tehran has set a July 7 deadline for Europe to set new terms for the deal, or it will enrich closer to weapons-grade levels in the Middle East already on edge. The U.S. has deployed bombers and an aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf over still-unspecified threats from Iran. In the drone attack, the Houthis Al-Masirah satellite news channel said early Tuesday they targeted the airport in Najran with a Qasef-2K drone, striking an arms depot. Najran, 525 miles southwest of Riyadh, lies on the Saudi-Yemen border and has repeatedly been targeted by the Iran-allied Houthis. Saudi-led coalition spokesman Col. Turki al-Maliki warned there would be a strong deterrent to such attacks and described the Houthis as the terrorist militias of Iran. Similar Houthi attacks in the past have sparked rounds of Saudi-led air strikes on Yemen, which have been widely criticized internationally for killing civilians. Meanwhile, former U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis told an audience in the United Arab Emirates on Monday night that America needs to engage more in the world and intervene militarily less. While Irans behavior must change, he urged the U.S. not to engage in unilateral action and that American military must work to buy time for diplomats to work their magic. Jon Gambrell is an Associated Press writer. This is the dramatic moment a driver is believed to have fallen asleep at the wheel before smashing through a police checkpoint. The motorist was seen speeding towards the junction in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand on May 17. But rather than slow down, the driver crashed straight through a wooden white hut that traffic officers normally sit inside to monitor vehicles. Fortunately, the checkpoint in the Pha Muang district of the city was empty at the time and nobody was killed in the collision. Officers are now waiting to interview the driver after he was taken to hospital before police arrived at the scene. Police believe the motorist was either drunk or had nodded off at the wheel. Chiang Mai Provincial Police Traffic Department said in a statement on May 18 that the driver was still being treated in hospital and they had not yet interviewed them. The police force said: ''The car did not reduce its speed and jumped into the middle of the island and hit the traffic police building so hard that the car broke through it. ''The driver is expected to be drunk or fell asleep while they were still driving. The cause is being investigated. ''The crash happened in the middle of the night so there were no traffic police acting in the fortress at the time. The driver will be responsible for the damages.'' We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. This includes cookies from third party social media websites and ad networks. Such third party cookies may track your use on Sharedots sites for better rendering. Our partners use cookies to ensure we show you advertising that is relevant to you. If you continue without changing your settings, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on Sharedots website. However, you can change your cookie settings at any time. Learn more By Lee Min-hyung North Korean Ambassador to the United Nations Kim Song plans to raise his voice against Washington's recent seizure of a North Korean cargo ship by holding a press conference at the U.N. headquarters, Tuesday (local time in New York). This is in line with Kim's recent letter sent to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The letter was written to express the North's regret over the U.S.' decision to seize the 17,000-ton North Korean freight vessel. Earlier this month, Washington detained the North's second-largest vessel, called Wise Honest, for allegedly violating U.N. Security Council resolutions by illicitly shipping coal from the North. "We are, obviously, studying the letter it relates to the issue of sanctions on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (the North's official name) and actions taken on the implementation of those sanctions," U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Monday. Expectations are that Kim will ramp up criticism of the U.S. for engaging in what Pyongyang called "illegal robbery" during the press conference. According to the North's propaganda outlet the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the North said in the letter that the U.S. conducted the illicit act of robbery by taking the Wise Honest to American Samoa, which the North claimed was a violation of international law. The KCNA also urged the U.N. to make a fair decision at a time when concerns are growing over the future of the Korean Peninsula after Washington's "gangster-like behavior." "We are going to keep a close watch on the upcoming behaviors from the U.N.," the KCNA said. Page Content An employer's concern about whether a worker's medication interfered with his ability to safely perform his job was not evidence that the employer regarded him as having a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), according to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The plaintiff was a maintenance supervisor at the Magnolia Housing Authority in Arkansas in February 2014 when the authority, based on a state agency's recommendation, began drug testing its employees. After the plaintiff tested positive for "opiates/morphine," his supervisor met with him about the results. When the plaintiff refused to provide the supervisor with information about his use of an opiate, the supervisor informed him that he was suspended from employment without pay. The next day, the plaintiff provided his supervisor with a copy of a prescription for hydrocodone. The supervisor asked the plaintiff to provide a letter from his doctor acknowledging the prescription and addressing whether any side effects could hinder the plaintiff's ability to perform his work. The supervisor also asked the plaintiff to provide a letter from his doctor clearing him to return to work or, alternatively, a complete list of all prescription medications he was taking so the supervisor could confirm that the hydrocodone was what caused the positive test. The housing authority communicated with the plaintiff, through his attorneys, on several occasions during the next two months; after that, it dropped its demand that he provide more information from his doctor and reinstated his pay retroactively. When the plaintiff returned to work, he told his supervisor of certain other medical conditions he had, including post-traumatic stress disorder. The supervisor told the plaintiff he could not operate housing authority vehicles and equipment until the plaintiff provided information from his doctor addressing whether any side effects could hinder his ability to perform his duties. The following week, the plaintiff resigned, stating that he refused to work in the "retaliatory environment" that had existed since the drug test. He then filed suit claiming the authority had regarded him as disabled in violation of the ADA. [SHRM members-only toolkit: Accommodating Employees' Disabilities] In affirming summary judgment against the plaintiff, the 8th Circuit held that the fact that the supervisor knew the plaintiff was taking hydrocodone was not enough by itself to infer that the supervisor regarded the plaintiff as having a disability. The court held that there was no evidence indicating that the supervisor's request for a letter from the plaintiff's doctor was made because there was a concern that a disability prevented him from performing aspects of his job. The only reasonable inference, the court found, was that the housing authority was concerned as to whether his medication interfered with his ability to safely perform job-related tasks. Voss v. Housing Auth. of the City of Magnolia, No. 17-1650 (Feb. 25, 2019). Professional Pointer: The ADA permits employers to apply qualification standards that exclude employees who pose a significant risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of themselves or others. But an employer may not assume that such a threat exists; it must have objective, medically supportable evidence that there exists a genuine risk that substantial harm could occur in the workplace and must not act on stereotypes. William D. Deveney is an attorney with Elarbee, Thompson, Sapp & Wilson, LLP, the Worklaw Network member firm in Atlanta. [Visit SHRM's resource page on the Americans with Disabilities Act.] Page Content The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled on May 14 that the European Union (EU) member states must enact laws requiring employers to record employees' daily work hours. According to the decision, once regulations are in place, employers will have to set up systems to record the daily work time. The court left open whether such recording must be done electronically, by app, on paper or by time clock. The court ruling involved a labor union for workers at a Spanish subsidiary of Germany's Deutsche Bank, which argued that the bank had to track daily work hours, according to The Associated Press. German employment law already requires employers to record the number of hours employees work beyond eight in a day, which are considered overtime hours, but companies often fail to comply with this requirement. At present in Germany, only a few types of employees, such as professional drivers and construction workers, must record their daily work time. The ECJ asserts that, without a system for recording work times, it's difficult for employees to enforce their rights, or to prove they've worked overtime, if there's no record of the hours they've worked. The court considers it necessary to record all work time to protect employees' health and safety. In addition, it will be easier for enforcement authorities to prove violations of the German Work Hours Act. [SHRM members-only toolkit: Introduction to the Global Human Resources Discipline] Employers will probably still be able to delegate the recording of work time to employees, but they will have to regularly check whether employees record their daily work time. It remains to be seen how Germany will implement the court's guidelines. Nevertheless, companies should prepare for the new requirements. Spain now has new regulations that require all companies to record their employees' daily work time. Employers in Spain can comply by using a time clock, app or paper, and the data must be kept for four years. Saskia Hildebrandt is an attorney with Ogletree Deakins in Berlin. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-- The NYPD is asking the publics assistance in identifying six individuals in connection with the alleged assault of a 38-year-old off-duty firefighter Saturday morning on Manhattans Upper East Side. The victim intervened as a group of teenagers were harassing an elderly couple, at which point one of the individuals punched him, pushed him to the ground and continued striking him, according to an NYPD spokesman. The victim, who, according to a New York Daily News report, is a firefighter, was hospitalized for injuries that include five broken teeth and a concussion. The onslaught began with a punch to the back of the victim, who also required more than 20 stitches to close a gash on his head, according to the report. Police said the individuals sought for questioning are described as three females and three males, ranging from 15 to 17 years of age. Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish. The public also can submit tips online at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM, or on Twitter @NYPDTips. Police say all calls are kept confidential. District Attorney Michael McMahon writes an impassioned plea to maintain status quo, if not turn back time. We have a flawed criminal justice system that incarcerates poor people who cannot afford to buy their freedom and that allows prosecutors to withhold evidence from people to encourage submission to the prosecution. The old scales of justice tilt in the favor of the government. A tilted scale of justice is injustice. Albany is upending the scales to bring them back in fair balance. Our old, flawed criminal justice system can drive innocent New Yorkers to plead guilty to offenses they did not commit just to secure freedom from incarceration, to return to their families, their work and schools, and their communities. DA McMahon would continue the use of the current cash bail system, holding people who lack community resources and social services in jail until the resolution of charges, whether a person is accused of stealing a sandwich or possessing drugs as a non-violent felony. People then need money to secure liberty, leaving many sitting in jail, awaiting their day in Court. Many will then be given the draconian choice -- plead guilty to be free, or wait in jail for a trial. Albany enacted the will of New Yorkers who believe that our criminal legal system is unjust and want to put an end to mass incarceration. The vast majority of New Yorkers support these changes. Our criminal justice system couples cash bail with blindfold laws, withholding critical information from the accused. Our current discovery statutes, the laws that set forth the minimal documents and items a prosecutor must provide, allow prosecutors without penalty to withhold key evidence from the accused and counsel until the very day of trial. Prosecutors can withhold and refuse to provide timely police reports, witness statements, grand jury testimony and other forms of evidence that the police and prosecution gathered. New Yorks discovery laws are one of the most restrictive in the nation and have been referred as the blindfold laws as they force the accused to make vital decisions, to go to trial or to plead guilty, without knowing critical information and evidence. The two critical failures of our system, taking liberty away and withholding evidence, create the perfect environment that led to prosecutor abuse and the innocent going to jail. Many progressive States -- North Carolina, Texas, Ohio, and New Jersey -- rewrote the laws to provide full and early discovery. This allows an accused to make an informed decision and to do it earlier in the process. Full and early discovery reduces the risk of coercive pleas, deters prosecutor abuse and lead to a just and fair result. Despite the fear mongering by prosecutors, the safety and interests of victims of crime are still protected under the law. DA McMahon failed to mention the provisions that allow the court to control discovery to protect victim interests where appropriate. And, crime has not run rampant with greater discovery to the accused. Just cross the Verrazano Bridge and ask District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, where open file discovery has been provided to the accused for decades. It is concerning when our elected district attorney turns to 80s images of wild gangs and violent thugs to scare our community, our state, not to move forward and fix our criminal justice system. These reforms have been long needed. We cannot continue to use bail to force people to give up their day in court. We cannot force people to make such critical constitutionally-protected decisions as to trial without being informed of the nature of the evidence. State after state have shown there is a better way, a fairer balance of the needs of the accused as to the safety interests of the community. I hope DA McMahon will reconsider and join us. (Christopher Pisciotta is attorney-in-charge of the Staten Island Criminal Defense Practice at The Legal Aid Society.) Four red fire ants were discovered at a port in Incheon, west of Seoul, prompting officials to intensify countermeasures against infestations, authorities in South Korea said Tuesday. The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency confirmed that the highly invasive ant species were discovered in landscape rocks from one of the containers shipped from the Guangdong province in China. It marked the second discovery of red fire ants in South Korea this year and the 10th time since September 2017. The containers with the stones were delivered to Incheon on Friday, with the local authority finding the ants during its inspection carried out Monday. The disinfection procedures were immediately carried out. Authorities said no further red fire ants were found within a 50-meter boundary of the containers. Considering the rising amount of agricultural products and landscape stones being imported to the country, the agency said it will continue to carry out thorough inspections on such products arriving from overseas. In September 2017, about 1,000 red fire ants and their colony were spotted at the Busan port, causing fears that South Korea may no longer be safe from the aggressive species. Red fire ants have a sting that can cause severe allergic reactions in people, including breathing problems, and in severe cases can lead to death. (Yonhap) Dear Annie: My husband, Matthew, and I started dating at 15, got married at 21 and have been happily married for 45 years. We have two happy and successful children and four beautiful grandchildren. I thank God everyday for what we have. But something came up one night six months ago, when my husband's old roommate, "Will," called. We were telling those "remember when" stories, when Will said, "Ask Matthew if he remembers the night I accidentally walked in on him and Tina sound asleep lying naked on his waterbed!" We were on speakerphone, and when my husband heard this comment, it looked like he was about to fall through the floor. I immediately said, "Oh, sure, Matthew told me all about that, but I've forgotten the exact details over the years." Will proceeded to explain that he had been riding around and picked up a couple of girls and brought them to the house. When it was time for Will to take the girls home, he knocked on the door but there was no answer. That is when he discovered the two asleep, unclothed, on the bed. Matthew and I were engaged at the time he and Will were roommates. I had always trusted Matthew and thought that I had been his only sexual partner, as he was mine. Life the last six months between us has not been good. He swears to me he did not have sex with her, but when I question him about details his reply is: "I don't remember." I am nagging the poor man to death, but I am so miserable I cant stand it. I think if Matthew would come clean and answer all of my questions I could let this go. I would appreciate your take on this matter and I know he reads your column. Ill be waiting for your answer, as I feel it will be to go to counseling. -- To Let It Go or Not Dear To Let It Go or Not: Im sorry youre in this position. One foolish, reckless night does not negate the love you and your husband have shared for 50 years -- but the fact is youve been deeply hurt. Though this happened a long time ago, to you its a fresh wound. Your husband needs to respect that. Knowing the details of their encounter won't give you peace of mind. But as you mentioned, talking out your concerns with a marriage counselor could help a great deal. The sooner you make that call, the sooner you and your husband can put this behind you and perhaps feel closer than ever. Dear Annie: It seems bachelor parties have turned into moneymaking events. My 23-year-old son has been invited to many of them lately. Grooms hold gambling nights or raffles to offset the cost of the honeymoon. I would not have a problem with this, but my son gets invited to these events when hes not even invited to the wedding. I was under the impression that if you are invited to the pre-wedding festivities you are also invited to the wedding. Am I just old-fashioned? -- Nancy in Ohio Dear Nancy in Ohio: Weddings have changed a lot in the last few decades, but etiquette remains important -- and inviting someone to a prewedding event but not to the wedding itself is a major breach of etiquette. It makes people feel as if theyre on the B-list. If your son wont be a guest at the wedding, he should not feel pressured to attend the bachelor party, period. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com. To find out more about Annie Lane and read features by other Creators Syndicate columnists and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-- Anthony Garofalo nearly died of cardiac arrest in October, within feet of his wife and children inside their Staten Island home. Instead, he stood very much alive at the FDNYs 25th Annual Second Chance Ceremony on Tuesday, in awe of the FDNY members who saved his life and able to recount the harrowing experience. No one gave up, said Garofalo, of Annadale, following the ceremony in Brooklyn. They just kept pulling for me. Im just truly blessed and thankful. The 47-year-old was one of 10 survivors who met in person with the men and women who assisted in saving their lives over the past year. The survivors shook hands and posed for photos with their rescuers, then shared brunch with them after the ceremony. FDNY Chaplain Monsignor Marc Filacchione delivered the benediction Tuesday as survivors, their families and members of the FDNY bowed their heads in silence. (Staten Island Advance/Kyle Lawson) Year after year, this event is an opportunity for our members to see the positive outcome of their hard work, dedication, discipline and achievement, said FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro. Garofalo recounted the near death experience in October. I remember going for a run, coming home, sitting down talking with my family and getting ready to jump in the shower, he said. After that, it was pretty much lights out. EMTs and firefighters with Station 23 in Rossville and Engine Co. 167 in Annadale arrived first and performed CPR and administered two shocks with the defibrillator, according to the FDNY. A second wave of emergency medical personnel arrived next, at which point they inserted a breathing tube, administered resuscitation medications and executed 11 more shocks with the defibrillator. He was then rushed to Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, where he eventually would recover. I just want to give them a hug, and thank them," said Garofalo. Anthony Garofalo, of Staten Island, with his family and the FDNY members who responded when he collapsed at his home in October. (Courtesy of FDNY) Also recognized Tuesday was native Staten Islander Brittany Smith, and the FDNY members who saved her life in 1998, when, as a 2-year-old, she swallowed a toy-sized billiard ball. She not only survived the incident, but now has a 2-year-old of her own. Some of the survivors spoke Tuesday about a second lease on life. I have a wonderful wife and two beautiful children," said Garofalo. "I dont know what I would do not seeing them everyday and being there to help them. NEW YORK -- Sea levels could rise more than 6.6 feet by the end of this century if steps to stem pollution emissions arent taken, a new study released on Monday says. The rise could swamp major cities -- including New York and Shanghai -- and displace up to 187 million people, according to CNN. The study says sea levels may rise much faster than previously estimated due to the accelerating melting of ice sheets in both Greenland and Antarctica. Researchers who conducted the story predict that in the worst case scenario under which global temperatures increase by 5 degrees Celsius (9 degrees Fahrenheit) by 2100, sea levels could rise by more than two meters (6.6 feet) in the same period -- double the upper limit outlined by the UN climate science panels last major report, according to CNN. Such a situation would be catastrophic, the authors of the study told the news outlet. It really is pretty grim, lead author Jonathan Bamber, a professor of Physical Geography at the University of Bristol told CNN. He said the displacement of people in low-lying coastal areas would likely result in serious social upheaval. It would also pose an existential threat to small island nations in the Pacific which would be left pretty much uninhabitable, CNN reported. Scientists say there is still time to avoid the worst if global greenhouse gas emissions are cut sharply in the coming decades. The study has been published in the journal Proceedings of the US National Academy of Sciences. 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! A study finds elderly men are more likely to feel lonely and depressed than women, which could lead them to have suicidal thoughts. /Korea Times file By Bahk Eun-ji Elderly men are more likely to feel lonely and depressed, and have suicidal thoughts than elderly women when living alone, a study showed, Tuesday. According to the study conducted by a research team at Seoul National University (SNU) College of Nursing, men's average level of feeling loneliness was 44.5 points out of 80, higher than women's 40.7. Men also showed worse depressive states with an average 6.3 points out of 15, compared to women with 4.5. For the study, the research team conducted in-depth interviews for three months from last August with 1,023 elderly citizens (796 women and 227 men) aged over 65 who were living alone in Gyeonggi Province. The study was published in the latest issue of Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics journal. The loneliness and depressive symptoms were highly related to suicidal thoughts, as 11.5 percent of the elderly men had attempted to kill themselves, higher than the 8.5 percent of elderly women. Professor Park Yeon-hwan, who led the study, said in the report that central and local governments should provide gender-tailored services in supporting the elderly. "Men living alone are more likely to have difficulty in preparing food and doing housework, and are more passive in seeking help from regional welfare centers. This can raise their level of loneliness and depression and eventually lead to suicidal thoughts," Park said. However, Park said elderly women are more likely to have financial difficulties and poor physical condition than men, so the services for elderly women need to be more focused on improving the residential environment and helping mobility. In Korea, people over 65 years old made up 13.8 percent of the total population in 2017, according to data from the Ministry of Health and Welfare and Statistics Korea. Jump swim school franchise has collapsed, with administrators appointed to its main trading company Swim Loops on Monday, adding to the uncertainty for some franchisees hit by the company's litany of problems. The problems with Jump were first revealed in an investigation by The Age and Sydney Morning Herald in January this year with dozens of franchisees paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for the construction of swim schools and still waiting for a refund or for the build to start up to two years later. Jump franchisee Kuljeet Mathur with his partner Nisha Yadav, and children Kimaya Mathur, 5, and Kaashi Mathur, 1, at their home in Point Cook. Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui The franchise is operated through the company Swim Loops, which is owned by Ian Campbell, the founder of Jump. Glenn O'Kearney of GT Advisory and Consulting was appointed as administrator to Swim Loops following a wind up application brought by Barry Ryle and Dorothy Ryle from Western Australia, which is listed for June 11. Students whose parents migrated from countries where gender is a barrier to high school education struggle more in tests than those arriving from countries with gender equality - and the problem is worse among boys than girls. Curtin University researchers set out to prove the theory that girls - even those who were born in Australia - did worse in standardised tests if their parents came from cultures where women had less access to high school. A parent's access to education in their home country has an effect on their child's performance in tests, study finds. Credit:Craig Abraham They succeeded, but also made an unexpected finding; the same was true for boys whose families - specifically their fathers - came from countries in which males were less likely to go to high school than their sisters. "The effect is just as strong for boys - in fact, stronger," said lead author, Associate Professor Mike Dockery. "We were not expecting to find that cultural effect for boys." The crossover between reading habits and popular culture is accelerating, with the annual list of Australia and New Zealand's most-borrowed library books showing a third of the best-read books are about to be adapted to film and television. Hollywood and digital television streaming services are plundering readers' borrowed favourites -including Australian titles - for stories with ready-made audiences, and in turn introducing new fans to authors with large quality backlists. Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid series remains a much borrowed favourite. Credit:Simon O'Dwyer While the Hollywood push is benefiting local adult authors, it's disadvantaging writers of young adult fiction, according to the Australian Library and Information Association, with no Australian author featured in the top 10 list of borrowed young adult fiction books despite the high profile #LoveOzYA social media campaign. In its fourth year, the 2019 Civica Libraries Index assesses borrowing data from regional and metropolitan libraries across Australia and New Zealand in the 12 months to March 31, 2019. Sometimes you can measure progress by what didn't happen. When Season 22 of the cartoon Arthur kicked off with a same-sex wedding for Arthur's teacher, Mr Ratburn, the US Secretary of Education didn't send the TV network PBS a letter outlining her "strong and very serious concerns". Two male rats on the children's cartoon show, Arthur, were married in the first episode of Season 22. Credit:PBS Mr Ratburn and the Special Someone, in which Arthur and his friends attend their beloved teacher's nuptials, first aired on Monday in the US. The students remark upon the wedding cake, their teacher's dance moves and the festive decorations - but never the fact that Mr Ratburn and his spouse are both male. The episode was met with criticism from some predictable corners. Alabama Public Television, which broadcasts Arthur in that state, refused to show the episode, saying it would "break parents' trust in the network". Chris Bowen, Labor's treasury spokesman, has entered the race to become the party's next leader following its shock loss to Scott Morrison's Coalition in Saturday's election. Mr Bowen, of Labor's right faction, has set up a leadership contest against another Sydney-based frontbencher, Anthony Albanese, who has already declared himself a contender. Treasury spokesman Chris Bowen and infrastructure spokesman Anthony Albanese are both contenders for the Labor leadership. Credit:Andrew Meares Announcing his bid outside his childhood home in Sydney's west on Tuesday, Mr Bowen said he was best-placed to "lead the economic debate, which we must win". He had served as Bill Shorten's shadow treasurer for nearly six years and was a key part of Labor's economic team. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg will challenge Labor to back the government's full $158 billion income tax cut when Parliament resumes in the new financial year, amid an argument over the government's delay to the first round of tax relief for millions of workers. Mr Frydenberg made it clear the government would put the full package to the Parliament rather than splitting the draft bill to make it easier for Labor to back the tax cuts for those on lower incomes while rejecting those for wealthier workers. PM Scott Morrison and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg will put their full tax bill to Parliament. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen With Labor in flux over its leadership and its policies, the government will seek to legislate the entire seven-year tax plan despite statements from key Senate crossbenchers who reject the government's mandate for the full plan. "It is important that this is dealt with as a package because we are talking about not just immediate tax relief but also long-term structural reform," Mr Frydenberg said. A Queensland newspaper has apologised for disappointing readers after a front-page image of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in a gunsight's crosshairs sparked outrage. The Sunshine Coast Daily, published by News Corp Australia, ran the picture on Monday with the headline "Anna, you're next" and the subheadline "Labor rout puts Premier in crosshairs". The Sunshine Coast Daily's Monday front page featuring Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in crosshairs. The newspaper says it intended to highlight Labor's poor performance in the federal election in Queensland. But it infuriated members of the public, and the government, with acting Police Minister Craig Crawford saying it could incite violence and put the Premier's life at risk. A union leader poised to unleash industrial mayhem through a co-ordinated strike involving 38,000 workers across airports and the road transport industry has rejected employer claims the action would breach pattern bargaining laws. The Transport Workers Union is threatening to unleash "industrial chaos" through co-ordinated strikes in pursuit of a bigger share of profits from retailers and airlines while negotiating 200 enterprise agreements set to expire next year. TWU secretary Michael Kaine says his union's planned co-ordinated strikes "are not pattern bargaining". Credit:Paul Braven Employers immediately hit back, with Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox alleging the TWU action would breach the Fair Work Act's prohibition against pattern bargaining. TWU secretary Michael Kaine rejected this, saying the union would operate within the rules to pursue sector-wide outcomes, in a campaign that aims to persuade large companies to support wage rises for contract workers. An artist from Plexiglass Portrait holds up a caricature next to the model during last year's Big Day South festival in Busan. / Courtesy of Kim Joo-chan By Jon Dunbar Southeastern Korea's music scene is growing harder to forget. Even though the capital region often ignores it, bands representing Busan and Daegu are finding success overseas. It's clear this region is doing something right that Seoul has forgotten how to do. This year's returns for its fifth and biggest year this weekend for three days of music and art at six participating venues in Busan. "The landscape has very much changed from when we made the first Big Day South," said Philip Brett, an Irish expat who co-founded , which operates the festival. "It's become less about trying to get people to pay attention to what's happening in the south and more about doing what we can to build on what's already going on, and having a bit of fun while we're at it." Despite the festival's increased scale for this year, it is receiving extra help from new co-organizer Busan Indiens, as well as sponsorship from Busan Metropolitan City and Busan Cultural Foundation. In previous years, the festival has been held in Daegu, Ulsan and Gwangju before . "This year I'm mostly excited to be able to see the entire festival!" Brett said. "Most years I'm working nonstop for the entirety of the event and rarely have a chance to relax and watch anything, even with the help of volunteers. Luckily this year I can take a back seat and enjoy the show." The festival starts Friday with performances on Gwangan Beach, where Daejeon punk band Smoking Goose and Daegu punk band Gukryeol will perform alongside Wink Child Tappers and Bust Orchestra, accompanied by live painting and visual art. After, the festivities move to nearby HQ Bar for Daegu band Hon'z, Busan's Banana Monkey Spanner and hip-hop acts Masstige and Kritik. The next day, festivities get into swing at 1 p.m. at Node Art Hall with spoken word, dance, performance art and music performances. The highlight will be Bye Bye Fish, an avant-garde folk project flying in from Beijing, the first time in the festival's history for performers to come from overseas. "As an alien, I am very much looking forward to discovering new treasures of the Earth on this trip," the band said. "Even the two humans who lend me the shell wish me success and fly away soon. I heard that Big Day South is very crowded with humans. Great energy, very nutritious. I specially designed my experimental equipment to get more energy, I can't predict what sounds. I really hope the strangest and most cool people who love music and aliens can go see the show. Stars can go to the scene, tell your friends to come and provide energy to accompany me to repair the spacecraft. I thank the Koreans for their willingness to help byebyefish return to the universe. And thanks for all the fish!" Later in the afternoon, the fun moves to Ovantgarde and Club Realize for more live music, and Ol' 55 for spoken word performances by poets and storytellers living in the region. Participating local bands include Bosudong Cooler, Platform Stereo, The Vastards, M.B. Jones and Soumbalgwang, along with Pakk, Airy and 57 coming from Seoul. Then it will convene back at Node for the headline stage. Busan band Say Sue Me, returned recently from a U.K.-Ireland tour, undoubtedly takes top billing, supported by Busan punks Sidecar, Seoul electronic/psychedelic act Tengger and synth group Band88. Sunday starts at 4 p.m. at open arts space MERGE? with performance art, acoustic music, and industry seminars, with performances by folk acts Wussami, Ulsan's Kim Yi-hwa and Seoul's Danpyunsun. After, everyone moves to a closing party at Basement featuring hip-hop and DJs. Unlike similar multi-venue events in Seoul, such as Live Club Day and Zandari Festa, Big Day South mostly hops from venue to venue, keeping all participants together. "I can remember the 2015 festival in Ulsan, where all venues were within one block of each other," Brett said. "There was a lot of overflow onto the streets, and it really added an overall feeling of community to the event. Especially when one of the children attending the event got lost, and half of the attendees took to the streets to help find them. This year we have a similar set up on Saturday in KSU, when all the venues are very close to each other, and hopefully it will have a similar vibe again, without any missing children." Full-day passes are 25,000 won in advance, or 30,000 won at the door. Single-entry tickets to each stage are 15,000 won. All Friday and Sunday performances are free. Walk into a hospital, aged care facility, general practice, or in fact any health care setting and chances are good a nurse will provide at least part of your care. The nursing profession makes up more than 50 per cent of the health workforce in Australia. Nurses are not only key to health care delivery in this country but are leaders in the identification of challenges and solutions, development and implementation of practice advancements, and innovative health care research. Nurses are near invisible in the media. Credit:Karleen Minney Yet read, listen or watch news stories on Australian health care and you would be forgiven for thinking nurses either dont exist or at the very least have nothing constructive to contribute to the health care conversation. Earlier this month The Drum program on the ABC had a health care special, but its panel of experts did not include a nurse. This means the views of more than half the health care workforce were not represented. Scott Morrison declared his election victory a "miracle," told an interviewer he saw people as "agents of God's love" and used a National Press Club address to promise voters "I will burn for you" - a phrase used by some Pentecostal Christians to signify working tirelessly, often for Jesus. One of his first acts during the campaign was to allow the cameras to record him worshipping at his church, Horizon. Prime Minister Scott Morrison at Horizon Church on Easter Sunday. Credit:AAP Mr Morrison is not the first government leader of faith (John Howard, Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott were all Christians) but in his political language, the re-elected Prime Minister is arguably the most overt. According to the Australian Christian Lobby's Martyn Iles, this language - coupled with the PM's support for religious freedom - is re-energising religious communities and turning them to the Liberal Party. An equestrian jump which claimed the life of a 17-year-old girl was technically safe, course design experts say, but it was below par in the eyes of one of Australia's most experienced riders. Olivia Inglis died after she was fatally crushed by her horse when the duo tumbled over a jump at the Scone Horse Trials in March 2016. The parents of Olivia Inglis, Charlotte and Arthur Inglis arrive at the Lidcombe Coroner's Court on Tuesday. Credit:AAP Her death came just weeks before 19-year-old Caitlyn Fischer also died from a blunt force head injury when her horse fell and landed on her at the Sydney International Horse Trials in April 2016. Deputy State Coroner Derek Lee is looking into the circumstances of both deaths at an inquest in the NSW Coroner's Court. Evan Williams led three public lives, all touched with style, a progressive liberalism in the cause of social and political reform, and a measure of controversy. His journalism is best remembered for the writing; he was among the most elegant exponents of the craft. His liberal mind shone through many Herald editorials. Some, such as raising the possibility of Australia becoming a republic, infuriated Sir Warwick Fairfax, the conservative chairman of the board. His liberal views on film censorship troubled the Fairfax board, as did his opposition to conscripting Australians to fight in the Vietnam War. Evan Williams. Credit:Sahlan Hayes As editor of Rupert Murdochs new The Sunday Australian, he wrote leading articles, vetted by Murdoch, supporting Gough Whitlams Labor Party in their drive to power in 1972. When Williams presented a speech for Whitlams last campaign rally, in St Kilda, Whitlam threw it away and spoke off the cuff, declaring later that he would never deliver a speech written by Rupert Murdoch. Williams' second public life had begun and the new direction was formalised when he joined Whitlams staff after the election. In 1977 he became director of cultural activities in Neville Wrans NSW Government, a position he held under Labor and Liberal governments until 2001. He wanted to take people to the arts and the arts to people. Chess is art, he said. Figure skating might be, a beautiful garden or landscape, or amusement park might be art. He loved literature, classical music, Australian art and movies, moonlighting for 33 years as a film critic for The Australian. Pedestrian safety around hospitals, universities and other high-traffic areas around Brisbane such as universities and aged care facilities is Brisbane City Councils next target. Council began its Move Safe project late last year to reduce the number of pedestrian and cycling injuries and fatalities around the city. The Prince Charles Hospital has internal roads that connect to council-owned roads. Credit:Facebook Since then the council has introduced scramble crossings in more locations around the CBD, lowered the speed limit on Ann Street, and reviewed the risks around slip lanes. A new pedestrian crossing is being installed on Adelaide Street between Edward and Albert Streets. Police are hunting a four-man ram-raid gang who used two stolen cars to smash their way into three south-east Queensland businesses overnight and steal cigarettes. The crooks hit supermarkets in the Redland City suburb of Mount Cotton and the Gold Coast suburb of Ormeau before finishing with a newsagency in the Logan suburb of Holmview. Their crime spree started with the theft of two cars from Carina in Brisbane's east a grey 2014 Mitsubishi Pajero with number plate 043 VHN and a white 2016 Hyundai i30 hatchback with registration 653 XIR and a logo on the drivers side door reading 'Story House Early Learning'. After stealing the cars about 7pm on Monday, the four-man gang hit a supermarket on Valley Way at Mount Cotton just after 1am. As the Japanese-born mother began to broaden her designs people started stopping her on the street. Sayaka Nakamoto with daughter Mira, 5, wearing their face masks at their home in Altona. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui "They would ask 'where did you get that?' and after getting a lot of feedback I decided I would start selling them," the Altona mother-of-one, who now runs her own online store My Little Momo, says. Since 2017, Ms Nakamoto has sold dozens of the masks. Each mask takes about fifteen minutes to sew and they are made from a cotton fibre called 'Japanese double gauze' which can be washed and reused. Ms Nakamoto says she has observed a recent surge in sales in the last few months in the wake of the Victoria's horror summer flu season, with the number of diagnosed flu cases up from 2200 at this time last year to 10,683 so far this year. Loading "A lot of the time people are buying them because they want to prevent themselves or their children from getting sick with the flu or spreading their germs," she says. "I've also sold some to cancer patients who are going through chemotherapy who want to protect themselves." Does wearing a surgical mask prevent the flu? Evidence suggests that, when sick, wearing a mask can help protect others from getting sick. But the masks are not foolproof. "Many of the surgical masks that people use are not designed properly to filter out very small particles so if the flu virus is floating around it could potentially get through it," Professor Stephen Turner, head of Monash University's microbiology department, says. But he adds a surgical mask could limit the spread of influenza, if for example, a person with the virus was wearing a mask when they were sneezing in a public place. In a 2013 study in America researchers counted the number of virus particles in the air around patients with flu and found that surgical masks decreased the exhalation of large viral droplets significantly, but was less effective against the fine viral droplets that can remain suspended in the air longer and are therefore more infectious. Loading Doherty Institute head virologist Associate Professor Aeron Hurt says while face masks have some potential to stop the spread of viral particles the practical nature of wearing them often means they are not effective. Why do people wear surgical masks? Generally people who wear face masks do so when they are unwell to prevent others from becoming sick, Associate Professor Hurt says. "One of the difficulties of surgical masks is that they can become quite uncomfortable to wear," he says. "They also quite quickly become saturated with the moisture in the breath and because of their discomfort people often start touching in and around their face more than they would do if they weren't wearing a mask. But touching their faces more can actually spread influenza through touch and contamination of surfaces." Does taking more Vitamin C and other home remedies work? Loading There is no shortage of advice around on how to prevent influenza, including taking more Vitamin C, but Associate Professor Hurt says there is not enough robust scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of those measures. "We don't have studies that are as rigorous as we would normally use to evaluate medicine to tell us whether these types of things work well enough," he says. In mid-2018 Premier Daniel Andrews committed to building a new airport railway from the CBD to Melbourne Airport via a new super-hub at Sunshine, with a $5 billion state contribution. Subsequently, the Prime Minister announced support for the Sunshine route with a matching $5 billion contribution. Then followed the AirRail consortiums offer to build the project starting from Southern Cross, with a maximum 20-minute trip time and a further $5 billion contribution. An artist's impression of a Melbourne Airport rail station. Credit:Melbourne Airport Soon afterwards, the state government also announced a Western Rail Plan, including electrification of existing lines to Wyndham Vale and Melton, extra tracks to segregate metropolitan from regional express trains and the medium-term prospect of faster trains to Geelong and Ballarat. These announcements have been strongly supported by Rail Futures and all can neatly dovetail into a well-integrated implementation program. But first, it is critical that we get the airport link right. It will be pivotal in maximising potential benefits from all these projects, not only for airport travellers, but also for western suburbs residents and regional passengers. Warning: This story contains details that may distress some readers. It was the contents of a shipping container that revealed a horrific catalogue of sexual abuse a Melbourne man inflicted on 47 young boys in four countries. Boris Kunsevitsky filmed the abuse he inflicted on young boys, many of whom were living in impoverished slums in south-east Asia, over 16 years. His crimes make him one of the worst sex offenders in Australia. Kunsevitsky, 52, travelled so much he filled several passports, and on every trip he caused untold damage to his victims. A woman who posed as an Aussie soap opera heart-throb to prey on the emotions of young women has failed in a court bid to keep her family out of the public eye. Melbourne's Lydia Abdelmalek, 29, has been found guilty of six counts of stalking after assuming various aliases, including that of Home and Away actor Lincoln Lewis. Lydia Abdelmalek's mother trips and falls outside court and is helped up by her daughter's lawyer John Yianoulatos. Credit:AAP Her lawyer John Yianoulatos made an unsuccessful bid for a suppression order to be placed over her church, her job and siblings' employers during a special mention hearing at Heidelberg Magistrates Court on Tuesday. "There were threats made to my client's safety ... but her family has not received threats," Mr Yianoulatos told the court, before the application was dismissed. Africa Festival comes to Wangsimni The Seoul Africa Festival will be held this Saturday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Wangsimni Square, located in front of Wangsimni Station on Seoul Metro lines 2 and 5, the Gyeongui-Jungang Line and the Bundang Line. Hosted since 2016 by Africa Insight, a nonprofit NGO working to shift perceptions of the African continent, it gathers various domestic organizations and African embassies to introduce the diverse cultures of Africa in Korea. The "Africa's Got Talent" competition gives prizes to participants who manifest their love for Africa through music, dance, poetry or comedy. Its program also offers cultural experiences, stage performances, African products and foods, exhibitions, live painting and more. "Encountering the deep beauty of the African continent through the festival will make it possible to overcome the unfamiliarity and negative perspective against Africa," festival organizers said in an online invitation. Visit fb.com/seoulafricafestival or africainsight.org for more information. Concert supports ex-sex workers Six bands are playing an afternoon concert titled "No More Victims" this Saturday, in support of a charity for former sex workers and victims of human trafficking. E-LOOM Action for Anti-Prostitution and Human Rights supports their economic independence by helping them to build up vocational skills and move on with life. It also funds publications and films related to sex workers and human rights issues. The acts include hardcore punk bands Sandynoiz and Hwanza, punk band Gumiho, pop-punk band Jonny'Spark, goregrind band Paohoo and stoner/heavy blues band Bong Chon Dong. The show starts at 2:30 p.m. and entry is 5,000 won. All proceeds go toward the charity. Visit fb.com/sandynoiz857 for more information. A former teacher at a religious school who sexually abused two boys in Western Australia dating back up to 40 years has been sentenced to four years in prison. Lester Bryce Keegan, 66, pleaded guilty in the WA District Court to four historical charges related to indecently dealing with two boys between 1979 and 1988. The first offence happened when Keegan was a teacher at a small religious school in the state's South West region. He regularly invited the boy, aged between five and 10, to his home for fellowship and on one occasion inappropriately touched the child in the shower, the court heard. It took years for the victim to tell anyone what happened to him. A group of males jailed over the violent death of a 26-year-old man near a Perth train station hours after Australia Day celebrations have lost their bids to appeal their convictions and sentences. Patrick Slater was assaulted with makeshift weapons including a star picket and a wooden pole in the early hours of January 27, 2016, and died moments after he was stabbed through the heart with a screwdriver, which pierced his aorta and lungs. Patrick 'Paddy' Slater died at the Esplanade Train Station in Perth on Australia Day 2016 Five men - Christopher Birdsall, Dylan Anthony, Clinton Mead, his brother Stefan Mead and Robert Pickett - were found guilty of murder after a trial in WA's Supreme Court and sentenced to minimum terms ranging from 16 to 18 years. Two juveniles, who cannot be named, were also convicted. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Set up to take planning power from councils ruled by emotive residents, and invest it in supposedly detached industry experts, Perths Development Assessment Panels have created as much controversy as theyve cured. WAs six metro and three regional DAPs were formed in 2011 by the former Liberal National government to decide on applications worth more than $2 million, meaning they now make the lions share of major project decisions in the state. Panels consist of two local councillors and three government-appointed industry experts, so industry holds the balance of power. Unsurprisingly, their decisions frequently cop backlash. DAP experts have to declare interests before every meeting. A proximity or financial interest excludes them from the discussion or vote, but waters are murkier if they declare an impartiality interest. If a member chooses to declare an impartiality interest, the presiding member or deputy can then make the call on whether the matter could impact impartiality and whether the member should be allowed to vote. Many residents have contacted WAtoday angry over votes cast from within this grey area. And our analysis of the suspicion that dogged the footsteps of one of Perth's most established property players shows that following the code of conduct perfectly might still not get you past the pub test. Advertisement Veteran builder walks tightrope over South Perth hotspot Luigi DAlessandro is a stalwart of Perths property industry, having been chief executive of WA construction giant Jaxon Construction; holding high-level positions at some of WAs biggest property and development firms, including BGC, Satterley and Bollig Abbott; and running his own advisory and building firms. He served on the Metro Central DAP from 2011 to July 2017, which covers inner-city Perth councils such as South Perth, Melville, Canning and Bayswater. It is his time on this DAP that raised eyebrows in the community. Mr D'Alessandro was a part of the panel that approved a nine-storey office building at 12 Charles Street, South Perth in 2013, less than 100 metres from a property he owns. In August 2014 in assessing the Pinnacles tower at 30 Charles Street, about 50 metres from his property, he declared his property as an impartiality interest, but was allowed to vote. When 12 Charles Street came to the DAP again in 2015 needing an extension to its approval, Mr D'Alessandro did not declare the property. A resident of Charles Street made an official complaint to the Department of Planning in 2016, accusing Mr D'Alessandro of improperly declaring interests. Advertisement The official response to the complaint was that Mr D'Alessandro hadn't needed to declare proximity interests on numbers 12 and 30 Charles Street, because "proximity" only applies to a property directly adjoining or directly across the road. He had declared an impartiality interest in number 30 out of an "abundance of caution", the official response said. At the next three meetings regarding Stirling Capital's proposed 26 On Charles development, directly across the road from his property, he declared proximity interests and was excluded from the vote. In July 2017, a fortnight after residents continued to raise concerns with advisers to the planning minister, he left the panel, though it is not known why. He retained an appointment to a regional DAP but disappeared off all panels after a bigger reshuffle in January 2018. Mr D'Alessandro did not respond to requests for comment. Cleaning the glass: could it help? Advertisement Curtin University urban and regional planning expert Shane Greive said lack of transparency played a role in community distrust and conflict. [Perth] is a small enough tank that big fish bump into each other, he said. Even if not your project, its your colleagues or your industry partners project. Many industry players have a lot of experience with this, play by the rules and leave the room and dont make decisions on their own projects. I see integrity in what they do, but that doesnt mean the system is not open to abuse, and so increased transparency would help. Subiaco Councillor Julie Matheson started the Scrap the DAPs campaign in 2012, which attracted the support of many other Perth councils. She said transparency was improving but industry ties were still an issue. The panel member that makes the decision on a development application one week is, next week, the person standing up before another panel member making a submission, she said. Advertisement Its the club reviewing the club. Scrap the DAPs came to a head before the 2017 state election, with Labor elected promising to deal with the issues making the system so unpopular. Rita Saffioti, before the election, listening to electors' concerns about DAPs. Credit:Emma Young It got as far as commissioning a Green Paper in which consultant Evan Jones noted DAPs were not required to publish reasons for decisions, and met at odd times during weekdays, obstructing community engagement. He recommended they meet at more accessible times, and publish reasons. The Urban Development Institute of Australia WA said industry professionals were just that professionals and know how to manage potential, real or perceived conflicts. But even they and the states other major property lobby group the Property Council of WA want reform. We are very supportive of proposals to make decisions and meetings more transparent, UDIA WA chief executive Tanya Steinbeck said. Advertisement Washington: Ahead of a series of important international events in Japan, including a visit from US President Donald Trump this weekend, Japan's foreign minister has issued a request to the English-speaking world: Call our Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, not Shinzo Abe. Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, also known as Shinzo Abe. Credit:Kyodo News "The new Reiwa era was ushered in and we are hosting the Group of 20 summit. As many news organisations write Chinese President Xi Jinping and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, it is desirable for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's name to be written in a similar manner," said Foreign Minister Taro Kono at a news conference on Tuesday, according to the Mainichi Shimbun. Or perhaps we should say, Kono Taro said that? Kono is the minister's family name, just as Abe is the Prime Minister's family name. The Japanese diplomat says that the family name should be first when referred to in English, as it is when it is written or spoken in Japanese. Chinese and Korean names have their family names first in English - for example, in the cases of Xi and Moon, as Kono noted. Los Angeles: The family of an African American man shot dead by Minneapolis police are demanding a $US20 million ($A29 million) payout equal to what the family of Australian life coach Justine Ruszczyk-Damond received. Jamar Clark, who was fatally shot in a confrontation with police in 2015. Credit:AP Jamar Clark's father said Damond and her family were treated differently because they are white. "There's no justice for black people," James Clark told a rally outside Minneapolis' federal courthouse. "White people get all the justice". Why punish Huawei? The US defence and intelligence communities have long accused Huawei of being an untrustworthy agent of Beijing's repressive rulers - though without providing evidence. The US government's sanctions are widely seen as a means of pressuring reluctant allies in Europe to exclude Huawei equipment from their next-generation wireless networks. Australia blocked Chinese telco equipment providers from participation in the 5G network as well. Washington says it's a question of national security and punishment of Huawei for skirting sanctions against Iran, but the backdrop is a struggle for economic and technological dominance. The politics of President Donald Trump's escalating tit-for-tat trade war have co-opted a longstanding policy goal of stemming state-backed Chinese cyber theft of trade and military secrets. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said last week that the sanctions on Huawei have nothing to do with the trade war and could be revoked if Huawei's behaviour were to change. Sanctions' bite Analysts predict consumers will abandon Huawei for other smartphone makers if Huawei can only use a stripped-down version of Android. Huawei, now the No. 2 smartphone supplier, could fall behind Apple to third place. Google could seek exemptions, but would not comment on whether it planned to do so. Who uses Huawei? Much of the world, actually. Huawei stealthily became an industry star by ploughing into new markets, developing a lineup of phones that offer affordable options for low-income households and luxury models that are siphoning upper-crust sales from Apple and Samsung in China and Europe. About 13 per cent of its phones are now sold in Europe, estimates Gartner analyst Annette Zimmermann. That formula helped Huawei establish itself as the world's second-largest seller of smartphones during the first three months of this year, according to the research firm IDC. Huawei shipped 59 million smartphones in the January-March period, nearly 23 million more than Apple. Ripple effects The US ban could have unwelcome ripple effects in the US, given how much technology Huawei buys from US companies, especially from makers of the microprocessors that go into smartphones, computers, internet networking gear and other gadgetry. The list of chip companies expected to be hit hardest includes Micron Technologies, Qualcomm, Qorvo and Skyworks Solutions, which all have listed Huawei as a major customer in their annual reports. Others likely to suffer are Xilinx, Broadcom and Texas Instruments, according to industry analysts. Being cut off from Huawei will also compound the pain the chip sector is already experiencing from the Trump administration's rising China tariffs. The Commerce Department on Monday announced an expected grace period of 90 days or more, easing the immediate hit on US suppliers. It can extend that stay, and also has the option of issuing exemptions for especially hard-hit companies. Much could depend on whether countries including France, Germany, the UK and the Netherlands continue to refuse to completely exclude Huawei equipment from their wireless networks. The grace period allows US providers to alert Huawei to security vulnerabilities and engage the Chinese company in research on standards for next-generation 5G wireless networks. It also gives operators of US rural broadband networks that use Huawei routers time to switch them out. Could this backfire? Huawei is already the biggest global supplier of networking equipment, and is now likely to move toward making all components domestically. China already has a policy seeking technological independence by 2025. US tech companies, facing a drop in sales, could respond with layoffs. More than 52,000 technology jobs in the US are directly tied to China exports, according to the Computing Technology Industry Association, a trade group also known as CompTIA. What about Google? Google may lose some licensing fees and opportunities to show ads on Huawei phones, but it still will probably be a financial hiccup for Google and its corporate parent, Alphabet Inc., which is expected to generate $US160 billion in revenue this year. And Apple? In theory, Huawei's losses could translate into gains for both Samsung and Apple at a time both of those companies are trying to reverse a sharp decline in smartphone sales. But Apple also stands to be hurt if China decides to target it in retaliation. Apple is particularly vulnerable because most iPhones are assembled in China. The Chinese government, for example could block crucial shipments to the factories assembling iPhones or take other measures that disrupt the supply chain. Any retaliatory move from China could come on top of a looming increase on tariffs by the US that would hit the iPhone, forcing Apple to raise prices or reduce profits. What's more, the escalating trade war may trigger a backlash among Chinese consumers against US products, including the iPhone. PHILIPSBURG--- K1 DIRECT, a volunteer-based Disaster Relief & Crisis Team under the K1 Britannia Foundation, will be hosting an information & Question & Answer session for persons interested in joining this Wednesday May 22nd 2019, 6:30pm at K1s office located in the Brooks Tower in Philipsburg. Since the passing of Hurricane Irma, K1 Britannia Foundation has conceptualized and materialized this official disaster relief & crisis team to assist St. Maarten and the region during disaster situations. K1 has been in the forefront of first response, mass distributions and shelter management immediately after destruction struck in 2017, working diligently with the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard, the Koninklijke Marechaussee and Government entities such as Emergency Support Function 7 (ESF7) to bring relief to care institutions and the general affected population. Since then K1 DIRECT has set up two completely voluntary teams on St. Maarten and in Curacao of approximately 40 persons co-managed by Iris Hakkens and Alan Schet. The team was set up in Curacao as a contingency team outside the hurricane belt, incase K1 DIRECT St. Maarten becomes deeply affected. K1 DIRECT members have been working hard to complete a variety of trainings. All K1 DIRECT St. Maarten members have completed their CPR/First Aid/AED Training and six have gone on to become Emergency medical responder (EMR) certified through Windward Islands Emergency Medical Services (WIEMS). Most recently K1 DIRECT St. Maarten & Curacao participated in a 6-day training facilitated by the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC)'s Mr. Jacob Sjaak Seen. The course covered everything from Principles of Humanitarian Aid, Disaster & Crisis Management to Search & Rescue Phase, Emergency Logistics, and much more. K1 DIRECT is a voluntary team comprised of dedicated persons in various fields that are committed to giving back locally and regionally when a disaster hits. K1 would like to extend an invitation to the public and those who may be interested in joining the team to attend the information session. The session will cover the predetermined roles of K1 DIRECT on St. Maarten, its role in the Caribbean region, criteria for interested persons, what K1 expects of volunteer responders, and what volunteers can expect from the foundation. Once again, the session will be held on Wednesday, May 22nd at 6:30pm at the K1 Britannia Foundation office located on Falcon Drive #7, Suite A3 in the Brooks Tower, Suite A3 in Philipsburg. Any questions, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call +1 (721) 580-3923 or +1 (721) 543-3332 or send a message on its Facebook at www.facebook.com/k1sxm. PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- Ministry of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Development and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI), announces that road works activities will be carried out on May 22, 23 and 24 in the vicinity of the new Texaco Gas Station and the Round-a-bout Union road/Causeway. The road work activities will start on Wednesday, May 22 at 8.00PM to 5.00AM; these works will continue on May 23 and 24. These works will be carried out by Windward Roads. The works entail the installation of and extension of concrete divider curbs that would regulate the traffic flow in and out of the gas station on both the Union road and the Causeway road. The road works on the Union roadside will be carried out during the evening hours as specified while those on the Causeway road near the round-a-bout will be carried out during the daytime. These road works are part of the already approved Building Permit. Motorists are advised to pay close attention as workmen and equipment will be busy along this part of the road network. The public and motorists are advised that tampering by removing barricades or any Government property is punishable by law. Ministry VROMI apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. ~ Onsite mobilisation can start as early as July 2019 ~ Cay Hill:--- Last week, SMMC met with the Extraordinary Commissioners (ECs) of INSO, the contractor of the new St. Maarten General Hospital, and the consortium of the lenders with Minister of VSA Emil Lee in attendance regarding the status of the project. The ECs were appointed by the Italian Government following the admittance to the Extraordinary Administrative Procedure (EAP) in December 2018 in order to guarantee the continuity of INSOs business. The ECs stressed that the St. Maarten Hospital project has been carefully evaluated and that they determined that the project is part of the companys strategic vision. They then went into a detailed presentation on why they are financially able to guarantee completion of the new hospital. INSO assured SMMC and the lenders that, if final approval is granted, it can begin onsite mobilization as early as July 2019 and be positioned to begin the main construction in the third quarter of this year. If all goes to plan the main building will then be opened two and a half years later. SMMCs General Director, Kees Klarenbeek, welcomed this plan on the condition that all required documentation and guarantees are completely in place before the site mobilization can occur. Minister Lee made a presentation on the role of the Ministry of VSA and the national health reform process which includes changes to referral program, tackling high costs of prescription drugs, BIG legislation for St Maarten, General Health Insurance and of course the new general hospital was is a critical part of the reform process. The INSO crisis was mainly a combination of the economic and financial crisis in the construction industry in Italy and the problems with Condotte dAcqua, the parent company of INSO. We are carrying out a plan aimed at the sale of the INSOs assets without its liabilities, through and at the preservation and enhancement of the companys assets, activities and operations on a going concern perspective, stated the ECs. With the support of the Italian Government we have secured financing equal of Euro 30 million which will be used to comply with all the contractual arrangements of the Sint Maarten Hospital Project. Such obligations include the extending and increasing of the already existing performance bond to an amount of almost USD 8 million and submit an advance payment bond of USD 3 million. As a result of the EAP and the financial support that we received, INSO is financially strong enough to comply with all its obligations of all the ongoing projects and new projects, the ECs stated. In addition to the aforementioned, INSO is working with SMMC and lenders to provide additional comfort and or guarantees. We have the funds and the resources to complete the General Hospital in St. Maarten, said the ECs. The Sint Maarten General Hospital is part of the program that will be submitted to the Italian Ministry of Economic Development before June 5th, 2019. We do expect that the Ministry will approve this program within one month and then we will start with the sale of the company to a well-qualified buyer. This will take 6 to 12 months. The whole idea behind the EAP is to continue the business and the safeguarding of INSOs resources. In order to safeguard this, the new owner has to provide a very substantial performance bond to the Italian Government and we, the ECs, will be monitoring that this new owner will live up to his obligations for at least a period of 2 years after the sale is completed. Nothing will change for the construction of the new St. Maarten General Hospital, we will use the same architect, the same subcontractors and above all the same people of INSO, concluded the ECs. Kees Klarenbeek added that the meeting was very informative and constructive. It is good to hear from the decisions makers from INSO what the actual situation is and what INSOs plans are. The new hospital of St. Maarten is too important for the people of Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius and our visitors, we need to ensure that the construction will be done according to the plan and the budget. This meeting confirms that this will indeed be the case, Klarenbeek stated. He continued: We made some firm agreements and INSO has now to deliver the financial guarantees and the other documents as discussed which will not only be reviewed by SMMC but also by our lender's consortium. It is our aim that before the end of June 2019 we will have all guarantees in place after which we can finally start with the mobilization of the project as we already have the building permit and SMMC and INSO continued to work on the final design since December 2018, Klarenbeek concluded. Launch of virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) product with a global financial services institution Crossword Cybersecurity plc (AIM: CCS, ?Crossword?, the ?Company? or the ?Group?), the cyber security technology commercialisation company, is pleased to announce that its Consulting division has launched a new product, virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) in partnership with Reliance acsn Ltd (?Reliance?), the IT security experts. One of the key cybersecurity challenges organisations are currently facing, is understanding and implementing the most appropriate levels of cyber maturity for their company, and therefore allocating their cyber security budget efficiently. In response to these challenges, Crossword launched vCISO. Crossword?s vCISO managed services are a virtual/remote CISO service, provided by Crossword Consulting cyber security experts in conjunction with Reliance acsn?s Managed Detect and Respond service via their Security Operations Centre (SOC). The vCISO services provide clients with a virtual cybersecurity team and network protection at a fraction of the cost of building their own team and clients are also able to leverage the deep cyber security and technical expertise provided by Crossword and Reliance. We have launched this product with our first client, a Global Financial Services Institution this month and expect to onboard it with several other clients later in 2019. Stuart Jubb, Managing Director Crossword Consulting Ltd, commented: ?We are delighted to have launched our virtual CISO service with a three-year contract, Crossword?s largest value contract to date. Our first client is already seeing the benefits of having access to a top security team, at a fraction of the cost. We have a number of opportunities in our pipeline for the vCISO service and expect this will be a core part of our business in the future.? Revelers line up outside clubs Cakeshop and Contra in Itaewon to attend the Seoul Queer Culture Festival afterparty hosted by Shade x Femme last year. The clubs were lit in rainbow-colored lights on the night, representing the colors of the Pride flag. By Celeste Kriel June is international Pride Month, and this year the Seoul Queer Culture Festival is in its 20th year. To mark the occasion, Seoul-based creative collective Shade x Femme will present a week of events, starting June 27, exploring queer culture in Korea and celebrating with free workshops, a panel discussion and film screening for everyone. Celebrations will end with its famous Pride Parade after party on June 1st at Cakeshop and Contra in Itaewon. Six years after its very first monthly event hosted by Shade Seoul, then known as V.O.G.U.E a party focused on voguing and ballroom culture the collective has grown consistently and its events have become known for providing an inclusive space for unabashed self-expression, fresh music, inclusiveness and a strong non-discriminatory policy. This year they want to "give back" to the community that has supported the parties in all its iterations faithfully every year. The boundary-breaking Shade x Femme collective consists of Ligrye, a South African DJ and photographer, together with Korean DJs Seesea, Net Gala and Cozyhoon, along with Korean-German model and DJ Kino Kino and Korean-American artist curator Annie Hong. All activities will be available on a first come, first served basis and will be held in English and Korean. Contact Shade x FEMME through shadeseoul@gmail.com or on Instagram @shadeseoul @femmeseoul to sign up for any of the events or for more information. "Mixing the Night" Introduction to DJing workshop (Monday) To kick off the week, Contra Coffee and Cakeshop Seoul offer a DJ workshop on Monday at 8 p.m., mentored by members of the SHADE x FEMME family. Attendees will be taught the basics of how to use controllers and mix two songs together. "Queer, Media & Technology" panel discussion (Tuesday) Yeol Lee (TWOTEN) and Misajang, two vocal queer Korean YouTubers, will share their insights and answer questions during a casual panel discussion starting at 8 p.m. at Contra Coffee on what it means to be queer in Korea, and specifically how media and social media especially affect the visibility and presence of the queer community. Burlesque workshop with Flowerbomb (Wednesday) Contra Coffee offers a burlesque workshop for anyone and everyone wanting to tap into their femme fatale. Taught by the Cirque du Burlesque queen of Seoul, Flowerbomb House of Tease mother and founder of Starlight Burlesque this workshop starting at 8 p.m. focuses on learning performance preparation techniques. Flowerbomb marries her performance backgrounds of classical theater, burlesque and the aerial arts to provide a truly unique learning experience. "Paris is Burning" movie screening (Thursday) "Paris Is Burning" is an eternally influential documentary by Jennie Livingston that captured New York's 1980s ballroom community and taught us about voguing, reading for filth and, fittingly, throwing well-cast shade. The screening begins at 8 p.m. at Contra Coffee. The increase in terrorist related-incidents (such as the brutal attacks in Sri Lanka) and in parts of the globe often considered to be immune from terrorist attention (such as New Zealand), continues to raise awareness within the general public of security risks, and thus drives demand for mitigation measures in the physical security space. It is a sad ongoing fact of the times that we live in. We must all be continually aware of the threat and take the required precautions, but in a way that doesnt impact the way we go about conducting our daily lives. Security must protect people and property, but also be easy to use. Nobody wants to feel constantly under surveillance, so security needs to be subtle yet prominent enough to make people feel safe and to deter criminals in the first place. As the old saying goes, prevention is better than cure. As we enter into 2022, there is still a level of uncertainty in place. Its unclear what the future holds, as companies around the world still contend with the COVID-19 pandemic. Remote working has been encouraged by most organisations and the move to a hybrid working system has become business as usual, for the majority of businesses. Some have reduced their office space or done away with their locations altogether. Following best security practices With all this change in place, there are problems to deal with. According to research, 32.7% of IT admins say they are concerned about employees using unsecured networks to carry out that work. Alongside this, 74% of IT admins thought that remote work makes it harder for employees to follow best security practices. This need to manage security around remote work is no longer temporary. Instead, companies have to build permanent strategies around remote work and security. The coming year will also create a different landscape for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs). Here are some key predictions for next year and what to start preparing for in 2022: The reality of SMB spending around security will hit home SMBs had to undertake significant investments to adapt to remote working SMBs had to undertake significant investments to adapt to remote working, especially in comparison to their size. They had to undertake significant digital transformation projects that made it possible to deliver services remotely, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Weve seen a shift in mindset for these companies, which are now more tech-focused in their approach to problem solving. According to our research, 45% of SMBs plan to increase their spending towards IT services in 2022. Around half of all organisations think their IT budgets are adequate for their needs, while 14.5% of those surveyed believe they will need more, to cover all that needs to be done. Identity management spending to support remote work For others, the COVID-19 pandemic led to over-spending, just to get ahead of things and they will spend in 2022, looking at what they should keep and what they can reduce their spending on. Areas like identity management will stay in place, as companies struggle to support remote work and security, without this in place. However, on-premise IT spending will be reduced or cut, as those solutions are not relevant for the new work model. Services that rely on on-premise IT will be cut or replaced. The device will lead the way for security We rely on our phones to work and to communicate. In 2022, they will become central to how we manage access, to all our assets and locations, IT and physical. When employees can use company devices and their own phones for work, security is more difficult. IT teams have to ensure that theyre prepared for this, by making sure that these devices can be trusted. Wide use of digital certificates and strong MFA factors Rather than requiring a separate smart card or fingerprint reader, devices can be used for access using push authentication There are multiple ways that companies can achieve this, for example - By using digital certificates to identify company devices as trusted, an agent, or strong MFA factors, like a FIDO security key or mobile push authentication. Whichever approach you choose, this can prevent unauthorised access to IT assets and applications, and these same devices can be used for authentication into physical locations too. Rather than requiring a separate smart card or fingerprint reader, devices can be used for access using push authentication. Understanding human behaviour Alongside this, it is important to understand human behaviour. Anything that introduces an extra step for authentication can lead to employees taking workarounds. To stop this, it is important to put an employee education process in place, in order to emphasize on the importance of security. The next step is to think about adopting passwordless security, to further reduce friction and increase adoption. Lastly, as devices become the starting point for security and trust, remote device management will be needed too. More companies will need to manage devices remotely, from wiping an asset remotely if it gets lost or stolen, through to de-provisioning users easily and removing their access rights, when they leave the company. Identity will be a layer cake Zero Trust approaches to security Identity management relies on being able to trust that someone is who they say they are. Zero Trust approaches to security can support this effectively, particularly when aligned with least privilege access models. In order to turn theory into practical easy-to-deploy steps, companies need to use contextual access, as part of their identity management strategy. This involves looking at the context that employees will work in and putting together the right management approach for those circumstances. For typical employee behaviour, using two factor authentication might be enough to help them work, without security getting in the way. How enterprises manage, access and store identity data There will also be a shift in how enterprises manage, access, and store that identity data over time For areas where security is more important, additional security policies can be put over the top, to ensure that only the right people have access. A step-up in authentication can be added, based on the sensitivity of resources or risk-based adaptive authentication policies might be needed. There will also be a shift in how enterprises manage, access, and store that identity data over time, so that it aligns more closely with those use cases. Identity management critical to secure assets in 2022 There are bigger conversations taking place around digital identity for citizenship, as more services move online as well. Any moves that take place in this arena will affect how businesses think about their identity management processes too, encouraging them to look at their requirements in more detail. Overall, 2022 will be the year when identity will be critical to how companies keep their assets secure and their employees productive. With employees working remotely and businesses becoming decentralised, identity strategies will have to take the same approach. This will put the emphasis on strong identity management as the starting point for all security planning. From left: Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo, Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe, and Japanese Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya. Yonhap file By Jung Da-min South Korea is seeking to revitalize military exchanges with China and Japan by holding bilateral ministerial-level talks on the sidelines of an Asian defense forum slated for May 31 to June 2 in Singapore, according to the Ministry of National Defense, Tuesday. Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo is eager to hold one-on-one meetings with his Chinese and Japanese counterparts when top defense officials in the region gather for the annual forum known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). Specific details including timelines and agendas have yet to be arranged, the defense ministry said. The efforts to boost military exchanges come after Seoul's defense ties with China were strained over the deployment of a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system, and with Japan because of a maritime dispute involving fire-control radar. South Korea and China resumed working-level defense policy talks which first kicked off in 1995 last May in Seoul, after a hiatus of two years and four months. The last meeting (the 17th) was held last December in Beijing. Last month, South Korea sent its Navy ship FFG-812 Gyeonggi to China for an international fleet review for the Navy of the Chinese People's Liberation Army's 70th founding anniversary. Defense Minister Jeong is expected to hold a bilateral meeting at this time with Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe. South Korea and Japan are also reviving military exchanges, holding bilateral talks in Seoul earlier this month on the sidelines of the 11th Defense Trilateral Talks (DTT) between South Korea, the United States and Japan. Since December, military relations between South Korea and Japan had soured following a series of "threatening" low-altitude flyovers by Japanese maritime patrol planes over South Korean Navy ships, and Japan's claims that a South Korean destroyer ship locked its fire-control radar on one of these planes. Japanese Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya recently expressed willingness to normalize military ties, according to Japanese media earlier this week, addressing North Korea over its recent launches of short-range missiles and "unidentified" projectiles. Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan is also attending the Shangri-La Dialogue, but Seoul and Washington are reportedly planning to hold bilateral talks later in Seoul, as Shanahan is planning to visit the capital on June 2 and 3. Shanahan is also planning to travel to Tokyo, June 3 and 4, according to a report by Japan's Kyodo News last Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the issue. Georgetown, SC (29440) Today Mainly clear. Low 58F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mainly clear. Low 58F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. An engineer inspects the completed spacecraft that will carry NASA's next Mars rover to the Red Planet, prior to a May 2019 test in the Space Simulator Facility at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. NASA's next Mars rover continues to gear up for its launch toward the Red Planet next summer. Earlier this month, engineers put the Mars 2020 rover's fully assembled spacecraft through some tests at the Space Simulator Facility at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California. The spacecraft consists of the cruise stage, which will propel the rover on its seven-month trip through interplanetary space; the aeroshell, which will protect Mars 2020 during its dramatic dive through the Red Planet's atmosphere; and the "sky crane" descent stage, which will lower the rover onto the Martian surface on cables. Related: NASA's Mars Rover 2020 Mission in Pictures (Gallery) The tests were performed with a stand-in rover, because JPL engineers are still putting the real vehicle together, NASA officials said. Technicians at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, integrate the rover motor controller assembly (RMCA) into the Mars 2020 rover's body in April 2019. The RMCA commands and regulates the movement of the motors in the rover's wheels, robotic arms, mast, drill and sample-handling functions. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech) Mars 2020 is based heavily on NASA's Curiosity rover , which landed inside Mars' Gale Crater in August 2012. Curiosity's observations suggest that the Red Planet was capable of supporting life as we know it for long stretches in the distant past, and Mars 2020 will take the next step: looking for signs of ancient organisms . The new rover is scheduled to launch in July 2020 and touch down in February 2021. Mars 2020 will explore the 28-mile-wide (45 kilometers) Jezero Crater , which harbored a river delta long ago. The six-wheeled robot will perform a variety of other science work as well, and it will collect and cache samples for eventual return to Earth (though a sample-returning mission is not yet on NASA's books). The European-Russian ExoMars project will also launch a life-hunting rover in July 2020. That robot was recently named Rosalind Franklin , after the pioneering crystallographer who helped tease out the double-helix structure of DNA. Mars 2020 will get a catchier moniker soon as well; NASA plans to hold a student naming competition, as the agency has done for its previous Mars rovers. NASA is getting ready to launch living creatures to deep space for the first time in nearly five decades. Agency engineers are putting together a briefcase-size spacecraft called BioSentinel , which will carry yeast cells into orbit around the sun to help scientists better understand the radiation environment beyond our planet's protective magnetic bubble. BioSentinel is one of 13 cubesats flying aboard the Artemis 1 mission, which is currently targeted for mid-2020. That's 47.5 years after NASA last launched organisms beyond low-Earth orbit the Apollo 17 astronauts , who reached the moon in December 1972. (Well, those are the last organisms launched on purpose, anyway; a few hardy microbes stow away on every robotic planetary mission.) Related: Apollo 11 at 50: A Complete Guide to the Historic Moon Landing Mission But Apollo 17 lasted less than two weeks. BioSentinel will gather data for nine to 12 months, opening a window on the long-term effects of deep-space radiation on DNA and DNA repair. "This is new territory," Kimberly Ennico Smith, an astrophysicist at NASA's Ames Research Center, said during a tour of the Silicon Valley facility this past March. The BioSentinel cubesat being assembled at NASA's Ames Research Center in March 2019. (Image credit: Mike Wall/Space.com) Ames is the home base for BioSentinel. Indeed, the tour included several short talks by mission personnel and provided a glimpse of the partly assembled cubesat (behind glass, of course no touching the space hardware). The 30-lb. (14 kilograms) satellite will carry two different varieties of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae: the normal "wild type," which is quite radiation-resistant, and a mutant type, which is much more sensitive because it can't repair its DNA nearly as well. BioSentinel team members will monitor the growth and activity of both varieties during the cubesat's time in deep space. They'll do the same with identical yeast payloads transported to the International Space Station , a microgravity environment with much lower radiation levels. Related: Lunar Legacy: 45 Apollo Moon Mission Photos Scientists will also track S. cerevisiae growth in two places here on Earth, Ennico Smith said: Ames and Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York state. At Brookhaven, scientists will expose the yeast to a high-radiation environment. Taken together, the data haul should help the team tease out which effects are due to radiation and which result from microgravity or other factors. S. cerevisiae is a good model organism for this work, BioSentinel team members said. "Importantly, yeast's DNA damage-repair process is highly similar to that of humans, making it a robust translational model," NASA officials wrote on the BioSentinel fact sheet . "BioSentinel's results will be critical for interpreting the effects of space radiation exposure, reducing the risk associated with long-term human exploration and validating existing models of the effects of space radiation on living organisms." BioSentinel is in the assembly home stretch: The cubesat must be completely finished by late October, mission team members said during the Ames tour. Then comes prelaunch prep and integration into NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) megarocket, which will fly for the first time on Artemis 1. NASA is developing the SLS to take people and payloads to deep-space destinations like the moon and Mars. The rocket is a key part of NASA's long-term vision, along with a crew capsule called Orion. That craft is the primary payload on the Artemis 1 flight, which was previously known as Exploration Mission-1. (NASA recently changed the name to match that of the agency's new crewed lunar-exploration program .) SLS will launch Orion on an uncrewed jaunt around the moon, in a performance test for both the rocket and the capsule. If everything goes well, the next flight of the duo Artemis 2, in 2023 will be a crewed mission that sends four astronauts on a journey around the moon. Artemis 2 will launch a year after the first piece of NASA's small, moon-orbiting space station goes aloft. This outpost, which the space agency calls the Gateway, will be key to the overall Artemis vision, serving as a jumping-off point for crewed and uncrewed sorties to the lunar surface. Lots of science work will also take place on the Gateway including, it's safe to assume, more research into the effects of radiation on living systems. "We should have a lot more of these experiments [like BioSentinel] on the Gateway," Ennico Smith said. The other 12 cubesats flying aboard Artemis 1 are a diverse lot . For example, the Lunar Flashlight and Lunar IceCube missions will hunt for signs of water ice on the moon, and Near-Earth Asteroid Scout will use a solar sail to rendezvous with a space rock. U.S. Navy pilots and sailors won't be considered crazy for reporting unidentified flying objects, under new rules meant to encourage them to keep track of what they see. Yet just a few years ago, the Pentagon reportedly shut down another official program that investigated UFO sightings. What has changed? Is the U.S. military finally coming around to the idea that alien spacecraft are visiting our planet? The answer to that question is almost certainly no. Humans' misinterpretation of observations of natural phenomena are as old as time and include examples such as manatees being seen as mermaids and driftwood in a Scottish loch being interpreted as a monster. A more recent and relevant example is the strange luminescent structure in the sky caused by a SpaceX rocket launch. In these types of cases, incorrect interpretations occur because people have incomplete information or misunderstand what they're seeing. Based on my prior experience as a science advisor to the Air Force, I believe that the Pentagon wants to avoid this type of confusion, so it needs to better understand flying objects that it can't now identify. During a military mission, whether in peace or in war, if a pilot or soldier can't identify an object, they have a serious problem: How should they react, without knowing if it is neutral, friendly or threatening? Fortunately, the military can use advanced technologies to try to identify strange things in the sky. Taking the 'U' out of 'UFO' "Situational awareness" is the military term for having complete understanding of the environment in which you are operating. A UFO represents a gap in situational awareness. At the moment, when a Navy pilot sees something strange during flight, just about the only thing he or she can do is ask other pilots and air traffic control what they saw in that place at that time. Globally, the number of UFO reportings in a year has peaked at more than 8,000. It's not known how many the military experiences. Even the most heavily documented incidents end up unresolved, despite interviewing dozens of witnesses and reviewing many written documents, as well as lots of audio and video recordings. UFOs represent an opportunity for the military to improve its identification processes. At least some of that work could be done in the future by automated systems, and potentially in real time as an incident unfolds. Military vehicles Humvees, battleships, airplanes and satellites alike are covered in sensors. It's not just passive devices like radio receivers, video cameras and infrared imagers, but active systems like radar, sonar and lidar. In addition, a military vehicle is rarely alone vehicles travel in convoys, sail in fleets and fly in formations. Above them all are satellites watching from overhead. Drawing a complete picture Sensors can provide a wealth of information on UFOs including range, speed, heading, shape, size and temperature. With so many sensors and so much data, though, it is a challenge to merge the information into something useful. However, the military is stepping up its work on autonomy and artificial intelligence. One possible use of these new technologies could be to combine them to analyze all the many signals as they come in from sensors, separating any observations that it can't identify. In those cases, the system could even assign sensors on nearby vehicles or orbiting satellites to collect additional information in real time. Then it could assemble an even more complete picture. For the moment, though, people will need to weigh in on what all the data reveal. That's because a key challenge for any successful use of artificial intelligence is building trust or confidence in the system. For example, in a famous experiment by Google scientists, an advanced image recognition algorithm based on artificial intelligence was fooled into wrongly identifying a photo of a panda as a gibbon simply by distorting a small number of the original pixels. So, until humans understand UFOs better, we won't be able to teach computers about them. In my view, the Navy's new approach to reporting UFO encounters is a good first step. This may eventually lead to a comprehensive, fully integrated approach for object identification involving the fusion of data from many sensors through the application of artificial intelligence and autonomy. Only then will there be fewer and fewer UFOs in the sky because they won't be unidentified anymore. Iain Boyd, Professor of Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Optimization Are you frustrated with a slow pc or a hard disk not performing as it should? Try SLOW-PCfighter to speed up boot time on a slow PC, or try a free scan of FULL-DISKfighter to recover space on a full disk. The latest offering is DRIVERfighter to update your driver updater. Get complete PC optimization and extend the life of your PC with these must-have software tools. President Moon Jae-in shakes hands with U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach during a luncheon at Cheong Wa Dae, Tuesday, attended by military commanders of the U.S. and South Korea. On Moon's left is USFK chief Gen. Robert Abrams. At center is Adm. Sim Seung-seob, chief of South Korea's Naval Operations, and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Won In-choul is at right. Joint Press Corps Interview with Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon 'I Would Like to Live Completely Sustainably' Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon, 45, has been driving an electric car for 15 years and is a champion of renewable energy sources. DER SPIEGEL spoke with him about sustainability and his own country's reliance on fossil fuel production. STAMFORD It was brother versus brother at Curtain Calls 12th annual Dancing with the Stars event Saturday night at the Palace Theatre. Chris Carozza, of the Carozza Realty Group, bested his brother, Michael Carozza, of Carozza Fitness, by winning the Judges Choice Award in the male division. Chris professional partner was Iraida Volodina, of Arthur Murray Greenwich. Pina Abbazia, from F.A. Bartlett Tree Experts, and her professional partner, Justin Allen, also of Arthur Murray Greenwich, won the Judges Choice Award in the female division after whipping the crowd into a frenzy dancing to the 1974 hit song, Killer Queen. The Peoples Choice Awards (male and female divisions, respectively) went to Kyle Foti, a realtor with Coldwell Banker, and his professional partner, Kimberly J. Charles, of Latin Moves Dance Studio, and Dr. Biana Lanson, from the Ear, Nose & Throat Center, and her professional partner, Ted Thomas, of New England Academy of Dance. Tom Gallagher, owner of Thomas Gallagher Funeral Home, with his professional partner, Lauren Nicole Sherwood, of Diva Star Productions, was recognized with the Friend Raiser Award for garnering support for the event from so many different individuals This years event was presented by Ear, Nose and Throat, LLP, with support from many other businesses, organizations and individuals. Judges for the event included George H. Croom, a longtime Curtain Call director and professional performer; Broadway veteran Frank Root; and Maureen Pavia, director of Dancing Classrooms and a former professional dance partner at this event. In addition to the twelve dance routines by this years volunteers, the audience of about 1,100 was also treated to performances by the cast of Curtain Calls upcoming production of Big River, the Tony Award-winning musical adaptation of Huckleberry Finn. We truly appreciate the patrons in attendance, those who voted online, purchased ads for the event journal, the food and beverage sponsors, the volunteers. ... Everyone who had a hand in helping us raise more than $150,000 this year, said Curtain Call Executive Director Lou Ursone. Curtain Call is the nonprofit community-based theater company in residence at the Sterling Farms complex, 1349 Newfield Ave. in Stamford. cracine@hearstmediact.com Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz is set to face a no-confidence vote on Monday, raising the specter of a deepening state crisis. His decision to sack nationalist Interior Minister Herbert Kickl, which triggered the resignation of the remaining Freedom Party cabinet members, has estranged him from his erstwhile partners and raises the chances that the parliamentary motion will pass with Freedom Party backing. "It would be naive of Kurz if he was assuming that after he's expressed his mistrust in the Freedom Party, the Freedom Party wouldn't mistrust him," Kickl told Oesterreich newspaper on Tuesday. "Kurz has maneuvered himself into a dead end." Since taking power in 2017, Kurz has tried to show conservatives across Europe that they can achieve their goals by working with their nationalist rivals. But the collapse of his coalition has served rather to highlights the risks of getting into bed with a party that has spent much of its time on the fringes of the mainstream. President Alexander Van der Bellen confirmed the Freedom Party ministers' exit from cabinet on Tuesday. Kurz said he'll give the president a proposal for independent caretakers to take the posts later today. The appointees, which include defence, labor and transport, would be in office until a new government is sworn in after snap elections, likely to take place in September. It's up to Van der Bellen to approve Kurz's proposals. The 32-year old leader -- who has declared his former coalition partner unfit to govern -- has had to navigate a chaotic situation since nationalist leader Heinz-Christian Strache resigned as his vice chancellor on Saturday over a video showing him promising government contracts for campaign funds. Kurz has shifted gears to begin campaigning, attempting to calm rattled voters as he tries to consolidate power. In the first poll after the eventful weekend his People's Party gained four percentage points and now stands at 38% support. The pending no-confidence vote -- submitted by one of the smaller parties in parliament -- demonstrates the risky situation Kurz is in. The Freedom Party and opposition Social Democrats have enough lawmakers to oust him before the snap election, a move that would mean the president has to ask someone else to form a caretaker government. The Freedom Party said Kickl's comments didn't mean that the party would back the no-confidence motion. The Social Democrats reiterated their demand to remove Kurz and his conservative ministers as well and appoint technocrats-only cabinet, but didn't say whether they will vote for the motion. An opinion poll published Monday, the first since the scandal broke late on May 17, showed the Freedom Party falling 5 percentage points to 18%. The opposition Social Democrats and Neos party inched up, with Kurz's People's Party the main beneficiary. Kurz, who rode to power on a hard-line immigration platform that stoked conflict with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and marked him as a rising young conservative. He faces a first test of his new strategy in European Parliament elections on Sunday. Hear Michelle Pfeiffer discuss her company on the Entrepreneur podcast Problem Solvers: When Michelle Pfeiffer calls someone, they generally answer. Its a benefit of celebrity. And so, many years ago, when Pfeiffer wanted to solve a problem, she assumed the solution would be that simple. I did what, traditionally, a lot of celebrities do, because that was really the only thing that I knew, she says. She wanted a fine fragrance company to create a transparent product -- that is, a perfume or cologne that would list every ingredient it contains, just like youd find on the side of your morning cereal box. Nothing like this existed, but perhaps, she thought, thats just because nobody like her had asked for it. She started reaching out to major cosmetics brands (she wont name names, but think about the bottles youd find at Macys) and offered her services to them: If they made a transparent fragrance, shed attach her name to it. They all said no. They were unwilling to be 100 percent transparent, Pfeiffer says. A movie stars unstoppable star power had met the immovable object: the secrecy of the fragrance industry. Pfeiffer never really desired to start a business. Shed accomplished plenty as an actor, and a new career wasnt on her bucket list. But now she faced the kind of crossroads that creates entrepreneurs: Something doesnt exist in the world; there is a problem to be solved. And theres only one way to solve it. I will have to do this myself, Pfeiffer thought. I will have to build a company. I hope you realize what youre getting yourself into, she remembers a friend telling her. Is this something you really want to do? Related: From Buffy to Business: Sarah Michelle Gellar Opens Up About How Hollywood Helped Prepare Her for Launching a Company Back then, around 2011, Pfeiffer was dogged and full of optimism. I was like, Yeah, lets go! she recalls. But she didnt realize what she was getting herself into: years of rejection and failed partnerships and more meetings than she can count within an industry that had almost zero interest in change. If I had known then how hard it was, she admits now, Im not sure I would have done it. And yet she did. She created a brand called Henry Rose, a gender-neutral fine-fragrance company that in April released its first products -- and marked a few historic firsts for the industry. Henry Rose is the first fine-fragrance company to reveal all its ingredients, and the first to earn two leading organizations environmental and safety certifications. And although Pfeiffer has now reached the culmination of a process that spanned 20 years off and on (and fully consumed her for the past three), she knows this is no time to feel smug. The launch is actually not the end, she says. Its the beginning. Pfeiffer, to her own great surprise, has become an entrepreneur. Image Credit: Danielle Levitt It all started when she became a parent. I began to pay closer attention to the products I was exposing myself and my kids to, she says -- what they ate, the shampoos they used, the perfumes she sprayed on her body. Around the same time, both her father and best friend were diagnosed with cancer, which raised her concern more. I started searching for products that were healthier, she says. It wasnt easy. This was the late 1990s; consumers werent talking about safety much, so neither were companies. Pfeiffer eventually discovered an advocacy organization called the Environmental Working Group, which had a website, Skin Deep, that ranks cosmetics products based on the safety of their ingredients. Man, I went down the rabbit hole, she says. Pfeiffer was horrified to discover that fine fragrances all ranked low -- not necessarily because they were dangerous but because their creators wouldnt reveal what was in them. In the absence of information, she stopped wearing perfume. Years went by. Pfeiffer kept researching and thinking, and around 2009, she started to see a cultural shift. More people were talking about product safety. So she made those first calls to fragrance brands, offering to endorse a transparent product. When they all said no, she reached out to the Environmental Working Group, figuring at least it would develop a line with her. But EWG was focused on changing policy at a government level; it didnt work with businesses. Once again, rejection. Related: Jessica Alba on Being Brave, Dealing With Self-Doubt and Overcoming Major Breakdowns Pfeiffer was discouraged but not deterred. If theres one thing Hollywood teaches -- even to legends -- its how to deal with rejection. You never can get too comfortable, she says. I dont care how famous you become, or successful; you think your last job may be your last job. And so you learn to live with that uncertainty. And so, she says, shes developed a strategy to deal with the uncertainty: Keep yourself busy. Pfeiffer did just that. She met with anyone who had insight on the industry, and each meeting led to a fresh introduction. This went on for years, she says. But the most important connection, it would turn out, would be one shed already made. In 2016, Pfeiffer called EWG again and discovered that the organization no longer focused solely on policy -- it was now also working directly with brands. I probably spend half my time talking to people in the private sector, to make things happen deeper or faster than passing regulations or law, says Ken Cook, EWGs president, who invited Pfeiffer to join the companys board. Thats where policy is being made now, with entrepreneurs like Michelle who are not waiting for the federal government. Cook suggested that Pfeiffer bypass fragrance brands entirely and manufacture her dream product on her own -- something she hadnt even realized was possible, but it is. Theres a whole world of companies called fragrance houses that brands from Old Spice to Chanel contract with to create their products. Why couldnt Pfeiffer contract with them, too? As it turned out, most fragrance houses were also not into the idea of being transparent about their ingredients. This wasnt for any nefarious reason, they say, but a matter of appeasing their clients fears: Whats a $300 bottle of perfume really worth if someone else knows how to make it? But Pfeiffer finally found one house (again, she wont name names) that was willing to work with her. She spent a year developing formulas thereuntil the company suddenly about-faced, for reasons Pfeiffer isnt clear on, and said it couldnt reveal every ingredient to the public after all. Thats when, she says, she received two of her first big lessons. Ive learned as an entrepreneur that when you set out with a really high standard, there are many points along the way where you come to a crossroads -- where you have the choice of compromising or not, she says. Youve come this far. And you think, If I just compromise this tiny little bit, I wont have to start all over. She agonized over the decision, and ultimately she walked away, opting to start again and do this thing right. Its what led to the second lesson: Somebody said to me, Well, just consider that your education fund. Every entrepreneur, every new startup, has an education fund, she says. So that made me feel a little bit better. But now more than a decade had passed, and she was still at square one. Image Credit: Danielle Levitt Finally, a breakthrough. In 2017, Pfeiffer called another fragrance house called International Flavors & Fragrances (known as IFF). It had just started working with an organization called Cradle to Cradle (or C2C), which certifies ingredients and products for their environmental sustainability. That meant IFF, which designs scents for many of the worlds largest fragrance brands, was already primed to work under very strict standards. We are pretty good at making the impossible possible, says IFFs VP of fine-fragrance sales, Frederic Pignault, who took that first call with Pfeiffer. A meeting was arranged, and Pfeiffer brought one of EWGs executives along with her. Pfeiffer wanted to make sure that, this time, she wouldnt waste a year with a fragrance house that wasnt fully on board with her mission. By the end of the meeting, she was convinced IFF could make what she wanted. Right there in the office, in front of everyone, Pfeiffer was so relieved that she cried. But Im a little bit of a soppy cow, she says. The laboratory inside IFFs Manhattan headquarters is enormous -- nearly the entire floor of a large office building. Its divided up into little bays, where perfumers carefully combine drops from thousands of bottles of fragrant liquids. Some ingredients are natural (say, the oil pressed from a flower) and others are man-made, and in various combinations they can create anything from a fancy perfume to the scent of chewing gum. And these, at long last, were what Pfeiffer wanted to control. The two organizations, C2C and EWG, began reviewing these thousands of ingredients, nixing the ones that didnt meet their various standards. By the end, IFFs perfumers were left with about 300 -- roughly 10 percent of the amount of ingredients typically available for a new job. Is it challenging? Yes, says Pascal Gaurin, one of the perfumers who developed Pfeiffers scents. But I dont see what Im missing; I see what I have. If you start complaining, I dont have this or I dont have that, youre shooting yourself in the foot at the beginning. Two years of testing and experimentation followed. Pfeiffer dived deep into the ingredients that made the cut. Vetiver, for example, is an oil derived from a tall grass grown in Haiti, and would go on to be used in three of her companys five fragrances. So Pfeiffer and her husband, David Kelley, as well as the IFF team flew down to the Caribbean nation to see how the crop is grown, harvested, treated, and processed. (To comply with C2C standards, IFF works with its suppliers to help support the local farmers -- say, by providing them with farm animals to raise and eat.) Related: Beauty Entrepreneur Bobbi Brown Shares Her Secrets to Building a Brand With a Cult-Like Following All the while, she began staring down the next phase of this adventure. Shed finally found a way to develop a product, but she had no brand to wrap it in -- no name, no design, no concept, and, most important, nobody who knew how to grow a business. So once again, she kept busy. I literally just would keep talking to people, and I think a part of me -- a big part of me -- would go into every meeting hoping and feeling like maybe this person will, after they meet with me, say, Ill run this company for you! Lets do this together! she says. That didnt happen. And when she started looking for a CEO in earnest, she found a lot of people who said theyd want to own a large portion of her company -- something she knew enough to say no to. Finally, a mutual friend connected her to Melina Polly, a branding expert who once served as global managing director at Media Arts Lab, which drove Apples U.S. and international marketing and advertising strategy. It wasnt like I always wanted to launch a fragrance, Polly says. But I always wanted to be part of building companies that had a strong point of view, that did something out of conviction that there was a void in the market, and that believed consumers deserve a better option. So she signed on as CEO, and, for the first time in this 20-year journey, Pfeiffer had a genuine partner. Now they had a company to build. Image Credit: Danielle Levitt Consider the paradox of a socially conscious brand. It is motivated by mission. It creates a product in accordance with that mission. It believes deeply in impacting the world. And yet, missions dont sell products. In fact, they sometimes do the opposite. A mission can sound preachy, like a brand saying, Buy from us, or youre a bad person. So Pfeiffer and Polly began with a fundamental question: How much of its mission actually shows up on its product? You dont want to be educated by your fragrance brand, says Polly. Its not Let me tell you about all the bad stuff thats in your fragrance bottle. Because we dont want to be, you know, Debbie Downer. Instead, they wanted a fine-fragrance brand that was cool and sexy, and that people liked first and foremost because of its scents and sensibility. They named the company Henry Rose -- Pfeiffers two childrens middle names -- and decided to minimize the mission as much as possible, to make it a bonus instead of the reason to buy. I want to recruit those people who have never read a label, Pfeiffer says, who really fall in love with the product and then as a side note happen to discover Environmental Working Group and Cradle to Cradle transparency. This is a hard balance to strike. They hired RedAntler, the branding firm thats helped shape the likes of Casper, Foursquare, and Birchbox, and then kept refining. Early designs were spare and white -- too innocent-looking, Polly thought. The women wanted to avoid using cliche buzzwords like clean and organic on the product, and had to be on high alert for them. People weve worked with for a year will use the word natural, says Pfeiffer, and were like, No, were not natural! Stop using that word! They also decided the box and the bottle would not contain Pfeiffers name or face. Shell be a big part of the marketing at launch, sure, but they agreed that Henry Rose couldnt be anchored to her celebrity. It had to stand on its own. If weve succeeded, Pfeiffer says, I can recede more and more into the background, and they can just roll me out and dust me off when they need me. From all this, a strategy emerged. Henry Rose's marketing language plays off the concept of transparent ingredients, but with an evocative twist: Come closer; well tell you everything. The product comes in an elegant gray box; open it and youll first find a small booklet that contains the fragrances ingredients and some information on the certifications. Underneath is the product itself -- in a simple, clear, dome-shaped bottle (made from recycled glass), with nary a mention of a mission statement. To start, Henry Rose will be sold online only, and the company plans to explore retail partnerships as the brand grows and finds its own community and customer base. There are other lessons to be learned, too: Buzzy startups like Phlur, Pinrose, and Commodity have already proven that direct-to-consumer fragrances can work -- with the right sampling method. Henry Rose will sell a sample pack of its five scents for $20; if a customer decides to buy a full bottle at its $120 price within 30 days, that initial $20 will be applied to the purchase. The company argues that this is a better way to sample scents. A fragrance evolves as it sits on your skin, so how it smells in the store is not how itll smell an hour later. (Thats why, Pfeiffer says, her home contains a vanity full of fragrances she adored in a department store, then came to hate shortly after.) Twenty years of work, and this is what has finally come of it: a product, a brand, and a sales strategy. Now, of course, comes the truly hard challenge of making people care, learning from their reactions, and growing the brand into something sustainable. Im a little numb at this point, Pfeiffer says, and not sleeping a lot. Shes talking in late March, when the launch of her product is two weeks away. She and Polly are hunkered down in their office, a sparse little startup place in Los Angeles with a green carpet, a small table with a phone on it, and boxes of product everywhere. Theyve hung a whiteboard on the wall and filled it with a quote from the cartoonist Stephen McCranie: The master has failed more times than the beginner has even tried. It is, they say, a helpful reminder. To Pfeiffer, this is all backward from the world shed come from. On a movie shoot, she says, the beginning is the most chaotic -- fittings and rehearsals and rewrites, but then the groundwork is laid and everyone gets on with the business of making a finished product. Entrepreneurship flips that on its head. The launch of a company is just the beginning. The refining and rewriting never stops. Its exhilarating, she says. And by now, she knows shes in it for the long haul. Related: You Don't Need to Leave Your Hometown to Start a Great Business Michelle Pfeiffer's Fragrance Brand Took 20 Years (and Plenty of Rejection) to Build What It's Like to Be a Female Sports Agent in a Male-Dominated Industry Copyright 2020 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved A 25-year-old Oregon woman and her 3-year-old son have been missing since May 13, according to family members. Police in Salem say family members of 25-year-old Karissa Alyn Fretwell contacted them on May 17 to file a missing persons report. Fretwells family said they had not seen or heard from Fretwell or her 3-year-old son, William Billy Fretwell, since May 13. Friend Megan Harper told the Statesman Journal that she last spoke with the missing woman on May 11, when Fretwell asked her about installing a Ring security camera system. "I feel ill with worry about William," Harper said. "Last night, I held my daughter's hand so tightly while she slept and I couldn't sleep because my mind was going over all the possibilities of what could be happening to him." Harper said Fretwell is now studying education at Western Oregon University and working as an overnight security guard while living in West Salem. "She has a strong work ethic," she said."She'd never miss work." Harper added that Fretwell is an "amazing mom" to her son. Neighbor Robert Allen told KOIN he noticed something odd at Fretwell's apartment about two months ago but isn't sure if it is related to her disappearance. "We heard a man and woman arguing incredibly loud," Allen said. "The man was swearing a lot and there was a kid crying in the background, and the woman was yelling at him to get out of her apartment." Fretwell's vehicle is reportedly still parked on the street in front of her apartment. A child's car seat is in the back. Karissa Fretwell is described as a white female who is 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs about 135 pounds. She has blue eyes and naturally blond hair that is dyed red. Billy Fretwell is described as a white male who is about 3 feet tall and weighs about 30 pounds. He has blond hair and blue eyes. Police have not said if they believe Fretwell and her son are in danger, Anyone with information on Karissa and Billy Fretwell is asked to call the Salem Police Department non-emergency number at (503) 588-6123. WASHINGTON - Congressional Democrats - with new momentum in their legal fight to investigate President Trump's conduct and records - are pressing Deutsche Bank for more information on a report that the firm ignored red flags about suspicious activity from the Trump and Kushner organizations. Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner is now a senior White House adviser. The development brings even more political heat to the only major financial firm willing to bank Trump over the past two decades as he suffered a series of bankruptcies and defaults - and which still holds $300 million in outstanding debt from the now-president. Deutsche Bank also faced enormous fines - $700 million in 2017 alone - for money laundering and misconduct on behalf of clients. Its shares hit a record low on Monday. Democrats on the Senate Banking Committee plan to press the issue with federal financial regulators at a hearing Tuesday. Ohio's Sherrod Brown, the top Democrat on the panel, and Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., set the stage in a Monday letter to Deutsche Bank CEO Christian Sewing asking for details about events described in a New York Times report from Sunday. That story alleges that over 2016 and 2017, Deutsche's in-house anti-money-laundering experts recommended passing suspicious transactions involving Trump and Kushner-controlled entities along to the Treasury Department for further investigation. But executives in the bank's private wealth management division buried the reports instead. Brown plans to lead off his questioning Tuesday of the Treasury Department's top financial crimes enforcer and the FBI's section chief for financial crimes by highlighting the report. "We need to get to the bottom of what happened here," Brown will say, according to a copy of his opening statement shared with this reporter. "Everyone has to follow anti-money laundering laws and rules - you don't get an exemption if you have a rich and powerful client. And we have to hold financial institutions accountable if they break the rules." And House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters, D-Calif., who along with House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., last month subpoenaed Deutsche Bank for records relating to its extensive dealings with Trump, did not have a comment by press time. Democratic lawmakers have some wind at their backs as they press their case. A federal judge on Monday blocked Trump's bid to kill another House subpoena - this one to his accounting firm, Mazars USA, for years of his financial records. In a forceful ruling, U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta wrote it is "not for the court to question whether the [House Oversight and Reform] Committee's actions are truly motivated by political considerations," and declined a request from Trump's lawyers to stay his order for more than seven days. A federal judge in Manhattan could follow suit Wednesday when he holds a hearing on a similar attempt by the Trump team to block House subpoenas of Deutsche Bank and Capital One. Trump's lawyers have made the same argument there that fell short in the Mazars case: That Democratic lawmakers behind the document demands are motivated by improper political considerations. (Still, House Democratic leaders are divided over how, broadly, to approach attempting to hold Trump to account. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., faced down a number of her lieutenants eager to begin impeachment proceedings in a heated Monday night meeting, after the White House blocked former counsel Don McGahn from testifying to the House.) The New York Times report prompted an angry response from Trump on Monday - but not over the story's central claim that Deutsche Bank overlooked potentially shady transactions involving Trump entities. He bristled rather at the story's statement that the German bank has been the only major financial firm willing to extend him credit. "The Failing New York Times (it will pass away when I leave office in 6 years), and others of the Fake News Media, keep writing phony stories about how I didn't use many banks because they didn't want to do business with me. WRONG! It is because I didn't need money." Trump wrote on Twitter. "Very old fashioned, but true. When you don't need or want money, you don't need or want banks. Banks have always been available to me, they want to make money. Fake Media only says this to disparage, and always uses unnamed sources (because their sources don't even exist). . . ." The New York Times reporter who wrote the Deutsche Bank piece challenged Trump's claim. "This is not true. I have spent a long time looking into this, and DeutscheBank was the only bank willing to lend to @realDonaldTrump for 20 years because of his pattern of defaults and the bank's hunger for growth in the US," David Enrich wrote on Twitter. Trump's tweet thread belongs to a tradition of defensive comments about his net worth, as The Washington Post's Catherine Rampell points out. "One theory is that, maybe, if Trump's tax returns or other financial records become public, his supporters would learn that he's not nearly as rich as he says," she writes. "Another is that his finances are not exactly on the up and up. Of course, both explanations could be true." For its part, Deutsche Bank released a statement Monday denying the Times report. "At no time was an investigator prevented from escalating activity identified as potentially suspicious. Furthermore, suggestion that anyone was reassigned or fired in an effort to quash concerns relating to any client is categorically false," the bank said. It's worth noting, however, that the whistleblower at the heart of the Times story never made the first claim the denial addresses. Rather, she says, she presented her best case for submitting a report to Treasury on the suspicious activity she uncovered, but senior executives with the bank's private banking division decided against her recommendation. Now, congressional Democrats intend to pick up where those executives left off. Chosun Ilbo removed the articles at the center of the dispute. Korea Times file By Park Si-soo South Korea's highest-circulating newspaper, Chosun Ilbo, is suspected of inventing the quotes of experts for three articles attacking a polling agency, which it claimed was "untrustworthy" because it is friendly to the ruling party. Chosun removed the articles published on May 16 and 17 after the experts said they had never talked with the paper's reporters. But Realmeter, the agency, has declared no mercy for "fake interviews and unfair reporting," pledging legal action against the newspaper and the articles' writers. Realmeter CEO Lee Taek-soo said the articles had "seriously tarnished" the agency's reputation. On the left are three controversial articles from Chosun Ilbo. On the right is survey expert Bae Jong-chan's text message denying contact with Chosun reporters. Courtesy of Lee Taek-soo A U.S. agency that is supposed to broadcast objective Spanish-language news programs into Cuba fails to meet basic standards of journalistic fairness and last month let an anchor describe Trump administration officials as the "dream team" for Cuba policy, according to an independent review. The analysis of content aired and published by Radio and Television Marti, a sister agency to the better-known Voice of America, was launched by the broadcasters' parent organization after reports that Marti had aired anti-Semitic segments disparaging philanthropist and prominent Democratic donor George Soros. The review of Marti content, conducted by Spanish-speaking academics and former journalists and released Tuesday, found the news organization routinely allows "almost any criticism of the Cuban government and its leaders" on the air. The effect, the report concluded, is that the station has sometimes resembled anti-communist propaganda and has failed to be a broker of fair and unbiased broadcast journalism, as is mandated by Congress. John Lansing, the chief executive of the station's parent organization, the U.S. Agency for Global Media, said the review did not find that the biased coverage had been directed by any political appointee of the Trump administration. Rather, he said, the failures flow from a "broken culture" at Marti, which has relied on Cuban dissidents as on-air personalities and on a small group of anti-communist organizations as sources for some content. "I know it's tempting to make an assumption about the Trump administration, particularly given the terms that have been used about the press, but I can tell you unequivocally that there has been no influence by the Trump administration," said Lansing, a holdover from the Obama administration. Rather, he said, the report reveals "a lack of basic journalist standards across the board." In one recent example, a 30-minute program last month on Marti afforded State Department and National Security Council representatives ample time to explain a new Trump administration policy. The policy lifted a restriction on Cuban-born Americans and their descendants bringing suit against companies "trafficking" in lands confiscated during Cuba's socialist uprising a half century ago, including, for example, its international airport. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce criticized the Trump administration decision a day earlier, saying it could lead to a "protracted legal and diplomatic morass that ensnares U.S. courts, companies and partners." But the Marti report aired no criticism of the policy. Instead, on the April 18 broadcast, a longtime anchor "turned to being a cheerleader and referred to the Trump Administration officials who are lifting the suspension as the 'dream team' for Cuba policy," according to the review. Marti, which is beamed into Cuba and spread to a broader audience online, also routinely disparages Cuba's ruling Castro family. In one recent online article, an author identified as a "writer and journalist" criticized former president Raul Castro's sense of culture, saying that if forced to utter the word, he would choke on it "like a big piece of sweet potato stuck in the alcoholic breath of his mouth." The authors of the content review said that such reports mean Marti, which spends nearly $29 million in taxpayer money annually to spread "accurate, balanced and complete information" to residents of Cuba, has become "self-defeating." "There are subjective lines based on American values that have to be drawn in selecting content," the panel wrote. But "we also need to know the adversary and hear what it has to say from time to time. Marti is derelict on these grounds. It has let the pendulum of being guided by well-meaning subjective values to swing to an extreme position that is undemocratic and self-defeating." In a first round of fallout from the Soros reports, the U.S. Agency for Global Media in February moved to fire eight reporters and editors. Marti also stopped publishing content from two other authors, including one whohad written that an "Islamization" of Europe by migrants is destroying the continent's Christian character. Lansing said he views the content review as a call to rebuild Marti "from the ground up." Asked if additional staff changes might be coming, he said "everything is on the table" - except dissolving the outlet. Marti's "mission is still an important one, to bring truth-telling on the island where residents are still fed a litany of lies and deception," Lansing said. "Until there is evidence the Cuban people have open access to news and information, [Marti] will have an important role." Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz is widely seen as the conservative golden boy of Europe. Suave and disarmingly young - he turns 33 in August - Kurz has been cast as the savior of Europe's center-right establishment, a fresh face in a continent weary of the stoic centrism of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and a plausible bridge between the liberal west and more nationalist governments in Central and Eastern Europe. Kurz came to power at the end of 2017 through a coalition between his center-right People's Party and the far-right Freedom Party. Rather than take Merkel's well-hewn path (and that of the previous Austrian government) - a grand alliance with center-left Social Democrats - he opted for a more ideologically proximate ally. It was a pact that shocked liberal onlookers in Europe and offered the latest indication of how far-right politics were drifting into the West's mainstream. Richard Grenell, President Trump's outspoken envoy in Germany, hailed Kurz as a "rock star." But on Saturday, Kurz's partnership with the Freedom Party - a faction founded by neo-Nazis - and its leader, Heinz-Christian Strache, dramatically ended after leaked videos showed Strache promising government contracts in return for donations from a woman posing as a wealthy scion of a Russian oligarch family. Strache announced his resignation both as the country's vice chancellor, as well as leader of his party. "The videos, secretly recorded in a villa on the Mediterranean island of Ibiza in 2017 before the Austrian elections, included Strache telling the woman he could arrange lucrative government contracts if she acquired controlling stakes in Austria's largest tabloid, Kronen Zeitung, and supported the anti-immigrant Freedom Party," my colleagues reported. "But the meeting appears to have been a political sting. The woman was not the niece of a prominent Russian businessman, as she claimed. The daily Suddeutsche Zeitung and the weekly Der Spiegel published clips of the video on Friday but did not say how they were obtained or how the video was made." The intrigues into the provenance of the videos and how they reached German media will continue. In a statement, Strache insisted that no crime was committed and that he was the victim of a "political assassination." He also said that the incident itself was "stupid, irresponsible and a mistake." But for Kurz, it was the last straw. "The Freedom Party has damaged the country's image," Kurz said to reporters. Later, he told the German newspaper Bild that investigations would determine whether Strache faces criminal liability. Not surprisingly, Kurz and Strache shared an uneasy alliance. Before the past week's scandal, Strache's party courted a range of controversies. Last month, Kurz was compelled to denounce a "horrible and racist poem" penned by a Freedom Party official that likened immigrants to "rats" and suggested that cultures destroy themselves when they mix. A party campaign poster, which depicted a fair-haired white couple surrounded by a sea of swarthy, sinister-looking foreigners, drew comparisons to Nazi propaganda. The Freedom Party's control of the portfolio for Austria's interior ministry led to fears of ultranationalists exploiting the country's security apparatus; the ministry ordered raids on top Austrian intelligence operatives, measures that were seen as bids to shield the Freedom Party and its extremist contacts, and which had a chilling effect on the country's security services. The party's close links with the Kremlin meant the United States and European partners had started to exclude Vienna from certain intelligence sharing. Strache's revealed willingness to sell himself to a Russian bidder reinforced the apprehensions many already had about the country's ascendant far right. "The images show a disturbing picture, a picture that does not represent our country. This is not who we are. This isn't what Austria is like," Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen told reporters. He called for fresh elections to rebuild Austrians' trust in their government. Those elections are expected in September. Austria is a small nation of almost 9 million people, but its current political turmoil has far wider lessons. Kurz's gambit was once seen as a sign of things to come, a blueprint for center-right parties across the continent to seize or maintain power by co-opting the populist parties to their right through a shared hard-line approach on immigration and identity. Earlier this month, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the continent's most infamous illiberal leader, urged other center-right parties to take Kurz's path. But nowhere has that tactic seemed to work. In France, the once-dominant center right hopelessly plays second fiddle to the far-right National Rally led by Marine Le Pen. In Spain's recent elections, the center right attempted to take a more nationalist, conservative line - and, instead, saw large segments of its supporters cast their ballot with an insurgent far-right party. Populist, far-right parties are expected to win significant gains in the European parliamentary elections - voting for which starts this Thursday - and often at the expense of traditional center-right factions. "A firmly rightwing, anti-immigration stance coupled with a modern image made Kurz the darling of the Conservative wing of Germany's Christian Democrats, exasperated by grand coalition compromises and Angela Merkel's centrism," noted the Financial Times. "He inspired other young mainstream right leaders, such as Pablo Casado in Spain and Laurent Wauquiez in France. But Casado tried the Kurz approach in last month's Spanish election, with disastrous consequences. Wauquiez has recently taken to emphasizing that he is the leader of the right and of the center. Kurzism as a conservative philosophy, if it ever really existed, is finished." The apparent venality displayed by Strache bolstered the arguments of many critics who see Europe's populists as cynical grifters who gladly collaborate with Russian proxies and other dubious actors. "Other mainstream European politicians facing threats from a growing far right should take heed: pandering to them doesn't work," wrote Alina Polyakova of the Brookings Institution. "For all the rhetoric of national sovereignty routinely espoused by Marine Le Pen, [Italy's] Matteo Salvini and other populist leaders, Strache's fall shows how these supposedly lofty ideas are a cover for opportunism and hypocrisy." But the current revelations may not dent their electoral fortunes, at least for now. "Austria is a small country and the other far-right parties can claim that this is not their problem," Wolfgang Muller, the head of the University of Vienna's government department, told Vox. "The Freedom Party's image might suffer, but I expect national concerns in other countries will be overwhelming for foreign voters." _ _ _ Tharoor writes about foreign affairs for The Washington Post. He previously was a senior editor and correspondent at Time magazine, based first in Hong Kong and later in New York. This editorial appears in The Washington Post. - - - Ever since Ukrainian television comedian Volodymyr Zelensky routed the country's established politicians in a presidential election last month, Western observers have puzzled over what to make of him. Is he truly the anti-corruption crusader he played on his television program, or is he a captive of the allegedly corrupt oligarch whose television network broadcast the show? Would he continue Ukraine's pro-Western foreign policy and stand up to Russia's Vladimir Putin, or would he allow himself to be manipulated by Moscow? Not all the answers are in, but Zelensky's inaugural speech on Mondayoffered some encouraging signs. Zelensky called on the parliament to quickly remove its members' immunity from prosecution and pass a law allowing the prosecution of officials for illegal enrichment. He announced that he was dissolving parliament early to allow for new elections, something that could allow him to leverage his popularity - he won 73% of the vote in a presidential runoff - into a pro-reform legislative majority. And he said that while his top priority would be ending Ukraine's war with Russian-backed forces in two eastern provinces, he would not give up Ukraine's territory - including Crimea, which Putin has declared part of Russia. Zelensky could quickly become mired in legal disputes with his parliamentary opponents, who are contesting his authority to force an early election. Putin, for his part, is playing tough - he greeted Zelensky's victory by offering Russian passports to residents of eastern Ukraine, and his spokesman said Monday he would neither congratulate nor soon meet with the new president. It nevertheless appears that Ukraine's new leader is trying to deliver desperately needed change in a country that, despite abundant resources, has been dragged down by endemic corruption as well as the conflict with Russia. Zelensky's predecessor, Petro Poroshenko, was himself an oligarch who staunchly resisted Putin's attempts to dismember the country but blocked critical reforms to the judiciary and other institutions. A crucial test for the new president will be his handling of oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky, who partnered with Zelensky on his television show and left the country after he was accused by Poroshenko's government of looting a bank. Western observers were alarmed when Kolomoisky suddenly returned to the country last week; if Zelensky installs the magnate's allies in his administration or reverses actions taken against him, the new administration could be instantly discredited. In the meantime, Zelensky took a sensible step by calling on the parliament to approve the dismissal of the chief state prosecutor, Yuriy Lutsenko, who has appeared open to an attempt by President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, to enlist his interference in the 2020 U.S. election. Giuliani reportedly pressed Lutsenko to investigate allegations of wrongdoing by Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son Hunter, though there is no evidence of wrongdoing by either of them. Zelensky may not have much political experience, but he appears to have enough common sense to resist allowing his new administration to be dragged into U.S. domestic politics. Giuliani and his boss ought to stop trying to make ill use of Ukraine's government and instead help its new president succeed. Connecticut faces a moment of tremendous potential: The opportunity to lead the nation in reforms that will benefit communities directly impacted by our nations love affair with incarceration. Our legislature is currently considering a bill (HB 6714) that encourages communication between incarcerated people in Connecticut and their families and support networks. Connecticut will be the first state to tackle the considerable financial burden placed on communities disproportionately communities of color and poverty fighting to maintain relationships with loved ones locked up inside prisons and jails. While Connecticut touts its overall progressive policies, we currently rank 49th in the country (second only to Arkansas) in affordability for a phone call from prison. A 15-minute call can runs nearly $5, not including the fees imposed for depositing money into prepaid accounts. In fiscal year 2018, Connecticut residents paid $13.3 million (excluding deposit fees and taxes) for phone calls with their incarcerated loved ones. Securus, a powerful prison telecommunications corporation, recorded roughly $5.6 million of that as revenue and the state received $7.7 million in kickbacks on the exclusive contract. Thats right: We make money gouging the poorest and most vulnerable among us. This legislative session we were visited by criminal justice advocates who shared their stories. A formerly incarcerated Connecticut resident reflected on the monetary and psychological costs of phone calls inside: When I was incarcerated, regular communication with my loved ones was essential for me to maintain my physical, mental, spiritual and emotional health. All of those things suffered because I couldnt manage to communicate with them you worry that youre being a burden. Theyre out there trying to take care of their bills, and you become another bill by trying to keep in contact with them. Making communication more accessible is not just the right thing to do; its also the smart thing to do. Research has demonstrated the importance of communication between incarcerated people and their loved ones. Communication increases safety and hope within prisons and jails, and it decreases recidivism and improves re-entry outcomes upon release. In making calls free, we would not only keep Connecticut families together, but we would also lower incarceration rates (along with its costs) and improve public safety. Its difficult to argue against such benefits. Some lawmakers have voiced objections to the loss of revenue and the additional budget for these calls. Not only would the proposal save Connecticut money in the long run, but exploitation of vulnerable communities is certainly not the answer. Core state functions should be funded out our core state budget, not by those who can least afford it it is neither ethical nor sustainable. As a state, it is our moral obligation to find a way to step up and model what fairness and equity look like for the rest of the country. Rep. Josh Elliott (D-Hamden), Rep. Joshua Hall (Hartford), Rep. Anne Hughes (D-Easton, Redding, Weston), Rep. Hilda Santiago (D-Meriden), Rep. Michael Winkler (D-Vernon), Rep. David Michel (D-Stamford) If indeed President Donald Trump pardons one or more U.S. military men accused or convicted of war crimes in Afghanistan or Iraq, it could be his most Nixonian moment yet. On March 29, 1971, a U.S. Army court-martial at Fort Benning, Georgia, convicted Lt. William Calley of 22 murders for his part in the massacre of as many as 500 men, women and children by a company of U.S. soldiers in My Lai, Vietnam. The tribunal sentenced him to life in prison. President Richard Nixon did not see this as an opportunity to drive home the point that U.S. soldiers must follow the laws of war and that deviations are not only morally wrong but counterproductive militarily. Rather, Nixon decided to exploit a groundswell of sympathy for Calley. In 1971, millions of Americans vilified Calley as typical of a corrupt and violent policy; yet millions more saw him as a dedicated soldier being scapegoated for the failed policies of others. A song called "Battle Hymn of Lt. Calley" sold more than 200,000 records in the three days after the court-martial ended. "My name is William Calley, I'm a soldier of this land," the lyrics went. "I've tried to do my duty and to gain the upper hand/ But they've made me out a villain; they have stamped me with a brand." Within days of Calley's conviction, Nixon exercised his authority to have him removed from prison and placed in comfortable house arrest pending an appeal, the first step in a process that would ultimately see Calley, the only American convicted for the atrocities in My Lai, set free after three years. Now, as in Nixon's era, executive clemency may undercut the results of legal process - but resonate on the populist right. Trump is in touch with the same distrust of elite authority that Nixon was, and he taps the same vein of sympathy for men sent to fight a dirty guerrilla war in which, as "Battle Hymn of Lt. Calley" put it, "It's hard to judge the enemy and hard to tell the good." Where Trump may break new ground, according to a recent New York Times report, would be by weighing a pardon for one Navy SEAL accused of murder - before he even stands trial. Edward Gallagher faces a May 28 court-martial on criminal counts that include premeditated murder for allegedly stabbing to death a suspected Islamic State fighter whom Iraqi forces had brought for medical care to Gallagher's SEAL team platoon in Mosul in May 2017. Gallagher, a 19-year veteran of multiple combat tours, also stands accused of firing at civilians indiscriminately, and, in one alleged instance, shot a girl walking along a riverbank. Gallagher denies the charges and, with the support of more than three dozen Republican members of Congress, began demanding less restrictive pretrial confinement almost as soon as he was arrested last September. Trump granted that demand in March. The campaign on Gallagher's behalf is smaller in scale than the one waged by Calley's supporters long ago, but similar in spirit. His leading defender, Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., has said that the military justice system is "rigged" and that Gallagher deserves presidential intervention if convicted. Gallagher's lawyers argue that his accusers - fellow Navy SEALs - are motivated by resentment at his demanding leadership style. Navy prosecutors argue that, to the contrary, Gallagher's accusers showed "the courage and integrity to come forward and report" his wrongdoing, as Cmdr. Christopher Czaplak said in a pretrial hearing last November. This assertion gains plausibility from the fact that the SEALs are a famously self-protective elite force not given to challenging one another's wartime conduct lightly, though of course Gallagher is entitled to a presumption of innocence and the right to challenge testimony against him. Perhaps, though, the SEALs' willingness to blow the whistle reflected the U.S. military's embrace, since My Lai, of the standard set by Hugh Thompson, a U.S. Army helicopter pilot who was at the village on March 16, 1968, saw what was happening and intervened to save a group of civilian Vietnamese, ordering his crew to fire on U.S. troops if necessary to stop the slaughter. In 1998, the Army held a special ceremony to present Thompson the Soldier's Medal - an award for heroism not involving conflict with an enemy. This belated recognition of a man who was, in 1968, ostracized for his stand, fit into the armed forces' broader effort to reinforce ethical and humanitarian standards. Thompson even spoke at West Point and other military installations. Hugh Thompson's legacy, in short, was taking hold; but now the commander in chief himself may be about to repudiate it. T he thrills of populist breakthrough parties are as nothing compared to the spills that often follow. A sudden unravelling of Austrias governing coalition is a riveting reminder of the risks traditional politicians take when they seek to boost sagging appeal by courting those once on the margins. The bizarre Ibiza scandal reaches far beyond Austria, which is surveying the wreckage of a partnership that seemed to promise a model of harnessing fire on the Right and embedding it in mainstream party politics. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has just seen his coalition partner, the far-Right Freedom Party, implode after its leader Heinz-Christian Strache, who was Vice-Chancellor, was caught in a video sting. He was seen discussing the possibility of illegal donations and the purchase of a powerful tabloid newspaper, in return for state contracts. A woman posing as the niece of a would-be Russian donor provided the political honeytrap. Strache should have trusted his instincts when he suspected her of not being a wealthy Russian because her toenails were dirty. The plotline was half The Night Manager, half Mr Bean. He and another colleague present for the six hours of revels in a holiday villa have resigned, and the Freedom Partys interior minister has followed leaving Austrians facing elections this year. But the most intriguing figure in this spicy Vienna stew with reverberations for panicking conservatives across the EU is not venal and witless Strache but the far sharper Chancellor. Still only 32, Kurz has become the most interesting conservative on the block, appearing prophetic and capturing attention at a time when his sister parties either fret about the end of the Merkel consensus or, in the case of Britain, disdain their leader but feel paralysed at the thought of what might follow her, Kurz, of the Austrian Peoples Party, has proved adept at political positioning. He has been able to bank on support from anti-migrant and Muslim-hostile Right-wingers, and has occasionally called for order which has resonances without being specific about what you think causes disorder. But he has also charmed less extreme voters with a debonair urban style and youthful panache. Its never entirely clear whether Bastis styling sharp suits and lavishly slicked back hair are a throwback or come with twist of hipster irony. Anne McElvoy Visiting Kurzs team only last week (when the talk was of a difficult marriage with the Freedom Party), I saw the Chancellor speak with his usual flair off the cuff and with jokes thrown in, batting away (a bit too insistently) claims by a satirist that his coalition was bearing down on opposition media. Accusations by opponents that Austrias free press is in danger look a tad more credible when Strache the head of a party in government deemed it OK to talk about masterminding the takeover of a newspaper. However, immigration, and the reactions to it, are where all of this becomes relevant far beyond Vienna. The Kurz model is often touted as an alternative to the default attitudes of European centrists: theoretically in favour of immigration but increasingly uncertain about how to win support for it at home. Kurzs rhetoric has focused on stopping illegal immigration, keeping asylum seekers at the outer borders of Europe or preventing them from reaching the European landmass in the first place. Quietly, a lot of official EU thinking is moving in this direction, an acknowledgement that the mass influx of asylum seekers in 2015/16 led to a backlash and fuelled nationalist movements across the continent. "The expected Brexit Party triumph in the Euro elections will pitch Tories closer to electing Boris as leader" Kurz has favoured tough measures at borders, and plans for poorer countries notably Albania, and in Africa to host UN-run camps that would house migrants and return them at some unspecified point (those with longer memories might remember William Hague, as Tory leader in the early 2000s, flirted with a similar idea, dubbed the fantasy island speech). But the unpalatable truth about populists is they are often successful precisely because they do not play by rules and norms. They get where they are by ignoring constraints, which makes them hard to temper, and likely to implode, rather than adapt. Our own fragmenting politics is tempting the mainstream to embrace wilder ways. Labour did so by transferring its campaigning power and online messaging to Momentum, which the leadership and many Corbynite MPs now believes has gone too far and needs to be reined in. The expected triumph of the Brexit Party in this weeks European elections when Nigel Farage will shake off his outrage at yesterdays Geordie milkshake attack will pitch the Conservative Party a step closer to electing Boris Johnson as leader. One way or the other, most candidates in the race to be the new Theresa May look too trapped in the same logic as her determination to split the difference on Brexit, so the call will come to embrace Boris as a tributary of Farageism, further diluting any moderate instincts Johnson once had. Indeed, even Conservative MPs who distrusted Boris might conclude that he is the best bet to save their seats in an election fought on the back foot. The same thinking informs his segue from cheeky showman to communicating in cruder, gut language which ends up with the F*** business outburst and the like. He can thus seek to channel Brexit Party/Ukip discontents while gathering up traditional Tory votes from the grassroots. Tactically, this route is a lot more tempting than running on the lets be reasonable ticket, which has not had a good two years. But it stores up the problem of how to deliver on the impossible dreams, calm the resentments and bring home the unwinnable victories. It crumbles all too quickly into this weeks Who betrayed Europe? rant from Italys interior minister Matteo Salvini (also touted not so long ago as the acceptable face of revolt against smug elites). Or it explodes in the inglorious technicolour of Austrias political crisis. The thrill does not last very long: the spill is a devil to clear up. I n the UK and in many other countries, Muslims will celebrate Eid-ul Fitr today. The religious occasion, which means Festival of Breaking the Fast, is a key date in the Islamic calendar as it marks the end of Ramadan and its month-long fast. Usually celebrated over three days, Eid ul-Fitr sees Muslims enjoy a large meal following the fast period. The festival is also a time for forgiveness and making amends. With Ramadan coming to an end, here's everything you need to know about Eid ul-Fitr. What not to say to a Muslim during Ramadan When is Eid ul-Fitr? Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated at the end of Ramadan, but because the Islamic calendar is lunar the date will vary depending on the moon. This year, the moon was partly visible in London on the evening of Monday 3 June, which means Eid-ul Fitr begins on Tuesday 4 June. This was confirmed by the UAE moon-sighting committee on Monday after the first sighting of the crescent moon. Eid-ul-Fitr typically lasts for one, two or three days. When was the moon sighted in Saudi Arabia? Indonesian Muslims hold a Rukyatul Hilal to see the new crescent moon that determines the end of Ramadan. / Getty The government of Saudi Arabia has already declared the start of Eid-ul Fitr to be Tuesday 4 June, in accordance with the Umm al-Qura Calendar. However, other organisations rely on the sighting of the lunar crescent to determine the end of Ramadan. Indonesia and Malaysia, for example, declared Wednesday as the first day of Eid ul-Fitr. How long does Eid ul-Fitr last? Eid celebrations usually take place over three days, particularly in all Muslim-majority countries. However, the number of days allotted to Eid will vary depending on the country. What is Eid ul-Fitr? Eid ul-Fitr is an important time for Muslims to show their gratitude to Allah / Getty The first Eid ul-Fitr was celebrated by Prophet Muhammed with friends and relatives after the victory of the battle of Jang-e-Badr. To many Muslims, Eid ul-Fitr is an important show of gratitude to Allah for the help and strength he gave them throughout the previous fasting month to help them practice self-control. A celebration that marks the end of Ramadan and the 30 days of fasting, Eid ul-Fitr is an important religious holiday that is celebrated by Muslims worldwide. What does Eid Mubarak mean? During Eid, well-wishers often greet each other by saying Eid Mubarak which means happy holiday. Another common greeting is Eid said, which means happy Eid. How do Muslims celebrate Eid? Muslims usually gather for a meal during Eid ul-Fitr (Getty ) / Getty During Eid ul-Fitr, most Muslims will visit a mosque and participate in prayer before sitting down with family and friends for their first daylight meal after fasting. How to make Eid Cookies London is a city known for its stylish occupants. And for a few days in June, the capital is set to look even better, as London Fashion Week Mens (LFWM) rolls into town with a packed schedule of catwalk shows, presentations and parties. Returning for its 15th edition, LFWM is a celebration of the diverse style London has to offer, showcasing everything from tasteful tailoring to subversive streetwear, wearable workwear and luxurious leather goods. Although most LFWM events are for industry insiders only, there is a way that you too can be part of the action. On 8 June, the one-of-a-kind neighbourhood of St Jamess will once again play host to a festival of mens fashion, the only LFWM event thats open to the public. Jermyn Street the original home of menswear and the heart of St Jamess will be transformed into an open-air catwalk, providing a sartorial centrepiece that has to be seen. You can also look forward to exciting in-store events and limited edition buys accompanied by street food to boost the festival atmosphere. Fashion shows will run throughout the day (12pm, 1.30pm and 3pm), featuring the vibrant and diverse brands the neighbourhood has to offer, from the iconic menswear stores of Jermyn Street and wider St Jamess through to contemporary brands. Expect to see looks from Sunspel, John Smedley, Jigsaw Emporium and Barbour International. With Catherine Hayward, fashion director of Esquire, in charge of the styling, you can expect ample inspiration for your summer wardrobe, covering not just what to wear but how to style it. London is a major player on the international fashion scene and St Jamess is home to some of the capitals best-kept style secrets, Catherine says. Where else can you find such illustrious yet diverse names in the same neighbourhood? The show will be working on a see-now-buy-now concept, with the opportunity to purchase looks straight from the catwalk in stores across St James's. Now in its fifth year, the St Jamess showcase is a unique opportunity to be on the front row of a sartorial celebration thats not to be missed. Register for your free ticket here. Snap up one of these super offers with the help of this handy map 1. Cubitts Best for: eyewear Cubitts create handcrafted frames and lenses for spectacles and sunglasses. They also offer full eye examinations in every store. Offer: complimentary eye exams and 10% off purchases in-store. 2. Trickers Best for: loafers Established in 1829, Trickers is Englands oldest shoemaker and is well-known for its sturdy country boots and classic loafers. Offer: a free gift of either a Trickers leather notebook or keyring with every purchase. 3. John Smedley Best for: polo shirts Home to handcrafted knitwear made in Britain, John Smedley have been manufacturing in Derbyshire since 1784. Offer: an exclusive 235th anniversary gift with all purchases over 250. 4. New & Lingwood Best for: bold blazers A quintessential English outfitter since 1865, New & Lingwood is famous for exceptional quality for savvy gentlemen. Offer: head in-store to pick up one of 50 free goody bags which will include a pair of socks and a 20% discount code. 5. Benson & Clegg Best for: tailoring accessories Founded in 1937, Benson & Clegg is a bespoke tailor and menswear brand renowned for luxury cufflinks, neckwear and handcrafted blazer buttons. Offer: 15% off their new ready to wear capsule collection in-store. 6. Floris Best for: aftershave British family perfumers since 1730, Floris has an extensive collection of mens grooming products, from shaving sets to face scrubs. Offer: 20% discount on the entire Gentleman Floris range. 7. SIRPLUS Best for: Nehru jackets SIRPLUS makes quality and contemporary menswear from surplus and other responsibly sourced fabrics. Offer: complimentary pair of socks with every purchase and in-store drinks from Toast Brewery. 8. Aquascutum Best for: trench coats Iconic British brand Aquascutum started life as a Mayfair tailors in 1851, and it is now home to luxury clothing for men and women. Offer: an exclusive 20% discount available in-store (excluding trench coats and rainwear). 9. Sunspel Best for: basics Founded in England in 1860, Sunspel produces the finest cotton and wool basics, from t-shirts to sweats. Offer: 15% off all purchases and drinks served in-store. For more about what's happening in and around St James's and to apply for free tickets to the catwalk show, visit stjameslondon.co.uk Liberty Korea Party Chairman Hwang Kyo-ahn speaks during a meeting with representatives of small- and medium-sized firms in Incheon, Tuesday. Yonhap By Park Ji-won The main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) has stirred up controversy by calling the upcoming Seoul Queer Parade "exhibitionistic," while the ruling Democratic Party of Korea has maintained a passive stance toward the rights of sexual minorities in Korea. Regarding an online ad by several DPK members to urge other DPK members to join the event which is scheduled to be held on June 1, Rep. Min Kyung-wook, a spokesman of the LKP, said, "The Seoul Queer Parade has been caught in controversy for being exhibitionistic and lascivious. And, the DPK is letting its members recruit more DPK members to join the event." Min added, "Homosexuality is a very sensitive issue on which the the legal, religious and medical communities have not been able to reach a conclusion." Citing what he called President Moon Jae-in's "vague stance" toward homosexuals in order not to lose his supporters, Min claimed the party should "come out" as a "queer" party and decide its position on the matter. His remarks came three days after LKP Chairman Hwang Kyo-ahn voiced his "opposition" to sexual minorities. "Personally, I oppose homosexuality. From a political point of view, I think we should not accept homosexuality. The event, which is hard to understand, has been held for decades," Hwang said during his nationwide tour to criticize the administration, Friday. Hwang, a leading prospective presidential candidate, is touring the country to attract more supporters. The LKP has been demonizing members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in a political move to pander to its conservative voters for years. In September, the party criticized then-gender minister candidate Jin Sun-mee for defending homosexuals during her Assembly hearing. Former LKP Chairman Hong Joon-pyo also said in August 2017 that "homosexuality is against nature." Kim Moo-sung, former chairman the Saenuri Party, the predecessor of the LKP, said in April 2016 that "homosexuality is against humanity. And it is a danger to the military system." The DPK criticized the LKP for politicizing a human rights issue. "It is problematic to politicize the issue," DPK vice spokesman Hyun Geun-taek said during an YTN interview, Tuesday. "The DPK is supporting the anti-discrimination law which also bans discrimination against the disabled, minorities and foreigners. The LKP's claim that it reveals the party's sexual identity is against the freedom of conscience." Choi Seok, spokesman of the liberal Justice Party, also joined the criticism. "Min cannot release such a statement without having negative opinions against sexual minorities. It is regretful to see a politician making such hate speech against sexual minorities," he said. "Each person is different. Nobody can force everyone to have a unified identity. If Min was living in Europe, he would be punished for making such remarks publicly. A political party openly promoted hatred. It is hard to tell what kind of society the LKP lives in." M uslims all over London are currently celebrating the holy month of Ramadan, a time of community, prayer and reflection. Considered the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is observed by Muslims as a 30-day fast in an effort to bring themselves closer to Allah. When is Ramadan 2019 in the UK? Although the exact dates depend on the sighting of the moon, Ramadan usually takes place between mid-May to mid-June. This year, the moon was seen on the evening of Sunday, May 5 - meaning that fasting began on May 6 and will last until June 4. Ramadan 2019: Why Im fasting Prayer is also an integral part of Ramadan and Muslims will typically carry out five daily prayers, which they are also obliged to perform throughout the year. Here are all the prayer times for Ramadan 2019, with the timetable courtesy of the East London Mosque: Ramadan 2019: Who is exempt from fasting What are the prayer times for Ramadan this year? Here are all the prayer times for Ramadan 2019, with the timetable courtesy of the East London Mosque: The Ramadan prayer times for 2019 / East London Mosque B righton Marina has been named as the most Instagrammable place in the UK by Google. New research from the tech giant, to celebrate the launch of the Google Pixel 3a phone , analysed 80,000 Instagram posts using popular hashtags, like #dayout and #landscape, to come up with a shortlist of the most photogenic backdrops in the UK. It then asked 2,000 people to vote on their favourite spot, and Brightons marina took the crown. Brightons famed pier also appeared in the list at number five, while Oxford University took the second spot and was followed by Londons Tower Bridge. London landmarks the London Eye, Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus also appeared in the list at fourth, sixth and tenth place respectively. You can check out the full list below. The UKs Top 10 Most Instagrammable Places according to Google 1. Brighton Marina, Brighton 2. Oxford University, Oxford 3. Tower Bridge, London 4. London Eye, London 5. Brighton Pier, Brighton 6. Trafalgar Square, London 7. Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol 8. Cathedral Square, Birmingham 9. World Museum, Liverpool 10. Piccadilly Circus, London To accompany the list, Google has also pinpointed the exact locations to stand to get that Instagram-perfect shot. D utch scientist and Nobel Prize winner Willem Einthoven is being honoured with a Google Doodle today on what wouldve been his 159th birthday. The trailblazing physiologist was best known for designing the galvanometer, which detected and recorded visual traces of the hearts electrical activity. During the 20th century, this instrument became known as the electrocardiogram, or ECG. Heres everything you need to know about Willem Einthoven: Who was Willem Einthoven? After graduating in medicine from the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands, Einthoven began working as a Professor of Physiology at the University of Leiden, a position he upheld until his death. Inspired by British physiologist August Waller, who had created his own means of recording the hearts electrical activity, Einthoven developed his own instrument in 1903, known as the galvanometer. Google Doodle art director Matt Cruickshank's favourite Doodles 1 /26 Google Doodle art director Matt Cruickshank's favourite Doodles The doodle marking the 155th anniversary of the London Underground Google The doodle celebrating the 255th anniversary of the British Museum Google The doodle marking India's Republic Day in 2013 Google The doodle marking the 160th anniversary of the first Indian passenger train Google The doodle marking Earth Day 2018 with Jane Goodall Google The doodle marking when the NASA Juno probe reached Jupiter The doodle marking when the NASA Juno probe reached Jupiter Google The doodle marking Hannah Glasse's 310th birthday, the creator of the Yorkshire Pudding Google The doodle celebrating Inuit artist Kenojuak Ashevak, who died in 2013 Google One of Matt Cruickshank's doodles, marking the 93rd birthday of Saul Bass, the American graphic designer and Oscar-winning film maker Google The doodle marking Polish painter Tamara de Lempicka's 120th birthday Google The doodle marking Shakespeare's 400th birthday, which also takes place on the same day as St George's Day Google The doodle celebrating the Japanese poet, Kobayashi Issa Google The doodle marking marine biologist and conservationist Rachel Louise Carson on her 107th birthday Google The doodle marking Columbian novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez's 91st birthday, Google The doodle marking Swedish director Ingmar Bergman's 95th anniversary Google An amalgamation of all the different Google Doodle gifs marking 100 years since the completion of the Trans-Siberian railway Google The background for the doodle game celebrating Doctor Who's 50th anniversary Google The doodle celebrating Doctor Who's 50th anniversary Google The doodle marking 155 years of the Pony Express - when horseback riders would deliver letters between California and Missouri Google His earliest model of the device required the patient to put their arms and feet into buckets of salt water and using these buckets as electrodes, he was able to monitor the rhythm of the heart as it pumps blood around the body. This technique also allowed him to recognise differences in the records of tracings obtained from different kinds of heart disease. Why is he being celebrated with a Google Doodle? Dutch scientist Willem Einthoven is being celebrated with a Google Doodle / Google Einthovens invention proved a crucial instrument in the diagnosis of heart disease and, over 100 years later, is still one of the most expansively used diagnostic tools in medicine. His work was widely recognised and in 1924, he won the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his machine and heart research. A part-time actor who appeared in the James Bond film Skyfall was murdered with an overdose of a chemsex drug during a plot to steal from gay men on Grindr dates, the Old Bailey heard today. Eric Michels, 52, was allegedly killed by 25-year-old Gerry Matovu with the drug GHB during an encounter at his home in Chessington, south-west London. It is alleged that Mr Michels was one of 12 people targeted by Matovu, who is accused of plotting with Brandon Dunbar, 23, to drug men in order to steal from them. Prosecutor Jonathan Rees QC told jurors that some men had their drinks spiked, while others were fleeced while distracted as they had sex. These two defendants, often working together, took advantage of hook-ups and dates that had been arranged with other gay men through the app Grindr, to steal property from those men and also to take photos of their bank cards and other identification documents for the purpose of fraud, said Mr Rees. Twelve gay men who met up with one or both of the defendants with a view to having sex, ended up being the victims of their criminal enterprise. Matovu and Dunbar, who were also lovers, are both accused of offences between 2016 and 2018, including theft, fraud, administering a poison and sexual assault. Grindr dates: Gerry Matovu denies the murder of Eric Michels / PA Matovu alone is accused of Mr Michels murder on August 17 last year. US-born Mr Michels was a human resources executive for energy firm SSE and as a part-time actor briefly appeared in Skyfall. He also had a role in the 2014 movie Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit. A niece of Syrias president Assad today agreed to forfeit thousands of pounds held in a London bank account after a court heard it was Syrian regime cash that had been brought into Britain. Anisseh Chawkat, 22, described by her barrister as a model student, had 151,387 paid into her Barclays account through a series of 56 cash deposits over two years. The National Crime Agency said the transactions effectively amounted to a breach of international sanctions imposed on Ms Chawkats mother Bushra and President Assad. The NCA had already been to court to have 24,688 cash still left in the account frozen and today won possession of this money after hearing that Ms Chawkat was not contesting its forfeiture. Setting out its case, the agencys barrister Nadeem Ahmad told Westminster magistrates that law enforcers had told Barclays last year that Ms Chawkat, who had been studying in London since 2014, had family links to the Syrian regime and obtained a freezing order preventing the remaining cash in her account from being spent. Mr Ahmad said the nature of the transactions indicated money laundering or, in this case, an effort to evade international financial sanctions imposed on the Assad regime. He said this meant that although there was no evidence of wrongdoing or criminal conduct by Ms Chawkat, the presence of the account funds are a circumvention of EU financial sanctions designed to restrict the availability and use of Syrian regime funds. Ms Chawkat did not appear in court but her barrister Zubair Ahmad QC said that she had cooperated with the NCA investigation and was a law-abiding person who had been a model student during her five years in London. Mr Ahmad said Ms Chawkat also had no political involvement and had arranged separate independent funding since having her Barclays account seized by the NCA. T he family of a man who disappeared after being kidnapped off the street in east London more than a month ago today issued a heartfelt plea for his safe return. Aron Kato, 28, was last seen being pushed into a car in Ilford in the early hours of the morning on April 18. Homicide detectives investigating the case today issued CCTV images showing the father of one being chased and pushed to the ground in Ley Street at around 4.30am. Since then he has not been in contact with friends of family and police said they were growing increasingly concerned for his welfare. Aron Kato, 28, was last seen being forced into a car in Ilford in April / Met Police Today Mr Katos partner Chanel Naidoo, said: Aron was taken from us and we havent seen or heard from him since. On that day, we went out with our son and his niece bowling and to the park as Aron loved taking the kids out. That evening he left us to go out with his friends, he called me at midnight and told me he loved us and he was going home. But the next morning I knew something was wrong when his phone was going to voicemail and he never came home and his family hadnt seen him either. She said Aron, who is unemployed, would spend every day with his three month old son and would never miss appointments. She added: He was the proudest father and his son was his world. He always wanted his own little family and he finally got it. For us to find ourselves in this situation we cant even describe what we are going through as a family right now. No-one deserves this and Aron needs to be found. Its been too long without him. We will always be here for him especially when he needs us the most at a time like this. We will never give up on him. We just need him home and we pray that he is safe and returns back to us. We love him so much. Please help us to find Aron. We all need our Aron back. Police say they are still treating the case as a missing persons investigation but seven men, aged from 25 to 39, have been arrested on suspicion of kidnap. They have all been released under investigation. Detective Chief Inspector Mick Norman, who is leading the inquiry, said: Aron had recently become a father and his disappearance is very much out of character. There has been no sighting of Aron for a month and, as you can imagine, his family are becoming increasingly concerned for his safety. Aron was last seen being forced into an, as yet unrecovered, dark coloured BMW hatchback, with the registration RF12 0ZA, in Ley Street, Ilford. I would appeal to anyone who knows the whereabouts of that car or the occupants to contact police immediately on 020 8721 4005. O ne in four new students at Oxford will be from the UKs poorest backgrounds by 2023 following a sea-change in admissions, the university has announced. Two new schemes aimed at helping disadvantaged students will offer places for up to 250 state school admissions a year, representing 10% of Oxford's UK undergraduate intake. The free programmes will be for bright but poor pupils who are offered a place to study at Oxford but struggle to meet the final requirements, or need help making the transition. According to the university, by 2023 one in four undergraduates is set to be from the UK's most under-represented backgrounds. One in four Oxford places set for poorest students by 2023 / PA Wire/PA Images The announcement comes as elite universities are under increased pressure to widen access and make sure students from poorer backgrounds are not put off from applying. Opportunity Oxford is aimed at students from more disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds. From the next admissions round it will see the introduction of a study programme for up to 200 students who have applied in the normal way and are on course to gain the required grades, but need additional support to transition successfully from school. The scheme will comprise of structured study at home plus two weeks of residential study at Oxford just before the start of the undergraduate term. Oxford University / Sidharth Bhatia/Unsplash Foundation Oxford will be a full-year programme open to students who have personally experienced particularly severe disadvantage or educational disruption. The scheme aims to open up places to students with high academic potential who, owing to their circumstances, are not yet in a position to make a competitive Oxford application. Eligible students could include refugees and children in care or with care responsibilities themselves. Once in operation, offers for Foundation Oxford will be made on the basis of lower contextual A-level grades, rather than the University's standard offers. The participants will all be based at Oxford colleges and, provided they successfully complete the programme, will move on to the undergraduate degree for which they were admitted. The vice-chancellor of Oxford University, Professor Louise Richardson, said: "This is a sea change in Oxford admissions. "Colleagues from across the University, its colleges and departments have united behind a commitment to accelerate the pace at which we are diversifying our student body and ensuring that every academically exceptional student in the country knows that they have a fair chance of a place at Oxford." This represents a significant step change for the university, boosting the proportion of students coming to Oxford from under-represented backgrounds from 15% of the current UK intake to 25%. Chris Millward, director for fair access and participation at the Office for Students, said: "Radical change is needed if gaps in access between the most and least advantaged students are to shrink at the most selective universities. "These proposals from Oxford are a positive step in the right direction, although of course there is much more to do. F insbury Park station was evacuated and surrounding streets closed as police investigated reports of a "suspicious vehicle". Emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 6pm on Tuesday. Scotland Yard told the Standard police had been investigating a "suspect vehicle". It came ahead of an event attended by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to mark the second luna anniversary of the Finsbury park mosque attack on Tuesday evening. Finsbury Park Station was evacuated on Tuesday due to "suspicious vehicle" / Adrian Kerr Commuters were warned of disruption to train services until 8pm. The north London station re-opened at around 6.45pm. Pictures shared on social media showed a crowd of passengers waiting outside the station. Many others were left frustrated after trains were unable to stop at the station due to the disruption. Some vented their anger on social media after trains continued on to Stevenage station without stopping. One woman known as Carolceltra tweeted: "Suspicious car in front of the station and my train can't stop at Finsbury Park, so the train decided that the next best station is STEVENAGE!" Another wrote: "An absolute joke. Having to travel all the way to Stevenage as they have closed Finsbury Park station. Surely you can let passengers off at the next stop." Commuter Ash Mahajan was on the train continuing to Stevenage when the announcement was made that the train would not stop at Finsbury Park. "There was a collective sigh of disbelief and people very agitated," he told the Standard. "The driver announced we can take a train back from Stevenage to Finsbury Park if Finsbury Park is open." A train journey between the two stations takes around 20 minutes. A spokesman for the Victoria line tweeted that the station was fully open shortly before 7pm. An earlier statement said the transport hub had been closed "due to a police request". A spokesman for the Met Police confirmed officers were probing "an abandoned vehicle that we are treating as suspicious". Seven Sisters road was closed in both directions during the incident, according to Transport for London. The road was re-opened at around 7pm. Finsbury Park bus station was also closed over the security alert. S adiq Khan was today criticised for falling short of promises to plant two million trees in his first term. The Mayor of London has only planted 175,000 trees despite a pre-election pledge to pay for two million in his first term, according to an FOI. A borough breakdown reveals that in 2016 and 2017 no trees were planted by the Greater London Authority (GLA) in the City of London. Similarly no trees were planted by the GLA in Wandsworth, Hillingdon, Richmond and Tower Hamlets in 2017. However the statistics show City Hall rapidly stepped up its tree programme four-fold last year by planting 107,000 trees compared to just 26,000 in 2017. In Kensington and Chelsea - where just four trees were planted by the GLA from 2016 to 2017 a total of 316 were planted last year. Ealing has consistently planted more GLA funded trees than any other borough over the past three years - planting more than 16,500 last year. During his 2015 election campaign Mr Khan pledged in a newspaper article that he would plant two million trees if elected as mayor. He later tweeted the article saying: Ill plant 2m trees in London in my first term as Mayor - focusing around our schools. This means Mr Khan, who is three years into his first term and faces an election next year, has only planted nine per cent of the trees that he promised he would. His deputy mayor for environment, Shirley Rodrigues, has previously said he would not be held to the promise because it was not in his printed manifesto. In their latest releases, City Hall says the Mayor is committed to increasing the proportion of trees by 10 per cent by 2050. Conservative Assembly member Tony Arbour accused the mayor of panic planting in the past year in a bid to meet his pledges and added: While Khan has already backtracked on his pledge to plant two million trees by 2020, Londoners havent forgotten about the mayors promise to them. Unless Khan plants around 200 trees every hour in the final of his mayoralty, he will have broken yet another promise. It is becoming clearer by the day that there is a colossal difference between what this Mayor says and what he does. A spokesman for Mr Khan said: The Tories must be having a laugh if they are accusing the mayor of not taking air pollution seriously, given his world-leading work to improve Londons toxic air. Sadiq has already funded the planting of a record 175,000 trees since May 2016, which is more than the previous mayor managed in eight years. In his manifesto Sadiq said he would embark on a major tree-planting programme across London by 2020. C hancellor Philip Hammond is set to make an explosive intervention in the looming Tory leadership race with a fierce attack on advocates of a no-deal Brexit. In remarks set to raise Tory tensions on EU withdrawal, the Chancellor will claim supporters of leaving the bloc without an exit agreement are trying to "hijack" the result of the referendum. Mr Hammond will use a speech to the CBI's annual dinner in London on Tuesday to warn against "right-wing populism". He will say that if the Brexit issue is not resolved in the next few weeks there is a "real risk" of a new prime minister moving towards a "damaging" no-deal exit policy for "ideological" reasons. Chancellor Philip Hammond / PA In what is likely to be seen as a sharp dig at prominent Tory Brexiteers like ex-foreign secretary Boris Johnson, Mr Hammond will say "all the preparation in the world" will not avoid the consequences of no deal. Tory Brexit infighting was on the increase as the Cabinet was meeting on Tuesday to discuss no-deal planning as Prime Minister Theresa May continued to try to get her Withdrawal Agreement Bill through the Commons. In comments that are likely to be seen as a swipe at some leading Tories as well as Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage, the Chancellor will say: "On the populist right, there are those who now claim that the only outcome that counts as a truly legitimate Brexit is to leave with no deal. "Let me remind them: the 2016 Leave campaign was clear that we would leave with a deal. "So to advocate for no deal is to hijack the result of the referendum, and in doing so, knowingly to inflict damage on our economy and our living standards. "Because all the preparation in the world will not avoid the consequences of no deal. "So I will continue to fight, in the face of this polarisation, for a negotiated Brexit - an outcome that respects the British people's decision to leave, while recognising that there is no mandate for a no-deal exit, and that we have an absolute obligation to protect Britain's jobs, businesses and future prosperity. "But we need to be clear that if we do not resolve this issue in the next few weeks, there is a real risk of a new prime minister abandoning the search for a deal, and shifting towards seeking a damaging no-deal exit as a matter of policy... to protect an ideological position which ignores the reality of Britain's economic interests and the value of our union." Philip Hammond arrives in 10 Downing Street / AFP/Getty Images Mr Hammond's comments come after Mr Johnson and former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab said they wanted to renegotiate Mrs May's withdrawal deal with the EU, but not rule out a no-deal exit. With Mrs May expected to announce a firm resignation date within weeks, Mr Raab called for a 5p cut in the basic rate of income tax. After launching a new group of self-styled centre-right Tories called One Nation, Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd indicated the bloc could support a leadership candidate who did not rule out no deal. TODO: define component type apester Ms Rudd told BBC2's Newsnight: "The no-deal option is really a contingency plan. "I described it as wearing a seatbelt when you are driving a car. Just because you have got a seatbelt on doesn't mean you want to have a crash "That's how I view deal no-deal Brexit. It's like it's there in case it happens. But very much at the centre of Government policy is getting a deal." Britain's Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd / AFP/Getty Images Around 25 Tory MPs attended a meeting in Westminster which outlined the One Nation group's ideas, including rejecting "narrow nationalism", supporting a "strong society" and backing public services. However, Ms Rudd's comments on a no-deal candidate appeared at odds with fellow leading One Nation group member, digital minister Margot James. Asked if One Nation could back a Tory leadership contender who advocated a no-deal Brexit, Ms James said: "I think it would be difficult for a candidate who would let the country leave without a deal to subscribe to quite a lot of those values and the policies that flow from them. "I don't think many candidates are going to stand up and say, 'I think the country should leave without a deal'. No. "But there are candidates who will go out of their way to make sure the country doesn't leave without a deal and that is what we need to ensure we get out of this leadership contest." Meanwhile, the move to suspend the Conservative whip from former deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine after he said he would vote for the Liberal Democrats in Thursday's European election caused controversy. Tory grandee Sir Nicholas Soames condemned the move against Lord Heseltine, telling Channel 4 News: "I think that's a really stupid, bovine thing to do." By Kim Yoo-chul Hahm Chai-bong, chief of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, resigned from the post after it was alleged that he embezzled funds from the country's top-tier think tank. According to prosecutors, Tuesday, Hahm is suspected of embezzling 1.1 billion won ($920,000) from the institute's account in 2014. The money was allegedly transferred to his wife's bank account and then used to buy an apartment in Seoul, they said. "Hahm is also alleged to have spent the institute's money on an overseas family trip," a prosecutor said. "Prosecutors recently obtained accounting documents." The institute said Hahm recently resigned from his post, without elaborating. Hahm, a politics professor at Yonsei University, served as a presidential adviser on political affairs in 2010, before assuming the post of institute chief in 2010. C hancellor Philip Hammond is set to accuse no-deal Brexit advocates of trying to "hijack" the referendum result. In comments that are likely to add to Tory tensions ahead of the party's looming leadership battle, Mr Hammond will use a speech to the CBI's annual dinner in London on Tuesday to warn against right-wing populism. Mr Hammond will say that if the Brexit issue is not resolved in the next few weeks, there is a "real risk" of a new prime minister moving towards a "damaging" no-deal exit policy for "ideological" reasons. He will say that leaving the EU without an agreement would amount to deliberate harm to the economy and will accuse advocates of a no-deal Brexit of trying to "hijack" the result of the referendum. Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond / REUTERS In what will likely be seen as a sharp dig at some prominent Tory Brexiteers, Mr Hammond will say that "all the preparation in the world" will not avoid the consequences of no deal. The chancellor will say: "On the populist right, there are those who now claim that the only outcome that counts as a truly legitimate Brexit is to leave with no deal. "Let me remind them: the 2016 Leave campaign was clear that we would leave with a deal. "So to advocate for no deal is to hijack the result of the referendum, and in doing so, knowingly to inflict damage on our economy and our living standards. Chancellor Philip Hammond / AP "Because all the preparation in the world will not avoid the consequences of no deal. "So I will continue to fight, in the face of this polarisation, for a negotiated Brexit - an outcome that respects the British people's decision to leave, while recognising that there is no mandate for a no-deal exit, and that we have an absolute obligation to protect Britain's jobs, businesses and future prosperity. "But we need to be clear that if we do not resolve this issue in the next few weeks, there is a real risk of a new prime minister abandoning the search for a deal, and shifting towards seeking a damaging no-deal exit as a matter of policy... to protect an ideological position which ignores the reality of Britain's economic interests and the value of our union." It comes as a Tory split deepens over Brexit and Theresa May's senior ministers prepare to discuss whether to offer MPs a menu of options to break the Commons deadlock. Tuesday's Cabinet meeting is expected to consider the possibility of holding indicative votes in order to find something that the Commons can back. The legislation for the Brexit deal - the Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB) - is due in the Commons in the week beginning June 3 and faces stiff opposition following the failure of cross-party talks to reach a compromise. T he Brexit Party will demand to have places on the EU negotiating team if they come top in this weeks European elections, Nigel Farage has said. Speaking at a packed rally in Kensington, Mr Farage said if his party tops the polls in Thursdays vote, representatives must join the EU negotiating team. The Brexit Party is currently topping the polls, with a seven-day rolling average now predicting they will take home 34% of the vote. The former Ukip leader also speculated that Brexit Party wins could impact the Tory and Labour leaderships, saying: We will quickly get rid of the worst prime minister in the history of our nation. You never know, given the way we are smashing the Labour vote in Wales and the Midlands, a big Brexit win might get rid of Jeremy Corbyn as well. Nigel Farage speaks during a Brexit Party rally / EPA Mr Farage also commented on the Electoral Commission's investigation into the party's funding. Its premises were searched by commission staff on Tuesday. He told the 3,000-strong crowd: "After seven hours, the Electoral Commission has not found a single misdeed by the Brexit Party. Let me make clear to all the conspiracy theorists. Our money comes from this growing mass movement of people." Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage / AFP/Getty Images He did not address the news of a European Parliament committee investigation into a complaint that he allegedly failed to declare 450,000 in donations to him by Leave campaigner Arron Banks. President Antonio Tajani said the Brexit Party leader has been referred to the advisory committee, the body responsible for implementing the members' code of conduct. The allegation was made by Liberal Democrat MEP Catherine Bearder following reports by Channel 4 News that Mr Banks spent around 450,000 on Mr Farage in the year following the EU referendum. Arron Banks / Victoria Jones/PA Under EU rules, MEPs must declare payments made to them, or other support given by third parties. Before Mr Farage spoke at the Kensington rally, the audience also heard from Brexit Party candidate Anne Widdecombe, and former president of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Klaus. Mr Klaus, who greeted the crowd as his "dear Brexit friends" said the Czech Republic share the "same or similar criticisms" of the EU to the UK. Brexit? retorts a woman shopper as she and a friend bustle through Barking market. Dont get us started! Barking and Dagenham was one of five London boroughs to vote Leave in the 2016 referendum. But its also a Labour heartland, with the party holding all of the 51 seats on the council. Both its high-profile MPs, Margaret Hodge and Jon Cruddas, are Remainers. Council leader Darren Rodwell says that despite its white, working-class image, the east London borough has become one of the capitals most diverse, with 130 cultures. While 62 per cent of residents voted Leave, Mr Rodwell quickly points out that this was on a 38 per cent turn out. But he expects similar anti-EU sentiments to be expressed in Thursdays European elections and admits Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is not helping the party to shore-up support. In my area, Jeremy Corbyn is not liked by the majority of the working class people we talk to, Mr Rodwell told the Standard. I cant pretend he is. He isnt. They dont believe he has their values. He said Labour voters were being enticed by Nigel Farages message and the Brexit Party. Labour activists hope that the presence of Ukip and the Brexit Party on the ballot paper will offer salvation by splitting the anti-EU vote. At Barking market, shoppers appeared unsure of how best to use their European Parliament vote to indicate support or opposition to Brexit. There was frustration at the failure of Westminster politicians to deliver Brexit. Peter Britton, 64, who has run a key-cutting stall at the market since 2002, said: Im going to vote for Brexit. I just want us to sort the bloody thing out. Asked about Mr Corbyn, Mr Britton replied: I cant stand the bloke. I have got nothing against Labour. I just dont like him. Victor Soloman-Akuma, 52, a Tory voter, said: Im confused. I dont know what is happening. I dont know who to vote for. I voted Leave. I didnt know where the money was going and why they [the EU] were keeping it. Blanche Rarowska, 48, said she would not be voting and blamed Brexit for deepening racial divides. Brexit is another excuse to blame those who are different, she said. Brexit was based on, in my opinion, uneducated people voting and not knowing the serious consequences that would occur. I would like another referendum. Leanne Piper, 39, a mother of four, said: Leave and get it done with. That is what we were promised. She used to vote BNP, switched to Ukip and plans to vote for the Brexit Party. Abby Benson, 18, an A-level student, plans to vote Labour. She said: I think we need to be able to vote again. I have been seeing on social media a lot of people complaining about not understanding the options. If we had a second vote, a lot of people would sway towards thinking maybe we should stay. Her friend Seyram Ablorde, who at 17 is too young to vote, said: Politicians just lie. Not enough people understand the implications. I think Jeremy Corbyn is trying to be a voice for the younger generation, but I dont know how effective he is. Anna Dembinska, 40, a Polish mother of two who came to London seven years ago for work, wants the UK to remain in Europe. I think it would be better because the English people dont want to go for every job, she said. The European people will do any job. There is very good work here. Kasy David, 32, originally from Nigeria, is a Remainer but will not vote. Its just a waste of time, she said. Look at the mess we are in. We were lied to. I think the promises that were made on the NHS was a factor for a lot of people. E U president Donald Tusk today intervened in the European elections by urging Londoners to support a Change UK candidate running to become an MEP The EUs most senior official endorsed his former deputy prime minister Jan Rostowski, who is running as a candidate in London, claiming he would make a great MEP for London. The staunch Remain backer, who has been highly critical of Britains plans to leave the EU and is a former Polish PM, said: Jan Rostowski worked with me as finance minister of Poland for six years and then as my Deputy Prime Minister. In a statement, he added: Not only was he the best finance minister in Europe during the financial crisis, he is also a very dear friend who would make a great MEP for London, which I know he loves. Jan Rostowski is running as a candidate in London / AFP/Getty Images I urge Londoners who want Britain to stay in the EU to vote for him. London-born Mr Rostowski served as Polands finance minister between 2007 and 2013 and was later deputy prime minister under the then ruling Civic Platform Party. The economist is a staunch defender of the European Union. Carole Tongue, a former MEP for Labour who is also standing for Change UK in the election for the London region, said: Im delighted that President Donald Tusk, whose knowledge of European politics and economics is unsurpassed, has recommended to Londoners that if they want to Remain in the EU they should vote for Change UK on Thursday. The health secretary pitches why Tory hardliners should vote for the Withdrawal Agreement Bill, telling BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It's different to before. Not only will some of the details be different... but also the process is different. "Because if you want as an MP to leave the EU and deliver on the result of the referendum, no matter what the details you want to see on the terms of the future relationship, you need to vote for this legislation and then have the debate in the committee stages later on exactly what the details are." M Ps across the Brexit divide have rounded on Theresa May, insisting they will not back her new "last chance" deal. Boris Johnson, Jacob Rees-Mogg and Dominic Raab were among the leading Tory Eurosceptics who said they would not vote for the revised deal. They were joined by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who described the new plan as a "rehash of her old bad deal", adding: "Labour cannot support it." Mrs May unveiled her new ten-point Brexit plan on Tuesday, insisting it was the "one last chance" to deliver the result of the 2016 referendum. In a speech at PWC in London, she said MPs would get a vote on a second referendum under the Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB). In a move likely which angered Brexiteers, she also said it would be left to Parliament to decide what type of customs arrangements the UK would have in the future with the EU. However, even as she was still halfway through delivering her new blueprint, Tory MPs were announcing they would oppose the proposals which are said to have sparked an absolute bun fight at Cabinet this morning. Mrs May appealed to MPs to back her 'new deal' / AP Brexiteer Boris Johnson, who has announced his intention to run for the Tory leadership, said: "We are being asked to vote for a customs union and a second referendum. The Bill is directly against our manifesto - and I will not vote for it. "We can and must do better - and deliver what the people voted for." Former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab added that he could not support legislation that "break our clear manifesto promises." He wrote: "I listened carefully to the PM's speech on the govt's revised terms of Brexit. I cannot support legislation that would be the vehicle for a second referendum or Customs Union. "Either option would frustrate rather than deliver Brexit - and break our clear manifesto promises." Jacob Rees-Mogg also hit out at the proposals, describing them as "worse than before and would leave us bound deeply to the EU". "It's time to leave on WTO terms," he said. Brexiteer Simon Clarke tweeted that he would go against the plans, writing: This speech from the PM means there is no way I will support the Withdrawal Agreement Bill. Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith MP added: Theres nothing new or bold about this bad buffet of non-Brexit options. Jeremy Corbyn has made clear Labour will vote against it, making it look highly unlikely that it will get through the Commons. Theresa May: MPs will get vote on whether to hold second referendum He criticised the new deal as "a rehash of the government's position in the cross party talks that failed to reach a compromise". He said: "The Prime Minister's proposal tonight seems to be largely a rehash of the Government's position in the cross-party talks that failed to reach a compromise last week. "On key elements - customs, market alignment and environmental protections - what the Prime Minister calls her new Brexit deal is effectively a repackaging of the same old bad deal, rejected three times by Parliament. "We will, of course, look seriously at the details of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill when it is published. But we won't back a repackaged version of the same old deal - and it's clear that this weak and disintegrating Government is unable deliver on its own commitments." SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon also said her party would vote against the deal in a bid to stop Brexit. Several MPs who supported the deal last time have announced that they will not do so again. Tory MP Zac Goldsmith called it a convoluted mess and added that the revised deal takes us towards a rigged referendum between her deal and no Brexit is just grotesque." He added: "The PM must go." Conservative MP and Brexiteer Charlie Elphicke, who voted for Mrs Mays deal last time, also said he would not support her revised bill. Describing it as more of a dogs breakfast that the last deal", he added: "I'm afraid that this proposal will reinforce the public's view that the establishment is hell-bent on thwarting the referendum result," he added. Fellow European Research Group member Steve Baker echoed his sentiments in a tweet, writing: "Reaction to this speech has been extremely adverse so far among MPs and campaigners. Of course, I will vote against this muddled implementation of a failed deal which only adds yet more uncertainty. A truly awful situation." Conservative MP and Brexiteer Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP also said she was "very unlikely" to vote for the deal. "It still contains the dreaded backstop, endangering our Union and selling out the people of Northern Ireland," she said. Meanwhile, Green Party MP Caroline Lucas, who backs a second referendum, tweeted: "PM's 'new' deal is putting lipstick on a pig - rehash of old deal with a few concessions attached. Using bait of possible #PeoplesVote to get flawed deal over line won't work. "Democracy shouldn't come with strings attached. PV (people's vote) needs to be guaranteed now, not left to chance." Many of Mrs May's cabinet members did not react immediately to the speech, but she later drew support for her proposal from International Development Secretary Rory Stewart and Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd. Mr Stewart posted: ".@theresamay is right - we need to get Brexit done. The delay and uncertainty is doing real damage to businesses and consumer confidence across the country. "Then - when we have got it over the line - we can move on and talk about the wider issues that really matter to people, while crafting the future of British foreign policy." Mrs Rudd tweeted: "The Prime Minister is doing everything she can to ensure we leave the EU in a way that protects jobs, security and the Union. I support her and urge colleagues to back the deal. Once passed business investment and confidence will surge, building on strong national employment." Chancellor Philip Hammond also tweeted: "Britain needs a Brexit that feels like a compromise; one that everyone can live with. "@theresa-may's new Brexit deal is a bold proposal and one I encourage all members of the House of Commons to get behind so we can settle this question once and for all." Trade unionists also dismissed it as a "desperate last throw of the dice". The Prime Minister had hoped to win over Labour MPs by offering commitments on workers' rights. Manuel Cortes, general secretary of the TSSA transport union, said there were "no real guarantees on jobs, workers' rights or future customs arrangements". Calling for a general election, he added: "The country simply cannot go on like this. Whatever fate awaits Brexit, we clearly need a general election and a new government. "It's high time our political class woke up to what is wilful destruction of our economy. Prime Minister Theresa May leaves after making a speech in central London on her latest Brexit plans. / PA "May's Brexit deal must be put to a confirmatory vote - without further hurdles - so we can draw a line under this damaging Brexit saga." Speaking in central London, Mrs May warned that a failure to reach an agreement on Brexit would lead to a "nightmare future of permanently polarised politics". She said: The majority of MPs say they want to deliver the result of the referendum...and I believe there is now one last chance to do that. She also stressed that she had offered to give up the job I love earlier than I would like to try to get her Brexit plan agreed. Mrs May said the Government had offered a compromise option of a temporary customs union on goods, including a UK say in relevant EU trade policy and an ability to change the arrangement, so a future government could move it in its preferred direction. Labour wanted a comprehensive customs union. We were not able to agree this as part of our cross-party talks so it is right that Parliament should have the opportunity to resolve this during the passage of the Bill and decide between the governments proposal and a compromise option, she added. The bill would include at introduction a requirement to vote on whether to hold a second referendum before the Withdrawal Agreement can be ratified. Mrs May argued: If MPs vote against the Second Reading of this Bill they are voting to stop Brexit. If they do so, the consequences could hardly be greater. She suggested it could be no deal, a General Election or a second referendum. Of a second referendum, she said: "I recognise the genuine and sincere strength of feeling across the House on this important issue. "The Government will therefore include in the Withdrawal Agreement Bill at introduction a requirement to vote on whether to hold a second referendum and this must take place before the Withdrawal Agreement can be ratified." She tweeted a video of her speech, saying: "Our new Brexit deal makes a ten-point offer to everyone in Parliament who wants to deliver the result of the referendum. #LetsGetThisDone." Mrs May's speech came after another difficult Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. The "new deal" is an attempt by the Prime Minister to win over critics across the Commons who have rejected her three previous attempts to get an agreement through. T he European parliament will investigate a complaint alleging Nigel Farage failed to declare donations from Leave campaigner Arron Banks. President Antonio Tajani said the Brexit Party leader has been referred to the advisory committee, the body responsible for implementing the members' code of conduct. The allegation was made by Liberal Democrat MEP Catherine Bearder following reports by Channel 4 News that Mr Banks spent around 450,000 on Mr Farage in the year following the EU referendum in 2016. Under EU rules, MEPs must declare payments made to them, or other support given by third parties. Allegations: Arron Banks is under investigation over cash donated to a pro-Brexit campaign group / REUTERS Mr Tajani on Tuesday referred the issue to an advisory committee of five MEPs that investigates the conduct of members. Mr Farage will be invited to comment before the committee, which will not sit until June 4 at the earliest, after this month's European elections, a parliament source said. He has repeatedly denied that he took any money from Mr Banks, adding that personal expenses were none of their business. Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage arrives to attend a Brexit Party campaign event in London / REUTERS Speaking to Channel 4 on Tuesday, he said: "I have taken no money at all. No cash at all. I might have used a house. I have been to a party in America but I've taken no money at all." When asked if he should have declared anything, Mr Farage replied: "No. Because it's nothing to do with politics." One MEP will be appointed to lead an examination and write a report recommending a possible sanction. Any punishment will be decided by the European parliaments president, from either a reprimand to withholding a salary. Mr Farage will be invited to comment before the committee makes a recommendation on possible sanctions. The Standard has approached Mr Farage and the Brexit Party for comment. The investigation emerged shortly before the electoral watchdog found no wrong-doing regarding the Brexit Party's funding model following after a visit to the group's headquarters. Mr Farage had accused the Electoral Commission of being "absolutely full of Remainers" after it announced a search of his party's offices. Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage on a visit to Newcastle Upon Tyne on Monday / Getty Images He also claimed the regulator was staffed by establishment figures and was not a neutral organisation - and said he believed his party was "more compliant" than any others standing in the European elections. Discussing his party's donation system, he said: "I've got a team of four qualified accountants looking after our money, our income. I bet we're more compliant than any of the other parties in this election. "I've crossed with the Electoral Commission before - they are not a neutral organisation, absolutely full of Remainers, full of establishment figures." After the review on Tuesday, a party spokesman said: "The Electoral Commission, after an interim confirmation during the day that it had no evidence of any electoral offences, reconfirmed at the end of the inspection that it has not seen any evidence of electoral offences. Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage addresses a European Parliament election campaign rally at Olympia London / AFP/Getty Images "We are pleased, but not surprised. We are keen to be as transparent as possible. "To that end, in recent weeks, we have invited representatives from various media organisations to inspect our donation systems... "We believe in continuous improvement and welcome constructive recommendations from the Electoral Commission to enhance our processes and procedures." An Electoral Commission spokesman defended the visit to take "a closer look" at the systems the party has in place to receive funds, which he said was "right and proper" for a regulator. He said: "We have not seen evidence of electoral offences, but the law in this area is complex and we want to satisfy ourselves that the party's systems are robust." The spokesman insisted the watchdog had "not deviated from our usual approach". He added: "We are an independent and impartial organisation which is accountable to Parliament. We regulate as is proportionate to the issue, regardless of a party's politics." H undreds of EE customers have reported being unable to make calls over 4G this morning following a widespread outage on the network. The problems appear to have begun around 8am on Tuesday morning, affecting major cities including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Belfast and Glasgow. EE confirmed there was an issue with 4G calling that left some customers unable to make phone calls. Hundreds took to social media to complain they had been affected by the problems. What has happened? EE network users have reported of outages across the UK. / PA Archive/PA Images The website DownDetector recorded a spike in the number of reported outages just before 11am. Furious customers complained on social media that they were unable to use their phone to make phone calls, with some claiming they were also unable to receive calls. Some have also reported that internet, Wifi and text services were down as well. However, the problem doesn't seem to have affected everyone with some customers saying the network is working as normal for them. What has EE said? In a message sent to several customers who contacted the company on Twitter, EE said: "We're aware that a small number of customers are unable to make some calls over 4G. "We're doing our best to fix this quickly. Please keep retrying and we apologise for any inconvenience. WiFi calling, as well as text and data services, are not affected." The network said that some customers had "experienced intermittent problems" trying to make phone calls over 4G. Normal service is expected to resume shortly for all customers. In a further statement, an EE spokesman said: "Some of our customers have experienced intermittent problems making calls on 4G this morning. This issue has been resolved for the majority of those affected and normal service for all customers should resume shortly. "Calls over 3G, data services and text messages have not been affected, so customers have been able to get online and use apps and messaging services as normal. We apologise to our customers for the inconvenience caused." The Twitter account has recommended that customers restart their phones. Am I entitled to compensation? There isn't an automatic compensation scheme with EE for network outages. However Consumer Rights Act 2015 states that services should be carried out with reasonable skill and care. Therefore, depending on the circumstances, you may be entitled to money back for loss of service whilst the repairs were being carried out. For your complaint to be valid, youd have to prove consequential loss, for example, if you had to spend money to use a payphone or connect to wi-fi. How do I claim compensation? You can contact EE customer service by phone, online or via their Twitter account, although be aware that all lines of communication will be extremely busy. If the response you receive is not satisfactory, you can raise this with Ombudsman Services, of which EE is a member. The customer would need to ask for a deadlock letter or wait eight weeks starting from when the complaint was first filed. To contact EE you can ring 0800 079 0126 between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday, or 8am and 6pm Saturday to Sunday. Or you could write to EE Customer Services, 6 Camberwell Way, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear SR3 3XN E E customers across the UK were left frustrated this morning as they reported being unable to access the mobile network. The website DownDetector recorded a spike in the number of reported outages just before 11am. The issues appear to have started around 8am and impacted most major cities including London, Birmingham and Glasgow. An EE spokeswoman told the Standard the outage had been resolved and had lasted a few hours on Tuesday morning. However customers continued to complain over problems with the network on social media. A spokesman on Twitter said the company was "aware that a small number of customers are unable to make some calls". EE network users have reported of outages across the UK. / PA Archive/PA Images Hundreds of customers took to social media to complain over the issue. One person wrote: @EE I am not able to make calls. Even to EE. Another writing to EE on Twitter at around 10am said: @EE why do myself and others have no service? They later clarified: Absolutely none, it wont let me select Mobile data to turn it on and when I go to settings, mobile data, no information pops up - I know others in my area have the same problem. Another said they had experienced the issue two days in a row: @EE is the network down? I cant make any calls today, same happened yesterday! On Twitter just after 11.30am, EE was responding to customers complaints to say they were aware of a small number of customers unable to make calls over 4G. A former RAF wing commander who ran operations at Kabul airport during the Afghan war was among three Britons killed in a Dubai plane crash. The UK-registered light aircraft came down on Thursday evening after a reported technical malfunction, killing the pilot, co-pilot and two passengers. The other victim was South African. Pilot David Phillips, 52, who spent more than 20 years in the RAF, was head of airfield support and operational services at the airport in Afghanistan between September 2000 and December 2002. He established and maintained operational capability in hostile conditions at Kabul airport and also ensured safety-critical aerodrome capability in direct support of royal and VVIP operations at RAF Northolt. Another of his roles was as a military air traffic controller and he also acted as a commander of the air cadets. The crash site in Dubai / AP A spokesman for the RAF said: The RAF and RAF Air Cadets are hugely saddened by the death of Mr David Phillips, our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this difficult time. After leaving the air force Mr Phillips worked for consultancy GMR, as well as for Flight Calibration Services Ltd, based in Shoreham, West Sussex, which owned the crashed plane. He was on board to test navigation systems at Dubai international airport, which is undergoing work, officials said. The company announced in November that it had signed a contract to work on the airports navaids, the beacons around the runways. Its Diamond DA42 plane crashed about three miles from the worlds busiest international hub. The United Arab Emirates general civil aviation authority said it would investigate the accident to establish its causes, adding that it extends its sincere condolences to victims families. Family, friends and colleagues have paid tribute to Mr Phillips, a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society from High Wycombe, calling him a true officer and a gentleman and offering condolences to his wife, Eileen. His niece, Megan Phillips, said she had lost one of the most important people in my life, my uncle David. She added: You were the closest thing I had to a father and I am so grateful for that. One friend wrote online: Dave was a good friend and an utter gentleman. He was a very popular guy and very well thought of in aviation, both as an air traffic controller and a commercial pilot. Another said: He was by far the best commanding officer I had during my 37-year RAF career, a real hands-on guy. US aerospace firm Honeywell said it had hired Flight Calibration Services and the DA42 for work in Dubai. It said it was deeply saddened by the crash. Officials of global cities battling air pollution and environmental experts will gather in Seoul this week to discuss concerted efforts and measures to reduce fine dust particles, the Seoul government said Tuesday. The Seoul International Forum on Air Quality Improvement 2019 will take place at Seoul City Hall on Wednesday and Thursday under the theme "How to improve air quality with citizens," the Seoul metropolitan government said. The forum will draw representatives of 35 cities in six Asian countries South Korea, China, Japan, Mongolia, Vietnam and Singapore. Notably, as many as 16 Chinese cities will send their delegates to the Seoul forum, which was launched in 2010 and held under the title "Northeast Asia Forum on Air Quality Improvement" until last year, it said. The renaming of the conference has come as part of the Seoul government's efforts to seek the cooperation of the entire world in the fight against fine dust pollution, it explained. From South Korea, 17 institutions, including the Presidential Pan-National Joint Organization for Particle Pollution Control, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, South Jeolla Province and South Gyeongsang Province, will participate in the Seoul forum. Isabelle Louis, deputy director of the United Nations Environment Program's Asia Pacific Regional Office, and Ahn Byung-ok, co-head of the Presidential Pan-National Joint Organization for Particle Pollution Control, will deliver keynote addresses Wednesday. On Thursday, Seoul and Beijing municipal officials will have a closed-door meeting to discuss measures to reduce fine dust particles in the traffic sector, including the control of diesel cars. Seoul also plans to expand cooperation with other Chinese cities and provinces, like Heilongjiang, Shenyang and Yunnan, in its fight to reduce urban fine dust pollution. (Yonhap) J amie Olivers restaurant chain collapsed today, costing 1,000 jobs in a huge setback for one of the worlds best known celebrity chefs. All but three of the chef's 25 restaurants were closed with immediate effect on Tuesday after investment could not be secured to keep them trading. The group, which includes Jamie's Italian, Barbecoa and Fifteen, has appointed KPMG as administrators. The business confirmed the closure of all its sites excluding its two Jamie's Italian restaurants and Jamie's Diner at Gatwick Airport. A sign in the window of a Jamie's Italian in Paradise Street, Liverpool as restaurants closed on Tuesday / PA KPMG said in a statement: "All but three of the Group's 25 eateries have closed. "Both Jamie's Italian restaurants and Jamie Oliver's Diner at Gatwick Airport will continue to trade in the short term while the joint administrators explore options for the site. "Regrettably, these closures will result in approximately 1,000 redundancies." Jamie Oliver pictured at one of his restaurants in 2017 / EPA Mr Oliver said on Twitter that he was "devastated" by the closures and thanked those who "put their hearts and souls into this business over the years". In an official statement, the chef added: "We launched Jamie's Italian in 2008 with the intention of positively disrupting mid-market dining in the UK high street, with great value and much higher quality ingredients, best-in-class animal welfare standards and an amazing team who shared my passion for great food and service. And we did exactly that." Mr Oliver offered 4 million to support a last-minute search for funds, but with "no investment forthcoming" and in light of difficult trading conditions, the firm appointed the administrators. A sign pictured in the window of Jamie's Italian in Liverpool / PA Around 1,300 people are estimated to work for the UK business in total. Closure notices were displayed in the windows of branches across the country on Tuesday. Will Wright, partner at KPMG and joint administrator, said: "Unfortunately, with insufficient funds available to be able to trade the business in administration, all but the Gatwick airport restaurants have now closed. "Our priority in the coming hours and days is to work with those employees who have been made redundant, providing any support and assistance they need." A Jamie's Italian branch near London Bridge / Leon Neal/Getty Images All restaurant salaries will be paid up to the date of the administrator's appointment, KPMG added. The process does not affect Mr Oliver's other companies, which handle his media and licensing deals, while the international branch of Jamie's Italian is also unaffected. Fifteen Cornwall, which operates under a franchise, is also not involved. It follows a hunt for a new investor in the Jamie's Italian brand, with a number of private equity firms touted as mulling bids for a stake in the business. Mr Oliver's restaurant empire has taken a few knocks over the past two years. In 2018 Jamie's Italian shuttered 12 of its 37 sites through a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA). The TV personality's steak house, Barbecoa, also went into a pre-pack administration, leading to the closure of its Piccadilly branch. Overseas, five branches of the Australian arm of Jamie's Italian was sold off last year, while another was put into administration. A n event which is to be hosted by PR consultant Max Clifford will be going ahead on December 10. The evening, which is billed as Max Clifford Reveals Secrets of the Rich and Famous, will raise funds to help a Surrey boy achieve his dream of walking unaided for the first time. The boy has spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, which means the muscles in his legs are tight, which can be painful and make it impossible for him to walk unaided. The 90-a-head evening, at Pennyhill Park Hotel, in Surrey, will help to raise the 60,000 needed so that he and his family can travel to St Louis Hospital, in Missouri, in the US, for a procedure called selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR). Combined with physiotherapy, SDR will see the boy walk unaided for the first time. With the support of national charity Caudwell Children, the boy's family has so far raised 20,000 and hope that the event will take them one step closer to achieving their target. T he first major legal challenge in the UK over police use of facial recognition technology will begin in Cardiff today. Ed Bridges, from Cardiff, has crowdfunded action against South Wales Police over claims that the use of the technology on him was an unlawful violation of privacy. Mr Bridges is also expected to argue the surveillance method breaches data protection and equality laws during the three-day hearing at Cardiff Civil Justice and Family Centre. The father-of-two claims to have been scanned by Automatic Facial Recognition (AFR) at least twice, including during a shopping trip in December 2017. San Francisco, California was the first US city to ban facial recognition on May 15, 2019 / EPA "I popped out of the office to do a bit of Christmas shopping and on the main pedestrian shopping street in Cardiff, there was a police van," he told BBC News. "By the time I was close enough to see the words 'automatic facial recognition' on the van, I had already had my data captured by it. "That struck me as quite a fundamental invasion of my privacy." South Wales Police said it would not comment until the judicial review is finished. The tool allows facial images to be scanned in public places and then compared with images on police 'watch lists'. / AFP/Getty Images Facial recognition technology maps faces in a crowd then compares results with a "watch list" of images which can include suspects, missing people and persons of interest. Police who have trialled the technology argue it could help tackle crime but campaigners say it breaches privacy and civil liberty. The civil rights group Liberty, which represents Mr Bridges, has described the current use of AFR as equivalent to the unregulated taking of DNA or fingerprints without consent. South Wales Police first used facial recognition technology during the week of the 2017 Champions League final in Cardiff. Liberty claims the force has used the tool on around 50 occasions since then. Information about AFR on a website set up by South Wales Police says it will help the force "become smarter" and make its patch safer, adding that officers were working to "ensure that the deployment of this technology is proportionate whilst recognising the need to balance security and privacy". However, Freedom of information requests have revealed that South Wales Police's use of live AFR technology "resulted in 'true matches' with less than 9 per cent accuracy" in the first year, according to Liberty. Three UK police forces have used facial recognition in public spaces since June 2015: South Wales Police, Metropolitan Police and Leicestershire Police. P rince Charles heard about the threat Brexit poses to peace in Northern Ireland on a trip to a charity centre founded in response to the Troubles. The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall visited the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, near Dublin, with Ireland's President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina Higgins. Charles was told by school principal Michelle Dolan how important it was for communities on the island of Ireland to be able to move freely, something that could be in doubt if a hard border is imposed if Britain crashes out of the EU without a deal. Many commentators believe that a hard Irish border due to a no-deal Brexit could become the focus of paramilitary groups and lead to a return to violence. Mrs Dolan, principal of St Louis Secondary School, an all-girls Catholic institution in Dundalk, close to the Northern Ireland border, had brought some of her pupils to participate in a youth discussion with other schools, including one from the north, about how to foster positive Anglo-Irish relations. She said after speaking to the prince: "I worked for 12 years in Northern Ireland and then I came across the border and am principal now in a school in the south, the idea of moving across and through the two Irelands is very normal for all of us. "My concern is that Brexit will cut into that and it wouldn't allow us that freedom, our cousins are there, our neighbours, our friends, our relations. "It's really important that (the border) stays open and the relations are positive and there's respect and we don't go back to the days of being afraid of each other, and concerned about where people come from and what their agenda might be - we don't want that again." During a speech at the event Barbara Walshe, the chairwoman of the Glencree Centre, described the joint visit by the prince and president as "deeply moving and deeply symbolic", and a way of celebrating the many links between the UK and Ireland regardless of the "recent fractures" in political relations caused by Brexit. Charles and Camilla are making their fifth visit to Ireland in as many years, a sign of the closer Anglo-Irish relations ushered in by the Queen's historic state visit in 2011, the first by a British monarch to the Republic. Among the guests at the centre were former taoiseach Bertie Ahern and ex-first minister of Northern Ireland Peter Robinson and the royal couple had a private meeting with ordinary people who had direct experiences of the Troubles. Before leaving, the prince and his wife watched a display of traditional Irish dancing by a troupe of women dancers and Charles and the Irish president unveiled a plaque engraved with a poem written by Una O'Higgins O'Malley, the founder of the Glencree Centre, in 2002. Later, Charles and Camilla were guests of honour at a black-tie dinner staged at the official residence of Britain's ambassador Robin Barnett near Bray in Co Wicklow. T he Duke of Cambridge today urged Londoners not to be afraid to intervene if they see someone who might be considering taking their own life. Prince William spoke out as he launched a major campaign to help stop suicides and accidental drowning in the Thames. More than 30 people die on the Thames each year, with over 700 life-threatening incidents taking place. William, who travelled down the Thames on a boat to launch the strategy, said: Every life lost and every life-changing accident is one too many. In a speech at the Tidal Thames Event, he said: Prevention includes practical measures to save lives. The Duke of Cambridge meets representatives of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Metropolitan Police and London Fire Brigade pass during the launch of the new campaign. / PA Providing and maintaining life-saving equipment along the river and reducing opportunities to enter the Thames is crucially important. Prevention also includes the vital work done by so many frontline staff. They help to keep the Thames safe, day in day out, in all sorts of weathers. And of course prevention involves all Londoners. Everyday people, going about their commute or on their journey to the pub, have a hugely important role to play. Dont be afraid to stop and intervene if you see someone who might be considering taking their own life. He added: A simple, Hello, how are you? is sometimes all it takes to save a life. Prince William said at the launch: Every life lost and every life-changing accident is one too many. / Getty Images The strategy addresses the risk of drowning through accidents as well as suicide. It has been designed by the Port of London Authority, the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, London Ambulance Service and the Maritime & Coastguard Agency. Agencies working across the entire stretch of the Thames are involved. William was called out to suicide incidents while working as an air ambulance pilot. William will be joined at the launch by Jonny Benjamin, who was saved by a passer-by who stopped him from attempting suicide from Waterloo Bridge in 2008. Neil Laybourn, the man who saved his life, will also attend, alongside suicide prevention minister Jackie Doyle-Price. Mr Benjamin and Mr Laybourn met the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2016. A labama Public television (APT) has refused to air an episode of childrens cartoon Arthur which features a same-sex marriage. The animated series, which airs on PBS Kids in the US, began its 22nd season with an episode titled Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone. The premiere aired on May 13 and showed Arthurs teacher Mr Ratburn marrying his boyfriend Patrick at a wedding attended by his students Arthur, Francine, Buster and Muffy. Director of programming at APT Mike McKenzie said PBS had sent a message to stations in mid-April warning them of possible viewer concerns about the content of the program." After he and his colleagues viewed the episode, they decided not to broadcast it and replay and old episode instead, he told told American broadcaster NBS News on Monday. Parents have trusted Alabama Public Television for more than 50 years to provide childrens programs that entertain, educate and inspire, Mr McKenzie said in a statement. More importantly although we strongly encourage parents to watch television with their children and talk about what they have learned afterwards parents trust that their children can watch APT without their supervision. We also know that children who are younger than the target audience for 'Arthur' also watch the program, he added. Mr McKenzie also said that if ATP broadcast the episode, it would remove the choice of parents who felt it was inappropriate for their children. "The vast majority of parents will not have heard about the content, whether they agree with it or not," he said. Because of this, we felt it would be a violation of trust to broadcast the episode." Supporters of the episode deplored the move on Twitter, accusing the state of Stone Age attitudes and pandering to bigoted and hateful members of their audience. As if Alabama even deserves Arthur, tweeted one user. Arthur has aired on PBS since 1996, and follows the adventures of anthropomorphic aardvark Arthur Read and his friends in the fictional Elwood City. The show has previously dealt with issues such as cancer, dyslexia, diabetes and autism. Hundreds in Alabama protest new abortion ban In 2005, APT pulled an episode of "Arthur" in which the character Buster visited a girl who had two mothers, according to AL.com. "Our feeling is that we basically have a trust with parents about our programming. This program doesn't fit into that," then-executive director Allan Pizzato reportedly said at the time. A hedgehog prompted a major rescue operation in Austria after it became wedged in the bottom of a gate. The "frightened" creature was freed by officers from the Graz fire brigade, who used heavy-duty equipment to prise open the bars. Heartwarming images taken by witnesses show a plump, prickly hedgehog trapped in one of the gate's loops, unable to move backwards or forwards. They then show firefighters loosening the metal with a hydraulic claw, a tool normally used to free people from car wrecks. Firefighters work to free the animal with a hydraulic claw (BF Graz) Officials said in a statement posted to Facebook: "With the help of an angle grinder and with particular care, the frightened hedgehog was finally released from its predicament." He or she is shown being carefully lifted from the gate's twisted remains, nestled in a pair of padded gloves. Officers then deployed an angle grinder / BF Graz Apparently uninjured, the hedgehog was safely transferred to the custody of a local wildlife organisation. Firefighters across Europe are periodically called to the aid of animals in distress. Safe at last: Released from his prickly predicament Back in February, a fat rat stuck in a manhole cover prompted a major rescue operation in Germany as firefighters were called in to free it. A French mayor is offering free viagra to residents to tackle the village's declining population. Jean Debouzy, the mayor of Montereau in northern France, hopes the new policy will produce enough children to save the community's local school, which has been threatened with closure. He said would give the "little blue pills to couples aged between 18 and 40 in order to give them every chance of conceiving". The village has a population of around 600 people. Mr Debouzy said: A village without children is a village that dies. The pills will be distributed to couples between the ages of 18 and 40 in order to give them the chance of conception and thus preserve the schools of the two villages [Montereaus and a neighbouring one]. The town hall of Montereau a small village in northern France proposing the drug to couples. / Mairie de Montereau He admitted his proposal had been something of a publicity stunt, and he had not yet obtained a supply of the drugs, but insisted his motivations were admirable. Its made people talk about the school, he told newspaper La Depeche. You know what those little blue pills are.. I dont have to tell you. We all need to have a sense of humour sometimes mayors dont always! The drugs are intended to help men combat erectile dysfunction. / Getty Images Mr Debouzy said his council had been engaged in a battle for many months with the national schools inspectorate, following its announced plans to shut down a number of local schools in September 2019. Alongside the mayors proposed boost to couples sex-drive, Mr Debouzy said he was also putting forward plans for a special maternity bonus, to be awarded for every new birth in the village. French authorities have long sought measures to encourage a higher birth rate and ease the burden of the countrys ageing population. Large subsidies and tax breaks are offered to families with children in Paris, while childcare services and parental leave are available until the child turns three. Frances overall birth rate fell for a fourth year in a row in 2018, despite the countys fertility rate being higher than in most developed countries, including the US, Germany and the UK. In Britain, viagra is now available over the counter after the drug was reclassified by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency in November 2017. N ew Zealand police have filed a terrorism charge against the man accused of killing 51 people at two Christchurch mosques. Police said they have charged 28-year-old Australian Brenton Tarrant with engaging in a terrorist act after the March 15 shootings. The charge comes with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and will be a test case for New Zealand's terrorism laws, which came on to the books in 2002. Police said that they also charged Tarrant with an additional count of murder, bringing the total number of charges against him to 92 51 charges of murder, 40 of attempted murder and one of terrorism. Police informed victims' families and survivors of the new charges at a meeting with police at a meeting on Tuesday attended by more than 200 people. It comes after a Turkish man who was wounded in the attack died earlier this month in Christchurch Hospital. "The charge will allege a terrorist act was carried out in Christchurch on 15 March 2019 and follows consultation between Police, Crown Law and the Christchurch Crown Solicitors Office," New Zealand police said in a statement. Tarrant was arrested on March 15 after the mass shootings at two mosques which left 51 people dead and dozens injured. He was initially charged with one count of murder. The suspected white supremacist is accused of storming in during Friday prayers with a number of high-powered weapons, and live-streaming the attack online. New Zealand: Christchurch shootings - In pictures 1 /37 New Zealand: Christchurch shootings - In pictures An armed police officer watches as a man is taken by ambulance staff from a mosque in central Christchurch AP An image taken from the alleged shooter's video AP An emotional man wearing a traditional Maori bone carving necklace speaks on a mobile phone near one of the mosques AP Photo/Mark Baker A forensic official works at the Masjid al Noor mosque after a shooting incident in Christchurch AFP/Getty Images An image grab from TV New Zealand of armed New Zealand special forces arriving outside the mosque following a shooting in Christchurch AFP/Getty Images Armed police officers outside the Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch Reuters Grieving members of the public sit on a curb following a shooting resulting in multiple fatalies and injuries at the Masjid Al Noor in Deans Avenue in Christchurch, New Zealand EPA Ambulance staff take a man from outside one of the mosques in central Christchurch AP Police are seen in front of Christchurch Hospital during a lockdown Getty Images A man rests on the ground as he speaks on his mobile phone across the road from one of the mosques AP Armed police patrol outside one of the mosques AP A man makes a phone call next to car with shattered windows near one of the mosques AFP/Getty Images Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks to media during a press conference at Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand Getty Images An injured person is put into an ambulance following a shooting at the Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch Reuters Police keep watch at a park across the road from one of the mosques in central Christchurch, New Zealand AP Armed police push back members of the public following a shooting at the Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch Reuters An armed police officer following a shooting at the Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch Reuters Police stand outside the Linwood Islamic Centre AP A police officer is seen running after the initial reports that several shots had been fired Reuters Reuters Ambulances race towards one of the mosques AFP/Getty Images Police cordon off Strickland Street where a car bomb was found Getty Images Police Commissioner Mike Bush speaks to media during a press conference at Royal Society Te Aparangi in Wellington Getty Images Police block the road near the Linwood Islamic Centre AP Ambulances and police outside the Masjid Al Noor mosque EPA Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaking at Kirribilli House in Sydney, Australia Getty Images A police officer talks on her phone at a roadblock near the Linwood Islamic Centre AP Armed police maintain a presence outside the Masijd Ayesha Mosque in Manurewa, Auckland, as part of the security response Getty Images New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said he had been in possession of a "category A" gun licence, obtained in 2017, which allowed him to legally obtain the weapons in December 2017. He was not on any watchlists prior to the shootings the single-worst terrorist attack carried out by an Australian. Tarrant is being held at a maximum security prison in Auckland and has appeared at the Christchurch High Court via video link. The 28-year-old did not apply for bail or for the suppression of his name at a court appearance in March 16. He was also seen to have made a hand gesture linked to white supremacy as he entered the room, shackled and dressed in white prison clothes. Jacinda Ardern has vowed never to mention the name of the alleged Christchurch gunman At a subsequent court hearing on April 5, high court judge Justice Cameron Mander ordered a mental health assessment to determine Tarrant's fitness to enter a plea and stand trial. Judge Mander said nothing should be read into his order, as it was a normal step in such a case. Tarrant previously said he wanted to represent himself, and was not required to enter a plea. A t some point in the future people will be Martians, TV scientist Brian Cox has said. The British professor said Mars is the only planet that humans will be able to go to and that it must happen as people cannot live on Earth forever. "It is actually the only place we can go beyond Earth," he said. "In any plausible scenario, there is nowhere else that humans can go to begin their step outwards from the planet, other than Mars. "If you think of the other planets, there's none of the others we can land on." Mars landscape captured by NASA's rover Opportunity / PA The presenter, 51, continued: "There may or not be Martians and we need to find out. "But there will be Martians, if we are to have a future. Professor Brian Cox has said that at some point in the future people will be Martians / PA "At some point we will be the Martians. That's clear to me. Because we can't stay here forever." Participants pose for the picture during the opening ceremony of the international forum on air quality improvement held at Seoul City in last September. / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government By Kim Jae-heun Officials from 35 Asian cities will gather in Seoul to discuss solutions for fine dust and other forms of air pollution, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said, Tuesday. They are meeting at the Seoul International Forum on Air Quality Improvement hosted by the city government at Seoul City Hall from today until Friday. The annual event has been held here since 2010, and has brought together officials from Northeast Asian countries to seek joint countermeasures to worsening air pollution in the region. Starting this year, the forum is expanding its size in order to find ways to combat the pollution that is becoming a worldwide problem. Experts from five additional countries China, Japan, Mongolia, Vietnam and Singapore were invited have been invited to speak. From China, in particular, 16 cities will join the forum as the country's role in the issue is important, Seoul City said. "This year, the largest number of Chinese cities will participate in the forum. It is a good chance for Seoul City to build mutual cooperation with them as they have been showing a greater interest in the environmental issue recently," said Hyun Kyung-sun, deputy director of the Environment Policy Division at the city government's Climate and Environment Headquarters. "Heilongjiang, Shenyang and Yunnan will join the event for the first time, which will allow Seoul to form a network with various regions in China and not only with major cities such as Beijing," Hyun said. Beijing has also made a special request to hold a separate conference with Seoul alone to exchange policies in reducing fine dust created by the transportation sector. The conference will have a closed-door session Thursday and working groups from each city will share their know-how and experience. Since the forum was launched, this will be is the first time to specific policies are shared between specific cities, the deputy director said. Local governments from South Jeolla and South Gyeongsang provinces will participate in the forum for the first time along with members of the National Council on Climate and Air Quality, a presidential committee headed by former U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon. Other government bodies and organizations including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Environment and Seoul National University will participate in the event. Isabelle Louis, the deputy director of U.N. Environment Program's (UNEP) Asian Pacific Regional Office, will open the forum with a keynote speech on cooperative efforts to make air clean and offer 25 suggestions. Prof. Ahn Byung-ok of the Department of Convergence Science and Technology at Hoseo University, who is also giving a keynote address, will talk about key considerations for integrating air quality and climate change policies. "Fine dust is an issue directly related to health and people's lives, an urban issue that should be resolved urgently," Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon said in a press release. "But efforts by one city or one region have limits; adjacent cities, as a breathing community, need to hold joint responsibility and resolve the problem through solidarity and cooperation." M elanie Brown broke her silence on her eye condition to tell fans the real truth about going blind in her right eye. Brown, who was rushed to hospital with sight problems last week, told fans that she had an awful experience before being diagnosed with iritis (inflammation of the iris) in her right eye and uveitis (inflammation of the middle layer of the eye) in the left. Alongside a snap of her wearing an eyepatch, Brown wrote: Just so you know the real truth. I had an awful experience last week when I went blind in my right eye and my left eye went blurry. Brown went on to blast reports that she was ok and had experienced this many times before, saying: Just to be clear I was NOT ok and this has NEVER EVER happened to me. I was actually in a lot of pain and very very scared but thanks to the incredible eye specialists in A&E at Londons Moorfields Hospital and after at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital I was diagnosed by and eye specialist with severe IRITIS in my right eye and UVEITIS in my left eye. Brown explained that she was taking multiple prescription heavy duty eye drops and other medication to keep the inflammation under control and would be dealing with it and will be for the next 3/4 months to fully get it under control. She added that she was no longer worried that it would get worse. Mel B and Geri Horner reunite for Spice Girls rehearsals after sex claims drama Signing off, Brown asked where she could get a Scary Spice eyepatch ahead of the bands reunion tour. It was claimed that the frantic star was in a really bad way before further reports claimed it had happened before. The Spice Girls kick off their tour on Friday in Dublin before playing concerts in Manchester, Coventry and Sunderland. They will headline three shows at Londons Wembley Stadium. G oogle is releasing a new version of its augmented reality (AR) Google Glass but you probably wont be buying a pair. Though Google pulled its consumer version of the AR glasses, it has been experimenting with enterprise versions for businesses, such as Samsung and Volkswagen, to use in industries including logistics and manufacturing. Thats why it is releasing a new version, named Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2, which will cost $999 . The new glasses are built on the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR1 platform, featuring a more powerful processing unit and a new artificial intelligence (AI) engine. Google says this will enable enhanced performance and advanced machine learning capabilities. The camera performance has been improved from the original version, as well as the addition of faster charging and increased overall battery life. The Edition 2 design is thicker and bulkier than before, thanks to that larger battery. But, Google says it partnered with the glasses company Smith Optics to ensure it is a fairly lightweight product with compatible safety frames that are suitable for use in manufacturing and maintenance environments. As part of the new wearable specs, Google is also pulling Glass out of X, the Alphabet moonshot factory which works on radical and experimental technologies, and bringing it into mainstream production. This is because the company wants to meet the growing demand for wearables in the workplace. By shifting into the work space, Google Glass 2 will be poised to compete with Microsofts HoloLens, the mixed-reality enterprise headset. But what HoloLens does is more focused on the hologram side of things, with the recent version of the headset allowing you to interact and touch holograms for the first time. Its good to see Google Glass live on after its halcyon days of 2014, particularly as other companies are moving into the AR glasses space. At CES earlier this year, Vuzix released its Blade AR smart glasses, which were described as the next-gen Google Glass weve all been waiting for. The glasses feature an 8-megapixel camera, Amazon Alexa for hands-free use, and prescription inserts so you can wear them without glasses. By Mehmet Fatih Oztarsu Georgia has opened a new door in collaboration with Korea, as the country has followed very active diplomacy, especially from 2017 until today, to achieve a perfect relationship. Georgian Ambassador to Korea Otar Berdzenishvili has accomplished a series of missions to introduce his own country from several aspects during his term. As one of the youngest and hardworking diplomats in Seoul, his smart initiatives drew the attention of all Koreans. Georgia has a very prominent and strategic location at the heart of the Caucasus region. Sharing borders with Russia, Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan makes this country unique in the case of economy and transportation projects. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Georgia has become home to various major regional and international projects. Since the 1990s, the country has taken part in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline and Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Natural Gas Pipeline, one of the most significant energy projects which connect Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey in transferring Caspian energy sources to the world. Additionally, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway in which Georgia became an essential partner was completed in late 2017. The 846 kilometers of the railway connects Azerbaijani, Georgian and Turkish railways and links to European and Asian railways. Up to 6 million tons of cargo and one million passengers will be carried every year. This railway has a good chance of becoming a significant way from China to Europe. At this point, this country presents a high level of confidence for foreign investors. The close relationship with the European Union and NATO is another plus for Georgia to strengthen its importance. A respectful approach to global democratic values and cooperation-first policies put this country in a specific position. The country provides an opportunity for wider regional economic activities which mean over than 500 million buyers. Obtaining a strategic port near the Black Sea and close to the Caspian Sea makes Georgia a bridge between Asia and Europe. Moreover, the country has successfully established a strong democracy within a short period. We can see this clear difference when we compare the situation with other former-Soviet countries. Thus, the country side is also guaranteeing human rights and free economic activities. Investor-friendly regulations attract foreigners to visit and live in the country without any difficulty. A safe economic environment with zero problems is most important for investors. So, Georgia is one of the safest countries for business. Ambassador Berdzenishvili designed a motto to describe the bilateral relations with Korea when he began his work in Seoul. He said "More Korea in Georgia and more Georgia in Korea" as the principal motivational source for his mission. Creating a bridge with a faraway country is an extremely challenging job. Particularly, discovering common ground and having a sustainable friendship requires ability. Therefore, the embassy focuses on educational and cultural cooperation between the countries by promoting the unique values of both sides. Georgian wine and spring water come first in the exchange of introducing Korean kimchi to the country. Georgia's wine exports have reached 80 million bottles and 20% is going to Far Eastern countries. In March 2019, Georgia and Korea signed a pact on economic cooperation. According to the agreement, both sides want to improve relations in all spheres of trade, industry, tourism and other fields. Officials plan to set up a joint committee for implementing this. The scope of the bilateral economy will grow, and Korea will expand the presence of Korean companies in Georgia. On the other side, Georgia is taking a new position for tourism ventures. Seven direct charter flights between Tbilisi and Seoul will begin in 2019. This initiative is a notable step in relations. Particularly, the Korean approach towards Central Asia and the Caucasus has substantial elements. The country has successfully established the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum after several initiatives among regional countries. Currently, the region receives an enormous number of Korean projects without any hesitation because Korean foreign policy has a peaceful motivation with a win-win perspective. Now, Georgia is a new destination for Korean investment. In this regard, Georgian Ambassador Berdzenishvili's great efforts will create strong ties between the two states. Mehmet Fatih Oztarsu (oztarsu@gmail.com) is a Turkish analyst in Seoul. Motions to dismiss a civil lawsuit challenging the legality of the Culpeper sheriffs agreement with U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws in the jail are now under consideration by a retired judge. In addition, the U.S. Justice Department has notified the court of its interest in the action in defense of the sheriff. The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia filed the suit in November in Culpeper County Circuit Court against Sheriff Scott Jenkins and the Culpeper County Board of Supervisors over last years implementation of the 287(g) program in the local jail. The ICE program allows jail deputies processing inmates to screen them for documentation status and issue 48-hour detainers, during which time ICE can chose to take individuals into custody. Only one other entity in Virginiathe Prince William County Jail Authorityhas the program in place. In its suit, the ACLU argued neither state law nor the Virginia Constitution allows sheriffs or sheriffs deputies to enforce federal immigration law. The suit also claims the program is being funded with local tax dollars, and included two local taxpayers among its plaintiffs. The ACLU included the Board of Supervisors in the suit because it approves the sheriffs budget. Its Virginia Agriculture Week in the commonwealth, according to a proclamation issued by Gov. Ralph Northam declaring it as so for the week of May 19-25. Throughout the week, the Governor and his administration will visit sites across the state highlighting a variety of farming operations, agriculture research and technology, local food systems, and agribusinesses, as well as the agricultural sectors enormous economic impact in the Commonwealth, according to a news release. Agriculture has been a central pillar of Virginias economy for centuries and continues to pave the way for smart growth and prosperity in rural and urban communities across the Commonwealth, contributing $70 billion annually to our economy and employing over 334,000 Virginians, Northam said in a statement. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} With over 44,000 farms, Virginia has one of the most diverse agricultural sectors in the nation. Virginia Agriculture Week provides an opportunity to celebrate the farms, families, and communities that support Virginias agriculture industry, said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring. Nearly 100 people showed up early Saturday morning at Culpeper Baptist Church to burn a few calories for a good cause. Each participant in Culpepers Walk for MS was encouraged to raise $100 or more for research toward a cure for multiple sclerosisa chronic, often progressive disease that damages nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms may include numbness, impairment of speech and of muscular coordination, blurred vision, and severe fatigue. MS in our society is a silent disease, said Janet Driggers, who has been fundraising for the Virginia/West Virginia chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for nearly 20 years. Her husband, John Driggers, was diagnosed with MS in 2000. You could be sitting across the table from someone who has MS and never know it. She said just last week she spoke at the Culpeper Library to senior citizens about the disease. One lady came up to me and said she was just diagnosed, and no one would have known it to look at her, Driggers said. Nobody knows why you get it and there is no cure. And so, we raise money for research. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} An up-close view of the new cameras incorporated by the city of Starkville Granddaddy I dont want to go to school, I dont want to go to college, Mutakabbir recalled. After hearing these remarks, Mutakabbir, immediately stopped the vehicle he was driving to hear the concerns of his grandchild who apparently did not want to go to school due to being scared due to gun violence. Mutakabbir is still looking for the change that will help the community and citizens like his grandchild who is scared. To be interfaith, interracial we have to come together. We have to change the culture by changing the language. Changing the language starts with reaching out and talking to others of all faiths to help benefit the community and communities like Statesville, Mutakabbir stated. The last speaker was not a faith leader but a mother, who expressed concern for her biracial son and his walk through life. 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Kim Jong-un's return to a calculated show of force coincides with no imminent prospect of resurrecting denuclearization talks and with a series of U.S. actions Pyongyang sees as hostile to it: including the seizure of a North Korean cargo ship for exporting coal in violation of UN and U.S. sanctions, a State Department press statement criticizing human rights abuses in the North, and the U.S. Air Force testing an ICBM that it said was unrelated to North Korea. On May 14, a North Korean foreign ministry spokesperson issued a statement of protest, demanding an immediate release of the North Korean ship "forcibly taken to the U.S. territory of Samoa." The statement censured the application of the U.S. domestic law in the "unlawful and outrageous dispossession." It warned, the U.S. "should ponder over the consequences its heinous act might have on the future developments." Kim Jong-un has been telling a universal rationale to his military and the people that protection of peace requires a strong military force. His propaganda outlets justified the recent missile tests saying they were only part of a routine military exercise. The North had not conducted missile launches since November 2017 when it announced its self-imposed moratorium on any additional long-range missile or nuclear tests. Recently, Pyongyang has complained about a revival of joint U.S.-South Korean military exercises in the name of "dongmaeng" (alliance) instead of the Foal Eagle and the Freedom Guardian, readjusting the scope and withholding nuclear capable strategic assets from participating in the joint exercises. Pyongyang accuses Seoul and Washington of violating their agreements: the inter-Korean summit agreements between President Moon and Kim in which both sides agreed not to conduct military exercises in the DMZ and Trump's commitment to Kim at Singapore to end "provocative joint drills". To make it worse, North Korea seems to believe that Washington is committed to "overthrow its system" by maximum pressure from a combination of military threats, economic sanctions, and human rights pressure. The North accuses the U.S. of acting against its Singapore promise to end hostile policies, and improve relations. Yet, diplomacy has a role to manage the currently precarious situation and to develop a positive hope. Fortunately, President Trump believes the trust he has with the North Korean leader was not breached by Kim's launch of short-range missiles: He still hopes to make a deal. Kim promised to wait until the end of the year. By now, we know neither the Trumpian demand for an early, comprehensive ridding of the North Korean nuclear/missile arsenal nor Kim's step-by-step reciprocal path without an agreed timeline is going to work. Everybody knows the two negotiating protagonists will have to make some concessions acceptable to the other side, if they want to make progress. By the end of June, President Trump will visit Seoul after attending the annual G-20 summit in Japan. Two years into the Korean presidency, Moon Jae-in still has solid support for his North Korea policy at home, especially from progressive forces. His approval rate runs up and down around 45 percent, despite his struggle with a poor economic performance. A rising trend of the opposition Liberty Korea Party that generally opposes Moon's approach to the North is a political challenge that he is not expected to overcome easily. Yet, full and open discussion of the government's North Korea policy must be followed to minimize the opposition, even if that may not neutralize it. Last week President Moon made two right decisions, showing his genuine interest in keeping a good relations with the North: to provide $8 million in humanitarian food aid through world organizations and to allow South Korean businessmen to visit the Gaeseong Industrial Complex to inspect their production equipment and facilities which were closed three years ago. Until his next meeting with Trump, Moon has time to review and analyze the core issues of the nuclear stalemate and craft a new, concrete approach to North Korea. The new approach should constitute a compromise of differences that is acceptable to the U.S. and the DPRK. If there will be no exchange of concessions from their current positions, there will be no peaceful denuclearization. Perhaps, Seoul should send another special envoy to Pyongyang to convince Kim to accept another inter-Korean summit at Panmunjeom before Moon meets with Trump. 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. Floarea Alesu, former general director of DGASPC Teleorman, told the judges at the High Court of Cassation and Justice on Monday, at the last term of the appeal in the case file in which the Social Democratic Party (PSD, major at rule, ed.n.) leader is being tried, Liviu Dragnea, that she can rest easy "after seven years of nightmare". "I can say that I can rest easy after the seven years of nightmare, in which I sacrificed my professional career. I admitted the facts as soon as I learned that the two employees were not coming to work. What could I do? There was nothing else I could have done at the time. What was said in court surprised me as a specialist. How can you say that you have a leadership position and you do not have duties? How could it be said that I did not discuss with the President of the County Council as a director? How? Do you think we keep them on the position? What advantages would I have? Why do you think I called Anisa Niculina Stoica and I did not call Adriana Botorogeanu too? I am retired, I have lost my career. I am the only one who no longer works in the institution. It was not easy to run an institution with a salary of 2,000 lei. I had to know everything. There were disciplinary proceedings committees. I was asked to do and I did. I feel sorry about my career. I worked and I wanted to demonstrate to my child, to prove to him to be proud of me," Floarea Alesu said in the last address before the court.Adriana Botorogeanu, one of the people who would have been fictionally employed at DGASPC Teleorman, asked the judges to have "leniency". "I understood that I was wrong and I regret that I broke the law. What I'm asking you is to have a little leniency for my situation," she said.Olguta Sefu, deputy executive director of DGASPC Teleorman at the time of the deeds, declared herself innocent, adding that she never spoke to Liviu Dragnea."It's a 3-year-old nightmare during which I've lost my job. It is an enormous amount of work in these child protection institutions. I was not helped and consulted in drawing up the organisation chart. It seems impossible that I did not know what was going on, but I really did not know. I consider myself innocent. I never talked to Mr. Dragnea. I did not know that this clerk is there somewhere and I had to cover for her. If you can give me the opportunity to resume my life," Olguta Sefu told the judges.The High Court of Cassation and Justice concluded on Monday the trial of the appeal in the fictitious employment case file from DGASPC Teleorman, where PSD leader Liviu Dragnea was sentenced to three years and six months imprisonment for instigation to abuse of office.Anticorruption prosecutors argue that Floarea Alesu, the executive director of DGASPC Teleorman, for undue benefits, would have proceeded to illegally maintain on position two employees - Adriana Botorogeanu and Anisa Niculina Stoica. The former Mayor of Constanta, Radu Mazare, was brought to Rahova Penitentiary, after being taken from Otopeni Airport by a car of the National Administration of Penitentiaries. According to the procedure, he will be in quarantine for 21 days, after which he will be transferred to a penitentiary near his home town.The authorities of the Republic of Madagascar informed on 14 May that they had accepted Mazare's extradition.The Romanian Police immediately launched the necessary formalities to bring him to Romania, they announced on Wednesday.An escort made up of Romanian police officers went to Madagascar to take over Radu Mazare.Mazare has been in Madagascar for more than a year, where he sought asylum.The former mayor has multiple convictions in Romania, many of which are not final. The final sentence that attracted the international search warrant is the one passed on 8 February by the High Court of Cassation and Justice, when Radu Mazare was sentenced to nine years imprisonment in the case of illegal land retrocession in Constanta, Mamaia, beach and seafront. Former Minister-delegate for European Affairs Victor Negrescu, who is a candidate on the Social Democratic Party (PSD) list in the elections to the European Parliament, stated in a press conference in Alba Iulia that the future MEPs should negotiate the earmark of additional funds for Romania and this proposal implies suitable peoples in the right place. From the discussions that he carried out with various mayors, Negrescu stated that the need of "a properly negotiation" regarding the European budget had turned out. "The priority of the future mandate in the European Parliament will be the discussion regarding the future budget of the European Union. I was a member in the committee on budget of the EP [the European Parliament] and I know in detail these aspects. We need to discuss there about the additional funds earmarked to Romania and we need to discuss there about a simplification of the accessing procedures of these European money, too, a negotiation obviously implies to have in Brussels people who know these details, suitable people in the right place and people who are willing to fight for Romania," Negrescu stated. Victor Negrescu was a MEP from the PSD between 2014-2017, when he resigned in order to take over the Minister-delegate for European Affairs office. National leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), major at rule, Liviu Dragnea says he will announce Sunday after the European elections if he will run for the presidential elections this autumn. Asked on Tuesday by Adevarul Live webcaster whether or not he has decided to run for president, Dragnea replied: "After the election, even Sunday we will announce it." "Iohannis's state of affairs induced in the nation strengthens my conviction that the fight for the presidential office becomes very important. I am not Cassandra to know if he gets reelected, but [if so] five years after 2019 all the good things that have been done in Romania, virtually every good thing will go to the dogs. I will say that is why all efforts must be made by those who do not want this character to continue so that in November to December he will leave Cotroceni. It is precisely through the situation that he has led the presidential office and what he induces in the nation that this position becomes important, and PSD will decide on Sunday evening after the elections," said Dragnea. AGERPRES The Romanian government and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) signed an action plan for a 2018-2022 country programme, through Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu, Minister of Labour and Social Justice Marius Budai, and UNICEF representative in Romania Pieter Bult. "Both the country program and the action plan we have signed today include three action guidelines. First, a novelty, is sharing Romania's experience with promoting children's rights beyond the borders of the country, which is the new element of the plans. The second guideline is improving the social inclusion of all children, especially those from rural areas, Romany families and poor communities as well as children with disabilities. The third element is improving the capacity of the central administration of drawing up, implementing and assessing policies that promote respect for and the realisation of the children's rights, including strengthening key partnerships aimed at increasing national commitment to children and social reforms. The approval of an extension to the programmes conducted by UNICEF in Romania and the signing the current action plan today is further proof of the firm support the Romanian government has extended to the projects that UNICEF is conducting in the country," Melescanu told the signing ceremony hosted by the Info Europa Center. Minister Budai expressed his hope that under this programme, UNICEF will continue to promote the Romanian experience in the field of protection and promotion of children's rights at international level. "We also expect the new country programme to allow us to work together to improve the social inclusion of all children, but with special emphasis on those from vulnerable groups, as well as to improve the conditions that foster the realization of the children's rights by strengthening key partnerships designed to increase national commitment to children and social reforms," he said. Pieter Bult pointed out that Romania was one of the first countries to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990, and that significant progress has since been made, such as: reducing infant mortality; increasing enrollment in schools, including in pre-schools; reducing the number of institutionalized children; and also a small decrease in the number of children living in poverty. However, he showed that, despite these improvements, the poverty and vulnerabilities faced by children in Romania remain among the highest in Europe and that there are still major gaps between the national average and the progress made with regard to children in poor rural environments, Romany communities and people with disabilities. He mentioned that 40 percent of the children in Romania are still in poverty or face the danger of social exclusion. About 400,000 children stay out of school and the early drop-out rate has risen to 19 percent. Of those having taken the PISA OCDE test - at the age of 15 - about 40 percent do not meet the minimum criteria of literacy or mathematical knowledge. He added that infant and maternal mortality have double values in Romania compared to the EU average. Immunization has dropped below acceptable levels. In time, he added, these challenges are being faced, the opportunities for resolving them are better than ever. There is a firm commitment from the Romanian government and other partners to promote children's rights, said Bult, mentioning that adding up to that is significant economic progress, the existence of a strong legal and policy framework for the children and the availability of significant EU structural funds for this purpose. He pointed out that one of the guidelines in the new programme is sharing experiences from Romania and promoting the rights of the child outside the country, showing that there have already been missions on inclusive education in Portugal and Iran. Several delegations have also carried out documentary visits to Bacau, where UNICEF's Community Child Services project is being carried out. Part of the actions of the Romanian presidency of the Council of the EU, UNICEF alongside the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Agency for the Protection of Children's Rights, organized an international conference in Bucharest, May 6-7, attended by children from over 16 countries, where the first EU Children's Declaration on Child Participation in Decision-Making at National and EU levels was adopted, Bult said. The declaration is due to be presented on Wednesday by two Romanian children at an Education, Youth, Culture and Sport council meeting in Brussels. Bult added that children who attend high-level meetings and who have the opportunity to speak are an excellent example of how Romania and UNICEF can join sides to promote children's rights. AGERPRES The Patriarchal Cathedral is celebrating its historical patronal feast day on Tuesday, on the very day of the Equal of the Apostles and Emperor Constantine with his Mother Helen, informs the basilica.ro.. The feast began on Monday, with the Vespers.As of Tuesday morning, the relics of the two saints and of Saint Demetrios the New, Protector of Bucharest, will be laid to be honoured by worshipers in the "Canopy of the Saints" close to the cathedral. On this occasion, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church (BOR) Daniel will celebrate the Divine Liturgy in the summer shrine on the Dealul Mitropoliei (the Metropolitan Hill)After the holy mass, the awarding ceremony of the participants in the National Catechetical Contest "Christ: the soul of my village" will take place.It is 361 years now since the Church of the Holy Emperors Constantine and Helen in Bucharest, founded by the ruling prince of Walachia, Constantin Serban Basarab, currently known as the Patriarchal Cathedral, was consecrated, says the source.On 6 May 1658, Patriarch Macarie of Antioch and of All Orient led the consecration service of the holy place that was to become in 1668 the Metropolitan Cathedral, and as of 1925 the Patriarchal Cathedral.During its three and a half centuries of existence, the Cathedral on Metropolitan Hill was the venue where the history of our Church was written, from enthronements of metropolitans and patriarchs to the impressive pilgrimages to the relics of Saint Devout Demetrios the New or other saints, the basilica.ro informs. One Alliance shareholder, Boston-based Midwood Capital Management, is agitating for a sale. It sent a letter last week asking the companys board to do everything it can to facilitate ABI making an offer. If that fails, Midwood says, the board should put the company up for sale. The question is, to whom? A-Bs distribution and contract brewing relationships with Craft Brew Alliance would be difficult for a competitor to unwind. A private-equity firm might be interested, but Chris Shepard, senior editor of Craft Brew News, says A-B probably is shareholders best hope. From Anheuser-Buschs perspective, its a little bit more complicated, Shepard adds. Kona is a great brand, but Widmer and Red Hook have suffered greatly. Kona has boosted sales almost 80 percent in five years with an image that crosses over between craft and imports, Shepard says. Names such as Big Wave Golden Ale and Longboard Island Lager emphasize its beach-beer credentials. WASHINGTON More than two dozen current and former McDonalds workers filed sexual harassment complaints Tuesday to confront what they say is widespread misconduct at the fast-food behemoth. Twenty of the 25 complaints were filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, according to the labor group Fight for $15; the rest will play out in civil court. The allegations include groping, indecent exposure, propositions for sex and lewd comments behavior that reportedly took place at corporate and franchise stores in 20 cities. The action was supported by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Times Up Legal Defense Fund, an initiative created to help people who have been sexually harassed at work, especially in low-wage jobs. Since the fund began, thousands of workers have requested legal help, highlighting the influence of the #MeToo movement and its reach beyond Hollywood and the entertainment industry. Among the complainants is a New Orleans woman whose manager dismissed her groping complaint because she was probably giving sex appeal and a Chicago worker who says she was fired after complaining about a manager who offered to expose himself to her, according to the legal defense fund. Four of the cases involve teenagers. Officials, businesspeople should join forces to win exemption U.S. President Donald Trump has delayed a decision on whether to impose 25 percent tariffs on imported cars and parts by up to six months. It's a relief that Trump has left open the possibility of negotiations. Had the U.S. leader added the car tariff bomb to the escalating U.S.-China trade war, the reeling global economy might have fallen into uncontrollable chaos. We are disappointed, however, that Washington stopped short of exempting Seoul from future tariffs. The outlook remains relatively positive, though. Trump said in a proclamation that he was directing the U.S. trade representative to pursue negotiations on cars imported from the European Union and Japan. However, the U.S. leader said he had "considered the renegotiated South Korea-U.S. free trade agreement." Although Trump did not make explicit a tariffs exemption on Korean vehicles, his positive evaluation of the revised bilateral free trade agreement seemed to prompt foreign media outlets to report the likely exemption of Seoul from the tariffs. The domestic auto industry was able to avoid the worst-case scenario with the delay of auto tariffs and is anticipating the green light for winning an eventual exemption. It is still too early to remain optimistic. For now, Trump seems satisfied with the revised free trade accord between Washington and Seoul, in which Korea made significant concessions in the auto sector. However, few can rule out the possibility of the protectionist U.S. leader slapping import duties on Korean-made cars by inventing a different pretext. If such concerns become a reality, the nation's carmakers will suffer an enormous setback. Last year, Korea exported 810,000 vehicles to the U.S., which represented 33 percent of total overseas shipments of assembled vehicles. A 25 percent tariff would push up the prices of Korean cars by up to 12 percent in the U.S. market, causing lost shipments worth 2.89 trillion won ($2.41 billion). That will no doubt deal a fatal blow to regional economies and job creation as well. All this demonstrates why government officials and business executives must join forces to win an exemption by all means. A spokeswoman for Walmart said the company would not comment on Davis's proposal until it was formally presented at the meeting. "We're proud of the fact that 75 percent of our U.S. management associates began their career as frontline hourly associates," the company said in a statement. "If Senator Sanders attends, we hope he will approach his visit not as a campaign stop, but as a constructive opportunity to learn about the many ways we're working to provide increased economic opportunity, mobility and benefits to our associates as well as our widely recognized leadership on environmental sustainability." Walmart's board has nine men and three women, including Stephen Easterbrook, the chief executive of McDonald's; Marissa Mayer, the former chief executive of Yahoo; and four members of the Walton family. At least two other shareholder proposals will also be up for a vote during the annual meeting: one that calls on Walmart to take additional measures to prevent workplace sexual harassment, and another that would change the way shareholders vote for board members. Walmart is advising shareholders to against both, according to the company's proxy filing. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) collects the tax on imports. The agency typically requires importers to pay duties within 10 days of their shipments clearing customs. Through May 1, Washington has assessed $23.7 billion in tariffs since early 2018, according to data from the CBP. Total tariff revenue including levies that pre-dated Trump shot up by 89% in the first half of the current fiscal year starting Oct. 1, to a total of $34.7 billion, according to U.S. Treasury data. Every item imported into the United States legally has a customs code. Importers are expected to check the tariffs and other taxes and duties due on the goods they bring in, calculate what they owe, and pay it. U.S. Customs reviews payments and sends importers a fresh bill if it detects underpayment. Importers also have to post payment guarantees, or import bonds, with customs. The costs of these bonds have risen with tariffs, an additional burden on U.S.-based firms importing goods from China. Do Chinese suppliers bear the costs of U.S. tariffs? Then Trump ordered even higher tariffs this month after trade talks broke down when China backtracked on a host of issues crucial to U.S. officials. The escalation came just a few weeks before the U.S. garlic harvest. "The timing couldnt be better for us," Christopher said. "We anticipate a surge in demand for California garlic in the coming weeks." Christopher, 33, whose farm has 5,900 acres of grass-like garlic fields in Gilroy, California, traveled to Washington D.C. in July to urge the Trump administration to include garlic in the list of imports that would face tariffs. In lobbying for tariffs, Christopher follows in the footsteps of his grandfather, who fought to implement an anti-dumping duty of up to 400 percent on Chinese garlic in the 1990s. "We understand in a broader economic sense that a trade war is not in the U.S. best interest," he said, "But since the tariffs were happening anyway, we needed to be sure that garlic was part of the equation." Sepuya, who lives in Los Angeles, was in St. Louis for the opening last week of the exhibition that surveys about 14 years of his work. But his voice was hoarse, just above a whisper, so he later answered questions by email. Q You are only 36, but this exhibition at CAM shows a survey of your photography from about 2004 to 2018. In other words, most of your professional life, right? Do you feel your star is rising quickly? A So much has happened in the past four years, in terms of reception and audience for my work, that it really has been a huge rise very quickly. But I have been making and showing work for a long time, since 2005. In 2017, when I had my first show in New York in about six years, when the recent bodies of work were gaining a lot of exposure, there were some press narratives trying to frame me as a new artist, and that is something that I had to really push against. It does a disservice to my work and the very real longer-term ups and downs that artists go through. Q You were born and grew up in California. When and how did you become interested in photography? Dance in all its variety and glory is the hallmark of the Spring to Dance Festival, which returns to the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center for its 12th edition. Co-presented by Dance St. Louis, the Memorial Day weekend event showcases more than 30 companies on two stages: the intimate Lee Theater and the imposing Anheuser-Busch Performance Hall. Reduced to two days last year, the festival is back to a three-day schedule, starting Thursday and continuing through Saturday. As usual, the emphasis is on dance ensembles that hail from the Midwest, particularly St. Louis and Chicago. But companies from such far-flung cities as Los Angeles (Micaela Taylor & the TL Collective), New York (PROJECT 44) and San Francisco (Robert Moses Kin) are also on the program. And as in the past, the event will feature some of the most prestigious artists in dance, including Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Eisenhower Dance Detroit and principal dancers from the Joffrey Ballet, the San Francisco Ballet and the National Ballet of Cuba. "I had no one talking into my ear, no one telling me what to do, just what we had talked about on the ground," Lam says. "At one point, you feel very exposed because there's nothing to your back anymore, and then you get into this back stance. You lean against it. That's when you have to let go of wires or cables, and you latch into the seat belt, put your feet into two footholds, and then give [Mike] the thumbs up, and then once you do he starts doing acrobatic moves, like diving down and rolling over, barrel rolls, loops, like what you see at an airshow, except you're attached to the top of the plane. Your view of the world is just changing constantly." Lam says that the wing-walking experience, which costs $1,000 per person minus travel, was worth every cent. "I was just screaming for joy," he says. "It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience." The making of a bucket list Initially, Lam's post-finance job plan was to travel for a year, getting the bug out of his system once and for all. Q Id like to have the recipe for the guacamole at Dos Reyes Mexican Restaurant. Its creamy, delicious and great with their fresh tortilla chips. David Loeb, St.Louis A The guacamole at Dos Reyes Mexican Restaurant is exceptional for its fresh, light flavors of avocado, lemon, diced tomato and chopped cilantro with a touch of heat from a jalapeno. Chef Mauricio Garnica tops it with minced fresh onion, corn kernels and crumbled queso fresco. The garnishes have great eye appeal, plus they add pops of flavor and texture as well. Guacamole is popular in every restaurant in Mexico. The funny thing is, in Mexico we use it on plates, on the side, to add to tacos, steak and fajitas. In the United States, it is served like a dip for chips. When my mother made guacamole, we never had chips on the table, Garnica says. If you go to an American tourist area in Mexico, you can ask for salsa and chips, but its not a Mexican standard. President Trump is opposed to Lindh's early release, Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., told The Washington Post in April. Lindh, who grew up in Maryland and California, was 20 years old when he joined a Taliban unit in Afghanistan in 2001. He was later captured, returned to the United States, and eventually struck a plea deal with federal prosecutors that spared him a life sentence in the case. About 500 federal prisoners been sentenced for terror-related crimes, and about a fifth will be released within five years 62 of them are U.S. citizens, researcher Kevin D. Lowry wrote in the Journal for Deradicalization in 2018. With Lindhs release, and inmates with Islamic State ties nearing the end of their sentences, there may be a new focus on culling extremist beliefs before prisoners head back into civil society. But time is nearly up for many. The offenders about to be released would receive resources at the end of their sentence, Clifford said. Federal officials have signaled interest in expanding recidivism-prevention and reintegration efforts, although it amounted to one paragraph in the White Houses 2018 counterterrorism strategy and focused on radicalization in prison. There are some breakthroughs. U.S. District Court of Minnesota, which has had an influx of Islamic terrorism suspects, has pioneered efforts to focus deradicalization from extremist beliefs that includes civic education, family involvement and mental health counseling for inmates, Lowry wrote. KIRKWOOD A man from Kirkwood has been indicted and accused of embezzling $3.8 million from a local company while chief financial officer and controller, the U.S. Attorney's Office said Monday. Bryan Vonderahe, 45, of the 1900 block of Windy Hill Road, was indicted Thursday on three felony counts of wire fraud and appeared in court Monday, prosecutors said. Vonderahe worked for the Boyd Group, which owns real estate and runs mattress and waterbed retailers The Bedroom Store, Boyd Sleep and Accent Furniture, the indictment says. The indictment claims that from January 2012 through January 2019, Vonderahe issued about 500 company checks to himself worth roughly $3.8 million dollars. He falsified company records and issued false financial statements to cover up his theft, and used the money for a "lavish lifestyle," including gambling, mortgage payments and travel to Florida, Colorado, Nevada and elsewhere, prosecutors said. The U.S. Attorney's Office is seeking forfeiture of a GMC Acadia Denali and a Range Rover Sport, Vonderahes four-bedroom, 3,500-square foot home in Kirkwood and a condominium in 12500 block of Chardin Place in unincorporated St. Louis County near Interstate 270 and Tesson Ferry Road. No lawyer is listed for Vonderahe in court records. Shake off your afternoon slump with the oft-shared and offbeat news of the day, hand-brewed by our online news editors. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ST. ANN The speedometer on a 19-year-old Bridgeton man's motorcycle indicates he was traveling at several times the speed limit Saturday when he crashed into a small SUV and died, police say. The speed limit is 35 mph on the stretch of St. Charles Rock Road where the crash occurred. St. Ann Police Chief Aaron Jimenez said the speedometer indicated Warren Daniels could have been traveling as fast as 170 mph at the time of impact. The Missouri Highway Patrol is conducting the crash investigation and Cpl. Juston Wheetley said investigators won't know Daniels' true speed until the reconstruction is complete. Troopers say he was driving a 2008 Kawasaki ZX600-J, and was wearing a helmet. Jimenez said one of his officers saw the motorcyclist "driving erratically" just before 11:30 a.m. near the intersection of St. Charles Rock Road and St. Timothy Lane. The officer turned his lights and siren on. Daniels then crashed at the next intersection, about two-tenths of a mile away at St. Charles Rock Road and Cypress Road, Jimenez said. "Within a matter of three to five seconds, the motorcycle struck another vehicle," he said. "We didn't have time to initiate a pursuit. Moon, Abe should meet during G20 summit in June Korea and Japan are pursuing bilateral talks with the aim of improving stagnant relations caused by various thorny issues in diplomacy and security, in addition to a lingering conflict over their shared histories. The two countries' top diplomats are scheduled to meet during the May 22 to 23 OECD meeting in Paris. Their defense ministers may also meet later this month at an ASEAN security meeting in Singapore. The back-to-back meetings among top officials from the two countries come amid growing concerns over their relations, which have deteriorated considerably since President Moon Jae-in took office in May 2017. They have been at odds over a foundation set up during the previous Park Geun-hye administration for the so-called "comfort women" or sex slaves for the Japanese Army before and during World War II. The two have also had conflicts over rulings regarding compensation for forced laborers during the Japanese occupation. President Moon has shown an eagerness to take steps to improve relations with Japan despite the lingering conflicts, given that the two countries are indispensable to each other in various areas, such as trade and regional security. During a recent meeting with retired officials who served in previous administrations, Moon said it was important to establish good relations with Japan, echoing his emphasis on building future-oriented relations with the country during his New Year press conference. It is a positive sign that the Japanese side has also expressed hope recently to mend bilateral ties. During a recent meeting, Japanese Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya reportedly said he wanted to restore relations with Korea and meet with his Korean counterpart despite a myriad of problems. If the talks proceed smoothly, they could serve as the impetus to fix bilateral relations. The immediate aim, in particular for the meeting between Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and her Japanese counterpart Taro Kono, should be to arrange a summit between Moon and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during the G20 summit in late June in Osaka, Japan. Amid the mounting difficulties, the leaders of the two countries have not had the chance to meet in a long time. After the accession of the new emperor in Japan, there are renewed hopes among the peoples of the two countries that relations could improve. The new Japanese monarch Naruhito has been known to have a friendly stance toward Korea. He previously played chamber music together with the Korean pianist and conductor Chung Myung-whun during a friendship concert in 2007. President Moon sent a message to congratulate the new Japanese emperor on his accession to the throne on May 1. Moon and Abe should make the best of the positive mood and work toward restoring bilateral relations with the onset of the Reiwa era. Hawleys office said that some bluffs are taller than 40 feet, and that when patrons jump into the water, they cant easily access flat ground because they are surrounded by bluffs. There is nowhere for an injured or tiring swimmer to rest, and a swimmer in trouble may have to swim hundreds of feet to safety, the lawsuit says. Hawleys office said that the owners of the destination use signs and waivers that are insufficient in warning guests about the propertys dangers. The lawsuit also says there are no life preservers available near the bluffs and no lifeguards on duty. The lawsuit also says that an added danger is the force with which swimmers hit the water, noting that at least one of the victims broke his neck while jumping. The Offsets waiver does note that there is a risk of injury or death by jumping off the cliffs, and there are signs posted around the property. But near the tallest cliffs, most popular with guests, the only signs read no flipping, the lawsuit says. No one answered The Offsets' phone when a reporter called on Tuesday. The Facebook post blames the temporary closure on "government over reach" and says the state is holding a private business to a higher standard than it holds operators of state-owned attractions. Shake off your afternoon slump with the oft-shared and offbeat news of the day, hand-brewed by our online news editors. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. "I cannot tell you how important this moment in our country's history is," Gillibrand said. "Do not allow this moment to lapse without putting everything you can behind it. Organize, advocate and vote." Some protesters carried purple signs that declared, "Abortion is a human right." Among their chants: "No church/No state/Women must decide their fate." Lauri Ploch, 67, came from Alexandria, Virginia, with a sign depicting a drawing of a uterus and the message, "Mine, not yours." Ploch recalled the conflict over birth control and abortion rights in her youth, and suggested that her generation mistakenly believed that such struggles were in the past. "I got complacent for a little while. I think a lot of people did," she said. "Right now we need to really get up in their faces and show that we are ready to fight to keep our rights." In Atlanta, several hundred protesters jammed onto the steps of the Georgia statehouse. Chants of "Vote them out!" and "My body, my right!" blared through a loudspeaker as passing drivers honked their horns in support. One woman carried a coat hanger with a sign that read, "Not going back." JEFFERSON CITY Earlier this month, the dome of the Missouri Capitol was bathed in blue light to honor state law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. Last October, the 100-year-old seat of state government was lit in pink to raise awareness of breast cancer. The practice, however, is coming under scrutiny as capitols across the nation grapple with the use of the buildings to make political statements. In a recent meeting of the Missouri Capitol Commission, which is charged with overseeing the operation and renovation of the historic structure, members discussed whether to draw up guidelines for when and how the dome should be illuminated. Discussions about the lighting are a relatively new phenomenon in Jefferson City. In January 2018, as part of an interior lighting replacement project, the state replaced the roof-mounted, high-pressure sodium dome flood lights with LED lights that can be programmed to change colors. But, with the ability to easily program new color schemes comes questions, members said. JEFFERSON CITY Missouri officials have rejected a politically connected companys challenge of a contract to help run the states fledgling medical marijuana program. In a decision issued Monday, Gov. Mike Parsons administration said it was denying a protest by BioTrackTHC, which said the state should not have awarded a contract to a competitor in April because it could contain hidden costs. At issue is a contract to register patients, license facilities and track marijuana from seed to sale. BioTrackTHC suggested Metrc was able to submit a lower bid to the state because it would charge additional fees to growers and dispensaries. In rejecting the protest, the state said its contract with Metrc does not allow the company to charge additional fees. The 14-page decision, written by Karen Boeger, director of the state's purchasing division, said no further action would be taken. Although it lost its bid to overturn the states decision for the estimated $5 million job, BioTrackTHC called the protest a win for the industry because Metrc will not be able to charge additional fees. Shianne N. Haines, 15, was one of five minors swimming in Joachim Creek near a train trestle in the Hematite area, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said. Witnesses said the five climbed up to the trestle to jump off into the creek below when a train approached. Three of the youths jumped to safety, said Grant Bissell, a spokesman for the sheriff's office. Two, including Haines, tried to run down the trestle and away from the train. One made it to safety, but Haines was hit. Republican sponsors of the bill say that would not happen. But Democrats who oppose the bill say it could. ST. LOUIS The Housing Authority of St. Louis County said Tuesday that it would not allow new subsidized housing vouchers to be used at five apartment complexes owned by T.E.H. Realty, one of the largest providers of affordable housing in the region. Officials also said existing vouchers in use at the five properties in question will not be renewed. T.E.H. has been on the radar in recent years following publicity over poor living conditions, primarily at Springwood Apartments in Bel-Ridge, the first of at least a dozen properties that affiliates of the firm purchased in the area since late 2014. Substandard living conditions and building code violations have also been reported at Park Ridge and Northwinds Apartments in Ferguson, which have a combined 774 units. T.E.H. is the new owner of the two complexes that were refurbished about a decade ago with the lure of at least $42 million in low-income housing tax credits. The work has not been up to the level that it needs to go, Susan Rollins, director of the Housing Authority of St. Louis County, said Tuesday at a meeting with the Post-Dispatch editorial board. During her career as a trauma surgeon, Dr. Laurie Punch has seen and treated many, many gunshot wounds. Some people she couldnt save, but she remembers in particular one phone call she made to a mother to tell her that her son would survive his wound. Did you get all the bullets out? Punch recalls the mother asking her. Punch spoke before a packed auditorium at a health care educational event at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy on Thursday. Why is that her question? Why is that what she has to know right now? Because that mama knows that that hate has no place in her child. Bullets dont just go through skin and muscle and bone, they cut right through families. They crack open communities. Punch, now an associate professor of surgery at Washington University, is passionate about treating the wounds that are left by bullets, both physical and psychological. Her passion has led her to advocate locally with Stop the Bleed, a national program dedicated to educating the public about how to take care of a gunshot victim in the crucial moments before professional help arrives. Punch founded the local branch along with Washington University surgery resident Dr. Erin Andrade and Jane Hayes, a medical student. If this development were to go to a city that is not within the pool, University City gets nothing, Rose said. The $190 million redevelopment of the area at Olive Boulevard and Interstate 170 had been in the works for over a year. It was poised to receive final approval from the City Council in January when a concerned citizen, Gregory Pace, discovered that officials were counting on more revenue than would be generated. As a result, University City officials and Novus hashed out a new development agreement that reduces payments for the citys long-held priority of generating $15 million for Third Ward neighborhood improvements and Olive Boulevard upgrades. An advance payment to the city was cut to $3 million from $7.5 million and annual payments fall to about $200,000 from $500,000. New taxes generated in the Third Ward will also be contributed to that $15 million total, whereas the new development was initially projected to fund all of that. Novuss $70.5 million subsidy under the tax increment financing district which lets developers use property and some sales taxes to finance construction was unchanged. By Jun Ji-hye NongHyup Bank, KOSCOM and other financial institutions here are rushing to abandon the use of Huawei equipment in their network systems amid growing security concerns, industry sources said Tuesday. The financial sector's move to exclude Huawei has been apparently influenced by the Donald Trump administration's recent decision to blacklist Huawei amid the ongoing trade war between the United States and China, they said. Last November, NongHyup Bank selected a consortium formed by KT and Huawei as a preferred bidder to carry out a 120 billion won ($100 million) project to update financial network systems of its branches nationwide. But NongHyup has been putting off the project as security issues over Huawei equipment have been looming large, and it is expected to abandon the use of the Chinese equipment eventually. "NongHyup is not expected to adopt Huawei equipment but to continue using existing Nokia equipment by upgrading it," a source said. Japan carriers delay sale of new Huawei smartphones US delay to Huawei ban gives tech sector time to adjust Huawei founder says US underestimates company's strength Regarding the issue, a NongHyup official said, "We have reviewed the issue and will make a decision within the week." KOSCOM, an IT system provider owned by the Korea Exchange, has also decided to adopt Nokia equipment instead of Huawei's in its network systems upgrade. KT, a partner in charge of the project, selected Nokia's equipment after testing it against Huawei equipment, according to sources. They said the current geopolitical situation surrounding the Chinese company has apparently affected the decision. Other financial companies such as Shinhan Bank and Hana Bank, which have used Huawei equipment, will have no choice but to consider replacing it amid concerns that problems could come up in securing related parts for maintenance, following the Trump administration's order that effectively bars U.S. firms from selling components and software to the Chinese tech giant. Network equipment produced by Huawei is said to be price competitive and have technological prowess, but it has been subject to security concerns. U.S. agencies have long suspected that the Chinese government or military may have installed backdoors in Huawei equipment for espionage activities, citing the fact that Huawei's founder is a former officer in the People's Liberation Army. SK Telecom and KT, the top two mobile carriers in the nation, have already excluded the Chinese company from their fifth-generation (5G) partners. A wooden temple built as a memorial to the 17 victims of a Florida high school mass shooting was set ablaze Sunday in a symbolic gesture of healing. The "Temple of Time" public art installation was set afire at a ceremony hosted by the cities of Parkland and Coral Springs, where Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students live. The families of several Parkland victims attended the ritual burning of the 35-foot (10-meter) tall temple. Described as "therapeutic" by some, the ceremonial fire was supposed to symbolize the release of pain still left inside. Firefighters surrounded the structure as 17 people lit it up the center of the temple with torches. It took a few minutes for the fire to spread to the roof, suddenly engulfing the temple's needle with giant flames as black smoke billowed up into the sky. The timing was impeccable. The lacelike designs allowed the flames to spread evenly across the wooden structure, making it glow orange for a few minutes as the sky darkened. The temple did not burn to the ground as predicted. Fox's highly-rated opinion shows are a key part of a political wall that Trump relies on to protect his support with Republican voters despite a nonstop barrage of scandals and embarrassments at the White House. But the network has been trying to emphasize its news brand lately, and that's what the president bristles at. He has taken several swings at Fox's news anchors and reporters via Twitter this year -- everyone from Shep Smith to Arthel Neville, Leland Vittert to Chris Wallace, John Roberts to Gillian Turner. Trump has been especially consumed by Fox's town halls with Democratic contenders for president. The network has televised three of them so far, first with Sanders, then with Amy Klobuchar, and most recently Buttigieg. "So weird to watch Crazy Bernie on @FoxNews," Trump tweeted after the Sanders event last month. He knocked the studio audience, putting "audience" in quote marks, for being "so smiley and nice." Later he followed up and said, without providing evidence, that there were "many Trump Fans & Signs" outside the studio, and he took credit for the economic conditions in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where Sanders' the town hall took place. As McCarthy noted, this is not the first time that Amash has been inconveniently faithful to his principles. I disagree with many of Amashs libertarian views, but it is refreshing to see a politician stand up for what he believes. In the Mueller report, Amash finds multiple examples of conduct satisfying all the elements of obstruction of justice. Impeachment, Amash notes, does not even require probable cause that a crime ... has been committed, but simply that an official has engaged in careless, abusive, corrupt or otherwise dishonorable conduct. Trump does all of the above, all of the time. Im under no illusions here. At this point it is clear that the vast majority of congressional Republicans will stay aboard the rustbucket USS Trump, which has been taking on water from the beginning, until it actually begins to sink. But here is a line from Amashs tweetstorm that Democrats should reflect on: While impeachment should be undertaken only in extraordinary circumstances, the risk we face in an environment of extreme partisanship is not that Congress will employ it as a remedy too often but rather that Congress will employ it so rarely that it cannot deter misconduct. This extreme and dangerous Missouri legislation criminalizes abortion as early as eight weeks, before some women even know theyre pregnant, with no exception for rape or incest. The bill now goes to the desk of Gov. Mike Parson, who has made clear his willingness to sign. For many Missourians, the unconstitutional ban would remove access to safe abortion. It violates Supreme Court precedent in an attempt to ultimately overturn Roe v Wade. Abortion is an incredibly personal and sometimes complex decision that should and must occur between a pregnant woman, her family and her doctor not categorically decided by politicians inexperienced in matters of reproductive and maternal health care. Missouris abortion bill removes peoples ability to exercise self-determination. Our country reinforces the concept of the American Dream, wherein people are able to make their own choices in pursuit of their individual happiness. Yet, this bill directly impedes such a liberty. This bill also fails to recognize the very real experiences of those who are pregnant and/or those who think they might be pregnant. At eight weeks, many women may not know they are pregnant. Menstruation cycles may not be consistent, or women may not notice one skipped period. Moreover, eight weeks does not take into account the extenuating factors in peoples lives: getting off work to travel for an abortion, acquiring the funds for an abortion and developing practical plans with their support networks. By Nam Hyun-woo POSCO will invest 1 trillion won ($838.4 million) to create industrial complexes and funds to nurture venture firms and startups, explore new growth drivers and find new business opportunities, the steelmaker said Tuesday. The company signed an agreement with the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and Korean Venture Capital Association during its Idea Marketplace event and announced its plan to earmark 800 billion won for a venture fund and 200 billion won for building industrial complexes by 2024 in Pohang and Gwangyang, where POSCO's steel mills are located. "The most convincing way of driving future growth is exploring innovative ideas and commercializing them," POSCO Chairman Choi Jeong-woo said during the event at POSCO Center in Seoul. "By building a venture platform we will expedite the country's effort to nurture the startup ecosystem and create jobs." SMEs Minister Park Young-sun said, "The ministry will spare no efforts to support the creation of a virtuous cycle of startups becoming large companies nurturing other venture firms." According to POSCO, it will set up a startup incubating center in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, and a knowledge-based industry center in Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province, by 2022, and establish additional synchrotron facilities at Pohang Accelerator Lab. Run by the ministry, the venture fund will raise 2 trillion won by 2024, with POSCO pitching in 800 billion won. POSCO said it will make strategic investments in prospective sectors and firms with a chance of including them in the group's portfolio. Invested companies will be provided with access to POSCO Group's international network and consultations on marketing, intellectual property, legal and financial issues. "With the investment, POSCO will set up a venture valley where startups and venture companies can research, develop and share technologies and draw investments," a POSCO official said. "With the fund, the group will support startups' stable growth in all stages of their growth cycle, so that it can serve as the platform for a startup ecosystem." In April 2019 Algeria revealed two locally developed and manufactured UAVs. Both are based on the twin-engine UA-40 UAV announced by UAE (United Arab Emirates) firm Adcom in 2010. However, Adcom never completed development of UA-40 and a smaller version called Flash 20. The UA-40/Flash 20 project was sold to Algeria in 2016 and two variants (Algeria 54 and Algeria 55) were produced and flown by 2018. The larger Algeria 54 is similar in size (1.5 ton) to the American Predator but is built for endurance and its twin engines can keep the UAV in the air for over 72 hours. Equipped with a SAR radar (for maritime search) and standard vidcam the Algeria 54 is suitable for patrolling coastal waters as well as the long desert borders Algeria shares with Libya and Mali. Both these borders are frequently crossed by smugglers using all-terrain 4x4 vehicles that bypass the few roads that featuring checkpoints at international borders. The SAR radar can detect such vehicles at night as the smugglers cross borders in remote areas. Algeria has been using UAVs since the late 1990s when they purchased ten Seeker 2 UAVs from South Africa (Denel). These 400 kg, single engine UAVs have a payload of 40 kg, endurance of six hours, max altitude of 6,100 meters and can operate up to 250 kilometers from the base station. The Seeker was one of the earliest modern UAV designs, first entering service during the 1980s. Algeria paid $2 million each for those Seeker 2s. In 2018 Algeria revealed that it had purchased at least ten Chinese UAVs, apparently five CH-3s and five CH-4s. Both of these have sold to a number of Moslem nations. The CH-4 was developed from the earlier (2010) CH-3, a 640 kg aircraft with 12 hours endurance and can carry two AR-1 missiles. The CH-4 is similar in shape to the American Predator. The latest version of CH-4 weighs 1.3 tons, has a 14 meter (46 feet) wingspan, and is 9 meters (28 feet) long. It has max altitude of 5,300 meters (16,400 feet) and an endurance of over 35 hours. Max payload (sensors and weapons) is 345 kg (759 pounds). A CH-4 can carry 4 weapons (or electronic devices) under the wings, each weighing up to 100 kg. China offers Chinese-made weapons for both these UAVs Chief among these is a Hellfire clone; the AR-1. This is a 45 kg (99 pound) missile with a max range of 10 kilometers and a 10 kg (22 pound) warhead. AR-1 can be equipped with either GPS or laser guidance. The other weapon is a copy of the American SDB (small diameter bomb) which is a 128 kg (281 pound) GPS guided glide bomb in the shape of a missile with a penetrating warhead. The Chinese version is the FT-5 and is a 100 kg (220 pound) GPS guided bomb in the shape of a missile. All Algerian UAVs primarily serve as surveillance aircraft, patrolling large, thinly populated areas seeking signs of illegal (smuggling, Islamic terrorist) activity. This apparently works because Algerian troops regularly intercept smugglers in remote border areas, find weapons and equipment smugglers, or Islamic terrorists have hidden in remote areas. While local informants are sometimes the source of information, a lot of the locations are obtained by UAVs patrolling day and night over areas where such activity is suspected. It has been a disappointing year for the Taliban. I n early 2015 the Taliban undertook a major military effort against the Afghan security forces now that that foreign troops were no longer doing any of the fighting. That role ended in late 2014. As a result the 350,000 personnel of the Afghan security forces (170,000 troops and 180,000 police) have suffered 27 percent more casualties in 2015 compared to 2014. Taliban losses have also been very high, but they have lower recruiting standards and can offer drugs as well as money for those young tribesmen willing to take a chance during the fighting season (the annual warm weather period between the time crops are planted and harvested). Going off to try and gain some glory and loot during the fighting season is an ancient tradition in Afghanistan, especially there is not much alternative employment available in the countryside and the Taliban pay well. Being part of an organized army is s different matter. American advisors believe that losing nearly three percent of its strength a year to combat deaths or crippling wounds, as occurred in 2014, is not sustainable. While the Taliban suffer higher losses the Taliban are more flexible in how they operate. This is more in line with the traditional Afghan way of warfare, which is more about raiding and ambushes than it is in operating like soldiers. The army and police are often standing guard in exposed positions (checkpoints or in bases) or obliged to go after fleeing Taliban, who often pause long enough to ambush the troops then move off again. Afghan soldiers and police know they are more effective fighters than the tribal warriors, but that their job requires them to expose themselves to danger regularly in order to maintain control of territory. The Taliban are not tied down nearly as much and that makes a big difference in morale. The drug gangs provide the enormous quantities of the cash the Taliban need to operate as they do. Nearly all the 30,000 or so Taliban are paid and the Taliban leaders are paid much more. Moreover the drug gangs provide enough cash so the Taliban can compensate the families of Taliban killed in action. The drug gangs also bribe, and then control lots of government officials (civilian, military and police) and even some tribal leaders. The bribed officials will do things for the Taliban as well as the drug gangs. The Taliban need all the money they can get because their 2015 plan was to eliminate Afghan security forces in the south (mainly Helmand province, where most of the worlds heroin is produced), the east (where most of the Helmand heroin is moved out via Pakistan and the Pakistani port of Karachi to the rest of the world) and parts of the north where heroin is also moved, mainly via Kunduz province to Central Asia. The northern offensive failed, which is not surprising because in late 2001 the Taliban had still not been able to conquer all the northern tribes. The north never forgets and local tribal militias up there will go after any Taliban who come too close. Eastern Afghanistan is also increasingly hostile to the Taliban and other Islamic terror groups like the Haqqani Network. But there are so many Islamic terror groups in the eastern provinces along the Pakistani border, including a thousand or so ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) men and over 5,000 Pakistani Taliban and other Islamic terrorists pushed out of North Waziristan by the Pakistan Army in an operation that began in mid-2014 that the Taliban has a hard time maintaining any control in the east. These rival Islamic terror groups will often fight back if the Taliban tries to assert any control. In the south the Taliban had some success in Helmand, where most of the 10,000 Taliban fighters lost in 2015 were killed. About 20 percent of Helmand is now under Taliban control and the government wants more American air power (bombers and surveillance) to enable the reinforced Afghan forces to push the Taliban out quickly and with fewer dead soldiers and policemen. Its the drug gangs that finance all the mayhem in Helmand, as well they might because Helmand is where most of the opium poppies are grown and where the portable labs use chemicals smuggled in from bordering Pakistan to convert the sap of the poppies into heroin. The drug gangs would prefer to bribe the army and police to stay away but that has not worked because the heroin (and much cheaper opium) is hated in most of the country because over five percent of the population has become addicted to opium or heroin. So the troops and police from other parts of the country face disgrace back home if they do not attack the drug operations when they have a chance. Most Afghans dont care if some tribes produce and export illegal drugs, they do care of the drugs are sold inside Afghanistan to Afghans. The Taliban understand this and have been living off the drug gangs since the late 1990s and justify this by promising to return to the system they imposed during the 1990s where the gangs were forced to export nearly all their production and were severely punished if any of the opium or heroin got out to the locals. That restriction disappeared along with Taliban control of most of Afghanistan in late 2001. It only worked back then because the Taliban offered security for the drug gangs in return for a large share of the profits and keeping the drugs away from Afghans. Some in the current Afghan government see that as a possible option now that the Westerners are gone. The Western donors have made it clear that the aid will disappear (and the bombs will return) if Afghanistan turns into a narco state (the national government is on the drug gang payroll). Many current government officials are already bribed by the drug gangs and the Afghans will keep wheeling and dealing with drug lords and foreign diplomats in order to keep the cash, but not the bombs, coming. The drug angle has made most of the tribes hostile to the Taliban and the drug gangs. Westerners often lose sight of the fact that most of the violence in Afghanistan is all about the drugs and the disruption they causes to Afghan society and culture. Most of the 3,000 Afghan civilians killed in 2015 were because of this war against the drug lords and their hired guns (mainly the Taliban). The Afghan countryside has always been a dangerous place but it has become more dangerous because all that drug money has equipped many tribesmen with automatic weapons and fast vehicles. Another largely ignored (outside the region) element is the growing number of casualties suffered by Islamic terror groups because of factionalism, feuds and infighting. By the end of 2015 the Taliban was fighting ISIL as well as some other anti-Taliban Islamic terrorists and a growing number of dissident Taliban factions. ISIL and factionalism are growing problems for the Taliban mainly because ISIL tends to persuade many very capable Taliban leaders to defect. The dissident Taliban factions survive by making deals with a local drug gang. It must be remembered that there is no one organization running the drug business in Afghanistan but dozens of drug gangs (many tribe or clan based) that tend to remain at peace with each other (for business reasons) and will hire the best mercenaries they can. During 2015 only 27 foreign soldiers died (22 American, two British and thee from other countries) in Afghanistan. Most of these deaths occurred in the last three months of the year. In 2014 75 foreign troops died in Afghanistan and the peak year was 2010 when 710 died. Since late 2001 3,512 foreign troops (68 percent American) have died in Afghanistan. During the 1980s over 15,000 Russian troops died in an attempt to gain control of the country. In Kabul a Taliban suicide bomber attacked a bus carrying employees of Afghanistans largest TV network. This killed seven people and wounded 25. At first it was believed the attack was directed at the nearby Russian embassy but it soon became clear that this was another attack on the media, to discourage coverage (especially unfavorable stuff) of Islamic terrorists or the drug gangs. The Afghan media, finally free after decades of war, is often outspoken in its criticism of Islamic terrorists and drug gangs. The Islamic terrorists dont need media coverage as much as they used to because now anyone can get their message out via the Internet, especially if it is accompanied by videos of people being tortured and killed. January 20, 2016: The Afghan Air Force received the first of four used Mi-25 helicopter gunships from India. Afghanistan, India and Pakistan already operate some M-24s as well as the upgraded version (Mi-35). The Mi-25 is an export version of the Mi-24. India is replacing its Mi-25s with American AH-64s. January 15, 2016: The Afghan Air Force received the first four of twenty A-29 Super Tucano aircraft. These will be used for training and air support of soldiers and police. The Super Tucano is a single engine turbo-prop trainer/attack aircraft that is used by over a dozen nations. This aircraft carries two internal 12.7mm (.50 caliber) machine-guns along with 1.5 tons of bombs and rockets. It can stay in the air for 6.5 hours at a time. It is rugged, easy to maintain and cheap. The U.S. is paying $17.7 million for each Super Tucano, which includes training, spare parts and support equipment and giving all this to Afghanistan as military aid. These aircraft are more useful to the Afghans than jet fighters (which the Afghans would like to have, if someone else would pay for them.) All twenty are to be in service by the end of 2017. The Afghans want to expand their air force with more attack aircraft and armed helicopters. While the Americans are bringing in more warplanes these tend to be used against ISIL first, and then whatever Afghan security forces need. The U.S. sees ISIL as a more serious threat to the United States while Afghanistan is more concerned with all the other Islamic terror groups and especially the Taliban. For example most of the American UAV operations (surveillance and missile attacks) is directed at ISIL and senior Taliban and Haqqani leaders. The Afghans are more concerned with the battles soldiers and police fight every day against Taliban and other Islamic terrorist gunmen. January 13, 2016: In the east (Jalalabad) ISIL attacked the Pakistani consulate. Three attackers and seven security personnel died. This was the first time ISIL went after a Pakistani government target in Afghanistan. Apparently four suicide bombers were involved in this attack and the fourth one got away. January 12, 2016: Mohammad Ali Jafari, the commander of the IRGC (Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps) boasted that the IRGC was responsible for training (and often recruiting, arming and paying) 200,000 fighters in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Pakistan and Afghanistan. At least a quarter of these are in Syria, followed by Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen. Pakistan and Afghanistan were not happy with the IRGC publicly admitting that Iran has sponsored local (and often illegal) Shia militias. Iran had to do some diplomatic fence mending over that. Jafaris comments confirmed Afghan suspicion of Iranian meddling in western Afghanistan and secret support for some Afghan Shia tribes. January 11, 2016: Officials from Pakistan, Afghanistan, China and the United States met in Pakistan to try and restart the peace talks with the Taliban. But it soon became clear that the real problem was not Taliban peace talks (not likely because of factionalism within the Afghan Taliban) but the growing hostility between Pakistan and its neighbors Afghanistan and India. Pakistan is accused of harboring Islamic terrorists who make attacks on Afghanistan and India. Officially Pakistan denies any involvement but unofficially Pakistan says it tolerates Islamic terrorists who help it deal with Indian threats, especially those done via a growing alliance with Afghanistan. India insists, and the historical record backs them up, that they have no such designs on Pakistan. A perusal of Indian media over the last half century confirms that. Indians dont really care what happens in Pakistan as long as it does not hurt India. Thus Pakistani Islamic terrorists who attack the few Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan is an issue inside India, but a minor one. The dispute over Kashmir is a bigger deal in Pakistan than in India but there is nothing to indicate Indian enthusiasm for war with Pakistan over Kashmir. Then there is Afghanistan, where Pakistan has been meddling well, forever. When Pakistan was created out of British India in 1947 the new Pakistan government continued, like the British and before that many Indian Empires, in Afghanistan. Many Pakistanis openly declare this to be a Pakistani right and obligation because Pakistan considers Afghans incapable of governing themselves and in need of Pakistani guidance. This view is not appreciated in Afghanistan and bothers India as well. January 9, 2016: In northwest Pakistan (North Waziristan) an American UAV missile attack killed five members of the Pakistani Taliban. Just across the border in Afghanistan a similar attack killed at least twenty members of ISIL. January 3, 2016: Afghanistan accused Pakistan of organizing the attack on the Indian consulate in the north Afghan city of Mazar-e-Sharif. The attack failed, but only after a 25 hour siege of a building near the consulate that the attackers were firing from. The attackers were heard speaking Urdu (the language of Pakistan) rather than the languages common in Mazar-e-Sharif (Dari or Pushtu). The attackers also displayed a discipline and tactical skill lacking in the usual suicidal Islamic terrorist attacks in Afghanistan. One reason the attack failed was the Afghanistan allows India to bring in highly trained security personnel to guard diplomatic facilities and major Indian aid projects. This discourages most Islamic terrorist groups and explains why the Pakistanis sent in four professionals for this attack. Apparently one of the reasons for this attack was the successful Indian crackdown on Pakistani sponsored Islamic terrorism in Kashmir. All four attackers and an Afghan policeman were killed while four civilians were wounded during the operation. Since the security forces went after the Taliban who had entered the northern city of Kunduz on September 28th over 1,300 more Islamic terrorists have been killed in the city and then Kunduz province. The September Taliban attack on Kunduz left 289 civilians dead and 559 wounded. The fighting inside the city continued until October 13th and after that the additional police and soldiers sent north remained and kept hunting Taliban in the area. The Taliban consider Kunduz province a major route for smuggling heroin out of the country via Central Asia. The Taliban are still a threat in parts of Kunduz province, as can be seen in the areas where cell phone companies comply with Taliban demands and that cell phone service be turned off at night (so locals cannot alert police to Taliban activity). If the companies do not comply the Taliban will attack the cell phone towers and company personnel. December 31, 2015: Pakistan established a hotline with Afghanistan so officers can use it to contact each other quickly when there are border incidents that could escalate into more violent incidents. The hotline was tested today and worked. December 28, 2015: In the west (Kandahar) gunmen fired on two female polio vaccination volunteers (a teenage girl and her grandmother) killing the older woman and wounding the other. Despite attacks like this Afghan polio cases were at a record low (eight) in 2015. This compares to neighboring Pakistan where there were 108. In both countries Islamic terrorists (especially the Taliban) tried to ban polio vaccinations. Islamic terrorists in general tend to believe the vaccination teams are spying for the government and that the vaccinations are a plot to sterilize Moslems. In early 2014 Afghanistan suffered its first known case of polio in since the Taliban were overthrown in late 2001. The 2014 outbreak was alarming because many people can catch polio and not become sick so it was unclear how far polio has spread. There had been no polio in Afghanistan after 2001 because the Afghan Taliban changed their policy of opposing polio vaccinations once they were out of power after 2001. But Pakistani Islamic terrorists did not. This became a problem for Afghanistan because of the large number of Pakistani Pushtuns fled to Afghanistan to get away from the 2014 Pakistani offensive into the terrorist sanctuary of North Waziristan. Most Taliban, on both sides of the border, still believe the polio vaccination program is really a Western plot against Moslems. Thus even though the Afghan Taliban support vaccinations there is still violence. Despite that the government has been able to continue the vaccination program and contain the outbreak caused by Pakistani refugees. The 2014 offensive there was a success and the Pakistani vaccination teams are now able to visit nearly all the people who had earlier been inaccessible because of Taliban death squads. For over a decade the Pakistani tribal territories were one of the few places on the planet where people are still being infected. This caused small outbreaks in countries where people from the tribal territories visit (including Syria, where many Pakistani Islamic terrorists have gone and triggered at least dozens of polio cases so far). December 21, 2015: Near Kabul six U.S. air force personnel patrolling outside Bagram Air Base were killed when attacked by a suicide bomber on a motorcycle. The government has two terrorist problems, one it can talk about and another that must be discussed quietly. The obvious Islamic terrorists are ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant). They are a threat and are kept alive by the desire for many Sunni Arabs to restore their control over the country that they enjoyed until 2003. The Sunni Arabs are only about 20 percent of the population and when they were in charge dominated senior government jobs and the professions in general. The Sunni Arabs also made sure that most of the oil wealth went to make the Sunni Arabs the most affluent Iraqis. Since 2003 there has been a democracy, a form of government condemned as un-Islamic by ISIL and many other Islamic radicals. Worse, democracy favored the Shia Arab majority (60 percent of Iraqis) such that the Shia now dominate the government. The Sunni Arabs have lost most of their power and income. While the Shia Arabs united to keep a Shia dominated government in power, they were divided by religious and political issues. This gave rise to the other Islamic terrorism that must be spoken about carefully and quietly. That is the effort by Iran to establish religious and paramilitary groups loyal to Iran in addition to or rather than an independent Iraq. The Iranians are now depending on their most loyal militias to fight the Americans and their own government as part of a proxy force. Iran does not want to openly go to war with the Americans or the Gulf Arab oil states, but does want to use violence to weaken and embarrass the Americans. This is what Iran did after the U.S. and Britain invaded in 2003 and overthrew the hated (especially by Iran) Saddam Hussein. At the time many Iranians joked that it would be nice if the Americans invaded Iran and deposed the unpopular religious dictatorship that had misruled the country since the 1980s. That did not happen the Iran's religious dictatorship blamed the Americans for stirring up trouble among Iranians. This led to Iran providing sanctuary for Sunni Islamic terrorists in Iraq (secretly, because that was and is unpopular with most Iranians) and encouraging pro-Iran Iraqi Shia Arabs to attack the Americans (as hated invaders) using weapons supplied by Iran. It was later estimated that this Iranian sponsored violence was responsible for the deaths of at least a thousand Americans between 2005 and 2011. This was classic proxy war where Iran got away denying it had anything to do with supporting terrorist violence in Iraq. Actually the Americans went public with their evidence in 2007 but Iran continued to deny its complicity. The Iraqi government was not fooled and when American troops left in 2011 the Iraqis shut down, with some force, the active Iranian militias and terrorist groups in Iraq. The Iranians backed off and wanted for another opportunity. That opportunity came when the PMF (Popular Mobilization Force) militias were organized in 2014 after the Iraqi army fell apart in the face of the ISIL advance that took Mosul and about a third of Iraq in a few months. The creation of the PMF was an admission by the Shia government that had failed to curb corruption, especially as it weakened the military. Iran rushed in with trainers and advisors for the new PMF groups and that did indeed help. But at the same time, Iran took control of many of these militias. This paid off. By late 2016 parliament passed (after much Iranian pressure) a law making the PMF a part of the armed forces. These militiamen were already on the government payroll (for about $500 a month). Now the militia leaders were demanding a share of the military budget and enough money (nearly half a billion dollars to start with) to build their own bases. That did not happen and it reminded all Iraqis what the Iranians were up to. The signs were already there. By 2015 there were about 100,000 of these largely Shia militia and they were already a contentious issue in Iraq. The 2016 laws providing pay and other benefits for the PMF also included rules making it mandatory that non-Shia militia be included if they were of proven loyalty. There were plenty of those and by the end of 2016 about a quarter of the PMF were Sunnis. A smaller number were Turkmen, Christian and other minorities ISIL wanted to wipe out. More than half the militias were always Shia. Much publicity was given to instances where Shia militias massacred Sunni civilians and the use of many Iranian trainers and military advisors by some (at one point most) of the Shia militias and the Iran connection in general. But most of the PMF just concentrated on defeating ISIL and, once that was accomplished by 2018, most Iraqis realized that the pro-Iran PMF units were a threat to the Iraqi government. Its getting close to another 2011 crackdown on Iranian militias, but this time the Iranians are better prepared for that and it wont be so easy this time. But the crackdown will happen and it will succeed. Thats because although the Shia Arabs feel an affinity with Shia Iran, the ancient (we're talking thousands of years here) Arab fear of the Iranians makes it possible for Shia and Sunni Arabs to make deals. And that's what Saudi Arabia, and the other Sunni Arab Gulf States, are doing with Iraq. Saudi Arabia sees Iran as the neighborhood bully, and Iraq as an Arab, not an Iranian, asset. Part of this came about because of the pro-Iran PMF militias in Iraq. By 2016 most Shia Arab politicians in Iraq tended to feel they are expendable to the Iranians, who are, quite naturally, more concerned with taking care of Iran, than Iraq, in all of this. Blood is thicker than religion. The Iraqi Shia Arabs dont want to be dominated by non-Arab Iran, where Arabs are openly despised, especially the few percent of Iranians who are Arab. At the same time, Iraq doesnt want to be dominated by their Sunni Arab neighbors and especially not by their own Sunni Arab minority (which created ISIL and has been a major supporter of Islamic terrorism since 2003). There are constant reminders of the Iranian threat which is considered equal to, or even worse than, the Sunni Arab Islamic terrorists. For example, in September 2017 a leader of one of the PMF Shia militias went public (for the first time) with his belief that his men would start killing American troops once ISIL was no longer a threat in Iraq. That was not a surprise to many Iraqi Shia. In August 2017 senior Iraqi Shia cleric Moqtada al Sadr called on the Iraqi government to dismantle the Iran backed Shia militias and incorporate their loyal (to Iraq) members into the armed forces. The Iraqi prime minister (a Shia), wants to dismantle these Iran backed Shia Arab militias with more care and take more time doing it. In part that is because Iran has sent hundreds of IRGC (Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps) officers, most of them from the Quds Force (similar to the U.S. Special Forces, but which specializes in supporting Islamic terrorists instead of fighting them) and even more enlisted IRGC personnel to Iraq. Dozens of senior IRGC officers have been killed in Syria and Iraq since 2012. These IRGC personnel are seen by most Iraqis as hostile foreign agents. This can be seen by the fact that since ISIL was defeated (even before mid-2017 when Mosul fell) the number of Shia religious and militia leaders who openly supported Iran was declining. More Iraqi Shia are doubting Iranian intentions towards Iraq and believe Iran ultimately wants to control the Iraq government or even partition Iraq and annex the largely Shia (and oil rich) south. At the same time, Iranian efforts to discourage Iraqi Kurds from obtaining more autonomy are unwelcome with many Arab Iraqis who see this as another example of Iran treating Iraq like a subordinate, not an ally. Adding to the fears are reports that Iran backed (and sometimes led, officially or otherwise by Iranian officers) Shia militia are ignoring earlier promises and entering liberated areas of Mosul and seeking disloyal civilians who can be arrested and perhaps murdered. There are still over a thousand Iranians providing training, advisory and support assistance to the PMF Shia militias. The Iraqi government fears that these IRGC advisors and trainers are secretly building pro-Iran armed militias in Iraq. Thats simply not true because the IRGC is quite open about what they are doing to encourage Iraqi Shia to organize armed groups so they can work with Iran someday to impose the same kind of religious dictatorship in Iraq that has existed in Iran since the 1980s. This is unlikely because of popular opposition inside Iraq, but the Iranians tend to think long-term. The Iranians like to pretend that they have a lot of support in Iraq. They do have some, but it is declining, as it usually does after it is no longer useful for Iraq. Iran Takes A Beating During the first two weeks of May Iran suffered several major economic setbacks that Iranian leaders had not expected. The worst one was China, a major customer for Iranian oil, announcing it would comply with the American sanctions and halt Iranian oil imports as its 180 day import waiver expired. Until mid-May China had not made it clear how it would react, and is still indicating that it could keep changing its policy. The Chinese decision was enforced quickly and Iranian tankers in transit or waiting to unload at Chinese ports were told that their cargo would not be accepted. This was a major blow for Iran as China was Irans largest oil customer. China was buying nearly half a million barrels a day and was willing to pay in barter, thereby avoiding the American banking sanctions. China has lots of items for barter, including high tech goods that Iran needed. Now all that was gone. This bad news came at the same time that European allies were admitting that their new financial system, designed to get around American economic sanctions and allow payment in hard currency, was not working and not likely to. The Americans were able to block such schemes and the Europeans, like the Chinese, were not willing to go total outlaw against the United States. The immediate Iranian response was very hostile with threats to shut down all ship traffic in the Persian Gulf and attack American diplomats and military personnel in the region, mainly in Iraq where these Americans were most vulnerable. Iran gave its European allies, especially the ones that are still abiding by the 2015 treaty that lifted sanctions, 60 days to provide Iran with meaningful relief from American sanctions. If that does not happen Iran threatens to take some vague strong measures. Iranian leaders feel pressure on all sides. There are still popular protests against the religious dictatorship and its corrupt ways, and these protests are persisting and increasing. Iran threatens to use military and terrorist (IRGC led) forces to shut down all oil exports from the Persian Gulf if all Iranian oil exports are blocked. That is considered unlikely because it would be a declaration of war by Iran, and even the elderly clerics who have ruled Iran since the 1980s have made it clear they understand their military is more mirage than real. It is also obvious to all Iranians that an actual war would destroy Iranian oil production and export facilities and much else. It would take years to repair that damage and there is no good outcome for Iran if there is war in the Persian Gulf. Iran also threatened to resume its nuclear weapons program (which it still insists never existed) but that is not likely because the program is expensive and doing so invites special operations type attacks (the Stuxnet hack, Israeli assassinations inside Iran and so on). Iran wont maintain the we will build nukes threats unless they get a useful (and not harmful) response. The Europeans might want to submit but they have nothing to offer. The Russians also have little to offer and the Chinese have removed themselves for the time being. Iran is alone and does not like it at all. May 20, 2019: In the west (Anbar province), a convoy of 60 American military vehicles, escorted by helicopters, entered Iraq from Jordan and drove to the Ain al-Assad Airbase, the largest American bases in Iraq. May 19, 2019: In Baghdad, a rocket was fired into the Green Zone, the well protected area where foreign embassies and key government offices are located. This rocket landed about a thousand meters from the American embassy but it was unclear of that embassy was the target. The rockets are unguided and there is lots of open space in the Green Zone. This 10 square kilometer (four square mile) sanctuary in downtown Iraq was long a sanctuary for Americans and senior Iraqis. Most Baghdad residents wanted the Green Zone and the way it disrupted major traffic patterns, eliminated after the Americans left. But rich and powerful Iraqis wanted to live in the Green Zone, as protection from criminals and terrorists (both of whom murder, kidnap and rob the rich). So the Green Zone lives on, under Iraqi management. Since 2010 there have been occasional rockets or mortar shells fired into the Green Zone. It is a large target, with a lot of open space, so there are rarely casualties. This rocket was fired from areas controlled by an Iran-backed militia. Iran officially condemned the rocket attack although it was later announced that fragments of the rocket had been collected and it was Iranian made and commonly used by groups Iran supports throughout the region. Thats proxy war. In the southeast (Basra), a bus carrying militiamen was attacked by a roadside bomb, killing seven passengers and wounding 26. ISIL was suspected. May 18, 2019: In the northeast ( Diyala province), ISIL set fire to wheat and barley crops, destroying about 200 hectares (500 acres). This sort of thing is increasingly common in Diyala, as are other forms of ISIL violence. ISIL counts on kidnapping and extortion activities (which sometimes involved non-lethal violence). These operations are important because they raise money and keep locals in line. This increase in activity shows how effectively ISIL has established base areas to operate from. Most of the bases are in the Hemrin Mountains, which extend from Diyala through northern Salahuddin province and into southern Kirkuk province. ISIL terrorism is often very selective with little or none of it falling on known friends of ISIL (those who pay or provide recruits). In the west (Anbar province), troops found and destroyed an ISIL training camp in a remote area. The camp personnel fled at the approach of the troops, leaving behind weapons, ammo and explosives. May 17, 2019: The commander of the Iranian IRGC alerted all his forces (mainly those who are armed and on the payroll) in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen to prepare for war with the West. This is because Iran is now in a lot more trouble back home. The IRGC is not declaring war, just rattling the saber to see what happens. In addition to killing people, the IRGC likes to make threats. May 15, 2019: In the north (Kirkuk province), ISIL forces killed nine policemen in two attacks. May 14, 2019: The American military commander in the Persian Gulf area raised the threat level for American forces under his command. This meant all non-essential diplomatic personnel were to leave Iraq until the area became less risky. A British general assigned to the American led air coalition in Iraq pointed out that current security measures employed by American and Western forces in Iraq were adequate. Two days later the British government increased the threat level for the 1,400 British military and diplomatic personnel in Iraq. May 9, 2019: One of the most pro-Iran groups in Iraq is the Hezbollah Nujaba. Currently, it consists of under 10,000 militiamen, most of them involved with neighborhood defense and not much else. But the group wants to become an Iraqi version of the Lebanese Hezbollah and that is encouraged by Iran and the original Hezbollah. This is of great concern for Israel because groups like Hezbollah Nujaba could control remote and thinly populated areas of western Iraq. From these desert areas, they could launch short-range Iranian ballistic missiles at Israel. This is similar to what the Iranian backed Shia rebels have been doing in Yemen against Saudi Arabia. Israel believes Iran has already installed ballistic missiles in southern Iraq, where they can reach Israel. Iraq is investigating the claim and willing to shut this down because it might involve Iraq in a war with Israel and that is not seen as a good thing. May 5, 2019: ISIL still considers Iraq their homeland, where the organization was created in 2006 and eight years later achieved unexpected success. That did not last and four years later ISIL was once more a collection of small groups of terrorists and unarmed supporters. The official war plan is to continue and expand the terror attacks and recruiting. This will lead to local government becoming demoralized and weaker so that a resurgent ISIL can once more have territory it controls and can call the Islamic State. This is an ancient plan and has been in use for over a thousand years. This is one of the more lasting aspects of Islam, a word that literally means submission. The question has always been submission to who on earth. Allah (God) requires righteous followers to rule the Islamic state. The problem has always been and continues to be, who shall be in charge. Islam is a decentralized religion and none of the many sects, factions and schools of theology have been able to agree on a solution to this problem. As long as there are Moslems willing to kill (and get killed) to assert their claim, the violence will go on. This is bad news for Iraqis living in areas where ISIL still has local supporters. In areas north of Baghdad and south of Kirkuk there are a lot of ISIL supporters and armed ISIL men who terrorize the region with their death squads (to kill informers and any who openly oppose them) and extortion (taxes to support the cause). April 29, 2019: ISIL leader and founder Abu Bakr al Baghdadi appeared in a new video, the first such video in five years. Baghdadi is shown in humble surroundings, along with several weapons. He is dressed plainly, as a warrior should be. He commanded his followers to keep fighting and believing that ISIL would ultimately prevail. The video contains details of recent events and serves mainly to show that Baghdadi is still alive and well enough to speak to his followers. April 28, 2019: The commander of the IRGC met with Iraqi militia leaders loyal to Iran and discussed methods for attacking Americans that could not be traced back to Iran. This proxy war is a favorite technique of the IRGC, which realizes that if you take credit for an attack, or carry it out in a way that makes it easy to determine who was responsible, there is more likely to be effective retribution. IRGC has been using such proxy attacks against American forces since the 1980s but covering your tracks has become more difficult because the Americans eventually figured out what was going on and how to pin the proxy attacks on Iran. Many Iraqis are willing to help trace attacks back to Iran because Iran is trying to use such subversive tactics to gain control over Iraq. More than 4000 properties in the Mount Maunganui area lost power at around 9.30am this morning. Crews are currently working to restore electricity and all but 600 properties has been restored by 10.30am. The cause of the fault is still under investigation, says Powerco network operations manager Phil Marsh. Crew are continuing with their efforts to ensure supply is fully restored. One person who works in Rata Street says she is unable to do any work at the moment due to the outage. The Powerco website says the estimated restoration for the remaining properties without power is 2pm. Bayfairs new food precinct is looking promising, with the inclusion of the popular chain restaurant Mexico. With the restaurant opening to the public on Thursday, May 30, Mexico Bayfair goers will be the first to try the exclusive new menu before anyone else in the country. Remaining restaurants make the menu change on Monday, June 3. Mexico marketing manager Sarah Page says her and her team are excited to open a restaurant in Tauranga. We officially open with the rest of the dining precinct at 11am. We have been wanting to come to Tauranga for a long time, so when the opportunity came up for Bayfair, it was one of those have to do it moments. On the evening of Wednesday, May 29, Sarah says owners, workers and staff will attend their opening party, ahead of the official opening on Thursday. Its going to be a big celebration of who has worked on the venue and how hard it is to create a venue from scratch, because all of our Mexicos are unique, hand crafted, hand painters and built from scratch. Sarah says a lot of hard work goes into the restaurants, particularly in the decoration. Brendon Ryan paints the entire restaurant and sources art from around the world. Its visual, it takes you to another place, so when you walk in, you feel like you're somewhere else. We also have the most amazing artist, Margarita Vovna, who hand paints our murals." With the restaurant being in a mall environment and not on a standalone venue on a street, Sarah says it is going to be great having people coming and going. The first time we were in a mall environment was in Sylvia Park a year ago, and its been a really good experience. You get a lot of that foot traffic already in there, people in the mall are already in the space of being entertained, and can have a drink and some food before they shop or before they go to the movies, so we are excited about Bayfair. Its great to be surrounded by some other great eateries such as Burger Burger, we will love being in the same area as them. The changes to the menu, in which Mexico Bayfair diners will experience before any other stores in the country, include bigger main dishes, different side options, a new wine and beer list and new margaritas. Sarah says the changes to the menu show Mexico are serious about good food and liquor. Its great to have Bayfair as the first place for people to try it. Tauranga is going to have it a week before anyone else. Classic Builders has been inundated with inquiry about the KiwiBuild homes in Omokoroa, made available for sale last Wednesday. The eight KiwiBuild homes are part of the first stage in a joint venture between Classic Builders and the Western Bay of Plenty District Council. Half of those were under contract the day after the launch, and with the level of enquiry being experienced, it is expected the remaining four will be under contract soon. Further stages will take the development to 27 homes. Classic Builders Director Peter Cooney says the demand for housing in Tauranga is likely to continue for some time. It is an attractive place to live, immigration remains high, and people are still moving into the Tauranga area. He says key to the success of this project has been the collaboration between Classic as developer and builder with joint venture partner the Western Bay of Plenty District Council and with central government through KiwiBuild. It has been an enjoyable experience dealing with the Western Bay of Plenty District Council. Their vision is about affordable housing; our vision is about affordable housing, and collectively we have shown with collaboration and positive intent it can be achieved; we have achieved it at Omokoroa. He says this outcome reinforces that collaboration between the government, councils, developers and builders is essential if the country is to get on top of the housing demand problem. KiwiBuild has enabled us to fast track stages of this development by underwriting a specific number of houses. It has enabled us to gear ourselves up and go a lot quicker. There is such demand for houses around that $500,000 mark that we will be doing a lot more here and intensifying the use of land even more. Western Bay Mayor Garry Webber says the Council had land available and knew that any development it became involved with had to be a flagship in order to satisfy the local community that what was to be done was of good quality. We went out to the market and were able to put together a good arrangement with Classic Builders. The quality of the resulting homes is something we are incredibly proud to be associated with. The involvement of KiwiBuild has shown the three parts of the equation local government, central government and the private sector can work positively together solve a problem. LINCOLN--Time is running out for Nebraska state senators to get their bills passed before the last day of the current legislative session, recently announced by Speaker Jim Scheer as May 31 four days shy of the regular 90 days in odd-year legislative sessions. Now its crunch time for the states budget plan and for bills offering property tax relief. Catch up on last weeks developments in the unicameral below. New property tax bill proposed in place of stalled LB 289 The main legislative vehicle which lawmakers hoped would create property tax relief in Nebraska was LB 289, co-sp... Monfalcone is perfectly equipped to meet the evolving needs of CNB - its flexible industrial capabilities are tailored to producing luxury yachts requiring high levels of customization. The dockside facility is also conveniently located on the Adriatic Sea, perfectly poised to serve CNBs primarily Mediterranean-cruising customer base. This is undeniably an opportunity for CNB Yachts, which will be able to benefit from the know-how built up by the teams at Monfalcone, CNB Yachts brand representative, Vincent Arnaud, has commented. This milestone development will further grant the company access to outstanding facilities designed specifically for luxury large units. Fabrizio Iarrera, Managing Director of Monte Carlo Yachts, has added: We are delighted to be welcoming the CNB Yachts sailing models to Monfalcone, because many of us are also passionate about sailing! We are committed to applying the same high standards as for our motor yachts to build these magnificent sailing yachts, for which we will capitalize on all the experience gained producing the exclusive superyachts developed by the Monte Carlo Yachts team. The arrival of CNB Yachts in Italy follows the decision by Groupe Beneteau to specialize its Bordeaux site in building large multihulls in response to significant market demand for such units. The group have sought to support the arrival of their new brands, whilst continuing to develop Lagoon - the world leader for catamaran cruisers. Christophe Caudrelier, Managing Director Europe, Groupe Beneteau Boat Division, explains: This realignment of activities in Bordeaux around multihull production will accelerate the increase in production capacity and bring operational efficiency improvements. The experience built up by the Monte Carlo Yachts team producing exclusive superyachts will support the absolute excellence of CNBs sailing yachts. The modification of of activities at Construction Navale Bordeaux will commence after consulting with employee representatives, whilst CNB are set to move into the Monfalcone facility in a few months time. Exciting times for the burgeoning yacht group! Last Thursday, Feadship officially opened the doors of its new purpose-built facility, located in the port of Amsterdam. This year marks the 170th anniversary of Royal Van Lent, one of the two yachtbuilding family dynasties that makes up Feadship, and the occasion could not be better marked than with the heralding in of this amazing facility. The fourth Feadship yard in the country will now be used to build and refit yachts of up to 160 metres in length. The opening ceremony, which marked the culmination of five years of meticulous planning, design and construction, was attended by Queen of the Netherlands and some 2500 members of the workforce. During the event, Queen Maxima viewed members of the Feadship Heritage Fleet and met graduates of the Feadship Academy. Royal Van Lent director and build project manager Peter van Mil showed her how solar panels, district heating and LED lighting have increased efficiency at the new facilities, and Bram Jongepier, senior specialist at De Voogt Naval Architects, explained Feadships sustainable approach to yacht building. Proceedings then moved to the construction hall, where speakers shared perspectives on this milestone moment in the builders history. Toni Belloni, Group Managing Director of LVMH (owner of Royal Van Lent), shared the following insight: This new facility will allow Feadship to stay at the cutting edge of innovation and continue to build superyachts that will change history. LMVH always prides itself on employing the finest artisans, and it is certain that the best yachtbuilders in the world are working for Feadship Royal Van Lent. The general director of Port of Amsterdam, Koen Overtoom, explained how thrilled he was to welcome the knowledge, craftsmanship and employment opportunities of this operation into the heart of the Dutch capital, as well as sharing a snippet of the regions proud nautical history: In the 1600s there were 26 boatbuilders located here, with three new vessels being launched every week and many thousands of people employed. This shipbuilding is in our DNA and four centuries later you can see the passion in the amazing superyachts created by Feadship. Jan-Bart Verkuyl, CEO of Royal Van Lent, then concluded proceedings: Our predecessors could never have imagined such an exceptional facility. Almost everything has changed over the years, but the one thing that has remained consistent is the skills of the workforce. Their constant desire to make things better has allowed Feadship to become the worlds leading superyacht brand. The wheels of the facility are already in motion with the construction of an 88m known as Project 816. This is a hugely exciting moment for Feadship and for yachtbuilding as a whole, and we cant wait to hear more. The CEO of Port of Amsterdam, Koen Overtoom, has commented on the acquisition of the shipyard and the decision to lease it to Royal Huisman: It is a boost to the manufacturing industry, which adds significant value to our port. It is also an excellent way for us to promote our Port of Partnerships concept. Mr. Overtoom forecasts that the skilled workforce, close proximity to the airport and strong Dutch enterprise will see the port become a fully-fledged superyacht hub. Jan Timmerman, CEO of Royal Huisman, further added: In extending our facilities in the Amsterdam region, we will be able to properly meet the growing demand among current and new customers. This second shipyard will, over a longer period of time, serve as an excellent addition to our existing site in Vollenhove, both for new builds and for refits. Gerard Ram, Alderman for Economic Affairs, has commented on the shipbuilding legacy of the Zaanstreek area, whose dominant industry has been nautical since the days of the United East India Company. Royal Huismans arrival, according to Mr. Ram, is a huge bolster to the local industry:With its high-quality employment opportunities and low environmental impact, the company will help us achieve our plans of converting the Achtersluispolder area into a unique space that can accommodate both commercial and residential needs." Port of Amsterdam has well and truly put Amsterdam on the map, both as a destination among yacht owners and as a business location for manufacturers and suppliers. The area has always been renowned for its craftsmanship and quality standards, and the entry of Royal Huisman brings it one step further towards becoming a globally-renowned superyacht hub. Syracuse, N.Y. -- Syracuse officials are reaching out to Sutherland Global Services in hopes of keeping the companys call center, once one of downtowns biggest employers, open. Greg Loh, Mayor Ben Walshs chief policy officer, said the city recently heard from officials at the Galleries of Syracuse that Sutherland has sharply reduced its workforce at the downtown office complex. Given the steep reduction in the workforce, we have concerns about the future of the site, he said. Sutherland opened the center in 1998 and reported in 2014 that it employed 928 people. Its not unusual for employment at call centers to go up and down as they gain and lose contracts, but the city has been told Sutherland has gradually decreased it local workforce and now has fewer than 100 employees in Syracuse, Loh said. We are reaching out to the company to offer our assistance to them, he said. Were in contact with them now to find out what we can do to assist. He said City Hall officials are waiting to hear back from the company about the future of the call center at 441 S. Salina St, Sutherland officials in Syracuse and at the companys headquarters in Pittsford have not responded to requests from The Post-Standard | Syracuse.com for comment. The company has not filed a notice with the state under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act. The law requires companies in New York that employ more than 50 people to issue a WARN notice 90 days before closing a plant or when there is a layoff that affects 33 percent of the workforce (at least 25 workers) or 250 workers from a single employment site. In December 2014, the Syracuse Industrial Development Agency voted to exempt Sutherland from sales taxes on the purchase and installation of $1.53 million in furniture, fixtures and equipment for an expansion at the Galleries that would was supposed to result in the creation of 200 new jobs. Sutherland estimated the exemption would save it $122,240. However, Loh said the company never signed an agreement that would have activated the exemptions, indicating that it never went through with the expansion. At the time it applied for the exemption, the company said 68 percent of its 928 employees in Syracuse were city residents and that wages started at $11.50 an hour. Founded in 1986, Sutherland provides technical and customer support services for 120 Fortune 1000 clients and completes 43 million transactions a month on a digital backbone that spans 19 countries," according to its website. It has 66 offices around the world, including 12 in the United States. The companys website listed 57 open jobs in the United States on Monday. No jobs were listed in Syracuse. Rick Moriarty covers business news and consumer issues. Contact him anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148 Update: A new report says Cardi B has postponed more shows due to complications from plastic surgery. ****** Why did Cardi B postpone her concerts in Upstate New York this weekend? Cardi B has rescheduled her Saturday, May 25 concert at the St. Josephs Health Amphitheater at Lakeview and her Sunday, May 26 show at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. The I Like It rapper will instead perform at the former Lakeview Amphitheater in Syracuse on Saturday, Sept. 7 and at SPAC on Friday, Sept. 6. Live Nation said Monday that the tour dates were postponed due to circumstances beyond her control. No other details were released. Tickets for the original dates will be honored at the new dates; refunds can be obtained through Live Nation. The shows were meant to kick off Cardi Bs Femme It Forward tour, featuring special guests Teyana Taylor, City Girls, Megan Thee Stallion, and Nicole Bus. Could an issue with one of the opening acts be to blame for the delay? Court documents obtained by XXL Mag and The Blast revealed that City Girls rapper J.T. was denied an early prison release last week. JT, whose real name is Jatavia Johnson, is one-half of the fast-rising hip-hop duo with Yung Miami, best known for the singles Act Up and Twerk (feat. Cardi B) -- plus contributing vocals to Drakes smash hit In My Feelings. According to Vibe, the 27-year-old Johnson was sentenced to two years in a Florida prison on felony fraud charges last summer. Johnson allegedly spent more than $1,000 on credit cards belonging to three different people. Her legal team filed a request for her to be released to a halfway house early due to good conduct time credit and the potential impact on her career if she has to stay in prison for the remaining nine months of her sentence. Yung Miami (L) and J.T. of musical group City Girls attend day one of the 2018 BET Awards Radio Remotes on June 22, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for BET)Getty Images for BET They have grown an intense fan base and have developed relationships with the elite of the elite," her attorney said in a statement. "It is without hesitation that I can proffer that you will never hear from this Defendant regarding any type of crime, much less an economic one. Granting this recommendation will allow the Defendant to get back to the studio where she belongs. XXL Mag reports a judge denied the request for early release, but said Johnsons case may be referred to the Bureau of Prisons for appeal. Its unclear if Johnsons release wouldve affected Cardi Bs tour. Yung Miami has been performing as City Girls without J.T., recently filming a Twerk music video with Cardi B and attending the Billboard Music Awards solo. Note: Video contains mature content not suitable for younger audiences. No other Cardi B tour dates have been postponed, canceled or rescheduled. The Grammy-winning rapper is scheduled to perform tonight (Tuesday) in Texas and Friday in Baltimore. TOWN OF FLORIDA, N.Y. -- State police say they have arrested 13 men who tried to have sex with a child during a sting operation earlier this month in Montgomery County. The men, mostly from Montgomery and Albany counties, acted independently and each sought out to have sex with the person they thought was a child, Montgomery County Sheriff Jeff Smith told The Daily Gazette. But that person was actually a law enforcement official, the sheriff told the Gazette. Police arrested the men after they each drove to a specific location in the town of Florida in Montgomery County, the Gazette reported. The suspects are not believed to be connected, state police said in a news release. But state police released mugshots of the 13 men they arrested because they want to hear from anyone else who may have been victimized by any of the men. State police charged the following men with second-degree attempted criminal sexual act and second-degree attempted rape: Tyler D. Phillips, 24, of Fonda; Daurell J. McNeil, 32, of Highland; Osborne M. Campbell, 38, of Delanson; Vincent M. Tebano, 60, of Schenectady; Jason D. Shattuck, 29, of Gloversville; Gregg Townsend, 26, of Queensbury; John J. Hoag, 41, of Gloversville; Robert K. DiGregorio, 48, of Gloversville; and Stephen C. Pastorek, 50, of Albany. Mikhail Donovan, 27, of Melrose, and Vejay Etwardo, 29, of Schenectady, are facing one charge: second-degree attempted rape. Samuel S. Ambrosio-Vicente, 27, of Albany, was charged with second-degree attempted rape, as well as second-degree patronizing a prostitute and second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument. David J. Kondrat, 57, of Middle Grove, was charged with second-degree attempted rape, second-degree patronizing a prostitute and resisting arrest. Some of the men are facing additional charges: Pastorek, 50, also was charged with fifth- and seventh-degree criminal possession of controlled substance. McNeil also was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana. Hoag also was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Shattuck also was charged with resisting arrest. All 13 men were arraigned in Florida Town Court and sent to the Montgomery County Jail on $10,000 bail or $20,000 bond. State police in the Fonda barracks worked with the Montgomery County Sheriff Office, as well as the state police Troop G Computer Crime Unit, state police Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, the FBI and the FBI Task Force to make the arrests. The underage sex sting took place May 9-11. State police ask if anyone believes they or someone they know was victimized by any of these suspects, please call (them) at 518-783-3211. CROGHAN, N.Y. -- A 13-year-old girl died Sunday after she was injured Friday evening in a farming accident on her familys farm in Lewis County, according to Lewis County sheriffs deputies. Mackenzie Abbott was assisting her father with operating a silage wagon, which she has done many times in the past on the farm, deputies said. During the chore, Mackenzie became entangled in the spinning shaft of the equipment. Deputies were called to the farm on Old State Road in the town of Croghan at about 7:06 p.m. Friday. Abbott was taken to Lewis County General Hospital by ambulance and airlifted to Upstate Golisano Childrens Hospital in Syracuse. She died from her injuries on Sunday, deputies said. Abbott, a seventh grade student at Beaver River Central School, is survived by her parents, Shawn and Heather Abbott. She was known to her family as Kenzie Lou and Little Red," according to her obituary. She was loving, caring, and spunky and enjoyed the outdoors and animals, running and dancing, her obituary said. She loved little ones, especially babies. Mackenzie always put other people first and touched many peoples lives with her smile. CORTLANDVILLE, N.Y. -- A tractor-trailer driver has been charged with driving on Interstate 81 in Central New York with a blood alcohol content more than twice the legal limit. Timothy E. Mendias, 57, of Manalapan, New Jersey, was arrested early Tuesday by the Cortland County Sheriffs Office and charged with driving while intoxicated. He was pulled over after a caller reported a tractor-trailer swerving between lanes on I-81 north, deputies said. Just before 1 a.m., a driver reported a tractor-trailer was driving slowly and swerving from lane to lane -- blocking traffic on the highway, deputies said. The sheriffs office responded to I-81 north and pulled over the tractor-trailer in Cortlandville near Exit 10 (Cortland/McGraw). Mendias had a BAC of at least .18 percent, deputies said, and was arrested. Mendias was charged with aggravated DWI, DWI and multiple traffic violations. He was eventually released to another driver, deputies said. DEWITT, NY- There will be an increased police presence at Jamesville-DeWitt Middle School this week after a written threat was discovered in the boys bathroom Friday, according to school officials. J-D Middle School Principal Andy Eldridge told parents in an email Monday afternoon that there was a strong police presence at the school today, and that it will continue all week. On Friday, a middle-school student discovered a threat written in the eighth-grade boys bathroom that said someone would be shooting up the school next Friday, Eldridge said in an email to parents Friday. Eldridge told parents in the most-recent email that the school is working with with police to find out who left the threat. The principal said he has asked the students for their help in finding who wrote the threatening message. Eldridge said he met with staff and students this morning to outline some changes in the schools rules to limit hallway traffic and improve school safety. The school will have new rules limiting when students can carry book bags. Students can no longer carry their book bags in the school from the start of the day until dismissal, Eldridge announced. Bags with clothes for gym class will need to be brought to physical education classes, and then returned immediately to lockers after PE class, he said. Students also will now be required to have a pass to be in the hall, and a pass will be needed to sign out of any class to go a locker, restroom or get a drink. The school, at 6280 Randall Road, has about 925 students in grades five through eight. Syracuse, NY -- A civilian employee of the Syracuse police department has been charged with forcibly touching his girlfriend after handcuffing her, according to a criminal complaint. Brett Forkhamer, 29, was arrested Monday in connection with the 2018 incident, which was among a string of complaints made by the ex-girlfriend against him. Forcible touching is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail. Forkhamer was arraigned Monday evening and released after posting $2,500 bail. The woman accused him of repeatedly handcuffing, then committing sexual acts against her, including slapping her and touching her, she told police. On July 26, 2018, ...Brett struck me with an open hand so hard on my butt that I got a really bad bruise, she told the police departments internal affairs. I told Brett to stop smacking my butt because it hurt so bad but he struck me 5-7 times after I told him to stop. The alleged crime appears to arise from another allegation: Another time Brett handcuffed me and... (sexually explicit allegations redacted) and I told him to stop, she told police. I told him to stop because it hurt so bad but he wouldnt stop. He finally stopped and then took the handcuffs off. The girlfriend accused Forkhamer of portraying himself as an actual cop. ...Brett told me that he was a police officer..., she reported, later adding: ...he represents himself as a police officer. Forkhamer was a community service officer -- an unsworn civilian employee of the police department -- at the time of the allegations, according to publicly available information. CSOs are allowed to perform minimal law enforcement functions, such as outreach, animal control, crime prevention and traffic control, among other tasks. Forkhamer was paid $72,355 in 2018 as a civilian employee, according to records obtained by SeeThroughNY. He has been with the police department since 2008, according to his Facebook page. Syracuse officials have not yet said what Forkhamers status with the department is following his arrest. It is not clear at this time what he did for the police department. Forkhamer, at one point, was associated with the D.A.R.E. anti-drug school program. He was the primary contact for the departments April 2018 Monster Jam in support of that program. He was referred to as CSO Forkhamer. His name appeared on the poster for the same event this April. The woman told police the two met on a dating website in April 2018, and she said things started going badly on their first date. He wanted to kiss me and I did not want to kiss him, she told the police. Forkhamer drove her to the police departments patrol headquarters, on Erie Boulevard East, the woman said. We then went to the parking lot of Price Chopper (near patrol headquarters) and I (sexually explicit allegations redacted), even though I told him not to, she said. I continually told him no and I tried to push his hand away. Brett overcame my resistance... In August, the woman said she blocked Forkhamer on her cell phone, but he continued to call her anyway on her work phone. The woman reported the incidents earlier this year. She gave her statement to internal affairs on May 2, according to court records. The woman accused Forkhamer of being wedded to his personal gun. Community service officers do not carry service weapons. ...he would never take his gun off, she said, later adding: ...he would even sleep with his gun. I am very scared of Brett Forkhamer, she concluded in the complaint. I know that he has a gun and he is unstable. Vicki Lawrence says theres a good reason people still appreciate the jokes and offbeat characters she helped bring to life on TV more than 40 years ago. Funny is funny, she says. Thats it. That explains the current tour shes bringing to the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona on Saturday. (Details below). The act is Vicki Lawrence & Mama: A Two Woman Show. It pairs herself reminiscing about working on iconic 1970s and 80s TV series like The Carol Burnett Show and Mamas Family, and observations from the character on those shows that shes best known for. Basically, I open for Mama, Lawrence said. It also explains the outpouring of appreciation, affection and admiration that came last week, when one of Lawrences long-time co-stars, Tim Conway, died at age 85. In the first part of her stage act, Lawrence said, she answers the questions about the shows that everybody always asks. This week, a big question is about working with Conway. Ive always said you didnt work with Tim Conway, Lawrence said in an interview with syracuse.com Monday. You worked somewhere near him. From left, Vicki Lawrence (as 'Mama'), Tim Conway and Carol Burnett is a sketch from "The Carol Burnett Show." Conway was known for his ad-libs -- often completely new to those who had rehearsed with him -- and for his attempts to get his co-stars to laugh, or in performance lingo, break the fourth wall. Conway, Lawrence said, would often be back stage, building something for the set or coming up with new, never-before-heard lines and routines to shake up the other cast members. One most of the famous of those was a sketch blooper, often known as Conways elephant story, from The Carol Burnett Show. It features the Mamas Family concept that would later be spun off into its own show. Like much of the Burnett show, it was taped before a live audience. Burnett had begged her co-stars, including Lawrence, not to break character when Conway started ad-libbing. She asked us to have respect for the characters and not to break up, to have discipline, Lawrence recalled. I was in awe of Carol, so I was not going to be the one to break the wall. Lawrence remembers sitting in her dressing room just before taping, when the director came in said that Conways elephant story would be new. Good luck. In this case, during two separate tapings, Conway continued to embellish his elephant story, making guest star Dick Van Dyke and Burnett herself struggle, without much success, to keep from bursting out in laughter. Through it all, Lawrence kept in character. Im looking over at Carol, and thinking Who is breaking the wall? Who doesnt have discipline? At the end, Lawrence, still in Mama character, delivered the ultimate punchline, ad-libbed (and not suitable for primetime TV in the 1970s). Youll find it on Youtube: As for reprising the Mama character today, Lawrence says, Everybody thinks shes this crazy old lady. But you know I control her, right? Besides, Lawrence said, while Mama gets the best jokes, I come out again as myself at the end to get the last word. And, at some point in the evening, Lawrence will belt out her big 1973 hit song, The Night the Lights Went in Georgia. Lawrence, by the way, has continued to work on television, most recently appearing on The Cool Kids on Fox. The network announced earlier this month that show has been cancelled after one season. Lawrence credits Youtube and other social media with helping keep the old shows and the vintage comedy they produced available to new generations. Its why she often sees younger people -- even college students -- at her shows. I thought it was going to be the fans of the old shows finding them on Youtube, she said. But a lot of people see them on Youtube and then use that as the backdoor back into the shows. Youtube has kept us alive. The bloopers, break-ups and out-takes from The Carol Burnett show and Mamas Family are legendary. Some of the Mamas Family bloopers are shown during Lawrences live show. Lawrence said she doesnt really think about the lasting influence of her time on some of TVs most memorable shows. I am grateful to have been part of the golden age of television, she said. And like I said, funny is funny. SHOW DETAILS What: Vicki Lawrence and Mama: A Two Woman Show When: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 25 Where: Showroom, Turning Stone Resort Casino Tickets: $39 to $65. Buy tickets Don Cazentre writes for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook. Cardi B is postponing more concerts amid reports of health concerns. The Bodak Yellow rapper postponed a concert in El Paso, Texas, tonight (Tuesday, May 21), according to KVIA-TV. According to TMZ, Cardi B also rescheduled a performance scheduled for Friday, May 24, in Baltimore, Maryland, for September 8. The shifted tour dates come a day after Cardi B also postponed shows in Syracuse and Saratoga Springs this weekend. Shell perform at the St. Josephs Health Amphitheater at Lakeview on Sept. 7, and at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on Sept. 6. Live Nation said Monday that the Upstate New York tour dates were postponed due to circumstances beyond her control. TMZ reports the reason is health concerns after Cardi B suffered complications from recent plastic surgery procedures. The rapper has openly spoken about getting liposuction and breast augmentation after giving birth to her first child with her husband, Migos rapper Offset, and recently told a crowd in Memphis she shouldve canceled a May 5 concert because moving too much is going to f--- up my lipo." #CardiB mentions liposuction while onstage at the Beale Street Music Festival in Memphis on Sunday pic.twitter.com/arshhdeBv1 OooLaLaBlog.com (@OooLaLaBlog_) May 6, 2019 Sources tell TMZ that the surgeries and heavy workload are too much, too soon. Doctors are recommending several weeks of rest; its unclear if other shows in June or later will be affected. Tickets for the original dates will be honored at the new dates; refunds for the Syracuse and SPAC shows can be obtained through Live Nation. Cardi B, born Belcalis Marlenis Almanzar, is the 26-year-old hip-hop star behind No. 1 hits like Bodak Yellow and I Like It. She won her first Grammy earlier this year and previously became the first female hip-hop artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 with a solo song (Bodak Yellow) since Lauryn Hill in 1998. Her hits also include collaborations with Maroon 5 (Girls Like You), Migos (MotorSport) and Bruno Mars (Please Me). SYRACUSE, N.Y. Its 6:30 p.m. on a Monday and four recovering addicts huddle in a church fellowship hall on Syracuses East Side for the weekly meeting of Marijuana Anonymous. A middle-aged man who hasnt smoked a joint in a week complains of having headaches and feeling tired. A woman tells him staying off the drug gets easier with time, but the risk of relapsing never goes away. While were sitting here, your addiction is out in the parking lot doing push-ups, she says. As New York lawmakers push to legalize recreational marijuana, members of this 12-step support group modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous offer a perspective on pot seldom heard in the steady stream of cannabis news coverage. Two MA members agreed to share their views and be interviewed on the condition their names not be printed in keeping with the organizations rule of anonymity. This seemingly lightweight drug is more addictive than people think, said W, a self-described recovering pothead who started the local MA group five years ago. Marijuana Anonymous meets in the fellowship hall at St. Albans Episcopal Church at 1308 Meadowbrook Drive in Syracuse. Research shows marijuana is less dangerous than other drugs like alcohol and heroin, but it can be addictive. About 10 percent of marijuana users become addicted, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That compares with addiction rates of about 15 percent for alcohol, 17 percent for cocaine, 23 percent for heroin and 32 percent for nicotine. Some people turn to marijuana after recovering from addictions to alcohol, opioids and other drugs, W. says. They do not expect to get hooked on marijuana, then discover they cannot get through a day without having pot control them. Marijuana has kicked their ass, she says. People who come to the MA meetings at St. Albans Episcopal Church at 1308 Meadowbrook Drive in Syracuse range from high school and college kids to people in their 70s. Marijuana Anonymous is an organization that began in California in 1989. It is now worldwide with about 160 chapters in the US. There are three Upstate New York groups in Syracuse, Ithaca and Rochester. It is just one of many groups patterned after AA such as Narcotics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous and Overeaters Anonymous. W. quit smoking marijuana 17 years ago at the advice of a psychiatrist after becoming depressed and suicidal. She started smoking pot after college. The first time I got stoned I was off to the races, she says. Before I put my foot out of bed in the morning I was getting stoned. She would slip out of work at 10:30 a.m. and go to her car for a quick toke. Her marijuana use wrecked personal relationships, leaving W. isolated and depressed. She considered suicide. I got to a place where I couldnt imagine life continuing with my drug of choice or without it. Both seemed like pretty poor options, she says. There was no MA group in Syracuse, so she started going to AA meetings to learn the 12 steps. She would introduce herself as a recovering pothead with a desire to stop drinking, even though she didnt have a drinking problem. She began attending MA meetings in Ithaca, then launched the MA group here. The Syracuse group is small. Some weeks six people attend the meeting. Other weeks W. is the only one there and she spends an hour reading a book. Despite her past struggle with marijuana, W. is in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana to remove its forbidden lure which she believes attracts some people to the drug. Beth, another MA member, is on the fence about legalizing it. Beth says she might not have quit using pot three years ago had recreational marijuana been legal. If it were legal, she says she may have viewed her pot smoking as more acceptable behavior. Beth says she had a traumatic childhood and initially abused alcohol to numb what was going on. She quit drinking when she wanted to get pregnant and start a family. But after having children she eventually substituted marijuana for alcohol. She never thought it would become addictive. But getting high and hiding it from her family became a top priority. She smoked pot in the garage, then chewed gum and used hand sanitizer to camouflage the smell before returning to the house. Beth decided to quit after realizing pot had become more important than her kids. She says anyone who wants to use recreational marijuana should ask themselves, Will you be able to put it down and not come back to it for a week? SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The Syracuse Common Council narrowly gave Verizon the go-ahead to launch its new 5G cell towers throughout the city. But several councilors arent convinced the new technology is worth the potential risk. A deal with Verizon gives the company permission to install hundreds of small cell towers on city street lights, laying the foundation for a high-speed data network with almost unlimited connectivity. Councilors approved the deal by a vote of five to three Monday. Once installed, Syracuse will be one of the first 5G cities in the country. Its a once-in-a-generation opportunity for a mid-size city like this to be on the cutting edge of the tech industry, according to Mayor Ben Walsh and advocates on the council. Proponents of the deal, including Walsh, say 5G will give Syracuses tech industry a shot in the arm. And by installing the cell towers on city property, local officials preserve control and oversight. A provision in the contract with Verizon allows Syracuse to require safety checks to make sure the towers comply with federal standards. But critics are wary of big telecommunication companies like Verizon and fear the city is rushing to get on the 5G bandwagon before understanding any possible side effects. They point to a lack of scientific consensus on 5Gs health impact and fear were sacrificing our residents well-being for the promise of some tech jobs and faster phones. Councilor Bryn Lovejoy-Grinnell voted against the deal. She said she hopes for the best, but based her vote on uncertainty surrounding 5G technology. The potential risk, she said, outweighed the potential reward. I share the administrations hope...that this provides an opportunity for growth in Syracuse and that people actually do get 5G, she said. But to me, you have to think about how bad is the risk if were wrong about this. If were wrong, the risk is terrible." Chief among the concerns of city residents who opposed the deal was the question mark surrounding the long-term health risks 5G might carry. The small cell towers emit a radio frequency signal that some people believe could be harmful. Federal regulators have deemed the technology safe at certain levels and the American Cancer Society has said there isnt evidence that 5G causes cancer. But the novelty of the technology means there isnt enough scientific data to say conclusively that 5G is safe or that its dangerous. Meanwhile, the New York Times has reported that Russian propagandists have actively spread misinformation about 5G in an effort to undermine U.S. efforts to deploy the new networks. The uncertainty surrounding the new tech has led to vocal opposition from some city residents. A few attended Mondays council meeting to plead with councilors to vote no. Also of concern to lawmakers: theres no way to guarantee Verizon will follow through on its promise to install 5G citywide. Some councilors worry we may end up with 5G in affluent neighborhoods like downtown and the university area while poor areas get left behind. Such was the case when Verizon promised to build a Fios network almost 10 years ago but stopped short after laying fiber in some affluent suburbs and a handful of city neighborhoods. Walsh is convinced 5G is critical to Syracuses future and that it could help pull poor neighborhoods out of poverty. Syracuse is increasingly being seen as a technology leader across the nation and the world, and that will create growth and opportunity for people across the city, he said in a statement. Most lawmakers appear to agree. But even some of the councilors who voted yes Monday did so warily. Councilor Joe Driscoll read a lengthy statement defending his yes vote Monday. If the council shot down the deal, he said, Verizon would still be able to build the network. Federal rules make it difficult for a city like Syracuse to ban 5G outright. Without city approval, Verizon would have to install its 5G towers on private property - a more complex and more costly option. In that case, the city wouldnt have a chance to regulate and monitor the towers, Driscoll said. Voting yes enables us to remain proactive and have say in implementation and how the projects move forward," he said. "Voting it down means 5G could still be installed but would be on private property. Lovejoy-Grinnell said the concerns about 5G could all be overblown, or they could prove very real in the coming decades. She has been outspoken in her skepticism of the deal from the beginning. Two weeks ago, she objected to a vote, forcing a two-week delay. She wanted city attorneys to say definitively whether the city could force Verizon to name its subcontractors during the installation phase. Labor leaders have asked lawmakers to put pressure on those subcontractors to hire local workers and minorities. She said Monday that those questions were answered and the city will get a list of Verizons subcontractors. Councilor Joe Carni attempted to delay the vote two more weeks Monday. He said he supports the technology, but wanted a chance to hold another public meeting for residents. Ive heard a lot from my constituency that they wanted to be heard at a committee meeting after it became publicized with the objection to the vote and a couple front page stories [in The Post-Standard] he said. Folks told me they just want an opportunity to be heard. Lovejoy-Grinnell said such a hearing wasnt likely to change minds or sway a vote. The science on 5G is not conclusive one way or another, she said, and another hearing wasnt going to change that. Carnis attempt to table the motion failed. He voted yes on the 5G deal. Greg Loh, director of city initiatives, said the vote was a very positive step forward that will allow Syracuse to maintain a competitive advantage when trying to attract new businesses. In addition to Lovejoy-Grinnell, Councilors Khalid Bey and Latoya Allen voted no on the 5G deal. Councilors Driscoll, Carni, Steve Thompson, Tim Rudd and Michael Greene voted yes. Councilor Chad Ryan was absent. Installation of the small cell towers should begin this year. In the coming weeks, Verizon will likely begin submitting applications to put up towers in specific locations. The city will have 30 days to approve each of those applications. Teresa Huggins founded Leaders for Life International after working in public schools for 21 years. It started in 2005 with leadership training and programs for educators, teenagers, and college students. Since then, she expanded into business leadership. A few years ago, she founded a 501(c)(3) nonprofit called the L4L RIPPLE Foundation to provide sponsorships for young people to attend leadership training programs. Huggins, a Watertown native, started teaching in Cambridge, east of Saratoga Springs near the Vermont border. She taught 10 years at Weedsport and then for 10 years in Clinton, where she is still based. While she was teaching, she began working with Jack Canfield, creator of Chicken Soup for the Soul. She wrote stories for the Chicken Soup series and in 2008 published her first book, Pausing Long Enough to Notice. She says effective leaders, even when dealing with constrained resources, find ways to take the power away from limitations. They see possibilities when others see only problems. In April, Huggins won the Inspirational Leadership Award from the Mohawk Valley Chapter of New York State Women Inc. Tell me about early leadership roles and influences. I was in some leadership roles. I tell young people now that I would have great ideas but wouldn't take action. That's one thing that gets me excited now. When women say I wish I could start a business, I teach them the strategies to do it, and I help them take that leap of faith. In high school (Immaculate Heart Central School in Watertown), I was involved in student service groups and National Honor Society. I enjoyed that and would organize projects for the school and community. When I was a young teacher, I was the advisor of student council, National Honor Society, and Leadership Club. We would raise money for charitable organizations or do things in the school to create a culture of positive connections. I started college at SUNY Canton, having no idea what I wanted to do. Canton was a two-year school and after I graduated I transferred to Plattsburgh earning a bachelor's degree in secondary education. Since then, I got a masters degree in education and a masters degree in counseling, both from SUNY Oswego. At Canton, I had a leadership role I was a resident assistant in the dorms. I learned a lot about people. We were given a lot of responsibility. It wasnt just organizing social and cultural events, but we were guiding people with personal problems and finding support for them. I think that was the beginning of my interest in listening to people and helping guide them with some life choices. Another influential person was the superintendent of Weedsport. His name was Gary Gilchrist, as well as John Topichak, who was assistant superintendent then. They led by allowing you to create opportunities and they supported you. In a leadership class just today, I used an example of Garys influence. He would come around and hed ask two questions: How did your week go? What can I do to make it better? At his retirement party, he didn't even remember doing that. But as a young person, I was probably 23, it made an impression. I realized that I had the administrations support to be innovative and do some things a little out of the box. John and Gary supported us and modeled integrity. When I met you yesterday, you told me you believe everyone is a leader and it looks different. Please elaborate on that idea. In one of the first years of my teen program, a school administrator told a teenager who wanted to come to our program: Why would you go to a leadership camp? You're not a leader. The boy's mother was upset, and I said to the mother: I believe everyone's a leader and it looks different. That's the context of the original statement. I believe it. For example, a person that answers the phone it doesn't matter what kind of company the person who answers the phone is going to get me to the next step. Am I going to buy into that product or that service? So the person who answers the phone might not feel like a leader. When I do training for companies, I want to make sure that the frontline people know they're as important as positional leaders. A leader could be someone that speaks on a stage in front of a thousand people or it could be the computer designer that would never want to be on stage but designs an app that helps people. In our culture, we think leaders are those that are extroverted and in front of people and leading things on a big scale. Anyone who influences others and is making a difference in the world is a leader. Whats your advice for effective leadership? Get clear on what your values are and what's important to you. I believe that people see the world through that lens. Theres integrity. If I say compassion's important to me, then I want to be able to live that in my interactions at work and at home. I would tell a person new to leadership to find mentors and to surround yourself with uplifting, positive people who are willing to support you and encourage you. I would tell them to speak up. If you come into a company or an organization and you see something or have a new perspective, share that in a way that supports the greater vision of the company. Dont shrink back. Dont hold it in. I would tell them to be sure to design their weeks so that they have life balance. Leaders can get burned out. Design your week in a way that you can refuel and take care of yourself along with all the people that you influence. You cant always control who you work with. Even in a leadership role, you probably have peers not of your choosing. So how do you go about surrounding yourself with uplifting and positive people? First you model it and you start with one person. I worked once in a place that was not the most positive. Two of us were having a conversation and we said: Let's be in touch and on Fridays have lunch in a different location where we only share positive experiences from the week. It started with just two or three people. It ended up being many people. You feel better when you have affirming conversation. Acknowledge that there are all different personality types but also be the model for the outcome that you desire. Along the way, people may call you names. I've been called Suzy Sunshine. I say: Thank you. When I was called Suzy Sunshine in my 30s, I didn't understand that the person was really seeing behavior in me they were wishing for themselves. If there are people in my environment that are not the affirming people that I want, I use it as an opportunity to model other ways of communication. If somebody makes a negative comment, that doesn't determine my day. When I was younger, if somebody made a negative comment or a putdown, thats what would stick. You could hear 10 beautiful comments during the day, but we tend to walk home with the one grumpy comment. I teach people to acknowledge that that belongs to the other person. One example I tell people is picture a Teflon pan. You can flip the egg and it slides off easy. Or you can be Velcro and let things stick to you. So when someone makes a negative comment, be like Teflon versus Velcro. Now, if they're giving you constructive feedback, that's different. But if they're just passing judgment, I help people realize they don't have to take that on. What qualities do you see in good leadership or in leaders you admire? Good leaders see possibilities when others see problems. They are willing to be innovative to get to solutions. They don't just stay with the status quo. If there's a problem, they think of ways to solve it. Effective leaders engage. So it isnt about one person making all the decisions. Leaders figure out how to collaborate or bring people into the conversation and use the strengths of their staff. They respect them. Being consistent is important. Whatever commitment you make, it's important to follow through. It develops trust in your team or your organization. What attributes do you see in poor leaders? They're inconsistent, which means people don't know who is going to show up any given day. That creates distress and diminishes people's confidence to do their work. Poor leaders don't follow through. They say they're going to do something and then it doesn't happen. That creates uncertainty in people. Poor leaders have different personas in different places. They talk to a person favorably in front of them and then behind their back talk about that person in another way. I think that breaks down a lot of organizations. It shows a lack of integrity. What do you think people want from their leaders? They want to be supported. They want to be empowered. That means they want to be given opportunities and trusted. They want to have someone to talk through ideas, somebody that'll listen and consider. And they want to have the resources. People say: Management wants us to do X, Y, and Z, but we don't have the resources or we don't have the staff. And then everyone's having high expectations without the foundation to make them happen. It's frustrating for a lot of people. Resources are never limitless. There are constraints in budget or people or time or whatever it might be. When resources are stretched or contracted, how does a leader, in a supportive way, get people to excel? They map out and create a system of what would work. I think a lot of times people haven't broken down the parts. For example, a board of directors could say: We need these three things to happen. If there are limited resources, the mind spins and the mind starts to question. Well, I can never get it done, or look what they want us to do. But what really needs to happen? When leaders and managers break it into parts, it seems doable. An activity I might do with a management team is where they take the vision and they break it down into what's real. How many people do we really need? What are the clock hours to get that project done? What are the variables that might happen to get in the way? What are the potential obstacles? When they start analyzing it, all of a sudden people see the outcome as doable. We can do this, we can approach it this way, and we can resolve it that way. It takes power away from the limitations and it puts it into the resources that they have. It reveals resilience and creative solutions. What's needed to spark innovation in an organization? There has to be a feeling of safety. People aren't going to share unless they feel safe enough to share. It's based on trust. Then it's not looking at what's been done, but it's looking at what can be. Doing activities where people open up the creative part of their brain allows for innovation. Dont look first at the restraints, the obstacles. Instead ask: If you could design that project in any way, what would you do? That allows people to start thinking in an expanded way versus, oh, we'll never get the money, we'll never get the fill in the blank. This may be related to the teen programs you run. What advice for a successful life and successful career would you give a person starting out now? I would advise them to take some time to decide what's important to them and align with people like that. With high school students, I'll hear something like: Oh my teacher said I should be an accountant. And I say: Oh, you like to sit at a desk and work with numbers? I hate that. Well, do you understand that's what accountants do? A question that I ask people is: If you have a free Saturday and you can do anything, describe your day to me. That gives me a lot of clues. Then, I help them go that way. For people starting a career, I always recommend for them to notice what the leaders are doing. Look at the behaviors, participate in the conversations, look through the eyes of the person making decisions. If they're in a meeting, they may feel, well, I shouldnt speak up because I'm new here. But if youre listening intently with what's being discussed and what problems are being raised, then you can see what's important for the leaders in the organization. Then, you can phrase things or make requests that way. I tell people to think about what the objections are and then phrase requests in a way that can get you a yes. Everyone's a designer of their own life. I think we forget that, and I wish I would have known that when I was younger. I would have written more things down, more insights, more lessons that I would be able to record in some form to strengthen myself and then to strengthen and teach other people. I recommend to people as they're going through their career to record it in their phone or jot down information. Its staying conscious of every day and the interactions that we have. The weekly CNY Conversation" features Q&A interviews about leadership, success, and innovation. The conversations are condensed and edited. To suggest a leader for a Conversation, contact Stan Linhorst at StanLinhorst@gmail.com. Last week featured Chao Wang of Cryomech, honored as Innovator of the Year for his research in cryogenics, the branch of physics with temperatures near absolute zero. WASHINGTON - Rep. Justin Amash doubled down Monday on his contention that President Donald Trump has taken actions that meet the threshold for impeachment, rebutting his critics hours after a primary challenger announced a bid to unseat the libertarian-leaning Michigan Republican in 2020. In the wake of special counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian interference in the 2016 campaign, some of Trump's defenders have contended that the president could not have obstructed justice because there was no underlying crime. In a lengthy Twitter thread, Amash took issue with that defense, arguing that "many crimes" were, in fact, revealed by the investigation and that obstruction does not require the prosecution of an underlying crime to begin with. "If an underlying crime were required, then prosecutors could charge obstruction of justice only if it were unsuccessful in completely obstructing the investigation. This would make no sense," Amash said. Monday's tweets came after Amash parted ways with the rest of his party Saturday when he accused Trump of having taken impeachable actions. Trump responded by calling the five-term congressman a "loser" and "total lightweight." Amash has not ruled out challenging Trump in 2020 on the Libertarian ticket. Now, he has a challenge of his own: On Sunday, an intraparty rival, Michigan state Rep. Jim Lower, declared he would run in the Republican primary next year for Amash's seat. Amash has previously said he enlists social media to do something unusual: explain why he bucks his party in terms his constituents can understand. The 39-year-old Republican, who was the youngest member of the freshman class in 2011, has stated his approach succinctly: "I defend liberty and explain every vote here." The simple formula has turned Amash, who rode into the House on the tea party wave, into something of a sensation. In 2012, the Independent Voter Network called Amash the "coolest member of Congress." But Amash's latest decision could be difficult for him to explain to Republican voters, 9 in 10 of whom oppose impeachment, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll conducted in April. Meanwhile, the move brought praise from Democrats. "You are putting country first, and that is to be commended," wrote Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, inviting Amash to co-sponsor her impeachment resolution. The state's congressional districts are set to be redrawn before 2020, making his reelection prospects difficult to gauge. The district currently covers Grand Rapids and its exurbs. Lower announced his challenge to Amash in a release on Sunday. "I am a Pro-Trump, Pro-Life, Pro-Jobs, Pro-2nd Amendment, Pro-Family Values Republican," he said. "Justin Amash's tweets yesterday calling for President Trump's impeachment show how out of touch he is with the truth and how out of touch he is with people he represents." The state lawmaker, who became a county commissioner in 2011 at the age of 21, accused Amash of joining hands with "radical liberals" - naming Tlaib in particular - "to try and bring down our President." On most issues, a chasm separates Amash from the liberal firebrand. Lower said that his candidacy had been in the works for two months and that he had been planning to announce around July 4. He sped up his timetable in response to Amash's tweets. In his announcement, he touted his working-class roots, saying he had put himself through college at Michigan State University and business school at Grand Valley State University by working full-time. In an interview with The Washington Post, the state lawmaker said he had not read Mueller's report "in as much detail as Congressman Amash" but agreed with Trump's claim that there was "no collusion, no obstruction." On Sunday, Lower changed his profile picture on Facebook to an image of himself standing in front of a Trump 2020 banner. Amash has stood under a different banner. At the top of his Facebook page, he has pinned a warning from President George Washington about the "baneful effects" of party loyalty, delivered in his farewell address in 1796. The Michigan congressman was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and raised in nearby Kentwood by a Palestinian Christian father and a Syrian Christian mother. He attended college and law school at the University of Michigan and briefly worked at his family's business, Tekton Tools, which makes handheld implements, such as screwdrivers. He served one term in the state House before he was elected to Congress in 2010. There, he allied with hard-line conservatives to form the House Freedom Caucus, whose members have mostly fallen in line with Trump. A darling of conservative and libertarian groups, Amash has only once faced a credible primary challenge. He beat his Republican rival, Michigan businessman Brian Ellis, in 2014 by nearly 15 percentage points. Trump won the district handily in 2016, even flipping one county that had been secured by Barack Obama in both 2008 and 2012. The congressman's survival may depend on whether he has cultivated devotion among voters sufficient to override their loyalty to the president. His political prospects run through Facebook, where he has labored to convince constituents that he is accountable to them at a time when public trust in government is mired near historic lows. His heterodox moves have been the ones requiring most careful explanation on social media. He bucks his party in not voting for measures he supports, such as approval of the Keystone XL pipeline or the preservation of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, because he disagrees with the underlying legislative approach. Social media, the very tool used by Trump in 2016 to bypass media and party gatekeepers and speak directly to voters, could be a bulwark against the president's attacks. It could help test whether Republicans can break with their standard-bearer and survive. Each Facebook post, in which voters add comments and raise questions, serves as a miniature, and digitized, town hall. Amash has more than 136,000 followers on the platform, about one-fifth of the total number of people 16 and over in his district, according to census estimates. "Social media is revolutionizing government and making Congress more accountable," Amash said in 2012, when he emerged as a winner of a Republican new media challenge. "I use Facebook to explain every vote I take on the House floor, and I personally interact with my constituents online. This not only empowers people at home but also shapes me into a better Representative." The social networking site has also been a powerful tool of personal branding, helping Amash earn his nickname, "Mr. No," based on the sobriquet "Dr. No" embraced by Ron Paul, the former Texas congressman whose small-government philosophy the Michigan lawmaker shares. Amash uses Facebook to make "Star Wars" jokes and flaunt his literacy in emoji. Some of his posts are personal, thanking God for his family or extolling the memory of Friedrich von Hayek, the Nobel Prize-winning economist and apostle of the free market. But mostly, he explains his "no" votes. No to executive action on immigration. No to federal aid to Flint, Mich., during the height of the water contamination crisis. No to budget plans to keep the government open. No to the National Security Agency's dragnet collection of phone records. He even declines to approve the record of House proceedings, protesting, "we are never given adequate time to review the Journal." On the question of impeachment, however, Amash answered in the affirmative. Not only did the president's conduct meet the constitutional standard for impeachment, he argued, but the attorney general, William Barr, had "misled the public" about the special counsel's findings as they pertained to Trump's possible "high Crimes and Misdemeanors." "While impeachment should be undertaken only in extraordinary circumstances, the risk we face in an environment of extreme partisanship is not that Congress will employ it as a remedy too often but rather that Congress will employ it so rarely that it cannot deter misconduct," the congressman wrote. Instantly, voters took to the congressman's Facebook to register their reactions, both positive and negative. He was by turns lauded as an independent thinker, with the best interests of the country at heart, and castigated as a turncoat, interested only in attention. A professor at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, thanked him for representing the state with "honesty and honor." Another woman wrote, "Thank you so much for the courage to speak the truth." But he was also told, Youre fired, and instructed by an incensed Republican to, Register immediately as a Democrat and turn in your man card. Several critics invoked his fathers Palestinian heritage in questioning his loyalty to the Trump and to the United States. A former staffer to Rep. Anthony Brindisi pleaded not guilty Monday in Utica City Court to a misdemeanor charge of patronizing a prostitute. John A. Stemen, 57, of Utica, was charged May 10 after state troopers said he paid $200 for sex with a 17-year-old runaway he met on the internet. Brindisi, D-Utica, said he fired Stemen, a case worker in his Utica district office, immediately after learning about the charges. Stemens lawyer said Monday that he asked the Oneida County District Attorneys Office for any recorded interview between his client and state police investigators, and any record of online communications between Stemen and the 17-year-old female. We want to see the supposed dialogue that went on between my client and this prostitute, who has not been charged with prostitution, lawyer Nicholas Passalacqua told Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard. The Utica lawyer said he was surprised to learn Monday that the DA wont offer a plea deal to Stemen, who was charged as a first-time offender. Stemen was a staffer in the state Assembly for more than 20 years and had no prior criminal record. I hope the DA will keep an open mind and treat Mr. Stemen no differently than any other John Doe that has been charged as a first-time offender, Passalacqua said. He suggested that prosecutors may be reluctant to offer a lesser charge because the case involves someone who worked for a high-profile politician. Contact Mark Weiner: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751 ALBANY The state Assembly on Wednesday will approve a bill that would allow Congress to get President Donald Trumps state tax returns, officials said, potentially giving Democrats a way around the White Houses refusal to make available his federal returns. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) said he considered the state workaround a type of in case of emergency, break glass legislation, given the standoff in Washington over the presidents tax returns. The income tax bill would authorize the New York Tax Department to release New York returns to one of three congressional committees upon request: the House Ways and Means Committee, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee or the Joint Committee on Taxation. Earlier this month, the Trump administration said it wouldnt provide the presidents tax returns as requested by the House Ways and Means Committee. Taking action in Albany, Democrats said the bill was about ensuring oversight and not allowing Trump to ignore a co-equal branch of government. Heastie said a previous version of the bill was narrowed to ensure it applied to elected officials such as a president, vice president, member of Congress and other select positions and not to the public at large. For people in positions of authority, you want to make sure there are no conflicts, Heastie said. The State Senate approved a version earlier this month. After the Assembly acts, the bill would be in the hands of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. Earlier this year, an aide said the Democratic governor could support the legislation as long as it applies to everybody and not just Trump. A leading Republican said New York Democrats were overstepping. This bill does nothing to help New York State. We should be dealing with our homegrown problems rather than wasting another second on more political grandstanding," Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb (R-Canandaigua) said. An upstate senator also decried the bill, but said at least it's been tightened to focus only on elected officials. The bill is a political exercise but these amendments make sense, Sen. Rich Funke (R-Rochester) wrote on Twitter. The original bill gave Congress access to the tax returns of any citizen. This limits to elected officials. Better than version Senate Dems passed but still not needed. -- By Yancey Roy, Newsday By Robert Gavin Times Union, Albany, N.Y. Keith Raniere kicked, whipped and planned to jail women in a dungeon for what he viewed as their indiscretions as part of his secret master/slave club, former NXIVM official Lauren Salzman testified Monday. He said (the jail cell) was for the people most committed to growth. They would get locked in a cage, the 42-year-old told jurors. In her second day of testimony at Ranieres federal racketeering, sex trafficking and forced labor trial in Brooklyn, Salzman walked jurors through the practices behind the club -- called Dominus Obsequious Sororium (DOS), which translates as Lord/Master of the Obedient Female Companions -- including Ranieres embracing of sex torture things such as nipple clamps, handcuffs and a net. Salzman said Raniere, 58, formerly of Halfmoon, invited her to join the club when they were attending a memorial for longtime NXIVM leader Pamela Cafritz, who was another of Ranieres many girlfriends and who died in 2016. (One of the criminal counts against Raniere alleges that he continued using Cafritzs credit card and bank accounts after her death.) The group met regularly in what was called a sorority house on Milltowne Drive in Halfmoon, Salzman said. It was near the Knox Woods complex off Route 236 where many NXIVM higher-ups were living in Upstate New York. Salzman said Raniere imposed a strict punishment on members of DOS who incurred his wrath. She said he had kicked a master in the group, Daniela Padilla, as the woman was on the ground, an experience that Padilla later described to Salzman as painful. She said Raniere also paddled that woman and that other masters paddled their slaves while they were naked. It didnt sound like anything I ever wanted, Salzman testified in response to a question from assistant U.S. Attorney Tanya Hajjar. These things started to become scary for me. I was concerned about failing. She said Raniere maintained that acts of penance in the club should be something that really hurts. Raniere told DOS members that snapping the wrist the appropriate way could successfully mete out more pain, she said. Salzman would later tell one of her slaves following an indiscretion: If you want to use that again for failures, penance should be modified to three (HARD) whacks. If you snap the wrist right, it should really hurt. She said she had six slaves below her who were branded at a ceremony following a gathering at her house. Before being branded, Salzman said, DOS members would chant: Master, please brand me. It would be an honor, an honor that I want to wear for the rest of my life. The act of branding was frightening to see. It scared the other girls, Salzman testified. She said the first woman branded, named Jimena, was left squealing in pain. Salzman said Raniere was later excited that one woman, Sarah Edmondson, had become her slave. She said Raniere told her she now ranked in priority above Edmondsons husband and child and, If you tell her she has to have sex with another man, she has to do that. He said she would have another mans child, too, if commanded. Many of the women were branded with the initials of Raniere and what appeared to be that of fellow DOS member Allison Mack, a former television actress and longtime NXIVM member who has also pleaded guilty in the case. Salzman said Monday Macks initials were not part of the plan. Salzman said in June 2017, she was in San Diego and learned from Mack about what she called the assignment -- an order for slaves to seduce Raniere. Salzman said she learned Raniere was having sex with slaves. That month, she said, Edmondsons husband also confronted NXIVM members after he heard his wife had been branded with Ranieres initials. Salzman said reports -- by blogger Frank Parlato -- soon came out, which prompted Raniere to deny his involvement in DOS. She said Raniere issued a party line that branding was a college-type sorority symbol. Was that true? the prosecutor asked. No -- he started DOS, Salzman said. "I lied to everybody about it. Salzman said NXIVM tried to discredit reports about the branding. There were very real and very valid allegations being made about what was true and we were lying about them, she said before leaving the witness stand for the day, and here we are. Salzman also testified Monday that Raniere floated the idea of the women also getting tattooed in addition to the cauterized brands with symbols indicating their rank within DOS, the number of slaves they controlled and other membership information. Salzman said she did not want to be branded, and said that after Ranieres arrest in March 2018, another DOS member rejected the notion that the women in the club had come up with the idea. The women didnt choose it -- who would ever choose it? ... Thats crazy, the woman told Salzman. Salzman confirmed that to join DOS, women had to offer collateral such as naked photos of themselves or false information that they had been prostitutes. But he also suggested they stage crimes and videotape them to incriminate themselves -- all to ensure they maintain their vows to never leave. Exposure of one real incident was ruled unsuitable collateral, Salzman said. She explained that a NXIVM student had a psychotic breakdown at a volleyball game and, in her opinion, needed to be hospitalized. Instead, the woman was taken to a friends house and force-fed Valium, a powerful sedative. The next morning, Salzman said, she was secretly given more Valium in her scrambled eggs. If she went to the hospital, it would make NXIVM look bad, Salzman testified. Salzman said she wanted to use her involvement in the incident as collateral but was rejected because it could also hurt Raniere. The society demanded a lifetime of obedience to your master, Salzman said. References to a master, even in pronoun form, all needed to begin with a capitalized letter. In one message shown in court, Salzman referred to Raniere as Him. Raniere, known for his nocturnal activities, demanded members of the club adhere to strict rules which required they be available to respond to readiness drills, even in the wee hours of the morning, within 60 seconds. Many DOS members slept with alarms at full volume due to the chance Raniere, known as the supreme master and grand master, might deliver a command, Salzman said. She said she once drove across four lanes of a highway to answer Raniere. As a first-line master, Salzman said she would need to communicate with other members of her rank and the six slaves she commanded. They, in turn, would need to communicate with the slaves beneath them. The communications were sent on the Telegram and Signal messaging apps and encrypted, she said. Salzman said she answered directly to Raniere in the slave-master club, though his involvement was meant to remain secret. She said Raniere wanted DOS to recruit new members, including people in positions of power and influence. She said Raniere had her edit a DOS guidebook of sorts, which referred to women as miraculous excuse finders. The first lesson in the book stated: Your sole highest desire must be to further your master, from whom all good things come and are related. It asked the members to surrender their lives, minds and bodies for unconditional use. One part of the manifesto reads: You should be a hungry dog for your master. On March 25, Salzman, one of Ranieres five co-defendants in the case, pleaded guilty and admitted that she had recruited women into DOS for him. All of Ranieres co-defendants have pleaded guilty. Salzman, who served as the organizations education director, acknowledged when pleading guilty that she had threatened to release damaging information about those women if they did not perform tasks or tried to leave the group. Her mother, NXIVM President Nancy Salzman, also pleaded guilty in March to racketeering conspiracy. Prosecutors said some of the women were groomed and coerced to have sex with Raniere. His defense team has argued that the the NXIVM guru -- who was referred to in the organization as Vanguard -- and the women in DOS engaged in consensual sexual activity. On Friday, a California bondage device salesman testified that a NXIVM member had ordered ankle shackles, a steel jail cell and other fetish devices from his company. Salzman is expected to be on the witness stand until at least Wednesday. Reach key decision makers with sales-ready leads that shorten your sales process. Move the needle by delivering funnel qualified leads to your sales team. Learn more Next-generation 5G mobile communications technology could have a harmful impact on weather forecasting in the United States, based on expert testimony presented before a U.S. House committee during a hearing on the future of weather forecasting. Interference from 5G wireless phones could reduce the accuracy of weather forecasts by 30 percent, said Neil Jacobs, Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere at NOAA. Jacobs made the remarks to members of the Environment Subcommittee of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. The effect would be to return forecasting accuracy to 1980s levels, Jacobs added. Consumers and government agencies rely on accurate weather information, and it also can be important for disaster preparedness and recovery, noted the Aerospace Industries Association, an industry advocacy group, in a letter to the committee. Interference-free radio frequency spectrum communications that allow for accurate readings make these applications possible, the AIA maintained. Unfortunately, todays spectrum reality could directly impact the future of accurate weather readings, the association continued. Spectrum is a finite resource and as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) looks to free up spectrum for emerging technologies like 5G, the risk of interference with existing users rises, in both the incumbent band and the adjacent bands. The risks to weather forecasting came to light as the FCC prepared to auction off the 24 GHz spectrum, according to the letter. While it was a multi-year process to get to the auction itself, it is unclear if the proper testing to ensure that harmful interference with weather equipment in the directly adjacent band would not take place had been conducted fully, the organization asserted. Significant Security and Safety Implications Just days before the House hearing, two Democratic senators, Ron Wyden of Oregon and Maria Cantwell of Washington, sent a letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai requesting that he block any companies from operating in the 24 GHz band until weather forecasting operations were protected. To continue down the path the FCC is currently on, to continue to ignore the serious alarms the scientific community is raising, could lead to dangerous impacts to American national security, to American industries, and to the American people, the senators wrote. The FCC began auctioning spectrum in the 24 GHz band despite the objections of NASA, NOAA and members of the American Meteorological Society, Wyden and Cantwell pointed out. Those organizations asserted that the out-of-band emissions from broadband transmissions in the 24 GHz band would disrupt the ability to collect water vapor data measured in a neighboring band used by meteorologist to forecast the weather. A D V E R T I S E M E N T The national security and public safety implications of this self inflicted degradation in American weather prediction capabilities would be significant, the senators wrote. They cited a U.S. Navy report released in March, which found the amount of interference to weather satellites permitted by future commercial broadband uses in the 24 GHz band at the FCCs emission levels would result in increased risk in flight and navigation safety, as well as degrade battle space awareness. Technology Leadership Jeopardized The wireless industry has voiced strong opposition to any delays in auctioning the 24 GHz spectrum. The Federal Communications Commission began looking at the 24 GHz band five years ago and put rules in place more than a year ago, said Meredith Attwell Baker, CEO of the CTIA, which represents the U.S. wireless communications industry. During that time the commission conducted an exhaustive review of all factors, consulted all relevant agencies, and balanced interests appropriately, she continued. An auction delay will not change the outcome of that review, Baker maintained. It will have the sole effect of risking Americas global technology leadership by slowing down the deployment of next-generation 5G networks. The group also cast doubt on concerns about 5G technology interfering with weather forecasting. This is an absurd and dangerous distraction that risks Americas 5G leadership in order to protect weather sensors that do not exist and that the government has no plans to launch, CTIA Senior Vice President Nick Ludlum said. The rules for the 24 GHz band were developed by the FCC in consultation with NASA, NOAA and many other federal agencies over the past five years, he maintained. Changing them now undermines President Trumps 5G strategy while doing nothing at all to protect actual weather data. Influenced by Money and Politics Despite the concerns raised by the scientific and military communities, it seems unlikely they will slow down the carriers implementation of 5G. I dont doubt that there may be some issues with the frequencies that close together, but I doubt that this will change the rollout of 5G, said Phoenix-based Jim McGregor, principal analyst at Tirias Research, a high-tech research and advisory firm. You have to realize that to get to 5G bandwidths, carriers are using a combination of technologies and frequency bands, he told TechNewsWorld. This may not even impact all of the carriers equally. The FCC should suspend the 24 GHz band auction until it solves this problem, maintained Charles King, principal analyst at Pund-IT, a technology advisory firm in Hayward, California. Despite the promotional yapping around 5G, sizable commercial availability is still some ways off, he told TechNewsWorld. The FCC could halt or delay the auction while it clarifies the issue but instead is going for a symbolic win, since the 24 GHz auction is estimated to bring in seven times more revenues than the previous 28 GHz spectrum auction, King said. Weve seen previous auctions touted for political gain, he added, and I expect more than a little of that is infecting the FCCs leadership and decision-making process. Bad Datas Ripple Effect Problems arising from spectrum reallocation are nothing new, noted Bill Menezes, senior principal analyst at Gartner, a research and advisory company based in Stamford, Connecticut. Whenever spectrum gets reallocated, frequently theres an existing use that may get affected, so the idea that this could happen is not unusual, he told TechNewsWorld. In the 3.5 GHz band, for example, there was an issue with interference with the Navys existing use of the spectrum for radar, so safeguards were imposed to prevent interference with naval operations. In the 5.0 GHz band, protocols were put in place to keep cellular users from infringing on WiFi users operations. When a frequency is adjacent to an incumbents, the FCC might set up a guard band and say new users cant stray into that band, Menezes explained. As for the 24 GHz band, he noted that problems there could reach far beyond weather forecasting. If you think of all the smart devices that are coming out for consumers and agriculture that rely on weather forecasting data, Menezes said, theres a potential huge ripple effect if the effectiveness of that data is compromised. Not so fast: Earlier Monday morning, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai indicated that he was going to encourage commissioners to vote to approve the merger between T-Mobile and Sprint. Only a few hours later, news broke that the US Department of Justice is looking to block the deal. Bloomberg reports that a source close to the DoJ said the department is not convinced that the T-Mobile/Sprint merger would favor consumer interests. Instead, officials fear that it would hurt overall competition within the market. The remedies proposed by the wireless carriers earlier Monday dont go far enough to resolve the departments concerns that the deal risks harming competition, said the source. The buyout was all but given the green light today when Chairman Pai said he would recommend approving the $26.5 billion deal. In their bid for approval, the two companies agreed to sell off Sprints Boost Mobile and committed to having 5G coverage for 85 percent of the US within three years and 90 percent within six. "Its hard to say that our concerns could be alleviated by that kind of tinkering." However, the concessions are not enough to gain DoJ approval. Many are concerned that permanently eliminating one of the four major carriers in the US will work only to drive prices up as the already limited competition will be further restricted. Its hard to say that our concerns could be alleviated by that kind of tinkering, Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh said of the deal. "It means that consumers are going to suffer in terms of price, in terms of quality, in terms of opportunities." The companies claim that the merger is the only way the US can become the leader in 5G innovation. They also feel that joining forces is the only way the two companies can remain competitive with the top two carriers, Verizon and AT&T. Applying the brakes to the takeover would be unusual for the DoJs antitrust head Makan Delrahim, who usually agrees with the FCC on the approval of merger deals. In this case, analysts are not sure how Delrahims decision will turn out, calling him unpredictable." However, the White Houses firm stance on China seems to indicate that the DoJ will ultimately approve the deal. What just happened? General Motors is scaling back its Maven car-sharing program in a big way, ending service in nearly half of its North American markets including Boston and Chicago. It's further proof that the traditional automotive industry is changing and automakers are just as clueless as the rest of us as to what the future holds for personal transportation. Founded in 2016 following GMs acquisition of assets and employees from Sidecar, Maven features multiple tiers of service for those looking to rent vehicles on a short-term basis. The service had found its way to 17 North American markets up to this point. A spokesperson for GM confirmed to The Wall Street Journal that Maven plans to terminate its business in several major markets including Boston and Chicago. Service will persist in other areas like Detroit, Toronto and Los Angeles, were told. Maven wants to concentrate its efforts on markets in which it has the strongest current demand and growth potential, the spokesperson added. A complete list of closures wasnt provided, nor did the spokesperson give a timeline for shutdowns. One customer in Chicago received an e-mail from Maven referencing an end date of July 26. GM is one of several traditional automakers exploring different ways of generating revenue in response to the growing trend of ride sharing and those who elect not to take part in vehicle ownership. Not all are successful ventures, however. Cadillac late last year canceled its car subscription service and Ford shut down its Chariot shuttle service earlier this year. Why it matters: Recent privacy debacles have pushed data collection practices to the forefront of public interest. Tech companies used to be all about self-regulation, but now, like a kid wanting to be grounded because he just cant keep his hand out of the cookie jar, the industry is beginning to call for federal regulation. In a Microsoft blog post from Monday, Corporate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel Julie Brill reflected on the European Unions General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that was enacted nearly one year ago. Brill feels that the GDPR has been very effective in changing the way that tech companies handle personal data. [Companies] have adapted, putting new systems and processes in place to ensure that individuals understand what data is collected about them and can correct it if it is inaccurate and delete it or move it somewhere else if they choose, she wrote. Brill points out that the GDPR has inspired other countries to adopt similar regulations. She also pats her company on the back for being the first company to provide the data control rights at the heart of GDPR to our customers around the globe, not just in Europe. However, such self-regulation is not good enough. While some states such as California and Illinois have strong data protection laws in place, Brill feels the US needs something similar to the GDPR at the federal level. No matter how much work companies like Microsoft do to help organizations secure sensitive data and empower individuals to manage their own data, preserving a strong right to privacy will always fundamentally be a matter of law that falls to governments, Brill states. Despite the high level of interest in exercising control over personal data from U.S. consumers, the United States has yet to join the EU and other nations around the world in passing national legislation that accounts for how people use technology in their lives today. She points to the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which goes into effect next year, as a model for federal policy. Brill says that consumers have the right to control their information and that companies need to be held to a higher degree of accountability and transparency with how they collect and use customer data. The new laws also need to have teeth. Brill said that one problem with current privacy laws is that they are problematic when it comes to enforcement. The Federal Trade Commission is charged with enforcing such laws, but cannot fine a company without a consent decree. Laws currently on the books are simply not strong enough to enable the FTC to protect privacy effectively in todays complex digital economy. When companies violate these laws, they are not typically fined at first. Instead, they sign a consent decree, which makes them liable for penalties if they are caught in the act again. We have recently seen these decrees in effect with both Facebook and Google. However, these are outlying cases. According to the Government Accountability Office, over the last 10 years, the FTC has filed 101 enforcement actions. Nearly all of these carried no civil penalties. Instead, they amounted to settlement agreements requiring companies to take measures to prevent the violation from occurring again. Federal law must also include strong enforcement provisions, Brill said. Laws currently on the books are simply not strong enough to enable the FTC to protect privacy effectively in todays complex digital economy. Microsoft is not the only big tech corporation to call for federal regulation. Apple, which also touts itself on its strong privacy policies, recently indicated that the time for self-regulation is over. We all have to be intellectually honest, and we have to admit that what were doing isnt working, said Tim Cook back in April at the Time 100 Summit. "Technology needs to be regulated. There are now too many examples where the no rails have resulted in great damage to society. What just happened? Apple on Tuesday updated its MacBook Pro with faster processors and a revised keyboard design that addresses shortcomings with its current butterfly-style board. I suspect most fans will be more excited about the keyboard fix than the faster processor options which include an eight-core CPU for the first time. The new 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar is getting faster quad-core processors with Turbo Boost speeds up to 4.7GHz, Apple said. The larger 15-inch model, meanwhile, now features faster six- and eight-core Intel Core processors that can Turbo Boost up to 5.0GHz. Compared to the fastest quad-core 15-inch MacBook Pro, the new eight-core variant is up to twice as fast (and offers 40 percent more performance than the six-core MacBook Pro.) Arguably more interesting is the change Apple is making to the MacBook Pros keyboard. The Cupertino-based company told The Wall Street Journal that it has made a change to a material used in the keyboard mechanism. Specifics werent shared but Apple told the Journal it would help with double keypresses that some users have experienced. Apple on Tuesday also expanded the coverage of its keyboard repair program. Now, all Macs with butterfly keyboards are eligible for the program including the new 2019 models. Full details on the keyboard service program can be found on this Apple support page. Apples updated 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pros are available today starting at $1,799 and $2,399, respectively. Sleep problems can cause a whole slew of health conditions, so it's important to fix a decline in sleep time and quality, especially in teenagers. New research says that there's an easy way to improve adolescents' sleep quality in just a single week: simply limit exposure to screens or blue light-emitting devices. The Study In the new collaborative research to be presented at the European Society of Endocrinology annual meeting ECE 2019, the team found that teenagers who had more than four hours of screen time every day had sleep onset and wake up times later by an average of 30 minutes compared to those who only had less than an hour of screen time every day. Sleep symptoms such as fatigue, lack of concentration, and bad mood are also more common in the group with more screen time. The researchers conducted a randomized trial on 25 frequent screen users, which involved blocking blue light with glasses and no screen time during the evening. In both instances of blocking the blue light and screen abstinence, the participants' sleep onset and wake up times occurred 20 minutes earlier after just one week. There was also a reduction in reported symptoms of sleep loss. According to Dr. Dirk Jan Stenvers from the department of Endocrinology and Metabolism of the Amsterdam UMC, teenagers are spending more and more time using devices with screens and this same age group are also frequently experiencing sleep problems. "Here we show very simply that these sleep complaints can be easily reversed by minimising evening screen use or exposure to blue light," Stenvers explained. "Based on our data, it is likely that adolescent sleep complaints and delayed sleep onset are at least partly mediated by blue light from screens." However, Kevin McConway, an emeritus professor of applied statistics at the Open University, cautioned people about the new findings, pointing out that it's difficult to evaluate a study with just an abstract and a press release. Additionally, the experiment has not yet gone through a peer review. "The differences in sleep patterns between frequent and infrequent screen users might be caused by the differences in screen use, or they might have nothing to do with that," McConway told The Guardian, adding that there may have been other explanations for the improvements in sleep in the study. Sleep Problems In Teenagers Sleep is a crucial part of an adolescent's development and lack of it may result in a number of health conditions. Immediate symptoms may be as simple as fatigue and poor concentration, but Stenvers pointed out that loss of sleep is also linked to a greater risk of more serious conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. By cutting back on the usage of blue light-emitting devices, it's possible that adolescents could avoid these more severe health problems down the line. "If we can introduce simple measures now to tackle this issue, we can avoid greater health problems in years to come," he concluded. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. To begin with, it is not at all amazing to see how 3 stone pelters were gunned down by soldiers just recently who fired in self defence. It is fast becoming a regular phenomenon in Kashmir Valley! These stone pelters who gather in large numbers and then without any provocation start pelting stones at soldiers who are engaged in operations with terrorists themselves behave like terrorists and like terrorists are responsible for inviting death. Needless to say, stone pelters have no right to life under any circumstances the moment they pick up stones and attack our soldiers without any provocation! If they want the 'right to life' then they have to give up this 'menace and suicidal habit of stone pelting' which can never become a right under any circumstances and lead life like a good human being! They cannot have both the things at the same time! Now it is for them to decide for themselves which course of action they want to choose for themselves! To be sure, stone pelters whether they are women or small children or anyone else who attack Indian soldiers by forming groups and behave like Pakistani soldiers and terrorists by making determined efforts to disrupt the operations of security forces at encounter sites in the militancy-hit state of Jammu and Kashmir can claim no right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution in which they just don't believe as they want to make India a land of ISIS which is a global terror group and which wants to conquer India by force through their foot soldiers like stone pelters who proudly display flags of ISIS every now and then as we see in different news channels also! Moreover, no Constitution, no law, no Judge, no court not even Supreme Court can be above the unity and integrity of India and confer on anyone whether they are small children or women the right to behave like Pakistani soldiers and terrorists by attacking Indian soldiers and not allowing them to do their job of eliminating terrorists! Such stone pelters are themselves responsible for landing in graves rather than in schools or hospitals or any other good place! Why the lawyers of human rights groups and human right organisations themselves like Amnesty International don't utter even a single word when these stone pelters attack not just soldiers but even tourists from other states and kill them like a Tamil tourist R Thirumani aged 22 years after he was hit on the head by a stone during a protest on the outskirts of Srinagar near Narbal? The then Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti said: 'My head hangs in shame. It is very sad and heartbreaking.' Another former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and the working President of National Conference which is the main opposition party Omar Abdullah said that, 'We've killed a tourist by throwing stones at the vehicle he was travelling in. Let's try and wrap our heads around the fact that we stoned a tourist, a guest, to death while we glorify these stone pelters and their methods.' What I find most shocking is that even Supreme Court has failed to strongly lash out against them! Why Supreme Court allowed the former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti to withdraw cases against nearly 10,000 stone pelters which has only served to further encourage them to indulge in more stone pelting? Why didn't Supreme Court intervene to stop this open mockery of 'rule of law' and open abetment to 'rule of stone pelters'? What purpose did it serve? More and more stone pelting which culminated in more and more killings! How long will Supreme Court lay blame at the doorsteps of just soldiers alone? Soldiers are expected to display the highest level of discipline and restraint but how can any soldier tolerate, tolerate and tolerate repeated abuses and attacks on his uniform, his helmet, his motherland, his Constitution and his nation flag among other things and see them being burnt and even tolerate personal attacks like a sacrificial lamb and still do nothing? This is what Supreme Court must now start understanding and not like politicians repeatedly expect soldiers alone to display repeated maximum restraint! Even now it is not too late. Supreme Court must declare stone pelting to be an 'act of war' which will invite the highest retribution! Only then will people stop indulging in stone pelting! If not checked this will replicate all over our country which shall have catastrophic consequences for our nation which can never be permitted to happen under any circumstances! Already we are seeing how mob violence in India is growing by leaps and bounds of which even Supreme Court has taken note as in the case of killings in name of cow! How can stone pelters first themselves act as agents of terrorists, traitors and Pakistan and then claim protection under different Articles of the Constitution in which they just don't believe? How can stone pelters act like terrorists and attack soldiers without any provocation and still play the 'victimhood card' and scream 'security forces excess'? How can Supreme Court also afford to overlook all this? It is thanks to media that we get to see live how our soldiers are slapped by Kashmiris, their helmets are thrown in dustbin and they are kicked and big stones are thrown at them and still we all including Supreme Court and politicians expect soldiers to exercise 'maximum restraint'! For how long? Every soldier does not have the same temperament! There are many who can't tolerate repeated insults and they feel compelled to retaliate on being provoked which results in many Kashmiris being killed in firing! Why can't Kashmiris give up stone pelting as a 'mean of earning' quick bucks? Why separatists leaders like Hurriyat are allowed to not just get away even after encouraging stone pelting and terrorism by just putting them in house arrest and spending more than Rs 560 crore on their security? Why are they not treated like ordinary criminals and put behind bars? Why police cops like late slain DSP Ayyub Pandit are posted for their security who are killed by followers of these leaders themselves most brutally after maiming him of his crucial body parts and then burnt alive? Why again Supreme Court says nothing on this? Why Supreme Court keeps getting angry on soldiers alone? Why cases are allowed to be withdrawn against traitors, stone pelters and those responsible for killing more than lakh Kashmiri Pandits making them refugees in their own country for no fault of their own and Hurriyat leaders like Bitta Karate who even though involved in some of the killings are allowed to live life like a free bird as was rightly questioned by a leading news channel in their prime time show? It is high time and Supreme Court must now come down heavily on all such anti-India elements just like it comes down on soldiers whenever they indulge in fake encounter killings or in any other act of wrong doing! Of course those soldiers who break law must be punished but why should cases against stone pelters be allowed to be withdrawn openly without any one to stop them and why should murderers of Kashmiri Pandits be allowed to live like a free bird in Kashmir and play separatist politics? They must be shown their right place in jail right now! All said and done, Supreme Court must now act swiftly and sternly against such traitors, murderers and sympathisers of terrorists who have ensured that even those Kashmiris like Aurangzeb Khan, Lt Umar Fayyaz among others who join Army, Javed Ahmed Dar, DSP Ayyub Pandit among others who join police are killed most brutally and when security forces target their killers these stone pelters gather in group and start their favourite pastime of stone pelting to allow these killers and terrorists to once again easily escape like many times they did in the past! Supreme Court must now stop watching all this like a mute spectator and start acting hard on such reprehensible acts like withdrawing cases against stone pelters which has virtually made Kashmir a land of stone pelting and yet we don't get to hear Supreme Court say a word on this! This has only encouraged stone pelters to further indulge in it with more vigour and enthusiasm! We all hold Supreme Court in the highest esteem and it must now vindicate our unflinching faith by coming down hard on these 'stone pelters' and 'players involved in sustaining their reprehensible acts' by ensuring withdrawal of cases against them time and again and instead filing FIR against soldiers as we see repeatedly in Kashmir and treating them like criminals by making them to appear in courts for no fault of theirs other than doing their job sincerely and giving clarifications and proof that they are not guilty of any wrongdoing! Stone pelters must be brought to book and cases should not be allowed to be withdrawn against them under any circumstances! The earlier this is done, the better it shall be in our long term national interests! If this is not done, the dwindling strength of soldiers will further dwindle for which we all will be equally responsible and the topmost responsibility would be of the Apex Court as it is the highest court in India which is expected to intervene whenever anything wrong happens but which never says anything on such matters! Now it is for the Apex Court itself to decide which course of action it wants to adopt for itself! Just condemning soldiers always at the drop of a hat and saying nothing to stone pelters has done no good to our nation and we are all seeing for ourselves how this has become a 'national shame' and is encouraging mob to take law in their own hands as we see in case of those who kill people in the name of cow and mercifully here the Supreme Court has just recently spoken out very strongly and very commendably against all such despicable acts of killing by mobs in the name of cow which certainly deserve zero tolerance just like stone pelting! On a concluding note, stone pelters and terrorists have no right to life nor can they claim so after betraying their own country and soldiers have every right to kill them whenever they challenge them by attacking them without any provocation with big stones which can kill any soldier anytime! Who can question this? No justification can be allowed for stone pelting and terrorism under any circumstances which have to be dealt with on an equal footing! It is high time and without wasting any time further Supreme Court too must also endorse this now! This is imperative also so that the right and strong message goes out among all stone pelters that no one will be there to hold their hands if they dare to attack soldiers without any provocation just for the sake of making quick bucks funded directly from Pakistan! There can be no compromise on our national security under any circumstances! Which sane person will ever justify stone pelting and which good country will ever permit stone pelting to happen on a regular basis on soldiers who guard our nation against all odds from hostile countries like Pakistan? There has to be 'zero tolerance' for 'stone pelters' and 'stone pelting' if this 'Frankenstein monster' has to be controlled well in time just like we see in case of 'terrorists and terrorism'! It will not be an exaggeration to say that stone pelters and terrorists have no right to life under any circumstances and they have to be killed most ruthlessly by forces the moment they indulge in their despicable acts of behaving like soldiers of enemy countries like Pakistan! There should be no Ramzan ceasefire for them as they are only and only terrorists who have no religion whatsoever and should be treated only and only as 'enemy soldiers' who entered India to kill our people and soldiers! Join LAWyersClubIndia's network for daily News Updates, Judgment Summaries, Articles, Forum Threads, Online Law Courses, and MUCH MORE!!" Join our Telegram group Join our Whatsapp group "Loved reading this piece by Sanjeev Sirohi Join LAWyersClubIndia's network for daily News Updates, Judgment Summaries, Articles, Forum Threads, Online Law Courses, and MUCH MORE!!" Tags : Others NASA's New Horizons has found water on the surface of 2014 MU69 or Ultima Thule, the farthest world ever explored. The mission team has recently published an analysis of the data from the spacecraft's New Year's flyby of the object found within the Kuiper Belt. "We're looking into the well-preserved remnants of the ancient past," stated Alan Stern, New Horizons Principal Investigator, in a press release. "There is no doubt that the discoveries made about Ultima Thule are going to advance theories of Solar System formation." They published their findings in the journal Science on May 17. Secrets From Ultima Thule The first set of data analyzed from New Horizon focused on the composition, geology, and development of the object. Scientists reported that the spacecraft detected water ice, methanol, and organic molecules on the surface of Ultima Thule. The team noted that the mixture is very different from the icy objects that orbit beyond Neptune. It is very red redder than Pluto, which the spacecraft explored in 2015. Its red hue is a result of the modification of the organic materials on its surface, the team explained. The paper also discusses the features of the distant object. New Horizons, in its flyby, observed bright spots and patches, hills and troughs, and craters and pits. The largest depression on the surface of Ultima Thule is a crater that the team nicknamed "Maryland." It is estimated to be about 5 miles wide. According to the scientists, it must have been formed from an impact. The smaller depressions, meanwhile, could have been caused by materials falling into the object's underground spaces or exotic ice going from solid to gas (a process called sublimation). Formation Of Ultima Thule Ultima Thule is about 4 billion miles away from Earth. It is 22 miles long with a flat lobe (Ultima) attached to a rounder lobe (Thule). The New Horizons mission team explained that the two lobes were probably two separate objects that orbited each other just like most of the binary worlds along the Kuiper Belt. Eventually, something forced them together into a "gentle" merger. However, for this to occur, Ultima and Thule's orbital momentum should have dissipated. Scientists cannot say for now whether the two worlds ejected other lobes that form with them or if aerodynamic forces from gas in the ancient solar nebula caused their orbit to shrink. The alignment of the two lobes also suggested that they were tidally locked before the merger. Ultima Thule is an area of interest for scientists. The object is believed to be an ancient relic back from the era of planet formation billions of years ago. The mission team is expected to receive data from the flyby until the summer of 2020. New Horizons, meanwhile, will continue to explore objects in the Kuiper Belt. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. NASA has recently completed the first hardware checkout of Bumble, one of the three Astrobees onboard the International Space Station. A photo released on Friday, May 17, shows astronaut Anne McClain performing a series of tests on the cube-shaped robots in microgravity. The photo also shows a docking station installed in the Kibo module of the orbiting laboratory. McClain worked with Astrobees team at NASA's Ames Research Center in California to verify the robot's subsystems, including avionics, cameras, propulsion, and docking for power and data transfer. Astrobee Robots To Assist ISS Crew Bumble arrived at the ISS last month. It was launched onboard the uncrewed Cygnus spacecraft as part of Northrop Grumman's 11th commercial resupply mission for NASA. Astrobee free-flying robotic system is designed to help the crew of the ISS to complete tasks such as taking inventory, documenting experiments, and moving cargo. Their goal is to reduce the time that astronauts spend on routine duties so they can focus on other tasks that only humans can do. The Astrobee robotic system is composed of three cube-shaped robots: Bumble, Honey, and Queen. Honey was also launched onboard the Cygnus spacecraft last month. The robots use electric fans to propel themselves across the space station. They also have cameras and sensors that helps them "see" their surroundings and perching arms to hold items. The ISS helpers can also return to their docking stations on their own and recharge their batteries. In addition, the Astrobee robotic system serves as a "research platform" to help astronauts carry out experiments in microgravity. The trio of robots will take over the job of SPHERES (Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellite), which has been onboard the orbiting laboratory for more than a decade. Space-Bound Robots NASA said that Bumble, Honey, and Queen will help scientists assess how robots can assist astronauts perform caretaking duties on a spacecraft. The space agency added that robots will play a significant role in future missions, including the United States' planned return to the Moon and, eventually, the long journey to Mars. It will, however, take a bit more time before the free-flying robotic system is ready to work. More tests will still be conducted in the following months. Bumble is expected to take flight by spring. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Josiah Zayner, the CEO of the biohacking startup The Odin, is currently under investigation for practicing medicine without a license. Health Officials Investigating Biohacking Celebrity On May 8, Zayner, who has amassed a sizeable following for injecting himself with gene-editing technology CRISPR, received a letter from California's Department of Consumer Affairs asking him to discuss a complaint filed against him. "We have been reviewing a complaint of unlicensed practice of medicine filed against you," the letter posted on social media read. "The District Medical Consultant and I are now at the point in our review where we would like to discuss this matter with you to ensure our information is complete." The authorities said that he is "welcome" to bring an attorney. The interview is set to be conducted on June 11. Zayner said that he is being unfairly persecuted for "genetic self experimentation" and for "showing people how to access publicly available knowledge." He also denied providing medical treatment nor sold material to treat diseases to anyone. "I can't believe the government is spending time investigating me when they could be helping leak spoilers to Rick & Morty season 4. Ya' know?" He added in a statement to Ars Technica. If proven guilty, the biohacking celebrity could be facing up to three years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000. Biohacking Business Biohackers are people who "optimize" or "upgrade" their bodies through various ways. In this case, Zayner and his followers experiment with home-brewed gene-therapy treatments in the hopes of altering their bodies. In 2017, he made headlines after injecting himself with the gene-editing technology CRISPR to modify his muscle genes. He also once carried out a fecal transplant in a hotel room in an attempt to replace his gut microbiome. Zayner runs his own company, The Odin, out of his garage in California. He sells biohacking supplies, including a do-it-yourself genetic engineering kit for $1,849. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has previously issued a warning against the biohacking celebrity for selling kits that produce glow-in-the-dark beer. The federal agency also released a statement cautioning consumers about the serious safety risks of do-it-yourself gene therapy kits. Zayner is a former NASA scientist. He left the space agency back in 2015, saying that he was "fed up with the system." 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL owners are reporting that they're experiencing random shutdowns on their phones. The Mountain View company just released its two new devices on May 7 in the United States, and users are already running into serious issues. Pixel 3a Problems As reported earlier by Android Police, the bug affects both the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL. Owners say that the phones randomly shut down at any time throughout the day when they're not active, and when it does occur, they can't wake their devices anymore. To bring them back to working condition, they have to do a hard reset by pressing and holding down on the power button for about 30 seconds. This solution fixes the issue, but only until the next shutdown happens, when they have to perform another hard reset to use their phones. However, others say that this method doesn't work for them. Why Is The Pixel 3a Randomly Shutting Down? It's unclear what's causing this problem, but according to user reports, it's widespread and affects Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL units across different carriers. A T-Mobile user posted on Reddit about the bug, saying that they've experienced random shutdowns three times in a day. They've also suspected that a third-party app could be the stem of the problem, so they booted their phone into Safe Mode, a state where every app that isn't first-party software or, in other words, from Google is turned off for the time being. However, the issue still persisted despite that. Another user speculates that it has something to do with connecting to a Wi-Fi network, saying that the problem doesn't occur when their Wi-Fi is off. Other owners took things to Google Support pages to report about the bug, and according to them, their phones have shut down three times in a day. Other users also chimed in and said they're running into the same problems. The Nexus 6P has been plagued with a similar shutdown issue, but it's different in that it happened only when its battery is low, not to mention that it didn't require a hard reset to have it working again. Google has yet to acknowledge the issue, and at the moment, there is no known fix. For the time being, Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL owners are reportedly returning their devices in the hopes that a replacement won't start randomly shutting down on them. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Employees in Sony's PlayStation team were apparently blindsided when the company made a surprise announcement of a partnership with Microsoft, a company it's staunchly in competition with for the last few decades. Announced very recently, this partnership is a bid to help each other as cloud gaming penetrates the industry moving forward. It will involve co-developing game streaming technology and Microsoft hosting some of Sony's online services on the Azure cloud platform. The announcement came after Sony spent seven years developing its own cloud gaming service, with little success. PlayStation Shocked By Sony And Microsoft Partnership The employees' alleged reactions were reported by Bloomberg. Negotiations between the two companies began last year and was handled directly by Sony's management in Tokyo, Japan, largely without the involvement or, as it's clear now, knowledge of the PlayStation team, as Bloomberg notes, citing "people familiar with the matter." They were "caught off-guard by the news." Managers even had to calm workers and assure them that Sony's next-generation console weren't affected. It should perhaps come as no surprise why those employees were shocked. Sony and Microsoft, with their PlayStation and Xbox gaming platforms respectively, have been duking it out in the video game landscape for decades. Although Nintendo is also a fierce competitor, it can be argued that Mario and Zelda games cater to a different niche, which puts it on a unique position on the grand scheme of gaming. Sony and Microsoft, however, are direct competitors: their consoles both have high-tier specs, exclusive games, and an impassioned fanbases. Them working together is startling, to say the least. Cloud Gaming But perhaps this partnership says less about Sony and Microsoft's relationship and more about the potential power of cloud gaming to disrupt the industry. Google recently showed off its Stadia cloud gaming service, a play-anything-anywhere-on-anything game streaming platform that could change the entire video game landscape in ways yet unknown. With Stadia, Google hopes to render games platform-agnostic no need to buy a console just to play a specific game; all one would have to do is whip out their phone and start playing over the cloud. "Sony feels threatened by [the cloud gaming trend] and the mighty Google, and has decided to leave its network infrastructure build-up to Microsoft," according to Asymmetric Advisors strategist Amir Anvarzadeh. "Why would they sleep with the enemy unless they feel threatened?" A spokesperson for Sony confirmed that discussions with Microsoft started last year, but didn't provide details beyond that. This is a developing story. Make sure to check back with Tech Times as we learn more. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Louisiana's new American Idol Laine Hardy has survived "The View." Many of Hardy's Facebook fan groups had expressed their concern about the 18-year-old "bayou Boy" from Livingston facing the fiesty, oft-controversial all-female panel of the ABC morning chat fest. But it was all good on Tuesday's "View," as Hardy took the middle stool, surrounded by co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin and Meghan McCain. The "comeback kid," as Hostin called him, retold his story of re-auditioning for "Idol" after being eliminated from the top 50 last season. "I did not go in their thinking I would get the gold ticket and go back to Hollywood Week," he recalled. Behar then asked about his bling. "My mom got me this one (a ring) for Christmas. She said, 'I'll always want you to think about me' and stuff," Hardy explained. "The horseshoe (another of his rings), a family friend of ours, this is her dad's ring and she gave it to me for good luck." Can't see video below? Click here. Hostin wanted Hardy to describe each of his "Idol" mentors/judges in just one word. "Lionel (Richie)?" Where To Go, What To Eat Each week we'll highlights the best eats and events in metro Baton Rouge. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up "Wise." "Katy (Perry)?" "Wild." "Luke (Bryan)?" "Country." Win @AmericanIdol Perform on @TheView Get words of wisdom from @WhoopiGoldberg Thanks for coming to hang with us today @TheLaineHardy enjoy the jacket! pic.twitter.com/u0BM0bLbMi The View (@TheView) May 21, 2019 McCain gave a shout-out to Hardy's hometown of Livingston, and asked about his transformation from laid-back country boy to Southern heartthrob, whose regular attire now is flashy jackets and pricey shoes. "With me, I'm still that person I was a year, two years ago. There's no possible way I can change my personality or mind," he said. "Already, at 18, you're all set, huh?" Behar, said, to audience laughter. The hosts gifted Hardy with another "fierce" jacket, a blue one with red lapels set off by white stars. On the back are the words "The View." After performing his new single "The Flame," Goldberg encouraged Hardy, in the midst of all the hoopla, to stop a minute. "It's never a bad idea to take a breath, and when you're not sure, take a moment and make a decision, instead of just leaping in, it will help," she advised the teen. It was a 24-hour, cross-country whirlwind for Livingston's Laine Hardy in his first day as the 17th American Idol on Monday. Shortly after celebrating on the "American Idol" stage in Los Angeles Sunday night at the end of the three-hour finale of the ABC reality singing competition, the 18-year-old French Settlement High graduate was whisked off to the airport for a red-eye flight to New York. +16 Bring it home, Laine Hardy! Photos: Louisiana native makes history as 'American Idol' winner Laine Hardy was named the winner of the 17th edition of 'American Idol' on Sunday night, becoming the first Louisiana native to capture the 'I "I feel like it was seconds ago I was standing there with you," Ryan Seacrest, "Idol" host and co-host of "Live with Kelly and Ryan" told Hardy during his appearance on the morning talk show in The Big Apple. "Have either of you slept?" co-host Kelly Ripa asked the two. Seacrest said no; Hardy, teenager that he is, told Ripa he got "like three hours" on the plane. Hardy, in his trademark shy country boy demeanor, said he was still processing his victory. Can't see video below? Click here. "I could barely sing just now," Hardy said after performing his new song "Flame" dressed in one of his now trademark flashy black, red and gray jacket. "I was thinking, 'Wow, I'm here right now.' It's crazy." Ripa also gave a shout-out to one of Hardy's big fans, veteran actress and Pineville native Faith Ford. "Faith Ford was going crazy last night, because you know she's a Louisiana lady and she was calling this from episode one, audition one, day one," Ripa commented. "She was behind Laine from the get-go so now she's all puffed up she's 'I told ya'll so.'" Earlier Monday, Hardy stopped by ABC's "Good Morning America" and spoke with co-host Michael Strahan about his feelings during the results announcement. "When Ryan (Seacrest) called my name, my mind blacked out and I didn't know what to do," Hardy said. Where To Go, What To Eat Each week we'll highlights the best eats and events in metro Baton Rouge. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Hardy also said he will jump straight into his music career after a quick trip home. "Now that the show is over, first thing I'm going to do is go home and see my mom," he said. "I miss my mom, my family, my dogs and stuff, for just a couple days or something. Then I'm going to get straight into working on my music and getting it out to my fans." Hardy mentioned he's also looking forward to some home cooking. "Louisiana best food you'll ever eat," he said. Back in Louisiana, Hardys win drew speedy congratulations from officials throughout the state. Me oh my oh, congratulations @TheLaineHardy! Youve made us all #LouisianaProud back home and we cant wait to have big fun on the bayou! Gov. John Bel Edwards wrote on Twitter after the winner was announced. In an interview Monday afternoon, Livingston Parish President Layton Ricks said he was "ecstatic" about the win and believes Hardy has a long future in the music business. "I'd like to think we (in Livingston Parish) all helped him win. I know I voted many, many times, and I'm sure everyone else did," Ricks said. Ricks said he has not yet planned an event to fete Hardy's win, but he'd like to have a celebration and erect a billboard in his honor. "Welcome to Livingston Parish, home of Laine Hardy," Ricks said. A spokeswoman for Edwards said the governor's office also had not been involved in plans for a celebration. American Idol attracted 7.9 million viewers Sunday night, according to Nielsen ratings, down slightly from a reported 8.6 million viewers last year. Watch: As Laine Hardy wins 'American Idol,' watch party in Livingston goes wild LIVINGSTON They chewed their fingernails, covered their faces and crossed their fingers as host Ryan Seacrest held the envelope containing t The singing contest had to face off against the series finale of the uber-popular HBO medieval fantasy series Game of Thrones, which attracted 19.3 million viewers, according to the network. Hardys new single Flame was the No. 4 song on the iTunes Top Songs list Monday afternoon. Caroline Grueskin, Karen Martin and Alex Shoemaker contributed to this report. LSU has suspended yet another fraternity amid years of turmoil within the university's Greek system, including investigations, arrests and public outcry over hazing allegations. University officials confirmed this week that LSU's Pi Kappa Phi chapter will be closed until May 2023 after university police issued misdemeanor charges last month against three members. The suspension means the university is forcing fraternity members out of their brick house on West Lakeshore Drive. And Pi Kappa Phi's national organization also suspended the chapter's charter during that same time period. +4 How 2 former LSU DKE fraternity members' graduation might impact the school's punishments Two members of LSU's now-closed Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity who were arrested earlier this year on hazing counts graduated this month from Pi Kappa Phi has been on an interim suspension since last fall, though the chapter was also previously disciplined in fall 2017 just one month after the hazing death of freshman Phi Delta Theta pledge Max Gruver, which thrust LSU's Greek system into the national spotlight. More recent arrest warrants for several members of Delta Kappa Epsilon and the decision to revoke that chapter's charter at the beginning of 2019 painted a picture of violent hazing rituals there and an overarching code of silence. Of the 27 fraternities listed on LSU's Greek Life scorecard this spring, six have been kicked off campus. At least a dozen had discipline recorded against them or were under police investigation this spring. Four fraternities have been booted from campus since Gruver's death: Phi Delta Theta, Delta Kappa Epsilon, Pi Kappa Phi and Lambda Chi. Two others are still not allowed back at LSU based on their problems in the years before Gruver's death: Omega Psi Phi and Kappa Alpha Psi. University officials have provided few specifics about the actions at Pi Kappa Phi that led to its suspension this week. LSU spokesman Ernie Ballard said only that the details included "hazing and other misconduct." +3 Timeline of LSU's recent rocky history with Greek life Louisiana State University's fraternities have faced accusations for decades that they are hotbeds of hazing, binge drinking and misconduct. T But LSU has logged at least six complaints against the fraternity since 2016, based on records the university provided to The Advocate through a recent public records request. One person complained just a few months ago that they saw pledges going into the fraternity house with alcohol, despite the interim suspension. Another complaint from the fall semester of 2017 said pledges were forced to drink on bid night until they threw up. Which LSU fraternity and sorority chapters are currently in disciplinary hot water? See full list Nine LSU Delta Kappa Epsilon members were arrested Thursday and Friday on hazing allegations that allege some poured gasoline on pledges and f 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 In a letter to chapter members dated May 17, LSU administrators wrote that investigators found students had violated several university policies, including hazing, endangerment, alcohol use, coercive behavior and failure to comply. The letter notes members were also investigated for drug use but were found not responsible. "Student members are expected to uphold the codes of conduct of both the university and Pi Kappa Phi," the fraternity's CEO Mark Timmes said in a statement Monday. "Their behavior was unacceptable and does not represent the values of Pi Kappa Phi. We hold chapters and individual members accountable for the choices they make through our conduct process." Three misdemeanor summonses for hazing were issued to Pi Kappa Phi members on April 3 more than month before the suspension was announced. The summonses simply list the charges being brought but do not include details about the allegations. LSU Police found evidence of drug use at Kappa Sigma house amid questions about hazing Yet another LSU fraternity has become the subject of police investigation into hazing and drug use while the university grapples with continue LSU's latest investigation into Pi Kappa Phi started in October 2018, when the chapter was placed on interim suspension amid claims that Ballard called "very serious." That was almost exactly one year after another interim suspension in October 2017 one month after Gruver's death for a social event that violated new restrictions on Greek activities. If Pi Kappa Phi wants to return to LSU in 2023, members will have to follow a series of requirements, according to the May 17 letter. But most, if not all, current members would have moved on by then. LSU Greek Life investigation began after former fraternity council president made DKE hazing allegation LSUs former Interfraternity Council president has confirmed that he was a key figure in the universitys recent investigation into whether sc Those include meeting with administrators to develop a plan for "successful reinstatement as a registered student organization" and the selection of an alumni chapter advisory team to help oversee the process. The national organization would also have to provide a staff member, 25 years of age or older, who will live in the chapter house and "work with the fraternity on a full-time basis for not less than one academic year." Until then, the fraternity is not allowed to sponsor any activities or solicit or initiate new members. Editor's note: An earlier version of this story said LSU logged six complaints against Pi Kappa Phi since 2017. The complaints date back to 2016. Two members of LSU's now-closed Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity who were arrested earlier this year on hazing counts graduated this month from the university, despite criminal cases that remain unresolved, potentially making irrelevant any disciplinary action the university could take against them. Another LSU fraternity kicked off campus for 4 years after police, university investigations LSU has suspended yet another fraternity amid years of turmoil within the university's Greek system, including investigations, arrests and pub Charles "Chase" Brakenridge II and Alexander Rozas both graduated this spring. The two were booked earlier this year on identical counts of principal to criminal hazing and representative duty to report criminal hazing, and East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore III said Tuesday that he is still screening the criminal cases against them. When DKE's national organization shut down the fraternity in January and LSU Police arrested nine members the next month, arrest warrants said pledges were forced to lie down on broken glass while being urinated on, doused in gasoline, struck with pipes, burned with cigarettes and more. The warrants also suggested that a code of silence made members too fearful to speak out. It's unclear when DKE will be allowed to return to campus. LSU is still investigating the extent of DKE's problems and has no set time frame for when the university will make an announcement about their future. +3 Timeline of LSU's recent rocky history with Greek life Louisiana State University's fraternities have faced accusations for decades that they are hotbeds of hazing, binge drinking and misconduct. T When LSU students are arrested, they generally go through a disciplinary hearing process led by LSU's Office of Student Advocacy and Accountability. Those investigations can result in a variety of outcomes, from warning letters to expulsion. But LSU did not punish Brakenridge or Rozas in a way that prevented them from graduating. LSU spokesman Ernie Ballard said he could not discuss disciplinary records for students. J. Michael Small, the Alexandria-based attorney who is representing Brakenridge, said Brakenridge received an April 17 letter after his SAA hearing that said LSU found he violated school rules related to his hazing arrest. The letter said Brakenridge would be suspended for one year -- starting May 12. But Brakenridge was already on track to graduate May 10. I can only assume that a decision was made that in view of the rather insignificant nature of the evidence as to Chase, it should not prevent him from graduating," Small said Tuesday. "Im convinced he has a complete defense to the hazing charges." LSU frat member charged in Max Gruver hazing death erased 100s of phone files; officials hope to recover Prosecutors are hoping to recover hundreds of files deleted from the phone of the former LSU fraternity member accused in the 2017 hazing deat Small said the discipline would still show up on Brakenridge's transcripts, although he plans to appeal it to LSU's University Hearing Panel. The panel can rehear cases and make new determinations on whether students have violated LSU's Code of Conduct. 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 Brakenridge, a Ferriday native, wants to prove to LSU that he did not break any university rules or do anything illegal, according to Small. Brakenridge graduated with a degree in international trade and finance, Small said. I dont feel that the evidence that Im aware of justifies the conclusion, either at the administrative level, or certainly at the criminal level, that he committed the offense of hazing," Small said. Thomas Damico, the Baton Rouge attorney who is representing Rozas, said he could not discuss the specifics of Rozas' academic disciplinary record. But he said Rozas was not one of the fraternity's "bad apples." I do not believe they have sufficient enough evidence to convict him of any sort of hazing violation," Damico said Tuesday. The hazing charge that he could possibly face is a very, very small misdemeanor. And I certainly would not expect that to affect him in any long term manner, even if he were to be convicted. Rozas, who is from Jennings, graduated from LSU's College of Engineering. +2 LSU's DKE chapter closed after alumnus saw wounds on grandson pledging, demanded investigation A grandfather who saw hazing wounds on his grandson while the LSU student was swimming demanded the investigation of the Delta Kappa Epsilon f Two of the DKE members arrested in February Cade Duckworth of Lafayette and Malcolm McNiece were no longer enrolled at LSU by the end of the spring semester. Both were booked on felony counts related to hazing. Duckworth was arrested on felony counts of second-degree battery, attempted second-degree battery and false imprisonment, plus three counts of misdemeanor criminal hazing. McNiece was arrested on one felony count of second-degree battery plus four counts of misdemeanor criminal hazing. The remaining fraternity members who were arrested in February Blake Chalin, Gaston Eymard, Shakti Gilotra, Joseph Harkrider and Garrett Sanders remained enrolled at LSU this spring. Advocate Staff Writer Lea Skene contributed to this report. Two adults authorities have described as ringleaders in the abuse of an autistic woman by her relatives in Amite pleaded guilty to federal charges Monday. Terry and Raylaine Knope will be sentenced Aug. 22 on charges relating to their roles in holding the young woman captive in a backyard cage, forcing her to work in their home and subjecting her to physical and psychological abuse from 2015 to 2016, according to court records. The victim had been living with the Knopes, who are relatives, following the death of her mother in August 2015, according to court filings. Federal authorities allege that the Knopes, along with their three adult children, conspired to subject the autistic relative to horrific abuse including forcing he to eat her mother's ashes, beating her and attempting to traffic her for sex. Raylaine Knope ordered the adult children to abuse the autistic woman, and Terry Knope is described as perpetrating some of the more brutal abuses, according to charging documents. The abuse included holding the woman underwater in a bathtub and burning her with a lighter. 5 charged for holding autistic Amite woman in cage, accused of beating her among other heinous acts The physical and psychological abuse of an autistic woman held captive for a year in Tangipahoa Parish included forcing her to eat both dog fe The pair is still facing state charges in Tangipahoa Parish, but the federal court documents indicate those charges are expected to result in plea deals with recommendations that each serves less than 33 years in prison, served concurrent with any federal prison time. Court records indicate Terry Knope, 45, pleaded guilty to a forced labor conspiracy, interference with federal housing rights, hate crimes and misprision of a felony. 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 Raylaine Knope, 42, has pleaded guilty to a forced labor conspiracy, forced labor and misprision of a felony, records show. Federal prosecutors and defense attorneys for Raylaine and Terry Knope will ask the judge impose a sentence not less than 28 years for each, which is the maximum allowable under the statutes, according to plea agreements for Terry and Raylaine Knope. The federal case is filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Bridget Lambert, 22, and Jody Lambert, 24, the children of Raylaine Knope, have also pleaded guilty to federal charges but have not been sentenced, according to court records. Federal charges are still pending against Taylor Knope, 21, the daughter of Terry Knope. She has pleaded not guilty. All three children have pleaded no contest to state charges in 21st District Court but have not been sentenced, according to court records. The leaders of two teachers unions want the principal of McKinley High School to step down amid complaints that he rules by fear, retaliates against critics and behaves inappropriately with children and adults. The local chapters of the Federation of Teachers and the Association of Educators held a news conference Tuesday and also called for the School Board to investigate Principal Esrom Pitre, who has led the school since July. They said they initially sent demands to School Board members and Superintendent Warren Drake on Friday, but that district administrators rebuffed their complaints when they tried to raise them Monday. McKinley High principal 'rules by fear,' teacher unions say amid investigation demands Leaders of two teacher unions are going public with their complaints about the principal at McKinley High, saying he rules by fear, retaliates Angela Reams-Brown, president of the local Federation of Teachers, said employees whove spoken up about Pitre have come to regret it. All who complained (openly) or who grieved formally were targeted by the administration, Reams-Brown said. McKinley faculty recently sent a survey to the school's 120-plus employees and received 35 replies. The responses spoke to a widespread pattern of unfairness at the school, Reams-Brown said. Can't see video below? Click here. The unions said the survey results back their suggestion that the district's Human Resources department conduct its own environmental survey, similar to one conducted last year after concerns were raised about Pitres predecessor, interim principal James Kador. They'd like to see it done before employees leave for the summer break Thursday. In a statement released after the news conference, school system officials said anyone with a grievance or complaint should file a formal report with HR. All formal allegations made will be investigated, according to the statement. We will continue to act in the best interest of our students, families and employees. 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 Complaints raised in the survey include allegations of: Inappropriate touching, hugging, body language and comments directed at teachers and students. Routine use of fear, intimidation and retaliation" to control staff. Inappropriate and illegal employee evaluations, including a homemade rubric not sanctioned by the state and not shared with teachers and support staff prior to evaluation. Punishing female students more harshly than male students. Retaliating against staff who filed formal grievances. The unions have historically been rivals, but of late they have worked together. Recently they worked to renew a 1-cent sales tax, increase employee salaries and curtail industrial tax exemptions, and now have banded together against Pitre. "We are two different locals, but we both have members at that school," said Tia Mills, president of the local Association of Educators. She estimated that half the McKinley staff belonged to a union. Reached Monday, Pitre sent a text saying he would respond to the union's complaints. He has yet to do so. He also did not respond Tuesday to an additional request for comment. McKinley High, at 800 E. McKinley Drive, has had a different principal each of the past three years. From 2009 to 2013, Pitre was principal at Donaldsonville High, helping to bring that small high school from an F to a B on its state-issued academic letter grade; McKinley High currently has a D. Prior to taking over at McKinley, Pitre briefly served as executive director at a new charter school, Athlos Academy in Jefferson Parish. He spent most of his career in higher education, including stints as a professor at colleges in Denver, Houston, New Orleans, Shreveport and, most recently, working as an associate professor of educational leadership at Southern University in Baton Rouge. +4 'Difficult process' begins at some East Baton Rouge schools where job cuts are possible McKinley High School started this school year with a staff of 125, one of the largest of any public school in Baton Rouge. Next year, that sta Complaints grew after Pitre notified many employees in "impact" letters that they would need to seek jobs elsewhere in the school system. Pitre told The Advocate in April he was forced to lose at least 18 staff members, pointing to declining enrollment, particularly in the school's gifted program. McKinley High still has about 1,150 students, but its enrollment is down from its 2015 peak of more than 1,400 students. According to the unions, some of the faculty and staff said Pitre had made their jobs more difficult, with some complaining specifically: I spent this year confused and directionless, only hearing from administration when they imposed a policy that made our jobs harder to plan. Being told often that last minute changes were just the way of education. It's extremely difficult to put in a routine for students when you don't have a routine for yourself. The administration would do frequent walk-throughs, sometimes with several people at the same time including deans, in a means to intimidate the teacher. During meetings, some teachers were talked down to or openly disrespected by administration. I do not feel like my job is safe. I do not feel comfortable in my work environment. I feel like my principal is a tyrant! The survey, which union leaders said was conducted almost a month ago, was sent to the private emails of all McKinley staff. The participation rate was around 30 percent. Leaders of two teacher unions are going public with their complaints about the principal at McKinley High, saying he rules by fear, retaliates against those who criticize him and behaves inappropriately with both children and adults. The local chapters of the Federation of Teachers and the Association of Educators said they decided to make their complaints public after having no luck with their request for an immediate investigation by the school system into employee accusations against Principal Esrom Pitre. +5 Teachers unions want McKinley principal to step aside; seek board investigation The leaders of two teachers unions want the principal of McKinley High School to step down amid complaints that he rules by fear, retaliates a Teacher union leaders said East Baton Rouge Parish School Superintendent Warren Drake declined on Monday their request for an immediate investigation into Pitre's conduct as principal. They've scheduled a news conference for 3 p.m. Tuesday to go into more detail about what teachers are experiencing at McKinley. Can't see video below? Click here. Afraid to report violations through normal channels, faculty concerned about Pitres leadership recently conducted their own partial and anonymous survey to which 35 of the school's 120-plus staff members responded. The unions want the Human Resources department to go further and do an environmental survey of all the staff at the school, something the department did in spring 2018 after concerns were raised about Pitres predecessor, interim principal James Kador. And they want it done before employees leave for summer break on Thursday. The unions sent a demand letter Friday to Drake and School Board members. Drake responded Monday afternoon in an email to Tia Mills, president of the local Association of Educators. We do not condone any wrongdoings of any kind at any school so if an employee has a grievance, please ask them to follow the policy of the EBRP school board, Drake wrote. Drake also said the accusations lack names and specifics. Teacher layoffs on East Baton Rouge School Board's agenda; unions remain suspicious of changes With the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board scheduled to vote Thursday whether to give Superintendent Warren Drake authority to lay off empl 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 Angela Reams-Brown, president of the local Federation of Teachers, said a few McKinley High employees have indeed lodged grievances that have gone nowhere. She said she called Drake later Monday but the superintendent would not agree to the unions core demand. Reams-Brown said Drake told her he met with Pitre in person Monday and asked Pitre about the concerns. According to Reams-Brown, Pitre informed the superintendent that he was commissioning his own independent survey of the school. Reams-Brown said Drake left open the possibility of doing an environmental survey in August at the start of the new school year, but she said that's too late. Theres still time, she said. Pitre took over McKinley High, which is located at 800 E. McKinley Drive, last July. He is the schools third principal in three years. He had not responded to a request for comment on the complaints by the teachers unions as of Monday evening. From 2009 to 2013, Pitre served as principal Donaldsonville High, helping to bring that small high school from an F to a B on its state-issued academic letter grade; McKinley High currently has a D. Prior to taking over at McKinley, Pitre briefly served as executive director at a new charter school, Athlos Academy in Jefferson Parish. He spent most of his career in higher education, including stints as a professor at colleges in Denver, Houston, New Orleans, Shreveport and, most recently, working as an associate professor of educational leadership at Southern University in Baton Rouge. +4 'Difficult process' begins at some East Baton Rouge schools where job cuts are possible McKinley High School started this school year with a staff of 125, one of the largest of any public school in Baton Rouge. Next year, that sta Pitres leadership came into question recently after many employees at McKinley High received impact letters telling them they had to look for other jobs in the school system, double the number of impacted employees of any other school in the parish. Pitre told The Advocate in April he was forced to lose at least 18 staff members, pointing to declining enrollment, particularly in the school's gifted program. McKinley High still has about 1,150 students, but its enrollment is down from its 2015 peak of more than 1,400 students. Impacted staff, however, have raised concerns that Pitre abused the process to run off staff he's had run-ins with and is using questionable criteria to decide who should stay or go. Here are areas of concern raised about Pitre found in the partial survey of McKinley High staff: Roy Wright doesn't think Congress possesses the "political will" to reform the deeply indebted federal flood insurance program in which many south Louisiana families participate. The former head of the National Flood Insurance Program, who was on the ground in Baton Rouge during the devastating flood of 2016, returned to Louisiana Monday as keynote speaker at a conference of the Center for Natural Resource Economics & Policy, which was formed at LSU 20 years ago. Congress has kept the NFIP afloat through a series of stopgap extensions. Earlier this month, legislators agreed to keep the program up and running through the end of September while politicians try to work out a more comprehensive overhaul. U.S. House agrees to extend National Flood Insurance Program through September in another short-term fix WASHINGTON The National Flood Insurance Program appears to be in line for a temporary extension again to prevent it from expiring at the Wright, who is now CEO of the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, said he hopes leaders will stop kicking the can down the road. But he expressed doubts they'll be able to reach a consensus on fundamental changes. Wright said if he was in charge, he'd look for ways to lure more private companies into the flood insurance business. He also said the Federal Emergency Management Agency needs to keep trying to demonstrate to NFIP participants their actual risk. "You can't do anything about your risk if you don't understand it," he remarked in an interview. Flood insurance is required on all houses with a federally-backed mortgage located in high-risk floodplains, also known as special flood hazard areas and A zones. For years, FEMA sold flood insurance at a discounted rate. However, in 2015, the agency began gradually increasing premiums so participants would eventually pay the actual cost of insuring their property, based on their true risk of flooding. By 2022, "the rates are going to start to bite," Wright said. If people know their risk, they can make better decisions when shopping for a house or considering upgrades, he continued. +2 After months of delay, Ascension takes 'big step' expanding limits on dirt use in parish's lowest areas GONZALES Facing public pressure to address the effects of the August 2016 flood, the Ascension Parish Council will expand limits on the use It's comparatively easy to guard a home against wind damage. Wright showed photos and video of a Florida neighborhood that was mostly demolished by Hurricane Michael. Amidst the debris, six houses were still standing. They weren't mansions or bunkers or fortresses; they were built by volunteers working for Habitat for Humanity. The non-profit simply took a few extra steps to fortify the houses. It probably adds an extra five percent to the total cost of a new house, Wright said. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up In contrast, it's much harder to protect against floods. "Folks will have two choices up or out. ... It's not affordable," Wright said. Communities can try to mitigate flood risk with better infrastructure, he said, but in South Louisiana, a lot of that is already in place. There may be some room for improvement, though. Speakers on a different panel at Monday's conference discussed the Community Rating System, a mechanism that began in 1990 to give insurance discounts to ratepayers in localities that plan for flooding. Techniques can be as small as providing flood risk information on water bills or as large as installing new levees and dams. Cities and parishes that leave open spaces to absorb water and keep drainage systems clean and unclogged can also win points. The Community Rating System was of recent local interest because 16,000 Livingston Parish homeowners lost their discount when parish authorities were unable to provide construction permit documentation to FEMA. Why flood insurance rates are increasing for 16,000 Livingston Parish homeowners More than 16,000 Livingston Parish homeowners will see their flood insurance rates go up this year because the parish wasn't able to provide f And despite the benefits, many communities don't participate in the system at all, including six of Louisiana's ten coastal parishes, said LSU doctoral candidate Jennifer Argote. Researchers have found that participation in the Community Rating System, is higher in areas with a lot of NFIP policies. And Argote said wealthier communities with higher home values are also more likely to seek out CRS discounts. Some places like Jefferson Parish, which recently improved its rating, have staff dedicated to floodplain management. In other communities, those duties may be only part of someone's job, Argote said. Improved FEMA rating for Jefferson Parish to mean lower flood insurance rates for nearly 40,000 owners Efforts by Jefferson Parish officials to encourage residents to purchase flood insurance will pay big dividends come May, when nearly 40,000 p She suggested looking for ways to give those communities a hand, perhaps through a program like Louisiana Sea Grant, one of the agencies that's helping put on this week's conference. The Mississippi River has broken a 92-year-old flood record. The river has been in flood stage since Jan. 5, 136 days ago. It's the longest the Mississippi has been in flood stage since 1927, when devastating floods compelled the government to build the modern levee system. +17 Mississippi River on verge of breaking record for longest period in flood stage at Baton Rouge The last time the Mississippi River was this high for this long, it prompted the federal government to build the modern levee system. As of Tuesday, the river stood around 44 feet at Baton Rouge and is forecast to keep rising, though only slightly, into the weekend. It is not projected to overtop the levees, but meteorologists have said they expect the river to remain in flood stage well into summer. The persistent high water has prompted a pair of openings of the Bonnet Carre spillway this year -- the first time it's been used twice in one year. However, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have not needed to relieve pressure by opening the Morganza spillway. 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 Can't see video below? Click here. The lengthy flood was the result of historic rain in the eastern half of the country, as well as autumn storms that kept the river level from dipping before the spring flood season. Experts predict that the long period of high water and the spillway openings will have ecological and economic consequences, including issues with shipping and farming and damage to the seafood industry. The rains washing down the Mississippi are also expected to contribute to a potentially historic Gulf of Mexico dead zone this summer. Legislation that allows a way for law enforcement to take the guns of a person who poses imminent personal injury to himself or others was rejected by a Louisiana House committee on arguments that it violated the 2nd Amendment. House Bill 483 would have given law enforcement an avenue to seize firearms from someone who posed a credible threat. Parkland shooting survivor David Hogg joins student activists at Benjamin Franklin High School When Hogg was introduced, he asked, Who here has been affected by gun violence or gun suicide? Most of the attendees raised their hands. Fifteen other states 10 since the shooting at a Parkland, Florida, high school have adopted similar legislation, said state Rep. Gary Carter, the New Orleans Democrat who sponsored the measure. A gunman in February 2018 opened fire on fellow students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School killing 17 and injuring 17 others. He pointed out that Republican governors in five of those states signed the legislation into law. This isnt partisan politics, Carter said. "I dont want a shooting at my daughters school." Police have complained that they can arrest a domestic abuser and hold the person for 72 hours. And even if the person threatened to murder a spouse, law enforcement cant seize the guns the person owns. The law is set up to arrest the person; this gives law enforcement a tool, Carter said. 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 But Michael Helms, a licensed gun collector in Baton Rouge, testified that the red flag bill tells police that they need not follow traditional due process standards to take firearms from people who havent been charged, tried or convicted. Beyond violating the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which protects firearms, the red flag bill would allow searches and seizures without adequate probable cause, testified Meghan Garvey, of the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Taking away the fundamental rights of someone seeking mental health and substance abuse treatments would only serve to dissuade people from seeking help, she added. The House Committee on the Administration of Criminal Justice deferred the legislation, effectively ending it for this session, on a vote of 10-7. Voting for allowing law enforcement to seize guns (7): John Bagneris, D-New Orleans; Barbara Carpenter, D-Baton Rouge; Royce Duplessis, D-New Orleans; Randal Gaines, D-LaPlace; Ted James, D-Baton Rouge; C. Denise Marcelle, D-Baton Rouge; and Barbara Norton, D-Shreveport. Voting against HB483 (10): Chairman Sherman Mack, R-Albany; and Tony Bacala, R-Prairieville; Raymond Crews, R-Bossier City; Stephen Dwight, R-Lake Charles; Valarie Hodges, R-Denham Springs; Frank Howard, R-Many; Joseph Marino, No Party-Gretna; Stuart Moss, R-Sulphur; Nicholas Muscarello, R-Hammond; and Steve Pylant, R-Winnsboro. +10 Hundreds of students from New Orleans schools rally at City Hall to protest gun violence As 17-year-old Oriana Gary marched Thursday to protest the killing of an Eleanor McMain School freshman last month, she felt a wave of deja vu. In this April 18, 2019 photo, a sign to the Cenikor Foundation entrance is seen in Deer Park, Texas. The nationally renowned drug rehab program in Texas and Louisiana has sent patients struggling with addiction to work for free for some of the biggest companies in America, likely in violation of federal labor law. Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting has found that the Cenikor Foundation has dispatched tens of thousands of patients to work without pay at more than 300 companies over the years in the name of rehabilitation. Experts say Cenikor's business model might be illegal. (Loren Elliott/Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting via AP) Cars / Yachts Monte Carlo Yachts releases the second of this years three new models ranging from 66-76ft, as the Italian yard rolls out its new generation. May 21, 2019 | By Yacht Style Italys Monte Carlo Yachts has launched the second of three new yachts for 2019, with its new MCY 66 preparing to join the MCY 70 at the Venice Boat Show from June 19-23. The third of the builders new models this year, the MCY 76, will join the duo at Septembers Cannes Yachting Festival in France. The new 70 was launched at Boot Dusseldorf in January and inaugurated the second generation of MCY yachts, with the 2019 models replacing the former 65, 70 and 76. The new models are evolutions of the originals, retaining the iconic features and emphasis on timeless design. Fabrizio Iarrera, Chief Executive of Monte Carlo Yachts, said: Innovation alongside continuity is the vision behind the second generation of the MCY Collection. MCY 66 together with MCY 70 and the soon-to-follow MCY 76 display over a decade of design and manufacturing expertise, and a natural evolution of the collections iconic characteristics. Monte Carlo Yachts still offers extensive customisation options for interior design, layouts and materials, making the most of the Monfalcone yards partnership with the Nuvolari-Lenard Design Studio, which has a long history of designing for the worlds biggest superyacht builders. The smallest model in the range, the 36-tonne 66 is 20.1m long with a 5.2m (17ft) beam, and exemplifies the long-lasting collaboration with Nuvolari-Lenard by retaining the iconic MCY structure and recognisable profile, but with sleeker lines and innovative elements. The enlarged flybridge has a large L-shaped sofa to starboard behind the helm station, which is accompanied portside by a C-shaped sofa, while theres still space aft for a wet bar and sun loungers. The introduction of lateral supports and chromed stainless pillars to sustain the carbon-fibre T-top enables 360-degree views. The bulwarks wide breaches create a significant increase in internal volumes and exposure to light, highlighted on the split-level saloon, which features an open galley and dining area aft, and a raised lounge forward, although the layout can be customised. The use of reflective materials, mirrors and lacquered wood, in combination with wide lateral windows, create a bright interior. On the lower deck, additional bow portholes provide more natural light for the VIP cabin, while the expansion of the signature double porthole benefits the owners cabin. Theres also a guest cabin to starboard with en-suite. The saloon and cabins feature a sophisticated modern decor, with high-end fabrics, natural stones and Italian leathers among available materials, while elegant glossy marble elements enriched by touches of copper are among defining features. A Louisiana House-passed bill aimed at expanding Uber and Lyft ride-sharing services statewide won approval Tuesday in a key Senate committee after dying in the same panel in 2017 and 2018. The measure, House Bill 575, would set up uniform rules to oversee the services and, backers say, make the rides more accessible in rural areas. It won approval in the Senate Judiciary A Committee 2-1. Voting for the bill were state Sens. Jay Luneau, D-Alexandria and Ryan Gatti, R-Bossier City. The no vote was cast by Sen. John Milkovich, D-Shreveport. The proposal next faces action in the Senate and is sure to spark more controversy, including which state agency would enforce the rules. Under the legislation, Lyft and Uber would be regulated by the state Department of Transportation and Development. Plan to expand Uber, Lyft again sidelined in Senate committee after heavy opposition Amid committee opposition, House Speaker Taylor Barras shelved his own bill that would set up statewide rules to govern Lyft and Uber and wide Sen. Danny Martiny, R-Metairie, who has been instrumental in killing the bill in the two previous years, repeatedly asked why the services would not be regulated by the Louisiana Public Service Commission, like taxicabs. "You make the operations regulated by the PSC and I will co-author the bill," Martiny told backers. "Tell me what the PSC is going to make you do that you don't want to do." Martiny added later, "No one has given me a good reason why Uber and Lyft should not be regulated the same way as cab drivers.". Supporters of the bill said that, after earlier planning for the ride-sharing services to be under the state Department of Agriculture, DOTD make sense. "I think DOTD is a good place for it to be regulated and they will do just as good a job and have the ability to do it," said Sen. Rick Ward III, R-Port Allen, Senate sponsor of the bill and chairman of the committee. State Rep. Tanner Magee, R-Houma, House sponsor of the bill, said how the PSC regulates taxicabs is not the gold standard for oversight. "There are other options out there," Magee said. An amendment by Martiny to put Uber and Lyft regulations under the PSC failed on a 2-2 vote. Backers say Louisiana is one of just five states with a "patchwork" of regulations on ride-hailing services. 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 Ward said he would have trouble using Uber or Lyft to travel to Tiger Stadium on the day of a game. He said the driver in West Baton Rouge Parish would likely be barred from picking him up in East Baton Rouge Parish under current rules. "That is just one of the specifics on why this is so important," Ward said of his proposal. The bill requires background screenings for drivers, electronic receipts and easy identification of drivers and vehicles. Ward said about 60 people filed cards in support of the legislation. Arthur McDonald, an Uber driver for the past 3 1/2 years, said he has provided about 3,500 rides. "I have saved a lot of people from getting DWI's, accidents," McDonald told the committee. Victor Silvio, who lives in Erwinville, said he drives for Uber and Lyft because his 24-year-old-son was killed six years ago by a drunk driver. "I like keeping drunks off the road," Silvio said. An official of United Cabs of New Orleans said that, under the legislation, Uber and Lyft would avoid stringent rules faced by taxicab drivers at a time when the value of taxis is plummeting. In the past concerns that similar bills would upset local rules set by officials in Baton Rouge and New Orleans helped kill the proposals. "We have worked really hard to get into a place where the local government or governments that have specifics in place, in particular the fees, stay grandfathered in," Ward said. The proposed changes have previously won lopsided approval in the House, including a 2018 bill sponsored by House Speaker Taylor Barras, R-New Iberia. Effort to resurrect expansion of Uber, Lyft killed again in Senate A bid on the final day of the session to expand access to ride-sharing services Uber and Lyft was killed Friday by Senate President John Alario. Barras shelved his own plan last year amid heavy opposition in the same committee that approved similar legislation on Tuesday. The current bill won House approval 92-0 on April 29. You never forget the day youre sentenced. I was riding my bike to the grocery store when the police stopped me and found a small bag of marijuana on the ground. It was a minor offense, the equivalent of about two joints, so I thought that I would post bond, handle the case with an attorney and avoid any serious jail time. I never imagined it would be years before Id be free again. Because I was prosecuted as a so-called habitual offender, I was sentenced to 13-and-a-half years in prison. It was a devastating blow. I remember leaving the courthouse, chained up in the back of a hot van worried that my kids would forget about me, and feeling like my life was over. Seven years later, I was finally reunited with my family, thanks to an outpouring of support and publicity about my case. But many more people are still serving extreme sentences for minor offenses like drug possession or theft. In fact, roughly three-quarters of people convicted under the Habitual Offender Statute are like me. Their primary offense involved drugs or property, not violence. Thats why Im proud to be working alongside Louisianans for Prison Alternatives in urging the Louisiana Legislature to pass House Bill 518, which would remove certain first-time, nonviolent offenses from being considered under the Habitual Offender Statute. For years, the Habitual Offender Statute has been abused by prosecutors to manipulate and intimidate defendants. Threatened with a habitual offender conviction, innocent defendants are pressured into accepting a plea deal rather than go to trial and face decades in prison away from their families. This unjust law also hurts taxpayers and drains money away from investments that would actually make our communities safer. Taxpayers paid thousands of dollars to charge, sentence and imprison me all for a few bucks' worth of marijuana. According to LPA, nearly 5,000 people are serving sentences enhanced by the Habitual Offender Statute, contributing to our bloated prison population and costing taxpayers millions. It doesnt have to be this way. People suffering from addiction need treatment and rehabilitation, not prison time. During my incarceration, I was transferred to six or seven different prisons and sometimes put in solitary confinement because of the publicity my case had gained. Instead of locking people up and throwing away the key, Louisiana should be giving them the help they need to work and contribute to their communities. A path-breaker for the release of other Angola inmates, John Esteen isn't home just yet John Esteen walked into his cell block one day in January in the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, where he has been an inmate for nearl Today, I am very blessed to be home and to have so many supporters who are lifting me up and helping me succeed. I love to see my kids and hear them say Dad. Im glad they remember me. But what I cant forget is that day at the courthouse, or the many men I know who are still serving extreme sentences far out of proportion to the low-level offense they committed. I never expected to become a poster child for whats wrong with our criminal justice system. But now Im committed to making sure that no one ever has to experience the injustice that I did. Louisianas justice reinvestment package was a historic step forward, and it helped me be reunited with my family. Now lawmakers should build on this momentum and reform the Habitual Offender Statute so that my extreme sentence is one of the last. Bernard Noble lives in Chalmette. Common sense suggests that its probably not a great idea to strike a business deal with someone whos suing you. But at the Legislature, where common sense doesnt always or even usually win the day, lawmakers are mulling over a long-term extension of the license for New Orleans only land-based casino while the casinos owners are in court trying to avoid paying millions they owe in state taxes. Millions of dollars at stake as Harrah's challenges state tax bill in midst of N.O. extension talks While asking state lawmakers to grant an early extension of their monopoly license to operate a land casino in New Orleans, the owners of Harr Legislators should put the brakes on this deal until the suit is resolved. A legal challenge by Harrahs to the states ruling that it owes Louisiana a fortune in back taxes should make leaders cautious about the terms of any future dealings with Harrahs. And that caution argues for prudence, not haste, in crafting any new relationship with Harrahs. Last year, Harrahs tried to fast-track an extension to its exclusive contract to operate the New Orleans casino even though its existing agreement doesnt expire for years. That push fell apart after critics began questioning what seemed like a sweetheart deal for the casino. Now, whats presumably a new and improved deal is back before the Legislature, but theres a sticking point. Harrahs is challenging in state court the Louisiana Department of Revenues contention that it owes back taxes to the state for hotel rooms that were comped or discounted a bill that could be as much as $40 million. The new deal for Harrahs being considered at the State Capitol stipulates that the casino wouldnt have to pay those taxes in the future if a state court rules in its favor. The ongoing tax dispute directly affects the Superdome Commission and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, the two state entities that would otherwise be receiving the tax revenues in question. The states existing lease with Harrahs doesnt expire until 2024. Why rush a new deal before a key question about the casinos tax obligations is resolved in court? The allegations against a financial planner charged with rape continue to grow, but a New Orleans judge last week allowed his release on a higher bail and an ankle monitor over a prosecutor's objection. Two more women have now accused William McDonough of rape, according to prosecutors, and his lawyers acknowledge that he violated a court order by contacting one of his accusers this month. Orleans Parish Criminal District Court Judge Tracey Flemings-Davillier called the latest developments troubling, but she declined to revoke McDonoughs bail, instead raising it from $30,000 to $100,000, which he posted. Flemings-Davillier said she balanced the new accusations against McDonoughs behavior in the original case she is overseeing. Mr. McDonough has shown up to each of his court settings, and there has not been any additional allegations of violations with respect to this particular case, she said. Her decision came over the objections of a prosecutor, who asked her at a May 14 court hearing to have McDonough held without bail until a trial. McDonoughs first arrest came in October 2016. A woman said she met him through a dating app and he raped her after they returned to his condo at the Cotton Mill building in the Warehouse District. McDonough owns that condo but lives in Natchez, Mississippi. He has been free on his original $30,000 bail in that case. But earlier this year, another woman accused him of raping her in the same apartment on the night of the Muses parade in late February. 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 Magistrate Commissioner Robert Blackburn set McDonoughs bail at $50,000 in that case and ordered him not to contact the woman. But as his attorneys acknowledge, days after his release McDonough contacted the woman seven times in one night. Meanwhile, Assistant District Attorney Jason Napoli said in court last week that a third woman had come forward to accuse McDonough. The woman said he sexually assaulted her at least two times, and that she also witnessed him having sex with a woman who had passed out, according to Napoli. Napoli said having McDonough out on the streets would be an absolute public safety risk. There's no amount of money that can erase that ... the only solution here is that he be treated like every other rapist in this section and put in jail, Napoli said. However, defense attorney Michael Ciaccio said Flemings-Davillier should take into account that McDonough knew the accuser who had the protective order well. Fellow defense lawyer Frank DeSalvo said the judge could address concerns about McDonoughs risk to public safety by placing him on an ankle monitor. The judge agreed with him. Flemings-Davilliers decision to allow McDonough to be released on bail drew the ire of a civil attorney for his first accuser, who is suing McDonough in Civil District Court. Chris Murell, the former executive director of the Louisiana Capital Appeals Project, said McDonough was the beneficiary of a double standard at the courthouse. After having been involved in public defense for more than a decade at this courthouse, if (accused) serial rapist Will McDonough was not white and privileged, if he was poor, black and indigent, no judge in this courthouse would not have revoked his bond and remanded him, Murell said. Flemings-Davillier, the judge, is black. The latest allegations against McDonough will likely delay his trial in the first case, which had been set for June 4. Prosecutors could now charge him with one or more additional rape counts and protective order violations. A war veteran from Denmark who was vacationing in the United States with a group of fellow motorcycle riders was found fatally shot in New Orleans East over the weekend, officials said Tuesday. Poul Hansen, 44, died after being shot in the head and back. His body was discovered in the 4200 block of America Street about 6 a.m. Saturday, according to the Police Department. Hansen was shot near his hotel, and his belongings turned up missing, which made his loved ones suspect that he died at the hands of a robber, said Mads Pramming, an attorney in Denmark for Hansen's family. Hansen was traveling across the United States on his motorcycle with a group of friends. Pramming said he had little information about the case but noted that Hansen was staying at a Super 8 motel when he was killed. The motel is in the 6300 block of Chef Menteur Highway part of an off-the-beaten-path area where tourists rarely go and which is often the scene of crimes. It is less than a half-mile from the site where Hansen's body was found. New Orleans police haven't identified any suspects or a potential motive in the case. News of Hansen's slaying first surfaced in Danish media reports on Tuesday. The reports said Hansen was reported missing Friday, and his family was informed of his death Monday. 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 Hansen had served in the Danish army in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He is survived by a wife and two children, according to the Danish reports. Pramming said he was working to get Hansen's body returned to Denmark so that he can be buried there. In a Facebook post on Tuesday, a motorcycle riders group composed of Danish war veterans described Hansen as a member. An earlier post from the group, named Blood of Heroes, said fellow riders had shared dinner with Hansen shortly before he separated from the group and went missing. Blood of Heroes asked its members to join the club in supporting Hansen's family through its grief. There have been at least 50 homicides in New Orleans this year as of early Tuesday evening. Anyone with information about Hansen's killing was asked to call Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward. Camberwell Three shops in a row leased to a Curry House restaurant and a newsagent/Tatts outlet at 509-513 Riversdale Road have sold for $4.65 million. A Melbourne-based Malaysian investor bought the row on a yield of 3.7 per cent. The three buildings returned rent of $172,913, CBRE's Rorey James, Nic Hage, JJ Heng and Mark Wizel said. "The purchaser's success was largely due to their confidence in Camberwell .. and their ability to put forward a strong unconditional position with short settlement," Mr James said. A Melbourne-based Malaysian investor bought these three shops in Riversdale Road for $4.65 million. Brunswick East Sales of development sites may have slowed but 368 Lygon Street sold for $2.4 million. The 595 sq m site had a planning permit for a mixed-use development for ground floor retail and apartments over seven levels. Knight Frank's Stephen Kelly and James Thorpe handled the sale in conjunction with S8 Property's Anthony Cementon and Michael Cementon. Cremorne A small, vacant strata office Suite 8 at 100 Dover Street has sold through Colliers International's Andrew Ryan and Raphael Favas for $1.34 million. "The successful purchaser hopes to use the property for his own occupation," Mr Favas said. Dandenong South Cbus Property has made $4.25 million from the sale of an office/warehouse in Estate One, an industrial estate in Melbourne's south. CBRE's Tim Homes, James Jorgensen and Patrick Noone negotiated the sale of 49 Assembly Drive an expressions of interest campaign that attracted three offers - pushing the price $350,000 its initial asking point. The sale translates to an initial yield of 6 per cent based on a lease to International Food Distributors. Notting Hill An investor has snapped up suite 1, 33-37 Duerdin Street, for over $2 million prior to the marketing campaign. The price reflects a yield just above 6 per cent, Knight Franks Matthew Romanin and Nick Bisset said. The sale comes within three weeks of a lease deal being finalised at the property by Patrick Saccardo and Nick Sharkey to Gama Healthcare Australia on a six-year term at a net annual rental of $123,080. LEASES Fitzroy Hipsters, keep reading! Bike retailer and mechanic Just Ride It has leased a 127 sq m space at Shop 2A, 84-104 Johnston Street on a three-year term at $32,000 per annum gross. The bike shop will move from another spot on Brunswick Street after negotiating a deal through Fitzroys' Ervin Niyaz. Armadale Skincare brand Rationale has secured a prized space in tightly held High Street. Fitzroys' Jordan Ceppi negotiated a five-year lease with a five-year option at 1015 High Street at $85,000 per annum net. Rationale took 100 sq m on the ground floor. Mr Ceppi said the lease demonstrated the regard retailers have for High Street's future prospects. Melbourne Ausbiotech will lease 223 sq m in the historic Lombard House at 15-17 Queen Street in a deal negotiated by Colliers International's Zak Seccull, Adam Davy and Brigitte Doupe. AusBiotech took 223 sq m at gross face rent of $535 per sq m after relocating from 627 Chapel Street in South Yarra. Hawthorn Relocating from Ivanhoe, a private accounting firm has leased the ground floor at 302-320 Burwood Road in a five-year deal struck at rent of $523 per sq m. Gorman Commercial's David Minton said the deal signed within two weeks of the property being marketed. In another Hawthorn East deal , Mr Minton and Tom Maule negotiated a lease for 3B Cato Street to Vance Logistics at $150,000 per annum for the 980 sq m office/warehouse. Nearby, Suite 203 at 12-14 Cato Street has leased ASX listed Think Childcare as their new Melbourne head office. The 113 sq m suite leased for $38,000 per annum, Mr Minton said. Accounting firm BR Wellington will move into a vacant two-level commercial building at 177 Burnley Street. Richmond A vacant two-level commercial building at 177 Burnley Street on the corner of Palmer Street has leased to accounting firm BR Wellington Pty Ltd. The deal negotiated by Gray Johnson's Rory White will see BR Wellington occupy the 1970s office on a 10-year lease at a commencing annual rental of $320,000 net plus GST. Nunawading Stationery wholesaler RZY Enterprises will relocate to larger premises at Unit 11/41-49 Norcal Road. The showroom/office/warehouse leased for about $100 per sq m on a three-year term, Gorman Commercial's Dean Alexander said. South Yarra Colliers International's James McMahon and Ash Dean have leased a 151 sq m office at 5 Claremont Street to The Players Tribune. The new media company signed a two-year least at gross face rent of $637 per sq m. "The tenant was attracted to the added amenity available at this building, which includes a gym, pool and sauna," Mr McMahon said. Richmond Milk tea brand Sharetea has taken a 45 sq m space at 132 Victoria Street on annual rent of $60,000. CBRE's Tan Thach, Zelman Ainsworth and Jason Orenbuch negotiated the seven-year deal. Thornbury Production company Reveal Productions Pty Ltd has leased an office/warehouse at 349A Darebin Road. Gray Johnson's Rory White said Reveal signed a 4+4 year deal at annual rental of $81,000 net with fixed 3.25 per cent increases. To facilitate the move, the new tenant got a month rent-free. Neighbourhood shopping strips are fighting back by attracting cafes and eateries to serve local communities and eschewing competition with shopping centres for apparel and other discretionary tenants. The advent of more pedestrian walkways and development of apartment blocks with fewer cars has seen locals preferring to stay put and do big weekly shops Monday to Friday and later at night. Many neighbourhood strips have been hard hit in the past few years by the arrival of new malls such as Westfield Bondi Junction, but a demand from residents to create more intimate community centres has led to a revival of these areas. Two retail investments at 146 and 148 Queen Street in Woollahra are for sale. It has led to a decline in vacancies, with the arrival of more entertainment, leisure and health, and beauty tenants. Supermarket giant Woolworths has continued a major real estate divestment as it battles resurgent rival Coles for market dominance, selling two strategic supermarkets on the outskirts of Geelong for a combined $38 million. The retailers latest divestments include a full-line freestanding supermarket in Lara, south-west of Melbourne, and a Woolworths-anchored neighbourhood shopping centre in Curlewis, east of Geelong on the Bellarine Peninsula. Woolworths is selling two strategic supermarkets on the outskirts of Geelong. Credit:Patrick Scala We have decided to sell ... following an opportunity to enter into agreements that will retain the tenure of these two properties through long-term leases, Woolworths said. We are continually looking for opportunities to maximise value for our customers, team members, shareholders, and the communities we serve. Ronaldo quickly noticed the local impact of Google's decision to hold back elements of its popular Android system from Chinese phone maker Huawei. Since news of Google's intentions emerged over the weekend, in the wake of Donald Trump's blacklisting of Huawei, Ronaldo says he'd seen a surge in Huawei phones being offered for sale on online marketplaces. Ronaldo [R], with brother Angelo, says he'd be selling his phone if he owned a Huawei handset. Credit:Paul Sakkal "I've seen this morning people have started selling their Huawei phones on the market there's a spike of people getting rid of them it's what I'd be doing too I'd sell," said the 43-year-old. The impact of the change is not entirely clear, particularly after the US president temporarily delayed the ban, but many experts tip that future Huawei smartphones will not receive updates of Google's Android operating system and would not be able to access its app store. The operator of Super Max Coffee Pty Ltd, trading as Mitte Cafe in Fitzroy North, has committed to complying with workplace laws after the Fair Work Ombudsman found it had underpaid 32 staff a total of $37,520. Fair Work Inspectors found the company failed to pay workers minimum casual loadings, overtime rates and penalty rates for weekends and public holidays under the Restaurant Industry Award. A Melbourne cafe operator has entered into an enforceable undertaking to comply with fair work laws after the Fair Work Ombudsman found it had allegedly underpaid its workers. Credit:Jason South The casual employees worked in customer service, as cooks and kitchen attendants when they were allegedly underpayed between July 2017 and June last year. Twelve workers were aged under 26. The Fair Work Ombudsman said a 21-year-old worker was underpaid $3582 after being paid hourly rates of $23 on weekends when entitled to $28.22, and $31.50 on public holidays despite being owed $47.03. Robbie Arnott had some sort of eureka moment while he was on a road trip and listening to an audio version of Raymond Chandler's The Big Sleep. He'd read the master of noir before but it wasn't until he listened to Chandler's prose being read aloud that he realised how funny he could be. It was a liberating discovery. "I realised that I could have fun in my writing," Arnott says. The Hobart author's first book, Flames, is one of 10 novels named on the longlist for this year's Miles Franklin Literary Award, Australia's most significant literary prize and worth $60,000 to the winner. The other nine books are: The Lebs, Michael Mohammed Ahmad; Boy Swallows Universe, Trent Dalton; A Sand Archive, Gregory Day; Inappropriation, Lexi Freiman; A Stolen Season, Rodney Hall; The Death of Noah Glass, Gail Jones; Too Much Lip, Melissa Lucashenko; Dyschronia, Jennifer Mills, and The Lucky Galah, Tracy Sorensen. Far-right activist Neil Erikson has admitted making up a story about a "secret meeting" with WA Liberal MPs Andrew Hastie and Ian Goodenough, which sparked a media frenzy during the federal election campaign. In a YouTube video called "The media are idiots", which was published on polling day, Mr Erikson said he made up the lie to distract journalists from his support for failed senate candidate Fraser Anning. Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Liberal MP Andrew Hastie during the campaign. Credit:Mick Tsikas Mr Erikson, who was involved in a fracas after Senator Anning was egged by a teenager, was convicted of racial vilification in 2017 for staging a mock beheading in protest at plans to build a mosque. "I felt really bad for the [Senator Anning] because I've really had no conversations with him at all, I just support him, but it didn't stop the media claiming we were besties," Mr Erikson said in the video. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been told it is "very unlikely" he can convene Parliament before June 30 in a danger sign for his ability to legislate income tax cuts for millions of workers due to take effect on July 1. The delay has forced the government to look at retrospective action to ensure ten million workers receive a tax offset in their tax returns worth up to $1080 a year and promised in the April 2 budget. One option is to pay a "supplementary" offset to workers after the law is changed in the new financial year to account for the tax relief promised to them for this financial year. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has conceded Parliament cannot return before the end of June. Credit:AAP Mr Morrison said voters wanted their politicians to go "back to work" after Saturdays election but cautioned on Monday night that it would be difficult to convene the Parliament next month. Theres an old saying that goes something like: if everyone you come across is a problem, maybe youre the problem. Replace problem with extremist, and you have the 2019 Labor party in a nutshell. On May 1, an Australian Associated Press story was syndicated across countless mastheads, entitled The Liberal Party is riddled with right-wing extremists: Shorten. It was Bill Shortens most explicit attempt to tar the entire Liberal Party with the extremist brush and followed his previous characterisations of people who disagreed with him as knuckle draggers and cave dwellers. The only way Shorten and his team of social justice crusaders (not forgetting their proudly urban-left NSW Labor counterparts like Penny Sharpe) can honestly believe this, is if they are profoundly out of touch with millions of working Australians. The Liberal Party has retained the eastern Melbourne seat of Chisholm with the electoral authority calling the result on Tuesday afternoon to hand a clear majority to Scott Morrison's re-elected Coalition government. Gladys Liu has won the Melbourne seat of Chisholm, giving Scott Morrison the 76 seats he needs for a Parliamentary majority. Credit:AAP The Prime Minister now has 76 seats in Parliament's lower house, and his party is leading the count in two other seats Bass in Tasmania and Macquarie in NSW, putting a total of 78 seats well in sight. The Liberal Party's candidate Gladys Liu took the seat of Chisholm after trailing her Labor challenger Jennifer Yang in early counting. Chris Bowen fears the Labor Party is not "talking the right language" to the working people it has represented for years including some of those in the western Sydney suburb where he was born and raised. Bowen has joined the contest for the Labor leadership with a call to broaden the party's appeal to its traditional "base" in the suburbs and regions of the country, far from the more comfortable parts of the big cities. Chris Bowen believes that Labor's election loss was about campaign tactics, not policy alone. Credit:AAP He believes all policies should be up for review, accepts responsibility for Labor's contentious franking credits proposal, believes a strong position on climate change is vital and thinks a clearer position is needed on the Adani coal mine. But he also believes that Labor's election loss was about campaign tactics, not policy alone. The flu, an annual plague that claims twice as many lives as road carnage, has struck relatively early and alarmingly hard this year, adding urgency to the importance of getting vaccinated, the most effective protection individually and collectively. Everyone is at risk, but the young, the elderly, Indigenous Australians and those with chronic ill health are particularly vulnerable. Anyone with a chronic health problem is 40 times more likely than average to contract the illness. Pregnant women should also make sure they are vaccinated, doctors say. Getting vaccinated helps you and your community. Credit:Justin McManus All this, surely, should give the fortunately robust members of the herd, as health experts explain it, an attractive reason to inoculate themselves primarily to protect others. Yet only an estimated one in 10 does so for that primal motivation. There is much room for life-saving progress. Vaccination has a 70per cent success rate, yet a recent survey found that only 40per cent of adults intend to get jabbed, and only one in 10 reckons children should be. This is not so much about ideology (for anti-vaxxers are few and discredited), but, perhaps, apathy and unawareness. Nationally, more than 60 people have died of flu before the onset of the winter peak, including children. Stricken aged-care residents have died in alarmingly high numbers already, and the danger presented by this perpetually mutating killer virus is pertinent to the royal commission into the sector. Loading The risk must not be ignored, for the potential consequences are evident and vaccination is free to many and affordable to most of those who might not be eligible for full government subsidisation. This year flu is expected to cause or contribute to the death of as many as 4000 Australian residents, up a quarter on what is already a chilling annual average. There have been more than 45,000 laboratory-confirmed cases so far in 2019, an almost threefold increase on the same period in recent years. Health experts say the number of flu cases already this year is the highest in 20 years, and they are imploring people to take one for the herd, if not for themselves. Most states and territories offer free flu shots to cohorts considered most vulnerable. Many businesses offer free flu shots to their staff. We continue to argue the vaccination be totally free to everyone. This would not only save lives, but minimise the cost to the economy and the pressure on hospitals already struggling with patient loads. Mining magnate Clive Palmer recently spent an estimated $80 million on a political comeback bid that failed come election day on Saturday. But just months ago, his representatives unsuccessfully argued in the mining wardens court that Mr Palmers private company Mineralogy was so starved for funds it couldnt afford $50,000 to meet the conditions of a mining lease in Western Australia. Mineralogy is Clive Palmer's private company. Credit:Photo: Rob Homer Warden John OSullivan concluded the claim was not the reason for inaction on the tenement in question and that there was evidence to conclude it was being "warehoused". The Mining Act aims to ensure a tenant unable to exploit mineral resources should give way to someone else, not "go to sleep" on their rights and obligations; yet the industry is rife with "warehousing", a practice also known as squatting or parking essentially sitting on an exploration tenement to stop others using it. At a state funeral conducted by Pastor Walter Sholl in Lang Lang in May, he was remembered as an active minister of agriculture from 1982-85 during the Cain Labor government in Victoria, and a member of the synod of the Anglican diocese in Gippsland for more than 40 years. Daniel Eric Kent,who died recently just short of his 100th birthday, always claimed he had a fortunate life. Born on June 30, 1919, to Sophie (nee Menzel) and Daniel Kent, Eric had the advantage of loving, caring and intelligent parents, who he credited with fostering his Christian, socialist outlook. His commitment to Christianity was informed by his ecumenical upbringing in both the Lutheran and Anglican churches. Jordan Crugnale, MP, member for Bass, represented the Premier, while Squadron Leader Leonie Auld represented the Governor. Former premier John Cain attended and former deputy premier Robert Fordham gave a tribute. Bishop Richard Treloar gave a blessing and the Koo Wee Rup Secondary College Symphonic Band, under the direction of Claudia Barker led the music. Growing up in the wheat and sheep farming area of the Wimmera, Eric became involved in church, sporting and agricultural organisations and took an interest in politics from an early age. During drought times in the 1940s he drove his sheep around the Koo Wee Rup swamp, and occasionally worked on the asparagus farms. He felt this area was less risky for farming. So, just 70 years ago when he married the lovely Bette Wallis from Warracknabeal, they commenced farming near Lang Lang, west Gippsland, a place that promised green and fertile land. Their involvement in community continued while they raised three children: Elizabeth (Hartnell-Young), Kathryn (Kent Evans) and Stephen (Kent). Tributes to Eric noted that what he believed came, not so much from his heart, nor from his mind, nor from abstract principle, but from his conscience. He was essentially a moral person. Stoicism and persistence were two of Eric's strongest characteristics. After standing unsuccessfully as an ALP candidate for federal or state parliament three times, he was unexpectedly elected as a member of the Legislative Council for Gippsland in 1970 and became a shadow minister in several portfolios. When he was defeated at the 1976 election, he bided his time until the opportunity came to stand for Chelsea province, which he won in 1979. An elderly man who headed the strata committee of a Manly apartment building has been awarded $120,000 in damages after a court found he was defamed by an email from a fellow tenant that implied he was a "small-minded busybody" wasting residents' time on petty matters. Gary Raynor, 78, sued his fellow tenant, Patricia Murray, over a May 2017 email she sent to Mr Raynor and their neighbours in which she asked him to stop emailing her about locking her mailbox. A strata committee wrangle at a Manly apartment block has resulted in a significant defamation payout. Credit:James Brickwood "To avoid further harassment, Ive not replied to your provoking mailbox emails," Ms Murray said. "However, your consistent attempt to shame me publicly is cowardly. It is also offensive, harassing and menacing through the use of technology to threaten me. Please stop!" A Queensland police officer was standing and talking with a group of colleagues when another officer walking past reached out and grabbed her breast. When she swore at him, he said, "I'm sorry. I thought you were (a male officer)." Jamie Mark Hayward was found guilty after a trial in Brisbane District Court last year of indecently assaulting the officer at Browns Plains police station in April 2017. On Tuesday, the Queensland Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal against his conviction. At trial, the woman testified that Hayward stopped by the group, stood in front of her and grabbed the front part of her left breast in a pinching motion. The commissioner running the inquiry into informers has suggested senior police deliberately withheld an "uncomfortable" and "controversial" letter from a homicide detective that lay secret from the hearings for more than four months. Commissioner Margaret McMurdo also described her attempts to manage an onslaught of applications for secrecy orders as akin to a boxer fighting a match with one hand tied behind his back and the other bruised and bleeding. Her comments came as a statement from media lawyers accused Victoria Police of running "a new regime of secrecy". On Tuesday the commission heard that in January detective Sol Solomon gave a letter to Victoria Police clarifying his relationship with Nicola Gobbo. This letter wasnt passed on to the commission, which became aware of its existence only this week. Four days after a federal election, Philip Lowe decided to give his most political of speeches. The Reserve Bank governor, having stayed on the sidelines through the past 5 weeks - including most contentiously during the board's most recent meeting - delivered some big home truths to the freshly re-elected Morrison government. A cut in interest rates, most likely next month, was not the biggest surprise of his speech in Brisbane on Tuesday. Markets, following a weak inflation report and the second consecutive monthly increase in unemployment, had factored in a rate cut was coming. In fact, they reckon there are two coming this year. Australia last year in effect banned the use of Chinese telco Huawei's equipment in the nation's 5G mobile network, which will power data-hungry new technologies such as self-driving cars, artificial intelligence and smart cities. It was a decision made on clearly spelt out national security grounds. A company that is based in China and subject to laws there that would enable Beijing in a future strategic confrontation to direct the firm to carry out hostile actions such as shutting the network down, is too great a risk. The technology race lies at the heart of Donald Trump and Xi Jinping's deepening stand-off over trade. Credit:AP But beneath and beyond the 5G decision is a bigger issue. Through intellectual property theft, subsidies to state champion companies and the compulsion for foreign firms in China to hand over their secrets, China stands accused of playing unfairly to get ahead. Now the US is starting to bite back. And the fear among many international observers, including officials in Canberra, is that Washington is doing so in a way that promotes its own interests in redressing the trade imbalance - Donald Trump's pet hate - between China and the US. Defeated Labor leader Bill Shorten has stunned colleagues by actively involving himself in the selection of his successor and attempting to hinder the run of left-wing powerbroker Anthony Albanese, whose quest for the top job has won a significant endorsement from senior members of the party's NSW right faction. Tony Burke, a cabinet minister in the Rudd and Gillard governments, is declaring his support within the party for Mr Albanese and is leading a revolt within the NSW right faction to get behind the left-winger instead of the right's own Chris Bowen. Bill Shorten has lobbied MPs to drum up support for candidates other than his rival Anthony Albanese. Credit:AAP Mr Albanese has also won the support of left-wing frontbencher Penny Wong and NSW right senator Kristina Keneally, who said Mr Albanese was the best person to "reframe our policy", listen to members and "reconnect with working people who did not vote for us". It is understood finance spokesman Jim Chalmers, who was openly canvassing support for the top job, will fall in line behind Mr Bowen to avoid further splitting the right-wing vote. A top Treasury official has warned of a possible "war of technology" between the United States and China that could divide the world and harm growth in countries such as Australia. Underscoring the precarious international environment the re-elected Morrison government faces, Treasury deputy secretary Meghan Quinn said Australia needed to voice its concerns about the increasing fractiousness around technology by promoting international institutions to deal with disputes. The prospect that the US government would cut off the supply of components to Huawei appears part of a looming technology war. Credit:AP Technology rivalry is central to the trade war between Washington and Beijing, as seen in the series of blows the US has delivered to Chinese tech giant Huawei in the past fortnight. Addressing a forum at the Australian National University this week, Ms Quinn said whatever happened in the current trade war, competition between the US and China would continue, technology was central to the dispute and this was "very concerning". Bogota, Colombia: With Julian Assange locked away in a London jail, a new battle has broken out over what may contain some of the WikiLeaks founder's biggest secrets: his computers. British police guard the Ecuadorian embassy as protesters supporting WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange hold a demonstration. Credit:AP On Monday, judicial authorities from Ecuador carried out an inventory of all the belongings and digital devices left behind at the London embassy following his expulsion last month from the diplomatic compound that had been his home the past seven years. It came as Sweden announced it was seeking Assange's arrest on suspicion of rape, setting up a possible future tug of war with the United States over any extradition of Assange from Britain. It's not known what devices authorities removed from the embassy or what information they contained. But authorities said they were acting on a request by the US prosecutors, leading Assange's defenders to claim that Ecuador has undermined the most basic principles of asylum while denying the secret-spiller's right to prepare his defence. Would you like to receive our daily news? Signup today! Sign up to receive notifications when a new Columbia Gorge News e-Edition is published. Error! There was an error processing your request. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. News and Info from our Community Partners Information from the News and our advertisers (Want to add your business to this to this feed?) During College Stations event, Superintendent Clark Ealy instructed the students to look at the name at the bottom of the award. The name which is often that of a former or current educator, teacher or board member is on a scholarship because they left a lasting legacy in someones life, he said. If you take anything from this evening, students, I want you to take this: When you grow up and go to college, graduate and become a success, youll go to a community, he said. Maybe some of you will come back here, but many of you will go across America or across the world. Wherever you go, make an impact where you go. Plant yourself in that community; give back in the same way these donors that you see sitting before you have given back to their community. Thats the legacy that they would want you to have, and thats the legacy I challenge you to have as you go forward from this evening and you go forward from College Station ISD. When we served, there were service members who didnt come back with us when we came back from a tour in Iraq, Aguilar said. Walking these few miles is nothing compared to what some of these families and first responders and military veterans have to go through. Bryan resident Adam Hartman carried a backpack displaying the name and rank of his late next-door neighbor, retired Airborne Ranger Douglas Sanders. When one of Hartmans three sons was struggling in school, Sanders encouraged him to consider military service, ultimately leading him to a career as a nuclear mechanic with the U.S. Navy. If it wasnt for my next-door neighbor, I dont know what my son would have done, Hartman said. I appreciate what he did for our country, and I appreciate what he did for my family. According to Hartman, events like Mondays walk can help serve as a unifying force at a time when the nation appears to be pulled apart by political conflict. [When] you come out here and take part in something like this, it doesnt matter who you voted for, what party you belong to, Hartman said. Its just American people being thankful for being Americans, being thankful for first responders and being thankful for the sacrifices that our military makes. Its very refreshing. In China, she said, educators have a central office where they prepare lesson plans. The students stay together for three years in one classroom. Class sizes are also much larger in China, Liu said, with some classrooms having as many as 50 students. Despite the difficulties, she has enjoyed that the job allows her to be creative and said she continues learning every day. Even though we have our lesson plans in advance, I still make changes every day because different people have different needs, Liu said. For most of her students, who all speak English, Spanish or are trilingual, the hardest part is moving away from the alphabets they are used to and memorizing the Mandarin characters, which she admits can be a little bit boring. Bryan High School freshman Olivia Cole said Liu makes learning fun with games and activities. We are able to learn without even realizing how much we are learning because it is so much fun, Cole said. In class, we not only learn the language, but the culture as well by learning about geography, food, architecture and communication. Being in her class feels like being on a team. Last Saturday, the Austrian government, made up of the main bourgeois party, OVP and right-wing Freedom Party (FPO), stepped down and announced re-elections. In a spontaneous demonstration, 10,000 people gathered in Vienna to celebrate. This is a setback for the bourgeois bloc, who have been diligently working on attacking the working class to prepare the capitalists for the next crisis. But it was not the mobilised working class who brought down the government, and the capitalists and their politicians are adamant on continuing their agenda. The Left, starting with the Socialist Youth, must use this opening to bring down the bourgeois bloc for real. On Friday evening, two German media sources published short excerpts of a several-hour-long, secretly filmed video. The Ibiza video features FPO politicians Heinz-Christian Strache and Johann Gudenus hinting that corporations purchased favourable legislation via party donations. Strache named several Austrian corporations and personalities who enforced their interests in this way. Despite Straches boasting, he also gives away that these donors not only finance his party but all of them. He mentions the weapons producer Glock, the property speculator Rene Benko and the billionaire Heidi Horten, as well as the gambling group Novomatic. The secretly filmed 'Ibiza affair' video features two FPO politicians hinting that corporations purchased favourable legislation via donations / Image: fair use Besides specific laws, these ladies and gentlemen also anticipate lower taxes for the rich. Furthermore, Strache raises the prospect of privatisation (of drinking water, for example), handing over part of the public news channel ORF to the Red Bull-billionaire Didi Mateschitz (who calls himself Red Bull Boy) and bribes for public infrastructure projects. He talks about buying media content and journalists and shows particular interest in controlling the biggest tabloid in Austria, Kronen Zeitung. The two politicians, Strache and Gudenus, are visibly under the influence of drugs and negotiate with someone they believe to be a rich, Russian oligarch, allegedly looking for new possibilities in Austria. In fact, it is an actress, who for months played her part in this charade. Liberalism and the EU vs. nationalism and populism This video is now being publicly used to bring down Strache and to weaken the populists in Europe. Here, we see a conflict carried out within the ruling class, between the nationalist-demagogic capitalists on one side and the liberal-multilateral oriented capitalists on the other. The timing is obvious: this coming weekend, the EU elections will take place, where the functionality of the European Union, and with it the competitiveness of the European capital in the international trade war, are at stake. The capitalists want to prevent an electoral victory for Salvini, Le Pen, Strache etc. They want to guarantee that important political positions will be filled with persons they deem trustworthy. The capitalists in Europe want a functioning, strong EU, that can assert its interests within and outside the EU without making too much noise. Such as it was during the Greek debt crisis, when a country and its people were sacrificed for the stability of European banks. Its no secret that this political status-quo is also being defended by manipulating the public debate. It has been openly declared by the EU-commission and the French president Macron (written in his open letter to the citizens of Europe). While Strache now tries to one-sidedly present himself as a victim of a conspiracy, the liberal media styles the FPO as the sole traitors of the nation. Many international commentators (such as Angela Merkel) emphasise the danger of populism in general, and Russian lobbying in particular (such as the New York Times). The latter is a particularly flimsy argument since the only Russian aspect of the fateful night in Ibiza was the vodka. Both interpretations are one-sided and conceal more than they explain. But put together they paint a picture a little closer to the truth. Yes, the timely publication of the Ibiza-Tape serves political interests, and yes, they represent the general truth, which is that capitalists and their political staff engage in constant horse tradings amongst each other to serve their interests and manage their shared exploitation for the working class, which they all regard with contempt. Fake oligarchs vs. regular democratic exercise of power The Conservative Party (OVP) exceeded the legal election campaign spending by almost double (specifically, by 6 million Euros) in 2017, and their funds are not transparent. The political homepage of Blumel, an associate of Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, owns a certain Society for Supporting Bourgeois Policies whose address is the same as the OVP-headquarters. For what might he use such complicated legal constructions? After all, Blumel is chairman of the OVP-Vienna, so why the need for an additional Society as a political platform? Consider the independent Kronen Zeitung. Estate speculator Rene Benko now owns one-quarter of this media machine and is fighting in court for full control. Benko belongs to the circle of businessmen around OVP-chancellor Sebastian Kurz, who helped him personally in securing a highly lucrative estate-deal in an expensive shopping area in Vienna. Kurz called this service-oriented administration. International pressure played an important part in Kurz's decision to call for re-elections after the revelation of the Ibiza-Tape / Image: Image PoR One more political event last week also reveals the bankruptcy of bourgeois democracy. The Department for Prosecution of Economy and Corruption indicted their own head, the highest justice official of the republic, Christian Pilnacek, who is general secretary in the OVP-led Ministry of Justice. Pilnacek is accused of impeding a long-lasting corruption investigation around an arms purchase that happened during the last OVP/Freedom Party government in 2002. Where is the liberal outcry against corruption in this case? Why is chancellor Kurz worried about the independence of the judiciary and the police in the case of the Ibiza-Tapes, but at the same time protects this high-ranking justice official who is close to the OVP? The list of hypocrisy is endless and only leads to one conclusion: Kurz is just like Strache, but with real power in the state apparatus, real influence on the media and real support from the capitalists, as opposed to the wannabes from the Freedom Party. The Ibiza-Tape doesnt show the power of the Freedom Party but their impotence in elite circles, and their incompetence. Their connection to the capitalists is weaker. The real politics, in the interest of stability and profits for the capitalist system, are being organised via the OVP. Manoeuvres in the interest of the capitalist system Its unclear why liberal European strategists (whose main profiteer is Germany) chose Austria to make an example of. But objectively, Austria still has some room to improve the general situation of European capital. For one, there is the Russia-affinity of Austria. Only this week, Austrias Green president, Alexander Van der Bellen assured Russias president Putin of his continued partnership. To be more exact, president Van der Bellen spoke against the EU sanctions against Russia and in favour of the gas-pipeline-project Nord Stream 2. After all, Austrias most important banking group, Raiffeisen bank, makes 40 percent of their profits in Russia and the export market to Russia is booming, despite the EU-sanctions. The Austrian oil and gas company OMV is financially invested in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. But Germany is against this pipeline and is bothered by the Kurz-governments obstinacy in this matter. Also, Austrias secret service has been cut off internationally from the West for a few months already, because its seen as an open door for Putins secret agencies. There is much celebration over Strache's political demise, but it was not forced by the working class, and could turn into a Pyrrhic victory if the left doesn't go on the offensive / Image: Christian Jansky Additionally, the OVP is still a stable bourgeois party that can be improved in the interests of European (German) capital without plunging Austria in a deep political crisis. At the same time, the Austrian Social Democracy is dutifully ready to solve any crisis in the name of stability and reason. In Italy, Hungary, Romania and Poland there is no such option for the capitalists in all of these countries, capitalists have to govern with and through the so-called populists. Great Britain has already been lost. President of the EU-commission, Juncker, said it was one of his biggest mistakes not to have intervened in the Brexit-debacle more decisively. Apparently, the elite has learned from the British chaos and now acts more proactively. Then there is the specific political culture in Austria that always oscillates between fantasies of grandeur and an inferiority complex particularly toward our German neighbours. Sebastian Kurz tried over the recent years to step on Angela Merkel's toes when speaking in talk shows or Bavarian conservative party meetings. The German government repeatedly let their irritations known and told him to stop these games. International pressure played an important part in Kurzs decision to call for re-elections after the revelation of the Ibiza-Tape. Lastly, we shouldnt forget about the role of the individual. One doesnt have to be an expert to realise that Strache & Co are entirely open to the influence of money, power and seduction (the video shows Strache repeatedly commenting on the fake Russian oligarch: Damn shes hot.) When Strache started to suspect a trap (because the toenails of the oligarch-actress werent manicured, befitting a rich lady), his polit-groupie Gudenus assured him: This isnt a trap. Strache thus continued to spill stories a perfect victim to the plot. Kurzs strategy: flight forward We are told that Kurz had a warning before everyone else found out about the video in the news. His first idea was to continue the coalition government, while changing some ministers. However, the Freedom Party refused to sacrifice their theoretical head and Minister of the Interior, Herbert Kickl. Him leaving would likely have split the party, although it would have been the preferred solution for the bourgeoisie. The Federation of Austrian Industries had already publicly approved this procedure. It would have been an easy game for Kurz, who couldve basically governed as a single-party administration. But as this coup was denied by the FPO, Kurz started to work on his re-election speech. He presented himself as a long-suffering victim of the countless isolated cases of racist and fascist clangers by the FPO. But to continue the amazing success story of his political line (i.e. attacks on the workers), he said he would now choose the path of re-elections. In the same speech, he appealed to the voters to increase their support for him. He said he couldnt govern with todays Freedom Party, not with the Social Democracy with their different political approach and not with other parties (such as the neoliberal NEOS), because they are too small. At the same time, he talked about protection from migration, upcoming tax decreases and used coded anti-semitic language while attacking the Social Democrats. Kurz is in the course of re-organising the bourgeois block. His plan is to increase his votes and arrange for some majority provider such as the neoliberal outfit NEOS and to continue his onslaught against workers rights and the welfare state. Social Democrats could sink Kurz A serious opposition could now expose all the manifest contradictions within the government and the state apparatus and massively weaken both major bourgeois parties the FPO as well as the OVP. For this, they should direct the public debate towards the obvious hypocrisy of both. But even this purely democratic question is too much for the SPO-leadership. They didnt demand re-elections but waited for hours and hours until Kurz did it himself first. Their accusations were purely directed towards the FPO and even then, they didnt attack them with political arguments but by simply reporting them to the Department for Prosecution of Economy and Corruption the very same department that indicted its own head to for corruption in the interest of the conservative party only this week! SP party chairwoman, Pamela Rendi Wagner, stubbornly stuck to the idea of being incorporated into a future government come the next elections / Image: SPO Presse und Kommunikation While tens of thousands of people celebrated and demonstrated on the streets after the demise of Strache, the SPO leadership didnt manage to connect to this mood to finish off this anti-working-class government. They only hope is to be incorporated into a future government come the next elections. This is in line with their general orientation towards social partnership and the state apparatus. Even after Kurz declined any cooperation with the SP in his re-election speech, the SP party chairwoman Pamela Rendi-Wagner stubbornly stuck to this idea. If this continues, Straches fall will turn out to be a Pyrrhic victory. It will result only in strengthening Kurz and the neoliberal NEOS party and also the stabilisation of the Freedom Party. The orientation of the SP-leadership directly prepares for a second Kurz government, and as such, a government of cuts and of slashing social and democratic rights. The liberal indignation will die away and the working class will be defenceless in the face of the reorganised bourgeois bloc. But this is not inevitable. The ongoing political conflict is a struggle between bourgeois factions, re-organising their power amongst themselves. What we need is an offensive of the working class on the basis of social issues and class struggle, instead of participating in the corrupt capitalist state apparatus. The re-elections will only change the status quo if a new programme can be pushed through within the workers movement. This is only possible by openly opposing the SP-leadership. Democratic control and expropriation are in order! It is thus the task of the Left to use this crisis of the bourgeois to launch an offensive struggle with the correct orientation. This way, we can weaken capitalism and its exercise of power via the state. Within the first few hours of the governments crisis, we saw that the Socialist Youth (SJ) would be in a position to do just that. The SJ, together with other SP-youth organisations, called for a demonstration in front of the Chancellors Office and 10,000 people followed this spontaneous call. The SJ leader, Julia Herr, received rapturous applause. Her speech made the following points: No to a government that can be bought! No to both OVP and FPO! The rich give you money and you deliver. Your donors wanted the 12-hour working day, you are implementing it! Your donors wanted to smash the health insurance so that private insurance companies can make profits. You delivered. Your donors wanted low taxes on profits, you deliver and want to lower the tax! This is, in the abstract, a correct position. But what does it mean, concretely, to fight against a government that can be bought? It is not enough to say the right things, now is the time to start as big a campaign as possible to fight against the status quo. The first task is to openly argue for the overthrow of the government. In the current situation, this can even be done via the parliament. The Freedom Party hinted that they might support a vote of no confidence against Kurz, because all of their ministers were forced to resign. Such a vote of no confidence was announced not by the SP but by a Green-Party split called Jetzt! (Now!). Will the SP support this vote? Only if they are forced to by events. The SJ head, Herr, has a responsibility to take concrete steps in the struggle against the OVP/FPO-government, for which she and the SJ stand. She should demand the following: overthrow Kurz by supporting the vote of no confidence. SJ leader, Julia Herr, was rapturously received at a spontaneously called assembly of 10,000 people within hours of the government's crisis breaking out. She must translate words into action / Image: SPO Presse und Kommunikation With this, Kurz would be the shortest-serving Chancellor in the history of Austria, and this is exactly what we want. This could serve as a 180 turn on social and environmental issues, and could overcome the divisive ideology of racism. Take back all the counter-reforms! Get rid of the 12-hour-working-day. Full control of social and health insurance by the insured instead of representatives of the capitalists. Take back the cuts in the basic income for the poor and ill. Against racist division of the working class and against the strengthening of repression: take back the headscarf ban in kindergartens, the mounted police unit and the use of hollow-point bullets. It is now necessary to concretely test the opposition parties, including the SP, in their reaction to these demands. The trade union leaders have now a historic chance to make good on their promise of last year by starting a massive campaign to reintroduce the 8-hour-working-day. The fact that the metal industry boss Collini already announced that he wanted to cancel the collective bargaining round this autumn is enough reason to go into a strong offensive. This can and should be demanded by trade union members, shop stewards and trade union officials. For a socialist programme! How can we ensure that a future left government will not be bought by the capitalists? After all, laws for party finance transparency and anti-corruption laws obviously dont work. Democratic control is only possible if the financial practices of the capitalists are mercilessly opened up to the public. Open the books! The capitalists called out in the Ibiza-Tape are only the tip of the iceberg. We know how big capital, such as the Raiffeisen bank & Co., have the politicians in their pockets. We dont trust the judiciary, who cover the powerful and only go after the corrupt, drunken smallfry. We want shop stewards, trade unions and activists not only to get access to the books and insight into the capitalists power plays, we also want to report this to the public. We want to know for sure who the buyers of political power and policies are and we argue for their full expropriation without compensation under workers control and the public. Looks like no Insta stories (to make your friends jealous) are happening at this music festival! Organisers of the FLY Open Air Festival in Edinburgh have decided to ban the use of mobile phones so people will "actually live in the moment". Attendees will be given a security case for their phone which automatically locks when entering the festival. 2 Brooklyn Hasidic Jewish Teens, 16, Chased by Men in Car Shouting Allah Akbar, We Love Hitler Two Jewish teens have been targeted in New Yorks latest anti-Semitic hate crime incident as they walked home in Brooklyn on May 18. The two Hasidic boys, who were walking near Borough Park at around 1:30 a.m local time, were left terrified when they were harassed by a group of four men who shouted Allah Akbar at them from a car. The pair ran away in terror, but were followed by the car while one of the men yelled, Do you know Hitler? We love Hitler! before they drove off, the Yeshiva World reported. HASIDIC TEENS HARASSED IN BROOKLYN: 4 MEN IN CAR YELL ALLAH AKBAR AND DO YOU KNOW HITLER? WE LOVE HITLER! I joined the victims at the @NYPD66Pct where this is being taken very seriously and being referred to @NYPDHateCrimes Unit. We must deal with the source of antisemitism pic.twitter.com/PfBBgNE3b6 Dov Hikind (@HikindDov) May 19, 2019 It comes as another Hasidic man in his thirties came forward on May 19 to say he was also targeted in a similar attack. He said he was just several blocks away from the site of the first reported assault and at around a similar time, when four men in a vehicle of the same description drove up to him and shouted, [expletive removed] Jews! and Allah Akbar at him, before they drove away. Local police were notified of the initial incident when one of the targeted teens parents contacted former New York state Assemblyman Dov Hikind, who then accompanied them to the local NYPD precinct to file a report. UPDATE: SECOND VICTIM COMES FORWARD Another Hasidic man claims to have been harassed by a group of men in a car who yelled Fing Jews! and Allah Akbar at him. This victim has also reported to police, widening the ongoing Hate Crime investigation. If anyone has info pl DM. https://t.co/LOmbv7bM0K Dov Hikind (@HikindDov) May 19, 2019 The initial incident is being referred to the NYPDs Bias Unit as the use of a vehicle constituted a physical threat, according to the Yeshiva World. Police have opened an ongoing Hate Crime investigation and will look into the second incident. In a press release on the incident, Hikind said the anti-Semitic attacks seem to be totally out of control. To say this is horrifying, or that its unacceptable is meaningless in the face of events. There arent enough words to continuously express shock, outrage, and discontent with the unfolding situation of anti-Semitism in America, and particularly in New York City, he said. Fmr Assemblyman @HikindDov points out spot in Borough Park where a car with four adults pulled up alongside 2 teens and someone shouted You know Hitler? We love him. #1010WINS pic.twitter.com/LccW5NYgvp Roger Stern (@NYRogerStern) May 19, 2019 The attacks come amid a recent spike in anti-Semitic incidents across New York. In 2019, hate crimes have spiked by 67 percent in the first quarter of the year across the city, with anti-Semitic incidents taking top place, according to the NYPD. Between January and April this year, there were 145 hate crime incidents reported, up from 87 in the same time period last year. Of the incidents reported this year, 82 were anti-Semitican increase of 82 percent. NYPD Says Anti-Semitic Hate Crimes Up Staggering 82 Percent: CBS New York https://t.co/W3I9qkfk34 | More w/ EcoSearch: https://t.co/HfaZViJyqk EcoInternet (@EcoInternetDrGB) May 5, 2019 Last month, one person was killed and three others were wounded after a 19-year-old gunman opened fire at a synagogue in California. The attacker, named John Earnest, burst into the synagogue in Poway, north of San Diego, just after it had hosted a Passover celebration. The incident came just six months after a shooting in Pittsburgh, which killed 11. The shooting is thought to be the worst anti-Semitic attack in recent U.S. history. Hikind added more needs to be done to combat anti-Semitic violence and harassment anywhere and everywhere it manifests. Spotted @HikindDov hard at work on Sunday talking to a @News12BK reporter about the #HateCrime on Friday night in front of the #BoroPark post office. pic.twitter.com/Fd4dZ6uwiW Alexander Rapaport (@AlexRapaport) May 19, 2019 The wake up period wont last forever, and soon enough we just may find ourselves well beyond the point of no return if we do not take immediate and serious action, he continued. Hikind continued to question, Will any leader stand up to the task? All indications are theyre out to lunch. 3-Year-Old Killed by Fathers Car After Sibling Accidentally Puts It in Reverse: Reports A young child was hit and killed after she was run over by her fathers car when it was accidentally placed in reverse by her 4-year-old sibling, according to reports. Police said the incident happened in the 6300 block in Logan Creek near Sugar Land, Texas, on May 21. Fatality investigation: 6300 Logan Creek @chad_norvell is media POC on scene FBCSO Texas (@FBCSO) May 21, 2019 The childrens father had placed the 3-year-old and 4-year-old into the car before he ran back into the garage to quickly grab something. He had turned on the car in order to have the air conditioning while the two children waited, reported Click 2 Houston. While waiting, the 3-year-old managed to get out of the car, while the 4-year-old climbed into the front of the car. When climbing into the front, the 4-year-old accident bumped the gear stick, which is a dial that turns, putting the car into reverse. This caused the car to roll back and hit the 3-year-old. The father had noticed the incident and ran out to prevent it from happening, but was unable to. He and EMS tried to perform CPR on the 3-year-old but she had succumbed to her injuries, police said, reported KHOU 11. UPDATE: Father placed both kids in the car and started the car. Father ran back in garage while car in driveway. One child climb out vehicle. Other child climbed over seat and bump the turn dial to change gears into reverse and ran over child. @KHOU pic.twitter.com/i6UNQumYxM Janelle Bludau (@JanelleKHOU) May 21, 2019 Its a horrible incident for the family, the neighborhood out here, for the community, a deputy told the news website. The identity of the child has not yet been released. This incident follows another accident in Massachusetts where a mother was left in a serious condition when her 9-year-old son accidentally ran her over with her car. The child had accidentally placed the car in reverse when the 37-year-old mother from Chelmsford was unloading the car. The car started rolling backward with the child inside, striking the woman, and eventually stopped when it crashed into a wall, reported Boston 25 News. Police said when the child accidentally shifted the gears, the mother tried to hit the brake pedal but was instead knocked down and run over by the car. It appears to be a very tragic and unfortunate incident where a 9-year-old child somehow ended up behind the wheel of a vehicle, Sgt. Jason Poor of Chelmsford Police told the news website. The mother got caught inside the open drivers door as the car was backing up and was knocked down by the door, and it appears from our investigation that she may have been struck by the car, he added. The mother sustained a head injury and is recovering in the hospital, while her son was not injured. Rear Adm. Matthew Bell (R), presents a Silver Lifesaving Medal to George "Radar" Lambert, middle, at the Atwood Building courtyard in Anchorage, Alaska, on May 18, 2019. (Loren Holmes/Anchorage Daily News via AP) Alaska Man Given Coast Guard Medal Years After Girls Rescue ANCHORAGE, AlaskaAn Alaska man has received the U.S. Coast Guards second-highest civilian honor for saving a girl from drowning when they were both children more than 20 years ago, a report said. George Lambert received a silver lifesaving medal in Anchorage Saturday for rescuing Pamela Smith, The Anchorage Daily News reported Saturday. The award was presented by Coast Guard Rear Admiral Matthew Bell Jr., who told the story of the rescue during a ceremony attended by Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Lambert and Smith were among a group swimming at a sandbar near Kotzebue in northwest Alaska in 1998 when he was 10 and she was 12. Smith was pulled into the current, and Lambert took a life jacket and swam out 100 feet to tow Smith to safety, Bell said. I just ran to the boat and grabbed a jacket, didnt even think about it, put it on, jumped in that water, went and got my friend and made it back to shore, Lambert said. And were here to talk about it today. Today Lambert is a commercial fisherman, and Smith is a magistrate judge. He pushed hard just to get to me, and he pushed even harder to bring me back, Smith said. Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Jonathan Dale led a three-year campaign to recognize Lambert after learning his story. Alaska man gets U.S. Coast Guards second-highest civilian honor for saving a girl from drowning when they were both children more than 20 years ago. https://t.co/GbbUOhaxtQ AP West Region (@APWestRegion) May 20, 2019 Smith was the first child on record to be saved in part because of Alaskas Kids Dont Float program encouraging life jacket use and swimming safety education. The program supplied the life jacket Lambert used. Since then, at least 30 more children have been rescued because of the program, Bell said. Amazon Tribe Saves Millions of Acres of Rainforest After Beating Big Oil in Court Battle The content is not available due to expiration. And So It Begins On May 11, Rod Rosenstein left the Department of Justice after a distinguished 29-year career. On May 13, it became public that Attorney General William Barr has tasked U.S. Attorney for Connecticut John Durham to look into the origins of the investigations into the Trump campaign. This means Durham will receive the evidence that the teams working under DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz and U.S. Attorney for Utah John Huber have been collecting for more than a year and a half. Chinese Company Tells Employees to Boycott US Products, as Trade War Propaganda Heats Up A Chinese company recently notified all of its employees to boycott U.S. products and stop traveling to the United States, or face dismissal. The announcement immediately triggered a public outcry, when a netizen posted in on the internet. Chinese state-run media have begun ramping up anti-American propaganda, as the U.S.-China trade dispute recently escalated with tit-for-tat tariff increases. The companys memo came to light shortly after the hawkish state-run newspaper Global Times in a May 13 editorial called on the Chinese public to fight a peoples war with the United States. In an internal announcement issued May 16 by the Jinggang Motor Vehicle Inspection Station located in Donghai County, Jiangsu Province, the company echoed the propaganda, explaining that Chinas developments in military, science, and technology have frightened and worried the United States. As a result, the United States started the trade war with China. To help our country win this war, company authorities have decided that all employees must immediately stop purchasing and using American products, the notice read. The refrain that the United States is impeding Chinas rise on the global stage has been repeated in much of Chinese state media lately. The notice included a list of more detailed requirements: Employees are prohibited from purchasing or using iPhones; instead, they are recommended to use Chinese domestic brands of cell phones, such as Huawei. Employees are not allowed to purchase vehicles made by China-U.S. joint venture automakers. They are recommended to purchase 100 percent Chinese-made vehicles. Employees are forbidden to eat at McDonalds or Kentucky Fried Chicken. They are not allowed to purchase P&G [Proctor and Gamble, a U.S. maker of household products], Amway [U.S. maker of health and beauty products], or any other American brands. Employees must not go to the United States as a tourist. The notice said the rules were in effect as of the day of its issuance, and that the companys trade union would enforce them. Those who violate the notice will be dismissed from the company, without exception. The notice attracted a lot of attention online. Computers should be banned as well, because it is a U.S. invention, one netizen said ironically. Many netizens thought it was ridiculous to ban U.S. products, as so many commonly used goods are made in the United States. Stop using the Windows operating system, everyone. I am happy to see this notice, and I hope that airplanes are banned from operating as well. Many Chinese airlines purchase Boeing aircraft. Chinas state-run media has recently pushed nationalistic propaganda to portray the United States as an adversary, blaming it for the lack of progress in negotiations. A state-run channel recently aired three anti-American movies for three days in a row. The films were originally produced as anti-U.S. propaganda, in reaction to the Korean War. Baby Forcibly Removed From Slain Mothers Womb Opens Eyes as Sheriffs Office Investigates Hospital The family of a baby who was cut from his slain mothers womb in Chicago opened his eyes, according to reports. The baby of Marlen Ochoa-Lopez, the 19-year-old woman who was murdered before the child was forcibly removed, has been at a Chicago hospital for the past month. Her family visited the child over the weekend and confirmed that the newborn is in critical condition, NBC Chicago reported. Julie Contreras, a spokeswoman for the family, said they met with hospital officials, but details of the meeting were not clear, NBC reported on May 20. Slain teen Marlen Ochoas newborn to undergo brain activity tests, spokesperson says https://t.co/T3W3THawpN pic.twitter.com/eBmDzoQAUK NBC Chicago (@nbcchicago) May 21, 2019 The child, who was named Yovanny Jardiel, was visited by his father on the night of May 19, and she said he is a fighter after apparently opening his eyes. Photos posted online on May 20 showed the father with the boy in the hospital. Previous reports stated that the boy was brain dead and wouldnt survive. The family, however, said he wont be taken off life support. Two women, 46-year-old Clarisa Figueroa and her 24-year-old daughter, Desiree Figueroa, were charged with murder. Earlier this month, Ochoa-Lopezs body was found near Figueroas home. Piotr Bobak, 40, was also charged with concealment of a homicide, according to officials. Clarisa Figueroa, Desiree Figueroa and Piotr Bobak were charged Thursday afternoon in the death of pregnant teenager Marlen Ochoa, whose body was discovered in a garbage can and her baby cut out of her womb.https://t.co/BgHMELZTMT pic.twitter.com/BuWH6mf4hg CBS Chicago (@cbschicago) May 16, 2019 Meanwhile, a local sheriffs office will question whether the hospital, Christ Medical Center, violated state law by not reporting Figueroa, who claimed to be the boys mother but had shown no signs of having given birth. The Cook County Sheriffs Department said in a statement: We will ask DCFS to advise if this unspeakably tragic set of facts was reportable by a mandated reporter. If they determine it was, we will ensure it is immediately investigated, 6ABC reported. Officials said that a medical worker also cleaned blood from the arms, face, and hands of Figueroa. Family Of Marlen Ochoa Wants To Know Why Alleged Killer Was Allowed To Stay With Baby At Hospital https://t.co/zJWQ93ISoO pic.twitter.com/rcjLPHYNHM CBS Chicago (@cbschicago) May 21, 2019 The family of Ochoa-Lopez is also seeking answers. Im just thinking in my own mind, if I see somebody coming in with a baby, with an umbilical and placenta, why does the mother look like she is good health, that has no blood, normal clothes. That doesnt make logical sense to me, family attorney Frank Avila was quoted by the ABC affiliate station as saying. Christ Medical Center released a statement about the matter. New details on the disappearance of Marlen Ochoa-Uriostegui, a pregnant 19-year-old missing since last month. Her newborn baby is on life support, but shes still missing, and four persons of interest are being questioned. Via @mitchdudek, @mitchtrout: https://t.co/lnpAdPbP4A Nader Issa (@NaderDIssa) May 15, 2019 It said, Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the Ochoa-Lopez family. Our clinical team is committed to meeting regularly with patients and families to ensure there is open dialogue about treatment paths. Out of respect for the familys privacy, we are unable to comment on the specific content covered during our time together. Whats more, a local organization, the League of United Latin American Citizens, said it will file a complaint against the Chicago Police Department. They have alleged that the family was mistreated when they investigated the teens disappearance. What happened to Ms. Ochoa was senseless and the offenders responsible are barbaric cowards. Since her initial disappearance, detectives worked this case thoroughly and we were all devastated to learn what happened, Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi told 6ABC. We cant help but take these cases personally and cannot begin to imagine the immense grief and suffering this family must be feeling. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the entire family and we will ensure that any complaint filed against the department is investigated independently and thoroughly. Beijing Airs Anti-American Propaganda Amid Trade Tensions, Chinese Netizens Mock Efforts A state-run channel in China played three anti-American movies for three days in a row, from May 16 to May 18, prompting reactions from the public. Chinese netizens quickly took to social media to ridicule CCTV for blatantly stirring up nationalist sentiment with the films, which originally were produced as anti-U.S. propaganda in reaction to the Korean War. The timing of CCTVs programming is significant, as the latest round of U.S.-China trade talks ended on May 10 with no agreement. After the United States enacted a tariff hike on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods, China retaliated with tariff increases on $60 billion worth of U.S. goods. Since then, Chinas state-run media has ramped up propaganda efforts to portray the United States as an adversary, blaming it for the lack of progress in negotiations. According to a May 17 report by Radio Free Asia, the Chinese Communist Partys Propaganda Department issued an urgent notice on May 16, requesting that CCTV and all provincial-level satellite TV stations air movies with anti-American themes every day during primetime. As a result, CCTV announced on May 16 that it would change its original broadcasting schedule for the following three days to air three movies, Heroic Sons and Daughters (1964), Battle on Shangganling Mountain, (1954), and Surprise Attack (1960), beginning at 8 p.m. The films portray North Korea as a righteous nation and the United States as an evil imperialist, and contain scenes of Chinese soldiers opening fire on their American enemies. Following the breakdown of talks earlier in May, state media had adopted similar nationalist sentiment in reprimanding the United States. Washington tried to bring up terms that either harmed the sovereignty and dignity of China, or that were seriously unequal and unrealistic. Those requests have made the negotiations more difficult, read a May 12 editorial published by the state-run Global Times. During the past week, Chinese state media also frequently has run the slogan, Want to talk? Lets talk. Want to fight? Lets do it. Want to bully us? Dream on! Chinese netizens were shocked that in this day and age, the Party would go back to the propaganda stylings favored by former Party leader Mao Zedong. This kind of propaganda made me speechless. In todays world, they still think they can mobilize mass movement with such propaganda, a netizen wrote on Weibo, a Twitter-like social media platform. They make China more and more like North Korea, another Weibo user said. They are trying to stir up nationalism. Its actually useless, another netizen commented. Others ridiculed the Partys anti-U.S. stance, given that many high-ranking officials families study or work in the United States. If you really hate America, hurry up and ask your children in the United States to come back to China. Meanwhile, many netizens demanded that the Chinese authorities publicize details from the trade talks. Tell us what requests the United States raised in the negotiations. Then-Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) greets fellow Democrats at the Jefferson Jackson Day Dinner in Indianapolis on May 4, 2008. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) Buttigieg Wowed on Fox Town Hall, But Jefferson/Jackson Flap Looms Large Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg gave a master class in entering unfriendly territory during the Fox News Town Hall on May 19, according to a Democratic strategist, but storm clouds may be gathering on another front for the 37-year-old mayor of South Bend, Indiana. Mayor Pete gave a master class in entering unfriendly territory and emerged impressing even his critics, Max Burns told The Epoch Times on May 20. Burns is a strategic communications specialist for the Glover Park Group, a Washington-based Democratic communications firm, as well as for Facebook and Change.org. Burns pointed to Buttigiegs real-time fact-checking of Chris Wallaces abortion statistics as exactly the way Democrats will have to fact-check [President] Donald Trump if they hope to stand a chance against him in 2020. Burns was referring to Chris Wallace claiming approximately 6,000 late-term abortions are performed annually in the United States. Buttigieg quickly countered that the figure represented 1 percent of all abortions in a year. Meeting Voters Where They Are Other campaign strategists offered more measured praise for Buttigieg in interviews May 20 with The Epoch Times. Strategist Christian Hanley, who hosts the Keep it in Perspective podcast, said, Mayor Pete absolutely helped himself by stepping outside what was perhaps his comfort zone to reach an audience that otherwise would not have seen him. Santa Cruz, California, County Supervisor and former Obama for America spokesman Zach Friend said showing up and speaking to voters, meeting them where they are, is half the battle. Mayor Buttigieg showed why all Democrats should be on Fox. These are the same viewers that very well might provide the difference throughout key swing states in the industrial Midwest, states flipped in 2016 but are key to victory in 2020. And strategist Kevin Chavous said Buttigieg definitely helped himself. We have to remember that Fox News is not watched exclusively by Republicans; many Democrats and Independents watch, as well, and his Town Hall started off with a bang. Chavous said the Fox audience was impressed with his answer to the first question he received, which dealt with his youth and relative inexperience. If elected in 2020, Buttigieg would be the youngest president ever at 39. South Bends population is just over 100,000. Buttigieg drew praise from GOP media consultant Beverly Hallberg, who said Buttigieg is well-spoken and, even in his attacks on Fox News hosts, does so without name-calling and with a calm demeanor. That sits well with many whove grown weary of the hostile rhetoric of todays politics, she said. Obstacles Despite the upbeat reviews, however, Buttigieg faces multiple serious obstacles, most notably his lack of standing with African-American voters. Chavous said Buttigiegs effort recalls former Sen. Bill Bradleys campaign as a liberal insurgent opposing Vice President Al Gore during the 2000 Democratic presidential campaign. The problem for Buttigieg, Chavous said, is that the Democratic party has changed dramatically since 2000. To seriously contend for the nomination, Buttigieg will need to expand his base of support to include women of all backgrounds and African-Americans. His polling is not very good among African-Americans right now. Hanley agreed, saying, Right now, Mayor Petes biggest obstacle is that he is not gaining traction among African-American Democratic primary voters Mayor Pete needs to play catch up immediately. The latest Fox News poll shows how much catching up is needed by Buttigieg, who finished fourth with just 6 percent of Democratic primary voters. Former Vice President Joe Biden dominates with 35 percent, followed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) at 17 percent, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) at 9 percent. Buttigieg is tied with President Donald Trump in a head-to-head match survey by RealClearPolitics, leads Trump in a similar poll taken by CNN, and trails the incumbent in a third one, by Rasmussen Reports. Jefferson/Jackson Dinners Looming behind the Town Hall positives, however, is a remark Buttigieg made on May 17 to endorse renaming the traditional Jefferson/Jackson dinners held annually by state and local Democratic party organizations for decades. Thomas Jefferson, the nations third president and author of the Declaration of Independence, was a longtime slave owner. Andrew Jackson, the seventh president, also owned slaves and signed the Indian Removal Act that forcibly relocated Native Americans from the South. Asked by talk radio host Hugh Hewitt if he favored renaming the dinners, Buttigieg replied, Yeah, were doing that in Indiana. I think its the right thing to do. Over time, you develop and evolve on the things you choose to honor. Buttigieg hastened to add, theres a lot, of course, to admire in [Jeffersons] thinking and his philosophy. Then again, if you plunge into his writings, especially the Notes on the State of Virginia, you know that he knew slavery was wrongand yet he did it. Buttigieg also insisted that he wasnt advocating blotting [Jefferson] out of the history books. Even so, Buttigiegs remark aligned him with numerous instances in recent years, in which historical statutes have been destroyed and famous buildings renamed because of pressure from left-wing activists. Conservative critics such as Heritage Action Executive Director Tim Chapman see big trouble ahead for the Hoosier mayor in a whirlwind of bottomless identity politics that will alienate traditional conservative and independent voters. The hard-core progressives in the Democratic Party will force the party into untenable positions on historical figures, in order to meet the latest standards of political correctness, Chapman told The Epoch Times on May 20. The problem for them is those standards are ever-evolving, so there really is no end game for them other than some general notion of equality. It will be like a steam roller that takes out controversial portions of American history, but flattens all that was great about it as well, he said. Even more emphatic was Virginia-based American Target Advertisings Mark Fitzgibbons, who said it is arrogant and dangerous of leftists like Buttigieg to seek to whitewash the name of the author of the greatest words of American governance, which are also a beacon of light for freedom and human dignity all around the world. It wont hurt Buttigieg in the primary, Fitzgibbons said, but his chances of ever being president will be forever marred. On 1 May 2019, IMT comrades in El Salvador were very proud to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Militante - BPJ, the paper of the revolutionaries of the BPJ (Popular Youth Bloc). The enormous amount of work that has maintained our publication on a more-or-less regular basis over these past 10 years would not have been possible without the invaluable collaboration of sellers, writers, designers, correspondents, but above all, the help of all our readers. We can say proudly, and without exaggeration, that they are spread all over the country. A year before the Militante BPJ was first published, we decided in a National Congress to become the Salvadoran section of the International Marxist Tendency, and adopted its methods of organisation and struggle. Following the teachings of Lenin, the IMT includes within its methods the regular publication of a newspaper that can help the construction of a centralised organisation of revolutionary cadres, an organisation that lays the foundations of a Marxist party and has, as its objective, the taking of power for the exploited and oppressed classes. For Marxists, following in the steps of Marx and Lenin, the newspaper is an absolute necessity. Originally published in Spanish at Bloque Popular Juvenil | The first publication of the newspaper was preceded by some irregular and homemade-style publications that were distributed in the nationwide protests of the working class and youth. Among them, we published a booklet, a couple of pages long, called, "What FMLN [Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front the ruling political party] does the working class need?" in 2008, of which we sold hundreds of copies. The first publication of the newspaper was inspired and guided by the patient work of the comrades of the Mexican section of the IMT and was released in February 2009, between the significant municipal and legislative elections and the 2009 presidential elections. The January elections were the prelude to the powerful mass movement that led to the victory of the FMLN presidential candidate journalist Mauricio Funes. Help the comrades in El Salvador purchase a printing press! DONATE READ MORE Our first editorial The Militante BPJ, following the principles of Marxism, has always aimed at the political unification of the Salvadoran proletariat and all the oppressed classes. It aims to end the dispersed and isolated struggle of the workers, and help free themselves from the yoke of capital and to serve as an open forum to voice the demands of the workers movement. It strives to unify, agitate, educate and guide the working class under the method of scientific socialism. Therefore, our publications are guided by the interests of the poorest and most-militant people of El Salvador, whose struggle must ultimately be for the conquest of political and economic power for the revolutionary transformation of society. Militante - BPJ, issue one That is why our first editorial, entitled "Balance of the January elections: FMLN must be based on the mobilisation of the bases", stressed, from the Marxist point of view, the significance of the FMLN's overwhelming win in January 2009. In this election, the FMLN went from having 32 deputies to 35, and from ruling 59 local councils to 93. This was clearly the prelude to the historic FMLN presidential election win on 15 March 2009. In this editorial, we concluded the following: "We must take the FMLN to power and fight for a socialist government. Mauricio Funes (leader of FMLN) has said on several occasions that his government does not intend to implement socialist measures. However, the aspirations of the masses are to radically change the living conditions which capitalism has subjected them to. In a moment of economic crisis of capitalism like the present one, it will be impossible to make a profound change if it is not carrying out a programme along class lines, that is, a socialist programme. Little by little, the bourgeoisie is unmasking itself, faced with the increase to the minimum wage, the ANEP (National Association of Private Entrepreneurs), the so-called "business" sector in El Salvador, threatened to carry out a series of mass layoffs. The only way out is the nationalisation of the banks, the land and the major Salvadoran industries to be used under workers' control. The workers will not hesitate to support these measures if they are carried out by the workers themselves. In addition, once Funes is in power the bourgeoisie will not hesitate to use all their means to drown the FMLN. It is necessary to take these measures to protect the government of the workers... The presidential election will demand the unification of the militancy at the national level, it will need a very strong link with the trade unions since these are the natural organisations of the workers, the senile decay of capitalism only further increases the need for the militancy of the FMLN in its political formation. Socialism is the ideological banner under which the new layer of militants of the left must be forged." 10 years after this editorial, we can confirm that our observations on the FMLN's political programme were correct. A movement like the one that led the party into power was the driving force of an intense revolutionary process, which had to defend and deepen itself in the streets, and not in the halls of bourgeois government, as Funes and the party leadership did. Now we see the results of the Stalinist reformism of the leadership of the FMLN in the rise of the Bonapartist government of Nayib Bukele. In this decade, from our pages we have celebrated the steps taken forward by the working class through the governments of the FMLN, but we have also been harsh critics of the wrong decisions of the government, and as activists of the FMLN (until 2018) we also published harsh criticisms of the leadership of the party. Our position earned us opposition, slanders, attacks by party bureaucrats and, of course, from the right through their media mouthpieces, for example, when they used our publications as cannon fodder to attack the FMLN. 10 years of progress and setbacks Throughout this convulsive process of successes and failures for the working class and for the Marxist revolutionaries, we have managed to publish 77 issues in total. Of course, in a convulsive society, this has not been easy. We have sometimes had to advance alongside the dizzying pace of events without letting ourselves be carried away by the whirlwind. We have sometimes celebrated genuine steps forward, and sometimes even illusory steps; for example, following a national and international campaign and years of personal savings, we were deceived into acquiring an industrial printing machine that never properly printed our publications. Today Marjorie (as she is nicknamed so affectionately by the comrades), lies in pieces to be sold and serves as an unpleasant but invaluable testament to the bad intentions of the merchants of capital. The latest issue of Militante - BPJ. We have come a long way! Collateral victims of violence in the country But this has not been the most dramatic and sad thing we have had to go through. We cannot forget when two of the main collaborators and brilliant activists of our organisation were victims of a dramatic and violent altercation. A terrorist set fire to the bus on which the comrades were travelling home at night, but they miraculously survived. However, they never were the same again. Comrade FV suffered serious head trauma in trying to escape the blast which left irreversible alterations to his cognitive, physical and emotional abilities. Although comrade EG physically recovered, she was absorbed with the tasks that come with being a single mother in a sexist, exclusionary and rotten society, with no opportunities for improvement for young and working women. Although we did the near-impossible, with support from all sections of the international, in trying to return their lives to normal, our attempts were almost in vain. This is the result of the violent and perverse society that capitalism has created, and that we as revolutionaries must try to transform by dedicating our lives and energy to the cause of the socialist revolution. Only four years had passed since our first publication when this terrible incident occurred. The organisation and therefore our newspaper was on the verge of disappearance, because our comrade FV at that time acted as our chief editor. Together with EG, they were outstanding leaders who were fully committed to the organisation. Despite this blow, and after months of disappointment, frustration and dispersion, we did not lose heart. Our firm belief in the ideas of socialism helped us to continue the work with the few activists who remained. The theoretical clarity of Marxism was the spring that encouraged a new stage of work. But this new endeavour was not easy, we almost had to start over again. Although we had inherited the methods and the experience, our forces had been reduced by more than half. Despite this, and with the invaluable help of the IMT, we managed to regain our momentum, taking our newspaper from irregular publications to a regular release schedule in more or less three years since the departure of FV and EG. We went from publishing it quarterly to every two months; from three pages of tabloid size to four and then to five, from glossy bound paper to a newspaper format, from four articles up to 12 or more, and from 300 to 500 copies per month. We have built it up to what it is today: a regular, monthly, six-page, tabloid-sized newspaper, with a print run of 600 copies. Our youngest comrades should be proud of the inheritance bequeathed to us by those who, for material conditions, have been left behind on the way. Although they are not with us now, they were the basis of our press is today. We can say that we have not failed in this difficult task. The emancipation of the working class must be the work of the working class itself Our newspaper, unlike other publications, has always been self-financed by the movement our esteemed readers. This is a basic condition for independent and objective work, because we owe nothing to any national or transnational institution, or any particular regime or political party. We belong only to the working class and the youth of our country and of all the countries of the world. Our interests are linked to the struggle for the world socialist revolution, to the desire for a different society that the exploited must build. The economic independence of our press and organisation, which are self-financed by solidarity contributions and comrades sacrifices, allows us to publish our political analysis, and report on the struggle of the exploited and oppressed, who have no voice in the big media outlets controlled by capital. In no way do we think that our analysis is shared by all the revolutionary groups. On the contrary, we believe it is necessary to encourage debate over our publications and to contrast our analysis with that of other groups that define themselves as revolutionary and socialist. We invite them to a fraternal debate of the ideas that help us raise the political level of the exploited classes. Such are the fundamental concepts of our press, the Militante BPJ. Salvadorian comrades at May Day 2019 We invite all the revolutionaries of El Salvador to send us their articles: our pages have been and will always be open to criticism and to contributions from those to whom we belong the working class. This newspaper would be merely an idea if it were not for your valuable contributions. We hope in the coming years to truly become the voice of the working class and the youth, who are struggling to change their miserable conditions of life. The youth and workers are exploited and oppressed by the great parasites of society: businessmen, bankers, landlords and the corrupt and traitorous politicians who impede the social revolution. Towards the professionalisation of revolutionary work In addition to all the material difficulties, the newspaper has been built by gathering together the best qualities of all our comrades, trying to find the right task to match the skills of each person. We must say that our strength has always been Marxist theory, more so than other tasks related to the work of a regular press. During these past 10 years, no one has been a professional journalist, designer, salesman, printer or publicist. We have done everything in a self-taught way, as necessitated by the material pressures of life, which our time and money to pay for training or full-time commitment to these tasks. The Militante BPJ is a reflection of what collective work can achieve in terms of the tasks of building the forces of Marxism. We must stop at nothing, we learn by making mistakes, and the doors of our newspaper are open for the workers of the factories, for the peasants and also for the students and professionals. We are proud of the progress we have made and of the professionalism with which each activist now develops their work. Many of us have learned to fulfill the necessary roles in the school of revolutionary struggle. We know that we must professionalise ourselves more and we will continue to do so. We are filled with inspiration when we think that we are the ancestors of a totally different future, that the best designers, publicists, journalists, editors and organisers of society are waiting to join our cause the cause of all the exploited, because our organisation is of the working class. In this exploited and oppressed class lie all the seeds of talent we need to end this regime, and one day they will bloom. We are just the foundations of a wonderful future. This is our greatest motivation: the unshakeable faith in the socialist future. Dedicated to the unforgettable comrades Eliza Guerra and Fredy Viera, they will always be a source of revolutionary inspiration. Help comrades in El Salvador purchase a printing machine The Salvadoran section of the International Marxist Tendency, Bloque Popular Juvenil, has marked 10 years of publication of its paper BPJ Militante. From a modest first issue in February 2009, when it was a quarterly three-page tabloid, the paper has improved into a regular monthly paper with a print run of 600 copies, which doubles for the May Day edition. The paper has become a regular feature in the trade union struggles and amongst the youth, and is well-known amongst the advanced layers in El Salvador. The comrades have now launched a campaign to raise US$5000 in order to purchase a duplicator able to print in tabloid size. They have already collected US$2300 and have a target of raising another US$1400 in the course of the year from comrades, sympathisers, supporters and the sale of merchandise. We would like to appeal to our readers and supporters to donate towards this campaign with the aim of raising another US$1300 to reach the target. DONATE Canada Sends Delegation to China to Press for Release of Citizens OTTAWACanada has sent a parliamentary delegation to China to press for the release of two Canadian citizens formally arrested for espionage last week, Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said on May 21. Businessman Michael Spavor, who worked with North Korea, and former diplomat Michael Kovrig were picked up separately in December, shortly after Canada arrested Huawei Technologies Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, who faces extradition to the United States. Canada has condemned the detentions as arbitrary, while China has repeatedly demanded Meng be released. Freeland, speaking in an interview with CBC radio, said she sought repeatedly to speak with her Chinese counterpart, but to no avail. Instead, Liberal lawmaker Robert Oliphant is now leading a Canadian delegation in China to push for release of the two men. She did not say who else was on the mission or give further details. That is really important for the Chinese to be hearing directly from us, she said. Its a terrible situation and we are very clear that these two men are arbitrarily detained. Canadian diplomats have made recent consular visits to both men, though they have not provided details to the public for privacy reasons. Now that the men have been formally arrested, they could soon face trial. While Canada says China has made no specific link between the detentions of the two men and Mengs arrest, experts and former diplomats say they have no doubt it is using their cases to pressure Canada. Meng, 47, is the daughter of Huawei Technologies Co Ltds billionaire founder, Ren Zhengfei. She was arrested at Vancouvers airport in December on a U.S. warrant and is fighting extradition on charges that she conspired to defraud global banks about Huaweis relationship with a company operating in Iran. Meng was released from jail in December on C$10 million ($7.5 million) bail and must wear an electronic ankle bracelet and pay for security guards. She has been living in a Vancouver home that was valued at C$5 million in 2018. Both she and the company have denied the U.S. charges. By Steve Scherer Congestion Pricing, the Only Cure for Traffic Congestion Even if the city fixes it, any price is better than zero New Yorkers have long been debating an idea of how to reduce traffic congestion in the city. Its called congestion pricing and has recently been approved as part of the citys 2020 budget. Curiously enough, there are also good economic reasons for why that could be effective. What are these reasons? It is sometimes called peak load pricing in economic literature and is applied widely throughout the economy. Ski resorts charge more during the winter than the summer. Hotels in NYC charge less for off-peak dates than for holidays. Broadway shows reduce prices for matinees. The problem that not only New Yorkers face, in technical economic parlance, is a shortage. Demand is greater than supply. The number of car, truck, and bus drivers who wish to use vehicular thoroughfares vastly exceeds the capacity of the roadway stock to satisfy all who wish to do so. Why do we not have shortages for everyday items such as toilet paper, bagels, pizza, bananas, and shoes? Its because if such an economic misallocation were ever to raise its ugly head, prices would rise and that would nip the problem in the bud. Prices of these goods arent allowed to increase in Venezuela, and as a result, these goods are in short supply there. But the Big Apple is following in the footsteps of that South American country when it comes to streets and highways. That is, the price is at present fixed at zero. The road upkeep and repair is already paid for through taxes; motorists need not cough up a single penny more when they pull out of their garages or driveways during rush hours (which is pretty much all day). Easy Solution But from a technical economic point of view, the solution is as easy as pie. The remedy is straightforward: simply raise the price of entry from nil to that level at which traffic flows smoothly. How could this be done? In the old days, place a bullseye map over the city, which is what Singapore did decades ago: It will cost you a ton of money to drive in downtown Manhattan, call that a price of 5. Then give a rate of 4 to anything in the borough above, say, 110th Street, since there is somewhat less demand there. Driving in downtown Brooklyn, southern Bronx, or western Queens? That will cost you at the rate of 3. The other parts of these boroughs? Call that a 2. Staten Island merits a 1. All those caught driving without a color indicator of these numbers on their dashboards pay a hefty fine. Do it again, and you lose your car. Third strike? Its the hoosegow for the likes of you. With modern technology, all this can be done far more easily electronically. We can easily return to a zero price between the hours of 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., during which there is no divergence between supply and demand. Then, plaintive requests to use mass transit or carpool can be put to rest. Adam Smiths invisible hand can work in this arena, as it does in all others. People will be led by self-interest, not governmental whining, to adopt all these patterns. Employers will be induced to stagger hours of work, in response to peak load pricing. There will be no need for special lanes for buses, high-occupancy vehicles, or bicycles. Price Adjustment This works so well in numerous other areas of the economy. When it rains, and demand for taxicabs rises, Uber charges double, even triple the usual rates. When drivers are notified about these changes, they get off their couches, get into their cars, and come to the rescue of customers waiting in bad weather for a ride. When Katrina struck New Orleans, all prices skyrocketed. As the first few dozen people entered the supermarkets, instead of grabbing up all the now scarce groceries they could, they left some for late arrivals. And, also, these price rises gave people located far away from the Crescent City more incentive to bring goods there, which lowered prices. Price flexibility encourages us to cooperate more with each other. As a result of these price changes, we all tend to act in a more civilized, humane, and considerate manner. In contrast, driving during peak usage times imposes costs on everyone else. But at the same old ordinary zero price, very few of us are tempted to even think about this. At a higher price, many of us would at least act as if we were concerned about others. But what about the poor? Right now, they get onto the roads for free. Under this system, they would have to pay, critics will claim. However, first of all, very few of New York Citys really poverty-stricken have automobiles. Parking charges alone practically guarantee that. The poor also pay for food and clothing. Should we make everything free and create shortages throughout the economy out of concern for them? Do the poor really benefit from our present system of malignant congestion, where fewer goods and services are produced? Hardly. Under present institutional arrangements, there are an awful lot of very high-powered people, some of the most productive on the planet, sitting around in traffic jams twiddling their thumbs. They could be out there curing cancer, helping to get us to Mars, or greasing the wheels of commerce that get us all fed and housed, instead of wasting their time, emitting noxious fumes. If we have any feel for the planet, any desire to reduce poverty, to help the poor, to get around our beloved Big Apple more easily, we owe it to ourselves to fix this awful mess. Not Quite Perfect Of course, in this iteration of the economic system, there are still a few problems. The roads, like the subway and the buses in New York City, are run by the government itself or a proxy of it, such as the MTA, all of which are monopolies without real competition and are cesspools of inefficient and corrupt bureaucracies. So the government bureaucracies, which will fix the congestion charge, will almost certainly get the price wrong. However, since any price is better than zero, it will be less wrong than it is now, so thats an improvement. Government bureaucracies will also make sure a large part of the funds raised through the congestion charge will be wasted, embezzled, or used to subsidize completely different parts of the government. Such is life. In an ideal world, there would be different private companies competing to provide subway, bus, cab, and yes also road services to the public. They would have to set a competitive price, similar to the very lightly regulated restaurant industry, which probably provides the best product in the city: food, and that across all ranges of quality and price. This competitive price would clear the market and supply exactly as much road time as needed for the right price to the maximum number of people. Until this vision of a perfect economic world comes true, we have to live with the limited improvements that government administered congestion pricing will bring New York City and maybe the rest of the nation. Walter Block is the chair in economics at Loyola University in New Orleans. He is also an adjunct scholar at the Mises Institute and the Hoover Institute. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. The trailer used in suspected people smuggling in Atascosa Texas. (Atascosa County Sheriff) Driver Facing Possible Smuggling Charges After 16 People Found in Trailer in Texas A driver is in custody facing potential smuggling charges after Texas deputies were alerted by cries and knocks from inside a trailer during a traffic stop. According to the Atascosa County Sheriffs Office, a deputy was conducting a traffic stop near Poteet, south Texas, when she decided to conduct a search of a vehicle and trailer. There, after hearing knocking and pleas for help from under a pile of construction materials, 16 victims of human smuggling were located, said the Sheriffs office in a statement published on May 20 on Facebook. Photographs suggest that the timber had been arranged to create a crawl space where the victims were found. Two female victims were transported to Methodist South for heat-related medical issues, said the statement. This could of been much worse, but with proactive police work, we feel 16 lives were saved today from untold trauma. The driver is in custody and could be facing possible federal smuggling charges. The driver is not named in the report and there has been no update on whether authorities have charged them with a crime at this point. In March this year, Texas deputies caught a pick-up truck on camera just north of the Mexico border with around 20 people crammed inside. When the deputies pursued the truck, all 20 individuals tumbled from the vehicle and fled on foot. Brooks County Sheriffs Office shared footage of the moment in a Facebook video. Illegal immigrants pay smugglers up to $20,000 to cross the Rio Grande River that forms part of the border nearby, according to the Border Patrol. There has been figures from $1,500 to all the way up to $20,000, Border Patrol agent for the Rio Grande Sector, Carlos Ruiz, told NTD News on April 18. According to Border Patrol, immigrants can be split into two camps: those who actively seek out border patrol once theyve entered the United States, and those who try to avoid them. Family units often get a discount because they seek out agents. These people are charged a little bit less, from what we understand, since theyre just being dropped off and they actively look for Border Patrol, Ruiz said. So all they have to do is bring them across the river, so their charges are less, the smugglers dont have to work as much. Out with #BorderPatrol in Mission, Texas, and just caught 7 Chinese, 1 Mexican, and 1 El Salvadoran minor. All trying to evade capture. Chinese man said he paid $15k for the whole package (flights to Mexico, smuggled across border) pic.twitter.com/Ic9MPhg7le CharlotteCuthbertson (@charlottecuthbo) April 18, 2019 460,294 = Border Patrol apprehensions for first 7 months of FY19 $1,500 = low-end price per head paid to smugglers $690,440,000 = total paid to smugglers/cartels. This is a low estimateillegal immigrants from some countries, such as China, pay up to $15k per head. pic.twitter.com/l2Un0SGEdH CharlotteCuthbertson (@charlottecuthbo) May 14, 2019 Only one of the Chinese people would speak to us. Thank you to our colleague who translated by phone! out with #BorderPatrol in McAllen, Texas. pic.twitter.com/QZ4Zi1MWrJ CharlotteCuthbertson (@charlottecuthbo) April 18, 2019 Those attempting the border crossing dont just come from Mexico, or even from South America. Chinese nationals have also been detained at the border. About 300,000 migrants from around the globe entered Mexico with the intention of illegally crossing into the United States in the first three months of 2019, according to Mexican officials. Family of Mother Killed for Her Baby Demand Answers From Hospital The family of the Chicago mother killed for her unborn baby are demanding answers from the hospital that assisted the alleged murderers when they appeared with the newborn still attached to the placenta. Marlen Ochoa-Lopez, 19, was strangled to death on April 23, according to police reports. Her unborn son was forcibly removed from her body, say police, and taken to the Christ Adventist hospital with breathing problems. The hospital is now facing questions as to why they did not raise the alarm. Police and Illinoiss child welfare agency said staff at the hospital didnt alert them after determining that the woman who arrived with a gravely ill newborn had not just given birth to the baby boy, as she claimed. According to Fox News, the family met with hospital staff for several hours on May 20, hoping to find answers. Family Of Marlen Ochoa Wants To Know Why Alleged Killer Was Allowed To Stay With Baby At Hospital https://t.co/zJWQ93ISoO pic.twitter.com/rcjLPHYNHM CBS Chicago (@cbschicago) May 21, 2019 I have asked to see a copy of their protocols and procedures for mothers who come in who have given birth at home, Julie Contreras, a family advocate, told Fox5. The questions that we asked, which were many, are going to be answered in our next meeting. Im just thinking in my own mind, if I see somebody coming in with a baby, with an umbilical and placenta, why does the mother look like she is in good health, that has no blood, normal clothes. That doesnt make logical sense to me, family attorney Frank Avila was quoted by ABC6 as saying. The local sheriffs office has already said it will investigate if it finds the hospital violated the Abuse and Neglected Children Reporting Act, according to the Chicago Sun Times. We will consult with DCFS and if they determine the facts and circumstances of this tragedy were such that should have been reported by mandated reporters, we will ensure an investigation takes place, sheriffs office spokeswoman Cara Smith told the Times. Hospitals are not bound by any laws or regulations to ensure that a baby belongs to someone presenting them at a hospital. According to Fox News, the hospital declined to comment on the meeting, but issued a statement: Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ochoa-Lopez family. Our top priority is to provide the safest and highest quality care for the patients and communities we serve. Out of respect for patient privacy and in compliance with federal and state regulations, we are unable to provide comment. We continue to cooperate with local authorities. Two people have been charged with Ochoa-Lopezs murder: Clarisa Figueroa, 46, and her daughter, Desiree, 24. They are also charged with aggravated battery of a child causing permanent disability. The boyfriend of the older woman, Piotr Bobak, 40, was charged with concealment of a homicide. Ochoa-Lopez went missing for three weeks before her body was found May 15 in the trash behind the home of the suspects. The baby, who is named Yovanny Jardiel, was not expected to survive, according to earlier reports. But on May 20 he was reported to have opened his eyes for the first time. The family visited the child over the weekend and confirmed that the newborn is in critical condition, NBC Chicago reported. Photos posted online on May 20 showed the father with the boy in the hospital. Previous reports stated that the boy was brain dead. The family, however, said he wont be taken off life support. Father Fires Son After He Allegedly Urinated on 9-Year-Old Cancer Victims Memorial A New Jersey father has fired his son from the family plumbing business after his son sparked widespread backlash for allegedly urinating on a memorial of a young boy who died of cancer in 2012. Bryan Bellace, 23, was charged on May 19 with lewdness, disorderly conduct, and criminal mischief after he was captured in a viral video allegedly urinating on a plaque at a playground in Mays Landing dedicated to Christian Clopp, a 9-year-old boy who died from an inoperable brain tumor. The plaque reads, A child who made the world a better place through his courage, faith, smile, laughter, and love of others. May your memory and inspiration live on forever. Township of Hamilton Police Department said in a statement that they received information about the video circulating on social media earlier that day. Authorities also charged 23-year-old Daniel Flippen, who was filming Clopp, with having an open alcoholic beverage in a park. In the video, Bellace, who was wearing his companys T-shirt, could be seen putting a beer can on the ground before committing the alleged offense. The 23-year-old told ABC news that he did not remember the incident as he was intoxicated, apologizing for his conduct. It was a big mistake I made. I was intoxicated. I didnt know what I was doing at the time, Bellace told the news station. When I came to my senses the next day, I realized I made a huge mistake. I wish I could take it all back and make things right. New Jersey Man who allegedly urinated on childs park memorial says I made a huge mistake https://t.co/NaGhaGrWkV KAMC News (@KAMCNews) May 21, 2019 Following the community outrage, Bellaces father, Bruce, said he was not proud of his son and has apologized to the family for his actions. Im not proud of him, Bruce told Press of Atlantic City. I had to remove him from employment. Ultimately its my fault. Maybe we didnt teach him right, he added. Christians father, Mark Clopp, also reacted to the video in a Facebook post, saying that his initial reaction was to was to find you and beat you senseless in defense of my sons honor and the distress you caused my family. But the former police officer said he was above that and instead hopes the incident becomes a learning experience for the two men. I dont know either one of you. I have no idea what exists in your life to make you so indifferent to how others feel but I hope this serves as a wake-up call and you get the help you need, he said. I hope it doesnt take the heartache my family has lived through to open your eyes. Something is wrong in your life and you need to fix it. You have done serious damage to your reputation; only you can fix it. How you respond to this dictates the direction your life will take, Clopp added. After the incident, community members from Hamilton Township came together to clean up the memorial. Those who went to clean the playground: You are the glue that holds this community together. Your actions were kind, thoughtful and selfless. You are the example of loving thy neighbor. Thank God we have role models like you! Clopp said in his post. Bellace was released on a summons and is expected in court on May 29, reported Press Atlantic City. 5 GOP Senators Move to Restore Sentencing Tool for Repeat Offenders WASHINGTONViolent repeat offenders who illegally use firearms to commit new felonies will again face the prospect of a minimum of 15 years in prison if a bill introduced on May 20 by five Republican senators becomes law. Violent, repeat criminals should be behind bars, not roaming the streets threatening law-abiding citizens. The Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act (RACCA) will give back federal prosecutors the tool they need to lock up hardened, repeat offenders, said Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) in a statement. Sens. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Josh Hawley of Missouri, David Perdue of Georgia, and Lindsay Graham of South Carolina are co-sponsors of RACCA with Cotton. A companion version of the measure was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. David Kustoff (R-Tenn.). The National Sheriffs Association (NSA) and the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) released statements backing the RACCA, in conjunction with the senators announcement of the bills introduction in Congress. The bill is in response to a 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decisionJohnson v. United Statesthat found unconstitutionally vague a provision of the Armed Career Criminal Act of 1984 that required a minimum 15 years in prison for those convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm and who had three prior violent felonies committed on three separate occasions. The violent felonies included those that constitute crimes similar to burglary, arson, or extortion under what is known as the ACCAs residual clause (any crime that otherwise involves conduct that presents a serious potential risk of physical injury to another), the senators said in the statement. It was the residual clause that the high court ruled unconstitutionally vague. The Johnson decision resulted in the early release of thousands of violent criminals who then committed new crimes, the senators said. As an example, Cotton pointed to Cornelius Spencer, a gang member convicted of nine felonies, including drug trafficking, aggravated assault, and robbery, who was released in 2016, five years before completing his 15-year sentence. Last year, he was charged with raping two homeless Arkansans, a 62-year-old woman and a 21-year-old autistic man. These crimes wouldve never happened if Spencer hadnt been prematurely released, Cotton said. The RACCA replaces the 1984 laws provisions concerning violent felony and serious drug offense with the single category of a serious felony, which is defined as any crime for which the penalty upon conviction is 10 or more years in prison. As a result, the 15-year minimum sentence would still apply only in a case where a felon who possesses a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g) has previously been convicted three times of serious felonies, which must have been committed on different occasions. Hawley, a former Missouri attorney general, said when prosecutors lack the tools to take repeat offenders off the streets, more crimes are committed and all of us are less safe. This bill sends the message that, if you commit multiple serious felonies and carry a gun illegally, youll be spending the next 15 years in prison. When the Supreme Court effectively voided the ACCA it took away an important tool that law enforcement used to get the worst career criminals off our streets, said NAPO Executive Director William J. Johnson in a letter released by the senators. The Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act will fix the ACCA by using a specific definition for serious felony and restore the Act, thus giving prosecutors and law enforcement back a significant resource in the fight against violent crime, Johnson said. The measure introduced on May 20 is identical to one Cotton co-sponsored in 2018 with Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) in the Senate and Kustoff in the House. Former Attorney General William Sessions was among the most prominent critics of the courts Johnson decision. He told an Aug. 1, 2018, Little Rock, Arkansas, meeting of law enforcement officials that the decision had caused a nationwide problem and its a cause for deep concern. Because of the decision, Sessions said, in Utah, a career criminal released by this decision tortured and murdered two teenagers and then threw their bodies down a mineshaft. A released career criminal in California allegedly murdered his father, carjacked a vehicle and killed the driver. And in Oregon, a released career criminal held a Subway sandwich shop hostage and then shot a police officer just 18 days after he was released. Sessions added that this is no little matter. In 2016, the U.S. Sentencing Commission found that nearly seven out of 10 career criminals reoffended after being released. Federal firearms offenders were found to be the most likely to be rearrested of any category. These criminals are both. They are career criminals and firearms offenders. Sessions said 1,400 repeat offenders were released due to the Johnson decision. Liu Shiyu, Chairman of China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) looks on during a National People's Congress press conference in Beijing on March 12, 2016. (WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Images) Former Chairman of China Securities Regulator Surrenders to Anti-Corruption Investigators Liu Shiyu, former head of the regulatory agency China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), has surrendered himself to anti-corruption investigators on suspicion of violating the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) discipline and Chinese laws, according to an official statement. The Party rarely makes such announcements of officials cooperating with investigators. Lius case thus has attracted much speculation about what he could reveal to the authorities, including possibly exposing more corruption. Since current Party leader Xi Jinping came to power in 2012, a sweeping anti-corruption campaign has felled hundreds of thousands of misbehaving officials, usually caught on graft crimes. A Top Banker Liu, 57, received a Ph.D. in economics and management from one of Chinas top universities, Tsinghua. According to his official resume, Liu worked at the state-run China Construction Bank before joining the Peoples Bank Of China (PBOC), Chinas central bank, in 1996. He was promoted to be vice president of PBOC in June 2006, and worked at this position until October 2014, when he was promoted to Party secretary at the state-run Agricultural Bank of China. Liu was promoted to be CSRC chairman in February 2016, which is a minister-level official and a very important position that controls the operations of Chinas capital markets. But on Jan. 26, Liu was transferred to another post, to become director of the All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives, also a minister-level but less powerful position. Unusual Statement In the late evening on May 19, the China National Supervisory Commission, the Partys top anti-corruption agency, and the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) co-published a statement saying that Liu had surrendered to anti-corruption authorities. The statement didnt provide any further details about Lius possible wrongdoing. The statement was shortonly 57 words21 of which list Lius titles. But the words hinted at an unusual circumstance. The statement called Liu a comrade, which suggests that he is still considered a Party member. This is unusual because most Party officials ensnared by the anti-corruption authorities lose their Party membership. Most statements also say that officials violated discipline seriously, but Lius did not include that adjective. The statement also said that Liu surrendered himself proactively and will cooperate with the investigation. In previous statements that the CCDI published, ensnared officials are said to have accepted the investigation. Liu is the third CCP minister-level officials to be investigated in 2019. Suspected Cases Liu was known for using colorful language to enthusiastically describe his efforts at fighting bad cadre behavior within CSRC. On Dec. 3, 2016, 10 months after becoming head of the CSRC, Liu told representatives of Chinas securities, investment, and fund businesses at a national meeting: I hope all asset managers wont become tyrants who are inappropriately arrogant; goblins who incite trouble; or demons who harm the people. Then on Feb. 26, 2017, Liu said at a press conference held by Chinas cabinet-like State Council: After I worked for the CSRC, I spent a long time to investigate the chaos in the capital market. The results opened my eyes, and shocked me. I think the right words to describe these people are barbarians, goblins, and predators. Indeed, Liu is known for being a reformist at the CSRC. According to Chinese business magazine Caijing, Liu punished companies and asset managers that didnt follow rules. In 2018, CSRC fined companies that violated regulations a total of 10.64 billion yuan ($1.54 billion) in 310 cases, the highest in CSRC history. But Liu also took some actions that the Xi leadership may not have approved of. For example, he greatly opened up the exchange markets to private enterprises, approving more than 10 companies to launch an Initial Public Offering (IPO) every week, which brought risks to the market, according to Caijing. Caijing used Jiangsu Bank as an example. The Jiangsu Bank had applied for an IPO for six years, but couldnt get approval due to its bad performance. Liu approved its application in August 2016. The price of Jiangsu Banks shares decreased continuously since the second week after its IPO. It finally reached zero in 2018. Liu also approved IPOs for five other small banks from Jiangsu Province, which is also his hometown. Chinese media Koukou News reported on May 20 that Liu could possibly be involved in the anti-corruption case of Dai Juan, general manager of the Assets Management Center at Nanjing Bank. Nanjing is the second largest city in Jiangsu. Dai has been investigated by the CCDI since February and is suspected of bribing officials so they could favor Nanjing Bank in deals involving the selling and buying of debt. White House Counsel Don McGahn speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at National Harbor, Maryland, on Feb. 22, 2018. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters) Former White House Counsel Defies Democrats Subpoena Former White House counsel Don McGahn did not comply with a subpoena to testify on May 21 to the House Judiciary Committee, drawing a threat from the committees chairman, Jerrold Nadler. Let me be clear: this committee will hear Mr. McGahns testimony, even if we have to go to court to secure it, Rep. Nadler (D-N.Y.) said. The White House asserted executive privilege ahead of the hearing and told McGahn not to testify. Mr. McGahn has a legal obligation to be here for this scheduled appearance, Nadler said. If he does not immediately correct his mistake, this committee will have no choice but to enforce this subpoena against him. With the witness chair empty, the committee adjourned after roughly 30 minutes. Republicans criticized the hearing and the subpoena, accusing Democrats of abusing congressional oversight powers to score political points. Some of my Democrat colleagues here may believe the witness can provide damaging information against the president, but that isnt a reason to bring somebody to testify, said committee ranking member Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.). There is no legitimate legislative purpose here; its about embarrassing and harassing the president. McGahn played the central role in what some Democrats interpret as the most damning episode described in the obstruction of justice section of the final report by special counsel Robert Mueller. The special counsel didnt file obstruction-of-justice charges. Mueller also didnt find evidence to establish that Trump colluded with Russia. The House Judiciary Committee faced another empty chair two weeks earlier, on May 2, when Attorney General William Barr refused to appear for testimony. The committee later voted to recommend that the full House hold Barr in contempt for defying a subpoena for the unredacted Mueller report. Republicans in Congress dismiss the committee inquiries as a political power play ahead of the 2020 elections. Democrats appear poised to use the various instances of resistance by the White House to make a case for impeachment. On May 18, Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan became the first Republican to call for the presidents impeachment. No other Republican has followed suit. Trump called Amash a lightweight and a loser. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the top Democrat in Congress, told MSNBC on May 21 that Amashs statement doesnt mean there is more pressure on the House to begin impeachment. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) told CNN on May 21 that the case for launching the impeachment process, which would give Democrats more leverage to compel testimony and obtain documents, gets stronger the more they stonewall the Congress. After gaining control of the House of Representatives during the 2018 midterm elections, Democrats repeatedly have used congressional oversight powers to investigate Trump. Various Democrat-led committees have opened 10 congressional investigations to date, targeting Trump, his children, and White House officials. Why are the Democrats not looking into all of the crimes committed by Crooked Hillary and the phony Russia Investigation? They would get back their credibility, Trump wrote on Twitter. Jerry Nadler, Schiff, would have a whole new future open to them. Perhaps they could even run for President! Reuters contributed to this report. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signs a bill that virtually outlaws abortion in the state on May 15, 2019. (Hal Yeager/Alabama Governor's Office via AP) Governor: New Abortion Law Shows Alabama Values Sanctity of Life Alabamas governor said that the new abortion bill she recently signed into law reflects the value residents place on the sanctity of life. Gov. Kay Ivey was asked about the new law after a news conference about the state tourism industry on May 20. The Legislature has spoken, Ivey said. It underscores the sanctity of life the people of Alabama value so highly. When asked by reporters if she saw the measure impacting the states tourism or business sectors, she said she didnt expect any fallout from the states return to pro-life laws. Ivey brushed off the medias suggestion that the protesters that have been gathering could do any possible harm to tourism and efforts to woo new industry and business to Alabama. Alabama has a lot of different variety of things to visit and enjoy, and our visitors will continue to come, Ivey said. On May 19, marchers took to the streets in Montgomery, Birmingham, and Huntsville to protest the abortion ban that Ivey signed. Crowds chanted my body, my choice! and vote them out! They said on May 20 that the measures have mobilized those who call for legalized abortion, and they say they are digging in for a legal and political fight. The Republican governor last week approved a bill that outlaws all abortions except in cases when the pregnancy puts the prospective mothers life is at risk. While it doesnt penalize a woman for undergoing an abortion, it makes it a felony to perform it, imposing penalties of 10 to 99 years in prison. The law provides no exception for rape and incest. The law does not take effect for six months and legal challenges are expected to attempt to block the law in the courts. Alabama is one of many more conservative states seeking to mount new legal challenges to Roe v. Wade (pdf)the 1973 landmark Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide. Governors in Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, and Georgia have approved bills on abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can happen as early as the sixth week of pregnancy. Challenge to Roe v. Wade The Alabama law takes aim at the core issue of whether an unborn child can be considered a person, as discussed in Roe v. Wade. Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur), who sponsored the bill, had said the goal was to pass the bill in a form that would be able to challenge the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling in the strongest way. The Roe v. Wade ruling in 1973 legalized abortion nationwide by prohibiting states from banning abortions prior to when the fetus is deemed viablethat is, potentially able to live outside its mothers womb. In Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court said that if unborn children are persons, then they have the right to life. The decision concluded that unborn children are not persons, and acknowledged that the case to prohibit states from banning abortions would collapse if the fetus is a person, because then its right to life would then be guaranteed by the Constitution. Norma McCorvey, the real name of Jane Roe from Roe v. Wade: 1. Lied about being raped 2. Said she was used by lawyers who simply wanted to change abortion laws 3. Sought, in 2004, to have Roe v wade overturned 4. Called her involvement in Roe the biggest mistake of her life pic.twitter.com/rGmMx2TgaE Adrian Norman (@AdrianNormanDC) May 16, 2019 According to AL.com, Collins said that if the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, states could then later decide what exceptions to allowsuch as incest or rape. Sen. Clyde Chambliss (R-Prattville), who sponsored the bill in the Senate, said that all unborn children deserve protection from the law, AL.com reported. Human life has rights, and when someone takes those rights, thats when we as government have to step in, Chambliss said, the Guardian reported. When God creates that life, that miracle of life inside the womans womb, its not our place as humans to extinguish that life. Thats what I believe. Chambliss was asked about the legal costs the state would incur if the bill is challenged in court. Life is a gift of our Creator and we must do everything that we can to protect life, he responded, according to AL.com. And if it is a couple of million dollars, that is a small, small price for those lives. The Associated Press contributed to this report. From NTD.com Global climate change emergency leads to first World Forum on Climate Justice Oxford, May 21, 2019 - Elsevier and the Glasgow Caledonian University Centre for Climate Justice are pleased to announce a partnership that will provide the platform to discuss the impacts of climate change on weather forecasting, people trafficking and growing spread of mosquito-borne malaria, among other topics, at the first World Forum on Climate Justice, June 19-21, 2019 at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU). This inaugural conference brings together an outstanding line-up of international speakers, led by Mary Robinson, Kerry Kennedy and Professor Tahseen Jafry. Difficult conversations around the current and future impact of climate change on the world's societies and economies will be explored, to aid further promotion and collaboration about the latest science and thinking as to how these issues can be tackled. Around one hundred short talks will cover the diverse challenges posed by climate change: from the impact on fair access to food and water to the spread of diseases like malaria; the growing vulnerability of communities to extreme weather events; and the resulting challenges on migration and population displacement. This Forum brings a diverse range of expertise in the emerging field of Climate Justice together for the first time to consider the impact climate change is already having on people and their communities across the world. Mary Robinson's international leadership, through her Foundation, has done much to raise the profile of Climate Justice. She was among the first to recognize the droughts, floods or sea-level rise linked to climate change will affect every country on the planet, but not everyone will be impacted in the same way. Her opening address will highlight the ever-more disproportionate burden on the poorest and the politically and socio-economically marginalized. "We cannot place our faith in future technologies to fix this problem," said Conference Chair and Director of GCU's Centre for Climate Justice, Professor Tahseen Jafry. "Addressing this widening disparity and the resulting climate injustice requires a concerted, collaborative effort across disciplines and I believe this Forum will help deliver that. "I am excited to bring together so many leading researchers from the international scientific community and NGOs. We have been overwhelmed by the interest in this new event and it will be an important platform for fostering collaboration, networking and wider engagement in climate justice." Keynote speakers include Mary Robinson, Mary Robinson Foundation - Climate Justice, Republic of Ireland; Talk: Climate Justice: The way to accelerate ambition for a safe world Penelope Endersby, Chief Executive, Met Office, UK; Talk: Contributing to climate justice through accurate predictions and in-country capacity development Patrick Bond, Professor of Political Economy, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa; Talk: Conceptual and strategic conflicts within climate justice Kerry Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, USA; Talk: Title to be announced Benjamin K. Sovacool, Professor of Energy Policy, University of Sussex, UK; Talk: Decarbonisation and its discontents: A critical justice perspective on four low-carbon transitions Yifat Susskind, Executive Director, MADRE, USA; Talk: Weathering the storm, Seeding the future: A women's vision for climate justice Kevin Bales, Professor of Contemporary Slavery, University of Nottingham, UK; Talk: Slavery in the Anthropocene: the vicious cycle of slavery, ecocide, climate change, and supply chains Kristie L. Ebi, Professor of Global Health, University of Washington, USA; Talk: Health risks of a changing climate can increase climate injustice ### Full program information can be viewed via the conference page at http://www. elsevier. com/ events/ conferences/ world-forum-on-climate-justice/ programme . Notes for editors Press passes are available to credentialed journalists upon request; please contact Nina Cosgrove at n.cosgrove@elsevier.com">n.cosgrove@elsevier.com or +44 1865 843 297. About Glasgow Caledonian University Centre for Climate Justice The Centre for Climate Justice conducts research and educational activities on climate justice with the goal of promoting challenging conversations on the societal impacts of climate change, gaining deeper insights of climate inequality and changing the narrative on climate action to incorporate more human-centered approaches. Founded five years ago in partnership with the Mary Robinson Foundation for Climate Justice as part of Glasgow Caledonian University's Common Good mission, the multi-disciplinary team is led by Director, Professor Tahseen Jafry. The Centre is conducting ground-breaking international research and is increasingly influential in shaping policy at a Scottish and UK level. http://www. gcu. ac. uk/ climatejustice About Elsevier Elsevier is a global information analytics business that helps scientists and clinicians to find new answers, reshape human knowledge, and tackle the most urgent human crises. For 140 years, we have partnered with the research world to curate and verify scientific knowledge. Today, we're committed to bringing that rigor to a new generation of platforms. Elsevier provides digital solutions and tools in the areas of strategic research management, R&D performance, clinical decision support, and professional education; including ScienceDirect, Scopus, SciVal, ClinicalKey and Sherpath. Elsevier publishes over 2,500 digitized journals, including The Lancet and Cell, 39,000 e-book titles and many iconic reference works, including Gray's Anatomy. Elsevier is part of RELX Group, a global provider of information and analytics for professionals and business customers across industries. http://www. elsevier. com Media contacts Nina Cosgrove, Press pass requests Elsevier +44 1865 843 297 n.cosgrove@elsevier.com Rob Flett, Speaker interviews & climate justice background information Glasgow Caledonian University +44 141 331 8901 +44 7764 335 793 rob.flett@gcu.ac.uk This story has been published on: 2019-05-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. A man talks on his mobile phone beside Huawei's billboard featuring 5G technology at the PT Expo in Beijing on Sept. 26, 2018. (Reuters) Hobbling Huawei: Inside the US War on Chinas Tech Giant CANBERRAIn early 2018, in a complex of low-rise buildings in the Australian capital, a team of government hackers was engaging in a destructive digital war game. The operativesagents of the Australian Signals Directorate, the nations top-secret eavesdropping agencyhad been given a challenge. With all the offensive cyber tools at their disposal, what harm could they inflict if they had access to equipment installed in the 5G network, the next-generation mobile communications technology, of a target nation? What the team found, say current and former government officials, was sobering for Australian security and political leaders: The offensive potential of 5G was so great that if Australia were on the receiving end of such attacks, the country could be seriously exposed. The understanding of how 5G could be exploited for spying and to sabotage critical infrastructure changed everything for the Australians, according to people familiar with the deliberations. Mike Burgess, the head of the signals directorate, recently explained why the security of fifth generation, or 5G, technology was so important: It will be integral to the communications at the heart of a countrys critical infrastructureeverything from electric power to water supplies to sewage, he said in a March speech at a Sydney research institute. Washington is widely seen as having taken the initiative in the global campaign against Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, a tech juggernaut that in the three decades since its founding has become a pillar of Beijings bid to expand its global influence. Yet Reuters interviews with more than two dozen current and former Western officials show it was the Australians who led the way in pressing for action on 5G; that the United States was initially slow to act; and that Britain and other European countries are caught between security concerns and the competitive prices offered by Huawei. The Australians had long harbored misgivings about Huawei in existing networks, but the 5G war game was a turning point. About six months after the simulation began, the Australian government effectively banned Huawei, the worlds largest maker of telecom networking gear, from any involvement in its 5G plans. An Australian government spokeswoman declined to comment on the war game. After the Australians shared their findings with U.S. leaders, other countries, including the United States, moved to restrict Huawei. The anti-Huawei campaign intensified last week, when President Donald Trump signed an executive order that effectively banned the use of Huawei equipment in U.S. telecom networks on national security grounds and the Commerce Department put limits on the firms purchasing of U.S. technology. Googles parent, Alphabet, suspended some of its business with Huawei, Reuters reported. Until the middle of last year, the U.S. government largely wasnt paying attention, said retired U.S. Marine Corps General James Jones, who served as national security adviser to President Barack Obama. What spurred senior U.S. officials into action? A sudden dawning of what 5G will bring, according to Jones. This has been a very, very fast-moving realization in terms of understanding the technology, he said. I think most people were treating it as a kind of evolutionary step as opposed to a revolutionary step. And now that light has come on. The Americans are now campaigning aggressively to contain Huawei as part of a much broader effort to check the Chinese regimes growing military might. Strengthening cyber operations is a key element in the sweeping military overhaul that Chinese leader Xi Jinping launched soon after taking power in 2012, according to official U.S. and Chinese military documents. The United States has accused China of widespread, state-sponsored hacking for strategic and commercial gain. A Threat to Critical Infrastructure If Huawei gains a foothold in global 5G networks, Washington fears this will give Beijing an unprecedented opportunity to attack critical infrastructure and compromise intelligence sharing with key allies. Senior Western security officials say this could involve cyber attacks on public utilities, communication networks and key financial centers. In any military clash, such attacks would amount to a dramatic change in the nature of war, inflicting economic harm and disrupting civilian life far from the conflict without bullets, bombs or blockades. However, blocking Huawei is a huge challenge for Washington and its closest allies, particularly the other members of the so-called Five Eyes intelligence-sharing groupBritain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. From humble beginnings in the 1980s in the southern Chinese boom town of Shenzhen, Huawei has grown to become a technology giant that is deeply embedded in global communications networks and poised to dominate 5G infrastructure. There are few global alternatives to Huawei, which has financial musclethe company reported revenue for 2018 jumped almost 20 percent to more than $100 billionas well as competitive technology and the political backing of Beijing. Huaweis 74-year old founder, Ren Zhengfei, is a former officer in Chinas military, the Peoples Liberation Army. For countries that exclude Huawei there is a risk of retaliation from Beijing. Since Australia banned the company from its 5G networks last year, it has experienced disruption to its coal exports to China, including customs delays on the Chinese side. Tension over Huawei is also exposing divisions in the Five Eyes group, which has been a foundation of the post-Second World War Western security architecture. During a trip to London on May 8, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a stark warning to Britain, which has not ruled out using Huawei in its 5G networks. Insufficient security will impede the United States ability to share certain information within trusted networks, he said. This is exactly what China wants; they want to divide Western alliances through bits and bytes, not bullets and bombs. Washington argues that surreptitious backdoors arent necessarily needed to wreak havoc in 5G systems. The systems will rely heavily on software updates pushed out by equipment suppliersand that access to the 5G network, says the United States, potentially could be used to deploy malicious code. Asked whether the United States was slow to react to potential threats posed by 5G, Robert Strayer, the State Departments lead cyber policy diplomat, told Reuters that America had long been concerned about Chinese telecom companies, but that over the past year, as 5G loomed closer, we were starting to talk more and more with our allies. Banning Huawei from 5G networks remains an end goal, he said. The Tech Threat The West has long harbored concerns about Chinese telecom equipment. In 2012, a U.S. House Intelligence Committee report concluded Chinese tech companies posed a national security threat. Huawei denounced the finding. Despite such concerns, the U.S. governments response to the threats posed by 5G only took shape more recently. In February 2018, Malcolm Turnbull, then prime minister of Australia, flew to Washington D.C. Even before Australias eavesdropping agency had run its war game, Turnbull was already raising red flags in Washington. A former technology entrepreneur, he believed 5G presented significant risks and wanted to press allies to act against Huawei. He was warning about how important 5G networks would be and the security risks we all needed to think about around countries that had capability, form and intent, as well as coercive laws, a senior Australian source told Reuters. A spokesman for Turnbull declined to comment. Turnbull and his advisers met U.S. officials, including Kirstjen Nielsen, then U.S. secretary of homeland security, and Michael Rogers, then head of the U.S. National Security Agency, the U.S. signals-intelligence operation. The Australians said they believed Beijing could compel Huawei to do its bidding and that this posed a threat should tensions with China rise in the future, said two of the Australian officials familiar with the meeting. The U.S. officials were receptive to the Australian message, but imposing restrictions on the worlds largest maker of mobile network gear didnt appear to be a high priority, according to the two Australian officials. They didnt share our concern with the same urgency, said one. Rogers declined to comment. A Department of Homeland Security official did not elaborate on the meeting, but said the agency works closely with Australia on security issues and that China will continue to use cyber espionage and bolster cyber-attack capabilities to support its national security priorities. 5G technology is expected to deliver a huge leap in the speed and capacity of communications. Downloading data may be up to 100 times faster than on current networks. But 5G isnt only about faster data. The upgrade will see an exponential spike in the number of connections between the billions of devices, from smart fridges to driverless cars, that are expected to run on the 5G network. Its not just that there will be more people with multiple devices, but it will be machines talking to machines, devices talking to devicesall enabled by 5G, said Burgess, the Australian Signals Directorate chief, in his March address. This configuration of 5G networks means there are many more points of entry for a hostile power or group to conduct cyber warfare against the critical infrastructure of a target nation or community. That threat is magnified if an adversary has supplied equipment in the network, U.S. officials say. In July 2018, Britain delivered a blow to Huawei. A government-led panel that includes senior intelligence officials said it was no longer fully confident it could manage national security risks posed by the Chinese telecom equipment giant. That panel oversees the work of a laboratory that was set up by the British government in 2010 and is funded by Huawei to vet the companys equipment used in the UK. The facility was established because even then Huawei was perceived as a security risk. The oversight panel said serious problems it had identified with Huaweis engineering processes exposed new risks in the UK telecommunication networks and long-term challenges in mitigation and management. That report was a bombshell, shaping how the Americans viewed the Huawei 5G risk, said one U.S. official. U.S. officials also point to Chinese laws enacted in recent years that they say could compel individuals and companies to assist the Chinese regime in conducting espionage. The West Awakes Through the middle of last year, the Australians continued to apprise other countries of their worries about 5G. We were sharing our concerns about security with many allies, not just the U.S. and not just the traditional partners, said one of the senior Australian officials. We shared our thoughts with Japan, Germany, other European countries and South Korea. In Washington, the administration began imposing restrictions on Huawei. In August, Trump signed a bill banning federal agencies and their contractors from using equipment from Huawei and ZTE Corp, another Chinese telecom equipment maker. Huawei has since filed a lawsuit in federal court in Texas challenging the ban. In late August, the Australians went further: They banned companies that didnt meet their security requirements, which included Huawei, from supplying any equipment for the countrys 5G network, whether run by the government or by private firms. In November, New Zealands intelligence agency blocked the countrys first request by a telecom service provider to use Huawei kit for a 5G network, citing national security concerns. Like the Australians and Americans, British security officials had concerns over Chinas potential use of Huawei as a channel for conducting espionage. But the options are limited. Huawei is one of only three major global companies that analysts say can supply a broad range of advanced mobile network equipment at scale. The other two are Ericsson and Nokia. And Huawei has a reputation among telecom operators for supplying cost-effective equipment promptly. Nevertheless, British security officials were becoming increasingly frustrated with what they viewed as Huaweis failure to fix software flaws in its equipment, particularly discrepancies in the source codethe programs underlying set of instructions. This problem means the laboratory near Oxford set up to vet Huawei equipment can not even be sure that the code it is testing is exactly the same as the code Huawei deploys in its real-world equipment. This makes it difficult to provide safety assurances about the companys gear. British officials say the array of flaws could be exploited by China, as well as other malevolent actors. Ian Levy, a British security official who oversees the UKs review of Huawei equipment, told Reuters the companys software engineering is like something from 20 years ago. The chance of a vulnerability with a Huawei piece of kit is much higher than other vendors, he said. The company said it has pledged to spend at least $2 billion over the next five years to improve its software engineering capabilities. British ministers have agreed to allow Huawei a restricted role in building parts of its 5G network, but the government has yet to announce its final decision. The European Union has left it to individual governments to decide whether to ban any company on national security grounds. As the tensions between the West and Huawei intensified through last year, they suddenly took a personal turn. U.S. law enforcement officials had for some time been investigating links between Huawei and Iran, including the involvement of Meng Wanzhou, Huaweis chief financial officer, who is the daughter of the companys founder. The probe followed Reuters stories in 2012 and 2013 that revealed links between Huawei, Meng and another company that allegedly attempted to violate U.S. sanctions on Iran. When U.S. officials became aware that Meng would be traveling through Vancouver in December, they pounced, asking Canada to detain her on allegations of bank and wire fraud. Meng remains free on bail in Canada while the U.S. government tries to have her extradited. The Huawei conflict isnt only about U.S.-China superpower rivalry: The activities of Meng and Huawei were under scrutiny by U.S. authorities long before Trump began a trade war with China, according to interviews with people familiar with those probes. In recent months, the United States has ramped up diplomatic efforts to warn allies about Huawei. 5G is a game-changing technology with implications across all aspects of society from business, government, military and beyond, Gordon Sondland, U.S. ambassador to the European Union, told Reuters in February. It seems common sense to me to not hand over the keys to your entire society to an actor that has demonstrated malign conduct. Asked whether there is evidence of Huawei equipment having been used for espionage, Sondland said there is classified evidence. He declined to expand on the nature of the material beyond saying there was no doubt that Huawei had the capability to hack a system and the mandate by the government to do so upon request. Pompeo has publicly gone further than most U.S. officials by directly linking the company to Beijing. Huawei is owned by the state of China and has deep connections to their intelligence service, he said in March. That should send off flares for everybody who understands what the Chinese military and Chinese intelligence services do. By Cassell Bryan-Low, Colin Packham, David Lague, Steve Stecklow & Jack Stubbs Hong Kong Government Expedites Extradition Bill Process, as Observers Suggest Beijing Political Infighting at Play As the pro-establishment and pro-democracy camps within Hong Kongs legislature continue to battle over an extradition bill that would allow any individual to be extradited to China for criminal prosecution, the Hong Kong government announced that it would quicken the legislative process to bring the bill to a vote. Meanwhile, China commentators have begun speculating whether factional infighting could be at play. A Political Battle Since Hong Kong government first announced plans to amend the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance, collectively referred to as extradition amendments, back in February, Hong Kong people have voiced strong opposition. The amendments would allow criminal suspects from any regionincluding mainland Chinato seek extradition without the Legislative Council (LegCo) signing off on the requests. The head of the citys government, the chief executive, would be able to approve the extradition requests directly. On April 28, over 130,000 Hong Kongers flooded the streets to oppose this legislation. The parade was one of the biggest protests since the Umbrella pro-democracy movement in 2014. Chief executive Carrie Lam restated on May 21 that she intended for the legislation to pass the LegCo before its July break. She said that the Hong Kong government would bypass legislative procedure to expedite the passage of amendments. The bill will now be directly sent to the full legislature on June 12 for a second reading. The most serious issue is that we couldnt see a way forward, how to break this deadlock other than to force me to scrap this bill, but this is unrealistic, she told reporters on Tuesday. Opponents had disrupted a succession of legislative sessions meant to scrutinize the bill, with brawls breaking out in the LegCo. LegCo members are divided into two groups: the pro-establishment and pro-democracy camps. The former has 43 members, who generally support Beijings proposals. The pro-democracy camp has 26 members. One member is a centrist. The two camps tried to hold separate hearings on the bill earlier this month, with the democrats saying that the pro-China lawmakers breached rules in forming their own committee to try and ram through the legislation. Party Infighting A source close to Hong Kong Liaison Office, the representative office of Beijing in Hong Kong, told the Chinese-language Epoch Times in a recent interview: It is a political task that the [Beijing] central government has commanded Carrie Lam, the chief executive, to do. The insider, who wished to remain anonymous, outlined four reasons why the Chinese regime wants the extradition laws changed: as a measure to respond to changes in U.S. policy toward China; to target and charge groups that the Chinese regime deems hostile forces; force mainland Chinese activists who strongly oppose the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and have sought refuge in Hong Kong to leave the city; and threaten Hong Kong pro-democracy activists into taking a more moderate route. Ji Da, a U.S.-based political commentator, told the Chinese-language Epoch Times on May 3 that Hong Kong used to be controlled by a CCP faction loyal to former paramount leader Jiang Zemin. Since current leader Xi Jinping came to power in 2012, he has utilized an anti-corruption campaign to purge the Party of Jiang loyalists. Many top Jiang faction officials have since been sacked, but there continues to be factional infighting between the two camps, with the Jiang faction hoping to usurp power from the current leadership. Han Zheng, the current director of the CCPs China Central Coordination Group for Hong Kong and Macau Affairs, is an official aligned with the Jiang faction. The group is the highest authority to supervise and coordinate Beijings policies towards Hong Kong and Macau. Han succeeded the post from Zhang Dejiang, who retired in 2018. Zhang is a key figure within the Jiang faction. Zhang Xiaoming (no relation), the coordination groups current office manager, is also a Jiang faction official. He had previously served as director of the Hong Kong Liaison Office from 2012 to 2017. Their [Jiang faction] purpose is stimulating peoples grievances, tearing apart Hong Kong society, and seize power from Xi during the crisis, Ji said. Hong Kong political magazine Chengming reported back in June 2013 that after Xi officially became CCP leader in March 2013, another top Jiang faction official (who has since retired from politics) Zeng Qinghong had told officials in Hong Kong and Macau: Hong Kong should have political chaos. The key point is seizing the power the more chaotic, the easier to achieve [the seizing]. US Supports an Open Hong Kong Kurt Tong, the U.S. Consul General to Hong Kong and Macau, expressed his concerns about the extradition proposals potential effect on the United States relationship with the city. The concern for the U.S. is if the distinctions between Hong Kong and mainland are blurred, and the one country, two systems framework is less clear, then maybe there would need to be adjustments in U.S. policy, Tong said in an interview with Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) on May 4. Kurt Tong added that if Hong Kongs autonomy is further eroded, companies may no longer want to do business in the city and foreign investment may suffer. The recent situation in Hong Kong has given the international business community a bit of a pause in terms of thinking about Hong Kong, Tong said. Reuters contributed to this report. Google applications are seen on a Huawei smartphone in this photo illustration taken on May 20, 2019. (Dado Ruvic/Reuters) Huawei Mobile Users Ponder Switching Brand After Google News LONDON/MUMBAITime to abandon the Huawei phone? That was what some owners asked after U.S. tech giant Google said it would suspend its business with Chinas top mobile maker, threatening future access to Gmail, YouTube, and Chrome. Google said on May 20 it would comply with an order by President Donald Trump to stop supplying Huawei, meaning it would no longer be able to offer its popular Android apps to buyers of new Huawei phones. The order to U.S. companies could affect tens of millions of consumers in Europe, its biggest market outside mainland China. Trumps move, said to be motivated by spying concerns amid a trade war with China, in a single blow could derail Huaweis ambitions to overtake Samsung as the worlds biggest phone maker. Late on May 20, the U.S. Commerce Department announced that it would grant a 90-day exemption, temporarily allowing Huawei to continue purchasing U.S.-made goods for maintaining existing networks and providing software updates to existing Huawei handsets. Google said on May 21 that it would provide software updates for existing Huawei models until August 19. Huawei is still prohibited from buying American parts and components to manufacture new products without license approvals that likely will be denied. The U.S. government said it imposed the restrictions because of Huaweis involvement in activities contrary to national security or foreign policy interests. Emerging economies such as Kenya are key to Huaweis ambitions as it seeks to sell more low- to mid-priced handsets outside China. India, where Huawei now has only single-figure market share, is also potentially vital. Manish Khatri, the owner of a smartphone shop in Mumbai, Indias financial hub, said some customers had been looking for Huawei phones. Now with Google deciding to have a limited relationship with Huawei I will direct customers to other smartphones brands such as Samsung or Apple, he said. Googles team working on the Android operating system told Huawei users on its Twitter @Android account it would comply with U.S. requirements while ensuring services like Google Play & security from Google Play Protect will keep functioning on your existing Huawei device. Operators, who tie phones into their networks with mobile line contracts for calls and data, also were racing to determine the impact on their businesses from Googles decision. We are reviewing the details of the executive order to understand any potential implications for our customers, Spains Telefonica, Europes third-largest mobile operator. Hutchisons British network operator Three told customers that Huaweis routers and devices would continue working, but also said it was seeking further information. We are in discussions with Huawei and will provide a further update as soon as we can, the firm said in a statement. Huawei is embroiled in a long-running row with the United States over the security of its systems and devices. The U.S. administration has said Huawei equipment could be used by China for espionage and Washington has pressed its allies to use other suppliers. Huawei denies the U.S charges. By Hazel Baker & Sankalp Phartiyal. The Epoch Times contributed to this report. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves towards his supporters during a roadshow in Varanasi, India, on April 25, 2019. (Adnan Abidi/Reuters) Indias Modi Set to Return to Power With a Bigger Majority, Exit Polls Show NEW DELHIIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to return to power with an even bigger majority in parliament after a mammoth general election that ended on Sunday, May 19, exit polls showed, a far better showing than expected in recent weeks. Modi faced criticism early on in the campaign for failing to create jobs and for weak farm prices, and analysts, as well as politicians, said the election race was tightening with the main opposition Congress party gaining ground. But he rallied his Hindu nationalist base and turned the campaign into a fight for national security after tensions rose with Pakistan and attacked his main rival for being soft on the countrys arch-foe. Modis National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is projected to win anything between 339-365 seats in the 545-member lower house of parliament with the Congress party-led opposition alliance at a distant 77 to 108, India Today Axis exit poll showed. To rule, a party needs to win 272 seats. Modis alliance won 336 seats in the 2014 election. The exit polls showed that he not only held to this base in the northern Hindi belt but also breached the east where regional groups traditionally held sway. Only the south largely resisted the Hindu nationalist surge, except for Karnataka, home to software capital Bengaluru. Counting of votes recorded in hundreds of thousands of computerized machines will begin early on Thursday and results are expected by noon. According to another poll released by Todays Chanakya, Modis alliance is likely to get around 350 seats. One poll by Neta Newsx, though, forecast Modis group falling 30 seats short. Exit polls, though, have a mixed record in a country with an electorate of 900 million peoplearound two-thirds of whom voted in the seven-phase election. They have often gotten the number of seats wrong, but the broad direction has generally been correct, analysts say. A clear win would mean Modi can carry out reforms investors expect to make India an easier place for doing business, they said. Gandhi Loss The Congress party led by Rahul Gandhi, the fourth generation scion of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty that ruled India for decades following independence, focused on Modis failure to deliver on the promises he made to transform the economy and turn India into a manufacturing hub. Congress spokesman Sanjay Jha dismissed the poll projections, saying that an alliance led by his party would defeat the BJP when votes are counted on May 23. Many of the pollsters, if not all of the pollsters, have got it wrong, he said, adding that a polarized atmosphere and fear had kept voters from telling pollsters about their actual allegiance. Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal state and a bitter opponent of Modi, said the fight was not over. I dont trust exit poll gossip, she said on Twitter. I appeal to all opposition parties to be united, strong and bold. We will fight this battle together. Voting began on April 11 and ended on Sunday in the worlds biggest democratic exercise. By Aftab Ahmed and Devjyot Ghoshal Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo (L) points in the direction of Keith Raniere, in this courtroom sketch, at the Brooklyn Federal Courthouse in New York, on May 7, 2019. (Jane Rosenberg/Reuters) Inner Circle Member Details Arrest of NXIVMs Leader in Mexico NEW YORKIn dramatic testimony on May 21, a former member who was part of NXIVM leader Keith Ranieres inner circle detailed how federal police surrounded Ranieres Mexico hideout to arrest him in 2018and how the grandmaster tried to hide in a walk-in closet rather than protect her. Lauren Salzman, 42, told jurors in a Brooklyn federal court that she and Raniere were alone in a bedroom in the Puerto Vallarta house, where other female inner-circle members were also present, when authorities suddenly showed up to arrest him. She recounted that her first instinct was to protect Raniere. Salzman is the daughter of the groups president, Nancy Salzman; both have pleaded guilty to related charges, as have the other three co-defendants. Raniere, 58, sat at the top of the pyramid scheme group, which presented itself as a self-help organization. He is accused of having sexual slaves as part of an internal secret society called DOS, an acronym for the Latin phrase dominus obsequious sororium, which loosely translates as master over the slave women. He has been charged for sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, among other crimes. Wearing a white top and black pants, Salzman, who appeared melancholy throughout her testimony, broke down in tears at times as she described her experiences in the group; her long-term relationship with Raniere, buoyed by his promise of having a baby with her; her role in keeping another member locked up in a room for two years; and her lies to the public as a spokeswoman for the group. Raniere stared at Salzman intently during her testimony, often with his right hand resting on his chin. Salzman recounted that on the day of Ranieres arrest, Mexican police officers in bulletproof vests searched the property before approaching the bedroom where she and Raniere were hiding. When the police started knocking on the door, she said, Raniere told her to ask whether they had a search warrant while he attempted to hide. Earlier, she had tried to get Raniere to flee out the window, but he had refused. In her testimony, Salzman described going back and forth across the room as she answered the officers questions through the door. The whole time, I was thinking, They could shoot in this door. I might get shot right now,' she testified. My highest priority was making sure Keith was OK. Officers eventually kicked down the bedroom door and held her down as she called out Ranieres name. Raniere was arrested and extradited back to the United States. Salzman said that looking back now, she can see that Raniere failed to act on what he had taught throughout the years as part of NXIVMs self-improvement curriculum. Such classes, she said, often talked about how men were noble and should act like real men in tough situations. Much of the curriculum, former members testified, was aimed at minimizing morality and tearing apart traditional male and female relationships. She told jurors she was surprised to see Raniere not practice what he had preached; instead, she was the one protecting him. Everything he taught us was this what men do, what women do, Salzman said. He didnt do itand then I did it. It never occurred to me that I would choose Keithand Keith would choose Keith. Before testifying about the arrest, Salzman detailed how she was forced to act as a spokesperson of sorts after reports came out that the group had branded women. The brand was a symbol incorporating Ranieres initials that was burned onto the skin of DOS members with a cauterizing pen, during a process that took 20 to 30 minutes, according to court documents. Salzman said she had to do interviews with the media and release statements asserting that all of the groups activities were consensual. She herself was directly under Raniere with six other women who were so-called first-line mastersslaves only to him. Brenton Tarrant, charged for murder in relation to the mosque attacks, is led into the dock for his appearance in the Christchurch District Court, New Zealand, on March 16, 2019. (Mark Mitchell/New Zealand Herald/Pool via Reuters) Man Accused of Murder in New Zealand Shootings Also Charged With Terrorist Act New Zealand police have charged the man accused of murder at two Christchurch mosques with engaging in a terrorist act, according to a May 21 police statement. In an attack broadcast live on Facebook, a lone gunman armed with semi-automatic weapons targeted Muslims attending Friday prayers in March, killing 51 worshippers and wounding dozens more. The May 21 charge under terrorism suppression legislation was filed against Brenton Tarrant, according to the statement. The charge will allege that a terrorist act was carried out in Christchurch on 15 March 2019, Commissioner of Police Mike Bush said. Tarrants lawyer didnt immediately respond to a request from Reuters for comment. Tarrant is next due to appear in court on June 14, after being remanded in custody in April and ordered to undergo psychiatric assessment to determine if he was fit to stand trial. Police notified roughly 200 family members of attack victims and survivors about the additional charges at a meeting on May 21, the statement added. 49 Murder Charges, 39 Attempted Murder Charges Tarrant was charged with an additional 49 murder charges as well as 39 counts of attempted murder on April 5, according to New Zealand Police. He was charged with one count of murder on March 16 after he allegedly gunned down 50 people and injured dozens more in the mass shootings on March 15. Police added that further charges also are being considered. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called the shootings an act of terrorism in her address to the media on March 15, and the worst-ever peacetime mass killing in the nations history. New Zealands national security threat level was revised from low to high. Tarrant announced on March 16 that he was firing his legal representative, Alpers & CoNorthwest Law Office senior associate Richard Peters, and said he was planning to represent himself in court, as he thinks the job would be done better himself, Peters said on March 16. Media access and reporting on the court proceedings are usually tightly restricted by New Zealands debated suppression laws, which aim to protect the defendants right to a fair trial by avoiding tainting the views of potential jurors by early and at times incomplete news reports. But Tarrant didnt apply for name suppression or bail after his arrest on March 15. Peters said in March that he suspected Tarrant may want to use the high-profile trial as a platform to spread his views and the trial judge would have to manage the risk of the courtroom becoming a political soapbox. Some media have decided not to publicize Tarrant by his name to avoid giving him a platform for his extremist views. Ardern has also argued against giving the accused gunman notoriety. Look after one another, but also let New Zealand be a place where there is no tolerance for racism, she told students at Cashmere High School in March. Thats something we can all do. Tarrant released a 74-page manifesto before the attack that he called The Great Replacement, referring to the replacement of white Europeans by Islamic and other immigrants, in which he identified his political and social values as closest to the Peoples Republic of China, a communist regime. Countless media reports have labeled Tarrants views as far-right. According to The Associated Press, the manifesto that was purportedly penned by Tarrant is similar to the one written by Norwegian mass killer Anders Behring Breivik. Tarrant wrote in the manifesto that China [is] set to be the worlds most dominant nation in this century (sic) because the country is lacking diversity. Were/are you a supporter of Donald Trump? he also wrote in his question-answer style document. As a symbol of renewed white identity and common purpose? Sure. As a policymaker and leader? Dear god no. Police have said they are certain Tarrant was the only gunman but are still investigating whether he had support from others. Tarrant allegedly said in the manifesto that he had been planning the attack for two years and had already identified Christchurch as the attack location three months prior. New Zealand security analyst Paul Buchanan told Radio New Zealands Checkpoint program on March 15 that Tarrant could be working with as many as 10 people. There are a whole bunch of white supremacist groups. Were talking maybe a dozen groups of this sort mainly concentrated in the South Island, Buchanan said. Its very possible this individual is still on the loose. There could well be some support network thats actively trying to hide him. Philip Arps, 44, appeared in a Christchurch court on March 20 on two charges of distributing the killers live stream video of the attack on the Al Noor mosque, the first mosque that was attacked, a violation of the countrys debated publications law. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison. Arps, heavily tattooed and dressed in a T-shirt and sweatpants, hasnt entered a plea. He remained expressionless during the hearing, his hands clasped behind his back. Judge Stephen ODriscoll denied Arps bail. Charging documents accuse Arps of distributing the video on March 16, one day after the massacre. Most details of bail hearings are suppressed under New Zealand law. The judge made an additional suppression order regarding the police summary of facts in the case, limiting reporting of the accusations to the charges themselves. With reporting by Reuters, The Associated Press, and Epoch Times staff members Jack Phillips and Melanie Sun. Sandra Rios-Chavez, 17, was found safe. Miguel Rodriguez-Perez was charged in the case (Arizona DOT) Missing Idaho Teen Sandra Rios-Chavez Found in Arizona After Being Abducted From Wendys A teen girl who officials say was abducted from her job at a Wendys restaurant in Idaho was found in Arizona on May 21. Sandra Rios-Chavez, 17, was last seen working at the fast-food establishment in Jerome, Idaho, on May 19, Fox10 reported. Officials believe she was abducted by 18-year-old Miguel Rodriguez-Perez. An AMBER Alert was issued for Rios-Chavez by the Arizona Department of Transportation. Officials said that Rodriguez-Perezs cell phone was tracked to Kingman, Arizona, adding that he has contacts in Mexico. Rios-Chavez had an order of protection against Rodriguez-Perez after he allegedly assaulted and threatened her, ABC15 reported. According to Fox10, Rios-Chavez appeared to be unharmed and was waiting to reunite with her family. Rodriguez-Perez was taken into custody without incident, the report said. Officers found his vehicle, a black Audi car that matched the AMBER Alert description, and tried to pull it over. The car sped away and was found by officers some time later, Fox10 reported. *PLEASE SHARE* An Amber Alert has been issued for Sandra Rios-Chavez, 17, of Idaho. Police say Miguel Rodriguez-Perez abducted her. His phone has pinged in Kingman. He has contacts in Mexico. He has a 2015 black Audi A4 with Idaho plate 2J-83179. Please call 911 if you see them. pic.twitter.com/hhHNWF4VrG Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) May 21, 2019 The two were both found after five hours. Reports did not indicate whether Rodriguez-Perez would face any charges. Other details about the case were not provided. Missing Children There were 464,324 missing children reported in the FBIs National Crime Information Center in 2017, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Under federal law, when a child is reported missing to law enforcement they must be entered into the database. In 2016, there were 465,676 entries. This number represents reports of missing children. That means if a child runs away multiple times in a year, each instance would be entered into NCIC separately and counted in the yearly total. Likewise, if an entry is withdrawn and amended or updated, that would also be reflected in the total, the center noted. In 2017, the center said it assisted officers and families with the cases of more than 27,000 missing children. In those cases, 91 percent were endangered runaways, and 5 percent were family abductions. About one in seven children reported missing to the center in 2017 were likely victims of human trafficking. Mother and Daughter Die in Suspected Murder-Suicide Near Sydney: Report A woman and a 2-year-old child died in Australia after plummeting to their deaths from a cliffside lookout platform. The woman has been identified on May 22, as Tanja Ludwig, 33, a German national living in Wollongong, according to 7News. Emergency crews were working on May 21 to recover the bodies of the woman and toddler from difficult terrain in bushland at the bottom of a cliff at a popular tourist spot near Wollongong, about 40 miles south of Sydney, 7News reported. A worried citizen contacted the police around 2 p.m. local time to express concern about the welfare of the woman and 2-year-old girl. When crews arrived, they found the bodies of the woman and childbelieved to be mother and daughterat the bottom of the cliff. According to 7News, police are investigating the incident as a possible murder-suicide. Superintendent Chris Craner was cited by the Illawarra Mercury as saying that the news was going to be devastating for the family and my thoughts are also with the emergency services who have turned up here today to this horrific incident. Woman, child found dead below a Mt Keira lookout https://t.co/8ilgahk21M Illawarra Mercury (@illawarramerc) May 21, 2019 The Sydney Morning Herald reported that some family members had arrived at the site and were comforted by crews after showing emotional distress. Absolutely devastating: Woman, three-year-old girl found at the bottom of Robertson Lookout | @natassiazc https://t.co/dsCbXgjwIX The Sydney Morning Herald (@smh) May 21, 2019 Images of the recovery operation at the Mt. Keira lookout, published by 7News, show crews on the platform as a helicopter hovers with a rescue crew member dangling on a cable. Emergency services are working to retrieve the bodies of a woman and child who have fallen from a cliff at a popular lookout south of Sydney. #7NEWS https://t.co/poWasbncvf 7NEWS Sydney (@7NewsSydney) May 21, 2019 Superintendent Craner told 7News the recovery operations were hindered by the difficult terrain. Its steep, its hectic, weve got police coming in from the low side, police trekking down from the high side, he told the news outlet. Its a treacherous, dangerous area that we need to get to. The station reported that retrieving the bodies would likely take crews many hours. College Student Killed After Falling Off Cliff The incident recalls the case of a 20-year-old college student who fell off a cliff while posing for a photo in Arkansas, plunging 100 feet to her death. Briar Cliff University junior Andrea Norton was repositioning herself for a picture at Hawksbill Crag, a popular hiking destination near Jasper, on April 13, when she fell. The Associated Press cited Newton County Sheriff Glenn Wheeler as saying that Norton was with a group of other college students when she died. Norton, of Hot Springs, South Dakota, had been on a hiking trip with college classmates at the time of the accident, according to her obituary. A 20-year-old South Dakota woman died this morning after she fell off Hawksbill Crag in Newton County. The sheriff says Andrea Norton goes to school in Sioux City, Iowa. She was w/ other students. Witnesses say she repositioned herself for a photo when she fell. pic.twitter.com/D0fhOTO36G Stephanie Sharp (@stephmsharp) April 13, 2019 Speaking to how dangerous the area is known to be, Wheeler told ABC news, One stumble or misstep is all it can take to turn a great day into a tragic one. My Babies! My Babies! Mother of 5 Slain Children Sobs in Court at Death Penalty Trial of Her Ex-husband A mother of 5 slain children who attended the five-day death penalty trial of her ex-husband read a letter written to their eldest child at a South Carolina court on May 20. Amber Kyzers five children were killed in a rage by her ex-husband, 37-year-old Timothy Jones Jr., in their Red Bank home on the night of Aug. 28, 2014, reported The State. My babies! My babies! Oh, God! Im so sorry! Kyzer said, reading a letter she had written to one of her slain children, Merah Jones. She then collapsed on the witness stand, in the Lexington County courtroom. Drama in court as SC mother of 5 slain children sobs during ex-husbands death penalty trial https://t.co/PGOpO51Ow5 pic.twitter.com/xfAbQVOnR2 NewsAlley (@newsalley) May 21, 2019 Jones, an Intel computer engineer, faces the death penalty for killing the couples five childrenMerah, 8; Elias, 7; Nahtahn, 6; Gabriel, 2; and Abigail Elaine, 1. For more than a week he randomly drove around the southeast with the dead bodies of the children in his SUV. He finally dumped them in a forest in the countryside Alabama. Kyzer was the 26th prosecution witness. Deputy prosecutor Suzanne Mayes asked her to read a letter she wrote to Merah to apologize for her divorce from Jones. I felt it was my place to apologize for breaking hearts, for their broken home, she testified, her voice choking up, reported The State. She took a gasp for breath as she read the letter. She read: Merah, my sweet, sweet daughter, I know that your heart feels heavy and you feel really sad. I want to reassure you, sweetheart, that you along with your brothers and sister mean everything to me. Mommy and Daddy were very blessed Then she started to sob in agony. The letter is evidence in the case. It read further: It makes me sad to know that you are hurt so bad by what I have done, that you make me feel bad for your actions. You are not to blame for what I did Merah, Im so sorry for leaving you in that house alone, Merah. Im so sorry for making you feel scared and alone. I love you very much sweetheart, I will never ever leave you alone again Merah. During the proceedings, Mayes recalled for Kyzer how Kyzer and Jones had met in Chicago; their nine years of marriage; her last conversation with her son, Nahtahn; and then the conversation with Jones, who, in a rage, hung up before slaying their five children. Jones was angry with Nahtahn for blowing up four electric outlets in the home. I heard my son cryingmy son Nahtahnand I asked him what was wrong, and he said, Mom, I didnt mean to. And Tim was going on in the background, You could have killed yourself, son! I was trying to calm my son down, Kyzer said of the regular evening call she made to her kids on Aug. 28, 2014. As the emotional drama unfolded in the courtroom, Judge Eugene Griffith stood and asked the jury to leave the room. Jones kept his face down as Kyzer continued to wail. Amber Kyzer was called by prosecutors to testify against her ex-husband, Timothy Jones Jr. Jones is charged with the murder of their 5 children https://t.co/29uQuYUuIX pic.twitter.com/TRlugO3mtQ WLOS (@WLOS_13) May 21, 2019 Oh God! Im so sorry. So sorry! Why? Why? Why? her high pitched wailing continued for a minute. Under the divorce decree, she was only allowed to see her children once a week on Saturdays at a Lexington Chick-fil-A restaurant, in Joness presence. Shes currently married to Shawn Kyzer, with whom she has one daughter. The trial continued on Tuesday. Netherlands Probing If Huawei Is Using Secret Back Doors to Customer Data and Spying for Beijing, Report Says BRUSSELSThe Netherlands national intelligence agency has begun an investigation into whether Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei is using secret back doors to access customer data, according to security sources. Operatives at the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD), based in The Hague, are looking into whether the firm has enabled spying on a mass scale by the Chinese regime, the Dutch newspaper Volkskrant reported. In April, the intelligence agency warned it would be undesirable for the Netherlands to depend on the hardware or software of companies from countries running active cyber programs against Dutch interests. In a report to the Dutch cabinet, spy chiefs identified China and Russia as threats, and said that with regard to the telecom sector, one can think of the collection of customer, geolocation, and telephone traffic data as risks. They also recommended limiting the use of Huawei in the countrys 5G network and phasing the companywhich works with three of the countrys biggest networksout of much of the existing infrastructure for older 2G, 3G, and 4G mobile internet networks. A spokesman for the AIVD declined to comment on the newspaper report, saying: We dont say if its right or if its wrong. We never respond to questions about possible ongoing investigations because that can complicate our work. Bart Jacobs, a professor of computer security at Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands, said the news that an investigation had been launched sounds like a smoking gun, with possible geopolitical consequences, according to Volkskrant. The report came as three key EU leaders, including the Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte, jointly said they would not follow the decision of the United States to shut the Chinese firm out of the European market completely. Germanys Chancellor Angela Merkel and Frances President Emmanuel Macron also joined the pushback against the United States, saying that if Huawei passes the relevant security checks, it will be allowed to provide some 5G infrastructure. The United States wants to see a total ban on Huawei equipment in 5G networks of allies, hinting that if allies allow Huawei into their 5G networks, there could be less intelligence sharing with them. While visiting the UK recently, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States has an obligation to ensure the places where we operate, places where U.S. information is, places where we have national security risks, that they operate within trusted networks and that is what we will do. Recent leaked reports indicate that the UK will allow Huawei to provide equipment for non-core elements of its 5G network. Europe has been divided over how to respond to the Chinese companys involvement in the rollout of super-fast 5G networks, with some countries embracing it but others wary of the security implications. The European Commission, which is the blocs executive arm, has urged member states to work together with global partners to thrash out a common position on the issue. In a statement, Huawei said it was surprised by the allegations of spying, but that it wouldnt respond to them because they were made by anonymous sources. However, a spokesman for the company insisted it keeps the door closed to governments or others who want to use our network for activities that would threaten cyber security. At an event in Brussels on May 21, the firms most senior representative to the EU institutions, Abraham Liu, insisted that it obeys the law in all countries across the globe where it operates. He said the company is still ready to sign contracts with European governments to supply 5G infrastructure despite U.S. President Donald Trumps decision to blacklist it, and vowed the company will continue to persevere on the continent. Beijing has recently passed legislation that requires all Chinese citizens and entities to provide intelligence information if requested. Article 7 of Chinas 2017 National Intelligence Law stipulates that Chinese organizations and citizens shall, in accordance with the law, support, cooperate with, and collaborate in national intelligence work. Article 14 of the law adds: The state intelligence department has the right to ask any [Chinese] government, organization, and citizen to supply the necessary support, assistance, and cooperation. Chinas 2014 Counter-Espionage Law also requires relevant organizations and individuals to truthfully provide information to security agencies during counterintelligence investigations. NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 20) A rocket was fired near the U.S. embassy in Iraq as U.S.-Iran tension simmers, Schumer asks the government to investigate rail technology from China, $12 million worth of cocaine was confiscated in a drug bust, Ford motor company announces cuts to white-collar jobs, and Falun Gong practitioners celebrate Truth, Compassion, and Forbearance on New York Citys Governors Island. Official Count Gives President Widodo Victory in Indonesian Election Incumbent President Joko Widodo won last months Indonesian election with 55.5 percent of votes against 44.5 percent for his challenger, retired General Prabowo Subianto, the election commissions official count said early on May 21. #Indonesia: #JokoWidodo wins second term as President with over 55% votes; his opponent retired General Prabowo Subianto gets 44.5% votes pic.twitter.com/uIUONzfSPx Doordarshan News (@DDNewsLive) May 21, 2019 The official result released by the General Election Commission (KPU) confirms unofficial counts by private pollsters of the April 17 election, giving Widodo a comfortable victory, though it could trigger a legal challenge and potential street protests after Prabowo claimed widespread cheating. An election supervisory agency earlier on Monday dismissed claims of systematic cheating because of a lack of evidence and independent observers and analysts have said the poll was free and fair. But a witness for Prabowos campaign team and the leading opposition party refused to sign and validate the official results, which were announced more than a day earlier than expected after the KPU worked into the early hours of Tuesday to finish the vote count. The losing party can lodge a legal challenge at the constitutional court. Otherwise, the commission will officially declare the winner by May 28. Prabowo has not yet confirmed if he intends to go to court, but his challenge to his 2014 defeat by Widodo was rejected. Widodo won with over 85 million of the total 154 million votes cast in the worlds third-largest democracy. There was no immediate reaction from him or his campaign team. Authorities have tightened security in anticipation of potential civil unrest and have detained dozens of terrorist Islamists suspected of planning attacks to create mayhem during demonstrations. Police rolled out barbed wire and readied armored trucks and water cannons around the KPU. They have also prevented people from across Indonesia traveling to Jakarta en masse to join protests. National police, who report directly to Widodo, has also held or interrogated at least three leading opposition figures for suspected treason. The streets outside the KPU were quiet immediately after the announcement. Last week, police said they had detained about 30 suspected Islamic terrorists with ties to Jemaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), Indonesias largest extremist group linked to ISIS. Poll: Four in Ten Americans Are Accepting Some Form of Socialism Over 40 percent of Americans say socialism would be a good thing for the United States, which is an alarming increase since 1942, according to a new Gallup poll. The polling data, released on May 20, has shown a shift in attitude toward socialism as Democratic socialist candidates like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) become more popular among Americans. The data found that while 51 percent of Americans say socialism is a bad thing, 43 percent believe it would be a good thing. This is an 18 percentage point increase since 1942, where 40 percent of Americans thought socialism was a bad thing, while 25 percent believed it was a good thing, according to the Roper/Fortune survey, as noted by Gallup. The survey, which was conducted between April 17 and 30, also found that a majority of Democrats currently favor socialism more than capitalism. Now only 47 percent of Democrats view capitalism favorably, which is down from 56 percent in 2016, according to Fox News. Moreover, it also found that 47 percent of Americans would vote for a presidential candidate who is socialist, a number which has remained the same since 2015. This comes as several Democratic presidential candidates are openly pushing for socialist policies as their leading agenda in the 2020 race. As part of his campaign, Sanders is promoting a range of socialist policies like Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, free college tuition, and the $15 minimum wage. These policies are being endorsed by other Democratic candidates including Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). Trump Communications Director Tim Murtaugh has described the Democratic field of candidates as one big socialist organism with 22 heads, which was later changed to one big socialist organism with 23 heads when New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced his presidential bid. Make that one big socialist organism with 23 heads.https://t.co/bk7kDZv6gy Tim Murtaugh (@TimMurtaugh) May 16, 2019 President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and many prominent conservative speakers have repeatedly warned about the rise of socialism. Moreover, Trump, a fiery critic of socialism and communism, has previously vowed that America will never become a socialist country. Here, in the United States, we are alarmed by new calls to adopt socialism in our country, Trump said during the annual State of the Union address in February. America was founded on liberty and independencenot government coercion, domination, and control. We are born free, and we will stay free. We renew our resolve that America will never be a socialist country, he added. Other prominent figures also called out Democrats push for socialist policies at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference back in February. Sebastian Gorka, Trumps former deputy assistant, warned that socialisms encroachment on the United States is becoming a huge threat. But you know what the biggest threat to America is? Not socialism in Moscow, Gorka said. [Its] socialism here in America. He said that 52 percent of millennials have positive views about socialism and communism in America, citing statistics from the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation. He added that communism is taking over America under the guise of Democratic socialism. Socialism, which is taking the form of progressivism in the United States, is an initial stage to communism and has infiltrated itself into U.S. politics, higher education, and culture, according to The Epoch Times series How the Specter of Communism is Ruling Our World. The Epoch Times reporter Ivan Pentchoukov contributed to this report. A first-grader uses a fingerprint scanner to pay for lunch at Penn Cambria Pre-Primary School on March 1, 2002, in Cresson, Pa.(William Thomas Cain/Getty Images) School Accused of Lunch-Shaming 6-Year-Old With Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich An Indiana grandfather has accused his 6-year-old granddaughters school of lunch shaming her after she was sent to the back of the line for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich when she couldnt afford to pay for the hot meal already on her tray. His complaint, which featured in a local media report, stirred great interest on social media, where the issue of free school meals often prompts debate, especially around the notion of lunch shaming. Anya Howard, 6, had loaded up her tray with a hot meal in the cafeteria, at the Southwest Elementary School in Greenwood, only to be told to put it back when staff found she had only $0.10 on her account, according to News 8. She told the news channel that several classmates laughed at her and made her feel sad. Her grandfather, Dwight Howard, said the cafeteria walk of shamepast about 20 other children in the linewas unnecessary and humiliating according to News 8. I mean, thats embarrassing for a little 6-year-old, he said. Howard said that the school failed to alert the family that her account had dropped to almost nothing. The school declined to comment to News 8 on the specifics of the case but a representative for Greenwood Community Schools said, It is not an uncommon occurrence for multiple students to be served the alternate lunch on any given day. Elementary school students are allowed to charge two hot meals when their credit runs out, before they are given an alternate meal. However, a school note obtained by News 8, stated: that from May 13 accounts would not be allowed to go into the negative. If there is not enough money in your childs account to cover the entire meal, they will be receiving a peanut butter sandwich and a milk. A school board in Rhode Island sparked a similar debate when it announced last month that children on free school lunches would be given a sunflower butter and jelly sandwich instead of a hot meal if they owe money on the account for extras. Effective Monday, May 13, 2019, if money is owed on a paid, free, or reduced lunch account a sun butter and jelly sandwich will be given as the lunch choice until the balance owed is paid in full or a payment plan is set up, Warwick Public Schools announced on May 5 via Facebook. Students who qualify for free meals can still run up a debt by adding extras to their lunch trays, such as milk, which are not included in the free lunch, according to parents who commented on Facebook. Warwick is the second largest city in the state, with a population of just over 80,000. All public schools in Rhode Island are mandated by state law to provide lunches, and nearly 70 percent of those meals are served for free or at a reduced price. Some parents have since set up an online fundraiser to cover the outstanding debts. The Warwick Public School System has an outstanding balance of $77,000 for unpaid school lunches, said the fundraiser description. Lets come together and pay it for the kids, so no one has to be singled out and embarrassed by being denied hot lunch. Speedy Reactor Cleanups May Carry Both Risks and Rewards PLYMOUTH, Mass.Companies specializing in the handling of radioactive material are buying retired U.S. nuclear reactors from utilities and promising to clean them up and demolish them in dramatically less time than usualeight years instead of 60, in some cases. Turning nuclear plants over to outside companies and decommissioning them on such a fast track represents a completely new approach in the United States, never before carried to completion in this country, and involves new technology as well. Supporters say the accelerated method can get rid of a hazard more quickly and return the land to productive use sooner. But regulators, activists, and others question whether the rapid timetables are safe and whether the companies have the expertise and the financial means to do the job. We were up in arms that it was 60 years, Janet Tauro, head of the environmental group New Jersey Clean Water Action, said of the initial plans for decommissioning the Oyster Creek plant. And then we hear its going to be expedited to eight years. Its great to get it over with, but are there corners that are going be cut? Once a reactor is shut down, the radioactive mess must be cleaned up, spent nuclear fuel packed for long-term storage, and the plant itself dismantled. The most common approach can last decades, with the plant placed in a long period of dormancy while radioactive elements slowly decay. Spent fuel rods that can no longer sustain a nuclear reaction remain radioactive and still generate substantial heat. They are typically placed in pools of water to cool, staying there for at least five years, with 10 years the industry norm, according to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). After that, they are removed and placed in giant cylindrical casks, typically made of steel and encased in concrete. But Holtec International, which in the past year has been buying up several retired or soon-to-be-retired nuclear plants in the United States, has designed a cask it says can accept spent fuel after only two years of cooling. Holtec, a corporation with more than 30 years of experience in handling radioactive waste, struck a deal in 2018 to buy Oyster Creek in Forked River, New Jersey, from its owner, Exelon Generation. It also has deals in place to buy several plants owned by Entergy Corp., including Pilgrim, in historic Plymouth, Massachusetts, closing May 31; Palisades, in Covert, Michigan, set to be shut in 2022; and two reactors expected to close within two years at Indian Point in Buchanan, New York. Our commitment to the nuclear industry includes taking ownership of shutdown nuclear plants so that we can safely and efficiently decommission the plants, so that the land can be returned to productive use, Holtec spokeswoman Joy Russell said in an email. The proposed sales await NRC approval, with decisions expected in the coming weeks and months. Similarly, in January, NorthStar Group Services, a specialist in nuclear demolition, completed the purchase of Vermont Yankee from Entergy, with plans for its accelerated decommissioning. The full financial details of the pending deals havent been disclosed. But if the agreements are approved, Holtec will inherit the multibillion-dollar decommissioning trust funds set up by the utilities for the plants eventual retirement. The company would be able to keep anything left over in each fund after the plants cleanup. Holtec and Northstar are also banking on the prospect of recouping money from the federal government for storing spent fuel during and after the decommissioning, because there is no national disposal site for high-level nuclear waste. The companies jumping into the business believe they can make a profit. For the utilities, such deals free them from having to oversee long, complex projects involving decades of work and round-the-clock guarding of the dangerous waste. While there are risks in transferring spent fuel too quickly, experts also note there are dangers while the fuel rods are sitting in the pools, including the chances of a catastrophic fire or leak resulting from a natural disaster, terrorist attack, or other event. Theres a natural tendency to say, Oh, theyre doing it fast, theyre going to make mistakes, its not going to be safe,' said Rod McCullum, senior director of decommissioning and used fuel at the Nuclear Energy Institute, a Washington-based advocacy group for nuclear power. Youre actually getting safer by getting faster. In legal briefs filed with the NRC, however, Massachusetts state officials have expressed skepticism about Holtecs plan to decommission Pilgrim on an expedited schedule never before achieved. Holtec has never managed a decommissioning from start to finish. Holtec has come under scrutiny about its role in a mishap in August 2018 during the somewhat less aggressive decommissioning of the San Onofre plant in Southern California, where two reactors were retired in 2013 and the estimated completion date is 2030. Holtec contractors were lowering a 45-ton spent fuel cask into an underground storage vault at San Onofre when it became misaligned and nearly plunged 18 feet, investigators said. No radiation was released. Federal regulators fined Southern California Edison, the plants owner, $116,000, and an investigation found that some Holtec procedures had been inadequate or not properly followed. Massachusetts officials have stopped short of asking the NRC to block Pilgrims sale but have cited the California incident while questioning whether the money in Pilgrims decommissioning trust fund is sufficient to cover unexpected delays or overruns. By Holtecs accounting, the Pilgrim decommissioning will cost an estimated $1.13 billion, leaving $3.6 million in the fund. State officials have described that cushion as meager and have warned of significant health, safety, environmental, financial and economic risks. Holtec said its equipment has never been involved in a major accident and stands by its cost estimates. Pilgrim, which is along the scenic, environmentally sensitive Cape Cod Bay and is being retired after 47 years, has a history of unscheduled shutdowns and was only recently removed from an NRC list of the nations least-safe reactors. The citizen group Pilgrim Watch, which has long pushed for the closing of the plant, is leery of what lies ahead during the decommissioning. The story isnt over. Theres a sequel, said Mary Lampert, the organizations director. And sometimes the sequel, like in the movies, is worse than the main show. Demolished old buildings in Varanasi, India, on May 4, 2019. (Prakash Singh/AFP/Getty Images) Toddler Survives After Falling on an Iron Rod That Skewered His Chest A child is recovering after falling from a building and being impaled on a six-foot-long metal rod on April 8. Toddler Nadeem, 3, had been playing with his friends on the third floor of a building in Uttar Pradesh, India, when he suddenly fell 30 feet onto a six-foot-long iron rod. Electrician Pankaj Parma saw the freak accident and found Nadeem in a fetal position with the rod sticking through his left thigh, lower abdomen, and upper back. Parma acted quickly to cut the protruding part of the rod and rushed Nadeem to King George Hospital, 5 miles away. Hospital healthcare workers performed emergency surgery on Nadeem an hour after the boy arrived at 4:45 p.m. The three-hour procedure involved cutting open Nadeems thigh and left abdomen before carefully removing the rod. Medical staff were relieved to discover the rod had missed all of Nadeems vital organs. The rod had passed just 0.78 inches from the boys liver and punctured his diaphragm and small intestine. Initially, we did not know which internal organs had been punctured by the rod, and as such pulling out the rod would have been detrimental to his life, doctor Samir Mishra, who was part of the medical team that saved Nadeems life, told The Sun. Toddler, three, gets impaled on a 6ft-long rod after falling 30ft from building and survives https://t.co/D9D7H5ChOt The Sun (@TheSun) May 20, 2019 Mishra said they had no choice but to cut open Nadeems thigh and left abdominal side to remove the rod. Only during the surgery, it was noticed that the rod had passed just 2 centimeters (0.78 inches) away from the liver, but the diaphragm was punctured and put a hole through the small intestine, he said. As luck would have it, the rod entered his body in an angle missing the vital organs including the heart, before exiting from his upper back. Doctors save boy impaled by iron rod http://tinyurl.com/bbnzor CNN (@CNN) March 14, 2009 The boy spent two weeks recovering in hospital and was finally discharged on April 22. Since the accident, Nadeem has made a full recovery and is reportedly once again playing with his friends. Toddler, 3, survives plunging 30ft and being impaled on 6ft-long rod https://t.co/y1LIhCFzaY Irish Sun (@IrishSunOnline) May 20, 2019 On social media several users were surprised Nadeem survived the injury with many calling it a real life miracle. Wow. This is a miracle that this child is still alive. https://t.co/w1hCwz6B5Y Christopher [UKIPMember] (@Truthteller1996) May 20, 2019 SORRY for posting hearbreaking image But its a MIRACLE HE SURVIVED https://t.co/6aBq6oK8cs @joli_joolina_ptown (@GBJoliJoolinaGB) May 21, 2019 Toddler, three, gets impaled on a 6ft-long rod after falling 30ft from building and survives https://t.co/DTuQvn5psg Suzy Pereira (@SuzyLovesNiallx) May 20, 2019 The Associated Press contributed to this report. President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn as he leaves the White House in Washington on May 20, 2019. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP) Trump Calls for an Investigation Into Biden Familys Links With the Chinese Regime President Donald Trump said former Vice President Joe Biden should be investigated over allegations that his sons investment firm received millions of dollars from the Chinese communist regime. Its a disgrace, Trump said on May 20 in a Fox News interview, after agreeing that the Biden familys links with the Chinese regime should be investigated. The allegations, which relate to Bidens son Hunter Biden, were first raised in the 2018 book Secret Empires: How the American Political Class Hides Corruption and Enriches Family and Friends by author Peter Schweizer. In the book, Schweizer alleges a deal took place in 2013 between the now-defunct investment firm Rosemont Seneca Partnersco-founded by Hunter Bidenand the state-run Bank of China. In December of 2013, Hunter Biden flies on Air Force 2 to Beijing, China, with his father. His father meets with Chinese officials, hes very soft on Beijing. The most important thing that happens, happens 10 days after they return, Schweizer said in a March interview with the Fox News. And thats when Hunter Bidens small private equity firm called Rosemont Seneca Partners gets a $1 billion private equity deal with the Chinese government, not with a Chinese corporation, with the government. And what people need to realize is Hunter Biden has no background in China, he has no background in private equity, the deal he got in the Shanghai free-trade zone, nobody else had. Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, Blackstone, nobody had this deal. At the time, a Biden aide disputed the claims in Schweizers book. The aide told The Wall Street Journal, in response: We arent going to engage on politically motivated hit pieces based on a series of demonstrable, factual errors from a Breitbart-affiliated author and his financial backers. In May, The Intercept reported that Hunter Bidens Chinese investment firm, Bohai Harvest RST, invests in a Chinese facial recognition company, Face ++, used by the regime to conduct mass surveillance on millions of Uyghur and other Muslim minorities in the northwestern region of Xinjiang. Trump also criticized the Democratic candidates previous statements, dismissing China as a competitor of the United States. And then he says Chinas not a competitor of ours. China is a massive competitor of ours, he said. They want to take over the world. Biden has been rebuked by lawmakers from both sides of the aisle over his comments downplaying the threat posed by the worlds second largest economy. The president referred to the regimes ambitious industrial policy Made in China 2025, which aims to turn China into a high-tech manufacturing powerhouse by the year 2025, leading in a range of industries including robotics, artificial intelligence, and pharmaceuticals. The plan has been criticized for being reliant on the theft of technology and trade secrets, primarily targeting the United States and Europe. I said to President Xi, thats very insulting because its not going to happen, and its very insulting to me, Trump said. And you notice, they dont use it anymore. Since the onset of the U.S.-China trade war last March, the regime has pulled back on references to the policy. State media outlets were instructed not to mention the policy, and references were removed from certain official documents. Trump also said the Chinese regimes recent backtracking on commitments made over months of trade negotiations may have be fueled by hopes it could renegotiate a deal with a future Democratic presidential administration. If theres one reason that China didnt make that deal, its because theyre hoping that in 16 months Donald Trump will be defeated by any one of those Democrats and theyll go back to making $500 billion a year, he said. And I understand that. I mean I could really frankly understand that, because its not gonna happen with me. President Donald Trump at the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington on May 16, 2019. (Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images) Trump Files Appeal After Judge Upholds Democrats Subpoena for Financial Records Attorneys for President Donald Trump filed an appeal on May 21, challenging a federal judges ruling to uphold a House committee subpoena seeking financial records from Trumps accounting firm. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, an appointee of President Barack Obama, ruled in favor of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on May 20 and gave Mazars LLP seven days to comply with the committees subpoena. Mehta also denied a request by Trumps attorneys to stay the decision pending an appeal. The ruling marked the first time a federal court has remarked on how far House Democrats can go to probe Trumps business affairs. Trump told reporters the decision was crazy and that it would be appealed. Its totally the wrong decision by, obviously, an Obama-appointed judge, Trump said. On May 14, Mehta heard oral arguments on whether Mazars LLP must comply with the subpoena. Trumps lawyers argued that the subpoena didnt have a valid legislative function and that the Democrats are on a quest to turn up something they can use as a political tool against the president now and in the 2020 election. They have made clear that this is not about legislation. They want to know if there has been any wrongdoing, the presidents attorney William Consovoy said. That is not the purpose of Congress. Douglas Letter, a lawyer for the House committee, argued that the subpoena fell within the authority of Congress. Mehta appeared to side with Letters argument. We have an obviously legitimate purpose, Letter said. Congress obviously serves an extremely important informative function for the American people. In his ruling, Mehta said the committee has shown that it is not engaged in a pure fishing expedition for the Presidents financial records. The documents sought by the committee assist Congress in passing laws and performing other core functions, the judge said. It is simply not fathomable that a Constitution that grants Congress the power to remove a President for reasons including criminal behavior would deny Congress the power to investigate him for unlawful conductpast or presenteven without formally opening an impeachment inquiry, Mehta said. Trump views various Democrat-led inquiries as an effort to impede his work. Democrats started investigating the president after gaining control of the House of Representatives in the 2018 midterm election. The number and intensity of the investigations ramped up greatly after special counsel Robert Mueller concluded that Trump didnt collude with Russia. On May 20, the White House told former White House counsel Don McGahn to defy a subpoena to testify about Muellers probe before a different congressional committee. Trump has also asserted executive privilege over the redacted portions of the special counsel report in response to another subpoena. The oversight committee claims that it needs Trumps financial records to examine whether he has conflicts of interest or broke the law by not disentangling himself from his business holdings. Mazars has avoided taking sides in the dispute and said it will comply with all legal obligations. A judge in Manhattan is scheduled to hear arguments May 22 in a similar lawsuit Trump filed to block subpoenas issued to Deutsche Bank AG and Capital One Financial Corp. The effort to obtain Trumps financial records was one of three investigations launched by Democrats on three key House committees on April 3. The other probes are seeking the commander-in-chiefs tax returns and the unredacted Mueller report. The number of inquiries led by House Democrats has since grown to 10. The White House is refusing to comply with the Democrats on most fronts. Treasury Secretary Stephen Mnuchin defied a House Ways and Means Committee subpoena for Trumps tax returns. The White House, at the request from Barr, asserted executive privilege over the redacted material in the Mueller report. Democrats have responded by threatening and acting on threats to hold officials in contempt and asking the courts to intervene. Reuters contributed to this report. UK Intel Agencies Frame Spygate Involvement Ahead of Trumps Declassification The Telegraph has published two separate articles detailing their version of when the heads of UK intelligence were briefed about a dossier of claims about President Donald Trumps alleged ties to Russia. According to The Telegraph, the UK spy chiefs were briefed about the dossierwritten by former MI6 agent Christopher Steelebefore Trump was made aware of its existence by former FBI Director James Comey, but, notably, after the 2016 presidential election had taken place: The heads of MI5 and MI6 and one of [Prime Minister Theresa] Mays most trusted security advisers were told about former British intelligence officer Christopher Steeles memos on the Trump campaign in the weeks after his November 2016 election victory. The Telegraph article goes to significant lengths to make two separate points: that UK intelligence heads were briefed on Steeles information only after the 2016 presidential election had concluded, and that May was never directly informed of the dossiers existence. Interestingly, the article points out that the prime minister may have known Mr. Steele from the UKs inquiry into the poisoning death of Russian defector Alexander Litvinenko, when May was home secretary. The Telegraph also noted the involvement of Charles Farr, the former chairman of Britains Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC). The role of the JIC is to assess events and situations relating to external affairs, defence, terrorism [and] major international criminal activity. The JIC is also responsible for the liaison with Commonwealth and foreign intelligence organisations. The JICs website specifically notes that members of the Committee are to bring to the attention of their ministers and departments, as appropriate, assessments that appear to require operational, planning or policy action. The Telegraph reported that Steele met with Farr on two separate occasions to inform him of the events and information contained within his dossier. The two men, both former MI6 agents, had known each other for decades. The first meeting was reported as being one week after the 2016 presidential election in mid-November 2016: Together, they looked at what Mr. Steele had broughtmore than a dozen memos originally sent to his client, Fusion GPS, spelling out in detail the alleged Trump-Kremlin links. For hours, the pair worked through the informationnow collectively known as the Steele dossierline by line. Farr would ask questions, Mr. Steele would spell out what he knew. According to The Telegraph article, by the end of his first meeting with Steele, Farr had decided that the allegations within the Steele dossier had to go up the chain of command. Within days, according to well-placed sources, the allegations were shared with the most senior intelligence figures in the country, The Telegraph reported. It is understood that Alex Younger, the MI6 chief, and Andrew Parker, the MI5 director general, were informed of the dossier. The article also referenced a second meeting with Farr in late November 2016, approximately 10 days after the alleged date of their first meeting. The two men met again for follow-up questioning and to discuss the addition of two new memos written by Steele, one of which reportedly detailed how the Russians were allegedly trying to block Mitt Romneys possible appointment as US secretary of state. It was also around this time that the heads of MI6 and MI5 were allegedly briefed on the dossier. Questions About the Telegraph Article The reference to the addition of two new memos is of material note. The known Steele dossier contains 17 individual memosincluding one final memo written in December 2016 for late U.S. Sen. John McCain. However, no memos were written in November 2016. In UK court documents, Steele himself stated that he produced no memos during November: The Defendants produced sixteen such memoranda. These will be referred to for convenience as the pre-election memoranda, having been prepared before the US Presidential election. The last one was produced in the latter part of October 2016. None were produced in November 2016. The Defendants continued to receive unsolicited intelligence on the matters covered by the pre-election memoranda after the US Presidential election and the conclusion of the assignment for Fusion. After receiving some such intelligence the second Defendant prepared the confidential December memorandum, referred to at paragraph 8.1, on his own initiative on or around 13 December 2016. In the UK court documents, Steele notes that in addition to McCain, he gave a copy of the December memo to a senior UK government national security official acting in his official capacity, on a confidential basis in hard copy form. Although there were no known memos created in November, Steele did produce three separate memos in October 2016on Oct. 12, 18, and 19. If there are two November memos, as referenced in The Telegraphs article, they werent disclosed to the UK court and appear to directly oppose Steeles written court testimony and responses. Timing of Steeles Meeting With Farr The Telegraph also went to great lengths in its articles to make the point that the meeting between Steele and Farr occurred post-election. Its unclear, however, whether that is truly the case. Notably, on Oct. 11, 2016, Steele met with Kathleen Kavalec, then-deputy assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, just 10 days prior to the FBI obtaining a FISA warrant on Trump campaign adviser Carter Page on Oct. 21, 2016. Also present at this meeting was Tatyana Duran, who was referenced as being with Steeles firm Orbis Security. The meeting was likely brokered by Jonathan Winer, a former deputy assistant secretary of state for international law enforcement and former special envoy for Libya, whom Steele had known since at least 2010. Notes taken by Kalevec of the meeting, of which a redacted version was made public earlier in May, show that Steele provided her with a full rundown of the unverified information compiled in his dossier to that date. Also included in her notes from the Steele meeting are several references to London and the words Multi-lat JIC. JIC may be a direct reference made by Steele to the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) and possibly his meeting with its chairman, Farr. If so, this timing would align with the known Steele memos and would place Steeles meeting with Farr in October 2016one month before the presidential election. Steele Met With Other UK Officials Before Election Steele also held meetings with at least two other UK officials, specifically former MI6 head Richard Dearlove, who is also Steeles former boss, and Andrew Wood, the former British ambassador to Russia. According to a Feb. 6, 2018, article by The Washington Post, Dearlove and Steele met in the early fall of 2016, and Dearlove advised Steele and his partner, Chris Burrows, to work with a top British government official to pass along information to the FBI. Although the identity of the official isnt known, its possible that Farr is the one being referenced. This meeting with Dearlove was almost certainly prior to the election and may have even taken place before Steeles briefing to an FBI team in Rome in late September 2016. Dearlove later stated that he didnt know whether Steele had approached the FBI at the time of their meeting. Steele also had a pre-election meeting with Wood, at which the dossier was specifically discussed. Steele and Wood would meet again in mid-November 2016, leading to Wood notifying McCain of the dossiers existence. Although the Telegraph article portrays the involvement of senior UK intelligence officials as occurring after the 2016 presidential election, this is an incomplete picture of actual events as UK intelligence actions appear to have begun much earlier. UK Gathering Intelligence on Trump Campaign Luke Harding, a journalist for The Guardian, had previously reported on the early involvement of UK Intelligence, noting that Britains Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) was engaged in collecting information and transmitting it to the United States beginning in late 2015: In late 2015, the British eavesdropping agency GCHQ was carrying out standard collection against Moscow targets. These were known Kremlin operatives already on the grid. Nothing unusual hereexcept that the Russians were talking to people associated with Trump. The precise nature of these exchanges has not been made public, but according to sources in the US and the UK, they formed a suspicious pattern. They continued through the first half of 2016. The intelligence was handed to the US as part of a routine sharing of information. Additionally, in the summer of 2016, Robert Hannigan, then-head of Britains GCHQ, traveled to Washington to personally meet with then-CIA Director John Brennan: That summer, GCHQs then head, Robert Hannigan, flew to the US to personally brief CIA chief John Brennan. The matter was deemed so important that it was handled at director level, face-to-face between the two agency chiefs. The meeting was especially unusual, given the fact that Hannigans U.S. counterpart was then-National Security Agency Director Mike Rogers, not Brennan. Hannigan would suddenly resign as head of the GCHQ on Jan. 23, 2017, just days following Trumps inauguration. The Guardian later reported on speculation that Hannigans resignation was directly related to UK intelligence sharing: His sudden resignationhe informed staff just hours before making this decision publicprompted speculation that it might be related to British concerns over shared intelligence with the US in the wake of Donald Trump becoming president. Brennan appears to have used the foreign intelligence to launch an interagency investigation of the Trump campaign. Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper personally confirmed foreign intelligence involvement during congressional testimony: Sen. Dianne Feinstein: Over the spring of 2016, multiple European allies passed on additional information to the United States about contacts between the Trump campaign and Russians. Is this accurate? James Clapper: Yes, it is, and its also quite sensitive. The specifics are quite sensitive. The BBC reported that Brennans involvement may have gone back to April 2016: Last April [2016], the CIA director was shown intelligence that worried him. It wasallegedlya tape recording of a conversation about money from the Kremlin going into the US presidential campaign. It was passed to the US by an intelligence agency of one of the Baltic States. The CIA cannot act domestically against American citizens so a joint counter-intelligence taskforce was created. Brennan repeatedly testified to Congress that any information he had regarding the Trump campaign was passed to the FBI. Brennan also admitted that it was his intelligence that helped establish the FBI investigation: I was aware of intelligence and information about contacts between Russian officials and U.S. persons that raised concerns in my mind about whether or not those individuals were cooperating with the Russians, either in a witting or unwitting fashion, and it served as the basis for the FBI investigation to determine whether such collusion [or] cooperation occurred. UK Reaction to Trump Declassification Order On Sept. 17, 2018, Trump issued an order for the immediate declassification of three series of documents related to the Russia investigation and the spying on his presidential campaign. The first set of documents related to the FISA warrant application to spy on Trump campaign adviser Carter Page. The second set of documents related to a series of FBI interviews with former Associate Deputy Attorney General Bruce Ohr. The third set of documents encompassed all FBI reports of interviews prepared in connection with the Page FISA applications. In addition to issuing the declassification order, Trump directed the Department of Justice and the FBI to publicly release all text messages relating to the Russia investigation from former FBI Director James Comey, former Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe, former lead FBI agent on the Russia investigation Peter Strzok, former FBI lawyer Lisa Page, and Ohr. On Sept. 20, 2018, the president hinted at the reaction from foreign allies in response to his declassification order during a live interview with Sean Hannity while at a rally in Las Vegas. Hannity asked the president about the pending release of declassified documents. Here is how the president responded: Well, were moving along, were working along. Were also dealing with foreign countries that do have a problem. I must tell you. I got called today from two very good allies saying, Please, can we talk. So, its not as simple as all that. And we do have to respect their wishes. But it will all come out. Any information subject to declassification that pertains to foreign intelligenceor to the allies themselveswould almost certainly result in high-level discussions. In this particular case, it would appear these discussions were of such concern that they resulted in phone calls from two allies at levels high enough to reach Trump directly. These phone calls were telling, and likely came from the UK and Australia, confirming their involvement in the events leading to the establishment of the FBIs counterintelligence investigation. Exactly what details were discussed during the phone calls remains unknown. The following morning, on Sept. 21, Trump sent out a series of tweets on the subject, indicating a delay in the declassification of the documents: I met with the DOJ concerning the declassification of various UNREDACTED documents. They agreed to release them but stated that so doing may have a perceived negative impact on the Russia probe. Also, key Allies called to ask not to release. Therefore, the Inspector General.. .has been asked to review these documents on an expedited basis. I believe he will move quickly on this (and hopefully other things which he is looking at). In the end I can always declassify if it proves necessary. Speed is very important to me and everyone! Trump raised the prospect of declassification again on April 25, telling Hannity in an interview: Yes. Everything is going to be declassified and more, much more than what you just mentioned. It will all be declassified. In a May 2 interview with Catherine Herridge of Fox News, Trump addressed the pending declassification a second time: Catherine Herridge: Is there a timeline on when the public will see these Russia records declassified? President Donald Trump: Yes, Im going to be allowing declassification pretty soon. I didnt want to do it originally because I wanted to wait, because I know what theyyou know, Ive seen the way they play. They play very dirty. So I decided to do it, and Im going to be doing it very soon, far more than you would have even thought. Ms. Herridge: May, June, July? Mr. Trump: No, soon. I mean whenever they need it. Whenever they need it, Ill be doing it. But I will be declassifying it. Everything. It remains unclear whether the president is referring to investigators such as DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz, with his whenever they need it reference. Meanwhile, the Telegraph articles appear to be an attempt on the part of UK intelligence agencies to get in front of the pending declassification of documents by Trump. But the story presented is an incomplete one at best. An undated photo of the exterior of the European Humanities University in Vilnius, Lithuania. (Courtesy of European Humanities University) University Student Viktoria Grinkevich Falls to Her Death After Trying to Take Selfie Family and friends are mourning the sudden loss of a university student who fell to her death while trying to take a photo on May 18. European Humanities University student Viktoria Grinkevich, 19, died after losing her balance in the early hours of the morning at a student hostel in Vilnius, Lithuania. Student overbalances and falls to her death while taking selfie on tenth floor balcony in Lithuania https://t.co/66u77K5fMb Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) May 20, 2019 The second year media and communications student from Belarus had been trying to take a selfie photo of herself against the nighttime city lights when the tragedy happened. Her friends, who witnessed the accident unfold, told Vilnius Police she climbed over the handrail on the 10th floor balcony before losing her balance and rapidly descending 90 feet to the ground. College student falls to her death while posing for selfie https://t.co/EcCvGegWC8 Houston Chronicle (@HoustonChron) April 18, 2019 Paramedics arrived at the scene in an ambulance vehicle soon after the accident and tried to revive her for half an hour before she passed away. The European Humanities University (EHU) expressed its condolences for the sudden loss of Grinkevich. Students, teachers and all members of the university community are shocked by the tragedy, EHU said on Facebook. We mourn and express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Victoria. Next week, EHU will provide psychological assistance to students. In a longer statement on the universitys website, EHU described Grinkevichs sudden loss as unfortunate. The European Humanities University regrets to report the tragic demise of student Victoria Grinkevich EHU is ready to support the family of Victoria, it said in a public statement. Vilnius Police Commissariat [is] investigating the circumstances of the tragedy. The student affairs service will provide psychological assistance to students. The Belarus Foreign Ministry confirmed it had received news of Grinkevichs death. The Belarus embassy is in touch with the law enforcement agencies of Lithuania, Ministry Spokesperson Anatoly Glaz told the Daily Mail. The news shocked several social media users who wondered why so many youths are risking their lives for a great picture. Student, 19, falls to death taking a selfie on tenth floor balcony @emmakennytv why do so many young people risk their lives for a picture? https://t.co/aRqi5W9RUb Lana Angel Nadal (@Rafasgirlalways) May 20, 2019 Why are people obsessed with taking photos of their bodies standing on the edge of a balcony foolish people Student, 19, falls to death taking a selfie on tenth floor balcony https://t.co/yt4mXjCqNj via @MailOnline norman Bangor (@normandgmxcouk) May 20, 2019 College student falls to her death while posing on cliff for selfie, police say https://t.co/SwNiuA8O52 via @SFGate Bo Snerdley (@BoSnerdley) April 18, 2019 A Huawei logo is seen at the entrance of the Huawei Cyber Security Lab at a Huawei production base during a media tour in Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China, on March 6, 2019. (WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Images) US Eases Restrictions on Chinas Huawei, Gives Telecomm Companies Time to Adjust The U.S. government on May 20 temporarily eased some trade restrictions imposed last week on Chinas Huawei, a move that sought to minimize disruption for the telecom companys customers around the world. The U.S. Commerce Department will allow Huawei Technologies Co Ltd to purchase American-made goods in order to maintain existing networks and provide software updates to existing Huawei handsets. The company is still prohibited from buying American parts and components to manufacture new products without license approvals that likely will be denied. The U.S. government said it imposed the restrictions because of Huaweis involvement in activities contrary to national security or foreign policy interests. The new authorization is intended to give telecommunications operators that rely on Huawei equipment time to make other arrangements, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said in a statement. In short, this license will allow operations to continue for existing Huawei mobile phone users and rural broadband networks, Ross added. The license, which is in effect until Aug. 19, suggests changes to Huaweis supply chain may have immediate, far-reaching and unintended consequences for its customers. The goal seems to be to prevent internet, computer and cell phone systems from crashing, said Washington lawyer Kevin Wolf, a former Commerce Department official. This is not a capitulation. This is housekeeping. Huawei, the worlds largest telecommunications equipment maker, declined to comment. Read More Portuguese Entrepreneur Claims Huawei Stole His Camera Invention The Commerce Department said it will evaluate whether to extend the exemptions beyond 90 days. On Thursday, the U.S. Commerce Department added Huawei and 68 entities to an export blacklist that makes it nearly impossible for the Chinese company to purchase goods made in the United States. The government tied Huaweis addition to the entity list to a pending case accusing the company of engaging in bank fraud to obtain embargoed U.S. goods and services in Iran and move money out of the country via the international banking system. Huawei has pleaded not guilty. Reuters reported Sunday that Alphabet Inc.s Google suspended business with Huawei that requires the transfer of hardware, software and technical services except those publicly available via open source licensing, citing a source familiar with the matter. Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new authorization. Out of $70 billion Huawei spent buying components in 2018, some $11 billion went to U.S. firms including Qualcomm Inc, Intel Corp, and Micron Technology Inc. The move also could assist mobile service providers in thinly populated areas of the United States, such as Wyoming and eastern Oregon, that purchased network equipment from Huawei in recent years. A report on Monday on the potential impact of stringent export controls on technologies found that U.S. firms could lose up to $56.3 billion in export sales over five years. The report, from the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, said the missed opportunities threatened as many as 74,000 jobs. Wolf, the former Commerce official, said the Huawei reprieve was similar to action taken by the department in July to prevent systems from crashing after the U.S. sanctioned Chinas ZTE Corp, a smaller Huawei rival. The ban on ZTE was lifted July 13 after the company struck an agreement with the U.S. Commerce Department that included a $1 billion fine plus $400 million in escrow, a replacement of its board of directors and senior management, and to have a compliance team assembled by the U.S. Commerce Department embedded in its operations. ZTE, which had ceased major operations as a result of the ban, then resumed business. Today, BIS is imposing the largest penalty it has ever levied and requiring that ZTE adopt unprecedented compliance measures, Ross said in a statement at the time. We will closely monitor ZTEs behavior. If they commit any further violations, we would again be able to deny them access to U.S. technology as well as collect the additional $400 million in escrow. ZTE had previously violated U.S. sanctions on North Korea and Iran. A Russian Tupolev Tu-95 strategic bomber and missile carrier (L) is seen being accompanied by a U.S. F-22 fighter jet in international airspace off the coast of Alaska, on May 21, 2019. (NORAD) US Fighter Planes Intercept Russian Bombers Near Alaska, Says NORAD U.S. fighter planes intercepted Russian bombers and fighters that entered Alaskas airspace on May 20, said the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) on May 21. NORAD said that Tupolev Tu-95 bombers and Su-35 fighters were intercepted by two F-22 fighter planes as they entered the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone. Later, two Tu-95s and two Su-35s were intercepted by two more F-22 fighter jets while a NORAD E-3 aircraft provided surveillance, said NORAD. The Russian planes were positively identified, the agency wrote. NORAD fighters intercepted Russian bombers+fighters entering Alaskan ADIZ May 20. 2x Tu-95s were intercepted by 2x F-22s; a second group of 2x Tu-95+2x Su-35 was intercepted later by 2 more F-22s; NORAD E-3 provided overall surveillance. The aircraft remained in intl airspace pic.twitter.com/VrNuSWFOQm North American Aerospace Defense Command (@NORADCommand) May 21, 2019 As a result, the Russian aircraft remained in international airspace. In a later statement, NORAD said its ability to deter and defeat threats begins with detecting, tracking, and positively identifying non-American aircraft in U.S. airspace. We are on alert 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, the statement continued. Our ability to deter and defeat threats to our citizens and vital infrastructure starts with detecting, tracking, and positively identifying aircraft our airspace. We are on alert 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year Gen. OShaughnessy, Commander NORAD North American Aerospace Defense Command (@NORADCommand) May 21, 2019 The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the incident in a tweet on May 20. The ministry said its Aerospace Forces made scheduled sorties over the neutral waters of the Chukotka, Bering and Okhotsk seas, as well as along the western coast of Alaska and the northern coast of the Aleutian Islands. Four #Tu95MS strategic missile carriers of the Russian #AerospaceForces made scheduled sorties over the neutral waters of the Chukotka, Bering and Okhotsk seas, as well as along the western coast of Alaska and the northern coast of the Aleutian Islands pic.twitter.com/gS5egx5IeA (@mod_russia) May 21, 2019 At certain stages of the route, Russian aircraft were escorted by F22 fighter jets of the USAF. The total flight time exceeded 12 hours, the ministry said in a statement. Long-range pilots make regular flights over neutral waters of the Arctic, North Atlantic, Black and Caspian seas, and Pacific Ocean. The ministry claimed that the flights were carried out in strict accordance with the International Airspace Management System without violating the borders of other states. Other details about the incident were not provided. In January, U.S. and Canadian fighter planes were scrambled to escort Russian jets near the North American coastline. An E-3 AWACS, 2x F-22, 2x CF-18 fighter jets from NORAD positively identified 2x Russian Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bombers entering the Canadian Air Defense Identification Zone on January 26, 2019. Bombers remained in international airspace and did not enter sovereign territory pic.twitter.com/utKe26SRBB U.S. Northern Command (@USNorthernCmd) January 26, 2019 The North American Aerospace Defence Command says two F-22 and two CF-18 fighter jets identified two Russian Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bombers. The Russian planes were said to be entering an area patrolled by the Royal Canadian Air Force at the time, The Associated Press reported. General Terrence J. OShaughnessy, the NORAD commander, said in a statement that NORADs top priority is defending Canada and the United States. Our ability to protect our nations starts with successfully detecting, tracking, and positively identifying aircraft of interest approaching U.S. and Canadian airspace, OShaughnessy said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Looking for books to read this summer? Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates today issued his latest recommendations. Gates posted the following five book recommendations on his blog, adding that none of them are a "light read." Upheaval by Jared Diamond (Amazon) Why Gates recommends it: "Im a big fan of everything Jared has written, and his latest is no exception. The book explores how societies react during moments of crisis. He uses a series of fascinating case studies to show how nations managed existential challenges like civil war, foreign threats, and general malaise. It sounds a bit depressing, but I finished the book even more optimistic about our ability to solve problems than I started." Nine Pints by Rose George (Amazon) Why Gates recommends it: "If you get grossed out by blood, this one probably isnt for you. But if youre like me and find it fascinating, youll enjoy this book by a British journalist with an especially personal connection to the subject. Im a big fan of books that go deep on one specific topic, so Nine Pints (the title refers to the volume of blood in the average adult) was right up my alley. Its filled with super-interesting facts that will leave you with a new appreciation for blood." Why Gates recommends it: "It seems like everyone I know has read this book. I finally joined the club after my brother-in-law sent me a copy, and Im glad I did. Towless novel about a count sentenced to life under house arrest in a Moscow hotel is fun, clever, and surprisingly upbeat. Even if you dont enjoy reading about Russia as much as I do (Ive read every book by Dostoyevsky), A Gentleman in Moscow is an amazing story that anyone can enjoy." Presidents of War by Michael Beschloss (Amazon) Why Gates recommends it: "My interest in all aspects of the Vietnam War is the main reason I decided to pick up this book. By the time I finished it, I learned a lot not only about Vietnam but about the eight other major conflicts the U.S. entered between the turn of the 19th century and the 1970s. Beschlosss broad scope lets you draw important cross-cutting lessons about presidential leadership." Why Gates recommends it: "Colliers latest book is a thought-provoking look at a topic thats top of mind for a lot of people right now. Although I dont agree with him about everything -- I think his analysis of the problem is better than his proposed solutions -- his background as a development economist gives him a smart perspective on where capitalism is headed." Related: 5 Books Bill Gates Says You Should Read This Summer Here's Why Customer Experience is the Driving Force for Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs 10 Super Successful People Who Don't Care That You Know They Enjoy Cannabis Copyright 2019 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved The Bethel Library is hosting an art show by a family of three artists Saturday, May 18, through Friday, June 14. Titled Lineage, the show will feature the works of Jo-Ann Cordes, her husband James Cordes and daughter Ashley Cordes. There will be a public reception May 18 from 12:30 to 2 p.m., with the artists onhand to and talk about their work, which will be on exhibit in the Maria Parloa Community Room. No registration is required. WESTPORT Additional charges have been filed against a New York City man who allegedly left decapitated chickens at a Westport home. Throughout March and April, four packages containing headless chickens were left in the yard of a Franklin Street residence overnight, police said. On April 12 around 11:30 p.m., police say the resident reported a suspect dropped a bag that contained two decapitated chickens and one white pigeon on the property. The suspect, identified as 48-year-old Ajamu Obataiye, was located by police at the Saugatuck Train Station and taken into custody. Obataiye was brought to police headquarters, where he was charged with breach of peace, cruelty to animals, and illegal dumping relating to the single incident. He was released after posting $7,500 bond. Investigators later submitted an arrest warrant for Obataiye for the four previous incidents, which was approved. On May 14, Obataiye was arrested at state Superior Court in Norwalk on the outstanding warrant and transported to Westport police headquarters. He was charged with four counts of breach of peace and four counts of littering or dumping. Obataiye was unable to post the $75,000 bond and was brought to court the following morning for arraignment. lteixeira@ctpost.com Ask someone to name a franchise, and chances are it will be a food-based one. Some of the biggest and best-loved franchise brands center around food, and perhaps thats no surprise -- after all, everybody eats. And more than that, everybody enjoys eating. Food isnt just a necessity -- its a desire, one that draws in both customers and franchisees. Related: The Top 200 Franchise Brands People Love the Most More than a fifth of the companies that applied for our 2019 Franchise 500 ranking were food-based franchises, offering everything from tried-and-true favorites like burgers and pizza to the latest trends, like poke and acai bowls. Youll find the top 200 of them on the following pages, ranked within their respective categories. These rankings are based on the scores each company received from our Franchise 500 formula, which evaluates more than 150 data points in the areas of costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. Keep in mind that this list is not intended as a recommendation of any particular company. With so many food-based franchises to choose from, its important to do your own careful research before you buy. Read the companys legal documents, consult with an attorney and an accountant, and talk to existing and former franchisees. Asian Food #1 L&L Hawaiian Barbecue Startup cost: $135.7K - $527K Total franchises/co.-owned: 185/0 #2 Pho Hoa Startup cost: $226.1K - $436.7K Total franchises/co.-owned: 53/10 #3 Teriyaki Madness Startup cost: $273.7K - $670.8K Total franchises/co.-owned: 44/1 #4 Thai Express Startup cost: $337.9K - $753.7K Total franchises/co.-owned: 301/1 #5 Manchu Wok Startup cost: $441.1K - $713.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 104/1 #6 Ginger Sushi Boutique Startup cost: $265.6K - $387.7K Total franchises/co.-owned: 157/0 #7 Pokeworks Startup cost: $250K - $850.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 27/11 Baked Goods #1 Cinnabon Startup cost: $185.2K - $330.7K Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,512/1 #2 Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Startup cost: $199.5K - $385.1K Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,934/13 #3 Great American Cookies Startup cost: $160.5K - $461.1K Total franchises/co.-owned: 376/0 #4 Kolache Factory Startup cost: $415.2K - $696.9K Total franchises/co.-owned: 31/25 #5 Duck Donuts Franchising Co. Startup cost: $348.4K - $568K Total franchises/co.-owned: 69/0 #6 Shipley Do-Nuts Startup cost: $340.9K - $566.2K Total franchises/co.-owned: 285/13 #7 Wetzel's Pretzels Startup cost: $164.95K - $405.9K Total franchises/co.-owned: 323/20 #8 Ben's Soft Pretzels Startup cost: $107.2K - $339.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 68/17 #9 Cinnaholic Franchising Startup cost: $178K - $308.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 22/1 #10 Great Harvest Franchising Inc. Startup cost: $144.1K - $630.9K Total franchises/co.-owned: 182/2 #11 Breadsmith Startup cost: $354.3K - $399.9K Total franchises/co.-owned: 31/2 #12 Pretzelmaker Startup cost: $205.2K - $327K Total franchises/co.-owned: 264/0 #13 Big Apple Bagels/My Favorite Muffin Startup cost: $284.5K - $394K Total franchises/co.-owned: 80/0 #14 Woops! Startup cost: $79.9K - $365.7K Total franchises/co.-owned: 33/7 #15 Philly Pretzel Factory Startup cost: $133.99K - $351.4K Total franchises/co.-owned: 167/7 #16 Peace, Love & Little Donuts Startup cost: $121.2K - $235.1K Total franchises/co.-owned: 21/4 #17 Le Macaron French Pastries Startup cost: $91.8K - $373.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 41/5 Chicken #1 KFC US LLC Startup cost: $1.4M - $2.8M Total franchises/co.-owned: 20,775/668 #2 Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits Startup cost: $1.5M - $2.4M Total franchises/co.-owned: 441/325 #3 Chester's Startup cost: $12.4K - $286.8K Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,192/0 #4 Golden Chick Startup cost: $237.95K - $488K Total franchises/co.-owned: 173/13 #5 Champs Chicken Startup cost: $9K - $349K Total franchises/co.-owned: 393/0 #6 Chicken Salad Chick Startup cost: $483K - $648K Total franchises/co.-owned: 71/19 #7 Epic Wings Startup cost: $462.95K - $1.2M Total franchises/co.-owned: 1/18 Coffee #1 Dunkin' Startup cost: $228.6K - $1.7M Total franchises/co.-owned: 12,871/0 #2 The Human Bean Drive Thru Startup cost: $211.6K - $688.4K Total franchises/co.-owned: 66/13 #3 Gloria Jean's Coffees Startup cost: $173.2K - $473K Total franchises/co.-owned: 854/0 #4 Scooter's Coffee Startup cost: $351K - $587K Total franchises/co.-owned: 192/15 #5 Biggby Coffee Startup cost: $166.4K - $324.1K Total franchises/co.-owned: 231/0 #6 PJ's Coffee of New Orleans Startup cost: $168.9K - $566K Total franchises/co.-owned: 84/0 #7 Aroma Joe's Coffee Startup cost: $255K - $664K Total franchises/co.-owned: 64/1 #8 The Coffee Beanery Startup cost: $185K - $466.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 59/1 #9 It's A Grind Coffee House Startup cost: $173.2K - $473K Total franchises/co.-owned: 25/0 #10 Dunn Brothers Coffee Startup cost: $406.3K - $608.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 75/4 #11 Drnk coffee + tea and Qwench juice bar Startup cost: $253.2K - $693.1K Total franchises/co.-owned: 14/0 Frozen Desserts #1 Culver's Startup cost: $2M - $4.7M Total franchises/co.-owned: 661/6 #2 Baskin-Robbins Startup cost: $93.6K - $401.8K Total franchises/co.-owned: 8,041/0 #3 Dairy Queen Startup cost: $1.1M - $1.8M Total franchises/co.-owned: 6,862/2 #4 Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Startup cost: $577.97K - $1.99M Total franchises/co.-owned: 287/24 #5 Kona Ice Startup cost: $124.8K - $147.6K Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,111/23 #6 Ben & Jerry's Startup cost: $149.2K - $504.3K Total franchises/co.-owned: 556/37 #7 Creamistry Franchise Inc. Startup cost: $224.5K - $576.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 61/1 #8 Dippin' Dots Franchising LLC Startup cost: $112.2K - $366.95K Total franchises/co.-owned: 219/1 #9 Yogurtland Franchising Inc. Startup cost: $298.7K - $693.3K Total franchises/co.-owned: 305/12 #10 Popbar Startup cost: $217K - $458.4K Total franchises/co.-owned: 27/1 #11 Bruster's Real Ice Cream Startup cost: $270.2K - $1.3M Total franchises/co.-owned: 196/2 #12 sweetFrog Premium Frozen Yogurt Startup cost: $221.5K - $439.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 206/76 #13 Carvel Startup cost: $250.6K - $415.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 373/0 #14 Bahama Buck's Startup cost: $233.3K - $832.96K Total franchises/co.-owned: 109/4 #15 Cold Stone Creamery Startup cost: $50.2K - $467.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,233/3 #16 Marble Slab Creamery Startup cost: $293.1K - $376.1K Total franchises/co.-owned: 330/0 #17 Rita's Italian Ice Startup cost: $172.2K - $430.9K Total franchises/co.-owned: 598/0 #18 Mister Softee Startup cost: $158.5K - $181K Total franchises/co.-owned: 266/0 #19 Sub Zero Franchise Inc. Startup cost: $219.5K - $475.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 56/3 Full-Service Restaurants #1 Golden Corral Restaurants Startup cost: $2.2M - $6.6M Total franchises/co.-owned: 448/43 #2 Buffalo Wild Wings Startup cost: $2M - $3.8M Total franchises/co.-owned: 638/638 #3 Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Restaurant Startup cost: $1M - $2.1M Total franchises/co.-owned: 706/21 #4 Hooters Startup cost: $956.5K - $4.3M Total franchises/co.-owned: 225/207 #5 Black Bear Diner Startup cost: $1.1M - $1.9M Total franchises/co.-owned: 74/42 #6 Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom Startup cost: $1.4M - $2.2M Total franchises/co.-owned: 35/73 #7 The Melting Pot Restaurants Inc. Startup cost: $1.5M - $1.7M Total franchises/co.-owned: 114/3 #8 Brass Tap Startup cost: $780.7K - $1.3M Total franchises/co.-owned: 47/1 #9 Famous Toastery Startup cost: $600.5K - $1M Total franchises/co.-owned: 23/8 #10 Arooga's Grille House & Sports Bar Startup cost: $1.3M - $3.4M Total franchises/co.-owned: 9/10 #11 Buffalo Wings & Rings LLC Startup cost: $1.3M - $2.4M Total franchises/co.-owned: 76/3 #12 The Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grille Startup cost: $1.5M - $2.7M Total franchises/co.-owned: 35/12 #13 Rock & Brews Franchising LLC Startup cost: $1.5M - $4.2M Total franchises/co.-owned: 18/2 #14 Native Grill & Wings Franchising LLC Startup cost: $998K - $2.6M Total franchises/co.-owned: 30/2 #15 Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries Startup cost: $196.1K - $433.1K Total franchises/co.-owned: 121/17 #16 Beef O'Brady's Family Sports Pub Startup cost: $806.6K - $1.3M Total franchises/co.-owned: 155/16 #17 The Lost Cajun Startup cost: $212.6K - $661K Total franchises/co.-owned: 17/2 #18 Boston's Restaurant & Sports Bar Startup cost: $1.1M - $3M Total franchises/co.-owned: 422/2 #19 Johnny's Italian Steakhouse Startup cost: $1.3M - $4M Total franchises/co.-owned: 4/9 #20 Ground Round Grill & Bar Startup cost: $329K - $2.2M Total franchises/co.-owned: 23/0 #21 HuHot Mongolian Grills Startup cost: $984K - $1.2M Total franchises/co.-owned: 46/21 #22 Russo's New York Pizzeria Inc. Startup cost: $454.4K - $1.5M Total franchises/co.-owned: 39/7 #23 Boomarang Diner Franchising LLC Startup cost: $111.8K - $550.6K Total franchises/co.-owned: 28/23 #24 Cicis Startup cost: $222.5K - $1.1M Total franchises/co.-owned: 378/49 #25 Bar Louie Startup cost: $763.5K - $3.4M Total franchises/co.-owned: 19/112 #26 Twin Peaks Restaurant Startup cost: $1.4M - $3.6M Total franchises/co.-owned: 52/30 #27 Eggs Up Grill Startup cost: $421.8K - $611.9K Total franchises/co.-owned: 26/0 #28 Elmer's Breakfast Lunch Dinner/Egg N' Joe Startup cost: $712K - $3.2M Total franchises/co.-owned: 18/11 #29 East Coast Wings + Grill Startup cost: $661.4K - $1.1M Total franchises/co.-owned: 34/2 #30 Buffalo's Cafe Startup cost: $407.4K - $1M Total franchises/co.-owned: 18/1 Hamburgers #1 McDonald's Startup cost: $1.1M - $2.2M Total franchises/co.-owned: 34,521/2,885 #2 Sonic Drive-In Startup cost: $865K - $3.6M Total franchises/co.-owned: 3,365/228 #3 Jack in the Box Startup cost: $1.5M - $3.3M Total franchises/co.-owned: 2,085/157 #4 Carl's Jr Restaurants LLC Startup cost: $1.6M - $2.2M Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,589/52 #5 Hardee's Restaurants LLC Startup cost: $1.5M - $2M Total franchises/co.-owned: 2,124/118 #6 Checkers Drive-In Restaurants Inc. Startup cost: $96.4K - $1.5M Total franchises/co.-owned: 623/256 #7 BurgerFi Startup cost: $670.4K - $973.3K Total franchises/co.-owned: 85/18 #8 Wayback Burgers Startup cost: $209K - $524.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 136/6 #9 Fatburger North America Inc. Startup cost: $525.5K - $988K Total franchises/co.-owned: 151/0 #10 Mooyah Burgers, Fries, & Shakes Startup cost: $397.8K - $559.4K Total franchises/co.-owned: 87/2 Hot Dogs #1 Wienerschnitzel Startup cost: $303.6K - $1.4M Total franchises/co.-owned: 323/0 #2 Hot Dog on a Stick Startup cost: $338.2K - $556K Total franchises/co.-owned: 29/45 #3 Dog Haus Int'l. Startup cost: $366K - $823.1K Total franchises/co.-owned: 31/0 Mexican Food #1 Taco Bell Startup cost: $525.1K - $2.6M Total franchises/co.-owned: 6,299/606 #2 Fuzzy's Taco Shop Startup cost: $858.5K - $1.3M Total franchises/co.-owned: 136/10 #3 Taco John's Int'l. Inc. Startup cost: $942K - $1.4M Total franchises/co.-owned: 383/10 #4 Moe's Southwest Grill Startup cost: $446K - $997.2K Total franchises/co.-owned: 716/5 #5 Del Taco Fresh Mexican Grill Startup cost: $859.7K - $2.1M Total franchises/co.-owned: 270/310 #6 Qdoba Mexican Eats Startup cost: $936.2K - $2.3M Total franchises/co.-owned: 356/385 #7 Chronic Tacos Enterprises Inc. Startup cost: $296K - $799K Total franchises/co.-owned: 45/6 #8 California Tortilla Startup cost: $378.4K - $697K Total franchises/co.-owned: 42/4 #9 Bubbakoo's Burritos Startup cost: $135.5K - $398K Total franchises/co.-owned: 9/10 #10 TacoTime Startup cost: $144.7K - $814.1K Total franchises/co.-owned: 261/0 #11 Quesada Burritos & Tacos Startup cost: $239K - $320.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 102/3 Miscellaneous Quick-Service Restaurants #1 Captain D's LLC Startup cost: $781K - $1.1M Total franchises/co.-owned: 242/290 #2 Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse Startup cost: $266.99K - $2.1M Total franchises/co.-owned: 11/2 #3 Orion Food Systems LLC Startup cost: $59.5K - $140K Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,006/0 #4 Fazoli's Franchising Systems LLC Startup cost: $800.2K - $1.8M Total franchises/co.-owned: 161/52 #5 Golden Krust Franchising Inc. Startup cost: $225.9K - $687K Total franchises/co.-owned: 112/6 #6 Zoup! Systems LLC Startup cost: $355.9K - $648.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 87/2 #7 Newk's Eatery Startup cost: $932K - $1.1M Total franchises/co.-owned: 103/22 #8 Jazen Tea Startup cost: $163.3K - $295.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 9/11 #9 Urban Bar-B-Que Startup cost: $182.7K - $365.2K Total franchises/co.-owned: 8/3 #10 Saladworks Startup cost: $415.3K - $596.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 88/4 #11 Cousins Maine Lobster Startup cost: $145.9K - $768.2K Total franchises/co.-owned: 27/5 #12 SoBol Startup cost: $182.2K - $385K Total franchises/co.-owned: 22/2 #13 D.P. Dough Startup cost: $142.95K - $463.2K Total franchises/co.-owned: 24/3 #14 Frutta Bowls Franchising LLC Startup cost: $145.8K - $385.6K Total franchises/co.-owned: 30/2 #15 Vitality Bowls Startup cost: $154.1K - $563.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 50/5 #16 Grabbagreen Startup cost: $282.7K - $413.8K Total franchises/co.-owned: 26/1 Pizza #1 Pizza Hut LLC Startup cost: $327K - $2.3M Total franchises/co.-owned: 15,325/93 #2 Papa John's Int'l. Inc. Startup cost: $130.1K - $844.4K Total franchises/co.-owned: 4,569/678 #3 Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza Startup cost: $454.4K - $1.1M Total franchises/co.-owned: 277/6 #4 Marco's Pizza Startup cost: $289.8K - $762.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 905/0 #5 Hungry Howie's Pizza & Subs Startup cost: $228.3K - $475K Total franchises/co.-owned: 521/30 #6 Rosati's Pizza Startup cost: $136.2K - $1.2M Total franchises/co.-owned: 131/13 #7 Jet's Pizza Startup cost: $457.5K - $651K Total franchises/co.-owned: 351/37 #8 Mountain Mike's Pizza Startup cost: $207.5K - $593K Total franchises/co.-owned: 205/0 #9 Donatos Startup cost: $375.5K - $699.9K Total franchises/co.-owned: 103/57 #10 Pizza Factory Inc. Startup cost: $372K - $562K Total franchises/co.-owned: 103/1 #11 Round Table Pizza Startup cost: $426.5K - $836.3K Total franchises/co.-owned: 306/74 #12 Paisano's Pizza Startup cost: $347K - $635.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 24/13 #13 Ledo Pizza Startup cost: $126.3K - $442K Total franchises/co.-owned: 103/0 #14 LaRosa's Pizzeria Startup cost: $729.2K - $1.8M Total franchises/co.-owned: 52/11 #15 Happy Joe's Startup cost: $189K - $1.1M Total franchises/co.-owned: 38/10 #16 Fox's Pizza Den Startup cost: $110.8K - $210.8K Total franchises/co.-owned: 218/0 #17 Cottage Inn Pizza Startup cost: $200K - $350K Total franchises/co.-owned: 46/9 #18 Papa Murphy's Take 'N' Bake Pizza Startup cost: $279.1K - $518.8K Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,347/122 #19 Romeo's Pizza Startup cost: $128K - $403K Total franchises/co.-owned: 31/1 #20 Figaro's Pizza Startup cost: $86.5K - $549K Total franchises/co.-owned: 37/0 #21 Gatti's Pizza Startup cost: $1.6M - $2.8M Total franchises/co.-owned: 60/19 #22 Your Pie Startup cost: $364.8K - $610K Total franchises/co.-owned: 55/2 #23 1000 Degrees Pizza Startup cost: $218.2K - $764.3K Total franchises/co.-owned: 42/1 Retail Food/Food Services #1 Kilwins Chocolates Franchise Inc. Startup cost: $423.3K - $790.2K Total franchises/co.-owned: 116/2 #2 Edible Arrangements Startup cost: $189.8K - $348.95K Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,215/4 #3 HoneyBaked Ham Startup cost: $301.7K - $501.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 213/201 #4 Beef Jerky Outlet Franchise Inc. Startup cost: $215.8K - $394.9K Total franchises/co.-owned: 100/6 #5 Watermill Express Franchising Startup cost: $467.7K - $631.2K Total franchises/co.-owned: 310/972 #6 Totally Nutz Startup cost: $59.9K - $258.4K Total franchises/co.-owned: 37/11 #7 Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Startup cost: $186.5K - $476.8K Total franchises/co.-owned: 247/3 #8 The Spice & Tea Exchange Startup cost: $200.6K - $356.2K Total franchises/co.-owned: 59/1 #9 Doc Popcorn Startup cost: $46.9K - $353.8K Total franchises/co.-owned: 95/1 #10 Happy & Healthy Products Inc. Startup cost: $52.8K - $96.9K Total franchises/co.-owned: 47/0 #11 Chefs For Seniors Startup cost: $10.5K - $26.7K Total franchises/co.-owned: 21/3 Sandwiches #1 Jersey Mike's Subs Startup cost: $178.5K - $746.3K Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,441/84 #2 Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches Startup cost: $329.5K - $557.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 2,737/56 #3 McAlister's Deli Startup cost: $762K - $2M Total franchises/co.-owned: 400/28 #4 Arby's Startup cost: $314.6K - $1.8M Total franchises/co.-owned: 2,312/1,117 #5 Firehouse Subs Startup cost: $92.3K - $824.8K Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,118/37 #6 Potbelly Sandwich Shop Startup cost: $503.95K - $849K Total franchises/co.-owned: 56/435 #7 Charleys Philly Steaks Startup cost: $252.1K - $580.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 539/56 #8 Subway Startup cost: $150.1K - $328.7K Total franchises/co.-owned: 42,431/0 #9 Which Wich Superior Sandwiches Startup cost: $203K - $495.3K Total franchises/co.-owned: 465/2 #10 Penn Station East Coast Subs Startup cost: $290.98K - $594.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 314/1 #11 Schlotzsky's Startup cost: $503.8K - $787.98K Total franchises/co.-owned: 347/25 #12 Roy Rogers Restaurants Startup cost: $767.3K - $1.6M Total franchises/co.-owned: 31/21 #13 Togo's Startup cost: $268K - $501.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 204/6 #14 Capriotti's Sandwich Shop Inc. Startup cost: $365K - $793.2K Total franchises/co.-owned: 88/10 #15 Erbert & Gerbert's Sandwich Shop Startup cost: $191K - $397.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 92/5 #16 Deli Delicious Startup cost: $122.3K - $467.9K Total franchises/co.-owned: 51/0 #17 Pita Pit Inc. Startup cost: $216.4K - $435.1K Total franchises/co.-owned: 592/13 #18 Tubby's Sub Shop Inc. Startup cost: $112.9K - $293.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 62/0 #19 Mr. Goodcents Franchise Systems Inc. Startup cost: $211.4K - $431.8K Total franchises/co.-owned: 76/2 #20 Groucho's Deli Startup cost: $99.1K - $401.97K Total franchises/co.-owned: 33/1 #21 Cousins Subs Startup cost: $182.2K - $632K Total franchises/co.-owned: 78/18 #22 Great Wraps Startup cost: $159.5K - $485.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 50/1 #23 PrimoHoagies Franchising Inc. Startup cost: $235.5K - $569.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 89/1 #24 Earl of Sandwich Startup cost: $336K - $624K Total franchises/co.-owned: 19/12 #25 Cheba Hut Toasted Subs Startup cost: $336K - $678K Total franchises/co.-owned: 13/8 #26 Jon Smith Subs Startup cost: $324K - $632.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 11/5 #27 Melt Shop Startup cost: $426.9K - $767.4K Total franchises/co.-owned: 3/8 Smoothies/Juices #1 Smoothie King Startup cost: $263.6K - $844.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 944/28 #2 Tropical Smoothie Cafe Startup cost: $222.1K - $569.3K Total franchises/co.-owned: 737/1 #3 Nekter Juice Bar Inc. Startup cost: $211.5K - $462.6K Total franchises/co.-owned: 69/47 #4 Jamba Juice Startup cost: $238.6K - $504.3K Total franchises/co.-owned: 849/51 #5 Robeks Fresh Juices & Smoothies Startup cost: $239.8K - $344.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 82/0 #6 Juice It Up! Startup cost: $227.4K - $399.2K Total franchises/co.-owned: 85/0 #7 Planet Smoothie Startup cost: $76.2K - $329.3K Total franchises/co.-owned: 125/0 #8 Clean Juice Startup cost: $254K - $502.5K Total franchises/co.-owned: 47/7 Related: The Top Food Franchises of 2019 Do You Have the 5 Characteristics of a Successful Franchisee? Why Entrepreneurs Should Believe They Are Unstoppable Copyright 2019 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved People who arent wearing seat belts are often ejected from a vehicle or suffer head and face injuries. One of the most severe injuries he encounters is a traumatic brain injury. Patients who are not restrained in their vehicle frequently will sustain injuries to their face and head, and those injuries can cause severe bleeding within the brain, Treaster said. The injuries can leave people permanently damaged and have permanent disabilities related to that traumatic brain injury. We dont tend to see those injuries when patients have seat belts on. Research shows that males age 18 to 34 are far less likely to wear seat belts. Thats our highest-risk group, Treaster said. Young men often have the idea that theyre safer in trucks, so they might not need their seat belts, he said. It all comes down to physics, Treaster said. These are big vehicles. They have a lot of force being applied to them. I think he (Koepp) is going to have some additional auditions throughout the summer, the principal said. We want this to be something that is available to all of our students. In the future, as it grows, there is always the possibility we will have to change these things. Now, it is just a lot of excitement and positivity for our programs. Engle said the additional fine arts courses come after the GICC board made the decision to require all students to take at least one fine arts course to graduate, beginning with next years freshman class. That comes along with us wanting our graduates to be well-rounded people, he said. The flip side of that coin is making sure that we have a wide variety available for our students so they are not picking from just a few courses. With the additional course offerings next year, Engle said, GICC students will have 10 to 15 fine arts courses from which to choose. In addition to the fine arts courses, GICC students will also have the ability to take a higher-level chemistry course beginning next school year. He said the school is looking at the potential of adding a video journalism course in the future. EDWARDSVILLE Phoenix Real Estates Services, LLC will soon construct a development called Edwardsville Senior Living with recently approved funding by tax credits from the state. Once the site of the Anna Henry Nursing Home, which closed in September 2004, it is currently a vacant lot near Route 157 and just blocks from downtown. Once completed, the site will house two energy-efficient residential buildings comprised of 48 apartments and a community building for Madison County seniors at 637 Hillsboro Ave. Each of the buildings would be three-stories tall and have 24 apartments. The entire site will break out to 12 one-bedroom units and 26 two-bedroom units. The facility would have at least 63 parking spaces, according to plans submitted to the city last fall. This is just one of many affordable housing projects around Illinois funded by tax credits from the states housing development authority. Grandview Senior Residences in Marine is also planning for 24 housing apartments for residents aged 55 and older. The building will offer several amenities for seniors including on-site parking and a large community area. The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Board of Directors announced conditional awards totaling more than $28 million in federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) that will fund 25 affordable housing developments in 16 counties throughout Illinois. Once sold to investors, the tax credits will generate an estimated $257.7 million in private capital to finance the creation and/or preservation of 1,864 affordable units for low- to moderate-income families, seniors, veterans and persons with special needs. These developments are expected to support 4,445 full-time construction jobs and 464 permanent jobs after completion. The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit is perhaps the most vital tool in the country to spur the development of affordable housing and fill an increasing void, said IHDA Executive Director Audra Hamernik. With Illinois renters becoming increasingly burdened, LIHTC allows us to leverage public/private resources for the construction of affordable housing that otherwise would not be built. The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program was created with the passage of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 (P.L. 99514). The Internal Revenue Service allocates a certain number of tax credits annually to each state based on population. IHDA awards the credits through a competitive application process, and, once developers receive the credits, they sell them to investors and use the equity generated to reduce construction and operating costs. The savings in underwriting are passed on to the renter in the form of below-market rents, which must remain affordable for a minimum of 30 years. Since 1987, IHDA has administered the LIHTC program to facilitate the creation and preservation of affordable housing of more than 90,975 units of affordable housing in the state, generating $4.9 billion in private capital for affordable housing. ST. PETERS, MO Joes Market Baskets newest location in St. Peters is celebrating its first anniversary this month. General manager Andy Klos said since moving into the new location a year ago, the property looks quite a bit different. Its been a busy year, said Klos. Weve been thrilled with the interest weve seen from the community and weve also made a lot of updates to the property to help people have the best shopping experience possible. This may be our first year in St. Peters, but Market Basket (which was founded in Edwardsville) has been in business 50 years and our top goal has always been customer service. We want to provide everything a customer or contractor needs for a landscape project from start to finish. Klos said over the last year, the St. Peters location has added sidewalks throughout the property and 17 bulk bins of materials, including mulch, decorative rock, driveway rock, and covered topsoil. Klos said Market Basket also expanded its landscape material yard to accommodate the hundreds of pallets of Versa-Lok and Keystone retaining wall blocks and their large selection of Romanstone pavers. All totaled, the location has about five acres of landscaping materials including its three large greenhouses, which hold a wide variety of annuals, perennials, herbs, blooming tropicals, succulents and trees. Market Basket is a family-owned business with four Illinois locations in Edwardsville, OFallon, Godfrey and Troy. For more information about Joes Market Basket, visit http://www.joesmarketbasket.com/. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Andrio Adiwibowo (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 21, 2019 Remember that scene in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, when the vicious Orcs breach Helms Deep, the mightiest stronghold ever built in Rohan? Surprisingly, they accomplish this by blowing up a hole into the base of the fortresss wall. In real life, a mighty kingdom and its ruler can fall in a single night because its enemies penetrate the border. In 1939, Poland relied on its military defense plan, Plan Zachod. The Allies criticized the plan because it was too weak. Unfortunately, the Polish ignored this and as a result, Nazi Germany defeated Polish forces in just a few days. The message is clear that when a nations borders are weak, it is vulnerable. Every day, goods and people cross Indonesian borders, legally or not. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Patrick Grene and Muhammad Ikhsan Alia (The Jakarta Post) Padang Tue, May 21, 2019 On Tuesday evening, presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto yet again claimed victory in the 2019 election, while blasting the government for purported corruption. In his closing speech at the National Symposium of 2019 Election Fraud, Prabowo described government treatment of the people power movement as a disaster for Indonesian democracy, and derided as groundless the allegations of treason that the government has levied against National Mandate Party (PAN) campaigner Eggi Sudjana. Prabowo asserted that he will continue to mobilize people power against the deception infecting the democratization process. In the context of the legal assistance team proposed by Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto, some 450,000 military and police personnel assigned to guard election facilities, the tension is palpable. The current controversy raises two serious legal questions. First, is the people power movement, as the government has alleged, treasonous? Second, does the government response to the movement threaten to muzzle our democracy and contravene Indonesians human rights? to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Endy Bayuni (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 21, 2019 09:16 951 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8738ec7e3 1 Opinion #commentary,#2019GeneralElections,#2019PresidentialElection,2019-general-election,2019-presidential-election,Jokowi,Prabowo,democracy,freedom-of-speech Free Indonesias democracy faces a big litmus test on Wednesday when the General Elections Commission (KPU) is scheduled to announce the results of the April 17 election amid plans for massive protests by the camp of Prabowo Subianto, who challenged incumbent Joko Jokowi Widodo in the presidential race. Complicating the matter is the police warning of a terrorist plot to create chaos in postelection Indonesia. Police are struggling between ensuring the freedom of speech of the protesters on the one hand and guaranteeing national security, most particularly from terrorist threats, on the other. They are now having to define the limits of freedom of expession that would keep the nation safe. Democracy is not only about holding free and fair elections, which on this score, Indonesia passed with flying colors after holding one last month, the fifth in the last 20 years. Democracy is also not only about guaranteeing freedoms, including in this case the right to free expression. On this, Indonesia scores high, especially when compared with many of its neighbors and with other predominantly Muslim nations around the world. Democracy ultimately is also about having strong and credible law enforcement. Without it, democracy could easily turn into anarchy and with anarchy we can say goodbye to all our freedoms. How the government, particularly the nations law enforcement aparatus, handles this delicate situation will say much about the future of democracy in Indonesia. For the nation, freedom from fear is just as important as freedom of speech, but would the people let the police sacrifice one freedom for the sake of the other? Police need to exercise caution and wisdom and not throw away all the gains Indonesia has made in advancing freedom and democracy. It is now a certainty that Prabowo has lost the presidential race. With more than 90 percent of the votes counted by the KPU, as of Monday, Jokowi had a 10 percentage point lead. But typical of a soldier, the former general refuses to give in. He has denounced the entire election as a sham and claimed that he has been robbed of victory. He has even proclaimed himself the winner. His supporters plan a massive protest in Jakarta on Wednesday and many of them are converging from out of town. Some people around him are even talking about launching a people power movement with the clear ultimate goal of sending their candidate to the State Palace. Supporters of Prabowo no doubt have the right to contest the results of the election. This is part of the free speech guaranteed by the Constitution, as long as they dont break the law. Police are not taking any chances and have declared anyone openly campaigning for people power to be committing an act of treason. At least one of the most vocal advocates, politician Eggi Sudjana, has been arrested. More arrests could follow before or after May 22. Police have also stopped buses from many cities taking protesters to Jakarta and prevented would-be protesters from boarding trains heading for Jakarta these past few days. The arrests of people in possession of explosives early this month raised the specter of a terrorist plot on May 22. Nearly 70 people have since been arrested in connection with this plan, many of whom were returnees from Syria, having fought alongside Islamic State (IS) group rebels seeking to create a caliphate. The threat of terrorism combined with the planned protests has prompted the National Police to deploy their full force and, with the support of the military, to preempt the possibility of violence. They have appealed to everyone to stay at home and not join the protests. They know the limitations of their power under democratic Indonesia and cannot prevent people from taking to the streets to express their opinions on Wednesday. Prabowo has not publicly endorsed the planned protests, but he has not tried to prevent them either, saying his supporters were free to excercise free speech if they were not happy with the elections. However, his statements and behavior have encouraged the protesters. Besides denouncing the election, he has ruled out taking his grievance to the Constitutonal Court, knowing that, in the absence of strong evidence of fraud, hed lose the petition, just as he lost his case in front of the court in 2014, when he was similarly questioning a Jokowi victory. If he had any shred of statesmenhip, he would call off the protests and gracefully accept defeat so that the nation could move on. If Wednesdays protests escalate and, God forbid, violence erupts or terrorists succeed with their plans, it would not only reflect badly on the security apparatus, but it would also tell us of their failure to enforce the law. Without law enforcement, so goes our democracy. On May 21, 1998, Soeharto was forced to step down under pressure from the student-led people power movement after ruling the country for more than three decades. This paved the way for reforms, democracy and freedom and better law enforcement. Twenty-one years later, the situation today is too different for us to draw any lesson from the 1998 people power movement. A better comparison for todays prospect or fear of chaos is the days of bloody riots in Jakarta that preceeded Soehartos downfall, an event that Prabowos political nemeses in the military insist he had a hand in leading to his dismissal from active service that same year. On Wednesday, we will see if democracy survives the test of time. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Editorial Board (China Daily/ Asia News Network) Beijing, China Tue, May 21, 2019 07:57 952 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8738e8208 2 Opinion #USA,#China,China-Daily,editorial,Huawei Free Google's suspension of business with Huawei, which it announced on the weekend, is not a surprise after Washington's blacklisting of the Chinese telecommunications equipment maker on Wednesday. But and no doubt to the relief of those that have been happy to use Huawei's products and do business with it having seen what happened to another Chinese company ZTE, the telecom giant has prepared itself for an attack by the United States and has implemented a contingency plan. That explains why Ren Zhengfei, founder and also chief executive officer of Huawei, said in an interview with Japanese journalist on Saturday that his company will not have any problem even if US companies stop providing it with components. What is even more noteworthy is that Ren said Huawei will never manufacture equipment for 5G telecom networks in the US even if his company is invited to do so. "It is too risky to do business in the United States which has repeatedly issued policies to threaten its trading partners," Ren said, adding that Huawei has done nothing wrong and illegal. It is true that Huawei may meet some difficulties. And as Ren said, his company's development will slow down a little bit. But by accusing Huawei of espionage without evidence and using the groundless excuse to exclude the Chinese company from the US market and even persuade its allies not to do business with Huawei, Washington is showing it has no qualms about using dirty tricks to try and crush China's 5G leader. It is not the first time that the US government has told lies for political reasons. In order to launch a war against Iraq, it told the international community that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. That was a lie. It claims to be a supporter of free trade, but as its protectionism and rules bending/breaking show, that too is a lie. It has never been one for keeping its words, and its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change and from the multilateral Iran nuclear deal continue its tradition of agreeing to one thing and then doing another. With its treatment of Huawei, the US government has revealed all its ugliness in its dealings with other countries: Its despotism as the world's sole superpower without any respect for rules, its haughtiness and lack of respect for the dignity of its trade partners, its condescending attitude toward the rest of the world and its outright selfishness and unwillingness to accept that it is a member of a wider community. It seems as if the US takes it for granted that it has the absolute say over everything in its dealings with the rest of the world, which has to take whatever the US dishes out no matter how arbitrary and despotic that is. But China will not take it and neither will Huawei. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Alessandro Reali (The Jakarta Post) Rome Tue, May 21, 2019 10:53 951 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8738f4676 3 Opinion #2019GeneralElections,2019-general-election Free General elections were held in Indonesia on April 17. For the first time in the country's history, the president, the vice president and members of the House of Representatives (DPR), Regional Representatives Council (DPD) and regional legislatures were elected on the same day. With around 192 million eligible voters in 34 provinces and abroad registered, the elections have made Indonesia the worlds largest democracy with direct election system in every level of governance. There were about 245,000 candidates running for more than 20,000 national and provincial legislative seats throughout the archipelago. On the election day, the whole country was given a day-off or working time adjustment to let everyone go to vote. People who had cast their votes were entitled for discounts in many restaurants and cafe nearby. This way people were encouraged to exercise their political rights and to contribute better for the future of the country. Comprehensibly, people attributed the elections as one of the most complicated single-day polls, but what is striking is how the government systems have done everything to reach every person in the archipelago. There were huge logistical challenges that forced functionaries to even use horses and elephants in transporting the ballots to countrys mountaintop villages and people who live in the jungle. Unfortunately, it should also be added that some people died while attempting to reach even the most remote areas of the archipelago. There were some minor problems, battle against hoaxes and fake news, suspected fraud, but overall, a safe and smooth election was conducted with a voter turnout of a record 83 percent. Another impressive fact is that no matter who you are, where you live or what is your religion, what is important is that you have had the opportunity to express your vote. It is not a coincidence that the motto of the great nation is Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, literally Unity in Diversity. And it is also on the basis of this motto that the elections took place. It has been tried to make sure everyone can express their political views freely and being heard regardless of their creed or political positions. Besides, nowadays it is important to underline that Indonesia has the worlds largest Muslim population that has often shown the world what a real democracy is. It would be quite complicated to pause in making comparisons between Indonesian elections and the "western" electoral processes. However, there are at least three main points of Indonesian elections that may impress many. First, it greatly surprised me to see how diplomats from the Indonesian Embassy in Rome did everything they could to include everyone in the electoral process. I have often seen them traveling before the elections, both in all of Italy and in the other places of representation of the Embassy, like Malta and Cyprus, although this meant quite long and tiring journeys. I witnessed the detailed explanations of all the voting procedures and other useful information, which is why I particularly appreciated seeing how, accordingly to the spirit of the diplomat and the consul's job, no one was left behind. Second, it was almost enthralling to observe how Indonesian voters proudly displayed their finger marked with ink as a symbol of having voted. It was interesting to see how the act of having expressed one's vote was a source of pride. In my opinion, this seems to indicate that Indonesians are not afraid of going to the polls and not afraid of others' judgments. Indeed, it is representative of a population that despite its size is well aware that everyone's opinion is important. This is also a beautiful teaching of democracy. Finally, what cannot be unmentioned is the mood in which all the explanations of the procedures have taken place. Indonesians often refer to the electoral moment as Pesta Demokrasi (fiesta of democracy), because we are truly talking about a feast. People come to the polls smiling and ready to joke, there is no kind of worry or tension. Voters were welcomed with a few snacks to eat or drinks, they spent some time with their neighbors for a little talk. It is not unlikely that they improvise a karaoke. And all this is wonderful. It is amazing because the elections are not seen as a critical moment as may be the case in the West. Instead it is an opportunity to be all together, have fun, enjoy the moment and the chance that everyone has. It is literally a "Party of Democracy", because we should never stop celebrating and thanking the fact that, despite the differences and the various opinions, we are free people and we are given the right to express our ideas. For this reason, while the elections are coming to an end and we are waiting the official results, scheduled for May 22, I think it is right and proper to thank the Indonesians for indicating us what it really means to "make democracy". Above all, I think the Indonesians, all of them, deserve congratulations for what they have carried out. *** The writer, who is studying political science at Luiss Guido Carli University in Rome, is an intern at Indonesian Embassy in Rome. 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 Inforial (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta, Indonesia Wed, May 22, 2019 00:01 951 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa873917e10 4 Inforial Free Where are you heading this holiday season? Places like Bali or Labuan Bajo might sit at the top of your list, but just right around these two islands lies Lombok Island. For international travelers, Lombok might only be a stopover before reaching Labuan Bajo from Bali. The island can easily be reached from Labuan Bajo and Bali on a boat trip. From other places in Indonesia, domestic flights to Lombok from Jakarta, Bandung and Bali are available daily. Pick your dates Prior to booking your ticket, make sure to pick your travel date wisely and set the Price Alert feature on the Traveloka website or mobile app. This feature allows passenger to be notified when flight deals that suit your itinerary comes up. Make sure to not miss any deals by having your desired flights delivered into your Inbox. But, the question is, what does one do in Lombok? Besides the beaches, there are actually quite a lot of other things to see in Lombok. Here are a few places to check out on your next Lombok trip. Senggigi Beachfront blast: A fishing boat sits on Sengigi Beach, Lombok. (./.) Senggigi may be one of the less hyped beaches in Lombok, and is now mostly popular among the older crowd and where zen-seekers go. Most of Lomboks best resorts are located in Senggigi, and for anyone looking for a quiet, laidback, holiday on the beach, Senggigis light-sand coast and stunning sunset will conquer your heart. Get to the Gilis The three Gilis (Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, and Gili Meno) are certainly becoming Indonesias top destinations after Bali. Gili Meno is mostly there for the quiet, romantic escape while Gili Air is made for a more-relaxed traveler to chill and take a diving course. The largest and most popular, full of parties and cheap beer is Gili Trawangan. These three Gilis can be reached from Senggigi Harbor by a speedboat in around 30 minutes or so. Little cafes and beach bars line up on the coast. On the west side of the island where the blood-red sun sets, luxury resorts and restaurants offer cocktails and champagne by the beach for a special treat. The best thing about Gili is that motorized vehicles are not allowed to operate there, with the only transportation available being bicycles, horse-drawn carriages and battery-operated scooters. Whatever route you take and whichever Gili you visit, while in Lombok, do pay a visit to these little islands. Travel agents in Lombok offers day trips to the three Gilis, normally done in eight hours, where visitors can island hop and enjoy the crystal clear water and tasty local cuisine. Refreshing Waterfalls Many travelers only see Lombok as Balis beach neighbor but actually, the island hides some of countrys best waterfalls. The most popular and biggest waterfall in Lombok is the Tiu Kelep Waterfall. You will have to head north, just after Sendang Gile Waterfall at the foot of Mt. Rinjani. To get there, you have to trek through the lush forest over the hanging bridge. However, the majestic view of the falls, 45 meters down the cliff meeting the rocks, is worth the trip. Other must-see waterfalls in Lombok include Benang Stokel and Benang Kelambu, located just 1 kilometer apart from each other. The falls, 90 minutes away from Senggigi Beach, flow down through the lush greenery like heavens door. Sasak Culture Airy view: A peresean (Sasak stick fight) takes place in Sade village, Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. (./.) The Sasak people are the islands natives, which make up about 85 percent of the islands total population. Their cuisine is known for its spiciness and the Sasak culture is reflected in their beautiful handicrafts and distinct music ensembles. Kampung Sade is where the locals hold the tradition close and dearly. By visiting this village you will be able to see their traditional houses, as well as the process of making traditional crafts and colorful woven fabrics. One cloth costs around Rp 250,000 to Rp 300,000, which is definitely not the cheapest but considering the length of time and process it takes to make one cloth, it is quite a fair price point. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Hanna Rantala (Reuters) Cannes, France Tue, May 21, 2019 09:06 951 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8738eae51 2 People antonio-banderas,actor,heart-attack,film,Cannes-Film-Festival,Pedro-Almodovar,penelope-cruz,Pain-and-Glory Free Antonio Banderas said a heart attack he suffered two years ago spurred him into a health kick but also allowed him to reinvent himself as an actor, including as he prepared to take on the lead role in Pedro Almodovar's autobiographical new movie. "It was fantastic advice for my life," Banderas told Reuters in an interview in Cannes, where Almodovar's Pain And Glory is vying for the French film festival's top Palme D'Or prize. "I don't smoke anymore, I do more exercise than ever. I feel more clear in my brain and I kind of reinvented myself." The 58-year-old Spaniard, known for films like The Mask of Zorro and Evita, recently took on the role of painter Pablo Picasso in television drama Genius. "I am reflecting very much about my acting career. And I feel very fresh and very new," he said. Pain And Glory - about an ageing, tormented film director who looks back at his life - reunites Banderas with Penelope Cruz, also a longtime Almodovar collaborator. Read also: Almodovar's ode to filmmaking hits the right notes at Cannes Both were left teary-eyed after its Friday screening at Cannes and Banderas choked up at a news conference on Saturday, saying the months spent working on the film had been some of his happiest yet as an actor in a career spanning over 100 movies. Banderas said his health scare had also helped him wipe the slate clean as he prepared to play protagonist Salvador, something Almodovar was very demanding about. "He wants you new, fresh, different, getting rid of all these mannerisms," Banderas told Reuters. The actor said he had not known at first that Almodovar, a close friend, would be digging deep into his personal life for the plotline of the new movie, which the director has described as part autobiography, part fiction. "(Almodovar) called me on the phone and he said 'I'm going to send you a script that you are going to find (has) a lot of references to people that you know'," Banderas said. "So he sent it to me and I read it and I was (like) 'oh my God, it's him.'" Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Sarah White and Phyllis Xu (Reuters) Cannes, France Tue, May 21, 2019 10:01 951 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8738f0d19 2 Entertainment Cannes-Film-Festival,film,African-American,actor,Mati-Diop Free Mati Diop, the first woman of African descent to compete for the top prize at Cannes with a haunting film about migrants, said on Friday the label made her "sad" but showed how much work there was to do for equality in the movie industry. The director -- whose debut feature film Atlantics, set in Senegal, evokes the impact of migrant journeys on those left behind -- said she was also driven by a desire to see black lives represented on screen. "It was really a need, a very urgent need," Diop told a news conference. "It wasn't the only motor of the film, because it is not a motor that is enough to write a story, but at the end of the script, I was like 'Now I want to see these black actors' ... and a lot of people need that." The French-Senegalese filmmaker took an unusual path to get there, working with a cast of first time actors -- some of whom were approached on the streets of Dakar. Diop added that she was moved when seeing films with black stars, including those of Get Out director Jordan Peele. Developed from Diop's 2009 documentary short about a Senegalese man who died making a sea crossing to Spain, Atlantics shifts the focus to the women left behind as a group of men disappear on their journey. Praised by critics for its absorbing atmosphere, the film is richly poetic, lingering on the waves crashing onto the coast -- menacingly at times, pulling viewers into a trance at others. Read also: First black African woman enters Cannes race with migrant ghost story "I think the first idea was to turn the ocean into an accomplice to people leaving by sea. I saw the ocean as a supernatural force which swallowed up youth into its depth," Diop said. The movie also has other mystical moments, as the narrative takes a ghostly turn. Diop and three other female directors -- Jessica Hausner, Celine Sciamma and Justine Triet -- were picked as contenders in Cannes' main competition this year, out of 21 entries. Diop said it was striking that she was the first black women to make the cut. "My first feeling, to be honest, was a little sadness, that this only happens now, today, in 2019. It is pretty late, and it is incredible that it is still an event today," she said. "It is always a reminder that so much work needs to be done still." Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 21, 2019 13:05 951 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa873902be7 1 Food iftar,ramadan,Ramadan-2019,breaking-the-fast,#Ramadan,food,Indonesian-food,#food Free Nothing beats the comfort of Indonesian food for iftar (breaking-the-fast meal). Usually cooked with various spices, Indonesian food is packed with flavor, making it a rewarding meal after a long day of fasting. Although there are many restaurants offering special menus for Ramadan, not all are serving Indonesian dishes. Therefore, The Jakarta Post has compiled a list of restaurants serving Indonesian dishes this Ramadan. Vin+ Arcadia This Ramadan, Vin+ Arcadia in Central Jakarta is offering two set meals, namely ayam sambal matah (chicken served with Balinese raw chili relish) and nasi bakar empal daging (grilled rice wrapped in banana leaves served with sweet marinated beef). With a starting price of Rp 80,000 (US$5.53), the set meals include free takjil (light breaking-of-the-fast snacks), making it an affordable menu for iftar gatherings. Contact: 0821 1438 6969 Read also: Jakpost guide to Dari Halte ke Halte's recommended iftar places Nusa Gastronomy Nusa Gastronomy in Kemang, South Jakarta, is serving a variety of local dishes, including rare traditional recipes, such as rabeg daging ketan bintul and ulu juku. The former is a Balinese-style beef slow cooked in a clay pot for four hours with spices and sweet soy sauce. The latter is fish head soup cooked in coconut milk, tamarind and various spices. Both dishes are rare to find in Jakarta, giving you a one-of-a-kind iftar experience. In addition to rare recipes, Nusa Gastronomy is also offering comfort foods, such as udang sambal goreng pete (prawns cooked with chili and bitter beans), ayam goreng Nusa (Nusa-style fried chicken) and bebek palekko (organic local duck served with chili paste and tamarind). Contact: 021 719 3954 Kaum Jakarta This year, Kaum Jakarta restaurant in Central Jakarta is highlighting Sintang regency in West Kalimantan by incorporating unique ingredients from forests around the area such as liak padi (ginger buds), Dayak sour eggplant and salai lais (smoked glass catfish) for its special Ramadan menu. Among the special dishes, try the restaurants ikan asam pedas (sour and spicy fish) and lontong kasturi (rice cake in beef and vegetable soup). Using fresh ikan patin (pangasius fish), ikan asam pedas is cooked in Sintang ginger buds, torch ginger, fresh turmeric and Dayak sour eggplant, resulting in a sour and spicy broth. Lontong kasturi is an old recipe from the regency. The dish features rice cake served with braised beef, sliced chayote, long beans and string beans mixed with spices, making it a must-try dish for those looking for a hearty iftar meal. (jes/mut) Contact: 021 2239 3256 Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Josa Lukman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 21, 2019 Ten renowned artists reflect on their experience during the Reform era in Dunia Dalam Berita exhibition at Museum MACAN. Bandung-based artist Tisna Sanjayas installation brings oddly familiar imagery from the New Order. The installation includes two self-portraits one in military uniform, and the other clad in a yellow shirt bearing the logo of Golkar, which was then-president Suhartos political vehicle from 1971 until the end of his regime in 1998. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Sarah White and Johnny Cotton (Reuters) Cannes, France Tue, May 21, 2019 20:02 951 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8739129b6 2 Entertainment Terrence-Malick,Cannes-Film-Festival,film,A-Hidden-Life,united-states,critics Free A World War Two drama by US director Terrence Malick is proving one of the Cannes film festival's most divisive premieres yet, with some critics hailing a cinema master at the top of his game and one calling it "a big swing and a miss". A Hidden Life, about an Austrian man who refuses to fight for Nazi Germany, is a contender for the top Palme D'Or award, which Malick already won with The Tree of Life in 2011. Set against a brooding Alpine backdrop, before it evolves into a prison drama, the film earned near-universal acclaim for its evocative camerawork, with lush landscapes and intimate family moments vividly brought to life. "He gave us so much freedom during the whole shooting. Also he chose angles and lenses that were so wide so you can actually have the whole stage for you," actor August Diehl, who plays the protagonist, told a news conference on Monday. But Malick - known for his resistance to public appearances of any kind, and absent from the red carpet at the Sunday premiere as well as the press event - split critics down the middle on most other fronts. Based on real events, the movie tells the story of unsung hero Franz Jagerstatter, who risks prison by refusing to be drafted to fight for Adolf Hitler. Read also: German star in Cannes a go-to actor for Hollywood His decision leaves Franziska, the wife he adores, fending for the family and tending to their farm, as neighbors in their village turn hostile. The film failed to delve deeply enough into its hero's motivations, some said. "Instead of embracing the weighty moral, religious and political components of the story, Malick has alternately deflected and minimized them," the Hollywood Reporter's Todd McCarthy wrote, describing it "desperately indulgent". But Variety hailed "an epic return to form" that struck all the right notes as a exploration of personal faith. Malick is in competition against the likes of Quentin Tarantino with his star-studded drama Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Pedro Almodovar's semi-autobiographical film Pain and Glory. The world's biggest cinema showcase runs until May 25. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Daniela Desantis (Reuters) Isla Jovai Teju, Paraguay Tue, May 21, 2019 22:09 951 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa873916844 2 Art & Culture Paraguay,indigenous-people,digital,digital-archive Free Rumilda Fernandez's indigenous community has long tended its ancestral lands in Paraguay, marking boundaries with an ancient system of names for trees and streams. Now, squeezed by deforestation and farming, the community is going digital to defend itself. Fernandez, 28, is one of the group's first technology-equipped forest monitors, traversing the narrow earthen tracks of the Isla Jovai Teju community's land to map the area with a smartphone app and GPS. The work is a matter of survival for her Mbya Guarani ethnic group. Their lands have been encroached on over the years by vast surrounding plantations of soybeans and maize in the South American nation that is grappling with widespread deforestation. "The forest was our supermarket and we did not need anything more. Now with the clearing, everything has changed," community leader Cornelia Flores, 60, told Reuters. "Before, we did not know how many hectares our land was. Now we have the map and the actual size," Flores added. The tech push is part of a project with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, training eight indigenous youths from four Mbya communities in the district of Caaguazu, about 125 miles (200 km) east of the capital Asuncion. The monitors take photographs using a cellphone app of natural landmarks, tagging them with ancestral terms such as "yvyra pyta", "guajayvi" or "ygary." These points automatically populate a map to outline the borders of the terrain. "It was easy to learn, though the technology element was tougher for me," said Fernandez, who had never used a computer or a GPS (global positioning system) before. The Mbya leaders believe incorporating technology will help them protect lands that in the past have been occupied by large-scale producers or farmers, preserving forests as a critical source of food and medicinal plants. Loss of land and natural resources is a painful issue for the indigenous people of Paraguay, who represent 2% of the country's total population. The loss has been cited by experts as one of the main reasons 75% of them live in poverty or extreme poverty, according to official data. Paraguay's Minister of Social Development Mario Varela told Reuters impoverishment stemmed from the marginalizing of indigenous people who "had never been included, nor their original culture respected" in Paraguayan society. "The problem for the indigenous is that we have been in Paraguay for 500 years and they have never helped us," said Teofilo Flores, leader of the Pindo'i community of 750 people in Caaguazu. "We need to know how to preserve the forest that remains as a reserve. For example, giving us the tools and support so that we ourselves also don't deforest the lands," he added. Read also: Ancient Christian manuscripts digitized at monastery beneath Mount Sinai Illegal logging Paraguay is divided into two main regions: a large area with industrial farming in the east that has put pressure on forest land, and Chaco, a livestock area where clearing is allowed under certain conditions and where oversight is often lax. The country has lost nearly 2,000 square miles (500,000 hectares) of native forests in the eastern region since 2004, official data shows. That was the year when a "Zero Deforestation Law," supposedly preventing the mass cutting of woodland, was approved. Cristina Goralewski, president of the country's National Forestry Institute, said part of the problem was endemic corruption that meant illegal logging went unchecked. She hopes the use of technology and reliable data will change that. President Mario Abdo, who took office last year, has previously acknowledged government corruption and pledged "zero tolerance" for officials found guilty of graft. "We know that there's ingrained corruption that supports this excessive deforestation," said Goralewski, a 28-year-old engineer. She pointed out that in five years authorities had only stopped 20 trucks with timber from illegal logging. "The priority for the government is to stop illegal deforestation in the eastern region and use technology for that because we see that the controls are just not working." Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Theresia Sufa (The Jakarta Post) Bogor, West Java Tue, May 21, 2019 13:30 951 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa873904d9d 1 Art & Culture ramadan,Islamic-art,mosques,bogor,West-Java,people-power-rally Free The Indonesian Mosque Youth Communication Forum (BKPRMI) has called on young representatives from mosques across Bogor, West Java, to stay away from planned protests against the election results to be announced in Jakarta on Wednesday. The BKPRMI held a meeting with 200 young representatives from mosques of the city to discuss various Ramadan initiatives. The forum expects the initiatives to keep the youth busy with productive religious activities, thus preventing them from joining the people power rally in Jakarta to protest the election results, which are expected to show Jokowi victorious in the presidential race. M. Nurdat Ilhamsyah, the chairman of the BKPRMI in Bogor, said the forum would collaborate with representatives from mosques across the city to hold Islamic musical and art performances as well as other festivities. We will bring back art-related activities, such as marawis [traditional percussion ensemble] and qasidah [Islamic pop music], Nurdat said on Sunday. The forum would also collaborate with several mosques for youth entrepreneurship programs, he said. We hope the young representatives from mosques in several districts and subdistricts of Bogor will join our network of mosque-based entrepreneurship, he said, adding that the BKPRMI also cooperated with the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) to prevent attempts of radicalization and terrorism. Read also: Mosques losing sway over youth because of online sermons, study shows Nurdat bemoaned the religious discourse on social media, saying it aimed to persuade young men to join the radical people power movement. Im saddened for the young men and Islam activists who have been pressured to join the people power protests in Jakarta, which are likely to turn anarchic. I hope the young mosque representatives in Bogor wont be easily swayed by such pressure, he said. He went on to say that the BKPRMI would also intensify efforts to teach the youth about the dangers of religious radicalism. (rfa/mut) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 21, 2019 09:09 951 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8738eb3a4 1 City Pulo-Gebang-bus-station,Illegal-terminal,East-Jakarta,Idul-Fitri,exodus Free The government and the Jakarta administration are in a dispute over the reported mismanagement of Pulo Gebang bus terminal in East Jakarta, at a time when Jakartans are gearing up for the Idul Fitri exodus starting next week. Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said the mismanagement had led to the return of illegal bus terminals around Pulo Gebang terminal, touted the biggest bus terminal in Southeast Asia when it opened in 2016, which had financially hurt private bus operators. After receiving complaints from several bus operators who claimed that they were losing passengers because of the unofficial bus terminals, Budi made a strong statement and claimed he would take over the management of the integrated terminal if the city ignored the problem. I will send a letter to the city, if they do nothing about it, we will take over [the management of the terminal], Budi said on May 17 as quoted by kompas.com. In the meantime, Budi asked the bus operators not to leave the intercity and interprovince Pulo Gebang terminal while the problem was being resolved. Illegal bus terminals usually emerge to cater to passengers who want to find the easiest way to deal with public transportation. Bus operator PO Nusantara claimed it had suffered losses because of the unofficial bus terminals. We only used to depart from Pulo Gebang. Now we have to take passengers from Lebak Bulus [in South Jakarta] and Kalideres [in West Jakarta] bus terminals too, its representative, Tini, said as quoted by tempo.co on Sunday. Rudi from bus operator PO Kramat Djati echoed Tini, saying he saw fewer passengers every year. He assumed that the passengers preferred taking unofficial buses. Separately, Jakarta Transportation Agency acting head Sigit Wijatmoko denied Minister Budis accusation, saying the fact is, there are no unofficial bus terminals in Pulo Gebang. He cited data collected by the agency showing that Pulo Gebang bus terminal had seen an increasing number of passengers since the end of 2018. From January to April this year, Pulo Gebang bus terminal served 520,516 passengers. Throughout 2018, there were 861,138 passengers that departed from or arrived at the terminal, he said on Sunday, tempo.co reported. He confidently claimed that the increase was because of rising trust from passengers in the terminal. Sigit mentioned that according to route permits issued by the Transportation Ministry, there were 180 bus operators that were allowed to operate at the Pulo Gebang bus terminal. However, Sigit said only 96 bus operators were active and the agency had recently banned 12 from selling tickets for violating certain rules. The violations included charging passengers more than the actual ticket fare and not dropping passengers at a specified destination. The ban, according to Sigit, showed that the agency had been very strict to ensure service quality at the Pulo Gebang bus terminal was in accordance with regulations. Besides closing the ticket booths of several bus operators, the agency had also banned 892 buses from operating for committing serious violations. Some buses deviated from set routes while others were not roadworthy. Besides enforcing sanctions, the agency also reported on the 892 buses to the ministry. However, Sigit said the ministry had only frozen the operational permits of three buses. We have to be strict in order to create a deterrent effect, he said. Sigit, however, preferred to see Budis statement as a challenge. This is a challenge for us to improve our service, especially ahead of Idul Fitri this year, he said. (vla) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Harry Suhartono (Bloomberg) Jakarta Tue, May 21, 2019 12:38 951 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8738fea5d 2 Business Lion-Air,Boeing-737-MAX,plane-crash,aircraft,Airlines,grounded Free Indonesia signaled it may ground Boeing Co.s 737 Max until next year, underscoring the challenges faced by the US planemaker as it races to get its fastest-selling jet back in the air after two fatal crashes. Even after the US Federal Aviation Administration clears the plane to return to service, Indonesia will make its own determination based on its review of the proposed fixes, Director General of Civil Aviation Polana Pramesti said in an interview in Jakarta on Monday. Pilots in the country -- where the first 737 Max crashed when a Lion Air plane plunged into the Java Sea -- will also have to undergo more stringent mandatory training than in the past before they are allowed to fly the jet, she said. All in all, there are "lots of issues" and its unclear whether the plane will be able to fly in Indonesia this year, she said. "I cant predict whether we will keep using the aircraft. The comments underscore how far Boeing has to go before its fastest-selling plane returns to the skies globally, even as the biggest US exporter finalizes an update to a software system implicated in both crashes. The chief executive officer of Southwest Airlines Co., the largest operator of the Max, said last week he was hopeful the jet could come back to service this summer. A Boeing representative didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Officials from China, Canada and the European Union have signaled that they intend to independently review changes to the Boeing planes before restoring flights. South Korean authorities are also said to plan to make their own determination, after closely monitoring steps taken by regulators in Europe and China. Though Indonesia isnt as large as China or Europe, Southeast Asias biggest economy is still a key regional aviation market as the government is planning the construction of 25 airports as part of an ambitious proposal for more than $400 billion in building projects over the next five years. But theres more to why Indonesia has a big say when it comes to Boeings infamous plane. Two of the countrys carriers are among the biggest customers of the aircraft and Lion Air Flight 610, which killed all 189 people on board, was the first Max to crash when it plunged into waters off Indonesia in late October. Less than five months later, a second Max crashed in Ethiopia, triggering a global grounding of the plane and investigations into how the aircraft was approved to fly. Boeing has to assure us, the regulators, that the aircraft is safe," said Pramesti, the first woman to head Indonesias civil aviation authority. "They also have to regain confidence from the pilots and the airlines, then educate the Indonesian customers." Boeing probe Though pilots who had flown the previous 737 model used to be able to fly the newer Max by completing a course on an iPad for an hour or two, thats not going to cut it now, according to Pramesti. Pilots in Indonesia will have to go through more stringent training, including a requirement to train in sophisticated flight simulators, she said. Pramesti may join her staff to a meeting in Texas this week, where the FAA is hosting foreign counterparts to discuss the steps needed to get the Max airborne again. Meanwhile, Boeing is battling to restore confidence among its customers, particularly in Indonesia. State-owned PT Garuda Indonesia has said its seeking to convert its $4.8 billion order for 49 Boeing 737 Max 8 jets to other models due to concerns its customers no longer want to fly in the aircraft. The co-founder of privately-owned PT Lion Mentari Airlines has said he wants to cancel $22 billion in orders for the aircraft because of what he says is Boeings unfair reaction to the October crash. In the US, the FAA has come under fire for approving a Boeing feature known as the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, or MCAS, and for giving the Chicago-based planemaker too much authority to oversee itself. After a sensor on both the doomed 737 Max jets malfunctioned, MCAS continually pushed down the aircrafts nose until pilots lost control. Boeing is redesigning the system to make it less prone to operate in error. The FAA may receive the proposed software fix for the grounded 737 Max as soon as this week. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Aman Rochman (The Jakarta Post) Malang Tue, May 21, 2019 18:02 951 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa87390f9c3 1 National mountain-climbing,Mount-Semeru,accident Free A mountain climber reportedly died on Saturday on Mount Semeru in East Java on account of poor health. Prasetyo Tjondro, 62, an American citizen who was born in Yogyakarta, visited Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) on Friday with a group of 21 people to climb the mountain. Prasetyo had been complaining of a stomach ache at the time. He hadnt climbed the mountain. He was still at the shelter at the Ranu Kumbolo camp site. He died while receiving first aid, national park head Jhon Kenedie told The Jakarta Post on Monday. At 11 p.m. on Saturday evening, Jhon said group coordinators Lutfiana Hanifah and Edi called Ranupani, the mountains climbing entrance post. They asked us to send help to take Prasetyo from Ranu Kumbolo to Ranupani because he was sick. However, on Sunday, at around 12:30 a.m., they contacted the rescue team to tell them that he had already passed away, he added. Jhon said the six members of the TNBTS rescue team had taken Prasetyo back to Ranupani post at 10 a.m. on Sunday. His body was then taken to Lumajang Hospital. An initial plan included an autopsy, however his wife did not feel one was necessary as she had accepted his passing. (hol) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Panca Nugraha (The Jakarta Post) Mataram Tue, May 21, 2019 11:39 951 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8738f6340 1 National Densus-88,terror-attack,NTB Free The National Police's Densus 88 antiterror squad on Saturday afternoon arrested six individuals on suspicion of terrorism in Bima, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). NTB Police chief Brig. Gen. Nana Sudjana confirmed the arrests but said he could not elaborate on the details of the ongoing investigation. Its true. They [the suspected terrorists] were arrested on Saturday afternoon in Bima, Nana said on Monday in the NTB capital, Mataram, and that the six suspected terrorists were being interrogated at the NTB Police Station. Nana said investigators had yet to conclude whether or not the suspects were connected to a terror act that was to take place during the street rallies initially planned for May 22 the original date on which the General Elections Commission (KPU) was to announce the 2019 General Elections results. The KPU announced the final results of the vote recapitulation early on Tuesday, naming incumbent Joko Jokowi Widodo as the winner of the 2019 presidential election. The police reportedly arrested this month 30 suspects affiliated to the Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), an outlawed organization linked to Islamic State. The police claimed the suspects had planned an attack on May 22. I have no information about [the planned attack] yet, but the National Police spokesperson will soon explain, Nana added. (hol/swd) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 21, 2019 16:32 951 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa87390c5af 1 City violent-crimes,stealing,domestic-worker,North-Jakarta,death,abuse Free A domestic worker in North Jakarta was reportedly abused to death by her employer, who accused the victim of stealing food and small change. North Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Budhi Herdi Susianto said on Tuesday that the victim, identified as LN, died of exhaustion and hunger after being locked inside a bathroom without food for five days. The victim was thin and covered in bruises, new and old ones, Budhi said as reported by kompas.com. Budhi said the employer, identified as TVL, would abuse the victim if the latter did not do what the employer demanded. If she failed to iron clothes up to the employers standard, the suspect would attack her using an iron and even a pestle, Budhi said, adding that the abuse had been going on for a month. He said LN had been employed by TVL for four years, during which she was never allowed to visit her hometown. We will investigate [mental health] of the suspect. The suspect has been communicative and answered officers questions, Budhi said. We are still investigating because there might be another suspect. There were other domestic workers in the house and they were also thin. We will see if the other workers were also assaulted or pressured, Budhi said. LN died on Monday at 3 a.m. TVL had taken LNs body to Atma Jaya funerary home in Penjaringan, North Jakarta. The funeral homes management was suspicious of the bruises on LNs body and then contacted the police. TVL is detained at the Penjaringan Police station and will be charged under Law No. 23/2004 on domestic violence eradication, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment. (ami) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 21, 2019 13:58 951 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa873906910 1 City fire-accidents,Pasar-Minggu,South-Jakarta Free A fire has damaged a city-owned auditorium in Ragunan, South Jakarta. No casualties were reported in the incident on Tuesday. An official of the Pasar Minggu Fire and Rescue Team, Ruwanto, said the fire had been triggered by a cigarette dropped by a worker that had fallen into piles of wood inside the building. The fire was started by a cigarette butt," Ruwanto said, as quoted by kompas.com. He said his team had been dispatched to the location upon reports from security officers in the area. Ruwanto added that three fire trucks were sent to the location at 2.30 a.m. The fire was extinguished at 3 a.m., he said. The team said about one-fifth of the building was destroyed by the fire. (das) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Karina M. Tehusijarana (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 21, 2019 09:50 951 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8738ecd23 1 National 2019GeneralElections,Prabowo-people-power,suspect,treason Free The Gerindra Party has denied that the police have named its chairman and presidential candidate, Prabowo Subianto, as a suspect in a treason case. An image of an alleged letter from the Jakarta Police naming Prabowo a suspect made the rounds on messaging apps early Tuesday morning, but Gerindra spokesperson Andre Rosiade denied its veracity. Its not true that an SPDP [Notice of Commencement of Investigation] has been issued for Pak [Mr.] Prabowo, Andre told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday. Whats true is that an SPDP was issued for [Prabowo supporter] Eggi Sudjana, and that Pak Prabowo was also reported [in connection with] the case." Eggi Sudjana, a lawyer and a National Mandate Party (PAN) politician, was arrested last week and charged with treason and spreading fake news in connection with organizing a public protest against the General Elections Commission (KPU) and the Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) on the presidential election results. There is not even one jot of evidence that can link Pak Prabowo to treason, because he has always acted within the bounds of the law and the Constitution, said Andre, who had also tweeted the same on his Twitter account. Pernyataan Terkait Isu SPDP Pak Prabowo : 1) tidak benar telah terbit SPDP thd Pak Prabowo terkait kasus makar. Yang ada adalah SPDP thd Pak Eggy Sudjana. Andre Rosiade (@andre_rosiade) May 21, 2019 Andre added that Prabowo was not even listed as a witness in Eggis case, and had never received a police summons regarding the case. Police have yet to comment on the SPDP, with National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Dedi Prasetyo saying only that he did not have any information on the matter. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Dian Septiari (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 21, 2019 12:42 951 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8738ff432 1 World Foreign-Ministry,citizen-protection,Philippines,life-sentence,drug-smuggling,drug-policy,war-on-drugs,legal-battle Free An Indonesian convicted in the Philippines in 2012 for drug trafficking has returned home after years of ensuing court hearings, the Foreign Ministry announced on Monday, after an appeals court recently overturned her life sentence. Dwi Wulandari, 38, was charged with smuggling 6 kilograms of cocaine into the Philippines after she was arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Sept. 29, 2012. She was handed a life sentence by the Pasay City Regional Trial Court (Br. 231) in 2017 but appealed the verdict with the help of public attorneys. "On March 29, [...] the presiding judge at the Manila Court of Appeal (Div. 7) ruled that [she] was not guilty of all charges and overturned the previous verdict," said Judha Nugraha, the Foreign Ministry's acting director for overseas citizen protection, in a statement late Monday. With assistance from Indonesian Embassy officials in Manila, Dwi returned home to her family in Blitar, East Java, on Sunday, Judha said. Indonesia and the Philippines have some of the harshest antinarcotics initiatives in the region. Indonesia executes convicted drug traffickers and faced a backlash in 2015 when it executed several foreign nationals. Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina convict, escaped execution at the last minute because of a pending legal case. Since coming to power in 2016, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has waged a brutal war on drugs that has seen the summary execution of tens of thousands of people, a claim by human rights groups that Manila denies. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 21, 2019 12:39 951 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8738ff1e2 1 Business Batam,excise-tax,liquor,tobacco,cigarette Free The Indonesian Malt Beverage Industry Association (GIMMI) has welcomed the government's decision to exempt the Batam free trade and port zone (KPBPB) in the Riau Islands from excise taxes on alcoholic beverages and tobacco. This [exemption] encourages healthy sales of alcoholic beverages in the KPBPB Batam and its surrounding areas, GIMMI executive committee head Bambang Britono said in a press statement issued on Monday. According to the statement, the Finance Ministry's customs and excise directorate general ceased its excise tax documentation services starting at midnight on May 17. The service collected excise taxes on goods entering and exiting the KPBPB Batam. The alcohol and tobacco excise exemption follows a recommendation from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), which conducted an investigation into the distribution of cigarettes in Batam from November 2017 to April 2018. The investigation found that 2.5 billion cigarettes were distributed in Batam during the period, indicating that the cigarettes were smuggled from Batam to other regions. The KPK recommended that Batam be exempt from the tobacco and alcohol excise tax on concluding its investigation. I believe the government's move to [exempt Batam from] the excise taxes will significantly reduce smuggling of consumer goods, including alcoholic beverages, to Batam and its surrounding areas that are not duty-free areas, Bambang said. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Patrick Grene and Muhammad Ikhsan Alia (The Jakarta Post) Padang Tue, May 21 2019 On Tuesday evening, presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto yet again claimed victory in the 2019 election, while blasting the government for purported corruption. In his closing speech at the National Symposium of 2019 Election Fraud, Prabowo described government treatment of the people power movement as a disaster for Indonesian democracy, and derided as groundless the allegations of treason that the government has levied against National Mandate Party (PAN) campaigner Eggi Sudjana. Prabowo asserted that he will continue to mobilize people power against the deception infecting the democratization process. In the context of the legal assistance team proposed by Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto, some 450,000 military and police personnel assigned to guard election facilities, the tension is palpable. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 21, 2019 09:09 951 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8738ebe6a 1 Politics Jakarta-police Free The Jakarta Police have arrested the campaign spokesman for presidential candidate pair Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga Uno, Lieus Sungkharisma, on suspicion of subversion and spreading hoaxes. The police arrested Lieus at his apartment in West Jakarta on Monday morning. They searched the activist's apartment and his house, which is also located in West Jakarta, police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono said in a statement. Lieus was reported to the National Polices criminal unit on May 7. The National Polices criminal unit handed the case over to the Jakarta Police after Lieus failed to heed two summonses for questioning on May 14 and 17. He claimed that he had not received either summons but was nonetheless looking for a lawyer. Arriving in handcuffs at the Jakarta Police headquarters on Monday, Lieus said he had been treated unfairly during the arrest. I was pulled out and lifted [by the police], it was not fair, he said as quoted by kompas.com. He said he would go through the legal process as part of his fight for the sovereignty of the people. I will not answer any of the investigators questions. They can write down anything; I'm not afraid, Lieus said. (ars) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 21, 2019 14:27 951 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8739071b3 1 Politics #2019GeneralElections,#2019PresidentialElection,KPU-result-announcement-2019,Prabowo-reject-KPU-result,Prabowo-Subianto-Sandiaga-Uno,Constitutional-Court,MK Free Losing presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto and his campaign team will challenge the election results at the Constitutional Court following the official announcement of the victory of incumbent President Joko Jokowi Widodo. The General Elections Commission (KPU) announced the final vote count and named the Jokowi- and Maruf Amin ticket the winner of the presidential election with 85.6 million votes, 55.5 percent of the vote. The Gerindra Party chairman and his running mate Sandiaga Uno gained 68.7 million votes, 44.5 percent. We reject the final presidential vote tally by the KPU. And well take all available legal avenues supported by the Constitution, Prabowo said on Tuesday at his home in South Jakarta. Read also: Jokowi declares reelection victory at 'kampung deret' Gerindra deputy chairman Sufmi Dasco Ahmad said Prabowo would file a lawsuit after previously saying he would not take the matter to the courts. Weve already had a meeting and decided to file a lawsuit. Now were preparing all materials, Sufmi said. Prabowo said the KPUs vote tally contained irregularities. In addition, the announcement was not in line with the schedule, Prabowo said, referring to the fact that the poll body announced the results in the early hours of Tuesday, earlier than its planned announcement on May 22. Read also: Security at highest level following KPU vote tally announcement KPU head Arief Budiman said the losing candidate pair had until Friday to file a lawsuit to contest the results, within three days of the official announcement of the vote tally. If no legal challenge is filed, the KPU will officially name Jokowi and Maruf the president- and vice president-elect for the 2019-2024 period on Friday, Arief said. Prabowos camp has accused the government of committing massive and systematic fraud since election day on April 17. The Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) rejected on Monday a report filed by Prabowos campaign team that accused Jokowis camp of committing structured, systematic and massive campaign violations. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 21, 2019 11:34 951 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8738f54a4 4 City transjakarta,research,Transportation,public-transportation,Jakarta-traffic Free City-owned transportation company PT Transjakarta has signed an agreement with the Jakarta Research Council (DRD) to expand its route network and bus services. "We have asked the DRD for support, because we have been assigned [by Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan] to develop a public transportation network [that covers] 80 percent of the city [with stops within] 500 meters walking distance from [peoples] homes," Transjakarta president director Agung Wicaksono said on Monday after the signing ceremony at City Hall on Monday, as reported by kompas.com. He said the firm had yet to create a concrete program for expanding the Transjakarta service and expected the cooperation with the DRD to help the firm identify problems and develop public transportation in the city. "The DRD will contribute the research to [help us] achieve our target," he added. The DRD was established by the governor to provide research-based input on city policies. DRD head Dadang Solihin said his office was ready to help Transjakarta reach its goal. "The policy to implement a strategy must be based on studies, so that it is scientifically accountable," Dadang said. The council would discuss how to accurately devise a strategy for Jakartas public transportation, he added. (sau). Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Rob Lever (Agence France-Presse) Washington, United States Tue, May 21, 2019 08:28 952 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8738e9082 2 Business #USA,#China,US,companies,hits,Huawei,sanctions Free The tough sanctions imposed on Huawei by President Donald Trump could deal a blow to the many US firms that make up the Chinese tech giant's supply chain. American firms last year sold an estimated $11 billion worth of components to Huawei, which was put on a blacklist last week by Washington over national security concerns as trade frictions grow between the US and China. Trump's executive order could effectively ban makers of US hardware and software from selling to Huawei by requiring a special license from Washington. The Commerce Department on Monday delayed the sanctions on Huawei for 90 days, saying the additional time was needed to allow for software updates and other contractual obligations. The agency said it was granting Huawei a "temporary general license" through August 19 allowing for transactions "necessary to maintain and support existing and currently fully operational networks and equipment, including software updates and patches, subject to legally binding contracts and agreements" signed before May 16. - Hardware and software - Bloomberg News reported that US-based chipmakers Intel, Qualcomm, Broadcom and Xilinx have indicated they would halt shipments to the Chinese firm which is the world's number two smartphone maker and a leader in telecom infrastructure and super-fast 5G networks. Google said it would comply with the US order, leaving Huawei without access to critical services for the Android operating system such as Gmail and Google Maps. Microsoft, which supplies the Windows operating system for many Huawei devices, did not respond to an AFP query on how the order might impact the Redmond, Washington-based firm. Bob O'Donnell of the consultancy Technalysis Research said any ban would almost certainly affect Microsoft. "If it affects Google I don't see why it wouldn't affect Microsoft," O'Donnell said. "Any version of Windows comes from Microsoft, since there is no open-source version." - Moving toward independence - Roger Kay, founder and analyst at Endpoint Technologies Associates, said the ban is likely to accelerate efforts by Huawei and other Chinese firms to develop their own sources of microprocessors and other components. "The short-term effect on both American and Chinese companies are inevitably negative," Kay said. "The longer-term effect is that Huawei and other Chinese companies turn away more sharply from American suppliers." Neither Intel nor Qualcomm responded to queries on how they would respond to the order on Huawei. Avi Greengart, founder of the research firm Techsponential, said a ban on sales to Huawei could hit a wide range of large and small US firms including Corning, which makes the popular Gorilla Glass for smartphones, and Dolby, a producer of video and audio software for handsets. "When you think about all the software and hardware components you get a pretty big list," Greengart said. "The US is a big part of the global supply chain." Few firms offered public comments on their response to the Huawei executive order. But one, California-based Lumentum Holdings, a maker of optical and laser applications, said it would comply with the executive order and that Huawei accounted for 15 percent of its revenue so far in the current fiscal year. - Risks to Apple - Greengart said Apple could also suffer from any protracted crisis over Huawei, estimating the iPhone maker gets about 17 percent of its revenues from China. Even though Apple might benefit in the premium smartphone market in Europe, "I think the risks are higher than the rewards for Apple," Greengart said. "If there is a backlash against Apple in China, that could have damaging long-term effects." Greengart said that Google might not see a major impact for the moment. "Ironically (the ban) won't affect Google much because Google doesn't make money selling Android." Patrick Moorhead, of Moor Insights & Strategy, said he sees a limited impact on US firms in the short run. "The impact to the US companies depends on the length of the ban but also how indexed they are in sales to Huawei," Moorhead said. "Neither Intel, Google or Nvidia do more than three percent of their business with Huawei, so short-term, it shouldn't be an issue." O'Donnell said a bigger risk is that Huawei and other Chinese firms step up efforts to develop software and hardware that allows them to break free from Silicon Valley. "The longer-term question is: does this drive Huawei to develop a third mobile platform?" O'Donnell said. "China is already developing its own technology infrastructure, and this plays into the whole notion of a separate internet in China, which would be a big deal." Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Agnes Anya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, May 22 2019 Indonesia has urged the United Kingdom to pay due respect to ASEANs basic principles, the countrys envoy in London has said, as the UK seeks early post-Brexit opportunities with the regional bloc amid uncertainty over the divorce deal with the European Union. Ambassadors of ASEAN member countries accredited to the UK met with officials at the British foreign secretarys residence last week, in what amounts to Londons latest push to make inroads in Southeast Asia, way before there is finality in the Brexit process. Indonesian Ambassador to the UK Rizal Sukma reaffirmed the need for London to honor the basic principles of ASEAN so that its member states could accept the UK as a fully fledged dialogue partner, according to a statement from the Indonesian Embassy in London. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 21, 2019 11:05 951 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8738f4f13 1 News mudik,bus,luxury-buses,Ramadan-2019,travel Free Ahead of the upcoming Idul Fitri holiday, the number of passengers using luxury buses has increased by up to 40 percent compared to previous months, luxury bus operator, PO Putera Mulya Sejahtera, claims. The demand for bus journeys has increased 30 to 40 percent compared to other days, head of PO Putera Mulya Sejahtera, Kurnia Lesani Adnan, said on Monday as quoted by tempo.co. The number of bookings is also up 15 percent compared to last year, Sani added. The days leading up to Idul Fitri are always the biggest traveling season of the year, as many people travel from Jakarta and other big cities to spend the holiday with their family in their hometowns. Sani predicted that the increase in luxury bus travel was a result of the opening of the trans-Java toll road. After the toll road was opened there was an increase in the number of passengers, about 15-20 percent. Afterward, for the Idul Fitri season there is an increase of 30-40 percent, said Sani. Passengers pay Rp 400,000 (US$27.64) for executive class and Rp 550,000 for super executive class on luxury buses. Read also: Seven operators to start trans-Java bus service on May 27 The luxury buses depart from several points in Greater Jakarta such as Kalideres in West Jakarta, Pondok Pinang in South Jakarta, Pulogebang in East Jakarta, Pondok Cabe and Ciputat in South Tangerang and Poris in Tangerang, both in Banten, as well as several points in Depok and Bogor in West Java. They travel to Surakarta, Kudus and Jepara in Central Java as well as Ponorogo, Blitar, Tulungagung, Surabaya, and Malang in East Java, and Madura Island. Passengers can enjoy facilities such as reclining seats, hot water dispensers, coffee makers, smoking areas, clean toilets, pillows and blankets. There is also audio-video on demand on board the buses to ease boredom during the long journeys. All of the buses are double-deckers with a total capacity of 44 seats. (gis/mut) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, May 21, 2019 14:34 951 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa873907cb5 4 News Garuda-Indonesia,Pangkal-Pinang,Airlines,travel,jakarta Free As the Idul Fitri holidays approach, national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia has decreased the ticket prices for its Jakarta-Pangkal pinang route. The airline's branch manager in Pangkal Pinang in the Bangka Belitung Islands province, Solpa Puji Harsagi, told Antara on Tuesday that the move was a response to the issuance of Transportation Ministry Regulation No. 109/2019 on upper limit fare (TBA) alteration. Hence, the carrier's Jakarta-Pangkal Pinang ticket price is now Rp 1,216,300 (US$84), about 13 percent lower than the previous fare of Rp 1.4 million. Meanwhile, for the Pangkal Pinang-Jakarta route, the flight is now priced at Rp 1,131,300. Previously it was Rp 1,315,000. Read also: Indonesia issues two new regulations on airfares "Generally the decrease is about 15 percent, whereas the TBA is Rp 983,000," said Solpa. The aforementioned prices already include a 10 percent value-added tax, airport tax and insurance. (kes) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Marie Patino (Bloomberg) Tue, May 21, 2019 23:03 951 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa873917271 2 News millennials,Gen-Z,pessimistic,survey Free Uneasiness and pessimism abound among the majority of the world's population. Deloitte has released its Global Millennial Survey of 13,416 Millennials (born between 1983 and 1994) spread across 42 countries and 3,009 Gen Z respondents (born between 1995 and 2002) from 10 countries. The firm has conducted the survey for the past eight years. The percentage of respondents who think that businesses are making a positive impact dropped six points from 61% in 2018 to 55%. ``I would say that for businesses, the most important takeaway is the continuously diminishing trust of Millennials and Gen Zs, " says Deloitte Global Chief Talent Officer Michele Parmelee. While the two generations have strikingly similar views of the world, Parmelee said survey data shows that their points of view differ in a few significant areas, such as life priorities and their perception of society and work. Generally, only about half of both groups aspire to purchase a home, and even fewer desire to start a family. ``Instead, travel and seeing the world was at the top of the list (57%) of aspirations,'' the report said. Only 52% of the Millennials surveyed responded that earning a high salary was a top priority while 56% of their Gen Z peers did so. And 39% of the Millennials saw starting a family as very important, while 45% of the younger cohort agreed. Because some among the Gen Z age group are still studying, they are generally more likely to expect educators to provide them with the skills they'll need in the labor market. Millennials, on the other hand, expect businesses to give them access to more skills. Read also: Chinas Gen Z teenagers spend more and worry less than you do Gen Zs are less likely to be dissatisfied with their work situation than Millennials. Climate change, protecting the environment and natural disasters topped the list of most respondents on a personal level, but less than three in ten of both the Millennial and Gen Z cohorts cited it as a worry. The next-highest concern for Millennials is income inequality or distribution of wealth. Terrorism, crime and concerns about personal safety were also high on the list. The 2020 U.S. election will be the first in which nearly all members of Generation Z will be able to cast their vote for president. The difference between Gen Zs and Millennials is, according to the survey, much more visible when making a comparison across countries. In China and India, Gen Zs were more optimistic about the future. Meanwhile, youth in major economic powers were pessimistic about the world and whether their place in it will improve. Bleak economic expectations Only about one in four respondents said they expect the economic situations in their countries to improve in the year ahead. This low level of positive economic sentiment among Millennials is at its lowest in the six years Deloitte has been asking this question. The decline has been sharp -- this reading has never been lower than 40% in previous surveys. In another survey record, 49% of Millennials would, if they had a choice, quit their current jobs within the next two years. Dissatisfaction with pay and the lack of advancement opportunities are the top reasons for potential near-term exits. Less than three in ten Millennials expect to stay at their current job for the next five years. 11 hours ago After shaking up Exxon's board, Engine No. 1 widens sights NEW YORK (AP) Few had heard of Engine No. 1 until it shocked corporate America this year by pushing Exxon Mobil to revamp its board of directors, in part to focus more on clean energy. Now its bringing its active-ownership approach to the world of stock index funds, which sit at the heart of most investors retirement accounts. Read Article A city formed of 14 islands linked by bridges and an exceptional transport system, Stockholm is the ideal destination for a weekend break. With the cobbled streets of Gamla Stan and a stunning waterfront near the Swedish house of Parliament, the Riksdag, the Scandinavian city is simply a must-visit. Image credit: Pedro Szekely, via Flickr Arrival You will most likely fly into Arlanda, the closest airport to Stockholm. The airport is well-connected to the city centre by the Arlanda Express trains. Finding the train after arriving at the airport is pretty straightforward and, if like me, your level of Swedish is poor to non-existent, it is conveniently signposted in English too. In fact, pretty much everyone I spoke to during my time in Stockholm spoke English to some extent. Image credit: Mariamichelle, via Pixabay The cost of a return ticket is around 570 SEK for over 25s or 165 SEK each way if you are aged 17-25. This translates to around 45 for an adult ticket and 30 for a reduced rate ticket. It is important to stress from the outset that Stockholm is fast-approaching becoming a cashless city, which means that many shops, restaurants, and train ticket machines do not accept cash. Most places accept major credit card brands, but it might be worth looking into a travel card to avoid unwanted transaction fees. Day 1 Espresso galore Once you arrive in Stockholm's city centre, you will be hard-pressed to not encounter an Espresso House. This is the dominant coffee house in Sweden and it is absolutely superb. So, grab a coffee and a cinnamon bun to re-energise after your journey. Image credit: Lucy Stretch The walk from Norrmalm, the airport bus shuttle stop, to Gamla Stan is both beautiful and short, with views of the Houses of Parliament and the spectacular rivers that run through the city. Image credit: Lucy Stretch Gamla Stan With cobbled streets and colourful 17th Century houses, Gamla Stan is the best place to immerse yourself in the history of Stockholm, including the Royal Palace, which is the King's official residence. The streets are lined with quirky cafes and quaint shops, which are the perfect places to buy souvenirs or have a hot drink to escape the chilly winds. Hilda Hilda is a haberdashery shop in Gamla Stan where all the items, such as handmade pencil cases and table runners, are made in-store. The owners sit in front of sewing machines whilst you wander around. Image credit: Lucy Stretch Not far from Hilda Hilda is the cosy Tradkojan, the perfect place to Fika (the Swedish art of taking a coffee or cake break). With cute nooks and crannies, Tradkojan is an ideal place to grab lunch or a drink. I recommend their hot chocolate. Day 2 Breaking the fast No matter what time of year you are travelling to Stockholm, chances are that it is going to be much colder than the UK, so you will want to fuel your day with warm food. The answer is Greasy Spoon. Image credit: Lucy Stretch There are two of these restaurants either side of Gamla Stan, one in Sodermalm and the other in Odenplan, meaning that you are likely to be near one wherever you are staying. The restaurant has a laidback interior and offers breakfast classics such as a full English or eggs benedict, but I would recommend the blueberry pancakes with mascarpone, which are just heavenly. ABBA The Museum ABBA The Museum is probably the most important place in the whole of Stockholm. Yes, it really does exist! Entry costs around 150 SEK (14), but you can get a discount with a student card, so make sure you always carry ID with you. To reach ABBA The Museum, take a ferry from Slussen near Gamla Stan to the Allmanna Grand ferry stop across the water (this is how many people travel around the islands). This also gives you a great view of Stockholm and the tickets only cost around 36 SEK (3.50), around the same price as the metro system. Image credit: Lucy Stretch The ABBA Museum is great for fans of the ABBA classics or even if you have only seen the Mamma Mia films. The museum is interactive, giving you the chance to record your favourite ABBA songs and even perform with a hologram of the group. Swedish meatballs Can you really go to Sweden and not sample the Swedish meatballs? The answer is no. You will find this delicacy in many restaurants across the city. Nomad Swedish Food & Bar provides delicious food (Swedish meatballs included) and local beer, as well as live music. The restaurant is located in Norrmalm. There are some really cool bars in this area but it is important to remember the drinking age in Stockholm is 18 in bars but 20 for purchasing alcohol, which is only sold in Systembolaget stores. These food and alcohol bars are ideally situated for a quick dinner before you head back to the airport via the Arlanda Express. Lead image credit: Pedro Szekely, via Flickr Drug bust in Kathu nets 2,000 meth pills PHUKET: Police have charged a man and a woman with possession of category one drugs with intent to supply after the couple were caught with large amounts of methamphetamine pills and crystal meth on Monday (May 20). drugscrimepolice By The Phuket News Tuesday 21 May 2019, 05:27PM Atthapol Chathong and Patcharee Gomai were caught with large amounts of crystal meth and methamphetamine pills at an address in Kathu on Monday (May 20). Photo: Kathu Police Kathu Police officers at a drug raid in Kathu on Monday (May 20). Photo: Kathu Police Deputy chief of Kathu Police, Lt Col Watchara Puakjan led a team of officers under the command of Col Jakkawat Boonthaweekulsawat to an address in Kathu where they caught Atthapol Chathong and Patcharee Gomai, both 27, with 2,020 ya bah pills (methamphetamine), 197.05 grams of ya ice (crystal meth), digital scales, 80 plastic pill pouches and a glass pipe. The pair were arrested and taken to Kathu Police Station to face charges. On the same day, Kathu Police also arrested a 31-year-old man, Sirichai Phraput, who was caught in possession of a glass pipe which was tested at Patong Hospital and found to contain ya ice. Separately, a couple were also arrested in Kathu in possession of two glass pipes used to smoke ya ice. Nutchanat Rakchart, 31, and Saowalak Wetchasom, 33, were charged with possession of a category one drug, as was Mr Sirichai. Four dead as pickup truck slams into tour bus heading to Phuket PHUKET: The 23-year-old driver of a pickup truck who survived a high-speed head-on collision into a tour bus heading from Krabi to Phuket yesterday (May 21) killing four people in the process will be charged with reckless driving causing death, police have confirmed. tourismtransportaccidentsdeathChinesepolice By The Phuket News Tuesday 21 May 2019, 06:28PM Four people died in the high-impact collision. Photo: Courtesy of Wat Khao Chareutham Rescue Foundation Four people died in the high-impact collision. Photo: Courtesy of Wat Khao Chareutham Rescue Foundation Four people died in the high-impact collision. Photo: Courtesy of Wat Khao Chareutham Rescue Foundation Four people died in the high-impact collision. Photo: Courtesy of Wat Khao Chareutham Rescue Foundation Lt Col Witthaya Sinjamreu of Phang Nga Muang Police Station told The Phuket News today that the pickup driver, Sarawut Namsai, who remains in hospital for heavy bruises and contusions sustained in the impact, will be charged. I have already questioned him at the hospital. He said he fell asleep behind the wheel while returning from working at a shrimp farm with 11 passengers, Col Witthaya said. The collision occurred at 7:48am, Col Witthaya confirmed. The accident occurred on the main road Route 4311, between Thap Put and Phang Nga Town, in Baan Bangsiad in Moo 4, Tambon Bang Toei, Col Witthaya said. Four people died from injuries sustained in the accident, which saw the pickup truck cross the central reservation at speed, wipe out one motorbike and then slam head-on into the tour bus. The motorbike driver, Mr Saman Yomdoi, 63, survived the impact, but his passenger Mrs Jeah Yomdoi, 57, was pronounced dead in hospital. Of the three passengers in the pickup truck who died from their injuries, Nikorn Khaokheak, 42, was pronounced dead at the scene, while Miss Saijai Butden, 25, and Mr Hem Yanrang, 51, were both pronounced dead later by hospital doctors. The seven other passengers in the pickup truck were all taken to hospital. The seven were named by police as Miss Somreuthai Khanatpeu, 57; Miss Sudarat Chantharawet, 22; Mr Charat Thampuek, 23; Mr Konkrit Lanah, 26; Mrs Kanya Kasirak, 37; Miss Wanna Karimkan, 39; and Mrs Manuwat Hama, 17. Col Witthaya was unable to give detailed descriptions of the extent of injuries any of the seven had suffered. The bus was carrying 13 Chinese tourists and two tour guides, Col Witthaya confirmed. None of them, including the driver, suffered any serious injuries in the accident, Col Witthaya said. The tour bus, registered in Krabi province, had picked up the Chinese tourists in Krabi and was taking them to a pier in Phang Nga for them travel to Koh Panyee, Col Witthaya explained. After visiting the famed floating village on the bay, the tourists were to board the bus again and continue their journey to Phuket, he explained. None of them were not injured, and they later boarded another bus and continued their journey, he added. Robber impersonates police officer, threatens woman at gunpoint PHUKET: Phuket City Police are hunting a man who claimed to be a policeman and threatened a woman with a handgun in Koh Kaew on Saturday evening (May 18) to rob her of cash and valuables. crimepolice By Eakkapop Thongtub Tuesday 21 May 2019, 12:47PM Police at the scene on Saturday. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub Capt Viphawan Watthanangngernthananong of the Phuket City Police confirmed to The Phuket News this morning that the search for the man continues today (May 21). Investigators are following up to find this suspect, Capt Viphawan said. Capt Viphawan explained that police were notified of the robbery at 5pm. The victim, 40-year-old Ponsawan Konklong, told police that she was hanging out her clothes in front of her room after having a shower when a man approached her. The man was wearing a black full-face helmet with its mirrored-visor down, preventing her from seeing his face. The man said that he was a policeman and that he was to search the womans room for drugs, Capt Viphawan explained. He then pulled out a handgun and threatened the woman to hand over her cash and valuables. He stole B2,000 cash and a gold necklace worth about B5,300. He was seen fleeing on a black Honda motorbike, Capt Viphawan said. "He did not harm the woman," she added. The man was described as tall and overweight. He spoke Thai and was wearing a yellow jacket and black long pants at the time of the robbery, Capt Viphawan said. I have been told by fellow investigators that we have CCTV images of the man, but I have yet to see those images myself, she said. Capt Viphawan added that at this stage she is unable to reveal more details, but assured that police were continuing their search for the suspect. Additional reporting Tanyaluk Sakoot Impeachment hearings for Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg start Monday South Dakota House members will meet this week to deliberate if Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg should be impeached for killing a pedestrian last year. UPPER GWYNEDD With a full-time manager now in place, Upper Gwynedds commissioners will soon be starting a search for a new assistant. Township officials announced Monday night that Alex Kaker, currently the townships assistant manager and parks and recreation director, will be leaving in early June for a job closer to home. I appreciate all of the opportunities the board here has given me. I appreciate all of the help our staff, and community volunteers have given me, Kaker said. Ill miss this, Ill miss the place, but its strictly a family decision, he said. Kaker was originally hired in October 2014 as assistant parks and recreation director, and took over as the head of that department in January 2015 with the departure of previous director GlennAnne Chabala. Kaker then held down the job of parks and recreation director, growing the departments programs while planning and studying possible facility upgrades, until the summer of 2018 when he formally added the responsibilities of assistant manager when prior assistant manager Mike Lapinski was promoted. After Lapinskis sudden departure at the end of 2018, Kaker was named the acting manager in addition to the two other posts, working with help from former Lower Gwynedd manager Larry Comunale as the board performed a search that ended last month with the hiring of Sandra Brookley Zadell as manager. Alex has done a wonderful job. Hes really grown the programs: our Fall Fest is a perfect example, where it was a little festival before, and now we dont have enough room for parking, said commissioners President Ken Kroberger. You held three jobs at the same time: acting township manager, assistant manager, and parks and rec director. He filled in in a lot of places I think you learned a little bit too, he said, and Kaker replied A little. Kaker said hell be taking up a position as village administrator for the village of Suamico, Wisconsin, just north of Green Bay, with a population of roughly 13,000 residents. Kroberger said the move is a step up from the assistant manager post here, and Kaker said the move was primarily so he and his wife can be closer to family while raising their first child. I have no ill feelings toward Upper Gwynedd. Ive had so many great experiences here, and built a lot of great relationships. Itll be hard to leave, but its the right decision, Kaker said. Kroberger said the board and Zadell are currently preparing an advertisement for the assistant manager position first, and talking with current staff about how to take over Kakers responsibilities. Zadell said residents and staff have been very well served by Alex Kaker. He has been dedicated and professional in all of his dealings with the township, and we were very lucky to have him, she said. I for one am very sad to see him go, as he has taught me so much in the short time we have worked together. Kroberger said Kaker was a tremendous help to everybody over the past year and a half, and ensured we continued to provide the proper level of service to the residents. Commissioner Tom Duffy read and presented Kaker with a formal commendation from the township thanking him for his five years of service, which Kaker accepted to a round of applause. Thank you for all of the opportunities youve given me, and entrusted in me to complete. You really helped me grow professionally, and Im forever grateful for all of the opportunities you allowed me to have, Kaker said. Thanks to you, staff: you guys have all made me look a lot better than I am, and I really appreciate all of your help throughout the years, he said. The only challenge Kaker will face there, Kroberger joked, is the winter weather, while Kaker said hell be arriving just in time for a deep playoff run by his hometown Milwaukee Bucks. Its a good and a bad. We regret the fact that hes leaving, but we are looking forward to him moving forward. Its a good reason why hes leaving, its not bad, and we just want to thank you, Alex, for everything youve done, Kroberger said. We felt like there was no other way do this other than take quite drastic action. If you put stickers over people cameras they just take them off. "When youre out dancing the last thing you want is a flashlight shined in your face. I want people to live in the moment and enjoy the music. But what happens when punters need to use their phone again? The organisers have that covered with 'unlock bases' around the festival grounds to remove the cases. Would you be keen to see more of this? Here is the start of many new Asian companies that will grace the pages of The Shoe Snob Blog. It is a new era in shoemaking and places like Vietnam and Shanghai are quickly gaining ground in making some very high-quality footwear. And you will start to see more and more of this in the future as brands are popping out left and right. The one highlighted here is Graziat Taipei, who specializes in patina, super sharp and elegant lasts and handwelted footwear that is striking, to put it mildly! The shoes are designed in Taipei, Taiwan. Then produced, handwelted in Shanghai and finally finished back in Taipei. You can see that a lot of inspiration comes from the French style of lasts, designs, shoes in general as well as patina. But they are taking the lasts to a new level of sharpness with a chisel that rivals that of a Japenese sword! And the patinas are phenomenal for a RTW range. So subtle and elegant but can even go crazy bold if you feel like you want a Van Gogh painting on your shoes, or to call Batman from your heels. For so long, anything coming out of Asia was synonymous with cheap and I am glad that this stereotype is coming to an end. It is a myth that good shoes can only come from Europe. Europeans do not have special skills that others do not. Its just that they have been doing it the longest and have cared about craftsmanship and attention to detail since starting. However, more so than ever are European factories sending their products to be built in Asia, only to be finished in Europe. So the tides are turning. And anyone with a will to learn, repeat, perfect and possess a lot of passion can make anything beautifully so long as they believe in themselves. And doesnt matter if they come from the mountains of the Andes to the beaches of Bali to the forest of Alaska. Anyone can make good shoes. But the shoes do not have your typical East Asian pricing though. Which I am actually pleased about. They are fairly priced at between $800-$1200 USD which I think very much represents the quality of work that you are receiving, if not even a bit of a deal there. They are currently working on their website, so if you want to get in touch and place an order, see their Instagram account and send a message to which they shall respond in due time! Enjoy the pics! https://www.instagram.com/graziat_taipei/ BP Plc investors voted overwhelmingly in favour of the oil major reporting in detail about how its investments are compatible with the Paris climate accord. The mandate is a clear signal for both the company and the industry to come up with stronger green strategies as theyre put under increasing pressure by activists and investors to cut emissions and play a bigger part in the energy transition. Before BPs annual general meeting in Aberdeen, Scotland, on Tuesday, one large shareholder said conversations with the company on climate were moving too slowly, and that it was slipping behind competitors. A resolution at the AGM got the support of almost all shareholders and was also backed by BPs management. A second more stringent climate filing, proposed by an activist group called Follow This, was not successful. From next year, BP is set to bring its reports into line with the approved resolution, which was proposed by a group called Climate Action 100+. Those reports could form the basis of shareholders decisions on the safety of their investments in the company. A continuous pursuit of high-cost or high-carbon projects would be red flags, Bruce Duguid, director of stewardship at Hermes EOS, said in an interview before the AGM. Activist pressure Climate Action 100+, whose members together manage more than $33 trillion (U.S.) of funds, has already persuaded Europes biggest oil company, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, to adopt short-term climate targets and convinced Glencore Plc to cut coal production. The group is asking more than 150 of the largest corporate greenhouse-gas emitters to align their business strategy with the Paris accord. Investors havent yet fled BP or other oil majors in large numbers over worries about climate change. But concern about how theyll cope with a lower-carbon energy system is a reason share prices have underperformed , according to Sanford C. Bernstein analyst Oswald Clint. Gains among the worlds four largest oil companies this year have lagged behind crudes 34 per cent surge. While shareholders strongly backed the Climate Action 100+ proposal, they rejected the Follow This filing. This resolution included more specifics on how BP should manage the energy transition and specifically required it to include the emissions of its customers when setting climate-change targets. BP chief executive officer Bob Dudley is vehemently opposed to including customer emissions in those calculations because he says the company cant control other peoples choices. He has also warned that some of these rules can open it to potential lawsuits. Rivals Shell and Total SA include customers figures in their climate targets. Read more about: SEPT-ILES, Que. - American tariffs on Canadian aluminum cut into profits but didnt slow production or hurt employment, says the CEO of the Quebec company whose plant Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Tuesday to boast about getting the duties removed. In fact, Patrice LHuillier said the trade dispute with the United States has pushed the industry to resist an influx of Chinese metals. We will die from the overflow of Chinese aluminum, said LHuillier, who runs Aluminerie Alouette in Sept-Iles, Que., about 550 km northeast of Quebec City. The tariff was not a good thing but to control the metal flow and to understand the source of the metal ... is quite a good idea. LHuillier said China accounts for more than half of world aluminum production and each year, the country adds between two and three million tonnes of capacity. Chinese metals, such as aluminum, were illegally finding their way into the market, he said, undercutting the North American industry. China produced nearly 36 million tonnes of aluminum last year, according to official government figures. Canada produces about three million tonnes. LHuillier said Trumps tariffs put a lot of pressure into the system. And as a result, he said the North American aluminum industry is coming up with a tracking process that will be much more formalized with much more information. The system will be secured in such a way that you can prove aluminum has been produced in Sept-Iles. The U.S. slapped import taxes of 25 per cent on Canadian steel and 10 per cent on aluminum as a pressure tactic when negotiations on a new North American free-trade treaty got difficult, tariffs the Americans agreed to lift entirely last Friday. The agreement says the U.S. and Canada will establish a process for monitoring the steel and aluminum trade between them. And Ottawa has also been working to demonstrate to Washington that it is stemming the flow of cheaper Chinese metals into Canada. Canadas retaliatory tariffs on American goods played a key role in restoring free access to the U.S. market for Canadian steel and aluminum, Trudeau said after touring the aluminum plant. Canada responded by putting taxes on U.S. metal products, but also on a range of others from cucumbers to coffee to whisky to playing cards to lawn mowers. In many cases, these were grown, processed or manufactured in districts represented by key American politicians. We strategically put a significant number of American products and produce under tariffs and that had an impact on governors, on members of Congress, who continued to talk to the president and to members of the administration about lifting these tariffs, Trudeau said. LHuillier said over the past year his company shipped more of its products to Europe instead of the United States, which ate into profits due to the added costs of sending aluminum across the Atlantic. We didnt decrease production volumes, we didnt remove jobs in that way there was no direct impact, LHuillier said in an interview following his meeting with Trudeau. But I think the tariffs, its more of an indirect, long-term impact if these taxes were not removed. Residents of Sept-Iles said they didnt really feel the effects of the tariffs. Yes, they touched the industry, but everything was still working to full capacity, said Isabelle Bond, who works at the towns public library. The big companies just lost money. She said people in Sept-Iles have been more positive about the industry in general over the past 12 months, as prices have improved. Jean-Francois Fournier, owner of a beloved seafood restaurant by the shore of the St. Lawrence, said because there were no job losses over the past 12 months, his restaurant continued to do well. When the metals industry does badly we feel it because people spend less, he said. But since last year, business is good. Ive actually seen more tourists because of the high American dollar. Trudeau said now that the tariffs have been lifted, the route is clear to finalizing the replacement for NAFTA. Canada, the United States and Mexico signed the new trade treaty at the end of last year; it awaits ratification in each countrys national legislature. With the full lift of the steel and aluminum tariffs, the last major barrier against ratification has been taken away on both sides, because it was also a barrier to the American ratification process, Trudeau said. But Canada remains entangled in a battle between the United States and China, since the RCMP arrested Chinese high-tech executive Meng Wanzhou on a U.S. extradition warrant last December. China has since detained two Canadians former diplomat Michael Kovrig and entrepreneur Michael Spavor and begun to obstruct trade in Canadian products such as canola, soybeans and pork on various technical and administrative grounds. I speak to global leaders who are all very concerned about some of the decisions and some of the positionings that China has taken recently, said Trudeau, who was asked about reports that Canada has sent a parliamentary delegation to aid in securing the release of the two men. Canada obviously is in a difficult situation with China right now but were going to continue to hold strong, were going to continue to stand up for our values and principles. Were going to put the safety and security of Canadians first and foremost, as we always do, and were going to work with our allies to ensure that China understands that Canada is going to stay strong. Trudeau said diplomatic efforts to free the two Canadians are still underway, though theyve been in custody since December and were formally arrested last week for allegedly undermining Chinese national security. A group of MPs is on a visit to China now. The delegation includes Toronto Liberal Rob Oliphant, the parliamentary secretary to Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland. Oliphant has raised Canadas strong concerns regarding the arbitrary detention of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor during his meetings with Chinese government officials, said Freeland spokesman Adam Austen. TORONTO - Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains unveiled a wide review of federal privacy laws Tuesday in what he said was an effort to build trust in a digital world. Bains announced the review as part of a 10-point digital charter that he said is necessary in a rapidly evolving society and economy thats increasingly data-reliant. We need to get serious about rebuilding trust because people are currently losing it, he said at an Empire Club of Canada event in Toronto. In the 21st century, either we build that trust and compete in the data-driven digital economy, or we dont compete at all. Bains committed to a review of the federal privacy law for private-sector organizations, known as PIPEDA, as well as the Privacy Act, which applies to federal government institutions. He promised more stringent enforcement mechanisms against companies that violate the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. He said the government has also written to the Competition Bureau to ensure the agency, an autonomous part of his department, has the tools to promote competition, including room for small and medium businesses to compete. A background briefing by officials at the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development said changes to PIPEDA arent expected until after the federal election in October. Similarly, an analysis of on the Privacy Act by the Justice Department and Treasury Board isnt expected to be done until after the election. Bains said he also plans a review the Statistics Act so citizens have faith in the agencys data collection, and it will launch a new Data Governance Standardization Collaborative to manage data governance standards in the country. Statistics Canada was forced in November to put on hold a controversial plan to sample banking information from 500,000 Canadians through data obtained from major financial institutions, pending a review by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Bains said the Liberal government which emphasized an innovation agenda before and after the 2015 election will look to collaborate with businesses as it updates policies. Governments cant do this alone, we need businesses, we must work together...thats the only way well build trust in our digital institutions. The move was welcomed by the Council of Canadian Innovators, a business group that says it represents over 100 of the countrys fastest-growing technology companies. Canadian innovators have long called on the federal government to develop a national strategy that recognizes data as the most valuable asset in todays economy, said executive director Benjamin Bergen in a statement. While our members are pleased to see the government is concerned with issues posed by data-driven economy, more work is needed to ensure data collection, use, monetization and data flows serve the interest of Canadas economy. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau first announced the digital charter last week, emphasizing the need to combat hate speech, misinformation and online electoral interference. An investors opposition to Canopy Growth Corp.s acquisition of Acreage Holdings Inc. may signal a new trend for an industry thats largely been free from shareholder activism. Marcato Capital Management, which holds Acreage shares, has said it will vote against the deal because it undervalues the New York-based company. Marcato believes the value of pot firms will soar with U.S. legalization, so it is highly imprudent for Acreage to sell itself today at the proposed valuation, with so much unlocked growth and value embedded in the company. Acreage said the view is inconsistent with the vast majority of shareholders. Still, it marks the first time an activist investor has waded into the cannabis industry and could be a sign of things to come, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analysts Kenneth Shea and Gopal Srinivasan. Marcatos opposition may be a precursor of rising shareholder ire targeting cannabis companies that are perceived to not be acting in the best interest of all shareholders, the analysts said in a recent note. High valuations, unprofitable operations and insular ownership structures may prompt activists to get involved in the industry, the analysts said. Rising short interest in some pot stocks is the first indication of investor dissatisfaction, and has pressured companies like Aphria Inc. to make significant changes to their management teams and boards. Peltz hire Some companies appear to be getting out ahead of this potential trend. Aurora Cannabis Inc. recently hired Nelson Peltz as a strategic adviser. Peltzs Trian Fund Management LP has a long history of agitating for change at consumer companies, including Procter & Gamble Co., Mondelez International Inc. and PepsiCo Inc. New York-based pot firm iAnthus Capital Holdings Inc. hasnt come under pressure from activist investors in fact, investment research firm Hedgeye Risk Management recently praised its corporate governance. But its still in the process of revamping its entire board to make it wholly independent by the end of the year, according to chief executive officer Hadley Ford. There absolutely will be a rise in shareholder activism, Ford said in an interview at a cannabis conference last week. Think about it if youre a U.S. investor: if a U.S. institutions going to come off the sidelines and invest in cannabis, we want them to think about coming into us as the bellwether stock to have exposure to that business. Some baggage Its inevitable that an industry that was illegal until recently in many jurisdictions (and remains illegal in many more) comes with some baggage, said Dan Daviau, CEO of Canaccord Genuity Group Inc., the Canadian investment bank. If you were in this industry 10 years ago you were clearly breaking the law somewhere and you were probably a person of a reputation that didnt mind breaking the law, Daviau said in an interview. But the industry is maturing incredibly quickly and Im not saying you still wont see the odd company step on a rake and hit their nose, but the propensity for that to happen has slowed down a lot. Kathryn Connors and John Amy lost four pregnancies to miscarriage. After the last resulted in massive internal bleeding and near-fatal cardiac arrest, the couples doctor advised them to stop trying because he couldnt guarantee Connors would survive. Thats when John said we need to rethink how were going to be parents, Connors said. They started researching adoption. Six years ago, when the couple welcomed two sibling toddlers with a complex range of special needs into their forever home in Brampton, they had no idea federal legislation worked against them. Because we adopted two toddlers at the same time, I thought the government would recognize the challenges and provide support, Connors said. We were shocked to learn that not only do we not get extra help, we get less help than a biological parent. The reality is that parents who adopt a child are eligible for nine and not 12 months of standard leave at 55 per cent of their average weekly earnings. A new report on the inequality from researchers at Western University calls on government to change that. Researchers and adoption advocacy groups are pressing the government to provide attachment benefits three more months of paid leave equal to what biological parents receive to give adoptive parents more time to bond with their kids and find them the medical and educational supports they need. Most people dont know about the inequality, says the reports lead author Carolyn McLeod, a professor in philosophy and womens studies. You tell them and they say, Well that just seems wrong. Read more: New five week, use-it-or-lose-it paternity leave benefit kicks in Canadian couples left in limbo as foreign adoptions decline and agencies shutter A lawyer's international journey to adopt former client's child The current system is discriminatory, the report states, fails to uphold childrens rights and is unusual, compared to systems in other countries. Were not asking for more than biological families, said Valerie Howes, a community engagement liaison with Adopt4Life: Ontarios Adoptive Parents Association. Were just asking to catch up with them. The report, produced for Adopt4life and the Adoption Council of Canada, states that the federal government treats adoptive families as though they are second best to biological families and is failing to uphold the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child to ensure its policies and laws allow children to survive and develop in a healthy way. Research shows that Denmark, Germany, New Zealand, Sweden and the United Kingdom all have much more generous parental leave programs that apply equally to biological and adoptive parents. In Canada, the three-month disparity in benefits for adoptive parents makes it more difficult for these children to reach their full potential. Adoptive parents often describe a honeymoon period with their new children that can last weeks or months. But as the kids become more comfortable, the layers of trauma begin to reveal themselves and the case for more time becomes clearer. And many of these kids have a built-in sense of distrust after having been moved over and over again in a short period of time. Howes adopted child had lived in two countries and six homes before coming to live with her permanently at age 14. You cant erase 120 months of pain, neglect and abuse in nine months, says Kate, an adoptive single mom in Toronto who asked to remain anonymous to protect her childrens identities. For nearly a year after adopting one of her daughters, the child would wet herself at the sight of anything related to a Disney character. It wasnt until she told the child she was planning a short vacation up north, that her daughter opened up about what she was feeling. She said to me: Who do I have to stay with this time? And then it all came out. Kate learned that in the foster system, her daughter would be shipped to temporary respite care while the family she had lived with for years took their biological kids on annual summer vacations to the Orlando theme park. They also worked through a difficult period of night trauma where her daughter would wake up every hour through the night screaming, crying, shaking and inconsolable. It takes time, Kate says. Time does not heal all but time will bring you to a better place of understanding your child, of being able to get services for your child because they finally got to the top of a wait-list. The researchers and adoption advocates from both provincial and national agencies have met with more than two dozen MPs and policy advisers of all political stripes to advance the issue, which likely requires amending federal legislation, specifically the Employment Insurance Act. The report estimates achieving parity would cost taxpayers $12-$20 million, depending on the number of children placed in permanent homes. The range is due to the difficulty of collecting accurate adoption statistics in Canada. There is no national tracking database that accounts for these children. The researchers estimated that in 2017-2018, approximately 2,400 children were adopted across Canada. In Ontario, about 17,000 kids are in care of Childrens Aid Societies. Half of these are Crown wards who have been permanently removed from their homes and families. Connors and Amy didnt think they were equipped to handle a child with special needs but when they watched a short adoption video of Serenity, their fears of the unknown were dimmed by her sparkle. Life has a funny way of giving you what you didnt think ou needed, said Connors, a social worker who gave up her job to care for Serenity and her baby brother. Shes a spunky little spitfire. Connors acknowledges that her decision to stop working is a luxury many families cannot afford. She only recently found a flexible job with Adopt4Life that allows her to work from home while caring for their growing family, which includes a third child whom they adopted as an infant, Abigail. Serenity came to them in a wheelchair at age 3. The couple was told she likely would never walk. She had a condition that prevented the left and right sides of her brain from talking to each other. She is legally deaf and blind. Her biological brother Malakai was a year old at the time. When Serenity came home, the couple noticed the child would try to stand up from her chair to reach for things, leaning on a counter for a second before falling. They encouraged her to keep reaching. Three weeks later, she took 12 steps and we just froze, Connors said. Three years later, she joined her dad in a 7-kilometre race. She had the stamina to cross the finish line. OTTAWAVeteran Ukraine lawmaker Mustafa Jemilev was as worried and surprised as anyone when a comedian who played Ukraines president on television was actually elected the countrys president last month. Jemilev, 75, is a staunch supporter of former president Petro Poroshenko. Jemilev and many others including Canadas leaders credit Poroshenko with saving his country from ruin in 2014 after Russia annexed Crimea and fomented a pro-Kremlin insurgency in the countrys east that has killed 13,000 people. Jemilev, also the political leader of Crimeas persecuted Tatars, says he was initially worried that the actor-turned-politician Volodymyr Zelenskiy was too soft on Russia. But with Russias continuing threat and Ukraine now facing political upheaval Zelenskiy was sworn in on Monday and abruptly dissolved parliament on Tuesday Jemilev says the time has come to rally around the new president. Our position will be constructive, Zelenskiy told The Canadian Press on a visit to Ottawa this past week. We will try to help him as much as possible because the stability of the country is the most important for us, he said through an interpreter. We will definitely not play against him when he fails in something because that situation could be used by Russia. Ukraines uncertain political future has implications for Canadas domestic politics as the federal election approaches: the 1.3 million Canadians of Ukrainian descent comprise one of the countrys most influential diaspora communities. Stephen Harpers Conservatives courted Ukrainian support with frequent visits to Kyiv and the dispatching of special teams of Canadian election monitors, as have Justin Trudeaus Liberals. Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freelands own Ukrainian heritage has helped keep Ukraine near the top of Canadas foreign-policy agenda. Freeland was one of the first foreign politicians to visit Zelenskiy in Kyiv earlier this month and came away reassured, according to a senior Canadian official who was in the room but was not authorized to speak about the meeting for attribution. The person said that while the new president and his entourage have little political experience, Canada isnt worried he will shift Ukraine away from Canada and its western allies, back toward the Kremlin. Then, theres that other top-of-mind head scratcher: just how worried should the rest of the world be that an actor-comedian won the presidency of the East European country that is on the front line of Russian aggression towards the continent? With 73-per-cent support, no less? Zelenskiy was frequently compared with former U.S. President Ronald Reagan. But as Jemilev noted, Reagan served as governor of California between his Hollywood career and arrival in the Oval Office. Hes more like Rick Mercer getting elected prime minister, said the Canadian official. Like Mercers frequent political rants, Zelenskiys long-running political satire was well-researched and demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of politics and corruption. Zelenskiy was not a clueless person in talking to us, the official said. He grappled with issues and showed himself to be a quick learner. But he will require help running a government because Ukraines institutions are not as strong as the Wests, so Canada is standing by with offers of training on the machinery of government, said the source. Freeland also connected with Zelenskiys team by sharing insights from her transition from journalism to politics. She was a reporter in Ukraine during the Soviet Unions dissolution and became journalistic comrades with one of Zelenskiys top advisers, who also reported on the 1990s upheaval. She was able to share her journey from outsider/journalist to somebody whos in government, and point out some of the challenges that are involved, said the source. (There was) no indication from Zelenskiy and his team that theres going to be some radical shift away from the overall Euro-Atlantic direction of Ukraine. Their concept is we want to update things, were all a generation younger so we want to see a more digital Ukraine. The change that Zelenskiy initially campaigned on was difficult to swallow for the pro-Poroshenko establishment, especially the Tatars whom Jemilev represents. Divisions showed again this week after he was sworn in, with disputes over the propriety of his order dissolving parliament early and moves to overhaul the leadership of Ukraines security services. We were very anxious that during the presidential campaign, (with) Mr. Zelenskiy asserting he would like to have peace with Russia under any condition that we would do anything, said Jemilev. That sounded to us a little bit unfair because it was not us who started the war, it was no us who annexed someones territory. Between the two rounds of presidential balloting, Jemilev was able to ask Zelenskiy some important questions about his Russia stance and was reassured that Zelenskiy wouldnt bend towards Russia at the expense of Ukraine. The Russian annexation is particularly painful for Crimeas Muslim Tatars, who view it as history repeating itself. This past weekend marked 75 years since Josef Stalin forced hundreds of thousands of Tatars from the strategic peninsula on the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. Canada remains deeply concerned by the dire human-rights situation on the Crimean peninsula, which is under continued and illegal Russian occupation, as well as by the mistreatment of the Crimean Tatar people and the destruction of their historic sites, Freeland said in a statement. Jemilev chose to spend the 75th anniversary of the expulsion in Canada because the Ukrainian diaspora is the most effective in Canada. That might be the influence of the overall Canadian spirit, he added. Maybe its the Canadian factor of multiculturalism. Compared to the United States the Ukrainian diaspora is also big there, but the attitude toward different nationalities, to different ethnicities in the United States, is very different from the Canadian one. Read more about: An Ontario firefighter alleges his human rights were violated when he was not provided sufficient vegan food while battling a massive blaze in British Columbia. Adam Knauff has filed a complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario against his employer, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, over his treatment and subsequent suspension while fighting a fire near Williams Lake, B.C., in 2017. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry discriminated against me and failed to accommodate my sincerely held ethical beliefs (creed) when it failed to provide me with food that accommodated my personal commitment to ethical veganism, and then disciplined me and suspended me because I attempted to assert my right to accommodation of that sincerely held ethical belief, he wrote in his application to the tribunal. The ministry, in its response, denied Knauffs allegations of discrimination and human rights violations. The case centres on whether veganism is a form of creed the definition of which was expanded by the Human Rights Tribunal in 2015 to include non-secular beliefs. Knauff, based in Kenora, Ont., has worked with the ministry since 2008 and is often dispatched outside the province. He filed the complaint based on the grounds that his creed was not accommodated. I am an ethical vegan in that I not only follow a vegan diet, but I extend the philosophy of non-consumption of animal products to all other areas of my life, he wrote. I do not think that humans have the moral right to oppress other beings, or to cause them pain and suffering. Knauff, now 40, arrived in northern B.C. on July 15, 2017, and was one of about 1,000 firefighters battling a massive forest fire working 14 to 16 hours per day. About 10,000 homes were evacuated in Williams Lake, and the only store open was a Tim Hortons that police were helping run, he wrote in his complaint. He said the ministry had long known about his dietary constraints, and he had also filled out a standard food information form for the trip. On some days during my deployment to Williams Lake, I was not provided with any food that was vegan or not otherwise contaminated with animal products, and therefore forced to go hungry, he wrote. On July 16, he ate salad and side dishes. The next day, he wrote, there were no vegan meals, so he ate plain bagels and coffee from Tim Hortons. The day after that he was given beans, oatmeal and fruits. After working 16-hour days for four days with inadequate nutrition I began to feel physically ill and mentally groggy, Knauff wrote. Until that point I had been trying to push through my hunger and exhaustion, sustaining myself on nuts and fruits. He complained to the supervisor who said hed work on it, the documents say. On July 20, he wrote: The only source of protein in my dinner was a single black bean. The next two days he had inadequate dinners. He asked for personnel to buy tofu during one of their service runs. He got three blocks of tofu, gave it to the camps chef, but never saw it again, he wrote. Things came to a head on July 23 when he was looking forward to a big barbecue dinner, where vegan burgers would be served. But, he wrote, the chef handled beef patties before touching the vegan patties with the same gloved hands. Knauff said he swore at the chef, who swore back. His supervisor gave him a warning, he wrote. No one seemed to take my ethical beliefs seriously, he wrote. The next night at dinner, he was served stir-fry with no protein. He was promised beans the following day, he wrote. He took his plate to his supervisor and asked him if he could see any protein on his plate. The supervisor offered him protein bars. I was upset and told him no, and then he told him with a curse word to fix the problem. I know that I should not have sworn but I was starving, exhausted, humiliated and defeated, he wrote. I had reached my breaking point. But the real breaking point came the next day when he picked up his lunch, where, he alleged, half of the food was non-vegan. He poured it out in front of food staff and said, repeatedly, this isnt vegan. Thats when his supervisor sent him home. The ministry says Knauff was sent home and suspended three days without pay due to his inappropriate, insubordinate, unprofessional and aggressive behaviour. He was also banned from fighting fires outside the province for the remainder of 2017 and all of 2018. The ministry also alleges Knauff threw the non-vegan food at staff, which Knauff denies. Base camp was difficult for all involved, as was trying to feed 1,000 firefighters with the closest towns with open stores hours away, the ministry says. It also argues that Knauffs vegan status is a sincerely held lifestyle choice, but does not meet the legal definition of creed. It further argues that it supported the employee and accommodated his food restrictions as if it were a component of his health needs or part of a recognized creed. Camille Labchuk, the executive director of the advocacy group Animal Justice, said it hopes to intervene in the case because veganism in the workplace isnt limited to Knauff. Ethical veganism has never been ruled a form of creed, Labchuk said. This is a test case, but its important to have a clear statement from the tribunal. Read more about: Ontario researchers say theyve come up with a simple way to store vaccines at higher temperatures for weeks at a time, potentially solving a major problem in the fight against preventable diseases around the world. The cheap technology from the team at McMaster University involves the use of a sugary gel that allows for easier, longer shipments of vaccines that typically need to be consistently stored at cold temperatures. If we can make vaccines easier and more accessible through technology, then we can save a lot of lives, said Vincent Leung, a chemical engineering professor and the lead author of the study that was published Tuesday in the journal Scientific Reports. Most vaccines require the cold chain, an uninterrupted refrigerated supply chain where theyre stored at temperatures between 2 C and 8 C at all times. Otherwise, the effectiveness of vaccines can be greatly affected, the study notes. Leung worked for four years on the project as part of his doctoral research and had help from other disciplines, including biochemists and immunologists, he said. The solution the researchers devised is simple. McMaster chemical engineers had previously created a sugary gel for use in various applications, including an edible coating that can prolong the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. The research team mixed two sugars pullulan and trehalose with the vaccines and let them dry, either by air, or vacuum to speed up the process. The gel seals in the vaccine, which can later be reconstituted with water by clinicians in the field and given to patients. Its easier to think of Listerine breath strips because thats the main material, Leung explained. It will form a film like that, then (is) put into a vial for deployment. For the study, the research team stored mixtures of the sugary gel and numerous vaccine types at various temperatures for different lengths of time and then tested the vaccines. They found, for example, that enveloped DNA vaccines that usually require consistent cold storage, such as the herpes simplex virus type 2 vaccine, retained their efficacy for at least two months of storage at 40 C with the use of the sugary gel. The team also showed the inactivated influenza vaccine remained effective after three months of storage at 40 C. This can really improve deployment and give easier access to those that dont have refrigeration or access to electricity, Leung said. The fact that the dried gel vaccine can easily be reconstituted by clinicians in the field could make the storage and transportation method invaluable in certain situations, such as the delivery of Ebola vaccines in remote areas of Africa. Part of our goal was to have a very simple and cost-effective solution to address this accessibility issue for vaccines, Leung said. The research team is now looking at partnerships and more funding to further develop the technology, and is also going through the proper regulatory procedures to be approved by the likes of Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The good thing is the sugars were using are already used in the food and drug industry and approved by FDA and Health Canada, Leung said. On that end, it should not be as hard to get it approved. VICTORIABritish Columbias independent energy regulator will have the power to call oil company representatives as witnesses into an investigation of high gasoline prices in the province. Premier John Horgan has tasked the B.C. Utilities Commission to examine the market factors that affect wholesale and retail gas prices, and he wants a report by Aug. 30. Gas prices hovering around $1.70 per litre in the Metro Vancouver area have been the highest in Canada for several months. Horgan says hes given the utilities commission broad terms of reference to conduct a fair and transparent investigation that would include concerns about competition and why recent gas refining margins for Vancouver have been more than double the Canadian average. Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson has been calling on the New Democrats to reduce provincial gas taxes and has applied to participate in the investigation as an intervener. Horgan says in a statement the terms of reference give the utilities commission the reach to investigate price fixing and gouging and to make recommendations. Read more: Record gasoline price slamming Vancouver amid pipeline fray Unregulated gas-price gouging means huge profits at the expense of drivers in Vancouver, says economist Metro Vancouver gas prices jump to record highs Read more about: WINNIPEGA woman says jealousy was a problem in a house several women shared with a man who is accused of killing one of them. Five women all vying for the attention of one man, obviously, there would be jealousy issues, Holley Sullivan told the jury at the first-degree murder trial of Perez Cleveland on Tuesday. Cleveland, 46, has pleaded not guilty in the death of 42-year-old Jennifer Barrett, whose body was found in a barrel behind their Winnipeg home in 2016. Court has heard that Cleveland shared the house with his adult daughter and five women who were described by one of them as sister wives. Last week, Sullivan, 30, told court she started a relationship with Cleveland in 2010 and experienced years of horrific abuse. Court heard that Cleveland, his daughter, Sullivan, Barrett, and another woman moved to Winnipeg in 2014. Soon after, Sullivan was jailed for a credit-card scam. By the time she was released in 2016, two more women had joined the group, including Jessica Reid, 36, who testified about similar abuse in the home. Sullivan testified that Cleveland had an uncanny knack of making them think the abuse he inflicted on them was their fault. Read more: Second woman testifies against Winnipeg man in death of woman found in barrel Woman tells Winnipeg murder trial how sister wife was abused Accused in death of Winnipeg woman found in barrel had control over five women, Crown alleges The defence has argued that Reid was jealous of Barrett. Defence lawyer Steve Brennan asked Sullivan whether shed seen violence between the two women and Sullivan said no. I would say that Jessica was jealous of everyone, she said. Sullivan is currently serving time after pleading guilty for her role in hiding Barretts body in the barrel. Reid is also charged with being an accessory after the fact, but her case has not yet gone to trial. The defence also pointed to the different scams Sullivan took part in, including credit-card skimming, puppy sales and ripping off landlords. Sullivan said it was all to support Cleveland because he had complete control over her. Every penny I made for the seven years I was with that man went to him, she said. Sullivan testified that in August 2016 Cleveland punished Barrett over several days in the basement of their house because he believed she was cheating on him. Sullivan told the jury she researched liquid cremations online when Cleveland asked her and Reid to dispose of Barretts body. The two women placed the body in a barrel with a mix of drain cleaner and water. They heated it up with a blowtorch to speed up decomposition. There was no discussion about blaming this all on Perez if you got caught? Brennan asked. No, Sullivan responded. Brennan asked why the abuse and the death were never reported to police. He questioned why Sullivan initially lied to officers and said Barrett had left the city to visit family in Ontario. She was trying to protect Cleveland, Sullivan responded, and she was afraid of what he would do. You were also interested in protecting Holley Sullivan, werent you? Brennan said. Sullivan continued to have a relationship with Cleveland for a few months after Barretts death before she fled to a womens shelter and then to Alberta. When asked by defence why she finally left, Sullivan said that Cleveland had also threatened to kill her. It was either I left, or I was going to end up like Ms. Barrett. Read more about: Students from Judith Nyman Secondary School in Brampton are angry and disappointed after the Ministry of Education pulled the plug on funding for the schools electricity program. This is terrible, said 16-year-old Shiv Patel. Im mad. Teacher Matt Gancasz confirmed the program was cancelled due to recent education cuts and said it will run until the end of the year. The Peel District School Board offered the full-time electricity program for students from Grade 9 to 12; it was the only one of its kind in the region, said Sara Toon, 17. The program has always been full. She and the other students learned on April 29 the electrical program was being cut despite the Ford governments promise to put money into the trades. Its malarkey, Toon said. The four-year program prepared students for a career in the electrical industry, said Jacob Everette, 17, who is in the fourth year of the program and is already getting apprenticeship offers for when he finishes. The electrical program provides students with a solid, basic foundation in the electrical field, Gancasz said in an email. Students learn how to wire residential circuits in a booth that have stud walls and electrical panels to test at 120 volts. Students also learn how to bend electrical conduit for commercial construction, Gancasz added. Students also learn basic electrical theory involving different cross-curricular disciplines involving math, science, physics and technical literacy. Gancasz said the electrical program has seen many students successfully attain an electrical apprenticeship or enter college in the electrical field. Students who are involved in the electrical program also have the opportunity to work with an electrical contractor for a co-op program, which also involves students attending Sheridan College. Hands-on learning is the best, Patel said. In addition to learning electrical theory, Danny Nguyen, 16, said the students also receive additional training, such as CPR. The students had nothing but praise for their electrical program teacher, who they affectionately refer to as Mr. G. Hes incredible, said Jacob Everette, 17, adding his parents plan to meet with the school. Carrie Andrews, school board trustee for wards 7 and 8 in Brampton, said in an email that she hasnt heard from any parents about the proposed cuts. In the meantime, students from Peel and elsewhere across the province have been protesting cuts to education funding. On May 4, approximately 120 students and union members gathered at Brampton City Hall to voice opposition to funding cuts. On April 5, students took part in a provincewide walkout to protest proposed changes the Ford government is making to the education system. In the meantime, the Peel school board trustees have sent two letters to Ontario Education Minister Lisa Thompson about concerns related to the cancellation of secondary courses and concerns over recent announcements. There has been no response from the ministry so far, said Carla Pereira, director of communications and community relations with the board. Marta Marychuk is a reporter with the Brampton Guardian. Reach her via email: mmarychuk@metroland.com Read more about: For Hafsa Imran, the decision to come to Canada to work in the high-tech sector was a no-brainer. At this point no one in IT wants to go to the United States, and Canada is the natural choice, said the 26-year-old software engineer, who arrived from Pakistan last September after she was brought in by her Toronto employer under the federal Global Talent Stream pilot program. The program is aimed at attracting top talent to Canadas tech industry by fast tracking approvals; the federal government can issue a work permit in less than two weeks, while in the non-migrant-friendly U.S. under President Donald Trump and in protectionist Europe, the process can take months. With a work permit, we can see if Canada is for us or not. If we like it, we have a pathway to stay as permanent residents, Imran said. Its a win-win. According to the federal government, since the launch of the two-year program in 2017 to this past January, more than 1,000 Canadian companies have used it to hire more than 4,000 highly skilled foreign workers. The program received such positive feedback from employers and applicants that Ottawa announced in the March budget that it was making the pilot permanent. As part of the application process, an employer is required to develop a company-specific plan that outlines their commitment to generate lasting benefits for Canada, including creating jobs for Canadians and investing in both training and skills development. The program has spurred the creation of 21,000 new jobs for Canadians as well as 3,500 paid co-op positions, and these employers have invested $9.3 million into skills training for Canadians, according to Employment and Social Development Canada. In the global race to attract the investment of innovative companies, competitors in the European Union as well as the United States have considerably larger pools of talent and labour to draw from than we do in Canada, said immigration department spokesperson Nancy Caron. By facilitating the faster entry of top talent with unique skill sets and global experience, the goal is to help innovative companies in Canada grow, flourish and create more jobs for Canadians. Head hunters for Canadian high-tech companies said since Global Talent Stream was turned into a permanent program, they have noticed a surge of interest from foreign high-tech workers. Global Skills Hub, a Toronto-based company that helps Canadian startups find international talent, said 249 overseas high-tech workers responded to its recruitment efforts in the month before the governments March announcement. Since then, the number has shot up to 2,370. The companys co-founder Yousuf Khatib said Canada lacks senior tech talent, many of whom have been poached by Silicon Valley. A recent report by the Information and Communications Technology Council projected that Canada has to fill 216,000 tech-related jobs by 2021. Whether its a startup or big corporation, every company has become a tech company and is looking for IT talent, said Khatib, whose firm also handles the work permit application process for clients. This program issues foreign tech workers with a two-year work permit and gives them a chance for permanent residence. The process is quick and it can stay relevant to the needs of the fast-changing tech world. Alisha Patel, vice-president of finance and human resources of Toronto-based TWG, a software company, said the Global Talent Stream helps Canada fill the gaps with foreign workers who can, in turn, assist in helping Canadians develop their skills. TWG tests and screens prospective foreign workers online before issuing job offers. The new arrivals are then provided with an orientation and mentorship to help them settle in, said Patel. TWG has already brought in a handful of foreign software developers and engineers, including Imran, through the government program. Imran, who has a university degree in electrical and software engineering, previously worked in Lahore for an electronic design automation software company, a subsidiary of electronics giant Siemens, before she was recruited by TWG. She underwent two technical tests and a series of online interviews before she was offered a job. At that time, Global Skills Hub, the head hunter, took over her work permit application. Although she feels homesick from time to time, she said she is in love with Toronto and plans to apply for permanent residence when her two-year work permit expires. The best of the world are here in Toronto. Its not just work, work and work, like in Pakistan. My employer invests in training me and is helping me develop my career path, said Imran, who has found more personal time here to pursue her interests in books and sports. Read more about: KHARTOUM, Sudan - Sudans ruling generals and the protesters who drove President Omar al-Bashir from power last month said Tuesday they remain divided over who will lead the country during its transition period despite progress in recent talks. The protesters, represented by the Forces for the Declaration of Freedom and Change, have insisted on limited military representation in a sovereign council, while the military wants to lead the body during an agreed-upon three-year transition. The military council said in a statement Tuesday that the two sides are split over the makeup of the council and who should lead it. Both sides said early Tuesday that they intend to continue the talks, without setting a date. The U.S., Britain and Norway meanwhile issued a statement urging a transition to civilian rule. Any outcome that does not result in the formation of a government that is civilian-led, placing primary authority for governing with civilians. will make it harder for our countries to work with the new authorities and support Sudans economic development, it said. The two sides have held several rounds of talks since the military overthrew al-Bashir on April 11, ending his 30-year reign after four months of mass protests and sit-ins, which are still underway. The protesters have threatened a general strike, accusing the generals of dragging their feet on handing over power. The military has warned against any further chaos. Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo , deputy head of the council, on Monday told his paramilitary Rapid Support Forces to be vigilant and ready to preserve security. There are parties that are plotting to create chaos, he said. The protesters are still holding a mass sit-in outside the military headquarters in the capital, Khartoum, that was set up days before al-Bashir was overthrown. They have vowed to remain there until the military hands over power to civilians. Also on Tuesday, Sudans prosecutors office said in a statement that guards for former intelligence chief Lt. Gen. Salah Abdallah Gosh obstructed his detention the previous day for questioning about alleged financial wrongdoing. Prosecutors have been investigating a bank account with 46 billion Sudanese pounds (more than $1 billion) accessible only by Gosh. Protesters have accused Gosh of involvement in killing demonstrators during the uprising. Once a member of the presidents inner circle, Gosh was sacked as an adviser in April 2011 for criticizing the government. He was arrested the following year on suspicion of involvement in a coup attempt, but was later pardoned by al-Bashir, who appointed him intelligence chief in February 2018. Al-Bashir is being held in a jail in Khartoum, and local prosecutors have charged him with involvement in killing protesters and incitement to kill protesters during the uprising. The military has said it will not extradite him to The Hague, where the International Criminal Court has charged him with war crimes and genocide linked to the Darfur conflict in the 2000s. _______________ Magdy reported from Cairo. TRUJILLO, Honduras - A 32-year-old British Columbia pilot who was killed in a plane crash in Honduras on Saturday is being described by his father as a spontaneous person who was a happy child. Larry Forseth said in a phone interview with The Canadian Press from Honduras that he had spoken with his son Patrick earlier on the morning of the crash. Patrick Forseth, who also goes by Danny, told his father of a minor issue with a battery terminal, he said. The cable to the battery was loose so the plane would not start ... and he had a mechanic come ... and he fixed the problem, Larry Forseth said. That was fine and the plane started and everything was normal. And shortly after departure this horrible, horrible tragedy happened. Larry Forseth said the family is not sure what happened but believes it was a private flight, and that the plane crashed into the water just off the shore of Roatan. Global Affairs Canada confirmed Sunday a Canadian citizen had died in the crash, but did not identify the person due to privacy concerns. Stefano Maron said consular officials in the capital, Tegucigalpa, were in contact with local authorities and were providing assistance to the victims family. The Piper Cherokee Six plummeted into the Atlantic shortly after takeoff from Roatan en route to Trujillo, a port city on Hondurass northern coast. The Associated Press reported that the other victims of the crash were four American passengers, citing an Armed Forces spokesman. The Honduran military said in a statement that rescue boats with police divers and firemen recovered four bodies within minutes of the crash and transported another to a hospital, where he died shortly after of internal injuries. The U.S. State Department also confirmed the deaths of four American citizens. Larry Forseth said the family is trying to piece together the tragedy. His son was a very experienced pilot who had trained at the Coastal Pacific Aviation school in Abbotsford, B.C., he said, adding that Patrick had also flown for companies in Canada. Ive been a commercial pilot all my life and Ive spent many hours in the air with him and hes a very capable, very professional pilot. The family is not doing good, Larry Forseth said. We are taking it very badly, he said. He was way too young .... Its a horrible thing to lose your child and he was a very special child. And we are a very close family. Patrick Forseth has a number of friends in the area and was loved by everyone, he said. The father described his son as a happy child, always smiling growing up. He said his son loved to build tree forts and was good with his hands. Forseth also described his son as a jokester, saying he was the life of the party. So spontaneous ... and he would talk about anything and everything and have people laughing and having fun, he said wistfully. He was a very social, outgoing person. Forseths remains were cremated Monday, and a few pilots in the area gathered later in the day to pay tribute. His ashes will be taken to the little town of Trullio for a celebration of life, and after that the family, who spends a few months in B.C. and a few in Honduras, plans to return to Canada for a similar gathering with relatives and friends. Its very difficult. You should not lose a child. They should not pass away before their parents, Forseth said breaking down. Its just not right. You should not have to bury your child. Oh, its hard. By Hina Alam in Vancouver with files from Associated Press MEXICO CITY - Armed robberies have gotten so common aboard buses in Mexico City that commuters have come up with a clever if disheartening solution: Many are buying fake cellphones, to hand over to thieves instead of their real smartphones. Costing 300 to 500 pesos apiece the equivalent of $15 to $25 the dummies are sophisticated fakes: They have a startup screen and bodies that are dead ringers for the originals, and inside there is a piece of metal to give the phone the heft of the real article. That comes in handy when trying to fool trigger-happy bandits who regularly attack the buses, big and small, that ferry people from the poorer outlying suburbs to jobs in the city centre. The scene is repeated over and over again, courtesy of the cameras that many buses now carry that record the assaults, often late at night or in the early morning: Sleepy passengers are seen bouncing along in the jitneys when one or two of the men aboard suddenly pull masks over their faces. One will pull out a gun while his accomplice passes down the aisle, often with his own gun, demanding valuables. Youre all screwed now! Dont move or youre dead! Cellphones and wallets! barks a thief in one recent video. Time and again, those who resist or refuse are hit in the head with a pistol, or simply shot and left to bleed on the floor of the bus. Martha Patricia Rociles Estrada, a schoolteacher from the low-income suburb of Nezahualcoyotl, was robbed herself. Now, she says, most city residents make their daily commutes in fear. Getting on public transportation is now a risk, Rociles Estrada said. You get on, but you never know if youre going to return. Now you have to be careful to carry money, because if you dont, the thieves get angry and you run the risk that theyll shoot you if youre not carrying money. There were an average of 70 reported violent muggings every day in Mexico City in the first four months of 2019. About two-thirds were committed against pedestrians, with the rest split almost evenly between bus passengers and assaults on motorists stopped at lights or caught in traffic jams. Between 2017 and 2018, such assaults rose by about 22 per cent. But when Rociles Estrada was robbed at gunpoint several years ago, most people werent carrying costly smartphones around with them. They just took whatever I had of value, my change purse, that was all, she recalled The advent of smartphones changed all that. Now, many people carry a device worth hundreds of dollars in their pocket, and one that may also hold their bank or credit card information. Thats where dummy vendors like Axel come in. Axel says he sells three or four dummy phones a week out of his stall in a downtown electronics marketplace, next door to a colonial college building that dates to 1767. Axel, who asked his full name not be used for fear police would accuse him of selling fake merchandise, said all of his customers know they are buying fakes. Its useful for robberies, the large number of muggings happening in Mexico City, said Axel. They say hand over your cellphone, give me everything, and people know now they have to hand over the phone quick, in a matter of seconds, so they hand over these phones and often the thieves dont realize it. But Axel admits the victim would be in trouble if a thief caught them handing over a dummy phone. Obviously there are problems, because if the criminals search it or find out ... there is going to be a problem. Because of that, some try a different strategy, spending a little more to buy a cheap but real second phone. Gloria, who works at her own stall at another market across the street in a converted art-deco movie house, said the dummy trade started about 14 years ago, but for different reasons: Phone shops would buy dummies for their exhibition cases to protect against another type of crime, the so-called sledgehammer crews who can clear out a jewelry or electronics store in seconds by breaking windows. Generally, the dummy is for a showcase, for people who sell real cellphones, Gloria explained. Dummies have been sold here for about 14 years, for use in showcases, but nowadays people are buying them to protect their own cellphones. Gloria sells an iPhone dummy for 300 pesos ($15), that would save a victim the 18,000 pesos ($900) a real iPhone would cost here. In most cases, people want to avoid getting their cellphone stolen, but also their data, says Gloria, who also asked her last name not be used. The paranoia about assaults and muggings has been amplified by the fact that so many of the robberies are now videotaped by surveillance cameras on public buses. The tapes are often shown on news programs, instilling terror in people. The government of the eastern borough of Ixtapalpa one of the citys biggest and poorest precincts launched a program this week to have police ride the buses to prevent robberies. But even as the program started up with fanfare and media photo ops, some residents were skeptical. Oscar Armenda, a transportation worker who was riding a bus in Iztapalapa around midday as police started climbing aboard, said, This is good in a way, but in a way its not. They should do this at the time of day when its needed, at night, not now, Armenda said. MANILA, Philippines - A former Philippine Supreme Court justice who accused Chinese President Xi Jinping of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court said she was barred for hours Tuesday from entering Hong Kong. Conchita Carpio-Morales said she was stopped by immigration authorities and was held in a room at Hong Kongs airport for about four hours and ordered to take a flight back to Manila. She had planned to take a vacation for five days in Hong Kong with her husband, son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren, who were all allowed entry. Hong Kong airport and immigration officials later told her there was a mistake and that she could proceed with her trip to Hong Kong, but she and her family had already decided to return home because of the incident, she said. I have never been subjected to this kind of humiliation, Carpio-Morales told The Associated Press by telephone while waiting for her flight back to Manila. She said she and her family did not want to take the risk of being subjected to further scrutiny. A Hong Kong immigration official who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss a specific immigration case said Carpio-Morales had been admitted to Hong Kong. After flying back to Manila with her family late Tuesday, Carpio-Morales told reporters she had repeatedly asked Hong Kong airport authorities why she was denied entry but was told only that it was because of unspecified immigration reasons. Carpio-Morales, 77, is a respected former Supreme Court associate justice and head of the Ombudsman, a special anti-corruption agency. She retired from government service last year. In March, she and former Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario took the bold step of filing a complaint against Xi and other Chinese officials over Beijings assertive actions in the disputed South China Sea, which they say deprived thousands of fishermen of their livelihoods and destroyed the environment. They accused Xi and other Chinese officials of turning seven disputed reefs into man-made islands, causing extensive environmental damage, and of blocking large numbers of fishermen, including about 320,000 Filipinos, from their fishing grounds. Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua called the complaint a fabrication. Chinese officials also raised their concern over the complaint in a meeting with Philippine officials in Manila in April, saying the case is affecting the prestige of our leader, a Philippine official told the AP on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the issue publicly. The legal offensive against China contrasts with President Rodrigo Dutertes rapprochement with Beijing since he took office in mid-2016 while often criticizing the security policies of the United States, a treaty ally. Del Rosario said Tuesday that he and Carpio-Morales filed the complaint to be able to push back against the bullying and harassment that we have been encountering from our goliath of a neighbour and Carpio-Moraless treatment in Hong Kong was more of the same. Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Duterte administration asked its diplomats to help Carpio-Morales and her family return to the country safely. The Philippine deputy consul general in Hong Kong, Germinia Aguilar-Usudan, told ABS-CBN News Channel in Manila that the Philippines will ask Hong Kong authorities about the incident. ___ Associated Press journalist Alice Fung in Hong Kong contributed to this report. BERLIN - Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz is set to face a no-confidence vote in parliament next week after his governing coalition collapsed over a corruption scandal that Austrias president warned risks harming the countrys image abroad. Speaker Wolfgang Sobotka, a member of Kurzs conservative Peoples Party, set a special session of the legislature for Monday. Opposition parties wanted it held this week, but Sobotka said he wants to give space to the EU election campaign, the Austria Press Agency reported Tuesday. Austria elects European Parliament lawmakers Sunday. The opposition Now party has drawn up a no-confidence motion seeking to oust Kurz before an early national election expected in September. Kurz called for that election after far-right Freedom Party leader Heinz-Christian Strache, who was his vice chancellor, resigned Saturday. Strache was shown on video appearing to offer favours to a purported Russian investor during a meeting two years ago on the Spanish island of Ibiza. Kurzs party holds only 61 of the 183 seats in parliament. It isnt yet clear whether the second- and third-biggest parties, the centre-left Social Democrats and the Freedom Party, will vote to remove him depriving the 32-year-old of the advantage of going into the national election as the incumbent. That would leave President Alexander Van der Bellen to name an interim chancellor. While Kurz remains in office Van der Bellen has asked him to propose interim ministers to replace the Freedom Party politicians who have left the government including the interior, defence and labour ministers. The president said Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl, who was nominated by the Freedom Party but isnt a party member, has agreed to stay on. Van der Bellen, a liberal whose position puts him above the cut-and-thrust of politics, said the interim ministers will have to be impeccable experts. Let us not forget that there has been a massive betrayal of trust as a result of this disturbing image of immorality from Ibiza, he said after meeting Kurz. Later, in a public television address, Van der Bellen appealed to voters not to turn away from politics in disgust at the disturbing images they had seen in the video. The damage these pictures will cause cant yet be judged, he said, adding that he wanted to apologize to voters for the impression they might have of politicians after seeing Strache apparently willing to trade favours for support. But he added: We arent like that. Austria isnt like that. Van der Bellen warned that the bad impression left by the video might deter investors and tourists from coming to Austria, at a cost of tens of thousands of jobs. Addressing Austrias political parties, he said: Please dont think what advantage you can get for your party in the short term now. Think about what you can do for Austria. Strache has said he was set up through illegal surveillance, but conceded his behaviour was stupid, irresponsible and a mistake. On Tuesday, he sounded a combative note. We will find the people behind the criminally produced video and the dirty campaigning and I will prove my innocence! Strache wrote in a Facebook post. ___ Frank Jordans contributed to this report. TIRANA, Albania - Teams of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, or Frontex, are joining Albanias police to patrol its land and sea borders for migrants and crime for the first time. European Union Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos and Frontex head Fabrice Leggeri were in Tirana Tuesday to launch the first ever joint operation on the territory of a neighbouring non-EU country. Avramopoulos said the agreement is a milestone in the EU co-operation with the region. This is a real game changer and a truly historical step, bringing this region closer to the EU by working together in a co-ordinated and mutually supportive way on shared challenges such as better managing migration and protecting our common borders, said Avramopoulos. Leggeri said there was no time limit or fixed mandate to the co-operation. Fifty officers, 16 patrol cars and 1 thermo-vision van from 12 EU member countries will deploy along the Albania-Greece border. Albanias Interior Minister Sander Lleshaj said there was a six-fold increase in the number of illegal migrant crossings by the Greek border into Albania compared to a year ago. He did not give exact numbers. Albania is not a preferred route for migrants, but some enter the tiny Western Balkan country to move toward Northern Europe. Similar agreements have been signed with North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro. Albania hopes to launch negotiations to join the EU this year. ___ Follow Llazar Semini on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lsemini BERLIN - Three-time Formula One world champion Niki Lauda, who won two of his titles after a horrific crash that left him with serious burns and went on to become a prominent figure in the aviation industry, has died. He was 70. The Austria Press Agency quoted Laudas family as saying he passed away peacefully on Monday. Walter Klepetko, a doctor who performed a lung transplant on Lauda last year, said Tuesday: Niki Lauda has died. I have to confirm that. His unique successes as a sportsman and entrepreneur are and remain unforgettable, the family statement said. His tireless drive, his straightforwardness and his courage remain an example and standard for us all. Away from the public gaze he was a loving and caring husband, father and grandfather. We will miss him very much. Lauda won the F1 drivers championship in 1975 and 1977 with Ferrari and again in 1984 with McLaren. In 1976, he was badly burned when he crashed during the German Grand Prix, but he made an astonishingly fast return to racing just six weeks later. Lauda remained closely involved with the F1 circuit after retiring as a driver in 1985, and in recent years served as the non-executive chairman of the Mercedes team. Formula One posted a message from its official Twitter account to acknowledge Laudas contribution to the sport. Rest in peace Niki Lauda. Forever carried in our hearts, forever immortalized in our history, the post said. The motorsport community today mourns the devastating loss of a true legend. Born on Feb. 22, 1949 into a wealthy Vienna family, Nikolaus Andreas Lauda was expected to follow his father into the paper-manufacturing industry, but instead concentrated his business talents and determination on his dreams of becoming a racing driver. Lauda financed his early career with the help of a string of loans, working his way through the ranks of Formula 3 and Formula 2. He made his Formula 1 debut for the March team at the 1971 Austrian Grand Prix and picked up his first points in 1973 with a fifth-place finish for BRM in Belgium. Lauda joined Ferrari in 74, winning a Grand Prix for the first time that year in Spain. He won his first drivers title with five victories the following season. Facing tough competition from McLarens James Hunt their rivalry featured in the Ron Howard-directed movie Rush Lauda appeared on course to defend his title in 1976 when he crashed at the Nuerburgring during the German Grand Prix. Several drivers stopped to help pull him from the burning car, but the accident would scar him for life. The baseball cap Lauda almost always wore in public became a personal trademark. The main damage, I think to myself, was lung damage from inhaling all the flames and fumes while I was sitting in the car for about 50 seconds, he recalled nearly a decade later. It was something like 800 degrees. Lauda fell into a coma for a time. He said that for three or four days it was touch and go. Then my lungs recovered and I got my skin grafts done, then basically there was nothing left, he added. I was really lucky in a way that I didnt do any (other) damage to myself. So the real question was then will I be able to drive again, because certainly it was not easy to come back after a race like that. Lauda made his comeback just six weeks after the crash, finishing fourth at Monza after overcoming his initial fears. He recalled shaking with fear as he changed into second gear on the first day of practice and thinking, I cant drive. The next day, Lauda said he started very slowly trying to get all the feelings back, especially the confidence that Im capable of driving these cars again. The result, he said, boosted his confidence and after four or five races I had basically overcome the problem of having an accident and everything went back to normal. He won his second championship in 1977 before switching to Brabham and then retiring in 1979 to concentrate on setting up his airline, Lauda Air, declaring that he didnt want to drive around in circles anymore. Lauda came out of retirement in 1982 after a big-money offer from McLaren, reportedly about $3 million a year. He finished fifth his first year back and 10th in 1983, but came back to win five races and edge teammate Alain Prost for his third title in 1984. He retired for good the following year, saying he needed more time to devote to his airline business. Initially a charter airline, Lauda Air expanded in the 1980s to offer flights to Asia and Australia. In May 1991, a Lauda Air Boeing 767 crashed in Thailand after one of its engine thrust reversers accidentally deployed during a climb, killing all 213 passengers and 10 crew. In 1997, longtime rival Austrian Airlines took a minority stake and in 2000, with the company making losses, Lauda resigned as board chairman after an external audit criticized a lack of internal financial control over business conducted in foreign currency. Austrian Airlines later took full control. Lauda founded a new airline, Niki, in 2003. Germanys Air Berlin took a minority stake and later full control of that airline, which Lauda bought back in early 2018. He partnered with budget carrier Ryanair on Nikis successor, LaudaMotion. Lauda in later years formed a close bond with Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, who joined the team in 2013. He often backed Hamilton in public and provided advice and counsel to the British driver. Lauda also intervened as a Mercedes mediator when Hamilton and his former Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg feuded, argued and traded barbs as they fought for the title between 2014-16 Lauda twice underwent kidney transplants, receiving an organ donated by his brother in 1997 and, when that stopped functioning well, a kidney donated by his girlfriend in 2005. In August 2018, he underwent a lung transplant that the Vienna General Hospital said was made necessary by a serious lung illness. It didnt give details. Lauda is survived by his second wife, Birgit, and their twin children Max and Mia. He had two adult sons, Lukas and Mathias, from his first marriage. TOROSZENTMIKLOS, Hungary - A small far-right party has held a rally in a rural Hungarian city, exploiting renewed tensions with some of the local Roma population. About 400 people attended Tuesday evenings rally by Our Homeland Movement in the east-central city of Torokszentmiklos, but a plan to march through the citys Roma areas wasnt allowed by police. In his speech, party leader Laszlo Toroczkai evoked the Hungarian Guard, a vigilante group disbanded by a court ruling in 2009, saying that the problems in Hungary like alleged crimes by Roma that had led to its creation had only gotten worse since. Nearby, about 200 Roma commemorated the victims of a series of Roma killings a decade ago and two other groups also held small protests against the far-right event. PARIS - French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday accused former Trump strategist Steve Bannon and Russian oligarchs of conspiring with Europes nationalists to dismantle the European Union, saying Europeans should not be naive about foreign interference ahead of this weeks European Parliament elections. The centrist French leader said in an interview with French regional newspapers published Tuesday that Russians and some others are financing extremist political parties in Europe, without elaborating. Macron also singled out Bannon for criticism. Bannon, who has been in France in recent days and praised far-right leader Marine Le Pens campaign, called himself an observer. Macrons interview is a last-ditch appeal for support for his centrist movement in the elections, in which nationalists are expected to gain ground amid worries about migration. Le Pen invited Bannon to a congress last year of her anti-immigration party, which changed its name from National Front to National Rally. However, she has publicly distanced herself from him ahead of Frances May 26 elections. He has no role in the campaign, she said Monday on FranceInfo. She claimed she didnt know he was in town, although Le Parisien newspaper reported that two National Rally party officials were spotted in the luxury Bristol Hotel where he was staying. Bannons presence in Paris in the last week of campaigning with numerous interviews in the French press riled other parties, including Macrons. Le Pen blamed the media. Its not us who invite Steve Bannon into the campaign. Its you journalists who invite (him), Le Pen said, noting the numerous interviews he has given to the French press. Macron himself has been criticized for his increasingly active role in his partys campaign as polls show his Republic on the Move! neck to neck with Le Pens National Rally. Her party was the biggest winner in Frances European Parliament voting in 2014. Many in France have framed the European elections as a replay of Frances 2017 presidential vote, which pitted Macron against Le Pen who lost in a landslide and say the president is on shaky ground throwing himself into the ring. He argued that the elections are the most important since 1979 because the (European) Union is facing an existential risk. Asked to define Europes biggest enemy, Macron told regional newspapers that the enemy of Europe is he doesnt believe in its future. The nationalists who want to divide it are the main enemies. He said he saw connivance between nationalists and foreign interests, whose objective is the dismantling of Europe naming Steve Bannon, close to the American power structure. ___ For more news from The Associated Press on the European Parliament elections, go to https://www.apnews.com/EuropeanParliament BREMERHAVEN, Germany - If Joachim Schuster is worried about his job, hes not letting on. A jolly German in his mid-fifties with spiky greying hair and a broad smile, Schuster was elected to the European Parliament five years ago for the centre-left Social Democrats. Now hes speaking to students at a vocational college in the northern city of Bremerhaven in an effort to save his seat, defying the downward trend thats beset traditional parties in Europe in recent years. Support for the Social Democrats has ebbed dramatically across Germany in recent years, but nowhere is its fate more closely watched than in the city-state of Bremen, of which Bremerhaven is a part. The Social Democrats have dominated the proud ports political scene since the end of World War II, winning 19 straight elections and governing it for 73 years. That run could end on May 26, when voters in Germany cast ballots for the European Parliament and those in Bremen also hold a state election. A poor result in both elections could hasten the end of the Social Democrats fractious coalition with Chancellor Angela Merkels centre-right Union bloc in Germanys national legislature and further reduce the centre-lefts overall influence on Europes political landscape. A new political grouping of nationalist and populist parties is trying to capitalize on voter discontent, vowing to upend the continents traditional political power structure. Establishment politics in Germany, but also in the EU, often havent managed to really solve the issues the population believes are pressing, Schuster told The Associated Press. The loss of tens of thousands of jobs in Bremens shipyards mirroring similar industrial declines in other parts of Europe has also sapped the Social Democrats traditional base, said Schuster. Voters ruefully compared the regions current economic situation to its heyday in the 1970s. Lousy, really bad and getting worse all the time, retiree Eta Grotheer said, making her way down Bremerhavens main shopping street. The only thing we have left is the port, otherwise theres nothing. While Grotheer had little good to say about Merkel and her centre-right Christian Democratic Union, its the reds in Bremen who disappoint her the most. The Social Democrats used to be a good workers party, she said. Now theres nothing. Grotheer predicted that right-wing parties would benefit from voters frustration. If past elections are any indication, many voters in Germany could also stay away from the polls, harming large establishment parties like the Social Democrats. We had a terrible voter turnout at the last state elections, said Andreas Klee, a political scientist at the University of Bremen. Thats an incredibly bad sign for the mood in the country as far as democracy and citizens trust in politics is concerned. According to Klee, the erosion of traditional party affiliations which once saw entire families or streets vote the same way means voters today are more inclined to shop around for a party that speaks directly to their concerns. Voters worried about immigration and crime are drawn toward the nationalist Alternative for Germany party or Bremens right-wing Citizens in Rage. Those concerned about climate change and air pollution head to the Greens, who have seen a remarkable rise in poll support in recent months. The proportional representation in European electoral systems also gives smaller parties a realistic chance of entering parliament, unlike in the United States, where only two parties dominate. Last years election in Italy offers a glimpse of what can happen if Europes main centrist parties collapse. Italian voters angry about unemployment, corruption and immigration propelled the right-wing League party and the anti-establishment Five Star movement into a ruling populist coalition in the EUs fourth largest economy. In France, the two dominant parties of the past decades likewise crumbled in 2017s presidential election amid a surge of support for far-right candidate Marine Le Pen. Ultimately, it took a relative newcomer, current President Emmanuel Macron, to unite mainstream voters behind a centrist movement. Polls for this weeks European Parliament election put Macrons party neck-and-neck with Le Pens far-right National Rally. Projections released by the European Parliament this month show the centre-right European Peoples Party bloc, which includes Merkels Union, losing 37 of its 217 seats in the 751-seat assembly. The centre-left S&D group, which includes Germanys Social Democrats, is forecast to drop from 186 seats to 149. Schuster believes a more radical approach might help the Social Democrats win back voters. Everywhere that social justice is moved into greater focus and linked to perspectives for the whole country, we are relatively successful, he said, citing Portugal and Spain, where the centre-left remains the dominant political force. The prospect of losing its bastion in Bremen to the Christian Democrats is causing jitters among the partys top brass. Its leading figures are travelling to the city on Friday for a final rally ahead of Sundays elections. If Bremen changes its political colour, there is a high risk that the Social Democratic Party will withdraw from the federal government, said Carsten Brzeski, chief economist with ING bank in Germany. An upset in Bremen, combined with a potential loss in the European elections, would embolden those in the party who have argued against joining the government, he said. Speaking after a town hall meeting with workers representatives, Bremen mayor and governor Carsten Sieling tried to downplay the possibility that the Social Democrats might face a major election upset this week which could send shockwaves across Europe. He pointed to the citys recent drop in unemployment still high by German standards and improved public finances. Winning Bremen and getting a decent result in the European election might give the party the stability we need, he said. ___ Samuel Petrequin in Paris and Barry Hatton in Lisbon contributed to this report. ___ For more news from The Associated Press on the European Parliament elections, go to https://www.apnews.com/EuropeanParliament LONDON - Celebrity chef Jamie Olivers British restaurant chain filed for bankruptcy protection on Tuesday, partly due to increased competition and escalating rents in local commercial districts. The insolvency will leave 1,000 people out of work and reignited worries about local retail and food outlets in Britain, which are struggling to attract customers much like downtowns in the United States. Im devastated that our much-loved U.K. restaurants have gone into administration, Oliver wrote on Twitter. I am deeply saddened by this outcome and would like to thank all of the staff and our suppliers who have put their hearts and souls into this business over the years. Financial firm KPMG, which will oversee the process, said all but three of the groups 25 eateries will close. They include restaurants in the Jamies Italian chain, as will the more upmarket Fifteen, and steak house Barbecoa. Two restaurants and a diner at Gatwick Airport will continue to operate while joint administrators explore options for the site. Overseas branches of Jamies Italian, Jamies Pizzeria and Jamies Deli, are not affected, nor is Fifteen Cornwall, which operates as a franchise. Oliver said Jamies Italian was launched in 2008 with the intention of positively disrupting mid-market dining with higher quality ingredients, animal welfare standards, better service and good value. But the launch came just as local businesses throughout the U.K. were squeezed by the onset of the 2008 financial crisis. Rising food prices, increasing rents and competition took a toll. The company had been in trouble for at least two years, despite Olivers global fame on the back of his cookbooks and television shows. Last year, it shuttered 12 of its 37 sites in Britain, while five branches of the Australian arm of Jamies Italian were sold off and another put into administration. He has personally pumped 13 million pounds into his Italian chain, but it was not enough. I appreciate how difficult this is for everyone affected, he said. Will Wright, a partner at KPMG and joint administrator, said that the directors at Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group had worked hard to stabilize the business, but costs were rising and consumer confidence was brittle. He said the priority now is to support those that have been made redundant. Simon Mydlowski, a partner at Yorkshire law firm Gordons and an expert on the hospitality industry, said Jamies is the latest brand that has failed to keep pace in a rapidly changing sector where a business needs to keep evolving. A number of suppliers will have been caught unawares here, perhaps showing a little too much trust in the Jamie Oliver name, but this is not the first big restaurant chain to have suffered and it wont be the last, he said in a statement. Faced with higher rent, rising food prices and increased competition, restaurants need a point of difference its no coincidence that smaller brands with the freedom and flexibility to keep things fresh are currently the ones performing well. LONDON - Britains government pledged Tuesday to do its utmost to support British Steel amid reports the company is facing bankruptcy. Some 5,000 workers are employed by the company with another 20,000 jobs in the supply chain. Business minister Andrew Stephenson told the House of Commons that the government would do everything possible to support the industry. The company has asked for a package of support to tackle issues related to Britains pending departure from the European Union. British Steel said negotiations on the companys future are ongoing and that we continue to work with all parties to achieve an outcome that secures the future success of British Steel. We are aware of speculation that the May salaries may not be paid, British Steel said. For the avoidance of doubt, we can confirm that funding is in place and British Steel employees will be paid their salaries in full. The Unite union called for the government to nationalize the business, while the Community union urged British Steel owners Greybull and the government continue to focus on finding a solution to keep it trading. Pragmatic decisions in the coming days could avert another industrial disaster, said Alasdair McDiarmid, operations director at the Community union. In that context we do not want to see British Steel becoming a political football. The stakes in this game are too high. With thousands of jobs in the balance, the timing could not be worse for Prime Minister Theresa Mays government. Elections for Britains 73 seats in the 751-seat European Parliament take place Thursday. But the crisis has highlighted the anxieties of British manufacturers amid months of uncertainty, fueled by a lack of clarity around plans for Britains departure from the EU. Longstanding issues such as uncompetitive electricity prices also continue to deter investment in U.K. manufacturing, said Gareth Stace, the director-general of U.K. Steel, the trade association of the industry. Many of the challenges we face are not unique to the steel sector the whole manufacturing sector is crying out for certainty over Brexit, unable at present to plan with any accuracy the trading relationship it will have with its biggest market in just five months time, he said in a statement. We can only state again the need for a swift resolution to this issue and the need to avoid a no-deal scenario at all costs. LONDON - British police have charged a 32-year-old man with assault after pro-Brexit politician Nigel Farage was hit with a milkshake while campaigning in the European Parliament election. Northumbria Police said Tuesday that Paul Crowther had been charged with common assault and criminal damage over the incident in Newcastle, northeast England. Farage was left with milkshake dripping down his suit during a walkabout in the city on Monday. Crowther said he threw the banana-and-salted caramel Five Guys shake to protest the politicians bile and racism. Farages Brexit Party is leading opinion polls in the contest for 73 U.K. seats in the 751-seat European Parliament. Milkshakes have become an unlikely political weapon in Britain. Other right-wing candidates including far-right activist Tommy Robinson have also been pelted with milkshakes during the election campaign. KIEV, Ukraine - Ukraines new president on Tuesday formally ordered Ukraines parliament to dissolve and called an early election for July, hoping to ride the wave of his electoral success to get his supporters into parliament. Volodymyr Zelenskiy, a 41-year-old TV comedian who won 73% of the presidential vote last month, announced his intention of disbanding parliament in his inauguration speech Monday, saying that current lawmakers were too focused on self-enrichment and lacked public trust. He quickly fulfilled the promise in Tuesdays decree, which set a parliamentary election for July 21. Zelenskiys landslide victory reflected Ukrainians exasperation with the countrys economic woes, rampant official corruption and the countrys political elite. The election to Ukraines Verkhovna Rada legislature was originally scheduled for Oct. 27. That would have left Zelenskiy facing a parliament dominated by supporters of the man he beat, former President Petro Poroshenko, and unable to pursue his anti-corruption agenda for months. Zelenskiy, who has become famous for playing the role of a Ukrainian president in a widely popular TV sitcom, was gambling that his popularity will allow his party to make a successful showing in the parliamentary vote. Zelenskiy is trying to act as quickly as possible, because he realizes that voters excitement will cool down in half a year, said Volodymyr Fesenko, head of the Kyiv-based independent think-tank Penta. His foes in parliament had sought to push Zelenskiys inauguration past the May 27 deadline by which the parliament could be dissolved, but eventually had to submit to public pressure. Zelenskiy already has asked several top ministers to step down, but he would likely have trouble getting their successors appointed by the current parliament. On Tuesday, he asked the parliament speaker to call an emergency session to discuss amendments to Ukraines electoral law. Zelenskiy has called for electing the next parliament entirely on party lists, arguing that the current system in which part of parliament is elected in single ballot races foments corruption. In his inaugural speech, Zelenskiy said the main goal of his presidency is to bring peace to eastern Ukraine, where government troops have been fighting Russia-backed separatists for five years in a conflict that has left at least 13,000 dead. He said that Ukraine would rely on Western help in talking to Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin talked about Ukraine among other issues in a conference call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron. Putin emphasized the need for the Ukrainian government to enact legislation granting special status to the rebel regions in line with a 2015 Minsk agreement sponsored by France and Germany, according to the Kremlin. Putin also noted that the Ukrainian government must establish direct dialogue with the rebels. On Tuesday, Zelenskiy dismissed the nations top military officer, Gen. Viktor Muzhenko, replacing him with Lt. Gen. Ruslan Khomchak. Khomchak, 51, has served as the chief of staff of the militarys ground forces and took part in the fighting in eastern Ukraine. Zelenskiy also named 42-year-old lawyer Andriy Bohdan as his chief of staff. Bohdan, who worked as a deputy justice minister in the past, served as Zelenskiys legal adviser during the election campaign. Speaking on television after his appointment, Bohdan said that a possible peace deal with Russia must be put to a referendum. We are forced to look for a compromise, he said, adding that Zelenskiy has emphasized that he wouldnt trade in our territories and our people. __ Vladimir Isachenkov reported from Moscow. Yuras Karmanau in Minsk, Belarus, contributed to this report. BERLIN - Womens rights activists in Germany have staged a vigil for a woman slain by her ex-husband last year amid anger that he isnt tried for murder. Members of a Hamburg womens shelter remembered the 42-year-old victim, a mother of four, outside the citys regional court where Marc H. went on trial Tuesday. The defendant, whose surname wasnt released for privacy reasons, is accused of stabbing his ex-wife 50 times with a knife at her apartment last December. Prosecutors have charged him with manslaughter. They say that by law, he cant be charged with murder because the victim was aware of the 50-year-olds violent record. The man had previously attacked her by strangling and using an electric shock device. Activists say cases like this show the law needs changing. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - In Yemen, the high-pitched whine of drones has been a part of life for over 15 years, ever since the first U.S. drone strike here targeting al-Qaida in 2002. But now, Iran-backed Houthi rebels increasingly deploy drones in Yemens brutal civil war. Neighbouring Saudi Arabia, which has been battling the rebels since 2015, said drones attacked an oil pipeline, targeting two pumping stations west of its capital, Riyadh, on Tuesday. The Houthis claimed a co-ordinated drone attack, underscoring how the Arab worlds poorest country has become one of the worlds top battlefields for drones. Both the rebels and the Saudi-led coalition fighting them, as well as the U.S., continue to use them for surveillance and attacks. While the U.S. uses American-made drones and the coalition has turned to Chinese suppliers, the manufacturer of the Houthis drones in both the air and the sea has been a contentious question. Here are some key details about the rebels drones: THE IRAN LINK A 2018 report by a United Nations panel of experts on Yemen looked particularly at the Houthis Qatef-1 drone. The report said that although the rebel media announced the Houthis had manufactured the drone, in reality they are assembled from components supplied by an outside source and shipped into Yemen. The Qatef, or Striker, it added, is virtually identical in design, dimensions and capability to that of the Ababil-T, manufactured by the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries. The Ababil-T can deliver up to a 45-kilogram (100-pound) warhead up to 150 kilometres (95 miles) away. A research group called Conflict Armament Research, with the permission of the United Arab Emirates elite Presidential Guard, also examined seized drones used by the Houthis and their allies to crash into Patriot missile batteries in Saudi Arabia. The research group similarly said those drones share near-identical design and construction characteristics of Iranian drones. ___ THE DRONE BOAT Saudi-led coalition forces last year also showed journalists a Houthi drone boat, filled with explosives that had failed to detonate. The officials also shared black-and-white images they said came from the drone boat. They said the pictures and associated data from the boats computer showed Iranians building components for its guidance system in eastern Tehran, with a hat in the background of one picture bearing the symbol of Irans hard-line paramilitary Revolutionary Guard forces. They said those involved in building the components probably believed it would be destroyed in the blast, so they didnt wipe the computers hard drive For its part, Iran repeatedly has denied supplying the Houthis with drone or ballistic missile technology. However, Iran would have an interest in seeing Saudi Arabia, its archrival in the region, tied down in a bloody, protracted conflict with no clear end in sight. ___ Follow Jon Gambrell on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jongambrellap . CAIRO - Egypt says its police forces have killed 16 militants in raids in the restive northern part of the Sinai Peninsula. An Interior Ministry statement Tuesday says security forces exchanged fire with Islamic militants as they stormed insurgent hideouts in the Mediterranean coastal city of el-Arish. No casualties were reported among the police. The ministry says the extremists had intended to carry out militant attacks in the city. It says police found weapons, three explosive devices and an explosives belt. Egypt has battled Islamic militants for years in the Sinai Peninsula in an insurgency that has occasionally spilled over to the mainland. Egypt said Monday that security forces killed 12 suspected militants just hours after a roadside bomb struck a tourist bus near the Giza Pyramids outside Cairo, wounding 17. CHICAGO - A local sheriffs office wants to know if a suburban Chicago hospital violated state law by not immediately reporting that a woman who claimed to be the mother of a newborn had not given birth. The woman was later charged with strangling the babys mother and cutting the newborn from her womb. The Cook County Sheriffs Office said Monday that it will ask the states child welfare agency to determine if a suburban Chicago hospital acted properly in the case. Cara Smith, chief policy officer at the sheriffs office, said if the states Department of Family Services determines that Advocate Christ Medical Center violated the Abuse and Neglected Children Reporting Act, there would be an investigation. Smiths comments come just days after Clarisa Figueroa and her daughter, Desiree Figueroa, were charged with first-degree murder for allegedly strangling 19-year-old Marlen Ochoa-Lopez and cutting her unborn baby out of her last month before Clarisa Figueroa called 911 to report that the baby she had just given birth to was not breathing. The Chicago Police Department and the state agency said over the weekend that the hospital never alerted them after determining in late April that the bloodied Clarisa Figueroa was not the mother. Police said they did not learn until May 7 of the connection between Figueroa and the Ochoa-Lopez when one of the teens friends told detectives about communications between the two on Facebook. The hospital issued a statement Monday saying that it was co-operating with local authorites but would have no comment. Prosecutors contend that when Figueroa was brought with the baby to the hospital, she had blood on her upper body and face, which a hospital cleaned off and that the 46-year-old Figueroa was examined at the hospital and showed no physical signs of childbirth. The question for the state agency, Smith said, is if the hospital would have been legally required to alert police or the agency about the woman claiming to be the mother of a gravely ill child. We will ask DCFS to advise if this unspeakable tragic set of facts was reportable, she said in a statement. It was first reported over the weekend that the hospital did not immediately report what had happened on April 23 , the day Figueroa and the baby came to the hospital. The baby remains hospitalized in grave condition on life support and is not expected to survive. ___ This version of the story corrects that Cara Smith is chief policy officer at the sheriffs office, not the child welfare agency. PHOENIX - A Border Patrol agent in Arizona sent texts calling immigrants savages and subhuman the month before using his patrol vehicle to knock over a Guatemalan man who was trying to flee, prosecutors say. Court documents filed earlier this month in U.S. District Court in Tucson say Agent Matthew Bowen sent the text messages in November 2017, weeks before hes accused of intentionally striking the man with a truck. The man was hospitalized with abrasions to his right hand and knees. Federal prosecutors say the messages show Bowens disdain for immigrants and restrictions on what measures he said agents are allowed to take to apprehend border crossers who run away. Criminal charges against Border Patrol agents over assaults on migrants are relatively unusual, with most cases focused on officers involvement in crimes such as drug smuggling or lying on job applications. Bowen goes on trial Aug. 13 on charges of depriving the Guatemalan migrant of his rights under the colour of law and falsifying records after the Dec. 3, 2017, incident in Nogales, Arizona. He has pleaded not guilty. The agent employed deadly force against a person who was running away from him and posed no threat, prosecutors said in the filing. The federal court documents show that Bowen fought unsuccessfully to suppress the messages, which were among 1,300 texts the government was legally obligated to provide under a search warrant. One text Bowen sent to a fellow agent reads, mindless murdering savages. PLEASE let us take the gloves off trump! Another text about migrants who threw rocks at agents, causing one officer to fall and suffer a gash to his arm, called them subhuman and unworthy of being kindling for a fire. Defence attorney Sean Chapman declined to comment on the charges Monday. Chapman also represented Border Patrol Agent Lonnie Swartz, who was found not guilty of involuntary manslaughter in November in the shooting death of a Mexican teen who was throwing rocks at agents. One of Bowens texts was to Swartz, referring to striking the Guatemalan man as a human pit manoeuvr, a reference to a technique that officers use to stop fleeing vehicles. It calls for using a patrol vehicle to apply lateral pressure to the back of a fleeing vehicle so it spins out and stops. The Border Patrol said the agency was drafting a statement in response to a request for comment. Prosecutors say the texts show Bowens frame of mind at the time of the assault and that they contradict his later insistence that didnt know he had hit the man and had struck him unintentionally. A sworn affidavit by a special agent with the Department of Homeland Securitys Office of Inspector General said a border camera operator in Nogales first spotted the Guatemalan man after he apparently jumped the fence near the Mariposa port of entry, according to the Arizona Daily Star, a Tucson newspaper that first reported on the texts. The special agent said the man ran toward a gas station. One officer told him to surrender, but he ran toward the border and Bowen accelerated aggressively, knocked him down and came to a full stop within inches of running (him) over. Bowen says in a text that to the camera operator, it looked like I could have run him over from that angle and now it ll prob be an investigation for 2 years. Bowen is accused of making false statements both in his initial report and in a subsequent memo to the chief patrol agent of the Tucson Sector, saying he never intended to strike, scare or otherwise come into contact with the man. MONTOURSVILLE, Pa. - The Latest on President Donald Trumps campaign rally in Pennsylvania (all times local): 8:45 p.m. President Donald Trump is claiming that former Vice-President Joe Biden deserted Pennsylvania. Trump and Biden have made Pennsylvania front and centre in the efforts to win the presidency in 2020. Biden kicked off his campaign in Harrisburg and located his campaign headquarters in Philadelphia. He was born in Scranton and served as a U.S. senator from Delaware. Trump repeatedly went after Biden during a campaign rally Monday night in Montoursville. I guess he was born here, but he left you folks, Trump claimed. He left you for another state. Remember that please. I meant to say that. Biden has said that if the American people want a president to add to our division, to lead with a clenched fist, closed hand and a hard heart, they can vote for Trump. __ 7:45 p.m. President Donald Trump is telling rallygoers in Pennsylvania that we have a big race tomorrow as he campaigns for a Republican candidate seeking to fill an open congressional seat. Trump campaigned Monday in Montoursville (mahn-TOORZ-vihl) on behalf of Republican Fred Keller, who faces Democrat Marc Friedenberg in a Tuesday special election. Trump describes Keller as a great gentleman, a very successful businessman. He also stresses that Keller is not letting anything happen to your Second Amendment. Keller sought to assure Trump about his prospects in Pennsylvania in 2020, saying, In 2016, Pennsylvania put Donald Trump over the top, and in 2020, were going to do it again. Republicans are attempting to recapture the House seat left open when Republican Rep. Tom Marino resigned in January. ___ 6:20 p.m. President Donald Trump is heading to Pennsylvania to campaign for a Republican congressional candidate and himself. Trumps appearance Monday in the key battleground state comes two days after 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden held a campaign rally in Philadelphia. The president is travelling to Montoursville (mahn-TOORZ-vihl) on behalf of Republican Fred Keller, who faces Democrat Marc Friedenberg in Tuesdays election to fill the U.S. House seat formerly held by Republican Rep. Tom Marino, who resigned in January. Voters in the heavily GOP district overwhelmingly backed Trump over Democrat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election. Trump narrowly defeated Clinton in Pennsylvania in 2016. Biden, the former vice-president and Pennsylvania native who leads his Democratic presidential rivals, is mounting a strong push in the state. Cabots 500 pounds of churning white flesh sped though North Carolina waters last week, part of a group traversing shipwrecks, seeking bounties of fish. In a matter of days, Cabot travelled hundreds of kilometres north, sliced through Block Island Sound and hunted Tuesday for a meal near Greenwich, Conn. For the first time ever, we are tracking a white shark in the Long Island Sound, the ocean life research group Ocearch said on Twitter. But beachgoers panic-stricken over a Memorial Day weekend Jaws scenario should feel fortunate over Cabots presence, which indicates cleaner waters full of the sea life that drew him in the first place. Ocearch, which has tagged 43 sharks, outfitted Cabot with a tracking device last year in Nova Scotia. Cabots journey up and down the coast is typical for sharks pursuing warm waters. The 10-footer ripped down the Eastern Seaboard after he was tagged in October and reached Florida waters around Christmas, according to tracking data. After a jaunt into the Gulf of Mexico, Cabot reversed course and headed back north in the summer. In just over three months, Cabot has travelled more than 6,400 kilometres. These sharks have been coming here for a millennia; for as long as the East Coast of the United States has existed, these sharks have been in their waters, Robert Hueter, a senior scientist at Ocearch, told CBS News last week. Chris Fischer, the groups founding chairman and expedition leader, said the group was surprised to see Cabot so far west, CBS News reported, and speculated his presence was linked to environmental efforts to clean up the sound. This is something to celebrate, Fischer said, according to CBS News. I know theyve been working hard in the sound to clean it up and to get life to come back to the region, and when you have an apex predator like Cabot move in to the area, thats a sign theres a lot of life in the area and youve probably got things moving in the right direction. Soaring population growth, climate change and sewage have harmed the waters, but a 10-year effort by federal and state officials to clean up the region appears to have yielded promising results, the Journal News reported, citing a report from the environmental group Save Our Sound. Cabot left the sound by Monday evening and ventured southwest of Montauk, according to tracking data. He seems to be the northernmost great white tracked by Ocearch. Brunswick and Jane recently pinged from the North Carolina waters, and Lunda, a 2,100-pounder, was off South Carolina recently. Read more about: WASHINGTONPresident Donald Trumps accounting firm must turn over his financial records to Congress, a U.S. District Court judge ruled Monday, rejecting his legal teams argument that lawmakers had no legitimate power to subpoena the files. But Trump vowed that his legal team would appeal rather than permit the firm, Mazars USA, to comply with the subpoena and the ruling, so the legal fight is far from over. The ruling by Judge Amit P. Mehta of U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia was an early judicial test of the presidents vow to systematically stonewall all subpoenas by House Democrats, stymieing their ability to perform oversight of Trump and the executive branch after winning control of the chamber in last years midterm elections. Trumps legal team, led by William S. Consovoy, had argued that the House Committee on Oversight and Reform had no legitimate legislative purpose in seeking Trumps financial records and was just trying to dig up dirt like finding out whether the president broke any laws for political reasons, so the subpoena exceeded its constitutional authority. But Democrats have said they need the records because they are examining whether foreigners are in a position to use business dealings with the president to exert hidden influence over U.S. policymaking, and whether ethics and disclosure laws need to be strengthened. Mehta an appointee of former president Barack Obama said that justification was sufficient to make the subpoena valid. These are facially valid legislative purposes, and it is not for the court to question whether the committees actions are truly motivated by political considerations, he wrote. Accordingly, the court will enter judgment in favor of the Oversight Committee. In a statement, Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., who chairs the Oversight Committee, hailed the decision as a resounding victory for the rule of law and constitutional checks and balances. Congress must have access to the information we need to do our job effectively and efficiently, and we urge the president to stop engaging in this unprecedented cover-up and start complying with the law, he said. Consovoy did not respond to an email requesting comment, but Trump told reporters he would appeal the ruling, which he denounced as totally the wrong decision by obviously an Obama-appointed judge. He also said was crazy because if you look at it, this never happened to any other president. The judge also rejected Consovoys request that, were he to rule against Trump, he issue a stay of his ruling until the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia completed its review of the case. The judge said Trumps legal arguments were too thin to merit a stay because they did not raise a serious legal question, and added that issuing such a stay would amount to interfering with the constitutional powers of Congress. The court is well aware that this case involves records concerning the private and business affairs of the president of the United States, he wrote. But on the question of whether to grant a stay pending appeal, the president is subject to the same legal standard as any other litigant that does not prevail. Trump accused Democrats of trying to get a redo of the Mueller investigation. Theyre trying to get what we used to call in school a do-over, he told reporters on the South Lawn early Monday evening before departing for a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. Mehta had appeared to signal initial skepticism about Consovoys arguments during a May 14 hearing, pointing to several past congressional inquiries like the Watergate inquiry of President Richard M. Nixon and the Whitewater investigation of President Bill Clinton that would seem to be illegitimate under the Trump legal teams rationale. During that hearing, the general counsel for the House, Douglas Letter, had urged the judge to not let the Trump team drag out matters and run out the clock on Congress oversight powers. Any delay undermines the Houses ability to do what the Constitution allows it to do, Letter said at the hearing. Read more about: JUNEAU, Alaska - Abortion rights activists rallied across from the Alaska Capitol Tuesday to oppose a bill that seeks to outlaw abortion in the state. The bill, from Republican Rep. David Eastman of Wasilla, remains in play for the next regular session, which starts in January. Democratic Rep. Ivy Spohnholz, co-chair of the House Health and Social Services Committee, last week said she would not hear the bill. Eastman opposes abortion and on his website, recently referred to the abortion industry as one of the most politically powerful industries in the state. Alyson Currey with Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest said there have been past efforts to chip away at abortion access in Alaska and urged those gathered to stay engaged. Nearby, a group of anti-abortion activists quietly gathered with signs. PHOENIX - Arizona has banned prisoners from reading a book that discusses the impact of the criminal justice system on black men, drawing outcry from First Amendment advocates who say the move is censorship. The American Civil Liberties Union called on the Arizona Department of Corrections this week to rescind the ban on Chokehold: Policing Black Men. The book by Paul Butler, a former federal prosecutor, examines law enforcement and mass incarceration through its treatment of African American men. In order for them to ban a book, they have to show the restriction is related to a legitimate prison interest, said Emerson Sykes, an ACLU attorney. Theres no interest to keep inmates from learning about the criminal justice system and policing. Butler, a criminal law professor at Georgetown University, said his publisher was notified by email in March that his book had unauthorized content. The notice did not specify what led to the decision but warned that some aspect of the 2017 book was detrimental to the safe, secure, and orderly operation of the facility. Butler said he is mystified as to what raised alarm bells. He uses the title, which is a manoeuvr police have used to restrain a suspect by the neck, throughout the book as a metaphor for how society and law subjugate black men. Nowhere does Butler advocate violent or retaliatory behaviour. I disavow violence because first, I think its immoral, and second, because it wouldnt work, Butler said. Ive received letters from several inmates who have read Chokehold while they are serving time. No one has indicated that reading Chokehold has caused any problems in prison. Arizonas corrections department prohibits inmates from receiving publications that contain any depictions or descriptions that would incite or facilitate a riot, a resistance or stopping work. They also cant contain pictures, illustrations or text that encourage unacceptable sexual or hostile behaviours. Any publications with sexually explicit material or sexual representations of inmates and law enforcement also are not permitted. Corrections spokesman Andrew Wilder said the department had not yet received the ACLUs letter asking for the ban to be reversed and declined further comment Monday. The agency is in a court battle over a similar case. Prison Legal News, a monthly journal, sued corrections officials in 2015 for refusing to deliver four issues in 2014. The publication said in court documents that there were descriptions of non-salacious sexual contact between jail guards and prisoners when talking about incidents where inmates were sexually harassed. The case is set for trial later this year. Supporters say access to books for the more than 2 million people incarcerated in the U.S. can make all the difference for life outside the prison walls. More education decreases the likelihood of repeat offences and can lead to better job prospects later, according to inmate advocates. They point to studies showing the literacy rates of incarcerated white, black and Hispanic people are significantly lower than their non-incarcerated counterparts. About half of the adult prison population doesnt have a high school degree, said Christia Mercer, a philosophy professor at Columbia University who has taught classes in New York prisons. Reading books can be transformative and help them feel like they are using their time to make something of themselves. Unless the book itself promotes violence, there is never reason not to allow it, Mercer said. Arizonas population of 7.1 million is roughly 5% black, according to the U.S. census. As of October 2018, the corrections department found black people make up 14.5% of the 42,000 inmates in the Arizona system. One in 19 black men are in prison in Arizona right now, Butler said. Rather than acknowledge its a good thing that inmates want to read about and debate important public policy, Arizona pushes back against rehabilitation, against literacy, against the Constitution. Sykes, of the ACLU, said the group is prepared to sue if corrections officials fail to respond to its written request to end the books exclusion. He believes the ban was made based on content, which would be unconstitutional. Its not uncommon for state prisons to ban books, Sykes said. Chokehold is also not the first book dealing with racial justice issues to be prohibited. In January 2018, New Jersey banned from two prisons The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander. The 2010 book looks at how black felons convicted of minor crimes are seemingly set up to fail. Officials reversed course after receiving a letter from the ACLU. When these issues come up, we try our best to push back against them, Sykes said. Unfortunately, the reality is I think in many cases, no action is taken because people whose rights are being affected are not in a strong position to push back. ___ Terry Tang is a member of the APs race and ethnicity team. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ttangAP SACRAMENTO, Calif. - California Gov. Gavin Newsom is creating a task force on homelessness as the state grapples with a housing crisis. The Democratic governor made the announcement Tuesday in Oakland, where county officials reported last week that the number of people experiencing homelessness increased 43 per cent over the last two years. Newsom described homelessness as an epidemic of statewide concern but says it will be best addressed at the local level. The governor says the task force will work with local governments to develop regional plans for addressing homelessness. He tapped Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg and Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas to lead the group. Newsom also is proposing the state increase spending on homelessness, calling for $1 billion in next years budget to address the issue. WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - A Chinese woman charged with lying to illegally enter President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort told a stunned judge Tuesday that she wants to fire her attorneys and represent herself. Yujing Zhang surprised U.S. District Judge Roy Altman during what was to have been a routine hearing over whether to delay her trial, which is scheduled to start next week. She faces up to five years in prison on charges of unlawful entry and making false statements. She has pleaded not guilty. According to media reports, Zhang, 33, told Altman she wants to dismiss her public defenders and represent herself. I dont need the attorneys, thank you, Zhang told Altman through an interpreter. Zhang speaks some English, according to court documents, but her skill level is a matter of dispute between prosecutors and her attorneys. Do you want to represent yourself or do you want a lawyer? Altman replied. Today, I dont want the attorney, Zhang replied through the translator. She did not say why. Altman tried to dissuade Zhang, telling her, You understand, Ive been a lawyer for a long time and I think this is a very bad decision? I understand, but I hope I can have this opportunity, she replied. Assistant federal public defender Kristy Militello told Altman that Zhang has refused to meet with her attorneys and raised concerns about Zhangs mental health. Altman said he would not allow Zhang to dismiss her attorneys until she has been examined by a psychiatrist. If deemed competent, the judge said, she could represent herself. The public defenders had asked Altman to postpone the trials scheduled May 28 start, saying they havent had enough time to fully prepare her defence as many of the documents are written in Mandarin. Prosecutors were not opposed and Altman indicated he would grant the request, even before Tuesdays events. Zhang, a Shanghai-based business consultant, is charged with lying to Secret Service agents to enter Mar-a-Lago on March 30. Agents say she had arrived in the U.S. days earlier and told them she was at Mar-a-Lago to attend a United Nations friendship event that she knew had been cancelled. Prosecutors say she was carrying four cellphones, a laptop and an external hard drive, telling agents that she feared they would be stolen if she left them in her hotel room. However, when agents searched her room at a nearby hotel, they say they discovered more electronics gear including a device to detect hidden cameras $8,000 in cash and numerous credit and debit cards. Zhangs public defenders have said she came to Mar-a-Lago believing there would be a dinner that evening for the United Nations group, part of a $20,000 travel package she had purchased from a man named Charles she only knew through social media. They have pointed to a receipt Zhang received from Charles Lee, a Chinese national who promotes such events at Mar-a-Lago, and a flyer she had promoting it. Lee ran the United Nations Chinese Friendship Association, which is not affiliated with the U.N., and was photographed at least twice with Cindy Yang, a Republican donor and former Florida massage parlour owner. The president was visiting Mar-a-Lago the weekend of Zhangs arrest, but was at his nearby golf club when she arrived and she was never near him. WASHINGTONMichael Cohen, U.S. President Donald Trumps former longtime personal attorney, told a House panel during closed-door hearings earlier this year that he had been encouraged by Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow to falsely claim in a 2017 statement to Congress that negotiations to build a Trump Tower in Moscow ended in January 2016, according to transcripts of his testimony that were released Monday evening. In fact, Cohen later said discussions on the Moscow tower continued into June of the presidential election year, after it was clear that Trump would be the GOP nominee. Cohen is serving three years in prison for lying to Congress, financial crimes and campaign finance violations. House Democrats are now scrutinizing whether Sekulow or other Trump attorneys played a role in shaping Cohens 2017 testimony to Congress. Cohen has said he made the false statement to help hide the fact that Trump had potentially hundreds of millions of dollars at stake in a possible Russian project while he was running for president. Were trying to find out whether anyone participated in the false testimony that Cohen gave to this committee, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said in an interview. He did not comment on who, if anyone, might have instructed Cohen to lie. Jane Serene Raskin and Patrick Strawbridge, attorneys for Sekulow, said in a statement that Cohens alleged statements are more of the same from him and confirm the observations of prosecutors in the Southern District of New York that Cohens instinct to blame others is strong. That this or any Committee would rely on the word of Michael Cohen for any purpose much less to try and pierce the attorney-client privilege and discover confidential communications of four respected lawyers defies logic, well-established law and common sense, they added. It is unclear how much detailed knowledge Sekulow had about the timeline of Trumps most recent effort to build a branded tower in Moscow, which Cohen began in September 2015 and ended in June 2016, according to court documents. Sekulow joined Trumps legal team after the election. Cohens assertions about Sekulow were first described to The Washington Post by people familiar with his testimony and were laid out in transcripts of his February and March appearances before the House intelligence panel, released Monday evening. In a March 6 deposition, when Cohen was asked who suggested January 2016 as the date that should be used in describing the end of the Trump Tower Moscow discussions, he replied: To the best of my knowledge, it was Jay Sekulow. Cohens closed-door testimony before the committee led congressional Democrats this month to press Sekulow and other Trump family lawyers who were involved in a joint defence agreement for more information about work they did preparing Cohens 2017 statement. Schiff has asked four attorneys to turn over documents and schedule interviews with the panel, a request they have so far rebuffed, calling it a threat to the long-standing protection provided to communications between lawyers and their clients. In his public testimony before the House Oversight Committee in January, Cohen said Mr. Trumps personal lawyers reviewed and edited my statement to Congress about the timing of the Moscow Tower negotiations before I gave it. He accused Sekulow of making changes to the 2017 statement. There were changes made, additions, Jay Sekulow, for one, Cohen told the panel. Sekulow denied the claim by Cohen at the time, calling such assertions completely false. In a subsequent closed-door deposition before the House Intelligence Committee in March, Cohen was more specific. He told lawmakers that he had repeated discussions with Sekulow about the 2017 statement. Asked what he recalled from those conversations with Sekulow, Cohen said: Stay on message. Minimum contact. No Russia. No collusion. Nothing here. Cohen acknowledged that when he first drafted his 2017 statement, he used January 2016 as the end date for work on the Moscow project. He said Sekulow urged him to stick to that date. As Mr. Sekulow had explained, just lets keep it to that date, which is prior to the lowa caucus, the opening contest of the White House race, Cohen told the committee. He was asked by Schiff whether Sekulow was aware that the original draft was false when it said that negotiations on the project ended in January. Cohen responded: Yes sir. Despite Cohens history of lying to Congress, senior Democrats on the House and Senate intelligence committees indicated that they are taking his allegations seriously. If it is accurate that one of the Presidents personal attorneys encouraged him or edited his testimony to give Congress a false date, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in a statement, its further evidence that the President had some reason for not wanting the American people, or the Senate Intelligence Committee, to know the truth about his dealings with Russia as a candidate. Cohens claims were reviewed by special counsel Robert Mueller, who sought to question but did not succeed one of Trumps personal attorneys about interactions he had with Cohen about the 2017 testimony. According to Muellers report, Cohen spoke to a counsel for Trump frequently in the days before he submitted his statement to Congress on Aug. 28, 2017. The Trump lawyer was not named in the report. Cohen told investigators that he recalled telling the presidents lawyer that the statement did not reflect the extent of communications with Russia and Trump about the Moscow project. The Trump attorney told Cohen that it was not necessary to include other details in the statement, which he said should be kept tight. Cohen told investigators he also recalled that the lawyer told him his client appreciated Cohen and he should stay on message and not contradict the president, according to the report. Muellers team sought to speak to the Trump lawyer about the conversations with Cohen, but counsel declined, citing potential privilege concerns, according to the report. Cohens assertions led Schiff to demand information from Sekulow and three other lawyers who played a role reviewing Cohens 2017 testimony: Abbe Lowell, an attorney for Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump; Alan Futerfas, an attorney for Donald Trump Jr.; and Alan Garten, an attorney for the Trump Organization. The four lawyers have said they cannot answer Schiffs requests because of attorney-client privilege, which bars them from discussing confidential conversations. Schiff has promised to push ahead, threatening to issue a subpoena for the lawyers co-operation if necessary, noting that they had an incentive to encourage Cohens initial testimony. Cohen himself stood little to gain by lying to our committee, Schiff told The Washington Post. Donald Trump and others around him stood far more to gain from that being concealed from our investigation. So it obviously begs the question of whether this was something he did on his own . . . or were there others who participated in the falsehood before our committee. Schiff also warned that the privilege claim may not allow the attorneys to avoid testifying before his committee. The privilege doesnt apply if its being used to conceal a crime or a fraud, he said. And if the attorneys were conferring amongst themselves and Mr. Cohen about a false statement they were going to make to our committee, theres no privilege that protects that kind of conduct. On Monday, after the release of the Cohen transcripts, when asked about possible subpoenas for the Trump family and Trump lawyers, Schiff said, Well consider what compulsion we need to use given that they have thus far refused to co-operate with us. In a letter to Schiff on Friday, attorneys for the four Trump lawyers expressed dismay at Schiffs effort to compel their testimony. We find the Committees outright, blanket refusal to recognize the attorney-client privilege a bedrock principle of common law dating back centuries to be stunning, unwise, and unwarranted, they wrote. They called the inquiry an attempt to pursue a law-enforcement investigation which is outside the constitutional authority of the legislative branch. Schiff has also expressed interest in hearing from Felix Sater, a Trump business partner who was working the Russian side of the Trump Tower Moscow proposal in 2016. Lawyers for Cohen said it appears that Sater and his attorney Robert Wolf reviewed Cohens testimony before it was submitted to Congress in 2017, according to documents they reviewed. Saters involvement negates any privilege claim, Cohens attorneys said. Because it appears that the draft statement was shared with two nonprivileged individuals Mr. Sater and his lawyer the joint defence privilege was in our professional opinion waived, said Davis, one of two criminal defence attorneys representing Cohen. Sater and Cohen had discussions about the Moscow project until at least June 2016, but Sater did not correct Cohens original assertion to Congress that the project ended that January. Sater declined to comment on questions about Cohens testimony but he said he stands ready to co-operate with Schiffs inquiries. I have always cooperated with the U.S. government and look forward to continued co-operation, Sater said. I will make myself available to Congressman Schiffs committee or any other committee as they deem necessary. Read more about: ANCHORAGE, Alaska - A 41-year-old felon convicted of carrying a loaded gun in Alaska has been sentenced to 21 months in federal prison. Ryan Matthew Neely of Woodenville, Washington, pleaded guilty in October to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced Monday. Federal prosecutors say Neely was detained Feb. 20, 2018, when he attempted to carry a gun through airport security in Juneau. Transportation Safety Administration screeners spotted the weapon in a duffel bag. Neely told officers he had no knowledge of the gun and that he had grabbed the duffel from someone else. At the Juneau Police Department, he presented stolen identification. Police established his true identity and learned he had prior convictions for theft, possession of stolen mail and identify theft. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The defendant charged with killing 17 people in last years Florida school shooting was back in court, but only to learn the next time he must show up. Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer on Tuesday set new hearing dates for May 28 and July 17 for 20-year-old Nikolas Cruz in the February 2018 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Cruz could get the death penalty if convicted. Nothing of note was raised at Tuesdays hearing. Cruzs attorneys say he would plead guilty in return for a life prison sentence, but prosecutors have refused that offer. The presiding judge recently ordered that the Broward County public defenders office must continue to represent Cruz for now even though he could get an estimated $432,000 payout before taxes from his late mothers annuity. NEW YORK - Susan E. Rice, the former national security adviser and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, has a book coming out this fall. Tough Love will be published Oct. 8, Simon & Schuster announced Tuesday. She will reflect on challenges and controversies that arose during the Obama administration, including the deadly 2012 raid on a diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya. Conservatives would accuse her of making misleading remarks about the attack, the subject of extensive, Republican-led investigations. Rice said in a statement that becoming synonymous with Benghazi made her anxious to tell her story. According to the publisher, she has written an inspiring account of her public and private life and will offer advice on how an African-American woman can compete in a field where few share her background. ROSHARON, Texas - A former Texas prison sergeant is slated to stand trial, accused of throwing a handcuffed prisoner onto a concrete floor so viciously that the inmate died. Lou Joffrion slammed inmate David Witt in August 2017 in an attack that was captured on video at the Darrington Unit in Rosharon, south of Houston. Joffrion resigned two days later after being recommended for termination, said Jeremy Desel, a prison spokesman. Joffrion will stand trial in September on an aggravated assault charge. He wasnt charged with murder, partly because the assault charge would be easier to prove, the Houston Chronicle reported. The charges carry the same sentencing range. Just weeks before the attack that was caught on video, state officials said Joffrion had completed six months of disciplinary probation for another violent encounter with the 41-year-old Witt. Prison officials Monday condemned Joffrions conduct but noted a powerful painkiller in the slain inmates blood as a possible cause of the altercation. While the use of force was deemed excessive in the investigation, said Texas Department of Criminal Justice Executive Director Bryan Collier, an autopsy of offender Witt did find the presence of fentanyl, an extremely powerful synthetic opioid, which could explain the actions which prompted the use of force. Witts family members said they werent informed of the circumstances surrounding his death for months. Officials didnt report Witts death as a homicide until the full autopsy was completed a year later. Its unclear whether the drug was smuggled illegally into prison or given as treatment at the hospital, where Witt had undergone surgery prior to this death. Prison officials did not further elaborate. Connie Williams, the lawyer representing Joffrion, said his client followed proper procedures. There are some suggestions that he slammed him too hard, Williams said. But there was no intent to kill anybody. Witt had suffered from mental health issues before he was imprisoned, his family noted. He was charged with aggravated robbery in 2004, resulting in a 20-year prison sentence. He was in and out of the systems psychiatric prisons during the first few years, according to his mother. Occasionally, she would visit the prison and Witt couldnt recognize who she was. In other instances, Witt wouldnt recognize himself. He was such a sweet man, Rosemary said. And prison destroyed him. ___ Information from: Houston Chronicle, http://www.houstonchronicle.com DETROIT - Maven, General Motors car-sharing service, is being shut down in about half of the 17 North American markets it operates. The company wouldnt say Tuesday where Maven will continue to operate, but it confirmed that its pulling out of New York and Chicago. GM said in a prepared statement that its not scrapping Maven, but rather concentrating on markets where it has the strongest demand and growth potential. Maven, begun in 2016, allowed people to rent GM vehicles for short periods with an app. GM vehicles were strategically placed in in metro areas including Denver, Los Angeles, Baltimore, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Toronto and others. It expanded to leases for ride-sharing drivers and added an app-based service that let owners share vehicles with others. AUBURN, Ala. - Residents described moments of confusion and terror as a gunman rained deadly gunfire on police at an Alabama mobile home park known as a quiet spot to live for both college students and young couples. Arrowhead Park, where owner Tom Cordi said the suspect resided with a woman who is in veterinary school and their child, was considered safe before the shooting, residents said. Its a harmonious kind of place, said Cordi. That changed late Sunday when a resident identified by authorities as longtime Alabama National Guard member Grady Wayne Wilkes, 29, allegedly unleashed bullets on officers responding to a reported domestic disturbance. The shooting left one officer dead and two others wounded. On Tuesday, Wilkes appeared in court in handcuffs and leg shackles for an initial hearing, answering a judges questions politely and wearing a light-blue shirt. The scene was all so different than the pandemonium that witnesses described on Sunday night. Dylan Edwards, 25, said he stepped outside his trailer to investigate after hearing shots. He ran into an officer, who said: Theres a lunatic with an AR and armour on, yall get inside. The officers voice was trembling. You could tell he was scared, Edwards said. Tammy Klinton said she initially thought the gunshots were celebratory. But then she and her boyfriend saw an officer with a gunshot wound running down a hill. Klinton said her boyfriend went to help the officer, but was told to get inside immediately. Elizabeth Daniel, an Auburn student and resident of the park, barricaded herself in her bedroom. She turned off the lights, placed a curtain rod against her door and grabbed a toy foam bat for protection. In an email to residents, Cordi said he had never had the slightest hint of a problem with Wilkes, who had lived at Arrowhead about three years. Veteran officer William Buechner was killed. Authorities said the other officers, Webb Sistrunk and Evan Elliott, are expected to recover. Investigators havent said what prompted the shootings, only that officers came under fire when they arrived. During the hearing, a judge denied bond for Wilkes and appointed an attorney to represent him. District Attorney Brandon Hughes said Wilkes had an on-again, off-again relationship with a woman who called the police alleging domestic abuse. The two arent married, he said. Wilkes was arrested about nine hours after the shooting, following an overnight manhunt. He is charged with capital murder and Hughes said he would seek the death penalty. Wilkes also is charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting the two officers who were wounded and strangling someone during the domestic disturbance that resulted in officers being called. Wilkes has been a member of the Alabama National Guard since 2010 and was the leader of an infantry fire team, or combat unit, said Lt. Col. Tim Alexander, a Guard spokesman. A public alert sent out after the officers were shot described the suspect as wearing camouflage body armour and a helmet. Authorities havent said whether any such gear might be linked to military service. Records dont reflect any overseas deployments by Wilkes, Alexander said, and additional details about his service record were not immediately available. ___ Associated Press writer Jay Reeves in Birmingham, Alabama, contributed to this report. MINNEAPOLIS - Advocates for Jamar Clark, who was fatally shot by police in 2015, are demanding that the city of Minneapolis settles a lawsuit brought by his family for $20 million, the same amount awarded in the 2017 death of Justine Ruszczyk Damond. Clarks father, James Clark, and about two dozen supporters held a news conference in downtown Minneapolis Monday evening and called for an equal settlement. Earlier this month a judge ordered the city into mediation to reach a settlement in the Clark lawsuit. The 24-year-old black man was shot during a struggle with two white officers. The Hennepin County attorney declined to bring charges, saying an investigation found Clark was trying to get an officers gun. The landmark settlement with Damonds family was made after Officer Mohamed Noor was convicted in her death. ATLANTA - A lawsuit challenging Georgias outdated voting machines and seeking statewide use of hand-marked paper ballots can move forward, a federal judge ruled Tuesday. The lawsuit argues that the paperless touchscreen voting machines Georgia has used since 2002 are unsecure, vulnerable to hacking and unable to be audited. The states voting system drew national scrutiny during last years midterm election in which Brian Kemp, a Republican who was the states chief election officer at the time, narrowly defeated Democrat Stacey Abrams to become Georgias governor. State lawyers had asked U.S. District Judge Amy Totenberg to dismiss the lawsuit. Totenberg wrote in her order rejecting that request that the states arguments completely ignore the reality faced by election officials across the country underscored by Plaintiffs allegations that electronic voting systems are under unceasing attack. She cited multiple reports and findings by federal government officials and cybersecurity experts that highlight security vulnerabilities in the kind of system Georgia uses. Among other arguments, lawyers for the state said the lawsuit was no longer valid because a new law provides specifications for a new voting system that state officials say will be implemented in time for the 2020 election cycle. But Totenberg had said during a hearing last month that she didnt think the claims were irrelevant given that the current machines are still in use for numerous special and municipal elections scheduled this year. The lawsuit was filed by a group of voters and the Coalition for Good Governance, an election integrity advocacy organization. Totenberg wrote that they have plausibly and sufficiently demonstrated a legitimate concern that when they use the current paperless electronic voting machines their vote is in jeopardy of being counted less accurately and thus given less weight than a paper ballot. At this stage in the litigation, where the decision is whether to allow the lawsuit to continue, the allegations that the use of those unsecure machines violate their fundamental right to vote are enough to assert a plausible due process violation, Totenberg wrote. Tess Hammock, a spokeswoman for Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, declined to comment on the ruling. Totenbergs order Tuesday allows the parties to begin the process of gathering information, including requesting documents and taking sworn statements from potential witnesses. It doesnt stop the state from continuing to use the current machines. Lawyer Bruce Brown, who represents the Coalition for Good Governance, said in a phone interview Tuesday that a next step will be to ask the judge to order the state to immediately stop using the current machines and to replace them with hand-marked paper ballots while the lawsuit is ongoing. The plaintiffs made a similar request in August, asking Totenberg to force the state to use paper ballots in the November midterm election. Though she said they had demonstrated the threat of real harms to their constitutional interests, she denied the request in September, worrying it would be too chaotic to make the switch so close to the election. Now would be an opportune time for a switch to hand-marked paper ballots because the state has enough time to implement them in the upcoming elections, which are smaller in scope, Brown said. Lawyer David Cross, who represents three of the individual voters, said Totenbergs order validates the serious constitutional concerns underlying our case and provides an opportunity to finally institute secure, reliable, and transparent elections for Georgia voters. Georgias voting machines will be replaced by touchscreen ballot-marking devices that print a paper ballot, according to the new law signed by the governor. Brown argued during a hearing last month that those machines are also unconstitutional because theres still a computer between the voter and the permanent record of the vote. Totenberg didnt address those concerns in her order, saying only in a footnote that since the state has yet to choose a specific system, how these issues will play out in the context of new voting technology remains an open question. This lawsuit is one of several filed before and after last years midterm election that challenges various aspects of Georgias voting system. U.S. District Judge Steve Jones is currently considering the states motion to dismiss a separate suit filed by Fair Fight Action, a group founded by Abrams. BURLINGTON, Vt. - A jury began deliberations Tuesday in the trial of a Vermont man facing murder charges in the deaths of five teenagers after he caused a head-on crash by driving the wrong way on an interstate. Judge Kevin Griffin told the jury of eight women and four men late Tuesday morning that they could find Steven Bourgoin, 38, guilty or not guilty of second-degree murder, guilty of manslaughter or not guilty by reason of insanity. You are the sole judges of the evidence, Griffin said. Bourgoins attorneys acknowledge that he was driving the pickup truck that hit the teenagers vehicle in October 2016 on Interstate 89 in Williston, but they say he was insane at the time and not criminally responsible. Prosecutors said Bourgoin was troubled, going through a custody battle and having financial troubles but legally responsible for the crash. Two psychiatrists who testified for the defence, including one originally hired by prosecutors, said that in the days leading up to the crash, Bourgoin thought he was on a secret mission. He believed he was in danger and thought he was getting inferences from lights, radios and television static about what to do, they said. Psychiatrists said Bourgoin was psychotic and legally insane at the time of the crash. Another psychiatrist diagnosed him as having an adjustment disorder with disturbance of mood behaviour but said he was sane at the time of the crash. Prosecutors said Bourgoin left his home that night, got onto Interstate 89 going south and then turned around, nearing 90 miles (144 kilometres) per hour travelling north in the southbound lane. He collided with the car that carried the five teenagers in Williston. After the initial crash, Bourgoin allegedly stole a Williston police cruiser and again headed south on the interstate before turning around and crashing again into vehicles at the original crash scene. The crash killed Mary Harris, 16, of Moretown; Cyrus Zschau, 16, of Moretown; Liam Hale, 16, of Fayston; Janie Cozzi, 15, of Fayston; and Eli Brookens, 16, of Waterbury. Four of the teenagers attended Harwood Union High School in Duxbury. Cozzi attended Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, New Hampshire. The trial began May 6. ___ This story has been corrected to state that two psychiatrists testified for the defence. CHICAGO - Prosecutors in Chicago are asking a federal judge for leniency at sentencing next week for a former lieutenant to Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, describing his decade of co-operation with U.S. authorities as extraordinary. Their filing late Monday recommends a 17-years prison term for Vicente Zambada, a star government witness at Guzmans New York trial last year. With time served, Zambada could go free in under seven years. The son of another Sinaloa kingpin, Ismael Zambada, Vicente Zambada once oversaw the smuggling of cartel drugs. Without his co-operation, hed likely face a life sentence. Prosecutors say Zambada tried to withdraw from his fathers trafficking business but kept getting sucked back in. They estimate secrets Zambada spilled to U.S. agents led to charges against more than 100 people. JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. - A coroner has released the name of the man who was killed when an explosion levelled a home in southern Indiana. Clark County Coroner Billy Scott on Tuesday identified the man as William Phillips. The News and Tribune reports Scott said it will be several weeks before a formal cause of death is issued, pending toxicology reports. Officials said Monday that Phillips resided at the home that exploded early Sunday in the Ohio River city of Jeffersonville, just north of Louisville, Kentucky. Another resident was seriously injured. Two other people in other homes also were injured. As many as 20 homes were damaged in the explosion. A cause for the explosion hasnt been released. WASHINGTON - The Organization of American States called Tuesday on Nicaragua to unconditionally release all prisoners related to anti-government protests that started last year. Twenty of the 34 member states in the hemispheric body voted in favour of a resolution that urges all prisoners to be liberated by June 18th, as agreed during talks held by the government of Daniel Ortega and the opposition since February. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Suriname joined Nicaragua for the only three votes against the measure, while 10 countries abstained. Nicaraguas deputy foreign minister, Valdrack Jaentschke, said his government so far has released 336 prisoners including 100 released Monday to a form of house arrest while 132 people remain in jail. All will be released by June 18th, Jaentschke said. The resolution calls for raising the Nicaraguan crisis to the attention of the foreign ministers of the continent who will be attending the OAS General Assembly on June 26-28 in Medellin, Colombia. In January, OAS Secretary-General Luis Almagro invoked a section of the organizations charter that could lead to its Permanent Council taking diplomatic measures to restore democracy. If those measures fail to put an end to the conflict, the process could lead to suspension of the country from the OAS if 24 countries agree. The measure adopted Tuesday and sponsored by Canada also calls on Managua to start adopting measures to ensure elections in accordance with international standards, to stop arbitrary detentions and guarantee the work of human rights defenders and organizations. The opposition announced Monday it was withdrawing from talks with the government to press for the release of protesters still in jail and a revocation of charges against them. The Central American nation has been rocked by a political crisis since protests against social security reforms began in April 2018 and then grew in scope to demand Ortegas exit from office and early elections. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights says a crackdown that followed left 325 people killed, at least 2,000 wounded and pushed 52,000 out of the country. ___ Luis Alonso Lugo on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/luisalonsolugo SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A federal prosecutor says authorities have recovered only 73 of the 654 guns stolen in 2017 in Springfield, Missouri. Prosecutors say six men from Texas stole the guns by manoeuvring several trailers into a United Parcel Service lot. The handguns and 12-gauge shotguns were being shipped from Beretta USA in Maryland to Bass Pro Shops in Springfield. The Springfield News-Leader reports that during a sentencing hearing Monday, U.S. Assistant Attorney James Kelleher said most of the guns are in public circulation. Two defendants, 35-year-old Frank McChriston and Quinton Haywood, were sentenced Monday to 7 1/2 years in prison. Derrick and Eric White were each sentenced to seven years and three months. They were also ordered to pay a total of $206,000 in restitution. Two other men have pleaded guilty in the case. ___ Information from: Springfield News-Leader, http://www.news-leader.com FORT WORTH, Texas - Authorities say police visited the motel room of a Texas man suspected of kidnapping an 8-year-old girl but didnt see the child, who was eventually found safe about two hours later. Michael Webb is charged with aggravated kidnapping after authorities say he snatched the girl as she walked with her mother Saturday night in Fort Worth. The child was found early Sunday at the motel in nearby Forest Hill. The Star-Telegram reports Forest Hill officers questioned the man after a motel clerk called police, but they left when they didnt see the child. Officers returned at about 2 a.m. Sunday after receiving another tip and found the girl inside the room. Forest Hill Police Chief Dan Dennis says the department is looking into the officers handling of the earlier call. DALLAS - The shooting deaths of two transgender women and the stabbing of a third are being investigated to determine whether they are connected, police in Dallas said Tuesday. No arrests have been made. The most recent killing occurred over the weekend. These cases, although not directly related at this time, do have some similarities the public needs to be aware of, Maj. Vincent Weddington said during a news conference . He added that Dallas police will work with federal law enforcement officers to determine if any of the attacks should be considered hate crimes. Muhlaysia Booker, 23, was found shot to death Saturday in northeastern Dallas. Her death came a month after a cellphone video showed her being brutally beaten in a separate incident. The other killing occurred last October. A transgender woman was found shot to death in a vehicle parked near an elementary school in far southeastern Dallas, police said. In the stabbing, a transgender woman survived after being cut repeatedly in April. Weddington, in pointing out the similarities, said two of the victims had gotten into a vehicle with someone prior to their deaths, while the third had allowed someone inside her car to pick up a passenger. He declined to specify which victims did what, citing the investigation. He added that two of the victims had been near an intersection close to Fair Park, southeast of downtown Dallas, before their deaths. Weddington appealed to the public for tips. A town hall meeting has been scheduled for Thursday between police and members of the LGBT community. Police also are trying to solve the case of a transgender woman whose remains were found in a field in July 2017, Weddington said. The cause of her death has not been determined. Weddington has said that no evidence was found to link Bookers death to her April 12 beating following a minor traffic accident. According to a police affidavit, the other driver involved in the accident had a gun and refused to let Booker leave until she paid for the damage to his vehicle. A crowd gathered and someone offered a man $200 to beat the woman. Other men also struck her, while one stomped on her head. Booker suffered a concussion, fractured wrist and other injuries, police said. Video of the attack, which was shared on social media, showed Booker being beaten as the crowd hollered and watched. Edward Thomas, 29, was arrested and jailed on an aggravated assault charge. Thomas attorneys have issued a statement saying Thomas wasnt involved in Bookers death and sending condolences to her family. NEW YORK - Two dozen states and municipalities sued the federal government Tuesday to stop a new rule that lets health care clinicians decline to provide abortions and other services that conflict with their moral or religious beliefs. A Manhattan federal court lawsuit asked a judge to declare the rule unconstitutional and say it was passed in an arbitrary and capricious manner. In a separate lawsuit in San Francisco federal court, California sued as well, saying there was no evidence that the impact on patients was considered. The California lawsuit said the rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services creates a broad exemption for any individual, entity or provider to deny patients basic health care, even in emergencies. A provider can therefore deny service on the basis of a hunch or prejudice, without any supporting evidence, without notifying a supervisor of the denial of service, and without providing notice or alternative options and/or referrals to patients in need, the lawsuit said. The rule is scheduled to take effect in July. San Francisco had previously filed a similar action. The department has said the rule requires hospitals, universities, clinics and other entities that receive federal funding to certify compliance with some 25 federal laws protecting conscience and religious rights. Most laws pertain to medical procedures such as abortion, sterilization and assisted suicide. The department has previously said that past administrations havent done enough to protect such rights in the medical field. The New York suit was brought by Colorado; Connecticut; Delaware; the District of Columbia; Hawaii; Chicago, Cook County and the state of Illinois; Maryland; Massachusetts; Michigan; Minnesota; Nevada; New Jersey; New Mexico; New York City and state; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Vermont; Virginia; and Wisconsin. A spokesman for federal government lawyers declined to comment on the lawsuit. The city of San Francisco sued over the regulation on May 2, hours after President Donald Trump announced it during a White House Rose Garden speech marking the National Day of Prayer. New York Attorney General Letitia James said the new lawsuit is meant to stop the federal government from giving health care providers free license to openly discriminate and refuse care to patients. She called it a gross misinterpretation of religious freedom that will have devastating consequences on communities throughout the country. According to the New York lawsuit, the rule drastically expands the number of health providers who can refuse to provide services, allowing everyone from ambulance drivers to receptionists and customer service representatives at insurance companies to cite the rule. The lawsuit said the rule conflicts with various state laws requiring health care professionals to carry out certain actions even if they cannot comply with some health-care directives for reasons of conscience. SEMINOLE, Fla. - Authorities say a Florida teacher was arrested after bringing a handgun and knives to the elementary school where she worked. The Tampa Bay Times reports 49-year-old Betty Jo Soto was arrested and fired Monday. Pinellas County Schools Police say she faces two misdemeanour charges of carrying a concealed weapon. A district spokeswoman says Soto was exhibiting suspicious behaviour Monday at Starkey Elementary School in Seminole. The principal notified police. An arrest report says officers searched a backpack in Sotos fourth grade classroom and found a 9mm semiautomatic pistol. Police also reported finding two knives. Soto has a concealed weapons permit, but that doesnt allow her to carry weapons on school property. Soto recently learned her teaching contract wouldnt be renewed, but school officials wouldnt say when Soto was told. ___ Information from: Tampa Bay Times (St. Petersburg, Fla.), http://www.tampabay.com. NASHVILLE - Tennessees embattled House speaker said Tuesday that he plans to resign from his leadership post following a vote of no confidence by his Republican caucus amid a scandal over explicit text messages. The move is unprecedented in Tennessees modern political era. The last speaker resignation came in 1931 in the Senate. When I return to town on June 3, I will meet with caucus leadership to determine the best date for me to resign as speaker so that I can help facilitate a smooth transition, Glen Casada said in a statement. The speaker announced the decision just a day after previously shrugging off a 45-24 secret ballot vote from his GOP caucus determining they no longer had confidence in his ability to lead the Tennessee House. Casada said he would work to regain his colleagues trust. Previously, he had spelled out an action plan designed to reassure fellow lawmakers and help him avoid having to step down. But it wasnt enough for an increasing number of Republican leaders, including the Houses top officers, who began demanding he step aside. They were joined by Republican Gov. Bill Lee, who warned that he would call a special legislative session if Casada didnt voluntarily resign. The demands began earlier this month, when it was revealed that Casada had exchanged text messages containing sexually explicit language about women with his former chief of staff several years ago. Speaker Casada has made the right decision, and I look forward to working with the legislature to get back to conducting the peoples business and focusing on the issues that matter most to our state, Lee, who was elected to his first term in November, said in a statement. The resignation announcement marked a quick, turbulent downfall for Casada, who has spent only a few months in the Houses top position. The lawmaker from Franklin first stepped into the key role in January, eight years after he lost a bid for the position. In the November election, the then-majority leader received 47 out of 73 votes from Republicans in the 99-member chamber, defeating Reps. Curtis Johnson of Clarksville and David Hawk of Greeneville. Casada built up political capital by spending heavily on Republican candidates in contests during the November election, including contested primaries for open Republican seats. He began to lose that support when his former chief of staff, Cade Cothren, was pressured into resigning after the release of years-old racist texts and the sexually explicit messages, and Cothrens admission that he used cocaine in his legislative office years before becoming Casadas top aide. Casada was included in one of the group texts with a racist message, but has said he never saw it. Another scandal that sparked early doubts was the report that Cothren may have tampered with evidence in a young black activists criminal case, which a special prosecutor is still investigating. Casada denied the tampering allegation and a variety of others that continued to pile up, ranging from accusations that he spied on legislative members to a GOP colleagues claim that Casada tried to rig and predetermine an ethics review regarding his controversies. About a week ago, he addressed his fellow GOP House members about the texts and other issues, assuring them there was nothing else to come out. It wasnt long until another text exchange emerged in a WTVF-TV report, in which he and Cothren then the House Republican caucus press secretary joked about the ages of two women and asked if they were 21 years old. According to the texts, Cothren responded that it only takes 18. Casada answered Lol!!! And true! Its still unknown when Casada will meet with legislative leaders to determine his last day. Hours after he announced his resignation, Speaker Pro Tempore Bill Dunn told news outlets he was willing to serve as House speaker should the chamber elect him. Separately, GOP Rep. Mike Carter, who originally raised concerns about the ethics investigation, told the Chattanooga Times Free Press he was asking staffers to prepare a petition calling for Casadas full removal from office. LUCEDALE, Miss. - The Latest on a Mississippi lawmaker accused of punching his wife (all times local): 5:30 p.m. Mississippis House speaker says a state lawmaker should resign if he punched his wife in the face. Republican Speaker Philip Gunn says he has tried to contact Republican Rep. Doug McLeod of Lucedale to request his resignation if what sheriffs deputies accuse him of is true. A report filed by George County deputies says McLeod bloodied his wifes nose after she didnt undress quickly enough when McLeod wanted to have sex. Deputies report McLeod was drunk and holding a glass of alcohol when they arrived. Gunn calls the actions unacceptable for anyone. McLeod is charged with misdemeanour domestic violence. Hes free on bail and hasnt returned requests for comment. Its unclear if he has a lawyer. The 58-year-old McLeod has represented George and Stone counties since 2012. Hes unopposed for re-election this year. ___ 1:15 p.m. A police report says a south Mississippi lawmaker punched his wife in the face after she didnt undress quickly enough when the lawmaker wanted to have sex. Republican state Rep. Doug McLeod of Lucedale was arrested Saturday on a misdemeanour domestic violence charge. The Sun Herald reports the document was filed with the George County Sheriffs Department. Deputies report McLeod was drunk and holding a glass of alcohol when they arrived. Deputies report McLeod punched his wife and bloodied her nose. When officers told McLeod a domestic assault had been reported, they say he replied Are you kidding me? McLeod is free on bail. He didnt immediately respond to requests for comment. The 58-year-old McLeod has represented George and Stone counties since 2012. Hes unopposed for re-election this year. WASHINGTON - The Latest on the House Judiciary Committee and Don McGahn (all times local): 4:05 p.m. The House Judiciary Committee has subpoenaed former White House communications director Hope Hicks and a former aide in the White House counsels office as Democrats continue their investigations of President Donald Trump. The committee subpoenaed Hicks for documents and for testimony at a public hearing. It subpoenaed Annie Donaldson for documents and for questioning in a private deposition. Donaldson was a top aide to former White House Counsel Donald McGahn, who on Tuesday defied a subpoena from the committee to testify. Trump had directed McGahn not to appear. McGahn was a key figure in special counsel Robert Muellers investigation, describing ways in which the president sought to curtail that probe. The subpoenas come as Democrats debate how to respond to Trumps declaration that he will fight all of the subpoenas from Congress. __ 3:55 p.m. More Democrats are calling for impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump after he blocked his former White House lawyer from testifying before the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. A growing number of rank-and-file House Democrats, incensed by former counsel Don McGahns empty chair in the hearing room, are pushing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other leaders to act. Their impatience is running up against the speakers preference for a more methodical approach, including already-unfolding court battles. Pelosi has summoned them to a meeting Wednesday to assess strategy. Some other Democratic leaders, while backing Pelosi, signalled that a march to impeachment may at some point become inevitable. Majority Leader Steny Hoyer says if a House inquiry leads to other avenues including impeachment ... so be it. __ 10:40 a.m. The ranking Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Doug Collins, says Democrats are trying desperately to make something out of nothing. Collins spoke at a hearing Tuesday, where the panels chairman, Rep. Jerrold Nadler, issued a stern warning that former White House Counsel Don McGahn would be held in contempt for defying a congressional subpoena and failing to appear before the committee. Nadler said that if McGahn doesnt immediately correct his mistake in not showing, the committee will have to enforce the subpoena. McGahn was a key witness in special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. Collins called the session a circus and said Democrats preferred a public fight over fact-finding. The committee voted to adjourn the hearing immediately after Collins remarks. ___ 10:20 a.m. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler says the House will hold President Donald Trump accountable one way or the other after he directed former White House counsel Donald McGahn to defy the panels subpoena. The Judiciary panel is holding a brief hearing Tuesday in McGahns absence with an empty chair where he was supposed to sit. Nadler said that if McGahn doesnt immediately correct his mistake in not showing, the committee will have to enforce the subpoena. Nadler has said the committee is ready to hold McGahn in contempt. The committee will hear McGahns testimony, even if we have to go to court, Nadler said. Georgia Rep. Doug Collins, the committees top Republican, said its time to move on. He said Nadler wants the fight and the drama. ___ 10:10 a.m. Former White House Counsel Donald McGahn is a no-show at a hearing of the House Judiciary Committee, defying a subpoena for his testimony. President Donald Trump directed McGahn to ignore the committees subpoena to testify on Tuesday. A lawyer for McGahn said he would follow the presidents directive. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler said the committee will vote to hold McGahn in contempt of Congress if he did not testify. It is one of several actions against current and former members of the administration as Trump has said he will fight all of the subpoenas. McGahn was a key witness in the investigation of special counsel Robert Mueller. ___ 12:30 a.m. House Democrats are facing yet another attempt by President Donald Trump to stonewall their investigations, this time with former White House counsel Donald McGahn defying a subpoena for his testimony on orders from the White House. A lawyer for McGahn says he will follow the presidents directive and skip a House Judiciary hearing Tuesday, leaving the Democrats without yet another witness and a growing debate about how to respond. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, backed by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, is taking a step-by-step approach to the confrontations with Trump. Nadler says the committee will vote to hold McGahn in contempt, and take the issue to court. Nadler warned McGahn on the eve of the hearing that he faces serious consequences if he doesnt appear. LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Latest on Kentuckys primary election (all times local): 8:40 p.m. Attorney General Andy Beshear has won the Democratic nomination for governor in Kentucky, setting up a showdown with his political nemesis Republican incumbent Matt Bevin. In Tuesdays primary election, Beshear defeated two other prominent Democrats former state auditor Adam Edelen and longtime state Rep. Rocky Adkins. Beshear will try to restore the governorship for Democrats and carry on a family tradition. His father, Steve Beshear, was a popular governor whose two terms preceded Bevins tenure. Even during the primary campaign, Beshear aimed most of his criticism at Bevin. The two have waged a series of legal battles in recent years as Beshear challenged some of Bevins executive actions and sued him on pension and education issues. ___ 8:30 p.m. Democrat Adam Edelens political comeback has come up short as the former state auditor has conceded in his run for the Democratic nomination for governor in Kentucky. In his concession speech Tuesday evening, Edelen pitched his progressive ideas to the end. He talked about the need to build a modern state economy that includes creating renewable energy jobs in coal-producing Kentucky. Edelen urged Democrats to rally around the partys gubernatorial nominee, who will challenge Republican Gov. Matt Bevin. Edelen, who ran attack ads against rival Andy Beshear in the gubernatorial primary, described the primary squabbles as family differences. Edelen says Bevin and his radical cohort will bring Democrats together. Edelens political rise took a sudden fall four years ago when he lost his reelection bid for state auditor. ___ 7:55 p.m. Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin has cleared his first hurdle toward a second term, defeating three challengers to win the Republican nomination. Bevin beat three Republican challengers in Tuesdays primary election. They were state Rep. Robert Goforth, William Woods and Ike Lawrence. The governor is an ally of President Donald Trump, who remains a popular political force in the state. The governors strong showing Tuesday gives him a boost heading into the fall campaign in a state that has trended overwhelmingly toward the GOP. At least among Republican voters, Bevin overcame a series of self-inflicted political wounds from his feud with groups representing public school teachers. Bevins approval ratings had slumped after his failed attempt to change the states struggling public pension systems. ___ 12:45 p.m. President Donald Trump has tweeted support for Republican Gov. Matt Bevin in Kentuckys primary election. Trumps tweet encouraged Kentuckians to vote for Matt Bevin on Tuesday, saying he has done a fantastic job for you and America! Voter Tom Priddy in Lawrenceburg cast his vote for Bevin on Tuesday morning. He says he appreciates that the governor is a strong Trump ally. A spokeswoman for the secretary of states office says things were going smoothly at the polls, but turnout was light and might end up lower than the projected 12.5%. Bevin faces state Rep. Robert Goforth and two other challengers in the GOP primary. Bevins standing with conservatives is being tested after a turbulent term. Among other things, he has lashed out at teachers who used sick days to attend protest rallies. ___ 8:30 a.m. Voters in Kentucky are casting ballots in a primary that will deliver an initial verdict on the job performance of Gov. Matt Bevin. The ally of President Donald Trump faces state Rep. Robert Goforth and two other challengers in Tuesdays GOP primary. Democrats are choosing between three leading gubernatorial candidates on a ballot that also includes contested primaries for attorney general and other statewide offices. Bevins standing with conservatives is being tested after a turbulent term. Among other things, he has lashed out at teachers who used sick days to attend protest rallies. The leading Democrats running for governor are Attorney General Andy Beshear, ex-state auditor Adam Edelen and longtime state Rep. Rocky Adkins. Beshear is the son of Kentuckys last Democratic governor. WASHINGTON - The Latest on the Trump administrations Iran policy (all times local): 9:35 p.m. Top Trump administration officials have told Congress that recent actions by the U.S. have deterred Iranian attacks on American forces. But some lawmakers remain deeply skeptical of the White House approach in the Middle East. After Tuesdays closed-door briefings on Capitol Hill, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan said their objective over recent days has been to deter Iran. Shanahan says they now want to prevent further escalation, telling reporters, Were not about going to war. He says the administrations goal is to prevent Iranian miscalculation, adding, We do not want the situation to escalate. Democrats are particularly concerned the administration may try to rely on nearly 20-year-old war authorizations rather than seek fresh approval from Congress for any action. __ 5:20 p.m. Acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan is trying to assure lawmakers that the administration is not rushing toward a military confrontation with Iran. Shanahan says he outlined during closed-door briefings Tuesday what the Pentagon has done since receiving credible intelligence about threats to our interests in the Middle East and to American forces. He said, This is about deterrence, not about war. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo briefed lawmakers alongside Shanahan and said he placed recent intelligence about Iran in context. The briefings on Capitol Hill came after weeks of escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf. Lawmakers have criticized the administration for not communicating with Congress while responding to the threat. Many have warned that the Trump administration cannot go to war without authorization from Congress. ___ 4 p.m. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other top Trump administration officials are briefing Congress behind closed doors about the situation in Iran. Pompeo, acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan and Gen. Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, presented a classified briefing Tuesday to House lawmakers to mixed results. Some Republicans say what they heard backed up President Donald Trumps recent actions in the Persian Gulf. The U.S. has sent an aircraft carrier and other resources to the region amid undisclosed threats officials indicated are linked to Iran. But Democrats say they left the session with more questions than answers. Some Democrats appeared skeptical of the administrations strategy. The administration officials were briefing senators next in a separate closed-door session. ___ 3 p.m. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, has cancelled a trip to Europe amid U.S. tensions with Iran. In acknowledging Dunfords decision to remain in Washington, his spokesman, Air Force Col. Patrick Ryder, did not cite the Iran situation. He said only that unforeseen commitments required him to cancel the trip. The planned trip already had been shortened so that Dunford could join Acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan and other administration officials Tuesday in closed-door Iran briefings for the House and Senate. Dunford had planned to travel to Brussels to attend routine NATO military consultative meetings. ___ 12:10 p.m. House Democrats have received a closed-door briefing on Iran from former CIA Director John Brennan and former State Department official Wendy Sherman, who negotiated the Iran nuclear deal. Brennan told Democrats that while Iran wants to avoid conflict, the countrys leadership will not capitulate to Trump. Sherman warned that reckless behaviour by the Trump administration is undermining moderates in the country. Thats according to a person in the room who was not authorized to discuss the private meeting and spoke on condition of anonymity. The U.S. has sent an aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf region and evacuated non-essential personnel from Iraq amid unspecified threats the administration says are linked to Iran. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said he wants answers on what the administrations strategy is if they have one to keep us out of war. Susannah George ___ 11:50 a.m. Ahead of briefings on Capitol Hill, Acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan is suggesting that the U.S. military response to Iranian threats has already had an effect. Shanahan tells reporters that the military moves by the United States have given Iran time to recalculate and as a result the potential for attacks on Americans is on hold. He cautioned that the lack of attacks on Americans doesnt mean the threats have gone away. The U.S. sent an aircraft carrier strike group, four bomber aircraft and other assets to the region, and is moving a Patriot missile battery to an unnamed country in the area. Shanahan says the response was a measure of Americas willingness to protect its people and interests in the region. He and other national security officials will brief Congress on Tuesday. ___ 12:30 a.m. Iran and tensions in the Persian Gulf as well as President Donald Trumps tough talk are the subject of competing meetings in the House and Senate, both closed to the public and the press. Tuesdays meetings on Capitol Hill come as lawmakers warn the Trump administration it cannot take the country into war without approval from Congress. The briefings are another indication of wariness by Democrats and some Republicans over the White Houses sudden policy shifts in the Middle East. Trump continues to offer a mixed signal on Iran, telling reporters Monday that Iran has been very hostile and that its provocations will be met with great force, but also saying that hes willing to negotiate. Trump also says no talks are scheduled but hed like to hear from Iran. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump nominated an aerospace executive and former ambassador to Finland to be the next secretary of the Air Force on Tuesday. Trump said in a tweet that he has chosen Barbara Barrett, former chairman of The Aerospace Corporation, to replace Heather Wilson when she steps down at the end of this month after two years on the job. Barrett, 68, of Arizona, served as ambassador to Finland in 2008 during President George W. Bushs administration. She also previously served as deputy administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and was vice chairman of the U.S. Civil Aeronautics Board. This is the second time shes been picked for the Air Force job. In 2003, Bush announced he intended to nominate Barrett to replace John Roche, who was to become Army secretary. But when Roches nomination was blocked in the Senate, he went back to his Air Force post, so Barrett was never confirmed for the position. If confirmed by the Senate, Barrett would step into the centre of the debate over the launch of a new U.S. Space Force, a Trump proposal that has hit widespread resistance on Capitol Hill. A trained civilian pilot who also was certified for space travel, Barrett was mentioned last year as a possible replacement for Sen. Jon Kyl, an Arizona Republican, who resigned his Senate seat. The appointment, however, went to Martha McSally, a U.S. House member who had run unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 2018. McSally, a former fighter pilot, tweeted her congratulations to Barrett, thanking Trump for taking my recommendation on this important role and selecting an incredibly talented leader as next AF Secretary! Barrett holds the distinction of being the first Republican woman to run for governor in Arizona. In 1994, she challenged the incumbent Republican, Fife Symington, in the primary and spent more than $1 million of her own money, but was soundly defeated. Barrett, an attorney, serves on a number of boards, including for RAND Corporation, the Smithsonian Institution and the California Institute of Technology, and shes held a number of senior executive positions for Fortune 500 companies. She and her husband, former CEO of Intel Corp., own Triple Creek Ranch, a luxury resort in Montanas Bitterroot Valley. RICHMOND, Va. - An arrest has been made in the death of a pit bull that was tied to a fence in a Virginia park, covered in accelerant and set on fire. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports 20-year-old Jyahshua A. Hill was arrested Monday by U.S. Marshals and charged with felony animal cruelty. The dog was found at the park in February and treated by Richmond Animal Care and Control, which named him Tommie. A picture shared by the shelter showed Tommie covered in bandages and casts while snuggling a stuffed animal. He died days later. Hill faces up to five years in prison. Its unclear if he has a lawyer. ___ Information from: Richmond Times-Dispatch, http://www.richmond.com SURPRISE, Ariz. - A 17-year-old girl abducted from an Idaho fast-food restaurant where she worked was found safe in Arizona on Tuesday and the man accused of taking her was jailed on a $1 million bond, authorities said. Police in the Phoenix suburb of Surprise said 18-year-old Miguel Rodriguez-Perez of Jerome, Idaho, was taken into custody without incident after he sped through a traffic stop and abandoned his car. Authorities tracked Rodriguez-Perez through his cellphone signal and he and the girl were found hiding underneath some bushes, according to police. They said the teen was examined by doctors, found to be unharmed and was waiting to be reunited with her family. Rodriguez-Perez was booked into a Phoenix jail on an outstanding felony warrant issued in Idaho and for being a fugitive from justice. No other charges were immediately listed and he didnt have an attorney at his initial court appearance Tuesday afternoon. Authorities said Rodriguez-Perez allegedly forced the girl from her job at a Wendys restaurant in Jerome on Sunday evening. The girl had an order of protection against Rodriguez-Perez, who police said has previously threatened and assaulted her. Court documents released Tuesday stated that Rodriguez-Perez was said to have abducted the victim, raped and assaulted her and he made threats to kill her and the suspect had an active warrant out of Idaho for the current incident. The probable cause statement didnt list any dates or details of the alleged assault and threats. ___ Information from: KNXV-TV, http://www.abc15.com SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - A South Dakota woman charged with murder in the death of her newborn who was abandoned in a ditch 38 years ago has been released from jail. Theresa Bentaas, 57, has been in the Minnehaha County Jail since her arrest March 8. Investigators said they used advances in DNA evidence and genealogy sites to determine she was the mother of the infant, called Baby Andrew, whose body was found wrapped in a blanket in a cornfield ditch in Sioux Falls in February 1981. Bentaas was released Monday, according to the Argus Leader , after a judge changed a $250,000 cash-only bond to a surety bond, which allows a defendant to work with a bail bondsman to be released while their case is pending. Bentaas, who is charged with first- and second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter, told authorities that she hid her pregnancy from her friends and family and gave birth while alone in her apartment, according to a court affidavit. Bentaas told authorities she then drove the baby to the area where he was later discovered. The baby died of exposure. Bentaas, who was 19 at the time, said she was young and stupid and felt sad and scared as she drove away, according to the document. She later married the infants father and has two living adult children with him. The father wont be charged because he wasnt involved, authorities have said. Retired Detective Mike Webb said authorities used DNA from the baby exhumed 10 years ago and DNA obtained from Bentaas through a search warrant. Authorities submitted a DNA sample from Baby Andrew to Parabon NanoLabs, which found two possible matches using the public genealogical database GEDmatch. Police constructed a family tree and performed a trash pull to collect beer, water bottles and cigarette butts at Bentaas home. Results from a cheek swab sample show theres extremely strong evidence to support a biological relationship between Bentaas and the child, according to the affidavit. ___ Information from: Argus Leader, http://www.argusleader.com We can fight back against those who would hate, Opinion, May 16 Mahatma Gandhi once remarked: If you are a Hindu, be a good Hindu. If you are a Muslim, be a good Muslim. And a good Hindu and a good Muslim always treat each other with respect. This applies to all religious groups. If Christians, Muslims, Jews and other religious groups learn to treat one another with respect, much of the religious conflicts will disappear. Premier Doug Ford says the Progressive Conservative government of Mike Harris took a wrong turn in 1999 when it privatized Hwy. 407. Ford panned the move after a speech in Ajax on Tuesday. What I dont want to do and I would never do under our watch is start selling tollways off like the 407, the Conservative premier told reporters. What did they sell it for, $3 billion? And its worth what $20 billion now? So I dont believe in selling off toll roads, he said. The Harris government sold the highway for $3.1 billion to a Spanish consortium in May 1999 on the eve of the provincial election that year. The Tories won that campaign with a second majority government. At the time, the PC premier boasted that the government had built the highway north of Toronto for $1.5 billion and made a profit of $1.6 billion on the sale. The taxpayers of this province did very well with this sale, Harris said shortly before he retired as premier in 2002. Fords criticisms echo those of the Liberals and New Democrats who were in opposition at the time of the sell-off. Hwy. 407 is now valued at around $28 billion. Coincidentally, Fords late father, Doug Ford Sr., was an MPP in the Tory government in 1999 and Harriss son, Mike Harris Jr., is an MPP in the current PC caucus. 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: Coca-Cola is joining the cast of Netflix's hit TV series "Stranger Things." The Atlanta-based beverage company is reviving the much-maligned New Coke for a limited time this summer ahead of season three of the Netflix fantasy series "Stranger Things." It's set in 1985, the same year Coca-Cola unsuccessfully tried to foist a new formulation on consumers. New Coke will appear throughout the upcoming third season of the popular series, the companies said Tuesday. Netflix said it hasn't accepted any money from Coke for the prime placement of soda in the new season, and that show creators Ross and Matt Duffer conceived of the idea on their own. Coke will help promote the show by putting "Stranger Things" labels on bottles and cans. Netflix has built a video business worth more than $150 billion by giving its users an advertising-free alternative to cable and satellite. But the company has begun to experiment with ways of working with large corporations without selling traditional ads. "It's a new space for us," Barry Smyth, Netflix's head of global partner marketing, said in an interview. "We are not doing it for revenue. We are doing it to create good experiences for members, to the extent the creative expression of a show can be supported by working with a brand." "Stranger Things" is Netflix's most popular original series, according to data from outside researchers, and has served as a way for Netflix to toy with new business opportunities. Hasbro has released a "Stranger Things" version of the popular board game Monopoly, while clothing retailer Hot Topic has sold "Stranger Things" T-shirts and sweatshirts. Netflix has no plans to run traditional advertisements in the middle of its programs, but it has featured consumer goods in the plots of its shows. The "Stranger Things" characters eat Kentucky Fried Chicken in season two, while Subway sandwiches appear in the romantic comedy "To All the Boys I've Loved Before." Coke products have already appeared more than a dozen times in "Stranger Things," an eerie teenage drama set in a small Indiana town during the 1980s. The new season takes place during summer, when the group of young friends is out of school. Coke said it discussed ways of further integrating its products into the show without forcing them. Coke introduced New Coke in April 1985 to stem shrinking market share. But it ran afoul of fans who rained down mail and phone protests on the company. Coke backtracked 79 days later, announcing it would reintroduce the original formula. Coca-Cola's ambitions are more modest this time around. The company will sell a small batch of "Stranger Things"-branded glass bottles on its website, giving buyers a gift of two cans of New Coke when they buy two bottles. It will place "Stranger Things"-inspired vending machines in select cities and offer cans of regular Coke featuring the original design and a "Stranger Things" logo. "The summer of 1985 was a big moment for us, and bringing back New Coke in a limited way will generate buzz and conversation," said Stuart Kronauge, the president of Coke's sparkling business unit in North America. "That's good for us, and it's good for 'Stranger Things.'" There's a new face on Sesame Street. Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit behind the show, has welcomed Karli, a Muppet in foster care, as well as her "for-now" parents, Dalia and Clem. All three Muppets appear in videos posted online as part of an initiative to provide free resources to caregivers navigating difficult issues, such as family homelessness, foster care and trauma. "We want foster parents and providers to hear that what they do matters - they have the enormous job of building and rebuilding family structures and children's sense of safety," Jeanette Betancourt, senior vice president of social impact at Sesame Workshop, said in a statement. "By giving the adults in children's lives the tools they need - with help from the 'Sesame Street' Muppets - we can help both grown-ups and children feel seen and heard and give them a sense of hope for the future." Sesame Workshop noted in a release that in 2017, nearly 443,000 children spent time in foster care - a statistic that translates to 6 out of every 1,000 children in the United States. Karli, a green Muppet with fluffy pigtails, is introduced in an online-only clip called "On Your Team," in which Dalia and Clem chat with their old friend, Elmo's father, about becoming foster parents: "Changes like this can be really rough for kids - and for adults, too," Clem acknowledges. Dalia notes that the experience has "had its ups and downs. But no matter what, we try to let Karli know, we are always here for her." She then invites Elmo to Pizza Party Tuesday, a new family tradition. Elmo stops by the pizza party in the second clip, "You Belong," and Karli excitedly shows her friend heart-shaped place mats designated for each guest. When she realizes that hers has been misplaced, she sadly says, "I don't have a place." Elmo asks why Karli is so sad, but she doesn't want to talk about it. Clem gently takes Karli aside, while Dalia explains to Elmo that being Karli's "for-now parents" means that they will keep Karli safe until her mother can take care of her again. Zach Hyman, Sesame Workshop "We don't know for sure when that will be," Dalia says, "but what we do know is, Karli belongs here for now. We want her here with us. Karli, you have a place at our table." Dalia begins to sing about their home being a safe space. Karli, Clem and Elmo, who finds the missing place mat, join in. In the last clip, called "A Heart Can Grow," Karli shows Elmo an art project that demonstrates how "even when our hearts feel sad and small, they can still grow. The more love they get, the more they grow." Karli is the latest newcomer in an effort to make "Sesame Street" more inclusive. In early 2017, Julia, a young Muppet with bright red hair and green eyes, became the first new Muppet in a decade to appear on air. (She was also introduced online first.) Big Bird has a tough time getting Julia's attention while she paints, but he eventually learns to repeat himself so she'll listen. It is revealed that she has autism, which, as Abby Cadabby explains, means that Julia "just does things a little differently, in a Julia sort of way." "Sometimes people with autism do something that might seem confusing to you," Alan (Alan Muraoka) tells Big Bird. "But you know what? Julia also does some things that you might want to try." A homeless Muppet named Lily was also introduced in December as a part of Sesame Workshop's initiative. In the clip "A Rainbow Kind of Day," Lily and Elmo laugh as they paint a rainbow mural, until she suddenly seems upset. Lily explains that they had gotten to the purple part of the rainbow, which used to be the color of her bedroom before her family had to leave it behind. "We don't have our own apartment anymore," she says. "And we've been staying in all different kinds of places." "Sesame Street," which began airing in 1969, has a long history of tackling topical issues in a manner approachable to children. Other impactful characters include Kami, a Muppet from the South African version of the show, "Takalani Sesame," who became the franchise's first HIV-positive character; Alex, a character whose father is in jail; Segi, a Muppet with an Afro who sings about loving her hair; and Zari, a Muppet on Afghanistan's "Baghch-e-Simsim" who promotes girls' rights. EDWARDSVILLE Artist Li Wang traveled from Florida to visit Father McGivney Catholic High School to share some insight behind his paintings and his career as an artist with the students. Wangs visit was part of the Art on the Squares Artist in Residency outreach program. Other artists visited different schools in the area to show their work as well. It was his first time teaching art to high school students and he described it as being a wonderful experience. Wang told the students that painting is easy, but then explained it used to be very hard for him. He used to paint from photos or images in front of him, but now he is able to paint images he creates in his mind. If I close my eyes, I can do something like that, Wang said as he showed the class his on-the-spot painting. As he painted, Wang taught the class about his usage of different lighting and that he enjoys the contrast between black and white. Wang was born in to a family of artists. He grew up in China, and was raised to become an artist himself. Wang explained to the class that he learned to create traditional Chinese art growing up. Everyday after going to school, he would come home to do family homework, this consisted of Wang painting for over two hours. Wang moved to Florida over 10 years ago. Now he travels throughout the year with his art, where it is featured in more than 20 different shows. His art is displayed and for sale all year in two exhibits in Florida and one in New York. Wangs art will be shown and available for purchase this weekend at Art on the Square in Belleville. Art on the Square begins at 4-9 p.m. Friday and continues from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. - 5 p.m Sunday. For more information on Li Wang visit liwangart.com. Reach reporter Bre Booker at bre.booker@edwpub.net Long before Donald Trump entered politics, Ken Cuccinelli, the former Virginia attorney general-turned-conservative TV pundit, warned against "an invasion" by illegal immigrants, sponsored a bill seeking to strip illegal immigrants' U.S.-born children of their citizenship, and speculated publicly that President Barack Obama wasn't born in the United States. Cuccinelli's reputation as a right-wing firebrand and a favorite of conservative evangelicals helped pave the way for his expected appointment this week to an unspecified senior role on immigration matters at the Homeland Security Department - a move Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had advised the White House to avoid. Between his strong rhetoric as a TV surrogate for Trump and his bedrock support among social conservatives, Cuccinelli presented the president with a combination he relishes: someone who seems loyal, is popular with his base and is good at the politics of disruption and provocation. Cuccinelli, 50, is a self-declared warrior for traditional Christian values who has stuck to his positions even when it harmed his political fortunes. He lost his 2013 race for Virginia governor after alienating independents and moderate Republicans with his unbending positions on social issues. He has declared that homosexuality "brings nothing but self-destruction, not only physically but of their soul." He accused Obama in 2015 of encouraging "an invasion" by illegal immigrants. And on a radio talk show in 2012, he said that a D.C. law that prevented animal control workers from killing rats "is worse than our immigration policy. You can't break up rat families." During the 2013 campaign, Cuccinelli did for a time ease up on his anti-immigration positions, at one point removing from his website a statement that he had "voted consistently against in-state tuition for illegal aliens." (As a state senator, he supported a bill that would have gone further, banning illegal immigrants from attending state colleges at all.) But since that race, he has returned to the kind of sharp language Trump admires. Like Trump, he openly speculated that Obama was born in Kenya, saying in 2010 that "that doesn't seem beyond the realm of possibility." He later backed away from that statement. Cuccinelli also said shortly before the birth of his seventh child in 2010 that he and his wife were considering refusing to get the baby a Social Security number "because it is being used to track you." Cuccinelli was, however, no fan of Trump during the 2016 primaries. Cuccinelli supported Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and disgustedly threw his convention credentials on the floor to protest Trump's nomination. "Shame! Shame!" he shouted when pro-Trump forces shut down an effort to change the party's rules to make the nomination process friendlier to conservatives. In the years since, however, he has become an avid defender of the president. Last week, in a discussion on CNN about why Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., once a vehement critic of Trump's, had become one of the president's strongest supporters, Cuccinelli said that Graham "is a political operator, and he adjusts as the circumstances change. Some of that is politics." Trump, he said, "has been kind of a learning experience for a lot of people in the Republican Party." Cuccinelli had spent his career bucking politics as usual, presenting himself to voters as a principled conservative who would not compromise. He surprised and angered some Virginia Republican leaders in 2013 when he published a book bashing Obama's health care overhaul, unleashing strong anti-government rhetoric just as other Republicans in the state were trying to appeal to independent and moderate voters with a less abrasive message. Major donors, business leaders and moderate GOP politicians called Cuccinelli too extreme. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which had given $1 million in campaign donations to Virginia's last Republican governor, Bob McDonnell, gave Cuccinelli nothing. Then-Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, who lost the Republican primary for governor to Cuccinelli, refused to endorse him, saying the party needed to "reconnect with a more diverse voter base." The candidate was unapologetic. He insisted he would win by sticking to "first principles" - his long-held view that voters craved a politician who stood up for the Constitution, morality and limited government. "This is a referendum on growing or resisting Obamacare," Cuccinelli told supporters in the final days of the campaign. "If you like it, vote for them. If you don't, vote for me." He lost to Democrat Terry McAuliffe. Cuccinelli, who started out as a state senator from Fairfax County in the D.C. suburbs, often won attention as a crusader for socially conservative causes. He proposed to protect employers who fired workers for not speaking English on the job. As Virginia's attorney general, he told the state's public colleges that they could not use the term "sexual orientation" in nondiscrimination policy statements - a ruling that the state's Republican governor reversed. A feisty combatant going back to his student days, Cuccinelli first won attention at the University of Virginia by siding with the school's feminist group to press administrators to hire a professional to deal with sexual violence on campus. He supported and worked for Democrat Doug Wilder, Virginia's first black governor, in the early 1990s before he turned solidly Republican. But he has consistently railed against the idea that it's government's job to ease people's burdens. "Life isn't necessarily fair and it's not government's job to make it fair," he wrote in "The Last Line of Defense," his anti-Affordable Care Act book. Taking care of the poor, he said, is the job of "families, churches and charities, not the government." Democrats and some Republicans saw Cuccinelli as a faith-driven warrior, more interested in making a point than in making a deal. "He didn't drink the Kool-Aid; he made it," Dick Saslaw, D-Fairfax, the state Senate minority leader, said in 2013. "You name the antiabortion tactic and he was for it. Believe me, we had some very conservative people in the Senate and they winced at his bills, they were so extreme. Whether it was bashing gays or immigrants, nobody wanted to be associated with him." But a fellow Republican from Fairfax, former delegate Dave Albo, said during that same campaign that Cuccinelli was "really not the crazed maniac we read about in the paper. It took me a while to figure it out: Ken Cuccinelli is Catholic, and a lot of Catholics believe the rules are the rules." Cuccinelli himself has always granted that he's not the compromising type. "I don't back down," he once told an audience of evangelical leaders. "I'm not afraid to lose. What happens if I lose? I go home. I like going home." BRUSSELS - Days before crucial elections for the European Parliament, politicians, security services and social media companies that were bracing for an onslaught from Russia are surprised that, so far, they seem to have avoided one. Lawmakers say they haven't seen what they once feared: a flood of hacked, embarrassing documents, or Twitter accounts calling for street protests that post only during Moscow business hours. They are cautious about saying Russian meddling has been neutralized, especially since some far-right politicians welcome Kremlin help. Just this past weekend, Austrian Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache resigned after a video filmed in 2017 showed him to be receptive to politically motivated investments from Russia. But the anxiety has shifted somewhat inward, as many of the disinformation tactics pioneered by Russia have been domesticated, replicated on both extremes of the political debate in Europe. Meanwhile, with President Donald Trump and his allies embracing Europe's far-right leaders, centrists here also find themselves newly worried about the potentially distorting influence of the United States. "It's not 2016. We are not seeing the automated, networked activity with an obvious Russian fingerprint across these elections," said Sasha Havlicek, head of London's Institute for Strategic Dialogue, which has been tracking online disinformation. "What we're seeing much more of is coordinated, transnational far-right information operations." The European Parliament has long been a haven for odd-duck politicians outside the mainstream, since few European citizens actually understand the role of the legislature and fewer still turn out to vote. That has left an opening for people who can command a passionate minority, like Nigel Farage, the Brexit campaigner who has lost seven elections for Britain's House of Commons but has been in the European Parliament since 1999. Euroskeptic politicians did well in the last election for the European legislature in 2014. But this week they are dreaming of an epochal shift - a wave of enough lawmakers to form a blocking minority inside the body and bring the workings of the European Union to a halt. 3 1 of 3 Washington Post photo by Jabin Botsford Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Washington Post photo by Jabin Botsford. Show More Show Less 3 of 3 Centrist leaders figured that Russia wanted the same thing and that the Kremlin would pull out the stops to boost its sympathizers. European leaders commissioned reports about foreign meddling, enlisted intelligence services in efforts to be vigilant, and pushed social media companies to police their platforms. But the worst fears about Kremlin involvement have not manifested, officials and analysts said. "We are not calm about everything," said Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics, whose Baltic nation has a large Russian-speaking population and is on the front lines of tensions with the Kremlin. "We are trying to monitor each and every activity that could be suspicious." Still, he said, "so far, there have not been alarms about something unusual." He and others cautioned that it is challenging to monitor trends in real time across 28 E.U. nations, each with their own campaigns, being conducted in 24 official languages. And they said Russia has proved adept at adapting tactics to keep a low profile. But they said that if there was a major Russian effort to swing the elections toward specific parties or candidates, it was being conducted in a different enough manner from past cycles that they hadn't yet spotted it. Russia is still working openly to promote divisive political narratives within Europe. The Sputnik news agency has offered wall-to-wall coverage of the "yellow vest" protests that have shaken France. The German-language homepage of RT, formerly Russia Today, recently featured a banner debunking "myths" that the former West Germany was superior to Communist East Germany. There has also been apparent subterfuge: The E.U.'s official disinformation-busting team last month flagged an English- and German-language news portal with Russian fingerprints, including coding that showed videos had been posted from a computer folder named "Anastasia" in Cyrillic script. Facebook this month said it took down 16 Russian-linked accounts, four pages and one Instagram account that were targeting users in seven E.U. countries and Ukraine. But the scale of what's been identified is nothing compared with the past - or with what the Europeans had anticipated. Jana Kobzova, an adviser to the Transatlantic Commission on Election Integrity, said Moscow may have calculated that these elections weren't worth the bother. "Russia has limited resources," she said. "And if they already have people like Nigel Farage being elected, they don't need to help much." But analysts say Europe also may have gotten better at thwarting Russian attempts to shake up its campaigns. European politicians have grown savvy about protecting their communications and are less likely to fall for phishing attempts. Facebook has promised more openness about who is paying for political advertising in European elections. Twitter is moving faster to wipe automated bot accounts from its rolls. And citizens may also be more cautious about what they see online. "Member states are much less ignorant than in 2016, and they're aware of the need to do something," Kobzova said. The collective effort on the continent stands in contrast to the United States, where the discussion about Russian interference breaks along sharp partisan lines. After Trump spoke by phone to Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month, he tweeted that they had talked not about election meddling but about the "Russian Hoax." Europeans, meanwhile, have been unsettled by how Trump, his envoys and ultraconservative U.S. activists might influence this week's elections. The fears about the United States are not as great as about Russia. But concerns have been growing. Many centrist leaders in Europe saw a clear campaign message in the timing of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's visit to Washington last week. Trump said that Orban - who has been hit with official E.U. proceedings for rule-of-law violations - "has done a tremendous job in so many different ways. Highly respected. Respected all over Europe. Probably, like me, a little bit controversial, but that's okay." At the same time, some of Trump's envoys to Europe have been more overtly partisan than ambassadors from previous administrations. The U.S. ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell, has slammed German leaders for their stance on migration, threatened them about a planned natural gas pipeline to Russia and praised German Chancellor Angela Merkel's rivals. European politicians have also been alarmed by money pouring in from ultraconservative U.S. social activists, who have paid for lobbying and activism on issues such as migration and same-sex marriage. An OpenDemocracy analysis of U.S. tax filings found that at least $50 million had flowed into Europe in the past decade - a drop in the bucket by U.S. standards, but a significant cash flow in the lower-budget world of European politics. That report prompted 38 European lawmakers to demand an E.U. investigation of money flows from the United States, looking at "the threat posed by Christian fundamentalists" and other "nefarious outside influences." One American influence who has been more marginal than anticipated is Stephen K. Bannon, Trump's onetime strategist, who made much ado about organizing Europe's far-right ahead of these elections. Bannon has appeared alongside Italy's Matteo Salvini and France's Marine Le Pen. But his pre-election effort to supply sympathetic candidates with polling data and campaign advice was thwarted by campaign finance laws and a lack of interest from far-right leaders. Bannon now says he will try to build coalitions among the far-right politicians once they have stormed the Parliament. Far-right parties in Europe haven't needed Bannon, or Russia, in part because some of their domestic supporters have mimicked Russia's strategy of promoting disinformation and amplifying it with automated accounts. Ahead of Spanish national elections last month, Facebook took down three networks that appeared to be spreading disinformation automatically. Avaaz, the activist group that flagged the content, estimated that the networks had almost 1.7 million followers. The pages shared doctored pictures of a left-wing leader giving a Nazi salute, made-up data about North African men being disproportionately responsible for rape cases in Spain and an inaccurate news item about "Catalan separatists" closing down children's cancer clinics in favor of Catalan embassies. Separately, analysts have questioned whether automation may be playing a role in online support for the far-right Alternative for Germany party. In a sample of German online political content examined by research firm Alto Data Analytics, less than 1 percent of the users generated 10 percent of the posts, most of them in favor of Alternative for Germany. They acknowledge the difficulty of separating some automated activity from real users who are extremely enthusiastic. "It is hard to tell, but I wouldn't want to underestimate European populistic right-wing communications strategies," said Judith Sargentini, a Dutch Green Left party member of the European Parliament and a foe of the far-right. "If we were to start blaming this on Russia or the U.S., we would let all these people in Europe that are sending out these racist, bigoted messages be less responsible for their own acts." - - - The Washington Post's Quentin Aries contributed to this report. Strapped to a stretcher, surrounded by medics, nurses and doctors, a middle-aged man was about to play patient zero in what America's health care industry fears could be the next major pandemic: "cybergeddon." "Alert: All computer monitors are down in the hospital system," an automated-sounding female voice pronounced over a public address system. Soon, the mans condition worsened, and a pair of doctors tried to figure out the unusual responses from the simulated patients insulin device while more than a hundred people watched their every decision. The heart-pounding, pulse-racing demonstration at a recent cybersecurity conference in downtown San Francisco visualized what happens when a cyberattack paralyzes or hijacks equipment found in every hospital in the country and devices like insulin pumps used in many homes. The crucial question: when hackers take down critical care devices, like in this extreme example, can doctors still save the patient? "It's very visceral, sympathetic, stimulating experience, said Dr. Jeff Tully, who, along with fellow hacker-turned-healer Dr. Christian Dameff, developed the cyber demonstration. We're raising the alarm, Dameff said in a joint interview. When asked whether most U.S. hospitals can detect the moment a cyberattack is underway, Dameff answered, I would say not most, no, and acknowledged that it is a problem for the countrys health care system. We believe too much emphasis is put on the protection of patient data instead of the protection of patient care, he explained. We joke around that we like our patient's privacy, but we'd like them to be alive to use it. We're tremendously concerned about infrastructure being targeted for health care A great example of this being WannaCry, Dameff said. WannaCry was the cyber shock to a health care system many had long predicted. In 2017, the malicious malware shut down 16 hospitals across Great Britain. The U.S. blamed North Korea. Nations, non-state actors, hackers and others have various motivations when launching cyber strikes, experts say, including for political or financial reasons or simply for curiosity or amusement. "We didn't learn the lessons of WannaCry here in the United States, warned Dameff. "Why do we need to wait for people to be hurt by this? Tully added. Why can't we prevent that from happening altogether?" Cyber warnings grow If prevention is the best medicine, lots of places didn't get the script. Digital analytics firm Netscouts Worldwide Infrastructure Security Report found attacks that paralyze web networks at hospitals and physicians' offices, known as distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, soared up to 1,400 percent in the past 12 months. Even though officials with three-quarters of health care organizations said in a recent survey that they've had a "significant security incident" in the past year, only nine percent of health care organizations think supply chain integrity is a top potential cyber threat. The Department of Homeland Security thinks otherwise. In research done for the Hearst Television National Investigative Unit, DHS officials said it has issued more medical device vulnerability warnings, known as advisories, in the past fiscal year (29) than in the previous five years combined (23). Reported vulnerabilities for all sectors not just medical have more than doubled since 2016 to 1,302 in the 2018 fiscal year, officials with the department said. Has your medical provider suffered a cyber breach? Click to see data breaches by state, company, type of breach, location of breach, date and number of people affected that are currently under investigation by the Department of Health and Human Services Offices of Civil Rights. The growing cyber threat is why Daniel Beard, the chief technology officer at Irvine, California-based Promenade Software, which makes software for medical devices, helped launch the Medical Information Sharing Analysis Organization (MedISAO). With the blessing of the Food and Drug Administration, it acts as a clearinghouse for normally competitive device manufacturers to share data on vulnerabilities that could affect multiple devices not just those from one company. "If you're a hacker and you're looking to get the largest payoff you can, Beard explained in an interview, you're not going to attack one medical device. You're going to attack the library that's used in hundreds of medical devices." The library is a repository of data in a device, almost always code provided by third-party programmers to multiple clients that manufacturers can purchase or license for use in an otherwise proprietary device. Using a laptop and television screen, Beard demonstrated how his company scans a software library for vulnerabilities, especially those that could be exploited. On a day in March, the program detected 30 potential weaknesses in software Promenade is currently programming to be used in an ophthalmological device. Each vulnerability was highlighted in red font. A growing but still nascent culture of information sharing is part of an evolution within the medical device community, which is not accustomed to disclosing private information to competitors or keeping their products updated with the latest cyber protections long after purchase. "When you sell a device to a hospital, there needs to be a plan in place for how you're going to keep it updated; how you're going to address the new vulnerabilities that come out to it, Beard said. For many years, it hasn't been in the medical device manufacturers business plan, he said. 'Clearly 10 to 15 years behind' Beard has a surprising ally in Michael McNeil, the global product security and services officer at Royal Philips, who bluntly stated in an interview that his industry is clearly 10 to 15 years behind in its cybersecurity. I will be candid because by being candid, it allows us to help accelerate and move the industry in the right direction, McNeil said. At a January FDA workshop on the management of cybersecurity in medical devices outside Washington, D.C., McNeil pressed his peers to -- in his words -- "step up to face the challenge. The FDA used the event, attended by hundreds of industry stakeholders, to roll out and explain new cybersecurity benchmarks devices will be required to meet in order to win its approval. Dr. Suzanne Schwartz, the deputy director of the Office of Strategic Partnerships and Technology Innovation at the FDAs Center for Devices and Radiological Health FDA, is leading the effort. She acknowledged in an interview there is no central database that tracks cyberattacks against hospitals and health care providers and the consequences of those incidents. When asked whether it would be helpful to have such a nationwide repository of incidents, Schwartz responded, "Yes, it would be Im not sure where that repository would be." To the suggestion that a database of medical device cyber incidents be housed and managed by the FDA which is in the process of strengthening its cyber guidance for medical devices Schwartz responded, I think weve got a lot on our plate right now. Instead, she said such information sharing and product improvements would work best if they remained voluntary. It is much more powerful to really be able to identify different groups among the community and have them really take ownership and accountability, she said. Dr. Suzanne Schwartz at the Food and Drug Administration talks with Chief National Investigative Correspondent Mark Albert about the agencys efforts to improve cyber security in medical devices and health care. New research Part of that voluntary effort is taking place at the Medical Device Interoperability and Cybersecurity Program lab at Massachusetts General Hospital in Cambridge, led by Dr. Julian Goldman, who is also an attending anesthesiologist at MGH and medical director of Biomedical Engineering for Partners HealthCare. In April, Goldman and the FDA allowed a television crew from the National Investigative Unit to see the results of an 18-month research project that had never before been shown publicly. Collaborators hope the findings will improve cybersecurity and patient outcomes across Americas health care network. "You have to think about what bad things could happen and then what steps to put in place before they happen to protect the patients, explained Goldman. Goldman's team identified four key shortcomings in U.S. health care: Data transmitted within a hospital is typically not encrypted, introducing a potential vulnerability not found in external communications. Some technical support staff are overriding manufacturers warnings and turning off security protections on devices. Most medical professionals are not always trained to recognize when malware infects a device, causing it to malfunction or provide corrupted data. Many health care providers need to do a better job of partitioning networks so that during an intrusion, a hacker can't see the entire system on a flat network. Research funding cut But despite the vital importance of securing cyber defenses in health care, a valuable source of research grants and funds have been cut and more reductions could be just months away. Some of the current cybersecurity research at the MGH lab has been cut by the Trump administration by almost 60 percent. In a proposed budget for the next fiscal year submitted to Congress in March, the administration also slashed next year's DHS science and technology budget by 37 percent, or $219 million, a portion of which also goes to fund cyber medical studies. "This is important research, Goldman said in an interview in his lab. It's there to improve patient safety and patient care. So, it's frustrating to see these cuts." It's also resulted in a blunt diagnosis from doctors trying to treat the problem. "Cyber disaster knows no geographic boundary," said Dameff, the doctor in California who helped develop the cyber demonstration. "If you're connected to the internet, you're vulnerable." Check out our Facebook Live where we discussed cyber vulnerabilities in U.S. health care. Know of waste, fraud, abuse or want to hold someone accountable? Send investigative tips to the National Investigative Unit at investigate@hearst.com. Looking for the right time to visit New York City, but hoping to skip the typical Big Apple tourist scene in favor of a more local experience? The Governors Ball Music Festival is right around the corner, and might have exactly what you're looking for. Started by local music lovers in 2011, it features 60-plus artists of all genres, plus a selection of the best eats in town, street artists from around the city, interactive games and activities and more. What better way to experience the music, art and culture at the heart of NYC? Thankfully, there are plenty of regular, relatively inexpensive flights between San Antonio and New York City. We pulled from travel site Skyscanner to provide you with a short list of flights and hotels handpicked for the occasion. (Prices and availability are current as of publication and subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in the articles may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Flight deals to New York City Currently, the cheapest flights between San Antonio and New York City are if you leave on May 30 and return from New York on June 2. Delta currently has tickets for $300, roundtrip. If you fly out of San Antonio on May 30 and return from New York City on June 3, Frontier Airlines can get you there and back for $326 roundtrip. Top New York City hotels To plan your accommodations, here are two of New York Citys top-rated hotels, according to Skyscanner, that we selected based on price, proximity to things to do and customer satisfaction. The Standard, High Line (848 Washington St.) Photo: Trip by Skyscanner If you're looking to treat yourself, consider The Standard, High Line. The hotel has a 4.4-star rating on Skyscanner, and rooms are currently available for $275. The hotel stands in the Meatpacking District overlooking the historic high line, the former elevated rail road that has been developed into New Yorks new favorite public park. All 338 rooms have ground-to-ceiling windows with spectacular views. The Dream Downtown (355 W. 16th St.) Photo: Trip by Skyscanner There's also the 4.5-star-rated The Dream Downtown. Rooms are currently set at $204/night. Situated between the thriving Meatpacking District and Chelsea, the Dream Downtown is the latest addition to the Vikram Chatwal Hotel portfolio. This luxury property features 315 loft-inspired rooms and a rooftop lounge with city views. Top picks for dining and drinking If you're looking to snag a bite at one of New York City's many quality eateries, here are a few popular culinary destinations from Skyscanner's listings that will help keep you satiated. Levain Bakery (167 W. 74th St.) Photo: Trip by Skyscanner Let's start with the essentials: dessert. For a popular option, check out Levain Bakery, which has an average of 4.8 stars out of 42 reviews on Skyscanner. From the beginning, Levain Bakery has been a comfortable and inviting presence in its Upper West Side neighborhood where it boasts a steady stream of community regulars and tourists loyal to its diverse assortment of freshly baked products. The menu includes an inventive array of rustic breads and other equally creative takes on traditional baked goods. Red Rooster (310 Lenox Ave.) Photo: Trip by Skyscanner One of New York City's most popular restaurants is Red Rooster, with 4.5 stars from 56 reviews. The menu reflects the roots of American cuisine while celebrating local farmers and artisanal food makers. The Red Rooster features a takeout market, bar and restaurant. "I am writing this at home after one of the most amazing meals I've ever had," wrote reviewer John349. "The flavors still lingering with me. I cannot say enough how absolutely delicious every meal that was ordered at our table was." The Meatball Shop (84 Stanton St.) Photo: Trip by Skyscanner Also worth considering is The Meatball Shop. "These are the best meatballs I have ever had," wrote ABelle. Top New York City attractions To round out your trip, New York City offers plenty of popular attractions worth visiting. Here are a couple of top recommendations, based on Skyscanner's descriptions and reviews. The Brooklyn Bridge Park (334 Furman St.) Photo: Trip by Skyscanner First up is The Brooklyn Bridge Park. Located in the heart of New York City, Brooklyn Bridge Park is a great opportunity for tourists and residents to visit. This park is located beside the Brooklyn Bridge, considered one of the portals into the city. Although the park itself is simple, it also offers an amazing view of the entire city. "The walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, whether you're walking from Brooklyn to Manhattan or vice versa, is one of the most iconic walks New York City has to offer," wrote visitor Gary. The Statue of Liberty Photo: Trip by Skyscanner Lastly, spend some time at The Statue of Liberty. Lady Liberty has welcomed the grandparents and great-grandparents of many Americans. A symbol of the country's possibilities, the Statue of Liberty National Monument includes nearby Ellis Island, where many European immigrants started on their journey of becoming Americans. This story was created automatically using flight, hotel, and local attractions data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money for a soon-to-be bride and her groom who jumped from their second floor North Carolina apartment early Monday morning to escape a deadly blaze. Lauren Brintle and Charles Moore went to bed around 11 p.m. Sunday and woke up during the early morning hours to find flames surrounding their Dobson home. "We just heard banging and shouting," Brintle said. "I thought somebody was breaking in and he got up and went to the door and said, 'We gotta go. Get out. Theres a fire.' Moore said it didn't take long for his instincts to kick in. The couple had no choice except to jump, wearing only their pajamas and bathrobes. Hers and my safety -- thats about it. They try to train you for a lot of things in the military but when you pull open your home door and theres a fire right there, your soon-to-be family is in danger. You just have to react. Thats pretty much what I did, Moore said. Moore jumped first, injuring his hand, but quickly turned to catch his fiancee. I ran to the door and threw it open and it was already on the stairs, on the porch, so I was screaming," Brintle said. "He was trying to grab any important papers and we had to ditch it all and just -- we couldnt go down the stairs so we said. 'Were going to have to jump,' and he went over the rail first and I just sort of fell over after. The only things the couple could grab before leaving the apartment were Brintle's engagement ring and her cellphone. The couple's wedding is Sunday. We just took off running to the other side of the sidewalk and just turned around and it was up in flames. If we had been a second later, the porch would have been completely on fire," Brintle said. Almost everything else they owned, including Brintle's wedding gown, was destroyed in the blaze. "My dress, my veil, shoes, our wedding programs, our decorations, our presents, our plates to eat on for the wedding -- just gone, Brintle said. Firefighters found Moore's wedding band, a Bible and love letters the two wrote to each other that survived the flames. The couple are just grateful they're alive. "We just gotta take it one step at a time. You know, you just gotta try and rebuild," Moore said. Brintle went dress shopping Monday night with help from her church. Yes, were going to get married on Sunday just as planned, or as much as planned can happen," Brintle said. Her boss and coworkers set up a GoFundMe page to help with the couple's wedding and living costs since the two didn't have renters insurance. In the meantime, the couple plans to stay with family members. Our life is important, more important than paper and anything we couldve grabbed," Brintle said. "We keep thinking, 'Oh, what if we couldve grabbed this,' but we couldnt have. It wouldnt have been worth it. Its amazing that we got out. The fire claimed the lives of three people -- including two women, Makaila Moses, 22, of Winston-Salem, and Katherine Woods, 19, of Dobson, and a man, Ryan Gwyn, 20. A woman was also critically injured in the blaze. The Dobson Police Department and the Surry County Fire Marshal's Office are investigating the cause of the fire. EDWARDSVILLE The Madison County States Attorneys Office Elder Justice Division has concluded its first jury trial with a guilty verdict on a count of theft over $500, a Class 3 felony. Jerry L. Yeager Jr. was arrested by the Granite City Police Department on Dec. 9, 2016, for offenses committed against a Granite City couple over 60 years of age, during the period of April 2014 through December 2014. Yeager was found guilty on the first count of the theft charge for obtaining control of property in excess of $500 by deception with intent to permanently deprive the owner of the use or value of it. Yeager was found not guilty of the second count of aggravated home repair fraud of a person 60 years of age or older. Assistant Madison County States Attorneys James Buckley and Tonya Genovese, of the Elder Justice Division, began presenting evidence on May 13. Trial testimony proved the victims entered into a contract with Yeager and Ultimate Roofing to repair damages to their roof, siding, garage doors, storm doors, windows and gutters that resulted from a hail storm in the spring of 2014. The victims testified they gave Yeager a down payment of more than $15,000 for the work. Six months later, Yeagers company had only completed the roof job, which was not up to city code as testified to by a Granite City building inspector. No further work was completed on the property after that time, despite the victims attempts to contact Yeager for more than a year. Judge Neil Schroeder submitted the case to the jurors for deliberation around 10:30 a.m. May 16. In less than an hour, the jury announced its guilty verdict on the first count of theft over $500 and a not guilty verdict on the second count of aggravated home repair fraud. Madison County States Attorney Tom Gibbons expressed gratitude to the jurors for their service and thanks for the guilty verdict on the theft count, but disappointment with the not guilty verdict on the count of aggravated home repair fraud. Despite achieving only a partial victory for the victims in this case, we will not be deterred from continuing our fight to protect senior citizens and vindicate their rights in court, Gibbons said. According to the USC Center on Elder Mistreatment, one in 10 older Americans are victims of elder abuse, and as few as one in 14 of the cases come to the attention of authorities. This is the first time in Madison County that charges of aggravated home repair fraud was brought to trial. Gibbons said the statute has a very high threshold of proof, making it difficult to obtain a guilty verdict. We will take this as a very important learning experience and be better equipped to succeed on these charges in future cases of fraud against senior citizens in Madison County, Gibbons said. I will also be working with our local legislators to see if changes can be made to the Aggravated Home Repair Fraud Statute to better protect some of our most vulnerable citizens from becoming victims. The investigation was a collective effort between the Granite City Police Department, Madison County Elder Justice Initiative and the Elder Justice Division of the Madison County States Attorney Office. Illinois law defines an elderly person as someone 60 years of age or older. Certain criminal offenses, including Aggravated Home Repair Fraud, provide enhanced charges and penalties based upon the age of the victim. This case is one of many we are pursuing through our Elder Justice Division to ensure the safety and security of our senior population is protected, Gibbons said. "Post Reports" is the daily podcast from The Washington Post. Unparalleled reporting. Expert insight. Clear analysis. Everything you've come to expect from the newsroom of The Post - for your ears. - - - WASHINGTON - Wilton Gregory, a longtime Catholic cleric who has been a leader in the church's efforts to address its sexual abuse crisis for more than two decades, was installed Tuesday as archbishop of Washington. Gregory takes the helm one of the most prominent Catholic dioceses, in the nation's capital, at a time when the church locally and globally is embroiled once again in controversy. The new archbishop will be expected to reassure local Catholics stunned by the misdeeds of the previous two archbishops, while the Vatican tries to prevent abuse and to keep disillusioned American members from leaving the church. Under the grand dome of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, North America's largest Catholic church, Gregory was loudly cheered by eight red-robed cardinals, almost 50 bishops and thousands of Catholic faithful, as he held out the paper scroll proclaiming him the Washington archbishop. For many, he represents a beacon of hope, that a new leader can set right a stricken community. In his first words to the archdiocese, he acknowledged Catholic leaders' fault in the sexual abuse crisis - "We clerics and hierarchs have irrefutably been the source of this current tempest" - but focused much more on the importance of maintaining faith in Jesus Christ regardless of troubling circumstances. "When Jesus Christ . . . finally leads us out of this storm of our own making, may he not feel compelled to admonish us for exhibiting a collective lack of confidence in him, but rather be proud of the undaunted, uncompromising faith that we never lost," Gregory said. Many Catholics have lost faith, or been so hurt by their church that they have turned away. So many have left Catholicism since the sexual abuse crisis was first widely exposed in 2002 that the Pew Research Center reports that 13% of Americans are former Catholics. Those who still identify as Catholics are dissatisfied with many church teachings: 76% want permission to use birth control; almost half believe the church should accept gay marriage; about 60% think priests should be allowed to marry and women should be allowed to be priests. And the past year has brought a new wave of scandal, with intense scrutiny of the actions of bishops across the country. Nowhere has that been more acute than Washington. The Washington archdiocese remains healthy and affluent compared with many in the country, with a growing population fueled by immigrants. But it has been sorely tested. First came the revelation that Theodore McCarrick, Washington's archbishop from 2001 to 2006 and a highly visible diplomat for years after, had allegedly sexually harassed minors and adults. Within months, McCarrick became the first U.S. cardinal to be removed from the priesthood for sexual abuse. A Pennsylvania grand jury report released in August said Cardinal Donald Wuerl mishandled abuse cases when he was bishop of Pittsburgh. After protests, Wuerl retired from his role as archbishop of Washington in October. Into this rattled and heartsick archdiocese steps Gregory, a 71-year-old cleric tapped for the job by Pope Francis last month. Gregory has served as archbishop of Atlanta since 2004 and is expected to be made a cardinal soon after he takes over the Washington archdiocese. Gregory pledged in his homily that he would be a bishop "who honestly confesses his faults and failings before you when I commit them, not when they are revealed." It was the first line of his address that drew applause. Many local Catholic leaders expressed hope that he would tackle abuse issues head-on and draw former Catholics back to church. "He is the right person at the right time," said Frank Butler, a former staffer for the U.S. bishops conference and retired longtime leader of the Catholic philanthropy group FADICA. "He's a man of great integrity and character. He assumes his leadership when his flock has been deeply wounded. . . . Rebuilding trust will be Archbishop Gregory's greatest challenge." Wuerl and Gregory sat beside each other at the front of the basilica during the ceremony on Tuesday, and Wuerl was the first speaker at the Mass. Another stark reminder of the crisis: One of the cardinals on the altar at the basilica was Roger Mahony, whose official ministry in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles was curtailed by the current archbishop due to Mahony's mishandling of abuse cases. Parishioners in the archdiocese are looking for concrete steps that will signify a change from the old ways, said Pat McGuire, the president of Trinity Washington University, a Catholic institution in the District of Columbia. She suggested that Gregory could answer Francis' recent call to create a system for laypeople to hold bishops accountable for misconduct, and could increase leadership roles for women in the church. "I think people are eager to get a look at Wilton Gregory. They want to hear him. People are hungry for a new direction. That is his opportunity," she said. In the past year, as the McCarrick scandal and the grand jury report seemed to engulf the archdiocese, Wuerl was less visible in public. "Cardinal Wuerl has been pastoral, but he's very formal and somewhat stiff, if you will," McGuire said. "That's not a criticism; it's just his style. Wilton Gregory is warmer and more personal, and that will go far." Eileen Dombo, an assistant professor at Catholic University and chairwoman of the archdiocese's child protection board, said that she would soon meet with Gregory. "At this point, people are just feeling a lot of pain and anger about what happened with Cardinal McCarrick and hoping more light will be shed so we as a community can move forward," she said. Parishioners' feelings about Wuerl are complex, she said. "A lot of people have seen the cardinal do wonderful things in the Archdiocese of Washington. This is bittersweet for some people to see him go." Gregory has taken on abuse scandals before - in the first diocese he led as bishop, in Belleville, Illinois, in the 1990s, and again in the early 2000s, when he was the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops at the time that Boston Globe investigative reporters exposed the abuse crisis. As president of the bishops conference, Gregory presided over the landmark 2004 Dallas conference, during which he helped coax wary bishops to enact a zero-tolerance policy for removing accused abusers from ministry. In retrospect, many activists now argue that the Dallas conference didn't go far enough to institute rules to govern the bishops themselves, and some have voiced concerns about Gregory's stance on the issue in Atlanta. A small group of demonstrators from the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests protested the installation on Tuesday. The group said Gregory should make public more information about Washington priests previously accused of abuse, and should not oppose legislation that would extend the statute of limitations for sex crimes in Maryland. Attendees at the Mass in the ornate basilica included many in Washington's black Catholic community who were eager to celebrate the first black archbishop in the nation's capital, as well as Gregory's two sisters, and many guests from Gregory's prior dioceses - Atlanta, Belleville and Chicago. The Rev. Urey Mark, a Catholic chaplain for colleges in Georgia, came to watch. Before the Mass, he praised Gregory, recalling a time that he told Gregory that some college students were hungry. The archbishop quickly arranged for a donor to provide $4,000 for snacks at the student center that Mark runs in Atlanta. "You are getting a good shepherd who is coming at the right time and at the right moment in history, of our church and of this place," Mark said. Some black Catholics gathered in a prayer circle outside the basilica before the Mass, with drums and guitars. Margaret Ricks said she had longed for a new leader who would boldly speak out about Catholic beliefs. "He's the answer to our prayers," she said Job Title: Sales Executives (50 No Experience Jobs) Organization: ICEA Life Assurance Company Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda Reports to: Agency Manager About US: Insurance Company of East Africa (ICEA) was established in 1964 by Eagle Star Insurance Company and Welfare Insurance Company from the UK, as well as the New Zealand Insurance Company. In 1976, the companys foreign shareholders sold their interests to a group of pioneering local investors, making ICEA the first major locally owned insurance company. They soon emerged as one of the largest insurers in the region and also established a fund management subsidiary (ICEA LION Asset Management Limited Kenya and ICEA Asset Management Limited Uganda), as well as a trusteeship/scheme Administration (ICEA Trustee Services Limited in Kenya). In 1999, ICEA Uganda was incorporated 0n the 5th of August, licensed to provide both short term (General) and long term (life and pensions) insurance businesses on 10th May 2000. In 2014, ICEA Uganda devolved into 3 specialized businesses to not only allow each enterprise to focus on its core competence, but more importantly to ensure we can serve the market, with its dynamic and divergent needs even better. The 3 companies that form ICEA Group in Uganda include ICEA General Insurance, ICEA Life Assurance and ICEA Asset Management. Job Summary: The Sales Executive at ICEA Life Assurance will prospect, sell both group and individual life businesses as per the given targets, provide client servicing to the clients, represent the company correctly in the field, do intelligence collection and proper record keeping. Qualifications, Skills and Experience: assurance Co. Ltd Sales Executive job must have a minimum qualification of a diploma in any field, candidates with a marketing background or have COP qualification would be at an added advantage . The ideal candidate for the ICEA Lifeassurance Co. Ltd Sales Executive job must have a minimum qualification ofa diploma in any field, candidates with a marketing background or have COPqualification would be at an added advantage communication skills . Possess strong leadership, teamwork, andcommunication skills global insurance landscape and place a priority on client service Broad knowledge and understanding of theglobal insurance landscape and place a priority on client service requirement, but dedication to learning and a true passion for the business are vital . Extensive work experience is not arequirement, but dedication to learning and a true passion for thebusiness are vital career development, a strong desire to learn, and success in team environments Show commitment to personal growth andcareer development, a strong desire to learn, and success in teamenvironments business landscape (preferred, but not required) Knowledge of the global or domesticbusiness landscape (preferred, but not required) organizational skills Excellent communication, planning, andorganizational skills . Excellent analytical and quantitative skills of the insurance industry Desire to develop a deep understandingof the insurance industry ethical decision-making Unquestioned commitment to integrity andethical decision-making Age: 25 45 years How to Apply: All suitably qualified and interested candidates should apply via email to: annet.namubiru@life.icea.co.ug Deadline: 4th June 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: Anesthetic Officer Organization: Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services in Uganda (CORSU) Duty Station: Kisubi, Wakiso, Uganda Reports to: Head of Anaesthesiology About US: Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services in Uganda (for people with disability) was established in 2006 as a private non-profit, non-governmental organization and is supported by CBM (Christian Blind Mission). CoRSU Rehabilitation Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre on Entebbe Road provides Orthopaedic Surgery, Plastic Surgery and Rehabilitation, mainly for children with disability. Job Summary: The Anesthetic Officer will provide evidence based, safe, high quality perioperative care and anaesthesia for all patients requiring surgery at CoRSU Hospital. Key Duties and Responsibilities: document accurately on the anaesthetic chart and explain all anaesthetic procedures precisely. Assess all patients preoperatively either in OPD or on the ward anddocument accurately on the anaesthetic chart and explain all anaestheticprocedures precisely. prior to surgery. Organize preoperative investigations if required and check resultsprior to surgery. and communicate effectively with the surgeon. Discuss all problems patients with the Anaesthesiologist in chargeand communicate effectively with the surgeon. list and ensure adequate emergency oxygen supply is available. Check all equipment in theatre is functional before starting thelist and ensure adequate emergency oxygen supply is available. on the anaesthetic chart. Administer a safe, pain free anaesthetic which is documented fullyon the anaesthetic chart. Monitor closely patient reaction to anaesthesia and surgery. if required. Prescribe intravenous fluids for the immediate postoperative periodif required. Advise the surgeon on appropriate postoperative analgesia and doses. Actively participate in the postoperative recovery care in the PACU. Review all patients postoperatively. Review patients on the HDU when requested. Attend the hospital CME meetings and morbidity/mortality meetings. Participate in regular departmental CMEs. Assist with hospital CPR training. informing the HoD if store stocks are running low. Make sure each theatre is stocked with appropriate equipment andinforming the HoD if store stocks are running low. Maintain cleanliness of anaesthetic equipment. Head of Department. Communicate all problems with equipment in a timely fashion to theHead of Department. Punctuality Qualifications, Skills and Experience: The ideal candidate must hold an advanced diploma in anaesthesia Basic computer skills SAFE paediatric anaesthesia course One year of post qualification experience Paediatric experience Experience with regional blocks How to Apply: All candidates should send their applications (detailed CV, covering letter plus relevant copies of academic qualifications) should be submitted to The Head of Human Resources, CoRSU Hospital P.O. Box 46 Kisubi or email to recruitment@corsuhospital.org Deadline: 24th May, 2019 by 5:00pm. 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: Programme Management Specialist Organization: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda Reports to: Deputy Representative About UNDP: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations global development network. UNDP advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. The UNDP provides expert advice, training, grant support to developing countries including Uganda with increasing emphasis on assistance to the least developed countries. Job Summary: The Programme Management Specialist is responsible for overseeing the management, development, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) programme for the Uganda CO as well for managing the human and financial resources of the team. This includes providing technical support to the implementation of the EVAWG programme, overseeing the monitoring of progress against mutually agreed results frameworks and performance indicators, monitoring the EVAWG programme and financial situation to ensure adherence to delivery rates and utilization of resources to meet agreed upon targets and results, reviewing and developing partnerships and resource mobilization strategies; and leading knowledge management efforts. This position is fully funded by the Government of Sweden under the Joint Programme on Gender Based Violence. Key Duties and Responsibilities: Oversee the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) programmatic development for Uganda CO based on Programme Documents with donors and Strategic Note: design and formulation programme/ project initiatives; Advise and guide the development of EVAWG programme, includingdesign and formulation programme/ project initiatives; related strategies and documents, workplans, case studies, and related knowledge products and publications; Review and provide feedback to ongoing projects/ programmes onrelated strategies and documents, workplans, case studies, and relatedknowledge products and publications; development of systems, processes and mechanisms to support programme planning, implementation, monitoring and progress reporting; Provide strategic and specialized technical advice on thedevelopment of systems, processes and mechanisms to support programmeplanning, implementation, monitoring and progress reporting; proposals and reports; Review and evaluate proposals and oversee the preparation of donorproposals and reports; materials for the use in the development and presentation of policy and programmatic positions. Finalize policy documents, briefs and other strategic papers/materials for the use in the development and presentation of policy andprogrammatic positions. Provide technical support to the implementation of the EVAWG programme compliance with EVAWG programme goals and results-based indicators; Assess EVAWG annual work plans and provide recommendations to assurecompliance with EVAWG programme goals and results-based indicators; framework matrices and work plans; Analyze and ensure alignment of project budgets with logicalframework matrices and work plans; challenges. Oversee programme quality control and identification of potentialchallenges. Oversee monitoring and reporting for the EVAWG programme criteria, and other indicators for measuring and assessing progress/results; Keenly review and recommend programme monitoring standards,criteria, and other indicators for measuring and assessingprogress/results; frameworks and performance indicators; Oversee the monitoring of progress against mutually agreed resultsframeworks and performance indicators; implementation for the EVAWG programme and donors; prepare technical reports; Gather information and prepare reports on progress of programmeimplementation for the EVAWG programme and donors; prepare technicalreports; on the implementation of audit recommendations; Provide technical support in the preparation of audits and follow upon the implementation of audit recommendations; for the EVAWG programme. Develop, coordinate and provide training on results-based managementfor the EVAWG programme. Review budget management for the EVAWG programme and manage people development of staff members by suggesting development opportunities; Lead a team, perform staff performance reviews, ensure capacitydevelopment of staff members by suggesting development opportunities; to delivery rates and utilization of resources to meet agreed upon targets and results; Monitor the EVAWG programme financial situation to ensure adherenceto delivery rates and utilization of resources to meet agreed upon targetsand results; between offices, programmes and projects. Ensure effective information flow, communication and coordinationbetween offices, programmes and projects. Build partnerships and support in developing resource mobilization strategies strategies; Review and develop partnerships and resource mobilizationstrategies; opportunities for resource mobilization; Finalize relevant documentation on donors and develop potentialopportunities for resource mobilization; briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for cost sharing; Analyze and research information on donors, prepare substantivebriefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunitiesfor cost sharing; goals of UN Women, country needs and donors priorities and develop the relevant partnerships. Determine programmatic areas of cooperation, based on strategicgoals of UN Women, country needs and donors priorities and develop therelevant partnerships. Lead knowledge building and sharing efforts and lessons learned that are directly linked to the implementation of the programme and contribute to their global dissemination; Lead the process of identifying and synthesizing of best practicesand lessons learned that are directly linked to the implementation of theprogramme and contribute to their global dissemination; time to time. Perform other job-related duties as requested by supervisor fromtime to time. Key Performance Indicators: Note and Annual Work plans; The EVAWG Programme is implemented in line with the CO StrategicNote and Annual Work plans; policies and procedures, using a results-based management approach; EVAWG Programme team adhere to UN Womens Rules, Regulations,policies and procedures, using a results-based management approach; budgets; EVAWG Programme is implemented in a timely manner, in line withbudgets; Regular monitoring of programme, addressing issues in a timely manner Timely and quality reporting; sharing best practices/ lessons learned on programme management. Regular dissemination and sharing of information; EVAWG programme issharing best practices/ lessons learned on programme management. Qualifications, Skills and Experience: Specialist job placement should hold a Masters degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Political Science, Development, Public Administration, Gender The ideal applicant for the United Nations UNDP Programme ManagementSpecialist job placement should hold a Masters degree or equivalent inSocial Sciences, Political Science, Development, Public Administration,Gender of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree; A first-level university degree in combination with two additional yearsof qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanceduniversity degree; advantage. A project/programme management certification would be an addedadvantage. EVAWG programme management, including programme design, programme coordination, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting and capacity building; A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience inEVAWG programme management, including programme design, programmecoordination, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting and capacitybuilding; Experience in working in a gender related area is an asset; in programme development and programme writing; Experience in setting priorities, budgets, work plans, participatingin programme development and programme writing; Proven experience in leading teams effectively. Fluency in English is required; asset; Working knowledge of the other UN official working language is anasset; Working knowledge of any local language in Uganda is an asset. Competencies Core Values: Respect for Diversity; Integrity; Professionalism. Core Competencies: Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues; Accountability; Creative Problem Solving; Effective Communication; Inclusive Collaboration; Stakeholder Engagement; Leading by Example. Functional Competencies: evaluation skills; Excellent programme formulation, implementation, monitoring andevaluation skills; on them; Ability to develop detailed operational plans, budgets, and deliveron them; analytical reports to inform management and strategic decision-making; Ability to synthesize program performance data and produceanalytical reports to inform management and strategic decision-making; Excellent analytical skills; Excellent knowledge of Results Based Management; Strong knowledge of UN programme management systems; Ability to lead formulation of strategies and their implementation; Strong networking skills. How to Apply: All suitably qualified and interested candidates who so desire to join the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, in the aforementioned capacity should endeavor to Apply Online by Clicking on the link below. Please further review job requirements and if competent Click Apply Now. Click Here Deadline: 2nd June 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 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 Metro Bank's boss said he feels 'humbled and chastened' after an accounting error wiped more than 1billion off the lender's market value. Craig Donaldson, 47, issued an extraordinary apology to shareholders for the problems which have sent Metro stock plummeting 83 per cent from its peak in March last year. He admitted it had made serious mistakes, including the accounting error which saw it underestimate the riskiness of some property loans. That alone knocked more than 1billion off the bank's value when it was revealed in January. Metro boss: Craig Donaldso issued an apology to shareholders for the problems which have sent Metro stock plummeting 83 per cent from its peak in March last year Donaldson gave up his annual bonus and offered to resign in the wake of the fiasco, but was asked to stay by Metro's board. The apology was not enough for some investors, with 10 per cent voting against Donaldson's reappointment to Metro's board at its annual meeting yesterday. Speaking to investors, Donaldson said: 'I would like to apologise to you all and share my deep regret. 'I am really excited about the future, but it has been a humbling and chastening first quarter.' Metro revealed in January that it had underestimated the riskiness of some of its loans, and wasn't holding enough spare cash to cover itself while still funding growth in the event that borrowers were unable to pay them back. This meant it had to rush to investors to raise more money, eventually pulling in 375million by selling shares for 500p each. Just a year ago, Metro's shares were trading for 3422p apiece. The Mail exposed how Metro's error was discovered by regulators at the Bank of England, not its own staff as Metro had initially suggested. This triggered further questions over bosses' credibility. Even though Donaldson turned down a bonus for 2018, a hefty 21 per cent of Metro's investors voted against directors' pay, meaning it will appear on a register maintained by the Investment Association trade body of shamed firms suffering major revolts. The chief executive pocketed 800,944, while finance head David Arden took home 1.1million. In contrast to Donaldson's tone, Metro Bank's US billionaire founder Vernon Hill, 74, claimed his company is still the best choice in the UK. Hill, who received a 12 per cent vote against his reappointment, tried to rally shareholders behind his ambition to become a major lender. He said: 'We are the banking choice in Britain. Our model is working and we continue to disrupt UK banking. We have had some ups and downs but our strategy remains strong.' His words seemed to soothe investor jitters, as the shares ended the day up 7.6 per cent, or 49.5p, at 705.5p. Hill founded Metro Bank in 2010 as the first new High Street bank to open in the UK for more than 100 years. It now has 66 branches and 1.7m customers, whom it calls 'fans'. Many of its shareholders are Hill's close business associates, including Tiffany's chairman Roger Farah and media mogul Michael Bloomberg. Norway's Norges Bank revealed yesterday that it had taken a 3.1 per cent stake in the company, worth 20million at the current share price. Hill's Yorkshire terrier Sir Duffield II, who has become an unofficial mascot for the lender, was absent from the meeting. Metro declined to speak to journalists at the subdued event, and the lack of questions from shareholders elicited a surprised chuckle from Hill. We're all looking for ways to save money on our energy bills and there is one easy change everyone can make to cut down on costs. Homeowners could knock up to 100 a year off their electricity bill simply by removing old light bulbs and replacing them with modern energy saving alternatives. Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs make ideal replacements for ceiling and wall-fitted spotlight halogen lights while traditional bulbs can be changed for Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL). Although there is a cost for installing the new lights, they will pay for themselves within a couple of years. Homeowners can knock 100 a year off their electricity bill by using energy saving alternatives Most homes are already fitted with energy efficient CFLs following a European Union ban on traditional incandescent bulbs that began in 2009. Homeowners are now also being encouraged to swap their old halogen bulbs for more efficient LEDs in preparation for an expected ban on halogen lighting by the EU in 2018. How much will it cost? The Energy Saving Trust believes that due to advances in modern technology there has never been a better time to buy energy efficiency bulbs with prices plummeting and their quality improving. Brian Horne, energy expert at the trust, says: The price of LED lights has dropped dramatically in the past couple of years. 'Bulbs that once cost 20 can now be purchased for less than 5. The LEDs are still relatively expensive but they soon pay for themselves as they dramatically lower energy bills. The cost of CFL bulbs has also fallen with many manufacturers selling them for less than 5 each. Meanwhile, the traditional incandescent bulb is now hard to find on the high street and is only available from specialists who often charge 3 each for bulbs that previously cost less than 1. Since an EU ban on the sale of 40-watt bulbs in September 2012 following earlier bans on 60 and 100-watt bulbs the only way to buy an old-fashioned incandescent bulb is through a loophole where they are sold for industrial use. Turning off unused lights around the house could reduce your energy bills by around 13 a year. The cost of CFL bulbs has fallen with many manufacturers selling them for less than 5 each Can I change the bulbs by myself? When deciding on changing your lights it is easy to swap an old incandescent bayonet or screw-fitting bulb with a modern CFL light that fits into the existing socket. However it may be worth consulting a qualified electrician if you are unsure what to do when looking to change halogen spotlights. Which bulbs will I need? If your lighting is wired up on a standard mains connection then you will probably use GU10 halogen lights, which have chunky two-lug connections that screw into a light fitting. These can simply be replaced with new GU10 LED light bulbs. Many halogen light fittings also take low voltage bulbs that run on 12 volts although still connected to the 230-volt mains supply. In this case, each fitting might have a small transformer that is connected to the light and often stored in a ceiling space. These are suitable for MR16 bulbs that have smaller two-pin push connections. If changing low voltage lights for MR16 LED bulbs you may have to swap the old transformer for an LED driver model costing 10 or take the old one out and put in a new fitting suitable for GU10 bulbs. Most LEDs are not dimmable but specialist bulbs are available and you may need to fit a new dimmer control made for LED lights. A modern energy-efficient bulb can use 90 per cent less electricity than a traditional bulb. Horne added: Many still think energy-efficient light bulbs take a long time to start up and give off a cold and clinical glow, but technological advances mean they now light up immediately and offer a much friendlier, warm white glow to brighten a home. How much money can I save? In a typical home, replacing all bulbs with LED equivalents would cut the lighting bill by around 69 per cent - saving around 36 each year. Replacing all halogen downlighters with LED alternatives could also save 23 per year per household. According to the Energy Saving Trust you can get the same brightness but pay 3 less a year for each old light bulb replaced with an energy-efficient light. Homes that use lots of ceiling-mounted halogen lights can feel the saving effect more than most and if you can count more than 30 bulbs around the house you will find you can save at least 100 a year from making the switch. Lighting accounts for 18 per cent of an average household electricity bill. The Energy Saving Trust also points out that modern bulbs not only use less energy but should also last longer. For example, an old-fashioned incandescent bulb used two hours a day might light up your life for a total of just 1,000 hours while CFL bulbs survive ten times longer for 10,000 hours while LEDs last 25,000 hours. Horne says: When looking at swapping to energy-efficient lights you do not have to wait for the old ones to blow but can work on individual rooms. You no longer need to look at the wattage which is energy used but at the brightness in lumens. A 400 lumens bulb is equivalent to the brightness of a 40-watt bulb while a 1,300 lumens light may be as illuminating as a 100-watt bulb. You could become a millionaire overnight by predicting the winning lottery numbers if you had a crystal ball. Investing in companies poised to make it big might bring similar rewards over time, but if you back the wrong ones, you could lose a fortune. That's why successful fund managers are paid phone number-sized salaries to forecast which companies are going to be a roaring success and avoid those most likely to crash and burn. You could become a millionaire overnight by predicting the winning lottery numbers if you had a crystal ball Understanding how technology will shape our lives is a key part of spotting the best investment opportunities. Years ago, the idea of driverless cars would have seemed bonkers, but now they are a reality, with testing on roads starting this year. And however you feel about robots taking over human jobs, artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay. The growing political focus on climate change shows that energy-saving technology is likely to prove ever-more popular with consumers. Ben Yearsley, of adviser Shore Financial Planning, says investing in line with these themes could deliver 'superb returns' over time, but you will need to be patient to reap the rewards. He urges investors to use a variety of funds rather than trying to pick out individual companies' stocks in order to balance the risk of a firm going bust. Here, we reveal what funds investment experts have tipped as most likely to benefit from trends of the future. ROBOTS, AI AND SELF- DRIVING CARS Darius McDermott, managing director of FundCalibre, tips the Smith & Williamson Artificial Intelligence fund, which invests in companies that both use and develop AI. It invests 7 of every 100 of savers' money into Alphabet, the parent company of Google and Waymo, which is developing self-driving cars. It launched in 2017 and has turned 1,000 into 1,145 in the past year. Mr McDermott also likes the Baillie Gifford Japanese fund. Its top holding is SoftBank Group, a mobile phone giant that also owns robotics firm Boston Dynamics. Auto pilot: The Smith & Williamson Artificial Intelligence fund invests in Alphabet, the parent company of Google and Waymo, which is developing self-driving cars The fund invests 8.19 of every 100 in SoftBank and has turned 1,000 into 2,068 in the past five years. He also tips the Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust, which invests 6 in every 100 in Tesla. While the firm is the most famous player in the driverless car revolution, its share price has suffered recently due to investor concerns about competition from rivals and other worries. Nonetheless, the Trust has turned 1,000 into 2,668 over five years. Ryan Hughes, head of active portfolios at AJ Bell, likes the Polar Capital Automation & Artificial Intelligence fund. It also invests in Alphabet and Rockwell Automation, which is helping motor firms to make driverless cars. The fund, launched in 2017, has turned 1,000 into 1,052 in the past year, but Mr Hughes hopes it will see stronger long-term growth. ADVANCES IN HEALTHCARE With an ageing global population, improving healthcare is of enormous interest in the investment world. Daniel Pereira, analyst at investment research group Square Mile, tips the Artemis Global Select fund. It invests in automation, healthcare and scientific equipment. One of its largest holdings is U.S. healthcare equipment and services company Boston Scientific. Its innovations include the Dynagen Mini Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD), which is an advanced type of pacemaker that can deliver lifesaving shock therapy for those with irregular heartbeats. The fund has turned 1,000 into 1,953 in the past five years. Alternatively, Mr McDermott tips the Polar Capital Global Healthcare Trust, which turned 1,000 into 1,393 in five years. ELECTRIC CARS AND CLEAN ENERGY Mr McDermott says: 'There are a number of fund managers who are excited about the future prospects for electric vehicles (EVs), but there may be some bumps along the way.' 'Governments are also supportive, as switching over to EVs will cut dependency on fossil fuels and reduce our carbon footprint.' He tips Artemis Global Income, whose top holding is U.S. car manufacturer General Motors, which has pledged to make all its cars electric in the coming years. The fund has turned 1,000 into 1,531 over five years. WEATHER REPORT FROM THE FREEZER The smart home revolution means most new household appliances will soon be controlled by our mobile phones and be able to 'talk' to one another. A Samsung fridge, for example, can already provide a read-out of news, weather and tell you what appointments you've got booked into your email calendar. Mr Hughes tips Polar Capital Global Technology, which invests in Microsoft, Alphabet and Samsung, and has turned 1,000 into 3,300 over the past five years. [May 21, 2019] Sigfox U.S.A. Kicks Off Hacking House in Chicago with Focus on the Smart City Sigfox U.S.A., the U.S. network operator for global 0G network provider Sigfox, today announced that its second U.S. installment of Hacking House will be hosted at the Chicago Connectory, a co-working and incubator space for those in the IoT industry. The program will kick off with an event on June 4 at the Connectory where attendees will be introduced to Sigfox and its use cases, as well as to the Hacking House program and this class' participants. Sigfox's Hacking House program is designed to provide students and young professionals with intensive IoT and Sigfox technology training, giving them the necessary tools and skills to develop IoT solutions that can address real-world problems. Throughout the 12-week-long program, the 15 Hacking House participants will work closely with Sigfox engineers and local IoT professionals to develop IoT-powered solutions that enable the smart city. The program will close with a Demo Day on August 23, when participants will present their solutions to a panel of judges who will evaluate each project based on disruption and feasibility criteria. This latest installment of Hacking House builds off the success of the inaugural program, which took place in San Francisco in the fall of 2018. Participants in the first program developed projects that addressed a variety of issues, from a solution that tracked when the seals on shipping containers were removed inappropriately to one that alerts firefighters when wildfire breaks out. Sigfox chose Chicago for its second installment due to the wide pool of talent from local universities-the majority of the participating students attend local schools, including University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology and Northwestern University-accelerators and incubators, as well as the company's strong network presence in the city. For instance, Sigfox and Louis Vuitton have a luggage tracker that allows passengers to track their checked luggage in Chicago's O'Hare and Midway airports. Sigfox also provides local hotels with IoT connectivity to enable panic buttons that can transmit critical safety information, following an ordinance set by the city of Chicago to enhance hotel worker safety. "As a former Hacking House participant, I can personally attest to the impact and importance this program has on young people interested in the IoT," said Alberto Mannil, U.S. Hacking House Manager, Sigfox. "Hacking House provides participants with the opportunity to gain deep, firsthand knowledge about the industry and to develop new, innovative ideas for leveraging its power to solve the world's problems." "I'm excited to participate in the Hacking House because it gives me the freedom to explore a certain problem and try to solve it my way. Using Sigfox and working with people from different backgrounds and even different nationalities is very appealing to me. Everything is new. I'm interested in IoT because having experience in the medical industry and seeing the potential of wearables and IoT in general makes me want to deepen my knowledge and further hone my skills while developing a solution that can make a difference in the world," said the Hacking House participant, Justin Thomas. "IoT continues to explode in a plethora of different industries, many of which are located right here in Chicago. Expertise in IoT requires a broad skill set from Cloud Computing to firmware development, hardware design, wireless technologies and power technologies, just to name a few. The Sigfox Hacking House brings together mentors and a creative working environment to help the next generation of professionals succeed in this vast and growing field," added Kevin McQuown, Technical Mentor, Windy City Labs. The Hacking House program is made possible through collaboration with the Chicago Connectory and through from ST Microelectronics, Windy City Labs, Dracula Technologies, Spacebot, SeaSlugLabs, Soracom and Matrix Industries. For more information on Hacking House, visit thehackinghouse.com. About Sigfox U.S.A. Sigfox U.S.A. is the U.S. network operator for the global 0G network provider, Sigfox, designed to connect billions of devices to the Internet while consuming as little energy as possible. Sigfox U.S.A. offers IoT connectivity through its nationwide deployment, currently covering 51 of the top U.S. metros and 30 percent of the U.S. population. With ongoing network densification, Sigfox U.S.A. is continuing to extend coverage in key regions and offers Connectivity as a Service for connectivity in areas not yet covered. Sigfox U.S.A. is headquartered in Boston with offices in Dallas and San Jose. For more information go to www.sigfox.us. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005030/en/ [ Back To www.mobilitytechzone.com\LTE's Homepage ] Thomas Cook was battling a market rout last night as its shares and bonds plunged to record lows. Shares nosedived by 25 per cent to 8.4p in early trading amid mounting concern for the 178-year-old company, with 22,000 jobs on the line. The travel operator spent much of Monday reassuring customers on social media that they will still be able to go on their holidays, after issuing a statement at the weekend that insisted it is running as normal. Thomas Cook was battling a market rout last night as its shares and bonds plunged to record lows. Shares nosedived by 25 per cent to 8.4p in early trading Its share price later recovered some ground, ending the day down 12.7 per cent, or 1.5p, at 10.3p, but still dramatically below its peak of 302.3p in 2007. And the price of Thomas Cook's bonds long-term debt that is usually seen as relatively safe dropped in value by around a third. The falls followed weekend reports that a middleman company which processes customer payments could temporarily withhold millions of pounds owed to Thomas Cook due to concerns about its financial health. A similar move by credit card companies pushed Flybe to the brink of collapse earlier this year. Last week Thomas Cook spooked investors and holidaymakers alike when it revealed it had racked up a record first-half loss of 1.5 billion. Most of this was due to the company writing down the value of My Travel, a rival firm it bought in 2007, by 1.1 billion. But in its third profit warning in less than a year, the company warned that the second half of 2019 will be worse than previously thought. The firm which sent 22 million travellers on holiday last year is suffocating under a 1.3 billion debt mountain and is desperately trying to sell its airline business, which is struggling in the crowded European budget market. Thomas Cook was also forced to tap the market for 300 million earlier this year because it was worried it would not survive the winter, when travel firms tend to bring in the least cash. On Friday, Citigroup analyst James Ainley said the shares should be valued at 0p, effectively branding them worthless. Yesterday in a fresh note, Ainley said the company should undertake a restructuring known as a debt-for-equity swap, which would mean that lenders take control of Thomas Cook. In a sign of mounting jitters over the company's prospects, its bonds which are listed in Berlin fell heavily too, dropping as much as a third in price, according to trading firm AJ Bell. This is a sign that investors are worried a company might not be able to pay back what it owes. Russ Mould of trading firm AJ Bell said: 'Thomas Cook's publicly traded bonds have gone into meltdown, losing more than a third of their value in a single day's trading yesterday. 'This suggests that bondholders are frightened the firm needs fresh capital and may not be able to raise it, with the result that they might not get their interest payments let alone the return of their original investment upon maturity. 'The fact that investors are demanding such high returns to compensate themselves for the dangers associated with holding Thomas Cook's bonds shows you how risky they think the company is and how precarious its finances are.' It is also feared that doubts over the travel company's credibility will mean it struggles even more with holidaymakers becoming less willing to use Thomas Cook to book their summer breaks and, in turn, bringing in less revenue. The company, however, claimed its financial position is strengthening over the summer, as it usually does. A spokesman added: 'We have taken a number of proactive steps in recent months to strengthen our financial position. We have the support of our lending banks and major shareholders, and just last week we agreed additional funding for our coming winter cash-low period.' Thomas Cook stressed its holidays are covered by the Atol protection scheme, which ensures consumers will not lose money or be stranded if a travel firm fails. Foxtons was hit by an embarrassing investor revolt last night over fat-cat pay. The estate agent's remuneration report was rejected by almost 22 per cent of shareholders at its AGM in Chiswick, west London. It came after boss Nick Budden and finance chief Mark Berry were handed 389,000 in bonuses for 2018, up from 371,000 the previous year. Foxtons was hit by an embarrassing investor revolt last night over fat-cat pay That was despite the company swinging into an annual loss, and shares plunging by 36 per cent during that period. Overall, Budden was given 910,000 and Berry 480,000. The rebellion means that Foxtons will be named and shamed by the Investment Association trade body on a list of firms which have been hit by significant revolts. A Foxtons spokesman said after the vote that it 'acknowledges the concerns raised by shareholders, in particular regarding the 2018 bonus outcomes'. The firm also revealed the number of homes it is selling in London had dropped to record lows. Foxtons blamed uncertainty over Brexit for creating 'very challenging' market conditions in the capital. Group revenues fell to 23.8 million in the first three months of this year, down from 24.5 million during the same period in 2018. It also announced that it is parting ways with chief financial officer Mark Berry by 'mutual agreement'. Foxtons shares fell 4.7 per cent, or 2.8p, to 57.2p after the announcements. Jaguar Land Rover racked up a record loss after diesel sales slumped but insisted it is not trying to merge with French firm Peugeot. Britain's largest car maker swung to a 3.6 billion loss for the year ended March 31. This was mostly due to a 3.1 billion write-down in the value of its investments in the third quarter, after demand for some of its newer models plunged. Jaguar Land Rover racked up a record loss after diesel sales slumped but insisted it is not trying to merge with French firm Peugeot Around half of this was because existing investments such as factories, equipment and car designs are worth less than previously hoped due to the problems faced by the industry. And the rest was money wiped off in an accounting correction because the firm expects to earn less in coming years than it previously expected. It came as sales for cars such as the Jaguar saloon halved compared with the same period the year before. The company has struggled with plunging demand in China made worse due to the US-China trade war triggered by President Trump and drivers ditching diesel cars since the Volkswagen emissions scandal emerged in 2015. Much of its range is diesel-powered. It did not provide an update about widespread rumours that its parent company, Tata Motors, is planning to sell a stake in JLR to the French company PSA Groupe, which is behind Peugeot. But a board member denied the rumours, saying: 'Every two weeks this comes out. Every two weeks we make the same comment. There is no truth to these rumours. We do not comment on speculation.' Land Rover has been struggling since the downturn in demand from China, one of its biggest markets The British firm - owned by Tata - announced it was to cut around 4,500 jobs across its UK plants earlier this year JLR, which was bought by India's Tata for 1.2 billion in 2008, said the situation is starting to improve. It made a 120 million profit in the last three months of the financial year. The company which employs about 40,000 people in the UK put this down to huge rounds of cost-cutting paying off after it announced plans to axe 4,500 jobs earlier this year. Chief executive Ralf Speth said JLR which also makes the luxury Range Rover models has been one of the first companies in its sector 'to address the multiple headwinds simultaneously sweeping the automotive industry'. He claimed that JLR's turnaround plan has already saved 1.3 billion. Full-year revenue came in at 24.2 billion, down from 25.8 billion the year before. It sold 6 per cent fewer vehicles, or 578,915, which it put down to weakness in China. But the company said it is seeing solid sales for several of its new cars, such as the Jaguar E-Pace and Range Rover Velar. Tata Motors' finance chief, Pathamadai Balachandran Balaji, said he expects Chinese sales of its sleek Jaguar saloons and Land Rover SUVs to return to growth later this year. JLR had made a profit of 1.5 billion in its previous financial year, 2017/18. Ford to cull thousands of jobs worldwide Ford will cut 7,000 jobs worldwide around 10 per cent of its global workforce in a bid to slash costs. Ford will cut 7,000 jobs worldwide in a bid to slash costs The American car maker said the job losses would be made through a mixture of voluntary and compulsory redundancies. About 2,300 roles will be axed in the US and 1,200 in Germany. It has yet to be clarified how many of its 12,000 UK jobs are at stake, though recent reports claim it will mainly between 500 and 550 'white collar, salaried employees'. BP will come under pressure from investors to ramp up its fight against climate change BP will come under pressure from investors to ramp up its fight against climate change during its annual general meeting today. Its carbon emissions hit a six-year high in 2018, and it is being lobbied by activists to clean up its act. Greenpeace activists yesterday blocked the entrances to BPs head office in central London, urging the firm to end oil and gas exploration. BP has already bowed to pressure and backed a resolution committing it to be more transparent about its emissions. It will also link bosses bonuses to reduction targets. The resolution has been proposed by a group of 58 shareholders holding 10 per cent of the companys shares, known as Climate Action 100+. But others are calling for BP to go further and follow rival Shell, which has agreed to reduce emissions not just from its own activities but also those of the fuel and products it sells. A resolution supporting this tougher stance has been proposed by climate change activist group Follow This, but is opposed by BP. Greenpeace activists yesterday blocked the entrances to BPs head office in central London, urging the firm to end oil and gas exploration The BP AGM is due to take place at the Aberdeen Exhibition And Conference Centre. Shell will hold its AGM in the Netherlands today, and has won support from Follow This for its climate change policies. The group had put forward a resolution calling on Shell to adopt different ways of measuring its progress on climate issues, but was persuaded to withdraw it beforehand. Ryanair's annual profits dropped to a four-year low of 832 million as it was hit by a fall in fare takings and rising fuel costs. The budget airline said it flew 142 million customers across Europe in the year to March 31, up 9 per cent on the previous year. However, profits dropped by a third. Chief executive Michael OLeary put this down to a later Easter holiday, which fell outside the financial year, meaning that the lucrative holiday period was not included in the results. Ryanair's annual profits dropped to a four-year low of 832 million as it was hit by a fall in fare takings and rising fuel costs Fierce competition on short-haul routes also played a part in pushing the average fare down by 6 per cent to 32. And Ryanair was battling a 23 per cent rise in fuel costs to 2.1 billion after oil prices rose. It warned that this year the fuel bill will rise by another 19 per cent, or 403 million, to 2.5 billion. Profits fell at the firms Austrian airline Laudamotion, and it had to spend 28 per cent more on staff salaries costing it 829 million after a series of deals with unions to avert strikes. OLeary said the price of fares will keep falling in Germany and the UK. A number of other companies in the sector, such as Tui and Easyjet, have said that worries about a hard Brexit occurring in March put travellers off booking summer holidays abroad earlier in the year. Ryanair said that revenues rose 6 per cent to 6.6 billion, as it made more money from add-ons such as reserved seating and priority boarding. Thousands of homeowners could find their Tesco Bank mortgages sold to a third party after it confirmed it has ceased new lending. The supermarket giant's fully-owned bank will look to sell its mortgage book, having previously lent about 3.7billion to more than 23,000 mortgage holders. Tesco blamed challenging market conditions as it closed its doors to new lending and ended a major chapter of its push into banking, once seen as a highly profitable area ripe for the supermarket to disrupt. The bank said it is looking to 'serve a broader range of customers' by selling its mortgage book Tesco now says it will actively look for a buyer for its existing mortgage portfolio. Gerry Mallon, chief executive of Tesco Bank, said: 'In recent years, challenging market conditions have limited profitable growth opportunities. 'Our focus is on how we best serve Tesco customers and align our resources effectively to their needs while ensuring that our offer remains sustainable in the long term. 'To that end, we have made the strategic decision to focus on serving a broader range of customers in more specific areas, which means moving away from our mortgage offer. 'We have therefore chosen to cease lending to new customers and announce our intention to explore a sale of our portfolio.' The lender noted that a sale is not guaranteed and confirmed that it will update existing customers as and when new information comes to light. 'Our priority in any sale is to complete a commercially acceptable transaction with a purchaser who will continue to serve our customers well,' Mallon said. He added that there are no changes to customer accounts as a result of the announcement and customers do not need to take any action. Mortgage lenders are shutting up shop Tesco Bank is the sixth lender since December to close its doors to new business as increased competition in the market has squeezed profits in the sector. The bank follows AA Mortgages, which in March announced it would no longer be offering mortgages to new customers. Sub-prime mortgage lender Magellan Homeloans called time on all new lending in the same month, citing competitive pressures in the mortgage market. In a statement, the specialist mortgage lender said increasingly expensive funding costs combined with the competitive pressure to keep mortgage rates low meant it could no longer justify making new loans. There has been a small exodus of mortgage lenders since December as competition continues This followed the closures of buy-to-let specialists Fleet Mortgages, Secure Trust Bank and Amicus. Fleet Mortgages, a specialist buy-to-let lender, was forced to close its doors in January after failing to secure finance from investors to fund any more new loans - it has since secured a new funding line and commenced lending again however. The previous day, Secure Trust Bank confirmed it would cease offering new mortgages immediately due to 'competition intensifying, as evidenced by increasing loan-to-value metrics and lower new lending margins'. In mid-December, Amicus - a specialist lender offering short-term mortgages to property developers and landlords - was forced to stop all new lending and the following month confirmed the business had been put into administration. This small exodus of lenders since December has led to concern these could be the early warning signs that a second credit crunch is on the way. Writing in an industry blog, Lynda Blackwell, the former mortgage sector manager at the Financial Conduct Authority and now an independent consultant, said: 'There are over 140 active lenders in the market today but the top six account for around 73 per cent of total residential lending in the UK. 'That leaves 136-plus active lenders chasing a 27 per cent share. Those lenders can't possibly compete with the top six, with their massive funding advantage and dominant position in the market. 'We're starting to see the impact of all of this with firms halting lending and even exiting the market. Something has to give.' The following companies are subsidiares of Ashland Global: 565 Corporation, ASH GP INC., ASHLAND SPECIALTY CHEMICAL (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD., ASHLAND SPECIALTY CHEMICALS (MALAYSIA) SDN.BHD, Adams Drive Totowa L.L.C., Alera Property Holdings LLC, Alera Technologies Inc., Alix Technologies LLC, Aloe Vemera S.P.R de R.L. de C.V., Ash (Gibraltar) One Limited, Ash B CIS 1 Limited, Ash B CIS 2 Limited, Ash B1 Limited, Ash B2 Limited, Ash B3 Limited, Ash B4 Limited, Ash B5 Limited, Ash CIS Canada Corp., Ash CIS Canada Holdings B.V., Ash CIS GmbH, Ash Global Holding Three GmbH, Ash Global Holdings Two B.V., Ash Junior Global Holding One LLC, Ash Junior Global Holding Two LLC, Ash Swiss Holding Two GmbH, AshLux Three S.a r.l., AshOne C. V., Ashland (Australasia) Pty. Limited, Ashland (Changzhou) Advanced Chemical Co. Ltd., Ashland (Changzhou) Specialty Chemical Co. Ltd, Ashland (China) Holdings Co. Ltd., Ashland (Gibraltar) One Holding Inc., Ashland (Thailand) Co. Ltd, Ashland Argentina S.R.L., Ashland CZ s.r.o., Ashland Canada Corp./Corporation Ashland Canada, Ashland Canada Holdings B. V., Ashland Chemco Inc., Ashland Chemical De Mexico S.A. De C.V., Ashland Chemical Hispania S. L., Ashland Chemical Trading (Shanghai) Company Limited, Ashland Chemicals (Nanjing) Company Limited, Ashland Colombia S.A.S., Ashland Comercio de Especialidades Quimicas do Brasil Ltda., Ashland Danmark ApS, Ashland Eastern Markets LLC, Ashland Ethanol Inc., Ashland Finance Limited, Ashland Finland Oy, Ashland France SAS, Ashland Global Holdings One C.V., Ashland India Private Limited, Ashland Industria de Ingredientes do Brasil Ltda., Ashland Industries Deutschland GmbH, Ashland Industries Europe GmbH, Ashland Industries France SAS, Ashland Industries Italia S.r.l., Ashland Industries Nederland B.V., Ashland Industries UK Limited, Ashland International Holdings LLC, Ashland Italia S.r.l., Ashland Japan Ltd., Ashland Korea Limited, Ashland LLC, Ashland Licensing and Intellectual Property LLC, Ashland ME Holdings Inc., Ashland Mexico Holdings One LLC, Ashland Mexico Holdings Two LLC, Ashland Nigeria Exploration Unlimited, Ashland Oil (Nigeria) Company Unlimited, Ashland Oil Inc., Ashland Pacific Pty. Ltd., Ashland Participacoes Ltda., Ashland Pharmachem International Holdings LLC, Ashland Polimeros do Brasil S.A., Ashland Services B. V., Ashland Services Mexico S.A. de C.V., Ashland Singapore Pte. Ltd., Ashland Specialties Austria GmbH, Ashland Specialties Belgium BVBA, Ashland Specialties France S.a.r.l., Ashland Specialties Hispania S.L., Ashland Specialties Holding C.V., Ashland Specialties Ireland Limited, Ashland Specialties Poland Sp. z o.o., Ashland Specialties Sverige AB, Ashland Specialties UK Limited, Ashland Specialty Chemical Korea Co. Ltd., Ashland Specialty Ingredients G.P., Ashland Technologies GmbH, Ashland-Alaskan Limited, Ashland-Plasticos De Portugal Lda., Ashmont Insurance Company Inc., Ashprop Two LLC, Avoca LLC, Avoele S.A. de C.V., Belleville Realty Corp., Bluegrass Insurance Company Limited, CLTA LLC, CVG Capital III LLC, Carol Clifton Inc., Clevedon Sp. z o.o., Curtis Bay Insurance Co. Ltd, East Bay Realty Services Inc., Ever Success Overseas Limited, FRJ Inc., Fospur, Hercofina, Hercules, Hercules Holding BV BVBA, Hercules Holding II Limited, Hercules Hydrocarbon Holdings Inc., Hercules International Limited LLC, Hercules Investment ApS, Hercules Investments Netherlands B.V., Hercules Islands Corporation, Hercules LLC, Hercules Paper Holdings Inc., Hercules Trading (Shanghai) Company Limited, ISP (Belgium) International N. V., ISP Alginates Inc., ISP Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd, ISP Biochema Schwaben GmbH, ISP Canada Corp., ISP Capital LLC, ISP Chemco LLC, ISP Chemical Products LLC, ISP Chemicals LLC, ISP Environmental Services Inc., ISP France Holding SARL, ISP France Marketing SARL, ISP Freetown Fine Chemicals Inc., ISP Freight Services N. V., ISP Global Operations (Barbados) Inc., ISP Global Technologies Deutschland Unterstutzungskasse GmbH, ISP Global Technologies Inc., ISP Global Technologies LLC, ISP HC Limited, ISP Holdings (U.K.) Ltd., ISP Hungary Holdings Limited Liability Company, ISP International Corp., ISP Investments LLC, ISP Lima LLC, ISP Luxembourg Canada S.a.r.l., ISP Management Company Inc., ISP Marl GmbH, ISP Marl Holdings GmbH, ISP Microcaps (U.K.) Limited, ISP Pharma Systems LLC, ISP Real Estate Company Inc., ISP Singapore Holding LLC, ISP Technologies Inc., ISP Technologies LLC, International Specialty Holdings LLC, International Specialty Products, International Specialty Products (India) Private Limited, International Specialty Products Funding Corporation, International Specialty Products Inc., Jiangmen Ashland Chemicals Company Limited, Nanjing Clear Environment Protection, Northwest Coatings, Oil Can Henrys, PT Ashland Asia, PT ISP Chemicals Indonesia, Pakistan Gum Industries (Private) Limited, Pharmachem Laboratories, Pharmachem Laboratories LLC, Pharmachem Laboratories Utah LLC, Prince Street Paterson LLC, Progiven S.A.S., Proprietary Nutritionals LLC, Ralop S. de R.L. de C.V., Saudi Industrial Resins Co. Ltd. (Polyester), Shanghai Ashland Industrial Trading Co. Ltd., St Croix Petrochemical Corp, Taiwan Ashland Co. Ltd., Techwax Limited, Vemera S. de R.L. de C.V., and WSP LLC. [May 21, 2019] GovSpend Recognized as One of the Top 25 Sales Organizations in the Country DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla., May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- GovSpend, headquartered in Deerfield Beach, Florida, was ranked one of the Top 25 sales organizations in the United States, and CRO Jack Siney as one of the country's Top Sales Leaders. Comparably recently released the best sales awards as part of their 2019 company analysis. Their methodology is unique because it's based upon crowd-sourced feedback on company operations, cultures, and compensation. They only utilize information provided by company employees, which eliminates the potential for any corporate financial or lobbying influences on the ratings. The Top 25 ranking is particularly noteworthy because it includes Fortune 500 companies such as Salesforce, Costco, Aflac, and H-E-B, plus well-known consumer brands like T-Mobile, Chick-fil-A, and SmileDirectClub. Leading technology companies, such as Hubspot, Jabra, and UiPath, were also featured. GovSpend is the only Florida company in the ranking with a majority of companies (8) based in California. Top 25 Sales Departments: https://www.comparably.com/blog/?p=7583&preview=true Top 25 Sales Leaders: https://www.comparably.com/blog/best-sales-leaders-2019/ GovSpend (govspend.com) provides several technology solutions to make the government procurement process more efficient for agencies and contractors. The foundation of the GovSpend platform is a patented database of purchase orders from government agencies around the country. This solution allows companies to target their sales & marketing activities to the agencies that are most likely to purchase their product/service and allows government agencies to ensure they are receiving the best overall value. Since 2011 Jack Siney has led the company's sales operations and began his career working in government procurement -- acquiring F/A-18 fighter jets for the U.S. Navy. He then transitioned to working on implementing solutions to help improve government operations and has spent the past 20 years selling over $100 million in technology solutions to federal, state, and local agencies. "It's an incredible and humbling honor to be included with this amazing group of companies and sales leaders," said CRO Jack Siney. "Our goal at GovSpend is to continue to innovate and do creative things with our sales processes that both drive revenue and make GovSpend a top destination for sales professionals." GovSpend is the leading provider of procurement intelligence software -- providing access to a patented database of government purchase orders from federal, state, and local agencies; bid notification system; and innovative electronic quoting system for government agencies. Contact: Randa Quraan Phone: 305-984-8751 Email: 214991@email4pr.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/govspend-recognized-as-one-of-the-top-25-sales-organizations-in-the-country-300853861.html SOURCE GovSpend [ Back To www.mobilitytechzone.com\LTE's Homepage ] iShares S&P SmallCap 600 ETF's stock was trading at $62.31 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, IJR shares have increased by 84.6% and is now trading at $115.02. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. 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 Mexican Gold Mining Corp. engages in the acquisition, exploration, and evaluation of resource properties. It holds a 100% interest in the Las Minas project consists of six mineral concessions located in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. The company was formerly known as Mexican Gold Corp. and changed its name to Mexican Gold Mining Corp. in February 2020. Mexican Gold Mining Corp. was founded in 2006 and is based in Vancouver, Canada. Read More [May 21, 2019] UnitedHealthcare Community Plan Donates Drug Disposal Kits to Local Community Groups to Help People Safely Dispose of Unused Opioids UnitedHealthcare Community Plan is confronting the opioid epidemic by donating 2,000 opioid disposal kits to the Byrnes Health Education Center and the Mural Arts Philadelphia's Porch Light Program. The disposal kits offer people a convenient way to remove unused opioids from their homes and prevent their misuse or diversion. Over 60 percent of Americans with leftover opioid medications keep them in their homes, and 70 percent of people misusing opioid painkillers first got them from family or friends. UnitedHealthcare Community Plan is donating the opioid disposal kits to promote the safe disposal of opioids and help prevent further deaths from these drugs. The kits were made possible thanks to a partnership with Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals. Each opioid disposal kit deactivates up to 45 tablets or six opioid patches through this easy process: Open the sealable pouch, which contains active carbon Add unused medications and warm water as directed to the pouch The carbon binds to the active drug ingredients and breaks the medication down Seal the pouch and safely discard in your household garbage UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Pennsylvania serves more than 270,000 people enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP plan across the Commonwealth. Promoting use of the kits is part of its continued efforts to confront the opioid epidemic in Pennsylvania. Last year, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan donated 10,000 opioid disposal kits to the Byrnes Health Education Center and Family First Health. "This donation to the Byrnes Health Education Center and the Mural Arts Philadelphia's Porch Light Program underscores our ongoing engagement in the fight against the opioid epidemic," said Allison Davenport, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Pensylvania. "These kits provide Pennsylvanians with a safe way to dispose of unused pain medication. We know that safe disposal is an important step in preventing opioids from being misused, and ultimately, in saving lives." The Byrnes Health Education Center is raising awareness of the overdose epidemic among children through educational programs about the impact drugs can have on individuals, families and communities. The Mural Arts Philadelphia's Porch Light Program is a joint collaboration with the City of Philadelphia's Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services. This collaboration focuses on issues that have tangible effects on local communities, such as substance abuse, and works to create positive changes within the community. UnitedHealthcare, in partnership with community groups across the country, has focused on five key interventions where research indicates there is significant potential to fight opioid addiction and misuse: promoting CDC guidelines on prescribing and dispensing; working with pharmacies on appropriate prescribing levels; reducing Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome in newborns; promoting Naloxone use; and increasing referrals to medication-assisted treatment centers. More than 2 million people in the United States suffer from substance-use disorders related to prescription opioid painkillers. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, in 2016, there were 2,235 opioid-related overdose deaths in Pennsylvania - a rate of 18.5 deaths per 100,000 people. For more information about UnitedHealthcare's efforts to address the opioid epidemic, visit https://newsroom.uhc.com/opioids.html. About UnitedHealthcare UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and making the health system work better for everyone by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. In the United States, UnitedHealthcare offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 1.3 million physicians and care professionals, and 6,000 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. The company also provides health benefits and delivers care to people through owned and operated health care facilities in South America. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified health care company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at www.uhc.com or follow @UHC on Twitter (News - Alert). Click here to subscribe to Mobile Alerts for UnitedHealth Group. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005125/en/ [ Back To www.mobilitytechzone.com\LTE's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Tencent Embraces Global Digitalization Opportunities with Its Industrial Internet Strategies KUNMING, China, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Tencent Holdings Limited, the leading Internet-based value-added services provider in China, presented its Industrial Internet strategies at the inaugural Global Digital Ecosystem Summit in Kunming today, and urged enterprises to embrace together the business opportunities brought by global digitalization. Speaking at the opening ceremony, President of Tencent, Mr. Martin Lau, discussed the prospects of the Industrial Internet, as the digital and physical worlds converged to create a brand new digital expressway for enterprises to upgrade their business operations. Mr. Lau said Tencent is committed to open ecosystems and will leverage the company's strength in the Consumer Internet to support our partners' evolution to the Industrial Internet. Tencent will provide advanced technologies to support our partners to upgrade their capabilities, and jointly develop digital solutions for different verticals. Internet connectivity would become a core capability to increase their overall productivity, added Mr. Lau. Mr. Dowson Tong, Senior Executive Vice President of Tencent and President of Cloud and Smart Industries Group, said, "Industrial Internet covers the whole cycle from design, research and development to production, assembling, distribution and after-sales services. It is important for enterprises to embrace digital transformation throughout the whole cycle, in order to enhance efficiency and realize digital upgrade. Tencent is positioned as a 'digital assistant', providing tools, enhancing connections and building ecosystems. We will team up with our partners to explore the possibilities, contribute to the digital ecosystem and share the benefits." With multi-year investments, Tencent Cloud has established large-scale, stble and robust infrastructure and capabilities, complemented by online security, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, location-based services and other proprietary technologies, to support ecosystem partners across various industries. What Tencent has accumulated in the Consumer Internet ecosystem over the years builds up its strength in developing the Industrial Internet. The massive Weixin and QQ user bases serve as the "digital gateway" for industries, while Official Accounts, Mini Programs, mobile payments, marketing solutions and WeChat Work serve as the "digital tools" that connect developers and enterprises to potential customers. Tencent assists the digital transformation to smart industries by providing technology solutions to address pain points in various industries. Tencent has developed several benchmark cases in select verticals including finance, retail, municipal services, tourism, healthcare, transportation and education, assisting industry leaders to scale new heights. Several Global 500 companies, namely, Bank of China, COFCO, GAC Group, Wal-Mart, State Grid Corporation of China and People's Insurance Company of China, have embarked on their digital journeys with Tencent. One of the cases is the "E-Travel in Yunnan" app, which enables tourists to use their smart phones to travel around the province, guided by the native app, Mini Programs or Official Account. Tourists can purchase entry tickets online, make payments using the app's unified QR code on a wide range of services including dining, accommodation, transportation, sight-seeing and shopping in Yunnan. Since its launch in June 2018, the service has been very popular with tourists and earned recognition from partnering merchants. About Tencent Tencent uses technology to enrich the lives of Internet users. Our social products Weixin and QQ link our users to a rich digital content catalogue including games, video, music and books. Our proprietary targeting technology helps advertisers reach out to hundreds of millions of consumers in China. Our infrastructure, FinTech and Business Services including payment, security, cloud and artificial intelligence create differentiated offerings to support our partners' business growth and assist their digital upgrade. Tencent invests heavily in people and innovation, enabling us to evolve with the Internet. Tencent was founded in Shenzhen, China, in 1998. Shares of Tencent (00700.HK) are traded on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. Media contact: Francis Wong +852 3148 5100 Ext. 50752 franciswong@tencent.com Pui Hang Cheung +852 3148 5100 Ext. 68919 phcheung@tencent.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tencent-embraces-global-digitalization-opportunities-with-its-industrial-internet-strategies-300854170.html SOURCE Tencent Holdings Limited [ Back To www.mobilitytechzone.com\LTE's Homepage ] EAST NORRITON The bridge on Johnson Highway near Eves Lunch and Tomasco Landscaping will be out of commission until early October. According to PennDOT (The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation), construction to rehab the bridge that carries Johnson Highway over a branch of Sawmill Run Creek in East Norriton Township was started on May 13 and will take about five months to complete. PennDOTs contractor will rehab the existing superstructure and install a new bridge deck, barrier and sidewalk; perform scour rock and stream repair and pave the bridge approaches. Due to the nature of construction, Johnson Highway will be closed and detoured between Hills Drive and Rahway Avenue during the length of the project. Drivers will be directed to use U.S. 202 (DeKalb Pike), Germantown Pike, and Arch Road/New Hope Street. Local access will be maintained up to the construction zone, a press release noted. Built in 1924, and reconstructed in 1966, the one-span bridge is 28 feet long and 55 feet wide, transporting an average of 9,096 vehicles a day. The rehabilitation of the bridge is part of PennDOTs $6.8 million project to rehabilitate six poor condition bridges in Bucks and Montgomery counties, three structurally-deficient culverts in Bucks County, and to stabilize a stream embankment at a bridge in Bucks County, the release noted. Loftus Construction, Inc. of Cinnaminson, N.J., is the general contractor on the project that is financed entirely with state funds through Act 89, Pennsylvanias transportation plan. Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties at www.penndot.gov/District6. Drivers can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com or downloading the free 511PA application for iPhone and Android devices. Follow PennDOT on Twitter at www.twitter.com/511PAPhilly and like the department on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaDepartmentofTransportation and Instagram at www.instagram.com/pennsylvaniadot. Detroit Ford revealed details of its long-awaited restructuring plan Monday as it prepared for a future of electric and autonomous vehicles by parting ways with 7,000 white-collar workers worldwide, about 10% of its global salaried workforce. The major revamp, which had been under way since last year, will save about $600 million per year by eliminating bureaucracy and increasing the number of workers reporting to each manager. In the U.S. about 2,300 jobs will be cut through buyouts and layoffs. About 1,500 have left voluntarily or with buyouts, while another 300 have already been laid off. About 500 workers will be let go starting this week, largely in and around the company's headquarters in Dearborn, Mich., just outside Detroit. The layoffs are coming across a broad swath of the company including engineering, product development, marketing, information technology, logistics, finance and other areas. But the company also said it is hiring in some critical areas including those developing software and dealing with self-driving and electric vehicles. In a memo to employees, Monday, CEO Jim Hackett said the fourth wave of the restructuring will start on Tuesday, with the majority of U.S. cuts being finished by May 24. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. "To succeed in our competitive industry, and position Ford to win in a fast-charging future, we must reduce bureaucracy, empower managers, speed decision making and focus on the most valuable work, and cost cuts," Hackett's wrote. It's the second set of layoffs for Detroit-area automakers, even though the companies are making healthy profits. Sales in the U.S., where the automakers get most of their revenue, have fallen slightly but still are strong. In November, General Motors announced it would shed up to 14,000 workers as it cut expenses to prepare for a shift to electric and autonomous vehicles. The layoffs included closure of five factories in the U.S. and Canada and cuts of another 8,000 white-collar workers worldwide. Malta GlobalFoundries is selling off Avera Semiconductor, the chip-design team that GlobalFoundries acquired back in 2015 when it purchased IBM's microelectronics division. GlobalFoundries is selling the company to Marvell Technology Group of Santa Clara, Calif., in a deal worth $650 million in cash, plus another $90 million potentially if certain business milestones are achieved. GlobalFoundries had created Avera out of the group of about 800 engineers that had been IBM's in-house design team. GlobalFoundries gave the unit the Avera name back in October. Avera has $500 million in annual revenue. Marvell makes "infrastructure" chips found in data centers, cloud computing systems, cars and other devices and systems. Its chips are also used in telecom equipment. The deal also includes a long-term manufacturing agreement between Marvell and GlobalFoundries. Marvell is a "fabless" chip maker and GlobalFoundries is a foundry that makes chips for fabless companies that don't have their own manufacturing facilities. This is the third asset sale that GlobalFoundries has done in the last several months, including selling of its former East Fishkill fab, which was part of the IBM deal as well, last month to On Semiconductor. "This transaction is another example of our commitment to focus on our core business of providing differentiated foundry offerings as a manufacturing service provider, while establishing deeper relationships with customers who are leaders in their respective sectors," said Tom Caulfield, CEO at GlobalFoundries. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Some of Avera's employees work in Fab 8, GlobalFoundries' computer chip factory in Malta. GlobalFoundries spokeswoman Erica McGill wouldn't provide specifics about the number of Avera employees locally, but she said the unit's 800 employees work across three continents. "While decisions on the final structure have not been made, we can confirm that there are less than 100 Avera employees based in GlobalFoundries' Northeast Tech Corridor, including Fab 8, and are all expected to move over to Marvell once the deal closes," McGill said. The sale of Avera is good news locally since the manufacturing agreement with Marvell assures GlobalFoundries more work at its fabs. "This announcement marks another step forward for GlobalFoundries on its path to profitability, which in turn bodes well for Saratoga County, the Capital Region and New York state," said Marty Vanags, president of the Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership. "We applaud CEO Tom Caulfield for defining and executing a visionary strategy that ensures GlobalFoundries remains an industry leader far into the future, and keeps Saratoga County at the forefront of the global semiconductor world." NISKAYUNA Dan Dembling, one of the architects of the proposed Jewish Holocaust Memorial, said designing the memorial was not rocket science it was much more difficult than that. "The memorial itself is a story," Dembling said May 15 while presenting renderings of the memorial. "It's a cautionary tale." A second presentation of the design and a public forum about the Holocaust Memorial, proposed for Troy-Schenectady Road, will be held Wednesday. The memorial, which was created by Dembling & Dembling Architects based out of Albany, is split into six main parts: the same number of sides on the Jewish star, which can be seen from an aerial view, and also representative of the estimated 6 million Jews murdered during the Holocaust. Part 1, Names: At the beginning of the memorial is a brick wall for quotes of Holocaust survivors. Throughout the memorial there are areas where quotes and pictures of survivors will be featured. Dembling said they hope to use some quotes from survivors who live in the Capital Region. There is also a small pavilion representing a chuppah, which is used during Jewish wedding ceremonies. Part 2, Yellow Star: This part represents Kristallnacht or the "Night of Broken Glass." On the night of November 9, 1938, violence against Jews broke out across Nazi Germany: Jews were killed, synagogues were burned, and Jewish businesses had their windows smashed and were looted. The morning after, thousands of Jews were sent to concentration camps. At the Yellow Star portion of the memorial there will be photos of what life was like before Kristallnacht. There will also be a panel that looks like broken glass. Part 3, Numbers: In this area will be a panel that looks like a box car, representing when Jews were put in boxcars and sent to concentration camps. There are two missing planks where the faces of people will be visible. Throughout the memorial are train tracks on the ground to show the part that the railroad industry played in the Holocaust. The name of this part, "Numbers," also stands for when Jews were no longer referred to by their names but instead by the number tattooed on them, Dembling said. Part 4, Final Solution: The term "Final Solution" refers to the Germans' plan to physically liquidate all Jews in Europe. At this part in the memorial will be fake barbed wire, representing the concentration camps. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Part 5, Bearing Witness: At this point visitors will be able to walk into the middle of the memorial. Public meeting The next presentation and community forum on the proposed Holocaust memorial will be held Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Little Theatre of Niskayuna High School, 1626 Balltown Road. Speakers may sign up in advance via Eventbrite. Preregistration isn't required, the town indicated on its website, but those who register will be given first priority. See More Collapse In the middle are six stone towers, standing 18 feet tall. Architects specifically chose this number because it is universally synonymous with "chai," which translated from Hebrew to English means "life," Dembling said. At the base of each tower are loose pebbles. Inside is a plinth, or base, with objects placed on top that are items people used before they were sent to concentration camps, such as a chair, trunk or journal, Dembling said. Surrounding the pedestal are benches for people to reflect. Visitors can also pick up the loose pebbles at the base of the towers and put it on the plinth to pay their respects to the dead, a common tradition in Jewish cemeteries, where people leave stones on graves. Part 6, Never Again: The last part of the memorial is an arch as people exit the memorial. On the arch is says, "Never Again." "We want people to come away understanding the horrors of what happened," Dembling said. "So it never happens again." ALBANY The staff at Albany County Nursing Home staff failed to adequately feed, clothe, wash and medicate a resident in the months leading up to his death last year, according to a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday morning. Lori LaRock said she frequently found her 73-year-old father, Roger Sanford who suffered from Alzheimer's and heart conditions with untouched meals beside his bed or soaked in urine and feces, according to the complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Albany. When she complained to the facility's executive director, Larry Slatky, he allegedly warned her that grievances made to the state Health Department would be "lost" and boasted that his staff member's relative worked at the agency, according to the court filings. On March 1, 2018, LaRock found her father alone in his room, gasping for air, drenched in sweat, with an oxygen tube dangling from his nose, according to the documents. When she called for help, multiple staff members did not assist her. LaRock called 911, but paramedics were unable to revive her father. He died in a hospital several days later. "My father suffered horrifically, he was grossly neglected, he was denied basic medical care and he died prematurely because staff refused to get him to the hospital for days or even bother to call 911 when he was in a dire medical emergency," LaRock said in a statement. LaRock's claim against Albany County, Slatky, and nursing home staff members alleges they were responsible for the wrongful death of her father and civil rights violations. A state Department of Health investigation into Sanford's death found that Albany County Nursing Home had violated three federal laws by failing to follow protocol or offer life-saving care. In the days leading up to his death, LaRock noticed a decline in her father's health. He was lethargic, his breathing was raspy and she had found him covered in vomit. She asked a nurse to send Sanford to the hospital, but the nurse refused, according to the lawsuit. LaRock also told Slatky that her father was ill, but she said he seemed unconcerned. When she offered to share a photo of her father covered in vomit, Slatky berated her and told her the photo "can't prove anything," the complaint alleges. LaRock is being represented by Ilann M. Maazel of the Manhattan-based Emery Celli Brinckerhoff & Abady. "The nursing home's misconduct was appalling, horrific, indefensible," Maazel said. "When we send a loved one to a nursing home we expect them to keep our loved one safe and the nursing home did not keep Roger Sanford safe. This was a terrible failure and they should be held accountable." Albany County Attorney Daniel C. Lynch provided this statement: "We are in receipt and have reviewed the complaint filed today by the plaintiffs in this matter. The County and the Nursing Home categorically deny the claims made therein. Mr. Sanford was provided with appropriate and professional care throughout his stay at the nursing home. Mr. Slatky and his staff were completely transparent with the Department of Health's investigation. The plaintiff's allegations are false and will be proven so during the course of the litigation." Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Slatky was hired by the county in 2015, and earns a salary of $350,000 a year, making him Albany's highest-paid employee and one of the most well-compensated county workers in the state. In 2014, he was indicted on charges of official misconduct for awarding a contract to a company run by a personal friend rather than to the lowest original bidder. At the time, he worked as a well-paid consultant for Albany County, having been recruited to help cut costs and reform operations at the struggling 250-bed Colonie facility. He was acquitted of the charges following a bench trial. He is credited with reducing the facility's operating costs from $14 million to approximately $2 million. Officials announced a $60 million renovation of the nursing home last year, with the bulk of those funds to be reimbursed by the state. "The transformation that is taking place at the nursing home is nothing short of miraculous," Slatky said in a statement at the time. Months after Sanford's death, and after the Health Department had released its findings, the nursing home accepted a national award for quality in care from the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living. It's not clear if they were made aware of the Health Department's report. A Health Department spokesman said the agency regularly inspects nursing facilities and investigates any allegation of a violation of state and federal guidelines. "If deficiencies at a nursing home are substantiated through that process, we require the facility to take corrective actions and refer any potential criminal wrongdoing to law enforcement," DOH spokesman Jeffrey Hammond said. "These particular allegations are obviously extremely disturbing, however we cannot comment further due to the ongoing litigation." GLOVERSVILLE Three months after financial problems forced the Ambulance Service of Fulton County ceased operations, the service is now back in business, officials said. "Quality of patient care remains Fulton County's primary concern," said Steven Santa Maria, the county emergency management services coordinator. The Ambulance Service of Fulton County stopped operation in February 2019 after realizing it was unable to pay a full portion of the paychecks employees earned. Low Medicaid rates in counties across the state mean ambulance companies often spend more money when they respond to calls than they get back from patients' bills. In Fulton County, the operational expense to respond to a call is about $550. But the Medicaid rate, which is a flat rate that low-income people are billed, is about $125 for an ambulance call, Daniel Schuttig, labor relations representative for the United Public Service Employees Union, told the Times Union in February. That means each call could lead to a loss of money for the ambulance company, making the business untenable, he said. Because the state doesn't classify emergency medical services as "essential" a classification police and fire departments have municipalities aren't required to provide the service for residents. And ambulance services aren't eligible for grant funds, so the ambulance company closed its doors. In response, the county's Emergency Management Office crews from the Greater Amsterdam Volunteer Ambulance Corps and the Johnstown Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps were called to help close gaps. As of Monday morning, the Ambulance Service of Fulton County was officially notified by the the state Department of Health that they were once again operational, but they can only provide Basic Life Support. Ambulance companies can work at a Basic Life Support level (BLS) or Advanced Life Support level (ALS). Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Both the BLS and ALS are designed for pre-hospital life support and transportation of a patient to the hospital, but a BLS unit will have two Emergency Medical Technicians and an ALS unit will also have a paramedic, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. A BLS ambulance provides transportation to patients who do not require extra support or cardiac monitoring, typically patients with lower extremity fractures, being discharged to home or a nursing home and psychiatric patients. An ALS ambulance transports patients who need a higher level of care. Another difference between the two is that BLS units cannot use needles or administer medicines. The Greater Amsterdam Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Johnstown Fire Department, Johnsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Mohawk Valley Ambulance Corps are ALS agencies operating in the area. These agencies will continue to provide ALS level care in Fulton County, Santa Maria said. [May 21, 2019] The move to 5G telecom networks will unlock US$4.3 trillion in economic value: KPMG 5G will leverage the power of new technology and drive advances in environmental, human health, financial services, transportation and social issues across the globe Will Canada be a player or spectator? TORONTO, May 21, 2019 /CNW/ - While telecom companies in Canada and around the world wrestle with the costs of upgrading to next generation 5G networks, a new report from KPMG International predicts that the speed and power of 5G will unlock some US$4.3 trillion in economic value across the globe. The report notes that today's 4G networks are not fast or responsive enough to harness the full power of growing technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), smart machines and sensors in the Internet of Things (IoT), limiting the ability of organizations to leverage the true value of these emerging technologies. "5G will amplify these technologies and allow them to interact in a way that will revolutionize the way we live, work, and connect with our environment," says Alex Holt, Global Leader for KPMG's Communications & Media sector practice. "These won't just be incremental changes. The power and speed of these tools will drive meaningful advances to address environmental, human health, financial services, transportation and important social issues across the globe." A 5G network will can carry 10,000 times the traffic of today's 4G networks at 20 times the speed with only one millisecond latency. "The emergence of 5G, with its surge in data transfer rates relative to 4G, is analogous to upgrading from a water fountain to a fire hose," adds Holt. "Significantly reduced latency will catapult us beyond current technological limits and enable unprecedented connectivity between people, organizations, and intelligent connected devices." He notes that while it will be the telecom companies that fund the 5G upgrades, the real benefits will be seen by organizations that can strategically leverage the new ability to hyper-connect all aspects of thir businesses, and partner with other technology companies. This includes: Intelligent communities Municipal assets, systems, and infrastructure will be connected like never before, setting the foundation for next-gen monitoring, advanced data-sharing, and the ability to generate insights that will inform smarter, cleaner, and user-centric city planning. Connected vehicles Hyper-connectivity will link key vehicle components (e.g. GPS, sensors, onboard computers, etc.) in ways that will enhance passenger safety, travel efficiency, and interactions with other vehicles and "smart" infrastructure. Further down the road, advancements in computer vision and automated technologies will make self-driving cars safer, more accurate, and more reliable. Mainstream use of semi-or-full autonomous driving will create more need for mobile data streaming and communications in vehicles. eHealth The advancement of AI and mobile technologies will give individuals greater control and access to healthcare services, while insights generated from real-time biometrics will assist healthcare practitioners in delivering more personalized, proactive, and on-demand care. Intelligent agriculture The confluence of machine learning, automation, and 5G connectivity will enable the food producers of the future to grow at unprecedented volumes, in more ideal environments and with higher yields. "While we can see some of the ways 5G will reshape industries such as transportation, many of the benefits remain to be discovered," adds Dan Wilson, National Technology Sector Lead, KPMG in Canada. "Many were caught off guard underestimating how significant previous 3G/4G network deployments would be on the way we consume media content and how broadband speeds would impact certain other sectors. "It is imperative that Canadian companies and government take a thoughtful and proactive approach to plan for 5G deployments in order to be both a major driver and beneficiary of the resulting mass of new real time data insights that will become available. While there are great, world-leading pockets of research and commercialization occurring in Canada, we are at risk of falling behind countries with greater resources and focus. "To push forward, we must work together to recognize and harness the scale of impact these 5G supercharged technologies will bring, and how it will expand the limits of what we can do as companies and as a nation. If we don't act fast enough we risk being left out of this revolution. Other nations will leap far ahead of us and impair our economic competitiveness as consumers and businesses bypass Canadian companies to access products and services from around the globe at an unprecedented speed." Access a full copy of the KPMG 5G Report. About KPMG KPMG LLP, a professional services firm ( kpmg.ca ) and a Canadian limited liability partnership established under the laws of Ontario, is the Canadian member firm of KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"). KPMG member firms around the world have 207,000 professionals, in 153 countries. The independent member firms of the KPMG network are affiliated with KPMG International, a Swiss entity. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity, and describes itself as such. SOURCE KPMG LLP [ Back To www.mobilitytechzone.com\LTE's Homepage ] Here is a list of this year's Memorial Day observances in the Capital Region. Thursday, May 23: 9:15 a.m.: Troy will host a ceremony with recognition of veterans and Taps at Rensselaer Park Elementary School. 5:30 p.m.: Green Island will host a shortened version of their planned parade due to the threat of inclement weather. Read more. 6:30 p.m.: Cohoes has called off Thursday night's Memorial Day parade due to the threat of severe weather. Read more. 6:30 p.m.: The 59th Annual Rotterdam Memorial Day Parade will be held at Mohonasen High School. Friday, May 24: 11 a.m.: Niskayuna High School will host a ceremony in which administrators, graduates from the Class of 1964 and members of the former VFW Lt. Vernon F. Hovey III Post in Niskayuna will honor the memory of three Niskayuna High School graduates killed in action during the Vietnam War: Lt. Robert S. Cragin Jr., Class of 1962 Lt. Vernon F. Hovey III, Class of 1964 Pfc. Richard W. Starkey, Class of 1965 6 p.m.: American Legion Post 490 will hold a Memorial Day Parade along Hudson Avenue in Stillwater. Saturday, May 25 10 a.m.: American Legion Melvin Roads Post 1231 will host the East Greenbush Memorial Day Parade at 570 Columbia Turnpike. 11 a.m.: A ceremony at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, held near at the main flagpole assembly area, will feature the Albany Marching Falcons, a Civil War cannon salute and music. Monday, May 27: Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. 9:30 a.m.: Albany's Memorial Day parade will start at the corner of Central Avenue and Quail Street, and move to the steps of the state Education Building. Here are the parking restrictions and road closures. In the case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. in the Albany City Hall rotunda. 10 a.m.: The Hilltowns Memorial Day Parade along Route 443 in Berne will feature marching bands, floats, horses, classic cars, and military and emergency vehicles. It is sponsored by the Helderberg Kiwanis, who have announced a theme of "Honor and Sacrifice." 10 a.m.: The Schodack Memorial Day Parade steps off from the corner of Boltwood and Seaman avenues in Castleton-on-Hudson. 10 a.m.: The Sand Lake Memorial Day Parade will begin at Averill Avenue and end at the Sand Lake Veterans' Memorial Park, where a ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. The parade theme is the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day landings on the Normandy Beaches. 11 a.m.: The Halfmoon American Legion Post 1450 will host a ceremony, with refreshments to follow, at 275 Grooms Road. Noon: The West Albany Italian Benevolent Society and Ladies Auxiliary will hold a wreath laying at West Albany Memorial Park on Fairfield Avenue in Colonie. 1:30 p.m.: The North Greenbush Memorial Day parade, ceremony and picnic will be held outside Town Hall. In less than three days, the Capital Region's Muslim community has raised more than $17,000 and already given another $7,000 to support families who lost everything in a fire that destroyed their homes. Around 60 people, half of them children, fled their burning houses Sunday morning on Bradford Street. The displaced included resettled refugees from Afghanistan, Burma and Iraq, immigrants from Bangladesh and Nepal, and U.S-born residents. Seven families attend Masjid As-Salam, the Central Avenue mosque next to the devastated houses. On Monday night, the mosque gave each family $1,000 from its own funds, said President Shamshad Ahmad. A fundraiser on LaunchGood started immediately after the fires raised more than $17,000 by Tuesday. Many of the donations are for only a few dollars. A member of the mosque is collecting the money and will distribute cash directly to families to help them rebuild their lives for the second time, Ahmad said. "They lost everything. They don't have any furniture. They don't have any clothing. It is up to them what kind of furniture and clothing they want to purchase," Ahmad said. "We are trying to rehabilitate them and organize any kind of help for apartments." The fire at 140 Bradford St. spread into several row houses. Seven homes were destroyed and an eighth was badly damaged after flames got into one attic and spread to the neighboring structures. Fire investigators suspect electrical problems caused the fire. Ahmad said a few families found new apartments already. Others are living temporarily with families while some still stay in hotels. Many families did not have renter's insurance and one who bought the house five years ago didn't have homeowner's insurance. The Central Avenue mosque tried to reach out to everyone affected but has only been able to connect with families who regularly attend prayer times. "We are not actually limited to the community only. Anyone affected we will be trying to help them as well," Ahmad said. "We are trying our best." Displaced families receive temporary monetary support from the Red Cross, the amount catered to individual cases, a spokesman said. Bradford Street residents had their first case meeting with the relief organization Monday and will have another one Wednesday. Help could be extended after that depending on needs. Multiple organizations are supporting the Red Cross to provide services to victims. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. On Monday, an Iraqi family showed up at Refugee and Immigrant Support Services of Emmaus (RISSE), refugee support organization in Pine Hills, director Rifat Filkins said. The family was resettled as refugees less than a decade ago. The father used to work as a cleaner at RISSE and two of his children are in the after-school program. "They stopped by to pick up clothing and basic things because right now they're in a hotel. We plan to, once they get an apartment, obviously they're going to need everything. Definitely we will be there to do anything," Filkins said. The organization doesn't have an emergency fund, but will reach out to the community to ask for specific needs. On Wednesday, Capital Region Organizations Active in Disasters (CROAD), a coalition of support groups, will be hosting a multi-agency resource center. Families affected by the Bradford Street fire and another blaze on the same day in Albany can connect with food pantries, healthcare, legal services and the Department of Motor Vehicles. One of the greatest challenges is the "disaster after disaster" of trying to get back documentation, said John Moskowitz, Red Cross Disaster Program Manager for Eastern New York. Another issue is finding housing that low-income families can sustainably afford. It's now that solving long-term problems begins. NEW YORK Former NXIVM official Lauren Salzman on Tuesday emotionally recounted Keith Raniere's March 2018 arrest in a Mexican fishing village and her astonishment that the self-help guru attempted to hide in a closet as armed officers raided their residence. Her voice shaking, Salzman said that officers in bulletproof vests kicked open their bedroom door and leveled four machine guns at her head. On the stand in a federal courtroom in Brooklyn, she said her instinct in what she considered a life-or-death situation was to protect Raniere her mentor, former lover and "grandmaster" of NXIVM's secretive "master/slave" group. Raniere's response, however, was to hide in the walk-in closet. "It never occurred to me that I would choose Keith and Keith would choose Keith," Salzman testified. As Salzman spoke Tuesday, Raniere stared at her from the defense table, chin resting on his fist. The 58-year-old NXIVM co-founder and former Halfmoon resident wore a beige sweater over a light-colored shirt. Salzman said she learned over the course of her two decades in NXIVM and its assorted programs that men were built to act in such situations, and that women supposedly could not. But when tested in Mexico, she explained, the man known within the group as "Vanguard" failed to practice what he preached. "Everything he taught us was this ... what men do, what women do," Salzman said. "And then he didn't do it and I did do it." She said the Mexican officers who surrounded their residence said they were acting on behalf of federal investigators in the Eastern District of New York, where she was testifying this week at Raniere's trial on racketeering, conspiracy, sex trafficking and forced labor charges. Salzman's account of Raniere's arrest came on a day when she also tearfully expressed guilt over her role in keeping a young Mexican immigrant woman isolated in an upstairs room at a Halfmoon residence for two years. Jurors on Tuesday were also played an audio recording of a June 2016 meeting in which Raniere spoke openly about the types of brands women should receive in a secret "master/slave" group to which he later would deny any involvement. Salzman, 42, told jurors she had gone to the resort near Puerto Vallarta to visit Raniere, who had fled there in the wake of an October 2017 New York Times report based in part on the work of the Western New York publication Artvoice that revealed the secret master/slave club in which women were physically branded with Raniere's initials. Salzman said Raniere was planning a group sex "recommitment ceremony" in Mexico with Salzman and several of his first-line "masters" in the club. Salzman said she was upset by his plan, but stayed with Raniere in Mexico as he and a select group of his inner circle moved from one location to another. Salzman said on the day of the arrest, she and Raniere were alone in a bedroom in the village of Chacala. She said one of their female colleagues burst in. "The police are at the door," the woman said. "They're here for Keith!" Salzman said she tried to get Raniere to escape through a window. Instead, he went into the walk-in closet and hid. At the bedroom door, Salzman asked the officers if they had a warrant. They said they did, and would show it to her if she let them in. "The whole time I was thinking, 'They could shoot in this door. I might get shot right now,'" Salzman testified. "My highest priority was making sure Keith was OK." Salzman said she called out Raniere's name a mistake. She said she thought at the time and for months afterward "I didn't have the character to protect him at all costs." The officers burst into the bedroom. Raniere was taken into custody and driven away with several of his female followers giving chase. He was extradited to Brooklyn, where he has remained in custody. On the 2016 audio recording, Raniere spoke of "circles" and "cells" of slaves who would bear the branding -- and predicted the secret would become public and leaked to the press. "It's going to become known," he said on the tape, noting gynecologists in the Capital Region, among others, would notice the trend on more and more patients. He also referred to himself on the recording as "master" and described his outlook on the group. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. "There's a certain Democratic process of sorts," he said. "This is an order. This isn't a Democracy." Salzman had earlier testified that in an effort to shield Raniere's involvement in the master/slave group, she lied to members of NXIVM, the media and anyone else who inquired. "The objective of a woman in DOS is to evolve," he said of the group known as Dominus Obsequious Sororium (DOS), which translates as "Lord/Master of the Obedient Female Companions." On March 25, Salzman, one of Raniere's five co-defendants in the case, pleaded guilty and admitted that she had recruited women into the group. Many of the women were branded with the initials of Raniere and fellow DOS member Allison Mack, a former television actress and longtime NXIVM member who has pleaded guilty and was also with Raniere at the time of his arrest. Salzman acknowledged she had threatened to release damaging information about those women if they did not perform tasks or tried to leave the group. Prosecutors said some of the women were groomed and coerced to have sex with Raniere. Also Tuesday, Salzman discussed the role she played in forcing a woman to remain a virtual captive for two years after she expressed interest in another man in violation of her supposedly exclusive obligation to Raniere. Salzman said her treatment of the young woman was "horrendous." "Of all the things that I did in this case and all the crimes that I admitted to, this was the worst thing I did," she said. "What can I say? I kept her in a room for two years." Salzman said that midway through the woman's captivity, she begged to be released. "Let me out," she told Salzman. "I'm coming undone." Salzman testified she, Raniere and others at NXIVM were "incredibly abusive" to the woman, whose father, along with NXIVM offical Kristin Keeffe, drove her to Mexican border with little money, no documents to find a job and strict orders. The woman was ordered to deliver 10,000-word book reports based on books that were 250 pages or more. The woman said in an email: "I don't have a book report right now and will not have it ready in 48 hours. ... I am so sad and I cry every time I am alone. ... Why won't you send my papers? What is this? What did I do? I have been trying to survive." The trial is scheduled to resume at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Salzman is yet to be cross-examined. ALBANY Know the history. Change the system. Those were key takeaways from the third meeting in a series of community forums organized by the grass-roots neighborhood community group A Block at a Time to address residents' concerns regarding the police response to the noise complaint at 523 First St. The final meeting was geared at coming up with solutions to improve community-police relations, and included not only Albany police Chief Eric Hawkins, but Albany Community Police Review Board chairperson Ivy Morris and Albany County District Attorney David Soares. Of the three community forums, this was the first meeting Soares was able to attend. While no definitive plan was determined during Mondays meeting, ideas ranged from funding for community policing public forums to training police on the history of racism. In order for us to seek solutions, we have to know the history of discrimination and oppression, Janice Mwapaga said. My request is that we install a history lesson as part of (police) training. Soares said his office can play a role in addressing racism through its investigation of probable cause during each interaction. From a very rudimentary process that prosecutors apply in their analysis every day we can tackle it that way, he said. But to say that we have the ability to end what has been Americas first sin, thats not something we can do, but dialogue goes a long way. The meetings were sparked after a violent confrontation between residents and police in the early morning hours of March 16 after police responded to a home for a loud party. Three men were allegedly beaten by officers and arrested on a slew of charges, which were later dropped. Officer Luke Deer was charged April 2 with felony assault and misdemeanor official misconduct. He and two other officers were suspended. A grand jury is investigating the incident. Albany police have said additional charges or administrative actions against other officers are possible. For those personally impacted by the March incident, the solution is simpler all the officers who were on the scene that day should be held accountable. Theres only one solution: prison time now, said Sandra Thompson, mother of Armando Sanchez one of the three men allegedly beaten by officers. What they did was wrong. Soares whose office is overseeing the investigation was placed in the hot seat, challenged to explain the ongoing process of examining all the evidence from the March 16 incident. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. The analysis for officers and military personnel are different than for an average citizen. Average citizens do not have the right to use lethal force, he said It is carved out under very specific categories that a citizen can use lethal force if its in self-defense, but a police officer, like military personnel, the assessment that one engages in is whether or not the force that was used was reasonable under the circumstances. Sanchezs sister, Gloria Stanford, argued that if the officer was an average citizen, he or she would be in jail waiting on bail. You cant build a community when the system is already broken, she said. The series began with residents sharing first-hand interactions with city police officers. The group will continue to organize meetings to improve community and police communication because of the positive feedback organizers received from attendees, Dannielle Hille said. Hille, one of the organizers, said when Soares agreed to attend the Monday meeting, the expectation to come up with a plan fell to the wayside to allow residents to speak directly to the district attorney. Whats most important is we get (residents) perspectives, she said. And the community can talk directly to people who actually effect real change. John Walker Lindh's eyes, dark and wild, were ubiquitous across magazine covers and cable news channels, alongside militants in Afghanistan, after he was captured in November 2001. He was a long-haired guerrilla with a California address - a traitor to some, a misguided kid sucked into Islamic jihad to others. Dubbed the "American Taliban," Lindh was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to supporting militants who harbored al-Qaida as it planned the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. But in a surprise move to some, Lindh will be released from federal prison on Thursday, three years early, federal officials said. Lindh and other incarcerated American supporters of Islamic militants present a quandary with growing urgency: Is the United States prepared to try to rehabilitate extremists and foreign fighters, and welcome them back into society? "There is very close to nothing in terms of de-radicalizing programs at the federal level," said Bennett Clifford, a research fellow at George Washington University's Program on Extremism. "The current model is hoping long prison sentences for material support of terrorism will be a deterrent." The Federal Bureau of Prisons is stymied by budget constraints, a sprawling corrections bureaucracy and a top-down approach that focuses on traditional rehabilitation, such as turning away prisoners from gang activity or drugs, Clifford told The Washington Post. About 500 federal prisoners been sentenced for terrorism-related crimes, and about a fifth will be released within five years, 62 of them U.S. citizens, researcher Kevin D. Lowry wrote in the Journal for Deradicalization in 2018. With Lindh's release, and with inmates who have Islamic State ties nearing the end of their sentences, there may be a new focus on culling extremist beliefs before prisoners head back into civil society. But time is nearly up for many. "The offenders about to be released would receive resources at the end of their sentence," Clifford said. Federal officials have signaled interest in expanding recidivism-prevention and reintegration efforts, although it amounted to one paragraph in the White House's 2018 counterterrorism strategy and focused on radicalization in prison. There are some breakthroughs. The U.S. District Court for Minnesota, which has had an influx of Islamist terrorism suspects, has pioneered efforts to focus on deradicalization from extremist beliefs, efforts that include civic education, family involvement and mental health counseling for inmates, Lowry wrote. Those models were adapted from European programs and include efforts to combat white-supremacist beliefs. But there is no similar national program within federal prisons, Lowry noted. Lindh will be monitored for three years by federal probation officials, the Bureau of Prisons said. His early release is opposed by Sens. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., and Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., who wrote a letter Friday to the Federal Bureau of Prisons requesting details about agency efforts to prevent recidivism from militants released from its facilities. "We must consider the security and safety implications for our citizens and communities who will receive individuals like John Walker Lindh, who continue to openly call for extremist violence," the letter reads. Bill Cummings, an attorney for Lindh, did not respond to a request for comment. The lawmakers asked for information about other convicted "terrorist offenders" who may be released from federal prison in coming years, and they inquired about the steps prisons take to determine whether someone is an "ongoing public threat." Th Bureau of Prisons said in a statement that it "participates in national and international efforts to identify new programs and approaches tailored to reduce the risk terrorist offenders pose inside and outside of prisons." Lindh, who was raised in California and Maryland, converted to Islam, met Osama bin Laden and joined the Taliban in Afghanistan before the Sept. 11 attacks, although his attorneys maintained that the attacks soured his outlook. They point to the dropping of terrorism charges as the government's acknowledgment that he did not want to kill Americans. Lindh avoided a life sentence with that plea deal. Last month, Shelby invoked the death of CIA officer Johnny Micheal "Mike" Spann, who interrogated Lindh at a prison near Mazar-e Sharif in northern Afghanistan after his capture. Spann was shot and killed in a revolt by prisoners later that day, and Spann's father has repeatedly accused Lindh of playing a role in his son's death by not alerting Spann and others of the revolt. "He's as much responsible for Mike's death as the people who beat him and shot him," Johnny Spann told AL.com. Lindh has maintained he was surprised by the revolt. U.S. District Court Judge T.S. Ellis III, who ordered Lindh's sentence, said there was no evidence that linked Lindh to Spann's death. Hundreds of prisoners died in the days-long fight, and Lindh was one of the survivors. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. In April, Shelby said President Donald Trump agreed that Lindh should serve the remainder of his sentence, though it is unclear if the president could wield any influence in the process. The White House did not reply to a request for comment Friday about the reported conversation and Trump's thoughts about Lindh's imminent release. Lindh remains in custody at the Terre Haute Federal Correctional Institution in Indiana. Inmates can earn early release through good conduct and previous time served in custody, the Bureau of Prisons said. Credits for good behavior can reduce an inmate's sentence by up to 15 percent, which in Lindh's case, would amount to three years. Federal officials requested numerous conditions for Lindh's release, according to court filings. He will need permission to acquire Internet-capable devices, which would be monitored "continuously." Lindh was ordered to undergo mental health counseling and will not be allowed to communicate online in any language other than English without approval. He is also barred from having a passport, communicating with known extremists or accessing material that reflects "extremist or terroristic views," according to the documents. Lindh initially objected to those conditions but agreed to comply in late March after consulting with an attorney. Most of those conditions are routine, Clifford said, although the language restriction appeared unusual for felons such as Lindh. Lindh has expressed remorse for his crimes. He tearfully told the judge during his 2002 sentencing: "I have never supported terrorism in any form, and I never will. . . . I made a mistake by joining the Taliban," he said at the time. "Had I realized then what I know now, I would never have joined them." In 2017, an investigation by Foreign Policy magazine painted a different picture. It cited documents obtained that year from the National Counterterrorism Center, which said that as of May 2016, Lindh "continued to advocate for global jihad and to write and translate violent extremist texts." The center also wrote that Lindh "told a television news producer that he would continue to spread violent extremist Islam upon his release." The report, which Shelby and Hassan cited in their letter, notes that there is no record of Lindh participating in media interviews. In the documents, the National Counterterrorism Center said "homegrown violent extremists" like Lindh were likely to "reengage in terrorist activity" after being released from prison - an assertion that Clifford doubts. "There is not much data of recidivism [of terrorism suspects] in the United States because it's a new problem," he said. Joshua Dratel, a lawyer who has defended suspected and convicted terrorists, told The Post that Shelby and Hassan were overreacting to Lindh's early release. He called their letter "a solution in search of a problem" and likened it to fearmongering. "Beyond John Walker Lindh, anyone whose offense involved actual violence is not getting out soon," Dratel said. "In a certain sense, saying, 'Dangerous terrorists are going to be out there' is not true. These people were sentenced accordingly by judges." - - - The Washington Post's Tom Jackman, Felicia Sonmez and Rachel Weinter contributed to this report. ALBANY A traveling memorial honoring those who have lost their lives to opioid addiction is passing through Albany this week. The exhibit, "Prescribed to Death," has made a powerful impact in the communities it's visited so far. Launched in 2017 by the National Safety Council, it puts a literal face on the crisis sweeping the country the centerpiece is a wall of 22,000 small pills carved with the faces of Americans who have died of an opioid overdose. "One of the most fatally abused drugs today may be sitting in medicine cabinets across New York," said Kelly Nantel, vice president of communications and advocacy for the National Safety Council. "Fortunately, we know what we need to do to eliminate these preventable deaths, and education plays a critical role." The memorial displayed at the base of The Egg in Albany on the concourse level of the Empire State Plaza near the convention center is part personal, part educational. Visitors can add the names of anyone they've lost to opioids to a digital memorial that travels with the exhibit and scrolls a new name every five seconds. At the memorial, visitors can also receive a "Warm Me" label to affix to insurance and pharmacy cards. The goal, officials say, is to remind patients to ask their providers whether the medication they are about to receive is an opioid. If it is, they can ask about potential risks and whether there are any alternatives to the drug. Several nationwide surveys have found that providers often fail to warn patients of the risks of opioid addiction, or of alternatives. Visitors can also receive special envelopes to fill with unused medications and mail off to a safe disposal site. This is an attempt to combat accidental pill sharing, a phenomenon in which unbeknownst to the medication's owner a friend, family member or other person happens upon and steals their prescription pills. "The overwhelming reaction to the memorial has been that it's incredibly powerful," said Maureen Vogel, a spokeswoman for the council. "We often survey people who come through, and 90 percent have said they are going to change their behaviors because of what they've seen here." First debuted in Chicago, the memorial has since traveled to Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Atlanta, Fayetteville, Ark., Houston and Washington, D.C., where it was displayed on the Ellipse in President's Park near the White House. Albany is its seventh stop. At the Albany exhibit are personal effects from Michael Israel, a Buffalo man who took his life in 2011 after becoming addicted to opioids prescribed to treat Crohn's Disease. The man's father, Avi Israel, launched a nonprofit following his death called Save the Michaels of the World that works to raise awareness of prescription drug misuse and other addictions. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. "We have had people come in and drop off flowers," Vogel said. "Some come in and leave little notes for their loved ones." Visitors are free to share photos, flowers or other personal effects at the site, she said. However, any items left there will not be returned. The memorial will continue traveling the country and visiting cities that are interested in bringing it to their communities, but they must have the right space for it and be able to fund it, Vogel said. It came to Albany at the request of BlueShield of Northeastern New York, a local insurer that agreed to underwrite part of the cost, along with Save the Michaels of the World; Stericycle, a medication waste disposal company; and Schneider National, a trucking company. The memorial is free and open to the public from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday. Those who are unable to visit can still share their loved one's story and a photo by using the council's interactive online map, Celebrating Lost Loved Ones, at https://memorial.nsc.org/index.html. Following a productive month of orientation, Nokian Tyres has sent the first group of employees from its Dayton, Tennessee, USA factory on a dynamic six-week training experience at the companys facilities in Russia (pictured) and Finland. The intensive training trip will equip the Dayton factory launch team members with the skills they need to manufacture tires at this advanced plant. Production ramp-up will begin soon with official production on schedule to start in 2020. ') } // --> ') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write('') } // --> ') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write(' ') } // --> ') } else if (width >= 425) { console.log ('largescreen'); document.write('') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write('') } // --> We couldnt be happier with the skills and enthusiasm of our first 60 employees, said operations director Peter Chia. Now, we look forward to seeing them apply their energy to learning about our industry-leading processes and products. Most employees will train at the companys factory near St Petersburg, Russia, where the highly automated technology closely resembles the even-more-advanced machinery currently being installed in Dayton. The journey will also include cultural experiences and deeper introductions to Nokian Tyres employee-focused culture. Some workers will also receive training at the tire makers plant in Nokia, Finland. While the majority of the launch team will travel to Europe, a group of engineers, technicians and operators will remain at the Dayton factory to commission and test the machinery. Amid a busy training schedule, the launch team participated in several community service projects during the one-month orientation. Employees worked on landscaping projects to improve parks and non-profit facilities, helped renovate a playground, painted park benches and tables, and helped prepare a transitional lodging house for beneficiaries of We Care, a local organization that helps homeless and underprivileged Rhea County residents. Employees also built and donated bicycles to underserved children as part of the companys relationship with We Care. Theres a reason our launch team has spent so much time serving the community in its first month on the job. Our company wants to set the tone for the kind of community partner it will be, Chia added. The tire manufacturer has also formed an employee-led donations committee that will evaluate opportunities for non-profit involvement. The second phase of hiring for the Dayton factory will begin later this year. Eventually it will employee 400 experts. An arts-driven adventure camp on the border of Detroit and Hamtramck stands to grow in scope and sizeand accessibility with its inclusion in a statewide placemaking program. The neighborhood arts organization Popps Packing is seeking to grow its interactive playscape Camp Carpenter, with the help of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Public Spaces Community Places initiative. "Camp Carpenter pairs Detroit-area artists with local youth to explore and play while developing building skills that result in the design of a unique environment," says Faina Lerman, executive director of Popps Packing. "Together, children and artists have been transforming vacant lots into a family-friendly and exciting green space for all." As a result of its enrollment in the statewide program, Camp Carpenter and its organizers have until Saturday, June 15, to raise $10,000 through a crowdfunding campaign. Should they prove successful, the MEDC will contribute an additional $10,000 matching grant. The crowdfunding campaign is hosted on the Michigan-based Patronicity platform. Students enrolled in the camp attend a weeklong program, of which there are two cohorts, contributing to the design and construction of an adventure park. Already present is a performance stage, tire swing, and tree fort, and several palette forts. Organizers say that money raised from the campaign will enable the group to provide free enrollment to area youth in Detroits District Three, Hamtramck, and Highland Park, as well as purchase additional lots for expansion, among other improvements. "The PSCP matching grant program will allow us to make Camp Carpenter free and accessible to local youth, pay local artists, purchase tools, building supplies and materials and help us continue to inspire and empower the next generation of artists and makers," Lerman says. Click here to view the crowdfunding campaign and its status. Got a development news story to share? Email MJ Galbraith here or send him a tweet @mikegalbraith. May 21, 2019 Cybersecurity is advancing at a break-neck pace which is all the better for the average device user, who remains relatively vulnerable to the majority of threats online. Among the newest protections available are threat intelligence gateways, or TIGs, which function like firewalls with extra features. If you are eager to keep your devices and networks as safe as possible, read on to learn more about how TIGs work, how to use them and where to get them. What Is a TIG? Before you can understand a threat intelligence gateway, you need to understand threat intelligence. This is a field that identifies the biggest threat to particular users and networks based on factors like location, number and type of devices, industry and more. You can collect your own threat intelligence using your own data like log files, incident response reports and alerts as well as external information like open source intelligence feeds, structured and unstructured data reports and email from sharing groups. However, doing this takes time and energy and quite plainly, you likely lack the security acumen to apply threat intelligence effectively. Thats why you need a TIG. A threat intelligence gateway is a device designed to solve all sorts of data management, policy management and tech integration problems suffered by device users big and small. Unlike other threat intelligence tools, TIGs take all the heavy lifting for themselves to offer users a straightforward solution to emerging online threats. Specifically, TIGs perform the following fixed-function security services: TIGs consume threat intelligence directly , preventing the need for you to decipher threat intelligence feeds or integrate various types of security analytics into your network infrastructure. , preventing the need for you to decipher threat intelligence feeds or integrate various types of security analytics into your network infrastructure. TIGs are flexible in policy management , offering policy management dashboards instead of custom analysis and rule sets. This gives you (or your security team) more agency in configuring rule sets that work for your devices, network or industry. , offering policy management dashboards instead of custom analysis and rule sets. This gives you (or your security team) more agency in configuring rule sets that work for your devices, network or industry. TIGs streamline security operations, alleviating risk while reducing the need for individual integration and customized code. This isnt to say that TIGs are set-it-and-forget-it devices, but they are helpful for cutting back on hands-on threat mitigation. How Are TIGs Different From Firewalls? We introduced TIGs as similar to firewalls, and even after an explanation of TIG functions, many security-savvy readers are likely wondering: Why would you add another box to your network if you can just use a next-generation firewall? Modern, next-generation firewalls certainly offer similar features to threat intelligence gateways but the difference is that firewalls capable of filtering traffic based on threat intelligence also tend to have a wide assortment of other jobs on the network. While TIGs have fixed functions that provide simple services, next-generation firewalls can consume an abundance of network resources and processor cycles in the effort to perform the same services, negatively impacting firewall performance and perhaps permitting some threats. Its typically safer and more efficient to have both a TIG and firewalls, which will ensure a fast response time to threats and other requests on the network. How Do TIGs Fit Into an Existing Security Strategy? It makes sense for large networks to have a dedicated threat intelligence tool, but networks of substantial size typically also have vast teams of security professionals capable of monitoring, interpreting and applying unique threat intelligence. Thus, more often TIGs are invaluable to small and medium-sized networks, which often lack the dedicated attention of experienced security professionals but still suffer greatly from cyberattacks. Whats more, TIGs offer a level of customization, so you can set your device to a hands-off filter mode, or you can look closely at what your tool is identifying as a threat or permitting access to. TIGs are affordable security solutions that provide a much-needed service, so they fit into most everyones security strategy. Not only do they keep a device or network safer from its most likely threats, but in filtering out useless and dangerous traffic, TIGs also improve a networks efficiency, meaning you can get more done at a faster rate. Cybercrime is increasing, and though threat intelligence gateways dont eliminate attack vulnerability entirely, they are a major step toward safer systems. Its important that you acquire advanced security technology like TIGs to help you gain greater security against threats. [May 21, 2019] 3D Systems Advancing High Performance Automotive Sector with Leading Industry-specific Workflow Solutions ROCK HILL, S.C., May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- 3D Systems (NYSE: DDD) today announces two customers Rodin Cars and Stewart-Haas Racing that are using the company's plastic and metal 3D printing solutions to dramatically improve speed and performance in their cars. With the help of 3D Systems, Rodin Cars and Stewart-Haas Racing, two industry leaders, can rapidly create durable parts -- including design and prototyping with faster iteration, and production. This approach enables quicker time to implementation, and lower total cost of operation. The integration of 3D Systems' additive manufacturing solutions into these automotive production workflows is one more example of how the company is expanding applications, use case by use case. Accelerating Automotive Design and Production Rodin Cars (North Canterbury, New Zealand) uses 3D Systems' direct metal printing (DMP), selective laser sintering (SLS) and stereolithography (SLA) technologies to design, develop and build the world's very best, maximum-performance open-wheel cars for racetracks. "The extreme conditions of track racing leave no room for error," said David Dicker, founder, Rodin Cars. "Many components that we manufacture in-house have geometrical complexities that only 3D printing can provide. What we're able to accomplish through the breadth of solutions offered by 3D Systems' printers is second to none, providing build-speed and design advantages that are hard to match." The high performance track-car manufacturer uses the sPro 230 for SLS production parts, the ProX 800 for SLA tooling for carbon fiber forms with 3D Systems' Accura Bluestone material, and the ProX DMP 320 with 3DXpert for titanium production parts of exhaust collectors and mufflers, uprights and hubs, as well as a wide range of component mount brackets. As a result, Rodin Cars is able to quickly manufacture full-size prototypes as well as production components without the ned for tooling. It is also able to advance complex design concepts, and produce lighter weight metal parts not manufacturable in any other way. Stewart-Haas Racing (Kannapolis, North Carolina) uses powerful 3D scanning with 3D Systems' Geomagic Wrap reverse engineering software and the ProX 800 printer to produce aerodynamic components for race car component development and wind tunnel testing. For a NASCAR team, perfecting automotive components designed to increase speed and performance is a vital ingredient for success. Geomagic Wrap is used to collect scan data from the car components, process it, and create .stl files for shape deviation comparison. 3D Systems' 3D Sprint software is used to prepare and optimize the CAD data and manage the additive manufacturing process on the ProX 800. Using 3D Systems' Accura 25 material, Stewart-Haas Racing's engineers are able to rapidly print large parts with a smooth surface finish and precise dimensional accuracy. "Everything we do is related to putting more speed into our cars," said Reneau Van Landingham, aerodynamic design group manager, Stewart-Haas Racing. "Our most valuable asset is time. The faster we can develop concepts that improve the performance of our cars on the track, the better. The ProX 800 plays a big role in this effort because it enables us to produce parts efficiently and accurately during this development process." 3D Systems' extensive, integrated portfolio of additive manufacturing solutions including materials, software, hardware and services - is enabling the transformation of digital manufacturing processes, and thus businesses. Through collaboration with its customers, 3D Systems continues to innovate, developing new materials and technologies to meet its customers' unique business needs. "3D Systems' customer-specific, application driven approach is advancing the adoption of digital manufacturing," said Vyomesh Joshi, president and CEO, 3D Systems. "Our innovative materials and broad portfolio of hardware and software allows manufacturers to seamlessly integrate 3D printing into their production workflows. Our world-class experience and expertise, in collaboration with our industry-leading automotive customers, results in solutions that help them design and produce parts quickly, significantly reduce the product development cycle, drive down cost, and stay ahead of the competition." Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements made in this release that are not statements of historical or current facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from historical results or from any future results or projections expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In many cases, forward looking statements can be identified by terms such as "believes," "belief," "expects," "may," "will," "estimates," "intends," "anticipates" or "plans" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are based upon management's beliefs, assumptions and current expectations and may include comments as to the company's beliefs and expectations as to future events and trends affecting its business and are necessarily subject to uncertainties, many of which are outside the control of the company. The factors described under the headings "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in the company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as other factors, could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected or predicted in forward-looking statements. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not, and should not be relied upon as a guarantee of future performance or results, nor will they necessarily prove to be accurate indications of the times at which such performance or results will be achieved. The forward-looking statements included are made only as the date of the statement. 3D Systems undertakes no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statements made by management or on its behalf, whether as a result of future developments, subsequent events or circumstances or otherwise. About 3D Systems More than 30 years ago, 3D Systems brought the innovation of 3D printing to the manufacturing industry. Today, as the leading additive manufacturing solutions company, it empowers manufacturers to create products and business models never before possible through transformed workflows. This is achieved with the Company's best-of-breed digital manufacturing ecosystem - comprised of plastic and metal 3D printers, print materials, on demand manufacturing services and a portfolio of end-to-end manufacturing software. Each solution is powered by the expertise of the company's application engineers who collaborate with customers to transform manufacturing environments. 3D Systems' solutions address a variety of advanced applications for prototyping through production in markets such as aerospace, automotive, medical, dental and consumer goods. More information on the company is available at www.3dsystems.com. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/3d-systems-advancing-high-performance-automotive-sector-with-leading-industry-specific-workflow-solutions-300852895.html SOURCE 3D Systems [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Biofourmis Closes $35 Million Series B Financing Round to Advance Artificial Intelligence-Powered Digital Therapeutics Platform BOSTON, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Biofourmis, a fast-growing leader in digital therapeutics, today announced that it has successfully closed $35 million in Series B financing. The company also announced it will be expanding its Boston office and moving its headquarters from Singapore to Boston. Sequoia India, part of Sequoia Capital, led the funding, and MassMutual Ventures, the venture fund of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), co-led. Singapore government-linked strategic investor EDBI (which has invested in a number of U.S. companies such as Livongo, Welltok and Pear Therapeutics) and Chinese online healthcare platform Jianke also participated in the round, along with existing investors Openspace Ventures, Aviva Ventures and SGInnovate. The new injection of funding and move to the U.S. will enable Biofourmis to advance its proprietary artificial intelligence (AI)-powered digital therapeutics platform and pipeline that treats and manages a range of complex chronic conditions. Biofourmis will expand its commercialization efforts in the United States and Asia and grow its teams focused on data science, clinical and regulatory, and sales and operations. By the end of 2019, the company aims to grow to more than 100 employees in the United States and Singapore. "Our core focus has always been to optimize therapies to augment patient care and health outcomes," said Kuldeep Singh Rajput, founder and CEO of Biofourmis. "The past year was filled with exciting achievements as our team made great strides in advancing our products, in addition to strengthening our regulatory platform and signing contracts with numerous global pharmaceutical firms. Our new funds will allow us to rapidly expand our workforce and commercialization efforts, while further demonstrating the clinical efficacy of our digital therapeutics platform through research and development." Enhancing clinical effectiveness First established in Singapore in 2015, Biofourmis combines AI, evidenc-based therapeutic interventions, a patient-facing companion app, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved wearable biosensors to optimize patient care and health outcomes. The components work synergistically to drive patient adherence to medication regimens. By remotely monitoring and analyzing physiological signals, the AI-powered digital therapeutics technology can predict and prevent adverse events. The company's proprietary digital therapeutics platform Biovitals is based on emerging clinical evidence that drug-software combinations can enhance clinical effectiveness. The platform is used in tandem with Biofourmis' lead product, BiovitalsHF, which is the first prescription software that utilizes wearable biosensors and pharmacotherapy to manage and support patients diagnosed with heart failure. Once activated, a treatment algorithm dynamically prescribes optimal guideline-directed therapies while driving adherence to the care plan through an interactive smartphone app. "Sequoia India is excited to lead this round investing in Biofourmis, an innovative health tech start-up with the potential to intuitively deliver improved patient outcomes," said Anjana Sasidharan, Principal, Sequoia Capital India Advisors. "They have already aligned with credible, high-quality institutional partners to successfully transition digital therapeutics from concept to realityand we are impressed with the team's vision and ability to use technology to scale their products globally." In just the past year, Biofourmis has formed key collaborations with healthcare stakeholders, including its membership in the American Heart Association's Center for Health Technology & Innovation's Innovator Network to deliver personalized software-based interventions. "Digital therapeutics are redefining the healthcare value chain by using technology to target specific diseases and generating clinically proven outcomesand Biofourmis is on a path to become a leader in this space," said Anvesh Ramineni, managing director of MassMutual Ventures SEA. "We look forward to supporting Biofourmis in their mission to improve patient outcomes through the efficient and effective delivery of treatments." Chu Swee Yeok, CEO and President of EDBI, said: "We have long recognized the impact of digitization to the healthcare industry and have been investing in the sector. Biofourmis' innovative digital platform, which leverages data analytics, exemplifies the opportunities in digital therapeutics to enhance conventional treatment for patients. EDBI looks forward to supporting this homegrown company's growth and product development." Going forward, Biofourmis will continue developing its product and treatment algorithms by utilizing a biopharmaceutical approach such as randomized clinical trials, generating clinical data, and demonstrating safety and efficacy. "Our products would then have treatment claims akin to a drug, and they would need to be prescribed by a clinician," Kuldeep explained. "Insurance providers could then reimburse for the treatment just as they do with pharmaceuticals and therapeutic medical devices. Hence our commercialization strategy will involve forming partnerships with global pharmaceutical companies. We aim to use them as a distribution channel to commercialize our digital therapeutics product in combination with a therapyeither as a value-added service or as companion therapeutics." ABOUT BIOFOURMIS Biofourmis is a fast-growing global health IT start-up founded in Singapore that augments personalized patient care and therapies with Digital Therapeutics for better management of patients with complex chronic conditions. The company discovers, develops and delivers clinically validated software-based therapeutics to enable better outcomes for patients. These solutions include advanced tools for clinicians to deliver personalized care and cost-effective solutions for payers. Biofourmis has built Biovitals, a highly sophisticated personalized artificial intelligence (AI)-powered health analytics platform that predicts clinical exacerbation days in advance before a critical event. Biovitals is the backbone of the company's Digital Therapeutics product pipeline, which spans a number of therapeutic areas and disease states, including heart failure, acute coronary syndrome, COPD and chronic pain. For more information visit: www.biofourmis.com Media Contact: Tara Stultz Amendola Communications for Biofourmis [email protected] 440.225.9595 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/biofourmis-closes-35-million-series-b-financing-round-to-advance-artificial-intelligence-powered-digital-therapeutics-platform-300853681.html SOURCE Biofourmis [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Boku Inc Announces Plans to Extend Boku Identity to over 60 Countries in 2019 SAN FRANCISCO, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Boku Inc (AIM: BOKU), the worlds leading independent carrier commerce and identity verification company, announced a global expansion for Boku Identity, extending its identity verification capabilities to over 60 countries in 2019. Boku Identity is trusted by leading Fortune 500 companies and has already performed over one billion user authentications across North America, Western Europe, and Asia. Boku Identity is powered by the Boku Platform, which aggregates and harmonizes mobile network operator systems across 58 countries worldwide. By combining the Boku Platform with identity verification and authentication capabilities from previously acquired Danal Inc, Boku Identity helps global enterprises across multiple industries effectively reduce identity fraud, drive conversions, ensure compliance, and deliver a superior customer experience. As the global digital economy continues to shift towards a mobile-first world, the need for companies to provide their users with a frictionless authentication experience has become a key pre-requisite to successfully scale theirbusinesses. Boku Identitys privacy-by-design and tokenized identity architecture enables global businesses to onboard and service their customers worldwide while maintaining security and user privacy. With Boku Identitys global expansion, Boku continues our mission of simplifying mobile interactions between people and businesses worldwide, said Jon Prideaux, CEO, Boku Inc. We have carefully designed Boku Identity to provide companies flexibility in their authentication processes, empowering them with control and transparency so they never have to compromise between the security of their business operations and delivering an exceptional customer experience. Boku Identity is currently live in the United States and the United Kingdom, with identity verification capabilities in 42 markets and plans to extend verification coverage to more than 20 additional markets in 2019. To learn more about Boku Inc and Boku Identity, please visit: https://www.boku.com/identity-solutions/ About Boku Inc. Boku Inc. (AIM: BOKU) is one of the worlds leading providers of carrier commerce and mobile identity solutions. Boku's technology platform, which is linked to more than 170 mobile network operators worldwide, verifies user identity, executes payments, and provisions new services, simplifying daily mobile interactions between consumers and digital organizations. Boku's technology platform is used in over 58 countries with over 650 million verified transactions in 2018, contributing $3.6 billion to the digital economy. Businesses that currently employ Bokus platform to simplify sign-up, acquire new paying users and prevent fraud include global leaders such as Apple, Discover, Experian, Facebook, Fiserv, Google, Microsoft, Netflix, Paypal, Sony, Spotify, Uber and Western Union. Boku Inc. was incorporated in 2008 and is headquartered in London, UK, with offices in various locations globally including in the US, Mumbai, Munich, Beijing, Paris, Sao Paulo, Singapore, Taipei, and Tokyo. To learn more about Boku Inc., please visit: https://www.boku.com Contact: Jeff Fisher Global Director, Brand Marketing & Communications [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Canada Invests in Indigenous Participation in the Forest Sector EDMONTON, May 21, 2019 /CNW/ - Indigenous communities have the innovation and drive to unlock new jobs in the forestry sector while protecting the environment. That is why Canada is investing in projects to equip Indigenous communities with the tools to build businesses while helping to tackle climate change and mitigate its impacts on the forest sector. Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, today announced investments of more than $2.1 million in three forestry projects in Alberta. These investments are: $1.5 million for Kapawe'no First Nation in Narrows Point near Grouard to design and install a renewable and eco-friendly heating system that will help to reduce the community's reliance on diesel, cut energy costs and generate jobs for the surrounding communities. The project is funded through the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities program, facilitating economic development opportunities to reduce the reliance on diesel fuel for heat. for Kapawe'no First Nation in Narrows Point near to design and install a renewable and eco-friendly heating system that will help to reduce the community's reliance on diesel, cut energy costs and generate jobs for the surrounding communities. The project is funded through the program, facilitating economic development opportunities to reduce the reliance on diesel fuel for heat. $500,000 to The Rockies Institute in Canmore , allowing it to collaborate with Indigenous communities to bring together the best available Indigenous and scientific knowledge on fire management. The project will inform innovative practices for local, regional and provincial climate change adaptation. The project is funded through the Building Regional Adaptation Capacity and Expertise program, which works with provinces to support private sector and non-government organizations in applying climate change considerations to decision-making and implementing adaptation actions. to The Rockies Institute in , allowing it to collaborate with Indigenous communities to bring together the best available Indigenous and scientific knowledge on fire management. The project will inform innovative practices for local, regional and provincial climate change adaptation. The project is funded through the program, which works with provinces to support private sector and non-government organizations in applying climate change considerations to decision-making and implementing adaptation actions. $110,000 for Nu Ch'anie Society in Cold Lake to pursue buiness development activities in various emerging market opportunities in the forest sector with the goal of creating revenue and employment. The project is funded through the Indigenous Forestry Initiative, which supports Indigenous-led economic development opportunities in the forest sector. Canada is committed to working with industry and the provinces and territories to strengthen the long-term competitiveness of Canada's natural resources sectors through investments in world-class science and innovation while expanding markets for Canadian products. The global shift toward a cleaner, greener economy is the opportunity of a lifetime. From May 27 to 29, 2019, Canada will welcome over 25 countries to this year's Clean Energy Ministerial and Mission Innovation Ministerial to discuss a future that is cleaner, brighter and more prosperous for generations to come. Canada will showcase its leadership in cleantech innovation, champion the issue of gender equality, youth and Indigenous peoples in clean energy and promote Canada as an investment destination. Learn more at: http://cem-mi-vancouver2019.ca/. Quotes "These important projects will help bring together the tools and knowledge necessary for communities to capture opportunities presented by our forest sector while making it more resilient to a changing climate. They are great examples of how we are working with Indigenous partners to create good jobs while providing greener solutions that will directly benefit Canadians." Amarjeet Sohi Canada's Minister of Natural Resources "Kapawe'no First Nation is fortunate, and as Caretakers of the Earth we are happy knowing that this benefit we receive and the effort we commit will help educate and provide sustainable clean energy for years to come." Chief Frank Halcrow Kapawe'no First Nation "Wildfire knows no boundaries. Managing it in the context of climate change will require effective cooperation of people, agencies and organizations across jurisdictions and across cultures.The Fire with Fire project supported by NRCan is an innovative approach to building connections and to developing our resilience to climate change. By braiding Indigenous and scientific knowledge of fire management, we will mobilize the best available knowledge of fire management to inform innovative practices for local, regional and provincial climate change resilience." Laura Lynes, Co-Founder and President The Rockies Institute "Programs such as the Indigenous Forestry Initiative are incredibly important to our society and our membership at Cold Lake First Nations; they provide much needed capacity funding to help us explore business development opportunities aimed to increase the overall economic health of our community." Gail Muskego, Counsellor Nu Ch'anie Society Associated Links: Simply Science Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change Follow us on Twitter: @NRCan (http://twitter.com/nrcan) SOURCE Natural Resources Canada [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Cubic Debuts New Gateway Module at SOFIC 2019 SAN DIEGO, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Cubic Corporation (NYSE: CUB) today announced that its Cubic Mission Solutions (CMS) business division introduced a new low power, high-capability cellular and land mobile radio (LMR) gateway module at Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC) in Tampa, Florida. The new multifunction gateway, named the M3-SE-MFGW, is part of the proven DTECH M3-SE product family which boasts mobile, modular and micro features. This new module is based on Cubic's latest Vocality Gateway Suite software that has a simple-to-use interface and a modular application-based design. The M3-SE-MFGW provides a robust mobility router platform for cellular uplinks and can also support up to eight separate radio networks. Mike Barthlow , senior vice president and general manager of Rugged IoT Solutions, Cubic Mission Solutions. An ideal solution for initial, early and sustained special operations, the M3-SE-MFGW is one of Cubic's smallest and most secure, man-portable communications interoperability systems. It supports both unicast and multicast voice operations, allowing a single dispatch operator to connect multiple radio channels or vendors together to ensure everyone can easily communicate with each other. The system is also able to operate directly from power over ethernet (PoE) provided by another network device, enhancing the flexibility of employment of the system in a tactical operations center or on a mobile platform. A power passthrough connection allows for direct mounting to existing M3-S3 product family devices without the need for additional power supplies or external power cabling. To learn more about the M3-SE-MFGW, please visit Cubic's booth #1135 on the exhibit show floor at the Tampa Convention Center. 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 . View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cubic-debuts-new-gateway-module-at-sofic-2019-300854051.html SOURCE Cubic Corporation [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Excellence and Vision Awards Given at Customer Appreciation Event Beck Technology announced today the honorees receiving the company's Excellence and Vision Awards, based on their involvement and advancement in the future of preconstruction technology. The Excellence award is presented to an individual in the construction industry who embodies the innovator's spirit - someone who has sought out new ways of tackling preconstruction problems, provided solutions to challenges, and continues to bring fresh ideas to the industry. This year, Beck Technology has honored Andy Gerlach with the award. Gerlach is a preconstruction professional based in Newport Beach, California, and has collaborated with Beck Technology since 2012. He is involved with Beck Technology's Industry Advisory Board, which has been the hub for generating new ideas and features for the company's technology offerings. Gerlach's expert insight has helped Beck Technology develop key features such as 3D takeoff, reporting, bid leveling, historical costing, team estimating, comparison, and dashboards within DESTINI Estimator. "I was very fortunate to be introduced to Beck Technology at the start of my preconstruction career," said Gerlach. "That initial experience opened my eyes to the future of the industry and Beck Technology has been a true partner on the march towards that future. Kudos to the Beck Technology team for their continued success in raising the bar for the preconstruction industry one software release at a time. I can't wait to see what's next!" The Vision award is presentd to a company that sought out innovation and acted upon its ideas to help make the connection between today's construction industry and future ideals. These companies see areas in which the industry is lacking and actively search for solutions to issues, rather than waiting on someone else to provide answers. Vision award recipients are pioneers within the preconstruction industry. The Vision award recipient for 2019 is Balfour Beatty. Balfour Beatty has been a customer of Beck Technology since 2008, and was one of the first enterprise-wide implementers of DESTINI Estimator. Its core group of preconstruction professionals have been instrumental in rolling out the software across their company. Balfour Beatty has consistently provided feedback on DESTINI Estimator and how it can be improved for the industry, as well as working closely with Beck Technology's development team to test out new features. "We deployed DESTINI Estimator to help support our company's growth by standardizing to one estimating platform across our seven divisions nationwide," said Kasey Bevans, Chief Information Officer for Balfour Beatty in the United States. "Since going live in 2017, Beck Technology has been a good partner and the platform has provided our teams tighter risk management controls, efficient data sharing, uniform reporting and workflows, advanced model-based estimating and standardized estimating procedures. Having all of these capabilities rolled into one solution has improved our operational efficiency and reduced cost by eliminating other technology investments." "Presenting the Excellence and Vision awards reiterates how much Beck Technology values collaboration from our customers and the industry," said Stewart Carroll, President of Beck Technology. "I know our honorees have a multitude of responsibilities and the fact that they take the time to share ideas and test out new features is a testament to all of us working together to revolutionize the construction industry." ABOUT BECK TECHNOLOGY Beck Technology empowers the AEC industry to make smarter choices through innovative software solutions and expert consulting. Clients, ranging from government agencies to Fortune 500 companies as well as local, regional, and global construction firms, count on Beck Technology tools to conceptualize and estimate projects with unmatched speed, precision, and customization. Beck Technology's DESTINI Estimator software is the only purpose-built platform created exclusively for preconstruction and cost estimating professionals. Visit www.beck-technology.com, call 888-835-7778, or follow @BeckTechnology. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005352/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] GeoSpectrum Technologies Introducing Multipurpose Autonomous Sub-surface Training Target DARTMOUTH, Nova Scotia, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- GeoSpectrum Technologies (GTI) launches a Multipurpose Autonomous Sub-Surface Training Target (MASTT) system that enables true to life and cost effective training experience of detecting and tracking submarines. MASTT will be showcased at the CANSEC exhibition held in Ottawa May 29-30, 2019 (Elbit Systems booth #1421). Cost and technical capacity impede modern Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) training as it often times involves operating of either real submarines or training targets which are of a limited transmitting capacity. MASTT imitates submarines from conventional to nuclear with a variety of running modes of operation. The system can replicate a submarines' acoustic signature. In this mode MASTT will transmit fixed frequencies, either independently, or when triggered by a received acoustic signal. Moreover, it can retransmit a synthetic echo of received acoustic signals while a Doppler shift can be also incorporated into the retransmitted echo, increasing or decreasing the intensity of the sound in line with the distance. Unlike most existing systems in the market these capabilities are available in both medium and low frequency bands. Answering the need for true to life training MASTT can operate in different running modes depicting standard submarine movement: Moving in a straight line in a fixed course, speed or depth, movng in a zig zag pattern with course alterations, a near stationary mode and a multiple course, speed and depth alterations. Less than 3 meters in length and a little over 32 centimeters in diameter MASTT is suited for storage on an Mk 46 Mod 5 torpedo rack for quick launch and recovery as well as user friendly deployment for surface ship crew. MASTT is equipped with rechargeable batteries providing a minimum of 8 hour operation endurance at 4 kts cruising speed and only 3-4 hour charging time. A significantly cost effective system in both size and maintenance cost, MASTT provides the operators with a true to life flexible training experience detecting and tracking submarines. Paul Yeatman, President of GTI, commented: "The MASTT training system provides operators the opportunity to cope with real-life scenarios at a fraction of the cost while contributing to the development of new ASW tactics. MASTT joins the GTI portfolio of advanced sub surface acoustic systems serving the defense, homeland security, Oil & Gas and environmental sectors." About GeoSpectrum Technologies Inc. GeoSpectrum is a Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada based supplier of marine acoustic hardware and systems. Its' range of offerings include sonars and sonar upgrades (towed and hull mounted), acoustic communication, submarine targets, diver deterrent systems, moored surveillance solutions, Very Low Frequency (VLF) systems and more. The company supplies its products to the defence, oil and gas, surveillance, and environmental sectors. GeoSpectrum is a wholly owned subsidiary of Elbit Systems Ltd. For a complete CANSEC 2019 media kit please visit: https://elbitsystems.com/cansec2019. www.geospectrum.ca Sean Kelly, Director of Business Development | +1 902 404-3818 | [email protected] View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/geospectrum-technologies-introducing-multipurpose-autonomous-sub-surface-training-target-300853868.html SOURCE GeoSpectrum Technologies (GTI) [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Globalization Partners Announces Plans to Hire 100+ Employees by the End of 2019 BOSTON, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Globalization Partners Inc., whose Global Expansion Platform enables companies to engage team members in 150 countries without having to navigate the complex legal, tax and HR matters traditionally associated with global expansion, today announced it intends to hire more than 100 new internal employees before the end of the year. In addition to staff being added in the company's dual U.S. headquarters located in Boston and San Diego, new team members are planned in every continent except Antarctica -- from GP's offices in Bristol and Berlin -- to Sao Paolo, Singapore, Tokyo, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Indore and beyond to meet growing client needs. With a U.S. market opportunity of $170 Billion and growing, Globalization Partners has seen its customer base increase by more than 50 percent in the last six months. The company's revenues have increased 10 percent month-on-month for the last two quarters and are expected to continue accelerating. As a result, new positions are being added in key areas across the company including marketing, technology, finance and human resources to support increasing demand. The CEO, Nicole Sahin, has always believed in hiring ahead of the curve, to which she contributes to the success of her "Triple Bottom Line" philosophy of doing business in sum, what's good for clients and good for her team is also good for the shareholders. This has enabled the company to maintain a 93 percent client and 96 percent employee satisfaction rate even while transforming the company through unbelievable growth. "We have realized amazing growth through our on the ground, in-country business model that leverages deep industry expertise," said Nicole Sahin, CEO of Globalization Partners. "This is an ncredibly exciting place for us to be in, and as we look to the future to meet the need for our services, we will be unveiling our proprietary cloud-based software platform in Q3 that will transform us from a tech-enabled services organization into a tech company." The opportunity to sell American goods and services in foreign markets has resulted in more companies looking to hire team members globally. However, it can cost up to $100,000 to add just one employee in a new location in a foreign country, not to mention the thousands of emails it takes to navigate the complexity of hiring a global team the traditional way. Globalization Partners enables clients to hire employees in any country within days of identifying candidates, without having to set up foreign entities or navigate complex international employment laws -- cutting the cost of international expansion significantly. "Globalization Partners always answers all my questions expertly and quickly," said Denise Bindelglass, Vice President of People, for ActiveCampaign. "I feel secure knowing that my team in Brazil was hired compliantly, in accordance with local benefits and labor laws, and that they are always paid on time. If I need to source international candidates or get (payroll) tax advice, I know I can call Globalization Partners for help." About Globalization Partners Pioneer of the Global Employer of Record model, Globalization Partners enables companies to quickly and easily expand internationally across six continents into more than 150 countries without the hassle of setting up local branch offices or subsidiaries. Its technology-powered Global Expansion Platform helps companies quickly and easily hire employees throughout the world without having to navigate complex international legal, tax and HR issues. You identify the talent, and we put your team member on our payroll. Whether it's to test a new market or expand your talent pool, Globalization Partners is the most trustworthy solution in the market. We have dual U.S. headquarters to serve you in Boston and San Diego, and regional hub offices located worldwide in Germany, the UAE, India, Brazil, Mexico, Singapore and the UK. Globalization Partners is also the only global employer of record that is Privacy Shield certified for HR Data. To find out more, please visit https://www.globalization-partners.com. For more information about job opportunities at Globalization Partners, please visit our Careers page or connect with us via Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, or check out our Blog. Contact: Karen Pantinas [email protected] 617-729-4466 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/globalization-partners-announces-plans-to-hire-100-employees-by-the-end-of-2019-300853934.html SOURCE Globalization Partners [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Guardicore Raises $60 Million; Continues To Build Momentum In Cloud And Data Center Security Led by New Investor Qumra, Funding Fuels Company Growth and Continued Disruption in Firewall and Data Center Markets BOSTON and TEL AVIV, Israel, May 21, 2019 /CNW/ -- Guardicore, a leader in internal data center and cloud security, today announced it has raised $60 million in Series C funding, bringing the company's total funding to $110 million. This more than doubles the total capital raised to date and represents an endorsement of Guardicore's current momentum as the company continues to disrupt the broader firewall and data center markets. "Any organization has critical IT assets that need to be secured. Our distributed, software-defined segmentation solution is the simplest way to secure these assets whether they reside in the cloud or on premises. The days of being chained to legacy firewalls are over," said Pavel Gurvich, CEO and co-founder of Guardicore. New investor Qumra Capital led the round and was joined by other new investors DTCP , Partech , and ClalTech , Access Industries' vehicle for Israeli technology investments. Existing investors Battery Ventures, 83North, TPG Growth, and Greenfield Partners also participated in the round. Guardicore will leverage the funds to fuel continued growth and acceleate investments in sales, marketing and customer service as it seeks to expand delivery of its Guardicore Centra security platform to enterprise organizations seeking to protect dynamic data center and cloud infrastructure environments. Ram Metser, Executive Chairman of Segterra, Inc., an innovative digital health analytics company, and former CEO of Guardium, Inc., a dominant database security company acquired by IBM, also joined the Guardicore board of directors. Continued Gurvich, "Since our last round of funding, we have successfully been able to articulate our vision and demonstrate that the market is ripe for disruption. With consistent revenue growth the past three years and large-scale deployments with numerous Fortune 500 customers, we have proven that our product is more intuitive, flexible, and makes security easier to apply than traditional firewall technology currently being used to protect internal and cloud infrastructure. We are displacing incumbent players and newcomers alike as we strive to help our enterprise customers quickly secure their business-critical applications and data, reduce the cost and burden of compliance and secure cloud adoption." "Deutsche Bank is committed to the highest standards of security and a high priority for us is implementing tight network segmentation in our on-premise and cloud environments. Guardicore gives us an effective way to protect our critical assets through segmentation," said Alan Meirzon, Director, Chief Information Security Office at Deutsche Bank, a Guardicore customer. "Guardicore is changing the way enterprises approach data center security with modern segmentation capabilities that overcome the inherent inefficiencies of traditional techniques and results in stronger security for enterprise environments," said Boaz Dinte, founding partner of Qumra Capital, investing in exceptional late-stage companies. "Guardicore is disrupting the market and is well positioned to capitalize on the broader opportunities this presents. We were compelled to invest as the lead in this round because we believe Guardicore will play a critical role in shaping the future of enterprise security, helping organizations better protect vital systems and data as we evolve our digital information society." "Guardicore is led by an exceptionally strong team with deep tech know-how and has demonstrated consistent growth and momentum since inception. With wide-spread adoption of distributed and hybrid infrastructures, we need a new paradigm for enterprise security outside of classic perimeters," said Irit Kahan, Managing Director at DTCP, a global investment platform with c. $1.7 billion assets under management from Deutsche Telekom and other institutional investors. "The company's unique market positioning and attractive roster of customers across the US and Europe, including some of the largest Fortune 500 names, have validated the value and scale of Guardicore's approach and strong capabilities." Guardicore protects data centers of large and mid-sized enterprises across North America, South America, and EMEA in financial, healthcare and retail industries, including global, blue-chip brands. About Guardicore Guardicore is a data center and cloud security company that protects your organization's core assets using flexible, quickly deployed, and easy to understand micro-segmentation controls. Our solutions provide a simpler, faster way to guarantee persistent and consistent security for any application, in any IT environment. For more information, visit www.guardicore.com . Media Contact: Alana Suko Guyer Group [email protected] +1 (781) 258-5803 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/guardicore-raises-60-million-continues-to-build-momentum-in-cloud-and-data-center-security-300852576.html SOURCE Guardicore [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The idea for the Detroit Parent Collective evolved from a series of discussions with nonprofits about what an inclusive family-oriented workspace might look like. Nick Hagen Caitlin Murphy is coordinator of Reimagining the Civic Commons, which is helping to support a larger endeavor in the neighborhood called the Fitzgerald Revitalization Project. Nick Hagen HomeBase provides neighborhood residents and the staff headquartered there with 4,000 square feet of flexible office and meeting space. Nick Hagen Located in a former tuxedo shop on McNichols between San Juan and Prairie Streets, HomeBase provides neighborhood residents and the staff headquartered there with 4,000 square feet of flexible office and meeting space. and a Reimagining the Civic Commons grant, the project has also involved establishing a new park and greenway and the rehabbing of 115 vacant homes in the project footprint. LaQeisha William is quite familiar with the strip of West McNichols Road running by Marygrove College and the University of Detroit Mercy. As a longtime resident of the area, it's part of the backdrop of her everyday life.Although there are churches and commercial establishments along the corridor, for a long time they've been peppered in between a bunch of shuttered and abandoned buildings. Lately, though, this blight has begun to recede a little; new development has taken hold on the strip, bringing additions like the Detroit Sip coffeehouse and the restaurant Simply Breakfast to the area, as well as several other new community meeting spots. It's a change William is delighted to see."Ive been living here for 15 years, and its always been so down and bleak, she says. And now that theyve opened more activities and centers. I love it. Its brightened up the neighborhood."William is especially excited about the new community center Neighborhood HomeBase, which opened with much fanfare last month on April 25. In addition to serving as a spot for community members to meet, the facility will serve as a headquarters for the Live6 Alliance nonprofit and the Detroit Collaborative Design Center , a unit of U-D Mercys School of Architecture, and offer space for representatives from the city planning department to meet with local residents and business owners.William feels the new spot will be a great resource for her family.I see my children visiting for the purposes of studying and just relaxing, she says. Its just a different environment, and its awesome.The opening of HomeBase is tied to a larger endeavor called the Fitzgerald Revitalization Project, a City of Detroit-led initiative to repurpose vacant property in a quarter-square-mile project area of Detroits Fitzgerald neighborhood bordered by McNichols Road, Livernois Avenue, Puritan Street, and Greenlawn Avenue. Supported by partners like the Kresge Foundation, the Fitz Forward development team Located in a former tuxedo shop on McNichols between San Juan and Prairie Streets, HomeBase provides neighborhood residents and the staff headquartered there with 4,000 square feet of flexible office and meeting space. The Detroit Collaborative Design Center (DCDC) drew up the plans for the facility with input from local residents and future HomeBase tenants. We had a vision of this place being seen as a place where people feel welcome and collaborate, DCDCs Executive Director Dan Pitera says. To meet these goals, the DCDC team created a large open area space with three rotating walls that can be transformed into a series of smaller rooms if necessary. "A block club can have a big meeting, and then they can break out into three smaller groups," says Pitera. "And they can use the conference room as a fourth breakout room." In addition to meeting space, HomeBase will also feature a rotating art gallery, coworking desk space for businesses and nonprofits, and special tables with chess boards built into them for recreational purposes. As for the decor, DCDC chose to honor the buildings history by restoring the former tuxedo stores original tile flooring, deconstructing wood from the structure and turning it into furniture, and reusing tin roof panels from the building's ceiling as design elements throughout the space. But what about the larger purpose of the building? Mayor Mike Duggan sees HomeBase as fitting into his administrations strategy of taking the redevelopment of the city to the neighborhoods. You have a number of outstanding nonprofits [doing this in Fitzgerald], U-D Mercy has been actively engaged, and the city planning department has been actively engaged, he says. Now theres a central place where all of those groups can work together, and residents from the neighborhood can drop in, see the plans, and get their own opportunity to provide input. Beyond just serving as a spot for people to meet, though, Stephanie Harbin, president of the San Juan Block Club, hopes the new community center will prove to be an asset for folks who live in the neighborhood. My expectation for this community hub is that the residents will have liberty to use HomeBase and also to make resources available to them, if they need to use a computer, need some printing done, or we want to train some of our youth about computer learning or [teach them career skills], she says. I would like to make sure that its being utilized in diverse ways. Detroit Parent Collective Detroit Parent Collective's Krista McClureHomeBase is not the only space for people to meet and collaborate on McNichols these days. Located a few blocks west in Detroits Bagley neighborhood is Detroit Parent Collective (DPC). Temporarily closed for restructuring, it's dedicated to providing parents with flexible job situations an environment where they can earn their livelihoods while being close to their children. Were a coworking space that offers on-site childcare to families as well a cooperative preschool, founder Krista McClure says. McClure, who has experience working in both the educational and business development fields, opened DPC in 2017. The idea for the space evolved from a series of discussions with nonprofits about what an inclusive family-oriented workspace might look like. Failing to find a partner organization that shared her vision, she eventually purchased a facility and launched her business concept on her own. Situated in a brick-and-mortar storefront across the street from Marygrove College, the DPC building is filled with plants and the scent of essential oils, elements aimed at creating a calm environment for both parents and their children. Members of the coworking space get access to WiFi, coffee or tea, and on-site childcare for potty-trained children from 6 weeks to 30 months old. The Free Thinker School that DPC operates is inspired by Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio Emilia educational philosophies and open to children from 30 months to 6 years old. DPC also sponsors regular conversation-oriented potlucks on topics related to overcoming barriers based on socioeconomic class, race, ethnicity, religion, and sexual identity. These free discussions typically take place once a month, and participants are asked to bring a vegetarian dish with them. Although DPC has been financially successful and employees are paid a living wage, the organization made the tough decision to temporarily close its doors this March to figure out how to better realign its business practices with its mission. We realized that we were serving a lot of affluent families in the City of Detroit, says McClure, So as the founder, I had to reflect, because I wanted to able to find a way in which we were able to be true to my mission of being inclusive to the community in which we reside, Bagley. With this in mind, DPC is working to get its preschool licensed by the State of Michigan and re-evaluating how its prices and hours of operation can better serve residents in the immediate community. The coworking space expects to reopen in June. The Raw Space Eric Cook says The Raw Space is where community and commerce come together. It looks like McNichols is about to get a little more lively as well. Local folks interested in putting on an event will soon be able to do so at The Raw Space, which will be run by Eric Cook, a Detroit resident who grew up in the area. Its really just a place where commerce and community can come together, he says. Ive had a lot of artists approach me. Well also do pop-up shops, spoken word, and maybe small graduation or birthday parties. Cook, a former teacher who now works in automotive logistics, noticed the building where The Raw Space is now being built hadnt been used in many years, so he came to an arrangement with the owner to fix it up with the goal of renting it out for events. As the name suggests, The Raw Space is a minimally furnished facility; its about 1,100 square feet without any permanent fixtures other than a bathroom, small kitchen, and utility room. Theres also a backyard area thats a little larger than the indoor space that will be available when the weather permits. Cook hopes to have a soft opening for The Raw Space this month or next, and hes hopeful it will fill a need for local artists and entrepreneurs. Theres a couple of other spaces in the area, but not really open for commerce or a continuous flow of business, says Cook. I want to bring that to this side of McNichols but with a little more foot traffic and a little more exposure. This article is part of a series where we revisit stories from our On the Ground installment and explore new ones in the Live6 area. It is supported by the Kresge Foundation. Photos by Nick Hagen. [May 21, 2019] Heineken Spain Taps Ultimaker for 3D printed functional parts and tooling for use on the Manufacturing Line DETROIT, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Ultimaker , the global leader in desktop 3D printing, today announced that Heineken is using its solutions to produce a variety of custom tools and functional machine parts to aid in manufacturing at the company's brewery in Seville, Spain. Using a set of Ultimaker S5 printers, engineers at Heineken now design and print safety devices, tools and parts on-demand rather than outsourcing the job to external vendors, increasing production uptime and saving around 80% in production costs on the parts they 3D print. "We're still in the first stages of 3D printing, but we've already seen a reduction of costs in the applications that we found by 70-90% and also a decrease of delivery time of these applications of 70-90%," said Isabelle Haenen, Global Supply Chain Procurement at Heineken. "Local manufacturing helps us a lot in increasing uptime, efficiency and output. We use 3D printing to optimize the manufacturing line, create maintenance and quality control tools, and create tools for our machines which help us increase safety for our people. I think there will be even more purposes in the future." The Sevilla brewery produces several brands of Heineken-owned beers, amounting up to 500 million liters of beer per year. The engineers at Heineken have been utilizing 3D printing for about one year, first using the Ultimaker 2+ and now multiple Ultimaker S5 printers, a larger, enterprise-ready machine. The 3D printing technology was first used for safety applications, but the engineers quickly learned they could save a lot of time and money by creating custom optimized functional part for machines from the manufacturing line. The variety of use cases now include: Applications to increase the uptime of our production line Heineken 3D prints functional parts for its machines. These are parts that traditionally wear out and can break. By printing the spare parts on-demand, the company saves money while avoiding operational downtime because there is no need to have an inventory and no need to wait for part deliveries. Heineken 3D prints functional parts for its machines. These are parts that traditionally wear out and can break. By printing the spare parts on-demand, the company saves money while avoiding operational downtime because there is no need to have an inventory and no need to wait for part deliveries. Optimizing part designs The team was able to replace various redesigned parts with an optimized design. For example, a metal part used with the quality sensor on the conveyor belt would often knock bottles over, creating a blockage, or eject good bottles onto the ground. The redesigned 3D printed part prevents this, saving bottles, money, and time. The team was able to replace various redesigned parts with an optimized design. For example, a metal part used with the quality sensor on the conveyor belt would often knock bottles over, creating a blockage, or eject good bottles onto the ground. The redesigned 3D printed part prevents this, saving bottles, money, and time. Tools for quality control and maintenance Heineken has also created completely new tools that make it easier to perform maintenance or check the quality of products or machines. These tools help prevent machines from not working correctly or breaking down. Heineken has also created completely new tools that make it easier to perform maintenance or check the quality of products or machines. These tools help prevent machines from not working correctly or breaking down. Solutions to increase operator safety In order to keep its workers as safe as possible, Heineken has also looked for ways to make smart, 3D-printed tools that prevent accidents. For example, the company has printed improved locking mechanisms for machines so they cannot start to operate during maintenance. "Every company has its own unique challenges in the production process, which is why the ability to create custom solutions straight from the factory floor is such a game-changer for the manufacturing industry," said Jos Burger, CEO of Ultimaker. "Heineken is a prime example of a company that's utilizing the Ultimaker S5 as an all-purpose manufacturing machine. We have enjoyed watching the use case evolve over the past year, from safety applications to the creation of fully functional parts for machines that lead to significant savings, and we cannot wait to see what they come up with next." For additional information on Heineken's use of Ultimaker and to watch the full case study video, please visit ultimaker.com About Ultimaker Since 2011, Ultimaker has built an open and easy-to-use solution of 3D printers, software, and materials that enable professional designers and engineers to innovate every day. Today, Ultimaker is the market leader in desktop 3D printing. From offices in the Netherlands, New York, Boston, and Singapore plus production facilities in Europe and the US its global team of over 400 employees work together to accelerate the world's transition to local, digital manufacturing. ultimaker.com Visit Ultimaker at RAPID+TCT: 427 Interview requests: Moniek Jansink Global PR Specialist [email protected] +31 (0)6 153 862 37 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/heineken-spain-taps-ultimaker-for-3d-printed-functional-parts-and-tooling-for-use-on-the-manufacturing-line-300853537.html SOURCE Ultimaker [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] In Human vs. Machine, CWT Study Finds Two-Thirds of Travelers Prefer Machines When Booking Air Travel Research by CWT, the B2B4E travel management platform, shows that travelers prefer to manage their travel transactions digitally, via an app or browser. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005466/en/ Human vs. Machine - Business travellers choose technology over people when booking travel and managing trip disruptions (Graphic: Business Wire) 69% of business travelers prefer to book their flights digitally rather than have human interactions. That continues to rise for hotel reservations (78%), ground transportation (71%), and checking-in for flights (68%). However, travelers are more receptive speaking to a person face-to-face when checking into their hotel (46%) and checking out (51%). "Technology is becoming more and more dominant in the travel ecosystem," said Andrew Jordan, CWT's Chief Product and Technology Officer. "Digital interactions are taking over, so the travel industry must keep evolving to offer companies and their employees the experience they want and expect." Overall, Asia Pacific travelers are more likely to choose technology over personal contact - 73% prefer to book their flights digitally, versus 71% of Americas travelers and 61% of Europeans. Meanwhile, 84% of Asia Pacific travelers prefer to book hotels digitally, versus 77% of those from the Americas, and 70% of Europeans. When it comes to checking in for their flights, travelers from the Americas are most inclined to use technology over personal contact: 73% said they prefer technology, versus 66% of Europeans and 65% of Asia Pacific travelers. Smartphones Catching Up With Computer Screens CWT's research also shows that a significant percentage of travel is still booked through a computer screen - 45% in 2019 versus 53% i 2018 and 52% in 2017. But smartphones are catching up: 41% in 2019 versus 34% in 2018 and 32% in 2017. Tablets rank third with 11%, while only 2% of business travelers claim to get help from a person. The data reveals that European travelers are most inclined to book their travel on a desktop or laptop (55%), followed by travelers from the Americas (49%) and travelers from Asia Pacific (36%). In contrast, 53% of travelers in Asia Pacific prefer to book travel on their smartphones, compared to 40% of Americas' travelers and only 26% of Europeans. European travelers are most inclined to use their tablets (16%) or speak to a person (3%) than travelers from the Americas and Asia Pacific, who both scored 9% and 2% respectively. When asked how they prefer to deal with disruptions or changes, 33% of travelers overall say using a mobile app is the most effective way to do so - 37% of travelers from Asia Pacific feel that way, versus 31% of travelers from the Americas and 30% of Europeans. The study also revealed that eight out of ten business travelers have used technology instead of physically traveling for business in the past year, with a quarter using technology five or more times instead of traveling. With 29% of travelers from the Americas answering "five times or more," they beat Europeans (26%) and Asia Pacific travelers (22%). "The modern business traveler wants to be able to make decisions immediately at their convenience," said Jordan. "Companies need to empower their employees to have this control and give them the needed tools, such as mobile apps, to best equip them on their journey." About the survey The survey was created by CWT and conducted by Artemis Strategy Group between 29 January and 9 February, 2019. Responses were collected from more than 2,700 business travelers who traveled for business four or more times in the previous 12 months. Respondents were from the Americas (Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and the United States), Europe (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the UK), and Asia Pacific (Australia, China, India, Japan, and Singapore). About CWT CWT is a Business-to-Business-for-Employees (B2B4E) travel management platform. Companies and governments rely on us to keep their people connected - anywhere, anytime, anyhow - and across six continents, we provide their employees with innovative technology and an efficient, safe and secure travel experience. Every single day, we look after enough travelers to fill more than 100,000 hotel rooms, while our meetings and events division handles more than 100 events every 24 hours. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. About Artemis Strategy Group Artemis Strategy Group is a communications research firm specializing in brand positioning, thought leadership and policy issues. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005466/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] IME Medical Electrospinning launches MediSpin XL, a cutting-edge high-volume electrospinning production platform for Medical Devices This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005436/en/ IME to host a special electrospinning session (number S64), Wednesday May 29, from 11am - 1pm, during the upcoming TERMIS European Chapter Meeting, 27 - 31 May 2019, Rhodes, Greece. Managing Director Judith Heikoop presenting on 'Mimicking the tissue specific extracellular matrix composition'. Dutch MedTech company IME Medical Electrospinning is the worldwide leader and scientific partner in electrospinning equipment development and services for medical devices and regenerative medicine. The company today announced the launch of its newly developed revolutionary MediSpin XL platform for large-scale industrial manufacturing of reproducible and scalable fiber-based scaffolds for Class I, II and III medical devices. The launch of the platform marks a global breakthrough in the controlled large-scale production of well-defined scaffolds for implants and membranes using fibers ranging from nanometer up to micrometer scale. Applying specific polymers, IME's advanced equipment creates fiber-based medical device solutions that mimic the natural human extracellular matrix in nanometer and micrometer format for implants and membranes in the human body. Human cells recognize this artificial matrix (scaffold) as the body's own facilitating the repair of the damaged tissue for heart valves, blood vessels, nerves, tendons, skin and bone etc. This is in contrast to implants and membranes of traditional structures, which are seen as foreign and therefore can lead to scar tissue or rejection phenomena. The MediSpin XL platform has been developed specifically for MedTech industrial manufacturing of medical devices and ensures the firm control of the crucial parameters of the electrospinning process, leading to identical and consistent end-products. Judith Heikoop, Managing Director of IME Medical Electrospinning, says: "The global launc of our state of the art production platform is testimony to our strong belief in the strategic goal of becoming the leading developer and producer of the most advanced electrospinning equipment for both large-scale production and R&D purpose, and broadens our trusted partnership worldwide in co-developing electrospun medical devices, which are seen as true game changers in the MedTech industry." Ramon Solberg, Founder and Managing Director of IME Medical Electrospinning, says: "This technology enables the large-scale manufacturing of reproducible and scalable fiber-based scaffolds, the wonderful pieces of art that will substantially transform the medical device market for a wide variety of medical applications and thus revolutionize regenerative medicine." MediSpin XL, resolving distorting factors in electrospinning The electrospinning process is governed by a number of variables that are crucial for success in research and development, but certainly also for large-scale manufacturing of fiber-based medical device solutions. Crucial parameters in fiber diameter and structure, porosity, mesh thickness and tensile strength are vital for the in-vitro and in-vivo functionality of products, but were challenging to control in the past. In particular, changes in temperature and relative humidity between the seasons and during the day, could lead to inconsistencies within one batch as well as between batches. The groundbreaking MediSpin XL platform resolved all this and is the result of IME's pioneering research and more than a decade of medical electrospinning experience in manufacturing smaller scale R&D equipment. MediSpin XL is the first large-scale production platform that eliminates all the important factors that might distort the electrospinning process, enabling an optimal process set-up and stability, including climate control and on-line quality monitoring measurements, ensuring a consistent end-product. The MediSpin XL equipment is built using state-of-the-art materials & process controls in compliance with tight regulatory requirements for medical products to minimize the chance of product contamination during the process. Down-stream process steps such as cutting and blistering can be easily included in the system. And lastly, ultimate automation minimizes the need for operator intervention, which further adds to a reproducible process and minimization of product contamination during the process. New world standard With the introduction of the MediSpin XL platform, IME has further strengthened its global standard for the joint development and production of scalable and reproducible nanometer and micrometer scaffolds. To this respect the company recently commissioned its brand new high-end GLP Laboratory and set of ISO 7 cleanrooms. With these, IME is now able to not only develop and manufacture its top-end proprietary electrospinning equipment, but to also produce the actual scaffolds for the intended medical implants for their customers. The cleanroom facilities enable the production of Class I, II and III medical devices. === E N D S === About IME Medical Electrospinning For over ten years, IME Medical Electrospinning has been a leading player in the field of developing and implementing electrospinning processes and equipment for the manufacturing of medical devices for (regenerative) medicine. Electrospinning is a flexible process for producing extremely thin fibers and structures that have excellent properties to help regenerate human tissue. IME Medical Electrospinning has developed an unique set of innovations in electrospinning technology for the reproducible and scalable production of electrospun material under tightly controlled conditions required for the MedTech market. Customers and scientific partners include the MedTech industry, scientists and health institutions. Shareholders in the company are Dutch economic development company De Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM) and informal investor network TIIN Capital (TIIN). More information available at http://www.ime-electrospinning.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005436/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] KnowBe4 Acquires CLTRe; Shines Spotlight on Security Culture Measurement Acquisition further demonstrates importance of managing the human risk and cements KnowBe4's presence in Europe TAMPA BAY, Florida, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- KnowBe4, the provider of the world's largest security awareness training (SAT) and simulated phishing platform, today announced the acquisition of CLTRe pronounced "Culture" a Norwegian company focused on helping organizations assess, build, maintain and measure a strong security posture. CLTRe will continue to operate as an independent subsidiary of KnowBe4, and service customers globally. CLTRe's Toolkit and Security Culture Framework will be available to all KnowBe4 customers later this year. According to The 2018 Cybersecurity Culture Report, 95 percent of organizations see a gap between their current and desired organizational cybersecurity culture. With 94 percent of malware being delivered via email (2019 DBIR), it's clear that working with users to minimize cyber risk and improve security culture is key. The 2018 Security Culture Report shows the value of being able to measure culture, helping organizations to demonstrate the effectiveness of their organizational security controls, as required by GDPR, CCPA and other regulations. Interestingly, the finance industry demonstrated an overall healthy improvement in culture from 2017 while the real estate industry showed a decline. CLTRe creatd the CLTRe Toolkit and the Security Culture Framework, which work in tandem to help organizations gather evidence about their current security culture and how it changes over time. The acquisition of CLTRe is advantageous for both KnowBe4 and CLTRe clients; KnowBe4 users will gain access to a research-driven measurement platform to show how their security culture program matures over time. And CLTRe clients will be introduced to the industry's most progressive and easiest-to-use SAT and simulated phishing platform to help educate users and change their behavior. CLTRe measures the seven dimensions of security culture: behavior, responsibilities, cognition, norms, compliance, communication and attitudes. Quotes: Stu Sjouwerman, CEO, KnowBe4 "Today's announcement brings KnowBe4 very valuable tools to help our customers measure what matters their security culture so they can make decisions about how to improve. We're excited to welcome Kai and the CLTRe team to the KnowBe4 family and to enhance our European presence while supporting more global customers." Kai Roer, CEO, CLTRe "KnowBe4 is a leader in innovation and has a wonderful track record for growing quickly but with a very specific focus on improving security at the human-level. This is a natural fit for our evidence-based analytics and measurement tools, as KnowBe4 customers will now be able to measure their security cultures, benchmark against their industry sectors, and pinpoint exactly what kind of security culture they have. With KnowBe4 and CLTRe, organizations can gain true insight into their security culture, improve their security with pinpoint accuracy, report their progress to their board of directors, and educate their users to make smarter security decisions." Perry Carpenter, Chief Evangelist & Strategy Officer, KnowBe4 "From my former life as a Gartner analyst, I have a strong appreciation for evidence over opinion, which is what CLTRe gives to its clients in the form of a data-driven examination of their security culture. To change user behavior and address awareness, we have to understand and change security culture. CLTRe gives organizations the tools to understand where they are today so they can get to where they want to go tomorrow." Espen Otterstad, CISO at Abax (CLTRe customer) "Our work with CLTRe has been important to helping us gauge the maturity of our security culture over time. Now that CLTRe is part of KnowBe4, we have a very real way to advance the maturity of our program and test the knowledge of our user's understanding via KnowBe4's fresh content, engaging trainings and simulated phishing tests. The combination of CLTRe and KnowBe4 means that we can improve security within our organization through training and phishing tests, and manage our security culture program while proving ROI." About KnowBe4 KnowBe4, the provider of the world's largest security awareness training and simulated phishing platform, is used by more than 25,000 organizations around the globe. Founded by IT and data security specialist Stu Sjouwerman, KnowBe4 helps organizations address the human element of security by raising awareness about ransomware, CEO fraud and other social engineering tactics through a new-school approach to awareness training on security. Kevin Mitnick, an internationally recognized cybersecurity specialist and KnowBe4's Chief Hacking Officer, helped design the KnowBe4 training based on his well-documented social engineering tactics. Tens of thousands of organizations rely on KnowBe4 to mobilize their end users as the last line of defense. Number 96 on the list Inc. 500 of 2018, number 34 on 2018's Deloitte's Technology Fast 500, and 2nd place in Cybersecurity Ventures Cybersecurity 500, KnowBe4 is headquartered in Tampa Bay, Florida, with offices in Brazil, England, the Netherlands, Germany, South Africa and Singapore. About CLTRe CLTRe was established in 2015 to accurately answer the question, how do you measure security culture? Pooling the knowledge and experience of its co-founders and a wider team of experts together, CLTRe provides effective and easy-to-use tools that use proven social scientific methods and principles to provide evidence-based results and enables organizations to assess, build and improve their security culture. CLTRe's software offering is aptly named the Security Culture Toolkit. Media Contact Kathy Wattman SVP of PR KnowBe4 [email protected] 727-474-9950 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] M7 Global Partners Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary at Citrix Synergy 2019 M7 Global Partners, a consortium of leading U.S. IT consulting firms widely recognized for their commitment to serving as trusted advisors in the deployment of Citrix (News - Alert) solutions, will showcase their technical expertise and demonstrate best practices for leveraging advanced IT infrastructure, virtualization, security, cloud and automation solutions, at Citrix Synergy 2019, taking place May 21-23, 2019 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. Representing M7 Global Partners on stage during Citrix Synergy (News - Alert) 2019 are Al Solorzano, Vice President, End User Computing, Entisys360 who will join Andrew Leong, Director, Product Marketing, Citrix; Dave Lesuer, Senior IT Manager, eBay (News - Alert); and, William Jenkins, Senior Systems Engineer, eBay for "SYN404: Insights on the eBay Journey with SD-WAN" on Wednesday, May 22 at 3:30 p.m. Other stage events M7 Global Partners members will be participating in at Citrix Synergy 2019 include "The Citrix Compatibility Game" on Wednesday, May 22 at 3:00 p.m. hosted by technology and life storyteller, Sean Donahue and featuring Al Solorzano as a panelist; and, "SYN527: Match.Geek" with Benjamin Crill, Consultant, Hogan Consulting Group, on Thursday, May 23 at 3:00 p.m. "We are proud of our rich heritage in successfully teaming with Citrix to drive mutual success," said Mike Strohl, CEO, Entisys360 and Founding Partner, M7 Global Partners. "Entisys360 is looking forward to this year's event, and we are excited to have an opportunity to share best practices for solving the business challenges our customers currently face around the deployment of VDI within their cloud-based IT environments." During Citrix Synergy 2019, M7 Global Partners will also be celebrating recent accolades awarded to its members by Citrix. Earlier this year at Citrix Summit 2019, Entisys360 was recognized by Citrix as its 2018 Partner of the Year for North America. This is the fifth time that Entisys360 has earned this designation from Citrix. "Much of the success we've experienced collectively within M7 Global Partners is linked to our alliance with Citrix," said Michael Hogan, President, Hogan Consulting Group and Founding Partner, M7 Global Partners. "The Hogan Consulting Group team are excited to be gathering with our fellow M7 members and partners this year in Atlanta for what is shaping up to be a very exciting event. We also look forward to having the opportunity to share the latest advancements and innovations from Citrix with our customers." Educational and Client Appreciation Events Scheduled to Take Place Throughout the Week M7 Global Partners-hosted events taking place during Citrix Synergy 2019 include: Support, Access, Service and Choice: VDI in the Cloud Era. This annual "Meet the Experts" panel lunch and newly added "Royal Rumble" will pit some of your favorite M7 consultants and architects against each other to battle it out on various topics. Hosted by Entisys360's Al Solorzano, this "Meet the Experts" event will take place on Tuesday, May 21 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium's Delta360 SkyClub, located just steps from the Georgia World Congress Center. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with industry trailblazers from top organizations leading the pack to VDI in the cloud. This annual "Meet the Experts" panel lunch and newly added "Royal Rumble" will pit some of your favorite M7 consultants and architects against each other to battle it out on various topics. Hosted by Entisys360's Al Solorzano, this "Meet the Experts" event will take place on Tuesday, May 21 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium's Delta360 SkyClub, located just steps from the Georgia World Congress Center. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with industry trailblazers from top organizations leading the pack to VDI in the cloud. Citrix Synergy 2019 Demo Rounds. M7 Global Partners will return to the Delta360 SkyClub on Wednesday, May 22 for its popular demo rounds where key partner solutions will be presented by M7 Global Partners' technical experts. M7 Global Partners member companies AEC Group, Entisys360, Gotham Technology Group, Hogan Consulting Group, IntraSystems and IPM will also host a VIP Executive "meet and greet" for M7 Global Partners clients, followed by vendor-sponsored "M7 is Back," a "Men in Black" inspired appreciation event at the historic Tabernacle in Atlanta. Sponsors for "M7 is Back" include Arrow, Checkpoint, Citrix, Cisco (News - Alert), Datrium, IGEL, Ingram Micro, LG, Liquidware, PrinterLogic and Tricerat. "We are looking forward to the opportunity to connect with our valued clients and vendor partners at Citrix Synergy 2019," said Paul Kunze, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, IntraSystems and Founding Partner, M7 Global Partners. "This event provides us with a great opportunity to educate ourselves and our customers on the latest technology developments and innovations from Citrix, while also giving us a chance connect with our partners and celebrate our success." For more information about Citrix Synergy 2019 visit www.citrixsynergy.com. To connect with M7 Global Partners member companies during Citrix Synergy 2019, tweet using the hashtag #M7CitrixSynergy, #M7TEN and #M7X, and follow us at: M7 Global Partners: twitter.com/M7_Global AEC Group: twitter.com/TheAECGroup Entisys360: twitter.com/entisys360 Gotham Technology Group: twitter.com/GothamTG Hogan Consulting Group: twitter.com/HCG_Consulting IntraSystems: twitter.com/Intra_Access IPM: twitter.com/IPM_News About M7 Global Partners Founded in 2010, M7 Global Partners is a national network of the country's leading IT consultants dedicated to delivering datacenter, desktop and mobile solutions in and out of the cloud with an emphasis on virtual desktop solutions for mid tier and enterprise customers and government agencies. The mission of M7 Global Partners is to increase the value, credibility, depth and reach of the regional value added solution provider by developing a global organization that focuses on higher quality, more consistent, centralized relationship and experience for our vendors, system integrators and partners, and most importantly - our customers. M7 Global Partners is committed to achieving the promise and efficiencies of desktop virtualization. M7 has assembled all the necessary components and competencies to achieve the value of desktop cloud computing structures today. Members of M7 Global Partners are AEC Group, Entisys360, Gotham Technology Group, Hogan Consulting Group, Intra Systems, IPM. M7 Global Partners corporate headquarters are located in Montvale, New Jersey. For more information, visit www.M7GP.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005137/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Merck KGAA and GlucoMe Exploring Expansion for Digital Diabetes System YARKONA, Israel, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital diabetes solution provider, GlucoMe, announced today that it is exploring expansion of its partnership with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. This follows a successful joint pilot in several Vietnam hospitals, facilitated by a third party. In August 2018, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a world leader in science and technology with more than 60 years of experience in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, partnered with GlucoMe to assess the advantages of GlucoMe's digital diabetes care solution against the current standard of care in Vietnam. GlucoMe is a digital diabetes management solution that effectively and efficiently streamlines the disease management process for patients and the entire healthcare system. The GlucoMe system was integrated in five Vietnam hospitals. Three hundred patients with diabetes used GlucoMe's wireless blood glucose monitor over a three-month period to measure their blood sugar levels at home. The clinical data was synced through GlucoMe's mobile app and analyzed by GlucoMe's Digital Diabetes Clinic (DDC) and its Control Tower alert system. This enabled medical professionals and their staff to continuously monitor their patients and intervene more efficiently and effectively than the current face-to-face standard of care allows. It also helped medical teams identify and prioritize severe and urgent cases for the timeliest intervention. Patients and staff (including physicians, nurses, administrators and management) expressed high satisfaction with the platform, with a patient retention rate of 81%. The number of interactions with patients was increased x13, with the same resources and staff. Over the course of the pilot, 94% of the patients reached and maintained compliance targets, and 16% reduction in overall glucose was achieved (1% estimated HbA1c reduction). "GlucoMe's pilot with Merck KGaA has ben completed with great success," said GlucoMe's CEO, Yiftah Ben-Aharon. "Our teams, along with a third party, worked together for smooth integration of GlucoMe's entire platform from hardware to our data-driven Digital Diabetes Clinic in the Vietnam hospitals. Our comprehensive digital diabetes management solution has significantly impacted how their staff interacts with patients: increasing dramatically the number of interactions and touchpoints with patients with the existing resources; achieving better control and managing treatment across a population; and enabling true and efficient remote care. Now we are looking forward to continuing our collaboration with Merck to scale up the digital solution in Vietnam and reach facilities and populations in additional countries." "We at Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany recognize type 2 diabetes as one of today's most pressing global public health challenges. By providing treatment for diabetes patients for more than 60 years, we have gained a deep understanding of the clinical use of our portfolio as well as of patients' needs. Offering additional services and tools beyond our drug portfolio will help patients to better manage their disease," added Daniel Ruggiero, Head of Diabetes Strategy at the Biopharma business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. GlucoMe is now preparing to launch the digital platform commercially in Vietnam and is in the process of evaluating additional global markets for expansion. About Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany in Diabetes Merck KGaA Darmstadt, Germany is a global leading player in the type 2 diabetes area and originator of the orally administered antihyperglycemic drug Glucophage (metformin) which has more than sixty years of clinical use and is the first line recommended monotherapy in the type 2 diabetes treatment guidelines. Merck KGaA Darmstadt, Germany received label extension for the administration of Glucophage for non-diabetic hyperglycemia (commonly known as prediabetes) in many countries including the United Kingdom and is currently seeking this indication in additional countries worldwide. About GlucoMe GlucoMe is a digital health company developing and marketing a comprehensive digital solution for diabetes management. With its new algorithm-based Decision Support System analyzing relevant diabetes data and providing medical teams with treatment recommendations, GlucoMe is on track to realizing its vision of offering an autonomous diabetes health care platform. The GlucoMe solution enables smart and cost-effective remote care and monitoring, streamlining and simplifying diabetes care for patients, caregivers and medical professionals. Its core architecture enables quick and simple implementation and allows organizations to easily scale up while delivering personalized quality care. The GlucoMe platform includes an affordable wireless blood glucose monitor; a mobile app; a Digital Diabetes cloud-based monitoring & control management software for healthcare organizations and professionals; and a Control Tower, to enable patient and population data-driven prioritization and management. For additional information about GlucoMe, visit www.glucome.com. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/merck-kgaa-and-glucome-exploring-expansion-for-digital-diabetes-system-300853897.html SOURCE GlucoMe & Merck KGaA Darmstadt [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Microsoft DevDays Asia 2019: Leveraging Cross-Disciplinary Skills for Next-Gen AI Talents in Taiwan TAIPEI, Taiwan, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- AI-led digital transformation is a core competence of companies to wish to speed ahead in global competition. To cultivate the next generation of AI talents, Microsoft Taiwan facilitates DevDays Asia 2019 with innovative tools to further explore potentials among developer as well as new digital opportunities for local economies. The event, directed by Taiwan's Industrial Development Bureau, Ministry of Economic Affairs, is set to kick off from May 21 to 23 at Academia Sinica. Each year, DevDays Asia serves as the pivot to bring in advanced technologies and latest industry trends from around the world. In his opening remarks, Ken Sun, General Manager of Microsoft Taiwan, highlighted how edge computing and AI together have changed world's business models and our daily lives. He also shared key ideas on technology deployment from Microsoft Build 2019, "This year Microsoft has launched several solutions. They all revolved around the same theme, which is the cross-disciplinary integration of cloud, data analytics, and artificial intelligence to accelerate collaboration. AIoT is an excellent example of that integration which has accelerated the realization of smart IoT." Mr. Sun asserted that Taiwan is a technology powerhouse with valuable potentials not to be overlooked. He congratulated the seven Taiwanese companies dominating the latest Azure IoT PnP (Plug and Play) partner list. The list, as announced in Microsoft Build 2019, consists of seventeen corporate partners, and out of which seven are from Taiwan, including Compal, Aaeon, Wistron, VIA, Shap, Askey and Delta. Microsoft Taiwan is committed to the 'AI 100' project, which aims to support local partners and clients in developing customized AI solutions by offering technical resources and expert teams. In DevDays Asia 2019, more than 30 industry experts from home and abroad will represent highlights from Microsoft Build in six themes, namely Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, Office 365 Development and Industry Solutions, Productivity, Security, and Technology Development. In addition, they will share the latest developments in Microsoft technologies. In over 50 hands-on workshops, new advancements in Azure and Microsoft 365 will be introduced with demos, delivering fresh ideas to local developers. Aligning with Ministry of Economic Affairs' policies and projects, Microsoft Taiwan has placed great emphasis on developing AI talent for different verticals. "AI readiness has been viewed as the most important pillar for enterprise digital transformation," remarked Mr. Sun. "We aim at building an AI talent hub in Taiwan for Asia-Pacific to facilitate transformation, attract international businesses and create more opportunities." Microsoft creates user experience-centered agile services across platforms and systems According to Senior Product Marketing Manager of Office Ecosystem Daniel Canning, the first keynote speaker, Teams is the fastest growing business application in Microsoft's history, currently adopted by over 500,000 businesses. Teams optimizes organizations' internal communication from messaging, online conferences to video calls. Integrated with Office 365, Teams can run PowerApps, Flow, and Microsoft Graph, and improves work efficiency significantly. Asad Khan, Director of Program Management in Azure Data Engineering Group, explained the evolution of SQL Server and how we are solving the new data needs through innovations, both in the cloud and on-premises. He is thrilled to show the innovations in SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Database Edge. SQL Server has evolved to provide a complete, secure, high performance platform from ground to cloud, offering multiple features, capabilities, and new levels of immense scale. Together, SQL Server and Microsoft Azure provide a complete infrastructure and platform for every data task. In recent years, Office 365 has been more than an office productivity tool. It is now capable of discovering insightful information from behavioral data. Kamal Janardhan, Partner Director of Program Management for Microsoft, commented that Workplace Analytics and MyAnalytics could analyze data from everyday work in Office 365 to identify patterns and optimize workflow. For example, Workplace Analytics can group messages in emails and conclude that low efficiency may result from too many meetings back to back. The AI technology of MyAnalytics will remind users of unread emails from important clients. Microsoft Taiwan is devoted to synchronize Taiwan with the latest technologies revealed at Microsoft Build. It is committed to putting forward visionary solutions across industries and fulfilling its mission to help Taiwan businesses to complete digital transformation. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/microsoft-devdays-asia-2019-leveraging-cross-disciplinary-skills-for-next-gen-ai-talents-in-taiwan-300853845.html SOURCE Microsoft Taiwan [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 20, 2019] Notice of Filing Securities Class Action against Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP (http://www.rgrdlaw.com/cases/flooranddecor/) today announced that a class action has been commenced on behalf of purchasers of Floor & Decor (NYSE:FND) common stock during the period between May 23, 2018 and August 1, 2018, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia and is captioned Taylor v. Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc., et al. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits any investor who purchased Floor & Decor common stock during the Class Period to seek appointment as lead plaintiff. A lead plaintiff acts on behalf of all other class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff can select a law firm of its choice. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than 60 days from today. If you wish to discuss this action or have any questions concerning this notice or your rights or interests, please contact plaintiff's counsel, Darren Robbins of Robbins Geller at 00/449-4900 or 619/231-1058, or via e-mail at [email protected]. You can view a copy of the complaint as filed at http://www.rgrdlaw.com/cases/flooranddecor/. The complaint charges Floor & Decor, two of its executive officers and certain of the Company's controlling shareholders with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Floor & Decor describes itself as a high-growth differentiated multi-channel specialty retailer of hard surface flooring and related accessories, with warehouse-format stores across 21 states. On May 3, 2018, the Company announced its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2018, reporting revenue and earnings results that beat expectations and increasing the Company's financial projections for the remainder of fiscal 2018. On May 23, 2018, the Company filed a Registration Statement and Prospectus with the SEC (News - Alert) for a secondary offering of 10 million shares of Floor & Decor common stock at $44.77 per share (the "May 24 Secondary Offering"), raising more than $400 million for the selling shareholders. The Registration Statement incorporated the Company's historical financial performance and growth prospects and purported to warn investors that there were certain risks that, "if" they occurred, "could" cause the Company's financial results to be adversely affected. The complaint alleges that during the Class Period, defendants made false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose adverse information regarding Floor & Decor's business and prospects. Specifically, each of the statements in the Registration Statement filed with the SEC regarding the current financial condition of the Company was materially false and misleading because, prior to the May 24 Secondary Offering, defendants knew, but failed to disclose, that the Company had already begun to experience declining sales trends that would ultimately result in the reduction of its fiscal 2018 sales and adjusted earnings per share guidance, which had been increased as recently as May 2018. As a result of this adverse information being withheld from the market, the price of the Company's stock was artificially inflated during the Class Period, allowing Company insiders to sell more than 10.3 million shares of Floor & Decor common stock, including the shares sold in the May 24 Secondary Offering, for proceeds of more than $466 million. Then on August 2, 2018, before the market opened, Floor & Decor announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2018. The second quarter results were in sharp contrast to the assurances made on May 3, 2018 about the strength of the Company's business and its continuing growth trajectory for the remainder of 2018. As a result of these disclosures and the significant reduction in the Company's fiscal year 2018 sales and earnings per share guidance, Floor & Decor's stock price declined more than 21%, from a close of $47.71 per share on August 1, 2018 to a close of $37.50 per share on August 3, 2018. Plaintiff seeks to recover damages on behalf of all purchasers of Floor & Decor common stock during the Class Period (the "Class"). The plaintiff is represented by Robbins Geller, which has expertise in prosecuting investor class actions and extensive experience in actions involving financial fraud. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190520005852/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] OneTrust Launches Policy and Notice Management Solution to Centrally Manage and Update GDPR and CCPA Privacy Policies & Disclosures Manage, update and audit multiple policies and notices on websites and mobile applications from a single dashboard with OneTrust Policy and Notice Management Solution ATLANTA, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at PrivacyTech, the largest user conference dedicated to privacy technology, OneTrust launched OneTrust Policy and Notice Management to manage, update and audit multiple privacy policies and notices from a single dashboard. As a part of the OneTrust Privacy User Experience suite, OneTrust Policy and Notice Management helps companies comply with the GDPR's privacy notice obligation and the CCPA's disclosure requirement. Register for the Webinar: OneTrust 5.0 Product Updates on June 6 at 16:00 GMT/11:00am ET Privacy laws, specifically the GDPR and CCPA, require businesses to maintain concise, transparent, intelligible and easily accessible privacy policies, notices and disclosures. These notifications need to be written in a clear and plain language and updated annually. For many companies, these notices and disclosures are tied to hundreds of websites and applications, linked to different legal basis of collection and are written in many languages. Maintaining an up-to-date policy across all digital properties, updating this policy annually and auditing that the information across websites and applications is accurate cause major challenges for legal, privacy and marketing teams. OneTrust Policy and Notice Management is the first solution to give companies a central dashboard to manage, monitor, edit, update and audit all policies and notices on digital properties in multiple languages. OneTrust Policy and Notice Management: Tracks where published policies are located across websites, hosted documents, intranet and mobile apps Resolves issues of forgotten or out-of-date policies Enables rich editing features with the ability to embed graphics, images, videos and layered text to create policies and notices for various marketing channels Integrates with consent management tools to automate recordkeeping Maintains an audit trail and version control history for ongoing compliance "Updated and easy-to-read privacy policies give companies a first chance to show consumers a commitment to the responsible collection and use of personal data," said Blake Brannon, OneTrust VP Product. "OneTrust Privacy and Notice Management gives teams control over all notices to maintain compliance with the GDPR, CCPA and other privacy laws. With custom, video and image-rch notices and holistic insight into privacy policies across websites and apps, companies can continue to make privacy a competitive advantage and market differentiator." Learn more about OneTrust Policy & Notice Management this week during PrivacyTech Americas, register for PrivacyTech Europe, taking place 12-14 June in London, or register for the OneTrust 5.0 Product Update Webinar on June 6. For additional information, or to request a live OneTrust Privacy Management Software demo, visit OneTrust.com or email [email protected]. About OneTrust OneTrust is the largest and most widely used technology platform to operationalize privacy, security and third-party risk management. According The Forrester New Wave: GDPR and Privacy Management Software, Q4 2018, OneTrust "leads the pack for vision and execution." Additionally, Fast Company named OneTrust as one of 2019's World's Most Innovative Companies. More than 2,500 customers, both big and small and across 100 countries, use OneTrust to implement their privacy, security and third-party risk programs, automatically generating the specific record keeping needed to demonstrate compliance with privacy regulations including the EU GDPR, California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), Brazil LGPD, and hundreds of the world's privacy laws. OneTrust's size and scale allows it to offer the easiest-to-use and most affordable solution for implementing use cases including: Privacy Maturity Benchmarking, Data Protection by Design and Default (PbD), Data Protection Impact Assessments (PIA/DPIA), Third-Party Vendor Risk Management, Incident and Breach Response, Data Mapping (Records of Processing), Customer Preference Management, Consent Management, Website Scanning & Cookie Compliance, Mobile App Scanning, Data Subject/Consumer Rights Management and Policy & Notice Management. The software, available in 60 languages, is backed by 50 awarded patents, integrates with 300 technology partners, and can be deployed in the cloud or on-premise. The platform's intelligence comes from DataGuidance by OneTrust, an in-depth and up-to-date source of privacy and security regulatory summaries, guidance, templates, case law, and analysis. Hundreds of global privacy and security laws and frameworks are built-in, including security frameworks like ISO27001. The database is updated daily by over 30 in-house privacy researchers, along with a network of 500 lawyers across over 300 jurisdictions, and by active input as part of OneTrust's regulatory engagement program. OneTrust's customers are supported by a worldwide team of over 100 in-house privacy implementation and support resources and boasts a customer satisfaction score of 95%. Customers can also access more than 1,000 external individuals who have completed the OneTrust Certified Privacy Management Professional program. The OneTrust Global Privacy Community is the largest, most active and globally available community for privacy technology. Each year, OneTrust brings together over 10,000 professionals across 400 events to share best practices and breakdown the latest technology innovations driving global privacy compliance. Events include PrivacyConnect workshops in 100+ international cities and PrivacyTECH, OneTrust's global user conference. OneTrust's 700 employees are located across co-headquarters in Atlanta and in London with additional locations in Bangalore, Melbourne, San Francisco, New York, Munich and Hong Kong. To learn more, visit OneTrust.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. Media Contact: Gabrielle Ferree Public Relations +1 770-294-4668 [email protected] Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/478210/OneTrust_Logo.jpg [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Park Place Technologies And Paramount Software Solutions Partner To Provide IT And Third-Party Maintenance Support To The State Of Georgia CLEVELAND, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Park Place Technologies, the world's largest post-warranty data center maintenance firm, and Paramount Software Solutions, one of Georgia's leading and proven IT services firm for the public and private sector in the U.S., today announced a strategic partnership. The relationship will provide IT support and solutions to the state of Georgia. Together, Park Place Technologies and Paramount will provide exclusive End of Life (EOL) server and storage maintenance for 140 public sector entities across the state. This strategic partnership leverages two leading companies' respective strengths in providing breakthrough IT services and solutions for post-warranty maintenance to enhance productivity, maximize uptime and reduce costs without minimizing the quality of service. Park Place Technologies will provide post-warranty third-party maintenance support on servers and storage hardware for various entities within Georgia, with Paramount providing technical consulting and solutions along with project management, digital marketing, application development and integration support. Together, these organizations will support various entities including Georgia's Department of Motor Vehicles, Technical College System of Georgia, the Department of Labor, among others. "Paramount Software Solutions' 20+ year proven track record of providing high-quality technical services and IT recruiting solutions, combined with its steadfast commitment to customer and employee centricity seamlessly aligns with our core values, making them an ideal partner," said Chris Adams, President and CEO, Park Place Technologies. "This partnership enables us to serve a broader range of customers, particularly those in the public sector, while creating additional growth opportunities for our business. We look forward to working with Paramount to bring our award-winning proactive maintenance services and support to 140 Georgia-based entities through this partnership." When critical infrastructure systems experience any downtime in data center environments, this can yield stressful and costly consequences for a business. Through this partnership, Park Place Technologies and Paramount have strategic team and processes in place to not only keep costs low without compromising the quality of service, while maximizing uptime by providing 24/7 access to critical care for data centers and related infrastructure 365 days per year resulting in a guaranteed 50% cost savings compared to manufacturers. Additionally, as part of this partnership, the 140 entities will benefit from ParkView, Park Place Technologies' award-winning, AI-driven proactive, predictive remote monitoring service. "We are thrilled to partner with Park Place Technologies as we join forces and combine our IT expertise and service capabilities to support the state of Georgia," said Pramod Sajja, President and CEO, Paramount Software Solutions. "This partnership is another significant milestone in our journey as we build upon the strong foundation we've established in Georgia. Aside from Park Place Technologies' renowned product and servicing capabilities, we were immediately impressed by the team's utmost level of professionalism, responsiveness and customer-centric approach, making them a natural fit to partner with on this exciting initiative. We look forward to pairing these entities with the advanced technologies and maintenance solutions Park Place Technologies offers." Park Place Technologies and Paramount's contract with the state of Georgia began on April 1, 2019 and will continue as part of a three-year project with the potential for seven one-year renewal options. About Park Place Technologies Founded in 1991, Park Place Technologies provides a post-warranty alternative to storage, server and networking hardware maintenance for IT data centers. With 24/7 access to a global contact center, support from the industry's most advanced engineers and a wide array of industry leading and award-winning services such as ParkViewTM, Park Place Technologies empowers its customers to improve operational speed and maximize uptime. With more than 16,000 customers, including all tier-one OEMs, Park Place Technologies' services are spread across 55,000 data centers in more than 140 countries. For more information, please visit www.parkplacetechnologies.com. About Paramount Software Solutions Founded in 1997, Paramount is an ISO 9001: 2015 certified IT solutions firm providing world-class technical and IT recruiting services in government and the private sector. Paramount has developed time-tested methodologies in its dynamic approach towards its solutions offerings that ensure high quality client deliverables. Paramount has been the recipient of many prestigious recognitions, including the INC.5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America, Best and The Brightest Companies to Work for Atlanta & National, Computerworld Magazine's Best Places to Work in IT, Atlanta Business Chronicle's Best Places to Work and many more. The company has over 200 employees based in the United States, with a diverse range of technical specializations. For more information, please visit https://paramountsoft.net Park Place Technologies Media Jennifer Deutsch [email protected] 440-683-3105 Michael Miller [email protected] 440-683-9426 Paramount Software Solutions Media Mahua Chatterjee [email protected] 770-857-8348 Ext: 305 I Direct: 670-383-2005 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/park-place-technologies-and-paramount-software-solutions-partner-to-provide-it-and-third-party-maintenance-support-to-the-state-of-georgia-300853957.html SOURCE Park Place Technologies [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Renowned for its innovative ecological disinfectant products, Laboratoire M2 will be able to increase its sales and penetrate new markets The Government of Canada awards $500,000 in funding to the Sherbrooke company SHERBROOKE, QC, May 21, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) A pioneer in research and development, Laboratoire M2 (LM2) has built a solid reputation for manufacturing innovative green products in the fields of disinfection and bio-safety for the human and animal health, agriculture and agri-food industries. To help it maintain its momentum, the Sherbrooke company has been awarded a $500,000 repayable contribution from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. This financial assistance will allow the company to go ahead with its certification process and the marketing, in Canada and the U.S, of its new eco-friendly non-polluting, non-toxic and biodegradable veterinary-use product for cows and cattle. The funding was announced today by the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Member of Parliament for ComptonStanstead and Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. Specifically, this Government of Canada assistance will allow LM2 to cover the fees and costs associated with the certification and marketing of its new product. The project will require an investment of over $1.6 million and will create four jobs. Founded in 2003, the mission of Laboratoire M2 is to come up with alternative solutions to replace previous disinfection technologies. A leader in bio-safety risk prevention, LM2 is known for its innovative culture and its specialized expertise in disinfection and bio-safety, and for its contribution to the greatest breakthroughs in the field. The Government of is committed to supporting innovative Canadian businesses. A driving force of the economy, innovation is the key to success because it generates growth that benefits both businesses and communities. This is why we are committed to ensuring that businesses are able to rely on adequate resources to create and market innovative products. Quotes "By supporting Laboratoire M2, a Canadian leader in environmentally responsible bio-safety fields, our government is demonstrating its commitment to innovative entrepreneurs. This funding will allow the Sherbrooke company to continue marketing its new environmentally friendly health product in Canada and the U.S. Progress must take into account the importance of protecting our environment, particularly in the designing of our products, and Laboratoire M2 is doing an excellent job in this respect." The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, MP for Compton-Stanstead and Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food "Our government is giving Canadians the means to become more competitive and to thrive in the global economy. The funding announced today for Laboratoire M2 is in line with Canada's competitive advantages and reflects our desire to support innovative projects that go hand-in-hand with economic growth and sustainable development." The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister responsible for CED "Laboratoire M2 intends to remain a leader in the development of disinfection and bio-health products for humans and animals, and to achieve a new milestone in its development. We are pleased to have the support of CED, which will give us additional impetus in the pursuit of our objectives." Serge Auray, President and founder of Laboratoire M2 Quick facts Today's announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister responsible for the Innovation, Science and Economic Development portfolio, which is made up of 17 federal departments and agencies, including CED and the other five regional development agencies. The funding was provided under CED's Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program. This program targets entrepreneurs who leverage innovation to grow their businesses and make them more competitive, and regional economic stakeholders who help create an entrepreneurial environment conducive to innovation and inclusive growth in all regions. To find out more about CED and its priorities, see the 20192020 Departmental Plan or visit www.dec-ced.gc.ca. Stay connected Follow CED on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube Follow Laboratoire M2 on LinkedIn SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Steve Mann Joins ThetaRay as Chief Marketing Officer NEW YORK, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- ThetaRay, the leading provider of AI-based Big Data analytics, today announced the appointment of Steve Mann as Chief Marketing Officer. As CMO, he will focus on creating a differentiated and compelling brand, developing a high-return demand generation platform and redefining what it means to employ AI to detect and stop financial crime. "Financial institutions face financial, legal, and reputational catastrophes if they can't detect or prevent financial crime," said Mann. "I was drawn to ThetaRay because its IntuitiveAI technology is the only solution that dramatically drives down false positive alerts and uncovers the unknown bad actors trying to exploit the world financial system. It does it better, faster and more accurately than legacy or AI-wannabe solutions. We must help FIs thwart money laundering, terrorist financing, and human trafficking, all the while enhancing the banks' competitiveness and regulatory compliance." Steve has over 25 years of experience in B2B enterprise marketing, product strategy, and branding. He previously served as CMO for two fintechs Arachnys and Axioma, as well as LexisNexis North America. Previously, he held various senior marketing roles at SAP, overseeing functions including market intelligence, the competitive sales team, customer experience, services marketing, and social media. Steve's held additional positions in product strategy, software engineering and venture capital. Mann earned a BA from Emory University and studied neuroscience at New York University. "Steve has the perfect pedigree and experience to advance our organization as a global brand," said ThetaRay CEO Mark Gazit. "His quarter-century of marketing experience will serve us well as we work to help financial institutions stop financial cybercrime. He is the latest in a series of experienced leaders who've deepened our leadership bench to ensure customer success and accelerate growth." About ThetaRay: ThetaRay is dedicated to helping clients at large financial organizations, cyber security divisions and critical infrastructure become more resilient and seize opportunities. Its advanced analytical solutions operate with unprecedented speed, accuracy and scale, enabling clients to manage risk, detect money laundering schemes, uncover fraud, expose bad loans, uncover operational issues and reveal valuable new growth opportunities. To learn more about ThetaRay, visit www.thetaray.com Mark Prindle Fusion PR +1-646-452-7109 [email protected] View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/steve-mann-joins-thetaray-as-chief-marketing-officer-300853529.html SOURCE ThetaRay [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Voce Issues Statement Regarding Argo Proxy Contest Voce Capital Management LLC ("Voce"), the beneficial owner of approximately 5.6% of the shares of Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. (NYSE: ARGO) ("Argo" or the "Company"), today issued the following statement to its fellow shareholders in connection with the Company's upcoming 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Annual Meeting"): "Earlier this year, Voce sought and obtained regulatory approval for its proxy solicitation at Argo from all relevant state Departments of Insurance ('DOI'). Despite the fact that the solicitation of limited, narrow proxies in connection with an annual meeting of shareholders in an effort to elect fully-independent Director nominees in no way constitutes 'control' of Argo by Voce, we nonetheless cooperated with the state DOI procedures, responding to all inquiries posed and submitting extensive documentary information in support of our position. As a result, every state - Illinois, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia - granted approval for us to proceed prior to the filing of our definitive proxy statement on April 12, 2019. However, we have recently been advised by two states that they have now flip-flopped, at the 11th hour, revoking their prior approvals and casting doubt on our ability to proceed; Virginia became the second state to do so, in a letter dated yesterday. Argo's active role in lobbying the various DOI is clear and irrefutable. We believe that the officials reversed their previously well-founded positions as a result of Argo's misinformation. In fact, Virginia explicitly stated in its letter to us that it had 'considered additional materials and information provided by Argo' in rescinding its previous approval. Argo's actions are reprehensible. Unfortunately, this behavior is not surprising, and it underscores everything we suspected about the Company - including its penchant for using underhanded tactics and manipulating its complex corporate machinery for the benefit of the Board and management at the expense of shareholders. At every step of theway, Argo seems to have expended enormous amounts of time, effort and shareholder capital in what appears to be desperation to prevent any independent oversight or outside observation of its practices. What is Argo hiding? But most importantly, Argo's Board has now disenfranchised its shareholders by helping foment uncertainty as to whether votes cast against it at the Annual Meeting will even be counted. For example, the Illinois DOI has threatened to "pursue injunctive relief and/or to seek the voiding of any proxy votes cast," should our contest proceed. The implications of this should send a chill down the spine of not only Argo shareholders but owners of any insurance company and, frankly, anyone who cares about corporate governance. Given these disturbing, last-minute developments, it is clear there is a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the Annual Meeting and its potential outcome. Accordingly, we have no choice but to withdraw our nominations for election of directors at the Annual Meeting, and cease soliciting proxies therefor. In the meantime, we plan to register our dissatisfaction with the Company's outrageous actions by voting AGAINST the election of Argo's five Class III directors on the Company's WHITE proxy card. At this time, many of the Company's largest shareholders have yet to cast their votes, and we encourage them to follow our lead and withhold their votes on the Company's card. Voce's campaign to date has shined a klieg light on the myriad governance failings at Argo. Both leading proxy advisory firms, Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. and Glass Lewis & Co., found Argo's governance deficient in many respects. We sincerely appreciate the support we have received from many of our fellow shareholders, as well as a number of Argo employees, over the course of this campaign. Moving forward, we are evaluating all potential legal remedies for this situation, including potentially requisitioning a Special General Meeting. We continue to believe in Argo's potential to deliver far greater value for its shareholders, and look forward to continuing our efforts to right the ship at Argo." About Voce Capital Management LLC Voce Capital Management LLC is a fundamental value-oriented, research-driven investment adviser founded in 2011 by J. Daniel Plants. The San Francisco-based firm is 100% employee-owned. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements All statements contained in this press release that are not clearly historical in nature or that necessarily depend on future events are "forward-looking statements," which are not guarantees of future performance or results, and the words "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "potential," "could," "opportunity," "estimate," "plan," and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. The projected results and statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are based on current expectations, speak only as of the date of this press release and involve risks that may cause the actual results to be materially different. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation as to future results. Voce disclaims any obligation to update the information herein and reserves the right to change any of its opinions expressed herein at any time as it deems appropriate. Voce has not sought or obtained consent from any third party to use any statements or information indicated herein as having been obtained or derived from statements made or published by third parties. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005454/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 20, 2019] Velotrade completes first cross border trade financing transaction into Mainland China with QEX Transaction opens the door for institutional investors to enter Chinese trade financing market HONG KONG, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Velotrade, the account receivables financing platform, announces that it is actively executing cross border trade receivables transactions involving mainland Chinese companies. The first deal involved trade financing for a transaction between a Chinese SOE and a medical equipment manufacturer, made accessible to Velotrade through the collaboration with Qianhai Financial Assets Exchange (QEX) owned by Ping An Group. It is also the first transaction which gives institutional investors on the Velotrade platform exposure to accounts receivable in the PRC. Velotrade is the first company of its type to obtain a Type 1 Regulated Activity licence from the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission. Vittorio De Angelis, Executive Chairman & Co-Founder of Velotrade commented, "This is a transformational deal for Velotrade. We are the first company offering cross-border access to Chinese invoice financing. The deal was completed very soon after we announced our SFC licensing and underscores the pace at which the company is developing. We are building out our team in Greater China, and our relationship with QEX, also thanks to the synergies given by us being part of the Ping An fintech accelerator program, means that we are now able to offer a stream of similar transactions to institutional investors on our platform. We are delighted that Velotrade has been able to open the door for foreign institutional investors to Chinese trade receivables." Velotrade is a trusted source of non-domestic money with a streamlined onboarding process as it offers international investors on its platform an alternative channel of investment. At the same time, it also means mainland Chinese companies can now access this channel as well through QEX, which is beneficial for all partie. The Vice General Manager of QEX, Zhan Yu Hong, commented, "Through launching cross-border trade transactions of debt-based assets such as accounts receivables factoring, QEX supports 'One Belt One Road' and the development of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, to provide better services for the real economy. The collaboration with Velotrade is an excellent example." Prior to this cross border offering by Velotrade and QEX, foreign investors have been unable to participate in onshore Chinese trade financing due to capital controls. However, the partnership between Velotrade and QEX means foreign investors can access Velotrade's regulated platform. Through QEX, investors are participating as regulated Hong Kong entities, recognised by the People's Bank of China, gaining direct access to the domestic PRC market. Gianluca Pizzituti, CEO and Co-founder at Velotrade, added, "Since commencing operations in 2017, Velotrade has handled cross-border financing deals in Hong Kong, Mainland China, Singapore, Taiwan and Vietnam across a range of sectors, including the automotive, electronics, healthcare, retail and clothing industries. This transaction is an exciting example of our continued growth and a signal of things to come as we break into one of the largest and fastest growing markets in the world." Velotrade's internet-based platform incorporates modern technologies to create efficiencies in the approval process that expedite financing. Additional identity verification and due diligence is conducted via the same technology platforms used by banks, meeting today's strictest compliance standards. About Velotrade Velotrade is an Internet-based platform for businesses of all sizes to finance their cash flow needs using their unpaid invoices. Recognising that unpaid invoices represent a financial asset, businesses can use Velotrade to access funds by securing advance payment from participating investors on their outstanding invoices. Companies apply for inclusion on the Velotrade platform and upon approval may upload invoices for investors to finance on a per-invoice basis. Backed by a Type 1 SFC licence, Velotrade provides leading financial institutions with access to new investment opportunities in the developing alternative asset class of Account Receivables Financing. The company is based in headquartered in Hong Kong where it is regulated by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC). Learn more at www.velotrade.com. About the Shenzhen Qianhai Financial Assets Exchange (QEX) QEX was established in March 2011. It is one of the eight exchanges that passed the inspection and acceptance of the relevant ministries and commissions of the State Council of China. In September 2015, it joined Ping An. At present, the registered capital of the former exchange is 1 billion yuan, which has been fully paid. It is one of the financial asset exchanges with the strongest capital power, standardized operation and outstanding business characteristics in China. The main business of the former exchanges includes: supply chain asset transfer solutions, cross-border transfer of non-performing assets, factoring assets and leased assets, trading of financial assets (including non-performing assets), and other delisting and matching businesses. For more information, please visit: www.qex.com SOURCE Velotrade [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 20, 2019] LONGi Unveiled the New High-Power PV Module in Australia - The 430W Hi-MO4 BRISBANE, Australia, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- LONGi was honored to sponsor the CEC Large Scale Solar Forum in Brisbane, during which the new LONGi 430W HiMO4 module was launched to the Australian market by Boyal Mao, General Manager of LONGi Solar Australia and Kane Thornton, Chief Executive of CEC Australia. The launch of Hi-MO4 in Brisbane was joined by leading developers, EPC and industry experts from across Australia. Australia was the second stop in the Hi-MO4 Global Launch, coming right after its debut in the Intersolar Europe 2019. Compared to the Hi-MO3 half-cell bifacial module released in 2018, Hi-MO4 retains the Hi-MO3 characteristics of excellent bifacial power generation, achieving 8-20% gain in back power generation in various ground-surface environments, matched with high reliability and low attenuation. Hi-MO4 deploys upgraded PERC technology with 6 busbars and cell efficiency reaching 22.5%. While the front-side power Hi-MO3 is 380W (72 cells), Hi-MO4 increases this to more than 420W, and reaching 430W. BOS cost can be reduced by approximately 7%, and LCOE by 1.4%. Combined with tracking systems, the LCOE can be further reduced. Due to the high EPC cost in Australia, the novel Hi-MO4 product from LONGi will achieve the required solar system size with less number of panels, therefore significantly reducing the BOS cost. This next generation of high powered PV module is well suited for the Large Scale Solar projects. "Australia has an abundance of sunlight and large-scale ground power plants have risen rapidly. More efficient products that drive down LCOE and BOS are needed to meet the demand of the market," said Boyal Mao, General Manager of LONGi Solar Australia. "LONGi's Hi-MO4 bifacial PERC module plus tracker is ideal in bringing higher efficiency and maximizing returns. For this reason, LONGi's high efficient modules have seen high demand here in Australia." Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20190521/2472996-1 Logo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20181108/2292512-1-LOGO SOURCE LONGi Solar [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 20, 2019] Shocking Revelations Surface about Titan Mineral's Environmental Record in Peru Including Secret Burying of Cyanide-Bearing Tailings in the Dead of Night Keith Piggott, owning approximately 7% of the issued and outstanding shares of Core Gold Inc. ("Core Gold" or the "Company") (TSXV: CGLD, OTCQX: CGLDF) has uncovered additional disturbing details about ASX-listed Titan Minerals Ltd. ("Titan" - ASX: TTM), its value-destructing track record including documented evidence of environmental damage, and potential liabilities in relation to Titan's Tulin processing plant in Peru. Notably, Mr. Piggott has confirmed, through notarial sworn statements of witnesses, that Titan has tried to conceal their environmental damage at the Tulin processing plant by surreptitiously burying cyanide tailings outside the plant area in the dead of night. "In just the past several days, since my press release exposing the alarming track record of Titan, an overwhelming number of shareholders have contacted me saying that they will vote AGAINST the Titan-Core deal," said Mr. Piggott. "Since then, I have travelled to Peru with boots on ground to get to the bottom of the allegations about the conduct of Titan's management. What I've discovered is that Titan allegedly concealed the burying of cyanide-bearing tailings outside, and within, the Tulin plant which could potentially cost a combined Titan-Core millions of dollars in liabilities. In addition, it appears that the Tulin plant has been over many years incurring, and paying fines for environmental, safety and occupational health violations. This provides further evidence that the Titan-Core arrangement would be a Titan-ic disaster for Core Gold shareholders." MORE SHOCKING REVELATIONS: TITAN SURREPTITIOUSLY BURYING CYIANIDE-BEARING, EVIDENCE OF AN UNREPORTED CHEMICAL SPILL AFFECTING AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL ZONE In June 2018, Titan acquired Andina Resources ("Andina") a gold and base metals exploration company which, through a subsidiary, operated the Tulin Plant in Peru. Importantly, there was a clear link between the two companies: Andina directors Matthew Carr and Timothy Neesham held close to 2.5 million shares in Titan, while three Titan directors held shares in Andina; Matthew Carr was also executive director of both companies. Reports from Peru indicate that Titan's Tulin Plant was marred with environmental violations as recently as 2018 and dating back to 2012. In a report dated November 27, 2017, the Regional Directorate of Energy and Mines ("DREM") issued several penalties against the mine for a number of infractions including for deposits of cyanide bearing tailings outside the permitted area. The report also listed the many previous violations and fines paid, including for an incident involving a spill of "caustic soda used in activated carbon" which reached an archaeological zone. In connection with this incident, the DREM report stated: "It is worth mentioning that in the path of the spill there are Nazca lines and geoglyphs and that there are no documents in which the Ministry of Culture is informed of what happened." DREM also noted that Tulin Gold's tailings pads were located beyond the permitted area (by 40% in the case of tailings pad No. 2 and 5% for tailings pad No. 1) and that approximately 10 thousand bricks were manufactured using the cyanide-bearing tailings possibly mixed with cement and lime--potentially putting its workers' health at serious risk. These bricks had been used at the Tulin plant for the construction of warehouses, cyanide deposit, solid waste, industrial, and a scrap deposit. DREM subsequently recommended the following actions: that a joint inspection be carried out with the OEFA (Organismo de Evaluacion y Fiscalizacion Ambiental - Agency for Environmental Assessment and Control) so that a monitoring of the area can be made as the DREM lacks the technical equipment needed to analyze and monitor the tailings and the bricks that the Ministry of Culture be informed since a spill had occurred affecting an archaeological zone that the National Water Authority be contacted since the plant is located in an intermittent marginal belt with use restrictions On February 12, 2018, the DREM inspected the Tulin Plant again, noting several violations and fined Titan, once again, for non-compliance. Further, as described above, Mr. Piggott has learned, through eyewitness accounts, that Titan has tried to conceal their environmental damage by secretly burying cyanide-bearing tailings outside the plant area in the dead of night. These cyanide-bearing tailings were moved outside the Tulin plant over a period of approximately two weeks, purportedly to allow room for further tails in the plant area. Witnesses have attested to this and the Peruvian authorities have been notified. "The fact that these guys have tried to bury and conceal their tailings is outrageous, and could cost Titan millions of dollars in liabilities and loss of license to operate," added Mr. Piggott. "Titan already has a poor track record with employees and with this latest revelation is jeopardizing its credibility with South American governments." WHERE'S THE DISCLOSURE? Despite the many fines and rebukes by Peruvian environmental agencies regarding Titan's principal operation, Titan and Andina have failed to make the appropriate disclosures in their respective annual reports. Year Ending Company Statement on Environmental Issues 2018 Titan Environmental Issues: The Company's operations comply with all relevant environmental laws and regulations and have not been subject to any actions by environmental regulators. (emphasis added) 2017 Titan Environmental Issues: The Company's operations comply with all relevant environmental laws and regulations and have not been subject to any actions by environmental regulators. (emphasis added) 2017 Andina ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES: There were no known significant breaches of the Group's license conditions or any environmental regulations to which it is subject (emphasis added) 2016 Andina ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES: There were no known significant breaches of the Group's license conditions or any environmental regulations to which it is subject (emphasis added) 2015 Andina ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES: There were no known significant breaches of the Group's license conditions or any environmental regulations to which it is subject (emphasis added) TITAN CONTINUES TO MISLEAD SHAREHOLDERS, REGULATORY BODIES ABOUT SHOOTING INCIDENT AT THE TULIN PLANT In his press release of May 13, 2019, Mr. Piggott revealed news reports of shooting incident at the Tulin plan allegedly involving individuals related to Titan that left two people wounded. Based on Mr. Piggott's further investigation while in Peru, the incident was in relation to expiration of Tulin Gold's mining assignment agreement with a private owner, and Tulin Gold's closure obligations, including removing tailings from the site. In November 2018 things came to a head when the owner noticed that Tulin Gold had started to remove equipment from the plant, in contravention of Tulin Gold's contractual obligations. In response, the owner of the plant implemented a security plan, as contemplated in the agreement, to prevent the removal of additional equipment. Tulin Gold personnel departed from the plant on or about December 7, 2019. Mr. Piggott has been informed that on December 14, 2018, a demonstration took place at the plant where the crowd threw stones and broke through a perimeter fence. Mr. Piggott was also informed that on Thursday December 20, 2018, a more serious incident took place where several dozen individuals, many armed, approached the plant but were unable to proceed further due to the presence of the security guards at their posts inside the plant. Two assailants were wounded by gunfire and many were arrested. Local media reported on the incident and presented the owner's views on the incident. A report by Peru's Provincial Prosecutor's Office for the Prevention of Crime in Environmental Matters, dated February 6, 2019, makes reference to the Legal Technical Report prepared by the DREM in Ica following an inspection of Tulin Gold's activities at the Tulin plant that took place on November 15, 2017: "...the tailings pads No. 1 one and No. 2 of the aforementioned beneficiation plant are full, so the operator should have applied the definitive closing of said pads; the company Tuling (sic) Gold Co SAC, has manufactured 10 thousands bricks approximately, using the tailings as a raw material possibly mixed with cement and lime; in slab No. 1 fresh tailings are being deposited after previously passing through a vacuum disk filter, being that the aforementioned slab lacks a geomembrane." The owner of the plant is now faced with the costs of fixing the plant and closing and remediating the tailings pads, which were clearly obligations of Tulin Gold under its contract with the owner. It's expected that these costs will likely amount to many millions of dollars. It does not appear that Titan has made any provisions for such contingencies. Finally, in light of the above information, it is worth revisiting Titan's disclosures about the expiration of the Tulin Plant mining assignment agreement: "The strategy to establish expanded production for 2019 at the Company's wholly owned Vista Gold Plant tied in optimally with the expiry of lease at the Tulin Plant. The Tulin Plant, operated by Tulin Gold Co. SAC ("Tulin") was operated under a mining assignment agreement with a private owner negotiated by the previous management (refer to ASX release dated 23 May 2018) and as a result of the expiry of the plant lease, Tulin ceased processing ore at its Tulin plant facility. The extinguishment of lease payments for the Tulin Gold Plant provide a significant cost saving opportunity." - Titan's 2018 Annual Report Similarly, it appears that Titan has misled the Australian Securities Exchange ("ASX"). On April 23, the ASX issued a letter to Titan asking for responses on a number of questions. The ASX made reference to Note 5(b) at point 3 of the Independent Auditor's Report in the Full Year Statutory Accounts of Titan which states: "The Tulin Plant, operated by Tulin Gold Co. SAC ("Tulin"), a subsidiary of Andina Resources Limited, was operating under a mining assignment agreement with a private owner and as a result of the expiry of the plant lease, Tulin has ceased processing ore at the facility. The expiry of the lease and the non-compliance has resulted in a dispute in finalising the termination of assignment. The Company is working with DREM ('The Direccion Regional De Energia Y Minas' or 'The Regional Energy and Mines Institute') with a focus on the return of the facility back to the underlying owner. Until there is a resolution, the Company is restricted from accessing assets owned by the Company, including ore material stockpiles and operational equipment. As a result of the above, a provision for impairment amounting $2,003,072 over the restricted assets have been raised." ASX Question: Given the Company chose to impair the Plant and Equipment the subject of the access restrictions as set out in Note 5(b) point 3 of the Full Year Statutory Accounts, on what basis does the Company consider the inventory to be recoverable, given the same access restrictions that apply to the Plant & Equipment appear to also affect the Inventory and those access restrictions were the reason cited for the inventory audit qualification?" Titan Response: "For clarity, the access restrictions relate solely to inventory, plant and equipment at the Tulin Plant whereas the Inventory and Plant and Equipment reported in Note 23 covers the aggregate of inventory, plant and equipment at the Tulin Plant and the Vista Plant (at two separate locations). Due to the access restrictions detailed in Note 5(b) point 3, the inventory, plant and equipment at the Tulin Plant has been impaired. However, under the Australian accounting standards there is no requirement for the segregation of inventory (by location) and accordingly, the total inventory balance in the Full Year Statutory Accounts is subject to an inventory qualification. On this basis, TTM considers the Inventory to be recoverable.... TTM has been working with its Peruvian counsel to resolve the dispute concerning the access restrictions at the Tulin Plant, however, it is not in a position to undertake any additional steps at this stage to obtain an unqualified opinion. TTM anticipates that an unqualified opinion can be obtained once: (a) an additional year of trading has occurred (noting that TTM only exited external administration in October 2017); and (b) the aforementioned dispute has been resolved and Titan has the right to access the ore material stockpiles and operating equipment at the Tulin Plant." Notably, Titan fails to disclose-to its shareholders and to ASX-any information regarding the mess it allegedly left behind at the Tulin Plant and about the potential liabilities. WHAT ELSE IS TITAN HIDING? BOTH CORE GOLD AND TITAN SHAREHOLDERS DESERVE TO KNOW THE TRUTH ONLY YOUR VOTE CAN SAVE YOUR INVESTMENT Shareholders will be receiving proxies in the mail shortly and are encouraged to vote AGAINST the Proposed Arrangement with Titan. The Titan-Core arrangement is not in the best interest of Core Gold shareholders. Titan is a company with illiquid shares, questionable governance, and a track record of destroying shareholder value. Core Gold shareholders need to understand that this deal threatens to destroy their investment. Your vote AGAINST the Titan-Core Gold deal is important regardless of the number of shares you own. INFORMATION IN SUPPORT OF PUBLIC BROADCAST SOLICITATION Mr. Piggott is relying on the exemption under section 9.2(4) of National Instrument 51-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligations ("NI 51-102") to make public broadcast solicitations. The following information is provided in accordance with corporate and securities laws applicable to public broadcast solicitations. This press release and any solicitation made by Mr. Piggott in advance of the Meeting is, or will be, as applicable, made by Mr. Piggott, and not by or on behalf of the management of Core Gold. Mr. Piggott has filed a copy of this press release containing the information required in section 9.2(4) of NI 51-102 on Core Gold's company profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Mr. Piggott has retained Kingsdale Advisors ("Kingsdale") as his strategic shareholder and proxy advisor. Kingsdale's responsibilities will principally include soliciting shareholders, providing strategic advice and advising Mr. Piggott with respect to the Meeting and proxy protocol. Any proxies solicited by or on behalf of Mr. Piggott, including by Kingsdale, may be solicited by way of public broadcast, including through press releases, speeches or publications and by any other manner permitted under applicable laws. All costs incurred for any solicitation will be borne by Mr. Piggott. The anticipated cost of Mr. Piggott's solicitation is estimated to be $50,000.00, plus disbursements and customary fees. A proxy may be revoked by instrument in writing executed by a shareholder or by his or her attorney authorized in writing or, if the shareholder is a body corporate, by an officer or attorney thereof duly authorized or by any other manner permitted by law. Core Gold's office is located at Suite 1201 - 1166 Alberni Street, Vancouver, BC, V6E 3Z3. A copy of this press release may be obtained on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. ADVISORS Mr. Piggott has retained Koffman Kalef LLP and Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy LLP as his legal advisors and Kingsdale Advisors as his strategic shareholder, communications and proxy advisor. ABOUT KEITH PIGGOTT Keith Piggott is a seasoned mining developer and operator with over 50 years of experience in Africa, Australia, Mexico and South America. Mr. Piggott as CEO, and as an investor, rescued Dynasty Metals and Mining from certain bankruptcy and the loss of all its assets in 2016. He has worked diligently for over two years to take the company, as Core Gold Inc., from a $5 million market capitalization to over $40 million market capitalization before the Titan proposal. He can be contacted at [email protected], by phone at 520-247-5753. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190520005868/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 20, 2019] INSEC WORLD to be Settled in Chengdu Permanently, Launching the First Event in the Coming October CHENGDU, China, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- "INSEC WORLD" will be settled in Chengdu thanks to the work of Mr. Liu, the Deputy Mayor of Chengdu Municipal People's Government, as well as several representatives from Chengdu's Expo, Economics and Information Technology Bureau, and the world-leading event organization directed by Ms. Gong, the Managing Director of Informa Markets in China. The first INSEC WORLD will be launched in this coming October at Western China International Expo City, and the value of "Security Matters" will be integrated through out the whole event. INSEC WORLD is supervised by Chengdu Municipal People's Government, organized by Informa Markets and executed by the cooperation of UBM China (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. and Sichuan Tianfu International Conference & Exhibition Co., Ltd. In addition to the above participants, the event has been backed by the Chengdu Municipal Party Committee Network Information Office, Chengdu Expo Bureau, Chengdu Municipal Bureau of Economics and Information Technology, Chengdu Science and Technology Bureau, Chengdu Tianfu New Area and Chengdu Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone. The first event will be held from October 20th to 23rd, and will include different events such as Keynote Speeches, Tracks, Business Hall, Tech Start-Up, and Advanced Training. Conference content will cover core information security topics such as intelligent security, network security, endpoint security, application security, data security, cloud security, personal data security, IoT security, mobile security, FinTech security, smart city, industrial internet, 5G, government security, emergency respond, security staffing, and security automation. To ensure the comprehensive and accurate delivery of the latest technology trends, market news and practical applications in the information security field, the organizer has invited a group of domestic and overseas specialists with its abundant global resources. The officially released advisory board members are Derek Manky, Fortinet 's Chief at Security Insights & Global Threat Alliances; Francis Brown, Chief Technology Officer of Bishop Fox; Meghan Reilly, Informa IT Portfolio Group Director; Tim Wilson, Dark Reading Co-founder and Chief Editor; and Paul Vixie, Chairman, CEO and Co-founder of Farsight Security, Inc. Besides, Monnappa K A, Mika Devonshire/span> and Shubham Mittal will participate as Review Board members from the world's top InfoSec event - Black Hat. The above experts are key people either working in leading technology firms with an in-depth experience in internet security, internet defense, malware analysis, or providing consultancy for Fortune Global 500 which shape the innovation and development of internet security world. Being on the Advisory Board member of INSEC WORLD, the advisory experts will review and advise session topics for customizing world-class conference meetings with the latest application needs. Meanwhile, the organizer will also set up the domestic consultant board by combining Chinese information security networks of security companies with professional media, making INSEC WORLD the independent third party platform serving enterprises and users for communicating at once. The organizing representative says, within Informa Group, we have strong brands in Information Security, such as Black Hat, the world's top InfoSec event; Dark Reading, the world-leading InfoSec news platform; and Information week, one of the world's largest information technology media. With these exclusive forces working together, INSEC WORLD is positioned to build the largest, and unbiased information security platform in the Asia-Pacific region to connect developers with end-users. The first INSEC WORLD was scheduled from September 22 to 25 in Hong Kong. But the plan was postponed and moved to Chengdu from October 20 to 23 at Western China International Expo City for certain forces majeure. The organizer has modified the topics due to the necessary changes, and the "Call for Papers" campaign will be extended to May 28, 2019. The organizer sincerely invites InfoSec professionals to join the conference through CFP, and share their unique insights with the markets. For more information, please visit (http://en.insecworld.com/). Chengdu is the "National Demonstration Network Information Security Industrial Park" awarded by Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China and has built up the first information security cluster in western China, which has more than 40 engineering laboratories, technology research centers, and cooperation technology departments. The cluster has gathered 10 China Cyber Security, 29 China Electronics Technology Group Corporation research institutions, as well as AsiaInfo Cyber Security Industrial Research Center, forming the comprehensive cyber security research and developing system. Being a hot spot of western China's internet security area and first class in China's cyber security industry, Chengdu has set up the information security value chain and is pushing the cybersecurity applications to different sectors, especially in the Mobile Internet, IoT, Cloud Computing and Big Data security. "Chengdu Internet Security Industry Development Plan (2018-2022)" was released in September 2018. The plan aims to build Chengdu into a leading position in the cyber security industry in western China and even in the overall China area and makes the information security industry scale greater than 50 billion in 2022. The policy provides fundamental strong support to further transform Chengdu into a "China Information Security City". About the Organizer From June 2018, Informa PLC and UBM plc have completed the combination being as a new brand "Informa Markets", making it a world-leading event organizer. Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. Our portfolio is comprised of more than 550 international B2B events and brands in markets including Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure, Construction & Real Estate, Fashion & Apparel, Hospitality, Food & Beverage, and Health & Nutrition, among others. We provide customers and partners around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, specialist digital content and actionable data solutions. As the world's leading exhibitions organizer, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com. Contact Us Andrew Hsu (86-21) 6157 3913 [email protected] Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20190520/2471873-1 SOURCE INSEC WORLD [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] EY and Thomson Reuters bring together ONESOURCE process automation with EY Tax Technology and Transformation services - Alliance will help businesses address the challenges of multijurisdictional tax operations, by providing leading-edge, digitally enabled tax services NEW YORK and DALLAS, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Ernst & Young LLP (EY) and Thomson Reuters today announce a strategic alliance that brings together Thomson Reuters ONESOURCE global tax technology with EY Tax Technology and Transformation (TTT) services. Through the alliance, EY and Thomson Reuters will bring to market new solutions that help multinational organizations implement seamless tax compliance operations to help address the challenges of complying with multijurisdictional tax requirements in a complex and shifting regulatory environment. Thomson Reuters ONESOURCE with an industry-leading portfolio of global tax and accounting technology for corporations enables streamlining of data and process automation across tax, accounting and finance functions. With extensive knowledge of ONESOURCE, EY teams will guide clients through the implementation of the technology as clients embark on digital and business transformation to simplify tax processes, drive down operating costs and maintain transparent global tax compliance. Kate Barton, EY Global Vice Chair Tax, says: "With the rapid rise in platform-based technology in the form of cloud and other secure access platforms, tax departments are eginning to solve problems, source business solutions and interact with tax authorities in a whole different way. Together, EY and Thomson Reuters have the opportunity to provide clients a leading-edge, tech-driven solution to help solve their most complex tax challenges." Brian Peccarelli, Chief Operating Officer, Customer Markets, Thomson Reuters, says: "Businesses are responding to technological, social and professional disruption by transforming how they operate and are structured. They now want those they work with to provide transparent, integrated and agile technology with the services that are tailored to meet their needs, not just a one-kind-fits-all offering. This alliance with EY enables us to provide our clients with the very best technology and advisory services for tax, accounting and legal departments." The alliance expands the longstanding relationship with Thomson Reuters and provides the ability for EY to serve clients at a deeper level within the ever-changing tax technology space. It will also offer EY clients focused support from Thomson Reuters within and beyond the tax function, deepening relationships in the areas of compliance, technology, IT, global trade and the office of the general counsel. John Kuzy, EY Americas Tax Sector Leader, says: "EY and Thomson Reuters have unparalleled experience in helping clients manage the complexities of interconnected topics such as tax reform, global compliance and reporting, workforce transformation in the digital age and global trade. Driven by a common purpose to build a better working world, both organizations help make tax operations thrive in the digital age, across geographies and sectors, thus helping the corporate tax function to advance clients' business strategy." Notes to Editors About EY EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities. EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation is available via ey.com/privacy. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com. This news release has been issued by EYGM Limited, a member of the global EY organization that also does not provide any services to clients. About Thomson Reuters Thomson Reuters (TSX/NYSE: TRI) is the world's leading provider of news and information-based tools to professionals. Our worldwide network of journalists and specialist editors keep customers up to speed on global developments, with a particular focus on legal, regulatory and tax changes. Thomson Reuters shares are listed on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges. For more information on Thomson Reuters, visit tr.com and for the latest world news, reuters.com. Virginia Milazzo EY Global Media Relations +1 212 360 9261 [email protected] Jenn Riggle Thomson Reuters +1 972 250 8444 [email protected] Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/708904/EY_Logo.jpg [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Accenture Opens Industry X.0 Innovation Center in Essen, Germany, to Help Resources Companies Drive Digital Innovation Accenture (News - Alert) (NYSE: ACN) has opened an Industry X.0 Innovation Center in Essen, Germany, to help resources companies in the chemicals, metals, mining, utilities, and energy industries develop innovative products and services for the digital economy. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190520005072/en/ Industrial tradition meets the digital reinvention of industry at Accenture's new Industry X.0 Innovation Center in Essen, Germany (Photo: Business Wire) Industry X.0 is how Accenture defines the digital reinvention of industry, when businesses use advanced digital technologies to transform core operations, worker and customer experiences, and business models. Located at Zollverein, a former coal mine and now a UNESCO world heritage site, the center offers clients a three-step innovation journey: Inspiration: Use cases show how artificial intelligence, blockchain, the internet of things (IoT), augmented reality and othe digital technologies can be applied in the resources industries for solutions related to digital plant and workforce, digital twin and Industrial IoT security. Use cases show how artificial intelligence, blockchain, the internet of things (IoT), augmented reality and othe digital technologies can be applied in the resources industries for solutions related to digital plant and workforce, digital twin and Industrial IoT security. Ideation: Clients can explore the latest digital trends and, through design-thinking sessions and a range of workshop formats, discover ways to apply them to their businesses. Clients can explore the latest digital trends and, through design-thinking sessions and a range of workshop formats, discover ways to apply them to their businesses. Co-creation: The center provides a studio environment where clients can collaborate with industry and technology experts from Accenture to rapidly prototype products and services. Frank Riemensperger, chairman of Accenture in Germany, said, "Every day, digitalization is increasingly relevant at the core of our clients' businesses-in the chemical plant, the power generation facility, the electric grid and the refinery. Our center in Essen will help companies in the resources sectors, which are among the leading industries in Germany, apply new digital innovations and transform toward Industry X.0. The timely development of digital infrastructure and business models will be crucial for German chemicals and utilities companies to maintain their leadership positions in the global economy." The center in Essen expands Accenture's global network of more than 20 Innovation Centers for Industry X.0 and bolster Accenture's digitization capabilities for industrial companies in Germany, which include the Industrial IoT Innovation Center in Garching. About Accenture Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services and solutions in strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries and all business functions-underpinned by the world's largest delivery network-Accenture works at the intersection of business and technology to help clients improve their performance and create sustainable value for their stakeholders. With 477,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture drives innovation to improve the way the world works and lives. Visit us at www.accenture.com. Accenture Industry X.0 helps businesses master the digital reinvention of industry when they use advanced digital technologies to transform core operations and unlock new revenue streams and business models. Accenture supports every aspect of our clients' multi-phase transformation including workforce, customer experience, R&D, engineering, manufacturing, business support and ecosystems. Visit www.accenture.com/industry-x0. Copyright 2019 Accenture. All rights reserved. Accenture and its logo are trademarks of Accenture. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190520005072/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Sofinnova Partners Launch MD Start III Medtech Acceleration Fund at 48M Sofinnova Partners, a leading European venture capital firm specialized in Life Sciences, announced today the launch of MD Start III, which closed above its original target of 40 million. With this new medtech acceleration fund, Sofinnova Partners continues to reinforce its coverage across the Life Sciences sector, with funds operated by dedicated teams investing from seed to late stage. MD Start was created 10 years ago by Sofinnova Partners and serial medtech entrepreneurs close to Sofinnova. It also had the early support of corporate leader Medtronic. Its first two vintages were raised as independent companies and served to prove the model for seeding and accelerating groundbreaking therapeutic medical device projects. As a result, MD Start created seven new companies. For this third, collaborative vintage, the MD Start team will operate as a fund managed by Sofinnova Partners. "We are thrilled to be announcing this new vintage of MD Start now under the Sofinnova Partners' umbrella, with an ambitious mission of bringing new therapeutic devices to patients in need, leveraging the expertise of our founding contributors and providing financial, managerial, operational and strategic resources to our newly formed companies," said Anne Osdoit, Partner in charge of MD Start III. MD Start has a unique business model. It sources medtech innovations at their origin, when they are still concepts, and works with clinicians to develop their inventions into companies. MD Start's tea is made up of seasoned medtech operators practiced in catalyzing early stage opportunities, accelerating their development and translating them to the clinic. It provides both the seed funding and the operational manpower to develop outstanding medtech projects into companies with strong fundamentals. This approach enables MD Start to bring to market innovative treatments addressing major unmet medical needs. It also allows for systematic de-risking of disruptive medtech projects in all key areas: clinical need and market sizing, intellectual property, technical feasibility, pre-clinical validation, regulatory and market access pathways - and ultimately initial clinical experience in patients. "With the launch of MD Start III, Sofinnova Partners continues its unique life sciences strategy," said Antoine Papiernik, Chairman of Sofinnova Partners. "Medtech has been a very successful component of our healthcare track record, with leading portfolio companies like Corevalve, Recor and Shockwave, and we are determined to continue founding future leaders in this field. MD Start's acceleration model is now refined, and is a key piece of our strategy to invest across the entire life sciences value chain." MD Start III is fortunate to receive strong support from returning investors Bpifrance - through the French Tech Acceleration fund -, Medtronic, LivaNova, and several new investors including the European Investment Fund (EIF) and Baxter Healthcare Corporation. Additionally, it is supported by a number of world-renowned serial medtech entrepreneurs, all contributing significant resources and expertise. About Sofinnova Partners Sofinnova Partners is a leading European venture capital firm specialized in Life Sciences. Headquartered in Paris, France, the firm brings together a team of professionals from all over Europe, the U.S. and China. The firm focuses on paradigm shifting technologies alongside visionary entrepreneurs. Sofinnova Partners seeks to invest as a lead investor in start-ups and corporate spin-offs and has backed nearly 500 companies over more than 45 years, creating market leaders around the globe. Today, Sofinnova Partners has over 2 billion under management. For more information, please visit: www.sofinnovapartners.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190520005841/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] CGI and Cyberabad Police Work Together to Improve Citizen Safety Through CCTV Maintenance in Hyderabad's Tech Hub HYDERABAD, India, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- CGI has partnered with the Society for Cyberabad Security Council (SCSC), a joint collaboration between the Cyberabad Police and the IT Industry that promotes safety of citizens, to maintain 150 CCTV surveillance cameras in Cyberabad, a technology hub in Hyderabad, India which houses IT companies. (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/890256/CGI_and_SCSC.jpg ) The focus of the project is to promote safety of its citizens through surveillance IT infrastructure and drive awareness on personal safety and security. It also supports the Government of Telangana's objective of setting up an Integrated Command Control Centre connected to a city-wide CCTV surveillance system. The centre is set up to handle emergencies, crisis and disaster management efforts, and support the objective of making Cyberabad a safe city and world class IT destination. "Security is a top priority for IT companies and CGI wants to ensure that this is applied not just in our operations, but also in our communities," said George Mattackal, President of CGI's Asia Pacific Global Delivery Centrs of Excellence. "As part of our commitment to improve the social well-being of the communities in which we live and work, we want to contribute in creating an environment, through our expertise in IT infrastructure, where citizens are able to feel secure." As part of the partnership, CGI will shoulder the maintenance of the CCTV cameras, with their professionals conducting training and workshops to help the centre in adopting the latest technology and surveillance techniques to facilitate the effective implementation of the project. "The CCTV cameras will help support solving cases in the shortest amount of time," said Sri. V. C. Sajjanar, Commissioner of Police in Cyberabad. "We thank the CGI team for supporting us in our endeavours in creating a safe and secure Cyberabad." Krishna Yedula, General Secretary for SCSC, also said, "Thank you to CGI for coming forward and taking part in this community initiative. This will help significantly enhance safety and security aspects in the IT corridor, making it a safe IT destination." About CGI: CGI in India employs 14,000 consultants across major cities in India who provide global delivery support to over 200 clients around the globe, ensuring close collaboration, accountability, flexibility, superior service and, most importantly, expected business results. Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world. With approximately 77,000 consultants and professionals across the globe, CGI delivers an end-to-end portfolio of capabilities, from IT and business consulting to systems integration, outsourcing services and intellectual property solutions. CGI works with clients through a local relationship model complemented by a global delivery network that helps clients digitally transform their organizations and accelerate results. With Fiscal 2018 reported revenue of C$11.5 billion, CGI shares are listed on the (TSX: GIB.A) and the (NYSE: GIB). Learn more at cgi.com . Media Contact: Lindsay Ang [email protected] +91-80-4194-0000 Communications Director, CGI [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Cvent Unveils Lists of Top Meeting Hotels in the U.S., Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific for 2019 Cvent, a market-leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider, today released its annual lists of Top Meeting Hotels for meetings and events worldwide. The list was compiled by analyzing meeting and event booking activity through the Cvent Supplier Network (CSN), one of the world's largest venue sourcing platforms. More than $16 billion and more than 42 million room nights were sourced through the CSN in 2018. Cvent's (News - Alert) Top Meeting Hotels lists rank hotels based on group business performance according to various criteria, including total requests for proposals (RFPs) and conversion rate. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005254/en/ "The hotels featured on this year's lists are elevating their group business strategy through innovative digital marketing and quick and complete online responses to RFPs-which is exactly what event professionals want," said Chris McAndrews, vice president of marketing for Cvent Hospitality Cloud. "Our Top Meeting Hotels lists are consistently used by event organizers to find great hotels and by hoteliers looking to set themselves apart to increase their property's group business revenue." "Being recognized as the highest-ranking hotel on this year's list is a testament to our team and our continued dedication to providing exceptional service and amenities that event organizers and attendees look for," said Tod Roadarmel, Area Director of Sales & Marketing, Omni Nashville Hotel, which took the number one position in the U.S. this year. "With three properties in the Top 10 from Nashville, we are proud to be leading the list and to support Nashville's position as a prime destination for meetings and events." To address increased demand and buyer preferences, Cvent unveiled additional Top Meeting Hotel lists which segment hotels further based on commonly searched attributes including meeting space square footage and region-specific locales. These lists include: Top 25 Independent Meeting Hotels in the United States, Top 25 Meeting Hotels in Australia, and Top 50 Meeting Hotels in Germany, among others. Top 10 Meeting Hotels by Region Top 10 Hotels in the United States Top 10 Hotels in Europe Top 10 Hotels in the Middle East & Africa Top 10 Hotels in Asia Pacific Omni Nashville Hotel Hilton Prague JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai Hyatt Regency Sydney JW Marriott Austin Melia Castilla Hotel & Convention Center Madrid InterContinental Dubai - Festival City Grand Hyatt Singapore ARIA Resort & Casino InterContinental Vienna Grand Hyatt Dubai Grand Hyatt Seoul Fairmont Austin Hilton Barcelona Conrad Dubai Grand Hyatt Hong Kong Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile Fairmont Dubai Pan Pacific Singapore Renaissance Nashville Hotel Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Waterfront InterContinental Sydney Hyatt Regency Atlanta Le Meridien Etoile Movenpick Hotel Mansour Eddahbi & Palais des Congres Marrakech Hilton Tokyo Hilton Austin Sheraton Roma Hotel & Conference Center Radisson Blu Hotel Sandton, Johannesburg Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego Movenpick Hotel Amsterdam City Centre Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai ANA InterContinental Tokyo The Diplomat Beach Resort Hollywood Hilton London Metropole The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre Marina Bay Sands Singapore U.S. List Highlights Five new properties have broken into the Top 10: Fairmont Austin (Ranked 4 th ) Renaissance Nashville Hotel (Ranked 6 th ) Hyatt Regency Atlanta (Ranked 7 th ) Hilton Austin (Ranked 8 th ) The Diplomat Beach Resort Hollywood (Ranked 10 th ) Newcomers to the Top 100 list include: Boca Raton Resort and Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, The Westin Charlotte, Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown, Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa, Omni Louisville Hotel, Sheraton Atlanta, and Hotel del Coronado Curio Collection by Hilton to name a few. Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt (in that order) are the top three hotel chains represented on the Top 100 list. View the full 2019 list of Top 100 Meeting Hotels in the U.S. Europe List Highlights Hilton Prague retained its number one position as the Top Meeting Hotel. retained its number one position as the Top Meeting Hotel. Hilton properties took four of the top 10 spots for generating the most group business in Europe: Hilton Prague, Hilton Barcelona, Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona, and Hilton London Metropole in that order. Seven unique countries make up the top ten rankings: Austria, Czech Republic, England, France, Italy, Netherlands, and Spain. Spain and Germany represent the largest selection of hotels on the list with 12 and 8 respectively, in the Top 50, including the following chains and brands: AccorHotels, Hilton, IHG, Marriott International Hotels, Melia Hotels International, NH Hotel Group, and Radisson Hotel Group. Marriott, Hilton, and IHG (in that order) are the top three hotel chains represented on the Top 50 list. View the full 2019 list of Top 50 Meeting Hotels in Europe. Middle East and Africa List Highlights JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai retained its number one position as the Top Meeting Hotel. Seven other properties in Dubai round out the Top 10, highlighting the continued interest in hosting meetings and events in the Dubai area: InterContinental Dubai - Festival City (ranked 2 nd ) Grand Hyatt Dubai (ranked 3 rd ) Conrad Dubai (ranked 4 th ) Fairmont Dubai (ranked 5 th ) Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Waterfront (ranked 6 th ) Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai (ranked 9 th ) The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre (ranked 10 th ) Newcomers to the Top 25 list include: Movenpick Hotel Mansour Eddahbi & Palais des Congres Marrakech, InterContinental David Tel Aviv, The Meydan Hotel, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, and Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino to name a few. Marriott, AccorHotels, and IHG are the top three hotel chains represented on the list. View the full 2019 list of Top 25 Meeting Hotels in Middle East and Africa. Asia Pacific (APAC) List Highlights Hyatt Regency Sydney retained its number one position as the Top Meeting Hotel. Five new properties have broken into the Top 10: Grand Hyatt Singapore (ranked 2 nd ) Grand Hyatt Seoul (ranked 3 rd ) Grand Hyatt Hong Kong (ranked 4 th ) ANA InterContinental Tokyo (ranked 9 th ) Marina Bay Sands Singapore (ranked 10 th ) There are 15 new properties to the Top 50 list including: Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen's Park, Millennium Seoul Hilton, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney, Resorts World Sentosa Singapore, and Grand Hyatt Tokyo among others. Hilton and Hyatt are the top two hotel chains represented on the Top 50 list with five properties each. View the full 2019 list of Top 50 Meeting Hotels in APAC. Methodology Cvent evaluated hotel properties that generated business through the Cvent Supplier Network from January 2018 through December 2018. The properties were ranked according to various criteria, including total requests for proposals (RFPs), awarded RFPs, total room nights, awarded room nights, major metropolitan area (MMA) market share, conversion rate, response rate, and the hotel's unique profile visits in the Cvent Supplier Network. The criteria are designed to provide the most accurate reflection of the top meeting hotels in the U.S., Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific regions. About the Cvent Supplier Network Featuring more than 260,000 hotels, resorts and special event venues, the Cvent Supplier Network (CSN) is one of the world's largest and most accurate databases of detailed venue information. Cvent sourced more than $16 billion in meetings and events through its marketplace and more than 42 million room nights in 2018. The CSN contains listings of hotels and other venues in more than 175 countries that can be searched and filtered based on approximately 200 meetings and events attributes. The Network is part of the Cvent Hospitality Cloud, which partners with hotels and venues to help them drive group and corporate travel business. To find venues, request quotes, and book event space on the Cvent Supplier Network, visit https://www.cvent.com/venues. About Cvent Cvent is a leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider with more than 4,000 employees, 25,000 customers, and 300,000 users worldwide. The Cvent Event Cloud offers software solutions to event planners and marketers for online event registration, venue selection, event management and marketing, onsite solutions, and attendee engagement. Cvent's suite of products automate and simplify the planning process to maximize the impact of events. The Cvent Hospitality Cloud partners with hotels and venues to help them drive group and corporate travel business. Hotels use the Cvent Hospitality Cloud's digital marketing tools and software solutions to win business through Cvent's sourcing platforms and to service their customers directly, efficiently and profitably - helping them grow and own their business. Cvent solutions optimize the entire event management value chain and have enabled clients around the world to manage hundreds of thousands of meetings and events. For more information, please visit Cvent.com, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005254/en/ [May 21, 2019] CIOE 2019 to Focus on the Future of Intelligent Driving SHENZHEN, China, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Intelligent driving has become a hot spot in the world of vehicle engineering research and a new driving force for the growth of the automotive industry. Among them, environmental sensing is the basis for intelligent driving. Cameras, millimeter-wave radar, laser radar, infrared night vision systems, etc. are right in the essential position of technological innovation. It is predicted by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) that in 2025, the global intelligent network of automotive sensor market will reach 54.8 billion US dollars. The CIOE 2019 (China International Optoelectronic Exposition) is a world's leading photonic platform covering the entire industrial chain. This exhibition will focus on the innovation and development of photonic technology in the field of intelligent driving, focusing on showcasing ADAS, environmental sensing systems, 5G related technologies, and Internet of Vehicle (IoV), etc. CIOE 2019 will be held at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center from September 4th to 7th. Known to be the largest photonic exhibition in the world, CIOE's exhibition area will reach 110,000 m2. It is expected 2,000 exhibitors and 70,000 professional visitors will join CIOE 2019. It is a one-stop service platform for Tier 1, Tier 2, OEMs and intelligent driving companies to search for products and solutions and to discover business opportunities in China. Focus on the application and development of photoelectric technology in the field of intelligent driving CIOE 2019 is supported by various sensor companies, automotive manufacturers, system solution integrators, automotive electronics, research institutes, investment and financing institutions, intelligent driving and other innovative companies, showcasing the latest products on vehicle lens and camera modules, lasers radar, millimeter-wave radar, head-up display system, on-board infrared night vision system, application of 5G technology in the IoV, laser processing equipment such as laser marking and laser welding, original materials and materials such as optical fiber cables and filters, AR/VR, etc. Key exhibiting intelligent companies includes: Innoviz, Valeo, Velodyne, Robosense, SureStar, Ls-Lidar, On Semincondutor, Benewake, Sunny Optical, Phenix, Linkage, Novel, Hamamatsu, Sensingtech, Kyocera, Dali, Iray, SDGI, Han's Laser, Hymson, HGTECH, Dapeng Laser, Lamshine, Sekonix, Inelaser, etc. More on CIOE 2019 Exhibitor List. Also After a successful first edition, CIOE is proud to collaborate once again with Yole Developpement to organize the Second Executive Forum on LiDAR for Automotive on September 5. This event presents applications and technologies within the LiDAR industry, and more specifically, automotive-oriented solutions and it is also an ideal platform to network with 100 high-level professionals to explore the future of intelligent driving. Register now for free admission to CIOE 2019 now to enjoy your source to thousands of intelligent driving products. More about CIOE 2019, please kindly visit http://www.cioe.cn/en View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cioe-2019-to-focus-on-the-future-of-intelligent-driving-300853813.html SOURCE The 21st China International Optoelectronic Exposition (CIOE 2019) [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Telematics Wireless to Provide Networked Lighting Controls to Georgia Power AUSTIN, Texas, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Telematics Wireless, a leader in smart city networks and control applications, has announced that Georgia Power, a Southern Company, has selected its T-Light Galaxy platform to control and monitor part of more than 900,000 street and area lights throughout the state of Georgia. Under the current initial agreement, the Telematics solution will provide network coverage to several counties and metro areas and will control approximately 50,000 lights. Georgia Power chose the Telematics T-Light Galaxy system, a highly robust wireless star network operating on FCC licensed frequency bands that provides wide area network coverage with minimal infrastructure costs. According to Jessica Tolley, Georgia Power's LED Roadway Manager, "The base station to Networked Lighting Controller (NLC) ratio with the T-Galaxy System was very appealing and weighed heavily in Georgia Power's decision to install Telematics NLCs." The T-Light Galaxy system will remotely monitor and control street and area lights and provide built in revenue grade metering for time of use billing. The system will provide real time data to Georgia Power for proactive maintenance, outage management, and billing. Additionally, the system will help Georgia Power to ensure that the lights are operating as expeted, saving energy, increasing public safety, and improving customer satisfaction. "We are proud that Georgia Power has recognized that Telematics Wireless is the leading technology solution provider and that our T-Light Galaxy network is the right choice to address their needs," said Amir Hirsch, head of Business Development at Telematics Wireless for North America. "The T-Light Galaxy smart city platform will help to reduce energy usage and ensure public safety." The T-Light Street Light Control networks and Telematics smart city capabilities will be on showcase at LIGHTFAIR International 2019 from May 21 to 23, 2019, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia (booth no. 3739). About Telematics Wireless Telematics Wireless, is a recognized global leader in the delivery of outdoor lighting control systems, as well as robust, reliable and advanced energy and water resource management systems based on RF wireless networks. With more than 22 years of experience in Machine-to-Machine technologies, their solutions support a wide spectrum of smart city applications, increasing their efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. The company has deployed tens of thousands of Light Control Units worldwide in dozens of cities. Telematics Wireless has also deployed over 15 million cutting-edge wireless devices and water systems for Automatic Meter Readings, Advanced Metering Infrastructure, energy resource management, smart grid, location-based services, asset tracking, and electronic toll collection. Telematics Wireless is a subsidiary of ST Engineering, a global technology, defense and engineering group specializing in the aerospace, electronics, land systems and marine sectors. Media contact: [email protected] Linkedin: telematics-wireless Twitter: @TelematicsWrlss View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/telematics-wireless-to-provide-networked-lighting-controls-to-georgia-power-300853816.html SOURCE Telematics Wireless (Telematics) [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Hybrid Launches U2B.com, Reporting on Billions of Dollars in Projects Between Universities and Business Global digital publisher Hybrid has launched U2B.com, a pure-play content platform and project database that promises to transform the way universities and businesses connect and collaborate BRISTOL, England, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- In an era of disruptive technologies, the role of universities is expanding well beyond just teaching as their capacity for innovation grows. According to recent figures, Australia's top universities contribute US$47 billion to the national economy annually. In Europe, leading universities generated a collective US$111 billion in economic value, supporting over a million jobs. And in the United Kingdom, the economic contribution rises to a staggering US$123 billion. Drawing on Hybrid's key areas of expertise higher education and business acumen the company has created a compellin blend of unique stories and project data that highlights the myriad ways higher education providers can work with local and multinational companies to power global economies. "U2B brings together the worlds of technology, business and university, providing a digital destination for leaders in this increasingly lucrative cross-sector," said Hybrid's founder and managing director, James Craven. "The U2B brand will leverage our editorial strength and audiences across education and innovation. U2B 'Live' is the world's first university-specific tender portal, giving our readers direct access to billions of dollars-worth of opportunities." The databank provides details of big-ticket tenders from universities across America, Australia, Europe, and the UK covering everything from construction and management, to research collaborations and knowledge transfer partnerships. Vice-President and General Manager, Global Education Industry at IBM, Michael King, highlighted the value of bringing education and business together. "Fostering collaboration between higher education and employers is one of the most important efforts to help address the skills gap and prepare students for work When we collaborate around necessary skills for workforce entry, we can ensure students not only have the depth and breadth of an academic credential, but also have the needed skills to land and succeed in the workforce." While U2B Live gives businesses a central tool to find and track opportunities, the editorial content guides readers throughout the collaboration process by highlighting best-practices and evaluating prospects that deliver the best value. As Craven says: "Graduate employment, KTP's, local infrastructurethere is so much that higher education and business can accomplish through constructive relationships." About Hybrid Hybrid is a global influencer, creating rich and relevant content for brands wishing to connect with audiences in a more effective way. Powered by a progressive collective of journalists, creatives, strategists and business minds, Hybrid publishes five independent web brands with over 120 million visitors annually. Through these audiences, Hybrid provides innovative digital and creative services to the higher education and technology sectors. www.Hybrid.co Available for immediate comment: James Craven (Managing Director), UK: +44-117-244-3750 (GMT +1) Clara Chooi (Managing Editor), Malaysia: +60-327-123-150 (GMT +8) [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Netflix and Video Streaming Widen Lead over Subscription TV in Customer Satisfaction, According to the ACSI Video streaming expands its lead over subscription TV service in terms of customer satisfaction, rising 1.3% to a score of 76 on the American Customer Satisfaction Index's (ACSI) 100-point scale, according to the ACSI Telecommunications Report 2018-2019. Subscription TV service sits stagnant at 62, tied with internet service providers (ISPs) for last place among all industries tracked by the ACSI. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005130/en/ American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) results for telecom 2018-2019 (Graphic: Business Wire) Among the five telecommunications industries covered in the report-subscription TV, ISPs, fixed-line telephone service, video-on-demand service, and video streaming service-only video streaming stands out. "Video streaming once again proves itself to be the best of the telecom industries in customer satisfaction," said David VanAmburg, Managing Director at the ACSI. "Traditional telecom providers have tried to step up their game, but they're not providing original content the way video streaming is, and in part they suffer guilt by association-if customers aren't satisfied overall with Comcast, they're probably going to ding Comcast's on-demand service too." Netflix takes the crown among video streaming services Video streaming services are the top performers for customer satisfaction among the five telecom industries. Competition is likely to spur further improvement, with both Disney and Apple (News - Alert) expected to release inexpensive streaming services later this year. Netflix gains 1% to secure first place at 79-and number one across all five telecom categories-after sharing the lead with Sony's PlayStation Vue and Amazon Twitch last year. As its membership growth continues at a record pace, ACSI data show Netflix ranks at the top for original content among all streaming services. Sony's PlayStation Vue is steady in second place at 78, followed by Microsoft Store at 77. Hulu steps up 1% to match Amazon Prime Video (up 1%) and Apple iTunes (down 1%) at 76. The rest of the category falls below the industry average. Five services cluster at 75: CBS All Access (up 1%), Google Play (unchanged), Amazon's gaming platform Twitch (down 4%), Walmart's Vudu (unchanged), and Google's YouTube (down 1%). DISH Network's Sling TV is the most improved (up 4%), meeting HBO (up 3%) at 74. Starz matches the combined score of smaller platforms at 72, while Showtime follows close behind, growing 1% to 71. AT&T's (News - Alert) DIRECTV Now falls 1% to 69, ahead of only Sony Crackle, which remains unchanged at 68. Subscription TV stagnates For the past six years, customer satisfaction with subscription TV has languished in the mid-to-low 60s, and in 2018, subscription sales declined 3% to $103.4 billon. AT&T's U-verse TV holds the lead for subscription TV despite a 1% slip to 69, followed by Verizon's Fios at 68 and DISH Network at 67 (both unchanged). AT&T's satellite TV service, DIRECTV, gains 3% to an ACSI score of 66, but this may be the result of shedding dissatisfied subscribers, leaving only the most loyal customers. Altice's Optimum (News - Alert) retreats 2% to 61, falling behind the industry average. Charter's Spectrum is among the few gainers in the industry, improving 2% to 59 to tie with Cox (News - Alert) Communications, which slips 2%. Frontier Communications ticks up 2% to match Comcast's Xfinity, which sits unchanged at 57. Mediacom follows closely with a 2% increase to 56. Altice's Suddenlink tumbles 5% to the bottom of the category at 55. These companies are among the lowest-scoring firms tracked by the ACSI. Verizon's Fios holds its lead as AT&T Internet advances among ISPs Unchanged at a score of 62, ISPs remain at the bottom of the ACSI rankings. While many providers post gains this year, service is largely considered to be slow and unreliable, and competition is limited in many areas. Most ISPs are still falling short of providing good service at an affordable price. Verizon's Fios is stable at the top of the category with an ACSI score of 70, but AT&T Internet is closing in with a 1% uptick to 69. Altice's Optimum retreats 2% to 63 but remains the leader among coaxial providers. Meanwhile, Comcast's Xfinity inches closer to the industry average, up 2% to 61. Cox Communications climbs 2% to 60, tying Altice's Suddenlink, which falls 2%. Charter's Spectrum also dips 2% and CenturyLink grows 2% to meet at 59. The lowest-scoring ISPs all make gains. Mediacom improves the most, up 6% to 56, just behind Windstream, which rises 2% to 57. Frontier Communications gains 2% but sits at the bottom of the industry at 55. As in the subscription TV industry, firms scoring lowest here are also some of the worst performers among the 400+ companies in the ACSI. AT&T's U-verse TV, other video-on-demand services struggle against streaming Customer satisfaction with video-on-demand service slips 1.5% to an ACSI score of 67 as viewers continue to turn toward more satisfying streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. Despite the threat of online competition, the largest cable and satellite companies have done little to spur improvement. AT&T's U-verse TV service held the lead a year ago, but now falls 3% to share the top spot with Verizon's Fios (unchanged) at a score of 72. Satellite provider DISH Network drops 3% to 71 but remains just ahead of DIRECTV, unchanged at 70. Frontier Communications debuts in the category with a score of 67, in line with the industry average. Three decliners meet at 66: Cox Communications (down 1%), Altice's Optimum (down 3%), and Comcast's Xfinity (down 1%). Charter's Spectrum remains unchanged at the bottom of the category with a 64. Vonage stands apart for loyal customers of fixed-line telephone service As more than half of all U.S. households forgo landlines in favor of wireless service, only the most loyal customers remain. Perhaps that's why overall customer satisfaction with fixed-line telephone service climbs 1.4% to an ACSI score of 71. Individual company performance, however, varies. Vonage steps up 1% to 77. As a VoIP provider, Vonage doesn't need to maintain an infrastructure, so it can focus resources on customer service. Companies that provide both cable and internet service in addition to landline telephone do not perform as well. Verizon Communications gains 1% to 73, followed by AT&T, unchanged at 72. Altice's Optimum is static at 69, followed by Cox Communications, Charter's Spectrum, and Comcast's Xfinity-all posting modest gains to 67. Windstream is stable at 64. The only two decliners are CenturyLink, which dips 2% to 65, and Altice's Suddenlink, which plummets 14% to 61. According to its customers, Suddenlink's service is the least reliable among fixed-line providers in terms of service interruptions and outages. Frontier Communications also comes in at 61, despite being the most improved with a gain of 7%. The ACSI Telecommunications Report 2018-2019 on subscription TV, ISPs, fixed-line telephone service, video-on-demand service, and video streaming service is based on interviews with 38,681 customers, chosen at random and contacted via email between April 5, 2018, and March 27, 2019. Download the full Telecommunications Report. Stay tuned! On June 4, we will reveal the ACSI scores for wireless phone service and cell phone manufacturers in a new report. Follow the ACSI on LinkedIn and Twitter (News - Alert) at @theACSI. No advertising or other promotional use can be made of the data and information in this release without the express prior written consent of ACSI LLC. About ACSI The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) has been a national economic indicator for 25 years. It measures and analyzes customer satisfaction with more than 400 companies in 46 industries and 10 economic sectors, including various services of federal and local government agencies. Reported on a scale of 0 to 100, ACSI scores are based on data from interviews with roughly 300,000 customers annually. For more information, visit www.theacsi.org. ACSI and its logo are Registered Marks of the University of Michigan, licensed worldwide exclusively to American Customer Satisfaction Index LLC with the right to sublicense. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005130/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] OneStream Software Surges in BARC Survey of Financial Performance Management Products with 30 Top Ranks OneStream Software, LLC, a leader in Corporate Performance Management (CPM) solutions for the mid-sized to large enterprise, continues to gain high customer accolades in the annual planning survey from Business Application Research Center (BARC) for Financial Performance Management Products and North American Vendors. OneStream earned 30 top ranks out of 56 categories in BARC's The Planning Survey 19. This represents an increase in OneStream's top rankings from last year and includes 7 'Perfect 10' scores and a near-perfect recommendation score of 96 percent from customers surveyed. "OneStream had a strong debut in The Planning Survey last year. With 30 top ranks and eight leading ranks across two different peer groups, OneStream XF again achieves an excellent set of results in this year's Planning Survey. Convincing ratings in numerous important KPIs help to consolidate its position as a fast growing and effective CPM vendor. A strong majority of customers are very satisfied with the vendor and its financial consolidation and planning platform," said Dr. Christian Fuchs, head of Analytics and Data Management Practice, BARC. The Planning Survey 19 examines user feedback on planning processes and product selection across 56 countries and is based on findings from the world's largest and most comprehensive survey of planning software users, conducted from November 2018 to February 2019. 1,367 survey respondents provide insight across 28 criteria including business benefits, project success, business value, recommendation, customer satisfaction, user experience, planning functionality and competitiveness. "OneStream is the best CPM platform in the market, coupled with a lower cost than many of the longer established competitors, making OneStream not only the leader in the space from a technological standpoint but the best value for the money too," wrote one user surveyed. OneStream earned the Top Rank in the Financial Performance Management Products Peer Group for: Competitive win rate Competitiveness Customer satisfaction Ease of use ('Perfect 10' Score) Forecasting Functionality Performance satisfaction ('Perfect 10' Score) Planning content ('Perfect 10' Score) Price-to-value Product satisfaction ('Perfect 10' Score) Project success ('Perfect 10' Score) Recommendation ('Perfect 10' Score) Simulation User Experience Vendor support ('Perfect 10' Score) OneStream earned the Top Rank in North American Vendors Peer Group for: Competitive win rate Customer satisfaction Ease of use ('Perfect 10' Score) Forecasting Functionality Implementer support Performance satisfaction ('Perfect 10' Score) Planning content ('Perfect 10' Score) Planning functionality Price-to-value Product satisfaction ('Perfect 10' Score) Project success ('Perfect 10' Score) Recommendation ('Perfect 10' Score) Simulation Vendor support ('Perfect 10' Score) OneStream had a Leader Rank for Business value, Data integration, Competitiveness and User experience in the North American Vendors peer group. "OneStream's strong results in The Planning Survey 19 validates our mission to deliver 100% customer success, helping customers maximize the value of our platform, extend their investment with our XF MarketPlace solutions, and successfully manage through today's business challenges. We are especially honored by the very positive feedback from customers and peers," said Tom Shea, CEO of OneStream. See the OneStream Highlights report at: https://info.onestreamsoftware.com/barc-the-planning-survey-19 About OneStream Software OneStream Software provides a modern Corporate Performance Management solution that unifies and simplifies financial consolidation, planning, reporting, analytics and financial data quality for sophisticated organizations. Deployed via the cloud or on-premise, OneStream's unified platform enables organizations to modernize Finance, replace multiple legacy applications, and reduce the total cost of ownership of financial systems. OneStream unleashes Finance teams to spend less time on data integration and system maintenance - and more time focusing on driving business performance. The OneStream XF MarketPlace features downloadable solutions that allow customers to easily extend the value of their CPM platform to quickly meet the changing needs of finance and operations. For more information, go to www.OneStreamSoftware.com. About The Planning Survey 19 The Planning Survey 19 was conducted by BARC from November 2018 to February 2019. Altogether, 1,367 respondents worldwide answered a series of questions about their planning software. The survey offers a comparison of 22 leading planning software products across 28 different key performance indicators including business value, customer satisfaction, user experience and planning functionality. For more information, visit www.bi-survey.com. About BARC The Business Application Research Center (BARC) is an enterprise software analyst and consulting firm with a focus on Analytics/Business Intelligence (BI), Data Management, Enterprise Content Management (ECM), Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). Along with Ardour, Le CXP and PAC, BARC forms part of teknowlogy Group - the leading independent European research and consulting firm in the fields of digital transformation, software and IT services with a network of 150 experts in seven countries. For more information, visit www.barc-research.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005440/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Hart InterCivic's Verity Voting Excels in More Texas Elections The newest users of Verity Voting, the easy-to-use, secure election technology from Texas-based Hart InterCivic, praised the popular system for an efficient and user-friendly May 4 election. More than 10,000 Verity devices are in use across Texas as a growing number of jurisdictions turn to the long-time election solutions provider for reliable technology backed by trusted customer support. Request a Demo of Verity: 866-216-4278 Verity offers flexible options that fit the various ways Texans vote. In Brazos and Tom Green Counties, voters cast their ballots using the touchscreen. Liberty County also debuted Verity in May, with voters casting hand-marked paper ballots, as they had with the County's previous system. All three jurisdictions reported trouble-free elections with the new system. "I heard a lot of good feedback from our voters," said Brazos County Elections Administrator Trudy Hancock. "The touchscreen is very intuitive for all ages. A 71-year-old made a point to tell us that she had no trouble with a touchscreen - and that nobody else should, either." In Tom Green County, officials heard "quick and easy!" from voters and poll workers. Election staff happily noted that voters who had previously resisted electronic voting welcomed the touchscreen. "There were people who had never used the electronic voting machines before. When told these offer touchscreens, they tried the electronic option for the first time and liked it," said Tom Green County Elections Administrator Vona Hudson. Verity's lightweight, removable tablet also helped voters unable to leave their vehicles. "Curbside voting was easy, and our voters who need that had no trouble," said Hudson, who publicizes the availability of a curbside option in her county. "Whatever makes voting accessible - that's what we want to provide for ou citizens." A former candidate in Tom Green County observed that the touchscreen made write-ins much easier, because everyone is familiar with typing on a pad. "We are proud to see Verity serving voters across Texas," said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic, an Austin-based company with more than 100 years of experience providing election solutions. "The system is designed and manufactured in Texas; we are nearby and always available. We value our strong Texas heritage, and we are committed to advancing democracy in the State and across the U.S. with secure, efficient voting systems." In Brazos County, with more than 100,000 registered voters, an easy transition with Hart's training and support was especially appreciated. Election workers found Verity simple to learn. "Hart's team did everything they could to help make our transition easy. With Verity, we switched to a touchscreen system, but the learning curve was smooth. Our poll workers were comfortable and confident using it," said Hancock, who accepted delivery of Brazos County's new system in January. "That means a lot to me." Hancock is confident that Verity and Hart will perform well for upcoming, more complicated elections facing Brazos County. "We are really happy with Verity and Hart customer service. They are always A-1," she said. In Tom Green County, with nearly 65,000 registered voters, Hudson liked the convenience of the AutoBallot feature that minimizes the possibility of human error when assigning a ballot style at the polling place. Before Verity, poll workers manually selected precinct-specific ballots for each voter. "Plus, the new Verity is a huge time saver for election workers," said Hudson, pointing out that Hart trainers taught her staff to program the county's ballots. "We had the support and knowledge of the whole team. They are experienced, and they're always good about sharing tips." Her staff also praised Verity's briefcase-style design. "The equipment is smaller, more compact and easier to set up for voting." Hudson is looking forward to smooth, budget-friendly elections for many years. "Investing in Verity is money well spent," she said. "For us, it was smart to stay with a reliable vendor, someone we know and trust. It was very comforting to transition with a team and product with Hart's reputation. We have found a lot to like, and that is universal with Hart and Hart products." These counties join a growing number of Texas jurisdictions moving to Verity. The trustworthy and auditable system is also in use in numerous counties throughout the U.S. Braithwaite expects more Texas and national announcements in the near future. For more information on the Verity Voting system, please visit http://www.hartintercivic.com/texas/ About Hart InterCivic, Inc. Austin-based Hart InterCivic is a full-service election solutions innovator, partnering with state and local governments to deliver secure, accurate and reliable elections. Working side-by-side with election professionals for more than 100 years, Hart is committed to helping advance democracy one election at a time. Hart's mission fuels its passionate customer focus and a continuous drive for technological innovation. The company's new Verity Voting system makes voting more straightforward, equitable and accessible-and makes managing elections more transparent, more efficient and easier. Only Hart offers a completely new, secure voting system with paper, hybrid and electronic options. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005208/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] DPW Holdings Reports Q1 2019 Revenues Up 33.5% Over Q1 2018 to $6,939,043 DPW Holdings, Inc. (NYSE.American: DPW), a diversified holding company (the "Company," or "DPW"), today announced that it filed its financial results for the three-month period-ended March 31, 2019 on its Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 20, 2019 and reports the following: Revenues Our revenues increased by $1,743,196, or 33.5% to $6,939,043 for the three-month period-ended March 31, 2019, compared to $5,195,847 for the three-month period-ended March 31, 2018. The increase in revenue was primarily due to our acquisition of 98.1% of the outstanding equity interests of I.AM and our acquisition of Enertec Systems 2001, Ltd., both of which closed on May 23, 2018. Revenues generated by these two acquirees during the three-month period-ended March 31, 2019, totaled $3,671,719. Excluding the revenues that were generated by these recent acquirees, the Company generated revenues of $3,267,324, which represents a decrease of $1,925,523 compared to the three-month period-ended March 31, 2018. As discussed below, the decrease of $1,925,523 resulted primarily from a decrease in revenue from our cryptocurrency mining operations and from the manufacturing of the Multiplex Laser Surface Enhancement ("MLSE") plasma-laser system units. Revenues, cryptocurrency mining In January 2018, we formed Digital Farms, Inc. formerly known as Super Crypto Mining, Inc. During the three-month period-ended March 31, 2019, due to the overall decline in market prices of digital currencies we curtailed our mining operations which resulted in a decrease in revenues of $208,692 for Digital Farms. The Company noted that during the second quarter of 2019 to date, there has been an escalating rise in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency prices. Digital Farms immediately responded by increasing exponentially its mining of Bitcoin and continues to monitor its operations to maximize its return on investment and the best costs efficiencies. Revenues, related party During the three-month period-ended March 31, 2018, we recognized $1,792,892 in revenues from our purchase order from our customer, MTIX, Ltd. to manufacture the MLSE plasma-laser systems. In March 2017, the Company was awarded a 3-year, $50 million purchase order by MTIX, Ltd. to manufacture, install and service the MLSE plasma-laser system. We recognize revenue on the manufacture of the MLSE system based upon proportional performance over time and management believes that over the next several years, that the MLSE purchase order will be a source of revenue and generate significant cash flows. The lack of revenue during the three-months period-ended March 31, 2019 was due to management's decision to prioritize reducing the debt obligations incurred in May 2018 to acquire Enertec rather than funding MTIX, as reducing the Company's outstanding debt should in management's belief facilitate raising capital for other needs, including funding the development of MTIX. Payments, and the related manufacturing services, that otherwise would have gone to subcontractors of the MLSE plasma-laser system were delayed by supporting the Company's effort to effect significant debt reductions. The Company expects to resume recognizing revenue from the MTIX, Ltd. contract in the latter part of the second quarter or the beginning of the third quarter of 2019. Gross Margins Gross margins decreased 26.2% for the three-month period-ended March 31, 2019 compared to 26.8% for the three-month period-ended March 31, 2018. The Company's gross margins have typically ranged between 33% and 37%, with slight variations depending on the overall composition of our revenue. The decrease in gross margins from our historical average was partially attributable to the lower margin related-party revenue of $1,792,892 from MTIX, with gross margins of 22.6%, combined with negative margins at Digital Farms. The negative gross margins at Digital Farms resulted from monthly recurring fixed costs at our colocation facilities which temporarily exceed the revenues from our mining operations. If we had not recognized revenue, and the related cost of revenue, from Digital Farms and our contract with MTIX, then our adjusted gross margins for the three-month period-ended March 31, 2019 would have been 33.6%. During the three-month period-ended March 31, 2019, gross margins of 26.2% were negatively affected by Digital Farms. Excluding the contribution of Digital Farms, gross margins during the three-month period-ended March 31, 2019 were 36.7%. The Company also reported that its order backlog slightly grew $1.7M from the preceding quarter, to a total of $73.6M. Digital Power Corp. (News - Alert) which includes Power-Plus Technical Distributors, LLC and Digital Power, Ltd. (aka "Gresham Power") has an order backlog of $4.82M while Microphase posted an order backlog of $7.6M as Enertec increased its order backlog to $15.1M. The Company was especially pleased with the results reported by Enertec and its improvement with its order backlog. General and Administrative General and administrative expenses were $5,430,966 for the three-month period-ended March 31, 2019 compared to $3,221,623 for the three-month period-ended March 31, 2018, an increase of $2,209,343. Our acquisitions of Enertec and I.AM accounted for $1,270,362 of the increase in general and administrative expenses. The adjusted increase of $938,981 from the comparative prior period was mainly due to an increase in legal and audit costs, an increase in investor relationship costs and hiring of additional personnel to build an infrastructure in anticipation of our future growth and the increase in cost attributed to the hiring of a Chief Accounting Officer and Senior Vice President of Finance. The remaining increase in general and administrative expenses is due to various costs, none of which is significant individually. The Company notes that during the first quarter of 2019 its overhead costs were exceptionally higher at the start of the new year including the addition of new personnel and the start of new initiatives. The Company anticipates in the second quarter of 2019, that it will realize a reduction in general and administrative expenses that will continue quarter over quarter as management identifies new cost-saving synergistic opportunities. Interest (expense) income, net Interest expense was $2,099,541 for the three-month period-ended March 31, 2019 compared to $3,731,436 for the three-month period-ended March 31, 2018. The decrease in interest expense for the three-month period-ended March 31, 2019 is primarily related to a reduction of amortization of debt discount, in the aggregate amount of $1,559,935, resulting from original issue discount from the issuance of warrants in conjunction with the sale of debt instruments. During the three-month period-ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, as a result of these issuances, non-cash interest expense of $1,491,065 and $3,051,000, respectively, was recorded from the amortization of debt discount and debt financing costs. The remaining decrease in interest expense was due to an increase in the amount of the Company's total borrowings and which was primarily offset by interest income pursuant to the Loan and Security Agreement entered into on September 6, 2017, between the Company and Avalanche International Corp.. The Company anticipates a sizable decrease in interest expense for the second quarter of 2019 due to a tremendous decrease in the Company's short-term debt including $6,000.000 paid on April 2, 2019, after the close of the first quarter, which is not reflected in the results for the first quarter. Geographic Segment Reporting We conduct operations in several geographical markets and for three-month period-ended March 31, 2019 and 2018. Other than as shown, no foreign country or region contributed materially to revenues or long-lived assets for these periods: For the Three-Month Periods-Ended March 31, 2019 2018 Revenues: North America $ 3,749,140 $ 4,747,546 Middle East 2,312,902 - Europe 547,999 266,655 Other 329,002 181,646 Total revenues $ 6,939,043 $ 5,195,847 As reflected in our consolidated statement of cash flows for the three-month period-ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, our reported net loss is comprised of non-cash charges of $2,444,142 and $4,152,000, respectively. A summary of these non-cash charges is as follows: For the Three-Month Periods-Ended March 31, 2019 2018 Interest expense - debt discount $ 1,491,065 $ 3,051,000 Stock-based compensation 621,288 1,438,000 Depreciation and amortization 961,438 148,000 Amortization of right-of-use assets 32,165 - Accretion of original issue discount on notes receivable - related party (612,309 ) (485,000 ) Accretion of original issue discount on notes receivable (49,505 ) - Non-cash items included in net loss $ 2,444,142 $ 4,152,000 DPW's CEO and Chairman, Milton "Todd" Ault, III said, "We are very pleased that the Company has grown its revenue to over $6.9 million for the first quarter of 2019 and that our assets on the balance sheet have reached approximately $54.7 million. I believe the Company has weathered the last of a downturn that has ended this quarter and look to the second quarter of 2019 to set a baseline going forward. We are very pleased with our progress as we strive to improve our capital structure, our cashflow and our performance. We have achieved over $10.5 million in debt reduction since the beginning of the year, of which $6 million was executed on April 2, 2019 and thus not reflected in our current results reported yesterday. Stockholders won't see the benefit of our lowered cost of capital or proportional revenue from MTIX, Ltd. until either late in the second quarter or in the third quarter of 2019." Ault continued, "For the remainder of 2019, we anticipate our investments of over $20 million during 2018 should contribute to our topline with Digital Power Corp's. renewing the recognition of revenue from the MTIX, Ltd. MLSE contract and from our hospitality segment generating increasing revenues from I.AM due to dryer, warmer weather in the seasons ahead. This past year, 2018, was challenging as we completed two new acquisitions while completing the integration of two acquisitions from 2017. We anticipate much of the work and investment we have made will bring discernible results starting in the second quarter of 2019 that will continue through this year and well into 2020. With the recent corporate realignment of DPW, which created the new reporting subsidiaries, DPW Technologies led by JR Read and DPW Financial led by Darren Magot, we anticipate both new companies to harness our achievements from 2018 and create new efficiencies that should result positively to our net profitability and continue to increase sales through the year. We are especially excited to watch JR Read spearhead the reduction in our order backlog and to drive synergies to reduce costs at our commercial and defense businesses that we expect to be realized quarter over quarter into next year. Some of the savings that were projected from our acquisitions were delayed due to lease and other financial commitments or constraints. In summary, there are three important indicators that stockholders and investors should pay attention to; first, the dramatic reduction of outstanding debt; second, the continuing increase in sales and thirdly, moderate growth in our backlog due to new customers and new orders." In regard to concerns about future long-term dilution incurred by stockholders, Mr. Ault stated, "The Company plans to support many financings at the subsidiary level. This strategy of raising capital on a closer, more targeted basis should in our view bode well for the commercial/defense business as well as for Digital Farms and Digital Power Lending, LLC, as it builds its client portfolio, as a California licensed finance lender." The Company noted that it will provide an update to stockholders on the status of the hotel at the end of the second quarter of 2019. For more information on DPW Holdings and its subsidiaries, the Company recommends that stockholders, investors and any other interested parties read the Company's public filings and press releases available under the Investor Relations section at or available at www.sec.gov. About DPW Holdings, Inc. DPW Holdings, Inc. is a diversified holding company pursuing growth by acquiring undervalued businesses and disruptive technologies that hold global potential. Through its wholly owned subsidiaries and strategic investments, the Company provides mission-critical products that support a diverse range of industries, including defense/aerospace, industrial, telecommunications, medical, crypto-mining, and textiles. In addition, the Company owns a select portfolio of commercial hospitality properties and extends credit to select entrepreneurial businesses through a licensed lending subsidiary. DPW's headquarters are located at 201 Shipyard Way, Suite E, Newport Beach, CA (News - Alert) 92663; www.DPWHoldings.com. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains "forward looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "projects," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "may," "will," "should," "could," "potential," or similar expressions. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any of them publicly in light of new information or future events. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors. More information, including potential risk factors, that could affect the Company's business and financial results are included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the Company's Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. All filings are available at www.sec.gov and on the Company's website at www.DPWHoldings.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005424/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Abrigo Announces Partnership with E-Crime Intelligence Leader Q6 Cyber AUSTIN, Texas, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Abrigo, a leading technology provider of compliance, credit risk, and lending solutions for community financial institutions, announced today its partnership with Q6 Cyber. Q6 Cyber is a leading provider of e-crime intelligence to financial institutions worldwide. Q6 Cyber's cutting-edge proprietary technology monitors the "Digital Underground" - a vast universe of online sites, marketplaces, communities, and forums where hackers, fraudsters, and cybercriminals operate and interact. The company's 24x7 coverage includes not only the DarkWeb and DeepWeb, but also malware networks, botnets, and other cybercrime infrastructure and private messaging platforms. This partnership allows Abrigo to offer Q6 Cyber's products as part of their expanding financial crimes suite, enhancing their BSA software, BAM+, and their robust fraud scenarios. Led by veterans of the NSA, US Secret Service, and Israeli Military Intelligence with decades of experience in the dark corners of cyberspace, Q6 Cyber delivers timely, targeted, and actionable intelligence that enables financial institutions to substantially reduce fraud losses, data breaches, and other electronic crimes. "We are focused on increasing Abrigo's impact through partnership with new technologies and capabilities, with the express purpose of providing our customers with best-in-class enterprise risk solutions," said Wayne Roberts, CEO of Abrigo. Adding, "Q6 Cyber is a perfect fit for Abrigo's strategy to make bigthings happen for community financial institutions. With their innovative approaches to cyber threat detection, Q6 Cyber's technology complements our fraud detection and mitigation solutions." Eli Dominitz, CEO of Q6 Cyber adds, "We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with Abrigo. Since 2016, we have been working with the largest financial institutions around the world to transform the e-crime paradigm from reactive to proactive. More recently, we have taken the same proven model to community financial institutions with great success - our clients report double-digit reductions in fraud losses and data breaches year over year. Our Abrigo partnership will deliver even more value to community financial institutions with an improved toolset and holistic risk management approach." To learn more about the product partnership between Abrigo and Q6 Cyber, join our upcoming webinar on Thursday, May 23 or visit abrigo.com. About Abrigo Abrigo is a leading technology provider of compliance, credit risk, lending, and asset/liability management solutions that community financial institutions use to manage risk and drive growth. Our software automates key processes from anti-money laundering to asset liability management to fraud detection to lending solutions empowering our customers by addressing their Enterprise Risk Management needs. Visit abrigo.com to learn more. Follow Abrigo on social media using @WeAreAbrigo. About Q6 Cyber Based in Miami and Tel Aviv, Q6 Cyber is an innovative e-crime intelligence company. Q6 Cyber comprehensively monitors the "Digital Underground" (including the DarkWeb, DeepWeb, cybercriminal and fraudster marketplaces, communities, and networks) to spot relevant threats before they materialize into fraud losses or damaging breaches. The company's targeted and actionable intelligence has been proven to deliver high ROI to enterprise customers around the world. Q6 Cyber and is led by seasoned professionals with decades of experience in US and Israeli intelligence and law enforcement agencies. Learn more at www.q6cyber.com. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/abrigo-announces-partnership-with-e-crime-intelligence-leader-q6-cyber-300853636.html SOURCE Abrigo [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] TUV SUD Expands Its Services by Offering Global Approvals for Lighting in Atlanta Having added Certification Body Test Lab (CBTL) accreditation in Atlanta, TUV SUD can now test lighting and LED products for compliance in over 40 markets. Lighting, luminaire and LED manufacturers that wish to sell internationally, will benefit from a single safety evaluation to the CB Scheme, which provides proof of compliance to safety regulations in over 40 counties. As one of only three organizations in the US with this accreditation, the TUV SUD Center of Excellence for Lighting in Atlanta, GA now offers a full scope of safety testing and photometric measurements at a single convenient location. The CB Scheme, maintained by the International Electrotechnical Commission System for Conformity Testing and Certification of Electrical Equipment (IECEE), offers manufacturers an opportunity to increase global marketability. The scheme facilitates the international exchange and acceptance of product safety test results among participating national Certification Bodies for approval or certification in one or more countries, normally, without the need for additional testing. Manufacturers, distributors, and consumers benefit from the singular goal of "one standard, one test, accepted everywhere." In addition to electrical safety testing for lamps and luminaries, the Atlanta facility offers a full scope of EMC (News - Alert) and wireless testing, photometric testing, including Design Lights Consortium, CEC Title 20 and Title 24, endurance, and energy efficiency, including the ENERGY STAR (News - Alert) program. TUV SUD acts as a trusted advocate providing expertise in all areas of test and regulation, both mandatory and voluntary. Standards added to the scope of the CB Testing Lab accreditation include: IEC (News - Alert) 60598-1 General Luminaires Requirements IEC 60598-2-2 Recessed Luminaires IEC 60598-2-4 Road & Street Luminaires IEC 60598-2-5 Floodlights These lighting standards are in addition to the existing CB Scope, which includes IEC 62368 and IEC 60950. "We listened to our customers and responded by creating a Lighting Center of Excellence providing local access to test capabilities and engineering expertise for Worldwide approvals," states Jan-Paul van Maaren, PhD, Vice President of Product Service. "Lighting and LED products are often manufactured in Asia, but R&D is prevalent in the US, and those engineers need access to an experienced testing staff they can trust." For more information on TUV SUD services in the Americas, visit www.tuv-sud-america.com. About TUV SUD TUV SUD is a premium quality, safety, and sustainability solutions provider that specialises in testing, inspection, auditing, certification, training, and knowledge services. Since 1866, the company has remained committed to its founding principle of protecting people, property and the environment from technology-related risks. Headquartered in Munich, Germany, TUV SUD is represented in more than 1,000 locations worldwide. TUV SUD operates globally with a team of more than 24,000 multi-disciplinary experts recognised as specialists in their respective fields. By combining impartial expertise with invaluable insights, the company adds tangible value to businesses, consumers and the environment. The aim of TUV SUD is to support customers with a comprehensive suite of services worldwide to increase efficiency, reduce costs and manage risk. www.tuv-sud.com About TUV SUD America TUV SUD America Inc., a subsidiary of TUV SUD AG (Munich, Germany), is a leading globally recognized testing and certification organization. TUV SUD's Business Assurance division provides management system certification services to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, AS9100, Safe Quality Food (SQF), and more. TUV SUD's Product Service division offers electrical and mechanical product safety, Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing, environmental testing, NRTL and SCC certification, CE marking assistance, restricted substance services, international compliance services, and more. TUV SUD America also provides a comprehensive suite of services for the medical device sector as a European Union notified body for the medical device, active implantable medical device and in-vitro diagnostic device directives, and a complete service portfolio including ISO 13485 and MDSAP certification, FDA 510(k) and third-party inspections. The company's Industry Services division offers a full suite of services for pressure equipment manufacturers and materials producers exporting products to the European Community. The Industry Services division also includes TUV SUD Global Risk Consultants, the leading global provider of unbundled property loss control services. For more information visit www.tuv-sud-america.com/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005134/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] WorkFusion Welcomes Dr. Homaira Akbari as Chairman of its Board of Directors WorkFusion, the leading provider of intelligent automation software, today announced that Dr. Homaira Akbari (News - Alert), president and CEO of AKnowledge Partners, has joined its board of directors as chairman to help the company drive further growth as it expands into new sectors and empowers business leaders with automation and intelligence. "Dr. Homaira Akbari has distinguished herself as a strategic leader and entrepreneur, and we're eager to welcome her deep technical expertise and governance experience to WorkFusion's board of directors," said Alex Lyashok, CEO at WorkFusion. "With her depth of knowledge in enterprise software as well as a wide range of industries, Dr. Akbari will be instrumental as WorkFusion pursues its next stage of growth and positions itself as the global leader in intelligent automation." Dr. Akbari is currently the president and CEO of AKnowledge Partners, providing strategic advisory services to leading private equity funds and large corporations in IoT, mobility, supply chain visibility and cyber ecurity sectors. Dr. Akbari has a successful track record of managing medium to large technology companies, including serving as CEO of SkyBitz (News - Alert), where she provided an exit with strong returns for all of the company's stake holders, and prior to SkyBitz, working with operations and sales organizations of more than 12 thousand employees within divisions of public companies with revenues in excess of $5 billion. Additionally, Dr. Akbari has extensive private and public company board governance and oversight experience. She currently serves on a number of private and public company board of directors including Banco Santander, S.A. and Landstar System, Inc. Dr. Akbari holds a Ph.D. with honors in particle physics from Tufts University and an MBA with distinction from Carnegie Mellon University, where she is currently a member of The Tepper School of Business Board of Advisors. In addition, Dr. Akbari was the inaugural chair of the Johns Hopkins University Physics and Astronomy Advisory Council from 2013-2018. She is the author of more than 50 scientific and management articles in international journals, holds two patents in IoT/M2M and is a frequent speaker at industry conferences. "WorkFusion is transforming the way organizations use automation by removing complexity and making AI as user-friendly as possible," said Dr. Homaira Akbari, Chairman of WorkFusion. "By digitizing the entire process under one unified platform, WorkFusion is addressing common roadblocks around visibility, scalability and cost while freeing business leaders to achieve unprecedented outcomes. I'm excited to join WorkFusion on this journey to provide best-in-class solutions and help customers embrace the possibilities of automation." About WorkFusion WorkFusion's AI-driven automation and RPA software offers intelligent automation at scale for companies across the globe. Forward-thinking businesses and leading enterprises across the business spectrum choose WorkFusion to reduce their total costs, up-skill their workforces and gain a competitive edge. WorkFusion is headquartered in New York City with operations throughout Europe and Asia. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005265/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Record-Breaking 10,000 Teens to Receive Tech Training at Geek Squad Academy Camps Young people from across the U.S. are about to learn essential tech skills as Best Buy's (News - Alert) flagship Geek Squad Academy summer camp season begins this month. More than 10,000 students age 11 to 18 are expected to attend 60 camps this year in the biggest Geek Squad Academy season ever. "Youth from underrepresented communities face real challenges as job readiness resources and opportunities remain few and far between," said Andrea Wood, head of Social Impact at Best Buy. "These two-day tech immersion camps will help thousands of students explore their passions and gain critical tech skills as they look ahead to their future studies and careers." With courses ranging from 3D design and coding to music and video production, students learn skills that lay the foundation for tech-reliant careers. This year's camps feature two new courses: "Picture Perfect," which teaches the fundamentals of photography and composition, and "Stop Motion," which demonstrates how to use basic video editing to transform pictures into stop-motion videos. The 60 Geek Squad Academy camps will be held this summer in these 48 cities, with an additional five cities to be announced at a later date: Boston, MA Bayamon, Puerto Rico Orlando FL New Orleans, LA Salt Lake City, UT DeSoto, TX Romeovill, IL Charlotte, NC Cincinnati, OH Los Angeles, CA (News - Alert) Independence, MO Pembrook Pines, FL Homestead, PA Cleveland, OH San Antonio, TX St. Louis, MO Chicago, IL Raleigh, NC Camp Pendleton, CA Reno, NV Louisville, KY Rochester, NY Minneapolis, MN Washington D.C. Birmingham, AL Liverpool, NY Joplin, MO Dallas, TX Memphis, TN Phoenix, AZ Round Lake, IL Bronx, NY Cleveland, TN Hayward, CA Detroit, MI Richmond, VA Sacramento, CA Milwaukee, WI Jersey City, NJ Virginia Beach, VA Richfield, MN Bellevue, WA Leominster, MA Wakeman, OH Lakewood, CO Salem, VA Conyers, GA Houston, TX Best Buy actively acts on the belief that it has a responsibility to marshal its expertise, thousands of employees, local community partners and vast population of tech partners to come together to build a brighter future for young people. The company puts this commitment to work through programs including Geek Squad Academy, Best Buy Community Grants and the national network of 29 Best Buy Teen Tech Centers. For a complete schedule of Geek Squad Academy dates, locations, enrollment information and more, visit https://academy.geeksquad.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005122/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Wells Fargo Donates CA$25,000 ($20,000) to Aid Flood Disaster Relief Efforts in Quebec Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) announced today it will donate CA (News - Alert)$25,000 ($20,000) to United Way Worldwide in response to thousands of Canadians being forced from their homes as heavy rains and spring thaw cause flood evacuations in the province of Quebec. Wells Fargo (News - Alert) is among 10 financial institutions joining to support the Canadian Red Cross. "We're saddened by the flooding's devastation and want to help victims recover," said Richard Valade, regional president of Canada for Wells Fargo. "Working with United Way Worldwide, this donation supports the incredible work by the Canadian Red Cross in communities where our team members live and serve our customers." Wells Fargo employs more than 700 team members in Canada across 23 lines of Wholesale Banking businesses who serve commercial customers in the Canadian cities of Calgary, Mississauga, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and Quebec City. In 2018, Wells Fargo donted $444 million dollars to approximately 11,000 nonprofits. Wells Fargo team members also donated 2 million hours of volunteer work in 2018. For the 10th consecutive year, the United Way Worldwide recognized Wells Fargo in February as the No. 1 workplace giving campaign in the U.S. About Wells Fargo Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.9 trillion in assets. Wells Fargo's vision is to satisfy our customers' financial needs and help them succeed financially. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through 7,700 locations, more than 13,000 ATMs, the internet (wellsfargo.com) and mobile banking, and has offices in 33 countries and territories to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 262,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 26 on Fortune's 2018 rankings of America's largest corporations. News, insights and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005285/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] US Technology Exports Totaled Nearly $340 Billion in 2018, CompTIA Analysis Finds WASHINGTON, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Exports of U.S. technology industry products and services grew by some $16 billion in 2018, to an estimated $338 billion, according to the annual "Tech Trade Snapshot 2019" report released today by CompTIA, the leading trade association for the global technology industry. The report reveals that U.S. technology exports directly supported an estimated 858,000 American jobs in 2017 the most recent year of available data an increase of 5.2 percent over the prior year. "The global demand for all things digital devices, applications, content and the underlying technology infrastructure continues unabated," said Tim Herbert, senior vice president for research and market intelligence at CompTIA. "Technology plays a unique role in international trade. Not only is it one of the largest categories of exports. But technology serves as a catalyst for businesses and consumers to connect, create and exchange, thereby encouraging even more trade." Since 2010, U.S. exports of technology added nearly $65 billion in new earnings and aggregate growth of 23 percent. This even as growth slowed slightly in 2018, increasing by 2.5 percent compared to the 2017 rate of 4.5 percent. Exports account for approximately $1 in every $4 generated in the U.S. tech sector. The U.S. is also a big importer of technology products and services. American businesses and consumers purchased nearly $500 billion in technology goods and services from overseas sellers in 2018, resulting in a tch trade deficit of slightly over $160 billion. That deficit was narrowed somewhat by a trade surplus in U.S. tech services exports, which experienced a surplus of nearly $40 billion in 2018, a figure that grew 10.5 percent over the previous year. U.S. China Technology Trade U.S. technology product exports to China showed gains in 2018, but escalating trade tensions make it difficult to predict where tech trade between the economic powerhouses is headed. The CompTIA report finds that U.S. technology product exports to China increased by 4.9 percent last year, to $17.9 billion. U.S. companies exported $2.2 billion worth of technology services to China in 2017, the most recent year of available detailed data. Overall, tech services grew by 3.9 percent in 2017, adding $82 million in new sales. By comparison, the U.S. imported $187.7 billion in technology products and services from China in 2017. "The U.S.-China trade dispute resulted in tariffs on tech product imports increasing fivefold from 2017 to 2018," said Stefanie Holland, CompTIA's vice president for federal and global policy. "Should a 25-percent tariff rate apply to all tech product imports the costs could run into the tens of billions of dollars." "Barriers to trade do not foster long-term economic growth and will continue to negatively impact products that are designed, developed and manufactured in the United States," Holland added. "We encourage the U.S. and China to reach a deal that protects American innovation and intellectual property." CompTIA's "Tech Trade Snapshot 2019" is based on an analysis of import and export data from the U.S. Office of Trade Policy and Analysis, the U.S. International Trade Association, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and The Trade Partnership's CDexports database. The complete report is available at https://www.comptia.org/resources/tech-trade-snapshot-2019. About CompTIA The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a leading voice and advocate for the $5 trillion global information technology ecosystem; and the more than 50 million industry and tech professionals who design, implement, manage, and safeguard the technology that powers the world's economy. Through education, training, certifications, advocacy, philanthropy, and market research, CompTIA is the hub for advancing the tech industry and its workforce. CompTIA supports policies that advance free and open competition; promote a highly educated and technical workforce; encourage collaboration and cooperation in ideas and technology; advance regulations that positively impact the ability of the private sector to effectively research, develop, integrate, manufacture, service and sell solutions in the global marketplace; and improve the use of technology in the state and local government, human services and space enterprise markets. Visit www.comptia.org to learn more. Contact: Roger Hughlett CompTIA 202.503.3644 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-technology-exports-totaled-nearly-340-billion-in-2018-comptia-analysis-finds-300853695.html SOURCE CompTIA [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] National Brain Injury Institute (NBII) has integrated Identillect's Delivery Trust to Secure Email Communications IRVINE, Calif., May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Identillect Technologies Corp. (the "Company" or "Identillect") (TSX-V: ID ), a trusted leading provider of email security, announced today the National Brain Injury Institute has selected Delivery Trust to secure the email communications for their sensitive patient information. National Brain Injury Institute serves a vital role in the treatment of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) throughout the United States. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is severe, debilitating, and often devastating, yet it remains undiagnosed or under-diagnosed for thousands of individuals each year. There are 2.3 million cases of TBI annually and NBII is one of the foremost treatment centers in the United States with 3 locations located throughout Texas. They have a long-standing record of taking a progressive role in the treatment of all levels of brain injury. Huma Haider, MD, Medical Director at NBII states, At National Brain Industry Institute our team is committed to the treatment of brain injuries, we innovate and utilize only the most advanced methods to treat our patients. Additionally, we treat the security of patient information with the same commitment to excellence, therefore, we have selected Identillects Delivery Trust for the security of patient communication. As the growing threat of cyber-attacks fuels the growth of the cyber security industry, the email encryption market will grow as well, estimated to be worth more than $4.21 Billion USD by 2020. Email-borne cyber-attacks are the second most common type of cyber security breach according to the Identity Theft Center with the average cost of a data breach now estimated at more than $3.62 million. Todd Sexton, CEO of Identillect Technologies comments, We continually see cyber-security advancement in the medical industry from the most prestigious medical leaders ensure the security of their patients. We are pleased to be providing expanded security measures for NBII, this allows them focus on the incredibly important work they do and not to worry about cyber-security. On Behalf of the Board of Directors of: IDENTILLECT TECHNOLOGIES CORP. Todd Sexton Chief Executive Officer Tel: (949) 468-7878 Email: [email protected] About Identillect Identillect Technologies is the leading provider of email encryption service Delivery Trust, empowering enterprises of all sizes to protect their business and their clients critical information against cyber security attacks. Delivery Trust is an award -winning, multi-platform plug-in, which gives users complete control of their emails, for one low price. One simple integration complies with all regulations and most importantly provides peace of mind. For more information, or your free trial, please visit www.identillect.com About National Brain Injury Institute The National Brain Injury Institute is the leader in the diagnosis and management of traumatic brain injuries. Using our comprehensive TBI evaluation protocol, NBII provides quantitative and qualitative reports using advanced imaging and neurocognitive assessments. All blunt trauma can result in brain injury, it is there job to help you or loved one diagnose and treat. For more information: please visit https://nationalbii.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward-looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required under the applicable laws. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Todos Medical Enters Exclusive Distribution Agreement with Care G.B. Plus, Ltd. for its Breast Cancer Screening Tests in Israel REHOVOT, Israel, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Todos Medical Ltd. (OTCQB: TOMDF) a clinical-stage in-vitro diagnostics company focused on the development of blood tests for the early detection of cancer and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, today announced the signing of a Distribution Agreement with Care G.B. Plus, Ltd. for exclusive distribution rights of Todos Medical Ltd.s innovative and cost-effective TM-B2 blood tests for breast cancer screening in the State of Israel. We recently have initiated commercialization of our breast cancer screen (TM-B1) in two European markets. Today, we are proud to announce the signing of an exclusive distribution agreement with Care G.B. Plus, Ltd. for the territory of the State of Israel, said Dr. Herman Weiss, CEO of Todos Medical. Since inception, Todos Medical has worked diligently to bring our breast cancer screening technology to commercialization to help patients and their physicians identify cancer earlier in the disease process using a simple blood test. Today, Todos Medical has taken another step in bringing our innovative products to the general public. When Todos Medical came to our attention, we knew immediately that we wanted to play a role in offering their proprietary cancer screenings for breast cancer to the Israeli public, said Mr. Assaf Gold, CEO of Care G.B. Plus. We look forward to working with Todos for many years to come. Care G.B. Plus, Ltd. will be responsible for marketing and distribution costs and execution associated with commercializing the breast cancer tests in Israel. Todos Medical will be able to use the data gathered from these initiatives to support further development and commercialization in other jurisdictions. About Todos Medical Todos Medical Ltd. (OTCQB: TOMDF), an Israeli company headquartered in Rehovot, is a cancer in-vitro-diagnostic (IVD) company engaged in the development of a series of blood tests for the early detection of a variety of cancers and has initiated the development of blood tests for neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, through Breakthrough Diagnostics, Inc. its joint venture with Amarantus Bioscience Holdings, Inc. (OTCPK:AMBS). The company has developed two cancer screening tests based on TBIA (Todos Biochemical Infrared Analyses), a method fr cancer screening using peripheral blood analysis. The TBIA screening method is based on the cancers influence on the immune system which triggers biochemical changes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and plasma. This proprietary and patented method incorporates biochemistry, physics and signal processing. The companys two cancer screening tests, TM-B1 and TM-B2 are CE marked in the EU. Breakthrough Diagnostics is developing the Alzheimers blood diagnostic LymPro Test. For more information, the content of which is not part of this press release, please visit http://www.Todosmedical.com . About Care GB Plus, Limited Care GB Plus, an Israeli company headquartered in Tel-Aviv. Care GB Plus is an Israeli company that distributes cosmetics, para- medicinal supplements and medicinal products all over the world. The Care GB Plus team has vast experience and proven track record in distributing medical products on an international level. Care GB is well established and connected to key opinion leaders, doctors, clinics, hospitals, medical centers and has close working relationships with regulatory bodies and reimbursement agencies. About Breakthrough Diagnostics, Inc. Breakthrough Diagnostics, Inc. is a joint venture owned by Amarantus Bioscience Holdings, Inc. (OTCPK: AMBS) (80.01%) and Todos Medical Ltd (OTCQB: TOMDF) (19.99%). Breakthrough has been assigned the intellectual property and other rights to LymPro Test, a diagnostic blood test for Alzheimers disease, as well as rights to other neurological diagnostics testing intellectual property. Todos Medical owns an exclusive option to acquire the 80.01% of Breakthrough Diagnostics that it currently does not own. Forward-looking statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are only based on the current expectations of the management of Todos Medical Ltd., and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, including the risks and uncertainties related to the progress, timing, cost, and results of clinical trials and product development programs; difficulties or delays in obtaining regulatory approval or patent protection for our product candidates; competition from other biotechnology companies; and our ability to obtain additional funding required to conduct our research, development and commercialization activities. In addition, the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements: changes in technology and market requirements; delays or obstacles in launching our clinical trials; changes in legislation; inability to timely develop and introduce new technologies, products and applications; lack of validation of our technology as we progress further and lack of acceptance of our methods by the scientific community; inability to retain or attract key employees whose knowledge is essential to the development of our products; unforeseen scientific difficulties that may develop with our process; greater cost of final product than anticipated; loss of market share and pressure on pricing resulting from competition; and laboratory results that do not translate to equally good results in real settings, all of which could cause the actual results or performance of Todos Medical Ltd. to differ materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements. Except as otherwise required by law, Todos Medical Ltd. undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. More detailed information about the risks and uncertainties affecting the company is contained under the heading Risk Factors in Todos Medical Ltd.s Annual Report on Form 20-F. Reference is made to Todos Medical Ltd.s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) which is available on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov and in the Companys periodic filings with the SEC. Media Contact: Todos Medical Ltd. Daniel Hirsch Investor Relations [email protected] (347) 699-0029 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Workiva Named One of the Best Large Workplaces in Chicago by Great Place to Work and FORTUNE Workiva (NYSE:WK), the leading cloud provider of connected data, reporting and compliance solutions, today announces that it has been ranked #18 of the 30 Best Large Workplaces in Chicago by Great Place to Work and FORTUNE. "Our company is based on core principles of integrity, trust and respect, and we value all backgrounds and perspectives," said Marty Vanderploeg, CEO of Workiva. "We give our employees the freedom and resources they need - backed by our culture of collaboration, innovation and diverse thought - to keep breaking new ground." To determine the Best Workplaces in Chicago, Great Place to Work analyzed responses from nearly 850,000 employees in the Chicago area at Great Place to Work-Certified organizations. Employees anonymously rated their employers on more than 60 survey questions. "The companies featured on the 2019 Best Workplaces in Chicago list offer dynamic, flexible, and transparent workplaces," said Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place to Work. "These companies create cultures that invite all employees creating a competitive edge to their business and helping to realize the unique potential of each individual." The Best Workplaces in Chicago list is one of a series of rankings by Great Place to Work and FORTUNE based on employee feedback from Great Place to Work-Certified organizations. Earlier this year, Workiva was named one of the 2019 FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For and Best Workplaces in Technology. This is the tenth award for Workiva from FORTUNE magazine. About the Best Workplaces in Chicago list Great Place to Work based its ranking on a data-driven methodology applied to anonymous Trust Index survey responses representing nearly 850,000 employees in the Chicago area at Great Place to Work-CertifiedTM organizations. To learn more about Great Place to Work Certification and recognition on Best Workplaces lists published with FORTUNE, visit Greatplacetowork.com. About Great Place to Work Great Place to Work is a global people analytics and consulting firm that helps companies produce better business results by focusing on workplace culture. Powered by more than 30 years of research, Emprising, its SaaS (News - Alert)-enabled survey and analytics platform, gives companies access to the assessments, data, and reporting needed to build a high-trust, high-performance culture. Read our new book: "A Great Place to Work for All: Better for Business, Better for People, Better for the World. About Workiva Workiva, the leading cloud provider of connected data, reporting and compliance solutions, is used by thousands of enterprises across 180 countries, including more than 75 percent of Fortune 500 companies, and by government agencies. Our customers have linked over five billion data elements to trust their data, reduce risk and save time. For more information about Workiva (NYSE:WK), please visit workiva.com. Request a Workiva demo: www.workiva.com/request-demo Read the Workiva blog: www.workiva.com/blog Follow Workiva on LinkedIn (News - Alert): www.linkedin.com/company/workiva Like Workiva on Facebook (News - Alert): www.facebook.com/workiva/ Follow Workiva on Twitter (News - Alert): www.twitter.com/Workiva FORTUNE and FORTUNE 500 are registered trademarks of Fortune Media IP Limited and are used under license. FORTUNE and Fortune Media IP Limited are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of, Workiva Inc. Note: Claim not confirmed by FORTUNE or Fortune Media IP Limited. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005513/en/ [May 21, 2019] CEO of ExpertFile Featured Speaker at Collision 2019 Global Tech Conference in Toronto TORONTO, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- ExpertFile's CEO and Co-founder Peter Evans will be presenting on May 22, at the Collision Conference in the "Growth Summit Track." As the fastest growing tech conference in North America, Collision is expected to draw over 25,000 attendees. As one of the world's largest and most influential tech events, Collision attracts CEOs of the world's largest companies, founders of the most exciting startups, leading investors and media, from more than 120 countries. In his keynote session titled "More Brains, Less Bots: Driving Reputation & Revenue with Expertise Marketing," Evans will speak to how organizations can better engage their internal experts to competitively differentiate their brand and drive new revenues. The session will outline how trends such as the erosion of consumer trust and increasingly complex buyer journey are driving enterprises and institutions to make experts more approachable to key audiences as media sources, speakers and customer advisors. Evans will also share key insights learned from working with top organizations in sectors such as corporate, healthcare, higher education and industry associations. Over the corse of his 25 year career Evans has worked with breakthrough technologies in sectors as diverse as healthcare, cleantech, digital media and SaaS, both in corporate, agency and venture-backed startups. He is the co-founder of ExpertFile, a SaaS software platform used by leading institutions, corporations and associations to better manage and promote their expertise to key audiences such as the news media and conferences. Session Information May 22, 2019 10:30am EDT Growth Summit Track Main Stage CNE Enercare Centre About ExpertFile ExpertFile is the world's leading content solution and global marketplace designed for experts and their organizations. Our SaaS platform helps corporate, higher education and healthcare clients manage their content and improve visibility for their experts.The ExpertFile global marketplace now lists experts searchable on over 30,000 topics and is integrated into over 15,000 newsrooms through its partnership with the Associated Press. ExpertFile clients include IDC, Berkeley Haas School of Business, Unum, University Health Network and Emory University. The company won the prestigious SIIA CODiE award for "Best Content Marketing Solution" in 2018. For more information, visit www.expertfile.com Media Contacts: Robert Carter ExpertFile 416-999-5043 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ceo-of-expertfile-featured-speaker-at-collision-2019-global-tech-conference-in-toronto-300853999.html SOURCE ExpertFile [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Health Tech Company Oska Wellness Announces Partnership with South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations CARLSBAD, Calif., May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Amidst increasing demand in the U.S. for drug-free pain management tools, Oska Wellness, a pioneer of technology-driven wellness solutions that help people live more active lives with less pain, today announced a partnership with the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO). As part of the SDAHO Endorsed Business Partner Program, the brand's Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) device, MedTech Award winning Oska Pulse, will be available to healthcare facilities and pain patients across South Dakota, helping to eliminate or reduce dependency on pharmaceuticals as a treatment option. Manufactured in Clear Lake, South Dakota, Oska Pulse is the first medical technology device endorsed by SDAHO, a non-profit organization that aims to advance healthy communities. "We're thrilled to partner with the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations to help make our drug-free wearable technology even more accessible to everyone struggling with pain in South Dakota," said Greg Houlgate, co-founder of Oska Wellness. "We know first-hand how debilitating chronic pain can be, and want to help pain patients nationwide find relief that enables them to reclaim their lives. An endorsement from SDAHO medical advisors will really make an impact given their connections in the healthcare industry and for those who need our device most." Chronic pain disrupts the lives of over 100 million Americans daily and is the leading cause of long-term disability in the U.S., affecting more people than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined. The partnership between SDAHO and Oska Wellness will introduce Oska Pulse to key decision makers for hospitals and health organizations across the state as well as its members, including acute care and nursing facilities, home health agencies, assisted living centers and hospice organizations with the intent of increasing awareness and adoption of non-drug pain relief solutions. "The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations is pleased to partner with Oska Wellness, a brand revolutionizing the medical technology space with its wearable PEMF machine for pain relief," said Tim Rave, president and chief executive officer of South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations. "We've identified Oska Pulse as a great resource for healthcare professionals and the pain patients they serve across South Dakota. There is a chronic pain and opioid fueled public health crisis here, ad making this drug-free technology available to patients will provide much needed relief across the state." The SDAHO Endorsed Business Partner program was established to provide cutting edge and cost effective solutions for healthcare facilities in South Dakota. Its strategic business partners offer products or services that help improve healthcare services, develop educational resources for medical professionals, and introduce new programs or strategies. Potential partners undergo a thorough review, where SDAHO staff performs a high standard evaluation and analysis of the potential partner and its offerings, followed by an independent review and endorsement by a special advisory committee from South Dakota hospitals, clinics and nursing homes. Oska Pulse is currently available over-the-counter at www.oskawellness.com, FSAstore.com, HSAstore.com and Amazon. It is also available through select healthcare facilities in South Dakota from doctors at Sanford Health and others; the SDAHO partnership will improve upon doctor availability. To learn more about Oska Pulse, please visit www.oskawellness.com. To learn more about SDAHO and its Endorsed Business Partners, please visit www.sdaho.org. About Oska Wellness Co-founded in 2015 by Greg Houlgate, Oska Wellness is a pioneer of technology-driven wellness solutions that help people live more active lives with less pain. The brand's cornerstone product, the MedTech award winning Oska Pulse, is a revolutionary drug-free pain relief device that is clinically proven to reduce inflammation, increase circulation, improve mobility and relieve pain. Oska Pulse utilizes Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) technology, which is commonly used in doctors' offices and clinically proven to work at the source of pain by accelerating the body's ability to repair injured cells and increasing blood flow. Unlike many other pain intervention therapies, Oska Pulse has no known side effects, is non-invasive, lightweight, portable, shareable, and provides safe, effective and affordable access to pain relief all without medication. Oska Pulse can be purchased online at www.oskawellness.com, FSAstore.com, HSAstore.com and Amazon. To learn more about Oska Wellness, visit www.oskawellness.com. About SDAHO South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) is the statewide professional trade association representing and serving health care organizations across South Dakota. The association is a not-for-profit organization representing a diverse range of membership, spanning various types of institutional ownership, geographic location, size and complexities of service. Members include hospitals, health care systems, nursing facilities, home health agencies, assisted living centers and hospice organizations. To learn more about SDAHO, please visit www.sdaho.org. Contact: Lynsey Winters Rachel Kay Public Relations 858-243-4761 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/health-tech-company-oska-wellness-announces-partnership-with-south-dakota-association-of-healthcare-organizations-300854005.html SOURCE Oska Wellness [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] New Projects, Partnerships and Startups Featured at Venture13 Innovation Centre One-Year Anniversary Celebration The Venture13 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre's (Venture13) Board of Partners are celebrating its one-year anniversary in Cobourg, Ontario, today and sharing news with the community about three landmark projects that will help drive the centre's growth and development through 2019 and beyond. 1. VentureKids TECHimmersiveE Program A first of its kind in Canada, the new VentureKids TECHimmersivE program supports rural youth aged 15-18 years old who have vocational aspirations in technology or entrepreneurship. The purpose of the program is to help close the digital skills and opportunity gap for rural youth and to promote rural-urban connectivity. Led by VentureKids Canada and powered by Northeastern University Toronto and Venture13, youth from Northumberland County will travel to Toronto over three separate days in the summer (all expenses paid) to visit the corporate headquarters of major technology companies like Microsoft (News - Alert) Canada Inc. Youth will meet with business leaders and take part in onsite experiential learning including coding and web development. Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini expressed his support of the program and spoke of his visit in 2018 where he had introduced Northeastern University (News - Alert) Toronto to the Venture13 Board of Partners. For more information on the VentureKids TECHimmersivE program visit venture13.ca. 2. Microfactory Co-operative Inc. Another Canadian first, and hot on the heels of the Government of Canada's M-100 consultations which highlighted the national economic significance and innovation-orientation of co-operatives, the Microfactory Co-operative Inc. launched at Venture13 with seed funding and support from Northumberland CFDC and FedDev Ontario. The Microfactory Co-operative consists of an alliance of hardware startups dedicated to providing small-scale custom manufacturing, rapid prototyping and design services for entrepreneurs and innovators. The co-operative provides a structure for startups by leveraging collective talent, sharing resources and advanced equipment in order to help bring concepts to reality. Working out of the Venture13 MakerLab, current projects include a partnership with CrossWing and the Cobourg Police Service to develop robotics applications in an on-site customer demonstration project. For more information about the Microfactory Co-operative Inc. visit microfactorycoop.com. 3. Government of Canada Innovation Funding The Government of Canada is providing an additional $4.5 million to the Northumberland CFDC under the Rural Innovation Initiative-Eastern Ontario project to fund both local and regional innovation initiatives. Northumberland CFDC will launch two project streams: one for local Northumberland County that will focus on transitioning SMEs and communities into the new rural economy. A second stream will support rural Eastern Ontario focusing on accelerating the growth of existing innovation-driven SMEs. As a follow-up to the February 27th, 2019 announcement from the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Canada's Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) and Minister responsible for FedDev Ontario, MP for Northumberland Peterborough-South Kim Rudd spoke about the importance of investment in innovation and the "Rural Renaissance". For more details and to learn how to apply visit financingandstrategy.com. Since opening its doors in May 2018, Venture13 now hosts 24 active companies in the VentureZone co-working space, has held over 292 events including AI in Manufacturing and Innovating in Customer Acquisition with Durham College's AI Hub, and has reported a 2018 economic impact of $2.4 million within Northumberland County. The one-year anniversary concluded with a special keynote address by Northumberland County native and VentureKids Founder and CEO Takara Small who illustrated the continuing momentum building across the innovation sector. With a full slate of upcoming summer programming by Northumberland Makers and many more exciting partner and community-led events, projects and partnerships on the horizon, Venture13 is strategically positioned to continue to strengthen the chain of innovation along Eastern Ontario's emerging technology corridor. Quotes "We celebrate both the important milestone of Venture13's one-year anniversary, as well as the Government of Canada's $4.5 million commitment to the Northumberland CFDC in funding both local and regional innovation initiatives. For the last three-and-a-half years I have spoken about the undeniable 'Rural Renaissance' that is taking place every day across Eastern Ontario. From advancements in 3D technologies, aviation technologies, surgical, plastics, and advance manufacturing, there are companies that are making world-class advancements right here in our own backyard. My sincere congratulations to both Venture13 and the Northumberland CFDC for leading the way in creating the jobs of tomorrow here today." - Kim Rudd, MP for Northumberland-Peterborough South "This innovative partnership between Venture13 Innovation Centre and Northeastern University will help develop the skill sets needed to develop the entrepreneurs of tomorrow. Venture13 Innovation Centre continues to promote economic growth and job opportunities in Northumberland. Through initiatives such as TECHimmersivE and the Microfactory Co-operative Inc., innovation and entrepreneurship in Northumberland County is stronger than ever." - David Piccini, MPP for Northumberland-Peterborough South "It's been an extraordinary year. Momentum (News - Alert) is clearly building in leveraging each partner's strengths and energies in building a welcoming hotspot for innovation. Innovation required for creation of good jobs and economic growth. We thank FedDev Ontario and the Government of Canada through MP Kim Rudd for their ongoing support and attention to such important economic drivers." - Wendy Curtis, Executive Director, Northumberland CFDC - Director, Venture13 Board of Partners "Venture13 from conception to implementation and now in one year has achieved significant milestones. As Mayor of the Town of Cobourg, we continue to champion and applaud the economic impact Venture13 has created within our community and outward within the region." - John Henderson, Mayor Town of Cobourg. "We are pleased to work with our partners in providing a policing "testbed" where entrepreneurs can continue to commercialize their discoveries. This allows the service to stay abreast of innovations that may help us increase the quality of our policing while remaining responsive to community needs and being fiscally responsible. It's a win-win." - Kai Liu, Chief of Police, Cobourg Police Service, Director-Venture 13 Board of Partners. About Venture13 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre Venture13 is an innovation and entrepreneurship centre that opened its doors in May of 2018 in Cobourg, Ontario, located just over an hour east of Toronto. The 30,000 square foot facility includes a VentureZone co-working space, 24/7 secure access, fibre connection, hardware MakerLab, solar microgrid , demo hall, in-house Angel sidecar fund and $250,000 biennial N100 Startup Competition. The Venture13 Board of Partners includes Northumberland CFDC, Town of Cobourg, Cobourg Police Services, Northumberland Manufacturers' Association and Northumberland Makers. For more information visit www.venture13.ca. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005055/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Vineti Announces New Regional Headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland SAN FRANCISCO, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vineti Inc., the leading software platform of record for personalized therapeutics, today announced the opening of new regional headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland, to support the expanding cell and gene therapy corridor on the East Coast. Vineti is growing rapidly alongside the thriving ecosystem of personalized therapeutics, said Vineti CEO Amy DuRoss. While weve always enjoyed supporting our East Coast clients, were now very excited to establish ourselves directly in the community, and further solidify our business leadership and connections in the personalized therapeutic ecosystem. More than 1,000 cell and gene therapy clinical trials are currently active globally, with a large concentration of personalized therapy development and manufacturing located in states such as Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Vinetis Personalized Therapy Management platform is already enabling several therapeutic pipelines in the region. Vinetis platform is the first commercially available, cloud-based software platform to safely and efficiently move patient-based personalized therapies through clinical development and into mainstream medicine at scale. "We're excited to see the continued growth of the advanced therapy sector in this region," said Morrie Ruffin, Managing Partner of Adjuvant Partners, and Co-Founder and Senior Advisor to the Washington D.C.-based Alliance for Regenerative Medicine. Ruffin noted that a range of industry leaders, including Kite Pharma, Lonza, Autolus Therapeutics, Paragon Bioservices , Lentigen/Miltenyi , and Orgenesis/Masthercell have established facilities in the Washington D.C region. "Alongside other recent announcements of new cell and gene therapy investment in the metro D.C area, this ongoing growth demonstrates our sector's overall forward momentum," Ruffin said. Vinetis Bethesda office will formally open its doors on May 21, 2019. This news follows other recent announcements such as Vinetis alliance with CareMetx, a technology-enabled hub and patient services provider. About Vineti, Inc. Vineti is the first commercial, configurable cloud-based platform to expand patient access to life-saving cell and gene therapies. Vineti was co-founded by GE and the Mayo Clinic to solve the key challenges patients, medical providers, biopharmaceutical companies and regulators face in the delivery and commercialization of individualized therapies. Now a fully independent company, Vineti offers a digital platform of record to integrate logistics, manufacturing and clinical data for personalized therapies. The Vineti software solution aligns and orchestrates the cell and gene therapy process and improve product performance overall, and supports the full continuum of patient-specific therapies, including cancer vaccines and autologous and allogeneic therapies. The platform can also be harnessed for drug products requiring companion diagnostics or REMS programs. Vineti is expanding rapidly, and its platform will be in use in hundreds of leading medical centers world-wide in 2019, on behalf of multiple biopharmaceutical partners. The company has offices in San Francisco, California; Bethesda, Maryland; and Yerevan, Armenia. For more information, please visit www.vineti.com. Media Contact Joseph Salerno Director, PR and Scientific Communications HDMZ, Inc. [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Limeade Presents 2019 Limelight Awards to Organizations Elevating the Employee Experience BELLEVUE, Wash., May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today employee experience software company Limeade announced the winners of its 2019 Limelight Awards. The annual customer awards recognize large employers elevating the employee experience and building great places to work. "Operationalizing culture, care and organizational support can feel daunting but I see it happening every day," said Lauren Chucko, Limeade VP of Customer Success. "This year's award winners are not only creating better places to work they're building bridges across departments to deliver a more seamless, relevant employee experience that shows employees their company cares. We're honored to play a role in the success of these great employers." The 2019 Limelight Awards feature six categories. The winners include: ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Wabash National & Berry Global Awarded for an outstanding first-year launch. Wabash National Industrial manufacturer Wabash National believes in a people-first culture but struggled to reach its dispersed workforce of 6,000+ employees at manufacturing locations throughout the United States . With Limeade Communications, employees now have a single, mobile location to access HR information, receive real-time alerts and hear directly from company leaders. In the first three weeks of a phased launch, more than 61% of employees at launch locations connected to the app. Industrial manufacturer Wabash National believes in a people-first culture but struggled to reach its dispersed workforce of 6,000+ employees at manufacturing locations throughout . With Limeade Communications, employees now have a single, mobile location to access HR information, receive real-time alerts and hear directly from company leaders. In the first three weeks of a phased launch, more than 61% of employees at launch locations connected to the app. Berry Global This Fortune 500 manufacturer is investing in whole-person well-being to support their focus on hiring and retaining top talent, job-site safety and diversity and inclusion in the workplace. In less than a year, by promoting programs through the Limeade platform, company resource utilization has increased, and employees now have another site to help them feel more supported and connected. BRINGING CULTURE TO LIFE: Brunswick Corpoation Awarded for strong representation of company culture within the Limeade platform. Struggling to engage both corporate and line employees around the country, Brunswick wanted to connect their people and boost employee engagement driven by culture. Together with Limeade, they replaced a traditional wellness program with one that conveys a sense of care, accounts for shift-based schedules, activates manager support and brings company values to life from sustainability, to community service to jobsite safety. In Brunswick's largest manufacturing facility, employee engagement is up 8% a potential revenue impact of $2.1 million at a single location. COMMUNICATING WITHOUT BOUNDARIES: Fortune Brands Effective use of Limeade to communicate to employees everywhere. When Hurricane Florence hit in Fall of 2018 and email was not accessible to most of its employees in North Carolina, Fortune Brands used Limeade to account for their employees and ensure they had the resources needed to stay safe and secure. It's just one example of how Fortune Brands transformed its ability to reach deskless workers, phased out its antiquated intranet system and connected every employee with timely and relevant information wherever and whenever they need it. CHANGEMAKER AWARD: ABB Awarded for a strategic, dynamic shift in employee engagement and culture. Leadership support, a robust champion network and manager enablement all contributed to an increase in employee engagement of 3.5% in 2018 alone. Integral to ABB's success was building bridges across the organization, most recently via an analysis connecting well-being to safety goals. Tenacity, hard work and optimism in times of transition are what make ABB a team of changemakers. HALL OF FAME: Montana University System (MUS) Awarded for effectively evolving the Limeade program over four or more years. Supporting a network of 14 universities and colleges across the state of Montana, MUS cares for employees as individuals and has delivered a relevant, personalized whole-person well-being program that represents the parent brand while empowering individual sub-cultures. Constantly adopting new Limeade platform capabilities, MUS has expanded the scope of its program to connect well-being to engagement, inclusion and deliver a more cohesive employee experience across the state. Please visit Limeade.com to view Limelight Award Winners from 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. About Limeade Limeade is a software company that elevates the employee experience and helps build great places to work. Limeade ONE brings together employee well-being, engagement, inclusion and communications solutions in a mobile-first experience. Recognized for its own award-winning culture, Limeade helps every employee know their company cares. To learn more, visit www.limeade.com. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/limeade-presents-2019-limelight-awards-to-organizations-elevating-the-employee-experience-300853942.html SOURCE Limeade [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] New research dispels myth that legacy companies must sacrifice their best practices and values to achieve digital transformation CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Research shows that companies can successfully achieve digital transformation without sacrificing their core values or exposing themselves to the less desirable elements of Silicon Valley startups. In their new article "Building Digital-Ready Culture in Traditional Organizations" (MIT Sloan Management Review), MIT Sloan School of Management's George Westerman and Deborah L. Soule and Microsoft corporate vice president Anand Eswaran argue that traditional businesses and legacy companies are at a pivotal momentone that demands agility, innovation, and most important, a large culture shift. The authors provide a framework that helps corporate leaders navigate that shift and embrace the most useful aspects of digital culture in a way that won't alienate their best employees or wreck best practices. "Developing a digital-ready culture does not mean doing away with all that is good in a traditional company's culture. Instead, it's a matter of communicating the desired values and then introducing some new practices while fine-tuning others," the authors write. The authors draw on a survey of executives and senior employees in more than 500 digital and in-transition companies, dozens of interviews, an extensive review of management literature, and numerous company cases to identify the four key values of digital culture: impact, speed, openness, and autonomy. They write that organizations hoping to achieve digital transformation must adopt or refine a set of digital-ready practices grounded in these values, which will shape employee actions and organizational performance. The authors emphasize that some traditional values for instance, integrity and stability are to be prized. They hold up Silicon Valley giants Amazon and Google as cases in point. Having experienced fallout from their high-pressure, inflexible work environments in their early days, these born-digital companies are now striving to build more balanced and inclusive cultures. "Striving fr integrity and stability in a company's culture does not hurt self-reported measures of innovation, profitability, and customer satisfaction," they write. "That's good news for traditional companies, maturing digital companies, and millennial workers who now care as much about growing families and communities as they do about growing businesses." Instead of ditching all past practices, traditional companies should try to create a digital culture that also retains the best of their legacy. The authors highlight three principles for making this happen: Build the practices that set digital companies apart. Traditional businesses must try to cultivate habits of rapid experimentation and self-organization within a framework of data-driven decision-making, even though these practices may feel alien to companies whose structures, values, and governance rules were designed for cautious stability. Traditional businesses must try to cultivate habits of rapid experimentation and self-organization within a framework of data-driven decision-making, even though these practices may feel alien to companies whose structures, values, and governance rules were designed for cautious stability. Preserve practices that promote integrity and stability. Companies managing for integrity and stability report performance that is neither better nor worse than that of companies that do not. Yet the negative outcomes of omitting these practices have become apparent in many digital-native companies. Companies managing for integrity and stability report performance that is neither better nor worse than that of companies that do not. Yet the negative outcomes of omitting these practices have become apparent in many digital-native companies. Reorient important practices that are still optimized for the pre-digital world. The speed and interconnectedness of the digital world demands a new orientation to customers, results, and rules. Wherever possible, strict rules and controls must give way to broader guidelines and transparent monitoring. The authors acknowledge that changing cultures is never easy and can be overwhelming. They identify steps for leaders to begin to grow strong cultural roots for a digital transformation, including: Reframe the vision around radical impact to instill a sense of purpose. Visibly promote new values and practices and walk the walk. Be selective in choosing where to start. Give people the chance to make an impact through manageable but meaningful contributions. Look to IT (where possible) for models of rapid experimentation and self-organizing. By adopting this framework for navigating digital transformation while maintaining integrity, stability, core values, and best practices, traditional companies can remain competitive and thrive in the marketplace. "Digital entrants are fast, but they rarely have the size and entrenched power of traditional companies," the authors write. "Combining a traditional company's assets and competencies with a digital-ready culture can be a winning formula for competing with fast-moving digital entrants in any industry." To read the full article, please visit: MIT Sloan Management Review. About the authors: George Westerman (@gwesterman) is a senior lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management and faculty director of workforce learning at MIT's Abdul Latif Jameel World Education Lab. Deborah L. Soule is a research consultant at the MIT Sloan School of Management. Anand Eswaran is corporate vice president, enterprise, at Microsoft Corp. About MIT Sloan Management Review A media company based at the MIT Sloan School of Management, MIT Sloan Management Review's mission is to lead the conversation among research scholars, business executives, and other thought leaders about advances in management practice, especially those shaped by technology, that are transforming how people lead and innovate. MIT Sloan Management Review captures for thoughtful managers the creativity, excitement, and opportunity generated by rapid organizational, technological, and societal change. Contact Emily Lavelle Emily Lavelle Communications +1-212-390-1328 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-research-dispels-myth-that-legacy-companies-must-sacrifice-their-best-practices-and-values-to-achieve-digital-transformation-300853496.html SOURCE MIT Sloan Management Review [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] ECG & Woyshner Services announce Remote Equipment Health Monitoring Service Partnership AKRON, Ohio, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Engineering Consultants Group, Inc. (ECG, www.ecg-inc.com) and Woyshner Services Inc. (WSC, https://www.wscinc.biz/) today announced a new partnership for providing advanced remote equipment health monitoring to power generation and heavy industrial customers. This partnership combines ECG's Predict-It predictive analytics solution with WSC's Equipment Reliability experts and business processes to provide a premium tier of remote equipment health monitoring. The Remote Monitoring will focus on real time equipment health and advanced health scorecards that link business plan goals with needed business plan investments. ECG's President Michael Santucci stated, "ECG and WSC are excited to announce we have signed our first customer for this advanced remote monitoring service and look forward to providing this service to many other clients." WSC's President, Bill Woyshner, expressed his thoughts "Our partnership with ECG will enable WSC to deliver even better Equipment Reliability Services for our clients and guide client leadership to actions that will make step changes in their fleet's operating performance, profitability and cost control adherence." Additional information on the remote monitoring service can be found here: ECG Website: www.ecg-inc.com/News WSC Website: www.wscinc.biz/News About WSC WSC Inc. provides consulting services for utility & large industrial clients. WSC's approach is to focus on performance improvement in Equipment Reliability (ER) and Asset Management (AM). WSC Inc. utilizes extensive management consulting experience coupled with a series of consulting service offerings to support customers with all phases of Equipment Reliability and Asset Management program improvements. WSC team members include ER and AM process experts, component experts, and system engineers. Website: www.wscinc.biz About ECG ECG is an innovative software firm that develops advanced applications for the OSIsoft User Community. ECG's software solutions improve plant process and decision-making throughout all levels of the customer's operations by leveraging event notification, mobile data visualization, streamlined predictive analytics, and advanced Bayesian Network based asset diagnostic capabilities. For over 25 years, ECG has professionally served our diverse OSI PI User base across most heavy industries. ECG has the skills to build custom solutions for customers seeking to gain a competitive advantage and lead their market segment through use of their OSIsoft PI system. Website: www.ecg-inc.com Contact Information: ECG, Inc. Woyshner Services Inc. 3394 W. Market Street 6322 Palma del Mar Blvd. S. #408 Akron, Ohio 44333 St. Petersburg, FL 33715 Office: 330-869-9949 Office: 856-608-0299 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ecg--woyshner-services-announce-remote-equipment-health-monitoring-service-partnership-300854035.html SOURCE ECG, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Geneva Community Power Announces Enrollment Deadline in Order to Secure Matching Funds for Storm Water Control Projects KATONAH, N.Y., May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Geneva Community Power announced that four hundred subscribers must be enrolled in the community solar program by June 26th in order to meet application deadlines for New York State matching funds intended to fund storm water control projects benefiting Seneca Lake. Geneva Community Power, a local solar program launched by the Town of Geneva and Joule Community Power, will award Geneva a $25,000 sustainability grant once program enrollment reaches four hundred. On April 30th, the Town of Geneva announced its intention to use the $25,000 grant to undertake a storm water control project that will benefit Seneca Lake. "The grant money can potentially be quadrupled," explained Ontario County Water Resource Technician Katie Cappiello. "The Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) program is a competitive reimbursement grant program through New York State that funds projects to address water quality concerns like those we're seeing in the Seneca Lake Watershed. It's a great opportunity for the Town and the watershed because this grant allows the Town of Geneva to really maximize their funds. WQIP requires a minimum local match of 25%, meaning that the $25,000 grant award from Geneva Community Power can be used to apply for $75,000 from the State for a total project budget of $100,000." Mark Venuti, Supervisor for the Town of Geneva urges NYSEG customers in communities surrounding Seneca Lake to sign up for Geneva Community Power now. "To meet the WQIP program's application deadline for quality projects, we need to ensure that 400 people enroll in the community solar program. We can't apply for any matching funds without the $25,000, and w won't receive those funds until enrollment targets are met. If we don't meet the June deadline, we'll have to wait a year before we can apply for the State match. If you're considering joining the solar program, please enroll now. If you haven't considered it yet, please think about it now. By joining this program, subscribers can expect to save about 10% on electricity annually for up to 25 years, the Town of Geneva will be able to sponsor a potentially $100,000 watershed project (or several projects) to benefit Seneca Lake, and we can reduce our carbon footprint by supporting renewable energy generation. Participants can withdraw from the program at any time without penalty." The Geneva Community Power renewable energy program is not just for Geneva residents. Any NYSEG residential and small business customer is eligible to enroll in the program to take advantage of electricity savings. Watershed project specifics, including location, will be announced soon. About Geneva Community Power Geneva Community Power is a local renewable energy program serving residents and businesses in the New York Finger Lakes region. The Town of Geneva and Joule Community Power have partnered to establish the program that allows subscribers to benefit from solar energy by spending less on electricity while supporting clean energy generation. For more information or to enroll, please visit www.GenevaCommunityPower.com. About Joule Community Power Joule Community Power (Joule) works with municipalities and local partners to empower communities and facilitate their goals of providing residents and businesses with cleaner and cheaper energy. Joule principals were responsible for implementing New York State's first Community Choice Aggregation Program (CCA)a program that enables communities to aggregate local energy demand in order to: 1) save moneygain leverage to procure less expensive electricity for residents and businesses, 2) make moneycreate new revenue opportunities by participating in energy markets, and 3) go greengain local control to opt for clean and renewable generation sources. Joule is the only company in New York State offering CCA administrative services with a Public Service Commission-approved implementation plan that integrates local renewable energy projects, and only Joule has the expertise, relationships, and experience to effectively design, implement, and manage such a program. Joule's innovative renewable energy strategy in New York is driving new regulation and encouraging the Public Service Commission to rapidly advance innovative solutions. Joule Community Power is a division of Joule Assets. Learn more at: www.JouleCommunity.com. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/geneva-community-power-announces-enrollment-deadline-in-order-to-secure-matching-funds-for-storm-water-control-projects-300853452.html SOURCE Joule Community Power [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Tyler Technologies Signs $20 Million SaaS Agreement with Bexar County, Texas Tyler Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: TYL) announced today that it has signed a five-year, $20 million agreement with Bexar County, Texas, for several modules of its Odyssey solution, including Odyssey Case Manager, Odyssey Attorney Manager, Odyssey Financial Manager, Odyssey Judge Edition, Odyssey Clerk Edition, and Odyssey Jury, along with Tyler Corrections, Tyler Supervision, and SoftCode civil process solutions. This agreement represents Tyler's largest software-as-a-service (SaaS (News - Alert)) contract to date. After looking for a partner it could work with for the long term, Bexar County selected Tyler to provide a single solution, which will be beneficial in creating efficiencies between various departments and agencies. Bexar County selected Tyler's cloud-based SaaS platform to eliminate infrastructure and related costs. Tyler's solutions allow the county to transition from paper case files to papeless ones, saving the time spent locating the case files, filing new documents, and moving files between the clerk offices and courtrooms. Tyler's solutions will help automate Texas state reporting and integrate with the state's electronic filing system, Tyler's eFileTexas solution. "We're honored to be selected to bring an integrated, SaaS platform to Bexar County's courts and jail systems," said Bruce Graham, president of Tyler's Courts & Justice Division. "Bexar County is taking a proven, tested approach in selecting solutions that allow their staff to share information and provide a greater level of collaboration, between the court, jail, prosecuting attorney, juvenile probation, and civil service offices." Bexar County is the 17th most populous county in the nation and the fourth most populated in Texas. Its county seat is San Antonio, which is the seventh largest city in the United States. About Tyler Technologies (News - Alert), Inc. Tyler Technologies (NYSE: TYL) is the largest and most established provider of integrated software and technology services focused on the public sector. Tyler's end-to-end solutions empower local, state, and federal government entities to operate more efficiently and connect more transparently with their constituents and with each other. By connecting data and processes across disparate systems, Tyler's solutions are transforming how clients gain actionable insights that solve problems in their communities. Tyler has more than 21,000 successful installations across 10,000 sites, with clients in all 50 states, Canada, the Caribbean, Australia, and other international locations. A financially strong company, Tyler has achieved double-digit revenue growth every quarter since 2012. It was also named to Forbes' "Best Midsize Employers" list in 2018 and recognized twice on its "Most Innovative Growth Companies" list. More information about Tyler Technologies, headquartered in Plano, Texas, can be found at tylertech.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005089/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Nunavut residents to benefit from improved green energy and wastewater infrastructure IQALUIT, May 21, 2019 /CNW/ - Investing in local green infrastructure projects that support energy security and wastewater management helps grow the economy and improve the quality of life for those living and working in the North. Today, the Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Rural Economic Development and the Honourable David Akeeagok, Deputy Premier of Nunavut, announced funding for four infrastructure projects in Nunavut. The first two projects will see the replacement of seven diesel power generators in six communities: Rankin Inlet, Coral Harbour, Chesterfield Inlet, Pond Inlet, Clyde River and Whale Cove. These projects will improve energy efficiency and reliability while increasing the overall energy production capacity. The third project consists of building a renewable solar energy and storage system that will be connected to the power plant in Kugluktuk. This project, the first hybrid solar/diesel power plant managed by the Qulliq Energy Corporation in Nunavut, will be used to demonstrate the viability and performance of this hybrid technology in an Arctic climate. It will also provide an alternative source of energy for the community, which currently relies on diesel-powered generators. The fourth project will rehabilitate the sewage lagoon in Kugaaruk in order to increase the existing capacity to treat and manage wastewater. The project includes the construction of a temporary wastewater management system that will be used to remove content from the current lagoon to ensure proper cleaning and preparation for full construction. As a result, residents will have more reliable wastewater treatment services. The Government of Canada is investing more than $18.6 million in three green energy projects through the Arctic Energy Fund and in one project under the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. The Government Nunavut is contributing over $1.6 million for the wastewater project while Qulliq Energy Corporation is contributing more than $7.6 million in the energy projects. Quotes "Modern public infrastructure is key to supporting the unique needs of northern communities. Investing in green energy and wastewater projects in Nunavut communities provides residents with more reliable services, protects the environment and supports local economic growth. These investments go hand in hand with improving job opportunities, family income and the quality of life for those living and working in the North." The Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Rural Economic Development "Nunavut welcomes this important federal funding to help fill critical gaps in our territory's infrastructure. Investments in the community energy and wastewater treatment projects announced today will help make Nunavut a cleaner and safer place to live and work. The Government of Nunavut looks forward to working with our federal partners to implement these important projects that will certainly contribute to the overall well-being of Nunavummiut." The Honourable David Akeeagok, Deputy Premier of Nunavut Quick facts Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities. infrastructure plan, the Government of is investing more than over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and rural and northern communities. $2 billion of this funding is supporting infrastructure projects that meet the unique needs of rural and northern communities like facilities to support food security, local access roads and enhanced broadband connectivity. In addition, $400 million is being delivered through the Arctic Energy Fund to advance energy security in the territories. is being delivered through the Arctic Energy Fund to advance energy security in the territories. $4 billion of this funding is supporting infrastructure projects in Indigenous communities. Budget 2019, Investing in the Middle Class , is the government's plan to create more good well-paying jobs, put homeownership within reach of more Canadians, help working people get the training they need to succeed, support seniors, and lay the foundation for national pharmacare. , is the government's plan to create more good well-paying jobs, put homeownership within reach of more Canadians, help working people get the training they need to succeed, support seniors, and lay the foundation for national pharmacare. Announcements in Budget 2019 build on the Government's Investing in Canada plan. plan. With many municipalities across Canada facing serious infrastructure deficits, Budget 2019 proposes a one-time transfer of $2.2 billion through the federal Gas Tax Fund to address short-term priorities in municipalities and First Nations communities. Related product Backgrounder Nunavut residents to benefit from improved green energy and wastewater infrastructure Joint federal and territorial funding through the Arctic Energy Fund (AEF), and the Green Infrastructure Stream (GIS) Wastewater of the Investing in Canada plan will support infrastructure projects in various communities across Nunavut. The Government of Canada is investing over $18.6 million total towards these four projects. The Government of Nunavut is contributing over $1.6 million for a wastewater project. Qulliq Energy Corporation (QEC) is providing more than $7.2 million for three green energy projects. Project Information Green Infrastructure Stream (GIS) Wastewater: Location Project Name Federal Funding Territorial Funding Kugaaruk Upgrades to a sewage lagoon $5,055,000 $1,685,000 Project Information Arctic Energy Fund (AEF): Location Project Name Federal Funding Qulliq Energy Corporation Rankin Inlet, Coral Harbour, Chesterfield Inlet, Pond Inlet Power Plant Infrastructure Upgrades to improve energy efficiency and reliability $6,193,500 $2,464,500 Pond Inlet, Clyde River, Whale Cove Power Plant Infrastructure Upgrades to improve energy efficiency and reliability $4,425,000 $1,775,000 Kugluktuk Renewable Solar Energy and Storage System Installation $2,958,200 $3,380,800 Associated links Investing in Canada Plan Project Map: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map Federal infrastructure investments in Nunavut: https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/investments-2002-investissements/nu-eng.html Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html Budget 2019: https://www.budget.gc.ca/2019/home-accueil-en.html Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram Web: Infrastructure Canada SOURCE Infrastructure Canada [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] UnitedHealthcare Awards $1 Million Grant to Jordan Valley Community Health Center to Expand Use of Community Health Workers UnitedHealthcare, a UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) company, has awarded a $1 million grant to Jordan Valley Community Health Center (JVCHC) to help the nonprofit expand its community health worker program. Last year, UnitedHealthcare provided $1.5 million to JVCHC, which enabled the health care center to reach over 10,000 patients by adding 15 new community health workers and expanding services. The community health workers connect Missourians in need to critical resources such as food, housing and transportation, and provide one-on-one health screenings and preventive-care services. The team also helps individuals and families apply for and use health benefits, schedule doctor appointments, manage medications, and provide personal support to set and reach goals that can improve their long-term health. "We are very grateful to have received this additional grant from UnitedHealthcare to grow our community health worker program and offer needed services to more people in our community," said Brooks Miller, CEO of Jordan Valley Community Health Center. "The personal connection our community health workers have with the people they serve establishes a caring and trusting environment at Jordan Valley Community Health Center. This grant enables us to build on that foundation and continue improving our community's health through access and relationships." The grant was made possible through UnitedHealthcare's Empowering Health program, a national initiative to improve the health of underserved people in local communities through greater investments in social-support programs. Nearly 80 ercent1 of what influences a person's health relates to nonmedical issues. Yet the health care system today directs much of its resources to treating illnesses rather than addressing these underlying social needs - which ultimately creates the need for more medical care. "We believe health care must expand beyond clinical care and treat the whole person by addressing each individual's unique social needs, such as food security, access to transportation, and safe and affordable housing," said Jamie Bruce, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Missouri. "Empowering Health will accelerate the work and resources necessary to improve the health of many people in this area, especially those with complex health and social service needs." About Jordan Valley Community Health Center Jordan Valley Community Health Center is a federally qualified health center in Southwest Missouri, with a mission to improving the community's health through access and relationships, committed to providing quality medical, dental, vision and behavioral health services at nine clinic locations. About UnitedHealthcare UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and making the health system work better for everyone by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. In the United States, UnitedHealthcare offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 1.3 million physicians and care professionals, and 6,000 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. The company also provides health benefits and delivers care to people through owned and operated health care facilities in South America. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified health care company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at www.uhc.com or follow @UHC on Twitter (News - Alert). 1Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's County Health Rankings Model, 2014. Click here to subscribe to Mobile Alerts for UnitedHealth Group. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005106/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Motorola Solutions Provides Allegheny County with New Mission Critical Public Safety Solutions Motorola (News - Alert) Solutions (NYSE:MSI) announced its implementation of APX Project 25 (P25) two-way radios into the Maryland FiRST Radio System for Allegheny County. Used by law enforcement, fire departments and emergency medical services (EMS), the radios provide seamless communication across agencies and state borders. For 20 years, Allegany County has used Motorola Solutions for mission critical communications. "Communications is vital in everything we do from a simple control check to a major incident," said Captain Chuck Ternent, Cumberland Police, Allegheny County, MD. "It's great to now be able to pick up your microphone and get a clear message through." The entire Maryland FiRST System is using Motorola Solutions' routing systems, customer premise equipment and now APX two-way radios to serve the county's population of more than 70,000. "Cross-agency communications is very important," said Steve Shipley, Chief of Emergency Management, Allegheny County, Maryland. "With Motorola Solutions' multi-band P25 radios, our officers use one rado to communicate with any law enforcement agencies. This makes a response to a large scale incident that much more seamless; officers don't have to carry multiple radios to communicate with different agencies." "By joining the Maryland FiRST mission-critical radio system, Allegheny County experienced immediate benefits including enhanced coverage and interoperability with first responders across the state," said Mike Leonard, Mid-Atlantic Territory Vice-President at Motorola Solutions. "Motorola Solutions is honored to work with the county to provide solutions first responders need to help keep people safe." On May 17th, Motorola Solutions Inc. hosted a celebratory event for the county's public safety responders, agency officials and local representatives. About Motorola Solutions Motorola Solutions is a global leader in mission-critical communications. Our technology platforms in communications, command center software, video and services make cities safer and help communities and businesses thrive. At Motorola Solutions, we are ushering in a new era in public safety and security. Learn more at www.motorolasolutions.com. MOTOROLA, MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS and the Stylized M Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Motorola Trademark Holdings, LLC and are used under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 2019 Motorola Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005308/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] BLUE BELL Twenty-three cadets graduated from Montgomery County Community Colleges Municipal Police Academy on Dec. 14 during a ceremony held at the Colleges Health Sciences Center at the Blue Bell Campus. Friends and family members joined in the celebration,... [May 21, 2019] VacationRenter Hits Exponential Growth and Plans International Expansion SAN FRANCISCO, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- VacationRenter, a company that aggregates the best vacation rentals from top sites to help travelers find the perfect place to stay, is announcing explosive growth and plans to expand internationally. The startup, which announced a $100 million gross booking value run rate last May, expects to book over $600 million this year. The company recently surpassed 50,000 bookings per month. VacationRenter's growth is a reflection of making the time-consuming, rental search process easier and seamless for travelers. Using automation and AI, VacationRenter pulls the best available options from the top vacation rental sites and showcases only the best results. It also offers resources such as travel guides, price trends, rental options, nearby attractions and proprietary reports to help travelers plan the best trip for the best value. The company, focused on being the best place to find a vacation rental, will now take its mission global. Over the coming months, the startup will begin rolling out features such as localizing content, bringing on new partners and adding new currencies. In its first year, VacationRenter has built an experienced team an successfully attracted top talent like Marco del Rosario, who spent five and a half years at Google focused on travel partnerships and products. At VacationRenter, del Rosario led product, marketing and partnerships as Head of Growth in his first eight months before stepping in as COO last month. "Vacation rentals are a fantastic option for travelers, but it's hard to find the perfect one," said del Rosario. "Our growth to date is a testament to the service we provide travelers, and we look forward to expanding and making VacationRenter more accessible to international travelers over the next year." The growth in the past year positions VacationRenter to look toward the future one that includes bringing on additional executive leadership, expanding the team, and continuing to build smarter ways for travelers to find their perfect rentals through automation and AI. VacationRenter was built inside Wilbur Labs, a San Francisco-based startup studio that announced $3M in financing for VacationRenter last year. "Automation is changing how companies can help consumers and how fast companies can scale," said Wilbur Labs co-founder David Kolodny. "VacationRenter is a great example of that, and we're excited to double down on our investment as the company enters a new phase of growth with an independent team that has deep travel expertise." For more information, visit www.vacationrenter.com. About VacationRenter VacationRenter brings all the rental options from leading travel sites together in one place and showcases only the best results, eliminating the need to spend hours searching and scrolling. VacationRenter was born inside Wilbur Labs, a San Francisco-based startup studio, and uses automation to help travelers find the perfect vacation rental. For more information, visit www.vacationrenter.com. About Wilbur Labs Wilbur Labs is a San Francisco-based startup studio building a portfolio of companies at the intersection of marketing and technology. Wilbur Labs is founded by a team of ex-Googlers who believe growth should be driven by data and automation. For more information, visit www.wilburlabs.com. Media Contact Alexea Candreva SSPR [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vacationrenter-hits-exponential-growth-and-plans-international-expansion-300852663.html SOURCE VacationRenter [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] VIPPOOL clerk and VIPPOOL storage Released as Open-Source Software to Facilitate the Development of Systems Using Blockchain Technology VIPPOOL Inc. (head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Yuki Kojima) hereby announces the open-source release of VIPPOOL clerk-software for developing systems using blockchain technology-and VIPPOOL storage, a Python library designed to make the software easy to use. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005483/en/ Block diagram of VIPPOOL clerk and VIPPOOL storage (Graphic: Business Wire) With VIPPOOL clerk, a server-side application independently developed by our company, anyone can easily read from or write data to blockchains even without specialized knowledge of this technology. This software, which runs on the Google (News - Alert) App Engine platform, enables transaction, balance, and other information related to blockchains to be obtained quickly and in a scalable manner by preprocessing blockchain data. The software also features the ability to create a new transaction without having to send the private key to the server thanks to performing the electronic signature on the client side. Furthermore, "VIPPOOL clerk" runs in "VIPPOOL," the mining pool for Monacoin operated by our company and boasting the world's largest hash rate, and thus can be connected to the previously released API without any setup hassle. Finally, as it has been released as open source software, it can be easily reworked for other blockchains. VIPPOOL storage is a Python library that makes the already intuitive VIPPOOL clerk even easier to use. All it takes is implementing a few lines of code to obtain various types of information on Monacoin and its testnets, remit currency, or read or write data. Here "data" is a string recorded in the blockchain: it cannot be realistically tampered with, in the same way as remittance information in encrypted assets. VIPPOOL clerk is a server-side application that provides functions as a normal web API, but can also be accessed even more easily using VIPPOOL storage. As just one example, using the functions of VIPPOOL clerk and VIPPOOL storage makes it possible to develop a cryptocurrency balance calculation system (for tax returns, etc.) without any specialized blockchain knowledge. VIPPOOL clerk and VIPPOOL storage are available on GitHub. VIPPOOL clerk project (Japanese): https://github.com/vippool/clerk For more information (English): https://github.com/vippool/clerk/blob/master/README.en.md VIPPOOL storage project (Japanese): https://github.com/vippool/storage For more information (English): https://github.com/vippool/storage/blob/master/README.en.md "VIPPOOL storage" usage example The blockchain can be accessed with just a few lines of code vs = vippool_storage( privKey ) print vs.balance() This example shows how to obtain the current balance for the coin address corresponding to the specified private key. Remittance is also easy. vs = vippool_storage( privKey ) print vs.send( 'mt5xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx', 1.0, 0.01 ) This example shows how to remit 1.0 Monas for a fee of 0.01 Monas. It's also easy to read from or write data to the blockchain, as shown below. *This example writes the arbitrary string ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ* vs = vippool_storage( privKey ) txid = vs.write( 'ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ', 0.01 ) print vs.read( txid ) All you have to do is type "write" or "read" to perform the corresponding action. In addition to proposing PoCs (proofs of concept) to customers who use this software, our company plans to link the software to the private-key management hardware we intend to sell in the near future. By releasing this software, VIPPOOL Inc. hopes to establish an infrastructure that leads to new ways to use Monacoin and other blockchain systems, thereby contributing to the further spread and development of Monacoin and blockchain technology. VIPPOOL Inc. Our company was established in July 2018 as a wholly owned subsidiary of the R&D fabless semiconductor manufacturer AXELL Corporation (First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange: 6730). We conduct blockchain business by taking advantage of AXELL's experience with encryption-related implementation technology, hardware design capabilities, and software development strength. We are striving to create a world where blockchain technology can be used securely, with peace of mind and conveniently, and thus we propose mining pools and infrastructure services, as well as other applications of these technologies. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Company names and products listed in this press release are the registered trademarks or trademarks of VIPPOOL, Inc. or their respective companies. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005483/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Steven Weinstein appointed Managing Partner of Riemer & Braunstein Steven Weinstein, a member of the Executive Committee of Riemer & Braunstein and the chair of the firm's real estate finance practice area, has been appointed as the firm's managing partner and chair of the firm's Executive Committee. Weinstein will succeed Stanley Riemer, 72, who has been the managing partner for over 40 years, during which time the firm has become a national leader in the representation of financial institutions in real estate and commercial finance with six offices nationwide. The change in management is part of a planned transition by the firm and Stanley Riemer. Riemer will maintain his relationship with the firm, working with Weinstein and the other partners, until his retirement later this year. "Stanley retires with Riemer & Braunstein positioned as a leader in banking, real estate and finance law," said Weinstein. "My hope is to work with our Executive Committee consisting f some of our key younger partners to continue our long term success. We have plans to expand geographically to continue to provide broad based representation for our clients, including many of the nation's top-tier financial institutions, making the firm a national leader in this practice area," Weinstein added. The firm intends to continue its recent, significant growth in the real estate development and real estate and commercial finance practice areas. Weinstein, working with the Executive Committee of Richard Lefkowitz, Kevin Murtagh, Kevin Lyons, Matthew Nash and Dennis McKenna, has already been playing a key role in those areas as he most recently oversaw the staffing and opening of the firm's new Miami office. That office joins offices in Boston, New York, Chicago, New Jersey and Burlington, MA. About Riemer & Braunstein LLP Riemer & Braunstein LLP was established in Boston in 1933. It expanded to New York City in 2004, to Chicago in 2006, and to Miami in 2019. The firm is best known for its commercial finance practice, most prominently including real estate finance, commercial lending, and loan restructuring. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005681/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Mexican Based Software Development Company, Dextra, Joins Accelerance Partner Network CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Accelerance, a US-based firm that promotes the creation and execution of effective strategies for global software engineering, recognizes Dextra of Monterrey, Mexico as a Certified Partner within the Accelerance partner ecosystem. Dextra now joins the 3% of top rated software development companies worldwide known as the Accelerance Global Network . Each Certified Partner in the Accelerance Global Network is investigated across over 500 business and technology criteria that indicate proven software outsourcing readiness for Western markets. The certification process culminates with an on-site visit to the Dextra headquarters in Monterrey for a final verification of facilities, team members and security measures. Dextra Technologies is a software consulting firm dedicated to designing, building and verifying software solutions since 1997. Dextra excels in the following services: Enterprise, Engineering, and in these industries: Retail, Automotive, Semiconductor, Financial, HighTech and Telecommunications . All Dextra team members are talented professionals in Integration, Development, Testing of Web and Mobile Applications, Embedded Software, Multimedia, Automotive, and Connectivity. Accelerance Badge Program Provides In-Depth Details About Dextra Accelerance published all of their findings in the Dextra Partner Showcase - a groundbreaking resource for companies looking to outsource software development. The showcase provides company reviews and interviews with key company leaders on topics such as: custom software development capabilities, processes, and company reviews. Dextra is a software factory that operates across North America and offers an exceptionally talented team that is focused on customer and development success. This is achieved through their nearshore delivery model and effective methodologies, and their close cultural, geographic and business proximity to that of their US and UK Clients. "Dextra provides high quality technical services and talented development teams so Accelerance trusts that they will provide commitment and dedication to your software development outsourcing project," said Ryan Schauer, Partner Success Manager at Accelerance , after his latest visit to Dextra headquarters. About Accelerance, Inc. Accelerance provides professional guidance for planning, sourcing and managing global software teams. By working with Accelerance, clients tap into domestic software development leadership and the largest network of proven software outsourcing companies in the world. CONTACT: Marketing Department: [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mexican-based-software-development-company-dextra-joins-accelerance-partner-network-300854192.html SOURCE Accelerance [May 21, 2019] Ametherm Celebrates 25 Years of High Power Inrush Current Limiters and NTC Thermistors CARSON CITY, Nev., May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ametherm, a global leader of inrush current limiting devices, is celebrating 25 years of business as the only manufacturer of inrush current limiters in the United States that serves a global audience. Founded in 1994 by Eric Rauch and Mehdi Samii, Ametherm manufactures high-power inrush current limiters and thermistors that exhibit some of the highest energy and current ratings in the electronic components industry. Over the last 25 years, Ametherm has consistently expanded its components, including the companys acquisition of the SURGE-GARD inrush current limiter product line from RTI Electronics in 2013. Ametherm went on to introduce the MM35-DIN Series of inrush current limiters that filled a much-needed void for high-power industrial equipment that require inrush current limiting to withstand input energy up to 1200 J. The company followed this success with its release of the PANR 103395-342, an NTC thermistor probe assembly for high-accuracy temperature sensing and measurement in Li-ion battery power applications. To fulfill the needs of a rapidly growing electronic components industry, Ametherm more than doubled its production capabilities in 2013 by moving into a 36,000 sq. ft. facility in the center of Carson City, Nevada. This allowed Ametherm to focus on manufacturing superior quality inrush current limiters with higher current ratings, energy ratings, and voltage ratings. With the increased space, Ametherm also was able to invest in technology and equipment to manufacture custom devices, including NTC thermistor temperatures sensors, as well as new products for a variety of cutting-edge, in-demand applications and industries that include: Green Energy and Energy Storage Li-ion atteries Power Supplies/Inverters Motor Drives Audio Equipment From the beginning, Ametherm has set itself apart by always having a live person available to answer telephone calls and respond to technical questions received from its content-driven website. In 2014 Ametherm was named Business of the Year by Carson City, Nevada, in the annual Northern Nevada Development Authority (NNDA) Pioneer Awards. We have a brilliant and talented team of engineers and technicians who are always analyzing our products, testing ideas, and answering technical questions to improve performance and electrical specifications, said Mehdi Samii, vice president of engineering. As a result, we are designing and manufacturing inrush current limiters and thermistors with energy ratings and dielectric ratings that do not even exist on the market. Ametherm is already working on the next generation of inrush current limiters and thermistor temperature sensors, and is looking forward to 25 more years in business by building on past successes. About Ametherm Ametherm, headquartered in Carson City, Nevada, was founded in 1994 and specializes in precision thermistors for temperature sensing and inrush current limiters for industries that include automotive, AMS (avionics, military and space), medical, industrial, green energy, and HVAC. Ametherms devices are some of the highest rated on the market and are available in customized versions to meet the needs of specific applications. Ametherm products are available direct from Ametherm or through distributors, such as Digi-Key and Mouser . For more information on any of these inrush current limiters or to request a sample, visit www.ametherm.com or call (800) 808-2434. Follow Ametherm online at www.ametherm.com/blog . Media Contact: Ashley Johnson Ametherm (775) 884 2434 [email protected] Sales Contact: Lori Morton Ametherm (775) 884 2434 [email protected] A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d46d7263-e54a-4106-97ca-0631e2025444 The photo is also available via AP PhotoExpress. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Turkish Merchants Can Now Connect With Chinese Visitors via Alipay and ininal Partnership ISTANBUL, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading fintech company ininal becomes Alipay's first partner in Turkey. ininal, Turkey's leading new-generation payment platform and a subsidiary of Multinet Up, today announced its collaboration with Alipay, the world's leading payment and lifestyle platform operated by Ant Financial Services Group, a related company of Alibaba, that Alipay will be available for Chinese mainland visitors at bricks-and-mortar stores in Turkey. This service will be first available in the facilities of Dorak Holding, the tourism company who plans all activities for tourists and manages numbers of merchants throughout Turkey, serving more than 85% of Chinese tourists visiting Turkey. Merchants accepting Alipay include Turkish specialty retailers, hot-air balloons in Cappadocia, shops, hotels, and Turkish restaurants. Merchants can connect with Chinese customers with digital marketing via the Alipay app while Chinese tourists visit Istanbul and Cappadocia, and those customers can make payments by using the same Alipay app to scan an Alipay QR code displayed on card terminals at the checkout. Through the collaboration between ininal and Alipay, while Alipay users pay in Chinese Yuan during their visits to Turkey, Turkish merchants will be able to receive payments from Chinese visitors in US Dollars at Dorak Tour locations. Later this summer, Turkish merchants will be able to receive payments in Turkish Lira at existing and new Multinet Up merchants including global chain restaurants and retailers. Multinet Up, ininal's parent company and the leading financial services company in Turkey maintaining over 40,000 merchants, will utilize its experience i building a network and infrastructure to expand Alipay acceptability. ininal and Multinet Up will work in collaboration with Alipay to further expand the network across Turkey. Jewelers, luxury clothing stores, museums and duty free shops are expected to join in the near future. "The collaboration with Alipay proves the success of our brand has attained in the last six years. Alipay is the most preferred payment method in China and is widely used by Chinese tourists overseas. The fact that Alipay is used more than cash, credit cards and debit cards is an important data demonstrating the satisfaction it creates. ininal will continue to work with powerful partners globally to bring advanced technology and services to Turkey," says ininal CEO Omer Suner. Stating that the Chinese provided the highest increase in terms of not only the figures but also the tourist spending in Turkey, Omer Suner continued: "We believe the payment convenience provided through this collaboration will increase the foreign currency that will enter our country and provide contributions to the reanimation of the economy." In January 2019, a Nielsen report titled 2018 Trends for Mobile Payment in Chinese Outbound Tourism finds that Chinese tourists paid for 32% of transactions using mobile payment, overtaking cash for the first time, and that nearly 60% of merchants surveyed experienced growth in both foot traffic and sales after adopting Alipay. "Alipay is finally coming to Turkey! We are excited to work with ininal to connect Turkish merchants with Chinese visitors before, during, and after their visit to this beautiful country, overcoming barriers of language and currency. We know our customers are attracted to the ancient and modern sights of Turkey, and the many different experiences it offers, from balloons, to bazars and beaches. As Chinese users' preferred payment and lifestyle platform, we are always happy to introduce the best offers and must-visit locations of Turkey to our users through our platforms," said Roland Palmer, Alipay's Head of Europe, Middle East and Africa. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/turkish-merchants-can-now-connect-with-chinese-visitors-via-alipay-and-ininal-partnership-300854281.html SOURCE Alipay; ininal [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Facing the Rigid Demand of Artificial Intelligence Customer Service, Chengdu Xiaoduo AI Technology Co., Ltd., Based in Chengdu Tianfu Software Park, Completes Series B Financing CHENGDU, China, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Chengdu Xiaoduo AI Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Xiaoduo AI), an excellent AI enterprise based in Chengdu Tianfu Software Park, has recently completed series B financing. The funds raised in this round are to be used for recruiting more high-caliber talents and developing new technologies. Xiaoduo AI has been engaged in the AI customer service application scenario for many years, which is a highlighted project in Chengdu's AI industry. From the perspective of the current enterprise volume and technical background, it has the potential to become a hidden champion in the field of AI customer service. Self-financing for R&D and Expansion Founded in 2014, Xiaoduo AI adheres to the vision of "becoming the AI expert of enterprises and creating better communication and service with AI", and has been committed to improving the efficiency of the customer service industry by leveraging the AI technology. At present, Xiaoduo AI serves more than 20,000 governmental and enterprise clients, including Meituan, Zhuanzhuan, YouShop, EMS, Robam Electric Appliance, XGIMI, TmallGenie, 1919.cn, Yan'an Municipal People's Government, China Telecom, etc. It has provided over 9 billion services to customers, covering multiple fields such as network operators, government, education, e-commerce and enterprise services. Xiaoduo AI's flagship product - "Intelligent Customer Service Robot" - is an AI-based software that may realize functions of automatic text reply and complex business processing by means of instant messaging tools, thus helping users reduce the labor costs for customer services. The robot is mainly applied in scenarios such as unattended nights, customer service diversion in peak hours, and automatic recommendation. It also supports Chinese, English, French and other languages. Recently, Xiaoduo AI has added a new product line of telephone robots to enrich its product portfolio and application scenarios. Jiang Ling, founder and CEO of Xiaoduo AI, pointed out that Xiaoduo AI had achieved self-financing log ago and thus had less dependence on external financing. This round of financing is launched because the company has ushered in a new development era, which needs to update the valuation and introduce new strategic investors. The funds raised will be used for recruitment of advanced talents, office expansion, R&D of new technologies and other aspects related to business operation. Be A Pacesetter with Leading Underlying Technologies in the Booming Industry of AI Customer Service According to the China Intelligent Customer Service Industry Research Report released by JINGDATA, most of the AI-based customer service robot companies were founded around 2016. In this regard, Xiaoduo AI, founded in 2014, has an obvious advantage. When most of the customer service robot products on the market are still engaged in keywords matching, Xiaoduo AI has applied the machine learning technology to robot training. As AI became a booming industry in 2016, the emerging enterprises in the customer service robot industry have promoted the rapid update of the AI technology. Xiaoduo AI has outshined their rivals. When competitors are using traditional machine learning algorithms to implement products, Xiaoduo AI is embarking on a deep learning engine; when competitors begin to study the deep learning, Xiaoduo AI has already tried to take the lead in the transfer learning technology, which enables Xiaoduo AI's customer service robots to outmaneuver its competitors in a long run in terms of the quantitative data of actual performance. The Widely-applied AI-based Customer Service Helps Meituan Save Millions of RMB Each Month In 2017, Xiaoduo AI's AI Customer Service Robot received a maximum of 4.4 million consumers a day, and in 2018, this number rose fourfold, showing a strong momentum in business growth. Meituan is a typical customer for the 2018 new businesses of Xiaoduo AI. In early 2018, in order to select the best technology supplier, Meituan organized a competition lasting for almost half a year. After several rounds of technical discussion and assessment and POC competition, Xiaoduo AI's Customer Service Robot defeated a variety of well-known service providers' products based on computational linguistics, and became the strategic partner of Meituan. The fresh memories of the competition still lurk in Jiang's mind. At that time, Meituan invited Xiaoduo AI to go to Beijing for testing. Two colleagues from Xiaoduo AI traveled for a week and passed various tests. However, the test results were not released until they knew that it was because their competitors spent one month passing the tests. In the end, Meituan chose Xiaoduo AI by virtue of its higher efficiency and nearly 95% of the communication accuracy. As to the transformation from artificial communication to AI, Xiaoduo AI's robots helped Meituan achieve a 50% reduction in the amount of artificial communication, saving millions of RMB each month. Recruit More Talents to Attract More Beijing Drifters to Chengdu According to the 2018 China's Artificial Intelligence Report, the total investment in AI talents in eastern China is generally more than that in western China: Beijing has a head start, accounting for 13.5% of the total, and Chengdu is in the third echelon. However, Jiang remains optimistic: "Beijing has rich reserve of talents, but the cost of living in Beijing is rising rapidly, thus the new first-tier cities such as Chengdu has the opportunity to attract talents in Beijing, especially those AI talents who work in Beijing and come from the southwest regions. They are our targets in recruitment." Jiang says that the fast-growing Xiaoduo AI, in dire need of talents in various fields, welcomes outstanding resumes. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/facing-the-rigid-demand-of-artificial-intelligence-customer-service-chengdu-xiaoduo-ai-technology-co-ltd-based-in-chengdu-tianfu-software-park-completes-series-b-financing-300853605.html SOURCE Chengdu Tianfu Software Park [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] High Schoolers Get Glimpse into Workforce, Gain Career-Ready Skills During Job Shadow Week By 2020, the United States is expected to add 16 million "new-collar" jobs that won't necessarily require a college degree but will require skilled workers. That's why K12 and Tallo have launched Job Shadow Week, a national movement to open students' eyes to alternative career pathways and ensure employers have access to a talent pool of qualified candidates. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005844/en/ While spending time with an employer in their area over the week of July 15-19, students will receive early exposure to the world of work and walk away with job-specific insights such as the level of education and/or technical training that each require. Students will end the week with a better understanding of what high-paying, in-demand positions interest them most, plus an idea of what they have to do to get there. "Our current approach to workforce development-which puts a career after education as two separate things-is no longer serving our students or our economy," said Leilani Brown, senior vice president for Strategic Partnerships at K12 Inc. "Students are graduating from high school and often even college without the skills they need to immediately launch a successful long-term career. This hurts them just as much as it hurts employers, and we need more mutually beneficial student-employer partnerships to close the growing skills gap." Among the industries hardest hit are healthcare; IT; manufacturing and skilled trades; agriculture, food and natural resources; and business management and administration-all fields that many students incorrectly assume they'll need a college degree to get into. "The sooner students are aware of their career options and informed of the appropriate next steps, the better prepared they'll be to take on life after high school," said Casey Welch, president ad CEO of Tallo. "Talking to and working with potential employers will only enhance their understanding of what comes next, and how to get there efficiently." During Job Shadow Week, students engage with participating organizations according to employer preference, whether that's by matching students and employees 1-to-1 or hosting a group of students full-time, part-time or even virtually. No matter the format, students' greatest takeaways will be the lessons learned, observations made, and a clearer plan for their future. Learn more about Job Shadow Week by visiting: https://jobshadowweek.com About K12 K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN) takes a personalized approach to education by removing barriers to learning, reaching students where they are, and providing innovative, high-quality online and blended education solutions, curriculum, and programs to charter schools, public school districts, private schools, and families. In total, this work serves more than 70 public and private schools, more than 2,000 school districts, and students in all 50 states and more than 100 countries. The company, which has delivered millions of courses over the past decade, is taking a leadership role in career readiness education through K12-powered Destinations Career Academies and Programs which combine traditional high school academics with Career Technical Education (CTE). K12 is a proud sponsor of the Foundation for Blended and Online Learning, a nonprofit organization dedicated to closing the gap between the pace of technology in daily life and the pace of change in education. More information can be found at K12.com, destinationsacademy.com, jobshadowweek.com, and getfueled.com. About Tallo Tallo (formerly STEM Premier) is an online platform that connects talent with opportunities. The Tallo app assists students in designing a career pathway, educators in recruiting top talent to their schools, and employers in developing a stable, continuous talent pipeline. Students (age 13+) and professionals showcase their skills and abilities in their online profile, connect directly with companies and colleges looking for the next generation of talent, and match with over $20 billion in scholarships. For more information, visit www.tallo.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005844/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Minister Bains announces Canada's Digital Charter The Charter's 10 principles will build a foundation of trust for Canadians in the digital sphere TORONTO, May 21, 2019 /CNW/ - Canadians are understandably anxious about how their data is being used and how digital technologies are affecting their lives. Meanwhile, the data-driven economy represents limitless opportunities to improve the lives of Canadiansfrom producing faster diagnoses to making farming more efficient. Today, during an address to the Empire Club of Canada, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, launched Canada's new Digital Charter. Minister Bains also announced an initial set of actions that will serve to implement the Charter's principles, highlighted by proposals to modernize the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), which governs the use of data and personal information by private entities. Additional actions will be announced in the coming days. With Canada's Digital Charter, the Government is laying the foundation for modernizing the rules that govern the digital sphere in Canada and rebuilding Canadians' trust in these institutions. The Charter outlines what Canadians can expect from the Government in relation to the digital landscape, addressing important issues like universal access and hate online. The 10 principles set out in the Charter will provide the framework for continued Canadian leadership in the digital and data-driven economy. This principled approach will not only protect Canadians' privacy and personal data but also leverage Canada's unique talents and strengths in order to harness the power of digital and data transformation. Under the multi-year Innovation and Skills Plan announced in Budget 2017, the Government of Canada set out to develop an ambitious plan for economic growth, creating jobs for Canadians and helping them gain the skills they need to succeed in a competitive global economy. Canada's Digital Charter, informed by the National Digital and Data Consultations, is the next phase of the Plan. It builds on the commitment made by Prime Minister Trudeau to join the Christchurch Call to Action, first announced in Paris on May 15, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, mong other world leaders. Quote "Canadians' trust in the digital world is shaken. But in this new age, Canada's competitiveness will depend on our ability to use digital innovation to harness the power of data. Canada's Digital Charter and its 10 principles set the foundation to rebuild Canadians' trust and empower them to reach their full innovative and economic potential. We are building a Canada where citizens have confidence that their data is safe and privacy is respected, unlocking the kind of innovation that builds a strong economy that works for everyone." The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Announced today: Canada's Digital Charter in Action: A Plan by Canadians, for Canadians Digital Charter in Action: A Plan by Canadians, for Canadians Canada's Digital Charter: Trust in a digital world Digital Charter: Trust in a digital world Proposals to reform the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act to respect individuals and protect their privacy by providing them with meaningful control without creating undue restrictions for business. to respect individuals and protect their privacy by providing them with meaningful control without creating undue restrictions for business. Creation of a Canadian Statistics Advisory Council that will provide advice on the relevance, quality and transparency of the national statistical system. The Canadian Data Governance Standardization Collaborative, which will help better coordinate the development and compatibility of data governance standards in Canada , contributing to the creation of a level playing field in the digital economy. , contributing to the creation of a level playing field in the digital economy. The Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development's letter to the Commissioner of Competition requesting that the Competition Bureau work with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on competition law, policy and practice to ensure that they keep pace with the dynamism of the marketplace. The letter emphasizes the impacts of digital transformation, the importance of maintaining the confidence and trust of citizens, and the value of making Canada a top choice for data-driven innovation. Quick facts Canadians are among the most digitally connected people in the world. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the Canadian Internet Registration Authority, 89% of Canadians and 98% of businesses are online and 88% of Canadians use a mobile device. The Digital Charter is a government-wide approach that will ensure Canadians can trust new digital technologies and that their data and privacy will be safe. It will ensure that our democratic institutions will be protected, and that Canadians will be able to take full advantage of the many new opportunities unlocked by data-driven technologies. The recently announced Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council will be a central reference point for government to draw on leading artificial intelligence (AI) experts from Canadian business, academia, civil society and other partners so that we can realize the full economic and social benefits of AI that support ethical, human-centred uses of digital and data applications. Canada's first-ever Smart Cities Challenge winners have been announced and are now ready to start implementing their visions for harnessing the potential of connected technology and data to improve the lives of Canadians. Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on Twitter: @ISED_CA SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] CERMIM continues to grow and develop The Government of Canada awards more than $1M in financial assistance to the Centre de recherche sur les milieux insulaires et maritimes MAGDALEN ISLANDS, QC, May 21, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) Located in the Magdalen Islands and affiliated with the Universite du Quebec a Rimouski, the Centre de recherche sur les milieux insulaires et maritimes [Research Center for Island and Maritime Studies] (CERMIM) is a highly innovative non-profit organization whose mission is to support sustainable development of environments under specific constraints, through applied research, training and knowledge and technology transfers. With a view to developing the circular economy, CERMIM has developed expertise in the recovery of residual materials. To enhance the pursuit of its activities, it will receive a non-repayable contribution of $1,050,000 from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. With this financial assistance, CERMIM will be able to strengthen its innovation and technology transfer capabilities and thus be able to support the environmental performance and growth of the companies it serves. The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Member of Parliament for GaspesieLes Iles-de-la-Madeleine and Minister of National Revenue, announced that funding today. The Government of Canada's assistance will be used more specifically to set up a pilot plant in the new heavy industrial area adjacent to the sorting centre. This facility will enable CERMIM to conduct research and development, demonstration, validation and testing related to the recovery of residual materials. The implementation of the pilot plant includes the installation and optimization of temporary facilities and the acquisition of specialized equipment such as a crusher and drying equipment. As for setting up test beds to demonstrate the processes developed, this includes purchasing material, leasing machinery and obtaining certain technical expertise. With a view to adaping to climate change through the search for innovative alternative solutions, CED's contribution is thus enabling the official start-up of the Beton vert project. This includes the recovery of marine co-products and dredged sediments in the island context through the manufacture of engineered rocks to counter coastal erosion. This initiative is made possible by the industrial partnership developed by CERMIM with CTMA (Dragage I.M), Les Fruits de mer Madeleine, LA Renaissance, Option beton Inc. and Techn'Iles. The project also includes the participation of the Communaute maritime des Iles-de-la-Madeleine, the Universite de Sherbrooke (Faculty of Civil Engineering), and the Ecole nationale superieure des mines Telecom Lille Douai (France). Communities need to focus on innovation to diversify strategically and develop sustainable regional competitive advantages. A true economic driver, innovation is the key to success because it generates the growth that businesses and communities benefit from. That is why the Government of Canada is ensuring that businesses have adequate resources to create and commercialize innovative products. Quotes "I am delighted with the support of the Government of Canada that chooses to focus on the innovation capacity and the desire to progress of CERMIM. In a constantly changing market CERMIM's team and its various partners are setting themselves apart and make a difference for the Iles-de-la-Madeleine community. Their drive, boldness and innovative spirit contribute to the region's economic vitality." The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Member of Parliament for GaspesieLes Iles-de-la-Madeleine and Minister of National Revenue "Our government is empowering Canadians to become more competitive and to prosper in the global economy. The investment in the CERMIM announced today aligns with Canada's competitive advantages through the organization's innovative project and will stimulate economic growth. It will also create good jobs for middle-class Canadians." The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister responsible for CED "We are honoured by the confidence shown today in the CERMIM, which will enable us to be better equipped to meet exciting challenges with our partners like those proposed by the Beton vert project. CED's contribution will allow us to continue our growth while showcasing the service and expertise that the CERMIM can offer in the face of the challenges faced by communities like ours." Marc-Olivier Masse, Associate Director, CERMIM Business Development Quick facts Today's announcement is made on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister responsible for the Innovation, Science and Economic Development portfolio, which comprises 17 federal departments and agencies, including CED and the other five regional development agencies. The funding was awarded under CED's Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program. This program is intended for entrepreneurs who focus on innovation for growing their company and making it more competitive, and for regional economic players that help create an entrepreneurial environment conducive to innovation and to growth for all, in all regions. To find out more about CED and its priorities, see the 2019-2020 Departmental Plan or visit www.dec-ced.gc.ca. Stay connected Follow CED on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube Follow the CERMIM on Facebook SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Jenkintown Road closed from Monday through May [May 21, 2019] Xerox Shareholders Approve Holding Company Reorganization Xerox (NYSE: XRX) announced today that shareholders approved its proposal to adopt the merger agreement pursuant to which Xerox expects to implement a holding company reorganization. Holders of approximately 99.7 percent of common shares present and voting at Xerox's annual meeting, representing approximately 77.0 percent of the company's total outstanding common shares, voted in favor of the proposal. The final voting results for the annual meeting will be reported in a Form 8-K that Xerox will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The closing of the holding company reorganization remains subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions, including, without limitation, receipt of approval from the Financial Conduct Authority of the United Kingdom. Xerox is targeting the third quarter of 2019 for the closing of the holding company reorganization; however, there can be no assurance regarding completion of the reorganization or timing of regulatory approvals, which could delay the closing. Following the closing, it is expected that the common stock of the holding company will trade on the New York Stock Exchange under Xerox's current trading symbol, "XRX." In addition, to eliminate duplicative administrative requirements and costs, Xerox has notified NYSE Chicago that it intends to voluntarily delist Xerox common stock from trading on NYSE Chicago immediately prior to completion of the holding company reorganization. Dividend Declaration Today the company announced that its board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share on Xerox common stock. The dividend is payable on July 31, 2019 to shareholders of record on June 28, 2019. The board also declared a quarterly cash dividend of $20 per share on the outstanding Xerox Series B Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock. The dividend is payable on July 1, 2019 to shareholders of record on June 15, 2019. About Xerox In the era of intelligent work, we're not just thinking about the future, we're making it. Xerox Corporation is a technology leader focused on the intersection of digital and physical. We use automation and next-generation personalization to redefine productivity, drive growth and make the world more secure. Every day, our innovative technologies and intelligent work solutions-Powered by Xerox-help people communicate and work better. Discover more at www.xerox.com and follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) at @Xerox. Forward-Looking Statements This release, and other written or oral statements made from time to time by management contain "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "will", "should" and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current beliefs, assumptions and expectations and are subject to a number of factors that may cause actual results to differ materially. Such factors include but are not limited to: statements regarding the proposed corporate reorganization, the occurrence and timing of any closing of the proposed corporate reorganization, and other matters. Xerox assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments, except as required by law. Note: To receive RSS news feeds, visit https://www.news.xerox.com. For open commentary, industry perspectives and views, visit http://twitter.com/xerox, http://www.facebook.com/XeroxCorp, https://www.instagram.com/xerox/, http://www.linkedin.com/company/xerox, http://www.youtube.com/XeroxCorp. Xerox and Powered by Xerox are trademarks of Xerox in the United States and/or other countries. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005871/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Artificial Intelligence to Reach Human-Level Intelligence by 2040 MIAMI, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- NEORIS, a digital transformation service provider that accelerates the digital capabilities of global enterprises, today unveiled its most recent analysis entitled Artificial Intelligence: Rethinking Humanity's Evolution. The comprehensive assessment cites the latest trends in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and presents a compelling thesis, by 2040 the world will see an AI-triggered transcendental shift on humanity's evolution. Since AI's inception in 1956, in the form of "a machine that could think," AI continues to evolve and impact society, businesses and humanity. Its cognitive tools have systematically reshaped how people and companies interact and possesses the power to radically transform business exchanges and human capabilities. "Research and current advancements tell us that the future of AI will be less artificial and more intelligent. AI will inevitably either reach human-level intelligence or cause human parity," says Anthony DeLima, Head of Digital Transformation and CTO at NEORIS. SUPER-INTELLIGENCE TRANSFORMS BUSINESSES "Beyond humanity, AI's ipact on the way enterprises do business will become most visible in the next few decades across most industries," explained DeLima. AI converts discrete manufacturing into an interactive business model that enables customers to be active participants in product design, engineering and production. In financial services, AI and blockchain open the door to a new generation of personalized banking, accelerating the launch of new value chains and revenue streams. Telecom networks benefit from AI solutions that learn through corrective actions to make independent decisions related to complex scenarios improving the customer journey. THE REPORT EXPLORES AI's IMPACT ON HUMANITY AND; The merger of human and synthetic intelligence; The global scale of superpowers that drive economic and social revolutions; The risks associated with its adoption; Workforce developments that are replacing routine jobs, raising ethical concerns, and social divide. To read the full insights report, visit https://www.neoris.com/enterpriseai About NEORIS NEORIS is a leading global consultancy that creates disruptive solutions for digitally aspirational companies to boost their connections with customers, employees and stakeholders. Headquartered in Miami, FL., NEORIS has a network of global delivery centers, design studios and operations in the U.S., Europe, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. More information is available at www.neoris.com, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter. Contact Jessica Barrios U.S. Marketing and Communication at NEORIS [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/artificial-intelligence-to-reach-human-level-intelligence-by-2040-300854373.html SOURCE NEORIS [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] CloudSmartz Wins 'Most Innovative Technology Provider' 2019 Pipeline Innovation Award ROCHESTER, N.Y., May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- CloudSmartz, a global software company exclusively focused on next-generation solutions for Communications Service Providers (CSPs), won two 2019 Pipeline Innovation Awards from Pipeline magazine, announced at the 2019 Awards Banquet in Nice, France. The awards were won for being the Most Innovative Technology Provider and for Innovations in Data Aggregation. The annual Pipeline Innovation Awards are specifically designed to provide the most credible recognition of technical innovation in the industry. Each year, Pipeline receives hundreds of nominations which are distilled to a select number of semi-finalists, who compete in more than 10 categories of technical innovation. With over 250 selected nominees entering the competition in over 10 categories and judges being industry professionals from CenturyLink, WOW!, Telenor, Telstra, MTN South Africa and others, this award is of great value and proves CloudSmartz ranks well amongst some of the most prominent technology vendors in the telecommunications industry. With its leading portfolio of solutions and services, CloudSmartz is helping transform forward-thinking CSPs into next generation, on-demand, customer-centric service providers. As Gartner shared in their 2018 Cool Vendors in Communications Service Provider Business Operations, "CloudSmartz provides an alternative to the large established telco vendors in terms of innovative service delivery models, business agility, time to market, and customer-experience impact that CloudSmartz will have on CSPs' digital business." "It is an absolute honor to win two Pipeline Innovation Awards recognizing our efforts in delivering software innovation around digital customer experience, next-generation products, and end-to-end network automation solutions," says Dan Wagner, CEO & Co-founder, CloudSmartz. "These awards demonstrate the relentless work, dedication, and passion that our global teams consistently provide or our CSP customers." "For nearly ten years, the Pipeline Innovation Awards have recognized the technology companies that are transforming the industry with the most significant technical innovations," said Scott St. John, managing editor of Pipeline. "We are happy to see CloudSmartz be recognized by the esteemed Innovation Awards judges as the Most Innovative Technology Provider and their Innovations in Data Aggregation, and look forward to seeing them continue to embrace and advance industry innovation." About CloudSmartz CloudSmartz enables digital transformation for next-generation service providers. Their global-disciplined agile delivery model provides their customers complete end-to-end delivery capability and support with 200+ telecom software professionals with offices in the United States, Asia Pacific and Europe, Middle East & Africa. Gartner has recently named CloudSmartz as a 2018 Cool Vendor in Communications Service Provider Business Operations. Inc. 5000 named CloudSmartz one of America's Fastest Growing Privately-Held Companies for three consecutive years in a row (2016, 2017, 2018). For more information please visit www.cloudsmartz.com. About Pipeline Pipeline is the world's leading global publication that distributes rich multimedia content to help service providers and enterprises make informed technology decisions. Pipeline has become the epicenter of industry innovation, with over 250,000 in annual global circulation, and is read by every major operator and enterprise in more than 140 countries. Pipeline is also read by significant global organizations spanning premier academic, government, and financial institutions such as Congress, the FCC, Harvard, Parliament, NASA, NATO and other notable organizations. Through its rich content, global platform, and worldwide reach Pipeline connects the technical innovators with those that leverage advanced technology to transform the way we communicate as a global society. For the latest content, go to and subscribe today www.pipelinepub.com and subscribe to Pipeline today. Media Contacts: For CloudSmartz Matthew Ray VP of Marketing [email protected] +1 (585) 415-9951 For Pipeline Scott St. John Managing Editor [email protected] +1 (734) 707-4988 x100 Related Images 2019-pipeline-innovation-award.png 2019 Pipeline Innovation Award CloudSmartz wins Most Innovative Technology Provider & Innovations in Data Aggregation cloudsmartz.png CloudSmartz Smarter Transformation Related Links Watch CloudSmartz Videos Visit CloudSmartz Website Related Video https://vimeo.com/271555418 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cloudsmartz-wins-most-innovative-technology-provider-2019-pipeline-innovation-award-300854357.html SOURCE CloudSmartz [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Global and China Supercapacitor Industry Report, 2019-2025 NEW YORK, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Finding a higher penetration in transportation and consumer electronics, the global market size of supercapacitors has mushroomed, especially Asia-Pacific Region sees the highest growth rate. The global supercapacitor market valued USD1.01 billion in 2018, and it is expected to garner USD4.09 billion by 2025, with a CAGR of 22.1%. In the upcoming five years, supercapacitors will be largely utilized in transportation and consumer electronics. From a geographical perspective, Asia-Pacific consumed the most supercapacitors worldwide in 2018, and the consumption herein will increase at the highest rate in the next few years. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p03803141/?utm_source=PRN Supercapacitors were initially used by the US military in the field of electronic equipment due to instantaneous high power, fast charging and discharging. Later, it finds wider application in transportation, industrial equipment, electric power, and new energy. 38% of the supercapacitor market size is forecast to be triggered by transportation, about 30% by the industrial sector, and 21% by the new energy sector. As far as competition is concerned, many countries in the world are aggressively developing supercapacitors. The main players include: MAXWELL (Tesla planned to pay a 55% premium to acquire Maxwell in February 2019) and Ioxus based in the United States, Japan-based ELNA and Panasonic, South Korea-based LS Mtron and Vina Technology. At present, foreign companies take a leading position and sweep most of the global maket. Japan, the United States and Europe have prioritized supercapacitors as a national key research and development project. The United States' USMSC program, Japan's NewSunshine program and Europe's PNGU program involves the development of supercapacitors. Chinese supercapacitor enterprises consist mainly of Jinzhou Kaimei Power, Beijing Supreme Power Systems, Shenzhen TIG Technology, Shanghai Aowei, Nantong Jianghai Capacitor, etc. Jinzhou Kaimei Power, the largest professional supercapacitor manufacturer in China , mainly produces button-type and coiled supercapacitors, some of which are exported to Europe , America, Japan and South Korea . Beijing Supreme Power Systems, founded in Nanocarbon Material R&D Laboratory of Tsinghua University in 2002, can produce large coiled supercapacitors. The company has broken through the core activated carbon technology and electrode technology, integrated the upstream and downstream of the supercapacitor industry chain, and established production bases in Beijing and Changzhou for electrode materials, electrodes, components and energy storage systems; Shanghai Aowei's supercapacitors are mainly for automotive use. Nantong Jianghai Capacitor has delved in the aluminum electrolytic capacitor industry for decades, strategically developed film capacitors and supercapacitors in recent years, and the technical performance of its lithium ion supercapacitors has reached the international advanced level. Global and China Supercapacitor Industry Report, 2019-2025 by ResearchInChina focuses on the following: Overview of supercapacitor industry, including definition, classification, industry chain and related technology roadmap; Global supercapacitor industry (market size, competitive landscape, development prospect, etc.); China's supercapacitor industry (market size, competitive landscape, development prospect, etc.); The market of supercapacitor upstream raw materials; Major capacitor application markets, including industry, transportation, and new energy; Operating performance, main products, production layout, output, sales volume, development strategy, etc. of 18 supercapacitor vendors such as Maxwell, Ioxus, Panasonic, ELNA. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p03803141/?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 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-and-china-supercapacitor-industry-report-2019-2025-300854422.html SOURCE Reportlinker [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Ceridian Launches Secondary Public Offering Ceridian HCM Holding Inc. ("Ceridian" or the "Company") (NYSE:CDAY) (TSX:CDAY), a global human capital management software company, announced today that Cannae Holdings, Inc. and affiliates of Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. (the "Selling Stockholders") intend to offer 8,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), pursuant to a shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC (News - Alert)"). The offering consists entirely of secondary shares to be sold by the Selling Stockholders. The Selling Stockholders will receive all of the proceeds from the offering. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC will act as the underwriter for this offering. An automatic shelf registration statement (including a prospectus) relating to the offering of Common Stock was filed with the SEC on May 21, 2019 and became effective upon filing. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and the documents incorporated by reference in that registration statement as well as the prospectus supplement related to this offering. You may obtain these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. When available, copies of the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus related to the offering may also be obtained from: Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Prospectus Department, 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282, telephone: 1-866-471-2526, facsimile: 212-902-9316 or by emailing [email protected]. The offering of these securities will be made only by means of a prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. 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 other jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction. Any offer to buy the securities may be withdrawn or revoked, without obligation or commitment of any kind, at any time prior to notice of its acceptance given after the effective date. About Ceridian HCM Holding Inc. Ceridian. Makes Work Life Better. Ceridian is a global human capital management software company. Dayforce, our flagship cloud HCM platform, provides human resources, payrol, benefits, workforce management, and talent management functionality. Our platform is used to optimize management of the entire employee lifecycle, including attracting, engaging, paying, deploying, and developing people. Ceridian has solutions for organizations of all sizes. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact or relating to present facts or current conditions included in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations and projections relating to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "seek," "plan," "intend," "believe," "will," "may," "could," "continue," "likely," "should," and other words. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, by their nature, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. As a result, our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include regional, national or global political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory conditions and the following: our inability to attain or to maintain profitability; significant competition for our solutions; our inability to continue to develop or to sell our existing Cloud solutions; our inability to manage our growth effectively; the risk that we may not be able to successfully migrate our Bureau customers to our Cloud solutions or to offset the decline in Bureau revenue with Cloud revenue; the market for enterprise cloud computing develops slower than we expect or declines; efforts to increase use of our Cloud solutions and our other applications may not succeed; we fail to provide enhancements and new features and modifications to our solutions; failure to comply with the FTC's (News - Alert) ongoing consent order regarding data protection; system interruptions or failures, including cyber-security breaches, identity theft, or other disruptions that could compromise our information; our failure to comply with applicable privacy, security and data laws, regulations and standards; changes in regulations governing privacy concerns and laws or other domestic or foreign data protection regulations; we are unable to successfully expand our current offerings into new markets or further penetrate existing markets; we are unable to meet the more complex configuration and integration demands of our large customers; our customers declining to renew their agreements with us or renewing at lower performance fee levels; we fail to manage our technical operations infrastructure; we are unable to maintain necessary third party relationships or third party software licenses, or there are errors in the software we license; our inability to protect our intellectual property rights, proprietary technology, information, processes, and know-how; we fail to keep pace with rapid technological changes and evolving industry standards; or changes in laws and regulations related to the Internet or changes in the Internet infrastructure itself. Although we have attempted to identify important risk factors, there may be other risk factors not presently known to us or that we presently believe are not material that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. If any of these risks materialize, or if any of the above assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results and developments may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release speaks only as of the date on which we make it. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law. Comparisons of results for current and any prior periods are not intended to express any future trends or indications of future performance, unless specifically expressed as such, and should be viewed as historical data. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005950/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] NASA Invites Public to Submit Names to Fly Aboard Next Mars Rover WASHINGTON, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Although it will be years before the first humans set foot on Mars, NASA is giving the public an opportunity to send their names etched on microchips to the Red Planet with NASA's Mars 2020 rover, which represents the initial leg of humanity's first round trip to another planet. The rover is scheduled to launch as early as July 2020, with the spacecraft expected to touch down on Mars in February 2021. The rover, a robotic scientist weighing more than 2,300 pounds (1,000 kilograms), will search for signs of past microbial life, characterize the planet's climate and geology, collect samples for future return to Earth, and pave the way for human exploration of the Red Planet. "As we get ready to launch this historic Mars mission, we want everyone to share in this journey of exploration," said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) in Washington. "It's an exciting time for NASA, as we embark on this voyage to answer profound questions about our neighboring planet, and even the origins of life itself." The opportunity to send your name to Mars comes with a souvenir boarding pass and "frequent flyer" points. This is part of a public engagement campaign to highlight missions involved with NASA' journey from the Moon to Mars. Miles (or kilometers) are awarded for each "flight," with corresponding digital mission patches available for download. More than 2 million names flew on NASA's InSight mission to Mars, giving each "flyer" about 300 million frequent flyer miles (nearly 500 million frequent flyer kilometers). From now until Sept. 30, you can add your name to the list and obtain a souvenir boarding pass to Mars here: https://go.nasa.gov/Mars2020Pass The Microdevices Laboratory at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, will use an electron beam to etch the submitted names onto a silicon chip with lines of text smaller than one-thousandth the width of a human hair (75 nanometers). At that size, more than a million names can be inscribed on a single dime-size microchip. The chip (or chips) will ride on the rover under a glass cover. NASA will use Mars 2020 and other missions to prepare for human exploration of the Red Planet. As another step toward that goal, NASA is returning American astronauts to the Moon in 2024. Government, industry and international partners will join NASA in a global effort to build and test the systems needed for human missions to Mars and beyond. The Mars 2020 Project at JPL manages rover development for SMD. NASA's Launch Services Program, based at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, is responsible for launch management. Mars 2020 will launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. For more information on Mars 2020, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/mars2020 For more about NASA's Moon to Mars plans, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/topics/moon-to-mars View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nasa-invites-public-to-submit-names-to-fly-aboard-next-mars-rover-300854542.html SOURCE NASA [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Melissa Sizemore, Cotton & Company Partner, Receives 40 Under 40 Award from the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce Cotton & Company is pleased to announce that one of its Partners, Melissa Sizemore, CPA, CGFM, is a recipient of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce 40 Under 40 award. "This Is wonderful news for one of our newest partners and for the firm. Melissa continues to prove herself as an emerging leader within the firm and our community. She has been with us since graduating college and actively participates in industry events and is instrumental in our in-firm leadership development." - Managing Partner, Matt Johnson Ms. Sizemore joined Cotton & Company in June 2007 as a staff auditor, graduated with a B.S. in Accounting from George Mason University, and is an active member of AGA's DC chapter. In January 2019, Melissa was elected a a Partner in our Financial Management practice area. About Cotton & Company Cotton & Company, founded in Alexandria in 1981, has 14 partners and more than 170 employees. The firm provides a full range of audit, accounting, IT, and consulting services to governmental clients throughout the United States. The firm also assists in resolving litigation disputes before the U.S. Federal Claims Court and other adjudicators. Federal clients include Legislative and Executive Branch agencies, including Inspectors General, Chief Financial Officers, and Chief Information Officers. Visit Cotton & Company at www.cottoncpa.com or contact Matthew H. Johnson, CPA, CISA, CGFM, Executive Managing Partner, at 703.836.6701 or [email protected]. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005958/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Lear Recognized by General Motors as a 2018 Supplier of the Year and Winner of Coveted Overdrive Award SOUTHFIELD, Mich., May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Lear Corporation (NYSE: LEA), a global automotive technology leader in seating and electrical and electronic systems, today announced it was named a GM Supplier of the Year and received the Overdrive Award from General Motors during GM's 27th annual Supplier of the Year awards ceremony held on Wednesday, May 15, and Thursday, May 16, in Detroit, Michigan. During the event, GM recognized 133 of its best suppliers from 15 countries that have consistently exceeded GM's expectations, created outstanding value or introduced innovations to the company. This is the 18th time Lear has received the award. "Lear is proud to be recognized around the world as a company that prioritizes our customers," said Ray Scott, Lear's President and CEO. "Being recognized as a Supplier of the Year and winning the prestigious GM Overdrive Award means so much to our organization. Our commitment to safety, quality, operational excellence and innovation is what drives our business, and I want to thank the entire Lear team for their dedication to unmatched customer support." GM's Overdrive Award, introduced in 2012, recognizes supply partners for extraordinary leadership in cultural change and commitment initiatives that drove exceptional business results for GM. Lear was named one of four 2018 Overdrive Award winners. Lear has been recognized for the company's excellent safety record for its employees, the development of its Intu Intelligent Seating innovations and its Focus on the Drive Distracted Driving campaign. "We hold our suppliers to a high bar," said Steve Kiefer, GM senior vice president, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain. "Lear went above and beyond to deliver the innovations and quality that will help us earn customers for life." The Supplier of the Year award winners were chosen by a global team of GM purchasing, engineering, quality, manufacturing and logistics executives. Wnners were selected based on performance criteria in Product Purchasing, Global Purchasing and Manufacturing Services, Customer Care and Aftersales, and Logistics. About Lear Corporation Lear is a global automotive technology leader in seating and electrical and electronic systems. Lear serves every major automaker in the world, and Lear content can be found on more than 400 vehicle nameplates. Lear's world-class products are designed, engineered, and manufactured by a diverse team of approximately 169,000 employees located in 39 countries. Lear currently ranks #147 on the Fortune 500. Lear's headquarters are in Southfield, Michigan. Further information about Lear is available at lear.com , or follow us on Twitter @LearCorporation. Lear is where passion drives possibilities. About General Motors General Motors (NYSE: GM) is committed to delivering safer, better and more sustainable ways for people to get around. General Motors, its subsidiaries and its joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Cadillac, Chevrolet, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety and security services, Maven, its personal mobility brand, and Cruise, its autonomous vehicle ride-sharing company, can be found at http://www.gm.com. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lear-recognized-by-general-motors-as-a-2018-supplier-of-the-year-and-winner-of-coveted-overdrive-award-300854579.html SOURCE Lear Corporation [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Ladenburg Thalmann Announces Pricing of Public Offering of 7.75% Senior Notes Due 2029 Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. (NYSE American: LTS; LTS PrA; LTSL; LTSF; LTSK) (the "Company") today announced that it has priced an underwritten registered public offering of $50 million aggregate principal amount of 7.75% senior notes due 2029 (the "Notes") at 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued interest from May 29, 2019, if the initial settlement occurs after that date. The Company has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional $7.5 million aggregate principal amount of Notes in connection with the offering to cover overallotments, if any. The Notes are expected to be listed on the NYSE American and to trade thereon within 30 days of the original issue date under the trading symbol "LTSH." The offering is expected to close on May 29, 2019, subject to customary closing conditions. The Company plans to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes. UBS Securities LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC and Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., a subsidiary of the Company, are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering and BB&T Capital Markets, a division of BB&T Securities, LLC, and Incapital LLC are acting as co-managers for this offering. The offering is being made pursuant to the Company's existing shelf registration statement on Form S-3 previously filed with, and declared effective by, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC (News - Alert)"). The offering may be made only by means of a prospectus and a related prospectus supplement, copies of which may be obtained from UBS Securities LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 1285 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, 10019 (telephone number 1-888-827-7275), Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014, or by emailing [email protected] (telephone number 1-800-584-6837), RBC Capital Markets, LLC, 200 Vesey Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10281, by calling (866) 375-6829 or by emailing [email protected] or Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., Attention: Syndcate Department, 277 Park Ave, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10172, or by emailing [email protected] (telephone number 1-800-573-2541). The preliminary prospectus supplement, dated May 21, 2019, and accompanying prospectus, dated April 27, 2017, each of which has been filed with the SEC, contain a description of these matters and other important information about the Company and should be read carefully before investing. You may also obtain these documents for free, by visiting the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in this offering or any other securities nor will there be any sale of these securities or any other securities referred to in this press release in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. About Ladenburg Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. (NYSE American: LTS; LTS PrA; LTSL; LTSF; LTSK) is a publicly-traded diversified financial services company based in Miami, Florida. Ladenburg's subsidiaries include industry-leading independent advisory and brokerage (IAB) firms Securities America, Triad Advisors, Securities Service Network, Investacorp and KMS Financial Services, as well as Premier Trust, Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management, Highland Capital Brokerage, a leading independent life insurance brokerage company and full-service annuity processing and marketing company, and Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., an investment bank which has been a member of the New York Stock Exchange for over 135 years. The company is committed to investing in the growth of its subsidiaries while respecting and maintaining their individual business identities, cultures, and leadership. This press release includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the Company's offering of the Notes and the anticipated use of the net proceeds of such offering. These statements are based on management's current expectations or beliefs and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein due to changes in economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors, including the SEC's proposed rules and interpretations concerning the standards of conduct for broker dealers and investment advisers when dealing with retail investors, future cash flows, a change in the Company's dividend policy by the Company's Board of Directors (which has the ability in its sole discretion to increase, decrease or eliminate entirely the Company's dividend at any time) and other risks and uncertainties affecting the operation of the Company's business. These risks, uncertainties and contingencies include those set forth in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and other factors detailed from time to time in its other filings with the SEC. The information set forth herein should be read in light of such risks. Further, investors should keep in mind that the Company's quarterly revenue and profits can fluctuate materially depending on many factors, including the number, size and timing of completed offerings and other transactions. Accordingly, the Company's revenue and profits in any particular quarter may not be indicative of future results. The Company is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise, except as required by law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005960/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 21, 2019] Discover Financial Services to Present at Morgan Stanley Financials Conference Roger Hochschild, chief executive officer and president of Discover, will present at the Morgan Stanley Financials Conference in New York on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, at 8:00 a.m. ET. A link to the listen-only live audio webcast will be posted on the day of the conference to Discover's Investor Relations website at http://investorrelations.discover.com. A replay will be available for 90 days after the conference at the same website address. Abou Discover Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a direct banking and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company issues the Discover card, America's cash rewards pioneer, and offers private student loans, personal loans, home equity loans, checking and savings accounts and certificates of deposit through its direct banking business. It operates the Discover Global Network comprised of Discover Network, with millions of merchant and cash access locations; PULSE, one of the nation's leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club International, a global payments network with acceptance around the world. For more information, visit www.discover.com/company. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190521005979/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus has such an immersive 6.8-inch display that you'll sometimes forget you're not watching TV. And the back of the Galaxy Note 10 Plus is just as captivating as the front, especially if you opt for the Aura Glow color. Once you look past the eye candy, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus (starting at $1,099/999) is easily one of the best Android phones. It delivers strong performance, a host of new S Pen tricks including Air gestures and above-average battery life. I also like the fast charging and pro-level video effects. However, the cameras could be better. As I discovered during my Galaxy Note 10 Plus review, it's a great phone for those who prefer larger displays. The newer Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is a better bet for power users, because it offers a smoother 120Hz display, faster processor, a bunch of S Pen upgrades and a more powerful 50x zoom camera. But the Note 10 Plus is worth considering if you want something more affordable. Galaxy Note 10 Plus Cheat Sheet (Image credit: Future) The Samsung Galaxy Note 10s mammoth 6.8-inch AMOLED display is one of the best weve ever seen and tested. I love the Aura Glow color and the way it changes color in the light, but not the fingerprint smudges. The huge 4,300 mAh battery allowed the Note 10 Plus to last an average of 10 hours and 47 minutes on our web surfing battery test, which is better than average. The included 25W charger juices the phone pretty fast, as the battery reached 65% in 30 minutes and 33% in 15 minutes. The new S Pen Air gestures are fun but can be finicky. While the Note 10 Plus' cameras perform well in low light, it's not the best. The lack of a headphone jack is a bummer, though Samsung kept the microSD card slot. Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus: Price and availability Galaxy Note 10 Plus (left) and Note 10 (right) (Image credit: Tom's Guide) The Galaxy Note 10 Plus costs $1,099 for the 256GB version (999 / AU$1,699). You can also opt for a model with 512GB of storage for $1,199. But you should definitely check out our roundup of the best Galaxy Note 10 deals to get the lowest price. We routinely see Galaxy Note 10 sales that knock the price down to $949 or lower with activation. All of the major U.S. wireless carriers are selling the Galaxy Note 10 Plus, including AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile. Samsung also offers trade-in deals for those who order their device through Samsung.com. Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus: Tech specs Galaxy Note 10 Plus Price $1,099/999 Display 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED (3040x1440) CPU Snapdragon 855 (US); Exynos 9825 (WW) RAM 12GB Storage 256GB, 512GB microSD Slot? Yes Rear cameras 16-MP ultra-wide (/2.2); 12-MP wide angle (/1.5-f/2.4); 12-MP telephoto (/2.1); time-of-flight VGA Front cameras 10-MP (/2.2) Battery 4,300 mAh Battery Life 10:47 Charging 25W; 45W optional OS Android 9 Pie with Samsung OneUI Colors Aura Glow, Aura White, Aura Black, Aura Blue Size 6.4 x 3.0 x .31 inches Weight 6.9 ounces Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus: Design I have to give credit to Samsung. It has managed to cram a 6.8-inch display into a design that's both thinner and lighter than the Galaxy Note 9, which had a 6.4-inch display. This is partly because the Galaxy Note 10 has slimmer bezels, thanks to its Infinity-O display with a cutout for the front camera in the top center portion of the screen. (Image credit: Future) Samsung also removed the headphone jack, which at this point feels more inevitable than controversial. It also allows the Galaxy Note 10 Plus to pack a bigger battery. The good news is that Samsung bundles AKG headphones in the box that use USB-C. Make no mistake, the Note 10 Plus looks and feels like a phablet, especially compared with the regular Note 10 and its 6.3-inch screen. This is definitely a two-handed device, but it's a sleek one. If you like your phone to be flashy, I would pick up the Aura Glow version of the Galaxy Note 10 Plus. The iridescent silver design changes colors based on how the light hits the back of the phone. The only issue is that the Aura Glow model picks up fingerprints quickly; I found myself wiping the back of the phone on my shirts and pants to keep the smudges at bay. A close second for me is the Aura Blue in terms of fashion, but you can also get more traditional Aura Black and Aura White. I do have one other nitpick. While I'm glad Samsung ditched the dedicated Bixby button found on previous models, I wish the volume controls and power button were on the right side instead of the left. After all, most people are right-handed. Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus: Display Short of a foldable phone , you won't find a larger screen on an Android phone than the 6.8-inch AMOLED panel on the Galaxy Note 10 Plus. And it is a sight to behold, with the same rich colors and wide viewing angles we've come to expect from Samsung. The screen has the same Quad HD+ resolution as before, but it's certified for HDR10+, compared withHDR10 for the Note 9. When watching the trailer for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, I could make out fine wisps of hair on Rey's head, and Kylo Ren's firey red lightsaber crackled and popped off the screen as he drove it into his enemies. (Image credit: Future) The center cutout or punch hole at the top center of the Galaxy Note 10's screen isn't as offensive as the cutout on the Galaxy S10 Plus. That's because this has a single front camera, compared with two on the S10 Plus that are located on the right side. On our lab tests, the Note 10 Plus' screen turned in some of the best performance numbers we've seen. It hit 686 nits of brightness, which beats the OnePlus 7 Pro (513 nits), iPhone XS Max (606 nits) and Galaxy S10 Plus (625 nits). The OLED panel on the Note 10 Plus hit 212% of the color gamut in Vivid Mode and 124.6% in Natural mode, compared to 123% to the iPhone XS Max and 180% for the OnePlus 7 Pro. The Galaxy S10 Plus wasn't as colorful in Vivid mode (200%) and a slightly higher 136.5% in Natural mode. The one letdown with this screen is that it doesn't offer a refresh rate of 90Hz as some had rumored, which offers smoother performance in phones like the OnePlus 7 Pro . This would have been a welcome upgrade for folks stepping up from the Note 10 to the Note 10 Plus. Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus: Fingerprint security The Galaxy Note 10 has an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, similar to the Galaxy S10. The sensor works pretty well overall, but users discovered that both the sensors on the S10 and Note 10 could be fooled using a silicon screen protector. A subsequent software update from Samsung reportedly fixes this issue. Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus: S Pen The S Pen has learned some new tricks with the Galaxy Note 10, but I'm not yet sold on how useful they are. The handwriting-to-text feature is designed to let you convert your scribbles and import them, such as into Microsoft Word docs. The functionality generally worked during my brief hands-on time, but the phone sometimes missed a letter. More important, it just didn't feel instant. (Image credit: Future) I like that you can just double tap on words in the Notes app and then tap the convert button that appears. However, I didn't see a way to select all handwritten notes within a note at once, and if you have a longer note the process of double tapping a selection and then dragging the box to enlarge it seems like too much work. If you like the idea of using the S Pen as a pseudo-magic wand, there's Air Actions. This S Pen feature lets you do things like change modes in the camera app by waving the stylus from side to side while pressing the button, or zooming in on a subject by drawing a small circle in the air. I tried the gestures and not all of them worked consistently well. Changing camera modes was easy, as was going from the front to back camera (you just go up and down with the S Pen). However, zooming in and out proved tricky; sometimes I zoomed in and out without a problem, but sometimes I accidentally took a bunch of photos while trying to zoom out. With AR Doodle, Galaxy Note 10 users can draw right on top of people in the camera view, and whatever you draw will follow that person as they move around the frame. It could be fun at parties. At first I thought AR Doodle on the #GalaxyNote10 was pointless. But then I gave it someone who can draw.... thanks @katedylankozuch Full review coming on @tomsguide pic.twitter.com/jHK9GBV9rWAugust 16, 2019 See more I didn't find much use for AR Doodle at first because I'm simply not a very good drawer, but once I put it in the hand of staff writer Kate Kozuch, I could see the potential. She drew an eye patch on fellow writer Adam Ismail, and then added a little parrot on his shoulder. She said she really likes the feature, even though I noticed that the eye patch came away from Adam's face as he turned. Galaxy Note 10 Plus: Cameras With its four camera sensors, the Galaxy Note 10 Plus is definitely an upgrade over the Galaxy Note 9's two cameras. The back of the Note 10 Plus houses a wide-angle camera and telephoto lens like its predecessor, but adds an ultrawide shooter to fit in more of the frame and a depth sensor to achieve more convincing bokeh effects when shooting portraits. Check out the photo gallery below and side-by-side comparisons versus top cameras phones below that to see how the Note 10 Plus' cameras stack up. Image 1 of 13 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 13 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 13 (Image credit: Future) Image 4 of 13 (Image credit: Future) Image 5 of 13 (Image credit: Future) Image 6 of 13 (Image credit: Future) Image 7 of 13 (Image credit: Future) Image 8 of 13 (Image credit: Future) Image 9 of 13 (Image credit: Future) Image 10 of 13 (Image credit: Future) Image 11 of 13 (Image credit: Future) Image 12 of 13 (Image credit: Future) Image 13 of 13 (Image credit: Future) The Note 10 Plus offers Live Focus effects when shooting portraits, similar to the Galaxy S10 Plus. I like the Big Circle and Color Point effects especially, though the bokeh effect looked a bit messy. Big Circle looks good at first glance but blurred out Adam Ismail's hair. Color Point puts the subject in color and the background in black and white, which I could see myself using more often. Image 1 of 3 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 3 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 3 (Image credit: Future) In our side-by-side shots with the Galaxy Note 10 Plus and Google Pixel 3 and Huawei P30 Pro, the Note 10 Plus held its own but didn't surpass the competition. However, the Note 10 Plus' Night mode did impress. As you can see from this photo taken in near darkness, the Night mode on the Galaxy Note 10 Plus performs quite well. With Night mode turned on, the gloves on the right become a lot more visible, as does the multi-tool in the foreground and the cube on the left. I then compared the Galaxy Note 10 Plus in Night mode against the Pixel 3 XL's camera with Night Sight turned on. Google's phone has an edge, as it delivered a brighter shot with slightly more vivid colors. In this low-light test on a city street, the Galaxy Note 10 Plus snapped a remarkably bright photo with Night mode engaged; you can make out the buildings and cars clearly. However, some areas of the shot look a little more blown out than in the Pixel 3 XL's shot, especially the lights on the left side. And the tan in the Cadillac's roof on the right looks a little more crisp on the Pixel 3 XL. In this shot of a bar in Grand Central station, the Galaxy Note 10 produces a brighter and warmer-looking photo that Id rather share, but the Pixel 3s image features more realistic colors. This round is really no contest. The Galaxy Note 10 Plus really struggles against the Pixel 3 in capturing a portrait of me inside the New York Public Library. The light above me nearly blows out the scene. My teenage daughter called the photo "garbage." Yikes. The Pixel 3's bokeh effect is almost too aggressive but overall it's the superior shot. Once again the Galaxy Note 10 Plus renders a warm-looking photo in this shot of flowers, and the exposure looks pleasant. Still, Id give the nod to the Pixel 3 in this round, as the details in the petals and veins are much more distinct. Turning our attention to cupcakes, the Galaxy Note 10 Plus delivers more details in the shot from front to back. Check out the chocolate one in the background. However, the Huawei P30 Pro gets the color of the pink frosting right on the cupcake in the foreground, and the white-and-yellow flower looks better on the Huawei pic. The Note 10 Plus' shot just looks less realistic. This photo taken outside the New York Public Library provides an interesting contrast between the Galaxy Note 10 Plus and Huawei P30 Pro. I like both shots for different reasons. The Notes pic is more vibrant, especially the green in the tree off to the right; its almost too bright overall, though, as the Huawei does a better job retaining the shadows. Check out the detail in the columns and in the lion statue. Since we tested the Note 10 Plus' cameras, Samsung released its Galaxy S20 lineup, which features much more substantive camera improvements, especially on the Galaxy S20 Ultra. However, some of those capabilities are coming to the Note 10 Plus by way of a software update. Note 10 Plus owners will be able to take advantage of Single Take, in which multiple shots are captured simultaneously from the phone's different cameras, as well as improvements to Hyperlapse that will allow you to capture time-lapse footage in low-light. Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus: Video Samsung says the Note 10 Plus now offers pro-grade video. For example, the phone offers Live Focus video effects, so you can blur out the background or change the background to black and white while the subject is in color. This worked well in my testing; my colleague Rami jumped off some stairs with the Live Focus on and the background of plants and passersby was indeed blurred. I also tried Live Focus on two other colleagues, Adam and Kate, as they walked down a pathway in Bryant Park. The Note 10 Plus did a remarkable job blurring out plants and other people but at times Kate looked a little blurry, too. Still, the whole clip looks pretty compelling and kind of reminds me of a soap opera. I was also impressed with the improved Super Steady mode in the camera. Once you press the little wavy hand icon towards the top of the screen and start recording, the camera can minimize any camera shake. I tested this out by jogging up stairs with the Galaxy Note 10 Plus in one hand and the iPhone XS Max in the other hand. As you can see from the results, the Note 10 Plus' footage looks much smoother, while the iPhone XS Max's video looks a bit shaky. There's also a Zoom-In Mic feature that amplifies the audio in the frame. This feature didn't impress me that much. That's because as I zoomed in on two subject, their words got louder but so did the ambient noise of cars passing by. (Image credit: Future) Samsung backs this all up with an improved video-editing app that's optimized for the S Pen. I appreciated how easy it was to drag the slider tool and trim clips with the pen, and you can choose from multiple effects to spruce up your footage. Galaxy Note 10 Plus: Front camera As for the front 10-MP camera, I didn't love the selfie the Note 10 Plus took of me outside on an overcast day. My skin looks a little washed out, as does the rest of the photo. I do like there's a Night mode for the front camera now, which can come in handy at restaurants, bars, concerts and more. (Image credit: Future) Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus: Specs and performance With its Snapdragon 855 processor, the Galaxy Note 10 should offer comparable performance to the Galaxy S10 and S10 Plus, but the addition of UFS 3.0 storage should provide a speed boost. Still, we were hoping that Samsung would have used the newer Snapdragon 855+ chip to achieve higher clock speeds. Geekbench 4 (Multicore) Galaxy Note 10 Plus (12GB RAM) 11,210 OnePlus 7 Pro (12GB) 11,227 iPhone XS Max 11,515 Galaxy S10 Plus (8GB) 10,732 The Note 10 Plus should have plenty of memory for multitasking, as it offers 12GB of RAM standard, compared with 8GB for the regular Note 10. And you get 256GB of storage standard with the option of upgrading to a 512GB model. Unlike the Note 10, the Note 10 Plus includes a microSD card slot for expansion. In everyday use, the Note 10 Plus is a swift performer. In fact, it loaded apps like Chrome, Twitter and Facebook slightly faster than the iPhone XS Max. This phablet also ably handled long play sessions in PUBG Mobile. It delivered console-like detail without any stuttering even at the highest setting, and the phone remained relatively cool. On Geekbench 4, which measures overall performance, the Galaxy Note 10 Plus turned in a very good score of 11,210, which is comparable to the OnePlus 7 Pro (11,227) but lower than the iPhone XS Max (11,515). The Note 10 Plus beats the Galaxy S10 Plus (10,732), which doesn't benefit from UFS 3.0 storage. The Galaxy Note 10 Plus turned in a fantastic score on the 3DMark Sling Shot Extreme (OpenGL ES 3.1) graphics test. It notched 5,781, which surpasses the Galaxy S10 Plus (5,648) and soundly beats the iPhone XS Max (4,339). Samsung's phone fell behind the iPhone once more on our video editing test, for which we transcode a 4K video to 1080p in the Adobe Rush app. After applying a filter and transition effect and hitting go, the Note 10 Plus took 1 minute and 34 seconds to complete the task. That's good, and a few seconds better than the OnePlus 7 Pro, but the iPhone XS took only 41 seconds. When it comes to gaming performance, the Note 10 Plus has an AI-based Game Booster mode for optimizing performance and power consumption based on the game. And you'll even be able to stream games from your PC to this phone using Samsung's Play GalaxyLink, a P2P streaming service that the company says will be available at launch. Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus: Battery and charging The Galaxy Note 9's battery was the biggest yet in a Galaxy phone at 4,000 mAh, but the Note 10 Plus ups the ante with a 4,300 mAh battery, which is even bigger than the 4,100 mAh pack in the Galaxy S10 Plus. Galaxy Note 10 Plus 10:47 Galaxy S10 5G 10:56 Galaxy S10 Plus 12:35 iPhone XS Max 10:38 OnePlus 7 Pro 9:41 Google Pixel 3 XL 9:30 LG G8 ThinQ 9:29 On the Tom's Guide Battery Life Test, which involves continuous web surfing over 4G LTE (on T-Mobile), the Galaxy Note 10 Plus lasted 11 hours and 46 minutes. That number proved an outlier, as subsequent tests produced results ranging from 10 hours, 15 minutes to more than 10.5 hours. In the end, across four tests, the Note 10 lasted 10 hours, 47 minutes across four tests, beating the average for a smartphone by more than half-an-hour. By comparison, the Galaxy Note 9 had a slightly longer runtime (11 hours and 16 minutes) but the S10 Plus lasted an epic 12:35. The OnePlus 7 Pro lasted just 9:31 on our test, while the iPhone XS Max has a runtime of 10:38. The regular Galaxy Note 10 lasted an average of 9 hours and 25 minutes, so those who want more endurance should opt for the Note 10 Plus. Samsung does sell another phone with a screen size that's nearly identical in the Galaxy S10 5G. That handset packs a 6.7-inch screen and an even bigger 4,500 mAh battery. On our battery test, the S10 5G lasted a good-but-not-great 10:56. However, this was on Verizon's 4G LTE network, which we've found drains phones faster than T-Mobile's network for some reason. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) The Note 10 Plus comes with a 25-watt charger, but there's an even faster 45-watt charger that Samsung sells separately for $50 (it's currently not available in the UK). You may not need the latter, though. The Galaxy Note 10 Plus get to 33% battery capacity in just 15 minutes and 65% in 30 minutes. The OnePlus 7 Pro got to 60% in 30 minutes with its 4,000 mAh battery, while the Huawei P30 Pro reached 70% in the same amount of time on a 4,200 mAh battery. As you'd expect from a Samsung phone, the Galaxy Note 10 Plus supports wireless charging, but this time around it's 15 watts, while the Galaxy S10 supported up to 10 watts. However, the results are disappointing based on our testing. It took 30 minutes of the Galaxy Note 10 to reach just 21 percent using Samsung's $79 wireless charger stand. You can also use reverse wireless charging on the Note 10 Plus, which means you can charge the Galaxy Buds or other phones using the back of Samsung's handset. Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus: DeX for PC No dock required, the Galaxy Note 10 Plus can easily sync with your PC using a single USB cable. Once connected, you'll be able to drag-and-drop files back and forth and use your laptop's mouse and keyboard to navigate the phone. And with the Link to Windows app, you'll be able to receive notifications and send and receive messages on the desktop. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) I tested out the DeX app out on a MacBook Pro, and I had uneven results. The DeX app found the phone pretty quickly, popping up a desktop atop macOS. And I could easily access photos, make calls and even transfer files from the phone to my Mac. (Image credit: Future) However, I got an error message when I tried to drag and drop files from the computer to the phone. It seems like Samsung still needs to work out some kinks with DeX, at least with the Mac. Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus: Quick Measure One feature that's exclusive to the Galaxy Note 10 Plus and not available for the Note 10 is Quick Measure, which instantly can give you the dimensions of pretty much any object. (Image credit: Future) It's like an augmented reality tape measure that one-ups the Measure app in iOS, because you get the length, width and depth with a single scan. With the iPhone you have to draw virtual lines on the object before you get a measurement. For example, I pointed the Note 10 Plus at a can and it returned a height of 4.5 inches, a depth of 2.5 inches and a width of 2.5 inches. I verified those numbers using a tape measure and the Note 10 Plus was accurate. Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus: 3D Scanner The Galaxy Note 10 Plus does something unique, thanks to its depth sensor on the back. You can scan objects in 3D with relative ease. You just walk around the object and the phone creates a 3D model. Samsung demonstrated this feature during its launch event with a stuffed bear, as you can see in the below tweet. The Galaxy Note 10 doubles as a 3D scanner. Pretty impressive in action. #SamsungEvent #samsunggalaxynote10 #galaxynote10 pic.twitter.com/Jnyr2X7iX0August 7, 2019 See more After the phone is done creating the 3D model, you can embed it into videos and the object can become animated and even mimic dance moves that are on screen. It's a fun demo but I'm not sure how people will use this yet. Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus review: Verdict The Galaxy Note 10 Plus is a fantastic big-screen phone. Although the price is quite steep at $1,099/999, you get one of the best and most immersive displays ever in a phone along with strong performance and long battery life. And while Samsung has not caught up to Google and Apple in photography, the Note 10 Plus is still a very capable camera phone with a compelling Night mode and intriguing video effects. (Image credit: Future) If you really want an S Pen with your phone but don't want to spend as much, the smaller 6.3-inch Galaxy Note 10 should satisfy. It has the same processor and mostly the same cameras (minus the depth sensor on the back) in a more compact design than the Note 10 Plus. But if you want a really big screen, the Galaxy Note 10 Plus is worth the splurge, as it also offers more RAM and microSD expansion, along with longer battery life. Those who want the latest and greatest are better off with the newer Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, which offer better cameras, new S Pen features and other upgrades like wireless DeX mode. Overall, though, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus is an ultra-premium, big-screen phone that you'll be psyched to use. Huawei may have a workaround in the form of its own in-house operating system if restrictions from the U.S. government cut off its access to Android. But the state of that Huawei-built OS is anybody's guess. (Image credit: Huawei Mate 20 Pro (Credit: Tom's Guide)) Huawei currently finds itself on a U.S. Department of Commerce list that blocks U.S. companies from sharing hardware and software with the Chinese electronics giant. That's put Huawei's ability to access Android updates and Google software in jeopardy. But reports in Chinese media claim an OS Huawei had been developing as an alternative to Android could be ready as soon as the fall. The OS, which would also work with computers, tablets, TVs and other devices, would be able compatible with existing Android apps, reports claim, though developers could recompile their apps to improve performance. However, a report in The Information paints a very different picture about the status of Huawei's efforts to build its own OS. Dubbed Project Z, the Huawei OS was originally designed for the company's home market in China. While Huawei tells The Information that it's accelerating its OS efforts, the publication cites sources calling the project "far from ready," suggesting that reports of a fall launch might be overly optimistic. Huawei has plenty of reason to look at life beyond Android. After the Trump administration's moves last week to restrict the Chinese company's ability to work with U.S.-based suppliers, Google suspended Huawei's Android license a move that would make it impossible for Huawei-built phones to get software and security updates while also cutting off access to Google-built apps like Gmail and services like the Google Play store. On Monday, the government issued a temporary waiver that lets Huawei receive security patches and updates for its existing phones. The 90-day waiver eases restrictions into August, but what happens after that is anybody's guess. It's no secret that Huawei had been working on its own OS. The company said as much back in March in an interview with German publication Die Welt. "We have prepared our own operating system," Richard Yu, the CEO of Huawei's consumer business group said at the time. "Should it ever happen that we can no longer use these systems, we would be prepared. That's our plan B. But of course we prefer to work with the ecosystems of Google and Microsoft." Of course, it's one thing to have your own OS. It's quite another to have one that developers are actually building apps for, as Microsoft could tell you about its largely ignored and now shuttered Windows Phone efforts. Huawei's response seems to be working on its app store, according to a new report in Bloomberg, that would have also reduced its dependence on Google Play. But it seems like the same U.S. restrictions that would prevent Google from doing business with Huawei would also block U.S.-based app makers from offering their wares through Huawei's devices. It's time for the U.S. government to show its evidence that Huawei is a national-security threat to the United States. You can't cripple the world's second-largest smartphone maker without some kind of justifiable cause, and the extraordinary moves made against Huawei in the past week require extraordinary proof. (Image credit: The Huawei logo displayed at Huawei University in Hangzhou, China. Credit: Rad K/Shutterstock) On May 16, the U.S. Department of Commerce placed Huawei and 68 of its subsidiaries on the "Entity List." That's a 270-page list of foreign companies and individuals with whom U.S. companies are forbidden from doing business without a rare special export license. At the same time, President Donald Trump signed an executive order forbidding U.S. companies from using telecommunications equipment made by foreign companies that the U.S. government considers national-security threats. That effectively bans Huawei networking equipment in the U.S., which hits rural carriers especially hard. MORE: Are Huawei Phones Unsafe to Use? Three days later, Google announced that it would stop supplying its proprietary Android components to Huawei, including Gmail, Google Maps and the entire Play Store ecosystem, as well as preliminary versions of Android security updates. Google doesnt really have a choice, as it has to comply with U.S. law. At the same time, Intel, Broadcom and Qualcomm reportedly said they would stop supplying chips for Huawei's laptops, smartphones and wireless networking gear. Microsoft hasn't said anything yet, but it will almost certainly have to stop selling Windows to Huawei. (Image credit: Americans won't be able to buy Huawei's new folding Mate X phone. Credit: Tom's Guide) Huawei will still be able to use Android Open Source Project (AOSP) builds of Android, which are open-source and widely used by smartphone makers in China. But European customers won't want Android phones without Google apps. And it's not clear how Huawei can sell many laptops without a Windows license. This could put a pretty major dent in Huawei's sales outside China, to say the least. It could also lead China to retaliate by banning U.S. products, such as Apple iPhones, from being sold domestically. But what little evidence the U.S. has presented in the case against Huawei doesn't justify this kind of drastic action. What reasonable cause? Companies on the Entity List are "reasonably believed to be involved, or pose a significant risk of being or becoming involved in activities contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States," according to the Commerce order adding Huawei to the list. But the order presents as "reasonable cause" only the recent indictment of Huawei in an alleged scheme to export networking equipment containing U.S. technology to Iran, in violation of U.S. law. Huawei's Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, daughter of the company's founder, has been detained in Canada in connection with this indictment. (Image credit: Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou at a conference in Milan in May 2018. Credit: Stocked House Studio/Shutterstock) Exports of U.S. technology to Iran would constitute a violation of U.S. law, but they're a pretty flimsy excuse to ban a company outright, especially without a conviction. It's also hard to see how sales of routine networking gear to Iran would threaten the national security of the United States. We're not being told the whole story There's got to be something more, something beyond just the nagging suspicion that Huawei may be in cahoots with the Chinese government. But we don't know what that something is. It seems that U.S. leaders aren't telling the public everything they know. We do know that Huawei's founder and chief executive rose to a high rank in China's People's Liberation Army. There's also another indictment against Huawei that alleges the company stole a key piece of smartphone-testing technology from T-Mobile, the U.S. subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom. But so what? Plenty of technology executives worldwide, including many in the United States, have had military careers. That doesn't make them spies. And theft of trade secrets is a criminal matter, not a national-security one. Yet the American national-security crusade against Huawei goes back more than a decade. In 2008 and 2010, the U.S. government prevented Huawei from buying U.S. telecommunications companies. In 2012, the House Intelligence Committee declared Huawei a national-security threat and said U.S. companies should not buy Huawei products. Last year, a Senate Intelligence Committee panel asked the heads of six U.S. law-enforcement and intelligence agencies, including the CIA, the FBI and the NSA, if they could recommend that U.S. citizens use Huawei "products or services." None could. When asked why, FBI Director Christopher Wray gave a rather glib response: "We're deeply concerned about the risks of allowing any company or entity that is beholden to foreign governments ... to gain positions of power inside our telecommunications networks." That sounds sensible at first, but if so, why don't the same restrictions apply to other Chinese technology companies, such as Lenovo, Xiaomi or BBK, parent company of Oppo, Vivo and OnePlus? (ZTE was on the hit list, largely for skirting U.S. sanctions against Iran and South Korea, but was removed after its executives lobbied President Trump.) Why doesn't it apply to Germany's Deutsche Telekom, Britain's BT, Finland's Nokia, Sweden's Ericsson or Mexico's America Movil? There seems to be something different about Huawei that makes the U.S. government regard the company as a global threat, but government officials need to explain why. Otherwise, without proof, the American government will be able to just ban any company it wants. List of American suppliers affected by Huawei ban. (Image credit: Reuters) Financial firm Goldman Sachs has compiled a list of American suppliers that provide components or services to Huawei, a Chinese company that was recently put on a trade blacklist, to show how their revenue will be impacted and who has the most to lose. Huawei Bans Impact On American Suppliers Recently, the U.S. government put Huawei on a blacklist, which meant that all American firm had to cease any cooperation with the Chinese company. Of course, this should disrupt Huaweis business in all sorts of ways, since the Chinese firm would be losing suppliers across its product line-ups, despite the companys efforts to stockpile some components expecting that a ban would happen. However, the ban cuts both ways, as the Huawei ban also means revenue loss for the American suppliers. According to Goldman Sachs report, some of the companies that will lose the most revenue include Broadcom, Qualcomm, Micron, and Intel. Although some companies lose more revenue than others, their exposure may be lower. For instance, Intel is expected to lose about $85 million in revenue from Huawei, while AMD will lose about $39 million. However, the loss accounts for only 1% of Intels revenue and 2% for AMDs revenue. Why Huawei Was Banned Over the past year, the U.S. government has increased its criticism against Huawei and other Chinese companies calling them untrustworthy and accusing them of espionage for the Chinese government. Furthermore, the U.S. and China are now in a full-blown trade war, with the U.S. recently raising tariffs for virtually all Chinese imports to 25%, while China withdrew its commitments to no longer force technology IP transfers on American companies doing business in China. The trade war has already led to some consequences such as multiple companies moving as much as half of their production outside of China to other Asian countries. This situation escalated recently with President Trump signing an executive order that bans American firms from dealing with companies that pose an espionage risk. Huawei is not specifically named in the order, but many companies seem to understand that Huawei was the primary target of this order, so they dont want to take any chances. Therefore, these companies have already stopped collaborating with Huawei. The Department of Commerce has agreed to allow Huawei to continue sending software updates to its phones until August 19 through a temporary license. Jackson County COMBAT held the first of three Community Engagement Programs, listening sessions designed to gather public input on the problems of drug abuse and violence. COMBAT is short for Community Backed Anti-Crime Tax. Monday evening's event at the Mohart Community Center was hosted by Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker and COMBAT director Vince Ortega. South Kansas City Renaissance?!?! Vacant church to become 98-unit apartment complex KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The All Saints Episcopal Church at 9201 Wornall Rd. has been vacant for four years. A St. Louis developer wants to turn the site into a 98-unit apartment complex. The City Plan Commission on approving a development plan and two other items in the project on Tuesday at 9 a.m. Lcoal Crime Fight Collabo MO attorney general teams up with FBI to combat human trafficking Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt has teamed up with the FBI to combat human trafficking. New Water Park Owner After Decapitation Six Flags, Cedar Fair and other possibilities for Schlitterbahn buyers - Kansas City Business Journal For months, Schlitterbahn has been mum about its plans in Kansas City, Kan. The three years since a boy died on the KCK water park's Verruckt water slide have brought waves of litigation and negative publicity for the project and its Texas-based parent, Schlitterbahn Waterparks & Resorts. Po-Po Should Buy Lottery Ticket CLOSE CALL: Video shows JoCo deputy almost struck by car KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Dash cam video posted Monday by the Johnson County Sheriff shows just how close a deputy came to being struck by a commercial van. A sheriff's spokesman said the incident occurred early Friday night, May 17, in the eastbound lanes of W 179th Street just west of U.S. Traffic Tragedy Update Motorcyclist identified after fatal crash on N. Chouteau Trafficway KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) - Police have identified a motorcyclist that was killed in a crash in the Northland. On May 4, just before midnight, 44-year-old David D. Waggoner Jr., was thrown from his motorcycle after he crashed into a concrete curb, traveling at high rated speeds, on Deramus Avenue and N. Local 'Hail No' Advice How to protect your car from hail damage Summer can mean some big storms that might drop some large hail that can cause thousands of dollars in damage to cars left out in a storm. If you know a big storm is headed toward you, there are ways to keep your car protected. Soggy Kansas City Life Cont'd Rain, storms continue Monday night into Tuesday Rain and storms will continue Monday evening for the Kansas City area. The low will drop to about 52 degrees. Storms will continue into Tuesday morning. Some o... Monday night news link overflow worth a peek for for tonight. Checkit:Developing . . . EPIC Kansas City Landlord Push Back Legality of apartments owners' business practices questioned OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - Collecting double deposits for apartments, having no intention of ever returning them and failing to pay vendors: these are the guidelines multiple property managers said were routine business practices for the owners of some Kansas City metro apartment complexes. One of those complexes is the in Overland Park, Kansas. Show-Me Prez Trump Saving Missouri President Trump declares major disaster for 13 Missouri counties impacted by March floods President Donald Trump has declared a major disaster for 13 Missouri counties damaged by March flooding.The declaration was announced Monday night. Republican Gov. Mike Parson requested the declaration in April, before a second round of flooding earlier this month caused significant damage in eastern Missouri, particularly along the Mississippi River.The disaster declaration makes federal aid available to help repair roads, bridges and other public infrastructure. Kansas Against Mighty Wind Kansas County Showing What Wind Farms Haven't Seen Much Before: Local Opposition Standing near the corner of his property in southeastern Reno County, Nick Egli looked east and pointed to the proposed locations for several 500-feet-tall wind turbines. Egli is standing on a grass airstrip he's spent the last 10 years building. He pictures a few more homes, some hangars and, eventually, a residential community for pilots of small planes. Call For KCMO Gun Training Gun owners urged to lock up firearms after KC 3-year-old dies in unintentional shooting KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas City Police are investigating after a 3-year-old died from a shooting. Investigators said the incident happened Friday night when the child got a hold of the weapon and unintentionally shot himself. Now, safety advocates are urging gun owners to lock up their firearms if there are children around. Christian School Court Date Underway Trial of Shawnee school leader accused of inappropriate acts with students goes to jury OLATHE, KS (KCTV) - A local jury is now deciding the fate of a Shawnee Christian school leader accused of being wildly inappropriate with his students. Dennis Creason's trial has lasted more than a week and has been very emotional. Jurors heard from five families who claim their children were inappropriately touched a molested by Creason. Show-Me Fight For Life Missouri AG prepared to defend new abortion measure if needed Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt said he is prepared to defend the state's new abortion measure if needed. Chilling Skater Testimony Emerges Former skating partner says KC's John Coughlin sexually abused her when she was a teen Mike Coughlin and Angela Laune, the father and sister of the late figure skater John Coughlin of Kansas City, are speaking out for the first time about the allegations made by SafeSport against him. John Coughlin took his own life in January. Let's start with an overhead shot of the. Right now, we've bot a bevy of mostly bad news to share right now, as rain continues and localsTake a peek:Developing . . . We get it, creativity and inspiration dont come whenever we want. At the same time, theres no reason why we cant and shouldnt look at the work of others and maybe learn one or two things that would ultimately supercharge the right side of our brain. Our first proposal of Instagram accounts you need to follow is @qmike. The guy behind it is Quyen Mike, a menswear photographer, creative director, and full-time advertising student based in London. Oh, and he calls himself Mr. Levitation - but well let his Instagram feed tell you why. Speaking of which, we stumbled upon Quyen Mikes Instagram feed some time ago and weve been following him ever since, mainly because hes not just about posting pictures of him wearing a jacket or rocking a pair of sunglasses. His pictures are often a mix of art and surreal photo manipulation that will take you to another world and offer a new way to look at travel and lifestyle in general. Below youll find some of his work on Instagram, but we strongly encourage you to also check out his blog for more cool stuff. Selfie culture poses a real threat to the great outdoors. National parks have been around for a long time, but until social media came along, fewer people went to them. They were seen as the domain of outdoorsy individuals, who were as committed to spending time in the wilderness as others were to, say, hitting up the mall or getting their hair done. Once selfies became a thing, though, and the general public had a platform on which to post evidence of their adventures (and enjoy the fleeting sense of status that accompanies it), national parks became inundated with visitors, all striving to get that Instagram-worthy photo. In an article called, "How selfie culture ruins the great outdoors for everyone else," writer Joel Barde expresses concern about how the increasing popularity of natural spaces might end up destroying them. Places like Joffre Lakes Provincial Park in British Columbia, Canada, have gone from 52,000 visitors during the summer season of 2011 to 150,000 in summer 2018. Meanwhile, the infrastructure and budget have not changed, making it very hard for parks to manage the crowds. Lacking, too, are basic outdoor skills that were assumed in most visitors up until recently. Barde writes, "Exploring such places has traditionally been the reserve of a self-selected group of adventurers whose backcountry know-how and environmental ethic were forged in outdoor clubs or passed down through generations. For years, BC Parks catered to their needs, assuming a certain level of environmental values and skill." Now the influx of selfie-hunters means parks are flooded with people who don't know what they're doing, are unfamiliar with trail etiquette, and inexperienced at gauging risks. The result is an increase in the number of emergency calls, which come at a cost to taxpayers. Mike Danks, head of North Shore Rescue in the mountains near Vancouver, said he's hearing from more and more inexperienced hikers. "There is a clear link between increased call volume and the adoption of social media, which has attracted an international crowd." King Dumb/CC BY 2.0 All of this leads to complex questions. On one hand, it could be seen as a good thing that people are getting outside and exploring the wilderness near their homes. After all, as Barde put it, "Not everyone is lucky enough to have grown up backcountry camping or spending time in cottage country. And a conservation ethic is learned, not innate." On the other hand, how does one learn a conservation ethic if every interaction with nature is mediated by a cell phone camera? The presence of that phone and its constant wielding in every direction impedes a person's ability to interact truly and deeply with their surroundings because one is always thinking about the next great shot. There are lots of ideas floating around for how to improve the situation. Some parks have responded by improving signage to warn about risks, framing it as a text conversation or using catchy graphics. (This doesn't always work, as I witnessed at the Athabasca Glacier in 2016 when a woman ignored a sign warning of multiple people who'd died falling into crevasses and stepped over a barrier because she "didn't want it in the picture." She lived, but I remain shocked by her nonchalance.) Some parks have increased the number of parking spaces, waived entry fees, and widened and flattened trails. But this, to me, is basically an invitation for more crowds to descend. It plays into that whole commodification of travel that I dislike for so many reasons when travel is made so easy and efficient that great numbers of people descend for minimal amounts of time while causing disproportionate harm and offering few benefits to local inhabitants, whether human or animal. It also begs the question of where the limit is; at what point do we stop paving trails and expanding the parking lots to welcome visitors because these natural spaces are maxed out? I prefer the idea of concentrating visitors at parks and natural sites closest to urban areas a sort of sacrificial zone, I suppose where Parks Canada or other overseeing agencies could concentrate their environmental ethics and etiquette training, in order to better prepare people for going further afield. Entry fees could be waived for these places and increased for other, more pristine locations. Public shuttle services to parks could be improved as well, discouraging people from driving their own cars. Conversations about selfie etiquette must be implemented both within parks and further afield in schools, ad campaigns, and in the parks themselves. Geotagging specific locations on social media remains a faux pas, as it can spell destruction, and more visitors need to realize that. It's a complex issue with no clear solutions, but a valuable first step is for visitors to take responsibility for themselves and understand that having these gorgeous parks is a great privilege that deserves forethought and respect. Read up on the principles of Leave No Trace, visit in the off-season to reduce the burden, seek out less popular spots, carpool or use public transit or bicycles to arrive. Last but not least, consider leaving your phone behind in the car, doing as people used to do and simply enjoying the wilderness for its own sake. HAMILTON Steve Clegg used to go to the township animal shelter five to six times a week, often during his one-hour lunch break from work, to walk pit bull mixed breed dogs Apple and Q. He had grown fond of them. Until one day they disappeared, not long after he requested records through the state Sunshine Law on the animal shelter. Clegg found out later the dogs were euthanized. He believes it was done in retaliation for his snooping, but he cant exactly prove it. Apple and Q arent among the 93 dogs that Mercer County prosecutors alleged were illegally euthanized by members of the Team Yaede administration, which didnt hold the animals the required seven days before putting them down, over a two-year period starting in 2016. But Clegg said Apple and Q were still among thousands of animals killed for one reason or another since the embattled animal shelter was renovated in 2015. He estimated about 2,000 lost their lives in that period, his claims backed up by records he said hes obtained from the township. The mayor controlled the message. The shelter controlled the animals. And they used the animals to control us, Clegg told a crowd of more than 20 animals lovers Monday night as they gathered outside of the township animal shelter to share stories and pay tribute to the departed dogs and cats. The group recited prayers, stood silent through Celine Dions A Song for You and lit candles forming the word love. A few relayed their experiences at the shelter, each of them taking time to credit one another for their roles in keeping up a public pressure campaign that ultimately culminated in felony charges leveled against health director Jeff Plunkett and former animal shelter supervisor Todd Bencivengo. The memorial service took place the night before Plunketts and Bencivengos initial court appearance to answer to charges of official misconduct and animal cruelty, brought by Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofris office following a nine-month probe into malfeasance at the shelter. Animal activist Collene Wronko, who played a big role in the shuttering of the Helmetta animal shelter, urged the crowd to press on with their efforts to ensure the shelter maintains acceptable standards. This is the norm not the exception, she said of the conditions at the shelter. Animals lovers credited council members for getting to the bottom of the problems. A bipartisan subcommittee released a devastating report that corroborated many of the issues first brought to public attention in a state inspections report last summer. Onofris office then launched an investigation based on two complaints referred over by the state Attorney Generals Office. One of those complaints was made by Tammy Duffy, one of the organizers of Mondays memorial service. She said the event was relocated three times due to threats and intimidation attempts by people she believes are associated with Republican Mayor Kelly Yaede, who has downplayed and dismissed the problems at the world-class shelter. The memorial service was initially supposed to take place at a park near the Cornell Heights neighborhood, and was then moved to the Mercer County boathouse, before everyone settled on meeting outside the animal shelter. Even then, animal lovers contended with a police presence. A black police cruiser, manned by two officers, drove by the crowd of animal supporters, forcing them to move to the side of the road, just minutes into the ceremony. It turned around at the cul-de-sac and drove back past the crowd, without officers uttering a word. Later on, two other police cruisers were observed driving by. Terry Peifer, an animal activist who has sued the township for records relating to the shelter, said the police presence was representative of Team Yaedes alleged culture of intimidation. Wronko, of Spotswood, who has often been lambasted by those not down with her cause as an outsider poking her head into township business, said she and others wont be dissuaded by fear tactics. Ill go after any shelter in the state, she said. harinder@tribunemail.com New Delhi, May 20 Global steel major ArcelorMittal today told the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) that it would pay Rs 42,000 crore, including a minimum of Rs 2,500 crore as working capital, for acquiring debt-laden Essar Steel under the insolvency process. Senior advocate Harish Salve appearing for ArcelorMittal also accused Ruias, former Essar Steel promoters, of creating hurdles in the resolution process of the bankrupt steel maker. According to him, issues related to alleged NPAs of the companies of Lakshmi Mittals brother have already been dealt with and rejected by the Supreme Court. Salve further submitted that NCLT and lenders would decide over the distribution of funds among the creditors of Essar Steel. He also added that the distribution should be equitable between financial creditors and operational creditors. The NCLAT would continue to hear the Essar Steel insolvency case on May 21. Earlier, Essar Steel Asia Holdings Ltd (ESAHL), a shareholder of Essar Steel Ltd, had alleged that ArcelorMittal chairman and chief executive officer, LN Mittal, had suppressed vital facts that would otherwise render him ineligible to offer a buyout plan for the distressed steel mill under Section 29A of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). It had also sought disqualification of ArcelorMittals bid for the debt-laden company. PTI NCLAT Hearing today harinder@tribunemail.com New Delhi, May 20 Gold imports increased 54% to $3.97 billion in April, widening the countrys trade deficit and fuelling worries about the current account deficit (CAD). Imports of the precious metal stood at $2.58 billion in April 2018, according to data from the Commerce Ministry. Increase in gold imports pushed the countrys trade deficit to a five-month high of $15.33 billion in April. The countrys current account deficit (CAD) widened to 2.5% of GDP in the third quarter of the last financial year from 2.1% a year ago, primarily on account of a higher trade deficit, though the foreign exchange reserves continued to soar. After recording a negative growth in imports in February, gold imports started registering double-digit growth. In March, it grew 31% to $3.27 billion. PTI editorial@tribune.com Sushil Manav Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 20 Lack of any palpable wave and absence of any major anti-incumbency factor against the present government at the Centre are being considered the main reasons for the dip in voter turnout this time in comparison to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The presence of actor Gul Panag in the election scene in 2014 as the candidate of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which was on the surge at that time, is also being considered the reason for the heaviest turnout since 1967 in last Lok Sabha poll. In yesterdays polling for the Chandigarh parliamentary constituency, a turnout of 70.62 per cent was recorded, which even though being the second highest since 1967, is less than 2014 by almost 3 per cent. In 2014, it was 73.71 per cent. The highest-ever turnout of women was also witnessed in 2014 it was 74.01 per cent, which was 0.6 per cent higher than men. What is more notable about the turnout this time is the fact that while villages coming under the Union Territory recorded a heavy turnout of more than 85 per cent in some cases, the polling was as low as 47 per cent in some posh sectors of the city. Asked why the voter turnout dipped this time, Congress candidate Pawan Kumar Bansal said he had not given a thought to the issue so far. Jo hai so hai (It is what it is), he said. BJP candidate Kirron Kher did not agree that the main contestants in 2014 were the same as 2019. In 2014, we had Gul Panag too, she said, but at the same time, the actor-politician said a difference of 3 per cent in the turnout did not matter much. Kher is not wrong, because the presence of Gul Panag was one of the biggest reasons behind the highest-ever voter turnout in 2014, said a political observer. The advent of AAP in Chandigarh in 2014, which was mentored by leaders who were earlier part of the Anna Hazare movement against corruption, united the floating votes in Chandigarh. Even though the party was young, a large number of people volunteered to campaign for AAP in the city as they were emotionally attached to it. Bollywood actor Gulkirat Kaur Panag witnessed massive support from different sections of society. A party, which started from scratch, hardly a few months before the elections, managed to put up a brilliant show, said political observers. Gul Panag had polled 1.08 lakh votes against 1.91 lakh by Kher and 1.21 lakh by Bansal. Sources, however, said Gul Panags absence from the field could be one reason, but there were some other reasons too for the relatively lower turnout this time. In 2014, there was general anger against the Congress. It was for the first time that two film stars were contesting the poll and there was an apparent Modi wave at that time. This time, there is no big anti-incumbency against the Modi government as also there is no positive sentiment towards the Congress, which has been out of power for five years, said the political observers. Ironically, another actor, Chandigarhs own Ayushmaan Khurrana was the Election Commissions brand ambassador for SVEEP programme, but he, too, did not cast his vote despite being a city voter. When people have to vote more or less for status quo, a dip in the turnout is not unusual, sources said. AAP candidate Harmohan Dhawan said the failure of both Pawan Kumar Bansal and Kirron Kher to fulfil promises they made in 2009 and 2014, respectively, had disenchanted the voters this time, resulting in a dip in the voter turnout. SY Quraishi SY Quraishi Former Chief Election Commissioner of India In the noise about the repeated violations of the model code of conduct by top political leaders in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, a very serious development has escaped national attention. The drug menace that was first noticed in the Punjab Assembly elections in 2012 has spread to other areas, most of all Gujarat. The ECs seizure reports highlight a menace that has the potential to eat into the very vitals of the nation. Out of the over Rs 3,377 crore that has been seized in cash and kind, as of May 10, drugs/narcotics have topped the list with a total worth of over Rs 1,252 crore (more than a third of the total!). The state topping the list is no longer Punjab but a very unlikely one, Gujarat, a dry state. With seizures worth Rs 525 crore, Gujarat is now way ahead of Punjabs Rs 215 crore, with the NCT of Delhi standing in between, with Rs 372 crore. This development, though shocking, may not come as a surprise to those familiar with the drug problem. In March this year, it was reported that Gujarat is the third-worst state in cases of drug overdose death. Around 2,327-kg ganja was seized in Gujarat in 2017, dwarfing the 1,711 kg in Punjab. Nine Iranians were arrested in March for smuggling drugs worth Rs 500 crore from Pakistan. Due to strict law enforcement, the cases of ganja, hashish and heroin have actually decreased in Punjab and codeine-based cough syrups have replaced them. But Gujarat has become the new hotbed. More than 95 per cent of the total seizures from Gujarat have been in the form of narcotics, followed by the NCT of Delhi, Punjab, Manipur and UP. In my book, An Undocumented Wonder: The Making of the Great Indian Election, I had provided a checklist of 40 modus operandi of political parties/candidates using illegal money in elections to bribe voters. The penultimate item on that list was distribution of liquor, drugs and poppy husk. It is clear that the issue has graduated to the top three in these elections. The mind-boggling seizures may be indicative of two contrasting possibilities (1) The abuse of money has increased manifold, or (2) the vigilance of the commission has increased the seizures. While the commission may be more vigilant and the amount of seizures may have gone up as a result, this is also one of the most horrendous ways that the overarching role of money power is in full display in the arena of voter manipulation, with liquor and drugs playing havoc. The 2012 Punjab elections had given us sleepless nights with reports of large-scale distribution of liquor and drugs. Specific directions were issued to all enforcement agencies regarding the infiltration of drugs into the elections. With the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) as the coordinating agency, the BSF was asked to seal the international border to prevent trafficking from the notorious golden crescent of Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. A central election cell with a control room was set up under an IG-rank officer. A total of 374 additional nakas were put up in districts and bordering states were asked to set up barriers on their side. As many as 174 flying squads equipped with video cameras were deployed. These efforts were rewarded with phenomenal success. In just one month, the commission seized 53.5-kg heroin and 435-kg poppy husk, besides a large quantity of psychotropic substances. But the discoveries were startling. There was hardly any drug/psychotropic substance that was not in circulation. This compelled me to take a step beyond the call of duty, of writing a letter to the then Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, highlighting the gravity of the issue. I wrote that Punjab had emerged as a hub of drug trafficking due to its proximity to the golden crescent and 40 per cent of highly potent drugs were transiting through the state to destinations as far as Europe and North America. The districts of Bathinda, Mansa, Sangrur, Muktsar and Ferozepur, on the borders of Rajasthan and Haryana, were the worst affected. What was more disconcerting was that the menace was ruining the health, well-being and the future of youth in Punjab, who particularly were falling prey to the free supply of these substances as inducement during the polls. The problem had the potential to spread its ugly wings to other parts of the country as well. It is a matter of serious concern that for short-term electoral and political gains, long-term national consequences are utterly disregarded, I wrote. Seven years on, the usage of money power for political gains is rampant than ever. The numbers from these elections are a testament to the fact that the campaign finance regime has utterly failed the cause of free and fair elections. Illegal cash is all over Indias elections, in all its life-threatening forms, now more than ever. The menace of drugs is not only a threat to democracy, but also a threat to life and the social fabric of the nation. It is now spreading to other states and overwhelming the election machinery. This is a grim reminder of the ripple effect of black money and the consequences of political inaction and lethargy. Will the 17th Lok Sabha set its priorities straight, or continue with its denial? harinder@tribunemail.com Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu is a busy man these days, perhaps the busiest among top Opposition leaders. Dismissive of the exit polls that are predicting another term for the NDA, this prime ministerial hopeful is going all out to forge a non-BJP alliance. During his whirlwind trips to New Delhi and Lucknow in recent days, he has already met the top brass of the Congress and other parties. Infamous for switching loyalties, he is said to be citing a favourable exit poll which is giving barely 180 seats to the saffron party. Naidu, who broke ranks with the NDA last year over the delay in granting special status to AP, is second only to Mamata Banerjee in confronting PM Modi. In February, he had held a daylong hunger strike during his Dharma Porata Deeksha (protest for justice) in Delhi after the PM took potshots at him at a rally in Guntur. However, he is surely punching well above his weight ahead of the poll results. His party is at best a regional outfit that might struggle to match its 2014 tally of 15 Lok Sabha seats. The CMs proactive approach on the national stage is baffling as he already has his hands full in his own state. Naidu is not only fighting anti-incumbency but also a spirited challenge from Jaganmohan Reddy-led YSR Congress Party in the Assembly as well as parliamentary elections. In an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana, Shiv Sena has hit the nail on the head by saying that Naidu is unnecessarily exhausting himself by running from pillar to post as there is no guarantee of this possible coalition staying intact by the time the results are out on May 23. Naidu should confine himself to a supporting role commensurate with the TDPs stature. After the results, its the Congress that should take the lead in stitching a post-poll alliance of Opposition parties. Such a mahagathbandhan can become a force to reckon with only if the major players find common ground and present a credible alternative to the electorate in the long run. editorial@tribune.com nit Dhawan Tribune News Service Rohtak, May 20 Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has stated that the predictions extended by the exit polls endorsed the pro-incumbency sentiment of the people towards the BJP government at the Centre. The BJP would win all 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana, he added. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a meeting organised at the state BJP headquarters to take the feedback of the partys Lok Sabha candidates and election in-charges and coordinators here today, Khattar said the exit polls indicated that the people were happy with the performance of the BJP government. The Chief Minister also visited the family members of Sepoy Sandeep Malik of Behalba village in Rohtak district, who was killed in an encounter with terrorists in Pulwama recently. He consoled the martyrs mother and wife and assured them of full help and support from the state government. Khattar announced that a park would be made in the village in memory of the martyr and added that family members of the martyr would get due honour as per the established protocol. Meanwhile, BJPs Haryana unit president Subhash Barala appreciated the efforts of the party workers in the Lok Sabha elections and exhorted them to maintain the momentum for the upcoming Vidhan Sabha elections. editorial@tribune.com Nitin Jain Tribune News Service Ambala, May 20 The favourable prediction by a majority of pollsters has raised the interest and excitement of BJP workers, who gathered at the party office here on Monday. Saffron party activists seemed relaxed and expressed confidence that the people of the country as well as Ambala had made up their mind to re-elect Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister. People had decided to vote for the BJP the day Lok Sabha elections were announced. Now, they have started saying aayega to Modi hi (Modi will return as PM), two-time sitting BJP MP Rattan Lal Kataria said. Bharat Bhushan Aggarwal, a veteran BJP leader, claimed everyone, including youth and elders, voted for Modi. A day after the exit polls painted a grim picture for the Congress, the party office here wore a deserted look even though a handful of workers present there rejected the forecast that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would return to power. Most exit polls on Sunday predicted another term for Modi, with some of them projecting that the BJP-led NDA would get more than 300 seats to comfortably cross the majority mark of 272 in Lok Sabha. The usual commotion at the Congress office was missing on Monday morning. Party workers attributed this to a false atmosphere created by the exit polls. The Congress is confident of an improved performance. But local party activists said the BJP would win only if EVMs were manipulated. They said the fight between Rajya Sabha member Kumari Selja and Kataria was tough. They claim Selja would poll more votes than what she did in 2009 and 2004, when she had defeated Kataria. With two days to go for the counting of votes, candidates, especially Kataria and Selja, and their supporters are spending sleepless nights. Groups of supporters are rotating duties to guard the EVMs outside the counting centres. amansharma@tribunemail.com Tribune News Service Karnal, May 21 In a broad daylight robbery, three robbers on Tuesday struck the residence of an automobile dealer in Sector 9 and decamped with cash, jewellery worth lakhs besides a car after taking a woman family member, her kids and maid hostage at knifepoint. As per police, domestic help Pawan, who was hired through a Delhi-based agency three to four days back, was also allegedly involved in the incident. At the time of incident, automobile dealer Rahul Rao and other family members were not at home. Rahul had gone to Badrinath, while his sons were at the showroom. The incident was captured on CCTV cameras, the footage of which is now with police who are investigating the matter. A special team has been appointed to nab the accused. The incident has exposed the law and order situation in the CMs constituency. As per information, around 1 pm Jyoti, daughter-in-law of Rahul Rao, along with her four-year-old son, one-and-a-half-year-old daughter and maid were in a room at the first floor of the house when three miscreants in connivance with servant entered the house. After taking the family members hostage, they decamped with jewellery and cash worth lakhs of rupees besides mobile phones. After taking the valuables, they threatened Jyoti of dire consequences if she came down for an hour. When a family member rang the doorbell after sometime, Jyoti came down and informed police. We have constituted a special team led by a DSP to crack the case. The newly-appointed servant was involved in the incident. We are yet to get a written complaint as the family is assessing the loss, SP Surinder Singh Bhoria said. He appealed to residents not to hire any servant without police verification. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 20 The state government will bear the expenses of recovery and transportation of the mortal remains of Ravi Thakur, the 27-year-old mountaineer from Sonepat who died during an expedition to Mount Everest in Nepal last week. The government has sent a consent letter to the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, pledging to bear the expenditure, amounting to around Rs 30.8 lakh, for the recovery and transportation of the mortal remains of the mountaineer. Ravi was reportedly found dead on May 17 in a tent on the South Col of Mount Everest, the worlds highest peak. He had successfully scaled the worlds highest peak, but died on the way back. Ravis family on Saturday received an invoice of about Rs 30.8 lakh from Seven Summit Treks Private Limited, the company which facilitated the expedition, asking for transfer of money for helicopter evacuation, search and rescue. After receiving invoice for payment, Ravis father Mahesh Thakur, an employee of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, had approached Rajiv Jain, media adviser to the Chief Minister, requesting the state government to intervene in the matter. After the matter was brought to his notice, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had directed the Chief Secretarys office to assure the Indian Embassy that payment involved in the search operations would be made by the government. On an assurance by the Indian Embassy, the company had reportedly started operations to retrieve the mountaineers body. editorial@tribune.com Ambala, May 20 Health Minister Anil Vij today targeted Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu saying he should join Pakistans political party Tehreek-e-Insaf. Vij, while speaking to mediapersons here, said, Sidhu has been snubbed by all political parties. Earlier, the BJP expelled him and now Captain Amarinder Singh and other ministers also want the same treatment meted out to him. He is being affronted. He has no choice but to join his friend Imran Khans party Tehreek-e-Insaf. He said, Sidhu is not fit for any party and that is why I am suggesting to him to join Imran Khans party. He will be happy with him, as they are friends. Vij also tweeted a similar statement earlier in the day. Vij posted on Twitter: Navjot Singh Sidhu having snubbed by all parties, including the BJP and the Congress, is left with no choice except to join Imran Khans party Tehreek-e-Insaf. Vijs statement comes after the simmering tension between Sidhu and the Punjab Chief Minister came out in the open. TNS editorial@tribune.com Pratibha Chauhan Tribune News Service Shimla, May 20 It was a day of relaxation with family and friends at home for senior leaders, ministers and all candidates who are eagerly awaiting the outcome of their hard labour on May 23 when the counting of votes will begin. The Secretariat here continued to wear a deserted look with none of the ministers and the Chief Minister being back to work. Even though the results will be announced on May 23, the code of conduct will continue till May 27. The Cabinet is likely to meet on May 28. While the BJP cadre remained upbeat after the exit poll results, there was a visible gloom among the Congress cadre, while being apprehensive of the partys victory. All ministers, who were contacted, said they would return to Shimla only after the counting was over. However, all of them sounded confident of winning all four seats. I congratulate the people for turning out in large numbers for casting their vote which will strengthen democracy. The greater women turnout of 74.38 per cent, higher than men, is a welcome sign of women being keen to play an equal role in the development of the state, he said. Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur was at his native place at Samirpur in Hamirpur with his father and former Chief Minister PK Dhumal. They spent the day meeting party workers while assessing the voter turnout. Similarly, Congress candidate from Hamirpur Ram Lal Thakur, a sitting MLA, met workers in Bilaspur. Mandi Congress candidate Ashray Sharma spent anxious moments at his home in Mandi, while assessing how he performed. His opponent Ram Swaroop was in Mandi meeting party workers. All ministers spent the day today relaxing at home in their Assembly segments and also assessing the votes that they would get from each booth. The massive turnout of voters, the highest-ever in Himachal, and the exit poll results giving a thumping majority to the BJP had left the Congress cadre demoralised. Even as they were hopeful of wresting at least one seat from the BJP, they are uncertain about the poll results. The results on May 23 will be contrary to the exit polls. Very heavy voter turnout always goes against power that-be, which indicates that the Congress is winning, said state Congress president Kuldeep Rathore. Assessment begins editorial@tribune.com Bhanu P Lohumi Tribune News Service Shimla, May 20 Since most officials were busy in the Lok Sabha elections, which concluded on Sunday, the return of a Karnataka woman, languishing in Adarsh Home for Mentally Retarded Persons in Manali due to language barrier, to her native place has been delayed. The woman, Sushilamma, hails from Haveri district in Karnataka. She came in contact with an NGO during a counselling session in Manali in March this year and was in trauma. She narrated her story to Sunila Sharma, president of the Performing Group of Arts, through a mediator, who could converse in Kannada. Her identity has been established and both governments are in touch. The process is also under way for her return. The state government was, however, awaiting information as to which NGO was ready to take care of her and take her, said Sunila, adding that concrete steps would be taken for her rehabilitation after May 23 when the result of the elections would be out. Sushilamma was abandoned by her husband and is illiterate. She can communicate only in Kannada. Due to language barriers, nobody could understand her. She was brought to the Nari Seva Sadan, Mashobra, by the police in 2014 and was later shifted to Manali in 2018 as the destitute home there was overcrowded. The Directorate of Social Justice, Karnataka, had deputed a councillor, Durgesh, who came to Manali and met the woman. She does not remember the address of her relatives. The District Magistrate, Devengiri, adjoining Haveri district, who is supervising the case, has decided to bring her back to the state and rehabilitate her. Communication between the two states for the rehabilitation of Sushilamma is in process, he added. In a letter to the Social Welfare Department, Karnataka, it was informed that Sushilamma has revealed that she is married, but her family life was not smooth. In 2014, her husband took her to the Karibasaveshwara temple and abandoned her saying he would return after two days. She waited for him for a few days and in the meantime worked as labourer at the nearby construction site. She then went to the Harihara railway station, but instead of reaching her native place, she landed in Himachal. She told that she is willing to go back to her sister as her parents are not alive. Earlier also, another woman from Karnataka, Saraswati, alias Padma (26), had spent two years in Hospital of Mental Health and Rehabilitation, Boileauganj, here and suffered as she could not communicate due to language barrier. However, she was finally reunited with her kin. editorial@tribune.com Pratibha Chauhan Tribune News Service Shimla, May 20 With elections over, next on agenda for Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur is wooing investors for the Global Investors Meet at Dharamsala next month for which he will be travelling abroad soon. After casting his vote in home panchayat in Seraj in Mandi yesterday, the Chief Minister left for Delhi. He stayed for the night at Jogindernagar and took the morning flight from Gaggal airport to Delhi where he will be in Delhi to meet senior BJP leadership. After more than 70 days of hectic campaigning since the elections were announced on May 10, the Chief Minister will travel to UAE, Germany and Netherlands by the end of this month or early June. Even though the investors meet had been planned for February 2019 in Dharamsala in view of the parliamentary elections, it was decided to hold it after the elections. Besides the CM and Industry Minister Bikram Singh, Principal Secretary to the CM Srikant Baldi and Additional Chief Secretary Industry Manoj Kumar are expected to travel abroad. After this, the Chief Minister will also be leading the team of officials from various departments for the meet at Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Ludhiana and Hyderabad. Various departments like Industry, power, tourism, agriculture, health and ayurveda have prepared projects to rope in investment worth Rs 85,000 crore. The main objective is to attract big investment which will help in creating employment avenues as joblessness is emerging to be the biggest problem facing the youth. As per the proposal prepared by the Industries Department, a target has been set for attracting Rs 20,000 crore each in the power and infrastructure and logistics sectors, Rs 15,000 crore in the manufacturing sector, Rs 10,000 crore in the tourism and hospitality sector and Rs 5,000 crore each in healthcare and fitness, agri-business and information technology, electronics and skill development sectors. Some MoUs have already been signed so as to ensure that all clearances pertaining to land transfer, essentiality certificate, nod from the state Pollution Control Board and electricity board are complete well in time before the investors meet in June. This will help send a positive signal that there are no cumbersome procedures to set up industrial units, power projects or health resorts in Himachal and the hill state has an investor-friendly atmosphere, said an official. The previous Virbhadra regime had also held investors meet at various places, but finally there was very little investment and a majority of investors, who attended the meet, skipped making investment in the state. Projects ready Various departments like Industry, power, tourism, agriculture, health and ayurveda have prepared projects to rope in investment worth Rs 85,000 crore. The main objective is to attract big investment which will help in creating employment avenues as joblessness is emerging to be the biggest problem facing the youth. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Jammu/Leh, May 20 In a major political development ahead of the counting of votes on May 23, three of the four candidates from the Ladakh parliamentary constituency on Monday jointly wrote to the J&K Chief Electoral Officer, demanding repolling in the Zanskar subdivision of the region. Congress nominee Rigzin Spalbar and two Independents Haji Asgar Ali Karbalai, who is a Congress rebel, and Sajjad Hussain Kargili, who has been backed by the National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party and the influential Islamia School Kargil have alleged malpractices at all polling stations in the Zanskar Assembly segment. Four candidates, including Jamyang Tsering Namgyal of the BJP, were in the fray for the Ladakh seat, which went to the polls in the fifth phase of elections on May 6. Without naming anyone, the candidates alleged that they had provided documentary evidence regarding blatant violation of the model code of conduct during the polling and malpractices committed with utter disregard to the democratic practice or norms. We were expecting a favourable consideration of our case based on facts. There has been no positive response till now. The use of religious persecution to garner votes through intimidation is not only unconstitutional but has also diluted the spirit of democracy in a scale not witnessed by the peace loving people of Ladakh ever in the past. The media bribery case also aggravates the foundations of the democratic edifice, they wrote in the letter, which was also sent to the Election Commission of India and the Returning Officer for the Ladakh seat. The Election Commission had set up 54 polling stations in Zanskar, which witnessed 81.98 per cent voting. Of the total 22,325 votes, 18,303 were polled in Zanskar. The BJP has rigged the elections through 8,000 bogus votes in Zanskar which shall certainly give it a lead. It was all pre-planned by the BJP and we had time and again brought it to the notice of the authorities, Spalbar said. The candidates urged that their demand for a repoll be considered on the basis of their complaints to ensure transparency and sanctity of the electoral process under Article 324 of the Constitution. Earlier, they had approached the polling governing authority individually against the alleged violation of the model code of conduct in Zanskar. The All India Congress Committee had also lodged a complaint on May 9 against the violation of the model code of conduct in Zanskar and had demanded a repoll there. Allege malpractices gspannu7@gmail.com Srinagar, May 21 The Jammu and Kashmir governors administration on Tuesday withdrew an order restricting movement of civilian traffic on the national highway between Srinagar and Jammu from Monday. An official statement said following a review of the security situation in the state and of the requirement of security forces convoys, Governor Satya Pal Malik has decided to lift the remaining restrictions on civilian traffic movement on the national highway connecting Jammu to Srinagar with effect from May 27. May 26 will be the last day of restriction on the movement of civilian traffic on the highway. The state administration had earlier on May 7 reduced the number of days from two to one and allowed civilian traffic on Wednesdays. These restrictions had become necessary following the movement of security forces on an unprecedented scale after the Pulwama terror attack, according to the statement. The forces were required both for anti-militancy operations and for smooth conduct of the general elections. In order to facilitate safe and secure movement of convoys of the security forces, the state administration had imposed prohibition on civilian traffic on the highway from Baramulla to Udhampur twice a weekSunday and Wednesdayfrom 4 am-5 pm. Elaborate arrangements were, however, made by the local administration to facilitate movement of public during the period of restriction, it claimed. Earlier, restriction on civilian movement between Srinagar and Baramulla on the highway was limited to Sunday with effect from April 22 and later completely withdrawn from May 2. Restrictions on the Srinagar-Udhampur stretch were limited to just one day from May 13. After a detailed review today with all security agencies, civil and police administration in connection with the preparations for the Shri Amarnathji Yatra, the governor directed that there should be no restriction on civilian movement on the highway from Monday next, the statement said. The restriction had come into force after a suicide bomber triggered an explosive laden car next to a bus of a CRPF convoy leaving 40 personnel dead. PTI editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 20 After functioning without the National Accreditation Assessment Committee (NAAC) certification for three years, the University of Kashmir has been granted A+ rank by the NAAC team after its recent visit to the university. Established in 1994, NAAC is an organisation that assesses and accredits higher education institutions (HEIs) in India. It is an autonomous body funded by the University Grants Commission (UGC). The NAAC teams conducted an assessment in the University from May 1 to 4. The university had applied for the accreditation after 2011 when it was given A rank by the NAAC visiting team. After the NAAC certification was over in 2016, the university did not apply for accreditation, first due to the unrest, and then the administrative failure. It cost the university nearly Rs 100 crore as it could not avail the funds under various Central schemes for failing to have an NAAC certification. It means a lot. We are celebrating it. It would help the university on every front like development, teaching and research. The university would also be able to get more grants. We have got score much higher than Delhi University, said chief proctor Dr Naseer Iqbal. The university has been granted cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of total 3.31. After working extensively for the NAAC visit, the higher-ups in the university administration were expecting better ranks. The university left no chance to impress the team. This year there is a lot of improvement in the university in all aspects of academics, said a senior official. The parameters for accreditation by NAAC are curriculum designing and planning, curriculum transaction and evaluation, research development and extension, infrastructure and learning resources, student support and progression, organisation and management and innovative practices. The University of Kashmir, which is the largest seat of learning in the Valley, was recently given 53rd position among the universities assessed in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)-2019, besides bagging an overall ranking of 79 in the list of all universities, IITs and other institutions assessed by the MHRD under NIRF. University improves working ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM Mona Meditation has appealed to youngsters like never before; be it ancient, stringent, practices like Vipassana or just tuning into Headspace, celebs or not, the young brigade is turning towards stillness, that of the mind, in order to deal with a world full of distractions and disappointments. Stringent norms This engineer wanted to be a bada admi. Getting to know that most mighty and successful folks share one trait in common they meditate, he tried checking in with Osho; it cost money for the robe and expenses, so he looked for options. It was in one of Ian Wrights blog that he read someone suggesting Vipassana course in India. As he thought high of Ian, all of 25, Rahul Mittal showed up at Dhamma Salila, Dehradun. It was only once there that he realised the stringent norms complete silence for 10 days, no dinner, and hours of meditation. Its now that I realise what a miracle it was to get a seat without registering for a course thats got long queue of people waiting. Eight years on, he seems to have broken the code between meditation and success. I sure have higher capacity to work; along with inculcating patience, it has also made me creative and empathetic, says this co-director of Prahit Technologies Limited. High flying It was an urge to be stronger, physically and mentally, that led Amandeep on to the path of meditation. For long, thereve been studies that most diseases are psychosomatic, I wanted to hone my mind and train my body, says this 25-year-old ex-IT engineer who doubles up as a Krav Maga instructor and yoga trainer. He compares life before and post meditation as driving on a road to flying. When driving on road, you stop at signals, dodge the traffic or obstructions. Consider this - if you could fly over the road! Thats what meditation does to you. Relaxed mode When 23-year-old Simran Kaur walks into an Art of Living happiness programme as a teacher, people old and young are sure taken aback at first. For Simran, the first brush with meditation was reading about Swami Vivekananda when she was barely in class four. Till much later when she got introduced to Art of Living, she tried practicing on her own. Howsoever cluttered or hurried my day is, these 20 minutes of my relaxation time works wonders, says this painter, who just finished her masters in physics. mona@tribunemail.com Soothing effect In the instant times, no wonder there are plenty of apps to cater to young professionals looking for some quick stress relief. Himanshu Vasistha, founder MindVis, tried Calm and Insighter before settling down with Headspace. The overall look and feel of the app is soothing in itself, he says. Iranian actress Elnaaz Norouzi banks on what the quick relief meditative apps have on offer. In a car, waiting at an airport lounge or during makeup, soothing music or guided meditation helps you stay calm. Celeb zone As much as yoga, meditation also has been made fashionable by celebs. Right from Shilpa Shetty to Malaika Arora, Kareena Kapoor Khan to Tiger Shroff to Sidharth Malhotra... all have embraced the ancient practice. Even their Hollywood counterparts have taken to it. Kristen Bell banks on 10 minutes of meditative yoga to get past the little irritants of the day, while Katy Perry banks on Transcendental Meditation to stay sane through her high-flying life. harinder@tribunemail.com Lt Gen Raj Kadyan (retd) Col IBRAHIM SINGH, commanding an infantry battalion, is holding an operational conference of his officers. He apprises them of the task that has been assigned to them by the higher-ups. He lays emphasis on the importance of the task and exhorts them to put in their best. When he comes to the inevitable any questions? Major Lobo asks: Sir, this task is assigned to us by the ruling Jateeya Suraksha Party. Men in my company do not support this party and I may not get their whole-hearted involvement. Col IS: Let us remember that our battalion is specially selected for this task and it is a matter of pride for us. You must convince them of our traditions. Major Lobo: I personally agree with you, Sir. But if you recall just prior to the elections last year, our brigade commander had asked us to vote for the rival Pavitra Peoples Party. Unfortunately, they did not win and are now in the Opposition. Before Col IS could answer, Major Narjit Singh interjected: Sir, why dont they assign the task to our neighbouring battalion since their soldiers belong to the same state as the PM? Capt Mader chipped in: Sir, my Subedar Sahib was saying that despite a promise made by his area MP, who is now a minister, no one from his district has been given the highest gallantry award. The above scenario is luckily imaginary, and hopefully also unthinkable. If the same is not a reality, it is not because some thoughtless remarks by our politician friends are not pushing us towards it. Elections are a testing time for politicians. Their sole mission and purpose becomes simply to win votes. Narrow parochial, divisive issues overtake national interest. Caste and religion become the reeds to lean on in the no-holds-barred campaign. Earlier, defence forces were kept out of the political fights. Now votes are openly sought in the name of soldiers and martyrs. Winning elections is the only guiding light; means do not matter. The Army is one institution that has remained unaffected by the many divisive trends that afflict our heterogeneous country. It is our last port of call for keeping the country safe and united, which it has done successfully. Its expertise and resources also get utilised during national needs, including calamities and disasters. These nation-building tasks the Army takes on willingly and these further endear the Army among the populace. Wisdom demands that we do not tinker with the Armys culture and its ethos in any manner. Its loyalty should stay with the Constitution. The tendency on the part of some to use the Army to score brownie points in the political slugfest of elections needs to be strongly decried. Even if those politicians trying to ride on the shoulders of the Army are able to win, in the long run, that victory would prove pyrrhic. We would have paid a very heavy price. amansharma@tribunemail.com Vibha Sharma Tribune News Service New Delhi, May 21 Thirty-six NDA allies, including JD(U) president and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Akali Dal supremo Parkash Singh Badal, his son Sukhbir and Union minister Harsimrat Badal on Tuesday attended BJP president Amit Shahs aabhar milan thanksgiving dinner two days ahead of the announcement of results of the Lok Sabha elections and expressed their complete support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Home Minister Rajnath Singh said all NDA allies backed Prime Minister Modi and the three allies who could not attend had sent their letters of support. With the exit polls predicting a clear majority for the Narendra Modi government, NDA leaders expressed confidence in their victory. Before the dinner, Prime Minister Modi and Shah met the council of ministers at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi to thank them for their service to the nation in the past five years. I congratulate Team Modi Sarkar for their hard work and remarkable achievements in the last 5 years. Let us keep this momentum going for a New India under the leadership of PM @narendramodi, Shah tweeted after the meeting. Leaders of the 36 NDA allies were present at the dinner, a message of solidarity and show of strength amid the snowballing EVM controversy. Exit polls have predicted the return of PM Modi to power with a clear majority amid attack by opposition parties over alleged tampering of electronic voting machines (EVMs). ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM New Delhi, May 20 A day after Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu mocked the exit polls, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari today said the exit polls were not the final decision but indicated that the BJP would return to power. Exit polls are not the final decision, but are indications. But, by and large, what comes out in the exit polls also reflects in the results, Gadkari said while talking to reporters after launch of a new poster of the forthcoming Bollywood biopic PM Narendra Modi. Twelve of 14 exit polls predicted the NDA getting a full majority with seats ranging from 282 to 365. A party or an alliance needs 271 seats to form the government as the Lok Sabha elections were held on 542 of the 543 seats. The exit polls predicted the Congress-led UPA getting 82 to 165 seats. Six exit polls predicted that other parties were likely to get more seats than the UPA. The former BJP chief asserted that the new BJP-led government would be formed under PM Narendra Modis leadership as elections were fought under him. His remarks came a day after the Vice President said the exit polls do not mean exact polls. We have to understand that. Since 1999, most of the exit polls have gone wrong, Naidu said in Guntur. Everyone exhibits his own confidence till the 23rd (day of counting). There will be no base for it. So we have to wait for 23rd, he had said. IANS shriaya.dutt@tribuneindia.com Shiv Kumar Tribune News Service Mumbai, May 21 Caught in a trade war with the US, China is fast turning diamond processing units in Gujarat and Rajasthan into re-export hubs of man-made stones to the former. According to diamond exporters here, Chinese manufacturers with huge capacities to grow artificial diamonds in laboratories may have sent as much as Rs 3,000 crore worth of the stones to India in 2018. Most of them have been processed for re-export to the US. "Many smaller units in Gujarat and Rajasthan are now dependent entirely on Chinese man-made diamonds as demand for natural diamonds is falling," says Amod Shah, a diamond exporter from Mumbai. According to him margins for cutting these man-made stones are as low as Rs 10 per carat while natural diamonds used to fetch Rs 50 per carat. But the work involved is much less than natural diamonds and the volumes are sufficient to keep business going, says Shah. Sources in the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council say Chinese man-made diamonds enter Mumbai via Dubai and onward to cutting and polishing units in Gujarat and Rajasthan. The finished stones are popular in the US where they are used in finger rings and small jewellery. Analysts say Indian units may process as much as Rs 4,000 crore worth of man-made diamonds in weeks ahead of Valentine's Day next year. Last year, the American government erased the differentiation between natural and lab-grown or synthetic diamonds. Indian companies are estimated to have manufactured around 500,000 carats in 2018 with plans to manufacture 1.5 million carats by 2021, according to officials from the Surat Special Economic Zone. However, the cheaper imports from China are seen posing a major threat to the manufacture of man-made diamonds in India. India exported cut and polished diamonds to the tune of US$ 23.82 bn in 2018-19. Man-made diamonds though a small fraction of these are growing at the rate of 25 per cent annually, analysts say. vermaajay1968@gmail.com Bhopal, May 20 Hours after the BJP in Madhya Pradesh asked the Congress government to prove its majority, Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Monday said he was prepared for a floor test. Nath also claimed that he had proven majority of his coalition government four times in the last five months. Leader of Opposition Gopal Bhargava said his party would ask Governor Anandiben Patel to convene a special session to discuss important issues and test the governments strength. He said the Congress, instead of debating issues in the House, was dumping papers at former CM Shivraj Singh Chouhans residence, claiming that loans of 21 lakh farmers had been waived. The BJP demand comes a day after exit polls predicted a comfortable victory in the LS elections and maximum number of seats in MP. PTI ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM New Delhi, May 20 A BJP delegation on Monday met top Election Commission officials and demanded re-polling where violence had taken place during all phases of the Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal and requested deployment of central forces till the model code of conduct is in force. We have met the Election Commissioners and informed them about the violence that had taken place in all the seven phases of the Lok Sabha polls and requested for re-polling in all the violence-affected constituencies, Union Minister Piyush Goyal told reporters after meeting Election Commission officials. He was accompanied by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and senior BJP leaders. Accusing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of threatening BJP candidates, poll agents and party sympathisers, he urged the EC to take cognisance of the matter. We saw incidents of violence took place till the last phase of polling. There is possibility of violence even after counting of votes. So, we have requested the Commission to deploy the central forces in EVM strongrooms till the end of counting to allow free and fair counting, he said. He said the central forces should be there till the model code of conduct is in force. The senior BJP leaders also appealed to the poll panel to ensure the sanctity of the counting process in Odisha, Karnataka, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Independent observers must be sent in these states and CCTV cameras must be installed in all counting stations in the five states, he said. IANS AIADMK will perform well: Palaniswami monicakchauhan@gmail.com Bhopal, May 21 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Tuesday alleged that the BJP was trying to poach MLAs in the Congress. The BJP on Monday wrote to Governor Anandiben Patel, asking her to convene a session of the state Assembly so that the Congress government led by Kamal Nath could prove its majority in the House. In the Assembly polls last year, the Congress won 114 of the state's 230 seats, two short of the majority mark of 116. The Bahujan Samaj Party, having two MLAs, and Samajwadi Party, which has one, are supporting the Congress. There are four Independents. The BJP won 109 seats. During discussions in the House, financial demands will come up and we will seek division (voting). In division, if the Congress government fails, it will go (collapse), the BJP leader said. The letter says several problems, including some severe ones, are plaguing the state since the last six months after formation of the new House". Madhya Pradesh is in the grip of severe water crisis and lawlessness. Farmers condition is worrisome as they are unable to sell their produce. They are also disillusioned over the farm loan waiver, Bhargava's letter states. A short two-days session of the Assembly in February could not discuss the concerns of a large number of people in the state, the letter said. Meanwhile, state Congress sources said the Kamal Nath-led ministry may be expanded to induct a minister each from the BSP and SP and also an Independent to provide stability to the six-month-old government. PTI/IANS vermaajay1968@gmail.com Ajay Banerjee Tribune News Service New Delhi, May 20 Even as an inquiry into the February 27 crash of an Mi-17 helicopter at Budgam near Srinagar nears completion, the Indian Air Force has removed the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) of the Srinagar air base a move to show that procedural lapses will not go unpunished. All six airmen on board the helicopter and a civilian on ground were killed. The helicopter was downed by a surface-to-air missile (SAM) of IAF, which assumed the helicopter to be a hostile platform. The Russian-made copter crashed at 10.05 am around the same time as Indian and Pakistani fighters were engaging each other over Nowshera in Jammu and Kashmir. Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthamans jet was downed around 10.30 am. The AOC of IAF base is the seniormost officer. An ongoing inquiry into the accident has indicated lapses leading to the accident. The Air Traffic Control had called back the helicopter as an air duel between Indian and Pakistani jets escalated. This is being seen as a lapse as the helicopter should have been sent away to a safer zone instead of being called back to Srinagar. Also, as the copter was returning, it should have been made to land at the designated safe spot. On ground, the missile system and air defence guns fire away at aircraft or helicopters which cant be identified. The crucial identification or the Friend or Foe (IFF) system on the Mi-17 helicopter was switched off, which was against laid down procedures. The IFF is a system on board a helicopter or plane that automatically transmits a unique identification signal. That the IFF would remain mandatorily switched on was a decision taken last year after a near mid-air accident between a Sukhoi-30 fighter jet and a transport plane of the IAF. Though the IAF issued instructions that the IFF system should be switched on, the Srinagar air base had issued contradictory orders. Sources said the IAF could consider criminal charges against those found having committed lapses. 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. monicakchauhan@gmail.com Ghazipur, May 21 Afzal Ansari, the BSP candidate in Ghazipur, sat on a protest outside the strongroom where EVMs are being kept to prevent them from being transported out in a vehicleconcerns that the Election Commission of India later dismissed. In a video of the incident, Ansari and his supporters late on Monday were seen engaged in a heated argument with a police officer. Another EVMs video from UP (from Jhansi) Officials claim these are reserve machines. But they have no answer why the movement of EVM was not informed to candidates. And why reserve EVMs are transported in private vehicles a day after election? #ExitPoll2019 #EVM #EVMHacking pic.twitter.com/4PomZTXFve Aap Ki Awaaj (@AapKiAwaaj) May 21, 2019 Talking to this correspondent on Tuesday, Ansari, who is the brother of mafia don and legislator Mukhtar Ansari, said that according to reports, similar incidents have been reported from other constituencies in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. "EVMs are being shifted out and probably replaced. None of the candidates were informed of the movement of EVMs. I am not going anywhere now because this is a clear attempt to resort to malpractices before counting," he said. He said that he and his supporters would take turns to keep vigil outside the strongroom because he had no faith in the district administration. Jangipur legislator Dr Virendra and Jakhania legislator Triveni Ram have also announced their support to Ansari and criticised the movement of EVMs. Afzal Ansari, the SP-BSP alliance candidate is pitted against union minister Manoj Sinha of BJP from Ghazipur. Look how the mahagatbandhan candidate from gazipur mr. Afzal ansari making allegations on govt and the police that they replacing the evms machine. He caught the vehicle loaded with evm entering the counting center. #EVM #EVMHacking @TheQuint @scroll_in @ndtv @yadavakhilesh pic.twitter.com/jf9ZCMcam4 safwan khan (@safwankhansk) May 20, 2019 In Mirzapur, Congress candidate Lalitesh Pati Tripathi has sent a letter to the poll observer questioning the presence of 'additional EVMs' in the strongroom. Visuals and claims of sudden movement of EVMs observed across the north India! Why is it so? Who is transporting these EVMs & Why? What is purpose and objective of this exercise? In order to avoid any confusion & misconception, Election Commission must issue a statement ASAP. Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) May 20, 2019 He has asked the observer to ensure removal of additional EVMs in the presence of all candidates before the counting day. Tripathi is pitted against Union Minister Anupriya Patel of Apna Dal in Mirzapur It may be recalled that two weeks ago, a similar movement of EVMs was reported from Amethi and the district administration claimed that 'unused' EVMs were being sent to places where polling had not yet taken place. 'Safe' However the Election Commission of India dismissed their concerns saying EVMs were absolutely safe in strongrooms. The Election Commission said later on Tuesday that it would like to "emphatically and unambiguously" clarify that all such reports and allegations are "absolutely false and factually incorrect". The visuals on TV and social media "do not pertain to any EVMs used during the polls", it said. In a statement, the commission said, after the close of polls, all polled EVMs and VVPATs are brought under security cover to designated strongrooms, which are sealed with double locks in the presence of candidates and observers of the commission. The EC said there were close circuit video cameras that captured the entire process of storage and sealing of the strongroom. "Continuous CCTV camera coverage is done till completion of counting. Each strongroom is guarded with round-the-clock security by Central Armed Police Forces. Further, candidates or their designated agents remain present at the strongroom for 24X7 vigil at all times," the statement said. On counting day, the strongrooms are opened in the presence of candidates or their agents and observers. This is also videoed. Before counting starts, the counting agents are shown the address tags, seals and serial number of EVMs to satisfy themselves to the genuineness and authenticity of the machines used in the polls, it said. The provisions and protocols have been explained to political parties on multiple occasions, including in several of the 93 meetings held with them at the commission, since the announcement of elections, the EC pointed out. "It can be appreciated, the detailed administrative protocols, security framework and procedural guidelines mandated by the commission completely foreclose and pre-empt the possibility of any mischief or manipulation in the polled EVMs and VVPATs stored in the designated strongrooms. "The aspersions in clips being used in media merely pertain to the storage or movement of reserve unused EVMs," the statement said. It made it clear that any case of lapse, even in handling of reserve EVMs, is thoroughly investigated and disciplinary action taken against the officers responsible. Agencies uttara@tribuneindia.com Itanagar, May 21 Suspected NSCN militants Tuesday gunned down sitting MLA and NPP assembly poll candidate Tirong Aboh and ten others, including his son and security personnel, in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh, a top police officer said. Aboh (41), who represented the Khonsa West constituency, was seeking a re-election from the seat. Initial reports suggested that seven people were killed in the attack, but Director General of Police (DGP) SBK Singh put the death toll at 11 later in the day. Aboh was on his way to his constituency from Assam, along with family members, three police personnel and a poll agent, when the suspected NSCN rebels opened fire at their vehicles near 12 Mile area in the district at around 11.30 am, Singh told PTI. One security officer, who sustained injuries in the incident, has been admitted to a hospital in Dibrugarh, Assam, the DGP said, adding that the MLA and ten others were killed on the spot. Expressing his shock over the incident, Chief Minister Pema Khandu said the perpetrators will be hunted down. "Action will be initiated to hunt down the perpetrators. My heartfelt condolences. May the departed souls rest in peace," he said. Condemning the attack, NPP president and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma sought the intervention of the Prime Minister's Office and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. "The NPP is extremely shocked and saddened by the news of the death of its MLA Shri Tirong Aboh (Arunachal Pradesh) and his family. We condemn the brutal attack and urge @rajnathsingh and @PMOIndia to take action against those responsible for such attack," Sangma tweeted. Meanwhile, the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee blamed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party for the "prevailing lawlessness and chaos" in the state. "If elected representatives of the state are not safe under the present dispensations at the Centre and the state, how can common people feel secure," the party said in a statement. Demanding a high-level judicial inquiry into the incident, it also said: "Chief Minister Pema Khandu and his BJP government are solely responsible for lawlessness and all chaos in the state". Aboh was elected Khonsa West seat in 2014 in a Peoples' Party of Arunachal (PPA) ticket. Assembly polls were held concurrently with Lok Sabha elections in Arunachal Pradesh. PTI rchopra@tribunemail.com Islamabad, May 21 Career diplomat Moin-ul-Haq has been appointed as Pakistans new High Commissioner to India to start a new process of engagement with the country where a new government will be formed soon, amid strained relations between the two. Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday approved appointments of over two dozen ambassadors in various countries, including India, China and Japan. Haq, in his mid-fifties is the current ambassador to France. He has previously served as chief of protocol at the Foreign Office. He joined Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1987 and was posted in countries like Turkey, Canada and Sri Lanka. The post of High Commissioner to India fell vacant after Sohail Mehmood was appointed Pakistans new foreign secretary in April. The decision came after a detailed meeting with Prime Minister Khan, who formally approved the new appointments, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said in a video message on Monday night. Qureshi said, New Delhi, India, is very importantAfter consultation I have decided to appoint Moin-ul-Haq, the current ambassador in France, who will be sent to Delhi, and I hope that he (Haq) will deliver. Qureshi said Indian elections were coming to an end and it was possible that after the elections a new process of engagement could start. The results of Indias general election would be announced on May 23. The relationship between the two neighbouring nations currently is at all-time low after a Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) suicide bomber attacked a CRPF convoy in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14 that killed 40 soldiers. PTI rchopra@tribunemail.com Washington, May 21 Eminent Indian experts in the US believe that the next Indian government to be formed after the declaration of the election results on May 23 faces crucial foreign policy decisions, particularly in the economic realm. No matter who forms the next government, India faces crucial foreign policy decisions, particularly in the economic realm, Alyssa Ayres of the Council on Foreign Relations told PTI. Author of the book Our Time has Come: How India is Making its Place in the World, Ayres, who served in the previous Obama Administration, said although the US-India relationship had made solid strides across governments in defence and security, there are increased tensions on the trade and economic front. I would also expect to see increased attention in the United States (particularly among members of Congress) to issues of religious freedom in India, especially given the tenor of the elections these past few weeks, Ayres said. In an op-ed titled Troubles Aplenty: Foreign Policy Challenges for the Next Indian Government, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Ashley Tellis stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who the exit polls predicted to be reelected, would have to confront serious external challenges both around Indias periphery and farther beyond. If India is to realise its great power ambitions in the decades to come, the next government will have to accelerate economic reforms domestically, strengthen Indias institutions, preserve its constitutional ethos and protect the nations internal cohesion, all of which have floundered dangerously in recent years, Tellis wrote. PTI rchopra@tribunemail.com Tribune News Service New Delhi, May 21 Leaders of as many as 22 opposition parties met the Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday and demanded verification of VVPAT slips of randomly-selected polling stations before the counting of the votes polled in the just-concluded Lok Sabha election begins on May 23. Earlier, the opposition parties met to discuss the post May 23 scenario. Telugu Desam Party chief Chandrababu Naidu, Congress leaders Ahmed Patel, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Abhishek Singhvi; Trinamool Congress partys Derek O Brien, Samajwadi Partys Ram Gopal Yadav, Communist Party of India (Marxist)s Sitaram Yechury, Communist Party of Indias D Raja, Nationalist Congress Partys Praful Patel, National Conferences Devendra Rana and Dravida Munnetra Kazaghams Kanimozhi, among others attended the meeting after which all the leaders reached the EC to make their demands. They also demanded that if any discrepancy is found during VVPAT verification, 100 per cent counting of the paper slips of VVPATs of all polling stations of that particular Assembly segment should be done and compared with the electronic voting machine (EVM) results. The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed another petition demanding EVM and VVPAT matching in 100 per cent cases, but the court had said in a previous order that matching in five polling booths per assembly segment instead of the previous one poll station was adequate to allay all apprehensions. We told the EC that the VVPAT machines should be counted first and if there is any discrepancy, then all of them in that segment should be counted. During elections, there were many EVMs which malfunctioned and in many cases, when votes for one political party were cast, it showed votes for some other party, specially the BJP. These things we have told the EC. We, in the last three-four years have been complaining about the EVMs in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and even in states, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters here after meeting EC officials. Azads party colleague Abhishek Singhvi said despite requests to the EC since months, the poll body has now said it will meet on Wednesday to discuss the issue. Even if the EC disagrees with us, then they should consider that 75 per cent of the electorate represented by these 22 parties is before you how does it matter if they change the rules? It will be only a change in guideline or procedure. It is a no-brainer. The EC has not decided for six weeks and now they are saying they will decide tomorrow, Singhvi said. We are asking the EC to respect the mandate of the people. It cannot be manipulated. If there is a blood test and it shows some discrepancy, then the whole body should be scanned. Similarly, we demand that if discrepancy shows up in one VVPAT, then all of them in that assembly segment should be counted, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief Chandrababu Naidu told reporters. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Satish Chandra Mishra alleged that there is large-scale bungling relating to EVMs in Uttar Pradesh. We demand deployment of central forces. The opposition parties also raised concerns over the transportation of EVMs ahead of counting of votes and urged the EC to probe the issue. The counting of votes for Lok Sabha polls will be held on May 23. The ruling BJP meanwhile said the opposition was preparing ground for defeat after all exit polls pointed towards an NDA win. With agencies ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service New Delhi, May 20 Opposition leaders will meet in the capital tomorrow to discuss the pre-May 23 scenario and potential post-Lok Sabha poll result possibilities of a non-BJP front staking claim for government formation, should outcome favours them. This will be the first formal meeting of non-BJP parties amid ongoing efforts to bring the Opposition leaders together. They will also jointly petition the Election Commission on potential discrepancies in EVMs on May 23 and seek redressal in cases of suspicious outcomes. The decision to meet the EC was taken today after discussions between leaders of anti-BJP parties, which want repolling in the entire Assembly constituency should even one polling both of the constituency report mismatch between EVMs and VVPATs. We are going to demand a re-election in the whole Assembly segment in case mismatch is reported from even one booth of a particular segment. Nothing less will suffice, a senior Opposition leader said. The Opposition delegation planning to meet the EC tomorrow is likely to include Congress leaders Ahmed Patel and Ghulam Nabi Azad, NCP's Sharad Pawar, TMC's Derek O' Brien, CPM's Sitaram Yechury, CPI's D Raja, TDP's N Chandrababu Naidu, BSP's Satish Mishra, and NC representatives. More anti-BJP leaders may join the Opposition camp claiming the presence of 21 party leaders. The Opposition's joint decision to petition the EC tomorrow has afforded them the much-needed opportunity to discuss potential political situation on May 23 and early strategising. EVMs and their alleged tampering is high on the Opposition agenda with TMC chief Mamata Banerjee yesterday trashing exit poll trends as "gossip" and terming these as "part of the BJP's game plan to use surveys for manipulation of EVMs". Congress leader Kapil Sibal has been alleging possibilities of EVM tampering as has TDP president Chandrababu Naidu. Opposition strategy for May 23 and thereafter appears to be two pronged keeping the EVM issue burning and keeping letters of support to a potential anti-BJP coalition ready for May 23 should trends betray the ruling BJP. EC sources, meanwhile, said they would abide by the SC order of EVM and VVPAT matching in five polling booths in each Assembly segment. Sources dismissed apprehensions of EVM tampering. Exit polls cast concerns on EVMs The exit polls reiterate the Oppns concern on misuse of vulnerable EVMs by the ruling party. The exercise was an effort to create false impression of a wave in favour of one particular leader and the party. As they say, it is just an exit poll, not exact poll. HD Kumaraswamy, Karnataka CM Naidu needlessly exhausting himself Chandrababu Naidu is unnecessarily exhausting himself by running from pillar to post as there was no guarantee of this possible coalition staying intact...The country cannot afford to have a coalition government crawling with the help of several small parties. Shiv Sena in Saamana vermaajay1968@gmail.com Jupinderjit Singh Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 20 Following a Punjab and Haryana High Court order to contain the growing cult of gangsters, Punjab Police are reviving their proposal to enact the stringent Punjab Control of Organised Crime Act (PCOCA). The state has been debating the enactment for the past three years. While the SAD-BJP regime had rejected it, the Capt Amarinder Singh government is keen on enforcing it. Punjab Police too have been insisting on having such a law to detain gangsters for longer periods. The proposal has, however, been gathering dust for over a year now due to opposition within the Cabinet and by the Opposition. Political leaders both within the government and outside fear PCOCA may be used for political vendetta. Under the Act, besides detaining a gangster without bail for longer periods, only a statement or confession made to a senior officer will be admissible under the law. There are no provisions for preventive custody of gangsters at this moment. On May 13, a High Court Bench asked the state to enact special law(s) for the prevention of, and for coping with gangsters and anti-social activities, within a period of six months. The orders came in reference to a case of convicted gangster Rakesh Kumar, alias Boxer, who was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Ludhiana court in January, 2016, for murder of a youth, Pinku. Dismissing the gangsters appeal, the HC asked the state to come up with provisions akin to the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986, to deal with the menace. It observed that the gang culture promoted strife in society and was required to be curbed with iron hand. DGP Dinkar Gupta said Punjab Police have been pushing for a stringent law against gangsters. He said the HC order was under study and a fresh proposal was being made to the government. We are taking up the matter with the government afresh, given that there is a six-month deadline. Punjab had around 500 listed gangsters in 2016. Following a crackdown, the number has come down to under 100. Of these, the police have categorised 21 as most notorious. Sources say 13 of these have been arrested or killed in encounters. On lines of MCOCA vermaajay1968@gmail.com Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 20 Amid the looming militant threat, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has decided to lodge the vulnerable panchayat members and municipal corporators in safe houses. At least three political workers, including 60-year-old BJP Anantnag vice-president Gul Mohommad Mir, have been killed by militants so far this month. Militants had also issued frequent threats during the elections to urban local bodies and panchayats last year. In view of the heightened risk to sarpanches, municipal councillors, mayors and presidents, in case any of them required safe accommodation, they will be provided a secure room at the state or district level, said an official. A police officer said over 200 councillors and panchayat members had already been provided safe accommodation. Baramulla MC chief Omar Kakroo, however, denied being given any security and said members were putting up in hotels on their own. J&K Panchayat Conference chief Shafi Mir said, We have 4,499 sarpanches; none has been provided security. monicakchauhan@gmail.com New Delhi, May 21 The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a PIL seeking 100 per cent matching of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during counting of votes on May 23 for Lok Sabha polls. A vacation Bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra refused to entertain the plea filed by a Chennai-based organisation 'Tech for All', saying that a larger Bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi had already dealt with the matter and passed an order "The CJI had dealt with this matter. Why are you taking chance before a two-judge vacation Bench," the apex court asked. "We cannot override the CJI's order... This is nonsense. The petition is taken on board. Dismissed," Justice Mishra said. The apex court had on May 7 dismissed a review plea filed by 21 Opposition leaders led by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu seeking that random matching of VVPAT slips with EVMs be increased to 50 per cent. The top court had on April 8 directed the Election Commission to increase random matching of VVPAT slips with EVMs from one to five polling booths per assembly segment in Lok Sabha polls, saying it would provide greater satisfaction not just to political parties but also to the entire electorate. PTI= vermaajay1968@gmail.com Mumbai, May 20 Riding a wave of optimism, the Sensex on Monday vaulted 1,422 points to close at a record 39,352.67 as investors cheered the exit polls predicting a clear mandate for the Narendra Modi-led NDA. The NSE Nifty surged over 421 points to log its best single-day gains in over 10 years. The 30-share BSE gauge also registered its biggest one-day rise in six years. The market capitalisation of BSE-listed companies jumped by Rs 5,33,463.04 crore. HDFC Securities MD and CEO Dhiraj Relli said, Markets expectedly cheered the outcome of the exit polls and Nifty registered its largest point gains since January 25, 2009. Nifty is just shy of all-time high of 11,856, but has nevertheless closed at its all-time closing high. PTI amansharma@tribunemail.com Naveen S Garewal Tribune News Service Hyderabad, May 21 Two Telangana cities of Adilabad and Ramagundam in the north of the state have achieved the distinction of becoming the 7th and 9th hottest places on earth at the moment. The second, third and fourth places have been bagged by three Maharashtra cities with temperatures varying between 45.9 degree Celsius to 45 degrees Celsius. Barring four locations, the top 14 hottest places in the world are in India, according to a report released by Eldorado weather, a weather aggregating website. Nizamabad, a Parliamentary segment in Telangana, finds itself on the 14th spot with maximum day temperature hitting 44.6 degree Celsius. Seven Indian cities and towns all in Central and South India are among the list of hottest places. Hyderabad has seen several cases of heat stroke and includes a Russian national, who was found dead due to heat stroke last week. There has been a persistent heat wave in Telangana for the past four weeks, crippling normal life as it has constantly registered 44 degrees or more since April 21. Slight drizzle last night at some places in the region has failed to lower the temperatures that have hovered over 40 degrees Celsius going up to 45 degrees on some days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an advisory asking people not to have a direct exposure to sunlight and to take necessary precautions due to the heat wave. The IMD has suggested that there will be a few more hot to very hot day in different parts of Telangana. According to the report released on Monday the other places in India that have been sizzling at over 45 degrees include Brahmapuri in Maharashtra that recorded 45.9 degrees. The hottest place on earth at the moment has been Bilma in the African nation of Niger that has recorded 46.4 degrees Celsius. The website draws its data from Ogimet.com, a website developed by meteorologist working for the National Meteorological Institute, Spain. The report said both websites depend on information provided by various national weather services and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of United States of America. vermaajay1968@gmail.com Sandeep Dikshit Tribune News Service New Delhi, May 20 External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will attend the two-day Foreign Ministers meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) beginning Tuesday in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where the issue of foreign terrorist fighters will occupy centre-stage. Though Indian attention will be focussed on Pakistan presence at the forum, of far greater importance is the synchronisation of legal instruments of the eight-member states to battle FTF who flit from one region to another, said sources. Barring India, the other seven countries are facing the danger of FTFs from different tanzeems spread out from Xinjiang in China to parts of Syria. The FTFs by operating in close coordination with each other had developed remarkable synergy of operations, said the sources. Giving an example, they said a Turkmenistan national took over the anti-China East Turkmenistan Islamic Movement when its chief was killed by Pakistan at Beijings bidding. In Syria, the toughest fighters from the regional terrorist organisations were banded together in an elite brigade that participated in the goriest battles in Syria. If, as is being feared, Sri Lanka blasts were also coordinated and conceived by veteran FTFs from Syria, that danger may now be knocking on Indian doors, they said. Sources said India was still evaluating whether the Sri Lankan blasts had considerable support from experienced FTF emerging from the Syria debacle. India had joined the SCO comprising neighbours to its north, east and west in 2017 as a full member, preceded by Observer status for several years as the six original members were apprehensive of India and Pakistan importing their animosity to the organisation. More than Pakistan, which also became a full member in 2017, India was initially circumspect about enrolling in an organisation whose two principal members China and Russia have an inimical approach to the West. The sources admitted that the question of Swaraj meeting her Pakistan counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi is an important domestic issue for both countries. But the deliberations among member countries that neighbour two hotspots Afghanistan and Iran and the issue of tracing the footprints of FTFs are of greater importance, they said. Growing threat from foreign fighters rchopra@tribunemail.com United Nations, May 21 The listing of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN Security Council has been termed as a significant achievement by the member nations in holding perpetrators, organisers and sponsors of acts of terrorism accountable. The 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the powerful Security Council blacklisted Azhar on May 1 after veto-wielding permanent member China lifted its technical hold on the proposal by the US, the UK and France to list him. It was a huge victory for India after a decade of relentless efforts to ban the mastermind of several terror attacks against India, including the deadly Pulwama attack against Indian security forces. The listing subjects Azhar to an assets freeze, travel ban and an arms embargo. We are pleased that this month, the 1267 Committee designated Masood Azhar, leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed, and ISIL-Khorasan, a dangerous ISIS affiliate operating in Afghanistan and Pakistan, for UN sanctions, Ambassador Jonathan Cohen, Acting Permanent Representative of the US to the United Nations said at a Security Council semi-annual briefing here on Monday by Chairs of subsidiary bodies of the Security Council. Azhar's listing shows that the international community can and will hold terrorists accountable for their actions, he said. PTI ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM Shahira Naim Tribune News Service Lucknow, May 20 A day after the polling for the Lok Sabha polls concluded, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today sacked SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar from the Cabinet for his outbursts against senior NDA partner BJP. Governor Ram Naik accepted the recommendation by CM Yogi and relieved Rajbhar with immediate effect from his post of Backward Class Welfare and Divyangjan Empowerment Minister, an official spokesperson said here. The CM also recommended to the Governor that seven other Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) members, including Om Prakashs son Arvind Rajbhar, holding ministerial ranks in commissions be removed immediately. The SBSP has four MLAs in the Vidhan Sabha. To maintain the caste balance, CM Yogi gave BJP MLA and Minister of State Anil Rajbhar the additional charge of the departments headed by the SBSP chief. Talking to reporters, Rajbhar welcomed the decision to dismiss him. I welcome the decision, but I had just hoped that Adityanath should have shown the same quickness in dealing with issues that I had raised as a minister, including implementation of prohibition in the state and granting scholarships to poor children, he said. Challenging the BJP, Rajbhar said that from now onwards, his agenda would be to expose the BJP: I will continue to consolidate my community and explain to them the manner in which the BJP cheated the OBCs and Dalits. Rajbhar represents a backward community, which approximately constitutes 20 per cent of the population of Purvanchal, the region which cast its vote on Sunday. He had not only fielded his independent candidates, but had openly defied the BJP in the final phase of the election, strategically siding with either the Congress or the mahagathbandhan on a number of seats to trouble the BJP. Minister hits back, Calls govt Anti-OBC SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar has said the BJP never addressed issues raised by him and kept him waiting till the conclusion of the Lok Sabha election. Clearly, Yogi Adityanath could have dismissed me even during elections when I had resigned on April 13. But he did not want to take risk of an OBC backlash. However, this is not the end of elections-there will be more elections in the future, Rajbhar said. amansharma@tribunemail.com Chandigarh, May 21 AICCs Punjab in-charge Asha Kumari on Tuesday sought a report from the partys state unit over the face-off between Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and his Cabinet colleague Navjot Singh Sidhu, as more party leaders backed the CM. Sidhu is under fire from his own party leaders after he questioned during electioneering in Bathinda why no FIR was lodged against the Badals, who headed the previous state government, for the desecration of religious texts in 2015. We seek a report on every event and in this issue too a report has been sought from the PCC (state Congress committee), Kumari told PTI over the phone. She said state party chief Sunil Jakhar, who is seeking re-election from Gurdaspur, will give the report once he is free from the election process after the declaration of the results. Amarinder Singh on Sunday had accused Sidhu of damaging the Congress in the state and suggested that he wanted to be the chief minister himself. Meanwhile, more Congress leaders came out in support of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. Amarinder Singh is an undisputed leader of Punjab. There are many facets to his personality, said former Union Minister and Congress leader Manish Tewari. Tewari praised Amarinder Singh as a protector of Punjabs waters, a writer, an able administrator who has a mass appeal. People need to learn and grow, he added, in a veiled attack at Sidhu. He said nothing could be more laughable if anyone compared himself to Captain Sahib. Jails Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa too hit out at Local Bodies Minister Sidhu, saying, Making such a statement during elections meant directly helping the Badals. Randhawa said Sidhu should know that it was Amarinder Singh who fought against the Badals and ensured the Congress victory in the 2017 assembly polls. In the 2017 assembly polls, the Congress came to power in Punjab with an overwhelming majority as people voted in Amarinder Singhs name. The party high command is with the chief minister. Our party has never tolerated indiscipline, Randhawa said. He added that Sidhu should know that the state government had set up a special investigation team (SIT) over the desecration issue. Does Navjot Singh Sidhu not know that action is being taken and some people have already been arrested. Is he ignorant of these facts, he said. Randhawa alleged that when Sidhus wife Navjot Kaur was a BJP MLA, she never spoke a word on the issue. Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri, who is BJPs Lok Sabha candidate from Amritsar, also took a jibe at the Congress, saying, all along the campaign, one could sense unease in their ranks. Now the cat is out of the bag, he tweeted, adding that Sidhu was under attack from his own cabinet colleagues. Punjab minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot had Monday asked Navjot Singh Sidhu to resign from the state cabinet if he could not work with Amarinder Singh. The differences between the chief minister and Sidhu had come to the fore in August last year when Amarinder Singh advised Sidhu against attending to the swearing-in ceremony of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. The relations strained further when Sidhu said his captain is Congress president Rahul Gandhi, suggesting that he didnt regard Captain Amarinder Singh as his leader. PTI editorial@tribune.com Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Dhandowal (Shahkot), May 20 At the time of elections when hostilities between parties are an all-time high, Dhandowal, a progressive village in Jalandhar, is setting an example of inter-party bonhomie, where brotherhood is valued over politics. Villagers Ravinder Singh Badesa, Lakhwinder Singh Chattha, Dev, Pyara Singh Chattha, Ravi Singh and Lehembar Comrade all sit together under a tree after casting their votes. Among them are people who owe allegiance to different parties, be it Congress, Akali Dal or Communists. The story goes that the Congress sarpanch of the village was chosen on the recommendation of the Akali sarpanchs brother. Since he lost three times previously, it was decided that he would be allowed to be sarpanch this time. Even at the polling station, a policeman on duty vouches for the former sarpanch. Etthe koi jhagda nahi hunda. School vi ral ke baneya, sarpanch sahib (referring to the former sarpanch) ne bari madad kiti. (There is no quarrel here. The village school was also made together. The former sarpanch helped us a lot.) Ravinder Singh, a villager, says, Votes will be polled just for a day, but we have to live together forever. We are united. Another villager, Lakhwinder Singh Chattha, says, If someone among us shifts his loyalty, the other party people keep quiet and vice versa. Former sarpanch Baldev Singh Dhandowal says, My brother lives abroad. Surinderjit called him saying he wanted to be the sarpanch. So my brother asked me to bow out. We thought he should also get a chance. Most of my family members live abroad. The Akali government spent on the stadium. The Congress gave grants to expand it. The village school was made by funds gathered by me with help of the Akalis. Be it the SAD or the Congress, no one caused any hindrance to our work. So there is no contention in the village. A state-of-the-art college was also made here where students come from far-off places, he adds. editorial@tribune.com Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, May 20 Of 562 transgenders enrolled in the state with the ECI, just 149 went to cast their vote in the General Election held here yesterday. While in Amritsar, Jalandhar/Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur only four, seven and eight, respectively, transgenders voted, Anandpur Sahib, Ludhiana and Patiala registered the most as 25, 19 and 21, respectively, exercised their franchise. In Gurdaspur eight out of 44 persons of the community went to vote, four out of 58 in Amritsar, eight of 75 in Khadoor Sahib, seven out of 20 in Jalandhar, seven out of 30 in Hoshiarpur, 25 out of 42 in Anandpur Sahib, 19 out of 71 in Ludhiana, 10 out of 31 in Fatehgarh Sahib, 13 out of 37 in Faridkot, nine out of 35 in Ferozepur, nine out of 20 in Bathinda, nine out of 25 in Sangrur and 21 out of 74 voters in Patiala went to cast their vote. Those who didnt vote said discrimination, stigma and lack of empathy were the key reasons that they abstained from voting. Despite same-sex relationships being legalised in the country, the social stigma attached with the community is keeping transgenders away from voting. Mona Mahant, who voted on Sunday, said, We get sympathy, but what we want is empathy. I have exercised my right to vote today because we seek inclusion in society. We want to be seen as equals. I want to be counted as one with the other sexes and voting is the first step to that. Ritika, a trans-activist of the city, said, Many of the transgenders who have come out face discrimination. Many dont even tell the world. A third gender going to vote is still rare. Its an act of courage. Deepak Rana, CEO of Shan Foundation which works for the LGBT community, said, As many as 49,000 people in the country have been identified as transgender voters. Of these 40,000 are on the voting list. Of these, 90 per cent dont go to vote. The main reason is discrimination by society. Despite laws, there is no implementation of the rights of the transgenders. Some parties reach out to us to seek blessings, but they dont want us to be included as an active vote bank. Many transgender activists are used as TRPs or crowd-pullers, while at the ground level our rights are denied. Transgenders mostly lives as either males or females. Out of fear, they dont even get documentation changed. Same is the reason behind low voter turnout among transgenders. Our question when will we count? editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Patiala, May 20 Following the allegations of tempering with electronic voting machines (EVMs), a three-tier security arrangement has been made at all counting centres to ensure round-the-clock check in Patiala. Also, parties have deputed their workers outside the counting centres to avoid any tempering with EVMs. According to senior police officers, the first-tier of innermost security ring is guarded by the Border Security Force, the middle-ring security is guarded by the Punjab Armed Battalions and the outer ring is guarded by the Punjab Police personnel. Every security ring has 250 men each, which means that each counting centre, where the EVMs are stored, have 750 personnel on duty, said senior police officers. We are not allowed to leave the place under any circumstances, they added. In Patiala, there are nine counting centres, while five different venues have the EVM strongrooms. I personally supervised the sealing of all EVMs and no one will be allowed to go inside the centre, where these machines are kept, till the counting day, said District Electoral Officer Kumar Amit. Patiala is locked in a political battle with CM Capt Amarinder Singhs wife Preneet Kaur pitted against incumbent MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi and SAD-BJP candidate Surjit Singh Rakhra. Tight vigil editorial@tribune.com Sanjeev Singh Bariana Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 20 As per the official figures released here on Monday evening, Punjab witnessed a polling percentage of 65.96. Of the total 2.07 crore voters, as many as 1.37 crore, including 64.51 lakh women, exercised their right to franchise in the state on Sunday. Also, of the total 562 third gender voters, 149 cast the ballot. Bathinda topped the voters tally among all 13 constituencies in the state with 74.10 per cent polling, followed by Sangrur (72.44 per cent) and Ferozepur (72.30 per cent). Meanwhile, Amritsar witnessed the lowest polling with only 57.08 per cent voters exercising their right. Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, S Karuna Raju said at least nine cases reported under the Cyber Act would be taken up. Under this violation, voters took their mobile phones inside the polling station and showed a picture of them casting their vote for a particular candidate, which is a punishable offence. The list included two voters each in Ludhiana and Mohali and one each in Jalandhar, Muktsar, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Ropar and Abohar. Moreover, at least 101 cases were followed up after complaints of excessive use of sound during the campaigning. As many as 51 excessive sound-related complaints have been found to be correct. Additional Chief Electoral Officer Kavita Singh said a total of 4,950 C-Vigil complaints were received, of which 1,988 were found to be correct. C-Vigil mobile app allowed voters to report incidents of poll misconduct within minutes of having witnessed them. In the category of general complaints regarding the violation of the model code of conduct, as many as 4,951 complaints were received. Of these, 2962 had been taken up. Meanwhile, the election machinery included as many as 9,390 micro observers in addition to 17 general observers, seven police observers and 19 expenditure observers of the Election Commission of India. However, not even a single complaint was received under Form 49 MA for cases of wrong voting, which can be verified by voters themselves after they cast their ballot. Also, as many as 13,000 anganwadi workers and same number of midday meal workers were employed for providing food to the election staff across the state. Repoll ordered Chandigarh: The Election Commission has ordered repoll at one polling booth in Amritsar due to negligence in the polling process. Polling booth No 123 of the Rajasansi Assembly constituency would undergo repoll on May 22, CEO Dr Karuna Raju said here on Monday. TNS editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Moga, May 20 Residents of Mahesari Sandhuan village staged a protest outside the Moga (Rural) police station at Ghal Kalan village on Monday, alleging that they were trying to hush-up the murder case of a 35-year-old woman. Kirandeep Kaur was found dead under suspicious circumstances at her house in Mahesari Sandhuan village on May 8. The protesters, including the family members of the deceased, raised slogans against the police and demanded a murder case against the deceased womans husband, Tarsem Singh, and in-laws. Deceased womans brother Kuldip Singh and her two minor daughters Ranjit Kaur and Jasveer Kaur alleged that she (Kirandeep) was subjected to physical torture by her husband for the past many months. Kuldip said injury marks were visible on the body of her sister, but the police were not willing to acknowledge them, probably under the political pressure of the local Congress leadership. However, the police said further legal action would be initiated only after the autopsy report was received. rchopra@tribunemail.com Beijing, May 21 At least 13 people were injured, two of them critically, when a car ploughed through pedestrians in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou on Tuesday morning. A car pulled away at a red light in Tianhe district at about 8.50 am (local time) and drove through a pedestrian crossing, hitting a number of people before colliding with two other cars, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported. The injured people were taken to a hospital, two of whom were in critical condition, Guangzhou police bureau said on Weibo, Chinas equivalent of Twitter. A motorist surnamed Ding was detained, the police said, adding that an investigation was on. Attacks on public such as ramming vehicles or with knives reportedly by disgruntled people to vent their anger have become common in different parts of China in recent years. PTI sanjiv@tribunemail.com Phnom Penh, May 20 Black-clad students re-enacted the horrors of the Cambodian genocide at the Killing Fields on Monday to commemorate the two million people killed by the Khmer Rouges murderous, Maoist regime. Hundreds gathered at the notorious site in Phnom Penh to mark the annual Day of Remembrance with prayers and performances, including students wielding wooden rifles, knives and bamboo sticks in mock attacks. We performed these scenes in order to remember the genocidal Pol Pot regime and the cruelty that Cambodian people suffered, Chhaem Khleuong, a fine art teacher who played a Khmer Rouge cadre, said. The Day of Remembrance, more commonly called the Day of Anger in Cambodia, is held at the Choeung Ek Killing Fields, where some 15,000 people were confined and sent to their deaths between 1975 and 1979. It was an emotional day for many attendees, some who cried as students pretended to slit victims throats, shoot them dead or subject them to waterboarding. Several of the genocide's chief orchestrators have been tried by a UN-backed court. In November, Khmer Rouge's former head of state Khieu Samphan and "Brother Number Two" Nuon Chea were found guilty of genocide and sentenced to life in prison. Pol Pot, nicknamed Brother Number One, died in 1998 before he was brought to trial. AFP sanjiv@tribunemail.com Beijing, May 20 China, which granted a rare permit for US envoy Terry Branstad to visit Tibet, on Monday hoped that the envoy would make an unbiased judgement about the conditions in the Himalayan region, especially on religion and the Tibetan culture. Branstad was travelling to Chinas Qinhai province and the bordering Tibet Autonomous Region from May 19 to 25, making the first trip by an American envoy to the highly restricted area in four years. During his visit, Branstad is due to have meetings with local officials and visit religious and cultural heritage sites. His visit is taking place amid escalating trade war between the worlds two largest economies. Chinas permission to him came after US early this year passed the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2018, warning of equal and reciprocal measures if Beijing denied access to American citizens, government officials and journalists to Tibet, the homeland of the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. The new law would impose a visa ban on Chinese officials who deny US citizens, government officials and journalists access to Tibet. Currently, foreign tourists need a special permit to visit Tibet in addition to a Chinese visa. PTI sanjiv@tribunemail.com Montgomery, May 20 Thousands took to the streets in the US state of Alabama on Sunday to rally against the nations most restrictive bans on abortions in decades. Around 500 womens reproductive rights defenders gathered in state capital Montgomery, while in the cities of Birmingham, Anniston, Huntsville and Mobile around 3,000 more joined in denouncing the Alabama Human Life Protection Act, local media reported. The act, known as HB314, virtually outlaws terminations of pregnancy. Protesters in Montgomery held up signs reading her body, her choice and we are not ovary-acting. A woman wearing beige underwear that made her look naked had a drawing of her reproductive system attached to her abdomen and a banner reading: More than an incubator. Several other women were dressed as characters forced to bear children in the dystopian novel and television series The Handmaids Tale. One of them, who gave her name only as Amanda, accused Alabamas legislators of trying to imprison women and doctors. Wearing the Handmaids Tale outfit is sending a message that youre trying to turn us into slaves, reproductive slaves, the 40-year-old-lawyer said. Theyre trying to fill prisons, more private prisons so that women will do hard labour after they get convicted of these crimes of abortion. Last week, Alabama passed a law that prohibits all abortions even in cases of incest and rape-unless there is a risk of death for the mother. Our call centres been getting hundreds and hundreds of phone calls from concerned citizens asking us what this means, said Barbara Ann Luttrell, director of communications and marketing for Planned Parenthood Southeast. Planned Parenthood is not currently providing abortion services in Alabama. There are only three clinics that perform the procedure. None of them responded requests of comments. The Alabama law is likely to be blocked in state courts before its November launch date but Republican Governor Kay Ivey acknowledged when she signed it that it was part of as a wider Republican offensive to get the issue relitigated on the national stage. Conservative activists hope to get a Supreme Court decision against the landmark 1973 ruling Roe v Wade that said unduly restrictive state regulation of abortion is unconstitutional. Conservatives are counting on support at the highest court in the land, where liberal justices are in a minority after the arrival of two conservative members appointed by President Trump. PTI sanjiv@tribunemail.com Washington, May 20 In his sternest direct threat to Tehran, US President Donald Trump has warned that a military confrontation with America would be the official end of Iran. Tensions between the US and Iran have been growing as the Trump administration has deployed a carrier strike group and B-52 bombers to the Gulf, citing Iranian threats. If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran, he said in a tweet on Sunday. Never threaten the United States again! The terse tweet comes amid rising fears over a potential military confrontation between the two countries. Trump administration officials are debating recent intelligence regarding whether Iran or the militias it supports are possibly planning to attack US assets in the Gulf or whether it is acting defensively in an attempt to deter US action. Trumps tweet marks a shift in tone after recent attempts from both sides to downplay the possibility of dangerous military conflict. In an interview with Fox News broadcast on Sunday, Trump vowed that he would not let Iran develop nuclear weapons but said he did not want a conflict. Im not somebody that wants to go into war, because war hurts economies, war kills people most importantly, by far most importantly, the US President said. Reacting to Trump stepping up his rhetoric toward Tehran, the countrys foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Monday the US Presidents genocidal taunts will not end Iran. Iranians have stood tall for millennia while aggressors all gone. Economic terrorism and genocidal taunts wont end Iran, Zarif tweeted. Never threaten an Iranian. Try respect-it works! he said. The latest Washington-Tehran frictions come after Iran suspended its commitments under the 2015 landmark international nuclear deal, and threatened to resume production of enriched uranium which is used to make reactor fuel and nuclear weapons. The deal aimed to cut sanctions on Iran in exchange for an end to its nuclear programme, but the US unilaterally withdrew from the agreement last year. Calling the deal defective, Trump then re-imposed crippling sanctions on Iran. The Trump administration has attempted to use a combination of hawkish rhetoric, diplomatic pressure, economic sanctions and now military posturing in order to fundamentally change the nature of the Iranian regime, CNN reported. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a speech last year that Washingtons actions, including abandoning the nuclear deal with Tehran, were meant to force Iran behave like a normal country-one that doesnt sponsor terrorism or seek to develop nuclear weapons. But many saw the address as a call for regime in everything but name. Pompeo said last week that the Trump administration doesnt want war with Iran but warned of a swift and decisive response from the US, should Iran initiate an attack. The regime in Tehran should understand that any attacks by them or their proxies of any identity against US interests or citizens will be answered with a swift and decisive US response, he said. Earlier this month, US national security adviser John Bolton said the US deployed the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a bomber task force to the Middle East in response to a number of troubling and escalatory indications and warnings from Iran. The US is not seeking war with the Iranian regime, Bolton wrote in a statement released by the White House, But we are fully prepared to respond to any attack, whether by proxy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or regular Iranian forces. PTI Rocket fired near Iraqs US Embassy, none hurt THE Ministry of Health reported that 30 people succumbed to the Covid-19 virus yesterday. The latest deaths took the death toll this month to 610. The ministry identified the deceased as seven elderly men, eight elderly women, eight middle-aged men, six middle-aged woman and one young adult woman. T&Ts overall death toll now stands at 2,768. The Ministry said 16 patients had multiple comorbidities. Nine patients had one comorbidity and five patients had no known medical conditions. Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has designated January 2022 as the point in time for commencement of a policy that would insist that all Government workplaces would require vaccinated workers. He has seen the reluctance and hesitation of many people both in public and private life who continue to refuse the jabs for several reasons, whether it be scientific or non-scientific, or for religious or personal reasons. - Kuria said the transaction between people mentioned in the fake gold scam should not be a problem affecting everyone in the country - The MP said the Dubai prince should deal with the few people who allegedly conned him - Kuria said the UAE leader has never even set foot in the country hence has no right to divert his anger to all Kenyans yet he only dealt with a few individuals Controversial Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has finally added his voice to the ongoing Dubai fake gold scam involving a number of Kenyan politicians and a United Arab Emirates prince. The vocal legislator wondered why a deal gone bad between some politicians and the prince has been turned into a war between the Emirati leader and the entire Kenyan nation. READ ALSO: Senator Moses Wetang'ula silently jets out of country amid probe into fake gold scam Kuria held the prince has never even set foot in Kenya hence has no right to divert his anger to all Kenyans yet he only dealt with a few individuals. Photo: UGC Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Fake gold scam: Noordin Haji orders probe into leaked phone conversation around gold scam In a Tweet seen by TUKO.co.ke on Monday, May 20, Kuria wondered why Kenyans especially politicians had allowed a row between individuals become a national issue. He insinuated politicians mentioned in the scam and the prince should handle their issues without dragging their countries into the mess. The legislator held that the prince has never even set foot in the country hence had no right to divert his anger to all Kenyans yet he only dealt with a few individuals. READ ALSO: William Ruto defends Uhuru over gold scam, accuses Opposition of tainting president's name READ ALSO: Mwanamke amkemea mhubiri aliyedanganya alimuombea akajifungua watoto 3 mara moja ''Just thinking.Why have we allowed the Emiratis to turn a private transaction between one of their citizens and one of ours into a national-nay-diplomatic issue? Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum has never made a state visit to Kenya,'' he tweeted. His tweet attracted massive support from Kenyans who said he had made a bold and patriotic move to remind the parties that their private issues should not be nationalised. Kuria's remarks came just days after a number of Kenyan politicians including Senator Moses Wetang'ula were adversely mentioned in the infamous fake gold syndicate. 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 The Girl With Four Jobs: Source: TUKO.co.ke - Kenya denied a number of Somalia lawmakers access into the country in the latest round of a diplomatic standoff between the two countries - They included Somalias Deputy Minister for Water and Energy, Osman Libah, as well as Senators Ilyas Ali Hassan and Zamzam Dahir - They were left stranded at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and later forced to fly back to Mogadishu on the morning of Tuesday, May 21 - Somalia citizens lauded the Kenyan government following the move noting the government officials travel a lot wasting the country's resources. The diplomatic standoff between Kenya and Somali is set to escalate after three delegates from the horn of Africa country were detained at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Monday, May 20, while on a trip to Nairobi. Somalia Deputy Minister for Water and Energy, Osman Libah, senators Ilyas Ali Hassan and Zamzam Dahir were forced to fly back home after the Somali Embassy in Nairobi unsuccessfully interceded on their behalf. READ ALSO: Nairobi: Meet 27-year-old student who multitasks as taxi driver, flight attendant and clothes vendor READ ALSO: Kenyan newspapers review for May 21: Deadly Zika virus detected in Turkana, West Pokot - Study According to local media houses, the three were denied access after they only presented their Somalia passports while those with Western and European passports were allowed into the country. "Deputy Minister of Energy and two lawmakers are tonight being held at JKIA after Kenya denied them entry because they have Somali passports. Other ministers, officials were allowed to enter only after producing their western passports," reported Dalsan Radio. The officials were visiting Kenya to attend the launch of the European Union (EU) Trust Fund for Africa programme - Collaboration in Cross Border Areas of the Horn of Africa due to open May 21. READ ALSO: Senator Isaac Mwaura's photo with Moses Wetang'ula at international anti-corruption conference elicits ridicule The move is alleged to be connected to the maritime dispute which Somalia filed at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2014 driving a wedge between two countries whose relationship has been like that of Siamese twins. While it might escalate the sour relationship between the two countries, Somalia citizens, however, lauded the Kenyan government for blocking the ministers' entry into the country. According to many of them, the government officials and ministers waste resources touring other countries instead of developing their own. READ ALSO: NCIC lists Kiambu, Uasin Gishu, Nakuru among potential hate speech hotspots "Denying Somalia officials and politicians entry into Nairobi, in my opinion, can only be good for Somalia. Let these Somali politicians and government officials feel the pinch," said Mohamed Wehliye. "That way, they can help recreate a Nairobi Serena, Laico and Intercontinental hotel like environment in Mogadishu," he added. Kenya has been seeking an out of court settlement with Somalia over the boarder dispute in vain, resulting to Nairobi insisting that flights from Mogadishu must have a stopover at Wajir for security reasons. READ ALSO: Senator Isaac Mwaura's photo with Moses Wetang'ula at international anti-corruption conference elicits ridicule Mogadishu. however, saw that as a political move aimed at pressuring and embarrassing Somali travellers including national leaders. Here are more of the reactions from Somalia citizens. 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. Church of thieves and drug addicts Source: TUKO.co.ke The University of Saint Mary celebrated the close of another academic year and the passing of a major milestone in the lives of the class of 2019. The Leavenworth, Kansas-based school held its commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 4, in McGilley Field House on the universitys main campus. Donald Berger of Owasso joined the schools 429 graduates a group composed of 208 undergraduate degree recipients, 182 masters degree recipients and 39 doctoral degree recipients. Berger walked the stage to earn a Bachelor of Science in Biology, Departmental Honors. As is tradition at Saint Mary, the 2019 commencement ceremony was preceded by a Baccalaureate Mass in Annunciation Chapel with a brunch following. Graduates then processed to the graduation at McGilley Field House. The ceremony featured performances by the USM Community Band and the Saint Mary Concert Chorale. Reflections were provided by student speakers Darcy Noe, a psychology major from Basehor, Kan.; and BJ Stabler, of Lees Summit, Mo. People who specialize in such things say presidential searches must be secretive to attract the best candidates. But secretiveness also attracts a lot of criticism and can start a new president on the wrong foot with faculty and students. Such was the process that resulted in James Gallogly coming out of corporate retirement 10 months ago. A major donor and successful business executive whose name is on the College of Engineering, Gallogly was nevertheless a surprise choice to succeed David Boren. Harroz said he is at least a known quantity. He has spent 23 of the last 25 years at OU, including 12 as general counsel prior to his tenure as law dean. He understands the peculiarities of campus politics and the public scrutiny that comes with running a flagship university. Gallogly, by all accounts, did not. Possessed of a ready smile and a quick, self-deprecating sense of humor, Harroz qualifies as the likable persuader Gallogly is not. It was never official, but Harroz seems to have been a finalist in the last presidential search; reportedly, he came in second to Gallogly. The panel will work with the Criminal Justice Reclassification Coordination Council, which already is preparing a report on how to modernize and classify the criminal code, which will set the stage for additional sentencing and bail bond reform. The 15-member panel will be led by Secretary of Public Safety Chip Keating and will include Attorney General Mike Hunter and a designee made by the speaker of the House and Senate president pro tem. Members will serve without compensation. The Office of Management and Enterprise Services is to provide staff and administrative support for the panel. Kris Steele, executive director of Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform and a former Republican speaker of the state House, said the state cant afford to wait to pass criminal justice reform, adding that bills that would stop prison growth are pending before lawmakers. If this task force is an effort to continue to work on safely reducing our prison population, then great, Steele said. We want to make sure this task force is not intended to prevent the bills currently pending from being signed. Hunter, who declined to comment on HB 2751, has said the deal was structured so that Purdue could argue the money paid to OSU-CHS should not set a precedent for other litigation pending against it. Hunter and the private attorneys in the case said without the agreement Purdue would have likely declared bankruptcy, in which case the state would have gotten nothing. Many lawmakers were furious with Hunter, saying they and the governors office should have been consulted. Some questioned even the legality of the agreement. Friday, Gov. Kevin Stitt said he was not satisfied with the way the settlement was handled although he did not object to the settlement itself. HB 2751 now heads to the Senate. Among the other legislation approved by the House Tuesday was HB 2758, which designates $10 million for the construction of a new medical examiners facility in Tulsa. The Legislature is set to conclude this years session on Thursday. Randy Krehbiel 918-581-8365 randy.krehbiel@tulsaworld.com Twitter: @rkrehbiel 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. Authorities reported the man, who hasnt yet been identified, was able to get his family to a safe spot before he got pinned in the damage, possibly breaking an arm. Giovani Vargas, a next-door-neighbor whos lived in the area for 20 years, said his familys home sustained roof damage that caused water to drip inside. Family members covered the roof with a tarp pending permanent repairs and discovered a neighbors metal awning had been crumpled up and landed in their yard. We were all trying to exit. But then it blew the door closed and it was too late to leave, so we just went to the bathroom, Vargas said. As soon as we came out, we saw the tree and a guy on the other side stuck. We had to go help him. We called 911 and stayed until (the Fire Department) got there. When asked about the extent of the damage, Little said, I would think it would be some time before someone can live here again. Vargas said the man had been renting the home. Id say hes very lucky. It could very easily have gone a different way, Little said. While its hard to wrap your head around being lucky when something this serious happens, he is very fortunate. A confirmed tornado also was reported near Bixby, and another area of rotation was reported near Wagoner. There were no immediate reports of damage there. A flash-flood warning for Tulsa and the surrounding area was also in effect through early Tuesday morning. Counties under the warning were Tulsa, Creek, Mayes, Osage, Pawnee, Rogers and Wagoner. Tulsa police reported street flooding in several locations and water rescues occurred in Bartlesville, officials said. Multiple school districts across the state canceled classes Monday, including Tulsa Public Schools. A stationary boundary from near Miami to Pawnee in northeast Oklahoma threatened to enhance the potential for tornadoes if it met with the storms, according to the National Weather Service. A brief lull in severe weather was considered possible toward the early morning hours of Tuesday, but a line of storms was expected to re-intensify and to move into eastern Oklahoma after 3 a.m. with potential for leading-edge tornadoes and locally damaging winds, according to the weather service. 3:45 p.m.: Skiatook Public Schools announced classes will be canceled Wednesday because of high water. 3:15 p.m.: City officials are holding a news conference about water releases from Keystone Dam into the Arkansas River. The release was at 100,000 cubic feet per second as of noon; it will max at 160,000 cfs at 6 p.m. Tuesday, officials said. Officials said those living or visiting near the Arkansas River to be aware. Officials said they don't expect homes to be affected during the release for this week, but a flood risk will persist in south Tulsa County Bixby in particular, as well as Jenks. 1:55 p.m. Road closings update from Oklahoma Department of Public Safety: Craig County: US60 & SH82 US60 @ Big Cabin Creek US69 & US66 Delaware County: SH127 & 590RD Mayes County: US69 3 miles north of Pryor 450RD eastbound @ US69 Nowata County: SH10 4 miles east of Lenapah (Cedar Crek) Ottawa County: None Washington County: SH123 between Bartlesville & Dewey SH10 WB between Copan & SH99 Will Rogers Turnpike: None Cherokee Turnpike: None 12:30 p.m. Flood warnings remain in effect for the Arkansas River affecting Tulsa County and the Arkansas River near Haskell affecting Muskogee and Wagoner counties. According to NWS Tulsa, the forecast severity of flooding has changed from minor to major severity. 11:30 a.m. A flood warning is in effect for Tulsa County. 10:45 a.m. According to the Storm Prediction Center, 10 tornadoes were reported in Oklahoma since Monday evening. 10:25 a.m. Tulsa County Sheriff's deputies will patrol areas around the Caney River Valley and Bird Creek areas to warn residents of a flood advisory. Caney River is expected to flood around noon, with the Bird Creek area expected to flood by 1 p.m. 10 a.m. ODOT announces road closings across the state: Cherokee County SH-80 is closed four miles west of Hulbert near Fort Gibson Lake. Delaware County SH-127 is closed near Jay just west of US-59 due to a damaged drainage structure. Lincoln County SH-66 is OPEN west of Chandler. SH-99 is OPEN at the Deep Fork River 4 miles south of Stroud. SH-18 is closed 2 miles south of Chandler. SH-18 is closed 7 miles north of Chandler at CR 840. SH-102 is closed 2 miles west of Wellston. US-177 is closed at the Deep Fork River just north of SH-66 near Wellston. SH-66B is closed west of Wellston. Mayes County US-69A is closed east of US-69 south of Pryor. SH-20 is closed 3 miles west of the US-69 junction. SH-28 is closed 3.5 miles west of the US-69 junction. Nowata County US-60 is OPEN in Nowata. SH-10 is closed east of US-169 near Lenapah. Pawnee County US-64 is closed between Pawnee and SH-18. US-64 is OPEN east and west of Pawnee. Okmulgee County US-75A is closed at the railroad overpass just north of Beggs. SH-16 is OPEN at the railroad overpass on the east side of Beggs. Osage County SH-20 is OPEN west of Hominy. SH-99 is OPEN north of Hominy. SH-11 is OPEN north of Barnsdall. SH-20 is closed east and west of Skiatook. SH-123 is closed south of US-60 near Bartlesville. Rogers County SH-66 is OPEN at SH-88 in Claremore. Washington County US-60 is OPEN 4 miles east of US-75. US-75 is OPEN in Dewey. SH-123 is closed between Bartlesville and Dewey. School closings: Tulsa Public Schools are CLOSED Tuesday. Jenks and Union districts announced delayed start times. Verdigris, Collinsville, Catoosa, Sand Springs, Claremore, Bixby, Stillwater, Skiatook and Sperry Public Schools districts are closed Tuesday. All Tulsa County facilities, including the courthouse, will open at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, county officials said. 9 a.m. A flash flood warning is in effect for Craig, Rogers, Delaware, Ottawa, Mayes, Washington, Nowata, Wagoner, Muskogee, Okmulgee and Tulsa counties. 8:45 a.m. Storms have caused several flight delays and cancellations, Tulsa International Airport reported. Travelers should check their schedules with airlines. 7:27 a.m. A tornado warning is in effect for Pittsburg County through 8:15 a.m. The storm is producing 1-inch hail. Severe thunderstorms with quarter-size hail are moving northeast from the Stringtown area at 35 mph. NWS Tulsa warns of flying debris, damage to roofs, windows, vehicles and trees. 7:15 a.m. Oklahoma 20 is closed east of Skiatook as the roadway is flooded. Crews say flooding is limiting access to town on Oklahoma 11, as well. 7 a.m. The severe threat line has moved east toward Talala. 6:52 a.m. Owasso Police Department reports a tornado on the ground with debris near the Tulsa Tech Owasso campus at North 140th East Avenue. 6:45 a.m. A tornado warning is in effect for Claremore, Collinsville and Verdigris through 7:30 a.m. 6:33 a.m. A tornado has been confirmed in north Tulsa near the airport. NWS Tulsa reports the tornado is moving northeast at 50 mph. 6:15 a.m.: A tornado warning is in effect for Tulsa, Rogers and Osage counties through 7 a.m. Severe thunderstorms capable of producing a tornado were located along a line extending from 8 miles southwest of Sperry to Sand Springs, moving east at 30 mph, according to NWS Tulsa. 1:07 a.m. Flash flood warning issued until 7 a.m. for Tulsa, Wagoner, Okmulgee and Muskogee counties. 1:05 a.m. Tornado watch for Craig, Mayes, Nowata, Ottawa, Rogers and Washington counties expired. Tornado watch for Creek, Okfuskee, Okmulgee and Tulsa counties continued until 5 a.m. Tornado watch for Adair, Cherokee, Delaware, Haskell, Latimer, Le Flore, McIntosh, Muskogee, Pittsburg, Sequoyah and Wagoner counties until 8 a.m. 1:01 a.m. Tuesday Flash flood warning in effect until 7 a.m. for Cherokee, Craig, Delaware and Mayes counties. At least four tornadoes were reported near Oklahoma towns on Monday: Cashion, Mangum, Bald Hill and Leach. 24-hour rainfall totals as of 12:50 a.m. are as follows, according to the Oklahoma Mesonet: Skiatook: 6.38 inches Pawnee: 6.08 inches Wynona: 5.58 inches Talala: 5.26 inches Inola: 5.07 inches Oilton: 4.76 inches Newkirk: 4.73 inches Vinita: 4.69 inches Miami: 4.58 inches Copan: 4.40 inches Nowata: 4.31 inches Foraker: 4.05 inches Burbank: 3.94 inches Tulsa: 3.65 inches Bixby: 3.63 inches Jay: 2.87 inches Updated (12:33 a.m.) Stillwater schools are closed tomorrow due to flooding. Due to excessive flooding in and around Stillwater and the National Weather Service forecasting additional rain throughout the night, Stillwater Public Schools will be closed on Tuesday, May 21. District employees will observe a Level 1 closing on this date. Stillwater Schools (@onwardpioneers) May 21, 2019 Updated (12:21 a.m. Tuesday) Tornado watch issued for Adair, Cherokee, Delaware, Haskell, Latimer, Le Flore, McIntosh, Muskogee, Pittsburg, Sequoyah and Wagoner counties until 8 a.m. Tornado watch for Tulsa, Creek, Okfuskee and Okmulgee counties continued until 5 a.m. Peggs Fire-Rescue reports "widespread damage" in Facebook post and asks residents not to travel on damaged roads. Updated (11:44 p.m.) Flash flood emergency issued for Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Collinsville, Inola and Pryor until 5:45 a.m. At 11:39 p.m. emergency management reported numerous closed roadways, water rescues, and homes being evacuated. "Three to five inches of rain have fallen, and additional heavy rainfall will move into the area soon. Widespread flash flooding is already occurring," the weather service said. "Move to higher ground now. This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order." Additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are possible in the warned area, forecasters said, including Interstate 44 between mile markers 217 and 269. Updated (11:34 p.m.) Water rescues being reported in Turley. Updated (11:30 p.m.) Tornado warning for Delaware County allowed to expire. Updated (11:27 p.m.) The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said westbound Oklahoma 20 was being shut down in Skiatook. Updated (11:20 p.m.) Tulsa Public Schools announced classes will be held as scheduled Tuesday. Updated (11:20 p.m.) The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood emergency for Hominy, Pawnee, Bartlesville, Dewey and Skiatook. At 11:10 p.m. emergency management reported numerous closed roadways, water rescues, and homes being evacuated, the weather service said. "Four to six inches of rain have fallen, and additional heavy rainfall will move into the area soon. Widespread flash flooding is already occurring. "This is a particularly dangerous situation. Seek higher ground now!" forecasters said. Updated (11:16 p.m.): The flash flood warning for Tulsa, Osage, Pawnee and Washington counties has been extended to 5:15 a.m. Tuesday. Updated (11:03 p.m.): Tornado warning continues for southern Delaware County with the large tornado reported earlier near Peggs and Leach. It was 3 miles north of Twin Oaks moving northeast at 50 mph. Updated (10:45 p.m.): Meteorologists reporting radar-indicated debris from tornado near Peggs in Cherokee County. The tornado was heading toward the community of Leach in Delaware County. Updated (10:45 p.m.): Tornado warning for southern Tulsa, Wagoner counties allowed to expire. Updated (10:39 p.m.): A confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was located near Peggs in Cherokee County, moving northeast at 50 mph. Updated (10:32 p.m.): Tornado warning for northeastern Wagoner County allowed to expire. New tornado warning for southeastern Mayes and northwestern Cherokee counties until 11 p.m. Updated (10:11 p.m.): Tornado warning for northeastern Wagoner, southeastern Mayes and northwest Cherokee counties until 11 p.m. A storm capable of producing a tornado was located 3 miles west of Wagoner, moving northeast at 45 mph. Update (10:10 p.m.): Tornado warning for southeastern Tulsa, westcentral Wagoner and northeastern Okmulgee counties until 10:45 p.m. A confirmed tornado was located 5 miles southwest of Stonebluff, moving northeast at 25 mph, the weather service said. The circulation appeared to be weakening, forecasters said. Update (10:07 p.m.): A new tornado watch has been issued until 5 a.m. Tuesday for Tulsa, Creek and Okmulgee counties. Update (10 p.m.): Severe thunderstorm warning for Rogers, northwestern Mayes, northwestern Wagoner and southeastern Tulsa counties until 11 p.m. The tornado watch for Tulsa, Creek, Osage and Washington counties has expired. Update (9:45 p.m.): Tornado warning for Tulsa, Rogers counties allowed to expire. The tornado watch for Tulsa, Creek, Osage and Washington counties is set to expire at 10 p.m. A tornado watch for areas east remains in effect until 1 a.m. Tuesday. Several severe thunderstorm warnings for the area are in effect. Update (9:39 p.m.): Sperry emergency managers report flash flooding in much of the town's streets, approximately 6 to 8 inches of water. Update (9:28 p.m.): Tulsa police are reporting street flooding at various locations. Water rescues were also reported in Bartlesville. Update (9:26 p.m.): The tornado warning for Creek, Osage and west parts of Tulsa counties has been allowed to expire. Tornado warning for area northeast of downtown remains in effect until 9:45 p.m. Update (9:07 p.m.): Tornado warnings for Tulsa, Creek, Osage and Rogers counties. Radar indicated a possible tornado four miles southeast of Mannford and moving northeast at 40 mph. Another possible tornado was located near Tulsa International Airport moving northeast at 50 mph. Sirens were being activated in Tulsa, Owasso and Broken Arrow. Update (8:47 p.m.): A flash flood warning is in effect for Tulsa, southeast Osage, Rogers, Creek, northern Wagoner and southeast Pawnee counties until 2:45 a.m. Tuesday. Update (8:46 p.m.): Severe thunderstorm warning for Tulsa, southern Rogers, southeastern Osage, northern Creek, westcentral Mayes, southwestern Washington, northern Wagoner and southeastern Pawnee counties until 9:45 p.m. Severe storms were located along a line near Drumright to east of Collinsville moving east at 25 mph. Update (8:45 p.m.): Tornado warning for Creek and Pawnee counties allowed to expire. Strong storms were moving into the Tulsa metro area. Update (8:25 p.m.): Severe thunderstorm warning for northeastern Tulsa, southeastern Osage, southern Washington and southeastern Pawnee counties until 9:15 p.m. Storms were located near Cleveland and Avant, moving east at 25 mph. Update (8:04 p.m.): Tornado warning for Creek and Pawnee counties until 8:45 p.m. A severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Oilton moving east at 25 mph. Update (7:42 p.m.): Severe thunderstorm warning for southeastern Osage, northwestern Creek and Pawnee counties until 8:30 p.m. A severe storm was located near Osage, moving east at 30 mph. Update (7:19 p.m.): Severe thunderstorm warning in effect until 7:45 p.m. for northern Tulsa, Osage, Washington, Pawnee, Nowata, northern Rogers, northwestern Craig counties. A line of severe storms was located from Deering to Barnsdall, moving east at 45 mph. Wind gusts of 60 mph and quarter-sized hail were possible with the storms. Update (6:51 p.m.): Flash flood warning for areas north and east of Tulsa, including Washington, Craig, northern Rogers, northern Delaware, Ottawa, northwestern Mayes and Nowata counties until 2:45 a.m. Tuesday. Update (6:40 p.m.): The tornado warning for Osage and Pawnee counties has been allowed to expire. Update (6:30 p.m.): The National Weather Service said life-threatening flash flooding is possible in parts of Oklahoma overnight as storms with heavy rainfall are expected to continue. "Repeated rounds of thunderstorms are likely to cause locally very heavy rainfall, especially across central Oklahoma. The areas that receive the heaviest rainfall could see severe, life-threatening flash flooding, especially if it occurs over an urban area." Rain rates with the strongest thunderstorm clusters could exceed 2 inches per hour, forecasters said. Update (6:11 p.m.): Tornado warning for Osage and Pawnee counties extended until 7 p.m. The storm was 5 miles north of Pawnee, moving east at 45 mph. Update (5:48 p.m.): The Storm Prediction Center in Norman recorded eight reports of tornadoes, 17 reports of wind damage and 35 reports of hail nationwide so far. Update (5:33 p.m.): Tornado warning issued for southcentral Osage and Pawnee counties. The storm was near Morrison moving east at 55 mph. Update (5:23 p.m.): Tornadoes were reported on the ground near Perry and Mangum. Update (5:17 p.m.): Tornado watch issued for eastern Oklahoma, western Arkansas, southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri until 1 a.m. Update (4:46 p.m.): Flash flood warning issued for Osage and Pawnee counties until 12:45 a.m. Tuesday. Update (4:09 p.m.): The National Weather Service in Tulsa said forecasters are watching the area south of Interstate 44 for storm development. "Severe risk will persist well into the night," the office said on Twitter. Tulsa, Creek, Okmulgee and Osage counties remains under a tornado watch until 10 p.m. Meanwhile, several tornadoes were reported on the ground in western Oklahoma, including one north of Crescent and another near Watonga. Update (1:40 p.m.): The National Weather Service has several counties in Oklahoma under a tornado watch called a "particularly dangerous situation." Numerous strong tornadoes are expected in the impact area, which encompasses most of the state's 77 counties, with widespread large hail and winds up to 80 mph. The tornado watch is in effect through 10 p.m. Update (1 p.m.): Jenks Public Schools is postponing its commencement originally set for Monday evening. Jenks seniors will now graduate 7 p.m. Wednesday at Oral Roberts University's Mabee Center. Update (12:45 p.m.): A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for Craig, Delaware, Mayes, Nowata, Ottawa and Rogers counties through 1:30 p.m. Update (Noon): The tornado risk has been elevated for northwest Texas into west-central Oklahoma from 30% to 45%. Severe thunderstorm warnings expired in Tulsa and surrounding counties, though a flash flood watch remains in effect through Tuesday. Oklahoma City's Will Rogers Airport warned travelers of impending cancellations and delays at the OKC airport due to the forecast. Update (11 a.m.): Tulsa County is under a severe thunderstorm warning through 11:45, in addition to Creek, Osage, Pawnee, Rogers and Washington counties. The National Weather Service in Tulsa warns of torrential rainfall, 60 mph wind gusts and half-dollar-sized hail. Strong words from the Storm Prediction Center on Monday's outlook: "A serious outbreak of destructive, tornadic supercells is likely over parts of this region this afternoon into evening, especially in the high- and moderate-risk areas. Given the expected fast storm motions, especially mid-afternoon into evening, a few of the best-organized supercells may reach an equilibrium with their already very favorable mesoscale environments long enough to sustain wide, long-track tornadoes." Tulsa Public Schools and Catoosa Public Schools are closed Monday. Tulsa City-County Library branches will close at noon Monday. Collinsville High School postponed its graduation scheduled for Monday evening. Tinker Air Force Base has implemented liberal leave for those on the base, and a spokesman said aircraft were moved to other bases over the weekend. Broken Arrow Public Schools are remaining open but allowing for no-penalty early pickup at 1:30 Monday afternoon. In an outlook issued Monday morning, the National Weather Service stated a tornado outbreak is likely across the southern plains, including much of Oklahoma and parts of Texas throughout the day and into the overnight hours. After several days of warning that Monday's forecast had the potential for a significant event, forecasters now say those fears could be realized as early as lunchtime across eastern and central Oklahoma. Forecasters have the Tulsa and Oklahoma City metro areas in "moderate" risk categories for severe weather, with a rarely used "high" risk area stretching from west Oklahoma City to roughly Snyder, Texas. A tornado risk exists across an arc from west Texas to the Oklahoma-Missouri-Arkansas border, but the "high" risk area carries greater chances for violent, long-track tornadoes. Initial modeling as of early Monday reportedly has a first round of storms in both the Texas panhandle and across western and central Oklahoma as a warm front moves north across the state. These storms will initially produce large hail, but any cell that matures could produce a tornado. As they move northeastward, they will not only lose their associated tornado risk but also clear the area, allowing for a second round of storms forming in southwest Oklahoma and the Interstate 27 corridor in Texas. Monday's forecast is scheduled to be updated by 8 a.m. Check back with tulsaworld.com for updates. Some areas northwest of Tulsa have received more than 6 inches of rain in the past 24 hours, and flash flooding continues even as more torrential rain enters the Tulsa area. The Oklahoma Mesonet's monitoring stations indicate more than 6 inches of rain has fallen across much of Pawnee, Osage, Noble and Washington counties, with localized amounts exceeding that. In a Facebook Live broadcast early Tuesday, the Stillwater Emergency Management Agency reported it was assisting in water rescues from at least one home as Stillwater Creek has backed up. Both city and county agencies in the area had reportedly run out of barricades amid numerous road closures from flooding. Mesonet data indicates 6.86 inches of rain have fallen in Stillwater itself. Kudos to Robert Smith. The Texas billionaire pledged Sunday to pay off the student loan debt of the 396 members of the 2019 graduating class of Morehouse College. Smith, who had donated $1.5 million for student scholarships and a new park on campus, made his surprise announcement from the stage after receiving an honorary doctorate from the all-male historically segregated Atlanta college whose alumni include Martin Luther King Jr., Spike Lee and Samuel L. Jackson. Parents hugged one another. One graduate said his father nearly passed out when he realized hed be able to retire now. The audience exploded in chants of MVP! MVP! which Morehouse President David Thomas suggested might stand for Most Valuable Philanthropist. It was an incredibly generous gift to members of a future generation, most of whom are strangers to Smith. A man was arrested after reportedly eluding police in a pursuit that ended after his vehicle hit a pedestrian and then crashed into a north Tulsa womens clinic Monday afternoon. Sgt. Sean Larkin said the Tulsa Police Departments Crime Gun Unit attempted to pull over a gray Nissan operated by Shelvon Williams, 25, for a traffic violation. But according to Larkin, Williams whom he said is very familiar to north Tulsa patrol officers and the Crime Gun Unit took off upon realizing police were nearby. It ended here at Pine (Street) and Lewis (Avenue) when our suspect vehicle collided with a citizen, Larkin said of the pursuit. The citizen is OK. Our suspect that we were chasing fled on foot, but he didnt get more than 20 yards or so and was apprehended. Larkin said Williams left the vehicle in drive when he got out, which caused it to travel without a driver in the parking lot of the Springdale Shopping Center at Pine and Lewis. It somehow went across this entire parking lot without hitting a single car, but it crashed into the front of (the Hillcrest Pregnancy Care Center), he said. Estimates of damage costs for the facility werent available as of Monday evening. The man who helped to end apartheid in South Africa, and saw Trinidad and Tobago as the true rainbow nation, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is dead. South Africa's two Nobel Peace laureates former President Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Tutu visited Trinidad in May 2004 Stepan Poltorak will remain Ukraine's defense minister until the Verkhovna Rada decides on his resignation. He stated this after his visit to the Presidential Administration where he was invited by newly elected President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to an Ukrinform correspondent. "I will work as acting [defense minister] until the Verkhovna Rada makes a decision, because when the country is in a state of war, it is very dangerous to leave the Armed Forces without coordination of the management system and without leadership," Poltorak said. He said that he had informed Zelensky about his resignation on the eve of the inauguration. "I waited until he [Zelensky] swore an oath to the people of Ukraine and I filed a report," Poltorak said. When asked about the results of his work, Poltorak emphasized that "he is not ashamed to look into the eyes" of the people. "As for my work [...] I did all the best so that we could create a [strong] army within five years, and I certainly do not feel ashamed to look into your eyes and into the eyes of all Ukrainians," the minister said. op Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) adopted a decision to launch direct flights from Kyiv to Oslo from October 26, 2019, the Embassy of Ukraine in the Kingdom of Norway has reported. Direct air travel between Ukraine and Norway has been one of the priority goals on the agenda of the Ukrainian-Norwegian dialogue, and its important result is todays announcement by the reputable multinational company Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) to open a new direct route between Kyiv and Oslo in October 2019, Ukraine's Ambassador to Norway Vyacheslav Yatsiuk said on Tuesday. The route between Kyiv and Oslo, which launches on October 26, 2019, will have three flights a week with departures on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The Ukrainian ambassador expects that the future direct flight between Kyiv and Oslo will contribute to further enhancement of economic cooperation, as well as exchanges in other spheres between the two countries. The existing visa-free regime between Ukraine and Norway will undoubtedly contribute to the success of the future direct flight Kyiv-Oslo, he noted. The Ukrainian diplomat expressed special gratitude to the leadership of Avinor, operator of the civil airports in Norway, and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) for their decision to use the official Ukrainian spelling of the capital of Ukraine Kyiv in the name of the new route. The next meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) on the peaceful settlement of the situation in eastern Ukraine was postponed until June 5. The Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Belarus wrote this on its Twitter page. "The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) Martin Sajdik has said that the participants reached a common understanding and decided to postpone the meeting of the TCG and its working groups until June 5, 2019," the report reads. The previous meeting of the TCG took place in Minsk on April 24. As reported, ex-president of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko dismissed Yevhen Marchuk from the post of Ukraines representative in the Trilateral Contact Group on Donbas. ish Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister Olena Zerkal held a meeting with Finlands Ambassador to Ukraine Mr Juha Virtanen on the occasion of completion of his diplomatic mission in Ukraine. "During the meeting, the parties noted the high level of the Ukrainian-Finnish relations and emphasized the importance of deepening bilateral cooperation, in particular in the context of Finland's EU Presidency starting from July 1, 2019," the press service of the Foreign Ministry reported on Tuesday. Olena Zerkal expressed gratitude to Finland for assistance in carrying out systemic reforms in Ukraine, primarily in the areas of energy efficiency and education reform, and wished the ambassador success in his further professional career. ish A Venezuelan mother talks with a UNHCR protection officer after crossing the border to Cucuta, Colombia, April 2019. UNHCR/Vincent Tremeau Given the worsening political, economic, human rights and humanitarian situation in Venezuela that to date has seen 3.7 million people leave, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, now considers that the majority of those fleeing the country are in need of international refugee protection. In an updated guidance note issued today, UNHCR reiterates its call to States to allow Venezuelans access to their territory and provide them with proper protection and standards of treatment, highlighting the critical need for safety for people forced to flee for their lives and freedoms. The updated guidance note aims to assist those adjudicating international protection claims by asylum-seekers from Venezuela and those responsible for setting government policy on this issue. By the end of 2018, some 460,000 Venezuelans had formally sought asylum, the majority in neighbouring countries in Latin America. The guidance note acknowledges that the number of people leaving Venezuela poses complex challenges and that it may be impractical to undertake individual determinations of refugee status, which is why group-based recognition is recommended. UNHCRs guidance note advises that for certain profiles of Venezuelans at risk the 1951 Refugee Convention is applicable. In any event, the majority of Venezuelans are in need of international refugee protection, based on the wider criteria of the 1984 Cartagena Declaration applied in Latin America. This is because of the threats to their lives, security or freedom resulting from circumstances that are seriously disturbing public order in Venezuela. Together with our partner, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), we have repeatedly welcomed the solidarity of Latin American and Caribbean governments in hosting Venezuelans under a range of legal stay arrangements. To enhance the much-needed protection of Venezuelans, UNHCR continues to urge States to harmonize these responses. UNHCR also calls on States to ensure that Venezuelans, regardless of their legal status, are not deported or otherwise forcibly returned to Venezuela. UNHCR, together with the International Organization for Migration, is working with Governments, other UN agencies and partners, to address the protection and basic needs of Venezuelan refugees and migrants. The two organizations have appointed a Joint Special Representative, Eduardo Stein, and jointly lead the Regional Inter-Agency Platform that ensures a coherent and consistent operational response. Read UNHCR Guidance Note on International Protection Considerations for Venezuelans For more information on this topic, please contact: Euligio Baez, a Warao leader from Venezuela, poses with his family in Boa Vista, Brazil, April 2019. UNHCR Jose and Yurmi hurriedly gathered up their seven-month-old baby, packed some clothes and walked the few kilometres that separate Venezuela from Colombia. Jose, a doctor who volunteered with local communities near the Venezuelan city of Barquisimeto, had just been warned of a threat to his life. The person that was paid to kill me was one of my closest patients. He said that he would have accepted the US$790 he was offered to take my life if he hadnt been so grateful to me for treating his relatives, Jose explains. It is a lot of money. Anyone would have taken that offer. Jose and Yurmis search for safety brought them to a shelter in Bogota, Colombia supported by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency - where they are spending a few nights until they can regularise their situation, pay rent and settle in safety. There are currently some 3.7 million refugees and migrants from Venezuela worldwide, the vast majority in Latin America and the Caribbean. Given the worsening political, economic, human rights and humanitarian situation in Venezuela, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, now considers that the majority of those fleeing the country are in need of international refugee protection. The person that was paid to kill me was one of my closest patients." Given the deteriorating circumstances, UNHCR today issued updated guidance, calling on countries to allow Venezuelans access to their territory and highlighting the critical importance of ensuring access to asylum procedures for those forced to run for their lives. The note also recommends countries not to deport or forcibly return Venezuelans as their lives may be put at risk. The guidance note includes recommendations on how to handle cases such as that of Juan Carlos, a 28-year-old Venezuelan who had worked for three years in the communications department of a state-owned business in Venezuela. He never imagined that an interview with the local press revealing irregularities at the office where he worked could place him in grave danger. See also: Venezuelans living in the streets find safety at new reception centre in Colombia When the interview was published he suffered intimidation at work. I was humiliated, he recalls. They treated me as if I was worthless and they threatened to kill me, forcing me to resign. Pressured by these threats Juan Carlos quit his job, but the harassment and death threats did not stop. One night, he was intercepted on his way home by a group of armed individuals who attacked and tortured him. The next morning, still in a state of shock, I filed a complaint. They never gave me a copy, says Juan Carlos. I was no longer myself. I was crying all day long, I was scared no matter where I was. But things got worse when he tried to obtain his birth certificate and he discovered he was no longer part of the national records. There was no record of my existence. Neither a copy nor the original appeared. Juan Carlos fled to Ecuador where he has since applied for asylum. He says that all the hardships faced in the past have made him stronger. His focus now is to study filmmaking. More than 464,000 Venezuelans like him have claimed asylum worldwide. Many more have been able to obtain other kinds of visas that provide access to schools, national health systems and the right to work in other countries, most in South America. However, many remain in an irregular situation without easy access to safety and most of them, cannot return to Venezuela any time soon. See also: Venezuelans on the run find respite in Ecuador hostel UNHCR in the region is providing operational support and technical assistance to governments to help them determine the legal status of Venezuelans effectively and ensure they have access to international protection on the basis of threats to their lives, security or freedom resulting from the events that are currently seriously disturbing public order in Venezuela. Regional governments have been generous in their response to the Venezuela crisis, granting Venezuelans refugee status or otherwise allowing them to work, study and access basic services in their hour of need, said Renata Dubini, UNHCRs director for the Americas. As the situation there worsens, they must continue to allow Venezuelans to remain without fear of return, and with costs and other requirements eased where needed. Collapsing healthcare is also driving Venezuelans to save their lives, among them father-of-five Euligio Baez, a 33-year-old indigenous Warao from Delta Amacuro in Venezuela. He abandoned the Waraos ancestral lands and took his entire family to Brazil after three relatives died. Diseases were getting stronger than us. I told myself, either we leave or we die. "When my nine-month-old daughter died because of the lack of medicines, doctors or treatment, I decided to take my family out of Venezuela before another one of my children died," says Euligio, in clear distress. Diseases were getting stronger than us. I told myself, either we leave or we die. Children are particularly affected by the scarcity of medicines and food, and Venezuela Health Ministry reports show a dramatic increase in child mortality. Euligio explains that the decision to abandon their land is especially difficult for indigenous people because it represents their roots. "If my land, Venezuela, was not going through this situation, we would have never left. We thought many times about staying but when many people started to die, one after another, it was the only option we had." He and his family now live in Boa Vista, Brazil, some 250 kilometres from the border with Venezuela. With the support of UNHCR, government partners and NGOs, three of Eulirio's five children are studying at the local school. "Living in a shelter is totally different from what we know. There is not much contact with nature, we have to adapt to the food, the local habits, but we are doing it to protect our children, Euligio explains. I dream of the day we will be able to return to our land and have our children safe again. Additional reporting by Ilaria Rapido in Quito, Ecuador and Allana Ferreira in Boa Vista, Brazil. Writing by Olga Sarrado Mur in Panama City Russia refuses to negotiate gas transit in May Naftogaz 10:48, 21.05.19 3924 Vitrenko suggested the Russian side is waiting for Denmark's decision on the Nord Stream 2 bypassing gas pipeline. IMF mission starts work in Ukraine May 21 12:44, 21.05.19 1885 The IMF mission will work with the Ukrainian authorities for two weeks to review the current program and ensure criminal liability for illegal enrichment. Ukraine imports over 1.5 bcm of gas from Europe in Q1 16:55, 21.05.19 1366 In late November 2015, the country refused to purchase natural gas from Russia's Gazprom. One-way tickets cost UAH 2,691 (US$103) as of October 26. Norwegian-based Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) on October 26, 2019, will launch its first flight from the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv to Norway's Oslo. Read alsoUkraine's infrastructure minister proposes Qatar Airways set up subsidiary in Ukraine The Kyiv-Oslo flights will be carried out three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, according to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry's press service. Ambassador of Ukraine to the Kingdom of Norway Viacheslav Yatsiuk says the move is another reflection of strengthening the Ukrainian-Norwegian relations in recent years. This resulted in an unprecedented increase in contacts between people, including mutual visits. Flights will be launched at 14:00 from Ukraine's Boryspil Airport. Their duration is two hours and 50 minutes. One-way tickets cost UAH 2,691 (US$103) as of October 26, according to the booking system on the airline's website. Scandinavian Airlines System is a multinational airline (Denmark, Norway and Sweden) and the leading carrier of Scandinavian countries, headquartered in Stockholm (Sweden). SAS is one of the founding airlines of Star Alliance. Its founding members are Air Greenland, Linjeflyg, Spanair, Thai Airways International, as well as former charter operator Scanair. SAS has three main hubs, namely Copenhagen, Stockholm-Arlanda and Oslo. The SAS fleet consists of 164 aircraft. The decree refers to the acceptance of powers of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed his first presidential decree. Read alsoZelensky, U.S. envoys discuss reforms, counteraction to Russia's aggression Document No. 300/2019 of May 20, 2019, posted on the president's official website refers to the acceptance of powers of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "In connection with the assumption of the presidency of Ukraine on May 20, 2019, in accordance with Paragraph 17 of Part 1 of Article 106 of the Constitution of Ukraine, from this day I accept the powers of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," the decree says. As UNIAN reported earlier, Zelensky on May 20 sworn the oath of allegiance to the people of Ukraine and officially became president. Zelensky also stressed the importance of increasing sanctions against Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a meeting with Vice-President of the European Commission for Energy Union Maros Sefcovic, during which the parties discussed a wide range of issues of cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union. They also discussed counteraction to the Kremlin's aggression in Donbas, prospects of de-occupation of Crimea and holding of the next round of tripartite negotiations in the Ukraine-EU-Russia format on preparations to the conclusion of the gas contract, according to the president's official website. Read alsoZelensky, U.S. envoys discuss reforms, counteraction to Russia's aggression "As President of Ukraine, I count on the further support of the European Commission in the framework of the process of negotiations between Ukraine, EU and Russia with a view to concluding a contract for the transit of Russian natural gas through Ukraine's gas pipelines after 2019. We will also be grateful for the solidarity of the EU with regard to the counteraction to the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline," Zelensky said. The president said he would like to see Ukraine as a true and, most importantly, valuable and equal country among other countries of the European Union. He stressed that Ukraine faced several challenges, first of all, the end of war in Donbas. Zelensky also stressed the importance of increasing sanctions against the aggressor country Russia. "Increasing sanctions against the Russian Federation for the aggression is our truly great hope. I am hopeful that the pressure of sanctions on the part of the EU will be continued. It is very important for us not on paper. This is vital for Ukraine and the people we lose in Donbas," Zelensky said. The president emphasized that Ukraine was hopeful to continue cooperation with the European Union. He noted that for the given purpose, the Ukrainian side was ready to hold additional meetings. "For the European Union to know and be sure that Ukraine is ready to do the right, fair steps towards the EU," Zelensky added. In turn, the Vice-President of the European Commission for Energy Union congratulated Zelensky on winning the presidential elections and assuming office. He also noted that the EU highly appreciated the continuation of the European policy of Ukraine. In addition, Sefcovic wished the president of Ukraine success in the work. Zelensky is hopeful that Budapest would resume support for the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President of Hungary Janos Ader have discussed cooperation of two countries in the continuation of the international pressure on Russia. During the meeting, Zelensky stressed that Russian aggression in the east and Russia's occupation of Crimea required the continuation of the international pressure on the Russian Federation, according to the president's press service. Read alsoZelensky, EC VP for energy discuss cooperation between Ukraine, EU Zelensky also said Hungary had been one of the first countries in the world to recognize the independence of Ukraine. Zelensky is hopeful that Budapest would resume support for the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine. The president of Ukraine emphasized the importance of practical steps in the economy, infrastructure development, social sphere, border cooperation, which would help bring Ukraine closer to Hungary and show a mutually beneficial result of interaction. In addition, Zelensky thanked Ader for congratulations on winning the elections and assuming office. Zelensky thanked Latvia for remaining a reliable partner and friend of Ukraine in a difficult period for the country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has met with President of Latvia Raimonds Vejonis. Read alsoUkrainian, Hungarian presidents discuss cooperation in continuation of international pressure on Russia Zelensky thanked Latvia for remaining a reliable partner and friend of Ukraine in a difficult period for the country. The president particularly noted the efforts of Latvia in supporting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, the presidential press service has reported. Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine's priorities in foreign policy and continuation of reforms remained unchanged. The president is hopeful that Latvia will continue to be an advocate for Ukraine in the European Union and NATO. In addition, Zelensky noted the efforts of Latvia aimed to assist Ukraine in the reform of the defense sector. He assured that his attention would remain focused on the protection of foreign investors. Russia's call to hold the discussion is not intended for constructive dialogue but rather to paint the new President in a negative light, Delattre said. Representatives of the United States and the European Union in the United Nations Security Council have decided not to consider the law on the Ukrainian language, rejecting Russia's request. Read also"Another act of absurdity": Russia wants UN Security Council meeting over Ukrainian language law In particular, Germany's Permanent Representative to the UN Christoph Heusgen said his delegation did not apply double standards and has been consistent. It is not against holding the meeting, but merely wished to have it postponed because today marks the inauguration of President Volodymyr Zelensky, he said, adding that holding the meeting would have been tantamount to welcoming the new President with an act of intimidation. The Russian Federation adopted its new passport law when President Zelensky was elected, on the International Day of Multilateralism, he recalled, urging Russian forces to abide by the ceasefire agreement, withdraw heavy weapons and allow observers of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to do their job, the UN press service said in a meeting coverage on May 20. Francois Delattre (France) objected to adoption of the agenda for the meeting, saying that the Russian Federation's request for the meeting on the very day Ukraine is inaugurating a new President clearly is not intended to help resolve the Russia-Ukraine crisis. Russia's call to hold the discussion is not intended for constructive dialogue but rather to paint the new President in a negative light, he said, emphasizing that the situation in Donbas should be the Security Council's focus. The issue of the language law granting special status to the Ukrainian language should be dealt with in accordance with existing agreements between the two countries, he said, expressing regret that no objections to holding the meeting were heard. Jonathan R. Cohen (United States) said there is no need for the briefing, describing it as a clear attempt to distract from the peaceful transfer of power occurring in Ukraine today. He urged other Council members vote against the agenda's adoption. Poltorak said he was not surprised by the decision of Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman to resign. Ukrainian Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak, who wrote a letter of resignation, has not yet decided whether he will go into politics. Read alsoUkraine's PM Groysman announces resignation (Video) "I have not decided yet," he told journalists, answering a question whether he plans to go into politics, according to an UNIAN correspondent. Poltorak said he was not surprised by the decision of Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman to resign. "He has the right to make such a decision, and this is absolutely normal," he said. As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukraine's Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak on May 20 tendered his resignation. Zelensky underscored the important role of Lithuania in promoting Ukraine to the EU and NATO and strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite for supporting Ukraine in the protection of sovereignty and providing practical assistance in the implementation of reforms and reconstruction of Donbas. Read alsoUkraine's Zelensky meets with Latvian President Vejonis During the meeting in Kyiv on May 20, Zelensky thanked Grybauskaite for congratulations on assumption of the presidency. He noted the president of Lithuania is a true and reliable friend of Ukraine, the president's press service has reported. Zelensky also noted the contribution of Grybauskaite to strengthening the strategic partnership of two countries and expressed conviction that it had new prospects. In addition, Zelensky underscored the important role of Lithuania in promoting Ukraine to the EU and NATO and strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities. Zelensky also expressed special gratitude for the treatment of the Ukrainian soldiers wounded in the east and the possibility of their rehabilitation in the medical institutions of Lithuania. According to Poltorak, it is very dangerous for the country to leave its armed forces without coordinating the command control. Ukrainian Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak who tendered his resignation says he will remain in office until the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, takes a decision on his dismissal. Read alsoUkraine's defense minister resigns "I will work and fulfill my duties until the Verkhovna Rada makes a decision [on my resignation]. Because when the country is in a state of war, it is very dangerous to leave its armed forces without coordinating the command control and without leadership," he told journalists outside the Presidential Administration building on May 21. Poltorak added he had made a decision to resign and informed newly elected President Volodymyr Zelensky about this. Following that, he tendered his resignation. As UNIAN reported earlier, Poltorak on May 6 expressed his willingness to report the state of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the reforms in the defense sphere to the newly elected president. On May 20, Poltorak submitted a letter of resignation, asking Zelensky to dismiss him from the defense minister's post. Early parliamentary elections may be held on July 21 or July 28. Ukrainian MP, leader of the Radical Party Oleh Liashko says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and factions' leaders in the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, have agreed to dissolve the parliament and hold early elections. "The decree on the dissolution of parliament is expected to be made public on Wednesday, May 22, or in the coming days," he told a briefing held outside the Presidential Administration building on May 21, adding that early parliamentary elections will be held approximately on July 21. Read alsoDisbanding parliament: Two major factions react to Zelensky's move In turn, First Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada Iryna Gerashchenko said early parliamentary elections would be held on July 21 or July 28. She added Zelensky had addressed his request to the Verkhovna Rada to hold an extraordinary meeting to adopt changes to the electoral legislation. As UNIAN reported earlier, on May 17, the People's Front faction's council unilaterally decided to withdraw from the "European Ukraine" parliament coalition. Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Andriy Parubiy announced there was no more coalition in the incumbent parliament. After the move, the parliament has a month to form a new coalition. In case the coalition is not formed, the president has the right to announce the dissolution of the parliament and schedule snap elections. However, under laws, there is a moratorium on the early dissolution of the Verkhovna Rada six months before the next (regular) parliamentary elections, scheduled for October 27. On May 20, newly elected President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the dissolution of the Verkhovna Rada and early parliamentary elections. The legal basis for dissolution is that there has been no coalition since 2016. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has named the main argument for dissolving the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament. Read alsoZelensky, faction leaders agree on Ukraine's parliament dissolution "The main argument for dissolving the Verkhovna Rada is an extremely low trust of Ukrainian citizens in this institution 4%. This is an assessment of the work of the parliament and the most important argument for terminating its powers. As guarantor of the Constitution, I am obliged to guarantee the rights of Ukrainian citizens. The legal basis for dissolution is that there has been no coalition since 2016," Zelensky said during a meeting with the leadership of the Verkhovna Rada, parliamentary factions and groups in the Presidential Administration of Ukraine, according to the president's press service. During the meeting, the participants of the meeting also discussed the date of holding early elections. It will depend on the date of the president issuing a decree dissolving parliament. They also discussed convening an extraordinary session of the Verkhovna Rada with a view to approve the amendments to the current electoral legislation, in particular the abolition of the majority system and the reduction of the electoral threshold to 3%. In addition, the parties raised the issue of the release of Ukrainians from Russian captivity. Zelensky proposed to hold a separate conversation on the given issue with representatives of the previous president's team. The early parliamentary elections are scheduled for July 21, 2019. Ukraine's new President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a decree disbanding the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament. "In line with Part 2 of Article 77, Parts 6-7 of Article 83, Clause 1 of Part 2 of Article 90 of the Constitution of Ukraine and in accordance with Clauses 7 and 8 of Part 1 of Article 106 of the Constitution of Ukraine I am ruling on the termination of the powers of the Verkhovna Rada of the eighth convocation ahead of time," Decree No. 303/2019, posted on the Presidential Administration's website, says. Read alsoZelensky names main argument for parliament's dissolution Under the document, the early parliamentary elections shall be held on Sunday, July 21, 2019. The decree comes into force from the day of its publication, May 21. As UNIAN reported earlier, during his swearing-in speech in parliament on May 20, 2019, Zelensky announced plans to disband the parliament. The meeting will start at noon. Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Andriy Parubiy has called a special parliament meeting for May 22. The announcement of the event is on the agenda of the parliament's website. "The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada has issued a resolution to convene an extraordinary plenary session of the Verkhovna Rada at 12:00 Kyiv time on May 22, 2019," the announcement said. Read alsoUkraine's President Zelensky disbands parliament, schedules snap elections (Document) On Twitter, Parubiy also shared a photocopy of a request he received from President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky for holding such a meeting, as well as a photocopy of the resolution. In keeping with the agenda, lawmakers will consider amendments to the Law on the Election of Members of Parliament of Ukraine and the Law on Public Procurement. On May 21, Zelensky held consultations with leaders of the parliament and its factions and groups. They discussed whether amending the electoral legislation within such a short period before the elections would be expedient. In particular, head of the Central Election Commission Tetiana Slipachuk recalled that the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) whose standards Ukraine must observe recommends that OSCE member states should not change their electoral legislation 12 months before the elections. One occupier was killed and another six were wounded on Monday, intelligence reports say. Russia's hybrid military forces on Monday mounted 10 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas, with one Ukrainian soldier reported as wounded in action. Read alsoOne Ukrainian soldier wounded in Donbas amid 11 enemy attacks in past day "One Ukrainian soldier was wounded on Monday. Each enemy provocation had an adequate response. According to intelligence reports, one occupier was killed and another six were wounded," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation said in an update posted on Facebook as of 07:00 Kyiv time on May 21, 2019. Russian occupation forces opened fire from 82mm mortars, grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and small arms. Under attack were Ukrainian positions near the town of Krasnohorivka, and the villages of Hnutove, Starohnativka, Vodiane, Opytne, Novhorodske, Novotoshkivske, Zolote-4, and Mykolaivka Druha. "From midnight on Tuesday, Russia-led forces attacked Ukrainian positions twice near Vodiane and Hnutove, using hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers, heavy machine guns, and small arms. One Ukrainian soldier was wounded [on Tuesday]," the report said. Former CEO of Lynch, Jones & Ryan brokerage now works to improve the business district of Fifth Avenue in New York City. International Nawaz Sharif seeks release from jail Nawaz Sharif (File) Islamabad, May 21 (IANS) | Publish Date: 5/21/2019 12:01:53 PM IST Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif filed a fresh petition in the Islamabad High Court seeking release from prison on medical grounds in a corruption case, the media reported on Tuesday. The petition filed on Monday sought suspension of Sharifs seven-year sentence and subsequent grant of post-arrest bail on medical grounds, Dawn news reported. Citing medical reports, it claimed that the condition of the former leader was critical and he required a stress-free environment for his cardiac treatment as Sharif, according to doctors, was suffering from numerous diseases that could prove to be life threatening. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court had rejected Sharifs review petition seeking bail on medical grounds and permission to go abroad for treatment and ordered him to surrender before the court as soon as his bail period ended. Sharif on May 8 returned to the Kot Lakhpat jail after being out on bail for six weeks owing to illness. Sharif was sentenced in December 2018 to seven years in prison in the Al Azizia Steel Mills corruption reference. He was jailed for failing to explain the ownership of the steel factory in the name of one of his children. The case was filed in the wake of the apex courts July 28, 2017 order in the Panama Papers case. In July 2018, Sharif was sentenced to 10 years in prison in another case of corruption related to a four-storey luxury property in London while his daughter was given seven years. Experts of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) called on Bahrain not to execute two individuals, Ali Mohamed Hakeem al-Arab and Ahmed Isa Ahmed al-Malali, as they were allegedly subjected to torture prior to making confessions MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st May, 2019) Experts of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) called on Bahrain not to execute two individuals, Ali Mohamed Hakeem al-Arab and Ahmed Isa Ahmed al-Malali, as they were allegedly subjected to torture prior to making confessions. "We urge the Government of Bahrain to immediately halt the executions of the two men, to annul the death sentences against them and to ensure that they are retried in accordance with international law and standards ... The two individuals should have never been convicted on the basis of what appears to be seriously flawed trials. Executions in these conditions would amount to arbitrary executions," the experts said, as quoted by OHCHR statement. The statement said that al-Arab was charged with killing a police officer, gun possession and attempted prison break. He was reportedly tortured when forcibly disappeared for a month. The man was denied the right to legal counsel. Al-Malali, who was sentenced to death for gun possession, being a member of a terrorist group and alleged killing of a security officer, was reportedly shot twice in his hand, and the bullets were removed only 23 days later. Al-Malali also reportedly confessed right after tortures. According to the statement, the experts called on Bahrain's government to halt all executions "with a view to abolish the death penalty." (@ChaudhryMAli88) The Chinese embassy in Uzbekistan presented more than 8,000 books to Uzbek educational institutions on Monday to assist in Chinese language course TASHKENT, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st May, 2019 ) :The Chinese embassy in Uzbekistan presented more than 8,000 books to Uzbek educational institutions on Monday to assist in Chinese language courses. The books covering mainly on Chinese language learning as well as the history and culture of China were given as a gift in a ceremony before a Chinese language competition. These books will help young Uzbeks who are studying the Chinese language learn more about China, and promote mutual understanding between the two peoples, Chinese ambassador Jiang Yan said. The Chinese embassy will further contribute to improving the educational level of Uzbek youth and expanding their range of vision, she said. These books will help students learn Chinese language and assist teachers and professors in improving their teaching methods, Sabohat Khoshimova, dean of the faculty of Sinology at the Tashkent State Institute of Oriental Studies, said. (@FahadShabbir) US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale will travel to Ecuador to launch talks on security and migration issues with leaders of the South American country, the State Department said in a press release on Tuesday WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st May, 2019) US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale will travel to Ecuador to launch talks on security and migration issues with leaders of the South American country, the State Department said in a press release on Tuesday. "Under Secretary David Hale will travel to Ecuador May 22-23 to strengthen our growing bilateral partnership," the release said. "He will meet with President Lenin Moreno and Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose Valencia and launch the new Bilateral Political Dialogue that President Moreno and Vice President Pence agreed to during Vice President Pence's visit to Quito in June 2018." The dialogue will focus on areas of mutual interest, including democracy, transparency, security, regional issues and migration, the release said. While in Ecuador, the under secretary will signed bilateral agreements to promote security, education and the protection of cultural property, the release added. Moreno has said that Ecuador is taking in around 6,000 Venezuelan migrants daily as they flee their crisis-hit country. Ecuador is among the states that have recognized Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country's interim president and recognized his diplomatic representative in the country. However, the Venezuelan embassy in Quito is still led by the diplomats appointed by the government of President Nicolas Maduro. The department said that Hale will also meet with university students to reinforce cultural and educational cooperation between the US and Ecuador. Venezuela has been plunged into severe unrest since January this year, after US-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido proclaimed himself "interim president." Maduro accuses the United States of trying to orchestrate a coup in order to install Guaido as its puppet and take over Venezuela's natural resources. UW Mortar Board Names Award Recipients The University of Wyomings senior honor society, Mortar Board, has selected the 2019 winners of awards for outstanding advising, service and dedication. Brant Schumaker is the recipient of the Outstanding Advisor Award. Schumaker is an associate professor in the Department of Veterinary Sciences and a veterinary epidemiologist at the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory. The Outstanding Advisor Award recognizes a member of the university community who has performed outstanding academic, career and personal advising. Students are asked to nominate individuals who skillfully, and consistently, provide academic advice, as well as career guidance, and who establish personal relationships with their students. Dr. Schumaker has always gone out of his way to provide advising for students. Whether that is for his class, professional school, career advice or simply about life in general, he will find the time, says nominator Meagan Soehn, a microbiology major from Casper. He is both kind and understanding, while also being realistic with students about any questions or concerns they come to him with. I know that I speak for myself and other students when I say that he has been an asset for our time here at the University of Wyoming. UW President Laurie Nichols is the recipient of the Outstanding Service and Dedication Award. The award recognizes a member of the university community who has exhibited exceptional dedication to students and service to the university for a number of years. Dr. Laurie Nichols has served the University of Wyoming with three years of exemplary leadership, says Mortar Board President Kaycee Fillmore, a chemistry major from Pueblo, Colo. It has always been obvious that the UW students are at the forefront of Dr. Nichols work, and the student body is grateful for her dedication. Dr. Nichols genuinely wishes to see students flourish in their future endeavors. Few are more deserving of this award. Mortar Board is a national honor society that recognizes college seniors for outstanding achievement in scholarship, leadership and service. It provides opportunities for continued leadership development, promotes service to colleges and universities, and encourages lifelong contributions to the global community. The UW Cap and Gown Chapter of Mortar Board was chartered in 1933. UW chapter members participate in many projects and activities throughout the year, both on the UW campus and in the Laramie community. Business PNB could take control of OBC, Andhra Bank, Allahabad Bank NEW DELHI, MAY 21 (AGENCIES) | Publish Date: 5/21/2019 12:05:28 PM IST Punjab National Bank could take control of two or three small state-run banks, that could include Oriental Bank Of Commerce, Andhra Bank and Allahabad Bank, two sources familiar with the situation told Reuters. The government has been trying to merge smaller regional state-run banks with better managed larger government-owned lenders as one way to reduce bad loans that stand at more than Rs 9 trillion ($130 billion), or nearly 5% of the nations gross domestic output. Last year, the government engineered state-owned Life Insurance Corps takeover of IDBI Bank, a step to ensure that the bank with one of the highest levels of bad loans on its books is well capitalised. PNB could start the process of taking control of the banks in the next three months, according to the sources, who declined to be named, as they are not authorised to speak to the media. PNB shares fell as much as 4% after Reuters reported the news. Its shares ended down 2.55% at Rs 86.10 on the National Stock Exchange on Tuesday. Allahabad Bank fell 2.6% to close at Rs 45.15 rupees a share, while Oriental Bank of Commerce ended down nearly 1% at 95.20 rupees per share. The Indian government is seeking to consolidate the nations debt-burdened state banking sector. PNB declined to comment, while the other banks did not immediately reply to an email from Reuters seeking further information. The finance ministry also declined to comment on the story. Sam Veazey Hit and Killed by Suspected Drunk Driver Phoenix, ArizonaA pedestrian was hit and killed near 35th Avenue and Northern Avenue as he attempted to cross the street. According to accident investigators with the Phoenix Police Department, Sam Veazey, age 58, was crossing the street near the 3600 block of Northern Avenue at around 9:00 p.m. when the driver of a Pontiac Montana van struck him. Mr. Veazey was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. The driver, who police have not yet identified, told police he did not see Mr. Veazey crossing the street. Police determined he was impaired and he was arrested for DUI. Neither the driver nor his 25-year-old female passenger were injured. The crash investigation remains ongoing. We offer our deepest condolences to Mr. Veazey's family and friends for this tragic loss, made worse by the reckless actions of another. Father Jude Raj Fernando, the Rector of St. Anthonys Shrine Kochikade in Colombo spoke to Vatican News about the mood among Catholics nearly a month after the suicide bomb attacks of Easter Sunday. By Robin Gomes The world was shocked and outraged to hear about a string of coordinated suicide bomb attacks on 3 churches and 3 hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, the holiest day of Christians. The bombings, claimed by the so-called Islamic State, killed more than 250 people and injured some 500. One of the targets of the April 21 carnage was the Catholic St. Anthonys Shrine Kochikade, in the capital Colombo. Amadeo Lomonaco of Vatican News visited the popular shrine ahead of the nation marking a month since the attacks. He spoke to the Rector of St. Anthonys Shrine, Father Jude Raj, who had a narrow escape that fateful day during the 8:45 morning Mass on Easter Sunday. Listen to Fr. Jude Raj God of love, not revenge The priest said they never gave up their faith and continue to pray and celebrate Mass inside the shrine saying, Our God is not a god of revenge. He is the God of love. He recalled the words of Jesus as he was dying on the cross Father forgive them, they dont know what they are doing. He said Sri Lankas Catholics have the same sentiments, saying they have to show to the world that they are the followers of Jesus who asked his disciples to love one another as He loved them. Speaking about the message of Christians to those who have committed the crime, Fr. Raj said that they extend their hands out to the terrorists and pray for them and for their repentance so that the Lord may touch their lives and hearts and that they may come back and to the God of love and mercy. Fr. Raj said that the entire Sri Lankan community has come together, irrespective of religion, caste and language. Catholics are showing the power of prayer, especially the rosary and the Mass, and they dont need any other weapon. Solidarity of Pope, Universal Church The Rector of St. Anthonys Shrine said that in their tragedy, they experience the closeness of Pope Francis and the Universal Church. St. Anthonys Shrine maintains a soup kitchen that feeds some 200 people daily, and it also has also a museum and relics. The shrine also maintains a close link with Sri Lankas Catholic community of Italy that is home to the Basilica of St. Anthony in Padua where the 13th-century saint breathed his last. Fr. Raj pointed out that Cardinal Fernando Filoni, the Prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, is scheduled to visit the shrine on Wednesday. He said, all these show that Catholics in Sri Lanka have not been abandoned by the Universal Church that is praying for them. Many dioceses across the world have also expressed their closeness with Sri Lankans. BEER PARK at Paris Las Vegas will host an all-day rooftop party for Fathers Day with its new Funk and Electric Brunch from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., as well as a BBQ platter served throughout the day on Sunday, June 16 (Pictured: Fathers Day BBQ Platter). The Fathers Day BBQ platter is comprised of a decadent spread that includes three smoked brisket sliders topped with BBQ sauce, aioli and jalapeno coleslaw; BBQ half chicken brined in Budweiser and beechwood smoked; and sides of potato salad, pickles and coleslaw. BEER PARKs weekend funk and electric brunch is set to DJ and live music collaborations, along with reimagined brunch selections including smoked brisket hash with crispy potatoes, peppers, an over easy egg and BBQ sauce; a hangover breakfast sandwich on a brioche pretzel bun with fried chicken, an over easy egg, bacon, lettuce, smoked tomato, provolone and honey chipotle mayo; and more. In addition to bottomless mimosas and other brunch cocktails, BEER PARK offers 100 beer selections, including 36 on tap. Opportunity Village and the Clark County School District are hosting the 17th Annual Job Discovery Program Celebration to honor JDP participants from the 2018-19 school year that have gained jobs in the Southern Nevada community. There will be around 15 to 20 student honorees (Pictured: Job Discovery Program honorees celebrate at 15th annual event). The Job Discovery Program is a work-readiness program operated jointly by Opportunity Village and the Clark County School District that is targeted towards students with disabilities who have been referred for vocational training. The program which runs for six hours a day and adheres to CCSD scheduling is comprised of multiple, varied training sites where participants are able to develop and improve their vocational skills in a natural working environment. Each year, several of these students receive jobs in the Southern Nevada community from partners such as Chuck E. Cheese, Habitat for Humanity, Planet Fitness, Albertsons, Tropical Smoothie, McDonalds, Brooklyn Bowl, PENTA Building Group and others. Opportunity Village and CCSD currently have 91 students enrolled in their Job Discovery Program. WHEN: Wednesday, May 22nd at 9 a.m WHERE: The Culinary Academy of Las Vegas 710 W. Lake Mead Blvd., North Las Vegas, NV 89030 Global supply chain networks have been disrupted since the US-China trade war began in January 2018, prompting several foreign investors to look for manufacturing alternatives. Vietnam Briefing highlights three key steps if planning a supply chain shift to Vietnam. Vietnam is not without its share of challenges. In the short-term, manufacturers may find the production shift daunting as supply chains have to realign. Companies often struggle to decide what to relocate, how they plan to enter the Vietnamese market, and where they will establish operations within the country. Those that understand these issues will have a leg-up over their competition in the immediate term, but they will also make more informed decision that will position their operations for success over the their first few years of in-country business operations. Step 1: Choose production elements to relocate Companies should approach Vietnam, or any other China plus one investment destination, with a clear understanding of the production that they intend carry out in this market. For most companies, China plus destinations are chosen because of their lower costs, which are well suited for basic manufacturing and assembly. Those targeting more complex manufacturing should conduct a thorough review of Vietnams current labor force, sourcing networks, and infrastructure to ensure that this production will prove feasible. Companies planning to export finished goods from Vietnam to the US, the EU, or other markets should also have a clear understanding of how the processes carried out in Vietnam will influence the origin of the finished product, and how this will influence tariff exposure. Step 2: Pick your entry strategy Vietnam provides three main options for market entry: engaging local contractors to fulfill elements of production, establishing a new manufacturing facility, or conducting a Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) deal with an existing factory. Representative Office plus local supply partner Supply partners are a fast solution for companies seeking to restructure supply chains as quickly as possible. Under this model, the foreign company enters into a contract with a local factory to manufacture a set amount of goods meeting the foreign companys specifications. Ordering from a local supplier does not require the presence of a local entity. Depending on the supplier in question, it may be possible to find a partner with a good understanding of local logistics and customs clearance. Companies seeking to work with multiple suppliers on a long-term basis often choose to set up a Representative Office (RO) to oversee production within these facilities, and to act as a cost center for sales activities. This is particularly popular in the garments industry. Unlike China, Vietnams supplier market still developing. Companies that are interested in entering Vietnam through vendors should understand the capacity of the local market to support their production needs. 100 percent Foreign Owned Enterprises Foreign Owned Enterprises (FOEs) provide the greatest level of access to and maneuverability within the Vietnamese market, allowing investors to engage in profit generating activities across all unconditional investment sectors. 100 percent FOEs let foreign investors maintain full control of their Vietnamese entity. Companies that are listed, have strong supplier networks in China, or are targeting Vietnam as a long-term investment opportunity tend to prefer this method of entry. Executives that elect to establish their own facilities will forge the ability to tap into the market knowledge of local partners. Companies should develop a clear understanding of Vietnams investment environment and make several trips to the country to vet potential locations, logistics providers, and infrastructure networks. Manufacturing companies overwhelmingly choose to set up factories in Vietnam within Industrial Zones (IZs). The time to set up a legal entity for a 100 percent FOE takes between 4 to 6 months, while full production can take up to a year to get off the ground. Companies that require a quick relocation often choose to work with local factories during the interim period and transition to full production upon completion of manufacturing facilities. M&A A M&A allows investors to gain access to the Vietnamese market quickly by acquiring the business licenses, factories, workforce, and connections of a local company. The second potential benefit of an M&A strategy lies in the knowledge of the local company, since local partners can provide greater access to suppliers, customers, and sometimes improve a foreign brands reputation within the domestic market. The setup time for M&A is two to four months. However, this does not include the lead-time needed to negotiate an agreement between Joint Venture (JV) stakeholders. Negotiations over stakes, leadership, and structure of stakeholder obligations can often delay setup; however, they are integral to a successful JV and should not be rushed. Foreign investors engaged in M&A or JVs are exposed to the liabilities of the company that has been acquired and, in the case of a joint venture, may face operational constraints. Vietnams legal and financial reporting systems are opaque and make it easier to conceal ongoing legal disputes and financial liabilities than may be the case in a companys home market. Companies considering an M&A entry strategy are strongly advised to thoroughly vet any targets. Step 3: Identify an optimal location for investment Vietnam has three Key Economic Regions (KERs) that host the majority of foreign investment and industrial activity within the country. Each KER provides a unique set of production conditions that lend themselves to different investment strategies. Companies should develop a clear understanding of each zone, the specific provinces within this zone and where industrial activity is carried out. North The Northern KER covers the provinces of Hanoi, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Hung Yen, Hai Duong, Bac Ninh, and Vinh Phuc. Together, these provinces account for roughly 16.2 percent of Vietnams total population and 4.7 percent of its landmass. Vietnams Northern KER is best positioned as hub for China plus one manufacturing investors with time sensitive production chains, especially when shipping components between factories in China. Central The Central KER covers the cities Da Nang, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam, and Binh Dinh. As of the latest census data taken on a regional level, the region accounted for roughly 7 percent of the national population. The Central KER yields an investment environment with comparatively less competition than investment hubs in the north and south of the country. In recent years, the regions largest city Da Nang has benefited from good urban planning and development. Investors increasingly identify central Vietnam as a low-cost destination because the north and south have become saturated with investment, driving up costs and congesting logistics networks. South The Southern KER encompasses the provinces of Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Long An, Ho Chi Minh City, Tay Ninh, Dong Nai. Vietnams Southern KER is economically diverse. As a result, businesses from more niche sectors are likely to find that the south provides a more suitable environment for investment. This is particularly true for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), since they are likely to benefit from a great degree of balance between support for small and large-scale investment. In recent years, Ho Chi Minh City has become a hub for start-ups and tech entrepreneurs for this exact reason. Consumption is another major advantage for the southern region. Investors seeking to establish brand identity with Vietnamese consumers are sure to be able to find opportunities in the south, where the countrys largest city, Ho Chi Minh City, offers access to a large consumer base. For this reason, Ho Chi Minh City is the preferred destination for companies trialing food and beverage products, pharmaceuticals, and luxury goods. The space under a stretch of HCM City Long Thanh Dau Giay highway in HCM City's Thu Duc District has become a dumping ground for rubbish. Large spaces under elevated roadways in the city are abandoned instead of being used for parking. Photo tuoitre.vn Thousands of square metres under the city's two major highways, HCM City Trung Luong and HCM City Long Thanh Dau Giay, have become dumping grounds for residents to leave their waste. Some households let their animals roam around free in these spaces, and industrial vehicles park there at night, waiting until the hour they are allowed to enter the city centre, Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reported. Trucks and containers frequent this area and risk causing traffic accidents, said Truong Thi Hoa Thu, a resident who lives by the HCM City Long Thanh Dau Giay highway. People often get terrified passing this way. A survey conducted by the citys Department of Transport in September 2018 revealed that all of the city's parking spaces met just 20 per cent of demand. Do Ngoc Dung, former deputy director of the Cuu Long Corporation for Investment, Development and Project Management of Infrastructure which owns the HCM City Trung Luong construction project, said it was a waste for the city not to take advantage of these spaces while there was such a severe parking shortage. But there is nothing we can do since current regulations dont allow spaces under flyovers and bridges to be used for any other purpose, he said. These regulations include a decree issued by the Government in 2010 and a circular issued by the Ministry of Transport in 2015, which both specify that spaces under elevated infrastructure should not be used for residential, business or parking purposes. A similar circular issued by the transport ministry in 2017 includes the same regulation, and explains it is necessary because the areas must be available when the elevated roads need maintenance and repairs. An official from the Road Administration No 4 under the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam said the spaces could not be used for parking because the flyovers were designed only for traffic. If parking lots and commercial centres were to be built there, the roadways should have been designed with ample space for both maintenance and fire prevention from the start, he said. Nguyen Van Thanh, director of Road Administration No 4, said these spaces should be put to use. Thailand, Taiwan and Singapore have built parking lots under their bridges," Thanh said. "Singapore has even built multi-level basements and offers commercial services there." Thanh said he would ask for adjustments to regulations to allow other uses. Engineers should also think about designing bridges that have enough space underneath to install fire prevention works, he said. Is low price able to secure E5 RON92 gasoline? Many petrol stations in Ho Chi Minh City last week temporarily halted selling E5 RON92 petrol (5 per cent ethanol and 95 per cent RON 92), and even replaced some E5 gas pumps by RON95 pumps. A petrol station of Saigon Fuel JSC on No Trang Long Street (Binh Thanh district in Ho Chi Minh City) on May 15 temporarily stopped selling E5 petrol. Similarly, PV Oils three petrol stations on Pham Van Tri (Go Vap district) only sell RON95 petrol. According to newswire tuoitre.vn, all petrol stations of one fuel firm in South Vietnam do not sell E5 RON92 petrol at all. Nguyen Van Tiu, general director of Tu Luc 1 JSC,said that trading in E5 RON92 petrol requires substantial investment in the construction of a mixing plant, billions of VND to erect the necessary infrastructure system, and current sales cannot recover these expenses. Accordingly, sales are low and capital returns at a snails pace, and wastage rates arehigh. According to the latest report of the MoIT, the total E5 RON92 petrol consumption in this years first three months was 740,000 cubic metres, equalling 37.8 per cent of the total amount of petrol consumed. This number is lower than last year's 3.148 million cb.m, when it made up 42 per cent of the petrol market. Therefore, if policies do not provide significant incentives to E5 RON92 over RON95, E5 will find it hard to survive in the market, said Tiu. Tuoitre.vn quoted a petrol distributor in the northern province of Vinh Phuc as saying that with 4,000 litres of E5 RON92 petrol, 25-30 litres are wasted, while this is only 5-6 litres for RON95. The consumption of E5 RON92 recently fell by 20-30 per cent, leading to increasing stocks and significant costs for the maintenance of containers, said Tiu. The business performance of ethanol fuel over the past time has shown that it is really necessary to create a big difference between the price of E5 and RON95. Accordingly, the environmental protection tax on E5 RON92 fuel is VND3,610 per litre, only 5 per cent less than the tax on RON95. The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) also suggested the government to increase the price difference by adjusting the tax rate on E5 RON92 petrol. An unidentified man climbs the Eiffel Tower, which had to be evacuated, next to a Paris fire brigade specialist in Paris, France, May 20, 2019. photo source REUTERS/Charles Platiau "A climber has been spotted. It's the standard procedure. We have to stop the person, and in that case we evacuate the tower," an official with the SETE operator told AFP. The esplanade underneath the monument was also evacuated, as was a large section of the adjacent Champ de Mars park. "We kindly advise our visitors to postpone their visit," SETE added on Twitter. Police have made contact with the climber but do not yet know why he began his ascent up the iron beams, a police source told AFP. At around 5.30pm (1530 GMT) firemen were trying to reach the climber, dressed in a black jacket, by rappelling down from the third-floor observation deck near the top. Crowds of tourists remained in the area, hoping the tower will reopen soon. "We're really disappointed, we're only here for a week and this messes with our whole programme," said Sylvie and Celine Forcier from Quebec. Justin and Karen Smith, from Los Angeles, had celebrated their wedding on Sunday in front of the tower, but were hoping to get to the top on Monday. "We're disappointed," he said. The tower is regularly the target of rogue freeclimbers hoping to scale one of the world's most famous structures, often for bragging rights. But police have also been called in several times in recent years to try to thwart suicide attempts. In October 2017, a young man ventured out on one of the beams and threatened to jump before police were able to convince him to come back. In 2012, a British man managed to climb to the very top of the 324-metre-high tower before plunging to his death. Nearly seven million people a year visit the tower, which last week celebrated its 130th anniversary. The first two floors can be reached by either elevator or stairs, but only elevators whisk people to the top observation deck. That did not stop the French urban freeclimber Alain Robert from making it one of his first targets in his campaign to scale the world's biggest buildings with no technical climbing gear. He got to the top - not including the antenna - in the mid-1990s. A Huawei logo is displayed at a retail store in Beijing on May 20, 2019. (Photo: AFP/Fred Dufour) The move comes after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order barring US companies from using foreign telecoms equipment deemed a security risk. Google on Monday (May 20) said: We are complying with the order and reviewing the implications. HOW WILL THIS AFFECT HUAWEI USERS? Users of existing Huawei devices will not be affected for now - they will still be able to update apps and access the Google Play Store. "Google Play and the security protections from Google Play Protect will continue to function on existing Huawei devices," a Google spokesperson said, without providing further details. However, when Google launches the next version of Android, it may not be available on Huawei devices. It is also unclear what this means for future Huawei phones. Due to the business ban, Google will have to stop activities with Huawei that involve direct transfer of hardware, software and technical services that are not publicly available. This means Huawei will only be able to use the version of Android thats available through the open source licence, known as Android Open Source Project (AOSP). Popular Google apps such as Gmail, YouTube and the Chrome browser that are available through Google's Play Store will disappear from future Huawei handsets as those services are not covered by the open source licence and require a commercial agreement with Google. WHATS THE IMPACT ON HUAWEIS BUSINESS? The impact is expected to be minimal in the Chinese market. Most Google mobile apps are banned in China, where alternatives are offered by domestic competitors such as Tencent and Baidu. But the move will hugely damage the brand's appeal to consumers outside China. Almost half of the 208 million phones Huawei shipped in 2018 went to outside mainland China, and Europe is the most important overseas market where its devices currently have 29 per cent market share, according to technology research firm IDC. "Having those apps is critical for smartphone makers to stay competitive in regions like Europe," said Geoff Blaber, vice president of research, CCS Insight. The business ban may also affect Huaweis 5G plans. (It) may cause China to delay its 5G network build until the ban is lifted, having an impact on many global component suppliers," said Ryan Koontz, a Rosenblatt Securities analyst. WHAT CAN HUAWEI DO? To get around the Google ban, Huawei would ultimately have to build its own operating system, as Apple has for its iPhones. That cannot be done in a hurry. Software developers might feel compelled to offer a Huawei-specific version of their apps. Or the Chinese manufacturer could start a new branch of the Android family based on the open source version available now. But that will all take time. ARE THERE RISKS FOR GOOGLE? The widespread mobile usage of Maps, Gmail and Google's other services has helped the US company build a market-leading position with Android alongside its crushing dominance in desktop browsing. But in cutting off Huawei, Google risks being deprived of the revenue-generating data of all those phone owners around the world. And other Chinese smartphone makers, such as Xiaomi, Oppo and OnePlus, will be watching closely. Should Huawei build its own system, it's conceivable that those companies might join it, in a bid to end their own vulnerability to future actions by the US government or companies. HOW DID THE BAN COME ABOUT? Huawei has been the target of an intense campaign by Washington, which has been trying to persuade allies not to allow China a role in building next-generation 5G mobile networks. Huawei founder and CEO Ren Zhengfeis army background and his companys opaque culture have fueled suspicions in some countries that the firm has links with the Chinese military and intelligence services. The United States believes Huaweis smartphones and network equipment could be used by China to spy on Americans, allegations the company has repeatedly denied. "Chinese telecom companies like Huawei effectively serve as an intelligence-gathering arm of the Chinese Communist Party," Senator Tom Cotton from the US Republican party had said after Trump's emergency declaration last week. WHATS BEEN HUAWEIS RESPONSE? Huawei said on Monday it would continue to provide security updates and services for its smartphones and tablets. "We have made substantial contributions to the development and growth of Android around the world," a spokesman said. "Huawei will continue to provide security updates and after-sales services to all existing Huawei and Honor smartphone and tablet products, covering those that have been sold and that are still in stock globally," he added, without touching on what would happen with phones it would sell in the future. Huawei previously said that the company has already been preparing a contingency plan by developing its own technology in case it is blocked from using Android. Some of this technology is already being used in products sold in China, the company said. "We have not done anything which violates the law," founder and CEO Ren told Japanese media on Saturday, adding the US measures would have a limited impact. "It is expected that Huawei's growth may slow, but only slightly. Bui Quang Huy, general director of Nhat Cuong Mobile The information was announced on May 19 by major-general Nguyen Duy Ngoc, director of the Police Department C03 specialised in the investigation of smuggling and embezzlement. For now, the police has issued a domestic arrest warrant forHuy. Later on, after completing the necessary procedures, the department will propose Interpol to issue an international arrest warrant. In the evening of May 14, the Police Department C03 accused and arrested Huy and eight others to investigate them for suspected smuggling and violating regulations on accounting activities. Previously, on May 9, the Nhat Cuong Mobile store chain was searched, with inspectors seizing several boxfuls of documents, assets, and thousands of mobile phones, iPads, and other devices. The charge was made after theC03s inspection of an organised smuggling ring led to the boss of Nhat Cuong Mobile. First, the police department determined that Huy and his accomplices have carried out smuggling activities and used two financial accounts, one for official business activities and one for smuggling, hiding trillions of VND in revenue. Assessing the case, major general Le Van Cuong said that Nhat Cuong Mobile dominated the local mobile phone market over the past few years, but has not been inspected until recently. This partly shows that the retailer has some influential backers. Activists from the environmental action group Greenpeace blocked the entrance to British Petroleum's (BP) Headquarters in central London. (Adrian DENNIS/AFP) The environmental organisation encased activists in five heavy containers that were manoeuvred into place during the night. Abseilers also set about installing a banner spelling out "climate emergency" on the building's windows. The protest came ahead of BP's annual general meeting in Aberdeen, Scotland, on Tuesday. Greenpeace wants BP to switch to purely renewable energy or close its operations. "BP is fuelling a climate emergency that threatens millions of lives and the future of the living world," said container occupant Paul Morozzo. "We must stop searching for new oil and gas if we want a liveable planet. BP must clean up or clear out." Six abseilers could be seen on the outside of the building in plush St. James's Square on Monday afternoon, while a couple of activists sat on top of two containers outside the the main doors. The containers were decorated with a brick effect covering and images from photographer Gideon Mendel's "Drowning World" project. The boxes, with two activists in each, had food, drink, toilets, lights, books and games inside. 'NO FUTURE IN OIL' "We welcome discussion, debate, even peaceful protest on the important matter of how we must all work together to address the climate challenge," a BP spokeswoman told AFP. "But impeding safe entry and exit from an office building in this way is dangerous and clearly a matter for the police to resolve as swiftly as possible." London's Metropolitan Police, who initially made four arrests, said all 10 protesters had been detained by late Monday. "There are no protestors left at the scene although police maintain a presence at the location," the police said in a statement. The stunt came a month after the Extinction Rebellion climate protests brought parts of central London to a halt. "We're seeing it as part of the same wave of campaigning and activism right now because people are very concerned about the climate emergency," Greenpeace campaigner Morten Thaysen told AFP at the police cordon. "There isn't a future in oil. The company has two choices: to go 100 percent renewable or to start winding down the business. All the oil companies need to go in this direction," Thaysen said. "We don't have the luxury to wait around for them to make these decisions by themselves. The transition needs to start now. PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the Pulkovo 1 Airport in Saint Petersburg (Photo: VNA) The Vietnamese PM and his entourage were welcomed at the airport by the Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Konstantin Vnukov, the deputy governor of St Petersburg, the Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Ngo Duc Manh and many Russian and Vietnamese officials. St Petersburg is the first stop during PM Phucs trip to Russia. During the stay in the second biggest city of Russia, Phuc is scheduled to meet with leaders of St Petersburg. PM Phucs visit to Russia from May 20-23 takes place in the context that both nations will organise the Vietnam Year in Russia and the Russia Year in Vietnam in 2019 and 2020 to mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of the treaty on basic principles for the bilateral relations (1994-2019) and the 70th anniversary of the diplomatic relations (1950-2020). It also demonstrates that Vietnam treasures the relations of traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia, as well as aims to strengthen the all-round cooperation, especially in economy, trade and investment. Russia is one of the first nations to recognise and establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam on January 30, 1950, which has laid the foundation for the close friendship and comprehensive ties between the two countries. Following efforts to develop the bilateral relations in the 1990s, the countries set up their strategic partnership in 2001, and upgraded the ties to the comprehensive strategic partnership in 2012. Suntory Pepsico Vietnam parnerships with Deloitte Consulting Vietnam Today, Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam officially signed the strategic partnership agreement with Deloitte Consulting Vietnam to start the worlds leading enterprise resource planning project (SAP S/4HANA) for Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam. After 25 years of sustainable development in Vietnam, the company has run successful business and contributed thousands of billion of dong to the states budget, offering thousands of jobs for Vietnamese employees as well as conducted many meaningful activities to support the community. However, in the rapidly changing technology world, Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam decided that it is time the company has to invest for business transformation. The application of SAP S/4HANA helps Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam in effectively planning and managing all corporate business activities. After completing the project, the company will own a world-class corporate administration system with all business data being recorded and retrieved in real time. This system will assist the board of directors in supervising the always-on key performance indicators, making timely yet accurate decisions and increasing competitive advantage in the market for the corporate. Besides, SAP S/4HANA also supports the business in processing financial statements in a prompt, exact and transparent manner. Commenting on the implementation of this project, Aamir Muhammad, senior vice president & CFO of Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam said, The company made the choice to embrace the change and have chartered a course towards becoming a future ready organization to ensure sustainable growth and also continue our contribution in the success of Vietnam. The company has partnered with SAP and Deloitte Consulting Vietnam to help us in taking the first step in this journey by investing in SAP S/4HANA, a state of art cloud based ERP solution, which sits at the heart of our pursuit for change. Aamir Muhammad, senior vice president & CFO of Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam According to the agreement, Deloitte Consulting Vietnam is responsible for comprehensively implementing the SAP S/4HANA solution for Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam. The solution will be applied in Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam at the nationwide scale and is expected to go into official operation from 2020. Nowadays, SAP S/4HANA has been successfully applied in various companies across the world. In Vietnam, Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam is one of the first beverage companies to apply the most advanced Enterprise Resource Planning solution - SAP S/4HANA in the intention of building a solid corporate administration platform for promoting the accelerated and sustainable development in the future. This is a bold but promising decision of the company in the age of Industry 4.0. The thorough application of technology for business operation and administration is a part of the sustainable development strategy of Suntory PepsiCo in Vietnam in Vietnam market. Pankaj Rathi, Vietnam country consulting leader of Deloitte Consulting Vietnam emphasised, The SAP S/4HANA project of Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam is one of the largest projects nowadays due to its large scope of work and requirement of huge investment in finance and human resources. The company has been working closely with Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam in building solutions and procedures based on the most advanced international standards, which are suitable for their business operation model in Vietnam. Charcoal is stolen and gathered for consumption in front of Cam Thinh Industrial Zone in the northern Quang Ninh Province. VNA/VNS Photo The move was made after the online newspaper Vietnamplus reported on the theft of coal at key coal mines, including those managed by the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group and the Northeast Corporation. Lai Hong Thanh, deputy director of the General Department of Geology and Minerals of Vietnam, said after learning of the thefts in Thai Nguyen, Quang Ninh and Son La provinces, the department reported to the ministry. It also asked the Peoples Committees of these provinces, the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group and the Northeast Corporation to examine the management of the mining areas. The department has received a report on the incident and decided to set up an inter-disciplinary inspection team to check the situation carefully and transparently. Last month, Vietnamplus reported on the loss of coal discharged from the mining areas in the three provinces. Local people were reportedly hired to steal the coal, which was not mentioned in output reports. On average, a dozen tonnes of coal were picked up every day and sold for VND1.6-1.8 million (US$68.8-77.4) per tonne. This caused a big loss for the State budget and a shortage of materials for the power sector. According to a 2018 Vinacomin report, at least four millions of tonnes of commercial coal were stolen from the group's mines last year. Vietnamplus has tried to contact representatives of the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group for comments, but received no replies. Discovering heaven on earth InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort Officially opening its doors in 2012, InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort was the first project to mark the successful co-operation between Sun Group and renowned architect Bill Bensley. The stunning design, first and foremost, was lauded for how it showed great respect for the natural environment and preserved the precious ecosystem of Son Tra Peninsula. The resort, which quickly became a destination for world leaders, celebrities, and elite travellers, certainly makes the most of its heavenly setting, ensuring guests staying at any one of the 201 luxurious rooms, suites, penthouses, and villas will enjoy glorious ocean views of Danangs coastline from the lush, tropical setting of Son Tra Peninsula. From the day it first opened, the resort has contributed to raising the global status of Vietnam as a destination for luxury tourism, thanks to its stunning design, world-class services, and breath-taking setting. Tucked away on its own private bay on Son Tra Peninsula, the property was named Worlds Leading Luxury Resort for four consecutive years from 2014 to 2017. InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort also surpassed numerous other heavyweight competitors to become the Worlds Leading Green Resort in 2018, which in todays era of sustainable travel is considered to be one of the most important of the hundreds of prizes awarded at the World Travel Awards (WTA). Developed by Sun Group Corporation and managed by InterContinental Hotel Group, the resort has also received three other prizes at last years WTA, including World's Leading Luxury MICE Resort, Worlds Leading Luxury Wedding Resort, and World's Leading Resort Architecture Design. Previously, the resort had also been featured on the list of the 50 best resorts in the world for 2018 compiled by US-based luxury and lifestyle travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler. Many industry insiders agree InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort was the first resort to truly put Vietnam on the global luxury tourism map. JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay the jewel in the crown of Pearl Island Featuring 234 rooms, suites, and villas on Kem Beach by the southern cape of Phu Quoc Island, this fantastical resort has further transformed one of Vietnams most beguiling destinations. Since opening in 2016, JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay has garnered several reputable international and regional awards for its sumptuous design and superlative services, making it a destination for billionaires and beach-loving jet-setters around the world. The second architectural masterpiece developed and designed in the collaboration between Sun Group Corporation and Bill Bensley, the resort scooped up two highly prestigious awards in its second year of operation, namely the Worlds Best New Resort 2017 and the Worlds Best New Resort Spa 2017 for Chanterelle-Spa by JW. At the World Luxury Hotel Awards 2017, the five-star resort was also named Asias Luxury New Hotel and Vietnams Luxury Design Hotel. Furthermore, at the ceremony of the World Travel Awards 2018 held on December 1, 2018 in Lisbon (Portugal), JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay was honoured across four categories, landing the titles of the Worlds Leading Luxury Island Resort Villas 2018, Worlds Leading Luxury Themed Resort 2018, Worlds Leading Resort Swimming Pool 2018, and Worlds Leading Themed Hotel Bar 2018. Having earned so many prestigious awards in just two years, JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay has played a leading role in awakening the tourism potential of Phu Quoc, helping to turn the island into one of the worlds leading luxury travel destinations, and in turn, has also bolstered Vietnams reputation for luxury travel. Golden Bridge A new icon of Vietnam There has been no modern architectural work in Vietnam that has received so much adulation as the Golden Bridge, which quickly became a sensation on social media upon opening in June 2018. As the latest tourist product of Sun World Ba Na Hills complex, Golden Bridge triggered a tourist fever not just among Vietnamese, but right across Asia, thanks to its otherworldly appearance a colossal pair of moss-covered hands lifting a golden thread of walkway high above the cliff tops on Ba Na Hills in Central Vietnam. Pictures of the bridge were immediately shared on every social media platform as the bridge became the countrys ultimate check-in destination. International tourists from all across the ASEAN and beyond were soon flying to Danang to see this man-made wonder for themselves before discovering the rest of Central Vietnam. It is no exaggeration that this new icon of Vietnam had an unprecedented and historical impact on the countrys tourism. Some of the worlds leading newspapers, such as the New York Times, Huffington Post, The Guardian, Independent, Bored Panda, AFP, Reuters, BBC, and CNN, all posted news and photo essays, heaping praise on Golden Bridge and declaring it to be one of the worlds most unique bridges. Time Magazine, the most influential magazine in the US, even listed the bridge as one of the Worlds 100 Greatest Places for 2018. Besides Golden Bridge, Sun Group has also developed a number of unique cable car systems in Ba Na, Phu Quoc, and Sapa, where tourists can go all the way to the top of Mount Fansipan, the so-called The Roof of Indochina, in a cable car. After many years of relative obscurity, it is clear that Vietnam now offers a series of man-made marvels, architectural masterpieces, and award-winning resorts, all of which have spurred extraordinary growth for the tourism industry and strengthened the countrys reputation in the world as an exciting, dynamic destination for luxury travel. About a dozen actors wearing black pajamas, red kramas, Mao caps and carrying AK-47 assault rifles re-enacted gruesome scenes of Khmer Rouge regime violence on the grounds of Choeung Ek Genocidal Center on May 20, as part of an annual ceremony to mark Cambodias National Day of Remembrance. We were tied up, to be killed like animals, dying sadly like a beast with opened eyes, leaving the living people feeling regret, shock and traumatized, a woman in her 40s said in a sorrowful statement before actors played out scenes of killings of civilians of all ages. Similar ceremonies were also conducted in several other provinces, including Preah Sihanouk, Tbong Khmum, Kampong Cham, and Banteay Meanchey. The ceremony at Choeung Ek, which also included monks chanting a Buddhist prayer for the deceased, was attended by Phnom Penh Municipal Governor Khoung Sreng and former governor Pa Socheatevong, as well as few hundreds local villagers, many of whom were old enough to remember the Khmer Rouge era. All the knowledgeable people were killed. Among them was Soth Yim, 61, a farmer from nearby Kraing Pongro Commune, Dangkao District. He told VOA Khmer how as a teenager he had been forced to leave his village and join a mobile youth unit in Kandal Province to labor on large public works such as reservoir dams. He said his generations youth had been destroyed by the regime, as had their opportunity to gain an education. There was no school during the Pol Pot time, no teacher, we were not taught anything. And how could we learn if all the knowledgeable people were killed? It was impossible to get an education, Soth Yim said, referring to the widespread murder of intellectuals and teachers by the Khmer Rouge. He said the Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) government of Prime Minister Hun Sen deserved praise for ending the mass murder and abuses that marked Pol Pots 1975-1979 rule. Choeung Ek Genocide Center on Phnom Penhs southern outskirts was the site of mass killings of thousands of men, women and children who were accused of being enemies of the communist Democratic Republic of Kampuchea. They were tortured for confessions, then shot or bludgeoned to death. A total of some 1.7 million Cambodians is estimated to have been murdered, worked or starved to death during the Pol Pots regime, which was backed by China but toppled in 1979 by the invading Vietnamese Army and a group of Cambodian resistance fighters. The latter were installed by Hanoi as a brotherly communist party government, which would become the still-ruling CPP of Prime Minister Hun Sen. Choeung Ek Center and the S-21 torture center in central Phnom Penh were turned into national museums and sites of remembrance that revealed the crimes against humanity by the genocidal Pol Pot clique, while lauding the liberation and rebuilding of Cambodia by the Communist Party and later the CPP. The annual commemoration was known as the Day of Anger until last year, when the government declared it a national holiday and renamed it the National Day of Remembrance. Hun Sen and the CPP have continued to remind the Cambodian public that it should still be grateful for its role in ousting the Khmer Rouge and bringing peace and democracy o the country. The CPP have been in power since 1979, holding on to power through clever politicking and intimidation during an era of multiparty democracy from 1993 to 2018, until last year when the main opposition party was banned and Cambodia reverted effectively to a one-party state. Taiwan is protesting China's decision to exclude the island from participation in the annual World Health Assembly, calling such action an unjustified political move that could harm global health. The 72nd session of the World Health Organization's World Health Assembly takes place May 20-28 in Geneva, Switzerland. This move is particularly ironic this year, as the theme of the assembly is universal health coverage. Taiwan's national health system is widely considered one of the best in the world.Taiwan's minister of health and welfare, Chen Shih-chung, says the island is ready to share its experiences on how to achieve affordable, efficient universal health coverage with the global community. "However, under pressure from the People's Republic of China, Taiwan is currently excluded by WHO from the global health network," Chen said. "Inviting Taiwan to participate in the WHA would be consistent with WHO's espousal of health for all." The health minister notes Taiwan's exclusion poses health risks to everyone. Chen says diseases do not stop at borders, and international cooperation is needed to combat epidemics that could spread to every corner of the world. Chen tells VOA he has written several letters to WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to protest Taiwan's exclusion from the World Health Assembly. Chen says he has received no response. He says WHO has even rejected Taiwan's offer for help in combating the Ebola epidemic in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. "Our president announced we would donate $1 million U.S. to combat Ebola; but this donation, even this donation was not accepted by the WHO. So, this is a pity in our situation. We want to do something, but WHO did not accept us to do something for the world," Chen said. WHO estimates it needs $98 million to run its Ebola operation. It is facing a funding shortfall of some $63 million. Despite pressure from China, Taiwan's officials say they have received support for their bid to join the WHO from a number of countries including the United States, Japan, Germany and Australia. While thousands of immigrants seeking asylum wait at the southern border, many are being apprehended across the border by American border patrol agents. In an initiative to decrease the flow, agents conducted an exercise to show the risks and dangers migrants face as they try to cross the border illegally. VOA's Celia Mendoza reports from Tucson, Arizona. The Trump administration has instructed former White House counsel Don McGahn to defy a subpoena to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. Lawmakers want to question McGahn, a key figure in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation or Russia's interference with the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The Department of Justice agrees that as a former senior adviser to U.S. President Trump, McGahn is not legally required to appear before Congress. VOA'S Zlatica Hoke reports. Bangladesh authorities have blocked access to a popular news portal in what critics on Tuesday condemned as the latest blow to freedom of expression in the South Asian nation. Poriborton.com, one of the country's top five online news outlets, was cut off without notice on Sunday, managing editor Abu Sufian told AFP. He did not give a reason. Officials for government agencies that regulate the internet industry denied any knowledge of the case or refused to comment. The website can still be accessed in other countries. But a Bangladesh media industry source said a government security agency issued the order after a report published on the website raised questions about the financing behind a newspaper advert against Muslim militancy. Muslim groups had condemned the advert, saying it described some signs of Islamic faith as marks of radicalization. In recent months, the authorities have shut 54 news portals and websites, including that of the main opposition party, citing security reasons. They cut access to the website of Qatar-based TV station Al Jazeera in March after it published an article alleging the involvement of a senior defense official in the disappearance of three men. The blocking of Poriborton came just days after three prominent activists and writers were arrested under the country's tough internet laws. The arrests of poet Henry Sawpon, human rights defender Abdul Kaium, and lawyer and champion of indigenous people Imtiaz Mahmood last week prompted protests in Dhaka and outrage on social media. Sawpon and Mahmood were released on bail Thursday, but Kaium remains in detention on charges of extortion and defamation under the digital security law. He risks a jail term of up to 14 years. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who took office for a third straight term in January, has been accused of increasing authoritarianism and criticized for introducing draconian internet and digital security laws that many say are being used to crack down on dissent. Sweden-based researcher and author, Tasneem Khalil, told AFP that Poriborton.com was the "latest victim of a robust system of internet censorship in Bangladesh that has been rolled out since the beginning of this year". Khalil, a former journalist in Bangladesh who went into exile in 2007, said, "security sources told me that access to poriborton.com was blocked because of a report it published that angered the Bangladeshi military intelligence agency." Canada has sent a parliamentary delegation to China to press for the release of two Canadian citizens formally arrested for espionage last week, Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Tuesday. Businessman Michael Spavor, who worked with North Korea, and former diplomat Michael Kovrig were picked up separately in December, shortly after Canada arrested Huawei Technologies Co Ltd Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, who faces extradition to the United States. Canada has condemned the detentions as "arbitrary", while China has repeatedly demanded Meng be released. Freeland, speaking in an interview with CBC radio, said she sought "repeatedly" to speak with her Chinese counterpart, but to no avail. Instead, Liberal lawmaker Robert Oliphant is now leading a Canadian delegation in China to push for release of the two men. She did not say who else was on the mission or give further details. "That is really important for the Chinese to be hearing directly from us," she said. "It's a terrible situation and we are very clear that these two men are arbitrarily detained." Canadian diplomats have made recent consular visits to both men, though they have not provided details to the public for privacy reasons. Now that the men have been formally arrested, they could soon face trial. While Canada says China has made no specific link between the detentions of the two men and Meng's arrest, experts and former diplomats say they have no doubt it is using their cases to pressure Canada. Meng, 47, is the daughter of Huawei Technologies Co Ltd's billionaire founder, Ren Zhengfei. She was arrested at Vancouver's airport in December on a U.S. warrant and is fighting extradition on charges that she conspired to defraud global banks about Huawei's relationship with a company operating in Iran. Meng was released from jail in December on C$10 million ($7.5 million) bail and must wear an electronic ankle bracelet and pay for security guards. She has been living in a Vancouver home that was valued at C$5 million in 2018. Both she and the company have denied the U.S. charges. The U.N. human rights office warns civilian casualties are growing in northwestern Syria's Idlib province as fighting between Russian-backed Syrian government forces and rebels allied with al-Qaida escalates. The U.N. agency says it is extremely worried about the military action in Idlib, which is putting at risk the lives of three million civilians trapped in the province. Agency officials express concern at the speed with which a recent 72-hour cease-fire was broken by the warring parties. They say ongoing airstrikes and ground-based attacks in Idlib and Hama governorates do not bode well for peaceful prospects in the region. U.N. human rights spokeswoman Marta Hurtado says indiscriminate bombing and ground-based attacks by both pro-government forces and rebel armed groups has resulted in a high number of civilian casualties and injuries, as well as significant damage to civilian property. "Military objects have been placed in close proximity to civilians and civilian objects, resulting in deaths and injuries among civilians, and causing significant damage to civilian infrastructure such as hospitals, mosques, schools and markets," she said. This latest military escalation started at the end of April. Since then, the U.N. reports at least 105 civilians have been killed. It says about two-thirds of those deaths have occurred between May 8 and 16. The U.N. says the intensified fighting has also forced at least 200,000 people to flee their homes in search of safety. The U.N. human rights office is appealing to the warring factions to respect the principles of distinction and proportionality under international humanitarian law. It says parties to the conflict are obliged to do everything feasible not to put civilians in harm's way. Some residents of South Sudan's Wau town say relations between the army and civilians have improved significantly over the past few months thanks to steady confidence-building efforts. Many civilians say they no longer fear men in uniform, but residents are also urging the government to pay soldiers their salaries on time so they don't resort to looting in order to feed their families. Relations between the two sides deteriorated in 2016 when violence broke out in Wau, forcing thousands to flee to churches, U.N. compounds and into the bush. Civilians accused some soldiers of harassment, looting property, and even killing civilians. Army officials accused some civilians of supporting the armed opposition. Two non-governmental organizations, Safer World and the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), have been organizing forums in Wau over the past few years to improve relations between civilians and the armed forces. Speaking at a forum Tuesday on the status of civilian-military relations in the Wau area, citizens said things are better now, and it's not unusual to see soldiers and civilians speaking face to face, shopping together, or traveling together. No guns, better relations Sarah Joseph Kigo, who resides in Wau's Lokoloko neighborhood, said the main reason civilians no longer fear the army is that most soldiers no longer carry guns. "Nowadays, army and civilians are able to move hand in hand and they intermingle together in market places. They no longer move with their guns. That shows that their commanders are implementing what we have been telling them to keep all guns in store," Kigo told VOA's South Sudan in Focus. Ambelia Mario Safu, who resides in Wau's Jebel Khair neighborhood, one of the hardest hit areas during the fighting, said unlike in the past, she now regularly visits her guardian outside the town. Mario said soldiers probably looted civilian property because they are poorly paid. "Soldiers don't have food, they don't have money, they are human and they need to provide for their children. Even they need to eat and drink. They also need to live as normal people but they can't afford that," Safu said. Mario and Kigo both said more needs to be done to educate South Sudanese about respecting the law. Child soldiers returned Major Salva Mathok is head of child protection services in the Wau-based Fifth Division of the army, the South Sudan Peoples' Defense Forces (SSPDF). He says reuniting more than 20 child soldiers with their families contributed positively to improving relations between civilians and the army. "We screened almost 22 children from a mechanized division which was based in Mapel, and we hand them over to UNICEF. UNICEF is the one responsible for those children who are associated with the army, to arrange their screening and also to arrange their reunification of these children with their families," Major Mathok told South Sudan in Focus. Colonel Awan Deng Amum heads Moral Orientation at the SSPDF's Fifth Division. He agrees the army must reform its image, adding it will continue to engage with civilians and NGOs while the government reforms the army. "There will be a great training of soldiers, officers NCOs and men so that they know their functions. What we are doing now we just train them about [the] constitution also the laws of the army and some other laws. That is why we are attending all the workshops always so that our relationship is normalized with civilians," Colonel Amum said. Stephen Robo Musa, CEPO regional director, said three years of working with the army and civilians has produced positive results. "The army has understood that the civilians are not their real enemy but they are more than people who need their protection, and also they are concerned about their rights as well. So, that ownership can really bring more sustainability or peace and also security in the state," the director said. VOA's Carla Babb contributed to this report. U.S. lawmakers expressed sharply diverging opinions on the threat level posed by Iran after classified briefings President Donald Trump's national security team presented to all House and Senate members Tuesday. "They explained to us how the Iranian threat streams were different than in the past and that attacks against American interests and personnel were imminent," Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina told reporters after meeting behind closed doors with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, acting Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford. "There was an escalation by Iran and its proxies," said the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael McCaul of Texas. "We're obviously concerned about our military soldiers who are threatened by Iran, and a potential attack on them in Iraq, specifically." Democrats had a different take on the briefings, as well as the wisdom of the Trump administration's pressure campaign against Iran's government and its proxies in the Middle East. "I heard nothing that wasn't a regurgitation of past administration talking points on Iran. It was a long, lengthy history of their many transgressions so far, not a single shred of evidence to justify the escalation of tensions in the region," Virginia Democratic Rep. Jerry Connolly said. "This briefing was all about tactics, not about strategy. And that's been our worry from the beginning that this is blind escalation," Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut said. Deployments, patrols Shanahan disputed such characterizations in comments to reporters at the Capitol. "I walked them [lawmakers] through what the Department of Defense has been doing since May 3, when we received credible intelligence about threats to our interests in the Middle East and to American forces, and how we acted on that credible intelligence," the acting defense secretary said. "We have deterred attacks based on our reposturing of assets, deterred attacks against American forces." Earlier in the day, a Pentagon spokesman told VOA that U.S. intelligence points to Iran as "highly likely responsible" for recent attacks on four oil tankers in the Persian Gulf. The Pentagon has deployed the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group, the USS Arlington landing platform dock ship, a Patriot missile battery and B-52 bombers to the region. The U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet said it has increased maritime patrols and exercises in the Arabian Sea that highlight the "lethality and agility to respond to threat." Iran action Iran, meanwhile, has announced a quadrupling of its uranium enrichment capacity, threatened to move closer to weapons-grade enrichment absent relief for its battered economy, and rejected, for now, any prospect of dialogue with Washington. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif decried what he termed "genocidal taunts" by the Trump administration, adding that "Iranians have stood tall for a millennia, while aggressors [have] all gone," including Genghis Kahn and Alexander the Great. "Try respect. It works," Zarif tweeted. Tehran's responses to America's pressure campaign should give the Trump administration pause, according to Murphy. "The Iranians are nowhere near being ready to talk. They are not showing any signs of backing down from their provocative behavior. So, tell me how this [Trump administration] strategy is working if Iran won't talk and they're not deescalating militarily," the Democratic senator said. "I don't think they [administration officials] have any good answers. Their plan is to just continue to push and push and push, and hope that eventually the Iranians change their mind." Republicans argued that pressure on Iran is wise and warranted to protect Americans serving in the Middle East. "We owe it to those in theater who are doing our bidding as a nation to make sure that nobody can attack them without thinking twice about it. And deterrence is best had by moving military assets forward to make it real to Iran," Graham said. "This is a very measured response. We've been attacked for years by Iran. For 40 years, they have been killing people, including Americans. Now, we are at a point in time when we're pushing back against the regime." Trump pulled out of the 2015 international nuclear agreement with Iran one year ago. He reimposed sanctions on Tehran and has threatened other penalties on countries that still do business with Iran. Washington's actions have made the Iranian economy, already in tatters, even weaker. Indonesia on Monday sentenced a French drug smuggler to death by firing squad, in a shock verdict after prosecutors had asked for a long prison term. The three-judge panel in Lombok handed a capital sentence to Felix Dorfin, 35, who was arrested in September at the airport on the holiday island next to Bali, where foreigners are routinely charged with drugs offenses. Indonesia has some of the world's strictest drug laws -- including death for some traffickers. It has executed foreigners in the past, including the masterminds of Australia's Bali Nine heroin gang. While Dorfin was eligible for the death penalty, prosecutors instead asked for a 20-year jail term plus another year unless he paid a huge fine equivalent to about $700,000. But Indonesian courts have been known to issue harsher-than-demanded punishments. Dorfin was carrying a suitcase filled with about three kilograms (6.6 pounds) of drugs including ecstasy and amphetamines when he was arrested. "After finding Felix Dorfin legally and convincingly guilty of importing narcotics ... (he) is sentenced to the death penalty," presiding judge Isnurul Syamsul Arif told the court. The judge cited Dorfin's involvement in an international drug syndicate and the amount of drugs in his possession as aggravating factors. "The defendant's actions could potentially do damage to the younger generation," Arif added. The Frenchman made headlines in January when he escaped from a police detention center and spent nearly two weeks on the run before he was captured. A female police officer was arrested for allegedly helping Dorfin escape from jail in exchange for money. It was not clear if the jailbreak played any role in Monday's stiffer-than-expected sentence. Wearing a red prison vest, Dorfin, who is from Bethune in northern France, sat impassively through much of the hearing, as a translator scribbled notes beside him. After the sentencing, he said little as he walked past reporters to a holding cell. "Dorfin was shocked," the Frenchman's lawyer Deny Nur Indra told AFP. "He didn't expect this at all because prosecutors only asked for 20 years." The lawyer said he would appeal against the sentence, describing his client as a "victim" who did not know the exact contents of what he was carrying in the suitcase. "If he had known, he wouldn't have brought it here," Indra added. In Paris, the French foreign ministry said it was "concerned" by the sentence and reiterated France's opposition to the death penalty. "We will remain attentive to his situation," the statement said, adding that seven French people faced the death penalty worldwide. In 2015, Australians Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran -- the accused ringleaders of the Bali Nine -- were executed by firing squad in Indonesia. The Bali Nine gang's only female member was released from jail last year, while some others remain in prison. The highly publicized case sparked diplomatic outrage and a call to abolish the death penalty. "The death penalty verdict marks another setback for human rights in Indonesia," Human Rights Watch campaigner Andreas Harsono said Monday. "The Indonesian government's many pledges about moving toward abolishing the death penalty clearly meant nothing in Lombok". There are scores of foreigners on death row in Indonesia, including cocaine-smuggling British grandmother Lindsay Sandiford and Serge Atlaoui, a Frenchman who has been on death row since 2007. Last year, eight Taiwanese drug smugglers were sentenced to death by an Indonesian court after being caught with around a tonne of crystal methamphetamine. Zimbabweans are turning to solar energy for survival after the government began to cut the power supply for long periods of time amid severe fuel and electricity shortages. As Columbus Mavhunga reports from Harare, the country's new energy minister is asking Zimbabweans to offer the government long-term solutions to solve the country's chronic energy problems. Yemen's Houthi militia group says it attacked a weapons depot Tuesday at an airport in the Saudi city of Najran. A Saudi coalition spokesman confirmed the attack, saying an armed drone was used, but a civilian target was hit. Arab media reported that an armed Houthi drone hit a weapons depot Tuesday at the main airport in the Saudi city of Najran, setting off an explosion. It was not clear if there were casualties. Saudi coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Maliki confirmed the attack, insisting that the Houthis had "attempted to target a civilian target" in Najran, and adding that Saudi-coalition forces would respond. The airport at Najran has both a civilian and a military component. Al-Maliki was quoted by Sky News Arabia as warning the Houthis "not to carry out attacks on civilian infrastructure," or the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen would "respond firmly ... in accordance with international law." The Houthis' military spokesman, General Yahya Saree, indicated last week the group's "Masir" drones had attacked several pumping stations on the Saudi oil pipeline to Yanbah. Saree claimed earlier this year that Houthi drones would "step up" attacks on targets inside Saudi Arabia and its coalition ally the UAE. Saudi-owned al-Arabiya TV broadcast video Monday of what it claimed were Houthi missiles being intercepted after an alleged attack on the Saudi holy city of Mecca. The TV channel claimed it was the third such Houthi attack on Mecca since 2017. Hilal Khashan, who teaches political science at the American University of Beirut, tells VOA he thinks the Houthis "are coordinating their attacks on Saudi Arabia with the Iranians." He added, however, he did not think the U.S. would "respond to Houthi attacks inside Saudi Arabia, since they are part of a war that has been going on for five years, now." Saudi Arabia has announced it will hold both an Arab and a Gulf Cooperation summit in Mecca on May 30 to discuss the regional conflict with Iran, as well as the situation in Yemen. This Friday, Kenya's High Court is set to rule on a case challenging colonial-era laws that criminalize homosexuality. The petitioners want the court to declare those laws unconstitutional in hopes that will make life easier for the country's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. Stanely Muasa, a gay man living in Kenya, said going to parties or events alone is always a risky affair. It is safer if he is in a group of two or three people, he said. In the past, he has been attacked by strangers an experience shared by many gays and lesbians in Kenya, he said. He is hoping that on Friday, Kenyas High Court will overturn the law that he said has fueled homophobia for decades. The laws he refers to are the sections of the penal code that make gay sex a crime. "There is no way someone is going to traumatize you, yet you have a right to go to any police station or any facility that gives justice. So it will change, everything will change, even police officers how they carry [treat] key populations, it will have to change," said Muasa. In 2016, three Kenyan gay rights organizations filed petitions with the High Court asking it to declare sections 162 (a) and (c) and section 165 of the Penal Code unconstitutional. The organizations argue the laws violate the right to privacy, the right to freedom of expression, the right to health, the right to human dignity and the right to freedom from discrimination. Court hearings began in February 2018. Otsieno Namwaya is a researcher at Human Rights Watch. He said the laws, which date from 1930, infringe on LGBT rights and deny them access to medical services or police protection. "Even Kenyas own constitution outlaws discrimination of any kind, so it is illegal to allow discrimination on the basis of religion, on the basis of tribe, on the basis of sexual orientation. So it is a contradiction for the constitution to say on one hand that any form of discrimination is illegal but on the other hand retain laws that discriminate against one section of the people," said Namwaya. Irungu Kangata is a Kenyan senator and vocal opponent of gay rights who is also participating in the case. He said if the court strikes down the laws, he and his supporters will seek other avenues to stop what he calls the "LGBT agenda." "We either appeal but I foresee little chance of success in our judiciary because I strongly believe that our judiciary has been captured by NGOs. The best-case scenario would be to push for a referendum to amend certain articles of the constitution so its very clear that such behavior is not allowed in Kenya," he said. If the petitioners win, Kenya would be the first country in East Africa to decriminalize homosexuality. The Kremlin on Tuesday warned Ukraine's new President Volodymyr Zelensky against asking Washington for more sanctions against Russia, suggesting it would not help his efforts to end the war in the east. President Vladimir Putin's spokesman made the comments after US Secretary of Energy Rick Perry said in Kiev that Washington intends to impose sanctions on companies involved in the Moscow-led Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline project. On Monday, Zelensky was sworn in as Ukraine's president and said his priority was ending the conflict with Russia-backed insurgents in the east, which has claimed some 13,000 lives since 2014. In a meeting with US officials including Perry on Monday, Zelensky called on Washington to introduce more sanctions against Moscow. "This is the rhetoric that will not help Ukraine to sort out the problem of the southeast," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, referring to the separatist conflict in the ex-Soviet country's industrial east. Zelensky had told the US delegation that also included US Senator Ron Johnson that Washington should keep "increasing sanctions" against Moscow. "We will not be able to overcome Russian aggression in Donbass and Crimea alone," Zelensky was quoted as saying by his office in reference to the eastern regions and Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014. Peskov said Ukraine should stick to the Western-brokered "Minsk" peace plan which is largely moribund if it wanted to settle the conflict. "The US cannot fulfill a list [of requirements] of the Minsk agreements. Russia cannot fulfill them either," he said. "It is Kiev which can and must fulfill them." The Kremlin has refused to congratulate Zelensky on his landslide election victory last month or the inauguration. Nord Stream sanctions Speaking in Kiev earlier Tuesday, US Secretary of Energy Perry said Washington was moving towards imposing restrictions on the companies involved in the Nord Steam 2 pipeline to Germany. "The opposition to Nord Stream 2 is still very much alive and well in the United States," Perry said in comments released by the US embassy in Kiev. Perry said he expected the US Senate and House to approve a bill on the planned measures "over the course of the not too distant future," later sending it to US President Donald Trump. The bill will "have very, very onerous restrictions on companies that continue to do business with Nord Stream 2," Perry said. Henning Kothe, chief project officer at Nord Stream 2, said the situation remained unchanged for now. "We have seen many similar steps before. So far sanctions risk has had no effect, none of our partners have left the project," he told AFP. The controversial 11-billion-euro ($12-billion) energy link between Russia and Germany is to run under the Baltic Sea and set to double Russian gas shipments to the EU's biggest economy. Kiev and Washington are opposed to the pipeline, fearing it will increase Europe's reliance on Russian gas. Peskov dismissed the planned sanctions. "The project has largely been implemented," he said. Last week, Putin said Russia would finish the pipeline, which is currently scheduled to be completed by the end of this year. "I believe we will see its logical completion," he said. If Washington moves forward with the bill, "it will put the #US on direct confrontation path with the #EU, particularly #Germany," tweeted Elina Ribakova, deputy chief economist at the Washington-based Institute of International Finance. A state legislator in the northeast Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh and at least 10 others were killed Tuesday in an attack by suspected separatist militants, officials said. The attack follows the end of India's typically violent general elections on Sunday, as well as state assembly polls in Arunachal Pradesh which borders China, Myanmar and Bhutan. Lawmaker Tirong Aboh and some family members were killed when insurgents opened fire on their convoy of vehicles in the Tirap district of the state, police said. Kiren Rijiju, Indian minister of state of home affairs, confirmed the number of killed to be 11. "I'm shocked and saddened by the brutal attack and tragic killing of ... Tirong Aboh of Arunachal Pradesh, his family including 11 people," he tweeted. "Strongest possible action will be taken against those responsible for such dastardly attack," he added. A top officer told AFP on condition of anonymity that reinforcements had been rushed to the area. As in previous years, the general elections have been rocked by violence. On May 1 some 15 troops and their driver were killed by Maoist rebels in the western state of Maharashtra. A grenade attack in Guwahati, capital of the northeastern state of Assam, injured 12 people, officials said. A local separatist group, the United Liberation Front of Asom, claimed responsibility. Modi ally Aboh represented the Khonsa constituency for the National People's Party (NPP) allied to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party and was standing for a new term. He was traveling from Dibrugarh in neighboring Assam to Khonsa when the incident took place. Militants belonging to a faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), one of several separatist groups in the area, are suspected to have carried out the attack after making threats to Aboh. The faction, known as NSCN (IM), is fighting for the creation of an independent state for the Naga people, an ethnic group living across several northeastern Indian states. The seven states that make up India's northeast are home to dozens of tribal groups and guerrilla armies demanding greater autonomy or independence from India. India blamed another NSCN faction for the killing of 20 soldiers in an attack in neighboring Manipur state in 2015. New Delhi responded by saying it launched retaliatory strikes against the group in Myanmar, where a significant Naga population lives. Myanmar's government have launched fresh military offensives against the Naga insurgents despite a ceasefire agreement between the militant group and the powerful army. Maoist guerrillas are, meanwhile, believed to be present in at least 20 Indian states, but most active in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Maharashtra. Malawians voted for president, members of parliament, and local councilors Tuesday. About 7 million people were expected to cast ballots in 193 constituencies. Hundreds of people lined up to vote at Goliati polling station in southern Malawi Tuesday morning. It's President Peter Mutharika's home village, where he has many supporters. Alfred Lapukeni is one of them. "What has forced me to vote is the change which I have seen in the country," Lapukeni said. "Also, I see that our current leader Arthur Peter Mutharika is governing the country so well, there is development all over the country." But not everyone in Thyolo district feels Malawi is headed in the right direction. Corruption and the economy are two major issues in this election. Voter Charles Majanga suggests changes are needed, but he declines to say whom he voted for. Majanga has great expectation that he has made the right choice, that he has chosen a person he thinks will help change his life. Majanga said he has done this freely without anyone to force or intimidate him. Voting was largely peaceful Tuesday with few problems. Joseph Timothy, the election monitor for the ruling DPP Party, said he appreciated the turnout. Timothy said the turnout was good and that is what he expected. One high-profile omission, however, has turned heads and sparked an investigation. Vice President Saulos Chilima's name was not found at the polling station where he went to vote. Instead, Chilima was registered at another station hundreds of kilometers away. Chilima is among the top three contenders for president, along with Mutharika and opposition leader Lazarus Chakwera. In the end, the vice president was allowed to vote, by virtue of being one of the candidates. Mutharika won the 2014 election by about 450,000 votes, although he fell short of a majority. Official results from Tuesday's vote are expected on May 29. Malawian President Peter Mutharika is seeking a second term as voters in the southern African nation cast ballots in Tuesdays general election. About 6.8 million voters are choosing whether to allow the 78-year-old Mutharika to stay in office, or turn to either Deputy President Saulos Chilima or former preacher-turned-politician Lazarus Chakwera, who have both promised to tackle the endemic corruption plaguing Malawi. Mutharika campaigned on a program of economic growth and infrastructure improvements. Chilima quit Mutharikas ruling Democratic Progressive Party last year and formed a party focusing on Malawian youth, who make up more than half of the countrys eligible voters. Chakwera, the leader of the main opposition Malawi Congress Party, narrowly lost to Mutharika in 2014.He has been endorsed by former president Joyce Banda, Mutharikas predecessor. Malawians are also casting ballots for candidates running for the national legislature and local ward councilors. A New Zealand coal mine that has been sealed shut since 29 workers were killed in an explosion more than eight years ago reopened Tuesday. Mining experts entered the Pike River Mine to begin a search for the mens remains and any evidence that could explain what caused a buildup of flammable methane gas that is blamed for the November 2010 disaster that initially trapped 31 miners. Two of the workers managed to escape after the explosion. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern heeded the demands of the families of the 29 dead workers to reopen the South Island after she took office in 2017. Andrew Miller, the special minister appointed by Ardern to lead the reentry efforts at Pike River said, New Zealand is not a country where 29 people can die at work without real accountability. And that is why today we have fulfilled our promise. An official inquiry determined that mines operators had allowed the miners to operate in unsafe conditions. Labor violation charges were filed against Peter Whittall, the mines chief executive, but were later dropped, and no criminal charges were filed in connection with the tragedy. Authorities in New Zealand have charged the self-avowed white supremacist who killed 51 worshippers at two Christchurch mosques back in March with terrorism. The single charge filed Tuesday against Australian Brenton Tarrant is the first of its kind under New Zealands Terrorism Suppression Act, which was passed in 2002 in the wake of the al-Qaida-led terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C. the previous year. Prosecutors have also charged him with an additional count of murder over a worshipper who died in the hospital earlier this month, along with two additional counts of attempted murder, bringing that number to 40. Up to 200 family members of the victims and survivors of the attack were informed of the new charges at a private meeting with police. The 28-year-old Tarrant live-streamed the March 15 shootings at the al-Noor and Linwood mosques on Facebook from a head-mounted camera. He is currently being held at a maximum security prison where he was ordered to undergo psychiatric tests to determine if he is mentally fit to stand trial. His next court date is June 14. The 28-year-old Tarrant e-mailed a lengthy white nationalist manifesto to more than 30 recipients just minutes before the attacks including Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in which he allegedly denounced Muslims and called immigrants "invaders." U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday it was "quite possible" Iran was responsible for sabotage of Gulf oil interests as he prepared to brief lawmakers on rising tensions. Pompeo cautioned that the United States has not made "a definitive conclusion" that can be presented publicly over mysterious sabotage incidents of oil tankers off the United Arab Emirates or drone strikes on a crude pipeline in Saudi Arabia. "But given all the regional conflicts that we have seen over the past decade and the shape of these attacks, it seems like it's quite possible that Iran was behind these," Pompeo told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt. "Most importantly, we will continue to take acts that protect American interests and that work to deter Iran from misbehavior in the region, which has the real risk of escalating the situation such that crude oil prices rise," he said. Yemen's Huthi rebels, who are allied with Iran and are being hit hard by US-backed Saudi airstrikes, claimed responsibility last week for a drone strike on a major east-west pipeline in the kingdom, which was forced to shut down temporarily. President Donald Trump has warned, "If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran" -- but also on Monday downplayed the Iranian threat to US interests. Pompeo is due later Tuesday to brief U.S. lawmakers on Iran alongside acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan and the top U.S. military officer, General Joseph Dunford. Some Republican allies of Trump have called for the United States to be ready with a major military response, but leading Democrats have accused the White House of hyping the intelligence, saying that Iran's actions were predictable responses to U.S. moves. Tensions have risen sharply in recent months as the Trump administration has vowed to cut off all oil exports from Iran and designated the elite Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist group. Apa Sherpa has stood on top of the world more times than all but one other person. Now he wants to make sure no one feels compelled to follow in his footsteps. As a boy growing up in Nepal, Sherpa dreamed of becoming a doctor, but poverty and lack of education steered him to a far more dangerous path : Working as a guide on Mount Everest, carrying climbing equipment and helping foreign mountaineers scale the world's tallest peak. Now retired in the U.S., Sherpa returns every year to his roots in the foothills of the Himalayas to provide financial assistance to village schools and try to show children from the Sherpa minority group that they have options in life. "Sherpas take big risks in the mountains to earn a living for their families because they are unable to take up any other jobs,'' the 59-year-old said. "My main goal is to ensure children in the future don't have to take up climbing like we did.'' Sherpa tribespeople were mostly yak herders and traders living deep within the Himalayas until Nepal opened its borders to foreigners in the 1950s. As adventurers began arriving to conquer the country's famous peaks, the Sherpas with their mountain experience found themselves in demand as guides and porters. To this day they are an indispensable part of Nepal's climbing industry, which brings in $300 million to the country each year. But advocates say Nepal's estimated 350,000 Sherpa remain marginalized, with many living in remote, impoverished villages connected to the rest of the country only by footpaths and small airstrips. Access to schooling beyond the primary level is rare. The Apa Sherpa Foundation, set up in 2012, has been seeking to change that, paying teacher salaries in several villages to ensure schools remain open and providing hot lunches, computers, books, pens and warm clothes to motivate children to attend classes. "Most people in the area have now realized the value of educating their children and they do their best to send their children to school,'' Sherpa said. "But many schools face difficulties, so we try and help them whatever way possible.'' When Sherpa was growing up, the school in his village, Thame, offered education only up to the second grade. He continued his studies in another village for two more years, walking the mountain trails for six hours each day, but had to drop out when his father died and he had to take on the responsibility of feeding his family. By the age of 12 he was working on climbing expeditions. At age 30, he summited Everest for the first time. He repeated the feat almost every year after, going on to become one of Everest's greatest guides and earning the nickname "Super Sherpa.'' When he retired in 2011, he jointly held the record for having climbed the 8,850-meter (29,035-foot) peak 21 times with fellow Sherpa Phurba Tashi. Another Sherpa, Kami Rita, would go on to break the record and on May 15 reached the summit for the 23rd time. "Everyone said 21 was a good number,'' Sherpa noted of the timing for his retirement, which fulfilled a longstanding promise to his wife. Sherpas are the first to reach Everest each climbing season and the last to leave. They set up the camps, carry the equipment and cook the food for climbing parties. Most importantly, they fix the ropes and ladders over the crevasses and icefalls that enable mountaineers to scale the peak. The work has earned the Sherpas prestige, as well as income far above average wages in Nepal. Experienced guides like Sherpa who take climbers all the way to the top of Everest make $10,000 or more, while porters or cooks at mountaineers' camps average between $3,000 and $5,000 during their three months of work. That's a huge amount compared to Nepal's $1,035 annual per capita income. Sherpa himself was able to move to the U.S. state of Utah in 2006 so that his children could have a better education. But Sherpas also bear the largest brunt of the danger and death that go hand-in-hand with the industry. In 2014, 16 Sherpa guides were buried by an avalanche on Everest as they carried supplies. The following year, another 10 were among those killed when an earthquake triggered an avalanche that tore through Everest base camp. After the 2014 disaster, Sherpas refused to work, prompting the government to introduce new rules for better wages, increasing insurance payouts and improving rescue operations for Sherpas. Sherpa himself had many near misses, having survived blizzards, frostbite, inadequate oxygen supplies and the deaths of fellow mountaineers. Given a choice, he said, many Sherpas would probably never take up the work. In the past few weeks, members of his foundation and trekkers have hiked to six schools to drop off supplies. They also distribute supplies to monasteries. As Buddhists, Sherpas often send their children to live and study at monasteries, a tradition that also relieves parents of the burden of having to feed and educate them at home. In addition to making sure children have access to school, there is also the issue of ensuring teachers are hired. Of the eight teachers the government says are needed at the village school in Thame, it says it can only afford to hire three. Sherpa's foundation helps to pay the salaries of another five teachers who have not been formally hired. "It is really difficult to find qualified teachers to move to remote villages and we don't have enough money to pay all their salaries,'' said Khagendra Shrestha, the chief education officer for the district in charge of Thame. Sherpa's foundation mostly collects funds from donations, talks, dinners and screenings. Last year, it raised $80,000. It also has sponsorship from the outdoor equipment supplier Thule thanks to Sherpa's fame. "Apa's vision was that he wanted the children to have a choice through education,'' said foundation board member Valerie Littleton. "He is very passionate about giving back to the country he loves.'' Spain's Repsol, the last western oil giant with major operations in Venezuela, is leaving the embattled country, as pressure mounts from U.S. sanctions and continuing unrest. Repsol's investments in Venezuela, valued at nearly $1.7 billion (1,480 billion euros) in 2017, have fallen 70% over the past year. The company's annual report also says the firm will continue winding down its Venezuelan business in the next few months. Repsol has been the subject of intense negotiations between Spain and Washington as the Trump administration tries to get Madrid's socialist government to join efforts to isolate President Nicolas Maduro. Spanish oil companies are maintaining "certain activity" (in Venezuela) which can "pose a problem" with U.S. sanctions according to Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrel. He spoke after a meeting with U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo in Washington last month. Pompeo asked Spain to "apply all possible financial and political pressures" on the Maduro regime according to Borrel, who said that Spain would act within the framework of the European Union. EU foreign ministers decided not to impose sanctions on Venezuela at a recent meeting in Brussels. Meantime, Repsol is negotiating the reduction of its Venezuelan business interests with the State Department, according to U.S. diplomatic sources. U.S. special envoy for Venezuela Eliot Abrams recently said during a visit Madrid, that "Repsol's business in Venezuela is under very active discussion in Washington" where the company applied for special exemptions for its remaining joint ventures with the Venezuela's national oil company PDVSA. "There will be decisions made in Washington in the coming days about this," Abrams said. Repsol has consistently adapted to the socialist policies of the left-wing populist government abandoned by other oil giants like Exxon Mobil and BP. It was one of the few companies to remain in Bolivia when president Evo Morales, a close ally of Maduro, forced foreign firms to accept majority state ownership in energy projects. Repsol has also explored for offshore oil in Cuba. Repsol executives have denied that U.S. pressure is forcing it out of Venezuela. But the Trump administration's actions are increasingly blocking the company's ability to conduct business with Venezuela's national oil company PDVSA. Russia conducts oil business in Venezuela through an affiliate that PDVSA recently opened in Moscow. The Russian company Rosneft owned by a close friend of premier Vladimir Putin has increasingly assumed control of Venezuela's diminishing oil production. Some of Repsol's oil contracts with the Venezuelan government run until 2036. The company has a 40% stake in four oil blocks under a joint venture company, as well as majority stakes in gas projects. The firm has been trying to get around U.S. sanctions by bartering shipments of Venezuelan crude for refined fuel sent back to Venezuela. But this swap system is now endangered by a new U.S. Energy Department directive that authorizes officials to confiscate oil tankers and freeze assets of companies moving Venezuelan oil. According to the Reuter news agency, Europe-bound tankers loading crude at Venezuelan ports have been paralyzed in port. Washington has given Repsol a grace period to wind down its Venezuelan operations in an orderly way according to company spokesmen. There are also growing legal pressures on Spanish individuals involved in Venezuela's oil business. Spain's ambassador to Venezuela under former socialist prime minister Rodriguez Zapatero, Raul Morodo, is being investigated for laundering money through false contracts with PDVSA. Three people including his son were arrested this week on orders from Spain's highest court. A coalition of 23 U.S. states and municipalities sued the Trump administration Tuesday to stop it from enforcing a rule that would make it easier for doctors and nurses to avoid performing abortions on religious or moral grounds. The lawsuit led by New York Attorney General Letitia James said the expanded conscience protections could undermine the ability of states and cities to provide effective health care without jeopardizing billions of dollars a year in federal aid. It also said the rule would upset legislative efforts to accommodate workers beliefs while ensuring that hospitals, other businesses and staff treat patients effectively. Sterilizations and assisted suicide are among other medical procedures that might be affected, according to the complaint filed in federal court in Manhattan. The federal government is giving health care providers free license to openly discriminate and refuse care to patients, James said in a statement. The rule is scheduled to take effect July 22. It will be enforced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The rule gives life and enforcement tools to conscience protection laws that have been on the books for decades. HHS finalized the conscience rule after more than a year of careful consideration and after analyzing over 242,000 public comments. We will defend the rule vigorously, Roger Severino, director of HHS Office for Civil Rights, said in a statement. Religious liberty President Donald Trump, a Republican, has made expanding religious liberty a priority, and the proposed rule drew support from anti-abortion activists. Critics, including some civil rights medical groups, have said the rule could deprive some patients, including gay and transgender people, of needed health care because they might be deemed less worthy of treatment. The lawsuit said the rule could even prevent hospitals from asking applicants for nursing jobs whether they opposed giving measles vaccinations, even during an outbreak. So far in 2019, the worst U.S. measles outbreak in a quarter century has sickened 880 people, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday. 23 plaintiffs The 23 plaintiffs in Tuesdays lawsuit are led by Democrats or often lean Democratic. They also include New York City, Chicago and Washington, D.C.; the states of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin; and Cook County, Illinois. Hundreds of lawsuits by Democratic-leaning states and municipalities have targeted White House policies under Trump. The case is New York et al v U.S. Department of Health and Human Services et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 19-04676. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday Mexico was "doing virtually nothing to stop illegal immigrants from coming to our southern border" and that he would soon give a response. "Mexico's attitude is that people from other countries, including Mexico, should have the right to flow into the U.S. & that U.S. taxpayers should be responsible for the tremendous costs associated w/this illegal migration. Mexico is wrong and I will soon be giving a response!" Trump said on Twitter. He did not elaborate. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. In Turkey, a human rights group has turned to art to remember the victims of enforced disappearances. Rights groups blame the state for hundreds of disappearances dating back decades. Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul, Human rights groups in Turkey blame the state for hundreds of disappearances dating back decades as the military wages a war against separatist rebels of the PKK. Those rights groups are also turning to artists such as Anil Olcan to call attention to the victims of enforced disappearances. Olcan spent a year capturing images connected to the disappearances. He painstakingly superimposed photographs of the missing onto small marble columns. Marble is associated with death, said Olcan, but at the same time, it refers to the representation of worldly presence from a different perspective. Having a gravestone means that you have existed in this world, and you continue to exist, he adds. "However, these (disappeared) people here have no graves. I wanted to represent this, and I used the marble in a sense to call them back to the earth. WATCH THE VIDEO REPORT: Some of the missing include businessmen suspected of supporting Kurdish rebels. Others are human rights defenders and villagers. Among the youngest to appear on a marble column is Davut Altunkaynak. In 1995, rights groups say, the shepherd boy was taken from his bed by security forces and never seen again. He was 13 years old. Turkish rights group Hafiza Merkezi (Truth, Justice and Memory Center), which documents and reports enforced disappearances, is sponsoring Olcans work. The marble images are exhibited in Istanbul as part of the International Week of the Disappeared. One of the exhibition organizers is Hafiza Merkezi's communications officer, Kerem Ciftcioglu. He says they turned to art as a way of reaching out to people to express the enormity of the situation. We usually as human rights organizations, we express ourselves through words, texts, and narrative forms; and very analytically, with social science tools, with legal tools. Here we want to translate those to a more artistic forms of expression. And we want people to actually confront these faces, feel this policy, which is a state policy. This is undeniable when you see it in visual and physical form. Relatives of the missing are among those attending the Istanbul exhibition. Mikail Kirbayir carefully surveys the hundreds of faces arranged on shelves and the floor in the exhibition hall. He is looking for his brother, Cemil, who vanished after being taken by security forces during the 1980 military coup. The exhibition provokes mixed feelings. It is a beautiful work, yet Id wish it didnt exist, Kirbayir said. Id wish we didnt see Cemil here in this exhibition but saw him alive and happy among us. It is too sad to see these people, whose lives were taken by the state, whose first and foremost duty must be to protect the lives, he adds. It is too difficult to express ourselves, so I am thankful for this artwork expressing this. During a peace process between the government and Kurdish rebels, authorities launched investigations into the disappearances, resulting in the prosecution of a few security officers. Following the collapse of peace talks four years ago, most cases hit dead ends, and no new probes were initiated. Sezgin Tanrikulu, the deputy leader of the main opposition CHP, attended the opening of the Istanbul exhibition. Before becoming a member of parliament, he was a human rights lawyer in Diyarbakir, the main city in Turkeys predominantly Kurdish southeast. Tanrikulu helped Kirbayir in his efforts to find the marble column of his brother; the two men carefully look at each face. We always forget, this exhibition shows us not to forget, said Tanrikulu. There are more than a few people whom I know, for whom I worked as a lawyer. There are a few whose relatives I know. Our culture is built on amnesia, he adds. Because if there is no justice, there is no peace, and you cant build a future on it. Id wish we drew a lesson from all these incidents of enforced disappearances and prevent it from happening again. However, for the last three months, I have been looking for six people who disappeared in Turkey. Six people! Because we couldnt draw a lesson from the past, justice was never served. There is impunity. Human rights groups are reporting growing numbers of violations since a resumption in fighting between Kurdish rebels and security forces following the collapse of peace talks. The government denies any violations. The government considers the PKK a terrorist organization. The hope of organizers of the Istanbul exhibition is to keep up the pressure to find those who vanished and ultimately to hold accountable those responsible, as well as ensuring an end to enforced disappearances. The top United Nations diplomat for Libya warned Tuesday that the country is on the verge of descending into a full-scale civil war, as a warlord general from the east continues to try to capture the capital from the internationally-recognized government. Libya is on the verge of descending into a civil war, which could lead to the permanent division of the country, U.N. envoy Ghassan Salame told the U.N. Security Council. The damage already done will take years to mend, and thats only if the war is ended now. The latest round of fighting began on April 4, when General Khalifa Haftar, who holds sway in the countrys east, moved his fighters on Tripoli, to the west, in a bid to take control of the capital from U.N.-backed chairman of the Presidential Council and Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj. A U.N. call for a Ramadan truce has failed to materialize. Salame said the fighting has killed more than 460 people, 29 of them civilians. More than 2,400 people have been injured, most of them civilians. Another 75,000 Tripoli residents have been forcibly displaced. He said humanitarian actors estimate that more than 100,000 civilians remain trapped in frontline areas, with about 400,000 more in areas directly impacted by the clashes. He accused both sides of violating an international arms embargo imposed on Libya. Many countries are providing weapons to all parties in the conflict without exception, he said. The amount and sophistication of these weapons are already causing greater numbers of casualties. He urged robust enforcement of the arms embargo. Salame said Libyans are resigning themselves to a conflict that could last months or years; but, he said the slide into full civil war or even the partition of Libya is not inevitable. A better future is still possible, but we all must be seized with the fierce urgency of now, while the front lines remain on the outskirts of Tripoli and before the battle moves, God forbid, to the capitals more densely populated neighborhoods. Salame said that would require concerted and immediate action by the international community. He appealed to the Security Council to call for a cease-fire and for the warring parties to re-engage with his team to end the fighting and return to the U.N.-led political process. He painted a bleak picture for what lies ahead if that fails to happen. The violence on the outskirts of Tripoli is just the start of a long and bloody war on the southern shores of the Mediterranean, imperiling the security of Libyas immediate neighbors and the wider Mediterranean region, the envoy predicted. He also warned it would create an even bigger opening for terrorists and others who have exploited the instability and lack of a unified government in Libya for the past eight years since dictator Moammar Ghadhafi was ousted. The security vacuum created by the withdrawal of many of General Haftars troops from the south, coupled with the focus of the western forces on the defense of the capital, is already being exploited by Daesh and al-Qaida, he said. By Da'esh, he was referring to the so-called Islamic State group by its Arabic acronym. He warned that in the countrys south, Islamic States black flags are starting to appear and since Haftars offensive for Tripoli began on April 4, there have been four IS attacks in that area, killing 17 people. There has also been a spate of kidnappings. The latest cycle of fighting began on the eve of a national dialogue conference that was meant to bring the countrys diverse groups together to build on progress toward new elections. The dialogue has been indefinitely postponed. Dozens of protests supporting abortion rights unfolded across the United States on Tuesday, including one held outside the Supreme Court in Washington. The demonstrations targeted a recent array of anti-abortion laws being adopted by conservative state legislatures that have voiced the hope that the ensuing legal battles over the strict abortion curbs will eventually push the court to overturn its landmark 1973 decision that legalized abortion in the country. The laws have imposed various restrictions, often limiting abortions to the first few weeks of a woman's pregnancy and sometimes before a woman would know she was pregnant. The StopTheBans protests were sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union, NARAL Pro-Choice America, Planned Parenthood Action Fund and other abortion rights groups. "Across the country," the groups said, "we are seeing a new wave of extreme bans on abortion, stripping away reproductive freedom and representing an all-out assault on abortion access." They described the new laws adopted or headed toward enactment in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Ohio, Missouri and elsewhere as President Donald Trump's "anti-choice movement ... and it's terrifying, particularly for women of color and low-income women who are most affected by these bans." In the southern state of Alabama, virtually all abortions were banned, an action that Trump, and some other Republicans who otherwise support most abortion restrictions, have said went too far. Trump two decades ago described himself as "very pro-choice" in support of abortion rights, but last weekend said he approves ending pregnancies only if they occurred because of rape or incest or if the life of the mother is endangered. At the Supreme Court, several hundred abortion-rights supporters staged a protest against the new laws, most of which have yet to take affect and are being challenged in court suits as not complying with the high court's 1973 decision. Several Democratic presidential contenders looking to be the party's nominee against Trump in the November 2020 election joined the protesters. "We are not going to allow them to move our country backward," Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar told the crowd through a megaphone. Conservatives pushing for the abortion restrictions have been emboldened by Trump's appointment of two conservative justices to the Supreme Court, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, who they believe will join three other conservatives on the court to make a 5-4 majority to overturn the Roe vs. Wade decision. The 1973 Roe decision upheld the right to an abortion. It could be months before a new abortion rights case reaches the Supreme Court, but it is possible a new ruling could land in the midst of next year's presidential election campaign. Former White House Counsel Donald McGahn defied a subpoena Tuesday from the House Judiciary Committee to testify about his conversations with President Donald Trump ordering him to oust special counsel Robert Mueller in the midst of Mueller's investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. The Democratic-controlled House panel left an empty chair and a nameplate at the witness table for McGahn. But the 50-year-old Washington attorney, now in private legal practice again, adhered to White House instructions to not testify, and a Justice Department legal opinion that Congress cannot force him to appear. Congressman Jerrold Nadler, the committee chairman, assailed McGahn's refusal to testify, threatening to go to court in an effort to force McGahn to testify. "Our subpoenas are not optional," Nadler said. He said McGahn's testimony was essential after the Mueller report recounted that Trump directed McGahn to get rid of Mueller and then, when a news account appeared about his directive, asked him to publicly lie to deny the story, which McGahn refused to do. Mueller's investigators interviewed McGahn for 30 hours about his interactions with Trump. "We will not allow the president to stop this committee's investigation," Nadler said. The committee two weeks ago overrode Republican objections as it voted to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress after he refused to turn over an unredacted copy of Mueller's 448-page report on his 22-month investigation. The leading Republican on the panel, Congressman Doug Collins, attacked Democrats for staging the short hearing absent McGahn, calling it "a circus." "The Democrats," Collins said, "are trying to make something out of nothing," noting that Mueller concluded that Trump did not collude with Russia to help him win the White House. Mueller reached no decision whether Trump obstructed justice by trying to thwart the investigation, but Barr and then Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein subsequently concluded that obstruction charges against Trump were not warranted. Nadler accused Trump of trying to "run out the clock" to prevent hearings about his alleged misconduct. Nadler said Trump's conduct in directing McGahn to get rid of Mueller and then to deny that he had done so were "not remotely acceptable." Nadler further dismissed the opinion from the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel against McGahn's testimony, saying it was "entirely unsupported by the case law" related to the testimony of White House aides. McGahn's attorney, William Burck, on Monday said his client "remains obligated to maintain the status quo and respect the president's instruction. In the event an accommodation is agreed between the committee and the White House, Mr. McGahn will of course comply with that accommodation." White House press secretary Sarah Sanders explained in a statement that the Justice Department "has provided a legal opinion stating that, based on long-standing, bipartisan, and Constitutional precedent, the former Counsel to the President cannot be forced to give such testimony, and Mr. McGahn has been directed to act accordingly." The Justice Department, in its legal opinion, said, "We provide the same answer that the Department of Justice repeatedly provided for five decades: Congress may not constitutionally compel the President's senior advisers to testify about their official duties." Trump said of the legal opinion, "They're doing that for the office of the presidency for future presidents. They're not doing that for me." "I think we've been the most transparent administration in the history of our country," Trump replied to a reporter asking why not just let McGahn testify so the public can have full answers to executive action regarding the Russia investigation. "We want to get on with running the country." In a letter to Nadler, the current White House counsel, Pat Cipollone, said that Trump had directed McGahn not to appear at Tuesday's hearing. "This long-standing principle is firmly rooted in the Constitution's separation of powers and protects the core functions of the presidency, and we are adhering to this well-established precedent in order to ensure that future presidents can effectively execute the responsibilities of the Office of the Presidency," Cipollone wrote. One Democrat on the Judiciary Committee said beforehand that if McGahn defied the panel's subpoena an impeachment inquiry against the president should be started. "We simply cannot sit by and allow this president to destroy the rule of law, to subvert the Constitution," Congressman David Cicilline of Rhode Island said during an interview on U.S. cable news network MSNBC. McGahn's name is mentioned on more than 65 pages of the Mueller report. Monday's pushback by the Justice Department and the White House is the latest instance of the executive branch trying to challenge for power the legislative branch of government with Trump betting the third branch the judiciary will back him up with rulings by federal judges, including the Supreme Court. On Monday, however, a federal judge in Washington rejected Trump efforts to block another House committee's subpoena for his financial records from a private accounting firm that has handled some of his business affairs. Within hours, Trump's lawyers appealed the ruling, with the president calling the decision "totally wrong." With all the focus on Russian efforts to sway U.S. elections with social media, there are fears other aspects of Moscow's influence operations are being overlooked. Specifically, some lawmakers and experts are worried just as much damage is being done with old-fashioned, face-to-face contact, along with promises of favors and the prospects of financial reward. In order to help curtail the dangers, the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee introduced legislation Tuesday that would require all U.S. political campaigns to report any contact with foreign nationals seeking to collaborate or coordinate with candidates' election efforts. "Most Americans already know that if a foreign adversary reaches out about interfering in our elections, you should report that contact," Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia said in a statement. But in a swipe at U.S. President Donald Trump, Warner added, "It's clear that some Americans haven't taken that responsibility seriously." The Foreign Influence Reporting in Elections (FIRE) Act would mandate that any U.S. political campaign contacted by foreign nationals report the contact within one week to both the Federal Election Commission and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The bill would also require campaigns to train all paid employees on how such contact must be handled. Warner cited the recent report into Russian election interference by special counsel Robert Mueller, which found at least 140 contacts between members or associates of the Trump campaign and Russian nationals and WikiLeaks, as a key reason the legislation is needed. "The Trump campaign welcomed the help, and sought to hide that from the American people," Warner said. Separately, a panel of experts urged lawmakers Tuesday to take steps to limit the ability of Russia, China and other countries to secretly pump money into U.S. political campaigns. "There's a vast amount of resources that are held by oligarchs, tycoons, businessmen, Russian companies that is available for use in dark money operations," Mike Carpenter, a one-time foreign policy adviser to former Vice President Joe Biden, told the House Foreign Affairs Committee. "The most important is our campaign finance system, which is so opaque that we don't even have an inkling how much foreign dark money is sloshing around the system," he said. "It's simply all too easy and we don't know the extent." Carpenter, who now heads the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy, said money is also likely getting into U.S. campaigns through the use of shell companies and "high-end" real estate deals. Heather Conley, the senior vice president for Europe, Eurasia and the Arctic at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said tackling the potential abuse would require substantial changes to the way the U.S. is currently combating financial threats. "We are structured to fight terrorism and terrorism financing," said Conley, who also served at the U.S. State Department under Democratic and Republican administrations. "We are not structured to fight (Russias) malign influence and its many manifestations," she said. "We have to treat financial transparency and money laundering as the challenges to America's national security as they are." Michael Bowman on Capitol Hill contributed to this report. PENTAGON Acting Secretary of Defense Pat Shanahan said the steps taken to bolster the U.S. military presence in the Middle East have deterred Iran and put on hold the potential for attacks on Americans, even as Iran carried out other attacks. It doesnt mean that the threats that we previously identified have gone away. Our prudent response, I think, has given Iranians time to recalculate, Shanahan told reporters at the Pentagon Tuesday. We talked about those threats, and there were attacks, Shanahan said. Asked to clarify what attacks he was referring to, Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Joe Buccino told VOA that U.S. intelligence points to Iran as highly likely responsible for the attack on four oil tankers in the Persian Gulf. The secretary and other officials are scheduled to brief members of Congress in a closed-door session later Tuesday about the military threat the White House says Iran poses in the Middle East. Among those going to Capitol Hill are Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Shanahan and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford. U.S. lawmakers have demanded information about the Iranian threat for days. President Donald Trump said Monday that Iran has been very hostile, and that the United States will have no choice but to respond to Iranian aggression with great force. The U.S. Navys 5th Fleet said it has increased maritime patrols and exercises in the Arabian Sea that highlight the lethality and agility to respond to threat. The Pentagon has deployed the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group, the USS Arlington landing platform dock ship, a Patriot missile battery and B-52 bombers to the region. Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, Dunford canceled a trip to Brussels, where he was to have met NATO members Wednesday. Dunfords spokesman, Air Force Col. Patrick Ryder, said the cancelation was because of unforeseen commitments that require him to remain in Washington this week. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has responded to what he called genocidal taunts by saying that Iranians have stood tall for a millennia while aggressors all gone, including Genghis Kahn and Alexander the Great. Try respect. It works, Zarif tweeted. Iranian proxy forces Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday the U.S. core challenge in the Middle East is diminishing (Irans) capacity to support proxy forces such as the Houthi rebels in Yemen. We will not allow Iran to hide behind its proxy forces, but that if American interests are attacked, whether by Iran directly or through its proxy forces, we will respond in an appropriate way against Iran, he said in an interview on Salem Radio Networks The Hugh Hewitt Show. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said Monday that after a briefing from National Security Adviser John Bolton, It is clear that over the last several weeks, Iran has attacked pipelines and ships of other nations and created threat streams against American interests in Iraq. Uranium enrichment As the war of words between the two countries showed little sign of cooling off, Iran said Monday it has quadrupled its uranium enrichment capacity. Iranian officials say the uranium will be enriched for civilian energy uses, far below weapons grade as spelled out in the 2015 nuclear agreement. Enriching uranium means concentrating the elements radioactive component. Natural uranium has less than 1% U-235, while uranium for electric power production is around 4% pure, and weapons-grade material is refined to contain about 90% of this active ingredient. Iran could soon exceed the amount of material it is allowed to stockpile under the deal. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced two weeks ago he is pulling out of some parts of the six-nation nuclear deal, including the condition that Iran sell excess amounts of uranium to other nations. Rouhani has threatened to move Iran closer to weapons-grade enrichment unless it sees promised economic relief from the deal by early July. Trump pulled out of the nuclear agreement deal one year ago. He re-imposed sanctions on Tehran and has threatened other penalties on countries that still do business with Iran. Trumps decision has made the Iranian economy, already in tatters, even weaker. WATCH: US politicians divided on Iran Doubts about vaccines have spread across social media like a disease and false information that "kills people" should be taken down by the companies running digital platforms, the head of global vaccine alliance Gavi said on Tuesday. Speaking at a U.S.-sponsored event on the sidelines of the World Health Organization's annual assembly in Geneva, Gavi CEO Seth Berkley said there was a strong scientific consensus about the safety of vaccines. But social media algorithms favored sensational content over scientific facts, rapidly convincing people who had never seen family members die from preventable illness. "We have to think about it as a disease. This is a disease," Berkley said. "This spreads at the speed of light, literally." WHO says poor vaccination coverage is causing measles outbreaks globally, with numbers spiking in countries that were previously almost free of the disease, including the United States. Misinformation about vaccines, which the WHO says save two million lives annually, was not a freedom of speech issue and social media firms need to take it offline, Berkley said. "I remind people that this kills people," he said. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said complacency, misunderstanding and misinformation were causing vaccination rates to decline globally, with tragic results. "In my country, social media conspiracy groups confuse well-meaning parents so they hesitate to get the recommended vaccinations," Azar said. He rejected any criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump, who repeatedly and erroneously tweeted about links between vaccines and autism in the years before he became president. "A study says @Autism is out of control a 78% increase in 10 years. Stop giving monstrous combined vaccinations," Trump tweeted in 2012. Azar said Trump was "extremely firm" in support of vaccination. "If you had been paying attention in the last month, you would know that the President of the United States, President Trump, was very clear and emphatic: get your shots, get your kids vaccinated, vaccines are safe," Azar said. Canada's Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam said health authorities needed to "up our game," adding that she was working with Twitter, Facebook, Google and other tech companies. "You've got to get into the trenches ... and begin to get engaged much more on a personal and emotional level, because people don't understand statistics and data. If you do that No media source currently available The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Iraq says a decision by U.S. company Exxon Mobil to evacuate its staff from the oil-rich country is "unacceptable and unjustified VOA's Saleh Damiger contributed to this story. WASHINGTON For three consecutive weeks, residents in parts of the eastern Syrian province of Deir el-Zour have been protesting against U.S.-backed forces that recently defeated Islamic State in its last stronghold there. With help from the U.S., Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led military alliance, has controlled large parts of eastern Syria after removing IS militants from the region. But rising food prices, lack of services and arbitrary arrests of IS suspects have forced many frustrated locals to take to the streets in protest of the new administration, local news reported. "In addition to those factors, there is a growing discontent among local Arabs against Kurdish rule in Deir el-Zour," said Rami Abdulrahman, director of Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor that has researchers across the country. He told VOA that such protests were expected, given the demographic and political composition in the Syrian province. Ethnic tensions Deir el-Zour is an Arab-majority province where Kurdish forces now are mostly in charge of security and other services. But parts of the oil-rich province are controlled by Syrian troops and allied militias. Analysts warn that continued tensions in Deir el-Zour could risk military gains recently made against IS. "Any ethnic tensions between Kurds and Arabs could create a vacuum in the area, which would lead to the reemergence of IS or other groups," said Omar Hossino, a Syria policy expert based in Washington. "There have been ethnic tensions in many areas controlled by the SDF for some time now, as many Arabs have been excluded from power-sharing. And the economic situation is making it worse," Hossino told VOA. He added, "It's not only Arabs. Many other Kurdish political and civil society groups have also been excluded from power-sharing from the SDF." SDF officials said they have been working to defuse the situation by holding talks with influential tribal leaders. "Some people indeed would like to turn this into a Kurdish-Arab conflict, but it isn't," said Sinam Mohamad, an SDF political representative in Washington. "We have reached out to Arab tribal leaders and told them that our administration is not exclusive to ethnic Kurds. We're not trying to understate these protests. In fact, we are trying to resolve it soon," she told VOA. Winning the hearts of locals' Some experts suggest that the SDF could assert its rule in the post-IS period by supporting the local Arab population with sustainable economic projects. "If the SDF wants to present itself as a better alternative in eastern Syria, then it should be genuine about winning the hearts of locals in these Arab areas," said Radwan Badini, a politics and journalism professor at Salahaddin University in Irbil, Iraq. "The SDF needs to be more effective in terms of providing services and addressing economic grievances of the local residents in these areas that have been devastated after years of IS rule," he said. SDF said IS still poses a threat to many parts of Deir el-Zour, where their security operations continue to target remnants of IS. "Twenty (IS) terrorists and a large quantity of armament were captured, and two tunnels were found in the security operation by our forces in (the) village of as-Shuhail (in Deir el-Zour)," Mustafa Bali, an SDF spokesman, said in a tweet on Wednesday. Despite being defeated militarily, IS still has sleeper cells across eastern Syria, SDF officials charge. "We believe some of the recent demonstrations were instigated by those elements of IS, the Syrian regime and other regional powers," said Mohamad, the SDF political representative in Washington. This week, Syria called on the U.N. Security Council to stop what it called "attacks and treasonous actions of the SDF militias, which are backed by the U.S. and some Western states" in Deir el-Zour. US oil sanctions Since late last year, the U.S. Treasury Department has imposed a number of sanctions against entities and individuals involved in oil dealings with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. What is happening in Deir al-Zour "is a product mainly of the oil sanctions which the Trump administration put into effect on Syria in the last few months, including the sanctions on SDF entities trading in oil with the regime last year, and the sanctions on the Assad regime's oil imports which really went into effect on Jan. 3," Hossino said. "The economy in these areas is very much integrated with the regime areas, which is having a major impact," he added. SDF officials said they are seeking to normalize the local economy in eastern Syria after more than four years of economic chaos under IS. "When IS was in control of these areas, big families and tribes were producing oil primitively and selling it on their own," Mohamad said. "But because we now want to organize oil dealings, some people find that threatening their interests." Hossino said one option to improve economic conditions in areas recently liberated from IS is for the U.S. to use its leverage to make the SDF less dependent on the Syrian government. "The U.S. needs to continue to work to peel away the SDF economically from the regime economy," he said. "If that is the case, the SDF is going to have nowhere else to economically integrate, other than with other Syrian opposition areas, Iraqi Kurdistan, and Turkey." The decline and disappearance of bees, wild insects and other pollinators would have devastating consequences for mankind and the global food supply, the U.N. warned Monday. "Bees support a staggering 170,000 species of plants that sustain over 200,000 animal species," General Assembly President Maria Fernanda Espinosa said on World Bee Day Monday. "They are responsible for roughly one-third of all food produced" -- including tomatoes, coffee, apples, almonds, cocoa and plants that can be used in medicines. The U.N. Food and Agricultural Organization says pollinators, including bees, are under threat and their numbers are falling globally primarily because of human activity, including global warming, habitat loss and too many pesticides. Other pollinators whose populations are threatened include butterflies, hummingbirds, bats and monkeys, who pick up pollen from self-pollinating plants as the primates move through trees and the bush. "Urgent and wide-ranging efforts are needed to protect bees across wild, agricultural and urban habitats," Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said. Experts say promoting bee habitats is key. They recommend people plant a variety of bee-friendly flowers and place a hollow log or tree trunk on their property, calling it an ideal shelter for pollinating insects. While thousands of immigrants seeking asylum wait at the southern border, many are being apprehended across the border by American border patrol agents. In an initiative to decrease the flow, agents conducted an exercise to show the risks and dangers migrants face. The announcement comes two months after the board and then-Superintendent A. Marcus Nelson came to an agreement for Nelson to resign after his misdemeanor marijuana possession arrest. The board took its first steps toward hiring a new superintendent Friday, when it began accepting applications. Atkins said he believes Nelson made the right choice by resigning because Nelson recognized that the spotlight had shifted to him instead of the students. Atkins recognizes that Nelson was dynamic leader, but that it would have been difficult for him to sustain the same level of leadership after his arrest. What was difficult with that situation was we had made so much progress over the last two years, really engaging the community and earning the trust and the commitment of community members, as well as their buy-in to the mission of the Waco public schools, Atkins said. It was difficult to see how divided people were becoming over that one issue, that there were reasonable, thoughtful people on both sides who were coming to very different conclusions. Interim Superintendent Hazel Rowe said Atkins has had such a profound impact on the district that it is difficult to articulate. Still there are good reasons to expect Democrats would be extremely reluctant to support hostilities against Iran. The faction of the party that tends to be anti-war to begin with almost certainly will line up against this one. Those who are more open to military adventurism are probably more likely than not to join them. Thats to some extent the consequences of the Iraq War, which has made everyone more wary of wars of choice in that part of the world, especially given that many of the very same hawks from 2002, including the national security adviser, John Bolton, would be the people selling a war in Iran now. And its partially a consequence of Trumps reputation, certainly among Democratic politicians, as a habitual liar. And its partially because Trump is so unpopular among Democratic voters that very few Democratic politicians want to back him on anything. In all, a rally effect is certainly possible, but there are good reasons to believe it wouldnt happen. However, when it comes to domestic political consequences, the most important thing isnt the immediate reaction; its the longer-term affect on public opinion. And for that, the prospects for Trump if he takes our nation to war are not good at all. Anuradha Shukla By Express News Service The Ministry of Corporate Affairs is planning to crack the whip on all errant developers who have been involved in fraud, including Amrapali, 3C and Jaypee Infratech, after the election process is over and the new government takes office. We have received formal complaints against these developers. Apart from the reported case of money laundering and diverting funds to other companies, there are also reports of other serious offences about a dozen developers regarding corporate governance. The Ministry will soon initiate action against them post the electoral results, a senior official from MCA told this publication. READ HERE | SC asks Centre to consider taking over Unitech, finish pending housing projects So far, over one lakh homebuyers have been duped by various builders like Amrapali, Unitech, Jaypee, 3C, Ansals API, etc. In the National Capital Region (NCR) alone, 46,000 buyers in Amrapali projects had paid more than Rs 11,000 crore to the firm, while another 17,000 homebuyers in Unitechs 74 housing projects and 32,000 homebuyers of Jaypee Infratech have paid up around Rs 14,000 crore each to both companies. All these projects, and most other similar projects peppered across the country, are stuck due to a lack of funds as homebuyers run from pillar to post for justice. Initial probes by various investigative agencies into these cases show that there were clear violations in corporate governance norms. ALSO READ | 'Amrapali Group diverted Rs 3,500 crore of home buyers money to other projects' The MCAs decision comes amid widespread criticism, since those affected have seen little action taken despite several complaints from defrauded customers and suggestions from the courts. A group of homebuyers even went to meet Injeti Srinivas, Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, recently after forensic auditors examining the Amrapali group said around Rs 9,500 crore worth of their money can still be recovered. Earlier this month, even the Supreme Court had asked the government to step in. Government should deal with these issues. We would ask the government to step in to protect the interest of homebuyers. The government is obliged to protect the middle-class homebuyers. These people have invested their hard earned money. They are paying interest on home loans but are not getting their homes. We have no solution on their plight. What can we do? We are saying so with great sense of anguish, Justice Chandrachud said while hearing Amrapali case. ALSO READ | Puri Constructions guilty of profiteering under GST, asked to refund Rs 15.90 lakh to home buyers The apex court has already asked the Attorney General to assist the court on the issue and requested him to hold consultations with concerned departments to frame a mechanism to protect the interest of buyers. According to the MCA official, political patronage is also one of the reasons for action has been slow to come. However, there are some serious charges like heavy cash transfers during demonetisation and the ministry is likely to initiate action on such cases once the results are out. During elections, everything is being perceived as politically motivated. We are aware of the charges and once the results are out and new government is in office, action will be swifter, another official from the MCA added. Meanwhile, the ministry is also working on updating the database of developers and their group companies. Currently, the database is not updated, which sources say creates a lot of problems for investigators. Officials claim that the new Version 3 of the MCA-21 database will address many of the current flaws. Babingtons offers special menu inspired by the Victorian age. Babingtons, the historic English tea shop and restaurant at the foot of Rome's Spanish Steps, celebrates the 200th anniversary of the birth of Queen Victoria, at 18.30 on 24 May. To mark the occasion, the tables at Babingtons will be set with antique tablecloths, porcelain and 19th-century silverware, with a menu inspired by the Victorian age: 12 courses, both sweet and savoury. Babingtons has even created a new blend of tea - appropriately titled Victoria - a limited edition mixed by hand, with gold and silver tips. The evening's Victorian atmosphere will be guaranteed thanks to the presence of Queen Victoria herself - played by actress Debora Mattiello. The sovereign will be joined by other famous characters from her era, including Sherlock Holmes and Watson, Alice and the Mad Hatter, burlesque dancer Lydia Thompson, and Oscar Wilde. Babingtons invites its guests to "leave aside conventional clothes for a dress code suitable for the party, even if it's just a pair of retro gloves or a feather on your head." For full details of the event, which costs 48 per person, see Babingtons website. By pure coincidence, Queen Victoria's great-great-great-great-grandson - Prince Harry - will be in Rome on the same day, to play a charity polo game. Lucio Fontana becomes the first 20th-century Italian artist to be honoured with an exhibition at Galleria Borghese in Rome. 22 May-28 July. Rome's Galleria Borghese presents Terra e oro (Earth and gold), a major exhibition of works by Lucio Fontana, the museum's first show dedicated to a 20th-century Italian artist. Curated by Galleria Borghese director Anna Coliva, the exhibition comprises around 50 works and is divided into two sections: spatial concepts and ceramic crucifixes. Fontana's gold-painted canvases and ceramics on display were produced mainly between 1958 and 1968, the final decade in the life of the radical artist. The Fontana exhibition at Galleria Borghese follows other shows dedicated to pioneering international artists from the 20th century including Bacon, Giacometti and Picasso. Born in Argentina in 1899, Fontana was a pioneer of abstract art in Italy in the 1930s, and is best known for founding Spatialism, a movement whose grandiose aim was to synthesise colour, sound, space, movement and time into a more sensory form of art. The Italian painter and sculptor is credited with paving the way for a younger generation of abstract artists such as Yves Klein, Julio Le Parc, Francois Morellet and Dan Flavin. For full exhibition details, including information on how to visit, see Galleria Borghese website. Photo credits: Niccolo Ara. Fondazione Lucio Fontana by SIAE 2019. Airport CEO Sean Donohue announced plans Monday for Terminal F on the site of a parking lot. It would include up to 24 new gates for U.S. and international flights. The airport currently has 164 gates spread across five terminals. This past year was not massively better than 2020, but at least it was different. A variant, so to speak. And like any year, it had both highs and lows. No, we take that back. It was pretty much all lows. Theyre smart, they unionized, they put these plants in very strategic places, DeFazio said. They didnt know Democrats were going to take over the House; they put the plant in Kevin McCarthys district. I think they would have put it in someone elses district if theyd known Democrats were going to take over the House, but they arent dumb. By IANS NEW DELHI: Employees of cash-strapped Jet Airways protested outside the Civil Aviation Ministry here on Tuesday, demanding the revival of the airline and payment of their pending salaries. The protests come amid the State Bank of India-led consortium of lenders struggling to find a buyer for the airline which ceased operations around a mid-last month due to an acute liquidity crisis. Around 200 employees of Jet Airways demonstrated with banners reading "Hear our cry, let 9W fly", "We fly you around, don't let us be on ground", "We have dependents to feed, please don't let 9W bleed" and "A family helps each other for cleaning house". 9W is the flight code for Jet Airways. As the protesters moved towards the ministry, Delhi Police and CRPF personnel erected barriers to stop them. Three employees of the full-service carrier met S K Mishra, joint secretary of Ministry of Civil Aviation. Asish Kumar Mohanty, one of the employees who met Mishra, told PTI later, "We have given him an update about today's conditions within Jet Airways. We have not got salaries for the last five months. In between, our medical coverage has also been stopped as the management has told us that they have no revenue." ALSO READ: Section of Jet Airways staff seeks financial details of company to raise USD 700 million "We told him about three important concerns for the airline -- employees' pending salaries, no management is there now to look after Jet Airways and expedition of SBI's bidding process," added Mohanty, who belongs to the airline's engineering department. Jet Airways' Chief Executive Officer Vinay Dube, Chief Financial Officer Amit Agarwal, Company Secretary and Compliance Officer Kuldeep Sharma and Chief People Officer Rahul Taneja had resigned from their respective posts on May 14. "The joint secretary said the government is very much concerned about the revival of Jet Airways. He said that the higher officers know about it and dialogue and meeting are going on. We told him that the dialogue and meeting have been going on for the last 3-4 months, but nothing has been done on paper as yet," Mohanty said. ALSO READ: Clarity on Jet Airways expected in a week, says SBI chief Rajnish Kumar He said Mishra was told that aircraft of the airline are being de-registered and the primary concern is the pending salaries of employees. According to Mohanty, the joint secretary said he will tell his "top bosses" about the employees' concerns. He added that the central government would be given a petition on Tuesday itself. The lenders, whom Jet Airways owes over Rs 8,000 crore in debt, are offering 31.2 per cent-75 per cent stake in the company on a fully diluted basis. SBI Caps, the merchant banking arm of SBI, had on behalf of the consortium of 26 lenders invited expressions of interest between April 8-12 and received four preliminary bids. These 26 lenders own 51 per cent stake in the airline. After the first round of bids, private equity firms IndiGo Partners and TPG, Etihad Airways and the sovereign fund NIIF were shortlisted. Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways submitted its sealed bid to acquire a minority stake in Jet Airways with a lot of riders that involved finding more investors, leaving little hope for the airline's survival. By PTI NEW DELHI: Net employment generation in the formal sector was higher at 8.14 lakh in March 2019 against 7.88 lakh in February this year, according to the latest EPFO payroll data. Around 67.59 jobs were generated in the entire 2018-19 fiscal, the payroll data based on members joining the schemes of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) showed. Total net new enrolments were at 15.52 lakh during the seven-month period from September 2017 to March 2018. The retirement fund body has been releasing payroll data from April 2018, covering the period starting from September 2017. The EPFO in its payroll data released Tuesday did not provide monthly net new enrolments for March 2018. During March 2019, the highest number of 2.25 lakh jobs were created in the 22-25 years age group, followed by 2.14 lakh in the 18-21 years age bracket. In 2018-19, the highest job creation was recorded in January 2019 at 8.31 lakh against the provisional estimate of 8.94 lakh released last month. The payroll data released in April 2019 had shown a sharp revision in net job additions for March 2018, recording a contraction or exit of 55,934 members from the EPFO subscriptions. On the contraction, the EPFO had said, "March 2018 figure is negative due to a large number of exits reported in the month of March, in view of it being the closing month of the financial year." The EPFO said the data is provisional as updating of employee records is a continuous process and gets updated in subsequent months. This is age-band wise data of new members registered under the EPFO where the first non-zero contribution received during a particular month. For each age-wise band, the estimates are net of the members newly enrolled, exited and rejoined during the month as per records of the EPFO, it added. The estimates may include temporary employees whose contributions may not be continuous for the entire year. Members' data are linked to unique Aadhaar identity, it added. The EPFO manages social security funds of workers in the organised or semi-organised sector in India and has more than 6 crore active members (with at least one-month contribution during the year). In the interview with The Post, Leo said he took time off from the Federalist Society a charity that says it does not endorse specific nominees during the nomination fights in 2005 and 2006. The groups tax filings show that his compensation in those two years jumped by nearly 50 percent, to about $328,000 annually. Leo did not respond to a question about how his compensation was affected by his time off. A spokesman for the Federalist Society said Leos pay went up despite the time off because of the organizations extraordinary revenue growth. Back at the Federalist Society the following year, his compensation was $419,000. Once in the car with my mapo tofu, I popped the take out lid and was immediately struck by its electric sheen, its color somewhere on the spectrum between red brick and blood. Even in its black plastic container, even with the poor illumination of my cars dome light, this dish commanded attention, its invitation impossible to ignore. I broke the joint on my wooden chopsticks and started plucking out squares of tofu, each one coated in oil and a light sprinkling of ground Sichuan peppercorns. The tofu had the texture of custard yet was firm enough to stand up to the meaner ingredients. The complexity was impressive: There was sweetness, pungency, meatiness and the clean, cooling rush of pine needles. In an interview with The Post, Leo said he took time off from the Federalist Society, a charity that says it does not advocate for particular policies or nominees, during Supreme Court nomination fights in 2005 and 2006. The groups tax filings show that his compensation in those two years jumped by nearly 50 percent, to about $328,000 annually. A spokesman for the Federalist Society said Leos pay went up despite the time off because of the organizations extraordinary revenue growth. Back at the Federalist Society the following year, his compensation went up again, to $419,000. There are subjective lines based on American values that have to be drawn in selecting content, the panel wrote. But we also need to know the adversary and hear what it has to say from time to time. Marti is derelict on these grounds. It has let the pendulum of being guided by well-meaning subjective values to swing to an extreme position that is undemocratic and self-defeating. Dear Heloise: I love reading your column in the Orange County Register here in Southern California. A reader asked what is the proper way to say the year. I spent 25 years as a professional broadcaster, and I tend to keep it less on the slang side and more on the educated side. So for me, it's "two thousand nineteen." By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Mumbai-based Darwin Platform Group of Companies, which recently shot into prominence for its interest in Jet Airways, said on Monday that it proposed to acquire considerable stake in the grounded airline as it plans to foray into the aviation sector. We are a debt-free company, Darwin chairman Ajay Harinath Singh said in a statement. Darwin Group is all set to expand its wings into several sectors and given the opportunities in the aviation sector Darwin Aviation proposes to acquire a considerable stake in Jet Airways. The little known group, which claims to have a net worth of Rs 24,000 crore from businesses across different verticals, made big ripples last week when it said it would infuse Rs 14,000 crore to revive the shut down airline - an amount which is more than what was offered by Etihad Airways to acquire a minority stake in the airline. Other players have reportedly asked the lenders to take a massive haircut on their Rs 8,500 crore exposure to the airline, but Darwin made an offer which is just enough to get the airline flying again and pay-back bankers with a far smaller haircut, said analysts. Soon, I believe Jet Airways will be back in the air, said Singh. According to Darwins website, the group has business interest in over a dozen sectors and has aggressive expansion plans. However, not much is known about the finances and sources of funds of the group. The chairman of the group Singh is a native of Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh. ALSO READ | Section of Jet Airways staff seeks financial details of company to raise USD 700 million Allegations of financial fraud have been made against the company when some of its previous employees reportedly lured people to make investments on promises of high returns. Singh, however, termed these allegations as false, fake and malicious. Bedside Darwin Group, a section of Jets employee are also trying to take charge of the airline. Last week, they wrote a mail to SBI Caps and said they are in talks with investors to raise $700 million to revive the airline. The mail was signed by representatives of JAMEWA (Jet Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Welfare Association) and Society for Welfare of Indian Pilots. Other unsolicited bidders include former flight steward-turned-entrepreneur Jason Unsworth and London-based investment firm Adi Partners. Jet Airways was shut down on April 17, for an indefinite period after bankers refused to grant any more working capital to the ailing airline. READ HERE | Employees offer to lend a shoulder to Jet Airways Since then, the central government has allocated most of its domestic slots on a temporary basis to rival airlines and is currently in the process of allotting its international flying rights too. Even if a successful bidder emerges, the revival of the airline will take time as the slots have been awarded for a three month period. In response, physicians should acknowledge that the patient is coming to you for help, that they arent crazy or making things up, Piccione said. While this sounds simple, such labels are too often placed on women with true cardiovascular disease, she explained. The physician should speak with the patient about their anxiety or depressive symptoms, explain to them that this is a common condition and can be treated either with medication or counseling, or both. The physician should acknowledge that anxiety and depression are treatable medical conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. The river isnt going anywhere, and people will always be able to fish from its banks, but if you want to be in a boat, you need a protected place from which to set out. Thats what Fletchers Cove is. Its succession of floating docks have always led complicated lives destroyed by hurricanes; removed and then reinstalled but the latest iterations have had to be extended farther and farther as the cove shrinks. The Washington Post has reported that a digital sign company wrote Evans two checks totaling $50,000 and issued him 200,000 shares of stock before the council member circulated legislation that would have aided the firm. Evans said he returned the checks and stock before he introduced the legislation. He withdrew the bill when it became clear it did not have the support to pass. The report found fewer than 100 emails sent or received to personal accounts between Jan. 20, 2017, when President Trump took office, and April 10, 2018. It said most messages were in the first six months of 2017, from a single writer offering advice on potential candidates for agency positions. The writer, who was not identified, also included other department employees on his or her messages, using their official government email addresses. I dont think I fully appreciated the extent to which the behavioral challenges and needs of kids could be so significant, Bloomfield said in an interview. So the line we always have to walk is balancing the safety of everyone in the building and balancing the goal of keeping a child in school. Tom Maronick Jr., who was an attorney for Ekwonna, said, I represented Mr. Ekwonna for part of the case and know him as a sincere person and one who always acted in such a way with me during my representation and with the Court. I cannot comment on the specific sentence or what led to it as I did not represent him at that stage of the representation. Were thrilled that the jury came back and found that our client had in fact been tortured, said attorney Kathy Roberts of the Center of Justice and Accountability, which represented Warfaa in the civil case. Its a good verdict; it stands for the principle that no one above the law. Our client is very happy. It appears a conservative front group and a news outlet . . . are pushing a hit piece filled with faulty research, lies and innuendo in an attempt to tarnish my personal reputation, professional work and public service as well as that of my spouse, Rockeymoore Cummings said in a statement, calling the effort a distasteful attempt to intimidate my family into silence at such a pivotal moment in our nations history. Three passengers were ejected from the train and killed, and 57 more aboard the train were injured. The curve grew sharpest as it neared an overpass to busy Interstate 5, south of Tacoma, Wash. The train tumbled down onto the lanes of that highway, with the overturned rail car wedged under the bridge that would have carried a train had it gone more slowly over the highway. The 200-ton locomotive and 65-ton passenger cars came raining down on either side of the bridge, with one train car balanced precipitously against another that had fallen below it. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: On Tuesday, the board of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will meet in Chennai, far away from the madding crowd, amid a surging stock market rally anticipating a second term for the Narendra Modi-led NDA government. The last meeting was held in February. Sources say there are three key issues under focus among the items on the agenda include the proposed report by the Bimal Jalan panel, RBIs scrapped February 12 circular and concerns about liquidity. The board will also discuss about the ensuing crisis among NBFCs. The Jalan panel, which already missed its deadline, will soon submit its findings to the board shortly. As per the terms of reference signed in January, the panel was expected to submit its report on the central banks Economic Capital Framework (ECF) within 90 days, ie., in April. Jalan panel was appointed by the RBI board and so the report will come to us. We will deliberate on when to share the contents of the report to the government, a board member told Express. Its likely that the report will be submitted to the government after Thursday, when the voting results will be out. Led by former RBI Governor Bimal Jalan besides another high-profile former central banker Rakesh Sharma, government representatives and two RBI board members, the panel was tasked to determine the extent of profits to be apportioned to RBI reserves, besides looking at existing surplus, if any, as part of contingency reserves currently hovering at Rs 2.3 lakh crore. Among the sore points was the fact that RBI has surplus reserves, accounting for about 28 per cent of total assets. But within reserves, its the currency and gold revaluation fund (at over Rs 6.9 crore), which has a lions share. It is unclear if the committee will consider past unrealised gains, but will likely study contingency reserves and the extent of reserves the central bank should hold and transfer the rest to the government. Several central banks hold anywhere between 2-3 per cent of total assets as contingency fund, while RBIs stands at 7.05 per cent. Northam (D), a pediatric neurologist, initially apologized for appearing in the photo. The next day, he denied he was in the photo but could not explain how it ended up on his personal page. He said he had never purchased the yearbook and saw it for the first time when it was published by a conservative news site. On average, the CWG says, the first 90-degree day makes its appearance in Washington on May 17. Monday was the 20th, so it seems unlikely that anyone would quibble about whether the was any sort of freakish event. By IANS NEW DELHI: After Samsung, Huawei has the biggest share in the global smartphone market but it now faces a huge challenge after Google barred the Chinese giant from some updates to the Android operating system. As a result of the new restrictions introduced amid the bitterly fought US-China trade war, existing users of Huawei devices are unlikely to receive Android updates when Google introduces the next version of the operating system. However, the existing users of Huwaei and Honor devices would be able to use the Google Play Store and security from "Google Play Protect" would keep functioning. "The ban will accelerate Huawei's efforts to gain self-reliance. Huawei has been focused on developing its software and app assets along the lines that it has done with its chipset business," Prabhu Ram, Head, Industry Intelligence Group, CyberMedia Research (CMR), told IANS. The Chinese technology giant earlier this year confirmed that it has developed its own proprietary operating systems (OS) and is ready to implement those in case its legal battle with the US leads to a ban on services like Android and Windows. READ HERE | Trump telecom trade ban: Google, Android system start to cut ties with Huawei after But until it rolls out any such system, the Android restrictions are likely to hit its consumer business, according to experts. "The Android bombshell has serious implications for Huawei mobile consumer business. While it won't affect its China business, it will impact it globally," Ram said. "About half of Huawei's smartphone shipments, last year went to users outside of China. That's the portion that will be impacted if it no longer has access to Google Play and Google Mobile Services," Bryan Ma, a technology industry analyst at International Data Corporation (IDC), said in a tweet. According to a report in The Telegraph on Monday, the ban means new Huawei phones will no longer be able to access certain apps, like Google Maps and YouTube, and existing phones will not be able to update their Android operating systems. The restrictions come after the Donald Trump administration added Huawei to a list of companies that American firms cannot trade with unless they have a licence. It also means loss of Android licence for Huawei, forcing it to use the open source version of the operating system. "Huawei has made substantial contributions to development and growth of Android around the world. As one of Android's key global partners, we have worked closely with their open-source platform to develop an ecosystem that has benefited both users and the industry," the company said. Huawei said it would continue to provide security updates and after-sales services to existing Huawei and Honor smartphone and tablet products, covering all the devices sold as well as in stock globally. American charged in Myanmar cannabis case: A court in Myanmar charged an American, John Frederic Todoroki, and two local co-workers with violating marijuana laws, with potential penalties ranging from five years in prison to death. The defendants contend they were growing hemp, not marijuana. Both are subspecies of the cannabis plant genus. The company that operates the farm where police arrested the three last month says it had permission from the Mandalay regional government to grow hemp, which can be processed into CBD cannabidiol a nonintoxicating compound that many believe has health benefits. A sophisticated theory of how the Democrats might succeed in impeaching Trump goes something like this: Aggressively investigate the president, keeping news of his Russian perfidy in the headlines day after day. As his support erodes, welcome Republican defectors who start to signal that, yes, its okay for a party loyalist to support impeachment. Recruit more and more Republican mavericks to Team Impeachment until the Republicans who never liked Trump much in the first place decide that hes destined to lose in 2020 and tarnishing the party in the meantime. When you have a critical mass of defectors in the House, pull the trigger and impeach, trusting the Republican senators to go along out of concern for their partys reputation and for their own electoral prospects. We are stuck in a reactive game of tit for tat, warns a senior executive of a giant U.S. technology company. He says the United States must think carefully about what hybrid international order we are seeking, recognizing that it has to be one where we coexist with China as a major power. This executives concern, shared by others, is that Trump is making decisions with big, long-term consequences for short-term political reasons. With the end of the Cold War, the United States became for a time the planets dominant military power. Under the old model, it could use its far-flung bases and control of the air to strike back. In the conflicts in the Balkans and Operation Desert Storm in the 1990s, we launched overwhelming air campaigns only after, as Colby says, we were good and ready. But in recent years, while we were grinding away at small wars-without-end in Afghanistan and Iraq, Russia and China were building weapons systems that could quickly wipe out our forward bases and make the cost of counterattacking in, say, Taiwan, prohibitively high. (For instance, the Chinese have our naval and air facilities on Guam targeted with dozens, if not hundreds, of missiles, up from zero in 2003.) Both China and Russia already have, or in Chinas case, soon will have, the capacity to create a fait accompli. By making it too costly for the United States to take back Taiwan or Estonia, our rivals can go on to intimidate and coerce our allies in places such as Japan, the Philippines or Poland. Shaw was one of the three dissenters on the Florida Supreme Court. Which is to say, he voted against Gores effort to expand the recount. But what I found so admirable and important about that vote the heroism was not whom it hurt or helped. It was that Shaw, more than any other judge in Tallahassee or Washington, took a position contrary to his personal political preference. He was a liberal Democrat and an ardent opponent of the death penalty who nevertheless felt duty-bound to side with the Republican nominee who, as governor of Texas, presided over the busiest death chamber in the United States. One billboard causing controversy near the Utah border reads: Welcome to Colorado, where you can get a safe, legal abortion. I guess if youre a woman who is conflicted over her pregnancy and you drive past the sign, you might find some relief in the message. But for most other people that is, me it would surely be an unwelcome intrusion upon their meditations. Nothing like a gargantuan abortion reminder to ruin a Rocky Mountain high. Speaking of misconduct, the Trump administration is now refusing to comply with perfectly lawful subpoenas issued by duly constituted committees of the U.S. Congress. If this president is allowed to get away with such defiance, why wouldnt the next president do the same or go even further? What good is a system of checks and balances if officials decline to use the tools that the framers of the Constitution so painstakingly crafted? The College Boards decision to report adversity, however well-intentioned, should trouble anyone involved in higher education. Philosophically, is it even possible to measure the adversity encountered in ones life? Pragmatically, could such a test ever be validated? Moreover, socioeconomic status is not the only form of adversity that prepares one for leadership. The College Board should not compensate for its perceived shortcomings in measuring aptitude for college-level work by creating another flawed metric. S Lalitha By Express News Service BENGALURU: The arrival of the first Airbus A350 aircraft at the citys Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) from Singapore received a rousing welcome when it landed on Friday (May 17) night. Three Follow Me vehicles escorted the Singapore Airlines Flight SQ 502 to the airport gate after it landed at KIA at 9.50 pm. The airlines, in turn, accorded a memorable welcome to the passengers on board the inaugural service of this spacious medium-haul aircraft. Among the freebies given to passengers were a first-to-fly certificate, an A350 aircraft model, a notebook, a pen, discount coupons on all duty-free items as well as a symbolic discount of Rs 350 offered on any item purchased within the airport premises. According to David Lim, General Manager, India, Singapore Airlines, Passengers were given a specially designed Singapore Airlines luggage tag. Plaza Premium, our lounge partner, also served drinks to celebrate the occasion. Passengers were treated to lion dance performances, spot trivia and a commemorative cake-cutting ceremony led by Joey Seow, Regional Vice President, West Asia and Africa. The cost of a round trip all-inclusive fare on this non-stop flight between the two cities starts from Rs 1,25,230 on the Business Class and Rs 23,900 on the Economy class, Lim said. Singapore Airlines currently has 33 Airbus A350 aircrafts in the fleet which connect to 26 destinations in our network. It has three A350 variants which include 7 ultra-long-range aircraft, 21 long-haul aircraft and 5 medium-haul aircraft, he added. There are also delicacies in store for foodies on board. Ruchi Thali, curated by international culinary panel chef Sanjeev Kapoor, will be offered to Business Class passengers. In the years since, however, he has become an avid defender of the president. Last week, in a discussion on CNN about why Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.), once a vehement critic of Trumps, had become one of the presidents strongest supporters, Cuccinelli said that Graham is a political operator, and he adjusts as the circumstances change. Some of that is politics. Trump, he said, has been kind of a learning experience for a lot of people in the Republican Party. Prosecutors last week released versions of the documents that were less redacted than those originally filed as U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan prepared to sentence Flynn in December. They acknowledged that the conclusion of the investigation meant some information originally hidden from public view could now be revealed. They continued to shield some information, however, indicating releasing it would intrude on the privacy interests of people who have not been charged with crimes. Donaldson famously fretted in her West Wing diary is this the beginning of the end? when Trump insisted on firing Comey in May 2017 and on mentioning the president was not a subject of the Russia investigation in his public termination letter. She and McGahn both believed his mention of the Russia probe could be viewed as evidence he was engaged in obstruction of justice. She also described McGahns repeated efforts to try to protect Trump from his worst impulses and the case he was building against himself in various ways. That included when he sought to call the Justice Department himself and tried to improperly pressure Attorney General Jeff Sessions to unrecuse and resume control over the investigation. But DeStefano got off to a rocky start while in his first post running the Office of Presidential Personnel, which was seen as a chaotic operation in the early days of Trumps presidency. By all accounts, the office lagged far behind its predecessors in appointing and confirming appointees across the government. The problems with the offices performance were often attributed to the overall chaotic nature of the West Wing, but DeStefano also faced criticism for not running a smoother operation. Deutch was not in the meeting but agreed with those who made the case to Pelosi on Monday night: If the answer is, No, you cant talk to anyone, you cant have anything, were simply not going to cooperate, then at that point the only avenue that we have left is the constitutional means to enforce the separation of powers, which is a serious discussion of impeachment. The former ExxonMobil chief executive had an ignominious departure from the Trump administration after he was fired by tweet in March 2018. He and the president disagreed broadly on foreign policy and had a series of fights over personnel and policy, aides to both men said. The people of northeastern and north-central Pennsylvania have been behind you since Day One, he told Trump. And Mr. President, our support for you is as strong today as it ever was. In 2016, Pennsylvania put Donald Trump over the top. And in 2020, were going to do it again! By Express News Service BENGALURU: A 25-year-old woman filed a complaint with the Bommanahalli police against her fiance for allegedly raping her on the promise of marriage and taking Rs 3.5 lakh from her. The woman Asha (name changed), a resident of AGS Layout, works in a private firm. In her complaint on Saturday, she stated that she met her fiance Shashi (28), a private firm employee residing in Roopena Agrahara, on Facebook in 2015. They started chatting regularly and were soon in a relationship. On October 25, 2015, Shashi allegedly took Asha to his house and raped her. However, he later consoled her with promises of marriage. She agreed and their families met to finalise the wedding. The couple got engaged on August 12, 2018. According to Asha, Shashi took Rs 3.5 lakh from her over a period of time as dowry. But, six months ago he severed all ties with her saying he did not want to marry. When the police spoke to Shashis parents, they said that he has been missing for a month and they had even filed a missing persons report. An officer said, We have taken up a case of rape and cheating against Shashi. But on Capitol Hill, few Republicans are eager to punish the libertarian, who had a long history of bucking GOP leaders even before Trump was elected. Top Republican lawmakers and aides said Monday that kicking Amash out of the GOP conference or off his committee would only draw more attention to his apostasy. Instead, they have focused on isolating Amash and portraying him as an outlier. The House Freedom Caucus, a conservative group of which Amash is a member, also took a position Monday night strongly disagreeing with Amashs comments. The tech giant has an annual procurement budget of $70 billion and last week said that more than $1 out of every $7 it spends goes to equipment from U.S. companies like Intel and Qualcomm. It also buys Android operating software for its smartphones from Google, which has now said it will restrict the companys access to future updates. He and others cautioned that it is challenging to monitor trends in real time across 28 E.U. nations, each with their own campaigns, being conducted in 24 official languages. And they said Russia has proved adept at adapting tactics to keep a low profile. But they said that if there was a major Russian effort to swing the elections toward specific parties or candidates, it was being conducted in a different enough manner from past cycles that they hadnt yet spotted it. Somrita Ghosh By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The Delhi governments Slaughterhouse Monitoring Committee has found that two meat processing units were running butcher houses in violation of all norms. The irregularities to light on Thursday after a surprise inspection was carried out by the panel led by South Delhi civic body along with the NDMC, the food and safety department, the animal husbandry department and animal rights activist Gauri Maulekhi. We inspect slaughter houses every month. For May, we had selected five places, out of which two were found open. There were many lapses and a report will be submitted to the government for taking action on whether to shut them or not, said a SDMC official. According to the committee members, Sushil Ice Factory and Cold Storage and Jagdish Ice Factory did not have any of the four required licenses valid MCD licence, food processing license, APEDA license and factory establishment license. There was no record from where they were getting the meat and the processed buffalo carcasses were exported primarily to Vietnam and the Middle East, Gauri Maulekhi, a panel member, told The Morning Standard. The Committee had also found gross violation in labour norms as they found that the butchers were working in extremely hazardous and unsanitary conditions. Nine child labourers were also found allegedly working in these two houses. Maulekhi said. Offering a binding vote on a second referendum, as well as on whether Britain should remain in a temporary customs union with the E.U., represents a shift in strategy for May. She said she recognized the genuine and sincere strength of feeling on the referendum issue. But she also reiterated her long-held views that a second referendum was not her preferred way out of the Brexit impasse. Extending the Brexit debate, she said, risked opening the door to a nightmare future of permanently polarized politics. Kurz has defended his decision to form a coalition with the party, saying there were no alternatives. But his critics say he downplayed allegations that the far right with its ties to Russia has undermined Austrian security services and news media since it became part of the coalition in 2017. If one American is injured or killed by actions coming from Iran, directly or indirectly, at the direction of the Iranian government, and you dont respond, you will be up here explaining why you let those Americans get hurt and did nothing about it, he said. Were pushing back against the regime and were resetting the rules of engagement. Were letting them know that youve attacked us in the past . . . those days are over. Apart from her interest in space, Barrett has had a career spanning business, politics, education and diplomacy. She served as the U.S. ambassador to Finland under President George W. Bush and as deputy administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. According to her State Department biography, she also was chairman of the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy and a senior adviser to the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. Pinto Deepak By Express News Service HYDERABAD: Thanks to a community policing initiative by Cyberabad police and the GMR group, as many as 405 young unemployed denizens from different villages in Rangareddy district were employed recently, as security guards with the Raxa security group. The list includes around 30 women. Raxa is the security wing of the GMR group of companies. According to Shamshabad DCP N Prakash Reddy, it was Cyberabad commissioner VC Sajjanar who initially nurtured the idea of reaching out to unemployed youngsters in the rural pockets under the Commissionerate. As part of the program, hundreds of such citizens were identified and registered for the recruitment drive. We were facilitating a platform for them. Employers including the GMR group took part in the drive and selected candidates as per their requirement. If we give them an income opportunity, they will be occupied and avoid depending on vices, said the DCP. The candidates were expected to have passed the Intermediate or the SSC, as well as a physical fitness test. They were also to obtain a police clearance certificate from the police stations concerned. Selected candidates would be trained for three weeks at the GMR academy at Anantapur district in AP, after which they would be posted at different locations in and around Hyderabad, where the Raxa group operates. S Krishnaiah Goud, the recruiting officer of Raxa group, said that the response for the recruitment drive was overwhelming. As it was a police initiative, the candidates had little hesitation about the organisation or employers. The recruitment drive was conducted in the first week of May. The furor over efforts to shield Netanyahu from prosecution echoes the debate in the United States, where the question of whether a president can be indicted also has been contentious. Justice Department guidelines state that a sitting U.S. president should not be indicted; consequently, special counsel Robert S. Mueller III decided not to come to a determination on whether President Trump obstructed justice during Muellers Russia investigation. Instead, in his final report, Mueller laid out evidence on both sides of the issue. A woman on trial, charged with murdering her boyfriend, told gardai that she was acting in self defence when the knife in her hand killed him. She denied washing the knife afterwards because she knew she had murdered her boyfriend and wanted to get rid of DNA. The 48-year-old woman is on trial at the Central Criminal Court, charged with murdering the 40-year-old father of two in their Co Tipperary home. Inga Ozolina, originally from Latvia, but with an address at Old Court Church, Mountrath, Co Laois, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Audrius Pukas at The Malthouse, Roscrea, Co Tipperary, on November 20, 2016. He died at the scene from a stab wound to his chest. Detective Garda Stuart Beatty testified on Monday that he interviewed the accused a number of times in the days following his death. She said she took a knife to defend herself after her boyfriend began hitting and biting her. D Gda Beatty told Paul Murray SC, prosecuting, that he gave her the results of her boyfriends post-mortem exam in her final interview. She was told that the knife had gone into his chest to a depth of 20cm. The weight could have driven the knife, she replied. As he was pushing me down and I was holding the knife, he was twisting my arm. She was also told that the knife had penetrated his arm to a depth of 13cm. That is shocking, she said. I dont know how to explain that. Its possible he could have put the knife into himself by accident. She said she had no intention of taking the knife to cause him injury or kill him. He started the fight. I did not approach him, she said. In my opinion, he cut himself when we were struggling for the knife in the kitchen. She had already said that Mr Pukas had then gone downstairs and that she had washed the knife. The court heard last week that gardai found the knife in a kitchen drawer and that, under magnification, it showed three specks of blood matching the deceaseds. She was asked why she had washed it. I didnt think that he could have hurt himself, she replied. I was in a panic and I just decided to do some washing. I was washing dishes before the fight and I just continued washing the dishes. It was put to her that the only reason she washed the knife was because you knew you murdered Audrius and you were thinking you wanted to get get rid of DNA. No, she replied. I did not think of any wounds or anything like that while I was doing the washing. I simply decided to continue washing the dishes. She asked them to add to their notes that she was in a state of shock at the time. Were you in shock because youd just murdered you partner? she was asked. No, she replied. I was not aware that he was injured. She said she realised that he was wounded a few minutes later when she found him downstairs. D Gda Beatty said that he later charged her with assaulting Mr Pukas, causing him harm. I disagree with this charge, she replied. I did not assault this man. We did have a fight. I acted in self defence. The trial continues on Tuesday morning before Mr Justice Alexander Owens and a jury of seven men and five women. US President Donald Trump has emerged as a key player in the future of Australias small and controversial rare earths company, Lynas, adding yet another dimension to the circus around its operations and ownership. Rare earths metals have emerged as the latest salvo in the tense trade war between the global superpowers, and Lynas is the only large producer of these metals outside China - which dominates the sector. An employee at work in the Lynas processing plant in Kuantan, Malaysia. Credit:Ian Teh Thus Lynas has accidentally become enormously strategic on the world geopolitical stage - a development that no one could have predicted but one that has played perfectly into the companys hands. Rare earths are vital to the manufacturer of products such as electric cars, mobile phones and wind turbines. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: This Saturday, city-based Indian-English poet Saima Afreen launched her debut poetry collection titled Sin of Semantics at British Council Hyderabad. Andrew Fleming, the British Deputy High Commissioner, released the book. He himself is an ardent aficionado of poetry and his favourite is not any British poet but the famous American bard Maya Angelou. He quoted her while talking about the younger poet: People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. He added that Saimas book is going to inspire many as it deals with issues of inequality, gender politics, women oppression blended with symbols of mysticism and dream-like quality. Poet-scholar Rebecca Vedavathy hosted the event asking questions related to her editing process, favourite authors, Oriental symbols, legends she uses as images and how she connects with different places that shes not visited. It was interesting to hear the author reply, A travelling writer leaves behind parts of his/her being on visiting a particular place as sometimes the cities summon people for a particular task to be done and thats when you become part of that place carrying forward its stories through your words. Rebecca added that her poems are speckled with references to Russian literature, Greek myths like Icarus, Persephone and also the endless references to Middle-Eastern legends which make the poets work as urban fairy tales. This year the poet was awarded Charles Wallace India Trust Fellowship at the University of Kent, the United Kingdom. She finished the manuscript of the book while she was a Writer-in-Residence at Villa Sarkia Writers Residency, Finland during autumn 2017. She currently works for The New Indian Express, Hyderabad. Available on Amazon.in Price: `299 Publisher: Copper Coin And that could very well be where the series is going, with Game of Thrones creator George R. R. Martin and HBO revealing there are a number of sequels and a prequel in the works. While finding out what is at the edge of the map will be tantalising for fans, the prequel, starring Naomi Watts, began shooting last week so will likely come first. While we're scant on details, the story is set to be based a thousand or so years before its predecessor. HBO has teased that the show "chronicles the world's descent from the golden Age of Heroes into its darkest hour". In this spin-off, fans are expected to learn about the origins of the White Walkers as well as the Starks. Peter Dinklage in Game of Thrones. Credit:Helen Sloan/HBO Not much is known about Naomi Watts' character, other than that she is a compelling socialite with a dark secret. Other cast members include Poldark star Josh Whitehouse, Star Wars: Episode IXs Naomi Ackie, Jamie Campbell Bower from The Crimes of Grindelwald and Georgie Henley from The Chronicles of Narnia. Loading Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss are stepping aside to make way for Jane Goldman. Current Game of Thrones producer Vince Gerardis is staying put and will work alongside Bloodline producer Daniel Zelman. Like much of Game of Thrones, the prequel will be shot around Northern Irelands capital, Belfast. Martin has said that apart from the prequel that is currently in production, four other "successor shows" have been discussed. Of those, two are in the scripting stage but are "edging closer" according to a blog post from early May. "What are they about?" Martin wrote. "I cannot say. But maybe some of you should pick up a copy of Fire & Blood and come up with your own theories." Fire & Blood is one of the fantasy writer's more recent books, and chronicles the rise of the Targaryen dynasty. In other words, expect dragons. Lots and lots of dragons. George R. R. Martin's books HBO isn't exactly renowned for rushing Game of Thrones to our screens they made fans wait two long years for the final season. It is still less time than it has taken for Martin to complete the final two books in the Son of Ice and Fire series. Martin was forced to shoot down rumours he's secretly finished The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring, but has held onto them thanks to an agreement with HBO. George RR Martin is taking his time finishing the final two books. Credit:ninevms "The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring are not finished," he said. "Dream is not even begun; I am not going to start writing volume seven until I finish volume six. It seems absurd to me that I need to state this." What's next for the stars and creators Kit Harington says he wants to do something light. He's done stuff like Saturday Night Live and voiced a character in the How to Train Your Dragon sequel, so expect to see more of that type of work. If you don't want to wait for his brooding stares, you can catch him in Gunpowder on Foxtel or the Spooks film spin-off MI5 on Netflix. Emilia Clarke has possibly kept herself the busiest between Game of Thrones seasons, with a string of diverse credits to her name. This year you can see her in Above Suspicion, about the murder of an FBI agent, and later this year she stars in Last Christmas opposite Crazy Rich Asians' Henry Golding, Emma Thompson and Broadway legend Patti LuPone. Emilia Clarke's got an upcoming projects that is slightly more cheerful than razing whole cities with fire. Credit:HBO On Sunday morning, many Australians found themselves staring into their morning coffee wondering at what point the Labor Party lost the unlosable election. Betting agencies had paid in favour of a Labor win days in advance; even the Liberal leader called the election win a miracle. I am a young, female, Victorian, inner city dweller, but I made the decision to give my vote to the Liberal Party, as I have since the 2013 election, the first time I voted. However, the elation I experienced on Sunday morning over the Liberal win was short-lived. AC Griffiths voted for the Liberal Party and has no regrets. According to social media, I: am scared, uneducated, a bigot, should be ashamed, have condemned this planet to burn, pathetic, not a feminist, probably hate gays, hate minorities, and probably want to stop women having access to abortions. Wandering around the streets of Melbourne on this unseasonably warm Sunday, I felt many negative emotions but no regret about the ballot I cast. Instead, I was sad that many people saw Liberal voters as a negative influence on this country. The Trump administrations move to ban US companies from supplying their technology to Chinas telecommunications giant Huawei could be regarded as just another tactic in its trade war with China. Donald Trump is playing a dangerous game with China. Credit:AP Alternatively, it could represent the shift from a hitherto covert strategy to one that is quite overt and one with fundamental implications for the relationships between the US, China and Americas allies and trading partners. While Donald Trump has characterised his administrations imposition of tariffs on $US200 billion ($289 billion) of Chinas exports to the US, with the threat of more than $US300 billion to come, as a response to Chinas trade surpluses and unfair trade practices, the Huawei decision could reflect something more strategic and hostile. Trump sees trade largely in simplistic (and erroneous) terms that countries with trade surpluses with the US are ripping it off but there are those within his administration who seek to use the escalating trade tensions to thwart Chinas economic ambitions and its potential to challenge US economic and technological supremacy. Tehran: Iran quadrupled its uranium-enrichment production capacity amid tensions with the US over Tehran's atomic program, nuclear officials said on Monday, just after President Donald Trump and Iran's foreign minister traded threats and taunts on Twitter. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. Credit:AP Iranian officials made a point to stress that the uranium would be enriched only to the 3.67 per cent limit set under the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, making it usable for a power plant but far below what's needed for an atomic weapon. But by increasing production, Iran soon will go beyond the stockpile limitations set by the accord. Tehran has set a July 7 deadline for Europe to come up with new terms for the deal, or it will enrich closer to weapons-grade levels in a Middle East already on edge. The Trump administration has deployed bombers and an aircraft carrier to the region over still-unspecified threats from Iran. By Express News Service KOCHI: As part of the International Solar Alliance (ISA)s initiative for suitable models to promote solar energy, a delegation of 25 Ambassadors and the High Commissioners will arrive in Kochi on Wednesday. The delegation will visit Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), Nedumbassery and solar powered ferry Adithya at Vaikom, a CIAL release said. The release stated CIAL had been identified by ISA as one of the models and the proposed visit will give a fillip to CIALs effort to take its project to the next level helping it contribute globally as a consultant. The high profile delegation will reach CIAL at 10 am on Wednesday and discuss with CIAL authorities. Later they will be guided to CIALs main solar power plant for a field visit. The delegation comprises of the Ambassadors/High Commissioners from 25 African countries including Egypt, Senegal, Nigeria and Tanzania and also from countries like France, Brazil, Chile, Malaysia, Bolivia and Sri Lanka. ISA is an alliance of 74 countries initiated by India and France formed in 2015. By Express News Service The Mummy actor John Hannah, will be reuniting with his co-stars from the hit franchise once again. Corey Johnson and Oded Fehr, who had previously shared screen space with the actor in The Mummy, will be a part of a new horror film titled, Lair. According to sources, the film is based on a story of an LGBT family which faces the after-effects of a self-proclaimed occult expert Dr Steven Caramores (Corey Johnson) attempt to disprove claims of supernatural activity. The actors are expected to start shooting for the film later this year. Lair also features Katarina Cas, Julian Kostov, Alexandra Gilbreath and Jen Brister in important roles. Adam Ethan Crow is writing and directing the film which has been produced by Ditto Films. By Express News Service After a brief delay, Anson Pauls superhero-cum-family drama The Gambler has been confirmed for release this Friday. The film was initially supposed to come out on May 17. The Gambler is Oru Mexican Aparatha-fame Tom Emmattys second directorial. In a recent interview with Express, Tom told us the film offers a fresh take on the superhero genre and is not driven by excessive VFX. Thankachan Emmanuel is bankrolling the film. Dayyana Hameed, Salim Kumar, Innocent, and popular Facebook personality Vinod Narayan are also part of the cast. Anson Paul is currently in the middle of filming Jeethu Josephs Tamil film featuring Karthi and Nikhila Vimal in the lead roles. Richard Samuel By Express News Service How often do you see thirteen thousand people go crazy listening to music theyve never heard of and in a language, they don't speak? That's why the Alappuzha-based band Madras Mail is so inordinately cool. All of their songs and they have just about enough to release an EP are in Tamil. When they started, in 2015, the band caught the eye of the public by winning a band competition which got them a chance to do a music video with KM Music Conservatory since then, there's been no stopping them. With Sachin Yesudas on vocals, Durwin DSouza on lead guitar, Michael Timothy on bass guitar, Akhil Babu on the drums and Tom Verghese on keys and synth; this band also has a pretty cool origin story for how they got their name. So why do they do what they do? We decided to find out from keyboardist Tom Verghese. Excerpts: How did Madras Mail as a band begin? We've heard there's a pretty cool story to it. After completing our Engineering at different colleges in Kerala, we all planned to pursue Sound Engineering and joined Muzik Lounge School of Audio Technology in Chennai. We used to jam in our college regularly. One day, two of our professors Jithu George and Christopher Wilson along with Stephen Devassy, Sam Devassy, and Iyer Venkat encouraged us to participate in a band competition called Rangreza 2015, organised by KM Music Conservatory. We werent truly prepared for it and went there with very little expectation. To our amazement, we won first place. The prize was a sponsorship for a music video entirely produced by AR Rahman. It was at this point that we took this band seriously. We hear there's this funky story about how your name was coined. Do tell. The whole college was thinking of a nice name as we needed one to participate in the competition. We continued that planning process on our way to Chennai in a train where someone suggested Madras Mail as its the express that connects Kerala and Tamil Nadu. We finalised it as we thought the name would aptly describe the bond we share, and also felt that people can easily identify us as there is a movie in Malayalam called No.20 Madras Mail. Did you start with covers or did you jump straight to originals? Until Rangrezz, we were just performing covers. After our first song Madras Mail fared well, we began composing original songs. Everyone watched it, shared it and liked it. Right now were in the process of producing an EP with 5-6 songs. That sounds great. Tell us about some of the songs on the EP The first song will be Madras Mail. Then comes Nanban and Thathuva Kadhai which is already on YouTube. Finally, there will be two songs called Electro Paatu and Meiya? Poiya? How long have you been working on this material? A few months ago we were asked to direct music for a film called Jallikattu. We composed one song at first, but the director was so awestruck that he asked us to do three more songs. It never took off so, with that, we have 10 original songs in hand. We have also written a song called Athukum Mela. We havent released it on social media but we perform it live in our gigs. It is a very engaging song where people participate and jump around. All your songs are in Tamil. Is that a conscious choice? We also have a Malayalam folk song. So far, we have written only one Malayalam song. Though most of us are from Kerala, we only write Tamil songs. In Kerala, there are a lot of bands who specialise in Malayalam, but in Tamil Nadu, there are a limited number of Tamil bands who compose original music in Tamil. So we are looking forward to shining in this genre. Is there a particular theme that you follow when you compose your songs? To be honest, we dont even follow a particular genre. We have a mixture of every genre we listen to and thats why we call ourselves an Experimental Fusion Rock band. Different ideas from all five of us come together and there is space for everyones idea. What were the kinds of music you listened to growing up? Five of us are into five different genres. I (Tom) was born and brought up in church, so I grew up listening to and playing church music. Later, I began listening to Dream Theater, Imagine Dragons, Linkin Park and Coldplay. Durwin and Akhil are completely into Metal, Michael is into Neo Soul, RnB, Funk and Pop while Sachin is into film music, Rock, Fusion and Jazz. I believe we are unique as five genres come together and blend effortlessly to become noteworthy. Do you have any goof-up stories? Once we were having a gig in Trivandrum and we had no idea that it was a mega show. We are a Tamil band. We were in the green room and had no idea of how large the crowd was. As we walked to the stage, all of us were shocked as there were thirteen thousand people in front of us all of them were Malayalis. We were worried about the reception of the crowd and had no idea if they knew our Tamil songs. However, that day we learned that language is no barrier to good music. At a time when there are bands coming out of the woodwork, what do you think makes you stand out? Our live shows are not just songs, they're like a play. We dont play some chords and leave the place, instead, we inspire people by sharing the stories behind the song, our experiences, and some motivation thrown in. We perform and interact in such a way that the crowd will participate, get involved and go crazy. At concerts today, people come, take videos and then leave. We constantly emphasise and urge people to relish every moment by keeping their phones away. We reduce the number of songs and interact with them a lot more. I believe these are the characteristics that make us stand out. (This article was originally published on EdexLive) Prasanta Mazumdar By Express News Service GUWAHATI: The ongoing military operations in Myanmar against rebel groups from Indias Northeast, including the Yung Aung faction of National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K), have triggered outrage in Nagaland. As the Naga civilian population of Myanmar is caught in the conflict, several tribal organisations in Nagaland have appealed to Myanmar government to end the hostilities. They say the offensive is coordinated by Indian security forces. The Naga Hoho, which is Nagalands apex tribal organisation, urged Indian and Myanmar armies for immediate cessation of the military action against the Nagas. We are compelled to remind both governments that history has demonstrated that Nagas are courageous and bold enough to stand firm even in the face of overwhelming adversity. It has been also time and again proved that the Naga issue could not be tackled militarily since it is a political issue, the Naga Hoho said in a statement. It warned that the military action has the potential to result in a widespread Naga uprising, a conflagration which should be avoided. The Nagas, irrespective of border or factions, will not be mute spectators when their rights are so mindlessly trampled upon and will collectively do everything in their power to protect our land and the lives of our own blood, the organisation warned. It urged the United Nations and the Myanmar government to take measures to broker peace through dialogues. Another group, Forum for Naga Reconciliation, said it was disturbed with the situation of armed confrontation which resulted in the suffering of innocent civilians and destruction of property in Naga villages in Naga Self-Administered Zone. It insisted that the armed confrontation and alleged torture, harassment of people and destruction of property in civilian-inhabited areas must be avoided and that Myanmar Army and NSCN-K work to honour the regional-level ceasefire that was signed in April 2012. Condemning the operations, the NSCNs Isak-Muivah faction, called NSCN-IM, said there should be a better way to handle the issue. The chaotic situation, thus created by the blatant offensive of the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Army), has destabilized the livelihood of Naga villagers as the Naga people are made to bear the brunt of the Tatmadaw onslaught the outfit, which is spearheading the Naga peace talks with the Centre, said. By UNI KOLKATA: The results of West Bengal Madhyamik examinations which ended on February 22 last, was declared on Tuesday ( May 21), according to the board officials. The total pass percentage of West Bengal Class X is 86.07%. As per the announcement by the Board, Sougata Das of Mohammadpur Deshpran Vidyapith topped the examination by scoring 694 out of 700. The report could be seen at www.wbbse.org, www.wb.allresults.nic.in , www.examresults.net, www.exametc.com, www.indiaresult.com, and www.result.shiksha, the official websites, from 1000 hours onward. West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE), president Kalyanmoy Ganguly told a press meet here that this year pass percentage was the highest in madhyamik examination in recent times. Asked if results in other class 10 board examinations prompted the Madhyamik high scores as the topper got 694, the second 691 and the third and four ranked received 689 and 687 marks respectively, Ganguly said "we are not influenced by evaluation of other boards. We are following our own yardsticks. These students deservedly got such marks." Purba Midnapore district registered the highest pass percentage of 96.01 per cent among the districts. (With PTI inputs) By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Ahead of May 23 verdict, BJP chief Amit Shah will host a dinner for NDA allies on Tuesday. It will be preceded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting his ministerial colleagues at the party headquarters. Buoyed by the exit polls predicting Modi will comfortably get a second term in office, Shah has invited all NDA allies for a meeting followed by dinner. Modi will participate in that meeting as well. Leaders of alliance partners are expected to reach the national capital by Tuesday morning. Shah has already stated that the NDA would form the government even if the BJP on its own gets a majority in the Lok Sabha. The Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) is likely to join the government in the event of a positive May 23 verdict. The JD(U) wasnt part of the outgoing Modi government. Nitishs party contested from 17 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE From Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and a few senior leaders of the AIADMK and leaders of all other NDA partners in the state will participate. The BJP chief, sources said, isnt reaching out to any political party outside the NDA. The prime minister will essentially thank members of the council of ministers for works done as a team in the last five years, said a senior BJP functionary. Meanwhile, officials have also begun preparations for the swearing in of the new government. The Election Commission will submit the list of elected members of Lok Sabha by May 25 to President Ram Nath Kovind. Around the same time, the incumbent government will call the last Cabinet meeting and adopt two proposals to dissolve the 16th Lok Sabha and summon a two-day session of the 17th Lok Sabha for swearing in of the new members, said a senior official. Ready for floor test: Kamal Nath Hours after the BJP in Madhya Pradesh asked the Congress government to prove its majority and wrote to the state governor for convening a special Assembly session to discuss farm loan waiver, CM Kamal Nath said Monday he was ready for the floor test. The BJPs strategy is to force the House to vote on the issue since Kamal Nath has a wafer-thin majority. He will lose legitimacy if he loses the vote. The BJP is already itching for power, buoyed as it is from the exit poll results The Vietnamese PM and his entourage were welcomed at the airport by the Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Konstantin Vnukov, the deputy governor of St Petersburg, the Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Ngo Duc Manh and many Russian and Vietnamese officials. PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the Pulkovo 1 Airport in Saint Petersburg (Photo: VNA) St Petersburg is the first stop during PM Nguyen Xuan Phucs trip to Russia. During the stay in the second biggest city of Russia, he is scheduled to meet with leaders of St Petersburg. PM Nguyen Xuan Phucs visit to Russia from May 20th-23rd takes place in the context that both nations will organise the Vietnam Year in Russia and the Russia Year in Vietnam in 2019 and 2020 to mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of the treaty on basic principles for the bilateral relations (1994-2019) and the 70th anniversary of the diplomatic relations (1950-2020). It also demonstrates that Vietnam treasures the relations of traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia, as well as aims to strengthen the all-round cooperation, especially in economy, trade and investment. Russia is one of the first nations to recognise and establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam on January 30th, 1950, which has laid the foundation for the close friendship and comprehensive ties between the two countries. Following efforts to develop the bilateral relations in the 1990s, the countries set up their strategic partnership in 2001, and upgraded the ties to the comprehensive strategic partnership in 2012./. By IANS HYDERABAD: Taking centre stage in national politics, TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu has been holding series of meeting with leaders of various parties to forge a non-BJP coalition at the Centre and all his efforts appear to be aimed at making himself relevant in Delhi. He held talks with leaders that included United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia, Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on Saturday and Sunday. He also flew to Lucknow to meet Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati and her alliance partner Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav. Back in Delhi on Sunday, he briefed Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi on the meetings with BSP-SP leaders. Naidu also called on Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) head Sharad Yadav, Communist Party of India (CPI) leader S. Sudhakar Reddy, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechuri and many others. ALSO READ: Chandrababu calls on Mamata, discusses formation of non-BJP government in case of hung verdict Even Sunday's exit polls, which predicted a second term for BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre, could not deter Naidu from embarking on another round of meetings. Rubbishing the predictions and exuding confidence of his Telugu Desam Party (TDP) retaining power in Andhra Pradesh and non-BJP parties coming to power at the Centre, he left for Kolkata to meet West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee to discuss the post-poll strategy. From Kolkata, he arrived in Delhi, where he is expected to hold talks with more leaders over the next two days. "I will continue my efforts till May 23," declared Naidu. Since the time he pulled out of the BJP-led NDA last year over the issue of special category status to Andhra Pradesh, Naidu has held talks with various non-BJP parties in order to bring them together in an coalition headed by the Congress. His efforts hit a pause when parties like the BSP, SP, TMC and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) decided not to have pre-poll alliance with Congress. However, Naidu was back in action as soon as the Lok Sabha polls ended. Though facing a tough challenge at home from his main rival the YSR Congress Party, the 69-year-old remains confident about his poll prospects. And instead of just confining himself to state politics, he is trying to play a key role at the Centre. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE TDP leader Khambampati Rammohan Rao believes it is Naidu's urge to serve the nation that gives him the confidence to pursue his efforts. "He is doing all this in national interest. The need of the hour is to bring a change at the Centre," Rao told IANS. Rao pointed out that Naidu earlier proved his skills as a national leader in 1996-1998, when he cobbled up the United Front (UF), a coalition of 13 parties which then ruled at the Centre. As the convenor of the UF, Naidu played a key role in making H.D. Deve Gowda and later I.K. Gujral the prime ministers. The TDP leader also recalled how Naidu played a vital role in the candidature of A.P. Abdul Kalam as the President of India in 2002. Expressing confidence in Naidu's skills, he said: "We feel he will bring many parties on the anti-NDA platform." Political analyst Palwai Raghavendra Reddy, however, felt that Naidu was putting in all the hard work only to stay relevant in the national politics. "Whether Naidu wins or loses elections in his state, his next destination is Delhi. He has to be relevant in national politics irrespective of the result in Andhra Pradesh," Reddy told IANS. According to the analyst, if Naidu loses the polls in Andhra Pradesh, he may not sit as leader of the opposition in the Assembly, where Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is sitting as the chief minister. "In such a scenario, Naidu may make his son Lokesh or some other TDP leader the leader of opposition and do his politics from Delhi," said Reddy. He said that even if Naidu retained power in Andhra Pradesh, he needed support from whoever came to power at the Centre. "The state will need all the support from Delhi to implement his poll promises and execute ongoing projects like Polavaram and construction of state capital," the analyst said. He believes if the NDA falls short of numbers, Naidu may even extend support to it. "If Modi forms the government again at the Centre and Naidu retains power in Andhra, the latter may join hands with the NDA even if it needs no support because he needs handholding by Delhi to run the state," Reddy said. GREENWICH The towns Board of Estimate and Taxation has placed the final cap on the 2019-20 municipal budget for Greenwich by approving a 2.75 percent increase in the mill rate on Monday evening. Last week, the Representative Town Meeting approved a $444.1 million budget for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1. The mill rate is used to calculate taxes on property and motor vehicles. But first, the BET reduced the original proposal of 11.708 mills to 11.682 mills. The vote to make the reduction went along party lines. Calling it a small benefit for taxpayers, BET Democrats voted in favor of the cut and calculated that it will mean about $810,000 less will come in for total tax revenue. But BET Republicans voted against it, saying the cut was not good fiscal planning with uncertainty and big expenses possibly looming in the future. BET member Jeff Ramer said the reduction could be made because the towns fund balance, which is essentially the towns financial reserves, is above the towns usual level. He also cited the work of Tax Collector Howard Richman in collecting back taxes owed to the town. As of Friday, a total of $2,731,638.04 in delinquent taxes have been collected, and Ramer said the money to cover the mill rate reduction could be taken from there. Theres sound reason for not applying all of that serendipity, but I do want to apply a small part of it in reduction of the mill rate, Ramer said. This returns to the taxpayers a small portion of this recovery, which otherwise would have been added to our fund balance, which is at this point is a little higher than our policy. Others agreed. Were talking about $800,000 and our budget is $444 million, said BET member Leslie Moriarty, chair of the Budget Committee. It is not a significant amount to us. It does impact homeowners and it does make this board identify its commitment to continuing to look at how we can reduce the cost of government going forward while still trying to meet expectations. Its a balancing act that we have to work with every year. To me, this is being responsive to new information we have with cash in hand, she said. But the approval for the motion was only among the Democrats. The 6-6 split on the reduction came down to BET Chair Jill Oberlanders tie-breaking vote. This really brings no benefit to taxpayers, BET member Michael Mason said, calculating it would save only $36 per tax bill. With the budget already within BET guidelines, he said the cut could send a signal to town departments that they dont have to follow the guidelines because there could be last-minute change. He cited reductions by the Board of Education in teacher training to get within the guidelines as an example. We know that we will be spending more than is available in our risk fund within the next year, probably sooner rather than later, said Mason, a Republican candidate for first selectman. His concerns were echoed by BET member Debra Hess, who cited possible new expenses for Greenwich coming from Hartford, such as shared payments for teacher pensions, as a reason for fiscal prudence. Would we like to have a lower mill rate to pass on? Absolutely but we need to be prudent here, Hess said. This feels arbitrary to me. BET member Leslie Tarkington, who voted against the mill rate reduction, worried that the town was double-counting that $2.7 million because some of that money had already been expected to be collected in the 2018 and 2019 tax bills. She said she was not comfortable with the mill rate reduction because of it. Richman that that of the 52 delinquent tax payments that had been collected, 29 were from balances two years or less. Breaking down that number further, Richman said 20 were between a half-year and one year, and nine were from the last year-and-a-half to two years. Oberlander said the 29 payments totaled about $1.1 million, which still left $1.6 million, an amount that more than covered the $810,000. Town Comptroller Peter Mynarski said the town faced challenges ahead for the 2020-21 budget including not appropriating enough to cover The Nathaniel Witherells operating budget shortfalls. He said more than $2 million more would likely be needed. Mynarski praised Richman for doing a great job in tax collection but said that collecting it now could create a future shortfall. And Mynarski said the town could also face more increases in health care costs, which he said could be as much as $5 million in next years budget. And there could be another spike in the towns pension contribution due to poor performance in the towns retirement fund, he said. However, Mynarski acknowledged there was a surplus in the general fund, and the money Richman was collecting from delinquent taxpayers will add to it. It was not mentioned during the debate, but this is an election year and Democrats will be defending their majority on the BET. In the 2017 election, Democrats captured control of the BET for the first time in Greenwichs recorded history. Ultimately, after a partisan split on the motion to reduce the mill rate, it was passed. Then there was bipartisan support for it with nine BET members from both parties voting for the final number and three Republicans Mason, Tarkington and Karen Fassuliotis abstaining. Last fiscal year, the BET voted to approve a mill rate with no increase, keeping it at the 11.369 mills rate that was initially set for the 2017-18 fiscal year. At that time, it was the BET Republicans who attempted to tap into fund balance to lower the mill rate to 11.276 mills. The Democrats objected, though, and the mill rate held steady with no reduction last year. The 2019-20 municipal budget includes funds to develop plans for a new Eastern Greenwich Civic Center and a new municipal ice rink in Byram. There is also money to replace the bleachers and make other improvements at Greenwich High Schools Cardinal Stadium. But $100,000 was slashed from the budget that had been proposed for finding a site for a new combined fire and Greenwich Emergency Medical Service station for northwest Greenwich. The budget does include $75,000 for an independent study of fire coverage throughout the town; the results of that study could lead the way for further work on the new station within the 2019-20 fiscal year. kborsuk@greenwichtime.com By PTI NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force has transferred the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) of Srinagar base as a court of inquiry steps up probe into the crash of a Mi-17 helicopter in Budgam due to suspected friendly fire on February 27 -- the day Indian and Pakistani air forces were engaged in a fierce dogfight, official sources said Tuesday. They said officials responsible for the crash will face sever punishment as per provisions of the military law. The senior-most official of the Srinagar base was removed to ensure impartial probe into the crash, the sources said. The helicopter crashed in Budgam on February 27 when Indian and Pakistani fighter jets were engaged in an aerial combat, a day after India's airstrike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp in Pakistan's Balakot. ALSO READ: IAF officer to face culpable homicide charge for accidentally shooting down Mi-17 chopper The Pakistani Air Force had unsuccessfully attempted to target various Indian military installations in Kashmir on February 27. Sources said the CoI was also specifically focusing on examining role of various people including those controlling the air defence system when the helicopter was hit by a surface-to-air missile. They said the IAF will initiate action based on the report of the CoI which could include charging the guilty with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The sources said the CoI was also examining whether the Identification of Friend or Foe (IFF) system onboard the helicopter was switched off. The IFF helps air defence radars to identify whether an aircraft or helicopter is friendly or hostile. A Virginia man who weighs more than 900 pounds (410 kilograms) pleaded guilty in a federal cocaine conspiracy case Tuesday during a hearing that was held in a courthouse loading dock as the defendant lay on a stretcher inside an ambulance. U.S. Magistrate Judge David Novak said the court engaged in "some extraordinary procedures" Tuesday to deal with Kenneth Hicks' health issues and to "protect his dignity." Hicks, 48, stayed inside the ambulance and wasn't visible to several of his family members and reporters who attended the hearing. He was visible to Novak and a prosecutor who sat at a table near the back of the ambulance. The hearing was postponed last week when Hicks was brought to a hospital for an unspecified health issue after he was taken from his home. Hicks, who lives in Emporia, was indicted along with 17 other people in a conspiracy to sell cocaine between 2013 and 2017. He had his initial court appearance in March via video teleconference and was allowed to remain on bond in his home pending trial. Because of various health issues, including his morbid obesity, Hicks through his lawyer asked for help in being brought to the courthouse for his plea hearing. Court documents in the case described Hicks as being confined to his bed and unable to dress himself or be dressed by others. Novak approved a plan submitted by Hicks' defense lawyer and prosecutors to allow the U.S. Marshals Service, the FBI and first responders to remove him from his home, either by placing him on a gurney and moving him through a doorway or by cutting open a large hole in a wall of his home in order to use a device capable of lifting his weight. Officials did not disclose how he was moved. His plea hearing was originally scheduled for May 13. That hearing was postponed when he was taken to a Richmond hospital. During the rescheduled hearing held on Tuesday, Hicks told Novak that he has been transferred to another hospital, is being given insulin and is being treated for several health issues. Hicks faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years. Novak scheduled his sentencing hearing for Sept. 4. By PTI NEW DELHI: Joining the ongoing controversy over EVMs, former President Pranab Mukherjee Tuesday expressed concern over the alleged tampering of voters' verdict saying the onus of ensuring institutional integrity lies with the Election Commission, which should put all speculation to rest. He also said there can be no room for speculation that challenge the very basis of Indian democracy. READ MORE | Pranab Mukherjee hails EC, says Lok Sabha elections 2019 were conducted 'perfectly' "I am concerned at reports of alleged tampering of voters' verdict. The safety and security of EVMs which are in the custody of ECI is the responsibility of the Commission," he said in a statement posted on his Twitter handle. People's mandate is sacrosanct and has to be above any iota of reasonable doubt, he said. "The onus of ensuring institutional integrity in this case lies with the Election Commission of India. They must do so and put all speculation to rest," he said. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE Mukherjee said as a firm believer in the country's institutions, it is his considered opinion that it is the 'workmen' who decide how the institutional 'tools' perform. Protests broke out in some parts of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday after videos of alleged movement and tampering of EVMs went viral on social media, a charge dismissed by the EC as "frivolous" and "unfounded". The Congress said the EC should take immediate and effective steps to address the complaints of movement of EVMs from strongrooms from various parts of the country. Top opposition leaders, who met here on Tuesday, also decided to move the EC to press for their demand of tallying the paper trail of votes (VVPATs) with the EVM figures. By ANI NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday ordered re-polling at a booth in Kolkata's Uttar parliamentary constituency. ECI declared void the poll held on May 19 at polling station number 200 of the Kolkata's Uttar parliamentary constituency. The re-polling will be conducted on Wednesday, May 22 from 7 am to 6 pm. BJP's Rahul Sinha, TMC's Sudip Bandyopadhyay and CPI(M)'s Kaninika Bose Ghosh are in the fray from Kolkata Uttar constituency. Earlier on Monday, a BJP delegation led by Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Railway minister Piyush Goyal approached the EC and urged it to conduct re-polling in the constituencies where violence had taken place during all the phases of the Lok Sabha polls. The delegation had also requested the EC to withdraw false cases made against BJP leaders in West Bengal. Large scale violence was reported from different parliamentary constituencies across West Bengal in all the seventh phase of the general elections with Trinamool Congress (TMC) and BJP blaming each other for the violence. By PTI NEW DELHI: A campaign to protect "highly endangered" animals -Tiger, Pangolin and Star Tortoise- hunted for illegal trading internationally, has been launched by the Ministry of Environment at major airports in the country. The campaign 'Not all animals migrate by choice' has been launched ahead of the International Day of Biological Diversity, to be celebrated on May 22, by C K Mishra, Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests and actor and United Nations Environment Goodwill Ambassador Dia Mirza here. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), UN Environment and GMR Group are also part of the campaign. "Conservation is innate to India's ethos. While wildlife faces threat across the globe and India's flora and fauna's demand continues in illegal global markets, in keeping with our stringent provisions for protection of wildlife under the Wild life (Protection) Act, 1972, efforts towards creating awareness among public at large would go a long way to help protect our wildlife," said Mishra. "In the first phase of the campaign, Tiger, Pangolin, Star Tortoise and Tokay Gecko have been chosen as they are highly endangered due to illegal trading in International markets. "Tiger is traded for its skin, bones and body parts; Pangolin, the most illegally traded wild mammal on the planet is trafficked for its meat and its scales are used in traditional medicines; Star Tortoise for meat and pet trade and Tokay Gecko in traditional medicine mostly into South East Asia and particularly Chinese Markets. Phase two will see more threatened species and explore other routes of trafficking," said an official statement from the ministry. The campaign aims at creating awareness and garnering public support for the protection and conservation of wildlife, prevention of smuggling and reduction in demand for wildlife products, said the official. "There is an urgent need for awareness, action and stringent enforcement of laws to put an end to all illegal wildlife trade threatening biodiversity and conservation in the wild. This campaign is an important step forward in creating much-needed awareness on wildlife trafficking which threatens the very survival of these species," said Atul Bagai, Head, UN Environment India. Speaking at the launch, WCCB Additional Director Tilotama Verma said the awareness campaign at airports is a step towards reaching out to public regarding smuggling of India's fauna. "A huge global demand for our flora and fauna is a major cause for illegal wildlife trade by ruthless cross border smugglers. WCCB stands committed to fight this organized crime but it is crucial to work together across various government and non-government organizations, private sector and civil society to save wildlife. Our awareness campaign at Airports is a step towards reaching out to the public," Verma said. The ministry's statement said some of the major wildlife species and their body parts being smuggled through airports are star tortoises, live birds, tiger and leopard body parts, pangolin and their scales, ivory, rhino horns, sea shells, sea-horse, sea-cucumber, red sanders, deer antlers, mongoose hairs, reptile skins, live snakes, lizards, corals, orchids, medicinal plants, and Shahtoosh shawls. In collaboration with the Airports Authority of India and GMR Group, the campaign will travel across 22 airports across India over the next year. Both WCCB and UN Environment initiated a comprehensive approach with focus on awareness building of various stakeholders towards the issue of prevention of illegal trade and smuggling of wildlife and wildlife products through exit points. The awareness campaign is expected to complement the efforts of the Govt Agencies. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau is a statutory multi-disciplinary body established by the Government of India under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, to combat organized wildlife crime in the country. By IANS NEW DELHI: As door 1 with Pakistan proxies supported by local hawks Hurriyat closes, door 2 with Islamic Caliphate written on it opens in what is a brutal cage match which has more or less eviscerated the lives of the Kashmiris in the Valley. Door 2 is only slightly ajar, but it is being kicked open by the powerful imagery of the Pulwama bombing by a local youth Adil Ahmad Dar. Dar has emerged as the latest poster child in the long line of local militants and ideologues beginning with Afzal Guru, Burhan Wani and then Zakir Musa. All young militants born out of the 'azadi' generation, birthed by the social media redefinition of freedom. Political Islam morphing itself into a puritanical strain of religious Islam. The Indian deep state is concerned about the rise of indigenous militancy following the beliefs of IS, something that was stamped out by J&K super cop and former IGP S.M. Sahai, Kashmir Range, in the past. As communities worldwide close themselves and become more insular, shutting the door to the interloper who is seen as an Islamist jihadi, the clash of civilisations is now a grim reality. It could be Islam versus Christianity or Islam versus Hinduism or even pure Islam versus impure Islam playing out in different parts of the world. What this shut down and battening down of hatches does is that people within those walls become impervious to intel. Access gets more difficult as walls emerge from within the closed user group. The world then is divided between the believers and the non-believers. Kashmir, the epicentre of Pakistan's Bleed India to Death stratagem, remains a hot button as far as Indian intelligence and security mainframe is concerned. ALSO READ: How India buried the domestic terror time capsule Fear stalks one and all after the Sri Lanka bombings. The Islamist fundamentalist has TAKFIR ingrained in his psyche which asks him to target the apostate. So, there are three degrees of separation in TAKFIR, for it targets allegedly 'impure' Muslims too. Ergo, the targets could be Ahmediyas, Shias and Sufis which is how the sequencing around the world has been. The Hefazat-e-Islam in Bangladesh, for instance, targeted Ahmediyas to draw attention to itself. The Shapla Square protests or Motijheel massacre in May 2013 also called Operation Shapla or Operation Flash Out were part of this process. Hefazat-e-Islam, an Islamist pressure group, organised a mass demonstration in Dhaka's financial district demanding the enactment of the blasphemy law to stop Islamophobic content in media. As a deterrent, the government used the Rapid Action Battalion and Border Guard to quell the protesters. This resulted in protests across the country in which estimates are of any number between 20 and 61 people died. In Kashmir Valley, Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Wani in his first video in August 2015 vowed to establish the Caliphate, urging the youth to take up arms in south Kashmir. The six-minute video was a seminal moment for it was circulated via mobile messenger and other social media networks. The video showed Wani in an orchard with an assault rifle and a copy of the Holy Koran with two militants standing guard by his side. The emergence of this terror neophyte stunned the security apparatus for it went beyond the pale of merely espousing anti-India rhetoric to a broader pan Islamist agenda of establishing the Caliphate in the Valley. ALSO READ: The missing pieces of Kerala and Bangladesh This was followed by his deputy Zakir Musa openly distancing himself from the Hurriyat and challenging them. The underpinning of Ansar Ghazwa e Hind was visible for the first time. In May 2017, Musa called for chopping off the heads of those standing in the way of Sharia roll out in Kashmir. He also parted ways with Hizbul and spoke of action against those propounding a secular state, read Hurriyat. Husain Haqqani has explained this phenomenon succinctly in 'Prophecy and Jihad in the Indian Subcontinent' -- Radical Islamists invoke the Hadith (the oral traditions attributed to the Prophet Muhammad) to prophesize a great battle in India between true believers and unbelievers before the end-times. These references in the Hadith to the Ghazwa-e-Hind (Battle of India) infuse South Asia with importance as a battleground in the efforts to create an Islamic Caliphate resembling the social order that existed at the time of the Prophet Muhammad and the Rightly Guided Caliphs (632-661 AD)... Just as the prophecies of Khurasan became popular during the wars in Afghanistan, the Ghazwa-e-Hind divinations became a staple of the Islamist discourse after the launch of jihad in Indian-controlled parts of Kashmir in 1989. Throughout the 1990s, Pakistani official media also encouraged discussion of the Ghazwa-e-Hind Hadith to motivate jihadists. In fact, every major Pakistan-based jihadi group that launched terrorist attacks across the border claimed that their operations were part of the Battle for India promised by the Prophet. For these Pakistani groups, supported by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency, the target of jihad should be the modern state of India and its "occupation" of Kashmir. ALSO READ: How south India became terror central For example, Lashkar-e-Taiba has often spoken of Ghazwa-e-Hind as a means of liberating Kashmir from Indian control. The group's founder, Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, has declared repeatedly that "[i]f freedom is not given to the Kashmiris, then we will occupy the whole of India including Kashmir. We will launch the Ghazwa-e-Hind. Our homework is complete to get Kashmir." Pakistani propagandist Zaid Hamid has also repeatedly invoked Ghazwa-e-Hind as a battle against Hindu India led from Muslim Pakistan. According to Hamid, "Allah has destined the people of Pakistan" with victory and "Allah is the aid and helper of Pakistan." Several Islamic scholars, especially from India, have questioned the veracity of the Ghazwa-e-Hind Hadith and reject its repeated contemporary citation as "Pakistani terrorists' anti-India propaganda." According to Maulana Waris Mazhari of the Darul Uloom Deoband seminary in Uttar Pradesh, India, the conflict between India and Pakistan over Kashmir was not jihad; the dream of establishing "Muslim hegemony throughout the entire world" was fanciful. "The term Ghalba-e Islam, the establishment of the supremacy of Islam, used in the context of the Quran and the sayings of the Prophet (Hadith), refers not to any political project of Muslim domination," Mazhari wrote, "but, rather, to the establishment of the superiority of Islam's ideological and spiritual message." The evolution from Kashmiri nationalism to Islamic Caliphate has been a calibrated move. Exterminating the non-believer or the impure Muslim was the strategy. The defining moment is the assassination of Maulana Shaukat Ahmed in 2011. Maulana Shaukat Ahmed, the soft-spoken 55-year-old chief of the Jamiat-e-Ahli-Hadees (JAH), became yet another victim of terrorist violence in strife-torn Kashmir Valley. The Maulana had been heading the JAH since 2004, when he was first elected President of the organisation, followed by three more tenures in this responsible position. His last election came in 2010. The Jamiat-e-Ahli-Hadees grew under his leadership and had about 15 lakh followers and more than 800 mosques spread across the valley. The cleric was a man of conviction who did not hesitate in speaking his mind. His organisation advocated a puritanical concept of Islam which is at variance with the more moderate Sufi Islam that is predominant in the valley. The ritualistic practitioner of Islam began to think in terms of a loose mirror image of the Muslim Brotherhood in Kashmir. The most recent unsettling news came earlier this month -- On May 10 the Amaq news agency of ISIS claimed that the group has established the 'Wilayah of Hind'. Amaq, however, did not elaborate on the geographical limits of the so-called province. Interestingly, the proclamation coincided with the elimination of Ishfaq Ahmad Sofi, a suspected operative of ISIS in India, by the security forces in an encounter in Shopian in south Kashmir on the same day. Uddipan Mukherjee, PhD, Joint Director, Government of India, Ministry of Defence at Ordnance Factory Board writing for IDSA explained the new phenomenon -- It is interesting to note that, in the context of the ISIS's recent proclamation on Kashmir, analysts were also of the opinion that global jihadist groups have failed to exploit the Kashmir conflict, unlike conflicts in Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq. The fundamental reason, as put forward by Mohammed Sinan Siyech, in a paper in Counter Terrorist Trends and Analyses published in May 2018 was that the Kashmir issue is primarily a territorial and political dispute as opposed to a purely religious/Islamist conflict. Furthermore, cross-border terrorist groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad are in opposition to the concept of a pan-global Islamic Caliphate. Consequently, ISIS has failed to establish its footprints in the Kashmir Valley. However, recent events are worrisome for the Indian defence establishment. (To be concluded) BERLIN - German authorities on Tuesday handed over to Israel 5,000 documents kept by a confidant of Franz Kafka, a trove whose plight could have been plucked from one of the author's surreal stories. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 21/5/2019 (951 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Israel's ambassador in Germany, Jeremy Issacharoff, holds documents prior to a handing over ceremony at the embassy of Israel in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, May 21, 2019. German authorities are handing over to Israel some 5,000 documents kept by a confidant of Franz Kafka, a trove whose plight could have been plucked from one of the author's surreal stories. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn) BERLIN - German authorities on Tuesday handed over to Israel 5,000 documents kept by a confidant of Franz Kafka, a trove whose plight could have been plucked from one of the author's surreal stories. The papers returned include a postcard from Kafka from 1910 and personal documents kept by Max Brod, which experts say provide a window into Europe's literary and cultural scene in the early 20th century. They are among some 40,000 documents, including manuscripts, correspondence, notebooks and other writings that once belonged to Brod, which are being brought together again in Israel's National Library. They had ended up in bank vaults in Switzerland and Tel Aviv, a Tel Aviv apartment and in a storage facility in Wiesbaden, Germany, where police found them tucked among forged Russian avant-garde artworks. "I think he (Kafka) would really be amused," said National Library archivist and humanities collection curator Stefan Litt, who helped identify the papers recovered in Germany. "He couldn't invent by himself a better plot." The documents recovered in Wiesbaden have little to do with Kafka himself, but make the Brod collection complete and shine a light on Brod and his circle, which included Kafka and other writers, Litt said. "This is an important chapter in Max Brod's estate," Litt said. "And it's always good for researchers to have as complete a picture as possible." Kafka, a Bohemian Jew from Prague who lived for a while in Berlin, was close friends with Brod, himself an accomplished writer. Shortly before his untimely death at 40 of tuberculosis in 1924, Kafka bequeathed his writings to Brod, reportedly telling him to burn them all unread. Instead, Brod published much of the collection, including the novels "The Trial," The Castle," and "Amerika," helping to posthumously establish Kafka as one of the great authors of the 20th century. He also brought "Kafkaesque" into the English language to describe a situation evoking a bizarre, illogical or nightmarish situation like the ones Kafka wrote about. After the Nazis occupied the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia in 1938, Brod fled to escape persecution with the entire collection to what was then British-ruled Palestine. When Brod died, he left his personal secretary Esther Hoffe in charge of his literary estate and instructed her to transfer the Kafka papers to an academic institution. Instead, she kept the documents for the next four decades and sold some, like the original manuscript of Kafka's "The Trial," which fetched $1.8 million at auction in 1988. She kept some of the items in a bank vault in Tel Aviv, some in Switzerland, and others at her apartment in Tel Aviv. When she died in 2008, the collection went to her two daughters, who fought to keep it but eventually lost a battle in Israel's Supreme Court in 2016. The court sided with the country's National Library, whose lawyers had argued the Kafka papers were "cultural assets" that belonged to the Jewish people. Both daughters have now died, and the documents stored in Israel have already been transferred to the National Library's care. The documents held in Switzerland should be on their way soon after the National Library won a court case in Zurich last month, which upheld the Israeli verdict and ordered that several safe deposit boxes be opened and their contents shipped to the institution in Jerusalem. But that left the documents in Germany, which had been stolen from Hoffe's apartment about a decade ago. 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. They ended up with an Israeli dealer, who tried in 2013 to sell them to the German Literature Archive in Marbach the same institution that bought "The Trial" manuscript at auction in 1988. The German archive instead reported the offer to Israel's National Library, which then got authorities involved, Litt said. The documents resurfaced at the Wiesbaden storage facility of an international forgery ring that produced and sold millions of euros (dollars) worth of forged paintings, which was taken down by German authorities that same year, Litt said. Since then, they have been stored by German authorities as Litt and others sought to confirm their provenance. Those being returned include correspondence between Brod and his wife, and even some of his notebooks from high school, Litt said. "There's no doubt these materials were part of his papers," he said. The manuscript of "The Trial," however, was properly purchased by the German Literature Archive in the 1988 Sotheby's auction, and the National Library has no claim on it, he said. "We're happy it's in safe hands," Litt said. Melody Johnson had been told on three different occasions in her life she had multiple sclerosis. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 21/5/2019 (951 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Melody Johnson had been told on three different occasions in her life she had multiple sclerosis. But it wasnt until her late 40s that she was officially diagnosed and began receiving treatment. SUPPLIED Cara Hope-Lizotte had symptoms related to multiple sclerosis for many years before being officially diagnosed with the disease. "Id been living with it for most of my life, not realizing it, thinking I was clumsy and that I got tired easily," she says. "So I had the symptoms, but never realized they were related to MS." First diagnosed at age 12 in the 1960s, after experiencing a brief flare-up in which she was unable to walk, she continued on with her life as if nothing was wrong. For the most part, she experienced no further issues, leading Johnson, her parents and family doctor to forget about that first diagnosis. Then in the 1980s, another family physician suggested Johnson might have it after her feet went numb for a few days. "But I just totally ignored that, and so it wasnt until 2003 that I finally saw neurologist, who formally diagnosed me," says the retired Winnipeg grandmother, now 64. At that point, Johnson had been suffering from vertigo intense dizziness to the point where she couldnt walk, sit or even lie down without feeling extremely nauseous. Dizziness and numbness may be symptoms commonly experienced by the approximately 77,000 Canadians with the neurological disease, in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin sheath that insulates nerve tissue, in turn affecting the ability of the nerves to carry signals. Yet few people would recognize these problems as symptoms of MS. Although the chronic illness has a high profile in Canada most people know someone who has it many of us are less familiar with its effects. Of course, most Canadians recognize MS can lead to being temporarily or even permanently wheelchair-bound. But the disease causes several other problems too, often invisible to those without it. These include fatigue, dizziness, depression and anxiety. All of which occur somewhat under the surface, though are no less impactful. And its this particular point the MS Society of Canada has sought to bring to the publics attention during MS Awareness Month, with its campaign #MyInvisibleMS. "This speaks to situations where individuals have felt judged if they take a seat on the bus designated for disabled individuals, or request accommodations at work for fatigue," says Darell Hominuk with the Manitoba division of the MS Society. JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES MS Clinic director Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie. These are "invisible symptoms" that have very profound impacts on the lives of people with the disease, he adds. Whats more is the unseen effects can be so non-specific in nature even family physicians may at first not recognize them as signs of MS. While the medical community has become more aware of all symptoms, long delays in diagnosis do occur even today, says Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie, director of the MS Clinic at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg. "Were still really learning about these prodromes," she says, referring to the non-specific symptoms. "The prodromal period is like a warning leading up to disease, so people with migraines, for example, in the 24-hour period leading up to a headache may have changes in mood or appetite, or people with Parkinsons can lose their sense of smell years before experiencing its more typical symptoms." With MS, dizziness and fatigue may indicate early flare-ups. But the challenge for physicians is they must eliminate other, more common causes before considering MS. "We dont want everyone who thinks theyre more tired than usual to assume they have a serious, chronic disease," says Marrie, one of the worlds leading experts on MS. "It may be you are not getting enough sleep or... you might have anemia." An MRI scan is often needed to provide an official diagnosis of MS. As such, physicians want to eliminate other potential causes before sending a patient for this in-demand diagnostic test, she adds. Certainly early detection can be beneficial because patients can begin drug therapies sooner, often reducing incidence and severity of symptoms, as well as further damage to the nervous system. "Our challenge is these therapies are all about prevention, not about repair, so thats one of the key reasons why we aim for people who are appropriate candidates for therapies to start them sooner rather than later," she says. Despite the potential benefits of early diagnosis, a 2017 study co-authored by Marrie found many MS patients can experience prodromal symptoms months or even years before diagnosis. "The paper identifies there is often a rise in health-care access before the first distinct MS symptom occurs," she says, adding a distinct symptom might include partial vision loss. Cara Hope-Lizotte is among those who had non-specific symptoms for years before being diagnosed. She first experienced a bout of prolonged dizziness in 2012. "I went to the walk-in and the doctor sent me home, saying I probably had an ear infection," says 34-year-old, who works for the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba. "And it went away about four days later, so I didnt think much of it." Then, following hip surgery in 2015, Hope-Lizotte lost sensation from her hips to her toes. At first, physicians assumed it might be related to the surgery. But the numbness persisted. And so did Hope-Lizotte in pursuit of its cause. After several blood tests and repeated visits to the doctors office, her orthopedic surgeon sent her for an MRI scan, which revealed lesions on her brain and spine, hallmarks of the damage caused by MS. That led her to the MS Clinic for official confirmation. "To be totally honest, I was more relieved than devastated because I had been really angry and frustrated not knowing what was going on." Hope-Lizotte has since become a vocal advocate for MS treatment, particularly regarding the diseases invisible challenges. And she urges people experiencing similar problems to be tenacious in having their family doctor get to the root cause. "Thats why documenting your symptoms is so important. Writing down the days they happen; what happens and how long they last," Hope-Lizotte says. 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. Having this information can prove critical in assisting health-care providers to determine their cause, she adds. Johnson was similarly relieved after receiving her diagnosis. Whats more, she notes it actually had an unexpectedly positive effect. "This may sound strange, but MS has been a blessing because its taught me to take life a little bit easier," says Johnson, adding she had been a workaholic entrepreneur prior to her official diagnosis. "So its really taught me to slow down and enjoy life more." joelschles@gmail.com TORONTO - Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains unveiled a wide review of federal privacy laws Tuesday in what he said was an effort to build trust in a digital world. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 21/5/2019 (951 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. TORONTO - Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains unveiled a wide review of federal privacy laws Tuesday in what he said was an effort to build trust in a digital world. Bains announced the review as part of a 10-point digital charter that he said is necessary in a rapidly evolving society and economy that's increasingly data-reliant. "We need to get serious about rebuilding trust because people are currently losing it," he said at an Empire Club of Canada event in Toronto. "In the 21st century, either we build that trust and compete in the data-driven digital economy, or we don't compete at all." Bains committed to a review of the federal privacy law for private-sector organizations, known as PIPEDA, as well as the Privacy Act, which applies to federal government institutions. He promised more stringent enforcement mechanisms against companies that violate the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. He said the government has also written to the Competition Bureau to ensure the agency, an autonomous part of his department, has the tools to promote competition, including room for small and medium businesses to compete. Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, speaks to media following a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Bains says the federal government will look to update the Privacy Act as part of an effort to build greater trust in the digital world. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick A background briefing by officials at the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development said changes to PIPEDA aren't expected until after the federal election in October. Similarly, an analysis of on the Privacy Act by the Justice Department and Treasury Board isn't expected to be done until after the election. Bains said he also plans a review the Statistics Act so citizens have faith in the agency's data collection, and it will launch a new Data Governance Standardization Collaborative to manage data governance standards in the country. Statistics Canada was forced in November to put on hold a controversial plan to sample banking information from 500,000 Canadians through data obtained from major financial institutions, pending a review by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner. 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. Bains said the Liberal government which emphasized an innovation agenda before and after the 2015 election will look to collaborate with businesses as it updates policies. "Governments can't do this alone, we need businesses, we must work together...that's the only way we'll build trust in our digital institutions." The move was welcomed by the Council of Canadian Innovators, a business group that says it represents over 100 of the country's fastest-growing technology companies. "Canadian innovators have long called on the federal government to develop a national strategy that recognizes data as the most valuable asset in today's economy," said executive director Benjamin Bergen in a statement. "While our members are pleased to see the government is concerned with issues posed by data-driven economy, more work is needed to ensure data collection, use, monetization and data flows serve the interest of Canada's economy." Prime Minister Justin Trudeau first announced the digital charter last week, emphasizing the need to combat hate speech, misinformation and online electoral interference. WINNIPEG - A woman says jealousy was a problem in a house several women shared with a man who is accused of killing one of them. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 21/5/2019 (951 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. WINNIPEG - A woman says jealousy was a problem in a house several women shared with a man who is accused of killing one of them. "Five women all vying for the attention of one man, obviously, there would be jealousy issues," Holley Sullivan told the jury at the first-degree murder trial of Perez Cleveland on Tuesday. Perez Cleveland is seen in this undated police handout photo. A woman says there was a strange dynamic in a house five women shared with a man accused of killing one of them. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Winnipeg Police Service *MANDATORY CREDIT* Cleveland, 46, has pleaded not guilty in the death of 42-year-old Jennifer Barrett, whose body was found in a barrel behind their Winnipeg home in 2016. Court has heard that Cleveland shared the house with his adult daughter and five women who were described by one of them as "sister wives." Last week, Sullivan, 30, told court she started a relationship with Cleveland in 2010 and experienced years of horrific abuse. Court heard that Cleveland, his daughter, Sullivan, Barrett, and another woman moved to Winnipeg in 2014. Soon after, Sullivan was jailed for a credit-card scam. By the time she was released in 2016, two more women had joined the group, including Jessica Reid, 36, who testified about similar abuse in the home. Sullivan testified that Cleveland had an "uncanny knack of making them think the abuse he inflicted on them was their fault." The defence has argued that Reid was jealous of Barrett. Defence lawyer Steve Brennan asked Sullivan whether she'd seen violence between the two women and Sullivan said no. "I would say that Jessica was jealous of everyone," she said. Sullivan is currently serving time after pleading guilty for her role in hiding Barrett's body in the barrel. Reid is also charged with being an accessory after the fact, but her case has not yet gone to trial. The defence also pointed to the different scams Sullivan took part in, including credit-card skimming, puppy sales and ripping off landlords. Sullivan said it was all to support Cleveland because he had complete control over her. "Every penny I made for the seven years I was with that man went to him," she said. Sullivan testified that in August 2016 Cleveland punished Barrett over several days in the basement of their house because he believed she was cheating on him. Sullivan told the jury she researched liquid cremations online when Cleveland asked her and Reid to dispose of Barrett's body. The two women placed the body in a barrel with a mix of drain cleaner and water. They heated it up with a blowtorch to speed up decomposition. "There was no discussion about blaming this all on Perez if you got caught?" Brennan asked. "No," Sullivan responded. 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. Brennan asked why the abuse and the death were never reported to police. He questioned why Sullivan initially lied to officers and said Barrett had left the city to visit family in Ontario. She was trying to protect Cleveland, Sullivan responded, and she was afraid of what he would do. "You were also interested in protecting Holley Sullivan, weren't you?" Brennan said. Sullivan continued to have a relationship with Cleveland for a few months after Barrett's death before she fled to a women's shelter and then to Alberta. When asked by defence why she finally left, Sullivan said that Cleveland had also threatened to kill her. "It was either I left, or I was going to end up like Ms. Barrett." SACRAMENTO, Calif. - California sued Tuesday to block the Trump administration from cancelling nearly $1 billion for the state's high-speed rail project, escalating the state's feud with the federal government. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 21/5/2019 (951 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. FILE - This Dec. 6, 2017, file photo shows one of the elevated sections of the high-speed rail under construction in Fresno, Calif. California has sued to block the Trump administration from cancelling nearly $1 billion for the state's high-speed rail project. The lawsuit filed Tuesday, May 21, 2019 comes after the administration revoked the funding last week. Gov. Gavin Newsom has called the move illegal and says it's political retribution for California's resistance to President Donald Trump's immigration policies. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File) SACRAMENTO, Calif. - California sued Tuesday to block the Trump administration from cancelling nearly $1 billion for the state's high-speed rail project, escalating the state's feud with the federal government. The Federal Railroad Administration announced last week it would not give California the money awarded by Congress nearly a decade ago, arguing that the state has not made enough progress on the project. The state must complete construction on a segment of track in the Central Valley agricultural heartland by 2022 to keep the money, and the administration has argued the state cannot meet that deadline. That line of track would be the first built on what the state hopes will eventually become a 520-mile (837-kilometre) line between San Francisco and Los Angeles. But Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom says the move is retribution for California's criticism of President Donald Trump's immigration policies. "The decision was precipitated by President Trump's overt hostility to California, its challenge to his border wall initiatives, and what he called the "green disaster" high-speed rail project," the state said in the lawsuit. Daniel Curtin, left, a member of the California- High Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors, talks with Thomas Richards, vice chairman of the board of directors, following a board meeting Tuesday, May 21, 2019, in Sacramento, Calif. California has sued to block the Trump Administration from cancelling nearly $1 billion for the state's high-speed rail project. The lawsuit field Tuesday May 21, 2019 comes after the administration revoked the funding last week. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) California was not expected to tap the $929 million the Trump administration has revoked until 2021. If the lawsuit is not resolved before then, the election could put Democrats in the White House and Congress who may be friendlier to the project. The lawsuit faulted the Trump administration for halting co-operation with the state on granting environmental clearances for the project. It said terminating the funding would "wreak significant economic damage on the Central Valley and the state." Newsom told reporters the administration is "after us in every way, shape or form." But he expressed confidence the state will win in court. "Principles and values tend to win out over short-term tweets," Newsom said. The lawsuit highlighted a series of tweets Trump sent about the project, including one that said California's rail project would be far more expensive than Trump's proposed border wall. That tweet came a day after California led 15 states in suing over Trump's plans to fund the border wall, and hours before the administration first threatened to revoke the rail funding. The Federal Railroad Administration did not immediately respond to an email message seeking comment about California's lawsuit. California has worked for more than a decade on the project to bring high-speed rail service between Los Angeles and San Francisco, but the project has been plagued by delays and cost overruns. It's now projected to cost around $77 billion and be finished by 2033. The state has already spent $2.5 billion in federal funding, and the Trump administration is exploring whether it can try to get that money back. 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 lawsuit also asks the court to block the administration from awarding the money to any other project. The lawsuit was filed in the Northern District of California. The dispute over the funding was partly driven by Newsom's remarks in February that the project faced challenges and needed to shift focus. Rail officials had been planning to connect the line under construction in the Central Valley to Silicon Valley, but Newsom has proposed extending the line further north and south into the valley before heading west. The California High-Speed Rail Authority presented a plan in early May that showed it would cost $18.3 billion to get trains up and running between Bakersfield and Merced by 2028. The board overseeing the project voted Tuesday to further study whether it makes sense financially and otherwise to run early train service on that line. Tom Richards, the vice chairman, noted the board has not yet formally approved the new approach. "The board has not been asked for, nor has the board given, any interim service direction to (the project's) management," he said. pranab mondal By Express News Service KOLKATA: Dismissing the exit poll predictions, the Trinamool said on Monday that its internal reports from districts and from every constituency said the party would win the Lok Sabha elections comfortably. Trinamool general secretary Partha Chatterjee said the party was not worried about the exit poll projections and would win again. However, a district level Trinamool leader said, We dont know whether these exit poll predictions will match with the actual results. But, there has been an undercurrent against us this time. Now everything will be clear only on May 23. A buoyant state BJP president Dilip Ghosh said: Trinamool has lost the battle and Mamata should stop dreaming of becoming next PM. He claimed he was already receiving calls from opposition leaders. Though they havent yet expressed the desire to join the BJPanyone can guess the reason for making such calls, he said. Political analysts observed that if the trends of the exit poll are true, Trinamools hegemony in Bengal is now under question. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE The BJP has made heavy inroads in Mamatas bastion and is ready for another and more challenging battle two years from now, when the state will head for Assembly polls.In BJPs ascendance, they see a parallel to Trinamools own rise ten years ago when, in alliance with the Congress, it breached the Left bastion. The Left started losing ground since 2009 because of hooliganism by its activists. This support base joined the Trinamool later as they found it a better forum to continue their activities. Mamata never tried to curb their wrongdoings, said Swapan Pramanik, a retired professor of sociology. BJP supporters caught in post-poll violence More than a dozen people have been injured in sporadic incidents of post-poll violence in south Bengal since Sunday night. Houses were ransacked, bombs hurled and families were driven out of their homes after the central police forces personnel left. Alleged Trinamool supporters stormed a BJP workers house in Dum Dum and assaulted his father. An effort by Osborne Village residents to stop two projects they consider to be precedent-setting and incompatible came up short at city hall. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 21/5/2019 (951 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. An effort by Osborne Village residents to stop two projects they consider to be precedent-setting and incompatible came up short at city hall. On May 7, the city centre community committee approved the subdivision, rezoning and variance applications for two properties to be developed by the same applicant. The applications for 327 and 339 Wardlaw Ave. were approved to allow the development of a four-storey, 30-unit rental complex on the site. The two mid-block lots, a combined 12,016 square feet, were rezoned from residential multi-family medium to residential multi-family large. Both lots currently have single-family dwellings on-site. The committee also approved applications for 530 River Ave., at the corner of Nassau Street, to build a four-storey multi-family complex with 20 units. The property was rezoned from residential two-family to residential multi-family large. The duplex on site will be demolished. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The committee also approved plans to demolish 530 River Ave. to make way for a four-storey complex with 20 units. Under the Osborne Village Neighbourhood Plan, a secondary planning document adopted in 2007 to guide development in the area, the properties fall within the Village Medium Density Residential Area. Elaine Henderson, a member of the Osborne Village West committee, said the communitys interpretation of the plan, through past consultation and correspondence with the citys planning department, was that development in the Village Medium Density Residential Area would not exceed the residential multi-family medium zoning. Henderson said the city planning departments interpretation of the Osborne Village Neighbourhood Plan contrasts that of the residents. "It does not uphold the communitys expectation of the plan or of the city," Henderson said. The Osborne Village West committee also argued that by approving the rezoning and increased density, the city is opening the door for developers to continue high-density development in areas where it wasnt intended. "Like a chain of dominoes, street after street of Village Medium Density Residential properties and Village Mixed Use Transition properties could be rezoned to high-density, as developers use each new high-density site to justify rezoning of the next adjacent property," said Judith Lehn, a member of the residents committee. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Residents objected to the size of the proposed developments on Wardlaw and River avenues. "Our concerns are not unfounded, as our community has already seen this pattern starting to develop around River Avenue and Nassau Street." City officials said they do not believe the proposed developments to be precedent-setting, nor do they believe the proposed density is contrary to the neighbourhood plan. 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. Speaking at the public hearing on 530 River Ave., former city planning director Harry Finnigan said community participation is written into the Osborne Village Neighbourhood Plan, and without that component, an incomplete application was before the committee. "This is not an option to consult with the community, it is a requirement. Any future applications you receive, you should be able to expect there is some consultation happening," said Finnigan, who lives near the River Avenue development. Danny Serhal of Affinity Architecture, on behalf of the applicant, said they did not hold independent community consultation with neighbours, but relied on the neighbourhood plan to inform their designs. Serhal said a comprehensive exchange with city planners resulted in the design of two buildings that respect the streetscape, increase density and have parking hidden away. He also said the level of density in a new build is directly related to the affordability of the suites. Coun. Sherri Rollins (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry) said she is encouraged by the socioeconomic diversity of households in Osborne Village, which additional density allows. Canstar News The federal government has committed $3.9 billion to increase the competitiveness of the dairy industries across the country and Manitobas Bothwell Cheese is the latest recipient of that support. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 21/5/2019 (951 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The federal government has committed $3.9 billion to increase the competitiveness of the dairy industries across the country and Manitobas Bothwell Cheese is the latest recipient of that support. The award-winning Manitoba cheese producer has received a $1.132-million grant from the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, funded 60-40 between the federal and provincial governments, to enhance sales and marketing efforts and upgrade waste-water treatment facilities. With tariffs coming down on imported cheeses from Europe and greater access to the Canadian market for U.S. dairy producers looming, the $14-billion Canadian dairy industry is about to face greater competition. Since acquiring Bothwell Cheese in 2014, Kevin Thomson, the owner of Paradise Island Foods in Nanaimo, B.C., has invested about $8 million in the processing operation in New Bothwell, Man. Thomson said the government grant is exciting for the company and will spur on an additional $3-million investment by ownership. Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler said the provinces goal is to retain and grow world-class food enterprises in Manitoba "to meet growing demand for protein-rich foods while fostering job creation within the agriculture sector." The new capital injection is going to mean the creation of an additional 20 jobs on top of the current 135 at the companys production plant in New Bothwell and likely another 30 after the project is completed. Bothwell Cheese is the largest independent cheese company in the country. Among other things, the implementation of CETA (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement) with the European Union means more European cheese is allowed into the Canadian market tariff-free. As well, when the renegotiated NAFTA is enacted, it will also give U.S. dairy producers greater access to Canadian markets. With CETA now one year old, Thomson said there is already evidence of more competition in the deli sections of Canadian supermarkets. "We are getting squeezed," Thomson said. "We are definitely seeing a lot more European cheese coming in." Miriam Sweetnam, a member of the board of directors of Dairy Farmers of Manitoba and a producer near Winkler, said the support for a company like Bothwell is good news for all dairy producers in the province. "Yes we do feel it (the impact of new European imports)," she said. "But of course, we have to keep going forward. Just because access has been given (to international exporters) doesnt mean we dont produce quality milk. We will still uphold our standards." Financial support from governments for successful companies like Bothwell Cheese is sometimes frowned upon by some referring to it as corporate welfare. Dan Vandal, Liberal MP for St. Boniface-St. Vital, whose riding Bothwell Cheese has a retail location in, said the federal and provincial governments are glad to team up to help a growing industry. 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 money were investing is matched many times over by private sector investment in modernizing a local company, creating jobs making their business more (environmentally) sustainable by using less water," he said. "These are the sorts of investment that makes sense for Canadians." Eichler agreed, saying, "We look at return on investment, that is critical. Its taxpayers money. We want to make sure theres a return on our investment. Were very pleased with this one." Bothwell has doubled its capacity in the past five years and is now available in stores across the country. In addition to investing in new waste-water systems, the company will use part of the new government funding to develop new varieties and initiate some international sales of its own. The company is looking to increase export sales by $24 million in the next three years. Bothwell now makes 25 different varieties of premium cheese and uses only Manitoba-produced milk and, unlike many cheese producers, uses no milk ingredients like protein concentrates or whole milk powder. It consistently wins awards in international cheese competitions like the British Empire Cheese Show and the American Cheese Society competition. Since being acquired by Paradise Island in 2014, Bothwell has increased production dramatically. Paradise is a cheese-packaging operation that services mostly the B.C. market, effectively re-packaging Bothwell product. martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca The United States is delaying some restrictions on U.S. technology sales to Chinese tech powerhouse Huawei in what it calls an effort to ease the blow on Huawei smartphone owners and smaller U.S. telecoms providers that rely on its networking equipment. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 21/5/2019 (951 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Abraham Liu, Chief Representative of Huawei to the European Institutions speaks during a DigitALL lunch talk in Brussels, Tuesday, May 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo) The United States is delaying some restrictions on U.S. technology sales to Chinese tech powerhouse Huawei in what it calls an effort to ease the blow on Huawei smartphone owners and smaller U.S. telecoms providers that rely on its networking equipment. The Trump administration insists the sanctions are unrelated to its escalating trade war with China, and many analysts see it as aimed at pressuring U.S. allies in Europe to accede to Washington's entreaties to exclude Huawei equipment from their next-generation wireless networks, known as 5G. The U.S. government on Monday amended last week's order restricting all technology sales to Huawei, the world's biggest maker of mobile network gear and the No. 2 smartphone brand. It granted a temporary, 90-day exemption, but only for existing hardware and software. It also said that grace period could be renewed. Shares in tech companies rose Tuesday after some news organizations erroneously reported that the amended order amounted to a blanket reprieve for Huawei. "It's just housekeeping. It's not a capitulation. It's a very pragmatic solution to avoid unintended consequences to third parties," said Kevin Wolf, who oversaw a related case involving China's No. 2 telecoms supplier ZTE as assistant secretary of commerce for export administration under President Barack Obama. The U.S. claims Huawei is a cybersecurity risk and has targeted it against the backdrop of a wider battle with China over economic and technological pre-eminence that has included tariffs on billions worth of trade and limits on business. U.S. officials say Huawei is legally beholden to China's repressive rulers but have provided no evidence that it has intentionally allowed its equipment to be used for espionage. Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei sought to put a brave face on the situation, saying Tuesday that the company has "supply backups" if it loses access to American components. Huawei Technologies Ltd. relies on Google's Android operating system and U.S. components suppliers for its smartphones. "I should say this impact will be very big, but Google is an extremely good company," Ren Zhengfei told Chinese reporters. "We are discussing emergency relief measures," he added, without giving details. Industry analysts say Huawei might struggle to compete if it cannot line up replacements for Google services that run afoul of the U.S. curbs. Google says its basic services still will work on existing Huawei smartphones. However, the company would be barred from transferring hardware or software directly to Huawei. That would affect maps or other services that require the American company's support. In Brussels, a senior Huawei European representative lashed out at the U.S. sanctions. "This is dangerous. Now it is happening to Huawei. Tomorrow it can happen to any other international company," Abraham Liu, Huawei chief representative to the European Union's institutions, told reporters. China's government repeated its promise to defend Chinese companies abroad but gave no details of what Beijing might do. The 90-day grace period announced Monday by Washington exempts from U.S. licensing requirements any technology needed to maintain and support existing networking equipment and smartphones. It also authorizes U.S. providers to alert Huawei to security vulnerabilities and engage the Chinese company in research on standards for next-generation 5G wireless networks. "This license will allow operations to continue for existing Huawei mobile phone users and rural broadband networks," Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said in a statement. But still in place are requirements that government licenses be obtained for any sales to Huawei unrelated to existing equipment. The Commerce Department said the grace period would allow rural U.S. telecom operators that depend on Huawei equipment for "critical services" time to make other arrangements. Companies that supply software such as Google for Huawei's Android smartphones can continue to provide updates. Britain's cybersecurity agency issued guidance saying the temporary reprieve means "people should be able to update their handsets as normal." In a report, the global risk assessment firm Eurasia Group said that if the sanction process helps persuade European network carriers to also shun Huawei equipment, a full ban on purchases of U.S. technology products and services could be avoided. The move to delay the restrictions on Huawei may follow a familiar script with the Trump administration, which in its attempt to change the U.S.'s trade relations with major economies like China and Europe has often announced restrictions or tariffs only to delay their implementation. That increases pressure on the other side but also gives them an incentive to negotiate. It hasn't always worked. The U.S. has announced new tariffs on European and Chinese goods several times, only to see them retaliate with tariffs on U.S. goods. That has raised the stakes in the trade wars, hurting global commerce and economic growth. As China looks to respond to President Donald Trump's move against Huawei, Apple makes a prominent potential target for retaliation. Apple is Huawei's main American rival in smartphones and its iPhones are assembled in China. The country is also Apple's No. 2 market after the United States. Attacking Apple might be politically awkward for Chinese leaders who have accused Washington of mistreating Huawei. Business groups say Chinese officials are trying to reassure American companies they are welcome despite the tariffs war. 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. But regulators have an array of tools including tax and safety inspections that can hamper a company with no official acknowledgement it is targeted. Huawei's U.S. sales collapsed in 2012 after a congressional panel told phone carriers to avoid the company and its smaller Chinese competitor, ZTE Corp., as security threats. Despite that, Huawei's sales elsewhere have grown rapidly. The company reported earlier its global sales rose 19.5% last year over 2017 to 721.2 billion ($105.2 billion). Huawei smartphone shipments rose 50 per cent over a year earlier in the first three months of 2019 to 59.1 million, while the global industry's total fell 6.6%, according to IDC. Shipments by Samsung and No. 3 Apple declined. ___ McDonald reported from Beijing and Bajak from Boston. AP researcher Shanshan Wang in Beijing and AP writers Lorne Cook in Brussels contributed to this story. A four-year-old boy drowned at St. Theresa Point First Nation over the holiday weekend, RCMP said Tuesday. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 21/5/2019 (951 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A four-year-old boy drowned at St. Theresa Point First Nation over the holiday weekend, RCMP said Tuesday. Community members from the Oji-Cree First Nation located 470 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg began a ground search after the child was declared missing early Sunday evening. The search kept going long after dark, until searchers located the child on the shores of a bay in the north end of the community. The boy was taken to the local nursing station, where attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful, RCMP said, adding officers were called in about 12:30 a.m. Monday. An autopsy subsequently confirmed the child died from drowning. RCMP did not identify the child by name, but said police continue to investigate the death. St. Theresa Point Chief David McDougall asked for people's prayers Tuesday. The child had been attending a holiday family gathering that included extended relatives at the time he went missing, but it seems his absence wasn't immediately noticed. "As in any family get-together, many children are present and somehow his absence was noticed later in the day... At which time, everyone got involved to search for the child; eventually leading to the discovery on the shoreline," the chief said in an email. The death has hit the Manitoba First Nation of 2,800 people hard, he indicated. "The community is reeling from this tragedy. It has affected the whole community, the extended family, the school teaching staff and students, Jordan's Principle workers and CFS," the chief wrote, including First Nation Safety Officers, who are the local constables and the emergency response crew. "And at the core of this tragic event is the family and extended family," McDougall wrote. 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 chief did not disclose details of the involvement of Child and Family Services nor Jordan's Principle workers. Jordan's Principle workers are assigned to provide support to families who care for children with special needs, either physical and or developmental challenges, who require extra resources and services. The community is one of a group of four closely-knit First Nations, three of which, including St. Theresa Point, are located on the shores of Island Lake. The bay where searchers found the child's body along the shoreline, about 11:30 p.m. Sunday, is part of that lake. "At this time, as the matter is still being investigated, (First Nation officials) cannot make further statements," the chief wrote. "We thank people for their kind thoughts and prayers." alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 21/5/2019 (951 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion Yan Jiang wants people to live long, healthy, happy lives. Jiang is the co-founder of the Winnipeg Chinese Senior Association, an organization that offers public seminars and fitness classes aimed at promoting health and wellness among seniors. Its rewarding volunteer work, according to Jiang. "Each time we host an event, (attendees) have very positive feedback," the 55-year-old Bridgwater resident says. "It makes me happy." Born and raised in Shenyang, China, Jiang immigrated to Canada with her family in 2000 so that her husband, Xiaofeng Guan, could pursue his research in oral pathology. Jiang was a nurse and administrator in Shenyang, but became a homemaker when the family arrived in Winnipeg. Jiang enjoys keeping busy serving as the associations president because she has free time now that her two sons are grown up. "Im a people person and I was an administrator back home," she says. "I feel I can donate some of my time and my knowledge to work with (seniors)." With Jiangs help, the association developed "Learning Your Health," a series of free seminars open to the public. There have been nine seminars since early 2017, addressing topics like mental health, cardiovascular diseases, sleep, dementia and liver health. More than 1,000 people have attended the seminars, which are held at the Winnipeg Chinese Cultural and Community Centre downtown. The association runs several clubs and classes. These include a Ping-Pong club, a tai chi exercise club, aerobics and fitness classes, drawing classes, as well as a group that gets together to play cards. Jiang is involved leading tai chi, aerobics and Ping-Pong. In addition to publicizing the groups offerings online, Jiang promotes them via WeChat, a free messaging app that is especially popular in China. She maintains two WeChat groups that include a combined 800 people, the majority of whom are Chinese immigrants. Occasionally, her sons help out with the events she organizes. Her eldest son, Tony Guan, praises his mothers commitment to giving back. "Shes definitely someone whos always on the go," Guan says. "She cant sit still." He adds that his mother is passionate about bringing people from Winnipegs Chinese community together, whether its seniors at health seminars and fitness classes or people of all ages at events like a recent Mothers Day lunch she helped organize. "Shes definitely a great leader." Last year, Jiang was recognized with an award from Mayor Brian Bowman, and last month, she received the Premiers Volunteer Service Award at Volunteer Manitobas 36th annual awards banquet. "It is an honour for sure, but I feel I need to do more for the community," Jiang says. 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. She hopes the recognition gets the word out about the association so that more seniors whether they are Chinese or not attend the seminars and classes. Anyone interested can find information at winnipegchineseseniors.ca. They can also contact Jiang on WeChat, where her username is yjg1964. "If people want to join us, they are welcome," Jiang says. "I want everybody to be happy and healthier." If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com. Its been about five years since Arlene Last-Kolbs son died of a fentanyl overdose and she began lobbying for improvements to addiction services. This article was published 21/5/2019 (951 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Its been about five years since Arlene Last-Kolbs son died of a fentanyl overdose and she began lobbying for improvements to addiction services. She laments how it often feels like a solo fight. "We pay taxes. My son paid taxes. Our government works for us. Our premier works for us," Last-Kolb said. "So why do I feel like Im working for him? Why do I feel like Im doing somebody elses job?" Last week marked the one-year anniversary of the release of the Virgo report, which is a blueprint to improve and intertwine Manitobas mental health and addictions systems. The 279-page report, delivered by a Toronto consulting team co-led by Dr. Brian Rush, was distributed on May 14, 2018. 'How many times do we have to say "immediate help" over and over and over again' Arlene LastKolb Last-Kolb was one of about 350 stakeholders who were consulted. She and other critics are frustrated by the pace of progress. "How many times do we have to say immediate help over and over and over again?" Last-Kolb said. In an email, the province said that so far, it has acted on 26 of the reports 125 recommendations. The Virgo report doesnt include timelines for when each of the recommendations should be followed. Rushs team described 15 short-term priorities, including enhanced capacity for services outside Winnipeg and supports tailored for new immigrants and refugees. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Carrying an armful of documents she is handing over to the NDP the Official Opposition, Arlene Last-Kolb has been working with Overdose Manitoba to petition the provincial government to take action on the addictions crises. The Winnipeg mother said that during consultations for the report, meth consumption wasnt the all-hands-on-deck issue it is now. Much of the reports contents relate to opioids, which dominated discussions about addiction almost exclusively a few years ago. Manitobas Advocate for Children and Youth, Daphne Penrose, has repeatedly called for more mental health and addiction services for young people, many of whom are addicted to meth. The Virgo report recommended "giving immediate funding priority to the expansion of services for children and youth... for people with (substance use addictions), eating disorders, and those who have experienced severe trauma." 'I know (Virgo) is a big report. I understand that. But we need a plan for kids and we need to get moving on that plan' Manitoba's Advocate for Children and Youth, Daphne Penrose Last September, Penrose put out a three-page statement of concern about the provinces slow response. "I could republish this statement today," she said Friday. The advocates office has also published four special reports in the last year, three of which focused on the deaths of children: Circling Star, Angel and Tina Fontaine. All three children struggled with substance use during their young lives, as do many more youth who visit the advocates office every day, she said. Penrose expects to publish her first audit of the October report on Circling Star by the end of the month. One of her recommendations therein was for the government to fully implement Virgo. The advocate said she is optimistic about the provinces response; it has set up a committee of deputy ministers to deal directly with her recommendations. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Arlene Last-Kolb (centre) and Rebecca Rummery, co-founder of Overdose Manitoba, discuss Last-Kolb's petition with NDP MLA Nahanni Fontaine. "We have gotten the first set of recommendations back and the response plans to the recommendations. And some really thoughtful and meaningful work has gone into some of those responses," Penrose said. "Where I continue to have questions is around the addictions piece and the mental health piece." "I know (Virgo) is a big report. I understand that," she added. "But we need a plan for kids and we need to get moving on that plan. Because every day that passes, there are kids out using and struggling with their addictions and they need help." Health Minister Cameron Friesen was not made available for an interview to discuss progress on the report. He answered two questions about it on Wednesday. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Last-Kolb (right) shows NDP MLA Nahanni Fontaine (left) her armful of documents she is handing over to the NDP as the Official Opposition. Arlene has been working with Overdose Manitoba to petition the provincial government to take action on the addictions crises. "The challenge that that report pointed out was that we had very good practitioners and clinicians and people working in mental health and addictions in this province, but working in sub-optimal areas because the system was not well-aligned," Friesen said. "Manitobans recognize that solving that and responding to over 100 recommendations is going to take time. Nevertheless this government continues to show progress (with) meaningful investments that have been made in just the last year that respond directly to that report." The investments include opening five Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine clinics; doubling the number of treatment beds for women at the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, to 24; adding six in-patient mental health beds at Health Sciences Centre; and enhancing access to medications such as naltrexone, which helps manage alcohol or opioid dependency. JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Daphne Penrose, the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth, said progress on implementing badly needed addictions services is not evident. Last-Kolb said local access to medically assisted detox facilities is urgently needed. She helped create a petition, which was circulated by Overdose Awareness Manitoba, that will be presented at the legislature by the NDP this week. About 5,000 Manitobans have signed it so far. 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 huge, urgent issue we have to confront is meth use. Most of what the governments pointing to in that (Virgo) document has to do with opioids. So theyre missing the mark," NDP Leader Wab Kinew said. "Its not that opioids arent important, of course they are. We have to address those. But theres this huge vacuum in terms of responding in a real way to the meth crisis." It was the first time Last-Kolb had put together a petition, and it was the first time in a very long while that she felt hopeful, she said. "Nobodys listening to sad stories anymore. I am not telling my sad story anymore," she said. "Im talking about moving forward. Im talking about change." jessica.botelho@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @_jessbu Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 21/5/2019 (951 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion Federal politics is transfixed by apparent managerial indiscretion yet again. SNC-Lavalin whose officials have been found guilty of corruption in the past faces criminal prosecution with consequences that could cripple it if found guilty. The company would face a ban on federal contracts for years, and such a ban could be honoured by municipalities and provinces as well. The firm is already shut out of World Bank tenders due to a graft-tainted bridge contract it completed in Bangladesh. Construction can be an ethical quagmire in North America. For generations, bid-rigging and kickbacks have been a risk when projects are put out to tender. The larger the project and the more government is involved, the likelier the temptations to cheat in the name of profit. Since cost overruns are all too common, the opportunity to hide illicit payments is very real. Even in our law-abiding, transparent country, graft happens. So, it should come as no surprise that in countries where the rule of law is weak, greedy officials are brazen and theres little or no transparency, many deals are rife with corruption. Transparency International compiles an index that ranks nations according to their degree of corruption. Its a good, if inexact, guide to how hard a company doing business in a nation has to work to maintain ethical standards. Similarly, in its ease-of-doing-business rankings, the World Bank includes corruption in its calculations. Companies, therefore, can be forewarned before attempting to do business in these hazardous realms. Some of the riskier countries are relatively modern and advanced, such as South Africa, Turkey and Mexico. Sometimes relatively poor ones are comparatively honest, such as Bhutan and Botswana. However, in general, the richer the nation and the more democratic it is, the less likely it is to have endemic or severe corruption. Companies that must have a physical presence in a country are more likely fall to victim to graft-seekers, or to themselves take advantage of vulnerable local officials. So mining, oil and gas, construction and engineering firms are more likely to get into trouble. Companies are usually aware of these risks, as are astute investors. And in many countries, its not entirely possible to invest or operate without giving out some money. But if payments become too large, too obvious, too unjustifiable, too frequent or even seemingly eternal, then the companys investment returns plummet and legal risks escalate. 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 wasnt inevitable that SNC-Lavalin would succumb to temptation, or that it would be caught. But the larger and more frequent such schemes are, the higher the risk of being discovered. If Canada is not immune, then its as unlikely any country is. But should employment-destroying legal penalties be applied if only a few employees or shareholders were in a position to know about malfeasance? The world is not a transparent, honest theme park with virtuous characters spreading progress through murky environments. Ian Madsen is a senior policy analyst with the Frontier Centre for Public Policy. Troy Media If 2016 was the U.S. election of fake news, 2020 has the potential to be the election of deepfakes, the new phenomenon of bogus videos created with the help of artificial intelligence. Its becoming easier and cheaper to create such videos. Soon, those with even a rudimentary technical knowledge will be able to fabricate videos that are so true to life that it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to determine whether the video is real. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 21/5/2019 (951 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion If 2016 was the U.S. election of "fake news," 2020 has the potential to be the election of "deepfakes," the new phenomenon of bogus videos created with the help of artificial intelligence. Its becoming easier and cheaper to create such videos. Soon, those with even a rudimentary technical knowledge will be able to fabricate videos that are so true to life that it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to determine whether the video is real. In the era of conspiracy theories, disinformation and absurd denials by politicians staring down seemingly indisputable facts, it is only a matter of time before deepfakes are weaponized in ways that poison the foundational principle of democracy: informed consent of the governed. After all, how can voters make appropriate decisions if they arent sure what is fact and what is fiction? Unfortunately, we are careening toward that moment faster than we think. Deepfakes are created by something called a "generative adversarial network," or GAN. GANs are technically complex, but operate on a simple principle. There are two automated rivals in the system: a forger and a detective. The forger tries to create fake content while the detective tries to figure out what is authentic. Over each iteration, the forger learns from its mistakes. Eventually, the forger gets so good that it is difficult to tell the difference between fake and real content. And when that happens with deepfakes, those are the videos that are likely to fool humans, too. Of course, fakes and forgeries are not new. Whether it was the Soviets airbrushing out "undesirables" or Hollywood special effects, convincing imitations of reality have been around for a while. But in both instances, there were only a few masters of the trade who could pull off a convincing fake. Deepfakes, on the other hand, require little technical expertise, meaning that virtually anyone with the right software will be able to make any fake video of just about any person seemingly saying whatever they want. That democratization of forgery is just around the corner. "I would say within another 18 to 24 months, that technology is going to get to a point where the human brain may not be able to decipher it," Hany Farid, a professor of computer science at Dartmouth College, recently told me. Soon, the forger will consistently fool us. Given how poorly our democracies performed with easily debunked fake-news articles about, say, the Pope endorsing U.S. President Donald Trump, the prospect of having to question videos that we can see with our own eyes is even more harrowing. "The things that keep me up at night these days are the ability to create a fake video and audio of a world leader saying Ive launched nuclear weapons," Farid told me. "The technology to create that exists today." Once those videos go online, millions of people will fall for them. But the really scary question is this: will any nuclear-armed governments fall for them, too, and launch a counterattack based on a lie? Deepfakes could also imperil the democratic process itself. Its not difficult to imagine a scandalous but fake video being posted online right before polls open, or to imagine conspiracy theorists or Trump himself sharing a doctored video aimed at destroying a political opponent. Thats not so far-fetched given that its already happened, albeit with old-school editing rather than deepfake technology. 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. But, as Farid worries, perhaps the larger threat comes from the destruction of democratic accountability. "Because if it is, in fact, the case that almost anything can be faked well, then nothing is real." Once deepfakes exist, politicians can pretend that any disqualifying behaviour has actually been created by a neural network. As weve seen in the Trump era, with a highly polarized electorate, millions will believe what they are told by a politician they support, even when there is overwhelming evidence to the contrary. So, how does reality fight back? Unfortunately, detecting fake content after its uploaded isnt really an option. Given the scale of the internet, even an algorithm that is 99 per cent effective will still let a huge volume of fake content slip through the cracks. Instead, technology companies and news networks will need to consider adapting to this technological frontier with "secure imaging pipelines," which verify and authenticate content at the source when it is created. Just as Twitter users have verified check marks, so too could videos posted online, marking them as authentic and unedited. But ultimately, the solution lies with us. Deepfakes are a threat to our democracy because of underlying political deficiencies that make us an easy target. A significant chunk of the U.S. electorate dabbles in conspiracy theories, encouraged by a president who promotes them himself. Millions of Americans consume "news" from outlets that pump out lie after lie. And the groups most likely to be fooled are those who have low levels of media literacy and are unable to discern questionable sources from reliable ones. If better forgers are coming, we, as citizens, need to ensure that voters are educated to become better detectives. Brian Klaas is an assistant professor of global politics at University College London, where he focuses on democracy, authoritarianism and American politics and foreign policy. He is the co-author of How to Rig an Election and the author of The Despots Apprentice and The Despots Accomplice. Washington Post What do the U.S., Grenada and the Venezuelan crisis have in common? Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 21/5/2019 (951 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion What do the U.S., Grenada and the Venezuelan crisis have in common? Having just returned in early May from almost two weeks in the tiny Caribbean country of Grenada, I can confirm that the Venezuelan crisis was clearly the talk of the town. Touring around the hilly capital of St. Georges, the locals were eager to chat about the dramatic events unfolding in nearby Venezuela. Much to the chagrin and horror of my partner and daughter, it was always part of my plan to make a quick trip to Venezuela (just one hour away by air) during my Grenada visit. But it was made very clear to me by my local Air Canada representative that such an excursion would not be a good idea at this time. Besides, she stressed, there were no direct flights from Grenada to Venezuela and she was adamant about not telling me whether I could get there directly from neighbouring Trinidad or Barbados. Like many Grenadians, she went on about the attempted coup by Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido on April 30 and the subsequent violent crackdown on dissent by the Nicolas Maduro government. Some Grenadians were even wondering out loud about the possibility of a calamitous U.S. military invasion of Venezuela. Interestingly enough, I could see three small warships slowly making their way eastward through the Caribbean Sea on May 1 all steaming for the safe port of St. Georges. I doubt that it was just a coincidence that those vessels were in the area. In fact, it was later confirmed by some locals that they were all actually from the U.S. navy. And lets be clear here: you typically have to pass by Venezuela in order to get to Grenada from a western position. Its worth recalling that the people of Grenada know first-hand what it is like to be in the crosshairs of the U.S. Indeed, the U.S. military under the presidential orders of the hawkish cold-warrior Ronald Reagan invaded the so-called "Island of Spice" in late October of 1983. Many of the reasons put forward by the Reagan White House to justify the invasion lacked credibility including a scurrilous claim that the lives of American medical students at St. Georges University were at risk. To this day, no one knows the official death count of innocent Grenadians killed during the U.S.-led invasion that involved roughly 6,000 U.S. military personnel (in a country with barely a 1,600-strong professional armed force). I visited the spot where a mental hospital once stood, on the hillside overlooking the capital, where more than 30 patients were killed by wayward U.S. bombs. A number of countries in the Caribbean, though this is not widely publicized, are deeply concerned about the potential loss of life from any U.S. attempt to compel regime change in Venezuela. They have made it very clear to Washington that they strongly oppose U.S. President Donald Trumps loose talk about a "military option" for Venezuela. Commonwealth Caribbean (or CARICOM) member Antigua has gone one step further and rejected outright the coronation of Guaido as interim Venezuelan president. 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 fact, we (CARICOM) believe that it is an extremely dangerous precedent which has absolutely no basis in law, it has no constitutional backing, it has no support of international law and its really an affront to democracy within the hemisphere," Antiguan Prime Minister Gaston Browne recently told the Miami Herald. Grenadian Foreign Affairs Minister Peter Charles David recently told Grenadas The New Today: "We do not want to see happen in the Caribbean what would happen in places like Libya, where you intervene, you overthrow and then a mess is made, as happened in Libya with ISIS and all of that literally taking over the country of Libya." He went on to add that regional states would continue to push for a negotiated solution to the Venezuelan crisis and that "we believe in non-interference, non-intervention, democracy, rule of law all of those principles we as Caribbean countries subscribe to therefore we urged all of the countries to pull back." Perhaps its not all that surprising, then, that the centre-right Grenadian government of Keith Mitchell is dead set against any chatter of the U.S. invading beleaguered Venezuela. Like Venezuela, Grenada knows the pitfalls of outside interference, has a strong independence streak amongst its people and has witnessed the igniting of a nationalist flame in the past. Once again, we see that past U.S. actions can have negative implications for American foreign policy in todays Caribbean region. Peter McKenna is professor and chair of political science at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown. WELLINGTON, New Zealand - New Zealand police on Tuesday filed a terrorism charge against the man accused of killing 51 people at two Christchurch mosques. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 20/5/2019 (951 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. FILE - This image taken from CCTV video obtained by the state-run Turkish broadcaster TRT World and released March 16, 2019, shows Brenton Tarrant, the suspect in the New Zealand mosque attacks, as he arrives in March 2016 at Istanbul's Ataturk International airport in Turkey. New Zealand police said Tuesday that they have filed a terrorism charge against Tarrant, the man accused of killing 51 people at two Christchurch mosques. (TRT World via AP, File) WELLINGTON, New Zealand - New Zealand police on Tuesday filed a terrorism charge against the man accused of killing 51 people at two Christchurch mosques. Australian Brenton Harrison Tarrant, 28, was already facing murder and attempted murder charges from the March 15 shootings. The new charge comes with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment upon conviction and will be a test case for New Zealand's terrorism law, which came onto the books in 2002 following the terrorist attacks in the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001. FILE - In this March 23, 2019 file photo, worshippers prepare to enter the Al Noor mosque following the previous week's mass shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand. New Zealand police on Tuesday, May 21, 2019, filed a terrorism charge against the man accused of killing 51 people at two Christchurch mosques. (AP Photo/Mark Baker, File) The New Zealand law defines terrorism as including acts that are carried out to advance an ideological, political, or religious cause with the intention of inducing terror in a civilian population. Just before the attacks, Tarrant emailed New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and others a manifesto outlining his white supremacist beliefs and his detailed plans for the shootings. From the outset, Ardern has described the attacks as terrorism. Police Commissioner Mike Bush said in a statement they wouldn't be commenting on the new charges as the case was before the courts. A judge last month ordered that Tarrant undergo mental health assessments to determine if he's fit to stand trial. 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. His next court hearing has been scheduled for June 14, and the mental health findings could determine whether he is required to enter a plea at that point. Police also said Tuesday they had charged Tarrant with an additional count of murder, bringing the total number of murder charges against him to 51. That came after a Turkish man who was wounded in the attack died earlier this month in Christchurch Hospital. Police also increased the number of attempted murder charges against Tarrant from 39 to 40. Aside from those who died, at least 47 other people were treated at hospitals for gunshot wounds. Some had minor injuries and were discharged within hours. Police told family members and attack survivors of the new charges at a private meeting attended by more than 200 people. During the attacks, 42 people were killed at the Al Noor mosque, seven were killed at the Linwood mosque and two died later in hospitals. By Express News Service BHOPAL: The Kamal Nath-led Congress government is planning to re-open the 2007 former RSS pracharak Sunil Joshi murder case. In February 2017, a court in Dewas had acquitted the eight accused in the case, including BJP candidate from Bhopal Lok Sabha seat Pragya Singh Thakur, who is at present out on bail in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. The states law and legislative affairs minister PC Sharma (a close confidant of ex-CM and Congress candidate Digvijaya Singh) on Tuesday said the state government will seek legal advice on reopening the case. READ MORE | 2008 Malegaon blast case: Pragya Thakur, two other accused exempted from court appearance The state government will appeal to a higher court to re-open the case. The Dewas district collector has been asked to submit a report in connection with the case, he said. The BJP dubbed the development as politics of revenge. READ MORE | After controversial remarks, Pragya Singh opts for 'silent' penance for 'soul searching' It seems like the Congress-led government is targeting Pragya Singh Thakur, only as she contested against Digvijaya Singh from Bhopal seat in the Lok Sabha polls. This is nothing, but politics of revenge. Joshi, also known as Guruji, was shot dead by two motorbike-borne assassins in Dewas district of MP on December 29, 2007. Initially, the Dewas Industrial Area police had registered a case against five persons, including Pragya Singh Thakur, but in 2011, the National Investigation Agency, which was already probing the role of Thakur and others in the Malegaon and Samjhauta Express blast cases had taken over investigations into the murder. The U.N. Security Council rejected a Russian request Monday to hold a meeting on a new language law in Ukraine, with opponents calling it an attempt by Moscow to interfere in the inauguration of Ukraines new president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 20/5/2019 (952 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The U.N. Security Council rejected a Russian request Monday to hold a meeting on a new language law in Ukraine, with opponents calling it an attempt by Moscow to interfere in the inauguration of Ukraines new president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Russia needed nine "yes" votes in the 15-member council to hold the meeting but it got support from only four other countries -- China, South Africa, Equatorial Guinea and the Dominican Republic. Six countries voted against a meeting -- France, Germany, U.S., U.K., Belgium and Poland -- and with four other nations abstaining, it was cancelled. But council members were able to speak before and after the vote. There were heated exchanges and interruptions, reflecting divisions over Russias annexation of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula in early 2014 following the ouster of Ukraines Russia-friendly president by big street protests as well as and Russias continuing support for separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine that has led to conflict with government forces. France, Germany and Belgium said they asked to postpone the Security Council meeting for several days but Russia refused. French Ambassador Francois Delattre and German Ambassador Christoph Heusgen said in a joint statement after the vote that Russias objective in choosing Zelenskiys inauguration day was "to pursue its notorious policy of intimidation against Ukraine again." The acting U.S. ambassador, Jonathan Cohen, called Moscows request for Mondays meeting "a clear attempt by Russia to distract from the peaceful, democratic transfer of power happening today in Ukraine." Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia called the councils refusal to hold the meeting "a blatant demonstration of double standards" by members who approved other meetings. He accused them of "censorship." Nebenzia was sharply critical of the new language law, which requires the use of Ukrainian in the government and media and relegates Russian, which is also widely spoken in the country, to personal communications. He said the law is aimed to push the Russian language out and "sow discord," predicting it will lead "to excessive polarization of the people of Ukraine." He also called the language law a violation of the 2015 Minsk agreements aimed at bringing peace to Ukraines volatile east. 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. Zelenskiy said after his inauguration that the main goal for his presidency is to bring peace to eastern Ukraine, where government troops have been fighting Russia-backed separatists for five years in a conflict that caused at least 13,000 deaths and displaced 1.5 million people. Frances Delattre and Germanys Heusgen called for "full, immediate and unconditional implementation of the Minsk agreements." "The inauguration of the new Ukrainian president, who expressed his determination to restore peace again today, should be an opportunity to give a new impetus to those agreements," they said. Ukraines ambassador, Volodymyr Yelchenko, said Russias attempt "to send a very powerful message to the new leader from the Security Council" ended up instead being a message for Russia. "And this is not the best way to start contacts between Russia and Ukraine if they really want to," he told reporters. The Associated Press A Tchula, Miss., man deputies say choked a Wisconsin woman at a residence in Winona County on Sunday is in custody on felony domestic assault charges. Antwon Antonio Cross, 31, was charged Monday with domestic assault by strangulation and two counts of misdemeanor domestic assault when he appeared in Winona County Court. According to the criminal complaint, Cross and the woman were arguing when he grabbed her, threw her to the ground and wrapped his hands around her throat. After freeing herself, the woman reportedly attempted to leave the residence and call 911, but Cross stopped her. The woman fled to her vehicle where Cross proceeded to choke the her a second time, holding her head in a chokehold while covering her mouth, the report said. After a short time, Cross reportedly left the woman in the vehicle, and she was able to drive to the Winona County Law Enforcement Center to report the assault. In court Monday, Cross was released under the condition that he remain law-abiding, have no contact with the victim and make all future court appearances. The court also ordered a domestic assault no-contact order against Cross. Tobias Mann covers crime and government in Winona County. He can be reached at 507-453-3522 or at tobias.mann@winonadailynews.com Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Winona Police Friday 6:05 p.m. A Winona woman reported the theft of a phone from a residence near the 1400 block of Service Drive in Winona. The phone is valued at $40. 8:43 p.m. A 40-year-old Winona woman was cited for third-degree test refusal and fourth-degree DWI after she was observed driving over an orange construction cone and running a red light at the intersection of Hwy. 43 and Hwy. 61. Police discovered her a short distance away outside of her still running vehicle dancing a jig to loud music. 11:11 p.m. Andrew Rodney Olson, 32, Winona, was cited for shoplifting from Walmart after he reportedly stole a hat and makeup. Saturday 8:46 a.m. A Winona woman living on the 850 block of West Fifth Street reported her basement window broken in. 2:44 p.m. Grant Clifford Hauser was arrested on suspicion of first-degree drunk driving and driving after cancellation inimical to public safety after he was stopped by police near Fourth and McBride streets. 5:52 Roberto Catarino Reyes, 23, Winona was arrested near the 250 block of Mankato Avenue for violating an order for protection. Sunday 12:50 a.m. Adam Lawrence Powell, 28, Winona, was arrested for second-degree DWI after he was stopped near the intersection of Third and Franklin streets for diving with his rear hatch open in the rain. His blood-alcohol concentration was 0.16 percent. 11:34 a.m. A Winona man reported that someone stole his 1966 Alumacraft duck boat and homemade trailer from the 350 block of Liberty Street. The boat is valued at $500. 1:01 p.m. A Winona woman reported that it appeared that someone had broken into her apartment on the 400 block of East Third Street rifled through her bedroom and left without taking anything. 9:04 p.m. Edgar Zavala Jr., 25, Winona, was referred for fifth-degree methamphetamine possession after he was stopped for failing to signal near Fifth and McBride streets. 10:02 p.m. Danielle Georgia Steffes, 39, Winona, was trespassed from Walmart. Monday 2:12 a.m. Ryan Robert McCaffrey, 40, Winona was arrested for violating a domestic assault no-contact order after came within 300 feet of the petitioners residence. 5:30 a.m. A Winona man reported that someone had spray painted his vehicle while it was parked on the 500 block of Kansas. Winona Sheriff Saturday 11:32 a.m. Jonathan Tubal-Cain Nett, 35, Winona was arrested for driving after cancellation inimical to public safety and giving a false name and date of birth to a peace officer after he struck a Lexis traveling south on County Road 43. Two passengers in the Lexis were injured and transported to St. Marys Hospital in Rochester for treatment. 8:32 p.m. A Dakota man was cited for possession of a small quantity of marijuana in a motor vehicle after he was stopped near the intersection of Main and Center streets in Dakota for driving with an inoperable headlight. Sunday 12:39 p.m. A Winona woman reported the theft of a camo colored 1974 Alumacraft canoe from the Minnesota City Boat Club. The canoe is valued at $500. Tobias Mann covers crime and government in Winona County. He can be reached at 507-453-3522 or at tobias.mann@winonadailynews.com Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 This gallery started when we posted an article featuring a gallery of photos that were sent to us by a city employee in Marshfield. They were Disorderly conduct At 5:51 p.m. Thursday, police responded to a report of children not getting along in the neighborhood in the 1200 block of Grove Street. Suspicious behavior At 7:46 a.m. Friday, someone reported two middle school-aged girls putting up the flags on mailboxes in the 400 block of South Roosevelt Drive. An officer made contact and counseled them while requesting extra patrol for the evening. Suspicious behavior At 3:43 p.m. Friday, someone reported a person going through mailboxes around 4:30 a.m. in the 500 block of DeClark Street. Harassment At 6:56 p.m. Friday, police took a report of harassment in the 800 block of South Lincoln Avenue. Disorderly conduct At 7:13 p.m. Friday, police responded to a report that two parents were arguing in the YMCA Parking Lot, 220 Corporate Drive. They left before officers arrived. Disorderly conduct At 9:21 p.m. Friday, police received a report of a juvenile being aggressive on Marsh Trail. Another girl, who is 18 now, spoke to police in April 2018. According to the criminal complaint, the girl said she was 13 at the time that the relationship began and continued until she was 17. She was choked during one encounter. In addition, the girl allowed the police to see online conversations between the two in which Gonzales had sent the girl inappropriate photos and videos. Police talked with the girl Gonzales was dating in April of 2018. The girl was 17 at the time and said she was at the police station because she had learned that Gonzales had slept with a 16-year-old girl. The girlfriend told police that they had been together for two years and were engaged, but she had broken up with him. The girl described the relationship as abusive. The girlfriend said Gonzales had her bring other girls over for sex. The girlfriend said she had sex with Gonzales a hundred times and that he choked her during sex. According to the criminal complaint, there were numerous other enticements of other girls that Beaver Dam Police found after writing search warrants for Gonzales Facebook account. Gonzales would contact random girls or friends of friends and start talking to them. In addition, he would send nude photos over Snapchat to girls. Follow Terri Pederson on Twitter @tlp53916 or contact her at 920-356-6760. Past and present veterans will be recognized by the Beaver Dam community Monday. A committee of local veterans groups has organized a Memorial Day ceremony honoring those who preserve our countrys freedom. The memorial service will be held at Veterans Memorial Park starting at 10:15 a.m. in Oakwood Cemetery east of Highway 151 on Highway 33. The Marine Corp League of Beaver Dam is hosting this years ceremony. The service will include the reading of the names of veterans who have died in the past year. During the memorial service at the cemetery, there will be some park benches available for seating, but people should bring lawn chairs and blankets for additional seating. Beaver Dam High School marching band and St. Katharine Drexel marching band will provide patriotic music. The guest speaker for this years memorial service is U.S. Navy veteran Amber Nikolai. Nikolai served in the Navy as a Master at Arms (Security Police, E-5) from February 2002 to January 2005. Her exemplary service was recognized with the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and a Letter of Commendation from a Navy Rear Admiral. WAUPUN Merle Schouten, the Waupun VFW Post 6709 Veteran of the Year, will be honored at the Memorial Day ceremonies at Shaler Park May 27. Schouten graduated from Brandon High School in 1962 and went to work at National Rivet. In 1965, he was drafted into the Army, given artillery training and spent a year in in Cuchi, Vietnam, with the 3rd Battalion, 13th Artillery, 25th Infantry Division. Cuchi was called Hells half-acre because it had the largest Viet Cong tunnel network around, Schouten said. It was so large, it even had a hospital underground. In 1967, then Corporal Schouten was given an honorable discharge, and returned to work at National Rivet. He married Dorothy Tobak, whom he met when she was a nurses aid in 1965. We wrote letters for two years, and when I returned we got married in 1967, Schouten said. Schouten worked his way up to tool and die maker and retired after 44 years. Fifteen years ago, Schouten joined the VFW, and has served as chaplain for more than years, and is also a member of the Honor Guard. U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan is wading into the battle among congressional Democrats on whether to move toward impeaching President Donald Trump, saying Trump's recent defiance of Congress must trigger an impeachment inquiry. Pocan, D-Black Earth, previously sought to downplay the possibility of impeaching Trump. After the release of U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report last month, Pocan said Congress first needed to obtain more information about whether Trump obstructed justice in the probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election. But in a statement issued Tuesday, Pocan said Trump's unwillingness to comply with congressional subpoenas and other attempts at oversight have changed his view. "Regrettably, the Presidents most recent actions and continued disrespect for the Constitution are forcing us down the road to impeachment," Pocan said in the statement. Pocan's shift on the issue is notable because he consistently has said impeachment should not be a first resort in providing congressional oversight of the White House. While acknowledging all options were available, Pocan previously said Congress could opt for investigative hearings instead of immediately resorting to impeachment. Both photographers graduated from Portage High School: Seiler in 2002 and Pulver in 2013. They expect many of their clients will be from Portage, but take assignments anywhere in the world, sometimes traveling overseas. Seiler is a U.S. Air Force veteran who lives in Wisconsin Dells and Pulver lives in Pardeeville, making Portage the perfect middle ground for their partnership. They expect to do community service projects on a regular basis, having already shot pet portraits at the local fairgrounds in April and raising $1,400 for the Columbia County Humane Society. In June, theyll take pictures for the Portage chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, the nonprofit that builds beds for children. We like to help in any way we can, Pulver said of pro bono work. Due in part to frequent traveling, the photographers already hired a third photographer Hannah Seubert, who takes pictures for the Portage Area Chamber of Commerce. They might hire more photographers in the years ahead. By IANS NEW DELHI: Listing of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN reflected a "good collaboration" among many international actors, said Germany's new Ambassador to India Walter J Lindner, whose country played a major role in the effort. Lindner, who was speaking to the media here on Tuesday soon after presenting his credentials to President Ram Nath Kovind, said India and Germany can play an important role in fight against global terrorism as both have been victims of the scourge. He said the two nations share a very close relationship when it comes to trade, education and cultural exchange and hoped the bilateral ties will grow even more. Talking about terrorism, he emphasized that terrorists should have no place anywhere in the world. On Azhar's listing as a global terrorist on May 1 by the UN Security Council's 1267 Sanctions Committee, the German envoy said: "One of the roles in international diplomacy was behind the scene. It was a good collaboration with many international actors. So at the end we had an outcome and that is what counts." Germany had played an important role in the effort to get Azhar sanctioned, particularly in the wake of the February 14 Pulwama terror attack carried out by JeM in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. When asked about terrorists again getting active after the Indian air strike at JeM terror camps in Pakistan's Balakot on February 26, Lindner said, "I took over as the Ambassador today. I think it would be premature to comment on such a sensitive issue. We follow this with close cooperation with international friends. We are worried when there is a rise of tension". On Germany's stance on Afghanistan, the Ambassador said his country has been very vocal and it had convened two peace conferences with Kabul. Germany has been involved for many years and is still very active in Afghanistan, he added. He reached the Rashtrapati Bhavan in a red Ambassador car for the ceremony. "Presenting my credentials in Hindi was a nice experience. It was out of respect towards the country and the language. I also wanted to come in an Indian car," the envoy added. The Wisconsin Dells Common Council voted to hold a public hearing for the closure of a road surrounded by the property of a local family at its meeting May 20, in order to connect two separate lots. The street, Sweet Briar Drive, splits resort property belonging to the Makowski family. According to Adam Makowski, one of the owners, the drive used to hold several single-family units, but they have since been removed. For safety of our resort guests, (we want to) just combine those properties for more of a resort feel, Makowski said after the meeting. We feel the roads not necessary anymore, and we have access all around the property anyway. The public hearing is set for July 15, followed by a vote from the council. Beyond setting a hearing for the Makowskis property, the council also officially recognized May as Poppy Month, courtesy of the American Legion Auxiliary. According to the Legions website, the red poppy is a symbol to honor American soldiers who have fallen in the line of duty. It reminds Americans of the sacrifices made by our veterans while protecting our freedoms, the website said. Wear a poppy to honor those who have worn our nations uniform. Invesco BulletShares 2022 High Yield Corporate Bond ETF's stock was trading at $22.91 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, BSJM stock has increased by 1.6% and is now trading at $23.27. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. NEW DELHI: Satisfaction level with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership remained high on May 19, the last day of polling, just as it was on April 11, the first day of the general election, according to IANS-CVOTER poll tracker. Throughout the seven phases of the election process, voters gave positive approval to the government -- a trend that has been reflected in the findings of various exit polls indicating that the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is poised to get a comfortable second term. ALSO READ: A second Narendra Modi term needs to be bolder than first On May 19, 44.94 per cent of the response in an all-India sample of 12,398 said they were "very satisfied" with the government, while 25.74 per cent were "somewhat satisfied". Only 26.63 per cent expressed "unhappiness". On April 11, when voting commenced for the Lok Sabha polls, 45.57 per cent had said they were "very satisfied" and 28.18 were "not happy at all". The net satisfaction rate with the government remained in the mid 40s throughout the seven phases of Lok Sabha polls from April 11 to May 19. ALSO READ: Modi 2.0 - Poll of exit polls shows BJP's return to power The voters also gave thumbs-up to Modi's leadership as well with 49.58 per cent of 12,398 respondents said they were "very happy" with him. On April 11, this "very satisfied" percentage was 50.76 out of 12,000 respondents. The dissatisfaction level with Modi and the government was highest in states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Punjab. 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 co[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. 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Dallas #1 LLC, Texas Pack Rat - Houston #1 LLC, Texas Pack Rat - Houston #2 LLC, Texas Pack Rat - Houston #3 LLC, Texas Pack Rat - San Antonio #1 LLC, Texas Pack Rat Service Company LLC, The Peltz Group LLC, The Waste Management Charitable Foundation, The Woodlands of Van Buren Inc., Thermal Remediation Solutions L.L.C., Trail Ridge Landfill Inc., TransAmerican Waste Industries, Transamerican Waste Central Landfill Inc., Trash Hunters Inc., Twin Bridges Golf Club L.P., USA South Hills Landfill Inc., USA Valley Facility Inc., USA Waste Geneva Landfill Inc., USA Waste Landfill Operations and Transfer Inc., USA Waste Services of NYC Inc., USA Waste of California Inc., USA Waste of Texas Landfills Inc., USA Waste of Virginia Landfills Inc., USA Waste-Management Resources LLC, USA-Crinc L.L.C., USB LIHTC Fund 2010-1 LLC, UWS Barre Inc., United Waste Systems Leasing Inc., Valley Garbage and Rubbish Company Inc., Vern's Refuse Service Inc., Vickery Environmental Inc., Vista Landfill LLC, Voyageur Disposal Processing Inc., WM Avon Inc., WM Bagco LLC, WM Billerica Inc., WM Biloxi Hauling LLC, WM Biloxi Transfer Station LLC, WM Boston CORE Inc., WM CCP Solutions LLC, WM Conversion Fund LLC, WM Corporate Services Inc., WM Curbside LLC, WM DC 1 LLC, WM Emergency Employee Support Fund Inc., WM Energy Resources Inc., WM Energy Services Holdings LLC, WM Energy Services of Ohio LLC, WM Energy Solutions Inc., WM GTL Inc., WM GTL JV Holdings LLC, WM GTL LLC, WM Green Squad LLC, WM GreenOps LLC, WM Healthcare Solutions Inc., WM Illinois Renewable Energy L.L.C., WM Intellectual Property Holdings L.L.C., WM International Holdings Inc., WM KS Energy Resources LLC, WM LNG Inc., WM LampTracker Inc., WM Landfills of Ohio Inc., WM Landfills of Tennessee Inc., WM Leasing Services of Texas LLC, WM Leasing of Arizona L.L.C., WM Leasing of Texas L.P., WM Logistics India Private Limited, WM Logistics LLC, WM Mercury Waste Inc., WM Middle Tennessee Environmental Center L.L.C., WM Mobile Bay Environmental Center Inc., WM ND Energy Resources II LLC, WM ND Energy Resources LLC, WM Nevada Renewable Energy L.L.C., WM North Broward Inc., WM Organic Growth Inc., WM PA Holdings LLC, WM PRG L.L.C., WM Pack-Rat LLC, WM Pack-Rat of California LLC, WM Pack-Rat of Illinois LLC, WM Pack-Rat of Kentucky LLC, WM Pack-Rat of Maryland LLC, WM Pack-Rat of Massachusetts LLC, WM Pack-Rat of Michigan LLC, WM Pack-Rat of Nevada LLC, WM Pack-Rat of Ohio LLC, WM Pack-Rat of Rhode Island LLC, WM Partnership Holdings Inc., WM Phoenix Energy Resources LLC, WM Propane LLC, WM Quebec Inc., WM RA Canada Inc., WM Recycle America L.L.C., WM Recycle Europe L.L.C., WM Recycling Latin America LLC, WM Refined Coal LLC, WM Renewable Energy L.L.C., WM Resource Recovery & Recycling Center Inc., WM Resources Inc., WM Safety Services L.L.C., WM Security Services Inc., WM Storage II Inc., WM Storage Inc., WM TX Energy Resources II LLC, WM TX Energy Resources LLC, WM Texas Pack Rat LLC, WM Trash Monitor Plus L.L.C., WM WY Energy Resources II LLC, WM WY Energy Resources III LLC, WM WY Energy Resources LLC, WM of North Dakota Energy Disposal Solutions LLC, WMI Mexico Holdings Inc., WMNA Container Recycling L.L.C., WMRE of Kentucky LLC, WMRE of Michigan LLC, WMRE of Ohio LLC, WMRE of Ohio-American LLC, WMSALSA Inc., WTI Air Pollution Control Inc., WTI Rust Holdings Inc., Warner Company, Waste Away Group Inc., Waste Management Arizona Landfills Inc., Waste Management Buckeye L.L.C., Waste Management China Holdings Limited, Waste Management Collection and Recycling Inc., Waste Management Disposal Services of Colorado Inc., Waste Management Disposal Services of Maine Inc., Waste Management Disposal Services of Maryland Inc., Waste Management Disposal Services of Massachusetts Inc., Waste Management Disposal Services of Oregon Inc., Waste Management Disposal Services of Pennsylvania Inc., Waste Management Disposal Services of Virginia Inc., Waste Management Energy Services of Texas LLC, Waste Management Holdings Inc., Waste Management Inc. of Florida, Waste Management Inc. of Tennessee, Waste Management Indycoke L.L.C., Waste Management International Inc., Waste Management National Services Inc., Waste Management National Transportation Services Inc., Waste Management Partners Inc., Waste Management Recycling and Disposal Services of California Inc., Waste Management Recycling of New Jersey L.L.C., Waste Management Service Center Inc., Waste Management of Alameda County Inc., Waste Management of Alaska Inc., Waste Management of Arizona Inc., Waste Management of Arkansas Inc., Waste Management of California Inc., Waste Management of Canada Corporation, Waste Management of Carolinas Inc., Waste Management of Colorado Inc., Waste Management of Connecticut Inc., Waste Management of Delaware Inc., Waste Management of Fairless L.L.C., Waste Management of Five Oaks Recycling and Disposal Facility Inc., Waste Management of Georgia Inc., Waste Management of Hawaii Inc., Waste Management of Idaho Inc., Waste Management of Illinois Inc., Waste Management of Indiana Holdings One Inc., Waste Management of Indiana Holdings Two Inc., Waste Management of Indiana L.L.C., Waste Management of Iowa Inc., Waste Management of Kansas Inc., Waste Management of Kentucky Holdings Inc., Waste Management of Kentucky L.L.C., Waste Management of Leon County Inc., Waste Management of Londonderry Inc., Waste Management of Louisiana Holdings One Inc., Waste Management of Louisiana L.L.C., Waste Management of Maine Inc., Waste Management of Maryland Inc., Waste Management of Massachusetts Inc., Waste Management of Metro Atlanta Inc., Waste Management of Michigan Inc., Waste Management of Minnesota Inc., Waste Management of Mississippi Inc., Waste Management of Missouri Inc., Waste Management of Montana Inc., Waste Management of Nebraska Inc., Waste Management of Nevada Inc., Waste Management of New Hampshire Inc., Waste Management of New Jersey Inc., Waste Management of New Mexico Inc., Waste Management of New York L.L.C., Waste Management of North Dakota Inc., Waste Management of Ohio Inc., Waste Management of Oklahoma Inc., Waste Management of Oregon Inc., Waste Management of Pennsylvania Gas Recovery L.L.C., Waste Management of Pennsylvania Inc., Waste Management of Rhode Island Inc., Waste Management of South Carolina Inc., Waste Management of South Dakota Inc., Waste Management of Texas Holdings Inc., Waste Management of Texas Inc., Waste Management of Tunica Landfill Inc., Waste Management of Utah Inc., Waste Management of Virginia Inc., Waste Management of Washington, Waste Management of West Virginia Inc., Waste Management of Wisconsin Inc., Waste Management of Wyoming Inc., Western One Land Corporation, Western Waste Industries, Western Waste of Texas L.L.C., Westminster Land Acquisition LLC, Wheelabrator Technologies, Wheelabrator Technologies International Inc., White Lake Landfill Inc., Willow Oak Landfill LLC, and eCycling Services L.L.C.. The following companies are subsidiares of Dominion Energy: 96WI 8me LLC, Alamo Solar LLC, Align RNG Arizona LLC, Align RNG Arizona-Snowflake LLC, Align RNG California LLC, Align RNG California-Corcoran LLC, Align RNG Grady Road LLC, Align RNG LLC, Align RNG Magnolia LLC, Align RNG North Carolina LLC, Align RNG North Carolina-Bowdens LLC, Align RNG Utah LLC, Align RNG Utah-Milford LLC, Align RNG Virginia LLC, Align RNG Virginia-Waverly LLC, Atlantic Coast Pipeline LLC, Azalea Solar LLC, BOE Holdings Inc., Blackville Solar Farm LLC, Blue Ocean Energy Marine LLC, BrightSuite Home LLC, BrightSuite Inc., BrightSuite Solar CT Inc., BrightSuite Solar SC Inc., BrightSuite Solar VA Inc., Buckingham Solar I LLC, CEA Americus LLC, CEA CO-Fort Morgan LLC, CEA Clovis LLC, CEA Dairy RNG Colorado LLC, CEA Dairy RNG Georgia LLC, CEA Dairy RNG Idaho LLC, CEA Dairy RNG Nevada LLC, CEA Dairy RNG New Mexico LLC, CEA Dairy RNG Texas LLC, CEA Greely LLC, CEA Mason LLC, CEA TX-Dimmitt LLC, CID Solar LLC, CNG Coal Company, CNG Power Services Corporation, Carolina Gas Transmission Corporation, Catalina Solar 2 LLC, Clean Energy Asset USA LLC, Clean Energy Enterprises Inc., Clipperton Holdings LLC, Consolidated Natural Gas Company, Correctional Solar LLC, Cottonwood Solar LLC, Cove Point LNG LP, Cove Point LNG Limited, DE Arlington Solar LLC, DE Fluvanna Solar LLC, DE Hanover Solar LLC, DE Henrico Solar LLC, DE King William Solar LLC, DE Louisa Solar LLC, DE Newport News Solar LLC, DE Powhatan Solar LLC, DE Virginia Beach Solar LLC, DECP Holdings Inc., Dairy RNG Holdings LLC, Dairy RNG NY LLC, Dairy RNG NY-Curtin LLC, Dairy RNG OH LLC, Denmark Solar LLC, Dominion ACP Holding Inc., Dominion Alternative Energy Holdings Inc., Dominion Atlantic Coast Pipeline LLC, Dominion Capital Inc., Dominion Cogen WV Inc., Dominion Energy Fuel Services Inc., Dominion Energy Gas Distribution LLC, Dominion Energy Generation Marketing Inc., Dominion Energy Inc., Dominion Energy Kewaunee Inc., Dominion Energy Marketplace LLC, Dominion Energy Nuclear Connecticut Inc., Dominion Energy Overthrust Pipeline LLC, Dominion Energy Payroll Company Inc., Dominion Energy Questar Corporation, Dominion Energy Questar Pipeline LLC, Dominion Energy Questar Pipeline Services Inc., Dominion Energy RNG Holdings II Inc., Dominion Energy RNG Holdings Inc., Dominion Energy Services Inc., Dominion Energy Solar CA LLC, Dominion Energy Solutions Inc., Dominion Energy South Carolina Inc., Dominion Energy Southeast Services Inc., Dominion Energy Technical Solutions Inc., Dominion Energy Technologies II Inc., Dominion Energy Technologies Inc., Dominion Energy Terminal Company Inc., Dominion Energy Wexpro Services Company, Dominion Equipment III Inc., Dominion Equipment Inc., Dominion Fairless Hills Inc., Dominion Fowler Ridge Wind LLC, Dominion Gas Projects Company LLC, Dominion Generation Inc., Dominion Greenbrier Inc., Dominion High Voltage Holdings Inc., Dominion High Voltage MidAtlantic Inc., Dominion Investments Inc., Dominion Keystone Pipeline Holdings Inc., Dominion Keystone Pipeline LLC, Dominion MLP Holding Company III Inc., Dominion Mt. Storm Wind LLC, Dominion Nuclear Projects Inc., Dominion Oklahoma Texas Exploration & Production Inc., Dominion Person Inc., Dominion Privatization Florida LLC, Dominion Privatization Georgia LLC, Dominion Privatization Holdings Inc., Dominion Privatization Kentucky LLC, Dominion Privatization Maryland LLC, Dominion Privatization Pennsylvania LLC, Dominion Privatization South Carolina LLC, Dominion Privatization Texas LLC, Dominion Privatization Virginia LLC, Dominion Products and Services Inc., Dominion Projects Services Inc., Dominion Resources Capital Trust III, Dominion Retail Gas Holdings Inc., Dominion Solar Construction and Maintenance LLC, Dominion Solar Gen-Tie LLC, Dominion Solar Holdings I LLC, Dominion Solar Holdings II LLC, Dominion Solar Holdings III LLC, Dominion Solar Holdings IV LLC, Dominion Solar Projects A Inc., Dominion Solar Projects B Inc., Dominion Solar Projects C Inc., Dominion Solar Projects D Inc., Dominion Solar Projects I Inc., Dominion Solar Projects II Inc., Dominion Solar Projects III Inc., Dominion Solar Projects IV Inc., Dominion Solar Projects V Inc., Dominion Solar Projects VI Inc., Dominion Solar Projects VII Inc., Dominion Solar Services Inc., Dominion State Line LLC, Dominion Voltage Inc., Dominion Wholesale Inc., Dominion Wind Development LLC, Dominion Wind Projects Inc., ESCT-SA-Suffield LLC, Eagle Holdco Solar LLC, Eagle Solar LLC, Eastern Shore Solar LLC, Enterprise Solar LLC, Escalante Solar I LLC, Escalante Solar II LLC, Escalante Solar III LLC, Four Brothers Solar LLC, Fremont Farm LLC, Granite Mountain Holdings LLC, Granite Mountain Solar East LLC, Granite Mountain Solar West LLC, Greenbrier Marketing Company LLC, Greenbrier Pipeline Company LLC, Greensville County Solar Project LLC, Hardin Solar Energy LLC, Hecate Energy Cherrydale LLC, Hecate Energy Clarke County LLC, Hope Gas Inc., Imperial Valley Solar Company (IVSC) 2 LLC, Indy Solar Development LLC, Indy Solar I LLC, Indy Solar II LLC, Indy Solar III LLC, Innovative Solar 37 LLC, Iron Springs Holdings LLC, Iron Springs Solar LLC, Louis Dreyfus Natural Gas, Maricopa West Solar PV LLC, Moffett Solar 1 LLC, Moorings Farm 2 LLC, Mulberry Farm LLC, Mustang Solar LLC, PSNC Blue Ridge Corporation, PSNC Cardinal Pipeline Company, Pavant Solar LLC, Phone House, Pikeville Farm LLC, Prairie Fork Wind Farm LLC, Public Service Company of North Carolina Incorporated, QPC Holding Company LLC, Questar Corporation, Questar Energy Services Inc., Questar Field Services LLC, Questar Gas Company, Questar InfoComm Inc., Questar Southern Trails Pipeline Company, Questar White River Hub LLC, RE Adams East LLC, RE Camelot LLC, RE Columbia Two LLC, RE Kansas LLC, RE Kent South LLC, RE Old River One LLC, Richland Solar Center LLC, Ridgeland Solar Farm I LLC, SBL Holdco LLC, SCANA, SCANA Communications Holdings Inc., SCANA Corporate Security Services Inc., SCANA Energy Marketing LLC, SCANA Pharmacy LLC, SRFI LLC, Scana Corporation, Scott-II Solar LLC, Seabrook Solar LLC, Selmer Farm LLC, Siler Solar LLC, Sol Madison Solar LLC, Somers Solar Center LLC, South Carolina Fuel Company Inc., South Carolina Generating Company Inc., Southampton Solar LLC, Summit Farms Solar LLC, Sussex Drive Solar Project LLC, TA - Acacia LLC, TWE Myrtle Solar Project LLC, The East Ohio Gas Company, Trask East Solar LLC, Tredegar Solar Fund I LLC, VP Property Inc., Virginia Electric And Power Company, Virginia Power Fuel Corporation, Virginia Power Nuclear Services Company, Virginia Power Services Energy Corp. Inc., Virginia Power Services LLC, Virginia Solar 201 Projects LLC, Wakefield Solar LLC, Wexpro Company, Wexpro Development Company, Wexpro II Company, Wilkinson Solar LLC, Wrangler Retail Gas Holdings LLC, and Yemassee Solar LLC. Fidelity European Trust PLC is an open-ended equity fund launched and managed by FIL Investment Services (UK) Limited. It is co-managed by FIL Investments International Limited. The fund invests in the public equity markets of Continental Europe. It makes its investments in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. The fund invests in stocks of companies operating across all market capitalizations. It also invests in value oriented growth stocks. The fund benchmarks the performance of its portfolio against the FTSE World Europe ex UK Index. Fidelity European Trust PLC was formed on November 5, 1991 and is domiciled in the United Kingdom. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Lloyds Banking Group: A G Finance Ltd, A.C.L. Ltd, ACL Autolease Holdings Ltd, ADF No.1 Pty Ltd, Addison Social Housing Holdings Ltd, Alex Lawrie Factors Ltd, Alex. Lawrie Receivables Financing Ltd, Amberdate Ltd, Anglo Scottish Utilities Partnership 1, Aquilus Ltd, Automobile Association Personal Finance Ltd, BOS (Ireland) Property Services 2 Ltd, BOS (Ireland) Property Services Ltd, BOS (Shared Appreciation Mortgages (Scotland) No. 2) Ltd, BOS (Shared Appreciation Mortgages (Scotland) No. 3) Ltd, BOS (Shared Appreciation Mortgages (Scotland)) Ltd, BOS (Shared Appreciation Mortgages) No. 1 plc, BOS (Shared Appreciation Mortgages) No. 2 plc, BOS (Shared Appreciation Mortgages) No. 3 plc, BOS (Shared Appreciation Mortgages) No. 4 plc, BOS (Shared Appreciation Mortgages) No. 5 plc, BOS (Shared Appreciation Mortgages) No. 6 plc, BOS (USA) Fund Investments Inc., BOS (USA) Inc., BOS Edinburgh No 1 Ltd, BOS Mistral Ltd, BOS Personal Lending Ltd, BOSSAF Rail Ltd, Bank of Scotland (B G S) Nominees Ltd, Bank of Scotland (Stanlife) London Nominees Ltd, Bank of Scotland Branch Nominees Ltd, Bank of Scotland Central Nominees Ltd, Bank of Scotland Edinburgh Nominees Ltd, Bank of Scotland Equipment Finance Ltd, Bank of Scotland Foundation, Bank of Scotland LNG Leasing (No 1) Ltd, Bank of Scotland London Nominees Ltd, Bank of Scotland Nominees (Unit Trusts) Ltd, Bank of Scotland P.E.P. Nominees Ltd, Bank of Scotland Structured Asset Finance Ltd, Bank of Scotland Transport Finance 1 Ltd, Bank of Scotland plc, Bank of Wales Ltd, Barents Leasing Ltd, Barnwood Mortgages Ltd, Birchcrown Finance Ltd, Birmingham Midshires Financial Services Ltd, Birmingham Midshires Land Development Ltd, Birmingham Midshires Mortgage Services Ltd, Black Horse (TRF) Ltd, Black Horse Executive Mortgages Ltd, Black Horse Finance Holdings Ltd, Black Horse Finance Management Ltd, Black Horse Group Ltd, Black Horse Ltd, Black Horse Offshore Ltd, Black Horse Property Services Ltd, Boltro Nominees Ltd, British Linen Leasing (London) Ltd, British Linen Leasing Ltd, British Linen Shipping Ltd, C.T.S.B. Leasing Ltd, CBRail S.A.R.L., CF Asset Finance Ltd, CF1 Ltd, CM Venture Investments Ltd, Cancara Asset Securitisation Ltd, Capital 1945 Ltd, Capital Bank Leasing 12 Ltd, Capital Bank Leasing 3 Ltd, Capital Bank Leasing 5 Ltd, Capital Bank Leasing 9 Ltd, Capital Bank Property Investments (3) Ltd, Capital Personal Finance Ltd, Cardiff Auto Receivables Securitisation 2018-1 Plc, Cardiff Auto Receivables Securitisation 2019-1 Plc, Cardiff Auto Receivables Securitisation Holdings Ltd, Cardnet Merchant Services Ltd, Cashfriday Ltd, Cashpoint Ltd, Caveminster Ltd, Cedar Holdings Ltd, Celsius European Lux 2 S.A.R.L., Central Mortgage Finance Ltd, Chariot Finance Ltd, Cheltenham & Gloucester plc, Cheltenham II Securities 2020 DAC, Cheltenham Securities 2017 Ltd, Chepstow Blue Holdings Ltd, Chepstow Blue plc, Chester Asset Options No.2 Ltd, Chester Asset Options No.3 Ltd, Chester Asset Receivables Dealings Issuer Ltd, Chester Asset Securitisation Holdings Ltd, Chester Asset Securitisation Holdings No.2 Ltd, Chiswell Stockbrokers Ltd, Clerical Medical Finance plc, Clerical Medical Financial Services Ltd, Clerical Medical International Holdings B.V., Clerical Medical Investment Fund Managers Ltd, Clerical Medical Managed Funds Ltd, Clerical Medical Non Sterling Guadalix Hold Co BV, Clerical Medical Non Sterling Guadalix Spanish Prop Co SL, Clerical Medical Non Sterling Megapark Hold Co BV, Clerical Medical Non Sterling Megapark Prop Co SA, Clerical Medical Non Sterling Property Company S.A.R.L., Cloak Lane Funding S.A.R.L., Cloak Lane Investments S.A.R.L., Conquest Securities Ltd, Corbiere Asset Investments Ltd, Create Services Ltd, Credit Card Securitisation Europe Ltd, Dalkeith Corporation, Deva Financing Holdings Ltd, Deva Financing plc, Deva One Ltd, Deva Three Ltd, Deva Two Ltd, Dunstan Investments (UK) Ltd, Edgbaston RMBS 2010-1 plc, Edgbaston RMBS Holdings Ltd, Elland RMBS 2018 plc, Elland RMBS Holdings Ltd, Eurolead Services Holdings Ltd, First Retail Finance (Chester) Ltd, Fontwell Securities 2016 Ltd, Forthright Finance Ltd, France Industrial Premises Holding Company, General Leasing (No. 12) Ltd, General Reversionary and Investment Company, Gresham Nominee 1 Ltd, Gresham Nominee 2 Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 1) Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 10) Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 11) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 12) Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 13) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 14) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 15) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 16) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 19) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 20) Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 21) Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 22) Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 23) Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 24) Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 25) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 26) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 27) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 28) Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 29) Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 3) Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 30) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 31) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 32) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 33) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 34) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 35) Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 36) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 37) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 38) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 39) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 40) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 41) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 44) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 45) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 46) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 47) UK Ltd, Gresham Receivables (No. 48) UK Ltd, Guildhall Asset Purchasing Company (No 3) Ltd, Guildhall Asset Purchasing Company (No.11) UK Ltd, HBOS Covered Bonds LLP, HBOS Final Salary Trust Ltd, HBOS Financial Services Ltd, HBOS Insurance & Investment Group Ltd, HBOS International Financial Services Holdings Ltd, HBOS Investment Fund Managers Ltd, HBOS Social Housing Covered Bonds LLP, HBOS UK Ltd, HBOS plc, HSDL Nominees Ltd, HVF Ltd, Halifax Credit Card Ltd, Halifax Financial Brokers Ltd, Halifax Financial Services (Holdings) Ltd, Halifax Financial Services Ltd, Halifax General Insurance Services Ltd, Halifax Group Ltd, Halifax Investment Services Ltd, Halifax Leasing (June) Ltd, Halifax Leasing (March No.2) Ltd, Halifax Leasing (September) Ltd, Halifax Life Ltd, Halifax Loans Ltd, Halifax Ltd, Halifax Mortgage Services Ltd, Halifax Nominees Ltd, Halifax Pension Nominees Ltd, Halifax Premises Ltd, Halifax Share Dealing Ltd, Halifax Vehicle Leasing (1998) Ltd, Heidi Finance Holdings (UK) Ltd, Hill Samuel Bank Ltd, Hill Samuel Finance Ltd, Hill Samuel Leasing Co. Ltd, Home Shopping Personal Finance Ltd, Horizon Capital 2000 Ltd, Housing Association Risk Transfer 2019 DAC, Housing Growth Partnership GP LLP, Housing Growth Partnership LP, Housing Growth Partnership Ltd, Housing Growth Partnership Manager Ltd, Hyundai Car Finance Ltd, IBOS Finance Ltd, ICC Enterprise Partners Ltd, ICC Equity Partners Ltd, ICC Holdings Unlimited Company, Inchcape Financial Services Ltd, Intelligent Finance Financial Services Ltd, Intelligent Finance Software Ltd, International Motors Finance Ltd, Kanaalstraat Funding C.V., Katrine Leasing Ltd, LB Healthcare Trustee Ltd, LB Motorent Ltd, LB Quest Ltd, LB Share Schemes Trustees Ltd, LBCF Ltd, LBG Brasil Administracao LTDA, LBG Capital Holdings Ltd, LBG Equity Investments Ltd, LBI Leasing Ltd, LDC (General Partner) Ltd, LDC (Managers) Ltd, LDC (Nominees) Ltd, LDC GP LLP, LDC I LP, LDC II LP, LDC III LP, LDC IV LP, LDC Parallel (Nominees) Ltd, LDC V LP, LDC VI LP, LDC VII LP, LDC VIII LP, LTGP Limited Partnership Incorporated, Legacy Renewal Company Ltd, Leicester Securities 2014 Ltd, Lex Autolease (CH) Ltd, Lex Autolease (VC) Ltd, Lex Autolease Carselect Ltd, Lex Autolease Ltd, Lex Vehicle Finance 2 Ltd, Lex Vehicle Leasing (Holdings) Ltd, Lex Vehicle Leasing Ltd, Lime Street (Funding) Ltd, Lingfield 2014 I Holdings Ltd, Lingfield 2014 I plc, Lloyds (Gresham) Ltd, Lloyds (Gresham) No. 1 Ltd, Lloyds (Nimrod) Specialist Finance Ltd, Lloyds America Securities Corporation1, Lloyds Asset Leasing Ltd, Lloyds Bank (Branches) Nominees Ltd, Lloyds Bank (Colonial & Foreign) Nominees Ltd, Lloyds Bank (Fountainbridge 1) Ltd, Lloyds Bank (Fountainbridge 2) Ltd, Lloyds Bank (I.D.) Nominees Ltd, Lloyds Bank (International Services) Ltd, Lloyds Bank (Stock Exchange Branch) Nominees Ltd, Lloyds Bank Asset Finance Ltd, Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance Ltd, Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance Scotland Ltd, Lloyds Bank Corporate Asset Finance (HP) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Corporate Asset Finance (No.1) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Corporate Asset Finance (No.2) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Corporate Asset Finance (No.3) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Corporate Asset Finance (No.4) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets Wertpapierhandelsbank GmbH, Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets plc, Lloyds Bank Covered Bonds (Holdings) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Covered Bonds (LM) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Covered Bonds LLP, Lloyds Bank Equipment Leasing (No. 1) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Equipment Leasing (No. 7) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Equipment Leasing (No. 9) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Financial Services (Holdings) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Foundation for England & Wales, Lloyds Bank Foundation for the Channel Islands, Lloyds Bank General Insurance Holdings Ltd, Lloyds Bank General Insurance Ltd, Lloyds Bank General Leasing (No. 11) Ltd, Lloyds Bank General Leasing (No. 17) Ltd, Lloyds Bank General Leasing (No. 20) Ltd, Lloyds Bank General Leasing (No. 3) Ltd, Lloyds Bank General Leasing (No. 5) Ltd, Lloyds Bank GmbH, Lloyds Bank Hill Samuel Holding Company Ltd, Lloyds Bank Insurance Services Ltd, Lloyds Bank International Ltd, Lloyds Bank Leasing (No. 6) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Leasing (No. 8) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Leasing Ltd, Lloyds Bank MTCH Ltd, Lloyds Bank Maritime Leasing (No. 10) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Maritime Leasing (No. 13) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Maritime Leasing (No. 17) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Maritime Leasing (No.16) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Nominees Ltd, Lloyds Bank Offshore Pension Trust Ltd, Lloyds Bank Pension ABCS (No. 1) LLP, Lloyds Bank Pension ABCS (No. 2) LLP, Lloyds Bank Pension Trust (No. 1) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Pension Trust (No. 2) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Pensions Property (Guernsey) Ltd, Lloyds Bank Properties Ltd, Lloyds Bank Property Company Ltd, Lloyds Bank S.F. Nominees Ltd, Lloyds Bank Subsidiaries Ltd, Lloyds Bank Trustee Services Ltd, Lloyds Bank plc, Lloyds Banking Group Pensions Trustees Ltd, Lloyds Capital GP Ltd, Lloyds Commercial Leasing Ltd, Lloyds Commercial Properties Ltd, Lloyds Commercial Property Investments Ltd, Lloyds Corporate Services (Jersey) Ltd, Lloyds Development Capital (Holdings) Ltd, Lloyds Engine Capital (No.1) U.S LLC, Lloyds Far East S.A.R.L., Lloyds General Leasing Ltd, Lloyds Group Holdings (Jersey) Ltd, Lloyds Holdings (Jersey) Ltd, Lloyds Hypotheken B.V., Lloyds Industrial Leasing Ltd, Lloyds International Pty Ltd, Lloyds Investment Bonds Ltd, Lloyds Investment Fund Managers Ltd, Lloyds Investment Securities No.5 Ltd, Lloyds Leasing (North Sea Transport) Ltd1, Lloyds Leasing Developments Ltd, Lloyds Nominees (Guernsey) Ltd, Lloyds Offshore Global Services Private Ltd, Lloyds Plant Leasing Ltd, Lloyds Portfolio Leasing Ltd, Lloyds Premises Investments Ltd, Lloyds Project Leasing Ltd, Lloyds Property Investment Company No. 3 Ltd, Lloyds Property Investment Company No. 4 Ltd, Lloyds Property Investment Company No.5 Ltd, Lloyds Secretaries Ltd, Lloyds Securities Inc., Lloyds TSB Pacific Ltd, Lloyds UDT Asset Leasing Ltd, Lloyds UDT Asset Rentals Ltd, Lloyds UDT Hiring Ltd, Lloyds UDT Leasing Ltd, Lloyds UDT Ltd, Lloyds Your Tomorrow Trustee Ltd, Loans.co.uk Ltd, London Taxi Finance Ltd, London Uberior (L.A.S. Group) Nominees Ltd, Lotus Finance Ltd, MBNA, MBNA Direct Ltd, MBNA Europe Finance Ltd, MBNA Europe Holdings Ltd, MBNA General Foundation, MBNA Global Services Ltd, MBNA Indian Services Private Ltd, MBNA Ltd, MBNA R & L S.A.R.L., MBNA Receivables Ltd, Mainsearch Company Ltd, Maritime Leasing (No. 19) Ltd, Membership Services Finance Ltd, Mitre Street Funding S.A.R.L., Molineux RMBS 2016-1 plc, Molineux RMBS Holdings Ltd, Moor Lane Holdings Ltd, NFU Mutual Finance Ltd, NWS Trust Ltd, Nominees (Jersey) Ltd, Nordic Leasing Ltd, Ocean Leasing (July) Ltd, Oystercatcher Nominees Ltd, Oystercatcher Residential Ltd, PIPS Asset Investments Ltd, Pacific Leasing Ltd, Penarth Asset Securitisation Holdings Ltd, Penarth Funding 1 Ltd, Penarth Funding 2 Ltd, Penarth Master Issuer plc, Penarth Receivables Trustee Ltd, Pensions Management (S.W.F.) Ltd, Peony Eastern Leasing Ltd, Peony Leasing Ltd, Peony Western Leasing Ltd, Permanent Funding (No. 1) Ltd, Permanent Funding (No. 2) Ltd, Permanent Holdings Ltd, Permanent Master Issuer plc, Permanent Mortgages Trustee Ltd, Permanent PECOH Holdings Ltd, Permanent PECOH Ltd, Perry Nominees Ltd, Prestonfield Investments Ltd, Proton Finance Ltd, R.F. Spencer And Company Ltd, Ranelagh Nominees Ltd, Retail Revival (Burgess Hill) Investments Ltd, SARL Coliseum, SARL Hiram, SAS Compagnie Fonciere De France, SCI Astoria Invest, SCI De LHorloge, SCI Equinoxe, SCI Rambuteau CFF, SW Funding plc, SW No.1 Ltd, SWAMF (GP) Ltd, SWAMF Nominee (1) Ltd, SWAMF Nominee (2) Ltd, Saint Michel Holding Company No1, Saint Michel Investment Property, Saint Witz 2 Holding Company No1, Saint Witz 2 Investment Property, Salisbury II Securities 2016 Ltd, Salisbury II-A Securities 2017 Ltd, Salisbury III Securities 2019 DAC, Salisbury Securities 2015 Ltd, Sandown 2012-2 Holdings Ltd, Sandown 2012-2 plc, Sandown Gold 2012-1 Holdings Ltd, Sandown Gold 2012-1 plc, Savban Leasing Ltd, Scotland International Finance B.V., Scottish Widows Administration Services (Nominees) Ltd, Scottish Widows Administration Services Ltd, Scottish Widows Annuities Ltd, Scottish Widows Auto Enrolment Services Ltd, Scottish Widows Europe, Scottish Widows Financial Services Holdings, Scottish Widows Group Ltd, Scottish Widows Industrial Properties Europe B.V., Scottish Widows Ltd, Scottish Widows Pension Trustees Ltd, Scottish Widows Property Management Ltd, Scottish Widows Schroder Personal Wealth (ACD) Ltd, Scottish Widows Schroder Personal Wealth Ltd, Scottish Widows Schroder Wealth Holdings Ltd, Scottish Widows Services Ltd, Scottish Widows Trustees Ltd, Scottish Widows Unit Funds Ltd, Scottish Widows Unit Trust Managers Ltd, Scottish Widows Fund and Life Assurance Society, Seabreeze Leasing Ltd, Seaspirit Leasing Ltd, Share Dealing Nominees Ltd, Shogun Finance Ltd, Silentdale Ltd, St Andrews Group Ltd, St Andrews Insurance plc, St Andrews Life Assurance plc, St. Marys Court Investments, Standard Property Investment (1987) Ltd, Standard Property Investment Ltd, Sussex County Homes Ltd, Suzuki Financial Services Ltd, Swan Funding 2 Ltd, Syon Securities 2019 DAC, The Agricultural Mortgage Corporation Plc, The British Linen Company Ltd, The Halifax Foundation for Northern Ireland, The Mortgage Business plc, Thistle Financing Holdings Ltd, Thistle Investments (AMC) Ltd, Thistle Investments (ERM) Ltd, Thistle Leasing, Three Copthall Avenue Ltd, Tower Hill Property Investments (10) Ltd, Tower Hill Property Investments (7) Ltd, Tranquility Leasing Ltd, Trinity Financing plc, UDT Budget Leasing Ltd, UDT Sales Finance Ltd, Uberior (Moorfield) Ltd, Uberior Co-Investments Ltd, Uberior ENA Ltd, Uberior Equity Ltd, Uberior Europe Ltd, Uberior Fund Investments Ltd, Uberior Infrastructure Investments (No.2) Ltd, Uberior Infrastructure Investments Ltd, Uberior Investments Ltd, Uberior Nominees Ltd, Uberior Trading Ltd, Uberior Trustees Ltd, Uberior Ventures Australia Pty Ltd, Uberior Ventures Ltd, United Dominions Leasing Ltd, United Dominions Trust Ltd, Universe The CMI Global Network Fund, Upsaala Ltd, Vine Street IX LP, WCS Ltd, Ward Nominees (Abingdon) Ltd, Ward Nominees (Birmingham) Ltd 1, Ward Nominees (Bristol) Ltd 1, Ward Nominees Ltd 1, Waverley Fund II Investor LLC, Waverley Fund III Investor LLC, Waymark Asset Investments Ltd, West Craigs Ltd, Wetherby II Securities 2018 DAC, Wetherby III Securities 2019 DAC, Wetherby Securities 2017 Ltd, Wood Street Leasing Ltd, and Zurich Insurance Group - UK Workplace Pensions and Savings Business. Visitors to President Ho Chi Minhs mausoleum (Source: vov) On this occasion, a delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, the President, National Assembly, Government and Vietnam Fatherlands Front paid tribute to President at the mausoleum. All expressed their gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh who devoted his life to national liberation, reunification and construction./. By Express News Service CUDDALORE/NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency officials from Kochi carried out searches at 10 locations in Tamil Nadu on Monday in connection with an alleged conspiracy to form a terrorist group by some youngsters. In Lalpet area of Cuddalore, searches were carried out in the residence of one Abdul Rasheed and three laptops, three hard discs, 16 mobile phones and eight SIM cards were seized among other things. Rasheed was not present at his residence when the raid happened. Officials alleged that Rasheed could have connections with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terror module. Searches were carried out at Muthupet, Keelakarai, Devipattinam, Lalpet and Salem in connection with the case, which was earlier probed by the Keelakarai police, said official sources. The agency further alleged that 10 people from Tamil Nadu had started a WhatsApp group called Shahadat is our goal. They claimed the group had terrorist motives. In 2018, an NIA statement said, they conspired to procure arms for their group and raise funds to wage an armed struggle to facilitate the escape of terrorists from jail. ...they wanted to propagate their ideology and act against the State. Nine of the suspects, the statement added, were arrested earlier. But one continues to be absconding. The nine others arrested were later released on bail by the court, admitted the NIA. The case was originally registered way back in April 2018, at the Keelakarai police station. The agency, earlier, searched eight locations of Popular Front of India offices in Tamil Nadu on May 2. The missing man The case registered in April 2018 had named 10 suspects but only nine were arrested, questioned and later let out on bail, the 10th suspect has been absconding Invesco China Technology ETF's stock was trading at $51.99 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 (Coronavirus) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, CQQQ stock has increased by 18.2% and is now trading at $61.44. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. iShares MSCI EAFE ETF's stock was trading at $56.05 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, EFA stock has increased by 41.2% and is now trading at $79.12. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. 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 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 Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. provides technical, professional, and construction services. The company's Aerospace, Technology, Environmental and Nuclear segment offers scientific, engineering, construction, nuclear, environmental, and technical support services to the aerospace, defense, technical, and automotive industries. Its Buildings, Infrastructure and Advanced Facilities segment develops/rehabilitates plans for highways, bridges, transit, tunnels, airports, railroads, intermodal facilities, and maritime or port projects; develops or rehabilitates critical water resource systems, water/wastewater conveyance systems, and flood defense projects; and provides engineering design, construction management, design build, and operations and maintenance. This segment also designs and constructs buildings; offers consulting, engineering, procurement, construction management, and delivery services for life sciences clients; and provides services relating to modular construction and other consulting and strategic planning services, as well as offers services in containment, barrier technology, locally controlled environments, building systems automation, off-the-site design, and fabrication of facility modules. The company's Energy, Chemicals and Resources segment offers services relating to onshore and offshore oil and gas production facilities, processing facilities, gathering systems, and transmission pipelines and terminals; feasibility/economic studies, technology evaluation, conceptual engineering, front end loading, detailed engineering, procurement, construction, maintenance, and commissioning services; and engineering, procurement, and construction solutions. This segment also provides services, such as manufacturing complex, expansions, modifications, and management of plant relocations; construction management and field construction services; and services to operate and maintain facilities. The company was founded in 1947 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Read More Premium Brands Holdings Corporation, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and distributes food products primarily in Canada and the United States. It operates in two segments, Specialty Foods and Premium Food Distribution. The company provides meat products and snacks, deli products, beef jerky and halal, sandwiches, pastries, specialty and gourmet products, salads and kettle products, entrees, panini, wraps, subs, hamburgers, burgers, muffins, breads, pastas, and baking and sushi products, as well as processed meat products. It is also involved in the distribution of food products, including meat, seafood, and halal food products, as well as operation of retail/convenience store and concessionary, and provision of food and seafood processing services. The company operates under the brand names of Harvest Meats, Hempler's, Grimm's Fine Foods, Piller's, Freybe, Isernio's, Expresco, SJ Fine Foods, McSweeney's, Made Rite, Fletcher's, Deli Chef, Belmont Meats, Conte Foods, SK Food Group, Oven Pride, Hygaard, Quality Fast Foods, HQ Fine Foods, Creekside Custom Foods, Stuyver's Bread, Bread Garden Express, Audrey's Patisserie, Duso's, Gourmet Chef, Island City Baking, Skilcor, Leadbetter's, Mclean Meats, Buddy's Kitchen, Raybern's, Partner's Crackers, Shaw Bakers, Oberto, Concord Meats, Country Prime Meats, The Meat Factory, and Golden Valley Farms. It serves chains and large format retailers, independent and specialty retailers, foodservice operators, foodservice distributors, and other food manufacturers and food brokers. The company was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Richmond, Canada. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Illinois Tool Works: A V Co 1 Limited, A V Co 2 Limited, A V Co 3 Limited, ACCU-LUBE Manufacturing GmbH - Schmiermittel und -gerate -, AIP/BI Holdings Inc., Accessories Marketing Holding Corp., Advanced Molding Company Inc., Allen Coding GmbH, Allen France SAS, Alpine Automation Limited, Alpine Engineered Products, Alpine Holdings Inc., Alpine Systems Corporation, Anaerobicos S.r.l., AppliChem GmbH, Arylux Hungary Elektromechanikus Alkatreszgyarto Kft, Avery Berkel France, Avery India Limited, Avery Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avery Weigh Tronix, Avery Weigh-Tronix (Suzhou) Weighing Technology Co. Ltd., Avery Weigh-Tronix Finance Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Holdings Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix International Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix LLC, Avery Weigh-Tronix Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Properties Limited, Azon Limited, B.C. Immo, Beijing Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Berkel (Ireland) Limited, Berrington UK, Brapenta Eletronica Ltda., Brooks Instrument (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Brooks Instrument B.V., Brooks Instrument GmbH, Brooks Instrument KFT, Brooks Instrument Korea Ltd., Brooks Instrument LLC, Buell Industries Inc., CAPMAX Logistica S.A. de C.V., CCI Realty Company, CFC Europe GmbH, CS (Australia) Pty Limited, CS (Finance) Europe S.a.r.l., CS Mexico Holding Company S DE RL DE CV, CSMTS LLC, Calvia Spolka z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnosci, Capital Ventures (Australasia) S.a r.l, Capmax Logistica S.A. de C.V., Celeste Industries Corporation, Coeur, Coeur (Shanghai) Medical Appliance Trading Co. Ltd, Coeur Asia Limited, Coeur Holding Company, Coeur Inc., Compagnie Hobart, Compagnie de Materiel et d'Equipements Techniques-Comet, Constructions Isothermiques Bontami C.I.B., Crane Carrier Company, Despatch Industries, Diagraph Corporation Sdn. Bhd, Diagraph ITW Mexico S. de R.L. De C.V., Diagraph Mexico S.A. DE C.V., Dongguan Ark-Les Electric Components Co. Ltd., Dongguan CK Branding Co. Ltd., Dorbyl U.K. (Holdings) Limited, Duo Fast de Espana S.A.U., Duo-Fast Korea Co. Ltd., Duo-Fast LLC, E.C.S. d.o.o., ECS Cable Protection Sp. Zoo, ELRO (Holding) AG, ELRO Grosskuchen GmbH, ELRO-WERKE AG, Elga Skandinavian AS, Elro Group, Eltex-Elektrostatik-Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Envases Multipac S.A. de C.V., Eurotec Srl, FEG Investments L.L.C., Fasver, Filtertek, Filtertek De Mexico Holding Inc., Filtertek De Mexico S.A. de C.V., GC Financement SA, Gamko B.V., Gun Hwa Platech (Taicang) Co. Ltd., HOBART Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Hartness International, Hobart (Japan) K.K., Hobart Andina S.A.S., Hobart Brothers International Chile Limitada, Hobart Brothers LLC, Hobart Dayton Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Hobart Food Equipment Co. Ltd., Hobart Foster Belgium, Hobart International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Hobart Korea LLC, Hobart LLC, Hobart Nederland B.V., Hobart Sales & Service Inc., Hobart Scandinavia ApS, Hobart Techniek B.V., Horis, ILC Investments Holdings Inc., ITW (China) Investment Company Limited, ITW (Deutschland) GmbH, ITW (EU) Holdings Ltd., ITW (European) Finance Co. Ltd., ITW (European) Finance II Co. Ltd., ITW (European) Finance III Co. Ltd., ITW (Ningbo) Components & Fastenings Systems Co. Ltd., ITW AEP LLC, ITW AOC LLC, ITW Aircraft Investments Inc., ITW Alpha Sarl, ITW Ampang Industries Philippines Inc., ITW Appliance Components EOOD, ITW Appliance Components S.A. de C.V., ITW Appliance Components S.r.l.a, ITW Appliance Components d.o.o., ITW Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, ITW Australia Property Holdings Pty Ltd., ITW Australia Pty Ltd, ITW Automotive Components (Chongqing) Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Components (Langfang) Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Japan K.K., ITW Automotive Korea LLC, ITW Automotive Parts (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, ITW Automotive Products GmbH, ITW Automotive Products Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Bailly Comte, ITW Befestigungssysteme GmbH, ITW Belgium, ITW Brazilian Nominee L.L.C., ITW Building Components Group Inc., ITW CER, ITW CP Distribution Center Holland BV, ITW CS (UK) Ltd., ITW Canada Inc., ITW Celeste Inc., ITW Chemical Products Ltda, ITW Chemical Products Scandinavia ApS, ITW Colombia S.A.S., ITW Construction Products (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ITW Construction Products (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., ITW Construction Products AB, ITW Construction Products AS, ITW Construction Products ApS, ITW Construction Products CZ s.r.o., ITW Construction Products Italy Srl, ITW Construction Products OU, ITW Construction Products OY, ITW Contamination Control (Wujiang) Co. Ltd., ITW Contamination Control B.V., ITW Covid Security Group Inc., ITW DS Investments Inc., ITW DelFast do Brasil Ltda., ITW Delta Sarl, ITW Denmark ApS, ITW Dynatec, ITW Dynatec Adhesive Equipment (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., ITW Dynatec GmbH, ITW Dynatec Kabushiki Kaisha, ITW EAE B.V., ITW EAE Mexico S de RL de CV, ITW EF&C France SAS, ITW EF&C Selb GmbH, ITW Electronic Business Asia Co. Limited, ITW Electronic Components/Products (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ITW Electronics (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., ITW Epsilon Sarl, ITW Espana S.A., ITW FEG Hong Kong Limited, ITW FEG do Brasil Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW Fastener Products GmbH, ITW Finance Designated Activity Company, ITW Finance Europe S.A., ITW Fluids and Hygiene Solutions Ltda., ITW Food Equipment Group LLC, ITW France Finance Alpha S.A.S., ITW GH LLC, ITW GSE ApS, ITW GSE Inc., ITW Gamma Sarl, ITW German Management LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings Y Compania Sociedad en Comandita por Acciones, ITW Global Investments II Inc., ITW Global Investments Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Europe GmbH, ITW Global Tire Repair Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Japan K.K., ITW Graphics (Thailand) Ltd., ITW Graphics Asia Limited, ITW Graphics Italy S.R.L. in liquidazione, ITW Great Britain Investment & Licensing Holding Company, ITW Group France (Luxembourg) S.ar.l., ITW HLP Thailand Co. Ltd., ITW Holding Quimica B.C. S.L. Sole Shareholder Company, ITW Holdings Australia L.P., ITW Holdings I Limited, ITW Holdings II Limited, ITW Holdings III Limited, ITW Holdings IV Limited, ITW Holdings IX Limited, ITW Holdings Inc., ITW Holdings UK, ITW Holdings V Limited, ITW Holdings VI Limited, ITW Holdings VII Limited, ITW Holdings VIII Limited, ITW Holdings X Limited, ITW Holdings XI Limited, ITW Hungary Finance Beta Kft, ITW ILC Holdings I Inc., ITW IPG Investments LLC, ITW Imaden Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW India Private Limited, ITW International Holdings LLC, ITW Invest Holding GmbH, ITW Ireland Holdings Unlimited Company, ITW Ireland Unlimited Company, ITW Italy Finance Srl, ITW Italy Holding Srl, ITW Japan Ltd., ITW Korea LLC, ITW LLC & Co. KG, ITW Limited, ITW Lombard Holdings Inc., ITW Lys Fusion S.r.l., ITW M FILMS II LLC, ITW MH LLC, ITW Meritex Sdn. Bhd., ITW Metal Fasteners S.L., ITW Mexico Holding Company S. De R.L. de C.V., ITW Mexico Holdings LLC, ITW Morlock GmbH, ITW Mortgage Investments II Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments III Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments IV Inc., ITW Netherlands Administration BV, ITW Netherlands Beta B.V., ITW Netherlands Finance Alpha BV, ITW New Universal LLC, ITW New Zealand, ITW Novadan Sp. Z.o.o., ITW PPF Brasil Adesivos Ltda., ITW Packaging Technology (China) Co. Ltd., ITW Participations S.a r.l., ITW Pension Funds Trustee Company, ITW Performance Plastic (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Japan Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Korea Limited, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids OOO, ITW Performance Polymers (Wujiang) Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers ApS, ITW Performance Polymers and Fluids Group FZE, ITW Peru S.A.C., ITW Philippines Holdings LLC, ITW Poly Mex S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Polymers Sealants North America Inc., ITW Pronovia s.r.o., ITW Pte. Ltd., ITW Qufu Automotive Cooling Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Real Estate Germany GmbH, ITW Residuals III L.L.C., ITW Residuals IV L.L.C., ITW Rivex, ITW SMPI, ITW SPG Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Simco-Ion (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., ITW Slovakia s.r.o., ITW Spain Holdings S.L., ITW Specialty Film LLC, ITW Specialty Films France, ITW Specialty Materials (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., ITW Spraytec, ITW Sverige AB, ITW Sweden Holding AB, ITW Test & Measurement Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, ITW Test & Measurement GmbH, ITW Test and Measurement Italia Srl, ITW Test and Measurement Services Industry and Trade Ltd., ITW Texwipe Philippines Inc., ITW Thermal Films (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ITW UK, ITW UK Finance Beta Limited, ITW UK Finance Delta Limited, ITW UK Finance Gamma Limited, ITW UK Finance Limited, ITW UK Finance Zeta Ltd., ITW UK II Limited, ITW Universal II LLC, ITW Welding, ITW Welding AB, ITW Welding GmbH, ITW Welding Products B.V., ITW Welding Products Group FZE, ITW Welding Products Group S. DE R.L. De C.V., ITW Welding Products Italy Srl, ITW Welding Products Limited Liability Company, ITW Welding Produtos Para Solgdagem Ltda., ITW Welding Servicios Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Welding Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW de France, ITW do Brasil Industrial e Comercial Ltda., Ideal Molding Technologies LLC, Illinois Tool Works (Chile) Limitada, Illinois Tool Works (ITW) Nederland B.V., Illinois Tool Works Norway AS, Impar Comercio E Representacoes Ltda., Industrie Plastic Elsasser GmbH, Inmobiliaria Cit. S.A. de C.F., Innova Temperlite Servicios S.A. de C.V., Innovacion y Transformacion Automotriz S.A. de C.V., Instron (Shanghai) Ltd., Instron (Thailand) Limited, Instron Brasil Equipamentos Cientificos Ltda., Instron Foreign Sales Corp. Limited, Instron France S.A.S., Instron GmbH, Instron Holdings Limited, Instron International Limited, Instron Japan Company Ltd., Instron Korea LLC, International Leasing Company LLC, International Truss Systems Proprietary Limited, Isolenge - ITW Sistemas de Isolamento Termico Ltda., KCPL Mauritius Holdings, Kester, Kester Components (M) Sdn. Bhd., Kleinmann GmbH, Krafft S.L., Loma Systems, Loma Systems (Canada) Inc., Loma Systems BV, Loma Systems sro, Lombard Pressings Limited, Lumex Inc., Lys Fusion Poland Sp. z.o.o., M&C Specialties (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., M&C Specialties Co., MAGNAFLUX GmbH, MEHB Holdings Limited, MGHG Property LLC, MOA Enterprises Inc, Manufacturing Avancee S.A., Meritex Technology (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Meurer Verpackungssysteme GmbH, Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, Miller Insurance Ltd., NDT Holding LLC, NOVADAN APS, Norden Olje AB, North Star Imaging Europe, North Star Imaging Inc., Nova Chimica S.r.l., Orbitalum Tools GmbH, PENTA-91 OOO, PR. A. I. Srl, PT ITW Construction Products Indonesia, Pacific Concept Industries Limited (Enping), Panreac Quimica S.L., Paslode Fasteners (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Peerless Machinery Corp., Penta Dnepr LLC, Penta Sever OOO, Penta Volga OOO, Polyrey, Premark FEG L.L.C., Premark HII Holdings LLC, Premark International, Premark International LLC, Prolex Sociedad Anonima, QSA Global Inc., Quimica Industrial Mediterranea S.L., Ramset Fasteners (Hong Kong) Ltd., Rapid Cook LLC, Refrigeration France, S.E.E. Sistemas Industria E Comercio Ltda., ST Mexico Holdings LLC, Sealant Systems International Inc., Sentinel Asia Yuhan Hoesa, Shanghai ITW Plastic & Metal Co. Ltd, Simco (Nederland) B.V., Simco Japan Inc., Societe de Prospection et dInventions Techniques SPIT, Speedline Holdings I Inc., Speedline Holdings I LLC, Speedline Technologies GmbH, Speedline Technologies Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Speedline Technologies Mexico Services S. de R.L. de C.V., Stokvis Celix Portugal Unipessoal LDA, Stokvis Danmark ApS, Stokvis Holdings S.A.R.L., Stokvis Promi s.r.o, Stokvis Prostick Tapes Private Limited, Stokvis Tapes (Hong Kong) Co. Limited, Stokvis Tapes (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes (Taiwan) Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes BVBA, Stokvis Tapes Benelux B.V., Stokvis Tapes Deutschland GmbH, Stokvis Tapes France, Stokvis Tapes Italia s.r.l., Stokvis Tapes Limited, Stokvis Tapes Limited Liability Company, Stokvis Tapes Norge AS, Stokvis Tapes Oy, Stokvis Tapes Polska Sp Z.O.O., Stokvis Tapes Sverige AB, Stolvis Holdings II S.A.R.L., Technopack Industria Comercio Consultoria e Representacoes Ltda., Teknek (China) Limited, Teknek (Japan) Limited, Teksaleco Ltd., The Miller Group Ltd, Thirode Grandes Cuisines Poligny, Tien Tai Electrode (Kunshan) Co. Ltd., Tien Tai Electrode Co. Ltd., Unichemicals Industria e Comercio Ltda., VR-Leasing Sarita GmbH & Co. Immobilien KG, VS European Holdco BV, Valeron Strength Films B.V.B.A., Veneta Decalcogomme S.r.l., Versachem Chile S.A., Vesta, Vesta (Guangzhou) Catering Equipment Co. Ltd, Vesta Global Limited, Viltronics Soltec, Vitronics Soltec B.V., Wachs Canada Ltd., Wachs Subsea LLC, Weigh-Tronix Canada ULC, Weigh-Tronix UK Limited, Wilsonart International Holdings LLC, Wynn Oil (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd., Wynn's Automotive France, Wynn's Belgium BVBA, Wynn's Italia Srl, Wynn's Mekuba India Pvt Ltd, ZF TRW (Engineered Fasteners and Components), and Zip-Pak International B.V.. Namita Bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: Amid allegations of EVMs tampering flying thick and wide after majority of exit polls projected a win for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the main opposition parties including Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samja Party (BSP) in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday cautioned their cadre to guard the strong rooms where EVMs have been kept right now. The fear factor over possible EVM tampering is so high among the opposition parties that they have issued advisories to the workers to match the numbers of EVMs when they would be taken for counting of votes on the result day on Thursday, May 23. The workers, who will be on duty at the counting centre, have also been directed by their respective parties to match the number of votes polled with those counted. Taking a lead, the Samajwadi Party state chief Naresh Uttam issued written directives to the party workers on Monday asking them not only to guard the strong rooms in shifts of eight hours each but also recruit experienced counting agents along with ace lawyers, who should be present on the counting spot till the counting process got over. ALSO READ: EC rejects charge of EVM misuse in Uttar Pradesh as video goes viral Similarly, the BSP cautioned its counting agents to ensure that the green paper seal and special tag were same on the EVMs before letting them open for counting of votes. The BSP leadership asked is party workers to be doubly sure about EVM numbers so that they cant be changed at the time of counting. On the other, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi released an audio message for her party workers giving them a pep talk after the trends shown by the exit polls. She asked them not to get demoralized by Exit Polls and rumours. She issued an alert asking them to stay firmly outside the strong room and watch for any unusual activity in the vicinity. My dear Congress workers dont lose heart because of Exit Polls and rumours, such things are spread to demoralize you. You should be more alert now, stay firm outside the strong rooms and at the counting centres. We have a firm belief that our hard work will not go waste. Earlier in Ghazipur district, SP-BSP alliance candidate Afzal Ansari, sibling of mafia don-turned-poltitician Mukhtar Ansari, put up a sit-in protest accusing the administration of trying to change the EVMs on Monday evening. BJPs Manoj Sinha is taking on Afzal Ansari in Ghazipur. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE Ansari also demanded that administration to issue passes to at least two BSP workers who could sit near the premises where EVMs were kept in strong rooms at five different places in the constituency. We have the fear that administration may get the EVMs changed at the behest of the BJP government. We are staging a protest until our demands are met by the district administration and we are assured about the safety of the EVMs. We will not go anywhere and will guard the EVMs on our own, Ansari said. However, Ghazipur District Magistrate K Balaji said that the administration was ready to issue passes to three people for eight hours each. Meanwhile, senior SP leader and party candidate from Rampur, Azam Khan on Monday had claimed that after the trends projected by various exit polls about the possible outcome of 2019 Lok Sabha election, the nation was in the grip of fear and uncertainty. Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, a technology company, focuses in the areas of automation and digitalization in Europe, Commonwealth of Independent States, Africa, the Middle East, the Americas, Asia, and Australia. Its Digital Industries segment offers automation systems and software for factories, numerical control systems, motors, drives and inverters, and integrated automation systems for machine tools and production machines; process control systems, machine-to-machine communication products, sensors and radio frequency identification systems; production and product lifecycle management software; mechatronic systems simulation and testing software; and cloud-based industrial Internet of Things operating system. The company's Smart Infrastructure segment supplies and connects energy systems and building technologies to enhance efficiency and sustainability; and supports customers to address technology shifts. Its Mobility segment provides passenger and freight transportation, such as rail vehicles, rail automation and electrification systems, road traffic technology, digital solutions, and related services; and mobility system services. The company's Siemens Healthineers segment offers medical technology and software solutions; and clinical consulting and training services. Its Siemens Financial Services segment provides leasing solutions and equipment; and debt and equity investment products. The company was founded in 1847 and is headquartered in Munich, Germany. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of V.F.: 1994 Inc. Ltd., 530 Park Ave 10-F LLC, 530 Park Ave 14-H LLC, ALL'CROWN SA, Administradora Mexicana de Servicios S de RL de CV, Administradora de Servicios Honduras S.A., Altra Footwear, Altra LLC, C.C.R.L. LLC, Chapter 4 Corp, Cherry SAS, Ciliegia Srl, Corporacion Distribiduidora de Dickies S de RL de CV, Cutler de Mexico SA, Czech Distribution Services s.r.o., DSI Enterprises LLC, Dickies de Honduras SA de CV, Dickies de Parras S de RL de CV, EAGLE CREEK EUROPE LIMITED, Eagle Creek, Eagle Creek Inc., GFYS LLC, GREENSPORT MONTE BIANCO, Horace Small, INVERSIONES INMOBILIARIES AUSTRALES SA, INVERSIONES VF CHILE DOS LTDA, INVERSIONES VF CHILE LTDA, IW Apparel LLC, IW Holdings LLC, IW Panama Trading S. de R.L., IceBreaker, Icebreaker Apparel LLC, Icebreaker Australia Pty, Icebreaker Australia Retail Pty, Icebreaker Europe Limited, Icebreaker Holdings Limited, Icebreaker Licensing LLC, Icebreaker Limited, Icebreaker Merino Clothing Europe Ltd., Icebreaker New Zealand Limited, Icebreaker Pure Merino GmbH, Imagewear Apparel Corp., Industrial Laundry Services LLC, Industrias Coahuila de Zaragosa S de RL de CV, JanSport Apparel Corp., Kipling Apparel Corp., Kipling Belgium, Kipling Holdings LLC, Kirsche GmbH, Kodiak Group Holdings CO., Lee Bell Inc., Lucy, Lucy Apparel LLC, Majestic Athletic Official Store, Mo Industries Holdings, NII Sales - Texas LLC, Napapijri, North East Rig-Out Limited, North Elm Properties LLC, RED KAP DE MEXICO S DE RL DE CV, RKI HONDURAS S de RL, Reef Holdings Corporation, Rock & Republic, SERVICIOS Y PROMOCIONES TEXTILES LTDA, South Cone, South Cone Inc, Supreme, Supreme Holdings Inc., Supreme Intermediate Holdings Inc., T.I. Venture Group Inc, TBL INVESTMENTS HOLDING GMBH, TBL Licensing LLC, THE NORTH FACE ITALY SRL, THE NORTH FACE SAGL, THE RECREATIONAL FOOTWEAR CO., TIMBERLAND EUROPE BV, TIMBERLAND HK TRADING LTD., TIMBERLAND LUXEMBOURG HOLDING ASIA S.A.R.L., TIMBERLAND UK LTD., The North Face, The North Face Apparel Corp, Timberland, Timberland Asia LLC, Timberland IDC Ltd., Timberland International LLC, VANS MADEIRA LDA, VANS SPAIN SL, VF (J) FRANCE SAS, VF (J) NEDERLAND BV, VF (J) NETHERLANDS SERVICES BV, VF APPAREL PORTUGAL LDA, VF ASIA LTD, VF Apollo Investments Limited, VF Apollo Singapore Pte. Ltd., VF Asia Sourcing Ltd, VF Austria GMBH, VF BRANDS MALAYSIA SDN BHD, VF BRANDS TAIWAN LTD., VF Belgium BV, VF Brands Pte. Ltd., VF CH Apollo Sagl, VF CH Holdings GmbH, VF CH Imagewear Canada GmbH, VF CH MEXICO INVESTMENTS SAGL, VF CH-MEX Holdings LLC, VF CHINA LTD., VF CIS LLC, VF COMERCIALIZADORA LTDA, VF CZECH SERVICES SRO, VF CZECH SRO, VF Corporation, VF DE ARGENTINA SA, VF DO BRAZIL LTDA, VF EGE GIYIM SANAYI VE TICARET LIMITED SIRKETI, VF EUROPE BV, VF GERMANY TEXTILE-HANDELS GMBH, VF Germany Services GMBH, VF HELLAS EPE, VF HOLDING SAGL, VF HOLDINGS MEXICO LLC, VF Hong Kong Limited, VF IB Holdings LLC, VF IMAGEWEAR DE MEXICO S DE RL DE CV, VF IMAGEWEAR MAJESTIC (UK) LTD, VF INTERNATIONAL SAGL, VF INVESTIMENTOS DO BRAZIL LTDA, VF IP Holdings LLC, VF ISRAEL (APPAREL) LTD, VF ITALIA SRL, VF ITALY SERVICES SRL, VF Imagewear Canada Co., VF Imagewear Inc, VF Intellectual Property Services Inc, VF International Holding GmbH, VF Investments Holding GmbH, VF Investments Netherlands BV, VF JEANSWEAR ARGENTINA SRL, VF JEANSWEAR ESPANA SL, VF Japan KK, VF KOREA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, VF LUXEMBOURG SARL, VF Management Service Italy S.r.l., VF NL Holdings CV, VF NL Imagewear B.V., VF NORTHERN EUROPE LIMITED, VF NORTHERN EUROPE SERVICES LIMITED, VF Norway AS, VF OUTDOOR (CANADA) CO, VF OUTDOOR MEXICO S DE RL DE CV, VF OUTDOOR SERVICES S DE RL DE CV, VF Outdoor LLC, VF PANAMA SOURCING SERVICES S. DE R.L., VF PARTICIPACOES DO BRASIL LTDA, VF PERU SA, VF POLSKA DISTRIBUTION SP ZO O, VF Playwear Dominicana SA, VF Playwear LLC, VF Receivables LP, VF Receivables Services LLC, VF SAGEBRUSH ENTERPRISES LLC, VF SALES SAGL, VF SERVICIOS DE HONDURAS SA, VF SERVICIOS EL SALVADOR LTDA. DE CV, VF SHANGHAI SOURCING LIMITED, VF SOURCING THAILAND LTD, VF Scandinavia ApS, VF Services LLC, VF Servicios de Guatemala Srl, VF Servicios de Nicaragua Srl., VF Shanghai Enterprise Company, VF Shanghai Limited, VF Singapore Overseas Services Pte Ltd, VF Solutions LLC, VF Sourcing India Private Limited, VF Sweden AB, VF Switzerland Enterprises GmbH, VF Taiwan Limited, VF Transglobal GmbH, VF Treasury Services LLC, VFSE Investments LLC, VFSLA Commercial Services LLC, VFSLA Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., Vans, Vans Inc, W-D APPAREL COMPANY LLC, W-D Licensing LLC, WD Europe SAS, WD Supply Holding Limited (HK), Walls Cayman Limited, Walls Holding Company LLC, Walls Industries LLC, Williamson Industries Ltd., Williamson-Dickie APAC Holding Company Ltd., Williamson-Dickie Apparel Trading (Shanghai) Ltd., Williamson-Dickie Canada Co., Williamson-Dickie Europe GmbH, Williamson-Dickie Europe Holdings Ltd., Williamson-Dickie Europe Ltd., Williamson-Dickie HK Holding Company Ltd., Williamson-Dickie Holding Co-Mexico S de RL de CV, Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing Company LLC, Williamson-Dickie Middle East FZE, Wooster GK, Workwear Sourcing S. de R.L., World Jeans VF Asia Ltd, Worldwide Workwear Ltd., and Ying Tao Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.. GOODYEAR LAKE, N.Y. -- A trailer home was destroyed, in a fire that broke out around just before 6 Monday night at a mobile home park in Goodyear Lake. It happened at Shady Acres mobile home park. Crews were on-scene within 7 minutes of the 911 call. The Milford Fire Chief says with three hoses, porta-ponds and tanker relays, the fire was put out quickly. No one was in the home at the time. Only one injury was reported when a firefighter cut his hand trying to get inside. The Fire Chief says the home belonged to an elderly couple who left earlier in the day. The home is deemed unliveable. The Red Cross is providing assistance to the couple. By PTI NEW DELHI: BJP chief Amit Shah Tuesday hosted a dinner for leaders of NDA allies that was attended by top leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Shiv Sena supremo Uddhav Thackeray among others. The dinner was followed by a meeting in which nearly two dozen allies facilitated Prime Minister Modi. All NDA partners came one after another and felicitated him with a shawl. Top leaders of the NDA were sitting on the dais with Modi, on whose one side was Shah and on other its was SAD's Parkash Singh Badal, the senior most leader of the alliance. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE Besides them Nitish, Thackeray, Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari were also there. The meeting follows another meeting of the council of ministers called by Shah to thank them for "their service to the nation." ALSO READ| Narendra Modi likens his Lok Sabha campaign to pilgrimage at meeting with BJP ministers The NDA meeting assumes significance as it has been called just days before the announcement of the Lok Sabha poll's results on May 23, in which almost all the exit polls have projected the alliance getting clear majority in the lower house. FRANKFORT, Ind. (WLFI)For the last four days residents living on E Morrison St in Frankfort have noticed a house set on fire repeatedly by the Frankfort Fire Department. The property was available, said Neighbor Tony Miller. We knew the lady that had lived there. Tony Miller lives next door. He purchased the property after the woman living there left. We were able to, now that theyre out, we purchased it now were able to remove the home and make this a little more beautiful for this part of town anyway, said Miller Millers next step was to get rid of the home, but in an interesting and beneficial way. He contacted Frankfort Fire Department offering the home up as a training site. We know that they like to do training, said Miller. But we werent sure how they did their training so I approached Chief Kirby, asked him about it and he was all up for it. Chief Kirby says this is very beneficial and timely considering they just hired a new team member. To be able to come into a building and actually do some live burns in some live scenarios it just gives our guys a better feel, said Kirby. Weather permitting, the firefighters have been practicing on what Frankfort has the most. Old homes. The house that was purchased was built in 1912. Which means its been sitting in that area for decades. Tony Miller next door purchased this property because he wanted to revitalize the neighborhood and right now were getting ready to get a firsthand look at what the Frankfort Fire Department is doing with this home before they burn it down on Friday. This is different, said Miller. This is a house theyve never been in before and it gives them an opportunity to see something different. Just being able to make Frankfort a little more beautiful on this end is the end goal. Tony plans to plant grass and flowers in that space once the house is burned down and the area is clean. DELPHI, Ind. (WLFI) Carroll County Dispatch confirmed one person was injured at the Indiana Packers Corporation. The call came in around 10:00 p.m. Monday. A medical helicopter was dispatched to the plant shortly afterward. IPC's Vice President of Human Resources told News 18 the injuries are not critical or life-threatening. He says the team member was airlifted as a cautionary measure. IPC is in the process of conducting a full investigation. News 18 is told the company's main concern is the welfare of the injured team member and safety of the other 2,000 employees. LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) -- Registration is full and almost all of the teachers are hired as the Greater Lafayette Career Academy prepares for its first day of school. But that's not until August 13th. For now, the 94,000-square-foot space is readying for 200 high schoolers with the help of Lafayette School Corporation Superintendent Les Huddle. "I think the hardest part is probably still to come," said Huddle. It's less than 90 days until 200 high schoolers spend half their days preparing for college, a career or a calling. Huddle delivers his truth. "Failure is not going to be an option here," said Huddle. The Greater Lafayette Career Academy is something Huddle is proud of. "I think my impression is a little skewed or bias but to me its looking great," said Huddle. It's a partnership between school corporations in Tippecanoe County that allows any high school student to take the classes. Those initial courses include health care, Project Lead The Way, culinary arts, criminal justice and I.T. There is a maker's room as well. The purpose is to let the students creativity guide their passion. "Experiences that the kids can get here is going to be a lifelong benefit to them," said Huddle. The career academy isn't just for them. Huddle said the public is invited to eat at the restaurant and take tours of the building. It will be a secured building with plenty of room for growth. Huddle said if all three corporations work together the final result will be exactly what they want. "It's a cooperative effort between the three school corporations," said Huddle. "I think you're going to see one result and I think it will be a great one." Phase two of the project will include more courses like agriculture, auto service technology and welding. That process won't be finished until 2021. LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) Tippecanoe County Clerk Julie Roush said she got unexpected push back for bringing up a voting issue last week. "If what we are doing is not lawful then we need to make sure that what we do is," said Roush. Roush said the Indiana Election Commission told her the way Tippecanoe County is currently handling Purdue Student ID voting does not follow state law. "On the Purdue ID, it has to have an expiration date and it has to have a photo ID," said Roush. Most Purdue Student IDs do have a photo but they don't have an expiration date, unless you request it. "All the student needs to do is have the expiration date put on their ID," said Board of Elections President Randy Vonderheide. "The issue in our mind is, they may not know that." Roush was hoping to bring this issue to their attention. "But we also want to ask Purdue to consider to put the expiration date on there so it's easier for a student," said Roush. Vonderheide is hopeful that will happen. "They've been cooperative in the past so I think this is one of those things that when we get together, this will get resolved sometime this summer," said Vonderheide. Purdue said in a statement, In past elections, Tippecanoe County has allowed Purdue students to vote at on-campus polling sites using their university-issued ID cards as identification for voting purposes, as long as their name appeared as active in the online student directory. We saw the reports over the weekend that this arrangement may no longer be sufficient. We look forward to speaking with state and county officials to learn more and how we can be a partner in facilitating voting. Roush said some people thought she was trying to eliminate the acceptance of Purdue Student IDs to suppress college voters but she says that wasn't her intention. "We're not stating that they cannot use their student ID," said Roush. "All we are doing is looking into the matter and talking with the state and we hope that it will all be clarified by the next voting in November." "People always yell about disenfranchisement and voter suppression," said Vonderheide. "But particularly, and I can only speak for Tippecanoe County, this has been a very voter friendly county." By Express News Service NEW DELHI/LUCKNOW/KOLKATA/CHENNAI: Unfazed by the exit polls indicating a landslide for the Narendra Modi government, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu continued his efforts to form a non-BJP coalition by calling on Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata on Monday. But Mamata and other regional biggies like SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and BSP boss Mayawati chose to wait till the final results arrive on May 23 before making any fresh move. Sources said all three will skip a meeting of opposition parties called in Delhi on Tuesday, though the Congress will participate. Without confirming the meeting, a source said Naidu along with other opposition leaders will approach the chief election commissioner on Tuesday over the issue of VVPATs and EVMs. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE In Lucknow, Akhilesh drove to Mayawatis house and was closeted with her for an hour. Naidus plan, according to sources, is to launch a pre-emptive strike as he believes the NDA would fail to reach the majority mark on May 23. The plan involves submitting a list of parties committed to an alternative government to President Ramnath Kovind before the result are out. In Chennai, DMK chief MK Stalin, a Congress ally, denied knowledge about a dinner meeting convened by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on May 23. Its medias speculation. There is no such information, he said. However, TN Congress unit president K S Alagiri said the Thursday meeting was on. John Dayal By Figuring out where to buy affordable oil now that Iran is under siege will be a priority. So will worrying about the shortage of quality ammunition for the armed forces. Or appointing new ambassadors to Islamabad and Beijing for the high-octane diplomacy that is needed this critical international year. The government that is sworn in later this month has a job on hand. But perhaps the most important and immediate job is to reassure a quarter of the countrys population that they need not fear being targeted by lone wolves, mad dogs, or officially encouraged vigilantes. The saffron-robed, motorcycle-riding Pragya Singh Thakur, handpicked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janta Party president Amit Shah as their candidate against two-term Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijaya Singh, was a metaphor for the political leaderships use of fault lines in the body politic to their own advantage. She is enlarged on bail and still faces charges of terror in the Malegaon bombings. But, says the BJP-Sangh rhetoric, as a member of Indias majority, she is incapable of terror. By implication, that ghastly anti-national act can only by the handiwork of the others. Not many are named, but that dog whistle does scream Muslim, occasionally Christian, and when dealing with relationships with Canada, even a muted Khalistani. It has polarized the country as it has not been since the summer of 1947. The agrarian distress in the country born of droughts, unpaid loans, and farmers suicides, found solution not in a revolutionary economic and social safety net, but birthed a crazy cattle law that banned interstate transport of all cattle and an accompanying penalty on even distress sale of bovines. In one stroke, the agrarian economy, dependent as much on a fair price for crops as in the periodic refurbishing of the dairy farm, was shattered. Dry cows and emaciated aged bullocks were turned out to roam the streets and invade fields. Taking to the streets Also, on the streets were self-styled Gau Rakshaks, cow protectors, who were themselves protected by politicians and police.Like it or not, there is a sense of unease, very apparent in northern Bihar, or central Jharkhand, or in the Mewat trijunction of the states of Rajasthan, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh, the site of most such deaths.It does not help that the continuing political crisis in the Kashmir valley creates a bi-monthly clash between militants and the security forces. Polarization The death of the young and armed militants alienates the valley further; their funerals attract thousands of mourners, and perhaps persuade another youth to take to arms. The inevitable death of soldiers, called martyrs, in the shoot-outs, and their funerals in their distant villages, carries the images and gunfire sounds of this confrontation to the villages in states far removed from Jammu and Kashmir. The polarization is expanding. Caste politics Caste is divisive too, and the Dalits have their own calendar of persecution and state coercion. A Dalit bridegroom still cannot ride a mare to wed his bride in a village or small town for fear of upper caste violence. And collectively the community is anguished that courts have connived with the government to dilute laws that were put in place by the wise Dr. B R Ambedkar to protect them. The last straw was the 10% economic relief to the poor of the upper castes. It is not that the poor Dalit is callous. It is just that salt has been rubbed into their wounds. These are deep wounds, and sharp fissures. The government in the next five years will have to find urgent solutions. It is too much to expect of any government that they will at all try to bring a law against Targeted and Communal violence as was hoped for during the UPA decade. But there is much that can be done. Agricultural economy and rural distress will surely be addressed. But will it extend to withdrawing the harsh cattle transportation laws? One hopes so. The government will also have to send strong, very strong signals that though it is perhaps committed to its version of cultural nationalism, it will not allow the social and criminal targeting of religious minorities under whichever guise. Poison in the air It is not just curbing Gau rakshaks, or muting the vile politician who spews poison against fellow Indians. The police, administration a junior judiciary will have to be reminded of the Constitutions guarantee of fair play to the poorest. If they get the majority and try a change in the Constitution, one hopes it will be to strengthen the secular guarantees and the protection of ethnic and cultural diversity of this vast land. Our future depends on it. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Bhutan is a landlocked country in South Asia situated in the Eastern Himalayas and bordered to the west by Indias state of Sikkim, to the east by Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Assam to the south, and to the north by Chinas Tibet Autonomous Region. The countrys capital and largest city is Thimphu, located in the western central part of the country while Phuntsholing is the financial center. The economy of Bhutan is one of the smallest in the world and is mainly based on agriculture and forestry which are the main source of livelihood for about 60% of the population. The economy is closely linked to that of India since it is dependent on Indias financial assistance. Infrastructural development relies on labor from India. However, a landscape that varies from rugged mountains to hills has made infrastructural development very difficult and expensive. The overall growth of the economy of Bhutan has largely been supported by the hydropower export to India. Lack of access to the sea also means the high cost of trading. Here are some of the biggest industries that have contributed to Bhutans economic growth over the years. Agriculture Agriculture plays a dominant role in the economy and is also the main source of livelihood for about 60% of the population. In 2000, this sector accounted for 36% of the total GDP of Bhutan. However, the share declined to 33% in 2003. Despite the decline, agriculture still remains the backbone of the economy. About 80% of the population are directly and indirectly involved in agriculture with over 95% of the women workforce working in this sector. Rice and maize are the major crops cultivated in the country. Maize accounts for about 50% of the total cereal cultivation while rice accounts for 43%. Other crops include wheat, potatoes, barley, vegetables, and oilseeds. Tourism For the longest time, Bhutan was an isolated country where very few foreigners visited. However, in 1974, the government began promoting the unique Bhutanese culture and tradition to the outside world in an effort to raise revenue, marking the beginning of tourism in the country. In that year, about 280 tourists visited the country and since then the numbers have been increasing dramatically. By the late 1980s and early 1990s, tourism generated over US$2 million annually. In 2014, Bhutan recorded 133,480 arrivals. The largest number of tourists come from India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives. Mining The mineral industry in Bhutan is relatively underdeveloped and small in scale compared to the other major industries like tourism and agriculture. The mining and quarrying sector contributed about 3.4% of the GDP in 2015. About 1% of the employed population in the country work in the mining sector. The primary mineral commodity output is the industrial mineral products including iron ore, cement, stones, limestone, marble, gypsum, dolomite, and clay. Hydropower Hydroelectricity is Bhutans largest export. The country has undertaken several hydropower projects whose outputs are mainly for export to other countries, especially India. Although Bhutan has hydropower potential of 30,000 megawatts, the installed capacity is currently at 1,615 megawatts. Four major hydropower plants and mini-hydroelectric generators are operated in the country. The Czech Republic is located in central Europe. The country has a population of about 10.6 million people and covers an area of 78,866 km2. It is a landlocked nation bordered by Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Poland. Prague is the capital city and the largest city of the Czech Republic. Other major cities include Brno, Ostrava, Olomouc, Plzen, Liberec and Hradec Kralove. The country has about 1.3 million residents. The Czech Republic has one of the most stable, wealthy, and developed economies in the world. An explanation for this is the strong industrial tradition born in the 19th century. The availability of educated and skilled professionals in the automotive industry, the strategic location in central Europe, and the good infrastructural network has influenced the growth and expansion of the industrial sector. Nonetheless, other sectors of economic significance in the country include agriculture and service. Economy of the Czech Republic The GDP of Czech Republic is USD $215.7 billion. The service industry tops in terms of GDP contribution to the economy of the country at 59.7%, followed by the industrial sector at 37.8%, and finally the agricultural sector at 2.5%. The labor force for these sectors stands at 59.2%, 38%, and 2.8% respectively. The Czech Republic also contributes to the economy of the European Union. The country has maintained the use of its currency, the Czech koruna, alongside the Euro. This option was informed by the currency crisis and recession of the year 1998-1999. Besides the European Union, Czech is in an economic partner and member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The OECD was formed in 1961 to stimulate the economic progress of the member states and world trade. It currently has 36 member states who are all characterized by high-income economies as well as high human development indices. Manufacturing Industry The manufacturing industry is the main pillar of the Czechs economy. There is great output from high-tech engineering, machine engineering, and automotive engineering. The Czech Republic is the 12th largest global car exporter and has employed over 150,000 people. Statistics reveal that in the year 2010, 54.2% of the products of the automotive industry were exported to Germany, Poland, and Slovakia. One of the largest and most significant products is Skoda Auto which is over 100 years old in automotive history. Skoda Auto, a Korean-based car manufacturer, had a successful year in 2007 when it managed to deliver a total of 630,032 vehicles. The cars manufactured that year were a record 14.6% more than the previous year. By the end of the year 2008, Skoda had employed 29,312 people both in the parent and subsidiary companies. Alongside Skoda Auto owned by the Volkswagen group, the other private-owned automobile manufacturer is Hyundai Motor Company. Hyundai has invested in an excess of 1 billion Euros and produces not less than 300,000 cars annually. About 3,500 jobs have also been created by this company. Other popular automotive manufacturers include Tatra trucks (which manufactures heavy-duty vehicles), Iveco Bus, SOB Libchavy, Toyota, Peugeot, and Citroen. Service Industry Approximately 60% of the employees in the Czech Republic work in the service sector just close to the European average of 75%. This percentage of employed persons qualifies a country to be called highly developed. With the increase in competition in the automotive industry from countries like Japan, Germany, and Mexico, the service sector has risen to be among the most productive industry in the Czech Republic. The focus in the services sector is on research and development, ICT and software development, nanotechnology, real estates, consultancy, business (such as finance), and life sciences. Agricultural Industry Agriculture contributes dismally to the economy of the Czech Republic at about 3.9%. However, the country has prioritized agriculture by categorizing it as one of the key areas in the national economy. This strategy aims at increasing agricultural production to ensure food security. The ever-increasing demand for safe and nutritious food has presented an opportunity for this sector to thrive by producing even more to feed her growing population. The agricultural sector also focuses on sustainable methods of agriculture. In most cases, farming is practiced on the farms occupying about 800 hectares of land. Towards the end of 2007, 53.9% of the total land had already been put under crop cultivation. Crops such as winter wheat, spring barley, winter rape, grains, vegetable oils, hops, potatoes are cultivated on Czech Republic farms with some forming part of the agricultural exports. The European Union has provided financial support for the agricultural sector in the country through a joint partnership program established in the year 2004. The alliance resulted in increased income in the agricultural sector. In the year 2010, a total of 6.2 billion Czech korunas was earned. Despite all these efforts, its unfortunate that the total volume of the agricultural output is still low judging by the countrys steady loss of food security. Import of cheap agricultural products, a decrease in employment in agriculture, and relatively low salaries are some of the factors that have affected the development of agriculture in the Czech Republic. Zambia is a south-central African state that is surrounded by Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, and the DRC (Democratic-Republic of the Congo). The Zambian territory was referred to as the Northern Rhodesia until 1911. Zambia is one most-highly urbanized state in the Sub-Sahara Africa with over half of the populations living the urban regions. The countrys GDP has doubled since they gained their independence in 1964. The GDP per capita of Zambia was $4,300 in 2015. Zambia has one of the fastest growing African economies. Some of the biggest industries in Zambia include: Mining Copper mining and processing contribute over 85% to the countrys exports. The copper belt situated between DRC and Zambia is one of the worlds largest metallogenic provinces. The copper belt produces the most cobalt in the world. Zambia is the worlds seventh-largest copper producer and the second-biggest cobalt producer. Copper mining had reduced to 228,000 metric tons in 1998, the lowest in 30 years because of uncertainty over privatization, low copper prices, and lack of investment. However, after the industry was privatized, the country recorded an increase in output for the first time since 1973 during the first year of privatization (2001). Zambia copper mines produced 337,000 metric tons of copper in 2002. Agriculture Agriculture plays a vital role in the Zambian economy by employing more people than the mining sector. The sector contributed 20% of the Zambian GDP in 2000 and employed (informal and formal) over 85% of the population. Maize is the main staple food and a cash crop of Zambia. Other plants grown in the country include cotton, soybeans, cassava, sunflower seeds, and various fruit and vegetable crops. Flower farming is growing in Zambia. Tourism Tourism is one of the primary and growing sectors in Zambia. Tourism contributed 6.5% of Zambias GDP, 10% of the formal sector employment, and 7% of government revenues in 2005. Zambia is home to over 2,500 lions and numerous historical monuments, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and national parks and one of the last states to legalize hunting. Hunting is also a crucial part of the sector even though; the government banned hunting in 2013. The Zambian government lifted the ban for some animals in the plains game after one year. The Zambian government has numerous agreements with the neighboring states like Kenya and Uganda. Energy Zambia has numerous self-sufficient sources of electricity, renewable energy, biomass and coal which are largely unexploited. The country produced 10.3TWh of electricity in 2009 and is rated highly in using both hydroelectricity and solar power. Over 28% of the residents in Zambia had access to electricity by 2016, and this included 5% of the rural population and 62% of the urban population. The electricity demand in Zambia increases by 3% every year. Hydropower produces over 85% of the electricity in Zambia. Uruguay is a country in southeast South America. It borders two countries: Brazil and Argentina. Occupying a land area of 68,000 square miles, Uruguay is the 2nd smallest country in South America. Generally, the climate of Uruguay is fairly uniform throughout the country due to its location within a temperate zone. Extreme temperatures are rare. The country has a warm temperate climate, also known as the humid sub-tropical climate. Uruguay enjoys a mild climate. It never experiences freezing temperatures due to its location within a temperate zone of the Tropic of Capricorn. Notable substantial shifts exist between temperatures from one day to another due to lack of mountain ranges to stabilize the weather. Uruguays climate is favorable for growing local foods which include peaches, rice, soybeans, sunflower seed, potatoes, grapes, melons, oranges, and tangerine. Uruguays climate is also perfect for tourists who may visit any month of the year because it is never too hot or too cold. Warm Summers (December-February) The mid-summer month is usually January. Although the mean temperatures in summer are typically from 79F-72F, temperatures may go up to 93.2F. Uruguays summers are hot and sunny with the afternoons characterized by thunderstorms. During summer, there are also heat waves which take place within temperatures of 100F-104F. The summer heat is often tempered by the sea breezes. Crisp Winters (June-August) The average temperature in winter is 54F-48F. However, most days in winter hit 60F. Uruguays mid-winter month is July. The winter season experiences outbreaks of cold air resulting from the influence of the Pampero Wind. The country also experiences rains during winter. At night, it is normal to experience slight frosts. Rainfall in Uruguay Rain is fairly distributed throughout the year with the northwest receiving more rains than the southeast parts of the country. On average, Montevideo receives 37.4 inches of rain. This capital city of Uruguay receives a considerable amount of rainfall even when it is very dry. Another town in Uruguay called Artigas receives an average rainfall of 48.6 inches. Nonetheless, its annual rainfall amounts to 40-43 inches with the center and north of the town experiencing up to 47 inches of rain every year. The north receives slightly more rain than the other parts of the town. Its annual rainfall goes as high as 60 inches. Rainfall in Uruguay is caused by cold fronts in winter. On the other hand, the rains that pour during summers are a result of the thunderstorms. Temperatures In Montevideo, temperatures range from 50-73F from July to January. Its maximum temperatures range from 61-82F while the min temperatures range from 45-64F. The northern parts of Uruguay are warmer than the south. For instance in Artigas, average temperatures do not fall below 55.5F from June to July. In January, the temperatures get to a high of 78.5F. Minimum temperatures in Artigas range between 50F and 66F. Its maximum temperatures range from 64-90F. The climate of Uruguay is uniquely even throughout the country. It is a humid sub-tropical climate which attracts most tourists to the country due to lack of harsh weather patterns. Idaho is an American state that is situated in the northwestern region of the country. It is the fourteenth largest American state by land area. Idaho is bordered by Oregon, Washington, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, Montana, and British Columbia (Canada). It is the twelfth least populous American state with over 1.7 million residents. Boise is the largest and capital city of Idaho. When Was Idaho Formed? The state of Idaho was formed on July 3, 1890, when it became the forty-third state to gain statehood. Idaho was initially inhabited by Native Americans who still live in the region to date. Idaho belonged to the Oregon Country an area that was disputed between the British Empire and the United States. Idaho became part of the U.S. after the Oregon Treaty was signed in 1846. After Oregon gained statehood, Idaho remained as part of the original Oregon territory. Present-Day Idaho was divided between Dakota, Washington, and Oregon Territories until March 4, 1863, when Idaho Territory was created. After numerous tribulations, like a federal attempt to divide the territory between Nevada and Washington, Idaho was admitted into the Union in 1890. Geography Of Idaho Idaho has some of the biggest unspoiled natural regions in the U.S. including the 2.3 million acres Frank Church-River of No-Return Wilderness. It is one of the Rocky Mountain States which have various scenic areas and abundant natural resources. Idaho has steep canyons, large lakes, and snow-capped mountain ranges. Some of the main rivers in the state include Salmon, Clearwater, and Snake Rivers. The Snake River flows through the deepest U.S. gorge (Hells Canyon). The 12,662 ft high Borah Peak is the highest point in Idaho. The lowest point in the state is located at the place where Snake River merges with Clearwater River in Lewiston. Climate Of Idaho Even though Idahos western boundary is approximately 350 miles from the Pacific Ocean, the states climate is still influenced by the maritime, particularly during winter. Idaho receives high precipitation and humidity in winter. The maritime effect is not felt in the eastern parts of Idaho which experiences drier winters and wet summers. Even though extended periods of over 37C are quite rare, the state can be really hot. Winters are freezing in Idaho, but extended periods of below 0C are rare. The lowest temperature in Idaho of -60C was recorded in 1943 in Island Park Dam. The states highest temperature of 48C was recorded in 1934 in Orofino. Demographics Of Idaho According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the state had a population growth of 11.91% from 2010 to 2018 (1,754,208 residents). The growth includes a net migration of 75,795 people and natural increase of about 58,884 people (111,131 births minus 52,247 deaths). Idaho is the tenth fastest growing American state right behind Washington and Arizona. When President Harrison signed the law making Idaho a state, Idaho had about 88,548 residents. With a population of approximately 1.3 billion people, India is the worlds second most populous country. 122 major languages and other 1,600 languages are spoken in the country. 22 languages have been given official recognition and are collectively referred to as scheduled languages. One of the scheduled languages is the Marathi language, an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Marathi people. The Marathis are an ethnolinguistic group mainly living in Maharashtra and the bordering districts such as Karwar and Belgaum in Karnataka and the state of Goa. There are approximately 83 million Marathi people in India and another 7 million in the diaspora such as Fiji, Guyana, South Africa, Jamaica, Suriname, and Mauritius. History of the Marathi People From 230 BC to the early 14th century (around 1321), Maharashtra came under the rule of several dynasties including Satavahana, Vakataka, Chalukya, Rashtrakuta, and Seuna Dynasties. For the next 300 years, the region was ruled by several Muslim rulers including the Khaljis and the Bahamani Sultanate. During the Islamic rule, the Marathas (Marathi People) were in charge of revenue collection and were considered a source of economic power and pride. Since most of the people in Maharashtra was Hindu and spoke the Marathi, the language was adopted by several sultans as the court language. In the 17th century, the Marathi Empire was founded by Shivaji Maharaj. Before the arrival of the British, the Maharashtra region was subdivided into several revenue divisions. However, the British had a great influence on the Marathi people, changing them in every aspect. The Caste System The Marathi people are distinct from other ethnic groups in terms of language, religious practice, culture, social structure, history, and art. They have a long tradition of caste hierarchy that pre-dates the arrival of the British. Traditionally, the Brahmin caste is considered the upper caste and consists of Marathi Brahmin, Prabhus, and Saraswat Brahmins. The majority of the Marathi Hindu either belong to the Bara Balutedar or Maratha-Kunbi castes. Other castes include Agri, Bhandari, Bhoi, Dhangar, Dhobi, Lonari, and Ramoshi. The different castes have been involved in different activities and are different status in the community. For instance, the Dhobi have traditionally washed clothes while Dhangar has been nomadic shepherds. The non-Hindu communities include the Marathi Christians, Marathi Buddhists, and Marathi Jains. Marathi Hindu Customs and Culture The main ceremonies of the Marathi Hindus are related to birth, initiation ceremonies, marriage, and death rituals. The Marathi people, like most Hindus, have shrines in their homes called devaghar, decorated with pictures, symbols, and idols of deities for daily devotions. In some families, the deities are first offered food before family members and guests are served. Each family has its own family patron known as neivedya. When children are born, they have to be initiated into the family ritually. The naming ceremony is referred to as barsa and takes place after weeks or months. The dead are often disposed by cremation. During cremation, the eldest son lights the fire at either the head for male or feet for female. The Marathi people also observe and celebrate several Indian Hindu festivals such as Diwali, Dasara, and Raksha Bandhan. Prasanta Mazumdar By Express News Service GUWAHATI: A polling team in Arunachal Pradesh gave its blood for Indias democratic elections literally. The team returned home on Monday night, exhausted thirsty, hungry and sick, nearly a month since it was dropped in a village near the India-China border by a chopper in two sorties. After the election duty was over, the team waited for 19 days in a village hoping to be air-lifted back to its base but the chopper never arrived as it could not fly due to inclement weather. When rescue was not in sight, the team decided to return on foot. Despite being attacked on the way by leeches and other blood-sucking insects, the team kept walking for three days to be eventually rescued by the police. The poll team had embarked on the return journey on foot on May 16. The personnel were deputed for April 27 re-polling duty at Zara polling station in newly-created Kra Dadi district. Re-polling here was ordered following rigging on April 11 when Parliamentary, as well as state elections, were held simultaneously. The team was air-dropped at Pipsorang on April 23. The personnel stayed the next day there and left for Zara polling station in the morning of April 25. They reached the polling station after around 10 hours of walk during which they had to trek three mountains. After the successful conduct of re-poll, they returned to Pipsorang on April 28 but only to get stranded. All along, they got very little to eat as ration exhausted. They survived on rice and leafy vegetables. Pipsorang is a remote village with no shops. Salt here is a rarity, sold at Rs 250 a kg by some locals. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Tasi Darang, who led the teams 28 security personnel, related to The New Indian Express a sordid tale of a dangerous adventure. Braving the challenges, the diehards finished the mission of delivering the EVMs 25 days later. The polling station. As the road from Pipsorang to Zara is a hilly track, we started early on April 25. We had to scale three big mountains to reach the destination. We successfully conducted re-polling on April 27 and returned to Pipsorang the next day. The critical situation started after that, Darang said. He said they were waiting for the helicopter but incessant rains stood in the way. Pipsorang does not have any basic amenities. There are no roads and shops and money does not count here, he said. You wont find any edibles there. As such, we had only simple boiled leafy vegetables with rice but without salt or pepper. Soon, our stocks ran out and the morale of security and polling personnel started deteriorating, the police officer said. He said when the team was thinking of using a certain route to return, it was admonished by senior officials due to security reasons. That was risky as we got messages that security threats are very high in that area. The supporters of a political party had laid ambush to snatch EVMs. The miscreants also damaged seven to eight hanging bridges to block our way, Darrang said. He said after waiting for more than 20 days at Pipsorang, the team decided to walk back to its base via Daporijo, a route seldom used by locals. We planned to walk the distance in three days. Soon after we had embarked on the journey, a constable surrendered and went back to Pipsorang. It was the toughest journey of my life. We scaled eight mountains and walked through deep forests even as it was raining. We cried in our hearts thinking if something happens, there will be none to help us. I thought the animals do not roam about in that area. Apart from the bad weather, leaches kept sucking our blood. Every time we opened our shoes, we found at least 20 big leeches sucking our blood. A fly insect, locally called Damdum, also sucked our blood. We quenched our thirst by drinking rain and stream water, Darrang said. He said when the team eventually reached Jikke village in Upper Subansiri district on May 18, it was rescued by the police and taken to Daporijo in the district in some cars. After necessary clearance, the personnel were escorted to Ziro in neighbouring Lower Subansiri district where the polled EVMS were deposited to the strong room. The team reached Koloriang in Kra Dadi district on Monday night. It was in Koloriang that they had boarded the chopper to go to Pipsorang. At least 10-12 members of the poll party have fallen sick. Most of them suffered from knee and joint problems. One constable was admitted to a hospital, Darrang said. It was a tough task. We went to perform a national duty assigned by the government. I thank God that we could do what we were tasked, he added. Bengia Soping, the presiding officer, said he did not experience anything like this in the 14 years of his service. We went through agonies. When I returned home, my wife and our four children broke down in tears. I too cried. All along the journey and even while I was stranded at Pipsorang, I constantly prayed to God for my reunion with my family members, he said. Kra Dadi Superintendent of Police, Taru Gusar, said he was constantly in touch with the team stranded at Pipsorang through police wireless service. As it kept raining, we sent a message to the poll party to return on foot. The government had hired a chopper and also had a tie-up with the Army but a chopper could not be pressed into service to bring them back due to inclement weather, he said. He also said that the administration would decide on how the jawan stranded at Pipsorang could be brought back. By PTI MUMBAI: Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray will be attending the dinner to be hosted by BJP president Amit Shah in New Delhi on Tuesday evening, senior Sena leader Sanjay Raut said. With exit polls forecasting NDA's return to power, top leaders of the BJP-led alliance are slated to meet over dinner where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to be present. Raut told PTI that Shah extended the dinner invitation to Thackeray. READ MORE: Sena confident of Modi's return, but praises 'hard-working' Rahul and Priyanka too The Sena chief will be accompanied by his son Aaditya Thackeray and party veteran Subhash Desai, he added. Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar and Lok Janshakti Party head Ram Vilas Paswan are also likely to attend the meeting. A meeting of key BJP leaders, including Union Ministers and Modi, is also scheduled to be held at the party headquarters before the dinner meeting with allies. Elections to 542 seats of 543-member Lok Sabha ended on Sunday and counting of votes is scheduled for Thursday. Most exit polls have forecast another term for Prime Minister Modi, with some of them projecting that the BJP-led NDA would get over 300 seats to comfortably cross the majority mark of 272 in the Lok Sabha. By Online Desk MEERUT: The exit poll results by various news channels have left a senior cleric at renowned seminary Darul Uloom Deoband upset. The Mufti has now made an appeal to all mosques to recite special prayers for "favourable" election results" on May 23, according to a media report. In the prevailing scenario it is very important to pray very hard for peace and prosperity of our country and for the protection of Muslims, mosques and teachers," Mufti Mehmood Hasan Bulandshahri was quoted by the Times of India as saying. The prayers must start three days before May 23, he added. The top cleric has also appealed to those who have committed sins to atone. "There are too many temptations surrounding us. We must repent for our sins." This move by the Mufti has been welcomed by the clerics in Deoband. "We welcome the suggestion and all Muslims must follow this religiously. We are very concerned with the outcome of election results," Maulana Ishaq Goar, a Deobandi cleric said. Goar said that India must elect a government which would take everyone along and work to maintain brotherhood, peace and harmony in society. "Unfortunately, we have a few parties that do politics on the grounds of religion which is not right and they should go." Many thousands will march and rally across the US on Tuesday in Stop the Bans protests to defend the right to an abortion. The demonstrations are a response to an unprecedented assault on this critical democratic right at both the federal and state level. They reflect the broad support in the population for the right of women to choose. Donald Trump has pledged to make the overturning of the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that banned states from outlawing abortions a central plank of his reelection campaign. Since his inauguration 26 months ago, anti-abortion legislation has been passed in 16 states. Just since January, four statesGeorgia, Kentucky, Mississippi and Ohiohave enacted fetal heartbeat laws that ban abortion after the sixth week of pregnancy. The sole purpose of these laws is to block the vast majority of abortions, since few women are even certain they are pregnant only six weeks after conception. The attack was stepped up last week. On Wednesday, Alabama enacted the most onerous law yet. It imposes a prison term of up to 99 years on any doctor who performs an abortion except to save the life of a pregnant woman. On Friday, Missouri passed its own law banning abortions after eight weeks of pregnancy, imposing prison sentences of up to 15 years on doctors who violate its terms. Like many of these laws, a measure introduced in Texas defines life as beginning with conception, potentially making every woman who receives an abortion a candidate for death row. In Louisiana, Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards said on Thursday that he will sign a heartbeat bill when it comes to his desk. All these laws violate Roe v. Wade and subsequent Supreme Court abortion rights decisions and will be challenged in court and likely blocked, setting up a showdown on the Supreme Court. No one should believe that this institution of the capitalist state, with its far-right, anti-abortion majority, can be relied on to protect this right. The five-member ultra-right majority on the Supreme Court is looking for an opportunity to overturn Roe v. Wade, despite the perfunctory statements made by four of the five during their confirmation hearings that Roe was a settled precedent. These state laws are acts of medieval barbarism. Their consequences, should they be upheld by the courts, would be to force women seeking abortions into back-alley procedures at greatly increased risk of death or mutilation. This danger will face working class women especially, since wealthier women will be able to travel to other states to have the procedure. Beyond the legal counterrevolution against Roe is the withdrawal of social support for women seeking an abortion. According to the Guttmacher Institute, 90 percent of all US counties have no abortion provider. In seven American states, there is only a single abortion provider in the entire state. Alabama has only three. Even a large, densely populated Midwest state like Ohio has only 10, down from 45 in 1992. Twenty-seven large American cities have no abortion provider. The main organizations organizing Tuesdays protestsPlanned Parenthood, the Womens March, the American Civil Liberties Union and NARAL-Pro-Choice Americaare politically linked to the Democratic Party. But this party of US big business cannot be relied on or pressured to defend this basic right. For decades, the Democrats have capitulated to the Republican right on abortion rights, eroding these rights to the point that for working class women in much of the country, the right to an abortion has for practical purposes been destroyed. Abortions are not covered under Medicaid or Obamacare, meaning women in these programs must foot the bill. Working class women cannot fly to New York or Chicago or Los Angeles to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. Obama allowed restrictions on birth control coverage to be imposed by religious-based employers. Nancy Pelosi tweeted this week against this relentless and cruel Republican assault on womens health. But during the 2018 campaign she declared that defense of the right to an abortion was not a litmus test and insisted on backing Democrats in some congressional districts who held equally cruel views. Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Kirsten Gillibrand and other presidential candidates also condemned the Alabama law. But none of them have made the defense of abortion rights, particularly in the South and in rural areas, a major feature of their campaigns. This is despite Trumps repeated pledges to overturn Roe v. Wade . The systematic evisceration of abortion rights across much of the country has attracted only a tiny fraction of the energy, money and media attention devoted to the Democrats reactionary #MeToo campaign, which seeks to improve the fortunes of upper-income womenactors, corporate executives, tenured professorsby removing their male superiors and peers through largely trumped-up allegations of sexual misconduct. Now the incessant talk of empowering womenwhich means, of course, bourgeois womenruns into the embarrassing spectacle of Alabamas first female governor, once hailed as a moderating influence on the Republican Party, signing into law the most restrictive anti-woman legislation in recent American history. The attack on abortion rights is bound up with the colossal growth of social inequality, Washingtons war threats against Iran, Venezuela, North Korea, Russia and China and the militarization of society within the borders of the US, the campaign for internet censorship, Trumps savage assault on immigrants and appeals to racist and fascist sentiments, and his drive to establish a personalist authoritarian regime. The Democrats have not opposed Trumps pro-corporate policies and have remained virtually silent on the police state attack on immigrants. Instead, they have based their opposition on a right-wing campaign for a more aggressive policy toward Russia and defense of the CIA and FBI. The Democratic front-runner, Joe Biden, launched his presidential campaign over the weekend with an appeal for bipartisan unity with the Republicans, presenting himself as the uniter and avoiding any mention of social inequality or poverty. The fight to defend abortion rights, and all democratic rights, requires a break with and struggle against the Democratic Party and the entire capitalist two-party setup. The drive toward dictatorship and medieval barbarism is an international phenomenon driven by the deepest crisis in the history of world capitalism. The demand must be raised for free abortion and birth control services as part of a socialist health care system guaranteeing high quality medical care for every man, woman and child. The fight for this demand and for the defense of democratic rights requires a struggle to put an end to capitalism and establish socialism. The only social force capable of carrying this out is the working class. Those determined to defend the right to abortion and democratic rights in general must link these issues with the fight against war and social inequality and turn to the mass of working people and youth. Defense of abortion rights must be linked to the mounting struggles of teachers and health care workers and the coming battles of auto workers. Those who agree with this perspective should join the Socialist Equality Party and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality to build the revolutionary leadership to lead the mass struggles that lie ahead. Ecuadorian officials carried out an illegal search of the personal possessions of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange at the countrys embassy in London yesterday. A statement posted online confirmed the search had taken place at the request of the United States for judicial assistance in its efforts to extradite Assange. Metropolitan Police in the street adjacent to the Ecuadorean embassy The search took place 40 days after Assange was seized by a police snatch squad and dragged out of the embassy despite being granted asylum in 2012. He was forced to leave behind all his possessions, including personal, legal and medical documents, as well as electronic devices. Assange is locked up in Belmarsh maximum security prison, after being sadistically sentenced to 50 weeks imprisonment on May 1 for a minor bail violation dating back nearly seven years. Supporters of Assange began gathering by 8 a.m. yesterday outside the embassy to witness and denounce the search and seizure. Some of the protesters outside the embassy Members of the Julian Assange Defence Committee and the Socialist Equality Party were among those who gathered, after reports the operation would begin at 9 a.m. El Pais wrote, The search of Assanges sealed-off room will take place on May 20 as part of a petition for judicial assistance issued by the US Department of Justice to the government of Ecuador. It would be mounted under the oversight of police chief Diego Lopez and second sergeant Milton Jaque, described as a computer forensic expert. A member of the Ecuadorean embassy staff speaking to an SO6 Diplomatic Protection Officer (in unmarked car) During the day, Metropolitan Police officers, including several SO6 Diplomatic Protection police, positioned themselves near the embassy and at one point approached the buildings front entrance. SO6 is an armed police unit. Police officers refused to answer questions from protesters, except to say that they were keeping the peace. A police car arrives at the embassy around 10am At around 10 a.m., a marked police car pulled up opposite the Embassy before driving off. Later, a Met police van arrived and parked adjacent to the embassys side entrance, before a number of officers marched to the front of the Embassy building. Assange supporters demanded to know what they were doing and chanted, Shame on you!, Gangsters!, Julian Assange is innocent!, and This is theft, stop the crime! Ecuadors surrender of Assanges personal possessions is an act of truly staggering criminality. WikiLeaks has reported that Assanges entire legal defence against US extradition was left in the embassy. In a press statement issued early yesterday morning, WikiLeaks noted the timing of the search and seizure, just three weeks before the June 14 deadline for the US to file its final extradition request to the UK. Assanges persecutors arrived to ransack his possessions with representatives of his legal team and even a United Nations official barred from being present. Metropolitan Police moving to the front of the embassy The chain of custody has already been broken, WikiLeaks stressed, meaning that evidence could have been tampered with and should not be admissible in court. The material includes two of his manuscripts, as well as his legal papers, medical records and electronic equipment. The seizure of his belongings violates laws that protect medical and legal confidentiality and press protections. Earlier this week the UN Special Rapporteur on Privacy, who met with Mr. Assange in Belmarsh prison on 25 April, asked to be present to monitor Ecuadors seizure of Assanges property. Ecuador inexplicably refused the request. To underscore the high-level efforts to railroad Assange into a US prison, the press release noted that on Friday, [Ecuadorean] President Lenin Moreno initiated a state of emergency that suspends the rights of prisoners to inviolability of correspondence, freedom of association and assembly and freedom of information through Executive Decree 741. SO6 Diplomatic Protection Officers outside the Ecuadorean embassy front door The Trump administration is inducing its allies to behave like its the Wild West, Kristinn Hrafnsson, editor-in-chief of WikiLeaks, said. Ecuador is run by criminals and liars. There is no doubt in my mind that Ecuador, either independently or at the behest of the US, has tampered with the belongings it will send to the United States. Baltasar Garzon, international legal coordinator for the defence of Julian Assange and WikiLeaks, added that Assanges documents were being handed over to the agent of political persecution against him, the United States. It is an unprecedented attack on the rights of the defence, freedom of expression and access to information exposing massive human rights abuses and corruption. Another of Assanges lawyers, Aitor Martinez, said, Ecuador is committing a flagrant violation of the most basic norms of the institution of asylum by handing over all the asylees personal belongings indiscriminately to the country that he was being protected fromthe United States. In a further act of persecution, on the morning of the raid, Swedens deputy director of public prosecution, Eva-Marie Persson, asked a Swedish local district court for a detention order for Assange in his absence, on probable cause suspected for rape. To this day, Assange has never been charged with any crime relating to fabricated allegations of sexual misconduct dating back to a 2010 trip he made to Sweden. Even now, there is no mention of charges being brought. If the detention order is granted, however, this would be the first step in issuing a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) for Assange to be surrendered to Sweden. Persson stressed that she saw no reason why Swedens move would conflict with the US extradition request, as the UK authorities will decide on the order of priority. Politically, the Swedish prosecutors action served to divert attention from the criminal conspiracy carried out yesterday by Ecuador, the US and the UK. But former British ambassador and human rights advocate Craig Murray made important observations about the legal considerations behind Perssons request. He noted that an EAW must be issued from one country to another by a judicial authority. However, the original Swedish request for Assanges extradition was not issued by any court, but simply by the prosecutor. Assanges initial appeal up to the UK Supreme Court was in large part based on the fact that the warrant did not come from a judge but from a prosecutor, and that was not a judicial authority. Murray went on, I have no doubt that, if any other person in the UK had been the accused, the British courts would not have accepted the warrant from a prosecutor. My contention is borne out by the fact that, immediately after Assange lost his case [in May 2012] against the warrant in the Supreme Court, the British government changed the law to specify that future warrants must be from a judge and not a prosecutor. A protester outside the embassy In what Murray describes as a completely unprecedented and frankly incredible piece of reasoningLord [Nicholas] Phillips concluded that in the English text of the EAW treaty judicial authority could not include the Swedish prosecutor, but that in the French version autorite judiciaire could include the Swedish prosecutor. The two texts having equal validity, Lord Phillips decided to prefer the French language text over the English language text, an absolutely stunning decision as the UK negotiators could be presumed to have been working from the English text, as could UK ministers and parliament when they ratified the decision. [emphasis in original] In other words, when it comes to the fate of Julian Assange, the highest legal authorities are simply changing the law and making it up as they go along. To add to the picture of official criminality, Assanges lawyer Per Samuelsson told Reuters that no court proceedings should go ahead in Sweden because the UK is refusing to grant Assanges lawyers access to their client in Belmarsh. Since he is in prison in England, it has so far not been possible even to speak to him by telephone, Samuelsson said. He would tell the Swedish District Court it could not investigate the prosecutors request until he had conferred with his client and learned whether he wished to oppose a detention order. Socialist Equality Party (SEP) campaigners interviewed scores of workers and youth at polling booths where the party ran candidates in the lower house electorates in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria during last Saturdays Australian federal election. Labor, the Liberals and the Greens, along with the corporate media refused to discuss any of the major political questions confronting millions of ordinary people during the short four-week election campaign. Nothing was said about the widening chasm between rich and poor, Australian involvement in the US-led preparations for war against China or the imprisonment of WikiLeaks journalist Julian Assange. By contrast, hundreds of workers passionately endorsed the SEPs campaign to secure the release of Assange and US whistleblower Chelsea Manning, describing the two as courageous individuals, heroes, legends and similar appellations. There was enormous support for Assange and Manning in Calwell, the working class electorate in north-western Melbourne that is home to many refugees and immigrants from countries devastated by US imperialism, including Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. Amgad Amgad said: I feel very strongly about thisI feel 100 percent positive about Chelsea Manning and Julian Assange. Its a question of American imperialism. They are pushing for war in Iran, look at John Bolton, look at that fool Trump. There is no moral backbone amongst any politicians in any country. Nothing Julian Assange did was wrong in his publications as a journalist. Why isnt Rupert Murdoch in jail? There is free speech, but not for all. What is happening to Julian Assange is a free speech violation and its happening in a Western country, not Saudi Arabia. One thing we have to do is make this the Australian governments biggest responsibility, and get Julian brought back here. Matt, a Bangladeshi IT worker, said: Julian did the right thing. Thats the real truth. The sad reality is that big, powerful people always run the world. Obviously they didnt like that he brought to light many things. Im always against war. The media and politicians just spread hate for their own monetary benefit. There are two groups in the world: one is the ruling class, the other is the general class. The ruling class manipulates us in any way they want. Franklin Franklin, a taxi driver originally from Sri Lanka, said he was extremely concerned about Assange. Julian Assange is the man that should be free and those that committed the war crimes behind bars. The US government is the criminal. Assange is being treated this way because he spoke the truth. The man that speaks the truth is in jail and the ones that carry out the crimes are free and counting their millions. Every war, wherever it is fought, is all about profit. Khalid, a worker, originally from Lebanon, said: If Julian is sent to the US, he will never see the light again. I think he is an honest man. All he did was to tell the people the truth and he shouldnt be in jail. We, as citizens, should have the right to know whats going on, where our money goes, what our government is doing. Khalid supported socialism, he said, because it was antiwar. Wars are not about people, theyre about money. Thats why the US is now threatening war against Iranso the Arab countries will run and buy guns from the US. Every time they go to war, it is to make money. Khalil Khalil, an engineer said: Assange is in prison because he revealed their dirty secretsall their influences in the Middle East, their bad deeds and the political dirt. Governments werent happy and they accused him of hurting their securitythis is what governments do and it is what is happening in the Middle East, and is being done by the rulers there. Im with Assange. Mehdi, a construction worker originally from Afghanistan, said: My country has been in war for the last 30 to 40 years. Ive seen war and all the disadvantages and bad things in war and Im against it. I really like this man Assange. He leaks all the internal policies of the USA and international politics. Whenever America or NATO intervenes in a country it is to help the governments not the people. Hamid Hamid, originally from Algeria, opposed the persecution Assange. On the one hand, the western powers say that they are promoting human rights, democracy and freedom but on the other they are abusing freedom of speech. I dont think they have any justification for arresting Assange. He tried to reveal what they were hiding, he said. I have great respect for Assange. Without him we dont know what is going on underneath. Everyone knows that the USA makes reasons to justify where they intervene, especially if there is oil. A long time ago they used the pretext of human rightsthat a country wasnt complying with human rightsand go to war with that country. Now they are not even using that. They dont even care. Feristah, a teacher, voted for the SEP, as did her daughter Eve, a lawyer. Your slogan No to militarism and war! was appealing. The Liberal government has spent a lot of money on preparing war with China. If you talk about going to war, youll end up going to war. I think countries like the US, France, Germany, the UK are dominating world politics, Feristah said. Look at Venezuela. What is Trump doing there? What are we doing there? Why are we interfering? If they hadnt been interfering in Syria as they have been for years, the world wouldnt have to deal with 10 million Syrian refugees. Eve defended Assange. His only crime was to let people know of the dirty work that these governments get up to. These countries are no longer accountable for their actions. We need to take ownership of Assange, he hasnt done anything wrong. Its sad that hes lost so many years of his life confined to such a small space. Hes a hero at many levels. Theyre out to get him in any way shape or formhes a victim of great power politics. These sentiments were repeated in the western-Sydney electorate of Parramatta. Zabi, 50, originally from Afghanistan, said he voted for the SEP. What they are doing to Assange is horrible. Its an attack on freedom of speech, against journalism. Now, all journalists are threatened because of what they are doing to Julian Assange. The ideas presented by the SEP are in line with my ideas, my way of thinking, the way things are going. I dont like the other partiesthe Liberals, the Labor party, the Greens. Their track records, their history are totally opposite from the way I think. They are for the corporate wealthy and supporting military interventions. The US will do anything to maintain its control, their number one position in the world. Sadly, Australia is a follower. Whatever the US dictates, Australia follows without thinking what is in the best interests of Australia. Ioana Ioana, 28, said the election was a joke and added: The fact that they havent mentioned war means that something big is going to happen around the world because people are getting angry and fed up I know about Julian Assange and I think everyone has a right to voice what they believe in and the truth should be out there. Hes been unfairly treated, almost worse than an animal, and there are no human rights. He should be free Jay, a 34-year-old western Sydney construction worker, said Assange should be released. Hes a legend and wants to expose what the big players are doing. There should be more people like him. Each of the big players is trying to cover themselves This is an attack on freedom of speech. And now we are in danger of a new war in the Middle East where more innocent people are going to be slaughtered, people displaced all over the world. The big players are after oil, resources. They dont care about ordinary people like us. Merwais, a Western Sydney University student, praised Assange and spoke about the danger of war. All the organisations, publications and journalists that have abandoned Assange and attack him are run by private business funds. They dont follow the facts and dont want to damage their reputation even if that means hiding the reality, he said. The world is becoming more destabilised and whats happening in the Middle East is spreading and now the US wants to intervene into Iran. Whatever Iran is doing is better than a US interventionlook at the disaster the US created in Iraq. Its much worse than what it was like under Saddam Hussein. The strategy the US is using to inject their government and culture is not working. Its leading to colonialism and if precautions are not taken it will lead to World War III. Isaac Isaac voted for the SEP in the Hunter electorate after meeting party campaigners in a local shopping centre. None of the real issues have been discussed by any other of the parties in this election. The issue of war and the dangerous situation now present is not discussed. Yet this danger of war is affecting people everywhere including in Australia. The governments here will not act on our concerns about war because they know if they back away from support for the US war drive they will quickly be made accountable by US so they remain totally committed. Assange has let people know about what the US has done, and is doing, and now he is being persecuted for it. He should be supported by everyone. Lachlan, another Hunter voter and a bushland regeneration worker, said Assange has done great things and doesnt deserves the punishment hes been getting and shouldnt be extradited to the US or Sweden. Governments are preparing for war everywhere, he said. Theres so much going on behind closed doors that we dont know about Theres lots of evidence of America trying to interfere in the politics of foreign countries for their own economic gain, and Australia goes along with it. Whats needed is a complete overhaul of government. I dont know what Id put in place of that, but I lean towards socialism. I think anything would be better than capitalism. Zameel Zameel, a low-paid aged care worker who had just finished night shift, spoke to SEP campaigners in Oxley, a working-class electorate in Queensland. I hope you [the SEP] do very well. Im all for a socialist campaign, for equality. Corporate capitalism obviously isnt working at the moment. Zameel was outraged over the persecution Assange and Manning. Theyre heroes, especially Chelsea Manning, for refusing to testify for the second time, he said. That takes true guts. And people recognise that. Its a travesty the way the Australian government has treated Assange. The inaction by both the major parties is pathetic. For Julia Gillard to call Assange a criminal made her a bit of a fool, considering the secrets he uncovered, some of the program he helped disclose. Peter, a public servant, was passionate about the defence of Julian Assange. Knowing the decline of journalism, we need people like him, he said. Hes informing society, and the Australian government should step in and defend its own citizen. Exposing the workings of the government is not a crime. Hes a part of the media and helps preserve our civil liberties, which generations of people fought for. Every thinking person realises that we are heading toward a one polar world, with one prevailing view, and everyone is supposed to fall into line and be obedient, despite the fact that we are supposed to have freedom of speech. So the one who speaks out is an enemy of the state. How democratic is this? Colin Colin, an unemployed labourer, was disgusted by the election campaign. The two parties [Liberal-National and Labor] are the same, he said. They dont care about people, and voting wont change the system, which is stupid and useless. Referring to Assange and Manning, he said: Manning is so courageous for refusing to testify against Assange, which is my understanding of why theyve jailed her. Both Assange and Manning have a much higher moral strength and argument, in my opinion, than Trump and his administration Julian Assange should be brought home to Australia and treated like a celebrity, given a heros welcome. Asked about the SEPs slogan No to militarism and war, for internationalism and socialism, Colin said: Im against all the flag-waving you see. There should be no national boundaries. I agree that people ought to be able to live wherever they want. Theres no difference between countries I think people in all countries are basically the same and I agree they need to fight together against the corporations. The Austrian government collapsed on Saturday, the day after German media published videos of July 2017 discussions between far-right Austrian Freedom Party (FPO) leader and Vice-Chancellor Hans-Christian Strache and a woman falsely claiming to be a Russian investor. The video shows Strache planning influence-peddling with the woman, whom he believed was tied to Russian President Vladimir Putin, at a luxury vacation villa she rented in Ibiza, Spain. Posing as Alyona Makarova, the niece of billionaire Igor Makarov, she was offering to invest 250 million in Austria. Strache proposes that she buy the Krone Zeitung paper with a portion of the money, use control of the paper to promote the FPO into power, and reap the benefits by accepting public contracts then steered her way. On Friday, the news magazine Der Spiegel and newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) published a small portion of the video showing Strache drinking and smoking, and exposing him as the corrupt politician he is. Strache called the publication of the video a political assassination, but had no choice but to step down as vice-chancellor, minister, and chairman of the FPO. Shortly afterwards Chancellor Sebastian Kurz of the Austrian People's Party (Osterreichische Volkspartei-OVP) announced the end of the coalition with the FPO. On Sunday President Alexander Van der Bellen called new elections for September to restore confidence in public institutions. The campaign that has been mounted against Strache and the FPO since has definite echoes of the Democratic Partys campaign to seek Donald Trumps removal as US president over his alleged ties with Russia. There is nothing progressive in this conflict between bourgeois factions. It is not aimed at the fascistic policies of the FPO and similar far-right forces, but part of the attempt of Paris and Berlin to secure their domination of the European Union under conditions of growing nationalist divisions within Europe. The focus is put firmly on corruption and susceptibility to Russian influence in order to stifle growing popular opposition to the extreme right and prevent an independent movement of the working class against all factions of the political establishment. The FPO is a right-wing extremist party, which has close ties to neo-Nazi forces such as the Austrian Identitarian Movement (IBO). Strache himself shared videos of the Identitarians and was active in neo-Nazi circles in his youth. It was revealed that IBO leader Martin Sellner received a donation from Christchurch mass murderer Brenton Tarrant and invited him for a coffee or beer to Vienna. In the past one and a half years the OVP-FPO coalition has shifted politics in Austria sharply to the right with the full support of the EU. The Kurz-Strache government has increased military spending, handed over the police and secret services to the far-right and pushed through draconian labour reforms such as the introduction of the 12-hour workday. Its anti-immigrant policies bear all the hallmarks of the 1930s. The Austrian government passed a law tying welfare payments to German language skills and banned the headscarf in primary schools. FPO politicians describe migrants and refugees as rats. Despite this record, the official media and the pro-EU establishment parties manage to attack the FPO from the right! Raising no criticism of their extremist agenda, the main criticism levelled against the FPO and other far-right parties in the European elections is that they betray European interests and are bought by the Kremlin. How the FPO learned to love Russia, headlined the online edition of Sueddeutsche Zeitung on Monday. Manfred Weber, (Christian Social Union/CSU, and head of the conservative European Peoples Party/EPP, faction in the European Parliament) declared that the Ibiza video showed that the far-right are not patriots, but politicians who sell out their country. In Le Point, which is close to French President Emmanuel Macron, Luc de Barochez wrote: They claim to be patriots, they are willing to sell their countries to Russian oligarchs. The dispute is not about whether to implement reactionary policies and promote nationalism throughout Europe in the face of growing working-class opposition, but who is in control of the EU and the European governments. The campaign in the week leading up to the European elections is aimed against far-right parties critical of the current German-French domination of Europe. It comes as pro-EU parties across Europe are losing public support because of their pro-austerity and pro-militarist policies, and far-right governing and opposition parties, posing as critics of a German-led EU and which sometimes pose as opponents of austeritylike Matteo Salvinis Lega in Italy, Marine Le Pens National Rally (RN) in France and Nigel Farages Brexit Partylead the polls in several countries. The video was published shortly before the rally of European neo-fascist parties, hosted in Milan on Saturday by Interior Minister Salvinis Lega, and attended by Le Pen, Geert Wilders of the Dutch Party for Freedom (PVV) and representatives of the FPO and Alternative for Germany (AfD). Salvini declared that his goal in the European elections is to win the majority of the European Parliament for the European Alliance of Peoples and Nations (EAPN), which is yet to be formed, and could also draw in Polands far-right Law and Justice Party (PiS) and Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Le Pen called on Macron to resign if his party, La Republique en Marche, lands behind her RN, as recent polls suggest. It is unclear who filmed and leaked the video or if state forces were involved. The operation targeting Strache, however, involved vast resources. The villa was booked for 3,000 per day from July 22-25, 2017. Multiple high-end luxury cars were parked in the property so that Strache and leading FPO official Johann Gudenus were fooled into believing they were dealing with multi-billionaire oligarchs. The SZ writes, The meeting in Ibiza appears to have served the sole purpose of deceiving Strache and Gudenus in a professionally staged and technically elaborate spectacle. Hidden cameras and microphones were installed in the villa in light switches and in a mobile phone charging station. The microphones recorded almost every word spoken. After receiving the video from unidentified sources, the German publications held it for an unspecified length of timesupposedly for evaluation of the material and verification of its authenticity by two experts, according to the SZ. Finally, the SZ and Der Spiegel sprung the trap set in 2017, nearly two years after the video was shot. The Strache affair exposes all factions of the European bourgeoisie as utterly reactionary and enemies of the working class. The Berlin-Paris axiss hypocritical opposition to Strache and the far-right is based on their own imperialist agenda. The anti-immigrant policies of sealing borders and letting refugees drown in the Mediterranean, pioneered by the Italian and Austrian governments, like their policies of austerity and massive military spending increases, are shared by all the EU governments, especially Paris and Berlin. In Germany the Grand Coalition governmentthe Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Christian Social Union (CSU) and Social Democratic Party (SPD)is implementing the policies of the far-right. Its refugee policy is set by the AfD as is its rearming of police, intelligence agencies and the army. In France Macron is hailing French fascist dictator Philippe Petain while bloodily repressing yellow vest protests. The central goals pursued by the French-German axis are the strengthening of the fortress Europe policy against refugees, the intensification of austerity and the creation of a joint European army to defend its imperialist interests against Russia, China and the US. To enforce this programme against growing working-class opposition to social inequality and militarism, all factions of the bourgeoisie are intensifying their collaboration with far-right and even fascistic forces. German Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) visited the capital of Croatia, Zagreb, over the weekend to seal cordial relations with Premier Adrej Plenkovic. Plenkovics Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) is notorious for its close ties with the Ustashe movement that collaborated with the Nazi occupation of Yugoslaviacarrying out mass murders of Jews, Serbs and Roma. Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic (HDZ) was at the centre of a scandal in November 2016 when she publicly posed smiling with the Ustashe flag. The fact that the entire ruling class is heading once again towards authoritarian and even fascistic forms of rule confirms the political perspective fought for by the European sections of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) in the European elections. We insist that the struggle against the far-right can only be waged by an independent, international movement of the working class and requires a socialist perspective. The statement of the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party, PGP) on the European elections declares: The SGP is standing in the European elections in May 2019 to oppose the rise of the far-right, the growth of militarism, and glaring social inequality. Together with our sister parties in the International Committee of the Fourth International, we fight across Europe against the EU and for the unification of the continent on a socialist basis. This is the only way to prevent a relapse into fascist barbarism and war. On May 15, a total of some one million people took to the streets in more than 200 cities throughout Brazil. This was the largest demonstration the country has seen in recent years, and the first nationwide one against the Brazilian government of fascistic President Jair Bolsonaro. May 15 demonstration in Sao Paulo What was to be another isolated and small national teachers strike called by the National Education Workers Confederation (CNTE), which is affiliated to CUT (the main trade union federation) and controlled by the Workers Party (PT), against Bolsonaros pension reform, turned into a mass demonstration when students all over Brazil spontaneously mobilized themselves against the Bolsonaro governments latest attack on educationa 30 percent cut for federal educational institutions. This spontaneous eruption highlighted the inability and unwillingness of the PT and the union bureaucracy to provide any outlet for the immense social anger building up against the Bolsonaro government. From the early hours of May 15, high school students from both public and private schools were already protesting and blocking streets in Sao Paulo. By the afternoon, more than 100,000 people went to Avenida Paulista, mainly students from public universities and teachers from both the municipal and state public schools of Sao Paulo, as well as students and professors from some private universities, such as the Pontifical Catholic University of Sao Paulo (PUCSP). Leo, a high school student from one of the private schools whose teachers went on strike on May 15, said he and his friends are here in defense of teachers, showing our support, because the very structure of all education is being attacked with these government proposals, which have been coming for a long time. His colleague Arthur added, These threats to education come from the time of the Workers Party government. Leo and Arthur (center) They also denounced the sellout deal signed with private school bosses last year by SINPRO, the private schools teachers union, under which the union guaranteed the payment of overtime and other rights for just one year, instead of the five-year contract demanded by the rank-and-file. Among the changes in Brazilian education in recent years is the pro-corporate high school reform that was passed by the Brazilian Congress in 2017 and is to be implemented next year. Along with the bill passed in 2016 that has frozen social spending for the next 20 years, and which will cut 1 trillion reais (US$ 240 billion) from education over this period, the high school reform is the biggest change to Brazilian education in the last quarter century, and will open the way for the implementation of full-time private charter schools. Regarding the cuts announced by the Education Minister Abraham Weintraub in late April, which reach 40 percent for basic education, Leo said that it made him think about the governments far-right policies. He said: It may seem a bit radical to say this, but people talk a lot about how this relates to anti-intellectualism, which does not mean that it is simply a project to make people dumb, but disinvestment is the result of a historical process. What Leo refers to as anti-intellectualismthe official promotion of historical revisionism regarding Brazils military dictatorship and Nazism, and the attacks on climate science, together with the budget cutsis one of the main expressions of the attacks of the Brazilian extreme right on education in face of the growing political radicalization of students in recent years. The education ministry has been at the epicenter of this process, with former education minister Ricardo Velez, who preceded Weintraub, going so far as to say that the ministry would review textbooks for their account of the 1964 coup and Brazils military dictatorship. This has been part of the bourgeois reaction to the leftward movement of youth, who since 2015 have been the most combative element in the fight against the assault on Brazilian education. In that year, in Sao Paulo, 200 schools were occupied by secondary students against a state government school restructuring plan, which was followed by the occupation of more than 1,000 universities and schools in Brazil in 2016 against both the high school reform and the bill that has frozen social spending for the next 20 years. One of the first responses to this wave of occupations was a massive attack on students and teachers through the bills dubbed Escola sem Partido (Schools without [political] Parties), which was based on the allegation that teachers conduct Marxist ideological indoctrination in the classroom rather than teaching students to read, write and count, according to a recent post on Twitter by Bolsonaro. Although clearly unconstitutional for violating freedom of speech and of teaching, the Escola sem Partido bills have already been presented in dozens of city councils, state assemblies and in the National Congress. The bills prohibit and criminalize the practice of political and ideological indoctrination, as well as the propagation of content or the realization of activities that may conflict with the religious or moral beliefs of the students parents or guardians. The first Escola sem Partido bills were presented in 2014 by two of Bolsonaros sons, Carlos and Flavio, in Rio de Janeiro. Then, in 2016, another of Bolsonaros sons, the federal deputy Eduardo, who has close connections with Steve Bannon and international fascistic organizations, introduced a bill in the Brazilian Congress that, equating communism and Nazism, criminalizes apologies for communism. Since taking office, the attacks by Bolsonaro and his officials on public education also include a bill that regulates homeschooling and the slashing of spending for philosophy and sociology courses, on top of the recent announced cuts. The social anger against these attacks was manifested at the May 15 demonstrations. However, many young people expressed their distrust over the mobilizations having taken place under the control of the unions. Weber and Toledo on the right, with their friends Weber, a former sociology student attending the demonstration with his friends from the industrial ABC region south of Sao Paulo, said that because education has the capacity to mobilize a lot of people, even the union federations have had to position themselves. According to him, union federations, like the CUT, dont want to lead a struggle because they have deals with the bosses. Moreover, instead of being a tool of emancipation of the working class, unions are an instrument of control. According to him, that was why this demonstration doesnt denounce the state debt held by the banks, which deprives the government of resources for health care, education, pensions. Weber was referring to Congressional reports showing that the Brazilian state has pardoned billions of reais in unpaid contributions to the pension system due to the bailout of companies, with official reports estimating that the total amount of these bailouts stands at 480 billion reais (US$120 billion), more than one-third of the sum the government intends to steal from workers in 10 years with the pension reform. His friend Toledo explained, from the Estado Novo [of president Getulio Vargas, which lasted from 1937 to 1945], a union federation only became a union federation if they were able to receive the official backing from the state, giving rise to official unionism, also called scab unionism, as with the CUT, the Forca Sindical, today. One of the ways unions have been linked to the Brazilian state is through the union tax instituted by Getulio Vargas in 1940 to control the workers organizations and reduce tensions between social classes. In 2017, with the labor reform of former president Michel Temers government, the union tax became no longer compulsory, which has caused the annual collections of the largest Brazilian union federations to collapse. According to the daily O Estado de S. Paulo, the three largest union federations in BrazilCUT, Forca Sindical and UGTsaw their revenue plummet by 100 million reais (US$ 24 million) in 2018 compared to the previous year. For Forca Sindical, it represented a loss of 92 percent of its revenues. In March, the Bolsonaro government introduced a provisional measure barring the direct deduction of union dues from workers paychecks, which made the financial situation of the union federations even more dire. However, in the National Congress, since May 5, deputies from Centrao and other parties, including the PT and PCdoB, led by the former president of Forca Sindical, Paulinho da Forca, have been trying to obstruct the implementation of the provisional measure, which expires on June 28. According to the daily Folha de S. Paulo, the main union federations ... pressure their deputies to negotiate an agreement with the government in exchange for the pension reform. This is what UGT president Ricardo Patah began doing when he met with Bolsonaro on April 29, two days before joining other union leaders of the Forca Sindical and CUT in a unified May Day rally. In addition to Patahs opposition to the general strike called for June 14, he and Paulinho da Forca defended Bolsonaros pension reform. Toledo told the WSWS, Because they are aligned with the state and dependent upon the bourgeoisie, the union federations can not speak of socialism. His friend Weber went further, saying, Under capitalism, rights will always be threatened. To overcome this, so that we do not face more dangers, we have to build a socialist society, something that the unions do not talk about. He concluded, They do not want to end the system. Saturdays Australian federal election has resulted in a devastating defeat for the Labor Party opposition and the return to office of the right-wing Liberal-National Coalition government of Prime Minister Scott Morrison. With vote-counting continuing and a handful of seats yet to be decided, it appears that Morrison will be able to form government with a slim majority of one or two seats in the House of Representatives, the lower house of parliament. Independents and right-wing populists are likely to hold the balance of power in the Senate, the upper house. The result is a debacle for Labor. Amid widespread hostility to the Coalition, it was widely predicted that the election would result in a landslide Labor victory. Within hours of polling closing, however, Labors Bill Shorten had conceded defeat and stood down as party leader. Labor is now in the grips of intense factional wrangling, with prominent MPs Anthony Albanese and Chris Bowen both contesting the leadership. After decades of Labor governments imposing the dictates of big business and the banks, the party was not able to make any credible appeal to workers and young people. They did not believe Labors claims that it would promote fairness, or that its bogus campaign promises would, even if implemented, address widespread concerns over jobs, wages and social services. Discussion of the major issues facing ordinary people, including the slowdown of the Australian economy, the mounting danger of war and the persecution of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, was suppressed. Broad layers of the population viewed the entire election with disgust. Last week, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) election analyst Antony Green commented: Ive never seen an electorate which is quite so disengaged with the whole process. A record five million voters, around 25 percent, cast a ballot before election day, in a signal of their disinterest and hostility to the entire official charade. The primary vote for both major parties declined. Labors vote in House of Representatives seats across the country fell by around one percent, to just below 34 percent of the total. The partys primary vote is currently the second lowest since 1933. The Coalitions primary total declined by roughly 0.6 percent, to 41.4 percent. Almost 25 percent of the electorate registered their hostility to Labor and the Coalition, by casting a ballot for minor parties, including the Greens, and independents. The swings against Labor were greatest in working class suburbs in the major cities, and in regional areas, where the issues of jobs, a soaring cost of living and growing poverty are most acute. The falls were particularly sharp in Queensland, where Labor has been reduced to a rump. The partys primary vote fell to just over 27 percent. Labor failed to win any marginal seats, and will likely hold just five electorates across the state, out of 30. In the seat of Herbert, which encompasses Townsville and other parts of northern Queensland, for instance, there was an 8.4 percent swing to the Liberals. The area has an official unemployment rate of 9.8 percent, more than twice the national average. In March, the Australian Financial Review dubbed it ground zero in Labors attempts to posture as a party that would boost jobs and improve wages. Similar declines in Labors vote were registered in mining areas throughout northern and central Queensland. The Coalition, and right-wing populists such as Pauline Hansons One Nation and Clive Palmers United Australia Party, exploited fears that a Greens-backed Labor government would adopt policies, on the pretext of combating climate change, that would impact on mining jobs. Labors vote declined in western Sydney, where it will likely lose the seats of Lindsay and Macquarie. Sharp falls were also registered in safe Labor seats that the party has held for decades, amid growing anger over a deepening social crisis. In Victoria, Labors vote increased by 1.7 percent. It failed, however, to make any gains in working class areas, or in marginal seats that it had been targeting. Labor picked up the electorates of Corangamite and Dunkley, but only thanks to a 2016 redistribution of electoral boundaries. The largest swings to Labor were in the most affluent Melbourne electorates, including Kooyong, which are centres of the upper middle-class and the rich. In Tasmania, Labor lost the electorates of Bass and Braddon, which both include areas of growing social distress, after swings of around five percent. The party similarly failed to make any gains in the states of South Australia and Western Australia. The results demonstrate that Labor is rightly viewed as a party of big business and the wealthy elites, that has nothing to offer the working class. A central feature of the election campaign was the promotion by the media and political establishment of right-wing populists, including Palmer and Hanson. Both made demagogic appeals based on anti-immigrant chauvinism and a denunciation of the major parties. After a huge and expensive advertising blitz, the newly formed United Australia Party of the billionaire Palmer picked up 3.4 percent of the primary vote across the country. One Nation received 1.7 percent. The two parties, and a plethora of smaller right-wing organisations, targeted regional and working-class areas, in a bid to exploit the social crisis created by Labor and Coalition governments. Neither picked up any seats, making clear that they do not have mass support. However, their promotion and prominence in the election is a warning of the growing threat posed by the emergence of far-right movements. Across the country, the Greens vote declined by 0.2 percent. Its votes were highest in the affluent areas that it targeted, including the seat of Melbourne, which was retained by the only sitting member Adam Bandt. The Greens claims to represent a progressive alternative to the major parties are widely discredited. The Greens have dispensed with any, even nominal, opposition to war and have participated in pro-business coalition governments with Labor and the Liberal-Nationals. They are widely regarded as a party of the affluent inner-city, upper middle-class. The Victorian Socialists, an unprincipled coalition of pseudo-left organisations, won some support in the seats they contested, including almost 10 percent at two of the poorest booths in the working-class Melbourne electorate of Broadmeadows. While falsely exploiting growing support for socialism, the Victorian Socialists promoted the fraud that a Greens-backed Labor government committed to the dictates of big business and to participating in US-led wars, would be a lesser-evil. The Socialist Equality Party won important support for a genuine socialist alternative among workers, students and young people. With vote-counting incomplete, SEP candidates in the four House of Representatives seats where the party stood each received more than 500 votes. In the New South Wales Senate, over 1,000 workers and youth voted for the SEP. In Victoria, the figure is more than 5,000. The election result underscores the danger posed by the absence of a mass movement advancing the independent interests of the working class. While broad sections of the population sought to register their hostility to all the official parties, the result is a far-right Morrison government, committed to tax cuts for the wealthy and to participating in US imperialisms plans for war with China. Morrison is an extreme right-wing figure, associated with the persecution of refugees. He was installed as prime minister in a political coup last August aimed at transforming the Liberal Party into a Trump-style movement based on populist appeals and extreme right-wing nationalism. This underscores the urgency of building a mass socialist movement aimed at establishing a workers government and reorganising society in the interests of social need, not private profit. That is the perspective for which the SEP fought in the election and which must now be built as the revolutionary leadership of such a movement. Manish Anand By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Actor Vivek Oberoi denied the biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi is propaganda and cited Richard Attenboroughs iconic film Gandhi to argue that his film has narrated the journey of evolution of a small boy who sold tea at a railway station who occupied high office in the country. Claiming he had been offered to contest elections five times by different parties, Oberoi also brushed aside his political aspirations. Speaking exclusively to this newspaper, he argued that India has a vibrant democracy and space for all sections. In past five years, a number of people spoke against Modi and raised the bogey of intolerance. Did the Modi government take actions against any of them? That proves that democracy is not only diverse but vibrant, said Oberoi. The filmstar, who claimed to be 100 per cent vegetarian, also offered a few suggestions for Modi. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE He should work for empowerment of women through education. He should also not stretch himself working long hours and take break regularly like his visit to the Kedarnath temple, Oberoi said when asked to state what he wanted Modi to do one thing and not do one thing if he became Prime Minister again. Asked if the biopic was propaganda, Oberoi cited Attenboroughs Gandhi saying, Reviewers then argued why the film didnt focus on Gandhi neglecting his sons, to which Attenborough retorted that his concern was not a pita (father) but Rashtrapita (father of the nation). We spent a year to research on biographies, articles and even looked at stories mentioned in Mann ki Baat radio programme, he added. Actor stirs up a storm with tweet Oberoi faced the fury of social media users for sharing a distasteful meme comparing poll results to actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchans personal life. The National Commission for Women also sent a notice to Oberoi seeking an explanation for sharing an insulting and misogynist Twitter post. He, however, claimed there was much ado about a non-issue and that people were unnecessarily politicising the post. Its against any legal provisions in Ecuador and internationally The World Socialist Web Site spoke to Fidel Narvaez, former consul at the Ecuadorian embassy, who was among protesters opposing plans for the police to search and confiscate the possessions of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Fidel Narvaez Narvaez said: What is happening today is basically the continuation of an illegal and immoral cooperation between Ecuador and United States. As you know, Julian Assange had political asylum granted by Ecuador, and therefore Ecuador should not take part in an investigation being carried out by persecutors of a political refugee. In January/February this year American prosecutors interviewed Ecuadorian diplomats who have worked in this embassy in the last few years. They interviewed them in Quito and they interviewed them in London on the investigation about Julian. That was prior to Ecuador ending asylum for Assange in April. Now they are going to seize Julians belongings, his computers, his data, his devices, his documents and his files with his lawyers. Anything is possible, anything that is there is suitable to be taken by the Americans. This is illegal, as no judge has determined that they have the right to do it, and its outrageous! Asked about how international law and due process is being flouted, Narvaez replied: There is no legal backing at all. Its against any legal provisions in Ecuador and internationally. But nowadays, it doesnt matter! As we have seen in many cases and especially in this case, the only thing that matters is the will of the United States. A WSWS reporter pointed out that before Assange was illegally seized, Narvaez had stated in a press conferencealongside WikiLeaks Editor-in-Chief Kristinn Hrafnssonthat the only way Assange could get justice was through international solidarity. Narvaez replied: I still believe that ultimately, the decision to extradite him to the US will be a political decision, independently of what the courts decide. I have hope that the courts will stand up to this and will decide that no journalist should be extradited for journalistic activities, But it is up to the British government finally to decide if they go ahead with that extradition. Ultimately it is going to be a political decision, but lets not forget the very recent case of [the fascist Chilean dictator] General [Augusto] Pinochet, in which there was the opposite position. The courts decided that Pinochet should be extradited to Spain, as requested at that time by the man who is Assanges lawyer today, Baltasar Garzon. The [Labour Party] government of the UK decided to block this extradition in a political decision. Pinochet was not extradited to Spain and he flew back to Chile. So, this is going to be a political decision as well. We dont know how long the whole judicial process will take, but hopefully by the time the final decision is made a different government will be in place in this country, and that gives us hope that he wont be extradited. Asked about the implications of the US government and its intelligence agencies taking possession of documents and electronic files from Assange that could endanger other WikiLeaks staff and wreck WikiLeaks publishing plans and entire operations, Narvaez replied: Absolutely. It could be that some WikiLeaks sources could be exposed. It could be that his legal strategy, which should be confidential and protected, will be exposed. His medical records will be exposed. But not only that. My biggest fear is that, suddenly, unexpected things are going to appear. Because there is no transparency with this procedure. We are very afraid that either Ecuador on its own or in coordination with the US will plant fake evidence against Julian Assange. Narvaez said that Assange had suffered terribly, mentally and physically, while being confined arbitrarily in the embassy by the UK authorities. I spent six years of the seven years that Julian was in this embassy with him. I was not here the last year, which I know was very difficult. It was the worst year for Julian. Because in the last year, Ecuador stopped protecting him and started harassing him, trying to break him down. He had a problem with one of his shoulders that needed to be properly scanned with special equipment that we couldnt get into the embassy. He had dental care issues that were affecting him. His sight was affected because he couldnt see long distances at all. He was exposed to artificial light 100 percent of the time. He couldnt have sunlight. In that very last year, not only his health but also his emotional well-being were very much affected. Otherwise, he is a very strong man. Spiritually, his will is incredible. *** The WSWS spoke to two members of the Julian Assange Defence Committee who attended the protest. Maxine said: We are here today to protest against the seizure of Julian Assanges belongings by the USA. By what right they are seizing those belongings I do not know. There should be many more people here protesting against what is happening. Maxine As far as I am concerned the US and UK governments are gangsters, thieves, murderers and torturers and Julian Assange exposed that and that is why they are persecuting him. We have to witness what is happening to Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning, who is back in prison now, to know just how ruthless and violent the rulers of these countries are. We must challenge it and we have to make sure that this does not pass in silence. Julian Assange does not even have his address book with him, so hes finding it difficult to write to the people he wants to write to. Hes being held in the most appalling conditions. Hes convicted of a bail offence, yet hes in Britains high-security prison, Belmarsh, where normally the most extremely dangerous prisoners are held. And he is subjected to a regime of isolation and minimal contact with the outside world. If nothing else, that should make people protest about Julian Assanges treatment. It is part of the pattern of unusual treatment for Julian Assange and he should be one of our heroes and so should Chelsea Manning. Chelsea Manning says, I will not testify to that fake jury, I will not testify to them, I would rather starve to death. Those are the heroes of the movement that we need to build in this country. We have to make sure this silence gets broken and ask people very straight: Which side are you on? The American war machine or Julian Assange? And if youre on the wrong side, then you are on the wrong side of history. Julian Assange has already been detained for many years now. Arbitrarily detained. His health, we know, has been deeply affected by that and now he is being isolated in a high-security prison, There is no reason for that to happen other than the ruthless wish to destroy him and to destroy WikiLeaks, so that when they go and have their war in Iran or elsewhere, there will be nobody to speak out publicly. Alberto Alberto said: I have come to the Embassy today because I support the work of Julian Assange. I am outraged at what the Ecuadorian government is doing in handing over Julians personal belongings to the police so that they can be sent to the US government. It is a breach of his human rights. It is a theft of his belongings. It just shows you how far a right-wing government will go to satisfy the US imperialists. In a scene played out just a few months ago at General Motors, hundreds of engineers, managers, technicians and other white-collar workers at Ford will lose their jobs this week as part of Fords plan to cut 7,000 salaried workers, ten percent of its global white-collar workforce, by August. The job cuts are part of a restructuring of the global auto industry. Over the last six months, job cuts have been announced by GM (14,000), Volkswagen (7,000), Jaguar Land Rover (4,500), and Tesla (3,000). This is driven by Wall Street and other global investors who are pushing carmakers to cut costs and increase profit margins as sales fall in the major North American, Chinese and European markets, trade tensions sharpen, and signs continue to mount of a new global recession. The job cuts further expose the lies about a booming economy peddled by the Trump administration and echoed by the Democrats. While the stock market, corporate profits and CEO pay continue to rise, millions of workers live in a state of perpetual economic insecurity. Workers leaving Fords World Headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, Monday afternoon told World Socialist Web Site reporters that there would be meetings this week where human resource managers would inform employees whether they had a job or not. The cuts have been hanging over the heads of workers for seven months, ever since Ford CEO Jim Hackett announced the companys $11 billion global cost-cutting campaign, euphemistically dubbed Smart Redesign. According to the Detroit Free Press, Ford employees packed boxes with their belongings on Friday and headed home for the weekend, not knowing what would happen Monday as word spread to prepare for what employees predict will be Armageddon in Dearborn. A lot of people are going to be leaving Ford, one manager told the newspaper. It may well be in the hundreds, if not thousands. I dont know if Ill have a job past Tuesday. Another said, The cuts appear to heavily be a cost cutting measure against future pension level costs. In an internal email, obtained by the WSWS, Hackett said, notifications to employees in North America affected by wave four of Smart Redesign will begin [Tuesday], and the majority will be completed by May 24. He added that restructuring work continues in Europe, China, South America, and we expect to complete the process in those markets by the end of August. In April, Ford said it would cut 5,000 jobs in Germany. It is also ending production at a transmission plant in Blanquefort, France, near Bordeaux, closing three factories in Russia, and shuttering its oldest factory in Brazil as part of the companys exit from the commercial truck business in South America. Ford also laid off 2,000 workers at its joint venture in Chongqing, China, after sales in the country fell by 40 percent. According to Ford spokesmen, 500 salaried workers in the US will be involuntarily laid off this week and a total of 800 by June. With the 1,500 US employees the company claims have already accepted so-called voluntary buyouts, the total number of white-collar Ford workers forced out of their jobs in the US has reached 2,300. The exact number of global job cuts could likely be much higher than the 7,000 announced in Hacketts letter. Estimates by industry analysts have suggested that layoffs, buyouts and retirements of Ford employees and contractors could reach 25,000 globally, far more than the job cuts announced by GM late last year. In a gesture of corporate magnanimity, Hackettwho made $17.7 million last year, 276 times the median compensation of a Ford workerassured team members that Ford had moved away from past practices of forcing fired workers to leave company property immediately. Instead, the company would give them the choice to stay for a few days to wrap up and say good-bye. Wall Street investors, who have long been punishing Fords stock prices, have bid it up by 34 percent since the company began its jobs bloodletting. Ford intends to double its profit margin in order to boost stock buybacks and dividend payouts, the latter of which rose to $2.3 billion last year. In March, Ford announced it was hiring as its new chief financial officer Tim Stone, the former vice president of finance for Amazon who led the $14 billion acquisition of Whole Foods. Stone, who takes over as Ford CFO on June 15, brings his expertise from a company that has perfected the exploitation of its workers, electronically monitoring their every move and measuring their restroom time, in a manner that would put Henry Fords time-motion study experts to shame. Announcing the companys first-quarter profits last month, Hackett told investors that the results were proof that his push to cut costs and improve profitability around the globe is working. We have a solid plan to create value in the near term and the long term, Hackett said. The results clearly demonstrate the benefit of our fitness actions. Theres more to come. Despite one-time downsizing charges, Ford made $1.1 billion in first quarter profits. In North America, it made $2.2 billion in profits, up 14 percent from 2018, and its profit margin rose to 8.7 percent from 7.8 percent. Hackett has called 2019 the year of action. Like GM, Ford management plans to use the threat of mass layoffs in this summers contract negotiations to demand sweeping concessions, particularly in healthcare benefits, from Fords nearly 60,000 hourly workers in the US. The carmakers have relied on decades of collusion with the United Auto Workers to slash hundreds of thousands of jobs, halve the wages of new hires and vastly expand the number of disposable part-time temporary workers. Predictably, the UAW has nothing to say in response to Fords job-cutting plan because the union supports it. There is a growing sense, however, that blue-collar and white-collar autoworkers have to unite to fight layoffs and a realization that such a fight must be organized by workers themselves, independently of the UAW. A comment posted by a salaried Ford worker on the web site thelayoff.com expressed this determination and more broadly the growing anti-capitalist sentiments gripping ever-wider sections of workers. Ford is no longer an automotive or a mobility company. Its a profit company. Its sole focus is to deliver good quarterly results and returns to shareholders. And this problem is not at all restricted to Ford. We are at a point in our economy where the only focus is on profit margins and returns. Any loyalty large companies may have had to their employees in the past is nonexistent. The worker said he was absolutely NOT advocating for something like the UAW, which has evolved to have its own hierarchy and has been repeatedly found to be conspiring with the auto companies themselves at the expense of the hourly workers. The UAW is corrupt and is a bad example of what collective representation should be. Separately and individually we have no leverage against the company. But if we were able to collectively say stop it with the layoffs or we will all walk off the job, we would have power over the company. Weve seen this pattern repeat itself enough times in the past that even after this round of cuts is over, its likely that well just be facing them again a few years from now. The only way we can do anything to stop this cycle is to band together. Pointing to the broader issues, he concluded, Inequality has been skyrocketing in this country for decades, and I only ask everyone to recognize that the threats we face as the working class are only going to grow from here on. But as the workers that actually make this company run day to day, we need to find a way to band together to ensure our future job security. Indeed, the relentless assault on jobs poses the need to build new organizations of struggle, including factory and workplace committees that are democratically controlled and will not bow to Wall Streets dictates. But the task of unifying autoworkers and other sections of workers coming into struggle, like teachers, hospital, Amazon and other workers, must be combined with the fight for a new political perspective and strategy. The fight for the social right to a good-paying and secure job for all workers requires an irreconcilable opposition to the nationalism promoted by Trump, the Democrats and the unions and the fight to unite the working class in the US and around the world on the basis of a socialist program. This includes the transformation of the other auto giants into publicly owned utilities run on the basis of human need, not private profit. Yesterday a 16-year-old Guatemalan youth died at a border patrol station in South Texas. He is the fifth migrant child to die in ICE custody since December. A week ago, on May 14, a 2-year-old toddler, also from Guatemala, died of pneumonia after he and his family were taken into custody at the El Paso, Texas, port of entry in April. The names of the teen and toddler have yet to be released. The 16-year-old was found unresponsive at a border patrol station in Weslaco, Texas. The cause of death is currently unknown. Juan de Leon Gutierrez, also 16 years old, died April 30 after suffering from complications likely the result of an untreated sinus infection or head trauma. These three deaths within the past month follow the December 30 death of 8-year-old Felipe Gomez Alonzo, who died while in ICE custody in El Paso, Texas, and 7-year-old Jakelin Caal, who died of dehydration and shock on December 8. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reports that 98,977 immigrants were apprehended at the US-Mexico border in April, the majority of them families and unaccompanied youth. The tragic deaths of the five children underscore the brutality of the prison detention camps and xenophobic anti-immigrant policies celebrated by the Trump administration. At a campaign rally earlier this month in Panama City, Florida, President Donald Trump joked and laughed when one supporter called out that agents should just shoot migrants. Life is indeed cheap at the border. The past week alone has seen a series of escalated assaults on immigrants. Last Tuesday the Washington Post revealed that a mass raid of over 10,000 immigrants across the nation was being secretly prepared. On Wednesday the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revealed plans to build six massive tent internment camps to hold 7,500 immigrants near the US-Mexico border. On Thursday the Trump administration unveiled its plan for a merit-based immigration system that would drastically reduce family-based visa applications and replace them with requirements based on education and skill. The class-based plan would also eliminate the visa lottery system, which allows 50,000 people the ability to migrate to the US each year. And on Friday US Border Patrol began shipping hundreds of migrant families on flights from the Rio Grande Valley of Texas to San Diego, California for processing. The agency claims that its facilities in the Texas Rio Grande region are overburdened, with over 6,000 people in custody, nearly double their maximum capacity. It is also considering shipping migrants to Detroit, Michigan; Miami, Florida; and Buffalo, New York. According to Douglas Harrison, the Border Patrols interim San Diego sector chief, CBP will send planes holding 120 to 135 migrants at least three times a week indefinitely to the border town. Agents will collect biographical information and perform a medical screening before putting migrants on a plane to San Diego International Airport. From there they will sent to a US Customs and Immigration Services facility to be fingerprinted, interviewed and processed. US authorities are currently using at least four buses a day to ship migrants 100 miles away to Laredo, Texas, from the McAllen-Brownsville area on the lower Rio Grande. ICE also contracts a daily flight to ship over 100 migrants to Del Rio, Texas, about 275 miles away. Harrison also noted that authorities are researching Detroit, Miami and Buffalo to determine whether nonprofit groups can sustain providing temporary assistance, placing the lions share of the burden on humanitarian agencies. The majority of families arriving at the southwest border are fleeing the impoverished and violence-ridden countries of Central Americas Northern Triangle. They emerge from immigration prisons malnourished and in need of medical services, basic necessities, food and shelter. Charities provide the bulk of these basic necessities. The San Diego Rapid Response Network (SDRRN), a coalition of religious and humanitarian groups, has been working to provide temporary shelter to asylum-seeking families since large-scale releases began last October. San Diego County has filed suit against the Trump administration to recover costs. The SDRRN commented that the potential influx underscores the urgent need for a permanent, long-term migrant shelter in San Diego. The move by CBP to disperse thousands of immigrants on a weekly basis primarily to Democrat-controlled cities is to put pressure on the Democrats to stop posturing as if they disagree with the right-wing policies of the Trump administration. Migrants are to be shipped to self-proclaimed sanctuary cities, which provide a left cover to the Democratic political establishment, where ICE agents arrest and detain immigrants no less ruthlessly than Republican-controlled cities. The move is part of a larger effort to overwhelm facilities and whip up xenophobic fervor in areas where support for immigrants dominates. The Port of San Ysidro at the San Diego, California/Mexico border is the most crossed border in the world. The attempt to push the resources of the city to the breaking point is part of a calculated effort to turn public sentiment against immigrants as city officials work to criminalize homelessness in an area with one of the highest costs of living in the country. The same right-wing sentiments are being stoked across the border by Tijuana, Mexico, Governor Juan Manuel Gastelum, a member of the right-wing Partido Accion Nacional (PAN), who has continually echoed the xenophobia and nationalism of the Trump administration, referring to migrants as an invasion and a horde. While the Trump administration is stoking up right-wing chauvinism on both sides of the border, there has been nothing but deafening silence and tacit approval from the Democrats. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has provided the most tepid remarks against the merit-based policy, while also stating that Trumps border wall is part of the immigration conversation. Meanwhile, Vermont senator and 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders has echoed the concerns of the ruling elite underlying the merit-based system, stating, You open the borders, theres a lot of poverty in this world, and youre gonna have people from all over the world. The escalated attacks on immigrants must be placed within the context of revelations that the Trump administration is considering a nationwide militarized sweep to round up and arrest 10,000 immigrants, which would enact de facto martial law, requiring small armies to raid large cities, knock down doors and drag people from their homes. Imagine the following scenario: A dissident soldier in Iran, Venezuela, China or Russia leaks classified information on war crimes committed by his or her government, including video footage of soldiers mowing down innocent civilians, secret cables revealing plots to subvert governments around the world, and reports of suspects being indefinitely held and tortured in notorious prisons. The soldier is identified and, before even being brought to trial, thrown into a military prison and held under horrific conditions for seven years, including many months of solitary confinement and periods of forced nakedness. On two occasions the soldier, subjected to treatment that amounts to torture according to international human rights organizations, attempts suicide. Convicted and given a savage sentence of 35 years in prison, the soldier is finally released after the sentence is commuted by the outgoing head of government, who refuses to issue a pardon that would clear the whistle-blowers record. Less than three years later, a new government throws the ex-soldier back into jailtwicefor refusing to testify to a secret grand jury convened to lay trumped-up charges of espionage, carrying a possible death sentence, against the no less courageous journalist who published the revelations of war crimes the ex-soldier leaked years before. Having been jailed for 62 days, much of the time in solitary confinement, the whistle-blower is released only to be sent back to jail a week later. Imagine, moreover, that the persecuted whistle-blower is transgender. The wall-to-wall media outrage and demands for US retaliation, including military action, against the offending state would be deafening. The brazen attack on press and speech freedom and violation of human rights would be presented as confirmation of the dangerous rogue state character of Iran or Venezuela or China or Russiawhichever one of these countries targeted by the American ruling elite for economic and military assault and regime change was involved. Front page headlines would be sprawled across all the New York Times and the Washington Post: Putin (Xi, Maduro, Khamenei) tortures transgender soldier who revealed war crimes! Every 2020 Democratic presidential candidate would rush to issue a statement of horror and condemnation. The New York Times and its CIA-connected editorial page editor, James Bennet, would commission foreign policy columnist Thomas Friedman or human rights imperialist warrior Nicholas Kristof to pen a column about the moral imperative for America to intervene in the whistle-blowers defense. We are, of course, talking about Chelsea Manning, whose only crime was to bring to the light of day the reality of US mass murder in Afghanistan and Iraq, torture at Guantanamo and other US detention camps around the world, and plots against foreign governments. Her partner in this crime is Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, who is being held in Belmarsh Prison in London, known as Britains Guantanamo, fighting extradition to the US to face a show trial and possible execution. And the strongman government that is carrying out this repression is the Trump administration, supported by the corporate media and the Democratic Party. The response of the so-called mainstream media to the imprisonment of Manning for the third time is a conspiracy of silence. Not one of the five Sunday morning news programs even mentioned her name. Neither the New York Times nor the Washington Post ran anything over the weekend related to her most recent imprisonment last Thursday. The Guardian published one perfunctory 350-word report. The silence of the US media on Chelsea Manning sheds light on the real agenda behind the Democratic Party-led campaign to censor the internet under the pretext of fighting Russian-inspired fake news. In the name of promoting authoritative and responsible media, i.e., corporate-controlled outlets that are integrated into the military-intelligence apparatus and responsible to the capitalist state, whose propaganda and lies they dutifully disseminate, all left-wing and progressive websites and publications that oppose imperialist war and the policies of the government are to be marginalized or silenced. The attack on Manning and Assange is part of the much broader global assault on basic democratic rights, including freedom of speech, the press and the internet. Since Mannings revelations, whistleblowers and left-wing journalists have been ruthlessly persecutedfrom Edward Snowden to Daniel Hale, who was arrested this month and charged with violating the Espionage Act for revealing secrets about the Pentagons drone warfare program. While Assange and Manning languish in prison for upholding their commitment to democratic rights, not one official responsible for the crimes they, Snowden, Hale and others exposedincluding mass murder, government spying and torturehas been prosecuted, let alone jailed. On Monday, Google, the internet search and smartphone software monopoly, announced that it would block Huawei phones from accessing critical parts of the Android operating system, effectively ending Huaweis business outside China. Compounding the blow, US hardware manufacturers Qualcomm, Broadcom and Intel announced that they would no longer sell the company components, without which it cannot produce any of its current line of smartphones or IT infrastructure systems. The moves came after the US Department of Commerce added Huawei to its Restricted Entity List on the grounds that it was engaged in activities that are contrary to US national security or foreign policy interests. The companies complied with Trumps nakedly protectionist measure, which has serious consequences for their own business interests, without a hint of protest. Whatever damage Trumps trade war does to their bottom line will be more than offset by winning the favor of the American state and securing preferential regulatory treatment and lucrative military contracts worth billions of dollars. In a nervous editorial, reflecting the hesitations of the British ruling class over the US war on Huawei, the Financial Times did not mince words. The US was afraid that Chinas technology is on course to outstrip Americas, it wrote. The newspaper concluded bluntly, Indeed, the US steps appear part of an attempt to constrain Chinas rise. With sales of Apple and Samsung phones plunging, Huawei was on the verge of becoming the largest seller of smartphones by the end of the year, in addition to being the worlds leading provider of 5G telecommunications equipment. In the course of just a few years, Huawei has become the most dynamic player in the highly competitive and rich global smartphone market. Its phone sales have risen 50 percent over the past 12 months. Huawei has not only produced the top-ranked phone camera, according to DxOMark, for two generations in a row. With the botched launch of Samsungs Galaxy Fold, Huawei is also on the verge of rolling out the first viable mass market phone that converts into a tablet, dominating a market segment that Apple, the previous industry leader, has not even attempted to enter. However, the blacklisting of Huawei by the Trump administration, and the cooperation of Google and other major technology companies, will mean the effective destruction of Huawei as a player in the global smartphone market. Even if it is able to produce phones without relying on components sold by American companies, their sales will be confined to the Chinese market. The moves, one analyst told the Financial Times, were very likely to cost Huawei all of its smartphone shipments outside China. No one knows what the consequences of this new salvo in the global trade war will be. The development of the internet and the launch of the app economy by Apple in 2007 took place during a period of globalization and international integration. However, the internet and the global technology industry are becoming fragmented along national boundaries, amid the rise of protectionism and trade war. In a clear-eyed warning about the potential implications of the breakdown in US-China relations, Morgan Stanley predicted that despite a loosening of monetary policy by the Fed, the move against Huawei would likely portend a full-blown recession in the United States. The announcement by the White House last week of new restrictions on Huawei and Googles compliance with them come after the near total failure of US efforts to prevent its allies from purchasing Huawei communications equipment. Britain, Germany, India and numerous other countries rejected Washingtons efforts to strong-arm them into banning Huaweis 5G telecommunications equipment, which is universally regarded as substantially superior to its Western competitors. In response, the US simply doubled down, leading to what one analyst told the Financial Times was effectively the starting signal of a technology cold war. The New York Times called the move the beginning of a digital iron curtain. The massive and sudden intensification of the US-China trade war came as a shock for many. The move by the Trump administration is much more comprehensive than many Chinese expected, one analyst told the Times It also came much earlier. Many people only realize now that its for real. The growing conflict between the United States and China is centered on US efforts to prevent the entry of Chinese corporations into high-value manufacturing segments previously dominated by the US and EU members such as Germany. Last year, the Trump administration shortened visa durations for Chinese graduate students studying in fields such as robotics, aviation and hi-tech manufacturing. Meanwhile a group of congressional lawmakers is pushing for even further restrictions on student visas. In November, Vice President Mike Pence announced what many called a new Cold War between the United States and China, demanding that China abandon its efforts to enter into the worlds most advanced industries, including robotics, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence, which he called the commanding heights of the 21st century economy. Since then, US and Chinese negotiators had intensively discussed a possible deal to halt the raging trade war. But the discussions fell apart, once it became clear to Chinese negotiators that the United States was demanding what China could not offer: the effective dismantling of its high-tech manufacturing sector. Commenting on last weeks announcement, the China Daily declared: With its treatment of Huawei, the US government has revealed all its ugliness in its dealings with other countries: its despotism as the worlds sole superpower without any respect for rules, its haughtiness and lack of respect for the dignity of its trade partners, its condescending attitude toward the rest of the world and its outright selfishness and unwillingness to accept that it is a member of a wider community. But could Chinas ruling elite have expected otherwise? American imperialism was happy to make China the sweatshop of the world, extracting billions of dollars from the toil of its proletariat. The US, however, will not abide China becoming an economic peer and will use all its powerfrom its preeminent role in the global financial system, to its network of alliances, to the threat of full-blown nuclear warto assert its dominance. The US attempt to destroy Huawei is only a preview of how far it will go to secure its hegemony. The country that brought the world Hiroshima, Vietnam and the Iraq war is willing to destroy more than just companies. It is now setting its sights on a country of 1.4 billion people, with potentially devastating consequences for all of humanity. China, for all its vaunted economic growth, remains an oppressed country in the crosshairs of imperialism. These developments should put to rest the fashionable academic arguments that the categories of Marxismimperialism, monopoly, exploitation, and the conflict between the global economy and nation-state systemhave been superseded. In fact, it is only these analytical tools that explain the fragmentation of the global economy in the 21st century and the reemergence of great-power conflict. The central argument of contemporary Marxism, made abundantly clear by the 20th century, is that socialist revolution is the only way to avoid a new global conflagration, driven by the desperate struggle between capitalist nation-states for markets, profits and influence. In the wake of the barbaric law passed in Alabama last week banning the right to an abortion, thousands of people took to the streets over the weekend to protest this latest attack on the reproductive rights of women and democratic rights of the working class. The Alabama law, signed by Republican Governor Kay Ivey last week, virtually outlaws all abortions except when necessary to prevent serious health problems for the woman. It includes no exceptions for cases of rape and incest. If it were to take effect, all doctors and medical specialists providing an abortion procedure or assisting in one would be subject to 99 years in prison if found guilty. Although the restrictive law does not criminalize the pregnant person who would be receiving an abortion, it establishes a legal framework for personhood to be granted to a fetus, potentially making it possible for charges of child abuse or homicide to be brought against someone engaging in any activity deemed to be harmful to a human embryo after the moment of conception. The barbaric law has been met with an immense backlash from workers and youth throughout the country. On Sunday, demonstrations and marches opposing the new ban took place in Alabama, scattered across the entire state. By most estimates, several thousand people collectively attended these protests, with the largest crowds gathering in Montgomery, Birmingham, Mobile and Huntsville. Alabama is a state in which protests have been rare in recent times, with no mass upheavals taking shape over the last 30 years. The residents of Alabama are generally portrayed in the capitalist media as conservative. The turnout at these protests came as somewhat of a surprise to those involved in their organization, making them all the more significant. We never planned for it to be this big, Megan Skipper, one of the organizers of the rally in Montgomery, told AL.com. But I think this size shows us that people are mad and that abortion rights are human rights and thats what we want. In Birmingham, Alabama, a crowd of 2,000 joined the March for Reproductive Freedom, which began and ended in Kelly Ingram Park and included a rally. Chants during the march included the slogans, My body, my choice! and My right, my voice! which were chanted in succession. The crowd in Montgomery, the state capital, gathered outside of the building that houses the states legislature. The protest rally was addressed by speakers from the American Civil Liberties Union, Planned Parenthood, Yellowhammer Fund and other organizations, as well as individuals sharing their personal experiences with abortion. Carrying an orange sign with a coat hanger and the caption No Never Again, 69-year-old Deborah Hall of Montgomery told NBC News that she remembers life before Roe v. Wade and cant believe the push to return there. I had friends who had illegal abortions and barely survived, said Hall. Attendees of the rallies on Sunday showed particular outrage over the new laws criminalizing of abortions sought by victims of rape, a stipulation that had been removed from the original draft of the bill during the second round of congressional debate. A woman at the rally in front of the steps of the Capitol building in Montgomery came up to the podium out of the crowd to tell her story of how she was raped at the age of 18 and impregnated. At that time, she made the choice to receive an abortion. The ban on abortion is also understood by the population at large to be an attack on the poorer layers of society, as those with the means to do so will seek abortions outside of Alabama. Ultimately, this law would force working class people to seek unsafe abortions in inadequately equipped back-alley facilities. The crowd of protesters in Kansas City, Missouri, where a similar bill has been signed into law, surrounded the Country Club Plaza in the citys central district and boasted over 3,000 people, according to some press reports. A local radio station in Kansas City, KCUR-89.3, noted that protesters on Sunday said that the bill in Missouri violates federal protections for abortions, established by the Roe v. Wade US Supreme Court decision of 1973, and that it would lead to women getting unsafe abortions. Four states had already passed anti-abortion legislation earlier this year, prior to the draconian ban which was passed in Alabama. Dubbed heartbeat bills, laws in Mississippi, Kentucky, Ohio and Georgia outlaw abortion after the first six to eight weeks of a pregnancy, the time at which a fetal heartbeat can be detected by most instruments used in hospitals to monitor pregnancies. The law passed in Alabama is the most draconian to date, effectively banning abortions after the moment of conception. The passage of anti-abortion legislation is a clear and explicit nod of solidarity to right-wing Christian fundamentalism. After signing Alabamas anti-abortion bill into law, Governor Ivey gave a salute to the bills supporters, saying, This legislation stands as a powerful testament to Alabamians deeply held belief that every life is precious and that every life is a sacred gift from God. This is a flagrant violation of the principle of separation of church and state which is outlined in the US Constitution. The unconstitutional character of the new law was a point of grievance for protesters on Sunday. Anna Belle May, 20, who came from the rural city of Prattville, Alabama, to attend the demonstration in Montgomery, told a local newspaper that theres separation of church and state for a reason, and were bringing the church into the Legislature. Mike DeWine, the Republican Governor of Ohio, said that by signing that states new anti-abortion bill the Ohio Legislature was simply making a good-faith argument for modification; a reversal of existing legal precedent and that the United States Supreme Court will ultimately make a decision [on the bills Constitutionality]. Amid sharply rising confrontation with China over trade and economic policies, the US yesterday dispatched a naval warship within the 12-nautical-mile territorial limit claimed by China around one of its islets in the South China Sea. The naval operation is the latest in a growing number of US military provocations in strategically sensitive waters close to the Chinese mainland. It underscores the danger that trade war will escalate into military conflict as the US seeks to ensure its economic and strategic domination over China. Mondays so-called Freedom of Navigation Operation (FONOP) was conducted by the guided missile destroyer USS Preble in waters around the Scarborough Shoal. It was the second FONOP this month; on May 6, the US Navy sent the USS Preble and another guided missile destroyer, the USS Chung Hoon, within the 12-nautical miles limit of the Gaven and Johnson reefs in the Spratly island group. The Scarborough Shoal is an isolated atoll that is claimed by both China and the Philippines, but which has been effectively controlled by China since 2012. Tensions between Beijing and Manila over their territorial claims in the South China Sea diminished after Rodrigo Duterte became Philippine president in 2016. USS Preble The US Navy justified its intrusion into Chinese-claimed waters by repeating the absurd claim that it was simply seeking to maintain freedom of navigation and its FONOPs were not directed at any one country. One only has to consider the reaction in Washington if Chinese warships were to engage in similar manoeuvres off the US West Coast near key naval facilities. There would be a hue and cry that would include demands for military retaliation. China sharply criticized the latest US naval intrusion in the South China Seathe fourth this year. Foreign affairs spokesman Lu Kang declared that the US actions violated Chinas sovereignty and undermined the peace, security and good order in the relevant sea areas. He strongly urged the US to stop such provocative actions so as not to undermine US-China relations and regional peace and stability. The choice of the Scarborough Shoal was undoubtedly aimed at sending a message not only to Beijing but also the Duterte administration in the Philippines. The operation was a not too subtle warning that the US could stir up trouble on Manilas doorstep, forcing it to take sides with Washington. In an interview last week, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin was critical of Washingtons strategic confusion in the South China Sea. Chinas offer of a strategic partnership is a bit more attractive than the current offer of the US of strategic confusion, he said. Like other nations in Asia and internationally, the Philippines is seeking to balance between its economic dependence on China and strategic ties with the US. Locsin pointed out that despite a military alliance with the US, Washington had given Manila no firm guarantee that it would back the Philippines in a war with China. As Locsin emphasised, the Duterte administration is maintaining military ties with the US and building up its own capabilities even as it seeks to strengthen diplomatic and economic relations with China. In another operation in the South China Sea, the US Coast Guard cutter Bertholf and two Philippine coast guard vessels practiced search-and-rescue procedures on May 14 near the Scarborough Shoalwithout breaching the 12-nautical mile limit. The Trump administration has also given the green light for stepped-up naval operations in the Taiwan Strait. In late April, the US Navy sent two destroyersthe USS William P. Lawrence and the USS Stethem through the strategic waterway. While the strait constitutes international waters, it is only 180 kilometres wide and is adjacent to major Chinese mainland cities as well as military installations. A similar naval operation took place in March with the guided missile destroyer, the USS Curtis Wilbur, accompanied by the coast guard cutter, the Bertholf, transiting the Taiwan Strait. Washington is also encouraging allies to engage in such provocations. On April 6, a French military vessel passed through the strait, prompting China to cancel Frances invitation to take part in a naval parade to mark 70 years since the founding of Chinas navy. US naval passages through the Taiwan Strait are part of the Trump administrations increasingly evident support for the Taiwanese government. The US still observes the One China policy, under which it treats the Chinese Communist Party regime in Beijing as the legitimate government of all China including Taiwan. However, under Trump, the US has begun to strengthen political and military ties with Taiwan. The Democratic Progressive Party, which currently rules in Taipei, has not overtly called for Taiwanese independence, but favours a far more independent foreign policy. China has warned that any formal declaration of independence by Taiwan could lead to the forcible take-over of the island. Earlier this month, the Chinese military conducted live-fire exercises at the northern end of the Taiwan Strait. US naval operations close to the Chinese mainland are taking place with increasing frequency as the Trump administration has imposed a raft of new sanctions against Chinaincreasing tariffs and imposing punitive restrictions on Chinese tech giant Huawei on security grounds. By deliberately inflaming dangerous flash points in Asia, the US is greatly heightening the dangers of conflict. A miscalculation or mistake could rapidly lead to a military clash that could quickly escalate into war between the two nuclear-armed powers. On Saturday, the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party, SGP) held its final meeting in Berlin for the European elections. It was attended by about 100 party members and supporters and many interested workers and youth. A few hours earlier, around 300 had attended the Freedom for Julian Assange protest at the British Embassy organised by the SGP. Both events expressed great political strength. The SGP election meeting Leading representatives of the SGP and its European sister parties defended Julian Assange and explained the political situation and the socialist programme of the Fourth International. They warned against the return of fascism and war and spoke about the growth of the class struggle, the history of the Fourth International, and the perspective of the United Socialist States of Europe. In the coming days, the World Socialist Web Site will publish the speeches of Peter Schwarz (secretary of the International Committee of the Fourth International and German editor of the WSWS), Chris Marsden (national secretary of the British Socialist Equality Party), Alex Lantier (national secretary of the French Parti de l 'egalite socialiste), Christoph Vandreier (SGP lead candidate) and Ulrich Rippert (chairman of the SGP), along with a video of the event. The comprehensive and clear contributions and the call of all speakers to become politically active and to participate in the construction of the Fourth International as the world party of socialist revolution met with a great response. Most of the participants attending an SGP event for the first time registered to support the election campaign and donated generously to the partys fund. In total, over 4,500 euros were collected at the meeting. The SGP is intensifying its activities this week in the run-up to the European election, which takes place on May 26 in Germany. Our task as Marxists is not just to interpret the world, but to change it, said Johannes Stern, SGP national executive member and a journalist for the World Socialist Web Site, who chaired the meeting. We will distribute many thousands of election statements and fight for a revolutionary programme and a socialist perspective in the working class. After French President Emmanuel Macron declared Friday that he had satisfied the demands of yellow vest protesters and called on them to vote in the European elections, the yellow vests took to the streets across France for a 27th weekly Saturday protest. The Interior ministry claimed 15,500 joined the protests, while the yellow vests themselves claimed 41,000. Protests took place in Toulouse, Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille and Amiens. In Nancy and Reims, protesters came from across France, calling for a yellow tide to protect the right to protest. On the facade of the Nancy regional administration, protesters took down the European Union flag and replaced it with a yellow vest. In Reims, there were clashes with riot police, who were filmed pushing a female passer-by to the ground. Yellow vest protesters The police prefecture said 1,600 yellow vests demonstrated in Paris. A Facebook event proposed to win back the right to demonstrate on the Champs-Elysees avenue, though the government has banned all protests in that area. Several hundred met near the skyscraper headquarters of oil firm Total, in the La Defense business district, to protest against fuel price and tax increases. They were surrounded by a cordon of riot police backed up with buses full of military police. The protesters then marched peacefully towards the Sacre-Coeur church. The WSWS spoke to yellow vest protesters in Paris, who were determined to continue the struggle against the government and the dangers posed by the war drive targeting Iran and the imprisoning of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. WSWS reporters met Julien, who works in a call center and came to protest Macrons economic policies. He said, The government just defends the interests of the transnational corporations. The level of social inequality is increasingly shocking. There are many billionaires and millionaires in this country, and so many poor workers and homeless people in Paris. Wages are too low, the monthly minimum wage of 1,100 euros [$US1,229] is not enough to live on. Romain His friend Romain also said he wanted to defend our democratic rights. The media and the state power are against the yellow vests, we saw how they manipulated the story of the Pitie hospital. They claimed that the yellow vests were attacking the hospital, but it was false. He added, The media, in any case, they are bourgeois media. We should use the precise term. They defend the world view and the interests of the bourgeoisie. Julian Assange is a true journalist because what we see in France is that the press are propagandists. There are people with press cards but in fact they are there to defend the government and the business community. Assange is a true journalist. He reveals things. That is why he is in danger. Asked about the need to unify workers worldwide against social inequality, the war danger and the threats against Assange, Romain said: Im an internationalist, of course one needs to have a global perspective because capitalism is global and so struggles against it should be, too. So effectively, we are fighting, I am fighting in France because I am located here. But I am in solidarity with Julian Assanges fight and those of other struggles around the world. We see peoples are threatened around the world, in Venezuela or the intervention against Iran. As soon as free countries want to be independent, there are economic, military or media campaigns targeting them. The WSWS also spoke to a yellow vest who wanted to remain anonymous, but said he had come to resist the absence of solution proposed by this government. Everything has to be put on the table, much more broadly. I came twice, both times it went off peacefully. We are in struggle, and we hope more and more people will join us. Looking at last weeks protests, things are coming together: the yellow vests, hospital strikes, school strikes, rural protests against fuel tax increases. Yellow vest protesters with banner calling for strike action to force Macron out Asked about the balance sheet of six weeks of protests, he said, Unlike what the media are saying, things are not going well in the country. There is a lot of discontent, but the media is trying to stifle it. Asked about the detention of Assange, he replied: It is the same story. He is being stifled with twisted judicial methods, the rape allegation, etc. You realize that internationally, we do not really have a democracy. Journalists who are doing their job should not be put in jail, which is being done with Assange. Stressing the war danger, he declared: To resolve the problems abroad, we must resolve the problems in France, because we are responsible for the problems in Africa, which we colonized. We saw the arms sales to Saudi Arabia destined for Yemen, we are implicated in these wars. We must change the system. Finally the WSWS met Vincent, a schoolteacher who had come to Paris to protest against inequality: For six months, we have sought to change the Republic, which is enriching the transnational corporations not the workers, and who are expanding the states debts. Vincent On Macrons reform of the public schools, Vincent said: Schools need money. Since the state is slashing funding to municipalities, schools have to make do. The buildings are falling apart. In my classroom, water was dripping, pieces of the ceiling were falling down. In general, we do not have enough teachers, there is neither enough room space nor the number of employees and schoolteachers to run the classes. On what the yellow vest movement would lead to, Vincent said, We should try to convince as many people as possible to be a bit more radical. It is clear that organizing small marches and going home Saturday night, that doesnt go anywhere. It hasnt gone anywhere for six months. So we need stronger actions or something like that. Asked about Assange, Vincent expressed his support: He is someone who should not go to prison, and we should have had him come here to France to protect him. In Britain, he would go to prison and could stay there until the end of his life. Thats clear. The French state should say no, we dont accept his extradition. On US war threats against Iran, Vincent said: There will undoubtedly be a war at one point or another. France should do everything it can to prevent it, like we did in the Iraq war, even if that did not work. War allows capitalism to survive, it means foreign corporations come and pillage the country after a while. So everything should be done against it. Muhsin Puthan Purayil By While the real issues of governance have been pushed aside in the general election campaign, populism, personalization of politics and political rhetoric have taken centre stage in the worlds largest democratic exercise. One major issue which had been dramatically distorted in the hyper-jingoistic election discourse is national security. Prime Minister Modi who is seeking re-election has been vocal about national security. In fact, his election rallies and campaigns were punctuated with speeches on the subject. Modi cast himself as the saviour who alone can protect the country from any adversary. Amidst such a narrative, two interconnected aspects are at the forefront firstly, national security has been reduced to fighting terrorism emanating from Pakistan. And, secondly, it has become more about punishing the enemy rather than protecting citizens and preventing such incidents. It is evident that national security became a major election plank only after the Balakot air strike which was dubbed in the media and elsewhere as surgical strike 2.0. Throughout his election rallies, Modi, as well as his party leaders, have invariably brought up the surgical strike. Constantly reminding the people of how he dealt with terrorism with vivid reference to the Balakot strike, Modi said, "The perpetrators ought to be finished the way we did, by chasing them to their hideouts (ghar mein ghuskar mara)." Further, during a rally in Maharashtra, Modi even went to the extent of seeking votes in the names of the soldiers who lost their lives in the Pulwama attack as well as those who conducted the Balakot strike. By stoking the emotions of people with his populist rhetoric, Modi seemed confident of bypassing other major developmental issues like unemployment, agrarian distress and corruption. There is a common trend in the recent cross-border terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and Maoist attacks in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. First has come grief followed by a public thirst for retaliation against the perpetrators. While this is not unusual, two important aspects expected of the worlds largest electorate are conspicuously missing - firstly, making the government accountable for its failure on the security front and secondly demanding long-term measures for ensuring national security. The Pulwama attack is illustrative. While the ghastly attack on the CRPF jawans exposed the shallowness and shaky foundation of the national security policy and apparatus, it was the counter-strike conducted in retaliation that received more attention. Unfortunately, the Pulwama attack failed to evoke serious introspection. As a matter of fact, there was little effective discussion on the security concerns raised by the attack. Even media debates and policy discussions were filled with hyper-jingoistic nationalistic rhetoric and the advocacy of a hawkish stance from India. It is striking how a terrorist attack of this nature failed to generate distrust and resentment among the public against the government. Instead, the public found satisfaction in the counterattack against terrorists across the border. The Balakot counterattack turned the general mood of the country from grief to awe and even enhanced the image as well as the popularity of the government, especially that of Modi. It played a significant role in the election campaign of the PM and he seems to have reaped political profit out of it if the exit polls are a reliable indicator. The incident demonstrates how easily populist rage can transform the real issue of security failure into a powerful campaign plank to seek votes. The bottom line is that it is a failure on the part of the public to see their leader as responsible for protecting their lives. This has to change and the people must act as rational and vigilant citizens who can make the government accountable. (The writer is a PhD scholar at the Department of Political Science, University of Hyderabad) * The views expressed in the column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The New Indian Express.